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Merissa (13194 KP) rated All Boy in Books
Jul 15, 2019
All Boy by Mia Kerick
All Boy is about two teenagers who both have issues and pasts to deal with. Callie wanted to start anew after an experience at her school. She is not very keen on giving her trust, and also allows herself to fall back into old habits, just to make life easier. Jayden is living on a knife's edge, always afraid that someone will find out his secret.
These two were excellent characters, so rich and full of emotion. They were absolutely perfect for each other, and I loved how they balanced each other out. For Callie and Jayden, they had the best back-up team ever invented in Lauren and Willy. What a cast of characters! Of course, not every character is likeable, and there is one in particular who I took a dislike to (just as I was meant to). For me though, it was Lauren's words of wisdom that made me appreciate her more than I had done up to that point.
For all this is fiction, I am sure it only scratches the surface of what trans-men actually go through. It is a raw, heart-rending story, that will break you down, and build you up again. An eye-opener in so many ways, this is a gritty story filled with hope. I was gripped from the very beginning, and I hope for a HEA for Callie and Jayden. After all, #LoveIsLove.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
These two were excellent characters, so rich and full of emotion. They were absolutely perfect for each other, and I loved how they balanced each other out. For Callie and Jayden, they had the best back-up team ever invented in Lauren and Willy. What a cast of characters! Of course, not every character is likeable, and there is one in particular who I took a dislike to (just as I was meant to). For me though, it was Lauren's words of wisdom that made me appreciate her more than I had done up to that point.
For all this is fiction, I am sure it only scratches the surface of what trans-men actually go through. It is a raw, heart-rending story, that will break you down, and build you up again. An eye-opener in so many ways, this is a gritty story filled with hope. I was gripped from the very beginning, and I hope for a HEA for Callie and Jayden. After all, #LoveIsLove.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

A Walk by the Sea: A Journey into the New Millennium
Book
"The British coast is where journeys begin and where journeys end, where sun rises and where sun...

Unequal Gains: American Growth and Inequality Since 1700
Jeffrey G. Williamson and Peter H. Lindert
Book
Unequal Gains offers a radically new understanding of the economic evolution of the United States,...

The World of James Bond: The Lives and Times of 007
Book
This book presents an insightful and thoroughly entertaining exploration of the political context of...

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Legendary: Caraval Book 2 in Books
Jun 17, 2020
104 of 200
Book
Legendary ( Caraval book 2)
By Stephanie Garber
A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.
After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.
The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.
Welcome, welcome to Caraval...the games have only just begun.
Another great book from Stephanie Garber! This time game became real and it brought with it so much more than the first one. Think most people would have guessed who legend was half way through the book. We are also playing from Tella’s perspective instead of Scarlets. The fates are so intriguing I love their stories and can’t wait to see them and legend develop! Also how with their mother be after being stuck in a card for so long.
Book
Legendary ( Caraval book 2)
By Stephanie Garber
A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.
After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.
The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.
Welcome, welcome to Caraval...the games have only just begun.
Another great book from Stephanie Garber! This time game became real and it brought with it so much more than the first one. Think most people would have guessed who legend was half way through the book. We are also playing from Tella’s perspective instead of Scarlets. The fates are so intriguing I love their stories and can’t wait to see them and legend develop! Also how with their mother be after being stuck in a card for so long.

Erika (17789 KP) rated Mortal Kombat (2021) in Movies
May 8, 2021
You know when you watch a movie, and you're completely entertained during it, but afterwards, all you remember is the action portions, and none of the plot? That's me right now, after watching this movie just a little less than three hours ago.
I'll get this out of the way, the plot was obviously forgettable. Now, if this was a dramatic film, this would be a huge issue, but, this is a movie based on the first insanely violent video game ever produced. I was there for the fighting, and not the plot. The main focus was Cole, and sorry, but he was kind of a yawn until he got his stuff together.
Now, let's get into why I saw this movie. The action, the fighting, the gore. This earned its R-rating. The fighting choreography was great, and I loved that they used the some of the same moves from the video games. Also - the fact that some of the characters quipped with the closing fight messages was hilarious. The best placed one was 'Flawless Victory', after a kill.
Sub-Zero has always been one of my favorite characters, so I was glad he got the most screen time, out of the villain squad.. I have to say, as the movie was nearing the end, I was wondering when Scorpion would make his grand entrance. Finally, the pay dirt came at the very end, and yes, the 'Get Over Here' line did make an appearance.
They obviously left it open-ended for a sequel, which has been green-lit already. You can bet I'll be there on opening day for some big, dumb, gory fun.
I'll get this out of the way, the plot was obviously forgettable. Now, if this was a dramatic film, this would be a huge issue, but, this is a movie based on the first insanely violent video game ever produced. I was there for the fighting, and not the plot. The main focus was Cole, and sorry, but he was kind of a yawn until he got his stuff together.
Now, let's get into why I saw this movie. The action, the fighting, the gore. This earned its R-rating. The fighting choreography was great, and I loved that they used the some of the same moves from the video games. Also - the fact that some of the characters quipped with the closing fight messages was hilarious. The best placed one was 'Flawless Victory', after a kill.
Sub-Zero has always been one of my favorite characters, so I was glad he got the most screen time, out of the villain squad.. I have to say, as the movie was nearing the end, I was wondering when Scorpion would make his grand entrance. Finally, the pay dirt came at the very end, and yes, the 'Get Over Here' line did make an appearance.
They obviously left it open-ended for a sequel, which has been green-lit already. You can bet I'll be there on opening day for some big, dumb, gory fun.

Juliette Jackson recommended track No Aloha (with Breeders) by The Breeders in Last Splash by The Breeders in Music (curated)

ClareR (5950 KP) rated Untrue till Death in Books
Sep 6, 2020
Master Mercurius is back with, unfortunately for him, another murder. It’s 1674 in Leiden, and after solving the mystery and murders of the young girls in Delft, he has made something of a reputation for his abilities as an investigator. William of Orange wants to employ Mercurius to rout out any plotters against him, and just as he starts his investigation, one of his colleagues at the University of Leiden is killed. When one of William of Orange’s men is murdered, it looks as though they are linked. Mercurius is called on to solve the murders therefore safeguarding William.
I don’t know whether it’s just me, but I never manage to work these things out, but the big reveal always seems to be completely rational. The whole story is delivered with a bit of tongue in cheek - I really do appreciate the humour in all of Brack’s stories, his main characters are immensely likeable, and that mixed with the historical details makes for a very enjoyable read.
Mercurius is an ordained Catholic priest masquerading as a Protestant cleric, and he’s surprisingly adaptable. He seems to be very open minded for someone living in this period, and we see his thoughts on a variety of topics - this time whether it’s right to condemn someone to death for accidentally killing someone else. Perhaps there were people who thought like this - I like to think so.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for sending me a copy of this to read and review (even though I had preordered it after reading the first one!🤦🏼♀️). It was my absolute pleasure!
I don’t know whether it’s just me, but I never manage to work these things out, but the big reveal always seems to be completely rational. The whole story is delivered with a bit of tongue in cheek - I really do appreciate the humour in all of Brack’s stories, his main characters are immensely likeable, and that mixed with the historical details makes for a very enjoyable read.
Mercurius is an ordained Catholic priest masquerading as a Protestant cleric, and he’s surprisingly adaptable. He seems to be very open minded for someone living in this period, and we see his thoughts on a variety of topics - this time whether it’s right to condemn someone to death for accidentally killing someone else. Perhaps there were people who thought like this - I like to think so.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for sending me a copy of this to read and review (even though I had preordered it after reading the first one!🤦🏼♀️). It was my absolute pleasure!

Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Duke of Manhattan in Books
Jan 11, 2021
This review and more can be found at my blog
https://aromancereadersreviews.blogspot.com
A Romance Reader's Reviews
I haven't read any previous books in this series but each book is a stand alone.
So we're introduced to Ryder as he arrives home to see his grandfather after a fall in which he broke his hip. They discuss business and what's going to happen when his grandfather dies. The title and all business related to it will pass to the oldest married grandchild, and that isn't Ryder. To stop him from losing the business he loves he has to find a wife.
Welcome Scarlett to the scene. A woman he spent the night with after flying back out to America to attend to his business dealings across the pond. Only Scarlett runs a business he's trying to take over and is refusing to step down from a leading role. The perfect solution: get married and both get to keep the businesses they love.
Of course feelings emerge over time and what started off fake soon turns real. I actually enjoyed reading them fall for each other. It sort of bloomed over time out of all the sex and time they spent together. It was really kind of sweet. Of course, there's always something that happens that makes the couple part and I'm pleased to say that it was neither of their faults in this one! Nevertheless, they part ways for a while and Ryder's admission of his love and the things he did to try and win her back were really nice.
I'm actually looking forward to reading more books by this author if they're all like this.
https://aromancereadersreviews.blogspot.com
A Romance Reader's Reviews
I haven't read any previous books in this series but each book is a stand alone.
So we're introduced to Ryder as he arrives home to see his grandfather after a fall in which he broke his hip. They discuss business and what's going to happen when his grandfather dies. The title and all business related to it will pass to the oldest married grandchild, and that isn't Ryder. To stop him from losing the business he loves he has to find a wife.
Welcome Scarlett to the scene. A woman he spent the night with after flying back out to America to attend to his business dealings across the pond. Only Scarlett runs a business he's trying to take over and is refusing to step down from a leading role. The perfect solution: get married and both get to keep the businesses they love.
Of course feelings emerge over time and what started off fake soon turns real. I actually enjoyed reading them fall for each other. It sort of bloomed over time out of all the sex and time they spent together. It was really kind of sweet. Of course, there's always something that happens that makes the couple part and I'm pleased to say that it was neither of their faults in this one! Nevertheless, they part ways for a while and Ryder's admission of his love and the things he did to try and win her back were really nice.
I'm actually looking forward to reading more books by this author if they're all like this.

Hesitant Heart (The Hampton Road Club #1)
Book
Sam might be innocent, but the Roaring Twenties aren’t… Sam is used to living with lots of...
Adult Historical BDSM M_M Romance