Books: Sidney Sheldon, American Writer ~ Master of Suspense

Sidney Sheldon (1917 – 2007) is an American novelist who earned a reputation as a master of suspense. Crime fiction thrillers were his specialty.

If you enjoy binge-reading, you should set a goal to read several Sidney Sheldon novels. Check out these recommendations by vlogger, Shaloo Walia: Top 7 Sidney Sheldon Books. 

If you would like my recommendation on where to begin, start with his novel Master of the Game (published 1982) and follow it with If Tomorrow Comes (published 1985).

“The future was clay, to be moulded day by day, but the past was bedrock, immutable.” ― Master of the Game

“My ancestors survived famine and plagues and floods, and I’m going to survive this.” ― If Tomorrow Comes

The books will either whet your appetite or disappoint you. If you enjoyed reading them, then go anywhere from there. Choose from 18 novels.

• Link of Interest: Books by Sidney Sheldon and Complete Book Reviews | Publishers Weekly

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About Sidney Sheldon

At age 10, Sidney Sheldon wrote a poem and sold it for $10. He sold a screenplay called "South of Panama" to Universal Pictures for $250 in 1941. He lived through the Depression working various jobs while attending Northwestern University. He served in the US military during World War II. No matter what life's circumstances he was always writing. Mr. Sheldon was in the writing game for decades. His first novel was published in 1969/1970(?). But before and after that, he also wrote Broadway plays, books for children, scripts for films and television shows, and more. He was the recipient of several writing awards and is internationally known. Believe it or not, he even has a few English-speaking readers in North Korea. Several of his books were adapted to film.

Mr. Sheldon passed away at age 89 in 2007 (complications from pneumonia). If you want to know a little more about his character or personality you will probably enjoy this intereview published via Digital Journal ~ 'I find women more fascinating than men' - Sidney Sheldon Interview.; and this interesting bio snapshot published via IMDb ~ Sidney Sheldon Biography.

Hollywood Screen Legends and Icons: Sophia Loren (September 20, 1934 - )

 I love Sophia Loren and have been watching her movies since I was a little girl. She received the Academy Award for Best Actress in the 1960 film “Two Women”. As a matter of record, this was the first Oscar ever given for a performance in a “foreign-language” film. My memory of her performance in this film is that of a heroic performance, worthy of this kind of recognition. Since I watched so many of her movies, I thought I had seen them all. But “Sunflower” (1970) is one of her movies I did not discover until I was an adult and it is a gem! It’s another war movie and her co-star is Marcello Mastroianni. Those two always made a great onscreen couple. Her performance in this film is also memorable. Did you know that in the Soviet Union, they planted a sunflower for each fallen Italian soldier that the Germans forced to dig their own graves? I learned that watching this movie. Gold Derby published a list of her 15 greatest films, ranked from worst to best. Hey! Even in her “worst” films, her acting was still good! She made all of her leading men look good too! 

Two more movies for your watch list are “Arabesque” (1966), her co-star was Gregory Peck; and “Houseboat” (1958), her co-star was Cary Grant. They are not war movies but rather delightful romantic comedies. Her acting skills are versatile. She could be very serious and dramatic OR lighthearted and funny!

• Sophia Loren Filmography: Classic Movie Hub (CMH)
• Sophia Loren (b. 1934) — Hollywood’s Golden Age

Where to watch and stream Sophia Loren movies

Hollywood Screen Legends and Icons: Barbara Stanwyck (July 16, 1907 - January 20, 1990)

I got to know “Miss Barbara Stanwyck” by being a loyal viewer of the Western TV series, “The Big Valley” (1965–1969). She was the matriarch of the Barkley family, mother of 3 sons and one daughter. My big sister said that because they called her “Miss”, it meant that she was worthy of respect and honor. So I had to start working backward from the television series to discover what roles she had played that had earned her so much respect and honor. I can honestly say that I have never watched a Barbara Stanwyck movie that I did not enjoy. Her professional career spanned 60 years. Gold Derby published a list of her 20 greatest films, ranked from worst to best.

Ruby Catherine Stevens aka Barbara Stanwyck: 

Unknown photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Most fans remember her for her role in the movie “Double Indemnity” (1944); her co-star was Fred MacMurray. It is a film noir and she played the part of a seductive, manipulative, and villainous femme fatale. Hey! She only talks the guy into a murder plot. Also included in the Gold Derby list is “Meet John Doe” (1941); her co-star is Gary Cooper. It is one of those “feel good” movies that end in romance. There is a third Barbara Stanwyck movie that I recommend which is not on the Gold Derby list. The title is “Always Goodbye” (1938). In this vintage film, she plays an unwed mother who gives up her child and makes a promise to never see or speak to him. But when she meets the young child accidentally, her maternal instinct kicks in and she has to decide whether or not she will keep her promise not to tell her child that she is his real mother. What do you think she decided to do? Excellent movie!

• Full list of Barbara Stanwyck Films — Classic Movie Favorites
• Barbara Stanwyck Bio, The Ultimate Guide | Rags to Riches Story

How to watch and stream Barbara Stanwyck movies

Hollywood Screen Legends and Icons: Audrey Hepburn (May 4, 1929 ~ January 20, 1993)

I love Audrey Hepburn and consider her to be “iconic”. There is not a movie that she has starred in that I did not like. However, if I were going to pick a Top 10 Favorites List, the 1953 movie “Roman Holiday” would be on my list. She played a princess who just wanted to know what it was like to be an “ordinary person” and not have the heavy burden of duties and responsibilities of a monarch. Her leading man was Gregory Peck (1916–2003). If you like old classic movies, you will love this movie! 

Also on my favorites list would be “Wait Until Dark” (1967). She was a blind woman with a loving husband (played by Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) who encouraged her to be independent, even though she could not see. Someone was smuggling contraband into the country and placed a doll in her bag. Since she was blind she was not aware of this and brought the doll home. Three really bad guys, who were desperate to retrieve the doll, show up at her home. She is home alone and when she becomes aware of their evil intentions, the worst of the 3 bad guys (played by Alan Arkin) is in her home with her. He is determined to retrieve the doll, even if he has to kill her. She is determined to do whatever it takes to survive! Suspenseful and intense!!

Gold Derby published a list of her 15 greatest films, ranked from worst to best. Both of the movies I suggested are on their list.

List of Audrey Hepburn films — Data Thistle

Audrey Hepburn Biography — life, family, children, name, story, death, school, mother, young

How to watch and stream Audrey Hepburn movies 

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Our Blooming Youth: Historical Period Korean Drama

Our Blooming Youth is a historical period Korean drama series, released in 2023. It’s 20 episodes and currently streaming on Rakuten Viki.

• Crown Prince Lee Hwan is played by Park Hyung Sik. It was rumored that the crown prince murdered his brother so that he could take his place on the throne. Because of this wicked act, he was sent a “ghost letter”. Supposedly a ghost wrote a letter that said he is cursed. The curse has several parts to it. He will never be king, he will be betrayed by those he trusts, he will cause many people to die, and finally, he will die all alone with no wife and no children.
• Lady Min Jae Yi is played by Jeon So Nee. She is the daughter of a nobleman who is also the master/teacher of the crown prince. In addition, she is engaged to be married to the prince’s best friend. It was rumored that she betrayed her husband-to-be by engaging in an illicit affair, and murdered her entire family in order to run away with her lover. She’s a fugitive on the run, a lady in distress.

Read the full review on Medium.com.

In Memory Of Harry Belafonte (1927 - 2023)

Harry Belafonte passed away, on April 25, 2023, at the age of 96. He left an indelible mark in the history and the heart of America. 

• If you were preparing a list of iconic and legendary American entertainers, then Harry Belafonte would be on that list.
• If you were making a list of notable civil rights activists in America, then Harry Belafonte would be on that list.
• If you were making a list of humanitarians worthy of double honor for their good works, then Harry Belafonte would be on that list.

Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. known to the world as Harry Belafonte is a Jamaican-American singer, songwriter, actor, activist, and humanitarian. Date of Birth March 1, 1927 — Date of Death April 25, 2023. Cause of death: Congestive heart failure.

Americans from my generation (50s, 60s, and 70s) know Harry Belafonte. We know the lyrics to the Banana Boat and Matilda songs, backward and forward. Several years back (1997) there was a special program on television — “An Evening With Harry Belafonte & Friends” — where he sang many songs accompanied by fabulous singers and musicians. He performed Banana Boat and Matilda. I’m sure he knew that if he had not sung those songs, the audience would have been very disappointed.

Mr. Belafonte is known for his singing, and also for the memorable roles he has played in several films like “Carmen Jones” (1954), and “Island in the Sun” (1957). He has won numerous awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Kennedy Center Honors.

In addition to knowing him as an extremely talented triple threat, i.e. he can sing, dance and act — we also know him to be a civil rights activist and a humanitarian, involved in many good works.

Giving honor where honor is due, one person referred to Mr. Belafonte as “living history”. While he was alive, you did not have to read historical events in a book because you could just talk to him since he was alive during the time and actively participated in history-making.

Mr. Belafonte has passed from living to legend now. He was almost a centenarian; age 96.

“If I’ve impacted on one heart, one mind, one soul, and brought to that individual a greater truth than that individual came into a relationship with me having, then I would say that I have been successful.” ~ Harry Belafonte

IN MEMORY OF: Harry Belafonte (1927–2023)

♦

I hope that his amazing talent, his fight for human rights, and his selfless charitable acts will be appreciated and remembered by Americans for generations to come.

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How to watch and stream Harry Belafonte movies

Under the Queen's Umbrella: Korean Drama TV Series on Netfilx Released in 2022

Under the Queen's Umbrella is a Korean historical period drama series, released in 2022, that is currently streaming on Netflix. 

16 intense episodes. Viewers gave this series 4.9 out of 5 stars. I totally agree.  Kim Hye-Soo's performance as Queen Im Hwa-Ryeong is award-worthy. But giving credit where credit is due, quite frankly, all of the actors and actresses in this series gave exemplary performances. They played their roles as if they were real historical figures in the Joseon Era.

The worth of the flowers in the palace, i.e. the king's women, is judged by how many sons they bare the king. 

 Queen Im Hwa-Ryeong (played by Kim Hye-Soo) has been very fortunate. She bore five (5) sons for the king. Her oldest son is the crown prince, but he is suffering from a life-threatening illness. He could die any day! If he were to die, who would take his place? The crown prince already has a son of his own, so according to the line of succession, his son, her grandson, should be heir to the throne. Then as alternatives, one of his brothers, her four other sons who are grand princes, could be chosen. But her sons are perfectly content to never be king. She would have been content to allow them not to pursue the throne EXCEPT … the deposed queen (i.e. the queen before her) also had many sons.  When she realized the lives of her sons were in jeopardy, she immediately made up her mind that her sons would not suffer the same fate as Queen Yoon and her sons.

Queen Im Hwa-Ryeong now understands that THIS IS WAR!

Read full review at My Sageuk Addiction on Medium.com.

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K-Drama Review: Bad and Crazy (2021)

Bad and Crazy is a K-drama series released in 2021 that incorporates the topic of multiple personality disorders in its storyline.  But it is not based on a true story and should definitely not be construed as mental health advice.  

That being said, if you like detective shows you should add this show to your watch list.  It's very entertaining.

Image credit: Netflix

Lee Dong-Wook plays Ryu Sool-Yeol. He’s “The Bad”.

Although he’s not really a bad guy. He just wants career advancement in the law enforcement agency he works for and figures the best way to get a promotion is to overlook or cover up crimes that have been committed. All he has to do is neatly wrap things up, close the cases, and file them away. This way he gets promoted collects a steady paycheck, and does not upset the “higher ups” in the police department or in the government who could make his life miserable or even kill him to get him out of their way! He’s not bad. He’s just realistic. I mean … he’s no HERO! Or is he??

Wi Ha Joon plays “K”. He’s “The Crazy”.

When viewers are first introduced to this character, they might think that he’s possibly a ghost who decided to occupy Ryu Sool-Yeol’s body in order to make him do the right thing. But as time goes on, “K” is revealed as Ryu Sool-Yeol’s alter ego; a justice-seeking HERO! Whereas Ryu Sool-Yeol would get down on his knees and grovel at the feet of a corrupt politician he knows committed murder and agree not to expose his wrongdoing, “K” would publicly kick that politician in the face. slap him around, and call him a murderer, out loud in front of several witnesses who just can’t believe what they’re seeing. I mean … is he CRAZY??!!! “K” may act crazy, but “K,” says … he’s a HERO!!

So? Does Ryu Sool-Yeol have a split personality? Yes! Yes, he does.

But what happened to him to cause this mental health condition?

Not saying. No spoilers.

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*****

Korean Drama Movie: "Love, Lies" (2016) is a Tragic Love Story

I usually watch K-drama TV series. But I found a Korean drama movie to watch called “Love, Lies” (2016).

WARNING!! DO NOT watch this movie if you don’t want to be bummed out!

I got addicted to Korean drama 5+ years ago. So I know K-dramas always have a love triangle. It’s expected. However, this is the saddest, most painful, most sorrowful, and most tragic love triangle I have ever seen IN MY LIFE! (And I have watched a lot of sad love stories over the years.)

The story takes place in Seoul, 1940s, during the Japanese occupation of Korea (or Joseon).

THE LOVE TRIANGLE?

• Two young Korean girls ~ Jung So-yul (played by Han Hyo-joo), and Seo Yeon-hee (played by Chun Woo-hee) ~ who have beautful voices were raised to be “artists”. (That’s what they were told. One of them found out later that they were just beautified to be “artful prostitutes” for the Japanese men.)
• One young Korean man ~ Kim Yoon-woo (played by Yoo Yeon-seok0 ~ who is a song-writer. But he writes popular songs for the common people ~ “Joseon’s Heart”. Not the traditional music (jeongga, or classical Korean songs) the girls have been trained to sing for the upper class Korean society and the Japanese occupiers.

Kim Yoon-woo says he is in love with one girl but then he meets her best friend. You might want to call the guy “a jive turkey”. But as the relationships develop, you almost feel like … he didn’t really do anything wrong.

WHY? I always say that if you are in a relationship, it is best that you find out BEFORE you get married that you don’t want to be in that relationship. No matter how much it may hurt the other person, you really should not marry somebody that you don’t love. Because that means two (2) people will be miserable in the relationship. Break it off before you marry so that the other person can … maybe … find someone else to be happy with.

I won’t tell you details of how this story unfolds but it was so so so so so so so so so so so so … painful!!

Half of the time I was watching the movie, one part of my mind kept telling me … Look away! You don’t want to see The End. The other part of my mind was saying … Look! You gotta know what happens in The End.

I watched it until The End and my heart was breaking for all three of them! 

The cruelty that resulted from a woman’s bitterness, anger, and jealousy …?? I searched for one word to describe the things she did to get her revenge. But I came up with two words. INSANELY VICIOUS!!

By the end of the movie, I was totally shattered. 

Many reviewers praised the movie; and I wholeheartedly agree with those reviews. I thought the acting was superb! In addition to the stellar acting by the three (3) main characters, this movie also gets my 5 star rating for: the music, the scenery, and the costumes. Especially, the traditional Hanbok clothing and the modern westernized clothing that both ladies wore. In every outfit, they were both gorgeous and extremely stylish. Their hairstyles whether long hair or short hair were beautiful!!

Also, I really liked the album covers. Both ladies released an album with them singing and the artwork for both album covers is incredible! I wouldn’t mind buying an art print.

In fact, that’s how the movie begins. Some people found an old record album and wanted to know the whole story behind it. (Kind of like that popular American movie “Titanic” (1997) where they found that art portrait and wanted to know who the woman was.)

The majority of reviewers gave this movie 4.8 stars out of 5. I agree.

NOTE: There is one thing I am curious about in this movie. Maybe my readers can enlighten me. The red and blue parasols given to the artists when they completed their training? Is that historical fact or historical fiction?

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Korean Drama TV Series: Queen Insoo (or Insu — The Queen Mother) (2011)

“Queen Insoo” is a Joseon Dynasty historical period drama. During the various episodes, the narrator explains who the people are and where they fit on the historical timeline. This series has major character development. It starts when the main characters are young and then takes you through their life at various stages.

You know how when you’re watching a TV series and there is a really bad character and they are so wicked that you watch each minute of each episode HOPING that they finally get what’s coming to them?

Well this series has more than one bad character and with each episode these characters get worse and worse. The only reason you keep watching is because you keep thinking: ‘OK! This is the episode where they are going to get PAYBACK!’

Of course, the episode finishes and that evil person is still going strong!

So! You watch the next episode thinking: ‘OK! This time for sure, they’re gonna get it!”

All I can think is that if this was an accurate historical depiction of these real people, then the only person I felt truly sorry for was Prince Dowon (played by Baek Sung-Hyun), who was the young husband of the woman who would become Queen Insoo. That poor guy was a meek, humble, warm and kind-hearted person. But he was stuck between:

• his ambitious father ~ Prince Sooyang (played by Kim Young-Ho) who eventually becomes king AFTER he shed a lot of blood to get to the throne;
• his mother, who becomes Queen Junghee (played by Kim Mi-Sook) once her husband is crowned king, and she fully supported and justified everything her husband did; and
• his wife, Han Jung (played by Ham Eun-Jung), who — even though she loved him — she was hellbent on becoming a queen! So she financially supported her father-in-law’s murderous efforts and she also gave him advice on how he could achieve his goals, when he couldn’t think of what to do! If he had to do something questionable or absolutely wicked, she would help him out. She eventually became Queen Insoo (the part of the older queen was played by Chae Shi-Ra).

Being stuck between these 3 people who were determined to gain power at any cost, with personalities that are so contrary to his; trying to be a dutiful obedient son and a loving devoted husband and father … it’s no wonder he was ill and would have blackouts. It was too much for his heart to take.

I didn’t really feel sorry for the father, the mother, or the wife. But there was also another character who was just horrible! She was Song-Yi / Queen Yoon (played by Jeon Hye-Bin). She married one of the sons of Queen Soo; and although she became queen, she was deposed. If that was a true depiction of the real life character, sorry to say but they should have gotten rid of her and her son! But who could have predicted the son would be even worse than his mother. They had to get rid of the mother but they tried to save the child. After all, he was a legitimate prince and he was a young child when his mother was deposed. Oh if only … if only they could have predicted the child was going to turn out worse than his mother!

“Queen Insoo has 60 episodes and honestly? By the time I finished this series, I felt like going to a psychiatrist and laying down on the couch.

 Original Source

Korean Drama TV Series: Cruel Palace — War of Flowers (2013)

I wanted to watch this historical period drama series because it starred Kim Hyun Joo. The first time I saw this actress was in “Boys Over Flowers” (2009) . She was a supporting actress and she played the part of the big sister of one of the boys who were known as the “F4”. Her character was so sweet and generous. By contrast, in “Cruel Palace — War of Flowers”, she is the main character who plays royal concubine Soyong Jo / Yam Jun, and she is anything but sweet and generous. Although, her character started out as a nice girl; once she is adopted as a nobleman’s daughter, she changes completely.

Kim Ja-Jeom (played by Jung Sung-Mo) is the nobleman who adopts her. He has his own political/revenge agenda. The king had exiled him and when he came back, he was out for blood! The king’s blood! He planned to use his adopted daughter to take control of the throne and when she has a son for the king, that son will be his grandson, and he will hold the power. However, his adopted daughter, Soyong Jo, has her own plans to achieve her dreams of power. She wants to be queen AND make her son king!

Even though the rule is NOT to be envious and jealous, life for the women in the palace ~ mainly the queen and the concubines who constantly compete to receive the favor of the king ~ is motivated by envy and jealousy. This series is set during the Joseon dynasty after the Manchu invasion. The Qing are fighting against the Ming and Joseon is stuck in the middle. As if it’s not bad enough that the entire country is stuck in the middle of a power struggle between two Chinese warring groups, the “flowers”, i.e. the women in the palace are engaged in their own ruthless power struggle.

What will these women do to gain the king’s favor which gives them certain “power”?

To say that these ladies, were sleazy, caddy, and cruel would be paying them a compliment! It’s a good thing the queen and crown princess are sensible and seem to know how to navigate through the dark palace intrigue. Even so, the royal concubine Jo So Yong is willing DO ANYTHING to maintain her dominant position and control over the king. She even gets King Injo addicted to opium in order to be able to manipulate and control him better. The ruthlessness, the viciousness, the cruelty … the acts she committed just to keep her power and hold over the king … were SAVAGE!

Thank goodness for the loyal eunuch who was always by the king’s side.

Eunuch Kim In (played by Woo Hyeon) was physically short in stature but he was not a person you wanted to mess with. Out of all of the people in the palace, he was the only one who put that cruel concubine in her place. In one of the episodes he told her plainly “You know you’re not all that much.” In other words, you think you’re all that and you think you can become queen, but it wouldn’t be that hard to get rid of you.

The series is 50 episodes and honestly? I had to take breaks and rest. But I finished the series because I just had to know what was going to happen to royal concubine Jo So Yong in The End.

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Korean Drama TV Series: Designated Survivor: 60 Days (2019)

Designated Survivor: 60 Days (2019) is streaming on Netflix.

I watched the American version of this TV series, Designated Survivor (2016–2019); also on Netflix. So I was curious to watch the Korean version. Another reason for this series being added to my watch list is that the main character, Park Mu-jin, the South Korean Minister of Environment, is played by Ji Jin-hee. The first time I saw this actor, he was the king in the series “Dong Yi”. I have been a loyal fan ever since. I knew he would not disappoint. 

We know that in a monarchy there's a line of succession for who will become the next king or queen when the current monarch is no longer with us. In a democracy, there is also a line of succession for who will step into the shoes of the president should the nation's leader become unable to fulfill his or her duties. In episode 1 of this political thriller, the president and ALL of the people in the line of succession, are killed in a massive explosion. Park Mu-jin (Ji Jin-hee) had done something earlier during the day which resulted in him being terminated. Because he had lost his job, he was not at work when the explosion occurred. Also, even though the president had fired him, the “official walking papers” had not been processed by the personnel office. That means that … “technically” … he was still employed. That also meant that … “technically” … he was the “designated survivor”, i.e. the person who had to step into the shoes of the president and take charge.

He is officially sworn in as Acting President for 60 days, and … after excusing himself from the meeting to go throw up in the bathroom … he returns and starts performing his official duties, which includes finding out who was responsible for the bombing.

16 episodes.
Most viewers gave this series a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. I agree.

DESIGNATED SURVIVOR: 60 DAYS (2019) - TRAILER

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