TV Review - The Shannara Chronicles

Around the House
For those of you lucky enough to be enjoying warmth this time of year, I want to tell you that I am freezing in Chicago.  I am looking forward to the Spring getting here sooner rather than letter.  Since it is so cold outside, I have been writing non-stop and working on editing Hunted still.  I am excited for a fantastic second edition to come out by the Spring for everyone.  I am lucky enough to have my kitties and fiance to keep me warm on these cold Winter Nights.

My Thoughts

So this recommendation came up while I was looking for shows that were like the Magicians.  Which I have to say is an absolutely amazing show.  Mind you I was a bit concerned seeing that this was coming from MTV.  They are not know for quality programming, but I figured why not.  It couldn't be all bad could it.  I have to say I was wrong;  it was amazing.  The visuals were stunning, the story line was compelling, and the characters where definitely 3 dimensional.  I now have the original book series on my reading list, but I have to get caught up in the pile of books I have first.

The series premise is that about a 1000 years after the fall of mankind, Elves have returned to the world.  Magic lays around every corner hidden in secret and the world has fallen back to a time of mystery and nature.  A princess steps out of her bonds to fight against the death of the tree that protects all the people in the former US from the demon horde.  As the demons make their way back into our world, magic is reawakened and the quest to save all beings.  It really shows how a common focus can bring together all types of people whether they are Elf, Human, or Gnome.  I am greatly looking forward to seeing what season two has in store of us.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.  They just missed the 5th star because the while we get thrust into the world it takes an episode to truly understand everything that is going on.

TV Review: Marvels Luke Cage

Around the House
I hate when the time changes.  I messes with my internal clock and sends the cats into crazy town.  I could use another day off to adjust, but the office calls and I must submit myself to a day of turmoil.  I am kidding I really do love my job, but I could still use more sleep after Bella screaming her head off yesterday morning.  It was nice that I was created with Calli, Henny, and Ez all snuggled up this morning.  Calli was holding Ez's tail while he flomped for love.

Not much to say on the book front.  I am still writing and editing as always.  Cursed goes live next week so get your copy ordered from your favorite vendor.  Hunted is still being edited, my editor is tearing it apart.  We are about 1/2 way through.  So I am hoping that it will all be closed up by the holidays.

My Thoughts
Well I have to say that if you didn't watch Jessica Jones before jumping into Luke Cage you might feel better about the start of the series than I did.  I was rather confused at first because I had forgotten some of small details that happened in Jessica Jones, so I was very confused on what was happening until I went back and read more.

Now by the third episode my reservations on the show were gone.  I was drowning in the story and did not want to go to sleep.  I keep turning it going until I was half way through in a day.  Which is a lot since I did sleep in, and I went out for an hour to get groceries.

Rating: 4 out of 5 - Only for the slow opening.

TV Show Review: Orange is the New Black Season 4

Around the House

I am nearing the end of processing the edits from my new editor on Cursed and Dark Deals.  I am looking forward to getting these complete.  I look forward to seeing what everyone things about the updates to the books as well as the new stories.  Additionally, Twisted is about half way done finally.  I have some great new characters coming out.  I can't wait to see what everyone things of them.

My Thoughts

I have watched Orange is the New Black since it first appeared on Netflix.  I was so fascinated by the story of Piper that I actually looked into the original Piper to see what the story was about.  I found the story of a woman who made youthful indiscretions ending up in prison for 15 months to be very interesting.  The first three seasons was captivating, but now that we have gotten to the fourth season it seems that the show has lost some of its sparkle.  

The story has moved away from the story of Piper and her family and is focusing more on the prison as a whole.  While that can be interesting it feels like something is missing from the joy of the show.  The show is also getting to be a bit unbelievable on the time line.  With a 15 month sentence that Piper only served 13 months, you have to wonder about the time line of the show.  Even if every episode is a week at prison to ensure the story telling that would only leave Piper with 4 more episodes in prison.  While I enjoy the the back stories and what happens next of the characters in lockup, I want to see what would happen next for Piper's story.  How she goes back to her normal life and tries to put her life back together after her stint in prison.

But that is not what the season is showing us.  It is showing us a lost group of women where we are not really getting deep inside of them.  We are just getting a glimpse at the life and crimes of each of these in woman in a way that is supposed to make us feel bad for them as opposed to showing a variety of crimes.  Additionally, learning more about the guards lives feels contrived, since we do not want to feel sorry for them as a watcher.  We want to despise them for the treatment of the inmates.  I am tired of the story of the guard staff.

On the death of loved characters, especially the loved Poussey, is hard for us to deal with since we are made to love her and her death seems unwarranted.  To kill a characters for an emotional pull is not what the show needs to keep us invested.  It needs us to want to be involved in the stories and only have death for a reason.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

TV Show Review: Agent Carter

Around the House
Hey All, this has been an interesting week in my world.  I finally have gotten a new editor which has taken about a year and a half to find.  So that has really put my writing on hold.  Now I am back to pushing threw to get my stories completed for my editor to get a crack at.  He is actually spending time reading my past works so that he knows the content of the World of Illumination.  I am very excited to be working with him.  I have seen a jump in my profile pages already, new ones are coming out, so I will be updating all the links on this page in the next couple weeks.  I am so excited for the new changes that are coming.  I look forward to seeing a new world for my writing.

My Thoughts
I have given Marvel's Agent Carter on ABC 3 episodes before I have rendered judgement.  The show is a witty murder and government mystery.  It takes place after Captain America: the First Avenger when his sort of girl friend is trying to find her place in the new world order of the 40's and Stark is causing trouble.  The Show focus on the characters of Agent Carter and Jarvis, Howard Stark's butler.  I recommend this read to any major comic buff as it is a fresh take on the world we love and fleshes out the realms of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since Agent Carter has been featured on Marvel's Agents of Shield and in the Marvel Movies.  I recommend jumping into this limited series that is working to enhance the Marvel Universe.

Rating: 4/5

TV Review: Nashville

Around the House
I am nearing the end of my vacation and I didn't accomplish everything I hoped to do during this time off.  I have not gotten any writing done.  I am feeling a little disconnected from it at the moment.  I need to finish this last edit of Pandora's Last Breath and Part 3 of  For the Love of Brimstone.  It doesn't help that I am in the middle of two other books right now.  I am just feeling separated.  I could use a little support from you guys out there.  So let me know what you all think!

My Thoughts
At the Bar last night Lady B. brought up that she started watching Nashville and really loved it.  I have been watching the previews for it on TV (since I am an ABC addict) so I decided today to see if it was on demand.  It is, so I started watching it.  I have to say I was excited by it.  I was worried it was going to be campy like GCB, but instead it is deep, heartfelt, and fun.  The story line is strong and great.  This is a show I can see going for many years.  So my luck is that I am going to completely fall in love with it and it will end up getting cancelled like every other show I love.

I enjoy the dynamic of watching a new up and coming star and a struggling star trying to regain her footing in the world.  Rayne, is a dynamic and fun character that has a sordid history that is coming back to bite her in the ass.  Her husband has a dark secret the threatens to destroy their family.  And her father is a dark individual that is always trying to get his way in the method possible to help but really he hurts.

Rating: 4/5

Fall TV Review

Around the House
Oh what to say around the house.  I have been extremely lazy with the writing and working out recently.  These are items that I plan to correct ASAP.  I am reaching the end of my vacation which has been a nice change of pace since it gave me some much needed down time to see my friends and rest/recover.  Tonight I am actually suppose to head out for Halloween.  Not sure what I am going to be doing besides making it to Boystown, but I am looking forward to it since I will be with friends.

I just finished with the Letter of Intent for College.  I plan on going back to school.  It never hurts to increase your education.  I always want to be doing better than I was.  I miss being back in school and being exposed to new ideas and thoughts.  I am looking forward to experiencing this process again.  Plus it is always nice to meet knew people.

People, oh people.  What can I say about the weirdness in my love life.  I have been on a couple of dating sites over the years and recently it has gone nuts with the amount of people talking to me.  Of course it is just usually a quick conversation and then they move on which is highly annoying, but it is the standard in the gay community.  I actually met a guy a few weeks ago.  It turns out Jay and I have a lot of mutual friends.  We met at a local bar, passionate kissing ensued.  We had a first date where I then went with him to bowling where I meet more of his friends that I know.  Unfortunately I have barely heard from him since.  I only push the contact level so much with out getting it in return. 

Now I have been talking to this new guy.  He has the same name as my sister's, two of my aunts, and my cousins name.  It is slightly freaking me out.  We have been talking online then in text.  I am suppose to meet him on Monday.  I can't wait.

My Thoughts
I had some annoyance with the fall line up this year.  First was that Biggest Loser is now a Winter/Spring show which sucks.  At least the fact the Jillian Michaels will be back makes me smile.  I look forward to hearing her yell at the contestants again.  I still remember her yelling "You know what I see when I look at you, Dead Daddy."  God I have missed her.  Then I had to deal with loosing to of my new favorite shows, Ringer and Secret Circle. 

ABC Shows
Castle: So far this season has not been a show stopper.  We are starting in the next chapter of Castle and Becket's life, now together.  I am curious where the show is going to go, but it seems to be missing something since the sexual tension is now gone.  I really hope putting them together hasn't caused a jumping of the shark. Rating: 3/5

Private Practice:  I am very excited by the change in the series.  For a while I was worried that it was on its way out.  The characters had grown static and the stories seemed repetitive.  Now with the the last season and this one having a cast change and more dramatic story lines I am looking forward to seeing how a proper ensemble cast works.  Rating: 4/5

Greys Anatomy:  I am heart broken with the death of some of my favorite characters, but the cast changes are a great turn of events.  The show is feeling fresh and vibrant yet familiar with old friends and new faces.  Rating: 4/5

Scandal:  This is the most surprising show from the creator of Grey's Anatomy.  I generally do not like legal or political shows, but the way the show operates is engaging and fun.  The level of drama and mystery in each episode not only tells an individual tale but each builds to a greater story.  This type of the writing I find makes the best shows.  Rating: 5/5

Revenge:  The drama and mystery of this show continues to surprise me.  The in depth level of writing shows a deep and dark twisted path towards placing the pieces of the puzzle together.  I find it rather curious how this larger story line makes for a fun romp that you can't get enough of each week.  The way Emily's past continues to grow and haunt her is great when mixed with how the other characters lives continue to screw with her plans towards revenge.  Rating 4/5

Once Upon a Time: This show was a surprise to me.  1. A Disney Show, 2. Jumping on the Fairy Tale Bandwagon, and 3. The Time Slot.  I didn't expect them to be able to weave all of our favorite fairy tales into one tales of how characters grow and change.  These writers have taken a fun look at fairy tale world.  You never know what twist and turn to expect, and yet the characters are so dynamic you fall helplessly in love with them.  It is a must watch show! Ratings: 4/5

666 Park Avenue:  I like to give new shows a few days before I latch on to them.  I have found this interesting, but I am not sure if I am in love with it yet.  I enjoy the cast of the show, and the story seems interesting.  I have even gone so far as to buy the books associated with the show.  I was also pleasantly surprised how they put the supernatural element into the show with out making it seem campy or overdone.  Rating: 3/5 to be determined.

CW Shows
Vampire Diaries:  This show continues to keep me happy.  While it does not follow the books it does hold the elements of the books so that readers can appreciate it as well as those who have no experience with the story.  This show is fun and exciting.  I look forward to see where it is going and how it will continue.  Rating: 4/5

Arrow: This show is a break away hit in my mind.  It takes the comic world and brings it into real life.  While I know little of the comic series, I have found I can not stop watching.  I was also very happy to see that it fits with how the Batman movies were handled.  I think DC has finally found the correct way to handle their comics.  Rating: 5/5

Supernatural:  The boys are back for another season.  Why is that Sam gets locked in the cage and Dean gets to have his own like, but Dean goes to purgatory and Sam gets judged for doing the same.  I really hope this show speeds up and gets its edge back or comes to its end. Rating: 2/5

Beauty and the Beast: To be Determined.  I am recording but not watching yet.

New Finds
Cooking Network: Bitchin Kitchen:  Nadia G. is insane.  I love her.  She is engaging, fun, and surprisingly educational.  She has a fun take on how to use food in a health way.  I have actually made a few of her recipes and I have yet to be disappointed.  I am in love with Nadia. Rating: 4/5

Showtime: Gigolos: Well this is a surprising series I stumbled onto.  While it is a highly sexualized show it is refreshing to see the males as the sexual objects and not the women for a change.  While it is not a break away hit or anything it is fun romp to keep a quiet night interesting.  Rating: 3/5

Coming Soon reviews on Beauty and the Beast and American Horror Story Asylum.

TV Review: Ringer

Around the House
Today is day two of the Body for Life challenge.  I am already down a pound which is awesome, but I am dreading tonight's work out.  At least I have talked my best friend and fellow author Katrina Rue to join me.  She wants to loose more weight before her visit to Dragon Con.  It is a convention in the south every September area.  I am also taking an break from my editing and started a new book.  It is an interesting tale that will be printed in five parts in only digital format.  I may do a book version for the entire story at some point, but as of right now it is going to be a digital book.  I plan on a release this summer for part one.

My Thoughts
Well last night I decided to open a file on the DVR that I have been neglecting all season.  I decided to record the show Ringer because I am a fan of Sarah Michelle Gellar from her Buffy the Vampire Slayer days.  I have been hesitant to start watching the show because about 70% of what I have started recording this season have been deleted very quickly off the DVR.  Now that I have about half the season recorded I realized that I should have started watching the show sooner.  The show is absolutely amazing.  This show is dark, devious, full of mystery and suspense while being coated with Chocolate Cover Cherry Gossip.  This show was so amazing I was up till after 4am watching several episodes.  I am looking forward to watching the next installment with Katrina who happened to just walk in the door.  So, got to go it is Ringer time!

TV Review: Suburgatory

Around the House
Getting ready for a move, so the house is a complete nightmare.  I have boxes everywhere.  It doesn't help that I am trying to move and edit a book at the same time.  It is not the easiest thing in the world.  I am a bit disappointed that my next two books have been pushed back a little, but I am editing away.  As soon as I am done with this edit, I will be finishing the first draft of the second book on the Prelude of Illuminations and starting editing the third book in that series as well.  Then it is off to starting the second book in the Chronicles of Illumination.  Editor Tim will not leave me alone about getting him my next two books.  He is dying to see where the story goes.  Thankfully it isn't due until March.

My Thoughts
I was sad that Brothers and Sisters was cancelled, but I have to say that I am excited over what I have seen so far.  Tonight was the debut of Suburgatory which I was leery about adding to the DVR.  But now that I have seen it, it is non-stop laugh stop.  The characters of the show are funny, witty, and completely relateable.  The series reminds me of a cross between Desperate Housewives and Joss Whedon's classic humor.  The series shows a New York family the moves into a high end suburb where the people are plastic and every Mean Girls stereotype is true.  This show is definitely the best midweek show for laugh.

Rating 4 out of 5

TV Show Review: Body of Proof

Around the House
Sorry I have been quiet for the last week or so.  I have been writing/editing projects and dealing with a dead computer.  The screen on my laptop died.  I finally got a new one so I am back in action.  Otherwise the house has been fairly quiet which is a good thing.  I have also spent the last couple weeks doing a mental inventory of my life and looking for ways to clean house.  Yes, I still plan to continue to write, so that means I still have plans to put out two projects this summer.  Also doing inventory and getting ready to edit for the anthology, but the publisher isn't sure it is big enough yet so I am reaching out to additional authors for support.  Feel free to contact me if you have items you want included.

My Thoughts
I am a fan of Desperate Housewives and was very sad to see the changes they made to Dana Delaney's character of Katherine.  I really missed her die hard bitch attitude that made me love her, but I was still sad to hear that she was leaving the show for her own show.  Now after watching the first episode of Body of Proof I have to say that I am in love with it.  The character of Megan Hunt has just the right about of bitch factor with streaks of vulnerability that Dana Delaney plays so well.  I am very excited to see how is this progresses.  It is a top ten recommendation for this year.  If you haven't put it on your DVR do it now you will love the twisty murder mystery element tied in with an emotional character development.  I must say that I have to give ABC a big thumbs up for the drama based shows that they have rolled out over the last couple years.  I see Body of Proof as a long standing stable to be loved by all.

Rating
4 out of 5