Author: cvegnad

November 6, 2020

Thomas and the Magic Railroad 20th Anniversary Edition

The beloved fan-favorite Thomas And The Magic Railroad (20^th Anniversary Edition) is coming to Blu-ray™ + DVD on September 29 from Shout! Kids, the first time the film will be available in high definition.

About Thomas and the Magic Railroad

This DVD is packed with extensive special features, sure to thrill fans who have long clamored for the deleted scenes to be released. The list of special features includes new interviews with the film’s stars Alec Baldwin, Mara Wilson, and Didi Conn as well as the film’s composer Hummie Mann, a two-part documentary with writer/director/producer Britt Allcroft, a behind-the-scenes reel, and deleted storylines and lost scenes, including deleted scenes with Peter Fonda, Didi Conn, Russell Means, and Doug Lennox.

Starring Alec Baldwin (The Boss Baby, 30 Rock), Mara Wilson (Mrs. Doubtfire, Matilda), Peter Fonda (Easy Rider, Ulee’s Gold), Didi Conn (Grease, Shining Time Station), Russell Means (Last of the Mohicans, Pocahontas), and of course Thomas the Tank Engine, Thomas and the Magic Railroad is a longtime favorite.

For as long as anyone can remember, the magical Island of Sodor has been the realm of enchantment, innocence, and talking train engines. Mr. Conductor (Alec Baldwin) is taking care of the whole railway while Sir Topham Hatt is away.

Mr. C comes from a family of miniature Conductors who travel between the Island of Sodor and Shining Time Station thanks to a supply of mysterious gold dust. However, Sodor’s steam engines suddenly find themselves heading for a load of trouble courtesy of the railroad baddie Diesel 10, whose plan is to destroy our hero Thomas and Mr.C and then take over Sodor before Sir Topham Hatt’s return! Thomas and Mr. C must save the engines before his dwindling supply of gold dust runs out!

Lily (Mara Wilson) has a hunch that her grandfather (Peter Fonda), up in his workshop on Muffle Mountain, can be the one to crack the code that will save the Conductor family and bring back to life the Magic Railroad (which runs between Sodor and the beautiful Indian Valley surrounding Shining Time). Lily teams up with Mr. C and Thomas and sets out to get Sodor back on track in this beloved, full-length adventure starring the world’s #1 tank engine.

While Thomas And The Magic Railroad celebrates its 20^th anniversary, Thomas the Tank Engine is marking his 75^th year as a beloved children’s character. Originally part of the Rev W. Awdry’s Little Railway book series, first released in 1945, Thomas was brought to life through the cherished TV series Thomas & Friends, created by Britt Allcroft (director/writer/producer of Thomas And The Magic Railroad) in the early 1980s. In the late ‘80s, Allcroft and Rick Siggelkow introduced Thomas to America when they created Shining Time Station. Many years on, Thomas’ legacy remains everlasting.

Special Features

“Return To Shining Time: Your Ticket To Thomas And The Magic Railroad” – Two-Part Documentary With Writer/Director/Producer Britt Allcroft
“Hello Mr. Conductor” – Interview With Alec Baldwin
“Finding Your Sparkle” – Interview With Mara Wilson
“There’s Something About This Place” – Interview With Didi Conn
“The Sounds Of Sodor” – Interview With Composer Hummie Mann
Behind-The-Scenes Reel
Deleted Story Lines

Movie Trailer

We loved the animated version of Thomas the Tank Engine when our boys were younger, they had all the character toys, sets and keepsakes. We could not wait to dive into this DVD and were completely impressed. We enjoyed every moment of both the film and the extras included.

With the holidays quickly approaching, this would make an excellent gift for the Thomas the Tank Engine fan in your life.

You can purchase a copy on Shout Factory and Amazon.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this DVD in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

November 5, 2020

Braidy Von Althuis and the Final Fight (Book 5)

“Your husband willingly signed over his life to Azra. Boris owes Azra his life and services. There’s nothing more to it than that.”

About Braidy Von Althuis and the Final Fight (Book 5)

Braidy von Althuis is going to get his father back, no matter the consequences. Mr. von Althuis has been abducted by Azra, Queen of Djinn, and the family is in shambles. Half of the von Althuises no longer have their magick, and an army of djinn awaits them at Azra’s gates. Somehow, despite all of the odds, Mrs. von Althuis, Uncle Rolo, Aunt Liz, Blockhead, and Braidy have to band together to retrieve Braidy’s father from the clutches of certain doom. Even though they hate each other, Braidy is determined to pull the fae and djinn together to fight against Azra’s tyranny. He will have to work with old friends, and old enemies, to finally end the war between djinn and fae that has come to a nasty head. Will Braidy be able to unite an army at his back and save his father, or will Mr. von Althuis belong to Azra forever? Braidy von Althuis and the Final Fight is a story about working past differences, justice, and morality.

My Thoughts

I loved Braidy von Althuis and the Final Fight. I found it exciting, full of adventure and risk but not too fast paced that you became overwhelmed. The characters were well developed and you felt a strong connection to them in this installment.

In this novel, Braidy brings together his family in order to save his Father. His father had been abducted by Azra in book four (learn more about this book here) and Braidy will do anything to help him but is he ready for what this may mean? He is tasked with bringing together groups of individuals that have a long history of mistrust and dislike to work together for the greater good. Can he encourage the groups to look past their differences, their hate and work together for justice? Or will he lose everything that he loves?

This was an exciting, adventurous novel that I could not put down. I really loved how Braidy’s character developed in this story – you can see what a strong, good, kind hearted individual he has, it shines through in this story. He is the voice of reason in a sea of adult voices that do not seem to listen to reason at all! I found this novel easier to read than book four without knowing the full history of the characters and the previous plots, so I definitely believe it can be read as a stand alone novel.

Young adults will love the characters and the plot. They will be able to relate to Braidy and the struggles that he faces in this novel. Parents will love the important lessons this novel brings with it. A definite win-win for everyone.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

Book Trailer

About the Author

I’m Cassidy, and I love storytelling! I’m incredibly passionate about writing, art, and anything that allows me to create my own worlds. My goal is to write dreamy fiction for all ages that is unique, inspiring, and imaginative. I want my books to instill wonderment in the reader. I like to write about themes that include coming of age, magic realism, identity, relationships, and bullying. My books are intended for readers ages eight to twenty-five, and are meant to connect the world of the fantastical to everyday life. I currently live in Colorado and just got my MA in Publishing!

You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

November 2, 2020

The Boy Between – A Mother and Son’s Journey from a World Gone Grey

For anyone with depression and anyone who loves someone with depression, Amanda and Josiah have a clear message—you are not alone, and there is hope.

About The Boy Between – A Mother and Son’s Journey from a World Gone Grey

Josiah was nineteen with the world at his feet when things changed. Without warning, the new university student’s mental health deteriorated to the point that he planned his own death. His mother, bestselling author Amanda Prowse, found herself grappling for ways to help him, with no clear sense of where that could be found. This is the book they wish had been there for them during those dark times. Josiah’s situation is not unusual: the statistics on student mental health are terrifying. And he was not the only one suffering; his family was also hijacked by his illness, watching him struggle and fearing the day he might succeed in taking his life. In this book, Josiah and Amanda hope to give a voice to those who suffer, and to show them that help can be found. It is Josiah’s raw, at times bleak, sometimes humorous, but always honest account of what it is like to live with depression. It is Amanda’s heart-rending account of her pain at watching him suffer, speaking from the heart about a mother’s love for her child. For anyone with depression and anyone who loves someone with depression, Amanda and Josiah have a clear message—you are not alone, and there is hope.

My Thoughts

It is hard to put into words how powerful this story was for me. It was honest, open and raw – you feel their pain, their love and their hope. You feel the frustration and disappointment with the medical system. But most importantly, you feel connected to both Josiah and Amanda.

I have dealt with depression and anxiety for the last ten years (roughly) and I have good months and bad months. I have days where I feel I can accomplish anything (and take on more work than I can do and this backfires on me during my bad days) and days when I struggle just to get out of bed. I saw so much of myself in this story that at times it hurt. I know people mean well when they give suggestions on how you can “make yourself better” but going to the gym, eating better and just thinking positively doesn’t just make the feelings go away. It is almost a constant battle everyday, and it is not a battle that anyone else can do for you (although having a family who loves you and is your champion makes things so much better).

I hope that others reading their story that have never dealt with depression are left with a better understanding and compassion for others. That the stigma around mental health can be broken down and that there is better access to healthcare (not to mention providers that are able to support patients dealing with mental illness).

The Boy Between is a powerful and personal story, that took a lot of courage to share but I am so happy that they shared their story with the world. This is a definite must read for young adults and adults, and a great resource for families that are dealing with depression.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon US, Amazon CAN and Amazon UK.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Amanda Prowse is an award winning international bestselling author best known for her contemporary fiction novels. A radio broadcaster and TV presenter renowned for her empathetic and emotional books, she is known in the UK as the ‘Queen of family drama’. Her books have sold over 8 million copies in dozens of languages around the world.

You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

Josiah (Josh) Hartley is the son of Amanda Prowse who has co-authored with his mother to tell the story of his journey through life so far. Born in the England, Josh was fortunate enough to attend one of the country’s elite public schools from an early age and was awarded a place at one of the UK’s top Universities where he planned to work towards a medical doctorate. But just at the moment when he should have been having the time of his life, he started feeling nagging tugs of self-doubt which spiralled into a depression during which time he planned his suicide. Luckily, his family intervened and after a roller coaster couple of years, he is alive and well and sharing his story to help other families who find themselves in the same position navigate their way through those difficult times.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

October 30, 2020

Braidy Von Althuis and the Changeling Children (Book 4)

“All of the regret that she buried in her garden in America will grow up like weeds and swallow her like quicksand.”

About Braidy Von Althuis and the Changeling Children (Book 4)

Braidy von Althuis is celebrating his eleventh birthday, but not with his best friend. Mr. von Althuis has decided to move the family out of Maple Hills, and Braidy is forced to say goodbye to Kara and to eat his cake alone. Even though the von Althuises have lived in Maple Hills for hundreds of years, something has spooked the adults so badly that they feel helpless without Gran. Something is coming for them, though Braidy knows not who or what.When the family arrives in Ukraine, a whole slew of new problems arise. Mr. von Althuis gets a job, Uncle Rolo finds himself in more trouble, and Aunt Liz and Braidy are summoned to an audience with the Fairy King. In order to go home, Braidy and Aunt Liz must solve riddles or belong to the Fairy King forever. Will Braidy and Aunt Liz be able to escape the Fairy King’s clutches or will heartache and memories of a life long gone tear Aunt Liz and Braidy apart?

My Thoughts

Braidy Van Althuis and the Changeling Children is Book 4 in this series. I have not read the other three books in this series and a part of me wished I had. I had a bit of a hard time following the characters in the beginning and how they got to where they were. Once I had a better understanding of the family, their personalities and a bit of their history, the pieces started falling together and the book was very exciting to read.

The story is fast paced and I loved the different characters and the magical world we are exposed to. The plot is exciting and very unique (not sure I have ever read a book quite like this one), and I love how we learned so much about Aunt Liz’s past and the family through the riddles that they had to solve. Braidy’s character is someone that many young adults will relate to and I loved how he plays such a strong but fair and kind role in this novel. Despite his age, he plays a very important part in this family.

Braidy Van Althuis and the Changeling Children is a well written novel in a series of novels. It was exciting, full of adventure and important lessons for young adults. I do feel that you likely should read all the books in this series first to really get a stronger understanding of the characters but it was a great book nonetheless.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 4/5

Book Trailer

About the Author

Connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

October 29, 2020

Mom Boss Book Review

A hilarious and heartwarming novel that’s perfect for fans of Class Mom! Mom Boss is the standalone prequel to Go On, Girl and Mom Genes.

About Mom Boss

Welcome to Forest River, New York, where perfection is a requirement. The Lululemon-clad moms are perfectly toned, expertly highlighted, and magnificently manicured. The women spend their days practicing Pilates, shopping for shoes, and doing everything in their power to ensure their children never experience a difficult day.

PTA president, Jackie Martin, is the envy off the mothers. She has a loyal and handsome husband, she hosts elaborate parties, and her eldest daughter, Hayley, is the most popular child in the fifth grade. Her life appears flawless, but is life ever what it seems to be?

After receiving a painful blow when Hayley was in kindergarten, Jackie clawed her way into PTA power. She lived her life by the adage, “Proper planning prevents poor performance.” Her attention to detail (okay fine – her control freak nature) served her well until she experiences the ultimate betrayal.

Angry and hurt, old emotional wounds are ripped open as Jackie realizes she doesn’t know who she can trust. Jackie must reevaluate her life, her friendships, and the choices she has made. Will she finally let her guard down and show the world the real Jackie Martin?

My Thoughts

I fell in love with this group of women, their family and school community. This novel made me laugh out loud, want to reach out and give them a hug and even brought tears to my eyes.

I loved learning more about Jackie, whom I never really felt a strong connection to in the other books. She can be a bit over bearing and is quite the go getter but this book gave us the background knowledge of why and how she became this way. I think all parents would do anything they can to ensure their child’s happiness, and Jackie is no different. She can be a bit much at times but when you listen to her history, my heart was a bit sore for her. She wants her child to have what she never did – how can anyone fault her for this? And she does this so that others benefit too, I wish I was a student in that school!

What I loved the most is that Mom Boss made me laugh – it has some great themes of friendships, parenting and real life moments but it is done in a way that so many of us can relate to. Having spent time on the PTA and volunteered on soccer teams in the management role, I can say that so many times I have seen so many of these type of personalities, the back stabbing, the gossip and it gave me a good chuckle.

Mom Boss is an excellent, laugh out loud read that you will not want to put down. You fall in love with the characters, their story and their lives, and you just want to know more about their lives. Mom Boss is an amazing addition in this great series!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Hilary Grossman is a recovering corporate executive. She spends her mornings and weekends hanging out with her “characters.” She has an unhealthy addiction to denim and high heel shoes. She’s been known to walk into walls and fall up stairs. She only eats spicy foods and is obsessed with her cat, Lucy. She loves to find humor in everyday life. She likens life to a game of dodge ball – she tries to keep many balls in the air before they smack her in the face. She lives on the beach in Long Island.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.