Saturday, February 27, 2016

Excellent Horse Series for Girls! By Miralee Ferrell @MiraleeFerrell

BLUE RIBBON TRAIL RIDE 
BY MIRALEE FERRELL



Thirteen-year old Kate and her friends came up with the perfect way to raise money for her autistic younger brother and others to attend summer camp—a horse scavenger hunt! As local businesses donate money and prizes, Kate keeps the entry fees in her mom’s antique jewelry box.
But when the box and the money disappear, Kate and her friends must unravel the clues, hold on to hope, and solve the mystery along the Blue Ribbon Trail Ride.


MY REVIEW- When I saw this blog tour, I knew I had to sign up. My younger sister has actually read the first two in the series and loved them. So while I did not personally read this one, M, who is 14, read them all. And here is her thoughts on Blue Ribbon Trail Ride.

"Blue Ribbon Trail Ride tells the story of Kate and her friends raising money by doing a scavenger hunt to send her her younger brother who is autistic and others to attend a summer camp! Kate and her friends keep the entry fees in her mother's antique jewelry box when the box with the money in it is stolen, they have to solve the mystery of the Blue Ribbon Trail Ride."

As you can see, she doesn't quite have the whole review process down but she has told me several times how much she liked this series and hopes that Miralee will be writing more stories for girls her age!





**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

He Named Me Malala DVD #Review #HeNamedMeMalala


This is a sponsored post on behalf of Review Wire Media for 20th Century Fox. I received information to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Well, I have just gotten back from my trip and found this DVD, He Named Me Malala, waiting for me. I sat down and watched it last night, expecting to be a little bit bored by the documentary aspect of it but instead found myself intrigued. This is a wonderful movie that will give you a look into the life of Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel prize winner.



HE NAMED ME MALALA is an intimate portrait of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai, who was targeted by the Taliban and severely wounded by a gunshot when returning home on her school bus in Pakistan’s Swat Valley. The then 15-year-old was singled out, along with her father, for advocating for girls’ education, and the attack on her sparked an outcry from supporters around the world. She miraculously survived and is now a leading campaigner for girls’ education globally as co-founder of the Malala Fund.

Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth, Waiting for Superman) shows us how Malala, her father Zia and her family are committed to fighting for education for all girls worldwide. The film gives us an inside glimpse into this extraordinary young girl’s life – from her close relationship with her father who inspired her love for education, to her impassioned speeches at the UN, to her everyday life with her parents and brothers.

The film delves into her home life and what her family went through when the Taliban took over their village. Her father was very outspoken about their rights and when Malala follows in his footsteps, they try killing her. In 2012 she was actually shot in the head.

I found the story intriguing. Here in America girls are encouraged to go to school, to learn as much as they can. While those like Malala in Pakistan are discouraged from learning, and desperate measures are taken to keep the women under the men. It truly is an amazing account that I believe everyone should watch, if only to see what a blessed country we are. I would urge parents to be careful of the violence as it is pretty descriptive of what happens when the Taliban comes after her.


                        Global Broadcast of He Named Me Malala
Monday, February 29th
                                         8 pm est/7 pm cst





**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

When Calls The Heart A Time To Speak #Review SPOILER! #Hearties

When Calls the Heart is an amazing TV show from Hallmark that I have been really impressed with. The series is based on the books, When Calls the Heart, by Janette Oke and tells the story of a teacher who moves west and falls in love with a Mountie. While the show doesn't exactly follow the books, I love how they portray the account of Elizabeth Thatcher and the life she leads in the Canadian west. I grew up reading the books and I fell in love, so when we heard about a series being made for TV, we knew we had to keep an eye on it. And boy has it lived up to our expectations! This is the third year and the upcoming episode is titled, A Time To Speak. The producers are really upping the plots and it is causing the viewers to beg for more episodes. Here is my review of A Time to Speak. Be warned though, it will have some spoilers so do not continue if you don't want to learn anything before you view it on Sunday.


******************************************************SPOILER!!!! ******************************************************

Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter



The last episode ended with Abigail and Elizabeth discovering a wanted poster that had been left on Abigail's cafe door. Someone is wanting the town to find out about Pastor Frank Hogan's past as an outlaw. So we open this episode with Elizabeth, Abigail and Mountie Jack talking in Abigail's living room. Obviously Abigail is worried. She has fallen for the kind and tender pastor who always seems to have a word of wisdom for everyone.

Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter


But when Pastor Hogan walks in and tries to explain how his life has changed and Matt Landry is no longer alive, she is unsure of whether she should trust him. This part is just heartbreaking as he brings up a conversation they had in the past where she said he could lean on her when the time came and she then responds that she will have to think about it. The look on both of their faces is just full of emotion.

Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter


As expected, the news of Frank's past travels quickly and he finds himself shunned by many of the townspeople, including Florence and those who want him to step down as Pastor. This also causes problems as Pastor Frank was supposed to be leading the boys on a camping trip. Jack gladly steps in to help but there is a bit of consternation with the girls as he only wants to bring the boys:) Needless to say, when the boys arrive at their intended camping spot, can you guess who is already there with tents in place?

Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter


You betcha! Elizabeth and the girls are there ahead of the boys! There is some fun banter between Elizabeth and Jack, including a bit of a challenge. Of course, at the end of the night there is always a fire to sit around and snuggle at.

Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter


There is some mystery surrounding Bill again as he appears to have a vendetta against Garrison and his gang. He approaches Frank with many questions and we also see him asking Jack to look up the widow of a man named Carl Bensen. Of course, Jesse is feeling backed into a corner when Frank keeps telling him to get lost and that he is a changed man. Garrison is breathing down his back and even goes so far as to threaten his life if he can't follow through on his promise.

Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter


Dottie Ramsay is having problems of her own trying to get the insurance money from her husbands death. We get to see a much loved side of Bill when he steps in on her behalf and frightens the insurance scammer into giving back all the money owed her, plus the others he has stolen from.

Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter


Gowen is still not a totally changed man and he shows this by pulling a fast one and voting Frank out of the office of Pastor. Elizabeth stands up to him and I cheered at this point. Way to go for not giving in to the mayor!

Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter


Of course, two of my favorite people have some real fun in this episode. Rosemary has this intuition that Lee is having trouble with his finances. So she applies some money saving techniques including no firewood in his office, a daily allowance of paper and pencils, etc. She really is such fun now that there is no threat to Elizabeth. Though I have to say that her and Lee have almost stolen my heart. There is a part near the end between these two that made my heart melt. It really shows how vulnerable Rosemary is and why she pushes herself into situations with Lee so often. Of course, Leland has such a heartfelt response for her that I just loved. Great part!!

Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter


The ending is a very climatic scene. Frank has decided to take off for parts unknown where his name won't be found out. Abigail goes after him and brings him back, calling a meeting at the schoolhouse/church. She then stands up for him in front of everyone, asking for a vote to bring Frank back into office of Pastor. What happens had me wringing my hands. I don't want to give it away since it is the end but I loved it! Believe me, I love Bill and have been a fan of his from the beginning. But I do see why the ladies love Frank:)

Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter


So, as you can see this show has totally become a part of my life. The people are very real and the actor who portray them do a great job. If you want a show the whole family can sit down and watch, this is it! Interesting with twists thrown in that you don't see coming, the entire family will enjoy it. Be sure to tune in on Sunday to view it!! Or catch it on iTunes or Amazon. You won't regret it.





**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Friday, February 5, 2016

When Calls the Heart: Troubled Hearts SPOILER REVIEW! #Hearties

I so much love talking about this show here. When Calls the Heart is my favorite show from Hallmark. Believe me, this blog is all about being family friendly and this is a series that takes that message above and beyond. I don't have to worry about the children being in the room and seeing something they shouldn't, hearing things not meant for little ears, etc. This is a series we can all sit down together and watch, all while keeping their attention! I love it!

The season 3 premier was actually in December. And the new episode airs February 21, Sunday 9/8C. I was able to screen it and here are my thoughts about this program. If any of you do NOT want a spoiler, please stop reading now.

***********SPOILER ALERT**************
DO NOT READ BELOW IF YOU DON'T WANT ANY HINTS ABOUT THE NEW EPISODE!!!


******************************************************************************************************************************************************************



Okay, has everyone left who doesn't want to see this? The new episode is called Troubled Hearts, and let me just tell you, it is one of my favorites:)

Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter

Elizabeth starts off by having a surprise for Jack, and it has something to do with Abigail's old house. *Wink wink* But Jack has a surprise of his own and can't tell her yet, though he is often talking to Lee and making plans. He also seems to find wisdom confiding in Lee, feeling unsure about the developments that arise from Elizabeth's announcement.


Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter

Abigail is hitting a couple hard spots in her daily life, starting with Henry Gowan selling his share of the cafe to a man playing hardball. But I found one of my favorite spots in this episode when a certain someone steps in to help. Little Cody is also giving her trouble, having a hard time fitting in at school. This leads to some difficulty between Abigail and Elizabeth, though I think their spat will clear up quickly, and part of the help comes in the form of Bill and Jack. Cody is such a cutie and while I would have given him a good talking to, you also want to throw your arms around him and give him one of those hugs that shows him he isn't alone.

Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter

Two of my favorite people in here, Rosemarie and Lee, have some very fun parts in this episode. Rosemarie is such a great actress and though I had issues with her when she first arrived in Hope Valley, I couldn't imagine the town without her now. She has decided to step in and aid Lee in running the mill, but instead of helping everything runs amok with her at the helm. But have no fear, Lee knows exactly how to handle her whims:)

Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter


Things are really starting to heat up between Henry and Nora. She is traveling and tells Gowan that she has one thing to take care of before they can move forward. Apologizing to someone who she got upset with but it wasn't their fault. You almost feel some sympathy towards Henry, realizing that he might actually have a heart and feelings toward someone.

Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter


Oh, and we can't forget Pastor Frank, or shall we say Matt Landry? I really wanted to slap him at one point. He almost leads Abigail on and then is so curt with her that I couldn't believe his gall, though I do understand why. Especially with Jesse getting close to Clara and threatening Frank. I know that Frank feels it best to hide his past, but I also felt it would have been better for him to come right out and let them know what he had done and that he was a changed person. But his past has caught up to him this time and it might not end as well as he would like.

Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter


Again, this is a delightful episode with a tense moment or two, a romantic interlude between not just two of our characters but four, and some interesting developments with them all. I cannot wait to see what happens in our next installment but we have a bit of waiting for it this time:) Join me again in a couple weeks!

Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter




**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free screening in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**
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