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Kelly Knows (95 KP) rated Elf (2003) in Movies
Jul 4, 2019
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2510 KP) rated Christmas Past in Books
Dec 15, 2022 (Updated Dec 15, 2022)
A Look at Christmas Traditions Past and Present
Have you ever wondered why we celebrate Christmas the way we do? If so, this book is for you. It takes a look at four categories: food, entertainment, sights and sounds, and society. Each category gets several chapters that focus on specific things like mince pies or candy canes, Rudolph, lights, and Christmas cards. We get a look at the origins, the rise, and sometimes the fall, of these old traditions.
This book is purely looking at the secular, pop culture celebration of Christmas, although the religious aspect does pop up occasionally, most noticeably in the chapter on “Silent Night.” A couple of chapters seem a bit vague, and the writing can be dry at times, but those are minor complaints. On the whole, this was a fascinating look at where our traditions came from, both those we still use today and those that have faded over time. I am not familiar with the author’s pod cast, but my understanding is much of this material first appeared there. As a Christmas lover, I enjoyed learning more about the holiday. If that’s you, you’ll enjoy this book as well.
This book is purely looking at the secular, pop culture celebration of Christmas, although the religious aspect does pop up occasionally, most noticeably in the chapter on “Silent Night.” A couple of chapters seem a bit vague, and the writing can be dry at times, but those are minor complaints. On the whole, this was a fascinating look at where our traditions came from, both those we still use today and those that have faded over time. I am not familiar with the author’s pod cast, but my understanding is much of this material first appeared there. As a Christmas lover, I enjoyed learning more about the holiday. If that’s you, you’ll enjoy this book as well.
Debbiereadsbook (1684 KP) rated Bon Appetit (Paddle Creek Daddies #7) in Books
Feb 18, 2026
these boys like to play with their food!
I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 7 in the Paddle Creek Daddies series, but you can read them all as stand alones books with characters popping up in other books.
This book came with a tag : ALL 👏 the 👏 food 👏 smeggs 👏👏👏 And OMG it's bloody DELICIOUS!!!
August and Tallis have been married for 15 years, Tallis is a Master and August a Daddy. For August's birthday, Tallis finds a boy for the weekend, for August to treat and Tallis to control the situation, since that's HIS thing. Oliver never had any experience with any sort of kink and kinda jumps in with two feet. It was only supposed to be for the weekend, but none of them really want to let go.
This book, right?? Is bloody delicious and I didn't want it to end! It's so much fun! And there is a huge amount of inappropriate use of food (my mind flashes back to candy canes!)
Tallis and August love each other, but they are very open to playing with others, together and alone provided all details are talked about after. I loved that level of trust and communication between those two. The communication continues with Oliver but the trust grows rapidly. I loved that Tallis talked it all through with Oliver before he let Oliver say yes he would join them for the weekend.
I loved the chemistry, right from the start, between these three. Tallis likes to be in control. August likes to spoil his boy. Oliver lets both men do what they need to do, but Oliver also sparks some things in both men they did not see coming.
I am well aware these sorts of relationship develop fast, and these men know what they want after that weekend, but their follow-up, to show Oliver they mean business?? OOOF! Hawt!!
I loved that Oliver was their little treat and that both men used that name often. It's really sweet and it totally fits Oliver!
I could go on and on and onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn about how much I loved this book, so I'll wrap up, before the review ends up as long as the book!
Sweet, and so very VERY smexy. Some emotions involved but nothing too heavy. No 3rd act break up and I loved that!
5 full and covered in honey, chocolate sauce, sushi rolls and eclair cream (I'm seeing candy canes again! I may never eat an eclair again!!) stars!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 7 in the Paddle Creek Daddies series, but you can read them all as stand alones books with characters popping up in other books.
This book came with a tag : ALL 👏 the 👏 food 👏 smeggs 👏👏👏 And OMG it's bloody DELICIOUS!!!
August and Tallis have been married for 15 years, Tallis is a Master and August a Daddy. For August's birthday, Tallis finds a boy for the weekend, for August to treat and Tallis to control the situation, since that's HIS thing. Oliver never had any experience with any sort of kink and kinda jumps in with two feet. It was only supposed to be for the weekend, but none of them really want to let go.
This book, right?? Is bloody delicious and I didn't want it to end! It's so much fun! And there is a huge amount of inappropriate use of food (my mind flashes back to candy canes!)
Tallis and August love each other, but they are very open to playing with others, together and alone provided all details are talked about after. I loved that level of trust and communication between those two. The communication continues with Oliver but the trust grows rapidly. I loved that Tallis talked it all through with Oliver before he let Oliver say yes he would join them for the weekend.
I loved the chemistry, right from the start, between these three. Tallis likes to be in control. August likes to spoil his boy. Oliver lets both men do what they need to do, but Oliver also sparks some things in both men they did not see coming.
I am well aware these sorts of relationship develop fast, and these men know what they want after that weekend, but their follow-up, to show Oliver they mean business?? OOOF! Hawt!!
I loved that Oliver was their little treat and that both men used that name often. It's really sweet and it totally fits Oliver!
I could go on and on and onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn about how much I loved this book, so I'll wrap up, before the review ends up as long as the book!
Sweet, and so very VERY smexy. Some emotions involved but nothing too heavy. No 3rd act break up and I loved that!
5 full and covered in honey, chocolate sauce, sushi rolls and eclair cream (I'm seeing candy canes again! I may never eat an eclair again!!) stars!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Violent night (2022) in Movies
Dec 27, 2023
A Ton of Fun
The 2022 “Christmas” movie VIOLENT NIGHT was mis-marketed a year ago as ads made it appear that this was just another “slasher” flick, when…in fact…it is a fun action flick that settles the DIE HARD Christmas movie debate once and for all.
Compared to VIOLENT NIGHT, DIE HARD is not a Christmas movie for VIOLENT NIGHT (which is a DIE HARD knock-off) is MOST DEFINITELY a Christmas Movie, but instead of former Cop John McClane thwarting bad guys, it is SANTA CLAUS.
Yes, you read that right, Santa Claus.
Director Tommy Wirkola got the idea for VIOLENT NIGHT when watching another Christmas Classic - HOME ALONE. He thought that the traps Kevin sets up for the crooks would really do some physical damage to people and decided to make a movie that did just that…add a dash of “Die Hard with Santa Claus” and…voila…you got yourself a fun action flick.
David Harbour (STRANGER THINGS) hits just the right notes as a burned out Santa Claus who just wants to get through the night, but when he is stranded in an isolated compound (when his reindeer are scared away by gunfire) he must decide to stay and help or stay out of the way.
Jon Leguizamo (MOULIN ROUGE) is the “Hans Gruber” of this piece - a mercenary named SCROOGE and he is a “good enough” villain. While Leah Brady is “charming enough” as the little girl that Santa decides to help. All the rest of the hostages and mercenaries (including CHRISTMAS VACATION’s Beverly D’Angelo) are underwritten “cannon fodder” for the action that takes place.
And…that is just fine as this is an action/comedy flick, so the enjoyment lies in the creativity that Santa (and others) use in dispatching the bad guys. Candy Canes, Christmas Stars, Ice Skates and…yes…SnowThrowers are all used to the advantage of the good guys (and the ultimate demise of the bad guys).
It’s not going to win any Oscars, but Violent Night is a fun “anti-Holiday” action film that the older folks in the crowd will enjoy later at night after the kiddo-s go to bed.
Letter Grade: B
7 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
P.S.: Violent Night is streaming for free (with your Amazon Prime subscription) or you can rent or own it in many of the usual ways.
Compared to VIOLENT NIGHT, DIE HARD is not a Christmas movie for VIOLENT NIGHT (which is a DIE HARD knock-off) is MOST DEFINITELY a Christmas Movie, but instead of former Cop John McClane thwarting bad guys, it is SANTA CLAUS.
Yes, you read that right, Santa Claus.
Director Tommy Wirkola got the idea for VIOLENT NIGHT when watching another Christmas Classic - HOME ALONE. He thought that the traps Kevin sets up for the crooks would really do some physical damage to people and decided to make a movie that did just that…add a dash of “Die Hard with Santa Claus” and…voila…you got yourself a fun action flick.
David Harbour (STRANGER THINGS) hits just the right notes as a burned out Santa Claus who just wants to get through the night, but when he is stranded in an isolated compound (when his reindeer are scared away by gunfire) he must decide to stay and help or stay out of the way.
Jon Leguizamo (MOULIN ROUGE) is the “Hans Gruber” of this piece - a mercenary named SCROOGE and he is a “good enough” villain. While Leah Brady is “charming enough” as the little girl that Santa decides to help. All the rest of the hostages and mercenaries (including CHRISTMAS VACATION’s Beverly D’Angelo) are underwritten “cannon fodder” for the action that takes place.
And…that is just fine as this is an action/comedy flick, so the enjoyment lies in the creativity that Santa (and others) use in dispatching the bad guys. Candy Canes, Christmas Stars, Ice Skates and…yes…SnowThrowers are all used to the advantage of the good guys (and the ultimate demise of the bad guys).
It’s not going to win any Oscars, but Violent Night is a fun “anti-Holiday” action film that the older folks in the crowd will enjoy later at night after the kiddo-s go to bed.
Letter Grade: B
7 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
P.S.: Violent Night is streaming for free (with your Amazon Prime subscription) or you can rent or own it in many of the usual ways.