My Life is the Great British Hinterland

With so much time spent staying home and not going on adventures for Vaughn the Road Again, Wildflower Wednesday and Wings and Daydreams, I've been watching even more TV than normal. I even found some new-to-me shows that I absolutely love. Although my three new faves have almost nothing in common, they all originate from countries outside the US. Hmm, interesting.

If you're looking for something fresh to watch, here are a few I recommend trying...

Hinterland
I've never even been much of a fan of murder mystery shows, but this one is ah-mazing. It's filmed in Wales, which is absolutely gorgeous, and it's so freakin' deep (and sometimes a little effed-up) with its complex story lines and heavy subject matter that I get chill bumps all over my whole body at least once per episode. Netflix has combined each two-part episode into one and it's like watching a movie every time. I just finished the first season and can't wait to start the second because each and every episode has been excellent (and haunting af). Way to raise the bar!

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The Great British Baking Show
I've been a long-time fan of British comedies (Miranda, Peep Show, The Inbetweeners, Friday Night Dinner are laugh-out-loud), but I enjoy this reality baking competition even more than the ones over on Food Network. There's something so relaxing about watching people take baked goods in and out of the oven, amiright? Plus, Paul Hollywood's (yes, that's his real name, the lucky dog) are so blue and dreamy that it's easy to get lost in them even when he's talking about the optimal structure and texture of a loaf of bread.

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My Life is Murder
Now this is the show that got me on the whole murder mystery kick. It's Australian, filmed in beautiful Melbourne, is waaaay "lighter" than Hinterland, stars Lucy Lawless, and is delightful to watch. The first episode with the male escort was hot. I hope they come out with a second season because I binge-watched the first in like a week. Also, it's awesome to see Bernard Curry in an acting role when I'd only ever seen him host Beauty and the Geek Australia. Hey, there's another great show to watch for fun!

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Well, there you have it. My three new favorite TV shows from Wales, the UK and Australia. I love a little variety, don't you?

Has the quarantine forced you to broaden your horizons? Let me know in the comments which TV shows you're devouring right now...

If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose?

Right now I'd have to say Psych. Because they always have snacks and they keep things light. And who doesn't need a little silliness right now?

Although, the more I think about it, I've always wanted to be part of the Scooby Gang... #BuffyForever

Decisions are hard. Which show would you choose?

Book Birthday ❈ Hockey Gods

It's Book Birthday time and today we're flashing back to November 12, 2014 when Hockey Gods made its debut into the world...

Between watching playoff hockey, binge-watching Game of Thrones and working on the next book in the Razors Ice series, my head was swimming with story ideas. Hockey and GOT don't have anything to do with each other, but sometimes that's just the way it works inside my crazy writer brain. Why not smash them together and get down to the nitty-gritty of the sport I love?

So, I thought it would be fun to write something Game of Thrones inspired. A story about power and the things it does to people, and about a land that's as brutal as the villagers living on it.

Plus, after reading so many historical romances where the helpless heroine is thrown over the shoulder of a man, relinquishing all power, I thought I'd write about a woman who was a kick-ass sort of gal. Although men are a pleasant addition to her bedchamber, she doesn't need one in order to survive. She can stand on her own two feet and fight her battles for herself.

And so, Hockey Gods was born and Nataliya got to show what she was made of while Calder tried to figure out what he thought of the fierce female who ends up being his biggest competitor. I also got to crawl inside the mind of the evil villain, which ended up being a total blast for me. Who knew it would be so fun to be so malicious?

Maybe someday, when I'm through documenting hockey players and their glamorous (and sometimes not-so-glamorous) lives, I'll venture into the realm of another world again where mythical creatures and mystical characters drip from every page...

Until then,
Happy Reading!
RV

✦

HBO Deadwood Movie 2019

Can you believe that my post about Deadwood in 2012 is the 3rd most popular post on my blog? (HERE is the link in case you missed it.) Yeah, it came as a surprise to me, too. And here I thought you guys came here to read about me and my books and my favorite nail polish colors! (Humor me and click HERE for the nail polish post and I'll love ya forever.)

Since the Deadwood movie finally premiers tomorrow on HBO, I thought it was worth mentioning my love of these gritty, awesome characters. I can't wait to see what everyone is up to ten years later. Who else is jonesing for some more of Swearengen's epic quotes?

Oh, Baby!

I just finished watching Supernatural's latest episode "Baby." This was the best episode I've seen in a while--maybe ever. It especially resonated with me because it had some of the same elements as the book I've been working on. I can't give much away yet (all in good time), but I can say two words about it: Road Trip. Maybe there will be some "night moves" worked in there, too. ;)

Carry on...

Why I'm glad Justified is over

Reason #1: Now I won’t have to worry about which character they’re going to kill off this week.

Reason #2: Well, there really aren’t any more reasons. I loved the show and looked forward to watching it probably more than any other show on TV right now. (Sorry, Supernatural.) Apologies for the misleading title of this post.

Justified on FX

I was late arriving to the Justified party and didn’t discover the show until it was in its third season. But that was just fine with me because I love bingewatching a show to get caught up on it.

The dialogue was fantastic and the dynamic between the characters was amazing. Even the minor characters made you care about their fates. And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?

Most people don’t use words like "subsequent," "recanted" and "extricate" when they speak. And I certainly don’t use them in my writing. But they sure sounded good coming out of Timothy Olyphant’s beautiful mouth.

I hope the actors from the show go on to make many more movies and TV shows because I can’t wait to see Walton Goggins’ pearly whites lighting up my TV screen again.

Walton Goggins

Which TV shows were you "late to the party" on watching?

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Gone Too Soon

Discovering Deadwood

Supernatural's Return

Supernatural

In honor of Supernatural's return, I'd like to pay tribute to television's most adorable duo.

Whether they are battling demons, making deals with the devil or just plain old saving the world, Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles know how to make it look good, damn good.

Which Winchester brother does it for you? Sam or Dean?

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Gone Too Soon

Discovering Deadwood

Why I'm glad Justified...

Deadwood

I discovered the show Deadwood for the first time this month. Somehow I missed it when it was originally on the air, but luckily HBO GO allows me to stream shows and movies. I don’t know how I lived without Deadwood before Because. It. Is. Awesome.

I love the concept of a gritty western and the fact that it's on HBO where they don’t have to sensor it, makes it even better.

Oh, and the characters! The entire cast deserves to win every award on the planet. Ian McShane was born to play Al Swearengen. Timothy Olyphant is amazing as always and I love Brad Dourif’s performance as Doc Cochran.

Needless to say, I went ahead and bought the DVD set and the case is absolutely beautiful. It’s probably the nicest box set I’ve ever seen.

When I mentioned that Ian McShane was born to play Al Swearengen, it got me thinking about other actors who seem to have been born to portray specific characters.

A few come to mind:

               Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie on Sex and the City

               Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday in Tombstone

               Alan Alda as Hawkeye on M*A*S*H

Any others you can think of?

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Why I'm glad Justified is...

Supernatural's Return

Gone Too Soon

My (belated) thoughts about the NHL lockout...

By now, I’ve had plenty of time to let it sink in that there probably won’t be an NHL season this year. I think I've put off writing about it because denial is funny that way.

I like to tell myself it will give me more time to write but we all know that it’s difficult to feel inspired when the one thing that inspires me and my books is wrapped up in a big corporate mess.

The issue is money and whether you blame the players or the owners or the commissioner (we all know how much everyone loves Bettman), someone is being a little too greedy. 

One thing is for sure: The fans are getting the short end of the stick. We are the ones shelling out hundreds (yes hundreds) of dollars to watch the sport we love on TV, in person and don’t even get me started on how expensive fan merchandise and parking is.

Hockey already seems to be the most expensive sport to watch and/or play. Out of curiosity, I looked up how much baseball tickets are and couldn’t believe the low prices. Compared to the almost 150 bucks HP Pavilion charges to be near the glass at a Sharks game, the A’s and Giants are practically giving their tickets away!

No matter how irritated I am with the NHL right now, I refuse to switch sports. There just isn’t enough room in my brain for a new set of player names and stats!

I suppose I’m bitter about the whole lockout especially after seeing how much fun the players are having at the meetings. While they joke around, play golf and jet off to Sweden and Russia to play for other leagues, we wait on pins and needles for negotiation news.

I guess there is a brightside to the lockout though. Fans of the other leagues across the world are getting to see Ovechkin, Chara and others play when they normally wouldn’t, so that’s nice for them.

Either way, these playoff re-runs on the NHL Network are starting to lose their luster. A part of me wouldn’t mind seeing the entire season canceled just so we don’t have to hear about it anymore. (Sorry, hockey gods, you know I don't mean that).

For now, I'll try be content with escaping into my fictional world of Red Valley where Razors hockey starts in October when it's supposed to.

Always yours,

What are you doing to fill the void?

The Killers are back!

The Killers, one of my favorite bands, are making the rounds promoting their new album. Last night they appeared on Letterman and this morning they were on Good Morning America. I have to say I’m glad to see these guys making music again. Battle Born, their first album in four years, is currently on repeat on my iPod and I'm loving it.

The Killers’ first album, Hot Fuss, remains one of my favorite albums of all time. Back in 2004, I easily fell in love with the band’s indie rock sound, Vegas glam style, and use of guyliner. (Their appearance on The O.C. didn’t hurt either!)

Watching them perform again got me thinking about the evolution of lead singer Brandon Flowers’ style over the years. Talent and success aside, you have to admit Brandon is a hottie.

Here are a few of Brandon’s looks, including that weird feathery jacket he wore for an entire tour cycle, the saloon bartender look during Sam’s Town and finally just plain old hunky rock star.

I couldn’t be more happy to see Brandon Flowers rockin’ a leather jacket this time around!

There is one thing I’m sure of: Brandon Flowers, you will always be my Mr. Brightside.

P.S. Be sure to check out Brandon’s solo album Flamingo if you haven’t already :D