Doctor Who In Review: The Day Of The Doctor (A Mostly Spoiler Free Review)

Anyone of the millions that watched the 50th anniversary special of Doctor Who, had to come away with a smile on their face and a few tears in their eyes.

I know I did.

Without any real plot spoilers...

Steven Moffat delivered an episode that wasn't scary...but more reaffirming what The Doctor and his companions are all about. This episode is about The Doctor...his past and his future.

You'll see one very early on in the form of an asthmatic girl who who is working for U.N.I.T.

But they are all over the place when you watch.

Plus you also have the return of David Tennant's 10th Doctor. He was the Doctor who drew me into the show, and I admit I was a fangirl for most of his tenure, and I love him, I really do, but for me, he was possibly the only slightly downside of the special. Not for any bad acting or leg humping that we got in the Rose Tyler days...(though Billie is in the special.....) but because it seemed like he was having trouble getting back into character.....except one time early on....with a woodland creature. I dare you not to laugh there.

But this special really is all about John Hurt's character. He was brilliant. He had humor and seriousness and a bit of the curmudgeonliness that will remind longtime fans of William Hartnell's 1st Doctor all those 50 years ago.

Probably my only gripe with the whole thing revolves around David Tennant. He just didn't seem to come back into character as well as I had hoped he would. Other people were smashing in their return..but Tennant...just didn't feel quite like 10.

This is also an episode that you want to watch over and over again, because you'll catch all sorts of wonderful things that Moffat tossed in to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the show's airing. Each time you watch you'll find something new.

If you are a Whovian, you're mind will be blown.

10 out of 10 Tardis

TV Review: An Adventure In Space And Time

When I first heard about the movie about the making of Doctor Who I was fascinated. When I sat down to watch it, I was excited, and by the time it had ended I was crying. The tears were tears of joy that Mark Gatiss brought the making of the show to the world so well and tears of sadness, because the show also shows how William Hartnell, who was THE DOCTOR was forced out due to health reasons, though not by his choice.

There was a lot of behind the scenes stuff in the early days. The show's producer was a young woman who really had a lot of spunk, or as they say in the movie, piss and vinegar. That producer was Verity Lambert who was played by Jessica Raine in the film.

However the best acting in the film is done by David Bradley who looked almost like a clone of William Hartnell. You really come to love the man, almost as much as you love The Doctor, watching this film. They really made you sympathetic to him, though if you read some bios of Mr. Hartnell, he wasn't always a sweet grandfatherly figure.

Not that it will matter as you are watching this, because you will fall in love with him, and at the end, you will cry. You will cry for the actor that let the role become his life and you will cry for The Eleventh Doctor who makes a cameo in the end.

It is just a shame that the actor portraying Patrick Troughton wasn't nearly as spot on.

Oh and did I mention the Daleks were an important part of the film?

It can't be Doctor Who without the Daleks. I loved the scene where Verity was arguing with Seymour about them.

Definitely a movie all Whovians should watch and will want to watch again and again.

Goddess Fish Promotions Blurb Blitz Tour: Choose Your Heart

Choose Your Heart

by Callie Hutton

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Midwife Kerry Mackenzie has tried to move on with her life to no avail. Her deceased husband’s parents expect her to remain true to his memory. But at twenty-four, Kerry’s too young to wear widow weeds for the rest of her life. Seeking independence, she takes a job miles from home that will require her to move. Things may have worked out as planned if she hadn’t gotten stranded on the way…

Ranch owner Damian Greer happens upon Kerry perched alongside her disabled car on an Amarillo highway. Coming from a family whose members move quickly when it comes to love, the instant attraction he feels is no surprise. After observing her during an emergency, he suspects she may be the woman for him.

When it appears her car will be out of commission for a few days, Damian offers to drive Kerry to Albuquerque to meet with her realtor. Can Damian convince her to abandon her plan, and give them a chance?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt :

The baby boy slid out of its mother’s body just as two medics pushed a gurney up to the truck. Kerry quickly used her index finger to clear the infant’s mouth.

The baby sucked in a breath, and let out with a wail. Damian released the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Hopefully, he wouldn’t embarrass himself by having anyone notice the tears standing in his eyes.

His trembling fingers ran through his hair, tugging at his scalp. Never in his life had he witnessed anything so incredible. He took in a deep gulp of air and grinned. Kerry’s face lit up, and her gaze connected with his. In the flashing light from the bar, their eyes locked. Her face shone with sweat, curls plastered to her head, almost as if she had given birth.

Damian’s gut clenched, and a powerful, totally unfamiliar feeling raced through him.

He fought the urge to grab this woman and kiss her senseless. His previous sense of finally having found the right one for him hit him like a fist to the gut.

Dude, you’re in big trouble.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Callie has been making up stories since elementary school, and writing gave her a way to turn off the voices in her head. After having a number of articles and interviews published in newspapers and magazines, she took on what she’d always dreamed of. Writing that book. She currently has a number of both historical and contemporary romance books published. Visit her website for more information. www.calliehutton.com

She currently lives in Oklahoma with her husband and adult children who move in and out with alarming regularity. Add three rescue dogs and the household is complete—and full. She enjoys hearing from her readers, and would love to have you visit her on Facebook.

Or First person:

I’ve been making up stories since elementary school, and writing gave me a way to turn off the voices in my head. After having a number of articles and interviews published in newspapers and magazines, I took on what I’d always dreamed of. Writing that book. I currently have a number of both historical and contemporary romance books published. Visit my website for more information. www.calliehutton.com

I currently live in Oklahoma with my husband and adult children who move in and out with alarming regularity. Add three rescue dogs and the household is complete—and full. I enjoy hearing from my readers, and would love to have you visit me on Facebook.

Website: www.calliehutto.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Callie-Hutton/206166449404454

Twitter: @calliehutton.com

Buy links:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Choose-Heart-Honky-Hearts-ebook/dp/B00DN6J1BC/ref=sr_1_11?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1381448710&sr=1-11&keywords=callie+hutton

TWRP:http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=175_141&products_id=5311

Callie will be awarding an autographed copy of any of her in-print books, (A Run For Love; An Angel in the Mail; A Tumble Through Time; Emma's Journey; A Prescription For Love) and a hand-made beaded bookmark (US ONY) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Follow the tour here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/10/virtual-blurb-blitz-tour-choose-your.html

Cover Reveal: Flashes of Me - Cynthia Sax

Blurb:

Henley, the head of cyber security at Blaine Technologies, is a man no one crosses. He watches employees constantly using his network of cameras and enforces his rules by any means possible. Rumors of his violent past, his scarred hands and huge size have resulted in him being feared by everyone… almost everyone.

Katalina, the new intern, worries about the revelation of her most painful secret much more than she fears her sexy boss’s wrath. She sees the loneliness in his dark eyes, feels the gentleness in his marred fingers, tastes the need in his kisses, and she knows he watches her. His silly rules about not stripping for the cameras and no sex at the office are destined to be broken.

Kat likes to be watched. Henley can’t look away. Will this beauty be able to tame her beastly boss?

Flashes Of Me
Pre-Order Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Flashes-Me-An-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXO

Note From Cynthia Sax: 

I’m thrilled to reveal the cover and blurb for Flashes Of Me today! Bright color, especially pink, plays an important role in this story. Blaine Technologies has a very strict dress code yet Kat, our heroine, feels so strongly about wearing color that she risks losing her job.

Here is a brief excerpt giving you a glimpse at why color is important to Kat (this excerpt is completely unedited so please excuse any typos or my crazy use of commas)

***

Henley paces around the perimeter of the small room, his movements drawing my gaze. I sink into one of the black leather chairs, the seat cushioning my ass.

“The dress code at Blaine Technologies is strict,” he informs me. “The preference is a black suit. Gray and navy blue are also acceptable colors.”

“I don’t wear black.” I fold my hands on top of the tiny table and Henley glares at me. “My father told me not to wear black so I don’t,” I explain.

Henley’s face softens. “Your father’s not here.”

My father isn’t here and I miss him desperately, having spent the last five years by his side. He isn’t alone, neither of us are. My father has my mother to keep him company and I now have a rule-setting behemoth.

“When I give my word, I don’t break it.” I lean forward, willing Henley to understand. “Business deals are built upon trust--”

“And trust is built upon truth,” Henley completes my father’s saying.

“You remembered.” I smile at him, pleased.

“Yes.” Henley resumes his pacing, striding back and forth, back and forth, his hands gripped tightly behind his back as though he’s winding up for another round of his rules. “When we’re at work, we have to be professional. No taking our clothes off. No touching. No talking about sex.”

“Is thinking about sex okay?” I skim my fingertips over the collar of my blazer. “Because I think about having sex with you all of the time.”

***

Literary Nook Book PromotionsPromo Blitz: Dangerous Attraction

10 Award-winning, bestselling authors – 10 Hot Heroes – 10 Romantic Suspense Page Turners

99 CENTS THROUGH NOVEMBER 16th!

With nine full-size novels from bestselling romantic suspense authors and a brand new Christmas novella from New York Times bestselling author, Rebecca York, this boxed set can’t be missed. Sexy, steamy heroes to heat you up and twisting plots to keep you turning page after page well past midnight!Grab it at the introductory price of 99 cents. That’s 10 books for less than a buck!

From sweet to scorcher, these stories are a must read. Fall in love with our sexy cops, tough military heroes, and hot CEOs. Treat yourself to an amazing reading experience by top authors of romantic suspense collected in one boxed set at a price that can’t be beat.

Ignited by award-winning and national bestselling author, Kaylea Cross – Can sexy ex-SEAL Hunter Phillips keep Khalia safe from the terrorists who took her father’s life? (Scorcher)

Secret Guardian by international bestselling author, Jill Sanders – Will ex-special forces hero, Ethan, save Ann in time, only to lose himself to love? (Scorcher)

Deathscape by Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence recipient and Rita Award finalist, Dana Marton – Detective Jack Sullivan will do anything to put Ashley in prison for her crimes…even if he’s falling in love with her. (Sensual)

Legal Ease by award winning and national bestselling author Lori Ryan – Marrying Kelly solved the problems this steamy CEO faced at his company, but will he ever be able to forgive himself for the price she has to pay? (Scorcher)

The Killing Game by international bestselling author, Toni Anderson –Forced to choose between his country and his heart, British SAS Soldier, Ty Dempsey risks it all to save a wildlife biologist caught in the crosshairs of a ruthless killer. (Sensual)

Fallen SEAL Legacy by national bestselling author, Sharon Hamilton – Will Navy SEAL Cooper be able to survive the loss of the woman he loves, or will his self-sacrifice be enough to keep Libby safe? (Scorcher)

Three Days in Seattle by national bestselling author, Debra Burroughs – Trying to stay a step ahead of a lunatic set on revenge, Kate and Ryan are locked in a desperate race to find her missing sister and capture the madman before both women wind up dead. (Sweet)

See Me in Your Dreams by Patricia Rosemoor, Golden Heart Winner and two-time recipient of the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award – Her dreams allow her to see through his missing daughter's eyes, but he thinks she’s a con woman...until she dreams of something known only to him and the girl. (Sensual)

Catching the Bad Guy by national bestselling author, Marie Astor – Top-notch white collar crime investigators Janet Maple and Dennis Walker team up to solve what could be the biggest case of their careers, but will their attraction to each other get in the way? (Sensual)

Bonus Christmas Novella, Christmas Captive by Romantic Times Career Achievement Award Winner and Rita Finalist, Rebecca York – Her special sight let her glimpse the Christmases past of this international financier, but did he have a Christmas future?

Excerpts:

Excerpt from CHRISTMAS CAPTIVE, by Rebecca York:

        Hannah Andrews fiddled nervously with the tall latte on the table in front of her. Although she’d agreed to meet a man named Frank Decorah in this downtown San Francisco coffee shop, she was having second thoughts.

     She glanced around at the cheery Christmas gifts displayed on the shelves near the counter and at the ten other patrons enjoying coffee drinks, some working at computers, others getting e-mail on tablets. Safety in numbers, she thought. But not even Bing Crosby, singing White Christmas over the sound system, could make her relax.

     When the door opened, she glanced up and saw a tall man in the doorway. He appeared to be in his fifties with salt and pepper hair.

      Frank Decorah. She recognized him because she’d looked up his security agency on the Web and seen his picture, and she knew from his bio that he was an ex-Navy SEAL. He’d looked tough and capable on the screen. In person he seemed even more formidable, and she wondered again why she’d agreed to meet him when he’d been so secretive about the job he was offering.

            Yet two factors had swayed her. He was based in Maryland, and he’d offered to fly all the way across the country to meet her. And he’d made the meeting sound urgent—a matter of life and death.

Excerpt from DEATHSCAPE by Dana Marton:

Ashley wanted so badly to think, but she couldn’t. Those sculpted lips she’d thought about painting were over hers. Oh wow. The body she’d assessed with an artist’s eye was now pressed against her, suddenly gaining another dimension. So much more interesting, so much better, so much…everything.

As an artist, she kept her subjects at arm’s length. But now Jack was suddenly very, very close, her head reeling. Heat poured off him that threatened to set her on fire.

He was a ball of pain and hard man, a man on the edge, yet there was something heroic at the core of him, and at the same time something incredibly tragic. A complicated subject, layer upon layer, colors bleeding into each other, twisting. How on earth was she supposed to make sense of him?

She couldn’t, not for the moment. Right now all she could do was feel. She hung on to his wide shoulders, because she wasn’t sure how much longer her knees could hold her.

The passion that flared to life between them stunned her. There were parts of her that had been simply dead since the accident, most likely because of the depression and the pills she’d taken at the beginning. But suddenly everything came roaring back to life, passion as a swirl of vibrant colors. For the first time in a long time, she felt like a woman again. The fire was all-consuming, hotter and wilder than she’d ever felt before.

And it was all wrong.

He was the wrong guy for her, a drifter cop who was obsessed with a serial killer.

Excerpt from SEE ME IN YOUR DREAMS by Patricia Rosemoor:

In the midst of her sleep, she'd envisioned him kissing her.
   

Arousing her.
   

Confusing her.
   

For, while made of flesh and blood, human emotions and passions, Keelin was not a woman to be driven by sheer lust. She believed in the kind of love found in high romance – Romeo and Juliet, Guinevere and Launcelot, Heloïse and Abelard – the utopian state of passion her parents had never found together, sadly enough.
   

The kind she had only dreamed of finding...
   

Nevermind that all of those great epics of literature and/or history had ended in tragedy, Keelin was certain equally many real romances ended in happily-ever-after. For some reason, one just rarely heard about the good endings. Perhaps they weren't dramatic enough. She believed that genuine and total love of mind, body and spirit existed. She was certain her grandparents Moira and Seamus had found such in each other, hence Moira's last wish for her grandchildren.
   

 For all of her adult life, Keelin had been waiting to meet the one man she couldn't live without...and according to the McKenna Legacy, she was fast running out of time.
   

But that man simply could not be Tyler Leighton...

Dangerous Attraction Pre-Sale Links:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/18Ya4Oc
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1ahU8nO
Smashword: http://bit.ly/1bOocy8
iTunes: http://bit.ly/1cmZDsi
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1gfq2J7
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1cJi4aH

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link to tour schedule: 

Album Review: Paul McCartney - New

Just when you think you can write Paul McCartney off as just another classic rock god, riding on the coat tails of his past successes, he puts and album out like New, and you just sit back and go "WOW!"

New is an album that proves that age has nothing to do with the quality of music an artist puts out and that Paul McCartney is still one of the most brilliant songwriters of our time.

The title track is one of his finest earworms. Every so many albums Paul writes a Beatley song, and this is one of them. It is a short little ditty, full of fun. This is classic Macca.

All of the songs keep with the short and sweet format. Out of 15 songs only 2 top 4 minutes, but because Paul is a master and his finest work came from the decade where the majority of songs are short, sweet and to the point, the songs are all top notch.

The album opens with a rollicking "Save Us" But probably the most stand out and unique track is "Alligator." It is a song that draws you in because you are waiting to see where the alligator is. Unfortunately it isn't there, but in its place is a dark rocker.

"On My Way To Work" is another Beatley track. Its a slightly more poetic and modern "Penny Lane."

The album is an interesting mixture of darker rock and the usual fun pop flair. "Appreciate" has a bit of an electronic feel. The song "Ou est le Soleil?" has a similar feel.

"Everybody Out There" sounds like a song that might appear on a Ringo Starr album.

The tracks that really stick with you come early on in the album. The fabulous "Queenie Eye" rocks pure and simple.  It is followed by the acoustic "Early Days." This is a more reflective tune, and even someone unfamiliar with Macca will notice the imperfections that age has brought to this icon's voice, but that is what really makes this song so magical and special.

The album isn't perfect, Paul does his Texan from Liverpool routine with "Get Me Out Of Here." What is it with Brits and country music? When George Harrison did Miss O'Dell it was humorous, regardless of whether it was intended to be that way or not, but "Get Me Out Of Here" is a bit dull and monotonous and well....lifeless.

"Looking At Her" is a more experimental sounding song. Electronic beats and Paul McCartney just don't got together. However, Paul gets double props for doing things up different.

New is Paul McCartney reminding us all, that he has it. He never lost it. It is a well rounded album that should appeal to old fans as well as new. All Paul McCartney albums come recommended, but it has been awhile since there was one that is so good that everyone should own it. This is one of those albums.

Watch: New

Musical Hotties

Just thought I'd share some prettiness with you..young and older because that's how I roll

Josh Groban....ah....he's just adorkable!

Mika makes me want to buy a Swatch again!

Some geek chic, care of Nick Lowe

Album Review: Nick Lowe - Quality Street

Quality Street is a seasonal album by Nick Lowe. This is probably the most surprising holiday albums in the last 10 years. What is even more surprising is how fantastic it is.

Why?

Because this album is pure Nick Lowe and not some cutesy Christmas album. White Christmas doesn't even make an appearance here!

Quality Street is Nick Lowe doing Christmas as Nick Lowe. His songs all sound like Nick should sound and not full of sleigh bells and other cliches that usually fill up holiday albums.

The first track is the folksy "Children Go Where I Send Thee." It is perfectly Nick, even though it is hard to imagine Nick doing a song that is so religious in nature.

The next two songs "Christmas Can't Be Far Away" and "Christmas At The Airport" have the current Nick Lowe sound, that's a little bit like Bacharach & David. These are great songs for a night by the fire.

"The North Pole Express" is what happens when jazz and country get together. This is one of the songs that everyone, young and old can enjoy.

"Hooves On The Roof" is jazzy holiday brilliance. If Diana Krall hears this one, it may make it on her next holiday offering. Even the songwriter of this one, Ron Sexsmith probably pleased with the treatment Lowe gives to this song.

The songs that shine the most are the folk tunes. "I Was Born In Bethlehem" is another such song. Unlike "Children Go Where I Send Thee" and "Rise Up Shepherd" it is a much more subdued melody. Nick's more mature vocal really brings a certain intimacy to the song

If you enjoyed "Children Go Where I Send Thee" you will be over the moon at Lowe's version of "Rise Up Shepherd." This song conjures up a wonderful visual of Nick on porch playing this song with a backdrop of winter snow.

"Silent Night" is the only true holiday staple on the album, and you haven't heard "Silent Night" sung this way. Rockabilly "Silent Night" is bloody brilliant. This is a song that is always so serious sounding. There's absolutely nothing serious or silent about Nick's version. The percussion and organ are so lively that you may find your foot taping to this song.

If any song on this album could really convey Nick's recent style it would be "A Dollar Short Of Happy." This song could easily slip on an album like The Convincer. Nick has never been known for his "happy" tunes. He's always the heartbroken bloke, and this song is just pure Nick!

Nick saves the best for last. The album closes with Roy Wood's "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day." Though Nick's cover isn't as bouncy as the original, he gives it the Nick Lowe retro treatment. The arrangement goes back to his 70s sound. It is still the fun frolicking song most are familiar with
but Nick's version is more about the vocal and less about the glitz.

Quality Street is definitely one of the must have holiday albums of the year. 

Watch: A Dollar Short Of Happy




Rating: 5 our of 5 stars