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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Something She's Not Telling Us in Books
Jun 11, 2020
Charlotte is a doting mom who adores her five-year-old daughter, Daisy. She's also extremely overprotective and anxious, watching and worrying over Daisy's every move. Charlotte and her brother, Rocco, had a tough childhood. Rocco reacts by dating a variety of troubled women. But it seems like he's finally found someone special in his latest girlfriend, Ruth. Ruth really seems to love Rocco--and Daisy. But Charlotte rankles at how much Ruth likes Daisy and vice versa. Then Daisy is kidnapped from school, and Charlotte is convinced that Ruth took her. Is she right, or is it just Charlotte's fears rearing up again?
This was a twisty read that kept me guessing the entire time. It makes you work a bit to keep up, going back and forth between different perspectives and time periods, but it is interesting, dark, and compelling, with several good surprises thrown in. I was constantly switching my allegiances between Charlotte and Ruth, wondering which one (if either) I should trust. The ending felt a little abrupt and quick, but I would certainly read Bell's other work. 3.5 stars.
This was a twisty read that kept me guessing the entire time. It makes you work a bit to keep up, going back and forth between different perspectives and time periods, but it is interesting, dark, and compelling, with several good surprises thrown in. I was constantly switching my allegiances between Charlotte and Ruth, wondering which one (if either) I should trust. The ending felt a little abrupt and quick, but I would certainly read Bell's other work. 3.5 stars.
We Begin at the End
10.0
Rate It
Book
With the staggering intensity of James Lee Burke and the absorbing narrative of Jane Harper's The...
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated 9 1/2 Weeks (1986) in Movies
Sep 3, 2021
Wild, magnetic, and hot as hell - nobody does these like Lyne, man. One of the things I love most about this is that it's one of the sacred few of these that don't demonize kink *nor* make it a symptom of some trauma/mental illness; this is simply two consenting adults participating in a kinky relationship. They were getting this shit right in 1986, people - there's no excuse to keep messing it up 35 years later. Of course Rourke and Basinger have smoldering chemistry here too, their performances are so daring for the time and hold up airtight even today. Asks the devastating question of whether it's worse when passion is lost altogether, or when it becomes too consuming for one's reasonable expectations to handle? Also features a montage of the two leads fucking on a rainy alley staircase to loud 1980s synth music after beating up a random group of thugs - so you really get the best of both worlds. The last 20/25 minutes is the best work of Lyne's entire career. 80s MTV version of ππͺπ§π΅πΊ ππ©π’π₯π¦π΄ π°π§ ππ³π¦πΊ (still not quite as good as ππ¦π€π³π¦π΅π’π³πΊ, though).
Merissa (13961 KP) rated Pulse and Prejudice (The Confession of Mr. Darcy, Vampire #1) in Books
Apr 14, 2023
As a long-term lover of the classics, Pride & Prejudice in particular, I wondered what I would get with this book. Would I love it or loathe it? Would it stay true to the original or go completely farcical?
What I got was a book that thrilled me with the story just as much as the original did. The language is true to form, the behaviour, the attitudes, it's all there. Only now add in the spice of an even more haughty and sultry Mr Darcy as he tries to contend with his vampiric nature.
Trust me when I say that this paranormal addition actually added something for me, it certainly didn't take anything away from the story. I devoured this book, only putting it down when I absolutely had to. If you like Paranormal and also the British Classics, then I really can't recommend this highly enough. It combines the two with excellent narrative, skill and aplomb. Highly Recommended.
* 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!
Jul 18, 2015
What I got was a book that thrilled me with the story just as much as the original did. The language is true to form, the behaviour, the attitudes, it's all there. Only now add in the spice of an even more haughty and sultry Mr Darcy as he tries to contend with his vampiric nature.
Trust me when I say that this paranormal addition actually added something for me, it certainly didn't take anything away from the story. I devoured this book, only putting it down when I absolutely had to. If you like Paranormal and also the British Classics, then I really can't recommend this highly enough. It combines the two with excellent narrative, skill and aplomb. Highly Recommended.
* 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!
Jul 18, 2015
Merissa (13961 KP) rated Gifts for the Season: Winter & Christmas MM Charity Anthology in Books
Nov 6, 2020 (Updated Aug 14, 2023)
Gifts for the Season is a warm-hearted collection of seasonal madness, from new love to old, it's all here. Each one gives you a short story, some with new couples, some with old, but all full of Christmas spirit.
I will admit, I preferred the ones that were new stories but that is because I really don't like reading stories where I think I may have missed out on something!
For me, my favourites were The First Snow of Winter by Joanna Chambers and Driving Home for Christmas by Annabelle Jacobs. The first because it's a historical romance which stands out from the contemporary/paranormal rest and the second because junction 10 on the M42 is well known to me so it gave me a feeling of familiarity.
As with all anthologies, some I enjoyed more than others, but every story is a winner in my book. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 6, 2020
I will admit, I preferred the ones that were new stories but that is because I really don't like reading stories where I think I may have missed out on something!
For me, my favourites were The First Snow of Winter by Joanna Chambers and Driving Home for Christmas by Annabelle Jacobs. The first because it's a historical romance which stands out from the contemporary/paranormal rest and the second because junction 10 on the M42 is well known to me so it gave me a feeling of familiarity.
As with all anthologies, some I enjoyed more than others, but every story is a winner in my book. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 6, 2020
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2548 KP) rated Barbecue Can Be Deadly in Books
Oct 26, 2023
Brisket and Deadly Tension
Sho Tanakaβs sister Jenny is entering a local barbecue competition, and Sho and Levi Blue are going along to show their support. Sho immediately notices all the tension between the other professional contestants. But he isnβt prepared when he and Levi stumble over a dead body. With the evidence pointing to Jenny, Sho is quick to jump into the investigation. Who is cooking up more than barbecue?
Quite often when I start a mystery, itβs easy to see who the victim will be. That wasnβt the case here, which is something I loved. I did feel the pacing was off in the first half, but I still enjoyed the book and was satisfied when we reached the end. I love these characters. They are strong with great relationships. While the book deals with some serious topics, like early onset dementia and prescription drug addiction, it is a comedic mystery, and I laughed quite a few times. The competing tones are balanced perfectly, making for a richer reading experience. Itβs going to be a long wait for me until the next in the series comes out. If you havenβt started this series yet, fix that today.
Quite often when I start a mystery, itβs easy to see who the victim will be. That wasnβt the case here, which is something I loved. I did feel the pacing was off in the first half, but I still enjoyed the book and was satisfied when we reached the end. I love these characters. They are strong with great relationships. While the book deals with some serious topics, like early onset dementia and prescription drug addiction, it is a comedic mystery, and I laughed quite a few times. The competing tones are balanced perfectly, making for a richer reading experience. Itβs going to be a long wait for me until the next in the series comes out. If you havenβt started this series yet, fix that today.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Kim Possible (2019) in Movies
Nov 7, 2019
My name is Emma, and I still love Kim Possible. It's great fun and I will fight anyone who says it isn't. That is if we're talking about the animated series... that is gold, the live action film is not even tin foil.
I love Disney TV movies but I really wish they'd stick to originals or property that was already live action... stop remaking things that really don't need it.
Let's address the casting first.
Sean Giambrone as Ron was a solid bit of casting, the right amount of awkward and bumbling, the only thing is that for anyone who watches The Goldbergs he might just be a little too recognisable, but then I doubt many people will watch both of these things. Michael P. Northey as Mr Barkin, he was good, I was generally impressed... but in a world where we have Patrick Warburton why would we not cast Patrick Warburton? Patton Oswalt does evil genius voice fantastically and as Professor Demeantor he was a great pick. Getting a narrow pass, and it's the very finest of passess, Todd Stashwick. I enjoy him when he pops up in shows but he's no Drakken. He was also done wrong by the make-up department.
Everyone else? That's a no. Possibly the worst casting was on the Possible family themselves. I adore Alyson Hannigan but her Mrs. Dr. P. was no bueno. Same goes for Mr. Dr. P. After seeing them on screen I kind of assumed the story was going to revolve around them having been kidnapped and replaced by Bebes with extra nice programming. Jim and Tim were devoid of any of the character their cartoon counterparts had. And then there's Kim, I'm not sure there would have been anyone I'd have been happy with in this role but they've managed to create something very odd in this casting. Live action Kim acts physically like the cartoon does and yet somehow the personality didn't make the crossover with it.
The idea to take Kim down from the inside is one we've seen before with Eric the synthodrone who was used to further the Little Diablo world domination plan. It's a good narative and the twist we're given here isn't a bad one but the execution feels off.
The film turns the Kim Possible formula into a women kicking ass story but they do it really badly. Mrs. Dr. P. and Nana P. are brought on board and then just used as padding and left to be inept in a corner, it's a poor use of characters and a poor use of source material.
Of course the most important part is did they do Rufus right On the whole he wasn't bad and he certainly got his normal opportunity to come to the rescue so I'm going to say good job on that.
What you should do
Don't call her, don't beep her, if you want to watch Kim Possible then watch the series, this film needs to be forgotten in the depths of Disney+.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
The ability to fly through the air like I'm a cartoon character.
I love Disney TV movies but I really wish they'd stick to originals or property that was already live action... stop remaking things that really don't need it.
Let's address the casting first.
Sean Giambrone as Ron was a solid bit of casting, the right amount of awkward and bumbling, the only thing is that for anyone who watches The Goldbergs he might just be a little too recognisable, but then I doubt many people will watch both of these things. Michael P. Northey as Mr Barkin, he was good, I was generally impressed... but in a world where we have Patrick Warburton why would we not cast Patrick Warburton? Patton Oswalt does evil genius voice fantastically and as Professor Demeantor he was a great pick. Getting a narrow pass, and it's the very finest of passess, Todd Stashwick. I enjoy him when he pops up in shows but he's no Drakken. He was also done wrong by the make-up department.
Everyone else? That's a no. Possibly the worst casting was on the Possible family themselves. I adore Alyson Hannigan but her Mrs. Dr. P. was no bueno. Same goes for Mr. Dr. P. After seeing them on screen I kind of assumed the story was going to revolve around them having been kidnapped and replaced by Bebes with extra nice programming. Jim and Tim were devoid of any of the character their cartoon counterparts had. And then there's Kim, I'm not sure there would have been anyone I'd have been happy with in this role but they've managed to create something very odd in this casting. Live action Kim acts physically like the cartoon does and yet somehow the personality didn't make the crossover with it.
The idea to take Kim down from the inside is one we've seen before with Eric the synthodrone who was used to further the Little Diablo world domination plan. It's a good narative and the twist we're given here isn't a bad one but the execution feels off.
The film turns the Kim Possible formula into a women kicking ass story but they do it really badly. Mrs. Dr. P. and Nana P. are brought on board and then just used as padding and left to be inept in a corner, it's a poor use of characters and a poor use of source material.
Of course the most important part is did they do Rufus right On the whole he wasn't bad and he certainly got his normal opportunity to come to the rescue so I'm going to say good job on that.
What you should do
Don't call her, don't beep her, if you want to watch Kim Possible then watch the series, this film needs to be forgotten in the depths of Disney+.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
The ability to fly through the air like I'm a cartoon character.
My Way Marco Polo Travel Journal (Beach Cover)
Book
Every journey is a unique experience. Everyone travels differently. Some like it hot, others love...
My Way Marco Polo Travel Journal (Jungle Cover)
Book
Every journey is a unique experience. Everyone travels differently. Some like it hot, others love...
Lindsay (1812 KP) rated I Celebrate My Skin in Books
Feb 21, 2022
I Celebrate My Skin is an excellent book to have on any child bookshelf. This book teaches the lesson of accepting yourself and being comfortable in your skin. It also talks about the different skin tones and how it is okay to be different.
Everyone is different and looks different. But accepting other skin tones is a good thing. There are many different skin tones in the world. This book teaches children about colorism, learning about their skin, and feeling comfortable with it.
The images are well done. They are colorful. Celebrating your skin is essential as it is what God created for you. This book also wants children or a child to celebrate love and being themselves and in their skin. The author does an outstanding job. In a time like today, this book stands needed to teach everyone that being yourself and being in your skin is good. It is an excellent way to learn to accept others who are different from you.
There are some activities in the back of the book to help children with colors and skin tone colors. Can they match their skin tone with the different skin tones in the book? There are quite a few different shades of them. Can you compare your skin to one in the book, and what name of the skin tone do you have. It is an excellent way for parents to help talk to their children or a child about skin tones.
Everyone is different and looks different. But accepting other skin tones is a good thing. There are many different skin tones in the world. This book teaches children about colorism, learning about their skin, and feeling comfortable with it.
The images are well done. They are colorful. Celebrating your skin is essential as it is what God created for you. This book also wants children or a child to celebrate love and being themselves and in their skin. The author does an outstanding job. In a time like today, this book stands needed to teach everyone that being yourself and being in your skin is good. It is an excellent way to learn to accept others who are different from you.
There are some activities in the back of the book to help children with colors and skin tone colors. Can they match their skin tone with the different skin tones in the book? There are quite a few different shades of them. Can you compare your skin to one in the book, and what name of the skin tone do you have. It is an excellent way for parents to help talk to their children or a child about skin tones.