Movie Review: Bohemian Rhapsody - #BohemianRhapsody

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
Release: November 2nd 2018
Director: Bryan Singer
Writers: Anthony McCarten (screenplay) | Peter Morgan (story)
Cast: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzello, Aidan Gillen, Tom Hollander, and Mike Myers
Genres: Biography | Drama | Music
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements, suggestive material, drug content and language
Runtime: 134 min
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HASHTAG: #BohemianRhapsody

Bohemian Rhapsody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury. Freddie defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound. They reach unparalleled success, but in an unexpected turn Freddie, surrounded by darker influences, shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career. Having suffered greatly without the collaboration of Queen, Freddie manages to reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid. While bravely facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. Queen cements a legacy that continues to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.

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It’s not necessary to be a huge fan of Queen to enjoy this film. The film takes a broad approach in showing the audience the history of the band and how they met, the creation of a few of their most notable hits, as well as touching on some of their low points, focusing mainly on Freddie Mercury. I feel like the teaser opening scene of Mercury getting ready to take the stage for Live Aid and closing out the movie with the performance was a great way to frame the story. You are immediately greeted with energy and excitement from the get-go. The film takes you through an emotional journey of laughter, tears (I am honestly not sure if there was a dry eye in the theater at one point), and overall appreciation of what thinking outside of the box can accomplish. After all – “fortune favors the bold”!

Bohemian Rhapsody tells the story of Queen from the vantage point of the very talented, however quite lonely, lead singer Freddie Mercury. From Mercury’s days as a baggage handler at Heathrow airport, then to the coming together of Queen with Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon, through the highs and lows of his personal struggles through superstardom, then ultimately resulting in his tragic AIDS diagnosis. Focusing mainly the lead singer, much of the complete story of Queen is left out. Granted it would be difficult to cover everything in one film, but the point of the band being a collaborative unit who prided themselves on creativity and not afraid to experiment was brought to attention and great effort was made in the story line to properly showcase that.

Rami Malek put everything into this role and embodied the spirit of the legendary Freddie Mercury. His performance was flamboyant, passionate, driven, and fun to watch. Not to mention he is a dead ringer for Mercury! I hate to admit that I did not know too much about the iconic lead singer until this movie. Malek’s performance was inspiring in a way which left me with a thirst to learn more about Freddie Mercury once the film ended. Malek did not sing a single note in the movie and the sound editing was done extremely well. You really have an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Mercury’s unique voice.

I realize I haven’t touched much on the other actors/characters of the movie, because honestly, I walked away from this movie smitten with the performance of Rami Malek and the legend of Freddie Mercury himself. I feel like the movie was well done and a fantastic film to shed light on who Freddie Mercury was for those like me who just barely missed the era of Queen in their prime. The acting was on point by everyone on screen and I felt invigorated leaving the theater. Bohemian Rhapsody is definitely worth the price of admission and a must see on the big screen!

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Bohemian Rhapsody is one for the books! This film is amazing from start to finish. The movie embodies the greatness that is Queen and was Freddie Mercury. I HIGHLY recommend for all to see on the big screen.

This is one of 2018 films I was highly anticipating. The acting by all was fantastic, but I was blown away by Rami Malek's portrayal of Freddie Mercury. I believe that if Mercury was alive today, he would be very pleased with Malek. I've been a fan of Malek for a time now, since he was part of the Egyptian coven in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2, then he role in Mr. Robot. Malek is someone that stays under the radar as far as his acting, but I think that will all change once everyone experience Malek as Mercury. You can almost call his acting on Bohemian Rhapsody iconic, just like Freddie Mercury was. Now, don't think that Malek was the only actor in the film that blew me away, the whole cast was just perfection for this film.

The film caused "Goosies" as Jennifer Lopez would say. I would catch myself bouncing to the music, laughing out loud, getting misty eyed, and excited. You name it, I experienced it throughout the film. I did not want it to end, even after 143 mins. I will say, the movie had me googling all the things about Queen and Freddie Mercury. I was not a die hard fan before the film, Queen was a bit before my time. But I do love many of their songs, but seeing this film, I grew such respect and admiration for the band. This reminds me of one scene in the film, the Mike Myers's character Ray Foster says "Mark these words: NO ONE will play Queen."

Bohemian Rhapsody will ROCK YOU from start to finish! See it on the big screen to really enjoy every second. I'm already wanting to see it again. Seriously, just stellar! 5 huge gold stars! And if you didn't know, this film has been in the "works" since 2010. It has had cast, directors and film companies drop and pick up in the last few years. Glad it was given up on, if not we wouldn't have been able to see experience the greatness that Bohemian Rhapsody is. 

Book Review: Cream of the Crop by Alice Clayton

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Cream of the Crop
Hudson Valley Series #2
Author: Alice Clayton
Reading Level: Adult Fiction
Genres: Contemporary Romance | Humor
Release Date: July 12th 2016
Review Source: Gallery Books

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton brings her trademark blend of funny and sexy to this second contemporary romance in the brand-new Hudson Valley series!

Manhattan’s It Girl, Natalie Grayson, has it all: she’s a hot exec at a leading advertising firm, known industry-wide for her challenging and edgy campaigns. She’s got a large circle of friends, a family that loves her dearly, and her dance card is always full with handsome eligible bachelors. What else could a modern gal-about-town wish for? The answer, of course, is...cheese.

Natalie’s favorite part of each week is spending Saturday morning at the Union Square Farmer’s Market, where she indulges her love of all things triple cream. Her favorite booth also indulges her love of all things handsome. Oscar Mendoza, owner of the Bailey Falls Creamery and purveyor of the finest artisanal cheeses the Hudson Valley has to offer, is tall, dark, mysterious, and a bit oblivious. Or so she thinks. But that doesn’t stop Natalie from fantasizing about the size of his, ahem, milk can.

Romance is churning, passion is burning, and something incredible is rising to the top. Could it be...love?

Boom!

Alice Clayton just dropped the mic with this follow up novel in The Hudson Valley series. You normally don't expect the sequel in any series to be as great or better that the first novel, but Clayton had no issues at all proving me wrong. I LOVED LOVED LOVED Cream of the Crop, this Rom Com will have you in stitches and blushing at the same time. The first book Nuts was great, but Cream of the Crop has Natalie and she freaking rocks! Of course Oscar isn't too bad himself, sexy farmer that makes cheese is very appetizing, lol! 

Cream of the Crop is a refreshing story about two people that normally wouldn't be caught in each others different worlds, but gravity has them crossings path all the time. And when they finally meet one on one, it the the Fourth of July between those two. All this takes place in the best backdrop that Clayton describes throughout the novel. 

So do yourself a favor and pre-order this book, you are going to love it as much as I do. Clayton delivers books that will make your day so much better with her steamy-laugh-out-loud novels. 

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If you haven't read the first book in The Hudson Valley series, I strongly suggest that you do. That way you are familiar with all the characters in Cream of the Crop. And you can check out reviews from Jaime and I of Nuts that we shared HERE.

Book Review: Blood Kiss by J.R. Ward

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Blood Kiss
Black Dagger Legacy #1
Author: J.R. Ward
Reading Level: Adult
Genres: Paranormal | Romance
Release Date: December 1st 2015
Review Source: Signet

The legacy of the Black Dagger Brotherhood continues in a spin-off series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author…

Paradise, blooded daughter of the king’s First Advisor, is ready to break free from the restrictive life of an aristocratic female. Her strategy? Join the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training center program and learn to fight for herself, think for herself...be herself. It’s a good plan, until everything goes wrong. The schooling is unfathomably difficult, the other recruits feel more like enemies than allies, and it’s very clear that the Brother in charge, Butch O’Neal, a.k.a. the Dhestroyer, is having serious problems in his own life.

And that’s before she falls in love with a fellow classmate. Craeg, a common civilian, is nothing her father would ever want for her, but everything she could ask for in a male. As an act of violence threatens to tear apart the entire program, and the erotic pull between them grows irresistible, Paradise is tested in ways she never anticipated--and left wondering whether she’s strong enough to claim her own power...on the field, and off.

This book by the WARDen brought on so many feels. I was beyond excited to start reading it. I was like a kid on Christmas. Why? Easy, because I was going to be back in the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood before the next book (The Beast) publishes April 2016. I expected that not too much would be spotlighted on the actual brothers themselves but boy was I wrong. 

Blood Kiss is about the future of the training program, so we meet the new recruits but guess who trains these recruits? The Brothers! So be prepared to read about Butch and V. 

Alright, getting side tracked (Brothers will do that). Back to Blood Kiss, I loved everything about this book. I enjoyed how Ward detailed the initiation period for the recruits, it wasn't all fun and games to make it all the way. At times I thought the Brothers were taking it to far but a few make it and then starts the actual training. During this a romance begins to form that shouldn't be but like all things that are prohibited, they tend to draw one another closer. Then during all that you have a side story going between Butch and his Shellan, that will crush you and have you worrying about the future of those two. And the one fantastic part about this book that I am so thankful Ward left out, LESSERS! There is NO spotlight on them at all, zero, zilch. That was so great, because no part of the book was wasted on those annoying Lessers. Thank you Scribe Virgin for that! 

So I'm going to leave it at that, if your a BDB fan you won't need much persuasion to read this book. It worth every penny and then some. It helps pass the time until The Beast is in our hands. And if you haven't the first clue about this series or the Brothers, have you been living under a rock? Because I know we have talked and praised about this series before. Highly recommend for anyone old enough to read that loves a fantastic paranormal series. My favorite adult paranormal series of all-time! 

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BDB Fans here is the 14th book in The Black Dagger Brotherhood series:

The Beast

4/5/16

(isn't it sexy?)

8 Ways 'Triple Moon' Overlaps with 'Witches of East End'!

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz’s newest book TRIPLE MOON is essentially a golden gift from the gods of storytelling: Not only is it a magical, sexy, irresistible adventure of a book, it’s ALSO a glimmering beacon of spinoff light for everyone who watched Witches of East End and was totally devastated when it ended. Besides including the short story finale to the TV series at the end of the book, here’s what Witches of East End fans can expect to revisit in TRIPLE MOON (which, by the way, you’ll still totally love even if you didn’t watch the show):

**some potential show spoilers ahead!**

1. Ingrid Beauchamp 

Twin witches Molly and Mardi Overbrook are the stars of this story, and their adventures start when they’re shipped off to live with their “aunt” Ingrid to learn to control their powers.

2. Freya Beauchamp

Still working at the Inn, still gorgeous, still loving her freedom. And now, the gorgeous clothes she’s saved through the decades have new superfans – Molly and Mardi.

3. (Magical) Power Struggles

While sisters Ingrid and Freya had to play catch up with their magical powers once they learned they were witches, Molly and Mardi already know they’re witches – and they don’t want to be held back. However, failing to rein in their magical impulses could land them in Limbo. 

4. North Hampton

Get ready to delve back into the mist-shrouded, lush town Ingrid and Freya first learned THEY were witches in, and the perfect setting for a tinge of magic and a dash (see what we did there?) of romance.

5. Fair Haven

(image credit: giphy)
Yes, the mansion is still alive and well – and wild parties are still the norm. A night at the Fair Haven will always be a night to remember…whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

6. Black Cats

There will be cats. But our lips are sealed regarding whether they’re humans in disguise or not…

7. The Gardiners

Prepare to meet a new crop of the oldest and wealthiest of North Hampton’s clans in the younger Gardiner boys Trent and Tris, who might just stir up as much trouble with Molly and Mardi as their older kin did with Ingrid and Freya.

8. Shape-shifters

The shapeshifter from Witches Of East End was absolutely terrifying, and there’s a chance a similar evil may plague our favorite witches again. *Shudders*
Can’t wait for more from your favorite world of witches? Get your copy of TRIPLE MOON here!

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Book Review: Lost Stars by Claudia Gray

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Lost Stars
Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens Series
Author: Claudia Gray
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction | Axction | Adventure
Released: September 4th 2015
Review Source: Disney Lucasfilm Press

Star Wars meets Romeo and Juliet in this epic YA novel that follows two best friends who find themselves on opposite sides of the war between the Empire and the Rebellion.

This thrilling YA novel gives readers a macro view of some of the most important events in the Star Wars universe: from the purge of the Jedi in Episode III, to the beginnings of the rebellion in Star Wars Rebels, and through the fall of the Empire in Episodes IV-IV. Readers will experience these major moments through the eyes of two best friends who grow up in these troubling times, and find themselves on opposite sides of the war.

As with other Journey to Episode VII titles, hints about the upcoming film will be included in the narrative, as well a original, post-Episode VI content that sets up the new film.

DUAL NARRATIVE: Chapters alternate perspectives between our two protagonists – one a Rebel pilot, the other an Imperial officer. By exploring these two different worlds, readers will experience many of the major moments in the original Star Wars trilogy – from the destruction of the Death Star to the battle of Hoth – through these two characters' eyes.

Let me start this review with some gifs that I feel perfectly show my emotions while reading this book:

The story of the ultimate star crossed lovers. Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree grew up together, they both had the same wants for their galaxy. They both believed in the Empire. But as their training got more and more into what the Empire was about Thane realized he wasn't sure whether he could keep up with their morals. Ciena's pride is what kept her from seeing what the Empire was doing and therefore it turned these two lovers away from one another. As time passes it seems that the Force has other plans for the two.

If you couldn't tell from my gif selection...I loved this book. I went into this book as just a fan of Star Wars. Completely excited for the new movie in a month and desperately wanting anything Star Wars related to come my way. When I got the chance to read this book I had not read any of Gray's previous books. So I didn't know what I was getting myself into - apart from a Galaxy far, far away. I wasn't disappointed. 

I love when an author is clearly a fan of the piece of work they're writing. And you can tell that Gray is a Star Wars fan. She knows what fans would want to read. We get some back story that happens before Episode IV, but then a few chapters in we can pinpoint the timeline based on what we have seen in the movies. And I LOVED that. When the Empire is capturing Leia and they see the "empty" escape pod, fans of Star Wars know what's really going on. 

When I watch these movies sure I realize how political it is, but that's not the focal point of the story for me. For me I'm like OOOOOOooooo what is that Jedi gonna do next? Oh! He has to fight the Sith Lord! GET HIM!

Reading this book you get an insight to the political side of it. At first I was worried this would bore me. But in actuality it made everything even more interesting for me. It made me want to go rewatch these films and pay more attention to...well honestly to EVERYTHING. I want to look in the background for the characters who might be Ciena or Thane or any of the other characters that Gray has now made me fall in love with within her book. Seriously, I thought I had no more room for Star Wars characters to love. But Ciena and Thane. Ugh! LOVE THEM!

Also - I'm really desperately hoping that Episode VII will in someway incorporate the story that is Lost Stars. There's some unanswered questions I have. While I know I have Episode VII to look forward to I'll be upset if I don't get some answers. So if I don't get answers...Claudia I'm looking at you to make a sequel. Ciena and Thane....there's SO much I need to know. And Nash! What the heck is he up to?! 

If you're a Star Wars fan pick this book up. You will not be disappointed. If anything it will make you LOVE Star Wars even more than you did before. It makes you fall in love with the characters and the story. Not just the story of Star Wars that you already know, but with a new story as well. Thane's outlook on everything is fresh. He isn't one who believes in the Force. We're use to everyone believing in the Force. And Ciena shows you insight into a character who is honestly so innocent - she may be with the Empire but she's with them because that's what she grew up believing in. She grew up being told that the Empire were the good guys, not that they were evil. And honestly that's such an endearing quality in a character. It's why Thane loves Ciena, and therefore it's why you will love her too. 

Again. I loved this book. I already plan on rereading it when I just finished it. Who knows, I may pick it up right now.

Book Review: Dangerous Lies by Becca Fitzpatrick + Giveaway

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Dangerous Lies
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary/Thriller
Released: November 10 2015
Review Source: Simon & Schuster

A teen is forced to make a fresh start after witnessing a violent crime—but love and danger find her anyway in this novel from Becca Fitzpatrick, the New York Times bestselling author of the Hush, Hush saga.

Stella Gordon is not her real name. Thunder Basin, Nebraska, is not her real home. This is not her real life.

After witnessing a lethal crime, Stella Gordon is sent to the middle of nowhere for her own safety before she testifies against the man she saw kill her mother’s drug dealer.

But Stella was about to start her senior year with the boyfriend she loves. How can she be pulled away from the only life she knows and expected to start a new one in Nebraska? Stella chafes at her protection and is rude to everyone she meets. She’s not planning on staying long, so why be friendly? Then she meets Chet Falconer and it becomes harder to keep her guard up, even as her guilt about having to lie to him grows.

As Stella starts to feel safer, the real threat to her life increases—because her enemies are actually closer than she thinks…

Estella was a witness to a crime. Estella's life has now been uprooted as she's been placed in witness protection as she deals with testifying against one of the biggest men in the drug cartel ring. Adjusting to a new life she isn't familiar with, and learning to live with the lies she has to feed to those around her, isn't exactly how she wants to be spending her summer before she turns 18.

Becca Fitzpatrick has done it again. She has written a story that had me engrossed from the minute I picked it up. I admit that I feel a soft spot for Becca. When I first started reviewing for Once Upon A Twilight the first book I read that I thoroughly enjoyed was Black Ice by Becca. And since then I have read all of her books and I do love them all - so when I started Dangerous Lies I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy it, but I should've had faith and known that Becca would not let me down!

The premise of the story is great - I have a few qualms with how lenient she is about being in witness protection. I feel like there are certain things that happened in the book that a person really in witness protection would not have done. But who am I to judge - I've never been in witness protection so I can't say for sure if this is the case or not. I loved the fact that she was in witness protection though. For the character, it helped her grow. It forced her to let certain things go and it forced her to grow; she got to Thunder Basin and hated it, hated Carmina who took her in, hated everything. And slowly you see her grow, see her start to get attached. And it's nice to see Stella go from this person who has a hard exterior because of her hard past grow into a teenage girl with a sensitive side who allows people to get close to her.

Yet again Becca has written one of my favorite book boyfriends ever. Patch from her Hush, Hush series still holds my number 1 spot but Chet has now made it onto my top 10 at least. He's a gentleman while being resilient about certain things. He will do anything and everything to make sure that Stella is happy and protected. He understands that people have secrets, whether she can tell him things or not he's fine with that. As long as he gets to be with Stella, he's happy. He has his own tough life to deal with, but he is handling it and helping Stella to handle hers as well.

Every character, except clearly Danny and his men and Trigger, were so easy for me to love. I loved Inny and wish she had been in the story more than she was. She was the friend that Stella needed. From the inside thoughts to her previous friends that she had around, including her boyfriend Reed, I feel like Thunder Basin was a step-up. Of course Stella wasn't seeing it as that when she first got there because she felt ripped away from her life. She didn't want to start from scratch. But starting from scratch helped her to move on, sort things out, and get back on track with her life.

While reading this book I had a wonderful idea for Becca's next book - I really want her to write a story where the main character ends up being the bad guy. There were many times during this book that I almost thought Stella was going to twist into the person who no one would love. But because Becca is a great writer she had made me fall in love with the character of Stella and so I was torn up. But while feeling this way I realized how brilliant Becca was to do this.

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Wow, Dangerous Lies had me like:

And like this too:

And I can't leave out:

But did I mention:

Yes that last one, you experience quite a bit during this book. Becca Fitzpatrick has outdone herself with this novel. My eyes were cemented to the pages from the beginning until the last word. I couldn't put it down, no matter how tired I was. I read it in the car, at my desk, in the shower and in bed. Everyone should read it, doesn't matter if your old, young, female or male. 

Dangerous Lies seals the fact that Fitzpatrick not only can she write paranormal stories but thrillers as well. You have to pick up your own copy to know what happens to Stella Gordon when she is forced into the Witness Protection Program. Lives will be changed forever in more ways that one. 

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Since we loved Dangerous Lies so much, we want to share it with one reader. We are giving away an ARC copy of Dangerous Lies internationally. Enter below!

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