Thanks for visiting Sophia Tallon's blog! We review books, audio books, screenplays, films, web series, plus much more! We also do interviews, spotlights, and guest posts! Please see our Contact/FAQ's page! Make sure you follow us on Bloglovin' or by email! Posts go live daily at 12 a.m. Central Daylight Time.

Friday 25 December 2015

Chomps Snack Sticks!

Hello again you lot! Today I will be reviewing food! If you know anything about me, you know I love snacks! So I got these and there were two each of three flavours: Crankin' Cran, Hoppin' Jalapeno, and Original. First of all, these are made from 100% Non-GMO Grass-Fed angus beef that wasn't raised with antibiotics which I love. Plus they have no nitrites, nitrates, MSG, artificial colors or flavors. And they use celery juice to keep them shelf stable! I had no idea you could use celery juice that way. They mentioned that they're like a healthier version of Slim Jim's which I like but don't really eat since they're not that good for you and don't have natural ingredients. So I was excited to try these but a little skeptical. I tried the Hoppin' Jalapeno first and loved it! It wasn't that spicy which I liked since I don't like super spicy food unless it's Indian food. Next I tried Original which really did taste like a way better version of Slim Jim's! Finally I tried Crankin' Cran which was pretty spicy and was my least favourite. Overall I really loved these and am definitely going to be buying more. If you'd like to check them out, click here: http://www.gochomps.com

Read a little more about the brand:
Peter and Rashid started Chomps out of an apartment in Chicago in 2012 with the help of their wives. Since then the product has rapidly gained popularity in the CrossFit and Paleo space. It continues to grow in popularity hitting new target markets including Outdoorsmen, Bodybuilders, Gluten Free Dieters and Parent's looking for healthy snacks for their kids. The team mission is to create the highest quality jerky product on the market.

Wednesday 23 December 2015

I'm now on Instagram!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know that I am now on Instagram! Find me here: https://www.instagram.com/sophiatallon/ If you follow me I will follow you back as soon as I can! Also my page with all my social media links was just edited so go check it out! Much love!

Thursday 10 December 2015

(November) GLOSSYBOX

Here is my review for the November Glossybox! In order of favourite to least favourite:

1) Marsk Mineral Eyeshadow in You're Toast
I loved this eye shadow it has such a lovely golden colour that pictures just can't show. It blended wonderfully and would look great on different skin tones. It's so highly pigmented that you don't need to put on much to make it look good. The normal price of $24. So, would I buy this? Maybe, but probably not because I can get something similar for a lower price.
2) Beauty For Real D-Fine Lip Pencil
This is the BEST lip pencil ever! I never use one because I never like them but this one looks amazing and perfect under lipstick or lip gloss no matter what colour. The normal price is $14. Would I buy this? Absolutely!
3) Florapy Yarrow Lavender Sweet Dreams Mask
I've heard amazing things about masks like these and have wanted to try some for awhile! So, I was excited to try this one! I used it before I went to sleep and it felt so cool and it smelled really lovely! I was worried it would smell too lavendery and I hate really strong lavender smells. Thankfully it had a nice light smell that wasn't too over powering. After I used it, it left my face so soft and moisturised, even when I woke up my face still felt and looked great! The normal price is $8 for one mask. Would I buy this? Definitely! (And you should too)

4) Crabtree & Evelyn LA Source Ultra Moisturising Hand Therapy
This hand creme is great! It really does moisturise your hands and smells nice! The normal price is $9. Would I buy this? Maybe.
5) Estee Lauer Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Aging Creme
I didn't try this but I gave it to my mum so I'll let you know what she thinks! The normal price is $8.
If you want to try Glossybox click here: https://www.glossybox.com/referal?CI=MTgzNTQ1

Tuesday 8 December 2015

(AUTHORT INTERVIEW) Justin Edison


Today I will be interviewing Justin Edison! Enjoy, and remember if you ever want to be interviewed Contact Me

First of all, tell us a little about yourself!
Poor soccer player. Good youth soccer coach (I think). Better writer (I hope). Decent at being a dad. Better-than-average cook. I should add aspiring Web site manager, inventor and adventurer, though those all seem to come with a touch of disappointment and/or risk. I tend to get by with a lot of coffee and music.

What inspired you to become an author?

I’ve been writing stories as long as I can remember. Most of that was rubbish, of course. I think it’s the same for a lot of writers. Do any of us really wake up one day (as an adult) and say, ‘Yep, I’m going to write the best novel ever?’

What was the main inspiration for your most recent book?
Well, the idea of someone so powerful and talented (like Hessabi) being held in thrall is scary, but it has a lot of potential. The character interactions are the meat of the story. This isn’t just some kidnapping-for-ransom tale, so it was naturally dark.

 Who influenced you the most in life?
Tough to say. Personally, both MLK and Gandhi were huge, though I know woefully little about them. They were kind of like the joint voice of authority. The funny thing is, from this book at least, you’d never know that about me. The character of Fat Man is simply wretched!

What is the kindest thing someone has ever said and or done for you?

Probably when Luanne (my wife) emailed me after we first me, to ask me out. It did wonders.

Do you have a favourite author? (Or name a few)
Mark Bowden has to be right up there. What he can do with nonfiction is just brilliant! On the fiction side, Bradbury and Heller and Richard Ford. All over the place.

What is the best writing advice you have ever received?
Believe in what you’re doing! That’s the cornerstone for doing what you love.

Did you always want to be a writer and if not what did was the first thing you wanted to be or do?
I think it was always with me, even as a young kid. It was either Lego builder or astronaut (shocking) but, at the same time, a writer.

Do you like to listen to music while you write? If so, who are your favourite artists?

Love music, also all over the place. Niyaz, Dream Theater, Pink Floyd, Chopin, David Gray, different soundtracks.

What helps you write when you're stuck and or have writer's block?
I love being outside, breathing fresh air. Just going outside to rake is helpful. Yes, I also love going out for coffee, when possible, and having the energy of people and conversations around me.

After a long day of writing etc, do you have a favourite tv show you like to watch?
I love comedy, but we’re TV-free right now. It’s liberating.

What are you working on currently?
My war novel. Doesn’t every serious writer have one? It’s a story that’s been with me for years—taking notes, ideas that rise up or fall flat. Picture a snowy landscape and a woman behind the scope.

When you're not writing, or working, what do you like to do?
I love playing soccer, though I’m not very good. I’m coming to the game late, unlike guys who’ve been kicking a ball since they were two. And my wife and I used to hike a lot, so we’re going to do more of that as the kids can handle more. The mountains here are amazing.
What are some of your most favourite books of all time?
Ones I’d like to pick up and re-read every year would include “Catch 22” and Charles Johnson’s “Middle Passage.” Also Adams’ “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” believe it or not. I’m a sucker for British humor.

Which of your characters do you love the most and why?
Well, as awful and despicable as Fat Man (in “The Churning”) is, he’s got energy and an honesty that was fun to work with. I just let the chains off him and let him say whatever came natural. The whole time, I’ve heard Jason Statham’s voice in my head, so that helped.

Which of your books are you most proud of?
I’ve only got two out, so that’s easy.

What is the title of the last book you read/was it good or bad?
“The Black Count”, which was Reiss’ wonderful if heart-breaking tale of the French general Dumas. What a wild, weird place in history! There are lessons for all of us in those pages.

Is there anything specific you'd like to try writing about in the future?

I’m taking notes on a mystery of sorts featuring an engineer. I’m excited about the character’s potential, but it’s going to take some research and interviews, since I don’t know a thing about it. Rendering him well will be a challenge.

What is an interesting or hidden talent you have?
After spending a semester/term in England, I got to be pretty good at snooker. It’s fun trying to psych-out and snooker your opponent, and there’s definitely some strategy at play. You kill others softly.

If you could have one super power, what would it be and why would you choose it?
Flight. No question it would surpass anything else.

Is there anything else you'd like my readers to know?

For those who have trouble getting up in the morning to write/work, it really helps to have a cute cat. Ours is named Moon, and she’s dutifully in my face at 5 a.m. each day. It helps.

Where can we find you on social media?

I’m on Facebook and Twitter, @jedisonbooks. While I revamp my Website, my blog can be found at www.jedisonwriting.wordpress.com.

Don't forger to check out Justin's book The Churning

Saturday 5 December 2015

(AUHOR INTERVIEW) Breigh Forstner

Today I will be interviewing Breigh Forstner! Enjoy, and remember if you ever want to be interviewed Contact Me

First of all, tell us a little about yourself!
I live in south east Michigan, just an hour north of Detroit. I live with my two daughters and my fiancĂ©e, where we’re only a few minutes from the Canadian border. I love to read in addition to writing, and listening to music.

What inspired you to become an author?
I’ve always loved to read. My passion for writing stemmed from that when I was younger I wrote a couple of short stories that ended up getting deleted off of my desktop (sadly.) But recently what really inspired me to become an author was my brother. He was in the process of publishing his first sci-fi novel through Amazon and I thought that was amazing, and I was already working on a book, but that was really what pushed me to keep going.

What was the main inspiration for your most recent book?
My most recent book, which is at the tail end of my “Straight from the Heart” Series, is based on music tastes, which is mostly rock music.
Who influenced you the most in life?
My mom. She’s always had my back and has done so much for my kids and I and she is one of my best friends.

What is the kindest thing someone has ever said and or done for you?
I would say it would be my mom and stepdad taking my daughter and I back into their house after my ex husband and I divorced (as crazy as that sounds)

Do you have a favourite author? (Or name a few)
Jessica Sorensen and Gail McHugh for sure.

What is the best writing advice you have ever received?
To never stop writing, even if you think what you’re writing is bad.

Did you always want to be a writer and if not what did was the first thing you wanted to be or do?
The first thing I wanted to be was similar to writing, but I wanted to be in music journalism! I had this dream I was going to write for this magazine called Alternative Press and move to Ohio where the magazine headquarters is located, but because of my job now, that dream I had almost 8 years ago fell short.

Do you like to listen to music while you write? If so, who are your favourite artists?
For sure I do! I have a dedicated writing playlist on YouTube that I listen to every time I’m writing. My favourite artists are Breaking Benjamin, Of Mice and Men, and We Came as Romans.

What helps you write when you're stuck and or have writer's block?
I think of a different storyline for a completely different WIP and then that’s what gets me back in the writing groove.
After a long day of writing etc, do you have a favourite tv show you like to watch?
Sons of Anarchy!

What are you working on currently?
I am working on the fourth book in my series and it’s called “Trusting My Heart.” Hopefully it will be out by early next spring.

When you're not writing, or working, what do you like to do?
I always spend time with my kids and we play, read books, watch Disney princess movies J

What are some of your most favourite books of all time?
That is really tough. I would say either The Heroin Diaries by Nikki Sixx, or Pulse by Gail McHugh

Which of your characters do you love the most and why?
I would have to say it would be Bryn (the main lead in Straight from the Heart.) I love how she grows and matures throughout the book and especially the series.

Which of your books are you most proud of? 
I would have to say “From My Heart,” which is the sequel to Straight from the Heart. It tackles addiction, which is not something I’m familiar with, so a lot of research went into it before I mentioned it in the book.

What is the title of the last book you read/was it good or bad?
It was “Until November” by Aurora Rose Reynolds. I haven’t finished it yet, but so far I like it!

Is there anything specific you'd like to try writing about in the future?
I would like to write a book mentioning abortion. That topic hits home with me on a personal level, and I’ve wanted to write about it for awhile now.

What is an interesting or hidden talent you have? 
My interesting talent is that I can sing pretty well! Not a lot of people know that, but I was in choir and singing classes at school for over 7 years and tried to continue it through when I went to college.

If you could have one super power, what would it be and why would you choose it?
I think it would be to be invisible, because that’s kind of like how my personality is now. I’m one of those where there is times that I like to be invisible and just absorb the world around me and observe people and things.

Is there anything else you'd like my readers to know? 
If you like smart mouth, tattooed rockers, you will love my Straight from the Heart series!

Where can we find you on social media? 
Right now, I’m on Facebook under www.facebook.com/breighforstnerauthor and my Twitter username is @BreighForstner!

Make sure you check out Bregh's book Straight From the Heart!
 

Tuesday 1 December 2015

Chomps Snack Sticks Giveaway!

Hey, guys! In December I'll be doing a review of Chomps Snack Sticks but today I'm going to link you to a giveaway so you can win some!
Chomps Snack Sticks are an awesome new health product made with 100% Non-GMO Grass-Fed Angus Beef which is sourced from New Zealand. The sticks contain no artificial ingredients (no nitrites, nitrates, MSG, colors, flavors) and are shelf stable for a year with the help of celery juice! Best of all, they taste AMAZING! Think a much healthier and tastier version of Slim Jim's.
Here's the giveaway link: https://promosimple.com/ps/8968