Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Blog Tour Review: It Came From the 70’s: from The Godfather to Apocalypse Now by Connie Corcoran Wilson



Title: It Came From the 70's: From the Godfather to Apocalypese Now
Author: Connie Corcoran Wilson

Publisher: Quad City Press

Release Date: August 25, 2010

Pages: 268 pages

Genre: Reference, Movies

Format: Paperback

Source: For Review



Book Description

It Came From the '70s is the book movie lovers old and new have been searching for. The 1970s represented a fertile decade that produced such films as: Alien, Dirty Harry, Apocalypse Now, The Exorcist, Chinatown, The French Connection, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Godfather (Parts I and II), Star Wars, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and many, many more. Featured in these pages are over 75 photos, major casts, a multitude of reviews, "Best of/Worst of" lists, and trivia for both the film buff and the uninitiated. It Came From the '70s is a slice of film history, painstakingly documented by noted author and journalist Connie Corcoran Wilson. The original reviews found here could not be replicated today. Consider them tiny time capsules capturing the zeitgeist of a decade.



My Review:

What a wonderful book – it probably doesn’t hurt that I grew up when most of these movies were coming out. The winners : The French Connection (I remember being at the drive-in, yes the drive in and the double feature was Around the World in 80 Days and The French Connection – the opening scene has some cussing in it and my younger brother said “The must be a ‘grown-up’ movie and then he rolled over and fell asleep in the back of the station wagon.



She has a great way of using her original reviews, but gives some trivia tidbits. It is a great book for any movie buff that wants to learn more about those 70’s movies.


Friday, July 15, 2011

Freebie Friday - Temptation by Jude Deverax (ends 7/22)




Temperance O'Neil is a women's rights activist in New York City at the turn of the 20th century. At the age of 29, she had given little thought, time, or attention to her love life and thrown all of her energy into helping the city's poor and downtrodden women. But when Temperance's widowed mother shows up with her new husband, Angus McCairn, everything changes. Angus has control over the O'Neil money and uses it to force Temperance to move to Scotland, where he's determined to make a "proper" lady of her. This results in a brief but amusing battle of wills that culminates in a blackmail deal: If Temperance can make Angus's nephew, James, take a wife within the next six months, then she can have her money and her house back.

Hope you will be a follower to enter.

Monday, July 11, 2011

What Are You Reading Monday? #28





Books I completed in the last week are:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)
Thanksgiving on Thursday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #27) (Summer Reading w/ nephew)


Bookmarks are still living in the middle of:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)

The Summer We Came to Life by Deborah Cloyed (for review)
It Came From the 70’s: from The Godfather to Apocalypse Now by Connie Corcoran Wilson
High Tide in Hawaii by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #28) (Summer Reading w/ nephew)


Up Next:
Megasaurus by Thomas and Peter Weck (for review)
Steamed by Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant (Loan – SIL)
The Diva Paints the Town by Krista Davis (Loan – SIL)
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark
The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham


Reviews posted this week:
I am still way behind in posting my reviews am trying to get them up asap.
Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Dustin Hoffman)
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Ted Danson)

Author Guest Posts/Interviews:
Blog Tour Review: It Came From the 70’s: from The Godfather to Apocalypse Now by Connie Corcoran Wilson (July 20)
Blog Tour Guest Blog: It Came From the 70’s: from The Godfather to Apocalypse Now by Connie Corcoran Wilson (July 21)
Blog Tour Guest Post - The House on Blackstone Moor by Carole Gill (July 25)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Abyss of Chaos by David Beem (August 31)


September is Author Month – Interview A Day/Guest Blog
Author Interview - The Magical King by Lev Grossman (September 1)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Pleating for Mercy by Misa Ramirez (Entangled Publishing) (September 1)
Author Interview - Dr. Elana Ashley (Dream Image Press, LLC) (September 6)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Blue Skies Tomorrow by Sarah Sundin (September 7)
Author Interview/Giveaway - A Quilt Shop Murder by Vanetta Chapman (September 16)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Lucky Girl by Cate Lord (Entangled Publishing) (September 17)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Stone Cold Seduction by Jess McAllen (Entangled Publishing) (September 18)
Author Interview/Giveaway - The Last Rising by Rachel Firasek (Entangled Publishing) (September 19)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Out in Blue by Sarah Gilman (Entangled Publishing) (September 20)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Thrill Me by Lucianne River (Entangled Publishing) (September 21)
Author Inteview/Giveaway - Blood of the Deamon by Rosalie Lario (Entangled Publishing) (September 22)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Break Out by Nina Croft (Entangled Publishing) (September 23)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Resurrection by Boon Bruz (Entangled Publishing) (September 24)
Author Interview/Giveaway - The Marked Son by Shea Berkley (Entangled Publishing) (September 25)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Ward Against Death by Melanie Card (September 26)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Luck of the Devil by Patricia Eimer (Entangled Publishing) (September 27)
Author Interview/Giveaway - The "What If" Guy by Brooke Moss (Entangled Publishing) (September 28)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Paradise 21 by Aubrie Dionne (Entangled Publishing) (September 29)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Mark of the Sylph by Rosalie Lario (Entangled Publishing) (September 30)
Author Interview - One Wish for Winifred Witch by Cheri Hallwood (TBD)
Author Interview/Giveaway - The Wedding Letters by Jason F Wright (Shadow Mountain Publishing) (TBD)
*Author Interview/Giveaway? – Gobble, Gobble by Cathryn Falwell (TBD)

December is Author Month – Interview/Guest Blog A Day
Author Interview/Giveaway - Shadowlander by Theresa Meyer (Entangled Publishing) (December 1)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Hushed by Kelly York (Entangled Publishing) (December 2)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Kiss Me, Kill Me by Lucianne River (Entangled Publishing) (December 3)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Shadow On The Wall by Pavarti Devi (December 3)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Under the Moon by Natalie Damschroder (Entangled Publishing) (December 4)
Author Interview/Giveaway - North of Need by Laura Kaye (Entangled Publishing) (December 5)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Girl Three by Tracy March (Entangled Publishing) (December 6)
Author Interview/Giveaway - The Last Beginning by Rachel Firasek (Entangled Publishing) (December 7)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Touch by Jus Accardo (Entangled Publishing) (December 8)
Author Interview/Giveaway - The Fallen Queen by Jane Kindred (Entangled Publishing) (December 9)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Hellsbane by Paige Cuccaro (Entangled Publishing) (December 10)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Busted in Bollywood by Nichola March (Entangled Publishing) (December 11)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Bittersweet Blood by Nina Croft (Entangled Publishing) (December 12)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Night Series #2 by Lisa Kessler (Entangled Publishing) (December 13)
Author Interview/Giveaway - ???? By Inara Scott (Entangled Publishing) (December 14)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Jacob T Marley by R. William Bennet (Shadow Mountain Publishing) (TBD)

Special Blog Hop Giveaways
Celebrating Freedom Hop (July 1 – 7)
Summer Hop (August 5 -7)
Back to School Hop (September 1 – 5)
Banned Book Week Hop (September 24 – October 1)
Spooktacular Hop (October 24 – 31)
Gratitude Giveaways (November 17 – 27)
Midwinters Eve (December 21 – 22)

Books still needing to have reviews written (as opposed to the ones that are simply awaiting posting):
Return to Sender by Fern Michaels (audio)
Good Morning, Gorillas by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #26)
Stage Fright on a Summer Night by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #25)
Wrecked by Carol Higgins Clark (Library – Audio)
I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Fern Michaels (Library book)
Is the Moon Made of Cheese? by Emma Parker (ebook)
This Time Together by Carol Burnett (Library - audio)
Abraham Lincoln by David and Patricia Armentrout (Library)
Frog Knows Best by Kelli C Foster (Library)
Valentine Mice by Bethany Roberts (Library)
Honor Thyself by Danielle Steel (Library - Audio)
Earthquake In The Early Morning by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #24)
Twister on Tuesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #23)
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks (Library - Audio)
Happily Ever After by Nora Roberts (Quartet Brides #4) (Loan – SIL)
Revolutionary War On Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #22)
Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Gertrude McFuzz by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
The Big Brag by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Mercedes McCambridge)
Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Billy Crystal)
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
The Cat In The Hat by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
The Grinch That Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Walter Matheau)
Daisy, Maisey and Lazy by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Not So Scarey Scarecrow by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Moovers and the Milkshakers by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Butterfly Race by Emma Parker (ebook)
Teddy Is Real I Think by Emma Parker (ebook)


Giveaways on the blog this week and in coming weeks:
Against the Odds by Kathryn Shay (ends 7/15)
Wyoming by Fuller Giveaway (ends 7/17) in honor of Wyoming Statehood
A Mind to Murder by P. D. James (ends 7/22)
Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton (ends 7/29)
Life's Not Fair, But God is Good by Robert H. Schuller (ends 8/5)
My Fair Temptress by Christina Dodd (ends 8/12)

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Wyoming Statehood Giveaway (ends 7/17)



1838. The first wagon train to Oregon country moves slowly across the Great Plains, reaching the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in early autumn. Led by wagon scout 'Whip' Holt, the five-hundred-strong community of courageous men, women, and children prepare for the bitter winter ahead. Among them are dreamers and drifters, foreigners and natives, friends and enemies. But it is a pair of strong-willed women who are Whip's most unexpected allies: the outspoken Cathy van Ayl, widowed and alone at twenty-four, and the beautiful half-Arapaho, half-Cherokee La-ena, who was once Whip's mistress. Before these brave pioneers lie endless miles of hardship and danger, treachery and death. Beneath their struggle for survival lie hidden rivalries, unspoken secrets, and burning jealousies that threaten to consume them all. But in their hearts beats the dream of a new beginning in a promised land - the unstoppable dream of America itself.


Saturday, July 9, 2011

Book Review: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (audio)


Title: The Lorax
Author: Dr. Seuss (Read by Ted Danson)
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 978-0007173112
Release Date: January 5th 2004
Pages: 72 (25 mins)
Genre: Children’s
Format: Audio
Source: Library

Goodreads Review:
When Dr. Seuss gets serious, you know it must be important. Published in 1971, and perhaps inspired by the "save our planet" mindset of the 1960s, The Lorax is an ecological warning that still rings true today amidst the dangers of clear-cutting, pollution, and disregard for the earth's environment. In The Lorax, we find what we've come to expect from the illustrious doctor: brilliantly whimsical rhymes, delightfully original creatures, and weirdly undulating illustrations. But here there is also something more--a powerful message that Seuss implores both adults and children to heed. Now, in this special gift box, Dr. Seuss's crotchety, tree-loving Lorax emerges as a hand puppet! "He's shortish. And oldish ... And brownish. And mossy ... And he spoke with a voice ... that was sharpish and bossy." Each butterscotch-colored eight-inch Lorax puppet--made of entirely unnatural plush polyester fiber--isn't your usual hand puppet: Little hands must grip the pillowy top fixed inside the head to make the puppet come to life, which limits his motion to nodding wistfully (as the Lorax is wont to do) and bobbing meaningfully. Each puppet comes with a perfect miniature facsimile edition of The Lorax all packaged in a sturdy, earth-friendly box made out of recyclable corrugated paper. Save the Truffula Trees, Swomee-Swans, Brown Bar-ba-loots, and Humming-Fishes!

My Review:
What a wonderful rhyming story that does have to do with some ecology, but it’s more about the illiterations and that capture you. Although this was an audio book the word tell a story where pictures can be seen.

Book Review: Horton Hears A Who by Dr. Seuss (Audio)


Title: Horton Hears A Who
Author: Dr Seuss (Read by Dustin Hoffman)
Publisher: Random House Books
ISBN: 9780394900780
Release Date: September 12th 1962
Pages: 64 (20 mins)
Genre: Children’s
Format: Audio
Source: Library

Goodreads Review:
Surely among the most lovable of all Dr. Seuss creations, Horton the Elephant represents kindness, trustworthiness, and perseverance--all wrapped up, thank goodness, in a comical and even absurd package. Horton hears a cry for help from a speck of dust, and spends much of the book trying to protect the infinitesimal creatures who live on it from the derision and trickery of other animals, who think their elephant friend has gone quite nutty. But worse is in store: an eagle carries away the clover in which Horton has placed the life-bearing speck, and "let that small clover drop somewhere inside / of a great patch of clovers a hundred miles wide!" Horton wins in the end, after persuading the "Who's" to make as much noise as possible and prove their existence. This classic is not only fun, but a great way to introduce thoughtful children to essentially philosophical questions. How, after all, are we so sure there aren't invisible civilizations floating by on every mote?

My Review:
What a wonderful story of perseverance. Horton must save the small creatures (Who’s) on a dust bunny, but no one believes they are there but Horton. The other animals around think he is crazy, once he proves that the Who’s exist it a wonder to see who is really crazy now.

Monday, July 4, 2011

What Are You Reading Monday? #27





Books I completed in the last week are:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)
Return to Sender by Fern Michaels (audio) (Library)
Good Morning, Gorillas by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #26) (Summer Reading w/ nephew)


Bookmarks are still living in the middle of:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)

The Summer We Came to Live by Deborah Cloyed (for review)
Thanksgiving on Thursday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #27) (Summer Reading w/ nephew)
It Came From the 70’s: from The Godfather to Apocalypse Now by Connie Corcoran Wilson

Up Next:
High Tide in Hawaii by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #28) (Summer Reading w/ nephew)
Megasaurus by Thomas and Peter Weck (for review)
Steamed by Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant (Loan – SIL)
The Diva Paints the Town by Krista Davis (Loan – SIL)
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark
The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham


Reviews posted this week:
I am still way behind in posting my reviews am trying to get them up asap.

Author Guest Posts/Interviews:
Blog Tour Review: It Came From the 70’s: from The Godfather to Apocalypse Now by Connie Corcoran Wilson (July 20)
Blog Tour Guest Blog: It Came From the 70’s: from The Godfather to Apocalypse Now by Connie Corcoran Wilson (July 21)
Blog Tour Guest Post - The House on Blackstone Moor by Carole Gill (July 25)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Abyss of Chaos by David Beem (August 31)


September is Author Month – Interview A Day/Guest Blog

Author Interview - Dr. Elana Ashley (Dream Image Press, LLC) (September 6)
Author Interview - One Wish for Winifred Witch by Cheri Hallwood (TBD)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Abyss of Chaos by David Beem (TBD)
Author Interview/Giveaway - The Wedding Letters by Jason F Wright (Shadow Mountain Publishing) (TBD)
Author Interview/Giveaway? – Gobble, Gobble by Cathryn Falwell (TBD)

December is Author Month – Interview/Guest Blog A Day
Author Interview/Giveaway - Shadow On The Wall by Pavarti Devi (December 3)
Author Interview/Giveaway - Jacob T Marley by R. William Bennet (Shadow Mountain Publishing) (TBD)

Special Blog Hop Giveaways
Celebrating Freedom Hop (July 1 – 7)
Summer Hop (August 5 -7)
Back to School Hop (September 1 – 5)
Banned Book Week Hop (September 24 – October 1)
Spooktacular Hop (October 24 – 31)
Gratitude Giveaways (November 17 – 27)
Midwinters Eve (December 21 – 22)

Books still needing to have reviews written (as opposed to the ones that are simply awaiting posting):
Return to Sender by Fern Michaels (audio)
Good Morning, Gorillas by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #26)
Stage Fright on a Summer Night by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #25)
Wrecked by Carol Higgins Clark (Library – Audio)
I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Fern Michaels (Library book)
Is the Moon Made of Cheese? by Emma Parker (ebook)
This Time Together by Carol Burnett (Library - audio)
Abraham Lincoln by David and Patricia Armentrout (Library)
Frog Knows Best by Kelli C Foster (Library)
Valentine Mice by Bethany Roberts (Library)
Honor Thyself by Danielle Steel (Library - Audio)
Earthquake In The Early Morning by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #24)
Twister on Tuesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #23)
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks (Library - Audio)
Happily Ever After by Nora Roberts (Quartet Brides #4) (Loan – SIL)
Revolutionary War On Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #22)
Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Gertrude McFuzz by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
The Big Brag by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Mercedes McCambridge)
Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Billy Crystal)
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
The Cat In The Hat by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Dustin Hoffman)
The Grinch That Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Walter Matheau)
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Ted Danson)
Daisy, Maisey and Lazy by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Not So Scarey Scarecrow by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Moovers and the Milkshakers by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Butterfly Race by Emma Parker (ebook)
Teddy Is Real I Think by Emma Parker (ebook)


Giveaways on the blog this week and in coming weeks:
Into the Badlands by Caron Todd (ends 7/8)
Against the Odds by Kathryn Shay (ends 7/15)
Wyoming by Fuller Giveaway (ends 7/17) in honor of Wyoming Statehood
A Mind to Murder by P. D. James (ends 7/22)
Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton (ends 7/29)
Life's Not Fair, But God is Good by Robert H. Schuller (ends 8/5)
My Fair Temptress by Christina Dodd (ends 8/12)

Friday, July 1, 2011

Freedom Giveaway Blog Hop (July 1st - 7th)



I am giving away a $15 Barnes and Noble Gift Card.

1) You must be a follower to win.
2) Please fill out form
3) Have fun and check out the other blogs also.
4) PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT ABOUT WHAT IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE MADE TO THE PAGE