Search
Search results
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Modern Monsters in Books
Dec 12, 2017
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review when I signed up to host the book tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review.
A truly emotional ride that left me in total shock as the revelation of who truly committed the heinous crime.
Vic is a quiet young man who is a loner with just one friend. Brett is popular, outgoing and going places and Vic's best friend. One night they attend a party and from that night on actions that are put in motion quickly change everyone's lives. the story line and characters are well developed and once you start to read this book you won't want to put it down. I was so invested in the story that I read it in one day. I applaud Kelley York's writing abilities and look forward to reading more from such an outstanding and gifted writer.
A truly emotional ride that left me in total shock as the revelation of who truly committed the heinous crime.
Vic is a quiet young man who is a loner with just one friend. Brett is popular, outgoing and going places and Vic's best friend. One night they attend a party and from that night on actions that are put in motion quickly change everyone's lives. the story line and characters are well developed and once you start to read this book you won't want to put it down. I was so invested in the story that I read it in one day. I applaud Kelley York's writing abilities and look forward to reading more from such an outstanding and gifted writer.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Never Knowing in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I won an ARC of this book from Goodreads. It is the story of Sara a 30 something adoptee who is getting married. Right off the bat she wants to look for her birth parents before her wedding. She finds her mom & eventually her dad. That's about all I can way without giving away the story.
It is told in a series of sessions as Sara is speaking to her therapist about what is going on in her life. It was an interesting perspecitve on things, though you never really hear any advice or thoughts from the therapist.
The ending was the hest part....didn't see it coming at all. The beginning was rather ho-hum, but as the story progresses you become sucked into the drama.
It did make me want to read Stevens's debut novel though. I really enjoy her writing style & well developed characters.
It is told in a series of sessions as Sara is speaking to her therapist about what is going on in her life. It was an interesting perspecitve on things, though you never really hear any advice or thoughts from the therapist.
The ending was the hest part....didn't see it coming at all. The beginning was rather ho-hum, but as the story progresses you become sucked into the drama.
It did make me want to read Stevens's debut novel though. I really enjoy her writing style & well developed characters.
Mike Carlson (115 KP) rated Batman & Robin: Volume 4 in Books
Apr 7, 2018
This six-issue arc is the aftermath of an event that occurs in another title. Yet it is impressive all on its own, without having read the other. Taken individually, each issue might not seem like much. But together they form a compelling analysis of Bruce Wayne's obsessiveness.
The first issue, "Undone", is a wonderful dialogue-free one. It gets the message across without anyone saying a single word. The next five are named after stages of grief, pairing each one to Batman's interactions with his extended family. Thus we have Red Robin/Denial, Red Hood/Rage, Batgirl/Barginning, Catwoman/Despair and, finally, Nightwing/Acceptance. Such a stylized crafting of story should not go unrewarded.
Each chapter of this series increases my respect for Tomasi. I'm only halfway through, yet I already think this is an equal of Snyder's New 52 run of Batman. Definitely a must-read for fans.
The first issue, "Undone", is a wonderful dialogue-free one. It gets the message across without anyone saying a single word. The next five are named after stages of grief, pairing each one to Batman's interactions with his extended family. Thus we have Red Robin/Denial, Red Hood/Rage, Batgirl/Barginning, Catwoman/Despair and, finally, Nightwing/Acceptance. Such a stylized crafting of story should not go unrewarded.
Each chapter of this series increases my respect for Tomasi. I'm only halfway through, yet I already think this is an equal of Snyder's New 52 run of Batman. Definitely a must-read for fans.
Jarom Solar Norris (177 KP) rated Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) in Movies
Feb 13, 2019
What’s not to like about Queen? Bohemian Rhapsody does an excellent job of telling a dramatic history of the band and its forerunner, Freddie Mercury. Rami Malek does an excellent performance. Parts of the movie are like watching a hilarious “How It’s Made” video of some of the best music of the century, parts of it are literally just watching concerts and listening to awesome music. Most importantly, there’s the story of Mercury’s evolution, which is a story arc any writer could only dream of: a British-Indian man abandoning his heritage, struggling to balance love for a woman with being gay, being manipulated by a manager turned lover, being scrutinized by the media, and eventually being able to be comfortable with who he is, all the while using his talent to push the band to create more and more musical innovations. It’s so good.
Frecklesxoxo (6 KP) rated The Night Child in Books
Feb 27, 2019
I received an arc copy of this book for an open and honest review
I would have loved to give this book a 5 star rating as the whole story was so raw, so heartbreaking, so terribly sad that I truly wanted a happy ending, and I suppose hope and the knowledge that she has started to resolve her issues are a happy ending but I just wanted more from the ending. I couldn't put this book down, it gripped me, it was compelling. The writing was sound and the build up of the characters were great, apart from Paul - I just could not connect with him, but perhaps that was the point? For me the let down was the ending, what happened to Nora? Fiona? between Nora and John? It just seemed to leave a lot of loose ends! Other than that it was great!!!
I would have loved to give this book a 5 star rating as the whole story was so raw, so heartbreaking, so terribly sad that I truly wanted a happy ending, and I suppose hope and the knowledge that she has started to resolve her issues are a happy ending but I just wanted more from the ending. I couldn't put this book down, it gripped me, it was compelling. The writing was sound and the build up of the characters were great, apart from Paul - I just could not connect with him, but perhaps that was the point? For me the let down was the ending, what happened to Nora? Fiona? between Nora and John? It just seemed to leave a lot of loose ends! Other than that it was great!!!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated Permanent Sunset: A Sabrina Salter Mystery in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Sabrina and Henry have taken on a new villa, and the first event at this villa is a big wedding that they are helping coordinate. However, when family strife turns to murder of the bride-to-be, Sabrina finds herself once again playing detective to prove that she isn’t negligent in the murder of another customer.
I enjoyed the first in this series only a couple of months ago, so the characters were still fresh in my mind. It was absolutely wonderful to be back in their presence. The new cast are just as strong, and the conflict they provide keeps the pages turning until we reach the logical end. I read the book in two days, I just couldn’t put it down.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-permanent-sunset-by-c.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I enjoyed the first in this series only a couple of months ago, so the characters were still fresh in my mind. It was absolutely wonderful to be back in their presence. The new cast are just as strong, and the conflict they provide keeps the pages turning until we reach the logical end. I read the book in two days, I just couldn’t put it down.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-permanent-sunset-by-c.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated Killer Jam (A Dewberry Farm Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Investigative reporter Lucy Resnick has bought the farm – that is her grandparent’s farm outside the small town of Buttercup, Texas. However, just days after learning that the previous owner, Nettie Kocurek, retained the mineral rights in the sale and intends to drill for oil, Nettie is stabbed. With the police focusing on the outsider – Lucy – she has to act find to find the real killer.
This is a fun series debut filled with great characters and a fun small town that I really grew to love. The plot did blog down a little in the second quarter, but it soon started back up with plenty of twists and surprises to keep me confused until the end.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-killer-jam-by-karen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a fun series debut filled with great characters and a fun small town that I really grew to love. The plot did blog down a little in the second quarter, but it soon started back up with plenty of twists and surprises to keep me confused until the end.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-killer-jam-by-karen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Frog Ledge’s Groundhog Day celebration is cut short when the town historical, elderly Helga Oliver, is found dead at the bottom of the Historical Museum stairs. But when whispers that it was murder reach Stan’s ears, she begins to dig in and see if she can find the truth.
There are many plot threads introduced early that slow down the pacing of the story a little, but as the book progresses, we see how everything ties together. There are some good twists and a creative climax. The characters are great, and we even get to see a different side to a couple of them, which I really appreciated.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-icing-on-corpse-by-liz.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
There are many plot threads introduced early that slow down the pacing of the story a little, but as the book progresses, we see how everything ties together. There are some good twists and a creative climax. The characters are great, and we even get to see a different side to a couple of them, which I really appreciated.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-icing-on-corpse-by-liz.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated The Edge of Dreams (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #14) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Molly is involved in a train accident, but a note that her husband, police detective Daniel Sullivan, receives leads them to believe it might not have been an accident and Molly might have been the target. Meanwhile, Molly’s friend and neighbor Gus asks for help with a young girl who is experiencing horrible nightmares.
This series is always a great way to travel back to early 1900’s New York City, and this book is no exception. The plot starts out strongly, and the pace never lags. The characters are charming as always, and their continued growth is enjoyable to watch. I’ve been a fan since the first book, and this is another winner.
NOTE: I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-edge-of-dreams-by-rhys.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This series is always a great way to travel back to early 1900’s New York City, and this book is no exception. The plot starts out strongly, and the pace never lags. The characters are charming as always, and their continued growth is enjoyable to watch. I’ve been a fan since the first book, and this is another winner.
NOTE: I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-edge-of-dreams-by-rhys.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sarah is trying to put her life back together after a divorce from her air force husband. But when she finds a bag of bloody clothes that belonged to her ex-husband and the woman he cheated on Sarah with, she suddenly finds herself trying to determine what has really happened.
The plot of this book was strong with several twists and red herrings that kept me confused until everything came together at the end. The characters were strong as well. While the writing could be a bit choppy at times, overall there was a tone to the story that was perfect for what the characters were going through.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/12/book-review-tagged-for-death-by-sherry.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The plot of this book was strong with several twists and red herrings that kept me confused until everything came together at the end. The characters were strong as well. While the writing could be a bit choppy at times, overall there was a tone to the story that was perfect for what the characters were going through.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/12/book-review-tagged-for-death-by-sherry.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.