The Secret Life of Anna Blanc

Hiya guys! I've got a fun one for you today!

I recently participated in an audiobook tour, and now that it's ended and some time has passed, I wanted to share a more candid review of this story! My official review is up and posted, and is super long! This story is just so deep, I couldn't help myself - I've gotta go deeper!

As a reminder, this blog is set up as more of a candid, unofficial place for me to share reviews that I don't want to use as promotional or official material. It's a place for my thoughts, free from the restraints of my otherwise "professional" reviewer badge. I'm not getting anything for the content on this blog, simply sharing my thoughts as I would in a book club or discussion forum.

If you want to avoid spoilers, or want a more "traditional" review, you can check that out on my official review blog here. Otherwise, check out the book, author & narrator, and see what I thought of this story!

Enjoy!

~Released: Nov. 14, 2016

~Author: Jennifer Kincheloe

~Narrator: Moira Quirk

~Length: 12h 44m

~Publisher: Jennifer R. Kincheloe, Ltd 2016

~Genres: Historical, Mystery, Thriller

Goodreads

Audible ~ Amazon

It's 1907 Los Angeles. Mischievous socialite Anna Blanc could match wits with Sherlock Holmes, but in her world women are not allowed to hunt criminals. Determined to break free of the era's rigid social roles, she buys off the chaperone assigned by her domineering father and, using an alias, takes a job as a police matron with the Los Angeles Police Department. There she discovers a string of brothel murders, which the cops are covering up. Seizing her one chance to solve a crime, she takes on the investigation herself. 

If the police find out, she'll get fired; if her father finds out, he'll disown her; and if her fiancé finds out, he'll cancel the wedding.

Anna must choose--either hunt the villain and risk losing her father, fiancé, and wealth, or abandon her dream and leave the killer on the loose.

*Movie Review* Stick It!

Whoot!!  First movie review on DRR: UnPlugged people!  I'm excited!  Who's excited?  Anyone?  *crickets*  M'kay, well, here we go anyway, cuz really, I just want to gush about one of my absolute favorite movies of all time.

This movie is basically the quintessential "If you wanna know Rose, here's an example" film.

The character Haley Graham, played by one of my all-time favorite actresses Missy Peregrym, is basically the kinda girl I was growing up.  Stubborn, rebellious, athletic (seriously, I looked a lot like her when I was in High School, and she and I look a lot alike!!), and I have her kind of personality.  I was into gymnastics when I was younger, and even though I didn't stick it* out, this movie brings back memories for me, especially of the bars and balance-beam (my two fav areas).  If I could pick an actress to play me in a film (like that would ever happen :P) it would be Missy Peregrym.

*I know, it's a really, really bad pun, but how could I not? *Cheshire cat grin*

Ok, back to gushing.  Wait, first, I must give you the deets of this amazingly fantastic movie!!!  Without further adieu, drum-roll please!

Stick It

~Starring: 
Missy Peregrym, 
Jeff Bridges, 
Vanessa Lengies, 
& *squeek* 
Kellan Lutz!

~Released: April 28th, 2006

~Written & Directed by: Jessica Bendinger

~Genres: Comedy, Drama, Sport

~Plot (from IMDb):

After a run-in with the law, Haley Graham (Missy Peregrym) is forced to return to the world from which she fled some years ago. Enrolled in an elite gymnastics program run by the legendary Burt Vickerman (Jeff Bridges), Haley's rebellious attitude gives way to something that just might be called team spirit.