A blog about books, music, movies and more…
This meme was created by Drew @ The Tattooed Book Geek. You pick a song that you really like and share it on Monday.
Last week I shared:
Today’s share:
MercyMe
“Dear Younger Me”
Continue reading “Music Monday: MercyMe “Dear Younger Me” #MercyMe #DearYoungerMe #MusicMonday”
I discovered Flower Friday while visiting Lorilin@Bugbugbooks and decided to begin sharing some flower pictures from our gardens along with some information about them. Please check out Lorilin’s blog if you haven’t already for book reviews and more!
Last time I shared Hibiscus (non-tropical). Here are other 2019 shares:
Today’s share:
On an outing with the kids yesterday, I came across some interesting Hibiscus, including these two rose of Sharon types…
Because I’m not reviewing very much right now, I thought I’d do another post highlighting what I’m reading this week.
Last week I finished Depravity by M.J. Haag and shared my review on Friday. I enjoyed the book (despite some niggles) and went right on to book two in the series titled Deceit. I DNFed the second book about half way through and won’t be finishing the trilogy. It became too weird for me. I normally don’t DNF books, but I just couldn’t handle this one. I liked that the characters were developing more and the beast was more understood, but the details were too much for me. I’m not going to tear the book apart though, and I didn’t rate it because I didn’t totally finish it.
I’ve decided to finally read Where’d You Go, Bernadette, which is now a movie releasing on Friday. I bought the book from Barnes and Noble and will be starting it today.
Continue reading “What am I reading this week? #Reading #AmReading #BookLovers”
“Unicorn Reading” – a 500 piece bookish jigsaw puzzle
One of my favorite hobbies is assembling jigsaw puzzles. I found this one at Barnes and Noble and fell in love with the artwork. This puzzle is manufactured by Mudpuppy which is a high quality brand, in my opinion. The pieces are thick, colorful, and strong.
The puzzle features a unicorn reading who’s surrounded by books! If you look closely you can read some of the silly book titles which include: Lion, Witch, and Closets, Dan’s with Dragon by Jorge R.R. Martin, and The Name of the Breeze by Patrick Rothfuzz.
This meme was created by Drew @ The Tattooed Book Geek. You pick a song that you really like and share it on Monday.
Last week I shared:
Whiskey Myers “Broken Window Serenade“
This week’s share:
Jamey Johnson
“In Color”
Continue reading “Music Monday: Jamey Johnson “In Color” #MusicMonday #JameyJohnson #InColor”
Depravity (Beastly Tales, #1)
By M.J. Haag
My thoughts:
While searching for retellings on Amazon, this book popped up: Depravity by M.J. Haag. I love Beauty and the Beast retellings, and this being categorized as an adult romance pulled me right in. I was able to get the ebook on Amazon for free and ended up purchasing the Audible version as well.
The story begins with Benella, a teenage girl living with her father (Bernard) and two sisters (Bryn and Blye). Her mother has passed away and the family struggles to make ends meet. Her father works as a teacher, and one sister as a seamstress, but they still have little money or food to eat. The sisters try to save as much coin as possible, even if it results in the family starving. The girls are coming of age and old enough to marry, but depsite their father’s hope’s, struggle to find suitable husbands that they approve of.
Benella forages for food along an enchanted estate, finding crops to either share with her family or trade for other goods. She eventually encounters the beast who lives at the estate. The beast is angry and has been known to capture people, but he allows Benella to go free, yet consistently asks her to stay with him at his estate. The beast perplexes Benella as she strives to care for her family, and tries to stay safe from two village boys who are relentlessly trying to beat her up.
It’s been mentioned that this is an erotic and seductive tale; however, I surely didn’t think it was very erotic at all. When the story first began there was a sexual scene, but it was vaguely described. As the book went on, it wasn’t until the last third where some other sexual scenes came about (one very uncomfortable one including a sexual encounter with a wood nymph), but most others were on the light side in my opinion. I expected romance here between Benella and the beast to eventually develop, but instead the ending was left wide open, resulting in me feeling compelled to read book two and three.
As far as the worldbuilding and character development, I found it just okay. There really wasn’t much imagery at all. Naturally, I wanted to know more about the beast, but hardly any information was given besides him being extremely angry, and of course having a tail. He’s not well understood, but maybe the characters will flesh out in book two and three. With that said, I did find it unique how the author wrote scenes in her own way, making this retelling stand out from other Beauty and the Beast retellings. I was also on the edge of my seat during a few parts.
I did enjoy the author’s writing, but wish the story was more of a romance as labeled, and that it had more detail. As a retelling as a whole, it was enjoyable, and the Audible narrator was great.
I’d rate this one 3.5 and round up to 4****. My plan is to move right along to book two to discover what’s to come of Benella and the beast.
