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Isabel Smith (34 KP) rated Here We Lie in Books
Jun 24, 2018
Two Worlds Collide
Megan Mazeros and Lauren Mabrey are polar opposites. While Megan comes from a middle-class family in Kansas, Lauren hails from a wealthy Connecticut-based family. While Megan’s father slowly succumbed to mesothelioma which he referred to as the poor man’s cancer, Lauren’s father is a well-liked U.S. Senator with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto. While Megan has to use her father’s life insurance money to pay for tuition and housing at Keale College (a prestigious, private, and all-girls school), Lauren is given a continual allowance that gets her through her college years with utmost ease. When they meet during their freshman year at Keale College, they unexpectedly become the best of friends. Sharing clothes, secrets, roommates, ambitions, and more, the pair goes through many ups and downs in their friendship during the following years. But one fateful night while they’re vacationing with Lauren's family on an island off the coast of Maine, something terrible happens to Megan and their friendship is irreparably damaged afterwards.
Told in an alternating first-person perspective between Megan and Lauren, Here We Lie is a powerful and relevant story about friendship, betrayal, political scandal, and abuse. I enjoyed everything about it, from the back-and-forth jumps between past and present to the incredible growth of both the main characters. The narrative is fast-paced and compelling, and the ending is beautiful and inspiring. With the rise of the #MeToo movement in the present-day world, Paula Treick DeBoard’s incredibly timely latest novel is sure to spark plenty of conversation about sexual abuse victims and perpetrators, motivation for reform and accountability, and at the very least food for thought.
Told in an alternating first-person perspective between Megan and Lauren, Here We Lie is a powerful and relevant story about friendship, betrayal, political scandal, and abuse. I enjoyed everything about it, from the back-and-forth jumps between past and present to the incredible growth of both the main characters. The narrative is fast-paced and compelling, and the ending is beautiful and inspiring. With the rise of the #MeToo movement in the present-day world, Paula Treick DeBoard’s incredibly timely latest novel is sure to spark plenty of conversation about sexual abuse victims and perpetrators, motivation for reform and accountability, and at the very least food for thought.
Carma (21 KP) rated Seducing Daphne A Fake Fiancée Romance (The Redwood Billionaires Series Book 3) in Books
Jun 17, 2019
Aiden and Daphne are co-workers in the Coast Guard and have been friends for years. Aiden is the black sheep of his family with most of them believe he is a lost soul who doesnt stand a chance in the real world. After getting pushed by his parents one too many times to grow up and get married he produces a fiancé, Daphne.
Daphne likes her life, she loves work, spending time with her sister and niece and joking around with Aiden. Her ex boyfriend Frank is trying to worm his way back into her life but she is shutting the door on that history.
Aiden asks Daphne to accompany him to Las Vegas for his brothers fundraiser, on the way he fills her in on his plans to trick his parents. Daphne agrees to help, neither of them realizing they actually have feelings for each other.
Daphne finds out who Aiden really is, as far as the money he comes from because she knows him down to his core. Can she honestly see herself in his world? Aiden knows he has feelings for Daphne that extend past a normal friendship, can she trust him into her life for the future?
I enjoyed the majority of the story line for this part of the series. I did feel like Frank was a weird addition to have drama in the story line and ended up skimming some pages. Aiden and Daphne are a perfect fit for each other, finding and utilizing their strengths and weaknesses together for the best outcome of a situation. I read and received an advance copy without expectation for review. 4 out of 5 stars for this latest entry in the Redwood Billionaires series
Daphne likes her life, she loves work, spending time with her sister and niece and joking around with Aiden. Her ex boyfriend Frank is trying to worm his way back into her life but she is shutting the door on that history.
Aiden asks Daphne to accompany him to Las Vegas for his brothers fundraiser, on the way he fills her in on his plans to trick his parents. Daphne agrees to help, neither of them realizing they actually have feelings for each other.
Daphne finds out who Aiden really is, as far as the money he comes from because she knows him down to his core. Can she honestly see herself in his world? Aiden knows he has feelings for Daphne that extend past a normal friendship, can she trust him into her life for the future?
I enjoyed the majority of the story line for this part of the series. I did feel like Frank was a weird addition to have drama in the story line and ended up skimming some pages. Aiden and Daphne are a perfect fit for each other, finding and utilizing their strengths and weaknesses together for the best outcome of a situation. I read and received an advance copy without expectation for review. 4 out of 5 stars for this latest entry in the Redwood Billionaires series
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Bunker Boy in Books
Jun 18, 2019
Bunker Boy is the latest dystopian novel by the diverse author Jordan Elizabeth. One minute, the eighteen-year-old Zara is studying for her Spanish exam and the next she is waking up in a strange room where she has apparently spent five years in a coma. The world as Zara knew it is over. She is informed that terrorists bombed the East Coast of the United States of America and she is one of the lucky few to survive the viaane gas poisoning.
What initially seemed to be salvation turns into a backward, middle ages scenario where women are oppressed by the government run by a dictatorial headmaster. Zara soon learns that no one can challenge the way of life without putting their own lives at risk. She also discovers that things are not at all what they seem.
Jordan Elizabeth's writing is fast-paced but still manages to gradually build up the storyline. Being told from Zara's point of view, the reader experiences things as they happen rather than being aware of things the characters do not know. As a result, readers share the same emotions as the protagonist, imagining themselves in the same position.
Another great attribute of Jordan Elizabeth's writing is that she does not need to include romance to make the story interesting. Although there are relationships of a sort, there is no love, lust or conflicting emotions to distract from the storyline. The author knows how to naturally engage the reader and keep them interested.
Bunker Boy is just one of many of Jordan Elizabeth's greatest books. The only downside is it is short and, therefore, over way too quickly. The author has the potential to write a full-length novel in the future.
What initially seemed to be salvation turns into a backward, middle ages scenario where women are oppressed by the government run by a dictatorial headmaster. Zara soon learns that no one can challenge the way of life without putting their own lives at risk. She also discovers that things are not at all what they seem.
Jordan Elizabeth's writing is fast-paced but still manages to gradually build up the storyline. Being told from Zara's point of view, the reader experiences things as they happen rather than being aware of things the characters do not know. As a result, readers share the same emotions as the protagonist, imagining themselves in the same position.
Another great attribute of Jordan Elizabeth's writing is that she does not need to include romance to make the story interesting. Although there are relationships of a sort, there is no love, lust or conflicting emotions to distract from the storyline. The author knows how to naturally engage the reader and keep them interested.
Bunker Boy is just one of many of Jordan Elizabeth's greatest books. The only downside is it is short and, therefore, over way too quickly. The author has the potential to write a full-length novel in the future.
Little Ray Of Sunshine (41 KP) rated The Lemon Grove in Books
Jan 11, 2019 (Updated Feb 10, 2019)
Book Review | The Lemon Grove by Helen Walsh
I haven't heard of this book and author before but I saw this book in the charity shop and the front cover grabbed my eye. I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but I always do lol. I'm like a magpie shiny bright colours on the cover drew me in.
I did then read the blurb and the story intrigue me as I ain't read this sort of book before but I'm trying to widen my variety of genre I read as I always read romance.
The story is about Jenn and her husband Greg. They have returned to their beloved rented villa in Deia in West Coast of Mallorca.
They usually go here by theirselves each year but this year her husband's daughter Emma wants to come along with her new boyfriend Nathan. So while her step daughter Emma is settling into the villa in the spare room her boyfriend decides to go in the swimming pool in the back garden. Jenn is drawn to this guy by hes body and she starts to see that he loves the attention from her and he likes her. She starts getting obsessed with him being around and they start a sordid affair. She loved the fact that his younger and brings her sexy side to her out. This is all happening right under the nose of her husband and step daughter and you grabbed by the story as you wondering what is going to happen are they gonna get caught.
You need to read it to find out for yourself. It's just the ending I wanted more but you tell me what you think when you read it.
I do book reviews on my blog xxlittlerayofsunshinexx.blogspot.co.uk, Please could you check it out.
I did then read the blurb and the story intrigue me as I ain't read this sort of book before but I'm trying to widen my variety of genre I read as I always read romance.
The story is about Jenn and her husband Greg. They have returned to their beloved rented villa in Deia in West Coast of Mallorca.
They usually go here by theirselves each year but this year her husband's daughter Emma wants to come along with her new boyfriend Nathan. So while her step daughter Emma is settling into the villa in the spare room her boyfriend decides to go in the swimming pool in the back garden. Jenn is drawn to this guy by hes body and she starts to see that he loves the attention from her and he likes her. She starts getting obsessed with him being around and they start a sordid affair. She loved the fact that his younger and brings her sexy side to her out. This is all happening right under the nose of her husband and step daughter and you grabbed by the story as you wondering what is going to happen are they gonna get caught.
You need to read it to find out for yourself. It's just the ending I wanted more but you tell me what you think when you read it.
I do book reviews on my blog xxlittlerayofsunshinexx.blogspot.co.uk, Please could you check it out.
James Dean Bradfield recommended Welsh-Connection by Man in Music (curated)
Jason Williamson recommended Only Built 4 Cuban Linx by Raekwon in Music (curated)
ClareR (5603 KP) rated My Name is Monster in Books
Jul 30, 2020 (Updated Jul 30, 2020)
My Name is Monster is a book that really took me by surprise. It’s far more thoughtful and gentle than a lot of other post-apocalyptic books that I’ve read before. I kept expecting something terrible to happen - but it becomes apparent that the terrible thing has already happened.
After a series of wars, both sides have unleashed a sickness that has wiped out the population, and the survivors of that have died of starvation. Monster is a survivor. She had sheltered in the Arctic Seed Vault where she had been working. When she emerges, she is alone. She takes a boat and makes for the Scottish coast. When she washes up on a beach, shipwrecked, she walks towards the only place she really wants to see - home.
She starts to build a solitary life, resigned to living alone. And then one day she finds a child. She names her Monster, and renames herself Mother.
This is a story that made me think about the role of society, and what happens to an individual when there IS no society. It also showed what it means to be a mother: that it isn’t always the ones who give birth who are the mothers. Often it can be the things that a person DOES that makes them a mother. It also shows that one doesn’t have to have lots of possessions to be content. Contentment can be achieved through work or relationships.
There was a point quite early on, where I wondered whether this was the book for me, but I’m glad that I kept on reading. It’s the little things in this book that are actually the big things: the actions of an individual and love.
This was a really enjoyable, satisfying read. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy of this book.
After a series of wars, both sides have unleashed a sickness that has wiped out the population, and the survivors of that have died of starvation. Monster is a survivor. She had sheltered in the Arctic Seed Vault where she had been working. When she emerges, she is alone. She takes a boat and makes for the Scottish coast. When she washes up on a beach, shipwrecked, she walks towards the only place she really wants to see - home.
She starts to build a solitary life, resigned to living alone. And then one day she finds a child. She names her Monster, and renames herself Mother.
This is a story that made me think about the role of society, and what happens to an individual when there IS no society. It also showed what it means to be a mother: that it isn’t always the ones who give birth who are the mothers. Often it can be the things that a person DOES that makes them a mother. It also shows that one doesn’t have to have lots of possessions to be content. Contentment can be achieved through work or relationships.
There was a point quite early on, where I wondered whether this was the book for me, but I’m glad that I kept on reading. It’s the little things in this book that are actually the big things: the actions of an individual and love.
This was a really enjoyable, satisfying read. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy of this book.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Cozy Up to Blood in Books
Oct 29, 2021
Hiding Out on an Island with…Vampires?
Murray Lee has wandered onto the island of Belfry off the coast of Oregon just as the rains wash away the bridge connecting it to the mainland. He’s just in time for the annual festival dedicated to the movies in the Evenfall series, a popular vampire themed series of books and movies which were filmed on the island. This means there are plenty of outsiders posing as vampires around town. Someone is taking advantage of the crowds by attacking some of the locals, stealing from them, and biting their necks. The local police think that Murray is a good suspect since he is new to town but obviously not part of the Evenfall crowd. But Murray doesn’t want the police looking into him or his past. He has a secret. And it might have something to do with the motorcycle gang sitting on the other side of the bridge waiting for the water to recede. Can he clear his name without revealing his past? Will he even get off the island alive?
There is a part of me that enjoyed the book despite the flaws. I do enjoy Murray’s character, and I want to see him succeed and be happy. The Evenfall books and movies, clearly a spoof on Twilight, were always funny when they were the focus of the story. And yet, the mystery of the book was weak, almost more a sub-plot in the middle of everything else. I’ve always struggled a bit with the overall premise of the series, but this time, it was extremely unbelievable. I am still hoping we get another book, especially since the ending set up another adventure. If you are interested in the series, I suggest you wait until you can get them cheaply.
There is a part of me that enjoyed the book despite the flaws. I do enjoy Murray’s character, and I want to see him succeed and be happy. The Evenfall books and movies, clearly a spoof on Twilight, were always funny when they were the focus of the story. And yet, the mystery of the book was weak, almost more a sub-plot in the middle of everything else. I’ve always struggled a bit with the overall premise of the series, but this time, it was extremely unbelievable. I am still hoping we get another book, especially since the ending set up another adventure. If you are interested in the series, I suggest you wait until you can get them cheaply.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Beneath the Stands ( Sugarlake 2) in Books
Apr 7, 2024
66 of 220
Kindle
Beneath the Stands ( Sugarlake 2)
My Emily McIntire
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Elliot Carson left Sugarlake and has never looked back. Revered as the next big thing in basketball, Eli’s a star until an injury ends his career, sending him spiraling with no direction.
But he won’t go home.
He can’t.
Instead, he accepts a coaching gig at Florida Coast University, determined to leave his past behind. But fate has other plans when Becca, his sister’s best friend, shows up as a student and, even worse, becomes the new team manager.
Rebecca Sanger is the preacher’s daughter and the town's disappointment. When she ignores her family’s demands to come home, she’s cut off and needs a job so she can stay enrolled at FCU. She thought she had everything figured out, until Eli Carson—the person she hates more than anything in the world—ends up being her new boss.
Forced together, Becca and Eli’s hatred turns to heat, and they start an affair. But disaster quickly strikes, ripping them apart.
Years pass, and Becca’s back home, under her parent’s thumb, and living a mundane life. When Eli shows up out of the blue with a fiancée in tow, Becca is tasked with planning their wedding.
There’s only one problem.
Becca still loves Eli.
And he hates her.
A pretty decent read especially as lately I’ve struggled with romance. It was interlinked with book one so if you haven’t read it you will need to. It was good seeing conclusion to one story as well as it leading to the next. Flowed well and was a nice hit of that spice. It’s good to read a bit of spicy romance now and again.
Kindle
Beneath the Stands ( Sugarlake 2)
My Emily McIntire
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Elliot Carson left Sugarlake and has never looked back. Revered as the next big thing in basketball, Eli’s a star until an injury ends his career, sending him spiraling with no direction.
But he won’t go home.
He can’t.
Instead, he accepts a coaching gig at Florida Coast University, determined to leave his past behind. But fate has other plans when Becca, his sister’s best friend, shows up as a student and, even worse, becomes the new team manager.
Rebecca Sanger is the preacher’s daughter and the town's disappointment. When she ignores her family’s demands to come home, she’s cut off and needs a job so she can stay enrolled at FCU. She thought she had everything figured out, until Eli Carson—the person she hates more than anything in the world—ends up being her new boss.
Forced together, Becca and Eli’s hatred turns to heat, and they start an affair. But disaster quickly strikes, ripping them apart.
Years pass, and Becca’s back home, under her parent’s thumb, and living a mundane life. When Eli shows up out of the blue with a fiancée in tow, Becca is tasked with planning their wedding.
There’s only one problem.
Becca still loves Eli.
And he hates her.
A pretty decent read especially as lately I’ve struggled with romance. It was interlinked with book one so if you haven’t read it you will need to. It was good seeing conclusion to one story as well as it leading to the next. Flowed well and was a nice hit of that spice. It’s good to read a bit of spicy romance now and again.
Gareth von Kallenbach (971 KP) rated The Burning Dead (2015) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
So, If you’re on the east coast you’re no doubt experiencing the unusually harsh ‘arctic waves’. If you’re on the west coast you have to deal with the unseasonably warm weather.
Whether it’s trying to stay warm and keep the fires burning or finding the shade and a cool beverage, either you or someone you know is going to bring up the following idea ‘ … B-Movie Horror Marathon’.
Today we’ve got a prime candidate for just such a marathon. ‘The Burning Dead’ staring the legendary Danny Trejo! Now, When I describe a B-movie of the horror genre, I’m not talking about legendary franchises like ‘Friday The 13th’ or ‘Nightmare On Elm Street’. No no no no no. I’m talking about a movie worthy of getting critiqued by the original crew of ‘Mystery Science Theater 3000’. Something like an episode of the ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ T.V. show minus the awesome cast, a smaller budget, questionable computer-generated special effects, and no Joss Whedon at the helm. This movie isn’t without merit though. I mean c’mon. It’s got Danny Trejo in it so it definitely deserves a shot right?!
‘The Burning Dead’ stars Danny Trejo, Thomas Downey, Adam Gregor, Nicole Cummins, Moniqua Plante, Julia Lehman, Robert F. Lyons, Kyle T. Heffner, Kevin Norman, and Jenny Lin.
Our story opens with the Native American warrior Night Wolf (Trejo) and several members
of his family gathered around the campfire as he begins to share the tale the infamous ‘Donner Party’ and the madness that engulfed the early settlers was caused by an evil spirit that resided in the nearby mountain after defeating a ‘good spirit’ many years early. Fast forward to present day, Sheriff Denton is supervising the evacuation of a town in the shadow of the mountain after it begins to show signs of an impending eruption. Little do he and the townspeople know that
there will not only be a volcanic eruption, but the evil spirit residing within will unleash a horde of flesh-eating zombies that spit hot lava and ravage everything in their path!
Yeah yeah. I little too dramatic I know. I gotta give it some credit though. The actors and actresses do give a great performance under the circumstances attempting to be as serious as possible and the ‘lava zombie’ effects are quite well done considering. When the zombies ‘go to work’ there’s a definite ick factor too. Certainly not ‘Walking Dead’ gross but they get the point across. The soundtrack is almost annoying though as its the same track or variations of on a loop over and over again. I think from time to time, the writers may have consulted the ‘scary movie’ handbook because at one point, they do throw in hot chic who randomly shows up at the mountain during the evacuation, sets up a camera in front of the volcano and proceeds to strip while the camera is photographing the mountain in auto. We all know what happens to the ‘hot chic’ in a scary flick that strips down to her underwear or more yes? Predictable but mildly entertaining.
Honestly, I was expecting and hoping to see Trejo show up a lot more in the movie and kick some bad guy ass or in this case, some zombie ass. I think how I described it earlier is the best way to sum it up, ‘ It’s like a really bad episode of ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer ‘ minus the cast and character line up and no Joss Whedon at the helm. I’m giving it 2 out of 5 stars. This one just barely scrapes by. Definitely NOT one for the kids. Don’t waste your money on seeing it in theaters. Take my advice, and add it to the lineup for a B-Movie Horror marathon at home.
Sorry Danny … You just barely saved this one.
Whether it’s trying to stay warm and keep the fires burning or finding the shade and a cool beverage, either you or someone you know is going to bring up the following idea ‘ … B-Movie Horror Marathon’.
Today we’ve got a prime candidate for just such a marathon. ‘The Burning Dead’ staring the legendary Danny Trejo! Now, When I describe a B-movie of the horror genre, I’m not talking about legendary franchises like ‘Friday The 13th’ or ‘Nightmare On Elm Street’. No no no no no. I’m talking about a movie worthy of getting critiqued by the original crew of ‘Mystery Science Theater 3000’. Something like an episode of the ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ T.V. show minus the awesome cast, a smaller budget, questionable computer-generated special effects, and no Joss Whedon at the helm. This movie isn’t without merit though. I mean c’mon. It’s got Danny Trejo in it so it definitely deserves a shot right?!
‘The Burning Dead’ stars Danny Trejo, Thomas Downey, Adam Gregor, Nicole Cummins, Moniqua Plante, Julia Lehman, Robert F. Lyons, Kyle T. Heffner, Kevin Norman, and Jenny Lin.
Our story opens with the Native American warrior Night Wolf (Trejo) and several members
of his family gathered around the campfire as he begins to share the tale the infamous ‘Donner Party’ and the madness that engulfed the early settlers was caused by an evil spirit that resided in the nearby mountain after defeating a ‘good spirit’ many years early. Fast forward to present day, Sheriff Denton is supervising the evacuation of a town in the shadow of the mountain after it begins to show signs of an impending eruption. Little do he and the townspeople know that
there will not only be a volcanic eruption, but the evil spirit residing within will unleash a horde of flesh-eating zombies that spit hot lava and ravage everything in their path!
Yeah yeah. I little too dramatic I know. I gotta give it some credit though. The actors and actresses do give a great performance under the circumstances attempting to be as serious as possible and the ‘lava zombie’ effects are quite well done considering. When the zombies ‘go to work’ there’s a definite ick factor too. Certainly not ‘Walking Dead’ gross but they get the point across. The soundtrack is almost annoying though as its the same track or variations of on a loop over and over again. I think from time to time, the writers may have consulted the ‘scary movie’ handbook because at one point, they do throw in hot chic who randomly shows up at the mountain during the evacuation, sets up a camera in front of the volcano and proceeds to strip while the camera is photographing the mountain in auto. We all know what happens to the ‘hot chic’ in a scary flick that strips down to her underwear or more yes? Predictable but mildly entertaining.
Honestly, I was expecting and hoping to see Trejo show up a lot more in the movie and kick some bad guy ass or in this case, some zombie ass. I think how I described it earlier is the best way to sum it up, ‘ It’s like a really bad episode of ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer ‘ minus the cast and character line up and no Joss Whedon at the helm. I’m giving it 2 out of 5 stars. This one just barely scrapes by. Definitely NOT one for the kids. Don’t waste your money on seeing it in theaters. Take my advice, and add it to the lineup for a B-Movie Horror marathon at home.
Sorry Danny … You just barely saved this one.