Book Review: Madam Tulip by David Ahern

Author: David Ahern
Title: Madam Tulip (Madam Tulip #1)
Genre: Mystery & Fiction
Pages: ebook
First Published: April 3rd 2016
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest opinion)

Out-of-work actress Derry O'Donnell is talented, professional, just a little psychic... and broke. Spurred on by an ultimatum from her awesomely high-achieving mother, Derry embarks on a part-time career as Madame Tulip, fortune teller to the rich and famous. But at her first fortune-telling gig - a celebrity charity weekend in a luxurious castle - a famous rap artist mysteriously dies.

As Derry is drawn deeper into a seedy world of fashion, millionaires, horses and cocaine, she must race to save her best friend from jail and a supermodel from being murdered. Her efforts threaten to destroy her friends, her ex-lover, her father and herself.


Ahhhh what a lot of fun that was! 

I simply adored Derry and her little trope. Her parents though were something special. She didn't stand much of a chance honestly. ;D But yes, Derry is a delight. 

Derry is an out-of-work actress who has a little bit of psychic ability. She decides the mix the two together that produces Madam Tulip. She quickly lands a gig, buuutttttt it will not be easy. She is thrown into the dark world of the rich and powerful that will take her on a crazy adventure. 

Did I mention how much I like Derry? I think I might've. But I also loved her friends especially Bruce. He was a cutie. They were all a hoot. They had me laughing! 

I think my only issue was how downplayed her powers were. There was a lot going on mystery-wise and drama-wise, and not a lot of her powers. Maybe there will be more in the next book? I hope so! I want to learn more about her abilities and maybe she'll get better in the next one. Her abilities are limited and not always clear until it really happens. Maybe she'll get less vague or more direct with her visions. We shall see. 

I am curious to see what is going to happen between her and her lover in the next book. He seems interesting but he wasn't a big part of this, which I am glad that the romance wasn't the main part of the story. Honestly, I hope he doesn't play huge roles in the future books either. Part of the charm is that even with the craziness and psychic abilities, it seemed very realistic.

This was a fun story and a fun set of characters. Certainly a good intro to the series! I am curious to see what is next for Derry/Tulip and her troupe. I do recommend this. It was light and fun. I do think there should've been more emphasis on her abilities. Out of five stars, I'll give this 4. 

Movie Review: The Girl King (2015)

Film Title: The Girl King
Length: 1 hour and 46 mins
Released: 2015
Genre: Biography, Drama, Historical
Rating: Not Rated (I would rate this "R" personally)
Where I Got It: Watched on Netflix

SUMMARY:
THE GIRL KING paints a portrait of the brilliant, extravagant Kristina of Sweden, queen from age six, who fights the conservative forces that are against her ideas to modernize Sweden and who have no tolerance for her awakening sexuality.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:

This Queen is a rather interesting one. She was the only child of the king. When he died she took his place and was taught all the things she needed to be king. She learned all the right things, but she has a thirst for knowledge and science that goes against the religion she was raised with. She also falls in love with a woman, which goes against not only religion, societal norms, and what is best for the throne (you can't produce an heir with someone of the same sex, so of course they are not a fan of her desire to be with a woman). 

This movie had an overall good cast. I liked the girl who played the main character, but her voice bugged me. There was just something about it that irked me. However, her acting was really good. She really did a good job displaying the torn attitude of the Queen. She was torn in taking the easy path to continue with the old and with wanting to change her country and make them better and educated. It's a tough, tough thing for sure. The lover was a little bland and seemed confused and simple-minded. Maybe that is what they were aiming for? If so...she did well. 

The movie didn't get really good until near the end. The beginning and middle were slow and eh. Some good parts, but very slow. The ending had me on the edge of my seat. I knew what was going to happen (since I know my history), but I was still on the edge of my seat. 

I really wished that the movie would have covered her time in Rome. That is the least told part of her story and I would've liked that more I think. 

I can't imagine giving away all that power, so that took a lot of strength (not a spoiler ;D). She was for sure a woman ahead of her times. I think it is crazy that she gave up all that power. Imagine all the good she could've done! Maybe it needed to be done in small batches. However, she wanted away from that country religion, so she got away. She wasn't a patient woman even wit all her smarts. But yes, that part of her life I would like to understand more. Maybe there is a movie somewhere about that part of her life? Curious. 

Overall, it was okay. Nothing great. The acting was good, I must admit, but the script needed some work. I personally think they should've focused more time on her life at the end of reign and her time in Rome. I do recommend it because she was an interesting queen to learn about. I'll give this 2 stars.  

Re-watch?: Eh, once was enough. 

Book Review: The Cove by Ron Rash

Author: Ron Rash
Title: The Cove
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 255
First Published: February 22nd 2012
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Given to me by my friend Reece)

Deep in the rugged Appalachians of North Carolina lies the cove, a dark, forbidding place where spirits and fetches wander, and even the light fears to travel. Or so the townsfolk of Mars Hill believe–just as they know that Laurel Shelton, the lonely young woman who lives within its shadows, is a witch. Alone except for her brother, Hank, newly returned from the trenches of France, she aches for her life to begin.

Then it happens–a stranger appears, carrying nothing but a beautiful silver flute and a note explaining that his name is Walter, he is mute, and is bound for New York. Laurel finds him in the woods, nearly stung to death by yellow jackets, and nurses him back to health. As the days pass, Walter slips easily into life in the cove and into Laurel's heart, bringing her the only real happiness she has ever known.

But Walter harbors a secret that could destroy everything–and danger is closer than they know. Though the war in Europe is near its end, patriotic fervor flourishes thanks to the likes of Chauncey Feith, an ambitious young army recruiter who stokes fear and outrage throughout the county. In a time of uncertainty, when fear and ignorance reign, Laurel and Walter will discover that love may not be enough to protect them.


What? What in the heck happened? WHAT IS WITH THAT ENDING!? YOU CANNOT POSSIBLY LEAVE IT LIKE THIS!!!!!!!! Ugh! When I finished the book, I gently set down the book and stared silently at it trying to wrap my mind around it. Gah. Okay....let's backtrack.

Laurel and Frank are the only members left of their family living. The town thinks they are weird because they live by the cursed cove. They also think Laurel is a witch because of her birthmark. Well, Hank decides to go to war and bring honor to his family. He comes back missing an arm and the town suddenly are all up his butt with praise and respect. However, they still consider Laurel a witch and a freak. Poor girl. :/

One day Hank and Laurel find a guy named Walter almost dead from being stung by a whole swarm of yellow jackets. First, OUCHIE! Second, how did he live from that? After saving his life, Walter decides to stay and help around the farm even though he's a mute. 

At the same time, Chauncey Feith is being a weasel in town who helps recruiter for the army. He is a top propaganda guy too who is good at spreading his hatred for Germans. Pouty baby, because he never got a medal. I wanted to kick him in his stupid face. 

There were a lot of slow moments throughout the book. I felt like I was on a roller coaster. The first couple of chapter were addicting. Then boring for a couple of chapters. Something happens, like them finding and saving poor mute Walter. Then farm work, boring. One big secret comes! Anddddd boring again until near the end. The flow was really lacking for me. 

I anticipated the big ol' secret that Walter has, but I was hoping for it in a different way. Hard to explain without actually saying what it is.

Now...that ending was something else. Sure it was certainly a twist even though (thinking back) there were HUGE foreshadows in the beginning. I was upset about how it was left off. Ugh. Good, but gah. I for sure have a love-hate relationship with it. 

In the end, this was a pretty good book. The characters were interesting. There were some issues with the pacing and flow of the story. The good parts were super good. The slow parts were boring. The ending? Liked the twist, but it made me sad. I recommend it...it was certainly a good story. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 3. 

Carole and Blodeuedd's Best Book of the Month: January 2017

Hi All! Happy Feb! 

This is just a fun little meme that Blodeuedd and I are going to try  and do once a month. Give a little shout-out and "badge" of honor to our favorite book of the month! 

For January, I have decided to give the trophy to.........Eidolon by Grace Draven. 

"I picked this as the book of the month because I could hardly put this down. I enjoyed the first of the series, but this was even better. There was so much going on. So much drama and it really made me feel and think. This is an interesting world and interesting character. I can't wait for more. That is why I picked this for book of the month."

Now, Blodeuedd picked..........................Nothing to Envy  by Barbara Demick.

"I cannot say I had a best book for January. They were all kind of the same. Good, but nothing that was totally amazing. Instead, I will go for the most interesting book, which of course was Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick. It had me thinking, and it sure made me NOT want to live in North Korea. So that is my pick for January."

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What was your favorite book of the month? Please share below!