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graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Shakespeare's Christmas (A Lily Bard Mystery, #3) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
The weakest entry so far, but still not a bad read. The book takes place out of Shakespeare and in Lily's hometown of Bartley, which it was nice to learn more about her family and other background info. She's still prickly and ill-suited to normal human interactions, but she is trying. I hope by the end of the series, she'll be even closer to fully healing. Lily's relationship with Jack is interesting and weird, but they're still figuring things out, and have similar feelings towards committment it seems. The mystery could have been stretched into a longer book and not wrapped up so quickly, but it didn't bother me very much. In the end, it was a fast and easy story, and a good but not great third book in the Lily Bard series.
<b><i>3.5 stars</i></b>
<b><i>3.5 stars</i></b>
Awix (3310 KP) rated If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) in Movies
Feb 23, 2019 (Updated Feb 24, 2019)
Barry Jenkins' follow-up to Moonlight manages to be utterly gorgeous and profoundly moving while also being serious and thoughtful. A young black man is arrested for a crime he couldn't have committed (but you try telling the authorities that); the film backtracks to show his relationship with his girlfriend and details her life after his imprisonment, when she learns she is pregnant with his child.
A film of extraordinarily restrained anger and tremendous tenderness and delicacy; the non-linear storytelling structure and emphasis on character and atmosphere over plot may not be to everyone's taste, but every frame of this movie has clearly had serious thought devoted to it, and the performances are uniformly excellent. Would have been a vastly more worthy Oscar nominee than most of the films on the 2019 Best Picture shortlist.
A film of extraordinarily restrained anger and tremendous tenderness and delicacy; the non-linear storytelling structure and emphasis on character and atmosphere over plot may not be to everyone's taste, but every frame of this movie has clearly had serious thought devoted to it, and the performances are uniformly excellent. Would have been a vastly more worthy Oscar nominee than most of the films on the 2019 Best Picture shortlist.
Cori June (3033 KP) rated Smoke and Mirrors in Books
Mar 22, 2019
Smokey (2 more)
real characters
mildly racy (she's a prostitute)
When did this happen moments (1 more)
mildly racy (she's a prostitute)
Contains spoilers, click to show
Racy in that yes the main character is a prostitute there are sex scenes. The book opens with her at work. The scenes are tame, Lindskold gives just enough information for you to fill in the blanks as wanted, so no porn on paper.
The characters have real reactions. Although sometimes you feel like "oh this is now happening or when did this happen?" exspecially when it comes to Clarence and Smokey's relationship.
I think Bonny's nicknamesare cute however some people may not feel the same.
There are gay and lesbian characters (normally I won't say but I have a friend that wanted to.know of more books that had such characters)
Plus my favorite scene is Smokey dancing with Fox.
The characters have real reactions. Although sometimes you feel like "oh this is now happening or when did this happen?" exspecially when it comes to Clarence and Smokey's relationship.
I think Bonny's nicknamesare cute however some people may not feel the same.
There are gay and lesbian characters (normally I won't say but I have a friend that wanted to.know of more books that had such characters)
Plus my favorite scene is Smokey dancing with Fox.
Obsessed book reviews (49 KP) rated Fracture in Books
May 7, 2019
this is the first book by this author that I've read and I couldn't wait to start it after reading the blurb. this is a beautifully written book, it has a feeling of sadness to it which makes the story very black and white in places. the story will have you on the edge from the start to the finish. the relationship between the two characters is fully explored within the book. this book is a fantastic read and I couldnt put it down till id finished it, the story really sucks you in and keeps a hold of you till the end, leaving you wanting more, I was definitely sad when it had finished, I really wanted it to carry on. I cant wait to read more from this author.
highly recommended
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highly recommended
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated Wedding Cake Murder (Hannah Swensen, #19) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Hannah Swensen is getting married in just a few weeks, but first she has the dessert competition that her sisters signed her up for. It turns out this televised competition is anything but sweet when the backstage tension leads to murder. Can Hannah solve the case before she gets married?
The baking competition allowed food to be brought into the book seamlessly, and the competition itself was plenty of fun. It’s always great to revisit the characters, too. The murder takes a back seat early on, but it gets plenty of focus as we rush toward the ending. I do hope the wedding sticks because, while it was rushed, I do love the potential I see in this character and relationship.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-wedding-cake-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The baking competition allowed food to be brought into the book seamlessly, and the competition itself was plenty of fun. It’s always great to revisit the characters, too. The murder takes a back seat early on, but it gets plenty of focus as we rush toward the ending. I do hope the wedding sticks because, while it was rushed, I do love the potential I see in this character and relationship.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-wedding-cake-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated The Quick And The Dead (Jack Prester Mysteries #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Jack and Ev are sent to Great Smokey Mountains when the superintendent is poisoned. Then someone shoots at her replacement. What do these women have in common and why is someone out to kill them?
A couple of sub-plots take over a little bit in this one, but overall it’s a solid mystery. Things do come together at the end, which is nice. What I really love are Jack and Ev and how their relationship continues to grow and change. Ev’s journey especially continues here. And the thoughts on prayer woven through the book are great as well.
NOTE: This book was published in the 90’s as The Quick and the Dead and recently rereleased as the ebook Great Smokies.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-great-smokies-by-sandy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
A couple of sub-plots take over a little bit in this one, but overall it’s a solid mystery. Things do come together at the end, which is nice. What I really love are Jack and Ev and how their relationship continues to grow and change. Ev’s journey especially continues here. And the thoughts on prayer woven through the book are great as well.
NOTE: This book was published in the 90’s as The Quick and the Dead and recently rereleased as the ebook Great Smokies.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-great-smokies-by-sandy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The story follows Paisley Parker in her journey through the lifestyle and blackmail. Paisley was down to earth and raw. She gave zero clucks about what anyone thought of her. She loved women and men.
Calvin was ok he didn’t do anything for me. Don’t get me wrong he was very attractive but he lacked that dominance I love in male characters.
This book wasn’t to my liking but it was a ok read. I learned somethings about myself. I don’t mind reading lifestyle stories because let’s face it w/w is hot. But I could never be in that type of relationship.
Both characters turned out really well and I am glad I had the chance to read this story. The author captured their personalities really well. I look forward to her next book. Because this one was well written and interesting.
Calvin was ok he didn’t do anything for me. Don’t get me wrong he was very attractive but he lacked that dominance I love in male characters.
This book wasn’t to my liking but it was a ok read. I learned somethings about myself. I don’t mind reading lifestyle stories because let’s face it w/w is hot. But I could never be in that type of relationship.
Both characters turned out really well and I am glad I had the chance to read this story. The author captured their personalities really well. I look forward to her next book. Because this one was well written and interesting.
Gail (4 KP) rated Escape Clause (Resort Romances #2) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Escape Clause by Mary Billiter
Four Stars
This story was seriously funny and sad at the same time. You have Ollie's family betraying him and each other. Then there is the family businesses that are failing. I like Ollie he is very sweet and loyal. He is the type of guy you want around when you have pms. Kelsey was a strong person and I give her mad props for putting up with the mess her son's father put in her way. On top of her family not supporting her and believing her. Their relationship was quirky and fun. Ollie treated her son like he was his and you have to appreciate anyone who steps into a rule for a child. I enjoyed the story and how the author twisted the plot. The characters were relatable and well written.
Four Stars
This story was seriously funny and sad at the same time. You have Ollie's family betraying him and each other. Then there is the family businesses that are failing. I like Ollie he is very sweet and loyal. He is the type of guy you want around when you have pms. Kelsey was a strong person and I give her mad props for putting up with the mess her son's father put in her way. On top of her family not supporting her and believing her. Their relationship was quirky and fun. Ollie treated her son like he was his and you have to appreciate anyone who steps into a rule for a child. I enjoyed the story and how the author twisted the plot. The characters were relatable and well written.
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Affair - Season 1 in TV
Aug 24, 2018
Excellent gripping drama/mystery. The lives of Noah's family and Alison's family become entangled when the bored wannabe author falls for the free spirit, but damaged, waitress. Brilliant depiction of the thrill and excitement of a new relationship but also the hurt inflicted on others as that is revealed.
There is also two timeframes on the go here, which took a little getting used to - one showing the story unravelling, the other future time frame showing the investigation of a murder.
The story is told from two points of view in each episode, giving both characters' sides of the story but also adding in an interesting perspective that each person perceives events differently (what clothes people were wearing, how interactions went etc).
Slightly disappointing ending in that the murder was not solved but this leads nicely in to season 2.
There is also two timeframes on the go here, which took a little getting used to - one showing the story unravelling, the other future time frame showing the investigation of a murder.
The story is told from two points of view in each episode, giving both characters' sides of the story but also adding in an interesting perspective that each person perceives events differently (what clothes people were wearing, how interactions went etc).
Slightly disappointing ending in that the murder was not solved but this leads nicely in to season 2.
Joelene Marie (28 KP) rated Separate Lives in Books
Oct 1, 2018
I absolutely loved Separate Lives! I was hooked from page one by the writing style. The characters were well developed and relatable in a lot of ways, tho I wasn't fond of Pippa and her intentions toward Alex. I could also identify with Susie quite a bit tho I wish she'd had more backbone in dealing with Alex at the end of their relationship. The entire time I was reading this book I was so engrossed that it almost felt like the characters were friends of mine. The ending answered a few questions but it left me wanting to know how things wound up with Susie and Will. Overall I truly enjoyed my time with these great characters and will be looking forward to more from this author. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!