Friday, February 28, 2014

Book Blogger Hop: February 28th - March 6th

Book Blogger Hop

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!

 

Have you stopped accepting books from either authors or publishers to try to catch up? If not, do you think you would ever do that?

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: 

Yes, I don't accept very many eBooks, as I can't keep up with the requests. I also don't accept very many paperback requests anymore. Typically, I only accept the books that I really want to read from book blog tours.


Linky List:

DVD Review - Doctor Who: The Time of the Doctor

Doctor Who: The Time of the Doctor
Director: Jamie Payne
Starring: Matt Smith, Jenna Coleman and Peter Capaladi
Studio: BBC
Release Date: March 4, 2013
Retail: $14.98
ASIN: B00HCK7THS
Running Time: 63 minutes
Rating: NOT RATED

Review:

BBC's Doctor Who franchise celebrated its 50th anniversary last year with a slue of DVD/Blu-ray releases, the second half of Series 7 and the 50th anniversary special, The Day of the Doctor. It all ended with Matt Smith's final adventure in the Christmas Special Doctor Who: The Time of the Doctor, which is arriving on Blu-ray and DVD this Tuesday, March 4th. Special features include "The Time of the Doctor - Behind the Lens," "Farewell to Matt Smith," and "Tales of the TARDIS."

Picking up shortly after the events in "The Day of the Doctor" that revealed the possible survival of the Doctor's home planet, Gallifrey, the Doctor's Cyberman head "Handles" picks up an odd signal coming from an unknown planet, which the planet is orbited by thousands of aliens, all wanting to know who or what sent the signal.

Doctor Who: The Time of the Doctor; the Doctor (Matt Smith) and Clara (Jenna Coleman) Photo Credit: © BBC

The Doctor's latest companion, Clara Oswald (AKA - the impossible girl), is trying to have a normal Christmas dinner with her family, when the Doctor magically shows up, once again dragging her into the TARDIS to travel to the unknown world to figure out what the signal is coming from. With the use of Handles, they track down the strange signal which is located in a town called Christmas, where the Doctor encounters a familiar mystery - the crack in the wall, which was thought to have been closed in "The Big Bang."

Review - Scraps Of Evidence by Barabra Cameron

Scraps of Evidence
Quilts of Love Series (Book 14)
By Barbra Cameron
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Pub. Date: January 21, 2014
ISBN: 978-1426752780
Pages: 240
Buy Link: http://ow.ly/tB3KX
Blog Tour: http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/scraps-of-evidence-barbara-cameron

Review:

I automatically sign up for books that have an interesting plot, a nifty book cover/jacket or if I'm familiar with the author's other novels. When I receive the books, I stack them in a pile based on the blog tour date. I had just finished reading a book by author Barbara Cameron and then I began reading Scraps of Evidence without knowing until I was about halfway thru it that it was by the same author.

Scraps of Evidence centers on Tess, whom has worked really hard to become a police detective. She is assigned a new partner, Logan, shortly before investigating the death of a young woman, which the manner of death is similar to a high school friend of hers, who had died around prom years ago. Could it be the same killer?

While at first, Logan thinks his new partner is just the typical serious, non-emotional detective, but as he slowly gets to know Tess, he learns she has a completely different side to her. It seems when Tess isn't busy solving crimes and taking care of her Aunt Susan, she likes to spend her time quilting.

The only way to stop the serial killer may in fact lie in Tess's knowledge of quilting, especially the origins of a unique quilt.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

DVD Review - Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Big Help

Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Big Help
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 18, 2014
Retail: $14.98
ASIN: B00HE11KA2
Running Time: 66 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Throughout the early '80s the majority of the animated television shows and series were created only to sell a toy line. While the majority target audience was boys, there were a few aimed for girls, such as Strawberry Shortcake.

It was created by the American Greeting for a greeting cards in the late‘70s. What started out as only Strawberry Shortcake and her cat, Custard, eventually lead to 32 different character designs. The cards became extremely popular, eventually launching into the toy industry with a rag doll, followed by other toys and merchandising. Later, Strawberry Shortcake and friends appeared in a series of animated specials and quickly disappeared as the franchise became unpopular.

Strawberry Shortcake made a brief return in 2003 with a brand-new toy line and animated series, later appearing in a big-screen feature film, but it seemed it was the wrong time for a reboot as the new generations of kids didn't exactly catch on to it. Nevertheless, Strawberry Shortcake received another reboot with another line of toys and a new computer-animated series, Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures, which three seasons have already aired and a fourth season is in the works.

Review - Self Confidence: How To Overcome Shyness, Worry and Boost Your Self-Esteem

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. 

 

Self Confidence: How To Overcome Shyness, Worry and Boost Your Self-Esteem
By: Anastasia Verg
Publisher: Social Press Publishing
Pub. Date: January 24, 2014
ASIN: B00I1KW8LA
Pages: 38
Buy Link: Kindle

Review:

Many people, young and old, suffer from shyness and low self-esteem, including myself. There are many self-help books out on the market, but I have only read a couple of them. Recently, I got a chance to review Self Confidence: How To Overcome Shyness, Worry and Boost Your Self-Esteem when it was free on Amazon Kindle for a few days and I was more than eager to read it.

The short self-help book is written by Anastasia Verg, who happens to be a graduate of Technological Educational Institute of Patras, Department of Social Work and a qualified social worker and welfare officer. Over the years, she has worked with different social groups, from the elderly to school kids with mental disabilities. The author's purpose for writing the book is to help others in social situations.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

A Blogger's Worries


I'm multitasking tonight by halfway watching/listening to the newest episode of Arrow while writing a few blog posts/reviews. Yes, I know I said I was going to cutback on my reviewing this year, so I can  focus on my fiction writing, but my plans have changed.

I currently have two Blu-rays, two DVDS, a fan and five or six books that I need to write reviews for. Plus, I have three DVDS, one Blu-ray, a stack of books and two products that I need to either watch, read or test out, so I can then write more reviews.

Yes, at times blogging can become a little stressful, especially when you are behind in reviews, but I'm trying my best to avoid stress by exercising daily (normally at night). Every time a package is left on the doorstep, I keep wondering what my neighbors think, or the mail carriers, UPS driver or FedEx driver. The FedEx has already delivered two packages and UPS has dropped off four packages this week. Plus, I'll be receiving two packages by UPS tomorrow and one package by FedEx, the latter is either a DVD or Blu-ray, but I'm not for sure what the title is or if I even signed up to review it.

Review - Goosebumps Most Wanted: Creature Teacher: The Final Exam

Goosebumps Most Wanted - Creature Teacher: The Final Exam
By R.L. Stine
Publisher: Scholastic
Pub. Date: February 25, 2014
List Price: $6.99
ASIN: 978-0545627733
Pages: 160
Buy Links: Paperback, Kindle

Review:

Author R.L. Stine has been scaring kids with his Goosebumps books since 1992. The creepy book series was inspired by the Twilight Zone, in which both usually had a shocking ending, but course Stine's stories involved kids as the main characters. A television series of the same name aired from 1995 to 1998, which most of the episodes have crawled their way onto DVDs over the last several years. The books were so popular that several spin-off series were created, Give Yourself Goosebumps, Tales to Give You Goosebumps and Goosebumps Presents and Goosebumps Series 2000. Stine took a slight break from the Goosebumps world, but returned in 2008 with a brand-new series Goosebumps Horrorland and later followed by Goosebumps Hall of Horrors.

The latest series is titled Goosebumps Most Wanted, where Stine's favorite villains return to haunt a new generation of readers. The newest installment, Creature Teacher: The Final Exam, hit bookshelves yesterday; which is a sequel to 1998's Goosebumps Series 2000: Creature Teacher.

This terrifying tale centers on twelve-year-old Tommy Farrelly, who is not looking forward to spending the rest of his summer at Winner Island Camp, a camp that teaches you how to become a winner. The camp's tag-line is: Winners Are Always Winners. His parents are winners at everything, as well as his younger sister, so he is being sent to a strange camp to learn how to be like them.

Upon arriving at Winner's Island Camp a few days late, Tommy meets Ricardo and Sophie and learns of the camp's terrible secret. Each kid will leave the camp a winner, well, except for one loser - who will be eaten by the "teacher" Mrs. Maaargh, and Tommy happens to be on the bottom of the winners' list.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Out of the Furnace Blu-ray Giveaway

 THE MANY LOOKS OF CHRISTIAN BALE

In honor of the March 11th Blu-ray and DVD release of OUT OF THE FURNACE we’re taking a look at some of the most distinctive styles of the chameleon actor.

BLUE-COLLAR BALE

In Out of the Furnace, Bale plays Russell Baze, a down-on-his-luck steel worker in a small town in Pennsylvania. The long, stringy hair, unkempt facial hair, oversized clothing and conspicuous neck tat make him look the part of a working class hero who may have had one too many run-ins with the law.

BAT-BALE

Bale had big shoes to fill when he stepped into the caped crusader’s costume in 2005 for Batman Begins, but his performance ended up being so remarkable it breathed new life into the iconic character. He bulked up to bring a heroic physicality to the role without seeming out of place in one of Bruce Wayne’s designer suits.

HUSTLER BALE

The usually svelte Bale really let himself go for his Oscar-nominated role as Irving Rosenfeld, a smarmy, middle-aged grifter living in 1970’s Long Island. From the film’s first scene where a portly Bale spends an uncomfortably long amount of time making sure his greasy comb-over is coiffed just right, you know this isn’t the Hollywood hunk we’re used to seeing.

Blu-ray Review - Adventure Time: The Complete Third Season


Adventure Time: The Complete Third Season
Voice Cast: Jeremy Shada, John DiMaggio, Hynden Walch, Niki Yang, Tom Kenny, Olivia Olson, Martin Olson, Dee Bradley Baker, Pendleton Ward, Polly Lou Livingston, Jessica DiCicco, Maria Bamford
Studio: Cartoon Network
Release Date: February 25, 2014
Retail: $32.07
ASIN: B00GOFVED2
Running Time: 286 minutes
Rating: TV-PG

Review:

Arriving on Blu-ray and DVD today is Cartoon Network's hit animated series Adventure Time: The Complete Third Season featuring twenty-six exciting episodes. Bonus features include commentaries, alternate Adventure Time intro and How An Idea Becomes Adventure Time.

Adventure Time is created by Pendleton Ward and premiered on the Cartoon Network in 2010; quickly becoming a fan-favorite for kids and adults. The series is currently in it's fifth season with a sixth season in the works.

The series centers on a human named Finn and his best friend/adopted brother, Jake - a dog with the ability to change shape, size and shrink. The two friends/brothers have many exciting adventures in the post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo; sometimes helping our their friends, Princess Bubblegum, Marceline the Vampire Queen and other characters. Plus, they occasionally have to stop Ice King from destroying Land of Ooo.


There is a lot in store for Finn and Jake in The Complete Third Season, including the Annie Award Nominee and the Emmy Nominee episode, "Thank You." The season opens up with Finn and Jake meeting the "evil" Cute King and the Cuties in "Conquest of Cuteness." "Too You" gives a resolution to the second season finale with Princess Bubblegum trying to revert back to her correct age. The season ends with the cliffhanger episode "Incendium."

The twenty-six episodes on the single-disc are:

Monday, February 24, 2014

Getting In Shape The Right Way With BSN Products



Hopefully, everybody who had weight loss or getting into shape as their New Year's Resolution hasn't given up yet and is still working out several times a week, if not daily like I am. Actually, I'm ready to start Block 3 of P90X3 tomorrow. No matter what exercising routine (walking, jogging, etc.) or workout program you are currently doing, you need to make sure you get the proper nutrients, as your muscles are going be sore after any type of workout.

Protein is important for yours muscles to recover after an exercise. It is a scientific fact that muscle burns fat. So the faster your muscles recovers, the faster it can burn fat. Of course this doesn't occur over the night, but with a great workout routine and a healthy diet, protein and other supplements can help in achieving faster results.

There are many different brands of protein powders on the market, but I heard good things about BSN products, so I contacted the company and they nicely sent me a few complementary samples to review. The samples sent to me are: Syntha-6 - an ultra premium muscle protein powder (2.91 lb), N.O.-Xplode - advanced strength (2.48 lb), Amino-X - endurance & recovery agent (15.3oz) and a shaker.



Review - Perky Jerky

Finding food with a high amount of protein can be difficult, especially if you live in a small town with limited amount of stores. Yes, whey protein shakes are a great for getting that extra amount protein, but if you are on the go, you don't have time to blend a shake.

Beef Jerky has high amounts of protein, but it also has a high amount of fat and other added preservatives that your body doesn't need. Luckily, we now have another option thanks to Perky Jerky!

What is Perky Jerky? Perky Jerky is a beef and turkey jerky brand that is high in protein, but doesn't contain any preservatives, nitrites or added MSG, except for Soy Sauce. Each tender cut of meat has been marinated overnight in a blend of natural ingredients, such as Guarana.

After hearing good things about the brand, Perky Jerky was nice enough to send me two 2.2oz. packages, Perky Jerky: Ultra Premium Beef Jerky and Turkey Perky Jerky: Ultra Premium Turkey Jerky, to try out for this review.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

DVD Review - Gotham City Serials

Gotham City Serials
The Complete 1940s Movie Serial Collection
Starring: Lewis Wilson, Douglas Croft, J. Carol Naish, Robert Lowery, John Duncan, Lyle Talbot, Jane Adams
Studio: Mill Creek Entertainment
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Retail: $9.98
ASIN: B00HFWETQW
Running Time: 8 hours 44 minutes
Rating: Not Rated

Review:

DC Comics fans are patiently awaiting for the yet untitled Man of Steel 2 or otherwise known as Batman VS. Superman to be released in 2015 or 2016. Until then, they can sink their teeth in Mill Creek Entertainments recently released 2-disc set, Gotham City Serials: The Complete 1940s Movie Serial Collection.

Most people think Adam West was the first actor to wear the cape crusader outfit, but it was actually Lewis Wilson who first appeared as Batman on screen along with Douglas Croft as Robin in fifteen-part serial Batman in 1943, later retitled An Evening With Batman and Robin. In this tale set during WWII, it contained anti-German and anti-Japanese slurs, which would be called politically incorrect today. The plot involves a Japanese scientist, Dr. Daka, who has created a device that will turn people into pseudo-zombies, and, of course, it is up to Batman and Robin to stop him.

The fifteen-chapter serial (250 minutes total) are:
  1. The Electrical Brain
  2. The Bat's Cave
  3. The Mark of the Zombies
  4. Slaves of the Rising Sun
  5. The Living Corpse
  6. Poison Peril
  7. The Phoney Doctor
  8. Lured by Radium
  9. The Sign of the Sphinx
  10. Flying Spies
  11. A Nipponese Trap
  12. Embers of Evil
  13. Eight Steps Down
  14. The Executioner Strikes
  15. The Doom of the Rising Sun

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Review - A Road Unknown

A Road Unknown
Amish Road Series, Book One
By Barbara Cameron
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Pub. Date: February 4, 2014
ISBN: 978-1426740596
Pages: 304
Buy Link: http://ow.ly/tj3vR
Blog Tour: http://litfusegroup.com/author/bcameron

Review:

Yes, there has been quite a few new Amish titles already released this year and it isn't even spring yet. I known I don't have time to read every single book that is released, but whenever I get a chance to review an Amish fiction title crosses my path, I take it.

A Road Unknown by Barbara Cameron centers on twenty-year-old Elizabeth Bontrager. Most Amish girls her age have already been through the "rumschpringe" years, but since she is the eldest of nine children, she couldn't explore the outside world as a teenager as she was needed at home.

Elizabeth is given a chance to step outside of the Amish community of Goshen, taking her to Paradise, Pennsylvania. She moves in with her Englisch pen pal and gets a job at the local country store. The store is owned by Saul Miller and the store sells Amish products to the Englisch community.

She didn't travel to Paradise in search for love, but it seems two suitors are after her attention - a guy named Bruce and her boss, Saul.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Book Blogger Hop: February 21st - 27th

Book Blogger Hop

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!

 

This annoys me, what about you? When I click on a blogger's name and it goes to their profile and I see more than one blog listed, how do you know which one to visit? I usually don't visit.

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 use to participate in other hops and it would annoy me when someone would leave a message, which the blogger would ask me to leave a comment on their post, but they didn't leave a link to the post. I would go to their profile and see several other blogs/sites listed. Since I don't know what blog to post on, I decide not to post a comment for the blogger. I like it better when there is a "linky" directing me to the exact blog URL.


Linky List:

Blu-ray Review - Killing Kennedy

Killing Kennedy
Director: Nelson McCormick
Starring: Rob Lowe, Will Rothhaar, Michelle Trachtenberg, Ginnifer Goodwin
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 11, 2014
Retail:  $29.99
ASIN: B00GM7SKFW
Running Time: 87 minutes
Rating: TV-14

Review:

Early this month 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment released Killing Kennedy on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD, starring Rob Lowe as President John F. Kennedy, William Rothhaar as Lee Harvey Oswald, Michelle Trachtenberg as Marina Oswald and Ginnifer Goodwin as Jacqueline Kennedy. Special Features includes Camelot's End: The Making of Killing Kennedy, Killing Kennedy: An Interview with Author Bill O'Reilly, The Kennedy Mystique, and Virginia Is for Lovers: Tourism Commercial.

Back in November the National Geographic Channel aired Killing Kennedy based on the book by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. The 90-minute film follows John F. Kennedy as he becomes President of the United States and it also follows a former Marine, Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated JFK on November 22, 1963.

The film focuses on the political aspects of the Cold War and the organized crime that occurred during the era, resulting in Lee Harvey Oswald becoming disillusioned with America and later taking an obsession with killing the President.

Review - Hopeful by Shelley Shepard Gray

Hopeful
Return to Sugar Creek, Book One
By Shelley Shepard Gray
Publisher: Avon Inspire
Pub. Date: February 4, 2014
ISBN: 978-0062204462
Pages: 256
Buy Link: http://ow.ly/tacpd
Blog Tour: http://litfusegroup.com/author/sgray

Review:

I grew up reading Goosebumps, Fear Street and other horror novels. Plus, I watched countless horror films, but for some odd reason one of my guilty pleasures is reading Amish fiction. I can't explain it, but it started thirteen or fourteen years ago when I first read a Bethany Lewis novel, who was one of the few authors writing Amish romances at the time. Fast forward to the present day and you can find dozens of Amish fiction titles in the bookstores. It is practically becoming its own genre.

At first Bethany Lewis was the only author I would read writing the genre, but I slowly began reading other authors, whom have all put their own spin on the Amish life. Another one of my favorite authors of the genre is Shelly Shepard Gray, so when I had a chance to review her newest book "Hopeful" through Liftfuse Publicity Group, I instantly signed up to review it.

"Hopeful" centers on Miriam Zehr, who spends most of her time working at the Sugarcreek Inn, a popular restaurant of the town residents as well as the many tourists that stop by the Amish town. From one look at Miriam's lovely smile you would have never guessed that she would rather be somewhere else. She has always dreamed of getting married and starting a family, but she has low hopes that that will ever happen.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Blu-ray Review - The Inn Of The Sixth Happiness

The Inn of the Sixth Happiness
Director: Mark Robson
Starring: Ingrid Bergman, Curt Jurgens, Robert Donat
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Retail: $24.99
Running Time: 158 minutes
Rating: Not Rated

Review: 

Not unless you get TCM finding a classic movie to watch is impossible on cable anymore. Luckily, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment has been releasing select classic films to Blu-ray. Early, this month The Inn of the Sixth Happiness was released to Blu-ray for the first time, starring legendary Ingrid Bergman as the real-life Gladys Aylward, an ex-British maid who journeys to China to become a missionary. 

The 1958 film is based on the book "The Small Woman" by Alan Burgess (No, relation to me, as far as I know.), which is also based on actual events. Ingrid Bergman plays a British maid, Gladys Aylward, who has dreamed of becoming a missionary in China, but the trip requires more money than she has in her pockets. Plus, there is the small fact that she has been rejected as a missionary because of her lack of education, but she is determined to become a missionary.

Eventually, Gladys convinces the senior missionary, to let her travel to China; therefore he secures her a place to stay there. She saves up enough money from her maid jobs and purchases a train ticket.

After arriving in China, she settles in as an assistant to a veteran missionary, Jeannie Lawson, who has been running an inn for travelers. Tragedy strikes and Gladys has no other choice, but to take over the inn. Soon the local Mandarin appoints her as "foot inspector" - an adviser for the local village. Soon, she wins the hearts of the village and the heart of Captain Lin Nan (played by Curt Jurgens). But life takes an unexpected turn when the country is invaded by Japan.

Special features on the Blu-ray include a commentary with Nick Redman, Aubrey Solomon and Donald Spoto; and Fox Movietone News: The Inn of the Sixth Happiness Rapturous and World Premiere.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

My Simple Ways To Relieve Stress

The weather this year has been freaky to say the least. The snow still hasn't completely melted yet, but it is currently thundering! The weathermen are calling for freezing rain in the morning. Honestly, I wish Spring would hurry up and get here.

Yes, products, books, movies to review are piling up on me quickly, with a coffee press, Adventure Time Blu-ray and a yoga towel arriving on my doorsteps today. According to the UPS email I received, I'll be getting another Blu-ray or DVD tomorrow, but I don't know what the title is. I already have several reviews I need to write and get posted in the next few days. Plus, I have three books that I need to start reading.

As you can see, blogging can become a little stressful at times. Sadly, stress got the best of me last year, which lead to my depression resurfacing. I'm glad to say this year has been stress-free so far, mostly thanks for me getting into a daily exercising routine, which includes a couple of yoga workouts. Yoga is suppose to relieve stress.

Distracting yourself from daily worries can help a person relax. I like to search the internet for random things; sometimes my searches leads to new products for me to review here on my blog. Lately, I have discovered finderio.com, a free social people and companies search engine; showing their professional life connections. The search engine indexes public data from social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and other public sites. This is a great way for bloggers to find a specific contact at a company or PR firm.

Get Your Hard Copies Digitized

It is well into the new millennium, and you are still dealing with paper. Back in the 1980s, everyone was talking about the paperless office and how trees would live long, natural lives instead of being chopped down and used for reams of printer paper. That hasn’t happened, and by the looks of things, it never will. However, if you have ever tried to find something in your paper archives, you know how hard a search can be. Digitization services can help make that search much easier than you have ever imagined.

Meta Tags

Paper doesn’t come with meta tags, which may mean that looking for something in the hard copy world is difficult. If you need blue prints for the Eco-Police Station built in 2009, you may need to look under “eco,” “police,” or “2009.” It may even be filed somewhere else depending on who was doing the filing. Get those same blue prints digitized and tagged with descriptors, and you could find it in a snap with the right digital asset management program. Even if you cannot afford that type of program, Microsoft’s start up system has a search engine that can help you find what you are looking for.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Review - Now Novel - Novel Writing Course

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.



There's probably an aspiring writer born every minute; from a kindergartener first learning how to read, to a middle-age book lover who wants to write their own romance novel; anybody can become a writer.

Though you might have read thousands of books over the course of your life, jumping from being a reader to an author may not be as easy as you imagined it to be. Many first-time writers fall into the dreaded "telling instead of showing" writing routine, which may in fact threaten your motivation to finish your novel.

Recently, I received the chance to review the Now Novel novel writing course at http://www.nownovel.com/. I have always been interested in taking a writing course, so this was a great opportunity for me to try one out.

Now Novel was created by Bridget McNulty, who happens to be a published author, journalist and blogger. After publishing her first novel, Strange Nervous Laughter, her readers kept asking, "How do you write a novel?" Her answer to their question is Now Novel.

The course is interactive by helping the writer create the prefect opening scene with the "Mood Creator", which the author picks out their novel's setting along with a few random internet pictures that matches your setting. The program has other steps to help you with your novel, such as "Central Idea," Story Tester," "Theme," "Story Type," "Plot" and "Character." Now Novel workshop members can have their writings critiqued by others. You can also communicate with other writers through the website's forum.

Monday Morning Madness #39: Insomnia, Reviews and Gift Guides


My original intentions was to write and publish this post yesterday, but I was slightly under the weather, so it completely slipped my mind, though I did get two reviews posted on time. My insomnia is the mostly likely cause of me not feeling my best. On most recent nights, I have been wide awake starring at the ceiling, only to drift to sleep around 5 A.M. and wake up two hours later. A lack of sleep equals a lack of energy, so I don't get around to exercising until nearly midnight. I did manage to get my workout finished an hour ago, so maybe I'll turn in early tonight.

One of my main goals this year is to stay on tack with my reviews, but I'm quickly following behind. I have four reviews that I'm going to try to finish today. Plus, I'm also behind in my reading. I need to make sure to read a little tonight, and then I can write a review on that book. I have a stack of books to be read and reviewed, along with a few DVDs, Blu-rays and a fan!

Actually, I'm expecting to receive a few more packages today, mostly review items. Yesterday, I received the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles DVD to review from Nickelodeon, whom happens to send random DVDs for me to review from time to time, but in this case I actually requested the title.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Review - The Sinners' Garden

The Sinner's Garden
By William Sirls
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pub. Date: December 17, 2013
ASIN: 978-140168738
Pages: 416
Blog Tourhttp://litfusegroup.com/author/WSirls
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Last year, I reviewed The Reason by William Sirls, so I eagerly accepted to review his newest novel, The Sinners' Garden, which I received a free copy from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Sinners' Garden focuses on fourteen-year-old Andy Kemp, a young boy whose life has been in chaos due to his scared face. His father was very abusive, resulting in his disfigurement. Due to his low self-esteem, Andy hides himself from the world; huddling himself in a corner reading a book; trying to hide the fact that  he suffers from anger issues buried below the surface.

Andy has distant himself from everyone, including his mother, whom is forced to seek help from the boy's Uncle Rip, who spent some time behind bars, to set the boy straight. Uncle Rip wants to become a father figure to him, but easing Andy's pain is going to take a miracle from God, which is exactly what happens when Andy begins hearing odd music through his iPod.

DVD Review - The Three Stooges: 6-Movie Set

The Three Stooges: 6-Movie Set
Starring: Larry, Moe, Curly, Curly Joe
Studio: Mill Creek Entertainment
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Retail: $9.98
ASIN: B00HFWETIK
Running Time: 8 hours 6 minutes
Rating: Not Rated

Review:

Last year, Mill Creek Entertainment acquired the rights to release Sony Pictures Home Entertainment titles including those released under Columbia Home Entertainment, which happens to own the rights to The Three Stooges franchise. Earlier this month as two-disc set containing six of The Three Stooges films were released on DVD, featuring Have Rocket Will Travel, The Outlaws Is Coming, Rockin' in the Rockies, Three Stooges Go Around the World in a Daze, The Three Stooges Meet Hercules and Time Out for Rhythm.

Released in 1941, Time Out for Rhythm features Moe, Larry and Curly as co-stars in this musical comedy. Similar to a few of their shorts, they play out-of-work actors begging for a job, which happens to be for an agency owned by Danny Collins and Mike Armstrong. The trio don't get center-stage in this film, but they pop into the film every little bit. The film has been currently unreleased for fans until it was released as a manufactured-on-demand through the Columbia Choice Collection series in 2012.


Rockin' In The Rockies was released in 1945 with Moe, Larry and Curly in starring roles, but unlike their other films and shorts, Moe Howard doesn't play Moe, instead he plays Shorty Williams while Larry and Curly continue to play their regular roles. The film was considered a flop in 1945, but is now adored by fans. It was finally made available on DVD in The Three Stooges: The Ultimate Collection.

After the deaths of Curly and Shemp Howard, Joe Besser filled in as the third stooge to finish out the final sixteen shorts. While the last short was released in 1959, the older shorts made their way onto black & white television screens, exposing a new generation to the Stooges' antics. With the newly found appeal to their slapstick humor, Moe, Larry and Curly Joe (played by Joe DeRita) stepped into the big-screen with several feature films throughout the '60s, as well as a animated television series.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Book review: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore




Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
By
Robin Sloan
Pub. Date: 2012
By Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ISBN: 978-0374214913
Pages:  304
Genre:
Fiction
Source:
local public library
Goodreads
Reading Challenge

Review:
I have a huge list of books to read for virtual book tours, but the one next on the list had not arrived yet, so I decided to go for a treat. There’s plenty to choose from on my TBR, and my local library had Mr. Penumbra’s 24-hour Bookstore available on a nook.
I devoured it in 2 sittings.
Clay is looking for a job, and ends up answering an add to work in a bookstore in San Francisco. He soon discovers the owner is a bit of a weirdo, and there’s something really mysterious going on there.
That’s all I can tell you, BUT this book is pure awesome. 

Friday, February 14, 2014

Book Blogger Hop: February 14th - 20th

Book Blogger Hop

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!

 

How do you handle unsolicited books that appear in your mailbox? Do you add them to your queue? Do you write to the sender and explain you didn't ask for the book and are not sure when you will be able to read and review the book? Or do you simply not read the book at all?

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: 

On the rare occasion I do receive an unsolicited book in my mailbox. Typically, it is from either a publisher or agent I have previously worked with before. Since they're unannounced, they are placed on the bottom stack of the TBR review pile; sometimes it takes months or even a year for me to get to the book. If the book doesn't interest me, then I'll contact the author/publisher/agent and tell them I'll post a book spotlight instead of a review. 


Linky List:

Trying Not To Think Ahead of the Calander

Another Valentine's Day has come and gone; besides from sending a few cards to family and friends and giving my grandmother a heart-shaped box of chocolates and a teddy bear, I don't actually celebrate the holiday. I'm single, so I don't see the point of it. I spent tonight watching a couple of episodes of Leverage on DVD and The Outlaws Is Coming! with the Three Stooges.

My weekend plans involves me doing a few errands in the morning, which hopefully I'll be back home to watch the new Power Rangers (Yes, I still watch kids' shows). I need to get a few books read this weekend, so hopefully I'll have time to start reading tomorrow. I also have a few reviews I need to write get posted by Monday. Plus, I have the old Batman serial DVD and the Killing Kennedy Blu-ray to watch and review.

I'm trying to stay ahead of the holidays this year by buying presents ahead of time. For example, I already have my mom's Mother's Day present. With the falling economy, I'm well aware my wallet is going to be stretched this year, though I did splurge a little on myself (I'll talk about that in a few minutes). Its easier to buy little bitty things during the year, so when December rolls around most of shopping is already finished.

Of course shopping ahead of time isn't exactly easy, as some people are just hard to buy for. I have no clue what to get my grandmother for Mother's Day this year. I would get her a DVD, but she can never figure out how to use the DVD player. I could buy her a music CD, but she most likely already owns it. Sure, I could get her a new book, but she doesn't care much for reading anymore because of her eyesight.

I do have a few ideas on what to get her.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Blu-ray Review - Free Birds




Free Birds
Director: Jimmy Hayward
Voice Cast: Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Amy Poehler
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 4, 2013
Retail: $39.99
ASIN: B00GRZPQX8
Running Time: 91 minutes
Rating: PG

Review:

Landing on Blu-ray and DVD last week was the computer-animated Free Birds from Twentieth Century Fox featuring the talented voice cast of Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson and Amy Poehler. Bonus Features include Birds Flipping History, Animating Free Birds: The Main Course, Winging It: Animators in Action, Talking Turkey with Composer Dominic Lewis and "Shake a Tail Feather" Music Video.

In Free Birds, Reggie the Turkey (voiced by Owen Wilson) is aware that the turkeys on the farm are the main course for Thanksgiving dinners every year, but he seems to be the only one on the farm with the intelligence to understand what is going on. He is life is completely changed with the President of the United States arrives on the farm to save one turkey's life. The President's young daughter picks out the skinniest turkey - Reggie.

Reggie is now the White House turkey, spending his days and nights watching cable and ordering pizzas that is until he is kidnapped by Jake (voiced by Woody Harrelson), who claims he is the only member of the President's Turkey's Liberation Front. Jake claims that the "Great Turkey" told him to find Reggie and take him back in time to stop the first Thanksgiving.

Ideas for Family Picture Outfits and Poses

Getting family pictures is a wonderful event. Unfortunately, it’s almost always stressful, too. Coordinating a number of different people would be difficult for anyone. When you think about all the things that could go wrong—sickness, grumpy children, naptimes being interrupted, mealtimes being pushed off, stains on clothes, wrinkles, bad weather, etc., it’s indeed overwhelming. One way to lessen the stress is to find ideas on photography sites like www.lastingexpressions.com to give yourself a head start when you are ready to take pictures. Also, it’s good to have some other tips outlined below about family picture poses and outfits ready to go so you are not scrambling last minute.

Variety Is In

This is true for both clothing and poses. Try not to be too “matchy-matchy.” Instead, find a myriad of different shades of blues (or any other color) and work within a larger parameter. It will look more natural and less staged. Speaking of more natural, that’s exactly what you should seek out for poses. Look for ideas of things you would do naturally, like walking, playing, etc. Candids always make the best pictures.

Tell a Message

This can also be applied to the wardrobe selection as well as the scenery, poses, and background. It’s always fun to make an announcement or tell a story or send a message of some kind. It doesn’t have to be

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

DVD Review - Transformers Prime: Ultimate Bumblebee

Transformers Prime: Ultimate Bumblebee
Voice Cast: Frank Welker, Josh Keaton, Jeffery Combs, Kevin Michael Richardson, Will Friedle, Sumalee Montano, Ernie Hudson, Markie Post and Steve Blum.
Studio: Shout! Factory
Release Date: February 25, 2014
Retail: $9.99
ASIN: B00GJ7CU1A
Running Time: 88 minutes
Rating: TV-Y7

Review:

The idea of giant robots transforming into vehicles may have seen a little silly in the early '80s to some, but Hasbro's Transformers toy line has become unstoppable thanks to several popular animated series and blockbuster Michael Bay films (with a fourth out this summer). The Emmy Award-winning Transformers Prime (later renamed Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters) may have came to a startling end last year, but Hasbro Studios and Shout! Factory is releasing a 4-episode single-disc DVD titled Transformers Prime: Ultimate Bumblebee on February 25, 2014 in Walmart stores everywhere.

Transformers Prime may be targeted for children, but the series has won over many adults, especially the ones who were fans of the original cartoon from the '80s. The series is executive produced by Duane Capizzi, Jeff Kline, Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orci. It aired for three seasons, one mini-series and one movie on The HUB TV Network in U.S. and on Teletoon in Canada.


The episodes featured on this release are:

Do You Think Celebrities & Models Are Too Skinny?

For a second day in a row I have managed to finish my P90X3 workout before midnight, well 2 o'clock in the afternoon to be exact for today. My main goal is to slowly move my workouts to just after I arise from bed in the mornings. I'm not a morning person, so this is going to be a tough task to take on.

My first thoughts before exercising daily this year, was that I would lose weight quickly, but that hasn't exactly happened yet, actually I've gained one-pound. I've been eating healthy and I've banned sodas from my diet, but it seems I can't lose weight as quickly as I use to. The workout program isn't a total loss, as I have loss a little over one-inch on my waist. I have also noticed an increase in strength in my arms, legs and gluts. Plus, I'm starting to become more flexible; AKA - I can now do a few yoga poses.

With all the diets and exercise programs being endorsed by celebrities on television, some of us are gullible to believe those unwanted pounds will magically disappear in one week; though in realty it takes much longer, but I can easily understand how one would believe this, as we have all seen actors or actresses magically drop weight or build up muscle for a movie role in a very short time. The average person doesn't have a personal trainer to help you workout and keep you on track. Plus, we don't have twelve hours a day to waste on exercising.

Celebrities, including models, are not the greatest role models for anyone, as the media tries to push their unhealthy images as being perfect. If you have ever scene a runway model on a magazine cover, you'll understand exactly what I mean. They're just too skinny; giving young adults the bad idea of what beauty should really be.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Monday Morning Madness #38: Too Much Yoga And Cold Weather


If you haven't noticed, I'm a little late with this post today, but at least I remembered it for once. It has been extremely cold for the past week with several inches of snow on the ground, which I hope it will melt soon, as I'm not the biggest fan of the winter weather. I have found myself oversleeping for the last several days, mostly from me not being able to fall asleep at night, which probably has a little something to do with fact that I've been exercising at nearly midnight every night. Some people say exercising just before bed helps you sleep, but that isn't the case with me, as I'm wide awake.



I'm planning on changing my exercising schedule to earlier in the day, well, I've actually been saying that since the start of the year, but I did manage to finish Day 42 of P90X 3 before two-o'clock this afternoon. I pulled something in my back (the exact same of place I had a injury last year) last week and I thought that a stretching/yoga workout would help it out today, but right now it seems to be worse. I guess I'm going to have to be careful with tomorrow's workout. Right now it would be nice to have a hot tube or one of the Sapphire Plunge Pools to lounge in, as they're suppose to be good for a person’s sore muscles or back injuries, but it would have to be an inside pool, as it is just too cold outside. I would probably freeze to death.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Review - Paris, Paris: Journey into the City of Light


Paris, Paris: Journey into the City of Light
By
David Downie
Narrated by Max Winter
Pub. Date: 2011
By Blackstone Audio
ISBN of the paperback: 978-0307886088
Duration:  9:58 hours
Genre:
Nonfiction/Travel
Source:
Audiobook Jukebox
Goodreads
With all the nonfiction books I have recently read on Paris, you would think I know it all, and I would be rather blasée about it. Far from it! When I saw Audiobook Jukebox had Paris Paris available for review, I did not hesitate.
David Downie has been living in central Paris since 1986. His book is rich of all the walks he has been taking there, attentive to every detail around him. Honestly, I have found in this book information I had NEVER encountered any where else.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

DVD Review - Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie-Rella

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie-Rella
Voice Cast: Bret Iwan, Russi Taylor, Bill Farmer, Tony Anselmo and Tress MacNeille
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Retail: $19.99
Release Date: February 11, 2014
ASIN: B00GN13CNC
Running Time: 102 minutes
Rating: TV-Y
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Arriving on DVD this Tuesday, February 11, 2014 is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie-Rella, the all-new 30-minute special, which will premiere on the Disney Channel and Disney Junior on February 14th. There are three extra 24-minute episodes and ten Minnie's Bow-Toons. Each DVD comes with a Free Castle Play Set.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is the Disney Channel's first CGI animated series, which began airing under the daily Playhouse Disney block in 2006 and later moved to Disney Junior. It is the first Mickey Mouse program aimed for preschoolers. Sadly, the series stopped production in December 2013.

In Minnie-Rella, Mickey and the gang are planning a surprise for Minnie. They give her several chores to do to distract her while they finish the surprise. Meanwhile after finishing the chores, Minnie is tired and falls asleep. She is awaken by Fairy Godmother Clarabelle, who magically helps her to get ready for Prince Mickey's party, but she might not make it in time if she doesn't hurry.

The three bonus episodes are:

Friday, February 7, 2014

Blu-ray Reviw - The Jungle Book: Diamond Editon

The Jungle Book: Diamond Edition
Director: Wolfgang Reitherman
Starring: Bruce Reitherman, Phil Harris, Sebastian Cabot, Louis Prima George Sanders, Sterling Holloway
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 11, 2014
Retail: $39.99
ASIN: B00GDT4M1A
Running Time: 78 minutes
Rating: G
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Arriving on Blu-ray for the first time this Tuesday, February 11, 2014 is the Disney 1967 classic The Jungle Book, featuring all new bonus features - Introduction by Diane Disney Miller and Richard M. Sherman; Alternate Ending - Mowgli and The Hunter; @DisneyAnimation: Sparking Creativity; Music, Memories & Mowgli: A Conversation with Richard M. Sherman, Diane Disney Miller and Floyd Norman; Disney Intermission - Bear-E-Oke hosted by Baloo; Bear-E-Oke Sing-A-Long; and I Wanna Be Like You  Hangin' Out At Disney's Animal Kingdom. The animation film will also be released on DVD and Digital, with the DVD retaining the bonus features from its previous release.

Based on the novel of the same name by Rudyard Kipling, 1967's The Jungle Book was the last animated film Walt Disney was working on before his death in 1966. The film follows young Mowgil the Man Cub, who was found as a baby by Bagheera the Panther. Bagheera left him to be raised by wolves, but as the boy got older, the wolves decided it was best for him to return to the Man Village. Bagheera takes it upon himself to make sure the boy is delivered safely to the Man Village.

Of course this is the jungle and there are many dangers for a small boy, including Kaa the Snake, therefore, Bagheera must keep a close eye on him, which isn't easy when Mowgli meets the carefree Baloo the Bear and learns about "The Bare Necessities." Escorting him to the Man Village gets even more difficult with King Louie and his apes around. Then there is also Shere Khan the Tiger, who wants to get his claws on Mowgil.

Book Blogger Hop: February 7th - 13th

Book Blogger Hop

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!

 

What is the highest number of books you received in one day either in the mail or from UPS or FedEx?

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: 

Well, last month I received between 8-10 packages in one day through USPS, UPS and FedEx, but it wasn't all books, as I received a bath scale and a few Blu-ray/DVDs to review.


Linky List:

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Dreaming of Springtime!

I wish there was such a thing as a real time machine (like the car in the Back to the Future movies), so I can skip over the winter months completely and land somewhere at the beginning of spring. There is currently between eight to ten inches of snow on the ground, which is the third or fourth winter blast to hit my area in two months, and I'm sick of all the cold weather.

I'm also not too fond of the hot summer weather either, but I do love weather in the spring and fall months. During springtime, I like to sit outside on the deck with a cup coffee, read a book and enjoy the sound of the birds chirping. Though I live in town, I still like to plant a few vegetable plants in the flower garden, but this year I would to have a small garden behind the tool shed, which has seen better days. It would be nice to own a few Gubba Garden Sheds, but the yard isn't big enough.

Until spring officially arrives, I guess I will have to tolerate the cold weather a bit longer. I know other people who hate the cold travel to warmer locations in Smart Motor Homes, but I don't own one. Plus, I'm not too fond of driving in the first place; I blame my anxiety for that problem.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

5 Writing Personalities You Can Have




When writing for the print industry or the web, everyone tells you to have you own voice. But what does that really mean?

Finding your voice is simply a matter of writing with personality. No one wants to read boring informational articles (well, maybe some people do) or stories, which is why adding personality is effective. However, there are several ways you can do this.

You can be the casual conversationalist

This is where your writing sounds more like a casual conversation than your high-school research paper. It is adding conversation-style words to your writing rather than traditional written words. This is the style I write in most often and the style that most of my writing clients prefer.

You can be the funny one

Humor is engaging and fun. The trouble with humorous writing is that to become funny, sometimes there has to be something to make fun of, which can be a slippery slope. If you ever visited the website Cracked.com, you can see what I mean. Their articles are usually quite funny, but often in a mean or condescending way. If you want to write for humor, then you’ll have to have a tough skin. Additionally, finding something that your readers will find funny in addition to something you find funny is fairly difficult. You’d be surprised at how many jokes are inside jokes.

Review - The Calling

The Calling
The Inn At Eagle Hill, Book Two
By Suzanne Woods Fisher
Publisher: Revell
Pub. Date: January 14, 2014
ISBN: 978-0800720940
Pages: 336
Buy Link: http://ow.ly/stlG8
Blog Tour: http://litfusegroup.com/author/sfisher

Review:

With all the snow on the ground today, there is nothing better than drinking a cup of hot coffee and reading a book, or in my case writing a review for The Calling.

Similar to other books by the author, this story is set again in Stoney Bridge, but this time the main focus is on Bethany Schrock, who is spending the hot summer months living at the Sister's House, while she reflects on what she wants out of life, which has been a bit rocky. Her mother abandoned her, her father recently passed away and her brother is missing. Plus, she is also trying to get over her ex, Jake Hertzler

Her boring summer that includes cleaning the Sister's House, takes an interesting turn when she meets the newest guest at the Eagle Hill Inn (which is ran by Bethany's stepmother), Geena, who happens to be a Youth Minster, well until she was fired.

Choosing Between a New or Used Mazda 2

Buying a car can be a difficult process. There are so many different options; you may be tempted to put off buying anything until you have searched every lot, every model, and every option available. This, unfortunately, could take years. Instead, get a good idea of what you want and then go from there. You can decide on a price range, a type, a model, etc. If you have chosen the type of car, like a Mazda 2, your work is halfway done. Another decision you need to make is whether you are going to buy a new or used Mazda 2 in Kansas City. Here is some information that may help you decide.

New Cars

When it comes to new cars, the quality is obvious. You are getting a brand-new car that has never been driven on the road, let alone had any accidents or problems running. You will be able to rest easy knowing that the car you get is going to be just what you wanted. However, you are going to pay for this peace of mind. New cars are considerably more expensive than used. If you have the extra money, this may be an option for you.

Five Reasons Why You Should Hire a PPC Management Agency

The world of pay per click marketing is challenging, and confusing for many people. You should hire a PPC management agency to help you effectively target your customers, and find the right people who are looking for your products. If you aren’t sure about outsourcing your PPC needs, here are five reasons why it is the best decision you will ever make.

Reason # 1: Saves Time and Money

Outsourcing your PPC needs will save you from a major headache. You won’t be pouring over several pages of keywords and bids to figure out what the best option is. You will be able to work with professionals with proven SEO and PPC strategies. They will be able to focus on managing the various campaigns, which can save you a lot of time. They won’t waste your money on keywords that do not work. Instead, they will focus on managing the bid process to save you money.

Reason # 2: Fast Results

Do you feel like you have been running the same campaigns for several months, but you aren’t getting any results? When you outsource your PPC needs, you will have fast, consistent results. Professionals understand the right keyword formatting to use, and they know what is beneficial for your brand.