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MaryAnn (14 KP) rated Winning Miss Winthrop (Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope #1) in Books
Mar 5, 2019
Carolyn Miller introduces her new series The Regency Brides. In the first book, we are introduced to Catherine Winthrop who has been recovering from feeling rejected by the man who stole her heart and rejected her love, she is finally feeling like she can move on.
When Catherine's father suddenly passes away, she not only loses the only home that she ever knew, but who moves in and takes her father's title? None other than Jonathan Carlew, the man who broke her heart.
With the rumors about Jonathan's birth and being a tradesman find him without the approval of the ladies parents, but now suddenly finding himself well to do and with a title, he now has plenty of prospects for a wife. Jonathan finds that his responsibilities keep him too busy, but also he only thinks of the woman to whom he lost his heart many years ago.
Can time and forgiveness bring them together?
In this novel, we see the value of forgiveness and how holding a grudge can hurt not only ourselves but those around us. It also teaches how we should always take time to listen to those who are precious. to us.
Carolyn Miller has cleverly brought back some of our favorite characters that not only strengthens the storyline but adds some familiarity and nostalgia for her followers who have read her other novels.
This book was an enjoyment to read I look forward to the next in the series "Serena's Secret"
A must-read for those who like to read historical fiction.
When Catherine's father suddenly passes away, she not only loses the only home that she ever knew, but who moves in and takes her father's title? None other than Jonathan Carlew, the man who broke her heart.
With the rumors about Jonathan's birth and being a tradesman find him without the approval of the ladies parents, but now suddenly finding himself well to do and with a title, he now has plenty of prospects for a wife. Jonathan finds that his responsibilities keep him too busy, but also he only thinks of the woman to whom he lost his heart many years ago.
Can time and forgiveness bring them together?
In this novel, we see the value of forgiveness and how holding a grudge can hurt not only ourselves but those around us. It also teaches how we should always take time to listen to those who are precious. to us.
Carolyn Miller has cleverly brought back some of our favorite characters that not only strengthens the storyline but adds some familiarity and nostalgia for her followers who have read her other novels.
This book was an enjoyment to read I look forward to the next in the series "Serena's Secret"
A must-read for those who like to read historical fiction.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Before She Was Helen in Books
Sep 9, 2020
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
Having read Caroline B. Cooney's Janie Johnson series, which many people call The Face on the Milk Carton series, I was thrilled to read her latest novel, Before She Was Helen.
While Cooney is well-known for her YA novels, Before She Was Helen, is not categorized as young adult, but as adult fiction. Her main character is Clemmie, a still-working but living in a retirement community teacher, who intentionally built a bland and quiet life for herself. Everything changes when she does a wellness check on her next-door neighbor. She photographs a stunning and beautiful object. Thinking her family would enjoy it, she shares the photo with them. The picture quickly makes its rounds on the internet, and Clemmie's life changes in a blink, and all her carefully kept secrets are threatened.
For anyone who has read Cooney, you can identify her writing style. Her words word flow in an easy and distinct manner. It is as if she writes how she talks and does not change her vernacular or style. Reading Before She Was Helen was like reading a familiar book that I never read before.
Goodreads does not list any other books set for publication as of yet.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 9/8/20.
Having read Caroline B. Cooney's Janie Johnson series, which many people call The Face on the Milk Carton series, I was thrilled to read her latest novel, Before She Was Helen.
While Cooney is well-known for her YA novels, Before She Was Helen, is not categorized as young adult, but as adult fiction. Her main character is Clemmie, a still-working but living in a retirement community teacher, who intentionally built a bland and quiet life for herself. Everything changes when she does a wellness check on her next-door neighbor. She photographs a stunning and beautiful object. Thinking her family would enjoy it, she shares the photo with them. The picture quickly makes its rounds on the internet, and Clemmie's life changes in a blink, and all her carefully kept secrets are threatened.
For anyone who has read Cooney, you can identify her writing style. Her words word flow in an easy and distinct manner. It is as if she writes how she talks and does not change her vernacular or style. Reading Before She Was Helen was like reading a familiar book that I never read before.
Goodreads does not list any other books set for publication as of yet.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 9/8/20.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Camel Club (Camel Club, #1) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Baldacci does it again! If I wasn't already, I am now officially hooked on his books.
This particular book is the first in a series about the Camel Club. A group of rag-tag misfits who are hell bent on proving conspiracies within the US government. What's not to like about that!? Of course they all have "checkered" pasts that seamlessly weave into the premise of the book.
I do have to say that I gave this book only 4 out of 5 stars because it took me about a 100 pages before I truly got into the story. Once I was fully entrenched however the action was take my breath away GREAT!
I can't wait to get started on the next installment! I look forward to seeing what is in store for Oliver Stone, Alex Ford, & the rest of the crew this time around.
This particular book is the first in a series about the Camel Club. A group of rag-tag misfits who are hell bent on proving conspiracies within the US government. What's not to like about that!? Of course they all have "checkered" pasts that seamlessly weave into the premise of the book.
I do have to say that I gave this book only 4 out of 5 stars because it took me about a 100 pages before I truly got into the story. Once I was fully entrenched however the action was take my breath away GREAT!
I can't wait to get started on the next installment! I look forward to seeing what is in store for Oliver Stone, Alex Ford, & the rest of the crew this time around.
Auburn (57 KP) rated Lichgates (The Grimoire Saga, #1) in Books
Apr 10, 2019
In this land there are different races, each race blood bound to their king/queen. This means they must obey commands made by their rulers, no matter what. The vagabond is not bound to a leader and therefore a threat. Kara is therefore a threat to the leaders, able to go from place to place without consequences.
In the beginning she meets a boy, who doesn't like her much, named Braeden. Braeden wanted to become the vagabond but Kara stumbled upon it first. Now he must keep her close in order to get the grimoire from her. His key to becoming a vagabond.
If you are looking for a new series to start and enjoy a free book, this is for you. You will read the first book and then the next and the next. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys YA fantasy.
In the beginning she meets a boy, who doesn't like her much, named Braeden. Braeden wanted to become the vagabond but Kara stumbled upon it first. Now he must keep her close in order to get the grimoire from her. His key to becoming a vagabond.
If you are looking for a new series to start and enjoy a free book, this is for you. You will read the first book and then the next and the next. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys YA fantasy.
Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated The Iron Hunt (Hunter Kiss, #1) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
<i>The Iron Hunt</i> is a beautifully written book with some interesting twists on established fantasy memes. To some extent, I felt that I'd come in to the world on book 2 or 3, but as far as I know (and from what Amazon says) this is the first book of the Hunter Kiss series. There was a bit of Buffy and a little Witchblade, with other elements I'm sure I'm overlooking.
For once, it's good to see a novel in which an established couple has a seemingly-healthy relationship. Maxine and Grant have very different skills, but they work together well. That said, this is <b>not</b> a romance.
Edited to add: I just learned that there is, in fact, a prequel to this book in <i>The Wild Thing</i> anthology, which I hadn't heard of before. I'll certainly be looking for it.
For once, it's good to see a novel in which an established couple has a seemingly-healthy relationship. Maxine and Grant have very different skills, but they work together well. That said, this is <b>not</b> a romance.
Edited to add: I just learned that there is, in fact, a prequel to this book in <i>The Wild Thing</i> anthology, which I hadn't heard of before. I'll certainly be looking for it.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2662 KP) rated The Edge of Dreams (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #14) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Molly is involved in a train accident, but a note that her husband, police detective Daniel Sullivan, receives leads them to believe it might not have been an accident and Molly might have been the target. Meanwhile, Molly’s friend and neighbor Gus asks for help with a young girl who is experiencing horrible nightmares.
This series is always a great way to travel back to early 1900’s New York City, and this book is no exception. The plot starts out strongly, and the pace never lags. The characters are charming as always, and their continued growth is enjoyable to watch. I’ve been a fan since the first book, and this is another winner.
NOTE: I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-edge-of-dreams-by-rhys.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This series is always a great way to travel back to early 1900’s New York City, and this book is no exception. The plot starts out strongly, and the pace never lags. The characters are charming as always, and their continued growth is enjoyable to watch. I’ve been a fan since the first book, and this is another winner.
NOTE: I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-edge-of-dreams-by-rhys.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
David McK (3918 KP) rated The Cost of Victory (Crimson Worlds #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The second novel in [a:Jay Allan|1024374|Jay Allan|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s 'Crimson Worlds' military sci-fi series, this (I felt) was a marked improvement over the previous entry; over [b:Marines|16050877|Marines (Crimson Worlds #1)|Jay Allan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348800025s/16050877.jpg|21833513].
A largwe part of the reason for that, I feel, is due to the increased scope: told in the more familiar third-person narrative than in the first person, with that decision wideningo ut the scope of what can be conveyed: no longer are we restricted solely to what impacts on the central character himself.
That's not to say this is perfect - certain sections did have me (virtually) rolling my eyes in disbelief, and required ever greater a suspension of disbelief than normal - but this was definitely a more enjoyable read than it's predecessor.
A largwe part of the reason for that, I feel, is due to the increased scope: told in the more familiar third-person narrative than in the first person, with that decision wideningo ut the scope of what can be conveyed: no longer are we restricted solely to what impacts on the central character himself.
That's not to say this is perfect - certain sections did have me (virtually) rolling my eyes in disbelief, and required ever greater a suspension of disbelief than normal - but this was definitely a more enjoyable read than it's predecessor.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Faust (1926) in Movies
Oct 28, 2019
You can't really judge a film this old (93 years and counting) by modern standards, as it is the product of an entirely different sensibility and is in a mode we rarely see nowadays - it's not naturalistic and doesn't want to be, instead presenting an almost impressionistic series of images as it tells its story.
You might expect it to be slow and heavy, but for the first hour and a bit this rattles along at a tremendous pace - the Devil makes a bet with an Archangel for the soul of the alchemist Faust, granting him eternal youth, wealth, worldly pleasures, and so on. It's still visually impressive and often unexpectedly funny (Emil Jannings as the Devil gives a great comic performance)- a bit earnest and melodramatic in places, but you kind of expect that. Very watchable - I hope I look this good when I'm 93.
You might expect it to be slow and heavy, but for the first hour and a bit this rattles along at a tremendous pace - the Devil makes a bet with an Archangel for the soul of the alchemist Faust, granting him eternal youth, wealth, worldly pleasures, and so on. It's still visually impressive and often unexpectedly funny (Emil Jannings as the Devil gives a great comic performance)- a bit earnest and melodramatic in places, but you kind of expect that. Very watchable - I hope I look this good when I'm 93.
David McK (3918 KP) rated Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) in Movies
Aug 11, 2019
Oft-forgot-about (or so it seems) 4th instalment in Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean series, this is the one with Penelope Cruz that also sees Jack set off to find the Fountain of Youth: the Fountain itself also sought after by both English and Spanish factions, and by the notorious pirate Blackbeard (as portrayed by Ian McShane) who, here, also dabbles in Vodoo and is also (inexplicably) able to control his ship the Queen Anne's revenge by magic.
With no Orlando Bloom or Kiera Knightley in sight, the focus on this one is firmly on Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow (a character who initially, remember, way back in the first film, was not the main focus), although it has to be said that his Keith Richards schtick is perhaps getting old by this point in the franchise.
Standout sequence of the film? That would be the Whit Cap bay mermaid bit.
With no Orlando Bloom or Kiera Knightley in sight, the focus on this one is firmly on Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow (a character who initially, remember, way back in the first film, was not the main focus), although it has to be said that his Keith Richards schtick is perhaps getting old by this point in the franchise.
Standout sequence of the film? That would be the Whit Cap bay mermaid bit.
Gerry Anderson Collectables
Book
This book covers the whole range of collectables from the Gerry Anderson shows, from the 1960s to...