Hym and Hur by Phillip Frey

Details: Hym and Hur are not of this world.  They are immortal
and have special powers only humans dream of.  Hym loves pranks, and Hur loves doing good deeds.  But they both love creating happiness in others, for others.  When this amazing couple combines their prankster practices, and their good deed practices trouble usually is right around the corner.  And in this short story trouble starts with D, as in Death, the trickster of all tricksters.  Can Hym and Hur cancel all the bad that Death wants them to do, without hurting more people?  Genre: fantasy, and comedy.

My Review:  This is a great little short story.  Hym and Hur are really cute.  Death is well, just as anyone would expect Death to be.  I love how sensitive, almost naive and innocent Hur is.  Hym is more of a mystery than I would like him to be, but we do learn how much Hur means to him.  Even though, what I read was really good, I almost feel like there needs to be at least 2 more chapters.  I was surprised when the book ended, and where it ended.  I felt like the plot wasn't completed.  Closure wasn't even there.  If there was another chapter at the beginning of the book, and another chapter either in the middle or towards the end, then this would be a much better book.  I really wanted to see more trouble from Death in that the main male character would be doing more than what he did.  ( I don't want to spoil the book, so this sounds vague.)  Seeing Hym and Hur working more together on getting the main characters (both the man and woman) to work together, or perhaps doing something else, that is where I was left without closure.  The woman didn't do anything to express her love or admiration for the man, but he gave everything to her.  I know that many relationships are like that in real life, but I felt like there needed to be something more in this story, because of how Hym and Hur are, and how they work.

Pros: great writing skills, the plot is cool, I really like the details that we are given about the characters.

Cons: I'm left without closure and many questions.  I felt like there needed to be a bit more written before the story ended.

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

My Rating: thumbs up for great writing, thumbs down for lack of closure

EPX Body Nutri-Thin

Details: EPX Body Nutrithin is about changing the way you think and feel about food is the key for optimum wellness and personal happiness.  Melt away inches faster than ever before lose three to five pounds your first week.  Block fat absorption the special ingredients in nutra thin, help aid your body and supporting your weight loss efforts by preventing some of the fat you eat from being absorbed.  Create a calorie deficit and get energized when a coward if it happens your sis mobile body fat for energy as you burn fat you lose the pounds its simple math.  What this is supposed to do: jump start your metabolism, suppress the appetie, increase energy levels, burn fat (Thermogenesis), support the body's natural detoxification process.

My Review: To be honest when I first got these emails from the Independent Distributor, I really thought it was just a scam just trying to get my money. However when I actually got the product to review I was very surprised and excited to test it out.  I got a 3 day supply of the EPX body Nutri-Thin capsules.  The directions say to take 1-2 capsules 30 minutes before eating breakfast, with LOTS of water.  Contains Vitamins B3, B6, B5, B12, B9, and caffeine, Ginseng, Cayenne, Acai Berry, and Ginger.

This isn't the first weight loss pill that I've had to follow these directions with, but this is the first of the 3 that I've tried that actually didn't make my sick to my stomach through the pill or capsule flavor, when taking it with water before eating breakfast, or any meal.  During the week that I took this 3 day supply I saw that I lost 3 lbs, and was able to keep it off.  I did have a lot more energy when I worked out (I did 3-4 hard bike rides a day, for 10-15 minutes at a time).  But I also felt a little sluggish in my brain, and had a really hard time falling asleep at night.  I literally stayed up for hours, which at this time wasn't usual for me.  I'm thinking its because of the caffeine.

Overall, I feel like these capsules were a great way for my body to get all the Vitamin B's that I needed.  It helped me with my weight loss experience, and plan.  For me, I would love to find some time of weight loss supplement/ herbal "help" that I can take to help me loose and maintain that lost fat.  But also as I work out, that I can tone down, and build muscle.  This being said, I really want to find something for myself that doesn't have caffeine in it, because I can't handle a lot of caffeine due to a weakened heart.

Pros: it did work in helping me loose weight and keep it off.

Cons: it had caffeine, that I can't really handle

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Warm Bodies

Details: Zombie guy feels so much different than the other zombies.  He wants to have a regular life.  But can he stop being a zombie?  Can the general's daughter Julie, get out of the zombie world and back to her own world? Or will the Bonies get to her first?  Why is the Zombie guy changing?  What will this mean for him and his dead kind?  Actors: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, and Analeigh Tipton.  "He's still dead, but getting warmer".  Genres: comedy, horror, romance.  2013 movie.  "Love can change us!"

My Review: Um...??? Is what went through my mind for the first 10 minutes.  Okay after 20 minutes I was still like...um...wow...what the...?  So zombies like to eat brains so they can have memories.  Not to feel so dead.  It was really funny when he drove the car.   And all the monologue narrative was weird but funny. As the movie progressed it got funnier, and then turned into a Romeo and Juliet of the Zombies.  Seriously, I would never watch it again, but it was neat.  We rented it from the Redbox, and my personal opinion is that its not worth more than what you pay for a Redbox movie.  Surprisingly I am giving this movie a thumbs up, because "Romeo" actually lives.

Pros: funny, good actors, predictable plot

Cons: I really wonder what zombie enthusiasts think about this.

My Rating 

Vocabulary ebook

Details: Instant Learning Series: Vocabulary Make Easy by Pat Wyman.  Learn new words in Half the time! A+ word memory.  Tips and tricks, and advice from experts on how to have, learn and benefit from a great vocabulary.  Geared for any age to learn from, though for children adults/ parents/ teachers will have to  do the reading and teaching from this book. Free Kindle ebook.

My Review:  I got this from my home school group, thinking it would give great advice on teaching children how to have better vocabulary.  I thought that it would help me, as a teacher and parent, to teach vocabulary, reading, spelling and writing to better my children's knowledge in their school subjects.  It took about 10 minutes to go through, I didn't really feel like I gained anything from it at all in fact.  I'm glad it was free, because if I had paid for it, that was a total waste.  I felt like this book was written but not in an organized manner, and without an editor because I really didn't know what I was reading about.

If  you would like to check it out, do so here.


Pros: it was free

Cons: it wasn't a good book, it didn't help

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NeoCell Resveratrol antioxidant

Details: NeoCell Resveratrol antioxidant age defying micronutrients for cellular rejuvenation and youthful vitality.  Knotweed free.  100mg trans reveratrol per serving, 150 capsules, with 5 per serving.  NeoCell Resveratrol antioxidant contains Trans-Resveratrol that is extracted from the red wine grapes, grape vine, and seed from the Bordeaux region in France.  Gluten free, GMP certified.  Helps with heart health, and immune support.

My Review: I was really excited to get this product from NeoCell, to test, try and review (for free), because of the helpful aspects it has for heart health.  Now, I'm not a big fan of having to take pills, supplements, or swallow capsules to be healthy.  But I've learned to start taking these with a healthy juice, instead of water, because they don't leave gross after tastes on my tongue, and they don't make me sick, and they go down easier, because the juice is thicker than water.  With this said, both NeoCell products that I've been testing, I've been drinking with a healthy juice (usually sugar free cranberry acai juice).  This product is helping my body have more energy, helping me not get sick, and keeping my heart healthy, so I can go and go and go and go like a wife and mom needs to do for her family.  Aside from how I feel, I don't really see any or have noticed any other differences in my body.  So even thought I believe that it's working, I'm not really 100% sure it is.  The thing is though, this product isn't harmful for your body, so that's a plus.  But, I'm going to finish off this bottle, and go from there.  I believe its working, so there's a good chance that it will also work with you.

They are purple in color

Pros: I feel great when I take it regularly.

Cons: I don't know 100% that its working

Disclaimer: I received this product to test, try, and review for free from NeoCell

My Rating: thumbs up for me thinking it works, thumbs down because I'm not really sure.

Hidden Under Her Heart

Details: Maryanne is working at making something of herself and her life by not having sex anymore. She's sick of getting tricked, and run over by man pigs, while trying to make her father proud of her, finally. Lucas Knight is focused on winning the Ironman Triathlon, is distancing himself from church, and trying to over come the racial issues his parents have. When Maryanne and Lucas collide, its not just for fun and games, but soon becomes a life threatening for Maryanne, career threatening for Lucas. Can they find out who is framing Lucas and who raped Maryanne at the church youth activity at the Preacher's home.

My Review: I just love Rachelle Ayala's books! Each one makes you fall in love with the characters, you become a character in her book. You live the adventure, the romance, the thrill, the mystery. Putting the book down is literally impossible until you've finished it, because it becomes your life. You must find the bad guy, must save those in trouble, and bring those who should be together, together for their love and happiness. I highly recommend reading this book, but all of her books are great!  Her characters are always very real.  Barry is quiet a person in this novel.  Details are very important to Rachelle.

Pros: amazing novel, one of my favorite

Cons: none

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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NeoCell Super Collagen+C

Details: NeoCell Super Collagen+C type 1 & 3.  6,000mg collagen helps get radient skin, thicker hair, stronger nails, healthier joints.  What is collagen?  It is a complex structural protein that maintains strength and flexibility throughout the body.  Super Collagen+C is made up of collagen peptides Type 1 and 3 which support collagen in skin, hair, nails, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones.  Suggested usage is to take 6 tablets throughout the day.  Or 3 tablets 2 times a day.  There are 250 tablets per bottle meaning 42 servings.  GMP certified, and a product of the USA.

My Review: I am always looking for herbal supplements, or dietary supplements that will help my skin, nails and hair.  My skin is always struggling, but then as a Mom is a given.  Same with my hair and nails.  But I'm also interested in keeping my tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles strong and healthy.  I love that Super Collagen+C does all of that.  Yes, its no fun having to take 6 big tablets a day.  But the results are really nice.  So when I first started taking this dietary supplement, my skin broke out with zits, for the cleansing of toxins. Once they went away, I could see that my skin was clearer, healthier than it has been.  My nails were growing faster, and more strong with the Collegen, though they still broke it wasn't as often.  And old injuries that would flair up every now and then, stopped hurting period.  That was really cool!  I was really surprised with the results, because I haven't found anything that has worked to strengthen what has now become weak.

I am usually very negative about any dietary supplements working, but I love being proven wrong.  However, with the NeoCell products I was able to test, try and review, I was positive from the beginning, just hoping against hope that it would work, they way I wanted it to work.  And this product didn't let me down.  For that I recommend this product to all who want to strengthen your tendons, ligaments, bones, muscles.

Pros: works great for   does work for skin, hair and nails, but at a slower rate.

Cons: I'm going to be sad when my bottle runs out, but hopefully I'll be able to afford this to keep taking something that actually works with my body.

Disclaimer: I received this product from NeoCell for free, to test, try and review. I only recommend products that actually work.

                                                                                     My Rating

Delicious Homemade Yogurt

Details: Homemade yogurt using yogurt with live cultures and milk. A very cost effective way to get pro-biotics into your diet.

Review:  I like yogurt! These days I just pass it by at the grocery store because it is so expensive. I happened upon a very easy, cost effective way of making yogurt at home, without all that fancy equipment.

What you need: An insulated cooler, glass jars, a thermometer (candy type), milk, plain yogurt with live cultures, pan, spoons.

For every quart of yogurt you make, you will need a quart of milk and 2 tablespoons of yogurt with live cultures.

Directions: Heat milk in a pan to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. I did this on medium heat to prevent milk from scorching on the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat.  While milk is cooling down to 115 degrees, place 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt with live cultures into each jar.

I used Greek yogurt for this, and whole milk. I wanted creamy yogurt.  I got what I wanted.

Once the milk has cooled down, pour a little into the jars. Stir with the yogurt. Then add remaining milk and stir completely again. Place the lids on the jars loosely. Place the jars in an insulated cooler, surrounded by towels. Wait 8-10 hours. I liked the results better after 10 hours. Refrigerate.

The yogurt turned out nice and thick, creamy and almost as good as the original starter that I used. This was the best yogurt I have ever made. My dh couldn't believe it tasted so good on his baked potato.  He actually thought it was sour cream.

If you want to sweeten your yogurt, you can add sugar to taste up to 3/4 cup per quart with 1 tsp. vanilla. Add this at the same time you do your yogurt starter. After the yogurt has cultured, then you can add your fruit toppings.

Pros: Best homemade yogurt ever. Easy to make, tastes delicious.

Cons: From start of heating up milk, to placing jars in the cooler took 1 hour. You could speed up the process by heating your milk at a higher temperature.  The second batch I made, I placed a lid over my pan, and the milk heated up in about 30 minutes on medium heat.

My Rating:  Thumbs UP!!!

Veet Easy Wax

Details: Veet easy wax Electrical roll on kit.  Welcome Salon quality silky smooth results at a fraction of the price. Simple and easy to use. Keeps wax at the right temperature. Ensures clean and even application. Self heating device plus one wax refill included.  Kit includes: 1 Electrical one with base, 1 refill legs and body roll on, 24 re hair removal strips, for perfect finish wipes. The box comes with a QR code to be scanned to view a video demonstration.

My Review: The first time I tried out the meat easy wax roll on Kid I tried on my legs after a week of not shaving. My lower legs were one week of not being saved my feelings was about a month and a half of not being shaved so I had two different hair links that I was able to test this product on.  I let the wax heat up for half an hour, just as instructions said. I thought everything was going well but everytime I try to use the wax it just would not work, no hair was getting pulled off and I just didn't see this project working very well.
So I was getting ready to give this product of thumbs down and I had taken the pictures and everything. But I decided I would give it a second chance. After little bit of research from other people who have reviewed this product and found out that the wax actually needs to be heated closer to 45 minutes not 30 minutes and possibly heated as long as an hour before your use.  So that's what I decided I would try.

So the first time using Veet Easy Wax, it was anything but easy.  The wax didn't work, it was very time consuming, and ended being a total waste of time because I couldn't get it to work.  But the second time I tried which was about 5 days later.  It worked.  I let the wax heat for an hour and a half, so it was perfect!  I used longer strips instead of shorter strips like the first time.  And it worked!  I personally still don't like this waxing because: it hurts when my hair is torn out, when I waxed it didn't take all the hair off, so after spending 30-45 minutes waxing my legs I had to go back later and shave to get smooth legs.  I'm a shaver, I've decided, not a waxer.  But if you are a waxer this is a great tool to use!  To see more about this product I have a few youtube video clips for you.  

Pros: if you are a waxer it works

Cons: if you aren't a waxer, don't like getting your hair pulled off don't use it, because it hurts, 

My Rating 

Disclaimer: I received this product for free from Influenster

Les Miserables

Details: This movie is set in the era of the French revolution. A prisoner  named Jean Valjean, to the French parole officer Javert, runs away after showing great strength when saving a crew member from being crushed by a huge ship mast.  Making a new name for himself, he casts young Fantine out of his workhouse for fighting to keep her dignity.  He later finds out her well kept secret, and vows to keep that secret safe, and with him until he dies himself.  Cast: Russell Crow, Huge Jackman, Anne Hathaway.  Musical with an interesting plot. 
My Review: In my opinion the actual plot wasn't that good.  There are so many different stories that are intertwined but there's no real start, middle, and end with closure to the story.  However the vocal talents of all 3 main characters are surprisingly amazing.  The secondary main character vocal talents are also amazing. I would recommend seeing this just to see Huge and Russell sing.  Documenting how the livelihood of many of the beggars  prisoners  poor, and lower class lived during this time in the France's history was very neat to see.

Pros: The music was excellent, the costumes were great (especially the Grand Duke and his Lady friend at the end of the movie), the vocal talent was the hit of the movie

Cons: plot wasn't very good

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Crime and Passion

Details: Crime and Passion by Chantel Rhondeau.  Starting a new life is never easy, but always a fun challenge, making new friends, being bombarded by guys wanting to date you, whom you're not interested in.  But when being the new girl in town isn't enough, why not find a dead body on the beach while working.  And find your life turn upside down because of the murder case you're now the key witness to. Madeline is that person.  Leaving behind a horrible love life, that ended when she caught her soon to be husband in bed with her maid of honor.  Now living in a new town, new state, and living in her dream beach house, getting a new life is coming at a price, and if the police don't catch the murderer, will everything Madeline loves die? Will everything Madeline wants to get away from come back to haunt her?  Can she learn to trust, learn to love, and truly be loved again?  Or will she end up with nothing once again?

My Review:  Chantel Rhondeau is a great author.  Mixing crime with passion, love, romance, mystery works well with her style of writing.  Each time you have an idea of what will happen next, you look at how many more pages left, and think "Well, what else does she have in store for us?"  Each character is painted in perfect detail.  You can see each face, each person's personality, and by the time each character has been completed you can see their thoughts.   Its really quiet intriguing.  There is mild language, and a few love scenes towards the middle and end.  Chantel Rhondeau covers topics like: insecurities, self worth, proper manners between girl and boy friends, brain washing, mental break downs, and abuse and foster care.

Pros: well written, great fleshing of the characters, successful plot twists

Cons: none

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Colon Clenz

Details: Body Gold: Herbal Colon Formula, gentle and dependable, overnight success.  75 capsules dietary supplement.  Colone Clenz dietary supplement is a gentle and dependable blend of herbs intended to provide nutritive support for healthy bowel function and to support a clean internal environment.   Ingredients: cascara sagrada, senna leaf, rhubarb root, black walnut, aloe vera, oregon grape, yellow dock, valerian, slippery elm.  1 capsule a day.  The combination of these specific herbs is for soothing the colon and providing healthy regularity without discomfort thanks to the specific herbs that are for detoxification.

My Review:  I've been using this product for 2 months now, on a daily basis.  Its the best gentle colon clenz that I have found to actually work just like it claims.  I now have regularity, no discomfort, and it really does work over night.  I'll take this in the morning with the rest of my vitamins.  I buy this at Walmart for around $10 a bottle.  They just started selling the 75 capsules, before it was a 30 day supply.  I don't take this for a constant detox or cleanse in it self, but for the regularity of bowel movements, and the ease of such, so there is no more constipation or discomfort with bowel movements.

Pros: it works wonderfully, an honest company making honest true and tried claims

Cons: if you miss just one day you will notice a HUGE difference, so I have to take this daily

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