#lauren layne series

[iheartgracie]

mattsabrina quotes from hard sell by lauren layne part 4

“I just meant that I wanted to do that. Not because I wanted anything in return. Because I wanted you.”

“I’m asking if you want a drink,” I dodge.

He grins cockily. “No, you’re asking if I want to stay.”

I look away.

“Sabrina.”

“What?” I snap.

He waits until I relent and meet his eyes. Then he smiles, softer this time. “I’d like to. Stay, I mean.”

I shrug as though it’s no big deal and doesn’t matter to me one way or the other.

But it matters. A lot.

And I’m pretty sure he knows it.”

“He dips his head and kisses me. Not like he wants to shut me up, not like he’s trying to win an argument, but because he wants to.”

“There’s nothing but afternoon sunshine, a brisk breeze, sand, water . . . a beautiful woman.

My woman.”

“She freezes when she sees me, and I freeze, too, not in surprise, but because of how beautiful she looks.”

“otherwise I look just like her.”

“So she was beautiful. What else?”

“You’re good at this,” I say begrudgingly.

“Only with you.” He brushes a strand of hair off my face.”

“Instead he pulls my wineglass out of my hand, sets it aside. Then he gathers me to him, my head against his chest, his heart steady and reassuring beneath my ear.

I feel his lips on my hair, and though I don’t think I’ve ever sought a hug for comfort in my entire life, at this moment, I get why people do. I let my arm slide around his waist, closing my eyes at how right it feels to be held by him.”

“he pulls me in for a kiss, and I smile when I feel his smile.

The kiss starts out light and playful, but with each brush of our lips, we linger a little longer, our breath growing a little faster.”

“I’m already all the way, painfully in love with a man who will never love me back.”

“tonight matters. She matters.”

“You want Sabrina,” Ian says. “But for how long?”

“I want Sabrina . . . forever. For always.”

The guys look a bit shocked, but Kate merely smiles in triumph. “I knew it. You love her.”

I brace for the stab of panic, and I’m freaked out, all right, but not in the way I expected to be.

I’m not in panic over my love for her. On the contrary, loving Sabrina might just be the most sane, smartest thing I’ve ever done.

I love her. I love her more than anything.

My panic? Fear that I might be too late—that she might no longer love me.”

“You said you wanted a Tiffany cut, but if that was hypothetical or you’ve changed your mind, we’ll get you a new one.”

My hand goes to my heart. “What? What are you—”

Before I can finish my sentence, he calmly and unapologetically drops to one knee. “Sabrina Cross . . .”

I hear someone sob. Probably Lara. Or Kate. Maybe both.

Then I realize it’s me. I’m crying.

“Don’t you dare tell me it’s too soon,” Matt continues. “Don’t tell me we’ve just started dating, because that’s bullshit and you know it.”

“I let out a little laugh, because it’s so us. Only Matt’s proposal would include profanity. Only his proposal to me.”

“I shake my head in confusion. “You’re giving up a multibillion-dollar account—”

“I’d give up everything for you. Every client, every last dollar.”

“Matt,” I whisper. “You’ve always wanted—”

“You. I’ve always wanted you. That much I’ve known for a long time, but what I didn’t know until this week was that I loved you. I love you, Sabrina. Please, for the love of God, tell me it’s not too late.”

“He does as I ask, closing the distance between us and slipping his free hand around my back. “Say yes,” he whispers in my ear. “Please say yes.”

Like there was ever a choice. There’s never been any choice but him.”

“You still want me?” he asks roughly.

I smile and wiggle my finger.

“Sabrina.” His voice is urgent now. Nearly begging.

I smile and kiss his chin. “Hell yes, I want you. I love you, Matt Cannon.”

He pulls the ring out of the box, and the second he slides it onto my finger, he kisses me, hard and fast and completely unapologetic for the fact that we’re basically making out in public. I kiss him back, wonderfully aware of the weight of the ring on my finger, the applause of our friends in the background, but mostly aware of him.

“You know what I think?” he whispers, pulling back.

“Hmm?” I ask happily.

He smiles. “We’re going to rock the hell out of this happily-ever-after business.”

I pull his head down for another kiss. Count on it.”

“He’s everything I need that I didn’t know I wanted.”

“Matt and I may be wildly in love, but we’re also still us. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

[lovelytsunoda]

indecent exposure // liam lawson

summary: some men should not be allowed to buy gag shirts when they go to vegas. liam lawson is not one of them. or, the liam face-sitting fic i've been ruminating on for months and never wrote.

pairing: liam lawson x female! reader

warnings: 18+!!! SMUT!!! porn with very minimal plot if i do say so myself. lots of double entendres for common police charges (disorderly conduct, indecent exposure etc.), liam refers to himself as 'agent lawson' and makes us all cringe with laughter. the actual face-sitting portion of the fic is really only a few paragraphs at the end lmao the foreplay was too fun with all the cop jokes-

author's note: somebody should take both my library card and every british detective show in existence away from me because this is what happens when i watch too many episodes of anything with a hot detective in it. never mind the fact that i binged lauren layne's new yorks finest series last year when i was snowed in and my classes were cancelled for almost a week

there was nothing that y/n loved more than coming home from a long day at work and taking her dress pants off. and her high heels, and her bra. typically this would be followed by a pint of ben and jerrys and a few episodes of 'grace and frankie'. sometimes it would be followed by a feel good eighties movie, or by her boyfriend ordering takeout and ravishing her while they waited for it to arrive.

all of these were good options, as far as y/n was concerned.

"hey babe!" liam shouted, darting across the hall from the small gym space they'd set up, to the master bedroom. "look what i found in the closet...jesus. you look gorgeous." he stopped in his tracks, eyes fixed on his goddess of a girlfriend as she stood in front of the gilded mirror next to the walk-in closet.

"you saw be before i left for work." she laughed, taking out the small diamond studs in her ears. they were a gift from liam for their anniversary. "all i've done is take off my slacks and bra, and undo my shirt a little bit."

but it wasn't the lack of pants that was getting liam all flustered, nor was it the way the collar of her silk work shirt dipped down just a little too far, the hem not quite long enough to cover the area where thigh met ass.

no, it was the black prada glasses that delicately framed her eyes. the eyes that had so captivated liam from the moment they met.

"if you ever decide to get contacts, i'm leaving you. seriously."

he wasn't serious in the slightest.

"the way you look in those glasses should be a crime. you're gorgeous, babe."

facing him, she laughed, hands on her hips. "i thought you threw that shirt out!"

she groaned internally, looking at the tight-fitting black cotton shirt that liam was wearing, and the cracking white vinyl lettering over his heart. fbi. a gag gift he had bought in vegas. it was too tight despite it's age, hugging each and every one of liam's muscles far too tight, and looking deceptively erotic when paired with his dark blue jeans.

"so did i! isn't it great?" he grinned like an idiot, spinning in a little circle to show off the writing on the back.

female body inspector.

who the fuck came up with these things? on any random guy in the street, she would have gagged at the vulgar implications of the words. on her boyfriend? she only rolled her eyes.

"there's a reason it went missing in the move, babe."

liam shook his head, ignoring her words. "ma'am, i'm special agent lawson from the federal bureau of investigations. i've received a complaint about disorderly conduct on the premises. and now that i'm here i might have to upgrade that charge to indecent exposure, little lady."

"you're such a fucking idiot." she giggled, looping her arms around her boyfriend's neck before kissing him softly. "i love you."

"love you more." he rasped in between kisses, his hands travelling underneath the hem of her shirt. "what do you say the two of us make a case for disturbing the peace?"

"if you make one more cop-related come on, i'm walking out that front door and never coming back."

liam flashed a shit-eating grin, raking his bleached blonde hair out of his face. "so does that mean you won't consent to a frisk search?"

"i will humor you this one time." she laughed, taking a step back. "take it away, agent. but you do realize that the fbi don't get to make disorderly conduct calls? that's a beat cop's job."

"i seem to recall that you have a right to remain silent?"

she winked, undoing another button on her shirt, the fabric falling away just enough to give liam a glimpse of the soft flesh of her breasts. "and i don't recall being read my rights."

"hands against the wall, feet shoulder width apart, you beautiful smartass." liam laughed, waiting for her to turn slightly before playfully swatting at her backside. "then i can read them to you."

the wall was cold against her palms as she got into position, listening half-heartedly as liam attempted to remember the american miranda rights. he got about as far as 'you have the right to remain silent' and 'you have the right to an attorney' before he gave up.

"you know what, this isn't that serious. fuck the right to remain silent, you have the right to remain sexy as fuck. how about that." she could hear the playful annoyance in his voice, and couldn't help the smile that broke out across her face.

there was the liam she knew and loved. not one to mince words, even in the bedroom.

his smooth hands were a welcome presence on her body, travelling up her legs, over her hips and up the sides of her torso. torturously slow, his warm hands dipped underneath her shirt, taking her breasts in his hands, her peaked nipples between his fingers.

heat rose to her skin, adding a rosy sheen in the halflight. she sighed under his touch, her head dropping back to rest on liam's shoulder. liam smiled fondly, one of his hands reaching for hers, the other dropping to cradle her waist.

"you're beautiful." he hummed, kissing her neck gently. "i hope you know that."

this was a side of liam that only she ever got to see. on the outside, he gave off frat boy energy: the hair, the way he carried himself. the way he spoke. but just under the surface, was a man who was wrapped around his girlfriend's finger. one who loved shamelessly, and with his whole heart.

pulling away from the wall, the turned in his hold to face him, tangling her hands in his hair and kissing him deeply.

"if you can get that shirt off without tearing a stitch, you can keep it."

liam beamed, breaking from the embrace to scramble for the hem of the worn t-shirt. he had almost gotten it over his head when he heard the first few stitches begin to pop, fabric getting stuck by his shoulders.

"fuck!"

"need some help with that?"

"i think i'm good!"

somehow they ended up on the bed, both half dressed and pent up. she was soaked through her thong, despite her earlier attitude towards the t-shirt and further proving the point that her lover looked good in just about anything (or nothing, for that matter). she was needy, every nerve in her body reacting to the way liam's tongue probed her mouth, the way his hands touched her body. the way he moaned when she pressed up against the bulge in his jeans.

"babe," he mumbled in between kisses. "do you trust me?"

she cocked an eyebrow, brushing his bangs out of his face before looking down at him "should i be worried?"

"do you trust me, yes or no?"

"of course, li. of course i trust you."

liam nodded. "good. so sit on my face."

she paused, almost as if her brain was sending up error messages. she knew this day would come. liam lawson would eat pussy any which way. truthfully, she was shocked this day hadn’t come sooner.

it wasn’t that she didn’t want to. of course she wanted to.

“babe, how will you be able to breathe? I’ll suffocate you.” she protested, reaching for his hand. “I don’t want that on my conscience.”

“sweetheart, it’s okay. you won’t hurt me. and if-god forbid-I do suffocate, trust me on this, I wouldn’t want to go out any other way than with your thighs on either side of my head.”

and with that, liam took her hands in his, and guided her towards where he needed her most. she looked down at him with a soft smile, running her fingers through his hair.

"i love you." she whispered, moving her hands to the headboard and beginning to lower herself down to meet her lovers tongue.

she inhaled sharply as she made contact, liam's plump lips mouthing at her pussy, her grip tightening on the wooden headboard.

"i've got you, princess." liam's voice was muffled, but his words were reassuring as he ran a hand up and down her thigh. "just ride my face, darlin'. use my tongue to get yourself off."

feeling bolder than she was when she first sat down, she began to grind on liam's face, his nose bumping against her swollen clit with each movement. every bit of friction, every swipe of liam's tongue drove her wild, was like setting fire to her nerve endings.

"oh sweet jesus, god." she whined, fighting the urge to close her thighs together around liam's head, focussing on the way his hands gripped her thighs in a bruising way. she looked down at his face and moaned again, seeing the pleasure mapped out on her boyfriend's features.

"oh, i'm in heaven." he moaned, pulling her down further to plunge his tongue inside of her, rapidly flicking it inside and out.

her eyes rolled back as her hips bucked, grinding against the tip of his nose as one hand came down to clutch at his hair. tears of pleasure pricked the corners of her eyes as she cried out his name.

"liam- right there, oh my god, keep doing that." she whined, trying to move her hips faster. liam's face was soaked, the entire bottom half coated in her juices. there was so much of it, running down the sides of his cheeks and soaking into the pillowcase behind him.

she felt so good she could barely see, screwing her eyes shut. her pants and whines became closer together and more high pitched, the movement of her hips more frantic as she chased that feeling, that high.

"are you going to cum for me, baby?" liam asked, pulling his face away from her. she continued to drip onto his face, and he opened his mouth wide, catching some of her slick on his tongue. "come on my face. please, i want to be drowning in it."

and how could she say no to that?

she could barely keep her shoulders straight as she resumed her motions, fingers gripping liam's hair to keep herself steady. his hands grasped desperately at the flesh of her ass cheeks, squeezing and massaging as one of her own hands came up to grasp at one of her tits, teasing the peaked nipple between her fingers.

"oh god, liam, i think i'm coming!"

"i've got you, i've got you. just breathe-"

his last word was cut off with a moan as she began to gush, coating his face in her release. his moans were muffled by the weight of her body, but they were no less loud as he set about licking her clean.

her legs felt like jello and her body like mush as liam tried to sit up, easing her body back so that she was sitting in his lap, wet core right over top of the massive bulge in his jeans. liam was certain that if she moved at all while she was on top of him, he'd come in his jeans. totally spent, she slumped against him, resting her head on his chest.

he leaned down to kiss her sweaty forehead and she scrunched up her face. she looked adorable in her fogged-up glasses with her messy hair. and liam couldn't stop his heart from melting as she reached for the box of tissues in the nightstand and began to clean up his face.

"that was incredible." her voice was soft as she cleaned him up. "i had no idea you could do that."

"don't give me all the credit." liam laughed, playfully nipping at her fingers as she moved to wipe his mouth down. "you played a very large part in why i'm still hard right now."

she laughed, a big smile on her face as she looped her arms around his neck and leaned in to kiss him softly. with his large hands holding her in place, they kissed again. sweet, chaste and soft, with no intention of it leading anywhere else.

at least, not this early in the evening.

TAGS:

@magnummagnussen @httpiastri @libraryofloveletters @cartierre @lorarri @userlando @diorleclerc

[dhaaruni]

Contemporary Romance Books/Series to Adapt Post It Ends With Us

Sex, Love & Stiletto (series) by Lauren Layne: the fourth and final book in this series, The Trouble With Love might just be my favorite contemporary of all time

Off-Campus (series) by Elle Kennedy: I don't like New Adult on principle but like, you have to understand that Garrett Graham is dreamy

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang: This book manages to be poignant without getting depressing which is a delicate balance!

The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa: I love an enemies-to-lovers where the main couple genuinely loathes each other and not just for professional rivalry reasons and this book hits the mark

You Had Me At Hola by Alexis Daria: I had a real telenovela phase and this book basically feels like a telenovela in the best way imaginable

[jules-has-notes]

Harrisburg, PA — VoicePlay live performances

When the VoicePlay guys were touring regularly, they often included educational outreach at schools near their concert venues. So in the spring of 2019 they headed to central Pennsylvania for a workshop with the music students of Susquehanna Township High School, followed by an evening show at the Rose Lehrman Arts Center.

Unfortunately, the person who posted videos from the concert mostly recorded short clips instead of full songs, but you might still enjoy what is available.

.

Their school workshops include some performances, and this arrangement is a good demonstration of harmonies, diction, volume control, and group cohesion.

Details:

title: Ride

original performers: Twenty One Pilots

written by: Tyler Joseph

arranged by: Geoff Castellucci

performance date: 14 March 2019

My favorite bits:

Eli's lovely, clear tone

Layne managing to be audible to the camera's onboard mic

the snapping silliness (such goobers)

that fast patter in three-part harmony, whew

Geoff's descent on ♫ ⇘ "I'm falling sooo" ⇘ ♫

J.None and Eli's little hand gesture to illustrate the vocal hitch

Trivia:

The guys originally recorded this song during the first season of their PartWork series, with just Eli, Geoff, and Layne covering all five vocal parts.

This recording was originally posted to a student's Facebook page.

.

This recording is missing several bits, as it has been stitched together from shorter clips. It mostly consists of the segments featuring the playful rivalry between Geoff and Earl, which is still a good time. (Though I do miss J and Eli's solo bits.)

Details:

title: Elvira

original performers: The Oak Ridge Boys

written by: Dallas Frazier

arranged by: Geoff Castellucci

performance date: 14 March 2019

My favorite bits:

that first beefy bass note

the "Earl can go low, too" gag

that fantastic riff, and the audience's inability to replicate it

the lovely ascending dissonance of ♫ ⇗ "on fi-i-i-rrre" ⇗ ♫

extended beard stroking

and, of course, that big ending

Trivia:

This piece was an enduring favorite in VoicePlay's live shows for many years.

They have never made a video for it because the audience reaction is such an integral part of the performance, but there is an audio recording available to their Patreon patrons.

.

This video is also pretty choppy, containing excerpts from three different numbers. But those pieces are all performed with the boys' usual skill and flair.

Details:

title: clips — aca-Disney mashup // "Panic! in 4 Minutes, part 1" medley // "My Shot" from Hamilton

original songs / performers: "Arabian Nights" by James Monroe Iglehart as the Genie and the cast of Aladdin (2014); "Fireball" by Pitbull, featuring John Ryan // [0:15] "Miss Jackson" by Panic! at the Disco feat. Lolo; [0:35] "The Ballad of Mona Lisa" by Panic! at the Disco // [0:47] "My Shot" by the cast of Hamilton: An American Musical (2015)

written by: "Arabian Nights" by Alan Menken & Tim Rice; "Fireball" by Armando "Pitbull" Perez, "John the Blind" Ryan, Andreas Schuller, Ricky Reed, Joe Spargur, Tom Peyton, & Ilsey Juber; "Miss Jackson" by Brendon Urie, Dallon Weekes, Lauren "Lolo" Pritchard, Jake Sinclair, Amir Jerome Salem, & Alex Goose; "The Ballad of Mona Lisa" by Brendon Urie, Spencer Smith, Butch Walker, & John Feldmann; "My Shot" by Lin-Manuel Miranda & Alex Lacamoire

arranged by: "aca-Disney" by VoicePlay; "Panic! in 4 Minutes" by Layne Stein & Earl Elkins, Jr.; "My Shot" by Layne Stein

performance date: 14 March 2019

My favorite bits:

Eli's big old belt, and the other four bopping in sync 🕺🕺🕺🕺

the smooth hand-off from Eli to J.None during the transition from "Miss Jackson" to "Mona Lisa"

that lovely rising harmony contrasting Geoff's big drop

Layne's precise cadence at the beginning of "My Shot"

Trivia:

The "aca-Disney" mashup was created as a collaboration with Disney On Broadway as part of their 20th anniversary in 2014.

Their "Panic! in 4 Minutes" medley was released in two parts the previous summer.

Their cover of "My Shot" was released shortly before the 2016 Tony Awards, at which Hamilton took home awards in 11 categories.

.

This video actually contains the full number! The twist is that the boys aren't in their usual configuration for "Aca Top 10" countdowns with chairs and mic stands. They're on their feet and moving around as they pass the lead vocals between them.

Details:

title: Aca Top 10 – Bro Country

original songs / performers: [0:10] "Truck Yeah" by Tim McGraw; [0:37] "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" by Kenny Chesney; [0:55] "Online" by Brad Paisley; [1:10] "Dirt Road Anthem" by Jason Aldean; [1:31] "Corn Star" by Craig Morgan; [1:54] "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" by Joe Nichols; [2:15] "Red Solo Cup" by Toby Keith; [2:37] "Cruise" by Florida Georgia Line; [2:44] "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" by Trace Adkins; [3:06] "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" by Big & Rich

written by: "Truck Yeah" by Chris Lucas, Preston Brust, Chris Janson, & Danny Myrick; "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" by Jim Collins & Paul Overstreet; "Online" by Chris DuBois, Kelley Lovelace, & Brad Paisley; "Dirt Road Anthem" by Brantley Gilbert & Colt Ford; "Corn Star" by Jeffrey Steele, Shane Minor & Craig Morgan; "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" by Gary Hannan & John Wiggins; "Red Solo Cup" by Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Brad Warren, & Brett Warren; "Cruise" by Florida Georgia Line, Joey Moi, Chase Rice, & Jesse Rice; "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" by Dallas Davidson, Randy Houser, & Jamey Johnson; "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" by William Kenneth "Big Kenny" Alphin & John Rich

arranged by: Layne Stein & Geoff Castellucci

performance date: 14 March 2019

My favorite bits:

the way J.None interacts with his harmonic partners

the slow layering in the second half of "Dirt Road Anthem"

Eli conducting Earl and J's glissando in "Corn Star"

Earl's sweet whistling for "Red Solo Cup"

the fun video game sounds Layne makes after Geoff sings ♫ "Donkey Kong" ♫

everyone's coordinated galloping

that cool stuttering descent

Trivia:

The guys originally filmed their music video for this medley with guest singer Chris Rupp in July 2016.

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This is just one brief clip, but I couldn't resist including it because it's from their "Road Trip" skit, which is always fun.

Details:

title: Road Trip excerpt

original songs / performers: "Why Can’t We Be Friends" by War; "That Smell" by Lynyrd Skynyrd

written by: "Why Can't We Be Friends?" by Papa Dee Allen, Harold Ray Brown, B.B. Dickerson, Lonnie Jordan, Charles Miller, Lee Oskar, Howard E. Scott, & Jerry Goldstein; "That Smell" by Allen Collins & Ronnie Van Zant

arranged by: Geoff Castellucci

performance date: 14 March 2019

My favorite bits:

There's not much to say about this one, since it's so short. Go watch the full professionally filmed version for context.

Trivia:

This piece had been a part of their repertoire since the 4:2:Five days, but they didn't release a video of it until they had the opportunity to capture it live during the 2014 Sing-Off tour.

[acaplaya-musings]

Voiceplay Visuals - addendums and interesting BTS stuff (part 2/3)

I explained everything in the first part, go find it here. Let's keep going!

(Part 2 below the cut)

We Don't Talk About Bruno: "Also I'm pretty sure I heard from someone that Geoff's "ruana" is in fact just a regular blanket/piece of fabric draped (possibly secured/pinned) over his shoulders" - Yeah pretty much, except specifically it was tied behind his back/over his shoulders - You wanna know how Cesar just seemingly pulled that umbrella out of nowhere? Well it was hidden behind him! Or more perhaps more precisely, his behind hid it! 😂 (His glutes definitely got a workout that day!)

"(Oh and this section really was slowed down in post-production in order to make the petals (and hair flips!) look nice, and so both Ashley and Geoff were having to sing/lip-sync to sped up versions of their vocal lines!)" - Tis true! That whole section was done in basically double speed during filming, and slowed-down in post (the reverse of what Geoff did for his Monster Mash video actually), which makes the resulting footage extra impressive tbh - Also I didn't specify in my original post, but Geoff isn't just wearing the floral blouse - he's wearing the same pink shorts as Ashley as well! 😂 - Bonus fun fact: the little rat on Geoff's shoulder was remote-controlled!

Dream On: "(Also this was filmed in some old school I believe? I think maybe Cesar's old school or something?)" - Right on the first count, wrong on the second - this was Eli's former high school! (Very much no longer in use as a school though, obviously) - It was filmed in Leesburg, which is an hour away from Orlando apparently, and since there was obviously no decent part of the building to be used as a breakroom or dressing room or whatever, they brought a production coach, the same one that got used for the same purpose for the Panic Medley filming in fact! - The shirt/top that Geoff wore in the video was quite tight-fitting apparently, and he needed additional assistance from Kathy to get it fully pulled down (she helped while still filming) - Still not entirely sure what Layne is wearing on top of his shirt, but it seems to be just draped over his shoulders, idk

Running Up That Hill: - They put a lot of effort into recreating That Scene from Stranger Things, like they had pieces of paper with shots from the TV series and annotations written on it and everything! - The jacket that Geoff had tied around his waist in the video is like some black bomber jacket/letterman-style thing, and he was wearing it sometimes in between takes and ngl he looks good in it, like I almost kinda wish he had been properly wearing it in the video.

"Based on the very-fixed and very-specific shots we get of Ashley while she's "levitating", I'm guessing this was more done via clever editing and post-production work rather than anything like harnesses to actually lift her in the air" - Well, while it is true that editing trickery was favoured over harnesses, there was actually a bit more practicality involved than what I guessed/imagined. Idk how much I should reveal, but let's just say that Ashley had to use some muscles for it!

Hide And Seek (Ding Dong!): "I love the ghostly visual effects on Lauren, with the glowy ethereal outline of her silhouette, and the slight translucence on her dress!" - The effect also helps conceal the fact that she wasn't in the studio with them at all! Magic of greenscreen, just like with VoicePlay's Enemy video! In fact, Layne took a very quick flight to Nashville, Tennessee to help Lauren record her parts, before quickly flying back to Orlando, Florida (in time to beat an oncoming hurricane!)

"I have a feeling that the lighting on [Layne] is such that it makes him look like an actual Haunted Mansion/Disney Parks ride animatronic (especially when combined with deliberate movement/acting choices in the video)" - I mean yeah, maybe, but also tbh it's also just the whole makeup/costume itself - even in the BTS footage he didn't look fully "human"/"real" when in the full costume. - Fun fact: Layne also had black food colouring in his mouth to further add to the whole look! Wild!

"Absolutely loving Cesar's makeup in this one ngl (I wonder whether he coloured his face and/or hair blue for filming this or if that was just all done via editing?)" - That was all thanks to Rick Underwood! His hair and face really were that blue! (Not all his hair though, just the front section of it). - I still have questions about Geoff's makeup though - didn't get to see much of the process in the BTS video, rip. - The floating crystal ball was a practical effect, done with fishing wire and a pulley system controlled by Tony!

Golden Hour: - So the greenscreening of the heads was done a little differently to how I imagined, and Geoff's hair did in fact look just like that during the filming - it's not just the editing - This is actually the second version of the video that was created - Patrons were initially presented with a different video (which I haven't actually watched but heard about in the BTS) with a slightly different setting and alterations to the story (Layne came up with a few different ideas in fact). - Also I may be slightly colourblind, because I thought that vest was maroon, but it's actually just brown, lol rip.

Valhalla Calling: "check out the set! I like the shields in the background." - Everything other than the benches and props in the foreground was completely digital! They filmed in front of huge digital screens (and I mean HUGE) that had the pre-designed backgrounds displayed on them! - Y'know how all the guys were wearing furs and heavy layers of clothing and all that? Yeah well apparently on the day of filming, the air conditioning at Vu Studios was busted, RIP (Rick Underwood had to help blot away some of their sweat between takes!)

Part 1 // Part 2 // Part 3

[hopeless-nostalgiac]

Contemporary Romance Recs

This is for @coffeedepablo but anyone can enjoy these good stories :)

Listed in no particular order: 

The Deal by Elle Kennedy - first book in the “Off Campus” series - follows four college-aged, hockey player roommates as they meet their significant others. Various tropes, pretty decent spice. 

Only When It’s Us by Chloe Liese - first book in another great series, “The Bergman Brothers” - follows the siblings in a family, features characters with various disabilities

The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle - uptight bodyguard for young royals (who resemble Harry and Meghan) falls for local woman

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter - so freaking cute!!! It’s YA, enemies to friends to maybe more? Can’t rec enough. Hope this becomes a movie.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang - another first book in a series, but it’s far and away the best of the trilogy. Male escort teaches woman with ASD how to succeed at sexy times. Plus feelings.

The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan - niche content here: former porn star-turned-business woman teams up with a rabbi to make sex more positive and approachable for his congregation; the second in a duology

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes - woman who recently lost her emotionally abusive husband takes in a baseball player with the yips; promise you won’t be disappointed

An Ex for Christmas by Lauren Layne - not this author’s most notable work, but’s really cute and you’ll never think of mistletoe the same way; friends to lovers

Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon - if you liked the Netflix film, “Set It Up,” you’ll like this

The Trouble with Hating You by Sajni Patel - first in a series, good banter, the Indian characters are well represented

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren - fake dating, one bed, need I say more?

I have more, plus recs in other genres mixed with romance-just let me know!

[bestgilmoregirlseps]

𝘐𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑦 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑔

Hi! My name is Emilie and I'm a grade twelve student whose favourite past-time is to binge-watch and analyze tv shows. I really enjoy the aspect of exploring different topics and themes through the multitude of film genres as well as the entertainment it provides. Although I’ve watched several shows, there are only a select few that I believe have impacted my life or that I still find myself interested in. One of them is none other than the iconic dramedy Gilmore Girls. This early 2000s show starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel has become a fall classic over the years as it symbolizes the changes in weather. The series is set in Stars Hollow, Connecticut and its townspeople are constantly gearing up for a festival of some kind, most of them taking place during the colder seasons. The fashion, music and scenery present in Gilmore Girls are often associated with the coziness of fall and winter and I personally think it’s the  best time to rewatch it. This blog will be all about reviewing and analyzing my top ten favourite episodes and will  include many spoilers. Therefore, if any of you readers have yet to watch the show, I strongly suggest you do so before reading in order to fully comprehend what I’ll be discussing. The first episode that I’ll be reviewing is entitled “Kiss and Tell” and is the seventh episode of the first season (s1 ep7)!! 

In this episode, the townspeople of Stars Hollow are decorating for thanksgiving and Luke, the owner of the town’s diner, refuses to put up any decorations despite the town selectman's efforts. Taylor Doose is a stickler for the rules and traditions of the town and argues with anyone who goes against them. He is by far one of the most obnoxious characters in the show as he is always holding meetings over ridiculous issues and scolding those who don’t meet the town-spirit standards. After school, Rory, the main character, goes to Doose’s Market to see the boy she has a crush on. Dean, the grocery store worker, kisses her for the first time while getting her a drink and she is so taken aback that all she can say is “thank you”. Rory runs out of the store without paying for her things and goes straight to her best friend’s house, Layne. She tells her all about the kiss and Layne’s very religious mother overhears the entire conversation. Later, when Rory’s mother Lorelai goes to Kim’s Antiques (Layne’s mother’s business), she finds out about this big milestone in her daughter’s life and feels upset that Rory didn’t tell her right away. Rory, on the other hand, is having a great time gossiping about it with Layne while they’re dressed up as pilgrims for the Cornucopia Can Drive. Lorelai and Luke go to Doose’s Market to see Dean and Lorelai tells him she wished her daughter felt comfortable enough to talk about her love life with her. When Rory comes back home, Lorelai immediately asks about the kiss and they argue over the way she heard about it. The two go to Doose’s once again to grab some snacks for a movie night and while Rory goes to the video store, Lorelai invites him to come over. Rory gets mad at her mother for embarrassing her by accidentally planning their first date for them. She starts freaking out about watching a movie with Dean, stressing about the way she looks and the way she’ll act around him. Although she is quite nervous, the movie night goes well and Dean kisses Rory again at the end of the night. Lorelai gives him a lecture about how loved Rory is by everyone in Stars Hollow and that he shouldn’t dare hurt her. The episode ends with Lorelai and Rory gossiping like she did with Layne about how perfect Rory’s first kiss was.

This episode is one of my favourites because of how nostalgic it is and how it showcases the close mother-daughter relationship Rory and Lorelai have at the beginning of the show. For context, Lorelai fell pregnant with her daughter when she was only sixteen and since her birth, they've had more of a best friend dynamic than anything. However, Rory gets scared when she has her first kiss and is unsure of how her mother will react considering what happened to Lorelai and her mother when she had a baby. I thought this episode perfectly displayed how hard it can be to parent your child the relationship doesn't often involve strict boundaries or rules. Lorelai felt betrayed that she hadn't been the first one to hear about Rory's first kiss although I think it was completely normal for her to keep it to herself. Being a teenage girl comes with a multitude of expectations and Rory was simply processing a major event in her life.

[readtilyoudie]

Captive in the Underworld by Lianyu Tan | Clara’s Soldier: A Retelling of the Nutcracker by Brittany Fichter

Dark Olympus Series by Katee Robert

Hate To Want You by Alisha Rai | Howl’s Moving Castle Series by Diana Wynne Jones

The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff | The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

Love In Color: Mythical Tales From Around the World, Retold by Bolu Babalola | Love Lessons in Starcross Valley by Lucy Knott

The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Playing Hearts by W.R. Gingell | The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

Red, White, And Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston | Reluctant Royals by Alyssa Cole | Romancing the Inventor by Gail Carriger

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas | Spiritwalker Trilogy by Kate Elliott | Stalking Jack the Ripper Series by Kerri Maniscalco | The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi | The Starlight Crystal by Christopher Pike

This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone | To Sir, With Love by Lauren Layne

A Villian's Ever After Series

Wicked Villains Series by Katee Robert | Wilderwood Series by Hannah F. Whitten

[overflowingshelf]

ARC Review: Miranda in Retrograde by Lauren Layne

Miranda in Retrograde Lauren Layne Publisher: Gallery Books Publication Date: August 13, 2024 Series or Standalone: Standalone Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph Rating: MY REVIEW If Lauren Layne writes it, I will read it. There is something about Layne’s writing that perfectly encapsulates the golden age of rom-com movies from the 90s that we all know and love,…

[diaryandgirl]

february 2024 favourites

February was a month where I rested a lot. here are the things that I loved when I was up to doing stuff!

1. curling my hair

curling my hair is annoying because it takes 40 minutes, but now that my hair is longer I really the look of it curled. I've been curling it about once a week while listening to a podcast (see below). my friend so kindly gifted me a heat protectant spray and it feels so luxurious to spray it on before I curl my hair now.

2. ACOTAR

I started reading the infamous ACOTAR book series this month, and I really enjoyed them! it's a world I can get easily lost in, especially if I don't think too hard about the plot. something about the books feels very comforting to me, à la Twilight. I'm wrapping up the third book right now, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the plot unfolds.

3. Black History Month books

I read some great books for Black History Month, and I enjoyed reading them in the condensed period of a month. I think it allowed me to piece the knowledge I had learned from the different books together about what it means to be a Black person in this world. my particular favourites were Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.

4. podcasts

I generally only listen to podcasts from people I already know from another platform, so I don't listen to too many. that being said, I discovered podcasts that I found myself getting excited for the next episode: Liz Gets Loaded (about money and anxiety because she has both), Working Title (a lifestyle podcast run by YouTuber Margot Lee), and Last Word (exploring what it means to try creating for a living by author Lauren Layne and comedian Anthony LeDonne).

5. rest

after a busy 6 months, this has been a much-needed quieter month. I came down with a cold at the beginning of February, which forced me to get rest. I appreciated that. I listened to my body, drank copious amounts of hot teas, read a lot, and took days off when I was sick. now I'm all rejuvenated and ready to get back into the full swing of things for March!

💌 xoxo

[iheartgracie]

mattsabrina quotes from hard sell by lauren layne part 3

“Say something charming,” I whisper.

“Your ass looks amazing in that dress,” he says under his breath.

I let out a low chuckle so that anyone watching assumes we’re sharing an intimate inside joke, but my words are chastising. “I said charming not horny.”

“Compliments are charming.”

“Sure. Compliments on smiles. Hair. A woman’s ass, not so much. No wonder you’re single.”

He glances down at me. “I’m not single at the moment. I have you.”

“That night when Matt and I first met had been romantic. And sexual. Hell, it’d been magical.

In the span of hours, he’d made me feel like no man had in my entire life. Butterflies, breathlessness, the whole bit.”

“he drags his fingers lightly along my palm. My breath catches at the caress, but instead of looking smug, he looks intent. Thoughtful as he holds my gaze.”

“He leans down to kiss my cheek. “I’m sorry our lunch got cut short.”

I blink in surprise at the sincerity in his voice. We both know Jarod Lanham is the goal here, not me.

Don’t we?

“Call me later?” I ask him, letting my voice go soft and a little hopeful.

“Of course.” His eyes stay locked on mine.”

“Cannon?”

“Yup.”

I look down at my wine. “Juno and I were going to order takeout. I was thinking Chinese.”

“Okay?” This time it’s a question.

“You can stay. Eat with us. I mean, if you want.” I look up.

“Okay.” This time it’s not a question. And it’s paired with a happy grin that makes my heart feel like flying.”

“Cannon.”

I don’t look at her. I can’t. “Yeah?”

She leans toward me slightly and whispers, “You had a history tutor?”

I let out a startled laugh. Her response is so unexpected and so fucking perfect that I do the only thing I can do.

I bend my head to hers and kiss her.”

“I join Matt’s family by the fire pit, both pleased and alarmed when he sits beside me, close enough for our knees to touch.

Pleased, because I like the intimacy of the moment.

Alarmed . . . because I also like him.”

“We going to talk about the fact that I kissed you tonight?”

“I’ve decided to overlook the breach of contract. You’ve got one hell of a home life there, Cannon.”

“I do. But what’s your excuse?”

“For what?”

“For kissing me back.”

She gives me an annoyed look. “We’re not talking about that.”

“Good,” I say simply. “Because talking’s not at all what I had in mind.”

Then I reach out and haul her to me.”

“A rule I decided to break the second he reached for me.

For that matter, I think I decided to break it the moment I asked him to stay for a cup of tea instead of sending him right back out into the rain.

My brain’s screaming, Fool. My heart’s screaming, Mayday.

But my body . . . . it knows what it wants—what it needs—and it has always needed him.”

“I’ve missed this,” he murmurs, his lips gliding under my chin, nuzzling my jaw. “I’ve missed you.”

[jeevesreads]

WEEKLY WRAP-UP: November 3rd

I had a pretty good reading week! I listened to Hopeless, which was a fitting conclusion to a very good series. It was almost too sex-focused for me, but I loved the chemistry between the couple and the emotional feel. I also enjoyed Tessa Bailey’s new novella, which was a fast and spicy read. It didn’t delve too deep, but it was perfect for bingeing. I had mixed feelings about Lauren Layne’s…

[bookmark-lit]

Recent Reads: Made in Manhattan, The Family Game, and You're Invited

Recent Reads: Made in Manhattan, The Family Game, and You’re Invited

I’ve read a few books at the end of last year (that didn’t really involve the holiday season) and just wanted to share some quick thoughts, so we’re here today with mini reviews! I’ve become a huge sucker for Lauren Layne’s books. I adored the Central Park Pact series and found them super addicting, and her follow-up (TO SIR WITH LOVE) was excellent too. I just think her writing is so easy to…

[lilvcalloway]

The Trouble With Love (2015)

[jules-has-notes]

My Shot — VoicePlay music video

VoicePlay released their "Aca Top 10 — Broadway" countdown in late 2014, just a few months before Hamilton took the world by storm. That timing was lucky for the rest of us, because it gave the guys an incentive to cover (most of) an entire song from the show rather than just a snippet.

Details:

title: My Shot

original performers: cast of Hamilton: An American Musical (2015)

written by: Lin-Manuel Miranda & Alex Lacamoire

arranged by: Layne Stein

release date: 1 June 2016

My favorite bits:

Layne replicating that crisp military drum cadence

turning some of the rap lyrics into sung lines in order to recreate the orchestral sound and add extra harmonies

Earl getting a chance to use his French accent again

pitching down the second "How you say?" for emphasis

the staccato harmonies and quick cuts on ♫ "And when I fight I make the other side pan-i-cky." ♫

their sparse vocalizations under Layne's quiet Burr bars, punctuated by his explosion sound effect 💥

the reverb on the lead vocals in the ending section

Trivia:

The cover art for the audio track was designed by the group's longtime friend and collaborator Jeff Thatcher.

Geoff wore socks with little pictures of cured bone-in pork shoulders on them during the video shoot in his own private version of "ham for Ham". (He didn't acquire them for the occasion, though. He'd had them for at least 3 years. The man just really enjoys fun socks.)

Earl rediscovered the jacket from this video in early 2020. It still fit him perfectly.

They fairly clearly cast Eli as Hamilton, Earl as Lafayette, and Layne as Burr. Cutting out Laurens and Mulligans' character-specific lines means we don't know which roles Tony and Geoff were intended to represent, but I like to think that costume designer Tony is a natural fit for tailor's apprentice Mulligan.

VoicePlay released this video a couple weeks before the 2016 Tony Awards, at which Hamilton was nominated for a record-breaking 16 awards in 13 categories, and won 11 of them.

As noted by Geoff in the outro, Layne and Eli filmed a short series of videos on audio production in partnership with Full Sail University.

This video was filmed in the REBL HQ studio at Full Sail University, and several of their students helped with the set construction and video production.

During the filming prep, some of the guys recorded a bit of advice about standing out among the millions of creators on YouTube.

They got some nice press coverage in Broadway.com's "Video Odds & Ends" column, on PRWeb, and with a local news station.

Eli, Geoff, and Layne did a livestreamed Q&A on release day at the studio with REBL HQ's general manager, Drew Walkup. The VoD has since been made private, but there are a couple clips on Instagram in which Layne offers advice for creators, and Geoff answers a question about his injury during the "Phantom" set construction.

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[stilettoarchive]

oxford messy headers.

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