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Rufus Wainwright recommended Love & Mercy (2015) in Movies (curated)
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2648 KP) rated City of Secrets in Books
Nov 14, 2018
Can Elizabeth Uncover Secrets to Help a Friend
Elizabeth Miles is attempting to give up her former life as the female in a group of conmen and fit into high society in order to prepare for her marriage to young lawyer Gideon Bates. Part of that involves attending church on Sundays, and it is at church that she has met Priscilla, a recent widow who is one of the few people Elizabeth considers a friend in her new life. One day Priscilla comes to Elizabeth for help since she has just learned that her recently deceased second husband has left her broke. Priscilla knows there should be more money. Can Elizabeth figure out what happened?
If you haven't started this great new series, I do recommend you back up to the first since it sets up so much of Elizabeth and her life in 1910's New York City. Since this is only book two in the series, it's still very easy to get caught up. When you do, you'll find yourself caught up in another fun caper. I did feel the pacing was a bit off early on, but it soon picked up and by the end, it was impossible to put down. This isn't a traditional mystery, although it still firmly fits in the crime fiction family. The characters are all strong, and they help make the final third of the book very compelling for us.
If you haven't started this great new series, I do recommend you back up to the first since it sets up so much of Elizabeth and her life in 1910's New York City. Since this is only book two in the series, it's still very easy to get caught up. When you do, you'll find yourself caught up in another fun caper. I did feel the pacing was a bit off early on, but it soon picked up and by the end, it was impossible to put down. This isn't a traditional mystery, although it still firmly fits in the crime fiction family. The characters are all strong, and they help make the final third of the book very compelling for us.
Dana (24 KP) rated The Complete Poems 1927-1979 in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I enjoyed reading Elizabeth Bishop's poems. She writes simply, but it is still beautiful. I enjoyed how much she varies in her writings instead of just writing the same thing over and over again. One of my favorite poems was "Crusoe in England" because it took the story of Robinson Crusoe and showed what Crusoe was feeling after he returned from the island.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book of poetry.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book of poetry.
Sarah Betts (103 KP) rated The Hidden Lives of Jack the Ripper's Victims in Books
Dec 31, 2019
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I have been waiting for this wonderfully compassionate book for years and didn't even realize it.
So much obsession over Ripper mythology and so many people treat Mary Ann, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary Jane like they were somehow deserving of their tragic fates.
I feel this book is a very important read.
I have been waiting for this wonderfully compassionate book for years and didn't even realize it.
So much obsession over Ripper mythology and so many people treat Mary Ann, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary Jane like they were somehow deserving of their tragic fates.
I feel this book is a very important read.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2648 KP) rated City of Schemes in Books
Jan 6, 2021
Facing the Past While Planning for the Future
Reformed conwoman Elizabeth Miles is getting ready for her wedding to Gideon Bates. They have tried to keep their engagement quiet, but it still shows up in the papers. That brings Oscar Thornton back into their lives, insisting that Elizabeth refund the money that he feels she owes him. Can they stop him once and for all? Meanwhile, Gideon has reconnected with one of his friends who has returned home from World War I. Logan Carsten had become engaged to a young woman before he left, but he fell in love with someone else while stationed in France. He intends to honor his engagement, but then, he hears from this Frenchwoman asking for his help in coming in America. Elizabeth thinks something more is going on. Can she also help Logan?
If you haven’t read this series yet, I recommend you read it from the beginning. This book includes some call back to earlier adventures as well as a major spoiler for the previous book. All of that is wonderful for fans, however, as it allows the characters to grow in some great ways. I love Elizabeth, Gideon, and the rest of the regulars, so I enjoyed spending time with them again. Since this is more a caper than a traditional mystery, I enjoy watching the plot unfold in different ways, and it kept me engaged the entire time. I did have an issue with one part of the climax; if Elizabeth’s motives for her actions had been built into the story a bit more, I probably would have been okay with it. I also enjoyed the humor early in the book. Once again, author Victoria Thompson has written a book that pulled me in and only let me go when I reached the final page.
If you haven’t read this series yet, I recommend you read it from the beginning. This book includes some call back to earlier adventures as well as a major spoiler for the previous book. All of that is wonderful for fans, however, as it allows the characters to grow in some great ways. I love Elizabeth, Gideon, and the rest of the regulars, so I enjoyed spending time with them again. Since this is more a caper than a traditional mystery, I enjoy watching the plot unfold in different ways, and it kept me engaged the entire time. I did have an issue with one part of the climax; if Elizabeth’s motives for her actions had been built into the story a bit more, I probably would have been okay with it. I also enjoyed the humor early in the book. Once again, author Victoria Thompson has written a book that pulled me in and only let me go when I reached the final page.
Charlotte Cartlidge (22 KP) rated Elizabeth is Missing in Books
Aug 18, 2018
Elizabeth is missing is an easy read tackling a tough subject matter (dementia). I was gripped from the get go reading about Maud and attempting to unmuddle her mind. I found myself very attached to her story both past and present. Without giving away to much, a slightly disappointing ending, leaving me with more questions than I had to begin with. Overall I loved Emma Healeys storytelling and would read a few more of her books in the future
Erika (17789 KP) rated Lore - Season 2 in TV
Oct 19, 2018
Well, that was disappointing. The stories were only mildly interesting, almost to the point of boring. It wasn't scary at all, and I get spooked relatively easily. The most interesting episode was the 'witch' episode in Massachusetts. Even the episode about Elizabeth Balthory wasn't all that interesting.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Darcy's Voyage in Books
Apr 27, 2018
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Elizabeth meets a strange kind man in a carriage when she is eighteen, and they both hold on to the memory of each other for two years. Elizabeth gets a chance to visit her aunt and uncle in America when she is twenty, and Mr. Darcy travels to America on his ship, the Pemberly Promise, to get his sister. But Elizabeth falls ill in the steerage, and Darcy is concerned for her more than he thought he would be, though he can’t explain it. Darcy makes a deal with Elizabeth: Since his room has an extra bed that she could heal in, and he needs a wife on the ship to avoid the young female suitors, he asks Elizabeth to marry him, and promises to annul the marriage when they get back to England.
Elizabeth and Darcy don’t recognize each other for a while, but soon it becomes obvious that they met in the carriage two years ago. It’s also obvious that they enjoy the same things, build each other up, and support each other well… and pretty soon they’re falling in love.
But misunderstandings lead to tragic occurrences, and secrets falling into the wrong hands can prove dangerous. Darcy and Elizabeth don’t know that the other loves them, and serious damage could happen if the wrong information falls into the wrong hands…
Darcy’s Voyage was a fun read. The book used some of the original story line, and most of the characters were accurate and the same in character traits and personalities—except Georgiana, who was far to outgoing—and there were some delightful new characters.
I liked the plot. It was original and creative, but it did have it’s flaws. First, I’d have liked more conflict between Elizabeth and Darcy. Their relationship had a few bumps, but seemed to be just a little to perfect. Second, Darcy’s idea of marrying Elizabeth so she could have his other bed was a little far fetched. A gentleman would have just given up his room, not married her. Still, I did like it and was able to overlook the little things that made my eyebrow quirk up.
The thing that I liked most was the artistic license. This was a great re-telling of the classic characters. It was original and cute and creative. And it was clean! which made my day.
Content/recommendation: no language, no sex, no violence. Ages 14+
Elizabeth and Darcy don’t recognize each other for a while, but soon it becomes obvious that they met in the carriage two years ago. It’s also obvious that they enjoy the same things, build each other up, and support each other well… and pretty soon they’re falling in love.
But misunderstandings lead to tragic occurrences, and secrets falling into the wrong hands can prove dangerous. Darcy and Elizabeth don’t know that the other loves them, and serious damage could happen if the wrong information falls into the wrong hands…
Darcy’s Voyage was a fun read. The book used some of the original story line, and most of the characters were accurate and the same in character traits and personalities—except Georgiana, who was far to outgoing—and there were some delightful new characters.
I liked the plot. It was original and creative, but it did have it’s flaws. First, I’d have liked more conflict between Elizabeth and Darcy. Their relationship had a few bumps, but seemed to be just a little to perfect. Second, Darcy’s idea of marrying Elizabeth so she could have his other bed was a little far fetched. A gentleman would have just given up his room, not married her. Still, I did like it and was able to overlook the little things that made my eyebrow quirk up.
The thing that I liked most was the artistic license. This was a great re-telling of the classic characters. It was original and cute and creative. And it was clean! which made my day.
Content/recommendation: no language, no sex, no violence. Ages 14+
Rhubarbio (27 KP) rated BioShock Infinite: The Siege of Columbia in Tabletop Games
May 26, 2019
Mechanics reflect the game, such as Booker chasing Elizabeth (2 more)
The board and pieces are beautiful
Enjoyable game, if you enjoy the Bioshock world
Good for those who enjoyed Bioshock Infinite
I really wanted to love this game and looking at the board and pieces, you can see that time and attention was put into this project. The mechanics also look to replicate Bookers search for Elizabeth, whilst the two factions fight a war. However, the game takes quite a while to play and I just feel there are better games out there to satisfy what is essentially a map domination game.
BookCritics (259 KP) rated The Sunshine Sisters in Books
Jun 5, 2017
The detail from physical description to mannerisms, not to mention the background scenery, made me feel like I was watching the story as I was reading it. A beautiful story worth reading and soaking up like sunshine itself. The Sunshine Sisters.
Critic- Kristi Elizabeth
Original Score: 4.5 out of 5
Read Review: https://brainfartsandbooks.wordpress.com/2017/04/08/review-the-sunshine-sisters/
Original Score: 4.5 out of 5
Read Review: https://brainfartsandbooks.wordpress.com/2017/04/08/review-the-sunshine-sisters/