Balance of March

During the month of March, I reviewed the following:

Books:
- "No Way Out" by M.J.Ware. Read my review.
- "Twelve Unlikely Heroes" by John MacArthur. Read my review.
- "The Circle of Sorcerers" by Brian Kittrell. Read my review.

Other Products:
- "Good Grips Chop and Pour Cutting Board" by OXO. Read my review.
- "Deep Cleansing Pore Strips, 8 Nose Strips" by Biore. Read my review.

Book "The Circle of Sorcerers" by Brian Kittrell

About the Book: When Laedron Telpist's sorcery training is interrupted by a knock on the door, what once seemed a proper profession must now be hidden. In a world where priests and mages vie for the limitless power of the elements and a new Grand Vicar has sworn death to all sorcerers, Laedron is tossed into a nightmare which would see his destruction at every turn. From the home shores in western Sorbia, through the Cael'Brilland heartlands, and even across the seas to the great city of Azura, Laedron finds himself embracing old friends, consorting with unlikely allies, and confronting potent enemies. As he struggles to train himself in spellcraft, Laedron must face that he lives in a time when the utterance of a simple spell could be the signature on his death warrant. The Consuls of the Vicariate, Book #2 of the Mages of Bloodmyr Series, and The Immortals of Myrdwyer, Book #3 of the Mages of Bloodmyr Series, are now available.

About the Author: Brian Kittrell is a speculative fiction writer in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. He has sold over 15,000 copies of his books worldwide as of October, 2012. He is a communications officer with his local police department, having begun his career in law enforcement in 2006 as a detention officer. He intends to continue writing and publishing while serving his community in the capacity of an E911 police and fire dispatcher. He was married to his wife Elizabeth in 2009, and they have two children. Publications include: The Circle of Sorcerers: A Mages of Bloodmyr Novel: Book #1 (2011, Late Nite), and The Consuls of the Vicariate (2012, Late Nite), The Immortals of Myrdwyer (2012, Late Nite), and The Dying Times second edition (2012, Late Nite).

My Review: This is the first book of a trilogy named "The Mages of Bloodmyr". It is a very entertaining reading with an easy plot. Laedron is a young sorcerer. His mother is powerful, but he has to learn how to develop his own power through a professor called Ismerelda. The story develops on how the church condemns the sorcerers and how the persecution started. He makes alliance with a group a knights that he is sworn to protect, among which is his best friend Marac. Their brotherhood have a plan to overthrown the church, but it looks like it is a suicide mission and Laedron's group of knights is assigned to this mission. Very well developed characters, very well described world, this is a very well written book that will keep your attention to the end and you will be willing to read the sequel, which I will be doing next.

I recommend this book to the permanent library of any reader who love to be entertained during a weekend with a fantasy theme. It took me around 11 hours to read the whole book.

This book was written by Brian Kittrell and it was published by Late Night Books in October of 2011. 

Product "Deep Cleansing Pore Strips, 8 Nose Strips" by Biore

About the Product: Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips pull the plug on clogged pores by instantly removing dirt, oil and blackheads for cleaner skin. Locks onto and pulls out dirt for the deepest clean.
How it works: Instantly works like a magnet to lock onto and pull out deep down dirt that can cause blackheads. You will see the proof and effectiveness on the Strip upon removal. When used regularly this item actually diminishes the appearance of pores.

My Daughters' Review: As the primary users for these strips, I asked my daughters to use and give me a feedback on what they  thought about it. According to my daughters, the instructions are simple to follow and those strips do a great job cleaning out blackheads. They liked it so much that they asked me to buy it in regular basis. This tells me a lot about this product.

Amazon.com was kind enough to provide this product for me through their Vine Program for reviewing and I was not requested to provide a positive review. Opinions expressed here are my own.

If you read this review, fell free to leave a comment! 

Book "Twelve Unlikely Heroes" by John MacArthur

About the Book: What kind of people does God use to accomplish His work? Far from the children’s tales depicted in picture books and nursery rhymes, the men and women highlighted in the Bible were unnervingly real. They faltered. They struggled. And at times, they fell short. Yet God worked through them in surprising and incredible ways to accomplish His purposes. Scripture does not hide their weaknesses, caricature their strengths, or spin their stories as a display of human nobility. Instead, it describes these heroes of the faith with unflinching honesty and delivers an unexpected ending: “God is not ashamed to be called their God” (Hebrews 11:16). In Twelve Unlikely Heroes, pastor and best-selling author John MacArthur uses his deep knowledge of the Bible and history to take us back to see these three-dimensional men and women in their own times and cultures. In doing so, it becomes clear how their dramatic stories apply to us today. People who might at first seem foreign quickly become familiar and unforgettable—particularly as they reveal the true Hero behind every witness, the power counterbalancing every weakness, “the Author and Finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1).

About the Author: Widely known for his thorough, candid approach to teaching God’s Word, John MacArthur is a popular author and conference speaker and has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969. John and his wife, Patricia, have four grown children and fifteen grandchildren.
John’s pulpit ministry has been extended around the globe through his media ministry, Grace to You, and its satellite offices in seven countries. In addition to producing daily radio programs for nearly 2,000 English and Spanish radio outlets worldwide, Grace to You distributes books, software, audiotapes, and CDs by John MacArthur.
John is president of The Master's College and Seminary and has written hundreds of books and study guides, each one biblical and practical. Best-selling titles include The Gospel According to Jesus, Truth War, The Murder of Jesus, Twelve Ordinary Men, Twelve Extraordinary Women, and The MacArthur Study Bible, a 1998 ECPA Gold Medallion recipient.

My Review: This is truly an amazing book, that make us think that even us, with all our faults, can be chosen by God to do His work for His kingdom.
In 10 Chapters the author describe all the fears and tremors of our characters, exposing their weakness and how God transform them in valuable workers. Starting with Enoch, the author proceeds to Joseph, Miriam, Gideon, Samson, Jonathan, Jonah, Esther, John the Baptist, James, Mark and Onesimus. Showing deep knowledge of the Scriptures, John MacArthur write in an easy and simple way and make those characters come to life as real people to whom we can associate our own lives. This is a masterpiece.
I recommend this book to the permanent library of all readers, Christians or not, that appreciate a well written book that can keep you entertained and send a positive message on transformation. Nobody is beyond repair.

This book was written by John MacArthur and it was published by Thomas Nelson in September of 2012. Amazon.com was kind enough to provide this product for me through their Vine Program for reviewing and I was not requested to provide a positive review. Opinions expressed here are my own.

If you read this review, fell free to leave a comment!

Product "Good Grips Chop and Pour Cutting Board" by OXO

About the Product: The case of the runaway veggies has just been solved. The OXO Good Grips Chop and Pour Board makes chopping and transporting ingredients simple and efficient. Use the Board's corner spout to neatly guide food from the Board directly into bowls, pots or pans without spilling onto stovetops or counters. A generous, flat cutting surface allows for efficient slicing and dicing, while the raised back and side walls keep food contained. The lightweight Board and soft, tapered handles make lifting easy. The Board is made of durable, non-porous, odor-resistant polypropylene that resists deep scratches and won't dull sharp knives. Juice grooves on one side retain liquids and non-slip edges keep the Board from slipping. Top-rack dishwasher safe.

My Review:  This board has the perfect size for a couple that cooks for two. The raised sides helps you to pour the ingredients into the pans without spilling all around. Very light and at the same time very strong. Easy to clean. The non-slip edges prevents the board from moving while you are chopping. Very good addition to the kitchen. Me and my wife are very happy with this item.

Amazon.com was kind enough to provide this product for me through their Vine Program for reviewing and I was not requested to provide a positive review. Opinions expressed here are my own.

If you read this review, fell free to leave a comment! 

Book "No Way Out" by M.J.Ware

About the Book: Includes two free additional short stories. That's three 'terrorific' short stories for kids and teens at one low price. "No Way Out" - Mike takes a bet to go inside a haunted house, but will he live long enough to collect? Also includes: "The Price of Friendship" - How much is a best friend worth? Joey finds out the hard way. "Hobgoblin Horror" - Jake only volunteered at the retirement home because Shelby works there. So, it's no wonder he's doesn't hear Mr. Fitches' warnings about a local homicidal hobgoblin--too bad for him.
Includes a free extended preview of "Super Zombie Juice Mega Bomb".

About the Author: MJ lives in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains with his wife and two daughters. Due to a bizarre childhood incident at his school library, MJ never developed an interest in adult literature. When not reading or writing books for kids, he runs a video arcade company building retro arcade machines just like he played as a child. MJ is available as both a court approved zombie expert and for intensive "zombie safety" school lectures. He just released his latest graphic novel, Zack & Zoey's Alien Apocalypse.

My Review: This is a very well written book containing three short stories on the light terror theme,  for kids and young adults. First story (No Way Out) is intense and has a simple plot. Two kids bet who would go inside a haunted house. The description of the scenery is excellent and the outcome is unpredictable. Second story (The Price of Friendship) is also good, although not that much scary. Two kids trade goods for "useless memories" and the consequences are to be seen. Third story (Hobgoblin Horror) reaches again the intensity level of the first story. Two kids hear this tale from an old guy in an hospital. He was a war hero and told the kids about this hobgoblin, a kind of assassin monster. But unfortunately for the kids they did not pay much attention to the story. All three short stories are very entertaining in their own way. They will keep you reading for a couple of hours.

Besides those three short stories, the author also provides a preview of two other short stories, the "Super Zombie Juice Mega Bomb" and the "Zack & Zoey's Alien Apocalypse".

I recommend this book to any young adult that has some spare hours in a Saturday afternoon or evening and wants to get entertained before going to bed. Just be aware that nightmares with cats are possible!

Balance of February

During the month of February, I reviewed the following:

Books:
- "Gameland - Deep Into the Game" by Saul W.Tanpepper. Read my review.
- "Golgotha" by Saul W.Tanpepper. Read my review.

Other Products:
- "Jot Pro Dampening Stylus Pen for iPad, iPhone, iPod, Kindle Fire and Other Touch Screen Tablets - Gun Metal" by Adonit. Read my review.
- "Moshi In-Ear Headphones for Kindle Fire HD, Pink" by Moonrock. Read my review.

Book "Golgotha" by Saul W.Tanpepper

About the Book: In this prequel to S.W. Tanpepper's GAMELAND series, a molecular geneticist creates an experimental antidote against a synthetic military virus developed to reanimate the dead. Hoping to avert a human disaster with global implications, he plans to test it on himself, but to do so he will first have to self-administer the zombie virus and allow the infection to run its full course. The process and the aftermath are captured in a series of voice recordings, leaving their audience little doubt about the experiment's spectacular--and horrific--outcome.

About the Author: eFiction magazine calls Saul an author armed with "a PhD and a whacked out sense of humor." Saul spent his formative years in a leaky century-old house overlooking the Erie Canal in Upstate New York. His bedroom was a refurbished attic, which he shared with all manner of creatures, not all, he is convinced, flesh and blood. After bouncing around the US and Europe for several years, he settled down to pursue a career in the sciences, opting to study the mysteries of human molecular genetics. But even positions as an experimental biologist, teacher, manager and biotech entrepreneur couldn't keep him from his true passion as a storyteller. He now writes speculative fiction full time from his home in the San Francisco Bay Area. Although his house is now attic-less and waterproof, he continues to be haunted by a variety of creatures, including a wife, kids, four dogs, three cats, six chickens, a wayward rooster, and one very grumpy possum. They are all flesh and blood. Except, maybe, for the possum, which he's convinced is the reincarnated spirit of Jack Torrance.

My Review: I read the first episode of GameLand Series (Deep Into the Game) before reading this prequel and now everything fit into place. A recording of an experience from a immunologist named Eugene is played by a Special Advisor to the President named Richard Daniels. In the recording we see how things can go really wrong and what happened next is quite interesting and gives explanation and origin to the GameLand Series. This is a short story that you can read in one sit. It took me around two hours to read the whole book. If I could advise, I would say to the reader to read this one before start reading the series. It is worth for all the explanation given about the origin of the virus that devastated earth. Very intense story, should be in the permanent library of all readers that love a very well written science-fiction where zombies play a major role.
This book was written by Saul W.Tanpepper and published by Brinestone Press in March 2012 and I received this book from the author. I was not requested to review or give my opinion on the book. It was really a gift, but anyway all opinions here are my own.

If you read my review, feel free to leave a comment!

Product "Moshi In-Ear Headphones for Kindle Fire HD, Pink" by Moonrock

About the Product: More than just candies for your eyes, Moonrock elevates your overall music enjoyment with Moshi Audio's acoustically tuned driver units that effortlessly render crisp highs and balanced mids and bass. The in-ear design coupled with our proprietary hybrid-injection eartips, effectively block out external ambient noise while providing hours of comfortable listening. The high efficiency drivers (105 dB/mW) deliver ample presence with ease; offering full dynamic sounds even at lower listening volumes. It also comes with its own pocket-size carrying case with cable management to suit your carefree on-the-go lifestyle.

My Review: This is not just another fancy headphone. Besides its original design, it really reproduces sounds with a high fidelity. It comes with a smaller and a larger fit to accommodate it to any ear, besides the regular size. The case easily protects both headphones and wiring. Very convenient if you have to transport it. The microphone is really tiny and embedded into the wiring and if you do not know it is suppose to be there, you might miss it at all.

Amazon.com was kind enough to provide this product for me through their Vine Program for reviewing and I was not requested to provide a positive review. Opinions expressed here are my own.

If you read this review, fell free to leave a comment! 

Book "Heavenly Signs" by Mel Gable

About the Book: "If you want to see and read something amazing, then open this book and be intrigued by God’s “Grand Design” for the End Times. From the very beginning of creation, God has set signs in the heavens for observation and understanding. Mel Gable has masterfully handled the movement of the constellations, planets and stars as well as their meaning and timing for End Times events. In so many areas, his research reveals agreement between science and the Bible. Make the discoveries for yourself. Travel with the author as he unravels some of the mysteries of the universe in a clear and concise style. You will be astounded by his findings." (Yolanda Shirley)

About the Author: Mel Gable is just a simple bond-servant of Christ, who has known his Lord and Savior for more than fifty years. Mel Gable is from corporate management of high-tech silicon IC design companies in Orange County California. His last position was as President, C.E.O, and Chairman of INDIGITA Corporation. Previously, he was with Q.L.O.G.I.C. Corporation, a N.A.S.D.A.Q.-listed public company, as President, C.E.O, and Member of the Board of Directors. He previously held engineering management positions at E.M.U.L.E.X., Western Digital, 3M and Ford Motor Company. He holds a B.S.E.E. degree from the University of Michigan where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He has written over 20 journal and symposium articles and is the inventor on eleven U.S. patents.

My Review: This is a very interesting book that clearly shows a lot of study on the Scriptures and research on sky maps, looking for eclipses and all type of signs described on the Bible.

The author came up with his interpretation of the Scriptures and using a very interesting software ("Starry Night" by Simulation Curriculum Corp) which maps the sky on any date in the past or future, he found out some matches for his interpretation on the end of times, based on what is written on the Scriptures.
Most of his interpretations make sense, like associating Saturn as the ruler and father figure, Neptune as the god of water and sea (and his role at the Second Trumpet), Uranus as the god of sky and heavens (and his role at the Fourth Trumpet) and so on. He has an interpretation on most of planets, constellations and even comets.
Very entertaining reading, the book is full of beautiful illustrations and if not for some citation on apocrypha books, like the Book of Enoch (only accepted by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church but no other Christian group) or the Book of Jubilee, it would be completely based on the accepted cannon of the majority of christian churches. But this does not diminishes his work. Most likely he would have reached the same conclusion even without those above mentioned pieces of work. Adding them just gives more "juice" to support his theory.

I recommend this book to the permanent library of any person that is interested in Eschatology, as well as on knowing different interpretations or point of views on what is coming at the end of the days and when it will happen.

This book was written by Mr. Mel Gable and published by WestBowPress in November of 2012.  The  author was kind enough to provide me a copy for reviewing. I was not requested to provide a positive review. Opinions expressed here are my own.