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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Aug 4, 2022  
Joining me on my blog today is author Preston Lewis in a fascinating interview about his historical Western series, the Three Rivers Trilogy. You can also read up about the third book in the trilogy, RIO HONDO, and enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of the book - two winners!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2022/08/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-rio-hondo.html

**RIO HONDO SYNOPSIS**
With the embers of the Lincoln County War still burning, rancher Wes Bracken must rebuild his life amid the white-hot animosities lingering from the deadly feud. His vengeful brother-in-law vows to kill him, the county's economic kingpin seeks revenge, and the despicable outlaw Jesse Evans, who violated Bracken's wife, intends to murder Bracken and his young family. Two promises complicate Bracken's survival chances: a pledge not to kill his wife's brother and a commitment to help William H. Bonney earn a governor's pardon for his crimes. To survive and fulfill his dream of a peaceful life in 1880s New Mexico Territory, Bracken must fight a corrupt legal system, a duplicitous governor, a ubiquitous political ring, and the evil Jesse Evans. If Bracken keeps his promises to his wife and Billy the Kid, he risks an early grave in the same soil that holds so many of the Lincoln County War's dead. If he ignores those pledges, he will dishonor the good name he hopes to build his future upon.
     
Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996)
Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996)
1996 | Horror, Sci-Fi
7
6.3 (12 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Honestly, I can't help but admire just how much batshit-crazy content is crammed into this film. The established lore from the first two movies is more or less out of the window by now, with the narrative concentrating on the guy who originally invented the lament configuration in the 1700s, and then subsequent members of his bloodline trying to stop hell on earth once in 1996, and then again in the distant future aboard a space station. Like I said, batshit.
It also happens to be stupidly entertaining. It never threatens to get boring at any point. Pinhead has been scaled back once again to a more menacing presence as opposed to his pantomime villain from Hellraiser III, and the new cenobites looks suitably evil and gross. Angelique (Valentina Vargas) is a great new villain to stand alongside Doug Bradley, and goes someway to making sure Bloodlines has its own identity. Hats off to Bruce Ramsay as well for effectively playing three separate characters. There's liberal splashings of decent and practically done gore, and the CG effects for the space station still hold up for the most part. There's really not a huge amount to complain about in my opinion, and I can't quite comprehend where the general disdain comes from.
Hellraiser IV is certainly not a perfect movie, and doesn't reach the lofty heights of the first two, but it does enough different to ensure its a memorable entry into the franchise.
  
Labyrinth (Languedoc, #1)
Labyrinth (Languedoc, #1)
Kate Mosse | 2005 | Fiction & Poetry
6
7.1 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
115 of 235
Book
Labyrinth ( Languedoc 1)
By Kate Mosse
⭐️⭐️⭐️

When Dr Alice Tanner discovers two skeletons during an archaeological dig in southern France, she unearths a link with a horrific and brutal past. But it's not just the sight of the shattered bones that makes her uneasy; there's an overwhelming sense of evil in the tomb that Alice finds hard to shake off, even in the bright French sunshine. Puzzled by the words carved inside the chamber, Alice has an uneasy feeling that she has disturbed something which was meant to remain hidden... Eight hundred years ago, on the night before a brutal civil war ripped apart Languedoc, a book was entrusted to Alais, a young herbalist and healer. Although she cannot understand the symbols and diagrams the book contains, Alais knows her destiny lies in protecting their secret, at all costs. Skilfully blending the lives of two women divided by centuries but united by a common destiny, LABYRINTH is a powerful story steeped in the atmosphere and history of southern France.

I really enjoy historical fiction and I like how this brought the lives of these two women to life. There were some parts I felt were a chore to read but overall it was a good read. I like Kate Mosse and her writing style so that pulled me through those hard parts. The link between these women was special and so well written!
  
40x40

Merissa (13159 KP) rated The Trespassing of Souls (Seb Thomas #1) in Books

Apr 29, 2018 (Updated May 31, 2023)  
The Trespassing of Souls (Seb Thomas #1)
The Trespassing of Souls (Seb Thomas #1)
M.S.C. Barnes | 2015 | Children, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Trespassing of Souls (Seb Thomas #1) by M.S.C. Barnes
This book is simply amazing! To be honest, from the synopsis, I was expecting something a bit light-hearted, nothing to be taken too seriously. Instead, what I found between the pages, was an incredible, in-depth, and intriguing tale that just so happens to have children as some of the main characters. It is in no way limited to children or young adults though, as it deals with the serious subject of souls, trespassing souls, good and evil, what happens after life, and the Soul Drop.

I was in complete agreement with Seb when he was frustrated with the teachers and the lack of information. Although I could understand Alice's explanation about learning to walk, talk and eat, I could also completely empathise with Seb's point of view!

With a complete range of exceptional characters, a well-woven story with many layers to it, and action throughout, I absolutely loved this story and didn't want it to finish. I would highly recommend it to ANYONE who enjoys epic fantasy. As for me, I'm really hoping that there will be a follow-up!

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 31, 2016
  
HO
Heart of a Warrior Angel
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
71 of 235
Kindle
Heart of a Warrior Angel
By Lali A. Love
⭐️⭐️

Lilac Noble must face the traumatic experiences of her childhood before she can conquer the dark entities that have wreaked havoc on her family. On this epic journey, Lilac undergoes the destructive process of spiritual enlightenment in order to lift the veil of darkness and shame that has obscured her youth. As Lilac unlocks painful memories of abuse, suppressed in her subconscious from years of fear-based conditioning, she uncovers menacing secrets feeding the evil within her generational bloodline. In an attempt to vanquish the sinister energies, Lilac finds the courage to discover her inner truth, vulnerability, and authenticity, as she awakens her divine light and overcomes her debilitating fears of the past. Lilac's unconditional love for her family guides her through her process of healing and transformation, fuelling her instinct for survival and her burning desire to illuminate the world.
Spanning two continents and three generations, this inspirational novel portrays the best and worst of humanity and shows how the "tiniest spark of light can overcome the darkness of any magnitude," through forgiveness, compassion, and the most powerful force in the universe – Love.

Seems I’m in the minority with this book but I just don’t know why I kept going. This just wasn’t a book for me I don’t think alt I will say it was well written.
  
A(
Awaken (The A’vean Chronicles 1)
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
84 of 235
Kindle
Awaken (The A’vean Chronicles 1)
By G.R. Thomas
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SOME PEOPLE AREN'T DESTINED TO BE ORDINARY.
Sophia Woodville holds a secret gift close to her heart.
A 20-year-old nursing grad, she thought she had her future mapped out. However, destiny is about to intervene.
A night out ends in bloodshed with Sophia now hunted by an unspeakable evil. She is whisked away by her family, a family she thought she knew, a family who holds secrets more powerful and darker than her own.
Her secret is not so secret. Her gift just a hint of something far beyond her wildest imagination. Sophia is pulled, kicking and screaming, into an unseen, ancient world of angels and demons. A beautiful and terrifying world that challenges all that she thought to be true of herself, her family and the origins of humanity.
Sophia cannot simply visit this world... she must save it.
Original sin, forbidden love and her life in constant danger...
Will Sophia survive this dark twist of fate?
Will the devil be her saviour?

This was one hell of a book I don’t think I’ve read anything like it the amazing amount of detail gone into it is just extraordinary. Take everything you think you know about how the world was mad, angels and demons then add some. It was just so involved the characters were all so well thought out and intricate. Just loved it.