JASMINE's THOUGHTS on Fear the Walking Dead Season 2 Episode 6 - "Sicut Cervus"

About the Show:

AMC's Fear the Walking Dead returns at sea, aboard the Abigail. The group is unaware of the true breadth of the apocalypse; they assume there still a chance that some city, state, or nation might be unaffected, some place where infection has not hit. Abandoning land, Madison, Travis and Daniel gather their grieving families for ports unknown. But the respite of Strand's ocean-side home is short-lived. They will discover that the water may be no safer than land.

Television Network

AMC

Created by

Robert Kirkman

Spin-off Series from

The Walking Dead

Stay connected

    

Cast:

Kim Dickens, Cliff Curtis, Frank Dillane, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Lorenzo James Henrie, Ruben Blades, Mercedes Mason, Colman Domingo, Elizabeth Rodriguez & Patricia Reyes Spíndola.

See list of cast & crew on IMDB.com

Season 1 recap

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Episode 6 Synopsis:

Conflict erupts in a fial push towards Strand's destination. Chris makes a decision that shakes the family. Nick meets a new maternal figure.

Read Full Recap

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*My Thoughts*

At the start of the episode, on the Baja-front, a church full of parishioners dies (in a prologue to the episode/flashback)...of what, we do not know...yet. However, before they die, Tom Abigail and the priest exchange a few words...regarding "she." We soon come to find out who this "she" is.

Well, crossing into Mexico didn't go off as planned. Finally! They made it to Mexico! But, they arrived with some casualties. In their attempt to cross into Mexico, Luis gets shot and, eventually dies. However, not without giving Nick a message to pass to his mother. Moreover, he asks them to give an odd coin, with an owl on its face, to his mother. Strange... That "owl" seems to mean something, but Daniel seems to have recognized what it is then throws it into the water. I don't know, but it looks like Daniel is...losing it.

The group reaches the church to find a deserted town and an empty church. Strand panics when he sees Tom's truck. Very curious to find Tom's truck by the church, but no Tom. Dead parishioners starts walking out of everywhere and attacks the group. What!?! They fend them off...Nick, Daniel, and Chris have a moment of hesitation. Well, Daniel seems to be haunted by his past. Nick...hmmm...he just seems bothered with all this death and his part in it. As for Chris, I don't know, he is definitely troubled, and it is building. Chris did just watch Madison get overtaken by a dead man, and he just froze and watched. Good thing Alicia saw it and saved her mother. The group gets away on Tom's truck.

The compound looks like everything the group thought it would be. Or is it? The first thing Strand searches for is Tom. But he gives Celia bad news about Luis. Strange...how Celia doesn't react wildly to the news that her son has died.

In this episode, Victor and Thomas's relationship is even more noticeable.  Victor isn't as cold-hearted or calculating as he seemed in the beginning. We see why he was so determined to reach Baja; and to whom he was speaking to on the satellite phone. But, he finds that Thomas has been bitten, and doesn't have much time left.

Daniel is suspicious of Celia, with good reason, especially after finding a cellar filled with the dead. Hmmm...sure seems like there was a similar situation in an episode of The Walking Dead when Glenn found a barn filled with the dead as well. Hmmm... "safety" definitely is an illusion in this world. Well, Daniel looks like his past is creeping up on him, especially now that they are in the heart of where he and his family escaped...Mexico.

Nick and Ofelia's "relationship" continues to grow. Plus, it is interesting how Nick is drawn to Celia...a mother figure. Travis and Madison's relationship gets even more strained when it comes to their children. Chris has a lot on his mind...but then again, who wouldn't!?! That's a lot of death that he is witnessing at his young age. Ofelia is starting to worry about her father. Is Chris a threat to Madison and Alicia? Or is he just tired and troubled with everything that has happened...like Nick? Alicia seems to think he is, but then again, she's also troubled as well...aren't they all?!?

Victor is seriously considering suicide...just to be with Tom? Celia prepares Thomas for death, and Victor is deep in thought. Celia is proud of Victor? She didn't like him from the beginning, then she's proud of him for deciding to commit suicide!?! Huh...very odd to say the least. However, Victor decides not to take the Communion wafer and shoots Thomas is the head. But, it is apparent on Victor's face that he made a very difficult decision. This will be a burden he will carry.

This show continues to develop and progress as these characters find a way to survive and keep it together. Even in Mexico, this infection has spread throughout...no one is safe.

Until the next episode!

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Here's a sneak peek of Episode 7 - "Shiva"

Fear the Walking Dead Sundays 9/8C on AMC

RELEASE BLITZ: The Problem With Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout

We are totally stoked to kick off this week-long Release Blitz for Jennifer L. Armentrout's The Problem With Forever!

Genre:

Young Adult

Contemporary Romance

Publish Date:

May 17, 2016

Publisher:

Harlequin Teen

Synopsis:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes a riveting new story about friendship, survival, and finding your voice.

For some people, silence is a weapon.

For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield.

Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime.

Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.

It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory must make a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.

    

*Excerpt*

Prologue

Dusty, empty shoe boxes, stacked taller and wider than her slim body, wobbled as she pressed her back against them, tucking her bony knees into her chest.

Breathe. Just Breathe. Breathe.

Wedged in the back of the dingy closet, she didn’t dare make a sound as she sucked her lower lip between her teeth. Focusing on forcing every grimy breath into her lungs, she felt tears well in her eyes.

Oh gosh, she’d made such a big mistake, and Miss Becky was right. She was a bad girl.

She’d reached for the dirty and stained cookie jar earlier, the one shaped like a teddy bear that hid cookies that tasted funny. She wasn’t supposed to get cookies or any food by herself, but she’d just been so hungry that her tummy hurt, and Miss Becky was sick again, napping on the couch. She hadn’t meant to knock the ashtray off the counter, shattering it into tiny pieces. Some were shaped like icicles that clung to the roof during the winter. Others were no bigger than chips.

All she’d wanted was a cookie.

Her slender shoulders jerked at the sound of the all cracking on the other side of the closet. She bit down harder on her lip. A metallic taste burst into her mouth. Tomorrow there would be a hold the size of Mr. Henry’s big hand in the plaster, and Miss Becky would cry and she’d get sick again.

The soft creak of the closet door was like a crack of thunder to her ears.

Oh no, no, no…

He wasn’t supposed to find her in here. This was her safe place whenever Mr. Henry was angry or when he—

She tensed, eyes peeling wide as a body taller and broader than hers slipped inside and then knelt in front of her. In the dark, she couldn’t make out much of his features, but she knew in her belly and her chest who it was.

“I’m sorry,” she gasped.

“I know.” A hand settled on her shoulder, the weight reassuring. He was the only person she felt okay with when he touched her. “I need you to stay in here, ‘kay?”

Miss Becky had said once that he was only six months older than her six years, but he always seemed so much bigger, older than her, because in her eyes, he took up her entire world.

She nodded.

“Don’t come out,” he said, and then he pressed into her hands the redheaded doll she’d dropped in the kitchen after she broke the ashtray and rushed into the closet. Too frightened to retrieve her, she’d left Velvet where she had fallen, and she’d been so upset because the doll had been a gift from him many, many months before. She had no idea how he’d gotten Velvet, but one day he’d simply shown up with her, and she was hers, only hers.

“You stay in here. No matter what.”

Holding the doll close, clenched between her knees and chest, she nodded again.

He shifted, stiffening as an angry shout rattled the walls around them. It was her name that dripped ice down her spine; her name that was shouted so furiously.

A small whimper parted her lips and she whispered, “I just wanted a cookie.”

“It’s okay. Remember? I promised I’d keep you safe forever. Just don’t make a sound.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Just stay quiet, and when I…when I get back, I’ll read to you, ‘kay? All about the stupid rabbit.”

All she could do was nod again, because there had been times when she hadn’t stayed quiet and she’d never forgotten those consequences. But if she stayed quiet, she knew what was coming. He wouldn’t be able to read to her tonight. Tomorrow he would miss school and he wouldn’t be okay even though he would tell her he was.

He lingered for a moment and then he eased out of the closet. The bedroom door shut with a smack, and she lifted the doll, pressing her tearstained face into it. A button on Velvet’s chest poked at her cheek.

Don’t make a sound.

Mr. Henry started to yell.

Don’t make a sound.

Footsteps punched down the hall.

Don’t make a sound.

Flesh smacked. Something hit the floor, and Miss Becky must have been feeling better, because she was suddenly shouting, but in the closet the only sound that mattered was the fleshy whack that came over and over. She opened her mouth, screaming silently into the doll.

Don’t make a sound.

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Praise for The Problem With Forever

“The intensity between Mouse and Rider is palpably sizzling… romance aficionados [will] lose themselves in Mouse and Rider’s smoldering glances and steamy kisses.” –Kirkus

“Armentrout’s effort to gradually coax her protagonist from her shell via a supportive, loving community succeeds, and readers looking for an inspirational comeback story will find Mallory’s to be satisfying and hopeful” –Publishers Weekly

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JUST FILL OUT THE FORM HERE: http://bit.ly/24awVFw

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**About the Author**

# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn.

She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Stay connected with Jennifer L. Armentrout

    

J. Lynn on Goodreads

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***The Giveaway***

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Release Blitz Organized by

JASMINE's THOUGHTS on Me Before You (2016)

Genre:

Drama/Romance

Rating:

PG-13

Run Time:

1 hr 50 minutes

Release Date:

June 3, 2016

Presentation of:

New Line Cinema

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures

Distributor:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Based on the Novel by:

Jojo Moyes

Screenplay by:

Jojo Moyes

Directed by:

Thea Sharrock

Social Media:

   

Plot Summary:

Young and quirky Louisa "Lou" Clark (Emilia Clarke) moves from one job to the next to help her family make ends meet. Her cheerful attitude is put to the test when she becomes a caregiver for Will Traynor (Sam Claflin), a wealthy young banker left paralyzed from an accident two years earlier. Will's cynical outlook starts to change when Louisa shows him that life is worth living. As their bond deepens, their lives and hearts change in ways neither one could have imagined.

source

Cast:

Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin, Jenna Coleman, Matthew Lewis, Charles Dance, Vanessa Kirby, Brendan Coyle, Janet McTeer

See Full List of Cast & Crew on IMDB

*My Thoughts*

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

I am speechless! I was in tears... Speechless nonetheless! LOL! I am completely in awe of the beautiful character portrayals of the entire cast. Since I first watched the trailer, I was determined to finish reading the book before watching the movie. I am so glad I did. The book was deep...with a great message..."live boldly." The film itself captured the heart of the book. Wow! I think quite a few people in the theater were in tears...along with me...haha! I seriously had to take a moment when the credits were rolling.

Jojo Moyes did an amazing job writing the script for this film. Well, it does help that she wrote the book. She pretty much has insight on it. Anyways, she was able to condense so much from the book in this 1 hr 50 minutes movie. She took most of the words in the book and made it into action and expressions. The cast were amazing in bringing her characters to life. The casting was spot on. I mean I saw the trailer, so I pretty much got a visual. However, as I read the book, and noticed the descriptions and depictions of these characters, the cast was pretty much filling in my imagination. In my eyes, the cast fit the characters, and they did a wonderful job at being these various...and quirky...personalities.

I don't want to say too much of the film...that would be too spoiler-y. What I will say is that this is a touching and unlikely love story that will leave you in tears. Me Before You doesn't just have the message of "live life to the fullest," but it also deals with a difficult issue that does happen in society today. I think everyone should watch it. But, I do have to warn you, you better bring a box of tissue. Even the toughest heart will melt after watching this...I think...lol! Well, I hope the sequel gets made into a film, too...would love to see Louisa after she goes through this!

Me Before You is a heart-wrenching and moving love story between two unlikely people brought together under strained circumstances.

My Rating:

HIGHLIGHT: Jojo Moyes Discussion, Q&A, & Signing of "Me Before You"

What a fun and exciting "last minute" event. Yes, this event was only posted about two weeks ago...haha! For many fans, this was definitely "last minute." I know it was for me!! Thanks to my good friends, I was able to attend and meet up with friends. Moreover, this event had very strict guidelines since the author, Jojo Moyes, was on a very tight schedule. The event was so strict that there was a limited number of wristbands available, a three book limit, only one book can be personalized, and no posed photos. Regardless of the time constraint of this event, I had fun! However, a small amount of Advance Screening Passes were given out! Whoa!

Yup! Ready for this event!

The event started off with a viewing of one of the trailers for the upcoming film Me Before You which was based on the novel of the same title by Jojo Moyes. Following right after was a brief discussion with a Q&A with the audience. There were the usual questions: What was the inspiration behind the book? What advice would she give to aspiring writers?...so on... I could never get tired of all the different answers from different authors. It's always interesting and informative. It was even very cool to find out that the Christopher Reeve Foundation was very supportive of the film! Wow!

Although the book and the film involves a very controversial topic, this discussion involved one very important point...having a choice. Yes, these characters have choices, but, ultimately, it is their choice. In particular, both book and film focuses on Will's choice. Yes, there is life with this disability, but it is Will's choice...no one can make it for him.

I got emotional during this! LOL! A lot of good points this book and film makes...even Jojo. I think she wrote all this with the utmost respect. No disrespect to any one, I think.

This discussion was very informative and inspiring. Come to find out that this novel was inspired by a friend in a similar situation; and that there is something in the book that comes close to being personal for her...something she can relate to. A fan asked her that particular question, if there was something in her life that she completely "obsessed" about like the bumble bee tights to Louisa in the book.

As for that advice for aspiring authors...basically, I'm paraphrasing here, she said to keep writing; make time to write; don't that tenacity to write no matter how busy life can get. Plus, don't let life deter you from writing. Very sound and similar advice that I have heard from the various authors I have met. And...look at where they, including Jojo, are now! Damn, I love being a reader...haha!

Jojo even expressed how much she enjoyed writing and being a part of the making of the film. It's not very often that the author and the director were able to work together in the making of this movie. She expressed how much she wanted to stay close to the book when she wrote the screenplay.

Oh... A fan asked Jojo what her inspiration to write the sequel was? Guess what...her response was "the fans!" Fans were always asking her about Louisa after Me Before You. And, of course, she even admitted that she even wondered that, too; hence, the sequel, After You.

Yeah! I can't wait to read the sequel. After reading Me Before You, OMG, I was absolutely emotional...haha! I seriously had to have a moment after I turned the last page of the book. <sigh>

After the discussion, fans lined up for the signing...and that went smoothly. Of course, the fact that we got passe to watch the movie helped the line to move along...haha! I'm just thrilled to have met such an amazing writer.

Jojo's signing my book!

Had a lot of fun last night! Of course, watching the movie early was a bonus! My review will follow!

View the full event album on Facebook!

BLOG TOUR: Something Amazing by M. Clarke

Welcome to our tour stop on the Official Blog Tour for Something Amazing, the first book in the spin-off series from the Something Great trilogy, by M. Clarke! This is a reviews only tour! Check out my review on this amazing book at the end of this post!

Genre:

New Adult

Contemporary Romance

Series:

Something Amazing, #1

(Spin-off series from the Something Great Trilogy)

Publish Date:

January 11, 2015

Synopsis:

Some nights have passion, some waves leave you wet, but everything is sexy at Knight Fashion Magazine...

From the International Bestselling Reader's Favorite Award winning author of My Clarity; M. Clarke has readers plunge into the depths of romance and desire with Rachel and Jackson's story.

No one said breaking up was easy, but escaping to Kauai only adds to Rachel Miller's confusion when fate collides her with Jackson Clark. He's everything Rachel wants--confident, charismatic, and in charge--but his past catches up to them, creating rough waves that seems impossible to calm. Will their love for each other be strong enough or will it crash against the shore?

       

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What Others Are Saying About Something Amazing!

“It had me racing to flip the pages and swooning by the end.” - Renee Entress’s Blog

“This is an incredible author that writes beautiful, sexy romance that keeps her readers entranced and wanting more!” - Twin Sisters Rockin' Book Reviews

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Get caught up with the Something Great Trilogy!

  

Book 1, Something Great, is currently FREE!

       

My review on Something Great

My review on Something Wonderful

My review on Something Forever

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**About the Author**

M. Clarke aka Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl.

When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Hence, Mary's pen name, M. Clarke? She tours with the Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book-No Bullies Allowed.

Stay connected with M. Clarke

      

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*My Thoughts*

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

After reading the last page, I had to take a moment to just take it all in! I am still reeling from all the feels after reading Something Amazing! It can be read as a standalone book, but I highly recommend reading the Something Great Trilogy first. This trilogy sets up many of the character backgrounds that are cast in this spin-off novel.

Filled with adventure and romance, these characters venture into new territory and new experiences that takes them out of their comfort zones and opens their eyes and hearts to new feelings and situations. Set in a beautiful and tropical setting, these two main characters, Rachel and Jackson (Jax), explores new feelings with each other that they both did not intend to happen. However, secrets can cause a lot of damage and cause heartache. That is the test...isn't it!?! Will their growing love for each other overcome?

Told in both Rachel's POV and Jax's POV, we get a more closer look at what their thoughts are of each other and themselves. Both and all supporting characters are well-developed making readers...such as myself...feel for them and their struggles. As for the setting, M. Clarke's well written and descriptive setting whisked me away to the beautiful island of Kauai.

M. Clarke delivers an emotionally, heart-wrenching story of falling in love in a complicated situation. Something Amazing is a wonderfully written story of falling in love and overcoming insecurities, doubts, and complications...and giving love a chance to more than one person.

My rating:

Blog Tour Organized by