Category: giveaway

October 23, 2019

Cinderella and the Secret Prince DVD Giveaway

On November 5th, a never before told story of Cinderella comes to DVD from Shout!Kids Factory and Gold Valley Films, Cinderella and the Secret Prince.

About Cinderella and the Secret Prince

With the help of good fairy Crystal, Cinderella and her three mouse friends are able to escape the attic they live in and make it to the Royal Ball at the palace. They soon discover a terrible secret. The real Prince has been turned into a mouse by an evil witch! The “Prince” standing in front of everyone at the Ball is an impostor!

Cinderella and her faithful furry friends must embark on an all-new adventure to restore the real Prince to his true form and help him defeat the forces of darkness.

Cinderella and the Secret Prince is voiced by Cassandra Lee Morris (Your Name), Chris Niosi (TOME), R. Martin Klein (Perfect Blue), Tony Azzolino (The Grover Complex), Kirsten Day (Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures), Wendee Lee (Cowboy Beebop: The Movie), Stephen Mendel (Barbie: Dreamtopia), Terrence Stone (Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft), and Stephanie Sanditz (The High Life), directed by Lynne Southerland, and produced by Allen Tsang at Gold Valley Films.

DVD Trailer

Are you ready to see a whole new take on the story of Cinderella?

Then get ready for this modern version of the classic story where Cinderella does all the saving! Huge admiration for the girl power in this movie, love the idea that girls can be the ones saving the prince and that we don’t always need to be the one saved in films.

This is beautifully animated film that runs approximately one hour and a half in length. It is full of personality and fun with a great, brand new spin on a family favourite story. This new version will soon become a family favourite. The DVD would make an excellent addition to a stocking this holiday season if you are looking for stocking gift ideas.

The DVD arrives in stores on November 5th but you can enter now to win your own copy. The giveaway is open to residents of the USA and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 years of age and older. Good luck!

The Giveaway!

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

October 14, 2019

Come the Eventide

In his first novel, Chris Riker conducts an opus in voce giocoso that grins at the inevitable, but reminds us of the heart that all life shares.

About Come the Eventide

A century has passed since the fall of humanity changed the natural landscape. The oceans are poison, and a fraction of Earth’s magnificent creatures remain. The only surviving humans squabble over limited resources as they cling to a fragile peace. Yet in this bleak landscape hope lives on in Earth’s other intelligent life. It all begins when Septielle, a seven-armed octopod, has a vision of a world restored—a world she will not live to see. Inspired by her vision, a dolphin named Muriel shoulders her mission and enlists any humans who will listen—including Anadare, a young islander with an ax to grind against the oppressive ruling class of tourists turned bureaucrats. An invasion of cannibalistic pirates complicates things as they declare war on a world that rejects them.

As tensions rise to a crescendo, islanders, tourists, and pirates alike must put aside their differences to send Muriel on her greatest journey yet—beyond the sea, beyond form, beyond time itself.

My Thoughts

Come the Eventide is an interesting book set in the future – where mankind has destroyed our home (plant Earth) and are struggling to survive in a landscape that is hard to imagine. This is a topic that hits home especially now as we see our planet suffer from our actions. All of the ways that humans destroyed our planet are still alive and present after the catastrophic events – greed, jealousy and inequity, as it seems we tend not to learn from our past mistakes. The story is told from two viewpoints – humans and animals.

The children in this story take centre stage as they are charged with the important task of uncovering the pirates and their plans by the cruel ruling class. They meet a few dolphins who they can communicate with in such a unique manner. It is almost as if the dolphin becomes one with their minds and can speak and see their thoughts and feelings. The dolphins assist them on their task but I did not see the pirates plot coming at all and how it would impact their lives.

We learn of a bleak history for the humans (starvation, turning on each other, water that has been so polluted that fish no longer swim there) and a plan from the pirates that can be hard to read at times. The pirates are not for the faint of heart – my stomach turned at some of their acts (reader beware!).

While I really enjoyed the plot and idea behind the story, it was a bit hard to follow at times and I found I had to back track a bit to ensure I remembered the names of the characters and how they were connected. It was a busy plot so this was important, I am not sure if a character list may have helped in the beginning of the novel so that you could refer back to it if you became lost.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, Barnes & noble, BookLogix.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Chris Riker is a writer, father, and journalist. He grew up in Rhode Island and now makes his home in Georgia with his wife, Ping. He has always loved books, from science-fiction and fantasy to historical novels and biographies. Building on a background in broadcast news, including a stint at CNN, he is now focused on telling stories with strong characters and moral resonance. His premiere effort blends a love for our beautiful Earth and her myriad life-forms with a sense of wonder at our shared purpose and fate. Connect with Chris on his website, Facebook.

The Giveaway!

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

September 24, 2019

Sesame Street: 50 Years and Counting

Spanning the beloved show’s 50-year history, the DVD collection offers five-and-a-half hours of songs, celebrity appearances, new and classic segments with the Sesame Street Muppets, and never-before-seen outtakes.

About Sesame Street: 50 Years and Counting

From the five boroughs of New York City to the beaches of LA and every town in between, Sesame Street has been teaching children for 50 years! Now on October 1, 2019 Shout Kids and Sesame Workshop present a birthday bash for this most beloved and famous brand in 50 Years and Counting.

The first disc in this very special 2-disc set features some of the greatest Sesame Street moments from yesterday and today: fan-favorite animations like “Ladybug Picnic” and “Pinball Number Count”; new and classic songs from Kermit the Frog’s soulful “It’s Not Easy Being Green” to will.i.am’s empowering anthem, “What I Am”; and timeless interactions between children and the Sesame Street Muppets. 50 Years and Counting will also let fans revisit Sesame Street’s many unforgettable celebrity appearances: Patti LaBelle putting a glamorous spin on the alphabet song; Amy Poehler teaching the gang new vocabulary words; R.E.M.’s joyful rendition of “Furry Happy Monsters”; Ricky Gervais trying — and failing — to sing Elmo to sleep; and other guest appearances made pop culture headlines while embodying Sesame Street’s inclusive lessons and values.

The second disc is an exclusive collection of the most iconic “Street Story” segments from Sesame Street. With help from the kids’ favorite characters, the early childhood experts behind Sesame Street helped generations of families tackle big conversations through little moments like these: the neighborhood’s poignant farewell to Mr.Hooper; the dramatic reveal of Big Bird’s not-so-imaginary friend, Mr. Snuffleupagus; and the debut of Julia, the first Sesame Street Muppet with autism.

50 Years and Counting also lets fans revisit the lighter side of the show: Super Grover’s many crash-landings, Bert and Ernie’s classic comedy-duo antics, moments with human friends like Bob, Maria, Luis, Susan, and Gordon, and much more. There are even a few never-before-seen outtakes with Jim Henson and other original performers! With over five-and-a-half hours of content from all five decades of the beloved show, 50 Years and Counting offers something for everyone – from the very young to the young at heart.

Customers who buy the set at select retailers will also receive an exclusive Sesame Street frame, while supplies last. The frame features fan-favorite characters and is the perfect place to house a 2”x 3” photo of a special Sesame Street fan.

You can learn more and purchase a copy of this DVD here.

Looking to do Sesame Street activities with your child? Print out this Draw Elmo printable. Or this 50 Years and Counting activity.

DVD Trailer

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

September 19, 2019

Princess Emmy DVD and Giveaway

Princess Emmy will reign supreme on October 15th!

About Princess Emmy

It’s a gift fit for a queen when Princess Emmy arrives on DVD on October 15th. The new animated feature is voiced by Ruby Barnhill (The BFG, Mary and the Witch’s Flower), Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones, Netflix’s Hilda), Franka Potente (Run Lola Run, Bourne Identity), and John Hannah (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Mummy), and directed by Piet de Rycker (Laura’s Star, Little Polar Bear).

Princess Emmy is a young girl with a secret and special gift – she is the only one in the Kingdom of Kandis who can speak to horses! Amazing, right?

Up until now, life for Emmy has been wonderful. She spends her time exploring and hanging out with her best friends – a stable full of horses; as well as spending time with her family at the castle and not having a care in the world.

That is, until her jealous, scheming cousin Gizana appears, challenging her at every turn and threatens Emmy’s chances of becoming an officially inaugurated princess and generally making her life miserable.

On top of all that, Emmy must undergo the ultimate test to earn the right to keep her gift. If she fails, she loses the gift and her best friends forever.

There is a huge amount at stake for such a little girl in this new film from Shout Factory.

Our Thoughts

This wonderful movie is based on the books Princess Emmy and Her Horses, were a young girl who can speak to horses. Not only can she speak to horses (who are her dear friends), she is also a real princess! Talk about every young child’s dream come true?

This is a story of of courage, friendship and perseverance that young children will love. Emmy is not perfect but she is 100% lovable and someone that many children can relate to (especially with her cousin Gizana always there to make her life just downright miserable).

The total run time of this film is 75 minutes – perfect for younger children who have a harder time sitting still for longer time periods.

It is wonderfully animated and will touch the hearts of both young princesses and princes alike (although to be fair – I feel it is geared more towards a female population). And if you are already doing your Christmas planning like me, this would make a great gift under the tree or in a stocking.

You can pre-order a copy of this DVD here.

DVD Trailer

The Giveaway!

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

September 9, 2019

The Root of Murder Book Review

Homicide Detective Cameron Gates learned long ago that there is no such thing as a typical murder case.

About The Root of Murder

Homicide Detective Cameron Gates learned long ago that there is no such thing as a typical murder case. Each mystery is special in its own right—especially for the family of the victim.The homicide of a successful executive, husband, and father seems open and shut when the murder weapon is found in his estranged son-in-law’s possession. The circumstantial evidence is so damning that when her step-son, J.J. Thornton, agrees to act as the defendant’s public defender, he assumes his first murder case will be a loss. Only the report of a missing husband proves that this case is not as open and shut as it seems. Strap on your seat belts for a wild ride in this mystery rooted in decades of deception that sprouts into murder

My Thoughts

Root of Murder is another incredible story from Lauren Carr that you will not be able to put down. She leaves you biting your nails, guessing at every turn and never truly kowing what is coming next.

In this book, we have a murder that looks like it should be open and closed very quickly with one very guilty looking son-in-law. But as the story unravels, we find many twists and interesting turns that brings some dark family secrets to light and forces you to question every person’s motives. What seemed like a simple case becomes so much more with many different layers.

Without giving too much away, Lauren has a magical way of intertwining different plots at strategic points throughout the novel that keeps you on your toes. While there are many characters, you don’t feel overwhelmed or lost at any point in the novel (she also includes a list of characters that you can refer back to if you do get lost). You do have to pay attention as the plot unravels, otherwise you may miss key parts that may have a major impact on the way the story turns out. I loved that throughout the whole novel, I never saw the end coming – the book was far from predictable.

I love the way Lauren writes and this novel is one of her best. She has a way of taking a story and making you laugh, cry, worry and feel sorrow. You don’t want to put her books down – which was the case with this story – I had to read it in one sitting! I love how she brings her characters to life and you become connected with them. Each new novel, you get to learn a little bit more about them and you can’t help but feel a deep connection to them.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

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

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, 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, and two spoiled rotten German shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

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