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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Ferns Wings ( Sisters of Hex: Fern book 2) in Books
Mar 16, 2022
48 of 230
Kindle
Fern’s Wing ( Sisters of Hex: Fern book 2)
By Bea Paige
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fern's decision changed everything. Now she must live with the consequences not only affecting her but the people she loves, even the ones who find it hard to love her in return.
Trapped in the Shadowlands, Fern must put her trust in the Angels of Death and adapt to her new surroundings. When a disturbing message is delivered about her mother, Fern defies the trio and take matters into her own hands.
Fern's Wings is the second book of Fern's trilogy and continues the Sisters of Hex story. To get a full picture of the overarching storyline you might wish to read Accacia's trilogy first.
The Sisters of Hex series - five sisters, five clans, one curse and a whole host of paranormal creatures.
I really like the concept and world building in this series of books I like the characters and storyline. This one was more about Fern building her strength and relationships with her men and it was good but my mind did wander off sometimes. All the action came in the last 4 chapters where we catch up with old friends from the first set of sisters of hex. Overall though it was still a good book.
Kindle
Fern’s Wing ( Sisters of Hex: Fern book 2)
By Bea Paige
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fern's decision changed everything. Now she must live with the consequences not only affecting her but the people she loves, even the ones who find it hard to love her in return.
Trapped in the Shadowlands, Fern must put her trust in the Angels of Death and adapt to her new surroundings. When a disturbing message is delivered about her mother, Fern defies the trio and take matters into her own hands.
Fern's Wings is the second book of Fern's trilogy and continues the Sisters of Hex story. To get a full picture of the overarching storyline you might wish to read Accacia's trilogy first.
The Sisters of Hex series - five sisters, five clans, one curse and a whole host of paranormal creatures.
I really like the concept and world building in this series of books I like the characters and storyline. This one was more about Fern building her strength and relationships with her men and it was good but my mind did wander off sometimes. All the action came in the last 4 chapters where we catch up with old friends from the first set of sisters of hex. Overall though it was still a good book.
Merissa (14046 KP) rated Grayality in Books
Oct 4, 2022
A story full of emotions, both good and bad
GRAYALITY is a book full of emotions, both good and bad. Pate is a trans-man who likes the on-and-off again girlfriend of the local bully, and Oakley, his best friend, thinks he is straight until he meets Sadie at a drag-queen show. Their new start in a small country town just got more complicated.
There are words of wisdom in here, spoken between the two best friends, or their new friends. However, there is also a lot of country stereotypical behaviour that may or may not be exaggerated.
I loved seeing Pate and Oak go through their relationships, although I can honestly say I couldn't stand Maybelle from the beginning. Oak is the one who had to change his thinking the most and is also the one who suffered the most, I would say. Pate is the one who physically paid for being who he is.
This was a great story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is emotional and almost tangible in what our young friends go through. A brilliant read that I highly recommend.
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
There are words of wisdom in here, spoken between the two best friends, or their new friends. However, there is also a lot of country stereotypical behaviour that may or may not be exaggerated.
I loved seeing Pate and Oak go through their relationships, although I can honestly say I couldn't stand Maybelle from the beginning. Oak is the one who had to change his thinking the most and is also the one who suffered the most, I would say. Pate is the one who physically paid for being who he is.
This was a great story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is emotional and almost tangible in what our young friends go through. A brilliant read that I highly recommend.
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (14046 KP) rated The Heart of Everton Inn (Betwixt the Sea and Shore, #2) in Books
Oct 18, 2022
Return to the Orkney Islands and the Selkies as the story continues...
THE HEART OF EVERTON INN is the second book in the Betwixt the Sea and Shore series and it runs concurrently alongside book one. This means that you will see things through Adaira's eyes as they happen to Briony or any of the other villagers. You will also see things that happened with Adaira that you didn't see before.
This series is so well-researched, it shines through every scene. I love the village characters, the scenery, the relationships. It's all so clearly defined and makes for a gripping read.
Adaira and John have their ups and downs as they try to have a relationship but it seems as though the world is against them. Even though there is an age gap, it is clear that these two will fit together if only they are allowed.
This was a brilliant addition to the series but it does end on a cliffhanger, so just consider yourself forewarned. I can't wait to see what happens next. Definitely recommended by me.
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This series is so well-researched, it shines through every scene. I love the village characters, the scenery, the relationships. It's all so clearly defined and makes for a gripping read.
Adaira and John have their ups and downs as they try to have a relationship but it seems as though the world is against them. Even though there is an age gap, it is clear that these two will fit together if only they are allowed.
This was a brilliant addition to the series but it does end on a cliffhanger, so just consider yourself forewarned. I can't wait to see what happens next. Definitely recommended by me.
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2589 KP) rated Spoon to be Dead in Books
Dec 16, 2023 (Updated Dec 16, 2023)
Is Trinidad’s Ex a Killer?
As winter sets in, Trinidad Jones is concentrating on figuring out how to keep her shake shop going through the cold months. But that takes a back seat when her ex-husband walks through the door of her shop one morning. No one had informed her that Gabe had been let out of prison. Even more surprising, he announces that he thinks he just killed someone before collapsing on the floor. What could be going on?
The book starts that quickly, and I got caught up in the action. The pacing was a little uneven in the middle, but things pick up for a fantastic climax. Since this is (sadly) the final book in the series, we get a wrap up for the characters. Some of that was a little abrupt, but overall, I liked it. Gabe being in town provided a great way to see different sides of several of the characters and watch their relationships grow. Considering how much I love the characters, that was nice. The Christmas setting didn’t really kick in until the second half of the book, but it was strong then. We also get some festive recipes to enjoy later. Fans of the series will be satisfied with this book, and if you haven’t started this series yet, you’ll want to do so today.
The book starts that quickly, and I got caught up in the action. The pacing was a little uneven in the middle, but things pick up for a fantastic climax. Since this is (sadly) the final book in the series, we get a wrap up for the characters. Some of that was a little abrupt, but overall, I liked it. Gabe being in town provided a great way to see different sides of several of the characters and watch their relationships grow. Considering how much I love the characters, that was nice. The Christmas setting didn’t really kick in until the second half of the book, but it was strong then. We also get some festive recipes to enjoy later. Fans of the series will be satisfied with this book, and if you haven’t started this series yet, you’ll want to do so today.
Heal Yourself: Body ~ Mind ~ Spirit
Book
The body wants to return to balance. It just needs the tools to do so. Heal Yourself ~ Body ~ Mind ~...
Body~Mind~Spirit Healing
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2589 KP) rated Stellarlune in Books
Dec 19, 2022 (Updated Dec 19, 2022)
Sophie’s Next Chapter is One Fans Will Love
Sophie Foster has just learned that her friend Keefe has run away to the Forbidden Cities in order to hide from the changes that are being forced on him. As much as Sophie wants to try to find him, she decides that her best course of action might be to find a way to stop the next step in the plans for Keefe. Meanwhile, her friends have a less than positive reaction to the action she just took against their enemy, the Neverseen. Will this drive a wedge in her circle of friends?
If that teaser doesn’t make sense to you, then this book isn’t for you – yet. You really need to read these books in order. Heck, I wish I’d had time to reread the last one before I dove into this one. Fans will be thrilled with what we get, however. I only felt the pacing slowed down a couple of times, which is saying something for a 700 page book. We definitely got some advancement on the overall story as well. Meanwhile, the characters continue to mature, and I loved how that lead to some natural progressions in relationships. Sophie’s world continues to be fun as well. Naturally, there’s a cliffhanger, which means I’m already anxious for the next book.
If that teaser doesn’t make sense to you, then this book isn’t for you – yet. You really need to read these books in order. Heck, I wish I’d had time to reread the last one before I dove into this one. Fans will be thrilled with what we get, however. I only felt the pacing slowed down a couple of times, which is saying something for a 700 page book. We definitely got some advancement on the overall story as well. Meanwhile, the characters continue to mature, and I loved how that lead to some natural progressions in relationships. Sophie’s world continues to be fun as well. Naturally, there’s a cliffhanger, which means I’m already anxious for the next book.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2589 KP) rated A Stolen Child in Books
Jun 21, 2023
Murder and Kidnapping
Maggie D’arcy has completed her training and has officially joined the Garda in Ireland. While she waits for an opportunity to be promoted to detective, she is on patrol and is called to the scene of a murder. Not only does Maggie recognize it as an address she had been to a few days before after a domestic disturbance call, she also realizes that the victim had a toddler who is now missing. On loan to the detectives for this case, can Maggie find the child in time? Will her knowledge of the neighborhood help?
Maggie has been on quite a journey in this series, and it’s nice to see this natural step in her career. The plot starts strongly. While it does get a little uneven in the middle, things pick up when we get to several logical twists at the climax. I liked how Maggie’s knowledge of the neighborhood where the crime took place played an important part of the plot. The suspects come to life, and it is nice to see Maggie’s relationships grown, both personally and professionally. As a police procedural, this is a bit darker than the cozies I typically read, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. If you are looking for a solid police procedural set in Ireland, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
Maggie has been on quite a journey in this series, and it’s nice to see this natural step in her career. The plot starts strongly. While it does get a little uneven in the middle, things pick up when we get to several logical twists at the climax. I liked how Maggie’s knowledge of the neighborhood where the crime took place played an important part of the plot. The suspects come to life, and it is nice to see Maggie’s relationships grown, both personally and professionally. As a police procedural, this is a bit darker than the cozies I typically read, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. If you are looking for a solid police procedural set in Ireland, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated If I Die Tonight in Books
Mar 5, 2018
Well-drawn characters (1 more)
Powerful look at social media's influence
Suspenseful, character-driven tale
Havenkill is a pretty quiet town--mostly focused on its football team. So when a washed up 80s rockstar named Aimee En stumbles into the police station in the middle of the night, claiming someone carjacked her Jaguar and then ran over a teenage boy who was trying to help, it receives a lot of police and media attention. The young teen's name was Liam--a star on the football team--and he's quickly portrayed as a hero for trying to save Aimee and her vehicle. Suspicion turns fairly soon to another local teen, Wade Reed, a social outcast, who is vilified by his peers and the local media. His younger brother, Connor, struggles as his own friends distance themselves in the wake of Wade's alleged actions. And Pearl Maze, a member of the Havenkill police force, who was there when Aimee arrived, isn't sure how real Aimee's story actually is.
The novel's story is told via short snippets of narrative from a varied cast of characters, including Pearl, Aimee, Connor, and Connor and Wade's mom, Jackie. It's effective--and effectively frustrating, as you find yourself wanting to know more about what happened the night Liam died. The book sucks you in immediately via this format and its excellent, well-drawn characters. These characters are complex, as are the relationships between everyone in the novel. Nothing is as it seems, and everyone is hiding more beneath their surface (and the past). I was shocked at how well-done these interconnected relationships were and how much I wanted to keep reading. I felt such allegiances to particular characters and such distaste for others. Pearl, Jackie, even Wade and Connor--they were magnificently written and the book was just so well-done. I was really impressed by this one.
Pearl, for instance, was such a complicated character, with such a nuanced backstory. She was an excellent cop, and I found myself immediately rooting for her. She was so smart. Gaylin did a wonderful job of portraying how small towns deal with tragedy and how social media can influence opinion--and how it can affect teens. It was really powerful. As the novel wears on, you're not exactly sure who to trust--or exactly what happened the night Liam died--and I couldn't stop myself from obsessively turning the pages, trying to figure out what happened. Even though the novel is very character-focused, it's suspenseful too and focused on the Liam mystery.
Overall, this was great and such a pleasant surprise. I love requesting an ARC of an author I've never read before and discovering such a great story. This was a suspenseful read, with an excellent, well-written cast. I'm looking forward to reading more Gaylin's work. I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Edelweiss in return for an unbiased review. More at https://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/.
The novel's story is told via short snippets of narrative from a varied cast of characters, including Pearl, Aimee, Connor, and Connor and Wade's mom, Jackie. It's effective--and effectively frustrating, as you find yourself wanting to know more about what happened the night Liam died. The book sucks you in immediately via this format and its excellent, well-drawn characters. These characters are complex, as are the relationships between everyone in the novel. Nothing is as it seems, and everyone is hiding more beneath their surface (and the past). I was shocked at how well-done these interconnected relationships were and how much I wanted to keep reading. I felt such allegiances to particular characters and such distaste for others. Pearl, Jackie, even Wade and Connor--they were magnificently written and the book was just so well-done. I was really impressed by this one.
Pearl, for instance, was such a complicated character, with such a nuanced backstory. She was an excellent cop, and I found myself immediately rooting for her. She was so smart. Gaylin did a wonderful job of portraying how small towns deal with tragedy and how social media can influence opinion--and how it can affect teens. It was really powerful. As the novel wears on, you're not exactly sure who to trust--or exactly what happened the night Liam died--and I couldn't stop myself from obsessively turning the pages, trying to figure out what happened. Even though the novel is very character-focused, it's suspenseful too and focused on the Liam mystery.
Overall, this was great and such a pleasant surprise. I love requesting an ARC of an author I've never read before and discovering such a great story. This was a suspenseful read, with an excellent, well-written cast. I'm looking forward to reading more Gaylin's work. I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Edelweiss in return for an unbiased review. More at https://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/.
Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated From the Corner of the Oval in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Super Fun Look of a Young Obama Admin Employee
From the Corner of the Oval is the EXACT book you want to read for all the revealing scoop inside the Obama Administration White House and what it would be like to work inside. We see what it's like to work alongside the president, travel the world and hang out with other staffers. MINUS the boring political swill and old school players in Washington, DC. OK, well there ARE technically players, but of a "sleep me with and then don't talk to me for months" kinda way.
It's not so much about the inner workings of Obama's administration - you aren't going to learn any federal secrets or inside Obama family scoop - but follows one young woman's journey working in the depths of the white house on a super-low rung of the totem pole, as she builds some pretty fun relationships and interactions between the staffers.
Beck Dorey-Stein is living in Washington D.C. at an all-time career low (out of work teacher) when through of all things - a vague Craigslist ad - is hired as a stenographer in the Obama White House. She is totally out of her element and finds herself navigating the DC elite, finding out who she is and what she wants from life and making WAY TOO MANY HORRIBLE mistakes in love.
I LOVED getting all the inside looks to what a day could be like in the White House from a 20-somethings' perspective. She zooms all over the world in Air Force One following POTUS to just about every speaking engagement he had throughout almost his entire administration. She has several fun interactions with him, and sees and experiences high and lows of our country and our world that she will never forget. All the while, she is navigating falling in love and trying to find where in this world she fits in.
She has a really fun group of friends and I thought every character in the memoir deserved some more attention. I do wish there was a bit more development or backstory of some of the people she is closest to, but we mostly learn about Beck's life here. At some points you can feel how hard she truly tries to make relationships work, but it gets really intense and a bit annoying, and you're like "Get your Sh*t together already woman!" But that's the story - Beck is trying to get her Sh*t together and it's a fun journey to follow!
There's some super colorful language - so if calling Congress a 'Bag of D*cks' is not your thing... be forewarned! I personally enjoy a good F-bomb every now and again, so it only made the story more light and fun. I TORE through this. It's fun, and fascinating, and I wanted so much more!!
It's not so much about the inner workings of Obama's administration - you aren't going to learn any federal secrets or inside Obama family scoop - but follows one young woman's journey working in the depths of the white house on a super-low rung of the totem pole, as she builds some pretty fun relationships and interactions between the staffers.
Beck Dorey-Stein is living in Washington D.C. at an all-time career low (out of work teacher) when through of all things - a vague Craigslist ad - is hired as a stenographer in the Obama White House. She is totally out of her element and finds herself navigating the DC elite, finding out who she is and what she wants from life and making WAY TOO MANY HORRIBLE mistakes in love.
I LOVED getting all the inside looks to what a day could be like in the White House from a 20-somethings' perspective. She zooms all over the world in Air Force One following POTUS to just about every speaking engagement he had throughout almost his entire administration. She has several fun interactions with him, and sees and experiences high and lows of our country and our world that she will never forget. All the while, she is navigating falling in love and trying to find where in this world she fits in.
She has a really fun group of friends and I thought every character in the memoir deserved some more attention. I do wish there was a bit more development or backstory of some of the people she is closest to, but we mostly learn about Beck's life here. At some points you can feel how hard she truly tries to make relationships work, but it gets really intense and a bit annoying, and you're like "Get your Sh*t together already woman!" But that's the story - Beck is trying to get her Sh*t together and it's a fun journey to follow!
There's some super colorful language - so if calling Congress a 'Bag of D*cks' is not your thing... be forewarned! I personally enjoy a good F-bomb every now and again, so it only made the story more light and fun. I TORE through this. It's fun, and fascinating, and I wanted so much more!!
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