Dollhouse "Getting Good"

So, several more weeks and episodes later and I must admit, Dollhouse, by Firefly and Buffy creator Joss Whedon has really taken the world by storm. It had a lack luster start, making some not want to tune in for the next episode, but those of us die hard Whedon junkies, were rewarded when we continued to be loyal and know that if Joss is the one writing it, then it has to get better. Plus, we all know what Fox did to Firefly so who knows what they might have been trying on Dollhouse.

Last weeks episode though, really amazed me and others like me. It began to fill out the story behind the Dollhouse, instead of just teasing us with bits and pieces and tonight's episode sounds like it's just going to get better from here on out.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Dollhouse name, the series is about young women and men called actives that are 'programmed' to be whoever they are needed to be. Hired by the wealthy to be the perfect date or hired to enact justice in some form or another, they are then stripped of all knowledge by having their memories wiped and bringing them back to a child like state. Sadly, they have no memory of their past or of any other 'life' they might have had. There is no idea whether they have done this voluntarily or not.

So, if you are one who watch one episode and decided to give up or if you are just tuning in, give the Dollhouse a try. It might just surprise you. Oh, and in the vase are three flowers and one of them is yellow. Don't get it....watch!!!

Author Spot: Rita Mae Brown

Well, I'm sick in bed with a cold and I find that when I am in this particular spot, I always seem to reach for a book that I've read before. One of my favorite authors that I tend to grab is Rita Mae Brown.

Be it her wonderful Mrs. Murphy and Tee Tucker series or the Fox hunting adventure of Sister, I find that I love reading them over and over again. Her way with how animals think and what they would say has me rolling on the floor. even tossing a look at my cat as he stares at me wondering what he might be saying.

For those not familiar with her writings, Ms. Brown writes mysteries, most set in smaller towns in Central Virginia. Both have something to do with the tradition of Fox Hunting, though 'Sister' Arnold's stories (e.g. Full Cry, Outfoxed, The Hunt Ball, etc.) are centered around the sport. Each has their own set of animal characters that 'talk', but only to each other. It lends a fun side to the art of murder that some books lack.

Her co-author for the Mrs. Murphy mysteries is her striped tabby Sneaky Pie Brown, who bears an extraordinary resemblance to the main 'cat'ater in the books, Mrs. Murphy. Together with her friends, Tee Tucker (a welsh corgi) and Pewter ( a fat grey feline always in search of food), they help their always curious owner, Mary Minor 'Harry' Haristeen solve the case without getting killed in the process.

If you haven't read anything by Rita Mae, I implore you to. She is a wonderful writer that puts her whole heart into her stories. Her characters are so real you wonder if they actually exist somewhere in the world and you can tell by the way she writes each of their struggles, that she truly cares what happens to them. Even the settings of her novels wrap you in the art of New England and its lush traditions, some of which are dying out.

So, if you are searching for a book to spend an afternoon with or something to take with you on your next flight, pick up on of the many books in Rita Mae Brown's creative library. You might just find yourself looking at your pet wondering just what it might be thinking.

For a list of her books, please stop by her website at http://www.ritamaebrown.com/content/index.asp

Close Encounters Review

Are you a fan of Anne McCaffrey with her ships that speak, and races that seem to mean more than meets the eye? How about a heroine that is genetically engineered to protect that which she is swore to protect and that was satisfied with traveling the cosmos with her ship until fate lad her to the burly arms of a tribal man? Well, look no further than the debut novel of Katherine Allred, Close Encounters.

Meet Kiera Smith, a GEP(Genetically Engineered Person) with her cocky ship, Max and the rock cat that is just a little more intelligent than what's go for him, Crigo. Their job is to search for new life forms, map new planets, and basically trek through the galaxy. Though Kiera is okay with her life, the longing to be normal eats at her, even though she is very special indeed.
When a call comes in from her maker, Daniels, Kiera jumps at the chance to save a race and see why a major corporation has taken such an interest in a planet. What she finds is a primitive race that is gentle and may just be what she has been looking for, even though she might just have to fight to save it.

As I started this novel, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I am not a big sci fi fan, though I did enjoy Anne McCaffrey and others like her. This book, though, truly surprised me. Reading like an urban fantasy with lush environments and memorable characters that draw you in, Allred immerses her readers into a place where those wanting good plot get it and those wanting a romance with action are equally satisfied.

With scenes that are violent and others that will take your sexual breath away, this is definitely for the older reader, but is definitely worth a read or two. Even if you are not into sci fi and like the feel of urban fantasy, this book might appeal to you. So, take a ride on a ship called Max and enjoy the creative mind of Katherine Allred in Close Encounters.....

Got Me Some Castle

So...two episodes have come and go with another slated for tomorrow night and all I have to say is...are you watching?!

Richard Castle is the new break way author, whose thrilling novels are talking the world by storm. The only problem is he's tired of writing them, and is ready for a change. He gets it when a copy cat starts turning his novels into reality.

Brought on to the case by his own sheer curiosity and the fact the detective is an attractive young woman, Castle charges in, finding being shot at and in the thick of things is rather thrilling. Suddenly, the once bored writer has found his new character using the fast talking Beckett as a model, much to her utter annoyance. Before long, things might get more heated than either would like them to be....

Castle is such a great series, filled with humor, wit, and that whodunit intrigue that you can only get with these type of shows. Coined 'Murder She Wrote' with a rather sexier Angela, Castle is played by the stellar and rather heartbreaking Nathan Fillion, who starred in the cult show Firefly. One of the things that makes him so perfect for this role is the fact that Fillion has such a terrific way of waering his emotions on his sleeve. His face is so readable and you actually think of him as Richard Castle, not an actor playing him.

I love the chemistry between the characters, from hot talking Beckett to the relationship between Castle and his level headed daughter or his rather eccentric mother. Each is well written and excuted. I will say that is definitely a series I hope goes far into a few more seasons.

So, if you haven't flipped over to Castle on Mondays on ABC, then maybe this would be a good time to. I think you'll find that solving the murder is as much fun as getting to the conclusion in the frist place....

Wicked Game Review

In lue of the May release of Bad to the Bone, I wanted to post a review for the first in the series:

As you open Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready, I am sure that what goes through your mind is the same as what went through mine...not another vampire novel. After all, most have somewhat the same plot, the same blood thirsty characters and damsels in distress and probably the same lines that come from countless hours spent reading said novels, only to find that the book ends the exact same way. Well, dear reader, what you hold in your hand is not one of those carbon copies. Get ready for an adventure in vampire DJ-ing at its finest.

Enter our main character, Ciara Griffin...con artist now trying for the straight and narrow forced to become one of the labor minded aka getting a job at WVMP, a radio station that plays just about every kind of music out there. Things get slightly weirder when she soon discovers her new bosses are not human at all, but vampires that remain hooked in the eras they were turned.

Thinking that this might be cause for a quick exit, Ciara soon learns that WVMP is in serious trouble from a big corporation willing to just about anything to get their hands on the vamps' station, which has been keeping them basically 'alive'. So with an expert con that just might pull WVMP into the big leagues and a little bit of old fashioned luck, Ciara begins something that will either make her or break her and the latter might not be such a good thing....

As with all of Jeri's wonderful stories, Wicked Game goes above and beyond with believable characters, one that will make you love them or love to hate them. Her writing flows with every word pulling you deep into a story that is both original and full of surprises. There are a few good sex scenes that are tastefully done. though I would still make sure not to let pre-teens read this. It is definitely an adult book.

So, if you are truly looking for a good original vampire story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and even have you singing the songs that seem to well up through the pages as you read, Wicked Game will definitely not disappoint, I assure you.

On March 31, the mass paperback is coming out. Preorder yours from Amazon now.

http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Game-Jeri-Smith-Ready/dp/1439101345/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237750678&sr=1-2

And don't forget to pick up a copy of Bad to the Bone on May 16th.

Jesus Fish Review (Movie)

So I was asked by a friend to write a review for an independent film about the reality of Christians. He told me that it would be a film that would definitely be a new concept and not something that i had ever seen before. My response was of course, i would watch it and give him my opinion, but that i was more into review books and not one for independent film. Not that it's not a great hobby or even career starter, I just didn't need another hobby. Anyway, here is my review of a very controversial film called Jesus Fish....

Filmed in and around the Tulsa area, Jesus Fish begins like most Christian films, a young girl trying to win a soul to Jesus before they pass on. For five whole minutes, you begin to wonder what exactly is so special about this film. With in a second or two, everything changes as a tench coat Jesus look-a-like bursts through the door packing a loaded shotgun and screaming at the top of his lungs. Suddenly, your eyes widen and you begin the journey through the lives of several different people that all belong to one very different Bible study.

You will meet people from every walk of life and will experience things like a drug dealer's house, a church play, and a grave scene for a girl that may or may not be dead. The characters will have you screaming to hit them and cheering as a few get just what they deserve. At the end, you will look on a story that might just change you look on the Christian life forever.

As an independent film with a rather low budget, Jesus Fish was well put together with a decent script that at times seemed a bit unbelievable, but no more so than most good films. The characters were well developed and well portrayed, though more heavy on the strength of the females than the males. They did invoke emotions within the audience keeping one entertained until the end.

Jesus Fish is a rather odd little film that is rated R because of violence and an 'implied' rape scene. It is definitely not for the young ones and could be offensive for some more sensitive viewers. Though not something you might watch over and over, Jesus Fish is definitely worth watching at least once. It will definitely be a ride you won't soon forget.

Here is the website..... http://www.jesusfishmovie.com/

CASTLE

Don't forget to watch Castle starring the delicious Nathan Fillion on Monday!!!!

Lie to Me and Dollhouse Review

I have watched Lie to Me for about three weeks now and have been utterly pleased with its storyline as well as its charcters. With a good cast and episodes that strike not only the heart, but also give us a look into the minds of criminals and victims alike, this crime drama can hold its own with veteran shows like CSI and NCIS. Definitely check it out if you haven't already. On FOX Weds @8pm cst.

Dollhouse created by Joss Whedon, who brought us Buffy, Angel, and Firefly has only had two epsiodes to its name and I am still waiting to give it a good review. With kind of a blah start, I was unsure, but after the most recent episode, I am reserving judgement until another couple episodes. I will say that so far, I am enjoying what I see and am truly curious as to where they are going with it. Another to check out if you haven't. On FOX Fridays@ 8pm cst.

Don't forget Castle March 9th on ABC @ 9pm cst.

The Warded Man

I received this new novel by Peter V. Brett a couple days ago from Del-Rey for review and so I decided to sit down from my few months being a mom to read it. I was so glad I did. The Warded Man is an intense ride that begins with the lives of three young children that through different diversities survive to fight on in a world where just the corelings or demons aren't the only things that should be feared.

In this well written novel, you will meet Arlen, Leesha, and Rojer, each set on their own path by tragedy or by the evil of others. Their journeys are all thwart with different types of danger from One Armed demons to the evil of greedy men. Each one will have you wrapped around their stories as they pull you from the world you know into one that nights are feared and demons roam only to take you into that darkness never to return.

The Warded Man is a well put together novel. With intense actions scenes that do not rob from the brilliant dialogue, the beautiful, yet, horrifying imagery literally engulfs you in a world that is filled with mountains, deserts, wall cities, and small villages. Each chapter brings you deeper into the shadows filling your mind with visions of small fire demons to the large stone ones.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves good fantasy and great action. It is a bit on the dark side with some violence to kids as well as to grown ups so please use discression when looking at it for kids younger than sixteen or so. Other than that, I implore you to give Mr. Brett a chance. I know I will be reading the next in his series for sure.....