Saturday, October 31, 2015

Boogedy, Boogedy, Boo!


A few months ago, I was trying to think of the name of an old movie about a family that movies into a haunted house and I just couldn't recall the name of it. I did what anyone else would do - I googled it and I quickly found the name - Mr. Boogedy, a 45-minute family-friendly horror comedy that aired on the The Disney Sunday Movie in 1986 (when I was a five-year-old). A longer sequel, Bride of Boogedy, aired a year later.

I have fond memories of watching both films during my childhood, which my parents had recorded on a VHS. Sadly, the VHS recordings are long gone. Now that I knew the name of the movies, I searched for the DVD or Blu-ray releases. Well, the good news is that it was just released on DVD this year, but the bad news is that it's only available for members of the Disney Movie Club. I ended up joining the club, but not just to buy this movie, as the introduction DVDs are going to be given away as presents for Christmas.

The DVD is a single-disc with both films on it. Mr. Boogedy was directed by Oz Scott (he also directed the sequel). The film centers on Carlton Davis (played by Richard Masur), his wife Eloise (played by Mimi Kennedy) and their children, Jennifer (played by Kristy Swanson), Corwin (played by David Faustino), and Aurie (played by Benjamin Gregory), moving into an old house in Lucifer Falls, New England. The realtor, Neil Witherspoon (played by John Astin), informs the family that the house is haunted by Mr. Boogedy (played by Howard Witt). Of course Carlton and Eloise doesn't believe in ghosts, but their opinions change after their kids have several strange supernatural experiences. They family must band together to get rid of Mr. Boogedy.


Friday, October 30, 2015

Book Blogger Hop: Halloween Edition: October 30th - November 5th

Book Blogger Hop

Welcome Ghouls and Goblins
to the
Book Blogger Hop: Halloween Edition!
  
If you want schedule next week's thrilling question, click here to find the next prompt fright-fest. 
To submit a question, fill out this form.

How to participate in this week's creepy meme:


1. Post on your blog answering this haunt:

  If you could give away books instead of candy to trick-or-treaters on Halloween Night, what would the titles be?

2. Enter the link to your terrifying tale in the haunting 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 a curse).

 

3. Visit other haunters in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new creeper.  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.
 

Billy's Answer!


Goosebumps books by R.L. Stine.



Linky List:

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Review - The Raping of Ava DeSantis



The Raping of Ava DeSantis
by Mylo Carbia
Publisher: Rockefeller Publishing Group, Inc.
Pub. Date: September 10, 2015
ISBN: 978-0996565202
Pages: 418
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Wow, this month has went by extremely fast. While I originally planning this year's month-long Halloween event, one of the first posts I had set up was for a review for the new thriller The Raping of Ava DeSantis by Mylo Carbia. Despite the fact that I received a copy several weeks ago, due to several distractions (other reviews, reading, writing and watching the MLB playoffs and World Series), I had almost forgotten about reading this title until I thought of it early this morning.

As the title suggests, the book centers on Ava DeSantis, a young woman that is brutally raped in Atlanta, Georgia in 1991 by a group of rich frat boys (Sebastian O'Connor, Wesley Scarborough and David Reilly). While the authorities does look into the crime, the rapist use their families' names and wealth to avoid any prison time.

Fast forward to 2006, O'Connor, Scarborough and Reilly have married, started families and have successful businesses. Out of nowhere, Ava DeSantis returns and wants revenge for what they did to her all those years ago.

While I was reading the book this morning, I kept thinking of the of the horror movies Last House on the Left  and I Spit On Your Grave, which all have the same rape revenge plot. These types of movies and books have never appealed to me, but the after I saw the haunting cover cover art to this novel, I became interesting in reading it.

Review - Happy Cooking


 
Happy Cooking
by Giada De Laurentiis
Publisher: Pam Krauss Books
Pub. Date: November 3, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-8041-8792-3
Pages: 320
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:
 
Being released in bookstores just in time for Thanksgiving is the cookbook Happy Cooking: Make Every Meal Count ... Without Stressing Out by Giada De Laurentiis, featuring nearly 200 recipes, time-saving tips and healthy eating strategies for the holidays.

Probably almost everyone has heard of the Italian Chef  Giada De Laurentiis who has had a cooking show on the Food Network since 2003. Happy Cooking is her 8th published cookbook. Why is it called Happy Cooking? Well, the author says she is happiest when she's in the kitchen.

While Italian meals are always tasty, many of them come with a high calorie count, so Giada is compiled together the best recipes that healthy and delicious. She kicks off the book with "First Things First: #breakfast, featuring recipes ("Nutella" Milk; Greens Eggs, and Ham Wrap; Caprese Frittata; Carrot and Apple Muffins, etc.) that will give you just enough energy to start your day.

Find the perfect snack in "Snacks & Small Plates,:" such as The Only Bean Dip That You'll Ever Need; Soy Citrus Turkey Jerky; New, Improved "Puppy Chow;" Warm and Spicy Popcorn; Pumpkin Spice Latte Popcorn; Italian Lemonade; Mediterranean Chile Chickens Wings; Goat Cheese Toast, etc..

It's important to eat many greens each and every day, but it can get a little boring. In "Salads & Seasons," Giada puts several new spins on salads, eggplant and zucchini with recipes such as Better Wedge Salad, Hummus Salad and Herbed Cucumber Salad.

With winter not too far away, it would be the perfect time to find new "Soups & Stews" recipes. Giada has come up with several unique recipes, like Child Watermelon-Basil Gazpacho and "House" Soup; Slow-Cooker Black Bean and Pork Stew.

For those who do like their Italian meals, Giada features an entire chapter on "Pastas & Risottos." A few of the dishes are Brown Butter Tortellini, Pasta e Fagioli with Mussels; Parmesan Marinara; Short-Rib Lasagna; and Pasta Pizza.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Review - The Humbug Murders



The Humbug Murders
by L.J. Oliver
Publisher: Pocket Books
Pub. Date: October 27, 2015
ISBN: 978-1476792347
Pages: 390
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:
 
When it comes to classic Christmas tales there's nothing better than Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The Ebeneezer Scrooge story has been retold countless times on stage, television and in movie theaters. Disney even did their version with Uncle Scrooge in the 1980s. A new Ebeneezer Scrooge story is now available in bookstores, titled The Humbug Murders by New York Times Bestselling Author L.J. Oliver (Scott Ciencin and Elizabeth Wilson).

Set way before the events in A Christmas Carol, The Humbug Murders centers on Ebeneezer Scrooge when he was in his 30's working in Cheapside, London in the year 1833, six days before Christmas. It's been five years since Belle broke his heart and he has become a cold hearted man who despises the holiday season. What started out as a boring evening turns into a complicated one when his old mentor, Reginald Fezziwig, arrives at his office for an unexpected business meeting. At first Ebeneezer believes the man is an impostor, but he quickly realizes that this man standing in front of him may be in fact a ghost. Adelaide Owen, the young woman trying to become his new clerk, witnesses the shocking scene.

As soon as the ghost disappeared, the local authorities shows up suspecting that Ebeneezer has murdered a businessman - Reginald Fezziwig. With only Adelaide defending that he is innocent, Ebeneezer is determined to clear his name and hunt down the killer that leaves a message near the victims - Humbug.

As more bodies quickly piles up, Ebeneezer and Adelaide have no choice, but to rely on a young reporter, Charles Dickens for help. They must go into the dark underbelly of London, a place were greed and death stalks every corner.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Review - Bittersweet Dreams by V.C. Andrews


Bittersweet Dreams
by V.C. Andrews
Publisher: Pocket Books
Pub. Date: October 27, 2015
ISBN: 978-1451650907
Pages: 390
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

I couldn't have this year's Halloween Madness event without at least featuring one title by the great Gothic author V.C. Andrews. Sadly, the author of Flowers in the Attic passed away in 1986, but at least two new titles are published each and every year, written by the ghost writer, Andrew Neiderman.

Being released in paperback and in e-book formats is Bittersweet Dreams. The novel centers on the Mayfair Cummings, a intellectual gifted teenager with a not-so great life. Her mother died when was she was very young and it has impacted her ever since. However, her father has slowly gotten on with his life and has remarried to the sometimes cruel Julie, whom Mayfair absolutely despises. She doesn't like to refer to her as her stepmother, but as her father's wife. While her younger stepsister, Allison, tries to get close to her, Mayfair could care less about her.

Mayfair has never been popular with the boys in her school as they all see her as an egghead and the girls make fun of her. Her only friend is Joy, a teen with an eating disorder. However, after getting a slight makeover (makeup and dressing more her age), she begins to get the attention of boys in her class, especially the popular senior Carlton James. What she never expected was to have an older admirer - her teacher Mr. Taylor.

While the book is more of a stand-alone read, the cover art has "The Forbidden" written on it, so I'm guessing this is part of the series that includes The Forbidden Sister, The Forbidden Heart (e-book) and Roxy's Story; though Bittersweet Dreams is not related to those stories. "The Forbidden" is also on the cover for next year's Sage's Eyes.

Fall Reads: American Hunter: How Legendary Hunters Shaped America



American Hunter: How Legendary Hunters Shaped America
by Willie Robertson & William Doyle
Publisher: Howard Books
Pub. Date: October 27, 2015
ISBN: 978-1501111334
Pages: 272
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:
 
Hunting has gotten a bad rap over the years due to public shootings, poaching, PETA and politicians who want to eliminate the 2nd Amendment. Hunting has been a part of American history way before the first Europeans set foot on our country. It all started with Native Americans, whom taught the English colonists how to hunt. The animals weren't killed for sport, but instead they were killed for food and the fur & hide were used for clothing.

Being released today in bookstores is American Hunter: How Legendary Hunters Shaped America by Willie Robertson & William Doyle. You might recognize the name Willie Robertson as he is the CEO of Duck Commander and the star of A&E's Duck Dynasty. I know the Robertson family gets a bad rap due to a few controversies that have occurred over the years. While I don't personally participate in hunting, I do have family members that hunt, so I do have a respect for it.

The book features true stories of America's greatest hunters, such as Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Buffalo Bill, Teddy Roosevelt and Ernest Hemingway. Of course there are a few stories that involve the Robertson clan. There is also a little bit of history on classic hunting weapons.

Monday, October 26, 2015

The Interior Art for the In the Time of the Dead Trilogy

The Interior Art for the In the Time of the Dead Trilogy
By David Monette


Greetings! I’m the author and illustrator for the “In the Time of the Dead Trilogy.” What holding these titles means is that I not only had the chance to write the books, but I was also able to do the covers and the interior artwork for them. For someone like me, a person who has always loved everything about books, it was kind of a dream come true. So what I’d like to do in this guest post is to show you the three different styles I used to do the interior work that is sprinkled through each of the books.

We’ll start with the first book in the series, “The Zombie Axiom.”


For all the books, I completed the illustrations digitally, using Photoshop. But as you can see in this book, I tried doing a bit of a pen and ink, crosshatching technique, where the darker values are built up with lines drawn upon lines. Like this:


And this:


Now, I really like working with this technique, and I was very satisfied with the finished pieces. However, for the next book I was interested in a look that wasn’t so hard-edged. I wanted something a bit more rough and dirty-feeling. This brings me to the images in the second book in the series, “The Warring Dead.”

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Review - The Bazaar Of Bad Dreams by Stephen King


The Bazaar Of Bad Dreams
by Stephen King
Publisher: Scribner
Pub. Date: November 3, 2015
ISBN: 978-1501111679
Pages: 512
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Author Stephen King, the master of horror suspense, will be releasing his newest collection of stories - The Bazaar Of Bad Dreams on  November 3, 2015 through Scribner, which will features 20 novellas and short stories.

The collection features a mix of never-before-published titles and previously released ones, such as Mile 81 (originally published as an e-book), Premium Harmony (published in The New Yorker), Batman and Robin Have an Altercation (published in Harper's Magazine), The Dune (published in Granta), A Death (published in The New Yorker), The Bone Church (published in Playboy), Morality (published in Esquire), Afterlife (published in Tin House), Ur (published as an e-book), Herman Wouk Is Still Alive (published in The Atlantic), Under the Weather (published in the Full Dark, No Stars paperback), Blockade Billy (previously published as a novella), Tommy (published in Playboy), The Little Green God of Agony (published in A Book Of Horrors), That Bus Is Another World (published in Esquire), Drunken Fireworks (previously published as an audiobook) and Summer Thunder (published in Turn Down The Lights). Previously unpublished titles includes Mister Yummy, Obits and Bad Little Kid, though the latter was published as an audiobook in Europe.

While Mr. King is known for his horror novels, not all of the stories in this collection are meant to be scary as there are dramas, character studies, science fiction and thrillers. It would take me forever to go over each and every story, so I'm going to pick just my favorites.

Blockade Billy is a baseball tale about a minor-league player, William "Billy" Blakely, that is brought in to be the catcher for the New Jersey Titans. He becomes a great addition to to team and gets the nickname "Blockade Billy" for his ability to stop runners from crossing home plate. Sadly, Blakely has a deadly past that eventually catches up with him. I read the novella when it was originally released in 2010 and I absolutely enjoyed it. It's a great baseball story, but with a Stephen King twist.

Premium Harmony is a short, but moving tale about a man named Ray Burkett who loses his wife and dog while on his way to Walmart to buy grass seed. It's a fast-paced tale set in Mr. King's fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine. It's simple, but well-written story that stays in your head long after you finish reading it.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

My Thoughts On the Poltergeist Remake


Despite my love for all things horror, I had never watched the Poltergeist films until I was in my mid twenties. I don't have any explanation for the for the delay as the movies played countless times on TBS and TNT during the 1990s. After watching a segment on some entertainment show about the curse of the Poltergeist movies, I only then became interested in watching them. Luckily, at the time it was near Halloween, so I was able to purchase all the films at my local Walmart.

To make a long story short, I quickly fell in love with the franchise, yes, even the third and final installment. I'm not a fan of remakes or so-called reboots, so I wasn't thrilled when I heard that the original film was being remade. I had no attention of ever watching the film, but I got bored a few nights ago and watched a free screener of the remake.

Instead of featuring the Freeling family, the remake centers on Eric and Amy Bowen and their children, Kendra, Griffin and Madison, moving into a new home, despite the fact that Eric has lost his job. It doesn't take long for Griffin to figure out that the house is haunted as he hears noises in the wall, electronic devices goes crazy and his little sister Madison is talking to someone or something that can't be seen.

Of course nobody believes Griffin that is until the night Eric and Amy go out to dinner and Kendra is in charge of babysitting. Both Kendra and Griffin are attacked by a paranormal force, and Madison disappears into thin air.

Friday, October 23, 2015

Book Blogger Hop: Halloween Edition: October 23rd - 29th

Book Blogger Hop

Welcome Ghouls and Goblins
to the
Book Blogger Hop: Halloween Edition!
  
If you want schedule next week's thrilling question, click here to find the next prompt fright-fest. 
To submit a question, fill out this form.

How to participate in this week's creepy meme:


1. Post on your blog answering this haunt:

 Name one book you've read in the past that still haunts you today.

2. Enter the link to your terrifying tale in the haunting 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 a curse).

 

3. Visit other haunters in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new creeper.  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.
 

Billy's Answer!


I was freaked out when I read Suffer the Children by John Saul when I was a teenager. I've been wanting to reread it, but I can't dare myself to do it.



Linky List:

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Blu-ray Review - The Exorcism of Molly Hartley



The Excorism of Molly Hartley
Director: Steven R. Monroe
Cast: Sarah Lind, Devon Sawa, Gina Holden
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Release Date: October 20th, 2015
Retail: $29.99
ASIN: B013U8EDHE
Running Time: 96 minutes
Rating: Unrated
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Now available to own on Blu-ray & Digital HD is the horror film The Exorcism of Molly Hartley, the sequel to the 2008 supernatural teen drama The Haunting of Molly Hartley. Directed by Steven R. Monroe, the film stars Sarah Lind, Devon Sawa and Gina Holden. Special Features includes Exorcism: Beyond One Truth, Clovesdale Institute: Calssified Security Camera Footage and Director Diaries.

Set six years after the events of the first film, Molly Hartley (now played by Sarah Lind) has graduated college and has become the youngest lawyer in her firm to become partner. To celebrate her 24th birthday, she has a tryst with a couple, but wakes up the next day to find them dead in her bathtub. When the police finds her, Molly is acting crazy and is sent to a Catholic mental hospital.

Ever since Molly turned eighteen-years-old, a cult had put the soul of the devil into her body and on the sixth day of the sixth month on the sixth year (666) the devil will be released into our world. Dr. Laurie Hawthorne (played by Gina Holden) tries her best to help Molly, but is thrown a curve ball when Molly begins talking in another voice and acting oddly. Hawthorne believes that Molly is possessed by some sort of demon and seeks the help of the former priest Father John Barrow (played by Devon Sawa), who is now a mental patient.

Barrow had recently performed an exorcism that resulted in a deadly outcome. At first he wants nothing to do with Molly, but after meeting her and speaking to the actual devil, he takes up his faith again and tries to drive the devil out of her with an exorcism.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Q&A with author John J. Zelenski


With All Hallows' Eve only less than two weeks away, there's still plenty of time to read a good spooky novel. 

Author John J. Zelenski has taken time out of his busy schedule to do a Q&A about his his newest novel, the supernatural thriller The Jounral of Ezekiel Walker.



When did you become interested in storytelling?

I became interested in telling stories at an early age. As a child, I would love to have stories read to me, and I would use my imagination to create my own mental version of the book. I think that love to create my own scenes and descriptions of the characters naturally carried over to the creation of my own stories to share with others.

What was your first book/story published?

I was quite young, and it was a self-published title called, “Money for Sale.” It was a guide meant to direct people to the investment strategy of investing in baseball cards and sports memorabilia. I think I sold possibly three or four copies, but it was a lot of fun and the research was very interesting.

What inspired you to write The Journal of Ezekiel Walker?

The Journal of Ezekiel Walker is actually the prequel to Walker’s Vale, now in pre-production for a film adaptation. The Journal of Ezekiel Walker gives a background and history to the small and eerie town of Walker’s Vale, Pennsylvania. It also provides some insight into the one of the main characters, Ezekiel Walker, a most understood man.

What character in The Journal of Ezekiel Walker is the most/least like you, and in what ways?

I think that award would go to Ezekiel Walker himself in the “similar” category. He is like me in that he is loyal and will do whatever it takes to defend his friends and families from enemies. The least similar character, hopefully, is Simon Tremblestone, the main antagonist. He is insincere, corrupt, greedy, and manipulative to the furthest reaches of the moral spectrum. You might say he is the devil himself!

What is your favorite part in The Journal of Ezekiel Walker?

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

ParaNorman: A Halloween Treat!

In my most recent years, I've become a fan of animated movies, but for some reason I never saw the 2012 3D stop-motion animated ParaNorman. Well, that is until I stumbled upon it on ABC Family during the summer, which I watched about fifteen-minutes of it. I found the DVD of it at my local Walmart a few days later for under $5.

Directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler, ParaNorman centers on an 11-year-old boy named Norman Babcock (voiced by Kodi Smit-McPhee). His family thinks he is a bit odd due to the fact that he loves horror films and he sometimes talks to himself. Actually, what they don't know is that he has ability to see and talk to the dead, even his own grandmother. As you can probably guess, Norman isn't popular at school and is bullied by Alvin (voiced by Christopher Mintz-Plasse). However, he accidentally befriends a bullied chubby kid, Neil Downe (voiced by Tucker Albrizzi).

While in the school bathroom, Norman is visited by the spirit of his recently deceased crazy uncle (voiced by John Goodman), who tells him that he must take up the yearly ritual of reading a story from an old book to keep a witch's curse from destroying the town.

Not knowing what else to do, Norman ventures into the woods where the old cemetery containing the graves of the town's founding fathers are buried at. He attempts to read a fairy story from the book, but it is too late as the curse is unleashed upon the town. Agatha "Aggie" Prenderghas, the witch causes a supernatural storm that raises several zombies from their graves.

Norman must team up with his sister Courtney (voiced by Anna Kendrick), Neil, Neil's older brother Mitch (voiced  by Casey Affleck) and the bully Alvin, in order to escape the zombies' clutches, locate the witch's burial and save the town.

Monday, October 19, 2015

Fall Reads: Doctor Who: Royal Blood


 

Doctor Who: Royal Blood
The Glamour Chronicles
by Una McCormack
Publisher: Broadway Books
Pub. Date: September 8, 2015
ISBN: 978-1101905838
Pages: 240
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

I guess you can call me a Whovians because my love for the British science-fiction series Doctor Who, which is currently in it's 9th season on BBC America. (Well, technically this is the 35 season if you count the 1963-1989 seasons.) Now when I see any Doctor Who media-tie in novel, I just have to read it.

The newest book, titled Doctor Who: Royal Blood, was released to bookstores last month and is set in the current 9 season. The plot involves the 12th Doctor and his companion Clara landing near the city-state of Varuz, a medieval kingdom where the knights have lasers. Yes, I said lasers. The war-torn kingdom is ruled by Duke Aurelian, whom is preparing his men for one final fight to save his people. The Doctor is mistaken for a holy man and the Duke asks for his blessing in the war.

Out of the blue, the fictional Lancelot arrives in search the Holy Grail. The Doctor realizes that there is something really strange happening on this planet and he is determined to find out who or what is behind it.

Stories Give Children Wings to Fly Around the World



Travel is the best way to learn about other cultures and lifestyles, but this isn’t always possible, especially for children. The next best way is to read about other people and many children love-fascinating stories about far-away places. Movies and books for children that are full of adventures in other countries such as those written by Nabila Khashoggi are one way to help children become aware of other lifestyles.

Culture is often defined as shared interpretations about values, norms and beliefs on which a large group of people agree. Some people define culture as an ice burg with only the tip visible or as an onion that has layer after layer. Either way, when children learn about differences as well as commonalities at a young age, they become more open and interested adults.

Teaching Diversity

Through their own actions, parents can help their children understand different cultures. For example, when a child’s parents are interested in food from different countries, this opens the way for their children to ask questions and experiment with different tastes.

An attractive world globe is a good addition for any family. A large world map can also serve the same purpose. There are many games children can play that allow for discussions about other countries. They can find the country of origin of their grandparents, neighbors or classmates.

Many people celebrate the same holidays around the world. Each country may have special items that are part of the celebration such as decorations for their homes and special food for the occasion. Children can choose a country, learn about the celebrations and make decorations that are from that country’s traditions.

DVD Review - Killer Clowns From Outer Space



While clowns are supposed to entertain children at the circus, most kids are deeply afraid of them. As a kid, clowns never appealed to me, especially after I watched part 1 of the 1990 miniseries of Stephen King's It, which almost literally scared me to death. It took me about 8 years or so before I finally watched the entire miniseries. No, it wasn'y as scary as I remembered it, but Pennywise still freaks me out.

That being said, you can probably imagine that I don't watch any movies with killer clowns in them. However, while I was at my local Walmart a few weeks ago, I stumbled upon their Halloween movie selections and found Killer Klowns From Outer Space. Now I'm well aware of the 1988 cult classic as it aired on television many times throughout the 1990s, but it never caught my attention. I was looking for a new horror film to watch this year to get me in the mood for Halloween, so I bought the DVD.

Directed by the  The Chiodo Brothers and released in 1988, the film centered on a group of evil alien klowns that invade Crescent Cove, California in their circus tent spaceship. The clowns don't speak, but they do turn humans into cotton-candy cocoons. A young couple, Mike and Debbie, happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time and witness the klowns killing a local farmer. They try to tell the police, whom includes Debbie's ex-boyfriend Dave Hanson, but they don't believe their wild tale.

The klowns wreck havoc all over town and captures more victims. Mike and Dave must work together, along with a few friends, if they plan on stopping the klowns from killing everyone in town.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Behind The Horror: The True Terror of Theme Park Halloweens by Rootie Smith

BEHIND THE HORROR

The True Terror of
Theme Park Halloweens

by

Rootie Simms

First American publication rights
copyright ©2015


        
           Can you stay in a room filled with hundreds of giant hissing cockroaches? Would you enjoy lying in a glass coffin while dozens of live rats crawled on you? Do you have screws surgically implanted in your head to support metal spikes? If you have any of these or similar qualifications, there’s a job for you at one of the country’s largest Halloween events.

As a writer who likes to pick up odd jobs (literally) I’ve worked for some of the biggest Halloween celebrations in Florida. Okay, maybe I don’t work with cockroaches and rats or wear spikes in my head, but I once held a much more terrifying job—entertainment coordinator.

Several years ago I worked for the largest Halloween event in the country. I can’t name the theme park because I had to sign a nondisclosure agreement, and while it seemed odd at the time, after spending 28 nights immersed in complete madness, I quickly came to understand the need for protection. Oddly enough, it wasn’t the guests who needed protection from the park, it was the park who needed protection from the guests.

As an entertainment coordinator I was in charge of an area filled with bikers-of-the-damned which included chainsaw-wielding bikers, dancing biker chicks in cages and an assortment of bloody ghouls whose job was to terrorize people as they walked through the area. All of the actors were in makeup and costumes to make them look like a dead gang of bikers who’d just escaped from hell. A very professional and scary looking bunch!

My job description stated that I was to keep the actors on schedule, monitor their performances, keep morale high, and attend to emergency situations. I assumed this meant simple things like costume malfunctions or actors breaking character. I would soon learn that it wasn’t the actors I had to worry about, it was the guests.

My first clue came on opening night as I walked backstage to get to my area. Along the way I discovered a new section under construction. It was odd—rows of metal chairs being set up, several large desks, a photo booth with lights and cameras, and several big vans with police logos on the side. It was strange because the setup was in an area off-limits to the public.

I stopped a veteran manager and pointed to the setup. “What’s that?”

He looked up from his clipboard. “It’s a booking station.”

“What’s the theme? Arresting zombies or demons?”

“Nope. Guests. The police arrest anywhere from 50 to 100 a night during Halloween nights and it’s more convenient to book them here at the park than at the police station. After they’re booked, they’re loaded into paddy wagons and hauled to jail.”

“Seriously?”

“You’ll see.”

“What’re they arrested for?”

“Mostly drunk and disorderly.”

“I know a lot of our guests get drunk, but what constitutes disorderly?”

“You’ll see.”

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Review - Seize The Night

*This is a sponsored review. All opinions are 100% mine.


I believe my first introduction of a vampire was in the 1985 made-for-TV movie, The Midnight Hour, when I was a four-years-old. Then of course I went a little crazy for Buffy the Vampire Slayer when I was a teenager. I even collected the Buffy novels that were published, which were written by a variety of authors, including Christopher Golden. Sadly, I no longer have a taste for reading vampire fiction; mostly thanks to the glitter-versions that appeared in the Twilight Saga, though I have read several of the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris over the last few years.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Book Blogger Hop: Halloween Editon: October 16th - 22nd

Book Blogger Hop

Welcome Ghouls and Goblins
to the
Book Blogger Hop: Halloween Edition!
  
If you want schedule next week's thrilling question, click here to find the next prompt fright-fest. 
To submit a question, fill out this form.

How to participate in this week's creepy meme:


1. Post on your blog answering this haunt:

 Your having a costume party with the theme "Book Characters." Who would you go as?

2. Enter the link to your terrifying tale in the haunting 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 a curse).

 

3. Visit other haunters in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new creeper.  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.
 

Billy's Answer!


I would go as Bram Stoker's Dracula. 



Linky List:

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Which Is the Worse - Troll or Troll 2?


Yeah, I'm pretty sure that almost every horror fan has either heard or has seen what is considered one of the worst movies ever - the infamous Troll 2!

The original Troll film (1986) was a blend of fantasy and horror. It centered on a Troll terrorizing an apartment building in San Francisco. A teenager named Harry Potter, Jr. (Yep, that's right!) must team up with the witch that lives upstairs in order to save his younger sister as well as parents from the Troll's menace. The film didn't exactly make a dent at the box-office, mostly due to horrible reviews from critics. However, it found new life at the video stores throughout the 80s.

Troll 2 was released in the USA in 1990, but it's no way connected to the first film. Actually, it doesn’t even contain any trolls in it. The film was written and directed by Claudio Fragasso, but was credited as either Drake Floyd or Drago Floyd. It was filmed in Morgan and Porterville, Utah in the summer of 1989 with a cast of unknowns. Since the director couldn't speak fluent English, neither did the script which contained broken broken dialect. It's been told that the cast tried their best to change the script dialogue, so it would sound better, but they were only given the script scene-by-scene.

The movie centers on a the Michael Waits, his wife Diana and his children, Holly and Joshua, going on a home exchange vacation in the small town of  Nilbog (Goblin spelled backwards), where they are going to live in a farm for a month.

Now Joshua is a little weird as he can communicate with his deceased grandfather, who has warned him that there is danger in Nilbog and that he should do whatever it takes to get his family to leave as soon as possible; resulting in the boy pissing on the family's meal, which all the food is green and will turn whoever eats it into a pod.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

DVD Review - R.L. Stine's Monsterville: Cabinet of Souls



Goosebumps is getting the big screen treatment in this Friday's release of the family comedy-horror starring Jack Black, but some of you might not know about the recently released direct-to-DVD film called R.L. Stine's Monsterville: Cabinet of Souls. Unlike the other direct-to-DVD R.L. Stine releases, this one isn't based on any of his books, though it’s most likely loosely inspired by the Goosebumps Hall of Horrors series.

Written by Billy Brown & Dan Angel and directed by Peter DeLuise (21 Jump Street), the film centers on four high school friends - Kellen (played by Braeden Lemasters), Beth (played by Dove Cameron), Luke (played by Casey Dubois) and Nicole (played by Tiffany Espensen), whom all attend a Hall of Horrors that is traveling through their town.

Considering that Halloween is just around the corner, the group is excited about the Hall of Horrors and all of it's freaky attractions. There are zombies, monsters and ghouls running around the place, which all of them are wearing realistic looking masks. The Hall of Horrors is owned by a strange man in a top hat, Dr. Hysteria (played by Andrew Kavadas).

Kellen has had a crush on his friend Beth for years and just when he is about to tell her how he feels about her, a mysterious teenager named Hunter (played by Ryan McCarten) catches Beth's attention. He doesn't have much time to get over his heartache as the Gothic-dressing Lilith (played by Katherine McNamara) pops into his life.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Horror Movies Are Still Scary - A Review of It Follows!



Finding a good horror flick with actual scares is hard to find these days, especially with all the unneeded remakes as well as the unwatchable PG-13 found footage ones. In my opinion, the horror genre took a turn for the worse when Scream was released in the middle '90s; though there are a few exceptions, such as Rob Zombie's Halloween, The Conjuring, The Innkeepers, The House of the Devil and Trick'r Treat.

And then there is this year's It Follows, a low-budget independent horror film that frightened moviegoers earlier this year. Sure, it only made over $18 million, but it's budget was around $2 million.

Written & directed by David Robert Mitchell, the film stars Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Daniel Zovatto, Jake Weary, Oliva Luccardi and Lili Sepe.

I occasionally search the internet about upcoming horror movies, so I was more than aware of all the buzz around It Follows way before it was released to theaters this past spring. I very seldom go to a  movie theater, so I patiently waited for it to arrive on DVD.

The film centers on a college student named Jay (played by Maika Monroe) going on a date from hell with her new boyfriend, Hugh (played by Jake Weary). He knocks her out with chloroform. Then she wakes up tied to a wheelchair in an abandoned building. This is when she learns that Hugh is passing a curse onto her, so for the time being he will be free of it.

Monday, October 12, 2015

Review - Goosebumps Most Wanted: Night of the Puppet People


Goosebumps Most Wanted: Night of the Puppet People
by R.L. Stine
Publisher: Scholastic
Pub. Date: September 29, 2015
ISBN: 978-0545627757
Pages: 153 pages

Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

I'm sure many people have fond memories of reading the Goosebumps the series throughout the 90s as well as the new generation of kids with the spinoffs Horrorland, Halls of Horrors and Most Wanted. I've been a fan since the first book, Welcome to Dead House, was released in 1992. It' sold over 350 million books worldwide in 32 languages and I'm sure with the feature film being released this Friday that it will become even more popular.

Over the last year or so, I've been reviewing the newest additions to the franchise, which I received my review copies directly from Scholastic. Unfortunately, I didn't receive a review copy of Goosebumps Most Wanted: Night of the Puppet People, but I wanted to feature a post about the title during the Halloween Madness event. Therefore, I ordered the book from Amazon and I received it on the release date.

This time around R.L. Stine adds a twisted spin on the world of puppetry. The story centers Ben and Jenny Renfro, sixth-grade twins whom have always feared puppets ever since they attended a puppet show in Kindergarten. With the Sixth-Grade Variety Show fast approaching, the twins want to come up with the perfect skit, so they can win the $500 prize and outshine Maria and Anna, two classmates that are going to make their own puppets and perform an act during the show.

Having no idea what to do, the twins turn to their pal Jonathan Sparrow (or otherwise known as Bird) to help them come up with the perfect skit. While searching Bird's attic for costumes to wear, they discover three old puppets on strings - a princess, a knight and a sultan. Though Ben is at first against it, Jenny convinces him that putting on a puppet show is the perfect way to win the variety show.

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Review - The Lost Girl: A Fear Street Novel Review


I'm sure almost everyone had heard of the bestselling Goosebumps children book series by R.L. Stine, but the younger generation might not be aware of the author's scary series for teens - Fear Street!

The first Fear Street novel, The New Girl, was released in 1989.  It was one of the most popular book series in the 1990s and has sold over 80 million copies since 2003 (probably a lot more by now). After a nine-year hiatus, R.L. Stine published a brand new installment, Party Games, in 2014; followed by Don't Stay Up Late earlier this year. The third new novel was released a few weeks ago and is titled the The Lost Girl!

Just like all the other Fear Street books, this is set in the fictional town of Shadyside. The novel starts out with a prologue that is set in the 1950 and centers on a Beth Palmieri, a teenager that has witch-like powers that were passed down from her grandmother. After being attacked by a boy, Aaron, whom happens to be the nephew of a powerful man - Martin Dooley, her father is murdered. Beth is the only witness, but she mysteriously disappears.

Fast forward to the present day, where the main character, teenager Michael Frost, is introduced. He is your typical teenager that likes hanging out with his friends, Gabe and Diego. Plus, he also writes the Shadyside High blog along with his other friend Pepper, who has a small crush on him.

While doing some grocery shopping for his mother, Michael runs into a teenage girl who looked like she was trying to steal food. The next day at school he meets this strange girl again and she introduces herself as Lizzy Walker. He is instantly enchanted by her and invites her to go on snowmobile ride with his friends. That's when the unthinkable happens - they accidentally hit a man; though the body vanishes without a trace.

Zahler Whey Protein Meal Replacement Powder Review


I hate to admit this, but my eating habits haven't been the best as of lately, especially when I've been drinking unneeded energy drinks a few times a week; which has resulted in my pants getting tighter around my waist. Hopefully, I can cut back on the sweets and push myself to exercise a bit more daily, so I can at least lose a few pounds for the holidays.

One the best ways to give in to your afternoon cravings without the all the unwanted sugar and other junk is to make yourself a protein shake!

Recently, I was sent a container of Zahler Whey Protein Meal Replacement Powder, which comes in many different flavors, such as Toasted Coconut, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and Cranberry Apple. The flavor that was sent to me was Cappuccino!

Unlike a lot of protein mixes, this one has only 1 gram of sugar per serving. It has 25 grams of protein per serving (1 scoop). It also contains BCAAs, Essential Amino Acids and Non-Essential Amino Acids, which will help a person burn body fat and gain muscle, if you are exercising regularly.


Review - Promise to Keep by Elizabeth Blyer Younts


If you follow my blog regularly, then you would know that one of my favorite genres to read is Christian romances, preferably historical fiction set in the 1800s. In the past I've stayed away from any novels set during WWI or WWII as the plots never appealed to me; though I've broken that rule from time to time when the books featured Amish characters.

Saturday, October 10, 2015

DVD Review - Witches Of East End: The Complete Season 2




I'm sure many horror fans (me included) will be watching the season premiere of The Walking Dead this Sunday. And a few others will be patently waiting for Halloween Night for the first episode of Ash vs Evil Dead (which also includes me). I guess you can say that I like any television series that has a horror theme. Yes, that even means that I watched the short-lived Witches of East End!

I wouldn't be surprised if you haven't heard of the series before since in it aired on Lifetime. It loosely based on the books by by Melissa de la Cruz. The series debuted in the fall in 2013 and centered on Joanna Beauchamp (played by Julia Ormond) & her two daughters, Ingrid (played by Rachel Boston) and Freya (played by Jenna Dewan Tatum). Their lives are turned upside down when Joanna's sister Wendy (played by Mädchen Amick) arrives and forces Joanna to tell the girls the truth that they're immortal witches from Asgard.

Plus, a curse was played on Joanna and Wendy years ago. Wendy was cursed with nine lives, the ability to turn into a black cat and every time that she dies, she comes back to life within hours. Joanna was cursed with seeing her daughters die in their twenties and immediately becomes pregnant with them again. This cycle is repeated over and over, to the point where she had hid the girls' heritage from them.
 
The first season was basically a cheesy soap opera with love triangles, silly plots and so-so acting, but for some strange reason I still watched it. Oh, wait, it probably has to do with the fact that the all the actresses gorgeous.

Anyway, Season two debuted in the summer of 2014 with little advertisement from Lifetime. The first episode picks up shortly after the season one's finale, which showed what happens to Killian Gardiner (played by Daniel Di Tomasso). Meanwhile, his brother Dash (played Eric Winter) is experimenting with his new-found powers. Who are these guys? Well, Dash is Freya's ex-fiance and Killan is her soul mate. Remember, I said this was like a soap opera!

Blu-ray Review: Tomorrowland


Tomorrowland
Director: Brad Bird
Cast: George Clooney. Britt Robertson, Raffey Cassidy and Hugh Laurie
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: October 13, 2015
Retail: $39.99
ASIN: B00WAJ8OLG
Running Time: 130 minutes
Rating: PG
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Arriving on DVD and Blu-ray this Tuesday from Walt Disney Home Entertainment is the fantasy-adventure Tomorrowland. Directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles), the film stars George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Raffey Cassidy and Hugh Laurie. Bonus Features on the Blu-ray includes Remembering The Future: A Personal Journey Through Tomorrowland With Brad Bird, Animated Short: The Origins Of Plus Ultra, Casting Tomorrowland, A Great Big Beautiful Scoring Session, The World Of Tomorrow Science Hour - Hosted by Futurologist David Nix, Deleted Scenes, Brad Bird Production Diaries, Blast from the Past Commercial and 4 Easter Eggs.

Loosely inspired by the Disney theme parks' Tomorrowland attraction, the film centers on a Florida teenager, Casey Newton (played by Britt Robertson), who has a niche for technology and science. She also has a wild streak that gets her into trouble with the law, which doesn't sit well with her father (played by Tim McGraw), a  NASA engineer.

After being bailed out of jail, a police officer hands over Casey's belongings. She quickly notices that one thing isn't hers - a strange-looking pin that is embossed with a "T" symbol. When she touches the pin, she sees a glimpse of a futuristic world!

With a quick internet search, Casey finds no information on the pin, except that a Houston memorabilia store has been looking for it. She is determined to find out what the pin is and travels to Texas, but upon arriving she is attacked by robots. Luckily for her, she has a new-found friend - an Audio-Animatronic robot named Athena (played by Raffey Cassidy).

Now with more evil robots hot on the trail, Casey and Athena must seek out the inventor Frank Walker (played by George Clooney) to help them travel to Tomorrowland save it from extinction.

Friday, October 9, 2015

Book Blogger Hop: Halloween Edition: October 9th - 15th

Book Blogger Hop

Welcome Ghouls and Goblins
to the
Book Blogger Hop: Halloween Edition!
  
If you want schedule next week's thrilling question, click here to find the next prompt fright-fest. 
To submit a question, fill out this form.

How to participate in this week's creepy meme:


1. Post on your blog answering this haunt:

 What's your favorite "Halloween" snack to munch on while you're reading? ?

2. Enter the link to your terrifying tale in the haunting 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 a curse).

 

3. Visit other haunters in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new creeper.  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.
 

Billy's Answer!


Candy Corn!



Linky List:

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Review - The Last Great Halloween Review



The Last Great Halloween
a Trudy McFarlan Novel
by Rootie Simms
Publisher: Wilder Things Publishing
Pub. Date: June 9, 2015
ISBN: 978-1512287394
Pages: 186
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

While I was setting up the schedule for the Halloween Madness event, I received a press release about the new young adult book - The Last Great Halloween: a Trudy McFarlan Novel by Rootie Simms. After reading the synopsis, I knew I had to read the novel.

Set in 1960, The Last Great Halloween centers on Trudy McFarlan, a preteen who got to skip the six-grade along with her best friend Paige and jump right into Junior High (7th Grade). Her favorite holiday is Halloween. Trudy and Paige have been planning the greatest Halloween party since forever, but they've never gotten around to actually having it.

After Trudy's mother told her that she was too old to go trick-or-treating and if she wanted a costume, she would have to make it herself, the unthinkable finally happens - the Halloween party becomes a reality.

Paige's mother is letting them have a Halloween party. Trudy already has the perfect costume - a bat, but she needs to find all the materials to make it first. If she doesn't find what she wants in dusty attics, then she's going to have to buy it herself, which is difficult when she doesn't have an allowance to spend. Plus, the ten dollars her mother gave her is for party supplies.

Trudy's plans for a last great Halloween becomes in jeopardy when she has a falling out with her Paige, resulting in a separate party.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Frighten Up Your Yard For Halloween!


My favorite holiday is just around the corner - Halloween!

Ever since I was a young kid (which was in the '90s), I gave up trick-or-treating and started decorating the outside yard for Halloween Night. Now as an adult, I still decorate my yard; adding a few new scary props each and every year. The only problem for me is that I'm limited to Walmart and Dollar General in my town that both put out only a small Halloween section every year. The good news is that when I can't find anything in those stores (which is almost always), I can always look on the internet to find great Halloween props.

One of my favorite online stores to get Halloween goodies is Oriental Trading, which has a slew of items to choose from. I was sent a cool new tombstone to review especially for the post. It is the Day of the Dead Tombstone!

Made out of foam, the tombstone measures 12 1/2" x 22" and comes with two plastic stakes, which will secure it to the ground. Due to the fact that it's made from foam, tombstones can be damaged while being sent in the mail, but I'm glad to say that the Day of the Dead Tombstone (retails for $14.99) arrived in perfect condition. It features a creepy skeleton and the words "Dia de Los Muertos" (Day of the Dead) engraved on it.

Now this tombstone is going to look a little bare by itself, so it's going to need a companion, like a ground-breaker. Oriental Trading nicely sent me a cool Latex Zombie (retails for $25.99) ground-breaker (also known as a grave-breaker).


Blu-ray Review: Return To Sender


Return To Sender
Director: Fouad Mikati
Cast: Rosemund Pike, Shiloh Fernandez, Nick Nolte
Studio: RLJ Entertainment
Release Date: September 29, 2015
Retail: $12.99 (Best Buy Price)
Running Time: 95 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Buy Link: Best Buy

Review:

Now available to own on DVD & Blu-ray (only at Best Buy) is the thriller Return To Sender. Directed by Fouad Mikati, the film stars Rosemund Pike (Gone Girl), Nick Nolte, Shiloh Fernandez and Camryn Manheim. There are no extras or special features on the Blu-ray.

Return To Sender centers on a dedicated nurse Miranda Wells (played by Rosemund Pike) living in  small town. She just finished her training to become a surgical nurse and she plans on buying a new house. For Miranda, her life was perfect, but her friends believe otherwise and they set her up on a blind date.

The unthinkable happens when a stranger, William Finn (played by Shiloh Fernandez), shows up at Miranda's doorsteps. She mistakes him for her blind date and lets him into her home, which turns out to the be the worst mistake of her life as Finn brutally assaults her. The real blind date eventually arrives, finds Miranda and call 911. Finn is quickly captured by the authorities and locked behind bars.


With her father (played by Nick Nolte) by her side, Miranda somewhat recovers from the attack and tries to pick up her life where she left off, but things aren't too simple. Due to the fact that the crime occurred in her home, selling her house becomes a major problem. Even worse, her dream of being a surgical nurse might come true as she her hands now shake when holding a scalpel.

Review - An Amish Christmas Gift


An Amish Christmas Gift
by Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid & Kelly Irvin
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pub. Date: October 6, 2015
ISBN: 978-0718039653
Pages: 416
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

I'm normally not in the mood to read holiday theme novels until after Thanksgiving, but I'm a big fan of Amish fiction, so I jumped right into reading An Amish Christmas Gift when I received it last week. There are three different novellas in this title - Naomi’s Gift by Amy Clipston, An Unexpected Joy by Ruth Reid and A Christmas Visitor by Kelly Irvin.


Naomi’s Gift centers on Caleb, a widower that is traveling with his young daughter, Susie, to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to visit his sister's family for Christmas. Along the way, Susie spots a farmer's market. She begs Caleb to stop there and find a gift for Aeti Sadie, which he eventually agrees to. Being a kid, Susie gets distracted and walks away fro Caleb's sight at the market, but luckily she comes across a quilt booth where Naomi King happens to be. Naomi is a 24-year-old woman, who is lost all hope of finding love, well, that is until she meets Caleb and sparks fly between the two. Unfortunately, Caleb still isn't ready to let someone near his heart as he lost his wife on Christmas Eve two years ago.

An Unexpected Gift is set in St. Joseph County, Michigan and centers on Abigail Kemp, a 22-year-old woman who decided just a year ago that she would never find love. With no future husband in sight, Abigail has been saving every cent that she earns from selling baked goods and quilted potholders, all so she can one day buy a horse. Despite being busy making sweets for the holiday season, Abigail agrees to help look after Micah Zook's grandmother, which the elderly woman makes it her mission to set the two up before Christmas comes around.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Fun Halloween Crafts For Kids



I'm sure everyone will be busy this month buying candy for trick-or-treaters, decorating the yard for Halloween Night and searching for the perfect costume either for your kids or for yourself, but don't forget that October is a great time to make nifty crafts!

Oriental Trading has many different crafts for kids, including the Peanuts Halloween Stickers Scenes ($5.99 retail). It contains 12 - 11" x 8 1/2" paper backgrounds that resembles the pumpkin patch from the classic Halloween Special - It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!, along with 12 - 11" x 8 1/2" sticker sheets.

I received the Peanuts Halloween Stickers Scenes along with a two other crafts (I'll get to those later in this post) from Oriental Trading back in late August. I couldn't wait until Halloween, so I eagerly opened the package and made the cute Peanuts scene (see below for the photo). It's simple to put together. All you have to do is peel whatever stickers you want and place them on the paper background.

I'm sure almost everyone has seen the Charlie Brown Halloween Special, so I'm sure this sticker scenes set will appeal to both children and adults.


Sunday, October 4, 2015

Give Out The Best Trick-Or-Treat Bags This Halloween!



The countdown to Halloween Night has officially begun, meaning there are only a few weeks to buy candy and other goodies for the this year's trick-or-treaters.

Depending on the weather, there are between 120 to 145 trick-or-treaters that show up at my doorstep on Halloween Night. Instead of giving out a few pieces a candy to each kid, each and every year, I put together a little treat bags full of a variety of candies.

In the past, I bought a package of 40 paper treat bags around a $1, but it seems the bags have been discontinued as I can no longer find them anywhere. The only bags that I can find in the stores are in packages of 10 to 20 and costs between $2 to $4 per package. I don't care for the bags as they are way too tall and require twist ties.

Luckily for me, Oriental Trading has a big selection of goody bags to choose from, including the Mini Jack-O'-Lantern Drawstring Goody Bags. The 4-inch tall plastic bags retail for $11.99 per unit (144 bags), but is currently on sale for $7.78. The bags feature a printed Jack-O'-Lantern in the front, while the rest of the bag is see-through.


Now, you can't just give away an empty goody bag on Halloween Night or your house will be egged, so naturally I'm going to put several different sweets in it. I'm sure many of you have already seen gobs of Halloween candy in the stores. I don't just buy any candy as I want to make sure it has the right amount pieces (100 & up), so I'll have plenty to go into each treat bag.

Oriental Trading carries many bulk assortments of name brand candy. And I mean huge bags (1,000 pieces)! For this year, I was looking for something new that would standout to the trick-or-treaters and I found to different ones - Zombie PartyButtermints ($6.50 per unit/108 pieces) and Eyeball Sweet Creams ($6.50 per unit/108 pieces).