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La La Land (2016)
La La Land (2016)
2016 | Comedy, Drama, Musical
Great catchy soundtrack (2 more)
Great cast
Good story
A great musical where the music shines
This was a great movie and went well beyond my expectations. I have watched this many times now and still love it.

Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are both fantastic and work well together. The songs are so good and catchy and convinced me to go get the soundtrack and am listening to it as i write this. It also convinced me to look into jazz which i never thought to listen to before. This movie feels like a love letter to that genre of music. This movie is all about the music and i loved every second of every song.

It is a romance story you have seen before but they sfill find a way to make if feel fresh and different with an ending not really expected. I think throughtout this movie i felt every emotion there is.

The movie was shot beautifully and in a way you could be convinced this was filmed either now or many years ago. There is an old fashioned feeling about this movie which i loved.

It may not be for everyone but i can recommend it for a musical fan. I never expected to enjoy it as much as i did.
  
Accidentally on Purpose
Accidentally on Purpose
J.M. Snyder | 2018 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Accidentally on Purpose by J.M. Snyder
Accidentally on Purpose is the story of a fifty-something man, who has a teenage crush on a forty-something man. Alan spends all his time thinking of Jim, and trying to meet him whenever he can. Of course, Jim doesn't know Alan is meeting him, so doesn't turn up for half of the time. Alan's fourteen-year-old nephew, Brooks, gets involved, and that is when all the mischief and mayhem happens.

This was an amusing book, as the two grown men tried to figure out if they liked each other, and where to go next. It does take a serious turn as it nears the end, when Brooks goes missing. An entertaining read, this had no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading, and I enjoyed every word of this page-turner.

If you are looking for a light-hearted romance featuring an 'older' generation, then I can definitely recommend this one.

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**

* A copy of this book was provided to me 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
  
Don't Go by Xenia Manasseh
Don't Go by Xenia Manasseh
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Xenia Manasseh is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter with Kenyan roots. Not too long ago, she released a bittersweet R&B tune, entitled, “Don’t Go”, produced by Ayo n Keyz.

“Staring at your picture hanging on the wall thinking of our last encounter. Wasn’t ready for the fall. Wondering when you’ll get here, I wanna talk it out. If you’ll just be patient with me, we can work it out.” – lyrics

‘Don’t Go’ tells an interesting tale of a single young woman who regrets telling her ex-beau to depart from their problematic relationship.

But after some time alone, she realizes that he’s the only guy who truly gets her. Therefore, she wants him back and doesn’t want him to leave anymore.

Later, she admits that she can’t remember what was said that put them in a bad place, but apologizes for the part she played in their looming breakup.

Even though her heart is in the right place, she fears that it might be too late to rekindle the flames of their dying romance.

‘Don’t Go’ contains a relatable storyline, pleasing vocals, and lush instrumentation flavored with contemporary R&B and neo-soul elements.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/xenia-manasseh-dont-go/
  
Connilyn Cossette continues to bring a refreshing voice to Biblical Fiction. Expanding the horizons and bringing us thrilling and captivating stories to satisfy this nerd girl's heart.



I absolutely love discovering what life was like in ancient times. Cossette brings the lives of these people and their cultures to life in ways that will astound you. Sofea grew up in an isolated culture. Throughout this story, she is on a journey to learn who this God of the Hebrews is. His gentleness, His kindness, His love for His children. Eitan is a swoony hero in all his long-haired, bearded manliness...A protector and a fighter. Don't you dare come between him and those he loves...You will regret it. I loved watching their romance unfold. With two cultures clashing, you can imagine that it wasn't all smooth. But the results were definitely worth it.



I highly recommend Connilynn's stories (yes, all of them). She opens the history books for us in a way that is unique and compelling. I can not get enough of her stories, and neither will you!



I received a complimentary copy of Shelter of the Most High from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
TH
The House on Foster Hill
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Just the right amount of suspense, mystery, romance, and creepiness......to satisfy the bookish mind!

I am not typically a "suspense" reader (and DEFINITELY not a suspense movie type of person at all). But when word about this book started circulating around the bookish world last year...I just knew I HAD to read it!!! I mean just look at that cover...It screams "YOU MUST READ ME! You MUST discover the secrets that I hold within these pages!"

Be prepared for a lot of emotions that will be brought to the surface while reading The House on Foster Hill. Jaime addresses some very difficult topics in this book. And I am SO glad she does. It is not easy to read about, but the TRUTH must be shared. The secrets, the pain, the shame, must all be brought forward for healing, restoration, and freedom.

With a dual timeline, the author alternates between the present and the past with flawless accuracy. Secrets and shame hide behind the walls of Foster Hill House. What will be revealed? And what will be lost to history forever?

I received a complimentary copy of The House on Foster Hill. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
The second book in the Orion Circle series is just as action-packed as the first book. I will admit to the beginning taking me by surprise but I loved how it was written, with the characters of Kacie and Logan being immediately recognisable and flowing to the forefront of my mind, even though it is a while since I have read the first book in this series, Tortured Souls.

This story is layered with intricate twists and turns as Logan and Kacie have to deal with a number of different things, and the opponents they're facing are very good at finding out their secret fears. Although the timing of this book is over a short period, it never seemed rushed or hurried. Each scene was well-written and time given to each action and character, so that you understand just what is going on. With excellent teamwork by the Orion Circle as a whole (although the Pastor did annoy me at the end!), action, adventure and a touch of romance, this is one story that I didn't want to end.

Absolutely recommended and I can't wait for more!

* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
C(
Collide (Shock Me, #3)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
*Disclaimer* I received this book from Barclay Publicity in return for a fair and honest review.

Wow! This book will take you on a rollercoaster of a journey. In fact, scrap that, this SERIES will take you for a ride. I'm not going to go into the story - that's what the synopsis is for and as this is book 3 in the series, you've probably already got some idea of what's happening anyway.

As for Collide, it is one step forwards, two steps back - that is the unfortunate love story between Donna and Ryan and I really, REALLY want them to get a HEA but I'm not totally sure they will. They both have a lot of secrets and life... plus Ryan's father... keeps getting in the way of them being honest with each other.

This story is woven with such skill and lots of other strands are highlighted in this book - for example, Rebecca and Randy to name just two, along with Gemma, David and Lynn plus others.

This is part of a series and each book does end with a cliffhanger so fair warning - you will be left gobsmacked and wanting the next book immediately. A brilliant addition to the Young Adult, Science Fiction, Paranormal Romance genres. Highly recommended.
  
HS
Highland Surrender
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
In the reign on James V (son of Margaret Tudor, the sister of Henry VIII, and father of Mary Queen of Scots) Fiona and Myles, representatives of two feuding clans, are told by the King that they must marry and form an alliance.....

Sadly, Fiona, the heroine, appears as a right Little Madam for most of the first part of the book. Even after feeling betrayed by her brothers, she is unable to reasonably question anything beyond the clan indoctrination and acts simply like a spoilt child. It's quite hard to see why Myles falls for her at all.

That said, overall this isn't a bad book. I think a bit more on the history side would have made this a more solid and exciting novel, as the ending was really rather good, but it seemed that it couldn't decide if it wanted to be an historical novel, with a romance element (think Elizabeth Chadwick) or something more akin to a bodice ripper (and nothing wrong with that!). You started off feeling there was a bigger plot at play, but this seemed to get a bit lost in the middle, before a quite exciting ending after all.

Not sure it's worth a second read, but I'd consider this author again in the future.
  
Stripped Bare
Stripped Bare
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Eli loves his little sister and he would do just about anything for her. So when she asks him to help her friend, Karis, fix up her bakery he is obliged to do the job. When Eli walks into the bakery, he sees the job is a lot more than he signed up for. But when he lays eyes on Karis, all thoughts about the work go out the window. He would do anything to help this pretty girl.

Thank you to Frankie Love and C.M. Seabrook for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I picked this book up at night before I went to bed. I thought I would read just a couple of chapters since I was exhausted and had a big day the next day. When I saw that it would only take me 45 minutes to read, I decided to just go for it. I think even if the book was 2 hours to read, I may have stayed up to read it.

This is a fast paced novel that goes from strangers to naked very quickly. If you're looking for a quick romance that will leave you hot and bothered, pick up this book right away.
  
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
2014 | Action, Sci-Fi
Now this is what I want in a Marvel film; plenty of action, great characters, and a nice dose of humour. By far one of my favourite MCU films; it’s just plain in your face FUN!

Helped by a very strong soundtrack this film has you straight into fun film mode. The banter between characters is enjoyable and largely all the humour hits the right notes. This is the first outing for Chris Pratt’s “Starlord” and somehow Marvel manage to pull off a Raccoon and a Tree as great supporting characters. Refusing to be dragged down to all too often trodden romance heavy track, kick ass Gamora, played by Zoe Salana, holds her own despite the obvious interest of Starlord Peter.

The film doesn't get too bogged down with being part of the huge all encompassing Marvel “big picture” instead taking the delightful time needed for us to fall in love with these new characters. While the larger Universes story line is still added to this film works fine on it’s own. For me this gave me the boost I needed to get more excited for Marvel films again having felt they had not got back to the heights Iron Man hit for me.