Product Review: Ology (Laundry Liquid & All-Purpose Cleaner)

I’m always looking for new natural products for my family to try, so I was really excited when I was contacted by a representative from Walgreen’s new chemical-free line, Ology, to review two of their products. There were some great items to choose from, including paper items, hair care, and household cleaners. I decided to review the 2X Laundry Liquid and All-Purpose Cleaner.

Ology Stain Fighting 2X Laundry Liquid Free & Clear

Product Description

Our laundry liquid is formulated for delicates, woolens and regular washing. containing no dyes, phosphates or artificial fragrances, it's gentle on clothing & gentle on your skin. Fights tough stains. No harmful chemicals. HE and conventional machine compatible.
 For normal loads fill one cap and a half.  For larger loads or heavy soil, add two capfuls. Pretreat stains where necessary.



My Review

I think the packaging for all the products are very appealing, but I especially loved the container of laundry liquid. The color scheme is eye catching along with a petite shape that makes storing the recyclable bottle super easy. After washing my fist load of laundry with 2X Laundry Liquid, I noticed the clothes were a lot soft than when I use my regular detergent. I have three children, so you can imagine the stains on the clothing I have to wash, and Ology had absolutely no issues removing them. 

Ology All Purpose Cleaner Lemon & Lavender

Product Description

Our all-purpose cleaner is a natural spray for kitchen counters, stove tops, and most household surfaces to clean and shine. Contains no harsh solvents, dyes or ammonia so it is safe for you and your family.  Cuts through grease and grime. Meyer lemon and lavender scented. No harmful chemicals.

No animal testing
Bottle made from 100% post consumer materials.
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
 Spray on surfaces. Wipe to dry.


My Review

The All-Purpose Cleaner is lightly scented in Meyer Lemon & Lavender. I adored the relaxing smell of lavender that gently lingered after cleaning my kitchen countertops. I like the idea of a cleaning product leaving such a pleasant smell opposed to something harsh or harmful. The All-Purpose Cleaner efficiently cleaned the daily grime from my kitchen counter and sink. I also enjoyed the amount of spray that came from the bottle. One squirt produced a large spray allowing you to minimize how much of the product you need to use. 

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Here is a link to the official Walgreen’s press release announcing the launch of Ology: Press Release

To learn more about the Ology brand, you can also visit:

www.walgreens.com/ology

www.facebook.com/OlogyBrand

www.twitter.com/OlogyBrand

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I was sent a Walgreen’s gift card for the purposes of obtaining Ology products to review. No other compensation was offered or received. No suggestions or requests to select specific products within the Ology line were offered. I was in no way obligated to write a positive review and all opinions are mine and mine alone.

Book Review: Black Sun Reich by Trey Garrison

The Spear of Destiny: Part One:
Black Sun Reich
by Trey Garrison

Publisher: Harper Voyager (December 18, 2012)
Purchase Link: Amazon

Book Description

Black Sun Reich: Part One of three in The Spear of Destiny, the first novel in a new steampunk, horror, alternate history, action-adventure series set in a 1920s where the Nazi’s have begun their subjugation of the world using the occult, advanced science, and a holy relic with awesome powers.



And don’t miss the other parts of this serialized novel - Part Two: Death’s Head Legion and Part Three: Shadows Will Fall.



Trey Garrison recaptures the unapologetic adventure, wonder and excitement of the classic pulp fiction of the 1930s and 1940s, blending elements of steampunk with deeply-researched historical fiction and a good dose of humor. The novel also explores major philosophical and moral issues relevant to our contemporary world: the trade-off between security and liberty, the morality of pre-emptive war, and what fundamentally separates good from evil.



The North American continent is made up of several rival nations, and a Cold War is building between them. The Nazis rose to power a decade earlier. People travel by airship and powerful organizations calculate with Babbage’s Difference Engine. The Nazis have hatched a plot to raise a legion of undead soldiers.



Enter Sean Fox Rucker, Jesus D’Anconia Lago, two Great War veterans and freelance pilots who are pulled into the quest. They are joined by a brash Greek merchant, a brilliant Jewish cowboy, and the woman who once broke Rucker’s heart. This ragtag band of reluctant, bickering, swashbuckling heroes soon is locked in a globe-spanning race against Nazi occultists, clockwork assassins, and a darkly charismatic commando. In a world where science and the supernatural co-exist, and the monsters of legend are as real necromancers who summon them from dark realms, our heroes alone stand before the rising darkness. But all their efforts may not be enough.

My Review

Trey Garrison begins his story with a violent scene in a Vatican cathedral where we meet the frightening, Der Schadel, also known as The Skull, and his team of Nazi storm troopers. The group is after the spear of destiny, and they aren’t the only ones who want their hands on this powerful blade. Texan pilot, Sean Fox Rucker and German physician, Dr. Deitel, are an unlikely duo working together against the Nazis, but the pair work well together. They also team up with a handful of other vibrant characters who are out to stop the Germans from unleashing an unstoppable darkness across the world.

Rucker is my favorite character in the novel because he is confident, tough, witty, and loyal. I enjoyed the humor that floats between him and Dr Deitel. It’s a nice break from the slaughter of violence that the Nazis are lashing out as they rip through lands in search of the spear of destiny. I feel Garrison was successful in creating a fictional world set in the 1920s with issues that are parallel to our past and present day. Black Sun Reich delivers enormous amounts of action, horror, and humor. I am eagerly awaiting Book Two in the The Spear of Destiny Trilogy.

Blog Tour Stop: Black Sun Reich by Trey Garrison

The Spear of Destiny: Part One:
Black Sun Reich
by Trey Garrison

Publisher: Harper Voyager (December 18, 2012)
Purchase Link: Amazon

Book Description

Black Sun Reich: Part One of three in The Spear of Destiny, the first novel in a new steampunk, horror, alternate history, action-adventure series set in a 1920s where the Nazi’s have begun their subjugation of the world using the occult, advanced science, and a holy relic with awesome powers.



And don’t miss the other parts of this serialized novel - Part Two: Death’s Head Legion and Part Three: Shadows Will Fall.



Trey Garrison recaptures the unapologetic adventure, wonder and excitement of the classic pulp fiction of the 1930s and 1940s, blending elements of steampunk with deeply-researched historical fiction and a good dose of humor. The novel also explores major philosophical and moral issues relevant to our contemporary world: the trade-off between security and liberty, the morality of pre-emptive war, and what fundamentally separates good from evil.



The North American continent is made up of several rival nations, and a Cold War is building between them. The Nazis rose to power a decade earlier. People travel by airship and powerful organizations calculate with Babbage’s Difference Engine. The Nazis have hatched a plot to raise a legion of undead soldiers.



Enter Sean Fox Rucker, Jesus D’Anconia Lago, two Great War veterans and freelance pilots who are pulled into the quest. They are joined by a brash Greek merchant, a brilliant Jewish cowboy, and the woman who once broke Rucker’s heart. This ragtag band of reluctant, bickering, swashbuckling heroes soon is locked in a globe-spanning race against Nazi occultists, clockwork assassins, and a darkly charismatic commando. In a world where science and the supernatural co-exist, and the monsters of legend are as real necromancers who summon them from dark realms, our heroes alone stand before the rising darkness. But all their efforts may not be enough.

Come back to read my review on December 29th! 

In the meantime, check out the next stops on the Black Sun Reich Tour:

December 27th Books are Cool 

December 27th Bordeaux Bumpkin  

December 29th my name is: Sage

December 30th Bookwork Babblings 

December 31st The Traveler’s Steampunk Blog 

January 1st Book Fidelity 

Happy Holidays from Olympia, WA

Book Review: Pansy at the Palace by Cynthia Bardes

Pansy at the Palace
A Beverly Hills Mystery
by Cynthia Bardes

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Octobre Press; 1ST edition (2012)
• Purchase Link: Amazon

Book Description

Pansy's life blossoms when she is adopted from an animal shelter by a loving family and little girl named Avery. Swept into her new life at the Palace Hotel in Beverly Hills, this smart and courageous puppy saves the day by solving a mysterious theft. Pansy at the Palace celebrates the spirit of curiousity and exploration, and teaches us that no one is too small to make a difference in the lives of many!

My Review

A sweet dog named Pansy lived at an animal shelter and eagerly awaited for someone to come and adopt her. Her special day finally arrived when a young girl named Avery, fell in love with Pansy and adopted her. Pansy’s new home was a luxurious hotel in Beverly Hills. One day, everyone was startled when they realized someone at the hotel was stealing jewelry from some of the guests! Pansy began following clues to help solve the mystery.

Pansy at the Palace is a lovely story about a lonely poodle that is desperate for a family to love her. Pansy quickly goes from being an average dog to an adored and special pet. I enjoyed reading about her new life at the hotel and how she helped the hotel employees solve the mysterious burglary case. The illustrations are colorful, detailed, and wonderfully contribute to the story of Pansy at the Palace.

My eight-year-old daughter, Bella, also read Pansy at the Palace and wanted to share her thoughts: I like when Pansy got adopted and helped solve a mystery because everybody gathered around to celebrate and call her a hero.

To learn more about Pansy at the Palace, visit, PansyAtThe Palace.com.

Book Review: The Indie Author Revolution by Dara M. Beevas

The Indie Author Revolution: An Insider's Guide to Self-Publishing 

by Dara m. Beevas

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Beaver's Pond Press (October 1, 2012)
• Purchase Link: Amazon

Book Description

If you've got passion, a plan, and persistence, you don't need an agent. The Indie Author Revolution: An Insider's Guide to Self-Publishing is your friendly guide to the new era of self-publishing. Everything you need to create a quality book is within your reach, including editors, designers, printers, mentoring presses, e-books, and social media.

Written from the perspective of an editor who has mentored hundreds of indie authors, The Indie Author Revolution will teach you:
- All the key areas of self-publishing success--from vetting your manuscript ideas to crafting your publishing plan for both print and electronic books.
- Advice, tips, and tools from real-life indie authors and book publishing professionals to help you avoid missteps in writing, publishing, and marketing.
- The pros and cons of doing it yourself, working with an indie press, and everything between.

My Review

The Indie Author Revolution: An Insider’s Guide to Self-Publishing is chock full of everything an indie writer needs to know before embarking on the self-publishing journey. Author Dara M. Beevas has created a guide that includes every step in self-publishing, starting from the idea of writing a book to printing and promotion. It’s an easy-to–follow book with relevant resources. The book is broken up into three sections, Launching the Idea, Building Your Book, and Marketing Your Book.

Beevus writes - I’ve also incorporated feedback from professionals who help authors daily – editors, designers, book marketing experts, and bookstore managers. I’ve included their words of wisdom about building self-publishing as a successful venture gave the challenges, changes, and opportunities in today’s publishing climate.

The Indie Author Revolution is simply amazing. I’m currently in the process of self-publishing my first novel and was overjoyed with this book. I appreciate the attention to detail that Beevas took by including topics that are sometimes overlooked, such as a marketing approach on choosing cover colors, discovering your audience, applying for book awards, and organizing your book for editing. I know I will keep this book handy on my bookshelf, so I can continue to read and absorb the information while working on my writing projects. Perfect for first time self-publishers and those who are ready to self-publish again!

Author Interview: Jennifer Manghisi (A Sarcastic Guide To Beating Breast Cancer)

A Sarcastic Guide To Beating Breast Cancer

by Jennifer Manghisi

Purchase Link: Amazon

Book Description:

"Author Jennifer Manghisi was diagnosed with breast cancer at the very early age of twenty-four. Sitting in the doctor’s office listening to the diagnosis, Jennifer and her parents were shocked. Jennifer’s life had only just begun. A recent college graduate, she had only just launched her career in the fashion industry. Now, before her life had truly begun, Jennifer was faced with the prospect of losing a breast.

But she was strong. Though the diagnosis was bleak, Jennifer found the strength to be grateful that the prospects were not worse. Death as a result of breast cancer is on the decline, and she was thankful for that. Even so, there is more to deal with when facing breast cancer than mortality, as Jennifer has since learned. In her motivational memoir, A Sarcastic Guide to Beating Breast Cancer, Jennifer Manghisi shares what she learned on her journey to survival. From coping with the diagnosis to managing chemotherapy to managing the depression and becoming healthy again, Jennifer shares important and insightful advice on becoming a breast cancer survivor that only experience can teach.

In this inspiring true story of will, determination, and perseverance, Jennifer shares the highs and lows of her intense battle for her life. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, Jennifer’s story can be a source of inspiration to you."

Author Info:

Jennifer Manghisi was born on June 1, 1984. She is a native New Yorker. Jennifer grew up on Long Island and graduated from Bentley University with a Bachelor of Science degree from Bentley University in Business Management. Her hobbies include; traveling, cooking, fashion, and writing. She currently resides and works in New York City.

Author Interview

Welcome to my name is: Sage. Thanks so much for participating in an interview. How long did it take you to write your memoir, A Sarcastic Guide to Beating Breast Cancer? 

That is a great question.  This actually version of the memoir took me a week and a half from start to finish however, this book has been in the making for several years.  I’ve started and not finished many many times before so this time I’m over the moon that I actually finished it.

Can you tell us about your memoir? 

I would love to.  This book is a memoir of my four year experience with battling breast cancer from the time of diagnosis to being cancer free.  I dedicated this book to the faculty and staff of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center which is where I was treated and where I currently am a patient.  In my acknowledgements page at the beginning of the book I wanted to thank a small group of people that were very supportive along the way.  I wanted my experience to speak to others who have been impacted by this disease whether it has effected them directly or a loved one.  I chose to tell my story in a sarcastic manner because i wanted my story to appeal to men and women and a little humor can help when discussing a serious topic.

 

I could only imagine the mixture of emotions you experienced while writing about your battle with breast cancer. What did you learn most about yourself during the writing process? 

What I really learned was that I had been keeping so many emotions to myself all this time.  I thought that by not crying or by being emotionless that I was being strong.  But, in actuality I think I chose to deal with having breast cancer in that way because I was almost in denial of the fact I had been through it.  Writing this book allowed me to come to terms with a lot of feelings that I had cast aside, and for that I am grateful.

What kind of feedback have you received from readers? 

In general, I have received excellent feedback.  People have told me that it helped them get through a difficult time which made me feel really good because that was the point of me putting my story out there for others to relate to.  I’ve also heard that readers have thought it was just the right amount of funny and sad which was also something I struggled with when writing the book.

Do you have any other writing projects in the works? 

I do! I am currently working on a cookbook of recipes that have been in my family for ages.  The cookbook will highlight my Italian Polish heritage and many of the recipes will be things my mom, grandmother, and aunt have cooked for my family for different occasions. 

Book Review: The Obsessive Chronicles by Josh Greenfield

The Obsessive Chronicles: a novel
by Josh Greenfield

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: lulu.com (December 23, 2011)
• Purchase Link: Amazon

Book Description:

The Obsessive Chronicles is a coming of age story, told in a conversational first person voice, recounting a young man's trials in overcoming mental illness. The novel follows Jordan Fineman's descent into severe obsessive compulsive disorder while working in an Alaskan salmon cannery through his attempt to integrate into the New York City work force as a paralegal in the late 1980's. A tale as humorous as it is harrowing, sure to provide hope and encouragement to all who must follow a similar path, and to those who can identify.

My Review:

Jordan Fineman is a young man who travels from the east coast to Alaska after taking a break from college. He has aspirations to spend the summer at a cannery making money and memories. In the midst of his Alaskan adventure, Fineman begins to experience the onset of mental illness, specifically severe obsessive compulsive disorder, and manic depression.

Upon arriving back home in New York City, his world begins to unravel. Jordan Fineman starts to see a therapist who prescribes him medication and the journey of treatment gets underway. A mental institution, therapy sessions, mood swings, repeated job loss, and a spontaneous flight cross-country all occurs.

Josh Greenfield gives readers a truthful insight in the life of someone living with mental illness. While some may think that taking medication equals a quick resolution, it’s not and we see that in The Obsessive Chronicles.

Jordan comes across as your average introvert while we follow him in Alaska, but once he arrives in New York City, his demeanor swiftly changes as his mental illness rises to the surface and rears its ugly head. Jordan is matched up with a wonderful doctor who encourages him to get up, dust himself off, and face the day again, no matter how frequently he gets knocked down.

While I admit, the novel started off slow for me, I became sucked in once I reached the part where Jordan returned home. I applaud Greenfield for his upfront writing and showing the day-to-day battle that so many people face.

Blog Tour Stop & Author Interview: Black and White and Dead All Over by Michael Bradley

In October, I had the pleasure of reviewing Michael Bradley's novel, Black and White and Dead All Over. If you missed my book review, you can go back to this post and read it. I enjoyed it a great deal. Mr.Bradley is currently on a blog tour with his novel and today I am hosting a tour stop with an interview. 

Hi Mr. Bradley, thanks so much for joining us today. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I was born and raised in southern New Jersey, the part of the state that is NOT influenced by New York.  My friends from high school could certainly tell a few good tales about my writing from back then.  I had this terrible habit of putting all of my friends into the stories that I would write.  I also wrote a little poetry back then, although it wasn’t very good.

 

Eventually, I moved into radio broadcasting, working as an on-air personality at stations in New Jersey and West Virginia.  After eight years, I ran out of things to say, and made the transition into IT, which is where I have been ever since.  My job keeps me on the road quite a bit.  So, this year, in order to stave off some boredom in my hotel rooms, I started writing a bunch of noir detective short stories, which eventually became my first book, The Case Files of Doyle & McCraken.  Since then, the words have just flowed.

My wife and I now live just outside of Newark, Delaware with our two little dogs, Simon and Brandy.

I thought your novel, Black and White and Dead All Over, was a wonderful read. Where did the inspiration come from for your story?

Oddly enough, the inspiration came from an old house in Newark.  This house has been boarded up, unoccupied for years.  I would drive past it about once or twice a week.  It became a fascination for me.  I kept wondering what it was like inside, who might have lived there, and what secrets it might hide.  My imagination started churning, and eventually, I came up with the idea of the murder that became the basis for the book.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?


I think the hardest part for me was sketching out the ideas, the storyline, and the characters.  Once I have that, the actually writing seems to come fairly easy.  But, getting that initial outline of where the story is going to go and what is driving the characters is definitely hard.

Are there any similarities between you and your main character, Brian Wilder?

There are probably more differences than similarities.  For one, he has more hair. J You know, one sometimes hears about parents living vicariously through their children.  To a certain extent, I feel like I did that with Brian Wilder.  He gave me a chance to explore things in life differently than I can as myself.  Brian has had his share of tragedy, and I found myself, during the writing process, almost feeling pains that I myself have never had to experience.  To a certain extent, Brian Wilder, for me, represents my ideal hero.  He isn’t perfect.  He has those areas in his life that define who he is, and no matter how painful those moments may be, they are eternally a part of him.  They define him, define his character, and define his actions.  Perhaps, to a certain degree, Brian Wilder is what I long to be.  Not so much from the perspective of career and lifestyle, but longing to reach a point where my actions, words, and beliefs are more defined by experience than money, fame, or power.  I guess that could be a bit counter productive for an author.

Did you learn anything from writing your book? If so, what was it?

Yes.  I learned that when you think you are done editing, you’re not done editing. In all seriousness, I think I learned how to step into other people’s shoes.  When writing about a character’s reactions to certain situations, I found that I wanted to write about how I would react in those situations.  And, I needed to step back and learn how to become someone else.  I needed to learn how to get deep into my characters minds and really think like them, and not myself.  It meant learning how to be a fiftyish police chief, a newspaper reporter with a tragic past, and even a twenty something female punk photographer.  Creating characters is a lot harder than it seems.

Who designed the cover of Black, White, and Dead All Over?

I designed the cover for the book.  I just started playing around one Sunday afternoon on my Mac.  Then a few hours later, I had the first draft of what would eventually become the cover for the book.

What are your current projects?


I am currently working on the final edits of the follow-up to BLACK and WHITE and DEAD ALL OVER, which is called Deadlines.  I am also in the process of writing a little something that I am calling Synchronicity, which is more of a supernatural mystery involving a curse with an evil connection between Delaware and Scotland.

Next Stop: December 10th Aspired Writer  (full tour schedule here)

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Author Interview: Ron Laughlin (The Deadly Quiet Sea)

The Deadly Quiet Sea

by Ron Laughlin

• Print Length: 202 pages
• Publisher: Booktango (September 13, 2012)
• Purchase Link: Amazon

Book Description:

On a quiet night reef fishing in the Florida Keys, Clint McGuire is startled by the sound of gunfire. He hurries to investigate and discovers a boat covered in dead bodies and blood—with one survivor, a frightened young woman named Ericka. He takes her on board his boat, but they soon find themselves pursued by men firing machine guns. Clint knows the area well, so he heads for shallow mangrove islands where they find safety.

They are pursued by a relentless Colombian drug cartel that will stop at nothing to keep their activities in Florida from being discovered. No one that crosses them is allowed to live. Clint, prompted by his honor and his interest in Ericka, decides to help keep her safe—and the pair find that they are both developing feelings for each other.

Clint and Ericka escape to the romantic Bahamas ending up on an isolated island south of San Salvadore, where all hell breaks loose. Clint calls on his old pals—Dan, a former Army Ranger; Bill, a former Navy Seal; Jim, a US Air Force Pararescueman; Glenn, DEA Miami officer, and Andrew, of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force. Together, they form the Fishing Club, and vow to take out the drug lords from the top down. Only time will tell if they succeed in stopping the evil in its tracks—or pay the ultimate price themselves.

Author Bio:

Ron Laughlin – An Ohio native for the early portion of his life. He then moved to the Florida Keys, where he became involved in the lifestyle of fishing, diving and sailing the Caribbean writing about it. He now resides in New Zealand, where he is a travel writer and photographer. www.ronlaughlin.net 

Author Interview:

Q:Please tell us about your background as a writer.

A: I began writing articles for outdoor magazines in the 60’s and then began travel writing and have been at that until recently. I had two radio shows, several newspaper columns and created a TV show in Ohio and wrote the intro/closing for a Florida TV station .

I was co-owner of a small newspaper in the Florida Keys.

I have written three travel books on New Zealand and am writing another right now.

Q:What was the inspiration behind your novel, The Deadly Quiet Sea?

A: Twenty years living and sailing in the Florida Keys and the Caribbean and personally experiencing the time period of the 70’s and 80’s when drug smuggling became a major occupation.

Q:Was there one character particularly that you enjoyed writing about the most?

A: The major focus is on one character, Clint.

Q:Are you working on any new projects?

A: The Deadly Quiet Sea is the introduction actually of a series of books based upon what happens. It is a story about a group of military experts called the “Fishing Club”. I also have been asked to write a campervan travel book on New Zealand.

Q:Do you have one set place in your home or office where you write? If so, can you describe the space for us?

A: My desk is in the living room that overlooks the marina in Picton, New Zealand.

All I have to do to relax is to swivel my chair to the left and I am looking across the harbour full of boats.