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August 2019 Quickie Reviews

This month was TCM’s annual Summer Under the Stars when they spend 24 hours each day honoring a different classic film actor. I made it a point to watch films featuring Ava Gardner, Melvyn Douglas, Shirley Temple, Buster Keaton and a couple of hard to find titles starring Irene Dunne. By default  I also saw a few more of Randolph Scott’s and Robert Young’s films.

August  2019 Breakdown
  • 29 films/series total
  • 18 new classic films
  • 5 TV series
  • 3 re-watches
  • 2 documentaries
Photo Source: IMDb

Favorite Discovery: The Indian Doctor and Wee Willie Winkie

Biggest Disappointment: Pandora and the Flying Dutchman Continue reading “August 2019 Quickie Reviews”

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Top Ten Tuesday – Books I Took a Chance On

Today’s Topic: Books I Enjoyed That Are Outside of My Comfort Zone

Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl

Hmm…it’s not often that I wander outside of my preferred genres or reading comfort zones. So I tweaked this week’s prompt a bit. Instead I’m sharing books that I took a chance on.

Basically, these are books that I didn’t know much about. Books I chose because I fell in love with the cover or maybe the back blurb caught my interest. Generally, they are by authors I’d never read before or I had not read any reviews about them prior to picking them up.

My choices for this Top Ten are recent reads that I really enjoyed. No sense including those that were a bust, right? Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday – Books I Took a Chance On”

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Book Review – In Spite of Lions by Scarlette Pike

SUMMARY

After a lifetime of abuse, Anna leaves home, but not to run away. Rather she runs towards freedom when she heads to Africa. On her journey there she befriends Mary Livingstone, the wife of missionary David Livingstone. Upon her arrival on foreign shores, she follows the Livingston family into the African interior to help with their work.

“It is necessary that you work against the pain of the body to make it stronger so that you may be a strong African woman,” she explained. “It will hurt, Miss Anna. But does that make it bad?”

However, Anna’s previous life has left her unprepared for the challenges of her new life. Though, she is accepted by the tribal chief, the villagers greet her with suspicion. While learning the basic tasks of daily survival, Anna also finds herself in the center of political conflict between the Boers and her new African family. And all the while she is still haunted by a past she hasn’t come to terms with yet.

For the full review, please follow me over to The Silver Petticoat Review.

 

 

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Film Review – Tolkien (2019)

The world of a J.R.R. Tolkien story is one of mystery, magic, romance, friendship, wars and meaning filled journeys. But what was the world of the real Tolkien like? How did a British born Catholic orphan who survived by the good will of others create not only languages, but a fantastical world which still enchants millions today? These are the questions that the new biographical drama Tolkien attempts to answer.

ABOUT TOLKIEN

After the successive deaths of both of their parents, the custody of John Ronald  and his brother is given to a Catholic priest. This man ensures that the two boys receive scholarships to a Birmingham school and lodging in the home of a wealthy widow.

In both these places he meets people who will influence and change his life. Despite Tolkien’s initial reluctance to be grafted into their circle, he soon forms a strong bond with students Geoffrey Smith, Robert Gilson and Christopher Wiseman. Together they form a club with the goal of changing the world through their artistic endeavours.

Tolkien also forms a strong attachment with his fellow boarder Edith. She relates to his orphan status and dependence on the charity of others.  With her, he is himself, able to discuss his world of fantasy creatures and languages.

As it always does, life intervenes, first through the reality of Tolkien’s reduced circumstances, the expectations of his guardian and finally the advent of a World War. But it is the memories of these valuable relationships which sustain and inspire him.

For the full review, please follow me over to The Silver Petticoat Review.

 

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July 2019 Quickie Film Reviews

July 2019 Breakdown:
  • 24 films/series total
  • 16 new classic films
  • 4 foreign films
  • 3 mini-series
  • 2 re-watches
  • 1 documentary

Most watched actor/actress: Jane Powell and John Garfield with three films each

Biggest Disappointment: Don’t Make Waves

Favorite Discovery: I watched a lot of great entertainment this month, so it’s hard to pick just one favorite. But it has to be Yesterday. Continue reading “July 2019 Quickie Film Reviews”

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Top Ten Tuesday – Characters I’d Like to Be Besties With

Today’s Topic: Characters I’d Like to Be Besties With

Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl

Over the years, I’ve realized that my preferences for real life friends and my book character friends do not always match. But one thing is for sure, in both worlds I prefer to avoid drama prone people. And I am always drawn to someone with a good sense of humor.

Here are a few fictional people that I could see myself “clicking” with if they ever came to life. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday – Characters I’d Like to Be Besties With”

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Ms. Fisher’s Modern Mysteries Review

Its’ a rare television series that achieves the status of a global phenomenon. But that is exactly what the Australian historical series Miss Fisher’s Mysteries accomplished. In fact, it is so popular that its’ fans demanded and completely crowd-funded a new film after the series ended. It’s success has also led to the production of a follow up series, Ms. Fisher’s Modern Mysteries.

ABOUT MS. FISHER’S MODERN MYSTERIES

The new Ms. Fisher is set several decades later in the 1960’s. It features Phryne Fisher’s niece Peregrine who inherits the Fisher fortune when the aunt she never knew goes missing. This Ms. Fisher also inherits the same curiosity and knack for solving mysteries.

RELATED: TV Review: Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries Season One

After a string of failed jobs and relationships, Peregrine finally finds her calling. She picks up where her aunt left off; as a private detective. She is assisted in her new endeavor by the members of The Adventuresses’ Club, of which her aunt was a member.

Like her aunt, she also forms a tenuous working relationship with a police detective. Though Detective James Steed doesn’t initially appreciate Peregrine’s interference in his cases, he slowly learns to appreciate her innate talent.

For my full review please follow me over to the Silver Petticoat Review.

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Top Ten Tuesday – New Author Discoveries This Year

Today’s Topic:  Freebie

Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl

I’m extremely author loyal. But I also love discovering new to me authors. One of my goals this year has been to read more by authors I’ve never read before. So far, I’ve had great success with this. So for this week’s freebie, I thought I would share some of my favorite new author discoveries this year.

Naomi Stephens – Shadow Among Sheaves -This cross between the biblical story of Ruth and Boaz and Bronte’s Jane Eyre fascinated me. And I was impressed by how well written this debut novel is.

Scarlette Pike – In Spite of Lions -This historical novel transported me to the plains of Africa and introduced me to one of the most fascinating characters I’ve ever met – and it turns out he is a real life historical figure.  My Review for The Silver Petticoat.

 

Jenn Bennett – Starry Eyes, Anatomical Shape of a Heart  – This popular YA author is one I’m behind on discovering. I enjoyed Starry Eyes better than the latter.

Lucy Parker – Act Like It, Pretty Face, Making Up – Several people have recommended Parker’s contemporary romances, including Modern Mrs. Darcy. I devoured these three on the plane and loved them.

Melanie Benjamin – The Girls in the Picture – I loved this fictionalized story of real life female film pioneers, Mary Pickford and Frances Marion. My review.

J’nell Ciesielski  – The Songbird and the Spy – Though I haven’t yet read her well-received debut, I did enjoy her sophomore WWII romantic drama.

Jules Wake – From Rome with Love, From Italy with Love – Rom-coms and Europe? This author’s books are right up my alley.

Sarah McCoy – Marilla of Green Gables – As a fan of the Anne of Green Gables series, this is the book I never knew I always wanted to read. Just perfect. My review for The Silver Petticoat.

Carla Kelly – The Wedding Journey – Author Rachel McMillan has never steered me wrong with her book recommendations. I enjoyed this historical about a group of vagabonds making their way across war-torn Spain.

Nadine Brandes – Fawkes – Too much hype often turns me off a book. It took me a while, but I finally gave this historical fantasy a chance and am so glad I did.

Dorothy Adamek – Carry Me Home – This historical set on an Australian island is one of the best books I’ve read this year. My review.

Who are some authors you’ve discovered this year? Are there any you would recommend?

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Book Review – Fearless by Tamara Leigh

SUMMARY

When the haze of battle settles on the fields of Hastings, Norman warrior Guarin D’Argent does not expect to be the savior of a Saxon woman. But in rescuing her, he risks his own freedom when he is taken captive by her people.

Hawisa Wulfrithsdotter despises the Normans, not only for the atrocities committed against her people but also for the deaths of her husband and son. To her, all Normans are the same, until a certain silver-haired soldier saves her from his own kind.

During his time in captivity, Guarin and Hawisa come to know each other better, learning that a potential ally can hide behind the face of an enemy. However, despite their growing connection, they remain at cross purposes. Hawisa remains part of a rebellion against the Norman King William. She is convinced that the Saxons will once again rule England. Guarin knows better and owes his allegiance to her enemy king. But when betrayal comes from one of her own, will Hawisa be able to trust her enemy savior? Continue reading “Book Review – Fearless by Tamara Leigh”