Book Review Studio Kill

The Studio Kill by Charles Fleming
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest opinion.

My first thought was I love this book, I love the era and everything about it. I loved the mystery and the romance, this book was awesome, I read this book really fast compared to others. Very easy to read and understand.

Here is what is says about it on Amazon:
Book Description
Publication Date: May 4, 2014
Want to take a trip back to the 1940s, when Tinseltown was glamorous, decadent, sexy, and violent? Then don't miss THE STUDIO KILL, Charles Fleming's great new noir novel about John McClellan, head of security for Continental Pictures. An ex-cop for the LAPD, he spends his days and nights hushing up the sexual peccadilloes of actors and studio honchos, not to mention their rampant use of drugs and booze. Now our hero has his hands full with a Red-baiting Congressman who want to bring the studio down, the murder of a famous director's wife, a columnist who will do anything for his next big story, and a sexy girl screenwriter who might be the love of his life—or the death of him. THE STUDIO KILL is beautifully written, with all the period details dead-on, dialogue so breezy it'll make your hair stand on end, and a twisty, dangerous plot that will keep you guessing, Nobody does Hollywood hardboiled like Charles Fleming.


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To Purchase on Amazon click the link:
The Studio Kill

Number sign, Pound sign, Hashtag

 

Ok so it seems there is this thing called #hashtags. I didn't know what this was at first, I mean as far as I knew this little sign # meant numbers or pound on the telephone key pad, how did it turn into a hashtag?

A hashtag is a word or an unspaced phrase prefixed with the number sign ("#"). It is a form of metadata tag. Beginning July 2, 2009, Twitter began to hyperlink all hashtags in tweets to Twitter search results for the hashtagged word (and for the standard spelling of commonly misspelled words). In 2010, Twitter introduced "Trending Topics" on the Twitter front page, displaying hashtags that are rapidly becoming popular. Source Wikipedia.

 

This is from the Urban Dictionary:

Hashtag

If you have been on Twitter, you may have seen a "hashtag." To put it simply, a hash tag is simply a way for people to search for tweets that have a common topic and to begin a conversation. For example, if you search on #LOST (or #Lost or #lost, because it's not case-sensitive), you'll get a list of tweets related to the TV show. What you won't get are tweets that say "I lost my wallet yesterday" because "lost" isn't preceded by the hash tag.

Hashtags believed to have originated on Twitter but, interestingly enough, it is not a Twitter function. Some believe it began when the broken plane luckily landed in the Hudson River in early 2009, some Twitter user wrote a post and added #flight1549 to it. I have no idea who this person was, but somebody else would have read it and when he posted something about the incident, added #flight1549 to HIS tweet. For something like this, where tweets would have been flying fast and furiously, it wouldn't have taken long for this hash tag to go viral and suddenly thousands of people posting about it would have added it to their tweets as well. Then, if you wanted info on the situation, you could do a search on "#flight1549" and see everything that people had written about it.

Take this hashtag for example: #worstjobeverhad. This Hash tag would compel many others to share the worst jobs they've ever had, thus contributing to a fun conversation. It can be used for specific searches or individual twitters that begin them for their followers.

 

 

Well I started using #hashtags a few months ago, because I love social media and love learning new things. I also use these #hashtags for TV shows I like, I notice most of the TV shows I watch have #hashtags on the program so that we can Tweet about it.

 

From Wikipedia:

The first official integration between Twitter hashtags and television programs was during Comedy Central's March 15, 2011 roast of Donald Trump. Using the hashtag #TrumpRoast at the bottom of the screen, Twitter called it "the single deepest integration of a Twitter hashtag on air-ever." The promotion worked, as it generated the channel's most-watched Tuesday in history; the hashtag #trumproast was used over 27,000 times on Twitter during the show's initial broadcast.^[2]

 

There is of course a lot more info on the web about #hashtags, but I just was kind of interested in reading how it came about. So I am sure I will be learning more about using #hashtags and I use them more often.

Thanks for reading,

Diana

Book Review: Tim Conway, What's so funny? My Hilarious Life

What's So Funny?: My Hilarious Life by Tim Conway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I received this book from Net Galley for my an honest review.

I have to say that I loved the Carol Burnett show. I loved all the characters on this show. When I saw that this book was going to be
published I knew I had to read it.
I thought this book was awesome, When Tim talked about when he was growing up, I could feel that my Grandparents were just like his parents and the fun things he did when he was younger I could picture my own Father doing them as well. I really loved the way he wrote this book, just felt right there through the whole thing.
I could just keep on reading this book, loved the stories and such a positive person he was.
This is defiantly a worthwhile book to read. If there is a second book I will read it as well.


View all my reviews

You can purchase this book on Amazon.com

What's So Funny?: My Hilarious Life

Book Review: Illegal:Reflections of an Undocumented Immigrant

Illegal: Reflections of an Undocumented Immigrant by José Ángel N.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


 Well this book was very interesting, it is about an illegal immigrant who came into this country and his struggles to want to be here. I really liked reading his side of it and how he struggled with wanting to fit in more then the others who came here illegally.
I am impressed by how much he wanted to learn in his new country, something I do see a lot of where I live.
I think the book is worth reading, it is interesting to see it from his eyes. I guess if you want something bad enough you would do just about anything. I hope this book helps others like him to become who they need to be.

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
To Purchase this book visit Amazon.com
Illegal: Reflections of an Undocumented Immigrant (Latinos in Chicago and Midwest)

View all my reviews

Awesome Cook book-Not Just Tacos.

Not Just Tacos - A Journey Into the World of Authentic Latin American Cuisine by Shirley Solis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book, I don't cook a lot but I found some awesome recipes in this book that I am going to try. I also loved the info she gave about different countries and their foods. I cant wait to try some of the recipes in this book, they are very clearly written and seem easy enough for me.


View all my reviews

I do recommend this book if you are interested in cooking Latin style Cuisine, this book also comes with some interesting facts about the countries of the food for the recipes.

Click below to order from Amazon: Not Just Tacos - A Journey Into the World of Authentic Latin American Cuisine

New Book Review: Fifty Years in Polygamy: Big Secrets and Little White Lies

Well I received this book from NetGalley for a honest review. 

Well all I can say is that this book is an eye opener. I am not surprised that this sort of stuff happens as my Mom had once told me about it, very vaguely though, I think from coming home driving through Colorado city. I feel Kristyn did a great job on writing a story about her life, in her opinion, it is her story, and it is very interesting how she over came all the obstacles that she had to endure during her first 50 years.  I love reading books about peoples lives, it is always very interesting to me. I feel bad for the wives who had to struggle like single parents to raise their families while there "husbands" were off trying to another wife or working to support their family. and for their children, so many children and so much abusive. Not everyone lives like the Sister Wives do or the My Five Wives shows., of course we don't really know how they feel emotional about their situation, it is all they know. 
If you at all interested in reading how this sheltered lifestyle can be detrimental to women and to men as well, this book is really good to read. 

Here is what is says on GoodReads about this book:
There is much ado about polygamy these days. Media coverage, HBO's Big Love, TLC's Sister Wives, the acts committed by cult leader Warren Jeffs and his followers--all of these keep a slew of polygamy-related issues at the forefront of society. But none can depict the ongoing, daily atrocities and heartaches that are hidden behind the scenes, behind closed doors, within the hearts and souls of thousands of smiling faces.

Kristyn Decker's memoir recounts the harsh realities of being born and raised in the second largest polygamist sect in America--the Apostolic United Brethren, or the AUB (Allred Group). For five decades, Kristyn, then Sophie, was caught up in a cult of plural marriage ... and lived it until she thought it would kill her. When she finally had the courage to leave, she knew she had to share her story.

Fifty Years in Polygamy: Big Secrets and Little White Lies describes a life of religious submission, lies, secrets, poverty, abuse, jealousy, depression, and loneliness. The gripping, detailed events in this book will shock you but will also inspire compassion, understanding, and perhaps even the courage to change your own life.



"Fifty Years in Polygamy is a compelling read, full of raw emotion that reveals the abuses hidden under the cloak of religion. Kristyn Decker's book depicts the cries of thousands of women across the world--another voice who through fear remained silent for too many years."

--Irene Spencer, author of New York Times bestseller

Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamous Wife(less)

My Monthly Newsletter

MAY 2014A NEWSLETTER FROM DIANA Diana Mathieson Close To My Heart Independent Consultant Consultant (623) 330-6619         National Scrapbooking Month: Free to Be MePaper Collection Express yourself with a spirited new B&T Duos™ paper collection! May is National Scrapbooking Month, and to celebrate we are unleashing theFree to Be Me paper collection at a great deal: get it for $5 when you place a qualifying order of $50*. That’s $6.95 in savings from its retail value of $11.95. The crafter and the saver in you are free to get ecstatic over this deal! Get the kit for yourself and unleash your unique ideas through this collection that celebrates your inner free spirit. The collection includes 6 B&T Duos™ papers designed exclusively for this promotion, 6 UV-coated, designed cardstock sheets, and 2 sheets of complementary printed vellum. These vellum designs, in polka-dot and feather patterns, are a truly unique touch and will add pizzazz to the already spunky papers. Take advantage of this one-month-only offer right away and make your projects beam with personality—because you’re free to be you! *Offer valid May 1–31, 2014. Shipping/handling is calculated based on the full retail price of the discounted paper collection ($11.95). Contact me for more details about the Free to Be Me paper collection » May Stamp of the Month: You’ve Got a Friend Here’s a friendly reminder to get your May Stamp of the Month set for just $5! Friends don’t let friends miss out on stunning deals, and this May’s Stamp of the Month offer is most definitely one of those deals! During this month only, you can get the chummy You’ve Got a Friend stamp set for just $5 when you place a qualifying order of $50. Use it to make your appreciation and adoration known to the generous friends and family members who have made your life wonderful. Whether a “thank you” or a “thinking of you” is needed, this set has just the right words—in the good company of cheerful designs—and you’ll love sharing them through your artwork. Be a friend to yourself by getting it before the offer expires! See the May Stamp of the Month » Base & Bling Style Sheets Make a statement in style. Personalize your wearable crafts even further with the help of Base & Bling style sheets! With 4 collections of statement stickers that range from sassy to classy, the hardest part of your projects will be deciding which ones to use. The 4 collections—Storyteller, Free Thinker, Craft Queen, and Dreamer—include a little something for anyone’s taste, and giving your accessories some unique personality is exactly what they can do for you. Square is the new cool here, because each 1" × 1" piece fits perfectly with the Base & Bling square pendant, making assembly a cinch. Or, if you prefer a round pendant, trimming each sticker is more than simple with a circle punch or your micro-tip scissors. Adding some wow to your wardrobe is no work at all with these cute supplies. Craft a little individual shine to fit your own tastes with some imagination and the Base & Bling style sheets today! See the Base & Bling style sheets »

Its 4am and I cant sleep!!! #cantsleep #insomnia

So it is 4am, and I cant sleep, I have read some of the book I am reading, and I am tired, just cant sleep. So I found this 50 questions about me to answer and thought I would try it.

50 Questions Tag! Here are the questions and my answers: 

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? 
Not that I am aware of.


2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? 
Probably last night, I always get sad when thinking of my son Justin.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? 
No,hate it

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? 
Ham
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 
Yes four boys

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? 
Yes of course.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? 
Never lol

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? 
no

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? 
Probably not.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? 
Lucky Charms

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? 
Nope don't untie them.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? 
I have to be strong, cant be weak with what I have been given

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? 
Chocolate Mint

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? 
I notice their body language first, then their face, smile,eyes and pretty much the body language.

15. RED OR PINK? 
PINK ALWAYS! 

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? 
My Weight 

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? 
Justin of course


19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? 
None, but my crocs are tan

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? 
toast

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? 
Just the peace and quiet, but little sounds coming from my Chihuahua 

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? 
Pink, I love pink, but also love blue and green and well I love a variety of colors

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? 
Vanilla, salty caramel, bread baking. 

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? 
My Son Derrick.

25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE? 
The beach is the place for me 

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? 
I am not a big sports person, but I like to watch Hockey or baseball .

27. HAIR COLOR? 
blonde, now grey 

28. EYE COLOR? 
blue

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? 
No

30. FAVORITE FOOD? 
Biscuits and Gravy

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? 
I love happy endings

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? 
Frozen

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? 
Yellow

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? 
Winter in Az is so much better than the summer.

35. HUGS OR KISSES? 
Love them both

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? 
I love chocolate or vanilla cakes 

37. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO? 
probably need both

38. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION? 
I love both, love to be on the computer and watch tv at the same time. 

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? 
Web Of Fate

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? 
Just a grey mouse pad

41. ANY TATTOOS? 
no

42. FAVORITE SOUND? 
a baby laughing and the ocean

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? 
wow I love them both, 

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME IN 2013? 
Orlando, Florida 

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? 
no not really

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? 
Phoenix, AZ

47. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW? 
Glendale, Az

48. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE? 
not sure looks kind of salmon 

49. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR? 
white

50. ANY PETS? 
2 dogs, Skipper and Chloe, 6 cats

Book Review: Mickey Outside

Well this book is listed as a White Color Crime Thriller, I don't think it is as much as a Thriller but it is a White Color Crime story, I really liked the story, It was interesting and I did read it pretty fast. I thought it was intriguing and kept my interest up. Yes there was some thriller part to it, but it was kind of tamed, but it was enough for me, I did give it 5 stars because I thought it was a great book and worth reading. The book was a clean book, which I liked about.I plan on reading more by this author as well since I like his style of writing.

 The info below is what the story is about and I got that from Goodreads. 
 I also received this book from Amazon Prime and was able to read it before it was released. 

  Former Wall Street whiz and current convict Mickey Steinberg is nearing the end of his three-year sentence at Yankton—the cushy country club prison where he’s enjoyed celebrity status—and he’s ready to get out and get back on top. He doesn’t have the resources he once did, but he’s already hatched a new plan to sell a forgery of a stolen Van Gogh painting through the shady underground art market. He and his new partner, the smooth-talking Paul Reece, have a mark in mind: the sleazy con-man art dealer who swooped in on Mickey’s beloved ex-wife after he was locked up. But with his old partner, Jack Grass, hell-bent on revenge and his pre-prison life closed to him, it won’t be easy. As their plan becomes ever more complex, Mickey realizes he just wants to make good and make it out alive. A madcap heist with a shrewd insider’s eye on the high-rollers and lowlifes that run New York City—a place where no man is too big to fail.

Book Review: Pigments Of My Imagination

This is the Review on Amazon:

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

If you haven't read Pigments of My Imagination--go into it like you're reading a thriller but looking for romance--like you are trying to unravel some great mystery and you might have missed half the clues. I swear to you they are all there, but I didn't leave you a trail of bread crumbs. You might not realize some things are important, you might have to look off the path. I think it would be best if you went into it, pretending you are reading a book--in paintings.

Forget you have read any other books, ever. Forget you know how stories should go. If you are putting together a puzzle, stop looking for corner pieces; they are inconsequential and shaped like bleeding hearts.

From the Back Cover

From the moment Lucia steps into Bayside Art Academy, she is fed a steady stream of lies, but it's not until she meets William that she begins to question the people she trusts. Unraveling fact from fabrication seems impossible until Lucia finds her first painting, and discovers the dead do not lie--at least not to her.

 A dozen lifetimes ago, Lucia started a war. Not a war with armies or guns, but a bloody war nonetheless. The path leading Lucia to the truth is hidden within lovely art that spans the ages. In this life, however, Lucia doesn't know where to look. Lost, she turns to the one thing she knows with certainty--she is in love with Leo, and has been before.

So I am not going to tell you want the book is about, you can read that info from above, what I am going to tell you is this is a really awesome YA book. It is very interesting, the Author does a great job of keeping me engrossed in the book all the way through. I didn't want to put this book down. Very well written and so worth the read. It is a clean book, wonderful love story, with a mystery.
I think this book is interesting because it is kind of different, but still very good. I am giving it 5 stars.

I was given this book by the Author for a honest review. I felt this book is worth reading.

Here is a link to purchase this book on Amazon- Pigments of my Imagination
Right now the book is .99 on Amazon Kindle

My April's Newsletter For CTMH

APRIL 2014A NEWSLETTER FROM DIANA Diana Mathieson Close To My Heart Independent Consultant Consultant (623) 330-6619

Great Special to join my Team:

Discover the art of business during April Dive into an incredible business opportunity and reap artistic rewards Close Read Use your artistic and business abilities in the greatest business venture of your life by joining Close To My Heart! When you sign up as an Independent Consultant during the month of April, you’ll not only start out on your artistic journey, but you’ll also be given the right artistic tools to help you on your way: you’ll receive a FREE Close To My Heart Cricut® collection* with your New Consultant Kit! Each collection is extremely “art-full” and makes for hours of artistic scrapbooking. Join Close To My Heart and start your journey today! *New Consultants will have their choice of Close To My Heart Cricut® collections currently in stock. There is no guarantee that any certain collection will be available, and new Consultants may choose only from what is available. Check out the Discover the Art of Business campaign »

April Stamp of the Month: Balloon Talk

A stamp set worth a thousand words!

Close Read

Looking for the right thing to say? Catch a balloon from the April Stamp of the Month and set your message afloat! During April only, you can purchase a bubbly assortment of sentiments in the Balloon Talk stamp set for just $5 when you place a qualifying order of $50. Whether you want to send a thank you, a compliment, or a simple hello, this set of 24 will help you find just the right words. It’s a deal that will leave you speechless!

See the April Stamp of the Month »

My Creations™ Journaling Cards Box

Keep your cards all in one (very adorable) place.

Close Read

With so many scrapbooking elements at your fingertips, it’s important to have a good way to keep them organized! Items from our My Creations™ line can be just the ticket, and the new journaling cards box is no exception. This 4½" × 6¼" × 1⅜" box with magnetic closure and a tiered bottom is the ideal place to store your Picture My Life™ cards, and also makes a perfect gift for cards and notes. The white chipboard surface leaves plenty of room for you to add your own creative touch, making it both extremely handy and extremely cute!

Get your own Journaling Cards Box »

Thanks for looking :)

Diana