Month: October 2016

October 31, 2016

Save Money and Time With Groupon Goods #spon

Save Time and Money With Groupon Goods #ad

This post has been sponsored by Groupon Goods. All opinions expressed are my own.

While I love saving money on not only every day grocery items but big ticket items for our home, what I love the most is saving time. If I can make things easier by managing my time and ordering online that means I can spend more time where I really want to – with my boys! For us this means more time visiting local attractions like the museum.

For years I had avoided shopping online. I used every excuse possible; I love the feel of shopping in person, trying on items, choosing the item I want myself of the shelf and I will get a better deal in store than online. Boy was I wrong! I first started shopping online two years ago at Christmas time because let’s face it from now until Christmas, stores are crazy. I do not like having people pushing into me, the long line ups to pay and not being able to find what I am looking for. My first experience had me hooked! Not only is shopping online easy, there is a greater selection of goods, prices and the items are delivered to your home or place of business within a couple of days. To me this is best part!

One of the most convenient places to shop online is Groupon Goods, where you can purchase a wide array of products. Everything from health and beauty to toys to electronics to even mattresses! They take one stop shopping to heart, which is perfect for this busy family.

As a side note, because it can be easy to go over board with the shopping online (trust me it can be addictive!), I like to keep a spreadsheet and record what I am ordering online, the price and when it is delivered. It really helps to keep me on track with my shopping and spending habits.

What is your favourite item to order online?

Make sure to check out Groupon on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with all the latest information and deals. Happy Shopping!

October 31, 2016

The Breedling & The City In The Garden

Absolute obedience, servitude, neutrality. This is what ruled Bartholomew in The Breedling & The City In The Garden.

About The Breedling & The City In the Garden

These were the laws that once governed Bartholomew, an immortal soulcatcher, until one ill-fated night when he was forced to make a choice: rebel against his masters or reveal an ancient, dangerous secret.

He chose defiance.

Imprisoned for centuries as punishment for his decision, Bartholomew wastes away—until he creates an opportunity to escape. By a stroke of chance, Bartholomew finds himself in the human world and soon learns that breaking his bonds does not come without a price. Cut off from the grace that once ruled him, he must discover a new magic in 1930s Chicago.

Armed with only a cryptic message to give him direction, Bartholomew desperately tries to resume the mission he had started so long ago. Relying on the unlikely guidance of the streetwise orphan Charlie Reese, Bartholomew must navigate the depressed streets of the City in the Garden. But in order to solve this riddle, he must first discover if choice and fate are one in the same.

My Thoughts

The Breedling & The City In The Garden starts out with a look at Bartholomew’s life and how he was imprisoned for a crime that we are not quite sure of what he did, we know he defied those he should never have defied but what exactly he did I was not sure. You can tell those in his life were worried about him and his survival but the only person who could save him was a human.

The book then jumps to Charlie and his very difficult life. He has lost his whole family and only has his cousin left. He has led a harsh life but has learned how to thrive in this world. He is quite an amazing young man! Even with all of his pain and suffering, it is so clear how good and kind he is. His life is changed forever when his path crosses with Bartholomew. That night changes him forever.

The novel continues to switch between Bartholomew and Charlie as the story unfolds. I found the beginning a bit harder to follow as I tried to catch up on what exactly Bartholomew had done and how it tied into Charlie. As you continue throughout the novel, this all becomes clearer and becomes a lot easier to follow and understand. The ending definitely leaves you hanging! I can’t wait to see what happens to Bartholomew and if his path crosses with Charlie again.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the author’s website.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Kimberlee Ann Bastian has a unique love affair with American nostalgia, mythology, and endless possibilities. This melting pot of elements is what prompted the creation of her epic ELEMENT ODYSSEYS series, starting with the reboot of her debut novel now titled THE BREEDLING AND THE CITY IN THE GARDEN.

When she is not in her writer’s room, working her current “day job”, or consuming other literary worlds, she enjoys hiking and cycling around the bluffs of your Southeastern MN home and catching up on her favorite pop culture.

Connect with the her on: Website, Twitter Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram.

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 31, 2016

Killer In The Band Review

It’s the summer of love and murder in Killer In The Band.

About Killer In The Band

Joshua’s eldest son, Joshua “J.J.” Thornton Jr., has graduated at the top of his class from law school and returns home to spend the summer studying for the bar exam. However, to Joshua’s and Cameron’s shock and dismay, J.J. moves into the main house at Russell Ridge Farm, the largest dairy farm in the Ohio Valley, to rekindle a romance with Suellen Russell, a onetime leader of a rock group who’s twice his age. Quickly, they learn that she has been keeping a deep dark secret.

The move brings long-buried tensions between the father and son to the surface. But when a brutal killer strikes, the Lovers in Crime must set all differences aside to solve the crime before J.J. ends up in the cross hairs of a murderer.

My Thoughts

An amazing novel full of suspense and with an ending that you never see coming.

The novel starts off with the return and quick leaving from the family home by J.J., who moves in with his much older girlfriend (this was the source of quite a bit of stress between him and his Father). We are quickly thrown into a mystery from Suellen’s past – the disappearance of one of her band members and the finding of his dead body. The band members had always thought he had left to go make himself a star, never did they think they would find him alive! Suellen holds some secrets to that awful night but with her illness and time playing a factor, it is hard to keep those memories in focus. These are secrets that the band members would prefer not to be brought up since many of them would be considered suspects, especially after what he put them through!

Throw into the mysterious crime of the past that has so many loose ends, a new killer is wreaking havoc! J.J., his Father and his step-mother must set aside all of their feelings (and boy are there some unpleasant feelings between J.J. and his stepmother) in order to help solve all of these murders. And what an amazing adventure this was! There were so many curve balls thrown in but done so well that you were never left feeling confused instead it was just one more intricate layer laid down.

Killer In The Band is well written, the plot line is incredible and leaves you guessing to the very last minute and is intense the whole way through. It builds up quickly but never disappoints you at all. This is one excellent mystery suspense home library addition!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, son, and four dogs (including the real Gnarly) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with Lauren: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

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

October 27, 2016

Skylanders Academy Set To Be A Number One Show For Kids

Last week I shared with you the news about a brand show coming exclusively to Netflix, Skylanders Academy. The new show is set to release October 28th, 2016.

About Skylanders Academy

If you didn’t get a chance to read my post, here is a little bit of background information about the new series. Skylanders Academy follows the heroic adventures of the Skylanders team, a ragtag group of heroes with unique elemental skills who travel the vast Skylands universe, protecting it from evil-doers. They achieve victory by setting aside their egos, learning to trust one another and fighting as one to maintain harmony and balance in the land.

Led by show runner Eric Rogers (Futurama), the series features the voices of Justin Long (Ask Me Anything) as Spyro, Ashley Tisdale (High School Musical, Phineas and Ferb) as Stealth Elf, Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) as Eruptor and Norm MacDonald (Saturday Night Live) as Glumshanks. Additional voice talent includes Susan Sarandon, Daniel Wu, Parker Posey, James Hetfield, Catherine O’Hara, Chris Diamantopoulos and Harland Williams, among others.

Our Thoughts About Skylanders Academy

This week our family was lucky enough to watch a screener of the very first episode in this series. WE LOVED IT!!

This new series has to be one of the best animated series for children out on television right now. While my youngest isn’t as familiar with Skylanders as his older brother is, he fell in love with the characters comparing them to Pokémon. His older brother enjoyed watching some of his favourite characters come to life – more specifically Eruptor. The characters were hilarious, I found myself cracking up along with the kids. Especially Spyro he has such spunk and it was definitely not what I was expecting at all. I guess in my mind I pictured them as serious defenders of their universe but instead they are realistic, young, funny heroes who are just trying their best (well most are and Spyro seems to want to get by with his obvious talents and good looks!).

Skylanders Academy has been by far the best animated series I have seen this year. Not only was it a show that captured my boys attention (who are 12 and 5) but also my own. I didn’t want the episode to end. We were laughing, concerned and drawn right into the series. This series will definitely be a top one this fall and should be a definite must watch on your family list.

The Trailer

If you want to get a quick glance of what is in store for you, check out this trailer now.

Disclosure: I am a #StreamTeam member and receive perks associated with this affiliation. All opinions expressed are my own.

October 27, 2016

Equestria Girls: Legend of Everfree Giveaway

The Equestria Girls are back in an all new DVD set to release November 1st, 2016. This time they are setting up camp in Equestria Girls: Legend of Everfree.

About Equestria Girls: Legend of Everfree

Fresh air – check. Starlit nights – check. Scary stories – freaky deaky! The Equestria Girls are leaving the halls of Canterlot High School for a field trip to Camp Everfree. However, they get more than canoeing and camp fires when magic begins to wreak havoc on the camp. They’re surprised to find a magical force is causing strange things to happen, and the girls seem to be developing new powers. The Equestria Girls will have to work together to control the magic or it will destroy their beloved camp!

Bonus Features Include:

bloopers
sing along
audio commentary
Camp Everfree patch

The movie can be purchased online through Shout Factory (which comes with its own awesome poster) or at Walmart (the DVD comes with a gorgeous pair of Twilight Sparkle barrettes!).

Our Thoughts

We couldn’t wait to have our niece over to pop in this DVD, especially me. Living in a home with three boys can be tough sometimes. The movie selections are always all about superheroes, fighting and action. Sometimes a girl just wants to enjoy a cute, funny movie with another girl!

We all fell in love with this DVD from the Equestria Girls. It was funny, sweet and full of lessons that our niece and even our own boys were able to appreciate without them realizing how much they were learning. It is so important for children to learn about the strength of friendships and working together and this is what the Equestria Girls stand for.

This DVD had great graphics, as well as a fantastic and engaging plot line. You were never left bored or uninterested. This DVD would make an excellent addition to family movie night as well as an even better stocking stuffer for this holiday season. You can also download these two colouring and activity pages for your child that will go along perfectly with the movie.

Trailer

The Giveaway

My Canadian and American readers can now enter to win one of three copies of Equestria Girls: Legend of Everfree on DVD. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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