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Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated Spider Bones (Temperance Brennan, #13) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Definitely not one of the best of the series. The science plot twist was a bit of a surprise, but the "who is this guy?" was telegraphed (for me, at least) pretty early on. I'm fairly tired of the on again, off again love thing with Ryan, but the depiction of Brennan's relationship with her young adult daughter is very accurate to this mother of a 20-year-old. Bringing in the "gangsta" angle seemed ridiculous to me, but I suppose there had to be some immediate danger somewhere to keep the publisher interested.
I still enjoy the television show <i>Bones</i> far more than the novels, which is unusual - but the show has more humor. I don't think I'd read novelizations based on the show, however, because a lot of the humor requires the chemistry between the actors as well as good scriptwriting. There are few authors who can translate that from screen to text.
I still enjoy the television show <i>Bones</i> far more than the novels, which is unusual - but the show has more humor. I don't think I'd read novelizations based on the show, however, because a lot of the humor requires the chemistry between the actors as well as good scriptwriting. There are few authors who can translate that from screen to text.
Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated Hope's Folly (Dock Five Universe, #3) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
As usual, too much romance for my tastes--but the rest made up for it. I keep reading Sinclair's work, even though it is largely romance, because she also has good plots and does a good job with character development. Unlike many authors, each of her main characters is a well-defined individual, not "another good guy" or "another beautiful-yet-insecure woman." There was a touch of beautiful-yet-insecure in Rya Bennton (SUCH an annoying clich@eacute;!), but she got past it.
Some of the things that annoy me the most are, apparently, standard romance memes. Having relationship problems just because nobody will say, "Hey, this is what I want and need, how about you?" is fairly realistic, but I'd love to see SOMEBODY in a book who has grown past that.
Anyway, this was a worthy read, and it does stand alone, but everything will make far more sense if you read the earlier books in the same universe.
Some of the things that annoy me the most are, apparently, standard romance memes. Having relationship problems just because nobody will say, "Hey, this is what I want and need, how about you?" is fairly realistic, but I'd love to see SOMEBODY in a book who has grown past that.
Anyway, this was a worthy read, and it does stand alone, but everything will make far more sense if you read the earlier books in the same universe.
Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated The White Road: The Nightrunner Series, Book 5 in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Thank goodness. A particular story arc is finally closed, spread over the length of this and the previous novel. It was interesting at first, then it got really tiresome. I will say that it was fairly unique, which is fairly rare, so kudos to Flewelling for that, and it really tested the relationship between Alec and Seregil while it lasted.
I'm not sure how much longer these books can stay fresh, although the world does offer more potential. Perhaps it's time for Flewelling to allow this couple to turn things over to a new generation? Their heritage does mean they'll be young enough for nightrunning for years to come, but that doesn't mean readers will stay interested in reading about them that long unless they go off to countries as yet unexplored. I, to be honest, would prefer to read stories including more female POV characters for a change. (I have nothing against gay male characters - I just like female characters, too.)
I'm not sure how much longer these books can stay fresh, although the world does offer more potential. Perhaps it's time for Flewelling to allow this couple to turn things over to a new generation? Their heritage does mean they'll be young enough for nightrunning for years to come, but that doesn't mean readers will stay interested in reading about them that long unless they go off to countries as yet unexplored. I, to be honest, would prefer to read stories including more female POV characters for a change. (I have nothing against gay male characters - I just like female characters, too.)
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2440 KP) rated The Last Detective (Elvis Cole, #9) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
While PI Elvis Cole is watching his girlfriend Lucy’s son, Ben is kidnapped. The caller says it is payback for something in Cole’s past, but he can’t figure out what that might be. As more people get involved in the case, the kidnapping puts a strain on Elvis’s relationship with Lucy. Can he find Ben?
This is a thrilling read from start to finish. Since we have gotten to know Lucy and Ben over the last couple of books, we care about the outcome here. I was so pulled in at the climax that I didn’t want to stop. The characters are strong as well, including Elvis and his partner Joe Pike. They are becoming more human. The flashbacks to Elvis’s past help with that, and they manage to be as engrossing as the main story instead of slowing it down.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-last-detective-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a thrilling read from start to finish. Since we have gotten to know Lucy and Ben over the last couple of books, we care about the outcome here. I was so pulled in at the climax that I didn’t want to stop. The characters are strong as well, including Elvis and his partner Joe Pike. They are becoming more human. The flashbacks to Elvis’s past help with that, and they manage to be as engrossing as the main story instead of slowing it down.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-last-detective-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Clare Parrott (294 KP) rated Hard to Hold (Black Ops Heros #1) in Books
Feb 13, 2018
The action starts from the very first page when Anna nearly comes to a sticky end with a lorry, laying in the hospital her next of kin (according to her passport, that she hadn't changed) Nick, her ex husband comes strolling back into her life, it's a love hate relationship and Anna hasn't seen him in 5 years.
This book made me want to bang their heads together, they're always bitching and snipping at each other. Always trying to get one over on the other and whatever Anna seems to do trouble always follows.
"I'm not exactly predisposed to granting you any favours right now, Anna. I can't believe some of the situations you get yourself into. Jesus, what are you? A gravitational force for trouble!"
It's infuriating, and I just wished they'd shut up and get on with it. Saying that, I did enjoy it, I thought it was well written and I would read other titles by this author.
This book made me want to bang their heads together, they're always bitching and snipping at each other. Always trying to get one over on the other and whatever Anna seems to do trouble always follows.
"I'm not exactly predisposed to granting you any favours right now, Anna. I can't believe some of the situations you get yourself into. Jesus, what are you? A gravitational force for trouble!"
It's infuriating, and I just wished they'd shut up and get on with it. Saying that, I did enjoy it, I thought it was well written and I would read other titles by this author.
Gail (4 KP) rated Life's Gateway to Happiness (Show Me, #2) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Life’s Gateway To Happiness by Anne Stone
Four Stars
This story was super adorable. The characters personalities were well throughout and they fit their roles perfectly. The story had a really nice flow to it. I enjoyed that the characters weren’t rushed. There was no instant relationship. It was a nice build up. Alec was dedicated and super sweet. Kelly was a little naïve in the beginning but I feel she grew throughout the story. I don’t like when previous characters take over the book. I like when they're put into scenes and we learn how their life has been. In this case she moves in with her sister so those characters have no choice but to be there. I just feel that the moments that the script turns to other characters we lose time on what the main characters are doing. Overall it was a good read and I would like to continue reading more of this authors books.
Four Stars
This story was super adorable. The characters personalities were well throughout and they fit their roles perfectly. The story had a really nice flow to it. I enjoyed that the characters weren’t rushed. There was no instant relationship. It was a nice build up. Alec was dedicated and super sweet. Kelly was a little naïve in the beginning but I feel she grew throughout the story. I don’t like when previous characters take over the book. I like when they're put into scenes and we learn how their life has been. In this case she moves in with her sister so those characters have no choice but to be there. I just feel that the moments that the script turns to other characters we lose time on what the main characters are doing. Overall it was a good read and I would like to continue reading more of this authors books.
Gail (4 KP) rated Pretty Reckless (Addicted Hearts, #1) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Pretty Reckless by Jane Anthony
Five Stars
OMG! Yes this book was amazing. The author really knew how to put her words into emotions that you could feel. I laughed, cried and felt a variety of emotions. I wanted to be a shoulder for them to lean on when life just couldn’t give them a break. Kat was destructive and wild. There wasn’t a moment when I didn’t fear for her. Her change was powerful. Chase was a vast ocean of issues. He gave so much to Kat that I worried he would end up back in that sea of addiction. They were so toxic together. One wanting so much for the other. And the other not knowing what they were worth. Even though their relationship was toxic they were perfect for each other. They were puzzle pieces connected by curves and edges. I really enjoyed this story and the way the author presented these characters to me.
Five Stars
OMG! Yes this book was amazing. The author really knew how to put her words into emotions that you could feel. I laughed, cried and felt a variety of emotions. I wanted to be a shoulder for them to lean on when life just couldn’t give them a break. Kat was destructive and wild. There wasn’t a moment when I didn’t fear for her. Her change was powerful. Chase was a vast ocean of issues. He gave so much to Kat that I worried he would end up back in that sea of addiction. They were so toxic together. One wanting so much for the other. And the other not knowing what they were worth. Even though their relationship was toxic they were perfect for each other. They were puzzle pieces connected by curves and edges. I really enjoyed this story and the way the author presented these characters to me.
Zach Smith (62 KP) rated Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) in Movies
May 29, 2018
The very best
The reboot of the reboot of our web slinger, this time around making Peter Parker with an actor who appears high school aged and not thirty something. It starts off without the origin which was a weird surprise but I think they believed the audience is well aware of how spidey got his powers so why not save some space and skip ahead to where he is experimenting being a superhero. Michael Keaton is cast as the Falcon but he is able to channel his badass side and make this character more than just a glider suite. The relationship between Tony Stark and Peter is cute and again the best part of this is Tom Hollands performance and youthfulness.
Emily Slomski (3 KP) rated Fortunate Son in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Narrative (2 more)
Voice!
History of CCR
Personal and Revealing Memoir of CCR's Front Man
John Fogerty welcomes us into his world and talks to us like a close friend. He doesn't shy away from the difficult topics. For those who had only a positive connotation for Creedence Clearwater Revival, this book will smash that perspective. Fogerty spends the majority of the book discussing the difficult relationships between the band members and the many ways that the recording company screwed the band, and particularly John Fogerty, over. There is much to get out of this book. While he spends a lot of time talking about the difficulties, he also talks about his childhood, his personal relationship with music, his wife, his friendships with people like Bruce Springsteen, and the fulfilling life he has built for himself today. I totally recommend this book for anyone interested in Fogerty, CCR, and/or classic rock and roll!
Louise (64 KP) rated The Manifesto on How to be Interesting in Books
Jul 2, 2018
This was my first Holly Bourne novel and I had had it on my TBR for ages and kicked myself for not picking it up sooner. I love YA contemporary books, I love all the feels you get and how invested you get into the story. I was surprised how much I loved this book. I liked Bree and it was interesting to see how much she developed as a character. This book showed you that you didn’t need to be popular to be interesting but it also showed how uncomfortable it was trying to fit in with a crowd that is not the norm for you. It showed valuable life lessons and had really powerful messages. I would have rated this 5 stars but the ending didn’t turn out as I wanted it to but I still loved it. This book does have a teacher/student relationship, so if that’s not your thing I would steer clear.