Monday, October 1, 2012

Review - Escaping the Cauldron

Escaping the Cauldron
By Kristine McGuire
Publisher: Charisma House
ISBN: 978-1616386979
Pub. Date: September 4, 2012
Pages: 240
Buy Links: Amazon.com

Review:

In this memoir, author Kristine McGuire tells her story about her fall from Christ, her dabble into the occult, and her new found freedom. The interest in the occult first occurred when she was a kid. She would play fortune-teller with her friends by reading each others' palms. She would drag out a clear plastic baby toy and use it as a crystal ball.

After attending a Christian college, marring a Christian man, and becoming a mother, she still had an interest in the occult even though she was still a follower of God. Kristine started reading books on witchcraft and the occult. For eight years she devoured her life into the occult, until she suddenly realized that it wasn't the life for her and she made her way back to being a Christian.

John Carpenter's Halloween (Blu-ray) Giveaway


The 13 Days of Halloween event (which will feature book reviews, movie reviews, guest posts, and a few giveaways) is only a few weeks away and to celebrate I'm having a giveaway to lead up to the event. My original idea was to give away a horror Blu-ray during the event, but I wanted to make sure the winner receives the movie before Halloween.

And the Blu-ray I'm giving away is.....

Review: Troll Hunters by Michael Dahl



Set in the outskirts of a small community, a group of teens, Pablo, Zak, Thora, and Bryce, head out to the quarry to watch the Draconid meteor shower, but something strange occurs as if something came out from the depths of the quarry's water. Giant troll creatures are unleashed.

The kids take refuge at Dr. Hoo's mansion that was hidden in the woods. He is one of the few people that have known that the trolls, whom are afraid of light, were going to take over the world. The bad trolls call themselves the Gathool, whereas the good trolls go by the name Drakhool.

Review: The Twisted Window by Lois Duncan

The Twisted Window is written by the teen thriller-master, Lois Duncan. The book was original published back in 1987, but has been released onto Kindle with a few minor changes, the mention of cell phones, DVDs, etc. I've been a Lois Duncan fan every since I read I Know What You Did Last Summer (the book, not the movie) when I was a teenager, so when I saw this book up on Netgalley, I had to review it.

Tracy Lloyd had recently lost her mother, her father practically abandoned her, and she now resides in a small town with her aunt and uncle. The plot begins with a strange boy named Brad started staring at her during lunch hour at school. Brad is from Albuquerque, but he doesn't exactly go to her school. He follows her around and eventually asks her out. She thinks it is a date, but it isn't what he had in mine.

Review - Echo and the Bat Pack: Treasure in the Graveyard

Echo and the Bat Pack: Treasure in the Graveyard
By Roberto Pavanello
Translated by Marco Zeni
Illustrated by Blasco Pisapia and Pamela Brugher
Publisher: Stone Arch Books
ISBN: 978-1434242488
Pub. Date: August 1, 2012
Pages: 128
Buy Links: Amazon.com 

Review: 

Set in the small town of Fogyville, a bat named Echo is a novelist living in a crypt at an abandoned cemetery with a little bit of writer's block. Late one night, Echo hears the cemetery gate opening. He investigates and catches a skull face man wearing a black cloak digging up a grave. Before he could say anything, a raven begins chasing him.

In a panic, Echo flees the cemetery into the open window of the Silver kids on 13 Friday Street, who closes the shutters before the raven can get in. The siblings are: Michael, age 12, aka - a book worm, Becca, age 11, aka - loves animals, and Tyler age 10, aka - computer nerd. The kids are shocked to find the talking bat, which was raised in a library. One of Echo's wings was injured when he landed in the room, so they kids let him stay in the house until he is healed.

Review - Weirder Than Marshmallows

Weirder Than Marshmallows
By Dan Fogg
Compiled and Edited by Deborah Carney
Publisher: NightFire Publications
ASIN: B005FMC7YU
Pub. Date: August 1. 2011
Pages: 89 
Buy Link: Amazon.com

I couldn't sleep last night, so I grabbed my kindle and began reading Weirder Than Marshmallows which contains a series of essays and rants by the Dan Fogg, who sadly passed away over ten years ago.

The writings are based on the author's observation of the stupidity of humanity. In the preface, Dan talks about the ingredients of marshmallows and wonders why there is blue food coloring in it. After reading the ingredients, I'm never eating a marshmallow again.

Normally I don't read essay books, but I really enjoyed reading Weirder Than Marshmallows as the author used common sense that seems to be lacking in our culture today. I've never noticed the "Not Stop on Tracks" sign at railroad tracks before, but I'll look for them the next time I cross one.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Review - Michal's Window


Michal's Window
By Rachelle Ayala
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 
ISBN: 978-1475081480
Pub. Date: April 12, 2012
Pages: 458
Buy Link: Amazon.com

Review: 

This stunning biblical tale centers on Princess Michal, the daughter of King Saul, as she first meets the shepherd boy/harpist named David, who is arrives at the kingdom to help mend her father who is tormented by evil spirits. The Princess falls in love with David and before long the two are wedded.

Situations occur that causes King Saul to order the death of his son-in-law. Fearing for David's life, Michal helps her husband escape the wrath of her father.

Michal is later reunited with the now King David, but he has changed from the man that she had known. David has several wives and other lovers, but Michal still loves him and is determined to win his heart at all costs.