John C. Horst's Blog, page 5

5.0 out of 5 stars Maria's Trail. So not what I expected.

MARIA FELIX 5.0 out of 5 stars Maria's Trail. So not what I expected., September 5, 2014 By AnAngelLady - See all my reviews Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Maria's Trail (The Mule Tamer Book 1) (Kindle Edition) From reading the Mule Tamer series, I had a preconceived image of Maria. Fact from fiction is so different. I recommend reading it. I don't think you will be sorry. Maria's Trail

“I come in through the window.”

William-Adolphe Bouguereau She had never seen him angry. She didn’t like it. They finally stopped for the night at a boarding house just south of Flagstaff. He got them separate rooms. She left him alone for a while, then knocked on his door. He would not answer.

He had just begun to fall asleep when he realized she was in his bed. He sat up with a start.

“How did you do, that, Chica?”

“I come in through the window.” She grinned.

“You’d better go back to your room, Chica.” He turned away from her.

“Wha’ is wrong, Pendejo?”

“I am just tired, Chica. I am tired of all this. I am not cut out to live the way you live. I missed you, you go off, you don’t tell me where you are. Now, I have used my influence as a Ranger to get you out of jail. I constantly…”  He was too angry for the words to come.

“I am sorry, Pendejo. I should not have had so much whiskey.”

He looked at her. “You don’t get it, girl. You just don’t get it, do you?”

“I see that you are sad, Pendejo. I am sorry that you are sad. I like you a lot better when you are funny.”

He put his hands over his face and rubbed his temples. “I have lost my wife, my child, my Sally, and now I am constantly thinking of you.”

“Sally? Who is this Sally, Pendejo?”

“My mule.”

“Pendejo, you need a get a grip on yourself. Sally was a beast of burden.” The Mule Tamer

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined such a thing.

William Etty ~ Daydreams They had left the town behind, heading north and within half an hour were in a low washout, off the road where no one could see them. It was a magnificent evening, cool and clear. The sun would soon be down, the sky turning a wondrous purple and red.

Margaret had prepared well in advance and this tickled Francis to no end. The idea that she’d planned it made it that much more meaningful. He quickly forgot about the elk Rosario was preparing for dinner.

“Francis, I’ve got a basket and some wine, Pa’s wine. It’s good. Get makings for a fire.”

He complied and when he returned she was waiting, the wine opened, blankets spread out on the desert floor the foodstuffs laid, ready for them to share an evening meal. Mags lay waiting as well, naked and vulnerable, she trembled though it was not particularly cold. She smiled as he stood, jaw agape. For the first time since she’d known him, Francis did not smile. For the first time in his life, it seemed, he was speechless.  Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined such a thing.

“Mags!” He pulled himself together.. She was stunning with her long raven-colored hair, eyes the blue of corn flowers in sunlight, and skin lily white, she brought to mind a fairy princess lying there on the rugged desert floor.

“I’ll be go to hell.”

She undressed him and kissed him more passionately than he’d ever known; every touch and caress jolting like an electric shock coursing through his body. Mags still trembled, but not as badly as before. She knew now, knew that it was all right and Francis’s responses, caresses, attention, gave her more confidence. This would be the first and best time for them both, transcending any other emotion or experience either had yet known in their young lives.

“Marry me, Mags. Marry me.” Allingham; Canyon Diablo

I got too much whiskey the other night.

“Pendejo! Wha’ are you doing here?” She smiled broadly at him. She was glad to see him. “I am in jail,” she spoke through the bars of her cell. She had been confined alone, as she had been ‘fomenting a riot’ according to the jailer.

“I see you are in jail, Chica.”

“Oh, Pendejo, I got too much whiskey the other night.” The Mule Tamer

5.0 out of 5 stars "A western that would give Louis L'Amour a run for his money."

Charra by Lil Chris 5.0 out of 5 stars A western that would give Louis L'Amour a run for his money, August 28, 2014 By G.A.E. - See all my reviews Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Mule Tamer (Kindle Edition) A tale of Civil War veterans, war hardened and battle-smart, in an untamed Arizona territory. Arvel is a straight-shooter, and not just with firearms. As a soldier with a battlefield commission, he was a natural for Captain in the new Arizona Rangers. His family business of raising and training mules was partially interrupted by his new assignment, and partly by a Mexican beauty who breezes in and out of his life-- and generally causes havoc the rest of the time. One day she's stealing him blind on her way out, only to save his bacon on her way back. Plenty of action for any western fan. I'm looking forward to The Mule Tamer II (and III). The Mule Tamer.

“We will do right, always, as that is what we do.”

Duong Quoc Dinh He dozed and, later, awoke to an empty room. Ging Wa led him by the hand to the examination room. She looked down at little Bob who’d fallen asleep amongst his toys. She got Dan undressed so she could see his wound. It was clean.

“Billy Livingston took good care of me.”

Ging Wa said nothing. She smelled the wound, breathed deeply, and was satisfied. She cleaned it and redressed it. She looked into her husband’s eyes and gave him a long, passionate kiss.

“I hope that not everyone gets that sort of treatment after an examination.”

“Only the attractive young men.”

He held her tightly and breathed deeply. “You smell like medicine.”

“You smell like a horse.” She sat down on his lap and put his head to her breast. “I am glad you’re home, Dan. I had a dream that I lost you and it made me very sad.”

“I thought I was going to die, Ging Wa, and it made me sad, too. It made me very afraid and I want to tell you I’m sorry. I’ll never go away again, I promise you.”

She held him more tightly. “You will do what is right, Dan, always.”  She pulled his head up and looked into his eyes. “We will do right, always, as that is what we do.” The Mule Tamer; Chica's Ride

Movie Review of Nuit #1

Title: Nuit #1

Year Released: 2011

Country: Canada

Language: French

Rating: NR. My Rating: NC17

Score (out of five stars): 5

Gold: High

Silver: High

Bronze: High

Memorable: Very

Temptation for checking the time: None

Acting: Excellent

Writing: Excellent

Cinematography: Good

This film was emotionally charged, intelligently written, and the characters, though seriously flawed, were ultimately likeable, even loveable. By the end of the film I wanted to hold them in my arms.

The film will touch anyone who has ever known the overwhelming weight of existential angst.

The sex is pretty explicit, so I’d say to be wary if you are uncomfortable watching such things in the company of others. Most certainly not appropriate for the immature. Not terribly overdone. Same goes for the foul language.

I highly recommend this film.

About My Reviews :

These are my film reviews. I am not any more qualified to offer them than anyone else. I just love films and seek out works that are not on the radar, especially foreign language and independent films. Many of my friends consult me for interesting stuff to watch, so, I’ve decided to put them on my blog.

I seek out films that are entertaining and always with an eye toward how they treat subjects and matters of the human condition. I feature myself a moralist, and am especially drawn to works that bring out emotion and treat heavy subject matter with respect.  I might be a nihilist, but that does not mean we should accept immoral entertainments or those bereft of ethics.

I’ve decided to also give weight to the three basic concepts of the human condition, as described by Plato in his Republic, namely:
The Gold, to represent the mind,
The Silver, to represent the heart, and
The bronze, to represent, well, you know, the region below the belt.

I think this is useful in describing films.  

Some other things of note:

I’ll give a rating whenever the film has not been, to help give the reader a sense of what to expect.

I’ll rate the films 1-5, five being the top score.

I’ll also rate the film on how memorable it was. My good friend Harlan mentioned that, and I agree. He stated that he bases a film or book on how long he thought about it after the experience. Great insight.

Temptation for checking the time is just that. Was the film boring? Did I consult my watch, or the little bar at the bottom of the screen when streaming, to see when the thing would end.

Finally, for the more bronzish movies, I’ll let the viewer know how explicit the sex is or how much nudity is involved. 

And finally, I'll never go over some boring synopsis of the film. That's not a film review, to my mind, that's a high school term paper.

Hope these reviews will be useful to someone.  

John

“You are just too beautiful not to touch.”

Claudio Sacchi She took her to an empty room in the back. It contained a big bathtub. It had been prepared especially for Maria. She stripped down and they took her outfit and cleaned it. She relaxed in the hot water, smoked a cigar and drank some mescal. She’d rest for a while and decided that now would be a good time to interrogate her escort.

“Tell me. Were there two men here in the past day? They would be from the south, wearing black boots to the knee and striped trousers. One had long mustaches and the other no hair on his face at all.”

“Oh, yes. They were here. They had a lot of money. They had some things to sell from a church.”

“And where are they?”

The woman was washing Maria’s back and becoming too friendly. Maria gently pushed her away and the escort blushed.

“I am sorry.” She grinned and bit her lip. “You are just too beautiful not to touch.”

Maria rinsed off and got out of the tub. “Come now, darling. Pay attention.” She dressed quickly so as not to distract the young whore. “Where did the two men go?”

“Oh, the saloon across the way. They’ve been drinking in there for the past two days. They are trying to gamble but no one will give them a game.”

Maria was now dressed in her fresh clothes. She looked at a clock on the wall and then outside. It was nearly midnight. This would be as good a time as any.

She gave the woman some money and kissed her cheek. “You’ve been good to me. Thank you, darling.”

She blushed again. “It was my pleasure, little doll.” She smiled and rolled the money up, putting it down her front. “All my pleasure.” Maria's Trail

I am a fool and an ass and a young arrogant boy, Hilola.

Edward Borein La Garza finally got her to speak, at least in the most rudimentary terms, and they agreed to camp amongst a beautiful copse of cottonwood trees next to a sandy beach. Hilola worked quietly and did not notice Ramon slip away.

He was gone many hours and finally returned just before sundown. He said nothing but, instead, walked up to Hilola who stood by the fire finishing her meal of trout and tortillas. She would not look him in the eye until he dropped to one knee and grasped her gently by her right hand.

“I am a fool and an ass and a young arrogant boy, Hilola. I want to be a man, and I know I can be, with your love.” He stood up and led her along a path to an opening in the center of a little group of trees.

He’d picked flowers and had them ready for her. He had placed blankets near the fire to make a comfortable bed.  A silk fire lantern made from one of Jimmie’s scarves was anchored by its string near the blankets, a small candle burning in the center heating the air, causing it to be airborne where it hovered as if by magic, just about waist high.

He pointed to a letter, tethered to the whole affair.

She was pleased. She’d already forgiven him. He had moped as if his guts had been kicked out and she knew that he was as sorry as he could be. But at the same time, she felt she needed to torture him just a bit longer; long enough to make him beg. This was the best begging she could hope for.

“The Chinese write love poems and send them, with these fire lanterns, into the sky. This is my love poem to you.” He held it for her to read.

Hilola blushed and looked at the paper blankly and Ramon understood. He’d not humiliate her.

“May I read it to you, Hilola? Please?” Allingham; Desperate Ride

She could tell right off her expedition would not be fruitful.

Gianni Strino She reclined on his bed, her long raven-colored hair, freshly brushed, cascaded over her shoulders and down her back. She wore a sheer sleeping gown of silk covered by a brightly colored Chinese robe. It was flimsier yet and hung open, not by accident. She was barefoot and rested one leg on the bed, revealing her shapely brown legs to mid-thigh.

She could tell right off her expedition would not be fruitful.

“Who is she, Francis?”

“Who’s who?” Francis was being a bumpkin again. He did not know how transparent his feelings were about Mags. The princess could tell, but Yanaba’s actions and dress were also distracting him and he was finding it difficult to concentrate.

“The woman you love.”

“Oh, oh.” He blushed.

“Twist us a cigarette, Francis.” She tossed her tobacco pouch at him. He did, and they smoked together in his room. Francis moved to the foot of the bed, sitting at Yanaba’s pretty bare feet. Allingham: Canyon Diablo