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Balance (Matefinder #3)
Balance (Matefinder #3)
Leia Stone | 2016 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
136 of 250
Kindle
Balance ( Matefinder book 3)
By Leia Stone

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

Ever since Kai revealed the supernatural race to the humans, riots and chaos have reigned down on Mount Hood. Aurora is going crazy just sitting around and waiting for Layla to show up so that Aurora can finish her task and kill her, bringing peace to her pack. Kai does everything in his power to keep Aurora safe and confined on the heavily guarded mountain. But he should know that no one can really keep Aurora from the things she wants in life. She is determined to find Layla and end this war, forever. But at what cost?


I have enjoyed this series so much! The last book did not disappoint it was full of emotion and strong women! I love the was Leia writes here supernaturals they are just so refreshing. Can’t wait to be reading more from the spin off series excited to see what the next Generation brings!
  
SL
Shadow Lands ( The Warrior Chronicles 3)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
101 of 220
Kindle
Shadow Lands (The Warrior Chronicles 3)
By K.F. Breene
⭐️⭐️⭐️

In order to finally claim her title of Chosen and lead the Shadow People out of the Land of Mist, Shanti must make it through a century's old system to test her battle awareness, her fighting skill, and her ability to stay alive. She's about to enter The Trials, and she must do it alone.

Separated from Shanti on a dangerous island, Cayan must learn to use his mental skill while keeping his men safe from the people set out to kill them. But as more Inkna and Graygual flood the island, Cayan hears of a sinister force deep in the woods, rigging The Trials and killing any who venture too close.

It is now a race against time. The battle to become the Chosen has begun, and the victor is anything but decided.

Out of the 3 so far this one is the better of them. It had more story and the characters less annoying. I actually found myself liking it.
  
Fearless and Free: A Memoir by Josephine Baker
Fearless and Free: A Memoir by Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker | 2025 | Biography
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fearless and Free is a really interesting memoir, told through the interviews that journalist Marcel Sauvage had with Josephine Baker. And what a life she had!

Born in 1906, mixed race, Josephine made it from St. Louis to New York and then on to Paris - and she was still a teenager. She became famous in Paris for her banana dress in the Danse Sauvage, and she was also a jazz singer and an actress. During WW2 she was a spy, she loved animals, adopted children and donated to many causes.

This memoir ends in 1949, so we don’t get any details about her involvement in the Civil Rights movement, but we do see what happens when she travels home to the US - and it’s not good. Her reception is the complete opposite to the way she’s received in Europe.

When reading this, Josephine’s voice shines through. Her vivacious, fun, tenacious personality is there throughout, which does make up for the non-linear accounts.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
  
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ClareR (6238 KP) rated Our Evenings in Books

Nov 2, 2025  
Our Evenings
Our Evenings
Alan Hollinghurst | 2024 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a beautifully written, thoroughly captivating read. I seem to have collected a number of Hollinghurst novels on my shelves and not read them - because I just knew I would love them. I did love Our Evenings, and now I need to get to it and read the others!

This is a coming of age story, and follows the life of Dave Win, a half Burmese actor. It starts when he wins a scholarship to a top boarding school. His widowed mother, a dressmaker, would never be able to afford to send him. The world is opened up to Dave - or is it?

This is a story of class, privilege, racism and Dave growing up to understand his homosexuality in a time where it was illegal. The contrast of his old school mate/ bully’s life of affluence and privilege as an MP, and his as a struggling actor (because of the lack of parts for mixed race actors) is stark.

It really is an excellent read and I’d recommend it wholeheartedly. I couldn’t, and didn’t want to, put it down.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Europa in Books

Mar 4, 2026 (Updated Mar 4, 2026)  
Europa
Europa
James Ponti | 2026 | Children
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Race to Find the Target
Since the City Spies have relocated from Scotland to London, it means they can get some special training from those higher up in MI-6. The first such session involves looking at a coded message the agency has recently gotten. The City Spies quickly realize that the agents who had looked for it missed one thing - the targets are in Paris. But which of the potential targets is the real one? Can the team figure it out in time?

This is another excellent book in the series. While I didn’t feel there was a spotlighted character, each did get a moment to shine and grow, and the team shone as a whole. The plot slowed down a time or two early on, but it was never for long. Instead, I got caught up in the action multiple times. And the humor continued to make me smile and laugh. I also appreciated that the code brought in Renaissance painters and Shakespeare without really slowing things down. This is another book that all ages will enjoy.