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laxgoddess · 5 years

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#Girlboss review

Published: May 6, 2014 Publisher: Portfolio Category: Autobiography

In the New York Times bestseller that the Washington Post called “Lean In for misfits,” Sophia Amoruso shares how she went from dumpster diving to founding one of the fastest-growing retailers in the world.

Amoruso spent her teens hitchhiking, committing petty theft, and scrounging in dumpsters for leftover bagels. By age twenty-two, she had dropped out of school, and was broke, directionless, and checking IDs in the lobby of an art school—a job she’d taken for the health insurance. It was in that lobby that Sophia decided to start selling vintage clothes on eBay.

Flash forward to today, and she’s the founder of Nasty Gal and the founder and CEO of Girlboss. Sophia was never a typical CEO, or a typical anything, and she’s written #GIRLBOSS for other girls like her: outsiders (and insiders) seeking a unique path to success, even when that path is windy as all hell and lined with naysayers.

#GIRLBOSS proves that being successful isn’t about where you went to college or how popular you were in high school. It’s about trusting your instincts and following your gut; knowing which rules to follow and which to break; when to button up and when to let your freak flag fly.

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#GIRLBOSS is from Sophia Amoruso and how she built her brand Nasty Gal. For this book, I was disappointed. I don’t mind reading her life story, but I was looking forward to HOW she built this company. As an inspiring Entrepreneur, I wanted more inspiration. This book did a general, cover of how Nasty Gal started and what it had become by the time of publication. I also understand Sophia isn’t the type of woman to run all the mechanics of a business, she even says so herself, numerous times, but that’s what I wanted to know! Maybe because I don’t have such a high interest in fashion, this book wasn’t as inspiring as thought, but it’s on so many lists for females to have on their shelves. I’m glad I read it, but not entirely sure if I will be keeping this one on my shelf or not.

Netflix trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyr8R8cSGdo

#girlboss bookreview bookworm SophiaAmoruso

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laxgoddess · 5 years

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Vengeance Road

Vengeance Road by Christine Feehan

Publication Date: Publisher: Genre: Series: Torpedo Ink Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Goodreads: Breezy Simmons was born into a ruthless motorcycle club—and now that she’s out, she’s never going to be that girl again. But when her past catches up with her, Breezy must go to Sea Haven to seek out the man who almost destroyed her. The man who chose his club over her and left her feeling used and alone. As vice president of Torpedo Ink, Steele is ride or die for the brothers he lived through hell with. He never thought he’d find something as pure as his feelings for Breezy, or that keeping her safe would mean driving her away with cruel words that turned her love for him to ash. Now, Steele won’t let her walk away twice. He’ll do whatever it takes to make Breezy his woman again—especially when he learns the real reason, she came to him for help, and that the stakes are higher than he ever could have imagined…

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This is a series I read and recommend with caution. MC romance series tend to be darker and can be harder to understand and get through. Vengeance Road pushes limits and is one you need to tread lightly with, with an open mind.

Both Steele and Breezy have tragic histories and survived trauma anything beyond your wildest dreams. Steele is the VP of Torpedo Ink, and one of eighteen who survived from his Russian ‘school’ that set out to make him and every member of Torpedo Ink into assassins. Breezy Simmons grew up in the MC where she was treated as nothing more than a mere object, used only to benefit the club.

This is a second-chance story for both Breezy and Steele. Three years prior, Steele sent Breezy away, both unaware of the secrets the other kept. Fast-forward to current times, Breezy has come to Steele, desperate for this assistance in finding her son, their son.

While Torpedo Ink rallies to find young Zane, Breezy and Steele struggle to come to terms with happened three years prior and this is where I begin to struggle. Steele, and other members of Torpedo Ink, expect and demand that their women follow their demands. I give all the heroines credit, they do attempt to stand up to their ‘old man’, but eventually, cave to their demands. That’s not to say these women are weak, in their own ways, in Breezy’s case it was the time spent away from Steele that makes her capable of putting up with his demands, while also balancing dealing with his PTSD. In the end, they do get their happily ever after, but it’s hard to accept this ending knowing what I do about Breezy’s protests and concerns.

I will continue to read this series, for the mere fact I’m interested to see what happens with other members of Torpedo Ink, but I won’t be in a rush to go the bookstore when new ones are released.

#book review #bookworm #christine feehan #VengeanceRoad

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laxgoddess · 5 years

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Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas Book Review

Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas by Katie Ruggle

Publication Date: September 25, 2018 Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca Genre: Contemporary Romance Rating: 4/5 Stars

Goodreads: In the heart of the Rockies In the arms of a cowboy One white Christmas can change everything. When firefighter and single dad Steve Springfield moved his four kids to a Colorado Christmas tree ranch, he intended for it to be a safe haven. But he never expected danger to follow them to his childhood home… Or that he would come face-to-face with the one girl he could never forget. Folk artist Camille Brandt lives a quiet life. As the town’s resident eccentric, she’s used to being lonely–until Steve freaking Springfield changes everything. Brave and kind, he’s always had a piece of her heart, and it doesn’t take long before she’s in danger of falling for him and his rambunctious kids. But as mysterious fires break out across the sleepy Colorado town, Steve and Camille will have to fight if they want their happy family to survive until Christmas… ________________________________________________________________

This book will get you in the Christmas spirit, no matter the time of year!

I have followed Steve through the entirety of Kate Ruggle’s series (Search & Rescue, K9 Unit) and have waited for him to get his happy ending! It was wonderful getting the full backstory as a widower, and his 4 individually talented kids, as well as his overly competitive brothers. Then there is Camille, the town’s artistic, socially awkward, hermit. She is the kind of woman I could relate to on a personal level.

I loved the feeling of family, and togetherness you get throughout the entire novel. From page one, Camille has been supported by obnoxious neighbors. And even when she meets Steve’s kids and his brothers, she is fully brought into the madness of a single-parent a household with open arms, awkwardness and all!

I loved the romance between Steve and Camille was a slow-burn and the few moments they did get to themselves, dodging his brothers and kids, were passionate and sweet. Seeing Camille evolve from the town hermit and the woman she becomes was awe-inspiring, especially with how she interacts with Steve’s kids.

Besides the romance, there were some interesting and surprising plot twists. I will admit, I thought I knew he was behind everything, and I was utterly wrong. When and how the ‘bad-guy’ was revealed was a definite nail bitter and had me up way past my bedtime, but it was definitely worth it.

With everything going on, the story had a nice flow and was a fun read, despite some of the intensity I’m learning that coves from Katie Ruggle’s stories. This one is a definite keeper.

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laxgoddess · 5 years

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Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas Book Review

Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas by Katie Ruggle

Publication Date: September 25, 2018 Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca Genre: Contemporary Romance Rating: 4/5 Stars

Goodreads: In the heart of the Rockies In the arms of a cowboy One white Christmas can change everything. When firefighter and single dad Steve Springfield moved his four kids to a Colorado Christmas tree ranch, he intended for it to be a safe haven. But he never expected danger to follow them to his childhood home... Or that he would come face-to-face with the one girl he could never forget. Folk artist Camille Brandt lives a quiet life. As the town's resident eccentric, she's used to being lonely--until Steve freaking Springfield changes everything. Brave and kind, he's always had a piece of her heart, and it doesn't take long before she's in danger of falling for him and his rambunctious kids. But as mysterious fires break out across the sleepy Colorado town, Steve and Camille will have to fight if they want their happy family to survive until Christmas... ________________________________________________________________

This book will get you in the Christmas spirit, no matter the time of year!

I have followed Steve through the entirety of Kate Ruggle’s series (Search & Rescue, K9 Unit) and have waited for him to get his happy ending! It was wonderful getting the full backstory as a widower, and his 4 individually talented kids, as well as his overly competitive brothers. Then there is Camille, the town’s artistic, socially awkward, hermit. She is the kind of woman I could relate to on a personal level.

I loved the feeling of family, and togetherness you get throughout the entire novel. From page one, Camille has been supported by obnoxious neighbors. And even when she meets Steve’s kids and his brothers, she is fully brought into the madness of a single-parent a household with open arms, awkwardness and all!

I loved the romance between Steve and Camille was a slow-burn and the few moments they did get to themselves, dodging his brothers and kids, were passionate and sweet. Seeing Camille evolve from the town hermit and the woman she becomes was awe-inspiring, especially with how she interacts with Steve’s kids.

Besides the romance, there were some interesting and surprising plot twists. I will admit, I thought I knew he was behind everything, and I was utterly wrong. When and how the ‘bad-guy’ was revealed was a definite nail bitter and had me up way past my bedtime, but it was definitely worth it.

With everything going on, the story had a nice flow and was a fun read, despite some of the intensity I’m learning that coves from Katie Ruggle’s stories. This one is a definite keeper.

#book review #katie ruggle #booklover

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laxgoddess · 6 years

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Stygian by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Publication Date: August 28, 2018 Publisher: Tor Books Series: Dark Hunter Genre: Paranormal Romance Rating: 3/5 Stars

Goodreads: Born before man recorded time, I lived for thousands of years, believing myself to be something I’m not. Someone I’m not. Lied to and betrayed by gods, Daimons, and Dark-Hunters, I’ve struggled to find my way in a world where I’ve been cursed since the moment a vengeful goddess prematurely ripped me from my mother and planted me into the womb of an innocent woman who thought me her son. Trained as a slayer and predator, I’ve learned to fit in and stay low. To become a tool for evil. Until I was sent to kill the one woman I couldn’t. My hesitation cost her, her life. Or so I thought. In an act of betrayal that makes all the others pale in comparison, I’ve learned that things are not what they seem in this world and that my Phoebe still lives. Now I will have to travel into the very pits of Hades to try and save her, even as everyone around me attempts to steal what little soul I have left. There’s only one person at my back and I’m not sure I can trust her either, for she was born of an enemy race. Yet sometimes the road to redemption is one that singes us to our very core. And if I fail to find the answers I need to save Phoebe, more than just my wife will die. We will lose the world. Both human and Daimon. ~Urian of the House of Aricles

*This one will contain spoilers folks*

I have been waiting for this book since the end of Styxx when we learn Urian is Styxx and Beth’s lost son Galen. And then at the end of Dragonsworn, we get the bomb dropped that his deceased wife, Phoebe, is actually still alive! Needless to say, I had some high expectations for this book.

Unfortunately, this one came up a bit short. I’ve been invested in this series since my early teens, and Stygian brought up a whole lot of inconsistencies, all of which I will not get into without spoiling the entire series. Overall, the numerous smaller inconsistencies add up and make it confusing to keep track of what’s actually going on.

To add to the inconsistencies, there was numerous story retelling from Kiss of the Night, Acheron, Styxx, and Dragonsoworn. Now mind you a good portion of it did come from Urian’s perspective, but there could have been so much more added to give it depth. I was honestly looking for more of Urian’s development. Rather than a retelling of Dragonsworn, we could have seen the development between him and Phoebe. Or the five-year time gap where we could have seen the relationship between Styxx and Urian change from friends to father-son.

I loved that like in both Acheron and Styxx we get Urian’s life story from birth. How he meets the love of his life early on and then having to live through that loss over an extensively long period of time, much like his father. I will admit I liked that fact his heroine wasn’t who everyone was expecting, especially with how Dragonsworn ended. I just wished there would have been more development in their relationship that I have been used to with Kenyon’s previous stories. I can only hope the next book will get back to the master story-telling I’ve grown accustomed to from her.

#bookworm #dark hunter series #book review #sherrilyn kenyon #stygian

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laxgoddess · 6 years

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Built to Last by Julie Ann Walker

Publication Date: July 3, 2018 Publisher: Sourcebooks Series: Black Knights Inc. Genre: Romantic Suspense Rating: 3/5 Stars

Goodreads: Masterful, mysterious, and completely ruthless, Jamin “Angel” Agassi joined the Black Knights Inc. after a mission-gone-wrong forced him to undergo extensive plastic surgery and change his name. He's going to bring down the world's worst crime syndicate, and hopefully keep Sonya Butler, a love from his past, from discovering who he really is... When a dark-eyed stranger gets caught up in Sonya’s latest mission, she starts to question all her hard-won instincts. Something about Angel tells her he's more than he seems, and sometimes, when she least expects it, he reminds her of a man she used to know. As the bullets fly, she realizes that in love and war nothing is ever what it seems... ________________________________________________________________

Built to Last is the last book of Julie Ann Walker’s series, Black Knights Inc. and it definitely measured up to the high expectations. Jamin ‘Angel’ Agassi is a man with many aliases, which he uses to plant himself in the heart of notorious crime boss, Spider’s operations. What he doesn’t take into account is former Interpol Agent, Sonya Butler. He’s not sure what happened to the woman he once loved, but no matter what, he has to keep his identity protected. Tensions between the two rise as they attempt to work together, but also learn to trust each other while doing Spider’s bidding. In the end, it takes all the Black Knights to bring down a nemesis they’ve been fighting for several books. To make things even better, you get the subtle story of Ace and Rusty who I have been waiting for a very long while to see their story come to life. Built to Last has numerous twists and turns and left me up turning pages into the wee hours for a couple of nights. It was a fantastic ending to the series with glimpses into past characters lives and gives a hopeful hint to the future.

#builttolast #julie ann walker #bookworm #book review

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laxgoddess · 6 years

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It’s Your Universe: You Have the power to make it happen by Ashley Eckstein, Stacy Kravetz

Publication Date: May 8, 2018 Publisher: Disney Editions Genre: Nonfiction/ Autobiography Rating: 4/5 Stars

Goodreads: Ashley Eckstein grew up inspired by all things Disney. She launched Her Universe, an apparel company catering to fangirls, which has become a preferred partner for Disney and their girl power initiative. In IT'S YOUR UNIVERSE, Ashley shares her own life lessons, as well as lessons from iconic Disney characters, as a way to inspire girls to create big dreams and work to make them a reality. Ashley tells her story of being a little girl dreaming of being on a Disney stage, voicing the first female Jedi, Ahsoka Tano, and starting Her Universe, a blockbuster clothing line, and community for fangirls. With space for readers to make journal entries and quotes from iconic Disney characters, Ashley shows how princesses, Jedis, and superheroes were great role models for choosing her own path. * * *

I truly enjoyed reading about Ashley’s life journey and how Disney shaped who she was as a person, and her career goals. As someone who grew up with Disney in a houseful of boys, I rarely got to express my inner fangirl, but I took the lessons from each character and tried to live up to their integrity and values.

While I’m not as huge a fan of Star-Wars as other Disney series (aka Marvel), I still loved the fact she used her background as a Star-Wars voice-over actress for Ahsoka Tano and used that as inspiration in creating her business for fangirls the world over.

Ashley’s memoir is a prep-talk in all Disney goodness with areas to journal to set up your own game plan for your own adventure. Her joys and frustrations are so apparent it feels as if you’ve taken this journey with her. I will admit to thinking about some of the questions she asks and working on my new game plan.

It’s Your Universe is a book that I would recommend for any fangirl (or boy), especially those in the Disney and Star-Wars realms. She reminds us that our dreams can come true, you just have to put in the work and be willing to put in the effort. I’m grateful for all she has done in creating the Her Universe, the fashion line designed specifically for fangirls. This is a book I’m going to recommend for some of the children I work with looking for inspiration in their lives.

#star wars #disney #book review #her universe

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laxgoddess · 6 years

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Death Doesn’t Bargain by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Publication Date: May 8, 2018 Publisher: Tor Books Genre: Paranormal Romance Series: Deadman’s Cross Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Goodreads: The Deadmen are back... But so are the demons who have broken free of their eternal prison and are bent on mankind's destruction. The worst of the lot is Vine, determined to claim their lives for taking hers. She will see the world burn...and has the perfect lure to destroy them all. One of their own. Kalder Dupree has never known a day of mercy. Born to the cruelest of mer-races, he sacrificed himself for his crew and is in Vine's hands. He expects no mercy or rescue. Yet Cameron Jack is determined to set Kalder free. As a Hellchaser, it's her calling, and she cannot allow even a not-so-innocent to be tortured for an act of kindness that spared her damnation. To defeat evil, it sometimes takes an even worse evil, and Cameron is willing to do whatever she must to make this right. If Vine thought she had her hands full before, she hasn't seen anything nearly as powerful as Cameron's resolve.

I’ve been reading Sherrilyn Kenyon since I was fourteen and have been an avid, devoted fan of her series. She has fostered my love of Paranormal Romance, and my love for New Orleans. This one, in particular, I ordered for my birthday from her Fan Club and was extremely pleased with the box. I highly recommend picking up any of her books if you’re looking for a new series, especially since you can read them out of order and the characters and storyline are original and unique.

This book picks off where the first book in the Deadmen’s Cross series, Deadmen Walking, leaves off. Captain Devyl and his Hellchasers are frantically searching for a way to rescue their comrade, Kalder, who sacrificed himself in the previous book. However, there are many Demons who want this mer-man (mainly to drop the Gates of Hell and end the world as we know it).

Most of this was a backstory for both Kalder and Cameron, and in between trying to fight off the dark forces that once again threaten the world. It was hard to connect with these two as they’re battling the evil they know, but also, they’re own insecurities and family drama. I was hoping to see more of Cameron and being this strong-willed woman, we were promised and instead, she felt like she was an important side-character. On the flip side, it was nice seeing familiar faces coming in to save the day (while complaining about it).

I will admit I struggled to get through both Death and Deadmen. There wasn’t much of an ending. You have an important event that happened, and then !BAM!, it’s the final chapter. No leading, or hints to the next book, just done. It was also difficult keeping track of settings we don’t really get any descriptions for, every character’s unique abilities/ species, all the betrayals, and the language difference since the book is set in 18th Century Spanish Main. There are subtle hints at a broader storyline, but right now you’re getting just a small glimpse, which is frustrating. The next book, At Death’s Door, is set to release May 15, 2019, and I can honestly say I can patiently wait for it.

#sherrilyn kenyon #booklover #book review #pirates

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laxgoddess · 6 years

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Survive the Night Book Review

Publication Date: February 6, 2018 Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Romantic Suspense Rating: 5/5 Stars

Goodreads: He's always been a haven: For the lost. The sick. The injured. But when a hunted woman takes shelter in his arms, this gentle giant swears he'll do more than heal her battered spirit―he'll defend her with his life. K9 Officer Otto Gunnersen always had a soft spot for anyone in need. As Monroe's very own Dr. Doolittle, he dedicates himself to rehabilitating the injured souls that cross his path―but for all his big heart, he's never been in love. Until he meets Sarah Clifton's haunted eyes. Until he realizes he'll do anything to save her. All Sarah wants is to escape a life caught between ambitious crime families, but there's no outrunning her past. Her power-mad brother would hunt her to the ends of the earth...but he'd never expect Sarah to fight back. With Otto and the whole of Monroe, Colorado by her side, Sarah's finally ready to face whatever comes her way. It's time to take a stand.

* * * * *

I discovered Katie Ruggle by chance in a used bookstore and have been in love with her writing since. As a native of Colorado, I love reading about places I’ve traveled to and all these are close to home and her descriptions of the area are extremely accurate. For anyone who has not yet read the previous K9 books, I recommend reading them first as there are details that might become spoilers.

This is an action-packed book that kicked off from the very beginning when you meet the Alice Blanchette, a woman who wants nothing more to live her own life, and is instead living with her mob-boss, sociopathic brother, Aaron. Thanks to the elusive Mr. Espina, Alice escapes to a small mountain town in Colorado where she happily becomes Sarah Clifton.

It was practically love at first sight when Otto lays eyes on Sarah and it was enjoying to see the man everyone considered ‘grounded’ to be tongue-tied and clumsy around this itty-bitty woman. And let’s face it who can’t resist a Viking/ Lumberjack man who bottle-feeds puppies, will risk life and limb to rescue a trapped cat, and rehabilitate any animal in trouble he comes across?

They complement each other so well with their caring personalities and frightful childhood backgrounds. Despite the seemingly never-ending threats and dangers, Sarah and Otto always manage to put the other first, and when you have a psychotic brother and a couple dirty cops on your tail, the danger is never far from the mind. It doesn’t help that each member of the K9 team will be affected by these threats.

I was on edge for most of the book and sacrificed many hours of sleep because I just couldn’t put it down. I was instantly hooked in the beginning chapters with Sarah’s struggle, especially because we find out some information about an elusive character who only appears at the very beginning of each book. I have been personally waiting for Otto’s back and can happily say I’m satisfied. I can’t wait to read the next K9 adventure, despite the ominous hint at the very end.

#katie ruggle #book review #goodreads #survive the night

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laxgoddess · 10 years

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here’s my gift to you if you have a new year’s resolution to work out this year~

pro tip: don’t start on ‘the end’ if you haven’t worked out in like two months and your parents turned the heater on because you will drown in a pool of your own sweat and also not be able to feel your limbs

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laxgoddess · 10 years

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MUSIC TO INFLUENCE YOU TO WRITE

Feel like you need a song to influence you to write a scene or character? Here are a list of Playlists and Songs you can listen to to get you going!

HAPPY BASED

When Everything is Wrong and you need a pick-me-up

a bunch of songs that make me Legit Happy!!

Carried Away

Stutter

Some Days they Taste Like Lemonade

Picking Up the Pieces

Keep Your Head Up

It’s Time to Begin, isn’t it?

Endless Cheesin

Free Yourself

Undertone

SEX SCENES

lets do it (lets fall in love); a playlist for an old-fashioned love affair

Songs to fuck to

Between Two Points

Erotic Moments

Nice and Slow

Breathe My Name

We Had a Promise Made

The Only Sex Playlist

Skin & Bones

A Forever Love

SAD SCENES/ HEARTBREAK

Hello My Old Heart

Shelter

See all my dreams die

We All Feel Lost Sometimes

Whispers Wasted in the Sand

Time to Study

One of those Sad Days

Sad Sad Songs

Goodnight Moon

When I Run Through the Deep Dark Forrest

PSYCHOPATHIC CHARACTER/SUSPENSE SCENE

[MADNESS;] | a playlist to get in the insane muse for your character

The Devil Within Digital Daggers

Villains and Demons

Lose Your Soul

Savage Desires

I’ll Be Dead Before the Day is Done

A Killer’s Symphony

Murder He Says

A Boy’s Best Friend

In a Stranger’s Dream

BADASS CHARACTERS/ACTION-FIGHT SCENE

Not Your Regular Damsel in Distress

Biting Down

Light it Up

This is it, the Apocalypse

I Pretend I’m a Bad Ass

There is No Reconciliation

Shit to Fuck Shit Up to

Run

Let’s Go Hunting

Cancel the Apocalypse

Red Lipstick and a Black Jacket

INSTRUMENTAL/ CALM

Breathe

The Light Shines Through

Dreamland

Floating

When in France

Sing Me to Sleep

Violin at the Movies

À la dérive

Home is where your heart it is

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»»>FANMIXES

HANNIBAL

My Game my Rules

Wicked

The Devil is in the Details

The Pale Horse

Excellent Taste

Kill Run

Where is My Mind?

Psychosoma

Nothing Here is Vegetarian

Help

BBC SHERLOCK

An Absence of You

I Misbehave

Something Lonely in the Bone

I’m not a Psychopath…

Thank You, Johann Sebastian Bach

Dying From These Exist Wounds

You Put the Devil in Me

Study and Investigate

Fist Kisses and Love Bites

Sorrow Waited Sorrow Won

SUPERNATURAL

Lost Boy

You the Moon

Taller Than God

A Very Supernatural Roadtrip

I Call This One “the Blue Steel”

Driver Picks the Music, Shotgun Shuts his Cakehole!

Bad Blood

An Angry Blade

Wow Just Smash Your Mouths Together

Fury is Coming

The Sacrifice

I’d love to add more (music and fandoms) but let’s just give you this for now! Happy Listening!

ALSO: These (obviously) are not my fanmixes/playlists so give some props to the people who made it! They would love it! Also, if you see your playlist on here and would like it removed, tell me! Thank you!

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laxgoddess · 10 years

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