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Seduced by the Handyman (Cougars & Cubs #2)
Seduced by the Handyman (Cougars & Cubs #2)
Nancy Fraser | 2021 | Contemporary, Erotica, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
cute read, but not one for me.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Cougars & Cubs series, but it is not necessary to have read book one to enjoy this one.

As much as it pains me to say so, I found this a nice​ read. Ya'll know how much I hate using that word, but it's stuck with me for 2 days since I finished the book, and I can't shift it!

I liked that both Cate and Mitch have a say. I liked that Mitch does what he does to keep Cate's job safe, and they can continue their relationship.

I liked the heat level. It's not scorching, by any means, but it a pleasant heat, like sitting in the April sunshine. Not too much, but enough to feel the sun, you know??

I liked that both Cate and Mitch's friends were positive about their relationship.

I liked that there really isn't any great angst, and no break up/make up.

What's here is well written, and it reads well.

I liked​ it!

But something about it doesn't quite work, and I have no idea what.

a GOOD 3 stars

same worded review will appear elsewhere​​
  
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Benny Sadfie recommended City Lights (1931) in Movies (curated)

 
City Lights (1931)
City Lights (1931)
1931 | Classics, Comedy, Drama

"This was a tough one, because it’s like, oh, Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Chaplin, Buster Keaton. There’s something about City Lights that just… It has all of the perfect acting and physical comedy. But then there’s this pathos to that main character that is just so deep, and you feel it, and it has so many jokes. It’s one of his movies that has a lot of good jokes in it, you know, from the boxing to the cigar. Here you have this guy that’s this hobo driving a Rolls Royce, pushing another hobo out of the way to get the cigar. And it’s just, it’s one of those funny things. That ending when you see his face and she sees him at the same time, and there’s kind of, it’s a smile, but is he sad? Is he happy? You really have no idea of the complications of what’s going on in the moment. He’s just kind of letting it go, and it’s one of the most incredible performances that can kind of put you in there. And it’s a movie that encapsulates all of the things that I love about silent movies, but in a way that has the emotional connection."

Source
  
The Serial Killer's Wife
The Serial Killer's Wife
Alice Hunter | 2021 | Crime, Thriller
7
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This isn't your usual 'serial killer' story; there isn't the plethora of bodies or frightening scenes of murder and mayhem but what it is is a surprisingly enthralling story that builds in tension and ends in an extremely, but strangely, satisfying way.

Alice Hunter has created a story that focusses on the wife of the suspected killer and I quickly became engrossed in her inner turmoil as to whether her husband was innocent or guilty, how she coped with the press intrusion, the fingers of suspicion pointing at her (surely she should have known or suspected something?) all whilst trying to look after her young daughter, Poppy, and run a business.

The short chapters helped the story to move quickly along and you soon find yourself passing a few hours before you know it. The setting of a small village added to the claustrophobic feel to Beth's situation. There are twists along the way and although I guessed most of them, I enjoyed watching how it played out and developed.

All in all, a pretty good book and an author I will look out for in the future.

Thank you must go to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
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Olivia Munn recommended John Wick (2014) in Movies (curated)

 
John Wick (2014)
John Wick (2014)
2014 | Action, Thriller

"It’s a newer one, but John Wick or John Wick 2. I’m obsessed. I’m obsessed. I grew up doing martial arts, and I know that Keanu did all of his own fight scenes in it, and then I was working on Predator when I watched John Wick 2, and… I have a gun in Predator, and they were teaching me how to do certain things, and I’m like, “Oh my gosh! Keanu did this really cool thing. Teach me how to do it!” I love… Like, back in the day in kung fu movies, they filmed the fight scenes in wide angles so you get to see everybody doing it, but nowadays, everything’s like cut, cut, edit, edit, close-up of this, close-up of that. But we actually got to see Keanu in these wide shots because he’s doing his own stunts, and he’s kicking ass, and he’s amazing in it. I just love that, and I feel like we don’t get enough of that in American cinema anymore, or actually ever. You have to go back to, like, old kung fu movies and stuff. I just love watching that movie and the action of that. It’s a good one."

Source
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2470 KP) rated S’more Murders in Books

Jun 25, 2021 (Updated Jun 25, 2021)  
S’more Murders
S’more Murders
Maya Corrigan | 2018 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Val is on a Collision Course with Murder
Val Deniston has agreed to cater a dinner on a yacht meant to recreate the final dinner for the first-class passengers aboard the Titanic. The evening gets off to a rocky start, and Val begins to question how these particular guests were selected for the invitation. Then the host of the evening vanishes from the yacht. Was it murder? If so, will Val figure out what happened?

If, like me, you are wondering how S’mores got involved in this story, yes the title does make sense. Not that I’m complaining since that is such a wonderful pun. The mystery is strong, with plenty to keep us engaged. I feel like the ending was a little too twisty, and I think we have a question left opened, but that is minor. The big picture definitely comes together for us. The circle of returning characters is smaller, but that was good since it gave us time to focus on getting to know the suspects. We’ve got six more five-ingredient recipes at the end, including a savory take on a s’more. If you are a fan of this series, you’ll be happy with this visit with Val.
  
Girl in the Walls
Girl in the Walls
Katy Michelle Quinn | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+, Young Adult (YA)
9
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
Vernon has just moved to a quiet new little town, the type of town where different really stands out like a christmas tree in the desert! Vernon is used to standing out but not this much and its making him feel very uncomfortable especially with the skin hes in.

oh my this is one of the most gorgeous stories ive read! my heart well and truely went out to Vernon/Violet and the internal struggles their dealing with. with the self harming section i felt like somebody had stepped into my head and put my fellings on paper, when i was alot younger i used to cut because i felt like it released what i couldnt say. I felt every raw emotion going, the doubt the fear the hope the love and the warmth from finally being able to find her true being.
Its nice to be able to have a bit of an understanding of the internal struggle a transgender can go through and how much pain they can deal with and the importance of having a good support network.
i wish there were more understanding and willingness to learn in this world

An absolutly gorgeous story, heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time 4/5
  
Stalkers is the third book in the Dark Webs series and, trust me, it beggars belief. It reads like it is straight out of Hollywood, the scene of the first telling of stalker behaviour. In here, we have two stories from America and two from the U.K. They are all horrible in their own way and yet show how easy it is, if you are that way inclined, to become a stalker.

The book itself is well-written with each story almost have a fiction-like quality to it. There are facts and figures, police reports, and verdicts given though, just to prove this actually happened. They will all twist your mind but the Craigslist one is just unbelievable! I felt sorry for all the 'victims' in this book but, mostly, I feel sorry for 'Mark'.

This is the first book by this author I have read but it will not be the last. If you like #TrueCrime then this is one I definitely recommend you don't miss.

* 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!
  
Dog Soldiers (2002)
Dog Soldiers (2002)
2002 | Action, Horror
8
8.2 (26 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Dog Soldiers might be showing its age by now, but damn it's still a ride.

The cast absolutely make it - I've never been one of those "wheeey lads, football" kind of guys, but the group of soldiers that the film follows have great chemistry, and just feel real. I always enjoy Sean Pertwee, and here is no different. I would argue that it's one of his best performances to date, from the fantastic monologue about his mate in Iraq near the start, to his increasingly mad and out of it schtick near the films climax.
Its an incredibly well paced movie as well. It doesn't take long for shit to hit the fan, and the rest of the narrative feels frantic, despite being set in one building for the most part.
There's a good amount of gore, and Neil Marshall is never afraid to show us his werewolves, and they look great! Its all practically done as well, giving us the cherry on top.

Dog Soldiers and The Descent are the two films that truly cemented Neil Marshall as a director to watch. Its nearly 20 years later and it's still a great watch and in my opinion, is one of the better werewolf films out there!
  
Gone but Knot Forgotten
Gone but Knot Forgotten
Mary Marks | 2015 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What Happen to Martha’s Childhood Friend?
Martha Rose is saddened to learn of the death of her childhood friend, Harriet Oliver, and even more surprised to find that she has been named executor of her estate since she and Harriet haven’t spoken in years. Harriet’s death has been ruled natural causes, but Martha has lots of questions about the circumstances of her death. That only grows when she realizes that several items are missing from Harriet’s collection. Is there more to her death than it appears?

The mystery certainly intrigued me, and it moved forward at a steady pace. I did feel the ending was a bit abrupt, but it was suspenseful and answered all of our questions. The characters are wonderful. Martha’s quilting friends are fun, and her love life gets some interesting developments here. Quilting does factor into the mystery in a unique way, and I really enjoyed that. While the book is set during December, it isn’t a Christmas book. There’s a very good reason for it – Martha is Jewish, and I enjoyed learning a bit more about Jewish culture as I read. It’s easy to see why so many people enjoy this series; I’m glad I finally started it.
  
Confession (David de Morrissey, #3)
Confession (David de Morrissey, #3)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's been many years since i read books 1 and 2 of this series and as much as i wanted to read them all together, it took me a long time to find them in paperback considering how old they are (1992). Because of their age, they are rather old fashioned in style, using terms like "vampiress" and it took me quite a bit to get back into. Once i got past the first third of the book, I was used to it and though it took me a while, i got into the series again.

I feel a little bad for Darienne, though i do think she brought it on herself and the fact that she's off to London is not looking good. As for David and Veronica, I'm happy for them. It's taken three books but they're finally getting their HAE.

And because they got their HAE, I'm confused by book 4, [b:Eternity|1935575|Eternity (David de Morrissey, #4)|Lori Herter|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1317366813s/1935575.jpg|1938087]. I always assumed it would be David and Veronica as vampires spending eternity together, but maybe it has something to to with Darienne?

I'm off to go find out.