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Awix (3310 KP) rated Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance in TV
May 21, 2018 (Updated May 21, 2018)
I Give It A Year
Mind-bogglingly weird, supposedly based-on-true-events TV movie cashing in on the recent paroxysm of monarchist schmaltz. You know the story: she's on TV, he used to be in the army, hushed intake of breath from the British establishment when it turns out the lad's seeing a lady of her particular type, and so on, and so.
Everything is very clearly presented as the tale of a modern, progressive, independent woman who ain't gonna take no nonsense from this troubled scion of a gaggle of hidebound inbreds; Meghan is the heroine who saves Harry from the crushing oppressiveness of royal tradition. You go, your grace!
Direction is bland, acting mostly indifferent, dialogue execrable. Worth watching for: the scene where Meghan ends up chasing Harry's private jet down the runway after precipitately chucking him. The subplot about Princess Diana being reincarnated as a lion. Some very surprising dialogue ('I love a dirty martini,' says the Duchess of Cornwall). Possibly the least accurate depiction of the Queen ever put on screen - she complains about how she's shown in The Crown, in a nicely meta moment.
Pervasive sense of double-think permeates the production: film is consistently down on the royals, which is odd when you consider that if Harry wasn't a royal it wouldn't actually exist. Media intrusion on the couple is also strongly frowned upon, but if making a whole movie fictionalising their lives isn't an intrusion of some sort, what is? Soon to pass into obscurity, I reckon, but an arresting, mutant production while it's with us.
Everything is very clearly presented as the tale of a modern, progressive, independent woman who ain't gonna take no nonsense from this troubled scion of a gaggle of hidebound inbreds; Meghan is the heroine who saves Harry from the crushing oppressiveness of royal tradition. You go, your grace!
Direction is bland, acting mostly indifferent, dialogue execrable. Worth watching for: the scene where Meghan ends up chasing Harry's private jet down the runway after precipitately chucking him. The subplot about Princess Diana being reincarnated as a lion. Some very surprising dialogue ('I love a dirty martini,' says the Duchess of Cornwall). Possibly the least accurate depiction of the Queen ever put on screen - she complains about how she's shown in The Crown, in a nicely meta moment.
Pervasive sense of double-think permeates the production: film is consistently down on the royals, which is odd when you consider that if Harry wasn't a royal it wouldn't actually exist. Media intrusion on the couple is also strongly frowned upon, but if making a whole movie fictionalising their lives isn't an intrusion of some sort, what is? Soon to pass into obscurity, I reckon, but an arresting, mutant production while it's with us.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated You - Season 1 in TV
Jun 7, 2019 (Updated Jun 7, 2019)
A creepy stalker tale for the modern era....
Well that was something; I’m all over the place with my feelings for this series from hating it to loving it; a bit like my feelings for its lead character and narrator Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley.)
Joe is straight off the bat creepy stalker guy when he becomes obsessed with Guinevere “Beck” (Elizabeth Lail) off the back of meeting her in his bookshop - as if Amazon isn’t doing enough on its own to kill independent bookshops…. Convinced they should be together to pretty much save Beck from herself, Joe goes to ever increasing lengths to get to know everything about her and start manipulating her to become part of his life. It offers up a strong commentary on the power social media as well as the back stabbing competitive world of literature and socialites in New York
The narrative from Joe is hypnotic in him justifying his actions and Badgley’s voice is a perfect mixture of good wholesome guy with undertones that just make you shiver. As the series progressed, I got less and less creeped out by Joe and more frustrated with the other characters (oh my maybe Joe is brainwashing me.) With an almost Dexter feel to cheering on Joe at times I had to keep reminding myself that his moral compass was way off in comparison, just because someone is a self obsessed a****** doesn't mean they deserve to die.
The series started off very strongly but did drop off midway and I worry if the second season can bring back the initial engagement, I’ll certainly be tuning in to find out.
Joe is straight off the bat creepy stalker guy when he becomes obsessed with Guinevere “Beck” (Elizabeth Lail) off the back of meeting her in his bookshop - as if Amazon isn’t doing enough on its own to kill independent bookshops…. Convinced they should be together to pretty much save Beck from herself, Joe goes to ever increasing lengths to get to know everything about her and start manipulating her to become part of his life. It offers up a strong commentary on the power social media as well as the back stabbing competitive world of literature and socialites in New York
The narrative from Joe is hypnotic in him justifying his actions and Badgley’s voice is a perfect mixture of good wholesome guy with undertones that just make you shiver. As the series progressed, I got less and less creeped out by Joe and more frustrated with the other characters (oh my maybe Joe is brainwashing me.) With an almost Dexter feel to cheering on Joe at times I had to keep reminding myself that his moral compass was way off in comparison, just because someone is a self obsessed a****** doesn't mean they deserve to die.
The series started off very strongly but did drop off midway and I worry if the second season can bring back the initial engagement, I’ll certainly be tuning in to find out.
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated Cowboy In The Crosshairs (Dreamspun Desires #53) in Books
Mar 6, 2018
a bit jumpy but an enjoyable 4 star read
Independent reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I liked this, I really did. Its just the characters tend to jump about with their thinking and it got a little difficult trying to keep up in places!
BUT!!!
A great easy read, as usual from Tortuga!
Wacey comes home after an accident and TJ is Sheriff in town now. They split some ten years before, for one reason or other, to be honest I wasn't entirely sure WHY they split! But it's clear they still have an attraction that won't go away. When it becomes obvious that the "accident" might not have been, TJ goes into deep protection mode, and Wacey welcomes it. The culprit is caught, but will Wacey leave TJ again??
Like I said, a really easy read! Told from both Wacey and TJ's point of view, we get how each man feels seeing the other for the first time, their reactions then and after. It's not overly explicit, because it's a DreamSpun Desires, from DreamSpinner, but there is enough that is right for this book. While I do tend to prefer my male/male romances on the more explicit side, I really did enjoy this one with that little bit less.
The story flows well (apart from the jumping around the minds of the guys did!) and I saw no spelling or editing errors. I did not get who was trying to get Wacey until it was revealed in the book!
A perfect way to spend a snowed in Friday afternoon!
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I liked this, I really did. Its just the characters tend to jump about with their thinking and it got a little difficult trying to keep up in places!
BUT!!!
A great easy read, as usual from Tortuga!
Wacey comes home after an accident and TJ is Sheriff in town now. They split some ten years before, for one reason or other, to be honest I wasn't entirely sure WHY they split! But it's clear they still have an attraction that won't go away. When it becomes obvious that the "accident" might not have been, TJ goes into deep protection mode, and Wacey welcomes it. The culprit is caught, but will Wacey leave TJ again??
Like I said, a really easy read! Told from both Wacey and TJ's point of view, we get how each man feels seeing the other for the first time, their reactions then and after. It's not overly explicit, because it's a DreamSpun Desires, from DreamSpinner, but there is enough that is right for this book. While I do tend to prefer my male/male romances on the more explicit side, I really did enjoy this one with that little bit less.
The story flows well (apart from the jumping around the minds of the guys did!) and I saw no spelling or editing errors. I did not get who was trying to get Wacey until it was revealed in the book!
A perfect way to spend a snowed in Friday afternoon!
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated Unforgivable Lover (Warriors of Lemuria #5) in Books
Mar 8, 2018
sad to say goodbye!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 5 in the series, and you really SHOULD read books 1 through 4 first. The prequel short isn't really necessary though.
Gaetan is the Healer at the Keep. When Noeh's son takes himself through the portal, Gaetan sets out to find him, and ends up saving Nikki from a Gossum attack. But in doing so, sets off a chain of events that will lead to the end of this war.
I have enjoyed this series, and it's always sad to see the end come but I find myself a little disappointed and I have no idea why!
Oh, don't get me wrong, Gaetan and Nikki's story is a good one, and we get why his leg is injured and just why his sister Ginnia, is how she is. Heartbreaking, when Gaetan tells Nikki that. And the Gods on Lemuria play their final pieces, and everything becomes, mostly anyway, clear.
I just ...UGH!!! I just felt, good as it was, it all came to a head far too quickly, and without all the drama I was expecting! Please don't hate me, ya'll know I have to tell you how I FEEL about my books, and this one left me a little wanting. Of WHAT exactly, I've no bloody idea!!
BUT!!!
Besides from the fact this book brings the series to an end, I did enjoy it, and I would still highly recommend this series for those who like paranormal, or fantasy romances.
Always sad to see a series come to an end.
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book 5 in the series, and you really SHOULD read books 1 through 4 first. The prequel short isn't really necessary though.
Gaetan is the Healer at the Keep. When Noeh's son takes himself through the portal, Gaetan sets out to find him, and ends up saving Nikki from a Gossum attack. But in doing so, sets off a chain of events that will lead to the end of this war.
I have enjoyed this series, and it's always sad to see the end come but I find myself a little disappointed and I have no idea why!
Oh, don't get me wrong, Gaetan and Nikki's story is a good one, and we get why his leg is injured and just why his sister Ginnia, is how she is. Heartbreaking, when Gaetan tells Nikki that. And the Gods on Lemuria play their final pieces, and everything becomes, mostly anyway, clear.
I just ...UGH!!! I just felt, good as it was, it all came to a head far too quickly, and without all the drama I was expecting! Please don't hate me, ya'll know I have to tell you how I FEEL about my books, and this one left me a little wanting. Of WHAT exactly, I've no bloody idea!!
BUT!!!
Besides from the fact this book brings the series to an end, I did enjoy it, and I would still highly recommend this series for those who like paranormal, or fantasy romances.
Always sad to see a series come to an end.
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated Devil's Gold (Black Rose Mystery #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2018
great little short!
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is only short, just over an hour reading time for me, some 120 pages, but it packs quite a punch!
Dixie is the middle sister of three, running their father's investigation agency. She's good at it, even if she is the least put together of her sisters. Liam is in town visiting relatives, and when their paths cross, it's a proper "eyes across a crowded room" moment. When Dixie puts herself in danger, Liam knows he can't let her go, and he will do anything to see her safe.
Like I said, quite a punch!! Very pleasantly surprised, I have to say!
I have to admit, I did not see the whodunnit coming at me, so that was well played!
There is just enough hints and clues to make you think, well just who DID kill these four women.? Just enough heat and passion to make you fan a little. Just enough of just about everyone to make you want to know MORE about these people!
Because that's my overwhelming feeling I'm left with, I want MORE! Whether it's Liam and Dix, or Dixie's sisters, or co-workers (cos Ace is quite a character!) or even just more from this writer, I don't know, but that is what I want. MORE!
Filed firmly on the hangover shelf, because that's what I used it as and it certainly did the trick.
So, Ms McKinney, *holding up open hands with puppy dog eyes* more please!
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is only short, just over an hour reading time for me, some 120 pages, but it packs quite a punch!
Dixie is the middle sister of three, running their father's investigation agency. She's good at it, even if she is the least put together of her sisters. Liam is in town visiting relatives, and when their paths cross, it's a proper "eyes across a crowded room" moment. When Dixie puts herself in danger, Liam knows he can't let her go, and he will do anything to see her safe.
Like I said, quite a punch!! Very pleasantly surprised, I have to say!
I have to admit, I did not see the whodunnit coming at me, so that was well played!
There is just enough hints and clues to make you think, well just who DID kill these four women.? Just enough heat and passion to make you fan a little. Just enough of just about everyone to make you want to know MORE about these people!
Because that's my overwhelming feeling I'm left with, I want MORE! Whether it's Liam and Dix, or Dixie's sisters, or co-workers (cos Ace is quite a character!) or even just more from this writer, I don't know, but that is what I want. MORE!
Filed firmly on the hangover shelf, because that's what I used it as and it certainly did the trick.
So, Ms McKinney, *holding up open hands with puppy dog eyes* more please!
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated The Earth Bleeds Red in Books
Apr 3, 2018
a good book, just not one for me!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Scott and Jessie, and their 17 year old daughter Ashley, live a good life, a happy life. Til one day, it all goes terribly wrong and Ashley is kidnapped, possibly dead. Scott and Jessie need to keep it together long enough for Ashley to be found alive, or not.
Sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone is a really good thing but, while a well told story, this one just didn't quite hit the spot. And I don't really know why!
Told mostly from Scott's point of view, in the first, it deals with how a family copes when tragedy strikes.
We do get some other people, in the third person, but they felt more of a narration of their voice, rather than THEM speaking, if that makes any sense?? I didn't connect to them in any way, not even when the bad guy has his five minutes, and you know how much I LOVE getting into the mind of the bad guy! I just felt, apart from Scott, totally disconnected from everyone else.
It is well written, and I saw no editing or spelling errors. It does get a little graphic in places, when being told what was done to Ashley when she was kidnapped, but it is not in any way romantic. Not even before Ashley was kidnapped, did I feel the romance between Scott and Jessie.
A good book, just not one for me and I'm sorry for that!
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Scott and Jessie, and their 17 year old daughter Ashley, live a good life, a happy life. Til one day, it all goes terribly wrong and Ashley is kidnapped, possibly dead. Scott and Jessie need to keep it together long enough for Ashley to be found alive, or not.
Sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone is a really good thing but, while a well told story, this one just didn't quite hit the spot. And I don't really know why!
Told mostly from Scott's point of view, in the first, it deals with how a family copes when tragedy strikes.
We do get some other people, in the third person, but they felt more of a narration of their voice, rather than THEM speaking, if that makes any sense?? I didn't connect to them in any way, not even when the bad guy has his five minutes, and you know how much I LOVE getting into the mind of the bad guy! I just felt, apart from Scott, totally disconnected from everyone else.
It is well written, and I saw no editing or spelling errors. It does get a little graphic in places, when being told what was done to Ashley when she was kidnapped, but it is not in any way romantic. Not even before Ashley was kidnapped, did I feel the romance between Scott and Jessie.
A good book, just not one for me and I'm sorry for that!
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated The Princess of Draga (Draga Court #1) in Books
Feb 28, 2018
a slow burner
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
A bit of a slow burner, long build up kinda book, this one!
It reminds me a little of reading Game of Thrones, NOT in the content, not at all but in the way the stage is set with many players, who have their own agendas. Many players who have a say. Many players who did NOT get a say too!
But my overwhelming reaction to finishing this was, I missed something. Something was missing and I cannot figure out what.
There is a book before this one, Royal Guard of Draga, but reading the blurb, it isn't what I'm missing. I think what I'm missing is more history of Draga, more about the original invasion of the Neprijat monsters who have returned to take over the galaxy. We get bits and pieces, but not enough for me to get the whole picture, the whole history. Maybe that will come with future books, I dunno. That's just how I feel, and ya'll know I love to share how I feel!
I did think it would be a little more on the explicit side, given how we are introduced to Nadyah and why she is in court with Adelina, but it isn't overly.
It's a GOOD book, well written from lots of those players, it just didn't grab me and it took far longer for me to read the 276 pages than it should have. Maybe book two will be better. Off to read it now!
A good solid 3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
A bit of a slow burner, long build up kinda book, this one!
It reminds me a little of reading Game of Thrones, NOT in the content, not at all but in the way the stage is set with many players, who have their own agendas. Many players who have a say. Many players who did NOT get a say too!
But my overwhelming reaction to finishing this was, I missed something. Something was missing and I cannot figure out what.
There is a book before this one, Royal Guard of Draga, but reading the blurb, it isn't what I'm missing. I think what I'm missing is more history of Draga, more about the original invasion of the Neprijat monsters who have returned to take over the galaxy. We get bits and pieces, but not enough for me to get the whole picture, the whole history. Maybe that will come with future books, I dunno. That's just how I feel, and ya'll know I love to share how I feel!
I did think it would be a little more on the explicit side, given how we are introduced to Nadyah and why she is in court with Adelina, but it isn't overly.
It's a GOOD book, well written from lots of those players, it just didn't grab me and it took far longer for me to read the 276 pages than it should have. Maybe book two will be better. Off to read it now!
A good solid 3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Ok I know it has to be 5 stars but holy gravy train this book was AMAZING! The character build, the drama, the romance and holy macaroons the SEX! This was panty dripping good. This follows Grayson and Emmalin as they battle past demons and try to find their way to love. Emmalin is working hard to just scrape by. She doesn’t go looking for anything but a break from the hard life. What she finds is a man willing to lay down roads paved in gold for her. She can’t let him take over her life she has worked to hard to be independent and free to allow him in. Grayson slowly breaks down her walls but situations keep happening and she just builds them back up.
Grayson has to been the most amazing man in fiction right now. The guy oozes sex-appeal and dominance. The way he commanded her with that deep voice(in my head) just had me wishing I was her. He had his flaws but they just made him perfect. He gave more to others than any billionaire in any book I have read to date. The guy was possessive in all the right areas.
I want to spoil this for you so bad but I wont because this book if worth the read. I should be in bed getting rest for work but man I couldn’t put this book down. Marie Skye you just got yourself put on my all time favorite author list. To others it’s not much but to me that’s an achievement because I am high maintenance when it comes to books. THANK YOU!
Grayson has to been the most amazing man in fiction right now. The guy oozes sex-appeal and dominance. The way he commanded her with that deep voice(in my head) just had me wishing I was her. He had his flaws but they just made him perfect. He gave more to others than any billionaire in any book I have read to date. The guy was possessive in all the right areas.
I want to spoil this for you so bad but I wont because this book if worth the read. I should be in bed getting rest for work but man I couldn’t put this book down. Marie Skye you just got yourself put on my all time favorite author list. To others it’s not much but to me that’s an achievement because I am high maintenance when it comes to books. THANK YOU!
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated Mr July (Calendar Men #7) in Books
Jul 22, 2018
loving these still!
Independent reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 7 in the series, but it can be read as a stand alone.
Felix is commissioned to do a mural for Erza, who is close to the original photographer of the shoot. Meeting Tse makes Felix realise there is more to life than work. But Felix finds out a shocking truth about his parents death, and it makes him see things in a much clearer light. If only Tse didn't live in another state!
Oh I love these books, I really do. Ms Bradford keeps coming up with more and more obscure shifters and I love that! Here, Felix is a mountain sheep from Cyprus. It takes back stage, and is mentioned more in passing than anything else, but still, love it!
Felix and Tse have Chemistry, with a capital C! Right from the start, they are hot off the page! I loved how they both have hook up rules, but both of them, seperately, wanted to break those rules. They don't, but I loved that they thought about it. They both knew this was going to be more than a hook up, very early on, and usually, I don't much care for early declarations of love, but I thought it right and proper for these two.
When Felix finds out the truth about his parents deaths, it's Tse he runs to, but gets waylaid by Tse's entire family! When Felix tells Tse, he's all...And why would that make a difference?
Thoroughly enjoying this series!
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book 7 in the series, but it can be read as a stand alone.
Felix is commissioned to do a mural for Erza, who is close to the original photographer of the shoot. Meeting Tse makes Felix realise there is more to life than work. But Felix finds out a shocking truth about his parents death, and it makes him see things in a much clearer light. If only Tse didn't live in another state!
Oh I love these books, I really do. Ms Bradford keeps coming up with more and more obscure shifters and I love that! Here, Felix is a mountain sheep from Cyprus. It takes back stage, and is mentioned more in passing than anything else, but still, love it!
Felix and Tse have Chemistry, with a capital C! Right from the start, they are hot off the page! I loved how they both have hook up rules, but both of them, seperately, wanted to break those rules. They don't, but I loved that they thought about it. They both knew this was going to be more than a hook up, very early on, and usually, I don't much care for early declarations of love, but I thought it right and proper for these two.
When Felix finds out the truth about his parents deaths, it's Tse he runs to, but gets waylaid by Tse's entire family! When Felix tells Tse, he's all...And why would that make a difference?
Thoroughly enjoying this series!
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated Mr June (Calendar Men #6) in Books
Jul 2, 2018
Perfect hangover cure!
Independent reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 6 in the Calendar Men series, and I would recommend you read Jan through May before this one, if only to give you a better picture of this photo shoot and what's happened up to now. Not totally necessary though.
Having dumped his boyfriend right after shooting their photo for June, Ilias finds himself on a callout to a fight at a local doctor's office. Meeting Henry makes his heart swell with everything he had been looking for up to this point. There is just a small matter of someone dealing drugs out of Henry's office!
I'm really enjoying this series.
They have, for the most part, (May not included!) just the right amount of loves, drama, sexy time, emotions and the whole gamut of emotions that need to be in a book to make them engaging and enjoyable.
This one did seem a little longer than the rest, but they are all a similar page length.
I loved Ilias and Henry, both separately and together. They really are perfect for each other!
While it's painfully obvious (to me anyway) WHO is doing the dirty on Henry, I liked being proved correct, just as much as I would have liked to have been proven wrong!
I read this in one sitting while suffering from a book AND an alcohol hangover, so despite its longer length, there it will sit!
Great addition to the series. Love to see what happens next with this shoot!
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book 6 in the Calendar Men series, and I would recommend you read Jan through May before this one, if only to give you a better picture of this photo shoot and what's happened up to now. Not totally necessary though.
Having dumped his boyfriend right after shooting their photo for June, Ilias finds himself on a callout to a fight at a local doctor's office. Meeting Henry makes his heart swell with everything he had been looking for up to this point. There is just a small matter of someone dealing drugs out of Henry's office!
I'm really enjoying this series.
They have, for the most part, (May not included!) just the right amount of loves, drama, sexy time, emotions and the whole gamut of emotions that need to be in a book to make them engaging and enjoyable.
This one did seem a little longer than the rest, but they are all a similar page length.
I loved Ilias and Henry, both separately and together. They really are perfect for each other!
While it's painfully obvious (to me anyway) WHO is doing the dirty on Henry, I liked being proved correct, just as much as I would have liked to have been proven wrong!
I read this in one sitting while suffering from a book AND an alcohol hangover, so despite its longer length, there it will sit!
Great addition to the series. Love to see what happens next with this shoot!
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**