Book Review: How to Find a Princess: Runaway Royals #2 by Alyssa Cole

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How to Find a Princess: Runaway Royals #2     

Authors: Alyssa Cole

Publisher: Avon

American release date: May 25, 2021

Format/Genre/Length: Kindle/Multicultural Romance/399 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Makeda Hicks thinks her life is going well… until her girlfriend dumps her, and the store she works for fails to promote her in favor of the woman Makeda trained and then fires her. She calls her Grandmore to cry on her grandmother’s shoulder, and Grandmore suggests she move back in with her for the summer and help her run the Golden Crown, her B&B. What her grandmother doesn’t know is that Makeda helped the girlfriend before this last one with a business loan which she has ended up being stuck with and she can really use the money, so why not? The downside is having to listen to Grandmore’s stories about a long ago liaison with a supposed prince (ie not Makeda’s grandfather) which resulted in Makeda’s mother and which makes both her and her mother of royal lineage. Makeda is beyond tired of hearing that fantasy, especially since her mother abandoned her because of it.

Beznaria Chetchevaliere works for the WFM – the World Federation of Monarchists – as a  junior investigator. During her performance review, her pathetic excuse for a superior has many criticisms for the way she does her job, although she is actually really good at what she does. She has a feeling this review won’t end very well when he asks her about her Ibaranian heritage, and her interest in the story of the lost queen. He knows that Beznaria’s interest lies in the fact that her grandmother, who was the Grand Dame of the Ibaranian Guard at the time of the queen’s disappearance, was blamed for that disappearance and had even accused of having killed the queen, although that was never proved. Beznaria is determined to clear her grandmother’s name, as she knows Henna Jeta would never have done anything so dishonorable. Now the members of the Ibaranian heir team are swamped with claims of pretenders to the throne. Surprisingly, her pompous boss asks Beznaria to investigate and gives her some leads to follow in the United States. Of course she agrees to do so, but it doesn’t take long for her to realize these leads are all bogus. Why is he determined to keep her from discovering the truth? She decides to do her own investigations, and these lead her to Makeda Hicks.

Makeda’s first impression of Bez is far from favorable, especially as the investigator broke into the house and snuck up on her while vacuuming. It becomes even less so when she learns who she is and what she wants. Makeda wants nothing to do with this whole ridiculous theory of her being a princess, since that is what drove her mother away to begin with. Her delusions of royal blood and being more than she was and less than what she should have been, which was a mother to Makeda. But Bez is most persistent, and she takes a room at the B&B, so it’s not like Makeda can avoid her. And, if she’s being honest with herself, she doesn’t exactly want to. There is something about Bez which draws her, even if she is fighting that feeling. How long can she resist the investigator’s wish to take her back to Ibarania as their princess? And how long can she resist the $15k being offered just to show up and submit a claim, whether true or not?

The second book in the Runaway Royals series is just as good as the first. There’s a lot going on in this book, more than just about finding a princess. Makeda is generous to the point of allowing herself to be used by people. She never stands up for herself to say what she wants, as if she’s worthless unless she’s doing something for someone else. Beznaria marches to the beat of her own drummer. She is very driven, especially when it comes to those she loves. If she believes in the path she follows, then she’s not above circumventing the rules to obtain the outcome she perceives to be the right one. She doesn’t lie, but she sometimes omits some of the details. These two fit together perfectly, and watching them come to that realization was priceless.

Alyssa Cole’s characters are wonderfully drawn, whether the main protagonists or their family and friends. I loved the crew of the cargo ship they traveled on. They seemed like people I would love to know. Her stories about royalty are beautifully detailed and she has created quite the world, beginning with the Reluctant Royals series and continuing with the Runaway Royals. I hope there are many more of these stories to come. I am so on board for this! Many thanks to my kid Sarah for turning me on to them.

Highly addictive stories that you will love!

Saturday is Horror Day #15 – Night of the Living Dead (1968), Brahms: The Boy 2

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Barbra and her brother Johnny make a yearly pilgrimage to their father’s grave on behalf of their mother, in order to place flowers on his grave, despite the fact that it’s a six hour round trip. And they only stay for a few minutes, while placing the flowers.

 

 

Johnny is a playful brother and likes to tease his sister by scaring her, telling her that people are coming to

get her. He points at a lone man who is slowly making his way through the cemetery, and tells her “They’re coming to get you, Barbra!” Laughing, he turns away, but his laughter ends abruptly when Barbra is attacked by the man. Johnny goes to her rescue, only to be thrown violently down, hitting his head on a tombstone.

Barbra runs for her life but can’t get far in the car, because Johnny has the keys. She coasts as far as she can then runs to the nearest home. She enters the farmhouse and looks around but there is no sign of life. Heading upstairs, she makes a gruesome discover – a grisly corpse, looking much the worse for wear. Terrified, she runs, only to see headlights and then a man comes rushing in. His name is Ben and he needs gas and stopped there, seeing the gas pump behind the house. Unfortunately, Barbra has no idea where the key is. And the number of people outside only seems to be growing, as they work at getting inside, trying to kill Barbra and Ben.

 

It turns out that there are people hiding in the cellar. Mr. Cooper and his wife and ill daughter, and Tom and his girlfriend Judy. Cooper doesn’t see the point in leaving the cellar, but Ben says they’ll be sitting ducks there. As night falls, things go from bad to worse…

Director George Romero’s film started a trend in horror films that continues to this very day, namely the zombie film. Although over forty years old, this film withstands the test of time. It was a very low budget film, and the zombies were played by friends and relatives. I’m willing to bet you won’t soon forget the final ironic scene. Worth revisiting, for sure. I give it a solid 4 stars.

Brahms: The Boy 2

After a horrific home invasion, Liza (Katie Holmes) and Sean (Owain Yeoman) decide to make a fresh start somewhere else, so they move into the remote English countryside, along with their son Jude (Christopher Convery). Ever since the incident, Jude hasn’t spoken, communicating only with the use of his writing pad, and his parents are naturally concerned.

 

 

Delighted with their new home, they decide to explore the area around it. Jude spies a hand sticking up from the dirt. He unearths it to discover a most unusual doll. He takes it home and they clean it up. Jude seems to like the doll, which bodes well for his recovery, right? When asked his name, Jude writes that it is Brahms… and that the doll told him this. Of course his parents chalked that up to their son having a great imagination.

Or does he?

 

Jude seems to be growing more and more defiant after presenting his family with the rules according to Brahms. Of course no one in their right minds would go along with such rules. Not to mention it’s only a doll, right? But Liza becomes very concerned when she finds pictures Jude has drawn, showing him standing over the dead bodies of his parents, holding a shot gun. She confides her concerns to Jude’s therapist, with whom he remains in contact via Facetime

Jude tries to tell them that Brahms will hurt them if they don’t follow the rules. Accidents happen, but are they really accidents? Is Jude acting up in Brahms’ name… or is there something more sinister going on?

Liza is determined to get to the bottom of things. They live near a manor house known as Heelshire,

abandoned and desolate. Liza follows Jude there and discovers a small entrance that leads behind the walls. Later, the caretaker/man in the woods tells her about the previous family, whose son killed a young girl and then lived for thirty years behind those walls. What was the boy’s name, she asks. 

Brahms.

Liza knows she has to do something or she’ll lose her son – and maybe her whole family – forever.

This is the sequel to The Boy, which I recently reviewed. And what made the first film interesting has been completely changed, but into what?  ****SPOILERS FOR THE BOY ahead*** In the first film, the doll turned out to be just a doll, and Brahms was actually alive and living in the walls. Much creepier than believing in a strange doll entity, right? But in the second film, there is no such explanation, and it’s all on the doll.

How does that even work? I don’t know, but stretches credulity. The film itself isn’t badly made or directed, despite the thin plot. However, Katie Holmes doesn’t give a particularly strong performance. Christopher Convery as Jude is sufficiently creepy, and so is the caretaker, played by Ralph Ineson, whom I never could decide if he was safe or sound or batshit crazy.

At the end of the film, Liza discovers that this doll goes back a long time, which seems to negate the premise of the first film.  Although the two films share the same director, I think someone else wrote the second, which explains much. I’m not sure what sort of vibe they were going for, but if it was supposed to be scary, it failed. 

Okay, I just read something about the ending explained. Let’s just say, it missed the mark, at least for me. I hope they’re done with this franchise. There are better films to watch. I’ll give this 2.5 stars, and shaky ones at that.

Book Review: The Way of the Househusband, Vol 5 by Kousuke Oono

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The Way of the Househusband, Vol 4             

Author: Kousuke Oono

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: May 18, 2021

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Comedy/168 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Miku is leaving on a business trip, so it’s just going to be Tatsu and Gin. She tells her husband to try and relax. Has she met him? While he is having fun in his own inimitable way, Masa comes over, having been fired from his job and needing to kill some time, so they have some fun together.

While shopping, Tatsu runs into a former member of the HIrako Group. The two one-time Yakuza get into a rap battle in the middle of the store.

Miku tells Tatsu about a Halloween costume contest at a local mall. The first prize is a hot springs vacation, while the second is a year’s worth of rice. Tatsu really wants the rice, but Miku has her heart set on the vacation. The competition is stiff. Can Tatsu get them the win with his special culinary talents?

Tatsu and Miku go to eat at a buffet. For Tatsu, this is not simply about food, there’s a strategy involved! Especially if he wants to end up with a piece of the much coveted fruit tart!

Miku’s dad wants to do a hot pot for Miku and Tatsu, and he wants to do it himself. Unfortunately, he has the same basic skills as Miku. Can this meal be saved?

Tatsu suddenly takes ill, and treats his illness as equivalent to his turf being invaded. However, his tactics don’t seem to be working and it’s Miku to the rescue!

It’s New Year’s and Masa decides to visit Tatsu… in order to claim a New Year’s allowance. But his hints seem to be falling on deaf ears.

Tatsu, Miku, and Masa run across a local sake fair and decide to check it out. Apparently, not everyone can hold their liquor, however.

A newcomer in Tatsu’s cooking class is getting on Tatsu’s nerves with his sad attempts at making a chocolate cake. When Tatsu tries to set him straight, they end up in a competition to see whose cake really comes from the heart.

Another fantastic volume of The Way of the Househusband. I don’t think I could ever get tired of this! There is an animated comic version on Netflix which I enjoyed, but the manga is the best. Just one situation after another, plus three bonus stories, one of which is Gin’s walk. Gotta love Gin!

Hope there are lots more volumes coming!

Wednesday Briefs: June 9, 2021

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Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page.

 

An Unholy Alliance #2 (1.2) by Julie Lynn Hayes

Before I could respond, the stranger had scrambled out of the car and discreetly closed the door behind him(thank goodness for small favors, didn’t need the inhabitants of the farmhouse to make an unexpected appearance of their own), making his way as far as the hood, where he had the common sense to stop.

Mesmerized by the sight of the intruder, I suddenly realized I’d become so distracted that I hadn’t reined myself in nearly enough to avoid causing irreparable damage to my dinner, which was made obvious to me by the way he now hung limply

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Saturday is Horror Day #14 – The Boy, The Hills Have Eyes (1977) (x-posted at Full Moon Dreaming)

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

The Boy

In order to escape from a bad situation at home, Greta, an American nanny (Lauren Cohan) takes a job in a large house in a remote village in the English countryside. Upon arrival, she meets Malcolm (Rupert Evans), who works as the handyman for the elderly couple who have hired her. Although she is not open to any sort of relationship, he assures her that he won’t press, and she relaxes into a friendship with the likeable Malcolm.

 

The couple who hired her are the Heelshires, and when they introduce her to their son Brahms, Greta is

shocked to discover that their “son” is a doll. An actual, doll. Although she is creeped out by this, she remains polite as the mother and father treat the doll as though he were real. They are going on their first vacation in many years and can’t wait to get away, leaving her with a list of rules that must be followed.

From the beginning, Greta finds the house to be spooky, and not only does she hear things behind the walls, but the doll seems to shift locations on its own. Some of her things disappear too, and once she finds herself trapped in the attic.

 

Some of the rules are even creepy, such as reading to Brahms in a loud voice. Also, he loves to listen to his music loud as well. The couple don’t throw leftovers away but freeze them instead. But when Greta contacts her sister who sent her there, her sister tells her she’s imagining things and to tough it out. Meanwhile, she finds herself being drawn more and more to Malcolm.

And then Greta finally discovers the truth. Now what’s she supposed to do?

At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of this film. I mean the idea that this old couple would treat a doll like a flesh and blood child, and then pay for a nanny just so they could go on vacation, seems absurd and maybe a little idiotic. But keep watching, and things fall into place. There are even well-placed subtle clues if you know where to look.

There is a certain creepy factor to this story which only adds to the atmosphere. What could have been something trite and stupid is actually rather unique, and it stands out from other horror films in not being the same old same old. This was definitely worth watching, and I give it a solid 3.5 stars.

The Hills Have Eyes (1977)

While en route to California, a family vacation is sidetracked when the father decides to search for a rumored silver mine. Misfortune follows when their car runs off the road, stranding them in the middle of nowhere. The problem is they are far from anywhere, but they are far from alone.

 

 

There are people in the hills, uncivilized backwoodsmen who have an appetite for meat… of any kind. The situation quickly becomes a survival of the fittest, as the family fight for their lives against people who have no problem with killing everyone they see.

 

 

This film is an early Wes Craven, after his debut with The Last House on the Left. Like that, this film has scenes of harsh violence and there is a definite creepiness factor with this family of savages in the desert. It’s an interesting watch, especially for the 70’s, as the stranded family struggles to survive when there seems no help of rescue. Look for Dee Wallace as the mother with the young baby in this (you might remember her as the mother in ET).  I plan to watch the sequel, and then the updated versions, done in 2006. I do recommend watching this, and I give it a solid 3 stars.

 

Wednesday Briefs: June 2, 2021

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Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page.

 

Ancalagon: Chapter Forty-one by Cia Nordwell
 

Garjah was still tense. He was still frowning even though he had me wrapped in his arms. As possessive as I was of him, he was of me. That was all it was.  

At least I hoped that was all it was. “What about what you need?”  

“You’re what I need.” Garjah stroked my face. “You’re changing everything; I want to make you comfortable.”  

I pushed into his caress. He leaned down, nuzzling my cheek and then kissing the corner of my lips. I turned, needing more, hungry for the taste of him more than the food he’d brought. On

 
 

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Book Review: Three For the Road by Justina Ireland

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Three For the Road: Stories from the World of Dream Nation   

Authors: Justina Ireland

Publisher: Kindle

American release date: September 20, 2020

Format/Genre/Length: Kindle/Historical Fantasy/69 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Dread South Ever since the dead began to rise from the earth, during the Battle of Gettysburg, life in the South has been less than pleasant, but it goes on. At seventeen, Louisa Aiken knows it is her duty to marry, but she doesn’t want just anyone, and finds her mother’s suggestions somewhat questionable. But she is attracted to the good-looking Everett Hayes. And, if she isn’t mistaken, he is attracted to her himself. But the shambler situation is getting worse. What’s a girl to do? Everyone knows that the girls trained at the Schools for Colored Girls have the knowledge and the training to deal with the undead, which is why people buy them as attendants. Hire them, that is. So when Everett offers to purchase such protection for Louisa, she is flattered, of course. Which is how she meets Juliet. And suddenly, nothing is the same….

Dread Quarter The people of the French Quarter consider themselves safe from the chaos taking place outside their secure walls. But Katherine Deveraux knows nothing of life outside the Quarter, so of course it’s what she wishes, more than anything. Maman has plans for her, plans that involve going to the Full Moon Ball and finding a rich white man to protect her and her family. Such men like to have wives in New Orleans to keep them busy whilst they are there on business. That is how Maman met her first and second protectors, at the ball. But Fate has other plans for Katherine, and her pretty features have just caused her to be kidnapped, and this is not quite how she wanted to leave the French Quarter….

Letters from Home Although Sue can’t read herself, she does appreciate the value in a letter. She swiped this one from Miss Preston’s desk for reasons not entirely clear to her, but its mere presence is comforting to her.  Jane McKeene used to read to her, but she’s gone now, and Katharine Deveraux along with her. They’re working at the Mayor’s house and she misses them. The sounding of the alarm bells indicate the presence of shamblers at the school. Miss Preston attempts to lead Sue and the other girls to safety. But it isn’t going to be that easy, and suddenly heading to Baltimore doesn’t seem like a great idea either. What are they to do?

This is a trio of short stories all from the world of Dread Nation. I would definitely read those two books first before reading this one. The stories add depth to some of the characters, and fill in some back story. I enjoyed each and every one of them. They are a must read for anyone who loves Justina Ireland’s worldbuilding and Dread Nation. I sincerely hope there will be a Dread Nation 3, and more of these not-to-be-missed side stories.

Saturday is Horror Day #13 – Stonehearst Asylum, Mary (2019) – (x-posted at Full Moon Horror)

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Stonehearst Asylum

 

Edward Newgate (Jim Sturgess) is a new doctor who has gone to Stonehearst Asylum to obtain practical experience in order to complete his education. The asylum is run by Silas Lamb (Ben Kingsley), who has what Newgate finds to be an unusual method of treating his patients. He makes no effort to cure them, claiming that they are happier as they are. And he allows them the freedom of the asylum. Lamb’s assistant, Mickey Finn (David Thewlis) is rude and crude, with a twisted sense of humor. Newgate finds himself drawn to one of the inmates, Eliza Graves (Kate Beckinsale). She is beautiful and enigmatic, and he longs to learn more about her.

 

Wondering about Lamb’s methods and philosophy, Newgate explores the asylum and discovers more than he bargained for in the form of cells containing inmates who are locked up for some reason, including a man named Benjamin Salt (Michael Caine). They question who he is even as he questions them as to why they are there. But can he believe what they tell him? Can Salt be the real superintendent of the asylum?

 

Are the inmates really running the asylum?

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this film, based on a story by Edgar Alan Poe (which one, I have yet to discover). I figured out the twist right away, but after that, all bets were off. If you’ve ever seen the film Asylum, you might know what I’m referring to. Otherwise, I won’t give that away, although it’s fairly obvious early on.

 

The settings are well done and very turn of the century, as 1899 is about to become 1900, which event

must of course be celebrated. I think it was well written, and has quite the cast. David Thewlis is quite the chameleon. He can play the sweet, mild-mannered Remus Lupin, or this maniacal madman who doesn’t ever seem quite right. Kate Beckinsale is a tragic figure as Eliza Graves, who supposedly bit off her husband’s ear, which is why she has been placed in the asylum. A fact that Mickey Finn doesn’t hesitate to bring up. Look for a funny moment when Newgate finds humor in Finn’s name.
 
While this film may not be filled with jump scares or the traditional trappings of horror, it has its own horror and creepiness factor, which leaves you wondering until the end what is going to happen. Guess if you like, but I bet you won’t see it coming. I give this a solid 4 stars.

 

Mary (2019)

David (Gary Oldman) and Sarah’s (Emily Mortimer) marriage is foundering on the rocks, after Sarah’s infidelity, but they are working at staying together, for themselves and for their two daughters. When David runs across a less than perfect ship for sale, he envisions their future as the owners of this vessel, which they will use for charter tours and which will provide for their future. Sarah wants to say no, but she’s not really in a position to go against David’s wishes, so she bites her tongue and agrees to the purchase, although it will take everything they have and then some.

They decide to take the family on a trial run/vacation, and head up toward Bermuda, along with the crew, which consists of David’s friend Mike (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and a young man named Tommy (Owen Teague). Tommy and the older daughter Lindsey (Stefanie Scott) hit it off right away, and it seems to be smooth sailing…

until it isn’t.

Sarah thinks she is seeing and hearing things, and Tommy thinks the masthead, which comes from the original vessel, speaks to him. Younger daughter Mary (Chloe Perrin), who is artistically inclined, is drawing strange figures, for no apparent reason. The further out to sea the ship goes, the worse it gets. Sarah is beginning to think there is an evil entity on this ship, and it’s after her family!

 

This wasn’t a bad film, but it wasn’t a great film either. Not really scary, maybe a couple of jump scares. My biggest problem is that the story behind what’s going on doesn’t really make sense to me or explain anything. The acting and directing aren’t bad (look for Gary Oldman’s manager in a small role at the beginning). But the story is definitely lacking, and if you can’t become invested in the story, what do you have? A movie that tries too hard and achieves too little.

 

If you’re a fan of Oldman, you might enjoy it. Or if you like creepy spirits on a ship in the middle of the ocean. I’ll give it a shaky 3 stars and say everyone meant well, but it just didn’t work well enough.

Wednesday Briefs: May 26, 2021

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Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page.

Ancalagon: Chapter Forty by Cia Nordwell
 

“And you are mine,” he said.  

“Hmm?” I looked up at him, too blissed out to move. “What?”  

“You said mine.” He blinked lazy eyes at me. “We belong to each other now.”  

I hadn’t meant to say it out loud, but I was glad I did. For days I’d been on edge, like the skin I was in was too tight, my muscles quivering on the verge of an explosion. Inside I’d been just as big of a mess, emotionally and mentally. Now all I wanted to do was sleep. “Rest.” I stroked his chest and one thigh.  

The
 

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