Review - French Lover - Netflix

Don't be dismayed, but today's movie review is for a French romantic comedy starring Omar Sy as Abel, a dashing but jaded movie star, and Sara Giraudeau as Marion, a down on her luck waitress in a divorce battle with her ex who doesn't watch action movies and doesn't know who Abel is.

I saw a trailer for this Netflix movie and was intrigued. Since most foreign movies one can stream have English audio tracks embedded, it's not nearly as distracting as reading subtitles.

I found the movie to be funny and well-acted. I also found it intriguing to see a romcom aimed at a mostly French audience.

Some of the funny parts tickled my funny bone because they weren't what one normally would see or hear in an American romcom.

Except for Omar Sy, whom I'd seen in another French movie as well as several American films, I wasn't familiar with the cast which I found to be superb. This French romcom had pretty much the same kind of supporting actors as an American romcom featuring a movie star hero: a cutthroat sister, a slightly weird brother-in-law, starstruck mother and father, etc.

There were a few anachronistic bits, i.e., mentioning Jimmy Hoffa in what was supposed to be funny dialogue. In this country, there's an entire generation who wouldn't get that reference. The English translator for the audio track should have known better. 

Those English translated bits provided a different kind of amusement, but that didn't take away from the film.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

All in all, I found the film amusing and entertaining. From an author's perspective, I found it educational as to what the French would find amusing in a romantic comedy. If you have Netflix, watch it. You may find you like it too.

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COME TO THE BEACH PARTY

I need a vacation because I'm SO tired of all the construction here at my hacienda.

Just when I think we're getting close to the finish line, the weather throws a meteorological monkey wrench at is and construction stalls again.

If I can't take a vacation, then at least I can go to a Beach Party in the comfort of my home.

You can come too because I bet you could use an easy and cool getaway too!

BEACH READS AND SUMMER LOVE

Is there anything more fun than a good book on vacation? I think not. If that book is a romance novel, then you're guaranteed to have a good time. So here are the details:

WHAT: Facebook Beach Party

WHO: Hosted by the Romance Gems Authors

WHERE: Romance Gems...Where Authors and Readers Meet

WHEN: Tomorrow, July 14, 2026, starting at 9AM EST and running to 8PM EST

WHY: Because we all need a break and some fun!

HOW TO ATTEND: Go to Romance Gems...Where Authors and Readers Meet and click to join, answer the Participation Questions, agree to the rules, and someone will review your answers and give you admittance if all is in order.

WHY SHOULD YOU GO TO THE PARTY: You can chat with the Authors "live," take part in the Giveaways, and shop the 99¢ Sale Book Fair.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Don't risk FOMO. Come to the party!

Romance Gems...Where Authors and Readers Meet

Author Advice - Why Write Every Day

Writing success is built one day at a time.

A universal truth is: "If you want to be a writer, then write."

To be a "professional" writer, one must write. Not once in a while, but every day. If not every day, then on some kind of consistent basis.

 Why?

Two reasons.

(1) It builds the habit of producing words on a consistent basis. If you write 2,000 words each day, Monday through Friday, it's easy to sit down on Monday and do that.

It's not so easy if there are many days since the last time you wrote. You end up wasting time trying to motivate yourself to write. 

(2) A novel is a massive cluster of ideas. If you write every day, you have the universe of the story in your head. You don't waste time looking at notes to refresh your memory.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Here's another universal truth about writing. Writers write. Those who want to write, but don't, make excuses.

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Saturday Share - Great Dip for 4th of July

Happy Independence Day!

If the weather is good, and not so hot that it cooks your skin, you'll probably be outside grilling chicken, smoking brisket, or doing both along with sausage on the grill and cold drinks in the cooler.

The kids may be outside if you can get them away from video games and their phones to play touch football, toss a softball, or maybe a game of hide and seek if they're still young. 

What better way to celebrate this holiday than a recipe that reflects the melting pot we proudly are in this country.

I give you my recipe that will make any party great and will serve as an appetizer to keep hunger at bay until you toss that delicious BBQ on a platter.

OLD FASHIONED TEX MEX DIP

Ingredients

• 1 16-ounce can of refried beans
• 1 4-ounce can of chopped green chiles
• 1 4.5-ounce can pitted black olives, chopped
• 3 medium green onions, finely chopped
• 1 cup of sour cream
• 1 package guacamole mix, any brand that you like
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 large avocado, pitted and mashed
• 1/2 cup Picante Sauce, of course, my choice is always Pace's
• Tortilla chips

Directions

1. Mash the avocado and combine with the guacamole mix. Refrigerate at least an hour until it's "set" up.
2. Prepare the rest of the ingredients while you wait. Drain and chop the green chiles. Chop the black olives, green oinions, and tomato. Combine the olives and green onions in a small bowl and mix the tomatoes and chiles in another bowl.
3. Shred the cheese.
4. When the guacamole is ready, remove it from the fridge. In a large shallow dish, layer the ingredients in this order: beans, guacamole, olives and green onions mixture, chiles and tomato mixture.
5. Finally, sprinkle the cheese over the mixture.
6. Using the sour cream, frost the mixture. Next, drizzle the picante sauce over the layered dip.
7. Serve with fresh tortilla chips.
8. Here's a little tip. Warm the tortilla chips. It makes the dip even better.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Happy July 4th. Have fun. Be safe.

Prefer to stay inside and read? DECEPTIVELY YOURS is on sale for 99¢.

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Difference Between Art and Craft of Writing

What is the difference between the Art of Writing and the Craft of Writing?

THE ART OF WRITING

What is this? It's the creative process of translating emotions, abstract thoughts, and ideas into words that convey meaning to the reader and helps the reader connect with the written text. 

I think this could conceivably be viewed in part as the author's voice. How one author conveys an idea is different from other authors. Maybe that certain something some authors seem born with that enables them to easily master the art of writing is akin to being born with artistic talent.

THE CRAFT OF WRITING

This is much easier to define. It's the grammar rules of punctuation, spelling, choosing the correct word, sentence structure, plotting, scene development, dialogue, characterization, and mastering the narrative elements of writing, just to name a few, in order to properly create text that connects with your readers.

Good writing requires both Art and Craft. Learn your Craft and then use what you learned to write 1000s upon 1000s of words. Why? Because Craft can be learned from outside oneself, but Art can only be learned within by writing.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Want to be a great writer? Learn everything you can and then write, write, write.

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NO POWER & CENTERPOINT'S AI CUSTOMER SERVICE

July began yesterday with the thermometer on our garage hitting 100° F. I think there was also 100% humidity.

This was the week that the power company began replacing underground power lines in our section of town. What fun this has been!

Since Monday, the power goes off at unexpected times. Usually this happens when I'm frantically typing away, trying to get the words done before I lose the thought.

When does the power return? I guess whenever the heck Centerpoint decides it's time. We're on the text message list for Centerpoint. When they first starting this text alert system, they would actually send texts saying, "We see that the power is off at or near your address." Another text would follow saying why it was off, i.e. "damage to the lines is being repaired."

A while after that, we'd get a text saying, "Power is estimated to be restore by 4:00PM today."

AI OLIVIA

Now, we get no text alerts when the power goes out. We call Centerpoint and get OLIVIA, the AI in charge of customer service who asks why we're calling and gives a list of reasons. 

We select Power Outage. Olivia thinks and then tells us she sees that the power is out at our address. Then she asks if we are on their text alert system.

We answer yes. Then she asks if we received a text alert. We answer no. Then the all-knowing Olivia tells us we should manage our text alert settings at Centerpoint dot blah blah blah—which we've done countless times only to discover each time that the proper settings are still in place.

No explanation of why the power is out. No information, estimate, or guess about when power will be restored. Nothing but generic drivel by an AI named Olivia.

The first day the power was off almost 8 hours. We had an electrician working here on our construction. Of course, no power means no power tools. 

I went outside to report what I'd learned from Centerpoint aka AI OLIVIA. 

As an electrician, I'm sure he has had more interaction with Olivia than I have because he said, "I hate that AI BITCH."

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Laughing, I agreed. I hate that AI BITCH too.

Do you love to read? I do. Reading a book is saving my sanity during all this construction. I'm happy to invite you to sign up for my free newsletter, I LOVE READING. You'll receive exclusive content, news about book bargains, and new release notices. SIGN UP TODAY.

Review - Voicemails For Isabellle - Netflix

What can I say about VOICEMAILS FOR ISABELLE, now streaming on Netflix? Well, grab a box of Kleenex before you sit down to watch the film.

(I apologize for the typo in the Post Title.)

This 2026 American movie, billed as a romantic comedy drama, is sweet and heartwarming with a touch of heat, but there are scenes that will make you weep.

Written and directed by Leah McKendrick, the movie stars Zoey Deutch, Nick Robinson, Harry Shum Jr., Lukas Gage, and Nick Offerman.

BLURBING THE FLICK

Jill copes with the tragic death of her sister Isabelle by leaving voicemails on Isabelle's phone number. The only problem is that  Isabelle's phone number was reassigned to Wes, an upwardly mobile young man who finds Jill's voicemails hilarious. As time passes, Wes begins to fall in love with Jill.

Truly, the movie is delightful. It was funny and poignant and romantic. What more can you ask for in a contemporary romantic comedy, or dramedy, if you prefer?

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

The ending of the movie is exactly what the viewer wants. Definitely watch this film if you're a Netflix subscriber.

None of my books have been made into movies, but they are exciting and full of passion and romance. Sign up for my free newsletter, I LOVE READING, and receive exclusive content, news about book bargains, and new release information. SIGN UP TODAY.