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Debbiereadsbook (1569 KP) rated London Tales (Short Stories #2) in Books
Dec 2, 2023
Very enjoyable step out of my comfort zone!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
What this is, right, is a step out of my comfort and I needed this book right now!
It's a wonderful tale of London, through the ages, told in short stories. You could, I suppose, skip ahead a few stories, and you wouldn't miss anything, other than a few years!
Each story is set at key points along London's timeline, right from when the Romans invaded, up to the present day, told by the Londoners who lived then. Ordinary people telling their extraordinary tales.
I found each story complete, and wholly engaging. I found myself fully engrossed in these tales, all of them. I even recognised a few places when they were mentioned. I'm not a Londoner, but have been a time or two.
As I said, a step off my usual book path, and one that led me to fabulous place.
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
What this is, right, is a step out of my comfort and I needed this book right now!
It's a wonderful tale of London, through the ages, told in short stories. You could, I suppose, skip ahead a few stories, and you wouldn't miss anything, other than a few years!
Each story is set at key points along London's timeline, right from when the Romans invaded, up to the present day, told by the Londoners who lived then. Ordinary people telling their extraordinary tales.
I found each story complete, and wholly engaging. I found myself fully engrossed in these tales, all of them. I even recognised a few places when they were mentioned. I'm not a Londoner, but have been a time or two.
As I said, a step off my usual book path, and one that led me to fabulous place.
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Circa 1 hour.
2 bus journeys.
That's roughly how long it took me to read this, from virtual cover to virtual cover (and on my second attempt - I don't think I was in the right mood the first time around), after it was recommended to me by a friend.
As I'm pretty sure was the authors intent, I got a definite feeling of a 'Suicide Squad' setup out of this, with the story told from the point of view of a member within that team. I also got the distinct feeling that this was more of a taster, if you will, more of a trial run to see if the idea worked than a full formed and fledged novel in its own right.
Think a short story in an omnibus collection, or something along those lines - something to introduce readers to the characters and the world they inhabit and to (hopefully) whet the readers appetite for further entries.
In that regard, as least, and for me: job done.
2 bus journeys.
That's roughly how long it took me to read this, from virtual cover to virtual cover (and on my second attempt - I don't think I was in the right mood the first time around), after it was recommended to me by a friend.
As I'm pretty sure was the authors intent, I got a definite feeling of a 'Suicide Squad' setup out of this, with the story told from the point of view of a member within that team. I also got the distinct feeling that this was more of a taster, if you will, more of a trial run to see if the idea worked than a full formed and fledged novel in its own right.
Think a short story in an omnibus collection, or something along those lines - something to introduce readers to the characters and the world they inhabit and to (hopefully) whet the readers appetite for further entries.
In that regard, as least, and for me: job done.
The Current Between Us (Layne Family Duet #1)
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This re-release includes never seen before bonus content. Gage Synclair, international,...
Contemporary MM Romance
Merissa (13427 KP) rated Dear John in Books
Sep 12, 2023
DEAR JOHN is part of the #WorldLetterWritingDay collection and we have Logan, an undercover cop, and Zion, an artist, stuck together on a remote island with no Wi-Fi, internet, or anything digital. Logan wasn't there to keep an eye on Zion, but rather his rather dodgy boyfriend.
I enjoyed my escape to the island. I found the revelations from Zion to be sad and loved how Logan was there for him. Yes, it was insta-love, but sometimes it's just got to be!
This is a short story but there is still a steamy time, plus the tension of not knowing if said dodgy boyfriend would show up. And don't forget the letters that Zion sent, which definitely made me chuckle. A thoroughly enjoyable story that I 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 12, 2023
I enjoyed my escape to the island. I found the revelations from Zion to be sad and loved how Logan was there for him. Yes, it was insta-love, but sometimes it's just got to be!
This is a short story but there is still a steamy time, plus the tension of not knowing if said dodgy boyfriend would show up. And don't forget the letters that Zion sent, which definitely made me chuckle. A thoroughly enjoyable story that I 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 12, 2023
Merissa (13427 KP) rated A Sliver of Sunset in Books
May 8, 2023
This is a short but detail-filled story about a shifter who becomes ill with a human disease. Now most books will say that this is impossible, which is why it made for such interesting reading. There is everything in here that you would want or need in a novella - enough backstory so you know what's going on without drowning in it, steam between the main two, plenty of interesting and quirky secondary characters, and an overall story arc that I hope will continue as there are questions left unanswered by the end of this book.
Well-written and with a smooth pace, there were no editing or grammatical errors that I found. This was one enjoyable read from start to finish, and Devon Rhodes is definitely an author to look out for. I would like to read more from her. Recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 6, 2016
Well-written and with a smooth pace, there were no editing or grammatical errors that I found. This was one enjoyable read from start to finish, and Devon Rhodes is definitely an author to look out for. I would like to read more from her. Recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 6, 2016
Merissa (13427 KP) rated Good Golly Miss Molly in Books
Apr 26, 2022 (Updated Jun 24, 2023)
GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY is the prequel novella to the Mystic Beach series. If you're looking for a short, steamy, and intriguing story, then congratulations! Because that's what you've found.
The story focuses on Molly and Logan, two people who live in Mystic Beach but, for their own reasons, thought they'd never find someone to be with. Sometimes, giving in to doughnuts rewards you in ways you never imagined!
You also get hints and teasers about other characters, as well as the magic Mystic Beach may have. All in all, this was a quick read that has completely whetted my appetite for more! Looking forward to reading Once Upon a Dream which is due for release this summer. Until then, I definitely recommend you get your mitts on this prequel.
** 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!
Apr 26, 2022
The story focuses on Molly and Logan, two people who live in Mystic Beach but, for their own reasons, thought they'd never find someone to be with. Sometimes, giving in to doughnuts rewards you in ways you never imagined!
You also get hints and teasers about other characters, as well as the magic Mystic Beach may have. All in all, this was a quick read that has completely whetted my appetite for more! Looking forward to reading Once Upon a Dream which is due for release this summer. Until then, I definitely recommend you get your mitts on this prequel.
** 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!
Apr 26, 2022
Clare Parrott (294 KP) created a post
Jul 2, 2017
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Down at the End of the River: Stories in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[Down at the End of the River] by [Angus Woodward] is a compilation of short stories, which usually are not the type of thing I like to read. I did enjoy these and if I did not know they were the same author I would have thought they were penned by many different people.
[Woodward] does an excellent job in creating characters and using those characters to drive the story. More than a few even caused me to feel the nervousness or anxiety of the characters.
I was disappointed that the setting of Louisiana was not highlighted more that it was just a passing reference. I believe the south has a character all it's own and could have added even more to the stories.
[Woodward] does an excellent job in creating characters and using those characters to drive the story. More than a few even caused me to feel the nervousness or anxiety of the characters.
I was disappointed that the setting of Louisiana was not highlighted more that it was just a passing reference. I believe the south has a character all it's own and could have added even more to the stories.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated King Kwong: Larry Kwong, the China Clipper Who Broke the NHL Colour Barrier in Books
Jan 12, 2018
This book was a really quick read. As a lifelong hockey fan I was fascinated by the story. As a New York Ranger's fan I was appalled I hadn't heard of this before.
[King Kwong: Larry Kwong, the China Clipper Who Broke the NHL Colour Barrier] by [Paula Johanson] is a short well written account of the struggle to make it into the NHL if you weren't of European decent. Larry Kwong was a very skilled player but only got to play one shift in the NHL. This did not dampen his love for hockey as he traveled the world spreading this awesome sport wherever he went. I wish I had this in a paper copy so I could give it to my students to read.
[King Kwong: Larry Kwong, the China Clipper Who Broke the NHL Colour Barrier] by [Paula Johanson] is a short well written account of the struggle to make it into the NHL if you weren't of European decent. Larry Kwong was a very skilled player but only got to play one shift in the NHL. This did not dampen his love for hockey as he traveled the world spreading this awesome sport wherever he went. I wish I had this in a paper copy so I could give it to my students to read.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Blood on the Tracks: Sydney Rose Parnell Series, Book 1 in Books
Jul 27, 2017
Slightly overrated in terms of previous reviews
The idea of PTSD of war veterans is an important topic, and I understand that the author attempted to raise the issue, but the constant appearance of ghosts with not much impact on the narrator seems to trivialise the effect of trauma. She seems to have learnt to live with them.
The story itself felt too much of a mishmash of several themes from the far right to soldiers of war. It would have been better to stick to one area. I would have been more interested in hearing about Iraq and how it is more clearly linked with the current crime. It just seems to fall short in developing the major themes.
The story itself felt too much of a mishmash of several themes from the far right to soldiers of war. It would have been better to stick to one area. I would have been more interested in hearing about Iraq and how it is more clearly linked with the current crime. It just seems to fall short in developing the major themes.