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Twisted World
8.0
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Twenty years ago a deadly virus swept the globe, ravaging the population. People died and came back...
Post Apocalyptic Apocalypse Dystopia Dystopian Zombies
The Buried: An Archaeology of the Egyptian Revolution
6.0
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From the acclaimed author of River Town and Oracle Bones, an intimate excavation of life in one of...
Bonnie and Clyde: Radioactive
Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall
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THE REVENGE OF BONNIE AND CLYDE Saving the future by exploding the past It's January 1945, six...
thriller Bonnie & Clyde Bonnie and Clyde adult fiction
Thy Killer's Keeper
5.5
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John Salton is everything that a country police can expect of its agent. He has brilliant analytical...
sci fi science fiction paranormal thriller crime detective
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Survivor's Guilt (DCI Matilda Darke #8) in Books
Sep 26, 2021
Having just finished Time is Running Out, the 7th in this series, and being absolutely blown away by it, I couldn't wait to get my grubby little mitts on this, the 8th in the brilliant Matilda Darke series and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. What I will say is that I think it would be preferable to have read the 7th book before reading this one as this one picks the story up 9 months later and will provide an explanation as to why Matilda and other characters are acting as they are.
This book follows 3 themes; the aftermath of the massacre that occurred in the previous book, the murder of prostitutes in Sheffield and the long-running theme of the kidnapping of Carl Meagan.
Once again, Michael writes a gripping story that moves at pace. There is violence and edge-of-the-seat moments; I took at sharp intake of breath when the murderer was revealed - I am usually quite good at figuring out who it is but this one absolutely blind-sided me and I actually gasped and said a few choice words that are not repeatable here as I try to avoid profanity in my reviews!
There is also compassion and tenderness and an authentic-feeling description of how grief and tragedy can affect people differently; it can bring you together or completely tear you apart and destroy you and those around you. Everyone is struggling to manage their grief but can they work together to catch the killer or are they too broken?
The characters are just brilliant and I particularly liked how Michael portrayed the prostitutes as "people" rather than the usual stereotypes which made a nice change; I absolutely loved Bev and Sarah. Matilda is, I admit, a difficult person to like in this book but given what she has endured, she is forgiven ... just this once!
Full of tension, suspense and emotion, this book and the series, is one that shouldn't be missed ... roll on number 9!
I am grateful to HarperCollins UK / One More Chapter via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
This book follows 3 themes; the aftermath of the massacre that occurred in the previous book, the murder of prostitutes in Sheffield and the long-running theme of the kidnapping of Carl Meagan.
Once again, Michael writes a gripping story that moves at pace. There is violence and edge-of-the-seat moments; I took at sharp intake of breath when the murderer was revealed - I am usually quite good at figuring out who it is but this one absolutely blind-sided me and I actually gasped and said a few choice words that are not repeatable here as I try to avoid profanity in my reviews!
There is also compassion and tenderness and an authentic-feeling description of how grief and tragedy can affect people differently; it can bring you together or completely tear you apart and destroy you and those around you. Everyone is struggling to manage their grief but can they work together to catch the killer or are they too broken?
The characters are just brilliant and I particularly liked how Michael portrayed the prostitutes as "people" rather than the usual stereotypes which made a nice change; I absolutely loved Bev and Sarah. Matilda is, I admit, a difficult person to like in this book but given what she has endured, she is forgiven ... just this once!
Full of tension, suspense and emotion, this book and the series, is one that shouldn't be missed ... roll on number 9!
I am grateful to HarperCollins UK / One More Chapter via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Debbiereadsbook (1541 KP) rated A Lady to Treasure in Books
Oct 17, 2023
very much fade to black and I liked that!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is, I think, the first I've read of this author, and I really enjoyed it.
I'm not afraid to say I like my books on the steamier and smexier side, you know I'm not but what I liked the most about this was the fact that there is NO smexy stuff!
Oh, don't get me wrong, there is love and passion and emotions all over the place but it's very much a fade to black book, and I liked that it was.
Louisa is in a tricky spot, having been sent by her father to secure a husband in England with enough money to save his business. Sarah is just trying to keep a head above herself; her sister; her father and stepmother and the waste of space that is her stepbrother.
Several marriage offers later, and a terrible attack on Louisa and the ladies realise that they need each other. But Sarah has been alone for so long and accepting the help and love that Louisa offers is hard and she pushes her away, often. Tragedy strikes and Sarah knows to where he must go for help.
I think the thing I struggled the most with, was how long this book is. There is a huge amount of back story, that seemed to drag on. Back stories are great, but I found myself skipping huge chunks. I didn't feel I missed anything by doing so, so maybe they didn't need to be there.
I loved the supporting cast. Eleanor especially, was a joy, even if she was shunned by most of "polite society" in those days.
I didn't feel anything from either woman about what might happen if they let themselves love on each other, you know? Neither were bothered by their feelings and what might happen. Found that a bit odd, given the time they lived in. The romance element sort of popped up too, there didn't seem to be any build up!
But all in all, a nice read, with some drama and some passion; some love and some danger.
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is, I think, the first I've read of this author, and I really enjoyed it.
I'm not afraid to say I like my books on the steamier and smexier side, you know I'm not but what I liked the most about this was the fact that there is NO smexy stuff!
Oh, don't get me wrong, there is love and passion and emotions all over the place but it's very much a fade to black book, and I liked that it was.
Louisa is in a tricky spot, having been sent by her father to secure a husband in England with enough money to save his business. Sarah is just trying to keep a head above herself; her sister; her father and stepmother and the waste of space that is her stepbrother.
Several marriage offers later, and a terrible attack on Louisa and the ladies realise that they need each other. But Sarah has been alone for so long and accepting the help and love that Louisa offers is hard and she pushes her away, often. Tragedy strikes and Sarah knows to where he must go for help.
I think the thing I struggled the most with, was how long this book is. There is a huge amount of back story, that seemed to drag on. Back stories are great, but I found myself skipping huge chunks. I didn't feel I missed anything by doing so, so maybe they didn't need to be there.
I loved the supporting cast. Eleanor especially, was a joy, even if she was shunned by most of "polite society" in those days.
I didn't feel anything from either woman about what might happen if they let themselves love on each other, you know? Neither were bothered by their feelings and what might happen. Found that a bit odd, given the time they lived in. The romance element sort of popped up too, there didn't seem to be any build up!
But all in all, a nice read, with some drama and some passion; some love and some danger.
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Merissa (13343 KP) rated Kynhaven (Gen-Heirs: The Guardians of Sziveria #3) in Books
Dec 27, 2021
KYNHAVEN is the third full-length novel in the Gen-Heirs: The Guardians of Sziveria series, and we start off with a tragedy. Cora, Mason's twin sister, who we have met in previous books is viciously murdered. Mason is shattered by this news and, with the help of his team, quickly find the killer. As they deal with him, they find out that he had more than one victim, but only one survivor. This sends Mason off to find them, to learn all he can. This leads him to Jessi. She is broken but living, finding peace in tending to her bees. Mason awakens something in her, and her future looks promising. Things change though, and she can't stay where she is forever. She's survived a sadistic killer but will she survive Sziveria Society?
This story moves along at a steady pace, giving the reader time to take in all the emotions and plots that keep it interesting and intriguing. There are 'guest appearances' from previous couples, which is always nice to see and you get an idea of how their lives are moving along.
Mason is the perfect gentleman in this story. He gives Jessi all the power and moves along at her pace, accepting her rejections with grace and dignity, which is just what she needed. Jessi is stronger than she realises and faces challenge after challenge, some of which come from close to home. Trust me, motherly love isn't really a thing in this book!
The overall story arc is also moving along nicely, giving snippets as necessary, whilst still allowing for the romantic storyline to take shape.
There are some steamy moments that show the growth and level of trust between Mason and Jessi.
This was a brilliant addition to the series and highly recommended by me, so long as you start from the beginning so it all makes sense!
** 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. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This story moves along at a steady pace, giving the reader time to take in all the emotions and plots that keep it interesting and intriguing. There are 'guest appearances' from previous couples, which is always nice to see and you get an idea of how their lives are moving along.
Mason is the perfect gentleman in this story. He gives Jessi all the power and moves along at her pace, accepting her rejections with grace and dignity, which is just what she needed. Jessi is stronger than she realises and faces challenge after challenge, some of which come from close to home. Trust me, motherly love isn't really a thing in this book!
The overall story arc is also moving along nicely, giving snippets as necessary, whilst still allowing for the romantic storyline to take shape.
There are some steamy moments that show the growth and level of trust between Mason and Jessi.
This was a brilliant addition to the series and highly recommended by me, so long as you start from the beginning so it all makes sense!
** 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. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Shelter from Our Secrets, Silence, and Shame: How Our Stories Can Keep Us Stuck or Set Us Free
Book
As a mental health clinician, Rebecca Brown has been a safe place for many to seek shelter from...
Self Help Personal Growth Self Esteem
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Feb 26, 2022
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Weight of Him in Books
Mar 6, 2022
40 of 230
Book
The Weight of Him
By Ethel Rohan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In The Weight of Him Billy Brennan undergoes an unforgettable journey in a starting attempt to resurrect his family and reignite hearts, his own most of all.
At four hundred pounds, Billy can always count on food. From his earliest memories, he has loved food's colors, textures and tastes. The way flavors go off in his mouth. How food keeps his mind still and his bad feelings quiet. Food has always made everything better, until the day Billy's beloved son Michael takes his own life.
Billy determines to make a difference in Michael's memory and undertakes a public weight-loss campaign, to raise money for suicide prevention--his first step in an ambitious plan to save himself, and to save others. However, Billy's dramatic crusade appalls his family, who want to simply try to go on, quietly, privately.
Despite his crushing detractors, Billy gains welcome allies: his community-at-large; a co-worker who lost his father to suicide; a filmmaker with his own dubious agenda; and a secret, miniature kingdom that Billy populates with the sub-quality dolls and soldiers he saves from disposal at the toy factory where he works. But it is only if Billy can confront the truth of the suffering and brokenness within and around him that he and others will be able to realize the recovery they need.
Told against the backdrop of rural, contemporary Ireland, The Weight of Him is a big-hearted novel about loss and reliance that moves from tragedy to recrimination to what can be achieved when we take the stand of our lives.
This was not a book I’d normally pick up and it came to me in a box subscription. I’m so glad it did it was so beautifully written and dealt with a some important issues suicide, grief , depression, weight loss and lots more. I loved it I didn’t put it down it had such a sad underlying story. Definitely glad it landed on my tbr.
Book
The Weight of Him
By Ethel Rohan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In The Weight of Him Billy Brennan undergoes an unforgettable journey in a starting attempt to resurrect his family and reignite hearts, his own most of all.
At four hundred pounds, Billy can always count on food. From his earliest memories, he has loved food's colors, textures and tastes. The way flavors go off in his mouth. How food keeps his mind still and his bad feelings quiet. Food has always made everything better, until the day Billy's beloved son Michael takes his own life.
Billy determines to make a difference in Michael's memory and undertakes a public weight-loss campaign, to raise money for suicide prevention--his first step in an ambitious plan to save himself, and to save others. However, Billy's dramatic crusade appalls his family, who want to simply try to go on, quietly, privately.
Despite his crushing detractors, Billy gains welcome allies: his community-at-large; a co-worker who lost his father to suicide; a filmmaker with his own dubious agenda; and a secret, miniature kingdom that Billy populates with the sub-quality dolls and soldiers he saves from disposal at the toy factory where he works. But it is only if Billy can confront the truth of the suffering and brokenness within and around him that he and others will be able to realize the recovery they need.
Told against the backdrop of rural, contemporary Ireland, The Weight of Him is a big-hearted novel about loss and reliance that moves from tragedy to recrimination to what can be achieved when we take the stand of our lives.
This was not a book I’d normally pick up and it came to me in a box subscription. I’m so glad it did it was so beautifully written and dealt with a some important issues suicide, grief , depression, weight loss and lots more. I loved it I didn’t put it down it had such a sad underlying story. Definitely glad it landed on my tbr.