Lenni Reviews: "The Haunting of Timber Manor" by F. E. Feeley Jr.

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*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated for 18+.

Daniel Donnelly has sadly lost his parents in a terrible accident. He gets a phone call from his estranged aunt who tells him he is now heir to a fortune and a house called Timber Manor. On the way there, Daniel has to pull over in a huge storm and Sherriff Hale Davis - a native of the town near Timber Manor - helps him out. But the manor holds a dark and powerful secret that puts Daniel's life in great peril

While Daniel and Hale make a good couple and you're rooting for them, the novel makes a great ghost story. The tone is perfect for curling up in a blanket and reading this on a stormy night.It was good to have the story switch perspectives to get everyone's thoughts on what's happening but I feel the supernatural story development had more care put to it than the romantic development. Daniel and Hale have that insta-love thing going on that will bug you if that's an aspect of romances that bug you.

And can Francine get a spin-off series!? PLEASE!!

Giving this a 3.7 out of 5.

Lenni Reviews: "Jackass Flats" by Julia Talbot

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*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated for 18+

Tate is a 30 something cowboy who believes the best days of his life are behind him.He spends his nights getting hammered in bars and one night a young soldier named Dave helps Tate bumble back to his apartment. The two become close and form a relationship but Dave's military life poses a threat to their relationship.

Mild spoilers so skip this paragraph if you wanna avoid them but around 30% in, sudden gay married friend is sudden! I mean, geez what an asshole...

Anyway, other than the out of nowhere dickweed friend, the story felt well paced and very realistic. Dave and Tate take things slow at Tate's request and the patient way they come together is refreshing to see. Their chemistry goes beyond a 'hookup-turned- relationship,' their feelings come through the pages. Yes, of course there are some steamy scenes but just having Tate and Dave interact with each other left me with a happy feeling when the story was done and I wouldn't mind reading more in this series or by this author. 3.9 out of 5.

Lenni Reviews: "Whiskey Business" by Avon Gale

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*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated for 18+.

In order to get his hometown some much-needed money, Ryder Waites is selling his family's whiskey recipe to a company named Bluegrass Bourbon. To seal the deal, he has to convince a hard-assed representative from the company; Adam Keller. Keller is out to prove he can get by on his own merits and not rely on his rich family's money and reputation. As the stuffy Adam audits the distillery, their attraction grows. But Adam doesn't want to get attached as this is supposed to be a quick business trip and nothing more.

At 17% I had snorted laughter out loud at the sentence "That sort of dislike-to-lovers thing only happened in Harry/Draco fanfic." I have read way more of those than I care to admit before I grew out of that to... Well, books like these.

The story generally follows that formula, though. Couple meets, instant attraction, hot smexy times, misunderstanding, reunion and resolution. What sets this story apart is the setting. The town of Gallows Grove feels like the real star here with its fun residents and pun laden business names. The writing gives this place real heart and makes it come alive around our two very likable leads. A perfectly serviceable romance with a fun setting, I give this a 4 out of 5. 

Lenni Reviews: "Rebel Genius" by Michael Dante DiMartino

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*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review.

When I was poking around and saw this book was written by co-creator of the animated shows Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, I clicked it immediately, not even realizing it was a YA book meant for kids 8-12 years old. But much like those shows, this book can absolutely be enjoyed by adults.

They story centers around Giacomo, a young orphan who lives in a world where artists have entities much like familiars called a Genius which can not only inspire them but turn their art into magic. A tyrant named Nerezza has hunted down all the artists she could find and appointed herself Supreme Creator. After an accident, Giacomo finds himself with his own Genius and is discovered by other children who have been hiding from Nerezza's threat. They embark on a journey to find these artifacts called The Creators Tools what may help them overthrow Nerezza and bring art back to the ruined nation.

I love how there are sketches in the book and the way they are included, it's implied Giacomo is the one drawing them. It added extra charm to an already fascinating story. It's also worth noting that even though this story is labeled YA, it doesn't shy away from some pretty dark stuff. There's a real sense of danger and urgency to the mission and you do wonder if all the characters will make it or even succeed at all. But towards the end after the big twist, it got into some predictable plot points but hey, I'm a voracious consumer of fiction so it's not a major drawback to the story overall. I'm just much more likely to catch tropes, however, I can see it surprising a kid who's reading this.

You can absolutely feel the creative energy and love from the Avatar series in this book. The concept of art manifesting as physical magic is compelling, the adventure is tense and action-packed, and the characters are unique and fun. I am super curious to find out what happens next in what could very well be a rollercoaster of a series. 4.5 out of 5.

One Piece: Gold (Review)

The Straw Hat pirates are hitting the big screen once again in an all-new high-flying adventure! The popular series that has captivated fans all over the world unfolds a new saga in the highly anticipated movie, One Piece Film: Gold. The glittering Gran Tesoro, a city of entertainment beyond the laws of the government, is a sanctuary for the world's most infamous pirates, Marines, and filthy rich millionaires. Drawn by dreams of hitting the jackpot, Captain Luffy and his crew sail straight for the gold. But behind the gilded curtains lies a powerful king whose deep pockets and deeper ambitions spell disaster for the Straw Hats and the New World alike.

One Piece: Gold fits the title because this movie is pure gold and definitely one of the best One Piece films to date. The film follows The Straw Hat Pirates gang travel to Gran Tesoro to win some cash and gold and take part in the entertainment. This place is a pirate sanctuary uninhabited by rules and regulations that other areas in the One Piece world are use too. While Luffy and the gang are racking up the wins at the Casino they encountered Tesoro himself. He has his own plans agenda for Luffy and gang and offers up a challenge. The challenge is if Luffy can win the challenges set Tesoro will ten times the winnings. Of course this all sounds too good to be true as Luffy and the gang find out Tesoro has something up his sleeve.  For the sake of spoilers I won't go too much into the plot. I would say out of all the One Piece films this one is my favorite. The film is just beautiful to look at from the use of 3D backgrounds to clever use of colors of the environments and characters. Tesoro is also a great antagonist. Like a lot of One Piece villains he has enough layers for you to connect with him. He's charismatic, cunning but also  a force to be reckon with. One Piece villains always have a likable quality to them, for Tesoro his charisma is something I think fans will gravitate towards.

It wouldn't be One Piece without action and this film does not disappoint. The action is at it's best. Once again I won't spoil the battles but with the use of CGI backgrounds and the music played it brings a level of intensity the other movies seem to lack. This movie has a sense of high stakes and using the theme of a casino it makes it more unprecedented at what is at stakes for Luffy and the gang. Fans will not be disappointed at the amazing set pieces that the team put together. Finally the voice acting was seen in the English dub and the cast once again knocks it out of the park. The cast brings energy, humor and even some high stakes emotion moments with their performances. My favorite performance is Tesoro he his so great as an antagonist and the performance shows what a great character he is.

Final Grade 4.5/5 Stars: One Piece: Gold is the One Piece movie to check out. The film has humor, action and a very entertaining villain. The visuals are beautiful with us getting a glimpse of the biggest ships in the One Piece universe. If you're fan this is a must see. If you're just getting into the franchise this a good kickstarter. 

One Piece: Gold is coming to USA click here for theatre listings. 

Collateral Beauty Review

Written By Sean Tucker

Hey O&G fan, last night we attended the world premiere of Collateral Beauty at the Jazz Theater Lincoln Center NYC. Cast, Press and Guest came out to see what could be a Oscar season nomination. As always a brief description of the movie:

Retreating from life after a tragedy, a man questions the universe by writing to Love, Time and Death. Receiving unexpected answers, he begins to see how these things interlock and how even loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty.

REVIEW

Ok let's begin with Howard (Will Smith). The movie opens with Howard giving a speech to his employees with his usual smile and self confidence, fast forward to 3 years later and now he's a broken shell of a man. His friends and business partners think he's finally lost his mind from grief due to the loss of his only child. The business is failing and his partners fear that he won't sell his shares in order to save it, so they hire 3 actors to play (Love, Time and Death) the three entities he's been writing letters to in hopes to prove to the other board members he's actually a bit crazy.

The movie is meant to be a tear jerker and it is. Critics have slammed it saying its trying to be Manchester by the Bay, But for the average moviegoer, who doesn’t care about being manipulated into a sobbing, sloppy flesh-bag of tears, they will enjoy Collateral Beauty. Will Smith is his usual suave self and for me he played the role great. Whit (Ed Norton), Claire (Kate Winslet), and Simon (Michael Peña,) were a pretty good supporting cast, Although for me, I felt they were all about themselves until they learned their own lessons about Love, Time and Death.

Keira Knightley, Jacob Latimore and Helen Mirren, respectively, ( personifications of Love, Time, and Death ) were played very well ( especially Mirren ) I think they were the saving grace of the movie. The movie does drag a bit and has some moments where you wanna scream "alright already, move on"

Collateral Beauty isn’t exactly a great movie as noted, but it was very entertaining and the All about the Tears kind of movie it promised to be. I'm giving the movie 3 1/2 stars.

Lenni Reviews: "Spell Cat" by Tara Lain

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*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated for 18+

Professor Killian Barth teaches the history of witchcraft and has a unique perspective on the matter considering he is indeed a witch. He is the most powerful male witch to come along in generations.  Keeping his identity a secret from regular humans, he catches the eye of the quantum physics professor; Blane Genneau. Their attraction is instant but Killian is being forced to marry another witch, Lavender, in order to save the witch race by pumping out magical children. But not only is Killian gay, Lavender is in love with someone else, and Killian finds the magnetism between him and Blane is too strong to resist. There's also the added rub that if a witch sleeps with a human, it will drain the witch's power away. Can Killian find a way to not only be with the one he loves but overcome prejudice against humans, find a way to save his race, and convince a man of science to believe magic is real?

First off, I have to point out that Lain made Lavender a likable character. It's so easy to fall into that trope of one of the people in the forced marriage being a complete horror to make the main character look even more put upon. But Lavender is a kind, sweet person and even tries to help Killian whenever she can. That was very refreshing.

While this book was decently written and cute, sometimes it felt a little contrived. It has this fanfiction like quality to it where everyone is too perfect, too pretty, and sex literally tears the skies apart it's so good. I mean, geez, nobody even had an interesting mole or tattoo... I also would have liked to see the fantasy elements explored more. I know that they're technically supposed to take a back seat to the romance but there are some interesting concepts here that I felt were glossed over to get the couple where they needed to be. But I do give this book credit for turning a couple tropes on their heads, having some fun characters and steamy romance scenes. 3 out of 5.