Book Review - Mistress of All Evil: A Tale of the Dark Fairy

About the Book
The tale is told as if it's happening once upon a dream: the lovely maiden meets her handsome prince in the woods. The story has been told many times and in many ways. But always the maiden finds out that she is a princess-a princess who has been cursed by a dark fairy to prick her finger on a spindle and fall into an eternal sleep. Though her three good fairies try to protect her, the princess succumbs to the curse. But the power of good endures, as her true love defeats the fire-breathing dragon and awakens the princess with true love's first kiss. The two live happily ever after.

And yet this is only half the story. So what of the dark fairy, Maleficent? Why does she curse the innocent princess? What led to her becoming so filled with malice, anger, and hatred? Many tales have tried to explain her motives. Here is one account, pulled down from the many passed down through the ages. It is a tale of love and betrayal, of magic and reveries. It is a tale of the Mistress of All Evil.



My Take on the Book
Amazing story that you will love to read if you are a Maleficent fan. This may not be the exact story that you may be expecting but it is a book that was very interesting and definitely one that shed light on the story behind Maleficent. This story brings out so much more about this great character that you would not have known otherwise. I am so glad to have read this and if you are a fan of this great character, you will be too!


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Book Review - Self Leadership and the One Minute Manager

About the Book The co-author of the phenomenal New York Times bestselling classic The One Minute Manager® explores the skills needed to become an effective self leader in this essential work, now updated throughout.

Just as Ken Blanchard’s phenomenal bestselling classic The One Minute Manager gives leaders the three secrets to managing others, so this follow-up book gives people the three secrets to managing themselves. In Self Leadership and the One Minute Manager, readers will learn that accepting personal responsibility for their own success leads to power, freedom, and autonomy.

Through a captivating business parable, Ken Blanchard and coauthors Susan Fowler and Laurence Hawkins show readers how to apply the world-renowned Situational Leadership® II method to their own development. The story centers on Steve, a young advertising executive who is about to lose his job. Through a series of talks with a One Minute Manager protégé named Cayla, Steve learns the three secrets of self leadership. His newfound skills not only empower Steve to keep his job, but also show him how to ditch his victim mentality to continue growing, learning, and achieving.

For decades, millions of managers in Fortune 500 companies and small businesses around the world have followed Ken Blanchard’s management methods to increase productivity, job satisfaction, and personal prosperity. Now, this newly revised edition of Self Leadership and the One Minute Manager empowers people at every level of the organization to achieve success.



My Take on the Book
I love reading about leadership and this book will definitely make you think about the way in which you exert your leadership. The book also allows you to see what you have innately within yourself. This is a great book that was practical in nature and it really allows you to change your own leadership journey into something that will help you become a better person!


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Book Review - Tales from Adventureland The Keymaster's QuestTales from Adventureland The Keymaster's Quest

About the Book
Andy Stanley has never met his famous grandfather, renowned archaeologist and explorer Ned Lostmore. Then Ned goes missing on the search for a hidden temple deep in the Amazonian jungle, and everyone assumes he's dead. But when Andy receives a mysterious letter and key from his grandfather, he is drawn into a quest to stop several lost, magical artifacts from falling into the wrong hands. His adventure takes him deep into the worlds of the attractions featured at Disney's Adventureland-the Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, and more!



My Take on the Book
This was such a fun book that offers you adventure, great characters and more. You will love the fun story and the mystery that is shared within the story. The author has created the start of a new series that I, for one, hope that will only continue for the future. This was a great book that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end!

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Book Review - Cookiesaurus Rex

About the Book
As soon as Cookiesaurus Rex comes out of the oven, he declares that he is King of All Cookies. He should be frosted before all of the standard-shaped cookies, in a nice bright green. But the other cookies are getting sprinkles, or shiny stars, or even gumdrops . . . WAIT ONE STINKIN' STOMPIN' MINUTE! Cookiesaurus wants a do-over. Problem is, he might not end up with the kind of "do" he wants. Readers will love the funny back-and-forth between this cheeky cookie and the hand that frosts him. See who gets his licks in at the end!



My Take on the Book
This is a very fun book that all readers will love. My girls loved the dinosaur as well as all of the cookies that he loves. They loved the do-over and the cookies that he was creating. You will love this fun book as much as we did!

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DVD Review - When Calls The Heart: Year Four

About the DVD
"Wholesome content that the whole family can enjoy", Parade

From celebrated author Janette Oke (The Love Comes Softly series) comes a rigorous and romantic adventure as epic as the wide frontier. Erin Krakow (Army Wives), Jack Wagner (Melrose Place) and Lori Loughlin (Full House, 90210) star in When Calls The Heart, a beautiful story filled with "many of the values we all hold precious such as love, family, friendship, community, faith and caring about one another", (Military Press)!

The rural town of Hope Valley returns for another season of adventure, romance, and community in this collection from the fourth year of When Calls The Heart. This six DVD set continues the captivating story of strong-willed schoolteacher Elizabeth (Krakow), her beloved Constable Jack Thornton (Lissing), the fiercely independent Abigail Stanton (Loughlin), and all the citizenry of Hope Valley as they face the challenges of the frontier with courage, grace, and heart.


My Take on the DVD
This is a series that keeps on giving. As someone that watches this, I can tell you that every episode draws you in with the characters, the drama and more. The actors truly embody characters that you will want to know and you will continue to hope that Elizabeth and Jack will get married and that Abigail will be able to run the town of Hope Valley with grace, and leadership. On top of this you get some action and surprises along the way as well and in season four this is no different. This is a great season and you will truly get drawn into the whole season, I know that my wife and I were!


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DVD Reviews - Green Acres: The Complete Series

About the Series
Green Acres is the place to be!

Revisit your favorite friends from Hooterville with Green Acres, the classic sitcom finally available to you in a complete series collection!

Oliver Douglas (Academy Award nominee Eddie Albert) is a well-read lawyer who has had enough of the hustle and bustle of New York, so he pulls up stakes to settle down in a more pastoral setting ... much to the dismay of his glamorous wife Lisa (Eva Gabor, The Rescuers), who’s more accustomed to life in The Big Apple than on a small farm. Having said "goodbye, city life", the Douglases must contend with their new surroundings: a bucolic world of slapstick, silliness, Arnold Ziffel ... and don’t get us started on one of television’s most recognizable theme songs!

Includes All 170 Episodes Of Farm-To-Table Homespun Hilarity!

My Take on the series
Oh my gosh, I am so happy that Shout Factory had the ability to put together this whole series. I was a fan when I was younger and still am one now too. This series is so funny and even watching today, the humor continues to crack me up! This is a HUGE set with 170 episodes so if you are a fan get ready to laugh and have a great time as you to through this series of 6 DVD's. The recordings are great and you will love the acting of Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor, I know I did and still do to this day! I also would be remiss to forget Mr. Haney who always brought me into hysterics as well. This series is a perfect gift for any fan of this memorable series!

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DVD Review - Mr. Mom

About the Movie
While Caroline Butler (Teri Garr, Tootsie) re-enters the workforce and becomes the rising star of her advertising agency, her newly unemployed husband Jack (Michael Keaton, Night Shift) finds himself a new job … as a stay-at-home dad! But if Jack thinks his old career in the automotive industry was tough, he has no idea what's waiting for him at home: the ins and outs of dropping the kids off at school, soap operas, woobies, babies with chili, a clean-up on aisle seven and a vacuum cleaner named "Jaws. ", Not to mention the seedy neighborhood drama!

Inspired, in part, by writer John Hughes’ (Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles) own life lessons as a clueless stay-at-home father, Mr. Mom is sure to have every parent slapping their foreheads with sympathy, as they slap their knees with laughter!




My Take on the Movie
This movie brings me back and it is funny to watch it now that I am a father. Michael Keaton does a great job at showing that Dads have what it takes to stay at home after some twists and turns. The movie has a lot of laughs and touching moments throughout and I am so glad that I was able to watch this again, this time with my own kids! We all had a blast!


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Book Review - Find the Fire: Ignite Your Inspiration--and Make Work Exciting Again

About the Book
Is the thrill gone? What to do when your mojo's missing at work . . .

For many employees, feeling burned out and uninspired is nothing new. But going through the motions impairs more than just work performance--it affects your well-being. Wouldn't it be better to feel as engaged and energized as you were on day one?

Fortunately, everyone has the ability to rekindle inspiration. The key is to quit waiting for it to happen and take control of the process yourself. Whether you're wrestling with fear, disconnectedness, boredom, lack of creative outlets, overwhelm, or other issues, Find the Fire helps shake off the malaise and dial up the motivation.

Packed with insights, exercises, inspiring stories, checklists, and more, this potent self-help guide identifies nine forces that drain inspiration and delivers tips and advice for turning things around, including how to:

Start learning and growing again - Reconnect with coworkers and your boss - Stop procrastinating - Empower yourself - Stay in control during tough times - Overcome fear and embrace risk - Produce work you're proud of - Boost your self-confidence and personal presence - Leave your mark - And more

Instead of asking what inspires you, the deeper question is, how did you lose inspiration in the first place? Learn to find it again--and fuel greater fulfillment and success.


My Take on the Book
Finding inspiration is not easy at times, but this book is a great one and gives you practical advice about what you can do to find more inspiration in all that you do on a daily basis. The book allows you to gain some great ideas and plans to move yourself in a proactive way toward a future that you truly want for yourself. The book is an easy read and you will learn a ton from this, I know I did!



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Book Review - Fowl Language: The Struggle Is Real

About the Book
The Internet sensation, Fowl Language Comics, is back with its second book, Fowl Language: The Struggle Is Real, the perfect parenting humor book for anyone who liked Toddlers Are A**holes!

“This Guy’s Comics Hilariously Sum Up the Truth About Being a Parent.”

—Buzzfeed

He's back, and he's totally got parenting figured out this time. KIDDING.

It's another collection of Fowl Language comics, ripped from the headlines of this author's actual friggin' life.

You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll swear. It's almost exactly like a day of parenting, except without the annoying little people.

My Take on the Book
This is a great book that was so funny. If you have ever had young kids these cartoons are amazing. You will feel completely connected to what these say. You will laugh and feel connected to the emotions of being a parent too. This is an amazing book that was so much fun to read!

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Book Review - Suspect Red

About the Book
It's 1953, and the United States has just executed an American couple convicted of spying for the Soviet Union. Everyone is on edge as the Cold War standoff between communism and democracy leads to the rise of Senator Joe McCarthy and his zealous hunt for people he calls subversives or communist sympathizers. Suspicion, loyalty oaths, blacklists, political profiling, hostility to foreigners, and the assumption of guilt by association divide the nation. Richard and his family believe deeply in American values and love of country, especially since Richard's father works for the FBI. Yet when a family from Czechoslovakia moves in down the street with a son Richard's age named Vlad, their bold ideas about art and politics bring everything into question.

Richard is quickly drawn to Vlad's confidence, musical sensibilities, and passion for literature, which Richard shares. But as the nation's paranoia spirals out of control, Richard longs to prove himself a patriot, and blurred lines between friend and foe could lead to a betrayal that destroys lives.

Punctuated with photos, news headlines, ads, and quotes from the era, this suspenseful and relatable novel by award-winning New York Times best-selling author L.M. Elliott breathes new life into a troubling chapter of our history.



My Take on the Book
WOW, this is a great look at this era in our history. While based on fiction, I am impressed at how the images, characters and plot does a great job at capturing all of this for the reader. I loved how each chapter was a month in the history of the book and you can feel the tension through the words on the page. The author has created a powerful text that represents the era well on top of capturing the fears and more of the world surrounding this era too. I highly recommend this book to all!




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Book Review - Art of Coloring: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

About the Book Whimsically macabre artwork, patterns, and designs permeate the story of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. These images are ideal for adding your own brand of color and style. Perfect for cultivating creativity, relaxation, and focus, these pages are filled with artwork evocative of the delightfully frightful world of Jack Skellington.



My Take on the Book
I am a fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas and have been for years. I recently watched this movie with my daughters for the first time and we loved all of the artwork and characters and this book brings all of these together in one place. This has a ton of great images that will keep you coloring for a very long time! Have fun doing this alone or with your kids!!

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Book Review - Art of Coloring: Mickey & Minnie: 100 Images to Inspire Creativity

About the Book
Fun, funny, and feisty patterns and character designs permeate the near-ninety-year history of Disney's beloved mice: Mickey and Minnie. These images are ideal for taking pencil to paper and adding your own brand of color and style. Perfect for cultivating creativity, relaxation, and focus, these pages are filled with line art from Disney animation, comics, and more-featuring work from Ub Iwerks, Floyd Gottfredson, and more.


My Take on the Book
This is a great book that brings in some very interesting images that will place a smile on your face and is a ton of fun to color for yourself or with your kids. I love all of the amazing images that are perfect for anyone that loves Mickey and Minnie!

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Book Review - The Witch Boy

About the Book
In thirteen-year-old Aster's family, all the girls are raised to be witches, while boys grow up to be shapeshifters. Anyone who dares cross those lines is exiled. Unfortunately for Aster, he still hasn't shifted . . . and he's still fascinated by witchery, no matter how forbidden it might be.

When a mysterious danger threatens the other boys, Aster knows he can help -- as a witch. It will take the encouragement of a new friend, the non-magical and non-conforming Charlie, to convince Aster to try practicing his skills. And it will require even more courage to save his family . . . and be truly himself.



My Take on the Book
I love a great graphic novel and this book does not disappoint. This novel is a great one that brings in a bit of the supernatural. I loved the great imagery and the plot as the main character evolves and s willing to be who he is, no matter what the costs. The story is powerful and true and is one that everyone should read!


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Book Review - Have Sword, Will Travel

About the Book
It is strange enough that Odo and Eleanor have stumbled upon a sword in a dried-up river outside their village. It is even stranger that Odo is able to remove it from where it's buried. And it's REMARKABLY strange when the sword starts to talk.

Odo and Eleanor have unearthed Biter, a famous fighter from earlier times. By finding Biter, Odo instantly becomes a knight -- a role he is exquisitely unsuited for. Eleanor, however, would make a PERFECT knight -- but she's not the one with the sword.

Finding Biter is only the start -- boy, girl, and sword must soon go on a quest to save their kingdom from threats in both human and dragon form, in this new fantasy triumph from Garth Nix and Sean Williams.


My Take on the Book
This is a very fun book filled with adventure, suspense and great characters that you will keep coming back to again and again. I found myself wanting to keep reading from page one to the end and by the end I was even wanting more of these great characters and world that the author has created. The book is a great read and one that you will love to read by yourself or with your kids!


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Book Review - Born Free: Tiger Rescue: True-Life Stories

About the Book
Discover the stories of wild animals around the world that have been saved from a lifetime of cruelty and suffering.

The Born Free Foundation's mission is to protect many different species in their natural habitats, working with local communities to help people and wildlife live together peacefully. In Tiger Rescue, an undercover investigation reveals that Roque, a five-month-old tiger, is languishing in a pet store in Barcelona. Now it's up to Born Free to save him! Parents will be intrigued by these books as they recall the movie Born Free and the story of Elsa, the orphaned lion cub brought up by Joy and George Adamson (portrayed by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna in the movie and the founders of the Born Free Foundation) and released back into the wild. Children will be inspired as they read how Born Free comes to the rescue even as they learn about life, compassion, and making the world a better place.


My Take on the Book
This true story tells the rescue of a young tiger cub named Rogue. He was found in an aquarium in a Spanish pet shop. Rogue was one of the fortunate tigers because the international wildlife charity Born Free and others make it their mission to assist wild animals held in captivity so they may live a life being wild, even if it is in a sanctuary.

Rogue was taken from the pet shop to a sanctuary in Kent, England to recover. He developed into a strong tiger but needing more room , he was transferred to a tiger sanctuary in Karnataka, India. There he had the climate he needed to live a good life.

Just to give you an idea how much care and love the wild animals had from the organizations like Born Free who tried to help them, one wild tiger Masti had to have a leg amputated and because he was truly a wild tiger and not one rescued from a zoo, circus, or pet shop, they had to build him a special enclosure which would give him access to free movement but keep him safe due to having only three legs. 

These rescue organizations are devoted to make sure that the world will always be able to see paw prints.

Beautiful photographs of the animals and the humans who help them.

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Book Review - Mommy, Baby, and Me

About the Book
A long time ago, it was just Mommy and me. 
We were very good friends. 
We did everything together. 
It was very nice. 
But then . . . things changed.

A dog's world is turned upside-down when his owner brings home a new baby. How will the pooch adjust to the noisy, smelly, mostly furless creature who is hogging all the attention?

• This humorous picture book story of a family dog's adjustment to the arrival of a new baby will appeal to young readers adjusting to new siblings themselves.
• Children will enjoy the story's unexpected voice: the first-person point-of-view of the dog.
• Exuberant, full-color, cartoon-style illustrations add to the fun.
• Hardcover picture book with dust jacket.
• 32 pages.
• 8-3/4 inches wide by 11-1/4 inches high.

Author Linda Elovitz Marshall recalls how her first dog reacted when she brought home her first baby -- her pooch was not exactly a happy camper. Luckily, dog and baby ended up becoming the best of friends. Linda lives with her husband on a farm in the Hudson River Valley.

Illustrator Ged Adamson grew up in Liverpool, England. As a boy, when he wasn't watching TV, he was drawing and doodling. And drawing dogs is something Ged does a lot. He drew the dog in this book as a corgi but Ged insists that it's not because the Queen of England has one, he just really likes corgis.




My Take on the Book
Linda Elovitz has written a delightful story for a young child. It will make the adult and child laugh, empathize with the dog, and want to reread this story often.It was easy to see that the author understood how the dog must have felt as a new baby intruded on his space and became the center of attraction.As the story progresses, you will enjoy watching the growth of the dog to become a friend to the baby and its protector.

Ged Adamson's illustrations are just as engaging as the story. He captures the feelings of all the characters.

You will enjoy the story and the illustrations.
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