Search
Search results
David McK (3786 KP) rated Moriarty: The Silent Order in Books
Nov 17, 2024
The second in Charles Kindinger's 'Moriarty' series of Sherlock Holmes re-imaginings, positing what if Sherlock was an imposter and Moriarty an innocent man driven to a life of crime by the former, which - I have to say - I did not find *quite* as enjoyable as the first.
It also took me a wee while to get used to the recasting of the role of Colonel Sebastian Moran - not to say that the actor was bad, by any means, just that he sounded different.
Anyway, this time round, the story starts in the United States, following both Moriarty and Sherlocks death at the Reichenbach Falls, before - in the latter half - moving back to Merrie Olde Englande - with a new nemesis in the form of Helen Mirren's blackmailer Lady Milverton.
It also took me a wee while to get used to the recasting of the role of Colonel Sebastian Moran - not to say that the actor was bad, by any means, just that he sounded different.
Anyway, this time round, the story starts in the United States, following both Moriarty and Sherlocks death at the Reichenbach Falls, before - in the latter half - moving back to Merrie Olde Englande - with a new nemesis in the form of Helen Mirren's blackmailer Lady Milverton.
David McK (3786 KP) rated Shakespeare in Love (1998) in Movies
Oct 19, 2025
Award-winning 1998 film (supposedly) telling the story of how Shakespeare - here, suffering from writers block - came to write the tragedy 'Romeo and Juliet' (which, here, starts life as 'Romeo and Ethel the Pirate King's daughter'), as well as where he gets inspiration for several of his other plays from.
Whilst this is a bit slow starting, it gets better once the plot starts moving, roughly half an hour or so into it, with the introduction of (a very young) Gwyneth Paltrow as Lady Viola who - in the best traditions of Shakespeare - wants to become an actor herself, a role forbidden to females of the time, and so is forced to 'go undercover', pretending to be a young man.
Sound familiar?
It's a plot device Shakespeare would return to, time and time again.
Whilst this is a bit slow starting, it gets better once the plot starts moving, roughly half an hour or so into it, with the introduction of (a very young) Gwyneth Paltrow as Lady Viola who - in the best traditions of Shakespeare - wants to become an actor herself, a role forbidden to females of the time, and so is forced to 'go undercover', pretending to be a young man.
Sound familiar?
It's a plot device Shakespeare would return to, time and time again.
Focus Builder
Medical and Health & Fitness
App
Focus Builder is optimized for use on an iPad. Eye movements are a very powerful way to exercise...
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated I Can Only Imagine in Books
Feb 25, 2019
Several years back, I was driving down the road. I was listening to a Christian radio station, loving the songs that were there. Then I hear the words, "I can only imagine...." and proceed to listen to the song. By the second verse, I had to pull over and listen closely. By the end of the second verse, I was bawling my eyes out, had my hands raised and was "praying" the song to the Lord. It was emotional and moving, and I knew that there had to be a story behind. This was the start of my love of MercyMe's work.
Flash foward several years, now there's a movie called "I Can Only Imagine". I watch the trailer. I cry, yet again. from the feelings I get. Now, I have the chance to review the memoir,which I read in one day, about the story behind the song and movie. And, oh my. What. A. Story. It's raw. It's moving. It will leave you smiling, it will leave you crying, it may even leave you angry. But, it will bring you closer to God. It will make you fall to your knees once again, and really imagine what that moment would be like when you stand before your Creator.
This is not a book I normally would pick up, as I'm not fond of memoirs, but this book, with it's pictures to coincide with Bart Millard's life, is beautifully, poignantly written and really brings forth the pain, the hurt, the anger and the redemption and forgiveness he went through. This is definitely one I recommend, with 5 stars and lots of praises! I can't wait to see the movie next!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Flash foward several years, now there's a movie called "I Can Only Imagine". I watch the trailer. I cry, yet again. from the feelings I get. Now, I have the chance to review the memoir,which I read in one day, about the story behind the song and movie. And, oh my. What. A. Story. It's raw. It's moving. It will leave you smiling, it will leave you crying, it may even leave you angry. But, it will bring you closer to God. It will make you fall to your knees once again, and really imagine what that moment would be like when you stand before your Creator.
This is not a book I normally would pick up, as I'm not fond of memoirs, but this book, with it's pictures to coincide with Bart Millard's life, is beautifully, poignantly written and really brings forth the pain, the hurt, the anger and the redemption and forgiveness he went through. This is definitely one I recommend, with 5 stars and lots of praises! I can't wait to see the movie next!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated Blue Ridge Sunrise (Blue Ridge #1) in Books
Feb 27, 2019
Denise Hunter used to be a hit or miss for me. Either I loved her work, or I didn't. However, after reading this captivating novel, I feel like I was in the wrong place at the wrong time when reading her work before. This book, this emotionally moving novel, hooked me from start to finish, and the writing was incredible. I am now on a mission to read all her books, now that apparently my head is in the right place to read them and enjoy them (which you will soon see my review of book 3, Honeysuckle Dreams, in the near future as well!).
Now, I will tell you this: this book is not a light read. It is very emotionally moving. The characters within the book do make some very questionable choices. However, it's all part of the story, all part of what leads to a greater message. The characters need to make those choices for the reader to fully understand what's going on in the book. With the past that I have had, with a relationship that I had, I could absolutely relate to Zoe. She was beautiful and scarred and I loved that about her. And Cruz. Bless him and his patience and understanding ways. I loved his devotion to those he truly loved.
Mrs. Hunter's Blue Ridge Sunrise book is not for everyone. It's for those that need the reminder that not everyone is perfect, but to Him, every is perfectly redeemable and can find hope, love and grace with His guidance and love. This book is definitely worthy of 5 stars and more, in my opinion. She has taken my heart and made me a forever fan. Well done, Mrs. Hunter!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Now, I will tell you this: this book is not a light read. It is very emotionally moving. The characters within the book do make some very questionable choices. However, it's all part of the story, all part of what leads to a greater message. The characters need to make those choices for the reader to fully understand what's going on in the book. With the past that I have had, with a relationship that I had, I could absolutely relate to Zoe. She was beautiful and scarred and I loved that about her. And Cruz. Bless him and his patience and understanding ways. I loved his devotion to those he truly loved.
Mrs. Hunter's Blue Ridge Sunrise book is not for everyone. It's for those that need the reminder that not everyone is perfect, but to Him, every is perfectly redeemable and can find hope, love and grace with His guidance and love. This book is definitely worthy of 5 stars and more, in my opinion. She has taken my heart and made me a forever fan. Well done, Mrs. Hunter!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Midge (525 KP) rated Keep Walking Rhona Beech in Books
Apr 8, 2019
Gratifying, Moving & Comical
I am always slightly uneasy when I look at a book and I ask myself “What ‘type’ of a novel is this?” The answer here is “A gratifying, moving and very comical one,” in more or less equal measures.
Although I would say that “Keep Walking Rhona Beech” is extremely amusing and, at times, positively hilarious, this is qualified by a feeling of great sadness, too. It’s a journey of loss, companionship, love and needing to be happy with your life, with or without a Significant Other. I am sure that most of us could identify with the protagonist, Rhona on some level, at least. I certainly know that I could, so much so that I found myself wanting to help her to break out of her life of monotony and dreariness. “Keep Walking, Rhona Beech” gives out the message that there is a need to be happy with yourself otherwise there may never be a happy ending.
In the novel, the reader is taken on a journey to experience, along with Rhona, her everyday struggles with her current life, as in her purpose, friendships, love and even her very identity. Rhona and her pals are just like the rest of us - likeable, flawed and sometimes perplexing. The journey ranged from the mundane to the downright outrageous that had the effect, at times, that I was Rhona. There were instances where this was a very difficult read for me, however, it was always convincing, credible and extremely worthwhile.
I enjoyed “Keep Walking, Rhona Beech” so much and I'm hoping to read more by Kate Tough soon…
[Thanks to #NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK and the author, Kate Tough, for my free ARC of #KeepWalkingRhonaBeech in exchange for an honest review.]
Although I would say that “Keep Walking Rhona Beech” is extremely amusing and, at times, positively hilarious, this is qualified by a feeling of great sadness, too. It’s a journey of loss, companionship, love and needing to be happy with your life, with or without a Significant Other. I am sure that most of us could identify with the protagonist, Rhona on some level, at least. I certainly know that I could, so much so that I found myself wanting to help her to break out of her life of monotony and dreariness. “Keep Walking, Rhona Beech” gives out the message that there is a need to be happy with yourself otherwise there may never be a happy ending.
In the novel, the reader is taken on a journey to experience, along with Rhona, her everyday struggles with her current life, as in her purpose, friendships, love and even her very identity. Rhona and her pals are just like the rest of us - likeable, flawed and sometimes perplexing. The journey ranged from the mundane to the downright outrageous that had the effect, at times, that I was Rhona. There were instances where this was a very difficult read for me, however, it was always convincing, credible and extremely worthwhile.
I enjoyed “Keep Walking, Rhona Beech” so much and I'm hoping to read more by Kate Tough soon…
[Thanks to #NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK and the author, Kate Tough, for my free ARC of #KeepWalkingRhonaBeech in exchange for an honest review.]
Theatre, Exhibition, and Curation: Displayed and Performed
Book
Examining the artistic, intellectual, and social life of performance, this book interrogates Theatre...