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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2526 KP) rated Dying for Strawberries (A Berry Basket Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Marlee Jacob has settled nicely back into her home town of Oriole Point, and she is quite happy running her business, The Berry Basket. However, she quickly finds herself in trouble when her good friend goes missing, a surprise announcement rattles all the local business owners, someone tries to kill her, and then she finds a dead body. What is going on?
I enjoyed this book with how it played with some cozy mystery tropes early on while still providing us with a compelling cozy mystery. There’s plenty happening to keep us entertained all the way through, and the twists of the plot come together for a logical climax. Some of the supporting characters are still a bit thin, but we can get to know them better in later books. Marlee herself is wonderful, and the rest of the suspects are also viable characters.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-dying-for-strawberries-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I enjoyed this book with how it played with some cozy mystery tropes early on while still providing us with a compelling cozy mystery. There’s plenty happening to keep us entertained all the way through, and the twists of the plot come together for a logical climax. Some of the supporting characters are still a bit thin, but we can get to know them better in later books. Marlee herself is wonderful, and the rest of the suspects are also viable characters.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-dying-for-strawberries-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is just one of those books that stays with you for a long time after reading it as it's so compelling, emotional and so different from other young teen fantasy stories. I remember reading this one in school and very much enjoying it and so when I had the chance to borrow it from a friend and re read it I jumped at the chance as I knew it would take me back to my childhood. The story touches on family issues that may arise in a young persons life that are very difficult to deal with, yet this book explores these issues with a sensitive and caring nature but without distorting the truth about how hard those times may be. It allows a young child to escape into fantasy whilst trying to deal with 'grown up' family problems and unexpected illnesses. I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages, even though it is more aimed at younger teens I believe we can all learn something from this book.
David McK (3755 KP) rated Marines (Crimson Worlds #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The first in [a:Jay Allan|1024374|Jay Allan|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s 'Crimson Worlds' series, which - unfortunately - I struggled to really connect with.
I can see what the author was aiming for, with hints of a better, more compelling story peeking through every so often but I'm afraid, for me, this particular entry didn't really grip me all that much.
I don't know whether that's a result (probably) of the conscious decision to tell this entirely in the first person, meaning that there is, of necessity, a very tight focus on the central character or Erik Cain. If you do that, however, you have to make that character in and of themselves interesting and somebody you want to follow the trials and tribulation of: for me, Eric Cain just doesn't cut the mustard.
I may read the second entry (told, apparently, in the third person) to see if it gets any better, but - based on this - I'm afraid I'm not really holding out any high hopes.
I can see what the author was aiming for, with hints of a better, more compelling story peeking through every so often but I'm afraid, for me, this particular entry didn't really grip me all that much.
I don't know whether that's a result (probably) of the conscious decision to tell this entirely in the first person, meaning that there is, of necessity, a very tight focus on the central character or Erik Cain. If you do that, however, you have to make that character in and of themselves interesting and somebody you want to follow the trials and tribulation of: for me, Eric Cain just doesn't cut the mustard.
I may read the second entry (told, apparently, in the third person) to see if it gets any better, but - based on this - I'm afraid I'm not really holding out any high hopes.
Merissa (13927 KP) rated Arandora Star in Books
Dec 17, 2018
This is a fictional story set around a factual event and to put it in a few descriptive words, it is poignant, heart-rending, thought provoking and disturbing. I could go on but I won't. What I will do is recommend that you read for yourself this amazing story that certainly sheds a different light on the whole affair.
The story unfolds at a steady pace and you are given time to empathise with the characters in the different situations they find themselves in. This is a gripping and compelling novel that will keep you glued to the pages until the end and will then leave you with a book-hangover as you ponder what you have read. I was filled with "what-ifs, maybes and should haves" for a fictional character but the ending was perfect for the book.
This is an amazing book and I really can't recommend it highly enough. Prepare to be immersed in history.
I bought this book as part of the Kindle Daily Deal on 10th February 2014.
The story unfolds at a steady pace and you are given time to empathise with the characters in the different situations they find themselves in. This is a gripping and compelling novel that will keep you glued to the pages until the end and will then leave you with a book-hangover as you ponder what you have read. I was filled with "what-ifs, maybes and should haves" for a fictional character but the ending was perfect for the book.
This is an amazing book and I really can't recommend it highly enough. Prepare to be immersed in history.
I bought this book as part of the Kindle Daily Deal on 10th February 2014.
TheDefunctDiva (304 KP) rated Hereditary (2018) in Movies
Jul 1, 2019
Irving Did it Better
Contains spoilers, click to show
Couldn’t write a proper heading without mentioning the headless. I enjoy all incarnations of Sleepy Hollow and Alice in Wonderland better than this half-developed plot. Like Gabriel Byrne, the movie had so much potential, but what exactly is it doing there? They could have gotten a bargain actor for all the lack of dialogue Byrne’s character had. And the creepy little girl could have been used so much more as a jump scare and plot device, she was decapitated so early on that it seemed pointless. It was a long movie but it didn’t focus on one horrific vision, it was really kind of all over the place. There was a heavy creepiness factor in certain scenes that could have been explored more, like during the fun and funky family seance. Toni Collette’s performance was very compelling, however. It finally unified a bit at the end but I found it anticlimactic. And a bit less focused on the hereditary and more about bringing back some rando hell lord.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The Expendables 2 (2012) in Movies
Nov 22, 2019
Mumble Mumble Mumble Part 2
This one, this one to me is the best one out of all three of them. It has more action, more comedy, more one-liners and more mumbling is that a good thing probley not because you cant understand one who that their saying.
The Plot: Mercenary leader Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone), Lee Christmas (Jason Statham) and the rest of the Expendables team reunite when Mr. Church (Bruce Willis) hires them for a seemingly easy job. But things go terribly wrong, compelling the mercenaries to seek revenge for a comrade's murder. With the odds against them, Barney and his team are hell-bent on payback and cut a path of destruction through opposing forces, only to encounter an unexpected threat: six pounds of weapons-grade plutonium.
Is Bruce and Arnold in this one more yes their are and their say each other's one-liner's to each other. Its really funny.
So which 80's star is in this one? Liam Hemsworth, who? Oh the brother of Chris Hensworth.
Anways its a great time and fun to watch.
The Plot: Mercenary leader Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone), Lee Christmas (Jason Statham) and the rest of the Expendables team reunite when Mr. Church (Bruce Willis) hires them for a seemingly easy job. But things go terribly wrong, compelling the mercenaries to seek revenge for a comrade's murder. With the odds against them, Barney and his team are hell-bent on payback and cut a path of destruction through opposing forces, only to encounter an unexpected threat: six pounds of weapons-grade plutonium.
Is Bruce and Arnold in this one more yes their are and their say each other's one-liner's to each other. Its really funny.
So which 80's star is in this one? Liam Hemsworth, who? Oh the brother of Chris Hensworth.
Anways its a great time and fun to watch.
Russell Evans (179 KP) rated Enemy of God in Books
Feb 27, 2020
Continues the gripping Warlord Chronicles trilogy (1 more)
Great characters, compelling story.
See my review for the first book in the trilogy – The Winter King. If you’ve read that, I’m positive that you won’t need much convincing about this part – I will reassure you though – it’s just as good and gripping.
Enemy of God continues to tell the story of Arthur begun in The Winter King, showing Arthur’s efforts to unite the Britons against the Saxon invaders. Derfel’s tale continues and he becomes a champion of Arthur’s, finds love and embarks on a perilous quest to recover an ancient British treasure. There’s a lot of darkness and conspiracy thrown in too.
As a Lord of the Rings fan, this is my next favourite ‘fantasy’ trilogy. If you liked ‘The Vikings’ or ‘The Last Kingdoms’ series on TV, I would highly recommend that you give this trilogy a read – starting with The Winter King.
Enemy of God continues to tell the story of Arthur begun in The Winter King, showing Arthur’s efforts to unite the Britons against the Saxon invaders. Derfel’s tale continues and he becomes a champion of Arthur’s, finds love and embarks on a perilous quest to recover an ancient British treasure. There’s a lot of darkness and conspiracy thrown in too.
As a Lord of the Rings fan, this is my next favourite ‘fantasy’ trilogy. If you liked ‘The Vikings’ or ‘The Last Kingdoms’ series on TV, I would highly recommend that you give this trilogy a read – starting with The Winter King.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Hercules (2014) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
Dwayne “no longer the Rock” Johnson shares his acting skills with the world again.
Action star, sure; drama star, not so much.
In this graphic novel adaptation Hercules is made out to be a questionable
demi-god. With a spectacular retelling of his legendary labors, the story begins
showing Hercules as a sword-for-hire. His band of mercenaries helps him use the fame
to intimidate enemies and garner business.
Haunted by his past, the loss of Alcmene and 3 children, Hercules is offered his
weight in gold to save a kingdom from a tyrant.
Hercules sets off on his quest, hoping soon to be done with it all and retire on a
remote island to live out his days.
This star studded cast lends some great acting skill, Johnson withstanding, to the
big screen. The action will entertain, and the humor will grant a chuckle.
I found the story compelling, but I also feel like humor and the main actor were
Worth seeing but probably better suited for an at-home viewing.
Action star, sure; drama star, not so much.
In this graphic novel adaptation Hercules is made out to be a questionable
demi-god. With a spectacular retelling of his legendary labors, the story begins
showing Hercules as a sword-for-hire. His band of mercenaries helps him use the fame
to intimidate enemies and garner business.
Haunted by his past, the loss of Alcmene and 3 children, Hercules is offered his
weight in gold to save a kingdom from a tyrant.
Hercules sets off on his quest, hoping soon to be done with it all and retire on a
remote island to live out his days.
This star studded cast lends some great acting skill, Johnson withstanding, to the
big screen. The action will entertain, and the humor will grant a chuckle.
I found the story compelling, but I also feel like humor and the main actor were
Worth seeing but probably better suited for an at-home viewing.
The New Celebrity Scientists: Out of the Lab and into the Limelight
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A new cultural icon strode the world stage at the turn of the twenty-first century: the celebrity...
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The Red Circle: My Life in the Navy Seal Sniper Corps and How I Trained America's Deadliest Marksmen
Brandon Webb and John David Mann
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Yet it is Webb's distinguished second career as a lead instructor for the shadowy "sniper cell" and...