Thursday, May 31

Book Review: Cowboy Bold by Carolyn Brown

Author: Carolyn Brown
Title: Cowboy Bold (Longhorn Canyon #1)
Genre: Romance
Pages: ebook
Expected Publishing: May 29th, 2018
Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)



Every summer Cade Maguire looks forward to opening his Longhorn Canyon Ranch to underprivileged city kids. But this year, he's having no luck finding a counselor for the children-until Retta Palmer walks through his door. 
Flat broke after selling everything she owns to pay her father's medical bills, Retta is thrilled to hear of an opening for a counselor position. She's not as thrilled about the ranching part, or the sexy cowboy with beautiful blue eyes who's her new boss. 
After being left at the altar two years before by his fiancĂ©e, Cade isn't sure he can take another heartbreak. And Retta isn't even sure she wants to stay. But the sparks between them are absolutely undeniable. And with a couple of lovable kids and two elderly folks playing matchmaker, Cade and Retta may find that the best way to heal is with each other. 

I so do adore this author's works! She really knows how to bring a realistic story to life with drool-worthy cowboys. 

Cade is a cowboy who wants to make a difference. He is opening up his ranch to underprivileged city kids to give them a few weeks of utter joy and fun. However, this year he is having issues finding a counselor for kids. Like magic, Retta comes in and he hires her right away. She is qualified and sexy. Cade was abandoned at the alter two years ago and Retta is dealing with the death of her parents. They are both broken, but maybe they can heal each other. 

First of all...that lady was insane to leave Cade at the altar. He has a heart the size of Texas and is hunk. Fool! But Retta is a better woman, so it all works out. 

I liked Retta a lot and I loved Cade. They worked. It was insta-lust for sure, but as they got to know each other love blossomed. It worked well especially since they have their issues they are trying to deal with. I enjoyed their banter. I did get a little annoyed with the continued reference to how she is a Sooner fan and he is a Longhorn fan. It did go on too long. Like I get it. Other than that though, I adored this book and these characters. 

I always get a little worried when an author writes a story with kids involved. Sometimes the kids are drawn very 2D and annoying. However, the author did a wonderful job here. The kids, all of them, were written well and they felt real. I felt so bad for all of them...they all have crummy backgrounds in different ways. Some have amazing parents but are poor. Some are foster kids. Some have terrible parents. I felt for them and I wanted them to stay on that ranch forever! They were all so happy!

The ending was good. I knew they would get their HEA, but I did worry there! It all came together fine and good. I am curious to see what is next! I want to read more! All those cowboys need a HEA. Good men. Sexah cowboys. *nods*

In the end, I'll stamp this with 5 stars. 







Tuesday, May 29

Time for TV Tuesday: Turn (Season 4)





Recently Finished:
TURN: Washington's Spies (Season 4)





Review:


No! So sad! I didn't want this to end. I really think this was the best season out of all of them. So good. 

The season ends and goodness what is going to happen. All of the rings work and all of the enemies work is coming to a draw. Yes, yes, we all know the Americans win. Not new news, but there were times I was worried. ;) 

I was especially worried about my favorites!! 

The ending was the best. That last episode made me cry. Everything came together and it felt so real. The writer's did a wonderful job. I liked it a lot and all the lose ends was nicely tied with a bow. My favorite type of endings. I was really sad about the fate of one character, but war and especially post-war can be cruel and not everyone is lucky. Poor character. 

What else can I say without spoiling? 

I decided to watch the first episode of the first season right after this and it is CRAZY how much everyone changed, but also stayed the same at the same time. Everything was balanced. Story, character-development, action, and drama.  

I have zero complaints about this last season. The whole show, overall, was very good. I highly recommend this for historical lovers. I want to read the book! 

In the end, I want to re-watch this series. Super good. 5 stars for this last season. 







Monday, May 28

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: The Trouble with Twelfth Grave

Ever since Reyes escaped from a hell dimension in which Charley accidently trapped him, the son of Satan has been brimstone-bent on destroying the world his heavenly Brother created. His volatile tendencies have put Charley in a bit of a pickle. But that’s not the only briny vegetable on her plate. While trying to domesticate the feral being that used to be her husband, she also has to deal with her everyday life of annoying all manner of beings—some corporeal, some not so much—as she struggles to right the wrongs of society. Only this time she’s not uncovering a murder. This time she’s covering one up. 

Add to that her new occupation of keeping a startup PI venture—the indomitable mystery-solving team of Amber Kowalski and Quentin Rutherford—out of trouble and dealing with the Vatican’s inquiries into her beloved daughter, and Charley is on the brink of throwing in the towel and becoming a professional shopper. Or possibly a live mannequin. But when someone starts attacking humans who are sensitive to the supernatural world, Charley knows it’s time to let loose her razor sharp claws. Then again, her number one suspect is the dark entity she’s loved for centuries. So the question becomes, can she tame the unruly beast before it destroys everything she’s worked so hard to protect? 



Paperback, 288 pages
Published October 5th 2017 by Piatkus
Charley Davidson #12
UF PNR, OWN

My thoughts:
I honestly do not know if some of those previous ones deserved my ratings, I mean that filler book was so dull. And I have to face the truth here.

Nothing happens.
It was rather dull.
Not even sexy Reyes wowed me.
The books are stagnating.

The truth is I am glad the next will be the last. I fear I have felt like this at times during the last few books, but this was the first where I felt it all way through.

It was sadly only ok.

Saturday, May 26

Saturday Movie Night: The Mountain Between Us (2017)








Hello everyone! This month Blodeuedd and I are reviewing, The Mountain Between Us. 


Blodeuedd is in green and I am in purple.




Title:  The Mountain Between Us
Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama
Running Time: 1 hr and 52 mins
Rating: PG-13
Released: 2017


Stranded after a tragic plane crash, two strangers must forge a connection to survive the extreme elements of a remote snow-covered mountain. When they realize help is not coming, they embark on a perilous journey across the wilderness.












TRAILER: 





DISCUSSION: 

Well! Hello there!

Hello! What a strange time to meet at, lol, I am used to our usual time ;) But yes. MOVIE time!!! It made me cry, *sniff* But yes let’s start-

Yess earlier than normal! But yes, I teared up for sure. I didn’t cry but I was yelling at the screen! I was so worried at the end there! I had no idea what was going to happen!

I was so worried! I was all NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. And then my heart broke. *coughs* But let us not talk about that anymore.
SO the movie was not awesome, but not bad, it was good, I watched it in a day and I was never bored since well...they were about to die anytime!

So hard not to give away spoilers. I agree. It was good. Not amazing, but I really did enjoy it. I was so worried. I wanted to punch him! Like don’t leave her alone. Haha she is a hot mess. Poor girl. That would SO be my luck tbh. Get a broken leg and be a hindrance on the whole thing. 

AT least she wanted to move forward and try to save them. With a busted leg! But it was sure lucky she had a doctor with her ;) That is all I am saying.
There was this one time when they were walking and I was all, damn, have you two ever been in the woods!? I could see where they were and then boom, catastrophe.

Yes, she did luck out with the doctor. And he was lucky that she was a restless soul and wanted to push on. Sometimes you can’t do the logical thing. Mannnn they were not woodsy people AT all. I was surprised she wasn’t since she did a lot of photography in lots of different places in the world. Him? Not surprised at all. He is good at being a doctor and he is a London boy after all...so his skills are to be limited. I was in awe at what he was able to do. 

True. I get that he did not know. But she should have or? What did she actually do? War zones? Nature photos? Did I miss it? Maybe she was not woodsy either.

I think she just went where they told her to go. Her last assignment was a nazi/skinhead thing. So she must’ve not been too woodsy herself. But still...did neither of them watch any shows about nature even in high school? Some basic things to make it easier to survive. They did well enough, but the one scene I wanted to scream at them. Like I could see that coming for sure. Good thing that dog was there! He saved their butts a lot. 

Praised be the dog! Yes that is the one important thing to know. But they were tired and hungry. I know I have been a mess this year, I could not have walked in those woods either lol.

OH and that explains things about her, I tend to miss things sometimes when S is talking ;)
That is true. She was in a lot of pain and tired. Kuddos to her for doing all that on a broken leg. He made one heck of cast for her.

Dunno how she made it! Oh and the end, no spoilers, but omg I was all omg no no no, walk walk walk, omggggg.

Same! I was screaming! Poor girl!!! Poor guy!!!! WALK DARN YOU WALK! My puppy was even getting into it and barking at the screen. He did not appreciate that dog. He barked when he barked. LOL I loved that little dog. I felt bad for him too. 

He did not like dog! How rude, Dog, was awesome :)

Very rude! LOL
I do wish there had been more emotion. It felt very dry for the situation they were in. They had some here and there, but I wanted her to freak out more when she found out. They seemed very calm. If it were me and BF? I would’ve been freaking out for about an hour screaming and throwing a fit. After that? I would be okay and already walking. They wasted so much time waiting and waiting. 

Yes, I would have freaked too and screamed. More screaming please!!!!!!! You are on top of a freaking mountain! Please scream a bit and then start walking.

I can see him not showing as much emotion. 1) Doctor, so rational 2) Male, so prideful and 3) British, breed to show little emotion. So I get him being calm. Her? She is an American woman who is reckless and emotional and thinks with her gut and heart. She needed one good freak out especially when he told her the moment she woke up. 0_0 In pain and stranded? 

Well, at least he could have gone all “Blimey, we are on top of a mountain. How surreal. What a jolly good laugh.”

LOLLL something. I mean...he did have a mini freakout when he almost fell off after 10 mins. >_> Not an outdoorsman AT all. But yes, besides that...I did enjoy their chemistry and how they worked together. It took time since they are two different people in all aspects. I’m glad they didn’t work well at first. Made it realistic. 

So different! And just cos you are stranded does not mean you will click, so yes I liked that too. The chemistry felt real. And then it got more...we might die! And then end. And then, well I am happy about the end cos I was worried there.

Kuddos to the writers. They made the people feel real. They needed more of real reaction at the beginning, but I was good with their character development as the story went along. I so did not expect what happened with his wife. And I agree. I was happy with the ending overall. I wanted more tho….

Something, something more...I get that and I wanted that too. I cannot put my finger on it.
But overall I enjoyed it as it really was about life and death.

I did not like Mark at all. I agree there needed to be something. Something felt missing. Maybe more of an epilogue would’ve been nice. 

It was a book right? Maybe there is something in it?

Yess it is a book. Never heard of it before. There might be more in there. Usually is the case. 

I am reading reviews. Stuck in the mountains for weeks- He is a mountain climbing doc...yeah, it sounds different

Psh. Yeah - the writers of the film cut that out! Bloody guy almost fell OFF the mountain. LOLLL

Yup, eagle scout, had a backpack filled with supplies with him from his recent climb. Slept on his wife’s grave and reviewers call him a bit loony

0_0 I think I like this version better. He may have not been outdoorsy and he seemed to be a private fella, but I adored him. 

I do think this was the better version ;) Definitely

Agreed, agreed. Prolly one of those rare times the movie is better. Lol! So, anything else to add? I’m trying to think of more non-spoilers...hard tho….

Too hard not to spoil things so...Good movie with slow moments.

Yes, a good movie. Not amazing but it was an interesting watch. It is hard to take your eyes off the screen even with the slow moments because goodness knows what is going to happen. The human spirit and the dog spirit is strong for sure. If these two knuckleheads can survive, I am sure I could...maybe...I would be a wimp about the broken leg thing. 

It is a miracle they survived! And I am sure we would have made it, though without a doc it would have been hard.

Yesss, that would’ve been our downfall if it was us. I can fix cuts and bruises, but broken legs and ribs? Naw. Sorrrreeeee you might not survive if I had to be your doc!

Lol. Ok a new month is coming soon and we have another movie to pick :)

Oooo nooooo who’s turn? Who picked this one? I can hardly remember...we were proactive and picked early for May……..

I believe it is you :)

Eeek okay. I’ll find something...not sure what. Until next time?

The end



Friday, May 25

Blog All About It: ORGANIZE





This month the prompt is "ORGANIZE"

I've been really struggling with this one......a rough prompt, but a challenge is always fun and good for the brain. 

I read a few articles and a few blogs about the organization in many different aspects trying to inspire some ideas. This had me take a few minutes to self-reflect. I have been an organized mess through school, life, work, and blogging. I keep some sort of planner, but I am a hot mess, but it always comes through in the end and works. 

This year I made it one of my blogging goals to be more organized and more prompt with my blog. I have done pretty well I feel. I try to post at the same time every day and at least 6 times a week. There are those off weeks when life gets in the way or work takes over my life. However, I have been pretty darn organized. I want to share 4 tips that have really helped me balance everything:

1) Use a calendar. I use Google calendar for blogging. I have my work calendar and my home calendar. This is the number 1 thing you need to stay organized and balanced. 

2) Analyze your timetable. Take a few minutes and really look at the clock. Map out your days and see when you have free time and when you do not. I try to take my 15 min break to make sure I have my posts together. Sunday or Saturday I'll try to get ahead in my posting for the blog if possible. 

3) Plan ahead. This falls with both of those. But I try to get ahead of the game and plan my posts out, my work, and my life. 

4) Chill. You need to chill and not take life horribly serious. It will kill you if you worry too much. I have been a chronic worrier all my life. This is a huge thing for me. School and work breeds us to freak out. Yes, it is good to be prompt and get things done. However, we are human and sometimes we cannot control everything. 



That bald spot on his leg was from his surgery. They took his manhood D: 

Wednesday, May 23

Book Review: Her Perfect Mate by Paige Tyler

Author: Paige Tyler
Title: Her Perfect Mate (X-Ops #1)
Genre: Paranormal Romance & Fantasy
Pages: ebook
Published: May 2014
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon Freebie)



Their attraction is more dangerous than any weapon of mass destruction 

When Special Forces Captain Landon Donovan is chosen for an assignment with the Department of Covert Operations, he's stunned to find his new partner is a beautiful woman who looks like she couldn't hurt a fly, much less take down a terrorist.

Ivy Halliwell isn't your average covert op. Her feline DNA means she can literally bring out the claws when things get dicey. She isn't thrilled to be paired with yet another military grunt, but Landon is different. He doesn't think she's a freak-and he's smokin' hot. Soon they're facing a threat even greater than anyone imagines... and an animal magnetism impossible to ignore.



Uggghhhh I wanted to like this. I did. I swear I did. But nooooooppppe. 

It started off alright. Nothing to write home to mom about. The two characters come together because she needs a partner and I guess he got a promotion. The government, in this world, has a special division with people who are shifters, of sorts, and they do not trust two shifters to be partners (god knows why), so they are paired with a human (god knows why). Poor girl has had some shitty partners in the past, so she is wary of this new hunk. He is in insta-lust the moment he sees her, but he respects her since she is his partner. 

But yes, started out okay. I was curious and then *yawn*. I wanted it to end. I kept going though...because I am insane. I got about 75% done and I could not do it. She annoyed me and he annoyed me. The whole world annoyed me. Nothing really made sense. What finished me off was the one mission near the end. Something happens and I just turned off my kindle and never went back. Can't say what, but I was annoyed. Also, another scene between her, him, and a male shifter who is in love with her annoyed me too. He should be fired. They should be fired. FIRE THEM ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the end, this was a DNF. Nearly made it to the end, but two scenes annoyed me. Not for me sadly. Maybe for someone else.  





Tuesday, May 22

Tell Me Something Tuesday


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.

Are you more inclined/ less inclined to read books that are compared to other popular books or authors?

Good questions this week! I had to really think about it. 

I honestly am not inclined or less inclined. I think it all depends. If an author purposely does try to make it like a more popular book on purpose just to try to jump on the coattails of the success of the popular one, I will not read it. If it happens to be kinda similar to other stories because of xyz...I won't hold it against the author. There are some stories that small similarities will pop-up. 

So my answer for this week is...it depends. If it is done on purpose to try and make more money then NOOOOO!!! If there are small similarities just because that is life and the story? I don't mind reading it.  

I tried my hand at painting over the weekend! A little freestyle never hurt anyone...sorry my phone's camera is getting poopy and having issues focusing. 











Monday, May 21

B's Monday Review: Last Dragon Standing by Rachel Aaron

Dear Reader, 

There is no way to write a blurb for this final book without spoiling all of the others. Suffice it to say, mysteries resolve, dragons war, pigeons abound, and Julius must risk himself in ways he never dreamed possible as Bob’s grand plan finally comes to fruition. 

But the Great Seer of the Heartstrikers isn’t the only one whose schemes are nearing completion. The Nameless End is coming, and even the machinations of the world’s most brilliant dragon seer might not be enough to stop it. As the world comes crashing down, it’s up Julius to prove what he’s always known: that seers can be wrong, and Nice Dragons don’t always finish last. 

Audible Audio, Unabridged, 13 pages
Published March 1st 2018 by Audible Studios
Heartstrikers #5
UF
Own


My thoughts:'
I know my other reviews have basically been Squee Squee Squee, but this time I feel so empty. So
sad.

It is over.

It is OVER!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

My poor heart, my poor heart. No more Julius *sniff* No more Crazy Bob and his weird pigeon (thinking of Tesla, maybe they should marry) No more Chelsea and her Golden emperor. No more Fredrerick who I really started to like. You are awesome! *sobs* No more Justin who is just too much! Awww, Justin, you silly knucklehead. 

The epilogue left me hoping, because she does leave an opening if she wants to go back and explore this world, but with new characters (and hopefully old ones coming in and saying hi).
That would be fantastic!

Random thought. How on earth!? did his mum get all those dragons to mate with her. Omg she is such a bitch, sure a conniving pretty bitch, but still. She is a piece of work.

As for the book. The big fight is on! Down with the Leviathan! Save the world!

But who cares! I am finished now. It is over! *Cries* I need more Julius and Marci! Moooooore 
*ugly cries*

The end.

Nooooooooo!
Not the end, not THE END!

Alas, all awesome things must come to an end.

Saturday, May 19

Movie Review: Despicable Me 3 (2017)


Film Title: Despicable Me 3
Length: 1h and 29 min 
Released: 2017
Genre:  Animation, Action/Adventure
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Netflix


SUMMARY:

Gru meets his long-lost charming, cheerful, and more successful twin brother Dru who wants to team up with him for one last criminal heist.








TRAILER:


REVIEW:
Watched the first 2 movies a long while ago. They are good and fun. I finally got to watch this (*cough* more than once because of a 4-year old I know) and I did like it. All the times I watched it. 

The story is the third installment in the series. Gru, the supervillain turned good, comes across a new foe who is an 80's reject. Gru also meets his twin brother? Woah! This twin is everything Gru is not. Rich, charming, has hair, and is a crappy villain.

The minions are always cute. They make me laugh at their antics. 

The three kiddos are cute too. 

Gru's wife is a hoot. I loved her scene with the girls trying to connect and be the mom. Love her. 

Gru. Funny. 

Gru's brother funny and geeky, but sighs. A little annoying to be honest. 

The baddie was a hoot. 

The story was funny and worth a watch. Don't expect anything insanely good. I didn't really care for the twin thing, but it works in some ways and in others it did not. He was okay and funny, sure, but eh. 

A good watch especially if you liked the other movies. I'll give this 3 stars. 









Friday, May 18

Book Review: Off Script by Liv Bartlet

Author: Liv Bartlet
Title: Off Script
Genre: Fiction & Romance
Pages: ebook
Published: Jan. 2018
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest opinion)



“I kissed Edward Wolverton once. It was everything it was supposed to be—and then some... maybe I’ll kiss him again.”

TV Producer Bea Douglas’s last confession to her former business partner and ex-best friend wasn’t meant to tempt the fates. She’s eager to escape the hypocrisy of the television industry and years of hiding her faith for the convenience of other people. Edward Wolverton may be hot, smart, and funny—but he’s also two steps out of rehab with a self-proclaimed allergy to Christianity. 

But after a club night turns violent, Bea loses her sense of self while Eddie teeters on the edge of relapse. Their connection to each other is the only certainty. To be together, each will have to let go of past pain and have faith in a love that never fades.

Off Script is an uncommon story of the power of love and resilience to bring people together in a society that does its best to tear them apart. 


Ooooooooo couples like this drive me to the point of insanity! JUST BE TOGETHER!! *takes a deep breath* Okay. Back to the beginning.

The story follows Eddie and Bea. Eddie is the hot and smexy TV star who is freshly out of rehab after a huge break-up with his co-star. Bea is a TV producer who is a secret Mormon. The two are friends, but they have a lust and love for each other. Life is never easy and in the society, they are in it is impossible. 

This was not an easy romance at all. They love each other, but they have so many of their own demons to deal with. They help each other as best as they can. It drove me up-the-wall...I just wanted them to be together. It is so obvious! Sighs. It makes sense that they are not right for each other at first because of their demons they are fighting. 

Yes, there is lots and lots of drama going. Sometimes it seemed a little over-the-top. But it was realistic especially in that line of work. 

I felt so bad for Eddie and Bea. They deserved all happiness and joy. People are evil!! Especially that ex of his! Grrr. But yes, I loved both of these characters even with their flaws and issues. Good people who are dealing with lots of stuff. 

I want to read more about Michael! Maybe a short story!!

In the end, I did enjoy this. Lots of drama that was a little over-the-top at times, but I enjoyed it overall. It took FOREVER, but Bea and Eddie need each other. They fit well together. I'll stamp this with 3 stars.