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ClareR (5674 KP) rated Dead to Her in Books

Oct 26, 2021  
Dead to Her
Dead to Her
Sarah Pinborough | 2020 | LGBTQ+, Mystery
8
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dead to Her is a thriller set in Savannah, Georgia, amongst its rich inhabitants.

When William Redford, close to retirement and on a year long holiday, comes back early with a very young, beautiful, black wife from London on his arm, the tongues are immediately set wagging.

Marcie, also a second wife, notices that her husband seems a little too interested in William’s new wife, Keisha, and the two women are encouraged to become friends. Marcie is at first very reluctant to do so.

The first half of the book lulls you in to a false sense of security - I thought that I knew what was going to happen. How wrong could I have been?! The second half doesn’t let up - and what surprises Keisha and Marcie had in store for the reader! This book was so cleverly written, that when Voodoo was introduced in to the storyline, I found myself believing in its power along with the characters!

I think the takeaway from this would be that you should never underestimate people, no matter how they appear on the surface (especially if they’re in a Sarah Pinborough book!). This book had me gasping out loud in sheer astonishment more than once!

If you enjoy revenge, murder and high society, then this may very well be the book for you - it was most definitely a hard book to put down!
  
Revenge is Sweet
Revenge is Sweet
Felice Stevens | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Miles the Mouse? Don't make me laugh.
REVENGE IS SWEET is a standalone story about Lyon and Miles. Both of them have trauma in their past and don't trust easily, which makes it even worse when it is someone close to them, whom they trust completely, who breaks whatever relationship they had.

Oh, but I loved this story. I knew from the start Lyon was going to worm his way into my heart, and he did. I knew Miles would too, but not how much. My god, but I loved him. Miles the Mouse indeed. Don't make me laugh. He is as sharp as a rapier and nobody's fool. I loved seeing him grow and shine, with Lyon's full support and admiration.

The less said about Dan and Lindsey, the better. Those two I didn't like all the way through.

Uncle Harry and Maxwell? Let's just say Uncle Harry's story made my eyes leak and leave it at that.

This was a gorgeous, beautiful, heart-warming story that I adored and have no hesitation in recommending. I loved every word.

** 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!
  
CO
Child of Fear & Fire
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
57 of 230
Book
Child of Fear & Fire
By G.R. Thomas
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Fear feeds Wickedness.
It hungers for the tremor of a voice, the drop of a tear. Wickedness dines on the echo of a racing heart, delights in the falsetto of a scream.
Eliza lives darkness’s dream. A maid in a great house, owned by indifferent aristocrats, run by their three cruel daughters.
Daily beatings, tricks and cruelties by the Norlane sisters have left Eliza a mute shell, a vacant vessel besieged by fear. Yet, alone as she feels, as small and insignificant as her life seems, something is watching her.
Darkness lives in the forbidden forest beyond the neat and orderly civility of Norlane Hall. Wickedness hears Eliza’s silent tears, rises to the vibrations of her body that quivers in terror.
Wickedness awakens from its slumber and calls to her.



This was such an interesting tale. It’s was deep and so dark. We follow the life of a young housemaid that’s bullied, beaten and abused by the entitled. Three sister and a father who take liberties with this young girl until you could say the darkness of nature gives her a helping hand at getting her revenge. Totally mesmerising you didn’t know how this would end. I genuinely broke my heart for how Eliza was treated by them. What an ending though! Loved it!
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Murder on Pleasant Avenue in Books

Oct 13, 2022 (Updated Oct 13, 2022)  
Murder on Pleasant Avenue
Murder on Pleasant Avenue
Victoria Thompson | 2020 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Did Kidnapping Lead to Murder?
When Gino’s sister-in-law shows up at the detective agency Frank Malloy now owns, she is looking for help. One of the volunteers at the settlement house where she volunteers in her neighborhood of Italian Harlem has been kidnapped by the Black Hand. Soon Sarah has joined her husband, Frank, and Gino is trying to figure out what has happened. But just as they think they’ve gotten a handle on what is happening, a murder happens and Gino is the only suspect. Can they clear him before the Black Hand decides to take revenge on him?

It was a pleasure to jump back to 1900 once again and visit these characters. The action unfolds quickly. While I figured a few things out before the characters, I didn’t have the entire picture put together until they did. I did feel the final chapter felt forced into the book, but that was a minor complaint. I love spending time with these characters. We don’t see all the supporting players, but I was happy with some of the advances we saw for the core characters. I also enjoyed the seeds planted for some upcoming historical events. I’m so glad I’ve spent the time reading this series. Anyone who enjoys a good historical mystery will enjoy it as well.
  
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023)
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023)
2023 | Action, Adventure, Comedy
6
6.3 (7 Ratings)
Movie Rating
I've always quite liekd Zachary Levi, going back to when I first encountered him in his TV days on the spy comedy drama show 'Chuck' (remember that?)

Beyond that - and a few side character appearances in the early Thor films - I would struggle to name a single movie with him in it.

Except for 2019s Shazam!, where he took the leading role of the grown-up alter-ego of a teenager who is granted magic (superheroic) powers when he shouts the word Shazam!

That movie, itself, was enjoyable and a breath of fresh air from the grimdark of the DC brand (in the movies) at the time.

This follows on from the events of the first movie, with a certain select group of people now aware of who Shazam *is*, and with the same sprinkling of the horror genre throughout; albeit not quite so much 'on the nose' as the Seven Deadly Sins were. Instead, we have the mythical Daughters of Atlas out for revenge, viewing their powers as having been stolen and gifted to the mortals by the (still nameless) Wizard (who makes a return, despite having turned to dust previously - don't ask).

Whilst the future structure of the whole DC universe is currently 'under review', it may be interesting to see where this lesser-known (at least, to me) brand goes!
  
Get Even
Get Even
Martina Cole | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
192 of 235
Book
Get Even
By Martina Cole
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

They got her man. Now she's going to get even...

Sharon Conway and Lenny Scott are childhood sweethearts. Everyone says they are too young, but nothing can keep them apart. Sharon doesn't question Lenny's business dealings and it isn't long before his reputation as a hard man destined for the top means they are living the good life with their sons.

But one night Lenny doesn't come home. It isn't the first time he has gone AWOL. But it is his last. He is found murdered - beaten to death in an act of brutality that shocks even the police. And Sharon never knows why.

Now, twenty years later, Sharon is about to find out the truth. Such a crime cannot go unpunished. Revenge is long overdue. The time has come to... GET EVEN.


Holy cow this was brutal! I don’t know why I’m so shocked I say the same after every Martina Cole. This was such a sad read in so many ways. I can’t imagine having to hide my life the way Lenny had to but then I’m conflicted at the pain he caused while doing it! Also so glad she finally got some peace even if it cost her. There are always cautions when reading these books as I said they can be so brutal.
  
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Merissa (11950 KP) rated Consumed (The Emrys Chronicles #1) in Books

Jul 5, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)  
Consumed (The Emrys Chronicles #1)
Consumed (The Emrys Chronicles #1)
E.E. Everly | 2020 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
CONSUMED is the first book in The Emrys Chronicles and we learn about a land with dragons and emrys. But they are part of a different realm, far from the mortal one that has been tainted by darkness. So what happens when the darkness tries to claim a soul that straddles both worlds?

I thoroughly enjoyed this story - from the very beginning, right through to the end. I knew Brenin wouldn't be in it for long, simply because of how the story skipped along. The backstory of the others was brilliant, adding a depth that I enjoyed.

There was plenty of action and adventure here, with a healthy dose of revenge. The big ending caught me by surprise (as it is meant to) but I loved it. The reason for 4-stars and not 5 is simply because of the speed of Aneirin's declaration of love. I would have liked to have seen more development between the two, even though I understood why.

A brilliant start to the series that I can definitely 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!
Jul 5, 2021