TV Talk With Kelly - Bates Motel

As you may know Kelly, from Kellyvision, and I are doing TV recaps. We recapped American Horror Story: Coven on her blog, and now we're recapping Bates Motel (season 2) on mine. Please note, this is more our reactions/thoughts than a true recap, and obviously there will be SPOILERS!

Kelly is everything in blue, and I am the other colour (is it brown? Whatever it is).

We're doing TWO episodes today because I got behind. The finale recap will go up on Friday.

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BATES MOTEL - Season 2, episode 8 (Meltdown) and 9 (The Box)

Bates Motel - Meltdown

I love that they took an actual photo of Freddie Highmore and used it for the ‘young’ picture Norma is looking at here.

I love that, too. It's funny but this is now what I think of him as. (Finding Neverland used to be my favorite part of his but now it's this.)

Is Norman doing the whole clean when you’re mad thing? I do that.

Now I really wish we lived closer. "Ugh, don't you want to just punch that person? Here's my vacuum."

Romero has got to want to go over there and just start asking a million questions. It’s slightly awkward that he’s not saying anything and I think Norman realizes something is off.

I also love how Norman seems so suspicious now that we (Romero and viewer) know. Was that true for you? He seemed so shady during that whole conversation.

Norma is either trying to act normal, or trying to kiss up to Norman. Maybe a little of both. Either way, Norman is having none of it. ‘It’s fine’ is basically a code word for it is not fine.

I get it. I would be FURIOUS if that happened to me, especially the way that it happened.

I think you were right. This guy already wants favours (he’s Nick Ford right?). Oh no. This involves Dylan. DO NOT LIKE. He wants a meeting with Dylan. Do not do it Norma. ‘Don’t you talk to your son about anything?’ No, neither of them actually. He is basically threatening Dylan here right? It’s not just me? Or is it a warning? Either way, NO! NO! NO! I am going to be shocked if Dylan makes it out of this season alive.

I think Norma is just now realizing just how trapped she is. And I feel for her. She's in a horrible position. And she is also really good at lying to herself so I think she really does believe he will just talk to Dylan.

At this point Dylan getting his butt arrested would be a good thing. Being in jail might keep him alive. Side note, I just realized his last name is not Bates.

Is that Norma's maiden name?

Norma can leave that message. It’s sad how they don’t talk at all.

So Dad gave her the business? That can’t be good for the brother/sister relationship. Dylan has a point - they need to figure stuff out so they stay alive. I personally like Dylan’s plan of laying low.

Same. I think it's their best chance at not dying.

Observation - Norma’s clothes are rather fun. I do like that trench coat (maybe not in blue).

Me too! She always looks so fabulous.

‘Dylan has an office?’ I love the shocked tone in her voice, and her expression. Too funny.

Right?! She's so proud.

This scene. Norma is such a mom in this scene. I never got tired of these scenes. They make you see the entire events of Psycho in a different light. She does care about them. In her own way. I bet the boys will tease Dylan for having his mommy come by.

I also love how nice everyone was to Norma. You know? Yay Norma.

The bypass is halted for environmental reasons. It does eventually get built, so not for long obviously. George is pretty forward. That was cute though.

I think this Norman thing is stressing out Romero.

Norman, I don’t think she actually likes your taxidermy. It does not go with everything. Haha. ‘Enjoy’ ‘Thank you’. I think she’s right. He’s doing it because he’s mad at her.

Norman, NO ONE loves your taxidermy.

Questioning him sneakily, huh? Not a bad plan Romero. The creepily charming side of Norman is in full force here. Romero is being blunt and Norman is getting agitated.

Um, did I miss where Nick Ford was Blair’s father? Did we know this? I feel like we did but I forgot. This certainly widens the amount of suspects.

We saw him at the grave but didn't know who it was.

I am not so sure that Nick Ford should be pushing Norma like this. She’s way too opinionated for this to work and Norman will kill him if he thinks his mother is in danger (even if he is angry right now). I bet he’s dead by the end of the season.

Yes, plus his line of business. It's a miracle he's lasted this long.

Norma is trying to get a reaction out of him here. She is baiting him, and Norman’s like “Don’t care”. It’s kind of hilarious.

Why, Dylan? Why? Do not call the man that wants to shoot you.

Agreed. No good can come of this.

This was such an awkward date. I think Norma should have stayed. I think Norman is part of the reason she didn’t.

Right? Norma, you like him! Don't do that.

I am starting to think that Nick Ford is going to offer Dylan a deal.. Yup. He has to kill Zane (his boss’ brother I assume). Nick is pretty much giving Dylan an ultimatum. Aww, Dylan. You do care.

Well, that wouldn't be the worst thing...

They already charged someone in Blair’s death and they just found him guilty? Again, I didn’t even know the trial had begun. Romero seems to think that Norman didn’t kill Blair. He’s totally sticking up for Norman even. Interesting. I think Romero thinks Blair took advantage of Norman, to be honest.

Right?! Not even a line of dialogue? Sloppy writing, guys.

‘That was childish’. You both are being childish. Oh, Norman is such a teenager sometimes. This scene is a little awkward too though. Norman has crossed over to full on creepy here. Freddie Highmore KILLED that scene. *shivers* He is taking insane pleasure in this. That look as he walked away from the door? Totally enjoying this.

I want him to get an Emmy but not at Breaking Bad's expense. *Aaron Paul this year, Freddie Highmore for next year? Works for me. We know Freddie will be in supporting, and Aaron deserves to win*

Oh, Norma. What are you going to do? Nothing good I expect. Oh, okay. Um, talk about moving fast. This is how she forgets fighting with her son? It may explain a lot of their problems.

Right? This does make a lot of things clear.

So the sister is totally okay with Dylan killing Zane? Talk about messed up families.

And she's so casual about it.

Romero is pushing Norman hard about this whole Blair thing. Norman doesn’t remember anything though. I kind of just want to know the truth already. Still saying he didn’t do it.

I don't know how they'd fake it though.

Um, what? Who just kidnapped Norman? I am guessing Nick Ford’s people obviously. Makes sense.

So excited for tonight. :)

This felt like a much quieter episode than I expected due to the last two (other than that ending). However, it’s totally the calm before the storm that is the final two episodes. *cries that there are only two episodes left*

Bates Motel - The Box

They want Norman to get into a box? I would be freaking out. Norman’s ‘I go to highschool’ made me laugh though. I wonder how long until Norma figures out he’s gone.

It makes sense, though. My initial reaction would be "confused with Dylan," too.

Haha, Norma doing the walk of shame. I wonder if she’ll think Norman is doing this to get back at her? I hope she realizes what is going on quickly and calls Romero.

I loved her sneaking up the stairs.

Emma is upset that Norma isn’t confiding in her. It’s sweet.

That box looks more spacious than I first though. It still sucks beyond anything, but moving around will help keep his blood flow going. He might not cramp up and can actually run if he gets the chance. Poor Norman though.

I still couldn't deal.

In this town I think my mind would go immediately to something bad happening. I get why Norma thinks he’s doing this as payback through.

I actually like that Romero is suspicious of Norman, but is being cautious about this. Doesn’t it sound like it doesn’t matter to Romero though? Like, he wants this other guy in jail, but just wants to know what really happened? That is just bad police work.

It sounds like the other guy is guilty of a ton of stuff, just not that one thing.

Norma is getting the ransom call. Nick Ford totally has Norman. He is using Norman and Norma to get Dylan to kill Zane. Pretty sure Dylan is already okay with that.

Oh Norma. Do not be yelling about killing, and stuff outside where anyone can hear you. ‘What do you have to do? I’ll help you’. TOO FUNNY! You have no clue Norma. She’s totally okay with Dylan committing murder though.

Kill a bad person to save Norman? Of course she is. :)

Still amazed at how blasé this girl is about Dylan killing her brother. At least she seems to have a little bit of a second thought going on here.

Poor Emma. She just wants to know what is going on. Nobody is telling her anything.

Norma, you should try to tell Romero the truth. Stop lying, let him help. OMG! He just dropped the bombshell that Norman slept with Blair Watson. ‘What does this mean?’ Norma, it’s pretty obvious. Romero tells her about this polygraph idea, and Norma just keeps lying. And queue the Norma freak out.

It probably would've never oxcurred to her. It was a shock to me, too.

This phone call is sad because she knows she might never see him again.

She just kills this scene.

A crappy sandwich and a bunch of water. Great treatment, guys. Yes! RUN NORMAN RUN! Get the hell out of there. See, the no cramping thing did help. Too bad he didn’t get very far. :(

These guys are not masterminds.

Oh, crap. I think these guys finding this stuff is a VERY bad thing for Norman. Nick Ford is going to think that Norman killed his daughter. Nothing good can come of this. Vengeful daddy might decide to just kill Norman regardless of what he told Norma.

Yeah, this is not great news.

Emma is quitting? That’s so sad. Emma doesn’t feel included and so she wants to leave. It’s too bad that Norma really doesn’t have time to deal with this. She just let’s her quit. Norma’s got too much on her mind right now to deal with Emma too. Emma will totally be back right? She has to be.

I'm sure she'll be back. And I don't blame her for quitting.

I do not like this. I do not like this. I bet Norman is going to be tortured or worse because of this. Why did they have to give Nick Blair’s stuff?!

Ewwww. Bugs. That is gross. Poor Norman. I think I would freak out. This is not going to help Norman’s psychological issues.

Nope nope nope nope.

Is Dylan going to really do this? Right now? Um. If he does, I don’t think Dylan will be getting out of there alive. I am on edge right now. Dylan has a choice now. He either picks Zane or his sister. It’s really picking Norman though. He has to kill Zane to save Norman.

George got Norma flowers! Sweet. They are so going to ‘break up’. I use that loosely because they were never really together. Norma is having the worst day ever basically. Yup, I think that pretty much means this guy is history. Oh, Norma. Too little, too late. I like that Emma stayed to comfort her though. Maybe Norma can explain after Norman is back. George would have to understand she was stressed out about her missing kid.

Right? This is a great excuse for anything. "Sorry. Kidnapped kid."

‘I’ve been better’ So true Dylan, so very true. I love how Nick is saying that Dylan MADE him have to kidnap Norman. At least Dylan is telling Nick what he needs in order to get this done. However, Nick basically says that Dylan can’t help him anymore so I think it means bad things for Norman (or bad things for Dylan). AHHHH! Dylan you just killed the person who could tell you where Norman is! EEEEP! Does this mean he doesn’t have to kill Zane now?

I don't think he does. (But I bet he ends up doing it anyway.)

I bet that’s Romero at the door. I was right! She’s going to have to tell him Norman is gone and why. He is going to think Norman ran away to avoid questioning. She has to tell him the truth. Oh good. She is telling him the truth. Thankfully.

Hopefully he'll be better now at being a police officer and can find Norman.

Oh, Blair Watson flashback. Are we going to get answers? So Blair did seduce him (or at least in this flashback). OMG! I think Norman may have actually killed her. If these are legit flashbacks that is. I didn’t think it would be Norman. It feels too early.  Still hoping I am wrong.

I don't know. Hallucination or flashback? It seems pretty fragmented.

Of course they are going to end it THERE. Of course. The finale looks AMAZING! One episode left. I am not ready.

The Boyfriend Thief by Shana Norris - Blog Tour

The Boyfriend Thief by Shana Norris 

Release Date - March 25, 2014

Publisher Website - The Studio (Paper Lantern Lit)
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 350 pages
Purchase Link - Amazon and iBooks
My Rating - 3/5
**received in exchange for an honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Avery James doesn’t believe in romance—she’s studied enough biology to know that love is nothing more than hormones and chemicals. Besides, she has more practical goals in mind, namely saving up for a summer humanitarian program in Costa Rica. But when her Diggity Dog House supervisor denies her a raise and Avery finds herself $500 dollars short for the trip of a lifetime, Avery has no choice but to accept an unexpected offer. The deal? She must steal her arch nemesis Hannah’s boyfriend before prom, giving Avery eleven days to seduce Zac Greeley.

Avery is sure the job will be easy. But a few midnight comedy shows and spontaneous dance parties (not to mention one particularly intimate carwash) later, Avery finds herself questioning everything she’s ever thought about love. Could Zac’s signature cherry-lime Slurpees be causing brain freeze, or is Avery actually starting to fall for him?

Will Avery be able to steal Zac away from Hannah before he steals Avery’s heart?

A beyond cute premise. A potentially drama filled deal. Mix both of these with some unexpected romantic feelings and you have got a perfect recipe for a classic romantic comedy. The Boyfriend Thief was a nice balance of humour, romance, and drama. It's a fun summer read, even with a few little issues.

Avery's personality is something that consumes the page. It's also abrasive. She's hurt, and this is her self defense. These are the walls she has around herself. It's not that I didn't like Avery because I don't have to like her to enjoy the story, but I do have to understand her motivations. That was my struggle. It was understanding the why behind it all that eluded me. I could have loved her immediately if I understood the why of her actions. There is an explanation, but, I felt rather removed from it as a reader. I would have liked to see a little about Avery's past, and how what happened impacted her in the early stages. The growth she has was rather quick as well, and having it spread out throughout the book might have helped a little with her transformation from a reader's stand point.

Zac is adorable. He's sweet, and unassuming. He's the perfect love interest to contrast Avery's personality. He's not without his own issues and they both have things they need to work on, but he's exactly what Avery needs. The romance was not just about them coming together, but what they brought out in each other. It's my favourite kind of romance. If love shows you something about yourself, and challenges you to be better, that is when it can be truly amazing. Shana brought that out in the slow build up for Zac and Avery. They became friends first, and that made the romance even sweeter.

Perhaps the best part of Avery's story is her family. The romance is the focal point, but her family plays a huge role in her story as well. Their brokenness, and the way they are each trying to cope is uplifted by the obvious love they have for each other. The tension of having their father dating someone new, and Avery's compulsion for things to be perfect, mixed well together. It felt natural, and realistic. I think this is one of the more relatable aspects of the entire story.

The end part of the story really elevated this book for me. While it ended exactly how you'd expect, the growth of the main character, and the focus on more than just the romance in her story made it worth it.

After a bit of a struggle, I ended up enjoying this book. The author made some deliberate choices that end up paying off in the end. Avery, and the book, slowly grows on you until you end up wondering why they hid their awesomeness from you in the first place.

Here is a little about Shana Norris

Most days, Shana Norris still feels like she’s stuck at sixteen, which is probably why she enjoys writing about teens. Thankfully, she’s never had to work as a giant hot dog, but she did work at a locksmith shop making keys for six months. She currently lives in a small town in eastern North Carolina with her husband and small zoo of pets, which currently includes two dogs, five cats, and a flock of chickens.

Also, The Studio (a Paper Lantern Lit imprint) is offering an ebook copy to one lucky winner. Just fill out Rafflecopter below. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

After The End by Amy Plum

After The End by Amy Plum

Release Date - May 6, 2014
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages - 336 pages
My Rating - 3.5/5
**received in exchange for an honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

"I have no idea what is truth and what is fiction. I'm all I've got now. I can't trust anyone."

World War III has left the world ravaged by nuclear radiation. A lucky few escaped to the Alaskan wilderness. They've survived for the last thirty years by living off the land, being one with nature, and hiding from whoever else might still be out there.

At least, this is what Juneau has been told her entire life.

When Juneau returns from a hunting trip to discover that everyone in her clan has vanished, she sets off to find them. Leaving the boundaries of their land for the very first time, she learns something horrifying: There never was a war. Cities were never destroyed. The world is intact. Everything was a lie.

Now Juneau is adrift in a modern-day world she never knew existed. But while she's trying to find a way to rescue her friends and family, someone else is looking for her. Someone who knows the extraordinary truth about the secrets of her past

Imagine someone you care about keeping a big secret from you. The kind of secret that changes the way you see the world. The kind that, when revealed, shifts the foundation you thought your world was built on. This life changing experience is exactly what happens to the resourceful, capable protagonist of Amy Plum's After The End.

Juneau is a nice blend of capable and vulnerable. Amy Plum is careful to let her strengths shine when they are presented, but also just as careful to allow for her lack of modern knowledge. Juneau has been cut off from the rest of the world, so many of the things we take for granted are new to her. She's smart, and learns quickly, but it never feels like she knows more than she should. The character is someone who knows her own strengths and doesn't apologize for them. She uses them, even when presented with a situation she is unsure in. She attempts to adapt her knowledge into something that can help her. It made her feel authentic to me, because she didn't immediately know things. She fell back on what she did know in order to survive.

The journey Juneau takes and the answers she uncovers is the main for the novel, and therefore filled with spoilers. It's a rather interesting set up for what is to come, and I feel that now that the ground work has been laid out, the remaining novels can move forward to the heart of the story. World building (or mythology building in this case) is important, and sometimes patience needs to exercised to get the pay off. I think that this novel is doing just that (of course only the next chapters in Juneau's story will prove me correct or not).

A slow building romance is typically what I love, but my only little issue with this novel was actually the romance. The 'why' of the romance is what sells it, at least for me, and I never got WHY Juneau and Miles like each other. They don't trust each other, and sometimes barely tolerate each other. The build up was something I was happy about, but I wanted to pinpoint the moment their feelings switched. Perhaps they are still building, and I will see it in the upcoming installments. Both characters are rather interesting on their own, but perhaps this romance just isn't for me. Luckily, there are other, more pressing, elements that take precedence in the story.

The 'magical' aspect of this novel is going to be a hit or miss with people. I found myself understanding where Juneau was coming from, and could grasp what it meant to her, so it felt natural to the story. It was enough that Juneau believed for me. I admit that I did want more of an explanation. I wanted answers. Answers that I don't think we're supposed to know yet. I do think it's all coming in the subsequent books (especially after something that happens later on in the book) but I am unsure if people will give it the time it needs to expand and be revealed.

After The End ultimately won me over with it's heroine, Amy Plum's storytelling, and it's potential. I see this series gaining speed as it goes along, and I am curious as to what will be revealed next. While not everything appealed to me, there is more than enough to keep me coming back. Fans of Amy's previous novels should devour this one as even though it's different from her previous works, everything you love about her writing is there.

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

I had some amazing books land in my mailbox this week.

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon (goodreads)

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart (goodreads)

Huge thank you to Bloomsbury for the copies of The Bone Season. Expect a giveaway soonish (maybe right after Book Expo America and I will see if I can get them signed). Excited to help with the promotion for The Mime Order.

We Were Liars is the type of book that broke me into a million pieces. I am so thrilled to have a hard cover edition to put on my bookshelf. Thank you to Random House Canada for the copy.

Happy weekend, and happy reading!

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week. Pretty much everything else is overshadowed by Gayle Forman's news!

BOOK

Gayle Forman announces Just One Night (goodreads)

I know the ending of Just One Year was a big topic of discussion after it's release. I was happy with the ending. Happy to leave Allyson and Willem where they left off in the story. However, Gayle recently announced that on May 29th she will release an e-novella that continues their journey. I will be getting this as soon as it's available to pre-order on Kobo.

MOVIE

The Amazing Spiderman 2

I loved the first movie in this reinvention of Spiderman. I especially love Andrew Garfield and his portrayal of Peter Parker/Spiderman. The addition of Dane Dehaan as Harry Osborn has only increased my fangirling (because, seriously, he's amazing in everything I've seen him in). I'll be seeing it on Saturday when my friend is off work. In the meantime I will be attempting to avoid spoilers (especially about Gwen Stacy's fate).

OTHER

Chocolate Macaroon tea from David's Tea

I was obsessed with the mere idea of this tea but now that I've tried it I am officially in love. It's sweet and has the perfect blend of chocolate and coconut. It's most likely going to be my main tea for the next while, because it's that good.

Book Expo America

We're now less than one month away to the big event. I can't wait to be on vacation and heading to NYC. Lots of excitement with the schedule being released, and we still have plenty more things to be unveiled as the countdown continues.

Follow Friday

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It's a great way to meet new blogger friends.

This weeks question is:

Share! Tell us about one of your hobbies that is NOT reading.

I love to write letters and have a few penpals from different places. They've become friends and it's always interesting learning about different places.

Happy Weekend!

Killer Instinct by S.E. Green

Killer Instinct by S.E. Green

Release Date - May 6, 2014
Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 272 pages
My Rating - 2.5/5
**received in exchange for an honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

She’s not evil, but she has certain... urges.

Lane is a typical teenager. Loving family. Good grades. Afterschool job at the local animal hospital. Martial arts enthusiast. But her secret obsession is studying serial killers. She understands them, knows what makes them tick.

Why?

Because she might be one herself.

Lane channels her dark impulses by hunting criminals—delivering justice when the law fails. The vigilantism stops shy of murder. But with each visceral rush the line of self-control blurs.
And then a young preschool teacher goes missing. Only to return... in parts.
When Lane excitedly gets involved in the hunt for “the Decapitator,” the vicious serial murderer that has come to her hometown, she gets dangerously caught up in a web of lies about her birth dad and her own dark past. And once the Decapitator contacts Lane directly, Lane knows she is no longer invisible or safe. Now she needs to use her unique talents to find the true killer’s identity before she—or someone she loves—becomes the next victim...

Killer Instinct revolves around a female character who is reminiscent of Dexter Morgan (from both the TV show and book series). This comparison right there piqued my interest in this book. While the plot shares many similarities to not only the character, but the premise itself, it was the differences that stood out for me. Much of the deeper, thought provoking aspects that this type of story benefits from were, sadly, not there for me.

The writing itself is quick and readable. The flow of the novel certainly lends itself to a quick, one sitting type of read. This, and the novel's length, will appeal to those who are looking for a fun, different type of beach read this summer. It's one that can easily be finished in a day at the beach, and provides a lighter take on this subject matter that was a little unexpected.

Lane, and her personality, are going to create strong opinions in readers. Her lack of connection to others, and abrasive nature perfectly match her character and what it's supposed to be. I felt she came across as detached but focused, and was exactly what I was expecting. The interesting aspect of her character is when we do get glimpses of her emotions. She has moments where she realizes that perhaps some people are important to her. This seems to be at odds with her stance that she has no emotions, but I felt it made sense. We've seen that people like Lane, especially in forms of entertainment, tend to have some emotional connection. It may be to a few people, animals, things, but it is there. They are not emotionless, and the author portrayed that nicely.

These types of stories tend to be driven by the question of nature vs. nurture. The pondering, and inner reflection was surprisingly lacking in this novel. I, personally, find that novels with a character like Lane work best if we can really get inside their head. I didn't feel I learned about Lane in this aspect. It didn't help me feel I got to know and understand this character and her motivations. As interesting, and intriguing as she is, I wanted that connection.

The end reveal, and how it is presented felt a bit rushed without more build up. I think, for myself, the pacing was what made me not connect to the book in the way I wanted to. There are side 'cases' (if you will) that Lane 'investigates' while the over-reaching story arc of the Decapitator is going on. I would have preferred the main story line be fleshed out instead. This aspect strongly resembled a 'case of the week' TV show format which, I feel,  did not translate as well into a novel. Those aspects were not developed enough, and it took focus off the driving plot which was much more interesting.

An intriguing concept that didn't quite come together as I hoped. While I enjoyed the Dexter vibe the novel offered,  I felt something was missing to make this story and the characters truly jump off the page. I am interested in checking out another novel  by this author, and do think perhaps others might like this more than I did.