Book Review: Roses in December by Matthew de Lacey Davidson

Author: Matthew de Lacey Davidson
Title: Roses in December
Genre: Fiction, Horror, Short Stories
Pages: 126
Published: Jan. 2018
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Roses in December is a short story collection which defies categorisation. Some of the stories are haunting – others are deeply troubling.

A man receives a religious vision in his ordinary back garden; a nuclear physicist in Australia experiences a great surprise where he least expects it; a duct-tape salesman unsettles his faithful customer; Voltaire does not put his best foot forward; someone makes a grim discovery upon waking up in a prison; a psychiatrist does his best to treat a political extremist; a nineteenth-century photographer goes about his usual (and highly unusual) business; and a wealthy neighbourhood in Montreal becomes the scene of an immense and avoidable tragedy.

In twenty-two short (and extremely short) stories and fables, Matthew de Lacey Davidson cuts close to the unintended poetry and grimness of every-day existence, while at the same time enabling the reader to have compassion for those described therein.

There are 22 short stories. Some were very short indeed. Here are my thoughts: 

Neshama
A cute short story. It was an interesting glimpse into this couple's world. I wish we got more so I could see more of them. 

Quite the Spectacle
A super quick on but pretty good. I had to reread this twice. 

The Road to Hell
That poor guy!! I liked this one but it was sad and I wanted to give someone a kick in the romp. 

There Are No Spirits Here
Amazing. Breathtaking. I had goosebumps. It made me really think. There was a lot of good symbolism for our lives and society. My 2nd favorite overall!

Demystification
This felt like there was supposed to be more. It just ended. More please!

A Complicated Gesture
Wow. That was good. I was in shock but honestly? It was a great metaphor and everyone should read it. I will not spoil it, but there is a lot to talk about here. This makes you think especially after reading a certain line. SO good and creepy at the same time. My overall favorite. 

Die Ausländerinnen
I truly did not see that coming. This started off barely okay but by the end? I was utterly hooked and in awe. 

A Glorious Debut
Had a hard time getting into this one. Maybe I try it again another time. 

Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother
Not a lot was said but you still feel unsettled and worried. Lots of secrets with that family! I liked it. This was subtle but filled with lots of things there and the reader is left to just imagine and the imagination is so cruel. 

Le Déjeuner de Voltaire
What an interesting piece. I totally did not expect anything that played out. The host was annoying but the ending made me happy but also...sad. Why? I wanted more!! I wanted to see what happened AFTER dinner. 

A Summer Harvest
The moment I read the title I KNEW this one was going to be super dark. And super dark it was. What a horrid world! That poor girl! I will say no more, but this was my 3rd favorite. 

Rose in December
Awweeee this one was sad. Really good and confusing until you realize they tragedy. It did make me shudder. 

The Brick Wall
This one really struck a cord. It really speaks volumes and it made me sad and mad all in one. Lots of feelings and lots to maul over. 

Saved By the Bell
The ending had me in shock. Just.....wow. I was unsure as the story went on but then what happened happened (or not happened) and it made everything come together. Very good. 

Splitting Hairs
Too short. I wanted to know if he was going to spill the beans or not!! Too much of a cliff-hanger for my liking. 

Reluctance... 
An interesting piece. It was dark in its own way but I did chuckle.

Give Yourself a Pat on the Back
Makes you think and feel but it was just okay. 

A Thousand Words
Not what I expected but it was pretty good. 

Drink Me
This was seriously haunting and in a way, I did not expect. Another good one that shines a little light on society. 

A Dream Come True
I read this one a couple of times. The beginning had me curious to see what was going to happen next. Yessss this sure does show how fickle fate is. Holy cannoli that ending!

Your Opinion Matters
Not my favorite, but not bad overall. An interesting story for sure, but I did feel like something was missing. Not sure what. 

Looking Down
What a good way to end this collection. This was very sweet and I liked it a lot. 

Overall
This author really, truly has a way with words and presenting a story. These were all really short stories and some of them deserve more! Lots of good ideas for some full-length novels. Overall, I really enjoyed this collection. A good read. I shall stamp this with *does math* I'll round up to 4 stars. 

Movie Review: Coffee Shop (2014)

Film Title: Coffee Shop

Length: 1 hr and 28 mins 
Released: 2014
Genre:  Comedy, Drama, Romance 
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Netflix


SUMMARY:
When a young coffee shop owner is threatened with repossession she must take a chance with life and love as she fights to save her business.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:
Sighs this started off so well....

Well...let us begin....

The movie is about  Donavan who is the owner of this coffee shop in her small town. She has had a bad luck in love and her shop is suffering financially as well. She keeps the financially part to herself to try and fix it. During this, her sister and brother-in-law decide to both try and help Donavan find love. 

Like I mentioned...this started off so cute and so well. The acting was SO cheesy, but I didn't mind it. It reminded me of those cheesy TV romantic movies. Mom and I loved watching those in my youth, so I was okay to look past it. 

A young, hot writer comes to town to try and get motivation for his next play. I loved the misunderstanding between him and Donavan. It made me laugh and it felt like something that would happen. They get everything straightened out and begin again as friends and maybe something more. 

Things happen and her ex flies in to help with her possibly losing her coffee shop. There seems to be a hint of a love triangle but that is quickly dashed. I am bummed...I wanted her to be with the ex especially after a certain event. 

Things fell apart, utterly, after she gives her ex the boot. HE WAS JUST TRYING TO HELP!!!!! And the very end. NO YOU DO NOT FORGIVE THAT JERK. I was so mad. I wanted Donavan to have enough self-respect to realize she deserves better. But no. I'm not spoiling anything, but she ends up with the writer, but he did not deserve her after what happened. 

This started off so well even with the cheesy acting but ended in a pile of flame. Nope. I did not like it. 

I'll stamp this with 2 stars. 1 star for the beginning. 

Best of July 2018

Happy July!! Here are our Best of's for JULY!

First, favorite movies:

For both of us, we had a bad movie month!

Next, Book favorites:

My choice is............The Romanov Empress by CW Gortner

"I had a couple of good ones this month. But this one was the best. The author really knows how to bring the past alive. Maria was an interesting character for sure!" 

Next, Blodeuedd's choice is..............Prayers for the Stolen by Jennifer Clement

"Best book Prayers for the Stolen by Jennifer Clement cos it makes you think and feel"

Lastly, best covers:

Here are our picks for best cover...........Blodeuedd's is on the left and mine is on the right

About the Authors

Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging a long while now. The last couple of years the epic duo have been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.

Book Review: The Duke Who Ravished Me by Diana Quincy

Author: Diana Quincy
Title: The Duke Who Ravished Me (Rebellious Brides #4)
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: ebook
Published: April 2018
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Won in a giveaway)

An impulsive kiss between a libertine duke and a mysterious governess sparks a blaze of desire—and intrigue—in this breathtaking Regency romance from the award-winning author of Spy Fall.

Adam Fairfax, the Duke of Sunderford, happily enjoys a different woman (or two) every night—or he did, until his wards landed on his doorstep. Ever since Sunny took in the seven-year-old twin girls and their prim and proper governess, Isabel Finch, his love life has been a shambles. But, as time goes by, Sunny catches himself getting lost in Isabel’s haughty blue eyes, or following the curves beneath her unbecoming dress. An unexpected kiss ignites a passion that shocks him into realizing how thin the line between love and hate can be.


If Isabel’s hidden past were revealed, she could lose everything. Oddly enough, only when “Sinful Sunny” is near does she feel safe—or safe enough to speak up in defense of the girls. The duke’s decadent lifestyle is a disgrace, and clearly he considers Isabel a nuisance. Still, she can’t help admiring his sculpted cheekbones, strong-cut jaw, and tousled chestnut hair. When their lips meet, it’s almost as if he could kiss the secrets right out of her. Worse, she’s tempted to let him. . . . 

Pooooo coming into the middle of a series. Lucky me, though, I was able to read this with no issues. There were some references and characters I did not get a chance to fully get and understand, but I was able to read this perfectly okay. 

The story follows Sunny who is a total rake. Everyone knows it and he is completely okay with everyone knowing it. Things happen and he is randomly given the guardianship of his two small cousins, Prudie and Patience. Along with the twins comes a she-dragon, Isabel, who is their governess. Having a family is nothing Sunny was prepared for. 

Isabel and Sunny are complete opposites. They first hate each other, but they fall into lust and then friendship and then love. I loved how it took a while for the two to really like each other. I'm glad they had a chance to be friends first and then lovers. It felt natural for these two characters who started off on the wrong foot. 

The girls were cute. I felt so bad for them. They have had nothing but ill luck. Their father died and the mother abandoned them. Their first guardian died and then the next guardian is dying. They really had a bad luck of things. I'm so glad they had Isabel and Sunny finally realized they need him as much as he needed them. It was cute to watch Sunny become the father and family they have looked for. 

Oooo! The reveal was sooooo good! I had zero idea! Kuddos to the author for making me loudly yell, "WHAT???? NO WAY!!!!!" So good, so good. 

I had no issues with this. The characters complex and interesting. The story was good. I read this all in one sitting. I enjoyed everything. There was the romance and naughty stuff, but there were so many more layers to this so it didn't feel like a historical romance. I want to read more by this author! Maybe I'll try the others in the series. Hopefully, I like the couples as much as Sunny and Izzy. 

Out of five stars, I'll give this 5 stars. A good way to start August!