Magic Mike

Posted by cat2002116 on March 7, 2015
Posted in: Movies, Reviews. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Magic Mike

(This review may contain spoilers).

I have to say… I wasn’t that grabbed by this film when I first saw it advertised. It looked like it would be entertaining, but not something that would be really deep or meaningful. If my sister hadn’t bought it and suggested a group of us sit down and watch, I probably never would have seen it.

The film was definitely entertaining. I recognised three of the main actors in this and they’re all actors I’ve seen and liked in other things. This was entertaining… but there was nothing about it that made me think I’d like to watch it again.

Obviously, a film about strippers is going to have nudity in it. And it was fun to see the actors really get into their roles, dancing and gyrating to the music. There were a number of amusing moments in this movie… but even more moments that were just so cringe-worthy, I almost couldn’t watch.

There were some parts that were a bit darker in this. I would have liked to see a bit more of the effects of the drugs, because I felt that could have added more depth to the film and the characters. Unfortunately, a lot of that was left behind.

I didn’t really like Brooke’s character and a lot of that came from the fact that, for most of the film, she looked perpetually grumpy. She didn’t really come across as very likable at all.

I probably liked Mike the best. He had some of the best lines and I felt his character was more motivated than the others. Dallas was interesting, but not very likable.

There wasn’t really a proper ending to this film, but I felt that worked with the movie. Still, this isn’t one I intend to watch again any time soon.

Blood-Bonded By Force

Posted by cat2002116 on March 6, 2015
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Blood-Bonded By Force

(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review).

(This review may contain spoilers).

Having read the first two books in this series and enjoyed them, I was really happy when I was approached to read this book. If I’m honest, the blurb did put me off a little bit… mostly because I wasn’t sure how that particular subject matter would be handled.

I didn’t like Pandra at all at the start of the book, though there was a part of me that felt sorry for her. There are very few characters in books who can cause a complete turn-around with me in terms of me going from hating them to liking them… but somehow, Pandra managed that.

I was a bit disappointed that so much time passing was glossed over, I have to say. I could see that Pandra had changed, but I wasn’t given much insight into her mindset during the time period.

It was nice to see more of the other characters, but because there were a few different romances, I felt none of the couples really had much time spent on them. Since all of them were new relationships, I felt that a lot of the development between them fell by the wayside.

It was good to see that there was plot in the story, too. The other society was really appalling. It was difficult to understand how someone could be so integrated, she would blame the victim for putting up a fight/not wanting to be taken by force. (It does, however, reflect a lot of attitudes… so I felt the author did a good job of showcasing that and I felt the culture wasn’t portrayed as a good one).

I really liked seeing how the whole society was set up and run. I was a little confused about who some of the characters were, I have to say – which was probably mainly because it’s been a little while since I read the previous books in this series.

I did like Thomal in this book and I could understand his reluctance to get personally involved with Pandra. It was nice to see it accepted that they’d both made mistakes in their time together.

I liked Faith and Kacie in this book and would have liked to see more of Kacie, as well as their aunt. I hope to see more of them in later books.

I did feel there was more of an air of mystery here and it was good to see the very real danger the characters were in. While I do wish more time had been spent showing the developing relationships, I did like most of the elements and I thought that Thomal’s battle against his ‘true’ nature was quite interesting.

I certainly hope to read more books by this author in the future. The world and characters are intriguing and the book was really easy and quick to read, despite just having had two night shifts before writing this review.

Like a lot of plot with your romance? Then I recommend this series highly.

Blog Tour: The Curse Servant

Posted by cat2002116 on March 4, 2015
Posted in: Blog Tour, Books, Reviews. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

Curse servant Review Tour

(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review).

(This review may contain spoilers).

Having read the first book in this series, I was happy to have the opportunity to read the second. I did still find a lot of similarities with the series of the Dresden Files, but I still found this book a really easy, quick read.

Dorian was an interesting character and it was good to know more about him and the work he was doing. This book and the previous one did almost make me feel like I was being put into the storyline partway through. I think it would have been good to know how Dorian met the people he knew that were family friends, like Edgar and Wren.

It was interesting to see Dorian’s relationship with Elle and Eddie and there were a couple of things that made me smile when Elle was interacting with Ces.

I also liked that Dorian was trying to do the right thing, even when it was difficult. He was very similar to Harry Dresden, but still a likable hero. And I could believe in him and get behind him as a character.

The minor characters in the book were interesting and I liked seeing the play of politics in this book, both human and supernatural. I would have also liked to see more of the karmic power in the hexes.

I did start feeling really sorry for Elle during the course of the book and I liked the protective nature of her parents. I did think that one of the last things in the book came across as a bit too much for ‘convenience sake’.

This book was entertaining and easy to read. It would be good to read more books in this series and see where Dorian goes next.

 

Get a copy: The Curse Servant

Blog Tour: Barbara Pietron (Character Interview)

Posted by cat2002116 on March 3, 2015
Posted in: Blog Tour, Interviews, Promotion. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

BP Banner

Heart of Ice

 

When sixteen-year-old Ice is visited by an evil spirit, his medicine man training warns him that things aren’t right in his quiet Northern Minnesota town. His suspicions prove true when he’s attacked by a Windigo—a human turned monster by a compulsive hunger for human flesh—and he soon discovers that a bad medicine charm is being used to spread the Windigo curse. The hunt is on to find the charm and the person using it before the town is overrun by cannibalistic monsters. Although the pieces of the puzzle come together to form an impossible conclusion, one which will challenge traditional belief and question numerous ritualistic items, Ice knows he must still reveal the truth. Because there are worse monsters than Windigos.
Download from the Publisher’s Website, Scribe $0.00 eBook formats only

 

Character Interview With Jeni

1) What is your biggest dream?

Well, assuming I finish high school and college, I hope to find a job that I really like. Oh, and make enough money to support myself.

 

2) What is your greatest fear?

Failure—that I’ll fail a test, or a class. Then I won’t get into a good college and get a good job… I’ll disappoint my parents… ugh! I can’t even think about it!

 

3) What would you consider your greatest achievement?

Okay, a month ago I would’ve said getting an A in AP European History (laughs). But right now I’m thinking battling a mythical monster and coming out alive is at the top of the list.

 

4) Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?

Hopefully I’ll have my own place by then. I’d like to say a house, but realistically, it’ll probably be an apartment or some kind of rental. And I’ll definitely have a cat!

 

5) What’s your favourite past-time?

I love to read. During the school year I don’t get to read a lot—except homework, of course—so when summer rolls around I usually get a stack of books from the library. Other than that, I like to poke around online and see what’s going on or play games on my phone.

 

6) If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?

A place somewhere warm that I could go every time I have a break in the winter. It’s such a bummer when my friends are in Florida or something and I’m freezing at home!

 

7) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I wish I was better at blowing things off. I think I worry too much, but I just can’t help it.

 

8) Where’s your favourite place (or places) to go when you’re happy, sad, overwhelmed, etc.?

When I’m happy, I really like to be with my friends, wherever, or with my family too. If I’m sad, I prefer to be in my room—usually in bed. It’s comforting, you know? Or if I’m stressed, I definitely want to be home. I mean, it’s where I feel the safest and that’s where people will understand.

 

9) What do you personally believe?

This is another question that I would’ve answered differently a month ago. I’m Catholic, so I was brought up with a basic faith in God and the devil, but now… that’s bigger. What I mean is, my concept of the spiritual world has really expanded. When I think about it, all the beliefs of different cultures… what if there’s some truth in legends everywhere? After what I’ve seen, I believe in being open-minded.

 

Untitled Fall Release:

As a soulshifter, Jack volunteers to rescue a girl from the underworld so he can secure the future he’s always dreamed of. Although the hazards of his mission multiply and his assured fate loses its luster, he can’t back out—he must save the girl or die trying. But he soon discovers that nothing in the dark realm is black and white…and the Lord of Souls is always willing to bargain.

 

 

About The Author

Barbara

A lifetime love of books and the written word convinced Barbara to choose writing as a second career. She began by writing non-fiction for magazines and achieved both regional and national publication. This success was all she needed to encourage her to complete a novel. Her first manuscript was a beneficial learning experience along with critiques, books, contests, and blogs. Barbara sees Thunderstone as only the beginning; she has two other novels in the works and has started a Thunderstone sequel. When not reading or writing, she likes to walk, garden, and sew. She works in a library and lives in Royal Oak, Michigan with her husband, daughter, and their cat—who often acts like a dog.
Visit her at her website.

 

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Blogoversary!

Posted by cat2002116 on March 3, 2015
Posted in: Musings. Tagged: . Leave a comment

So, it’s turned midnight, which technically means that Ink of Blood is now a year old! Pretty cool, huh?

 

I thought about a couple of ways to mark the occasion, such as changing the theme or posting the first chapter of Ice Warriors book one. But then I decided to open it up for people to make suggestions.

 

So… is there anything you’d like to see more of? Or less of? Anything special you’d like me to change or add? Let me know in the comments!

The Boy Next Door

Posted by cat2002116 on March 2, 2015
Posted in: Movies, Reviews. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

The Boy Next Door

(This review may contain spoilers).

So when I saw this film advertised, I thought it looked like quite an interesting psychological thriller. After watching the first few scenes, though, I felt that the preview could have played this off as a romance, which would have made this have even more twists in it.

I liked the character of Claire. I do think that Jennifer Lopez is a good actress, but I felt that the script worked. I could empathise with what Claire was going through during the film.

Noah was quite a creepy character, even from the start, though I think that was as much because of what the trailer gave away as anything else. There did seem to be some attempt to make him a bit more well-rounded, but again, because of what the trailer had given away…

The idea of being stalked is a really scary one and I felt this film portrayed that really well. It did start off as innocent and quickly became more twisted and creepy. Doubly so considering Claire was a teacher.

I also liked Claire’s relationship with her son, but not so much with her husband. There were times I felt she gave him a bigger priority than their son.

The atmosphere of this film was particularly dark, but I was drawn into it really easily. There were other actors I recognised, too, and I felt they all played off each other really well. Again, this isn’t a film I’d watch again… but it was intriguing enough to watch through the first time.

Blog Tour: Barbara Piertron (Guest Post)

Posted by cat2002116 on March 2, 2015
Posted in: Blog Tour, Guest Post, Promotion. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

BP Banner

 

Thunderstone

 

Scribe Publishing Company (November 12, 2013)
Sneaking out at night, driving without a license, and falling for a guy weren’t things fifteen-year-old Jeni expected to do while visiting Lake Itasca, Minnesota with her family. The guy, Ice, turns out to be the local medicine man’s apprentice, and when he tells Jeni she’s connected to the spirit world, her first instinct is to run. But after Ice’s stories of a mythical underwater monster—that Jeni allegedly released—prove true, she realizes it’s up to her to contain the beast. Jeni must first convince herself that she’s able, and then save the locals, Ice, and ultimately herself. (262pp, ISBN# 9781940368917)
Purchase at Amazon $2.99 Kindle, $11.69 Paperback (Prime Eligible) or Direct from the Publisher, Scribe $10.00 Print edition

Guest Post

What first gave you the idea for Thunderstone?

 

Thunderstone is a culmination of many ideas, experiences, and influences. The setting and the characters stemmed from a trip that I took with my siblings to Lake Itasca, MN to spread my dad’s ashes in the Mississippi Headwaters. I wanted my story to include a mystic element and decided to incorporate Native American mythology, a natural for the area’s centuries-old untouched forest and the wild, untamed landscape of Itasca State Park. Native American lore has always fascinated me, which made the research a pleasure. Somewhere in that timeframe I read and thoroughly enjoyed the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, which convinced me that incorporating mythology into my story was a good idea.

But the idea for Thunderstone wasn’t simply a one book concept. A few years back, Alton Brown had a series on Food Network called Feasting on Asphalt. Season two was the River Run, where Alton traced the Mississippi River along the Great River Road from Louisianna to Minnesota. While watching the show, I remembered that when we were at Lake Itasca, we talked about meeting at various cities along the Mississippi River to follow my dad’s final journey. I thought “Hey, that would make a good series.” And thus, the Legacy in Legend idea was born. The series concept is that every time the family gathers near the Mississippi River, the main character, Jeni, encounters some kind of deadly spiritual threat. In order to protect herself and others from future attacks, she needs to discover the source of her ability to commune with other worlds. But because the menacing spirits come from various cultures and legends, they provide no clue to her ancestry and she must look for answers elsewhere.

The second book in the series is well underway, and I look forward to developing the big picture!

 

-Thunderstone came out late 2013 and was a finalist in the Indie Fab book awards by Foreword Review. It was also a winner in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel contest.

-Thunderstone is book one in the Legacy in Legend series, which will be released over the next couple years.

-A few months ago, Barbara Pietron released a free ebook prequel to Thunderstone (titled Heart of Ice).

-Also, separate from the Legacy in Legend series, Barbara Pietron has a new YA book coming out late this year. There was a contest, which has now ended, for voting on a title for this new book.

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Ice Warriors: Fenrir

Posted by cat2002116 on March 2, 2015
Posted in: Artwork, Ice Warriors, Writing. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

Fenrir-1

 

In Norse mythology, Fenrir is a giant wolf who was tricked into a contest of strength with a simple ribbon he couldn’t break and that ended up trapping him.

 

Fenrir-2

In the world of Ice Warriors, Fenrir is chained up in a mountain on the hidden, apparently deserted island of Atlantis. Like his father, he has the ability to shape-shift, but only into a human form.

Fenrir2

 

Fenrir is supposed to play a fairly big role in Ragnarok, the Norse end of the world. While many myths portray him as evil, there are just as many that portray him as having a really rough deal of it. In Ice Warriors, I feel (personally) that Fenrir is going to be quite an intriguing character to write. I’ll have to let other people judge whether or not they think he’s as intriguing to read about.

A Dance of Dragons: Series Starter Bundle

Posted by cat2002116 on March 2, 2015
Posted in: Books, Reviews. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

A Dance of Dragons Series Starter Bundle

(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review).

(This review may contain spoilers).

I found myself quite enjoying reading this book. The novella at the beginning wasn’t really long, but I felt it was a good introduction to the world and the characters. I did feel sorry for Leena in the first story. She was quite naive, but I felt that made sense with her upbringing.

Leena’s country was also particularly vicious. I noticed there was a contrast between the two main kingdoms. I felt the author did a really good job of showing the different cultures in the kingdoms… and also how different Jinji’s people were in comparison to the rest of the world.

I did like Jinji and Rhen as characters. It was good that the author stuck to limited third person, because it wasn’t so confusing to read. I really liked their interactions and although I felt like parts of the story were glossed over, I did feel that the important parts were handled well.

It was interesting to see Rhen’s decision to be a spymaster and how his reputation was so at odds with his personality. I was quite sad to see his relationship with his family, though. Bad childhoods seem to happen a lot in fantasy…

I liked the contrast in the different powers Rhen and Jinji had. I also felt that the traumatic events each had gone through were handled really well. It was also good to see Jinji, at least, interact with Leena from the previous story.

There weren’t a lot of minor characters who appeared and were named, but the ones who were came across as really interesting and well-rounded. I especially liked getting glimpses of Rhen’s relationship with the Captain of the ship he and Jinji were on.

I did feel that the author did a good job of keeping to the knowledge that the characters had when it switched over to their POVs, which was good. And it was nice to see the way their friendship grew and how real it felt.

I was left somewhat confused by the end of the book, but I’m hoping that answers will be provided in the next books in this series. I do intend to read those at some point in the future. This was a good fantasy with an intriguing world and storyline and I hope to see more of Rhen and Jinji.

It Follows

Posted by cat2002116 on March 1, 2015
Posted in: Movies, Reviews. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

It Follows(This review may contain spoilers).

When I saw this film advertised, I thought it looked quite good. I felt it was an interesting plot idea and one that could have been quite psychological.

I do think that the film could have delved more into the morality. It was entertaining and there were some really good scares, but I did think that the film was lacking in explanation. A lot. Horror movies and all that… but still, it would have been nice to get some answers by the end.

I appreciated that the film spent time developing the personalities and relationships of the characters, though I did have some confusion when it came to the exact relationships and how the characters knew each other. It took me quite a while to realise two of the characters were sisters.

‘It’ was pretty scary, I felt. I imagine the exact form gave the opportunity to play around with different scary things. I did think that some of the things stated weren’t played with enough, though.

It was also interesting to see how ‘it’ had limitations. It didn’t seem to be a ghost, since it couldn’t just walk through walls. It was also invisible to the other characters, but still solid enough to be felt/provide resistance to someone else.

There were quite a few jumpy moments in this film… but I did notice that Jay ran up the stairs when there was something in the house. Instead of out of the door, which makes more sense.

I would have liked more of an explanation and an actually proper ending. But the film was entertaining and the characters were at least likable. What would be good to see would be a prequel/sequel to this film… but I’m not too interested in watching this film again.