Review: Wild Trail

Wild Trail by A.M. Arthur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Super enjoyable cowboy romance.

Wes books a week stay at Clean Slate Ranch for his sister (Sophie) and her fiance (Conrad) as a gift.  It's something she's wanted to do, even if he dislikes dirt, bugs.  Clean Slate is family owned.  Arthur, the owner's grandson Mack works there as do his 2 best friends, Reyes and Colt.  

Mack started to work at Clean Slate after a SWAT assignment killed someone in friendly fire.  Colt, was on his unit too.  Reyes, a firefighter, went to work at Clean Slate after injury and burnout.

Wes has also been hurt in the past.  Wes, an actor, was accused of outing his then-boyfriend.  Now blacklisted, he works at a dinner theater with his friend (and roommate) Miles.    

I liked the chemistry between Wes and Mack.  I am also curious about the secondary characters; Reyes we learn was injured (he had severe burns) and Colt shot someone while on a SWAT assignment.  There is also a secondary story-line- a ghost town is found and someone is trying to sabotage it.  Not as much time was devoted to that and it felt rushed/thrown in.  

Smart Bitches Summer Bingo:  works for Western romance, 1st in series, Main couple 30+ (Wes is 31, Mack is 34), Small town

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Review: Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman

Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman by Brooke Shields
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Now married, Julia and Gabriel explore becoming parents. Julia is also in the process of finishing her degree.
I thought Julia was more mature in this; she defends herself when challenged. Gabriel finds out more about his biological family. The first 1/2 was filler (and mostly unnecessary). The last 1/2 was better.
Smart Bitches Summer Bingo: works for Turned into movie/TV show

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Review: Gabriel's Redemption

Gabriel's Redemption by Sylvain Reynard
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Now married, Julia and Gabriel explore becoming parents. Julia is also in the process of finishing her degree.
I thought Julia was more mature in this; she defends herself when challenged. Gabriel finds out more about his biological family. The first 1/2 was filler (and mostly unnecessary). The last 1/2 was better.
Smart Bitches Summer Bingo: works for Turned into movie/TV show

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Review: Lone Wolf in Lights

Lone Wolf in Lights by Stacey Kennedy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars rounded up.
Willow and her friends (Aubrey and Charly) 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 old age of 28. 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 he is now in jail), and Aubrey was sexually harassed by co-workers, so time for a fresh start.
They bought the Naked Moose and turned it into a cocktail bar. After a rocky start, the three friends are doing well. Willow has started to offer crafting groups to women with abusive histories to talk and to craft. The goal is to make things for the holiday market and raise funds for the local domestic violence shelter.
Willow and Eli start a fake relationship, that as we all know, turns into the real thing. Both characters are sympathetic and relate to each other well. I could see them together. The end hints at the next couple; Aubrey and Gunner.

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Review: No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson

No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson by Gardiner Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Johnson and Johnson a well known American company.  So, when things turn dark, it is disappointing and depressing.  So many opportunities to stop what they were doing.  They chose to ignore or misrepresent  the data coming in, and if that didn't work, lie.  And not just once or twice.  A lot of lies.  The author is a former reporter for the NYT, his research is comprehensive.

I think most know about J&J's most well known product; baby powder.  Did you know that talcum powder and asbestos are so similar that the veins of one are right next to the other, so cross contamination happens?  Baby powder can contain up to 3% asbestos.  And that's not to say that talcum is perfectly fine.  Those that mined talcum got talcosis (a type of lung disease that was eventually fatal).

J&J also marketed Tylenol which was marketed as super safe and you can take a lot of it.  Well, not so fast.  High doses cause liver damage and since acetaminophen is in a lot of over the counter products, one needs to watch their doses.  A max dose of Tylenol/acetaminophen is no more than 4 grams (4000 mg).  However it is suggested in some places it shouldn't exceed 3 grams (3000 mg).  And those with liver disease should take no more than 2 grams (2000 mg) per day.  

They also marked Procrit: developed for patients with ESRD on dialysis to prevent anemia and decrease the need for blood transfusions.  But since that was a small market, they wanted to broaden it to cancer patients.  Which made tumors grow they found out.  

Risperdal- an anti-psychotic marketed to CHILDREN.  Boys who took it grew breast tissue.  In some cases it was disfiguring.  

The Duragesic (a way to administer fentanyl topically) and Ortho-Evra (birth control) patches which both had delivery issues.  Too much fentanyl  and you died, too little hormone and an unexpected pregnancy occurred.  Too much hormone and you got blood clots which lead to high risk of stroke.

J&J's medical devices were no better.

Unfortunately this was yet another story of chasing the bottom line and making as much money as possible.  As long long as they make money, who gives a fuck about anyone or anything else?

 

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Review: The Project: How Project 2025 Is Reshaping America

The Project: How Project 2025 Is Reshaping America by David A. Graham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

David A Graham read all 900+ pages of Project 2025 so we don't have too.  (But of course we can if needed/want to).  For all the Cheeto disavowed Project 2025, this is the playbook of the 2nd administration.  It's awful for anyone not white, male, and Christian (conservative). 

If able, please plan on attending a nationwide protest June 14th.  There is a high choice there is one close by.

Helpful links:    

https://www.fiftyfifty.one/

https://www.womensmarch.com/

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Review: One Stormy Night

One Stormy Night by Jules Bennett
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Mila is a model and is hired for a photo shoot at Cruz's home. Cruz happens to be a billionaire and a playboy. They get trapped together during a storm.
This was so-so. Assumptions (and presumptions) are made. Had a hard time getting into this (and I usually like forced proximity).

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Review: Roaring Midnight

Roaring Midnight by Colleen Gleason
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Macey Denton has no knowledge of her family history until she comes across a book at her job. She has a job at a university library. It turns out her great (x2) grandmother was Victoria Gardella, vampire hunter. Surprise! Vampires exist and she is also a born hunter.
I had a hard time getting into this. Possible love interests; Grady (a reporter) and Chas (another hunter), were less than stellar, super annoying, and unlikable.

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Review: Hard Job

Hard Job by Annabeth Albert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is Duncan's (Danny's older brother) and Ezra's (Danny's best friend) story. Duncan is the head of A-List security and his goal is to provide employment opportunities to the ex-military to help them reintegrate back into normal life. Ezra is a rock star in need of a bodyguard.
Despite it all, Duncan falls for his client. Both characters are likable and compliment each other well. Danny and Cash made appearances in this too. Harley too (Duncan's business partner).

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