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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Jack of Spades in Books
Feb 13, 2018
This book was certainly a page turner and a quick read, although I really just wanted it to be over. Andrew J. Rush is a successful mystery author -- married with a wife and three grown children. He also secretly (not even known to his wife and children) writes under the pseudonym Jack of Spades - and these books are dark, violent thrillers.
The book starts with Rush receiving a court summons that a woman in nearby locale is accusing him of stealing - basically plagiarism. He feels threatened and slowly, the unbidden Jack of Spades within Rush starts coming out.
The book is peppered with Stephen King references and I don't typically read King's more dark novels, so I can't say if there's a comparison here. Overall, I didn't find the book scary, or even that psychologically interesting, but a bit stupid. While a character in a novel like this shouldn't be likeable, per se, you should have some sort of admiration for their cunning. Instead, I just found Rush annoying and stupid.
Oates provides us with a back-story that is supposed to explain Rush's pathology, but it seems thinly constructed. The whole premise just seems off. I can't imagine someone not picking up on this guy and his behavior, his wife not just walking out, his kids not just taking their mother away, etc. It was just not my cup of tea.
(Note: I received an advance ebook copy of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)
The book starts with Rush receiving a court summons that a woman in nearby locale is accusing him of stealing - basically plagiarism. He feels threatened and slowly, the unbidden Jack of Spades within Rush starts coming out.
The book is peppered with Stephen King references and I don't typically read King's more dark novels, so I can't say if there's a comparison here. Overall, I didn't find the book scary, or even that psychologically interesting, but a bit stupid. While a character in a novel like this shouldn't be likeable, per se, you should have some sort of admiration for their cunning. Instead, I just found Rush annoying and stupid.
Oates provides us with a back-story that is supposed to explain Rush's pathology, but it seems thinly constructed. The whole premise just seems off. I can't imagine someone not picking up on this guy and his behavior, his wife not just walking out, his kids not just taking their mother away, etc. It was just not my cup of tea.
(Note: I received an advance ebook copy of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)
First off, once again this is an older book that uses the term Asperger's throughout. The book was originally published in 1999, but a few more chapters were added and it was republished in 2014.
Honestly I found it a little hard to get through. Unlike Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate, it was pretty much entirely memoir, and didn't really speak to the reader as if trying to have a conversation at all. It just told Willey's story. Which is fine, it just wasn't what I was expecting after reading Nerdy. The appendices are the only place that have tips and tricks for dealing with the neurotypical world as an autistic person, but there wasn't really anything new or unique there.
I also just don't think I like her writing style as much as I did the writing style in Nerdy, but that's such a personal thing. It's hard to make a recommendation based on that. Autistic people vary so widely in where their strengths and weaknesses are that it's difficult to say which books will be useful to which people, in general.
So - it's worth reading for yet another viewpoint on being autistic, and there are several parts on parenting as an autistic woman, so autistic parents might get more use out of the book than I did, as a childless spouse of an autistic man. But I personally did not like it nearly as much as Nerdy or The Journal of Best Practices.
You can find all my reviews (including for the two other books mentioned) at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Honestly I found it a little hard to get through. Unlike Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate, it was pretty much entirely memoir, and didn't really speak to the reader as if trying to have a conversation at all. It just told Willey's story. Which is fine, it just wasn't what I was expecting after reading Nerdy. The appendices are the only place that have tips and tricks for dealing with the neurotypical world as an autistic person, but there wasn't really anything new or unique there.
I also just don't think I like her writing style as much as I did the writing style in Nerdy, but that's such a personal thing. It's hard to make a recommendation based on that. Autistic people vary so widely in where their strengths and weaknesses are that it's difficult to say which books will be useful to which people, in general.
So - it's worth reading for yet another viewpoint on being autistic, and there are several parts on parenting as an autistic woman, so autistic parents might get more use out of the book than I did, as a childless spouse of an autistic man. But I personally did not like it nearly as much as Nerdy or The Journal of Best Practices.
You can find all my reviews (including for the two other books mentioned) at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Edge of the Heat (Westwood Harbor Corruption, #1) in Books
Jan 11, 2021
Well I became aware of this book after a mutual follow via Twitter and I thought I'd give it a go when the author described it as romantic suspense.
I'm not sure I'd class as that, though, now I've finished it. It's more contemporary romance with a bad guy in it, but I guess the ending itself was kinda suspenseful slash intrigue-mystery since it left you wondering what's going to happen next.
The beginning (prologue) left me a little confused as I was unable to figure out what it had to do with the rest of the story but since I'm aware the book is in two parts I'm assuming it will all make sense after reading that one.
The characters, for me, were okay. Craig has to be my favourite. Think it was the bum wiggle in the fire-station as he was making a meal that caused that to happen. And then he was just a nice guy all the way through. As for Emma, she did my head in a little concerning the vision. She just seemed a little blind to the good thing she had going on with Craig and I felt like slapping a little sense into her. But it all worked out in the end-ish.
For a first story, it's pretty good but I found it a little stilted in places and the transitions between chapters were a little strange. I felt the previous chapters never had proper endings, they just seemed to stop. And apart from a few minor wording/punctuation errors its good.
I'm not sure I'd class as that, though, now I've finished it. It's more contemporary romance with a bad guy in it, but I guess the ending itself was kinda suspenseful slash intrigue-mystery since it left you wondering what's going to happen next.
The beginning (prologue) left me a little confused as I was unable to figure out what it had to do with the rest of the story but since I'm aware the book is in two parts I'm assuming it will all make sense after reading that one.
The characters, for me, were okay. Craig has to be my favourite. Think it was the bum wiggle in the fire-station as he was making a meal that caused that to happen. And then he was just a nice guy all the way through. As for Emma, she did my head in a little concerning the vision. She just seemed a little blind to the good thing she had going on with Craig and I felt like slapping a little sense into her. But it all worked out in the end-ish.
For a first story, it's pretty good but I found it a little stilted in places and the transitions between chapters were a little strange. I felt the previous chapters never had proper endings, they just seemed to stop. And apart from a few minor wording/punctuation errors its good.
Merissa (12934 KP) rated Hellhounds Never Lie (Willow Lake Supernaturals #1) in Books
Aug 14, 2023
HELLHOUNDS NEVER LIE is the first book in the Willow Lake Supernaturals series and I honestly can't wait to return!
Dillon is a hellhound looking for a home, and Ash is a fire mage with wonky magic. How's that going to work? Brilliantly, that's how! Ash has been through hell and back but still has a heart big enough to want to help others when he can. Dillon has been searching for his utopia but found the opposite instead with Rob's pack. They chase him when he leaves and it is Ash who saves him. In reality, they save each other.
They are fated mates - although they don't realise it. So I expected the instant attraction. What I didn't expect was how tender Dillon was with Ash, and how fierce Ash was if he thought someone was having a go at Dillon. *chef's kiss* Loved every scene they were in, whether it was in the pub or the bedroom.
Filled with fantastic characters, there are at least half a dozen others I now want stories for! Plus, I need to know the secrets that are still hiding - yes, Dot, I'm looking at you! Jeremy is next and I'm sure that one will have me laughing if his texts are anything to go by. Definitely 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!
Aug 14, 2023
Dillon is a hellhound looking for a home, and Ash is a fire mage with wonky magic. How's that going to work? Brilliantly, that's how! Ash has been through hell and back but still has a heart big enough to want to help others when he can. Dillon has been searching for his utopia but found the opposite instead with Rob's pack. They chase him when he leaves and it is Ash who saves him. In reality, they save each other.
They are fated mates - although they don't realise it. So I expected the instant attraction. What I didn't expect was how tender Dillon was with Ash, and how fierce Ash was if he thought someone was having a go at Dillon. *chef's kiss* Loved every scene they were in, whether it was in the pub or the bedroom.
Filled with fantastic characters, there are at least half a dozen others I now want stories for! Plus, I need to know the secrets that are still hiding - yes, Dot, I'm looking at you! Jeremy is next and I'm sure that one will have me laughing if his texts are anything to go by. Definitely 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!
Aug 14, 2023
Merissa (12934 KP) rated The Ruby Dragon Prince (Omega Fairy Tales #1) in Books
Mar 28, 2025
THE RUBY DRAGON PRINCE is the first novella in the Omega Fairy Tales series and is a retelling based on The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Instead, we have six Omega princes and their cruel father, plus Dragon princes!!!
Tovey is extremely close to his brothers, being as they only really have each other. They daydream about what a life could be like, but Rumi doesn't need to. He's found his mate and has been given a small green marble which opens to a different realm. The princes go there and have a ball - literally. Tovey meets with fated mate, Rufus, but leaves to go back with his brothers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, especially the relationship between the brothers and their responsibility to the kingdom. They are in an untenable situation and are fully aware of it. However, a little bit of magic helps them out in ways I won't talk about because, you know, spoilers.
The scenes between Tovey and Rufus are dynamic, to say the least. I loved the difference in Rufus between catching, half-breeding, fully-breeding, and protecting Tovey. Talk about animal instincts!
This is a world I look forward to returning to, and I'm so happy that bookworm Selle is next. I cannot wait!
** 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!
Mar 28, 2025
Tovey is extremely close to his brothers, being as they only really have each other. They daydream about what a life could be like, but Rumi doesn't need to. He's found his mate and has been given a small green marble which opens to a different realm. The princes go there and have a ball - literally. Tovey meets with fated mate, Rufus, but leaves to go back with his brothers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, especially the relationship between the brothers and their responsibility to the kingdom. They are in an untenable situation and are fully aware of it. However, a little bit of magic helps them out in ways I won't talk about because, you know, spoilers.
The scenes between Tovey and Rufus are dynamic, to say the least. I loved the difference in Rufus between catching, half-breeding, fully-breeding, and protecting Tovey. Talk about animal instincts!
This is a world I look forward to returning to, and I'm so happy that bookworm Selle is next. I cannot wait!
** 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!
Mar 28, 2025
Darren (1599 KP) rated 50/50 (2011) in Movies
Jun 20, 2019
Verdict This comedy drama will make you laugh but it will also make you cry. The actor from everyone is among some of the best you will see with ever character being a believable and someone who everyone could have in their own lives. I found the comedy level is the perfect level to complement the serious nature of the movie. This is a movie that everyone will enjoy it has everything you need in a good movie without have to have anything over the top happening, you should watch this movie.
Story Mark 10/10 Perfect story
Comedy Mark 9/10 Light heart comedy on serious issue
Friendship Chemistry Mark 10/10 Adam and Kyle look like lifelong friends
Romantic Chemistry Mark 9/10 Adam chemistry with Katherine work perfectly and you can see Adam and Rachael falling apart
Star Performances Joseph Gordon Levitt he put in one of the best performance of the year and of his career so far.
Anna Kendrick great performance to keeping up her good record of strong performances
Seth Rogen most likely his best performance of his career right up there with his performance in Funny People.
Favourite Character I have to go with Adam just seeing how he deals with the situation is just incredible.
Least Favourite Character Rachael watch and you will see why.
Best Part It’s pretty much perfect never to funny or sad.
Worst Part Hard to find one
Best Quote Adam ‘’See, but… that’s bullshit. That’s what everyone has been telling me since the beginning. “Oh, you’re gonna be okay,” and “Oh, everything’s fine,” and like, it’s not… It makes it worse… that no one will just come out and say it. Like, “hey man, you’re gonna die.”
Similar Too – Funny People
https://moviesreview101.com/2011/11/23/5050-2011/
Story Mark 10/10 Perfect story
Comedy Mark 9/10 Light heart comedy on serious issue
Friendship Chemistry Mark 10/10 Adam and Kyle look like lifelong friends
Romantic Chemistry Mark 9/10 Adam chemistry with Katherine work perfectly and you can see Adam and Rachael falling apart
Star Performances Joseph Gordon Levitt he put in one of the best performance of the year and of his career so far.
Anna Kendrick great performance to keeping up her good record of strong performances
Seth Rogen most likely his best performance of his career right up there with his performance in Funny People.
Favourite Character I have to go with Adam just seeing how he deals with the situation is just incredible.
Least Favourite Character Rachael watch and you will see why.
Best Part It’s pretty much perfect never to funny or sad.
Worst Part Hard to find one
Best Quote Adam ‘’See, but… that’s bullshit. That’s what everyone has been telling me since the beginning. “Oh, you’re gonna be okay,” and “Oh, everything’s fine,” and like, it’s not… It makes it worse… that no one will just come out and say it. Like, “hey man, you’re gonna die.”
Similar Too – Funny People
https://moviesreview101.com/2011/11/23/5050-2011/
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The One in Books
Dec 21, 2023
202 of 235
Kindle
The One
By John Marrs
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How far would you go to find The One?
A simple DNA test is all it takes. Just a quick mouth swab and soon you’ll be matched with your perfect partner—the one you’re genetically made for.
That’s the promise made by Match Your DNA. A decade ago, the company announced that they had found the gene that pairs each of us with our soul mate. Since then, millions of people around the world have been matched. But the discovery has its downsides: test results have led to the breakup of countless relationships and upended the traditional ideas of dating, romance and love.
Now five very different people have received the notification that they’ve been “Matched.” They’re each about to meet their one true love. But “happily ever after” isn’t guaranteed for everyone. Because even soul mates have secrets. And some are more shocking than others…
Brilliant the only word for it! We follow a group of people that have put faith in a DNA test that matches you with that one true love that biological match that makes you perfect for each other. We see different lives and how they are affected. We even follow a serial killer who finds his match with a police woman in the middle of a 30 women killing spree! Yea victim 27 is heartbreaking. I couldn’t put this down I even spent 20mins talking about it to my husband. So would you? Would you give up everything to have that One person? Do you believe there is one person for everyone? Do you think science should pick our mates?
Kindle
The One
By John Marrs
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How far would you go to find The One?
A simple DNA test is all it takes. Just a quick mouth swab and soon you’ll be matched with your perfect partner—the one you’re genetically made for.
That’s the promise made by Match Your DNA. A decade ago, the company announced that they had found the gene that pairs each of us with our soul mate. Since then, millions of people around the world have been matched. But the discovery has its downsides: test results have led to the breakup of countless relationships and upended the traditional ideas of dating, romance and love.
Now five very different people have received the notification that they’ve been “Matched.” They’re each about to meet their one true love. But “happily ever after” isn’t guaranteed for everyone. Because even soul mates have secrets. And some are more shocking than others…
Brilliant the only word for it! We follow a group of people that have put faith in a DNA test that matches you with that one true love that biological match that makes you perfect for each other. We see different lives and how they are affected. We even follow a serial killer who finds his match with a police woman in the middle of a 30 women killing spree! Yea victim 27 is heartbreaking. I couldn’t put this down I even spent 20mins talking about it to my husband. So would you? Would you give up everything to have that One person? Do you believe there is one person for everyone? Do you think science should pick our mates?
KatieLouCreate (162 KP) rated Nerve (2016) in Movies
Jan 3, 2018
Great Film
I watched this with my friend as a one off. We wasn't sure what to expect from it but we had already sat down to eat and thought why on earth not. At first, I thought it was going to be a cheesy stereotypical film about teenagers online. Especially with all the internet searching screens at the beginning. I restrained from rolling my eyes. But as the film developed I became hooked. It was a light thriller almost. The type where it has you on the edge of your seat because of the suspense and horrors of what is happening. It had just the right amount of love interest for me. It did not entirely dominate the film, nor did it take away from the story line, but it did happen fairly quickly. Another oddity I found was one of the characters, Tommy. I liked this character. He was interesting and funny. But I did not understand his passiveness in the film. It was clear he is interested in Vee (the protagonist) but does nothing to show his interest and stop her falling for Ian. As well as that, he just randomly knows these computer hacker internet websters? There is nothing to indicate why he knows them yet they become crucial towards the end of the film. It would be nice to have a little background on them.
Other than that, I enjoyed watching the film. I believe it raised awareness about the dangers of anonymity on the internet. It also shows that sometimes risks should be taken. We should do things that scare us and push us out of our comfort zones every-now-and-then. But do not go too far. It could be a very dangerous game.
Other than that, I enjoyed watching the film. I believe it raised awareness about the dangers of anonymity on the internet. It also shows that sometimes risks should be taken. We should do things that scare us and push us out of our comfort zones every-now-and-then. But do not go too far. It could be a very dangerous game.
tapestry100 (306 KP) rated Everyone's a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too: A Book in Books
Aug 2, 2017
Originally reviewed on http://www.frommybookshelf.com
I have never heard of Jomny Sun, nor his twitter feed, @jonnysun, and after having read everyone's a aliebn when ur a aliebn too, I feel like I've been missing out on something fairly amazing. everyone's a aliebn opens with the alien Jomny being dropped off on Earth, to study the planet and what it means to be an earthling. Never feeling like a part of his people, Jomny at first feels lost on Earth, but as he learns what it means to be an earthling thru his encounters with a varied cast of characters, he actually discovers what it means to be human instead, and begins to finally feel like he has found his place in the universe.
This is one of those rare treats of a book for me that reminds me how you can be fooled by a book, and in a beautiful way. Remarkably told thru the sparsest of illustrations and text, everyone's a aliebn when ur a aliebn too has an emotional impact I was not expecting. The illustrations and text are so basic, I initially thought I was just reading a cute little story about an alien on Earth and his misadventures, but what Jonathan Sun provides is actually a guide to the ups and downs of all human emotion, and it is surprisingly powerful. I enjoyed it so much that I immediately flipped back to the beginning as soon as I finished and read the whole thing again. I think this would be a perfect book for anyone who is having a hard time finding their place in the world; if Jomny can do it, any of us can.
I have never heard of Jomny Sun, nor his twitter feed, @jonnysun, and after having read everyone's a aliebn when ur a aliebn too, I feel like I've been missing out on something fairly amazing. everyone's a aliebn opens with the alien Jomny being dropped off on Earth, to study the planet and what it means to be an earthling. Never feeling like a part of his people, Jomny at first feels lost on Earth, but as he learns what it means to be an earthling thru his encounters with a varied cast of characters, he actually discovers what it means to be human instead, and begins to finally feel like he has found his place in the universe.
This is one of those rare treats of a book for me that reminds me how you can be fooled by a book, and in a beautiful way. Remarkably told thru the sparsest of illustrations and text, everyone's a aliebn when ur a aliebn too has an emotional impact I was not expecting. The illustrations and text are so basic, I initially thought I was just reading a cute little story about an alien on Earth and his misadventures, but what Jonathan Sun provides is actually a guide to the ups and downs of all human emotion, and it is surprisingly powerful. I enjoyed it so much that I immediately flipped back to the beginning as soon as I finished and read the whole thing again. I think this would be a perfect book for anyone who is having a hard time finding their place in the world; if Jomny can do it, any of us can.
ClareR (5885 KP) rated Cruel Acts (Maeve Kerrigan #8) in Books
Apr 19, 2019
An exciting, beautifully written police thriller.
For someone, who in the past, has always said that they don’t like thrillers, police procedurals or anything vaguely in those styles, I’m not doing too badly at reading exactly those type of books lately. And I’m really enjoying them - this book in particular.
Considering that this is the eighth book in the series and I haven’t read the other seven (soon to be e was no confusion, and I didn’t feel as though I was missing out at all.
The lead character, Maeve Kerrigan, is a detective sergeant, and she has been put on the case of the retrial of Leo Stone. He had been found guilty of the gruesome murders of two women. However, a juror from the original trial has now made it known that THAT trial was prejudiced. Maeve and her partner, Josh Derwent, are in charge of re-examining the evidence. Another woman goes missing whilst Sone is in custody, though, throwing the whole investigation into doubt.
This is a seriously exciting book - there are cliff hangers all over the place (I had to stop reading from time to time to work, eat, sleep, parent, so the multiple cliffhangers may have been of my own making), and I loved how new evidence revealed. The main characters are immensely likeable, and those who are less so are so well described that you end up disliking them as well. The last chapters of the book also tense and exceedingly fast paced, that I felt as though I couldn’t breathe until the end! I was well and truly sucked in to the action.
I will be going back to the first seven books of this series to fill in my Kerrigan knowledge, and I’m looking forward to any future books in this series! This one comes highly recommended!
Considering that this is the eighth book in the series and I haven’t read the other seven (soon to be e was no confusion, and I didn’t feel as though I was missing out at all.
The lead character, Maeve Kerrigan, is a detective sergeant, and she has been put on the case of the retrial of Leo Stone. He had been found guilty of the gruesome murders of two women. However, a juror from the original trial has now made it known that THAT trial was prejudiced. Maeve and her partner, Josh Derwent, are in charge of re-examining the evidence. Another woman goes missing whilst Sone is in custody, though, throwing the whole investigation into doubt.
This is a seriously exciting book - there are cliff hangers all over the place (I had to stop reading from time to time to work, eat, sleep, parent, so the multiple cliffhangers may have been of my own making), and I loved how new evidence revealed. The main characters are immensely likeable, and those who are less so are so well described that you end up disliking them as well. The last chapters of the book also tense and exceedingly fast paced, that I felt as though I couldn’t breathe until the end! I was well and truly sucked in to the action.
I will be going back to the first seven books of this series to fill in my Kerrigan knowledge, and I’m looking forward to any future books in this series! This one comes highly recommended!