Review: The Jack Smith Report: Final Report on Efforts to Interfere with the Lawful Transfer of Power Following the 2020 Presidential Election by Donald Trump and Others

The Jack Smith Report: Final Report on Efforts to Interfere with the Lawful Transfer of Power Following the 2020 Presidential Election by Donald Trump and Others by Jack Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read some of this when this came out earlier in the year.  When it was announced that it would be published by a small publisher, I wanted to support that.  And have a copy in the event it is purged later in DT's purge of anything that is critical of him.  

As someone who is fairly politically engaged.  I get my news from a wide variety of local, national, and international sources.  I do periodically check out what is on Fox, Newsmax, OAN to see/hear/read what things are being put out there.  And I am the record here (even though I live in a deeply red state) of where I stand on DT, Musk & his DOGE goons, all of DT cabinet picks, and the spineless elected officials who rubber stamped it.  Risch, Crapo, and Simpson all know I personally despise what is going down in DC.  

Back to this.

Bottom line is the Special counsel's investigation found sufficient evidence to convict Donald Trump in a trial for his election subversion crimes.  There is more than enough here and I am so angry, frustrated that he will never stand trial for it.  Or see jail time.  

I think those who don't care or have an opinion would feel differently if they picked this up.  I'm not saying you would need to read all of it, but Special Counsel Jack Smith's letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and the results of the investigation would be the sections to read if you didn't want to read the whole thing.  Sadly, I don't think this would make a difference to MAGA and change minds there.  

Melville House Publishing is also publishing the DOJ's report on the Tulsa massacre of 1921.  

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Review: How to Charm a Nerd

How to Charm a Nerd by Katherine Garbera
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5*

Liberty has never had a relationship with or known her dad.  She learns her dad's name by accident from her grandma who has dementia.  Her mother had offered in the past to tell her some info on him, but Liberty was not interested.  For some reason, this sets Liberty on a mission to find out more about him, without asking her mom (which would have made things so much easier).  She enlists Merle, her crush and computer expert to help. 

Merle also has a crush on Liberty and they've had a friendship.  Merle is Poppy's cousin (Poppy co-owns the store where Liberty, Poppy, and Sera each have their own business).  Merle also has issues with his family; he feels like he doesn't quite fit in.  His parents are super sporty and competitive and never tell their kids they love them as they are (or just a simple I love you).  It felt like their love was conditional.  

Anyway, I did like this.  Liberty is sure of herself even if I thought she should have involved her mom.  I knew much more about Liberty, but much less about Merle.  It would have been nice to have a little bit more on him.  I enjoyed the friendship with Poppy, Liberty, and Sera.

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Review: The Secret Bridesmaid

The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Think of the movie "The Wedding Ringer," but with a professional bridesmaid instead.
Sophie is a professional bridesmaid, she loves weddings. She gets an opportunity to advance her career when, the Marchioness of Mead's daughter Cordelia is getting married. Sophie is hired by Lady Mead.
It starts out rocky, Cordelia is a huge bitch and I hated her. But, yes but, things aren't as they seem and there is a reason for why she does what she does. Sophie also develops feelings for Cordelia's brother Tom, who is not only nice, but super hot. I liked Sophie, but thought she was a little too perfect, a little too nice.

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Review: Wickedly Dangerous

Wickedly Dangerous by Deborah Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Barbara Yager is a Baba Yaga, the fairytale Russian witch. The US has 3 of them and they travel when summoned.  She is summoned when a child goes missing.  Liam is the town's sheriff and is frustrated that there hasn't been any trace of the missing kids (3 of them).   

Nice mystery, there is more going on then meets the eye.  In addition to the missing kids, there are nasty councilmen who question your every move and do not support you, suspicious town folk, and a shady business who wants to take the town over so he can frack and make some money.

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Review: The Message

The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

His writing is very lyrical and flows. In this he talks about his travels in Africa and Palestine. He also talks about the education system here. It's amazing how freaked out people get by the written word which leads to book bans. I felt we were going in the right direction (teaching history- the good, the bad, the ugly & being honest) and now we are backsliding. A lot.
"When you are erased from the argument and purged from the narrative, you do not exist."

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Review: The Secret Loves of Geek Girls

The Secret Loves of Geek Girls by Hope Nicholson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nice variety of mediums; this had comics, short graphic novellas, and the more traditional short stories.
Standouts: Margaret Atwood's comic, Erin Lossar's, Cherelle Higgins's short stories, and my favorite Diane McCallum's Four Fictional Happy Endings.

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Review: The Austen Playbook

The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Freddy is an actress in her 20s.  She has been working as a teenager.  She comes from a family of actors/play-writes.  Her dad has a vision for her career that doesn't quite match what she wants.  

Griff is a theater critic.  He and his family have some financial concerns.  He does what he can.  

This had a lot going on.  There is Freddy's family legacy and breaking free of expectations and doing what you want.  There are good sibling interactions.  Two people who can't help but fall for each other.  Fun HP references too.  Sadie was a bitch.    

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Review: Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty

Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty by Hillary Rodham Clinton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have to admit that I've never been a big fan of the Clintons, but I do admire HRC for all that she has accomplished. This was a series of stories/events that have happened and told from her point of view. Think Jan 6th, the US withdrawal from Afghanistan (I hadn't realized that she was involved in getting multiple women out), when she taught in college, Russian propaganda. There is a lot in this book.

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Review: The Devil in Blue Jeans

The Devil in Blue Jeans by Stacey Kennedy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5* rounded up
Charly and her friends (Aubrey and Willow) make a pact after college to move to Timber Falls and go all in on a bar/restaurant if they don't like where their lives are at at the ripe out age of 28. To Charly Timber Falls has a magical appearance to it. (TF is in Montana and is in close proximity to Yellowstone). Well, Charly walked in on her fiance cheating on her, Willow had an abusive boyfriend, and Aubrey was sexually harassed by co-workers, so time for a fresh start!
They buy the Naked Moose and renovate it, turning it into a high end cocktail bar; serving only cocktails. The locals are disappointed and don't feel welcome since the new format seems to cater more to tourists. Enter Jaxon, the former owner who is pissed. He father unexpectedly died and he sold the bar to take over his family's ranch; raising, training, and selling world class Quarter Horses.
This starts out as an enemies, "how can I use you to help with the bar's success/make the locals welcome", before turning into lovers. There is a subplot with Charly's ex that she has to deal with (that was probably not necessary), but it did give her closure. I liked Jaxon's friends, Gunner (a country singer) and Eli (his sister was murdered by her boyfriend). Both work with Jaxon on his ranch.
I did think it strange that in a small town a bar would only serve cocktails and not beer. And those cowboys are smart- they only like craft beer. (yes, "craft" beer was mentioned a lot).

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Review: Purple Hearts

Purple Hearts by Tess Wakefield
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1.5* Rounded up b/c I did finish this (although in hindsight, I should have DNF'd it)
This had so much potential. A fake relationship for health insurance? Cassie has diabetes and has to regularly choose between rent and insulin. When she realizes that military spouses get good health insurance, she proposes to a childhood friend. He turns her down, but Luke, who has reasons of his own for wanting the extra pay, volunteers.
So many problems with this. Not knocking the military, but this had racist, misogynistic parts that I just couldn't get past. I also didn't care for either main character and thought the ending could have been different.

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Review: South Beach Love: Now a Hallmark Channel original movie!

South Beach Love: Now a Hallmark Channel original movie! by Caridad Piñeiro
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Tony is an executive chef at a New York restaurant. He comes for a long overdue trip to Miami to see family and to help with his niece's quinceanera. Sara is also a chef in Miami with her own restaurant to promote. She also has a niece whom she will be helping with her quinceanera. Add to the pressure of creating the perfect menu, there is also a competition to be featured in the local paper.
This was a nice slow burn (clean) romance. I would have liked more in the end. Don't read if you are hungry (lots of descriptions of food).

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