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Unfettered
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What a wonderful anthology! I have fallen off on reading collections lately, but I am such a total Kevin Hearne fangirl that I started looking for this one as soon as he mentioned it on Facebook. I bought it as soon as I heard of its release, and womanfully resisted skipping straight to the Iron Druid story.

I truly enjoyed most of the stories included. I did just stop reading the baseball story when I realized that it was horror, and skipped over "Dogs" for the same reason. Terry Brooks' piece did nothing for me, but that probably had more to do with the fact that I haven't read anything of the novels that seem to be vital to having it truly make sense. I haven't read any of The Wheel of Time, either, but the Sanderson/Jordan contribution was a good enough story that it stood on its own. I will definitely be seeking out more of some authors' works, like Speakman and O'Roullian. Getting leads on more good reading is always exciting!

All in all, the book is more than worth its cover price. There is absolutely no question of it being worth the time spent reading it.
  
Murder, etc.
Murder, etc.
Society & Culture
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Podcast Rating
Epic amount of work has gone into this (0 more)
Very drawn out (1 more)
Hard to understand some interviews
In Depth True Crime for the hardcore
A True-Crime podcast looking back on the murder of a narcotics cop and his father in the 1970s. The whole series is about this one crime looking at the larger picture of what was going on in Greenville SC at the time and if the wrong man; Charles Wakefield; was sent to death row for the crime.

This podcast leaves no stone unturned and the amount of investigation and time put into it is truly inspiring. Unfortunately, I don’t really have the attention span for it, I think I prefer my true crime in much broader brushstrokes this was just too dragged out to hold my interest. Many of the interviews are understandably with very old individuals who I found difficult to understand (accents may be an issue for me as well.) I’m sure for some who really want to be totally in on everything this will appeal. There is a whole community really invested in this investigation.

I’ve listened to 17 episodes but fallen asleep during many of them and i don’t think I’m going to finish it. If they do a summary episode may return for that.
  
<b><i>I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i></b>
In a few words and sentences, The Glittering Court feels like a complete mashup of the Bachelor and the Bachelorette with a disguise and a bit of sass involved. I adore sassy countesses, but unfortunately, the sass didn’t really last long. Once Adelaide and Cedric finally get together, it seems like a happily ever after despite the not so great circumstances (all I could do was internally scream, “Where is your sass Adelaide?!?!?!”), and The Glittering Court slowly went down a boring avenue.

Overall, I have mixed feelings in regards to Richelle Mead’s latest book. It is definitely much different than her other books – I just feel like something might have fallen a bit of short. Maybe I’ve read way too many of Mead’s books, but The Glittering Court felt a little too predictable – each plot twist that was meant to be unexpected and surprised came across as something completely expected.

<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/mini-reviews-part-1-emily-skrutskie-marie-lu-and-others/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
  
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Jason Williamson recommended Nangest EP Vol 1 by Roachee in Music (curated)

 
Nangest EP Vol 1 by Roachee
Nangest EP Vol 1 by Roachee
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I got into Roachee through the Sith Lord tune with the Prodigy backing and then I started to try and find other stuff but it's hard because he's not really done a lot. He did a bit of time in prison and then came out, so I don't know what his relationship is like with people like Wiley and that, but he seems to be quite an underdog. He's not done anything for a while I don't think. I like the crapness of what he does, when he's like, ""Yeah, I make a pass at your missus, I don't care,"" it doesn't even rhyme. ""I bring animals round your manor,"" all that. It's just not very good some of it, but that's what appeals. Trim is like that too, he trails off a bit, when he's talking about the solar system. It's like, what the fuck is that? That appealed to me as well as the beats. The 'Bad Boy' tune is a classic to be honest, I might be shot down for that. 'Dirty Danger' is on there as well. This album came out in 2012. Grime wasn't really being noticed around that sort of time, it had fallen out of favour. It had come up with Wiley and disappeared really fast."

Source
  
Oh No! - Single by EMAN8
Oh No! - Single by EMAN8
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
EMAN8 (Brandyn Burnette) is an LA-based artist from Saint Louis, MO. Not too long ago, he released a groovy urban pop tune, entitled, “Oh No!”.

“Baby, you so sick you make me nausea. Please forgive me I’m just being cautious. I know that you got a couple of options. Lately, you’ve been checking all my boxers. All my homies told me not to fall for it. Put me on the court and I’ma ball for it. I just need to know if you are all in. I know that you’re drunk that’s why you’re calling.” – lyrics

‘Oh No!’ tells an interesting tale of a young guy who has high hopes for a problematic relationship which he shares with his significant other.

Apparently, he can’t believe what she tells him and can’t decipher if it’s a nightmare or dream that he has fallen deeply into.
Later, he admits that this was everything he ever wanted, but every day feels like it’s haunted.

‘Oh No!’ contains a cautionary storyline, harmonious vocals, and groovy instrumentation flavored with urban R&B and hip-hop elements.

EMAN8 hopes to emanate the true authentic vibration of his experiences, soundscapes, and songwriting.

His name comes from his Jamaican middle name “Emanate”, which means to come forth.
  
Knits, Knots, and Knives
Knits, Knots, and Knives
Emmie Caldwell | 2022 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Can Lia Knit Together the Clues from Another Knotty Murder?
Lia Geiger’s normal weekend craft fair is looking a bit different thanks to a Civil War reenactment taking place on the property. She’s looking forward to it, although she quickly learns that there has been a recent power struggle in the group of reenactors. When the smoke on the battle clears, the dead body of Arden Sprouse is discovered. He was the one most responsible for the conflicts in the group. Unfortunately, suspicion has fallen on Lia’s neighbor. Can she figure out what really happened during the battle?

I’ve enjoyed this series because I really like Lia and her immediate family and friends. She is a little older than a typical cozy sleuth, which I appreciate. Her relationship with her daughter is a highlight as well. While the suspects are all strong, I wish we’d had more of a reintroduction to the minor characters who populate Lia’s world. The plot is good. I do wish we had gotten shorter clue recaps, but there were several good twists along the way to the logical climax. I also enjoyed some solid sub-plots. The reenactment combined well with the crafting theme. Those who have been enjoying this series will be pleased with the latest entry.
  
UM
Unravel Me ( Book 1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
131 of 230
Kindle
Unravel Me ( Book 1)
By Kendall Ryan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶


Psychology student Ashlyn Drake's neat, orderly life takes a turn for the crazy when she finds the perfect subject for her amnesia thesis - a young man without any memory of his previous life, including the murder he's accused of committing. Against all common sense, Ashlyn's drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

Perhaps it's that he's so incredibly male: even handcuffed to his hospital bed, he could pass for a cologne ad - Scent de Insanity. Or perhaps it's because she's spent too many lonely nights studying. Either way, she's determined to help him solve the mystery of his past.

But when she finally learns his secret, there's no telling which one is the real him, the gentle lover she's fallen for or the troubled man with a dark past...

I enjoyed this more than I thought I was going to. It was defo an interesting story and way to meet the man of your dreams. Very well written and plenty of spicy bits. Only thing that really got my back up was the name Ashlyn I don’t know why I just don’t like it!
  
TR
The Reapers are the Angels (Reapers, #1)
Alden Bell | 2010
9
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
183 of 230
Kindle
The Reapers are the Angels ( Reapers book 1)
By Alden Bell
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Zombies have infested a fallen America. A young girl named Temple is on the run. Haunted by her past and pursued by a killer, Temple is surrounded by death and danger, hoping to be set free.

For twenty-five years, civilization has survived in meager enclaves, guarded against a plague of the dead. Temple wanders this blighted landscape, keeping to herself and keeping her demons inside her heart. She can't remember a time before the zombies, but she does remember an old man who took her in and the younger brother she cared for until the tragedy that set her on a personal journey toward redemption. Moving back and forth between the insulated remnants of society and the brutal frontier beyond, Temple must decide where ultimately to make a home and find the salvation she seeks.

This was just fantastic. It was beautifully written. We follow the journey of a 15 year old girl crossing the country of a zombie filled world. It’s was so gruesome I loved it. Temple will stay with me for a very long time. Didn’t expect that ending but it was just so good.
  
Devil&#039;s Due
Devil's Due
7
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
86 of 230
Book
Devil’s Due ( Red Letter Days book 2)
By Rachel Caine
⭐️⭐️⭐️


WITH HER SECRET BACKGROUND AND STREET SMARTS, LUCIA GARZA HAD FEW QUALMS ABOUT TAKING THE DEVIL'S DEAL...

The money Lucia and her new partner received to open their detective agency had come with strings: any assignment delivered via red envelope had to be top priority. No sweat. No one could make Lucia do something she didn't believe in--right?

Wrong. Lucia soon learned that every choice she made meant life or death for innocent people. No one could be trusted, not even the ex-cop she'd hired--and fallen for. In fact, Ben might be her fatal weakness, if the powers warring to control the future used him to control Lucia....

So this was the second in a duology and this time it’s more from Lucia’s point of view and her journey where book one followed Jazz. I enjoyed but got a little bored in the middle which is so unlike me with a Caine book. It was good to get to know Lucia though and figure out maybe she’s not so rigid Overall it was a good read but just not past a 3 star.
  
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ClareR (5603 KP) rated The Valkyrie in Books

May 30, 2023  
The Valkyrie
The Valkyrie
Kate Heartfield | 2023 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What a fantastic book! Myth, strong women, magic - what’s not to like?!

I’ll own up now. This was a NetGalley book, and it kind of got left behind. So I listened to the audiobook on Xigxag audiobooks. And I’m SO glad that I did.it came to life for me, and where some reviews have said that they were sometimes a little confused as to whose chapter it was, either Brynhild the fallen Valkyrie or Gudrun, Princess of Burgundia, I had no such issue. The narrators, Eleanor Jackson and India Shaw-Smith WERE Brynhild and Gudrun. And they were both self-assured, strong leaders who would take no nonsense.

What did surprise me was how forgiving Brynhild was of Sigurd lies. If you already know the myth, then you’ll know! Otherwise, my lips are sealed, because you really have to read this for yourself!

Oh, and the Germanic history was the icing on the cake for me. And there’s loads of extra information about both the Norse mythology and the German history, both in relation to the book, on Kate Heartsfields website - chapter by chapter! I’ve had the BEST time on there!

So, yes, this is very much a recommended book!