The Movie Binge and Bigelow Lavender Chamomile plus Probiotics

 I never meant for it to happen. All he said was that he wanted to see one and I gave him six. I didn't expect him to actually work is way through all of them.

The him here is my Dad. What he wanted to see was Mission: Impossible. I got him all six and now he is watching his way through the series. Each time a new film starts I feel like I'm leading my Dad down the twisting, sleep-deprived road of binge-watching. Earlier this week, he was up until 4 in the morning finishing a movie.

The sibs are totally down with the movie binge and my Mom just wishes that he'd not bring the movies to bed. 4 am is not a fun time to wake up to explosions.

I don't know if I've said this before but Bigelow Lavender Chamomile plus Probiotics tea tastes exactly how I imagine SheaMoisture Lavender Wild Orchid Body Wash and Bubble Bath would taste if I ever lost my mind and tried to eat it. I honestly don't know why I keep drinking the stuff. I find myself swallowing in gulps. The Probiotics are indeed a nice touch. I do feel better after drinking it.  And maybe that is why I am the only person drinking this tea.

If you have a thought or comment, feel free to leave a message below.

Cinderella Cake and The Inheritance Games

One of my brothers (to be henceforth known as W) likes to bake from time to time. In fact, I helped teach him. I told him that I was not going to bake cookies all the time for him when I grew up and got married so he better learn to take care of that himself. The end result of that is that he makes the most delicious pumpkin cake with a cream cheese frosting (I love almost any thing with cream cheese) known as The Cinderella Cake.

Now, W has been craving a dessert and I don't feel baking. This cake is now being proposed for dessert and all I can say is "Yeah, let's do that".

In other news, I finished The Inheritance Games by Jennifer L. Barnes. I couldn't put this intriguing book down. Official blurb below:

 A Cinderella story with deadly stakes and thrilling twists.

Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why--or even who Tobias Hawthorne is. To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man's touch--and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes.

Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that Tobias Hawthorne just dispossessed. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day, they would inherit billions. Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery must be a con-woman, and he's determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather's last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive.

Don't you just to jump right in? Book Two comes out in September. I can hardly wait!

As always, feel free to leave your thoughts below.

Audio books are a busy booklover's dream!

 As many of you know I am an avid book lover. But I also have a busy life that occasionally gets in the way of reading (I would spend all day reading and most likely forget to eat if I could). The thing that keeps me connected to the books while washing dishes, clothes, and doing other chores? Audio books!

I got the majority of my audio books from Librivox. They are totally free and all the books are in the public domain. I have had many a spree there. It has so many wonderful novels I never got around to reading.

I also got my audio book thing going with Youtube. Type in the type of audio book you want and see what pops up! I suggest Camilla Isley (PLEASE SUBSCRIBE to her channel). She is posting a new book each month. I and my Mom adore her Rom-Coms.

You can get your audiobook fill as well from Audible or Chirp but it will cost you some change. So, if you are mega cheap like me, I suggest Librivox and Youtube.

If anyone knows of another cheap anr/or free place to get audio books, please feel free to leave a message below.

The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy

 This weekend was spent watching the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy. I spent the following days recovering and eating Oreos (my antidepressant of choice). I just have no words for how much I 'shipped Kylo/Ben and Rey.  I will give no spoilers (this is a half truth; I'm going to put videos below with spoilers). 

A dearly loved writer of mine suggested the Youtube channel Screen Rant. They made these awesome vids That pretty much sum up the whole series (minus the no romantic tention between Rey and Kylo/Ben). All the Reylo fans agree that we were miss treated when it came to this Space Opera.

As always, feel free to leave a message below.

Calling All Binge-Watchers!

 As I was sitting here, trying to think of a new post (while attempting to clean out my email), my mom came to me was all "Are you going to get season 3 of the Masked Singer?" very persistently.  Hope that was grammatically correct.

 I am just a little concerned that she may have become just a tiny bit addicted to the show. She has gotten very demanding with the episodes. Not that I'm complaining!

On the flipside, I am leisurely working my way through Heroes. I saw an episode ages ago but now I'm working my way through the series. I didn't realize it was that good.

If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.

Congrats, Måneskin for winning ESC 2021!

 In case you didn't hear about it, Italy won ESC 2021! Måneskin was one of my favorites this year so I am totally psyched they won. (Yes, I had a lot of favorites. It was a good year.) I hope you all got to see the live performance which I missed (Family Movie Night: Into the Storm, my new fave disaster film featuring a former crush who shall remain nameless). So, for those who missed it (like me), below is their winning song "ZITTI E BUONI" which I am told translates into " Shut Up and Behave". 

If Måneskin was not the contestant you wanted to win, tell me (in a totally chill way) who you wanted to win. Cause if Joci Pápai was here, we wouldn't even be having this conversation right now. I want him to win so bad. And no, I do not have a crush on him. His music simply speaks to a part of my soul. Anyway, feel free to leave a comment below.

Internet Troubles, Lucinda Brant and Tara Grayce

 Last night, I had a post all mentally planned out. I was going to tell you all about Lucinda Brant's Georgian romance ,Salt Bride. I couldn't put it down. It was a perfect blend of suspense and romance along with being a bit of a redemption story. I start the sequel immediately but ended up putting it down after 50 or 60 pages. My attention was caught elsewhere. But, before I get on that topic, here's the official blurb of Salt Bride: 

  England, 1763. The Earl of Salt Hendon and squire's daughter Jane Despard share a secret past of mistrust and heartache. Forced into a marriage neither wants, the patient and ever optimistic Jane believes love conquers all; the Earl will take some convincing. Enter Diana St. John, who will go to extremes, even murder, to hold the Earl's attention. Can the newlyweds overcome past prejudices and sinister opposition to fall in love all over again?

Now on to what took me away from 1700's England.Tara Grayce's Elven Alliance series has had me in it's grip for the last two days. Book 5 comes out in December so I will wait impatiently for it. Until then, here is the Official Blurb for Fierce Heart: 

 Essie would do anything for her kingdom…even marry an elf prince she just met that morning.

When a diplomatic meeting goes horribly wrong, Essie, a human princess, finds herself married to the elf prince and warrior Laesornysh. Fitting in to the serene, quiet elf culture might be a little difficult for this talkative princess, but she’s determined to make it work.

With impending war and tenuous alliances, it will be up to Essie to unite her two peoples. And maybe get her hands on elven conditioner while she’s at it.

If anyone (and I mean real people, not bots that are conspiring to take over the world), has any comment to say, feel free to leave it. I will leave it as long as its not mean. Or rude. Or racist.