October Contest Winners!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ro W. Is the grand prize winner! Ro will receive 1 3 pack of any color Simply Spray, 1 two pack of BluApple, 1 autographed picture from Arielle Caldwell, 1 Our Kingdom of Dust poster, and 1 Leonard Kinsey paper back.

Melody Ann Won 1 BluApple two pack, 1 Leonard Kinsey Ebook, and 1 Autographed picture from Arielle Caldwell

Yovanna Won 1 BluApple two pack and 1 Leonard Kinsey Ebook!

Congratulations to all the winners!!! Contact me at Ravenheather13@gmail.com with your email and mailing addresses.

Review of New NBC Show Mockingbird Lane

Mockingbird Lane airs on Friday nights at 8pm before Grimm! If your not familiar with the famous TV family that resides at 1313 Mockingbird Lane. I wonder where you have been. This of course is the address of everyone's favorite creepy family the Munsters! 

I wasn't sure what to expect from this remake of one of my favorite old shows. With Jerry O'Connell as Herman, Portia De Rossi as Lily, and Eddie Izzard as Grandpa. 

The show starts out showcasing Eddie Munsters little problem that came with puberty so the family had to relocate after he attacked his scout troop. So the family has to relocate. Marilyn is the one out with the Realtor looking at a very nice respectable home but she is more interested in the one across the street. That the realtor explains is going to be torn down because it was the house of the hobo killer! She insists that is just what she wants. So the family moves into their famous address.

Herman isn't like he was in the original he is very smart but sensitive. Lily is still enchanting. Grandpa is still a creeper. All in all they kept the story basically the same but there are some changes. I did find some parts of the story very funny. One thing about Grandpa that is much different he is a bit more evil in the new age. 

I look forward to seeing how they develop this series if it's giving a chance.      

Review of Fairy Metal Thunder (Songs of Magic Series #1) by J. L. Bryan

• BN ID: 2940013383364
• Publisher: JLBryanbooks.com
• Publication date: 9/16/2011
• Sold by: Barnes & Noble
• Format: eBook
• Sales rank: 57,603
• Series: Songs of Magic Series , #1
• File size: 147 KB 

Overview

A rock & roll fairy tale.

Jason plays guitar in a teenage garage band called the Assorted Zebras, but they have no fans, no gigs, and they're going nowhere. Even worse, Jason has a crush on their lead singer, but she doesn't seem interested in him at all.

Then Jason steals instruments from the fairy world. Soon the band is enchanting crowds, and Jason is a step closer to the girl of his dreams, but the new gear is brimming with dangerous and destructive magic they can't control.

Their shortcut to success has cost a troupe of innocent fairies their livelihood and turned Jason and his band into enemies of the powerful Queen Mab, who sends hunters to track them down, including one of the most dangerous creatures in Faerie...a small unicorn named Buttercake. (from Barnes and Nobles)

I'm on the fence with this book I'm really not sure if I like it or not! I'm going to have to read book 2 in the series before I decide I think! 

There are somethings that I really enjoyed however. I loved the variety of Fae Folk in the book and that you got to travel between worlds. However I'm not sure how much substance the book actually has. 

I also loved that in this book something as sweet and pure as a unicorn isn't what it seems to be! There is a lot of that in this book things aren't what they seem to be. I personally advice you to check this book out and make your own decisions; or be like me undecided! 

I don't think being undecided is a bad thing that just means you aren't jumping to conclusions you are just giving it more of an opportunity to wow you! 

Review of Dark Shadows BluRay Combo Pack

If you haven't seen Tim Burton's latest film Dark Shadows recent to DVD and BluRay. I have one suggestion for fans of the original TV Show try to go into it with an open mind. 

In true Burton fashion; he takes it and makes it entirely his own. It's only a shadow of it's former self. However that doesn't make it bad just different. 

If you think you know Dark Shadows you don't know this one. Burton brings some regulars to this film and some he has worked with before to round out the cast. This movie is Johnny Depp's 7th, Helena Bonham-Carter's 5th, Christopher Lee's 5th and Michelle Pfeiffer's 2nd Tim Burton film. 

Some of my favorite parts of this film are ones where Johnny Depp is delivering lines in such a serious dead pan manor it just makes you crack up. I don't know how he managed to keep such a strait face other then the fact he is such a brilliant actor. 

As with all Tim Burton films the props are just as amazing as what is going on in the movie. Collin's Wood is a spectacular creation. It brings such depth to the film. It has such detail and is by far one of my favorite movie houses. 

I also love that not only is Alice Cooper in the movie as the entertainment at the Collin's "Happening". But if you pay attention to the guests arriving you will find Jonathan Frid, 

Kathryn Leigh Scott, Lara Parker, and David Selby. Which were all part of the original cast of Dark Shadows. 

American Horror Story: Asylem

I know American Horror Story started last week and have already had 2 episodes but since I didn't watch season 1. I thought I would take 2 weeks to see what I thought about it before I reviewed it.

Plot Summery: Set in 1964, American Horror Story: Asylum takes us into a Church-run haven for the criminally insane, ruled with an iron fist by Sister Jude, a nun with a troubled past. Inside this locked down facility, danger lurks around every corner. From Nazis and serial killers, to mutants and aliens, no one is safe inside these walls.(Taken from IMDB.com)

This show is defiantly not a show for younger views. Its chock full of nudity, violence and other adult content. 

Jessica Lang is amazing. She is a hard-ass nun that runs the asylum. The asylum has an evil dark history of abuse. 

This is a deeply disturbing tv show that if you are a fan of psychological horror shows this is defiantly what you are looking for. 

I can't wait to see what other sick and twisted plot twists this season has to offer. I look forward to see how much more evil this show will get. 

Review of Strange Neighbors by Ashlyn Chase

• ISBN-13: 9781402254277
• Publisher: Sourcebooks, Incorporated
• Publication date: 6/1/2010
• Sold by: Barnes & Noble
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 384
• Sales rank: 54,102
• File size: 855 KB

"He's looking for peace, quiet, and a little romance...

There's never a dull moment when hunky all-star pitcher and shapeshifter Jason Falco invests in an old Boston brownstone apartment building full of supernatural creatures. But when Merry MacKenzie moves into the ground floor apartment, the playboy pitcher decides he might just be done playing the field...

A girl just wants to have fun...

Sexy Jason seems like the perfect fling, but newly independent nurse Merry's not sure she's ready to trust him with her heart...especially when the tabloids start trumpeting his playboy lifestyle.

Then pandemonium breaks loose and Merry and Jason will never get it together without a little help from the vampire who lives in the basement and the werewolf from upstairs..." (From Barnes and Noble)

Even though this book has been out a couple of years I am finally getting a chance to read it. I have a lot of books on my book list. I doubt I will ever finish all of them. 

This one actually got my attention with it's fun cover. I love that there is a mix of paranormals creatures in this book. Ashlyn was able to have fun with mixing it up a bit. I love the personalities of her characters. I felt that they were just like people anyone might know; which makes the story more believable.

I think this is a great love story. It wasn't one of those ones where everything is perfect and there are no surprises. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the readers thirsty for more. I can't wait to read the rest of this series and I look forward to Ashlyn's spin off series Flirting with Fangs!  

Review of New Nivea A Kiss of Olive Oil and Lemon Moisture Lip Care

I have to say I am mostly a Soft Lips girl. However I'm always game to try a new lip care product. So when I saw Nivea was giving out samples of there new Moisturizing Lip Care product I had to try it out. 

I have been using only this lip product for the past 2 weeks. It leaves your lips feeling soft and luscious. It has a very delicate smell so your not overwhelmed by a heavy sent. 

It also glides on smooth and even. It doesn't leave a heavy coating on your lips either. It's very light on your lips. So you aren't trying to figure out how to use it lightly. 

I also like the tube that it comes in it's sort of short and squat so its not big and clunky in your pocket. So no matter what you are wearing it fits just right. It also leaves a bit of a shine to your lips so if you want to skip lipstick or gloss you can just us this. 

I'm defiantly going to continue to use this product as well as my beloved Soft Lips! 

Review of Lavender & Oatmeal Soap from Beazer's Garden

  Beazer's Garden soaps and bath products are all natural, handmade, and organic. I'm personally a huge fan of organic, all natural bath products. 

This is the first time I've used Beazer's Garden. The first bar of soap I am trying is Lavender Oatmeal. In the photo it's the cream colored octagon in the front.  

I have to say when I opened it I was a little disappointed that it didn't have more of a lavender fragrance to it. Lavender is one of my favorites and I would have loved for it to have more of that then the oatmeal. 

This soap doesn't offer a heavy lather, but it does leave you skin feeling soft and luxurious. I also have to mention that it doesn't irritate sensitive skin. That is something I have to worry about. I also get Eczema break outs on my arms; I have to be careful what products I use. 

This soap did not cause any problems. The soap may have helped to sooth it a bit due to the oatmeal. 

Review of Jeff Dunham Minding the Monsters

I'm sure by now everyone if familiar with the brilliance that is Jeff Dunham.  Just encase your not Jeff Dunham medium is ventriloquism. 

For the most part grown men that play with dolls freak me out a bit but Jeff Dunham is amazing. I don't know how he comes up with some of the stuff he does but he is hysterical. 

This new special is no different. I dvr'd it the other night and finally got some time to myself so I could sit and enjoy it. 

Jeff is recently divorced so he did use a lot of that as a base for his material. He is also newly engaged when the special was taped but now he is recently married. 

For this special all of his puppets are dressed in Halloween costumes. You get to spend the evening with fan favorites or in the views case an hour. 

As always Jeff had me in stitches. There were a couple parts I was laughing so hard that I couldn't breath. All in all it was a great way to enjoy a relaxing hour.  It was also something I really needed! 

Review of The Demon Hunter By Lori Brighton

• BN ID: 2940013687547
• Publisher: Lori Brighton
• Publication date: 1/2/2012
• Sold by: Barnes & Noble
• Format: eBook
• Sales rank: 6,945
• Series: The Hunter Series , #2
• File size: 227 KB

"Life’s sucks, and then you die… again and again. 

Ellie has always been different, from playing with fairies as a child to fighting demons as an adult. She grew up wondering why no one else seemed to notice the oddities of the world that she came into contact with on a daily basis. When she is the only witness of a demon attack and the police suspect her, Ellie skips the country heading to England where she plans to keep a low profile. Everything is going fine, until Devon appears, stumbling around her garden like a drunken fool, and completely naked no less. 

Six months ago Devon sacrificed himself to bind the soul of a demon and save the world from certain destruction. Thanks to a spell gone awry, Devon is back. But Devon hasn't come alone. The very demon he tried to destroy has returned and is wreaking havoc on earth. When Devon meets Ellie, he instantly recognizes another supernatural being. But can they fight their growing attraction and focus on the task at hand? Ellie may just be the only person who is strong enough to destroy the demon, if the demon doesn't destroy her first." (Description taken from Barnes and Nobles)

Lori Brighton is amazing! She has managed to do it again with another must read! I found that I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it. I didn't know how she was going to be able to top The Ghost Hunter; but she did. 

I was loved that Lori expanded the character Devon and introduced a firecracker of a character with Ellie! She also managed to add new and exciting elements to the story. I also like Miranda she is another new addition. Although Ashley and Christian are in this story they are not the main characters like in The Ghost Hunter. They move to the background giving Devon and Ellie a chance to be in the forefront. 

This is one series I guarantee it will take your breath way.  It's also reasonably priced so you aren't blowing your book budget on one series.     

Review of The Bluapple

The Bluapple is something is put in your fridge to prolong the life of your produce. It has been seen on the Dr.'s. 

The way The Bluapple works is inside the plastic Bluapple is a white paper that works like a filter. The Filter absorbs the Ethylene Gas that the fruit natural gives off. What the Ethylene Gas does it coordinates ripening with the produce, thus speeding up the process making produce rot faster. 

I admit, I was skeptical. I keep thinking how can something as simple as a plastic blue apple with a little filter in it help me save money on my produce. I have had it in my fridge for about 2 and a half weeks. I waited to test it out until I got my new fridge because I wanted a total clean slate to work with. 

I went to the store to buy some produce. We use a lot of produce in my house because not only do we eat it but we also have Bearded Dragons and Iguanas that eat it as well. However there are times that even with everyone eating it, the produce still rots before I can use it all. 

The biggest problem I have is using all the greens for the lizards. Normally I get about half way through and it rots. But with the Blue Apple I was able to extend the life of the greens about a week. I also bought grapes and left some in there just to see they were also extended about 9 days! 

I would defiantly suggest The Bluapple for your fridge! I think it's amazing and I am defiantly going to keep using it. 

October Contest

Winners will have 48 hours to claim their prize once they are contacted. If you do not claim your prize it will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.


There will be one main contest winner plus 2 additional blue apple winners,  2 Leonard Kinsey Ebook winners, 1 Signed pictures from Arielle Caldwell

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Update

Hello All!! I just wanted to let you know that I have been really busy the past few days with personal stuff and getting ready for Halloween!! I will be posting the October contest on Tuesday! I will have this one run longer then the ones in the past! Also be on the look out for an Epcot's food and wine festival review as well as a Smashmouth review this week! Lots of things happening in the coming days!

Review of Mark of the Witch by Jessica Gibson

• BN ID: 2940015177084
• Publisher: Jessica Gibson
• Publication date: 5/30/2012
• Sold by: Barnes & Noble
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 192
• Sales rank: 758,223
• Series: Boston Witches , #1
• File size: 139 KB

"Magic flows through Jillian Proctor's veins as surely as blood, but so far her life outside Boston has been peaceful. William Morgan blows into Jilly's life like a hurricane, unleashing her magic and sending her out of control. Unknowingly, William brings an enemy who only wants to posses the power of the witch. Jilly must learn to harness her magic before she loses it - and everything in her life is destroyed."

Mark of the Witch is an intense read! I was drawn in from start to finish. I loved that this book was full of depth. There were also tons of surprises so I wasn't just going through the motions of reading it when I already knew what was going to happen. I also felt this book was very visual; no there isn't any pictures. What I mean it the way Jessica describes the scenes it's so vivid it's almost like you are right there watching it come to life. Her characters also develop and discover more of who they are as the story goes on.  

This is one I defiantly recommend being added to your reading list; some where towards the top! I look forward to reading the second book in this series.

Review of Tabanero Hot Sauce

I recently won a year supply of Tabanero Hot Sauce! Which is amazing because that is one thing my house uses a lot of. In my year supply I received 4 cases of hot sauce, 4 bottles of spicy bloody Mary mix, a lot of individual hot sauce packets, and some cool swag! This was an amazing prize pack!! A big thank you to Tabanero for having such a great give away! 

Tabanero is an all natural hot sauce that doesn't use vinegar! I really like this you only get natural flavors and non of that weird vinegar after taste. The ingredients are simply Habanero  Pepers, Carrots, Onions, Key Lime Juice, Agave Nectar, Garlic, Salt, and Grapefruit Seed Extract. Which combined makes a yummy hot sauce! 

I haven't gotten to use it in any recipes yet however I did use it on chicken tacos. Which was amazing. It adds just the right amount of spice and flavor to your meal with out over powering it. My son who is a big hot sauce fan also took some over too his friends houses so they could try it as well it was a big hit with everyone that's tried it. 

On the Tabanero website they offer a number of recipes that I can't wait to dive into! Now depending on where you live you may need to visit their website to pick up a bottle, but I guarantee you will be glad you did!  

Review of Ms America and the Offing on Oahu by Diana Dempsey

• BN ID: 2940012941282
• Publisher: Diana Dempsey
• Publication date: 6/9/2011
• Sold by: Barnes & Noble
• Format: eBook
• Sales rank: 16,322
• Series: Beauty Queen Mysteries , #1
• File size: 286 KB

Before I start this review I feel I need to state that I hate doing a bad review! Especially when it's an indie or lesser known author. I'm fully supportive of people following there dreams to become a full time author; however sometimes there is no way around it. Plus I want my readers to respect my suggestions. With no further ado on with the review! 

When I got this book I was thinking it would be a campy Miss Congeniality style book, sadly this is not what I had! This book is longer then it needs to be, and drags horribly. Not to mention the lead characters first name is Happy. I kid you not that is her actual name, that just make her more of a joke. She is also a prude. She is astonished to find out that her fellow beauty queens are having affairs. 

I should back up a little and explain that this Ms. America competition is for aging beauty queens. That's right not those fresh out of high school girls, these are girls in there 30's married with kids. Happy wants the prize money so she can send her daughter to collage whether she wants to go or not. Then send her husband to pit school whether he wants to or not. 

Luckily for Happy someone kills the favorite to win, so she is crowned Ms. America! She then decides that she has to investigate her fellow pageant contestants murder even if it puts her in danger. I also don't know why she bothered the more you learn about the dead contestant the more you feel it served her right!! 

All in all what I thought was going to be an easy fast pace book just turned out to be drawn out and boring. The book is also very predictable. Other then the cute cover art I really don't see a redeeming quality in this book. 

Review of ABC's Series Premier 666 Park Avenue

I confess I DVR'ed 666 Park Avenue because it happens to be on at the same time as Copper on BBC America. I'm not going to let conflicting shows stop me from watching both. Some times I need to play catch up with TV shows! 

I think ABC has a knocked it out of the park with this show. Especially with the cast. Pairing Terry O'Quinn (Lost) and Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty) as evil incarnate was a brilliant decision. They play husband and wife with the ability to take evil to a whole new level. The rest of the cast are actors I'm not really familiar with.

This is defiantly a show for mature audiences it is filled with sexual content and violence. It also has a bit of a spooky quality to it since once you move into the Drake you never leave!  

I love the grand architectural design of the Drake it's a beautiful old building with a wonderful dragon mosaic in the basement. This premier apartment building on Manhattan's Upper East Side will make all make all of your dreams come true for the small price of your soul.

The season primer was a great ride lets see if they can keep the thrills coming or if it's going to putter out like some of ABC's top shows seem to do quickly!!