The Legend Of Korra - Book Four: Balance
Studio: Nickelodeon
Release Date: March 10, 2015
Retail: $19.99
ASIN: B00QT4VGN6
Running Time: 297 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Arriving on DVD today from Nickelodeon is The Legend Of Korra  - Book Four: Balance, featuring all 13 episodes from the final season. Bonus Features include 4 audio commentaries by the creators, cast & crew, Kuvira vs. Prince Wu and Republic City Hustle: Part 1.

Created by Michael Dante DiMartino & Bryan Konietzko, The Legend Of Korra is set 70 years after the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender. The world has been separated into four different nations - the northern and southern Water Tribes, the Air Nomads, the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation. Few people from each tribe have the ability to bend each tribe's element (water, earth, fire & air), but only one can blend all four - the Avatar, Korra (from the Southern Water Tribe), the successor of Avatar Aang.

Despite critical acclaim for the series, the ratings started to decline during the third season, resulting in Nickelodeon airing the remaining episodes on their website. Book Four: Balance (the fourth season) aired on Nick.com last fall and takes place three years after season three. The season focuses on an injured Korra as she begins a journey of self-discovery and survival.

The episodes on the two-disc set are:

A Heart's Disguise
Journey of the Heart, book 1
by Colleen Coble
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pub. Date: March 10, 2015
ISBN: 978-0529103413
Pages: 102 pages
Buy Link: http://bit.ly/1b01Z1h
Blog Tour: http://litfusegroup.com/author/ccoble

Review:

Being released to bookstores today is the western-romance A Heart's Disguise by Colleen Coble. The novella is book one in the 6-part Journey of the Heart, in which each a new installment will be released monthly.

Over the last few years, Colleen Coble has become one of my favorite authors, so naturally I was excited to review A Heart''s Disguise. The Journey of the Heart series was the author's first series, originally titled Where Leads the Heart and Plains of Promise. The idea for the book was inspired by a trip she took to Wyoming, where she visited the place where her late brother, Randy, had lived. After finishing the books, it took her six years to find a publisher for it.

A Heart's Disguise is set in Washbash, Indiana in 1865 and centers on a young woman Sara Montgomery, whom lost her mother at an early age and became a second mother to her younger brother, Joel. Her father's health is declining fast and he wishes that she would marry Ben Croftner. Though she still loves her ex, Rand Campbell, who supposedly died at Andersonville, Sara agrees to marry Ben as she thinks he would make a good husband and a decent father-figure for Joel.

Out of the blue, Rand Campbell rides into town. Except for a limp, he has full recovered from his wounds and he is looking forward to reuniting with his parents, brothers and of course the love of his life - Sara.

How to Catch a Prince
The Royal Wedding Series
by Rachel Hauck
Publisher: Zondervan
Pub. Date: February 24, 2015
ISBN: 978-0310315544
Pages: 368
Buy Link: http://bit.ly/1BD8DVo
Blog Tour: http://litfusegroup.com/author/rhauck

Review:

Before I started blogging, I would have probably ignored a Royal Wedding theme in it, but I have taken a chance on many intriguing authors and I'm glad that I did read the first two books in the series, Once Upon a Prince and Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck.

Over the weekend, I had the privilege of reading the third installment, How to Catch a Prince, which centers on an American heiress Corina Del Rey, who spends her days as a journalist. She was briefly married to a prince, but it quickly ended in an annulment. To this very day, she has kept her marriage a secret to everyone in her life. Her brother had died overseas during the war, but there is something about his death that doesn't make any sense to her. Corina puts her journalist skills to use as she starts her own investigation.

Prince Stephen of Brighton might be one of the worlds most eligible bachelors and a star rugby player, but he can no longer hide a deep secret from his past - his brief marriage to Corina Del Rey. When his days in the Royal Air Command come back to haunt him, he unexpectedly runs into Corina and all those old feelings come running back.

Miracle At The Higher Ground Cafe'
by Max Lucado
with Candace Lee & Eric Newman
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pub. Date: February 17, 2015
ISBN: 978-0718000882
Pages: 192 pages
Blog Tour: http://litfusegroup.com/author/mlucado
Buy Link: http://bit.ly/1EaivpU

Review:
 
Being a coffee drinker, I enjoyed sipping on a cup of coffee while reading the recently released Miracle At The Higher Ground Cafe', a short novella by Max Lucado, Candance Lee & Eric Newman. Probably almost every reader has heard or has read a book by Max Lucado. For me, this is the first fictional book that I have read by the author.

Miracle At The Higher Grounds Cafe' centers on a Chelsea Chambers returning to her hometown in San Antonio to reopen the family's coffee shop, which is located on the lower floor of an old Victorian house. This isn't exactly her dream job, but it is a good distraction as she tries to forget about her separation from her NFL star husband, Sawyer Chambers, but it trouble seems to follow her as she receives notice from the IRS that the coffee shop owes $86,000.78. Now there is no way that she can pay that off in 30 days, so she does some negotiating and agrees to pay $9,555.64 per month for nine months, which means she needs to sell 155 lattes a day!

Luckily for Chelsea, she has a guardian angel, Samuel, looking over her, whom tweaks the WiFi router at the coffee shop. Now whoever uses the WiFi can only have access to one site - The God Blog, where anyone can have their prayers answered. Soon enough, Chelsea easily has the first month's payment for IRS, but the cafe's success will come with a price.
 

The Baron of Coyote River
by L. Ron Hubbard
Publisher: Galaxy Press
Pub. Date: February 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1592123773
Running Time: 2 hours 13 minutes
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

A new western novel is hard to come by these days, but there are many classic western adventures being re-released for a next generation of readers. Galaxy Press has been releasing paperback and audiobooks based on the western novellas and short stories from on the late author L. Ron Hubbard. These stories were published during the 30s' and 40s' or otherwise known as the Golden Age, a time when countless adventure stories appeared in Pulp Magazines.

The Baron of Coyote River was first published in the September 1936 issue of All Western Magazine and was released as an audiobook on February 1, 2010 along with the short story Reign Of The Gila Monster. The voice cast includes Martin Kove, Bruce Boxleitner, Bob Caso, R.F. Daley, Jim Meskimen (whom also directs), Fred Tatasciore, Josh R Thompson and Michael Yurchalk.

The first tale is centered on a wanted man, Lance Gordon, who has been dodging the the law ever since he killed his father's murderer, a Deputy Marshal, in a fair fight. There is a price on his head and everyone is out to get him, including the US Cavalry. He almost runs out of luck in Santos, when he is surrounded by the cavalry, but out of nowhere, a stranger, Tyler, rescues him. To return the favor, Lance agrees to ride to Coyote River to stop a cattle-stealing Baron.

I think many of us forget how important it is to include extra protein in our diets, especially if you are exercising and lifting weights on the regularly. Luckily, there are many different whey protein powders on the market that can solve this problem for us.

A few weeks ago, I received three sample packets (30.3 grams) of 100 % Pure Whey Protein Isolate (Dutch Chocolate) to test out. Unlike other brands, this protein powder is free of gluten, lactose, soy, whey concentrate, dextrose, maltodextrin, ion exchange whey and acid treated whey. It is also free of fat and sugar with no fillers, excipents, banned substances or hidden ingredients. Each packet has only 100 calories.

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!

Do you think a book's title is important?

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: 

Yes & No. A catchy title will always grab my attention, but that doesn't necessarily mean I want to read the book. If the book's blurb doesn't impress me, then I won't read that book. 

It's no secret to my blog readers that I love my daily cups (Yes, I said cups) of coffee. If you have seen the news lately, then you'll know that experts are now saying that coffee is good for you as it can help prevent liver disease, prostate cancer, Alzheimer’s, back pain and other ailments. Well, that's if you drink regular coffee without any creams or sweeteners.

Last week, I was sent a 3-Cup Double Wall Stainless Steel Coffee Press from MIRA. This is the third coffee press that I have owned. The other two were made out of glass and unfortunately I accidentally bumped one of them when I was washing it and I cracked it.

Like I already mentioned, the MIRA Coffee Press is made out of stainless steel, so I never have to worry about cracking this one. It is very simple to use. All you have to do is pour 2 - 3 tbsp of coffee grounds for every 6 fl. oz into the press. Next, you need to pour the correct amount of boiling water. It only holds between 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups or 3 (4 oz.) cups. Place the plunger on top of the press to cover it. Let stand for a minutes and then slowly push the plunger handle down. Then just pour yourself a cup of coffee.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Retreat!
Voice Cast: Seth Green, Sean Astin, Greg Cipes, Rob Paulsen, Mae Whitman, Josh Peck
Studio: Nickelodeon
Release Date: March 10, 2015
Retail: $14.98
ASIN: B00NGL7IUA
Running Time: 157 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Arriving on DVD from Nickelodeon this coming Tuesday is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Retreat!, featuring the first seven episodes from the third season. Special features includes 7 Shorts: "The Mutation of a Scene."

Since its debut in 2012, TMNT has been a ratings hit for Nickelodeon, bringing in young and old fans to new incarnation. The series replaces with the traditional 2D animation with computer animation, but still has the humor that made the 1987 series so popular

Season Two ended with the four Turtles (Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael), April O'Neil and Casey Jones fleeing New York City after it was taken over by the Kraangs and Shredder. They take refuge at April's family's farmhouse. With Master Splinter left behind, the turtles feel lost, especially with Leonardo struggling to heal his wounds from the fallout. The turtles must regain their strength, so they can one day return to the city and stop their enemies once in for all.

The series' writers must have a love for old horror movies, as the first episode of the season, Within The Woods, the turtles must battle a strange plant creature wearing overalls and a feed sack (and later Casey's hockey mask). It's obvious that the producers were paying homage to the Friday the 13th films. The fifth episode, titled In Dreams, mixes elements of A Nightmare Elm Street & The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, where April & Casey must somehow figure out how to wake up the turtles, whom are all trapped in a nightmare world. Horror icons Robert England, John Kassir and Bill Mosely guest-voice in the episode.

 
Tinker Bell and the Legend Of The NeverBeast
Director: Steve Loter
Voice Cast: Ginnfer Goodwin, Rosario Dawson, Mae Whitman, Lucy Lui, Raven-Symone
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Retail: $36.99
ASIN: B00P8KD29I
Running Time: 76 minutes
Rated: G
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Now available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital DVD from Walt Disney Home Entertainment is Tinker Bell and the Legend Of The NeverBeast. Bonus Features include 5 Essential Ingredients To Getting Gruff, My Dad's Movies: The True Story Of The NeverBeast, Jeff Corwin's Guide To Real-World NeverBeasts, Deleted Scenes With Director Intros and much more!

Tinker Bell and The Legend Of The NeverBeast marks the 6th and finale film in the "Tinker Bell" franchise. The film centers on the animal-loving fairy Fawn (voiced by Ginnfer Goodwin), who stumbles upon a mysterious creature known as the NeverBeast in the forest. The NeverBeast has awaken from a 1,000 year sleep, whom takes up an odd habit of building rock towers. Fawn befriends the creature and names him Gruff.

Nyx (voiced by Rosario Dawson) is newest scout in Pixie Hollow. After a hearing an odd roar from the forest, she decides to investigate and also stumbles upon the NeverBeast. She quickly does a little research in the fairy lore library to see what kind of creature he is and discovers that the NeverBeast will eventually turn into a deadly beast. In fear that he will harm Pixie Hollow, Nyx is determined to protect her fellow fairies at all costs.