Top Ten Tuesday: My Top Reads For 2015

These are my top favorites I read this year. What do you think? Any suggestions on what I need to read next? Thanks for stopping by...Happy Holidays!!

10. Broken World --- Kate L. Mary      This one is zombie light. Not as much gore and brain eating, but more of a survival story.

 9. Broken Monsters---Lauren Beukes    A great mix of grit, suspense, interesting characters, and eerie feelings. Sadly, I am still confused by this one. It could have been great but fell a little short.

 8. The Ice Twins---S.K. Tremayne    A lovely haunting mystery. Some of the twists are not hard to figure out, but you will enjoy getting there.

 7. Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania---Erik Larson   Mr. Larson is my go to for historical reads.  If you find the Titanic interesting, you should check out the Lusitania!

 6. Sweet---Emmy Laybourne    An enjoyable, quick, horror read for those who like their humor dark.  A little too gory and I was not thrilled with the ending but it was memorable.

 5. The Titanic: The History and Legacy of the World's Most Famous Ship From 1907 to Today---Charles River Editors      This is the definitive collection for the Titanic curious.

 4. Two Weeks: A True Haunting--- Rebecca Patrick-Howard    I am a HUGE horror fan and it takes a lot to scare me. This story was nightmare inducing.

 3. Big Little Lies---Liane Moriarity     A murder mystery wrapped in a clever disguise of a tale of friendship

 2. Frozen Charlotte--- Alex Bell    You know a book is super creepy when just discussing with a non-reader freaks them out!!! Alex Bell Rocks!

 1. Ravensbruck: Life and Death in Hitler's Concentration Camp for Women--- Sarah Helm    One of my favorite and most informative books of The Holocaust that I have ever read. Life changing!


You can check out everyone else's Top Ten Lists Here: http://www.brokeandbookish.com/2015/12/top-ten-best-books-we-read-in-2015.html

Book Review: Troublemaker by Leah Remini

First I must admit that I am a Remini fan! I think she is Sassy and a Total Spitfire!! I have never really grasped the concept of Scientology, and after reading, I must admit I still do not get it. In my opinion it is cult who preys on those with cash and the famous. It seems to be ruled with mind control and isolation. I did enjoy reading about Leah's life. She has come a long way and should be proud. I am glad that her family has her back and were willing to step out of the only life they knew to support her. If you are interested in her life or Scientology at all this one is worth reading. There is also quite a bit of gossip about several stars.

Movie Review: The Final Girls

I was expecting a cheesy mess, but what I got was a huge Surprise!! I Loved this movie. I am a huge fan of horror movies and have a special place in my heart for the 80's horror series (i.e........Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th). The makers of this film obviously wanted to send a shout out to those 80's flicks. This movie is the perfect mix of horror, comedy, suspense, and romance. The relationship between the main character and her deceased mother is especially intriguing. I highly recommend checking this one out! One on my favorites this year!

Indie BookFest Christmas Gift Guide 2016

November 29, 2015 by Promo Leave a Comment

Ready for some help with your holiday shopping? Stock up those new kindles or get some paperbacks for under the tree. Support these Indie authors for your book buying needs.

Learn all about Indie BookFest which takes place in Orlando October 7, 8, & 9 2016

Click on the picture to purchase.

Young Adult Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, and Fantasy

Young Adult Sci-Fi

YA Dystopian

Young Adult Contemporary

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Contemporary Romance (Adult) and Chic Lit

Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy

Romantic Suspense

Science Fiction Romance

Mystery Thriller and Thriller

Historical Romance

Erotic Romance

Horror

Movie Review: Dark Places

So this book was not my favorite by Gillian Flynn. That would be Sharp Objects, which someone really should make a movie of.....Anyway. I actually enjoyed this movie more than the book, and that very rarely happens. Charlize Theron is perfect for the part of Libby Day, and Chloe Grace Moretz does a great job with her role as Diondra. Drea De Matteo was wonderful as Krissi. It so rarely happens that three strong female characters are the best parts of the film.
This novel was crying out for a movie version. Charlize's characters family is murdered when she is a child. The only ones who escape the gruesome murder are Libby Day and her brother.  When Libby is older and the murderer who she names is still in jail she is contacted by a group that loves to look into murders and do research on them.
I don't want to give away any of the plot but that will give you enough information to hopefully grab your interest. These characters are not likable. This is not a love and hugs type movie. There is a twist at the end, although you probably will see it coming, it still plays out well in the film version. I was pleasently surprised that I enjoyed this one as much as I did. If you like your mysteries dark and cloudy, you may want to try this one!

Movie Review: Air

Air stars Norman Reedus and Djimon Hounsou who are both actors that I like, sadly not in this one.  They literally are the only actors in the movie, well there is one actress but she barely appears enough to count. The whole concept of the film lacked depth. I was hoping it would get more interesting as it went along. Do yourself a favor and avoid this one. I literally could feel my brain cells dying off while watching it. My son said it was the worst movie he had ever seen.

Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I Have Read The Most Books By

1. V.C. Andrews----34
     I was obsessed with her as a teen and inhaled every book I can get my hands on. I miss her writing. She is great for when you want to read your soap opera instead of watch it!

2. Stephen King----30
    I am a huge horror fan and he does it best!

3. John Saul------10
    My teenage favorite, I loved him long before I knew who Stephen King was!

4. Jodi Picoult and Stephenie Meyer------5
    This is great chic lit! Meyer has a handle of vamps and Picoult does real world issues!

5. Leslie Rule----4
    Ann Rule's daughter who writes real life ghost stories.

6-10 There are a ton of authors I have read three books by. They include Joe Hill, Jennifer McMahon,   Rhiannon Frater, and Jessica Verday...and too many more to list. I can highly recommend all of these writers!!

Summer Movies: The Good, The Bad, and The Horrible!

I have been to the theater several times this summer. Some of my choices were great, others were stinkers! I really liked the entertainment value behind Jurassic World. It was two hours of action and edge of your seat excitement. It was (of course) VERY far fetched. Although, I wasn't expecting to much realism with a dinosaur film!
My stinker of the summer was Insidious 3. It should have been called Elise Returns. This was a supposed prequel to Insidious. There were no scares here. The writing was cheesy and it just wasn't as well done as the first movie. The ending leaves us with the impression that we may hear more from Elise. Personally I think they should just let her die, along with the series.
My fun movie of the summer was Magic Mike XXL. Obviously you don't go to this one for the storylines. I would have watched it for the gas station scene alone, "How much for the water and Cheetos?". It still makes me laugh! I found this one more comical than the first and was glad that they did away with the girlfriend drama of the first film.
What did you watch this summer? Any recommendations? What should I avoid?

Book Review: My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me: A Black Woman Discovers Her Family's Nazi Past

I thought this book brought up some very interesting points. Does nature or nuture effect us more? If our grandparents do something horrible are we required to share that with others? Are people allowed to know our families history if we don't want to share it? If you were not raised by your birth parents, are you required to feel like you must take on their guilt?
How confused and helpless Jennifer must have felt. I enjoyed reading about how she dealt with her revelations. I feel like by the end she was able to accept both of her families. It was a heart breaking journey to that acceptance, or at least passiveness toward the subject.
I can recommend this. It is a quick read. A very eye opening story that will stay with you long after you read the last page.

Book Review: The Girl With All The Gifts

This is a new take on zombies and the story holds much potential. The beginning is very well written with the main character Melanie being held in some type of cell. She is taken out into a classroom while strapped to a chair and forced into a muzzle. Of course you are thinking, what is going on here? Not many answers are given near the beginning, but there are plenty of questions and a good build up of suspense. 
The middle of the story was blogged down with many unnecessary facts and figures. The storyline began to move at a snail's pace. My mind started to wander and I was wondering if I would be able to finish the book.
When the ending finally rolled around, the action finally picked back up. I really liked the ending. I found Melanie to be a very enduring character. I really think shortening the book could have made this a four or five star read. The center of the storyline was just too boring.

I'm Back!!

I am finally back! After having major trouble with my computer and an inability to blog using my cell phone. I finally have a new computer!!!! YEAH!!!   I am SO Sorry for the long absence! I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things!

Armchair BEA Day Four: Book to Movie Adaptions

I tend to have a problem with most book to movie adaptions. Usually one is way better than the other and the endings are almost never the same. I tend to like to read the book first because in most cases the movie is different in some or all aspects. For instance I knew that Wayward Pines was being turned into a television show, so I finished the book before I started the show. Obviously, since the show is just starting, I can't yet tell you how the two compare.

One book that I really liked and also liked the movie was The Notebook. Yes, there were differences but I thought they were both well done.
   

One of the movies that had the biggest difference from the book was Breaking Dawn (Part Two). I went to the theater with someone who had not read the book. I clearly remember saying "Wait, this didn't happen in the book. I won't spoil any of it for those who don't know the difference.

 

A book that I recently finished was Frozen Charlotte by Alex Bell. This would make an Awesome movie. It would scare the pants off of most horror fans, if it was done correctly.


Frozen Charlotte is based on a real doll and a real song. The story is a cautionary tale concerning a young girl called Charlotte who refused to wrap up warmly to go on a sleigh ride to a New Year's ball. Upon arriving at the ball, her fiancé discovers that she has frozen to death during the journey. The dolls were based on the song.  The name is used to describe a specific form of china doll made from c. 1850 to c. 1920. The dolls also used to be penny dolls because they cost a penny to buy. Most of the dolls were manufactured in Germany. The dolls were sometimes placed in puddings, as a prize, if you got the doll you won. Reminiscent of the dolls hidden in Kings Cakes at Mardi Gras.

I don't know if this sounds creepy to you but imagine many tiny busted dolls who have minds of their own, and a knack with needles. Believe me, the story is creepy!

What do you think? Would you watch a Frozen Charlotte movie? What book do you feel needs to be adapted into a movie?

Armchair BEA: Day Three: Character Chatter

Characters can make or break a story. I have such an eclectic reading taste so I usually like things that other readers may not. One day I am checking out a kid's picture book and two days later I'm in zombie mode. I guess I will just read whatever I can get my hands on.

Characters You Love: To Hate
Liane Moriarity has a knack for characters. Not all of them are good, but all are well written. You may be surprised who you decide to feel sympathy for. If you haven't checked her out I can highly recommend Big Little Lies



Characters Who Have Lost Their Mind: Or Have They?
For me,  Adam Nevill wins the award for best written character. Catherine from The House of Small Shadows is fascinating. Is she losing it? Has she already lost it? Is the story reality or is she trapped in her own horror story? Guess what, You will have to read it to find out!!



 Diverse Characters:
Best group of diverse characters has to go to Michelle Kilmer's When the Dead. Imagine what an interesting group you would get out of an apartment full of people. Now, throw in zombies. There is good here and bad here, and the writing is excellent!




Historical Characters:

Vivian from Orphan Train is written so expertly . After reading Vivian's story you will feel as if Christina Baker Kline must have ridden the orphan train in real life. How did she get such a good grasp or the feelings and emotions of the riders? You really must read to find out how well written this one is!