Classic Movie Friday!

The Ranger and the Lady ~1940

Roy Rogers

George (Gabby) Hayes

Julie Bishop

Do you like westerns? Do you know who Roy Rogers is??? My husband received a collection of westerns (DVD) for his birthday and we have been watching said movies. “The Ranger and the Lady,” is one of the movies in the collection.

It was good. I liked it.

Sam Houston is in the “nation’s capital” trying to get Texas admitted into the union. Houston’s aide is a villain. I need a boo hiss! 😦  He’s trying to force a tariff on the use of Santa Fe Trail. The scoundrel! A lady (Julie Bishop) owns a wagon train and she refuses to pay the tariff. Good for her! Someone needs to stand up to the creep! So, a Texas Ranger (Roy Rogers) comes to her assistance.

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“The Reluctant Widow,” by Georgette Heyer

Oh! My! Word! Or, as my neighbor was known to say, “Never in all my born days!”

I can always depend on Georgette Heyer to write a frolicking good romp!

In this story, Elinor is traveling to new place of employment to be a governess. Well, she boards the wrong coach and discovers she is at the estate of Eustace Cheviot, who is dying of a wound. Well, his cousin Ned, convinces Elinor to marry Eustace as a business arrangement. How rude! The following morning, she learns she is a widow.

I laughed so much. I hooted! Nicky was my favorite character. He had so much spirit and energy. He really wanted to be a part of a grand adventure. I could see him on a quest. That’s right, I could.

Yes, this story has mystery, intrigue, humor, adventure, skulking, that’s right skulking around, cloak and dagger stuff and down right good fun! 5*****

“Medusa’s Hands,” by Monica Mynk

This faith based book is really about human trafficking. There are several issues woven throughout the story ~alcoholism, drug addiction, forgiveness ~ but human trafficking is the main issue.

Megan is a waitress, struggling financially, trying to finish school and get a job as a hair stylist. Zack is a young man Megan has known since they were kids. He’s in love with her but she doesn’t want anything to do with him. He’s a party guy and treats her bad.  One day Kelsey, Zack’s niece, arrives on Megan’s doorstep. Kelsey’s mother, Larissa, is missing and in danger. Megan, not in any position to help a teenager, asks Zack for help.

I liked the characters, well, I didn’t like the antagonist, but no one likes the antagonist!

They all had baggage, but they were likable. I thought Kelsey was a brat! I did. 🙂 She got into trouble several times throughout the story. Ultimately she was worried about her mother, but she wasn’t listening to the adults in life who wanted to keep her safe and were looking out for her well-being.

I thought Larissa , Kelsey’s mother, had some strength in her character when all was said and done. ****stars.

I’d like to thank the author for e-mailing her book to me in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

“Seashell Season,” by Holly Chamberlin

First, I would like to say, I really liked this book!

Gemma was abducted by her dad when she was two months old! Her mother, Verity, never gave up hope. Seventeen years later, Gemma is found and returned to her mother. Gemma’s dad is in prison.

This is a captivating story of a mother and daughter reconnecting. Their story grabbed my attention and didn’t let go until I read the final page. It’s set in the coastal town of Yorktide, Maine. Although, I have never been in a situation like this one, I thought the author did a wonderful job sharing the challenges of a family shattered by one man’s decision, and the blessing’s of reuniting and the journey to healing. The book does have some profanity and there are brief discussions and thoughts about sex, but nothing graphic.

I am giving it 4**** stars on goodreads, only because of the profanity, but this is a five***** star story.

Classic Movie Friday!

The Comancheros ~1961

John Wayne

Stuart Whitman

Well! It all started when Monsieur Paul Regret (Stuart Whitman) killed a man in a duel. Now I really don’t want men to duel, however, it seemed to me it was a fair fight, hence, I didn’t believe it was murder! But, as a result of the deadly duel, yup that’s right, the Monsieur was a wanted outlaw, so Texas Ranger Jake Cutter (John Wayne) tracks and captures him. Then it gets complicated.

The Comancheros is a good humorous, action packed, classic western. I found myself chuckling throughout the movie. John Wayne was one of a kind!

Have you seen The Comancheros? Tell me your thoughts. What John Wayne movies have you seen? I’d love to hear from you. Enjoy!

Tuesday Teaser #TuesdayBookBlog

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jenn of Books And A Beat. I discovered Tuesday Teaser at http://www.lizannelloyd.wordpress.com

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to random page
• Share two or three “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be Careful Not To Include Spoilers (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

“The Things We Knew,” by Catherine West is the second book I have read by this author. It asks the question ~ “When the tragic past begins to resurface, can he help her remember the things she can’t?”

“Curled up in bed, covers pulled tight, she strained to hear the whisper over the wind. Some nights the voice was clear, like Mom was right there in the room, the faintest scent of light musk and lavender tickling Lynette’s imagination. Other nights, all she heard was her own sigh of disappointment as angry waves crashed against the Nantucket cliffs beyond the garden wall.”

Catherine’s books are listed on goodreads. I purchase her books at local bookstores. Enjoy!

Pandora’s Deed by Monica Mynk

Savannah was abandoned as a baby and bullied as a child. As a result of the bullying, she left the town where she grew up, never intending to return, however, when she discovers she’s inherited property she does decide to return home. Savannah is searching for her identity and the story is centered around a scavenger hunt. Savannah has a history of poor choices and shallow relationships and as such she believes she will never be loved and would be a poor choice for a wife. Grace, forgiveness, unconditional love and faith are rich throughout the book.

I thought the scavenger hunt was interesting, well developed and nicely written. In fact, I was totally into that scavenger hunt! I liked Savannah. She did have “baggage,” and I was terribly disappointed in her at one point in the story, she made a poor decision, but I did like her. She did make positive choices also. I especially liked the ferris wheel and the girl who looked like a vampire. Nicely done!

The story tends to be crude in places and there were moments when I thought it should be an episode of “Criminal Minds.” As such, I don’t think it’s a book for everyone.

Geoff, the bully from her past, has changed and is wanting forgiveness from Savannah. Geoff is a mellow guy and is hurt frequently by Savannah’s words and her erratic behavior. He perseveres, definitely refusing to give up on her! However, there needed to be some character development in Geoff and Savannah. Savannah especially, just seemed to change. However, with that being said, I did have a clear picture of both Geoff and Savannah.

Of course, there is a female and male antagonist. Eeeeuuuuuu. And, that’s all I have to say about that!

4**** stars! And! I would like to thank Monica for e-mailing her book to me in exchange for an honest review. Good story!

 

 

 

The Curiosity Shop ~

Yesterday Rick and I traveled to places unknown. 🙂 In our journey, we discovered a town with a population of seventy people. I was driving, so I parked our vehicle and we walked the one street community. In the center of town, much to our delight, was a curiosity shop. As we pushed the door open a bell sounded and we gazed upon a business with stacks and stacks and piles and piles of everything.

So colorful! Reds! Yellows! Blues! Greens! Toys, clothes, hats, puzzles, games, knickknacks, books, shoes, boots, glassware, greeting cards and oddities of every kind. It wasn’t an antique store, however, they did have a few interesting antiques. They had a vintage cash register, and a stove that dated to I don’t know what year? They had an interesting antique washing machine. I don’t really know how to describe it, but it had a large tub and two wringers were attached to it. The person doing the laundry would run the wet clothes through the two wringers to squeeze the water out of the clothes. I hope that describes it ok. Oh! I found a picture!

That Curiosity Shop was so unique and great fun. We were lost inside that business of oddities for a long time, not even wanting to come out or pop our heads up to gaze around and see what was happening while we browsed.

I bought a book. As I  waited in line to pay for it, the customer behind me was purchasing the most colorful jacket I have ever seen in my life. Any color I could possible think of was on the jacket.

Two lovely elderly ladies were working. I spoke to them for a minute and they said, the store changes constantly. The next time we visit, it was guaranteed to be completely different!

I’m trying to remember what was the most unique item I saw . . . probably the seamstress mannequin! 🙂

Well, anyway, we had a great time! Rick and I are going to return one day and explore again! Next time I’ll have my camera and take hundreds of photos! haha.

 

The Sidekick? The Unsung Hero/Heroine!

Isn’t she lovely?

Mrs. Pevensie (Judy McIntosh) Mum ~ based on the book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis.

She’s a strong woman. Her husband is away fighting in a war. After saying, good-bye, she watches her children board a train and leave her side to live in the country with strangers, to save their lives. No one really knows what happened to her during the war, but we are happy and relieved that she was reunited with her children later.

I would say, without a doubt she is an unsung heroine!

“Death in the Air,” by Agatha Christie

Good morning blogging friends! 🙂 I was perusing the books in the library, that’s right perusing, when much to my delight I discovered a mystery by Agatha Christie I had not read! YAY! There are a few I haven’t read, but I can’t seem to find them. I did have a list with the titles, but I lost it. A sad tale of woe and misery. 🙂

Anyway, Poirot is on a flight. Poor guy, I don’t think he enjoys flying. Whilst said plane is in the air, a woman is discovered dead. There is a doctor on the flight whose services are called upon and the woman is briefly examined. Well, she is definitely dead and through a process, with Poirot involved, it is decided she was murdered! And yes, she is dead.

After the plane lands, our intrepid Inspector Japp is called upon, passengers are detained for questioning and thus the investigation is under way.

I loved it. I give it 5***** mysterious, sinister stars! I thought she had a great cast of characters, especially, the writer of detective novels! He was a good character. Odd? Quicky? Eccentric?

And of course, Poirot has his methods. I took notes whilst I read the novel, but I still did not solve the mystery. Really good mystery.

Have you read Death in the Air? I’d love to hear from you.