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Angelfire (Angelfire, #1)
Angelfire (Angelfire, #1)
Courtney Allison Moulton | 2011 | Young Adult (YA)
8
5.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
3.5 stars

So Angelfire took me a bit to get into. I started it at the end of August and well... It didnโ€™t draw me in for quite a few chapters and even then I wasnโ€™t too fussed about reading it any chance I got. It was probably about a third of the way in (and it's pretty long) that I finally realised what the story was about that I started to gel with it.

The probable romance between Ellie and Will certainly helped things along. I knew there was something between them previously, or at least a friendly companionship. It was just in the way Will behaved around her.

As for the more normal aspect of the story: friends and parties, I have to admit that I wasnโ€™t too interested in that. I also figured that Landon had feelings for Ellie early on, though she was entirely blind to that until it was pointed out to her by many of her friends.

Family wise, I would love to know what's going on with Ellie's dad. Why has he gone all psycho suddenly?

I guess I'm interested enough in the plot to continue the series at some point but not right now.
  
The Dark Divine (The Dark Divine, #1)
The Dark Divine (The Dark Divine, #1)
Bree Despain | 2009 | Young Adult (YA)
4
6.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
This has taken me a long time to read because it didn't grab my interest in the slightest. I can't be doing with any sort of religious people in books. They just drive me a little crazy. So with her having a pastor for a father and being all good with church related stuff, I just had to roll my eyes a little.

Nothing about this pulled me in, not the characters, not the plot...I was bored for all of it but considering the last few YA books I've read have been DNF's I decided to stick with it. I read books for the romance mainly and I had no idea where that bit came into it but by the end they loved each other.

There was a bit of a high point at the end where everything started to make sense which pushed my rating up an entire star, simply because the pace picked up finally ands something actually happened beside school and dates and dances.

Shapeshifters are not my favourite paranormal creatures to read about and although I have the next book in the series I dont think I'll be reading it.

Not for me at all.
  
3.5 stars.

This has been on my kindle since 2012 so I thought it was about time I got around to reading it, especially since I read [b:Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble|8542839|Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble (Jolie Wilkins, #1)|H.P. Mallory|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1329352960s/8542839.jpg|13410545] almost a year ago and I got them at the same time.

It took me a little getting into since I'm having a bit of an issue with paranormal books at the minute but once I got a third of the way in or so, I was pulled into the story bit by bit.

Me being me though, I was all for the romance aspects. Like Fire Burn... there were three love interest for Dulcie and each was different. A Loki, a Vampire and a...pixie? Elf? I feel bad that I can't remember what he was but it wasn't continually repeated like the other two so I could remember. I can't say I had a favourite for her either, though the Loki seemed to be mentioned the most often.

'm interested in continuing the series and reading more of the authors work, I'm just not sure when I'll get round to it with my ever increasing to-read list.
  
Dire Straits (Bo Blackman, #1)
Dire Straits (Bo Blackman, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
So this is my first full-length foray into paranormal/urban fantasy for a long time since I lost interest in the genre a year or so ago and I have to admit I got pulled into it.

I'm usually wary of urban fantasy books because I read books for the romance in them, be it a little flirting or a full on sex-fest, and this was more of a subtle he-wants-her-does-she-want-him sort of thing, though I think that Bo is a little oblivious right now--or purposely ignoring it. Maybe a bit of both.

The story pulled me in from the start though I will admit I skipped a few paragraphs here and there where she was doing too much description. It was intriguing, as to who behind it from the start. Who was it aimed at? Were they from a family?

Admittedly I was a little torn over who I thought it was of the three recruits but it did become a bit more obvious the more that was read.

I'm definitely interested in reading more of the series in the future, if only so I can see what happens with Bo and Michael :P
  
Under A Lavender Moon (Nightingale Songs #1)
Under A Lavender Moon (Nightingale Songs #1)
Christina Mai Fong | 2021 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
UNDER A LAVENDER MOON is the first book in the Nightingale Songs series, and we enter a world where magic is called tin-chai and can take many forms. Rilla has kept her tin-chai a secret but is found by scouts anyway. With no options available to her, she is taken to the emperor, along with a group of other girls, to compete for the 'honour' of becoming one of his wives,

There are hints of romance in this book, between Rilla, Friend, and Carrick. However, that is very much in the background as the story moves along. The main characters are fully supported by an interesting group of secondary characters, some you will like, some you definitely won't. This is part and parcel of the story though, and is what will keep you turning the pages.

The pacing is smooth, leading you to the cliff-hanger ending, and will also leave you wanting more. For a debut novel, this is incredibly intricate and intriguing. I can't wait to continue with this series, and have no hesitation in recommending it.

* 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!
  
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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Aug 3, 2021  
Happy book birthday to the Christian historical fiction novel UNDER THE BAYOU MOON by Valerie Fraser Luesse Books! Read some of the author's favorite quotes from the book on my blog, and enter the giveaway to win a copy of the book, a Flavors of the Bayou seasonings gift box, and a $10 Starbucks gift card!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2021/08/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-under-bayou.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
When Ellie Fields accepts a teaching job in a tiny Louisiana town deep in bayou country in 1949, she knows her life will change--but she could never imagine just how dramatically.

Though rightfully suspicious of outsiders, who have threatened both their language and their unique culture, most of the residents come to appreciate the young and idealistic schoolteacher, and she's soon teaching just about everyone, despite opposition from both the school board and a politician with ulterior motives. Yet it's the lessons Ellie herself will learn--from new friends, a captivating Cajun fisherman, and even a legendary white alligator haunting the bayou--that will make all the difference.

Take a step away from the familiar and enter the shadowy waters of bayou country for a story of risk, resilience, and romance.
     
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LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Indecent Proposal (1993) in Movies

Sep 21, 2020 (Updated Nov 26, 2020)  
Indecent Proposal (1993)
Indecent Proposal (1993)
1993 | Drama
Okay, look - I'm a straight man... but I'd let Robert Redford fuck *me* for a million dollars. First hour >>> second hour, but some seriously luscious looking pulp from one of the resounding kings of shooting gorgeous people looking into picturesque backgrounds. Still to date one of my favorite film premises, so it's a shame that it goes for a more conventional romance and doesn't hold all its weight in the second half like it did in the much more mysterious, sick intrigue of the first. God-level Redford, I'd like to think this is what Alexander Pierce from ๐˜Š๐˜ข๐˜ฑ๐˜ต๐˜ข๐˜ช๐˜ฏ ๐˜ˆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ช๐˜ค๐˜ข: ๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ž๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ ๐˜š๐˜ฐ๐˜ญ๐˜ฅ๐˜ช๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ did in his free time. Harrelson overreacting to everything is fucking hilarious, can't believe they played all this deliciously goofy portent straight. Speaking of which, the fact that we're supposed to empathize with either of these assholes is demeaning. Though as a result, rather than viewing this perhaps deservedly maligned piece as outright misogyny - imo I think this works best at showing the lengths either extreme of man will go to treat women like property, a vaguely cartoonish version mind you, but it isn't too far off from the unfortunate reality. Lurid, engaging, occasionally funny (intentional and not so) 90s psychopathic businessman trash.
  
The Time Traveler's Wife
The Time Traveler's Wife
Audrey Niffenegger | 2003 | Fiction & Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
8.2 (40 Ratings)
Book Rating
I canโ€™t believe that it was released almost 8 years ago; it feels that I saw the movie just yesterday. But a good creation never gets old. This is a fascinating love story filled with romance, unbelievable amount of patience and tragedy. The book itself is so well thought through that even if you wipe your tears while reading it (I know I did) the ending will still give you that โ€œoh, thanks Godโ€ feeling. There is a little bit of confusion in this book due to past โ€“ present jumps, but more you read it more sense it makes. My biggest enemies in books are long chapters and this book didnโ€™t disappoint me, chapters are not very long and divided into smaller parts, so if you like to read while on the go, this book is for you. I was glad that this book was made into movie, it really deserved it. Even though the books will always be better than movies, this bookโ€™s screenplay was really entertaining. In conclusion, this book is witty, entertaining and at the same time sad, so if you looking for something like that, give it a go and I think you will be pleased.
  
Dark Shadows (2012)
Dark Shadows (2012)
2012 | Drama, Horror, Mystery
If not for the last 15/20 minutes (sans the atrocious ending, and even then they're only mildly watchable at best) I'd very comfortably call this one of the worst movies I've ever seen - and still will. Not even distracting, and intentionally as non-fun as possible. How exciting, we get to see nearly two LONG hours of nonentities played by actors who clearly couldn't give less of a shit about being there (except for the sole good scenery-chewing of Eva Green) tepidly talk about... like, fishing and shit? Sometimes even to each other! Where's the camp? Where's the (pun not intended) spirit? Doesn't go for jokes, doesn't go for drama, doesn't go for romance, doesn't go for anything - complete and utter apathy all around. It doesn't even look good, dear God some color could have at least made this pop but no of course it's color-coded like ash and jizz. This wakes up a bit when it has a spooky haunted house vibe to it but too bad that's only like a collective (and generous) few minutes of the whole thing. What the actual hell were they thinking, how can a director possibly stoop *noticeably* lower than ๐˜‹๐˜ถ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฐ (2019)?
  
Charming Falls Apart
Charming Falls Apart
Angela Terry | 2020 | Contemporary, Humor & Comedy, Romance
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Charming Falls Apart is a feel-good chick-lit romance book about a PR exec who faces her worst nightmare when she loses her job and her fiancรฉ in one day. Told from the first person, you stay with Allison as she tries to figure which way is up and what to do next.

Although this book was an easy read, I definitely felt of the lack of Eric's voice. It would have been nice to hear what he felt about Allison as the story progressed rather than just her.

Allison has a lot of learning to do in this book and Jordan is with her every step of the way. She is everything you would ever want in a friend. Other characters are clear-cut as to whether you like them or not and some are question marks all the way through. I'll let you decide which is which.

All in all, this was a great story that I enjoyed in a genre not usually one I read much of. I have no hesitation in recommending this book.

* 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!