Saturday, February 29

Audiobook Review: Reality Blurred by Aven Ellis


Reality Blurred (Rinkside in the Rockies #2)Author: Aven Ellis 
Narrator: Elise Arsenault
Title: Reality Blurred
(Rinkside in the Rockies #2)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook
Pages: 236 
Published: February 14th 2018
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



He lied to her. Fed her the same lines as he did all the other girls. Instead of proposing, he dumped her on national TV. Would a romance with a hockey superstar prove just as disastrous—or could it be the greatest love story of her life?

Cast as America’s reality show sweetheart after being jilted on a dating show, Skye Reeve is ready to stop being a brokenhearted woman by proving she’s more than what the camera portrayed her to be. She’s landed her dream job as a TV lifestyle reporter and promises to work hard to be a success.

Skye also vows never to be swept up in a fairy tale romance ever again, as she obviously has no clue what real love is.

Being in the same city as Denver Mountain Lions hockey star Maxime Laurent, however, might make this last goal impossible.

Dealing with ghosts from his own past, the Belgian hockey star is known for keeping his life off the ice private. He’s not sure if outgoing Skye could be a match for him, but he can’t deny his attraction to her.

When the two embark on a romance, will they be able to move forward from the past to let love into their hearts? With no reality blurred, will Skye find real-life love to be what she had been looking for all along? 



Been itching to start book 2 because I loved Maxime and Skye as side characters in book 1. They are cute and I wanted them to get a HEA. 

The story follows Skye who was on an American reality dating show (much like the Bachelor) and she had actually fallen for the guy but had her heart broken and embarrassed beyond belief while millions watched. Now she is trying to find her way and create her own career. Maxime is a Belgian hockey star who keeps to himself mainly and loves his privacy. His ex dumped him because he was too boring. Will these two find love?

My heart belongs to Maxime. I loved Cade from book 1, but I think Maxime is taking the throne in my heart. He has a sexy accent, loves animals, loves to just stay home, and has the biggest heart. Sighs. Skye is a lucky gal ;) 

I loved Skye too. I felt sooooo bad for her. Poor thing. She was an innocent! Damn that guy and that show. I totally get her worries about her lifestyle not fitting what Maxime wants in life. I would be paranoid too. But he loves you dumb-dumb! 

There was insta-love, but it was very sweet. Maxime had fallen for her (even though he didn't want to admit it) when he seen her in Belgium the year previous, but he didn't talk to her like he wanted and make sure she was okay. Bless his heart!

My only issue....and it is sooo petty...I was super done with Skye and Maxime saying "wanker" 1 million times to describe Skye's reality guy. We get it...we do. No more!

The narrator was fantastic. I think I had read book 1 and I remember giving it a 3. I think the narrator really boosted this story. Her voices for everyone was perfect. Loved her. 

Overall, though, I loved, LOVED this story! It was sweet and I loved our Skye and Maxime. They are adorable! Stole my heart for sure. I'll give this 5 stars. 






Challenge(s):

- #10 for Audiobook Challenge

- #11 on Bingo for Sports Romance




Thursday, February 27

Audiobook Review: Caffeine - How Caffeine Created the Modern World by Michael Pollan

Caffeine: How Caffeine Created the Modern World
Author: Michael Pollan
Narrator:  Michael Pollan
Title: Caffeine - How Caffeine Created the Modern World
Genre: Nonfiction
Format: Audiobook
Published: January 30th 2020
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Acclaimed author and journalist Michael Pollan - whose number-one New York Times best sellers include The Omnivore’s Dilemma and How to Change Your Mind - offers his latest, provocative look into the profound ways what we eat affects how we live. In Caffeine: How Caffeine Created the Modern World, Pollan calls caffeine “the most-used drug in the world” - one we give our children in the addictive form of soda, and consume ourselves in multiple daily doses of a cup of tea or coffee. By one estimate, more than 150 million adult Americans drink coffee daily. He takes us on a journey through the history of the drug - first discovered in a small part of East Africa, and within a century and an addiction affecting most of the human species.

Caffeine, it turns out, has changed the course of human history: Pollan’s reporting reveals how caffeine has won and lost wars, changed politics, and dominated economies; he asserts, with the support of voluminous research, that the Industrial Revolution would have been impossible without it. The science behind our caffeine addiction forms the fascinating backdrop to this definitive look at an insidious drug that hides in plain sight.

With his wide-ranging talents to entertain, inform and perform, Michael Pollan’s Caffeine is essential listening in a world where an estimated two billion cups of coffee are consumed every day.



I picked this up since it was free and I do have a weird complex love of coffee. I love it, but caffeine barely works for me so at most I might have a cup a day...if that. I do not need coffee to get me going. Maybe it was because I overdid it in my early young adult days working at the coffee shop? Who knows. But yes...I was intrigued by this.

This is a nonfiction about how caffeine changed the world in good ways...and bad ways. 

Can I just say first? The author narrated this and I think he should contemplate doing more narrations! I really enjoyed listening to him read. He has such a nice voice! And I was really enthralled with listening to this. I'm sure I would've liked this still...but he added a certain flavor to the story. 

Okay - now the book itself. It was very informative but entertaining. I learned a lot!! I didn't really realize how caffeine took over the world and really changed how humans evolved. Some stuff seems to maybe be just coincidence. BUT...I can see coffee/tea having a huge sway on world events. 

I loved the tie in at the end with how plants evolve and how the plant technically won evolution-wise. We treat those plants with so much love and adoration. They truly have bested humankind. haha. They have us coffee/tea/pop drinkers at their mercy! I laughed at first...but then I realized the plant truly won against us "smarter" beings. Oh dear. 

I highly recommend this. It is quick, but it is very informative and entertaining. It really makes you look at caffeine in a whole new light. I'll give this 5 stars. 





Challenge(s):

- #9 for Audiobook Challenge



Tuesday, February 25

Audiobook Review: Miss Bennet Blooms by Reina M Williams


Miss Bennet Blooms (Love at Pemberley, #3)Author: Reina M. Williams
Narrator:  Kate Sample
Title: Miss Bennet Blooms
(Love at Pemberley #3)
Genre: Short Story, Historical Romance, & PP variation
Format: Audiobook
Pages: 70 
Published: April 25th 2014
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Miss Mary Bennet is the last unmarried Bennet sister. She believes she will live out her days as a maiden aunt, seeking quiet in the libraries and parlors of her father’s and brother-in-laws’ homes. On a visit to Pemberley, the estate of Fitzwilliam Darcy, her sister Lizzy’s husband, she begins to feel more is possible than her planned life of solitude. Among new friends and with new confidence, Mary opens to new feelings when she meets Mr. Nathaniel Bingley.

Nathaniel Bingley, at the insistence of his closest cousin, Charles Bingley, finds himself at Pemberley. After Nathaniel’s years in the West Indies studying its intense flora, he is ready to seclude himself to compile his work into a book. But Nathaniel could not say no to Charles, who was one of his few kind relatives after the deaths of his beloved parents. Soon, Nathaniel finds it difficult to say no to his feelings, especially when he gets to know the pretty, intelligent Miss Mary Bennet. Can Mary and Nathaniel look beyond their plans and accept the grace of love at Pemberley?



Awww book 3. I was excited about this one because I want Mary to happy. I always want her to find love. Poor thing. 



The story follows Mary who is the last Bennet sister left unwed. Everyone, but her, has found love, which she has resigned herself to this fact and will live out her days as a maiden aunt who loves her books and her music. However, this is quickly going to come to end when Nathaniel Bingley arrives. He is the cousin of Charles and is back from his long time in the West Indies. 



Like the others in the series, this is very, very sweet. I adore Mary and Nathaniel. They are perfect for each other. 



The love was pretty quick, but it took forever for them to admit it to themselves and each other. I do wish the ending was not so abrupt. After giving Mary the cold-shoulder for a while, I do believe Nathaniel should've had to work a little bit to get Mary to say yes to his proposal. 



The narrator was fantastic. Perfect for Mary!



In the end, I loved it. It was quick and sweet and I loved our characters. I did want Nathaniel to do some begging and pleading before she said yes. But alas, Mary is sweeter than me ;) I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 





Challenge(s):

- #8 for Audiobook Challenge

Monday, February 24

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Knead to Know by Liz Schulte

Kindle Edition, 51 pages
Published January 22nd 2016 by Leaping Lizards LLC
Series: Knead to Know #1, Abyss World #19
UF PNR
Own

This was really promising! The cover is just really wrong. I expected something funny and cozy. But what I got felt like UF and I was intrigued.

She is a vamp, she owns a bakery.
Ok so this weird guy that guessed she was a vamp from nothing, ok so that was bad and really silly.
But other than that it was really good.

Way too short though!
I'd read more.

Maggie Edwards can’t sleep, eat, or die—but, she can bake. However, just before the Halloween grand opening of her bakery, a pesky reporter witnesses an accident in her kitchen and gets a little too close to the truth. If she can’t convince him to keep quiet, not only will she lose her chance at happiness, but they both could lose their lives.

Sunday, February 23

Book Review: The Bridled Tongue by Catherine Meyrick


The Bridled Tongue
Author: Catherine Meyrick
Title: The Bridled Tongue
Genre: Historical Fiction & Romance
Format: ebook
Pages: 356 
Published: February 1st 2020
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)



England 1586

Alyce Bradley has few choices when her father decides it is time she marry as many refuse to see her as other than the girl she once was—unruly, outspoken and close to her grandmother, a woman suspected of witchcraft.

Thomas Granville, an ambitious privateer, inspires fierce loyalty in those close to him and hatred in those he has crossed. Beyond a large dowry, he is seeking a virtuous and dutiful wife. Neither he nor Alyce expect more from marriage than mutual courtesy and respect.

As the King of Spain launches his great armada and England braces for invasion, Alyce must confront closer dangers from both her own and Thomas’s past, threats that could not only destroy her hopes of love and happiness but her life. And Thomas is powerless to help. 



This intrigued me from the moment I looked at the cover. Plus I needed a good historical fiction!


The story follows Alyce Bradley. She has always been independent and have a wicked tongue. Now that she is older her father is forcing her to marry but he is letting her have the final word on which suitor. In the end she picks Thomas Granville who is an ambitious privateer. The don't expect more than mutual courtesy and respect but it turns to love. Their happiness and love is threatened when dangers arise.


Awww I adored Alyce. I just wanted her to be happy. I liked Thomas as well, but I was worried about him at first, but he grew on me. 


Ooooo Isabel. I felt bad for her, but I wanted to smack her. Blaming Alyce for all your problems is not cool! Ugh. Honestly everyone sucked. They are soooooo petty and want to put the blame on everyone and anyone else. Sure Alyce has had a wicked tongue, but she is a good person. So sad. Bad things happen people! 


I was honestly hooked from page one! So good! I finished this in just a couple of sittings. 


I was worried near the end though. I didn't know what was going to happen. There was a moment there I had my worries about our characters. The ending bugged me a tiny bit. I can't put my finger on it, but something felt like it was missing. Maybe it was because I wanted more in the epilogue? I felt like it was too short.


Overall, I really enjoyed this! It was really good! Sure, I wanted more from the ending but all-in-all this is one I highly recommend it. I'll give this 4 stars. 












Saturday, February 22

Movie/Documentary Review: Soaked in Bleach (2015)




Soaked in Bleach PosterFilm Title: Soaked in Bleach
Length:    1h 30min
Released:    11 June 2015
Genre:  Documentary, Crime
Rating: Not Rated (I would say PG) 
Where I Got It: Amazon Prime

SUMMARY:

Tom Grant, a private investigator once hired by Courtney Love, reveals his take on the death of Kurt Cobain.










TRAILER:




REVIEW:
I have watched this now 3 times in the last couple of months. I didn't feel like I wanted to write a review since this isn't a movie-movie. But after this last watch through I wanted to give this documentary some spotlight. 

This takes a deep look into the alleged suicide of Kurt Cobain. Was it really? Or was there someone like Courtney Love who was behind his murder. There are a lot of questions and red flags that everyone ignored. Especially the police who closed this case the same day they found his body. There was no real investigation. 

Tom Grant was a PI that Courtney Love hired to "find" Kurt. Tom didn't fully trust her and he felt like something was wrong so he recorded all his conversations with her and any other interview. Even after Kurt's body was found something didn't seem right so Tom kept on investigating. We get to hear this story and get some experts. 

My whole life I was on the fence about if he really did commit suicide, but I never really took the time to check the facts and look into it. I love the band and him, but I guess I never really looked into it because I was told he was depressed and a druggie so no one batted an eye when he took that final step. 

After watching this, I was invested. I watched more and read more about this. In the end...I think Courtney Love had something to do with his murder. It was murder and the police need to re-open this and have unbiased parties review the case. They are not going to want to admit they f-ed up big. Courtney Love needs to be investigated for sure. 

At first, I wasn't crazy about the actors acting out scenes, but I grew to like it especially when they blended real recordings of the people talking. It really emphasized the points that the speakers were making. So I grew to like it. 

I won't spoil the facts and red flags, because you need to watch it. 5 stars. 





Friday, February 21

Book Review: Dream Student by J.J. DiBenedetto


Dream Student (Dream, #1)
Author: J.J. DiBenedetto
Title: Dream Student
(Dream #1)
Genre: Paranormal Romance, YA, Fantasy, Mystery
Format: ebook
Pages: 287 
Published: March 18th 2013
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon freebie)



What would you do if you could see other people’s dreams? If you could watch their hidden fantasies and uncover their deepest, darkest secrets…without them ever knowing?

Sara Barnes is about to find out. She thought that all she had to worry about was final exams, Christmas shopping and deciding whether she likes the cute freshman in the next dorm who’s got a crush on her.

But when she starts seeing dreams that aren’t hers, she learns more than she ever wanted to know about her friends, her classmates…and a strange, terrifying man whose dreams could get Sara killed.




Another freebie that has been collecting dust on my Kindle! Time to give it a read!


The story follows Sara who is a college kid and wants a normal life, however, she has been having terrible and/or weird dreams lately. She soon realizes that these dreams are not her own. They belong to other people which includes a terrifying man. 


I started off really, really liking this and couldn't put it down! Such great potential! And then....snore. I had a hard time reading this midway through because everything moved so slowly. I got over the whole narrative being too diary-y without it actually being in diary format. I grew to be intrigued and entertained by Sara's thoughts and rambling ways (I can relate to that for sure). But my goodness...I was so bored. 


Brian was cool, but the insta-love was silly. I would be creeped out by him at first especially knowing he dreamed of me. 


Beth was okay after a while. 


I powered my way through it and it did pick up a touch, but I was still yawning by the end. I actually fell asleep a couple of times during parts that should've kept me reading! 


Overall...it had great potential but fell flat for me. I'll give this 2 stars.  





Challenge(s):

- #10 on Bingo for PNR