Finn's story: This story, while well-written in the technical sense, was by far the weakest of this trio. If not for my husband encouraging me onward, I might have put the entire book down. I understand that the book was released before the film, and that the authors don't necessarily get all the information they'd … Continue reading Review: Before the Awakening (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by Greg Rucka
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Review: Lone Wolf (Bluewater Bay #4) by Aleksandr Voinov & L.A. Witt
As a professional author and former fanfic writer, this novel was an odd sort of wish-fullfillment romance that I never knew I wanted. Reading it was both fascinating and oddly bizarre, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. Reading about other authors and their process is always an interesting experience, because I believe there's no "one, true … Continue reading Review: Lone Wolf (Bluewater Bay #4) by Aleksandr Voinov & L.A. Witt
Review: Hell on Wheels (Bluewater Bay #3) by Z.A. Maxfield
Characters can make or break any book, but especially romances, and the characters in this book shined. Though both of them come from worlds far from my experience, Nash and Spencer were guys I could relate to, guys I could cheer for. And even better, neither of them existed in a vacuum. Their decisions regarding … Continue reading Review: Hell on Wheels (Bluewater Bay #3) by Z.A. Maxfield
Build Report: Mini London Bus
My littlest sister got mega points for giving me LEGO sets for Christmas, so I took time on my birthday a few days afterward to build this small set. My burgeoning LEGO cityscape needs adequate public transportation, after all. Mini London Bus (40220) -- 118 pieces I love that clear bricks are used for the … Continue reading Build Report: Mini London Bus
Review: The Weapon of a Jedi (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by Jason Fry
This book boiled down to "Just how did Luke get so good at using a lightsaber, anyway?" Which is an important question to ask, in the continuity between the films A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. Unfortunately, the reality of the the limitations established in the Star Wars universe at that point in … Continue reading Review: The Weapon of a Jedi (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by Jason Fry
Review: There’s Something About Ari (Bluewater Bay #2) by L.B. Gregg
This novella was a fun, quick read with striking characters that I devoured in one sitting. I appreciated that it didn't follow the traditional romance genre formula, because there was no "meet-cute." No slow burn between characters as knowledge and attraction deepen. Instead, this was the metaphorical final five minutes of the movie as two … Continue reading Review: There’s Something About Ari (Bluewater Bay #2) by L.B. Gregg
Review: “Christmas Past” (Chronicles of St. Mary’s short story) by Jodi Taylor
Though this review won't get posted until after the holiday itself, this story was easily one of my favorite Christmas presents this year. Taylor blows me away with her ability to weave humor and heartbreak into the same passages. Though this story didn't have quite as much of the usual St. Mary's shenanigans, it was … Continue reading Review: “Christmas Past” (Chronicles of St. Mary’s short story) by Jodi Taylor
Build Report: Parisian Restaurant
Over the holidays this year, I added to my growing LEGO metropolis (currently reigning supreme atop a bookshelf in my guest room) by constructing the Parisian Restaurant Creator set. I started on the afternoon of Christmas Eve and spent a few hours each day (after my writing was done!) until it was complete on the … Continue reading Build Report: Parisian Restaurant
Review: Starstruck (Bluewater Bay #1) by L.A. Witt
This is an excellent introduction to the Bluewater Bay shared-universe romance series, giving us just enough information about the town of Bluewater Bay and the television show Wolf's Landing to provide a taste for more. This book also does a great job of showing how major Hollywood stars are human just like anybody else, with very … Continue reading Review: Starstruck (Bluewater Bay #1) by L.A. Witt
Review: Smuggler’s Run (Star Wars: Journey to the Force Awakens) by Greg Rucka
This young adult novel was a well-written and well-crafted story set between two of the films in the original Star Wars trilogy. All of the battle scenes, whether shoot-outs on ground or ship-to-ship battles in space, were dramatic and clearly written. The plot flowed at a good pace. Unfortunately, I didn't love it. A well-written … Continue reading Review: Smuggler’s Run (Star Wars: Journey to the Force Awakens) by Greg Rucka
Review: It Takes Two to Tumble (Seducing the Sedgwicks #1) by Cat Sebastian
This was a fantastic look at how two people who might otherwise have nothing in common develop a natural and loving relationship. At times, Ben came across as a little too perfect. Luckily, Phillip balanced this out by becoming a sympathetic character without losing any of the thorny character traits that intrigued me. As a … Continue reading Review: It Takes Two to Tumble (Seducing the Sedgwicks #1) by Cat Sebastian
December Wrap-Up & January Goals
Happy new year from all of us at Casa Siamese! Though you won't see this post until it goes live on Wednesday morning, I'm writing it late Monday afternoon with a tummy full of amazing New Year's Day brunch and a hot mug of tea. I'm excited to start 2018 with a bang, and by … Continue reading December Wrap-Up & January Goals
Steel Blood Deleted Scene
Happy New Year to all of my awesome readers! In honor of 2017 finally being over, and to celebrate my birthday (yes, I'm a New Year's Eve baby), I'd like to share a scene that was left on the cutting room floor after my beta readers read one of the earliest drafts of Steel Empires … Continue reading Steel Blood Deleted Scene
Review: Outside the Lines (Bluewater Bay #22) by Anna Zabo
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author of this novel; however, I purchased the ebook for full price. My metric for how I view a good romance novel has turned into whether the interpersonal relationships are occurring between mature adults. I don't have time for whiny teenage angst produced by characters in their twenties, thirties, … Continue reading Review: Outside the Lines (Bluewater Bay #22) by Anna Zabo
Build Report: 2017 Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar
I honestly can't remember the last time I had an advent calendar as a kid. I have vague memories of the ones with cheap chocolate in middle school, which is when my littlest sister was a toddler. Now that I'm an adult, for various definitions of the word, it was time to start the tradition … Continue reading Build Report: 2017 Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar
Annual Holiday Update
Below is the holiday letter my husband and I sent in our cards this year. Thank you to all of you for also being amazing supporters. I couldn't have gotten through this year without you. Dear Family & Friends, This has been a much-needed quiet year for the Gribble household. Of course, quiet for us … Continue reading Annual Holiday Update
Build Report: Cargo Railway & Octan Twin Tank Rail Tanker
My husband and I have been married for five years, and living together for almost nine. And every time we think we've gotten all of our random belongings from our respective mothers' houses, something else gets dredged up from a dark basement corner. This past summer, it was a ratty box of various LEGO pieces. … Continue reading Build Report: Cargo Railway & Octan Twin Tank Rail Tanker
Review: Moving Target (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by Cecil Castellucci & Jason Fry
This was an excellent Star Wars young adult novel that succeeds at showing realistic decisions that must be made in war, and how people involved in those wars end up making essential decisions regardless of how much power or authority they might have. I also appreciated that Princess Leia is given much authority and agency … Continue reading Review: Moving Target (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by Cecil Castellucci & Jason Fry
Review: Shattered Empire (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by Greg Rucka
One of my biggest pet peeves about most war movies is how the characters celebrate at the end of a big battle as if everything is going to be easy from there on out. This graphic novel shows how the opposite is the case and does an excellent job of leading into how the remnants … Continue reading Review: Shattered Empire (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by Greg Rucka
Review: Bizarre Tales From World War II by William B. Breuer
This is an easy-to-read collection of short snippets organized by time period before, during, and after World War II. I'd hesitate to call them bizarre tales, however. Curious coincidences and interesting anecdotes is probably more appropriate. I would not recommend this as a reference book for those writing about WWII. It is, though, probably a … Continue reading Review: Bizarre Tales From World War II by William B. Breuer