Hey everyone! I'm bringing you a product review for all you guys that always get the best ideas in the shower! Shower Genius Idea Board. Let's start with what the company has to say about it...

Here's what the company has to say:

• HIGHEST RATED DRY ERASE SHOWER IDEA BOARD: Our design, polymer hooks, and advanced wet dry erase technology leads the way in customer satisfaction.
• WET DRY NANOTECHNOLOGY - Our one of a kind technology is infused directly into the writing surface of the all weather message board to write boldly in the shower or under the ocean, leaving you free to focus on solving the problems of the world... or doodling.
  
• NEW MODERN DESIGN! - OPTIMAL VIEWING - Our improved modern design was voted on by of customers just like you. The new Shower Idea Board has added width and height to match the shape and size of a notebook, making the best use of space in any shower. Plus it's DETACHABLE and ideal for home or travel use.
• Great for Long Shower Takers who are thinkers, Families on the Go, Boaters, Executives, Artists, Designers, and Doodlers, College Students, and Mad Scientists. No More Great Ideas Down the Drain!

Admit it, you've needed this for the longest time. You've already solved global hunger, created world peace, and paid off the national debt or al least thats what would have happened if your shower time ideas had an audience. You need this because the word needs the word needs your ideas. Start capturing your brilliance and turn those million dollar ideas into something.

Here's what I think....

For me, this was a brilliant idea! I mean I am always coming up with great ideas in the shower... I think all writers do that. So that right there made it a product I wanted to test out and know more about. Although I have to think it's probably super easy to get it to stick to a surface without texture, our shower walls are all textured. So it would stay for a second then drop. One bummer. But that was okay since I could just rest it in the bathroom. Still works. 

I was a little worried about leaving the pencil thingy that comes with it in the bath area. I mean it is wood and when wood gets wet it expands. So far we've not had any issues with it.

The plastic sheet is easy to wipe off with just about anything, although the microfiber towel that comes with it is super easy to use.

Overall I'd say it's a good product. Maybe if it has another option for hanging it up. I have other things in the shower that are stuck up with double stick tape. But if you need something in your shower to scribble on your amazing ideas, check this out... it's always better than bath crayons and the wall.

*I received a free Idea Board in exchange for an honest review*

Hey everyone! Today I'm bringing you a review for Quick Stitch Sewing Kit. Let's start with what the company has to say about the product...

Here's what the company has to say:

• EASY TO CARRY: This premium light weight sewing kit is portable and easy to grab when on the go. Fits easily in your purse, brief case, suitcase, office desk drawer, car, gym locker, or RV and is easy to take with you wherever you go. You will be ready for any and all hand sewing emergency!
• QUICK AND CONVENIENT: Perfect portable beginners sewing kit for repairing those unexpected rips and tears, holes, missing buttons and more! No need to take out a heavy awkward sewing machine! Do all your hand sewing repairs using the Quick Stitch Sewing Kit, which has all the sewing notions and supplies you will ever need!
• LIFE SAVER: No need for any other Professional Sewing Kit! Quick Stitch Sewing Kit has all you need to mend any garment when unforeseen rips and tears occur. This Kit comes in a Sturdy Zippered Compact case and is filled with all the tools you need to mend and fix your clothing anywhere! Just grab your Quick Stitch Sewing Kit.
• USEFUL & USEABLE: Can be used as a starter sewing kit for any girl, boy, teens, adults, and children as an emergency for quick fixes or any survival sewing need at home, school, at the office or while camping. Perfect for all kinds of sewing thread repair needs. With Quick Stitch sewing kit - Just say sew sewing kit.
• PERFECT GIFT: The Quick Stitch Sewing Kit is a Universal item that you can give to your children, your spouse, to kids away at school in a dormitory. It's perfect for your kids who are performers and need a quick fix for their costumes, for your sons and daughters in sports who often have rips and tears while in a game or at practice. It's a perfect gift for your camper friends and family. GIFT YOURS TODAY!

Hey everyone! See, I told you guys I'd try to check in more and actually post ME blogs not just reviews... 

Today I've spent the day trying to figure out how I've let things go in terms of my books. I spend a lot of time working on others' books, so sometimes I forget about my stuff.

I released The Defected today! Somehow I managed to get the print version done and going before I had the ebook ready. But it all got done today. Once that was all finished I sat down and made myself a To-Do list to help me figure out what the heck I'm trying to do... 

Since I've decided to re-edit, format, and design both BN & BV, I discovered there's a lot to be done. But I also figured out that Don't Be Afraid: 13 Urban Legends Retold was ONLY on Amazon... that's it. No print, no nothing. So I had to make an epub and get that out there! (It is by the way, now)...

So here's my To-Do list of doom!
* Fix interior of BN
* Fix interior of BV
* Fix BN Cover
* Fix BV Cover
* Find cover files -.-*
* Create print version of DBA (I got to check off make the epub!)
* Update books on here (let's face it my website and blog suffer the most when I'm overworked!)
* Add books to Smashwords (even though I absolutely DESPISE IT!)
* Add books to All Romance Ebooks (just so all my books are there - they sell non-romance books too you guys!)
* Fix BT for SW so they'll stop rejecting it. (Did I mention I hate them?!)
* Publish my short on my sister (Jen-Jen)
* Figure out if I can publish it since it's in an anthology!
* Add the shorts to all the BVS books (BT actually has it already, but I can't find the print doc file for BM so I'm going to have to rebuild it! GRR)

Now this list is just the stuff I've come up with today! I still need to prep for Camp NaNo next month. Finish two (maybe three) large projects I'm working on that aren't mine! And hopefully in about a month I'll be reapplying for school! Yes, I also home school my monsters and do think that sleep in a necessary evil. 

How about you guys... what's on your To-Do list?

Today I'm also bringing you a review for the kids' book Drinking Water. 

Here's the description:

Want your kids to learn about Animals and their habitats?

Young readers will: 

1. Learn facts about animals and how they drink 
2. Be curious and ask questions 
3. Enjoy great and colorful images 
4. Enjoy a book about animals 

This is a sweet children's book written primarily for children ages four to eight years old. Targeting beginner readers, the book contains simple text and colorful illustrations. 

Each page also includes educational information about animals habtiats.

The story is suitable to be read out loud to preschoolers or as a self-read book for beginner readers. 


Here's what we think...

My 3 year old's opinion first: I liked it. It was kinda fun. I liked the animals... the water... the sky... and plants. (I asked her if she could understand all the words) Not all of them. But I liked the pictures.

What I think:

I think this is a fun book for kids to read about different facts about animals hydration needs. There were a few technical issues where the text got pushed off to the next page and then didn't line up with the image it was supposed to. I also thought some of the language was not meant for a younger kid and I honestly couldn't see an 8 year old reading this as it is not nearly advanced enough for them. I have a 3 and 7 year old. My son didn't seem too interested in it at all. My 3 year old daughter sat with me and I read it to her. I had to stop to explain what words meant (not necessarily a problem, but kind of pulls you out of the story when you have to pause to explain a word). She enjoyed the images and hearing about the different animals. She responded with her own hydration needs and what she drinks and so forth - so it was good enough to get her attention and interaction. 

My overall feel for the book is that it works for kids under 6, like 5 might be pushing it. It does well at teaching interesting facts. Might be cool if the author added in some interaction with the kids like asking them questions about how/what they drink. The pictures are good. Some technical issues, but that could've happened during the upload process. 

*I purchased a copy for review

Hey everyone! Today I'm bringing you a *late (sorry!) review for the awesome Writers of the Future Vol 31.

The future is here…the future is now!  Orson Scott Card, Kevin J. Anderson and Larry Niven have seen the future. Now, you can, too.

A constellation of the brightest lights in the Science Fiction and Fantasy firmament have judged these authors to be the best, the brightest, the truest emerging stars in the field.

From Alien Invasion to Alternate History, from Cyberpunk to Comic Fantasy to Post-Apocalyptic Worlds, these are the winning writers who have mastered every version and vision of sci-fi and fantasy.

Don’t be left behind. Get a read on what’s next.

“The Writers of the Future contest looks for people with the best imaginations who can see through the possibilities of the strangest and best ideas and tell stories that intrigue us and involve us.” —ORSON SCOTT CARD

Celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Writers of the Future contest and the 26th anniversary of the Illustrators of the Future contest

Here's what I think about the book...

I got to check out last year's book as well. This is another amazing book filled with great talents. I wanna say that it has a little bit of something for everyone as long you want to read something for the future or the concept of the future. 

Since the book comes about from the contest, this is a great collection of people that worked hard to showcase their genre. You'll love the stories, the art, and the feel of the book itself. The story placement also adds to how you receive the book, so that's important too.

The stories themselves range from Sci-Fi to Fantasy. From light hearted reads to hardcore Sci-Fi. This is the kind of book where you expect to find a work that fits with every Sci-Fi lover you know out there. Check it out and enjoy the beautiful artwork that comes along with it. I cannot wait until next year!

*I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Hey you guys! I can't remember the last time I made a blog post just to check in with the readers... You guys get tons of product reviews and the occasional post about my writing (when I remember), I know I suck at the whole regular blogger thing. But I'm sure you'll forgive me. 


So I'm giving you a regularly scheduled check up. Life has been chaotic as usual. Things don't run like a normal household at Casa de Jesse. Nope. I'm a writer, but I'm also a mom and a homeschooler. Yes, I homeschool my monsters. My son managed to take on both 1st and 2nd grade this year (our first year at homeschooling actually!) But that takes only a piece of my time. My 3 year isn't quite a "preschooler" yet, but we still are working on the concepts that go along with preschool. But with her it isn't as stressed to get it done since she's only 3. Besides homeschooling and writing, I'm also a freelance editor/graphic designer, and one of the editors/graphic designers for Lanico Media House. And hopefully in a month I'll have everything in order to go back to school! Yes, you read that right. I want to go back to school on top of everything else I have going on! I can't just sit idly (yes, I think this is basically idle) by and not learn new things... I'm thinking Cyber Security this time around.

Wondering what's been going on lately? Well, we have soccer and now t-ball. 


My son did soccer for the first time. His team lost every game, but they definitely improved from their first one so I guess that's a plus. My 3 year old is playing t-ball now. It's her first "team" sport. Come the Fall they'll both be in soccer... lots of driving to the major-ish city by us.

We finally got an appointment for my son to go to the oncologist! It took 2 years and now we've had to reschedule it twice because the insurance got all wonky for a while, but hopefully it all works perfect for July and he can finally get another clean bill of health! He's been cancer-free for 5 years! YES! Ssh, most people don't know we survived that. I wear a ring I got when he first was diagnosed with neuroblastomia. It says COURAGE on the front and on the inside it says  BE BRAVE. I never take it off. It's my reminder of what we've been through and what being brave and having courage can mean. I never wish my meanings of them on any other parent. May all the kids of the world stop having cancer because it SUCKS! Moving on from that...

Other things going on... my son has decided he's going to be a baker of cupcakes (I blame his new found love of Cupcake Wars). My 9 year old Min Pin dog has a few lumps I'm worried about but we have to get dog health insurance before I can take her to the vet. My 4ish year old rescue Border Collie mix is loving the summer sun, but not loving the thunderstorms - they scare her so bad. 

Over the last months I've worked hard to get a few books done for others. I had a piece included in an anthology about sisters (Sisters Born, Sisters Found), I used April's Camp NaNoWriMo to finish the book I started on November's NaNoWriMo (The Defected) - I am currently doing the edits on it before I can release it, YEAH!, I've begun writing Network Deserted 3 and Trolling for Trouble (Kat Purrowells 3). I've signed up for Camp NaNoWriMo for July so another one will get finished! :D To be honest, I've really allowed my writing to take a backseat to everything else in my life. But I am going to try and get out more of my work. I'd like to aim for 4 books this year, but we're halfway through it already and I have a total of... 0! A big, FAT, BOLD, ZERO! #fail. No wait, I release Frontline Deception (Network Deserted 2) in January! Woot, so there's one! Only 3 more to go... But I've also written another Brody and the Skypirates book.. but this one is going to be different. I even have a new artist working with me - the best one I know (ssh, it's my big brother!). I'm way excited to see what he does with it!

Okay, I think that's all for now. I'll try to be a better poster... but let's be honest, this took forever for me to write with the crazy monsters causing me to stop every two seconds and I could be editing The Defected right now... I think I have about 40-50 more pages left on edits before I can work on format and design! You guys are gonna like it! And it will definitely be a series!

So I leave you with....

Apple pie bites... because, I can. ;)

Hey everyone! Today I'm bringing you a review for some awesome silicone cupcake baking cups! Let's start with what the company has to say about the cups...

• ✔ 5 STAR AVG RATING - Check out our reviews below to see for yourself the type of high quality you'll benefit from when you receive your Kitopia Baking Cups!
• ✔ THE FAMILY THAT BAKES TOGETHER - If you love making delicious Cupcakes, Muffins and other tasty treats with your family, then you need these professional-grade Party Time Muffin Molds. These 12 reusable cups are made of 100% non-stick, commercial quality silicone that can withstand thousands of uses without showing the least amount of wear. Not only do they come in fun and festive colors your kids will love, but they are dishwasher safe to ensure optimal sanitation and can be neatly stacked and stored in their own transparent storage container when not in use.
• ✔ SPEND A LITTLE, SAVE A FORTUNE BPA FREE- When you get these fun, colorful and easy-to-use silicone baking cups, you will never have to spend another penny on paper or tinfoil cupcake cups or baking tins. These handy, versatile Party Time Muffin Cases can be placed directly on a baking sheet and don't need to be greased. They are enough to hold any type of batter in place and can withstand temperatures of up to 475 degrees F and as cold as -75 degrees F. Then you can peel them right off simply and easily without ever worrying about your bake products sticking or breaking. Plus, your purchase of these Party Time Silicone Baking Cups includes a FREE recipe book and baking guide that includes 25 of the most popular and delicious cupcakes and other baked products that are fun and delicious to make, either on your own or with your children. Plus, you will receive exclusive discounts on all future purchases within our product line. It's cupcake party time all the time with Party Time Silicone Baking Cups!
• ✔ THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR THE MOST DISCRIMINATING HOME COOKS - Party Time Silicon Baking Cups feature a strong, industrial strength design that can withstand the harshest uses. But their playful, colorful design will also delight even the pickiest eaters. They bring a festive touch to any special occasion - including Valentine's Day, Easter, birthday, the holidays - or even for making an ordinary weekday a special moment your family will never forget. Use these silicone baking tins to make all your favorite neat-to- eat treats, including cupcakes, muffins, gelatin pops, frozen snacks, mini sundaes, chocolate shells, and much, much more. There's no limit to the number of uses you can find for these versatile, sturdy Silicone Baking Cups.
• ✔ BAKE THE PERFECT CUPCAKE EVERY TIME - Party Time FDA Food Grade Silicone Reusable Muffin Molds are engineered to spread heat evenly over every surface simultaneously, so you never have to worry about baking products that are lopsided, burned, have dark edges or an overcooked bottom. The feature OptiBake TM technology that guarantees the optimal baking performance so you can make the tastiest, fluffiest, most flavorful cupcakes and other baked items you've ever had in your entire life. Party Time Nonstick Muffin Cases are made of the same high quality, BPA-Free, FDA approved food grade silicone that are used in commercial kitchens and industrial bakeries everywhere. They are built tough to resist stains and to never lose their shape or strength no matter how many times you use them.

Here's what I think...

In terms of look these twelve cupcake cups have it going on! I mean the material they are made out of feels light and movable. The colors are bright and vibrant- even after several washes with my craptastic well water! I've used them as stand alone and inside cupcake trays without problems on either.

How do they perform? Well, besides looking bright and beautiful, they cook evenly, and clean up like a dream. Like most silicone things I've used, I do tend to have to keep them in the oven a little longer, but I already know that so there isn't any problems. 

They come in this great little storage box tube thing which I put them back in once they're done drying. It is a great thing since it keeps them safe and together! I have to admit, my drawers tend to be a little on the messy side of life...

They look great, they bake great! I don't think there is anything more you could ask from some cupcake cups! I recommend them! And there's also that fun fact that your little ones will probably want to play with them too...

*I received a free set in exchange for an honest review.