Touched By an Alien (Katherine “Kitty” Katt #1) By: Gina Koch

Touched By an Alien

Touched By an Alien (Katherine “Kitty” Katt #1) By: Gina Koch

Plot:

Marketing manager Katherine “Kitty” Katt had just finished a day on jury duty. When she stepped out of the Pueblo Caliente courthouse, all she was thinking about was the work she had to get caught up on. Then her attention was caught by a fight between a couple that looked like it was about to turn ugly. But ugly didn’t even begin to cover it when the “man” suddenly transformed into a huge, winged monster right out of a grade Z science fiction movie and went on a deadly killing spree. In hindsight, Kitty realized she probably should have panicked and run screaming the way everyone around her was doing. Instead she sprinted into action to take down the alien. In the middle of all the screeching and the ensuing chaos, a hunk in an Armani suit suddenly appeared beside her, introduced himself as Jeff Martini with “the agency,” and then insisted on leading her to a nearby limo to talk to his “boss.” And that was how Kitty’s new life among the aliens began…Touched by an Alien is the thrilling first installment of the Alien novels.

Review:

I think it’s pretty clear why I couldn’t resist this book. On the off chance that it’s not let me point you to the title. Touched By an Alien, the series titles seriously write themselves. Imagine it, “Touched by a Vampire” “Touched by a Werewolf” “Touched by a Pirate” I mean come on it’s perfectly ridiculously awesome.

Anyway, this was not a sci-fi erotic romance like I thought it was originally. It turned out being so much better than I thought it was going to be. The world created was interesting and very detailed, the characters were good, but not too good, and they were quirky. I was excited to see this was a series because although the story was complete at the end I’d like to spend more times with the characters.

A few negatives, Katt was too smart. She works in marketing but is able to figure out things that these aliens have worked their entire lives on and can’t. This is explained in several ways, her being a geek, her being the product of good genes, them being aliens and not looking at things the right way. It was plausible, I guess, but got to be a little farfetched.

A lot of stuff was explained in the book, how things work, why things work, why they’re done a certain way. These are often questions I wish were answered in books, but there was so much at times it was almost overload.

All in all this was a real delight to read made more so because I wasn’t expecting it with that title and book cover. I’m excited to see what happens next and happy to have stumbled across the series.

4/5

Stepbrothers (2008)

Brennan Huff (Will Ferrell, right) and Dale Doback (John C. Reilly, left) are two middle-aged, immature, overgrown boys forced to live together as stepbrothers when Dale's single father, Robert (Richard Jenkins, center) marries Brennan's mom in Columbia Pictures' Step Brothers. The film is directed by Adam McKay.  The screenplay is by Will Ferrell & Adam McKay from a story by Will Ferrell & Adam McKay & John C. Reilly.  The producers are Jimmy Miller and Judd Apatow.

Stepbrothers (2008)

Director:

Adam McKay

Starring:

Will Ferrell

John C. Reilly

Mary Steenburgen

Richard Jenkins

Plot:

Two aimless middle-aged losers still living at home are forced against their will to become room-mates when their parents marry.

Review:

I worked at a movie theater when this came out and we had a preview reel that played in the lobby that was looped every thirty minutes. This was the only preview that I did not end up loathing and in fact still laughed at every time I saw it.

Easily one of the best Will Ferrell movies. His chemistry with John C. Reilly is great and the fact that the parents don’t act like their actions are ridiculous makes it even better. They’re grown men asking to build bunk beds for crying out loud. No matter how many times I see it this movie never fails to make me laugh.

It’s not just the leads that make this movie, though. It wouldn’t hit nearly as well if it wasn’t for the amazing supporting cast. They’re all perfect and just nail it from the shitty little kids to Ferrell’s coworkers. Totally worth watching.

5/5

 

Grizzly Love (Kodiak Point #5) By: Eve Langlais

Grizzly in Love

Grizzly Love (Kodiak Point #5) By: Eve Langlais

Plot:

Are you ready for a grizzly kind of love? His mother would have beaten him to within an inch of his life, if she knew Travis had the hots for the town doctor, but he couldn’t help it. Dr. Jess, a redhead with a few years on him, was his soulmate. His inner grizzly knew it. He knew it. Suspected she did as well. But he did have one dilemma standing in his way. Her husband. Talk about inconvenient. Good thing Travis was tenacious. Even if he has to travel half a continent, and brave some hot sands, subsist on crappy food and survive attempts on his life he won’t give up until he wins her heart. Or dies trying. Jess made a mistake. She married too young, to the wrong man. Problem is, hawks mate for life, and murder is against the law. To add more insult to the situation, her mate won’t even attempt to be a husband. It seems he isn’t interested in keeping his vows, nor is he coming home anytime soon, so when the chance arises to confront him, she takes it. However facing him changes nothing. Freddie doesn’t want her…but Travis does. And oh how she wants him too. Wants and yet can’t have him. However, her marital problems aren’t the only issue. Their pursuit of the nefarious being behind the attacks on their town is being sabotaged by treachery. When Jess and Travis barely survive an ambush, she can no longer deny her love for the rascally bear. But will they survive enough to see if it’s possible for her to rectify a wrong and take him as her mate?

Review:

I bought this book without even reading the plot synopsis, that’s how much I like this series. When I realized that it was about a married woman mated with another man I was immediately wary. There is pretty much only one scenario that I would find this mostly acceptable. Thankfully that’s the scenario I got.

I’m glad that Travis found someone, I’ve really enjoyed him throughout the other books. Unlike everyone else he has a sense of humor and isn’t nearly as damaged as the rest. I liked his attitude and the fact that he hid how smart he was, he wasn’t a genius or anything, but his sole interest wasn’t guns and killing people.

I admired Jess, she resisted Travis for years. Up until the moment she confronted her husband and realized he wasn’t the man she’d married anymore. He’d left her for way too long and even after that she didn’t cheat. She waited to speak to him. She did everything that I would find acceptable to do in the situation.

Having a cheating spouse is a hard story to pull off. If things aren’t done exactly right you’re going to piss people off and it won’t be the happily ever after that we all know and love. Langalis pulled it off with this book and it was a great end to the series. Though I wouldn’t be opposed to more 🙂

5/5

The Matrix: Reloaded (2003)

Matrix Reloaded

The Matrix: Reloaded (2003)

Director:

Andy Wachowski & Lana Wachowski

Starring:

Keanu Reeves

Laurence Fishburne

Carrie-Anne Moss

Plot:

Neo and the rebel leaders estimate that they have 72 hours until 250,000 probes discover Zion and destroy it and its inhabitants. During this, Neo must decide how he can save Trinity from a dark fate in his dreams.

Review:

I love this movie. It’s in my top ten favorites. I’m pretty sure I like it more than the first Matrix movie. The last forty-five minutes are jam packed with some amazing action scenes. My favorite is the scene where Neo fights all the bad asses in the palace on the mountain. Some great shots and great action. The highway scene is just as good with the ghost twins providing new enemy abilities.

The CG is dated and occasionally looks pretty bad, but they don’t focus on it for long periods and the way its shot helps mask the shortcomings.

I remember getting out of school and rushing to the theater to see this. I had been blown away by the first and I devoured anything I could find about the sequels before they came out. I was not disappointed by this film and it hurts my heart that people actively hate this movie.

Oh well. I enjoyed watching it again and plan on re-watching Revolutions soon.

5/5

Wolf’s Capture (Kodiak Point #4) By: Eve Langalis

Wolfs Capture

Wolf’s Capture (Kodiak Point #4) By: Eve Langalis

Plot:

She might think she’s captured the wolf, but in the end, he’ll take her heart.

Brody is a soldier who misses the excitement of the military and its missions. He retired to work as clan beta in Kodiak Point. Talk about boring, until he’s captured by a foreign enemy.

Him, a prisoner?

Not for long. This wolf will do anything in order to get away–even if it involves seduction.

First step in plotting his escape: pretend interest in a woman. But Layla isn’t just any woman. She’s special.

Not human. Not shifter. He doesn’t know what this exotic lady is other than his.

A prisoner for years, Layla isn’t sure what to make of the enemy who shares a cell with her. He promises her hope, but that would involve trust. Despite her doubts, she can’t help but be drawn to him. Unacceptable which means she does her best to drive him nuts.

Working together, can they escape the clutches of the enemy?

And do they dare fall in love?

Welcome to Kodiak Point, where the wildlife might wear clothes, but animal instinct rules the heart.

Review:

I liked Layla, after all she’d been through she still had hope, and a smart mouth. I wish we actually found out more about her. Her background, who her mother was, how she had the abilities that she did.

Brody was a good alpha male, full of himself but not to the point where he made mistakes. Maybe a little bland, but he got the job done.

I liked that we got to see all the other shifters, though not their mates, just the dudes. I’d like to know how their lives are going and I like it when authors bring previous characters back into play.

Only one more book left in the series and I’m excited to find out who the Master is, I have a pretty good guess, but I’m looking forward to seeing him get defeated.

4.5/5