A. Renee Hunt's Blog, page 31
February 14, 2018
Geekerella, A Fangirl Fairy Tale
A Novel by Ashley Poston 
A superbly written novel on how much fun a Con can be, the battle of obtaining tickets, cosplay, and even relationships. I've only been to a few con's myself, and the only one I've returned to annually is the Superman Celebration in Metropolis, IL., but what I can say is this story gets in deep when it comes to blogging, miscommunication and feelings of powerlessness. But did I like the book? #element-2ff0a332-9265-436e-96d0-d2ed6d93bd47 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} 
Geekerella, written by Ashley Poston, is one of those books I Hate-Don't Hate. My views are conflicted by what happened on both sides of the characters:. Elle and Darien. Everything up, until the ExcelsiCon is good; annoying but good. The story is running off of a Cinderella-type background.
Where it goes nuts and irks me is with one of the twin sisters. What happened there, and how Elle did nothing but ball into a bundle of tears frustrated me to no end. Yet, so a stranger, who could easily have gone off on her, she stands tall and goes off like a sista? Nope. I didn't feel any of that. It was lame. Then for Darien to have to deal with the things he'd endured- while his PA was busy on her phone, dating a gaf? And security- Forget It! It just didn't ride well with me.
The ending was cute and held to the fairytale quite nicely. Though I thought a few things should have been done differently, it was still a cute read. Notice I keep using the word "Cute"? Yeah, it's sorta a young-fish tale. Other than a few slips in language, it sorta sits in-between Middle and Young Adult.
I enjoyed the read and I had to remind myself, it is called a A Fangirl Fairy Tale for a reason. The story is awesome and because I'm a fangirl myself, of various titles, subjects and genre, I found it exciting. The story itself, I don't know. It's good, don't get me wrong; I just don't know how to feel about it.
Maybe you'll read it, or have read it and share your thoughts. Geekerella, A Fangirl Fairy Tale- check it out as I move on to the next read.
Cheers!
Geekerella
Ashley Poston
Quirk Books, April 2017
320 pages
Teen & Young Adult/Fantasy/Fairy Tale/Literature
A superbly written novel on how much fun a Con can be, the battle of obtaining tickets, cosplay, and even relationships. I've only been to a few con's myself, and the only one I've returned to annually is the Superman Celebration in Metropolis, IL., but what I can say is this story gets in deep when it comes to blogging, miscommunication and feelings of powerlessness. But did I like the book? #element-2ff0a332-9265-436e-96d0-d2ed6d93bd47 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} Geekerella, written by Ashley Poston, is one of those books I Hate-Don't Hate. My views are conflicted by what happened on both sides of the characters:. Elle and Darien. Everything up, until the ExcelsiCon is good; annoying but good. The story is running off of a Cinderella-type background.Where it goes nuts and irks me is with one of the twin sisters. What happened there, and how Elle did nothing but ball into a bundle of tears frustrated me to no end. Yet, so a stranger, who could easily have gone off on her, she stands tall and goes off like a sista? Nope. I didn't feel any of that. It was lame. Then for Darien to have to deal with the things he'd endured- while his PA was busy on her phone, dating a gaf? And security- Forget It! It just didn't ride well with me.
The ending was cute and held to the fairytale quite nicely. Though I thought a few things should have been done differently, it was still a cute read. Notice I keep using the word "Cute"? Yeah, it's sorta a young-fish tale. Other than a few slips in language, it sorta sits in-between Middle and Young Adult.
I enjoyed the read and I had to remind myself, it is called a A Fangirl Fairy Tale for a reason. The story is awesome and because I'm a fangirl myself, of various titles, subjects and genre, I found it exciting. The story itself, I don't know. It's good, don't get me wrong; I just don't know how to feel about it.
Maybe you'll read it, or have read it and share your thoughts. Geekerella, A Fangirl Fairy Tale- check it out as I move on to the next read.
Cheers!
Geekerella
Ashley Poston
Quirk Books, April 2017
320 pages
Teen & Young Adult/Fantasy/Fairy Tale/Literature
February 13, 2018
Capital Encounters: Love, Loyalty, Freedom, Flings
A novel by Dawn Wright 
As you all know, I'm not a gushy romantic. I look for love in the oddest of places, so for me to venture out and accept a novel like Capital Encounters, by Dawn Wright must say something, right? So was I captured? Was I able to shake the tomboyish ideas and become a non-fandomed, dorkless, business-oriented woman seeking "The One" like a B.O.S.S.? #element-f1b18a9f-f614-46d1-a645-d0536e6a9f65 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} 
Nah, but I still enjoyed the read. Capital Encounters tells of past mistakes, desire, chance and most of all Friendship. Our heroines are Summer, Brooke, Emily and Amber. Each woman, lovely and laced with some sort of issue, is pretty much easy to understand, but not quite relatable. They left me both interested and irritated- as should any good author manage to incite in a reader.
Though bits of the writing was stiff (felt forced more than flowed), the writing was terrific, making the read pleasant during my crazed day of NaNoWriMo in November. I believe I enjoyed Summer's story the most. Described by the author as a Free Bird, I saw me in her. The wide-eyed, bushy tailed, ready to leap sorta life is how I still greet life. What she endures along the way is a completely different story, but kept me hooked.
The issues I had with Capital Encounters is the amount of characters involved. I understand this tends to happen when each pivotal character has a life outside of the others. Sadly, sometimes it caused me to drift and not keep up. It happens with several POV's and intricacies such as this novel. Is that a negative quality? Nah, just stay focused. Remember, I'm a tomboy with selective ADD- you gotta keep a hold of me!
The twists and surprises are definitely a winner, and should be expected, but I didn't see some of these coming!
Also, I like drama, but OMGee, these girls... Stories like this make me happy I didn't hesitate for long on becoming a housewife and homeschool mom. Thankfully, the cliffhanger ending lets you know all will come to some sort of resolution. We shall see...
So am I a converted, die-hard romantic reader? At this day and age- please! But I can happily say, the book is good. Check out Dawn Wright and some of her other works; I'm moving on to the next read.
Cheers!
Capital Encounters
Dawn Wright
Amazon Digital Services, Dec. 2016
380 pages
Literature/Drama/Romance
As you all know, I'm not a gushy romantic. I look for love in the oddest of places, so for me to venture out and accept a novel like Capital Encounters, by Dawn Wright must say something, right? So was I captured? Was I able to shake the tomboyish ideas and become a non-fandomed, dorkless, business-oriented woman seeking "The One" like a B.O.S.S.? #element-f1b18a9f-f614-46d1-a645-d0536e6a9f65 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} Nah, but I still enjoyed the read. Capital Encounters tells of past mistakes, desire, chance and most of all Friendship. Our heroines are Summer, Brooke, Emily and Amber. Each woman, lovely and laced with some sort of issue, is pretty much easy to understand, but not quite relatable. They left me both interested and irritated- as should any good author manage to incite in a reader.Though bits of the writing was stiff (felt forced more than flowed), the writing was terrific, making the read pleasant during my crazed day of NaNoWriMo in November. I believe I enjoyed Summer's story the most. Described by the author as a Free Bird, I saw me in her. The wide-eyed, bushy tailed, ready to leap sorta life is how I still greet life. What she endures along the way is a completely different story, but kept me hooked.
The issues I had with Capital Encounters is the amount of characters involved. I understand this tends to happen when each pivotal character has a life outside of the others. Sadly, sometimes it caused me to drift and not keep up. It happens with several POV's and intricacies such as this novel. Is that a negative quality? Nah, just stay focused. Remember, I'm a tomboy with selective ADD- you gotta keep a hold of me!
The twists and surprises are definitely a winner, and should be expected, but I didn't see some of these coming!
Also, I like drama, but OMGee, these girls... Stories like this make me happy I didn't hesitate for long on becoming a housewife and homeschool mom. Thankfully, the cliffhanger ending lets you know all will come to some sort of resolution. We shall see...
So am I a converted, die-hard romantic reader? At this day and age- please! But I can happily say, the book is good. Check out Dawn Wright and some of her other works; I'm moving on to the next read.
Cheers!
Capital Encounters
Dawn Wright
Amazon Digital Services, Dec. 2016
380 pages
Literature/Drama/Romance
The Cloverfield Paradox
A Netflix, Super Bowl Special! 
I love my daughter! I was not interested in this year's Super Bowl LII, but I was interested in the commercials. Time and time again, I pulled my nose from my current read to see what went into the advertisements of new tv shows, movies, cars, snacks and beverages. What I'd missed was the trailer for The Cloverfield Paradox. Thanks to my daughter's phone call, I knew what I was watching as soon as the game ended. I'd seen the first and second movies- would I be happy with the new installment in the Cloverfield franchise? #element-d1cfdb64-09f7-47cb-ae7a-017e753b6a92 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} 
When Cloverfield came out, back in 2008, my hubby and I ran to see it. I detest found footage movies, but there was a monster- how could I NOT see it? Yes, it was filled with useless babble and shaky scenes that made the view more frustrating than anything else- but it was filled with excitemen!. It was the first movie that actually put me on the edge of my freaking seat, while looking through someone's phone screen! And the monster... Wow. Just freaking Wow! So when 10 Cloverfield Lane came out in 2016, I was happy. I was like, it took them eight years to make a new one- it has to be good! Enter The Price Is Right's loser bong... it was awful and I was upset. I had to wade through 120 minutes for the best part (the ending) and even the was sorta lame! Sadly, my hubby hadn't seen it and asked to purchase it. That movie is forever trapped within the comforting confines of my iTunes library. I wish I could expel it, like a painful kidney stone, but then came The Cloverfield Paradox.
It promised to explain why the monsters came. It was supposed to give us a pre-Cloverfield monster storyline that would make us fans happy. What it gave was a movie that stole bits of Alien and other sci-fi awesome movies, wrapped up in a lame ending.
Okay, so what happened was, earth was at war. It was estimated that within five years, there'd be no natural resources on the entire planet. So various countries got together to go up into space, with a machine that would generate the power to assist in re-creating said resources. I don't know how it was supposed to work, it was the future! So, they go up and get busy.
The thing is, they end up... well, I won't say. But I'm going to tell you now, it wasn't spooky. It wasn't scary and the best parts were brief in happenings with no explanations! One minute I was like, "Oh wow- look at that!" Then I blinked and I was left with on the floor, hugging my knees to my chest walling like Nancy Kerrigan: "Why? Why?"
Then the ending- what the heck, man? It put me in mind to Life (I wish I'd written a review of that movie!), except Life's ending was much better! I liked Life. I did not like The Cloverfield Paradox. So thanks for nothing, my darling Clarissa! LOL
If you're interested, The Cloverfield Paradox it's available at Netflix.com. Check it out, but you won't walk away feeling satisfied or thrilled. It will do nothing for you and you'll receive no clarity.
Cheers!
The Cloverfield Paradox
A Netflix Exclusive - Super Bowl LII, Feb. 4 2018
Directed by Julius Onah
Written & Screenplay by Oren Uziel with Doug Jung
Starred Gugu Mbatha-Raw, David Oyelowo, Daniel Brühl, John Ortiz, Chris O'Dowd and Zili Zhang
I love my daughter! I was not interested in this year's Super Bowl LII, but I was interested in the commercials. Time and time again, I pulled my nose from my current read to see what went into the advertisements of new tv shows, movies, cars, snacks and beverages. What I'd missed was the trailer for The Cloverfield Paradox. Thanks to my daughter's phone call, I knew what I was watching as soon as the game ended. I'd seen the first and second movies- would I be happy with the new installment in the Cloverfield franchise? #element-d1cfdb64-09f7-47cb-ae7a-017e753b6a92 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} When Cloverfield came out, back in 2008, my hubby and I ran to see it. I detest found footage movies, but there was a monster- how could I NOT see it? Yes, it was filled with useless babble and shaky scenes that made the view more frustrating than anything else- but it was filled with excitemen!. It was the first movie that actually put me on the edge of my freaking seat, while looking through someone's phone screen! And the monster... Wow. Just freaking Wow! So when 10 Cloverfield Lane came out in 2016, I was happy. I was like, it took them eight years to make a new one- it has to be good! Enter The Price Is Right's loser bong... it was awful and I was upset. I had to wade through 120 minutes for the best part (the ending) and even the was sorta lame! Sadly, my hubby hadn't seen it and asked to purchase it. That movie is forever trapped within the comforting confines of my iTunes library. I wish I could expel it, like a painful kidney stone, but then came The Cloverfield Paradox. It promised to explain why the monsters came. It was supposed to give us a pre-Cloverfield monster storyline that would make us fans happy. What it gave was a movie that stole bits of Alien and other sci-fi awesome movies, wrapped up in a lame ending.
Okay, so what happened was, earth was at war. It was estimated that within five years, there'd be no natural resources on the entire planet. So various countries got together to go up into space, with a machine that would generate the power to assist in re-creating said resources. I don't know how it was supposed to work, it was the future! So, they go up and get busy.
The thing is, they end up... well, I won't say. But I'm going to tell you now, it wasn't spooky. It wasn't scary and the best parts were brief in happenings with no explanations! One minute I was like, "Oh wow- look at that!" Then I blinked and I was left with on the floor, hugging my knees to my chest walling like Nancy Kerrigan: "Why? Why?"
Then the ending- what the heck, man? It put me in mind to Life (I wish I'd written a review of that movie!), except Life's ending was much better! I liked Life. I did not like The Cloverfield Paradox. So thanks for nothing, my darling Clarissa! LOL
If you're interested, The Cloverfield Paradox it's available at Netflix.com. Check it out, but you won't walk away feeling satisfied or thrilled. It will do nothing for you and you'll receive no clarity.
Cheers!
The Cloverfield Paradox
A Netflix Exclusive - Super Bowl LII, Feb. 4 2018
Directed by Julius Onah
Written & Screenplay by Oren Uziel with Doug Jung
Starred Gugu Mbatha-Raw, David Oyelowo, Daniel Brühl, John Ortiz, Chris O'Dowd and Zili Zhang
February 12, 2018
Dark
a Netflix Original series 
When I first saw this trailer, I thought it looked spooky, but there wasn't enough shared. I set it aside. It wasn't until a fellow IG posted their thoughts that I thought it was time to give it a go. I'm glad I did; I quickly became enraptured! 
FIRST:
If you watch this on device, know that you will have to listen to the original language (which is cool) and read subtitles. Should you use Airplay or watch straight from Netflix on telly, then you get English dub, no subtitles.
Okay, that's out of the way. So this show's intro is fab! I love the song (Goodbye with Soap & Skin Apparat, The Devil's Walk). I had to buy it- it's what I do. Then there's the actual show. How do I review without giving away what it's all about...? It's totally conundrum and the storyline is dark, brooding totally worth the watch.
It's not easy to follow, but ONLY because it's supposed to be. Once you realize what's going on, it's totally understandable why; that's also why it's so good! In order for you to comprehend the storylines, you must become muddled first. The make-believe town of Winden, Germany suffers occurrences that affect just about everyone in it. There's no paranormal activity going on, but that's all I'm going to share.
Filmed near Berlin, Germany, Dark has been compared to Stranger Things. Yes, a child goes missing, but a child is not the focus of this series. Don't look to Dark as if its another Stranger Things show, because it is NOT the same. Nowhere near, but it should become another global hit! Check it out.
Cheers!
When I first saw this trailer, I thought it looked spooky, but there wasn't enough shared. I set it aside. It wasn't until a fellow IG posted their thoughts that I thought it was time to give it a go. I'm glad I did; I quickly became enraptured! FIRST:If you watch this on device, know that you will have to listen to the original language (which is cool) and read subtitles. Should you use Airplay or watch straight from Netflix on telly, then you get English dub, no subtitles.
Okay, that's out of the way. So this show's intro is fab! I love the song (Goodbye with Soap & Skin Apparat, The Devil's Walk). I had to buy it- it's what I do. Then there's the actual show. How do I review without giving away what it's all about...? It's totally conundrum and the storyline is dark, brooding totally worth the watch.
It's not easy to follow, but ONLY because it's supposed to be. Once you realize what's going on, it's totally understandable why; that's also why it's so good! In order for you to comprehend the storylines, you must become muddled first. The make-believe town of Winden, Germany suffers occurrences that affect just about everyone in it. There's no paranormal activity going on, but that's all I'm going to share.
Filmed near Berlin, Germany, Dark has been compared to Stranger Things. Yes, a child goes missing, but a child is not the focus of this series. Don't look to Dark as if its another Stranger Things show, because it is NOT the same. Nowhere near, but it should become another global hit! Check it out.
Cheers!
Strange Weather
A novel by Joe Hill 
This is the second son of the King of Horror I've reviewed this year! Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome back a
Joe Hill
story: Strange Weather: Four Short Novels. Joe is original and very exciting- from what I've previously been introduced to. But was this thick beauty worth the purchase? #element-ee50dd63-0f2d-49db-82cf-e0afdfb17d4f .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
There are four chilling tales in this book. Each one is different and filled with ideas, threats and actions that are nightmarish. Snapshot, Loaded, Aloft and Rain are intriguing, sad, spooky and plain old good reads!
Hill's style is unique and doesn't waver. My first dealing with him was with the audio drama Locke & Key. It was so fun and filled with wicked imagination. These stories are the same. There was but one that was a bit slow, while still interesting. I won't say which - just know that the others are surprising and may raise an emotional response.
This book also has some kick-butt illustrations! It's not a graphic novel, but for each chapter's beginning and ending, there's something for you to stare at as you ponder the ending. I truly believe that was intentional and made the stories even better!
I paid a lot of money for this book- and I regret nothing. Check out Strange Weather, book, ebook or audiobook and discover what I've found. I'm off to the next read!
Cheers!
Strange Weather: Four Short Novels
Joe Hill
Published by William Morrow/Harper Collins Publishings, Oct. 2017
448-pages
Literature/Fiction/Horror/Suspense/Mystery/Thriller
This is the second son of the King of Horror I've reviewed this year! Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome back a
Joe Hill
story: Strange Weather: Four Short Novels. Joe is original and very exciting- from what I've previously been introduced to. But was this thick beauty worth the purchase? #element-ee50dd63-0f2d-49db-82cf-e0afdfb17d4f .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
There are four chilling tales in this book. Each one is different and filled with ideas, threats and actions that are nightmarish. Snapshot, Loaded, Aloft and Rain are intriguing, sad, spooky and plain old good reads!Hill's style is unique and doesn't waver. My first dealing with him was with the audio drama Locke & Key. It was so fun and filled with wicked imagination. These stories are the same. There was but one that was a bit slow, while still interesting. I won't say which - just know that the others are surprising and may raise an emotional response.
This book also has some kick-butt illustrations! It's not a graphic novel, but for each chapter's beginning and ending, there's something for you to stare at as you ponder the ending. I truly believe that was intentional and made the stories even better!
I paid a lot of money for this book- and I regret nothing. Check out Strange Weather, book, ebook or audiobook and discover what I've found. I'm off to the next read!
Cheers!
Strange Weather: Four Short Novels
Joe Hill
Published by William Morrow/Harper Collins Publishings, Oct. 2017
448-pages
Literature/Fiction/Horror/Suspense/Mystery/Thriller
February 9, 2018
Mark Tufo's Lycan Fallout series (4 books)
Have I ever mentioned how much I love Mark Tufo? If I haven't, I'll just say it now: I love Mark Tufo's writing! His books are adventurous, humorous, and very bloody. There's not a time or two where I go back to his work, just to re-read. A handful of years ago, I'd listened to book one of the Lycan Fallout series. It was awesome but the rest hadn't been written. So when I was adding audiobooks to my Audible library, I noticed the series went from one to four. I had to have them. So where we go, with not one review but four...
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-moz-box-shadow: 0px 0px 30px 4px #f5f5f5; box-shadow: 0px 0px 30px 4px #f5f5f5;}#element-f9e63c9b-f7c7-42c0-b6aa-a4d31e411c7a .tabbed-box-tab .paragraph { padding: 0px; line-height: 60px !important; text-align: center !important; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px !important; margin: 0 20px;}#element-f9e63c9b-f7c7-42c0-b6aa-a4d31e411c7a .tabbed-box-content .paragraph { padding: 0; line-height: 30px;}#element-f9e63c9b-f7c7-42c0-b6aa-a4d31e411c7a .tabbed-box-tab:last-child .w-delete-outer { display: none; position: relative; float: right;} Rise of the Werewolf Fall of Man End of An Age Immortality's Touchstone < >
So before you ask, Yes, Mike Talbot, just like any other person, is alive in various, other worlds. As any sci-fi lover knows, you can exist in other dimensions, and Mike's got stock in each and every one of them. Things have drastically changed. He's lost everything to zombies, but now the Z's are gone. And amazingly, humans are still in existence. Unfortunately, other things have surfaced, and it's up to Mike, and a handful of survivors, to bring the world back to an even playing field. Fighting alongside Tommy, a sort of barbarian black girl and a witch, he's got a new enemy to contend with, and its bark is nowhere near as bad as its bite! Lycan Fallout: Rise of the Werewolf is written in the same style as Tufo's previous books, but the story similarities stop there. Other than Mike Talbot being Mike Talbot. This time, something new has been added and he's fed up. He's tired, lonely and ready to walk away from it all, honestly. But he can't. There's way too much at stake; it's one of the reason's why I love the story. He's as real as it gets.
Born to be a rebel, you can't do anything but enjoy Mike's witty rebuttal, useless banter from time to time and his willingness to fight for people- even when he wants to personally kill them! Book one is a short novel, but worth a read. Cheers! As with every other novel, this one was huge for me. His books take you to future worlds and dimension that keep you either grossed out, feeling depressed or laughing till near puking. That's because those are just the tip of the emotional mountain range of Michael Talbot.
In End of An Age, Mike is pulled into his namesake of a town: Talboton. There, he comes across people who don't believe he is who he is, let alone can do what the books says he's done. Does it really matter though?
Oh yes it most certainly does! The lycans are using humans in a way unimaginable, and it's an excellent tool- but this story is so much more than that. It's about humanity, and how even at the very end of things, there's still hope and a chance against all odds. This books also tells you, that even at the worst of times, family, friends and a good zap to the butt can make you smile. I think I enjoyed Lycan Fallout's End of An Age because it gave me a healthy view of Mike's inner and outer being. Yes, he's part vamp, but there's so much more. And since we know there's a heaven or hell (in this series- don't fuss at me and my faith!), I'm thinking God is going to give him a spiritual break at some point. I don't know- I'll have to keep reading. I hope you do too!
Cheers!
Oh boy- This one had an ending that was outta this world! BUT there's so much more to this story. In End of an Age, Michael Talbot goes head to head against the King of the Lycans, Xavier, but there's an ally in the midsts. Can Michael, the Landians and his closest friends use this mysterious helper to and their information to an advantage? Or is it all a trap?This book is just as amazing as the others. What's even more informative are the short stories added at the end. You learn so much more about the story and Michael through them. If you like werewolves, Lycan (because there is a difference) and other fantastics, this is your book. Not to mention all the comical conversations, gore and little bit of a love... square?
There's something out there worse than Xavier. Well, he's actually dead and someone's stepped into his place, but it doesn't matter. There's something bigger that causes Lunas to cower in fear- and he's huge! So what's in store for Mike Talbot now? Something demonic. So what could be worse than Lycan?. I can't tell you, but it's what starts the new series, written by Mark Tufo. I'll be sharing it in 2018 too. The story leads in to a new series- and I already have the audiobook on pre-order. That's what I do with my favorite authors. But this new series is going t go down LOW. Real low, if you catch my drift. If you know Tufo, then you may have an idea already. For those new to the author, be ready for a humongous ride! The Lycan Fallout Series:
Rise of the Werewolf
End of an Age
Fall of Man &
Immortality's Touchstone
Written by Mark Tufo
Published by CreateSpace Platform
February 7, 2018
Snow and Rose
*An audiobook review, narrated by Cassandra Campbell 
*Original artwork by Emily Winfield Martin, www.emilywinfieldmartin.com So here's a tale from a talented artist who's truly making a way for herself. I wish I could draw, paint, write with the skill shared by Emily Winfield Martin. One of today's reviews is Snow and Rose. It's a magical, fantasy of a tale that shares love, adventure and even a surprise... well, I guessed it but still!
Snow and Rose isn't your typical read. This is a book filled with magic, fantasy and a lot of imagination- which isn't surprising, since the author is also the illustrator!
Emily Winfield Martin
is one talented gal!
Snow and Rose isn't one of those chapter books that is given in any sort of order. It seems to be filled with random occurrences that place the girls in situations where they must either be brave, curious, adventurous or stubborn. They are just girls who live in a small house in the forest. And that's what makes the story so sweet. It's quaint, soft and magical.
The choice to have Cassandra Campbell read the story is just as perfect. Her soft voice, like heather made me feel I could be sitting in a meadow, by a bubbling brook, listening to the tale. And I didn't even see the illustrations until after I'd completed the book. Imagine how shocked I was to see them!
This is a lovely read- nothing negative at all. Grab yourself a physical copy and enjoy this one. Cheers!
Snow and Rose
Author & Illustrator: Emily Winfield Martin
Narrator: Cassandra Campbell
Published by Random House for Young Readers
October 2017
224 pages
4 H 29 minutes
*Original artwork by Emily Winfield Martin, www.emilywinfieldmartin.com So here's a tale from a talented artist who's truly making a way for herself. I wish I could draw, paint, write with the skill shared by Emily Winfield Martin. One of today's reviews is Snow and Rose. It's a magical, fantasy of a tale that shares love, adventure and even a surprise... well, I guessed it but still!
Snow and Rose isn't your typical read. This is a book filled with magic, fantasy and a lot of imagination- which isn't surprising, since the author is also the illustrator!
Emily Winfield Martin
is one talented gal!Snow and Rose isn't one of those chapter books that is given in any sort of order. It seems to be filled with random occurrences that place the girls in situations where they must either be brave, curious, adventurous or stubborn. They are just girls who live in a small house in the forest. And that's what makes the story so sweet. It's quaint, soft and magical.
The choice to have Cassandra Campbell read the story is just as perfect. Her soft voice, like heather made me feel I could be sitting in a meadow, by a bubbling brook, listening to the tale. And I didn't even see the illustrations until after I'd completed the book. Imagine how shocked I was to see them!
This is a lovely read- nothing negative at all. Grab yourself a physical copy and enjoy this one. Cheers!
Snow and Rose
Author & Illustrator: Emily Winfield Martin
Narrator: Cassandra Campbell
Published by Random House for Young Readers
October 2017
224 pages
4 H 29 minutes
Winchester
A Movie Review on a True Location 
As soon as I heard there was a movie on the Winchester house, I knew I had to see it. With my being a California native, there are many places I haven't visited. Mostly because I traveled so much, back and forth to and from CA that I just never got the opportunity. I did, however, get to visit the Winchester house with my husband, back in like 2005 or so. It was one of the most amazing places ever... but I didn't get haunted or spooked. But the house is a magnificent maze of beauty, and slightly difficult to travel through- but I digress. How was the movie, you ask? #element-cee29cb9-3026-45ed-acf1-c68602992ff6 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Winchester to the story of Sarah Winchester, the inheritor of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. A proud, superstitious woman, she took a home built for her and turned it into a mansion that could take up city blocks!
Being worked on 24-hours a day, both day and night, she felt she was appeasing the spirits of those killed by the Winchester guns. She felt she was cursed. She also felt the number 13 was a blessed number and not jinxed, to help in being protected from the spirits locked behind the doors of the house. It was pure insanity, all wrapped up in a gorgeous house that was continuously being built upon.
The co-owners of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company thought her mad, so they sent someone to evaluate her abilities to rule over her 50% share. It's from there that the movie runs. For me, it was amazing to see the place I'd actually walked through. Naturally, it didn't look exactly as pictured in the film, but it was. awesome.
I did however notice, they had Helen Mirren play Sarah Winchester, who was much taller than Sarah Winchester. Then this staircase which was in the movie is actually filled with steps that are so short, you actually trip going UP! They were made especially because of her arthritis and height. She was very short. They also didn't focus as much on her attempts to confuse the spirits- it was mostly about speaking with them an capturing them in rooms they were attached to. That was sort of a bummer, because the door that opened to a four or five storied drop would have been awesome. They did show the stairs that led to nowhere- but they acted like the spirit used them to their advantage- it was to confuse them! It would have added to the movie- because baby, the house is BIZARRE!
Any-who! The movie was pretty cool and I liked it. I will probably buy it, just because. If you've never been to the Winchester house, you really should go. The movie gives it no justice, and Sara Winchester's story is amazing.
Winchester
Directed by the Spirit Brothers
CBS Films, 2018
Starred Helen Mirren, Jason Clarke, Sarah Snook, Angus Sampson and Finn Scicluna-O'Prey
As soon as I heard there was a movie on the Winchester house, I knew I had to see it. With my being a California native, there are many places I haven't visited. Mostly because I traveled so much, back and forth to and from CA that I just never got the opportunity. I did, however, get to visit the Winchester house with my husband, back in like 2005 or so. It was one of the most amazing places ever... but I didn't get haunted or spooked. But the house is a magnificent maze of beauty, and slightly difficult to travel through- but I digress. How was the movie, you ask? #element-cee29cb9-3026-45ed-acf1-c68602992ff6 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Winchester to the story of Sarah Winchester, the inheritor of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. A proud, superstitious woman, she took a home built for her and turned it into a mansion that could take up city blocks! Being worked on 24-hours a day, both day and night, she felt she was appeasing the spirits of those killed by the Winchester guns. She felt she was cursed. She also felt the number 13 was a blessed number and not jinxed, to help in being protected from the spirits locked behind the doors of the house. It was pure insanity, all wrapped up in a gorgeous house that was continuously being built upon.
The co-owners of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company thought her mad, so they sent someone to evaluate her abilities to rule over her 50% share. It's from there that the movie runs. For me, it was amazing to see the place I'd actually walked through. Naturally, it didn't look exactly as pictured in the film, but it was. awesome.
I did however notice, they had Helen Mirren play Sarah Winchester, who was much taller than Sarah Winchester. Then this staircase which was in the movie is actually filled with steps that are so short, you actually trip going UP! They were made especially because of her arthritis and height. She was very short. They also didn't focus as much on her attempts to confuse the spirits- it was mostly about speaking with them an capturing them in rooms they were attached to. That was sort of a bummer, because the door that opened to a four or five storied drop would have been awesome. They did show the stairs that led to nowhere- but they acted like the spirit used them to their advantage- it was to confuse them! It would have added to the movie- because baby, the house is BIZARRE!
Any-who! The movie was pretty cool and I liked it. I will probably buy it, just because. If you've never been to the Winchester house, you really should go. The movie gives it no justice, and Sara Winchester's story is amazing.
Winchester
Directed by the Spirit Brothers
CBS Films, 2018
Starred Helen Mirren, Jason Clarke, Sarah Snook, Angus Sampson and Finn Scicluna-O'Prey
February 6, 2018
The Hazel Wood
A Novel by Melissa Albert 
When I received The Hazel Wood (by
Melissa Albert
), advanced reader copy, I was absolutely thrilled. I mean, look at the cover! Black with flecks of lovely, shiny gold. Mysterious images that drew me in- It's absolutely gorgeous! So did the story keep me interested as much as the cover hooked me in? #element-af811d1b-5408-4dae-8cf3-a37715d4cd2c .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Never have I felt so conflicted with a story before. As soon as I was a quarter in, I knew it wouldn't be a full novel; there would be parts. There would be an extension of Alice's story and I wasn't sure I wanted to know it all.
Don't get me wrong, the story is next to reading real life. It begins with the mundane life of a young adult, troubled, sad- probably depressed and full of gelatinous sarcasm. Simply stated, Alice is deeply troubled, but with good reason! It's not until her mother vanishes that she soon realizes her gloom & bad luck-filled doom came with purpose. She's not of this world. The things that used to haunt her and her mother in the night are real and coming for them! It's not till her mother is kidnapped that she had to go in search of them.
With the help of a guy named Ellery Finch, she's set onto a path that befuddles the best of imaginations. She battles with herself, Finch and every THING she encounters in order to find her mother, "Ella" (Vanilla).
I enjoyed the story, half-heartedly. I didn't like Alice. She was crude, overly sarcastic and cursed like a freaking sailor! It didn't feel like a YA novel, she was so foul-mouthed. The adventure truly began a 1/4 of the way through the book, alerting me of a sequel. I'm sorry but I'm so tired of two and three books for an adventure- we don't always need a series. Once the adventure really began, I liked it a little more. I think many will love it, because Albert fed right in to what YA fans love most... an on-going storyline. Whatever happed to a beginning and end in a single book?
Anyway, The Hazel Wood is good, but I may not follow up with the second book.I'm not sure if it's for me just yet, but you can surely check it out. Cheers!
The Hazel Wood
Melissa Albert
Published by Flatiron Books, January 2018
368 pages
Fantasy/Teens/Literature/Fiction/Science Fiction/Orphans
When I received The Hazel Wood (by
Melissa Albert
), advanced reader copy, I was absolutely thrilled. I mean, look at the cover! Black with flecks of lovely, shiny gold. Mysterious images that drew me in- It's absolutely gorgeous! So did the story keep me interested as much as the cover hooked me in? #element-af811d1b-5408-4dae-8cf3-a37715d4cd2c .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Never have I felt so conflicted with a story before. As soon as I was a quarter in, I knew it wouldn't be a full novel; there would be parts. There would be an extension of Alice's story and I wasn't sure I wanted to know it all.Don't get me wrong, the story is next to reading real life. It begins with the mundane life of a young adult, troubled, sad- probably depressed and full of gelatinous sarcasm. Simply stated, Alice is deeply troubled, but with good reason! It's not until her mother vanishes that she soon realizes her gloom & bad luck-filled doom came with purpose. She's not of this world. The things that used to haunt her and her mother in the night are real and coming for them! It's not till her mother is kidnapped that she had to go in search of them.
With the help of a guy named Ellery Finch, she's set onto a path that befuddles the best of imaginations. She battles with herself, Finch and every THING she encounters in order to find her mother, "Ella" (Vanilla).
I enjoyed the story, half-heartedly. I didn't like Alice. She was crude, overly sarcastic and cursed like a freaking sailor! It didn't feel like a YA novel, she was so foul-mouthed. The adventure truly began a 1/4 of the way through the book, alerting me of a sequel. I'm sorry but I'm so tired of two and three books for an adventure- we don't always need a series. Once the adventure really began, I liked it a little more. I think many will love it, because Albert fed right in to what YA fans love most... an on-going storyline. Whatever happed to a beginning and end in a single book?
Anyway, The Hazel Wood is good, but I may not follow up with the second book.I'm not sure if it's for me just yet, but you can surely check it out. Cheers!
The Hazel Wood
Melissa Albert
Published by Flatiron Books, January 2018
368 pages
Fantasy/Teens/Literature/Fiction/Science Fiction/Orphans
February 5, 2018
Almost Halloween
Spooky, Short Film Review
by Ruben Rodriguez
A short story, introduced by Needles the Gravedigger from his show Mausoleum of the Macabre: Halloween Special. The host shares bits of information on horror and interviews and such before going in to the amazing shor that is titled Almost Halloween. It’s about a wife whose husband loves the spooky holiday, but she’s just not that in to it. But when she thinks her husband is playing a prank on her, she’s in for the true fright of her life. It’s good. It’s fabulous. It’s freaking spooky!
The short is less than four minutes but you do get a jump-scare and then when you see what happens- you’re like, freaking out! I loved it; I watched twice before finally writing my review. Check it out! It is available on YouTube.com. A pretty cool scare in my book.
Almost Halloween
Directed, Written, Shot & Edited by Ruben Rodriguez
Produced by Jesus E. Salgado, Ruben Rodriguez, Giancarlo Orellana and Ari Chavez
Starred Kyle Kankonde, Ari Chavez and Jesus E. Salgado
by Ruben Rodriguez
A short story, introduced by Needles the Gravedigger from his show Mausoleum of the Macabre: Halloween Special. The host shares bits of information on horror and interviews and such before going in to the amazing shor that is titled Almost Halloween. It’s about a wife whose husband loves the spooky holiday, but she’s just not that in to it. But when she thinks her husband is playing a prank on her, she’s in for the true fright of her life. It’s good. It’s fabulous. It’s freaking spooky!The short is less than four minutes but you do get a jump-scare and then when you see what happens- you’re like, freaking out! I loved it; I watched twice before finally writing my review. Check it out! It is available on YouTube.com. A pretty cool scare in my book.
Almost Halloween
Directed, Written, Shot & Edited by Ruben Rodriguez
Produced by Jesus E. Salgado, Ruben Rodriguez, Giancarlo Orellana and Ari Chavez
Starred Kyle Kankonde, Ari Chavez and Jesus E. Salgado
