Monday, September 17, 2018

Book Tour & Giveaway: Grounds For Remorse

Friday, September 14, 2018

Book Blogger Hop: September 14th - 20th




Instructions: Select all code above, copy it and paste it inside your blog post as HTML


Welcome to the new Book Blogger Hop!

If you want schedule next week's post, click here to find the next prompt question. To submit a question, fill out this form.

What to do:

1. Post on your blog answering this question:

  This week's question is submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews.


What author do you not read and why?

2. Enter the link to your post in the linky list below (enter your Blog Name and the direct link to your post answering this week’s question. Failure to do so will result in removal of your link).


3. Visit other blogs in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new follower.  The purpose of the hop is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.
  

My Answer:

There are many authors that I don't care for. One that comes to mind is Danielle Steel. I don't recall the title, but I attempted to read one of her books several years ago and I couldn't finish the first chapter, as the narration was written badly.


Linky List:

Fall Reads: Ours for a Season by Kim Vogel Sawyer


Waterbrook; 340 pages; $14.99

Now available on paperback from Waterbrook is the Mennonite drama Ours for a Season by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Based on the cover art alone, my first impression was that the Ours for a Season would be a standard Mennonite romance novel, where a young woman falls in love with an outsider. Well, that's not the case with this story, as the main characters, Anthony and Marty Hirschler, are already married! However, there marriage isn't exactly perfect, as the couple has had their share of problems. They were hoping to start a family after marring, but were told by the doctors that they can't have children. To hide his emotional pain, Anthony spends most of his time on his construction business. Marty is very depressed and slowly loses her faith.

Their lives take an unexpected twist when they receive a letter from an old friend, Brooke Spalding, who wants Anthony to be the head contractor of a big construction project, which involves restoring a Kansas ghost town. Of course, they jump on this opportunity, but later receive several shocking revelations that will challenge their faith and marriage.



Enter to win a handmade quilt by Kim Vogel Sawyer and four of her books.

Final Thoughts

Monday, September 10, 2018

Review - Unbelievably Boring Bart

Jimmy Patterson; 260 pages; $13.99; Amazon

It's been difficult for me to keep up with all the new releases, especially those written (or co-written) by James Patterson, as he practically has two or three new titles a month. Last week, I stumbled upon Unbelievably Boring Bart written Mr. Patterson & Duane Swierczynski at my local Walmart store. I didn't even know the book even existed. From my understanding, the book was released last week.

Published by Jimmy Patterson Books, Unbelievably Boring Bart centers around Bartholomew "Bart" Bean, a middle schooler who believes he's the most boring person in the universe. A few months ago, his dad, Bill, made him move from their home in Philadelphia to the hot weather of Rancho Verdugo, California. His dad is the gym teacher at his new school, which makes gym class extra difficult for Bart, as sports and exercise just doesn't intrigue him. Instead, Bart would rather be on his laptop (a hand-me-down from his mother, just before she left his father) working on the coding for his greatest invention - a video game app called Hecklr. It's similar to Pokemon Go, but with spider-like aliens.

Similar to his old school, Bart is bullied by several students. His only real friend is CyberGirl03 who he had met on the SlapTalk messaging app. CyberGirl03 is actually a girl named Aaliyah who lives in a nearby apartment building. Bart always sees her on the third-floor balcony in the afternoons, but he has never met her. She doesn't attend his school because she takes her school courses on the internet.

After sending CyberGirl03 his game to test out, he decides to make a few adjustments, which means he has to spend several late nights working on the new coding while his father is asleep. Later, somehow his game gets leaked to the public! First his classmates are all downloading and playing the game, and then the entire town begins playing it.

Now, the creator of Hecklr is the most popular person in the town, but poor Bart must keep his identity a secret.

Final Thoughts

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Happy Endings: The Complete Series Blu-ray Review


Mill Creek Ent.; 20 hrs 20 mins; TV-14; $49.98


Many short-lived television sitcoms have never gotten released to DVD; let alone, many series never get released to Blu-ray, but that isn't the case with the 2011-2013  ABC comedy series Happy Endings. The series received "the complete series" DVD and Blu-ray treatment last month, courtesy of Mill Creek Entertainment.

Created by David Caspe, the series is set in Chicago and is  centered around the breakup of Alex (played by Elisha Cuthbert) and Dave (played by Zachary Knighton) on their wedding day, which changed the lives of their friends - Alex's older sister, Jane (played by Elia Coupe), Jane's husband, Brad (played by Damon Wayans Jr.), Dave's soon-to-be roommate, Max (played by Adam Pally), and Penny (played by Casey Wilson).

Similar to How I Met Your Mother and Friends, Happy Endings follows the dysfunctional adventure of six best friends. After the breakup with Alex, Dave moves in with his gay friend Max. Later, he quits his job and starts a food truck business. "Ditzy" Alex owns a clothing boutique called Xela (Alex spelled backwards). Jane is a control-freak who wants the perfect suburban life. Brad is always trying way too hard to prove he is still manly. Penny is always on the lookout for her future husband. And Max is the gang's unemployed freeloading slob, though he does start his own limo driving service during season two.

Special Features on the Blu-ray set include:
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Outtakes
  • Parodies
  • Cast Interviews



Final Thoughts

Friday, September 7, 2018

Book Blogger Hop: September 7th - 13th




Instructions: Select all code above, copy it and paste it inside your blog post as HTML


Welcome to the new Book Blogger Hop!

If you want schedule next week's post, click here to find the next prompt question. To submit a question, fill out this form.

What to do:

1. Post on your blog answering this question:

  This week's question is submitted by La LA @ La La in the Library.


Have you ever visited the location of a book you have read?

2. Enter the link to your post in the linky list below (enter your Blog Name and the direct link to your post answering this week’s question. Failure to do so will result in removal of your link).


3. Visit other blogs in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new follower.  The purpose of the hop is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.
  

My Answer:

I have been to Hannibal, MO, which is the inspiration for the settings in Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Linky List:

Interview with Craig A. Price Jr., author of Dragonia: Rise Of The Wyverns



Now available to purchase on Amazon and Audible from Claymore Publishing is the fantasy adventure Dragonia: Rise Of The Wyverns, book one in the Dragonia Empire series, by Craig A Price JR..


The Resistance struggles to find a way to defeat the Dragonia Empire; all hope seems lost against the dragon riders, until they discover an island full of wyverns.

Devarius has lost everything. His parents murdered, his sister kidnapped, and the new village he called home: destroyed. The Dragonia Empire has gotten out of control, destroying anything and everything in its path searching for the Resistance.

Devarius is left with little choice but to find the Resistance, join them, and hope he can help them defeat the Dragonia Empire once and for all to bring peace to the land of Kaeldroga.



When did you become interested in storytelling?

I’ve been interested in storytelling ever since the first grade when my teacher gave us empty books made of construction paper and three-lined paper to write our own story.

What was your first book/story published?

The Crimson Claymore was my first novel published, and it is the first in an epic fantasy trilogy.

What inspired you to write Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns?

I’ve always loved dragons, but I always felt wyverns were left out of fiction and television. I wanted to create a world filled with dragons and wyverns. I also wanted to make it more believable by making wyvernriders more practical than dragonriders by being closer to the size of a horse. I also wanted a lot more than fire-breathing dragons, so I brought in several different elements, and to make it even more unique, I placed the land on the southern hemisphere on a world with two suns and two moons.

What character in Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns is the most/least like you, and in what ways?

Devarius has the same passion and energy to help others as I have, and Paedyn has the same odd sense of humor as me, though I don’t have the same passion for toy boats.

What is your favorite part in Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns?

3 Tips for Buying Farm Gates




Farm gates are one of those things that you don't think about until you need one. Once the issue is in front of you, however, it can be surprisingly hard to make a purchase decision. How do you know that you're choosing the right gate? How can you identify a decent brand or a legitimate deal? If you're in the market for farm gates, here are just a few shopping tips to help you find the perfect product.

1. Take Your Measurements

If your gate has to fit on or around an existing opening, you'll need to pull out the measuring tape to get its exact specifications. You don't want to buy a beautiful gate that's three inches too short! Double- and triple-check your measurements before you write them down, and keep them in your pocket as you do your shopping. You can also have something custom-ordered if nothing fits.

2. Think About the Opening Swing

Farm gate openers have gotten very sophisticated over the years. Some of them can detect an approaching vehicle and open the gate automatically! You'll never have to dirty your boots in the mud again! Of course, you might not like this kind of high-end technology; you might want something more rustic and old-fashioned. That's okay, too. The decision is up to you.

3. Keep It Safe

It isn't uncommon for livestock to bump into farm gates. Make sure that your chosen gate won't hurt them. Whether they're being curious, playing around or just jostling into the gate by accident, you don't want your valuable animals to suffer an injury because they caught the gate at the wrong angle. Not only will you feel terrible, but if the animal is seriously hurt, it might affect your business as well.