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. 

  

Movie Review: PS I Love You (2007)

Film Title: P.S. I Love You

Length:   1h 15min
Released:    21 December 2007
Genre:     Comedy, Drama, Romance 
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Netflix

SUMMARY:
A young widow discovers that her late husband has left her 10 messages intended to help ease her pain and start a new life.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:

I needed this movie in a million ways. It's been a rough few months for me and Netflix read my soul. It has been 10 years or so since I watched this. I loved it then and I love it equally now. 

The film follows Holly who is a new widow. Her husband died young and now she is left alone. She has her friends and family...but it is not the same. And then one day she is given a cake, a voice recording, and a letter from her dead husband telling her he is going to help her on the journey of her new life without him. He's written her a few letters to give to her at certain points on her healing and her journey. 

GET THE TISSUE READY! *blows nose* This made me sob 10 years ago and it made me sob now. It has happy tears and sad tears. So many feels in this film. And it is funny. Not bust out a lung laughing...but lots of chuckles. 

Now...I will get this out of the way. I do not care for Hilary Swank. I don't. However, I adored her in this. Her performance is amazing and I connect with this character on so many notes. I'm not sure what I would do if BF died so young. Ugh. My heart. 

I loved the entire cast. I'm not a fan of Daniel though. I get why his character was added and yadda yadda yadda, but he annoys me SO much. Useless especially with that hottie in Ireland. ;) I might be biased since he played in Supernatural. But what is a little bias? 

Grief is a funny thing and it is not an easy journey. And this film really shows the ups and downs. It had its cheesy moments but it never felt fake or unreal. I think what I truly love about this film is that everyone who has had a big loss can relate to this film. Be it a spouse, child, friend, family member, etc. 

The ending made me cry but in a happy way. I do want more. I don't want to ask for a sequel because I know it will be crapy. But I do wish that they would've given more of a closure for Holly. She didn't complete her list of things that Gerry wanted her to do. There is one last item and I want to see that completed. Sobs. 

Overall, this is a great movie that makes you feel feelings. I'm so glad it came back to my life when I needed it. Thank you, Netflix! I am going to watch it again I think. Get it all out of my system before Netflix takes it away. I'm gonna give this 5 stars. How can I give it anything else??

Book Review: The Poet by Stephanie Jo Harris

Author: Stephanie Jo Harris
Title: The Poet (The Poet Series)
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Romance, Fiction
Pages: ebook
Published:   October 26th 2018
Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)



When Rebecca Paige decides to vacation alone at an established resort in the woods, it's a welcome break from her position as the administrator of a psychiatric hospital. Little does she know, the Poet is also visiting this peaceful hideaway, and his motivation is far more sinister. 

On the last day of her trip, Rebecca has an unusual encounter with Jack Shelley, the man in the cabin next door. After he leaves, men with guns suddenly descend on the resort and take Rebecca and the other guests hostage. Rebecca is accustomed to dangerous situations at work, but can that help her escape multiple-armed assailants? 

Who are these men? What do they want? How are they connected to the man next door? 

Who is the Poet?

That cover, title, and summary caught my eye right away. Intriguing. 

The story follows Rebecca who is going away on holiday. Had a nasty break up with a jerk and is super ready to get away from it all. Can't blame a girl. There she meets Jack who is strange but alluring. Well...that trip turns into a living nightmare. Men take all the vacationers hostage including her. But where is Jack? Jack is missing from the hostages. Who can save them? Who are these men? What do they want?

I was drawn in from page one. It was a quick read, but an intriguing read. I had to know what was going to happen next.

Ugh poor Rebecca...she just wanted to get away from it all and relax....but no. Ugh men. 

Jack was interesting. And really interesting when we find out there is more to him. 

I wasn't aware of the romance aspect that was going to pop up. I was worried at first, but it didn't bug me. I actually enjoyed it. Not sure if I would follow through if it were me...

There was this random, but not random POV. I quickly read through it and didn't care much for it. It does help the story-ish, but not really. Meh. I want to read more about Rebecca and Jack. Don't care about the others. Heck, I didn't even care much about the other hostages. Yes, I'm cold-hearted I guess ;)

The ending took me by surprise. But at the same time didn't. They had a connection. I hope there is a book 2. I want to see more of their adventures. There is more story and more to learn about them. Maybe I'll care more about that random POV. We'll see. 

What to say without giving away spoilers?

It was pretty dark and descriptive in parts, but it worked and it didn't bug me too much. I just feel for Rebecca. Poor girl. Sadly, I bet there is going to be some more dark times in the future if she stays on the path she is staying. 

Overall, this was a quick read and it was captivating. I was invested and I want more. Screw the other POVs and other people. More Jack and Rebecca, please. I'll give this 4 stars. 

  

Best of July 2019

Happy August! I cannot believe summer is nearly done D:  Blodeuedd will be joining us again this month!

Here are our favorites for July. 

Best Movie of the Month:

First Blodeuedd's pick..........Shazam! (2019)

"Best Movie. Shazam, slow start, but then it turned funny :)" 

Nothing for Carole this Month

"Didn't watch a lot of movies. The couple I did watch sucked. Booo"

Best  Audiobook of the month:

First, Carole's pick..........Hope Flames by Jaci Burton

"I had two realllllllyyyy good audios this month. However, I will have to say this was the best by a hair. Mainly because of the pups in it!"

Next is Blodeuedd's pick...............Written in Red by Anne Bishop

"Best book obviously goes to Written in red! And I shall convert Carole to a believer!"

Best Paper/Ebook of the month:

 First is Blodeuedd's pick............The Grey Bastards by Jonathan French

"Ok best book, The Grey Bastards, dark, edgy and damn good!"

Next, Carole picks........The Book of Lost Souls by Michelle Scott

"I'll have to say this one. It was fun and refreshing for the genre! I enjoyed it and read it pretty quickly."

Best Cover of the Month:

 Carole's is the on the left and Blodeuedd's in on the right

So flipping cool!

Best cover. That is one hot orc!