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Natalie (23 KP) rated We Were Liars in Books
Nov 13, 2017
Page-turning suspense (2 more)
Some original narrative techniques
A decent twist
The slowest pacing/build-up I've ever experienced (1 more)
Passive/incomplete characters
A family mystery with a twist
Cadence Sinclair (Cady) comes from a rich, well-to-do family. So well-to-do, in fact, that they have the luxury of vacationing on their own private island every summer. It is this island, Beechwood, that is the heart of Cady’s narrative; the summers she spent there with her childhood companions. The inseparable foursome; Cady, Johnny, Mirren and Gat – affectionately termed ‘the Liars’ – treasure their Beechwood idyll, but when Cady has a mysterious accident during ‘summer fifteen’, the four become divided as Cady searches for the truth.
Though I enjoyed Lockart's technique and style overall and really enjoyed the twist, there were a few hang-ups that I couldn't get over. The suspense is there, but accounts for about 80% of the book, before we get to the substance. I have no problem with a book that is slow-paced in general, but this felt like much of the first two thirds of the book was inconsequential, then we quickly dealt with the nitty-gritty. Furthermore, Cady is so passive that it's frustrating and makes it no wonder that the narrative crawls along - we might get somewhere faster if Cady had any spark about her and could face a confrontation or two. By making Cady herself a writer, Lockhart has opened up a few other interesting techniques to get to know our protagonist better, though they unfortunately fall just short.
Though I enjoyed Lockart's technique and style overall and really enjoyed the twist, there were a few hang-ups that I couldn't get over. The suspense is there, but accounts for about 80% of the book, before we get to the substance. I have no problem with a book that is slow-paced in general, but this felt like much of the first two thirds of the book was inconsequential, then we quickly dealt with the nitty-gritty. Furthermore, Cady is so passive that it's frustrating and makes it no wonder that the narrative crawls along - we might get somewhere faster if Cady had any spark about her and could face a confrontation or two. By making Cady herself a writer, Lockhart has opened up a few other interesting techniques to get to know our protagonist better, though they unfortunately fall just short.
Jason (7 KP) rated The Light Between Oceans in Books
Jul 9, 2017
Better Than The Film
Yes, yes, I know this has been made into a film. I'm always a little disappointed when a good book becomes a film. With the book, the characters look how you think they should and the locations look how you think they should and so on . . .
With the film, you have the directors vision not yours and I always seem to think the director has it wrong. I even felt this with the Harry Potters. In my head, everything was how I imagined it and the films were not.
Anyways, nothing exists to serve my point as much as this book. I read it a long time before the film came out and it made me feel things more than the subsequent film did.
If you didn't know, this is the story of a man who comes back from the First World War and seeks solitude manning a lighthouse on a lonely island.
He meets the love of his life and they marry and co-exist on the island very happily. They try to have a family but sadly it is not to be as his wife suffers miscarriages.
One day, a boat washes up with a dead man and a live baby inside. What follows is nothing short of heart rending. I won't go into too much detail as you need to read this yourself and please, I implore you to avoid the film until you have read the book.
It's an emotional read, but worth it.
With the film, you have the directors vision not yours and I always seem to think the director has it wrong. I even felt this with the Harry Potters. In my head, everything was how I imagined it and the films were not.
Anyways, nothing exists to serve my point as much as this book. I read it a long time before the film came out and it made me feel things more than the subsequent film did.
If you didn't know, this is the story of a man who comes back from the First World War and seeks solitude manning a lighthouse on a lonely island.
He meets the love of his life and they marry and co-exist on the island very happily. They try to have a family but sadly it is not to be as his wife suffers miscarriages.
One day, a boat washes up with a dead man and a live baby inside. What follows is nothing short of heart rending. I won't go into too much detail as you need to read this yourself and please, I implore you to avoid the film until you have read the book.
It's an emotional read, but worth it.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated The Heart Of A King: The Loves Of Solomon in Books
Apr 30, 2019
When it comes to Biblical Fiction, I’ve said it before, I am a picky reader. Only a select few can truly take a Biblical story, keep it true to the Bible and add in in the fictional elements and make it come to life. Jill Eileen Smith is one of those authors. She has been a long time favorite author of mine and will forever be one. So, when I got the chance to read The Heart Of A King, I jumped on it. I was not disappointed!
Her characters, once again, are chiseled beautifully. Full of depth and emotion. Every emotion they felt became mine while I read this. I fell in love with Solomon and didn’t want his story to end. The love he had for our God, the love he had for his wives, was beautifully portrayed in the words of Smith’s writing.
With tenderness and hopefulness, this story will wrap you up and put you in the center of a time, that is only read about in the Bible, of a time many have forgotten to remember. The rich historic detail is vivid and captivating and Smith has once again managed to make me fall in love with yet another amazing book. This is beyond 5 star worthy and I hope you, too, will fall in love with the story of Solomon and his loves.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Her characters, once again, are chiseled beautifully. Full of depth and emotion. Every emotion they felt became mine while I read this. I fell in love with Solomon and didn’t want his story to end. The love he had for our God, the love he had for his wives, was beautifully portrayed in the words of Smith’s writing.
With tenderness and hopefulness, this story will wrap you up and put you in the center of a time, that is only read about in the Bible, of a time many have forgotten to remember. The rich historic detail is vivid and captivating and Smith has once again managed to make me fall in love with yet another amazing book. This is beyond 5 star worthy and I hope you, too, will fall in love with the story of Solomon and his loves.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Carma (21 KP) rated Maid to Crave (Man Maid #2) in Books
Jun 17, 2019
Maid to Crave by Rebecca Avery
Man Maid book 2
Maid to Crave is book 2 in the Main Maid series. It is the first book Ive read by Rebecca Avery, it was part of a 4 book collection I rented through my library and Overdrive. Sadly this was painful to get through. I literally had to force myself to finish this book. The story line had so much potential I just felt like this was a horribly novice writing style and it just didnt work for me.
Tori Stewart is a single mom to a 6 year old boy. Her friend recommends using the Man Maid service that she had luck using (and finding love). She agrees just hoping to not get the one Maid that makes her heart flutter, Seth Lewis.
Seth Lewis is a former military man who comes to work for his friend at Man Maid services. He is working not only as a Maid but as a stripper to pay for his brothers medical bills. He remembers Tori from a wedding a little bit back but doesnt see her other than his potential boss.
Tori and Seth realize they can become friends and maybe then morph it into something more. Like I said, this story had such great promise but the writing really killed it for me. I would like think I would give this author another chance at her writing style but I cant say that for sure just yet.
Man Maid book 2
Maid to Crave is book 2 in the Main Maid series. It is the first book Ive read by Rebecca Avery, it was part of a 4 book collection I rented through my library and Overdrive. Sadly this was painful to get through. I literally had to force myself to finish this book. The story line had so much potential I just felt like this was a horribly novice writing style and it just didnt work for me.
Tori Stewart is a single mom to a 6 year old boy. Her friend recommends using the Man Maid service that she had luck using (and finding love). She agrees just hoping to not get the one Maid that makes her heart flutter, Seth Lewis.
Seth Lewis is a former military man who comes to work for his friend at Man Maid services. He is working not only as a Maid but as a stripper to pay for his brothers medical bills. He remembers Tori from a wedding a little bit back but doesnt see her other than his potential boss.
Tori and Seth realize they can become friends and maybe then morph it into something more. Like I said, this story had such great promise but the writing really killed it for me. I would like think I would give this author another chance at her writing style but I cant say that for sure just yet.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated A Light on the Hill (Cities of Refuge, #1) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Connilyn Cossette has officially earned her spot as my favorite Biblical Fiction Author. The creativity in which she approaches the era, the people, and the culture of the Hebrews astounds me. She accomplishes so much while staying as true to history and the Bible as possible (obviously there are some creative strokes because this IS fiction).
Moriyah and Darek have been thrown into a circumstance that takes their lives in a direction they never thought possible. Running for her life, Moriyah must face the consequences of her actions, even if accidental. Meanwhile, Darek wrestles with his loyalty to his family and his growing attraction to the woman who is responsible for bringing so much heartache to those he loves.
Throughout these pages, we continually see the grace and love of Yahweh expressed for His people. Mrs. Cossette was brilliant in her execution of this story. There is always another level of history, of scripture, to discover, and I felt like she brought this aspect of the Mosaic Law closer to the surface of understanding.
If you have never read Biblical Fiction before, you should definitely give Mrs. Cossette's books a try. If you love history in any aspect (especially Biblical) I encourage you to read A Light on the Hill. Your eyes will be opened and your heart touched to the core by this beautiful story of love, danger, faith, and healing.
I received a complimentary copy of A Light on the Hill from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Moriyah and Darek have been thrown into a circumstance that takes their lives in a direction they never thought possible. Running for her life, Moriyah must face the consequences of her actions, even if accidental. Meanwhile, Darek wrestles with his loyalty to his family and his growing attraction to the woman who is responsible for bringing so much heartache to those he loves.
Throughout these pages, we continually see the grace and love of Yahweh expressed for His people. Mrs. Cossette was brilliant in her execution of this story. There is always another level of history, of scripture, to discover, and I felt like she brought this aspect of the Mosaic Law closer to the surface of understanding.
If you have never read Biblical Fiction before, you should definitely give Mrs. Cossette's books a try. If you love history in any aspect (especially Biblical) I encourage you to read A Light on the Hill. Your eyes will be opened and your heart touched to the core by this beautiful story of love, danger, faith, and healing.
I received a complimentary copy of A Light on the Hill from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated The Night Stalker: The Life and Crimes of Richard Ramirez in Books
Mar 1, 2020
Listen. This book is all sorts of fricken wild. It is intense, grueling, disturbing, intriguing, page-turning, heart-wrenching, want to put down but can't, all of the things. For the longest time, I read the first 23 pages where 3 people were killed, and I didn't want to read it anymore. It was so in detail, it felt like I was watching it happen in my brain and it made me so uncomfortable. And I'm not a squeamish person. I stopped being scared of murder and rape and brutal crimes such as Richard Ramirez's so many years ago, and this book shook me like nothing else has. It was everything I said it was and more. Shocking. Inconceivable. Jaw-dropping.
There is so much to comprehend when reading this book and still you end up with so many questions. Unfortunately, the author, Philip Carlo, died in 2010 from ALS. While Richard Ramirez died in 2013 from lymphoma. I wish Carlo was still alive so answer questions, I wish he would've been alive to see Richard to the end of his days. I wonder what the 20th-anniversary edition would've looked like. I am definitely going to pick up some of his other works, but I definitely need a good fiction, rom-com, comedy, something else, to get my head out of Richard Ramirez and back to the world of not so terrifying.
I would recommend this book if you think you can stomach it. It is not for the weak-hearted, that's for sure.
There is so much to comprehend when reading this book and still you end up with so many questions. Unfortunately, the author, Philip Carlo, died in 2010 from ALS. While Richard Ramirez died in 2013 from lymphoma. I wish Carlo was still alive so answer questions, I wish he would've been alive to see Richard to the end of his days. I wonder what the 20th-anniversary edition would've looked like. I am definitely going to pick up some of his other works, but I definitely need a good fiction, rom-com, comedy, something else, to get my head out of Richard Ramirez and back to the world of not so terrifying.
I would recommend this book if you think you can stomach it. It is not for the weak-hearted, that's for sure.
Pasha: My Story
Pasha Kovalev and Natasha Devon
Book
Pasha's talent and determination has taken him to some amazing places all around the world including...
Bonaparte
Book
Patrice Gueniffey is the leading French historian of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic age. This...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Cade (The Society #1) in Books
Jun 9, 2021
83 of 250
Kindle
Cade ( The Society book 1)
By Mason Sabre
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
The first heart-pounding instalment in Mason Sabre's Paranormal and Urban Fantasy, Society Series. What seems like an innocent run in the woods, might just end Cade MacDonald's life...
Cade MacDonald is a man who has always had a sense of right and wrong. He fights for justice and does not back down in the face of danger. As a member of Others, a supernatural race of powerful, fierce shifters, who do not accept or sympathise with any Humans, or any race other than their own, he now finds himself in a battle with the Other Society’s leaders as they oppose his attempt to save the life of a young half-breed.
Fighting to do the right thing, Cade is simultaneously faced with the unexpected attraction he feels for his best friend’s sister. Having grown up with Gemma, he is confused and torn at the strong pull of his wolf towards this beautiful tiger.
Willing to accept any repercussions of his rebellious actions, will he go as far as to lose the love of his life in the process?
While on the whole I did enjoy this and it was better written than most shifters books I’ve read in the past I found it lacking something. The characters felt really stiff and sometimes forced. I do think it shows promise and like I said I did enjoy it overall.
Kindle
Cade ( The Society book 1)
By Mason Sabre
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
The first heart-pounding instalment in Mason Sabre's Paranormal and Urban Fantasy, Society Series. What seems like an innocent run in the woods, might just end Cade MacDonald's life...
Cade MacDonald is a man who has always had a sense of right and wrong. He fights for justice and does not back down in the face of danger. As a member of Others, a supernatural race of powerful, fierce shifters, who do not accept or sympathise with any Humans, or any race other than their own, he now finds himself in a battle with the Other Society’s leaders as they oppose his attempt to save the life of a young half-breed.
Fighting to do the right thing, Cade is simultaneously faced with the unexpected attraction he feels for his best friend’s sister. Having grown up with Gemma, he is confused and torn at the strong pull of his wolf towards this beautiful tiger.
Willing to accept any repercussions of his rebellious actions, will he go as far as to lose the love of his life in the process?
While on the whole I did enjoy this and it was better written than most shifters books I’ve read in the past I found it lacking something. The characters felt really stiff and sometimes forced. I do think it shows promise and like I said I did enjoy it overall.
Renegade (Moonshine Task Force #1)
10.0
Rate It
Book
When you fall in love with the most unexpected person, at the most unexpected time…… Ryan...