American Horror Story: My Top Ten Fave Characters

American Horror Story celebrated its 100th episode last night. An incredible milestone that is worthy of a look back at some of my fave characters. This will not be in any particular order as that would be nearly impossible. I also predict that my choices may skew heavily towards my two favourite seasons - Hotel and Freakshow.

I am not including characters from 1984 as that season is currently airing (and I am not sure where all the characters will end up).

There are so many amazing characters and performances that it was hard to narrow it down, but these are my personal ten favourites.

1. Dandy Mott (Finn Wittrock) - Freakshow

Not only does Finn Wittrock absolutely slay the role of Dandy Mott but he also happens to be a fascinating character. His mix of American Psycho and old money with some mommy issues thrown in for good measure made for a dangerously fascinating character.

2. Liz Taylor (Denis O'Hare) - Hotel

Denis O'Hare's Liz Taylor was a stand out in an incredibly stacked season. There was something so achingly beautiful about this character and Denis' portrayal. Liz's snark, glamour, and intelligence is all the more reason to love her.

3. Tristan Duffy (Finn Wittrock) - Hotel

Tristan Duffy enters the scene in a memorable fashion. His model good looks catch the eye of the Countess (and pretty much everyone watching), but it's his biting humour, and sweet love story that made quite the impression. He may be a little clueless, but he proves himself to have a heart of gold in the end.

4. Fiona Goode (Jessica Lange) - Coven

This list would not be complete without some Jessica Lange on it, and Fiona Goode in all her complicated, sexy, bad ass glory is one of her best performances. The character is made all the better by the strength of her interactions with Sarah Paulson's Cordelia Foxx. This role, for me, proved that Jessica Lange can still slay, and look incredible while doing it.

5. Michael Langdon (Cody Fern) - Apocalypse

Cody Ferns nails the part of the part child/all antichrist Michael with utter perfection. He is graceful and languid when it matters, and possess a child like innocence when it is needed. The character's extreme father issues are only second to his abandonment ones, and it makes for a complexly endearing character who pulls at your heartstrings

6. Lana Winters (Sarah Paulson) - Asylum

Lana Winters is iconic and Sarah Paulson is one of my all time faves. I could have easily said EVERY character that Sarah has played on this show but I limited myself to two. She not only slays serial killers, but she also manages to be one bad ass reporter.

7. Countess (Lady Gaga) - Hotel

Not only does the Countess deliver what is probably my favourite line in the show (see above) but her obsession with great jawlines is entirely relatable. Hotel is the sexiest season and a large part of that is the chemistry Countess has with plenty of the male characters. It also showed us that Gaga can actually act.

8. James March (Evan Peters) - Hotel

I am probably committing some kind of crime by not having Tate Langdon on my list, but he is not my favourite. I, instead, am drawn to the H. H. Holmes mixed with Clark Gable inspired James March. It is the one role where I feel Evan is truly having fun. It seeps out of him in every scene. Mr March is a zany, over the top character who's comedic one liners delighted me to no end.

9. Constance Langdon (Jessica Lange) - Murder House

Another iconic performance from Jessica Lange. Constance is undoubtedly the worst mother of the year, but Jessica Lange plays this deadly Southern Belle to perfection.

10. Cordelia Foxx (Sarah Paulson) - Coven

Cordelia and Fiona's relationship is one of my favourite elements of Coven and that is in large part to how Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson play off each other. I adored this strong Supreme in Apocalypse. She stands up for her coven, is entirely selfless, and also manages to have incredible hair while doing so. Oh, and she stands up to the antichrist. She's a bad ass.

My Top Ten TV Ships

I have been super into podcasts recently, and had my friend Kelly (from Kellyvision) tell me about this podcast that talks about television and the couple we ship on our favourite shows. It's called The Shipping Room Podcast and if you are a fan of CW shows, shipping, and lots more I recommend you give it a try.

Listening to the podcast gave me the idea to list my own top ten ships from television. I have been teased that I am the Patron Saint Of Doomed Ships and this list makes the moniker seem pretty accurate.

*POTENTIAL SPOILERS*

1. Buffy and Angel from Buffy The Vampire Slayer 

One of my first ships, and one of the firsts that showed me just how brutal shipping can be. There are so many memorable moments between them but the "You still my girl?" "Always" exchange remains one of my favourites.

I loved every bitter sweet moment between these two and love that they were willing to sacrifice for each other at various times in their relationship. The entirety of season two was basically like cat nip to teen me, and I doubt those nostalgic feelings for this couple will ever go away.

2. Emma and Neal from Once Upon A Time

Their story was epic. Two people magically whisked away from their home at a young age end up finding their way to each other. It was basically fate. He was totally supposed to be her true love.

Neal made mistakes that he was atoning for but he never stopped loving Emma, and she never stopped loving him. It could have been a very sweet second chance romance. There was so much that Neal taught Emma, but the most important thing he instilled in her was her idea of home. He also gave her the greatest love of her life - their son Henry. This ship was filled with potential and cuteness. It still breaks my heart how this one ended. 

3. Coach and Tami Taylor from Friday Night Lights

A couple that was always a couple during the entirety of the show. They basically are the definition of #marriagegoals. My favourite part of their relationship was how realistic it felt. They had issues, but their love for one another made them work at their marriage and not take each other for granted.

This gif pretty much sums up their relationship. There was a lot of respect between the two of them, and it showed in everything they did. 

4. Emma and Dylan from Bates Motel

Emma and Dylan were a light in the darkness that was Bates Motel. Their relationship took me by surprise, but ended up being one of my favourite elements of the show.

Dylan calling Emma a 'frickin' warrior' is one of my favourite moments and one of the most romantic. It showed how much he supported her, and that he saw how strong she was. Emma brought out the best in Dylan simply because he wanted to be someone worthy of her.

5. Liv and Lowell

A ship that, sadly, ended before it really began. Lowell easily won Liv (and myself) over with his charm, British accent and good looks. He also happened to be kind, and was the first guy her zombie self felt comfortable around romantically. He made her see that love after being zombified was possible. 

While it is rather obvious who her end game romance will be, I definitely wished for Lowell to stick around a little longer than he did. It was cute while it lasted. 

Bonus Izombie Ship - Ravi and Peyton

iZombie is filled with amazing ship potential, so I had to include a bonus one from this show. 

I love the potential this ship has, and while they've already had their ups and downs, I predict it'll sail again soon. 

6. Lucifer and Chloe from Lucifer

My favourite part of this ship is the banter between the two of them. They get each other, and keep each other on the toes. While the creators/writers may be playing the 'will they/won't they' trope with these two, I am hoping they continue to get closer as the show continues.

I love that each of them brings out something in the other. They make each other the best versions of themselves. Lucifer brings out a more fun side in Chloe, while Chloe inspires Lucifer to strive to be better. I love that this ship went from Chloe not really liking Lucifer, to this friendship that formed, to deeper feelings between them. 

7. Daryl and Beth from Walking Dead

Beth may have been young, but she understood and got Daryl in a way that I really appreciated. This is another ship that sort of took me by surprise because I never would have put them together until the characters ended up spending time separated from the rest of the group.

Some confessions, and moonshine later and I was fully on board with them getting together. Sadly, as is the nature of this show, we never got to see what this ship could really be and I am still not over it. #You'llMissMeWhenI'mGone

Bonus Walking Dead ship - Glenn and Maggie

One of the most stable couples on The Walking Dead, and one of the cutest. They are so sweet and awkward together when they first meet, and quickly become a pair that is based on mutual respect and love. They loved each other fiercely in a world where it didn't seem possible. 

I loved getting to see this relationship grow and blossom. They were a beacon of light and hope in this show that is usually all too brutal (and even they didn't get a happy ending).

8. Ethan and Vanessa from Penny Dreadful

This ship screamed heartbreak right from the start, so I (naturally) decided it would be wise to fall completely in love with them. The tragic and haunted Vanessa and the equally broken Ethan were a natural fit. They got each other. Add in a bit of fate and destiny to their relationship and I was sold.

The tragic ending of this one still angers me (for many reasons) but it was darkly beautiful and haunting while it (and the show) lasted. 

9. Connor and Oliver from How To Get Away With Murder

This relationship is amazing when it works. Sadly, things (like murder and secrets) keep getting in the way of them being happy together.

I love what Oliver brings out in Connor. His character has grown so much and it is largely due to this relationship. Sadly, the changes to Oliver since Connor has come into his life have not all been positive ones. He is turning into someone that he may not even like and it could ruin this couple's chance at happiness. I did mention I liked the doomed ones.

10. Jamie and Claire from Outlander

Jamie and Claire certainly have a lot of things working against them - mainly that Claire is from a completely different time than he is. Their relationship however is filled with lots of sexiness, trust, and genuine love.

I love how much they've supported each other through everything that has happened to them. This couple's greatest obstacle is outside forces and that makes them all the more heartbreaking.

Baby Ships

I wanted to mention these two ships between younger characters on shows that I am enjoying. These are not full fledged ships yet but there is something adorable about the innocence they share.

Bruce and Selina from Gotham

Selina was certainly obsessed with kissing the young Master Wayne in season one. She often taunted and teased him about wanting to kiss her to my great amusement. She finally kisses a surprised Bruce and their adorable relationship has been up and down ever since.

We all know who Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle become so I doubt there is a happily ever after in their future but there is something about first love, and the innocence of their kiss that I cannot help but root for anyway. 

Eleven and Mike from Stranger Things

First love and crushes are perfect television show fodder.  Most people can relate to having a crush for the first time. Mike and Eleven's very tentative and sweet relationship was only beginning to build before the events of the final episode happened. They were supposed to go to the Snow Ball!

My favourite moment is perhaps when Mike sees her after they give her a 'make over' so she can go to school with them and is obviously a little in awe of how pretty she looks. It's adorable, and so perfect for their ages.

I could list so many other ships, but these are the ten (or more) that have stayed with me. I have added a lot of shows to my watch list thanks to this podcast such as Shameless (for Ian and Mickey) and Parks and Rec (for Ben and Leslie). Are there other shows I should be watching? What ships make your top ten list? Let me know in the comments.

Blog Tour - The Female Of The Species by Mindy McGinnis

I am thrilled to be part of the blog tour for this important and brilliantly written novel from Mindy McGinnis. I am also honoured to be ending the tour with a Top Ten list from Mindy.

First up, be sure to check out the previous stops on the tour. There are reviews, interviews, and more to check out.

Week 1:
9/12: Swoony Boys Podcast - Review
9/13: A Reader Under the Sea - Q&A
9/14: Pretty Deadly Reviews - Review
9/15: Brittany's Book Rambles - Guest Post
9/16: Lekeisha the Booknerd - Review

Week 2:
9/19: The Irish Banana Review - Q&A
9/20: Fiction Fare - Review
9/21: Fiery Reads - Playlist
9/22: Ex Libris - Review
9/23: A Glass of Wine - Top 10

Here is a little about the book in case you haven't already heard of it.

Alex Craft knows how to kill someone. And she doesn’t feel bad about it. When her older sister, Anna, was murdered three years ago and the killer walked free, Alex uncaged the language she knows best. The language of violence.

While her crime goes unpunished, Alex knows she can’t be trusted among other people, even in her small hometown. She relegates herself to the shadows, a girl who goes unseen in plain sight, unremarkable in the high school hallways.

But Jack Fisher sees her. He’s the guy all other guys want to be: the star athlete gunning for valedictorian with the prom queen on his arm. Guilt over the role he played the night Anna’s body was discovered hasn’t let him forget Alex over the years, and now her green eyes amid a constellation of freckles have his attention. He doesn’t want to only see Alex Craft; he wants to know her.

So does Peekay, the preacher’s kid, a girl whose identity is entangled with her dad’s job, though that does not stop her from knowing the taste of beer or missing the touch of her ex-boyfriend. When Peekay and Alex start working together at the animal shelter, a friendship forms and Alex’s protective nature extends to more than just the dogs and cats they care for.

Circumstances bring Alex, Jack, and Peekay together as their senior year unfolds. While partying one night, Alex’s darker nature breaks out, setting the teens on a collision course that will change their lives forever. 

Be sure to order your copy from your favourite retailer one of the below links

 Amazon | B and N  

Here is a little about the author herself and you can follow her at the following links

Website | Twitter | Facebook  

Mindy McGinnis is a YA author who has worked in a high school library for thirteen years. Her debut, NOT A DROP TO DRINK, a post-apocalyptic survival story set in a world with very little freshwater, has been optioned for film my Stephanie Meyer's Fickle Fish Films. The companion novel, IN A HANDFUL OF DUST was released in 2014. Look for her Gothic historical thriller, A MADNESS SO DISCREET in October of 2015 from Katherine Tegen Books. Mindy is represented by Adriann Ranta of Wolf Literary.



For my part of the tour, I asked Mindy to provide a Top Ten List. The chosen topic was her top ten books written by women. The list is, unsurprisingly, pretty awesome.

Top Ten Books Written By Women

1 ­ The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

2 ­ The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

3 ­ Them by Joyce Carol Oates

4 ­ The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

5 ­ The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

6 ­ A Place of Execution by Val McDermid

7 ­ The Thirteenthh Tale by Dianne Setterfeld

8 ­ In Country by Bobbie Ann Mason

9 ­ Stiff by Mary Roach

10 ­ Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Hopefully you want a copy of The Female Of The Species of your very own now that you've learned a little bit about the book. Be sure to enter the below giveaway for you chance to win one of three copies as part of this blog tour. This is a US ONLY giveaway.

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Kim Liggett's 5 Sexiest and 5 Scariest Scenes

Blood and Salt comes out this week, and it's seriously sexy (and also seriously unsettling). Kim's called it a horromance which is pretty accurate. What better way to celebrate that than having author Kim Liggett share her top five sexiest (and her top five scariest) scenes from pop culture for a super fun top ten list?!

Before we get to the scary and sexy goodness, here is a little about Blood and Salt (goodreads)

Romeo and Juliet meets Children of the Corn in this one-of-a-kind romantic horror.
“When you fall in love, you will carve out your heart and throw it into the deepest ocean. You will be all in—blood and salt.”
These are the last words Ash Larkin hears before her mother returns to the spiritual commune she escaped long ago. But when Ash follows her to Quivira, Kansas, something sinister and ancient waits among the rustling cornstalks of this village lost to time.
Ash is plagued by memories of her ancestor, Katia, which harken back to the town’s history of unrequited love and murder, alchemy and immortality. Charming traditions soon give way to a string of gruesome deaths, and Ash feels drawn to Dane, a forbidden boy with secrets of his own.
As the community prepares for a ceremony five hundred years in the making, Ash must fight not only to save her mother, but herself—and discover the truth about Quivira before it’s too late. Before she’s all in—blood and salt.

First up are her top five sexiest scenes (because those are always more fun).

SEXIEST: 

1) Outlander

I've read all the books. It's difficult to choose just one moment, but when Jamie's guarding Claire's door at the inn-- that's pretty charged.

2) True Blood 

I loved the books. I loved the show. This entire series is like sex on a stick (Lafayette reference). 

My favorite moments are between Sookie and Bill in season one. When he comes into Merlott's and everyone's staring at the two of them. He says her name--- "Sookie". Goosebumps. 

3) Penny Dreadful

I'm so in love with this show. Dorian Gray in season one-- oh my lord. His scenes crackle. One of my favorites is when he first meets Vanessa Ives. The electricity is palpable. 

4) Atonement  

The library scene in Ian McEwan's book is flawless.

5) The Vampire Diaries

That scene when Damon and Elena kiss outside the no-tell motel. Ridiculously hot.

Agree with so many of these sexy scenes (particularly anything with Jamie and Claire!)

Now for the the horror part of Kim's top ten list....

SCARIEST: 

1) Rosemary's Baby

That bedroom scene is terrifying. It has that hallucinogenic quality that really gets under my skin. Is it real-- is it a dream? It's disturbing in the best/worst way.

2) Misery

I adored the book and the movie. Kathy Bates killed it. So chilling.  

3) The Lottery finale

A week doesn't go by that I don't think about this Shirley Jackson story.

4) The Others

The soundtrack alone will give you nightmares. This scene with the veil--spine-tingling.  

5) The Exorcist

This is the one movie I can't watch alone. 

Definitely some great choices! Some of these movies would be perfect to watch for Halloween!

You can find out more about Kim and her book by visiting her on Twitter, or stopping by her website.

If you want to purchase Blood and Salt you can do so at the following links (pre-order until release tomorrow)

Amazon // Barnes and Noble // Chapters // Book Depository

What's your fave sexy scene, or scary scene, from pop culture? Let Kim and I know in the comments!