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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
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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 (2498 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 (2498 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 (2498 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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Their Shadows recognize each other immediately. Their hearts need a little more time… Emma...
Adult Paranormal Romance
Merissa (13816 KP) rated Embrace the Wild (The Blood Rose #6) in Books
May 20, 2023
Willow has been a silent Protector of a Wraith colony, hiding them from the sight of everyone - those that would help and those that harm. Malik is Mastyr of the Ashleaf Realm, trying to protect everyone, even with another Mastyr stirring up trouble. Marghetta once more makes her presence known, and Malik and Willow need to find the strength to protect the colony, as well as the heart of the Nine Realms itself.
An excellent addition to The Blood Rose series, Malik is another Mastyr that fights the thought of having a Blood Rose, due to some reason or other. This time though, Willow is also against it, as she feels that her Protector duties must come first.
This couple is hot and sweet and takes the whole thing remarkably well, which made for excellent reading. Well-written, and with no editing or grammatical errors that I could see, I would definitely recommend this book.
* 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!
Jan 28, 2016
An excellent addition to The Blood Rose series, Malik is another Mastyr that fights the thought of having a Blood Rose, due to some reason or other. This time though, Willow is also against it, as she feels that her Protector duties must come first.
This couple is hot and sweet and takes the whole thing remarkably well, which made for excellent reading. Well-written, and with no editing or grammatical errors that I could see, I would definitely recommend this book.
* 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!
Jan 28, 2016
Her Good Side
10.0
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Book
Love this cover and I am so happy to have won a copy from bookish first to review. I used to play...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated Passport to Spy in Books
Jun 14, 2023
Tracking Stolen Art in Germany
Kat Lawson’s first official case working undercover for the FBI sends her to Munich, Germany at Christmas. While she is officially there to cover the season for a travel magazine, she is supposed to get close to gallery owner Hans von Hausmann who is suspected of knowing the location of a horde of art missing since the end of World War II. After a slow start, Kat begins to make progress, but without knowing who to trust, can she complete her mission? Or is she in more danger than she realizes?
This was a fantastic book in the series. The world of Munich in December 1999 came to life, and I shivered from cold a few times as I read. The plot kept me guessing as Kat had to deal with one thing after another. The third act just ups the suspense, and I couldn’t put it down. We really only see a couple of returning characters, which means that Kat doesn’t know who she can trust, which was a wonderful addition to the plot. The characters are all strong. This book will have you hooked from the beginning. Enjoy it today.
This was a fantastic book in the series. The world of Munich in December 1999 came to life, and I shivered from cold a few times as I read. The plot kept me guessing as Kat had to deal with one thing after another. The third act just ups the suspense, and I couldn’t put it down. We really only see a couple of returning characters, which means that Kat doesn’t know who she can trust, which was a wonderful addition to the plot. The characters are all strong. This book will have you hooked from the beginning. Enjoy it today.