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Posts from the ‘#review’ Category

Mar 4

FWIW: Fifty Shades Freed

DSC05292I’m assuming you already know the story but here there are spoilers specific to the movie. So, if you’ve not seen it yet, and don’t want to be spoiled about the bells and whistles, bookmark this page and come back to squee with me when you’ve seen it.

I may have seen this movie a few times now. And, for what it’s worth, I have a few favourite things about it that I wanted to share with you. So, of course, I decided to blog about it.

Ana owning her power

This whole series is (at least, for me) about Ana coming into her own. The series has always been driving towards that and – while we see Ana swanning around the office a lot, and not actually doing that much work – there is a definite power shift in her character in this movie both personally and professionally (externally evidenced by some great clothes. I love the blue dress – if only I was much thinner – but, I digress!).

For me, the real indication of this power, and Ana’s awareness of it, is the last scene. The turn of her head and that little smile, while she’s on her knees, just before the door shuts. Sure, she was topping from the bottom, but there she is. Anastasia Grey.

There are also other scenes. The scene when Ana’s dressing, and tearing shreds of Christian the same time for having his priorities all screwed up (as an aside, that is a pretty cool piece of acting Ms Johnson). The scene where she uses her safeword in the Red Room (#adulting, both of them). The scene with the Ben & Jerry’s in Aspen. There’s also the ‘you may call me Mrs Grey’ moment and the ‘if you can handle her, you can handle this’ moment when Christian tosses her the keys to the R8 which, IMHO, has to be the sexiest car in the world and brings me to—

The car chase

Hot. Hot. Hot. A chick more than competently driving a car (yes, I know it would have been a stunt driver and no one could drive that well that fast first time out but please leave my fantasy alone).

And car sex, so much yes please.

I came home and Googled the Audi R8 and, just so you know, I can’t afford one. Neither can I afford the $300 vibrator that Christian uses in the Red Room ($300!). But I could afford and have already bought—

The Soundtrack

I’ve loved all three of the movie soundtracks but I think, just on sheer number of songs I love, this one comes out on top. Capital Letters. Big Spender. The Wolf. High. Never Tear Us Apart. For You. Heaven. I Got You. And Love Me Like You Do (Squee. Love Me Like You Do and the original helicopter sequence. Yes please, take me to your helicopter, fly me to Seattle and … well, you get the picture!)

Max Martini.

So, first a disclaimer. My name is Kristine and I’m a Dornan-a-holic. I have a serious thing for Jamie Dornan (and his back), funny little walk and all. I even loved him in The Fall when he was channelling a sociopath. Brant Daugherty* is also smokin’ (and OMG, how good is the Hannah line— ‘I might have an opening.’ I’ll just bet you do!) but—

If Max Martini wanted to read me the phonebook while stroking me with a peacock feather, I would NOT say no. Holy shit. That man’s voice. And he can absolutely wear a suit. And…

Crap. Google tells me he too is married. Back to the drawing board. Sigh.

Overall

So, #FWIW, I loved it. I went in there wanting to love it and, I confess, it would have had to be really bad for me to have not loved it. But I think it was a fitting end to a pretty good series.

What would I have liked to see more of? The whole thing. Even though it was about the same length as Darker, this movie felt short. I’d have liked more of the honeymoon. More of the conversation between Christian and Mrs Robinson (because who doesn’t want more Kim Basinger, even when she’s a villain!). More of the fight at the night club in Aspen. More sex (always… yes, I admit I’m a perve #makelovenotwar).

#dreamsforthedvd #directorscut

DSC05420Now, all we have to wait for is Freed (i.e. the story from Christian’s point of view) which I expect will be out later this year (although I have no insider knowledge or actual facts). And whatever else E. L. James turns her hand to next. Apparently, she is working on another contemporary ‘provocative romance’ so, fingers crossed we don’t have to wait too long. I mean, it’s not like my TBR pile is shrinking but… #youcanneverhavetoomanybooks

 

Photos are the author’s

 

Sep 10

#RWAus17 #LoveGoneWild

It’s been almost A MONTH since #LoveGoneWild wrapped up and, thanks to a little family stuff and a little work stuff that all hit the fan when I arrived home, it’s taken me that long to wrap my head around the whirlwind! But never fear, I’m now here, with a delayed recap of a few shining moments from #RWAus17 #LoveGoneWild.

#1 Marion Lennox and Kate Forsyth are wonderful

Marion Lennox kicked off proceedings with a keynote speech Saturday morning. My two biggest take-aways from her speech were:IMG_2105

  • Treasure your magic (even if it’s dragon themed, Bible-belted erotica).
  • Feel your gumnut (see photo), and let it remind you of all the things you love about writing.

Kate Forsyth brought up the rear (so to speak…) giving the closing keynote. It’s a tough gig – everyone is exhausted (and a little hung over) by this point – but, as you would expect from Kate, she was magical (and I was too mesmerised to tweet!). What did stick with me from Kate’s story was… keep on writing!

#2 Tattoo has hit the street

Tattoo, the 2017 RWA Spicy Bites anthology was launched Saturday morning, and awards were presented Saturday night. My writing besties (the Love Sabrists) had a lot to celebrate… Nardia also has a story in the Spicy Bites anthology while Tanya took out both first and second place in the Selling Synopsis competition this year (too clever!)

 

#3 Learning lots of stuff

The conference proper really kicks off on Saturday with 400-something writers going every which way. It’s frenetic. And amazing. And just a little bit scary.

Ally Blake’s session on The Organised Writer was fantastic. I took a lot of notes in this session but some of the simplest – and likely most useful – tips included:

  • Don’t be busy. Just be productive.
  • Words fly when you’re having fun.
  • Finish the damn book.
  • Be prepared to work.
  • Plant your backside in the chair.

I was also completely overwhelmed (in a good way) by Liz Pelletier’s session on growth hacking. We needed a full day to really do justice to her knowledge and general awesomeness, but her application of business and marketing principles to writing made a lot of sense to me. And I now have ‘ALL THE FEELS’ post-it-noted on my computer…

Then there was Amy Andrews. I love hearing the stories of other authors and I opted for Amy’s roundtable because I LOVE her Sydney Smoke rugby series (so HOT! If you’ve not already started it, do yourself a favour and get them now! #4 Playing with Forever is coming soon). Amy was completely generous with her time and her stories and, I appreciated the fact that she gave really honest answers to our questions including letting us know what has worked, and hasn’t worked, for her. I walked away from that session completely inspired and ready to work on my manuscript (see #4 Pitch Perfect below!)

#4 Pitch Perfect

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I was scheduled for a pitch at 9.10 am Sunday morning.

9.10 am.

Sunday. Morning.

Which is, really, the ass-crack of dawn after two nights of partying with a bunch of introverts.

But, I got up and, after copious amounts of coffee and a doughnut or two (#breakfastofchampions), dressed up and showed up and scored a request for the manuscript for my trouble! In fact, I pitched twice – and got two requests – so now I’m polishing that manuscript to make it shine before I send it off.

 

#5 Catching up with the writing buddies

There was a lot of drinking. Caffeinated and otherwise. There was also a bit of planning, some goal setting, a lot of selfies, a little outrageous face painting and general silliness. In particular we rocked an eclectic menagerie at the ‘Bring out the animal in you’ cocktail party… with a peacock, butterfly, parrot, owl, cheetah, leopard and a deer.

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And then…

It was over and I was drinking coffee at the airport, bemoaning the fact that it was all over for another year. My coffee cup may be empty… but my writing spirit is full. See you in my hometown at #RWAus18 #Sydney #cannotwait

Dec 21

I’m still here!

Yep, I’m still around, but real life and a summer cold with related side effects (boo!) has seen me be very absent from my newly minted social media platforms for the last few weeks.

But today sees me getting back into the swing of things… and posting another snippet as a little ‘pre-Christmas’ present.

It’s yet another Sinful Sunday Flash Fiction entry (www.rebeccagraceallen.com), photo prompt below.

Don’t forget to drop me a line if you like it (@wordsbykc on Twitter or Kristine Charles on Facebook).

Sinful-Sunday-flashfiction-week-31-prompt

She loved the silky soft skin stretched tight over his hot, hard cock as he pushed into her mouth.  The veins were prominent, textured against her lips.  His pubic hair was trimmed close against his skin but it tickled her face as she swallowed him down. 

She loved the pull of his hand tangled in her hair, holding her as he rhythmically thrust in and out of her mouth, working himself deeper down her throat.  She closed her eyes and focused on breathing through her nose, working her lips and tongue against him, wanting to please him, to make him come.

She loved the rough texture of the wool of his trousers against her hands as she held his hips to steady herself, reminding her that she was completely naked and he was mostly clothed.  She listened to the jingle of his belt and the rasp of his breathing as he used her to bring himself over the edge.

She loved that moment when the cold metal of his wedding ring brushed against her skin, cupping her cheek as he slowly withdrew his softening cock.

She loved him.  And, as he lowered her to the ground, he would love her.