Black Heart ~ Christina Henry

Black Heart by Christina Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of those series that sneaks up on you. I picked up the first one as an audio book at the local library. It was one I almost didn't pick up but needed up being glad that I did. 

Summary:As a former Agent of Death, Madeline Black is no stranger to witnessing violent ends. But being the one to cause them is an entirely different story…
 
Despite her having saved Chicago from a vampire invasion, the Agency wants to get Maddy off their payroll—permanently. With the deadly Retrievers hot on her trail, she has no choice but to trust Nathaniel to port her to safety. But even the exotic and dangerous world that she winds up in is not as peaceful as she would have hoped. Caught in a turf war between a group of fae and a disturbingly familiar foe, Maddy soon discovers that the twisted plots of her grandfather, Lucifer, and his brothers extend even into this unknown realm.
 
Now, with enemies gathering on all sides, Maddy’s fate is looking darker than ever. And to protect her unborn son from her adversaries, she may have to tap into a power she hoped never to access…
My Take:
This book is the sixth in the series and a whole lot has happened to Maddy. For one Maddy is pregnant and her child's father, a favorite character from previous books, has died. Maddy has found herself thrown through a portal and into a new world, by Nathaniel. With the retrievers knocking down her door and Gabriel gone the world is not an easy place for Maddy. I like the twists and turns this series has taken and this novel did not disappoint.

Movie Review ~ Blackfish

Movie Review

Blackfish

Well as you probably know I don't usually do movie reviews, and when I do it is usually for a movie made from a book. After watching Blackfish though I decided to make an exception. 

Summary:

Many of us have experienced the excitement and awe of watching 8,000 pound orcas, or "killer whales," soar out of the water and fly through the air at sea parks, as if in perfect harmony with their trainers. Yet, in our contemporary lore this mighty black and white mammal is like a two-faced Janus-beloved as a majestic, friendly giant yet infamous for its capacity to kill viciously. Blackfish unravels the complexities of this dichotomy, employing the story of notorious performing whale Tilikum, who-unlike any orca in the wild-has taken the lives of several people while in captivity. So what exactly went wrong?



My Take: I guess I should add a little back story so you understand why I found this movie so amazing. When I was much younger my cousins went to Seaworld and as a gift brought back the Seaworld Celebration video. Now this was a long time ago so were talking an actual video and I watched it so much I actually had to tape the video back together in more than one spot. So from that moment forward I wanted to be a whale trainer. Of course I am a horrible swimmer so actually becoming a whale trainer was out so I had to try to do the next best thing. Get to Seaworld myself.  Now that part took some time but I finally made it to Seaworld in the spring of 2004. Shortly after the trainer was dragged to the bottom of the pool and almost drowned. The day we went the whales were "acting off" so none of the trainers would get in the pool with them. They still did the splashing and jumping, just no trainers swimming with the whales. I remember feeling so jipped that we missed all of the tricks I had spent years watching. I still haven't made it back to Seaworld but after watching Blackfish I have a new appreciation for all of those trainers who get in the water every day.


The movie itself follows the path of one whale Tilikum and how his life and handling have lead to at least one human death, potentially three. I don't feel that the movie shows Orca's in a negative light. In fact I think they did an exceptional job showing the beauty and majestic nature of the whales. Using actual footage and interviews with trainers the viewer is pulled into a world where animals are treated like side show acts and all the people who love them feel helpless to do anything. 
It brings to light the heartbreaking death of experienced trainer Dawn Brancheau. And how that death has effected both trainer and Seaworld as a whole.
This movie was both gripping and emotional. I honestly can't believe it isn't up for countless awards. This was an exceptional movie, one thats not to be missed.

Savor ~ Kate Evangelista

Savor by Kate Evangelista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This one is a little late but here is my review for the fantastic Savor by Kate Evangelista.

Summary:
I'm Dakota Collins, a tough talking, eye patch wearing, workaholic photography student. Why am I important? Well, maybe because I get to spend an entire month with Vicious, only the sickest indie rock band out there.

You see, I needed a subject for my Spring Showcase introspective in order to graduate. During a chance encounter at a club I'd been sent to cover for the Daily Gossip, our ironically named college paper, the features writer I usually teamed up with introduced me to the band--by accident, I might add. It involved a run in with a scary, bald bodyguard. Anyway, long story short, I signed a contract to take pictures of Vicious.

I should have known their handsome yet way too serious for his own good bassist, Luka Visraya, wouldn't be able to keep his hands to himself. He's gorgeous and all, but the way he smiles spelled trouble with a capital L. I'm in for a long month with him around.

Crazy stuff happens and then some I can't explain. So, if you want the skinny on Vicious and the events revolving around my stay at Lunar Manor, read my story.


My Take: Wow. Another great book by Kate Evangelista! As an avid reader I find lately I haven't had a book really draw me in. Maybe its just been because I was was so busy or maybe it was the books themselves, its honestly hard to say. All that changed ten pages into Savor. I honestly could not put this one down. Dakota Collins is a heroine for today. Of course I loved her right off the bat since she is a photographer, and how can you not love that? And there is a hot new bad boy to enjoy as well. Anyways I was a huge fan of Taste so I was so glad to get a chance to read this one as well. This seems to be a promising start to a great new series. Make sure you add this one to your TBR list!!