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Merissa (13540 KP) rated Death Kissed (Phoenix Rising #2) in Books
Nov 10, 2023
DEATH KISSED is the second book in the Phoenix Rising series, and we follow Mena, Aurelia's twin sister, as she is rescued from her torture.
I really felt for her as the world has changed a lot since she was taken, and she has been through so much that no one should have to deal with. Ash is just a great big lethal, loving teddy bear of a Wraith, determined to look after her and protect her, even though he knows she's more than capable of looking after herself. These two just make the perfect couple.
I also loved the overall story arc and how it moved forward. I think I had an allergic reaction to something when I was reading though, as my eyes started leaking. I think it was about the time John and Olivia were there. You know the part!
Honestly can't wait for Evan's story! A brilliant series that I am thoroughly enjoying.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 10, 2023
I really felt for her as the world has changed a lot since she was taken, and she has been through so much that no one should have to deal with. Ash is just a great big lethal, loving teddy bear of a Wraith, determined to look after her and protect her, even though he knows she's more than capable of looking after herself. These two just make the perfect couple.
I also loved the overall story arc and how it moved forward. I think I had an allergic reaction to something when I was reading though, as my eyes started leaking. I think it was about the time John and Olivia were there. You know the part!
Honestly can't wait for Evan's story! A brilliant series that I am thoroughly enjoying.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 10, 2023
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2452 KP) rated Singing in the Dark in Books
Feb 25, 2022 (Updated Feb 25, 2022)
Speaking, and Singing, Hope into the Darkness
Christian recording artist Ginny Owens presents ten chapters that take us to Scripture to look at the songs we can sing to God no matter what our circumstances are. No, these aren’t all taken from Psalms. Yes, she does stretch the definition of song a bit (which she acknowledges). But as we look at songs of praise and victory, laments, and a song for the plodding path, you will be encouraged and challenged a time or two.
Each chapter focuses on the person and story behind the passage we are studying, but Ginny makes these familiar elements fresh and brings out new insights. She also shares openly about her own struggles, including what she still struggles with.
The chapters around 15 to 20 pages each, and could be done as devotionals. I read the book over a couple of days, and I still found it encouraging. I plan to go back and revisit it at a slower pace soon. There is a lot to unpack here.
If you need encouragement in your life, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
Each chapter focuses on the person and story behind the passage we are studying, but Ginny makes these familiar elements fresh and brings out new insights. She also shares openly about her own struggles, including what she still struggles with.
The chapters around 15 to 20 pages each, and could be done as devotionals. I read the book over a couple of days, and I still found it encouraging. I plan to go back and revisit it at a slower pace soon. There is a lot to unpack here.
If you need encouragement in your life, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
David McK (3649 KP) rated The Reckoning (Matthew Hawkwood #6) in Books
Jun 5, 2022
I first picked up and read the first couple of entries in James McGee's Matthew Hawkwood series (that would be Ratcatcher and Resurrectionist) round about 2010 or thereabouts when I came across them in a local branch of The Works.
I enjoyed those two enough to later pick up the next three is the series (Rapscallion, Rebellion and The Blooding). Unfortunately, however, I found the series to be drifting further and further from what it originally was, finding the last of those in particular to be quite hard to get through.
So much so, in fact, that I almost completely forgot about the series as a whole, and wasn't even aware of the fact when the latest one (this) was released in 2017.
Roll forward another five years or so, and I'm not sure how, but I came across this one somewhere on Kindle. Thoguht I would give it another chance.
I'm glad to say that this is back to what I remember the earlier book sin the series being like; back set in England, back with Matthew Hawkwood being a Bow Street Runner and back to, well, being an enjoyable read rather than a slog!
Faith restored ...
I enjoyed those two enough to later pick up the next three is the series (Rapscallion, Rebellion and The Blooding). Unfortunately, however, I found the series to be drifting further and further from what it originally was, finding the last of those in particular to be quite hard to get through.
So much so, in fact, that I almost completely forgot about the series as a whole, and wasn't even aware of the fact when the latest one (this) was released in 2017.
Roll forward another five years or so, and I'm not sure how, but I came across this one somewhere on Kindle. Thoguht I would give it another chance.
I'm glad to say that this is back to what I remember the earlier book sin the series being like; back set in England, back with Matthew Hawkwood being a Bow Street Runner and back to, well, being an enjoyable read rather than a slog!
Faith restored ...
Amy Norman (1048 KP) rated Captive State (2019) in Movies
Jul 23, 2022
Not the usual alien movie.
It's not all over glorified action, instead it is a slow burn, centering around a small rebellion, with the feel of a government espionage/spy thriller.
Overall it felt slightly predictable but I wasn't hugely invested, so was happy to go along for the ride, and just enjoy it for what it was.
There are some acting giants here, that deliver as usual, but were given such short screen time for it to have much impact.
A couple of newbies, that I hadn't encountered, held up the leads, but unfortunately for them they weren't given much to work with, or build on for you too truly feel for them.
It certainly wasn't a bad film, it had some interesting moments but it will likely have faded from my purview within a week or two.
Don't watch if you're into all out battles with humans vs aliens going toe-to-toe, and trying to outsmart each other.
Do watch if you enjoy the slow unfolding of a spy thriller, with small doses of peril peppered throughout (and aliens just to spice it up a little).
It's not all over glorified action, instead it is a slow burn, centering around a small rebellion, with the feel of a government espionage/spy thriller.
Overall it felt slightly predictable but I wasn't hugely invested, so was happy to go along for the ride, and just enjoy it for what it was.
There are some acting giants here, that deliver as usual, but were given such short screen time for it to have much impact.
A couple of newbies, that I hadn't encountered, held up the leads, but unfortunately for them they weren't given much to work with, or build on for you too truly feel for them.
It certainly wasn't a bad film, it had some interesting moments but it will likely have faded from my purview within a week or two.
Don't watch if you're into all out battles with humans vs aliens going toe-to-toe, and trying to outsmart each other.
Do watch if you enjoy the slow unfolding of a spy thriller, with small doses of peril peppered throughout (and aliens just to spice it up a little).
Coming Out on the Field: A Lesbian Romance
6.0
Rate It
Book
A coming out age-gap love story with a cast of softball players and plenty of steam. Dee needed...
Novella FF Contemporary Sports Romance
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2452 KP) rated City of the Dead in Books
Feb 27, 2023 (Updated Feb 27, 2023)
Breaking into a Museum is Only the Beginning
As this book opens, the team has been tasked with breaking into the British Museum and retrieving a couple of items from their exhibit on Egypt. These are sensitive items that the government doesn’t want to officially ask for back and doesn’t want to admit they even have. But the mission is not all it appears to be. What will happen when the team learns the truth?
Yes, I’m being vague in my teaser, but this is definitely a case where the fun comes in seeing how the plot evolves, so I’m giving as few spoilers as I can. There are plenty of twists that had me turning pages as fast as I could. I will say a matter of trust was resolved a little too easily for me to buy, but it was minor. As always, I love the characters, and I love watching their relationships. The growth here is great. We still get some laughs along with the adventure, too. The cliffhanger is going to make the wait for the next book even harder. Fans young and old will be delighted with this book.
Yes, I’m being vague in my teaser, but this is definitely a case where the fun comes in seeing how the plot evolves, so I’m giving as few spoilers as I can. There are plenty of twists that had me turning pages as fast as I could. I will say a matter of trust was resolved a little too easily for me to buy, but it was minor. As always, I love the characters, and I love watching their relationships. The growth here is great. We still get some laughs along with the adventure, too. The cliffhanger is going to make the wait for the next book even harder. Fans young and old will be delighted with this book.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2452 KP) rated The Body in the Cattails in Books
Aug 5, 2023 (Updated Aug 5, 2023)
Come Make New Friends and Solve a Murder
Drew Brauner has been in Rose Creek, Oklahoma, for a couple of months now but has yet to really make any friends, so she decides to go to the new book club forming. Before the meeting is over, the women have spotted a dead body floating in the creek behind the story. As they begin to investigate, they begin to bond. Will they figure out what happened?
Really, there are four main characters, and we get to see the story from all of their points of view. They also have their own arcs. But it is all balanced wonderfully. It never becomes too much or overwhelming, and I loved every second of it. This is all juggled with the main mystery, which kept me engaged before becoming a pager turner at the climax. This is one of those books you don’t want to end because you don’t want to leave the characters behind. I already can’t wait for book two to come out. Get this utterly charming series debut today. You’ll be glad you did.
Really, there are four main characters, and we get to see the story from all of their points of view. They also have their own arcs. But it is all balanced wonderfully. It never becomes too much or overwhelming, and I loved every second of it. This is all juggled with the main mystery, which kept me engaged before becoming a pager turner at the climax. This is one of those books you don’t want to end because you don’t want to leave the characters behind. I already can’t wait for book two to come out. Get this utterly charming series debut today. You’ll be glad you did.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2452 KP) rated Fahrenheit 501 in Books
Sep 13, 2023
Are Jeans a Motive for Murder?
When Samantha Kidd is asked to join a secret fashion society, she is surprised to even hear about it. Her initial interview is cut short when she finds the dead body of an older member buried under a pile of jeans. While not officially a part of the society yet, Samantha still has the connections to ask around. Can she piece together who the killer is?
I’ll admit, the society in this book seemed like a stretch to me, but then again, I have some odd hobbies, so who am I to say anything. Besides, it sets up another fun mystery with plenty of twists to keep the reader engaged. There was one aspect of the plot that was needlessly confusing early on, but it starts to be more consistent the further into the book we go. And the plot came together for a logical climax. In addition to the regulars, a couple of characters we haven’t seen in a while pop back up here, and I enjoyed seeing them again. We also get the usual laughs, which are always a delight. Fans will be pleased with this addition to the series.
I’ll admit, the society in this book seemed like a stretch to me, but then again, I have some odd hobbies, so who am I to say anything. Besides, it sets up another fun mystery with plenty of twists to keep the reader engaged. There was one aspect of the plot that was needlessly confusing early on, but it starts to be more consistent the further into the book we go. And the plot came together for a logical climax. In addition to the regulars, a couple of characters we haven’t seen in a while pop back up here, and I enjoyed seeing them again. We also get the usual laughs, which are always a delight. Fans will be pleased with this addition to the series.
Shadow Seer (Blood Shadows #2)
10.0
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Book
Their Shadows recognize each other immediately. Their hearts need a little more time… Emma...
Adult Paranormal Romance