I started this blog with one daughter, kept it up with the other, to spend time together doing something we enjoyed.
However, things change and people evolve. My daughters are older, busier, and not as interested in writing.
From now on this blog will be mostly mom with occasional contributions from my daughters and maybe even my husband.
Nothing else will change. We'll still focus on sharing fun places to go, fun things to do, and more, and we would  still love to hear your views too

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Tip for Tuesday - Books: Summers at the Saint & The Return of Ellie Black, Movie: The Legend of Lake Hollow; & Music: Gutenberg the Musical Original Broadway Cast Recording

We may have been given complimentary copies and/or access for review purposes to any books, products, and/or any other visual or audio media mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Books: Summer at the Saint & The Return of Ellie Black


Today we are recommending Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews. Growing up poor Traci Eddings couldn't afford to stay at the prestigious St. Cecilia Hotel, but she did work there one eventful summer and ended up married to the owner's son. Now, that she has inherited the hotel from her late husband, she would like to return it to its former glory but her brother-in-law is scheming against her and may not be the only one trying to undermine her. Plus someone's started looking into a past tragedy at the hotel.

This book is full of compelling characters including the central heroine who is strong-minded and quite determined but also extremely kind and caring toward her employees. The intriguing plot has not one but two compelling mysteries at its center. The story is full of great friendship but the romance is not as well developed. It is kind of rushed. and you never really get to know that much about the love interest. He isn't even called by his first name but rather by his last throughout much of the story. Plus, it feels like you get to know more about his relatives than you do about him. Nevertheless, this is still a fun summer read unless you're in it strictly for the romance.


Today  I am recommending The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean.  Missing girl, Ellie Black suddenly returns after two years but seems strangely reluctant to talk about what happened to her even when it becomes clear that her case may relate to the disappearance of other girls. Detective Chelsea Calhoun, whose own sister disappeared when she was a teenager, is determined to find out what happened and catch the perpetrator.

This is quite a captivating mystery that will keep you wanting to turn pages. It is full of exciting twists and turns until the very shocking end. 

Movie: The Legend of Lake Hallow


Today we are talking about The Legend of Lake Hollow. When a group of friends visits a remote lake cabin to relax and unwind, they find themselves battling sinister forces instead.  Although this is not an especially gory film. it is still not for the faint of heart. It refreshingly avoids certain horror movie cliches and puts a new spin on others while remaining shockingly dark throughout.

The Legend of Lake Hollow is available digitally for purchase or rental as well as on DVD.

Music: Gutenberg the Musical Original Broadway Cast Recording


Today we are recommending Gutenberg the Musical Original Broadway Cast Recording.  This recording of the recent Broadway show features reunited original Book of Mormon stars, Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad at their extremely dramatic over-the-top best. It is fun to listen to the pair take on different characters with different voices throughout the recording. The songs themselves are not especially memorable, however. The recording contains most, if not all of the dialogue from the musical as well as the songs. 

The album is available digitally now and will be available physically on May 17.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.

Book images used in this post are our own.  Film images have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used by permission. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us hereand we will look into the matter

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