Month: May 2019

First Line Friday #109

Today’s First Line Friday is a YA Paranormal Romance and I love it’s cover! Everything about it is just gorgeous to me!

Summer:
There was a fire. I don’t remember anything before that.

Dooney:
Since I was a child, my destiny, the reason I’m here, is to kill her.

She wakes up in hospital, badly burned with no memory.
He’s been trained to kill her before she burns the world to ashes.

When they finally meet, will he be able to take her life now that he’s started to feel for her?

His fate is already written.
The prophecy is already set…

Love between them is forbidden.

Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

The Broken Girls

Author: Simone St. James
Published: March 20, 2018
336 Pages

Reviewed By: Kim
Kim’s Rating: 4 stars

Book Description:

Vermont, 1950. There’s a place for the girls whom no one wants–the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the too smart for their own good. It’s called Idlewild Hall. And in the small town where it’s located, there are rumors that the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their budding friendship blossoming–until one of them mysteriously disappears. . . .

Vermont, 2014. As much as she’s tried, journalist Fiona Sheridan cannot stop revisiting the events surrounding her older sister’s death. Twenty years ago, her body was found lying in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. And though her sister’s boyfriend was tried and convicted of murder, Fiona can’t shake the suspicion that something was never right about the case.

When Fiona discovers that Idlewild Hall is being restored by an anonymous benefactor, she decides to write a story about it. But a shocking discovery during the renovations will link the loss of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the past–and a voice that won’t be silenced. . . .

Kim’s Review

The Broken Girls has been on my list for quite some time. My birthday was the perfect excuse to get it, so I did. St. James has this wonderful knack for subtlety that just slides under the radar and then once all the anticipation and creepiness builds up, it hits you and then you have to sleep with the lights on. But first, what drew me in was Idlewild Hall. I wish I had an abandoned, haunted girls school in my town. I’d be there all the time! I liked the students and the bonds they formed with each other, despite their skepticism about life.

St. James weaved so many emotions and situations into the story, that at first, the plot seemed to be all over the place. Then, by the end, everything had unraveled and everything was put in its place and made sense. The present tense story line was interesting and had plenty of twists and turns. My one issue and the reason I gave 4 stars, was Fiona’s obsession over her sister’s death. The problem was that they had already convicted someone for her death and he was in prison, so it wasn’t like there was no closure. It just got tiresome after a while. But other than that, this book was a chilling, emotional read that had me in goosebumps. Every thread was tied and the ending was satisfying and complete. I definitely recommend it!

Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

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As You Wish by Cary Elwes

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride

Author: Cary Elwes
Published: October 14, 2014
Audiobook

Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: May 8-13, 2019
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars

Book Description:

From actor Cary Elwes, who played the iconic role of Westley in The Princess Bride, comes a first-person account and behind-the-scenes look at the making of the cult classic film filled with never-before-told stories and interviews with costars Robin Wright, Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, and Mandy Patinkin, as well as author and screenwriter William Goldman, producer Norman Lear, and director Rob Reiner.

The Princess Bride has been a family favorite for close to three decades. Ranked by the American Film Institute as one of the top 100 Greatest Love Stories and by the Writers Guild of America as one of the top 100 screenplays of all time, The Princess Bride will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.

Cary Elwes was inspired to share his memories and give fans an unprecedented look into the creation of the film while participating in the twenty-fifth anniversary cast reunion. In As You Wish he has created an enchanting experience; in addition to interviews with his fellow cast mates, there are plenty of set secrets and backstage stories.

With a foreword by Rob Reiner, As You Wish is a must-have for all fans of this beloved film.

Jessica’s Review:

As You Wish is Cary Elwes’ memoir of the making of the movie The Princess Bride. If you are a fan of the film in even the smallest way, you must read this memoir! I listened to the audio version which is narrated by Elwes himself.  As an added bonus, all of the actors that are still with us also give insight and their voices to the narration.  It was wonderful to hear them talking about a film they enjoyed making and that so many love. We even hear from the author/ screenplay writer William Goldman who thought The Princess Bride would never be brought to the big screen. He also ruined some of the first takes of the film with his praying being picked up by the sound crew! 

There was so much I did not know about the making of the film and I really enjoyed this audiobook. Listening to it put me in the mood to watch the film and I did even before I finished listening to it!  It is such a great film that so many people love and it covers so many genres of film! It did not fit in anywhere, which was part of the problem with getting the film made and promoted.

Hearing the fond remembrances everyone had of Andre the Giant, who is genuinely missed by all was lovely. Everyone adored Robin Wright as Buttercup and only Elwes could have played Westley. There are so many behind the scene stories I could share, but I won’t: Just be on the lookout for Elwes sharing his on-set and off-set injuries, which you can see when watching the film if you know where to look. And there is quite the story dealing with a ROUS being late to filming….

The Princess Bride is a film that has touched several generations and as it continues to age,it will be timeless (except for that opening scene with the video game)  and it will always speak to its audience.

I can’t recommend this audiobook high enough for any fan of The Princess Bride. Please listen to it or read it! 

Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

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