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graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Curse of the Kissing Cousins (A "Where Are They Now" Mystery, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Originally titled WITHOUT MERCY, CURSE OF THE KISSING COUSINS is a good start to the series, even with some flaws. The main character/sleuth/nostalgic reporter, Tilda, is smart and likable, funny and realistic - basically, a solid lead (no pun intended, originally :P). The plot is interesting and for the most part, flowed smoothly; the same could be said about the additional characters. My favorites were fanboy Vincent and the kinda-sorta-cliche gay friend/co-worker, Cooper, who both added a lot to the book. Actually, none of the characters were unnecessary or overdone, from the less-than-perfect roommate to the back-stabber at <i>Entertain Me!</i> to the the lecherous computer geek, all contributed to the book as a whole. However, with all the good the book had, there was just something missing, besides Mercy. I can't quite put my finger on it, but even though I really did enjoy the book, there was just something off. The idea behind this series is really cool and I hope it gets better as it goes along. I look forward to WHO KILLED THE PIN-UP QUEEN?
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
Awix (3310 KP) rated Hummingbird (aka Redemption, Crazy Joe) (2013) in Movies
May 16, 2019
Well, if anyone was going to play an ex-special forces homeless man who interferes romantically with a nun and turns up to a knife fight carrying a spoon, it was going to be Jason Statham. The plot of this one honestly feels a bit like a mix-tape of the best bits from the great man's back catalogue (Chinese gangsters, people trafficking, mob enforcement, improbable threats) but it's put together with skill and conviction.
It does have that slightly crazy quality you often get in J-Stat films, but for me this is the source of much of their charm, and this one also manages to address some slightly deeper topics than usual and even ends up with a bit of gravitas and emotional depth. It almost feels like a drama as much as an action film, and you genuinely do care for the characters by the end of it. Definitely one of the better Statham vehicles, although one has to wonder about the film's fairly blatant attempts to position him as a gay icon - is J-Stat on board with this? Has anyone even thought to tell him? Good fun either way.
It does have that slightly crazy quality you often get in J-Stat films, but for me this is the source of much of their charm, and this one also manages to address some slightly deeper topics than usual and even ends up with a bit of gravitas and emotional depth. It almost feels like a drama as much as an action film, and you genuinely do care for the characters by the end of it. Definitely one of the better Statham vehicles, although one has to wonder about the film's fairly blatant attempts to position him as a gay icon - is J-Stat on board with this? Has anyone even thought to tell him? Good fun either way.
Anna Steele (111 KP) rated One of us is Lying in Books
Jun 1, 2018
Impossible to review without spoilers so ...
Contains spoilers, click to show
This book has so much going on I applaud for the complexity of the storyline and the intricacy of the conspiritorial heart of the novel. In the beginning the characters seem really flat, but they develope and change as the action unfolds.
It felt like Cooper being gay was more of a plot point than representation, but the inclusion of Kris and the slight focus on the family dealing with the revelation and his friend standing with him saved it for me.
Addy seemed like someone that let a relationship take over her whole life, and I thought that was a boring character choice, but when explained that her mom was he same was and she fought against it and became her own person, her character was redeemed for me.
Nate and Bronwyn’s Love conquers all in this book and is the primary fire with which my heart is stoked.
I love a well written mystery, but this one was hard for me to get into until I was barreling through the last hundred pages, needing answers to all the questions that came too late.
It felt like Cooper being gay was more of a plot point than representation, but the inclusion of Kris and the slight focus on the family dealing with the revelation and his friend standing with him saved it for me.
Addy seemed like someone that let a relationship take over her whole life, and I thought that was a boring character choice, but when explained that her mom was he same was and she fought against it and became her own person, her character was redeemed for me.
Nate and Bronwyn’s Love conquers all in this book and is the primary fire with which my heart is stoked.
I love a well written mystery, but this one was hard for me to get into until I was barreling through the last hundred pages, needing answers to all the questions that came too late.
Merissa (13159 KP) rated All He Ever Needed in Books
Nov 5, 2018
All He Ever Needed by Cate Ashwood
All He Ever Needed is a gentle friends-to-lovers story. Ethan has known he was gay for over a decade, but didn't say anything. Not only did he want to make it work with his long-term, high school sweetheart, but the man he loves is completely unavailable, so he thinks. However, you can only live a lie for so long, and this book starts when Ethan's life comes crashing down.
This was very sympathetically written - you get to see how it affected ALL of the characters, and none of them were unnecessarily angsty about it either. There is some angst here, as Jase needs to figure out just how to be with Ethan when real life invades, but nothing too much.
This was an excellently written story, with no editing or grammatical errors. With low angst, charming characters, and a tender love story, I have no hesitation in recommending this book. Another winner by Cate Ashwood.
* 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!
This was very sympathetically written - you get to see how it affected ALL of the characters, and none of them were unnecessarily angsty about it either. There is some angst here, as Jase needs to figure out just how to be with Ethan when real life invades, but nothing too much.
This was an excellently written story, with no editing or grammatical errors. With low angst, charming characters, and a tender love story, I have no hesitation in recommending this book. Another winner by Cate Ashwood.
* 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!
Merissa (13159 KP) rated Defensive Play (Boys on the Brink) in Books
Dec 5, 2018
Defensive Play (Boys on the Brink) by Jamie Deacon
Defensive Play is the first book by this author I have read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Davey knows he is gay, but he hasn't told anyone. He is a geek who has managed to earn the respect of his football team, and he is worried if he comes out, he will lose that. He thinks he has it all under control, until Adam shows up. With one glance, Davey starts to become unraveled.
This was a sweet story, with some angst in tune with the story. Mostly, it is about Davey and how he feels, what he will do, and what will the fall out be. It is a novella, so expect the pacing to be fairly fast. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow.
A thoroughly enjoyable story, and I look forward to reading more by this author. Definitely recommended by me.
* I received a copy of this book 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!
This was a sweet story, with some angst in tune with the story. Mostly, it is about Davey and how he feels, what he will do, and what will the fall out be. It is a novella, so expect the pacing to be fairly fast. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow.
A thoroughly enjoyable story, and I look forward to reading more by this author. Definitely recommended by me.
* I received a copy of this book 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!
Jackjack (877 KP) rated A Star Is Born (2018) in Movies
Apr 19, 2020
Pretty good!
Ok so I loved how this film captured the raw romantic start to the film, a big star bringing a women he just met to his big show making her sing, it was oh so magical.
I well and truly got lost in this emotional rollercoaster, the film opens with lady gaga In her very average job, she finishes her shift and goes to perform in a drag act/gay bar, here is where she sings her heart out and it just so happens a very drunk Bradley cooper is in there listening after he had just performed his own concert, it all stems from there you see how they get close and he brings her to all his gigs where she sings her songs on stage and she finally gets noticed and becomes a big star herself, but it's not all glamour and fame you see the ups and downs in a stars world with her husband on a downwards spiral abusing drugs and alcohol you see the struggle and see the love between them Both. Amazing story with a very unpredictable sad ending. Definitely worth the watch!
I well and truly got lost in this emotional rollercoaster, the film opens with lady gaga In her very average job, she finishes her shift and goes to perform in a drag act/gay bar, here is where she sings her heart out and it just so happens a very drunk Bradley cooper is in there listening after he had just performed his own concert, it all stems from there you see how they get close and he brings her to all his gigs where she sings her songs on stage and she finally gets noticed and becomes a big star herself, but it's not all glamour and fame you see the ups and downs in a stars world with her husband on a downwards spiral abusing drugs and alcohol you see the struggle and see the love between them Both. Amazing story with a very unpredictable sad ending. Definitely worth the watch!
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