Ransom Notes

Get ready to enjoy some...

Sidesplitting 

Nonsensical 

Wacky

Outrageous

Comical

Entertaining

FUN!

Ransom Notes by Very Special Games Company is an enjoyable, let your hair down game that will appeal to both the young and wise with age. The game is suitable for players aged 15+ and can be played with up to six players. Each game includes six black metal player trays. In total, there are 840 magnetic word tiles. Laugh your way through 250 hilarious and entertaining Prompt Cards. To store your tiles, a black, velvet-like material drawstring bag is included. Also included is an easy-to-follow instruction sheet. This game comes in a sturdy cardboard box.

Everyone begins by taking a black tray. After that, grab three two-finger pinches of tiles. Each person will not have the same number of tiles. That's fine. Your tiles should be arranged face up under or around your tray. Stacks of cards could be placed in the middle of the table, or you could have small stacks more convenient for grabbing when it is your turn to draw. As for the rest of the word magnets, dump them in the bottom of the box. 

The game begins with a random player flipping over a Prompt Card and reading it aloud. Everyone then works on their own creative response. It is recommended that a time limit of 60-90 seconds be set. Utilize the timer on the phone to count down the seconds. Do not be afraid to be ridiculous, absurd, or plain crazy in your response!

There is still no judge at this point. Each person reads their response aloud. Whoever finished their response last goes first.This is the point at which a judge will be appointed. The bottom portion of the box will have tiles with the words, "you're the judge." written on it. Give the box a good twirl, just like you would with the "Spin-the-Bottle" game. The "Judge" for the round is whoever has their "you're the judge" side pointed closest to them.

The judge now picks their favorite sentence creation. The judge can choose their own, but all of the other players can overrule it by unanimous vote. Prompt Cards are kept by the winner. The game continues until one player possesses a total of five prompt cards. They have won!

My mother said, "Ransom Notes gets five stars from our family. Teenagers, mom of teenagers and a grandmother all played Ransom Notes  The game offers a lot of laughter when one player just can’t seem to complete his/her answer in the 90 seconds. Because we were playing as a family we could easily do a bit of cheery harassment to egg the “slowpoke” along. It didn’t take very long for the “judge” to make her decision. Some of the answers definitely made us all laugh and carry on because some of the answers were really bazar as to how bazar some of the answers were. 

I do have a suggestion for your game. Some of the Prompt Cards are definitely not appropriate for a young teenager. Perhaps the “X” rated Prompt Cards could be placed in a separate stack for adult players. I would have been very embarrassed and unhappy if a young teen drew one of the inappropriate cards. All in all, the game was fun. In today’s serious world, the ability to laugh is very welcome and much needed. Our family gives Ransom Notes a thumbs up. We will definitely play Ransom Notes again. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to spend a cheerful afternoon with my family."

My daughter pictured below is the witty one that won the game. This is what she had to say about Ransom Notes, "If you're not incredibly familiar with those you’re playing with, you will be when the game is over. Ransom Notes will expose grandmothers with a menacing nature and granddaughters with sugar daddy ambitions (you have to play the game to understand this one). It’s a simple yet enjoyable game. The only prep necessary is grabbing a magnet board and a handful of word tiles. Emptying your bladder might also be in your best interest because chances are you’ll be crying with laughter. Overall, I definitely recommend playing!"

This was a great game, and will definitely become a regular in our house. This game is simple with few instructions, which I like. Often times, games have so many rules and instructions that it takes forever to get through not only reading them, but also playing them several times before you really have the game mastered. Ransom Notes is the exact opposite!Instant fun can be had because players can jump right into the game. 

However, I did have one criticism of the game. During the game, my mother drew a Prompt Card that had a shocking prompt on it. The prompt said, "Ask your boss for a promotion in exchange for sexual favors." 

We played through the hilarious prompts until I drew a card that said, "Walk us through the masturbation process." Um, no! In my opinion, these prompts are inappropriate for anyone, but especially for someone as young as 15! What's the point of putting cards like this into a game? As I looked through the cards, I found 11 that I felt were highly inappropriate.In addition, more prompts are not worth including.

One of the questions in the FAQ section is, "Why is the game rated 15+? " Ransom Notes says, "Some of the prompt cards mention themes that are a bit adult, i.e. "Where do babies come from?" or "Write a commercial for cocaine." BUT, if you do want to make it entirely family friendly, pulling about 20% of the Prompt Cards should make the game totally PG and playable for all!"

As a whole, I would highly recommend this game. Visit the Ransom Notes website to check out other fun games now.

Disclaimer -The game was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. 

The Fragility of Light (Publication Date March 2, 2024)

With 448 pages, The Fragility of Light is a complex novel. In my opinion the plot takes a long time to develop, and the novel is unnecessarily long. With that said, I found the novel gripping after the plot was established. The author did an excellent job unraveling the tangled personality of the main character. Initially, the main character seems static but becomes a dynamic, strong character by the end. I felt that the author's use of split narrative viewpoints sometimesmorphed into unnecessary repetition. That being said, I believe that a split narrative style is the ideal way to make this novel flow.

The author discusses and educates readers on schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and suicide in The Fragility of Light. This is done seamlessly without disrupting the novel's flow.

Additionally, the Holocaust is a prominent theme throughout the novel. Sunny's grandparents survived the Holocaust.When Sunny's mother died, her grandparents are very influential in her care. As a way of empathizing with what they went through, Sunny has become obsessed with reading Holocaust books. The subject matter from these books eventually became part of her phychotic episodes as an adult.

As a whole, I thought that the author did an excellent job with this book. I found myself feeling a variety of emotions for each of the characters throughout the course of the book. For the most part, the book flowed well. I would certainly recommend this book to others. I will definitely read another book by the author after reading this one.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

Cow Knew How

In Cow Knew How by Tricia Gardella, children learn about the importance of working together to solve problems. When Magpie swoops down and tells Cow, "Today is Goldie's birthday," Cow stands and begins to think. In the orchard, Cow sees bees. In their conversation, the bees praise Goldie for taking such good care of them and wish to make her birthday special. However, they have no idea how. "Cow thought. Then, Cow knew how." In addition to telling the bees when and where to meet him, he tells them what to bring as well. Despite their curiosity, Cow has already left before they can get an answer from him about what makes their contribution so special. Cow is headed to the hen house to visit Hen. A similar encounter occurs with Hen. As Hen is about to ask her question, Cow has already departed to see Dog. Dog told Cow how wonderful Goldie was to him. Dog was unable to ask his question before Cow disappeared. Cow was met by a flock of birds in the pasture. Cow had the flock of birds contribute creatively. Seeing Horse was Cow's next stop. Cow is very sharp. Cow is off again, this time to the barn. Cat jumps out when cow reaches the barn. It seems that Cow has a different plan for Cat. There's something sneaky about Cow's plan. To make Goldie's birthday surprise, it took the bees, Hen, Dog,the flock of birds, Horse, and Cat! Let's not forget Magpie declared Goldie's birthday earlier in the day. Suddenly, Magpie begins singing Happy Birthday from high up in a tree, and all of the farm animals join in to surprise Goldie with the treat she loves most! To pull off Goldie's surprise, everyone had to work together.

This book is wonderful. It instills positive values. I would recommend it. 

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine & Natural Remedies

A compilation of ten books, The Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine & Natural Remedies will help you transform your thinking about natural ways to approach health.

Book 1: History and Introduction of Herbalism – This book explains the history of herbal medicine, the evolution of medicinal plants, and the significance of herbal medicine. Herbal traditions around the world are also discussed in the first book, as well as the impact of medicinal plants on modern society.

Book 2: Herbal Apothecary – The second book discusses herbal traditions, characteristics, and properties of medicinal plants, as well as how to prepare herbs for use. Lastly, it discusses how to grow your own herbs.

Book 3: Medicinal Plants – In this book, you will find information about over fifty different types of medicinal plants. Each plant is illustrated with a beautiful pencil sketch. Listed for each plant are its healing properties, benefits, practical applications, and usage and history.

Book 4: Herbal Dispensary – This book will teach you how to grow and cultivate your own herbs. Learn which herbs grow best indoors and which ones grow best outdoors and how you can become a successful herbalist.

Book 5: Natural Herbal Antibiotics – The fifth book introduces readers to the power of plants in treating infections. Learn how to safely dry, store, and use herbs.

Book 6: The Art of Herbal Tinctures and Salves – In this book, you will find recipes and remedies for common everyday ailments.

Book 7: Herbal Teas and Healing Infusions – In book seven, the author discusses herbal therapy as a means of healing.There are recipes and step-by-step preparation instructions.

Book 8: Essential Oils – The book discusses essential oils and how to extract them. An overview of aromatherapy's benefits.

Book 9: Herbal Medicine for Children – In this book, herbal medicine is discussed for ages 0-12.

Book 10: FAQ – In the encyclopedia's final book, you'll find a long list of fascinating questions and answers. These questions cover topics such as how to identify edible plants and how to integrate herbal treatments into your daily regimen. 

The Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine & Natural Remedies is a valuable information resource. I absolutely loved this book. I can see myself referring to it frequently. Definitely worth reading.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

Gut Wellness Simplified

An in-depth analysis of the GUT is provided in Gut Wellness Simplified. The author clearly explains the connection between gut microbiome health and immunity, mental health, and how our bodies function. Did you know that "the human organism is actually made up of more bacteria cells than what we might call 'human cells'?" Human bodies are like their own ecosystems! Evidence suggests that fetuses are first exposed to microbes while in the womb. Babies are exposed to important microbes upon passing through the birth canal. The Gut-Brain Axis, warning signs of an unhealthy gut, nutritionally good and bad foods, how gender plays a role in our microbiome, overall health, and much more will also be discussed throughout the chapters. 

The structure of our body is a whole and each part of it must be working well in order for us to function well as a whole.Everything falls apart when one part fails, and bacteria are an important part of that. The author states: "The gut is still a part of the larger body. Its healthiness is not limited to itself, but instead, when it becomes unhealthy, a whole host of problems show up, many of them in bodily systems we might be accustomed to thinking of as distinct from the rest of the body."

ANATOMY 101

When we talk about the gut we are really discussing the whole digestive system which includes:

• Esophagus

• Stomach

• Liver

• Gallbladder 

• Pancreas

• Small Intestine

• Large Intestine

• Rectum

• Anus

I found the chapters on Gut Health and Gender and Women and Gut Health to be extremely fascinating. There are several variables that affect the microbiome of men and women, including hormones, health issues, and medications they use. The author discusses the sexes and the connection between the two.

Through the book, the author takes readers on a journey through the medical science behind the gut and its workings. 

An author points out that a diet for gut health is not a fad. The most important components of a healthy diet are discussed along with some of the best sources in each category. There is also discussion about exercise, mental health, and cleasing the gut.

This book offers a wealth of information and is a must-read for everyone. Gut Wellness Simplified deserves a high recommendation from me.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

The Story of Abortion in America

The Story of Abortion in America tells the somber story of some of the earliest documented abortions. The book has been broken down into several sections by authors Marvin Olasky and Leah Savas.

Abortionists and abortions of the 1652-1842 period are revealed in Section One: Unsafe, Illegal, and Rare. Despite the title A Street-Level History 1652-2022, one documented incident dates back to 1290. "John the Scot" was chasing Alice's husband Roger the Spicer when she slammed the door on him. Alice was pregnant with twins at the time. As a result of John's hard push on the door, Alice was seriously injured, and both babies she was carrying died. John was deemed guilty and could be killed by anyone who saw him. The use of abortifacients has been known to date back to the 1600s as a way of purging the body "to remove swelling." The growing number of ardent church-going colonists contributed to to a less common incidence of abortion in early America. In their Bibles and from the pulpit, they heard how God created man in his image, that babes are a blessing of the Lord, and to be fruitful and multiply. It is written in the Ten Commandments, "Thou Shall Not Kill."

There is a beginning of unsafe forms of abortions and pro-abortion ideology in Section Two: Specialization Begins, 1838-1878.

In Section Three: Supply and Demand, 1871-1940, we are presented with headlines that read "THE EVEIL OF THE AGE. Slaughter of the innocents...scenes based on eyewitness accounts." The unborn were slaughtered through the 1930s.In 1882, Mary Hood, along with seventeen colleagues from Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania, founded Bethany Home for Unwed Mothers. This Maternity Hospital offered free care, education, shelter, prenatal and postnatal care, and spiritual counsel. The number of pro-life organizations offering compassionate support to pregnant women began to grow.

In Section Four: Seeing Life, 1930-1995, Taussig presents his nonsensical theory of "therapeutic abortion." SICK!Barnum moved from promoting circuses to successfully lobbying for the ban of contraceptives in Connecticut. That's something I didn't know. With the 1960's feminism rolled in and with that paved the way for Roe v. Wade, "which some portrayed as one more case about liberty, rather than an assault on the voiceless." At the Chicago World's Fair in 1933 the Gerber Products Company handed out pamphlets that explained, "A baby's life begins not when he puts in his squalling appearance but at the moment the sperm (from the father) meets the egg (from the mother) in the Fallopian tube." There was a sculpture showing fertilization and used the term "fertilized egg." It used only one word to describewhat was growing in the womb: "baby." Gerber even went so far as to write a warning that said, "Abortions Are Dangerous! ...Frequently women become seriously ill from infection. Many of them seem to feel no ill effects, but may find that when they do want babies later in life they are sterile, they do not conceive; or they may have one 'miscarriage' after another. So they live with unhappy memories of what might have been. If you are thinking about abortion -- stop! Go to your family doctor. Talk it over with him. Remember, some women get pregnant only once in life. Don't make a move you'll regret." Lawrence Lader met Margaret Sanger and together they published The Margaret Sanger Story: And the Fight for Birth Control. In 1975, Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision defining women's right to abortion, dealt a huge blow. After observing a D&C abortion in Washington, D.C., abortionist Michael Freiman said that he in good conscience could not perform such abortions after seeing tiny arms with perfectly formed hands and fingers and other perfectly formed body parts. As of this point, he had only performed extremely early abortions. It didn't stop clinics from opening and doctors from getting paid large amounts of money to perform abortions in the first and second trimesters. 

In Section Five: Still Unsettled, 1995-2022 Ultrasound technology made it possible to visualize a developing fetus. For the pro-life movement, this was a major victory. The legality of partial birth abortion had to be decided by Congress in 1995. A lot of attention was drawn to the evils of Planned Parenthood. States are now enacting laws criminalizing abortion. While the fight is not over, people are beginning to recognize that the unborn matter and deserve protection.

The book is extremely eye-opening and worth reading. Everyone should take the time to read it.

Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Not-So-Paper Boat

In The Not-So-Paper Boat, Oliver and his not-so-paper boat are the center of an imaginative tale. Max enjoys reading and has a wild imagination. During the making of a paper boat, his dreams and hopes come alive. Oliver's magical journey begins when the boat hits the water and comes to life. The places Oliver visits are places he had only dreamed of visiting until now. As he travels, he meets all kinds of interesting creatures. Suddenly, he sees a floating island that only he knew existed. Through the universe, he sailed. This was a great adventure for Oliver. Upon returning home, he read and dreamed about the many adventures he was about to embark upon as he drifted off to sleep. In the simplest of things, there is a wealth of possibilities. Can you imagine where your boat could take you?

I appreciate the use of unique imagery in the artwork. Colorful pictures evoke the desire to join Oliver on his journey. Oliver has a wild imagination. Do you?

This book was awesome! Reading and dreaming are both enjoyable. The pictures are captivating. Be honest? Who doesn't wish to build a boat and sail away to faraway lands we dream up in our imaginations and through books?

I recommend this book. In addition to stimulating a child's imagination, the book reinforces the fun of reading.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

The Ocean's Alphabet: An A to Z Adventure

The Ocean's Alphabet takes children on an adventure through the depths of the ocean. Get ready to discover fascinating facts about fish, crustaceans, mythical creatures, land and ocean formations, mammals, algae and more. Each letter of the alphabet corresponds to a different ocean animal or object that your child will learn about. The ABC's and the animals or objects associated with each letter are ideal for younger learners. As your child masters the alphabet, you can read them the fascinating facts that accompany each letter to engage them. The book is intended for ages 4-8. 

Rr

"R is for Rainbow Fish. Rainbow fish shimmer with shiny scales, displaying a kaleidoscope of colors as they dart through the water." 

This page has hues of oranges, reds, greens, and blues as its background. The middle of the page features a beautiful rainbow fish. Its scales and body are shades of purple and blue. All of the colors of the rainbow are reflected in its tale and fins. There is something truly magnificent about this fish. There is some colorful seaweed, corral, and maybe even some crustacians below the fish. Children will absolutely love the pictures in this book. 

I recommend this book. 

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

Little Seed's Dream Is Not So Unique

The Little Seed's Big Dream is a whimsical book about a little seed with a big dream. With sunlight, hope, and rain the seedling grows. Days become weeks. The end of the story is quite predictable. The overall moral is to chase your dreams. 

I found this book underwhelming. As far as storylines and themes are concerned, this book is no different from the dozens of others with similar themes and storylines. The only thing that makes it unique is the artwork. The artwork appears to be digitally generated, so it isn't particularly noteworthy. I like how colorful some of the pictures are. The first couple of pages are a bit dark and forlorn before light emerges.

The book is 24 pages long. There are only eight sentences in the book. One page begins a sentence and the next page ends the sentence and so on.

The book is intended for children ages 2 to 8 years old. I might be hesitant to read this book to a 2-year-old due to the mixed message in the first couple of pages convey. I think this book is much too elementary for an 8-year-old. I see this book as more suitable for a 4 year old.

Negative reviews aren't something I enjoy giving and I don't often give them. In terms of my opinion of this book, I feel that I must be honest with my readers. This is not a book I would recommend.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

Executive Functioning Skills for Adult ADHD

Co-authored by two mental health professionals, Executive Functioning Skills for Adult ADHD, gives readers a thorough, in-depth examination of ADHD and practical tools to use in everyday life. The 127-page combination book/workbook will help users gain a deeper understanding of adult ADHD and empower them with tools for everyday living. There is a huge variety of ADHD self-help books available at bookstores, each claiming to be the key to helping a person. Most of these books tend to be lengthy and wordy, too medical for the average person, or informative but they are only that. In some books, the author discusses his or her personal life, but not everyone is the same. This book informs, guides, and encourages. 

Rather than trying to explain the ins and outs of this book, I hope you will take away just a few of the most meaningful snippets I found particularly interesting or helpful. 

1. Girls tend to present as inattentive and internalize their symptoms

2. The ADHD brain is literally structured differently

3. Positive habits and productive routines are very critical

4. Impulse control

5. Difficulty regulating emotions

6. Easily distracted

7. Time blindness

8. Setting goals is important

9. SMART strategy

10. Goals into achievable steps, challenges

11. Routine

12. Mental health 

13. Stress

14. Know the reasons why routines may fail for those with ADHD

15. Endorphins

16. Self-esteem, self-confidence, overthinking

17. Obstacles do not have to stop you

18. Strategies to deal with obstacles

19. Our own minds and the outside world can both be our enemies

20. Being overwhelmed

21. ADHD and regulating emotions

22. Reward

23. When stressed, anxious, or depressed ones ADHD tends to flare

24. Find healthy coping mechanisms

25. Adapting to the unpredictability in life

26. Your inner saboteur

27. Pomodoro technique

28. Perfectionism

29. Loners

30. Object permanence

31. Supportive environment 

32. Visualization

33. Getting professional help

Toward the end of the book in the section entitled Strategies for Adapting the Plan to Your Individual Needs and Lifestyle the authors state, "I hope that thus far I've made it clear enough that while all of us with ADHD face similar challenges, symptoms, and problems, these will all each present themselves differently to each individual; which also means that each individual will need to deal with them differently." I love this statement. We are not all cookie cutter images of each other.Despite many similarities, ADHD differs in many other aspects from person to person. 

If you are an adult receiving an ADHD diagnosis, this book is a wonderful resource. This is a book I would recommend.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts.