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Outlaw Witch (Enchanted Bargains #1)
8.0
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In a city of magic users, I’m a freak—a sponge with the ability to absorb the powers of others....
Reverse Harem Why Choose? Cliffhanger Ending Paranormal Romance Forced Proximit
EmersonRose (320 KP) rated Knight of The Dead II: Cavalry in Books
Nov 20, 2019
Knight of the Dead 2: Cavalry is author Ron Smorynski’s second book in this action-packed, zombie apocalypse book with a medieval twist. In the second book, Ronan and his family have found themselves a place to build up as their fortress and are ready to start bringing others into their midst. But as their little community grows, they find themselves faced with inner conflict as much as dealing with the danger the world has become. This conflict mainly arises from the fact that when it was just his family, Ronan shared the same beliefs as everyone else, they understood each other’s skills, and trusted each other completely, which is not the case with traumatized strangers. The book is a quick and easy read that is full of action-packed zombie fights and chases, interesting ways of surviving in an apocalyptic world, and sweet family moments. I would say that this book is best suited for those that love zombie, apocalypse, and Christian literature.
I really appreciated the small moments throughout the book that hold sweet moments of family. In a dark world, it is nice to see those moments of trying to keep a little innocence alive for young children, sharing love, the comradery of close friends, and the earnest desire to protect one another. What this book, and the series as a whole, are very strong in is the action. This does not just mean the actual fights but the interesting chases, the intense moments of sneaking through the city, searching for materials needed to survive, and trying to save others. I thought that the addition of new characters was great and through their eyes allowed us to learn even more about the central family. Especially when it came to dealing with conflict and trusting those around them. In this book, the family’s connection to God is strengthened and becomes a key aspect of their mental journeys and how they deal with the horror that surrounds them.
Smorynski has done an excellent job of creating an atmosphere in the series that feels possible. For both the physical shape of the world and the mental space of the characters, you can see this being a future for humanity despite the sci-fi premise. I found the book to be a fun read and look forward to reading the next installment in the series.
I really appreciated the small moments throughout the book that hold sweet moments of family. In a dark world, it is nice to see those moments of trying to keep a little innocence alive for young children, sharing love, the comradery of close friends, and the earnest desire to protect one another. What this book, and the series as a whole, are very strong in is the action. This does not just mean the actual fights but the interesting chases, the intense moments of sneaking through the city, searching for materials needed to survive, and trying to save others. I thought that the addition of new characters was great and through their eyes allowed us to learn even more about the central family. Especially when it came to dealing with conflict and trusting those around them. In this book, the family’s connection to God is strengthened and becomes a key aspect of their mental journeys and how they deal with the horror that surrounds them.
Smorynski has done an excellent job of creating an atmosphere in the series that feels possible. For both the physical shape of the world and the mental space of the characters, you can see this being a future for humanity despite the sci-fi premise. I found the book to be a fun read and look forward to reading the next installment in the series.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) in Movies
Nov 28, 2017
This follow on film stays with the family after the events of the first film left the family reunited but with something decidedly not right about Josh, the father (played by The Conjuring's Patrick Wilson, who I really can't take to).
Everything seems to get back to normal for a short time with the family reunited and moving on from the trauma they've been through. But this doesn't last long and soon strange things start happening again, this time focused around the baby.
For me, this film fell down a little as many horror sequels do, trying to build on tiny parts of the original story rather than carrying on from it. I found the parts where the reality and past of the presence that haunted Josh in his childhood really engaging and exciting and creepy, but felt this should have been explored so much more.
Rose Byrne is good again, somehow keeping the family together through all the unpleasantness.
One thing that did spoil this for me was when, after a particularly creepy scene in which a ghost child's foot steps were heard running through the house, my 3 year old son decided to get up and run through to my bedroom so I suddenly heard footsteps eerily similar to those on the film directly above my head.
A decent follow on with some interesting exploration of small aspects of the first film, but largely more of the same.
Everything seems to get back to normal for a short time with the family reunited and moving on from the trauma they've been through. But this doesn't last long and soon strange things start happening again, this time focused around the baby.
For me, this film fell down a little as many horror sequels do, trying to build on tiny parts of the original story rather than carrying on from it. I found the parts where the reality and past of the presence that haunted Josh in his childhood really engaging and exciting and creepy, but felt this should have been explored so much more.
Rose Byrne is good again, somehow keeping the family together through all the unpleasantness.
One thing that did spoil this for me was when, after a particularly creepy scene in which a ghost child's foot steps were heard running through the house, my 3 year old son decided to get up and run through to my bedroom so I suddenly heard footsteps eerily similar to those on the film directly above my head.
A decent follow on with some interesting exploration of small aspects of the first film, but largely more of the same.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated Return (Redemption, #3) in Books
Feb 27, 2019
This prodigal-son-returns-home story is one of my absolute favorites of Ms. Kingsbury's Baxter family books. Luke's character is the baby of the family, and she chiseled him so well in these stories. I was so excited years ago when I learned he had a book where his story was center. I loved revisiting him!
What would you feel like if everything you ever believed in was ripped away in one tragic instant? That's what Luke battles and I was so angry with him for so long in this book! I found myself on more than one occasion wanting to throw the book across the room. But, in trademark Kingsbury fashion, she weaved messages of hope, forgiveness, understanding and acceptance into her pages, and it wrapped me up instantly. Luke's story is a powerful one and I will forever love it.
This book should be able to get more than a simple 5 star rating. This book is emotional, utterly raw and absolutely breathtaking. The characters are now your family, the lessons are yours. All of it wrap up to make one unforgettable novel in a sweep-you-off-your-feet series. Ms. Kingsbury's shelf is graced with Luke's story and when someone asks me my favorites, his will always be one of the first to slip off the shelf. Well done, once again, on another amazing addition to this incredible family story.
*I purchased this book for my personal collection. Cafinated Reads was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
What would you feel like if everything you ever believed in was ripped away in one tragic instant? That's what Luke battles and I was so angry with him for so long in this book! I found myself on more than one occasion wanting to throw the book across the room. But, in trademark Kingsbury fashion, she weaved messages of hope, forgiveness, understanding and acceptance into her pages, and it wrapped me up instantly. Luke's story is a powerful one and I will forever love it.
This book should be able to get more than a simple 5 star rating. This book is emotional, utterly raw and absolutely breathtaking. The characters are now your family, the lessons are yours. All of it wrap up to make one unforgettable novel in a sweep-you-off-your-feet series. Ms. Kingsbury's shelf is graced with Luke's story and when someone asks me my favorites, his will always be one of the first to slip off the shelf. Well done, once again, on another amazing addition to this incredible family story.
*I purchased this book for my personal collection. Cafinated Reads was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
ClareR (5991 KP) rated The Lost Man in Books
Mar 2, 2019
An atmospheric, addictive mystery.
A man's body is found in the Outback near what is locally known as 'The Stockman's Grave'. He had been out in the open and died of dehydration. His brothers are called to identify his body, and the family are then thrown in to the process of organising a funeral for him on Christmas Eve.
This is a family with many secrets - a family who have had hard lives and upbringings - and these secrets are ready to come out into the open.
The eldest brother, Nathan, can't believe that his brother died in the way that he did. They were all born and raised in the Outback, and wouldn't make the mistakes that led to the death of his brother, so he wants to try and find out exactly why and how he died.
I really enjoyed this book - they're a complicated family with a difficult past. I loved the way we are drip fed the stories of their lives, and the circumstances that made them who they are.
I love the Jane Harper books that I've read so far - she is so good at writing an uncomfortable atmosphere, and I really felt for the characters. The descriptions of the Outback, the bleakness and the heat, are so graphic that I feel like I could be there too (and with that heat, I'm glad I'm not!). I have Force of Nature sat on my bookshelf, and I'm really looking forward to reading it next!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this really fabulous book!
This is a family with many secrets - a family who have had hard lives and upbringings - and these secrets are ready to come out into the open.
The eldest brother, Nathan, can't believe that his brother died in the way that he did. They were all born and raised in the Outback, and wouldn't make the mistakes that led to the death of his brother, so he wants to try and find out exactly why and how he died.
I really enjoyed this book - they're a complicated family with a difficult past. I loved the way we are drip fed the stories of their lives, and the circumstances that made them who they are.
I love the Jane Harper books that I've read so far - she is so good at writing an uncomfortable atmosphere, and I really felt for the characters. The descriptions of the Outback, the bleakness and the heat, are so graphic that I feel like I could be there too (and with that heat, I'm glad I'm not!). I have Force of Nature sat on my bookshelf, and I'm really looking forward to reading it next!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this really fabulous book!
Lone Wolf (Strength of the Pack, #6)
Book
When his alpha invites a bunch of cougar-shifters to visit, wolf-shifter Karl Griffin is not happy....
MM Paranormal Romance Shifters Enemies to Lovers Hurt/Comfort
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Pretend She's Here in Books
Jan 23, 2020
<b><i>I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i></b>
<h2><strong>I didn't want to read <em>Pretend She's Here</em> at first.</strong></h2>
But as I read the synopsis, Luanne Rice's latest book sounded dark and twisted and <em>Pretend She's Here</em> sounded very much like a book up my alley. <s>I love a book that is dark.</s>
<h2><strong>I found myself pleasantly surprised... and disappointed at the same time.</strong></h2>
There were a few things that worked well with <em>Pretend She's Here</em> and a few things that didn't, but some of it is a matter of my own personal tastes. 😅
<b>1. Flashbacks work well here (for the most part).</b>
As much as I'm not a huge fan of a ton of flashbacks, this worked really well! Although Emily Lonergan lost her best friend Lizzie Porter a year ago, she continues to grieve over Lizzie's death. The flashbacks helped reinforce her friendship with Lizzie and how much the two meant to each other.
<b>2. I love the family support.</b>
Emily comes from a somewhat large family and she keeps her family in mind to help her survive each day she is stuck with the Porters, who returned to town to come and visit. Instead of coming and going, however, they take Emily away and have her live as Lizzie. Through the flashbacks, we find out Emily and her family are a close-knit group despite the size, and they're supportive through the ups and downs.
<b>3. Engaging storyline.</b>
For my personal enjoyment of the book, I wasn't a huge fan. I found myself interested in continuing <em>Pretend She's Here</em>, but I also found myself putting a distance with the book. While there is a solid storyline that will keep readers interested in finding out what happens to Emily, everything comes together easily. However, I loved the ending when the characters reflect on everything that has happened, and I know full well younger me would have loved this book. I highly recommend <em>Pretend She's Here</em> for fans of April Henry or for those who are interested in the bigger picture rather than the thrills and excitement.
<a href="http://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/pretend-shes-here-by-luanne-rice/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
<h2><strong>I didn't want to read <em>Pretend She's Here</em> at first.</strong></h2>
But as I read the synopsis, Luanne Rice's latest book sounded dark and twisted and <em>Pretend She's Here</em> sounded very much like a book up my alley. <s>I love a book that is dark.</s>
<h2><strong>I found myself pleasantly surprised... and disappointed at the same time.</strong></h2>
There were a few things that worked well with <em>Pretend She's Here</em> and a few things that didn't, but some of it is a matter of my own personal tastes. 😅
<b>1. Flashbacks work well here (for the most part).</b>
As much as I'm not a huge fan of a ton of flashbacks, this worked really well! Although Emily Lonergan lost her best friend Lizzie Porter a year ago, she continues to grieve over Lizzie's death. The flashbacks helped reinforce her friendship with Lizzie and how much the two meant to each other.
<b>2. I love the family support.</b>
Emily comes from a somewhat large family and she keeps her family in mind to help her survive each day she is stuck with the Porters, who returned to town to come and visit. Instead of coming and going, however, they take Emily away and have her live as Lizzie. Through the flashbacks, we find out Emily and her family are a close-knit group despite the size, and they're supportive through the ups and downs.
<b>3. Engaging storyline.</b>
For my personal enjoyment of the book, I wasn't a huge fan. I found myself interested in continuing <em>Pretend She's Here</em>, but I also found myself putting a distance with the book. While there is a solid storyline that will keep readers interested in finding out what happens to Emily, everything comes together easily. However, I loved the ending when the characters reflect on everything that has happened, and I know full well younger me would have loved this book. I highly recommend <em>Pretend She's Here</em> for fans of April Henry or for those who are interested in the bigger picture rather than the thrills and excitement.
<a href="http://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/pretend-shes-here-by-luanne-rice/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Your Voice in My Head
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Emma Forrest, an English journalist, was twenty-two and living in America when she realised that her...
Claiming His Cowgirl (Crawley Creek #3)
8.0
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In a small town in North Dakota there resides a family of misfits on the Crawley Creek Ranch....
Contemporary Western Adult Romance
Dad Next Door (Crimson Club #5)
9.0
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Moving into my first house is step one in starting my new life. Next is setting up my contracting...
Age Gap Found Family Contemporary MM Romance Series