Book Review: Live From New York

Katie October 24, 2014 0 Comments

Live From New York is The Complete, Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live as Told by Its Stars, Writers, and Guests.  And when they say it is complete – they’re not lying! The book comes in at over 700 pages and covers the show from 1975 to present day.  The story of the show is told through a series of interviews and quotes, which I thought was an interesting approach – but there’s really no better way to learn about the show than hear about it from the horses mouth. There’s interviews with Lorne Michaels, the writers, musical directors, cast, hosts, etc.

The book is broken down in to 9 chapters :

1. Exordium: 1975-1976
2. Heyday: 1976-1980
3. The Stars Come Out: 1980-1985
4. Behemiel Rising: 1985-1990
5. Overpopulartion: 1990-1995
6. Still Crazy After All These Years: 1995-2002
7. Politica: 2002-2008
8. One Man’s Family: 2008-2014
9. Lorne

I was obviously most interested in reading about the more current casts, since these are the shows that I have watched and the cast that I remember the best.  They even chat with Betty White during this part of the book – and really – who doesn’t love Betty White? (and yes, they talk to Justin Timberlake too! You know he was who I was looking for in this chapter for sure!)

The book ends with a bunch of photos from various seasons as well as the cast list for each of the seasons.

This was a really fun, inside look to the show and a really well put together compilation for the show. If you have any interest at all in the show, you should check this book out.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Just in time for the 40th anniversary of Saturday Night Live, a rollickingly updated edition of LIVE FROM NEW YORK with nearly 100 new pages covering the past decade.

When first published to celebrate the 30th anniversary ofSaturday Night Live, LIVE FROM NEW YORK was immediately proclaimed the best book ever produced on the landmark and legendary late-night show. In their own words, unfiltered and uncensored, a dazzling galaxy of trail-blazing talents recalled three turbulent decades of on-camera antics and off-camera escapades. Now a fourth decade has passed—and bestselling authors James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales have returned to Studio 8H. Over more than 100 pages of new material, they raucously and revealingly take the SNL story up to the present, adding a constellation of iconic new stars, surprises, and controversies.

Book Review: Amy, My Daughter

Katie October 24, 2014 0 Comments

Amy, My Daughter is a biography about the late Amy Winehouse written by her father, Mitch Winehouse.  As such, there are a lot of personal stories in here about her life from the perspective of her father.  He says that she was always quite mischievous.  Throughout the book there are also photos of some of the birthday cards that Amy had sent Mitch over the years.  He also notes that him saying “I think she’s fine” did come up during a conversation about her going to rehab – and it made it in the song.  With the exception of Rehab – all the songs on Back to Black were about Blake.  This was the person that turned Amy on to drugs and it was around when they got together that her Dad started keeping a diary – which is probably why he can remember the stories recalled in the book so well.  It is quite a tragic tale – Amy truly was trying to get better and seemed to only have alcohol as her vice, but unfortunately she could not overcome it.  Such a talent, gone too soon!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

As an artist, she had few peers. Her lyrical prowess and timeless contralto vocals made her an instant revelation when her debut album Frank was released in 2003. And as her star continued to rise it became evident that this seemingly delicate girl from north London was much more than just a precocious talent.

Genius, inspiration, icon; there are many ways to describe Amy Winehouse, but it was her wit, charm and lust for life that cemented her place in the hearts of her fans.

Here, using exclusive extracts from his own personal diaries, Amy’s father and confidant Mitch celebrates what influenced his daughter. Documenting her early years from Sylvia Young to the Brit School, and the darker side of her life as she struggled to cope with her addictions under the glare of the media spotlight, he gives new insights.

With never before seen photos, notes and drawings, this book brings together the many layers of Amy’s life – the personal, the private and the public – to create an honest and intensely moving account of the life of the most talented recording artist of her generation.

Book Review: Three Nights with a Rock Star

Katie October 24, 2014 0 Comments

Three Nights with a Rock Star is about good girl church sunday school teacher Hailey. When her sister returns from time on tour as the merch girl for a band knocked up, she decides she is going to find out who it was that got her pregnant.  She meets the bands lead singer, Lock, who has her sign a contract – she can ask around on the crew but he gets her for 3 nights.

Things get hot and heavy and Hailey thinks she may have a lead – but Lock pulls her away from the roadie she was talking to since she is “his”.  The three nights seems to be going on for much longer than that – but just as things are about to end a sex tape between Hailey and Lock gets out to the press.

Hailey ends up running home – not sure if she’d even still have her job at the church.  Lock is left to let her go or follow after her.

I feel like my recap was really half-assed here but I don’t want to give away major plot points and I think I would if I truly recapped it how I wanted.  I really liked these 2 characters together – they seem very much different – rock star and sunday school teacher – but it seemed like they brought out the best in each other and when they got together things were always HOT!  This was a rather quick read and a lot of fun!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Description

When Hailey crashes a Half-Life after party, she expects to find the bastard who knocked up her little sister. Instead she meets the sexy front-man who agrees to give her access to his crew if she gives him access to her body.

All Lock demands in return is three days of complete control over the Sunday School teacher. With a contract, because he’s been burned before. One misstep could send the band—and his tenuous sobriety—up in flames.

Hailey and Lock push each other’s limits… Against the penthouse window. Backstage. In the limo and on the elevator. But as the contract counts down, neither are ready for the party to end.

Author Bio:

Amber Lin writes edgy romance with damaged hearts, redemptive love, and a steamy ever after. Her debut novel, Giving It Up, received The Romance Review’s Top Pick, Night Owl Top Pick, and 5 Blue Ribbons from Romance Junkies. RT Book Reviews gave it 4.5 stars, calling it “truly extraordinary.” Since then, she has gone on to write erotic, contemporary, and historical romances.

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Shari Slade is a snarky optimist. A would-be academic with big dreams and very little means. When she isn’t toiling away in the non-profit sector, she’s writing gritty stories about identity and people who make terrible choices in the name of love (or lust). Somehow, it all works out in the end. If she had a patronus it would be a platypus.

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Book Review: Ignited

Katie October 24, 2014 0 Comments

Ignited is book #3 in the Most Wanted Book series. (I have previously read Wanted and Heated) This book focuses on the 3rd of the Knights – Cole.  His love interest is Kat – who is also a con woman.  Cole has decided that he doesn’t date, but Kat is determined to change this and have her be the one that he dates.  She wants to show him that even though both of them are broken, together they can make each other whole.  The subplot of the book is about Kat’s Dad, who is also a con man and has gotten himself in pretty deep.  She asks for Cole’s help in keeping her Dad safe, but she doesn’t like it when she is kept out of the loop of what is going on with him.  Kat finds out that Cole has killed before and isn’t sure if he would kill again – though it seems like he may like to try if she can’t get to him in time.  There is also a little bit of blackmail going on when Cole and Kat are being spied on by someone.

I would have to say of the three books this was probably not my favorite, but it wasn’t the worst book I’ve ever read either.  I guess I just liked the other two Knights a bit better.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey, Bared to You, and Release Mecomes an all-new erotic series of three enigmatic and powerful men, and the striking women who can bring them to their knees.
 
He promised to take me as far as I could go—and I wanted to go to the edge.
 
My whole life has been a cover, a con, a lie. I was born into the grift, raised on the thrill of playing someone I’m not. As a rule, I never let anyone get too close—until Cole August makes it impossible for me to stay away.

Cole is tough, sexy, and intensely loyal, yet his secrets are dark and his scars run deep. Not many women can handle his past, or the truth behind his fierce demands. But something about him beckons me—and our desire is a game I must play.

I know he’s dangerous, that even his touch is trouble, but what is passion without a little risk?
 
Ignited is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.