2026 Blog Post – Rosepoint Publishing

Rosepoint Reviews – March Recap – April Weather is no Joke

Rosepoint Review Recap-March-Hello April!

Definitely going to be a wet and wild April with lingering thunderstorms from March—a crazy pattern with warm temps to 70s plunging 40 degrees in a few hours. Normally, I’d be starting seedlings, thinking garden, planning appropriate veggies and symbiotic flowers.

First goal: Take down that poor tree in front of our kitchen window that only had one viable limb left. The CE surprised me by getting a big jump on it before I was even dressed and by mid-afternoon we had it down, limbs in the garbage bin, area raked and swept. What a job! I’m hoping it will be a good spot for some water plants. I tried lotus flowers last year, but failed to provide sufficient sun. This may be too much sun. We’ll see.

Old tree on the left and after it's cleared. — Old tree on the left–tree is gone on the right.

Hail, same spot — Hail one day later, same spot.

March is birthday month for me and I was celebrated with a visit from our daughter, granddaughter, and great-grandkids. The little ones are so much bigger than last we saw them, the youngest still a baby. They got to have a tour of Chicago from our son who works there, a short and sweet visit, but so happy to see them all.

Of course, we also celebrate Reading Ireland Month in March and I participated once again, experiencing a recommendable movie, a wacky newly released series, as well as ebooks and audiobooks. We made our usual corned beef and cabbage (better this year), which also made delicious leftovers—the CE’s fav.

The CE and I read or listened to a total of ten books in March. As always, the major source of our books is the library (audiobooks and ebooks). (We also review books from NetGalley and author and publisher requests.) The links on titles are to our reviews that include purchase information.

Rosepoint Reviews - March Recap

Singing Bones by S G Ullman (CE review-publisher request)
Countdown by Sara Driscoll
The Burning Soul by John Connolly (CE review)
Murder in an Irish Churchyard by Carlene O’Connor

Audiobooks

See How They Hide by Allison Brennan (mini-reviews)
My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney (mini-review)
Thirst Trap by Gráinne O’Hare
The Compound by Aisling Rawle
To the Moon and Back by Karen Kingsbury
The Storied Life of A J Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Favorite Book of the Month

Can I cheat just a bit and nominate a movie instead of a book? What if the movie was based on a book–written by Declan Power? The Siege of Jadotville was compelling and powerful.

Favorite for March – The Siege of Jadotville

My Reading Challenges page…March was just too busy to update. My Goodreads count is still off, but landing page shows 40 of a challenge of 175.

To all my dear readers and fellow bloggers, thank you so much for taking the time to check out my posts and reviews. I’m trying to up my bloghopping and hope to see you soon.

Shamrocks, Blarney Stones, and Wild Irish Tales #ReadingIrelandMonth26

Reading Ireland Month (The #Begorrathon26) had a good run this year, with ebooks and audiobooks read and reviewed. Surprisingly, although Waking the Titanic was supposed to be on Netflix, I gave up looking for it, as it was obviously taken down at some point. Then, in quick succession, we gave up on Derry Girls, Lies We Tell, and The Fall of the House of Usher.

Reading Ireland Month26 - wrap up

Back when I published a number of my grandfather’s books, I tried creating a book trailer or two and made one for Cocos Island Treasure using one of Marc Gunn’s songs.

Of course, I always recommend my favorite Irish podcaster, Marc Gunn’s Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. This year’s St Patrick’s Day podcast included one of his own songs that I thought I’d share.

Years ago, I also posted a St Patrick’s article regarding one of his more interesting poems, The Bonny Bell from Yarn Four.

By now you’ve read my chuckle-fest St Patrick’s Day post that I titled Beans, Beans…(A St Patrick’s Day Revisited). Check it out if you haven’t seen it before. And don’t forget that special Irish Soda Bread recipe from one of our favorite Irish authors, Jean Granger.

We only use Netflix on the internet along with our antenna, so don’t have a large selection of streaming services but did enjoy The Siege of Jadotville. Hope you got to view that or have it on your view list.

Recommendations

I already mentioned the lone movie we were able to get and highly recommend. As always, one of those long-buried stories taken from history worthy of public note, The Seige of Jadotville deserves a look-see.

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is a fast and furious, bordering on fantasy, dark comedy series, and I suspect, for those who enjoy a unique and wild ride with their whiskey.

The ebooks and audiobooks were a bit of a disappointment, though I enjoyed my ebook copy of Carlene O’Connor’s Murder in an Irish Churchyard.

We do have fun with this every year and it usually gets me out there researching and finding stuff I had no idea was available. Hope you read or listened to one of these books or movies, and if you did, I’d love to know.

Reading Ireland Month 2026

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast – Netflix Series – #darkcomedy – #readingirelandmonth26

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast - Netflix series

Introduction

I am reviewing this movie for Reading Ireland Month. It is hosted by Cathy at 746 Books. Please check out her page for more suggestions on reading, audiobooks, or music on her spotify list and use the hashtags #readingirelandmonth26 or #begorrathon.

title - The Series

While this was billed as three lifelong friends reuniting after the death of an old classmate, I get the feeling that it was more like childhood friends than lifelong and having gone their separate ways are now more strangers than friends. At thirty-something, they no longer have anything in common except for the friend now deceased and the dreadful secret each has faithfully kept all this time. Together they set off for a wake that will take them across Ireland, during which they become fully reacquainted with each other again and gradually realize there was something really off about Greta’s mysterious death.

The series was created by Lisa McGee, who also created the Derry Girls, a series I started for this event and quickly stopped. A Hat Trick production, it was released in February of 2026 by Netflix and is currently available for streaming starring Roisin Gallagher as Saoirse, Sinéad Keenan as Robyn, and Caoilfhionn Dunne as Dara. Natasha O’Keeffe is starring as the elusive Greta.

The genre is set as a comedy and thriller, although I would also add dark comedy and satire.

My Thoughts

Where in the world does the trip take them?

Well, we, who might not be terribly familiar with the scenic locations, get a lovely full tour. I believe it was shot primarily in Northern Ireland: Belfast, County Antrim, and County Down. Loved the rural views as well, the lush green countryside!

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast - Netflix series — Photo courtesy Facebook

After the thrilling hook, the plot devolves into a wild free-for-all action flick with the three of them talking as fast as humanly possible and creating a small language barrier for those of us not familiar with the jargon, idioms, or expressions.

Part of my problem was keeping up with the different scenes, some seeming as if they were coming out of nowhere—wild party dances and freely flowing booze (how did we get here?), or a diminutive platinum blonde and pink hair dressed as a circus doll (?) with a voice to match that I think was worse than anything Dorothy could have dreamed up in the Wizard of Oz.

The three girls from How to Get to Heaven from Belfast — Photo from NPR and Christopher Barr from Netflix

There was a cop who would appear from time to time and cute as he was, couldn’t discern why or what his point was. There were a few appropriate flashbacks to get some backfill, and from time to time focused on one of the three separately to dig deeper into their personality. One had three kids, one was a successful TV show writer…what did the brunette do? Oh, yeah. And was that a statement as well? A blonde, a redhead, and a brunette? Clever.

The main characters were wildly different from each other and wielded a sarcastic, dry wit. There were confusing scenes meant to raise more questions than answers and intentional misdirection. Absolute chaos. Somewhere by episode 3 or 4, the hubby was gritting his teeth or trying to sleep. Still, that’s the same man who’ll watch a chick flick before I will. It’s just one of those…

Is this a cultural statement? Or feminist? Perhaps I’m not the right generation. I don’t know but watched all eight episodes and honestly can’t tell you if anything was settled or not. The characters are wild and a fascinating study (a McGee signature?). If that means there will be a season two, though, I’m not sure I’ll tune in. Will you? Have you watched it yet? All of it?

Reading Ireland Month

The Siege of Jadotville – Netflix Movie – #waraction – #readingirelandmonth25

Introduction

I am reviewing this movie for Reading Ireland Month. It is hosted by Cathy at 746 Books. Please check out her page for suggestions on reading, audiobooks, or music on her spotify list and use the hashtags #readingirelandmonth26 or #begorrathon.

The Movie

According to Google, the movie was first a book detailing the 1961 battle called Seige at Jadotville: The Irish Army’s Forgotten Battle. It was written by Declan Power, an Irish security analyst published in 2005. This Netflix film was released in 2016. There are other books on the battle detailing the 157 UN Irish peacekeepers who were grossly outnumbered in the skirmish in the Congo.

My Thoughts

Although the film is a bit slow getting into the story, the storyline becomes quite engaging and the movie well acted. Not exactly the Alamo of Ireland, this is the account of the UN Irish peacekeeping forces facing a vastly outnumbered force (20-1) who not only managed to hold on while suffering no casualties against the Katangese forces (in reality, a mix of hardened European mercenaries with untested locals), but inflicting several hundred casualties on the opposing forces as well as more than one thousand wounded.

While not entirely historically accurate, the movie conveys the “last stand” spirit of the Irish. They defended their position (possibly five days according to internet accounts) until they ran out of ammunition and water, which resulted in surrender and imprisonment until a negotiated prisoner exchange resulted in their release, where they suffered the derisive term “Jadotville Jacks.”

The acting is gritty, hard-bitten, and filled with tension. Cast members included Jamie Dornan, Guillaume Canet, Emmanuelle Seigner, and Jason O’Mara, among many others better known to the Northern European theatre. Jamie Dornan as Commandant Pat Quinlan did an Academy-level job of conveying the brutality, desperation, and power of his position and the decisions he made under terrifying and desperate conditions. It’s the heroics of men plunged into circumstances no one should or could prepare for.

Filmed on locations in South Africa (north of Johannesburg) and Ireland, an honest representation of the atmospherics of the Congo, the look and feel of the battle.

Released by Netflix in 2016 – currently streaming

Genres: Irish, Military Movies, Drama, Movies based on books, movies based on real life…

Watched with the CE, we both enjoyed this one. The CE, being a veteran, enjoys most military movies and we both celebrate St Patrick’s Day, my grandfather being from County Cork and his grandmother from Dublin.

Rosepoint Recommended-5 Stars

There is plenty of action, great acting, tension, emotions, and a lovely epilogue at the end. Yes, the men finally get recognition of their efforts, if too late for some. And, movies based on true stories are history come alive, the best. If you haven’t viewed the film, I heartily recommend it. If you have, I’d love to know if you agree with my sentiments.

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Background intro banner above courtesy Military Archives, color pics courtesy Facebook, movie camera courtesy Freepik

Reading Ireland Month – The #Begorrathon is Back and We’re All About Irish

Reading Ireland Month

Reading Ireland Month (The #Begorrathon) will return for the twelveth year during March 2026, although this will be my eighth year. It is hosted by Cathy at 746 Books. Cathy is a big supporter of everything Irish. Check out her page and you’ll find all kinds of suggestions for reading, listening, or music on her spotify list. Of course, I always recommend my favorite Irish podcast, Marc Gunn’s Irish and Celtic Music Podcast.

Please use the hashtags #readingirelandmonth26 or #begorrathon26 if you plan to participate.

Yes, we do tend to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in grandiose style in the US with parades, pub specials and green beer, corned beef and cabbage. And as I’ve mentioned before, in “Chicago-land” they turn the Chicago River green. You might think that represents a good-sized population of Irish folks or Irish descendants and you would be right!

I always include the post I wrote years ago following one of our more interesting St Patrick’s Days, titled Beans, Beans…(A St Patrick’s Day Revisited). Check it out if you haven’t seen it before.

I usually try for one ebook a week, an audiobook or two, and again this year looked for movies or series I can glean from our lone streaming service, Netflix. Not that many this year and of the ones listed, only found a few. Perhaps you can find them on your own streamer.

Reading Ireland Month 2026 - Books and Movies

MOVIES

To be viewed in no particular order:

Waking the Titanic – In 1912, fourteen Irish immigrants from Addergoole, County Mayo, embarked on the Titanic’s ill-fated maiden voyage to seek work in America. ‘Muintir Maigh Eo ar an Titanic’ (Documentary)

Lies We Tell

The Seige of Jadotville

SERIES

Derry Girls
The Fall of the House of Usher (mini-series)

Suggested High Ratings Irish-related (Not Found on Netflix)
In the Land of Saints and Sinners
Hard Times

BOOKS

From my local library:

The Burning Soul by John Connelly (CE book)

Murder in An Irish Churchyard by Carlene O’Connor – ebook

I will probably include one of my grandfather’s poems and, of course, Irish author Jean Grainger’s soda bread recipe.

We do have fun with this every year and it seems to get me out there researching and finding stuff I had no idea was available. Hope you’ll enjoy a book or one of these movies and if you do, I’d love to know.

Reading Ireland Month 2022

Rosepoint Reviews – February Recap – Starting in March, Longer Days, Irish Tales

Around here, March can’t decide whether lion or lamb, so one day will be sunny, warm and 62 degrees and the next cloudy, cold, windy and a high of 31 degrees Fahrenheit. The first week of March is forecasted for just that—snow by Monday, t-shirts by Friday. Nice we can enjoy so many activities indoors now with our participation in the YMCA. They’ve got an amazing facility as long as the weather allows us to get there. Pickleball? No…we used to play racquetball. (I loved racquetball but it got a bit rough.)

The Y started a six-week course in food preparation for seniors who face health issues and I started that, thinking I could always learn something new, especially in regard to the CEs cardiac issues. About the same time, the CE started working with our son again this year for the AARP tax program normally held on Saturdays at the library during tax season. This year on taxes on Friday has forced us to change our exercise schedule.

You might remember that in the January Recap, I mentioned the quest to find and understand the welcome uptick in visits and views. I spent quite a bit of time working on SEO, creating the SiteMap for the website, and following all the Google guides and site verification services I could find or implement. Apparently, there had been a problem in there that when finally cleaned up and properly executed resulted in an amazing, albeit temporary surge in traffic.

My freebie doesn’t allow for Google Analytics or the SEO tools granted an upgrade or Business Plan. Still, March bears a best yet stat of 39K for the month, one day with over 11K, and an average now of 1.4K views per day. I’m pretty happy with that and working hard to keep or even improve on that, just sorry it took so many years to finally get it. Us older folks have to learn everything the hard way!

I have no idea how those figures compare with your own blogs and I am hoping it might constitute an average. Please let me know, or perhaps there is still something I should be doing?

Rosepoint Recap

The CE and I read or listened to a total of twelve books in February. As always, the major source of our books is the library (audiobooks as well as ebooks). We also find books in NetGalley and enjoy author and publisher requests. The links on titles are to our reviews that include purchase information.

Rosepoint Reviews - February Recap

June Baby by Shannon Garvey
Want to Know a Secret? By Freida McFadden (audiobook)
The Mediator by Robert Bailey (CE review)
Wanna Get Lucky? By Deborah Coonts
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown (audiobook)
Hard Time by Logan Ryles (CE review)
Reverse by Steven F Havill (CE review)
Flight Path by Suzanne C Carver
Nightshade by Michael Connelly (audiobook)
Three Audiobooks Mini-Reviews:
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
The Wife and the Widow by Christian White
If You Ask Me by Betty White

Favorite Book of the Month

Another book I’d have never chosen but was the Y Book Club of the Month, The Boys in the Boat. Yes, I enjoyed Nightshade but for sheer heart-stopping tension, I have to give it to The Boys.

Favorite for February – The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

My Reading Challenges page…I’m still having problems with the Goodreads Challenge tally, one total noted on my Goodreads landing page and another in the widget. Therefore, it’s either 25 completed so far in a challenge of 175 or 19 according to the widget. Getting it fixed obviously won’t happen. Challenge page is all caught up.

What's Next?

Last month I was looking for romantic book suggestions and this month it’s St. Patty’s Day suggestions. In March, I’m reading Irish — moody atmospheric landscapes, wit and wisdom delivered with a dark sense of humor, layered families, and stories that resonate. I’ll be scouring 746 Books for ideas but will gladly entertain your selections as well. Would love to see your recommendations—drop me a quick comment, please!

To all my dear readers and fellow bloggers, my blogging buddies, I do so appreciate your visits and comments and appreciate each and every one of you.

March is #ReadingIrelandMonth

Rosepoint Reviews – January Recap – Is February a Good Month for a Romantic Getaway?

#Rosepoint Reviews - January recap

January kicked off the new year with frigid temps in NWI and appears to be continuing the trend into February. Not excited about any more snow and I might be thinking of heading south except the unusual record-breaking weather appears to be just as big a surprise there as here.

My little Frosty dog would have turned 20 on the 24^th. I still miss her so much! In the meantime, I’ve been trying to capitalize on a few of Punkin’s natural movements by training her with “down” and “gimme 5.” She performs those just fine in the office when she wants more treats. Otherwise, she acts like my words are no more than blah, blah, blah.

Unhappy surprise with Goodreads stats — ChatGPT

The first of a new year always brings the additional chores of opening new folders, adding categories, tags, checking and signing up for challenges, installing new links, and updating the menu. It’s a chore I’ve always struggled through and usually end up making irreversible mistakes: Like accidentally eliminating challenge pages.

In working on that and studying the stats, I noticed a general uptick in views the last six months of 2025 and certainly January was on a track to be my best month ever. That started a quest to figure out why—what was triggering it? I’d noticed before an email noting they had “indexed” that page. You may remember when I went on an SEO campaign last year. And no, I really didn’t understand the advantage of being indexed and didn’t subscribe to anything.

Great, but that got me started trying to figure out why or how to get indexed by Google, as I’ve labored all this time apparently without that benefit. Too late to go back to school for all this stuff and expensive to boot, it’s a big learning curve. Thought I needed a SiteMap for Google (maybe not). Now, I’m hopeful that I’ll see some real organic benefit soon, as I have little confidence in the over 23k views for the month of January and 93M views since I opened the website. While I’ll freely admit that although I started the blog in February 2012 for my grandfather’s books, it wasn’t until 2017 that I really switched into more of a read/review blog.

The CE and I reviewed a total of eleven books in January. As always, the major source of our books is the library (audiobooks as well as ebooks). We also find books in NetGalley and enjoy author and publisher requests. The links on titles are to our reviews that include purchase information.

#RosepointReviews, #JanuaryRecap,

The Bone Garden: A Novel by Tess Gerritsen (audiobook)
Worse Than a Lie by Ben Crump (CE review)
Before She Was Helen by Caroline B Cooney (audiobook)
The Widow by John Grisham (audiobook)
The Last Post by Jean Grainer
Wild by Cheryl Strayed (audiobook – bookclub)
Phoenix Rising by Michael Reit (CE review)
Heartwood by Amity Gaige
Midnight on the Potomac by Scott Ellsworth (audiobook)
The Hunted by Steven Max Russo (CE review-5 stars)
The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly (audiobook)

Favorite Book of the Month

I really enjoyed The Widow by John Grisham but the CE loved The Hunted by Steven Max Russo, so this month, I’ll bow to his five-star read.

Favorite for January – The Hunted by Steven Max Russo

My Reading Challenges page…This year I’m keeping my goal for Audiobooks at Marathoner level—50 and Goodreads at 175, but changed Historical Fiction to Ancient History at 25 (though I have a good start on that with five already and reducing NetGalley to Silver–25 .

I’ve updated my Reading Challenges page to install the new 2026 goals and pushed 2025 down one. It’s still not completely right but after awhile I get tired of the struggle. Bored with the whole format, but apparently limited to this theme now unless I upgrade. You know what they say about old dogs. Woof!