February 6, 2017
Grimm Woods Book Review
A remote summer camp becomes a lurid crime scene when the bodies of two teenagers are found in a bloody, real-life rendering of a classic Grimm’s fairy tale.
About Grimm Woods
A remote summer camp becomes a lurid crime scene when the bodies of two teenagers are found in a bloody, real-life rendering of a classic Grimm’s fairy tale. Trapped in the wilderness, the remaining counselors must follow a trail of dark children’s fables in order to outwit a psychopath and save the dwindling survivors before falling prey to their own gruesome endings.
Drawing on the grisly, uncensored details of history’s most famous fairy tales, Grimm Woods is a heart-pounding thriller about a deranged killer who uses traditional children’s stories as tropes in elaborate murders. Set against the backdrop of modern-day Michigan, it’s a journey through the mind of a dangerous zealot and a shocking glimpse into the bedtime stories you thought you knew.
My Thoughts
A horrifying, suspenseful novel that has some of the most famous fairy tales at the heart of the story. I knew most fairy tales have a more twisted and scary original version but I never realized how much so! I actually had to look some of them up after this novel and I was a bit shocked. He wove these fairy tales so well into the story with just enough history and just enough explanation on how each fairy tale related to the murder. You can fully appreciate the amount of research and planning that this must have taken to work out the plot in this novel. He did an amazing job.
The story itself is well thought out – the ending was not at all even remotely what I thought was coming. The murderer was someone I did not even see coming and it was a curveball that I loved. Each chapter had something new and I could not stop reading this novel. You just had to know what was happening next.
While it is a horror and there is a some graphic murders, it is actually not as gruesome and descriptive in the deaths as some horror novels that I have read. There is also a good balance between the intense moments with calmer moments as we get to learn more about the characters. Grimm Woods is a fantastic read for horror fans! Happy reading.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
Rating: 4/5
About the Author
D. Melhoff was born in a prairie ghost town that few people have heard of and even fewer have visited. While most of his stories are for adults, he also enjoys terrifying younger audiences from time to time, as seen in his series of twisted picture books for children. He credits King, Poe, Hitchcock, Harris, Stoker, and his second grade school teacher, Mrs. Lake, for turning him to horror. For more information, visit www.dmelhoff.com.
The Giveaway!
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 2, 2017
Celebrate Family Day with Kidapalooza!
Family day weekend is all about fun, family and being together. Kidapalooza brings all of this to the table and more.
So what is Kidapalooza? It is a three day celebration of the imagination that will have families creating, exploring and playing together. It provides a hands-on, creative experience for families from all across the Greater Toronto Area. The event takes place indoors at the Markham Fair Grounds, so no need to worry about the cold weather we are currently going through. The event runs Family Day long weekend, from February 18-20.
The event has expanded this year to include 45,000 square feet of activity stations, play zones, interactive inflatables, performance stage, dance parties and vendors. There is an endless list of activities for you and your child to do together.
My readers can now enter to win their own family pack of tickets (two adults and two children) to attend Kidapalooza. Please make sure that you are close enough to the event to attend as transportation and accomodation are not provided. GOOD LUCK!
Make sure to check out the Kidapalooza website for more information and contest to win a Springfree Large Oval Smart Trampoline (valued at $2,749). Don’t forget to follow them on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with event details, giveaways and more.
February 2, 2017
A Fine Year for Murder Spotlight Tour
After months of marital bliss, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton are still discovering and adjusting to their life together. Settled in their new home, everything appears to be perfect … except in the middle of the night when, in darkest shadows of her subconscious, a deep secret from Jessica’s past creeps to the surface to make her strike out at Murphy.
About A Fine Year for Murder
After months of marital bliss, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton are still discovering and adjusting to their life together. Settled in their new home, everything appears to be perfect … except in the middle of the night when, in darkest shadows of her subconscious, a deep secret from Jessica’s past creeps to the surface to make her strike out at Murphy.
When investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre, they realize Jessica may have witnessed the murder of a family living near a winery owned by distant relatives she was visiting and suppressed the memory.
Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims, Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker, a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an end to the Thorny Rose couple?
You can buy the book on Amazon.
Book Trailer
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.
The Giveaway
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this spotlight tour and review later on. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 27, 2017
The Plague and I Audio Book Review
From the author of The Egg and I, comes the story of The Plague and I – looking at how Betty battled tuberculosis.
About The Plague and I
“The Plague and I” recounts MacDonald’s experiences in a Seattle sanitarium, where the author spent almost a year (1938-39) battling tuberculosis. The White Plague was no laughing matter, but MacDonald nonetheless makes a sprightly tale of her brush with something deadly.
“Anybody Can Do Anything” is a high-spirited, hilarious celebration of how “the warmth and loyalty and laughter of a big family” brightened their weathering of the Great Depression.
In “Onions in the Stew”, MacDonald is in unbuttonedly frolicsome form as she describes how, with husband and daughters, she set to work making a life on a rough-and-tumble island in Puget Sound, a ferry ride from Seattle.
My Thoughts
I absolutely fell in love with the Plague and I! I wasn’t too sure about the story when the audiobook began but as her story went on, I felt outrage, sympathy and the need to learn more about tuberculosis during the time period she was living in.
Betty had a rough childhood from today’s standards – her Father kept her following the latest health regiments to ensure she had optimal health (some of which I can’t even begin to imagine doing myself especially in the cold). Despite all of this, she still managed to develop tuberculosis as an adult with her own children. I was shocked at the way patients were treated with tuberculosis, the way society treated them and the actual treatment plans that were developed. The nurses sounded horrendous and the patient care was disgusting – I felt that no wonder so many died at the time. But I do believe they were doing the best with what they had. This story actually had me looking up and researching tuberculosis during this time period just to learn more.
Throughout all that she went through, Betty remained herself – the happy, go lucky, funny Mother who always tried to smile through it all. I think that is why I loved this audiobook so much. She really helps to give perspective on life and what we think may be the end of the world, may actually be a blessing in disguise.
If you are looking for a good laugh, an important and well worth lesson on life then this audiobook is for you. The story is well written and the narration is excellent. Heather has an excellent voice that draws you in to the story – not to mention she made me laugh with her voices of some of the characters in the story (especially the Southern belle!). This audiobook was an excellent way to unwind, learn and gain a new perspective.
You can purchase a copy of this audiobook on Amazon.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Betty Bard MacDonald (1907–1958), the best-selling author of The Egg and I and the classic Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle children’s books, burst onto the literary scene shortly after the end of World War II. Readers embraced her memoir of her years as a young bride operating a chicken ranch on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, andThe Egg and I sold its first million copies in less than a year. The public was drawn to MacDonald’s vivacity, her offbeat humor, and her irreverent take on life. In 1947, the book was made into a movie starring Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert, and spawned a series of films featuring MacDonald’s Ma and Pa Kettle characters.
MacDonald followed up the success of The Egg and I with the creation of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, a magical woman who cures children of their bad habits, and with three additional memoirs: The Plague and I (chronicling her time in a tuberculosis sanitarium just outside Seattle), Anybody Can Do Anything (recounting her madcap attempts to find work during the Great Depression), and Onions in the Stew (about her life raising two teenage daughters on Vashon Island).
Author Paula Becker was granted full access to Betty MacDonald’s archives, including materials never before seen by any researcher. Looking for Betty MacDonald, the first official biography of this endearing Northwest storyteller, reveals the story behind the memoirs and the difference between the real Betty MacDonald and her literary persona.
Post Hypnotic Press: Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮YouTube⎮LinkedIn⎮SoundCloud⎮Pinterest⎮
About the Narrator
Heather Henderson is a voice actress and audiobook narrator with a 20-year career in literary and performing arts. Her narrations include the NYT bestseller (now also a feature film) Brain on Fire; and Sharon Creech’s The Boy on the Porch, which won her an Earphones award and was named one of the Best Children’s Audiobooks for 2013 by Audiofile Magazine. She earned her Doctor of Fine Arts degree at the Yale School of Drama, and is co-curator of AudioEloquence.com, a pronunciation research site for the audiobook industry. In 2015, Heather was a finalist for a Voice Arts Award (Outstanding Narration, Audiobook Classics), for her narration of Betty MacDonald’s The Egg and I.
The Giveaway!
GRAND PRIZE: $100 credit for the Post Hypnotic Press Website
$60 credit for the Post Hypnotic Press Website
The Plague and I 3rd Runner Up
Disclosure: I received an audiobook of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 25, 2017
Arm Knitting – Power Up 2017
It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’s fun – it’s Arm Knitting featured by DK Canada Power Up 2017.
About Arm Knitting
30 quick and easy step-by-step projects that utilize the hottest needle-free trend in knitting: arm knitting.
It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’s fun. Arm Knitting features 30 step-by-step projects for head-to-toe wearables, accessories including bags and baskets, and items for the home. Every project is needle-free, and, though you can create the same stitches and use many of the same techniques as in regular knitting, big stitches and chunky yarns allow for much more rapid results.
Let the photography inspire you as you work through each project, whether you want a new scarf for the winter or a new wreath for your door. From choosing yarn to weaving in ends to sewing pieces together, Arm Knitting guides you every step of the way.
Perfect for those who don’t know how to knit but want to learn, this popular needle-free technique will give you beautiful results in hardly any time at all.
My Thoughts
I was actually introduced to arm knitting by one of my co-workers. She had made a beautiful selection of scarves and it blew my mind that she had made them all using her own arms. I just couldn’t picture the how behind it (I definitely wasn’t alone with this!) and we spent a good time just watching her make her creations and admiring her creativity and skill.
Fast forward a couple of months later when I saw this book on DK Canada’s Power Up list and I knew I had to have this book to try it out myself. I had wanted to learn how to arm knit the moment I saw my friend making a scarf at work but I was just too nervous to ask (besides that I also knew that I am definitely the type of person that needs to learn by reading and then doing it myself).
This was my first time approaching any type of knitting project and I appreciated that the book starts off with an explanation of all the basics – the stitches, what you will need (besides your arms!) and uses clear and to the point instructions. It wasn’t that it was geared to just novices (no worries for those who have the basic knitting skills) but the instructions were so clear that a novice to a more advanced knitter would appreciate the basic stitches instructions. The book was further divided into scarves, bags, baskets and items for the home. In each section, we had items that were for beginners, some for intermediate to a more advanced knitter. The hardest job you will have is deciding where to start! I am starting with a simple scarf but can not wait to advance into a full blanket for me to curl up on when I am binge watching my shows on television.
If you are looking for a new hobby or want to create some unique statement pieces for your wardrobe and home in 2017, really consider giving Arm Knitting a try! This book is incredibly useful in teaching you the basics and getting you started on some beautiful pieces not only for yourself but your home too. This is a craft that I can see really taking off as it is fun, easy and your only really needed equipment is your arms so you can do it anywhere.
You can purchase a copy of Arm Knitting on DK Canada here.
Rating: 5/5
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.