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Deep Blue Secrets ( The Water Keepers book 1)
By Christie Anderson

California teen Sadie James thinks her life couldn't get any better. She has great friends, an energetic mother she adores, and the beach practically in her own backyard. But her carefree life is turned upside down when she's rescued by a mysterious and strangely familiar boy who won't even tell her his name. Each time the boy appears, Sadie's unexplainable attraction to him deepens along with her need to unravel his secrets. The boy is there to protect her. But as wonderful and exciting as it might be to have an irresistible boy with crystal green eyes protecting her every move, every minute of the day . . . why does Sadie need one? As Sadie finds answers, she realizes her life isn't as perfect as she thought. Not only is she caught in a world of dangerous secret agents she never knew existed, but it turns out her true identity may be the greatest secret of all.

So I was in between a 3.5 and 4 stars for this. For a young adult it was well written flowed really nicely and had a new story to spin. The concept was really interesting and I’m looking forward to reading more. It was an easy enjoyable read also a new author for me.
  
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PIPKAT (4 KP) rated Manhunting in Books

Mar 4, 2022  
M
Manhunting
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
<b>POV:</b> Dual.
<b>Descriptive Sex:</b> Yes.
<b>OW/OM:</b> No.
<b>Separation:</b> Yes. <spoiler>6 weeks</spoiler>
<b>★★★★ ½</b>

It's been a while since I've laughed out loud while reading. Crusie always delivers an interesting, kind of quirky story, so I expected nothing less here. However, [b:Manhunting|33737|Manhunting|Jennifer Crusie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392156095l/33737._SX50_.jpg|726931] has become a favorite of mine purely because of the wit. Gosh, the wit. Sometimes you can tell when an author is trying too hard for "banter". The conversations are just too stilted and forced. But that is not a problem here. All of the characters here are sharp and entertaining, the exchanges just flowed with ease.

The biggest issue, which I've seen mentioned already, are the POV changes. If you've read any of Crusie's work you'd know that POV changes aren't marked or indicated, they just happen. It's usually not an issue because they were easy to figure out, but I felt the POV changes here were... odd. Sometimes misplaced, often short and switching back and forth within just one paragraph. Obviously, it didn't interfere with my entertainment, but I felt it should be mentioned for others who might be bothered by it.
  
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ClareR (5686 KP) rated Sunny in Books

Mar 21, 2022  
Sunny
Sunny
Sukh Ojla | 2022 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Humor & Comedy, Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
How I wish I could have known Sunny when I was in my thirties - or even now, if I’m honest! I read this book on The Pigeonhole, and I looked forward to opening each stave every day. It was one of those books that I just didn’t want to end. I mean, what happens after the last page?

Sunny feels the weight of expectation on her shoulders. She knows that her parents want her to get married, but she only seems to meet men who are wrong for her. I think a lot of this is because of her distinct lack of self-confidence and her poor body image. She calls herself fat constantly, she doesn’t seem to like herself very much, and puts herself across as the life and soul of every party to her friends, whilst hating the way that they use her. Actually, I don’t think that a lot of her friends are deserving of her friendship at all.

This book is a journey to self-acceptance for Sunny, and I was very happy to be on that journey with her. It’s funny and sad in equal measure. You can definitely tell that a comedian wrote this. Some of the observations were really funny, and the timing was perfect.

It’s a touching, funny novel, and one I’d recommend without hesitation.
  
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ClareR (5686 KP) rated Mad Honey in Books

Jan 30, 2023  
Mad Honey
Mad Honey
Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan | 2022 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+, Mystery, Thriller
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I read this on The Pigeonhole (my online bookclub!) and eagerly awaited each stave release - they always manage to leave it on a cliffhanger! And there are a lot of secrets in this novel.

Olivia has returned to her childhood home, escaping from an abusive marriage, to take over her family’s beekeeping business. Everything is going really well for her, until the day that her son Asher is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Lily. Olivia is wracked with feelings of guilt and fear: could he be like his father? Olivia can’t be sure if he’s done this, whether or not he’s violent like his father, or whether someone else has murdered her.

I usually avoid books written by two people - and I couldn’t tell you why! Picoult writes Olivia’s parts, Finney Boylan writes Lily’s. And honestly, I couldn’t see any wildly different writing styles between the two authors. Both of them just seem to nail the characters. Perfectly.

Olivia and Lily are both imperfect characters - as are we all - and they were both so realistically written. They were both living and breathing characters. I was completely invested in them both, even though I knew Lily’s story could only go one way.

This is a great book, and one that I’ve often thought about since reading it. If you read it, you’ll see why.

Recommended.
  
TE
The Enfield horror trilogy (books 1-3)
Ron Ripley | 2022
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
75 of 230
Kindle
The Enfield horror trilogy ( Books 1-3)
By Ron Ripley
⭐️⭐️⭐️

In the deep woods of Enfield, an autumn windstorm has unleashed a horror that has been trapped for over 100 years. For decades, the beast and its lair have hungered. Now the people of Enfield have to deal with a supernatural hunter with an insatiable appetite for humans.A hunter that is disturbingly good at what it does.As people start disappearing, Officer Tom Henderson finds himself thrust from the role of a rural police officer into that of a savior. Improbable eyewitness accounts tell him that the beast he has to face is merciless. And now, Tom will discover how deep his courage truly runs.


Well I wasn’t expecting that! I thought I was getting some creepy story out in the woods. What I got was a fully fledged Japanese dragon with an appetite for human flesh and an attitude problem lol. Haha I just wasn’t expecting it. Overall I enjoyed it but found it a little strange I can’t quite put my finger on why! I would have liked a li more on the mythological side to explain it all a little better I think. I do like this author his books always find a way to surprise me.
  
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Lou Grande (148 KP) created a post in LGBTQ+ Media

Jul 5, 2018  
So, Scarlett Johansson has been cast as a trans man in an upcoming film, and some people are a little outraged at both her casting and the way she handled the backlash (which was to say "Tell them that they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman's reps for comment").

I'm a trans guy, and I get it. The goal of any movie is to make money, and Johansson is bankable. I think the way she handled it lacks a bit of class, but again, she's sort of right--no one got in a snit when these other cis actors were cast as trans people. However, I also understand the frustration from the other side. Johansson already, arguably, whitewashed the role of Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell, which totally flopped. She's working with the same director for this film. My fear is that trans guys get so little representation in the media, and this casting decision is going to negatively impact the movie. When I was growing up, the first time I learned that women could transition was watching Boys Don't Cry. And as you recall, that movie does not end well for anyone! So of course I was scared. I stayed in the closet for a long, long time. I'm really just torn about the whole thing.

What do you all think?
  
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Abi (5 KP) Jul 15, 2018

Thankfully she’s officially stepped down from the role now.

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Lou Grande (148 KP) Jul 17, 2018

Yeah, and now all the "anti-SJW" groups have their panties in a twist about it. I would have been fine if she had handled herself with more aplomb, even though she was going to be hilariously miscast.

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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Spy School: Project X in Books

Oct 6, 2022 (Updated Oct 6, 2022)  
Spy School: Project X
Spy School: Project X
Stuart Gibbs | 2022 | Children
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Target: Ben Ripley
Any student will tell you that finals is a stressful time, but it is even more so at Spy School. After all, not only do you have to pass your classes, but failing could lead to serious pain. Ben Ripley has something extra to worry about since he’s been summoned to the principal’s office. Fortunately, he is running a little late since, while he is on the way, the principal’s office explodes. Another attack confirms it – assassins have targeted Ben. Fortunately, Ben’s friend, Erica Hale, knows exactly who is behind it. Unfortunately, that means a trip to find and confront this villain with danger around every corner. Will Ben make it?

This was another wonderful book in the series. The action is almost non-stop, yet it never feels forced into the story but is instead a result of Ben’s need to stop the attempts on his life. There’s also plenty of humor, often coming from the over the top (in the best way) action sequences but sometimes coming from the characters. Speaking of characters, there were a couple of slower moments, which allowed for some good growth. I’m intrigued by the tease at the end of the book, so I’m anxiously awaiting the next entry in the series. If you are a fan old or new, you’ll enjoy this book.
  
AC
Abra Cadabra ( Harem of Freaks book 2)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
1 of 235
Kindle
Abra Cadabra ( Harrm of Freaks book 2)
By Crystal Ash
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶

Something is watching me. I can't tell if it wants to hurt or protect me.

Is the howling at night real or is my mind playing tricks on me? What about the flashes of white fur I see out of the corners of my eyes? And who is the beautiful, pale man haunting my dreams?

As carnival performers, it's always on to the next show. A tattooed sword swallower with an affinity for fire has gotten me all fired up. Connor not only doesn't mind, but he's encouraging the sparks to fly. My heart's being pulled in multiple directions, and somehow it actually feels right.

Meanwhile, I've been tasked with the impossible for this show. I can't just pull it off, I have to nail it perfectly, or the whole operation could go up in flames.

The ride has just begun. Step right up.


It’s a quick easy fun read. I love how different this book is. We meet 2 shifters who Melody seems to draw to her it’s also nice to see a single father figure featured too. Crystal Ash is becoming one of my favourite indie authors her books are effortless and always entertaining. Also Dragon shifter what’s not to love?
  
Wildfire (Hellfire #1)
Wildfire (Hellfire #1)
Ella Moore | 2021 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!


Erisi is the most feared demon in the whole of hell. Her reputation precedes her, that is until they see her and then think how could she possibly be the most feared demon when she won't even turn into demon form. That is their mistake and she will make them pay. She will do whatever it takes to become head of Lucifer's guards to prove her worth. Well, almost anything.


I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and cannot wait to read the next one. I found myself asking questions about why the characters are the way they are and what's happened as you are given snippets until they are ready to tell you so the question does get answered and it's horrific what both characters have been through. I enjoyed the growing relationship between all of the characters and how they become a family. The amount of detail in the battle scenes had me feeling a bit icky at times as you can almost see what is happening through the descriptions given.


I recommend you read this.


** 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. *