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The Queen's Accomplice (Maggie Hope Mystery, #6)
The Queen's Accomplice (Maggie Hope Mystery, #6)
Susan Elia MacNeal | 2016 | Mystery
6
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I enjoy a 'nice' murder (as my mother likes to say!), so I was happy to read and review this through the Amazon Vine programme. I realised it was part of a series, but when I got to it I found it was a fair few books in (6th I think) and the beginning was a little confusing as there is quite a strong 'through' story as well as the plot for this particular instalment. At the other end of the spectrum, this also meant that there were plot threads left hanging at the end - obviously to pull you into purchasing the next book! Sometimes in a series you can pick things up fairly easily even if you happen upon it in the middle, but I would suggest not so much with this one.

Overall it was well written and pretty gripping. It was rather gruesome though as the murderer was certifiably nuts and the victims butchered. It's also a book full of misogyny, so it's not comfortable to read. Yes, I know that's how things were, but it got to the point that it was so gruesome and so hard on women I was losing the enjoyment/relaxation that I want from reading a good novel.

On the murders, I was certain fairly early on who it had to be. I've deduced successfully in other novels, but then kept on wondering if I had it right, where here I never doubted it. I suppose part of this is personal taste - I prefer something like an Agatha Christie where the clues are all there and you can try and work things out rather than a blood-and-guts thriller. Your mileage may vary!

To conclude, well written, good characterisation, but a bit gory for my taste and I don't think I'll read any more in the series.
  
I received an ebook copy via JGBS Review Library in exchange for an honest review. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.

I love reading books about werewolves and this one reeled me in right from the start as the story is well written and the characters are outstanding. I will add that there were moments when I found Marjorie and her friends to be completely immature but not enough to stop me from reading though I did roll my eyes quite a few times.

The author has added the right combination of drama, romance and secrets that leaves you wanting more and I will definitely be reading more of her books. My only gripe is that there seems to be something off about the cover.
  
Lash (Broken Angel, #1)
Lash (Broken Angel, #1)
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I've had this on my to-be-read shelf for a long time on Goodreads before I saw it on NetGalley so I kinda jumped at the chance to review it. Maybe I had high expectations or something but I just couldn't really get into it. The writing style was hard for me to gel with and I just found myself getting a bit bored with the storyline.

Then there was the fact that something happened in Naomi's life--something major--and we didn't actually find out about it until after, which confused me a bit as I had no idea what the family was so upset about, and therefore I had no feelings about it.

This just wasn't up my street at all but that doesn't mean it was bad. If you like the sound of it, then try it.
  
Dying for a Living (Jesse Sullivan, #1)
9
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I started the dying for a living set on a whim as the first 3 books were done as a bundle.
I enjoyed the first 3 so much I HAD to purchase the rest to complete the series.

Jessie and Alice are definitely my favourite 2 in the book. Followed closely by Masie.
The story takes huge twists and turns and each event keeps you on your toes.

Being brutally honest I felt the start of book 1 to be quite slow, that's just my personal preference. However your able to gain insight regarding the lead character very early with extra snippets through the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed following Jessie's journey and was pleased to see she got her happy ending after all!

I will be reading all the books again in the future as I found it enjoyable and deeply thought provoking.
  
Almost Home: Poems
Almost Home: Poems
Madisen Kuhn | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
**Many thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Pocket Books for the chance to read this collection for an honest review**

ALMOST HOME is an intimate examination of the structures within Kuhn's life, whether brand new or battered -- lost or found -- and it resonates with our own search for a place to call our own. I particularly loved "When I Wake", "My Old Self", "Prism", "When I'm Alone/ In A Coffee Shop/ I Find Myself," and "I Am Grateful You Are Not Me". I loved how intimate these poems were -- and how bluntly honest they were without bitterness or anger.

I guess the largest reason I enjoyed this collection is because so much of it mirror my own experiences, and it felt as though the poet was speaking of our shared pain, confusion, and moments of triumph or joy along our journey.
  
Smiley (2012)
Smiley (2012)
2012 | Horror
Interesting twist to the ending (0 more)
The ending couldn't save the rest of the movie (3 more)
Cliche plot you have seen before
Bad acting
Annoying characters
The internet's bloody mary
This was a terrible movie

Bloody mary meets unfriended? It feels like a typical supernatural slasher you have seen plenty of times.

None of the characters are likeable, if anything they are actually annoying right from the first start especially the main girl. Again there is no logic, it's not creepy or gory and I found it just boring.
Don't get me wrong I love urban legends when it is done right.

The killer was not designed well, not shown enough and not creepy enough. Only a few deaths that were not scary or gory.

I couldn't wait for this movie to end but I'm happy I watched it so that you don't have to. It was paced horribly and even a good twist at the end couldn't save this movie.
  
Blinded (Club Indigo #5)
Blinded (Club Indigo #5)
Karen Nappa | 2020 | Contemporary, Erotica, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Blinded is the fifth book in the Club Indigo series and we start off with our main male character having to have PT due to a climbing accident. Sandra, our PT, is determined to help this grumpy patient and then have absolutely nothing to do with him. The only trouble is, he's a member of the Club Indigo, the same as she is, and he is a master of the ropes, which is something she wants to do more. Sandra has her baggage to contend with and GT has more than few walls to knock down.

This was a great addition to the series. Like with the others, I would say you could read it as a standalone but to get the most out of it, I would recommend reading them in order. Characters from previous books are mentioned so I found it helpful to have read their story first.

I loved how Karen Nappa managed to intertwine Sandra's relationship with her mother (dysfunctional, people!!!) with her budding relationship with GT. I found her fears and concerns completely relatable and, as someone who also shuts down and runs away rather than have a confrontation, I found her reactions to be completely realistic. The Colour Run sounded like so much fun but I would have killed GT for his "little surprise." 🤣

This was a brilliant addition to the series that I loved reading and I can't wait to see who comes next. Absolutely recommended by me.

(P.S. - please let me find out who was the first Top on the Blind Date night!! PLEASE!!!!)

* 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!
  
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Cate Le Bon recommended Jardin Au Fou by Roedelius in Music (curated)

 
Jardin Au Fou by Roedelius
Jardin Au Fou by Roedelius
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"It was probably one of the first times I picked up some listening headphones in Spillers Records in Cardiff, and I was looking for a gift for my best friend. I knew [Hans-Joachim Roedelius' band] Cluster existed but I was never really a fan – I hadn't found the time to get into them. So, I didn't know anything about who Roedelius was, but I was really intrigued by this record. I listened to it and it was absolutely incredible. I bought it for my friend and then realised that I had to have it for myself, so I went back the next day to get myself a copy. It's been an important record for me because it was the first time I heard a record that included synth and pianos and percussion and that was mechanical in parts but also very beautiful in others. It was the first time I started to visualise arrangements on different instruments and started to exit the view that everything had its place. The album has beautiful recurring themes that sweep in and out of the record. So for me, I could hear things mathematically but it also made me think about how you can piece music together as well. It's beautiful and some of the songs are playful - one of them sounds like the theme to an awful TV cop drama - but it then evolves into these beautiful soundscapes. A song like 'Le Jardin' just transports you to this different place. I always want a song that can remove you from your current situation."

Source
  
LL
Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was so much fun to read! Quirky and full of romance. I found myself grinning throughout most of the book, as well as giggling quite frequently. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of ups and downs to keep your eyes glued to the page. Alongside the light wit and humour you will find truth and Godly wisdom. Joy has infused this story with so many real emotions that hit pretty close to home. Trust is one of the main themes of this book. Trust in God and not in man. Trust that He will guide our paths and that He has the best plan laid out for us, even if we can't see the end result. Forgiveness is another thread that you can find throughout the book. Forgiving those that have hurt us deeply can be hard. But, if we forgive and let go, place our trust in God to heal us, the result is more beautiful than we could imagine. Written in first and third person with the two main characters, I found it easy to follow along and to feel like I was inside Izze's mind. I love the dynamics between Izze and Miles. Personally, I feel like I am a pretty good mash up of their characters! A bookish person who is a bit (ok a lot) of a nerd with a healthy dose of sarcasm. I can't wait for you to meet them for yourself. I am relatively new to contemporary fiction, but I would highly recommend Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations.
I received a free copy of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.