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Connilyn Cossette has officially earned her spot as my favorite Biblical Fiction Author. The creativity in which she approaches the era, the people, and the culture of the Hebrews astounds me. She accomplishes so much while staying as true to history and the Bible as possible (obviously there are some creative strokes because this IS fiction).

Moriyah and Darek have been thrown into a circumstance that takes their lives in a direction they never thought possible. Running for her life, Moriyah must face the consequences of her actions, even if accidental. Meanwhile, Darek wrestles with his loyalty to his family and his growing attraction to the woman who is responsible for bringing so much heartache to those he loves.
Throughout these pages, we continually see the grace and love of Yahweh expressed for His people. Mrs. Cossette was brilliant in her execution of this story. There is always another level of history, of scripture, to discover, and I felt like she brought this aspect of the Mosaic Law closer to the surface of understanding.

If you have never read Biblical Fiction before, you should definitely give Mrs. Cossette's books a try. If you love history in any aspect (especially Biblical) I encourage you to read A Light on the Hill. Your eyes will be opened and your heart touched to the core by this beautiful story of love, danger, faith, and healing.

I received a complimentary copy of A Light on the Hill from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
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ClareR (5686 KP) rated Little Women in Books

Dec 11, 2018  
Little Women
Little Women
Louisa May Alcott | 2012 | Children
8
7.9 (75 Ratings)
Book Rating
An enjoyable classic!
The thing with Classics, is that they don't tend to stand up to modern scrutiny. I've seen far too many people slating this book because the women had such low aspirations: wife, mother, to be well-behaved, well-mannered at all times. Did they read the bits with Jo in? Ok, so Meg is happy to marry and stay at home with the children, something which would have been expected of her at the time anyway. She doesn't make any complaints about wanting to do anything different though. The majority of women had different expectations at this time - and Jo butts heads against these expectations. She isn't an obedient daughter to a large extent (although her parents recognise her needs and pretty much let her run with it). She isn't an obedient daughter to a large extent. She makes her own money with her writing and goes away to work. Even after marriage she continues to work at the school she and Professor Behr open. So there was some indication that doors would open to those who were forceful and outgoing enough. But why can't we just enjoy these books for what they are? It's a good story that people still enjoy reading, with the added bonus of a bit of social history!
This is the second time that I've read this (which is a rare thing in itself), and I have to say that I really enjoyed it!
Many thanks to Jellybooks for giving me the impetus to read it again!
  
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ClareR (5686 KP) rated The Beekeeper of Aleppo in Books

Oct 16, 2019 (Updated Oct 16, 2019)  
The Beekeeper of Aleppo
The Beekeeper of Aleppo
Christy Lefteri | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I loved this book so much, that I bought it for my mum!
I’m going to sound very clichéd when I say what I want to say about this book. I know it, but I’m going to say it anyway. This is a book that will stay with you. It will break your heart. It will open your eyes (if they aren’t already) to the horrors in the world. It will make you realise that even amongst all of this despair and death, there is always hope. Hope of survival, hope of new beginnings.

The things that Nuri and his wife Afra see and experience in Aleppo, causes Afra, an artist, to go blind. The experiences that they live through on their journey to Greece and on to the UK are harrowing. No part of this journey is easy. The story is compelling, and it’s a story that frankly we should all be aware of. People have really lived through the things that Nuri and Afra see, do and have done to them. This is still happening, both in Syria and in other places in the world.

I think I pretty much cried through the last couple of chapters, but I couldn’t stop reading it. I’d still recommend it to anyone that wants to read about the experiences of refugees, and quite possibly I’d recommend it to those who don’t know what these people go through. There’s a lot to be learnt from this book.

Many thanks to ReadersFirst for my copy of this book.
  
Hereditary (2018)
Hereditary (2018)
2018 | Drama, Horror, Mystery
I'm going to piss people off with this one! (Nothing personal)
I will agree with some who have said either this film is weird, not for everyone or horror is a tough genre to get correct. I felt kind of like I was watching Drag Me To Hell or even Suspiria toward the end of this creepy thriller/horror film, but I was along for the ride.

I will say now more than ever in the world of no opening credits anymore Marvel/Disney CGI Conjuring/Insidious universe modern horror movie crap, this film is a standout above most of those for sure. I am not sure why people can't let a story unfold and be in the mood for a gradual buildup of tension rather than stupid jump scare movies or some random computer-generated pukefest.

If you don't like slow build movies (which they don't make much anymore because of modern moviegoer attention spans) then make sure you don't watch Jaws, Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind, E.T. or even The Exorcist and Rosemary's Baby because you will be thoroughly bored.

I'm certainly not saying Hereditary is the best of its genre, but it is certainly unconventional and keeps you guessing as to what will happen next. Toni Collette is really good playing a nutty mother whose family is continually torn apart and I feel the screenplay has enough interesting elements to make this a thoroughly entertaining film.

So there! I still love you all. :)

  
    Beryl

    Beryl

    Maxine Peake

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    I had a constant battle to get where I am today. Scrimping and scraping, people telling me not to do...