Movie Review: The Knight Before Christmas (2019)

Title: The Knight Before Christmas

Length:  1h 32m

Released: 2019

Genre:  Comedy, Romance, Drama
Rating: TV-PG
Where I Got It: Netflix

SUMMARY:

A medieval English knight is magically transported to present-day America where he falls for a high school science teacher who is disillusioned by love.

Click here for the trailer

REVIEW:

Meant to watch this in 2019 and 2020...but didn't. Got sidetracked by other stuff. 

Sir Cole is an English knight from the 14th century. He finds himself being magically transported to present-day America. He is hit by a car driven by Brooke. Brooke, full of guilt thinking it is her fault for causing his amnesia, lets him crash at her place. She is a high school science teacher who is disillusioned by love...maybe a knight in shining armor is what she needs. 

How cute and Xmassy!

We should literally give Vanessa Hudgens a crown for being Queen of Xmas Netflix movies. She has done so many! And this seems to be in the same world as her other ones. Which is fun. 

But Sir Cole was a hunk. A perfect knight. I think he should do some historical movies. He would be great. 

I think my only issue was how chill Brooke was about Sir Cole and his knight-ways. A little TOO chill for the situation. TBH she should've had at least ONE freak-out moment. 

I do wish we had more conflict. This was just too chill and calm. There was one moment were Sir Cole had to save a child, but it seemed a last-minute add and didn't really do anything for the plot. 

Even with these mini issues...I really did enjoy it. They were a cute couple. Watching the scene during the credits makes me really want a movie two...but it looks like Netflix won't do it at the moment. Ugh. How can you do that to us??????

In the end, I say watch it. It is great for the holidays. 3 stars from me. 

Book Review: The Thief's Angel by Caroline Lee

Author: Caroline Lee

Title: The Thief's Angel (The Highland Angels #3)

Genre: Historical Romance, Mystery
Format: ebook

Pages: 266

Published:  February 17th 2020

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Lady Rosalind Forbes is an integral member of the Queen’s Angels—an elite trio of spies disguised as ladies-in-waiting—as the brains of the group. However, she’s keeping two secrets from her teammates; one which will endanger this mission, and one which will jeopardize her very place as an Angel. Her teammates don’t know, can’t know, that she’s given herself to the very man who is now their prime suspect in the plot against the Crown.

Cam Fraser used to be the son of a laird, a man with a place. Now he’s just a thief, and a leader of cutpurses. But his mission to find the woman he’s betrayed leads him to his ancestral home, where he encounters Rosa, the dark beauty whose touch he hasn’t been able to forget.

With the help of a matchmaking six-year-old, and a chance attack by bandits, Cam and Rosa have the opportunity to set things right. But that’s not going to help Rosa’s mission, not when Cam doesn’t even realize he’s a suspect. And she can’t give her heart to a traitor…can she?

A brilliant Angel and a charming thief are going to have to work together to discover the truth about the plot against Robert the Bruce, if they want any chance of a future together.

Review:

Third book in the series. This has been the one I have been waiting on. Everything is coming together and we are finally getting Rosa's HEA!

We follow Rosa who is sent to follow Cam Fraser who is now suspected of wanting to overthrow the King and Queen. Cam used to be the son of a laird who ran away as a youth and joined a gang of thieves. He is now their leader, but he gave that up to find his beloved adopted sister, Court, who he betrayed. He wants to make it right and make sure she is happy wherever she is. With the help of a matchmaking six-year-old and an attack by bandits, Cam and Rosa have a chance to set things right and get to know each other. A brilliant Angel and a charming thief will have to work together to prove Cam is innocent and find out who really is behind the plot. 

I've been waiting to get Rosa's story and for Cam to finally find peace. I knew he was innocent from the last book. There is NO way he could've done it. I had my suspicion and I was right. HAHA! BUT the WHY was what was throwing me off and not being confident on the who. Ooooo the why was good and added an extra layer to the story. 

I liked Cam from the moment we met him. He is simply adorable! I liked Rosa too. However....I wasn't 100% convinced I liked these two together. I did warm up to them eventually, but at first, I was not feeling the chemistry. Near the end, I was finally okay with it and it finally clicked for me.

The big twist/why had me on the floor! I totally did NOT see that coming. Like I said earlier...it really added a nice layer of complexity to the story. Perfecto!

Oooo that was a good ending. We shall have more Angels! I am excited. It totally makes sense that the Queen would have more secret Angels to watch over her and Robert the Bruce. Yayy I am excited for more. 

Overall, I enjoyed this. This was a nice way to end this arch of the mystery. It took me 'til near the end to really click with Rosa and Cam as a couple, but when it did click for me...it clicked and I was happy for them. I also LOVED the reveal. I had the who, but not the why. Fun! I am really adoring this series and I am glad there shall be more. Huzzah! I'll give this 4 stars. 

 

 

Challenge(s):

- #11 on THE BAD BOYS OF ROMANCE challenge

Book Review: The Laird's Angel by Caroline Lee

Author: Caroline Lee
Title: The Laird's Angel

(The Highland Angels #2)

Genre: Historical Romance
Format: ebook

Pages: 241 
Published: January 27th 2020
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary:As a member of the Queen's Angels—an elite trio of secret agents, masquerading as ladies-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth Bruce—Melisandre Lamond has a most useful skill: Seduction. Mayhap 'tis her ability to understand others' desires, or mayhap a yearning for acceptance; whatever the root, Mellie has become skilled in the art of love, and knows all the right ways to get a man to spill all his...secrets.

After an assassination attempt on the Queen, all evidence points to the Frasers of Lovat, surely under orders from their new laird, the deceptively handsome Lachlan Fraser. But even Mellie is surprised when the Queen announces the seductive Angel's betrothal to the traitor, wondering how far her loyalty to the Crown really extends. Can Mellie tempt Lachlan into revealing his treasonous plans, before she's forced to actually marry the man?

After the Scottish War for Independence, all Lachlan Fraser wants for his clan is peace. He's happy working with his hands, building a strong future for his family and his beloved daughter. But duty calls him to Scone, where he's surprised to learn of his betrothal to one of the Queen's ladies...the very knife-wielding wench who'd so recently saved him from a cut purse's attack!

He'll marry her, aye, but Lachlan vows to unravel Lady Melisandre's riddles first! Because once he gets her home, and sees the way she effortlessly wins over his daughter and the rest of the Frasers, he begins to suspect she's not really the cold and haughty lady she's pretending to be.

Can this mis-matched betrothed pair learn each other's secrets before the assassin strikes again? 

Review:

This has been the one I've been itching to read BUT I wanted to be a good egg and read the series in order. LE SIGH. BUT I am glad I did. They may follow different gals but the story and mystery continue in each book. 

This one follows Lady Melisandre who uses a special trick to get info from the men. After an assassination attempt on the Queen, all the evidence seems to point to the Frasers of Lovat and their new laird. Melisander, aka Mellie, is asked  to pretend to be the laird's Queen-ordered betrothal to find out the truth. Lachlan Fraser just wants peace and happiness. He accepts the Queen's command since Mellie intrigues him and...well...it IS a command from the Queen. 

I adored this romance between these two. They do not seem at all compatible...on the surface. As we learn more and more about them, we soon realize they NEED each other and are simply perfect for each other. I am so glad there was more to both of them especially Mellie. She acts like a cold-hearted wench who is willing to do ANYTHING to get info...she has a huge and sensitive heart and she really deserved happiness. 

Lachlan deserves happiness too but he has a decent family and a sweet kid so I didn't feel AS bad for him as I did Mellie. She had a crappy family. Poor thing...especially when we find out what her ex did to her. GRRRR. I wanted to find him and feed him to the Loch Ness Monster. Gah. Hopefully karma finds him soon and quick. Lachlan's ex was a piece of work too. Grrr. 

I really did like this much more than book 1. Maybe it was because we got to spend more time with these characters? Or maybe I just loved the chemistry and story between these two. Or both?  BUT yes...I did really enjoy this one.

I guessed the little twist. I wasn't being serious when I guessed it, but I was right and I was shocked I was right. Wish I can say..........

Anyways.....

Overall, I liked this better than book 1 and the prequel. I adored the couple here and their story. They were a fun couple with a lot of hurdles to finally get the HEA they needed. I'll give this a 4. 

Book Review: The Highlander's Angel by Caroline Lee

Author: Caroline Lee
Title: The Highlander's Angel

(The Highland Angels #1)

Genre: Historical Romance
Format: ebook

Pages: 184
Published: January 5th 2020
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: When Robert the Bruce's queen formed the Angels, an elite group of spies masquerading as her ladies in waiting, she probably didn't imagine they'd be called on to save her life. But that's what happens when Queen Elizabeth is entertaining the Ross delegation.

Luckily, her lady Courtney is deadly with a bow and recognizes the assassin. Court's history with the band of thieves and murderers who raised her means she has a very different skill set than most women in the queen's retinue, and she's not afraid to employ it. But she is used to working alone, and the idea of being saddled with an unwanted partner—particularly when that man is gorgeous, dangerous, and a suspect—is galling.

Malcolm Ross, the queen's longtime bodyguard, can't believe one of his kinsmen could be involved in this dastardly plot. He'll do everything in his power to prove his clan is innocent of treason, even if it means partnering with a testy and deadly thief-turned-spy... One who holds his heart in her hands after that single night they spent together years ago.

Malcolm must choose between his loyalty to his laird and his loyalty to his heart, as Court's "family" proves she doesn't even understand what loyalty is. When metal hits meat, can this unlikely duo learn to trust each other, or will the plot to bring down the Scottish monarchy succeed?

Review: 

A while back I had read the little prequel short story and it had made me curious about the other Angels. This was really cheap on Amazon so I went ahead and grabbed it

The story follows lady Courtney who is deadly with the bow and had been raised with a band of thieves and murderers. With her different skills, it is without a doubt a great idea to have her be an Angel for the Queen. After an attempt on the Queen's life, Courtney has a mission to follow a lead. However, she will not be going alone. She is saddled with Malcolm Ross who had been a longtime bodyguard and can't believe one of his kinsmen might be involved in the plot. He will have to make a choice between loyalty to his laird and his loyalty to his heart. 

Courtney kicks ass. I wish we could've seen more of her skills in other battles. She's a fun character and I wish we had more time with her. I liked Ross too. Especially with how much he loves his dang dog. So cute! Ross and Court were very cute together and they fit each other well. Ross has his heart on his sleeve and Court is a little cold and reserved. 

Oo that baddie certainly was a baddie. However, I feel like there is more going on. I do not think that baddie is the main one we will be seeing. We'll have to read book 2 I guess to see what happens next ;) ! 

Honestly....I wish we had had more time with Court and Ross. I feel like there was more we could've seen. They had hook-ups in the past and obviously had feelings for each other for years, but I felt like I was missing something with these two. We needed more time to see them fall in love. 

All-in-all this was a fun story with a fun cast of characters. I am curious to read more about the other angels. Hopefully, we get more time with them. Maybe we'll see more of Ross and Court in those. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Challenge(s):

-#18 Highlander

Book Review: The Bruce's Angel by Caroline Lee

Author: Caroline Lee 
Title: The Bruce's Angel
(The Highland Angels #0.5)
Genre: Historical Romance, Novella, Short stories
Format: ebook
Pages: 112 
Published:  December 26th 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon Freebie)



Lady Charlotte MacLeod is desperate to escape marriage to a traitor, so she turns pirate. As the notorious Black Banner, she's able to capture the Queen's ship, and finally get someone to hear her evidence. But she doesn't expect the Queen to be guarded by the man who once stole her innocence and her heart.

Liam Bruce has spent years serving his royal cousin. While he doesn't begrudge this latest guard duty, he does regret that it's keeping him from returning to MacLeod land and the fiery angel he can't forget. But when he unmasks a dangerous pirate in the middle of a desperate battle, 'tis his Charlotte spitting curses at him!

Now it's up to Liam to protect his love from charges of royal treason. Can he convince Charlotte to trust him again?

I randomly found this on Amazon. They have so many freebies going on right now. I for sure recommend heading that way! 

The story follows Lady Charlotte is being forced to marry a traitor to Scotland and King Robert. No one at court will allow her to speak to the King about this man. In order to escape and save the King, she turns pirate and captures the Queen's ship in order to force them to listen to hear. Liam is the cousin of King Robert and is also the bodyguard of the Queen. He regrets having to leave Charlotte behind for an entire year, but duty calls. Can he save Charlotte from her treasonous acts and convince her to even forgive and trust him again?

This is a prequel to what seems like an interesting series. We get a little introduction to how this girl spy group is formed. Spoiler, no spoiler, but Charlotte's actions will unknowingly set in motion the Queen to create her own little spy group. How fun! I am intrigued to read about the other girls. 

This was a fun read. For sure something different and I was worried about Charlotte. GURL kidnapping the Queen is such a bad idea. BUT it worked....ish. LOL. However, desperate times call for desperate measures I guess. 

I liked Liam even though he was a bone-head. DUH she thinks you abandoned her. I would've thought the same thing! Sighs. Big, hot, dumb-dumb. 

This was short and fun. I am intrigued to read the next full book. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

Book Review: Testament by Alis Hawkins

Author: Alis Hawkins 
Title: Testament
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fiction
Pages: ebook
Published:   January 1st 2008
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)



What secrets lie hidden in the Medieval college of Kineton and Dacre…?


Salster, England, 1385 

Master mason Simon of Kineton is building his magnum opus: a great college to rival any in England. 

But the Bishop of Salster, hostile to free education, is determined to sabotage Simon’s project. 

When rumours spread that the mason's son is cursed, the bishop sees an opportunity to undermine both Simon and the college. 

And everything Simon has worked so hard for could end up crumbling down around him… 


Salster, 2019 

Damia Miller has been employed to promote penniless Kineton and Dacre college. 

Delving into the college’s history, she becomes captivated by the vast grotesque painting that has recently been uncovered during renovations. 

It soon becomes clear to Damia that the painting holds the key to the past – a past which could reveal exactly what she’s been searching for… 

Ya'lls know how much I love my books that jump from the past to current. They are sooo fun. 

This story follows Damia Miller in modern day. She is hired to help save Kineton and Darcre college. Meanwhile in the 14th century we follow Simon who is the master mason who simply wants to help give education to everyone. 

A rare moment happened in this book for me....I was actually more intrigued with the modern story over the historical one! Whaaaaaaaaaaa? I know! Normally I just breeze through the modern tale but this time I wanted more of Damia and her story. SHOCKING!

I liked Damia a lot and I loathed Simon. Simon was a big jerkface to his wife and kid. Yesss, he is battling the Bishop and trying to help the people of England get education at the same time of being in charge of building these colleges. Lots of stress for sure. BUT I wanted to kick him. He was so terrible to them. Sure at the end he has a change of heart and regrets being so mean to his poor disabled son....but ugh. It made it hard to want to care about him and his struggles. 

Now...I did like Simon's wife. I am glad we got a lot of her POV so it saved that part of the story for me. 

Poor Damia. She has this hard task ahead of her and she is also trying to keep her relationship from crumbling as well. I felt for her. Lots of stress for her. 

The writing was great. It did capture my interest from page one. There was a lull there in the middle, but after getting over that lull I was hooked again. Just to try and finish this I stayed up til nearly 3 am. I couldn't keep my eyes open so I went to sleep and finished this first thing when I woke up. I had to know what was going to happen next! Eeee

The ending did not disappoint. 

I wouldn't classify this as a thriller. It was a nice historical and modern fiction for me. It had mystery for sure and I had no idea how everyone was going to fix and save their relationships/plans. It did worry me. 

Overall, I did really enjoy this story. There was a lull there and Simon was a hard man to want to follow, but I was hooked for sure. Simon DOES get better, but what do you expect from a 14th century man? The ending did not disappoint at all. Great writing and a good story. I'll give this 4 stars. 

  

Time for TV Tuesday: Knightfall (season 1)

Recently Finished:

Knightfall (Season 1)

This has been burning a hole on my TW list. Finally decided to check it out. 

The story follows Landry, his fellow Knight's Templar, and the French royalty. 

The first 7 episodes were awesome. I binged them. Things happened and kept me from moving forward. Darn life! But weeks went by and I didn't have the heart to go back. 

Finally attempted to go back and I couldn't get through them. I walked away. Did chores. Fell asleep. By the time I realized what was happening...it was over. I just didn't care. Things got too insane and weird and I didn't care anymore. 

I am soooo bummed! The first few episodes were so fun and unique and I was addicted. But alas, the last couple had me bored and rolling my eyes. 

Honestly? I feel the writers tried too hard to make it dramatic and crazy. Meh. 

Overall, I am highly disappointed. Maybe someday I'll go back and try the other two episodes again? But at this point, I didn't pay attention and I didn't care much anymore. The storyline got too coocoo for me.  I'll give this 2 stars. Mainly for the first few episodes and how amazing they were!

Audiobook Review: The Chief by Monica McCarty

Author: Monica McCarty 
Narrator:  Robert McNab
Title: The Chief (Highland Guard #1)
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: Audiobook
Published:  March 23rd 2010 
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



An elite fighting force unlike the world has ever seen...

Scouring the darkest corners of the Highlands and Western Isles, Robert the Bruce handpicks ten warriors to help him in his quest to free Scotland from English rule. They are the best of the best, chosen for their superior skills in each discipline of warfare. And to lead his secret Highland Guard, Bruce chooses the greatest warrior of all.

The ultimate Highland warlord and a swordsman without equal, Tor MacLeod has no intention of being drawn into Scotland’s war against the English. Dedicated to his clan, the fiercely independent chief answers to no one—especially not to his alluring new bride, bartered to him in a bid to secure his command of the deadliest fighting force the world has ever seen. The treacherous chit who made her way to Tor’s bed may have won his hand, but she will never claim his heart.

Although her husband’s reputation is as fierce as his manner, Christina Fraser believes that something softer hides beneath his brutal shell. But the only warmth she feels is in their bed, in glorious moments of white-hot desire that disappear with the dawn. When Christina’s reckless bid to win her husband’s love goes awry and thrusts them into danger on the eve of war, Tor will face his ultimate battle: to save his wife and to open his heart—before it’s too late.

This is a random one I found in the store and I was feeling some HR and Scotland. PERFECT! Who doesn't love a tough as nails Highlander ;D ?!

The story follows Tor who is one of the Highland warlords who is selected to lead a special force to fight the English. Through some deceit and trickery, he is forced to marry Christina Fraser who was nothing but her father's pawn and punching bag. Marrying Tor was the best thing for both of them even if they didn't know it right away. 

The premise is fun and it really added to the story. A special force with the best of the best. I want to learn more about the other guys. 

I hated how they ended up getting married because of Christina's father forcing her to crawl into bed with him and then "finding" them together. It was ridiculous and made me roll my eyes. 

Tor was a stubborn idiot and I feel like Christina deserved better. Sure he had a rough life and is a warrior..yadda yadda...but he was so rude and did not appreciate Christina whatsoever until the last few minutes of the story. Ugh. He annoyed me. 

I really want to see more of Tor's twin and his love story with his bride. I wonder if there is a prequel or short story or something. The twin was adorable. 

I was happy to see Christina grow as a character. She was such a sad, empty shell. Her father was a monster. What makes it worse is that he wasn't always like that! Damn English torturing him and whatever else they did to him. It's really tragic honestly. 

The narrator did a very good job. I want to listen to more by him. I think he is doing the 2nd one in the series. His girl voice wasn't shrill or eye-rolling-worthy. It worked and he kept me listening. 

All-in-all, this wasn't bad. Just not as good as I was hoping for. I blame a lot of this on Tor. He wasn't terrible, but he was a blockhead and needed a slap in the face. Christina may have been forced to trick you, but she overdid herself to try and impress you. UGH. But, yes, I did enjoy it. I'll give this 3 stars.