Movie Review: Dracula (2025)

Title: Dracula - A Love Tale

Length: 2h 9m

Released: 2025 (2026 US)

Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Romance
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Apple TV

SUMMARY:

When a 15th-century prince denounces God after the loss of his wife he inherits an eternal curse: he becomes Dracula. Condemned to wander the centuries, he defies fate and death, guided by a single hope - to be reunited with his lost love.

Trailer

REVIEW:

I saw this trailer a while back, and I have been waiting and waiting for it to arrive in the US. When it finally did, I dragged Hubby to the couch to make him watch this with me. I looove a good Dracula film!

Here we have Dracula, who was a prince in the 15th-century. He killed and did many bad things in the name of God. The only thing he asked for was protection for his wife. Well...she was murdered and died in his arms, so he turned his back on God, which in turn God gave him an eternal curse. Condemned to never die and to drink blood for survival. He hopes his beloved will be reincarnated since she was of a pure soul. 400 years later...he has found her and no one will stop him from reclaiming his love. 

What a lovely cast. What a lovely story. I really, really enjoyed it. The guy who played Dracula was amazing. 

This rendition certainly played up the love story and made this more of a romance. Still some horror elements, but certainly more romantic. 

That last scene literally broke me. SOO good. SOO perfect.

No issues for me. Hubby said he liked it, but he thought it had some weird elements. I disagree. I liked the change-ups. 

We have the romance and the horror. We also were given splashes of comedy that made me smile. 

I'll give this 5 stars. I want to watch it again!

Re-read: The Girl They Left Behind by Roxanne Veletzos

Author: Roxanne Veletzos

Title: The Girl They Left Behind

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 353

Published: October 9, 2018

Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)

Summary: 

On a freezing night in January 1941, a little Jewish girl is found on the steps of an apartment building in Bucharest. With Romania recently allied with the Nazis, the Jewish population is in grave danger, undergoing increasingly violent persecution. The girl is placed in an orphanage and eventually adopted by a wealthy childless couple who name her Natalia. As she assimilates into her new life, she all but forgets the parents who were forced to leave her behind. They are even further from her mind when Romania falls under Soviet occupation.

Yet, as Natalia comes of age in a bleak and hopeless world, traces of her identity pierce the surface of her everyday life, leading gradually to a discovery that will change her destiny. She has a secret crush on Victor, an intense young man who as an impoverished student befriended her family long ago. Years later, when Natalia is in her early twenties and working at a warehouse packing fruit, she and Victor, now an important official in the Communist regime, cross paths again. This time they are fatefully drawn into a passionate affair despite the obstacles swirling around them and Victor’s dark secrets.

When Natalia is suddenly offered a one-time chance at freedom, Victor is determined to help her escape, even if it means losing her. Natalia must make an agonizing decision: remain in Bucharest with her beloved adoptive parents and the man she has come to love, or seize the chance to finally live life on her own terms, and to confront the painful enigma of her past.

Review:

I accidentally redownloaded this book and I took it as a sign to re-read this gem. I first read this in 2018 when it first came out. I adored it then. And well...I still adore it now. 

The story follows Natalia and both sets of her parents. We get to see a little glimpse of her biological family at the beginning. To save her and themselves, they drop her off at the orphanage. It was really rough reading this. I felt so bad for them and for the baby. Poor things. Natalia gets adopted by a well-off family who cannot have kids. We get to see Natalia grow up in a rough time period. They go from being run by the Nazis to being run by the Communists. Going from one prison to another one. 

This book is a blend of fiction and a real story. Which, I must applaud the author for doing a great job blending the two. 

The author re-envisioned her mother's story since they knew nothing of her biological grandparents who had to leave her mother behind. It always breaks my heart when there is a huge mystery. I can understand that wonder and sadness. My mother was put up for adoption in the late 1950s and we had no idea the story until Ancestry.com. We did the DNA test and we were able to find her half-siblings and figure out what happened. That is pretty rare. Even rarer in the author's case. Her mother was put up for adoption during such a turbulent time and area.

But yes, this book has it all. All of the feels. Even after a second read, I found myself with some tears. 

Now, I remember not liking Victor during my first read....but I ended up appreciating him more. Still not a huge fan, but he did what he did. He did sacrifice a lot for Natalia. 

I def recommend this one. Even after all these years I still really adore this one. 

5 stars. 

Book Review: The Girl They Left Behind by Roxanne Veletzos

Author: Roxanne Veletzos 
Title: The Girl They Left Behind
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: ebook
Published: October 9th 2018
Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)

On a freezing night in January 1941, a little Jewish girl is found on the steps of an apartment building in Bucharest. With Romania recently allied with the Nazis, the Jewish population is in grave danger, undergoing increasingly violent persecution. The girl is placed in an orphanage and eventually adopted by a wealthy childless couple who name her Natalia. As she assimilates into her new life, she all but forgets the parents who were forced to leave her behind. They are even further from her mind when Romania falls under Soviet occupation.

Yet, as Natalia comes of age in a bleak and hopeless world, traces of her identity pierce the surface of her everyday life, leading gradually to a discovery that will change her destiny. She has a secret crush on Victor, an intense young man who as an impoverished student befriended her family long ago. Years later, when Natalia is in her early twenties and working at a warehouse packing fruit, she and Victor, now an important official in the Communist regime, cross paths again. This time they are fatefully drawn into a passionate affair despite the obstacles swirling around them and Victor’s dark secrets.

When Natalia is suddenly offered a one-time chance at freedom, Victor is determined to help her escape, even if it means losing her. Natalia must make an agonizing decision: remain in Bucharest with her beloved adoptive parents and the man she has come to love, or seize the chance to finally live life on her own terms, and to confront the painful enigma of her past.

This book drew me in right away especially after learning this is partially based off a true story. 

The story follows Natalia and both sets of her parents. We get to see a little glimpse of her biological family at the beginning. To save her and themselves, they drop her off at the orphanage. It was really rough reading this. I felt so bad for them and for the baby. Poor things. Natalia gets adopted by a well-off family who cannot have kids. We get to see Natalia grow up in a rough time period. They go from being run by the Nazis to run by the Communists. Going from one prison to another one. 

I loved how the author blended in bits of truth among the fiction. It made it seem like a reality. I come from a parent who was put up for adoption and we would always make up stories about her biological parents. We got lucky and found out the truth recently, but thanks to the Nazis and Communists this author and her mom never got to find out the truth. So why not make your own truth? It worked well and I loved it. 

This was really sad, but there was such hope. I certainly did enjoy the journey from page one. 

The one and only thing I did not like was Victor. I wasn't a fan of the character and his role. He seemed slippery and sneaky and I didn't trust him. Still, don't even by the end. 

I liked Natalia and her family. What a hard thing. Poor girl....poor everyone. 

I highly recommend this book to all historical fiction lovers. It is a really sad, but interesting story. You can't help but want to know what will happen next. I felt so bad for everyone. What made this book a touch more special was the fact that this had splashes of real in it. I can really relate to this in so many ways. I'll give it 5 stars. 

Book Review: Cloaked in Secrecy by TF Walsh

Author: TF Walsh
Titles: Cloaked in Secrecy
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: Ebook
First Published: March 2016
Where I Got It: On my shelf (given to me by an author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Death has followed Alena Novac’s circus family for years. When the police arrest her brother for a murder he didn’t commit, she has only a week to rescue him before he transforms into his wolf form in prison and exposes their wulfkin existence to the world.

Enre Ulf, a former member of the Varlac, the fearsome ruling wulfkin clan, plans to infiltrate Alena’s circus clan and take out their alpha to save his home in Transylvania. Except he never expected his wolf claiming Alena as his mate, or feeling compelled to save her brother to help protect the secrets of the wulfkin.

With the police closing in and the blood feud threatening them, Alena and Enre must overcome their pasts to save their packs’ futures.

This is the second installment of this series. The first book was amazing and I loved the world. The world continues as they switch to Enre's and Alena's POV. I'm happy to see that Enre does get some sort of happy ending, because he did get kinda screwed in the last one when his ex picked a human over him. Certainly a blow to his furry ego. 

I was really worried at first, because I thought this was going to be a super insta-love story because they made-out within the first couple of chapters. However, it was just lust. Then Alena learned who was related to and was MAD, because she hates the Varlac due to something they did a while back. GOOD. I didn't want an insta-love with these two. Lust, fine. Love? No. Too much drama going on for that nonsense. 

I adored Nic. Gah, I felt bad for him! 

Honestly....I'm not sure if I liked Alena or not. Sure, I'm glad Enre has somebody, because I loved him...but Alena herself? Mmhmmmmm, she annoyed me a lot of the time. 

The story started off fast and there was a lot going on, then it stalled out for a bit. It took a few chapters to get the locomotive moving again and then I was hooked. I finished this in the matter of a couple sessions. I simply love this world! The location is certainly refreshing and enjoyable. 

I can't wait for more from this author and this world! This could be read as a stand alone, but I feel to understand the character, Enre, and the world, the first one should be read. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 4 stars. 

Book Review: Cloaked in Fur by TF Walsh

Author: TF Walsh
Title: Cloaked in Fur
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Murder Mystery, & Drama
Pages: ebook
First Published: August 2013
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

As a moonwulf, Daciana never expected to fall in love with a human. Hell, she never imagined that she’d abandon her pack, endanger everyone around her, and break the worst rule possible. But she did.

A rogue werewolf is killing Daciana’s friends, and she sets on capturing the creature. She’ll do whatever it takes to stop the beast. The police and her boyfriend, Inspector Connell Lonescu, are starting to question her involvement in the murders, which is endangering the pack’s secret existence. But when the pack alpha kidnaps Connell, revealing the awful truth about the creature and its connection to the pack, Daciana must choose between saving the man she loves and saving her pack family from certain death.

I pretty much read this all in one sitting. Work had to get in the way and so I had to put it down, but the moment I could I grabbed it up and finished it. Rarely do I finish a book in one day! I like my books how I like my wine, a little at a time. However, I had to know what was going to happen next!!

Poor Daci! She has had SUCH a crappy week. She is trying to find the elixir recipe, so she can keep herself from completely turning to a wulkin (a werewolf) and be forever attached to her pack and be together forever with her human boyfriend. However, at the same time that said love of hers is really feeling like she is hiding something and is being distant from him, so he's on her case trying to pry out her secret. AT THE SAME time there is a rogue wolf killing/eating people Daci knows which is making her look suspicious. AND at the same time her alpha is being anti-helpful with this rogue wolf, so she teams up with an ex flame from the pack to hunt it down. UGH! Poor chit! I would just take Connell and run. hahaha. 

Poor Connell. I totally get why he was angry and hurt...I would be too...but MAN! I wanted to choke him and shake some sense in his head, but he didn't have the information I had on what she was trying to do so they can together for ever. UGH! I wish Daci would've let the secret slip, so his mind would be at some sort of peace (he would totally freak, so is his mind really at peace? haha)

Yes, this is a romance, but there is so much more at play (in which you can tell), so it made much better in my opinion. It felt real and I had no idea whether or not Connell and Daci will be together forever. It's a tough, tough road and there is so much at play. I loved it! It really had me on the edge of my seat since page one. Yes, I did get ansy, because I needed to know how everything was going to play out. There was one point where the action and drama seemed to drag on and on, but the author threw in a nice scene that gave me a breather before the next storm of action and drama took place. Like the calm before the last battle in a sense. It seemed impossible for a good ending!

WHICH...speaking of ending...kuddos TF Walsh! It certainly was a twist I did NOT see coming! I literally had to re-read a section to make sure my eyes told me right. I simply loved the ending. It left me wanting more, but it was not cliff-hanger-ish. I just really want to read more about the characters and that world in general. Especially the rest of the pack. What journey do they have next? Will they find love? Especially Daci's ex. He was alright and I felt bad because he really did care for Daci. They were suppose to be "mates", but then Daci wanted to be human and be with Connell. 

In the end, this was such an amazing ride! I was giving up on PNR, but this one certainly resparked my love for the genre. It was a romance, there was so much more at play here. Murder mystery, action, drama, and just felt like "reality" (BC it is a fantasy, so reality for a fantasy) and I wasn't sure IF Daci and Connell would get there HEA. There was one point where it started to drag from too much action and drama, but TF Walsh threw in a nice scene and it calmed down for a moment before more action and drama kicked in for the last time. I totally recommend this to PNR and action lovers, also I totally recommend it for those that need a good PNR to get back into the genre. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Daci & Connell (even tho he drove me crazy, but he had no idea what was happening, so you can't blame the guy)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): The pack leader (*shakes head* Dumb, dumb)

Book Review: Dracula

Author:  Bram Stoker
Title: Dracula
Genre: Gothic, Fiction, Classic, Horror, Fantasy 
Pages: e-book & regular book, 492
First Published: 1897
Where I Got It: Borrowed it from library and bought my own ebook from Amazon


"The aristocratic vampire that haunts the Transylvanian countryside has captivated readers' imaginations since it was first published in 1897. Hindle asserts that Dracula depicts an embattled man's struggle to recover his 'deepest sense of himself as a man', making it the 'ultimate terror myth'."


The summary I just shared is a horrible summary of the book. It doesn't capture the whole picture of the novel. 


Anyways, this novel took me FOREVER to read! I started last year when I checked it out of the library. I got about halfway through when it was due back. There were about ten people in line to borrow that book, so I couldn't re-check it out. I waited and waited and then gave up for a while. I finally decided to just get my own copy when I got my kindle fire. A year late, but better late then never, eh?


I'm glad I decided to finish this. I really wanted to know how it would end and how everything tied up in the end. The ending was everything I hoped it would be. Bram Stoker did a wonderful job giving a satisfying and complete ending. If he ended it with a 'open-ending' and leaving it up to the readers imagination, I would have freaked out. However, he didn't and I'm happy.


It's a slow read, at least for me it was. There were a lot of slow spots and it seemed to drag on and on. I wasn't a huge fan on how Bram Stoker wrote the novel. He wanted it to look like Van Helsing and the group took clippings from everyone's diaries and put them in one big book. I feel like it took away from the story...I don't mind the different POV points, but the diary entries didn't do for me. Perhaps I'm spoiled because I seen the movie a while back and that was pretty good. I don't know; all I do know is that I'm not a fan on how this written. 


Besides for the slowness of the book and the way Bram Stoker wrote it, I liked it. I loved all the symbolisms, the characters, the characters' developments, and just the general story itself. This was a pretty creepy book and I adored the creepiness! I think I needed a good creepy book to get me out of my reading funk. Okay. I will say it...DON'T READ THIS RIGHT BEFORE BED! When your sleeping, your brain likes to process information and if Dracula was the last thing you were thinking about you WILL have odd and slightly creepy dreams. Just saying.


All-in-all, I liked this creepy novel. It may have been slow and style of which it was put together annoyed me, I found it a refreshing read. It was creepy, but in a good way. I would recommend this to the readers who love classic and/or gothic novels. This was most defiantly better than Frankenstein; story-wise and creep-level-wise (not overall creepy, but creepy enough to be interesting). I would also love for Twilight over-fans to read this. ^.^ Out of fives, I have no choice but to give this 3 stars. I'm sorry Bram Stoker! I just hated the slowness and the diary entries!


Favorite Character(s): Mina and Mr. Seward 
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Van Helsing (I mostly skimmed his overly long monologues. GAH) and the three vampire women (gag me with a spoon)

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<3CaroleRae