Search
Search results
Katie Guinn (34 KP) rated A Deadly Éclair (A French Bistro Mystery, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
A Deadly Eclair is the first book in a cozy mystery series. The main character, Mimi Rousseau, runs a small B&B and a French bistro in California’s wine country. As the story opens, she’s planning to host the wedding of a famous talk show host, but plans are derailed when the bride’s uncle (and Mimi’s financial backer) is found dead on the bistro patio, an eclair stuffed into his mouth. Mimi has to find the culprit before she’s hauled off to jail for murder. First of all, you should know that I love punny titles like this one. I also love cozy mysteries that feature food and/or chefs. Even if the constant descriptions of food makes my mouth water. I enjoyed the quirky supporting characters, and found myself laughing out loud several times. Did I find the frequent food facts unnecessary? Yes. Did I enjoy them anyway? Darn right I did. Ms. Gerber walked the fine line between too little description and too much like a gymnastic pro, and I will happily follow Mimi through her future adventures
Sue (5 KP) rated The Pajama Frame in Books
Aug 13, 2018
The Pajama Frame is book #5 in the Madison Night Mystery series. While the books can be read as stand-alone, each preceding book builds on the characters and their relationships.
When her octogenarian friend dies and leaves interior decorator Madison Night a pajama factory, Madison is faced with a decades-old tragedy and a more recent murder. All Madison wants to do is hide from the drama, but when estranged family members and special interest groups want to get into the sealed factory, Madison realizes she is caught having to solve a mystery before she becomes the next victim.
As with previous Madison Night books, I found the character of Madison delightful and refreshing. She is no-nonsense, quirky, snarky, and a throwback to Doris Day. Who wouldn’t enjoy an independent woman that dresses and enjoys decorations from the era of the fifties and sixties? Add to the mix a love/hate relationship with the chief of police Tex and a few witty friends & neighbors; you have the perfect chemistry for a delightful cozy mystery series.
When her octogenarian friend dies and leaves interior decorator Madison Night a pajama factory, Madison is faced with a decades-old tragedy and a more recent murder. All Madison wants to do is hide from the drama, but when estranged family members and special interest groups want to get into the sealed factory, Madison realizes she is caught having to solve a mystery before she becomes the next victim.
As with previous Madison Night books, I found the character of Madison delightful and refreshing. She is no-nonsense, quirky, snarky, and a throwback to Doris Day. Who wouldn’t enjoy an independent woman that dresses and enjoys decorations from the era of the fifties and sixties? Add to the mix a love/hate relationship with the chief of police Tex and a few witty friends & neighbors; you have the perfect chemistry for a delightful cozy mystery series.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Deadpool Classic Volume 1 in Books
Aug 20, 2018
This collection of Deadpool's first appearances gets off to a very "meh" start, with a brief appearance in an issue of New Mutants. There then follows two distinct, but similar, storylines with more of a Deadpool focus. Here the artwork is great, but there is a dated feel to it, and the cod Irish dialogue from Banshee and Syren is cringeworthy.
The final issue is the start of Joe Kelly's tenure as Deadpool writer. Here the banter and 4th wall breaking is turned up a notch and Deadpool starts to feel better defined, albeit still in dire need of a decent enemy to face. However the artwork doesn't quite sit right with me, its all a bit too quirky and cartoony (big hands and faces and every other character has a cigar between his teeth). And adding this one issue into this collection just seems odd, as Deadpool as a character is very different to the previous stories, has a completely different setup and technology and just doesn't fit in at all.
The final issue is the start of Joe Kelly's tenure as Deadpool writer. Here the banter and 4th wall breaking is turned up a notch and Deadpool starts to feel better defined, albeit still in dire need of a decent enemy to face. However the artwork doesn't quite sit right with me, its all a bit too quirky and cartoony (big hands and faces and every other character has a cigar between his teeth). And adding this one issue into this collection just seems odd, as Deadpool as a character is very different to the previous stories, has a completely different setup and technology and just doesn't fit in at all.
themaxdog (14 KP) rated The Baron's Bounty in Books
Jul 17, 2019
Sadly, I did not enjoy The Baron's Bounty as much as the previous two books in the collection. I found the main character, Isobel, rather uninspiring and difficult to connect with - similarly, many of the characters in the book did not have the same character depth as I found in Elizabeth Rose's other books.
Similarly, although it was initially quirky, I quickly found Isobel's passion for shoes a little irritating. I mean, she likes shoes - I get it! Coupled with some quite questionably convenient plot points, little character development, and a lot of repetition early on, I just did not enjoy The Baron's Bounty as much as I hoped I would.
On the plus side, I found the action and adventure thrilling, and the character of Rose, Lord Conlin's daughter, was intriguing. I'd certainly be interested to read a future novel telling her own story!
However, I'm afraid I just could not connect with this book and it was a bit of a disappointment for me.
Similarly, although it was initially quirky, I quickly found Isobel's passion for shoes a little irritating. I mean, she likes shoes - I get it! Coupled with some quite questionably convenient plot points, little character development, and a lot of repetition early on, I just did not enjoy The Baron's Bounty as much as I hoped I would.
On the plus side, I found the action and adventure thrilling, and the character of Rose, Lord Conlin's daughter, was intriguing. I'd certainly be interested to read a future novel telling her own story!
However, I'm afraid I just could not connect with this book and it was a bit of a disappointment for me.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Blade Runner (1982) in Movies
Nov 25, 2019 (Updated Nov 26, 2019)
Cult thriller from Ridley Scott. In present-day Los Angeles, investigator Harrison Ford finds himself obliged to hunt down and destroy four androids who have illegally returned to Earth from colonies in outer space. Yes, yes: I know it's a timeless classic and a visionary piece of science fiction (if not a particularly accurate piece of prognostication), but it's not a film I've ever found myself able to particularly warm to.
One of the prettiest and most visually dense films you will ever see, of course, but Ridley Scott seems much more interested in the film's visual impact than the actual story (even so, much of the imagery is rather clunky). Harrison Ford doesn't get much to do in his drab and perfunctory section of the plot - the film only really comes to life when it concerns Rutger Hauer's oddly sympathetic homicidal android, who ends up dominating the movie. Most of the book's quirky sense of melancholy disappears, though. For all its strengths it just feels rather superficial and hollow to me.
One of the prettiest and most visually dense films you will ever see, of course, but Ridley Scott seems much more interested in the film's visual impact than the actual story (even so, much of the imagery is rather clunky). Harrison Ford doesn't get much to do in his drab and perfunctory section of the plot - the film only really comes to life when it concerns Rutger Hauer's oddly sympathetic homicidal android, who ends up dominating the movie. Most of the book's quirky sense of melancholy disappears, though. For all its strengths it just feels rather superficial and hollow to me.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Wizard's chance ( The Realm book 1) in Books
Apr 10, 2020
A romance set in a fantasy world with a modern day heroine.
Curvy, with glasses, and her nose always buried in a book. That's Samantha, a dreamer waiting for her happily ever after and looking for her prince charming.
Her whole life changes the day she walks into the oddest bookshop and finds a magical book that transports her to a tropical island with a hunk who thinks he's a wizard.
And that's not the strangest thing about her sudden arrival in paradise. Try little green people who can breath underwater and an evil sorceress intent on killing Samantha. But the most astonishing thing of all? The slow seduction by a wizard who thinks she's his best chance for breaking his curse.
This book mixed magic and historical romance. It was fun ,quirky and so pleasant to read! Yes some bits a bit cringy but I found it added something to the story. How many of us that read both genres or a good romance and wish to fall into the book? Me for one!!! I'm really looking forward to book 2!!

Curvy, with glasses, and her nose always buried in a book. That's Samantha, a dreamer waiting for her happily ever after and looking for her prince charming.
Her whole life changes the day she walks into the oddest bookshop and finds a magical book that transports her to a tropical island with a hunk who thinks he's a wizard.
And that's not the strangest thing about her sudden arrival in paradise. Try little green people who can breath underwater and an evil sorceress intent on killing Samantha. But the most astonishing thing of all? The slow seduction by a wizard who thinks she's his best chance for breaking his curse.
This book mixed magic and historical romance. It was fun ,quirky and so pleasant to read! Yes some bits a bit cringy but I found it added something to the story. How many of us that read both genres or a good romance and wish to fall into the book? Me for one!!! I'm really looking forward to book 2!!

Call Me Sister: District Nursing Tales from the Swinging Sixties
Book
As the Swinging Sixties come to a close, Jane Yeadon leaves behind her adventures as a student...
How to Disappear: A Memoir for Misfits
Book
WINNER OF THE 2012 PEN/ACKERLEY PRIZE A haunting memoir on the nature of belonging and the lure of...
To Knit or Not to Knit: Helpful and Humorous Hints for the Passionate Knitter
Book
To Knit or Not to Knit is a unique Dear Abby/mini knitting essay collection, offering humorous tales...
Charlton Athletic On This Day: History, Facts & Figures from Every Day of the Year
Book
Charlton Athletic On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the club's...