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Becs (244 KP) rated Warrior Protect in Books

Sep 24, 2018  
Warrior Protect
Warrior Protect
Brie Farmer | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
9
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Cade. (5 more)
Aurora.
Karas.
The story as a whole.
The cover.
The plot
There were a few grammatical and editing errors. (0 more)
A fun and thrilling read that will leave you wanting more.
I received a read and review copy of Warrior Protect by Brie Farmer from the author herself for my full honest opinion.

This is the second novel I have read by Brie Farmer and when I say you need to check her out, I mean you need to drop everything and check her out now. She is a great writer and I absolutely loved her debut novel. Now, I can add another great book to my loved list. So let's talk about everything I loved.

Warrior Protect was a thrilling and very engaging read that had me going through all of my emotions. Guys, I cried... I actually cried and I haven't cried over a book in a very long time. I'm not emotional, you are! That's how you know a book is good. If you cry, if you get angry, if you get overwhelmed with emotions, the books is good and worth a million rereads. I'm not kidding. Everybody needs to read this.

I loved how relatable the female MC was and man, the male MC sounds very attractive. Who needs a husband when you can have all the book boyfriends. ;) The love that was felt, the anger that caused blood to spill, the happiness that resulted in friendship. It was all amazing to read and Brie Farmer did a wonderful job portraying it in a way that brought the reader into the story. There were a few grammatical and editing errors, but this was still a four-star read!
  
Caution - Single by Celeste Arrazolo
Caution - Single by Celeste Arrazolo
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Celeste Arrazolo is a singer-songwriter from Houston, Texas. Not too long ago, she released a lyric video for her debut single, entitled, “Caution”.

“I’m not going. I’m not leaving this bar or this place. I came here for answers. Made so many mistakes. I’ve been down, I’ve been low, I’ve been high every chance that I get. It’s been such a lonely road ain’t got no relief yet.” – lyrics

‘Caution’ tells a bittersweet tale of a girl with sad eyes who doesn’t want to leave a bar because she’s searching for answers to her problems.

The bartender is sympathetic to her cause and offers her one last drink before the bar closes.

Lost in the moment, the girl reveals that religion has deserted her, and God has forgotten her name.

Later, she admits that no smart person should want any part of her because she’s a mess. Also, she’ll bring them down and hurt them with lies to survive. Therefore, they should proceed with caution when dealing with her.

‘Caution’ contains a relatable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and melodic instrumentation flavored with emo-soul and R&B elements.

“‘Caution’ is a climax in an internal struggle. It’s about losing your way. I want listeners to be able to meet me in that moment.” – Celeste Arrazolo

Celeste Arrazolo flew to Los Angeles as soon as she had her diploma in hand. Shortly afterward, she encountered hard times, and her life spiraled out of control.

She turned to music for solace and eventually discovered a path to redemption and freedom. Through endless hours of studying powerhouse singers and songwriters, Arrazolo learned to translate her experience into her music.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/celeste-arrazolo-caution/
  
Blood in the Water - Single by Empara Mi
Blood in the Water - Single by Empara Mi
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Empara Mi is a London-based singer-songwriter from Guernsey. Not too long ago, she released a music video for her “Blood in the Water” single.

“I feel like everyone acts out the end of a relationship in their heads before it happens. Maybe as a coping mechanism; to prepare ourselves for the worst and to see how we will take it. This video was meant to capture that mental snapshot, the beginning of the end and all the fighting and anxieties that come with it.” – Empara Mi

The music video tells an interesting tale of a pre-breakup mental state which symbolizes phases of love, argument, and fighting amid vibrant allegory.

Apparently, the woman who shares this dying relationship with her significant other senses that they might be too far gone to resuscitate the love that they once had for each other.

Later, she admits that because they were lying in a bed filled with roses and thorns, that’s why they are torn apart now.

‘Blood in the Water’ contains a dramatic storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and lush instrumentation flavored with a commercial pop aroma. Also, it’s the follow-up single to “Crying”, which is an intoxicating introduction to the vision of Empara Mi.

“The video is the journey of the breakup. It begins in a dreamlike state where everything feels safe, but suddenly you can’t control the involuntary warnings flooding your brain. Slowly the walls begin to crack and the other person’s colors start to show.” – Empara Mi

Empara Mi emerged in 2016 with her critically acclaimed debut single, entitled, “Wanderlust”. Since then, her music has amassed almost 3M streams online via Spotify.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/empara-mi-blood-in-the-water/
  
It's Different Now by Dax
It's Different Now by Dax
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Dax is a 24-year-old Los Angeles-based hip-hop artist from Ottawa, Canada. Not too long ago, he released a music video for his “Did It First” single.

“Where I’m from they never did it, I did it first. Rap game wasn’t sh*t, I gave it birth. I told them ni^^as I would make ‘cause I wasn’t stopping. They was laughing now I’m laughing ‘cause I know they watching.” – lyrics

‘Did It First’ tells an introspective tale which is told from Dax’s point of view.

Apparently, he used to tell an unbeliever (a fake local rapper) and other haters that he would fulfill his rap dreams. But they laughed at him because they couldn’t visualize his vision, which expanded way beyond Kansas.

Now Dax is a successful rap artist, and the same people who didn’t believe in his dreams are saying that he got lucky, a guppy who hit the lottery.

Also, Dax admitted that he is a prophet because he told his haters that he would make it big in the rap game and he did.

“When I left home, I left with the mindset that I’m not coming back until I bring something back. You know sometimes you gotta give the people something to believe in. Go get it. I didn’t expect nobody to believe in my dream because it wasn’t theirs in the first place. That’s what I did.” – Dax

‘Did It First’ is featured on Dax’s debut EP, entitled, “It’s Different Now”.

The likable tune contains a relatable storyline and spirited rap vocals. Also, the song possesses lush instrumentation flavored with hip-hop and trap elements.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/dax-did-it-first/
  
Good Things - Single by Kelaa
Good Things - Single by Kelaa
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Kelaa is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter and producer from Sweden. Not too long ago, she released a lovely debut single, entitled, “Good Things”.

“Good things come to those who don’t wait around. I can’t let you slow me down. F**k you and your lies. Chase me when I rise. Get blinded by my light. Good things come to those who don’t wait around.” – lyrics

‘Good Things’ is the first single from Kelaa’s upcoming EP.

The likable tune contains a relatable storyline, pleasing vocals, and vibey instrumentation flavored with an electro-pop aroma.

“‘Good Things’ is about not waiting for chances to come but instead create the conditions you desire around yourself, no matter what the obstacles are. ‘Cause, in the end, good things come to those who have the courage to follow their intuition.” – Kelaa

Kelaa grew up in a musical family with traditional folk music from the Kurdish regions of eastern Turkey.

Her musical journey with the project KELAA began after she participated in the program, Who can become a producer?

The message she wants to give is that everything is going to be alright even at times when you are standing at the edge.

The name Kelaa means fortress and is the name of a holy mountain in Kurdish regions Turkey.

The name was chosen by the artist to honor her roots, as an attempt to at least spiritually, preserve a piece of her background as the thought of losing her identity became a daunting experience at times when physical borders hindered her from connecting with her roots.

Creating songs under this name reflects the blended identity, which has formed her growing up in Sweden.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/kelaa-good-things/
  
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Hazel (1853 KP) rated Captive in Books

Dec 14, 2018  
C
Captive
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<i>This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review</i>

<i>Captive</i> is the debut young adult thriller by British author A. J. Grainger. Set in contemporary Britain, sixteen-year-old Robyn, the daughter of the Prime Minister, is kidnapped and held hostage by three animal rights activists. Until the government agrees to release the person accused of the attempted assassination of the PM four month previously, they refuse to free Robyn from captivity. It soon becomes clear that a lot of lies and cover-ups have been occurring and it is difficult to know whom to trust.

The novel gets off to a great start with a lot of action as Robyn and her family is ambushed on their way to visit grandparents. The first half of the book is really exciting as the reader slowly gets to grips with what is going on.

Grainger writes really well with great use of descriptive words and phrases. To keep the reader engaged and to lengthen the story she includes other interesting details that are educational in a way – for example, knowledge about birds.

Unfortunately the second half of the book is not as exciting as the first. A relationship starts developing between Robyn and one of the captors, which is rather unoriginal and predictable.

One thing that I particularly liked about this novel was Robyn’s character. Naturally people may expect daughters of prime ministers to be snobbish and spoilt but Robyn was the complete opposite. She did not care about where her clothes came from or whether or not she went to parties. Robyn was the representation of the average teenage girl preparing for her GCSEs.

Despite the clichéd captor/hostage situation <i>Captive</i> is a very enjoyable novel with a few exhilarating twists in the plot.
  
The Wolves of Savin Hill (2014)
The Wolves of Savin Hill (2014)
2014 | Drama
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
The indie movie, The Wolves of Savin Hill is a very fine directorial debut for John Beaton Hill. He also wrote this story where sentimentalities and brutality clash between two best friends who have lost touch over the years. In their youth, they made a promise youth that now haunts them as they are adults. In what results is a trial of what’s left of their friendship. In how this film treats the subject matter is like that of silent lucidity.

 

In what they have become, Tom (David Cooley) stayed in Boston only to grow up to be an alcoholic troublemaker and Sean (Brian Scannell) relocated to Los Angeles with Tom’s sister Emily to eventually work the beat as a cop with an axe to grind. Anyone who tries to mess with him often got the end of the stick. But when Emily is found dead and news reaches home, Tom goes to LA to confront Sean. The web of deceit he finds himself in is more than he can handle.

 

Cooley and Scannel deliver strong performances. The plot only gets stranger at every succeeding moment, and the draw this film creates gets viewers invested into wanting to understand the psyche of each of these leading men. Hill crafted a nicely enticing film that wraps two time periods together to reveal the darkest nature of what friends are willing to do for each other. The flashbacks are far more interesting than the now.

 

To reveal anymore information will only spoil the causality of how these two have to contend with each other. When this film hits more festivals, viewers can discover for themselves in what human nature means according to this filmmaker. The hills have eyes and what he sees may not be necessarily good.
  
Sauvignon and a Kimono by DYLYN
Sauvignon and a Kimono by DYLYN
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
DYLYN is a talented singer-songwriter based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Not too long ago, she released a music video for her emo-pop tune, entitled, “Secret”.

“My life was turned upside down and, as a result, this song emerged. ‘Secret’ became therapeutic. It gave me a chance to connect with people, with my fans whose parents also split up due to infidelity. It became a way of reaffirming for myself and others—‘You are not the only one going through this.’” – DYLYN

‘Secret’ tells a bitter tale of a young woman who finds out that her father has been cheating on her mother.

Since then, she hasn’t slept in days and wonders if her mother knows about the other woman in her father’s life.


Later, after everything is out in the open, she painfully admits that her mother won’t love her father ever again, but she will still love him, even though he hurt them.

“At first, I was hesitant to write about such a personal story. But as the lyrics started to unfold, everything fell into place. I recorded ‘Secret’ in a dimly lit vocal booth. I wanted to be in a headspace where I could feel alone with myself, and deliver the lyrics from the most honest place that I possibly could.” – DYLYN

‘Secret’ contains a gripping storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and lush instrumentation flavored with a dark commercial pop aroma.

The likable tune is featured on DYLYN’s debut EP, entitled, “Sauvignon and a Kimono”.

“I’m very excited to get this music out and tour again. This record is going to be much more raw, and I want to put all my emotions on the table. ‘Secret’ gave me the courage to do that.” – DYLYN
  
Murder on Cape Cod
Murder on Cape Cod
Maddie Day | 2018 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Macenzie "Mac" Almeida has returned to Westham, Massachusetts, after several years away, and she is settling back into the town where she grew up. She's enjoying time with her family, her bike shop is thriving, and she enjoys her weekly meetings with the Cozy Capers, a book club that reads exclusively cozy mysteries. Returning from their meeting one night, Mac stumbles over the dead body of Jake Lacey. Jake didn't have the best reputation in town, and Mac had her own disagreement with the man over a repair he had been hired to do for her. Worse yet, she recognizes the knife as one her brother owns. With the rest of the Cozy Capers jumping in to try to help solve the crime, will they succeed?

Ever since this series has been announced, I've been looking forward to it, and the debut didn't disappoint. I always love vacation destination settings, and this one is fun; now I want to visit Cape Cod. Plus, what cozy mystery fan isn't going to want to read about a club that loves the same sub-genre we do? We are introduced to a large selection of series regulars here, and it took some work to keep them all straight, but I'm sure that will get easier as the series goes along and the various supporting characters get enough page time. The suspects don't have the same issue, and it is easy to remember their motives. There are several secrets and potential motives for murder, but by the time Mac figures things out, everything is clear to us and her. While this isn't a traditional culinary cozy, Mac's boyfriend owns a bakery in town, and we get several recipes at the end of the book.
  
X-Men Origins - Wolverine (2009)
X-Men Origins - Wolverine (2009)
2009 | Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi
A low point for the X-Men franchise
X-Men Origins: Wolverine is an awful awful film, for many reasons.
Firstly - no one really seems to be too enthusiastic about what they're doing. Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, and Danny Huston do the best with the piss-poor script, but everyone else just seems to be going through the motions.

Secondly - the characters. This movie contains not one, but two fan favourite X-Men characters, making their big screen debut, just to be thrown under the bus. Gambit for starters, is a shadow of the character he is in the comic - Taylor Kitsch just being himself, whilst getting one very brief action scene that hardly shows off his powers.
The other character is of course Deadpool - Ryan Reynolds is entertaining enough throughout the opening scene - but when we're introduced to the proper Deadpool near the climax of the film... Words truly fail me, it's just embarrassing.

Thirdly - what the hell on Earth is going on with the CGI in this movie? This is the fourth X-Men film and the effects are worse than ever. Wolverines claws look like a child had just drawn over the film.

It's just terrible from start to finish. The fact that the following X-Men Origins: Magneto got cancelled almost immediately after this was released is a example of just how much of a misstep this film was.

There are a few positives though - the opening montage of Logan fighting in different wars throughout history was pretty cool, Liev Schreiber is a welcome addition as Sabretooth after Tyler Mane in the original X-Men movie, and the best thing about this film? The adaption of Deadpool was so abysmal that Ryan Reynolds took it upon himself to eventually get a proper Deadpool movie rolling.

Final thought - please don't let Will.I.Am near anymore movie sets, thanks.