...After Earth Movie Review...

After Earth (2013)
By Lindsey Pogue
Rating: PG-13/100 minutes

Genre:  Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi 

Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith
Director: M. Night Shyamalan

LP's Rating: 3/5 stars

*DISCLAIMER- Generally I wouldn't post a movie review if I wasn't super into the movie, but this particular film left me conflicted, which can sometimes be a good thing for people, so I figured, why not?

Basic Overview: A crash landing leaves Kitai and his father Cypher stranded on Earth, a millennium after man ruined Earth and therefore humanity was forced to escape. With Cypher injured, Kitai must embark on a perilous journey to signal for help. Fear is Kitai's greatest weakness and becomes the tipping point between life and death.

My Review. This is one of those movies that left me going, "hmmm." The moment it started, I wondered what I got myself into by agreeing to watch it for reasons I explain below. However, by the end of the film, I was much more engaged and was left with a muddled opinion. Doesn't that happen a lot after watching movies? Is that a sign of a good movie, that it leaves you contemplating more than when you started it? Doesn't that mean you enjoyed it? The answer is probably yes to all of those, but...still I'm conflicted. As many aspects as I liked, I disliked, and by the end I was left with a bad taste in my mouth, even if I can only try to articulate why below.

**SPOILERS AHEAD**

What I didn't like. 

No connection to the characters. My favorite character was the dead sister and the giant eagle (or maybe it's a falcon) that saves Kitai's life when all hope was lost. I nearly teared up when the damn bird died, but never really felt any connection to Kitati or Cypher who were the two main characters. Shouldn't it be the other way around? My fiance would argue that it's a movie about trying to rid yourself of emotions and thinking rationally so to act without fear. While those intentions are clear throughout the story, the delivery comes off too flat, and as a result isn't not relatable and becomes disengaging.

The Acting. While I'm generally a pretty big Will Smith fan, I found this movie to be missing something from him--personality or passion I'm not quite sure. He was so one-dimensional that I felt I didn't understand him or really like him much. He's generally such a huge personality that demands center stage. His hard-ass, detached, no-nonsense character was borderline too unrealistic for me. Someone can't be so completely in control and devoid of outward emotion, especially when they think they're child is dead or dying...right?

The dialect and names. The way Kitai spoke in general was sort of jarring. In the beginning I heard nerdy kid from the south who isn't sure how he feels. Then, when you see how's talking it's like...that was weird. In the beginning it seemed forced and unnatural, but thankfully I did sort of forget about it after a while. The character names were also very singular and difficult to keep track of. I didn't even know Jaden and Will's character names until I looked them up. 

What I liked. 

The production. The scope was huge, imaginative, and thought provoking. The cinematography was really beautiful. Plus, it was sort of filmed in my own backyard of Norther California, so that might be why it resonated so much with me. 

The concept and themes. I liked the basic story idea--a famous General who's traveled the galaxy for years forgets how to be a father and through their journey, father and son are forced to reconnect and rely on one another to survive. I also liked the fact that it was a story about facing your worst fears. How poetic that Kitai is running from a monster that hunts him because he's afraid--literally tracking by his fear--and thus Kitai must overcome his "cowardice" if he's to save his life as well as his father's. 

**Intriguing Fact. Will Smith wrote this story. I didn't know that until the end credits. Smith wrote it, and he had M. Night Shyamalan direct it, and then put himself and his son in the starring roles. It seems appropriate, actually. Smith's been in many Sci-Fi movies, including Men in Black, Independence Day, I Am Legend, and I, Robot. So, it's interesting that this movie didn't do so well. You have to wonder why. Was it because of the story--his story? How it was adapted to a screenplay? Was it the directing or the lack of connection between father and son--real life and off screen? I personally wonder if Will Smith is happy with this movie. Just something I've been musing over.

Overall. I was entertained by this movie, but I was also obviously frustrated by it. It was just...strange, and I wish it would've been better. Although I'm hesitant, I would recommend this movie to people who like science fiction. Again the basic story idea is really great actually, but there was just something lacking in the acting I think. If you're watching it because you love Will Smith movies, you'll probably be disappointed. 

....Looking back at 2013....

***If you don't want to know anything personal about me, you may as well stop reading now***

So earlier this week I was having lunch with a friend and she said she was so proud of all that I accomplished this year. Of course, I thanked her and then waved away her compliment like most people would do.

But she didn't let it go.

As she began to remind me of some of the exciting and turbulent moments in 2013 (in both my personal and professional life), I was sort of in awe.

If you take a step back, you would probably feel the same.

I realized that so much happens in 365 days, and often it's difficult to celebrate our accomplishments...but that's the point of them if we don't take a step back and appreciate what we've overcome or experienced?

So, I wanted to take a moment to recap the last year of my life. I would also ask you to do the same and if you feel like sharing something with me, that would be even better. What have you overcome? What are you proud of and what lessons have you learned?

Here goes my brainstorming list....

Professionally:

1. L2 Books, a company LF and I started, turned a profit!
2. We wrote and published 2 well-received books in The Ending Series.
3. I managed to hold-down both a part-time day job working at a non-profit while juggling my commitment to writing and my time with the fiance.
4. I've started my own solo writing project that I hope to have finished by the end of 2014.
5. After The Ending became a best selling Nook and Kindle ebook.
6. We had our first book signing and write up in the paper.
7. I've been in contact with some of my favorite authors who I never in a million years would have thought I'd get the opportunity to communicate with.
8. Gotten horrible reviews....gotten FABULOUS reviews

Personally:

1. My boyfriend and partner in crime celebrated eight years together.
2. AND he proposed in the most romantic, absolutely perfect place I've ever been too in my life.
3. My mom moved away, a difficult and strange transition for me that I'm still learning how to cope with and process.
4. Dennis, my now fiance, was in a mountain biking accident (which scared me TO DEATH) and had to have surgery. Thankfully he's doing well now.
5. We rescued our furry, fat boy Beast.
6. I experienced Yellowstone and Montana for the first time and it was absolutely amazing!
7. D and I took a road trip to Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon...then we stopped in Vegas :)
8. I went to more concerts in 2013 than all other years combined (including Backstreet Boys and judge me if you want to, but it was SO MUCH FUN!)
9. I had Christmas at my house with my family for the first time, which was really special.
10. I've had some health issues that I've been actively trying to overcome...so far so good.

And the list could probably go on...but I already feel pretty satisfied.

Feel free to share some of your most memorable moments and experiences. And here's looking forward to a magical 2014!

...Devil in Winter Book Review...

Devil in Winter

By Lisa Kleypas

Series: Wallflowers #3

Published: January 2006

LP's Overall Rating: 4/5 stars

Genre: Historical Romance

Steaminess: 5/5

***Ravishing Rakes, Steamy Sex, and Salacious Scandal***

!!!!SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!

Basic Overview.

Four young ladies enter London society and band together to each find a husband. Has the third "Wallflower" now met her match?

A Devil's Bargain

Easily the shyest Wallflower, Evangeline Jenner stands to become the wealthiest, once her inheritance comes due. Because she must first escape the clutches of her unscrupulous relatives, Evie has approached the rake Viscount St. Vincent with a most outrageous proposition:marriage!

Sebastian's reputation is so dangerous that thirty seconds alone with him will ruin any maiden's good name. Still, this bewitching chit appeared,unchaperoned, on his doorstep to offer her hand. Certainly an aristocrat with a fine eye for beauty could do far worse.

But Evie's proposal comes with a condition: no lovemaking after their wedding night. She will never become just another of the dashing libertine's callously discarded broken hearts --- which means Sebastian will simply have to work harder at his seductions ... or perhaps surrender his own heart for the very first time in the name of true love.

My Review. 

Overall, I definitely enjoyed reading this book. There were some points where I didn't want to put the dang thing down and toward the end I definitely wanted more from Sebastian and Evie. Their relationship is intricate, exciting, and fun, Sebastian's wit is wonderfully amusing and fun and I like his complexity. There was great drama and twists, all which I felt were unique and a bit more gritty. Grit to me is more compelling, and entertaining to say the least. I've read a handful of Kleypas's stories and this is my favorite one so far.

What I liked.

The Rake. I loved Sebastian St. Vincent. You know that author did a great job when you despise or at least can smell the rat a mile away in one story, but they're compelling and accessible in another. I really appreciated how complex he is--his wit, his fears, his kindness beneath the surface, and his sympathy for Evie and her situation...all this while trying to be a heartless sex God was really an unexpected, but great experience. I immediately fell in love with him when he got Evie a foot warmer and took care of her before they were even married..Through his budding love for the wallflower, the way he steps up to take care of Jenner's club, the way he prepares for the funeral and cares for/protects Evie helped contribute to a great transformation and I love how seamlessly the author writes it. Sebastian may just be my most favorite rake yet!

The interwoven characters through Kleypas's series.

Unless you've read other Kleypas stories, you wouldn't know this, but she's apparently really great at building characters she can use later on. I really enjoy how the author interweaves all of her stories and characters, even when they're not part of the same series. For instance, Derek Craven is the main character in Dreaming of You, a earlier series written by Lisa Kleypas, and in his story, Ivo Jenner (Evie's father) is mentioned. While there is nothing hugely significant about any of this, I love the intricacy and cleverness that goes into her writing.

The unique character dynamic and story line. 

A gambling/bawdy house owner's daughter. A poor, desperate rake who will stoop to kidnapping his close friend's fiance. A test of character, sensuality, and  loyalty. Attempted murder. Distemper. Madness. Forgiveness. Death. Love. Passion. This story has everything. As always, Kleypas provides a unique story, this time delving deeper into the dark, dirty, and gritty side of London life. She explores the harsh reality of life during the 1800s--the dangers, poverty, illness, traveling conditions--I can tell she's not reluctant to explore new, uncharted waters.Props for that :)

What I didn't like.

I gave this book a 4/5 because for some reasons, I found myself getting into a lull every now and again. There were parts where I didn't want to put it down and then other parts when I started to lose interest. However, I truly did love the characters, and while the book didn't leave me with an "OMG, I can't believe it's over" feeling, I did genuinely enjoy the story.

My recommendation.

If you love hot romance, regency or historical romance, rakes and story lines that are a little different, I think you'll enjoy this book. If you prefer for laid back stories that take place in the country where characters have angry step mothers, too much pride, and jealous friends are the biggest obstacles you may not appreciate the commotion of this book, however, I suggest you at least give it a try.

...Our Gift To You, Ending Fans...

Ending Series - Delivered Infomercial Style

ATTENTION: THE FOLLOWING IS A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Interested to know more about your favorite Ending characters? 

Want to know what life was like for them the day of the virus outbreak? 

We do! So we're writing about it!

For those of you who loved book one, have already devoured book two, and are weeping, utterly desperate for book three's release in 2014, I have a surprise for you...

...DRUM ROLL, PLEASE...

LF and I are writing you a little something special, our gift to you for the holidays. 

Four perma-Free Ending Series novellas! The first of which is now available!

Starting this month, Lindsey Fairleigh and I will be publishing four FREE  prequel novellas that chronicle what some of our other favorite Ending characters were doing when you-know-what hit the fan and everyone starting getting sick. 

Who's serial is up first? Young, but not so innocent, Carlos.

A virus changed everything. This is how it began.

High school. Dealing drugs. A secret girlfriend. 

Carlos thought his life was hard enough...but then the virus spread.

Read for free:

Amazon (coming soon!)

Kobo (coming soon!)

After the Ending Blog

PDF

Wattpad

Thank you for being such absolutely wonderful fans! You're the reason that we do this!
Happy Reading!

...The Rose Garden Book Review...

The Rose Garden, Book Review (Published 2011)

By Susanna Kearsley

LP's Rating: 4/5 stars

Genre: Historical Fantasy/Time Travel

Basic Overview: 

Eva Ward returns to the only place she truly belongs, the old house on the Cornish coast, seeking happiness in memories of childhood summers. There she finds mysterious voices and hidden pathways that sweep her not only into the past, but also into the arms of a man who is not of her time.
But Eva must confront her own ghosts, as well as those of long ago. As she begins to question her place in the present, she comes to realize that she too must decide where she really belongs.


***SPOILER ALERT AHEAD***
My Review. 

What I liked.
The Smuggling Trio. The men of the past, the smuggling trio, are what made the story for me--distant and dangerous at first glance, but truly lovable and endearing beneath the surface. Daniel Butler's reserve, dry humor, and capable persona is what I like to read in a leading man. He's intriguing, the type of guy you want to read more about and that you want to wrap you in his arms and tell you everything will be alright. Along side him is his brother, Jack Butler, who exudes a cocky charisma and unabashed stubbornness you instantly love. Fergal O'Cleary is the big brother you always want to have backing you, who keeps the family together, who's responsible loyal, intelligent, and funny. Overall, the trio is lovable in every way. Loyal to a fault, strong, and witty.

What I didn't like so much.
Eva's character. She isn't described at all so I didn't know who to picture as I'm reading. Plus, she seems young. Not creepy young, but unbelievable-young if Daniel is going to fall so deeply in love with her. Their connection wasn't believe to me.

The beginning. It took until chapter 8 to get into anything engaging that would hold my interest and make me want to read more. That being said, if it wasn't for my book club, I can't say I would have made it that far. I know there was a lot of ground to cover for set up, but I truly feel Kearsley could have done without most of it. The positive side to this is that the chapters weren't super long.

The Ending. Although it was satisfying, I would have liked a little more interaction between Eva and Daniel instead of being left with the allusion that they'd be together.

The Romance. I wanted things to get a bit more steamy with Daniel and Eva, but the tension and build up was great and the ending was satisfying, if not .

My Recommendation. Overall I really did enjoy this book. I think anyone who enjoys sweet romance and a lot of detail and back story would enjoy this novel. There's a bit of fantasy (time travel) for those who enjoy a magical element and once you get through the first quarter of the book there are plenty of twists to keep the reader engaged. If you like steamy romance, this is not the book for you.

...Dare To Love Book Review...

Dare To Love,  Book Review (Published 2013)
By Carly Phillips

LP's Rating : 5/5 Stars

Genre: Romance/Erotica

Basic Overview:
Since finding out his father had another family on the side, Ian Dare swore to be the upstanding, responsible man his cheating parent had never been. When it comes to his relatives, he gives his all but in relationships he offers the bare minimum. But one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor arouses his dominant and protective instincts and Ian is entranced. He will do anything to possess her … and does. But any future with Riley must include him extending an olive branch to the half-brother who is a constant reminder of the pain he’d rather forget.

Independent and always in control, Riley Taylor makes no apologies for choosing men carefully. Relationships have never been a priority and she believes herself hardened to domineering men – until she meets charismatic Ian Dare. He manages to turn a simple kiss into an all out assault on her senses and when he takes control in the bedroom, she’s stunned to discover she likes it. As their affair heats up, they soon realize they complete each other in ways neither imagined. But Riley’s past is closer than she cares to remember, and her struggles with Ian’s dominance might just cost her everything.
My Review.
This to me was one of Carly's best novels. I wasn't convinced I'd fall in love with Ian and Riley, but I did. Let me explain. I initially got hooked on Carly's books when I picked up one of The Hot Zone series books. I LOVED IT and demolished the series in a matter of days. As I continued reading more of her books and different series, I liked them, but they didn't leave me with any lasting impressions. HOWEVER...Dare To Love is a book I won't soon forget. It's one of those rare romances that has a little bit of everything I love in a book. 

What I liked.
The Characters. Ian and Riley are real to me. Their dynamic is clever and complex and beautifully written. Their tormented and haunted pasts come to life for me because they're believable. These characters are realistic and relateable, and they're...human.  
Riley. She's what you like to see in a female lead. She's compassionate, emotional, hard working, driven, both strong and vulnerable...everything that makes for an endearing leading lady. There were of course times when I wanted to smack her upside the head and tell her to swallow her pride and think with her head, but of course the more involved you want to get, the better and more riveting the story.
Ian. He's a man's man and he's not ashamed of it. He's a perfect match for Riley, even though he doesn't know it because they're both scarred, they're both scared, and they're both as vulnerable as they are strong. Their compatibility and lack of awareness that they're perfect for one another is what makes them so interesting to read. 

The Romance. This book's got the romance (oh boy does it have some romance, more than I was expecting even). Even though I was initially taken aback by the amount and explicitness, it worked for Ian and Riley, and I got sucked in. Don't get me wrong, I can enjoy an erotica story just like most romance readers, but I was just surprised by how raw and gritty their story way. Pleasantly surprised, I'll add.  

What I didn't like.
If there was anything that rubbed me the wrong way (aside from the amount of explicit sex that was a surprise to me), none of it bothered me enough to recall or mention.

My Recommendation.
If you love Carly Phillips and enjoy a lot of sex in your contemporary romances, this is the book for you. If you like complexity and intricate story arcs, then you'll love this. If you don't appreciate erotica and romance novels are borderline too much for you, this is NOT the book for you. However, I personally have a great feeling about her new Dare series and can't wait to see which characters Carly allows us to follow and how different her writing is going to be now that she's gone Indie. It's SOOOO exciting! Welcome to the "dark" side, Carly. We're so lucky to have you!

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...Buy Into The Fire Today...

Into The Fire, the sequel to After The Ending, is now available!

The book can be purchased from:

• Amazon (kindle & paperback)
• Barnes & Noble
• Kobo

In celebration of the release of Into The Fire, we're running a month-long sale of After The Ending, the first installment of The Ending Series. You can find the ebook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords for only $ .99! Sale ends December 24.

We're also running a release day blog blitz giveaway for a $15 Amazon gift card that ends tomorrow. Enter below!

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