Dead but not Forgotten: Stories from the World of Sookie Stackhouse edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner

These stories are more enjoyabole if you have read The Sookie Stackhouse series. The first book is Dead Until Dark.
     This anthology is stories picked by Charlaine Harris from other authors who are fans of her Sookie Stackhouse series.
     This collection contains fifteen stories.
1. Nobody's Business by Rachel Caine : This story follows Ken and Kenya on a typical , or not so typical day on the job patrolling Bon Temps.
2. Tyger,Tyger byChristpher Golden " This tale focuses on Quinn and his very bad getting even worse day.
3. The Real Santa Claus by Leigh Perry : This story focuses on Diantha and her mission to see what is causing Sookie Stackhouse grief.
4.Taproot by Jeffery J. Mariotte : Andy's old flame is back in town with more than just reconciliation on her mind.
5. Knit a Sweater out of Sky by Seanan Mcguire : Amelia has good intentions with the magic she wishes to use and a new witch in town has other ideas.
6.  Love Story by Jeanne C. Stein : This a look at Adele's journal and her affair with Fintan.
7. The Million Dollar Hunt by Jonathon Maberry: Mustapha joins a reality show competition that is more than what it seems.
8. Borderline Dead by Nicole Peeler: Desiree Dumas finally steps up to her past.
9. Extreme Makeover Vamp Edition by Leigh Evans: Ted Seabrook and Bev Leveto have a debt to pay and it requires preparing a recluse bride for her wedding.
10. Don't be Cruel by Bill Crider : This is the story of Bubba and his performance for Russell Edgington.
11. What a Dream I Had by Nancy Holder : The beginning of Alcide's bad luck streak with the ladies.
12. Another Dead Fairy by Miranda James : Claude and Claudine must solve the murder of their cousin.
13.The Bat Signal by Suzanne Mcleod : Luna Garza is on the hunt for a teenage were on the run.
14. The Sun, The Moon, and the Stars by Dana Cameron : Pam deals with a woman from her past and races to save Eric by a hidden enemy.
15. Widower's Walk by Maryjanice Davidson : Centuries in  the future, Eric watches out for Sookie's descendants
     Most of these stories were good and a few I wish had either a bit more or a slight twist to it. But a good read none the less.

Low Midnight by Carrie Vuaghn

Sorry, this so late in posting.

     This is a novel in the world of Kitty Norville series. One can read this book without having to read the Kitty Norville series, but I do suggest reading the series if one hasn't because it does connect into what is happening in the Kitty Norville series. The first book is Kitty and the Midnight Hour.
     I was excited that Cormac was getting his own story, and it didn't disappoint.
It was refreshing to see what goes on in the mind of Cormac and a closer look into his relationship with Amelia. The tale was a perfect installment to the Norville series. The right balance of character drama and action. Worth the read even if one hasn't read about a werewolf named Kitty.

Witch With No Name by Kim Harrison

Sorry, this so late in being posted.

     This is the last book in The Hollows series. The first is Dead Witch Walking.
This final installment was beautifully done, seamlessly linking the continuing story lines introduced in previous novels. Unlike certain other series that have come to their ends, this one doesn't leave you feeling like the happy endings were forced, this one ends reasonable real for the characters.
     This is the typical roller coaster ride one takes when following Rachel Morgan and her crew on their runs and daily life. The end didn't disappoint at all, and I will miss Rachel Morgan and her tapestry of interesting characters that inhabit her world. I'm glad I took the chance on this series, because it was definitely an unforgettable ride.

Mission Impossible : Rogue Nation

Sorry, this is posted way later than intended.

     I'll be honest, I have seen all the films in this series, and even a lot of the television series its based on. This trailer had me going really? I ended up giving it a chance because critics were a buzz about it, and even Rotten Tomatoes, liked it.

     It did have a decent developed story, plenty of action, but seemed to drag on a bit too long. Would have been just as good, with some extra editing but it was a very pleasant surprise, and worth seeing in the theater.

Visions by Kelley Armstrong

Sorry, this is posted later than intended.

     This is book two in The Cainsville Series. It needs to be read in order. The first book is Omens.

     To be honest, the first book in the series felt like it could have been a non-supernatural thriller. I'm glad that the second installment, has turned the direction I had hoped. Armstrong pulls her series back to where it should be. A perfect balance of a real world with supernatural inhabitants.
    Throughout this story, some secrets are revealed, some truths discovered, and yet, more secrets remain hidden. More players in the Fae game are revealed. And another whopper ending.
     Definitely, glad I gave this series a second chance.

Priestess Dreaming by Yasmine Galenorn

Sorry, this is way later than I intended.

     This is part of a series that needs to be read in order. The first book is Witchling.
This installment is told by Camille. I wasn't disappointed in this book but even though it did set up a small mystery of a party interested in Camille and her sisters, it fell a bit short for a story that was supposed to be about Camille finding The Merlin.
     A wonder opportunity to introduce more Fe creatures, and draw the reader deeper into the Elder Fae realm. It just seemed you were taken in than out. PLus, a bit more dramatic ending for an ancient enemy, would have been nice, but I do understand, why it was written the way it was, it did make sense, but when you build toward something, one expects a bit more bang,
     This wasn't one of my favorite installments in the Sisters of the Moon Series, it is still a good read.

Pantech Phone has no sound

I didn't drop or get phone wet, and today it just had no sound. No voicemail, no incoming calls. Was not on mute, or headset setting. So I decided to search the internet first and see if I could get lucky.
      I found someone with a problem on their Samsung phone and someone suggested to take the battery out for a few minutes and it did the trick, though I had to reset a few things, including re-selecting vibrate and ring tone to start hearing the phone ring again. Its amazing how something so simple can make a big difference.

The Man form U.N.C.L.E.

      I was vaguely familiar that this was a TV show. That's about as far as my previous knowledge went. I saw the prevue and was interested, having Henry Cavill was a plus.
     I really enjoyed the film. It had a nod to the TV show when showing certain scenes, and it, in my opinion well casted, great chemistry on screen. Plus, it was the right blend of action, fun humor, and typical spy tale.
     Worth seeing in a theater.

A Dance With Dragons by George RR Martin (audiobook edition)

This is the Fifth in The Song of Ice and Fire series. The first is Game of Thrones. The series by the same now is really good too, true enough to the books. The books have to be read in order, or you will be lost.
     Unlike the last installment, this one is more of the roller-coaster action with a decent amount of intrigue, death, and annoyingly several characters stuck in cliffhangers.
     I will not give out spoilers. I do however hope the next book makes it on the shelf soon. I am addicted to the books.
     Again, Martin doesn't disappoint. A perfect blend of action, death, intrigue, and a few twists and turns in it.
     As I've said before, you don't have to be a fantasy fan to like this series.
      Still love Roy Dotrice as the narrator.

Might want to check out Daughter if the Blood by Anne Bishop, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by JRR Tolkien, and The Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher.

Wet SanDisc Clip Sport

I got my player wet, briefly submerged, and for a moment it did still play, then froze, then nothing. I placed it on its side, in front a fan on high for about nine hours. Started this morning, had to charge battery. Took a long while to fully charge battery, but is now running fine.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman (audio book)

     I discovered this book, through a website browse on SYFY and new and coming shows. It sounded interesting and I had read The Codex by this author and thought I'd give it a chance. I found that the library had all the series on audio so I went for it.
     If I had read this book, I doubt I would have finish it. I wasn't expecting a sweeping epic but a good story, I was expecting and sadly this book failed miserably,
     I wasn't surprised at The Harry Potter mentions now and then. But this story seemed to make a buffet of other fantasy tales. A small taste here a way bigger portion of The Chronicles of Narnia. Which he twisted into a dark parallel world of magic and bits of perversion.
     It had its moments of humor or witty commentary. But for five years of magic school, there was very little magic. A lot of cursing, jumping to the next school year, and sex. The language for the most part hindered the flow of the tale. Oh, and the magic land, could have been so much more but it seems to be the place where the big battle comes to play and a hero recoups and goes on a basic quest.
     The book could have been so much more, but was a failed attempt of minimal imagination and creativity. Such a disappointment.
     The narrator had a nice and pleasant voice though.

Ant-Man

This movie was pretty good. Not up to par like other films from Marvel characters have been, but it was good.
     It was bit slow at the start. I think a bit more editing of certain scenes would have helped. Also a change on how Scott ended up in trouble, instead of telling it, it should have been portrayed. It would have helped the story move more seamlessly, and helped the audience make a closer connection with the main character. But the story was good and ants have been made cute and even almost cuddly again, like in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
   Overall, it does have likable characters, a balance with a bit of humor, and a mix of good ole emotional stuff.
     Yeah, worth the 3-d theater experience. I doubt it would be quite the same on TV.

Terminator Genisys

First off I have seen all the terminator films. This on I had my doubts. An older terminator, circling back to Kyle Reese and Sarah Conner.
     But I was surprised. The story was good and great action of course, but I did miss some of those terminator/human jokes and interactions that occur between characters. Just wasn't like the other films.
     But this was worth the time to go see in a theater. Still after four films a good ride.

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews

This is a new series for Andrews. It's book one in Hidden Legacy Series. I'm a fan of her Kate Daniels series, and the first one in that is Magic Bites.

     Again this is series in a world where magic exists. This series follows Nevada, and the reader is pulled into her world when she is given a case she can't refuse, to bring in a dangerous man before the police find him, a man that could easily burn her to death. No lighter and gas needed.
     To make Nevada's life all the more complicated, is another dangerous man with his own dangerous magic, and even though he abducted her, they become partners, and though Nevada tries to keep things professional, she's pulled toward him, and he's not shy about letting her know his intentions.
     I can't wait for the next book. A well balanced story, characters you like, and a world worth visiting.

A Feast for Crows by George RR Martin (audiobook)

This is the fourth installment in the series A Song of Ice and Fire, which the television series Game of Thrones is based on. The first book is Game of Thrones and these have to be read in order to make sense.
     This installment reminded me more of the first. It is more focused on intrigue and playing the Game of Thrones, over action prone fights and battles. Though it is definitely not a dull read or listen in my case. I really enjoy Martin. He does another excellent job in weaving a tapestry of intrigue. Never lagging to long on one plot line, and when characters do cross paths , it feels natural and unforced.
     A good book and a good narrator. Worth the listen or read and so is the series, Game of Thrones, worth the checking out.

Tomorrowland

     This wasn't as bad as I thought. Though it was one of those lesson films, to an extent. A bit of Atlas Shrug and apocalyptic type film. It could have been more if the story was told more in the past leading to present instead of recollection, mixed with current times.
     For a film called Tomorrowland, most of the tomorrow was seen in previews. That was disappointing, but the story wasn't bad, but in my opinion not worth paying money to go see in the theater.

Mad Max : Fury Road

If you haven't seen the first three Mad Max films , I suggest watching Mel Gibson as Mad Max. Though one doesn't have to be familiar with the first films, before seeing this one.
     This film was surprisingly enjoyable, not to mention a certain scene actually made me shed a few tears, something I would never have expected from an action film.
     I enjoyed have a strong female presence but I disliked the balance between Furiosa and Mad Max. For the majority of this film, it was like Mad Max was along for the ride. Though for the lack of balance, the film was really good and the 3-D was a nice touch. Still a very Mad Max film. Hoping Wasteland allows Tom Hardy to become more Mad Max, and less sidekick with muscle and brains.

Otherworld Nights by Kelley Armstrong

     This is a short story / novella collection that is better enjoyed if you have read The Otherworld series. The first book is Bitten.

     The collection is worth the read, and I'm excited that other volumes will be released in the future. Follows is a brief summary of the tales.

1. Demonology : Adam's mother finally finds out the truth behind her son's "gift".

2. Twilight : Cassandra has begun to feel her age and must decide to fight for life or fade away.

3. Stalked : Clay and Elena finally get away and have their honeymoon, only to have a mutt show up.

4. Chivalrous : This story focuses on Reese and why he left Australia.

5. Lucifer's Daughter : Hope and Karl go to a Museum Exhibit and end up having a devilish time.

6. Hidden : Clay, Elena. and the twins attempt to have a normal Christmas together, and as always, even in Canada, the mutt trouble comes.

7. From Russia with Love : A person from Elena's past comes calling and trouble follows.

8. Vanishing Act : This tale was never previously released and follows after the novel Thirteen.
         Savannah and Adam are having one those days, and its not all about their current case.

   

   

The Sixth Extinction by James Rollins (audio book )

This is part of The Sigma series. It needs to be read in order, the first book is Sandstorm.

     This is book ten in the series. Not disappointed, though this book seemed to be shorter than I expected. 15 discs, int the audio book.
     This is a typical James Rollins book. The right balance of action, science, history, and characters you love to keep following and routing for.
     This tale does have a few big changes for characters in it. Never too much action or to little. A roller coaster ride of a tale, a perfectly woven tapestry of a tale. One that soon hooks who and never lets go till the end, leaving you waiting for the next mission.

Beautiful Ashes by Jeanine Frost

I am a fan of this author. I have read her Night Huntress series, sadly concluded now. So I got a little excited to see what she was coming out with next. Sadly, I am two for two on authors I love and new series falling short to what I wish to continue reading.
      I did finish this book unlike the last that I thought could have been the meeting of new characters and a new journey to delve into. That was something.
     First off, the story started out promising. Then I hit the first road block. An angel and demon story. Ok, not my favorite form of tale. But I pushed past this block, and continued on. Then the further I read, the more this tale became a plate of lentils, from the ham and potatoes it started with.
     After some thought I realized it wasn't the whole angel and demon thing with the twists on biblical tales that caused me to lose interest. It was the loss of character and action balance. This book didn't have a lot of the character interaction I enjoy from her other stories. This one spent too much time in running around from this or to that.
     I will not be continuing this series. So disappointed.

Avengers : Age of Ultron

This film was good, but the balance of story and action got a bit skewed. Some of the action sequences needed to deleted or shortened. The story can hold its own without a lot of action in it. the first was proof of that.
     But the story was good, a mix of emotion and humor. A bit long but worth the viewing at least once and worth the 3-D.

Wild Justice by Kelley Armstrong

This is the third, and sadly, the final Nadia Stafford novel. The first is Exit Strategy. I would recommend reading the books in order, but you don't have to.
     I love Nadia Stafford. Ex-cop turned hit woman who only kills those who deserve to die. The final novel is Nadia;s past coming full circle. The twists in this story were good. Things one never expected to find out. The story moves smoothly, and has a good balance of action and personal. Worth the read and was worth the wait for it to be published.

A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin { audio book edition}

This is book three of The Song of Ice and Fire Series. This needs to be read in order. Book one is Game of Thrones.

     It seems that Martin definitely has a knack for balancing drama, intrigue, and  a decent but not over whelming dash of fantasy to it. Every book seems to get better, than the last one. The tv adaptation to the books has been well done, even with the changes and mixing of facts, the trueness of the books is still there.
     More twists and turn and an ending I would have never seen coming. A Storm of Swords is a another rollercoaster ride for the players and pieces in The Game of Thrones. This is also one of those series installments where big important changes come. A turning point for the characters. Never a dull moment, fluid and well written.
     If you have watched The Game of Thrones series, read the books anyway. There is so much more that isn't covered or changed for tv adaptation. I do really enjoy the series too. So if you haven't seen it check it out.

The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare

Sorry, this has been a while coming.
     When I first discovered these stories, I was sadly disappointed that they were being published in e-book form. I do not own an e-reader. I prefer the books I buy to be in hardback or paper back form, so I can have a physical library, over a virtual on. I'm not against e-readers, and perhaps one day, I will buy one, just to have access to those tales released only in electronic form.
     So I was excited when these stories were put together in an anthology. If you have not read The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Device books, then I would not recommend reading these tales, because they focus on Magus Bane and characters that accompany his history, from these books. The first of The Mortal Instruments is City of Bones, and the first of The Infernal Devices is Clockwork Angel.
     This was a collection of tales, 98% were good tales. Though at times, I thought a bit more could have been added to round the tales out a bit better. My main issue, was with the first and last tale. The first never answered the question that it claimed by title to answer. It was like giving someone a gift, and once they unwrapped it, discovered an empty box. A waste of a tale, and truly unfair. So disappointing.
     The lasts tale, seemed to be a wasted attempt to have another tale. The whole tale is done through voice mail messages. Face to face contact would have been much more interesting and less tedious, of a tale.
     Otherwise, the tales were what I expected even when co-authored with another. Worth reading.

Jupiter Ascending : Crashes back to Earth

For the people who brought the Matrix to life, I expected a bit more.
     The costumes, cinematography, even special effect makeup and the like was really well done. But that was the highlight of the film. The story had great potential, but sadly fell short. Only do two of the characters ever really get developed, Tatum and Kunis.
     You have an elaborate worlds, aliens, and a set of feuding siblings and yet you can;t make a rich tapestry of story. All one had to do was add richer characters, intrigue, thicken the story plot by adding other characters interested in the Recurrent Queen {Kunis} and an interesting tale could be born.
     I agree and completely see why the critics have been harsh with this film. A few tweaks and a bit more imagination and this film could be worth the price of admission and the 3D surcharge.
     Don't really think its worth the movie theater price. Wait to rent or buy on DVD, or even wait for the TV debut.
     So disappointed.

Kill Switch by James Rollins

I fell in love with James Rollins books by accident. Barnes and Noble had a sale and I bought one of his Sigma Series books, and fell hard. I never really liked Clive Cussler but James Rollins, a different story.
    I went back and started The Sigma Series in order, of course skipping the one I read, and I have read several of the stand alone novels too. It was in the Sigma series, that Tucker and Kane were introduced and I loved the pair, plus, one being a dog makes things even more interesting. So when I read that the pair were going to have their own story, I got excited.
     I was not disappointed. Kill Switch is a roller coaster ride of twits and turn. A perfect blend of action, characters, twists, science and history. Typical Rollins perfection, even when he is co writing with another, Grant Blackwood.
     Love this first installment in the Tucker Wayne spin off from The Sigma Series. I was glad to hear that more novels would come following this perfectly matched pair.
     You don't have to be familiar with The Sigma books, to enjoy this read. But if your interested in The Sigma Series, that starts with the prequel book to the series, Sandstorm. This book is definitely worth the time to read.

Into the Woods

     This was one of my take it or leave it films. I 'm not a big musical fan, but I' have seen a variety of ones from The Sound of Music, to Sweeney Todd, and even Les Miserables, just to give you an idea of the range of musicals, I've seen. I've seen more than those.
     Into the Woods wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it didn't surprise me either. It was kind of in the middle of the road, compared to the others I have seen. Though it wasn't bad, it just seemed to get a little lost in the woods at the end. It was like they were trying to be a bit different, put a twist on it, and it fell a little flat.
     Though I do admit that Johnny Depp surprised me. I thought, him as the wolf. I know he can sing, that wasn't what surprised me. It was how a song with the right kind of slightly disturbing but fitting lyrics for a human eating wolf, and the right facial expressions and movements, made this wolf done by Depp, really creep me out.
     The songs weren't bad, and I liked how the fairy tales had elements from the older, original versions collected by the Grimm brothers. The story wasn't bad either, but in my opinion, I don't think its all that, and worth paying theater prices to see it. On stage, would be different. But if your looking for something to see at the movies, this wouldn't be an awful choice.

Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (audio book)

     I watched Season Two of Game of Thrones before listening to this book, and discovered that I liked the book a bit better this time than the show. There was more character and story depth than was in the show, but then again, things have to be tweaked when put into film for whether it be a series, or just one film.
     This installment I finished faster than the last. It really kept a roller coaster pace about it, and I love the narrator and his voices. His story telling is natural, and never rings false. It will be a little while before I move on to book three, but I understand why this series is so popular.
     A great mix of characters, story, a wonderful world of magic and human intrigue. This is the kind of book that I think those not really into fantasy could get into.
     This is book two in the Song of Fire and Ice Series. The first book is Game of Thrones, and the TV series by the same name is really good too.
     Whether you read it or listen to it, it is worth the time to check out.

The House of Gaian by Anne Bishop

This is the third and final book in The Tir Alain. The first is The Pillars of the World.

     I liked the first two installments of this book. I gave up after finishing about a quarter this one. I debated for a bit on trying to get back into it, but it began to feel like I would be reading it because I had to, like a literature class assignment and I decided it was best to move on, and put this into my small pile of I couldn't finish it books.
     I finally realized my issue was the lack of any sort of interesting story line, for the most part. Occasional story bits that progressed the tale a tad. But to me, it just seemed to be a slow progression of the characters, moving toward the final battle between good and evil. I really think this book should have been half its size, and a good chuck of it cut out.
     I don't have an issue with books that don't have a lot of adventure in them. But the story plot has to move, things of interest have to be going on at some level, and this just seemed to get stuck in the mud. To be honest, I think two books would have sufficed over three.
     Usually, enjoy her books, but again this was just stalled. Still, the first two books were good, I just wouldn't expect the third to be great.
     Anne Bishop's Black Jewel Books, and Ephemera books are good reads too.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Not sure if any one cares, but I do apologize for not posting anything in a while. Life got in the way.


      I did see the previous two films and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. This final installment of the Hobbit, wasn't bad. But it did seem to drag on a bit too long. It had nothing to do with the battle sequences, The Two Towers flew by fine, but this film was a tad too long and the others didn't feel sluggish at all. Still it was good film, and worth seeing in 3-D and the big screen, especially with Smaug.
     If you haven't read the Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings trilogy, read them. There worth it, and film adaptations aren't word form word of the book.