In the Box: March 2016 Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack

This month's Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack was delayed, but they are always good about letting subscribers know.  The subscription is $44.99 a month and you can choose the Big Kid option (for those without kids - like me), or the Family option.  Their site does not have referral links set up yet, nor can you log into your account yet, but they do have a referral program, so if you do decide after reading my review to try it, I would very much appreciate if you told them you heard about it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.

For December, the main game was Hostage Negotiation (a $25.00 value) from Van Ryder Games.  What is super cool about this it is solely a single-player game!

This month, I received two additional games, but one could also be considered a collectible. First we have David L. Hoyt's Word Winder (a $12.99 value) from HL Games Unlimited.  This is the signature edition and can also be used to play RaceWinder. The game/collectible is My Little Pony Collectible Card Game Premiere Pack (a $5.00 value) from Enterplay.  I used to love CCGs, so I am kinda excited about this, even if I am not a fan of the current Ponies.

The collectible this month was a Harley Quinn Pop! Pin (a $5.50 value) from Funko.  Love this!  This month's Awesome Pack swag was the postcard again.

This month was another great one for me with Awesome Pack.  It came in at an $48.49 value, and I paid $44.95, which included shipping. If you would like to subscribe, once again, I ask that you say you heard it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.  (Please note: as games and collectibles can vary in price based on demand, I tried to take the price from the manufacturers site whenever possible.)

In the Box: April 2016 Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss

April's Fresh Fiction box was another good one, even if once again there were more romances than mysteries.  Once again, it contained three prints: One More Night with You by Lisa Marie Perry, A Fool & His Monet by Sandra Orchard, and Relativity by Antonia Hayes. This month, it had 4 ebooks: Motion for Murder by Kelly Rey, Dangerous Gentlemen by Beverley Oakley, Sugar Daddy by Sawyer Bennett, and Naked Choke by Vanessa Dare.  I am most excited about A Fool & His Monet, which is the first in a new series!

Swag, once again, was minimal this month with a first aid kit and pixie stix.  If you are interested in Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss, it is $25 a month (you can skip months) for at least one paperback and 2-6 ebooks, along with swag. 

In the Box: Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss Limited Edition Quarterly Box - Mystery

Fresh Fiction has released their next quarterly LE box, and it is awesome!  The announcement said it would contain five print books and an ebook of an exclusive mystery collection from Gemma Halliday Publishing.  Fresh Fiction has got me addicted to the cozies from GHP, so I had to have this! The Mystery eBook Bundle contains five full-length novels, all of which I am totally excited to read.  As far as the five print books go, I ended up getting six - two hardcovers, Robert B. Parker's The Devil Wins by Reed Farrel Coleman and No One Knows by J. T. Ellison, three paperbacks, Covert Cargo by Elisabeth Rees, Something Very Wicked by Mary Zelinsky, and Lowcountry Bombshell by Susan M. Boyer, and one advanced reading copy, Deception Island by Brynn Kelly.

The other item that made me want the box was the Fresh Fiction mug (it is backwards in the pic, so you can't see the logo).  Author swag was a button for Team Buccaneer.  The box also included a some Stash teas and a recipe.

This quarterly box from Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss ended up being a lot of fun.  It did cost $39.95 plus shipping, but the retail value of the released print books alone, most of which have just been released, comes to $83.69, so that is an amazing good deal!

In the Box: February 2016 Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack

This month's Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack was about back to their normal shipping schedule (I think it just felt a little late due to February being a short month).  The subscription is $44.99 a month and you can choose the Big Kid option (for those without kids - like me), or the Family option.  Their site does not have referral links set up yet, nor can you log into your account yet, but they do have a referral program, so if you do decide after reading my review to try it, I would very much appreciate if you told them you heard about it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.

For December, the main game was Codenames (a $19.99 value) from Czech Game Editions.  I have seen this at the store and thought like it looked like a fun party game.  Now I need to have a party so I can play it.

This month, I received a small game and a puzzle. The game was 5 Crowns Mini Round (a $5.00 value) from Set Games.  Mini Rounds are Set's portable versions of their classic games. The puzzle is Lighthouse(a $7.99 value) from Mega Puzzle's Vibrant series.  The artwork is gorgeous and the the box is incredibly well-made for a puzzle.

The collectible this month was a Drax Guardians of the Galaxy Dorbz (a $7.95 value) from Funko.  This is so aDORBZable (he he).  I also received these cool Dark Side of Oz Tin Man Standard Deck Protectors (a $3.99 value) from Ultra Pro.  This month's Awesome Pack swag was the poster again.

This month was a total hit for me with Awesome Pack, but the lowest value one ever.  It came in at an $44.92 value, and I paid $44.95, which included shipping. If you would like to subscribe, once again, I ask that you say you heard it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.  (Please note: as games and collectibles can vary in price based on demand, I tried to take the price from the manufacturers site whenever possible.)

In the Box: March 2016 Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss

March's Fresh Fiction box was a pretty good one, with as many mysteries as romances.  Once again, it contained three prints: The CEO's Unexpected Child by Andrea Laurence, Town in a Cinnamon Toast by B. B. Haywood, and Secrets in the Stones by Tessa Harris. This month, it was back up to 3 ebooks: Dolce by Rachel Blaufeld, Indigo Sky by Gail Ingis, and Bubblegum Blonde by Anna Snow.  I really love that there were 3 mysteries, plus Indigo Sky just looks a good read.

Swag, once again, was almost non-existent this month with a Do Not Disturb sign and (yay!) mini gummy bears! If you are interested in Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss, it is $25 a month (you can skip months) for at least one paperback and 2-6 ebooks, along with swag. 

In the Box: January 2016 Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack

Just as last month's Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack was early, the January one was late (which they did email about it).  The subscription is $44.99 a month and you can choose the Big Kid option (for those without kids - like me), or the Family option.  Their site does not have referral links set up yet, nor can you log into your account yet, but they do have a referral program, so if you do decide after reading my review to try it, I would very much appreciate if you told them you heard about it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.

For December, the main game was Patchistory (a $60.00 value) from Stuntkite.  I have never heard of Stuntkite and their catalog is really small, but this looks like a lot of fun, especially for my husband who is a history buff.  It looks like if you order from the publisher's site, you will also get 6 extra promo tiles.

Both smaller games were card based.  First, we have The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Deck Building Game (a $40.00 value) from Cryptozoic Entertainment.  Cryptozoic makes awesome licensed games, so this should be a good one.  We also have Royal Flushter (a $5.99 value) from Patch (which has recently become Play Monster).  The name change is probably why I cannot find the game on the publisher's website - they are probably shifting products.

No collectibles, but I did get an activity this month - a Silver Engraving Kit, Wolf Moon (a $5.49 value) from Royal & Langnickel.  This looks kinda fun, but I don't think I have the artistic talent.  I'll still try it, though.  This month's Awesome Pack swag was a cute postcard.

This month was a total hit for me with Awesome Pack, and one of the highest value ones yet.  It came in at an $111.48 value, and I paid $44.95, which included shipping. If you would like to subscribe, once again, I ask that you say you heard it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.  (Please note: as games and collectibles can vary in price based on demand, I tried to take the price from the manufacturers site whenever possible.)

In the Box: Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss Limited Edition Valentine Sweet Surprise

Fresh Fiction offered a grab bag for Valentine's Day, so I had to jump on it.  The options were "Sweet Romance", "Steamy Romance", or "Getting Lucky" (which was totally random).  I, of course, chose the random option.  There was a disclaimer that says some books were featured in the boxes, so I knew I might get a duplicate.  I really did not expect to get two duplicated.  Luckily the third book, the highest value one, was new to me.  I received Fortune's Secret Heir by Allison Leigh, An Amish Noel by Patricia Davids, and With This Ring? by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, and Melissa Jagears.

In the Box: February 2016 Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss

As usually half of the Fresh Fiction box is made up of romances, I was actually surprised that February's box was not more so.  Once again, it contained three prints: Colton's Surprise Heir by Addison Fox, The Hole in the Middle by Kate Hilton, and Duke of My Heart by Kelly Bowen. This month, there were only 2 ebooks: Lucky Penny by Ellie Ashe and Dying Light by Kory M. Schrum.  While there were only 2 ebooks, both look totally awesome, and I love that The Hole in the Middle is women's fiction rather than straight romance.

Swag, once again, was almost non-existent this month with a magnet and conversational hearts (ick), but the box has a handwritten Valentine's message on it.  If you are interested in Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss, it is $25 a month (you can skip months) for at least one paperback and 2-6 ebooks, along with swag. 

In the Box: January 2016 Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss

I have finally figures out how the months work with the Fresh Fiction box!  Got an email that clearly called this one the January box and the theme was "New Year, New You".   Once again, it contained three prints: Fortune's Secret Heir by Allison Leigh, A Cold Creek Christmas Story & Christmas in Cold Creek by ReaAnne Thayne, and Before by Anna Todd. This month, there were only 3 ebooks: Tempted in Texas by Sara York, Counteract by Tracy Lawson, and Key Change by Barbara Valentin.  I am betting you can figure out which book excites me most!

Swag was almost non-existant this month with a mirror and a Jolly Rancher, but swag is not the reason I get this box.  If you are interested in Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss, it is $25 a month (you can skip months) for at least one paperback and 3-6 ebooks, along with swag. 

In the Box: November 2015 Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack

November's Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack may not have been as chock-full as October's, but it is perfect for all the upcoming holiday events with family.  The subscription is $44.99 a month and you can choose the Big Kid option (for those without kids - like me), or the Family option.  Their site does not have referral links set up yet, nor can you log into your account yet, but they do have a referral program, so if you do decide after reading my review to try it, I would very much appreciate if you told them you heard about it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.

For October, the main game was Patchwork ($25.oo value) from Mayfair Games. This is a two-player game that sounds easy and fun, and one I have had my eye on.

All of the smaller games this month came from Patch.  Golf (a $7.99 value) is a deck of golf-themed cards that can be used to play Fore! and Mulligan as well as regular card games.  Malarky (a $7.99 value) is a bluffing game, which should be a lot of fun with family.  Farkle Nano (a $5.99 value) is a keychain-sized version of the classic Farkle, which I had just been introduced to days before receiving my November Awesome Pack.

My other item this month was a classic Wooly Willy magnetic activity (a $1.99 value), also from Patch.  Not sure I will use this, but it does contain some great nostalgia.  For Awesome Pack goodies, I received a fun poster..

This was definitely, so far, the most awesome Awesome Pack!  Not the highest value Awesome Pack, but it still came in at $48.96 value, which is just over the $44.95, which included shipping. While this is probably the least value I have received in an Awesome Park, these are all very fun games..  If you would like to subscribe, once again, I ask that you say you heard it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.  (Please note: as games and collectibles can vary in price based on demand, I tried to take the price from the manufacturers site whenever possible.)

In the Box: November 2015 Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss

This was another great Fresh Fiction box !  Once again, it contained three prints: Denial by Lisa Renee Jones, Dukes are Forever by Anna Harrington, and Murder Under the Mistletoe by Terri Reed. This month, there were 4 ebooks again (actually 5, since one had two copies - one for me and one for a friend).  I received The Business of Love by Anna James, Always on My Mind by Kelsey Browning & Nancy Naigle, Joy to the Worlds by Maia Chance, Janina A. Southard, Raven Oak, & G. Clemans, and Teased to Death by Gina LaManna.  I am most excited about Joy to the Worlds, which is a holiday anthology of speculative fiction, but it only came as an epub.

The swag was more to my liking this month than last.  The candy canes were smashed, but that's OK.  The foam snowman ornament was fun to put together and the kleenex are always useful.  I love the magnet, but I could take or leave the bracelet.

Another great Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss.  While this month had 3 paperbacks, each box will have at least one paperback and 3-6 ebooks, along with swag, for $25 a month (you can skip months). 

In the Box: Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss Limited Edition Quarterly Box - Christmas

Fresh Fiction decided to do limited edition quarterly boxes on top of their monthly subscription.  Although I am not the biggest fan of Christmas romances, there were two items that had me jumping on this box. 

The announcement said it would contain four print books and an ebook (one for me, one for a friend) of an exclusive short story collection from Gemma Halliday Publishing.  Fresh Fiction has got me addicted to the cozies from GHP, so I had to have this.  The Holiday Mystery Short Story Bundle contains nine stories, all of which I am totally excited to read.  As far as the four print books go, it ended up being five paperbacks and a hardcover:  Unwrapped by Katie Lane, A Ranger for the Holidays by Allie Pleiter, An Amish Noel by Patricia Davids, Snowbound at Christmas by Debbie Mason, Angels in the Snow by Rexanne Becnel, and A Knights Bridge Christmas by Carla Neggers.

The other item that made me want the box was the Baby Vixen, who is just so adorable!  Author swag was a magnet from  Tricia Skinner (the only non-Christmas item) and a poster calendar from Chanta Rand.  The box also included a snowman Pez dispenser and some hot cocoa.

This quarterly box from Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss ended up being a lot of fun.  It did cost $35 plus shipping, but the retail value of the print books alone, most of which have just been released, comes to $50.94, so that a good deal!

In the Box: October 2015 Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss

This was the best Fresh Fiction box so far!  Once again, it contained three hardcopies, one in hardcover: Her Christmas Protector by Geri Krotow, The Single Undead Moms Club by Molly Harper, and the hardcover, A Blossom of Bright Light by Suzanne Chazin. A Blossom of Bright Light is a mystery rather than any form of romance, so I am stoked about that. This month, there were 4 ebooks.  I received Tastes Like Murder by Catherine Bruns, Taste by Tracy Ewen, 8 Weeks by Bethany Lopez, and Killer Closet Case by Elizabeth Ashby & T. Sue Versteeg.  There was a problem with the Tastes Like Murder code, but they fixed that promptly and gave a code for an addition book from Gemma Halliday Publishing.

The swag wasn't all that exciting this month.  I love the little stressball pumpkin and the rest was from Rose Gordon, which, aside from the bookmark, is up for swap.

Possibly my favorite Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss.  While this month had 3 paperbacks, each box will have at least one paperback and 3-6 ebooks, along with swag, for $25 a month (you can skip months). 

In the Box: October 2015 Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack

While's September's box may not have seemed the most customized, October's Awesome Pack Big Kid Pack was 100% me.  The subscription is $44.99 a month and you can choose the Big Kid option (for those without kids - like me), or the Family option.  Their site does not have referral links set up yet, nor can you log into your account yet, but they do have a referral program, so if you do decide after reading my review to try it, I would very much appreciate if you told them you heard about it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.

For October, the main game was Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Munchkin ($24.95 value) from Steve Jackson Games. If you have never played Munchkin, you need to!  It is crazy fun and great for friends who do not mind a little backstabbing.  This version is based on The Nightmare Before Christmas movie and looks totally awesome.

For the smaller games, I received 3 card games.  First we have MindTrap Shadow Mysteries (a $8.95 value) from Outset Media.  I love mystery games, so this sounds totally cool.  In roughly the same vein, I also received Dark Stories (a $9.99 value) from Z-Man Games.  My final card game was Scopa (a $10.99 value) also from Outset Media, which is an Italian card game.

No collectibles this time since I received 3 smaller games, but due to an issue last month, I received a Something Extra Awesome (aka a bonus game), Marvel TCG: Spider-Man Vs. Doc-Ock 2-Player Starter Set (a $8.00 value) from Upper Dck.  For Awesome Pack goodies, I received two bookmarks.

This was definitely, so far, the most awesome Awesome Pack!  Not the highest value Awesome Pack, but it still came in at $62.88 value, and I got it all for $44.95, which included shipping. I still got a great deal, but even better, got amazingly awesome games.  If you would like to subscribe, once again, I ask that you say you heard it from me, rickimc [at] aol [dot] com.  (Please note: as games and collectibles can vary in price based on demand, I tried to take the price from the manufacturers site whenever possible.)