Hello those of you that have stuck around. It's been a hot minute. I know. My writing hasn't really been something I've been doing - for a while. Admitting that it's been tucked away kind of sucks. 

I was working on the next book for the Network Deserted series and the program I was working with ate it - like gone. I have the original scrambled files somewhere and I'll one day go and figure out what exactly I can do to try and save it. But today isn't that day.

I've started (and stopped) a few stories. It's like I can start them, but then they just run out of steam - it's a new experience for me. To be honest, I've missed writing. 

Things I've been filling my time with - I now have 2 bachelors degrees (Anthropology/Sociology & Cybersecurity), and 2 masters Digital Forensics & Information Technology). I've been a soccer mom for years, i was a Pokémon Professor for a couple of year, then I became a baseball mom and a Girl Scout's Troop Leader. This is my oldest's senior year in high school - so there are a lot of moving parts in my life right now and my youngest is working the highest award for her level in Girl Scouts (Silver). Oh and we moved from TX to PA! What a change - but it's all been a change ever since we moved from Cali!

I'm still here, I'm still trying to get moments of writing in. Just giving those that are still present a much deserved update. 

Roogoo: Twisted Towers is the Wii edition of SpiderMonk Entertainment's shape-matching puzzle game. In Roogoo, players manipulate discs with holes of different shapes, reminiscent of a toddler's toy, in order to allow objects of different shapes to fall through. The action moves from disc to disc, each of which must be turned to line up the correct hole for the dropping object -- a circle, square, triangle, star, heart, or object of another such shape, that falls from above. The Wii game features dozens of puzzles set in various themed environments. When Roogoo: Twisted Towers is connected to the concurrently released DS version of the game, Roogoo Attack, additional levels are unlocked for play in both games.

Here's what we thought... at the beginning my 9 year old son thought it was way too easy for him - my 5 year old daughter wasn't so sure about it. 

We let the 9 year old to the main testing of the game because he's better with games and figuring out the way things work faster than my daughter can (the age difference and all). 

After the first level things started to get a little bit harder. The levels seem to progress and get more difficult as you go. The story mode is where you run through alone and figure things out.

Party play is a great way to get the family involved. You can even pick cute little pictures that can be set for each player. 

Overall, this is a great game for younger kids, if my son had been older I don't think he would've been interested in even trying. We are still figuring out the entire game, but so far we've enjoyed it. 

The design of the game is easy to use and figure out. The characters are adorable. I would definitely recommend it with kids that like the puzzle aspect of spatial reasoning. 

My 5 year old likes it more now that she's seen her brother play it. It will be a game she can play with or without him.

This is one of those kinds of games that you don't even realize that you're learning a skill with. It does a great job of making spatial reason a fun game inside of something like the old box with shapes you shove into holes.  It is a great game. You can get it at: 
http://playerschoicevideogames.com/pd-roogoo-twisted-towers-wii.cfm.
I received a free copy of the game for review! We can't wait to see what else comes out from this company. 

I'm writing this review for the benefit of other parents/people with kids in their lives... I'm not being compensated and I bought this box without any discount or incentive.
​
Today we got our first Toy Box Monthly. I'm very pleased with it. Let's start off by talking about what it is exactly...

According to their site:
"​Your monthly surprise of toys. Every month, you'll discover the latest, greatest, and hard to find toys from the brands you love for one low price.

• 4 - 6 Items
• 3 Types: Girls, Boys, or a Mixture of both
• Delivered Monthly
• $15 per month plus shipping
• Reoccurring Monthly Charge; Cancel Anytime!"

But what does that mean? For me, I signed up because it wasn't overly expensive - it's only $15 plus $5 shipping US ($15 international). So for $20 a month (charged at the end of the month on reoccuring months), that my kids (9 year old son and 5 year old daughter) will get 4 to 6 mystery items. I chose the mixture box since I wanted them to share it. 

Our first box contained 6 items:

• tsum tsum blind bag series 4 (we haven't seen 4 in stores) - retails $2.88 + tax (at Walmart)
• Shopkins dog tag necklace (not 100% on this one since it's not a blind bag) ~$3.99
• Spiderman plush (Google for this one) ~$8.99
• DC Heroes Ooshies blind bag (Amazon says) ~$3.99
• Zomlings blind bag (Amazon says) ~$3.99
• B Buddieez bracelet pack w 5 (Amazon says) $6.99

So including shipping, I paid $25 for about $32 worth of stuff...
But it really isn't about how much I paid or what it's worth. It's more about how much my kidlets liked it. We've tried lots of different boxes over the last two years.

Let's start with what we divided over to my son:

• ​Spiderman plush
• DC Heroes Ooshies
• Zomlings blind bag

Below you'll find his comments.

"It was squishy and huggable. I like it. His feet feel like they have tiny beans in them."

"It's pretty cool. I've never been really big on pencil toppers, but he was still pretty cool. Extra cool because the movie is coming out eventually."

"He's squishy and bouncy and I like him. It's awesome that if I get more I can stack up the houses like Animal Jams."

Final judgment from my son: "Out of all of them I liked the cat the most. I want to get it again."

For my daughter, she got:

• Shopkins dog tag
• tsum tsum blind bag
• B buddieez 5 pack

​Below are her comments.

"Good, very good. I like the peach and that it's Shopkins."

"Ursula is only good because of the colors. But it was a cool thing from the bag."

"It is so adorable! *SQUEE* Really, really, really good because of the pandas and kitties and other stuff."

Final judgment from the 5 year old: "I liked the box and I want to get it again. My favorite thing was EVERYTHING!"

My final thoughts on Toy Box Monthly:

It's inexpensive, it's stuff we'd buy if we were in the store, the kids LOVE it and it arrived within a decent amount of time! If I had a star rating, I'd say 5 out 5. This is a perfect inexpensive subscription box that you can customize to fit your needs - all girl, all boy, or the mix like we got. It is awesome. We will definitely be getting it again next month! Great job, Toy Box Monthly!

Hello my lovelies! I just thought I'd throw a little check in for you all. So this year and last year we not the most productive in terms of writing...

No, I'll take that back - I wrote some, just not enough. I have 5, maybe six books started... the 5, may 6 books I probably should'e finished and published these last two years!

Next year, I promise I'll get some done. It's been busy and hectic... and there are moments when I can't find the words, ya know?

But I wanted to let you guys know, I'm still here, I'm still writing - even if it is slower than before. And I promise, promise, promise, I'll get more books out in 2017! :) Love to you all!

​About the Product (Text from Amazon)

​INTERLOCKING HANDLES - Stay-Cool Handles ensure EASY REMOVAL from stock pots and pans contrary to stainless steel metal baskets. Unlike steamers standing on slender pegs, Rounded NON STICK base provides MAXIMUM STABILITY and eliminates risk of tipping or steaming unevenly while ensuring no scratches in your favorite cookware pot. Turn any pan into a Veg Steamer Utensil in an instant. Rolls up & handles hook onto feet for COMPACT storage unlike bulky Chinese bamboo rack & electric processors.

• PREMIUM QUALITY & DISHWASHER SAFE - The KITCHEN DELUXE Professional Food Steamer for Vegetables uses HIGH GRADE quality RUST PROOF, Non Stain, Heat Resistant, Food Grade BPA FREE Silicone. It is extremely USER FRIENDLY. From BUSY MOMS cooking BABY FOOD to COLLEGE STUDENTS to HOME COOK CULINARY ARTISTS, this GADGET TOOL is a definite MUST HAVE for anyone who wants to get MORE VEGGIES into their DIET. PRESSURE POWER COOKER and MICROWAVE friendly and AROMA, FAGOR, KITCHENAID Attachment Accessories.
• OODLES OF VARIETY - From Fruits and Vegtable to Seafood, Asparagus and Tamales, Asian Dumplings, Rice and much MORE. Ideal for Low Carb, Raw Food, Gluten-Free, Paleo and Dukan DIETS or anyone looking to eat HEALTHIER. The PERFECT companion to Great Food Fast, Weight Watchers, South Beach Diet and Atkins Diet. Find GREAT Recipes in our Steaming eBook. An AWESOME GIFT for your FAMILY & FRIENDS especially FOODIES. Buy as a FRUIT BASKET or STRAINER; Drain Stir Fry Meats and Hot Water from Spaghetti.
• 100% KITCHEN DELUXE WARRANTY - If you don't absolutely LOVE your new Elite CHEF INSPIRED, Universal Kitchen Deluxe Silicon Steamer Tray Insert, you can simply return your appliance and we'll happily refund every penny.
• YOUR SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT SILICONE VEGETABLE STEAMER IS FINALLY OVER
  When you purchase the Kitchen Deluxe Vegetable Steamer today here's what you should do...
  When that brown box from Amazon arrives at your door, open it the first chance you get. Take out your Veggie Steamer Basket & Julienne Peeler and admire the beautiful packaging.
  You have in your hands a Premium Vegetable Steamer, Manufactured from the Finest High Grade Silicon. Take note of the Ingenious, Compact, Collapsible Design and Superior Feelof your brand new Steamer.
  Now add water to any pot, pan or pressure cooker then place the Food Steamer inside with your chosen ingredients. From Fruits & Vegetables to Seafood, Asparagus and Tamale, Asian Dumplings, Rice, Hot Dogs and much more... Cover and Steam Away.
  Once steamed Remove Easily using Interlocking Handles and enjoy! The Silicon Base ensures no scratches in your favorite Pan.
  In addition, why not use your FREE Julienne Peeler Slicer, the sharp blades make peeling a breeze and also try out your FREE Steaming eBook full of healthy, tasty recipes.
  The Vegetable Steamer is a Must Have Gadget for Every Kitchen, but most important to us, is the Customer Service you will receive. Give us a shot and if for any reason at all it is not right for you, let us know and we will give you 100% of your money back.
  We cannot guarantee this Special Price for long, so Order Now and when you do, consider getting Two, ONE for You and ONE for Your Friend as a GIFT - Scroll up for Special Discounts.

Here's what I think:

I absolutely love the color. It's easy to use and easy to clean. A HUGE plus for me. I love how easy it is to use with fruits or veggies. Does great at rinsing food. You can go straight from rinsing to steaming with the same thing - or even serve it! The quality is great. It doesn't stick to the pot or melt or anything which was my main concern. I love the bonus peeler as well - does a great job and is simple enough to clean. It doesn't have a weird plastic-y smell like some products do. I love it and can't wait to use it again.

*I received this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.*

Product Description:

​The Best Salt And Pepper, Adjustable Coarseness Spice Grinder Set Is Now Available On Amazon! 

Kitchen enthusiasts all over the world know that salt and pepper can transform the taste of a dish. Now you can make the ultimate grinders set yours and serve the most delicious meals to your guests! 

Premium Quality, Incomparably Durable Construction 

Three Star Lions has created a top notch salt and pepper mill set that can meet all your demands. They are made of high quality stainless steel that makes them very sturdy. What is more, they feature an adjustable ceramic grinding mechanism for both fine and coarse grinding based on your preference. 

This amazing spice grinders set features a very modern, elegant design that can add up to your table's decoration and impress. 

Easy To Use, Refill And Clean 

The Three Star Lions salt and pepper grinders require no batteries as they can be manually operated. Their practical design allows you to grind using just one hand. What is more, these top quality grinders can be disassembled in a few seconds allowing you to refill or clean them effortlessly. 

Ideal For A Wide Variety Of Spices 

No matter what your favorite spices are, these are the best grinders for you. They are suitable for black peppercorns, sea salt, Himalayan salt, spices & gourmet table seasoning to please everyone tastes. 

Get An Amazing Bonus Recipe E-Book 

Along with the grinder set, you will receive the "Delicious Italian Dishes" recipe e-book in pdf FOR FREE! It includes 185 recipes that will help you perfect your cooking skills! 

Here's what I think:

The set comes with two grinders, they are not labelled so you could essentially put whatever you wanted in them. Although, it's assumed that you'll put some form of pepper and salt inside. They breakdown fairly easily for initial cleaning. I hand washed them - but I don't have a dishwasher so I'm not sure how they would hold in a dishwasher. I'd think they would be just fine because they seem sturdy. Putting them back together is a piece of cake. They hold approximately one regular sized spice bottle's worth of peppercorns. I bought a replace grinder filler of the salt, I think it was 14 oz, and it took a little over half, but emptied the bottle of peppercorns. As for the grinding itself, they grind smoothly. There is no catching or weirdness to the grinders themselves. The ground spices are not super fine, so expect to taste them. They also do not come with the peppercorns or salt, so make sure you grab some before they arrive so you'll have some on hand. The overall experience with the spices was nice, I've used them every time since I got them and I needed pepper or salt. Make sure you're using the right kind of grinder salt, I've heard that if you use Kosher salt, it isn't coarse enough or large enough to ground properly - but I'm not entirely sure since I just bought replacement grinder salt. Overall, I'd say that this is a great set for anyone that needs new grinders. The quality of the grinders is great, they are easy to take apart and put together, cleaning is a breeze, and they do what they are supposed to. They also look nice, so that's a plus. I'd recommend them.

*I received this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased review*

Product Description:

• Set of three 12' long resistance bands in varying color coded degrees of difficulty from light, medium and heavy for all skill levels from beginner to advanced.
• Add another level to your current workout or exercise routine- open ended allowing greater versatility, easy stretching, toning, and strengthening of harder to reach ligaments, tendons and muscle groups.
• Set includes varying degrees of difficulty from light to medium to heavy that can be used individually or grouped together to grow with you as your conditioning increases, giving a rigorous workout regardless of your skill level.
• The generous length gives countless possibilities for adding resistance to your workout program including; Yoga, Pilates, Crossfit, physical therapy and any other exercise or workout program. The sky truly is the limit.
• Professional grade durable natural latex ensures these bands will hold up no matter how intense your workout is for years and years. They are ready to take what your exercise routine has to dish out.

My Review:

I've been wanting to get resistance bands for some time now, but I've been... resistant. Okay, bad pun. When I saw this come across as a review item, I bit the bullet and thought it was a great chance! Once they arrived, it was pretty clear what the different colors were - the plastic is different thicknesses. There's a great little pamphlet that has easy workouts for the bands. The green was easy enough for my littlest to use - a big plus if my kids can be involved in the process because they're going to get involved anyways. My 8 year old liked it too. The bands are good quality, come with everything you need to get started, and you can feel the burn while doing it. I like how they use different colors for the different strengths. If you're in the market for a new set of bands, check this one out - it comes color coded, a great set of workouts to get you started, and it's all great quality.

*I received this in exchange for an honest and unbiased review, I found the product on Tomoson.com*

Product Description:

There's nothing more irritating than having to stop your favorite sport because your shoes came untied.
If you're a parent, you also know the dangers of your children tripping over untied laces. 
Put an end to this annoyance, and replace your old laces with No-Tie Shoelaces!
Each pair of laces is constructed of durable, high-quality silicone. 
They're easy to install into your shoes, and are versatile and fashionable enough to use with everything from athletic shoes to your classiest dress shoes. 
Unlike regular nylon laces, the silicone used in our laces is water resistant, which makes cleaning them a snap. 
The materials in our laces also allow for an extra-stretch fit, which will keep your feet comfortable and pain-free all day long.
No more tired, achy feet due to painful pressure points and over-constriction. 
With a wide variety of colors and sizes to choose from, all backed by a money-back guarantee, you can make troublesome untied laces a thing of the past.
Order a pair (or two) today!

Features:

-Made of High Quality Food-Grade Silicone, BPA Free and Non-Toxic
-Each package contains 16 pcs, enough for one pair of shoes
-One size fits most shoes, and are available in adult and child sizes
-Available in a variety of colors, and 8 different sizes
-Water resistant
-30 day money back guarantee with receipt or packing slip
-In order to prolong the life of your No-Tie Laces, please keep them away from sharp objects, such as knives and scissors, and away from fire and other extreme heat sources.

Guarantee:

-M-Style offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. 
-If you are not satisfied for any reason, you may return the product within 30 days from date of purchase for a full refund or exchange.

Grab yours HERE. Currently priced at $7.98 USD.

My Review:

These are a shoelace saver! So my 8 year old isn't the best shoelace tier - he hates it. Yes, I could just buy him slip ons for like but there are some things that he has to be able to tie properly - like his soccer cleats. So his regular shoes had ridiculously long laces on them. I have no idea why, it's what was on them. When I saw these come through as a product for review, I instantly thought of how much time they'd save us. As soon as they came we got them out, figured out the numbers (one of ours was missing a number, but we figured it out based on the others), and put them in his shoes. First - they are really easy to get in if your shoe does not have a double layer. He's shoes have double layer at the top so getting those ones in was REALLY HARD, but the other 6 holes were way easier. The quality feels good. They haven't seemed to stretch out or anything. My only concern is that they will sooner rather than later break from wear and tear. But I have no idea how long this will take. He's 8 so he isn't easy on his shoes. With Pokémon Go now he's walking a lot more than before too - so we'll see. But I love them. They've taken away a headache. He says they are comfortable and his shoes don't feel as tight. They haven't slipped off or anything. So I love them. My 4 year old wants some too, but I'm not sure they are small enough for that small of shoes - I'll be testing that out in the future.

*I received this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased review, I got my product through Tomoson.com*

Product Info:Do You Want To Know How The Best Possible Swimming Experience Feels Like? 

Are you tired of not being able to swim comfortably and with no pressure whatsoever? 

Are you tired of flimsy goggles that water always finds a way in? 

Are you tired of goggles that keep fogging and reduce your visibility? 

WE Here At GLISE Are Well Aware of All Those Problems, And Strive To Provide The Best Answers 

Getting Our Swimming Goggles Unlocks: 

​
Maximal Comfort For The Swimmer: 

•The Goggles feature a high quality silicone strap with a "Quick-Fit" Buckle for the perfect fit

•Three interchangeable nose bridge pieces (S,M, L)

•3D Seal Eyecups that provide unparalleled sealing of the eyes 

Best Quality Lens Possible: 

Our cutting edge lens technology features 100% UV protection, Anti-Fogging elements, 180° Wide Angle Vision and our lenses are mirrored for maximum clarity of vision inside and outside of water. 

Impeccable Design For The Pro Swimmer: 

Our goggles sport a unique design and style, especially developed for the OLYMP series by Glise that makes them stand out and ahead of the competition! 

Our Quality Swimming Set Comes Complete With: 

•Superb Swimming Cap

•Earplugs

•Nose Clip

•Carry Pouch

•12 Month Warranty 

You can honestly do no wrong with such a RISK-FREE purchase that will satisfy even the most demanding of swimmers! 

My Review:

Having been a swimmer for years, I know about the quality of a swim cap and goggles. I'm not a big ear and nose plug person. But I tried them out and they seemed effective. They both withstood several different put on and take offs. They fit on both me and my 8 year old son. The swim cap is of good standard swimming cap material. It stretches while and fits my head, my husband's head, and even my son's (they both have big heads.). 

Now the goggles - they are awesome. They provide protection from the sun, perfect tinting in the water, and fit comfortably. They easily fit an adult or a large child. They are easy to adjust which is a blessing because trying to adjust wet goggles is a pain. Once they are in place, they hold well and don't shift. There is not fogging. They work well in a regular pool. We used them in an above ground pool. This is a great set of goggles. Whether you're using them for sport swimming (they would work awesomely), or using them in a casual pool. I would definitely recommend these for all swimmers. Grab a set here...

*I received this set in exchange for an honest review from Tomoson.com*

Hey everyone! I'm still here... You'll be seeing more posts coming as I've picked back up doing product reviews. I have 4 projects I'm working on writing and my last installment of the Brody and the Skypirates book Brody Takes on the Bus Bully is with the illustrator.

In terms of my writing there's been a serious lag. I've got a ton of outside work that I've been doing so my writing has been on the back burner... but I am trying to get my books finished so I can get them out to you guys!

The projects I'm working on:
Trolling for Trouble (Kat Purrowells #3)
Network Deserted #3 (Untitled)
Defected #2 (Untitled)
Witches of the Valley (Working Title)

If you guys could pick one to focus on, which would it be? Which story do you want to see out sooner?

​Ok, that's it for my check it - have to get some review posts up...