If I Run by Terri Blackstock Review

Casey knows the truth.

But it won’t set her free.

Casey Cox’s DNA is all over the crime scene. There’s no use talking to police; they have failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she’s arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn’t matter anymore.

But what is the truth? That’s the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren’t adding up. Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan’s skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn’t guilty, why did she run?

Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

http://terriblackstock.com/books/if-i-run/

http://www.tnzfiction.com/books/suspense-mystery/if-i-run/

Review

If I Run by Terri Blackstock

This book is good with the suspense and mystery. My interest didn't waver with wanting to find out what was really happening. The puzzle of Casey's past and why she is hiding unwound at an appropriate pace. Dylan's background is interesting also. I liked the two main characters (the book alternates between their two voices). Casey did seem too good to be true often. She was on the run for her life but took the time to clean a public restroom and be the bastion of morality in every situation. Also, I like Christian fiction, but I did find some of the times when witnessing or preaching was added to be odd and ill-timed. The police procedures didn't seem realistic, but, overall, the story was a good experience for me. I was interested in finding out what eventually happens, and I had planned on getting the next book until I read the author's note at the end.

***copy given in exchange for an honest review***

FGMAMTC 

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

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Fifty Shades of Grey Movie Review

1. About the Film

   
   

   When college senior Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) steps in for her sick roommate to interview prominent businessman Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) for their campus paper, little does she realize the path her life will take. Christian, as enigmatic as he is rich and powerful, finds himself strangely drawn to Ana, and she to him. Though sexually inexperienced, Ana plunges headlong into an affair -- and learns that Christian's true sexual proclivities push the boundaries of pain and pleasure.
3. Release date: February 13, 2015
4. Director: Sam Taylor-Johnson
5. Adapted from: Fifty Shades of Grey
6. Music composed by: Danny Elfman
7. Production company: Focus Features

   
   

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   Book: 

   1. Published: May 2011
   2. Author: E. L. James

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Review

I have mixed feelings about this movie.  I was not expecting to be blown away by it so it probably falls about where I thought it would.  

I had problems with the flow of the film.  I believe they tried to fit so many scenes from the book that it is too rushed.  The movie jumps from sequence to sequence.  Sometimes I could almost swear it was on fast forward even.  When José tries to kiss Ana in the book, he looks like an ass, and Christian saves the day.  In the film, it's almost like he barely gets out that he likes her before Christian is rushing to push him away and she's puking.  I felt like hurry, hurry get all the bits in.  When he's playing the piano and she comes to him in a sheet at night, it seemed like go quickly jump on his lap.  There are also other parts that have that sped-up feel.  It probably would have enormously helped the flow if they would have rewritten some it.  I know then people would have complained and hated how it was changed from the book, but in the end, it would have made for a more interesting movie.

Another major problem that I had was the sex scenes.  I have multi-level issues with them.  First, most of them really weren't 'all that' in my opinion.  I was expecting a little more something from them.  Despite the nudity and subject matter, they weren't as sexy as I thought they would be.  Second, the BDSM scenes were pretty watered down.  I wanted to see heavier striking, especially in the final scene, the one that breaks the spell for her.  I think I got a paddling worse than that for throwing food in school one time.  And finally, what is up with the nude ratio?  This film is mostly for straight women.  Ana is naked for a huge portion of the film.  I saw her boobs so much, I swear I could pick them from a line up.  Her ass is pretty present as well, and even a few times her short and curlies share some of the limelight.  What happened to Christian?  We barely get a couple of ass shots.  I really would have loved to see less of her and more of him in the buff.

I also liked a lot of things about the movie.  The music department did a good job.  Whoever's task it was to decide camera angles and views did excellent.  When she first looks up at the building, I felt how overwhelming is was.  When they go out in the helicopter, it's so beautiful.  The soaring looks wonderful.  It's very awesome and romantic how these clips from the book were brought to life.

My favorite part from the film was not even in the book.  Ana is asleep and Christian sits beside her telling her about his mother.  What I love about Christian in the book is how he is really just a damaged, sweet person under the stone façade.  That clip really shows the character well.  I felt it in my heart.  The way that he talks to her while she's asleep and immediately after she wakes at this point in the film is perfect.  Cue the sighs.

One thing that was a pleasant surprise for me was how funny Ana is.  In the books, she's not the most interesting character.  The theater I attended was full of laughter during the film, and most of it was because of Ana.  I was glad they decided to go that route with the movie.




Did I love it?  No
Did I like it?  Yes
Would I watch it again?  I don't know.  Probably not.  Maybe when it's out on video.  I'm not sure.  I definitely won't watch it again at the theater.
Am I glad I watched it?  Yes
Will I watch the next movie?  Yes

3/5 stars 

toni

FangirlMoments and My Two Cents

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