Saturday, September 30

Movie Review: The Immigrant (2013)


Film Title: The Immigrant
Length: 2 hours
Released: 2013
Genre: Drama, Historical Romance
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Netflix


SUMMARY:
1921. An innocent immigrant woman is tricked into a life of burlesque and vaudeville until a dazzling magician tries to save her and reunite her with her sister who is being held in the confines of Ellis Island.





TRAILER:



Review:
A really random find on Netflix, but I like all three actors and plus I like a good drama so why not?

This….was an interesting movie for sure. The movie follows Ewa who is coming to America with her sister from Poland. Their family was killed and they had nothing left. So why not try America? Things go wrong...of course (they do not make it easy to move here which is a tragedy in itself). Ewa’s sister is deemed too sick to be let in, which leaves Ewa alone and god forbid they allow a woman to come into the country alone especially after there is a rumor she was giving favors on the boat. They are about to deport her, but Bruno comes and “saves” her and offers her a way to get money to buy her sister’s medical bills and ultimately freedom. Of course that way is to sell her body for money.
This was sad. I felt bad for Ewa. All she wanted was to live in peace with her sister. They went through a lot to get here and those bastards just were bastards and came up with every single thing to deny citizenship. And then they give her crap for trying to get money for being a prostitute. WHAT DO YOU WANT???? If you refuse to assist immigrants they need to feed themselves somehow. SIGH.

Anyways…

The cast was good. I was a little bummed by the guy who played Orland (Renner). He is so good, but this one he seemed so awkward and not up to his normal level of acting. It all seemed so forced. Maybe Historicals are not his cup of tea? Who knows? The rest of the cast did well though.

I did really hate the love-triangle they tried forcing on Ewa. Sure Ewa kinda liked Orlando and kinda liked Bruno for helping her, but all she cared about was saving her sister. I wish there wasn’t the triangle at all. I get they were trying to add more drama, but isn’t a nurse turning to a prostitute because of the cruddy American men enough drama??? Sighs. I do get tired of the love-triangle. I must hand it to them though…this was an interesting one. Ewa was screwed no matter what she did. They both were scum overall. Orlando is an illusionist who is good but hard to work with because he is a womanizer and a jerk. And Bruno is a pimp. EWA YOU DESERVE A PRINCE DAMMIT! *shakes fist*

And what the heck was that ending? Yes, there was a little some of happiness, but really? You are going to leave it like that? It seemed like there was supposed to be another scene and then it ended. Errrr….so no real full conclusion there. Okay…leave it up to imagination I guess. I’m hopeful for Ewa and her sister.

In the end, this was for sure entertaining. Lots of drama. It does give a little message of how America is supposed to be a safe haven for immigrants, but they make it hard as hell even for people who really deserve and need it. Also, it shows the love of family is strong. The love-triangle was meh and the ending left me feeling a void. I’ll give this three stars. Only for the fact I really liked Ewa.



Tuesday, September 26

Time for TV Tuesday: Salem (Season 2-3)





Recently Finished: 
What the hell did I just watch???????????????????????? WHAT???! HOW...WHY??? HUH?

0_0

Okay..let's backtrack.

Season 1 was really good, so I couldn't wait to watch season 2 and season 3. 

Season 2 was okay. It took me a while to get through it. I enjoyed it, but it was just okay. It wasn't as good as the first season. I did enjoy the new characters especially Lucy Lawless's character. Such a good addition. However, I feel that season 2 was a bridge season for the next season. It was also a gateway to add some extra complexity to the characters and story. 

Now...season 3 was really, really good!! It was also really, really dark. I had no idea what was going to happen next especially with our main character Mary. Poor girl. She got what she wanted...but it was not what she thought it was going to be. I liked the plot twists but I find the whole son/devil thing really odd...but the devil is what the devil is....so it would be his twisted humor do what he did. 

HOLY ending......I.....have no words. Poor everyone. It was a HUGE twist. I liked the ending, but there were pieces of the ending I didn't liked AT all. Can't say what because of spoilers. Let's just say a couple of characters and their fates made me cry and throw a fit. WAH!

Overall, this was a really good show. Season 1 and Season 3 were the best. Season 2 was just okay. It was for sure a bridge season. This was for sure worth the watch even though I had a love-hate relationship with the ending. I hope they leave show as is. I do want someone to save a certain character from a horrible, terrible fate. However, I hope they leave the show as is...I don't think it needs another season.  There really is nowhere to go from here. 

Here are my ratings for each season:

Season 1 - 5 stars
Season 2 - 3 stars
Season 3 - 4 stars



Monday, September 25

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Deadly Descendant by Jenna Black

As a living descendant of Artemis the Huntress, private investigator Nikki Glass knows how to track someone down. But when an Oracle shows up, warning the Descendants about wild dog attacks in Washington, D.C., Nikki is afraid it might be a trap. The Olympians believe the “dogs” are really jackals, controlled by a blood-crazed descendant of the Egyptian death-god Anubis. Whatever. . . . If Nikki hopes to muzzle Dogboy, she’s got to catch him in the act. But when she stakes out a local cemetery, she ends up face-to-snout with a snarling pack of shadow-jackals whose bite is worse than their bark. These hellhounds are deadly—even for an immortal like Nikki. “Dog” spelled backward may be “god,” but that won’t stop Nikki from teaching these old gods some new tricks. Like playing dead. 

My thoughts:
I am happy that I enjoyed this one cos I am super scared of book 2 syndrome at the moment ;)

But it was light and a fast read. And I do like those.

Nikki found out she has divine blood, and so do a LOT of people it seems, and some can become immortal (if you kill someone immortal first). And now she is stuck with a bunch of weirdos at a mansion. Another set of immortals wants to kill her and yes those guys are real assholes. The nice guys are nice and I do like their leader. Too bad she fancies someone else. Well fancies and fancies, he hates her at times but she totes fancies him.

Interesting side characters, a kick-ass heroine. Bad guys, good guys, Gods and their children.

A nice plot too with someone killing people with the help of dogs and there is a mystery to solve.

Conclusion:
Since I read this in an omnibus it felt really short, which was good ;)

Cover
Something is not right...her head?

Mass Market Paperback, 355 pages
Published April 24th 2012 by Pocket Books
Nikki Glass #2
Urban fantasy
Own

Sunday, September 24

Joint Review: To Marry a Texas Outlaw by Linda Broday






Happy September everyone! 

This month Blodeuedd and I read and discussed "To Marry a Texas Outlaw".  Blodeuedd is in blue and I am in red-brown. 
Author: Linda Broday
Title: To Marry a Texas Outlaw (Men of Legend #3)
Genre: Historical Romance & Western
Pages: ebook
First Published: Will be released November 7th 2017 
Where I Got It: Netgalley

Outlaw Luke Weston survives by his wits. On the run for a murder he didn't commit, the last thing he needs is to go looking for more trouble. But when Luke stumbles across a fiercely beautiful woman struggling against two heavily armed men, it's obvious that trouble has found him.

After all, he never could resist a damsel in distress.

Josie Morgan's distressed, all right―and hopping mad. She has no idea why she's been kidnapped...or who she is...or why her body melts for the mysterious gunslinger who saved her life. But as the lost memories come tumbling back together, Josie is faced with the stark reality of why she and Luke can never be...even as her heart is telling her she will always be his.



Howdy there little miss!

Howdy *spits some tobacco* lol

LOL! I am happy we decided on a western. I was in the mood for a good cowboy tale!

I seem to prefer my cowboy tale, contemporary...strange. One would think these would be hot. Alas, it left me a bit cold.

Really? I like any sort of cowboy. Any time period. But I was disappointed that this outlaw really wasn’t an outlaw. He was framed!!!! No! I wanted a bad boy outlaw flinging guns and not giving a care. I mean...he wasn’t bad….but not what I really wanted.

Ok so I do like a good outlaw…*wait, cranky teething baby* Hold that thought a sec...right. Where was I, sexy outlaws. Yes. But at the same time I was glad he was not an outlaw cos in the end those kill, rob, not so good guys. No Robin Hoods.

True, true. But it is like pirates...you don’t want a nice pirate. You want the bad boy! LOL But yes, besides for that, I liked him. I even warmed up to Josie/Rose. It took a bit, but she grew on me.

LOL. I used to like pirates, but then Jack Sparrow came and destroyed that. A  drunk weird pirate. Thanks a lot Depp!
Josie Josie, I do not think I really liked either of them, or disliked them. Like I said, never warmed up to anything. I really can not say why.

I honestly liked the side characters the best. LOL! I want to know more about his brothers and his dad. I would really like a short story or something of his dad and his mom. That would be cute.

Cute and sad. Id rather see his dad in a new story finding love again, and yes his brothers stories seemed nice

That would be fun! And I also liked that beer drinking horse! LOLLL! What a character. Let’s get book about that horse.

And the ladies hiding out in that house. Theirs would be a good story

See? The side characters stole the show in my opinion.

I have to agree. They were more memorable to me. Even Rowdy and that kid whose mum gave birth
Ooo! Yes. I remember that. She was a hoot. But yeah...the couple were just barely okay overall. I also wasn’t sure how I liked the ending.

Some weird things going on there….I guess you nailed why i never warmed to the book. I blame Luke and Josie, cos i sure did not feel any chemistry

It was weird. Like...it was different way for them to get their HEA. But I can’t decide if I like it or not. I also thought that the insta-love was not fitting. I am glad that Luke did fight it, because he is honorable and Josie is a head-trauma victim and shouldn’t be making life decisions.

Yes not the best time to fall in love.  The end felt rushed too

It did feel a little rushed.

Hmmm, what more to say…..

I liked the adventure part of the story. Finding the baddie and trying to find Josie’s past. I really enjoyed that aspect of the book along with the side characters. However, it just didn’t feel like a romance and that is kinda a bummer to me. LOL

It could have been better. For me it was only ok

Agreed. It could have been better in a lot of different ways. It was entertaining for me, but overall...just okay.

oh , we sure know how to pick them

LOL! We seem to go in waves. Lots of goods and then lots of….just okay or bleh. We are never consistent!

I do not know how we do it...but i do feel my pick next will be good. I feeeeeel it

Ekkk! I hope so! It sure does sound gooooooooooooooood. Hopefully it will be a 5 star one!

Fingers crossed.

Well, is that all? Anything left to say? I think I’m good. I have to get back on my horse and head back into work x_x.

I am good. Bit hard to write with sigrid in my lap but it worked. Have fun at work hehe
Hehehe. It did work! And thankkkkkkkkkkkkks I’ll try.
*tips hat* tell next time partner!! HEEE HAWWW! *rides away*

*waves*


About the Authors
Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging a long while now. The last couple of years the epic duo have been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.





Saturday, September 23

Movie Review: Annabelle (2014)


Film Title: Annabelle
Length: 1 hr and 39 mins
Released: 2014
Genre: Horror, Mystery, & Thriller
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Online download


SUMMARY:
A couple begins to experience terrifying supernatural occurrences involving a vintage doll shortly after their home is invaded by satanic cultists.





TRAILER:



Review:
I am on a horror movie kick this month! LOL! Love it. 

I never wanted to watch this movie. 1) I hate dolls like this too creepy and 2) I thought this was going to be like those Chucky movies and I hated them. However, BF wanted to watch this something fierce so I caved and we watched it. 

Errr.......................................

We both had to sleep with the lights on that night. It was SO scary. It is NOTHING like the Chucky movies. NOT AT ALL. Demons, Cults, and so much more. *shudders* I haven't been that scared of a movie in a long, long time. LOVE IT!

There is so much more going on and damn, that doll was scary. Even though she technically doesn’t do a single thing that you saw. It was a like the weeping angels in Doctor Who. They look innocent when you look at them, but god forbid if you turn your back on it.....

That poor lady! I felt so bad for her. All she wanted to do was enjoy her life as a 60's wife with her hubbie and baby.

I wanted to PUNCH her hubbie though! Why is it that EVERY movie that the woman is being attacked by something supernatural, the hubbie shrugs it off and says "Oh honey! You are imagining stuff." NO! F you! If he had gotten more involved sooner and didn't just shut her down maybe they could've nipped this in the butt sooner and it wouldn't have escalated to the point it did...

Anyways....the ending was great. I had NO idea what was going to happen. I had my theories but I wasn't right at all. So good! 

I also didn't expect that this is loosely based on a real Annabelle doll. Errrr. BF wants to go to that museum and see it, but no way. I am NOT going within 20 miles of that place. *shakes head*

In the end, this was really, really good. The story and horror was good. And I liked that ending a lot. I now want to see the next movie. I hear it is good. Out of five, I'll stamp this with 5. See it if you like horror and thrillers!









Wednesday, September 20

Book Review: Dark Mafia Prince by Annika Martin

Author: Annika Martin
Title: Dark Mafia Prince (A Dangerous Royals Romance #1)
Genre: Romance and Fiction
Pages: ebook
Published: June 2016
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon Freebie)

THE DARK MAFIA PRINCE IS BACK TO RECLAIM ALL THAT HER FAMILY STOLE.

Aleksio
Don’t look at me like that. So trusting.
Like you think I’m not a monster.
Like I won’t wrap your hair in my fist and bend you to my will.
Like I won’t sacrifice you, piece by piece, to save my brother.
I’m the most dangerous enemy you’ll ever have because every time you look at me, you see somebody good. That friend who died.
And when you look at me like that, I die again.

Mira
I spent years making myself invisible.
A good girl, apart from the noise. Then you came back, beautiful and deadly in your Armani suit.
Don’t look at me like you still know me, you say.
But I remember your smile and those sunny days.
Before they lowered your small casket into the ground.
Before they told us the prince was dead.


Okay....I oddly really, really liked this book. I thought it was going to be an eh, okay Amazon freebie, but I really liked it! I am so surprised. I guess this is one of those random jewels in a sea of muck that is known as Amazon freebies. I have gotten REALLY lucky. 

The story follows Aleksio and Mira. Aleksio is the son of a mafia lord. Very young, the boy's dad and mom were slaughtered and he survived. His two baby brothers were taken away and dispersed to random adoption agencies. Mira is the daughter of a different mafia lord. She is all grown up and doesn't want to deal with life, but she is forced to live a double life for appearance-sake...because in the mafia world having a strong family means everything. In real life, Mira is a lawyer who helps kids in the Bronx. In the mafia world, she is the mafia princess who has a blog about shopping and her world travels. Of course, this is all fake; her social media is being ran by her Dad's people. 

Alekiso and Mira had been childhood best friends because both of their dads were allies. Things changed when the world was told that Aleksio and his whole family had been killed. Except the children survived. Aleksio managed to get away and was raised by a psycho who was his dad's best hitman. The two come back together after Aleksio kidnaps Mira to get her dad's cooperation in finding his youngest brother. Of course, Aleksio and Mira slowly fall in love and etc. 

There was so much complexity and depth in the story I did NOT expect. I loved being part of the mafia world! I loved really loved the reason why everything happened. Oooo those superstitious mafia people! They created their own monster. Aleksio and his brother, Viktor, are scary!!! I can't imagine how it is going to be when the other brother is added to the mix *shudders*

But I get why Aleksio is the way that he is...he saw his parents killed and his brother kidnapped. So, I get it. But man...

And then there is Mira. I go back and forth on how I feel about her double life. Like...it did make her more complex in a way, but then it made her seem like a perfect character in a way. She is smart, kind, helps the needy, doesn't care about money, drop dead beautiful, and thoughtful. However, her big flaw is that she is super naive and a pushover. See? I don't know how I feel about her. I like her, but then I don't. Conflict!

Anyways....

I also liked how it took a long time for them to fall in lust and love. Well...there was a hint of lust there. They both thought each other were hawt, but that was about it. And can you blame Mira? I mean...Aleksio was a hottie. A total crazy, killing machine, but still hot. Don't judge me ;)

In the end, I was pleasantly surprised I liked this so much. I really have no complaints. I still can't decide how I feel about Mira. I like her, but I hate her all at the same time. Oh goodness. If you like romance and some action/adventure with a touch of Stockholm syndrome, I recommend this for you. Grab it while it is still free! I am stamping this with a 5. 






Tuesday, September 19

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Teen Romance


Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

Yayy! Blodeuedd asked me to jump in and write a quick post for this week's TMST! I've been thinking about joining in. Maybe after this week I shall. :D We shall see. 



Favorite teen romances? Hmmm that is a tough one for sure……
I am about to hear the groans and moans on this one, but it isn’t what it will seem. I promise. But I love the teen romances in the Twilight books. NOT Edward and Bella or Bella and Jacob. I love the side character romances like Rosalie and Emmett or Alice and Casper. I love all the pack members when they find the ones they imprint on. I loved hearing about those romances and love stories. Edward and Bella has nothing on them at all. 

The teen romance that I really love is the love story between the characters in Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn. SO tragic, SO sad. These two spirits keep finding each other in all these lifetimes, but something always pulls them apart. Some may call this one cheating, because in some of their lifetimes they are not teens, but I totally count this one! This is so good and it takes centuries for them to have their HEA. SO GOOD!!! I need to re-read this. 

Thank you, Blodeuedd, for letting me share my thoughts this week!! 










Since Blodeuedd always shares pictures of her kitty. ;) Here is Miss Mamyia not allowing me to read. 


Monday, September 18

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Goblin War by Jim C Hines

If you think it’s hard being a hobgoblin or a human, try living a goblin’s life for a while. In fact, try imagining what it’s like to be the runtiest goblin in the caves, the lone worshiper of a god who’s been forgotten for a good reason, and the target everyone points to at the first hint of trouble. Try picturing yourself as Jig Dragonslayer, and see how you like it…Despite impossible odds, Jig was still alive. He’d survived an adventurer’s quest against a dragon and a necromancer, a pixie invasion that had ogres and trolls dropping like flies, and, most frightening of all, the threat of being made chief of the goblins. He wasn’t sure how much more he could stand. Naturally, he was about to find out.War was brewing in the world outside the Mountain, and when the goblin’s lair was invaded by human warriors in search of the Rod of Creation, Jig knew it was just the start of another really bad day… 

My thoughts:
Poor Jig, he sure does not have it easy. He just wants to stay in his mountain and live in peace. No stupid humans, elves or dwarves around there. No stupid adventures making things hard. 

Jig is such an unlikely hero. He just does things, and sometimes they go right. Mostly they go right cos he has a god on his side and he has managed to have good followers. He does not want to fight, to deal with things, but he does have a brain. Very strange for a goblin.

In this book, they get taken when invaders come. There will be battles, danger and arguing. It's an amusing book, and it was an amusing series. You never had to take anything too seriously.

Cover
Yup, that is Jig

Paperback, 336 pages
Published March 4th 2008 by DAW
Jig the Goblin #3
Fantasy
Own

Sunday, September 17

Book Review: Woman Enters Left by Jessica Brockmole

Author: Jessica Brockmole
Title: Woman Enters Left
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 352
Published: August 2017
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

In the 1950s, movie star Louise Wilde is caught between an unfulfilling acting career and a shaky marriage when she receives an out-of-the-blue phone call: She has inherited the estate of Florence “Florrie” Daniels, a Hollywood screenwriter she barely recalls meeting. Among Florrie’s possessions are several unproduced screenplays, personal journals, and—inexplicably—old photographs of Louise’s mother, Ethel. On an impulse, Louise leaves a film shoot in Las Vegas and sets off for her father’s house on the East Coast, hoping for answers about the curious inheritance and, perhaps, about her own troubled marriage.

Nearly thirty years earlier, Florrie takes off on an adventure of her own, driving her Model T westward from New Jersey in pursuit of broader horizons. She has the promise of a Hollywood job and, in the passenger seat, Ethel, her best friend since childhood. Florrie will do anything for Ethel, who is desperate to reach Nevada in time to reconcile with her husband and reunite with her daughter. Ethel fears the loss of her marriage; Florrie, with long-held secrets confided only in her journal, fears its survival.

In parallel tales, the three women—Louise, Florrie, Ethel—discover that not all journeys follow a map. As they rediscover their carefree selves on the road, they learn that sometimes the paths we follow are shaped more by our traveling companions than by our destinations.

This story follows three women who go on a journey for three different reasons: Florrie to run away to California and make something of herself, Ethel to try and get her husband and child back, and Louise who needs to find herself and what she really wants in life. 

I enjoyed the stories of these women. After a couple of chapters, I could NOT put this down. I finished reading this in a couple of sittings. 

It did take a minute to warm up to Florrie and Ethel's story, but once I really understood more about these women the more I looked forward to their stories. I think it also took me a while to get used to the different format when it would switch to Florrie and Ethel. It was for sure different and you really have to pay attention, because Ethel sometimes adds her own writings to the diary Florrie is writing. It worked, but I feel like there could've been a different way to share Ethel's POV. 

What I really liked about this story is the side characters and how important of a role they play in all the women's stories. I really felt bad for Arnie, Louise's hubbie. I wish I could feel bad for Carl, but his reason for leaving Ethel and taking the kid with him was crappy. I wanted Ethel to yell and scream and be mad when she found out. I think Carl was a real jerk. Especially how he kept so many secrets from Louise. Not cool. 

I loved the complexity behind Florrie. I think she ended up being my favorite character. I can't help but adore really complex characters. 

The ending was the best. I loved how everything tied together and we got all the answers. The "article" snipbits were an added bonus and I think it was a nice way to get a good understanding. I'm happy with how everything ended. So good. 

Overall, this was good. I wasn't 100% in love with the format with the POV for Florrie and Ethel, but it worked. I really loved the whole journey all the women took. It makes me want to do a long road trip like that. I think being on the road for that long really does give time for someone to reflect upon their lives and who they are. I'll give this 4 stars.