Wednesday, February 28, 2018

I'm Going To Be Starting a Ketogenic Diet!





After recovering from having the flu for nearly two weeks, followed by a bad sore throat, I'm now wanting to kick-start my body back into shape. Or just lose several much needed pounds that I've gained since last Halloween. I'm been reading up on ketogenic diet, which is basically a low-carb diet, and I believe that's the prefect route for me. However, before I start the actually diet, I'm going to test out my body's ketones levels by going on a ketogenic fast. 

While I'm on this fast (which will probably be only 3 days), I'm going to be taking the Keto Fast Supplement Powder (retails for $56.95). The powder is mostly Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB) Salts, which is used for fat burning and weight loss.

There are 10 servings (scoop) per container and each serving has only 35 calories. There are no sugars or fats in it. The powder contains 819mg of Calcium (from BHB Salt), 175mg of Sodium (from Sodium BHB Salt), 250mg of Stevia Extract, and 11,700mg of Ketone Fuel Intricate (Calcium  Beta-Hydroxybutyrate, Sodium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate). There are no caffeine or stimulants in it.



Final Thoughts

Starting An Online Store For Beginners


Your typical blogger isn't rich by any means. Trust me, I should know! Besides from the occasional sponsored post, I get zero income from blogging. However, there are other ways to make some money online. Many bloggers have a wide variety side business, such as designing blogs & websites, selling used books, running an eBay store, and even selling Funko POP!s. Since I've increased my social media presences on Instagram this year, I've noticed many Funko collectors have started their own businesses by selling POP!s and other collectable toys online. I think this is a great idea.

After doing a bit of research on starting an online store, I thought I would share with you three simple tips that will hopefully help someone who is dreaming of starting their own store.


Stock Up on Merchandise

For starters, you need to figure out what you are going to sell in your store. Once you make that decision, then you need to stock up on merchandise. There are different ways of going about this, all depending on what you're wanting to sell. If you want to sell used books, then I would recommend buying books from thrift stores and garage sales at a cheap price. Or if you're wanting to sell Funko POP!s or other toys, I would recommend starting out by buying a few that are on clearance at department stores, such as Walmart and Target. You can also seek out manufacturers and wholesalers, but if you go this route, make sure to do your research, so you can get the best deals. 

And you can also take a chance at buying storage units, as sometimes you can find great items in them.

Create a Website

Once you have your merchandise, you need to set up a simple website for your online shop. Don't worry if you don't have a big budget for this, as there are many website builders that are cheap. I'm recommending either www.website.com or www.wix.com. Both of these sites offer "basic" free websites, but if you want more services with them, then you need to get a subscription. Plus, you need to get your very own domain, as it will make your store look more professional. I wouldn't recommend getting a web designer until your store has been up and running for awhile. If your business is successful, then you can seek out a designer. Until, then keep your website's layout simple and easy to use for your customers.

Know Your Customers

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Late Night Rambling: Books and Horror Flicks!



My original plans for tonight was to watch The Flash on the CW, followed by The Curse of Oak Island on the History Channel, and then go to bed early. Well, I must have gotten a second wind, as I ended up doing a bit of cleaning in the bedroom, made a cup of coffee, and I'm now listening to an Ella Henderson album while I'm writing this post.

I'm finding it hard to believe that March is almost here. 2018 is already going by too fast, and I haven't even gotten the things I wanted to do done. While I have put a huge dent in my needs-to-be-read piles, there are a few books I still need to write reviews for. If everything goes as planned, I should start on those reviews sometime tomorrow. Also, I'll be posting my review for House of Secrets by V.C. Andrews sometime this week. It took me a bit longer to read this one, but I'm finished with it. Next, I'll be reading Goosebumps: Please Do Not Feed The Weirdo by R.L. Stine. Then I'll start reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, which I received through the Blogging For Books program.

Hopefully, I'll have time to read two books that I had recently purchased on Amazon.com. These books are Murder On The Orient Express by Agatha Christie and The Sinner by Petra Hammesfahr. I almost picked up Murder On The Orient Express at Walmart last year about the same time the feature film was in theaters, but when I decided to buy it, it was sold out. Then I almost bought it at Barnes & Nobles earlier this month, but it was a little pricey there, so I just got it off of Amazon, where it was cheaper. Yes, I've seen the movie. Fox Home Entertainment had sent me the Blu-ray to review a day before it was released. It's been a really long time since I had received anything from Twentieth Century Fox (which is now owned by Disney), so I was surprised (and thrilled) to receive it. As for The Sinner, I had watched several episodes of the USA adaptation on On Demand last year, but Mediacom (the cable company) never put up the rest of the episodes. I ended up buying the DVD when it was released a few weeks. Anyhow, I had looked for the book last year, but never could find it. I never thought it about the book again until I was on Amazon ordering the Agatha Christie novel, so I decided to order it, too.

Disney nicely sent me the Blu-ray of Coco (which was released today). It's a cute movie. I should have my review for it posted tomorrow. Over the past few months, Mill Creek Entertainment has sent me several great DVD and Blu-ray titles. I spent a couple of nights last week binge watching Secrets and Lies: Season One DVD, a series that aired a few years ago ABC that I never got around to watching. There are only ten episodes, but the show is really addicting. I'll probably be writing my review for it in the next few days. Also, I need to write a review for Shadow Stalkers: 10 Terrifying Features DVD. Then I need to finish watching the Horseland: The Complete Series and Street Shark: The Complete Series DVDs. These two are cartoons, and I would like to post a review for at least one of them on Saturday morning. Well, see what happens!

Blu-ray Review - Murder On The Orient Express

PG-13; 114 minutes; $34.99

Available today on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD is the suspenseful thriller Murder On The Orient Express. Produced by Kenneth Branagh along with Ridley Scott (Alien: Covenant), Simon Kinberg (Logan), Mark Gordon (Molly’s Game), Judy Hofflund (As You Like It) and Michael Schaefer (The Martian),   the film features the talented cast of Branagh (who also directs), Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise), Josh Gad (Frozen), Leslie Odom, JR., Michelle Pfeiffer, and Daisy Ridley (Star Wars franchise).

Based on the 1934 novel of the same name by late great mystery author Agatha Christie, the film centers on Hercule Poirot (played by Branagh), a Belgian detective who plans on taking a much needed vacation in Istanbul after solving a theft case in Jerusalem. However, Poirot's plans are interrupted when he receives a message to return immediately to London to work on another case. Luckily, he knows Bouc (played by Tom Bateman), the director of the Orient Express, who offers him a room aboard the train.

Shortly after the train departs, Poirot meets Edward Ratchett (played by Depp), a businessman who offers to hire Poirot as a bodyguard for the three-day train ride. Edward had received a threatening letter and now fears for his life. Poirot turns down the offer, as he wants to get a little bit of rest while aboard the train.

The next morning, Ratchett is found dead in his cabin. He had been stabbed multiple times. Coincidentally, an avalanche derails the train's engine, leaving Poirot no choice but to solve murder; which isn't an easy task to accomplish as there are no witnesses. After finding a burnt note, he learns that Ratchett was in fact John Cassetti, a child killer. 

Due to the avalanche, the murderer still has to be aboard, which means one of the passengers is the Ratchett's killer. One by one, Poirot interviews each suspect and uses his case-solving abilities to unravel the mystery.

4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD Special Features include:
  • Agatha Christie: An Intimate Portrait
  • Let’s Talk About Hercule Poirot
  • Unusual Suspects (Part One, Two and Three)
  • The Art of Murder
  • All Aboard: Filming Murder on the Orient Express Music of Murder
  • Deleted Scenes (with and without Commentary by Kenneth Branagh and Michael Green) 
    • Alternate Opening 
    • Newsreel (Extended) 
    • Breakfast 
    • Hotel Check-In 
    • Arasta Bazaar (Extended) 
    • Train Montage 
    • Departure 
    • Poirot Bedtime Rituals (with two alternates) 
    • Pierre Michel Interview 
    • Luggage 
    • Dreamscape 
  • Director commentary by Kenneth Branagh and Michael Green 
  • Theatrical Trailers 
  • Gallery




Final Thoughts

Monday, February 26, 2018

100 Years Of Horror DVD Review

Not Rated; 10 hours 55 minutes; $14.98

I think I might have mentioned a time or two on here about my love for old horror movies, especially the ones made by Hammer Films. Well, with that being said, you can probably guess why I was excited when I learned that Mill Creek Entertainment would be releasing the 26-part documentary series "100 Years Of Horror" hosted by the late, great horror-icon Christopher Lee.

Originally released back 1996, "100 Years Of Horror" chronicles the history of horror movies from the early 1900s to the late 1970s. I'm not for sure why it was called "100 Years" when the producers skipped over the the films from the 1980s. Most of the movie clips featured are from the classic Universal monster flicks, Hammer Films, and other low-budget creature films. It features interviews with Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Jr., Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, and Claude Rains. Additionally, there are interviews with Bela Lugosi, Jr.; Boris Karloff's daughter, Sarah Karloff; and Claude Rains' daughter, Jessica Rains.

The series was produced, written and directed by Ted Newsom, who created BBC's Flesh And Blood-The Hammer Heritage Of Horror.

The episodes on the 3-disc set are:

Dracula And His Disciples
Blood-Drinking Beings
Frankenstein And Friends
Baron Frankenstein
Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde
Werewolves
Bela Lugosi
Boris Karloff
The Evil Unseeable
Phantoms
Witches
Demons
Mutants
Freaks
Scream Queens
Girl Ghouls
Maniacs
Gory Gimmicks
Sorcerers
Aliens
Mummies
Zombies
Mad Doctors
Man-Made Monsters
Giants
Dinosaurs




Final Thoughts

Interview with Emily Kemme, author of Drinking the Knock Water: A New Age Pilgrimage




Now available in Hardcover and on Kindle from Arrowhead Publishing is Drinking the Knock Water: A New Age Pilgrimage by Emily Kemme.


The author has taken a few minutes out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions about her novel.


When did you become interested in storytelling?

I’d always wanted to write the story of my family history and many times pulled out a yellow legal pad to start writing it. That’s when I discovered I didn’t know how to write a book. I’ve been a member of a research group for 15 years, and was assigned a paper about Joseph Campbell, author of “The Hero’s Journey”. During that process, I learned what the steps are to writing a book. That was over 10 years ago.

What was your first book/story published?

“In Search of Sushi Tora”, (Arrowhead Publishing 2011)

What inspired you to write Drinking the Knock Water?

I personally experienced a situation similar to a large element in the story because there was friction in my family about religion. I was raised Jewish, my husband was raised Catholic. Although we felt that what was of greater importance was living a morally responsible life and raising our children to be respectful, responsible and good community-minded people, there were those in my extended family who couldn’t make those distinctions solely because of the religious differences. This led to a variety of unpleasant situations. I decided the book needed to be written to encourage people to not judge others, to promote the idea of tolerance of others’ ideas and beliefs, and to understand there is more to people than their religion or lifestyle. If you set aside religion and sexual preferences, there are so many commonalities. That’s also why there are gay characters in the book, as well as people whose lifestyles may not be the norm. It follows my overarching mantra, “People are just people.”

What character in Drinking the Knock Water is the most/least like you, and in what ways?

Holly Thomas, the protagonist, is most like me in that she has many self doubts and insecurities because she doesn’t know that her strongest point is being herself and standing up for what she believes in. Instead, she allows people to ride roughshod over her and is almost destroyed (mentally and emotionally) in the process.

Edward Thomas is least like me. He is religious, single-minded and believes that his faith is the only true way to approach life. He is intolerant of any other points of view.

What is your favorite part in Drinking the Knock Water?

The scenes with just Leah and Rachel as they struggle with becoming Moms — including their efforts to implant Leah and their emotional adjustment to what it means to be a mother/parent.

What was the hardest part to write?

The scenes in the jail cell. It was painful because I had to relive it.

What would your ideal career be, if you couldn't be an author?

A University history professor teaching American and English history. I would also interweave Constitutional law into it.

Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Keeping Track Of Your Blog's Stats

Since I've started participating in several Reddit subforms, many people have asked me questions about blogging and reviewing. Such as: How to start a blog? How do you get free books and movies to review? While my anxiety does kick in a bit every time someone asks me a question like this, part of me enjoys it for some odd reason. Maybe, I just like the idea of helping out a future blogger. All of us bloggers need to stick together!

Since I've been in a giving mood, I came up with of idea of this post, which is called "Keeping Track Of Your Blogs Stats."

When I first started out blogging, I had no idea what I was doing. I began this blog on Wordpress briefly, but I had problems with the formatting and I didn't like idea that I couldn't use specific widgets, which I'm referring to one from the now defunct Shelfari website. After a few months, I migrated my blog over to Blogger and I have never regretted it.

Now many new newbie bloggers probably don't care about your blog stats, but keeping track of who reads your posts is very important.

Demographics

Almost every blogging platform has some has a "stats" section where you can keep track of your blog's demographics.

Why is this important?

Well, it's because you need to know what kinds of posts, reviews, and/or giveaways to publish on your blog. By tracking your readers'/viewers' sex and age, you can determine what's the best future content for your blog. The same things goes to tracking your readers' location. For example, if your biggest audience is from the UK, then you probably publish posts that will appeal to them.

While I'm located in the United States, I get most more visitors/readers from France and the UK. I don't know exactly why, but it probably has to do with the fact that I post many reviews on foreign moves and television series, such as Doctor Who.

Pageviews

Friday, February 23, 2018

Book Blogger Hop: February 23rd - March 1st




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


Welcome to the new Book Blogger Hop!

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

What to do:

1. Post on your blog answering this question:

  This week's question is submitted by Maria @ A Night's Dream of Books.


Do you read hardcovers with the dust jacket on or off? Why or why not?

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:

Normally, I take the dust jacket off while I'm reading, as I don't want to damage the jacket.


Linky List:

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Interview with Chris Sorensen, author of The Nightmare Room




Now available on Kindle from Harmful Monkey Press is The Nightmare Room, book one in The Messy Man Series, by Chris Sorensen.


A boy in a basement, a man in a booth and a darkness that threatens to swallow them both...

New York audiobook narrator Peter Larson and his wife Hannah head to his hometown of Maple City to help Peter's ailing father and to put a recent tragedy behind them. Though the small, Midwestern town seems the idyllic place to start afresh, Peter and Hannah will soon learn that evil currents flow beneath its surface.

They move into an old farmhouse on the outskirts of town—a house purchased by Peter's father at auction and kept secret until now—and start to settle into their new life.

But as Peter sets up his recording studio in a small basement room, disturbing things begin to occur—mysterious voices haunt audio tracks, malevolent shadows creep about the house. And when an insidious presence emerges from the woodwork, Peter must face old demons in order to save his family and himself.


The author has taken a few minutes out of his busy schedule to talk about his new novel The Nightmare Room.



When did you become interested in storytelling?


I’ve always loved telling stories. My mother says that when I was little, I’d walk around with a stack of paper and a pen, plop down on the carpet and start scribbling picture books. I spent a book deal of my childhood in libraries (both our local library and the library on the college campus where my father taught) and in the movie theater. I studied acting in college and went on to pursue acting as a career in NYC. That came to a crashing halt when I was in a bus accident. During the year I took learning how to walk again, I turned back to writing. I’ve been writing ever since.

What was your first book/story published?

My first book was a middle grade story called The Mad Scientists of New Jersey. It’s about young Eddie Edison, the last of the Mad Scientists—a secret society that invented time travel, teleportation and a variety of other amazing things.

What inspired you to write The Nightmare Room?

I always knew I wanted to write a story about being an audiobook narrator (that’s my day job). I also wanted to see if I could touch upon my father’s death. He passed away seven years ago—I couldn’t bring myself to write about that kind of loss until now.

What character in The Nightmare Room is the most/least like you, and in what ways?

Peter Lawson, my main character, is a close version of me. He’s trying to hold things together while dealing with a death in the family (and not always doing it so gracefully). Peter also has a lot of fears, unlike his wife Hannah. They’re a couple that seems a bit like oil and water, but it works—they prop each other up.

What is your favorite part in The Nightmare Room?

My favorite part of the story is something I can’t tell you about because it would give away the ending! I will say that mapping out a story’s structure is one of my favorite parts of the writing process. I spent a few years as a screenplay analyst and came to appreciate stories that were well-structured.

What was the hardest part to write?

Again, anything having to do with the death of a loved one is a difficult write. This is the closest I’ve come to examining that part of my life, so…yeah, that was the hardest.

What would your ideal career be, if you couldn't be an author?

When I was a kid, I wanted to be either a scarecrow or a magician. Not a lot of call for either in 2018. I’d say either illustrator or furniture maker. I’m pretty good with a pen, but I don’t know anything about making furniture. Would be fun, though.

Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?

Monday, February 19, 2018

Winter Reads: Last Stop In Brooklyn: A Mary Handley Mystery



Broadway Books; 313 pages; $15

I'm always a sucker for a good mystery, which is one of the reasons why I wanted to review the book Last Stop In Brooklyn: A Mary Handley Mystery by Lawrence H. Levy. It's a sequel to Second Street Station and Brooklyn On Fire.

Set in 1894, Last Stop In Brooklyn centers on Mary Handley, a private detective who finds herself traveling to Coney Island on an "adultery" case. Out of the blue, Mary is approached by a man requesting her to help her brother who was convicted of killing a prostitute in a New York hotel room.

Of course, Mary agrees to take on the case, which leads her to Thomas Byrnes, the New York City detective that swears he put the right killer behind bars. As she digs deeper in the case, the more she believes that Jack the Ripper could possible be the real killer.

Mary will have to team up with reporter Harper Lloyd and a few others, as she tries to unravel the murder mystery.

Final Thoughts

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Just a Sunday Night Rambling!

Yes, it's late at night, but I'm full awake, mostly thanks to the cup Nescafe Taster's Choice instant coffee that I'm currently sipping on. Today has been sorta a lazy Sunday for me. Due to my lack of sleep last week (and it has nothing to do with my caffeine intake), I ended up crashing the afternoon for a few hours. I awoke fully charged, made a taco salad, and watched three episodes of Victoria Season Two on Blu-ray.

Afterward, I had planned on writing a review for Last Stop In Brooklyn, but instead I went over to YouTube and watched several unboxing videos. (I'm addicted to unboxing videos. Don't ask why!) Before I do write that review, I decided to jump-start my creativity by writing this rambling.

Anyway, I suffer from a bit of insomnia from time to time, which is probably one of the reasons why I had several sleepless nights last week. And what happens when I can't sleep? Well, my mind drifts from everywhere to everything. Most of the time, I either ended up watching a silly a movie (Little Shop of Horrors, etc.) or unboxing videos on YouTube. Then there were nights where I browsed a some profiles on a few free dating sites.

And no, I've never actually joined a dating website yet; though the idea does crosses my mind once in awhile, especially on those nights where I can't sleep.

Friday, February 16, 2018

Book Blogger Hop: February 16th - 22nd




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


Welcome to the new Book Blogger Hop!

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

What to do:

1. Post on your blog answering this question:

  This week's question is submitted by Maria @ A Night's Dream of Books.


Have you ever found yourself acting like a favorite character in a novel? If so, which one?

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 ever recall acting like a book character.


Linky List:

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Vice Versa Blu-ray Review

Mill Creek Ent., PG; 98 mins; $14.98


There have been many body switching comedies over the years, with the most famous being Freaky Friday, which was based on the 1972 children's book of the same name by Mary Rodgers. Believe it or not, that isn't the first switcheroo novel. Back in 1882, author F. Anstey published a novel called Vice Versa: A Lessons For Fathers, which tells the story of a business man switching bodies with his son. The tale was adapted into three feature films in the UK in 1916, 1937 and 1948, and was turned into a UK television series in 1981.

The last adaptation was 1988's Vice Versa. Directed by Brian Gilbert, the film starred Judge Reinhold, Fred Savage, Corinne Bohrer ("Prank" from the Flash) and Swoosie Kurtz. The film was released to Blu-ray last year by Mill Creek Entertainment. There are no special features or bonus extras on the disc.

Vice Versa centers on Marshall Seymour (played by Judge Reinhold), a vice president of a unnamed department store company who's on vacation in Thailand with his girlfriend Sam (played by Corinne Bohrer). Well, he's not really on vacation, as he purchases a bunch of exotic vases for work, and brings one sample vase back to Chicago with him. Unknowingly to him, an art thief does a switcheroo and replaces the vase with a skull statue. Let's just say the whole situation almost gets him fired, but luckily for him, he's contacted by the owner of the skull who wants to make an exchange. (Spoiler: the woman is in cahoots with the art thief.)

Anyhow, Marshall ends up taking the skull home with him on the same night that he gets stuck taking care of his eleven-year-old son Charlie (played by Fred Savage). To make a long story short, Marshall and Charlie touch the skull at the same time and "Alakazam," they end up switching bodies. 

Due to school tests and business meetings, Marshall and Charlie have to take over the other's life for a few days, outsmart the two art thieves, and find a way to switch back to their own bodies.





Final Thoughts

The Astronaut Wives Club: The Complete Series DVD Review

Mill Creek Ent., TV-PG; 720 minutes; $24.98

I don't watch very many series that air on network television that aren't comic book related, so many shows go completely under my radar. This probably explains why I never heard of The Astronaut Wives Club, which aired as a 10-part limited series on ABC in the summer of 2015. I only heard about the series when Mill Creek Entertainment made the announcement last year about the complete series DVD release.

Based on the novel of the same name by Lily Koppel, and developed by Lily Koppel, the series stars JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Yvonne Starhovski, Zoe Boyle, Dominique McElligott, Odette Annable, and Erin Cummings.

There series centers around the wives of the Mercury Seven, a.k.a. - America's first group of astronaut (Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton).

There are no special features or extras on the two-discs set.



Final Thoughts

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Harts of the West: The Complete Series DVD Review

Mill Creek Ent.; Not Rated; 671 minutes

There are many one-season wonders that I loved to watch during my childhood, such as The Adventures of Brisco County Jr., American Gothic, Kindred: The Embraced, and The Lone Gunmen. Despite each one only running for a single season, all of these series are available on DVD. Now available on DVD & Digital from Mill Creek Entertainment is the 1993 comedy-drama Harts of the West, which is another television series that I remember watching when I was kid.

Created by Robert Moloney, Harts of the West starred Beau Bridges, Harley Jane Kozak, Sean Murray, Stephen Root, Talisa Soto, and Lloyd Bridges (Beau's father). The series aired on CBS on Saturday nights in between Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and Walker, Texas Ranger.

Harts of the West centered on Dave Hart (played by Beau Bridges) having a midlife crises after having a heart attack. He quits his jobs and moves his family to Sholo, Nevada to live on the Flying Tumbleweed Dude Ranch. Upon purchasing the ranch, Dave believed he was receiving a riveting business, but instead all he got was a run down property. Included with the ranch is a hired hand named Jake Terrel (played by Lloyd Bridges). Despite the Hart family's disappointment with their new home, they attempt to fix up their homestead and somehow make a business out of the old ranch.

All 15 episodes are on the two-disc set. There are no special features or bonus extras. However, it does come with a digital code that can be redeemed at www.millcreekent.com/redeem.





Final Thoughts

Friday, February 9, 2018

Book Blogger Hop: February 9th - 15th




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


Welcome to the new Book Blogger Hop!

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

What to do:

1. Post on your blog answering this question:

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


What authors have you met and where?

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


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

My Answer:

I have never had the privilege of meeting any authors.


Linky List:

Oh, the "Horror" of Online Dating!



After spending the last week being sick with the flu, my thoughts have being going to the dark side. And, no, I'm not referring to the Star Wars franchise. Actually, I'm referring to horror movies. For some reason or another, while I was sick, I kept thinking about the 1980 horror classic The Shining, which is an adaptation of the 1977 novel of the same name by Stephen King. I couldn't get my mind off of the movie, so I ended ordering the Jack Torrance Funko Pop! figurine (and I ordered several other Pop!s while I was sick, but that's a whole different conversation). Anyway, I could have sworn I owned the movie on DVD, but I was wrong, as only had the DVD of the 1997 mini-series. To make a long story short, I ended up finding The Shining on DVD at a Walmart in a different county and I watched it late last night.

Lately, one of my new hobbies is sharing photos on Instagram, which most my of my photos are of Pop!s, books, and DVD/Blu-rays. The most popular of my pictures are the ones that are horror related, like the Jason Voorhees & Freddy Krueger 8-Bit Pop!s, the Jack Torrance Pop!, and The Shining DVD. These photos have gotten me dozens of new followers and lots of likes. I don't normally pay attention of who follows my social media accounts, but I have noticed there are many females that have started following me. By just glancing at their usernames and a few of their photos, I would say many of them are horror fans.

This got me wondering if there were dating site that were made for horror fans, and after a quick Google search, I learned there are in fact several such websites!

If you have been following my blog for the last few months, then you would know about my interests in online dating. I'm still debating with myself whether or not I should try online dating, but I do like the idea that there might be a woman out there with similar interests.

Personally, I'm not sure what exactly I'm looking for, but I do know that I'm not wanting a no strings dating relationship. I have nothing against anyone who does, it's just not for me. While I do find some older women attractive, I don't want to join a senior dating website to find a relationship. I'm still under 40, so I'm definitely sure I can rule out those types of dating sites.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Minnie: Helping Hearts DVD Review

Disney; TV-Y; 96 minutes; Amazon

Now available on DVD from Walt Disney Home Entertainment is Minnie: Helping Hearts, featuring 8 Happy Helpers episodes. There are no special features or extras on the single disc.

The 11-minute Happy Helpers episodes air as the second half the Mickey and the Roadster Racers, a computer-animated children series that airs on Disney Junior. The Roadster Racers segments involves Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Daisy, and Minnie racing around their town Hot Dog Hills and the world. The Happy Helpers segments centers on Minnie, Daisy, and Cuckoo-Loc helping the citizens of Hot Dog Hills with odd jobs.

Since Valentine's Day is next week, the Minnie: Helping Hearts DVD does contains one Valentine's Day episode called "The Happiest Helpers Cruise!," which centers on the Minnie and Daisy taking a job as cruise directors on the Hot Dogs Hills Harbor Cruise.

The other seven episodes are:

The Big Broadcast - Minnie and Daisy cover for Billy Beagle as race announcers, as he races against the Roadster Racers.

Adventures In Buddysitting! - After the Hot Dog Hills Play Center closes for a day, the Happy Helpers babysits several kids, including a shy goat named Buddy McBilly.

Lights! Camera! Help! - The Happy Helpers are hired to be assistants to a movie star named Portia DeHoun.

Grandpa Beagle's Day Out - Billy Beagle hires the Happy Helpers to babysit his grandfather, Grandpa Beagle.

Artful Helpers - The Happy Helpers fill in as the security staff for the Fancy Art Museum. Their main job is to guard the Mona Goof painting.

Cuckoo LA-LA - Cuckoo-Loc's cousin, Cuckoo La-La, asks the Happy Helpers to assist her in the upcoming fashion show.

Figaro's New Friend - The Happy Helpers are more than glad to babysit Pluto for an entire day, but Minnie's cat Figaro isn't too happy about Pluto's visit.

Final Thoughts

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Is a Good Night's Sleep Possible?



Getting a good night's sleep is not always an easy thing to do, as many of us have many things on our minds. Stress is the #1 factor in why I have so many restless nights.

Recently, I was sent a bottle of Dream Elements Calming Pillow Spray to test out and review. It's basically an aromatherapy spritz that you spray on your pillow prior to going to sleep.

It contains several different essential oils that is supposed to help give you a relaxing sleep environment, which will make you sleep better.

Ingredients include: Aqua (Deionized Water), Polysorbate-20, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Canange Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Vetivera Zizanoides (Vetiver) Oil, Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Oil), Sodium Benzoate, and Potassium Sorbate.




Final Thoughts

Woody Woodpecker DVD Review

Universal Pictures; PG; 94 minutes

Yep! There's a Woody Woodpecker movie! Don't worry if you have never heard of it before, because most of us haven't. The live-action/3D animated film was released to theaters in Brazil last fall. It skipped the theaters in the United States and instead it's being released on DVD, Digital, and On Demand today from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment on February 6th.

Directed by Alex Zamm, the film stars Timothy Omundson, Jakob Davies, Thaila Ayala, Graham Verchere, Jordana Largy, Emily Holmes, and Eric Bauza voices Woody Woodpecker.

Created by Walter Lantz and Ben Hardaway, Woody Woodpecker first appearance was in the 1940 animated short Knock Knock. The character's last appearance was in the short-lived animated series The New Woody Woodpecker Show (1999-2002).

The new Woody Woodpecker movie centers on Lance Walters (played by Tim Omundson), a lawyer who was recently fired from his job. To make some quick cash, he decides to travel to the Pine Grove forest in Pennsylvania, where he had inherited some land from his late grandfather. He plans on building and flipping a modern designed mansion. He travels to Pine Grove with his much younger girlfriend Vanessa (played by Thaila Ayala) and his son Tommy (played by Graham Verchere), who he got stuck with at the last minute after his ex-wife convinces him to spend more time with their son.

Let's just say the locals and the park ranger, Samantha Bartlett (played by Jordana Largy) don't care for the construction zone in their forest. And one the forest's inhabitants, Woody Woodpecker, doesn't care for the fact that the construction zone is near his home, and he will do everything it takes to protect it.

Special Features include:

  • Guess Who? The Evolution of Woody - Woody Woodpecker is one of the world’s most iconic animated characters. In this featurette, we explore how Woody’s look and personality have changed since his introduction in 1940.
  • The Making of Woody Woodpecker - Filmmakers and cast discuss why this version of the Woody character is so appealing and how his brand of physical humor translates across audiences.
  • Working with Woody - Filmmakers, cast and crew reveal the specific challenges of filming a movie whose main character is CGI.


Final Thoughts

Friday, February 2, 2018

Book Blogger Hop: February 2nd - 8th




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


Welcome to the new Book Blogger Hop!

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

What to do:

1. Post on your blog answering this question:

  This week's question is submitted by Maria  @ A Night's Dream of Books .


Do you prefer to blog about (a) specific book genre(s), or do you have an eclectic blog?

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 like a wide range of book genres, from crime mysteries to Amish romances. I guess you could say my blog is eclectic.


Linky List: