Flowers in the Attic
The Dollanganger Family Series
By V.C. Andrews
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pub. Date: January 7, 2014
ISBN: 978-1476775852
Pages: 400

Review:

It’s hard to believe the guilty pleasure novel Flowers in the Attic is over 34-years-old! I wasn't even born back in 1979 when Flowers in the Attic written by newcomer V.C. Andrews was published. The book about four siblings being locked up in a bedroom and attic for over three years was a huge success, but there was major controversy involving the incest theme involving a teenage brother and sister. The book has been banned from libraries and schools because of this, though over time some have put the book back on the shelves, it is still banded in some locations.

The book is told from the point-of-view of Catherine Leigh "Cathy" Dollanganger and centers on the there and half years when her siblings, Chris and twins Cory and Carrie, are hidden away in the vast Foxworth mansion. After their father died in a car accident, their mother, Corrine, drags them to live in her parent's house, where they are locked in a bedroom by their wicked Grandmother.

Their mother had been disinherited years ago when she married their father Christopher, and now the only way to get back in her father's grace is if she never had any children with her husband, so the Dollanganger children must be  away in a bedroom, which has access to the attic, until their grandfather dies.

During the first year their mother visits them on a daily basis, but as she starts to establish herself back into society, she distance herself from her children. Meanwhile, Chris and Cathy become less like brother and sister to the twins and more like farther and mother, as they take care of them and continue their schooling (well as much as they can). They’re fearful of their Grandmother, whom will give them severe punishment what she considers sinning. Being locked away has put stress on the twins and they are physically becoming ill. As for Chris and Cathy, they are starting to have intimate feelings for each other, despite the fact they are brother and sister.

Runner Runner
Director: Brad Furman
Starring: Justin Timberlake, Gemma Arterton, Ben Affleck
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: January 7, 2013
Retail: $39.99
ASIN: B00GICP86A
Running Time: 91minutes
Rating: R

Review:

Arriving on DVD and Blu-ray last week (January 7, 2013) was the gambling-thriller Runner Runner from director Brad Furman and stars Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck (Yep, the future Bruce Wayne/Batman). Special features include House of Cards - The Inside Story of Online Poker (Exclusive to Blu-ray) and deleted scenes.

I've never been a fan of Justin Timberlake's music or film roles, but he won me over in the underrated Clint Eastwood's vehicle Trouble with the Curve. I have always thought Ben Affleck's acting has been extremely wooden or just god-awful at times, so my expectations for Runner Runner were quite low.

Somewhat based on a real-life professional poker player, Nat Arem, Justin Timberlake plays a Princeton grad student, Richie Furst, who has been paying his college tuition by referring students to a online poker site, in which he receives a fee. He once had a wonderful  career on Wall Street, but things happen and now his only source of income is through his gambling scheme that is until the Dean learns of his activities and tells him to shutdown his operation or get kicked out of school.

With no other choice, Richie closes his business, but takes all his earnings and enters an online poker game, in the hope of winning the rest of his college tuition. Despite his poker experience, Richie loses everything!

Christmas is officially over (well, until December 2014), so you would think you would have time to relax, but there is another holiday around the corner - Valentine's Day. For some people the day of love is just a scheme created by the card companies, while others celebrate the day in honor of Saint Valentine.

Whatever is the reason you celebrate Valentine's Day, it is not that easy to find the perfect gift for your loved one, especially for men, who are mostly likely to do their shopping at the last minute. Sure, you can go the safe route and buy some roses, candy or cheap jewelry, but your wife, girlfriend or partner, may not feel like you put your best effort into picking out the gift. If only you could read minds it could be a lot easier, but wait, there is something you could do.

There is a new website called PickURGift that can help you buy the perfect present for someone. It's just like writing your wish list, except it is reverse. You're are picking out gifts you think your loved one will like, then you send an email to that person, they will pick out what they would like to have. This is a simple way to give the perfect gift.

Power Rangers Megaforce: The Mysterious Robo Knight
Studio: LionsGate/ Saban Brands
Release Date: January 14th, 2013
Retail: $14.98
ASIN: B00G6IOZ2E
Running Time: 92 minutes
Rating: Not Rated

Review:

The Power Rangers franchise is kicking off its 21st first year with the DVD release Power Rangers Megaforce: The Mysterious Robo Knight, containing four exciting adventures. As an added bonus there is a Mega Bloks Micro Red Ranger Figure (toy for kids 5+) with each DVD.

Power Rangers Megaforce debuted last February on Nickelodeon, introducing new and old fans to a new generation of Power Rangers - Troy Burrows (Red Ranger), Noah Carver (Blue Ranger), Emma Goodall (Pink Ranger), Gia Moran (Yellow Ranger) and Jake Holling (Black Ranger). The five Angel Grove teenagers are summoned by Earth's supernatural guardian Gosei (sent to Earth by Zordon) and his robot assistant Tensou to become the Megaforce Rangers. Their mission is to stop the Warstar aliens from attacking Earth, but they can't stop the forces of evil by themselves, as they must make an alliance with the mysterious Robo Knight.

From left to right: The Blue Ranger ("Noah," left) and the Red Ranger ("Troy," right) star in Lionsgate Home Entertainment's POWER RANGERS MEGAFORCE: THE MYSTERIOUS ROBO KNIGHT.

The four episodes on the single-disc are:

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 Judy!

Are you a book blogger purist? Do you only have book related posts or do you review/post on anything/everything that catches your eye?

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: 

When I first started blogging the blog was strictly a book blog. Then I started posting ramblings, sponsored posts, movie reviews and product reviews. I only write reviews on things that interests me.

There are times when the opportunity to read more about a subject has passed. If you have gotten into trouble with the law for any reason, the time for reading has passed. It is time to act by getting a lawyer that can help you out of your particular jam. Hopefully, your mistake is something that you do not plan on doing again, but even if it is something that you do on a regular basis, the U.S. justice system is based on the idea that you are innocent until proven guilty. That means that the prosecutor has to prove that you did the thing that you are accused of.


Everyone is entitled to a lawyer when a case goes to court. You could waive this right, but then you would have to defend yourself. As the saying goes, you would have a fool for a client. Practicing law is not simple. It is divided into specializations, and it requires a significant amount of knowledge about procedures and precedents. Ideally, you will hire a defense attorney who has experience in defending other people just like you. Whether you are accused of stealing or driving under the influence, you deserve to have the best defense that you can afford.

I’m often asked, “How do authors deal with writers block?”

There are two types of writers block; difficulty figuring out how to make a scene or plot line work, and the inability to write anything. The answer to one type is “get up,” while the answer to the other is “sit down.”

If you are having trouble making some aspect of your story work, go put on a load of laundry or let the dog out. Better yet, walk the dog around the block. If that doesn’t work, sleep on it. Sometimes the answer will magically present itself when you awake.

Critique partners or writing buddies are another solution. Give a synopsis of your story and then explain your dilemma. You might be surprised what another set of eyes (or ears) can come up with. One thing is sure, if you let indecision go on for too long, it will turn into the more severe type of block, the total incapacity to write at all. Stress, depression, and fear are other reasons a writer stops writing. The only cure for this is to make a change.

Try writing on your laptop instead of your desktop. Listen to music while you write, or pick a different style of music, or stop listening to music at all. Write at a coffee shop or on your back patio. Take a class on writing, especially one with homework.

If you are still having trouble, but your book aside and try writing a short story. Do you have a blog? Write something for it, or post on a friend’s blog.

If you have to start small, that’s fine. Just start. Write something. And write every day. The only true way to get over writer’s block is to sit down and write.