Tome Thursday: Ghastly Mistake

 

Hello everyone!

 

Well, we did it.

 

WE DID IT.

 

I say, as if I were single-handedly responsible for getting these books out. HA. I wish.

 

Better words to use would be that Byrd Nash did it, getting all six parts of her gaslight romantasy series out into the world at large, and with such ample success too!

 

I accidentally stumbled over Madame Chalamet on BookSirens, but then after the first three books discovered the author would actually be doing ARCs personally as well, and got myself hooked up to that.

 

Because there was no way, NO WAY, I'm telling you, that I would be missing out.

 

Elinor Chalamet is everything you might want in a female hero, and I was going to hitch myself along for the ride to witness her story come to a satisfying conclusion.

 

And boy, did it!

 

Time to talk to ghosts one last time (for now) in Ghastly Mistake.

 

Talkie Tuesday: One Bad Apple

 

"Never underestimate a baker."

 

Hello everyone!

 

Welcome back.

 

After taking a bit of a break last week, I decided to sink my teeth into a deliciously yummy murder mystery for you all for this week's blog post.

 

What can I say - I'm an amateur sleuth at heart. It all goes back to watching Hercule Poirot on TV with my parents when I was younger.

 

Tonight's choice might not be QUITE as sophisticated as Agatha Christie's little mustachioed detective, but, that aside, it has an amiable cast and a fairly easy plot to follow, so I'd say that's a pretty good choice for anyone to watch.

 

They also managed to make the switch in male stars rather seamless. Ish. So hopefully that bodes well for the future!

 

For now, put on your aprons and get those apple peelers. One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, is up next.

 

Tome Thursday: Blood of the Dragon

 

Hello everyone!

 

As promised, here we are with our next contestant in the blogging world!

 

And boy oh boy is it a good one.

 

Listen, I've said this before and I'll say it again, but some authors just knock it right out of the park, not to mention right into our hearts.

 

Retellings, particularly of fairy tales, usually come with warnings or they tend to lack something or other when all is said and done.

 

But not this one, oh ho ho, no.

 

This one's pretty much grand from start to finish, with little sprinklets of what-who-where throughout.

 

Without further ado, let's stop with my rambling, and jump right into the story, shall we?

 

The story that is NOT ASOIAF related, but is still titled Blood of the Dragon.

 

Tome Thursday: The Land the Gods Forgot

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome back to another book review.

 

Tonight's choice makes a whole lot of sense if you remember that I'm a big fan of Outlander and Vikings, which is basically what this is a mash-up of.

 

The fact remains that there's been a BIG resurgence of time travel books and books that feature characters just randomly popping through time since Diana Gabaldon's works have been adapted by Starz (and this is ending with the eighth season, so, SOBS GALORE).

 

Which isn't a bad thing, honestly, because there's sooo many places you could time travel to!

 

Now, if only we could find authors that wrote about someone dropping into Ancient Greece or the like.

 

Anyway, without further ado, let's get right into Sarah Beth's book, alright?

 

The ravens are gathering and the battle draws near in The Land the Gods Forgot.

 

Talkie Tuesday: Fighter

 

"Jai Hind!"

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome to another Bollywood extravaganza.

 

I mean it, too.

 

Because while I might have tentatively dipped my toe into the waters of India-based movies initially, this one threw me right into the middle of the ocean and forced me to swim, sans life-jacket.

 

It was either that, or sink right to the bottom, so swimming it was!

 

Man, I loved it too. Tonight's choice is probably going to be one of my top spring movies to watch (I say spring, because that's when it was released on Netflix, despite the fact that it premiered back in January, so mid-winter). Very few will be able to top the sense of loyalty and love for your country mixed with just the right amount of absurd that seem to make up a lot of the Bollywood niche.

 

So without further ado, let's buckle our seatbelts - it's time to fly high in the sky with Fighter.

 

Tome Thursday: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

 

Hello everyone!

 

After taking a mini break right after the Easter holidays and skipping Tuesday, I'm back once again with my next blog post installment, and boy is it a funny one.

 

See, I was supposed to read this book, like, literal ages ago.

 

It was given to me as a gift by one of my best friends, but one thing led to another and, for some reason still unknown to me, I managed to misplace it.

 

I KNOW. Shame.

 

I found it again this week though, after being off-work for a bit and having the time to really clean some stuff, so I managed to unearth it, dust it off, and figure, why not?

 

It's reasonably short, in comparison to the author's other works, so it's a very quick read, and there's nothing too complicated about it.

 

I'm talking, of course, about GRRM, and his three-story collecting A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

 

Tome Thursday: Origins of the Wheel of Time

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome to this week's book of choice.

 

Now, I had another one lined up to review tonight, but then looked at the calendar and figured ... it's much, MUCH too early for it.

 

Because THAT book only releases in about three weeks.

 

This one's been out for years.

 

So I figured, let's switch things up a little and worry about the review later, shall we?

 

And if you've followed me for a while now, you'll know that I'm also someone who LOVES behind the scenes stuff.

 

I live for it.

 

The fact that we get to see glimpses into someone's creative process? Yeah, that's my jam.

 

Which means that without further ado, let's jump right into the Origins of the Wheel of Time.

 

Talkie Tuesday: The Sword in the Stone

 

"And the glorious reign of King Arthur was begun."

 

Hello everyone!

 

I'm taking it old school today.

 

And I'm talking very, VERY old school. 

Because I was feeling nostalgic this weekend what with some things going on in my family and at work, so I decided to sit down and watch something I haven't in a long while.

Turns out, it's even better nowadays when I can actually UNDERSTAND all the jokes that went right over my head when I was a child!

So without further ado, I'm just going to hop right into it.

Because, like they say in the movie itself, nothing ventured - nothing gained.

And we'll gain nothing whatsoever if we don't talk about The Sword in the Stone.

Tome Thursday: Beneath the Gods' Tree

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome to the second book in a row which features living in a desert.

 

It looks like that's a bit of a trend when it comes to recent releases, or upcoming releases I suppose, and I can't say I'm upset about it.

 

There's always things to find more and more interesting the more you read books like this!

 

And tonight's choice is no exception.

 

After meeting an empire that rose after the world was left in shambles, we venture into a totally different fantasy situation today in a world that has nothing to do with our own.

 

It's just sort of ... worse? If that's even possible.

 

So I guess what I'm trying to say is, there's always more after rock bottom, even if you think there isn't.

 

S. Kaeth's book, Beneath the Gods' Tree, is well worth the read.

 

Talkie Tuesday: Mythica, A Quest for Heroes

 

"We'll create our own destinies."

 

Hello everyone!

 

Welcome to what's actually the first entry in a series of review posts I'm going to be doing, although I'm not sure if I'll be doing them one after another chronologically, or if it's going to be a series with some pauses in between.

 

BUT.

 

I found out a little while back that there's a BUNCH of direct-to-video films which feature a rather favoured actor of mine, Jake Stormoen (he of The Outpost fame, that is).

 

So I decided to sit down and watch them.

 

And I have to say, for relatively low-budget productions? This project looks rather COOL, all things considered!

 

Which means fasten your seatbelts, everybody: and let's check out Mythica, Quest for Heroes.

 

Tome Thursday: The Broken Sands

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome to what's probably going to make my top 5 list of books for 2024, because, SERIOUSLY.

 

I mean, I know BookSirens is a hub for amazing authors and whatnot, and I've definitely stumbled across more than one fantastic read since joining, but every once in a while I also latch onto positive GEMS of books, tonight's choice being one of them.

 

There's only so many ways to tell the story of people in the desert, but Iren Adams managed to do so.

 

To think, I sat on the book for ages because I didn't have the time to read it.

 

HA.

 

Well, I made time very recently, and I think I gobbled it up in one or two sittings. There's just no way to put it down once you begin and realize that it's going to be absolutely stunning.

 

So without further ado, let's stop with my babbling and get right to it, shall we? The desert sun waits for no one, especially not in The Broken Sands.

 

Talkie Tuesday: Murder at the Breakers

 

"It's time for a new generation to step up to the mantle."

 

Hello everyone!

 

Welcome back to the murder mystery train.

 

That's right, the weather outside being what it is - that is, rainy and foggy and all things mysterious - has prompted me to return to my love of mysteries, because there's just something about the kind of atmosphere it produces which always leads me to either read or watch detectives muddle their way through clues.

 

This one's no different.

 

Actually, I think Hallmark's trying it's hand at several different, new projects right now, with rights to different book series, to see what sticks to the wall and what doesn't.

 

Because Gilded Newport Mysteries was a book series FIRST before they translated it onto the screen, and I'm now absolutely curious about the series as a whole, having seen this first installment.

 

I'm a fan of HBO's Gilded Age, after all. Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers sounded right up my alley.

Tome Thursday: Abducting Artemis

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome to the first installment (or is it prequel?) of a new series that I randomly picked off of BookSirens a little while ago.

 

Oh yes, BookSirens, remember them?

 

That fancy-schmancy online nexus where authors upload their ARCs for readers to then peruse at their leisure and leave free reviews in return?

 

Yes, that BookSirens.

 

Honestly, if you haven't checked it out yet, you totally should. If you're a voracious reader like I am, this is SO going to make your life easier, I can guarantee it.

 

But back to tonight's story, which is all about, er ... Greek Gods.

 

In space.

 

Buckle up, Buttercups, because Abducting Artemis boldly goes where no one has gone before.

 

Talkie Tuesday: True Justice Family Ties

 

"Always follow the wife."

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome to what I'd probably call the Kat McNamara appreciation post, if it didn't already have a different title.

 

See, I've been a HUGE fan of hers since her Shadowhunters days, and once she joined Arrow as the one and only Mia Queen? Forget it, I was set for life to be one of her biggest fans.

 

She's just an amazingly versatile actress, and I'm reasonably sure she just hasn't found the role that would skyrocket her for life, which is a shame because I feel like she could do really, really well among the big Hollywood A-listers.

 

Then again, maybe she's perfectly happy where she's at right now though? Who can tell!

 

I know that I was pleasantly surprised seeing her name pop up in association with Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, so this weekend I sat down to watch the little movie she made with them.

 

Because, don't you know, I like murder mysteries, too. Which True Justice: Family Ties absolutely, definitely is.

 

Tome Thursday: Aroha and the Billionaire Boss

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome to the newest addition on the shelves of Serenity Woods, because OF COURSE there's going to be a new book releasing soon, am I right?

 

Now, realistically, this one doesn't hit the shelves for another week or so BUT.

 

But.

 

I was super duper lucky to be sent an ARC of it - I'm a part of Ms Woods' ARC readers' group, and I still have no idea just HOW I got this lucky, because she's my absolute favourite contemporary romance author - so I got early access.

 

And man oh man, am I telling you that you NEED to read it.

 

I know I'm putting up a lot of captions and whatnot in this intro, but it's all for a good cause, I promise you this.

 

Because these billionaires ... they literally take your breath away. 

 

Aroha and the Billionaire Boss is no different, either.

 

Talkie Tuesday: A Zest for Death

 

"The plot thickens."

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome back to Lake Eden, where the baking is fantastic and the murder is ripe.

 

Quite literally, actually.

 

Joanne Fluke was on to something when she invented Hannah Swensen, her baker-slash-detective, at amateur levels of course, because generally speaking we as amateurs enjoy having someone else's eyes to look through when some sort of crime happens.

 

The movie series for her book adaptations has been running at Hallmark for a few years now, even after the rebrand from Murder She Baked to Hannah Swensen Mysteries, and that's probably proof enough that people really enjoy it.

 

Besides, what's not to like about some eye candy like Cameron Mathison, right?

 

Right.

 

So put on your thinking caps and grab your kitchen utensils: tonight's choice is A Zest for Death.

 

Tome Thursday: Runt of the Pack

 

Hello everyone!

 

And this week, I welcome you to something slightly different in terms of books, at least for me, since I usually DON'T read these.

 

But when BookSirens suggests something, who am I to disagree with it?

 

Especially as it hasn't steered me wrong yet!

 

Thus far, I think I've thoroughly enjoyed every single book I've picked up, or maybe there were a few that slipped through the cracks of enjoyment, but, overall I'd say the success rate has been pretty high here.

 

So when I grabbed this one, I wasn't overly worried, although I WAS thinking it would maybe be a little bit longer even.

 

No matter.

 

Because the fate of a pack is in our hands. As depicted in Runt of the Pack.

 

Talkie Tuesday: Premiere Week

 

"Here we go again."

 

 

Hello everyone!

 

So I'm kinda cheating this week.

 

LOL as if that wasn't immediately obvious from the title of this post!

 

But I honestly didn't have time to really watch anything during this past weekend, HOWEVER, I was VERY much watching all the premieres that went live as the new show season FINALLY started.

 

The strike really influenced everything and everyone in the Hollywood business, unfortunately.

 

This means most shows will only be sharing shortened, 13-or-so long seasons, which is half of what they'd usually do.

Considering we're losing at least one or two good ones, this is a crying shame, but nothing we can do about it now.

Instead, let's just hop right into it!

Tome Thursday: Wages of War

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome to the conclusion that is the Immortal Realms series!

 

Or at least, the current conclusion, as I'm reasonably sure there MIGHT still be follow-ups, since there's been a bunch of stuff set up for the kids that may or may not happen in future.

 

But for the purposes of this particular blog post, we'll be focusing solely on the concluding novel.

 

Because, it does in fact tie off pretty much ALL the loose ends, more or less.

 

It's also the one that made me wonder what's wrong with me when I usually don't like the heroines LOL, but that aside, it's actually entertaining and if you're a fan of romance, fighting, and a happily ever after, then I'm pretty sure you're going to enjoy this.

 

Throw in some Greek mythology? You've got yourself a winner!

 

Without more babbling for me, here are the Wages of War.

 

Talkie Tuesday: Paging Mr. Darcy

 

"There are Darcys in the world, after all."

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome to a little something that I was actually kind of looking forward to, not that I advertised it much.

 

See, Hallmark has been a staple for me ever since I started this blog, way back when.

 

And earlier, too.

 

I can vividly remember some of the earliest movies that launched once this service came into being (still looking for one in particular that I can't seem to find no matter what, but I'll get there!), and since then, it's become a bit of a powerhouse in churning out flicks to watch.

 

This year, they decided to treat February as their own Jane Austen month, and wouldn't you know it, but I LOVE Austen, too. So a match made in heaven, then!

 

I might watch some of their other things as well, but to begin with, we'll be looking at something rather fun: Paging Mr. Darcy.

 

Tome Thursday: Repressed Echoes

 

Hello everyone!

 

Welcome back to the weekly musings on books which tend to happen whenever I have too much time on my hands and figure out reading something's the best way to kill said time LOL.

 

Or, in other words, the weekly book blog!

 

This week we're returning to an author that I got to know via BookSirens, and actually got an email from them about another ARC being listed, something I squealed about.

 

Why?

 

Because it's another post-apocalyptic story, which I LOVED in Prevent the Past, but this one hits a little bit closer to home in that it, one: mentions the pandemic that happened, and two: it's about gratuitous drug use and more.

 

So it comes with a bunch of warnings but, it's honestly really, really awesome, and explores some pretty interesting (dangerous) concepts.

 

Let's dive right into Repressed Echoes, shall we?

 

Talkie Tuesday: Percy Jackson and the Olympians

 

"Earthshaker. Stormbringer. Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon."

 

Hello everyone!

Something a little different tonight after the movie madness I've fallen into - but we definitely aren't straying far from the Mouse in any event.

What can I say, I'm a Disney kid, alright?

 

Growing up on these movies, you're hard-pressed to just NOT watch something once they release it, you know. I mean, you obviously CAN choose not to but, why if it's entertainment in some way, shape or form, right?

 

Right!

 

So on with the show. Or in this case, the show that's a second attempt at an adaptation after some arguably bad movies years ago.

 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians swing in like the hammer of the gods but, do they succeed? Read on and find out!

 

Tome Thursday: Frozen Flowers Fallen

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome, yet again, to ANOTHER story which happens in our favourite post-apocalyptic world, Sziveria!

 

Yes, yes, I know, you're probably asking yourself 'does this woman read anything else?!' and I promise that I do.

 

In fact I have like, five other books lined up from BookSirens right now that I have to chew through at some point, not to mention Sarah J. Maas and her Crescent City series, or even J. R. Ward with her Black Dagger Brotherhood and other spin-offs, really.

 

BUT.

 

When I got the email that Sarah Westill listed a new ARC on my favourite ARC site? I just had to look. It turned out to be of a novella I've been DYING to get my hands on, but that can be tricky given that they were originally only published through Amazon.

 

Now I had the chance. I JUMPED. Duh. Because it's a prequel to Guardians of Sziveria and is called Frozen Flowers Fallen.

 

Talkie Tuesday: The Little Mermaid 1989

 

"Watch and you'll see, someday I'll be, part of your world ..."

 

Hello everyone!

 

I promised you this movie sometime before New Year's, and somehow didn't get to it because I was watching all the other stuff.

 

That's usually how things go with me, honestly.

 

BUT, here we are!

 

We're finally taking a look at how it all began, not counting the original fairy tale that was brought to life by Walt Disney back in the day.

 

It's wild to me how I didn't even know this movie was originally released in 1989. That's the year I was born! I need to start paying better attention hehe.

 

Without further ado, however, it's once again time to dig out our fins and dust them off. If you've got any shell bras then you best put them on, too.

 

Because The Little Mermaid is calling from the deep again.

 

Tome Thursday: Gift of Wind

 

Hello everyone!

 

We are once again back in the land of Teutonica, and if I'm not mistaken, the next book in the series might just be the last.

 

What a ride it's been!

 

Although some readers might say there wasn't much to the overarching plot and such, I say differently. It WAS a bit slow in starting, but that doesn't mean that it didn't REALLY get going once it hit full throttle.

 

We've been at it for a bunch of books and a handful of novellas now, and my goodness, have I enjoyed every single one of them so far.

 

This book was no exception whatsoever!

 

So without further ado, let's jump straight into it, shall we?

 

Because we're being called, by ice and wind both, in the book aptly titled Gift of Wind.

 

Talkie Tuesday: Persuasion (1995)

 

"I have loved none but you."

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome again to yet another rendition of a favourite of mine.

 

Listen, okay, I can't help it.

 

But I'm now wondering if, after TWO successful iterations, I should risk it with the Netflix one.

 

Oh I'm sure it's fine and all but, remembering the trailer, I can honestly say it comes across as quite comedic, which this story is not and never was.

 

So I'm nervous. Can you blame me?

 

I might skip that one, because man oh man, if this isn't my favourite Jane Austen story then I don't know what to tell you. And the 1995 one doesn't disappoint, just like the 2007 one doesn't!

 

So without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, for the second time: Persuasion.

 

Tome Thursday: Wolvenguard

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome back.

 

As you can see, we're more on track this week with the blog posts and everything, so hopefully I don't derail again in the coming weeks as work gets busier.

 

But that aside, do I have a treat for you!

 

BookSirens just remains the gift that keeps on giving, and it keeps supplying me with absolutely wonderful stories to read, or in this case, continuations to the series that I started on there.

 

Sarah Westill, as well, is an author I never would have picked up otherwise, yet here we are, seven or eight books in, and I'm still just as much on the edge of my seat now as I was when I picked up Wintersfall way back when at this point.

And the story keeps getting better with each new book in the series!

Guardians of Sziveria is a really, really riveting read, and I highly recommend it, which is why tonight we're taking a look at its newest installment: Wolvenguard.

Talkie Tuesday: Persuasion (2007)

 

"I have loved none but you."

 

Hello everyone!

 

Terribly sorry about last week, but life just got in the way of practically EVERYTHING else, and I couldn't find either the time or the energy to write up any blog posts.

 

BUT.

 

I'm making up for that this week with a rather lovely choice, if I do say so myself, because I'm starting to realize I have different preferences regarding Jane Austen than I did while still in the throes of growing up, so to speak.

 

Don't get me wrong, Pride and Prejudice will ALWAYS be her best work, but her other novels deserve the same sort of respect, too.

 

Especially and most particularly the one I chose for tonight's blog, or its adaptation at least.

 

Bonnets out, everyone. Enter Persuasion, the 2007 version, stage right.

 

Tome Thursday: Haunted Grave

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome to the first post-Christmas book blog that is an ABSOLUTE treat.

 

When I originally stumbled across this book series as a member of BookSirens (you know, that online platform which brings together authors and readers for mutual benefits of free books - free reviews), I was hesitant because a "Sherlock Holmes inspired story" has been done before, and not very well.

 

Then I started reading Madame Chalamet and her mysteries, and changed my mind.

 

Byrd Nash has such a way with words and manages to draw you in with her characters, in particular in this series, but I'm absolutely going to try and get my hands on some of her other works.

 

I may have found another favourite, after all!

 

But for right now, I need to not digress.

 

Because things are going bump in the night, and turning uglier and deadlier.

 

Which is probably why this book is quite appropriately titled Haunted Grave.

Talkie Tuesday: GOWR Valhalla

 

"You have always been more than what others saw."

 

Hello everyone!

 

And Happy New Year!

 

I hope that you had a wonderful celebration with friends, family, or others who bring you as much joy as they possibly can, and that you ended 2023 on a good bang. 

 

Also, that 2024 will bring you everything you may want or need, even if you yourself don't think you do. Because sometimes, getting the unexpected and realizing that it's exactly what we would have asked for if we'd known to ask, is probably the best solution.

 

As far as this blog goes, well, we're back on the regular grind now!

 

And boy, do I have a banger for you tonight.

 

Released at the start of December, completely free of charge and made specifically for the fans, this particular subject has probably garnered plenty of praise purely based on that alone.

 

Then you figure out the what, who and why, and it gets even better. Because it's God of War, Ragnarok, to be precise, and its DLC: Valhalla.