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Book Divas (227 KP) rated Fjord Blue in Books

Dec 12, 2017  
Fjord Blue
Fjord Blue
Nina Rossing | 2016 | Romance, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received an eARC via NetGalley and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.

I've never read anything written by this author so I picked this book based on the description. I'm happy that I was able to read it as I found it to be a beautifully written story.

Benjamin is sent to Norway to work on his grandparents’ farm after some reckless behavior gets him into trouble. He's a young man dealing with his sexuality as no one knows that he is gay. Once he gets settled in and begins working side by side with Even who is employed by Benjamin's grandfather he starts falling into a routine while secretly fantasizing about this gorgeous eye candy. Unbeknownst to Benjamin, Even has his own secrets and demons. The characters are strong and believable. The use of Spanish and Norwegian words in this story line were excellent and it was a well-rounded read.

I found myself laughing and at times crying but most of all I loved the emphasizes on family and even though they aren't always perfect or always accepting, they are truly an important part of our lives. My only gripe is that the cover should be more appealing.
  
Down and Out in Paris and London
Down and Out in Paris and London
George Orwell, Dervla Murphy | 2014 | Biography
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
George Orwell, a man of many experiences
I adore George Orwell, not only is he an incredibly gifted writer, he's a cat with nine lives. From living in Burma to fighting in the Spanish Civil War, Orwell has a lived a life rich with experiences hence he is able to make observations many journalists cannot. In this case, Orwell lived in squalor and absolute poverty in both Paris and London, not out of choice mind, but because he had become destitute and extremely poor during his early 20s.

His life living with an extrovert Russian in Paris is vivid, describing real hunger, having had nothing to eat for several days. He ends up working in a few godforsaken squalid hotels in Paris as a dishwasher, with long hours just to make ends meet and quench his hunger. Eventually, after working with rats, he has no choice but to return to England (borrowing money) and finds that it isn't much different. The homeless shelters are basically prison cells, dark and dangerous, but a way to keep off the streets.

In the end, he attempts to give recommendations to what can be done to alleviate the plight of the poverty stricken. It is another interesting chapter of his short but eventful life.
  
Now We Shall Be Entirely Free
Now We Shall Be Entirely Free
Andrew Miller | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A beautiful yet brutal story.
A man is brought home to a house in Somerset, unconscious, from the ongoing war in Spain against the French. He is very ill, and consequently nursed back to health by his maid. Once he is feeling better, he decides to travel to the Scottish Islands to collect traditional songs. As the story progresses, you can see that there is a sense of urgency involved with this trip: he isn't properly better, but he has to get moving. John Lacroix' story is told alongside that of two other men: a British Infantryman and a Spanish cavalryman, who have been sent to find an officer who is supposedly responsible for the sacking of a aSpanish village. They are to kill him. The Englishman is brutal in both word and deed.
John Lacroix (who changes his name to Lovell) meets a family (two sisters and their brother) who are free thinkers who want to live a free life. Just what Lacroix needs, I think.
I liked this. The writing style had a peaceful, reigned air to it, even in the more unpleasant parts. It's a brutal story, gently told, in fact.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
  
Lyse is caught in the middle of the strife between countries during the Revolutionary war. Not just the British and the Americans, but the French and the Spanish as well. Don Rafael seems as mysterious as his comings and goings. Whose side is he really on, and can he be trusted? Lyse's best friend is the daughter of a British commander, but where do her loyalties truly lie? Caught between loyalties to family and country, what path will Lyse choose?

The Revolutionary War is a part of history we should all know. But I have never considered the effect that it had on the colonies on the Gulf coast. The colonies that remained loyal to Britain. Creole Princess is a wonderfully unique book about a chapter of our country's history that is not very well known. Beth White has opened my eyes to the involvement of the Spanish's help with the American's fight for freedom. Lyse's journey is also one of hope and faith. Trusting in God to lead us down the right path and that He knows what is best for us.

I received a free copy of Creole Princess from Revell Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
  
LH
Lieutenant Hornblower
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Chronologically the second of [a:C.S. Forester|932179|C.S. Forester|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1218219226p2/932179.jpg]'s Hornblower series, this is actually the seventh by Publication date, and is a marked contrast to most of the other Hornblower novels in that, while Horatio Hornblower is indeed the main character this is not told from his point of view, but rather from that of Lieutenant William Bush, who's date of commission makes him senior to Hornblower (who is, in fact, the junior lieutenant on board the HMS Renown).

Over the course of the novel, Bush sees how Hornblower becomes integral to dealing with an insane captain, as well as to the Renowns mission to the Spanish held possession of Santa Domingo (and the capture of one of the forts there) and finally back to England to see how the fact that peace has 'broken out' has dealt with Hornblower: the latter part showing him down on his luck, with his commission to post rank refused due to this peace, and with the Admiralty requiring him to pay back the excess pay he had withdrawn over the period between his (now refused) commission and his return home.

Like all of the Hornblower books, well worth a read!
  
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Jackjack (877 KP) rated Elite in TV

Mar 14, 2020  
Elite
Elite
2018 | Crime, Drama, International, Mystery, Romance
High school drama (1 more)
Mystery murder
Filmed in Spain but English voiced takes a while to get used to it (0 more)
Hooked!
This dramatic Spanish program couldn't be more gripping. Although it is filmed in Spain the voices are spoken over in English and as annoying as it is it's subtitled too and they don't always match up to what they are saying, but all the same its kept me hooked.

It all starts when three poor students school collapsed and they are sent off to a rich private school where they are clearly not welcomed. Season one is all about a murder and trying to figure out who did it and why they died, it's a brilliant story and I managed to get lost in it, there is something for everyone to relate to. Typical high school drama between popular kids poor kids and a murderer. Season two was equally as good and gripping as the first one with the story unravelling and people are breaking and the truth comes out. I have just started season three and again couldn't be more engrossed.

If you've seen share your thoughts

I had to make this myself as it wasn't under the TV review section. Netflix Original
  
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