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Merissa (13303 KP) rated Bear Creek Christmas (Holiday Mates #1) in Books
Dec 3, 2021 (Updated Jul 9, 2023)
BEAR CREEK CHRISTMAS is the first book in a new series, Holiday Mates. If you are looking for a slightly humorous, warm and fuzzy, low-angst bear shifter book, then you've come to the right place.
Levi has left his ex-boyfriend and family behind as he moves to Bear Creek to start again. His boyfriend was only interested in Levi's looks, and Levi wants to be more than just eye candy on someone's arm. Knox is the local bear shifter handyman who has just about given up on meeting his mate. When Knox first scents Levi, his bear roars to the front, determined to claim his mate. This scares Levi back and he has to seek the advice of a good friend before he decides what to do next.
If you like books where the main characters fall for each other, instead of insta-lust, then this is just the thing. Levi wants to take it slow, and Knox will fight his bear to give Levi that time. Knox worships Levi and will do all he can to give him what he needs, even if it's not what Knox wants.
The ex turning up wasn't a surprise, him dropping out of the story the way he did, was. I kept expecting him to return and cause more trouble, but then, that may be against the warm and fuzzy Christmas story we've got going on.
One thing to be warned about - there are comments about a lot of exclamation marks! đ Personally, I didn't notice that many and so didn't affect my enjoyment of the story. If you read this book with the expectation of a gentle, holiday-themed, slow-burn love story then you won't be disappointed. Definitely 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!
Dec 2, 2021
Levi has left his ex-boyfriend and family behind as he moves to Bear Creek to start again. His boyfriend was only interested in Levi's looks, and Levi wants to be more than just eye candy on someone's arm. Knox is the local bear shifter handyman who has just about given up on meeting his mate. When Knox first scents Levi, his bear roars to the front, determined to claim his mate. This scares Levi back and he has to seek the advice of a good friend before he decides what to do next.
If you like books where the main characters fall for each other, instead of insta-lust, then this is just the thing. Levi wants to take it slow, and Knox will fight his bear to give Levi that time. Knox worships Levi and will do all he can to give him what he needs, even if it's not what Knox wants.
The ex turning up wasn't a surprise, him dropping out of the story the way he did, was. I kept expecting him to return and cause more trouble, but then, that may be against the warm and fuzzy Christmas story we've got going on.
One thing to be warned about - there are comments about a lot of exclamation marks! đ Personally, I didn't notice that many and so didn't affect my enjoyment of the story. If you read this book with the expectation of a gentle, holiday-themed, slow-burn love story then you won't be disappointed. Definitely 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!
Dec 2, 2021
Sam (74 KP) rated Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine in Books
Mar 27, 2019
Eleanor Oliphant is odd. She speaks like an 80-year-old woman even though sheâs only 30, leads a monotonous life and keeps herself to herself. No friends, no family (other than her mother), and no fun.
I got this book because itâs one of those ones that almost everyone is talking about. A lot of the time, I donât actually like the really popular books, but this one was definitely worth it. Itâs funny, mysterious and weird, and such a great read.
The novel follows the changes in Eleanor as she makes her first friend â Raymond, an IT Crowd worthy hilarious character who warms her heart and completely changes her personality.
I loved this because it was so different. Iâve got to admit, I couldnât stand Eleanor when I first started reading it because I felt she was stuck up and found the whole âmummyâ thing creepy, but everything I disliked was explained later in the plot. She also became more likeable as she got closer to Raymond.
There are also multiple little twists throughout the book which kept me gripped the whole way through. Itâs been a while since I read a book that had so many unexpected twists and turns in the plot.
It did remind me a lot of a more serious episode of the IT Crowd. Eleanor reminds me of Jen when sheâs trying to be formal and Raymond is a definite cross of Roy and Moss. The serious turns, later on, take it away from this idea.
I also donât think Iâve ever read a novel with an alcoholic main character, either. I feel like it makes Eleanorâs straight-talking narration more unreliable and some parts vague to their meaning.
Itâs definitely worth the hype and worth a read.
I got this book because itâs one of those ones that almost everyone is talking about. A lot of the time, I donât actually like the really popular books, but this one was definitely worth it. Itâs funny, mysterious and weird, and such a great read.
The novel follows the changes in Eleanor as she makes her first friend â Raymond, an IT Crowd worthy hilarious character who warms her heart and completely changes her personality.
I loved this because it was so different. Iâve got to admit, I couldnât stand Eleanor when I first started reading it because I felt she was stuck up and found the whole âmummyâ thing creepy, but everything I disliked was explained later in the plot. She also became more likeable as she got closer to Raymond.
There are also multiple little twists throughout the book which kept me gripped the whole way through. Itâs been a while since I read a book that had so many unexpected twists and turns in the plot.
It did remind me a lot of a more serious episode of the IT Crowd. Eleanor reminds me of Jen when sheâs trying to be formal and Raymond is a definite cross of Roy and Moss. The serious turns, later on, take it away from this idea.
I also donât think Iâve ever read a novel with an alcoholic main character, either. I feel like it makes Eleanorâs straight-talking narration more unreliable and some parts vague to their meaning.
Itâs definitely worth the hype and worth a read.
Merissa (13303 KP) rated Secret Burdens (Stories of Lorst #3) in Books
Jul 30, 2018
Secret Burdens (Stories of Lorst #3) by Suzanna J. Linton
Secret Burdens is the third book in the Stories of Lorst series, and I was happy to dive back into this world. However, Clara wasn't at her best, and I was left wondering what was going and why - pretty much like everyone else in the book! It didn't take long before I was sucked into the story, with all of its glorious twists and turns that kept my attention, and definitely left me needing to read 'just one more page'.
This is an intricate story, and my admiration for Suzanna J. Linton knew no bounds, as the story effortlessly flowed. How she managed to keep up with the writing, making it easy to read, which still maintaining the mystery, I will never know!
The characters are a delight to return to, and in fact, has left me wanting to return to Clara, just so I can start the series again. With no editing or grammatical errors that I noticed, I have no hesitation in recommending this story. Absolutely brilliant, and I can't wait to read more.
If you're wondering why I didn't give it 5-stars when I've been raving so much, it is down to something that happens right at the end. I won't say what, as it would spoil the story. That being said, I can't wait to see where the story is taken next. Read it for yourself, and you'll become hooked on these books too!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is an intricate story, and my admiration for Suzanna J. Linton knew no bounds, as the story effortlessly flowed. How she managed to keep up with the writing, making it easy to read, which still maintaining the mystery, I will never know!
The characters are a delight to return to, and in fact, has left me wanting to return to Clara, just so I can start the series again. With no editing or grammatical errors that I noticed, I have no hesitation in recommending this story. Absolutely brilliant, and I can't wait to read more.
If you're wondering why I didn't give it 5-stars when I've been raving so much, it is down to something that happens right at the end. I won't say what, as it would spoil the story. That being said, I can't wait to see where the story is taken next. Read it for yourself, and you'll become hooked on these books too!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
A classic
Dune has been on my reading list for quite some time, and it's only after seeing the trailer for the new film that I finally caved and decided to buy this. I didn't even read the synopsis until the book arrived and when I did I was sceptical to say the least, especially as this had comparisons to the likes of Tolkien and Lord of the Rings.
However despite my reservations I was hooked from a few pages in. This is definitely a marmite, love it or hate it kind of book, and the comparisons to Tolkien are very much justified as there are similarities in their writing styles. Whilst there is action in this book, there's also a lot of world building, descriptions and dialogue. This might seem boring to some, but for me i loved every minute of it. Barely any of it was superfluous or unnecessary, and the characters and world that Herbert has built are hugely detailed and well developed. If possible I actually wanted to read more about certain characters than had already been written.
It's taken me longer than normal to read this book. Not because it's bad but because it was that good that I wanted to take my time and relish every chapter. My biggest disappointment about this book was that it ended. There are sequels to this that I've heard don't match up to the this and get progressively worse, so I'm in two minds about whether to read further. But I honestly loved this book and I'm a little ashamed that it's taken me so long to read it, and now I can't wait for the new film..
However despite my reservations I was hooked from a few pages in. This is definitely a marmite, love it or hate it kind of book, and the comparisons to Tolkien are very much justified as there are similarities in their writing styles. Whilst there is action in this book, there's also a lot of world building, descriptions and dialogue. This might seem boring to some, but for me i loved every minute of it. Barely any of it was superfluous or unnecessary, and the characters and world that Herbert has built are hugely detailed and well developed. If possible I actually wanted to read more about certain characters than had already been written.
It's taken me longer than normal to read this book. Not because it's bad but because it was that good that I wanted to take my time and relish every chapter. My biggest disappointment about this book was that it ended. There are sequels to this that I've heard don't match up to the this and get progressively worse, so I'm in two minds about whether to read further. But I honestly loved this book and I'm a little ashamed that it's taken me so long to read it, and now I can't wait for the new film..
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Onward (2020) in Movies
Oct 5, 2020 (Updated Oct 5, 2020)
Heartwarmingly funny
For me Pixar films usually fall into one of two categories: very good (Cars, Brave, Coco) and brilliant (Up, Wall-E, Toy Story). However there is no such thing as a bad Pixar film, and Onward does not prove this wrong.
A Pixar film with a fantasy setting, what's not to like? It's a great take on elves, wizards and mythical creatures and also relevant to today's society with it's cultural references and technological advancements. And unicorns acting like stray cats? Genius. The plot itself is exactly the type of quest you'd expect in a fantasy, with your typical Disney/Pixar tropes (dead parent). However this story doesn't necessarily turn out the way you'd expect and I have to commend Pixar for not being predictable. Like Frozen before it, this plays out in a rather emotional and heartwarming yet fairly unexpected way. I'd be lying if I said I didn't get any "feels" watching this!
There's no real need to say that this film looks amazing. I think it'd be more surprising if a Pixar film didn't. It also has a great voice cast although my only real negative of this film is that I felt like the cast could've been given more to work with. It may have just been me not paying attention, but I struggled to even notice John Ratzenberger (which is like missing the late Stan Lee in a Marvel film).
Onward is an unusual Pixar film. For me it falls between the aforementioned categories. It's not "bad" enough to just be very good but it's not quite brilliant, although I did enjoy it very much and laughed a lot more than I was expecting.
A Pixar film with a fantasy setting, what's not to like? It's a great take on elves, wizards and mythical creatures and also relevant to today's society with it's cultural references and technological advancements. And unicorns acting like stray cats? Genius. The plot itself is exactly the type of quest you'd expect in a fantasy, with your typical Disney/Pixar tropes (dead parent). However this story doesn't necessarily turn out the way you'd expect and I have to commend Pixar for not being predictable. Like Frozen before it, this plays out in a rather emotional and heartwarming yet fairly unexpected way. I'd be lying if I said I didn't get any "feels" watching this!
There's no real need to say that this film looks amazing. I think it'd be more surprising if a Pixar film didn't. It also has a great voice cast although my only real negative of this film is that I felt like the cast could've been given more to work with. It may have just been me not paying attention, but I struggled to even notice John Ratzenberger (which is like missing the late Stan Lee in a Marvel film).
Onward is an unusual Pixar film. For me it falls between the aforementioned categories. It's not "bad" enough to just be very good but it's not quite brilliant, although I did enjoy it very much and laughed a lot more than I was expecting.
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated We Were Kings - Single by Neon Dreams in Music
Jun 25, 2019
Neon Dreams (Frank Kadillac, Adrian Morrisis) is a pop outfit based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Not too long ago, they released a music video for their âWe Were Kingsâ single.
âThe video for âWe Were Kingsâ was shot by my close friend Alex Gayoso and directed by me. We were driving through Utah and found this piece of land that was incredible. It had all the landscapes in one place. As a Coldplay fan, I had this idea for doing a one-take video like âYellowâ but making it our own.â â Frank Kadillac
âWe Were Kingsâ tells an interesting tale of a young man who reminisces on his teenage years when he was thirteen and six-feet-tall.
Back then, he was shy and the new kid in town, until he obtained a friend. Together, they skipped classes; he wrote songs that his friend sang along to.
Later, he admits that the other children used to beat him up because of the color of his skin. Even then, his friend was there to pick him up.
Even though he hasnât seen his friend since then, he still remembers the days when they had crowns before they were kings.
âI want to be honest about who I am. I was raised by a single mother who had me when she was only 17. We moved around a lot. I was sleeping in closets, couches â wherever we could stay until we got evicted. I was the new kid in 10 different schools. âWe Were Kingsâ is a heartfelt thank you to those that helped me get through my difficult teenage years. I wanted to make a song that shows these people theyâre always in my heart. Nothing has ever changed about my feelings towards them.â â Frank Kadillac
âThe video for âWe Were Kingsâ was shot by my close friend Alex Gayoso and directed by me. We were driving through Utah and found this piece of land that was incredible. It had all the landscapes in one place. As a Coldplay fan, I had this idea for doing a one-take video like âYellowâ but making it our own.â â Frank Kadillac
âWe Were Kingsâ tells an interesting tale of a young man who reminisces on his teenage years when he was thirteen and six-feet-tall.
Back then, he was shy and the new kid in town, until he obtained a friend. Together, they skipped classes; he wrote songs that his friend sang along to.
Later, he admits that the other children used to beat him up because of the color of his skin. Even then, his friend was there to pick him up.
Even though he hasnât seen his friend since then, he still remembers the days when they had crowns before they were kings.
âI want to be honest about who I am. I was raised by a single mother who had me when she was only 17. We moved around a lot. I was sleeping in closets, couches â wherever we could stay until we got evicted. I was the new kid in 10 different schools. âWe Were Kingsâ is a heartfelt thank you to those that helped me get through my difficult teenage years. I wanted to make a song that shows these people theyâre always in my heart. Nothing has ever changed about my feelings towards them.â â Frank Kadillac
The Perfect Betrayal
10.0
Rate It
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'A captivating, suspenseful thriller that draws you in - with a twist that will take your breath...
Mystery Thriller General Fiction (Adult) Grief Trust
Merissa (13303 KP) rated Redesigning Fate (The Revive Series, #1) in Books
Apr 18, 2023
This book will take you on a stellar journey, not all of it nice, but all of it completely gripping. Marlena left her boyfriend three months ago after things made a turn for the worse. She has made the decision to get her life back under her own control, no one else's. One of the ways in which she does this is to make a major move to a new home, new city, new job. She starts her new job and literally falls for Elias, after she has walked into him! Marlena has a journey of discovery to embark upon as she has to learn to trust herself, and others, which trying to avoid getting hurt, if at all possible.
I loved this book! You get it from the points of view of Marlena and Travis, who, I have to say, is an incredibly well-written villain. I don't like him, not one bit, but he is completely three-dimensional. He is a true brute and I can't abide him. Elias, Sin and Shelby are all intriguing characters and let me just say, I nearly threw my kindle at the wall!! To get so close to finding out their story and then for the book to finish... well, yes!
For those of you that like your stories with a darker edge (like abuse or stalking for example), then I can highly recommend this story. A.M. Wilson reminds me of Alex Grayson for some reason, although I don't know why. Perhaps it is because they've both written exceptional stories in a hard-hitting genre. Whatever the reason, this book rocks!
* 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!
Oct 8, 2015
I loved this book! You get it from the points of view of Marlena and Travis, who, I have to say, is an incredibly well-written villain. I don't like him, not one bit, but he is completely three-dimensional. He is a true brute and I can't abide him. Elias, Sin and Shelby are all intriguing characters and let me just say, I nearly threw my kindle at the wall!! To get so close to finding out their story and then for the book to finish... well, yes!
For those of you that like your stories with a darker edge (like abuse or stalking for example), then I can highly recommend this story. A.M. Wilson reminds me of Alex Grayson for some reason, although I don't know why. Perhaps it is because they've both written exceptional stories in a hard-hitting genre. Whatever the reason, this book rocks!
* 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!
Oct 8, 2015
Merissa (13303 KP) rated The Omega Merger: A Reverse Harem Omegaverse in Books
May 6, 2023
THE OMEGA MERGER is a Reverse Harem Omegaverse with MM and MF elements and is the first book in the Billionaires in Heat series
I enjoyed the story and the different characters although I did have some issues with it too. It was one of those books that absolutely drew me in whilst I was reading it but, after I had finished, questions and reactions started coming to light.
For example, Alain after he drops a bombshell at dinner when he comments about Maddie and Kel checking in with their boss because he keeps them on a tight leash. He was just being an a$$hole, there was no reason for that. No wonder Maddie didn't think he liked her!
In one respect, the book was actually true to life. After all, things happen every day that don't move our stories forward, and that's what happened here with the bomb threats and stuff about Maddie coming out. It made for fun reading but I don't really know why it was in there. If you take it out, you're not missing anything. Or with Finn Viser or the Lyall Brothers too. It makes me wonder if things will tie together when their stories come out.
I really feel as though Lucas got the short straw. He was the one alpha I was interested in and he got the least amount of page space.
This was an omegaverse with a twist that I did enjoy and would definitely read more in this world.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 6, 2023
I enjoyed the story and the different characters although I did have some issues with it too. It was one of those books that absolutely drew me in whilst I was reading it but, after I had finished, questions and reactions started coming to light.
For example, Alain after he drops a bombshell at dinner when he comments about Maddie and Kel checking in with their boss because he keeps them on a tight leash. He was just being an a$$hole, there was no reason for that. No wonder Maddie didn't think he liked her!
In one respect, the book was actually true to life. After all, things happen every day that don't move our stories forward, and that's what happened here with the bomb threats and stuff about Maddie coming out. It made for fun reading but I don't really know why it was in there. If you take it out, you're not missing anything. Or with Finn Viser or the Lyall Brothers too. It makes me wonder if things will tie together when their stories come out.
I really feel as though Lucas got the short straw. He was the one alpha I was interested in and he got the least amount of page space.
This was an omegaverse with a twist that I did enjoy and would definitely read more in this world.
** 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!
May 6, 2023
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated An Elephant Sitting Still (2018) in Movies
Oct 28, 2021
RIP - Hu Bo
Misery porn with gigantism, the most contagiously bleak movie I've ever seen to the point where my mind went to some very dark places of isolation during viewing - and I nearly had to shut it off. The uncomfortable closeness of the shots, the pitch-black subject matter, the merciless length consisting of sparse cuts and only extremely sporadic uses of any sort of music... it all adds into such a memorably unsparing experience. And yes, of course Hu Bo tragically committing suicide before the film was released does cast an unshakeably morbid shadow over the film as well - but there's so much more to it than just that. Still not convinced much of this works though, a lot of the melodrama on display is pretty basic and cloying which initially turned me off from it. But as a technical feat the thing is simply astounding: the long takes are beyond impressive, the performances are all a true feat of acting, the visuals are grim without sucking the beauty out of them, and every song from the score adds into some of the most evocative pieces of music ever used in a film. I can't imagine the kind of discipline it would take to make a film like this, let alone the intelligence. The masterful way in which it never gives up its deep feeling of savage cruelty for almost four whole hours actually even makes the beginning stuff - which at first rang pretty regressive/simplistic (even suffocating at times) for me - retroactively pretty good in my mind. It's rare you see a swing this fuckin' wide and *this* fuckin' confident out of the film industry, a work only capable of a real artist - kills me that we won't get to see anymore films from Bo, a genius with a crystal clear vision.
Misery porn with gigantism, the most contagiously bleak movie I've ever seen to the point where my mind went to some very dark places of isolation during viewing - and I nearly had to shut it off. The uncomfortable closeness of the shots, the pitch-black subject matter, the merciless length consisting of sparse cuts and only extremely sporadic uses of any sort of music... it all adds into such a memorably unsparing experience. And yes, of course Hu Bo tragically committing suicide before the film was released does cast an unshakeably morbid shadow over the film as well - but there's so much more to it than just that. Still not convinced much of this works though, a lot of the melodrama on display is pretty basic and cloying which initially turned me off from it. But as a technical feat the thing is simply astounding: the long takes are beyond impressive, the performances are all a true feat of acting, the visuals are grim without sucking the beauty out of them, and every song from the score adds into some of the most evocative pieces of music ever used in a film. I can't imagine the kind of discipline it would take to make a film like this, let alone the intelligence. The masterful way in which it never gives up its deep feeling of savage cruelty for almost four whole hours actually even makes the beginning stuff - which at first rang pretty regressive/simplistic (even suffocating at times) for me - retroactively pretty good in my mind. It's rare you see a swing this fuckin' wide and *this* fuckin' confident out of the film industry, a work only capable of a real artist - kills me that we won't get to see anymore films from Bo, a genius with a crystal clear vision.