Blodeuedd's Monday: Hell for Hire by Rachel Aaron

By: Rachel Aaron

Narrated by: Nicholas Cain

Series: Tear Down Heaven, Book 1

Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins

Release date: 05-22-24

Urban fantasy/bookbeat.fi

It took me a while. I did not get into it, and then like 2 weeks after I tried again. It took a while but then I got into it.

I also felt the world maybe needed some more explaining.

Anyway, Bex is a demon who gets hired to protect Adrian who is a witch. He likes being a witch, but the powers that be wants him to be a nasty warlock and he is all f that! And he will hurt anyone trying.

So the book is building up for that final showdown when they are coming for him, and then slowly it turns out Bex is in trouble too.

In the end I did like it, but for a Rachel Aaron book is sure took time for me to enjoy it.

The narrator was good, but who knows, maybe I needed someone else

The Crew

A hulked-out wrath demon who eats gamer rage and loves cats, a shapeshifting lust demon who enjoys their food a bit too much, and a void demon who doesn’t see the point of any of this. They’re not the sort of mercenaries you'd hire on purpose, but Bex wouldn’t trust her life to anyone else.

Ever since the ancient Mesopotamian king Gilgamesh decided death wasn’t for him, killed the gods, and conquered the afterlife, times have been rough for a free demon. But the denizens of the Nine Hells aren’t the quitting sort, and Bex and her team have been choking a living out of the Eternal King’s lackeys for years. It’s not honest work, but when Heaven itself declares you a non-person, you smash-and-grab what you can get.

This next gig looks like more of the same…until Bex meets the client.

The Job

Adrian Blackwood is a witch with a problem. His family has skirted the edges of King Gilgamesh’s ire for centuries, but thanks to a decision he made as a child, Adrian is personally responsible for putting his entire coven in Heaven’s crosshairs.

Determined to set things right, Adrian drags his broom, caldron, and talking cat thousands of miles across the country to Seattle where he can fight the Eternal King’s warlocks without bringing the rest of his family into the fray. But witchcraft--like all crafts--takes time, and if the warlocks catch him before his spells are ready, he’s dead. So Adrian does what any professional witch would do and hires a team of mercenaries to keep the warlocks off his back. He didn’t expect to get demons, but when you’re already on the killing-edge of Heaven’s bad side, what’s a bit more fuel on the fire?

Sometimes you get more than you paid for.

Neither Adrian nor Bex knew what to expect when they signed their contract, but witch-plus-demon turns out to be a match made in the Hells. With this much chaos at their fingertips, even impossible dreams can come back into reach, because Bex wasn’t always a mercenary. She used to be the Eternal King's biggest nightmare, and now that she’s got a witch in her corner, it’s time to put the old magics back on the field and show Adrian Blackwood just how much Hell he’s hired.

Book Review: Halloween Werewolf by Kestra Pingree

Author: Kestra Pingree

Title: Halloween Werewolf

Series: The Holiday Shifter Mates #1

Genre: Paranormal Romance, LGBT, Novella

Format: ebook

Pages: 135

Published: September 22, 2018

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

A wolf howls on the mountain.

Austin’s heart skips a beat.

It’s been a long time since he heard that sound.

And it brings back memories.

Review:

This was a freebie and I had to have it. One, Halloween season bebe! Two, can't resist a PR. Three this is a M/M PR which is a rare thing. Weeeeeee!

Here we follow Mateo and Austin. They were friends when they were younger and they both had a crush on each other. Things happen and Mateo has to leave. Years past and Austin has been trying to get over his silly crush, but he can't shake the memories of Mateo. Mateo comes back to town to get revenge for his parents and he comes across Austin. The love is rekindled and they can't and won't be separated anymore. However, Mateo still needs to stop the murdering of shapeshifters. 

This was cute. I liked Mateo and Austin. It was insta-love, but they have a past so it didn't bug me. They both crushed on each other hard for years even after Mateo had to leave. 

The baddies are bad. Grrrrr. I'm with Mateo murder them. 

Honestly my only complaint was that I wanted more of their past. I would've loved to seen some flashbacks here and there. I would've loved to see them young and crushing madly over each other. Eeee. Also, I would've loved to see them together longer. Maybe more interaction and dates?

All-in-all, this was cute and short. A nice romance with some baddies that need to be stomped out to save other shifters. I would've liked to see more flashbacks of them being young and maybe more dates. I'll give this 4 stars. 

 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Delightful 

Audiobook Review: Lake Silence by Anne Bishop

Author: Anne Bishop

Narrator: Alexandra Harris

Title: Lake Silence

Series: The World of the Others #1, The Others #6

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Mystery

Format: Audiobook

Published: March 6, 2018

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible) 

Summary: 

In this thrilling and suspenseful fantasy, set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Others series, Vicki DeVine and her lodger, the shapeshifter Aggie Crowe, stumble onto a dead body . . . and find themselves enmeshed in danger and dark secrets.

Human laws do not apply in the territory controlled by the Others–vampires, shapeshifters, and paranormal beings even more deadly. And this is a fact that humans should never, ever forget . . .

After her divorce, Vicki DeVine took over a rustic resort near Lake Silence, in a human town that is not human controlled. Towns like Vicki’s have no distance from the Others, the dominant predators that rule most of the land and all of the water throughout the world. And when a place has no boundaries, you never really know what’s out there watching you.

Vicki was hoping to find a new career and a new life. But when her lodger, Aggie Crowe–one of the shapeshifting Others–discovers a dead body, Vicki finds trouble instead. The detectives want to pin the man’s death on her, despite the evidence that nothing human could have killed the victim. As Vicki and her friends search for answers, things get dangerous–and it’ll take everything they have to stay alive.

Review:

Yayyyyyy re-reading is always fun ;)

Here we shift over to Vicki DeVine and her crew. Human laws do not apply in the territory controlled by the Others. Between vampires, shapeshifters....and other paranormal that are even more deadly.....humans should not forget where they are on the food chain. After her divorce, Vicki wins a rustic resort as a settlement near Lake Silence. Vicki wants a new life and a new career, but when her lodger Aggie, a shapeshifter, discovers a dead body Vicki will find herself in trouble instead. The detectives want to pin the man's death on her even though the evidence clearly shows something non-human killed him. As Vicki and her new friends search for answers, things get dangerous and more intense. There is a group of humans that can undo the new friendship built between humans and non-humans in the area. 

LOOOOVE Vickie. She is soooo sooo sweet. F that ex of hers for what he did to her. In some ways I love her more than Meg. Maybe it's because Vickie is just a plain ol' human and has no powers but she is so resilient. 

Julian and the cop are adorable. 

Aggie is a darling. I honestly love all the crows. 

The sproingers are cute but creepy. I love them.

I like this world but I hate the humans here. They are so dumb and arrogant. I mean....they are here in this world too, but I feel like after all the events of the past books they would smarten up for a generation or two. But alas, there are still groups who think they are better and smarter and stronger than the Others and Elders. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm. Fools. 

The mystery was fun. The action was great. It is a slight slow-build before everything explodes, but it was still intense watching everything building. There isn't a boring part to be seen here. 

The narrator is simply a gem. Perfect voices for everyone. Man, woman, shifter, non-shifter....all great. 

All-in-all, I love this even more after re-reading. Such a great series. I can't wait to have time for the next one!!!! 5 stars of course. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Intense

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #48

- Cloak & Dagger #20

Blodeuedd's Wednesday Review: The Last Word by Elly Griffiths

Series: Harbinder Kaur (#4)

Format: 352 pages, Paperback

Published: July 18, 2024 by Quercus Publishing

Crime/ from the  Library

Do I remember these people from PSmurders? No, not really, but that did not matter since this is fully their book.

Natalka and Edwin have a detective agency and they are contacted by someone to solver a murder. But things gets complicated, many authors seem to have died. And I had no idea what was going on or who had killed someone. I would be a lousy detective and die at once.

Edwin was this charming older man, Natalka is Ukrainian with a drive. Her boyfriend Benedict who also helps out, used to be a monk. They are quite the trio. This is in the Harbinder Kaur series but she is not in it a lot, they call her up for help but this is their story.

A good book. I could not guess anything

Natalka and Edwin, whom we met in The Postscript Murders, are running a detective agency in Shoreham, Sussex. Despite a steady stream of minor cases, Natalka is frustrated, longing for a big juicy case such as murder to come the agency's way. Natalka is now living with dreamer, Benedict. But her Ukrainian mother Valentyna has joined them from her war-torn country and three's a crowd. It's annoying to have Valentyna in the tiny flat, cooking borscht and cleaning things that are already clean. To add to Natalka's irritation, Benedict and her mother get on brilliantly.

Then a murder case turns up. Local writer, Melody Chambers, is found dead and her family are convinced it is murder. Edwin, a big fan of the obit pages, thinks there's a link to the writer of Melody's obituary who pre-deceased his subject.

The trail leads Benedict and Edwin to a slightly sinister writers' retreat. When another writer is found dead, Edwin thinks that the clue lies in the words. Seeking professional help, the amateur investigators turn to their friend, detective Harbinder Kaur, to find that they have stumbled on a plot that is stranger than fiction.

TMST: Ideal Book Boyfriend

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 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. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

10/15/2024: Who is your ideal book boyfriend/girlfriend?

Oh boy. I feel like I have a lot! But I can't remember all of them. Were they not truly my soulmate-book boyfriend then? 

I know for sure I have been in love with Captain Wentworth from 'Persuasion' for a very long time. He is slightly grumpy and a romantic at heart. He is a gem. Sure he holds a grudge, but I wouldn't be like Anne ;) 

Another one that has stuck with me for a while is Darius from 'Princess' by Gaelen Foley. He is charming and cunning and tough. But he has a weakness for his love. He would make me swoon. 

They may not be perfect for me, but I do adore those complex men. LOL

Book Review: The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

Author: Laurie Gilmore

Title: The Pumpkin Spice Cafe

Series: Dream Harbor #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Cozy mystery, Chick Lit

Format: ebook

Pages: 286

Published: August 30, 2023

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

A spicy small-town romance,

When Jeanie's aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job.

Logan is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor's gossip at all costs. But Jeanie's arrival disrupts Logan's routine and he wants nothing to do with the irritatingly upbeat new girl, except that he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her.

Will Jeanie's happy-go-lucky attitude win over the grumpy-but-gorgeous Logan, or has this city girl found the one person in town who won't fall for her charm, or her pumpkin spice lattes…

Review:

I had a couple of friends suggest reading this recently and it is simply perfect for October. I decided to try my library but the wait for this was 7 weeks!!!! EEEE too long, so I used my digital reward points I have been saving on Amazon to buy the ebook of this. Yayy. 

This is a small town and Jeanie is excited to start her new life after her aunt gifts her the Pumpkin Spice Cafe. Dream Harbor will give Jeanie a fresh start away from her dull desk job and hectic life. She meets a lot of folks, but there is something about Logan. He is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor's gossip at all costs. However, Jeanie's arrival disrupts Logan's routine and they can't stop thinking about each other. At the same time....weird stuff keeps happening. Jeanie will have to figure out who or what is going on.

This was simply perfect for the fall season. It made me want to eat all of the pumpkin glaze donuts we got from the cider mill. Nommmmm! 

I loved Jeanie. She was simply so adorable. Logan? He was okay. He annoyed me a little bit with his inner monologue. Yes, yes. I'm sorry your ex sucked but please.....talk to a therapist or something. Jeanie OBVIOUSLY is 1000000% better and ADORES YOU! *shakes fist* Once he got out of his own way I found him tolerable. 

Hazel and Annie were very endearing. Loved them. 

The mystery felt lacking to me. I wish they would've beefed that up a bit. Jeanie didn't seem as concerned as she should've been LOL. I know I would've been on a warpath!!!

The love was sweet and when we FINALLY got to the spicy bits it got really good. It took eons (I blame Logan). 

All-in-all, this was an adorable book for the fall. Very sweet love, a cute town, and entertaining banter. This would make a good Hallmark movie. I do wish the mystery bits were beefed up a bit though. I do want to read book 2 someday! I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 

 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Sweet

Movie Review: Of Mice and Men (1992)

Title: Of Mice and Men

Length: 1h 55m

Released: 1992

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Drama, Western
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Amazon Prime

SUMMARY:

A nomadic farm worker looks after his mentally disabled, gentle-giant friend during the Great Depression.

Trailer

REVIEW:

I haven't watched this movie since I was in High School and I read the book in High School and then again in 2013. We read it for my English/LIT class. Hubby and I were watching 'New Girl' and they made a reference to the show. At that point I learned that my Hubby's school never made them watch the movie or read the book. SOOOO I made him watch this with me. 

We follow Lennie and George who are looking for work and saving money to open their own farm one day. They can't seem to hold a job long enough because Lennie always ends up in trouble and they have to move on. Lennie is mentally disabled and sweet. George cares for Lennie but it has been very hard. They land a job and it seems to be going swell minus the fact the owner's son is a jerk and his wife is....lonely. 

This is a very sad story, but I find it a very important story for people to read/watch. There are so many things that are pointed out. I'm borrowing this quote from this article in Medium that really summarizes the original couple of paragraphs I had typed lol, "Through its exploration of themes such as companionship, the American Dream, and discrimination, Steinbeck delivers a powerful message about the importance of connection, the need for social justice, and the realities of life for marginalized people."

There are a bunch of other meanings behind this book that I'm sure you can find or think of. However, this story does make you feel, of course, but also think. 

I remember after reading the book and watching the movie, we had to fill out a sheet. One of the questions was about Curly and his wife.....I remember writing that Curly and his wife can be seen as both victim and the bad guy. Goodness knows how Curly's dad's treats him behind closed doors so he then feels the need to abuse his wife and his workers. His wife, in turn, is abused but also takes advantage of the workers. Sure she is lonely and I feel for her, but she needs to leave the workers alone. She gets them in trouble and doesn't even defend them when they get caught with her. 

You can see each character as victims in a way. They are all discriminated in some way shape or form. However, no one is fully innocent. There is a level of bias and discrimination that society forces the characters to "accept". The movie did an excellent job in portraying this. I really should re-read the book. It's been so long. 

Ugh!!! The scene with the dog always makes me cry and mad. I understand the symbolism behind it and in a way....yes....you don't want the dog to suffer. Ugh tears me up. 

The cast is WONDERFUL. They all do an excellent job with their characters. I must give an extra kuddos to the man who played Lennie. Not an easy role. 

This movie follows the book really, really well. Sure a couple little changes like the very end. I believe Slim goes to George in the book, but in the movie they snipped that interaction out. I do wish they gave Curly's wife a name....but that, in itself, shows the discrimination she faces. She is nothing but property of Curly. 

All-in-all, this is a must watch or at least a must read at least once in your life. If your school didn't make you read this, you really should take the time to check it out. I do still hold that I wished the author left some sort of hope. Even if it is fleeting or a tiny flicker. I know the movie was just following the book and I'm glad they stuck fully to the book which is why I'm going to give this 5 stars instead of the 4 I gave the book years ago. When making a movie it's easy to change plot points or add your own seasoning to it, but the movie people really stayed true to the book. So yes.....5 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Tragic

Audiobook Review: Give Up the Ghost by Angie Fox

Author: Angie Fox

Narrator: Tavia Gilbert

Title: Give Up the Ghost

Series: Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #11

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published: May 31, 2022

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible) 

Summary: 

Some secrets should stay buried.

Ghost hunter Verity Long is no stranger to scandal. In fact, it seems to follow her around like her pet skunk, Lucy. But Verity is as shocked as anybody when a town relic discovered in a time capsule unleashes a torrent of secrets that lead to murder.

Trouble is, the only residents in Sugarland who know the truth behind the scandal also happen to be very dead themselves. With a killer on the loose and a town in crisis, Verity braves a side of Sugarland she's never seen before. From a booby-trapped haunted mansion to a run-in with the spirit of Sugarland's most notorious blackmailer who may hold the key to setting mob ghost Frankie free...for a price.

But when a live killer gets an inside track on Verity's investigation, will she live long enough to give up the ghost?

Review:

Slowly catching up with this series! I think I only have a little bit more and then I will be at the most recent release! Weeeeee!

We're back at it with Verity, Frankie, and Lucy the skunk. We continue right where we left off from the last book. It is Homecoming and they are opening the time capsule. What should be fun turns into revealing the burn book of one of the biggest gossips and blackmailers the town ever seen. When this book is revealed someone will do whatever it takes to keep their secret untold even if that means murdering and stealing the book. With a killer on the loose and a book of secrets in bad hands...the town is in crisis. Verity and her gang will have to brave a side of Sugarland they have never seen before. 

I loved that this time capsule has been nothing but trouble. First there was a body hidden in there in the last book and now a book full of townie's secrets from years previous. Ooooo. I loved seeing the darkside of this town. Everyone has secrets! But enough to murder for? Mmmm. 

My favorite part of the book? Virginia, Verity's monster-in-law, has not only made Verity's life a nightmare, but so many others. We get to see karma FINALLY catch up to her. I won't spoil and say what, but karma certainly has found her. Bless Ellis and Verity for wanting to help Virginia....they are better people than I am. 

Gotta love all these characters. Frankie the ghost. Lucy the skunk. Ellis the smoking hot cop. Verity our heroine. Love them so much. Don't tell Frankie this....but I hope he never gets freed from Verity's property LOL. 

Can I just say.....I'm def in love with that fact that Verity's sister is dating Alec. It's beautiful and hilarious. Verity and Alec hate each other SOOOO MUCH, but I love seeing him be so soft and loving to her adorable sister.

The mystery was a little flat for me on this one. I think we had only two serious suspects. One you just KNOW couldn't have done it. The other one? I didn't want it to be them. I wish we had some sort of twist but sadly no. 

The narrator was fantastic as per normal. Her voices are great. 

All-in-all, the mystery fell a little flat with me, but I still really enjoyed the story! I love these characters and I love this town (even though some of them are bananas). I'll give this 4 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Quirky 

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #47

- Cloak & Dagger #19

Audiobook Review: Magic Claims by Ilona Andrews

Author: Ilona Andrews

Narrator: Hillary Huber, Michael Glenn

Title: Magic Claims

Series: Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years #2

Genre: UF, Paranormal, Novella, Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published: June 13, 2023

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Kate and Curran have just settled into their new home and their 'low prolife,' when a local businessman approaches them with an offer they can’t refuse. A mysterious evil has spawned in the nearby forest and is holding a defenseless town hostage. The ‘due date’ is rapidly approaching.

It’s exactly the kind of fight the Lennarts can’t resist, not for the prize the town offers, but for the people who will surely die if they ignore it. If they succeed, they’ll be rescuing an entire community and can build a strong new base for their family and the Wilmington Pack. If they fail...well, fail is a four-letter word.

Nothing comes without a price. Now Kate must decide if she has what it takes to pay it.

Review:

Yayyyy for more Kate. I literally can't get enough of this series. It's so entertaining!!!!

Kate and Curran's low profile? That's now pretty much gone now after a local businessman comes to them needing help. A big baddie has spawned in the nearby forest and it is holding a defenseless town hostage. It requires sacrifices and the due date is rapidly approaching. Kate and Curran can't resist throwing their hats into the ring. 

I'm sad. This seems to be the last one of this spin-off series. It was written in 2023. Maybe we'll get more? D: WAAAAH. I still have Curran's POV shorts and a few other stories (like Julie's) I can read to fill the void. I'm trying to take it easy and not read EVERYTHING all at once, but it is hard. 

This was a good one. A good baddie that has a scary force and power. Kate and Curran remembering why they love a good fight. And lots of new information coming out!

I'm curious to learn more so I hope we get another one. I especially want to see the fall out of the other packs and etc. I feel like there is a lot to still explore. How is everyone doing? I miss Andrea and her family. 

The narrators were fabulous. I was a little bummed....I was hoping for a little more of Curran's POV. Just a sliver more pleasseeeee. 

Overall, I enjoyed this immensely. I still have a little more I can read to fill the Kate void, but I'm trying to not gobble it ALL up right away. I'll give this 4 stars.   

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Enjoyable

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #46

- Library Love #27

Book Review: Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks

Author: Maya Banks

Title: Never Seduce a Scot

Series: The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #1

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 418

Published: September 25, 2012

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Eveline Armstrong is fiercely loved and protected by her powerful clan, but outsiders consider her “touched.” Beautiful, fey, with a level, intent gaze, she doesn’t speak. No one, not even her family, knows that she cannot hear. Content with her life of seclusion, Eveline has taught herself to read lips and allows the outside world to view her as daft. But when an arranged marriage into a rival clan makes Graeme Montgomery her husband, Eveline accepts her duty—unprepared for the delights to come. Graeme is a rugged warrior with a voice so deep and powerful that his new bride can hear it, and hands and kisses so tender and skilled that he stirs her deepest passions.

Graeme is intrigued by the mysterious Eveline, whose silent lips are ripe with temptation and whose bright, intelligent eyes can see into his soul. As intimacy deepens, he learns her secret. But when clan rivalries and dark deeds threaten the wife he has only begun to cherish, the Scottish warrior will move heaven and earth to save the woman who has awakened his heart to the beautiful song of a rare and magical love.

Review:

I picked this up for two reasons. One being that it fits into a couple reading challenges and two, one of the mains has a disability and I love inclusion like that in stories. Plus I can't remember the last time I read a HR in Scotland. It was time!!

Eveline and Graeme are our mains here. Eveline is fiercely loved and protected by her clan, but outsiders consider her "touched". She hasn't spoken since her accident. She doesn't speak to anyone including her family. After her accident she lost the ability to hear, but she can read lips, but she is allowing everyone to think her daft so she can avoid marrying a bad man. However, she is forced into a different marriage with Graeme. This is an arranged marriage to try and end war and the clan rivalry. She is intrigued because she can sort of hear his extremely deep voice. 

This took me forever to read. I was moving at a snail's pace. Why? Not sure. The story was interesting enough and I liked the characters. Maybe it was just me? It just felt like it was dragging forever in some spots. 

The love was a little too insta for my liking and some plot points/issues were resolved extremely quickly. However, I did enjoy the simplicity of their romance. Yes, they are being forced to wed, but they are both good people and they are obviously meant for each other. It was sweet. 

Ugh Ian. That is all. 

Screw all the McHughs. Hopefully their actions will fully unite Montgomerys and Armstrongs. 

I am curious about the next book. I believe it is Graeme's brother. Oooooo!

All-in-all, I did like this one. It was very sweet overall even with the issues I had. I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Okay

Challenge(s):

- Library Love #26

- Romance Reading Challenge #25 (Arranged marriage/Marriage of convenience)

Blodeuedd's Monday: City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong

Series: Rockton/Casey Duncan (#1)

Format: 408 pages, Trade Paperback

Published: January 17, 2017 by Minotaur Books

Crime/own

I read the spin off book first, that would be book 8? So I decided to go back and see what Rockton was all about.

..not a good place at all. This should be a place where people could escape too, but soon I saw that everyone escaped here. The bad guys too, and the abused. This system was broken. Not to mention you were not allowed to go beyond the city. And trust me this was for your own good because outside there were hostiles, and those were not friendly.

To this mess Casey arrives because she killed someone 10 years ago, and her bestie who was in an abusive relationship. Oh and Diana was toxic!

People have vanished and are found dead. Casey is put on the case with the town sheriff. No idea who to trust. Seeing that the system is not really working. But I guess she has 6 more books to see if this town has a future.

And what to I see when I finish. Yes the next book is out of stock. Come on!! Sigh.

A good start to this series. They are all alone out there.

Casey Duncan is a homicide detective with a secret: when she was in college, she killed a man. She was never caught, but he was the grandson of a mobster and she knows that someday this crime will catch up to her. Casey's best friend, Diana, is on the run from a violent, abusive ex-husband. When Diana's husband finds her, and Casey herself is attacked shortly after, Casey knows it's time for the two of them to disappear again.

Diana has heard of a town made for people like her, a town that takes in people on the run who want to shed their old lives. You must apply to live in Rockton and if you're accepted, it means walking away entirely from your old life, and living off the grid in the wilds of Canada: no cell phones, no Internet, no mail, no computers, very little electricity, and no way of getting in or out without the town council's approval. As a murderer, Casey isn't a good candidate, but she has something they want: She's a homicide detective, and Rockton has just had its first real murder. She and Diana are in. However, soon after arriving, Casey realizes that the identity of a murderer isn't the only secret Rockton is hiding—in fact, she starts to wonder if she and Diana might be in even more danger in Rockton than they were in their old lives.

Movie Review: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016)

Title: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Length: 1h 48m

Released: 2016

Genre:  Dark Comedy, Romance, Horror, Fantasy
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Peacock

SUMMARY:

Five sisters in 19th century England must cope with the pressures to marry while protecting themselves from a growing population of zombies.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Okay. I am FINALLY watching it. I've been meaning to watch this since 2016. I even want to read the book...someday. My friend finally got me to watch this. 

It's hard enough trying to cope with the pressures from society and their mother to marry, but add some zombies trying to take over England? It's enough to make a girl scream.

This was a hoot. It was weird. It was different. But ultimately? I liked it. I'm shocked because I'm not crazy about the zombie fade and I heard a lot of stuff about this. However, I love P&P variations and this is one. 

I need to read the book. I feel like I had a couple of questions that would've been explained in the book. The movie did well enough to explain what you NEED to know to enjoy, but I have some more questions.

Honestly, the lure behind the zombies was fun. I loved the fact that it isn't so black and white with these zombies. Zombies can still be slightly normal IF they don't eat human brains. When they eat a human brain then they go crazy and lose their marbles. 

THE ENDING???? HOLY COW. AND they didn't make a second movie??? WHAT? Monsters the lot of them. Now I def have to read the books. UGH. 

The cast was fun. I was meh about the Darcy they picked. He felt more like a Collins or a Wickham to me. He didn't have that.....allure. The actor is great but I think I would've casted him as someone else personally. 

I adored the Lizzy and all the sisters. They were perfect for their roles.

That Wickham? I would be tempted. LOL 

All-in-all, I had fun with this. It was strange and different but honestly? It was a fun movie to watch during the Spooky season. 

4 stars from me. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Wild

Audiobook Review: Magic Tides by Ilona Andrews

Author: Ilona Andrews

Narrator: Hillary Huber, Michael Glenn

Title: Magic Tides

Series: Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years #1

Genre: UF, Paranormal, Novella, Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published: January 17, 2023

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Kate, Curran and their son, Conlan have left Atlanta, vowing to keep a low profile, and are settling into a new city and new house…but some things never change! Magical mayhem is about to erupt when Kate undertakes the rescue of a kidnapped youth, while Curran guards the homefront.

It should be a simple retrieval, but with monsters on land and sea, Kate’s got her work cut out for her. Still, she's never let her blade dull or her purpose falter. And that low profile? It’s about to wash away with the raging tides!

Review:

Can't get enough of Kate Daniels this year. 

Here we follow Kate and Curran. It is years later and they have left Atlanta with their son Conlan. They want to keep a low profile and settle into their new city and new house. However, things never change. Mayhem is about to erupt when Kate undertakes the rescue mission of a kidnapped youth. Curran and Conlan guard the home-front. It should be a simple retrieval, but like normal....Kate has her work cut out for her. 

Weeeeee! More Kate action. Yes, I want her and Curran to have a quiet life, BUT she is just a magnet for trouble. She is powerful and comes from a powerful line. Their lives will never be fully quiet especially with their kid growing into his own power now.

This had lots of action and lots of monsters and baddies.

We also got to see Curran's and Conlan's POVs so that was a nice touch there. 

This was "short" but it was a perfect length.

I can't wait to get started on book 2 of this mini spin-off. 

This was fun. For sure check this out when you finish the main books. This is a nice continuation years later. 

4 stars from me. I think I would've liked to see more of the "peace" before Kate took off.  

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Satisfying 

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #45

- Library Love #25

Best of September

Here are our bests from September!!!! 

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd - City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong

"Best book. Not a place I want to visit."

Carole -  Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

"So good. So sad. A must-read"

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole - Nadda again. Whoops. 

Blodeuedd - Barbie (2023)

"I finally watched it!"

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Rick and Morty & Emily in Paris

"Rick and Morty is always fun. Emily in Paris, well ditch that toxic Gabriel."

Carole - Tacoma FD

"Rewatching this gem now that it is on Netflix! Looks like there is a new season. Getting there but I am rewatching the other seasons because why not?"

Best Cover of the Month:

B's Favorite: Says a lot about the book

C's Favorite: So pretty