Friday, April 14, 2017

Book Blogger Hop: April 14th - 20th




Instructions: Select all code above, copy it and paste it inside your blog post as HTML


Welcome to the new Book Blogger Hop!

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 @ Silver's Reviews!

When you feature a book in your posts, do you include a book cover?

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, I always include a book cover in my reviews. 



Linky List:

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Fulton Rectangle (GlassesShop.com) Eyeglasses Review

The one thing you might know about me from reading this blog is the little fact that I wear eyeglasses. I got my first pair of eyeglasses in between 5th and 6th grade, right before the flood of 1993. Since then I've owned several other pairs (with prescriptions) over the years. I've tried wearing contacts, but I've never cared much for them, so I've stuck with wearing eyeglasses.

I've been avoiding buying a new pair of eyeglasses because they're getting too expensive at the optometrist's office or even at the eye center at Walmart. I have two pairs of eyeglasses - one for everyday use and a "good" pair for special occasions. The lenses on my "everyday" pair have scratches on them and the frame has seen better days, so I had been wanting to get a new pair.

One of the good things about having the internet is that you can buy glasses online at a cheaper price at GlassesShop.com. All you need to know is your prescription and your PD (Pupillary Distance), and you can order any pair (or pairs) of eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, or reading glasses that your heart desires.

Let's just say it took me forever to decide on what pair I wanted to get as there are lots of different kinds to choose from on GlassesShop.com. Eventually, I picked out the Fulton Rectangle (Black) pair which retails for $65.95 for the frame. It's made out of high quality titanium materials. With every frame purchased on GlassesShop.com, you get FREE single vision lenses, anti-scratch coating, a protective case, and a microfiber cleaning cloth ($129 total value).

DVD Review - Silicon Valley: The Complete Third Season


HBO; TV-MA, Approx. 300 minutes; $24.98; Amazon
Available today on DVD, as well as Blu-ray, from HBO Home Entertainment is Silicon Valley: The Complete Third Season, featuring 10 episodes on a 2-disc set. There are no special features except for deleted scenes. It comes with a free Digital HD code.

Created by Mike Judge, John A ltschuler, and Dave Krinsky, the series stars Thomas Middleditch, T. J. Miller, Josh Brener, Martin Starr, Kumail Nanjiani, Amanda Crew, Zach Woods, Matt Ross, and Suzanne Cryer. Season three of the series received 11 Emmy® nominations including Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Thomas Middleditch).

Season Three picks up shortly after events of season two finale, where the founder of Pied Piper, Richard (played by Middleditch) was removed as CEO of his own company by the now Raviga-run board. Jack Barker (played by Stephen Tobolowsky) is quickly hired as new CEO and his way of running things doesn't go well with Richard and the rest of his team - Erlich (T.J. Miller), Jared (Zach Woods), Dinesh (Kumail Nanjiani) and Gilfoyle (Martin Starr).

Barker wants the company to release a business-platform box, but Richard and the team would rather release a consumer-facing platform. While Pied Piper team act like they will compromise and build the box, they're actually planning on going with the original plan and continue with their platform.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Q&A with author Brian S. Leon, author of Chaos Unbound



Now available from Red Adept Publishing is the urban fantasy Chaos Unbound, book two in the Metis Files series, by Brian S. Leon.




The author has taken a few minutes out of his busy schedule for a Q&A about his novel.


When did you become interested in storytelling?

Writing to tell stories is a relatively new thing for me. I only started doing it about six or seven years ago. I did a lot of expository writing for academic journals and such through grad school and then I wrote and edited articles for fishing magazines for years after that, but storytelling of this kind is new for me.

What was your first book/story published?

Havoc Rising, the first book in the Metis Files series. It was published in June of 2015.

What inspired you to write Chaos Unbound?

Someone described my first book as “Tom Clancy meets the Iliad,” and I wanted to write one that was more like “Jason Bourne meets Harry Potter.” I wanted one to write a story that was more nonstop action, something that moved from place to place in a hurry. Plus, there was the whole blackout thing that happened in San Diego and it seemed to make a perfect segue for a surreptitious chase scene.


What character in Chaos Unbound is the most/least like you, and in what ways?

I suppose the character most like me is Diomedes, but only in some of the ways where I’ve been able to develop his personality a bit more in depth. Obviously I didn’t invent him. There are dozens of myths and legends about him, including whole sections of the Iliad. I got to flesh out his character a bit more and I’d say that’s where you might run into similarities. I also have some similarities with Duma, too. Abraxos, Duma’s brother, is probably the least like me—he’s all action and no planning. As for exactly how I’m like Duma and Diomedes, well, readers will just have to speculate.

What is your favorite part in Chaos Unbound?

Q&A with Dana Ford, author of Case File Phantom






Now available from author Dana Ford is the mystery novel Case File Phantom.


The author has taken a few minutes out of her busy schedule for a Q&A about her novel.



When did you become interested in storytelling?

I have been writing stories since I was in elementary school. My best friend and I would have sleepovers and write short stories through the night. Her reaction to my writing encouraged me to become a writer. 

What is your favorite part in Case File Phantom?

One of my favorite parts in this book is when Constance visits her sister's family for the weekend.

What was the hardest part to write?

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Spring Reads: Princess Prayers

*This is a sponsored review. All opinion are 100% mine.

Zonderkidz; 30 pages; $9.99; Amazon

Now available to own just in time for Easter is the board book Princess Prayers, which is part of the "The Princess Parables" series, written by Crystal Bowman, who was inspired by the series original authors Jeanna Young & Jacqueline Johnson. Illustrations are by Omar Aranda.

Tips For Finding the Perfect Contractor for Your DIY Project!



Even the most DIY homeowner needs to hire a professional for a renovation project sometimes. We just don't have the experience or tools to get some jobs done and sometimes it's just too big for us. Whether you need a contractor to fix an emergency or to increase the value of your home, you want to choose the right one for your job.

Choosing the right pro isn't as cut and dry as it seems. There are a huge number of contractors in your area that all seem to offer different services with different specialties. How do you choose the right one? Here are a few tips that can hopefully help you with that.

  • Know Their Specialty - While a lot contractors are proficient in most aspects of home renovation, they do each have jobs they specialize in. Clearly, you should hire a pro that specializes in the job you require.

  • Learn About the Job - The more you know about the repair job you need, the easier it will be to hire the right person for the job. The right knowledge will help you ask the right questions. This is also a good way to know that you are hiring a trustworthy contractor because they will not be able to put one over on you during your interview.