B's Monday Review: From This Day Forward by Lauren Layne

Up-and-coming wedding photographer Leah McHale’s career is on the rise–thanks in no small part to the Wedding Belles, the elite New York wedding planning agency that always throws top-tier business Leah’s way. So when one of the Belles asks Leah to fill in at the former First Daughter's wedding, Leah is overjoyed to say yes–until she finds out who she’ll be working with.

Jason Rhodes is the one man who was able to capture Leah’s heart and, once he had it, promptly stepped all over it and left her broken. Now he’s working side-by-side with her at the biggest wedding of the season and Leah is determined to give him the cold shoulder. Despite his persistence, she is not going to fall for his charming, impish ways again. Not even if he still has that killer, irresistible smile... 

My thoughts:

Leah and Jason fell in love, broke up and avoided each other. Oh silly idiots. First, fine I got her, him, nope, just talk to each other idiots!

They are wedding photographers and since this is a novella you do realise it will take place over a weekend mostly, and that they will get their act together.

And then they will live happily ever after.

Short and sweet

Cover
ok

ebook, 100 pages
Published June 6th 2016 by Pocket Star
The Wedding Belles 0.5
Contemporary romance
XoXo after dark free read

Book Review: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Title: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Genre: Science Fiction, Classic, Horror, and fantasy
Pages: 144
First Published: January 5th 1886
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Been on my shelf so long - its collected dust...I can't remember)

In this harrowing tale of good and evil, the mild-mannered Dr. Jekyll develops a potion that unleashes his secret, inner persona—the loathsome, twisted Mr. Hyde.

My second run with this book. It was decent last time, but I was a wee thing then, so I thought to give this another shot. 

Oooooh Jekyll and Hyde. Such a classic story and very dark. I love the symbolism that this horror shows. Everyone has the capability of evil and goodness. Generally, people believe it is up to the person on what they want to display and do. But is it? Do people really have a choice? Or are some people prone to evil, while others prone to goodness? Jekyll was a good man, but was he really? HE was the one who wanted to dabble in potion-making and continued to do so even after he knew what had happened. Was a part of him more evil than good? Or was he so intrigued by his creation, that he couldn't help it? Sometimes the want of knowledge can lead down to dark and evil paths. Should we leave well-enough alone? Or should we risk evil arising? 

There is so much going on and so much to discuss with such a simplistic story. That is why the classics have and will remain classic. They are stories that will live on even beyond us, because they touch a part of us and make us think and think and think. There will never be any answers since the author is gone and buried. 

Now - let's look at the story as it is.....

This was very simplistically written with a complex story. I really wanted more out of this. I wanted more story and to understand both Jekyll and Hyde. I feel that I didn't get the full creepiness and horror-feeling that I have with some of his past stories. Sure, it did have soooommmme creepiness and horror, but I felt that he went light with this dark story. There was so much more he could've done. 

The characters were interesting, but everyone NOT Jekyll and Hyde were very 2D and just there as a prop. Jekyll and Hyde were the stars and the author wanted you to know that. Those two have enough dimensions for fifty people (okay, okay, over-the-top BUT still). 

The end made me clap. Very good. I will not spoil anything. 

I do recommend reading this, because 1) it is a classic horror story 2) This is the TRUE story of Jekyll and Hyde (and it has many differences than all the variations and adaptations - so be true and read this) 3) It's a quick read for the Halloween season and finally 4) Makes you think. Was this book of the year? No, but it is a must read and I would read it again. I shall stamp this with 3 stars. 

Looks like its just the "4" star not working. SIGHHHHHSSSSSS

Book Review: My Grandfather's Pants by Tegan Maus

Author: Tegon Maus
Title: My Grandfather's Pants
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Pages: ebook
First Published: Janurary 2014
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Jack Laskin is an ordinary man. More than ordinary according to some. Running the family hardware store and a life that would bore a snail, nothing exciting ever seems to happen to him.

Then, at his mother’s urging, he tries on a pair of his late grandfather's old pants and everything changes -- most importantly his emerging love life. It's not long before his mother and her meddling friends get involved.

When an old friend of his grandfather’s tells Jack he has something she wants, his new-found life takes another turn. Having no idea what he is supposed to have, Jack looks to his girlfriend, Connie, and her brother, Robert, for help.

In the end, the answers will all be found in his Grandfather’s Pants.

What a strange, strange book. This was for sure a unique story and premise. Everything revolves around a hand-me-down pair of pants. The pants belonged to Jack's grandpa originally and then give to Jack's dad and then finally to Jack. These are not any pair of pants...they are...special. 

I felt really bad for Jack, because he just wanted a normal life with his girly. But things are not normal when you are given magical/special pants. Bad things are bound to come your way. 

I was shocked the entire time and also laughing my booty off. The antics of that family let me tell ya! It was super strange, like I mentioned, but in a good way. I had no idea what was going to happen next. 

There were so many awkward parts as well, but they were so funny as well. I couldn't imagine dealing with this. 

I do find it ironic that I read this after listening to the radio and they mentioned that it is becoming more and more common in this generation to have a polygamist relationships and whatnot. So I find it funny that this subject came up in this book. IDK how I feel about it personally....I can see the thrill behind it, but....it would be SO awkward!!! 

The only thing I was meh about was the ending. It was so quick. The story just ended. Sure all the ends were tied and the ending was funny, but things wrapped up in a matter of a couple of pages. It took me by surprise that it was over! 

In the end, this was funny as hell! Lots of awkward parts like the polygamist parts. STRANGE! The ending was too quick and out-of-the-blue, but the last bit was great and I totally saw it coming eventually. Maybe there will be some sort sequel *fingers crossed* Out of five stars, I'll give this 4



(my stars are not working >_< GAH!)

B's Monday Review: Carniepunk - The Three Lives of Lydia by Delilah S Dawson

The question isn’t whether Charlie Dregs has met Lydia, a Sang riff on Lydia the Tattooed Lady, but rather whether the woman has even met herself. Enter the mysterious steampunk world of Sang, and prepare to be amazed. 

My thoughts:

This was a strange short story that packed a twist. A dark one, or not.

Lydia wakes up in a strange world. A carnival where there are vampires and others. And they say she is a stranger from another world. She meets someone and she sort of finds herself too.

Short and good.

Kindle Edition, 39 pages
Published December 15th 2014 by Pocket Star
Blud 0.5
Paranormal fantasy
XoXo after dark free