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Uprising (Rebellion #3)
8.0
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Isaac had lost Michael once. He wouldn’t survive a second time… Michael Five years ago, he...
Adult Paranormal Romance MM
ClareR (6054 KP) rated Madgermanes in Books
Feb 20, 2022
This is a really interesting period of history (for me, anyway!) and I enjoyed finding out about the ‘Madgermanes” or the Mozambicans who went to work in East Germany. After the wall between East and West Germany was erected, East Germany realised that they’d lost a lot of their workers to the West. So East Germany chose Mozambique as a sister country, and workers were sent to the GDR with promises of education, good work and good wages. Whilst they did get some education (if they largely sorted it out for themselves), the work could be simple and repetitive. What’s more, they only received half of their wages. They never got the half that had been sent back to Mozambique for ‘safekeeping’.
Housing for these visiting workers was usually in basic hostels, shared rooms, and away from the East Germans. Mixing was discouraged, as were relationships. Pregnancies were either terminated or the woman was sent home.
The pictures in the book are a wonderful mix of African and European, and some really big feelings are clearly illustrated. I loved it. I’d be really interested to know how many Mozambicans were able to stay in Germany and become German citizens. The novel implies that life was difficult for those who returned to Mozambique, financially, socially and culturally.
It’s a fascinating read, and one I’d recommend.
Housing for these visiting workers was usually in basic hostels, shared rooms, and away from the East Germans. Mixing was discouraged, as were relationships. Pregnancies were either terminated or the woman was sent home.
The pictures in the book are a wonderful mix of African and European, and some really big feelings are clearly illustrated. I loved it. I’d be really interested to know how many Mozambicans were able to stay in Germany and become German citizens. The novel implies that life was difficult for those who returned to Mozambique, financially, socially and culturally.
It’s a fascinating read, and one I’d recommend.
ClareR (6054 KP) rated We Are Not Like Them in Books
Mar 28, 2022
We Are Not Like Them is a really timely novel about racism in America.
Jen (white) and Riley (black) have grown up together, and are like sisters. Colour has never been an issue between the two of them. But when Jen’s Police Officer husband is involved in the shooting of a black teenaged boy, and Riley is given the job of covering the story as a TV reporter, things become difficult and strained between them. Is their past enough to keep the friendship going? I did wonder on many occasions throughout the book.
Themes include racism, prejudice, white privilege and police brutality. It’s a pretty hard-hitting book, and could be set anywhere in the US at the moment. We have our own issues and institutional racism to deal with in the UK, and it was interesting to see how this panned out. I did think that Riley worried more about Jen. Jen was completely wrapped up in her own problems, using Riley as someone to lean on, whilst not being at all curious about Riley’s feelings on what had happened to the boy. But then, Jen has some pretty huge things going on in her life, too.
I can see this being an ideal book for a book club - so much is going on, there’s so much to unpick.
It’s a powerful novel. Recommended.
Jen (white) and Riley (black) have grown up together, and are like sisters. Colour has never been an issue between the two of them. But when Jen’s Police Officer husband is involved in the shooting of a black teenaged boy, and Riley is given the job of covering the story as a TV reporter, things become difficult and strained between them. Is their past enough to keep the friendship going? I did wonder on many occasions throughout the book.
Themes include racism, prejudice, white privilege and police brutality. It’s a pretty hard-hitting book, and could be set anywhere in the US at the moment. We have our own issues and institutional racism to deal with in the UK, and it was interesting to see how this panned out. I did think that Riley worried more about Jen. Jen was completely wrapped up in her own problems, using Riley as someone to lean on, whilst not being at all curious about Riley’s feelings on what had happened to the boy. But then, Jen has some pretty huge things going on in her life, too.
I can see this being an ideal book for a book club - so much is going on, there’s so much to unpick.
It’s a powerful novel. Recommended.
Once Upon a Dream (Mystic Beach #1) by Aislinn Archer
10.0
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Best friends in this life. Even more in her visions of a life before. Will his rockstar dreams tear...
Paranormal RockStar Romance
Fumbled Hearts (Tennessee U #2)
8.0
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Can a Fumbled Heart achieve a true love touchdown? Ethan My life has been one financial...
Contemporary MM Romance
Merissa (13600 KP) rated The Water King's Bride (The Descendants #2) in Books
Oct 12, 2022
THE WATER KING'S BRIDE is the second book in The Descendants series and follows directly on from book one, so I definitely recommend you read that first!
Heidi and Isaiah have stopped their constant bickering from book one as they both realise they have feelings for the other. That has to take a backseat though, as Heidi is desperate to find her father and missing people. We meet a multitude of new characters and reunite with some old ones, although whether that's a good thing remains to be seen.
As with book one, this is just as fast-paced and it is full of action. Whilst it fits with the story, I would like to see more about the characters, their backgrounds, the world they live in. Sometimes, it feels as though it's a spin-off from another series, one that explains about TimeKeepers, etc.
Saying that, this was a brilliant addition to the series that kept my attention and had me turning the pages. A fantastic story and I can't wait to see what happens next.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Heidi and Isaiah have stopped their constant bickering from book one as they both realise they have feelings for the other. That has to take a backseat though, as Heidi is desperate to find her father and missing people. We meet a multitude of new characters and reunite with some old ones, although whether that's a good thing remains to be seen.
As with book one, this is just as fast-paced and it is full of action. Whilst it fits with the story, I would like to see more about the characters, their backgrounds, the world they live in. Sometimes, it feels as though it's a spin-off from another series, one that explains about TimeKeepers, etc.
Saying that, this was a brilliant addition to the series that kept my attention and had me turning the pages. A fantastic story and I can't wait to see what happens next.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Headshot (Model Love) in Books
Oct 28, 2022
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Kit runs Garfield House which is a refuge for boys/young men that have been exiled by so-called friends and family for being gay!
The previous landlord has passed away and Kit is having to deal with his pompous nephew who is against everything Garfield house stands for. Kit then has the rug pulled from underneath him when said nephew decides to put the building on the market he's now got to find a way to keep the boys he's taken in safe and secure as he promised he would.
This is a beautifully written story. You get to see both sides of the story from each character's point of view and I think it's fantastic. Having an understanding of what both men are thinking and feeling makes you involved in the story and their growing relationship.
There is a lot of passion in this book especially when Kit and Jack admit their feelings for each other but it's not done in a tasteless way.
This book is part of a series but can also be read as a stand-alone, I personally am interested in reading about the other characters and finding out their stories. I am definitely hooked!
I rate this book 5/5 and recommend you read it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
Kit runs Garfield House which is a refuge for boys/young men that have been exiled by so-called friends and family for being gay!
The previous landlord has passed away and Kit is having to deal with his pompous nephew who is against everything Garfield house stands for. Kit then has the rug pulled from underneath him when said nephew decides to put the building on the market he's now got to find a way to keep the boys he's taken in safe and secure as he promised he would.
This is a beautifully written story. You get to see both sides of the story from each character's point of view and I think it's fantastic. Having an understanding of what both men are thinking and feeling makes you involved in the story and their growing relationship.
There is a lot of passion in this book especially when Kit and Jack admit their feelings for each other but it's not done in a tasteless way.
This book is part of a series but can also be read as a stand-alone, I personally am interested in reading about the other characters and finding out their stories. I am definitely hooked!
I rate this book 5/5 and recommend you read it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
A Novel Disguise
9.0
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When Miss Tiffany Woodall assumes the identity of her half-brother after his death, she realizes she...
Merissa (13600 KP) rated Eeny Meeny by Laura N. Andrews in Books
Jun 15, 2022 (Updated Jun 19, 2023)
EENY MEENY is a standalone novella in the Nursery Crimes series. I have to say, this is the first time I've read about a psychopath as the main GOOD character!
Honestly? This novella was brilliant. Originally, I planned on giving 4-stars but then I realised that there is nothing wrong with the story as it is. It's just me being greedy, wanting a full-blown novel. Of course, with it being a novella, the pacing is fast and the emotional connection between the main characters is pretty much instant, but still!
This is a complete story, including details of Elizabeth's childhood, her relationship with her mum, and her feelings for Isaac. She may not have the full scope of emotions but she loves him with all that she is. And that is enough! You also find out about those she targets and why. It really is all here.
Ms Andrews' writing never disappoints! Very different to what she's written previously, she nevertheless nailed it. Very different and I loved every word. Highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 8, 2022
Honestly? This novella was brilliant. Originally, I planned on giving 4-stars but then I realised that there is nothing wrong with the story as it is. It's just me being greedy, wanting a full-blown novel. Of course, with it being a novella, the pacing is fast and the emotional connection between the main characters is pretty much instant, but still!
This is a complete story, including details of Elizabeth's childhood, her relationship with her mum, and her feelings for Isaac. She may not have the full scope of emotions but she loves him with all that she is. And that is enough! You also find out about those she targets and why. It really is all here.
Ms Andrews' writing never disappoints! Very different to what she's written previously, she nevertheless nailed it. Very different and I loved every word. Highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 8, 2022