Book Review: The King's Witch by Tracy Borman

Author: Tracy Borman
Title: The King's Witch (Frances Gorges Trilogy #1)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: ebook
Expected publication: July 3rd, 2018
Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)



In March of 1603, as she helps to nurse the dying Queen Elizabeth of England, Frances Gorges dreams of her parents’ country estate, where she has learned to use flowers and herbs to become a much-loved healer. She is happy to stay at home when King James of Scotland succeeds to the throne. His court may be shockingly decadent, but his intolerant Puritanism sees witchcraft in many of the old customs—punishable by death.

But when her ambitious uncle forcibly brings Frances to the royal palace, she is a ready target for the twisted scheming of the Privy Seal, Lord Cecil. As a dark campaign to destroy both King and Parliament gathers pace, culminating in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, Frances is surrounded by danger, finding happiness only with the King’s precocious young daughter, and with Tom Wintour, the one courtier she feels she can trust. But is he all that he seems?

Honestly...when was the last time I read a book about the Gunpowder Plot or any book right after Queen Elizabeth I's death? *thinks* Been a LONG time indeed. 

The story follows Frances who helped nurse the old queen in her older years. She was encouraged to become a medicine woman with her flowers and herbs. Things changed when the queen died and James took the throne next. Night and day indeed. Things happen and she is twisted in danger of being called a witch and treason. 

Darn that uncle of Frances'! She just wanted to be at peace with her flowers and herbs. He drags her to court where she knows bad things can happen ESPECIALLY with a crazy man like King James. All Elizabeth did and promoted blown to smithereens by this crazy man and Cecil. Gah. 

This was good. I had no idea what was going to happen. I know my history and the basics of the Gunpowder Plot, but I was worried for Frances. I just wanted her to be happy and safe. I did root for the plot to succeed especially seeing what that lunatic was doing. I really wanted Queen Anne and the princess to take over. He was not sane and neither was his eldest son. 

This is part of a series...I wonder what poor Frances will have to go through next. I'm not sure where else this story can through. 

Now, there were some parts that dragged on. I held firm and then I was hooked again to the story. There were some bits that I felt were fillers. Overall though? I was hooked.

In the end, this was pretty good. I liked Frances and I worried about her. This was a dangerous time for everyone. No one was safe. Why couldn't Elizabeth had been immortal or picked someone better to succeed her???? Sighs. 

But yes...worth the read. I enjoyed this. Good characters, good story (minus the fillers), and an interesting time period. I'll give this.....mmmm....3 stars. 

Movie Review: Mallrats (1995)

Film Title: Mallrats

Length: 1h and 34 min 
Released: 1995
Genre:  Comedy, Romance
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Friends copy


SUMMARY:
Both dumped by their girlfriends, two best friends seek refuge in the local mall.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:
First time I have ever watched this film from beginning to end. All my life I have only watched clips and scenes here and there. I am so happy my friend decided it was time for all of us to watch it. We even got to watch the uncut version. Fun!

Oooooooo the youth. I miss when malls were hip to just hang around in. I remember chilling at the mall for hours with my friends. 

These boys were such idiots. Lovable, but idiots indeed. I want to kick them. Their gfs dumped them for good reasons. Granted the one doing the dating show needed a slap in the head. DUH, he is going to be jealous! Ugh! Young kids!

But this was sooooooooooooooo funny!! Made me miss the 90s. 

For sure a classic! The humor and romance can still relate today still. 

A fun film to watch with your friends. Cheesy but funny. A good one. The plot isn't super complicated. I'll give this 4 stars.

Short Story Review: The Statement of Randolph Carter by HP Lovecraft

Author: HP Lovecraft
Title: The Statement of Randolph Carter 
Genre: Horror, Fiction, Short Story
Pages: 10
Published: 1920
Where I Got It: My shelf (Gift)



It tells of a traumatic event in the life of Randolph Carter, a student of the occult loosely representing Lovecraft himself. It is the first story in which Carter appears and is part of Lovecraft's Dream Cycle






This is technically book 1 of the "series". I read book 2 a while back. Had no idea there was some sort of order, because there really isn't an order, but there is all at the same time. Confusing? Yes. But you can read any of the shorts that belong to this "series". They tie in, but then they don't all at the same time. Fun stuff this Lovecraft fellow. 

Poor Randolph. Poor Harley. But you know what? Don't be poking your nose into places that you don't belong. There were signs. There were warnings. But do humans listen? Nope. 

This was quick and it ended quickly. I really do want more. I wish there had been to this. A page or two more would have been better. 

A quick read that did make me scared. Ugh poor Harley the things he had to see. Luckily Randolph got away with his life and part of his sanity. 

In the end, if you even remotely like horror or thrillers you must read Lovecraft and some of his stuff! This would be a good introduction for sure. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Midyear Update - Favorite Reads, Goal Progress etc.

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

Midyear Update - Favorite Reads, Goal Progress etc. 

Halfway done already? Where is time going????????

Here are my goals that I listed earlier in the year for TMST - 

"READING GOALS: I know for sure I want to read 108 books this year. Don’t judge me on my odd number of books ;). My secret goal is for 110 books, but I don’t have faith in myself. I start the challenge SO strong, but I fall apart during the summer. Luckily I won’t have school or moving to hinder me. Hopefully this will be the first year where I literally have NO excuses to slack in my reading or posting on my blog. Which brings me to my next goal.

BLOG GOALS: I plan to try and post more frequently this year! Usually I would go through posting a lot to posting once a week. The goal for this year is to have a post at least 6 days out of the 7 days of the week. One day during the week I may take a breather and not post anything. Ideally I would like a daily post of my randomness…but let’s take some baby steps. Maybe 2019 we can up the goal!

MOVIE GOALS: I want to at least watch one movie a week and have a review for it. Last year I went through bursts. Watching a lot…then nothing for days. One movie a week is my goal! If I can get two I would take a shot of whiskey in celebration. 

AUDIOBOOK GOALS: Here is a rough one I have always struggled with. This year I want to listen to at least 2 audiobooks. So far I have already listened to one. This is a very doable goal for some, but for me? I struggle. I have a hard time finding audios and if the narrator is boring I for sure skip it and read the book myself. So we shall! I would faint if I listen to more than 2 this year!! Again..baby steps. Maybe 2019 I can push that number up a hair. We shall see. 

PERSONAL LIFE GOALS: I would like to say I want to lose more weight. But the number doesn’t bug me anymore. I just want to be healthier. Now that we have our own house, we are making our own little gym in the tool shed. So far we have weights, weighted-jump rope, and a punching bag. I’m currently saving money for an elliptical for me. My goal for this year is to work out at least 2 times a week. I don’t see this happening until I get my elliptical, so I will be nice to myself until I get that. For now, I’ll just walk and maybe punch on the punching bag and do a couple of weights here and there."

First...reading goals: I have done well this year. Currently, I am four books ahead of my goal. Huzzah!!!!!

Second....blog goals: Doing pretty good with my posts. There are a couple of weeks here and there I miss the goal of posting 6 days. But there have been weeks when I post all 7 days. It evens out I think ;)

Third....movie goals: Doing pretty good here too. I go in batches...I watch a ton of movies and then nothing, but I have a back-up of reviews to give. I think there was one or two weeks when I had nothing to give. LOL

Fourth...audiobook goals: I have outdone myself. I wanted to listen to only 2 books this year. Errr! I have listened to WAY more than 2 books. I am not even sure the number. Minimum one a month. 

Lastly....personal life goals: I've lost 9 lbs thanks to the KETO diet. It took 2 months...but I did it. I've drifted away from KETO but have maintained the weight loss from it. I would like to go back on it maybe...but I'm not sure it works well for my body. I was supposed to lose more than that. NOT complaining at all for sure. I have been doing okay with my working out. No elliptical yet...but I have been doing SOMETHING every day to stay active and make-up for my sitting job. I need to do more though. 

Painted thia at Painting with a Twist. Yesss that quote is from 'Beauty and the Beast'.