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Ava and Aaron's Christmas Story is beautiful. It is about them and getting a special gift for Christmas. Will they get that special gift? Will they get to spend time with their family? There is rhyming, and children will also learn to read and rhyme.

Children will learn that love and family are more important than presents. I enjoyed the meaning and the fun things they do together. It is all shown throughout the pictures. What fun it is to do something with your mom and dad.

The pictures are down well—the words blended into the images in some cases. I enjoyed the story and was reading the book in one sitting. It tells the story of Christmas and all its meaning. Family and some winter fun that comes along with the holiday season.

Are your children or child waiting for it to snow? Do they enjoy playing in the snow? This story is no different for these two lovely children in the story. Will Ava get her to wish of snow or will not? What are some of your family's Christmas traditions? What surprises are your child or children waiting for to get the shock of someone special or a loved one? Sometimes the wonder is lovely and enjoyable, and seeing someone after it has been a while. Bringing the family together is what it is all about. Is it not for Christmas?
  
Murder on the Orient Express
Murder on the Orient Express
Agatha Christie | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
5
8.4 (65 Ratings)
Book Rating
As a general rule, I'm not really big into murder mystery whodunnits, generally finding them boring, (sometimes) obvious and just, well, generally a little bit stale.

That may be why I'd never read perhaps Agatha Christie's most famous murder story before, or even had any interest in which any of the (numerous) films, TV series or plays based around the same.

Which is a long way of saying that I came into this 'cold', as it were, knowing little beyond the fact that it was a Hercule Poirot mystery (thanks to the 2017 Kenneth Branagh movie, which I hadn't seen), and that the murder was on a train (d'uh!) just as it ran into snow whilst on a journey.

Now that I've read it, I have to say: I found little to cause me to revise my opinion of murder mysteries in general.

That's not to say that it is bad, per se, just that it never really hooked me all that much: indeed, at times it felt more like a chore to read than something enjoyable. Indeed, I'm sorry to say, the reveal of just who carried out the crime also completely failed to elicit any form of surprise or emotion at all from me: not that I saw it coming but just that, well, it almost felt like a relief when it did.

All I can say is: sorry, any Poirot fans!
  
TO
The only girl in town
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The ending of the novel The Only Girl in Town by Ally Condie was unexpected. I loved the plot of this novel. The plot was confusing at times, but it kept me wondering what was going to happen next. The plot of this book was sometimes fast paced other times it was slow paced but no matter what it kept me hooked to the storyline. I wanted to read this since Ally Condie is one of my favorite authors so it's an automatic read for me. I also wanted to read it because the synopsis of the story also pulled me in.

One character I loved was July's cat Yolo due to them being a cat and cats are awesome. I also liked them because they were always cracking me up and made the story even better. Some characters I disliked are Sam, Alex and Ella. I don't like Sam because of what he did to July. I didn't like Alex because he liked her one minute than couple days later he's all of a sudden over her. I didn't like them being together at the jump in the end breaking July's heart. It made me mad for her. Also in my opinion cliff jumping is stupid, dangerous, and it's not worth it. I definitely recommend reading this book. I give it a five out of five stars. I also recommend reading the authors trilogy Matched it's one of my favorites.
  
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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Aug 28, 2022  
Fans of contemporary Christian romance are going to love LOVE AND THE DREAM COME TRUE by Tammy L. Gray! Read an #Excerpt on my blog, and enter the giveaway for a chance to win the full set of the "State of Grace" series in paperback!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2022/08/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-love-and.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
Their faith will face its toughest test yet.

Four years after getting the biggest break of his life, Cameron Lee's music career has taken a nosedive, leaving him two options: become a sellout or give up on his lifelong dream. He reluctantly returns home for his sister's wedding, hoping to avoid his past and find his love for music again.

Single mom Lexie Walters has suffered her fair share of tragedies and setbacks, but she has finally scraped together the money to achieve her dream of going into business with her cousin as an interior designer. When Lexie's life is at an all-time high, she runs into her teenage crush, Cameron Lee.

Lost in the emotional turmoil of failure, Cameron is immediately drawn to Lexie and her infectious smile and optimistic spirit. Moreover, he adores her mouthy, no-holds-barred daughter. But fantasies only last so long, and soon Lexie and Cameron must face the real world, the one fraught with heartbreak, disappointment, and questions that sometimes can only be answered by a leap of faith.
     
Shade Kissed (Phoenix Rising #4)
Shade Kissed (Phoenix Rising #4)
Annie Anderson | 2017 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
SHADE KISSED is the fourth book in the Phoenix Rising series, and we continue with Nicola waking up from a coma. Kyle is overjoyed but Nic isn't quite what he remembers. For a start, she can see! And secondly, she has no idea who she is or what she's done. Fun times.

This book is told from both Nicola and Kyle's perspectives and it goes back and forth from before and after Nicola wakes up. I found that a little confusing but only because I sometimes skipped the title headings to get to the story. I learnt my lesson!

It is a horrible situation for both Nicola and Kyle to be in, and neither of them thinks they're good enough for the other. I loved how West had a go at Rhys and told him exactly what was what. Plus, Aurelia and Mena's reactions were brilliant.

It was good to learn more about Nicola and just what she has endured during her three centuries, but I honestly can't wait to learn more! This book ended right in the middle of the story and my Kindle nearly hit the wall!

Absolutely recommended and I'm looking forward to the next already.

** 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!
Dec 6, 2023
  
Lessons In Chemistry
Lessons In Chemistry
Bonnie Garmus | 2022 | Fiction & Poetry, Humor & Comedy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I loved this - every page of it. And to think I’d held off reading it because everyone was saying how good it was (I don’t even understand my own logic sometimes!). Actually, I think I was worried I wouldn’t like it. No need to be concerned though!

There’s a serious theme behind the laugh out loud moments. Elizabeth Zott is a single parent and what’s more, she was never married. And to add insult to injury, she wants to work as an actual scientist - a chemist (believe me, I live in a house of scientists, and it’s a serious business!). And she’s a very good scientist.

The 1950’s were no time to have a career if you were female. The general feeling I get from this, is that they (the men) wanted women to look pretty, pop out babies and do the cooking and cleaning. I think I may be the antithesis of the 1950’s woman…

I loved Elizabeth Zott. She’s funny, intelligent, and she takes no nonsense. I’ve seen reviews where people say she’s clearly autistic, but I’m not so sure. Elizabeth had a difficult childhood, a hard time at university, and she’s constantly having to prove herself. I don’t know as I’d feel too chipper in her shoes.

But I laughed a lot. Her daughter is charming, her friends are the best, and the dog is clearly the star of the show!
Highly recommended.
  
Hers, United (Hers, #5)
Hers, United (Hers, #5)
Anna Adler | 2022 | Erotica, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sometimes work can be fun and H.O.T!
HERS, UNITED is the fifth book in this series and can be read as a standalone, although there is an overall story arc that develops through this novel.

Riley is a Selenian psychologist, one who has been on the dull end of jobs ever since it came out she was an alien sympathiser before the revolution. This leads to her being called to work when everyone else is indulging in 'fun.' What she finds is Talon and Dagger, angry with each other, and she is determined to get to the bottom of it.

Riley, Talon, and Dagger are H.O.T. together when they're having fun, but when Dagger is kidnapped by Traditionalists, they have to learn to work together too. This also leads to some deep thinking about just what they mean to each other. It was brilliant seeing Kaitlyn and Roth again, and I'm happy with how they were able to help Riley.

I thought the pacing of this book was perfect, and the story arc just helped move their personal stories along. This is a series that I am thoroughly enjoying and I can't wait to see what happens next. Highly 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!