Book Review: Wrapped in Plastic

Katie March 20, 2015 0 Comments

I’ve heard a lot of things about Twin Peaks. I’ve never actually watched it, but since it is coming back in 2016, it might be in my best interest to get myself all caught up so I can check out the re-boot! (I was a bit too young to be watching it when it first premiered in 1990)  It’s on Hulu – for free – in case anyone else wants to watch or re-watch as well!

Wrapped in Plastic gives a look at this drama and how groundbreaking it was and how it has since become a cult classic. If you are a fan of the show or have any interest in learning more about it before the reboot in 2016, check out this book.  I know it has certainly peaked (see what I did there) my interest in the show and I am off to hulu to watch it now…

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

In 1990, avant garde filmmaker David Lynch (Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, Dune, Blue Velvet) and acclaimed television writer Mark Frost (Hill Street Blues) teamed up to create a television show that would redefine what the medium could achieve in a one-hour drama. With Twin Peaks, the duo entranced audiences with the seemingly idyllic town, its quirky characters, and a central mystery — who killed Laura Palmer? In a town like Twin Peaks, nothing is as it seems, and in Wrapped in Plastic, pop culture writer Andy Burns uncovers and explores the groundbreaking stylistic and storytelling methods that have made the series one of the most influential and enduring shows of the past 25 years.

Book Review: Songs Unfinished

Katie March 20, 2015 0 Comments

Songs Unfinished is about Jaymi and Shawn – two musicians who were trying to make it out in LA – but ended up back in New England. Jaymi comes home because her mother is dying and she went through a bad breakup after her ex girlfriend cheated on her. Shawn was having sex with whomever she could just to have a place to sleep – but ends up being attacked by a guy who wants to give her a recording contract – in exchange for sex.

Once Shawn gets to New England she looks up Jaymi and asks if she can stay at her place. Jaymi agrees and the two end up realizing they have feelings for each other. Like any romance novel there are a bunch of ups and downs with their relationship – people trying to break them up – revelations and accusations of lying, etc.

In the end, things seemed to work out for them in the way I had hoped – although the path taken to get to that point wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for.

I received a free ARC e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Can a love of music bring two women into harmony, or will their pasts create too much discord? Guitarist Jaymi Del Harmon is battling writer’s block and focusing on her band’s growing success. Love is a distraction she doesn’t need as she recovers from an ex-lover’s betrayal and her mother’s premature death. Singer Shawn Davies survives in LA in any way she can, even if it means exchanging sex for a place to sleep. She reevaluates her life when a desperate decision results in a brutal attack. Seeking a fresh start, she heads home to New Hampshire and tracks down her old friend, Jaymi.

Their passion for music blossoms into much more than either woman was expecting. Can Jaymi find it in her heart to trust again, or will Shawn’s past mistakes destroy any chance of a future together?

Book Review: Snowed In

Katie March 13, 2015 0 Comments

Snowed In begins with Maureen getting broken up with by her boyfriend – while she is naked!  She ends up at the supermarket looking at the ice cream and breaks down crying.  It is then when she meets Gavin – who flirts and tries to cheer her up a bit because she is too beautiful to be crying. They share a kiss and Maureen ends up avoiding the grocery store for two weeks.

When she returns to the grocery store she is crying once again – only this time she bumps into Pippa, who happens to be neighbors with Gavin and who has gotten a ride there with him.  Maureen and Gavin reconnect and despite a storm coming, they make plans to go on a date that night.

They end up snowed in at Gavin’s place – and everything is going great – until… there’s a twist that I’m not telling you about!

This book restored my faith in romance novels. I had decided I was going to not read anymore after I had caught up on what needed to be read in my queue after reading a few that were really, really bad. However, Snowed In made me reconsider this.  It was short, which I always love, and it was to the point (probably since it was so short) and I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. It was realistic and enjoyable.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

There’s nothing like a hot kiss on a cold day

Librarian Maureen O’ Connell might have predicated she’d find herself crying into the ice cream cast at the supermarket after a bad breakup, but she definitely never imagined that a guy hot enough to melt the Rocky Road would flirt with her right there in the freezer aisle. Only Gavin Fraser isn’t a fantasy, he’s a mouth-watering new flavor.

When a freak snowstorm strands Maureen at Gavin’s after just one date, it’s a perfect excuse for something a lot steamier than hot chocolate in front of the fire. It’s definitely lust. Can it also be love?

Book Review: Paris Hop!

Katie March 13, 2015 0 Comments

A cute children’s book about a Grandma taking her granddaughter to Paris for the day.  The book starts out with some key French phrases and how to pronounce them.  The story is told in rhyme, which is extra impressive with the french words thrown in throughout! Super adorable illustrations as well. Now I want to visit Paris!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

On a visit to Paris for just one day, Grandma Goldie is eager to show her granddaughter, Aimee, how the city sparkles in the sun from the top of the Eiffel Tower. But the other joys of “Paree” create delightful detours along the way. Will this peppy pair make it to the tower before sunset? Find out in this charmingly illustrated rhyming tale about the City of Light . . . and happy surprises.

Our picture book includes a French-English glossary.

The second book in our Travel Adventures with Grandma Goldie series will be published in October 2015.

Book Review: Sex, Drugs and Rock N Roll

Katie March 13, 2015 0 Comments

Sex, Drugs and Rock N Roll explains the science of hedonism and the hedonism of science. It is an interesting look at Sex (18 write ups), Drugs (15) write ups and rock n roll (26 write ups) from a science perspective. I wasn’t really sure what to make of it, but it was interesting and strange all at the same time. I mean – stories about testicle implants? Spiders making webs on various types of drugs, some history thrown in for good measure, research ta shows music and drugs can tickle he same neural networks, drugs influence on music, we are born to sing, and much, much more.

If you’re into science and learning more about sex, drugs and rock n roll in a scientific way, then this is the book for you.  There’s also a handy index if there are just certain items you’re looking to learn more about!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

The book went SUPER into depth about one drug specifically: Weed AKA cannabis… this drug was raved about non stop in the book for its healing properties and how much it helped the mental health of the anyone taking it. It seemed to be the drug of choice for the rockstars and anyone else in between. Cannabis was just all the rave with the rock and roll community in the 70s. No matter how you put it weed is definitely up there in terms of what type of drug you want to take and how you want to take it theres just so many ways.

Full of noise and color, Sex, Drugs, and Rock ’n’ Roll looks at scientists and their craft, how hedonistic impulses inform our highest pursuits, and how the renegades of science have illuminated the secrets of our deepest impulses. It is a fascinating tale of scientists on the edge, experimenting on themselves and others, that asks the big (and strange) questions about what it means to be human, about consciousness and happiness, the future and past of our species, our scientific knowledge, and our culture. Not to mention our parties. It will pull you in and gross you out, but it never loses sight of the stories, ideas, and scientific discoveries that make sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll so timeless.

Book Review: Debunk It!

Katie March 11, 2015 0 Comments

Debunk It! Is a pretty neat book, it goes through many things that we are misinformed about from various locations and tries to debunk it.  Featured in the book is Obama being born in Hawaii, Evolution, Anti-Vaxers, and other things.  Basically, it helps you figure out how to tell if things are bullshit or not.

The book was written recently, so it is up to date with a lot of the more current misinformation – it talks about global warming and how it’s happening and not cooling – despite last winter’s polar vortex. It touches on the latest issues with those who don’t vaccinate their children and how the measles has come back and can kill other children who can’t get vaccinated if there is not herd immunity – touches a bit on Jenny McCarthy and her anti vaccine stance and how she has admitted that she used Botox and how the two are somewhat related…

I found it to be quite interesting and had a lot of facts and sources to back up the claims – although there was nothing in here that I think I was actually misinformed about, it was nice to have some additional information about it all.

I received a free copy of this book in order to write this review and participate in the blog tour. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Debunk It! How to Stay Sane in a World of Misinformation

We live in an era of misinformation, much of it spread by authority figures like broadcasters, politicians, and religious leaders. (The various pundits on blogs and websites don’t help either.) With so much bogus information from so many sources, how can anyone be expected to discover the truth?

In Debunk It!, author John Grant uses modern, ripped-from-the-headlines examples to clearly explain how to identify bad evidence and dismantle poor arguments. He provides a roundup of the rhetorical tricks people use when attempting to pull the wool over our eyes, and even offers advice about how to take these unscrupulous pundits down. So if you’re tired of hearing blowhards spouting off about climate change, history, evolution, medicine, and more, this is the book for you. Debunk It! is the ultimate guide for readers seeking a firmer footing in this very slippery world.

(Debunk It! How to Stay Sane in a World of Misinformation / by John Grant / Published by Zest Books and distributed by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt / ISBN-13: 978-1-936976-68-3 / $12.99 Paperback; 228 pages, Ages 14+)

Debunk It! How to Stay Sane in a World of Misinformation links:

• Debunk It! on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Debunk-Stay-Sane-World-Misinformation/dp/1936976684

• Debunk It! on Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/debunk-it-john-grant/1120884648

• Debunk It! on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781936976683

• Debunk It! on The Book Depository (for those readers outside of the USA, this site offers free shipping internationally to any country) http://www.bookdepository.com/Debunk-it-John-Grant/9781936976683

• Debunk It! on the Zest Books site has “buy now” options: http://zestbooks.net/debunk-it/

• Debunk It! on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23332959-debunk-it

• Debunk It! on Library Thing: http://www.librarything.com/work/15696645/book/115912694

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

John Grant is author of about seventy books, including Discarded Science: Ideas that Seemed Good at the Time…, Corrupted Science: Fraud Ideology and Politics in Science, and Denying Science: Conspiracy Theories, Media Distortions, and the War Against Reality. He was inspired to write Debunk It!, because of a teenager named Franklin, who came to one of his public talks on how people misunderstand science. Franklin commented that, “What we kids need is a sort of guide to bullshit,” and the idea for Debunk It! took root from that encounter. For a number of years he ran the world-famous fantasy art book publisher Paper Tiger. Also a fantasy / science fiction writer, he has won the Hugo Award (twice), the World Fantasy Award, and other international literary awards. Grant lives in northern New Jersey.

Book Review: Roaring Hot

Katie March 8, 2015 0 Comments

Roaring Hot is about Teo – a motorcycle racer who is a bit of a party boy and doesn’t show any signs of settling down.  His grandmother says that she wants him to bring a girlfriend to her birthday party – so rather than find someone that might be suitable he and his pal Ronaldo create a fake reality TV show so that he can hire an actress to play his girlfriend.

Of course things get interesting when the two seem to be falling for each other for real – but Amy, the actress hired, doesn’t want to get attached and tries to convince herself that she only likes him because she is being paid to.

Of course, when Teo gets injured in a race and ends up in a coma she realizes that maybe she really does love him and doesn’t want to lose him so she does everything in her power to try and get him to wake up.

This book was a bit of a roller coaster ride with Amy and Teo because they were having trouble separating what was real and what was fake for the TV show.  In the end, Amy truly seemed to care about Teo and his well being.  I don’t want to say too much more because I don’t want to give too much away.  Another great read from Rachelle Ayala.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Motorcycle racer Teo Alexiou is challenged by his grandmother to come to her birthday party with a real girlfriend. He has plenty of party girls, and he fears getting roped into marriage so he hires an actress to play the part.

The last thing Amy Suzuki wants is to be a kept woman, but her student loans are piling up and acting gigs are nonexistent. She agrees to Teo’s proposal for one summer, limited to public displays of affection.

When Teo and Amy find themselves caught in love’s grip, their new desires war with their fears. Teo wants to renegotiate, but Amy insists she’s only with him because she is paid. She would never lose her heart to a man who uses money to buy affection.

Their game playing explodes when Teo is injured on the track and breaks her contract. Too late, Amy realizes her true feelings for Teo. Can she convince Teo she truly cares before he goes back to his party girls?

Book Review: Women Heroes of the American Revolution

Katie March 6, 2015 0 Comments

Women Heroes of the American Revolution is 20 Stories of Espionage, Sabotage, Defiance and Rescue.  Part 1 of the book is about resisters, supporters and rescuers.  Part 2 is about spies (my favorite, of course).  Part 3 is all about Saboteurs (a close second favorite!).  Part 4 is Soldiers and defenders of the homefront and Part 5 is all about some legendary ladies.  There are historical photos placed throughout the book and at the end of each chapter is a section called “Learn More” with some more links if you’d like to find out more about any of the ladies featured.  This is a children’s nonfiction book so it is written in a way that is fun and easy to read.  It was a lot of fun to read about these awesome ladies, some of which lived over 200 years ago!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

About the book

A commemoration of the brave yet largely forgotten women who served in America’s War of Independence

Every schoolchild knows about Paul Revere’s 20-mile ride to warn that the British were coming. Far fewer know that 16-year-old Sybil Ludington rode twice as far on her horse Star in order to help her father, Colonel Ludington, muster his scattered troops to fight a marauding enemy. Few know about Martha Bratton, who blew up a supply of gunpowder to keep it from approaching British troops and boldly claimed, “It was I who did it!” Susan Casey gives Ludington, Bratton, and 18 other remarkable girls and women the spotlight they deserve in this lively collection of biographical profiles. These women took action in many ways: as spies, soldiers, nurses, water carriers, fundraisers, writers, couriers, and more. Women Heroes of the American Revolution brings a fresh new perspective to their stories resulting from interviews with historians and with descendants of participants of the Revolution and features ample excerpts from primary source documents. Also included are contextualizing sidebars, images, source notes, and a bibliography, making this an invaluable resource for any student’s or history buff’s bookshelf.

Book Review: Toad Weather

Katie March 6, 2015 0 Comments

Toad Weather is about a grandmother and granddaughter who are home on a sad and rainy day talking about how there is nothing to do because it is raining.  Of course, that is until Mama gets home and takes them out in the rain for a surprise!  Mama has them walk outside to find some TOADS that need help crossing the road.  They help them cross and then head back home and decide that maybe rainy days aren’t all that bad after all.  This book is short and a fun read and the illustrations are absolutely amazing!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

There’s nothing to do on a rainy day—or so Ally thinks. But Mama says she’s seen something amazing, so despite Ally’s misgivings, she sets out on an adventure with her mother and grandmother. On her journey, she sees all sorts of things: dripping awnings, wet cardboard, splashing cars…but also earthworms, storm drain geysers, and oil slick patterns. And then they turn the corner, just in time to see a big crowd. What’s happening?

Book Review: Criminal Confections

Katie March 6, 2015 0 Comments

Criminal Confections is the first book in a series. It is about “the chocolate whisperer” Hayden Mundy Moore. She works with various chocolate companies to help them work on their recipes and make them even better.  This book is set at a chocolate retreat at a spa.

When one of the guests ends up having a heart attack and dying – now they think that a murderer might be on the loose.  I was a bit surprised that everyone had a “show must go on” mentality and the retreat continued – despite there having been a death.  When a second person is found dead – well, everything still keeps going on.  And there seems to be a complete lack of police present.

Ignoring logic – it was fun to try and figure out “who done it” with all of the characters and their different personalities that we come across in the book.  I had 3 different ideas of who I thought had done it – and all of them turned out to be wrong. Maybe I just wasn’t paying enough attention to the clues?

I’m not sure that I was into this book enough to read more from this series – but a murder mystery revolving around chocolate is always a great escape.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Hayden Mundy Moore is an expert on everything chocolate, helping clients develop new products and revamp recipes until they’re irresistible. But sometimes, a dash of murder finds its way into the mix. . .

Hayden Mundy Moore has bushwhacked through African jungles and haggled in exotic markets to find the finest cacao beans and the most flavorful blends. It’s thrilling work but rarely dangerous–until a colleague turns up dead at the exclusive chocolate-themed Lemaоtre resort spa in San Francisco.

Adrienne Dowling’s heart attack is blamed on an accidental overdose of the secret ingredient used in Lemaоtre Chocolates’ new line. Hayden can’t believe that conscientious Adrienne would make that mistake. And between chocolate body scrubs, cocoa mud baths, and a non-stop frenzy of chocolate-based treats, Hayden starts to suspect that she, not Adrienne, was the intended target. Finding a killer among the rival chocolatiers and potential suspects won’t just be satisfying–it might save her life. . .