Celebrating Stories in Every Medium
Today’s Topic: Favorite Tropes
Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl
I honestly think tropes get a bad rap. I’ve found that I enjoy many of them if done well. But as with stories in general, a good author can make any trope interesting and compelling. So, here are a few of my favorites and some examples of each. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday – My Favorite Fiction Tropes”
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.
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”
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”
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.
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.
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.
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?
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”
Today’s Topic: Settings I’d Like to See More Of (Or At All)
Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl
Sometimes settings add as much to a story as the character or plot does. Here are a few books whose settings really stood out to me and have remained memorable. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday – My Favorite Book Settings”
Today’s Topic: Auto-Buy Authors
Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl
Fellow readers know that when you find an author you love, you want to read every book they write as soon as they release it. This week’s prompt was an easy one for me. The hard part was trimming my list down. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday – My Auto Buy Authors”
Grace Kelly was a popular and talented actress beloved by her public. But she became even more loved by a larger public when she became the Princess of Monaco.
According to The American Film Institute, MGM decided to capitalize on Kelly’s relationship with Prince Ranier by casting her as Princess Alexandra in the film The Swan. They even co-ordinated the release date of the film with that of her wedding. Helen Rose who costumed Kelly for this film also created her famous wedding dress.Talk about a genius marketing move by the studio! Because of this, The Swan is a good example of life imitating art.
Princess Alexandra is her family’s only hope of regaining their royal eminence, generations after losing their throne. Her desperate mother, Princess Beatrice hopes to marry her off to Crown Prince Albert, who is travelling Europe in search of a wife.
When Albert arrives for a brief visit, Beatrice does all she can to throw the two together. But Albert mistakes Alexandra’s awkward shyness as disinterest and coldness and undertakes to avoid her.
Distraught, Beatrice talks her daughter into publicly flirting with the family’s tutor, in an effort to make the Crown Prince jealous. But her plan backfires in ways she can’t forsee.
To read my full review, please follow me over to The Silver Petticoat Review.