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That’s the trick of growing up. Nothing stays the same"
Austin Chant -
MOVIE FEATURE: Being 17
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Yuujin ga Yuusha – Chocodoughnuts
The setting is back in the Dark Ages when the world lived in fear of the Demon King. That is until a Hero appeared who could save the world and its helpless people. The Hero gathered a party and seeks to bring love and justice to the troubled land. But the world?s a dangerous place?there?s all sorts of monsters, traps, poisonous mushrooms? when the Hero falls to these dangers, he goes to heaven and meets with a friendly NPC shepard.
That someday you wished for, let it come soon!
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The Art of Murder: The Monet Murders by Josh Lanyon
All those late night conversations when Sam had maybe a drink too many or Jason was half falling asleep. All those playful, provocative comments about what they’d do when they finally met up again.
Well, here they were.
The last thing Jason West, an ambitious young FBI Special Agent with the Art Crimes Team, wants–or needs–is his uncertain and unacknowledged romantic relationship with irascible legendary Behavioral Analysis Unit Chief Sam Kennedy.
And it’s starting to feel like Sam is not thrilled with the idea either.
But personal feelings must be put aside when Sam requests Jason’s help to catch a deranged killer targeting wealthy, upscale art collectors. A killer whose calling card is a series of grotesque paintings depicting the murders.
Wow, this… is complicated…
How awkward and cringe-worthy would it be to see your friend slash almost boyfriend after eight months of flirty, confessional phone calls only to pretend like there’s nothing going on between you? But while I am very tempted to smack stupid Kennedy on the head, I very much approve of their professionalism and competence on the job in spite of so many personal things left unsaid. Despite working together, West and Kennedy might have been oceans apart. I would have happily sailed along with the West + Shipka ship had Shipka not had too many death flags all over him to be a viable love interest for our main guy. I felt sorry for West pining for Kennedy, although at some points it got rather tiresome. It was satisfying to see lone wolf Kennedy struggle to let West into his life, satisfying because he could be cold, aloof and off putting majority of the time. I think Kennedy is an acquired taste, something that I am still trying to get used to.
This time around, West and Kennedy are working on separate cases. West was investigating a high and mighty art dealer allegedly involved in forgery and larceny while Kennedy was investigating murders where the killer is leaving bad imitation Monet paintings on the crime scene. They found that these two cases might be related so their paths crossed again. As with the first book, The Mermaid Murders, the mystery here was well-written but the suspense was not as tight as that of the first book. As I have the audiobook, I enjoyed listening to West going about his investigation and I felt like I was there, tagging along with him, looking over his shoulder as he conducts his daily business. I like the sense of realism, like the parts where Jason occasionally compares Hollywood FBI to ‘real-life’ FBI, or where cases don’t get wrapped up neatly and loose ends are sometimes left hanging. And from what I have read of Lanyon so far, the author likes to leave some things hanging. Also something that takes getting used to.
I’m bumping this series up from 3.5 stars to 4 stars. It is an achievement to keep the reader riveted to the story despite this not having the requisite lovey-dovey romance typical of MM. As I mentioned in my review of the first book, the romance might even be superfluous as the mystery is well-developed and well-executed enough to carry the story on its own. Although, I must admit, that ending was pretty sweet! Happy Birthday indeed!
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: What the Water Gave Me
Artist: Florence + the Machine
Album: Ceremonials(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30245414-the-monet-murders)
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[spotify id=”spotify%3Atrack%3A4XeNSsyUnBYJKSNa254nBA&view=coverart” width=”540″ height=”620″ /]Soundtrack to The Art of Murder: The Monet Murders by Josh Lanyon
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I get madder and madder on giving back what I feel.
Claude Monet -
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU0qmw2Ct0o?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=http://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque&w=500&h=281]
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Toubou Kinshi! – Sakurai Ryou
Tannai who works in the PR Department at a soft drink company met Okano, a co-worker, at a product promotion event and they quickly grew close. While his heart is fluttered by Okano’s scent and body, he spend his days avoid thinking deeply about it as if he’s running away from something. Until one day, led by alcohol, he finally laid a hand on Okano…?!
Toubou Kinshi: hmm…i’m not convinced…
Ayakashi Yome Nikki: smutty nonsense
Okyaku-sama wa Gokigen Naname: slightly better than the rest
Blood Heat: vampire nonsense
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Rainbow Sprinkes – Anna Martin
Cooper Reed has a fairly relaxed life for someone who lives in LA. He’s no celebrity—just the guy who makes sundaes at the Dreamy Creamery, and that’s the way he likes it. The highlight of every week is the beautiful guy who turns up and orders a sundae with rainbow sprinkles. Cooper still isn’t sure if that’s a code, because he has a huge crush and the hot guy is terrible at flirting.
Drew Tanner, it turns out, is an original California dreamer. He’s as wholesome as apple pie and twice as sweet, a real-life Disney Prince at Disneyland. But while Drew’s head is in the clouds, Cooper’s feet are firmly on the ground, and their different outlooks might be more than their new relationship can take.
If stories have flavors, I would say this is really just vanilla with extra spoonfuls of, well… rainbow sprinkles.
Rainbow Sprinkles is a feel-good, toothache-inducing novellete that’s high on fluff and low on angst. The conflict was a came-out-of-nowhere, blown-out-of-proportions variety thrown in just so there would be conflict. Still, Cooper and Drew is a super cute couple and their story delivered the recommended daily dose of sugar. It could use a little more oomph but this is something you might want to nibble on if you’re craving for something sweet and lactose-free.
P.S.
Although the deadly rides of Tokyo’s Fuji-Q is more my speed, this story made me want to go to Disneyland. But sad life as it is for a roller coaster junkie, there are no theme parks around here. Boo hoo…
Rating
3.5 Stars – that place between like and love
Soundtrack: Ice Cream Man
Artist: Tom Waits
Album: Closing Time(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34431416-rainbow-sprinkles)
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[spotify id=”spotify%3Atrack%3A5mCkgtwXW7oJrp8hAgwuMh&view=coverart” width=”540″ height=”620″ /]Soundtrack to Rainbow Sprinkles by Anna Martin
