The Accidental Queen: A Midlife Fairy Tale Book 1 - A Release Day Spoiler Free Review From Melanie9/30/2022
Basic Info
Standalone or series? Book 1 in a brand new series! Category Paranormal Women's Fiction Official Blurb About The Book (From the Amazon Page) Sparrow “Ro” Meadowcroft is about to get the promotion she’s always dreamed of – curator of the museum where she works. She loves old things and the history that surrounds them, so when a patron leaves some items to the museum, Ro is eager to dig in. The sword in the stone that comes with those items is clearly a joke. A well-made but obvious replica meant to be a conversation starter. Why anyone would think that belonged in the museum is beyond her, but she can’t resist taking a crack at it and finding out if she’s the chosen one. And as it turns out…she is. How did I get this book? PA Perks lol Why did I choose to read this book: I read EVERYTHING Kristen releases! And Now To The Review! First Impressions: New series always bring new and exciting possibilities and this one is no exception. A very interesting new take on a very well known tale! General Review I am constantly impressed with the variety of new ideas that Kristen Painter manages to come up with. This new series is clever, fun, and I feel has a LOT more story to come. Unlike some books in a new series, this manages to get to the paranormal part very quickly, whilst not leaving the reader feeling confused. As you are following along as Sparrow learns the rules and things it makes an engaging story rather than the infodump new series can fall prey to. Final Thoughts If you like any kind of paranormal, but especially this ever emerging Women's Fiction genre this is a must read for you. I'll leave you with my favorite quote, because if that doesn't tempt you to read it nothing will .... "He looked like Prince Charming, if Prince Charming had been an assassin" Rating An Easy 5 stars from me and definitely Melanie's Muses Approved! Pineapple word for this article is Sword ** Disclosure** Any Links To Buy On Amazon Are My Amazon Affiliate Links. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases - Which helps provide for the giveaways!)
Jenn - Jennifer Rhodes met Melanie back when True Blood was popular and they have been friends ever since. She loves TV (especially things that make you smile), Doctor Who, Finding new shows, and regularly provides awesome fandom items for Muser Giveaways. Jennifer is now a proud member of the VIPers - the Melanie's Muses Spotlight Feature Team!This cult classic was a instant favorite of mine, and I still end up watching it every Halloween and that movie is "Hocus Pocus". You know the one, or if you don’t let me give you a quick non-spoilery run down. Three sisters that just have to be witches kidnap children and use them so they can stay young forever. Though they’re stopped, you know how these things work. They do return because someone messes with something they shouldn’t, so before they can make it right the Sanderson Sisters-- Winifred, Sarah and Mary cause havoc on the town as they try to stay young and meet their deadline or disappear forever. Well apparently not forever because "Hocus Pocus 2" premieres September 30 on Disney plus. Now I’m not so sure how I feel about this because I don’t want to see this amazing Halloween cult classic ruined, which usually happens when something really doesn’t need a sequel. But it’s so popular they try to piggy back off it, just like Dave said with all these prequels and sequels. But I guess I’ll decide after I watch. If it’s horrible I’ll pull a Mels and pretend that it doesn’t exist, though the same actors returning as the Sanderson sisters is one thing this sequel does have going for it, because if they had switched that up I definitely would have passed. Hocus Pocus is currently available to stream with your Disney+ Subscription. Hocus Pocus 2 premieres September 30th (Also on Disney+) Pineapple Code Word For This Article Is Amuck
And now for the giveaway Melanie's Muses will be giving away a "Hocus Poucs" prize pack but because this prize is so awesome we are doing it like the auctions. You won't see the prizes until we draw the winner on October 9th at which point we will show them during the live! For your chance to win- FILL OUT THE FORM and tell us: What's your favorite Halloween Movie? Comments about the article are encouraged - but for now only qualifying entries on the form will go in the hat! What your answer is will not influence whether you go into the hat - Only that you answer the question!
Winner will be announced during the Live show on October 9th (and then posted here on the blog as well on October 10th if the winner isn't at the live.) Full Rules Below! Good luck everyone! Rules Only comments posted on THE FORM will be considered. This is open internationally. If you win and you cannot accept mail due to Covid issues we will hold the prize until such time as you can. Some exceptions may apply based on Post Office Regulations. Melanie's Muses takes no responsibility for rules beyond her control. Void Where Prohibited. Sharing is always appreciated but is not required for entry. Winner Will Be Picked At Random. One Entry Per Person / Household Prize is provided via Melanie's Muses and will be mailed by her. Winner will be announced during the live on Sunday October 9th posted on this post on Monday October 10th Winner will have 48 hours to claim by messaging their address to - https://www.facebook.com/MelaniesMuses/ Or prize is considered forfeit. Failure to claim will result in a no future giveaway entry being counted for 30 days. We want people to claim their prizes! Don't get on the list! Any questions please contact Melanie on the Facebook page 
Angel's Gambit is available for pre-order now!To celebrate Susan is going to be giving away special swag sets EXCLUSIVE to the first 50 orders! These will not be available anywhere else! PLUS EVERYONE WHO SENDS IN PROOF OF THEIR PRE-ORDER WILL GET AN EXCLUSIVE SIGNED BOOKMARK! (These will ONLY be available for this offer) To enter just email proof of your purchase AND YOUR MAILING ADDRESS to Susan Harris at [email protected] YOU MUST INCLUDE PROOF OF YOUR PRE-ORDER AND YOUR ADDRESS of your entry will NOT be counted. Good luck everyone! Rules
The 1980’s gave birth to what was known as “the sex comedy”. “Porky’s” was king of this era. It was lewd, crude and nude. Rated R for Raunchy! It also produced 2 sequels (that slowly decreased quality) and a slew of imitations. Even a bunch that were very weak imitations that didn’t even go as far and were only rated PG but gave the illusion of pushing the envelope. As the 90’s was getting closer, these types of films got fewer and further between and virtually disappeared. Until 1999, that is. The time seemed ripe for the picking. The teen movie market knew nothing about the 80’s film history of “Porky’s”. So, we were about to enter the “American Pie” era. The little movie that could. “American Pie” was low budget and not expected to do a whole lot except make back its production cost. But shooting up the charts, making more box office than expected and making stars out of the unknown cast. Jason Biggs, Shannon Elizabeth, Seann William Scott, etc. all starred in other things afterward— for a while anyway. Most importantly, it also gave content to pop culture with quotable terminology and instantly recognizable lines. After the success of the first, you know a sequel has to be in order. But this has to one of the most interesting stories about the sequel. One story was in place, shot, and edited but then tested poorly. It could have ended the franchise right then and there. Rewriting and reshooting here and there, a new edit and we have a much better movie. Seeing the original deleted stuff, I’m glad it was changed but part of me wants to see what the original “American Pie 2” would have been like. Closing out the trilogy was “American Wedding”. Definitely the weakest of the three. It was almost as if Seann William Scott forgot how to play Stifler. Seemed very forced to me. And Chris Klein wasn’t available to do it so it was still missing a cast member. Still had some decent (and indecent) gags and jokes. In the end, I’m glad it was ending here in 2003. Of course, it wasn’t really the end. The studio decided they’d expand the universe with straight to video “sequels” with loose connections and cameos while mostly dealing with other Stiflers. The first and worst of these was “American Pie Presents Band Camp”. In a nutshell, it should have never been made. But moving away from that family member, it found another Stifler for “The Naked Mile” and “Beta House”. Then moving on to a completely new cast, they did “Book of Love”, which wasn’t bad but copied a lot from the original movie, before getting the original cast back for the next movie. 2012 gave us “American Reunion”. A 13-year high school reunion. 13? That doesn’t even make sense. Set it a couple years prior and make it 10 years like most schools. It tried to recapture the magic but they were trying make the same type of movie after so many copies were already done. Yes, that’s right. Just as after “Porky’s”, after the success of “American Pie”, we had imitations and more sex comedies, including a boatload of straight to video releases, and of course “unrated” versions of movies when they got released on DVD. It wasn’t a bad movie but the magic and newness wore off and shouldn’t have been attempted. This wasn’t even the end. In 2020, they tried another straight to video “sequel” with another Stifler, a female this time. “Girls’ Rules”. I can’t add much insight into this one since I never bothered watching it. I would tell them to quit while they are ahead but it’s been a long time since they were ahead. They are completely drowning now.
And now for the Giveaway Melanie's Muses will be giving away an "American Pie" prize pack featuring the 4 Movie Pack from Jenn, and "Calling It" and "Mike And Dave Need Wedding Dates" books from the Melanie's Muses Prize Hoard For your chance to win- FILL OUT THE FORM and tell us: If you were in Band Camp what musical instrument would you play? Comments about the article are encouraged - but for now only qualifying entries on the form will go in the hat! What your answer is will not influence whether you go into the hat - Only that you answer the question!
Winner will be announced during the Live show on October 2nd (and then posted here on the blog as well on October 3rd if the winner isn't at the live.) Full Rules Below! Good luck everyone! Rules Only comments posted on THE FORM will be considered. This is open internationally. If you win and you cannot accept mail due to Covid issues we will hold the prize until such time as you can. Some exceptions may apply based on Post Office Regulations. Melanie's Muses takes no responsibility for rules beyond her control. Void Where Prohibited. Sharing is always appreciated but is not required for entry. Winner Will Be Picked At Random. One Entry Per Person / Household Prize is provided via Melanie's Muses and will be mailed by her. Winner will be announced during the live on Sunday September 18th posted on this post on Monday September 19th Winner will have 48 hours to claim by messaging their address to - https://www.facebook.com/MelaniesMuses/ Or prize is considered forfeit. Failure to claim will result in a no future giveaway entry being counted for 30 days. We want people to claim their prizes! Don't get on the list! Any questions please contact Melanie on the Facebook page
Dave - Dave Christy loves horror, music, documentaries and more. He is also the co-runner of several fan based groups including Morningstars (THE Lucifer fan group also run by Melanie), and now is a member of the VIPers Spotlight Lounge team for Melanie's Muses. Other than "In The Spotlight" Features -check out his "31 Days Of Halloween Movies"A Friday Feature on a Thursday? I'm not even supposed to be here today! 28 years ago, young filmmaker Kevin Smith set his career in motion with the low budget cult classic "Clerks". Who would have thought that those characters would grace the screen again? Especially when you consider the original ending that Kevin cut. If you saw the original and the 2006 sequel, you know what to expect from this outing. Or at least you may think you do. The movie you make when you and your characters are in their 20's and the movie you make when everyone is around 50 years is quite different. Or least it should be. "Clerks III" is a Fathom Events limited screening experience like no other. First off, it doesn't have 25 minutes of trailers before the movie starts. And that's definitely a good thing. I don't mind a couple trailers showing me what's new and coming out but I don't need 25 minutes of them. Here, we didn't have any but we did have a brief intro from Kevin Smith himself talking about how the film came to be. Turns out, his previous movie, "Jay and Silent Bob Reboot" sold enough DVDs and Blu Rays, that the fine people at Lionsgate told him that if any more cheap movies like this to bring it to them and they'd do it. Lucky for us, he did and thus the seed for "Clerks III" started to get watered. From the opening recognizable piano keys, I knew I'd be in for something special. I just didn't know how special yet. The song playing over the title and opening scene was "Welcome to the Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance, natives of New Jersey, just like Kevin. Dante and Randal are closing the store to play hockey on the roof. This is just the first of many callbacks to the original. In some ways, you could call it a reboot like "Jay and Silent Bob Reboot" since it focuses on events in "Clerks" and "Clerks 2" referencing and outright copying the lines and scenes. Smith takes from his own life for inspiration. From the trailer you learn that Randal having a heart attack leads to crisis in his life and wanting to leave his mark. Of course, that's not how it happened for Smith. His heart attack came much later. But with the new scenes accompanying the callbacks, now we have recreations of classic "Clerks" scenes as we see Randal making his movie about working in Quick Stop and RST Video. But as I said, a 52 year old isn't going to make the same movie as a 22 year old. This movie took me to places I didn't expect. The level of dramatic performance was something I never thought I'd see in a Jay and Silent Bob movie. One could argue that the fight scene and ensuing conversation turned to the dramatic in "Clerks" but that's nothing compared to where this flick goes. All your favorite "Clerks" characters make a return to the screen and one role is taken over by Kevin's daughter, Harley Quinn Smith. Closing out the trilogy as the credits go by, the house lights didn't come back on yet. This isn't a Marvel movie. Is there an end credits scene? No, but there a little more to come. Kevin was talking a little over the credits, thanking us for coming out to see his cheap movie instead of a massive budget action movie and then a surprise comes on. A 20 minute behind the scenes featurette with interviews with the cast. I'm sure it will find its way to the Blu Ray and streaming services but its nice it to see it in the theater. That never happens. It was a nice way to close out a unique movie experience. Pineapple Code Word For This Article Is Clerks
Jenn - Jennifer Rhodes met Melanie back when True Blood was popular and they have been friends ever since. She loves TV (especially things that make you smile), Doctor Who, Finding new shows, and regularly provides awesome fandom items for Muser Giveaways. Jennifer is now a proud member of the VIPers - the Melanie's Muses Spotlight Feature Team!I’m sure we’ve all heard of this story one way or another. I mean it was a popular book before it became movies and then a tv show, that I absolutely loved and that’s "Around the world in 80 days". Now I can’t really go into the book or movies because I’ve never read them or watched the movies, but with David Tennant in the show as the lead, I definitely couldn’t miss it and I’m glad that I didn’t. Basically you have rich guy that realizes from postcards and a past love that he’s been scared all his life, so wanting to change that he makes a bet with a friend in his gentleman’s club. The wager details that he can make it around the world in a mere eighty days. Nowadays, travelling around the world in 80 days wouldn't be that big of a feat. But back in 1872 using relatively means to go was a more difficult task. Two join him on this adventure, a servant and then a journalist, that will write about everything he does. Does he make it and win the bet, well you’ll just have to watch and see, or even read it for that matter. I will say the recent show that just came out has to be my favorite and no I’m not just saying that because of Tennant, or am I? Melanie -I mean when you start to think about it "Around the World in 80 Days" is really like a very early reality show so obviously it is going to appeal to me. When I heard that they were doing a version with David Tennant? Well there was no way I was going to miss that, and it didn't disappoint. Packed with faces that would be familiar to English viewers this had me hooked from episode 1. And before everyone says "David Tennant" I have to say I don't love him in this - in fact I would say the rest of the cast not carries it - but those are the ones you are routing for! Sadly the show itself was very poorly received, especially in England, but hey when have I ever cared about that. Personally, it was a win from me and I highly recommend you check it out even if you haven't seen any of the other versions, or read the story! Pineapple Code Word For This Article is Bet And now for the Giveaway Melanie's Muses will be giving away an "Around The World" prize pack featuring the book, and Disney version DVD, and Keychain from Jenn, a Canada Key Chain from Vicky, and then TX Pin, Penn State Poncho, wrist bands and key chain from the Melanie's Muses Prize Hoard For your chance to win- FILL OUT THE FORM and tell us: Who would YOU want to travel around the world with. Comments about the article are encouraged - but for now only qualifying entries on the form will go in the hat! What your answer is will not influence whether you go into the hat - Only that you answer the question!
Winner will be announced during the Live show on October 2nd (and then posted here on the blog as well on October 3rd if the winner isn't at the live.) Full Rules Below! Good luck everyone! Rules Only comments posted on THE FORM will be considered. This is open internationally. If you win and you cannot accept mail due to Covid issues we will hold the prize until such time as you can. Some exceptions may apply based on Post Office Regulations. Melanie's Muses takes no responsibility for rules beyond her control. Void Where Prohibited. Sharing is always appreciated but is not required for entry. Winner Will Be Picked At Random. One Entry Per Person / Household Prize is provided via Melanie's Muses and will be mailed by her. Winner will be announced during the live on Sunday September 18th posted on this post on Monday September 19th Winner will have 48 hours to claim by messaging their address to - https://www.facebook.com/MelaniesMuses/ Or prize is considered forfeit. Failure to claim will result in a no future giveaway entry being counted for 30 days. We want people to claim their prizes! Don't get on the list! Any questions please contact Melanie on the Facebook page
Jenn - Jennifer Rhodes met Melanie back when True Blood was popular and they have been friends ever since. She loves TV (especially things that make you smile), Doctor Who, Finding new shows, and regularly provides awesome fandom items for Muser Giveaways. Jennifer is now a proud member of the VIPers - the Melanie's Muses Spotlight Feature Team!I can’t believe I’m actually writing about zombies again. Though if you know me by now it’s definitely not in the traditional zombie sense, because just no. But these movies are definitely not normal zombie, or even normal paranormal for that matter. Disney Channel's "Zombies" 1, 2 and 3 absolutely stole my heart especially how everyone ends up learning that even if someone is different they can end up either being the best of friends with you or maybe even something more. Zombies 1 starts off with humans and zombies learning that they can accomplish anything if they just realize you shouldn’t be so rash to judge someone and yes maybe there’s even a little romance thrown in. Zombies 2 expands on that and adds a pack of werewolves. Then Zombies 3 which just recently released, takes it to a whole new galaxy and brings in a group of aliens looking for a map to their new home since their planet was destroyed. This third movie I think has to be my favorite especially with the catchy songs I can’t seem to get out of my head. If you like just light-hearted fun movies then definitely check these out on Disney plus, and remember just because something says it’s for kids doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyed by adults as well. Pineapple Code Word For This Article Is Disney.
Jenn - Jennifer Rhodes met Melanie back when True Blood was popular and they have been friends ever since. She loves TV (especially things that make you smile), Doctor Who, Finding new shows, and regularly provides awesome fandom items for Muser Giveaways. Jennifer is now a proud member of the VIPers - the Melanie's Muses Spotlight Feature Team!Zombies? I’m sure all the musers know by now that I’m not a fan, unless it’s on a rare occasion like with "Zombieland" or with this movie as well, and that’s "Warm Bodies". Which also happens to be a book but I haven’t read it. "Warm Bodies" turns what you know about zombies and it makes a interesting turn, and that’s in the way of a zombie falling in love. Yes you heard that right, love. What? You might be thinking no, but trust me it actually works here. Zombie meets human girl and starts to realize maybe he’s not so dead after all, his heart might start to beat a little, but will this actually be accepted? Maybe and maybe not. You know me so all I’ll say is go watch for yourselves musers, especially if you like different and want to get away from the normal zombie story. Pineapple code word for this article is Zombies And now for the Giveaway! Melanie's Muses will be giving away a "Warm Bodies" prize pack featuring the book, DVD, and a horror band from Jenn and then stickers and a "Warm Bodies" Blockbuster postcard from the Melanie's Muses Prize Hoard For your chance to win- FILL OUT THE FORM and tell us: What is your favorite "Unusual" Zombie story / movie / book / show? (Not your normal Walking Dead / Night of the Living Dead etc stuff) Comments about the article are encouraged - but for now only qualifying entries on the form will go in the hat! What your answer is will not influence whether you go into the hat - Only that you answer the question!
Winner will be announced during the Live show on September 18th (and then posted here on the blog as well on September 19th if the winner isn't at the live.) Full Rules Below! Good luck everyone! Rules Only comments posted on THE FORM will be considered. This is open internationally. If you win and you cannot accept mail due to Covid issues we will hold the prize until such time as you can. Some exceptions may apply based on Post Office Regulations. Melanie's Muses takes no responsibility for rules beyond her control. Void Where Prohibited. Sharing is always appreciated but is not required for entry. Winner Will Be Picked At Random. One Entry Per Person / Household Prize is provided via Melanie's Muses and will be mailed by her. Winner will be announced during the live on Sunday September 18th posted on this post on Monday September 19th Winner will have 48 hours to claim by messaging their address to - https://www.facebook.com/MelaniesMuses/ Or prize is considered forfeit. Failure to claim will result in a no future giveaway entry being counted for 30 days. We want people to claim their prizes! Don't get on the list! Any questions please contact Melanie on the Facebook page
Jenn - Jennifer Rhodes met Melanie back when True Blood was popular and they have been friends ever since. She loves TV (especially things that make you smile), Doctor Who, Finding new shows, and regularly provides awesome fandom items for Muser Giveaways. Jennifer is now a proud member of the VIPers - the Melanie's Muses Spotlight Feature Team!We all have that favorite kind of storytelling. You know that one that you just can’t seem to get enough of, and for me that’s a good redemption arc. You know the ones. The one where you take a not-so-good guy and give him the chance to redeem himself. Absolutely love it. Boba Fett is definitely one of those redemption stories because as I’m sure you know by now I hated him in the original Star Wars movies, and was thrilled when he fell into the sarlac pit. Now he’s the one I find myself loving and rooting for thanks to "The Book of Boba Fett". It shows how he realizes that some of the stuff he did in the past might of not been the best idea. Also, that working for Jabba or idiots, well he used another word but I’ll just go with idiots didn’t do anything but harm him in the end. Also taking that into consideration he wants to be a different kind of leader than Jabba was, one that rules with respect and not fear. My point is that when you get these kind of redemption arcs and you go back to when they weren’t so great, you can’t really hate them anymore. At least that’s me with Fett. Yes I still hate what he did to Han, but now I understand him just a little more. As with the sand people, he, like them, was trying to just get by. Melanie - Just jumping in to add that personally I prefer my villains NOT to have a redemption arc - I like my baddies to stay bad - and even better if they DON'T have a good reason for it - they are just BAD lol. I thought I had an OLD video about this - but turns out it was just about women - but here's the link anyway - did I mention OLD .... Ummm yeah No Judging lmao (Seriously WHY did Telfie encourage this stuff) Pineapple Code Word For This Article is Redemption! |
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