Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Summer Reads: Hearts Made Whole

Hearts Made Whole
by Jody Hedlund
Publisher: Bethany House
Pub. Date: June 2, 2015
ISBN: 978-0764212383
Pages: 384
Buy Link: http://bit.ly/1eN4pC8
Blog Tour: http://litfusegroup.com/author/jhedlund

Review:

While I've never read the first book (Love Unexpected) in the Beacons Of Hope series, I have read a few of the author's other works, which is one of the reasons why I wanted to review this book.

Set in 1865, Hearts Made Whole centers on Caroline Taylor, a young woman who took over running the Windmill Point Lighthouse after her father passed away. A woman running any sort of operation in Michigan during this time is a little odd, which is what the lighthouse inspector believes as he appoints a new keeper - Ryan Chambers.

Ryan is a Civil War Veteran whom took the light keeper job on the single fact that he would be isolated from others. Little did he know that the current keeper, Caroline, is extremely upset for losing her job and her home. He also didn't know it was so difficult to run a lighthouse, something that enrages Caroline.

Of course this is a love story, so you know what happens next - Caroline and Ryan start to have feelings for each other.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Review - Nevermore: The Final Maximum Ride Adventure




There was over a two-year gap between book seven and book eight in the Maximum Ride series, titled Nevermore: The Final Maximum Ride Adventure. While at first it seemed like it was the last installment of our winged friends, we were duped! A ninth installment Maximum Ride Forever was released last month, making the title of this book seem a little silly.

Angel is presumed dead at the end of the previous book, but she was actually captured by the 99 Percenters, whom have blinded her and clipped her wings. With her telekinesis she can see the future - the death of Max!

Summer Reads: Angel: A Maximum Ride Novel


Angel
Maximum Ride, book seven
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pub. Date: February 14, 2011
ISBN: 978-0316036207
Pages: 291
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Yeah, by now you're probably seeing that I'm catching up on my writings by posting all these reviews on the Maximum Ride series. 

Well, anyway, book seven (Angel) picks up a week after Fang decided to leave the flock, leaving our dear poor Max a total mess as he was in love with him. She has a difficult time picking up the pieces, especially when Dylan sorta has a crush on her as he did attempt to kiss her. Jeb and Dr. Gunther-Hagen tell Max that she is lead a new generation of mutants, the Gen 77.

Fang is doing just fine on his own. He has recruited his own team (flock) of mutants - Ratchet, Star, Kate, Starfish and Maya (Max II)

While Max & her flock head for Gen 77 headquarters, they quickly learn that the Gen 77 kids were created to kill off mankind as they are part of the Doomsday Group. Max and the other try to defend themselves, but the Gen 77 are just too strong for them.

Max has no other choice, but seek the help of Fang & his flock to stop the Doomsday Group before a disaster strikes.

Summer Reads: Fang: A Maximum Ride Novel



Fang
Maximum Ride, Book 6
by James Patterson
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pub. Date: March 10, 2010
ISBN: 978-0316036191
Pages: 336
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

As you can see this is my second Maximum Ride review that I've posted today, which is in my attempt to catch up on a few posts on here. I've been disappointed with the last few novels as Mr. Patterson decided to force the global warming/environmental issue down the reader's throats. I mean I have nothing against the author's personal beliefs, but the plots of the last two novels suffered because of it.

Book 6, finds the Max and her flock still part of the Coalition to Stop the Madness, but this time their  on a missionary assignment in Chad, where the meet Dr. Hans and his bird/human creation, Dylan. Dr. Hans plans on using the flock as template to make the human race envolve. Of course Max won't have anything to do with his plans, forcing her to take the flock to their old hideout, the E house. There the flock try to have a normal life by home schooling and celebrating her upcoming birthday, but the Erasers are once again on their trail.

Max and Fangs's realtionship moves forward, but it puts a dampier on the flock, whom agree that Max should leave them. Angel takes over as the new leader of the flock, while Max and Fang leave for Las Vegas. The flock is all unware that the Dr. Hans is watching their every move and he plans on experimenting on them.

Summer Reads: Max: A Maximum Ride Novel



Max
Maximum Ride, book 5
by James Patterson
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pub. Date: March 16, 2009
ISBN: 978-0316002899
Pages: 320
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

After being extermely disappointed with the book 4 in the Maximum Ride series (The Final Warning), as did other fans and critics, I delayed reading the fifth installment, Max, until last week. 2009 was actually not the best year for me as my grandmother died that December and she was a huge James Patterson fan, which is another reason why it took me so long to read this.

Book 5 finds Max and her flock participating in air shows to help spread the message about Coalition to Stop the Madness, an environmental awareness group. While performing in Los Angeles, the flock is attacked by an assassin, whom self-destructs before they can learn of his identity. Later in Mexico City the flock is one again attacked, but this time it's against 60 bionic human ninjas (M-Geeks)!

After Max is injured, she agrees (more like forced) that her flock should attend the school for the gifted; hoping that they'll now be safe. Just as they get settled in, Max receives word that her mother, Dr. Martinez, has been kidnapped; all of which leads Max on a sub expedition off the coast of Hawaii in search for her.

Clean Lean Protein Review



If you've been reading this blog this year, then you would know my fondness for protein shakes, which is a must have if you're exercising regularly. While there are tons of different protein brands on the market, many of them have ingredients that some people might be allergic to.

Last week, I was sent a 17.6 oz. of Clean Lean Protein (Smooth Vanilla) from Nuzest, which happens to be free of gluten, dairy, eggs, soy lectins, peanuts, sesame, mustard, additives, preservatives, lactose artificial sweeteners, artificial colors/flavors, pesticides and animal products! This is a 100% vegetable, low fat protein. Each container has 20 servings (2 scoops).


The protein found in Clean Lean Protein is sourced from European Golden Peas, which contains up to 90% protein content. It's low in carbohydrates, but high in amino acids!

The ingredients include:

Leucine
Isoleucine
Tryptophan
Valine
Histidine
Lysine
Threonine
Phenylalanine
Arginine
Aspartic Acid
Glutamic Acid
Cystine
Proline
Tyrosine
Glycine
Serie
Alanine


Saturday, June 13, 2015

Bradbury’s Influence Still Felt

Ray Bradbury has produced works throughout his long life that not only live on in print but also have seen numerous reinventions in comics and mainstream media, often with his direct influence and assistance with the screenplays and filming process. The most recent adaptation is the new ABC network series The Whispers (which you can easily stream with ABC Go or FiOS) based on the short story "Zero Hour" originally published in The Illustrated Man collection. The premise here is of an alien race communicating with and manipulating the children of Earth, as they believe that children under a certain age are still impressionable and can play at games that go largely unnoticed by adults.

Without further ado, here are some of the best Bradbury adaptations of all time:

Fahrenheit 451 (1966)

This classic and controversial film is based on the novel of the same name. In this tale of a dystopian future, firemen are government agents sent out to seek and destroy by burning all existing literature as a means of keeping the general public from getting dangerous and antisocial ideas. The film received mixed reviews, with most of the criticism leveled at the casting choices and acting abilities. Bradbury himself said he was generally pleased with the film, in spite of its flaws. With its strong commentary on the consequences of censorship, this film remains timeless in its relevance.

It Came From Outer Space (1953)

This film was based on a story treatment by Ray Bradbury, rather than a full-fledged short story. Originally and appropriately titled "The Meteor," the resulting film tells the story of an alien spacecraft being at first mistaken for a meteor when it crashes to Earth. The ensuing disappearances of several townspeople causes the town to begin thinking there may be more than just a meteor crash involved. Reviews have been mostly positive since its release, and the film remains popular as another example of humanity's fear and distrust of the unknown.

The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)

Based on Bradbury's short story "The Fog Horn" and was one of the early films to inspire a generation of similar creature features. The beast is a fictional dinosaur that is awakened from its arctic hibernation by the testing of an atomic bomb in the Arctic Circle. The beast wreaks havoc down the East coast of North America, culminating in its arrival in New York City. Positive reviews for the film after its original release focused mainly on the special effects, which were considered impressive for their time. Fans of the Godzilla series and Cloverfield type of films will enjoy this original.

Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)