Tag Archives: hobby

Dec27

Lego Dobby Set

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Lego Dobby Set

Howdy!! Johnny gifted me with two of my favorite things this Christmas: Lego and Hadestown and it was awesome. He got me the most adorable Dobby Lego set for our knick knack shelf and the deluxe original cast recording of Hadestown on vinyl. All of the fixings for a perfect date night in! This past Friday, we spent the evening listening to my new record in its entirety while working on building Dobby. Well, actually, it was more like me working because this was the first Lego set I completed *almost* all by myself. Johnny was most proud and called me his “little builder” lol! Check out my handiwork:

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I’ll be honest, I was slightly worried when Johnny presented me with the Dobby set because I could tell that it would be a lot of small pieces. And, let’s just say that with these talons, small pieces and I don’t mix well. Normally, when Johnny and I build together, he will handle all of the itty bitty details and I take care of all of the big pieces. This time around, myself and Jesus took the wheel and it shockingly went… really well! After a few initial fumbles, I was breezing through this build like magic and it was so fun to see the little house elf come to life before my very eyes!

If you are a novice builder and Harry Potter fan like myself, I truly cannot recommend this set enough. Yes, it was small. Yes, it was simple. And that is exactly what I needed! It was such a confidence builder to be able to work on a smaller scale. I was able to fully understand the directions which were far less intimidating than the bigger builds I am used to. And, for the first time, I was able to correct the mistakes that I made like accidentally doing two right arms for Dobby on my own. The whole time I was building, Johnny kept saying how surprised he was and, frankly, so was I lol. Everything went without a hitch, of course, until it was time to put the cake together because those pieces are still WAY too tiny for me. 🙂

I had such a great time during mine and Johnny’s big night in and I absolutely love how my Dobby turned out. It’s seriously so cute I can’t stand it! ❤

What was the last thing you built with Lego? What is your favorite thing that you have built with Lego? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec4

1500 Day Duolingo Streak!!

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1500 Day Duolingo Streak!!

Howdy!!! As most of you know, I thrive on having a strict routine. It brings me a lot of comfort to know ahead of time what my day is going to look like and I rarely stray far from it outside of the weekend. Knowing that I live for a good schedule, it should not come as a surprise that there is nothing more pleasing to me than a good streak. No, not running naked through the neighborhood, but doing something regularly and tracking the days! My most recent accomplishment for a streak happened this past weekend when I hit 1500 days in a row on Duolingo:

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I always say that if I had a super power, I would want to be fluent in every language in the world. I would love to be able to communicate with people in any language that they are most comfortable with! While I am not there yet lol, I have to say that Duolingo has been a great asset. For over FOUR YEARS now, I have woken up every morning and completed at least one practice session of French. It comes as naturally as my daily early morning Facebook check and I have never forgotten or faltered. Probably because the owl would blow up my phone if I did!

Because of massive time restraints, I don’t get to work on Spanish, Italian, German, and Czech as often as I would like. However, I am always pleased with my recollection when I can squeeze in a multilingual practice. And, I am extremely happy with how my French has advanced over time. I have studied French literally since high school and it has been my dream for as long as I can remember to go to France. Will I ever get there? Who’s to say? But I love that I would feel comfortable with my communication if Johnny and I treat ourselves to a very belated honeymoon. 😀

Thanks to the handy Duolingo app, I get to start my mornings off right with something I enjoy so much. I can’t wait till my next milestone!

Which languages do you speak? Which languages would you like to learn? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov15

Transform Your Photography Hobby Into A Side Hustle

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Transform Your Photography Hobby Into A Side Hustle

Turning a photography hobby into a profitable side hustle is a rewarding journey, but it requires planning, patience, and a few smart strategies. From investing in equipment to building an online presence, there are several steps that can help hobbyists start earning from their passion. Here’s a guide to making photography not just something you love, but also a way to bring in extra income:

Invest in quality equipment:

To go from hobbyist to professional, good equipment is essential. While it’s tempting to stick with basic gear, investing in a high-quality camera, lenses, and lighting tools can significantly improve your work. Clients expect sharp, clear, and high-resolution images, and the right equipment makes that possible.

Beyond a great camera, consider investing in accessories like a tripod for stability and external flashes for better lighting in different settings. Drone photography is also becoming popular; if you’re interested, check out sites like drdrone.ca for equipment that allows you to capture stunning aerial shots. Professional tools not only enhance image quality but also make the shooting process smoother and more enjoyable.

Build a diverse portfolio:

A strong portfolio is key to attracting clients. Choose your best work across different photography styles, whether it’s portraits, landscapes, events, or products, to show potential clients what you’re capable of. It’s a good idea to include a variety of shots to demonstrate your range and versatility. Updating your portfolio regularly keeps it fresh and relevant to current trends. If you’re interested in specializing in a particular niche, such as pet photography or food photography, create a separate portfolio for that to attract specific clients.

Learn basic editing skills:

Editing can make a big difference in transforming good photos into amazing ones. Learning to use photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop helps enhance colors, correct lighting, and remove minor imperfections. These tools are essential for creating a polished final product that clients will love.

Define your photography niche:

Specializing in a specific area can help you build expertise and attract targeted clients. For example, some photographers focus on portraits, while others might specialize in events, food, or real estate photography. A niche allows you to tailor your style and skills to meet the needs of a specific audience. Selecting a niche also makes it easier to market your services, as you’ll be able to identify and connect with clients interested in that area.

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^^^ Unsplash Image

Create an online presence:

An online presence is crucial for any side hustle, especially in photography. Start by creating a website or portfolio page where potential clients can see your work, learn about your services, and contact you. A simple, clean website showcasing your best shots and providing clear contact information can make a strong first impression. Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are also powerful tools for reaching a larger audience. Regularly posting your work and engaging with followers allows people to get a sense of your style and personality.

Set competitive pricing:

Setting fair, competitive prices can be challenging, but it’s essential for building a successful side hustle. Research what other photographers in your area are charging and consider factors like your skill level, equipment costs, and editing time. Starting with a lower rate can attract clients initially, but be ready to increase prices as you gain experience and build a portfolio.

Network and build client relationships:

Building strong client relationships is one of the most effective ways to grow a photography side hustle. Satisfied clients often recommend you to others, which can bring in new business without extra marketing efforts. Delivering high-quality work, meeting deadlines, and communicating clearly shows clients they can rely on you.

Manage time and finances wisely:

Managing time and finances is crucial for a successful side hustle. Since photography often requires both shooting and editing, it’s easy to underestimate how much time goes into each project. Setting a schedule for editing, responding to clients, and marketing your services helps you stay organized and meet deadlines consistently. Budgeting is also important, especially if you’re investing in equipment or software. Tracking expenses and income gives you a clear picture of profitability, and it’s helpful to set aside funds for upgrades or unexpected costs.

Keep improving and learning:

The photography industry is always evolving with new techniques, styles, and technology emerging regularly. Staying current by taking courses, reading photography blogs, or attending workshops helps you improve your skills and stay competitive. There’s always something new to learn, whether it’s advanced editing techniques, posing tips, or how to use different types of equipment.

With these tips, we hope you can create a lucrative photography side hustle!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Oct24

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Boyfriend By Freida McFadden Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: The Boyfriend By Freida McFadden Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing a thriller by Freida McFadden called The Boyfriend. Even though I figured out the grand reveal well ahead of time, it was a pretty good and fast paced read. I finished it in three sittings! Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning on The Boyfriend for assault, violence, and disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:

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Sydney lives in New York City and is in her mid thirties. Saying she is unlucky in love is an understatement and she is well aware of the ticking of her biological clock. One of her best friends, Gretchen, has found a great new boyfriend. Her other bestie, Bonnie, who has a date almost every night has even found a dreamy guy to cozy up with regularly. So why can’t Sydney? As she scrolls aimlessly through dating apps, she solidifies plans for a dinner out with a match and is actually excited. Until her date arrives, that is.

What should have been Sydney’s handsome suitor turns out to be a catfish named Kevin. Sydney decides to see the date through because they did have some semblance of a connection over text. This nicety proved to be a bad idea and after their dinner, Kevin attempts to assault her on the way home. What was an already terrible situation could have been so much worse had in not been for a Mystery Man who came to Sydney’s rescue. When he looked at her, she felt sparks flying but she never even got his name.

Sydney is officially back to the drawing board and continues to go about her normal routine. Work, dating apps, and outings with her girls. Everything is almost back to status quo, until one of her best friends is brutally murdered in her own apartment. Of course, Sydney swears off the dating apps – for a while anyways. After what she considers an appropriate amount of time off for grieving, she has a coffee date with a new match. They are having a wonderful time during their meet up, but then Sydney suffers a nosebleed that sends him running out the door. Sydney is left with the bill and in a state of shock – Mystery Man is in the coffee shop and he is approaching her!

Finally, the man she has been pining over since their first encounter is talking to her and his name is Tom. He is a total babe, respectful, and a doctor too. Could things be any more perfect? As they pursue a relationship, Sydney has a hard time thinking otherwise – other than some glaring red flags, that is. Maybe, Tom is just a full fledged commitmentphobe. Or perhaps he’s harboring his own dark secrets that Sydney is none the wiser to. All she knows is that Tom might not be who she thinks he is. So who is her Mystery Man, really? Read The Boyfriend to find out!

I wouldn’t go as far as to say that The Boyfriend was the best book I have ever read. There was, however, a lot that I liked about it. As you all know, I love a book with alternating narrators and this one went back and forth between present day Sydney and Tom in the past. This really added to the sense of urgency revolving around Sydney because every time we circled back to Tom’s childhood, we learned a new disturbing fact. While we could see things for what they were, she had no idea and it made her situation that much more dire. The grand reveal was also quite the shocking one despite my super sleuthing.

Where this book fell short for me was in terms of characters. When I consider a “good” book, I think about ones where I felt really connected with the characters. The Boyfriend lacked this significantly. Sydney was a very milquetoast leading lady and read as completely desperate more often that not. Tom, on the other hand, was your typical “love interest with a dark past” and it was rather stereotypical as opposed to something fresh and new. This was too bad because the plot was definitely one I was interested in but the characters lacked that special something to really drive it home.

Overall, I am going to rate The Boyfriend with a six out of ten stars. If you are looking for a decent quick read, I recommend it. If you are on the hunt for a book with a bit more oomph, then it is one you can certainly skip on!

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep29

Random Book Haul

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Random Book Haul

Hello!! This past week, I visited Barnes & Noble on an outing with one of my clients. She was completely striking out and asked if I could take her to Ollie’s instead. I’m not sure if this store is just an Ohio thing, but Ollie’s is basically a catch all discount shop. This is only the second time I have been in there but they literally have everything but the kitchen sink – clothing, books, toys, cupboard grocery items, furniture, etc. Actually, they just might have the kitchen sink too lol. She was hoping to find some new books on the cheap and I was so happy that she did. Surprisingly, I ended up with several too and a little something for my sweet nieces. Check it out:

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I have always been an avid fan of graphic novels and recently got heavily back into them. I have honestly been too exhausted to commit to cracking open a new book and graphic novels give me the opportunity to still be able to read AND appreciate amazing artwork. It really is a win win. After finishing the Nailbiter series, I have an idea of what I’d like to start reading next. I do, however, have a handful of different series that I have already read but would like to add to my collection at some point. One of them being one of my all time favorite horror series called Preacher by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon. Little did I know, that some point was going to be earlier this week!

While at Ollie’s, I clutched my pearls when I saw that they had Books Two through Four of Preacher. And, yes, I did scour the shelves to see if Book One was there too but it was nowhere to be found. While that was a bit disappointing, I still could not believe my good fortune. I paid eighteen dollars for two paperbacks and one hardback cover. In total, I spent less for three volumes than what I would have paid for just one at another store or online. As this series is one that I coveted for a long time, I was incredibly happy to get a jump on obtaining part of the collection for a song. 😀

And, of course, I had to pick up a little something something for both of my nieces too. My two tiny besties are most fond of coloring books and I couldn’t say no after seeing Gabby’s Dollhouse and Disney princesses – their two favorites. ❤ This impromptu shopping trip as per my client’s suggestion opened my eyes to an essentially new to me discount store. I absolutely plan on returning again to see what else I can add to my graphic novel library. GREAT SUCCESS!!

What is your favorite discount store? Have you scored any awesome deals recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep21

Fall Family Fun

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Fall Family Fun

Hello!! I am a fall girl through and through. The weather, the fashion, the holidays – it is just the best! Fall is when your favorite elder emo couple thrives because we do not do well in the hot weather whatsoever. Johnny and I both get burned to a crisp and I always end up feeling nauseous from being in the heat too long (medication side effects). As soon as that brisk weather hits, we are ready for all of the activities and it’s even more fun with our families and sweet nieces in tow. Here are some of the outings I hope to have as well as some other ideas too:

Apple Picking:

Apple picking is SO obvious but it needs to be said as it is quite possibly my favorite autumn activity. It truly is a fall staple and there are so many gorgeous orchards in my neck of the woods. Apple picking is such a wholesome outing and there is nothing better than taking a leisurely stroll amongst the trees. If the orchards in your area are similar to mine, there are also sure to be lots of kid friendly attractions too – hay rides, petting zoos, crafts, games, etc. These extra bonuses will make for a day that your whole family, young and old, can enjoy together.

Glass Blowing:

There are several glass blowing studios nearby to me and it is something that I have always wanted to try! Now, especially, because I have seen countless ads on Facebook from said studios offering classes for glass blown pumpkins. While this isn’t an ideal activity for younger kiddos, it would be great for teens or a date night. Johnny and I already have countless pumpkin related Halloween decor but nothing handmade by us so I would love to get a class scheduled and learn something new.

Movie Night:

Johnny and I try to watch as many scary movies as humanly possible during spooky season and we both really look forward to it. Movie nights are simple, yes, but they can be as extra as you wish. You could set up twinkling orange and purple lights and a blanket fort and make all of the treats! A caramel apple station with a variety of topping options will be sure to please. You can also find recipes for mocktails that will look like a bubbling brew and serve them in potion bottles for the full effect. Revisit Disney channel movie classics for younger kiddos or cool claymation flicks like Coraline or Paranorman for your teens!

Decorate:

Mine and Johnny’s main qualm with apartment living is that we don’t have a yard to decorate for Halloween, so please decorate in our honor. This is something that the whole family can pitch in on. Littles could make paper chains, paper bag owls, and paint pictures for the indoors. Older helpers can work outside to create Halloween magic! Set a budget per person, visit local discount stores, and see what you can come up with. Who knows, your house just might be the best decorated one on the block.

Scavenger Hunt:

Speaking of decorations, if your neighborhood or surrounding areas boasts well decorated homes – turn it into a scavenger hunt. Make a list of what you are looking for, grab some travel mugs of hot apple cider, and hit the road to see what you can see. And play the Monster Mash on repeat, obvi! This is the perfect activity for when you just feel like getting out of the house on a chilly night. After your drive, take a superlative style vote for best decorated, scariest, and silliest. You also might get some inspiration for your own home’s decor!

Johnny and I have emerged from our coffins and are ready to enjoy a fun and full fall together and with our families. It really is the happiest time of the year!

What is your favorite fall activity? What are you dressing up as for Halloween? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep20

What To Read Next?!

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What To Read Next?!

Howdy!! I have always been a huge fan of graphic novels and have gotten deeply back into them as of late. I recently finished a crazy adventure that was the Nailbiter series and am ready to sink my teeth into something new. During one of my hauls at JC Comics, the owner gifted me with five free first issues of other horror series that he thought I might like. It was so kind of him and with nothing else to read, I read all five of them in one day to determine what I should start next. I was pretty surprised by the conclusion I came to so let’s discuss each option a bit more (with a trigger warning for violent content):

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Kill or be Killed: The first issue of Kill or be Killed was just okay. Long story short, the main character named Dylan tries to kill himself. Somehow, he survives and is visited that night by a demon with a message. Dylan’s life was spared, so a life for a life every month is the deal. If he can’t commit to it, Dylan will die instead… My main qualm with Kill or be Killed wasn’t exactly the story line and a majority of the artwork was cool. I just thought that the demon looked lame AF and I won’t stand for it lol. I also felt like the plot wasn’t capable of developing beyond the deal with the demon so it was a next for me.

Ice Cream Man: Speaking of lame, that brings us to Ice Cream Man. Yes, you guessed it – it is all about the neighborhood ice cream man who is actually a werewolf. This one was far too goofy for my liking and I am also not interested in werewolf stories either so this was a big fat NO.

Monstress: I hated Monstress almost immediately because I had literally no idea what was going on. However, I kept on reading and I am so glad as it was my favorite one from the batch. Maika Halfwolf was orphaned after her mother was killed in an ongoing war between powerful witches and the Arcanics (or monster kind). The Arcanics are now being rounded up and killed and it is up to Maika to avenge her mother’s death and save her tribe… Holy WOW did this first issue pack a punch. The story line is quite dense, but I liked that because it read like an actual story. The artwork was also magnificent and I was blown away by every panel. I was so sad after reading the last page because I wanted to know more!

Criminal: I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like Criminal and I was right because the first issue did nothing for me. Basically, a career criminal who is the best in the business is contacted to go on a major diamond heist by people who are just as seedy as him. Not my bag whatsoever so into the next pile it went.

w0rldtr33: After Monstress, w0rldtr33 came in second place. The plot goes like this – there is a corner of the dark web that can get people to commit horrible monstrosities merely by glancing at it. The original creators have kept it under wraps, but it has resurfaced once again and left terror in its wake. There are those that want to stop it and others who want to harness it to create a new and not improved world… I am a sucker for a dark web story so I was pretty interested in w0rldtr33. It didn’t catch my attention as much as Monstress but I still would like to see how this battle of good and evil plays out.

My plan is to get Volume One of both Monstress and W0rldtr33 and see what happens. Each of them had their merits but it’s too hard to tell which one to go with after only reading one issue. Either way, I’m excited about it!

What are you currently reading? Is there a local bookstore or comic shop in your neck of the woods that you love? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep10

Lil Red’s Book Club: Nailbiter Vol. 8 “Nailbiter Returns” By Joshua Williamson Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Nailbiter Vol. 8 “Nailbiter Returns” By Joshua Williamson Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing the final volume in the horror series, Nailbiter. From start to finish, Nailbiter was a wild ride and Nailbiter Returns did a good job of wrapping things up. Minus ending on a massive cliffhanger!! As of now, there are no new Nailbiters in the works and it is a shame because I’d love to see what happens next. But, I digress. Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on Nailbiter Returns for graphic violence, gore, and disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:

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Volume Eight of Nailbiter picked up right where Volume Seven left off: A high school game called the Buckaroo Brawl was made up by a young Crane and Warren. The game should have ended a long time ago but it has started back up again with look alike Buckaroo Butchers slaying citizens and harvesting their eyeballs for a new Master. Warren, Finch, Crane, and Alice return to Buckaroo at the end of Volume Seven to put an end to the new game where it all began. And Volume Eight begins.

Upon our ragtag team’s arrival in Buckaroo, they are almost immediately separated and Alice finds herself deep in the woods. As she tries to make her way back to the others, it begins to rain. Not regular old rain, but blood. Alice hallucinates nightmares before her very eyes until Warren tracks her down and leads her to where he knows they need to go. It isn’t an underground tunnel or a laboratory, rather it’s the home of Warren’s former high school fling whose ties to the Butchers go far deeper than just an appreciation.

In the house, one of the look alike Butchers hurls Warren and Alice into a dark room where Crane, Finch, and FBI Agent Danny are found in chains. A grand reunion is promised and it is there that they meet the new Master. This is a highly inconvenient time to be dealing with a bunch of cosplay serial killers as the Master has a plan: To rain blood all over Portland and let people experience horror as they never have before. With the Master and game in full force in Buckaroo and a catastrophe underway in Portland, decisions must be made for the safety of all. Can both be stopped? Read Nailbiter to find out!

If you recall, Volume Seven was my least favorite of the Nailbiter series. In my opinion, Nailbiter could have ended with Volume Six and that would have been fine. I’m not sure how I feel about Nailbiter Returns because I wasn’t privy to the plot of the Buckaroo Brawl to begin with. It felt like grasping at straws and that was disappointing as the series has always felt so confident in what it was. I did like the outcome of Volume Eight as well as the introduction of the Master. However, it seemed too little too late and I would have much preferred for this story line to have come forward earlier in the series. Then, these final two volumes wouldn’t have felt like such an afterthought.

While I didn’t much care for Volume Seven and Eight, I really did enjoy everything in the series leading up to it and I’m glad to have read it. Nailbiter is the first graphic novel series I have read that truly felt like horror. The plot of a small town with a double digit amount of serial killers is an instantly gripping one and I just had to know more. There were an abundance of jump scares, serial killers, and crazy twists and turns that any horror fan would appreciate. It was also very easy to get attached to the characters and that made every situation even more shocking. I wish there was more because the final panel of the series leaves A LOT more questions than answers!

Overall, I am going to rate Nailbiter Returns with a five out of ten stars. It was good, but not great. Don’t let this be a deterrent to not read the series, though! I still highly, highly recommend it.

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug29

Lil Red’s Book Club: Nailbiter Vol. 7 “Nailbiter Returns” By Joshua Williamson Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Nailbiter Vol. 7 “Nailbiter Returns” By Joshua Williamson Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing the seventh volume of Nailbiter called “Nailbiter Returns”. I am so sad because I only have one more volume to go in the series and have no idea what to read next! Volume Six of Nailbiter left off on a massive cliffhanger and, honestly, the series could have ended there. Nailbiter Returns was such a “but wait – there’s more!” move and I am glad to have read it. However, it definitely wasn’t as strong as its predecessors. Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a big fat trigger warning on Volume Seven for gore, graphic violence, and disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:

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Volume Six of Nailbiter left us in a total bloodbath – both literally and metaphorically. It was bloody and in a bathroom lol. It was a fight to the death between former high school sweethearts and parents to Alice, Sheriff Crane and Edward “Nailbiter” Warren. There was no telling who lived or who died and that brings us right into Volume Seven. We meet Alice at the Butcher Bar in Portland, Oregon as Buckaroo got completely obliterated mere days ago. She returns home from her night out to find her mom missing and knows there’s only one person to go to in a situation like this – Nicholas Finch.

As it just so happens, Finch has to leave his cozy set up with his partner and child in Texas to head to Portland himself. There was a massive car accident which normally wouldn’t be cause to call Finch in. However, what was found in the trunk of one of the vehicles certainly requires his expertise – the body of a Buckaroo Butcher called Lucha Eliminador who has been dead for years. In fact, none of the Butchers except for the Nailbiter is currently alive. His whereabouts are unknown to everyone. Everyone except Finch anyways.

After reuniting with Alice, Finch brings her to daddy dearest who is residing in a glass box in a basement – exactly where Finch left him. Their reunion is short lived because Finch receives a call for a double murder and, as she does, Alice tags along. The scene they arrive upon is gruesome and it appears that the victims in the situation killed two Buckaroo Butchers – both of which should be dead. Before Finch can even question them, Alice is in the car with the victims – except they don’t look like the victims anymore. They look like the Clown Car Killer and The Blonde and promise to bring Alice to her mom if she takes them to where her dad is.

Alice guns it back to the basement where the Nailbiter is kept and Finch trails in pursuit. During their drive, we are introduced to more Butchers like the Silent Movie Killer and Terrible Two. They seem to be in on a game and want to have their sick idea of fun. The game? A bunch of look alike Butchers committing murders, stealing eyeballs for points, and gifting them to a new Master. The inventors of the Buckaroo Brawl? None other than Crane and the Nailbiter. In an intense final shootout, Alice is reunited with her mom and learns that the Warren who attacked her wasn’t Warren at all. Just someone who bears a striking resemblance. There are still several Butchers who are left in the game and there is only one place left to find them. In the final volume, the gang is heading back to Buckaroo: Where it all began.

I am not sure how I feel about Nailbiter Returns. In a way, I liked it. However, the bigger part of me wishes that the series ended with Volume Six and the ultimate cliffhanger – did Crane and Warren live or die? The “reincarnation” so to speak of the Butchers in Volume Seven seemed like grasping at straws to keep the story going. It was a good story and the Buckaroo Brawl is certainly an interesting idea. I also enjoyed getting to learn about more of the Butchers, even if they were just look alikes. But was it necessary? Not really, no.

Of course, I’m looking forward to the grand finale of Volume Eight. But, in my opinion, nothing trumps what I feel should be the original grand finale of Volume Six. All good things must come to an end – even your favorite series. Nailbiter Returns was highly entertaining and there’s no doubt about that. It’s never good to read something that feels like a last ditch effort to keep something going, though, and that’s what it felt like as I read Volume Seven. Maybe I’ll think differently with the series finale, but this was easily the most disappointing volume so far.

Overall, I am going to rate Nailbiter Returns with a five and a half out of ten stars. Was it good? Yes. Was it great? No. I have come to expect excellence from the Nailbiter series and this one fell totally flat.

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug23

Lil Red’s Book Club: Nailbiter Vol. 6 “The Bloody Truth” By Joshua Williamson Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Nailbiter Vol. 6 “The Bloody Truth” By Joshua Williamson Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club. In a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing the sixth volume of the Nailbiter series called The Bloody Truth. As per ushe, I finished it in one sitting and spent a majority of my time audibly saying “oh shit” while reading. Lol, this was easily the most insane volume of the series and might just be my favorite one yet. Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a big fat trigger warning for gore, graphic violence, and disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:

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The Bloody Truth begins with a whole lot of… blood. As a Christmas miracle, Edward “Nailbiter” Warren was shot, Finch is currently being tortured by a serial killer named the Book Burner, and Sheriff Crane was stabbed in her home by a rogue Agent Barker. As Alice rushes to the hospital to tend to her mother and avoid her serial killer dad, big things are happening in Buckaroo. It is the grand reopening of the Murder Store that is being operated by a Buckaroo Butcher named The Blonde. Sadly for the eager customers, they will never set foot in the store because in an instant, Buckaroo goes up in smoke.

Unsurprisingly, the Book Burner has a thing for fire and lots of it. He has placed explosives throughout the course of the underground tunnels that run through Buckaroo and it’s time for the big show. To keep the mystery of the Butchers forever a mystery, the explosives detonate and the city must be evacuated. It’s awfully hard for Crane and Warren to escape as they are unconscious in the hospital. While Alice struggles to get both her mother and father out, she gets a helping hand in the worst way possible. The Book Burner is there to take the happy family in its entirety and leads them straight into hell.

Crane, Warren, Alice, Finch, and Agent Barker all find themselves in the underground tunnels and meet The Master (And no, I can’t tell you who it is! What I can say is that he is no stranger.). We also finally learn the secrets of the Buckaroo Butchers, the experiments that turned people into killers, and what The Master was trying so desperately to protect. It doesn’t mean anything, however, if no one makes it out of the tunnels alive. As the explosives continue to detonate, there is a rumbling in the tunnels and our ragtag team must flee. Will anyone survive? Or will the mystery of the Buckaroo Butchers be forever buried underground? Read Nailbiter to find out!

Wow. Wow. WOW. After reading the fifth volume of Nailbiter, I knew that they were setting the stage for all hell to break loose in the remaining volumes. What I didn’t expect was for this to fully happen in The Bloody Truth, but it did and it was nuts. From the very first page to the last, there were twists, turns, reveals, and jump scares that left me completely shook. Each volume built tension that you could cut with a knife and it was simply thrilling to read of its release. There was a lot that I liked in every volume until now, but The Bloody Truth took the cake in a major way.

I consider myself an amateur detective when I read and have a fairly high success rate of solving grand reveals well before it happens. This was not the case for this volume of Nailbiter whatsoever. I had no clue who The Master was and the mystery of the Buckaroo Butchers had me stumped. There were so many red herrings that threw me off the scent and that’s okay! If anything, it was more motivation to keep reading because I hated not knowing. Joshua Williamson did a masterful job of using smoke and mirrors to cover up any inklings that I originally had and it turned flipping through a graphic novel into a full fledged experience. The Nailbiter series could have ended with The Bloody Truth but there are two more volumes left and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

I am going to rate The Bloody Truth with the coveted ten out of ten stars. This was, hands down, the best volume of the bunch and is sure to satisfy the readers who have been craving answers as soon as they started the Nailbiter series. Bravo!

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah