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You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone
9.0
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A moving, lyrical debut novel about twins who navigate first love, their Jewish identity, and...
Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake
9.0
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The island fishing village of Eastport, Maine, has plenty of salty local character. It also has a...
The Immigrant Brides Romance Collection
7.0
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The Immigrant Brides Romance Collection Review ...
The Invited
7.0
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A chilling ghost story with a twist: the New York Times bestselling author of The Winter People...
fiction ghost ghost story ghosts supernatural paranormal
David McK (3562 KP) rated Hearts of Stone in Books
Feb 9, 2022
Not quite what the blurb makes out
Whilst I do associate Simon Scarrow with the genre of historical fiction, these tend to be set further back in history: mainly around the time of the Roman Empire; there or thereabouts.
Until recently, I've tended to avoid his few works that are more contemporary in nature, only recently (towards the end of last year) reading Blackout as I felt they were 'too close' (if that makes sense) for comfort for me in that there are still people alive who lived through the setting.
I must admit, I did quite enjoy Blackout so thought I would also give this a go, due to the roughly the same (WW2) setting.
This novel flits back and forth between then and 'now' (of 2013), as the descendants of the main 1940s settings character start to discover more about their ancestors - in particular, as history teacher Anna uncovers the story of her maternal grandmother Eleni, who participated in the Greek resistance on the island of Lefkas during 1943.
The whole had-a-German-friend in 1939 thing almost seems incidental to the story (he's not), until roughly about the final third.
And yes, I did pick up on the arguments in favour of teaching history (a subject I did, mostly, enjoy in school) passages.
Until recently, I've tended to avoid his few works that are more contemporary in nature, only recently (towards the end of last year) reading Blackout as I felt they were 'too close' (if that makes sense) for comfort for me in that there are still people alive who lived through the setting.
I must admit, I did quite enjoy Blackout so thought I would also give this a go, due to the roughly the same (WW2) setting.
This novel flits back and forth between then and 'now' (of 2013), as the descendants of the main 1940s settings character start to discover more about their ancestors - in particular, as history teacher Anna uncovers the story of her maternal grandmother Eleni, who participated in the Greek resistance on the island of Lefkas during 1943.
The whole had-a-German-friend in 1939 thing almost seems incidental to the story (he's not), until roughly about the final third.
And yes, I did pick up on the arguments in favour of teaching history (a subject I did, mostly, enjoy in school) passages.
Merissa (12934 KP) rated Music & Dreams (The Road to Rocktoberfest 2023) in Books
Oct 30, 2023
MUSIC & DREAMS is part of The Road to Rocktoberfest 2023, a multi-author series. We meet Lorcan and Rogan, the lead singer of a famous band, and the teacher/nanny he hired to look after his daughter. Rogan is attracted to his boss but won't act upon it. Lorcan has feelings for Rogan he is desperately trying to ignore. Until something goes wrong and Lorcan looks after Rogan, unlocking his feelings and making them obvious to everyone, including Amy, his daughter.
Oh, these two. Well, three if I include Amy, which I absolutely have to. So cute. Rogan's insecurities are completely understandable, whilst Lorcan is so very down to earth. Amy is a child who has her eyes wide open and sees everything.
I loved this story. It was everything I needed, from low angst to high steam. I just hope that we get to see the other two find their HEA too! With a smooth pace and no editing errors I noticed, this was a delightful read that kept me turning the pages. Loved every word and 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 28, 2023
Oh, these two. Well, three if I include Amy, which I absolutely have to. So cute. Rogan's insecurities are completely understandable, whilst Lorcan is so very down to earth. Amy is a child who has her eyes wide open and sees everything.
I loved this story. It was everything I needed, from low angst to high steam. I just hope that we get to see the other two find their HEA too! With a smooth pace and no editing errors I noticed, this was a delightful read that kept me turning the pages. Loved every word and 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 28, 2023
Merissa (12934 KP) rated She's the One Who Cares Too Much (War Stories of the Seven Troublesome Sisters #2) in Books
Feb 15, 2021 (Updated Aug 3, 2023)
SHE'S THE ONE WHO CARES TOO MUCH is the second book in the War Stories of the Seven Troublesome Sisters series and we are shown the story from Coral's perspective.
She is the second sister, the one who likes being a teacher and a mother, but then she finds she has a special ability that is both feared and not as all-powerful as first thought. We follow her through her own trials and tribulations as she finds her place in the world, where she thinks of her wishes and dreams, never knowing if they will survive the war to come true.
This book is very different from the first, as it should be. I loved seeing the same events happening through Coral's eyes, giving me a much fuller idea of what was happening.
There are characters I loved, and others I really wasn't sorry to see the back of! I honestly can't wait to read Sulphur's story, which comes next. The ending still felt abrupt, but I was ready for it this time. Now, it just leaves me wanting more. Absolutely recommended by me.
* 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!
Feb 15, 2021
She is the second sister, the one who likes being a teacher and a mother, but then she finds she has a special ability that is both feared and not as all-powerful as first thought. We follow her through her own trials and tribulations as she finds her place in the world, where she thinks of her wishes and dreams, never knowing if they will survive the war to come true.
This book is very different from the first, as it should be. I loved seeing the same events happening through Coral's eyes, giving me a much fuller idea of what was happening.
There are characters I loved, and others I really wasn't sorry to see the back of! I honestly can't wait to read Sulphur's story, which comes next. The ending still felt abrupt, but I was ready for it this time. Now, it just leaves me wanting more. Absolutely recommended by me.
* 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!
Feb 15, 2021
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Night School (2018) in Movies
Jul 2, 2019
Teddy Walker (Kevin Hart) appears to be living a great life. He is successful BBQ grill salesman, he has a Porsche, a nice apartment and a loving and successful girlfriend, Lisa (Megalyn Echikunwoke). Appearances can be deceiving however. The between the Porsche and rent payments he is barely getting by pay check to pay check. Plus he refuses to let his girlfriend pay for any of their dates. Teddy thinks he is turning a corner when his boss tells him that the BBQ grill store will be turned over to him once he retires. Finally he feels like he will have some stability and decides to propose Lisa. During the proposal, at the store that will one day will be his, there is an explosion and the entire store is destroyed. Now Teddy finds himself is out of a job and with no diploma there is little hope of him getting one. Teddy’s friend Marvin (Ben Schwartz) tells him that he can get him a job as a financial assistant but only if he can get his GED. So he heads back to his old high school to take a GED prep course at night school. Thinking he can use his salesman skill to talk his way into cruising to getting his diploma. Unfortunately for him two things stand in his way. One is the principle is his high school nemesis, Stewart (Taran Killam). The second, the night school teacher, Carrie (Tiffany Haddish), will only help those who put in the work and his smooth talk won’t work on this teacher. Now for the first time in his life, Teddy can’t talk his way out of a tough situation and must put in the work to stay with Lisa.
This film surprised me in that not only does it bring the laughs but also has a really positive message. It has a recurring theme of second chances throughout the film. It also tackles learning disabilities in a really interesting and thoughtful way. I thought that yes at times it was cheesy but really stuck to the message of it’s never too late to realize your potential.
This Malcolm D Lee (Girls Trip, The Best Man) directed film definitely has it funny moments. Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish really know how to play off each other, even though I think the back and forth gets a little old by the end. To me the supporting cast (Al Madrigal, Rob Riggle, Romany Malco, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Anne Winters, to name a few) really do a good job and all have really funny moments. The best parts of the movie are when the Hart, Haddish and company are in school playing off each other. The film does repeat some jokes a little too much for me but overall laughed and like the positive message. I liked the originality of the story, even if its themes felt familiar. This may not win any awards but it was an enjoyable and entertaining comedy.
This film surprised me in that not only does it bring the laughs but also has a really positive message. It has a recurring theme of second chances throughout the film. It also tackles learning disabilities in a really interesting and thoughtful way. I thought that yes at times it was cheesy but really stuck to the message of it’s never too late to realize your potential.
This Malcolm D Lee (Girls Trip, The Best Man) directed film definitely has it funny moments. Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish really know how to play off each other, even though I think the back and forth gets a little old by the end. To me the supporting cast (Al Madrigal, Rob Riggle, Romany Malco, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Anne Winters, to name a few) really do a good job and all have really funny moments. The best parts of the movie are when the Hart, Haddish and company are in school playing off each other. The film does repeat some jokes a little too much for me but overall laughed and like the positive message. I liked the originality of the story, even if its themes felt familiar. This may not win any awards but it was an enjoyable and entertaining comedy.
The Last Guru: The Authorised Biography of Robert Cohan
Book
Robert Cohan is part of the pantheon of American contemporary choreographers which includes Alvin...