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The Bond (The Secret Tales #1)
The Bond (The Secret Tales #1)
Vicki Stiefel, Sanna Brand | 2023 | Romance
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
absolutely LOVED the slow burn/fade to back/very little smexy times!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Historical romance has always been a bit hit and miss for me, I tend to get annoyed with all the rules and regs of the time, but, strangely, that's what I liked about this one!

Because Rosie (to only Rhys and NO ONE else!) kind of flaunts the rules. She pushes the boundaries and smashes down the expectations for ladies of her time.

Given her secret, and how she dealt with that in the past, it's understandable she doesn't want anyone to push her into anything, certainly not a marriage to Penworth, the odious man. Rose's male parental unit (I refuse to call him her father!) is a nasty piece of work, but he does get his comeuppence!

I loved that Rose and Rhys have history, from when they were children. I loved that we get some of that history in flashbacks. It helps you paint the picture of how Rose and Rhys came to be.

And I absolutely LOVED the slow burn/fade to back/very little smexy times that this book has. Hardly surprising given Rose's past, but I loved that Rhys loved Rosie enough to WAIT for her, to come to him, when she wanted more from him.

Quite a lot of angst in this book, for Rose as well as Rhys. I liked that Rhys was able to articulate his feelings for Rose, since men of that time were not expected to be able to do that.

Given the bit at the end, I expect that one of Rose's sister's will be next and I look forward to reading it,

I wrote 4 stars at the top of the page, but I can't find a single thing wrong with it, so. .

5 full and shiny stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Three Hours
Three Hours
8
8.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
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<b><i>Three hours is 180 minutes or 10,800 seconds.
It is a morning’s lessons, a dress rehearsal of Macbeth, a snowy trek through the woods.
It’s an eternity waiting for news. Or a countdown to something terrible.
It is 180 minutes to discover who you will die for and what men will kill for.</i></b>

I am glad I got the chance to be part of the blog tour for Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton. I was reading this book while I was on a plane, travelling to Macedonia, and it was a great adventure all the way through. In all honesty, I enjoyed it a lot, but it didn’t make my favourites list.

A school is under a siege and the headmaster has been shot. The story is being told from the point of view of everyone involved – the students, the teachers, the worried parents, the investigators, even the bad guys… Different people are hiding in different places in the school, all hoping this is just a dream.

During the book, we follow a few story lines:

*Hannah, the teenage girl who is in love for the first time, trying to help the wounded headmaster.
*Rafi and his younger brother Basi, Syrian refugees, still suffering from PTSD.
*The parents that are gathered together, desperate for news that their children are safe.
*The police psychologist and investigators, who are trying to identify the gunmen.
*The students hiding in the school theatre, who rely on a Shakespeare play to calm themselves.

As the chapters go through, the time passes and we get a better glimpse of the whole picture, and the story behind the whole attack of the school. It is very nicely written and amazingly put together.

The ending was unpredictable.

I loved the ending. Even though I had a lot of guesses, and I desperately tried to convince myself that the person responsible couldn’t possibly be the guilty one, the book proved me wrong in the most unpredictable way possible. The book’s ending is the ending you have been waiting for in a thriller for a very long time, and I was quite pleased for a few days after reading it.

Throughout the book, you will get hundreds of small clues that you won’t even notice, and in the end it will all make sense. I may have to read this book again, just to enjoy all those little hidden clues throughout the way and cherish them for the amazing clues they were. Also, to simply mock my inability to spot them as well.
  
Creatrix Rising: Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women
Creatrix Rising: Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women
Stephanie Raffelock | 2021 | Mind, Body & Spiritual
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
There was something about the synopsis of Creatrix Rising by Stephanie Raffelock that really sucked me in. When I read it, I knew that it was a book I would fall in love with. I wasn't wrong!

Creatrix Rising is full of great anecdotes. Reading them, I really felt like I was getting to know the author. Stephanie Raffelock does not hold back in some of the stories which helps to make her book all the more real. While reading, I felt as if Stephanie stripped herself down to her soul for me to see and bared it all especially while reading about her time as a teenager in Los Angeles. Reading Creatrix Rising made me want to actually meet Stephanie Raffelock because she just seems like such an inspiration and an amazing woman! In fact, reading some of what happened in Stephanie's life sort of paralleled mine.

Stephanie Raffelock does a fantastic job at describing what a "creatrix" is. She writes "Creatrix is a distinctly feminine word that simply means a woman who makes things." Raffelock says the world creatrix should replace crone which has such a negative connotation, and I agree! From there, Raffelock gives us plenty of personal stories about different women she has come across in her life that fit the creatrix characteristics. In each story, I felt like I was getting to know these women. I wanted to know these women. Stephanie Raffelock's writing is so beautiful and descriptive. It's hard not to feel like her stories are yours. In fact, it was difficult to not picture different women in my life that fit the bill of a creatrix. I put this down to Raffelock's wonderful writing. She definitely knows how to get her point across in such a sweet and beautiful way. Raffelock also teaches us that there is no shame in getting older and how we really should embrace aging as it's not a bad thing at all but quite the opposite.

Another thing I really loved about Creatrix Rising is at the end of each chapter, there is a section entitled "For Reflection, Activity, and Journaling." This section summarizes the main point of each chapter and asks a few in depth questions for the reader to ponder on. Be prepared to have a journal next to you because you will want to answer these questions. They will really make you think long and hard and look deeper into yourself and others. It's such a great and relaxing mental exercise. At the end of the book, if you decide to write down your answers to Stephanie Raffelock's questions, you will have your own little mini book either to keep for yourself or to share with others. If you need a little bit of help, Raffelock lists some fantastic resources to help you on your journey. I also feel that these questions would be great for a book group's discussion if this was a book picked for a book group which I would totally recommend that!

If you decide to read Creatrix Rising (which you really should), here's my personal advice. Do NOT skip the epilogue. Stephanie Raffelock says that she wrote this book in 2020 when the Corona Virus had just really taken off. Raffelock's epilogue for Creatrix Rising is all about the Corona Virus, but she uses symbolism painting the Corona Virus as a beautiful woman that takes everyone by surprise. My jaw was on the floor the whole time I was reading the epilogue. Again, Raffelock's talent for writing really did shine through in her epilogue. I would have never thought to compare Corona Virus to a beautiful woman, but reading Stephanie's story, I realized just how right she was.

Trigger warnings for Creatrix Rising include profanity, some drug use, death, some violence, and some politics.

All in all, Creatrix Rising is a beautiful masterpiece of a book that will leave its reader thinking of all the women in their life that they have come across and how these women have affected them. Although this book mentions unlocking the power of midlife women, I really think men would enjoy it just as much as they also think about the women that have touched their lives. I would definitely recommend Creatrix Rising by Stephanie Raffelock to everyone aged 18+ who are after a beautifully written book that will really make them think.
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(A special thank you to Lone Star Literary Life and Stephanie Raffelock for providing me with a hardcover of Creatrix Rising in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)
  
The Poppy War (The Poppy War #1)
The Poppy War (The Poppy War #1)
R.F. Kuang | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
9.3 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
Have you ever read a book that is so good you don't know what to say about it? It's taken me almost two weeks to even attempt this review because I just don't know what to write. The Poppy War is your typical story of downtrodden, disadvantaged girl testing into the highest school in the land and gaining the opportunities and privileges that come with that, but then the book takes a sharp twist into war. Rin doesn't exactly get the most typical of educations, even before war breaks out. And when war breaks out, the school is disbanded, the students getting flung all over the land to where the government thinks they will help the most. For Rin, that's joining The Cike. The Bizarre Children. The division of people who can do....things. Things the rest of the military isn't comfortable with. The Cike can call on the powers of gods, and doing so makes them not-quite-untouchables. Rin, who was never short on resentment before this, grows ever more resentful.

Rin is an interesting character; she's been hard done by, yes, but she makes decisions that only make things harder on herself. So I feel for her a little, but at the same time, girl. Check yourself. What's been done to you doesn't justify what you plan to do to others. I am hoping she comes to see that in the next book, because her rage and need for vengeance definitely gets the best of her in this one.

The Poppy War is an excellently written blend of military fantasy, epic fantasy, and coming-of-age novel. Unlike some books, where the military aspect far overshadows the characters, leaving them flat, Poppy War doesn't ignore the characters to focus on the bigger picture. It's a very good mix of both close-up focus on characters, fights, battles, and zoomed-out strategy and war. It's probably the best military fantasy I've read, and the Asian aspect of it makes it even better. So much military fantasy is western European, or Steampunk, or both. I've been finding more and more Asian and African fantasy, and I am SO HERE FOR IT. I need to try to find more South American fantasy. I know it's out there.

I will definitely be watching for the next book in this series, because it's awesome.

You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com
  
40x40

Ross (3284 KP) Oct 10, 2018

Great review. I have heard good things about this, and it has just leapt up my pile.

Talented (Talented Saga, #1)
Talented (Talented Saga, #1)
Sophie Davis | 2012 | Dystopia, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
3.5 stars.

*I received this copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
&nbsp;
Yet again I was drawn to the cover. Then I checked out the synopsis and I thought, &ldquo;This should be good!&rdquo; So I requested to read it and got the go ahead several days ago.
&nbsp;
I&rsquo;ll admit it took me a good 20%-25% to really get into it, mainly because of all the description and back story that was thrown in, but once that was out of the way I got quite into it.
&nbsp;
Character wise, I have to admit that for the first 40% or so that Talia annoyed me. She seemed rather whiney and didn&rsquo;t like it when Donovan or others didn&rsquo;t go along with what she wanted to happen. At the same time Donovan seemed off, himself, though the reason behind that soon came to light. One person I did like was Erik,&nbsp;one third&nbsp;of Talia&rsquo;s Hunter team. I liked him from the start but there was one scene; one lovely scene involving him and Talia after a mission that made me almost fall for him. It was so sweet. Then there&rsquo;s Henri, the last member, and leader of their team. He seemed like a pretty great guy, taking care of them on missions and making sure they were up to scratch with their mental and physical abilities.
&nbsp;
The world building was pretty good, with lots of detail to help you picture it in your head.
I was waiting for&nbsp;Natalia&rsquo;s showdown with Ian Crane for most of the book, since that was what the synopsis mentioned, and it&nbsp;was mentioned in the last 30%, though the mission itself actually started with about 15% of the book to go.
&nbsp;
As usual, I choose books for the romance aspect and I wasn&rsquo;t disappointed. The thing between Talia and Erik was really good when it got going.
&nbsp;
Overall, I liked this but the information overload at the beginning and the annoying character traits knocked it down half a star for me. A good first book into the series, though. I&rsquo;m not in any hurry to continue the series but I may read the second book at some point.
  
    Cullen IELTS 7+

    Cullen IELTS 7+

    Education and Games

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Judging Duke (Liverpool Boys #4)
Judging Duke (Liverpool Boys #4)
Alex J Adams | 2024 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Well done, Alex, seriously well done.
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 4 in the Liverpool Boys series. I STRONGLY recommend you read the previous three books before this one. It will give you a better picture of this group of men, and how they came to be in Liverpool and be friends. This *CAN* be read as a stand alone book, but I personally think you would get more out of it, if you read the others first.

I *AGAIN* quote my review for Ziggy : Well done, Alex, seriously well done.

Ziggy and Beau are dark, very dark reads and Liam's was a much lighter one. This book sits somewhere between them.

There are dark moments: what happened to Duke when he left for Liverpool wasn't easy reading. But I LOVED that we were kept waiting for the full story! You try to piece the clues together, and I got them wrong, and I thoroughly lost it for Duke when he tells Simon what happened. I cried, a lot, for Duke and I really didn't think I was going to for a time. I cried for the others too, so it was only fair!

Simon hasn't had a good time: slipping into porn wasn't his plan, but his brother, Robbie, needed the care only that sort of money could give him. The hatred he carries for Duke, after Robbie's accident was jumping off the page, but he does get over it, in spectacular fashion!

I loved that they talked, you know? Really talked about things and once the air was cleared, they jumped into a relationship that no one saw coming.

I loved that we were able to catch up with Ziggy and Mark; Beau and Kwan also take part here and while Liam and John are mentioned, they don't take part here.

A very fitting end, that sees all 4 boys happy and settled and so much in the love they never thought possible, given their histories.

I can't quite say Ms Adams saved the best for last, cos Ziggy will forever hold that spot but it's a close run thing!

Be mindful of the triggers.

5 full and shiny stars, but wish I could give more!

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Christa&#039;s Obsession (Obsession #3)
Christa's Obsession (Obsession #3)
JP Sayle | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I really loved watching Wanda give herself to Christa, emotionally more than physically, to be honest.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 3 in the Obsessions series, and there is some overlap between this and the previous two books. I think you *SHOULD* read them before this one. Silas is Wanda's brother and it will give you a better picture of the dryad/tree relationship. Wanda's is quite different.

After being kidnapped by demons and rescued, Wanda wants nothing to do with the entire demonkind. But her brother is mated to one, and Dakata saved her life, along with a couple of others. But why, at the back of her mind, is Christa lurking? She is Dakata's sister but Wnada cannot remember her being at her rescue. And then, they touch, and both ladies know the other is their Blissful One. But Wanda hates demons? How can she be mated to one??

Ms Sayle writes MM books, has done for a while and I have followed her from the beginning. THIS is her first foray into FF books, and I was mighty, MIGHTY curious about Wanda and her trees in both previous books, so pairing those two things together, made me fully immerse myself into this book.

I was NOT disappointed! I loved how it all played out between Christa and Wanda, I really did!

Oh, and the trees?? All FEMALE trees, which I don't believe was mentioned in earlier books. And those trees know just how to please their dryad, and her demon mate! I will never look at a peach in the same way :-) Steamy and smexy, that's what these two ladies are, along with the peach trees and I really thought Sayle nailed those scenes.

This book is mostly about Wanda letting go of her fears and fully committing to Christa. The visit from the Demon King, Asmodeus, helps a great deal, and the family dinner with Christa's siblings does too. I really loved watching Wanda give herself to Christa, emotionally more than physically, to be honest.

Given the epilogue, and what I've seen about the next two books, they all overlap somewhat. I actually liked that. It's a bit different, is all, and gives spoilers for future books.

I absolutely cannot fault this, I really can't!

5 full and shiny stars!

*same worded review will appear elsewhere