Thursday, April 30, 2015

Spring Reads: Buried Secrets


Buried Secrets
Men of Valor Series
by Irene Hannon
Publisher: Revell
Pub. Date: April 7, 2015
ISBN: 978-0800721268
Pages: 384
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Now available in bookstores this month is newest mystery thriller from bestselling author Irene Hannon, titled Buried Secrets. Besides from reading Deceived (book three in the Private Justice series), this author is fairly new to me. With an intriguing Murder She Wrote style cover, I was excited about reading it.

Buried Secrets centers on ex-Chicago homicide detective, Lisa Grant, whom is now living a simple life as a police chief in a small town. Well, life isn't as gentle as she thought it would be when a human skeleton is discovered at the edge of town by a construction crew. Homicides is something she had thought she had left behind in Chicago, but here she is trying to solve another murder. While Lisa is fully capable of taking on this case by herself, she must team up with another detective that has been sent to help her, the ex-Navy Seal Mac McGregor.

Mac had been looking to make a change in his life; longing for a family of his own, and the town life does catches his liking and so does the charming police chief. As Mac and Lisa investigates the murder, a spark between them ignites, just as buried secrets begin to emerge.

Spring Reads: A.D. The Bible Continues: The Revolution That Changed The World


A.D. The Bible Continues: The Revolution That Changed The World
by Dr. David Jeremiah
Pubisher: Tyndale Publishing
Pub. Date: April 14, 2015
ISBN: 978-1496407177
Pages: $16.99
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

To tie-in with the NBC's limited series A.D. The Bible Continues, the sequel to History Channel's 2013 miniseries, The Bible), Tyndale Publishing released two book this month: A.D. The Bible Continues: The Book Of Acts and A.D. The Bible Continues: The Revolution that Changed The World. Both books are written Dr. David Jeremiah, author of Agents of the Apocalypse.

While the A.D. The Bible Continues: The Book Of Acts told the stories of Christ's apostles & followers, The Revolution That Changed The World also follows the Book Of Acts, but it's retold here to give a more detailed look on what Christ's disciples went through following Jesus' death and resurrection three day later. Dr. David Jeremiah gives a history lesson on what life was like back then, by exploring the political and religious upheal that eventually lead to the rise of the early church.

There are selective Bible verses throughout the book along with quotes from theologians and scholars. Similar to A.D. The Bible Continues: The Book Of Acts, there are small biographical segments.

Espresso Stack Cup Review


Well, it's probably no surprise to my regular blog readers to find me reviewing a coffee related product. If you're a big coffee lover like I am, then you probably don't have room for all the cups, mugs and tumblers that you've collected over the years.

Just a few days, I accidentally dropped one of my favorite mugs, shattering into dozens of pieces. I would replace it with a new one, but I didn't any even have the space for the old one.

Recently, I was sent one of the Espresso Stack Cup to test out. What exactly is an Espresso Stack Cup?

Well, it's a small Le Bleu Bean mug that fits inside a small LEGO-like storage box. The mug retails for $25, but is currently available on Amazon.com for $12.77. While the ceramic mug only comes in one color (white), the box comes in either black or white. The idea is that you can stack up every Espresso Stack Cup that you own; saving you space.


Where's Friday? - Insanity, Gossip Girl & the End of April!



I can't believe it's already Thursday and that it's the last day in April!

Where did the time go?

Oh, I've actually been busy all week writing reviews for this blog and trying to wrap up my first month of Insanity Max:30. Actually, I have three more days and I'll be finished with month one. While I haven't dropped one single pound on the scales, I have noticed a difference around my arms and chest. I should have took my measurements for starting the workout program, but I didn't.

Let me correct myself, I didn't get too many reviews written as I keep hopping over to YouTube and watching music videos, such as The Pretty Reckless, Halestorm and Dave Matthews Violinist Boyd Tinsley Serenades Grand Central Terminal!

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Matcha Tea Ceremony Gift Set by Matcha DNA Review



Many say that green tea is the healthiest beverage in the world due to the fact that it is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients! This can boost fat loss, lower the risks of cancer, improves brain function and many other healthy benefits.

About a month ago, I was sent the Matcha Tea Ceremony Gift Set by Matcha DNA to review!

The set includes:

1 - Beautiful Gift Box
1 - Handmade Matcha Tea Bowl/Cup (Chawan)
1 - Handcrafted Bamboo Tea Whisk (Chasen)
1 - Ceramic Matcha Whisk Holder
1 - Natural Bamboo Tea Spoon (Chashaku)
1 -1 oz bag of USDA Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder 




Styles II Fitness Massage Body Stick Roller Review


When I started 2015, my main priority was to get into shape, but I've had several setbacks, include a few muscle strains and a few colds. Now, there isn't much I can do from preventing myself from catching the cold or flu, but I can help get rid or even prevent muscle strains without having to go to an expensive chiropractor or a massage therapist.


Earlier this month, I was sent the Styles II Fitness Massage Body Stick Roller to try out. The roller is basically an 18 inch metal bar with seven white rollers and black rubber handles on each end.

The roller is an effective therapy tool for muscle strains, pains and trigger points. It helps break down soft tissue, increases blood flow and increases circulation.


Saturday, April 25, 2015

Blu-ray Review: Taken 3



Taken 3
Director: Olivier Megaton
Starring: Liam Neeson, Forest Whittaker, Maggie Grace, and Famke Janssen
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Release Date: April 22, 2015
Retail: $39.99
ASIN: B00U0WY46O
Running Time: 109 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Now available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD is the action-packed Taken 3. Directed by Olivier Megaton, the film stars Liam Neeson, Forest Whittaker, Maggie Grace, and Famke Janssen. The Blu-ray features the both the theatrical version and the unrated cut (about 6 minutes longer). Extras include deleted scenes, gallery, Sam's Bunker A.K.A. The Rabbit Hole, Taken to L.A. and A Taken Legacy.

Liam Neeson returns once again as the ex-covert operative Bryan Mills, whom is now living in L.A. to be close to his daughter Kim (played by Maggie Grace). Despite the events that occurred in Taken 2, his ex-wife Lenore (played by Famke Janssen) has stayed married to Stuart St. John (now played by Dougray Scott); though she still has feeling for Bryan and vice versa.

After receiving a text form Lenore wanting to have breakfast at his apartment, Bryan is shell-shocked when he finds her dead in his bedroom. The LAPDs arrive to the scene quickly, but Bryan is one step of head of them as he uses his covert operative knowledge & skills to hunt down his ex-wife's murderer and clear his name.