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    Toca Kitchen

    Toca Kitchen

    Education and Entertainment

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    *Parents Choice Awards 2012 - Gold Winner!* Ever wanted to play with your food? Now you can! Toca...

    Toca Mini

    Toca Mini

    Education and Entertainment

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    Cute, weird or funny? That's up to you in the colorful world of Toca Mini. Let your imagination run...

Sleigh Bells on Bread Loaf Mountain
Sleigh Bells on Bread Loaf Mountain
Lindy Miller | 2021 | Contemporary, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
cute and sweet!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

If you follow my reviews, you'll know I'm all about the book feelings and how much I hate using the word NICE to describe a book. But sometimes, that word sticks at the tip of my fingers and I can't shift it no matter what.

So, this is a nice book.

Roxy goes home for Christmas for the first time in several years, at the request of her aging grandmother. Her (currently) off-again boyfriend is in Milan. A conversation between them sets Roxy off in a bad mood and things go downhill from there. Or rather, Roxy goes uphill but the weather turns for the worse and Roxy runs off the road in a blizzard and she only packed her good clothes. Ranger Mark finds her, and there follows a lovely tale of finding your true self.

I liked it. It's relatively clean, just some kissing. Low angst, although Roxy does have to dig deep to make the decision she does. Just Roxy has a say though, and maybe if Mark had been given a voice, I might have enjoyed it more.

I refer back to the book feelings. My first and most lasting feeling about this book is that it's a Hallmark Christmas movie, wrapped up in some 178 pages. It didn't seem that long though.

It's incredibly sweet, and I think, for ME, just a bit too much.

But! This is the first I've read of this author, under either name she uses, and I'd certainly give her another go. A book with a bit more bite might be more for me.

3 good, twinkly stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Meet Me at the Top
Meet Me at the Top
S.H. Pratt | 2022 | Contemporary, Romance
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
a wonderful short read!
Oh this book? Its so good, but too short! I need more, I really do! I do hope Alicce and Sam get a follow up, I really do!

Alice's parents treat her to a trip of a lifetime, to see all the places in her favourite movie, Sleepless In Seattle. She bumps into Sam, quite literally, and he gives her an unofficial guided tour. It's clear they get along, and the few days they spend together are the best either have had in a long time, but Alice lives clear across the country. Can they make it work?

What I loved most about this book, was what's missing in my usual reads: there is none of that explicit sex I usually like. Now, don't get me wrong, a good sex scene works in the right place in all manner of books, but this one? Does NOT need it. At. All. I really did love that all that was not here.

Sam and Alice are well suited, both carrying some baggage and both not really looking for anything, but finding each other at this time and in this place really was the right thing.

Like I said at the beginning, it's only short, and I really hope Ms Pratt will find time for a follow up, cos I want to know, no, I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED to know, that Alice and Sam really do make it work. So PULEEEEEEEZE???

Oh, and I really should comment on the cover of this book. I loves it, for almost the same reason as I loves the book: lack of nekkid man on the cover. So please, don't ever change your covers, I love them all.

5 warm and fuzzy, too stinking cute, far too short stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Tokaido
Tokaido
2012 | Travel
Tokaido is one of those simple, yet beautiful, games where you can bring it to the table and nearly everyone will have a great time, errrr I mean trip… Just keep reading! You’ll see!

DISCLAIMER: The photos showing game play reflect components from the Collector’s Edition, as they are upgraded from the traditional retail copy. There is no affect on game play, the components are just nicer. -T

I don’t recall another board game on the market, as of today 1/9/2019, that has been able to recreate some of the intuitive mechanisms that Tokaido provides its players. So okay, envision one of those looooong car rides as a kid in the stuffy old car full of suitcases with your parents. Boring, right? That’s NOT Tokaido!

NOW, Imagine one of the most thrilling trips across Japan – where you get to see the sights, experience the extensive shopping, eat great delicacies, and yes, even take a dip in a sultry hot spring! THAT is Tokaido! It is an immersive vacation in a box. So, how does it all work…

In Tokaido, you take on the persona of a Japanese tourist, a.k.a cute, very detailed, little meeples (or minis). From the start you are on a race, albeit not in a complete hurry, to have the most fulfilling vacation across Japan. Here’s the catch: go too fast and you will miss out on all the wonderful opportunities Japan has to offer, as well as victory points. Your goal in Tokaido is to stay just ahead of the other players, yet to visit as many places as possible. Each location provides you with some sort of benefit on your vacation. It may be a beautifully drawn panoramic picture of the landscape (something T.I.M.E Stories would later copy), a visit to a knickknack shop, a dip in a hot spring, some delicious looking hand-rolled sushi, or even a reverent donation to a beautifully ornate temple (highest donation equals BIG victory points later on). All of these items in your collection will reap you some sort of reward in the form of victory points at the end of the game. How you coordinate your collection is VERY important. Simply jumping from space to space will NOT get you delicious sweets like in Candy Land. It’s about timing your moves just right so that you are able complete that entire panoramic landscape, or eat just enough of the right food to satisfy your taste buds.

Seems simple, right? It is! That is the best part. New gamers in your group will gravitate toward the simplistic nature to which the game lends itself. In my gaming groups it has even lead to multiple plays! Experienced gamers will enjoy the delicate artwork and creative mechanics. Because the gameplay is so centered around the mechanic of, “don’t get too far ahead of your neighbor but stay just ahead of them,” it truly feels like you are on the T.V. show “The Greatest Race”. It is a very simple, but clever and excitement-driven concept. With that said, it can be played in under an hour, even with 4 players. Tokaido provides so much gameplay in one simple box, but yet allows you to have a little time left in your game night to still play that heavy Euro afterward. That’s a huge plus in my book, and one reason why it is ranked so high for me. That, and well, those cute little meeples (or minis) get me every time!

I really hope you give this one a try. It is a nice and relaxing experience that lends itself to quick gameplay, immersive theme, and excellent artwork. I hope your trip across Japan will truly be as rewarding as mine was! Ganbarou!! (Good luck!)

Purple Phoenix Games gives this one a relaxing 13 / 18 (Laura has not played it yet).

https://purplephoenixgames.wordpress.com/2019/01/11/tokaido-review/