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A Subtle Breeze (Southern Spirits #1)
A Subtle Breeze (Southern Spirits #1)
Bailey Bradford | 2015 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Zeke was attacked when he came out. For fear of it happening again - either to himself or to those he loves - he has isolated himself and won't even go into his local town anymore. He is trying to run his ranch without having any dealings with the townspeople at all. His younger sister refuses to let him push her away, though, and through her, he meets Brendan. Now I am not a fan of insta-love, but I so desperately wanted Zeke to happy, this didn't bother me at all like it usually does. The romance is fast and hot but is also probably the only way that Brendan would be able to sneak past Zeke's defences.

I really enjoyed this story! It was hot, sad, horrifying and romantic. The mischievous spirit, who only showed up when needed, was brilliant and, together with the reactions from the various people, made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion.

The first book in a series, and I'm really looking forward to reading more. Definitely recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
 
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 5, 2015
  
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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Dec 9, 2022  
Sneak a peek at the historical suspense noir novel THUNDER ROAD by Colin Holmes on my blog. Watch the book trailer, read the fascinating interview with Mr. Holmes, and enter the giveaway for a chance to win an autographed hardcover copy of the book - three winners!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2022/12/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-thunder.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
In this gamble, more than a few poker chips are at stake.

When an Army Air Force Major vanishes from his Top Secret job at the Fort Worth airbase in the summer of 1947, down-on-his-luck former Ranger Jefferson Sharp is hired to find him, because the Major owes a sizable gambling debt to a local mobster. The search takes Sharp from the hideaway poker rooms of Fort Worth's Thunder Road, to the barren ranch lands of New Mexico, to secret facilities under construction in the Nevada desert.

Lethal operatives and an opaque military bureaucracy stand in his way, but when he finds an otherworldly clue and learns President Truman is creating a new Central Intelligence Agency and splitting the Air Force from the Army, Sharp begins to connect dots. And those dots draw a straight line to a conspiracy aiming to cover up a secret that is out of this world⎯literally so.
     
It is always a nice day for a cowboy wedding…..Cora Preston is trying to make the best wedding happen for her clients even though every fiber in her body is telling her she will fail. She has worked hard to let go of the negative feelings she has for herself and her abilities but after so many years, it is easy to fall back into her old trappings. She has to do better, for her sister and the company, for her son and for herself. But can she trust herself to let success come without automatically expecting the worst?

Shane Tyler is a fixer, he fixes his ranch, his siblings, his mother. The one thing he couldn’t fix has haunted him is a secret from when he was 12 years old. When the pretty new wedding planner shows up at their ranch to help his Mom with her marriage he figures out a way to get this wedding stopped once and for all.

Cora and Shane are both coming into this with the same sort of back issues in their lives but from completely different places. Cora has nothing but fixers in her life while Shane has nothing but people needing saved in his. Or so they both think. On the wedding front, Shane wants to get his mother to see the man she wants to marry is wrong for her and Cora does everything in her power to make Shane see he is wrong. Can they work together to prove their respective points, while navigating this slippery slope, despite being wildly attracted to each other?

I have been a fan of Nicole Helm’s writing for a while now and this one certainly doesn’t disappoint earning 4 1/2 stars. I’m usually pretty good at figuring out a storyline and I was greatly relieved to see that one point I was sure would happen, did not. Cora and Shane though both appearing confident in themselves were very much the opposite and I liked the way they both realized they needed to make that change in themselves. Moms definitely do know best always, even flawed ones like Cora and Deb Tyler doesn’t miss a trick. Throw in the awesome Grandma Maisey, her sword collection and a possible love connection with Skeet in the future (please please) and this book is wonderfully all family.

I received an advance copy from Netgalley without any expectation for review. Any and all opinions expressed are my own. Another great read from Ms Helm and I can’t wait to read the next chapter(s) to come in Gracely, Colorado.
  
Ferdinand (2017)
Ferdinand (2017)
2017 | Adventure, Animation, Comedy
The movie follows the main character Ferdinand on his journey to find a way to “just be himself”, even though what he “wants” to be (and how he feels) is not what he is “supposed” to be.

The voice cast includes John Cena (Ferdinand), Kate McKinnon (Lupe), Gina Rodriguez (Una), Anthony Anderson (Bones), Daveed Diggs (Dos), Gabriel Iglesias (Cuatro), Bobby Cannavale (Valiente), and Peyton Manning (Guapo).

The movie opens to Ferdinand already bucking the system, tending a flower sprouting in the calves play yard. Born on a ranch and destined for either the bull fighting ring or “the chop shop” if he can’t make the cut, while the others play fight and trash talk, Ferdinand is trying to secretly water and nurture the pretty red flower. The other calves bully and intimidate each other, while Ferdinand is “softer”. Shortly after the opening, Ferdinand asks his father why he can’t be “the Champion of not fighting”. Ferdinand’s father responds that he wishes the world could work that way.

 

When Ferdinand realizes that there is no “winning” when it comes to being chosen by the matador, and his father never comes back from his contest with the matador, Ferdinand realizes he must escape. He runs away and eventually finds himself taken in by a family that has a flower farm. Ferdinand grows up surrounded by the love of a little girl and her family.

 

As a bulky adult bull, Ferdinands adopted family tells him he must stay home from the marketplace because he is too big, but Ferdinand defies their instructions and follows them to the market, where he is stung by a bee, and goes on a pain induced flight through the town, scaring people and breaking carts. The townspeople call for him to be removed, and lo and behold he is caught and returned to his origins at the ranch.

 

His original pen-mates are all still there, and practicing for their bouts with the matador. Ferdinand tries to tell them that nothing ever good comes of the meeting with the matador, that there is no winning, and that once gone, there is no glory and they will never return. Eventually they believe him and they make their hilarious escape.

 

The movie moves along at a good pace, and has a good message. It is full of bright colors and the music works well within the movie. The final scenes are wonderful and (to me) shed light on the absolute absurdity of the “sport” of bull-fighting, while at the same time wrapping up the movie with a well-deserved “happy ending”.

 

My 9-year-old son liked the movie a lot, my husband and I laughed out loud at many parts, and the 15-month-old was kept entertained by the music and characters dancing.
  
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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Jun 4, 2021  
Check out the awesome cover for the crime thriller DEADLY BUSINESS by Anita Dickason, Author, and watch the fantastic book trailer! There's also a giveaway to win a fun swag pack! More info can be found on my blog.

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2021/06/cover-reveal-and-giveaway-deadly.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
A Texas Multi-Billion Dollar Lure!

Following a tactical raid at an Oklahoma farm, a phone call sends U.S. Deputy Marshal Piper McKay rushing back to the East Texas cattle ranch where she grew up.

Her grandmother, Jennie Layton, is near death from a crushed skull. When local authorities claim the cause of the injury was an accident, Piper isn’t convinced.

Who wants Jennie dead and why? Is the reason connected to a dubious contract Piper finds in Jennie’s desk?

Piper realizes her grandmother isn’t the only one in danger when she barely escapes a deadly attack. Thrust into the middle of a high-stakes, high-risk shell game, Piper’s become the target.

The case takes a bizarre turn when Piper unknowingly crosses paths with a Special Ranger. If he can’t derail her investigation, it could cost him his life.

With millions of dollars on the line, nothing will stop a ring of cold-blooded killers, including the murders of a U.S. Marshal and a Special Ranger.