Review: The Rewrite

The Rewrite

I picked this one up rather randomly... Which I'm apt to do sometimes. Anywho, Hugh Grant idn't my fave actor, but I do enjoy him and some of his later pieces. Oddly, the older he's gotten the better he is in the movies... Plays a lot of insufferable asses, but he plays them well.

This story ended up being one that really sparked something in me, as I watched it I saw how well it fits for art in general, and for writing for me.

It spoke to that part of you that fears your a one trick pony, who did one amazing thing and nothing else. Not just your typical story of a guy finally finding the right woman, or a man regaining his own inner strength... It managed to teach the viewer as well, give them a small lesson on dreams, achieving them, what happens next and even after.

Oddly, more than a Rom/Com, I found it something I'd rewatch and most likely learn something new from the next time.

5 outta 5 stars

Kristy C

Review: Act One, Wish One by Mindy Klasky

So, I've been staying in bed later than I should lately, but the last few mornings at least I've been reading.

A few days ago, bored of something, I started a book I picked up around christmas time for free.

Act One, Wish One by Mindy Klasky

When I got it, can't recall if it was in the romance or paranormal sections, or both.  Just that the cover had been kinda cute and intriguing.

Ms. Klansky's website is here

The book revolves around Kira, a 20/30 something who works in the world of the Theater, and her discovery of a magic lamp, and the Genie inside.

As with all stories evolving a genie, you have the zany-ness of the elemental being themselves, the desires they hold that revolve around YOU and the wishes themselves.

Its hard to talk too much about the story, except that you take an interesting trip with Kira as she navigates her wishes and learns how to grow up along the way.  The story was cute and engaging for a light read, and nothing too adult that a younger mind couldn't enjoy it as well.

Kira wants to stand tall, but at the same time hasn't yet learned how to go about doing that.  In the end, she seems to regret nothing she's done, and finds peace that is much needed.

There's also a book 2, which I believe follows either the Genie itself, or just the idea of genies and wishes into another young woman's life, who also happens to be in the theater world.

I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars, as it was a cute and fun read. Doubtful that I'll go back and reread it, but I want to pick up book two, along with another of her books to try out.

Kristy C

Review: Reckless Magic by Rachel Higginson

Reckless Magic by Rachel Higginson

This was another of my free books that I picked up from iBooks.  A ‘book 1’ in a series.  I hadn’t been sure which to read, so a friend told me to assign a number to each of the books, and she’d pick one.

In some ways, the book was hard to follow at first.  It pulled me in, but there were spots where I was left confused. But, since the main characters is telling the story, it makes sense… She’s just as confused as we are.

More than once, I guessed at things pointed out later, or in once case the author tells you something that seems to be forgotten by the character.  Sure, excitement happens a moment later [and lasts for hours non stop], but it was sorta an important tidbit.  In some ways, I wish it had been said differently, so we the reader weren’t fully away of how special a snowflake our MC is.

All in all, there was only one moment where I did in fact groan.  During a sappy, teenager, confession of love.  It was so ’Twilight, I can’t live without you, spending a day away from you hurts, don’t ever leave my side again’ declaration, that I skipped it. All two paragraphs of it.

No regrets on this book however, and its sitting in my ‘To be continued’ folder to buy book two at a later date.

Rating? 3.5 outta 5 stars. You only get higher, if I adore it and lower if I almost couldn't finish it.

My next read is The Hobbit, which will start off my 2015 Reading Challenge.

Kristy C

Review: Agent I1: Tristan by Joni Hahn

Picked up book one in the D.I.R.E. AGENCY series by Joni Hahn a few days ago, for free, and sat down to read it last night.

First off, we have the cover [perhaps one of the main reasons I said 'ooo' to the book.]  A lovely back of a man, with a tattoo on it.  Mmm, nice.  Then there's the name Tristan. I happen to like that name.

But, what does all this equate to in a book?

The story jumps between your two main characters Tristan and Rachel's perspective, with a few leaps to others at random times.  We begin with our hero watching a woman get dressed.  Right from the start, we know there will be sex in this book.  Not a bad thing, just that it'll be there.

As it continues, we meet some pretty interesting people with some fascinating powers.  Action, adventure, sex, arguments, crying... A myriad of emotions and scenes flash over you.  It surprised me a bit that it went from 'Hi, we're meeting' to 'And, phase one is finished..' in a little over a week.  And that doesn't include the shocking '0.0' that happens several times.

There are a few moments that left me confused, as one moment a character doesn't know another, then suddenly they know some odd piece of information that they shouldn't know.  This bothered me a bit, not going to lie.

On the flip side, the technology idea was interesting.

I'll admit, this small piece might be just personal... But, I dislike the use of the world baby sometimes in stories.  I can't explain it, it just bothers me.

All in all, I think the story could go through another round or two of edits with a good beta reader and editors.  I enjoyed it, and am curious about books 2 & 3.

3.5 outta 5 stars

Kristy C

Review: Lady of the Veils, by M.L. John

Lady of the Veils by M.L. John
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Be prepared for one hell of a ride, as you go from one world and into the next, on a whirlwind trip to battle the immortal. Watch as the world that our heroine knew before is pulled out from under her, forcing her to rebuild her very being into the woman she is destined to be.

I'm a lover of Fantasy, Adventure, Romance and Young Adult books, and this book gives the reader all of those things, in a fast paced roller coaster that leaves you wanting to know what happens next.

View all my reviews

Review: Amber Fox Mystery Boxed Set (Books 1-3) by Sibel Hodge

Amber Fox Mystery Boxed Set by Sibel Hodge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Amber Fox boxed set sounded interesting from the get go. Similar to Stephanie Plum, but in England, I slowly worked my way through the books.

THE FASHION POLICE
This book excited me with the promise of putting two of my favorite things together. Mystery and Fashion.

I found the characters entertaining and vibrant as Amber interacted with the good, the bad and the just plain odd ball. The story felt real, less contrived than others of a similar nature. It wasn't that we started out in something small that blew up into more, it started big and grew into more then we'd all thought.

There were a few elements of this story that I found easy to grasp and grew frustrated at how long it took for the characters to also understand what all was going on.

Beyond that one small element, I adored book one and eagerly moved into book 2.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR
Picking up only a short while after book one, you walk into Amber's life as she is struggling with the decisions made in book one.

The story was more complicated in a good way, leaving me less of a window to put things together long before the characters did. I could see growth on the writers part in that.

The danger grew more heated for our heroine, as the enemies included a few that verge on insane. At the same time, the Hi-jinks and situations that she gets into made me laugh as I pushed through the story, wanting to know how it ended.

VOODOO DEADLY
Taking a small leap after the last book, this story pulls away some from the rest of the family, but pushes Amber into making some tough choices about her own future.

Personal life and the job cross over more, as we see the good and bad of VooDoo priestesses.

The story draws you in, as you want to rescue a young woman's life and protect those so many condemn from the start. How does it all connect into one terrible story?



While I still enjoy my Stephanie Plum novels, the Amber Fox books felt like something that could happen, not just the worst of what might. I would love to see one more book, allowing the readers to see the completion of her love life and know, along with Amber, that she made the right choice in the end.

View all my reviews