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Dead Speak (Cold Case Psychic Book 1)
Book
Demoted to the cold case squad after shooting a suspect in the line of duty, Detective Ronan...

Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Jul 12, 2022

Merissa (12669 KP) rated Stable Hand (The Braided Crop Ranch #1) in Books
Sep 22, 2023
STABLE HAND is the first book in The Braided Crop Ranch series and we travel with Jensen as he goes for a job interview. Only, when he gets there, he finds out it is different in so many ways to the job he thought he was applying for. Told from Jensen's perspective, we see his reaction to the new job and the responsibilities he would have. We also see his attraction to first Luke, and then Noah, as he deals with his new life.
I enjoyed this story! I don't read them claiming to have firsthand knowledge of what the author has gotten right or wrong. I read them to escape to a different place/land/experience. And that's exactly what I got here. I loved reading about the dynamics of the Ranch and everyone who works there. I also enjoyed reading about the 'guests' and the antics they got up to. The descriptions of the ranch and the different people made it all easy to follow.
Personally, I would have liked a little more between Luke, Noah, and Jensen that wasn't between the sheets. Not that it wasn't hot, because it was! My Kindle was steaming but I wanted more between them. And with that in mind, the ending felt rather abrupt. It felt like... big scene with Luke (that may or may not have an impact on what he wants in the future), sub drop, quick confession to Jensen, living proposal in the woods. Now, bearing in mind, this all takes place in about a 3-4 week period...
All in all, I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more in this series. Definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 22, 2023
I enjoyed this story! I don't read them claiming to have firsthand knowledge of what the author has gotten right or wrong. I read them to escape to a different place/land/experience. And that's exactly what I got here. I loved reading about the dynamics of the Ranch and everyone who works there. I also enjoyed reading about the 'guests' and the antics they got up to. The descriptions of the ranch and the different people made it all easy to follow.
Personally, I would have liked a little more between Luke, Noah, and Jensen that wasn't between the sheets. Not that it wasn't hot, because it was! My Kindle was steaming but I wanted more between them. And with that in mind, the ending felt rather abrupt. It felt like... big scene with Luke (that may or may not have an impact on what he wants in the future), sub drop, quick confession to Jensen, living proposal in the woods. Now, bearing in mind, this all takes place in about a 3-4 week period...
All in all, I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more in this series. Definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 22, 2023

Nanny Negotiations (The Brotherhood: Legacy #1)
Book
Will a bi-reawakening be what this single father needs to heal his wounded heart? Looks like a job...
Contemporary MM Romance

Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst in TV
Jun 27, 2018 (Updated Jun 27, 2018)
Mindblowing
Contains spoilers, click to show
I have been on a bit of a documentary kick lately and my most recent watch was the Jinx. I never watched this show back when it aired in 2015, or followed the story at the time, so I went into this show knowing very little about the tale it was telling. I'd say if you are in the same boat, then that is probably the best way to go into this doc. There are only six parts to the doc, so it can be binged over a few nights or in one day. Don't look up anything about it before watching and just go in blind, by the end your mind will be blown.
Please don't read on until you have seen the show in it's entirety as there are massive SPOILERS ahead. It feels weird to say that about a documentary, something that actually happened, but I promise you will not want this final revelation spoiled for you in any way.
Ok, so during the last interview, Andrew Jarecki confronts Robert Durst with two letters with the same address handwritten on each, one written by Durst years previous and the other was written by the killer and sent into a police station to notify them of the location of a body. Beverly Hills is spelt wrong in each, it is spelt BEVERLEY on each and the handwriting is exceptionally similar, especially the letter N. Durst initially appears pretty unphased by the accusation and brushes it off, until Jarecki asks him to look at a sheet that has the two versions of the address blown up and placed side by side and he asks him to tell him what one he wrote and what one he didn't and Durst is unable to tell the difference. He then begins burping uncontrollably as if trying to supress vomiting. The interview ends and Jarecki thanks Durst for his time. Durst then goes to the bathroom, unaware that he is still wearing a live microphone and says:
"There it is, you're caught.
You're right of course, but you can't imagine...
Arrest him.
I don't know what's in the house.
Oh, I want this.
What a disaster.
He was right, I was wrong.
And the burping?
I'm having difficulty understanding the question.
What the hell did I do?
Killed them all, of course."
Holy shit, these filmmakers just stumbled into getting an accidental confession from a guy who has dodged the law since 1982. Not only that, but what was recorded actually sounds like two different people having a conversation, almost like Gollum and Sméagol from Lord Of The Rings. The recording is creepy, but extremely important and provides an absolutely captivating ending to this already brilliant story. I think that what we hear in the bathroom is two sides of Durst arguing about what has just transpired. The way that each line is like a comment and then a response and the way that his tone of voice changes from line to line. I will type up my interpretation of the conversation below showing what side of Durst said what.
Good Bob: There it is, you're caught.
Bad Bob: You're right of course, but you can't imagine...
Good Bob: Arrest him.
Bad Bob: I don't know what's in the house.
Good Bob: Oh, I want this.
Bad Bob: What a disaster.
Good Bob:He was right, I was wrong.
Bad Bob: And the burping?
Good Bob: I'm having difficulty understanding the question.
What the hell did I do?
Bad Bob: Killed them all, of course.
This is obviously pure conjecture, but it's how I see the conversation going in Durst's head. Whether this is proof of disassociation or multiple personality disorder, I don't know as I'm not a psychiatrist, all that I know is that it is absolutely fascinating to hear this play out in a real world situation and makes for an absolutely brilliant piece of TV.
Please don't read on until you have seen the show in it's entirety as there are massive SPOILERS ahead. It feels weird to say that about a documentary, something that actually happened, but I promise you will not want this final revelation spoiled for you in any way.
Ok, so during the last interview, Andrew Jarecki confronts Robert Durst with two letters with the same address handwritten on each, one written by Durst years previous and the other was written by the killer and sent into a police station to notify them of the location of a body. Beverly Hills is spelt wrong in each, it is spelt BEVERLEY on each and the handwriting is exceptionally similar, especially the letter N. Durst initially appears pretty unphased by the accusation and brushes it off, until Jarecki asks him to look at a sheet that has the two versions of the address blown up and placed side by side and he asks him to tell him what one he wrote and what one he didn't and Durst is unable to tell the difference. He then begins burping uncontrollably as if trying to supress vomiting. The interview ends and Jarecki thanks Durst for his time. Durst then goes to the bathroom, unaware that he is still wearing a live microphone and says:
"There it is, you're caught.
You're right of course, but you can't imagine...
Arrest him.
I don't know what's in the house.
Oh, I want this.
What a disaster.
He was right, I was wrong.
And the burping?
I'm having difficulty understanding the question.
What the hell did I do?
Killed them all, of course."
Holy shit, these filmmakers just stumbled into getting an accidental confession from a guy who has dodged the law since 1982. Not only that, but what was recorded actually sounds like two different people having a conversation, almost like Gollum and Sméagol from Lord Of The Rings. The recording is creepy, but extremely important and provides an absolutely captivating ending to this already brilliant story. I think that what we hear in the bathroom is two sides of Durst arguing about what has just transpired. The way that each line is like a comment and then a response and the way that his tone of voice changes from line to line. I will type up my interpretation of the conversation below showing what side of Durst said what.
Good Bob: There it is, you're caught.
Bad Bob: You're right of course, but you can't imagine...
Good Bob: Arrest him.
Bad Bob: I don't know what's in the house.
Good Bob: Oh, I want this.
Bad Bob: What a disaster.
Good Bob:He was right, I was wrong.
Bad Bob: And the burping?
Good Bob: I'm having difficulty understanding the question.
What the hell did I do?
Bad Bob: Killed them all, of course.
This is obviously pure conjecture, but it's how I see the conversation going in Durst's head. Whether this is proof of disassociation or multiple personality disorder, I don't know as I'm not a psychiatrist, all that I know is that it is absolutely fascinating to hear this play out in a real world situation and makes for an absolutely brilliant piece of TV.

Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Cry Baby (Pt. 1) by Maja Francis in Music
Jun 7, 2019
Maja Francis is an Electro-Pop singer outta Stockholm, Sweden. Not too long ago, she released an excellent EP, entitled, “Cry Baby (Pt. 1)” EP.
I’M NOT A DISCO
Francis sings about being lonely and dancing on the dancefloor with tears in her eyes. She needs human contact from someone she’s currently in love with.
But there’s one problem. That person has his eyes on someone other than Francis.
Also, Francis makes it clear that she’s too real to get caught up in the bright disco lights. What she needs is a kiss under the moonlight around a warm fireplace.
FEEL
Francis recites a poem about her feelings. She urges listeners to wear their feelings like a tiara. Also, she sings about expressing yourself while in public.
STRESSED
Francis realizes her failed relationship started well but has now turned sour. She mentions crying her eyes out when the relationship was over.
Also, deep within, she wants to know why? Why did he leave her stressed out? It’s bad enough feeling lonely, but seeing him on the street is unbearable. Usually, she’s expressive. But when she sees him, she can’t utter a word.
SAVED BY THE SUMMER
Francis shines brightly on our favorite song on the EP. Her warm voice sounds wonderful and expresses the warmth of a summer vacation filled with lots of fun. No longer does Francis think about her ex? She has moved on to bigger and better thing.
BREAK
Francis recites a poem about her mental state of mind after her breakup.
CRY BABY
Francis ends the project with a lovely ballad. During a previous interview, she told us that this was her favorite song on the EP.
Francis sings that it’s therapeutic to cry. Also, crying is a prerequisite for letting go of a hurtful past.
CONCLUSION
Maja Francis’ “Cry Baby (Pt. 1)” EP is an excellent project filled with heartfelt tunes, relatable lyrics, and an evergreen theme. Also, it guides listeners on a recovery path towards achieving happiness after a hurtful breakup.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/maja-francis-cry-baby-pt-1/
I’M NOT A DISCO
Francis sings about being lonely and dancing on the dancefloor with tears in her eyes. She needs human contact from someone she’s currently in love with.
But there’s one problem. That person has his eyes on someone other than Francis.
Also, Francis makes it clear that she’s too real to get caught up in the bright disco lights. What she needs is a kiss under the moonlight around a warm fireplace.
FEEL
Francis recites a poem about her feelings. She urges listeners to wear their feelings like a tiara. Also, she sings about expressing yourself while in public.
STRESSED
Francis realizes her failed relationship started well but has now turned sour. She mentions crying her eyes out when the relationship was over.
Also, deep within, she wants to know why? Why did he leave her stressed out? It’s bad enough feeling lonely, but seeing him on the street is unbearable. Usually, she’s expressive. But when she sees him, she can’t utter a word.
SAVED BY THE SUMMER
Francis shines brightly on our favorite song on the EP. Her warm voice sounds wonderful and expresses the warmth of a summer vacation filled with lots of fun. No longer does Francis think about her ex? She has moved on to bigger and better thing.
BREAK
Francis recites a poem about her mental state of mind after her breakup.
CRY BABY
Francis ends the project with a lovely ballad. During a previous interview, she told us that this was her favorite song on the EP.
Francis sings that it’s therapeutic to cry. Also, crying is a prerequisite for letting go of a hurtful past.
CONCLUSION
Maja Francis’ “Cry Baby (Pt. 1)” EP is an excellent project filled with heartfelt tunes, relatable lyrics, and an evergreen theme. Also, it guides listeners on a recovery path towards achieving happiness after a hurtful breakup.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/maja-francis-cry-baby-pt-1/

BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated A Name Unknown (Shadows Over England, #1) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
A Name Unknown will completely sweep you off your feet. If you are even the slightest bit bookish, you will simply fall head over heels for Peter! A man of incredible character, high standards, genuine compassion, a deep relationship with Jesus, and a serious TALENT with words! Rosemary, is just...AHHHH! A woman who I want to meet. A woman who I wish was a real life person so that I can interview her, have lunch with her, and go for walks together along the cliffs in Cornwall. Also, Roseanna talks about Cornish Pasties...Um...those are perhaps my very favorite meal EVER! (Here is a recipe, Jody Hedlund also talks about them in Undaunted Hope...I use butter and not margarine and I do not put rutabaga in them.)
Throughout the story both Peter and Rosemary struggle with secrets that lay in their past. Some known, some unknown, (even to themselves) some discovered along the way. As they grow closer they come to understand that they can not have these barriers between them."With the greatest risks come the greatest rewards", but is it worth it to risk everything that they have built their lives on? Will they be able to confide in one another before all is revealed? And will the past stand between them and keep them apart? Or draw them closer together?
There is SO MUCH we can learn from this story. And ONE of the biggest points is that God is able and willing to forgive us...NO MATTER our past, no matter what we have done, what we have been through. The question is, do we want Him to? Do we want Him to change us for the better? The other message that stands out SO.STRONGLY...Is that God hears us. He may not always give us the answers we WANT...But He HEARS us...Even if it doesn't feel like He does.
Set at the very beginning of WWI, this book begins an incredible adventure for Rosemary's family. I am SO looking forward to the next books.
I received a complimentary copy of A Name Unknown from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Throughout the story both Peter and Rosemary struggle with secrets that lay in their past. Some known, some unknown, (even to themselves) some discovered along the way. As they grow closer they come to understand that they can not have these barriers between them."With the greatest risks come the greatest rewards", but is it worth it to risk everything that they have built their lives on? Will they be able to confide in one another before all is revealed? And will the past stand between them and keep them apart? Or draw them closer together?
There is SO MUCH we can learn from this story. And ONE of the biggest points is that God is able and willing to forgive us...NO MATTER our past, no matter what we have done, what we have been through. The question is, do we want Him to? Do we want Him to change us for the better? The other message that stands out SO.STRONGLY...Is that God hears us. He may not always give us the answers we WANT...But He HEARS us...Even if it doesn't feel like He does.
Set at the very beginning of WWI, this book begins an incredible adventure for Rosemary's family. I am SO looking forward to the next books.
I received a complimentary copy of A Name Unknown from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Getting Hot with the Scot in Books
Jun 21, 2019
From their freshman year in college, Cassie and her friends may a promise to each other that they would take a European vacation five years after graduation. So that's is where they are. Finishing up their trip in Scotland and then London. All Cassie wants out of this trip is to end her dry spell in the bedroom, but as the trip comes to a close, it doesn't look as though that is going to happen. And then she sees the man she's be waiting for. A long-haired redhead in a kilt named Logan Reid. Could it be more perfect? Cassie throws all her inhibitions to the side and goes for what she wants. Will the be just a vacation fling or something much more.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book. I'm participating in a blog tour for this title next week on my blog, so be sure to check it out. There will be an author interview as well as an audiobook excerpt for the book.
First of all, I would just like to say that I wish I had a good group of girlfriends I could travel around Europe with, or even just explore things here in my own hometown. When Cassie embarked on this journey with her friends, in the back of her mind, she was hoping for a romantic fling in a foreign country. She has never been the relationship type and so, a fling is all she needs to get her over this dry spell.
Logan Reid is Scotland's jokster, his show Shenanigans is gaining quite a bit of attention in Europe as well as across the pond. When Cassie throws herself at him, he is shocked to say the very least, but from that moment forward, she has a hold on him, that he can't seem to shake. Logan is not the relationship type either, but what this woman is doing to him, could change all of that.
From Europe to Chicago, will these two find love they so desperately are trying to avoid, or will they enjoy their fling and go on about their lives?
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book. I'm participating in a blog tour for this title next week on my blog, so be sure to check it out. There will be an author interview as well as an audiobook excerpt for the book.
First of all, I would just like to say that I wish I had a good group of girlfriends I could travel around Europe with, or even just explore things here in my own hometown. When Cassie embarked on this journey with her friends, in the back of her mind, she was hoping for a romantic fling in a foreign country. She has never been the relationship type and so, a fling is all she needs to get her over this dry spell.
Logan Reid is Scotland's jokster, his show Shenanigans is gaining quite a bit of attention in Europe as well as across the pond. When Cassie throws herself at him, he is shocked to say the very least, but from that moment forward, she has a hold on him, that he can't seem to shake. Logan is not the relationship type either, but what this woman is doing to him, could change all of that.
From Europe to Chicago, will these two find love they so desperately are trying to avoid, or will they enjoy their fling and go on about their lives?

ClareR (5849 KP) rated Happy Family in Books
Oct 29, 2019
One to look out for next year!
Happy Family is set in the near future, where people game via glasses and one augmented reality game in particular is very popular: Happy Family. This game was invented by Tom Hannah, also an artist, who has hidden himself away with his suicidal thoughts in Spain in the middle of nowhere, after the death of his mother. Germaine Kiecke, an art academic, is a huge fan of Tom’s and wants to interview him for her new book. But Tom is guarded by a strange girl and three huge dogs who are named after the Marx brothers. Germaine has had a traumatic upbringing as an orphan in Belgium in a notorious orphanage called ‘Motherhood’. Thus she finds it impossible to express her feelings except through Tom’s game Happy Family. So when she finds out that something threatens this game for her and millions of others, she’s forced to take a look at how she lives her life.
Germaine was a difficult character to get an understanding of, but I think in view of her childhood that was reasonable. The other characters who also relied on Tom Hannah in some way were actually very amusing - whether they were supposed to be or not, I don’t know, but towards the end of the novel, their antics descended (or ascended!) into slapstick. For various reasons that I won’t go into (I don’t want to spoil it!), this was both sad and funny - there was a healthy dose of black humour throughout really.
I read this on The Pigeonhole, and the other readers had a real mix of opinions: it seems to have been a real ‘marmite’ book. Personally, I loved it. It ticked a lot of boxes for me, first and foremost being it’s quirkiness. There was some gaming talk, but it was relevant to the story and the characters, and I don’t actually think there was that much considering that it was set against the backdrop of the game (and lets face it, I have two teenage sons who are obsessed with the Xbox 🙄).
I really enjoyed this book, and thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising it.
Germaine was a difficult character to get an understanding of, but I think in view of her childhood that was reasonable. The other characters who also relied on Tom Hannah in some way were actually very amusing - whether they were supposed to be or not, I don’t know, but towards the end of the novel, their antics descended (or ascended!) into slapstick. For various reasons that I won’t go into (I don’t want to spoil it!), this was both sad and funny - there was a healthy dose of black humour throughout really.
I read this on The Pigeonhole, and the other readers had a real mix of opinions: it seems to have been a real ‘marmite’ book. Personally, I loved it. It ticked a lot of boxes for me, first and foremost being it’s quirkiness. There was some gaming talk, but it was relevant to the story and the characters, and I don’t actually think there was that much considering that it was set against the backdrop of the game (and lets face it, I have two teenage sons who are obsessed with the Xbox 🙄).
I really enjoyed this book, and thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising it.

Elli H Burton (1288 KP) rated The Silence of the Lambs (1991) in Movies
Nov 7, 2019
The acting is 100% (2 more)
The story is fantastic
The way it is shot is genuinely awesome.
Have the lambs stopped screaming?
Okay so this is one of my favourite films because it just ticks every box.
Acting - Anthony Hopkins won an oscar for best actor because of this film. He is excellent, he is so creepy, elegant, scary, inviting, chilling, intriguing and he just oozes the sophistication, intelligence and depth of the character. He delivers his performance in this with a real passion. He is also so limited with what he can do physically (usually locked up) but he owns the set when the cameras are rolling.
Jodie Foster - I haven't seen her in anything else which I am actually embarrassed about because I loved her in this. No surprise, she won an oscar for best actress in this film. I genuinely feel like (towards the end mainly, as she has said in an interview that Anthony Hopkins did actually frighten her) she was terrified for her life. She could have been in the situation irl and i wouldn't be shocked. The character could have been played so many ways but Jodie played it perfectly. A clever, naive, strong, determined woman.
All other supporting actors were fantastic, such as Ted Levine as Buffalo Bill (my goodness he is so creepy he makes your skin crawl) and Scott Glenn as Jack Crawford (definitely feel the underlying tones of an unsavory character).
It is shot in such a way you dont see often, the talking to the camera shots, showing you things in Bills house like the pictures are all such subtle things but make it even more chilling. They also don't shy away with language(a word is said in this film atleast twice and it's so rare to hear on film) which sometimes, as not very nice this word is, the situation calls for it in this unnerving thriller, gross words and scenes need to be real to feel uneasy which you do in this.
Hats off to the wonderful Thomas Harris for writing such a gripping, interesting story that we were fortunate enough to see made to this magnificent film.
Acting - Anthony Hopkins won an oscar for best actor because of this film. He is excellent, he is so creepy, elegant, scary, inviting, chilling, intriguing and he just oozes the sophistication, intelligence and depth of the character. He delivers his performance in this with a real passion. He is also so limited with what he can do physically (usually locked up) but he owns the set when the cameras are rolling.
Jodie Foster - I haven't seen her in anything else which I am actually embarrassed about because I loved her in this. No surprise, she won an oscar for best actress in this film. I genuinely feel like (towards the end mainly, as she has said in an interview that Anthony Hopkins did actually frighten her) she was terrified for her life. She could have been in the situation irl and i wouldn't be shocked. The character could have been played so many ways but Jodie played it perfectly. A clever, naive, strong, determined woman.
All other supporting actors were fantastic, such as Ted Levine as Buffalo Bill (my goodness he is so creepy he makes your skin crawl) and Scott Glenn as Jack Crawford (definitely feel the underlying tones of an unsavory character).
It is shot in such a way you dont see often, the talking to the camera shots, showing you things in Bills house like the pictures are all such subtle things but make it even more chilling. They also don't shy away with language(a word is said in this film atleast twice and it's so rare to hear on film) which sometimes, as not very nice this word is, the situation calls for it in this unnerving thriller, gross words and scenes need to be real to feel uneasy which you do in this.
Hats off to the wonderful Thomas Harris for writing such a gripping, interesting story that we were fortunate enough to see made to this magnificent film.