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review 2023-06-21 05:18
Avidly Reads Screen Time by Phillip Maciak

 

 
 
Rating: 4 Out Of 5 Stars
 
 
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this 
advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.  
 
When I read the description of what this book was about I was intrigued by the subject matter and the timetable the book covers. 
 
In the early 1980's my father worked for AT&T and I remember him telling my sisters and I that in the near future you'd be able to to see the person you are talking to on the phone on a screen!  It was such an exciting concept to me and as a middle-schooler I was hoping this technology would hurry up already!  (It wasn't fast enough for me!)
 
Phillip Maciak does a great job of covering all the bases of what screen time was way back when and the meaning of screen time in present day.  The memories of what it was like to have to sit in front of a screen at the exact time a program was being broadcast to VCR's, DVR's present day streaming services and everything thereafter; the internet, personal computers, tablets, smartphones and apps
 
I sometimes felt really nostalgic reading this book, remembering simpler days.  Maciak adds his personal touch to the book with stories of his family and screen time experiences.   When you think about it technology really has come a long way in quite a short time. This book presented a coherent timeline of various forms of screen time and gave information and research I hadn't thought about. 
 
If you're interested in the advances in technology over the past 30+ years and how it has changed how we communicate and entertain ourselves you will find this book interesting. 
 
 
 
 
Purchase on Amazon @
Avidly Reads Screen Time
 

 

 

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review 2023-06-21 04:23
P!NK Raise Your Glass by Annie Zaleski

 

 
 
Rating: 4 Out Of 5 Stars
 
 
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this 
advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.  
 
I've always loved Pink's music and knew a bit about her
personally because she grew up about an hour away from my hometown. I remember seeing a lot on the news as she was starting out in the music industry and thought this would be an interesting read to get the full story on her life thus far. 
 
This book is a wonderful compilation of Pink's beginnings, struggles, triumphs, accomplishments and everything in-between. 
There are beautiful photos throughout the book that correlate 
with the timeline being presented in each chapter.  The author has added quotes from Pink taken from various interviews throughout her career.  The book is extremely reader-friendly with a comfortable storyteller approach.  
 
 I enjoyed reading about how some of the songs came about and now want to go back and listen to each of her albums and pay closer attention to the lyrics as I listen!  
 
If you're a fan of Pink's music this is a must read!! 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchase on Amazon @
P!NK Raise Your Glass
 

 

 

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review 2023-06-21 02:36
Late, Late At Night A Memoir by Rick Springfield
 
Rating: 4 Out Of 5 Stars
 
 
Let me start out by saying I was in elementary school (4th grade to be exact) at the height of the General Hospital frenzy and Working Class Dog album. I was not watching the soap, but some older neighbor girls were. And of course the music was all over the radio.  The movie, Hard To Hold was released in theaters in 1984 and I'm pretty sure I saw that a year or so after its release.  Throughout the 80's Rick Springfield had many other hits that if I heard them now I would recognize many of the songs. This was pretty much the extent of my knowledge about Rick Springfield. 
 
The very first thing that shocked (and I mean SHOCKED) me is that Mr. Springfield is only two years younger than my mother!!!  As I write this my my Mom is 75, Spring field 73!!!!
This factoid totally threw me for a loop!  I was very interested in his writings about his early years in Australia, his relationship with his parents, love of writing music, guitars and dogs.  The parts I could've done without were all the intimate partners he had throughout his life.  ( Don't get me wrong, I'm not naive about the rock star lifestyle, but I think Rick's 'adventures' were much more than the norm.)  He's described it as a 'habit' rather than sex addiction.  
 
I was unaware that he had some popularity in the early 70's in the United States and how editor-in-chief of 16 magazine, Gloria Stavers, was set on making Rick a teen idol just like David Cassidy. I also had no idea he dated Linda Blair from the movie Exorcist fame when she was only 15 years old!! 
 (Springfield was 25.)  
 
Rick will be married to his wife Barbara Porter, for 39 years on October 27, 2023.  This woman is a saint in my eyes. She endured Rick's infidelity for many, many, many years and it is beyond a miracle that the two of them are still together. 
Happy for them that they are, but a lot of turmoil in this marriage to say the least.  And he wrote the song "Don't Talk To Strangers" while he and Barbara were dating because HE was worried SHE was going to get involved with other people while they were apart!  He has said, "Back then, I was scared that she was f**king around because I was doing the same thing."  HA!!
 
The last thing I will leave you with in this book review is that Rick tried to commit suicide when he was 17 years old and has struggled with depression since puberty.  He references his depression as "Mr. D" throughout the book; I never in a million years would've thought that he struggled with depression.  
The insight to all he has dealt with throughout his life with depression is very sad, but extremely real. 
 
I commend Rick Springfield for laying out the nooks and crannies of his life in this book.  Although the writing style at the beginning of the book was a little choppy, he finds his voice throughout the book (with some flash forwards & flashbacks at spots) and he truly is an excellent writer.  Don't underestimate this guy, he is talented and I believe he has a great heart.
 
 
 
Purchase on Amazon @
Late At Night by Rick Springfield
 

 

Source: allaroundthecircle.blogspot.com/2023/06/book-review-late-late-at-night-memoir.html
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review 2021-11-08 08:10
New Release w/Review - Frat Wars

 

 

 

FRAT WARS: KING OF THIEVES

by Saxon James

 

 

Blog Tour

Release Date: November 8, 2021

Cover Design: Story Styling Cover Designs
Genre: M/M College Romance
Trope: Rivals to lovers, forbidden love

Synopsis


We’re basically Romeo and Juliet. But dudes. And without all the dying.



Chad


Being VP of Sigma Beta Psi is wild. I get all the benefits of being in charge with hardly any of the responsibility.

Parties, pranks, and frat politics—college life has never been sweeter.

Until I meet Bailey Prince.

He has the face of a goddamn angel. I don’t know where he came from or why I’m so obsessed.

But I do know he’s a Kappa.

And our houses have a rivalry that’s written into legend.



Bailey


At Rho Kappa Tau, I’m a legacy.

It’s a lot of pressure, but I’ve always been responsible, never had that rebellious need to rock the boat, and I like it that way.

But after a party at Sigma—the jock frat—I meet Chad Doomsen, and for the first time in my life I want to step outside my square.

Our houses have always had a rivalry, but some of the guys seem to hate Chad specifically, and I don’t know why.

He’s surprisingly sweet and kind. At least to me.

I need to stay away. A relationship with Chad would be betraying the very legacy that brought me here.

But I can’t help myself. And it seems, neither can he.



Frat Wars is a romance between MCs from rival houses. It has friendly competitions, no hazing, and a swoony romance kept secret.

Add to your TBR List!

GOODREADS LINK


Purchase Link

Amazon Universal ~ https://geni.us/73ak44d
 

 

 

 

Frat Wars : King of ThievesFrat Wars : King of Thieves by Saxon James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chad already thinks he is outgrowing the pranks he gets to do with his frat mates. He loves to still do them, comes up with more on the fly, but somehow is aware life is changing. Then he sees the man that he would change it all for.

Bailey is warned about the rival fraternity and its prankster, Chad. The heart wants what the heart wants. Is there anything they can do more than just sneak around and hope to not be caught?

Lots of funny in this fast paced and full of action book. There was lots of heat and lots of pranks. I laughed my way through and loved every page.


***This early copy was given exclusively to be reviewed with honesty.

View all my reviews

 

 


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FRAT WARS: MASTER OF MAYHEM

Frat Wars - Book Two

Coming Soon

Release Date: March 23, 2022



Pre-order Link

Amazon Universal ~ https://geni.us/mMGtK



About the Author

Saxon James unapologetically writes happy endings for LGBT+ characters.

While not writing, SM is a readaholic and Netflix addict who regularly lives on a sustainable diet of chocolate and coffee.

Member of SCBWI.

Connect with Saxon

Facebook Author Page: http://bit.ly/2QSVCmS

Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/36slT1W

Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2SYfPKU

Instagram: https://bit.ly/33m1XPb

Amazon Author Page: hhttps://amzn.to/2ZXjp9C

Bookbub Author Page: https://bit.ly/3fKt5MC



 
 
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review 2021-11-02 08:10
New Release Blitz - Ice Angels

 

Title: Ice Angels

Author: Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood

Publisher: Wainscott Press

Release Date: 10/29/2021

Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 200

Genre: Romance, Gay hockey romance, Gay holiday romance

 

Add to Goodreads

 

 

Synopsis

 

Drew and Cleevs love hockey, but they love each other more. How can the men find a way to save what matters most?

 

Todd Cleever and Drew Simon are crazy about each other. They started dating three years ago when “Cleevs” was a rookie defenseman for the Chicago Ice. Drew, the team’s captain, was a few years older than Cleevs. Both men were deep in the closet, but it didn’t take long for them to fall in love.

 

Cleevs was traded to the Bethesda Barracudas a year later, causing a heartbreaking separation. Ever since, they’ve skated around the problem with occasional stolen nights together and brief vacations under the guise of “friends,” but two years of living apart have taken their toll.

 

As the holiday approaches, Drew and Cleevs decide things have to change. Still, with their careers and two professional hockey teams in the way, how can they score the game-winning goal and save everything they cherish most?

 

If you like fierce love, a smallish age gap, exciting hockey, and a steely determination to make things work—not to mention enough steam to fog up all your windows and a fantastic HEA—this is the book for you. The novella contains about 43,000 words of sparkling holiday romance.

 

 

Excerpt

 

I arrived at the Hilton about three o’clock. Todd wasn’t due for another couple of hours, so I  took a shower and dressed in jeans and an Ice T-shirt. Afterward, I switched on the TV but was  too excited to be still, and I must have walked back and forth to the window a hundred times.  When the news came on, I settled into a chair to watch. Someone knocked on the door a few  minutes later.

 

Running over, I pulled it open, and there he was. Wearing a gray peacoat and matching  beanie, with a messenger bag slung over his shoulder, Todd looked like a Hollywood heartthrob.  He broke into a crooked grin.

 

“Hey.” My breath had caught in my throat, and I couldn’t get anything else out. “Hey.”

My pulse raced as my sight and hearing went into overdrive. I couldn’t tear my eyes away  from him.

 

“Drew? You think I could come in?”

 

“Oh yeah.” I grinned and stepped aside. “Please.”

 

He rolled his suitcase in and set it and his messenger bag beside the dresser while I made  sure the door was locked. When I turned, he placed a finger on the tip of my nose and traced it  down to my lips. “You get more beautiful every time I see you.”

 

“I’m so glad you’re here.”

 

He reached for me, and I relaxed into the safety of his arms. The relief of being held was  profound. As a hockey player and captain of all my teams since high school, I’d always had to be strong. Before I met Todd, as a closeted gay man, I rarely had hookups because there was too  much risk of being recognized. When I occasionally met up with someone, what we did wasn’t  about affection or support; it was about getting off.

 

“Love you, Drew.

 

“Oh, Todd.” I nibbled his lip, and when he hugged me tighter and kissed me, the heavy  burden of my loneliness fell away. I relaxed for the first time in a while.

 

“I’m happy you could come and spend the night,” he whispered between kisses. I leaned back to look at him. His face was flushed, and his eyes were already dark with  arousal. Sliding a hand up his back, I cupped his head. His mouth twitched as I moved in, and he  moaned softly when our lips touched. I pressed against him, not ready for the moment to end but  needing more.

 

Slowly, he glided his hands down my back to my butt, and we teased each other. When he  licked my lips and probed softly, I opened for him. His tongue reassured me somehow, and I  sucked it while my senses did somersaults. Hints of cedarwood and iris, mixed with his soft  musk, surrounded me. We were both hard, and a thrill flickered up my spine as we rubbed our  cocks together. Tiny, needy sounds filled the air while we enjoyed a taste of what was to come. I  pulled away, took his hand, and started toward the bed. “Come with me.” He didn’t move, and I turned to look at him.

 

“I should shower. It’s been a long day, and I’m not at my freshest.”

 

Taking a step forward, I gave him another kiss and whispered, “I like you this way,  remember? My sweaty D-man.”

 

He gulped a breath. “Lead on, then.”

 

We took our time undressing each other. When I removed Todd’s shirt, I gaped at his  impressive physique as always: brawny arms, massive pecs, and a rippling six-pack. A large  tattoo, a beautiful depiction of a wolf in the forest, ran from the nape of his neck to the middle of  his back. Todd said it symbolized loyalty and family, as well as a willingness to become  ferocious to protect what was dear to him. He’d told me he wanted to have one about us done on  his chest—over his heart—and we’d design it together when our relationship was no longer a  secret.

 

ICE ANGELS Copyright © 2021 Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood. All Rights Reserved.

 

Purchase at Amazon or BookBub

 

 

 

Ice AngelsIce Angels by Ryan Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Drew wants something to change. He loves Todd but he cannot be with him. It is driving him crazy. There must be a way out of this.

Todd is feeling very similar to Drew. He is in love with him, but they work for different teams and not together when they have time off, even when they are "together." Something has to give or he will go insane.

This story was sweet, and had a great pace to it. I love hockey, so the jump right into the game sucked me right in from page one. These characters were easy to root for. I found myself eagerly turning the pages to get more of the book. I hope we see them again.


***This early copy was given in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews

 

 

 

 

Meet the Authors


Ryan Taylor and Joshua Harwood met in law school and were married in 2017. They live in a suburb of Washington, DC and share their home with a big, cuddly German shepherd. Ryan and Josh enjoy travel, friends, and advocating for causes dear to their hearts. Ryan also loves to swim, and Josh likes to putter in the garden whenever he can. The romance they were so lucky to find with each other inspires their stories about love between out and proud men.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | eMail | Instagram | BookBub

 

 

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