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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Apr 27, 2022  
Author Farena Bajwa visits my blog to answer some questions in a fun author interview. Read up on her poetry book FLOWERS GROW ON BROKEN WALLS, and enter the giveaway for a chance to win a paperback copy of the book!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2022/04/blog-tour-and-giveaway-flowers-grow-on.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
Flowers Grow on Broken Walls is a unique collection of poems and prose that talks about healing and finding yourself in a world that constantly tells you that's who you shouldn't be.

The poems, which tell a story, go over our everyday human emotions; from being heartbroken and questioning our self-worth in a world of judgment and scrutinizing social media, to finding ourselves and appreciating those really important in our lives - especially our inner, true selves.

The collection displays a raw and honest portrayal of an artist who cannot help but create something beautiful in the midst of the ugliness she has been put through, and who continues to hope against all odds, as she lets go of what she has been told is important and finds herself in one truly is.

The story that starts with heartache ends with healing, it starts with rejection from someone but ends with self-acceptance, which is the only way for true healing.
     
Playing the Palace
Playing the Palace
Paul Rudnick | 2021 | Humor & Comedy, LGBTQ+, Romance
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Funny and sweet romantic comedy
Carter Ogden fantasized about the Prince of England growing up--who didn't? Openly gay Prince Edgar is handsome and easy to adore. When Carter meets Edgar through a work event, sparks fly. Before he knows it, it seems like the two are dating. But their relationship receives intense media scrutiny--and the disapproval of the Queen of England. Can they find a happily ever after when it seems like everything--and everyone--are against them?

"He was destined to become the king of England, and I was a nice Jewish boy from New Jersey; we both knew what we were supposed to be doing, but we were fighting it. When it came to emotional stability, neither of us had a prayer."

This is a cute and funny story overall. We have Carter, who is reeling from a breakup and does not feel worthy of love and then Edgar, who is scared to trust. It's not easy to be in a relationship when you're the Prince of England. As Edgar states, he's "a symbol and an institution." The two meet at the United Nations and there's definitely some insta-chemistry, but they are also pretty sweet together. You can't help but root for this pair.

"Because ever since I can remember, there's been only one unthinkable sin, and that was disgracing my family and my country, in any way. I was being held to a different standard, which I agreed with. I had one job: to represent the royal household and to make England proud, and I was a calamity."

The book is a little ping pong-ish in its highs and lows. Everything is good... and then it's not. Rinse and repeat. At times, it seems a little insane that Edgar and his family cannot trust Carter, yet you can understand how utterly crazy and invasive the British media is--we see it all the time. I would have liked to see the two communicate a bit more, but new relationships are hard.

The cast of characters in PALACE are wonderful--completely engaging. Carter's family and friends are adorable, especially his sister and aunt Miriam. They make you laugh and cry. There's an excellent vomiting scene with poor Carter that will have you cringing and chuckling. Parts of this story are just plain hilarious. But it's also serious in its look at finding love after loss, insight into homophobia, and seeking acceptance for yourself and your partner, no matter what kind of relationship you may be in.

Overall, this is a fast and fluffy romantic read that also offers a good take on acceptance. 3.5 stars.
  
A Wrinkle in Time (2018)
A Wrinkle in Time (2018)
2018 | Action, Family, Sci-Fi
casting, costumes, scenery (0 more)
A Solid Attempt
I didn't have very high hopes when I saw that they were making this movie, but I think they did an okay job. I love the casting choices for the most part, although Oprah doesn't make a ton of sense for me. That being said I think that however random the casting of the Misses seems they did make it work. I really love that they chose to feature an interracial family and placed emphasis and importance on the acceptance and self love for and of natural hair and features. It is a message little brown girls rarely hear from the world and its an important one. The main issue I had with the movie was that it was very very rushed. Because they crammed multiple books into one movie a lot of details and imagery that make the books so fantastical was lost. The worlds and landscapes they did build and feature were beautifully done, as were the costumes - with one glaring exception - Oprah's eyebrows. Maybe its just me but they were always slightly crooked and just off in general and it was glaring and distracting. If you haven't read the books you will probably enjoy it more than if you have, but you should read them, they're good.