PG; 87 minutes;$34.98; Amazon

Being released today on Blu-ray from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment just in time for Christmas is one this year's biggest animated blockbusters, The Secret Life Of Pets. It's also available on Blu-ray 4K Ultra HD, DVD, and Digital HD.

Directed by Chris Renaud, the film stars the talented voice-cast of Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell, Dana Carvey, Hannibal Buress, Bobby Moynihan, Steve Coogan, and Albert Brooks.


The Secret Life Of Pets centers on a Jack Russell Terrier named Max, who gets a huge shock when his owner brings home a large, shaggy mongrel named Duke from the pound. Feeling betrayed by his owner, Jack is determined to get rid of Duke, who is basically claiming everything in their apartment for himself.

After being released from their leashes at a dog park, Duke plans on getting rid of Jack in a nearby alley, but unfortunately, thing don't go as plan when a gang of crazy cats shows up.

To make a long story short, Jack and Duke must put aside their differences long enough so they can outrun the animal control, the crazy cats, and "The Flushed Pets" that is lead by the insane rabbit named Snowball, as they try to make back home.

Blu-ray & DVD Bonus Features are:

• 3 Mini-Movies:

• Norman Television

• Weenie

• Mower Minions 

• All About the Pets - Kevin Hart and Eric Stonestreet, with the help of animal trainer Molly Mignon O’Neill take you on an educational journey to learn more about your average and not-so average, household pets.

Now available from Wilda Press is the paranormal romance Bounty Huntress, book one in the Hotel Paranormal series by author Sheri Queen.

Cover Artist: Kelley York, X-Potion Designs

When did you become interested in storytelling? 

I’ve always had an interest in storytelling, but didn’t pursue writing to share stories with others until the last ten years. Books were my best friend as a kid living in a small town, so the transition to writing the stories was a natural one. 

What was your first book/story published? 

I wrote a creative non-fiction story called The Gift, which was about finding the perfect way to celebrate my father’s 80th birthday. It focused on life in a small town and how giving of yourself is the best present you could get for someone. It was published in 2013 in a college journal-- Penn State’s From the Fallout Shelter. 

What inspired you to write Bounty Huntress?

Set in the enchanted fairytale land of Avalor, "Elena of Avalor" tells the story of Elena, a brave and adventurous teenager who has saved her kingdom from an evil sorceress and must now learn to rule as crown princess until she is old enough to be queen. Elena's journey leads her to understand that her new role requires thoughtfulness, resilience and compassion, the traits of all truly great leaders.

Now available from Soul Mate Publishing is the paranormal thriller Reborn, book in the Princess of the Blood Series by author Jane Ederlyn.





When did you become interested in storytelling?

For as long as we can remember we’ve been creating and writing in some form. We both wanted to eventually write novels, but it wasn’t until we tried doing it together…that it all fell into place.

What was your first book/story published?

Reborn is our debut and it just released October 19th.

What inspired you to write Reborn?

Shopkins Hot Cocoa Mug Set

Believe it or not, there are only 21 days till Christmas Day, so if you haven't finished your gift shopping yet, then you better get to cracking at it.

Almost all of my shopping is finished, and most of the gifts are already wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree.

I know not everyone has their gift shopping finished ahead of time, so I've been posting a Holiday Gift Guide on this blog since Nov. 25th. However, I'm taking a one day break today from the event. Instead I've teamed up with Oriental Trading to bring you a neat little post that I have titled "Christmas Mugs & Sweets."

Oriental Trading is a party, school, and craft supplies company. Their website has a neat Christmas Store section featuring a variety of toys and games, Christmas party decorations and supplies, crafts, treats, candies, and gobs of other things.

Now finding the perfect gift for a loved isn't the easiest thing in the world to do as some people are just hard to buy for. If you happened to fall in this situation this year, then I would recommend the Shopkins Hot Cocoa Mug Set. Retailed at $9.98, the set includes two ceramic mugs with a Shopkins characters printed on them and two 0.71oz packages of Nestle Mini Marshmallows Rich Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix.


The Shopkins mugs are really cute with a colorful design that will easily appeal to children and even some adults. Nestle is one of the best brands of cocoas, so pretty much everyone will like the two hot chocolate packet.

DIY Travel Mugs

Now if you want to get really creative this year, you can always craft your own coffee tumbler set to give your family and friends. You can purchase DIY Travel Mugs (holds up to 16 ounces each) on the Oriental Trading website for $15.99 for a set of six. There is also directions on the website on how to decorate the mugs with Washi tape.

Now I've taken this idea, but I've changed a few things about it.

Along with the DIY Travel Mugs, the supplies I needed were the Jingle Bell Gift Tags ($6.49 for 24), the Red Washi Tape Set ($4.99 for three rolls), the Green Washi Tape Set ($4.99 for three rolls), and the Five Pounds of Holiday Chocolate Candy (currently out of stock), which can be purchased on the Oriental Trading website.

Now available from Fiery Seas Publishing is the science fiction novel The Malaise Falchion, book one in the Spade Case Files by author Paul Barrett.






When did you become interested in storytelling?

I’ve been interested in storytelling since I was age 5, when I would help my dad in the kitchen and pretend we were on a TV show. My first short story I wrote at age 8, so I’ve been telling stories a long time.

What was your first book/story published?

My first novel was my only self-published novel. It’s called Godchild and is a coming-of-age story set in the South in the summer of 1969. It’s based on a screenplay that my partner wrote. My first traditionally published piece was the short story As You Sow, which was published in the anthology Sha’Daa: Last Call.

What inspired you to write The Malaise Falchion?

I’ve always enjoyed the noir stories of Raymond Chandler and Dashell Hammit, although in all honesty I know them more from the movies than the books. I thought it would be fun to take the hard-boiled noir stories and run them through a fantasy filter. Matt Forbeck did something similar with the Shotgun & Sorcery stories, which I highly recommend, although my take on it is far less serious than his.

What character in The Malaise Falchion is the most/least like you, and in what ways?

The characters in The Malaise Falchion are my fantasy versions of the archetypes used in noir storytelling: The Hardboiled Detective, The Faithful Sidekick, The Femme Fatale. As such, they bear little resemblance to me. The closest trait would be Spade’s sarcasm, which is certainly close to my own caustic wit.

What is your favorite part in The Malaise Falchion?