CominCon Tron Legacy Trailer

OMG!!! Check out the ComicCon Trailer for Tron Legacy!!!



Hi, my name is Dottie, and I'm a TRON freak!!! Crap, release date November/December 2010!



Also a peek at the March 2010 release of Alice in Wonderland - squealing!

Contests Now, Contest Coming Soon!!

There some great contest going on in the blogosphere right now by some of my favorite bloggers!!

Cecile at All I Want And More is having an 101 post party. She's giving away a ton o' books. Contest ends 8-5-09, hurry, you don't want to miss it!!

A set of Kimber Chin's great books: Selling Forever, Breach of Trust, and Invisible.



Also she has Anya Bast's The Chosen Sin, Joey Hill's A Mermaid's Kiss, and Jennifer Hayworth's A Hint of Wicked! So many great books, so hard to choose. Go check it out!



Blanche at There's No Such Thing As Too Many Books is having her weekly giveaway, how long are these great giveaways going to go on you may ask? Don't know, but this one ends 7-31-09. Hurry over to Blanche's and enter.

Prize Pack #1



Prize Pack #2



Prize Pack #3



Anna at Anna's Book Blog is having a Magical Giveaway! Taste of Magic and Stroke of Magic - see, I told you it was a magical giveaway! Ends 7-31-09. Hurry over, great looking books!



Barbara at Happily Ever After is still taking entries for her Mega-Book giveaway, ends 8-3-09.

I mean, look at all these wonderful books!!



VampFanGirl at Lovin' Me Some Romance is having a contest for Dawn Halliday's Highland Obsession. Ends 7-31-09, hurry over and enter.



Lea at Closetwriter is pimping an up and coming contest!



Devyn Quinn - "Possession" - Daily Giveaway - Monday August 3th to Thursday August 6th...

This is one of Lea's most favorite authors, so be on the look out!

Also, our wonderful Lea was at Beth Kerry's Website yesterday and there's the best interview there. Go check it out, a chance to win one of Beth Kerry's books is up for grabs - Daring Time or Sweet Restraint. Wow!



Chris at Stumbling Over Chaos is having another contest too.

It's for How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holquist. Ends 8-6-09, go enter!



Looks great!

Well, I think that all for now, lots going on, go check it out!

Recap of True Blood Season 2, Episodes 1 - 6

Hi Everyone out in the Blogosphere!!



I'm doing a True Blood recap of the first six episodes. This is an amazing series that HBO is showing, I'm loving it as much this season as last, maybe more!

Season 2, Episode 1

As the season opens, the false voodoo shaman who stole the demons from Tara and her mother (she'll really a cashier at one of the local drugstores), is found dead in the backseat of Andy Bellefleur's car.

Eric and Pam are avenging the death of one of their own and those who sell 'V' to humans for an instant high. Lafayette is being being held in the basement of Fangtasia along with several other captives who are slowly being executed one by one.

Sookie meets Jessica, Bill's first and only turned human in his long existence. Sookie give Jason her inheritance from pervert, Uncle Bartlett who has meets his end at Bill's hands, and Jason uses it to join The Fellowship of the Sun.



Season 2, Episode 2

Lafayette gets a new cell mate, they're the only two left of the six captives that Eric and Pam have imprisoned. When his new cell mate tries to kill Eric, he meets his own death. But he leaves an opening for Lafayette to free himself. When Lafayette gains his freedom, it is only to be shot by the vampire wanna be waitress, Ginger, who guards Fangtasia has the vampires lose their lives to the sun.

Sookie feels sorry for Jessica and takes her to see her family home, but instead of just looking, Jessica jumps from the car and rushes into the house. Her father confronts her and threatens her. This brings out the vampire in Jessica. Bill rushes to the house and saves the day, glamoring her family.

Sookie sees Bill for the first time as the vampire he can be, and it scares her, especially when he screams at her, she really doesn't need this crap.

Jason is becoming more immersed in The Fellowship of the Sun, he sees it as his salvation for his past indiscretions using 'V' and the death of his girlfriend.



Season 2, Episode 3

This episodes open with Bill and Sookie fighting, Jessica crying. Sookie leaps from the car, determined to walk back to Bon Temps. As she is walking, she is attacked by an unknown monster and poisoned, a monster with the body of a human and the head of a bull. Bill, hearing her screams, rushes to her side and tries to save her with his awesome vampire blood, but it has the opposite effects, making her sicker. He speeds to Fangtasia, demanding Eric save her.

Eric brings in a dwarfian doctor who is able to remove the poisonous bards to allow Sookie to be healed with Bill's blood, although Eric offers his blood. Eric would like nothing better than to gain some control over Sookie. Eric also sends Pam out to find this monster, but the vampires can't figure out what or who the attacker is.

When Sookie wakes the next morning, she runs into Ginger, reading her mind on accident, and discovering Lafayette is being held as a prisoner. Sookie demands his release, and gains it by agreeing to help Eric. Eric needs the mind reading abilities for a trip to Dallas.

Jason is not fitting in well with his classmates, but church founders, Steve and Sarah are quite taken him with.



Season 2, Episode 4

As this episode opens, Sookie, Bill, and Jessica have arrived in Dallas at Eric's request to help search for Godric, his maker and the Sheriff of Dallas. Godric's vampires really don't want or need Eric and his vampires help, especially that of Bill's human. Eric also visits Lafayette in Bon Temps offering allow Lafayette to drink his blood to cure the infection from the gun shot wound, Lafayette releases that Eric wants something, but no sure what, and does he really have a choice?

Steve takes Jason a step further into The Fellowship of the Sun, preparing him to hunt and kill vampires. Steve talks a big game, but has as yet to get his hands truly dirty. He likes to let others do his dirty work for him, the colors of a true leadership?

Sookie invites Tara to live with her, helping her to leave the grip of MaryAnn and Tara agrees, but MaryAnn doesn't plan to let Tara go so easily.



Season 2, Episode 5

Eric, Bill, and Sookie confront the Dallas vampires. They have a trader inside their organization somewhere, with the attack at the airport, there can be no doubt.

Sookie devices a plan to infiltrate The Fellowship of the Sun. She going to join their cult to try to determine if and where Godric is being held. The Dallas vampires just want to go in and destroy the church, but calmer heads prevail at this time, and they decide to give Sookie's plan a try.

Jessica try to 'order' of the vampire hotel's menu. Young, blood type B, and male is what she looking for. Bill nicks the meal, asking Sookie where she was. It's not safe for vampire or humans in Dallas, he cautions her. Sookie has news of her own. Barry the Bellboy is a telepath with some of her abilities. She never met another telepath and what's get to know him. But Barry is frightened by Sookie, the vampires that bring peace to his mind, and especially Sookie's need to seek him out. Barry quits his job at the hotel and hides.

In Bon Temps, MaryAnn is ruling the roost at Sookie's, keeping Tara depended upon her for happiness. Sam finds out Daphne is a shapeshifter.



Season 2, Episode 6

As this episodes opens, Bill's maker, Lorena, has returned by Eric's request to try to make Bill return to her. Eric wants to gain control over Sookie. Eric convinces her to try to reclaim Bill. Since Bill carries Lorena blood, he can hardly refuse her advances. Back in Bon Temps, Sam and Daphne are getting physical, but he as yet doesn't know her true purpose.

Jason has been fighting off advances from Sarah, she's lonely because her husband,Steve, is ignoring her as he become more and more convinced that they must destroy as many vampires as possible, she tried of it. The Fellowship of the Sun is preparing to bring a vampire to 'meet the sun' (Godric - Eric's maker). Jason is again confronted by Laura, but this time she says God wants them to be together, and they are. She also wants to tell her husband immediately afterward, sure to have his attention now.

Sookie is set to infiltrate The Fellowship of the Sun, but instead she is captured and put in the basement with the starving vampire at Jason's church. As of yet, Jason has no idea that Sookie is being held in the basement of the church he has been helping.

Daphne brings Sam to MaryAnn as a sacrifice, who in actuality is the monster with a human body and bull head that attacked Sookie. MaryAnn has also been controlling all those around her. She is demented, existing off the pain/pleasure she brings to others.



There much more action squeezed into the hour that the show is broadcast. This show has leaped pretty far from the books, but I think the books serve as a basis for the show while expanding and exploring new aspects. At first, when I realized that the show wasn't following the books, I was a little upset, being the Sookie purist that I am. But, it's very good and the characters are refreshing.

Some of the amazing cast of True Blood.

(Stephen Moyer as Bill Compton, Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse)

(Alex Skarsgard as Eric Northman)

(the cast poster)

(the Newlins - Steve and Sarah - [Michael McMillian and Anna Camp] - wanna visit their website - click here, they took over the church when Steve's father, Rev. Theodore Newlin, was tragically killed in a car accident)

I picked this up from SciFiGuy and Loving True Blood in Dallas. Video clip offered at Comic Con, I wished I could have gone!!





I enjoyed this video clip, True Blood fan that I am! Stephen Moyer has the sexiest accent, I love it! Alexander Skarsgard too! Hell, I even think Anna Paquin has a sexy accent!

Undead and Unwelcome ~ Book Eight in the Queen Betsy Series by MaryJanice Davidson

Publisher: The Berkley Publishing Group/Penguin Group
Pages: 282

(US Cover Release Date: June 2, 2009)

From the Cover: Betsy Taylor has problems that only a vampire queen/suburban wife could possibly understand. Such as taking the body of her werewolf friend Antonia who died in her service to Cape Cod, where she's not sure if the Wyndham werewolves will welcome her with fangs or friendship. Meanwhile, her posse back in St. Paul is sending frantic e-mails alerting Betsy to her half-sister's increasingly erratic behavior. Looks like the devil's daughter is coming into her own and raising hell.

(UK Cover Edition)

(I had to show both covers because I think I'm partial to the UK cover, more like the old cover art.)

Queen Betsy has the ominous task of bring Antonia Wolfton back home to Cape Cod to the Wyndham werewolf pack. Betsy already feels terrible, Antonia took a bullet to the head trying to save Betsy's life. Soon after, Antonia's vampire lover committed suicide by pitching himself onto a wooden fence, effectively staking himself. He couldn't live in a world without Antonia. If Betsy isn't feeling guilty enough, her half-brother, BabyJon, is under her guardianship after she accidentally wishing his parents to death. Betsy, Sinclair (her King husband), Jessica (best friend), and BabyJon leave for Cape Cod with Antonia in tow. It's been a really bad week for Betsy.

The Wyndham wolf pack is waiting somberly for the return of the fallen wolf, Antonia, who the entire pack was afraid of and who was the outcast of the pack with her inability to change into wolf form. Little did they know that Betsy had, again accidentally, fixed that particular defect in the slain wolf. Although they may not have wanted Antonia within the pack, they're not pleased with her death in the service to the vampire Queen.

While Betsy is in Cape Cod doing her duty to the Wyndham wolf pack, her half-sister, Laura, the spawn of the Satan (Satan had been inhabiting Laura's mother at the time of her conception and birth) has gone ever so slightly off her rocker back home in St. Paul. She's imprisoned Tina (Sinclair's maker and minion), killing wayward vampires, and reeking general havoc in Marc's life (room mate to all the said people above). And he's constantly emailing Betsy TCHRN ASAP - only she doesn't understand cyber-eese and has no idea what's going on. Will the werewolves eat Betsy or just shred her into bits? Will BabyJon ever let anyone else hold him? Will Laura kill all of Betsy's vampires in her Queendom? Will Satan finally win?

Undead and Unwelcome by MaryJanice Davidson is the continuing story of Queen Betsy Taylor Sinclair, Queen of the Undead. She's new to vampirism, only having been undead for three years. And yet somehow, she is the the prophesied Queen of the vampires. She's a narcissistic expensive shoe loving vampire who really would prefer not to be Queen. Betsy is a heroine with attitude, the only problem is that she doesn't know what the heck she's doing most of the time, and it only gets her into more trouble. Her husband, Eric Sinclair, is the strong silent type of hero, that is until someone messes with his queen and wife. Then he's very not silent. With or without his silent attitude, his very presence demands everyone's attention. From his hot body or the power he exudes, he's a force to do reckon with.

I have to say that MaryJanice Davidson is one of my favorite authors and I've been trying unsuccessfully to avoid all the reviews available for this book. I found this book to be fun and entertaining. It was a little jarring at first to have two plots going on at the same time and maybe this book should have been billed as Laura's story, but it really was split between what was happening in Cape Cod and St. Paul, a little confusing at times, but after the first couple of plot switches, I had no trouble following the change of pace. I really enjoyed MJD's "The Story So Far" where she catches the readers up on what has happened to this point in Betsy's story. I do like the old cover art for this series better than the new covers. With the last book, MJD said she wanted to take the series in a new direction, hence the new covers, but I enjoyed the direction that the series was going in and the old covers as well. Some have said that this book was darker than the others in this series. I agree it was a little darker, but still fun and wild. I think I was looking for something like the earlier part of the series, but maybe this is the new direction the MJD wants to take the series in. I laughed with Betsy's misadventures, her uncouthness, and her ability to see passed all the crap and tell it like it is. I can happily recommend this book for lovers of the series, starting with this book as a first read might be a little confusing, and it was well through the time it took to read. This was shorter book than I thought it would be and I read it quickly in one sitting. Another fun beach read. MJD also has a novella in Faeries Gone Wild, not in the Queen Betsy Series, released the same day as Undead and Unwelcome, and I will be reviewing it soon. For more information about all of MJD's fun and wild books, please visit her website and her blog.

A Circle of Souls (ARE) by Preetham Grandhi

Publisher: Sweetwater Book Publication / Cedar Fort
Pages: 339

(Released Date: June 2009)
(all images and blurb from http://www.acircleofsouls.com/)

From the Cover: The sleepy town of Newbury, Connecticut, is shocked when a little girl is found brutally murdered. The town’s top detective, perplexed by a complete lack of leads, calls in FBI agent Leia Bines, an expert in cases involving children.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Gram, a psychiatrist at Newbury’s hospital, searches desperately for the cause of seven-year-old Naya Hastings’s devastating nightmares. Afraid that she might hurt herself in the midst of a torturous episode, Naya’s parents have turned to the bright young doctor as their only hope.

The situations confronting Leia and Peter converge when Naya begins drawing chilling images of murder after being bombarded by the disturbing images in her dreams. Amazingly, her sketches are the only clues to the crime that has panicked Newbury residents. Against her better judgment, Leia explores the clues in Naya’s crude drawings, only to set off an alarming chain of events.

In this stunning psychological thriller, innocence gives way to evil, and trust lies forgotten in a web of deceit, fear, and murder.

Dr. Peter Gram is just another one of the psychiatric fellows at Strauss I Child Psychiatric Unit at the Newbury Hospital, but his newest patient has him baffled. Why would a seemingly happy seven year old little girl want to jump off of a second floor balcony? Naya Hasting presents with exactly this description. Confusion reigns through his young doctor's mind and training.

Jose Rodriguez is the top cop in the small suburban area of Newbury. He can't believe what has happened in his sleepy little community. Who would what to kill and dismember a small child? The very thought of such a killer in their mysts sickens him beyond his possible belief. He has sworn to protect this community, and now he can't even imagine how. Beautiful and sweet, ten year old Janet Troy has suddenly meant that very fate.

Leia Bines, special agent with the FBI, is the agent called when things go very bad, and they don't get much worse than what has happened in Newbury, CT. Janet Troy went missing 10 days previous to her call to cut short her vacation and, upon her arrival, she is informed that a young girl's body has been found, matching her description. What she hasn't been told is the condition in which she is found. Could it be a serial killer is loose, reeking havoc upon the parents and children of this suburban community?

A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi is a gripping psychological thriller combined with Eastern Mysticism that grabs your attention, making the re-evaluation of various legends, lore, and myths a possibility. Our story begins with Janet Troy who knows she should go straight home from school, but can't resist the temptation to explore, but her need to investigate leads to her ultimate death at the hands of a madman. Young Naya Hastings is an adopted daughter of a well to do happy family. All of her desires and needs are being meant. Yet, she has incredible nightmares that almost lead to leaping from a balcony, how can this be reconciled? It's up to Dr. Gram to fit these puzzling pieces together. With the help of Special Agent Bines, that's exactly what he does. With the help of Naya's Indian relatives, he is able to piece the story together with the past, the present, and the future. It leads him on an incredible journey that starts in 1967, on the date of his birth. How the events come together and the complete the story are fantastical and paranormal. Even though it goes against everything he believes, he comes to understand that there are things beyond explanation that happen in our lives.

A Circle of Souls is a story that leads the reader toward their greatest fear and every parent's worse nightmare, the loss of a child, especially to the fate that exists in this story. It is gripping, hair raising, and wonderfully told. The title of the this book, A Circle of Souls, aptly describes what happens within the pages, as one souls existence leads to another, a destiny continued. The cover art used describes the feelings and emotions conjured in the story, as well as location. This is the first book by this young author, but I have a feeling it will not be his last. I enjoyed the paranormal aspects of this novel and the ability of this author to create the need to believe in the unbelievable. This was a very quick read, it only took this reader just a few hours from cover to cover; I didn't want to let the story go. I was left with the desire to learn more about Naya and Dr. Gram, to see where their futures lead. To find out more information at Preetham Grandhi and his future books, please visit his website at http://www.acircleofsouls.com/. I received this book as a request for review, and I will gladly read what this author produces in the future. This reader was left with the feeling a grateful satisfaction.

Blood of My Blood by Dottie Taylor ~ Deadline Dames Entry

I clung to the shadows, watching every movement. The moment of arrival was growing near. I overheard the whispering and wondering of the crowd that surrounded me.

“He is to arrive today?” One wondering voice spoke at the edge of the crowd, someone I didn’t know or had any desire to know, cattle. There was an ominous excitement in the air.

Still I watched, unable to leave, drawn to the happening even against my will, strong as it was. Had time changed his appearance? Would he still feel my very presence after all these years?

I turned at the approaching sound, the quickening of my heart as it pounded out a static note. Still hidden by the silhouettes, I felt the coming dread and despaired. I felt his essence in the air even though he was as yet unseen.

Finally, there! I sunk deeper in the friendly shadows, concealed as I was from his view. But I knew he had felt my being, much as I had felt his. His piercing vision seeking out the gray areas, already hunting me out of the dimness.

I pushed harder, falling further back against the windows, the night sky seeming to reflect my internal torment. The mortals knew not what they were welcoming into this place. The thing that made my nightmares come to life. A glance out from the darkness to catch a glimpse as he passed by, a knowing smile broadening across his smooth features.

My maker has come home.

New at Samhain

“Into the Lair” by Maya Banks

Genre: Red Hots!, Paranormal Roman
Length: 280 Pages
Publication Date: July 07, 2009
Cover art by Anne Cain

Falcon Mercenary Group Book 2

It was supposed to be an easy mission. But nobody told her that.

Ian and Braden Thomas return to the U.S. to extract Katie Buchanan, the sister of the teammate who betrayed them. She could very well be the key to taking down the man responsible for turning Ian and Braden into unstable cat shifters. Unfortunately, they’re not the only ones after Katie.

Katie has no intention of going quietly or of offering her trust on a silver platter. She’s got troubles of her own that don’t include two pain-in-the-ass men who claim her dead brother sent them. She’s too busy trying to stay one step ahead of Ricardo de la Cruz, the brother of a man she killed.

As the bodies pile up, Ian and Braden are only sure of one thing: Katie makes them crazy. Something about her calls to their inner predator. They both want her, but she’s made a practice of making bad decisions and trusting the wrong men. And by the time she realizes that she can trust these two warriors, it might just be too late.

Falcon Mercenary Group Book 2, a sequel to Into the Mist

Warning: Blood, gray matter, guts and gore. Ass kicking, potty mouths, acerbic wit. More mean people, mean people dying, mean people getting what they deserve. Sex…explicit sex, rough sex, ménage a trois, voyeurism, light bondage. Oh, and avalanches.

I love the last little bit...Oh, and avalanches.

I was over at Amy's Romance Book Wyrm and she was talking about Samhain's books, went over to check it out and this description is wild. I love whoever write their synopsis' and warnings!

Contests Abound!!

Barbara at Happily Forever After is having a fantastic contest!!

Mega books up for grabs! Contest ends 7-31-09!





Blanche at There No Such Thing As Too Many Books is having new weekly contest.

Two great books in the giveaway! Ends 7-24-09! Hurry to enter!






Anya Bast at The Bradford Bunch is looking for a story about aliens.

Swag giveaway!! No end date listed, so hurry over to enter!!




Great giveaways all over the blogoshpere!! Check out SciFiGuy, Vampire Wire, Jocelynn Drake, Fantastic Book Review (a contest haven!), One Persons Journey Through Books, Amberkatz, Reviews by Jess, The Book Butterfly, Traveling With Teen YA Blog (more than one contest), Shooting Stars Mag, Bloody Bookaholic, Alaine - Queen of Happy Endings (several contests), Suzanne McLeod Spellcracker.com Contest, The Reading Room, Rachel Vincent's Blog, and Drey's Library (several contests).

Fairy Hunters, Ink by Sheila Dane

Publisher: LuLu
Pages: 105

[A Book Of Fairies For Children And (Not So) Grown Ups]

Fairy Hunters, Ink by Sheila Dane is about the adventures of Ashley, Big Rabbit, Turtle and our narrator who occupies quite a bit of the ever precocious Ashley's time. The narrator at one time calls herself an almost Sorceress, but that may have to do with her ability to keep Ashley entertained. In this lovely book, we meet many fairies of all persuasions, as well as a gremlin or two. You see, Fairy Hunters are just what the name intends, finders of fairies. Ashley and her cohorts seem to find them everywhere, but you have to look very hard and sometimes a very long time to discovers the wonders of fairydom. In this wistful fantasy book, we meet many types of fairies who all are very particular and can be very mischievous. A few of the fairies we meet are:

Button Fairies - who like to sneak loose buttons
Basket Fairies - who live in baskets and are very shy
Pocket Fairies - who live in pocket and can look quite a mess with pocket fuzz
Teacup Fairies - who don't actually live in teacups, fear of being swallowed
Blue Bottle Fairies - who mostly just like to look at their reflections
Soup Ladle Fairies - who love to slide around in ladles
Chimney Fairies - who live in and look like soot
Fire Fairies - who play Dodge ball with fire balls, and they want to be hit
Attic Fairies - who may be mistaken for dust bunnies

There are more fairies to be found between the pages and a couple of gremlins too who like nothing better than to change your plans for the day. Sneaky little buggers that can make you think that it's all your idea and all the while whispering in your ear.

Fairy Hunters, Ink by Sheila Dane is a large book filled with wonderful illustrations of fairy imaginings. It reminds the reader of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland as well as other fairy tales found in children's literature. It would be a perfect way to spend time with young children, beautifully colorful pictures to keep their attention that flows together nicely with whimsical tales of fairies, a rather large rabbit who enjoys a good carrot, and turtle who happens to be very slow, but very kind. Imagine portraying these sweet characters for those too young to read, awaking their imaginations to the world of fantasy. What a great way to spend the lazy days of summer when it's too hot to head outside or a blizzardity winter afternoon. This book could very well fall into the category of YA fantasy as well.

Here's a peek at some of the beautiful artwork found within the book:

(Attic Fairies)

(Blue Bottle Fairies)

For more information, please see Ms. Dane's website.

I received this book as a request for review, my review can also be found on Amazon where it can also be purchased.

The Inconvenient Adventures of Uncle Chestnut by Paul Nowak

Publisher: Eternal Revolution
Pages: 64

From the Cover: With Uncle Chestnut, the ordinary becomes extraordinary and every day is an adventure - whether you are chasing hats, babysitting, or just taking a day trip to the seaside. These humorous short stories of Uncle Chestnut introduce timeless truths and a refreshing perspective of the world, based on the life and works of G.K. Chesterton.

Told through the eyes of his fictional nephew Jack, The Inconvenient Adventures of Uncle Chestnut introduces readers young and old to the writings of G.K. Chesterton, the British author whose prolific writing inspired C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Alfred Hitchcock, and others.

There are several endearing tales told from the perspective of young Jack throughout this collection of shorts. There's The Runaway Hat - Jack chases down Uncle Chestnut's wayward hat on a blustery day, The Boy Who Wanted To See Gaint - fable of the boy whose mountain is protected by giants, but you can only see them when looking back, A Trip To The Seaside - adventures of the wrong train and wrong shore, and The Easy Job - never think a job is easy until after you've tried on their shoes and walked around in them.

The Inconvenient Adventures of Uncle Chestnut by Paul Nowak was a quick little read that reminded me of Christopher Robin and his many adventures with Winne the Pooh and the morals offer in Aesop's Fables. It was fun and quite enjoyable. Jack is an adventurous young man who's parents travel from place to place, and while Jack accompanies them as much as possible, Uncle Chestnut is called into the service time and time again. Uncle Chestnut always has a tale ready to be told to entertain the young Jack and his friend, Christie, who appears to be quite the know it all. While Jack is home schooled, Christie attends public schools and is influence greatly by the teachers and peers. Although this book was billed as a children's book, I would recommend this as adult reading time with children. An excellent way to explore the tales and gain time with the young ones, it could also be considered YA. Paul Nowak can be visited at his website.

This little book has a wonderful glossary of terms used in the back as well as some pretty cute quotes from Uncle Chestnut who is in actuality G. K. Chesterson who was renown English writer from the 19th and early 20th century, but undated somewhat for the palette of new readers. He was a philosopher and writer who not only was published in newspapers, but was the author of several works of fiction as well.



I received my copy as a request for review.

Two Movie Reviews of All Time Favorites Celebration Man's First Step On The Moon

In commemoration of Man's first step on the Moon, I took in a couple of favorite movies.

The Right Stuff is one of my all time favorites. Not only because, it was one of the first movies showing the hardship that the early astronauts had to endure and not only because it shows the trials and tribulations of the space program, but because it shows the love story between John Glenn and Annie Glenn. John Glenn won't let anyone tell him how to live or force him into a pre-determined mold, and for that, he is one of my heroes, and Annie Glenn, for her need for privacy, out of fear for her disability and embarrassing her hero husband, refused many interviews with some of the most famous and powerful people of the time, making her one of my heroines, not because of her fear, but because she stuck to her guns and no meant no. I have seen interviews with Annie Glenn, and I was mighty impressed. Excellent film with actual footage.

Race to Space is another favorite, focusing more on the space program, the initial start of the program with Dr. Wilhelm von Huber and his son. This movie isn't as factual as The Right Stuff, but it does give us insight into the hardships the young Wilhelm faced at school, being called a Nazi and at home with the loss of his mother, the struggles that occur. It also gives us insight in the Chimps in Space program that was used to prepare the space program to put a man into space. Excellent family film.


The Right Stuff
Release Date: October 21, 1983
Starring: Scott Glenn, Ed Harris, Dennis Quaid, Sam Shepard, Fred Ward
Genre: Action/Adventure/Drama






Race to Space
release date: March 15,2002
Starring: James Wood, Alex D. Linz, Annabeth Gish
Genre: Drama/Family





Man's First Step on the Lunar Surface

Neil Armstrong was the first man in our history to walk on the moon, July 20, 1969.

(Neil Armstrong)

(Lunar Lander)

It was an incredible time in our history. The US and Russia were in a tight space race, each taking unheard of chances. Many uncounted and unknown test pilots gave their lives for the progress of the space program. They will never reap the accolades or benefits of fame and notoriety. Without their sacrifices, the sound barrier would not have been broken, speeds to leave the atmosphere would not have occurred.






Buzz Aldrin's was the second man to step on the Moon, while Michael Collins remained on board the Command Module, orbiting the Moon.

(Buzz Aldrin)

(Michael Collins)

(Command Module)

(Headlines from the Launch)

Cool Calendar In The Mail Today!

Hi Everyone!

Today in the mail, I received a cool calendar! Now, I don't often make a big deal about a calendar, but this one cracked me up! It's being released in celebration of and companion to Marc L. Paulsen's book, Dump Your Trainer, available on Amazon here.



The calendar is titled The Lighter Side of Trainers, and it's too funny. It you have a chance, check out Marc L. Paulsen's new book, Dump Your Trainer, it looks too funny as well as educational!

Here's a peek inside the calendar.








(calendar images can be found at www.shawnsportfolio.com/testimonials.html)