beauty-pageant

REVIEW: All That Bleeds by Kimberly Frost

REVIEW: All That Bleeds by Kimberly Frost

Dear Ms. Frost: This book ended up being too frothy for me. Alissa is a Muse and as such her role in life is to inspire those around her. The big concept in the book is that the heroine is competing to be the Best Muse of All (or for to be the Wreath Muse)(…)

Friday Film Review: Happy, Texas

Friday Film Review: Happy, Texas

Happy, Texas (1999) Genre: Comedy/Crime/Romance Grade: B- The bonus features on the DVD show that this film played well at the Sundance Festival but honestly, I don’t remember hearing about it when it was released. Nor much about it since then – which is a shame since it’s a lighthearted, feel good comedy/romance with some(…)

REVIEW: The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills by Joanna Pearson

REVIEW: The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills by Joanna Pearson

Dear Ms. Pearson, Word on the street is that the next big thing in YA is the contemporary. I’m not sure I’m convinced. Vampires seem to be the dying trend that never goes away. With the impending Hunger Game movie(s), I don’t see dystopians leaving anytime soon. In fact, I foresee an explosion once the(…)

REVIEW: There’s a (Slight) Chance I Might Be Going to Hell by Laurie Notaro

Dear Ms. Notaro, I admit it was the great title and the book cover which sold me on trying this book. And then the subtitle, “a novel of sewer pipes, pageant queens, and big trouble” didn’t dim my interest either. It’s neither a romance novel nor women’s fiction nor Chick Lit but kind of a(…)

REVIEW:  Don’t Forget to Smile by Kathleen Gilles Seidel

REVIEW: Don’t Forget to Smile by Kathleen Gilles Seidel

Dear Ms. Seidel, I've been slowly going through your backlist and have enjoyed most of what I've read so far. Your books aren't flashy, but down to earth. They take their time to get where they are going. There is however, a welcome realness to the characters, surroundings, and events. At no point do I(…)