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Think this was more of a 3.5 for me. I wasn't a fan of Raven not being with the team after being kidnapped and Houdini doing what he did to her, some bits more than others. I'm still very Raven/Christian please-get-together orientated so for a while I was very reluctant to carry on with this but in the end their undeniable attraction reared it's head again, so yay. I'm interested to see what's going to happen next with Keystone.
  
SW
She Walks in Beauty
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I knew next to nothing about New York City's gilded age before reading this book, so this was both a history lesson and an eye-opener to the practices of that time period, expecially among the wealthy young women. I had no idea of the extent that corsets were damaging to the body and health of a woman, and it really explains much of the female behavior that has been epitomized in Hollywood's classic films, such as the common fainting spells. It shows that the "modern" world really has not changed very much in regards to the demands put on women to look and act a certain way to be regarded as attractive. The similarities between Hollywood and the Gilded Age are both remarkable and quite sad, from the encouragement of anorexia and the overindulgence of luxury to how the popularity of an individual can be solely determined by the words of the press.
I did enjoy following Clara's rise to fame and infamy, even if the glamour and mystery of it was stripped away, so to speak. The Christian themes of God loving you just as you are and having a purpose beyond the practices of "society" seemed muted and understated throughout the book, but rather than detracting from the plot, it only seemed to enhance it. While I have been under the impression that books that fall in this genre of Christian Fiction should focus mostly on some Christian theme, this particular book did not seem to. The focus seemed more on revealing the truth about what really happened in New York City's Gilded Age through the eyes of a debutante.
  
Midsommar (2019)
Midsommar (2019)
2019 | Drama, Horror, Mystery
The Wicker Man 2.0
Contains spoilers, click to show
Grieving over the Murder/Suicide of her mentally ill Sister and Parents, Dani decides to get away for a while to Hårga, in Hälsingland, the Swedish community that her and her Boyfriend Christian's mutual friend Pele lives in. Christian and Dani's relationship is at breaking point (unbeknownst to Dani) and the other 2 friends of Christian are encouraging him to finally split with Dani. However, feeling bad about what happened to her Family, Christian and Pele ask Dani to take the trip with them and on to Hälsingland the group of 5 friends go. On the first leg of the road to Hälsinglang, where it is their time to have a special festival called Midsommar, they hang out in a field where they are prompted to partake in some Magic Mushrooms, to which they all have a nice trip before moving on to the "Community". Hälsinglang is a beautiful and seemingly gentle and friendly community, however small cracks start to appear... and Dani's friends start to go missing. Is this community, in fact, a Cult? Or will Dani find the salvation she so desperately needs...

I have to admit, Ari Aster hasn't had me from the jump. Hereditary in my opinion is a bit beige and "meh", but the Culty look of Midsommar attracted my attention straight away and did not disappoint! It's visually beautiful and the story is actually very tragic and gives you a realistic look as to why and how some people actually do join cults. It's an absolutely mind blowing watch and a Movie that I see myself watching many more times in the future. Well done, Ari Aster!
  
Deep Waters (Jagged Shores #3)
Deep Waters (Jagged Shores #3)
Thom Collins | 2022 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Thriller
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!


Harry has a sailing boat that tourists can rent out. He has been hired by writer Christian Costner to help him get a lay of the land and research for a new book the author is planning on writing. However, the weather takes a turn for the worse so they have to cut the trip short and head back to the shore, as they are heading back Christian is adamant he has seen somebody in the swell of the waves so speaks out. Harry, his onboard help and cousin Tom look to discover there is somebody in the water so a daring rescue takes place. They recover the body but that is only the start!


Thom has a very easy style of writing and it captivated me from the get-go. This is the 3rd book in the jagged shores series but can be read as a stand-alone. It has intrigue and mystery that does keep you guessing until it's all out in the open who has committed the crime. It certainly hoodwinked me I normally can be quite good at guessing whodunit but I was completely off the mark.

I was rooting for the relationship between Harry and Christian as it was something they both needed. There are sex scenes but nothing too crass.


I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the author's writing and look forward to reading more of his books.


** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

 

* 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. *
  
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Auburn (57 KP) rated Maybe it's You in Books

Apr 10, 2019  
MI
Maybe it's You
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
When I requested this book I was looking at it as a cute NA romance read. It has so much more depth than that. This focuses more on romance and a connection to God. Labeled as a Christian fiction this book does not disappoint on that front. The main character Reagan becomes closer in her relationship with God in such a way that anyone going through something similar would be able to relate.
While I enjoyed the book it wasn't very memorable for me.
  
Bared to You (Crossfire, #1)
Bared to You (Crossfire, #1)
Sylvia Day | 2012 | Erotica
10
8.3 (23 Ratings)
Book Rating
Hell Yes! (0 more)
So I read this on the recommendation of my best friend who read them a while back... It did not disappoint. In fact, a full month after finishing the whole series, and I'm almost prepared to read it all over again. I was sucked into the story almost instantly. And all I can say while remaining irritatingly vague about the whole story is: If ya'll thought Ana and Christian (50 Shades) were a F*****-up couple, they ain't got nothin' on Eva and Gideon!
  
N(
Nightmare (Dangerous Times, #2)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Maia is at the newest amusement park in the country - Ghost Town - when she sees a friend as one of the ghosts. Then she finds out this friend is missing. What is going on? This is a Christian novel with heavy ghost elements. Yet it treats the ghosts are real, or at least potentially real. Very well done with some creepy scenes. Perfect Halloween read.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-nightmare-by-robin-parrish.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
The Legend of Billie Jean (1985)
The Legend of Billie Jean (1985)
1985 | Action, Drama
Pure 80s!
Two teenagers become local celebrities after an incident ends badly resulting in a shooting. The two flee the scene as they don't know what to do, but become famous in the process.

Kind of an 80s teenage version of "Thelma and Louise", this movie is highlighted by Supergirl, Helen Slater and Christian Slater (no relation) and their rambunctious attitudes. Once Billie Jean becomes famous and cuts her hair, everyone wants to be like her.

Will justice be served? Only one way to find out!
  
Vice (2018)
Vice (2018)
2018 | Biography, Drama
Christian Bale piles on the pounds for Adam McKay’s The Waist Wing. Vice (2019) #Review
In taking on the story of Dick Cheney, the apparently unassuming bureaucratic Washington insider turned Vice Presidential master of the universe, Adam McKay seeks to shed light on the breathtaking constitutional chicanery which saw the executive branch of the American government vastly increase its own power whilst at the same time enormously enriching those in power who hid behind the lightning rod figurehead of George W Bush...
FULL REVIEW: http://bit.ly/CraggusVice
  
Heathers (1988)
Heathers (1988)
1988 | Comedy
A darker murderous take on the high school movie that is a fairly accurate representation of the cliques and the desperate desire to be popular that exist in high school. Christian Slater and Winona Ryder (in her early Tim Burton days) were great casting choices and make for a believable couple until the murder and mayhem start getting out of hand. Its perhaps looking a little dated now but it's still a very sharp and witty script and still quite relevant today. Well worth your time.