Book Review: Hounded by Kevin Hearne

Author: Kevin Hearne

Title: Hounded

Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles #1

Genre: Fantasy, UF, Paranormal

Format: ebook

Pages: 303

Published: May 3, 2011

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona, running an occult bookshop and shape-shifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound. His neighbors and customers think that this handsome, tattooed Irish dude is about twenty-one years old—when in actuality, he’s twenty-one centuries old. Not to mention: He draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit, and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer.

Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants that sword, and he’s hounded Atticus for centuries. Now the determined deity has tracked him down, and Atticus will need all his power—plus the help of a seductive goddess of death, his vampire and werewolf team of attorneys, a bartender possessed by a Hindu witch, and some good old-fashioned luck of the Irish—to kick some Celtic arse and deliver himself from evil.

Review:

This was picked for book club but I have been curious about this for a while. I never picked it up for whatever reason. 

Here we have Atticus and his Irish wolfhound sidekick. Atticus has been living peacefully in Arizona and running his bookshop. He may look like a 21 year old tattooed Irish fella, but he's actually 21 centuries old and a Druid. He's been hounded by a very angry Celtic god that wants Atticus' sword for centuries. The god is tired and ready to end it and take what he wants. The only way Atticus can win is using all his power and use the help of his dog, a goddess of death, his vampire and werewolf lawyers, a bartended possessed by a Hindu witchy, and some luck. 

The first 1/3 of the book had me yawning and ready to be done. Not sure why, but I really struggled to get through it. However, it did get better for me and I enjoyed the rest of the story!

Atticus is sort of a dick and bleh. I get he is supposed to be acting like a 21 year old, but grow up man. 

The battle was a little easy but it was fun. 

The ending was nice but a little creepy that he got his dog a harem essentially. Ew. 

I loved the bartender! 

But I did have fun with all the different lore mixing. Different gods and stories and cultures. It was a lovely blend. I am curious about checking out book 2. Hopefully it'll make me fall in love. Some of these UFs take a couple of books from my experience. 

All-in-all, I did like this. Some issues but I am willing to check out book 2. Some fun bits and a very cool world that this author crafted. In the end, I think I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Cool

Audiobook Review: Bayou Sweetheart by Lexi Blake

Author: Lexi Blake

Narrator: Jessica Almasy

Title: Bayou Sweetheart

Series: Butterfly Bayou #5

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published: July 26, 2022

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

After leaving the military, Major Blanchard moved to Papillon, Louisiana, to be with his aging father, where he's taken a deputy position with the sheriff’s department. Now that he’s settling into life on the bayou, he’s trying out the dating scene. Every single woman in town seems to be pining after the handsome newcomer. But so far, nothing’s worked out, and he’s had some spectacularly bad dates. Major’s getting ready to give up on love when a new lady roars into town to film a movie and turns his world upside down.

Actress Brynn Pearson is trying to make a successful transition from child star to leading lady. Now that she’s landed her first lead in a major film, nothing can stop her. She's committed to focusing solely on her work, so romance is the last thing she needs—too bad she can’t get her mind off the dreamy deputy she keeps running into. He’s gorgeous, and something about him makes her feel safe. As Brynn’s feelings for Major deepen, she starts to wonder if maybe there’s more to life than her career.

When a family crisis throws Major’s life into a tailspin, he turns to Brynn for support, and hopes their budding relationship will shine brighter than Hollywood lights.

Review:

Yayyy! Back to Papillon! I love this town. I love these people. 

Here we have the sheriff and the actress. They find love but is it really meant to be? Major (yes that is his first name) returned home to take care of his aging father and he accepted the deputy position. He's dabbled in the dating scene but no one seems to stick. He's about to give up on love when Brynn comes to town in her first lead in a major film. She is trying to transition from a child star to a leading lady. Romance is the last thing she wants but she can't get her mind off of Major after she saves him. 

Major and Brynn are sooo sooo sweet. I loved, loved, LOVED their meet-cute. Adoraaaablllleeee.

But yesss, they both love their families so much. This made me so sad especially with Major's papa. Dementia/Alzheimer's is tragic. I felt so bad for Brynn especially when we learn the backstory of why/how she was put into the limelight as a kid. Like I get it, but man.....being a kid in that industry isn't great. 

Loved seeing old couples make appearances but I do think this would do okay as a standalone. You won't know the backstory but it does fine. The author gives you enough. 

There is a big fight between Brynn and Major but it made sense and it was resolved easily enough. I do wish we would've seen a touch more of their rekindling or more of the epilogue. Sure there is one more book so we might get to see these guys and the aftermath. We shall see. 

I did the narration this time around...but tbf....reading the text is just as enjoyable. The narrator is great. Her voices are perfect for everyone. 

All-in-all, I did really enjoy this. Loved our H/h and their meet-cute. This was funny and heartwarming and made me tear up. All the feels. The narrator was good. I do wish there was a touch more at the end. I'll give this 4 stars. 

 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Adorable 

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #38

- Library Love #21

- Romance Reading Challenge #22 (Small town)

Wordless (kinda) Wednesday

 

Movie Review: Mamma Mia (2008)

Title: Mamma Mia

Length: 1h 48m

Released: 2008

Genre:  Comedy, Musical, Romance
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Max

SUMMARY:

Donna, an independent hotelier, is preparing for her daughter's wedding with the help of two old friends. Meanwhile Sophie, the spirited bride, has a plan. She invites three men from her mother's past in hope of meeting her real father.

Trailer

REVIEW:

I have not seen this movie since 2008 when it first came out and I..............hated it. Oh boy. But I went to a Bachelorette party over the weekend and this was the movie the bride wanted to watch. SOOOOO 2nd chance? Sure. 

The majority of us have a vague idea of what this is about. But the story is about Donna and her daughter, Sophie. All Sophie's life she never knew who her father truly was. After finding her mom's diary she realizes there could be THREE men who could possibly be the dad. There is Sam who was the love of Donna's life but it ended bad. Or it could be Bill or Harry who were pretty much rebounds. The whole story is told through Abba songs.

This was a 2nd chance, in a way, for this movie. I watched this back when it was released in 2008 and I was a teen. I scoffed at it and didn't like it. I was a movie"snob" if you will. But I was obsessed with the Twilight films? Ahhhhh teenagers man. I was a little unsure of re-watching this, but I'm a sucker for musicals now...plus I do adore Abba. 

Okay....there are some weird story points here and it is all very, very, VERRRRYYYY cheesy. However......I did have fun with it. I could see myself re-watching this again if the crowd demands it. 

The music was fabulous. The dance numbers fun. The actors they have??? Mamma mia did they get a hell of a cast. 

The story had a lot of faults and the ending....talk about Hallmark-y. However, it was amusing. Unrealistic, but amusing nonetheless. 

OH! A scene worth mentioning that actually did tug at my heart strings was the one with Sam and Donna. That song always gets me, but Donna singing it to Sam? Uuuuuuuuuggggggghhhhh, please pass the tissue! It got me. Lovely. 

I am curious about the sequel, but I know what kind of happens there and so I'm unsure if I will. Maybe if the crowd demands it then sure I will. 

All-in-all, for all of the weird plot points, unrealistic moments, and cheesy-ness.....this is an experience. The music is wonderful (it's Abba dammit) and the cast is great. Is it the best film ever? Nah. But it is amusing. 3 stars from me. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Lively