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Debbiereadsbook (1441 KP) rated First Impressions (Auckland Med. #1) in Books
Nov 1, 2019
awesome read!
This is book one in the Auckland Med series, but I am reading this AFTER I read book two, Crossing the Touchline. This book has been re-edited and tidied up, and is a re-release. I did not read the original version, so I can’t comment on any differences there may be.
But THIS version? Was brilliant!
Michael runs into Josh at a very inopportune moment, with his trousers round his knees, and his junk on display. That Josh immediately pushes ALL of Michael’s buttons and THEN some, is irrelevant. Josh does not want a player and Michael does not want a relationship. So why can they not stay away from each other?
Michael’s reason for not wanting a relationship and Josh’s for not wanting a player in his life are made clear to us very early on, but it takes a LOT of time for them to open up to each other, and it really is painful watching them get to that point!
I mean, neither wants *this* thing between them, that much is clear, but they cannot keep apart, and the chemistry between them of off the charts but emotionally?? Neither is ready for anything. And then, the pesky emotions do their thing and both of them, separately of each other, decide that maybe, just maybe they can make this work.
Then something happens that sends them both into the unknown abyss and Michael runs clear across the world.
It took me all day to read this, because I alternatively wanted to punch both Michael AND Josh in the face, and to wrap them both up in cotton wool and love hard on them! I still don’t know which is the more dominant feeling, I really don’t! I had to keep putting the book down, to get over whichever was higher up at the time.
And trust me when I say, I rarely verbally react when READING (listening is different) and I did swear at this book a time or three at this book, I really did!
These guys have some serious chemistry, let me tell ya! I was *NOT* being sociable, and reading at the mother in law’s house and she kept asking me if I was too hot, cos my face was flushed and I had to tell her I was coming down with a cold! Along with the noises, and I think she thought I was nuts!
I can’t go into much, for spoilers, but this book twists and turns all over the place, and just when you think it’s all sorted? Boom! It goes off again!
I loved that Cam, from book 2, takes a huge part and we see a different side to him here.
Even though I know this has been edited and stuff, I would have loved the first version, I know.
Don’t know who is next, I really don’t care, so long as I can get my grubby little mitts on it!
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
But THIS version? Was brilliant!
Michael runs into Josh at a very inopportune moment, with his trousers round his knees, and his junk on display. That Josh immediately pushes ALL of Michael’s buttons and THEN some, is irrelevant. Josh does not want a player and Michael does not want a relationship. So why can they not stay away from each other?
Michael’s reason for not wanting a relationship and Josh’s for not wanting a player in his life are made clear to us very early on, but it takes a LOT of time for them to open up to each other, and it really is painful watching them get to that point!
I mean, neither wants *this* thing between them, that much is clear, but they cannot keep apart, and the chemistry between them of off the charts but emotionally?? Neither is ready for anything. And then, the pesky emotions do their thing and both of them, separately of each other, decide that maybe, just maybe they can make this work.
Then something happens that sends them both into the unknown abyss and Michael runs clear across the world.
It took me all day to read this, because I alternatively wanted to punch both Michael AND Josh in the face, and to wrap them both up in cotton wool and love hard on them! I still don’t know which is the more dominant feeling, I really don’t! I had to keep putting the book down, to get over whichever was higher up at the time.
And trust me when I say, I rarely verbally react when READING (listening is different) and I did swear at this book a time or three at this book, I really did!
These guys have some serious chemistry, let me tell ya! I was *NOT* being sociable, and reading at the mother in law’s house and she kept asking me if I was too hot, cos my face was flushed and I had to tell her I was coming down with a cold! Along with the noises, and I think she thought I was nuts!
I can’t go into much, for spoilers, but this book twists and turns all over the place, and just when you think it’s all sorted? Boom! It goes off again!
I loved that Cam, from book 2, takes a huge part and we see a different side to him here.
Even though I know this has been edited and stuff, I would have loved the first version, I know.
Don’t know who is next, I really don’t care, so long as I can get my grubby little mitts on it!
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**

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Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) in Movies
Aug 3, 2020
God-Awful
Pretty much separate from all the other movies, when youngster Sean Black goes to Japan to live with his father, he rebels and gets involved in the underground life of street racing. Since I’m on a streak of reviewing god-awful movies, I present to you The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
Acting: 5
Beginning: 1
The beginning puts us right in the heart of a cheesy car race. It wasn’t bad, but as I look back over the entirety of the other movies, car races are typically the one thing they get right. So, in comparison, it was actually terrible. Definitely put me in a weird kind of mood for what was to come.
Characters: 8
What the characters lacked in depth, they were at least fun characters to include in the story. If nothing else, at least it’s not Paul Walker! That alone was enough to get my seal of approval.
Cinematography/Visuals: 5
Conflict: 5
Sure there is a motive to drive the story. Is it strong? Not really. Enough to carry a movie? It’ll do. The problem with not having characters with depth is having to rely on the action to drive the story. When there’s not enough of it, you’re in trouble.
Entertainment Value: 5
So here’s the thing: The actual drifting part was kind of cool. I also like the fact that they really make an attempt to get you involved in the Japanese world. At one point, I made the note: “I don’t hate this movie.” At some point that did change, but there was a true moment where the movie held its own for a bit.
Memorability: 3
I couldn’t tell you one memorable line from this movie. I couldn’t tell you one cool action sequence that really got me excited. All I really remember is some drifting and some beautiful Tokyo landscapes…and that’s pretty much all in the title. This is not a repeat watch type of movie.
Pace: 10
Plot: 5
The story had potential. My problem was it kept leaving out pockets of information and it never really felt like I got the full story. It was like I kept getting up to go to the bathroom and missing something crucial each time. There is way too much jumping around for my taste.
Resolution: 5
The ending left me with a mild sense of satisfaction. Even if I wasn’t late to the game and I was watching this for the first time when it was first released, I would’ve still known that there would be more movies to come. That’s what nags at me: The lack of completion. It doesn’t feel like an ending when you know it’s not over.
Overall: 52
Some movies are bad but entertaining. Case and point: The Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift. You will hate it, but you will also walk away having seen a few solid moments as well. As much as I try and avoid this franchise at all costs, there were glimmers in these early movies that the franchise could be more than what it was. Glad they finally found their way.
Acting: 5
Beginning: 1
The beginning puts us right in the heart of a cheesy car race. It wasn’t bad, but as I look back over the entirety of the other movies, car races are typically the one thing they get right. So, in comparison, it was actually terrible. Definitely put me in a weird kind of mood for what was to come.
Characters: 8
What the characters lacked in depth, they were at least fun characters to include in the story. If nothing else, at least it’s not Paul Walker! That alone was enough to get my seal of approval.
Cinematography/Visuals: 5
Conflict: 5
Sure there is a motive to drive the story. Is it strong? Not really. Enough to carry a movie? It’ll do. The problem with not having characters with depth is having to rely on the action to drive the story. When there’s not enough of it, you’re in trouble.
Entertainment Value: 5
So here’s the thing: The actual drifting part was kind of cool. I also like the fact that they really make an attempt to get you involved in the Japanese world. At one point, I made the note: “I don’t hate this movie.” At some point that did change, but there was a true moment where the movie held its own for a bit.
Memorability: 3
I couldn’t tell you one memorable line from this movie. I couldn’t tell you one cool action sequence that really got me excited. All I really remember is some drifting and some beautiful Tokyo landscapes…and that’s pretty much all in the title. This is not a repeat watch type of movie.
Pace: 10
Plot: 5
The story had potential. My problem was it kept leaving out pockets of information and it never really felt like I got the full story. It was like I kept getting up to go to the bathroom and missing something crucial each time. There is way too much jumping around for my taste.
Resolution: 5
The ending left me with a mild sense of satisfaction. Even if I wasn’t late to the game and I was watching this for the first time when it was first released, I would’ve still known that there would be more movies to come. That’s what nags at me: The lack of completion. It doesn’t feel like an ending when you know it’s not over.
Overall: 52
Some movies are bad but entertaining. Case and point: The Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift. You will hate it, but you will also walk away having seen a few solid moments as well. As much as I try and avoid this franchise at all costs, there were glimmers in these early movies that the franchise could be more than what it was. Glad they finally found their way.

Andy K (10823 KP) rated Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) in Movies
Jan 3, 2018
The cast (2 more)
The screenplay
The location
On paper, a film about a bunch of real estate salesman sitting around an office insulting each other and going to any length to get the customer to buy what they are selling may sound boring and uninteresting.
Let m tell you, this film is far from that and is one of my favorite films of all time. If you even put aside the stellar cast of Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Kevin Spacey, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin and Alec Baldwin (best role of his career), the screenplay by David Mamet (based on his play) is so full of rich, entertaining words, you can't believe what you are hearing.
Some of the battles between the salesman trying to get their sale or insulting each other after something goes awry have to be heard to be believed. The Alec Baldwin speech is really great; however, the one I always remember is the lashing Al Pacino gives Kevin Spacey when Spacey says the wrong thing.
Unbelievable!
I highly recommend as I have seen many times and enjoy even more every time.
Let m tell you, this film is far from that and is one of my favorite films of all time. If you even put aside the stellar cast of Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Kevin Spacey, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin and Alec Baldwin (best role of his career), the screenplay by David Mamet (based on his play) is so full of rich, entertaining words, you can't believe what you are hearing.
Some of the battles between the salesman trying to get their sale or insulting each other after something goes awry have to be heard to be believed. The Alec Baldwin speech is really great; however, the one I always remember is the lashing Al Pacino gives Kevin Spacey when Spacey says the wrong thing.
Unbelievable!
I highly recommend as I have seen many times and enjoy even more every time.

Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Fortunately, the Milk ... in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I used this book as a read aloud to my inclusion class of fourth graders. It was selected as one of the Sunshine State Young Readers books this year & I thought it would be a great way to hopefully inspire them to check out some of the other books on the list. They absolutely adored this book. I don't think there was a single page that went by where they weren't laughing or guessing what would happen next or bursting at the seams to tell me how they pictured this scene or that character. To me, any book that can bring together a group of kids that fall all across the reading level spectrum is worth at least a 5 star review!!!
I won't lie...I really enjoyed this book too. There are so many awesome "younger aged" books out there that way too many adults pass up thinking they are too sophisticated to read them. News flash people, if you enjoy a book who cares if it's a 4th grade reading level or aimed at a doctoral student!? Reading is supposed to be fun. Thank you Neil Gaiman for showing my reluctant readers just that!!!!
I won't lie...I really enjoyed this book too. There are so many awesome "younger aged" books out there that way too many adults pass up thinking they are too sophisticated to read them. News flash people, if you enjoy a book who cares if it's a 4th grade reading level or aimed at a doctoral student!? Reading is supposed to be fun. Thank you Neil Gaiman for showing my reluctant readers just that!!!!

Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated The Heart's Melody (Black & White Edition) in Books
May 10, 2018
**I received this book free from Story Cartel in exchange for an honest review.**
Noa and Amar meet each other in, "Mutual Advice", a support group for those who have relationship issues. Amar and Noa end up doing sessions together and these sessions lead to a romantic relationship. An relationship that is forbidden from the start as Noa is Jewish and Amar is Muslim.
Chava Epstein writes a romantic story filled with passion. The reason why I didn't give this story more than two stars was because it just didn't make me feel the passion. I'm not sure if some of the story got lost in translation, or if the format I was reading it in, distracted from the deeper meaning, but it was a task for me to finish this book. Throughout telling the love story of Noa and Amar, there are also love letters and paintings and other stories that Noa is writing to tell about her love for Amar. All of these side stories made me lose interest in the rest of what was going on.
On the other hand, I LOVED the artwork that accompanied each chapter in the book.
Noa and Amar meet each other in, "Mutual Advice", a support group for those who have relationship issues. Amar and Noa end up doing sessions together and these sessions lead to a romantic relationship. An relationship that is forbidden from the start as Noa is Jewish and Amar is Muslim.
Chava Epstein writes a romantic story filled with passion. The reason why I didn't give this story more than two stars was because it just didn't make me feel the passion. I'm not sure if some of the story got lost in translation, or if the format I was reading it in, distracted from the deeper meaning, but it was a task for me to finish this book. Throughout telling the love story of Noa and Amar, there are also love letters and paintings and other stories that Noa is writing to tell about her love for Amar. All of these side stories made me lose interest in the rest of what was going on.
On the other hand, I LOVED the artwork that accompanied each chapter in the book.

Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated The Heart's Melody (Black & White Edition) in Books
Apr 3, 2019
I received this book from Story Cartel in exchange for an honest review.
Noa and Amar meet each other in, "Mutual Advice", a support group for those who have relationship issues. Amar and Noa end up doing sessions together and these sessions lead to a romantic relationship. An relationship that is forbidden from the start as Noa is Jewish and Amar is Muslim.
Chava Epstein writes a romantic story filled with passion. The reason why I didn't give this story more than two stars was because it just didn't make me feel the passion. I'm not sure if some of the story got lost in translation, or if the format I was reading it in, distracted from the deeper meaning, but it was a task for me to finish this book. Throughout telling the love story of Noa and Amar, there are also love letters and paintings and other stories that Noa is writing to tell about her love for Amar. All of these side stories made me lose interest in the rest of what was going on.
On the other hand, I LOVED the artwork that accompanied each chapter in the book.
Noa and Amar meet each other in, "Mutual Advice", a support group for those who have relationship issues. Amar and Noa end up doing sessions together and these sessions lead to a romantic relationship. An relationship that is forbidden from the start as Noa is Jewish and Amar is Muslim.
Chava Epstein writes a romantic story filled with passion. The reason why I didn't give this story more than two stars was because it just didn't make me feel the passion. I'm not sure if some of the story got lost in translation, or if the format I was reading it in, distracted from the deeper meaning, but it was a task for me to finish this book. Throughout telling the love story of Noa and Amar, there are also love letters and paintings and other stories that Noa is writing to tell about her love for Amar. All of these side stories made me lose interest in the rest of what was going on.
On the other hand, I LOVED the artwork that accompanied each chapter in the book.

Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Shattered Illusions: A Paranormal Reverse Harem in Books
May 22, 2019
Dont get in the way of me and my sai. At least, not if youre a vampire. Thats a quick way to end up dead.
My name is Ashryn Barker, and Im a vampire hunter. One of the best in fact.
I also have a secret. One I can never tell anyone else. When I look someone in the eyes, I can see their deepest secret, the one hidden behind the illusion they show the world.
My name is Ashryn Barker, and Im here to shatter your illusions.
Shattered Illusions is a paranormal reverse harem filled with vampires, hunters, and some very wrong assumptions.
Shattered Illusions is the first book in the Ashryn Barker series, and is a novella.
This a very action packed novella and a good start to a series.
We have betrayal, deceit and all is definitely not what it seems when dealing with everyone.
I liked the character of Ashryn; strong, determined and knows her own mind.
I'm interested to see where the story leads through the rest of the books.
Highly recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
My name is Ashryn Barker, and Im a vampire hunter. One of the best in fact.
I also have a secret. One I can never tell anyone else. When I look someone in the eyes, I can see their deepest secret, the one hidden behind the illusion they show the world.
My name is Ashryn Barker, and Im here to shatter your illusions.
Shattered Illusions is a paranormal reverse harem filled with vampires, hunters, and some very wrong assumptions.
Shattered Illusions is the first book in the Ashryn Barker series, and is a novella.
This a very action packed novella and a good start to a series.
We have betrayal, deceit and all is definitely not what it seems when dealing with everyone.
I liked the character of Ashryn; strong, determined and knows her own mind.
I'm interested to see where the story leads through the rest of the books.
Highly recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Lindsay (1760 KP) rated Bloodmoon (Bloodmark Saga, #3) in Books
Feb 8, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
We get to where we are in the final parts of Ashling Boru journey. It all starts once they arrive at the Rock. What does Verci want? Ashling can tell something is up and it just a waiting game. Ashling knows they need to save the humans?
Verci thinks he will win and bet Ashling and her pack? There are more surprises and twist as the story goes on. There is a war going on. Where is Vigdis at? Will Ashing be claimed or not? Does Ashling need to choose who will claim her at Carrowmore?
Ashling needs to save her guardian Baran from a family of evil wolves named the Dvergars. What will happen the Grey? There are some many things that go one and her pack helps Ashling until she can be claimed under Bloodmoon.
There is also a challenge that Ashling needs to do to find the triple Goddess, The mother, and the Crone. But for them to get save more than one person from the Realms. Will Ashling and several of her pack do that without Verci or Vigdis notice? You will need to find out how it ends.
Verci thinks he will win and bet Ashling and her pack? There are more surprises and twist as the story goes on. There is a war going on. Where is Vigdis at? Will Ashing be claimed or not? Does Ashling need to choose who will claim her at Carrowmore?
Ashling needs to save her guardian Baran from a family of evil wolves named the Dvergars. What will happen the Grey? There are some many things that go one and her pack helps Ashling until she can be claimed under Bloodmoon.
There is also a challenge that Ashling needs to do to find the triple Goddess, The mother, and the Crone. But for them to get save more than one person from the Realms. Will Ashling and several of her pack do that without Verci or Vigdis notice? You will need to find out how it ends.

Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated Redeployment in Books
Mar 15, 2018
If there's any one book that will make you thankful for your life this year it's this one. This collection of short stories about the men and women whose lives are affected by their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan is not exactly what one would call "uplifting". That being said, it offers what is perhaps one of the best looks into just what goes through the minds of said soldiers both during and after they experience life in a modern war zone. If you haven't been to war, it will give you a better understanding of some of the things these people deal with, and will make you all the more grateful for their service to your country. Don't get that last statement wrong however, this is hardly a pro-war book, and it makes it clear that just because a soldier is out there serving their nation, it doesn't mean they agree with everything their leaders tell them. But, you know, theirs is not to question why.... This is a very affecting book, and will likely be remembered as a classic in the years to come.