Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

[Review] — "Star Trek: Prodigy: A Dangerous Trade"

Sat, 25 Mar 2023 18:08:50 +0200

It seems like only yesterday—I was hopping out of bed, grabbing a bowl of sugary cereal, and sitting on the floor too near the television to watch Saturday morning cartoons. Fast forward to the present; I'm in my early 40s and rarely watch TV in the early morning hours, but here I am, marginally awake (without the cereal and replacing it with a cup of coffee), writing a review for Star Trek: Prodigy: A Dangerous Trade (Available to buy on paperback.) by Cassandra Rose Clarke, the first book based on Nickelodeon's Star Trek: Prodigy animated series that airs on Paramount+.

The Protostar crew discovers a worn transporter coil on their spaceship while traveling through the Delta Quadrant. Against holographic Janeway's objections, they agree to sell a Starfleet-issued battery for new transporter parts at a marketplace on a distant planet. However, they are unaware that a gang of rogue traders is attempting to steal something far more powerful: the Protostar. Can the crew protect their ship?

I was a latecomer to Star Trek: Prodigy. I thought the trailers were a little goofy, but after hearing some good things from Trekkies, I watched the series and enjoyed it. A Dangerous Trade and Supernova were both released simultaneously, and I made the error of reading the latter first, which takes place after the former. The Dal and his crew try to arrange a transaction in return for a new transporter coil, only to find out the rogue merchants want to steal the Protostar. The story works well within the context of the series. Let's say that the bad guys don't win.

Overall, Star Trek: Prodigy: A Dangerous Trade is a lighthearted little book that should appeal to younger readers or anybody who enjoys the animated series. ╌★★★★★

{Book Blogger Hop} — Are Books a Must-Have in Your Home?

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 14:36:22 +0200

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

To plan the post for next week in advance, go here for upcoming prompts. You must complete this form to submit a prompt.

There is now a Facebook group for the Book Blogger Hop! Please join the community to connect with other book bloggers and receive the most recent Book Blogger Hop information.

What To Do

1. Post your response to the question.

Are books a must-have in your home?

Submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer.

2. In the linky list widget, enter your name or nickname @ Blog Name and the direct URL to your post answering this week's question. Here's an example: Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer

3. Please go to the other blogs on the list and comment on their BBH post.

Optional

1. You can respond to the prompt in a YouTube Vlog.

2. Use the hashtags #bookbloggerhop and #coffeeramblings to share your response on Facebook (@coffeeaddictedwriter) and Twitter (@coffeeramblings).

3. Copy and paste this week's prompt image and share it on Instagram with your prompt response. Use the following hashtags: #bookbloggerhop #coffeeeramblings Make sure to include my handle: @coffeeramblings

4. Visit the social media accounts of other bloggers, leave comments on their posts, and possibly become a new follower.

Billy's Answer

I should, but I don't, especially when it comes to social media.

Linky List

Blog

NAME: Your first name or nickname @ Blog title

Please include a link to your blog hop post in your submission.

Copy & Paste the HTML Widget Code to Your Blog Post

Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Easy-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
If this widget does not appear, click here to display it.

Social Media

Your first name or nickname @YouTube/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram

Please include the URL of your social media post.

Please keep in mind that links may take a few moments to appear. You may need to refresh the page.

{Sunday Post} — Dream Town, Shadow Service, and Three Drops of Blood

Sun, 19 Mar 2023 08:51:34 +0200

The Caffeinated Book Reviewer's Kimberly hosts a weekly meme called "The Sunday Post"!

* Weekly Tidbits *

It's another cold rainy weekend.

I'm falling behind in reviews, so this is how I'll spend my morning writing.

So far, Star Trek: Picard: Season Three has been fantastic. It undoes the mess of Seasons One and Two, although Picard is still a synth.

The cancellation of "Star Trek: Discovery" proves that there is a God. Season Five, the last, will air next year, however. Still, it's ending!

The poorly conceived Willow series got canceled. Then it was uncanceled. Yeah, I'm not sure what's going on here, but someone has to fire the showrunner and all the writers and replace them with people who have experience writing medieval fantasies.

What Am I Currently Reading?

I'm near the halfway mark in Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child's The Cabinet of Curiosities and should finish it today or tomorrow. I'll continue with Bloodless by the same author after that; it's a shorter book, so I shouldn't need more than two days to read it. Then, in no particular order, I'll read E. K. Johnston's Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Druid's Call and Jaleigh Johnson's Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Road to Neverwinter.

Recent Reviews

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The High Country
★★★½✰

Shadow Service, Volumes 1 - 3
★★★★★

What's in the Mail?

A day before my review was due, I got the graphic novels Shadows Service Volumes 1–3 from Vault Comics. In addition, Gretchen McNeil's Three Drops of Blood, which I will review on March 29 as part of a book blog tour, was sent to me by Hyperion.

What's New on the Shelf?

I bought two more David Baldacci novels at the thrift store: Divine Justice and Dream Town. The latter has some water damage. I had seen it there the week before but hadn't planned to buy it until I realized it was a more recent release. I thought, "Why not? It's only 25 cents." I also grabbed Lauren Graham's Someday, Someday, Maybe.

[Review] — "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The High Country" is a Strange Western Steampunk Adventure

Sat, 18 Mar 2023 23:17:53 +0200

Available to buy on Hardcover and Kindle.

The High Country, the first standalone book based on the Paramount+ series Star Trek: A Strange New World, was just released by Gallery Books. The first Captain Pike novel set in the "Discovery" timeline is technically Star Trek: Discovery: The Enterprise War by John Jackson Miller, who also authored The High Country.

Captain Christopher Pike, First Officer Una Chin-Riley, Science Officer Spock, and Cadet Nyota Uhura have to abandon ship after the unsuccessful test run of an experimental shuttlecraft, in a risky move that disperses their party across the strangest new world they have ever encountered. Meanwhile, the Enterprise, commanded by Security Chief La'an Noonien-Singh, encounters inexplicable shipwide malfunctions that prevent them from contacting the shuttlecraft party.

First Officer Chin-Riley struggles to survive in a dangerous environment with perils at every corner. Nyota Uhura, a young cadet, is left in a barren volcanic wasteland where nothing is as it seems. Spock, the science officer, has vanished entirely. Also, Captain Pike has the opportunity to realize a boyhood fantasy by living the life of a cowboy in a world where the tools of the twenty-first century are obsolete.

Even while driving shotgun, Pike is first and foremost a starship captain, with all the responsibilities that come with it. He discovers that one person's utopia may be another person's damnation when he stumbles across a shockingly familiar face from his past while looking for his crewmates. He must lead an exodus to escape a galactic catastrophe that even the Starship Enterprise cannot stop.

The good news is that The High Country feels like an episode of "Strange New Worlds," even though it is a sequel to the Star Trek: Enterprise episode "North Star." Pike is the protagonist of this story, with Chin-Riley, Spock, and Uhura serving as supporting characters. John Jackson Miller is a fantastic science fiction author who uses his magic wand and conjures a story set on a planet without technology. Well, sort of. You have to read the book to understand what I'm talking about.

I enjoyed Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The High Country overall. While it's well written, the narrative grew sluggish halfway through, and I struggled to finish it. Although the book isn't extremely long, cutting 50 to 75 pages might have improved the pace. You might like reading this book if you enjoy a western-steampunk fusion. Despite its flaws, it's at least entertaining. ╌★★★½✰

{Book Blogger Hop} — Do You Blog Daily?

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 07:00:00 +0200

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

To plan the post for next week in advance, go here for upcoming prompts. You must complete this form to submit a prompt.

There is now a Facebook group for the Book Blogger Hop! Please join the community to connect with other book bloggers and receive the most recent Book Blogger Hop information.

What To Do

1. Post your response to the question.

Do you post every day on your blog and/or social media?

Submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews.

2. In the linky list widget, enter your name or nickname @ Blog Name and the direct URL to your post answering this week's question. Here's an example: Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer

3. Please go to the other blogs on the list and comment on their BBH post.

Optional

1. You can respond to the prompt in a YouTube Vlog.

2. Use the hashtags #bookbloggerhop and #coffeeramblings to share your response on Facebook (@coffeeaddictedwriter) and Twitter (@coffeeramblings).

4. Visit the social media accounts of other bloggers, leave comments on their posts, and possibly become a new follower.

Billy's Answer

I should, but I don't, especially when it comes to social media.

Linky List

Blog

NAME: Your first name or nickname @ Blog title

Please include a link to your blog hop post in your submission.

Copy & Paste the HTML Widget Code to Your Blog Post

Social Media

Your first name or nickname @YouTube/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram

Please include the URL of your social media post.

Please keep in mind that links may take a few moments to appear. You may need to refresh the page.

[Review] — "SHADOW SERVICE" is Both Entertaining and Gruesome

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 11:26:36 +0200

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the SHADOW SERVICE by Cavan Scott & Corin Howell Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About the Books

SHADOW SERVICE Vol. 1: Dark Arts

by Cavan Scott & Corin Howell

Published by Vault Comics.

Available on Paperback and eBook.

Find it on Goodreads and Books2Read.

Gina Meyers is a Private Investigator who makes her living in the underbelly of London. She's also a witch. Not the cutesy kind. The terrifying kind. Witchcraft meets spycraft, when a shadowy government organization abducts Gina.

BLACK MAGIC MEETS BLACK OPS.

Worried your partner is cheating? Need a missing person found?

Gina Meyers is the Private Investigator for you. Sure, she’s a witch who worries that her powers make her more of a monster than the crooks she’s trying to catch, but it’s not like London’s criminal underworld is literally going to hell… is it? Spy craft meets black magic in the shadowy world of MI666.

Collects issues #1 to #5 of the ten issue series.

SHADOW SERVICE Vol. 2: Mission Infernal

by Cavan Scott & Corin Howell

Published by Vault Comics.

Available to buy on Paperback and eBook.

Find it on Goodreads and Books2Read.

First Gina was a witch. Then she was a spy. Now she’s a traitor. Spycraft meets witchcraft in the world of MI666

BLACK MAGIC MEETS BLACK OPS.

Betrayed by one of their own, the Shadow Service takes to the dangerous streets of Rome. But can the traitor be brought back into the fold? The chase is on. Spycraft meets witchcraft in the world of MI666.

Collects #6 to #10 of the ongoing series.

SHADOW SERVICE Vol. 3: Death to Spies

by Cavan Scott & Corin Howell

Published by Vault Comics.

Buy on Paperback and eBook.

Find it on Goodreads and Books2Read.

Black Magic woman meets Black Ops Bond in this supernatural spy saga from New York Times bestselling author, Cavan Scott!

From NewYork Times bestseller Cavan Scott (Star Wars: The High Republic) and artist Corin Howell (Wonder Woman) comes the start of a thrilling new chapter of the supernatural spy saga!

All over the world, secret agents are being murdered by monstrous folk horrors, and not even MI666 is safe. Gina Meyer faces tragedy as a teammate turns enemy. But what of the quest to find out the truth about her past and powers?

Shadow Service stands tall next to the likes of Criminal Macabre and Hellblazer in the world of supernatural detectives while still putting its own spin on it to stand apart. – Horror DNA

For fans of Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan (The Hollows), The Department of Truth, Umbrella Academy, Doctor Who, Star Wars High Republic, Hellblazer, and James Bond.

My Review

SHADOW SERVICE is a comic book series aimed at a mature audience owing to its use of gore and nudity; it's not for the faint of heart. Volume One (issues 1–5) begins with the heroine, Gina Meyers, having a little bit of a Jessica Jones vibe. She's not a private eye with superpowers; instead, she's a private eye witch with a haunting past. That is, until MI-666, the covert supernatural agency of the British government, comes upon her. At every turn, zombies, ghosts, and other monsters have turned the world she once knew upside down.

SHADOW SERVICE: Vol. 1

Volume 2 (issues 6-10) picks up the narrative a short while later and expands on the mythology, adding layers upon layers and setting in motion events that result in Gina joining the MI666. Afterwards, in Volume 3 (issues 11–15), she fights monsters as a member of MI-666, but she can't escape her past and discovers the truth about her birthmother. The narrative leaves off on a cliffhanger, with more to come in future issues.

SHADOW SERVICE: Vol. 3

Overall, I enjoyed reading SHADOW SERVICE. The well-written stories had a lot of unexpected turns that had me flipping the pages. The illustrations are fantastic and occasionally frightening. I encourage everyone who enjoys horror to read this series. ╌★★★★★

About Cavan Scott

Cavan Scott is a UK number one bestseller who has written for such popular worlds as Star Wars, Doctor Who, Star Trek, Assassin's Creed, Judge Dredd, Pacific Rim, and Sherlock Holmes. He is the author of Star Wars Dooku: Jedi Lost, The Patchwork Devil, Shadow Service, and is one of the story architects for Lucasfilm's epic multi-media initiative, Star Wars: The High Republic. He has written comics for Vault, Marvel, DC Comics, IDW, Dark Horse, Vertigo, 2000 AD, and The Beano.

A former magazine editor, Cavan Scott lives in the United Kingdom with his wife and daughters. His lifelong passions include scary movies, folklore, the music of David Bowie, and LEGO.

He owns far too many action figures.

About Corin Howell

Corin Howell is a red head Comic Artist of spooky, scary, and sexy, and monsters, maidens, and robots.

I love cats too.

She is the artist for the supernatural detective series from Vault, SHADOW SERVICE, with bestselling author Cavan Scott.

Hometown: Austin, TX

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details

2 winners will receive a finished copies of SHADOW SERVICE series, US Only.

Ends April 7th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

Week One:

3/1/2023	Mythical Books	Excerpt/IG Post
3/2/2023	Sadie's Spotlight	Excerpt/IG Post
3/3/2023	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt/IG Post
3/4/2023	A Dream Within A Dream	Interview/IG Post

Week Two:

3/5/2023	Cara North	Review/IG Post
3/6/2023	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt/IG Post
3/7/2023	Jazzy Book Reviews	Excerpt/IG Post
3/8/2023	Just Geeking By	Review
3/9/2023	Review Thick And Thin	Review/IG Post
3/10/2023	onemused	IG Post
3/11/2023	The Real World According To Sam	Review/IG Post

Week Three:

3/12/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic
3/13/2023	@froggyreadteach	IG Review
3/14/2023	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
3/15/2023	Vamplit	IG Review
3/16/2023	Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer	Review
3/17/2023	Lifestyle of Me	Review
3/18/2023	OneMoreExclamation	Review/IG Post

Week Four:

3/19/2023	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
3/20/2023	Brandi Danielle Davis	IG Review/TikTok Post
3/21/2023	Emily Ashlyn	IG Review/FB Post
3/22/2023	The Girl Who Reads	Review/IG Post
3/23/2023	See Sadie Read	Review/IG Post
3/24/2023	GryffindorBookishNerd	IG Review
3/25/2023	@by_hckilgour	IG Review

Week Five:

3/26/2023	Author Z. Knight's Guild	Review/IG Post
3/27/2023	Nerdophiles	Review
3/28/2023	the book near me	Review/IG Post
3/29/2023	@enjoyingbooksagain	IG Review
3/30/2023	Two Points of Interest	Review
3/31/2023	@thebookishfoxwitch	Review/IG Post

{Sunday Post} — Kronos, 9 Dragons, and Zero Hour

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:54:29 +0200

The Caffeinated Book Reviewer's Kimberly hosts a weekly meme called "The Sunday Post"!

Weekly Tidbits

I detest the chilly, rainy weather that has persisted in Missouri for the past few days. My allergies are acting up as a result. With the addition of acquiring a cold, my weekend hasn't been the best, but at least I got some reading done.

I just purchased a new smartphone; sorry if some of the photos in this post are a little dark. I'm still figuring out how to set the camera.

This afternoon, the Kansas City Royals won their 16th preseason game. Their current record is 16-2. Let's hope they continue to play well during the regular season.

What Am I Currently Reading?

I read 58 pages of Star Trek: Prodigy: A Dangerous Trade this morning. As it's a short book, I want to complete it tonight. Next I'll read Burner, a "Gray Man" book by Mark Greaney; in fact, I'll probably begin reading a minute after I finish the Star Trek book.

I'll then proceed to the library books. I borrowed two novels from the library: The Cabinet of Curiosities and Bloodless, both written by Dougless Preston and Lincoln Child. Over the week, I read The Cabinet of Dr. Leng, the 21st book in the Pendergast series that finishes on a cliffhanger. It's also Part Three of a Quartet. I neither own nor have read the other two. It shocked me that the little library had any works by the authors, but lo and behold, I found the other two novels there.

Recent Reviews

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
★★★★★

West of Sundown, Vol. 1

★★★★★

Southern Gospel
★★★✰✰

Fear the Walking Dead
★★½✰✰

What's in the Mail?

Although I didn't receive any ARCs, I did receive three books that I purchased from eBay. The books' titles are Wake Woods by K.A. John; Kronos by Guy Adams; and Vampire Circus by Mark Morris. There are novelizations of Hammer horror films.

What's New on the Shelf?

Walmart continues to impress me by stocking their shelves with new books. I recently purchased Tom Clancy's Zero Hour by Don Bentley, Dungeons & Dragons: The Druid's Call by E. K. Johnston, and When the Missouri Went Red by Jim R. Woolard.

It seems like it's been for ages since Dollar Tree restocked their books, and then, "Alaskazam," they have books overnight. I bought the following: Trust Me When I Say I'm Sorry by Benjamin Stevenson; The Earthquake Bird by Susanna Jones; Hunter's Moon by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone; and Planet of the Apes: Omnibus Volume 3 by George Alec Effinger.

While visiting the library, I picked up three 'free' books: 9 Dragons by Michael Connelly; Rebecca's Tale by Sally Beauman; and Eve by Iris Johnansen.

Don't freak out, but I bought 60 books at a thrift store for under four dollars. That's under seven scents per book. I do, on a rare occasion, like to read a good western, and I bought 49 paperback westerns. The books were in a flat box on the floor. Instead of putting each book in a cart, I grabbed the entire box, which cost only $1.99 total.

The lot included 18 J. R. Robert's Gunsmith titles: The Killing Blow, The Sapphire Gun, Outlaw's Reckoning, Under a Turquoise Sky, Wildfire, Dying Wish, The Madame of Silver Junction, Ace in the Hole, The Valley of the Wendigo, The Greater Evil, Straw Men, A Daughter's Revenge, Death in Dodge City, The Knights of Misery, Red Mountain, The Ghost of Billy the Kid, Barnum and Bullets, and Tales From the White Elephant Saloon. 30 books by Zane Grey: The Fugitive Trail, Wanderer of the Wasteland, The Drift Fence, The Dude Ranger, Boulder Dam, The Light of Western Stars, Western Union, Desert Gold, Prospector's Gold/Canyon Walls, Sunset Pass, Rogue River Fued, Stairs of Sand, Arizona Ames, Fighting Caravans, Nevada, The Deer Stalker, The Last Trail, Tappan's Burro, The Desert of Wheat, Black Mesa, 30,000 on the Hoof, The Heritage of the Desert, The Man of the Forest, Captives of the Desert, Code of the West, Wilderness Trek, The Arizona Clan, Majesty's Rancho, Amber's Mirage, and The Border Legion. And last, but not least, is Zane Grey's Laramie Nelson: The Other Side of the Canyon by Romer Zane Grey (Zane Grey's son).

Additionally, I picked up nine David Baladacci books: A Gambling Man, The Whole Truth, Mercy, Long Road to Mercy, Deliver Us From Evil, One Good Deed, The Last Mile, Daylight, and Memory Man. Also, I got a hardcover of Tom Clancy's Clear and Present Danger.

Lastly, I picked up Lost: Endangered Species by Cathy Hapka. Why? I have no idea. Despite watching Lost back in the day, I'm not the biggest fan.

{Book Blogger Hop} — Earbuds or Headphones?

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 14:11:37 +0200

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

To plan the post for next week in advance, go here for upcoming prompts. You must complete this form to submit a prompt.

There is now a Facebook group for the Book Blogger Hop! Please join the community to connect with other book bloggers and receive the most recent Book Blogger Hop information.

What To Do

1. Post your response to the question.

Do you listen to audiobooks with earbuds or headphones?

Submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer.

2. In the linky list widget, enter your name or nickname @ Blog Name and the direct URL to your post answering this week's question. Here's an example: Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer

3. Please go to the other blogs on the list and comment on their BBH post.

Optional

1. You can respond to the prompt in a YouTube Vlog.

2. Use the hashtags #bookbloggerhop and #coffeeramblings to share your response on Facebook (@coffeeaddictedwriter) and Twitter (@coffeeramblings).

4. Visit the social media accounts of other bloggers, leave comments on their posts, and possibly become a new follower.

Billy's Answer

I don't listen to many audiobooks to begin with. I do, however, prefer to use headphones when I do. I have earbuds, but I don't remember ever listening to an audiobook with them.

Linky List

Blog

NAME: Your first name or nickname @ Blog title

Please include a link to your blog hop post in your submission.

Copy & Paste the HTML Widget Code to Your Blog Post

Social Media

Your first name or nickname @YouTube/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram

Please include the URL of your social media post.

Please keep in mind that links may take a few moments to appear. You may need to refresh the page.

[Review] — "Southern Gospel" is a Conventional Musical Drama

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 22:37:59 +0200

The religious drama Southern Gospel premieres in cinemas on March 10. You won't want to miss this incredible true story of redemption and hope starring four-time Emmy nominee Max Ehrich, Katelyn Nacon (The Walking Dead), Emma Myers (Netflix's Wednesday), and J. Alphonse Nicholson (P. Valley and Just Mercy)!

Southern Gospel is the narrative of a man overcoming adversity and never giving up the desire to find the gospel. Having battled with years of resentment and contempt against institutional religion that have led him down a path of disobedience, 1960s rock star Samuel Allen (played by four-time Emmy nominee Max Ehrich) now finds himself in jail. In a miraculous turn of events, the court drops the drug charges against Samuel on the condition that he gives a drug education presentation to area churches and schools. When given a second opportunity, he decides to become a preacher like his father, defeating the influence of a prominent church leader with a personal grudge against his family.

See how Samuel Allen made a stand for everyone who needs God's grace in their lives on March 10 in theaters. Visit the official website of SOUTHERN GOSPEL at www.southerngospel.film to learn more about the film. You can purchase tickets at www.southerngospel-tickets.com.

While this is a faith-based, redemptive film, it is rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, drug use, some violent content, suicide, and language.

I had never heard of Samuel Allen until watching Southern Gospel, a dramatization of the real-life rocker turned preacher. The cinematography and editing looked good for a low-budget Christian movie. Most of the actors performed well in their roles. The writing is to blame for the second half's overabundance of embarrassing situations, although I realize that may be nitpicking too much on my part. It appeared "events" were missing from the plot during the final thirty minutes, which felt hurried and out of place with the movie's beginning.

Southern Gospel is a movie with too many "cliched" Hollywood moments. For me, the best elements were the music and the cinematography. By no means is the movie terrible. Many moviegoers will find the story's Christian themes appealing, and if you like music and dramas, you'll probably enjoy Southern Gospel. I should probably warn you that this isn't a family-friendly movie. It has serious themes, including drug usage, violent content, suicide, and language. ╌★★★✰✰

Disclosure: Many thanks to BMG for providing a sample of the product for this review. My opinions are 100% my own.

GIVEAWAY

Enter to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

1 Winner.

USA Only.

Ends on March 17, 2023.

How Does the Number of Likes Affect Popularity in TikTok?

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 18:15:27 +0200

TikTok is a social media platform that has taken the world by storm. It has revolutionized the way we consume and create content and has given rise to a new breed of online influencers. In TikTok, users can create and share short videos that are designed to be both entertaining and engaging. These videos can range from dance challenges, lip syncs, comedy skits, and more. One of the key metrics used to measure the popularity of a video on TikTok is the number of likes it receives. In this article, we will explore how the number of likes affects popularity on TikTok. You can get free TikTok likes on Goviral.pro.

Likes are one of the most important metrics on TikTok, as they indicate the popularity of a video. When a user likes a video, it means that they enjoyed the content and found it interesting or entertaining. The more likes a video has, the more people are showing their appreciation for the content. In turn, this can lead to increased visibility for the video, as it can appear on the "For You" page, which is TikTok's algorithmically generated feed that showcases popular videos to users.

The number of likes a video receives can also affect the user's popularity on the platform. If a user consistently creates videos that receive a high number of likes, they are more likely to gain followers and become popular influencers on the platform. This can lead to opportunities for brand collaborations, sponsorships, and other monetization options.

However, it is important to note that the number of likes alone does not necessarily indicate the quality of a video. A video that receives a high number of likes may not necessarily be better than a video that receives fewer likes. TikTok's algorithm takes into account a variety of factors when determining which videos to promote, including engagement rates, watch time, and other metrics.

Furthermore, TikTok recently introduced a feature called the "like count," which allows users to choose whether or not they want the number of likes on their videos to be visible to others. This move was aimed at reducing the pressure on users to create content that is solely focused on getting more likes and promoting more authentic and meaningful content.

In conclusion, the number of likes on a TikTok video can have a significant impact on its popularity and the user's overall success on the platform. However, it is important to remember that the quality of the content is just as important as the number of likes it receives. TikTok's algorithm takes into account a variety of metrics when promoting videos, and users should focus on creating engaging, authentic, and high-quality content that resonates with their audience.

[Review] — The Wild West Meets Hammer Horror in "West of Sundown, Vol. 1"

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 11:25:01 +0200

Find the book on Goodreads!

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the West of Sundown, Vol. 1 by Tim Seeley & Aaron Campbell, Jim Terry for the Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About West Of Sundown, Vol. 1

La Sangre es la Vida

A beautiful vampire must flee monster slayers in New York City and reclaim the ancestral soil that restores her undead flesh. But the world has changed since she was reborn in the New Mexico desert, and now, Constance Der Abend and her loyal assistant Dooley must adapt to life in the rough frontier town of Sangre De Moro, where all sorts of monsters have settled.

West of Sundown – where Hammer Horror and literary monsters stake their claim in old New Mexico.

A Western tale of survival starring a cast of literary horrors from the diabolical minds of Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash, Vampire: The Masquerade, Money Shot), Aaron Campbell (Hellblazer, Infidel), and Jim Terry (Vampirella, Come Home, Indio)!

For fans of From Dusk Till Dawn, Westworld, Red Dead Redemption, American Vampire, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Hammer Horror films, Universal monsters, and Preacher!

Collects the entire 5-issue first arc of the smash-hit series!

Praise for West of Sundown

"If you like your horse operas bloody, if you thought The Searchers was fine, except for all the missing vampires and werewolves and monsters, then … Tim Seeley, Aaron Campbell, and Jim Terry have a book here for you. Come walk with them through the Old West, and don’t trust them when they tell you it’s all going to be fine. It’s not. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.” -- Stephen Graham Jones (New York Times bestselling author of The Only Good Indians, My Heart is a Chainsaw)

“…a tawdry monster mash that’s bloody entertaining” – Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"Vigorous, bloody pulp fiction boned with fierce intelligence and blooded with delicate observation. This just might be the start of the best monster universe since Universal's." -- Daniel Kraus (New York Times bestselling author of The Shape of Water, Trollhunters, and The Autumnal)

“Western gets weird in this gore-strewn, rollicking adventure set in the 1870s …with a wink toward gothic Victorian horror.” – Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

My Review

I loved reading West of Sundown, Vol. 1. It's an omnibus of the first five issues, told in five chapters. The series' main character is Constance Der Abend, a female vampire. She is awakened from her coffin-bound slumber by Dooley O'Shaughnessy, an Irishman serving as a Union soldier during the Civil War. Dooley is mesmerized by Constance's beauty and becomes her devoted human companion. He will stop at nothing to keep her safe.

I'm a great lover of Hammer horror films, and there are several references to them in West of Sundown. Constance (also known as Ruby) has a complex, sinister origin narrative revelation throughout volume one, making her more than just your standard countess. There is a Dr. Frankenstein-like figure who I rather enjoyed, as well as a stitched-up monster that is a smart nod to Hammer. Together with the evil villains, there is a reverend cult leader.

Overall, West of Sundown, Vol. 1 is a comic book that is skillfully written and beautifully designed. (Or ought I to refer to it as a graphic novel?) Every horror enthusiast should check it out. ╌★★★★★

Giveaway Details

2 winners will receive a finished copy of West of Sundown, Vol. 1, US Only. Ends April 7th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Tim Seeley

TIM SEELEY is one of those “slash” people…a writer-slash artist. He has drawn a number of different comic book series including G.I JOE, HALLOWEEN, WILDCATS, and ANT-MAN & WASP. His writing work includes NIGHTWING, MONEY SHOT, INJUSTICE v. MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, the critically acclaimed REVIVAL, and the NY TIMES bestselling HACK/SLASH. He resides in Chicago, Illinois with his wife, daughter, and 80s action figure collection.

Hometown: Chicago, IL

About Aaron Campbell

AARON CAMPBELL has been working as a comics artist for a decade and is now the co-writer of Vault Comics horror title, West of Sundown. During his time in comics, he’s illustrated the adventures of some of the world’s most iconic characters, including Hellblazer, Batman, Harley Quinn, The Shadow, Green Hornet, Sherlock Holmes, James Bond, and Infidel, working with such revered writers as Garth Ennis, Matt Wagner, James Robinson, and Andy Diggle.

Hometown: Albuquerque, NM

Website | Instagram | Goodreads

About Jim Terry

JIM TERRY is a Native American comic book artist whose memoir Come Home, Indio was a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize and the Ignatz, as well as the artist on such titles as THE CROW, HACK/SLASH, HEAVY METAL, and more. He is currently working on WEST OF SUNDOWN from Vault Comics. He lives in Chicago with his 4 cats.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

[Blu-ray Review] — "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish" is the Best "Shrek" Movie

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 23:10:55 +0200

Available to buy on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Collector's Edition (Rated PG; 103 minutes) was released digitally by DreamWorks Animation on February 21, 2023, and on 4K UHD, Blu-rayTM, and DVD on February 28, 2023, all via Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Puss in Boots' newest adventure, which was nominated for Best Animated Feature at both the Academy Awards® and the BAFTA Film Awards, now contains nearly an hour of extra content, including an all-new exclusive animated short "The Trident," deleted scenes, a lyric video, and "A Cast of Characters" featurettes.

Puss in Boots, everyone's favorite milk-loving, swashbuckling, fear-defying feline, returns in a new Shrek universe adventure as the courageous bandit realizes that his enthusiasm for adventure and heroic exploits has taken its toll. Puss has consumed eight of his nine lives, although he has lost count along the way. Acquiring those lives back will set Puss in Boots on his largest mission yet, into the Black Forest in search of the magical Wishing Star. With only one life left, Puss is compelled to humble himself and seek assistance from his erstwhile companion and foe, Kitty Softpaws. Perrito, a gregarious and joyful mutt, joins them on their quest. Our trio of heroes will have to work together to stay one step ahead of the fairy tale realm's most cunning villains, including Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

The film is directed by Joel Crawford (The Croods: A New Age), produced by Mark Swift (The Croods: A New Age, the Madagascar films), co-directed by Januel Mercado, and written by Paul Fisher (The Croods: A New Age) and Tommy Swerdlow, and stars Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek Pinault, Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), Florence Pugh (Black Widow), Olivia Colman, Ray Winstone (Black Widow), Samson Kayo (Sliced), John Mulaney (Big Mouth), Wagner Moura (Narcos), Tony® nominee Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Trolls World Tour) and Emmy® nominee Anthony Mendez (Jane the Virgin).

Bonus FEATURES on 4K UHD, Blu-ray Disc, DVD, and digital are:

ALL-NEW EXCLUSIVE SHORT "THE TRIDENT" - When you're the legendary Puss in Boots, life, and death go paw in paw. In this epic original short, Puss recalls one of his most daring deaths yet.
DELETED SCENES

POTTY BREAK
LOVE AND DEATH
WALL O'SNAKES

A CAST OF CHARACTERS - You know their voices; now see the faces behind all the beloved PUSS IN BOOTS characters.

PUSS IN BOOTS
KITTY SOFTPAWS
PERRITO
GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS
JACK HORNER
WOLF

IN THE BEGINNING - Go behind the scenes with the filmmakers of PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH to discover how they brought this great tale to life.
Jack Horner's Line-O-Rama - Jack Horner says it all in this comedic line-o-rama.
"FEARLESS HERO" LYRIC VIDEO - Sing along from home!
HOW TO DRAW THE PURRFECT PAWTRAIT: Join director Joel Crawford and co-director Januel Mercado as they teach us how to draw our favorite characters.

PUSSH IN BOOTS
KITTY SOFTPAWS
PERRITO

HOW TO MAKE A PAPER PERRITO - Every hero needs a sidekick, and this 'how to' will help you create your very own.
Kitten Cam - Sit back, relax, and enjoy a festive cluster of kittens as they frolic and play. This cat-stravaganza is sure to entertain for hours.
FEATURE COMMENTARY - with Director Joel Crawford, Co-Director Januel Mercado, Producer Mark Swift, Editor James Ryan, and Head of Story Heidi Jo Gilbert

Many new animated films haven't appealed to me except for Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, which managed to outdo the first film and the Shrek flicks. I burst out laughing several times. It's enjoyable to have a children's movie with humor and a plot that appeals to adults, too. This time, the animation design is different, which borrows some elements from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse from Sony Pictures Animation; I didn't mind because I also loved that movie.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a fun, entertaining movie that the whole family can watch together; therefore, it's absolutely worth getting on physical media, like DVD, Blu-ray, or 4K UHD. Or buy it digitally if you prefer. ╌★★★★★

{The Midnight Horror} — Fear the Walking Dead: Does Anybody Still Watch It?

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 10:21:47 +0200

Is there still an interest in Fear the Walking Dead? It is the first spinoff of The Walking Dead, a once-popular AMC series. The spinoff has never performed well in the ratings. While the debut episode did draw in over ten million people, subsequent seasons saw a steady decrease in viewership. Yet this summer, it will return for its eighth and final season.

After the first season ended, I lost interest in the show. I coaxed myself into trying the second season and gave up after a few episodes. Once Morgan Jones (played by Lennie James) metaphorically left The Walking Dead, walked to Texas, and took center stage in Fear the Walking Dead, I started watching the show again. While Morgan and a few new characters temporarily increased the ratings, they also caused discord among its small fan base.

Some might find it surprising, yet some individuals, like me, still purchase and collect physical media like 4K HDR, Blu-rays, and DVDs. Now, this leads me to the seventh season of Fear the Walking Dead, which Lionsgate released on DVD (buy on Amazon) and Blu-ray (buy on Amazon) on January 10. The four-disc DVD collection was kindly provided to me by Lionsgate for review, albeit with a slight delay, and I got it a few weeks after it was supposed to come out.

Please allow me to offer the official summary for the seventh season DVD. — Teddy (John Glover) brought about his vision of "The End" when he detonated nuclear warheads across the Texas landscape, but it will be up to the survivors to decide what "The Beginning" will look like. In this world devoid of light and hope, where the outside air is just as deadly as the walkers they face, the ones who lived will find out who they really are and what they’re really made of. Some will rise to the occasion. Others will find new purpose. Still others will redefine themselves—even if it comes at a terrible cost to those they once considered family.

John Glover doesn't even appear in the seventh season, except for one reused scene from season six, so I'm not sure why he got mentioned. Spoiler: Mentioning the actor's name on the back of the DVD packaging appears deceptive because the character "Teddy" died at the end of the sixth season. Maybe, I'm nitpicking too much.

I will say the artwork on each DVD is vivid. The picture and sound qualities are top-notch for a DVD release. There are no special features except for commentaries from executive producers and showrunners Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg on the episodes "The Beacon," "Cindy Hawkins," and "Gone."

I've watched the show twice—once when it first aired on AMC and once again on DVD—and my feelings about it are still ambivalent. The claustrophobic yellow tint aesthetic is appealing to me, but the showrunners made a lot of poor choices. Victor Stand might have easily turned into a great villain, but the writers balked and decided to have him turn the tables at the very end. I can see why Alycia Debnam-Carey wanted out of the show, but at the very least, could they have her character, Alicia, reunite with her mother, Madison? Wrong; before Madison returned in the season finale, they had already killed Alicia. The showrunners made a horrible choice with that decision.

I would only suggest Fear the Walking Dead: The Complete Seventh Season to devoted fans, of whom there are a few. Much like the fifth season, the seventh season is a complete disaster because of the formulaic writing. The impending eighth season is something I'm anticipating since, well, it'll be the last. ╌★★½✰✰

{Sunday Post} — Burner, The Island, and Twins of Evil

Sun, 05 Mar 2023 21:40:52 +0200

The Caffeinated Book Reviewer's Kimberly hosts a weekly meme called "The Sunday Post"!

There will be no weekly tidbits this week. I'm too lazy to write them this time.

What Am I Currently Reading?

Fingers crossed! I'm planning on finally starting The Cabinet of Dr. Leng tonight. I'm on page 25 of Life is 10% What Happens to You and 90% How You React by Charles R. Swindoll. I placed a bookmark inside Star Trek: Prodigy: A Dangerous Trade by Cassandra Rose Clarke.

Recent Reviews

Cold Light of Day
★★★★★

Deaf Row
★★★★★

What's in the Mail?

Storm Watch by C.J. Box and Burner by Mark Greaney were two new ARCs that I received in the mail, though I wouldn't quite call them that as Storm Watch is already available and Burner will be out shortly.

I purchased Twins of Evil by Shaun Hutson, a novelization of an old Hammer picture, on eBay.

Over the week, my Hamilton Books order showed up. I purchased the books Three Weeks to Say Goodbye by C. J. Box; Blue Heaven by C. J. Box; Death of the Planet of the Apes by Andrew E.C. Gaska; Heart of Black Ice by Terry Goodkind; Aliens: Infiltrator by Weston Ochse; and The Complete Alien Collection: The Shadows Archive (Out of the Shadows by Tim Lebbon; Sea of Sorrows by James A. Moore; and River of Pain by Christopher Golden).

What's New on the Shelf?

Holy sh*t! My local Walmart stocked their book section. I bought The Island by Natasha Preston and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Road to Neverwinter by Jaliegh Johnson.

Fresh books on my Kindle include The Orphan of Cemetery Hill by Hester Fox; Below Zero by C.J. Box; The Sum of All Fears by Tom Clancy; Star Trek: The Next Generation: Survivors by Jean Lorrah; and Star Trek: Voyager: Section 31: Shadows by Dean Wesley Smith.

[Review] — Elizabeth Goddard's "Cold Light of Day" is a Gripping Romantic Thriller

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 23:06:41 +0200

The title Cold Light of Day has been bugging me to no end, and then it occurred to me that it is the same name as a low-budget action thriller starring Henry Cavill and Bruce Willis that I purchased the DVD of many years ago on a Black Friday deal but have never watched to this day. Although it has no connection to the movie, Elizabeth Goddard's thriller Cold Light of Day, book one in the Missing in Alaska series, is a thriller nonetheless.

In the sleepy Alaskan hamlet of Shadow Gap, Police Chief Autumn Long is struggling to maintain her job when an unexpected run of criminal activity sees her dealing with a wounded cop, mysterious deaths, and an attack on her own father. Grier Brenner, a newcomer who appears to have the knowledge and expertise Autumn needs to deal with this threat to her town, is the one she goes to despite her distrust of newcomers.

Grier Brenner is in Alaska for the same reason many others are: to vanish until Chief Long approaches him for assistance. He emerges from the shadows and demonstrates his mettle, but his presence in Autumn's life might be a dangerous trap for them.

Elizabeth Goddard is a very talented author whose creativity shines in this novel, particularly in her vivid descriptions. I felt an immediate connection to the protagonists. I kept flipping the pages because there were so many exciting moments and unexpected turns. You won't want to put down the page-turning romantic thriller Cold Light of Day until you've read the very last page. ╌★★★★★

{Book Blogger Hop} — Have You Joined Libby?

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 09:40:55 +0200

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

To plan the post for next week in advance, go here for upcoming prompts. You must complete this form to submit a prompt.

There is now a Facebook group for the Book Blogger Hop! Please join the community to connect with other book bloggers and receive the most recent Book Blogger Hop information.

What To Do

1. Post your response to the question.

Have you joined the library reading app, Libby?

Submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer.

2. In the linky list widget, enter your name or nickname @ Blog Name and the direct URL to your post answering this week's question. Here's an example: Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer

3. Please go to the other blogs on the list and comment on their BBH post.

Optional

1. You can respond to the prompt in a YouTube Vlog.

2. Use the hashtags #bookbloggerhop and #coffeeramblings to share your response on Facebook (@coffeeaddictedwriter) and Twitter (@coffeeramblings).

4. Visit the social media accounts of other bloggers, leave comments on their posts, and possibly become a new follower.

Billy's Answer

I have Libby on my Kindle Fire, but I don't use it as much as I probably should.

Linky List

Blog

NAME: Your first name or nickname @ Blog title

Please include a link to your blog hop post in your submission.

Copy & Paste the HTML Widget Code to Your Blog Post

Social Media

Your first name or nickname @YouTube/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram

Please include the URL of your social media post.

Please keep in mind that links may take a few moments to appear. You may need to refresh the page.

[Review] — Ron Franscell's "DEAF ROW"

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 18:15:51 +0200

Available to Buy on Amazon, Audiobook, and Barnes & Noble.

Add DEAF ROW to Goodreads.

Retired from a big-city homicide beat to a small Colorado mountain town, ex-detective Woodrow "Mountain" Bell yearns only to fade away. He's failed in so many ways as a father, a husband, friend, and cop that it might be too late for a meaningful life. When he stumbles across a long-forgotten, unsolved child murder, his first impulse is to let it lie ... but he can't. He's drawn into the macabre mystery when he realizes the killer might still be near. Without help from ambivalent local cops, Bell must overcome the obstacles of time, age, and a lack of police resources by calling upon the unique skills of the end-of-the-road codgers he meets for coffee every morning—a club of old guys who call themselves Deaf Row. Soon, this mottled crew finds itself on a collision course with a serial butcher.

DEAF ROW is more than a tense mystery novel, more than an unnerving psychological thriller drawn from Ron Franscell's career as a bestselling true-crime writer and journalist. It is also a novel of men pushing back against time and death, trying not to disappear entirely. DEAF ROW is a moving, occasionally humorous, portrait of flawed people caught in a web of pain and regret. And although you might think you know where this ghastly case is headed, the climax will blindside you.

I'm not sure why mysteries draw me in, but lately, I've been devouring these yarns. Although DEAF ROW's cover and blurb may appear "generic" at first sight, the novel has a solid narrative that will please lovers of C.J. Box and Lee Child, two authors I've only begun reading within the last year. This is my first time reading anything by author Ron Franscell, whom I'm mortified to admit I'd never heard of until this book. And after reading DEAF ROW, I'm impressed with his narrative skills. He created fully realized characters, provided the readers with in-depth descriptions, and included a few twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages.

It appealed to me that an elderly group, calling themselves DEAF ROW, in a little mountain town in Colorado would team up to try to solve a mystery. I found Woodrow "Mountain" Bell, the novel's primary protagonist and a former homicide detective, to be a fascinating and well-rounded character. Overall, DEAF ROW is a masterfully written mystery that kept me turning the pages until I reached the very end. ╌★★★★★

$20 Amazon Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A veteran journalist, Ron Franscell is the New York Times bestselling author of 18 books, including international bestsellers “The Darkest Night” and Edgar-nominated true crime “Morgue: A Life in Death.” His newest, “ShadowMan: An Elusive Psycho Killer and the Birth of FBI Profiling,” was released in March by Berkley/Penguin-Random House.

His atmospheric and muscular writing—hailed by Ann Rule, Vincent Bugliosi, William Least-Heat Moon, and others—has established him as one of the most provocative American voices in narrative nonfiction.

Ron’s first book, “Angel Fire,” was a USA Today bestselling literary novel listed by the San Francisco Chronicle among the 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century West. His later success grew from blending techniques of fiction-writing with his daily journalism. The result was dramatic, detailed, and utterly true storytelling.

Ron has established himself as a plucky reporter, too. As a senior writer at the Denver Post, he covered the evolution of the American West but shortly after 9/11, he was dispatched by the Post to cover the Middle East during the first months of the War on Terror. In 2004, he covered devastating Hurricane Rita from inside the storm.

His book reviews and essays have been widely published in many of America’s biggest and best newspapers, such as the Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times, San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury-News, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and others. He has been a guest on CNN, Fox News, NPR, the Today Show, ABC News, and he appears regularly on crime documentaries at Investigation Discovery, Oxygen, History Channel, Reelz, and A&E.

He lives in northern New Mexico.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

How Can We Improve the Quality of Wi-Fi in Our Home?

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 22:49:50 +0200

Home Wi-Fi has become an essential part of our daily lives. But the quality of Wi-Fi in our homes can sometimes be poor, ahead of the quality of most kasyno z niskim depozytem games. Several factors can affect the quality of our home Wi-Fi, from the location of our router to the number of devices that are connected to the network.

In this article, we will explore some of the ways you can improve the quality of your home Wi-Fi. By following these tips, you can ensure that you have a strong and reliable Wi-Fi connection to handle all your internet needs.

Try Giving the Wi-Fi a Kick

When it comes to wireless networks, there is an adage that says, “try striking something when it's behaving funny.” This has proven to be surprising, yet, frequently helpful. While we do not suggest physically kicking your router, the basic issue with your home's Wi-Fi may be caused by a particular arrangement of your space and the place where your router is directing the signal.

To increase coverage, experiment with the router's location and antenna-angle configuration. It just so happens that this is the easiest approach, needing no additional resources (time, money, or knowledge).

Set Up the Channels

A group of constrained radio spectrum bands known as channels is where Wi-Fi works. Even though there may be many devices that desire to use them, there are not many channels available. As a result, the most widely used band, 2.4 GHz, may become congested with interference from other networks and gadgets. The router chooses the channel with the least amount of interference during each restart or at a predetermined period. Choosing the path with the lowest traffic congestion is like how a navigation system works.

You Can Switch to 5 GHz

Naturally, we are merely traveling virtually. With more and larger channels, the 5-GHz band represents a more acceptable part of the radio spectrum. There is also less noise, and the information transmission rate can be much higher because older router versions and the most affordable routers (especially new ones), do not support 5 GHz. Try upgrading to a more contemporary router that supports the 802.11ac standard if your existing ones do not support the 5-GHz band (aka Wi-Fi 5).

Make Use of Cable

Because Wi-Fi is so convenient, we occasionally overlook the value of traditional wired Ethernet. The simplest and most affordable solution to intractable Wi-Fi problems is frequently connecting via cable. By switching to a wired connection, you may effectively kill two birds with one stone. First, it will fix the Wi-Fi issue in the room in question. Second, if you move at least some gadgets to a wire, the effectiveness of the Wi-Fi router on the other ones is essential to improve.

Create a Mesh

There are numerous additional strategies to raise the caliber of your coverage. You might, for instance, build signal repeaters or swap out the router's antennae for better ones (you would be astonished at the garbage that typically resides inside the remarkable horns of a normal home router).

Conclusion

You are responsible for maintaining a steady Wi-Fi connection in your home. But before you quit looking for ways to get the lightning-fast Wi-Fi you have always wanted, consider the simple solutions listed above to boost your home's Wi-Fi.

{Sunday Post} — The Cabin at the End of the World, 2061: Odyssey Three, andThe Witches

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 06:05:34 +0200

The Caffeinated Book Reviewer's Kimberly hosts a weekly meme called "The Sunday Post"!

Since I'm running a little late with this post today, I don't have time to write any "weekly tidbits.

What Am I Currently Reading?

I recently put a bookmark in Preston and Child's The Cabinet of Dr. Leng. This week, I'll be reading it along with Robb Pearlman's Star Trek: Prodigy: Supernova and Cassandra Rose Clarke's Star Trek: Prodigy: A Dangerous Trade.

Recent Reviews

Little Paula
★✰✰✰✰

What's in the Mail?

The only things I received in the mail this past week were two paperback books I bought on eBay: The Witches by Peter Curtis and The Revenge of Frankenstein by Shaun Hutson.

What's New on the Shelf?

On Monday, I went to the one and only antique shop in my town and paid $1 for a paperback edition of Arthur C. Clarke's 2061: Odyssey Three. All that's left for me to finish the series is the first book, 2001: A Space Odyssey. I bought Paul Tremblay's The Cabin at the End of the World and James Patterson's 3 Days to Live sometime during the week. I neglected to mention last week that I got Carole Johnstone's paperback novel, Mirrorland.

{Book Blogger Hop} — Explain Your Blog Header

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 09:00:00 +0200

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

To plan the post for next week in advance, go here for upcoming prompts. You must complete this form to submit a prompt.

There is now a Facebook group for the Book Blogger Hop! Please join the community to connect with other book bloggers and receive the most recent Book Blogger Hop information.

What To Do

1. Post your response to the question.

What is the significance of your blog header?

Submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews.

2. In the linky list widget, enter your name or nickname @ Blog Name and the direct URL to your post answering this week's question. Here's an example: Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer

3. Please go to the other blogs on the list and comment on their BBH post.

Optional

1. You can respond to the prompt in a YouTube Vlog.

2. Use the hashtags #bookbloggerhop and #coffeeramblings to share your response on Facebook (@coffeeaddictedwriter) and Twitter (@coffeeramblings).

4. Visit the social media accounts of other bloggers, leave comments on their posts, and possibly become a new follower.

Billy's Answer

My passion for reading is clearly represented by the stack of books, and my enthusiasm for movies is demonstrated by the 3D glasses. For the other header, I sort of have two of them; it expresses my passion for reading, horror films, and coffee.

Linky List

Blog

NAME: Your first name or nickname @ Blog title

Please include a link to your blog hop post in your submission.

Copy & Paste the HTML Widget Code to Your Blog Post

Social Media

Your first name or nickname @YouTube/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram

Please include the URL of your social media post.

Please keep in mind that links may take a few moments to appear. You may need to refresh the page.