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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Resident in Books

Jun 28, 2020  
The Resident
The Resident
David Jackson | 2020 | Crime, Thriller
9
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the first David Jackson book I have read and it certainly won't be the last ... The Resident is a deliciously eerie and unnerving read which I thoroughly enjoyed however I did have to send my husband up to the attic to make sure there were no gaps between us and the next door neighbours as I live in a terrace!!!

This is a totally engrossing psychological thriller told from the perspective of the main protagonist Brogan and what an excellent character he is ... a perfect bad guy but with a vulnerable side to him that almost makes you feel sorry for him ... I say almost because he is one sick and deranged individual who enjoys playing with his victims before inflicting pain and suffering.

There is plenty of dark humour to lighten this dark book and with a simple and straight forward plot written at a good pace, this is a great read that I have no hesitation to recommend to readers out there who enjoy a book that takes the mundane of daily life and turns it into something sinister.

Thank you Serpents Tail / Profile Books / Viper Books via NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an unbiased and unedited review.
  
Nomad (The Flight and Flame Trilogy, #2)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Yall…I have no idea where to begin describing the epicness that is this book. <i>Nomad</i> is the second book in R. J. Andersons <b>The Flight and Flame trilogy</b>, and I was totally not prepared for the next level that R. J. Anderson took this book to. I mean I LOVED <i>Swift</i> the first book in the series, but this one….
   The adventures that Ivy and Martin go on are riveting in their intensity and made me stay up way too late to finish the book. I love the way all the characters interact together; R. J. Anderson has created such good relationships between her characters that they feel natural and inclusive. I loved how Ivy stepped up in this book and became a leader for her people. I also really love Martin’s antics and layered characteristics that keep me wondering.
  Readers of all ages will love this epic fantasy filled with great characters, an original storyline, and an adventure of a lifetime. I <b>HIGHLY</b> recommend <i>Nomad</i> and I CANNOT wait for <i>Torch</i> to release! 5 out of 5 stars!

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
  
Avoiding Temptation (Avoiding, #3)
Avoiding Temptation (Avoiding, #3)
K.A. Linde | 2013
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was really looking forward to reading this; I couldn't wait to find out who Lexi ended up with. Jack or Ramsey. Hmm...

Well I've been Team Jack since book 1. Okay so he was far from perfect throughout the series but he always knew that he was bad news for Lexi and f**ked up a lot. But there was just something about him and in this I think he really brought it altogether and sorted himself out to be the man that Lexi deserved.

That's not to say that Ramsey was a bad guy. He was sweet and caring but I didn't feel it between him and Lexi as much as I did with Jack. I didn't see Lexi fitting in with his world, and I was right up to a point.

It took me a long time to read this as I'd forgotten about the whole "Past" and "Present" thing it had going on during the chapters, and it drove me potty just wanting the "Present" so I could see the here and now and Lexi trying to come to a decision about who she ultimately wanted.

I enjoyed it and think it was quite a good ending to the series.
  
Seduced by the Handyman (Cougars &amp; 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&#039;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 (2532 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.