Review: What's Next

 

As a huge West Wing fan, I was thrilled to see this book coming out.

I love that the authors were two actors on the show.

I loved that they talked with so many of the cast and crew.

Yes, this is a long book, but it also felt like a short read.

There were some casting secrets and show secrets.

I loved how much they talked about the atmosphere of the set and why it was that way.

I love how they talked about filming and how it all worked.

I thought it was really interesting that the show was supposed to end a different way. 

I like how they talked about how everyone's involved in charity events and how they used their celebrity power for good. 

Reading this book makes me want to re-watch the entire series, even though I just did that last year.

There are so many great moments to this show, it's hard for me to pick favorites. 

I kind of wished they did a spin-off with the new President. 

Did you watch this show?

Review: Believe

I just rewatched this show and it still makes me so happy. When I saw there was a book about it, I immediately put it on hold at the library. 

There are so many fantastic moments from the show. 

Mostly, this book talks about the show in quotes from the people making the show. But it does also take an in-depth look at certain episodes. 

Things this book talked about:

 Casting stories

How the made it very similar to the Empire Strikes Back

Grey wig (I was curious about this one)

Friendship between Rebecca and Keely (Honestly, I could have read a lot more about this)

How much Jason was in every part of this 

Blueprint for the three seasons - down to the music that ended the show

Beard = soccer/football expert 

Pop Culture Moments - several I didn't get but now understand

The full circle moments

How it was shot: 

Season 1: before the pandemic. No one knew about the show. 

Season 2: during the pandemic - after the show had just won a bunch of awards. Longer episodes and two more: Christmas and Bear After Hours. 

Season 3: after the pandemic and in front of crowds - longer shoots. 

Writing still happening during the entire show, but much more during the last season, because they wanted to tie up all the stories and get it right.

How the filmed the show, especially the soccer scenes. That was very interesting to read about. And it seems like a nightmare to shoot and then edit. It makes sense why there was so much time between the seasons.

What I wish it had more of:

Trent Crimm - they didn't really mention too much about the book he was writing

Honestly, I could have read so many more pages to this book. It was really good. Highly recommended if you're a fan of Ted Lasso. 

Adult Review: Garden Intrigue

*the 8th books in Pink Carnation series*

Augustus Whittlesby has spent years as an undercover spy posing as a horrific poet. Now he must gain access to a private party thrown by Napoleon - where he's been told that there will be a test of a secret weapon.

Augustus's only way into the party is through Jane's friend Emma Morris Delagardie. She's creating a play and he's just the person to help her.

As they work on the play, he allows his mask to slip. He lets Emma see glimpses of the man instead of the poet.  He begins to see her as a woman and not a socialite.

Could this mission make him yearn for a normal life with Emma?

My Thoughts: I adore this series. I love the overlapping characters. I love the blend of the Napoleonic world with modern day England. I love the espionage world. It's simply a magical series. The Garden Intrigue shares the story of horrific poet Augustus Whittlesby - who is a nod to the Scarlet Pimpernel. I liked Augustus and his horrific poetry - but I loved seeing him through Emma's eyes as she discovers it's just a cover. I loved the walks in the garden. I enjoyed conversations about the secret weapon.  A charming, entertaining, and romantic addition to the series.


Cover Thoughts: LOVE it!


Source: TLC Book Tours


Stay Tuned: On Monday for a Guest Post by Lauren Willig as part of her blog tour.


Up Next: Check out what's next for the Pink Carnation series

Mysterious Saturday Review: Orchid Affair

Laura Grey doesn't want to be a governess anymore. She applies to the Selwick Spy School. After completing her training, she's sent to France to infiltrate the house of Andre Jaouen - as a governess.

Known as the Silver Orchid, she's to teach his two children. On her first day, she takes the children to the bookstore to select reading material for them. It's also the place where she'll receive messages from the Pink Carnation herself.

However, as soon as they return, Monsieur Jaouen forbids them to leave the house. Laura isn't sure how she'll receive her messages now, but she's determined not to let M. Jaouen intimidate her. She stands up to him as much as she possibly can without getting fired.

Gradually she begins to unravel the secrets in the house of the man second in line to Bonaparte's minister of police. As she learns more about her employer, will she find her heart changing?

My Thoughts: I love this series! It's one of my favorites. I enjoyed this new spy's tale in the heat of the French Revolution. I liked the devious plots, the false leads, and how everyone wasn't what they seemed. I liked watching the relationship between Laura and the children grow. I loved the banter between Laura and M. Jaouen. I loved the present day parallel story between Eloise and Colin. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Cover Thoughts: I love the parts of the city in the background and how it goes with the rest of the books in the series.

Source: My Library

I also met Lauren Willig last month in New Haven. She was charming and funny. Sadly I didn't take any pictures of the event. She did pass around cupcakes. I was very happy to see her. Plus YA author Jennifer Lynn Barnes was there too. It was great seeing her again.

Mysterious Saturday Review: Mischief of Mistletoe

Jane Austen's friend Arabella Dempsey's life took a turn for the worse. She's spent the last several years as a companion for her Aunt. Recently, her aunt married a man Arabella thought would ask for her hand. Now, in order to save her pride and gain some sort of freedom, she's taking a teaching position at Miss Climpson's Select Seminary for Young Ladies in Bath.

After her interview for the position, she runs into a gentleman. As she falls to the ground, his Christmas pudding falls with him. As she leans over to pick up the pudding, she notices writing disguised within the pudding.

Together Arabella and Turnip reveal the message - stating a location and meeting time at an outdoor party. They immediately suspect French spies surrounding England. Arabella agrees to accompany the blundering gentleman to sniff out the potential spy.

Will the uncover the spies and their plans or will danger find them?

My Thoughts: This book takes places after The Seduction of the Crimson Rose and before The Temptation of the Night Jasmine. I love this series for its blend of Regency Romances with spies! Plus, this edition to the series holds a favorite historical person: Jane Austen! As the adventure unfolds, the characters make way for a Yuletide house party - which the readers have witnessed from a very different perspective which I quite enjoyed. This installment of the series stayed in the Regency era and did not mention the modern day characters. Plus, Turnip's blunders, while funny, often work in his favor.

Cover Thoughts: I really like it. I love the mistletoe around the cover and the title wrapped up like a present.

Source: My Library

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