Audiobook Review: Spell of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning

Author: Karen Marie Moning 
Narrator: Phil Gigante
Title: Spell of the Highlander
(Highlander #7)
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, SciFi, Contemporary
Pages: Audiobook
Published: August 30th 2005
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



It's taken him eleven centuries to find the right woman. He's not about to lose her now.

Jessi St. James has GOT to get a life. Too many hours studying ancient artifacts has given the archaeology student a bad case of sex on the brain. So she figures she must be dreaming when she spies a gorgeous half-naked man staring out at her from inside the glass of an ancient mirror. But when a split-second decision saves her from a terrifying attempt on her life, Jessi suddenly finds herself confronting six and a half feet of smoldering INSATIABLE alpha male.

Heir to the arcane magic of his Druid ancestors, Cian MacKeltar was trapped inside the Dark Glass eleven centuries ago. And when the Dark Glass is stolen, an ancient enemy will stop at nothing to reclaim it. For Jessi, the sex god in the mirror is not only tantalizingly real, he's offering his protection—from exactly what, Jessi doesn't know. And all he wants in exchange is the exquisite pleasure of sharing her bed.... 

Been meaning to read this for a while. I honestly forgot about the series until this popped up when I was looking for an Audio to buy with my free credit. Why not? I've been delaying reading the rest of the series for a bit now. 

The story follows Cian who was tricked and trapped inside of the Dark Glass for eleven centuries. Eee gags. Finally, the glass is stolen and pretty much dropped on Jessi's lap. His only hope. Jessi is working herself to the bone to graduate and really has zero life. Well...a whole bunch of life is landed in her lap and she has to help Cian or she might die. Oh dear. 

Now, I would for sure read the three before this. There are some major references here that would be a touch confusing. You would be fine after a while, but I can see some head-scratching especially near the end when some old characters come and join the story. 

At first, I liked the cover a lot. But then it annoyed me because the girl looks nothing like the main character Jessi. Jessi has short, black hair. This chick on the cover has long and light hair. Grrr. 

Now...the story was exciting. I had zero idea of how this was going to end. WELL. I know they were to have an HEA....but HOW and WHEN? It seemed so impossible. I felt so bad for Cian. I can't imagine the hellish existence. Sure he is able to come out of the mirror for little bouts of time IF someone summons him. And sure he can see outside the mirror. But gah! I am surprised the man didn't go insane. Jessi for realz needed a life. I get wanting to graduate and etc...but lord 4 hours a sleep a day and that is on a good day???? 

The characters were okay. They did get better at the end there, but at first, they were soooo boring and didn't really have a personality. By the end, I adored them. But it was a rough road at first. I especially got SO annoyed with Jessi. WE GET IT! YOU HAVE BIG BOOBS! Stop mentioning it! GAH! *grumbles* And Cian? Be more of a horny monster you big oaf! Yes, yes, I get you haven't done the deed in eleven centuries and you haven't been in polite society in a while. But the first words are you trying to mind control Jessi to take off her top? SMH. Men. Barbaric oaf. BUUUUT like I said...I grew to adore him when he was able to calm down and realize he can't be like that. 

ooooOOOoooo that ending was SOOOO good. I am SO curious to see what the Fae Queen has up her sleeves next. ^_^

The narrator was fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved the sound effects. I loved his accents and voice changes especially when Cian was behind the mirror. So cool. He was neat and I want to listen to more by him. 

In the end, I did like this. Cian and Jessi were rough to love at first, but I grew to like them. The narrator was fantastic!!!! Darn that cover though! I wish it actually looked like Jessi. I'll give this 3 stars. 

 

Book Review: Breaking Free by Teresa J. Reasor

Author: Teresa J. Reasor
Title: Breaking Free (SEAL TEAM Heartbreakers #1)
Genre: Romance & Mystery
Pages: ebook
Published: June 2011
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon Freebie)

When LIEUTENANT ADAM “HAWK” YAZZIE rescues ENSIGN BRETT “CUTTER” WEAVER during a mission in Iraq, his faith in his team’s loyalty is shaken. Someone in the team attacked Cutter and left him for dead. But who? 

ZOE WEAVER races to her brother Brett’s bedside. He stood by her while she fought her way back from a devastating injury, and she’s determined to do the same for him. Though drawn to Hawk’s good looks and steady strength, she’s reluctant to get involved with a man in uniform. But with Brett lying in a coma, Hawk may prove the key to what happened to her brother. 

Hawk is torn between loyalty to his men and his need to see justice done. When he tries to save a troubled teammate’s career, he unwittingly puts Zoe’s life in danger. Can he lead the rest of the team in a rescue operation to save her? Or will one of Hawk's brothers in arms destroy the woman he loves? 

Ooooh Amazon freebies...it is such a hit-or-miss. I feel like I say this all the time, but it is so true. 

This story follows Adam/Hawk/Yazzie and Zoe. Adam/Hawk/Yazzie is a Navy SEAL and while out on a mission one his brother-in-arms, Brett/Cutter/Weaver, is injured mysteriously and is now in a coma. They believe a fellow member of the team is to blame so now he is ordered to figure out what really happened over in Iraq. At the same time, Brett/Cutter/Weaver's sister, Zoe, comes to town to take care of him. Sparks between Adam/Hawk/Yazzie and Zoe while they hunt for the truth. 

Interesting story. I liked the mystery part and the romance was okay. It was insta-lust, but it took a while for them to actually fall in love especially Zoe. Not only does she not want to be a military bride, but she also had a horrible injury years before which has ruined her leg and so she doesn't think she is "hot" enough for Adam/Hawk/Yazzie. Which...I get. I would feel the same. 

Now..I enjoyed the journey, but there were some major issues I had with the story. 

One...too many nicknames and actual names flying around. Yes, yes I get that is real life and real life people have a million names for their friends. My group of friends are like that. I think I have a grand total of 3 names in my group of friends...BUT it is hard to follow sometimes while reading. I kept getting confused on who was who. 

Two....I just flat out did not care the first 50+ pages. I wanted to claw my eyes out. It took forever for the story to get interesting. A lot of this had to do with my confusion on the whos. But once I got everything straight and the plot started to get interesting, I was able to enjoy what was left of the book. 

In the end, this was okay. I liked the mystery and I had no idea what the truth was. The characters, especially Zoe, were interesting. There were a slow beginning and a lot of confusion. Not horrible, but not great. Just okay. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Saturday Movie Night: Room (2015)

Hello everyone! This month Blodeuedd and I are reviewing, Room. Blodeuedd is in pink and I am in green. 

Title:  Room
Genre: Drama
Running Time: 1 hour and 58 mins
Rating: R
Released: 2015

 the extraordinary story of Jack, a spirited 5-year-old who is looked after by his loving and devoted mother. Like any good mother, Ma dedicates herself to keeping Jack happy and safe, nurturing him with warmth and love and doing typical things like playing games and telling stories. Their life, however, is anything but typical--they are trapped--confined to a 10-by-10-foot space that Ma has euphemistically named Room. Ma has created a whole universe for Jack within Room, and she will stop at nothing to ensure that, even in this treacherous environment, Jack is able to live a complete and fulfilling life. But as Jack's curiosity about their situation grows, and Ma's resilience reaches its breaking point, they enact a risky plan to escape, ultimately bringing them face-to-face with what may turn out to be the scariest thing yet: the real world.

TRAILER: 

DISCUSSION: 

Well...holy feels all over the place with this one.

I really liked the book it was based on, so I knew it would be emotional. But I must say the book was better. There was this feeling there that the movie just could not portray. But omg. It made me cry a lot.

I have heard of the book but I have not read it myself. I want to, I am adding it to my TBR. Books are 99.9% always better than the movie. But I feel this was really well done. It was pretty cool and interesting that they did the movie through the boys eyes. Normally with stories like this it is in the adults eyes. Poor kid. Poor lady.

That is how the book was, and that is why some did not like it because of his simple language and views. I thought it great, because it took away some of the horror at times. He was just innocent and did not really know what was going on. Especially when he was in the closet. I am glad they kept it.

I’m glad that they kept it then. Sure the lady’s story is a heart-wrenching story too, but the innocence of the little boy really crushed my heart in both a sad and happy way. They picked the cutest little boy and he did really well.

The mum’s story sure made me cry too, but this was his story more, and that was good. I liked to see him moving on. Her story in all its tragedy was just so sad. I did not need to cry more.

I can’t even imagine going through that! How horrible. How sad. That dad (her dad, his gramps) made me want to kick him! GAH! I was furious at him.

I can totally understand him, but arghhh *kicks him* Not cool man. Also that woman who did the interview, effing B%¤&¤!

OMG I KNOW! I was yelling at the screen!!!! What a witch!!!!!!!! Like...if I was the lawyer I would’ve flown into a rage and canceled the interview. Terrible and horrific questions.

Like there was a choice. Like she could have trusted that other choice if made. How could that woman even ask that. Yes the lawyer should just have kicked them out.

The baddie would’ve just killed the kid. So that was not even a choice. Plus that kid is young enough and he can recoup...what BS questions. SMH I’m still angry! LOL

Exactly! Like he would have brought him somewhere where they would like DNA test him. As if. You do not leave a trail like that. It just broke me when I saw how sad she got. How she thought it would have been better.

That mum and her parents had so much guilt and the boy was just so confused about everything. SO SAD BUT SO GOOD!

I really liked how her mum’s new man was the one who made an effort at first. And gran of course. That made me happy.

Yes I loved the stepgramp and the grandma. They were sweet. I loved the scene with the boy and the grandma. I cried happy tears.

It was so lovely to see, and then when he said he loved her. Omg, getting tears again.

GAH! Now you got me going. *sniff* But yes, they really were good to that boy. Dumb gramps. >_> I love the actor, but I’m so annoyed.

It’s tough to handle. Seeing your daughter, her son. Knowing…

I know, I know, but he should realize that little boy was her angel and he saved her. She would’ve never gotten free. She would’ve died alone in there.

Old Nick would probably have killed her before and gotten someone else.

For sure. She was getting old...she was 24 after all…...but I hated that name they gave the baddie. I feel like it is forever going to ruin Xmas for the boy! D:

Santa is creepy too

TRUE BUT it is even more creepy now that “Old Nick” gets you locked in the closet and is bad to your mum……….I hope that perv got thrown in jail. I do wish the movie gave more of an answer for what happened to the bad man

They did catch him, but all I thought was, for how long will he be in? When he gets out can he get custody just to eff with her? Horrible thought

I don’t think he could get custody but IDK how long he will be in jail. I believe this was set in Ohio and they do not have the death penalty….so prolly 20 years in jail and then he’s free to kidnap another girl. SMH.

These days you never know. I mean a woman is just an incubator after all.

Life sentence asshole! I hope someone killed him in jail.

Me too! Crimes like that are horrible.

So any final thoughts? I thought it was good and yes made me cry a lot.

Mmmm, I do want to watch it again. It is worth another watch. That is all I got. You?

I could not handle watching it again. Especially not with preggo hormones. But watch it, or read the book. Definitely a recommendation.

LOL that is true. Those preggo hormones are crazy ;D. But even with no preggo hormones I was a wreck! Good movie all-in-all. The end?

The end

**CAROLE'S CONCLUSION**
This film really made me feel some major feelings. I loved the script...the actors...the way the film just played this story. I really loved that the story was from the boy's POV. There are so many films that center on the adult and their struggles, but this showed a very innocent view on the world and I loved it. So good. I highly recommend this film. Out of five stars, I give this 5. I really must read the book.

Movie Review: Assassin's Creed (2016)

Film Title: Assassin's Creed
Length: 116 Mins
Released: 2016
Genre: Action/Adventure & Science Fiction
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Seen at theaters

SUMMARY:
Through a revolutionary technology that unlocks his genetic memories, Callum Lynch experiences the adventures of his ancestor, Aguilar, in 15th Century Spain. Callum discovers he is descended from a mysterious secret society, the Assassins, and amasses incredible knowledge and skills to take on the oppressive and powerful Templar organization in the present day.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:

When the news that this movie was going to come out, I legit JUMPED for joy. This movie is loosely based off of the video games that have been in circulation for some time now. This whole concept has been extremely interesting to me since the beginning when the first game was announced an eon ago. I have been dying for a movie because I am the slowest video game player ever known to man. I mainly play the games for the stories, so having a movie come out was exciting.

For anyone who wants to see the movie, because they like/love the games, remember….it is LOOSELY based off the game. The main concept is there, but the storyline and characters are extremely different. I wanted to cry on how much they changed the main character in modern time. NOOOOO. They fixed him near the end, but still…I was not happy. I mean…it did make the modern story like WAY more interesting, but boooooo!

Along with this, they made the story and the world darker. I’m glad. They made the assassin’s blend in more with the darker side of society like they say they are. In the games, they wear white or other bright colors. This never made sense to me. In the movie, they darkened the clothing and the characters themselves. I was glad for this, because what they do is not glamorous. They do bad things to protect mankind from the main threat: Knight’s Templars.

Ooooh those baddies. However….are they truly evil? They made the lines greyer in the movie and I liked it. The Knight’s Templars want to unite the whole world and get rid of violence and badness. Is that truly a wrong thing to want? I personally don’t think it is, buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut the way they want to do this is evil. They want to find the Apple of Eden which can remove mankind’s will and make them submit happily to the one holding the Apple. The only people who know where the Apple is the Assassins. I do feel that they should have cleared up the plot a bit for those people who have not played the games. The plot was a little murkily explained.

I truly love what they did with the machine that uses the genetics of the wearer to visit and “be” their ancestor. In the game, it was kinda boring. The wearer legit just lays there and “Dreams” the memories. While the machine in the movie, makes the wearer actually do the movements and talk for all to see. Pretty cool honestly and much more entertaining.

I feel they did a good job with the cast. Some big names, some not. My only issue was the girl playing Sophie. I normally like the actress, but god…her acting was terrible. I barely understood her throughout the film. For being an “educated” character she sure did mumble. I had to lean over to BF and ask what she said multiple times. SPEAK UP GIRL!!!!!! *facepalm*

Another issue I had was the face tattoos, some of the hair styles, and some of the costumes especially in the 15^th century Spain….were not very accurate and out of place. Maybe they were trying to jazz it up since the Assassins are such badasses? I’m not sure. But it bothered me.

Holy ending. There was SO much build-up but then…then it just ended. I felt deflated.

Overall, I think was pretty good. I’m glad I got to see it, but maybe I should’ve waited for it to come to DVD or Netflix. I liked the cast (except for one) and the story was interesting. Very different than the games, but it was still entertaining. There were some issues like the costumes, mumbling actresses, and the plot was a little murky for those that do not know the storyline. However, I felt they did a good job. I hope they make more in the future. Out of five stars, I’ll give this a 3. 

Re-watch?: Eh, I'll watch the sequel tho

Book Review: Touched by Elisa S Amore

Author: Elisa S. Amore
Title: Touched (Touched Saga #1)
Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance, UF, and Fantasy
Pages: ebook
First Published: November 8th 2012
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Amazon Freebie)

When Gemma’s eyes first meet the dark, piercing gaze of Evan James, an ominous shadow creeps into her life, ultimately leading her to face her destiny. She doesn't realize Evan is one of Death's soldiers and that Death is summoning her. 

Her time is up: Gemma must die . . . and Evan has been sent to kill her.

But what if she’s the only one who can truly see him? 

Against every rule. Against fate itself. Against everything and everyone. A story of forbidden love and star-crossed destinies.

Dark. Romantic. Dangerous.

I really, really wanted to like this. But it was a total let down. 

The beginning was slow and Gemma was a total meh character. She was like a splitting image of Bella from the Twilight books. Totally boring....nothing special....but every guy wants her. >_< And she gets bonded and horribly addicted to the weirdo guy who likes watching her sleep. And that brings me to Evan.

You damn creeper Evan with your bright blue eyes! The man actually hid behind a tree to watch her more! He is brooding and deep and super annoying. He is the Angel of Death and he did a good job boring me to death. Why do writers do this? Okay...I like brooding characters sometimes, but when they get creepy and like sneak around watching their love interest? Too much. If it was real life I would call the cops...I wouldn't swoon with joy. >_> So cliche and overused. 

Team Peter all the way! Yes, this cliche mess even had a love triangle. Peter has been Gemma's bestie since forever. They are super close like brother and sister, but things change and Peter really likes her (I don't understand the reason why) Gemma begins to like him only AFTER her parent's say something about how they should be a couple. Weak-minded fool. *cough* Sorry. 

I did a lot of skimming after page 120. I couldn't help it anymore...there was legit nothing happening. Lots of creepy parts with Evan....lots of TSTL moments with Gemma. Lots of silly and over-dramatized teenage drama. It didn't get "good" until the paranormal stuff happened. Yes, yes, I get build-up, but I wanted to gouge my eyes out for entertainment. 

Why did I keep reading? I had hope. I had hope this HAD to get better. Look at that summary and that cover! It did get a wee bit better when things exploded....but not that much better. I am so bummed over this. 

I recommend this for those that want to try it. Maybe you'll like it better than me...but I...I could barely get through it. I did so much skimming that I should've just sat the book down and walked away. However, I am one for torture. Out of five stars, I'm giving this a 1. Nearly a two, but yeah...no.