Review: Summer in Good Hope

Summer in Good Hope by Cindy Kirk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

How did her husband die, if not because of his cystic fibrosis?

Eliza sounds charming. Not.

Exactly how old is Gladys?

Her sons are sweet.

The old folks could be embezzling from the organization.

What's wrong with Anita? I'm sure their dad wouldn't pick someone bad for a girlfriend.

That poor family! No wonder Max had their son join the play-date.

I feel sorry for David. His wife should be home more.

Children are always a blessing. Her mother-in-law sucks.

I hate to say it, but I agree with Anita about the burglar.

I've had that pastry, I'm sure, but I didn't know what it was called.

Sometimes we can be our own worst critic.

Deb put the "helicopter" in "helicopter mom", and now she's doing the same to her grandchildren.

Sex as a competition. I like it.

Life's too short for regrets. Do what you want when you think of it, within reason.

I like barbecue chicken on my pizza.

Love over chocolate covered crickets. Now that's something you don't see every day.

I love Ami's pause. Way to make Max sweat, girl.

Wow, when she decides to let loose, she really lets loose!

I'm sorry that Beck lost his first wife and their baby.

I just don't understand Max's mother. It's like she wants to spend the rest of her life alone.

Why was Ami afraid of driving before?

Oh my God, Marigold, get a clue? Can't you see your sister would not like to be locked in the same house with her mother-in-law? Oy.

That baseball game sounds fun!

At this point, I just feel sorry for Mike. I hope he loves Deb, because otherwise that's just sad.

I kinda want to see that dragon tattoo.

After hoarding the ashes for two years, she didn't want to keep just a little bit?

Wow, these two don't waste time!

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Review of Outlander Season 2 Episode 12

Rupert's eye patch makes me sad.

It took them five months to get to Inverness from northern England. We can do it now in a matter of hours.

"A bannock a day." What amounts to a roll all day is not enough.

You had to know Mary would find Alex eventually, Claire. Although, he must be really sick if he needs that much laudanum.

I'm with Jamie. No more fighting! Everybody just go home!.

Damnit, Charlie! Jamie had a good plan. It's a shame he can't tell anyone the outcome of the Jacobite rebellion. Also, you're a soldier, Charlie? Um, no.

INSERT CURSE WORDS OF YOUR CHOICE HERE. Because guess who's back? The devil. Claire's face says it all.

Yeah, you're Brother of the Year, Jack.

I feel you, Jamie.

Why do you feel the need to help everybody, Claire? And why drag Murtagh into the lion's den with you?

Poor Colum! The moment he and Jamie have talking about Dougal is so charming

Where is Colum's wife while all this is happening? Shouldn't she help decide her own husband's fate?

Gellis is still your friend, Claire? Okay, sure. If you say so.

Assisted suicide is different, I guess. Less of a sin?

Oh, she used the same treatment for the lawyer's asthma last year! Whatever happened to Ned? Did he survive the crowd at the trial?

Claire's make-sure-Frank-gets-born is looking good. Although, the closeted Randall is doing everything he can to change Alex's mind. And, as it turns out, Alex is not just a pretty face, and knows more about his brother than Jack expected.

Ha, Dougal's "Oh crap, ma brutha's here!" face is classic.

You're all heart, Claire. You just don't seem to get, though, that all anyone cares about is what they can see, right now, and that's Black Jack, not Frank.

A sadistic bastard is better dead than you, Murtagh. Sorry. But I love you for offering.

Even Black Jack knows he'd make a bad husband. At least he's self-aware?

It's not all about you, Dougal. Oh, and Ned's alive and back to his lawyerly duties.

Face it, Dougal, Jamie's younger.

What epiphany did Jamie just have?

Most Depressing Wedding Ever. Especially when you know, as the audience, that Claire knows the groom is gonna die in a matter of days. Poor minister, little does he know "upholding" the marriage won't take much effort.

I already told you that you are not a soldier, Charlie! Remember?

Subtle reference to "Three Wedding and a Funeral". Here, we'll have one wedding and three funerals.

Is it weird that I just realized how similar the actor who played Alex looks to Tobias Menzies?

Well, Black Jack went right to Anger in the stages of grief. Although, people don't usually beat on the corpse.

And we've time for another Jamie and Claire kiss scene. A relief from the death, while they plot a death.

As expected, Culloden Moore is still the plan, after all, for all their talk of cowardice. Turns out the Prince is one.

History's history. No use sweepin' it under the rug.

                         -Sweet Home Alabama

IT'S NOT YOUR STALL!! Continued

If you read my first blog post on the subject, you'll know how much this bothers me. And I'm not the only one.

Read this article. Have some consideration.

http://www.today.com/parents/5-things-parents-special-needs-kids-wish-you-knew-about-t99651?cid=sm_fbn

Moon Sugar Decals

I'm not very good at drawing, especially on my nails. It always looks like an arthritic three-year-old did the drawing. I don't usually even bother painting my nails, but, you know, I'm almost thirty. Who cares if no one sees them? I deserve to have some fun!

The first thing I realized is that topcoat matters. I thought all topcoat brands were the same. I had been using the same bottle of Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails for years. Every time I thought they were dry, even hours later, another smudge! I was beginning to get a complex. I just started using Orly. What a difference! When my nails are "dry", they stay dry!

Why do I mention this? Because I just discovered nail decals. I needed some military-style nails for a book club meeting (we read a mercenary series). I found Moon Sugar Decals through Amazon. They delivered in a timely manner; I didn't have to badger them with e-mails asking where my product was. The decals are small enough for my short nails, and they give a lot on the one sheet, just in case you mess up. Which I did.

But they were really easy to apply. Cut them out, and put them in a small bowl or cup of water. After a minute or so, use tweezers or your fingers to pick them up out of the water. But be gentle. The decal slides right off, and touching them too much can ruin the design. Stick them on your nails. Here is where the topcoat mattered. With my old one, you could see the edges of the film where I cut the decal out. Obviously, you want the decal to blend into your polish color.

They have so many designs. I'm going to try Country & Western next, I think. But before i do that, I will enter the wonderful world of nail stamping!


https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13267798_10100405272652336_2520445527909585230_n.jpg?oh=b94ff53a878ed8fe0bed3776eea41e96&oe=57C64FDB

blob:https%3A//mail.google.com/0f918da4-d5e6-4608-a6bb-0e6f4209a15a

Review of Outlander Season 2 Episode 11

So, time has passed. I guess we won't see Angus's funeral.

They're in England now. Only Jamie and the prince want to take London. I'm with the other guys. Why risk it? But I understand that to Jamie, this seems cowardly.

Who knew Charlie was such a drama queen?

No one likes the dentist, no matter the year.

Don't make promises you can't keep, Jamie.

Jamie speaking Gaelic. Whew, is it hot in here?

I love the shout-out to the pilot episode and Inverness.

Aand..no one can relax for a moment on this show, can they?

Not Rupert, too! I like how Dougal shows he cares when it counts.

Okay, I'm really glad they didn't show that part.

Ha, guess these guys don't know what a "real" pirate looks like! Treasure Island won't be written for another 150 years.

It's a good plan, as long as Black Jack hasn't made a miraculous recovery (again) and shows up where he isn't wanted.

Well, look who it is! Everyone's favorite mute beggar!

Nicely done, Claire.

Oh, lots of drinks are needed right now. As soon as they said an Englishman, I knew it would be the merry duke.

I can't imagine such a flamboyant man in the Tower.

So she does know Gaelic now? I wonder if she knows what Jamie's prayer was, then.

Boy, this episode is full of blasts from the past, isn't it.

How's that keep-Frank-alive plan going, Claire?

Godfather-of-the-Year. Not.

That's a very complicated plan the Duke has. I'm not sure I understood all of it.

Guess Claire doesn't know Gaelic that well after all. Murtagh is hilariously horrified.

Woman up, Mary. You'll need to if you're going to eventually marry Black Jack.

Seriously, Claire? Take your shoes off if you're going to sneak around a giant mansion!

Looks like Mary heard me and found her lady-balls.

Because God forbid Jamie see the Duke of Sandringham without his wig.

Good for you, Mary. I hope you get some peace.

I think he's dead, Murtagh. Oh, wait, you had a reason. Honorable, but EWWW!

Ridiculous or Genius?

So, I'm watching Forget Me Not, for the twentieth time tonight. It stars Tobias Menzies, he of Outlander fame. I was able to meet Tobias last year, and tell him how much I enjoyed his performance in this movie.

Made in 2010, it tells the story of a musician and the waitress at the bar he plays at. He saves her from a drunken patron one night, and she asks him to escort her to a party in another part of London. It's Once, but better. At least, I think so.

My question is this. The party is Bring Your Own Music. Is this a thing? Hundreds of people crowded into a room listening to their own Ipods? Isn't that depressing, all you hear is the sound of footsteps dancing in place? (In the next scene, a band miraculously appears, by the way.)

Then again, it saves the party host having to arrange for speakers or even a band. People can listen to what they want to hear, not what the DJ chooses. But isn't that the whole point of a party? If you want to listen to your own music, stay home. It's cheaper and less hassle for everyone.

What say you?

Review: Conquering William

Conquering William by Sarah Hegger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Did her father really just call her butter-face?

Girl, your husband is hot. Must be tough.

Sex shouldn't be painful, even I know that.

Who is this Sister?

She's going to argue him into sleeping with her?

She married a gay man, huh? Poor thing. No wonder this is her fourth marriage.

I can't handle her father and the nun. She's thankful for heat, for God's sake!

Ugh. The people are starving in the keep, and it's all a nun's fault.

Three cheers for Cook!

There's a girl. Take command!

Stop trying to make everyone else miserable, Sister, just because you're probably regretting your vows of chastity.

I know killing is wrong, but rape is worse.

Remind me never to make medieval soap. At least they washed?

That's a lot of kids. Aonghas. Does no one keep their knees closed at your house?

Crafty bargaining from William. And I see Aonghas didn't want to waste time thinking up new names for each kid..

Mathew has Down's syndrome, then?

If I didn't know better, I'd say Sister has an STD.

So Sister is not only cruel to disabled little boys, she can't explain menstruation to a scared girl? And she calls herself a nun?!

Are we absolutely sure her other husbands weren't helped to their deaths, by Sister?

You're all heart, Newt.

Seriously, woman? You're going to visit the crazy woman? Who cares if she goes hungry?

Wow, Beatrice is violent! Use your words, lady!

Personally, I would have euthanized Sister.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Sweet Surprises

Sweet Surprises by Shirlee McCoy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I hope she called the police on the guy.

Because jumping out at her in the dark, in a cemetery, isn't scary. At all. And learn grammar, buddy.

I would love to work in that shop. Add a bookstore, and I'd never leave.

Men and their pride. At least Mack was trying to protect Belinda.

Haha! Her grandfather is a teenager in an old man's body.

Ugh, that is the worst break-up note ever.

Oh, I like that "recipe".

Wow, she gets hurt a lot.

What's the story between River and Porter?

Way to overreact, Janelle. Poor Mack!

Poor Jax! His whole family was murdered?

The housemother is an idiot.

What the heck is Willow into?

Now I want fudge.

A good book makes you anxious to read the next one. What happens with Dan? What is the deal with the check? Why does River hate Porter? So many questions!

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Review of Outlander Season 2 Episode 10

I wonder how long that guy was in the makeup chair.

Guess who's back, back again. Charlie's back, tell a friend...

Like these guys in wigs will ever get close to the battlefield.

Charlie's plan is a good one, if a bit cowardly. But knowing what happens, Jamie will take it.

Whoa there, Charlie. You want Claire to do what?? And Jamie's her "lord and master"? Have you met her?!

Dougal looks comfy. Poor Murtagh, always stuck babysitting the children, young and old.

Dude just kicked his uncle.

"Look Ma, no hands!"

Angus, stop embarrassing Rupert in public.

Really, Redcoats? He's one man! https://www.getyarn.io/yarn-clip/d5bd02bb-8cb6-4841-8d46-36494038f001

Fergus is bored. War should have a summer camp. Not.

Aw. Angus loves Rupert.

I hope Murtagh gets some recognition, yet I don't want him putting himself in danger.

Way to get a kiss, Angus!

'This day'. Sadness here.

What a kiss! So sweet. Now that's a proper send-off.

Fergus, what are you doing?

I did't know the brought their kilts into battle. Weren't they worried about losing them?

Dougal's war face needs to be recorded.

The war is...bloody.

Poor Rupert!

Is it bad that I am glad Dougal killed that soldier? Because of him, Black Jack had easy access to Claire.

That moment your wife tells you to pee in a beaker. And you do it on a bet. But then the Prince walks in.

Charlie just delivered a smackdown. He's not as wimpy as I thought.

One stone, two problems. Although, Charlie can't expect them to be enemies on the battlefield and friends in private. This isn't baseball.

What a horrible way to die. I'll miss you, Angus. Who else wants to give Rupert a hug?

Review: Putting Out Old Flames

Putting Out Old Flames by Allyson Charles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Graphic.

Haha! Poor girl! That'll leave an impression on him.

I can't stand people who have no patience for other people's kids. They're little, they get bored easily.

Where's Josh's mother?

If she was so great, why'd you dump her, idiot?

Dude, you know nothing about women.

Really? Leon lives for game night? Okay...

Seriously, Sharon? Shoe polish? Oy.

Her mother and Finnegan are totally an item.

What's the male version of a catfight? A dogfight?

That is one mean old man. Next time they take his car.

Mr. Harraday's right about today's society.

Her mother has no filter. I love it.

Ha, Martinez knew how to dare her into climbing down the wall.

Can he trust his ex not to kidnap their son?

Leon. Is. So. Boring.

Yeah, I would have let Annette get arrested. She put their son in danger!

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Review of Outlander Season 2 Episode 9

Haha! Hi Murtagh, I've missed you. And I see you've confused "babysitting" with "servitude".

That's a nice song. What is it called?

Of course those two get the building with the roof and a door. None of that tent business.

Better luck next time, Angus! Good for you Willie, I hope you made it safely to America.

I always liked Dougal. I like his optimism and his love for his country. Too bad history tells a different story.

Murtagh the Drill Sergeant. And as I'm thinking it, Claire has a WWII flashback.

Their training techniques were very interesting.

Claire's remembering the war she just lived through, while Jamie's worried about will happen to her if he dies.

Nice speech, Jamie. Sam Heughan needs an Emmy.

Graham McTavish is hawt. Too bad the speech didn't have much of a lasting effect on the "soldiers". They ran away like little girls!

Jamie's all grown up now, huh Dougal?

Claire's got a raging case of PTSD.

What a position to be in. She doesn't need to be with the army, but it's better than hiding away because she's scared. If she stayed home while Frank went to fight, it would be much different now between her and Jamie.

Murtah totally enjoyed that bit of playacting.

Who the heck is this kid? Is no one British on this show not cocky?

I guess with all those scabs, he doesn't feel the lashes as much? I hope?

James does Arnold Schwarzenegger proud.

Sorry, Claire. No time for sexy-time.

Finally, two lines. Doing Murtagh proud, men!

Dougal is having way too much fun. And surprisingly, he's very willing to listen to Jamie. I don't know if that is the soldier in him, or if he's just biding his time so he can marry Claire when Jamie dies in battle.

This episode was so much better than last week's.