Welcome July

July is like the sunniest hour of the day.

~ William C. Bryant

Understanding Adam Banks

The Mighty Ducks Trilogy are some of my favorite childhood films. My siblings and I loved watching them and I believe that D3 was the first film I saw in theaters (I would have 5 almost 6). I seem to have some vague memory that I had a massive crush on Adam Banks (sorry Obi-Wan), and it would make sense that he would be any little girl's first fictional character crush. He's cute, sweet, sensitive and moreover can never seem to catch a break. Even as a child I saw the constant hardships that Adam had to face throughout the series. 

And upon my most recent rewatch (which led to another rewatch), I have only now realized what an absolute injustice was done to the writing of Adam Banks by the time we get to the third movie.

The first two films built up a growing character arc for Adam through constant life alterations, severe injuries, setbacks, jealous teammates, and having to stay true to himself. You would think by the third film that it would come full circle, but unfortunately that was not the plan.

     

Goodbye Anthony Head . 1954 - 2026

With the rewatch of Merlin, this was an utter shock 

He was absolutely wonderful as King Uther Pendragon, the enigmatic, morally grey father to the Once and Future King. 

As I wrote in my review for season 4, that even though I didn't like Uther Pendragon I didn't hate him either.

 For all of Uther's faults, he loved Arthur and the father/son moments between Anthony Head and Bradley James are some of most memorable.

Inklings ~ May 2026

Welcome May Inklings 🌸

1. At any time during the month, on your own blog post a scene from a book or film that matches the prompt.

2. Link-back to Heidi's blog with a link to you Inklings prompt.

May's Prompt

A riddle scene in book or film

I am Mary. Mary is Me (Or...my life as a middle child/sister explained)

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to see The Other Bennet Sister, but I read the book last year and I loved it! I have been able to keep up with clips from the show on Instagram and Facebook and hopefully I can view it sometime this summer. 

 I can relate to Mary on so many levels, the middle child and sister. Serious, introverted, gets lost in the arts, prefers books to people and always having her voice quieted. Oftentimes overlooked and ignored and what attention we get it's usually negative (somebody yelling at you or making you the joke of the situation.) When I saw this scene between Mary and Lizzie it really struck a chord with me.

When Mary started to call out Lizzie on how they were viewed so differently in the family and Lizzie began to deflect by telling Mary how much she admired her, that hit me hard. I've had similar conversations with my own family members; telling them how lonely I was growing up and how I always felt left out of which they go on the defensive and try to appeal to my better nature. I've been told that I seemed so independent and didn't need anyone or I always had such a good attitude about things I didn't seem to need help. 

Everyone...every child needs help. Regardless of if they look like they need it or not. 

After seeing this interaction for the first time, I wondered, "If Lizzie admired her sister so much, why didn't she try and spend more time with her? Why didn't she defend her from her family?" Lizzie's heart may be in the right place, but at the center, she's self-preserving and not willing to admit that she was a part of the problem in Mary's life, because she neglected her just like everyone else in the Bennet family. 

Welcome June

 

June is the pearl of summer, shining with warmth and joy.

L.M. Montgomery

The Adventures of Merlin: Season 5

The finale that put my whole family in a 24-hour depression and after almost 14 years, the fandom has never forgiven the writers for their decisions. All that being said, with the exception of the last 10 minutes of the final episode, season 5 was actually a very good season! The entire Merlin storyline itself takes place in a span of ten years and in that time, we've seen Merlin grow up (very well) from an awkward boy to a confident young man (more on the growing up very well later). 

Merlin's character development can never be underrated. He wasn't perfect, he had fears and flaws, but he was loyal to a fault. Life handed him a raw deal, but he made the most of it. He was a good friend and an exceptional apprentice. While Arthur may be our golden king we admire, it is Merlin who is the common man we all see ourselves in and at end of the day, we all hope to have even half of his bravery and strength.

Goodreads Review: The Frozen River

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My favorite read of 2025. Inspired by real life events and the journal entries of Martha Ballard a wife, mother, midwife and who may even be considered an early feminist. At a time where woman had little personal rights and their voices silenced by the men in power, Martha Ballard manages to stand on her own moral code of conduct and bring to light a horrific act of evil.

Set in 1789 Maine, during what was known as "the year of the long winter," a man's frozen body is found Kennebec River. Martha recognizes the man who was named as an active participant in the rape of her close friend a few months prior, however he was released. As an investigation is made and trials are set in motion, Martha finds herself in the middle of a political, social and spiritual battle between her love of the people she has served for years and protecting a woman who has been shunned by the same people for a crime done against her.

This book is incredible! I couldn't put it down; I was that drawn into the intensity and emotional upheaval of this story. Like The Last Midwife there is a feminist core to midwifery. When women were oftentimes seen as just carriers for children in society, midwives still saw them as human beings far capable of more than just childbearing and rearing. Within the world of midwives, women were seen, heard, loved, nurtured and protected. And the role of midwives in history can never be forgotten or unappreciated.

Inklings ~ April 2026

Welcome April Inklings! 🌱

1. At any time during the month, on your own blog post a scene from a book or film that matches the prompt.

2. Link-back to Heidi's blog with a link to you Inklings prompt.

April's Prompt

A scene with kittens in book or film

Young Sherlock

While I have never been a diehard Sherlock Holmes fan, I do enjoy a new take on the famed detective from time to time. My sisters have always loved the Holmes mysteries, but I myself have never read them. The actual closest I got to being a Sherlock Holmes fan was during the worldwide Sherlock era starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman that ran from 2010-2017. Ther BBC Sherlock mania was insane, and people were in love with the modern-day London detective. 

Every several years Sherlock Holmes and Co. always make it back on the screens in one form or another and is usually met with some degree of success (Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes films starring Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock and Jude Law as Watson, BBC Sherlock series and the more fan-fic inspired movie series, Enola Holmes). Now, Guy Ritchie returns to Victorian London for a new interpretation to the streaming screen, but this time as a young, handsome...juvenile delinquent.

Welcome May

May is the month of expectation, the month of wishes, the month of hope.

~ Emily Bronte

Favorite Film Dialogues: Pt. 2

Because Pt. 1 was so much fun to do and being such a movie lover 

there were more dialogues I needed to post!

The Adventures of Merlin: Season 4

I think a lot of people were surprised when boy changed into man!

So, if the slight alteration to the famous opening sequence didn't indicate the change of direction for the 4th season of Merlin...I don't know what else could. Upon rewatching this season, I was surprised at the rather dark turn the show took. My guess is that Game of Thrones was gaining momentum and the Merlin creators felt like they needed to mature the show just slightly. Whatever the reason was season 4 in my opinion is absolutely the strongest most well written season of the entire series. 

Merlin started veering off from the 'freak of the week' episodes in season 3 and began building a more connected storyline - Morgana's secret revenge against Uther, eventually trying to usurp both Uther and Arthur and therefore pushing Merlin harder to fulfill his destiny. Once that was set in place, by the end of season 3, it became the absolute groundwork for season 4.

Goodreads Review: The God of the Woods

 

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In 1975, amid the beauty of the Adirondacks, a summer camp created for the children of the elite promises fun and safety. When the owner's daughter goes missing one morning, multiple people in and around the camp and the surrounding areas are viewed as possible suspects. While looking for the young girl, the mystery of her older brother who disappeared 14 years earlier is reopened and unearths the secrets and lies of one ruling family and the people who served them faithfully.

Upon seeing the sheer width of this book, I was nervous that I wouldn't finish. Once I got through the first section I couldn't put it down! Never has a book held my attention like The God of the Woods. Cold cases are some of my favorite mystery's and when I saw that is going to be a generation jump story (plots that go back and forth between decades), my interest was definitely piqued. Having a little decade key at the beginning of each chapter was very helpful too.

The story is told from multiple POV and that really helped to get a better understanding of the characters and how they are so deeply impacted by these disappearances. Unlike most mysteries there is no real villain which really surprised me. A lot of people who made terrible mistakes, but the fact that there is no actual villain pulling the strings made the story so much more real and believable. There are characters that are extremely likable and really despicable characters, and it's really left up to the readers as to how one wants to view each person that is caught up in this madness.

Happy Easter!

"From death came life, from sorrow came joy; this is the hope of Easter."

~ Aloo Denish Obiero

This is beautiful!

Inklings ~ March 2026

Welcome to March Inklings 🍀

1. At any time during the month, on your own blog post a scene from a book or film that matches the prompt.

2. Link-back to Heidi's blog with a link to you Inklings prompt. 

March's prompt

A scene in a heavy rainstorm in book or film

Welcome April

April is a reminder that life is a beautiful, ever-renewing cycle.

~ E.E. Cummings

Derry Girls (2018-2022)

L-R: James Maguire, Michelle Mallon, Erin Quinn, Orla McCool and Clare Devlin

The life of a teenager is hard but growing up in a war-torn country fueled by political and religious prejudice...well that's not exactly ideal living. In the mid 90s the town of Londonderry (or just Derry), Northern Ireland is a prime location for bombings and riots from the warring catholic/protestant sides, and also never-ending trouble from 16-year-old Erin Quinn and her best friends. Whether it's sneaking out to a concert (in spite of an escaped polar bear), getting rid of drug infused scones, stressing about their exams, endless conflict and confusion amongst their families and even getting arrested, it's safe to say that there's never a dull moment in Derry.

Content Warning: There is a lot of swearing in this show and sexual content that is more or less implied!

The Adventures of Merlin: Season 3

12 years ago, I wrote the season 2 review for Merlin, thinking that the season 3 review would be following shortly afterwards...

So now here we are...

Anyways, my husband (who knows nothing about Arthurian legends), and I are going through the series, and it has been the best rewatch experience for me! I had totally forgotten what a comfort watch this show is and what sold the show was the very believable bromance between Arthur and Merlin, which gets better and better with every season.

Goodreads Review: A Conjuring of Valor

A Conjuring of Valor: Book Two by J.C. Wade
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Valor - great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle

A few months after the events of The White Witches Daughter and Lady Edyth Ruthven nee DeVries is trying to adjust to her new life in the Scottish Highlands. It is not an easy task as she is seen as an English outsider. Although she was acquitted of her crime of witchcraft, she is still looked upon with suspicion due to her medical knowledge of herbs and brews.

Edyth's fiery sister-in-law, Catriona (Cait), faces a future of uncertainty as her brother arranges her to be married to a man she has never met all in the name of family protection and clan unity. However, Cait's defiant spirit and competitive nature might be more than either family bargained for.

Finally, Ewan Ruthven's loyalty and leadership come under fire when the English invade his family lands. Caught between the two warring nations, Ewan's every move is scrutinized and any decision he makes for his family, and his people could cost them their livelihoods and even their lives.

The second installation was exciting and emotional and admittedly, I found the shorter chapters made the read much easier. While Edyth and Ewan are still the main leads, Ewan's younger siblings are beginning to emerge with their own stories as well. However, how many children are actually in the Ruthven family? Every several chapters it seems like, yet another obscure Ruthven child is mentioned. Then again, I was almost finished with The White Witches Daughter before I realized that Ewan and Iain were brothers. All that to say, family stories are some of my favorite genres and I'm enjoying learning more and more about the Ruthven clan.

Inklings ~ February 2026

Welcome to February Inklings! 💖 

1. At any time during the month, on your own blog post a scene from a book or film that matches the prompt.

2. Link-back to Heidi's blog with a link to you Inklings prompt.

February's prompt

A poignant moment between old friends in book or film

Welcome March

By March the worst of the winter will be over. The snow would thaw, the rivers begin to run, and the world would wake into itself again.

~Neil Gaiman

Favorite Film Dialogues

A small collection of my favorite film dialogues that live rent free in my head and inspire me in my own writing as well. 

Goodreads Reviews: The White Witch's Daughter

The White Witch's Daughter by J.C. Wade
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1296, England

Strife and war between England, the highest world power, France and Scotland is coming to a boiling point. The Church is the ultimate ruling authority that has the power to both spare life and take it. Lady Edyth DeVries knows this all too well, since her mother was hung by the neck for the accusation witchcraft and Edyth's own father killed not too long afterwards. Now the Church has come for her, the last of her line and apprentice to her mother's knowledge of herbs and healing.

Edyth, alone in the world, afraid for her own mortality and angry at a silent God, must travel through bloodshed England to reach her only family in the Scottish Highlands. Soon, her strength and resilience carry her from the hostile and savage roads and into the unlikely protection of Ewan Ruthven. A young nobleman and seasoned soldier whose every decision will have life and death consequences for his family, his people and his own country; and Edyth DeVries becomes one more dangerous life choice.

A balance of well researched history and small (blink and you miss it) fantasy. Think Brave (early feminist, red haired, archer leading lady) meets Outlander (Scottish Lord and Englishwoman main storyline), meets Braveheart (same time period) and there's the story. And when I say that this story is well researched, it is. Down to using traditional Gaelic.

Being a character reader/writer, I truly did enjoy the leads. Edyth may have been a little too on the nose of an English version of Merida and a medieval Claire Randall Frasier, but she did well as the lead and really found herself in the end. Ewan Ruthven definitely had more depth (as male characters tend to get in their development as compared to their often-one-dimensional female counterparts) and I loved his devotion to his family and his country that could rival Jamie Frasier.

La Belle et la Bête (2014)

As a Beauty and The Beast lover for many years (probably since I saw the Disney film), I was excited to see an actual French production of the original tale. Well, this version certainly didn't disappoint! From the stunning sets, gorgeous costumes and solid backstories, this film does absolute justice to the original storyline while also creating their own fantasy narrative as well. The movie is filmed in French, and the English version has dubbed American actors.

The Swan Princess (1994)

One of my all-time loved films from my childhood! I remember when the movie premiered on television and it was hosted by Pillsbury and so before the film there was this cute commercial with the Pillsbury doughboy. My family recorded the movie and the commercial with it and so I always associated Pillsbury with the Swan Princess for years.

Loosely inspired by Tchaikovsky's ballet, Swan Lake, which premiered in 1875, the ballet was possibly inspired by old Germanic and Slavic folk and fairy tales. By nature, it's a rather depressing story (everybody dies), however, over the years the ballet has adapted a more hopeful ending to the storyline. I actually got to see Swan Lake on stage performed by a Ukrainian dance company, and it was breathtaking.

We Love Fairy Tales Week ~ Tag + Giveaway

Rachel's We Love Fairy Tales Week has arrived!

I have been so excited for this!

Inklings ~ January 2026

Welcome to January Inklings 💕

1. At any time during the month, on your own blog post a scene from a book or film that matches the prompt.

2. Link-back to Heidi's blog with a link to you Inklings prompt.

January prompt

A scene with a horse in book or film

Welcome February

 

In February there is everything to hope for and nothing to regret.

~ Patience Strong

Bridgerton: Season Three

At first, I wasn't going to review season three. It wasn't my favorite because there were too many stories going on, the primary storyline being about Colin and Penelope who are probably my least favorite characters. I don't hate them, but Colin is portrayed as a pretentious pretty boy and Penelope is just annoying. However, upon rewatching it in preparation for season four (and for this review), I realize that this was a very good season and both Penelope and Colin really became their best selves.

'Oddly Specific Things I Love in Books' Tag

I was tagged by With Joy for the Work! Thank you!

The Outline

1. Link back to who tagged you

2. Share the Graphic on your blog

3. Share the Outline on your post

4. Share a detail you love about the season of summer into fall

5. List at least 7 random/ specific things YOU love to read about in books, big or small

6. Tag 7 people who would enjoy taking part/whose answers you are curious to read!