Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Review: Fireworks Over Toccoa

In the interest of full disclosure, I was provided an advance readers edition of this book by St. Martin's Press to formulate my opinions. I received no other compensation, and all opinions expressed are my own.

I read something you haven't read! How do I know this? Well, unless you read really fast, that statement is true. Fireworks Over Toccoa that I finished a little while ago was only released today.

I love reading, and historical fiction is one of my favorites. While this book isn't set quite as far back as what I freuqently read, it was a supremely interesting book on life during World War II in a small town in Georgia.

It is ostensibly a romance, and this was written by a man, which I foun to be interesting. Most romances aren't written by men, but Jeffrey Stepakoff does a great job with this book. It does have a different feel from your traditional romance type book, however, and I'm ok with that.

I will admit that - for me, at least - the book started somewhat slowly. Admittedly, this might be partly becuase I was only able to read the first fifty or so pages in bits and snatches. However, those pages also introduce four different timeframes and perspectives of four main characters. It took me awhile to get into the story and really enjoy it.

Once I got past those first fifty-six pages, I rather enjoyed the book.

Lily Davis is a twenty-year old war bride in Toccoa, Georgia, finishing up preparations on her house as her husband is due home from the war in three days. On the surface, she has a perfect life and the perfect husband, from her mother who is the queen bee of the town to her father, a 1940s version of the high-powered executive. She is pretty and wealthy, and her life has turned out just the way it should.

And of course, that's where the conflict of the story comes in. Interestingly, the main action of the story is set over just those three days while waiting for her husband to return. While over two hundred pages being dedicated to such a short timeframe might sound too much, it isn't.

Jeffrey Stepakoff is a very detailed writer. He paints pictures of every scene and person that really makes you feel that you were there, helpful for those of us who weren't alive in 1945. He is equally detailed in sharing his characters' thoughts, which helps create a real sense of connection with them. You understand their motivations and empathize with them, even though you may not always agree with them.

I don't want to give away too much of the book, as I hate spoilers for anything I am going to read or watch. Obviously, with the majority of the action taking place before Lily's husband returns from war, there is a man that Lily meets and develops a deep attraction toward. This is treated well and provided as an object lesson for scenes set in the present time.

Don't think that this is a formulaic book, however. The characters stay true to themselves, which provides for some interesting twists without feeling like things are being forced for the sake of the story. I enjoyed not feeling like I knew exactly where the book was going and instaed simply following where it took me.

The real proof for me? As I finished the last pages of the book, I was trying really hard to keep a tear or two from falling. While not the best book I've ever read, I did enjoy it - and now I need to go do some google research to see how much of the story and history is true.

This is Jeffrey Stepakoff's first novel, although he has a great deal of professional writing under his belt - he wrote for The Wonder Years, Major Dad, Disney's Tarzan, and Dawson's Creek (where he was the co-executive producer. I will look for future efforts, as I think he'll have a bit more polish in the future. He definitely has the imagination and character development to create some memorable books.

Want to learn more? Visit his website here. Or go buy your own copy of the book.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

PSA And Coupon: Blockbuster Express Kiosks

In the interest of full disclosure, this is an FYI presented for your behalf only. I have been entered into a drawing to win a $250 gift card for providing you with this information but received no goods or services whatsoever.

Blockbuster Express is in the process of promoting the Express Kiosks, which make renting a movie easiser and faster as our lives keep moving more and more quickly.

You can rent a DVD online for $1 per night at blockbusterexpress.com. No membership is required, and you pick up your selected DVDs at your preferred kiosk after reserving up to three at a time online.

From now until March 31 - which isn't much time! - you can receive the first night's movie rental on your second movie free by using the below coupon code.

555G13B

*Code is valid thru 3/31/2010. When you rent a movie at the regular price, you'll receive the first night's rental on the second movie FREE. Extra night charges and taxes apply. Limit one per customer. May not be combined with any other offer. Rental terms and conditions apply. Not valid at Blockbuster store locations.

Giveaway: BioGaia

Extended until Thursday April 22 at 7pm CST

In the interest of full disclosure, I was provided a free sample of the chewable, liquid, and straw forms of BioGaia Priobiotics. I received no other compensation, and all opinions expressed are my own.

We spend most of our lives trying to avoid bacteria. Trying to stay as clean as we can and avoid any contact with them to remain as healthy as we can. However, there are healthy forms of bacteria that we're also killing off, and the samples sent to me by BioGaia aim to rectify that.

BioGaia are probiotics that come in three forms: probiotic drops for infants, probiotic straws for ages 2 and up, and chewable probiotics for everyone.


My family has been taking probiotics for awhile, and I am a big supporter of them in terms of maintaining gut health which leads to overall health (for a listing of research and info supporting this, see here).

The probiotics we've been taking always need to be refrigerated, which is a bit of a pain, and they come in powdered form, which can be messy as I try to get 1/8 teaspoon for Little Miss and 1/4 teaspoon for Mister Man. Having simply a straw or chewable option is far easier than what we've been using.

While this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, there are health benefits that have been researched (although as a supplement and not a drug, any statements aren't evaluated one way or the other by the FDA). It has been shown to reduce crying time in infantile colic by 74%.* GI symptoms, antibiotic use, and absences from daycare are reduced in children.^ Even adults benefit, with 92% of adults being free from diarrhea when taking antibiotics compared to 50% of a placebo group.#

This morning, I gave Mister Man his probiotic straw, and he asked if he could also have his yummy organge chewable probiotic, too. I explained that he could only have one each day, but he's happy to take them.

The first time we tried the straw, I wasn't sure how it would work. It's explained as being suspended in a drop of oil, but I didn't see anything as I looked down the straw, so I was concerned that it had evaporated or otherwise disappeared in transit. It hadn't, and I could see the probiotic when I turned the straw and looked at it in the light. After drinking a bit of his milk through the straw, I looked again and could see that the probiotic was now gone. Phew!

I really like how the probiotic grows with the child (and family) so that there is a form that fits for everyone. Additionally, although the drops require refrigeration, the straws and chewable tablets do not. That makes keeping up with probiotics while on the road much easier than what we've been doing in the past.

My only disappointment is that these probiotics contain traces of milk, which means that Little Miss is unable to take them. Given the effort that BioGaia makes to have a wonderful and healthy product, I was disappointed that it wassn't free of all the common allergens. Fortunately, I know this isn't an issue for many people.

Knowing what I know and what I've learned from reading the literature provided by BioGaia, my family will always continue to take probiotics. The chewable tablets taste good, and I love that we can travel easily with these probiotics.

So how can you purchase these for yourself? You can order them online from BioGaia. They are also carried in pharmacies nationwide, and if your pharmacy doesn't carry them, they can order them for you. You can also call BioGaia directly to order at 877 776 0101.

You can also win a sample of your choosing - the infant drops, the chewable tablets, or the probiotic straws. What do you need to do?

First of all, let me stress that you must follow all the rules. If you do not follow the rules, your entry will not count!

This contest is open until Saturday April 17 at 7pm CST. I must have a valid way to reach you, so leave me your email address in your comment or be sure your profile has your email address visible. No duplicate comments will count. This giveaway is open to US residents age 18 and older. Winners will be selected via random.org and must respond within 48 hours of being notified by me or I will select a new winner.

Mandatory Entry: Tell me something new you learned from the BioGaia website that I didn't mention in this review. If you don't do this one, no entries will count. Please be sure to also let me know which of the three forms (straw, liquid drops, or chewable) you would prefer.

Bonus Entries (leave a comment for each entry - if you put it all in one comment, I'll count it as one entry):

1) Earn one additional entry for Tweeting this contest (leave a link to your tweet as your comment).
2) Earn one additional entry by following this review blog.
3) Earn one additional entry by following my “regular” blog Honest & Truly!

Good luck!



*Savino, F., et al. (2007) Lactobacillus reuteri (American Type Culture Collection Strain 55730) Versus Simethicone in the Treatment of Infantile Colic: A Prospective Randomized Study, Pediatrics, 119, e124-30
^Weizman, Z., et al. (2005) Effect of a Probiotic Infant Formula on Infections in Child Care Centers: Comparison of Two Probiotic Agents. Pediatrics, 115, 5-9
#Cimperman, L., (2009) A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study of Lactobacillus reuteri for the Prevention of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea in Hospitalized Adults. J Parent Ent Nutr, 33, 229 Abstract WP-31

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

I'm Baaack! Keep An Eye Posted For Lots Of Fun Stuff

I have been somewhat quiet on the Reviews blog lately, and for that my apologies. I have had a ton going on at work and home and school lately that has kept me from doing justice to a number of reviews and giveaways I have coming up. For example, I have a great review from the CSN stores coming up, which is a compendium of over 200 sites selling items from toddler beds to Global knives. Plus, I have a makeup giveaway, probiotics giveaway, and more. Way lots more.

Stay tuned! Life has slowed down, and there will be lots more to come soon. (And don't forget about the Hot Locks review I put up yesterday!)

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Giveaway: Lily from Hot Locks

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a Ryann Deluxe Doll from the Hot Locks collection. I did not receive any other form of compensation, and all thoughts are my own.

Last week, I received a package in the mail that included a brand new doll from Hot Locks to review, with a second included to give away. While I have a four year old daughter, she isn't really into dolls. In fact, I've seriously considered going through the baby dolls she does have and doing a purge. However, these seemed a little different - more "grown up" - so I decided to give it a try and see what she thought.


The Hot Locks dolls are a new line of four inch poseable dolls from Think Wow Toys. They are currently available only in Chicago and Phoenix, but they'll be launching nationwide this summer. Both Wal-Mart and Toys 'R Us will be carrying the line, and you can also buy them at those stores' online presence.

There are eight dolls - four standard and four deluxe, along with the cut and style salon and the braid and style salon. They aren't too expensive, at $7.99 for the standard dolls, $12.99 for the deluxe dolls, and $24.99 for a salon (which includes an exclusive doll not sold separately). Prices are quoted from my local store and may vary.


The dolls are not tarty (there are certain unnamed dolls that don't make it past the doors of my home), but they're funky and fun. They remind me of a modern day Punky Brewster. I love the bright colors and neat outfits they wear. They're vinyl, which means easy cleaning, and the hair is very soft and has yet to get tangled.

The standard dolls have fourteen inches of hair to brush and style, and they come with three barrettes and a styling comb. The Deluxe Dolls have an advertised twenty-eight inches of hair, and have a styling accessory in addition to the barrettes, plus a clip in barette with matching hair.

This is one of my few issues - and it's with the advertising only. When a company says twenty-eight inches of hair, that's impressive (and really, so is fourteen). I expect to see a twenty-eight inch long ponytail. I don't expect two fourteen inch ponytails. In my mind, that's still only fourteen inches of hair. However, this did not dismiss Little Miss's enjoyment of the doll whatsoever.


The barrette that clipped into Little Miss's hair was longer than her own hair (not that this is that difficult a feat, considering her hair doesn't grow at all), but it didn't stay in well. I had to modify it slightly to keep it from popping open immediately after placing it in her hair. She thought it was awfully cool to look just like her doll, though.


The Ryann doll comes with a flat iron that allows you to place gems into her hair. The gems have a Velcro bottom side, which is what allows them to stick. After some trial and error (there's no directions), I figured out how to insert the gems into the flat iron. However, the green button you need to depress to eject the gems from the flat iron into her hair was too difficult for Little Miss to do alone. In fact, it wasn't easy for me, either. However, we were able to get them to work - with a few fixable jams along the way - and the gems are still in Ryann's hair five days later, even after some exhuberant play. I was impressed by this!


Each of the dolls also has a personality that is featured in a Facebook like view on the back of the packaging. I think this is pretty cute, although Little Miss didn't really get it. Ryann, for example, is artistic and has a good sense of design. She's into tech gear and video games, and is (as I can see clearly by looking at her) influenced by Asian fashion. She likes to connect with people, too. I'm thinking that having some of this more sophisticated detail as part of the doll like, it may extend the age level that is interested in the toy beyond the very early elementary years. And anything that keeps my children playing with innocent toys longer, I appreciate.

Finally, we have a doll that Little Miss is interested in playing with. And yes, those baby dolls and their accessories are heading out the door. We'll be asking for more of these dolls and accessories for her birthday in August.

In addition to the Ryann doll that Little Miss rarely lets out of her sight now, I also have a Lily doll to give away. I will be mailing the doll directly, so US addresses only (and no PO boxes).


So. How do you win? First of all, let me stress that you must follow all the rules. If you do not follow the rules, your entry will not count!

This contest is open until Monday April 12 at 7pm CST. I must have a valid way to reach you, so leave me your email address in your comment or be sure your profile has your email address visible. No duplicate comments will count. This giveaway is open to US residents age 18 and older. Winners will be selected via random.org and must respond within 48 hours of being notified by me or I will select a new winner.

Mandatory Entry: Tell me something new you learned from the Hot Locks website that I didn't mention in this review. If you don't do this one, no entries will count.

Bonus Entries (leave a comment for each entry - if you put it all in one comment, I'll count it as one entry):

1) Earn one additional entry for Tweeting this contest (leave a link to your tweet as your comment).
2) Earn one additional entry by following this review blog.
3) Earn one additional entry by following my “regular” blog Honest & Truly!

Good luck!