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Caressed by Ice (Psy-Changeling #3)
Caressed by Ice (Psy-Changeling #3)
10
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Loved it from start to finish
Nalini Singh explores new heights of sensuality, returning to the world of the Psy - where two people who know evil intimately must unlock the good within their icy hearts...

As an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks, Judd Lauren was forced to do terrible things in the name of his people. Now he is a defector, and his dark abilities have made him the most deadly of assassins - cold, pitiless, unfeeling. Until he meets Brenna...

Brenna Shane Kincaid was an innocent before she was abducted - and had her mind violated - by a serial killer. Her sense of evil runs so deep, she fears she could become a killer herself. Then the first dead body is found, victim of a familiar madness. Judd is her only hope, yet her sensual changeling side rebels against the inhuman chill of his personality, even as desire explodes between them. Shocking and raw, their passion is a danger that threatens not only their hearts, but their very lives...

Can't tell you how much I loved this book or this series! Nalini is just a fabulous writer I think this has to be my favourite book so far! It gives hope when things have been so bad and the worst has happened it lets you know you can overcome anything with the right help!
Highly recommended!
  
Kama Sutra Workout
Kama Sutra Workout
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I’m reviewing the Kama Sutra Workout: Work Hard, Play Harder with 300 Sensual Sexercises by DK, and it’s a mind-boggling, eye-opening read that I’m glad I got to see. I mean, surely this should be on everyone’s 1001 books to read before they die? (At least a version of the actual Kama Sutra). Even if it is just to see what you’re missing!

From “The Steamy Handstand” (is this even possible in real life?) to the “Thrust of Lust” (don’t ask!) there are some very colourful, and detailed (my husband says “disturbing!” LOL ) pictures to guide you through some equally creative Kama Sutra positions. These have accompanying “sexercises” to give you and your partner a full body workout. (What? On top of getting into these positions in the first place? That’s work out enough for me).

I wish I could share with you pictures, but I think I’d be banned from Amazon if I did. It’s a small book in size but has plenty of width to keep you happy. Innuendo intended.

The idea is you swap the gym for the bedroom and (depending on how young and /or flexible you are) choose the “workout” you most fancy from the back of the book. These consist of a complete sex session by following a sequence of three positions, or if you’re feeling really energetic you can use the position selectors to choose your next random sexercise.

Just don’t break anything!
  
Partners in Crime
Partners in Crime
Steve Hockensmith | 2023 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Five Cases of Crime in the Old West
This book collects five stories featuring Old Red and Big Red, the stars of the Holmes on the Range series. They are set during late fall 1893 and winter 1894, and find the brothers solving a variety of cases. The first story finds the brothers returning to their home town in Kansas with mixed results. When the brothers set out to find a Christmas tree for their landlady, they find a dead body instead. A series of strange events leads them to go to Idaho to try to help the sheep ranchers involved. A request in Colorado finds them in the middle of newspaper wars. Finally, they have to clear their own names when their landlady thinks they are responsible for the things that have been disappearing around their boarding house.

Combined, these five stories reach novel length. Individually, they vary in length. The first one seems to wander a bit at first, but as a fan of the series, I didn’t mind. The stories take place around two of the novels, but there aren’t any spoilers. Instead, we get Big Red and Old Red and some great new characters in each story to keep us engaged. The crimes don’t always involve murder, which I enjoyed seeing. If you haven’t tried the series yet, this would be a fun way to sample the characters. If you’re already a fan, you’ll enjoy seeing what the brothers get up to here.
  
Red Sparrow (2018)
Red Sparrow (2018)
2018 | Mystery, Thriller
A Sexy spy thriller that would have been better without the SEXY
The new Jennifer Lawrence spy thriller RED SPARROW is being advertised as a "sexy" thriller, and if you watch the trailers for it, you would think it was a Jason Bourne/Mission Impossible-type of action thriller - with "sexy" action - and you would be misled and disappointed.

For, RED SPARROW, is a sexy, intelligent, inner-workings, "out-smart-the-other-guy" type of spy thriller in more of the mode of a John LeCarre novel (like TINKER, TAILOR, SOLIDER, SPY). It does have some action and some GRAPHIC torture scenes, but I would not classify it as an action film, so those looking for that will be bored.

RED SPARROW follows the tale of Bolshoi Ballet Prima Ballerina, Dominika Egorova (Jennifer Lawrence) who, after an accident ends her ballet career, is drawn into the deadly world of International Intelligence by her Uncle and must her her body as well as her mind to survive.

This is billed - and shot - as a "sexy" thriller with "SEXY" being the primary driving force - and that is too bad, for I found the sex and nudity to be gratuitous and didn't really drive the narrative forward. When the film stopped focusing on this aspect and focused on the mystery - and misdirection - at hand and Dominika's ability to outsmart and outhink those around her, that the film really catches it's footing and is quite good.

Unfortunately, you have to sit through the first 1/2 of this film - the training portion - and that is filled with gratuitous sex and sexual conquest and using your sex to disarm the enemy. It's an unfortunate choice that almost took me out of the movie, so when the (really) good second half of the film came about, I was surprised by it.

But if you can get through that, you'll be rewarded by a pretty good, pretty smart, pretty INTELLIGENT thriller.

Letter Grade: B (C for the 1st half, A for the 2nd half)

7 (out of 10) stars and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
  
As our story continues, the plot thickens. Finding sanctuary with her father, Lord Pierson, Julia becomes the center of London society. Being one of the wealthiest heiress’ in the country and keeping her past a secret at all costs drains her body, mind and spirit. She no longer knows who she is or what her heart truly longs for. Lord Pierson has plans of matrimony for Julia to Lord Dalry. Macy is still on the loose and is always searching for his “lost wife”. Thoughts of Edward are ever at the forefront of her thoughts. Will Macy expose Julia and Lord Pierson? Will Julia submit to her Father’s decisions regarding her future? When all seems lost will she turn to the One who will never leave us nor forsake us?

  As I proceed with this trilogy I am constantly frustrated with our characters, yet I have been drawn in so much that I must finish! There are a few character inconsistencies in Mark of Distinction regarding Lord Pierson. Nothing major, but enough to make me a tad confused. Yet without it, there would be no story. Julia’s personality is slightly aggravating as well. She is constantly making the worst decisions and then has extreme consequences to face. Although the beginning of her journey towards God is touching. Lord Dalry is an all around good guy and I like his character a lot! Mr. Forrester’s treatment of Julia made me quite upset. Constantly putting her down, in front of her father and Lord Dalry, and never believing her story. He ends up helping her, but in the worst possible way.

  Although I will probably not read this series again, I am enjoying it and am looking forward to seeing how Jessica Dotta ties up the loose ends in Price of Privilege.
  
Sleeping Giants (Themis Files #1)
Sleeping Giants (Themis Files #1)
Sylvain Neuvel | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (20 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sleeping Giants is the first book in a new sci-fi series that is told epistolary-style, mostly in interviews and journal entries, with various other reports and articles thrown in for good measure. The basic synopsis is giant alien body parts were strewn across the globe millennia ago and (supposed to be) discreet teams go look for them while our "A-Team" -- as it were -- figures out how it works.

I found the book to be swift, fun, and easy to read, except for a couple of sections that made my eyes cross at trying to visualize the science and math. Readers who are more adept at math would most likely find it easier to grasp. There is also plenty of humor right up my alley, dry oftentimes, with a side of sarcasm. The first character we are introduced to is Rose Franklin, a physicist and the head of the project, who also was the first to stumble upon a body part, quite literally, as a child. I had a hard time getting a feel for her personality as she often is describing or explaining things about the alien robot. The others are Kara Resnik, a helicoptor pilot for the U.S. Army, Ryan Mitchell, also a pilot of the Army, Vincent Couture, a linguist of a sort, Alyssa Papantoniou, a geneticist, and an unnamed interviewer who I dubbed The Handler. Kara is one of the best characters as she really comes to life in the text. She provides most of the sarcasm and is prickly to boot. So I won't give anything away, I enjoyed the different personalities as they came together and interact, although it's not the usual sort of interactions since the story isn't traditionally told. However, by far, my favorite character is The Handler as he is dry and witty in a very subtle way. Nothing personal is mentioned about him, or at least not much, but his exchanges with everyone are highly enjoyable and amusing.

I don't have anything really bad to say about Sleeping Giants, but it did have a slightly slow start as it was more info-dumpy than I'd like, and I thought there was a little too much personal relationship issues brought into it. Those are only little nit-picky things, and on the whole, I don't mind them. During my reading I couldn't help but think numerous times that this would make an awesome tv series, it's just ripe with imagery that would totally work in that medium. In fact, it reminded me of Stargate SG-1 on occasion. I'm a bit put out that I want to read the next book immediately and the first hasn't even come out yet. If you're into sci-fi with a bit of a humor and mystery, I'd definitely recommend giving it a read.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Blind Side in Books

Nov 22, 2022 (Updated Nov 22, 2022)  
Blind Side
Blind Side
Penny Warner | 2001 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Did a Frog Contest Jump Start a Murder?
It’s time for the annual frog jumping contest in nearby Angel’s Camp, and this year it seems to be a hotbed of controversy. A group is protesting the mistreatment of animals, and the reigning champ’s top entry turns up dead. He accuses Miah Mercer of the sabotage, but Connor Westphal is certain that her part time employee is innocent. However, the stakes are raised when Connor finds a bunch of dead frogs and a dead body in the creek near the contest grounds. Can she figure out what is going on?

I enjoyed being back in Connor’s presence again. I felt the plot went a bit away from the initial premise, and I’m not sure I felt it earned it. Meanwhile, the ending is a bit abrupt while still answering our questions. These are minor since I was pulled into the story and kept turning pages to see what Connor would uncover next. As usual for the series, the characters are wonderful. Unfortunately, the language continues to be a bit extreme for a cozy series as well. I read the paperback that was originally published in 2001, so keep in mind that some technology references are going to be outdated. I enjoyed the humor at the beginning of the book – I think we got every frog pun imaginable. Connor is deaf, and she makes a new friend who is blind in this book. I appreciate how both characters are portrayed and this look at how they are able to handle the things I take for granted. All told, I enjoyed this book in the series.
  
Pema’s Storm (Dark Warrior Alliance #3)
Pema’s Storm (Dark Warrior Alliance #3)
Brenda Trim, Tami Julka | 2020 | Erotica, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
139 of 200
Kindle
Pema’s storm ( Dark warrior book 3)
By Brenda Trim and Tami Julka

Pema Rowan is the first born of the mysterious and powerful triplets whom prophesy has declared would unite in power and change the face of the Tehrex Realm forever, yet Pema and her sisters have eschewed their role in the world of magic in order to run their business. Pema's life is turned upside-down when the blessings of Fated Mates returns to the realm. It is further complicated when a mysterious and gorgeous ursine shifter, Ronan, enters her life. Pema doesn't want to be attracted to Ronan, especially since he once belonged to her archenemy. Pema faces danger left and right as she struggles with what her body wants and her mind refuses. As the High Priestess, Cele, seeks to garner the power of the triplets, Pema must choose between the safety of those she loves, or giving into her darkest desires.

Ronan Blackwell has come to Seattle with the female who has helped him find peace and solace after centuries of living with grief and isolation. When she ends their relationship, he is determined to win her back, only to have everything he has ever believed in challenged by the sexy little witch, Pema. As his emotions force him to choose between the only love he has ever known, and a passion that promises to tear him apart, he discovers that not everything is as it seems. Will the animal inside him win and show Pema the true meaning of life on the wild side, or will he be torn apart by the mysterious forces set against them?


Ronan certainly gives over to his animal to claim his mate!

I’m really enjoying these Dark alliance books they are a quick read and easy to fall in love with! I’m enjoying finding more out about the characters as well as seeing characters from the first 2 books! If you enjoy BDB by JR Ward you will enjoy these!
  
Hellboy (2019)
Hellboy (2019)
2019 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Oh...hell, no!
HELLBOY?!? HELL NO!

I would imagine that about 90% of my readership just got what they needed out of my review with that first line and have moved on. For the rest of you, I will now explain why this reboot of HELLBOY is now the "leader in the clubhouse" for worst picture of 2019.

I was pleasantly surprised by the 2004 Guillermo del Toro helmed and written HELLBOY and was even more surprised by how good the del Toro written and helmed HELLBOY II: THE GOLD ARMY (2008) was. I think that this was because there was a driving force - and vision - from a true auteur and was a perfect combination of material and artistic staff - including Ron Perlman in the title role.

This version of HELLBOY has none of that. No vision, no driving force and a "B" performance by David Harbour in the title role. It feels like what it is - a cash grab. I blame the studio who produced this film - Summit Entertainment - for "going on the cheap" on this one.

First off, they tapped a "B Movie" Director, Neil Marshall to Direct this thing. He is known for such artistic successes as DOOMSDAY and THE DESCENT - horror flicks that were heavy on gore, short on characters and plot - and that is what he brought to this film. Why worry about characters, plot or any kind of engaging features (including Special FX) when you can show, yet again, a body getting torn apart and blood spurting all over the screen.

The studio also skimped on the performers. Instead of Perlman, Selma Blair, John Hurt and Doug Jones you get David Harbour, Daniel Dae Kim, Mila Jovovich and a sleep-walking, just give me my paycheck, Ian McShane. It's like watching the "road company" of a Broadway show. While the actors are game (with the notable exception of McShane), they are "B picture" actors, much like the Director.

And...much like the special FX. I knew, going in, that the early word on this film was not good, but that never stops me. I like to make up my own mind, so I thought I'd "pony up" for the IMAX experience to, at least, see the CGI and FX on as large a screen with as good a sound system as possible. I shouldn't have bothered, for the CGI and FX were mediocre (at best) and all the big screen and sound did was emphasize how low quality the CGI was.

And...finally...the pacing of this film is problematic, at best. This is certainly a film that was written and edited within an inch of it's life for the "short attention span" audience of today. The prevailing theory was "why linger on a plot or a character or a moment when we can quick cut to another body getting pulled in two and watch a plume of blood spurt out in a giant arc)."

There are 2 scenes in the end credits to set up the next film(s) in this series. Films that I seriously doubt will be made. If they are, I hope they pump some more money into the budget and get a creative team with some artistic vision.

A swing and a miss.

Letter Grade: C (and I'm being generous)

4 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
  
Show all 3 comments.
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BankofMarquis (1832 KP) Apr 15, 2019

They did everything "on the cheap" - too bad, they are squandering a good property

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Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) Apr 16, 2019

Fantastic review, I'm going to see this tonight out of morbid curiosity.
My hope is that it's either surprisingly decent or it is absolute dogshit, I think if it's anywhere inbetween I'll come away disappointed.

The Revenant (2015)
The Revenant (2015)
2015 | Adventure, Drama, Thriller
DeCaprio's performance, Lubezki Cinematogrophy (0 more)
Fantastic Cinematic Experience
Films are works of art, pieces not to be taken for granted, unless they are ones that want to be taken for granted. There is a new term for the word masterpiece…Revenant!!

Unbelievable, breath taking, exhilarating, these descriptions are not enough to describe this wonderful movie.

When left for dead by the rest of his military group, Hugh Glass (DiCaprio) must look death in the face and battle great woodlands to seek vengeance on the one who betrayed him. DiCaprio is mind blowing in his performance that looks so convincing, you’ll believe he actually went through it. You do not recognize this man at all in his performance, there is no sign of Belfort, Jack Dawson, or Cobb, DiCaprio shows us a completely new person, you won’t believe he is even an actor.

FWI I am being deadly serious here, not joking at all.

One of the most unique parts of the film, is the use in cinematography, the most effective, and beautiful use I have ever seen. So huge hats off to Emmanuel Lubezki. It pulls you in to the film, and you completely feel the rush of the film through your body.

Alejandro González Iñárritu has pulled of another remarkable, and stunning piece of cinema, that will take you to a whole new world of film. It may be long, but every moment pulls you closer.

This truly is the most amazing, beautiful, and unbelievable film I have ever seen, and is now close to becoming the best. It’s a whole new experience and must be viewed in cinemas. It’s a complete 10/10, and must be viewed by all film fans.