Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: Ghost Encounters: 8-Part Documentary Collection


Not Rated; 592 minutes; $14.98; Amazon

Halloween is only two months away, which means there will be an overload of horror films and Halloween-themed documentaries all over the cable channels.

Now available to own on DVD from Mill Creek Entertainment is "Ghost Encounters: 8-Part Documentary Collection" on a 2-disc set.

The 8-Documentaries are:

Haunted North America: Witches, Ghosts, and Demons (85 minutes) - showcasing ghosts stories from around the country, such as the haunting halls of the Faitmont Algonquin Resort and the lighthouse keeper ghost at Gibralter Point.

Ghost Hunt: Paranormal Encounter at Burlington Count Prison (70 minutes) - A group of "ghost hunters" investigate the strange paranormal sightings at the Burlington County Prison.

Paranormal Prisons: Portal to Hell on Earth (62 minutes) - A documentary about  5 haunted prisons - Moundsville, WV, Ottowa Youth Hostel, Cornwall, Isle of Demons, and Fort Henry.

Paranormal Rosslyn Chapel: Haunted Portal of Spirits and Ghosts (60 minutes) - A documentary examining all the mysterious behind Rosslyn Chapel.

Monday, August 29, 2016

Review - CAFFINITY


I had reviewed two other products from VMI SPORTS during the summer, and along with those products, they sent along several free samples, including one-serving samples of CAFFINITY.

Anything that resembles the world "caffeine" in it's title gets my full attention, so naturally I wanted to review a full bottle (60 caps).

CAFFINITY is all day energy boost, but without the unwanted crash that comes with drinking several cups of coffee.

One serving (one cap), contains 290mg of a CAFFINITY Super Blend which has a mixture of 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, Infinergy and L-theanine.

How much actual caffeine is in one serving?

Around 200mg of caffeine, which is almost the same amount in two cups of coffee.


Sunday, August 28, 2016

Fitness & Coffee Sundays: How To Improve Your Exercise Room's Floor



Part of my small bedroom is the reserved for exercising or what I call my "workout room." I used to have carpet in the room, but after some rain water go into the house, I had to yank out the carpet and put in vinyl flooring.

Since then, I have been using a big ugly rug for my workout area, which consists of an exercise bike, dumbbells, and enough room for pushups, kickboxing and other exercises. The rug has been more of a nuisance than anything else. It's been hard to keep clean and it likes to move on me when I'm exercising.

That being said, I was excited when I received a  pack of Norsk Solid Color Diamond Plate Foam Tiles, which arrived on my doorsteps in a huge Amazon box last Monday afternoon. The tiles come in a 6 pack and retails for $25.99 on Amazon. It's available in two different colors - black and gray. The pack that was sent to me is gray.

The pack comes with 12 straight-edge trim pieces. Each tile measures 24" x 24" x .47" (or 24 square feet) and are made from high-quality recycled materials (non toxic - lead free/latex free).

The foam tiles are interlocking, similar to a puzzle, and are reversible. The tiles are water resistant, which is great for a basement floor or for a workout room.

The tiles are easy to clean. All you need is a water, soap, and a washcloth. You can use a broom to sweep the dust off it or you can use a vacuum cleaner on it (don't use a power brush.)

Review - English Breakfast Tea


Due to my natural love of everything that is caffeinated, I decided to review all future coffee and tear related products as a "Caffeinated Review" post.

Earlier this week, out of the blue, I received a box of English Breakfast Tea in the mail form Fields & Selects. I recall signing up to review the tea, but I don't remember being approved to do so.

Nevertheless, I was excited to brew a cup of tea. Yes, I'm more of a coffee drinker, but I do occasionally drink tea.

The box contains 32 diamond-shaped tea bags (2.2g each). Made in China, it was manufactured on June 5th, 2016 and expires June 5, 2020. It was certified by IMO.

Each tea bag contains: Black Tea and Lychee Extract.



Saturday, August 27, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: R.L. Stine's Mostly Ghostly: One Night In Doom House



PG; 89 minutes: $19.98; Amazon
Each and every year a slew of made-to-DVD horror titles are released around September and October to tie-in with Halloween. This happens to be the case with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, who has been releasing a new R.L. Stine movie each year for the past three years.

On September 6th, R.L. Stine's Mostly Ghostly: One Night In Doom House will arrive on DVD. Directed by Emmy-nominated Ron Oliver (Prom Night II), the film stars Corey Fogelmanis (Girl Meets World), Sophie Reynolds (Gamers Guide to Pretty Much Everything), and Jamie Kennedy (Scream 1-3), along with cameos by Morgan Fairchild (Falcon Crest) and Danny Trejo (Spy Kids franchise).

Based on Mostly Ghostly series by R.L. Stine,  the first film, Mostly Ghost: Who Let The Ghouls Out?, centered on the protagonist Max Doyle, an aspiring magician who had moved into a new house with his parents and brother, Colin,. He quickly learned that he has a sixth sense when starts seeing two ghosts in his home - Nicky and Tara Roland, who had been turned into ghosts, along with their ghost-catching parents, by an evil ghost named Phears.

The 2014 sequel Mostly Ghostly: Have You Met My Ghoulfriend? was set around Halloween with the Phears trying to steal a magical ring that Max had stumbled upon, so he can use it to destroy the Roland ghost children.

The third installment, Mostly Ghostly: One Night In Doom House,  picks up shortly after the events of the second movie, where the young protagonist Max Doyle (played by Corey Fogelmanis) is still trying to help his best friends Nicky and Tara (played by Blake Michael and Olivia Ryan Stern) find their parents. He now has a girlfriend, Cammie (played by Sophie Reynolds), but things are a little bit rocky due to his commitment to his ghost friends.

With the popular ghost hunting television host, Simon (played by Jamie Kennedy), arrives in town to film an episode of his hit series at the haunted Doom House, Max seeks his help to locate Nick and Tara's parents in the ghost-world, but sadly things don't go as planned!

Pears (played by Adam Tsekhman) has once again escaped from his ghost prison, thanks from the help of his boss Mr. Morgo (played by Danny Trejo). He finds a clever way to return our world to unleash another evil plan to trap the Nicky & Tara and release a bunch of evil ghosts upon the world.




Friday, August 26, 2016

Book Blogger Hop: August 26th - September 1st


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 @ Silver's Reviews!

Can you say this sentence describes you? Example: READING IS MY PASSION

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'm a Coffee Addicted, Reading Junkie!


Linky List:

Popcorn & Coffee: The Jungle Book


PG; 106 minutes; $39.99; Amazon

Arriving on Blu-ray and DVD on Tuesday August 30th from Disney Home Entertainment is this year's mega-blockbuster The Jungle Book. The film is already available on Digital HD. Directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man 1 & 2), the film stars Neel Sethi as Mowgli, along with the talented voice-cast of Billy Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o, Scarlett Johansson, Giancarlo Esposito, and Christopher Walken.

Based on the classic novel of the same name by Rudyard Kipling and the1967 Walt Disney classic animated film, The Jungle Book tells the tale of a young orphan boy, Mowgli (played by Neel Sethi) who is saved by a black panther named Bagheera (voiced by Ben Kingsley) and is given to a clan of Indian wolves to be raised by.

Years later, a deadly Bengal tiger named Shere Khan (voiced by Idris Elba) threatens to kill the man-cub, which leads Bagheera to make the decision to take Mowgli to the man-village. However, on their journey there Shere Khan attacks them, and Mowgli and Bagheera become separated.

Despite being raised a by wolves, Mowgli's chances of surviving the dangers of the jungle (including an encounter with the python Kaa (voiced by Scarlett Johansson)) are slim, well, until he is rescued by a sloth bear named Baloo (voiced by Bill Murray). It doesn't take long for Mowgli and Baloo to become best friends, though the bear is sorta using the man-cub to help him gather honeycombs.

Unfortunately, King Louie's, a giant orangutan (voiced by Christopher Walken), army of monkeys have plans for Mowgli, which leads Baloo to team up with Bagheera to rescue the man-cub.


Blu-ray & HD Digital Special Features includes:

  • “The Jungle Book” ReimaginedFavreau sits down with producer Brigham Taylor and visual effects supervisor Robert Legato to discuss “The Jungle Book” and reflect on the years they devoted to the reimagining of this timeless tale. Discover how Rudyard Kipling’s original stories and the classic animated film influenced their unique approach, witness the technical wizardry that enabled the team to create a believable and thrilling movie-going experience, and learn how they borrowed a page from Walt Disney’s innovation playbook to make it all happen. Lastly, meet the all-star voice cast who help bring the film’s colorful characters to life, as well as the musicians who accent the adventure with a majestic music score. 

Monday, August 22, 2016

Summer Reads: The Things We Knew


Thomas Nelson; 352 pages; $15.99; Buy Link; Blog Tour

Originally, I wasn't planning on signing up to review "The Things We Knew" by Catherine West after I had received the blog tour announcement from LitFuse, mostly because the cover art just didn't appeal to me. It looked like it was a contemporary novel with a beach setting. Before I attempted to delete the email, I went ahead and read the synopsis. To my surprise, it caught my interest, so I signed up to review the novel.

The Things We Knew centers on Lynette Carlisle, a young woman who was left with the responsibility of taking care of her father after her four older siblings had left their Nantucket home with no plans of ever returning. Their mother had died twelve-years ago and that tragic event still haunts them.


Just as her father's health, as well as their income, begins to fail, a familiar face from the past returns - Nicholas Cooper, who she once had a crush on.

After being away for five years, Nicholas has returned to Nantucket to work at his father's bank, but he's also there for another reason - to restart his friendship with Lynette. Plus, he's also there to help unlock the secret behind Lynette's mother's death; a secret that might in fact tear them apart.

Popcorn & Coffee: The Titanic: The Epic Mini-series Event


NOT RATED; 174 minutes; $14.98; Amazon


When you hear the name Titanic, many us probably think of the James Cameron's 1997 Oscar-winning blockbuster starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. However, over a year before it's release there was a two-part miniseries called "The Titanic" that aired on CBS. Directed by Robert Lieberman, the mini-series starred Peter Gallagher, George C. Scott, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Eva Marie Saint, Tim Curry and Marilu Henner.

The Titanic: The Epic Mini-series Event is finally available on Blu-ray and DVD from Mill Creek Entertainment.

Similar to the 1997 film, The Titanic is a romantic-disaster movie, just with a much smaller budget. This story centers on four different characters, Isabella Paradine (played by Catherine Zeta-Jones), Wynn Park (played by Peter Gallagher), Jamie Perse (played by Mike Doyle) and Aase Ludvigsen (played by Sonsee Ahray).

Jamie is a young thief who steals himself a ticket on the fatal Titanic voyage, taking on a new identity to start a new life. There he meets the very religious Aase and the two quickly fall in love (Sounds familiar!). Unfortunately, Jamie's old criminal pal, Simon Doonan (played by Tim Curry) is working on the ship, and he wants Jamie to help him steal from rich passengers.

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Review - Christmas Reindeer Fabric


With Halloween just over two months away, the countdown until Christmas will quickly follow.

Yes, I said Christmas!

Soon enough, stores will begin putting up Christmas tree displays, probably towards the end of September. Book publishers have already jumped the gun and have started to release holiday-themed books. I just saw a Crafter's Choice's flier for a new Christmas quilt book that is coming out soon.

Though I'm not even close to being in the Christmas spirit yet, I've already reviewed a few Christmas titles and I have other holiday-themed books that I haven't read yet for upcoming blog tours. I'm always looking for new products to feature on the "Coffee & Crafts" posts, so I agreed to review the Christmas Reindeer Fabric from iNee.

The fabric is sold by the yard on Amazon for $11.99 and it comes in three different colors - purple, teal, and pink. The 1 Yard x 59" fabric that was sent to me is the purple color!

What does the fabric look like?

Well, the background is purple. The pattern on the fabric features a yellow reindeer with a little bit of brown and it has several flower-like designs on it's body. Scattered across the fabric are flowers and hearts in different in shapes and colors.


front-side of the fabric

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: Ash vs Evil Dead: The Complete First Season



TV-MA; 294 minutes; $49.99 - Blu-ray; $39.98 - DVD
Arriving on DVD and Blu-ray tomorrow from Anchor Bay Entertainment is Ash vs Evil Dead: The Complete First Season, featuring all 10 episodes from the hit STARZ Original series. 

Set 30 years after the original Evil Dead trilogy, Bruce Campbell returns as Ashley "Ash" Williams, the hero from film series. Despite being a little older, he's still the same old Ash with the same dead end job as a stock boy. 

After a drunken night trying to impress a woman, he accidentally recites the incantation from the Book of the Dead and unleashes the Kandarian Demon, again. Of course, Ash is determined to fix his deadly mistake by seeking out a book dealer who might be able to read the Necronomicon, but with the evil awaiting for him around ever corner, he going to need some help this time.

Yep, this time Ash has two sidekicks - Pablo Simon Bolivar (played by Ray Santiago), a young co-worker who thinks Ash is a hero, and Kelly Maxwell (played by Dana DeLorenzo), a new co-worker who was just trying to get home to her father, but ends up tagging along with Ash.

With his house trailer attached to his Oldsmobile, Ash, Pablo and Kelly head out to stop the Kandarain Demon, if they can outrun a state trooper, Amanda Fisher (played by Jill Marie Jones) and a stranger named Ruby (played by Lucy Lawless), who will do anything to get a hold of the Necronomicon.


Friday, August 19, 2016

Book Blogger Hop: August 19th - 25th


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 Teri @ Sportochick's Musings!

Do you read via eBook and if so which one/ones and why?

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


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

My Answer: 

 While I prefer to read printed books, I do occasionally read eBooks on my Kindle.


Linky List:

Review - Ben-Hur: A Tale Of The Christ


Tyndale; 420 pages; $15.99; Amazon
Who hasn't heard of Ben-Hur before?

I recall trying to watch the 1959 classic starring Charlton Heston when I was teenager, but I found it to be boring. I believe I actually fell asleep while watching it. I was well aware that the film was based on the 1880 novel Ben-Hur: A Tale Of The Christ by Lee Wallace, however I never attempted to read it as I thought it would be just as boring as the movie.

If you aren't already aware of it, the remake of Beh-Hur is arriving in theaters today starring Jack Huston in the title role. Despite the obvious CGI overload from the trailers, the movie looks like it might be mildly entertaining.

To tie-in with the remake's release, Tyndale Fiction has recently released a new version of Ben-Hur: A Tale Of The Christ, which has been rewritten by Carol Wallace, the great-great granddaughter of Lee Wallace.

The novel centers on Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish nobleman who is betrayed by a childhood friend, Messala. He is falsely accused of attempting to kill a Roman governor and  is sentenced to five years on a Roman slave ship. Eventually, he would seek his revenge by entering in the huge chariot race against Messala.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Summer Reads: Dark Road Home


Crooked Lane; $25.99; 304 pages; Amazon
I had first heard about the Anna Carlisle's debut novel a few months ago when I saw it in a Doubleday Book Club flyer (Yes, this club is still around!). I was intrigued by the cover art from the get-go, but after reading the blurb, I knew I wanted to review the book.

Dark Road Home centers Virginia "Gin" Sullivan, a medical examiner who gets a shocking call from her old high school boyfriend, Jake, informing her that the body of her younger sister, Lily, was found in the woods buried inside a cooler.

Lily had gone missing in 1998. While there several suspects (including Jake), nobody was ever connected to her disappearance.

Gin quickly packs her bags and travels back to her hometown of Trumbull to be with her parents. Of course she has another agenda up her sleeve, she wants to lend her medical skills to help the local authorities find the killer.

Several twists and turns occur, along with another murder, which leads Gin to unravel a startling dark secret from her family's past.

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Summer Reads: Fetching Sweetness


Harvest House; 224 pages; $12.99; Buy Link; Blog Tour

Though I do like all animals, I am more of a cat lover than a dog lover. Nevertheless, I went ahead and signed up to review Fetching Sweetness by Dana Mentink through the Litfuse Publicity. Honestly, I wasn't very intrigued by the cover art, but after reading the blurb, I did become interested in reading it.

Fetching Sweetness, book 2 in the Love Unleashed series, centers on Stephanie Pink, a literary agent who has been sent to a small town in California to pick up Agnes Wharton's new manuscript. Agnes had written the bestselling novel "Sea Comes Knocking" over fifteen years ago, and the agency had promised to handle her next book, which is where Stephanie comes into the picture.

What she thought would be a quick trip to get the manuscript, becomes a huge hassle. As soon as she arrives, Agnes's canine companion, Sweetness, escapes for the woman's home at the trailer campgrounds, and of course Stephanie has accepted the task of  retrieving the dog.

After spending more time than she wanted to there, Stephanie is still looking forward to reading the manuscript. Unfortunately, there is a little catch - Agnes needs her help in taking Sweetness back home to Eagle Cliff, Washington. Since Agnes has lost her driver license, so they must ask her neighbor, Rhett, to drive them there.


Fetching Sweetness Dana Mentink

DVD Review - Power Rangers Super Megaforce: The Complete Season


NOT RATED; 460 minutes; $14.98; Amazon

Lionsgate Home Entertainment is not just releasing one Power Rangers DVD set this week, but they are actually releasing two!

Arriving on DVD today is Power Rangers Megaforce: The Complete Season (you can read my review here) and Power Rangers Super Megaforce: The Complete Season. Both sets are 5-discs and come with a Digital Ultraviolet code.

Super Megaforce is the second season of the "Megaforce" series, but technically it is the 21st season of the Power Rangers franchise.

The first episode (Super Megaforce) picks up directly where the first season ended. Robo Knight has vanished, and Prince Vekar invades Earth with his alien armada. To save humanity, the Megaforce Rangers must use their new Morphers and special keys that will allow them to use the powers, weapons and zords of every past Power Ranger.

Everything leads to the Megaforce season (series) finale, "The Legendary Battle," where several of the past Rangers (actors) return for cameos. The fifth disc on the set features the original version of the episode and the extended movie version.

Disc 1: Earth Strikes Back
  • Super Megaforce
  • Earth Fights Back
  • Blue Saber Saga
  • A Lion's Alliance

Disc 2: The Silver Warrior
  • Samurai Surprise
  • Spirit of the Tiger
  • Silver Lining
  • Silver Lining, Part 2

Disc 3: The Perfect Storm
  • Power of Six
  • The Perfect Storm
  • Love Is in the Air
  • United As One
  • The Grass Is Always Greener...or Bluer

Disc 4: Sky Strike
  • In the Driver's Seat
  • All Hail Prince Vekar
  • Vrak Is Back, Part 1
  • Vrak Is Back, Part 2
  • Emperor Mavro

Disc 5: The Legendary Battle
  • Extended Movie Edition
      • Bonus Feature:
      • Power Rangers: A Legacy Featurette

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Fitness & Coffee Sundays: NoChill: Nootropic Drink Mix



Have you ever had a nootropic drink?

A nootropic drink helps to enhance your memory, concentration, learning abilities and focus.

Nootropics can be found in lemon balm, grape seed extract, St. John's wort, caffeine and green tea. These drinks normally contain theanine, B group vitamins, iodine, magnesium and taurine.

Unlike energy drinks that are full of sugar, nootropic drinks are low in calories and are normally sugar free. It's meant to give you a brain boost not an energy boost.

Recently, I was sent a 4.65oz container of NoChill: Nootropic Drink Mix (Mojo Punch) to test out and review. Retailing for $39.99 on Amazon.com, each #NoChill container has 30 servings (scoops) with 0 calories.

The ingredients per serving are:
enhancing focus, memory, concentration, learning abilitie - See more at: http://www.brainenhancementadvisor.org/drink-your-way-to-a-smarter-brain-5-nootropics-to-make-water-more-interesting/#sthash.VEJvvqQt.dpuf
enhancing focus, memory, concentration, learning abilitie - See more at: http://www.brainenhancementadvisor.org/drink-your-way-to-a-smarter-brain-5-nootropics-to-make-water-more-interesting/#sthash.VEJvvqQt.dpuf

  • Vitamin B6 - 10mg
  • Vitamin B12 - 100mcg
  • Sodium - 20mg
  • BrainMojo Blend - 2.98g
    • Creatine Monohydrate
    • Acetyl L-Carnitine
    • L-Tyrosine
    • L-Theanine
    • Caffeine
    • Vinpocetine


Saturday, August 13, 2016

DVD Review - Power Rangers Megaforce: The Complete Season



NOT Rated; 460 minutes; $14.98; Amazon

Arriving this Tuesday on DVD and Digital from Lionsgate on Tuesday August 16th is Saban's Power Rangers Megaforce: The Complete Season, featuring 20 episodes on a 5-disc set.

Power Rangers Megaforce debuted on Nickelodeon in 2013 as the 20th Anniversary season for the franchise. Though shot in New Zealand, the series was set in Angel Grove, California (the same setting for the original Mighty Morphin seasons).

The 20th season centered on a supernatural wizard named Gosei and his robotic assistant Tensou recruiting five teenagers (Troy, Gia, Noah, Emma, and Jake) to become the Power Rangers Megaforce; giving them powers, weapons and zords to protect Earth from an alien invasion lead by the Warstar Empire. Later in the season, the Rangers team up with a Robo Knight, a robot created by Gosei, to defend Earth.


The episodes on the 5-disc set are:

Disc 1: Ultimate Team Power
  • Mega Mission
  • He Blasted Me with Science
  • Going Viral
  • Stranger Ranger

Disc 2: The Mysterious Robo Knight
  • United We Stand
  • Harmony and Dizchord
  • Who's Crying Now?
  • Robo Knight

Disc 3: The Great Dragon Spirit
  • Prince Takes Knight
  • Man and Machine
  • Ultra Power
  • Last Laugh

Disc 4: Ultra Defenders
  • Dream Snatcher
  • Gosei Ultimate
  • The Human Factor
  • Rico the Robot

Disc 5: A Battle To The Finish
  • Staying on Track
  • The Human Condition
  • The Messenger
  • End Game

Special Features includes:
  • "Power Rangers Morph Through 20 Years" Video
  • Character Gallery
  • Zord Gallery
  • Digital Ultraviolet

Friday, August 12, 2016

Book Blogger Hop: August 12th - 18th


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 @ Silver's Reviews!

Do any of your book club members have a blog? Do you compare notes if they do?

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'm not currently in a book club, so the answer is "no."


Linky List:

Review - AQS Wall Calendar 2017


While there is still over four months left of 2016, bookstores are already stocking up on wall calendars for 2017. You can buy just about any type of calendar your heart desires, including quilt calendars.

Quilt calendars typically have one quilt design featured every month, and there are even a few that have foldout patterns to go along with the designs.

Now available to purchase is the AQS Wall Calendar 2017 (Retail $15.95).

What does AQS stand for?

It stands for American Quilter's Society, where they host AQS QuiltWeek® shows around the country every year. The twelve quilts that are featured in the AQS Wall Calendar 2017 were part of the winners circle at the 2016 AQS QuiltWeek® in Paducah, Kentucky.

The Back Cover

The quilts featured in this year's calendar are:

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Summer Reads: When Death Draws Near



Thomas Nelson; 336 pages; $15.99; Buy Link: Blog Tour
I've been trying really hard to have my reviews for blog tours written and posted a few days before whatever specific date is assigned to me, but that isn't the case for this one. I'm a little under the weather this week, so my review is being written today, which happens to be my blog's turn on the tour.

What am I review today?

Well, I'm reviewing the mystery thriller When Death Draws Near by Carrie Stuart Parks (You can find information about her at the very bottom of this review!). The book was published by Thomas Nelson and was released to bookstores last week (August 2nd).

The novel centers on forensic artist Gwen Marcey, who takes a temporary job in the small town of Pikeville, Kentucky. While at first it sounds like she wouldn't have much to do there, she quickly learns that the town has had several recent crimes (some accidental). Her first assignment is to draw a sketch of a serial rapist. However, before she can finish the drawing, one of witnesses disappears.

While the sheriff is looking into the incident, Gwen decides to do her own investigation that might link the "accidental" deaths to the serial rapist. Also, along with her teenager daughter, Gwen goes undercover a serpent-handling church to undercover illegal activities.

Despite Gwen's already busy life, she is a thrown a curve-ball when she learns that her breast cancer has returned.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Product Review: VasogenXT Powder




Whether your bodybuilding, training for an athletic event, or if your just trying to get into shape, herbal supplements can come in handy, especially the ones that can help decrease recovery time and aid in muscle building.

Recently, I was sent a 7.25oz container of VasogenXT Powder from VMI Sports (retails at $38.99). It's currently available in three flavors: Tigers Blood, Hawaiian Pump, and Mali-Blu Berry Breeze.

Unlike other vasodilator products, VasogenXT doesn't contain Arginine, but instead it has clinically studied herbal compounds. It's meant to hydrate your muscles, give a Nitric Oxide boost, and make your muscles swell while you're pumping iron. It will also increase blood flow and increase strength and endurance.


Each serving (30 servings per container) contains:
  • Carbohydrates 1g
  • Vitamin B3 10mg
  • Chloride 61mg
  • Sodium 39mg
  • L-Taurine 2g
  • Vasogen Swell Matrix Blend 1.15g
    • Hawthrone Berry Powder
    • Schizandra Berry Powder
    • AgmaPure (Argmatine Sulfate) 
    • Pine Bark Extract
    • ViNitrox

Friday, August 5, 2016

Book Blogger Hop: August 5th - 11th


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 @ Silver's Reviews!

If you recommend a book to someone, do you also send that person your review?

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


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

My Answer: 

 No, I don't normally send anyone a link to my review after recommending a book; though I sorta refer people to my review links on Twitter.


Linky List:

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Three Reasons to Shop at a Used Bookstore


Although there has been a movement away from the brick and mortar bookstore, and towards shopping online for books such as the one here, local used bookshops still exist, and those that remain may be with us for many years to come. The following are three reasons people continue to visit local used bookstores.


You Can Discover New Authors 

Sure, you can talk to friends and relatives that share your interests in reading material, but the truth is that fewer people are reading today than in years past, and those that do read are often reading best sellers or genre specific fiction. Because of today's reading environment, there are many authors waiting to be discovered by you at used bookstores. Not every book written in the past had a huge readership, but the content may be compelling to you. Used bookstores often have their books shelved by topic, so you can browse for authors you are not familiar with and make discoveries of books that you would not have found by other means. If you know exactly what you are looking for, then buying on the Internet may be your best bet, but there is no substitute for a used book store when browsing.

You Can Converse With Knowledgeable Store Owners

Summer Reads: Goosebumps Most Wanted: Special Edition: The Haunter


Scholastic; 192 pages; $7.99; Amazon
While Halloween is less than three months away, many publishers are already releasing books set around All Hallows' Eve. Scholastic released "Goosebumps Most Wanted: Special Edition: The Haunter"  by R.L. Stine last month, which just happens to have a Halloween theme.

Similar to other Goosebumps Most Wanted titles, "The Haunter" opens up with a short prologue where R.L. Stine points out the readers to the "The Haunter" Most Wanted poster. Instead of telling the story himself about the monster, he quickly introduces us to Sammy Baker, the main character of this story.

Twelve-year-old Sammy is dreading Halloween, which is only days away, mostly because he's afraid of anything that is scary! He's not the most popular kid at Grover Cleveland Middle School, though he does have one good friend, Bill "Buzzy" Buzzner, who is the complete opposite of him as Buzzy is not afraid of anything. 

Out of the blue, Sammy's teacher, Miss Flake, announced that the class will split into groups for a Halloween-themed assignment, and of course he is given a scary subject to write about - "Are Haunted Houses Real?" 

The Good News
  • Sammy's crush, Summer Magee, is in the group.
  • Buzzy is also in the group.

The Bad News:
  • Sammy's nemesis, Rubin, is in the group.
  • They are going to play "Ghost Hunters" and explore the haunted Marple House on Halloween Night!