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Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Water Bound (Sea Haven/Sisters of the Heart, #1) in Books
Jan 29, 2020
2.5 stars.
(I finally finished it!)
This one starts with Rikki waking from a nightmare - one she has regularly - regarding the fires that have chased her for a lot of her life. We learn more about those fires the more into the story we go. Anyway, Rikki is a sea urchin diver. She's out collecting them from a new location she's found when a giant wave knocks her around in the water and she sees someone being bashed around on the sea floor. She goes to their rescue and takes the man back to her boat where in his confusion he attacks her. Lev has no memory of who is he or what he was doing in the water but is grateful to the women who rescues him despite his initial reaction. Rikki takes him back to her house to nurse him back to health and feelings begin to stir between them as they try to figure out who he is and what happened that meant he ended up in the water.
This does contain more than what's mentioned above. There's Rikki's affinity with water, meaning she can manipulate it and it calms her when she's upset. There's also Lev's abilities - telepathy, advanced senses, his ability to map places in seconds. There's the Drake sisters - I read all those books a few years ago - who get mentioned and Rikki's adopted "sisters".
I think this is one of the first books I've read where the main character has some form of autism. Seeing some of the things that Rikki goes through with her sensitivity to sound and light, as well as some of the amazing things she dealt with like seeing the rain fall as some sort of symphony - it was an eye-opener.
I felt the story progressed a little too slowly for my liking. I was mostly interested in finding out who had been stalking Rikki and setting the fires and for Lev to successfully integrate into normal life and evade the bad guys who were trying to find and kill him. This definitely felt like a Paranormal Romantic Suspense if such a genre exists.
I'm not sure I'll be continuing the series.
(I finally finished it!)
This one starts with Rikki waking from a nightmare - one she has regularly - regarding the fires that have chased her for a lot of her life. We learn more about those fires the more into the story we go. Anyway, Rikki is a sea urchin diver. She's out collecting them from a new location she's found when a giant wave knocks her around in the water and she sees someone being bashed around on the sea floor. She goes to their rescue and takes the man back to her boat where in his confusion he attacks her. Lev has no memory of who is he or what he was doing in the water but is grateful to the women who rescues him despite his initial reaction. Rikki takes him back to her house to nurse him back to health and feelings begin to stir between them as they try to figure out who he is and what happened that meant he ended up in the water.
This does contain more than what's mentioned above. There's Rikki's affinity with water, meaning she can manipulate it and it calms her when she's upset. There's also Lev's abilities - telepathy, advanced senses, his ability to map places in seconds. There's the Drake sisters - I read all those books a few years ago - who get mentioned and Rikki's adopted "sisters".
I think this is one of the first books I've read where the main character has some form of autism. Seeing some of the things that Rikki goes through with her sensitivity to sound and light, as well as some of the amazing things she dealt with like seeing the rain fall as some sort of symphony - it was an eye-opener.
I felt the story progressed a little too slowly for my liking. I was mostly interested in finding out who had been stalking Rikki and setting the fires and for Lev to successfully integrate into normal life and evade the bad guys who were trying to find and kill him. This definitely felt like a Paranormal Romantic Suspense if such a genre exists.
I'm not sure I'll be continuing the series.
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated All He Needs (My Truth #1) in Books
Sep 29, 2019
one teeny little niggle . . .
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Caden has lusted after his straight friend, Mason, for some time. Add in Rick, and Caden thinks he’s nuts for wanting two men. Then Caden’s snowboarding career is ended by a silly stupid mistake on his part, and he needs to go home to help his sister with her imminent arrival. But home is half-way across the globe and Caden doesn’t know if he’ll ever get back to New Zealand. When Caden is faced with a devastating loss, Mason and Rick come running to help THEIR man. Because Caden is THEIRS, they just need him to see it.
I loved this, a LOT!
All three guys have been lusting after the other two for some time, and it was great watching them all come together, even if it took such a loss to Caden for make everyone see.
All three guys have a say, in the first person. Each change occurs as the chapter changes and each change is clearly headed.
It’s not overly explicit, but it IS heart breaking in places. Caden’s loss, then the possibility he might lose his baby niece, and the way his father has dealt with everything up to now. His dad does comes good though, and I think Mason and Rick were great for Dad as well as Caden.
I have just one thing, that stops in getting 5 stars.
I felt I was missing some information on each of the guys stories, some back history that I wasn’t getting. Like there was another book before this one that I should have read.
Were these guys in another series, even as secondary characters? I’m not sure EXACTLY what I was missing, but you all know I’m all about sharing my feelings, and THIS feeling stayed with me right through the whole book!
Still, a very enjoyable read, that I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish in one sitting. It would be great to catch up with all of these guys, Dad included, at some point.
So, ONLY because of that niggly feeling.....
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Caden has lusted after his straight friend, Mason, for some time. Add in Rick, and Caden thinks he’s nuts for wanting two men. Then Caden’s snowboarding career is ended by a silly stupid mistake on his part, and he needs to go home to help his sister with her imminent arrival. But home is half-way across the globe and Caden doesn’t know if he’ll ever get back to New Zealand. When Caden is faced with a devastating loss, Mason and Rick come running to help THEIR man. Because Caden is THEIRS, they just need him to see it.
I loved this, a LOT!
All three guys have been lusting after the other two for some time, and it was great watching them all come together, even if it took such a loss to Caden for make everyone see.
All three guys have a say, in the first person. Each change occurs as the chapter changes and each change is clearly headed.
It’s not overly explicit, but it IS heart breaking in places. Caden’s loss, then the possibility he might lose his baby niece, and the way his father has dealt with everything up to now. His dad does comes good though, and I think Mason and Rick were great for Dad as well as Caden.
I have just one thing, that stops in getting 5 stars.
I felt I was missing some information on each of the guys stories, some back history that I wasn’t getting. Like there was another book before this one that I should have read.
Were these guys in another series, even as secondary characters? I’m not sure EXACTLY what I was missing, but you all know I’m all about sharing my feelings, and THIS feeling stayed with me right through the whole book!
Still, a very enjoyable read, that I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish in one sitting. It would be great to catch up with all of these guys, Dad included, at some point.
So, ONLY because of that niggly feeling.....
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
The Patchwork Girl of Oz
9.0
Rate It
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In this dazzling tale, L. Frank Baum proves once again his power to delight and enchant readers of...
Merissa (13197 KP) rated A Timeline Restored (Prevent the Past #3) in Books
Jun 15, 2023
A TIMELINE RESTORED is the outstanding finale in the Prevent the Past trilogy and we finish with a bang!
It is Alora and Eli's turn - two people who have suffered more than most and are firmly on board with Lainey's plan. Now, I'm going to be honest here. I haven't suffered what Alora has (thank goodness) so I have no idea how I'd react, either during or after the event. I understand that, I do, but I did find myself telling her to move on; that Eli had done the best he could in a horrible situation, and that he wasn't the one to actually do the deed. She didn't listen to me and poor Eli paid the price. Him-I loved, which actually surprised me considering the things he has done. But, oh man, he knew he had done them and paid for them every moment of every day. Tortured hero, anyone? Sign me up!
Anyway, there is more to this book than just Eli and Alora. We also have Elle and Zach, plus Lainey and Hunter, plus Claire and Cyrus, and let's not forget the indomitable Marie. Can someone please pass me a hanky?
The ending - oh, my; let's talk about that ending, shall we? The words perfect, shocking, twisted, and is it really over? pass through my mind! I won't say anymore but oh, boy. Strap yourselves in because it's a bumpy ride but definitely worth it!
This has been such a great series, outside my normal comfort zone with all the talk of time travel, paradoxes, and science, but I have loved each and every book. Rebecca Hefner was already a go-to author for me for paranormal romance. Now I know that it doesn't matter the genre; if she writes it, I will read it!
HIGHLY recommended but please start with book one so you have some idea of what's going on!
** 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!
Jun 15, 2023
It is Alora and Eli's turn - two people who have suffered more than most and are firmly on board with Lainey's plan. Now, I'm going to be honest here. I haven't suffered what Alora has (thank goodness) so I have no idea how I'd react, either during or after the event. I understand that, I do, but I did find myself telling her to move on; that Eli had done the best he could in a horrible situation, and that he wasn't the one to actually do the deed. She didn't listen to me and poor Eli paid the price. Him-I loved, which actually surprised me considering the things he has done. But, oh man, he knew he had done them and paid for them every moment of every day. Tortured hero, anyone? Sign me up!
Anyway, there is more to this book than just Eli and Alora. We also have Elle and Zach, plus Lainey and Hunter, plus Claire and Cyrus, and let's not forget the indomitable Marie. Can someone please pass me a hanky?
The ending - oh, my; let's talk about that ending, shall we? The words perfect, shocking, twisted, and is it really over? pass through my mind! I won't say anymore but oh, boy. Strap yourselves in because it's a bumpy ride but definitely worth it!
This has been such a great series, outside my normal comfort zone with all the talk of time travel, paradoxes, and science, but I have loved each and every book. Rebecca Hefner was already a go-to author for me for paranormal romance. Now I know that it doesn't matter the genre; if she writes it, I will read it!
HIGHLY recommended but please start with book one so you have some idea of what's going on!
** 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!
Jun 15, 2023
postapocalypticplayground (27 KP) rated Crooked Kingdom in Books
Jan 9, 2018
Brekker is back and with more fiendish frivolity from the barrel. Still trying to recover from the disastrous end to the Ice Court job, little does Kaz know how deep the deception went and how much he is going to have to unravel to even begin to salvage what he started. Kaz maybe clever but he is far from the only clever man in Ketterdam. He is going to have to work even harder than ever before to try and recapture what he is owed, but with Inej captured, Nina battling an addiction with parem, Wylan tailored to the wrong face and Jesper now forced to confront his past, how easy will that be?
Crooked Kingdom is a longer book than Six of Crows yet the action takes place mainly over a matter of days, the multiple POV's stretching the tortuously epic and heart thumping twists across the pages. It still has that immense page turning captivation that was within Six of Crows, but it just lacked that extra sense of excitement along with it. They are both books of equal joy but I think book 1 just pips it, but only just. In typical Kaz Brekker style there are twists and swindles and multiple cons that would given Danny Ocean on his best day a run for his money. I love a story that keeps me questioning myself and hanging on a thread as to the outcome, and Crooked Kingdom gave this to me in spades.
I don't know what is wrong with me of late in the emotions stake, but this book again reduced me to tears, the short but intense bursts of connectivity with the characters overwhelmed me. Multiple POV's in books is a risk and I have been drowned by them in books in the past but Leigh Bardugo manages to completely avoid this. Despite every player being forced to battle for chapter time, I felt utterly part of them and their story, sharing their joys and sadness as they peaked and troughed through the words.
The only thing that I didn't enjoy about this concluding part of the duology was entirely down to the publisher. I read the paperback of this book and found that the text was just so hard to read. The margins were so tight, the text was disappearing into the gutter and hiding under my thumbs as I was reading. I hate having to bend back spines on paperbacks which made this even more of an arduous task, I get that more text on a page means fewer pages and lower print costs but this made it such a hard read at times, sort it out Indigo!! This is the first Duology that I have read and I have to say this is now my favourite book series style, all of the action and none of the filler - I hope that more writers/publishers take this forward in the future.
Would I love more from Kaz and the Dregs? Of course! However, unlike a TV show that jumps the shark I am glad that the world of Ketterdam has been left the way it has and I look forward immensely to the next original world created by Bardugo.
Crooked Kingdom is a longer book than Six of Crows yet the action takes place mainly over a matter of days, the multiple POV's stretching the tortuously epic and heart thumping twists across the pages. It still has that immense page turning captivation that was within Six of Crows, but it just lacked that extra sense of excitement along with it. They are both books of equal joy but I think book 1 just pips it, but only just. In typical Kaz Brekker style there are twists and swindles and multiple cons that would given Danny Ocean on his best day a run for his money. I love a story that keeps me questioning myself and hanging on a thread as to the outcome, and Crooked Kingdom gave this to me in spades.
I don't know what is wrong with me of late in the emotions stake, but this book again reduced me to tears, the short but intense bursts of connectivity with the characters overwhelmed me. Multiple POV's in books is a risk and I have been drowned by them in books in the past but Leigh Bardugo manages to completely avoid this. Despite every player being forced to battle for chapter time, I felt utterly part of them and their story, sharing their joys and sadness as they peaked and troughed through the words.
The only thing that I didn't enjoy about this concluding part of the duology was entirely down to the publisher. I read the paperback of this book and found that the text was just so hard to read. The margins were so tight, the text was disappearing into the gutter and hiding under my thumbs as I was reading. I hate having to bend back spines on paperbacks which made this even more of an arduous task, I get that more text on a page means fewer pages and lower print costs but this made it such a hard read at times, sort it out Indigo!! This is the first Duology that I have read and I have to say this is now my favourite book series style, all of the action and none of the filler - I hope that more writers/publishers take this forward in the future.
Would I love more from Kaz and the Dregs? Of course! However, unlike a TV show that jumps the shark I am glad that the world of Ketterdam has been left the way it has and I look forward immensely to the next original world created by Bardugo.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Dark Sacred Night in Books
Mar 6, 2019
Well-plotted mystery
Renee Ballard is working her usual late night shift when she finds a man going through files at the station. It turns out this stranger is Harry Bosch, a retired detective, who is working on a cold case that has turned personal. Ballard sends him on his way, but begins looking into the files Bosch was flipping through. Once she does, she becomes interested in the case too: fifteen-year-old Daisy, a runaway who was horrifically murdered, her body left on the streets. Ballard begins investigating the case as well, forming an alliance with Bosch and attempting to find out what happened to Daisy nearly a decade ago.
I was a little leery when I learned that Connelly was going to combine Renee's story with my beloved Harry Bosch's (let's just say I love Bosch too much to share him), but this book was really excellent, and I found myself enjoying the two of them together. The narrative switches between Ballard and Bosch, so we still get to hear from each character separately: it's just their stories and lives that start to overlap. This overlap happened pretty naturally, and honestly, their burgeoning partnership/friendship was fun to see. There's a moment in the book when someone asks the pair how they want some files, and Ballard responds "digital" and Bosch, "print," and we get a sense of the fact that--no matter how clever and similar they are--Bosch is truly our old school guy and Ballard is the new blood. So combining forces might not be so bad after all.
I love Harry Bosch. I've loved him for about seven years now, since I discovered this series, and I will always adore him, and I don't like that he's aging, and yeah. I'm attached. Reading his sections was like being back with an old friend. Connelly has Bosch's character and voice so perfected by now. I don't want to reveal too much, but this book ties back to the previous a bit (though it will work on its own), so we see Bosch struggling with some of the choices he made in the last book and figuring out exactly where he stands in his career. I won't lie: it's hard to see him age and even to be fallible.
I really tried to read this one slowly and savor it, as Connelly books (especially with Bosch) just don't come along every day. I love how Connelly seems to know so much (e.g., police procedures, gang wars and rituals, even about surfing), but it never feels like he's over explaining anything. Even better, you always get such a good story. I enjoy how he ties so many of his disparate plot pieces together, or comes back to something you think is totally unrelated. And there's always some sort of recent pop culture worked in (a bit of the #MeToo movement pops up here).
There's a lot going on this book--after all, we get cases from both Bosch and Ballard, plus their shared pursuit of justice for Daisy, but it all works in Connelly's deft hands. He is the master of interlocking stories. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I was fascinated to see Bosch and Ballard interact, and I was so glad to have another episode featuring my beloved Bosch. If you're a Bosch fan, I think you'll like this one. And if you just enjoy a good, well-plotted mystery, I highly recommend this one as well.
I was a little leery when I learned that Connelly was going to combine Renee's story with my beloved Harry Bosch's (let's just say I love Bosch too much to share him), but this book was really excellent, and I found myself enjoying the two of them together. The narrative switches between Ballard and Bosch, so we still get to hear from each character separately: it's just their stories and lives that start to overlap. This overlap happened pretty naturally, and honestly, their burgeoning partnership/friendship was fun to see. There's a moment in the book when someone asks the pair how they want some files, and Ballard responds "digital" and Bosch, "print," and we get a sense of the fact that--no matter how clever and similar they are--Bosch is truly our old school guy and Ballard is the new blood. So combining forces might not be so bad after all.
I love Harry Bosch. I've loved him for about seven years now, since I discovered this series, and I will always adore him, and I don't like that he's aging, and yeah. I'm attached. Reading his sections was like being back with an old friend. Connelly has Bosch's character and voice so perfected by now. I don't want to reveal too much, but this book ties back to the previous a bit (though it will work on its own), so we see Bosch struggling with some of the choices he made in the last book and figuring out exactly where he stands in his career. I won't lie: it's hard to see him age and even to be fallible.
I really tried to read this one slowly and savor it, as Connelly books (especially with Bosch) just don't come along every day. I love how Connelly seems to know so much (e.g., police procedures, gang wars and rituals, even about surfing), but it never feels like he's over explaining anything. Even better, you always get such a good story. I enjoy how he ties so many of his disparate plot pieces together, or comes back to something you think is totally unrelated. And there's always some sort of recent pop culture worked in (a bit of the #MeToo movement pops up here).
There's a lot going on this book--after all, we get cases from both Bosch and Ballard, plus their shared pursuit of justice for Daisy, but it all works in Connelly's deft hands. He is the master of interlocking stories. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I was fascinated to see Bosch and Ballard interact, and I was so glad to have another episode featuring my beloved Bosch. If you're a Bosch fan, I think you'll like this one. And if you just enjoy a good, well-plotted mystery, I highly recommend this one as well.
Amanda (96 KP) rated Wandering in Wonderland (Book #1) in Books
Apr 1, 2019
Lewis Carroll didn’t get it right?
A GIANT thank you and gratitude to The Parliament House publishing and the author for giving me this opportunity to read this book. I did a cover reveal and I knew right off the bat that I was going to love this book. I was right.
We follow Jessica whom eats a bit of cookie and winds up forgetting her past life. Once she is told that she has died and is now in Wonderland, Jessica struggles with the acclimation of this unique land that is only read in a book. She’s escorted by a White Rabbit named Horace (Not a genuine rabbit, but in this story, White Rabbits is Wonderland’s term for queen’s guards). She comes across Rion, the Caterpillar (but disguised as a man at the time) and he gives her a journal that belonged to a Hatter named Rorie (quite a few R names here.)
Anyway, she is taken to the Queen of Hearts, whom happens to be Alice. As a new comer to Wonderland, the new comers are to look through the Looking Glass to show where they are meant to be in Wonderland. You could be a Crafter or a part of the court, the Looking Glass shows you who you are. When Jessica looks through the glass, she is struck as are the other members of the palace that she is shown to be a Spade.
Spades declared ware on the palace before Alice took the throne. Wonderland is a magical place, but it can choose who it likes and doesn’t like, and who gets to leave and stay.
I don’t want to give away too much, so I’ll stop there for time being.
I’m going to be the first to say that Alice in Wonderland is not my favorite story. I don’t like the Disney cartoon (though I did as a child, what was I thinking?) I do love Tim Burton’s spin on it (IT’S NOT A REMAKE!) but the original story I just couldn’t get into it. The summary and the excerpt to this story was just too good to pass up. I had a feeling I would enjoy the story, I just didn’t realize how much I would.
I read this in days (would have been less if I didn’t have a full time job). It’s a unique spin on the story. This isn’t so much as a retelling as it is a what if or an addition to it if Alice became the queen of hearts. So don’t go into this story and think it’s a retelling, because it is not.
I adored the characters including Alice and Jessica. There are some dark moments, but me being a highly sensitive person, it wasn’t as triggering, but I will say there are some there. I loved the twists in the story and how Jessica really does come to terms with her new found role in Wonderland.
This is a first in a series. That’s my only complaint! Why must have the (im)patience for the next book and the wonder (lol) as to what is going to happen with Jessica? Can’t tell you the ending, Wonderland wants you to know it from beginning to end.
We follow Jessica whom eats a bit of cookie and winds up forgetting her past life. Once she is told that she has died and is now in Wonderland, Jessica struggles with the acclimation of this unique land that is only read in a book. She’s escorted by a White Rabbit named Horace (Not a genuine rabbit, but in this story, White Rabbits is Wonderland’s term for queen’s guards). She comes across Rion, the Caterpillar (but disguised as a man at the time) and he gives her a journal that belonged to a Hatter named Rorie (quite a few R names here.)
Anyway, she is taken to the Queen of Hearts, whom happens to be Alice. As a new comer to Wonderland, the new comers are to look through the Looking Glass to show where they are meant to be in Wonderland. You could be a Crafter or a part of the court, the Looking Glass shows you who you are. When Jessica looks through the glass, she is struck as are the other members of the palace that she is shown to be a Spade.
Spades declared ware on the palace before Alice took the throne. Wonderland is a magical place, but it can choose who it likes and doesn’t like, and who gets to leave and stay.
I don’t want to give away too much, so I’ll stop there for time being.
I’m going to be the first to say that Alice in Wonderland is not my favorite story. I don’t like the Disney cartoon (though I did as a child, what was I thinking?) I do love Tim Burton’s spin on it (IT’S NOT A REMAKE!) but the original story I just couldn’t get into it. The summary and the excerpt to this story was just too good to pass up. I had a feeling I would enjoy the story, I just didn’t realize how much I would.
I read this in days (would have been less if I didn’t have a full time job). It’s a unique spin on the story. This isn’t so much as a retelling as it is a what if or an addition to it if Alice became the queen of hearts. So don’t go into this story and think it’s a retelling, because it is not.
I adored the characters including Alice and Jessica. There are some dark moments, but me being a highly sensitive person, it wasn’t as triggering, but I will say there are some there. I loved the twists in the story and how Jessica really does come to terms with her new found role in Wonderland.
This is a first in a series. That’s my only complaint! Why must have the (im)patience for the next book and the wonder (lol) as to what is going to happen with Jessica? Can’t tell you the ending, Wonderland wants you to know it from beginning to end.
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated In Safe Arms (My Truth #2) in Books
Sep 29, 2019
stunning emotional read!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book two in the My Truth series, and I read it back to back to book one, All He Needs. While not strictly necessary to read book one before this one, I would personally recommend you do. Spoilers, is all you’ll get but book one was a 4 star read cos of one minor niggle that is explained in my review.
We met Angelo and Tristan in book and there were some indications to what might be in store for them in that book. Rick (Angelo’s brother) Mason, and Caden all pop up here, hence the spoiler tag.
THIS book, however, does NOT have that niggle and is an altogether different, difficult, heart-breaking, gut wrenching, sobbing kind of book!
I mean from the very beginning, when Tristan begins telling the tale, it’s awful reading, what happened to him at the hands of a family friend. When he is on the streets after, and what happened to him and his friend then. Tristan really does break your heart.
Then when Angelo takes up the story? OH, I wanted to wrap that man up in cotton wool and protect him! From Tristan of all people cos you know, right when they meet, Tristan is gonna break Angelo’s heart! And he does, just not in the way I was expecting.
Angelo is smitten with Tristan, right from the start, but Tristan comes across as straight and all Angelo can do is be a friend for Tristan. Then Angelo notices things, little touches, glances and the like, and it makes Angelo think.
When Tristan breaks down and finally tells Angelo everything that happened, you’ll cry, you really will! I rarely react to such extremes when READING, but I was sobbing great wracking sobs when Tristan was telling Angelo! Listening, I react more for so . . . . . oh. . . . .I need to LISTEN to this, I really do! Someone narrate it, please!
But I digress, sorry!
Because of Tristan’s history, the physical relationship between him and Angelo is slow, and takes time to build. There is an emotional connection from very early on, but the physical stuff comes much MUCH later in the book. And I LOVED that it did. Often, things move too fast for characters who suffer like Tristan did, but not so here. I did think, at one point, it might not ever happen, at all but once Tristan is able to talk to Angelo and then to professional help, things get much better, very quickly.
This is only the second book I’ve read of Ms Grech, after All He Needs, but I need to read more. She has a way of breaking your heart I’ve not come across before!
This is NOT a light and fluffy read, this is NOT a short book, both in page length and time span, this is not one of those books you can fall into and forget the world. This IS however, a stunning read that I read in one sitting and I stayed up way, WAY past my bedtime to finish it. I needed to know that things turned out okay for Angelo and Tristan, and I could not leave their story midway through.
5 stunning stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book two in the My Truth series, and I read it back to back to book one, All He Needs. While not strictly necessary to read book one before this one, I would personally recommend you do. Spoilers, is all you’ll get but book one was a 4 star read cos of one minor niggle that is explained in my review.
We met Angelo and Tristan in book and there were some indications to what might be in store for them in that book. Rick (Angelo’s brother) Mason, and Caden all pop up here, hence the spoiler tag.
THIS book, however, does NOT have that niggle and is an altogether different, difficult, heart-breaking, gut wrenching, sobbing kind of book!
I mean from the very beginning, when Tristan begins telling the tale, it’s awful reading, what happened to him at the hands of a family friend. When he is on the streets after, and what happened to him and his friend then. Tristan really does break your heart.
Then when Angelo takes up the story? OH, I wanted to wrap that man up in cotton wool and protect him! From Tristan of all people cos you know, right when they meet, Tristan is gonna break Angelo’s heart! And he does, just not in the way I was expecting.
Angelo is smitten with Tristan, right from the start, but Tristan comes across as straight and all Angelo can do is be a friend for Tristan. Then Angelo notices things, little touches, glances and the like, and it makes Angelo think.
When Tristan breaks down and finally tells Angelo everything that happened, you’ll cry, you really will! I rarely react to such extremes when READING, but I was sobbing great wracking sobs when Tristan was telling Angelo! Listening, I react more for so . . . . . oh. . . . .I need to LISTEN to this, I really do! Someone narrate it, please!
But I digress, sorry!
Because of Tristan’s history, the physical relationship between him and Angelo is slow, and takes time to build. There is an emotional connection from very early on, but the physical stuff comes much MUCH later in the book. And I LOVED that it did. Often, things move too fast for characters who suffer like Tristan did, but not so here. I did think, at one point, it might not ever happen, at all but once Tristan is able to talk to Angelo and then to professional help, things get much better, very quickly.
This is only the second book I’ve read of Ms Grech, after All He Needs, but I need to read more. She has a way of breaking your heart I’ve not come across before!
This is NOT a light and fluffy read, this is NOT a short book, both in page length and time span, this is not one of those books you can fall into and forget the world. This IS however, a stunning read that I read in one sitting and I stayed up way, WAY past my bedtime to finish it. I needed to know that things turned out okay for Angelo and Tristan, and I could not leave their story midway through.
5 stunning stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated A Lady in Defiance (Romance in the Rockies #1) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
When God leads three sisters to a town called Defiance, they had no idea how He would use them to shine His light in the darkest of places.
"Naomi found it mind-boggling and quite humbling what God could do if you let him."
Location 3665
About the Book
Charles McIntyre is the founder of Defiance, a town riddled with lust and drunkenness. He is determined to clean up the town so that the railroad will lay tracks there. The only problem is, he has forgotten what it takes to be a man of honor. Recently widowed Mrs. Naomi Miller and her two sisters, Hannah and Rebecca, know that they were led to Defiance by God. Intent on opening a respectable hotel, they face challenges that they have been unprepared for. Following the Lord's lead...and sometimes that of a feisty personality, the sisters aim to earn a decent reputation in the town and share the love of God with those around them. Showing them that no one is perfect, and that our Heavenly Father loves us no matter our past. Repentance and salvation is available to us all. Will Naomi be able to see past the sins of the man and see his heart? With more than one disreputable man in town, will the sisters remain safe?
My Thoughts
I have not read many books that so blatantly show us the black and white of sin and salvation. There is a lot of language referencing the work of the prostitutes in the story. But I do not feel that the profession was glamorized at all, far from it. There is a lot of reference to the prostitutes' low cut dresses and ogling of the females in general by the men. But as the sisters remain pure, their attitudes and behavior rubs off on those around them. Giving us a perfect example of being in the world but not of it. They held firm to their beliefs and were not swayed by the godless world around them. And through them God brought a change to the town and the occupants. While this is not a book I would recommend for young readers, I never felt uncomfortable reading this and I am planning on reading the rest of the series. I would also like to honor Heather for writing what she was called to write. She shares the true grit of the west with the pure love and acceptance of our Lord Jesus Christ.
My Rating
★★★★☆ - You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. (More Info)
Published by Rivulet Publishing. I received a free digital copy of A Lady in Defiance in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
"Naomi found it mind-boggling and quite humbling what God could do if you let him."
Location 3665
About the Book
Charles McIntyre is the founder of Defiance, a town riddled with lust and drunkenness. He is determined to clean up the town so that the railroad will lay tracks there. The only problem is, he has forgotten what it takes to be a man of honor. Recently widowed Mrs. Naomi Miller and her two sisters, Hannah and Rebecca, know that they were led to Defiance by God. Intent on opening a respectable hotel, they face challenges that they have been unprepared for. Following the Lord's lead...and sometimes that of a feisty personality, the sisters aim to earn a decent reputation in the town and share the love of God with those around them. Showing them that no one is perfect, and that our Heavenly Father loves us no matter our past. Repentance and salvation is available to us all. Will Naomi be able to see past the sins of the man and see his heart? With more than one disreputable man in town, will the sisters remain safe?
My Thoughts
I have not read many books that so blatantly show us the black and white of sin and salvation. There is a lot of language referencing the work of the prostitutes in the story. But I do not feel that the profession was glamorized at all, far from it. There is a lot of reference to the prostitutes' low cut dresses and ogling of the females in general by the men. But as the sisters remain pure, their attitudes and behavior rubs off on those around them. Giving us a perfect example of being in the world but not of it. They held firm to their beliefs and were not swayed by the godless world around them. And through them God brought a change to the town and the occupants. While this is not a book I would recommend for young readers, I never felt uncomfortable reading this and I am planning on reading the rest of the series. I would also like to honor Heather for writing what she was called to write. She shares the true grit of the west with the pure love and acceptance of our Lord Jesus Christ.
My Rating
★★★★☆ - You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. (More Info)
Published by Rivulet Publishing. I received a free digital copy of A Lady in Defiance in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Claimed (Breaking Free #7)
10.0
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University student Demir Higgs is on the fast-track to graduate with honors and dive straight into...
Mpreg Omegaverse M_M