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Against the Loveless World
Against the Loveless World
Susan Abulhawa | 2020 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Against the Loveless World is an emotional and stark view into the world of Nahr, a Palestinian refugee. She is narrating her own story from The Cube, an inhumane prison cell designed by the Israelis, where she is a political prisoner. Nahr tells her story from her beginnings in Kuwait, and how her family were once again forced to become refugees. She tries to help her family however she can, even prostituting herself with violent men at one point. But her family never go without.

When she returns to Palestine to her husband’s family in order to divorce him, she meets his brother and falls in love. However, this is the start of more problems for her, as she becomes radicalised.

It did seem hard to believe that she had quite so many problems and terrible things happen to her, but I’ve since read that Nahr’s character is an amalgamation of several real-life stories. So, in a way, it reassured me that one person couldn’t experience ALL of these things, whilst at the same time I felt so sad that anyone could experience ANY of these things.

I couldn’t put this book down, though. It’s a fascinating, yet horrifying novel, and not something that I’ve read about in fiction before - and I’m so glad that I have.
  
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Merissa (13398 KP) rated Driven (Reflections, #9) in Books

Apr 6, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)  
Driven (Reflections, #9)
Driven (Reflections, #9)
Dean Murray | 2014 | Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The books by Dean Murray and Eldon Murphy (same person) finally collide in Driven and it works perfectly! With having the two previous stories detailing Geoffrey's life, you get a real feel for what he is trying to do and how he's acting. From the books detailing Jasmin's participation in Alec's pack, you can completely understand how the frustration and exhaustion would be affecting Jasmin. This book answers questions that were raised by the books prior to this one but you are still left with new questions that need answers.

This series is one of the most entertaining ones that I have read and the attention to detail is astounding. These books flow, are easy to read and you are never bored. There is so much action but it is perfectly balanced. You don't feel like you are thrown from one scenario to another.

I loved this book and have been waiting for it very (im)patiently but it was definitely worth the wait. Highly recommended to all Dean Murray/Eldon Murphy fans and fans of the YA, Fantasy or Paranormal genres.
 
* 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!
August 13, 2016
  
Slow Motion (Pet Play by the Lake)
Slow Motion (Pet Play by the Lake)
BJ Cox | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
SLOW MOTION is part of the Pet Play by the Lake series and is the first book by this author I have read.

To be honest, it didn't work as well for me as some of the others. I get that 'real life' can get in the way of a relationship, but the time our two MCs spent apart was more than together, or so it felt. I also didn't get how Dale suddenly became a sloth and a boy. All it took was one comment and he's there. The whole relationship between Dale and Troy just felt a bit off, and that's not even taking into account how it ended with Leif!

The best part of this story were the Misfits. I loved each and every one of the characters and how they all came together.

I thought the premise of this story was a good one, with some brilliant characters, but I found the two main characters to be quite disappointing with their actions and behaviour.

And I still have absolutely no idea what a sloth does apart from hug people!

** 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!
May 1, 2023
  
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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Mar 4, 2022  
Sneak a peek at the paranormal cozy mystery GHOST AGENTS by Jemima Pett on my blog, and enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of the book - 3 winners!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2022/03/book-blitz-and-giveaway-ghost-agents.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
An organization that has operated in secret for centuries... a mystery that threatens to burn it all to the ground… and she’s the only agent who can stop it…

To the residents and tourists of Galveston Island, Claire Abelard is the friendly young woman who works at the local candy store by day and leads ghost tours of the island’s haunted locations by night. They don’t realize this persona is a cover for Claire’s real job as an agent of the Bureau for Historical Preservation, a clandestine organization that monitors and assists energy projections, or the entities more commonly known as “ghosts.”

When projections begin disappearing from around the island, Claire worries that history may be repeating itself. She launches a dangerous investigation and uncovers a sinister, arcane organization whose agenda threatens not only Galveston’s ghosts, but everything she has worked her whole life to protect.

The truth behind the disappearances rocks Claire’s world to its core and shows her that ghosts aren’t the only things that can come back to haunt you.
     
TI
The Imperfect Art of Caring
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
90 of 220
Book
The Imperfect Art of Caring
By Jessica Ryn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

er talks about herself. She’s friendly but doesn’t have many real friends. She’s become good at keeping people at a distance ever since she left home at eighteen and never looked back.

But when Violet is forced to return home to care for her estranged mother, Glenys, she quickly finds out that life as a carer isn’t easy. Feeling overwhelmed, she’s forced to turn to the other local carers, including childhood friend, Adam, for help.

Although returning home still feels like a mistake, maybe it will help Violet right some wrongs. After all, she can’t keep running from her past forever, and in learning to look after others, perhaps Violet can start to finally love herself…

I’m becoming a big fan of Jessica Ryn she has a way of writing that hits all the feels. This one didn’t disappoint either, this is a story from the other side especially when my husband is my carer I felt every word of this book on a personal level. Such a joy to read especially when I’ve been on a thriller and horror kick lately. It’s shows the ups and downs of caring for a loved one or helping a complete stranger. Highly recommend.
  
Love Me or Grieve Me
Love Me or Grieve Me
Diane Vallere | 2022 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Obituary Error Puts Madison in Danger
It all starts with a mix up in the paper. Addison Nigh, a once famous jazz singer, has died, but a small paper in town mixes it up with Madison Night, and other papers pick up on the error. Naturally, this creates problems for Madison since banks freeze her accounts and clients cancel appointments, or don’t show up at all.

But Madison can’t help but be curious about Addison. As she begins to meet the woman’s friends and family, she stumbles over a dead body. Can Madison figure out what is really going on?

I always love it when an author comes up with a creative premise for a mystery, and this is one of those. It leads to so much happening that it is hard to put down. I couldn’t figure out which thread was important until Madison figured it out at the end. The premise also allows us to see real growth in Madison and her relationship with her boyfriend, which I enjoyed. There are some great comic moments as well. Fans of Doris Day movies will not only recognize the title but also some of the details in Addison’s life, but that’s only a jumping off point. Anyone who enjoys a great mystery will be glad they picked this one up.