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Twist (Dive Bar, #2)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This review can be found on my blog <a href="https://raptureinbooks.com/2017/03/13/arc-review-twist-by-kylie-scott/">here</a href>

<i>I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review</i>

Twist is the second instalment in the Dive Bar series from Kylie Scott and it was much better than the first one Dirty. Twist follows Joe Collins and Alex Parks (a new character that we’re introduced to in this book) as they right their wrongs – or rather, Joe rights his wrong and Alex does her utmost to make things hard for him.

The story begins with Alex Parks appearing at the Dive Bar on a random to meet Eric Collins, Joe’s brother. It appears that judging from the beginning of the book that Eric and Alex have been conversing via online dating for a while before she takes a leap of faith and goes to meet Eric for his birthday.

Disaster.

But this was expected, as to be fair, there wouldn’t be a book if there wasn’t at least one disaster to be fixed!

What follows is one of the best written contemporary novels I’ve read in a long time; there was plenty of humour and drama, characters to fall in love with and a storyline of catfish proportions. There was a perfect balance between the two main characters and the secondary characters with little friction but with a quick & wicked sense of camaraderie between all the Dive Bar and Alex.

You know how a book is generally considered good when part of the plot gives you a sucker punch to the gut like no other? Twist had this and it had it in spades. I was already feeling poorly and receiving this ARC made my week; that one section though. Kylie – no word of a lie, brought a little tear to my eye. Such a hard hitting side arc.

At first I was a little off put by Alex as she seemed really uncomfortable in the situation but as the story progressed Kylie explained the whys and wherefores and it made her reactions to certain things make all the more sense. Joe was just as mysteriously bearded as he was in Dirty and it was lovely to see the other side to Joe that we see in this book.

It was a little shorter than I expected – length wise – but it was incredibly fast paced and before I knew it I’d blasted through 20% in under 15 minutes which is another sure fire sign of a great book.

Kylie’s writing has done nothing but improve over the course of her books and another great part about Twist? The Stage Dive boys & girls were back in town! The ending was perfect and I mean that in all the ways. I need the next book Chaser ASAP.

It’s hard reviewing this book without giving away any crucial details.
  
Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
1989 | Action, Drama
8
7.5 (11 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Joe Pesci (0 more)
Protect Joe Pesci
Lethal Weapon 2- adds more action, drama, suspense, thrills, comedy, lots of comedy and more chemistry.

The production:

Shane Black and Warren Murphy's original Play Dirty script:

Their original title for the script was Play Dirty. Although many people thought that their script was brilliant, it was rejected by Silver, studio and director Richard Donner for being too dark and bloody, and because in the ending of the script Riggs dies, while they wanted to keep him alive in case of further sequels. They also wanted the second film to focus more on comedy, while Black's draft focused more on courage and heroics, like Riggs willing to die to protect Murtaugh and his family, due to his love for them

When his script was rejected, Black felt that he had failed the producers. He initially offered to give his payment back, but his agent talked him out of it. Black also refused to re-write the script and quit from the project after working for six months on it. Black later said how the problem with the second film was that they did too much comedy, and how he dislikes the third and fourth films because of the way Riggs' character was changed.

Director Richard Donner said in the film's Blu-ray commentary that the film was shot in such a way that it could be edited with two different endings, one in which Riggs dies and one in which he lives. Audiences in test screenings responded well to Riggs' survival, and this was kept, though the last shot in the film with the camera moving away from Murtaugh holding Riggs was shot for the ending in which he dies.

Jeffrey Boam's final script:

Originally, the character of Rika was intended to survive, with the last scene in the film being Riggs and Rika eating Thanksgiving dinner with the Murtaughs, but the director decided to kill the character to increase Riggs' motivation to destroy the South African drug smugglers. The film was the debut of Leo Getz (Joe Pesci), a crooked but whistle-blowing CPA who is placed in protective custody by Riggs and Murtaugh, and makes the detectives' more difficult due to his neurotic behavior. The Getz character remained a regular throughout the remainder of the film series.

The plot: South African smugglers find themselves being hounded and harassed by Riggs and Murtaugh, two mismatched Los Angeles police officers. However, the South Africans are protected by diplomatic immunity, and so the two are assigned to witness-protection duty in an attempt by their captain to keep his job. It is only when this witness reveals to them that he has already dealt with the smugglers that the trouble really starts.

I love the chemistry between Mel and Danny and now adding Joe Pesci to the mix its perfect. The perfrct trio.

Lethal Weapon 2- is a good sequel to the first one, and adds more. Highly recordmend watching it.
  
Eyes on You
Eyes on You
Kate White | 2014
8
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Robin has just started a new job and is about to release her first book. RIght now, is seems as if life couldn't get any better for her. When a series of strange events begins to happen, Robin has to figure out exactly who is trying to sabotage her career. There are a few people it could be and right now Robin isn't sure who she can trust.

This book held my attention from start to finish. It was hard to put down. The book had a little bit of everything in it. A little thriller, a little romance, some conspiracy and murder. All throughout the book, you think you know who is going to be the one doing all of the dirty work. There seems to be so many suspects. Is it the handsome co-host? The ambitious intern who is desperately trying her best? The veteran at the station who will stop at nothing to stay on top and relevant? The associate producer whose story ideas always seem to fall a little short.

I could not put this book down. I had to know what was going to happen. I stayed on the edge of my seat. There was even one part where I shouted, "Holy Shit!" out loud. Luckily, I wasn't any place public when that happened.

This was a great book. One of the best that I have read this year. I look forward to reading more from this author.
  
Melting For You (Neighborhood Shindig #1)
Melting For You (Neighborhood Shindig #1)
A.M. Arthur | 2019 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Melting For You (Neighborhood Shindig #1) by A.M. Arthur
Melting For You is the first book in the Neighborhood Shindig series. This is decidedly lower angst than previous books by Ms. Arthur I have read, and we meet Joel and Isaiah. Joel has had the dirty done to him by his (ex) partner, in both his personal and professional lives. Isaiah has returned home to look after his dad after he had a heart attack, and also, hopefully, to build a better relationship with him.

The relationship between Joel and Isaiah starts off fast, but then slows down some, as they spend time together doing things, not just each other. I loved how the two of them worked together, and bounced ideas around. One major plus for me were the excellent descriptions of the Neighborhood Shindig itself. I could see it clearly in my mind, and my mouth was certainly watering with the descriptions given.

If I had anything bad to say about the book, it would be the ending felt a bit rushed to me. I only had six minutes reading time left, and neither Joel nor Isaiah had spoken to the other about staying. Apart from that, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and look forward to returning to the Shindig. Definitely recommended.

* 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!