Friday, May 31, 2013

Book Blogger Hop: May 31st - June 6th

Welcome to the new Book Blogger Hop!


Grab the Button!

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 submitted by Tanya.




What is your favorite series that you've finished all the books (more than 3 books) to? 


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:
My favorite series that I have completed reading are the Harry Potter series, the Persephone Alcmedi novels, and A Series Of Unfortunate Events. I haven't finished reading all the books in the Sookie Stackhouse series, the Cat Who series and I have one book to finish reading in the Dark Tower series.

Linky List:

DVD Review - YOGA for Strength & Energy

YOGA for Strength & Energy 
Studio: Acorn Media
Release Date: November 20, 2012
ASIN: B005GYXO76
Run Time: 57 minutes

Rating: Not Rated

Review:

Memorial Day officially kicks off the start of summer (though the actual first day of summer is June 21). For those of us who still haven't worked off those unwanted winter pounds, this means we'll have to try to work off those extra pounds with gardening, mowing the yard, going on hikes, etc. Last year, I started a high intensity workout program, which resulted in some knee pains and a strained back. Therefore, I have been looking into workouts that will help me fix those troubled areas.

Recently, I had a chance to review the Yoga for Strength & Energy from Acorn Media, who sent me a free copy in exchange for my honest review. The yoga workout is instructed by a Canyon Ranch instructor consisting of two full workouts, a cool down, and a bonus stretch workout, which are intended to increase your strength; help you stretch, tone and sculpt your body, all while you burn calories and build muscles.

The workouts on this DVD are:

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Why The Superstition Mountain? by Stacey Thompson



Superstition Mountain is set in the Apache Junction area of Arizona in the late 1880's. There are a lot of legends set around the Superstition Mountains and they became the backdrop for this really fun and interesting story. It not only incorporates the Apache creation story, it also uses a form of the Lost Dutchman Legends. That's why it's such a great place to base a story that explores the boundaries of good and evil.

The story is based around a young woman named Ami who watched her mother die from a Vampire Demon named Price. She was trained as a Monster Slayer by a man named Wesley who has a past of his own. She is sent away for her own safety before Price attacks the only real family she's ever known. The Shaman and the other Monster Slayers. This sets Ami and Wesley on a mission to set things right and kill Price. Things don't go as they planned. They become instrumental in where the lines of good and evil really are and how far they will go for the people they care about.


These mountains were the perfect setting because there's so much lore in the area. From the legend of the Lost Dutchman's mines to the unexplained light shows that will happen at night. No one knows exactly where this supposed mine is in the mountains and many people have looked for the mines within the mountain. The legend talks about a man, Jacob Wilks, who found this mine and traded gold from it in the nearby city of Apache Junction. The problem is no one has ever found it.

The Apache creation story is also featured within the story. The legend talks about a small battle between what is translated into the Monster Slayer and the first evil of the Earth. Of course the Monster Slayer defeats the evil, but the question is does evil really ever truly die? I took great care in learning this story the best I could and incorporating it into the main line of the story. There are several versions of the creation story so I did my best to try and honor all of them that I found in my research.

This story is a great mesh of American Indian legends as well as some of the lore within the area. It's a wonderful mix of Wild West with Vampires and a sprinkle of Witches. I love this area and the mountains themselves and hope that everyone who reads these books will want to see the real mountains. They really are a magical and beautiful place to visit or live.



Superstition Mountain
Superstition Mountain Trilogy Part One
Stacey Thompson

Genre: Parnormal Romance Western

The Order has been around for as long as Demons have roamed the earth, but when the first Demon starts a war, there are only a few left to finish it. Ami's different and one of the best Monster Slayers there is, but she's not ready to face the dark with the one person who knows her best, Wesley the one who trained her. She might just fall in love with him.





Wednesday, May 29, 2013

DVD Review - 4 Movie Collection: Bingo/ Race the Sun/ My Stepmother is an Alien/ Little Secrets

4 Movie Collection: Bingo/ Race the Sun/ My Stepmother is an Alien/ Little Secrets
Directors: Matthew Robbins, Charles T. Kanganis, Richard Benjamin, Blair Treu
Starring: Cindy Williams, Halle Berry, James Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Kim Basinger, Evan Rachel Wood
Studio: Mill Creek Entertainment
Release Date: May 7, 2013
ASIN: B00BUWD7RK
Retail: $9.98
Run Time: 6hrs 33mins
Rating: PG, PG-13

Review:

Mill Creek Entertainment has been releasing many 4 Movie Collections this year and one of their releases this month contained four family movies - Bingo, Race the Sun, My Stepmother is an Alien, and Little Secrets; which I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. 

Bingo is low-budget Problem Child version of Benji that was released back in 1991 when I was ten-years old. I remember seeing a few advertisements for the movie, but I never saw it until last week. After being kicked out of the circus, Bingo rescues Chuckie, who then sneaks the dog into his house. The following the day, Chuckie learns that his father has been traded to the Green Bay Packers, therefore the family is moving and Bingo gets left behind, well not really, as the dog travels across the country to find the boy. Despite being rated PG, the humor is really juvenile, and I don't recommend it for younger children.

Race the Sun is a 1996 film loosely based on the true story of the Konawaena High School Solar Car Team, the first high school team to complete the World Solar Challenge, and starred Halle Berry, James Belushi, Casey Affleck, and Eliza Dushku. It didn't do well at the box-office. The movie is predictable at times, but it's a likeable fluff.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

DVD Review - Doctor Who: Series Seven, Part Two

Doctor Who: Series Seven, Part Two
Starring: Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman
Studio: BBC Home Entertainment
Release Date: May 28, 2013
ASIN: B00BXTH49M
Retail: $24.98
Running Time: 360 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Buy Link: Amazon.com

Review:

The legendary Doctor Who turns fifty-years-old this November and it is the time to catch up with the second half of series seven with the two-disc DVD of Doctor Who: Series Seven - Part Two out in stores today.

Picking up where the 2012 Christmas special, The Snowmen, ended, The Doctor tracks down the modern day version of Clara Oswin Oswald, aka The Impossible Girl, who just happens to need his help to stop the Great Intelligence. The Doctor is intrigue with Clara as she doesn't remember ever meeting him before. He takes her on a several adventures across the universe and across time in the TARDIS, but waiting in the shadows is the Doctor's darkest secret.

Doctor Who, Season 7, Episode 10, Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman) and the Doctor (Matt Smith)

The episodes on the two-disc set are:

Monday, May 27, 2013

iPad Mini Giveaway!

iPadMini
 
Welcome to the iPad Mini Giveaway!

Looks like the summer weather has finally arrived! Many of us go on family vacations, which can be stressful at times. Life would be easier with the new iPad Mini as you can keep track of your schedule, do a little online shopping, and many other things. 

The iPad Mini is the newest addition to Apple’s iPad family with all of the features of the iPad but at a smaller and more convenient size. With a 7.9-inch display, fast and fluid performance, FaceTime and iSight cameras, thousands of available apps, and a 10-hour battery life, the iPad Mini has quickly become one of the most popular tablets on the market.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

DVD Review - Doctor Who: The Snowmen

Doctor Who: The Snowmen
Starring: Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman
Studio: BBC Warner
Release Date: May 28, 2013
ASIN: B00CENXWA6
Run Time: 60 minutes 
Rating: Not Rated
Buy Link: Amazon

Review: 

The 2012 Doctor Who Christmas Special is finally making its way onto DVD and Blu-Ray on Tuesday, May 28th, 2013, which introduces Jenna-Louise Coleman as the Doctor's new companion, Clara Oswin Oswald, or otherwise known as the Impossible Girl.


After losing his previous companions, Amy Pond and Rory Williams, the Doctor has parked the TARDIS above London in the year 1892. He's still grieving and would prefer to be alone, in which his allies, Vastra, Jenny, and Strax, keep others from seeking his help. That is until a barmaid, Clara Oswin Oswald, accuses him of building a snowman in front of her workplace. He ignores her and instructs Strax to erase her memory with a memory worm, but the snowmen appear out of nowhere.

Doctor Who: The Snowmen, Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman) and the Doctor (Matt Smith) 

Clara flees to her other job as a governess to Captain Latimer's children, but she will once again cross paths with the Doctor, who can't quite figure out where he has seen her before. The ghastly snowmen return along with an icy ex-governess, all leading to return of one of the Doctor's oldest enemies, the Great Intelligence.

 Bonus features on the DVD are:
  • Clara's White Christmas - Behind-the-scenes of The Snowmen. (3.5 minutes)
  • Vastra Investigates - A three-minute prequel to The Snowmen.
  • Children in Need Special: The Great Detective - A three-minute prequel to The Snowmen.

Doctor Who: The Snowmen, Madame Vastra (Neve McIntosh), Commander Strax (Dan Starkey), and Jenny Flint (Catrin Stewart)
Doctor Who is celebrating its 50th anniversary this November, though I have only been aware of the program since 2006 when I watched Series One of the new incarnation on the Sci-Fi Channel (now known as SyFy). I became a fan by the end of the first episode. Since the end of Series Four, the series has aired on BBC America, which isn't offered through my local cable company. Therefore, I have patiently awaited each new DVD release, which I prefer as I can watch the episodes back-to-back.

The Snowmen runs about sixty-minutes and it feels more like a feature film than a television episode. The snowmen special effects look great and at times are a little frightening. Introducing the old enemy, the Great Intelligence, is pure genius, especially with Sir Ian McKellen as the voice. Jenna-Louise Coleman is a perfect as the new companion Clara Oswin Oswald and adds a bit of mystery for the Doctor to unravel. The new TARDIS design looks great as well as the new opening credits. The Snowmen is now my favorite Doctor Who Christmas special. I highly recommend it to others.



*Disclaimer - I received a free DVD in exchange for my honest review.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Book Blogger Hop: May 24th - 30th

Welcome to the new Book Blogger Hop!


Grab the Button!

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 submitted by Elizabeth.


Silver's Reviews


Have you ever been to BEA, and if so, do you recommend attending? Any good advice for first-time attendees? 


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:
No, I have never been to the BookExpo America. Money is a little tight for me, so traveling is out of the question. It would probably be a fun experience as I do love books.

Linky List:

Review - The Man of Steel: Superman and the Poisoned Planet

The Man of Steel: Superman and the Poisoned Planet
By: Matthew K. Mannin
Illustrator: Mike Cavallaro
Publisher: Stone Arch Books
Pub. Date: January 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1434242242
Pages: 88

Review: 

Superman will be returning to the skies this summer in the highly anticipated reboot Man of Steel. Before then, kids can read about the flying hero in the new chapter book from Stone Arch Books, which I received a free copy of The Man of Steel: Superman and the Poisoned Planet in exchange for my honest review.

Even though I didn't grow up reading comic books, I was aware of whom Superman was through the Christopher Reeve's movies. I missed out on the Superman animated series, but I did watch the underrated Superman Returns. The advertisements for the Man of Steel look interesting, so I was looking forward to reading Superman and the Poisoned Planet.

The plot involves Batman's enemy, Poison Ivy, discovering a rare glowing vine made from Kryptonite. Superman captures Parasite and returns to the Daily News to resume his identity as Clark Kent. But he is in for a big surprise as Poison Ivy and her goons have taken the newspaper office hostage. She is demanding the Daily News to print their newspapers on recycled paper to help save the environment.

DVD Review - Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Best of Walden

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Best of Walden
Studio: Starz/ Anchor Bay
Release Date: April 9, 2013
ASIN: B00AQSN6OI
Retail: $14.98
Run Time: 70 minutes
Rating: Not Rated

Review:

This year I have had the chance to watch a few new cartoons that I have never heard of before. Last weekend, I watched the DVD Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Best of Walden, which I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! aired from 2006 to 2010 on Nick Jr., totaling fifty-two episodes (two segments per episode) and two movies.

The Best of Walden DVD features six episodes about Wubbzy's friend Walden, who is the bookish, kindhearted, science nerd of the series. In these six twelve-minute episodes, Walden bakes a marshmallow lasagna, finds a strange elephant-like-creature in his yard, catches the Chickenitis, collects figgety-fig leaves, learns how to swim and how to be cool.

The episodes on the single disc are:

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Review - Ray of Light

Ray of Light
The Days of Redemption
By Shelley Shepard Gray
Publisher: Avon Inspire
Pub. Date: May 14, 2013
ISBN: 978-0062204424
Pages: 288
Buy Link: http://ow.ly/l5Xy7
Blog Tour: http://litfusegroup.com/author/sgray

Review: 

Amish fiction has been one of my favorite book genres for the past ten years, so I was excited to read Shelly Shepard Gray's second book in The Days of Redemption series, which I received free of charge from Litfuse Publicity and Avon Inspire in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Living in the Amish community of Pinecraft, Florida, has been difficult for Amanda Yoder as her husband, Wesley, died nearly two years ago, leaving her to raise their daughter, Regina, by herself. She has no intention of marring again, until she meets the neighbor's brother, Roman Keim.

Roman isn't from Pinecraft. He's actually on vacation from his Amish life in Ohio, where a family secret became public causing a bit of an uproar in the community. Soon after arriving in Florida, Roman starts noticing the lovely next door neighbor, Amanda, whom he has heard is a widower.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

12 Rounds 2: Reloaded Blu-Ray Giveaway!


Arriving Just in Time for Father’s Day, The Action-Packed Sequel Comes to Digital HD™ May 21 and Blu-ray and DVD June 4


A twisted genius and a good man are going head-to-head in the ultimate game of cat and mouse! Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and WWE Studios unveil a brand new chapter in its thrilling action franchise with 12 ROUNDS 2: RELOADED. The second installment, starring WWE Superstar Randy Orton, debuts on Digital HD on May 21 and on Blu-ray and DVD on June 4, –just in time for Father'’s Day.

As paramedic Nick Malloy, Orton jumps into overdrive in this pulse-pounding, thrill ride filled with gripping suspense! Malloy receives a terrifying call from a vengeful psychopath connected to his past, and the maniac (Brian Markinson) threatens to unleash a murder spree unless Nick can complete a series of 12 challenges without involving the cops or missing a single deadline. With no time to spare, —and his own wife'’s life on the line, Nick must piece together cryptic clues and hunt down the killer before it’'s too late!

The 12 ROUNDS 2: RELOADED Blu-ray and DVD is loaded with extra features including three making-of featurettes, audio commentary and more. Prebook is May 8.

A Good Day to Die Hard is Available on Digital HD



A Good Day to Die Hard was released on Digital HD on May 14th. It will be released on Blu-Ray and DVD on June 4th!


Tuesday, May 21, 2013

My Superpower by Catherine Bybee



Thank you so much for having me on your blog today. I’m taking requests for blog tour topics from my Facebook friends.

Today’s guest blog topic comes from Tracy… She asks about what superpower I’d love to have.

Oh, Tracy this one is so easy for me. As some of you may or may not know, in addition to writing
contemporary romance I also write paranormal time travels. Yeah, we’re talking kilted burly, drool-worthy guys and the heroines that tame them. Well, without plugging an entirely different book than Not Quite Mine, this question is easily answered by reading Silent Vows.

I’d love to have the ability to move objects with my mind. Oh…the possibilities. The housework that could be done in a blink of an eye, keeping that kid upright on their bike. Making that plate of food fall into the lap of the guy who just pinched the ass of the waitress. And the waitress wasn’t impressed. Yeah, I’d love to move stuff with my mind. Having Mr. Stud-Muffin accidently fall into me as I walk by. Yeah… that’s the power I want!

I grew up watching Bewitched and would run around moving my nose in an effort to have that power as a kid. *sigh*

Top 12 Wrestlers’ Moments in Film

 

On Blu-ray, DVD and DigitalHD™ June 4

 

Today, many popular wrestling stars are taking turns on the silver screen and have caught the acting bug! Here, we’ll look at these action heavyweights and highlight some of their top on-screen moments, including Randy Orton, starring in 12 Rounds 2: Reloaded as Nick Malloy.

A twisted genius and a good man are going head-to-head in the ultimate game of cat and mouse! Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and WWE Studios unveil a brand new chapter in its thrilling action franchise with 12 ROUNDS 2: RELOADED. The second installment, starring WWE Superstar Randy Orton, debuts on Digital HD on May 21 and on Blu-ray and DVD on June 4 – just in time for Father’s Day.

As paramedic Nick Malloy, Orton jumps into overdrive in this pulse-pounding, thrill ride filled with gripping suspense! Malloy receives a terrifying call from a vengeful psychopath connected to his past, and the maniac (Brian Markinson) threatens to unleash a murder spree unless Nick can complete a series of 12 challenges without involving the cops or missing a single deadline. With no time to spare — and his own wife’s life on the line — Nick must piece together cryptic clues and hunt down the killer before it’s too late!

Randy Orton 

“Get a look at greatness!”

Monday, May 20, 2013

Monday Morning Madness #18: Not So Sunny


I'm once again late in writing my morning post. This time I had completely forgotten about it. The weekend went by too quickly, but I did manage to get a few reviews written. I had planned on reading Dead Ever After, but I didn't get around to it, though I did read about 1/4 of the book this morning. I should have written this post then, but I got sucked into Sookie Stackhouse's world.

Game of Thrones was my highlight of Sunday as well as the thunderstorm that hit during the night. There has been way too much rain this year already. Luckily, there have been no tornadoes around my area. I saw the horrible tornado disaster in Oklahoma on the news. My thoughts and prayers go out to victims' families.

DVD Review - Bubble Guppies: Sunny Days!

Bubble Guppies: Sunny Days!
Studio: Nickelodeon
Release Date: May 28, 2013
ASIN: B00BP0LZK8
Retail: $16.99
Run Time: 138 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
  • Full Screen Format
  • Dolby Digital - English Stereo
Review:

The animated hit Bubbles Guppies is coming to DVD on May 28th, 2013 titled Sunny Days!  Featuring six episodes, just in time for summer vacation.

The series is in the underwater city of Bubbletucky, where Gil, Goby, Deema, Molly, Oona, and Nonny as they go on amazing adventures. Each episode follows a familiar pattern with Molly chatting with another character who is doing something related to the episode's theme. Then one of the two shouts, "It's time for Bubble Guppies!"

The DVD episodes are:

DVD Review - 4 Movie Collection: The Return of the Vampire/ The Revenge of Frankenstein/ Mr. Sardonicus/ The Brotherhood of Satan

4 Movie Collection: The Return of the Vampire/ The Revenge of Frankenstein/ Mr. Sardonicus/ The Brotherhood of Satan
Directors: Lew Landers, Terence Fisher, William Castle, Bernard McEveety
Starring: Bela Lugosi, Peter Cushing, Oscar Homolka, Strother Martin
Studio: Mill Creek Entertainment
Release Date: May 7, 2013
ASIN: B00BUWD7Q6
Retail: $9.98
Running Time: 5 hrs 41 mins
Rating: Not Rated

Review:

I've been a die hard horror fan since around eight or nine-years-old, which I don't recommend for anyone at the age, but I somehow connected with scary films, good or bad. I was more than excited when Mill Creek Entertainment recently released four classic Columbia Pictures horror movies onto a 2-disc set, which I received free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

The most famous Dracula movie was the 1931 version starring Bela Lugosi, which launched a franchise for Universal Studios; though Bela only appeared in one film (I'm not counting the Abbot and Costello movie). He returned as a Dracula-like vampire named Armand Tesla in the 1943 The Return of the Vampire. The movie was attended to be a direct-sequel to Dracula, but Columbia Pictures didn't own the franchise, therefore the character's name was changed. The plot focuses on two scientists driving a railroad stake through the vampire's heart. He is entombed for nearly two decades, along with his werewolf servant, A Nazi bomb frees him from the tomb and he takes revenge of the scientists' family. The movie is a pretty good vampire flick, much better than the campy Universal Studio's sequels.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Review - Deadly Sting

Deadly Sting
An Elemental Assassin
By Jennifer Estep
Publisher: Pocket Books
Pub. Date: March 26, 2013
ISBN: 9781451688993
Retail: $7.99
Pages: 386

Review:

In the seventh entry in the An Elemental Assassin series, three months have passed since Gina Blanco (aka - The Spider) killed Selina, who had murdered her sister. Being an assassin with stone and ice elements comes with a price and many enemies. Own still isn't on speaking terms with her due to the fact that Selina was his fiancé.

Her foster brother, Finn, practically forces her to get an actual life by encouraging her to slip into a fancy dress and attending the local museum event featuring the jewelry and art by Mab Monroe, whom Gina had assassinated. During the event, a few giants thought it would be fun to rob the museum and take everyone hostage. It is all up to The Spider to save the day in a Die Hard style twist.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Book Blogger Hop: May 17th - 23rd

Welcome to the new Book Blogger Hop!


Grab the Button!

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:



What is your guilty pleasure 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 had many guilty pleasures, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer tie-ins, R.L. Stine books, Christopher Pike books, V.C. Andrews (originals and ghostwriter), Debra Webb books, Harlequin thrillers, Nora Roberts romances, Stephen King horror novels, John Saul creepy thrillers and many others.

Linky List:

"It Ain't Your MaMa's YOGA!"

After having a few back strains from doing high intensity exercises, I started looking into alternative workouts, such as yoga. I've never been the biggest the fan of yoga, mostly because I'm inflexible, but I did a few downward dog routines and it helped my back.

For the past month, I have been trying out the new workout program called DDP Yoga, which I received free of charge in exchange for my honest thoughts. I received the workout kit fairly quickly by USPS, which contained four DVDs in two cardboard sleeves, a reference wall chart featuring all the basic moves, and a fitness guide book.

DDP Yoga was created by the former WCW and WWF wrestler Diamond Dallas Page, famous for his finishing Diamond Cutter move. He suffered from many wrestling injures, which would normally result in a wrestler retiring, but instead he tried doing yoga and got back into fighting shape. Now, he has created a 13-week program to help others get into shape.

The workouts included in this program are:

The Friday 56: Dead Ever After



Rules:
Grab a book, any book. 
Turn to page 56. 
Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you. 
Post it. 
Add your (url) post below in the Linky at http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Review - Once Upon A Prince

Once Upon a Prince
The Royal Wedding Series
By Rachel Hauck
Publisher: Zondervan
Pub. Date: May 7, 2013
ISBN: 978-0310315476
Pages: 352
Buy Link: http://ow.ly/kFb0Y
Blog Tour: http://litfusegroup.com/author/rhauck

Review:

Cinderella type fairy tales have never been my thing, but I watch the television series Once Upon a Time, so I thought I would give Once Upon a Prince a try, which I received free of charge through the Litfuse Publicity and Zondervan in exchange for my honest review.

For the past twelve years, Susanna Truitt has been in love with the marine Adam Peters, who she has dreamed of marring him, but life has unexpected turns for her. It seems her so-called love had met another woman seven years ago and he plans on marrying this woman! Susanna heart is crushed along with all of her dreams.

Prince Nathaniel is taking once last holiday (aka - a vacation) to the St. Simons Islands. His father's health is failing fast and it is just a matter of time before Nathaniel will take over as king. When he returns home, he'll have to marry a complete stranger in an arrange marriage, something he wishes to avoid. By chance, he aids a beautiful woman, Susanna.Instead of giving her his real name, he tells her his name is Nate as he doesn't want her to know he is a prince. Sparks fly between the two, but his secret may ruin everything.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

DVD Review - Texas Chainsaw

Texas Chainsaw
Director: John Luessenhop
Starring: Alexandra Daddario, Trey Songz, Scott Eastwood, Tania Raymonde, Shaun Sipos, Keram Malicki-Sánchez
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: May 14, 2013
ASIN: B00BM4Q4H6
Running Time: 92 minutes
Rating: R

Review: 
 Its been thirty-nine years since Leatherface first revved up his chainsaw in Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chain Saw Massacre followed by two sequels and two remakes with the latter getting a prequel. The franchise seemed to be dead until this year's 3D release of Texas Chainsaw. It completely ignores the sequels and remakes, but it is a direct sequel to the 1974 original.

Honestly, I don't know what all the hype is about the original movie. I saw it once on Showtime when I was a teenager and I thought it was pretty tame compared to other slasher films. The first sequel is tolerable, while the third movie tried to be both a sequel and a remake, which was a complete disaster. The Next Generation starring Renée Zellweger and Matthew McConaughey was a modern day remake (though some consider it to be a loose sequel) that was shelved for three years until it was released direct-to-video. I prefer to watch the gritty 2003 remake starring Jessica Biel or even the pointless prequel.

The 3D sequel/reboot takes place directly after the original movie with the police and mob surrounding the Sawyer farmhouse, demanding them to give up Leatherface. The Sawyers attempted to give Leatherface up, but the mob of Newt, Texas burn down the farmhouse with the Sawyers in it. The only two surviving member was a baby, Edith, which was taken in by a couple and Verna Carson.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Review - Not Quite Mine

Not Quite Mine
By Catherine Bybee
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Pub. Date: May 7, 2013
ISBN: 978-1611099515
ASIN: B00A3ZA598
Pages: 302

Review:

The sequel to Not Quite Dating centers on the Katelyn "Katie" Morrison, while her brother Jack marries Jesse from the first book, Not Quite Dating. Katie has been the typical rich heiress with her tough girl attitude, tight clothes, and the habit of hopping from one guy to another, all of which ends up in the tabloids.

Katie gets a big surprise on her penthouse doorsteps, an infant girl with a note attached stating the girl's name is Savannah. The mother wants Katie to take care of the baby and not to get the social services involved. She is even more in shock when she sees her name on the birth certificate as the mother of the baby. Katie would love to keep the baby. But is she ready for motherhood?

She plans on keeping the baby until she finds out who the mother is, but keeping the baby a secret from the tabloids and her family may be a difficult thing to do, especially when her brother’s best-friend, Dean Prescott, discovers the baby in her penthouse. Dean and Katie had a fling awhile back that resulted in a miscarriage and Katie breaking Dean's heart. Dean knows he shouldn't help Katie, but a part of him still loves her.

DVD Review - 4 Movie Collection: Anatomy/ Anatomy 2/ Double Vision/ April Fool's Day

4 Movie Collection: Anatomy/ Anatomy 2/ Double Vision/ April Fool's Day
Directors: Steven Ruzowitzky, Chen Kuo Fu, The Butcher Brothers
Starring: Franka Potente, David Morse, Tony Lueng
Studio: Mill Creek Entertainment
Release Date: May 7, 2013
ASIN: B00BUWD7NY
Running Time: 6 hours 42 minutes
Rating: R/ Not Rated

Review:

One of my favorite movies from my childhood was the 1986 horror comedy April Fool's Day. I was unaware that there was a direct-to-DVD remake released in 2008, but I recently watched it in the 4 Movie Collection: Anatomy/ Anatomy 2/ Double Vision/ April Fool's Day from Mill Creek Entertainment, which I received free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

April Fool's Day (2008) stars Josh Henderson (TNT's Dallas) and Scout Taylor Compton (Rob Zombie's Halloween I & II) and it barely resembles the original as it drops most the fun and turns it into a slow contemporized slasher film. The plot rip-offs other horror movies: A year after a prank goes wrong at the annual April Fool's Day party, the Cartier siblings and their friends are being tormented by a crazed killer. There are a few twists and turns leading to an offbeat ending. Despite its unoriginal plot, it is still better than the other pointless remakes, like Prom Night.

Double Vision stars David Morse and Tony Leung Ka-fai in this Chinese thriller, which contains mostly English subtitles. Huang Huo-tu has lost the respect of his friends and co-workers. His young daughter is mentally ill, due to being in a hostage situation, and his wife is filing for divorce. He takes a job as a Foreign Affairs Officer, where he teams up with FBI agent Kevin Richter to try to solve a string of bizarre murders, all which lead them to suspect that some kind of supernatural force is involved in the killings. I have seen many horror movies, but this movie is strange. Running at nearly two hours, the pacing was a little slow for me, though I did end up liking it.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Review - Spy Killer

Spy Killer
By L. Ron Hubbard
Director: Jim Meskimen
Voice Cast: R.F. Daley, Lori Jablons, Shane Johnson, Jim Meskimen, and Tait Ruppert
Studio: Galaxy Press
Pub. Date: September 8, 2008
ISBN: 978-1592121663
Running Time: 2 hours 2 minutes
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

The classic short stories that filled the pulp fiction magazines from the 1930s and 1940s are hard to find these days. Galaxy Press has been releasing author L. Ron Hubbard's short stories from that time onto the Stories from the Golden Age audiobooks. I received a free copy of the Spy Killer in exchange for my honest review.

Spy Killer first appeared in the April 1936 issue of Five-Novels Monthly and tells the tale of an innocent man, Kurt Reid, being charged of murder and grand larceny!  He barely escapes off the ship Rangoon and flees to pre-Communist China and Shanghai.

By chance, Kurt meets the White Russian Varinka Savischna in a tea house and he manages to save the beauty from the Chinese intelligence services. Instead of going into hiding, Kurt agrees to help Varinka in her crusade against the Chinese intelligence, but of course trouble is never too far behind him as  he soon gets himself captured.

Monday Morning Madness #17: Into Darkness


Yep, for once I'm actually posting my morning post in the actual morning, but of course I couldn't start writing this post without my morning cup of coffee, which I have now switched to Nescafe' decaffeinated. The weekend went by way too fast as I didn't have a lot of time to catch up on a few books and movies, all of which are for review purposes, though I did manage to write a few reviews.


I did find time to rewatch 2009's Star Trek as I might go see Into Darkness this weekend, though if the rumors are true I should just rewatch Wrath of Khan. Yes, that means I'm somewhat of a Trekkie fan. I grew up watching reruns of the original series, the movies, and watched The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, but I lost interests after the awful Voyager series. And yes, I was the type of kid that had the starship plastic models, though I did eventually grow out of it. I would have never called myself a Trekker as I was never the kind to dress up in costumes or collect any of the toys or props. I just liked building models as a kid.

I don't go to the theater very often. By the time you buy your ticket, popcorn, and a drink, you should have just saved your money and bought the movie when it comes out on DVD and Blu-ray and you probably would have saved a few bucks. Though it is nice seeing a movie on the big screen, they're hardly any movies worth going to see anymore.

Silver Linings Playbook is the most recent new movie, which I saw on DVD. Typically, I'm not into dramas, but I like Jennifer Lawrence in anything she plays in, good or bad. I can't wait for Catching Fire to be released!

"The Burgess Boys" Return Home

The Burgess Boys
By Elizabeth Strout
Publisher: Random House
Pub. Date: March 26, 2013
ISBN: 978-1400067688
ASIN: B009MYAWIA
Pages: 336

Review: 

The Burgess Boys is the recent novel from the Pulitzer Prize winning author, Elizabeth Strout, I have to be honest, I have never heard of the author before. I became interested in the title because my last name is in the title. Random House nicely sent me a free copy to review in exchange for my honest review.

It seems the Burgess siblings, Jim, Bob, and Susan, have been haunted (or more like cursed) by the accidental death of their father. When they were children, they were sitting in the car when one of them crawled into the driver's seat causing the car to roll over their father. Both Jim and Bob moved away from their small hometown in Shirley Falls, Maine. Jim is a famous corporate lawyer, while Bob is a legal aid lawyer. Elizabeth didn't grow up to be widely respected like her brothers. She stayed in Shirley Falls to raise her teenage son, Zach.

The Burgess Boys have no plans of returning to Maine, but after Zach gets involved in a possible hate crime, Jim and Bob return to try to keep things quite, which doesn't last long as the media is never too far behind. The siblings must confront their past and unlock secrets that they never wanted out.

Review - Godzilla: The Half Century War

Godzilla: The Half Century War
By James Stokoe
Publisher: IDW
Pub. Date: June 4, 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1613775950

Review:

The newest Godzilla movie is currently filming and IDW will be releasing a paperback containing all the Godzilla: The Half Century War issues. I received an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was a big fan of the old campy Godzilla movies that aired on TNT on Saturday afternoons back in the 1990s. I even somewhat liked the 1998 Untied States version, which was a total flop. I wouldn't have thought that someone could make a comic book out of a giant lizard fighting other monsters, but IDW has somehow done it successfully.

The Half Century wars is seen from the eyes of a young solider who encounters Godzilla several times. The story takes places in all over Asia and other parts of the world as Godzilla isn't the only monster in this tale. Rodan, Kumonga, Mothra, and many other famous villains show up to chaos all over the road. Yes, the robot Godzilla even returns as the military tries everything to stop them, but their only hope lies with Godzilla!

Saturday, May 11, 2013

DVD Review - Power Rangers Samurai: Volume 4: The Sixth Ranger

Power Rangers Samurai: Volume 4: The Sixth Ranger
Starring: Alex Heartman, Najee De-Tiege, Enika Fong, Hector David Jr., Britney Anne Pritle, Steven Skyler,
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: May 14, 2013
ASIN: B00BICASSI
Run Time: 92 minutes
Rating: Not Rated


Review:


It is almost hard to believe that the Power Rangers franchise is twenty-years-old this year. I think I was in the sixth grade when the original was on television. Just writing about it makes me feel old.

As Power Rangers Megaforce takes a hiatus on Nickelodeon, Lionsgate is releasing volume four of the Power Rangers Samurai titled The Sixth Ranger which will be released this Tuesday, May 14, 2013. I received an advanced copy free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

From left to right: The Gold Ranger ("Antonio," far left), the Pink Ranger ("Mia," left), the Green Ranger ("Mike," left center), the Red Ranger ("Jayden," center), the Blue Ranger ("Kevin," right center) and the Yellow Ranger ("Emily," right) star in Lionsgate Home Entertainment's Power Rangers Samurai: The Sixth Ranger - Volume 4.

The release introduces Antonio Garcia (played by Steven Skyler) as the Gold Ranger in four action packed episodes. At first glance he looks the average young fisherman and tech junkie, but as a young child he trained side by side with the Red Ranger, Jayden. Though he isn't a Samurai descent, he made a promise to Jayden to help the Samurais if needed, which isn't easy as he must prove himself to the other Rangers and to their sensei, Ji.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Book Blogger Hop: May 10th -16th

Welcome to the new Book Blogger Hop!


Grab the Button!

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 submitted by Tanya)

What was the last book you re-read? Or name a book you would like to re-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 don't remember the last book I have re-read. When I have some free time, I would like to re-read The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson; The Shinning by Stephen King (the sequel, Dr. Sleep, is coming out in Sept.); Rosemary Baby by Ira Levin; Six-Horse Hitch by Janice Holt Giles; and My Sweet Audrina by V.C. Andrews.

Linky List:

The Friday 56 - Not Quite Mine



Rules:
Grab a book, any book. 
Turn to page 56. 
Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you. 
Post it. 
Add your (url) post below in the Linky at http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Blogger Opp. - iPad Mini Giveaway Event!





iPad Mini Giveaway Event!
Sponsored by: BuyVia.com
Organized by: GoPromoCodes.com & WithASideofThriftiness
Prize: iPad Mini 16GB
Event Dates: May 27 - June 18, 2013

This event is free for bloggers to join. Click here to join this giveaway
event and for more details.

Review - L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume XXIX





The Writers of the Future contest has been helping new writers and illustrators publish their stories and illustrations in the annual anthology that was founded by the late author L. Ron Hubbard. Galaxy Press sent me an advanced copy of Volume XXIX, which contains of thirteen stories from the 2012 quarterly contests along with illustrations for each story, free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

This volume has an introduction by Dave Wolverton, a writing essay by Nnedi Okorafor, an essay on illustrating by Larry Elmore, and an essay titled "The Manuscript Factory" by L. Ron Hubbard.

The thirteen stories are:

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Review - The Cat That God Sent & The Dog That Talked To God


Anybody who knows me knows I'm an animal lover, especially for cats as I have two of them. I instantly signed up to review The Cat That God Sent and The Cat That Talked To God by Jim Kraus, which I received free of charge from Liftfuse Publicity Group and Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest review.

In The Cat That God Sent, Jake Wilkerson packed up his little belonging into his pickup truck and traveled to Coudersport, Pennsylvania, where he took the job as the pastor of the small rural church. As soon as he arrived at the church, which he'll also be living there, he is welcomed by as a sliver and black cat that came out-of-nowhere. Jake has a soft spot for animals and takes the cat in. The cat has a thorn stuck in its paw, therefore, Jake tracks down the local veterinarian, Emma Grainger, who removes the thorn and names the cat Petey.

Petey is not the typical cat as he likes to ride with Jake in the truck and listen to Jake's sermons. What Jake doesn't know is that Petey has been sent on a mission from God. The cat is not the only new addiction to Jake's life as a young runaway, Tassy, enters his life.

With the help of Petey, Jake must overcome his fears, so he can help the residents of Coudersport.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Monday Morning Madness #16: There Was Snow in May!


Yes, I slept in late today, but, no, I didn't forget about this post. I originally intended to write this post earlier today, but I got sidetrack by a book I'm reading. Plus, I've been watching the 1960's series Gidget on DVD. I'll be writing a review on it soon.

There was snow on the ground here in the mid-west at the end of last week, though all of it has now melted. This is first time in my life that it has snowed during the month of May. Does that mean there is going to be some wacky weather during the summer? The snow didn't do any harm to the grass, as I'll probably be mowing the yard tomorrow.

Review - Branded Outlaw

Branded Outlaw
By L. Ron Hubbard
Director: Jim Meskimen
Voice Cast: David O'Donnell, Bob Caso, R.F. Daley, Jim Meskimen, and Tamra Meskimen
Studio: Galaxy Press
Release Date: September 8, 2008
ISBN: 978-1592123490
Run Time: 103 minutes
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

It seems the western genre in films, television (except for Hell on Wheels), and books is a dying breed. I'm a western fan, which is difficult for my generation due to the lack of anything western. Though, I do buy each Rawhide season that is released.

I recently reviewed the audiobook Branded Outlaw by L. Ron Hubbard, which I received free of charge from Galaxy Press in exchange for my honest review. Hubbard wrote hundreds of short stories during the Golden Age in which he published this western tale in the 1938 issue of Five-Novels Monthly.

Branded Outlaw has the young gunslinger Lee Weston retuning to his family's ranch in Pecos, Mexico, only to learn his father has been murdered! To make matters worse, the family ranch has burned to the ground. He suspects his father's old enemy, Harvey Dodge, is responsible for the crimes. Harvey had recently purchased land in Pecos, so Lee is positive that he is the killer.