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Destined to Play (Avalon Trilogy #1)
Destined to Play (Avalon Trilogy #1)
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I picked this book up by chance at a caravan site I'm staying at. I can honestly say I didn't expect masses from this book thinking it will be like all the others. It had it's moments where I almost gave up but I honestly couldn't put this book down. It's only taken me 3 days to read it and I am so glad I didn't give up.

The reviews are very mixed on this book but I believe it brought a whole new concept to the cheesy sex/romance books that are out there.

The fact the characters are actually professional people just opens up a new view on people. It shows everyone is human in their desires no matter what they do in their careers.

I loved all the little flash backs that Alex had throughout her weekend. They make you crave more from her and Jeremy's relationship.

I did always feel that bit of guilt towards Robert and her children as if I was feeling this for Alex as I was reading.

She lived somethings that some people can only dream of in real life. That is what reading is all about escaping real life just for a bit.
  
Damned Damned Damned by The Damned
Damned Damned Damned by The Damned
1977 | Punk
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"The first Damned record is a classic. These were some of our influences and bands that never really got a wider appeal and should have. Rat Scabies was on that record and was like a rebirth of Keith Moon, Brian James’ guitar playing was second to none, suddenly punk rock had our own Eddie Van Halen - sort of [laughs]. Just a shredder. Then there was Captain Sensible and Dave Vanian... everyone was a unique character, not just personally but as a player. I don’t think anybody could have beaten the Damned at that point in their carer. It was short-lived but maybe it was too ferocious to last with that line-up. After we did that record I was playing a gig in ‘94 with Steve Jones, we were playing the Viper Room every Monday night as the Neurotic Outsiders and Rat Scabies came to one of the gigs. Steve introduced us and Rat said, ""thanks for covering that song, I got the biggest publishing cheque I ever got"". But I didn’t know what to say, I was terrified of The Damned man, these are my heroes. I mean it was Rat Scabies, what the hell do you say to Rat Scabies?"

Source
  
40x40

Vince Clarke recommended Dangerous by Michael Jackson in Music (curated)

 
Dangerous by Michael Jackson
Dangerous by Michael Jackson
1991 | Pop
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"This was the first record of his that I liked. I think it's really aggressive, in a good way, and hard. I always associated with Michael Jackson with all the Thriller stuff, which I didn't really like, but I thought this was a real step out from that safe zone that he'd been in. I'm not a Michael Jackson expert, but this is one of those records that you have to play really really loudly. The production on it is amazing. Apparently we did one of those award ceremonies, what are they called in the UK? The Brits. That's it. I was there with Alison [Moyet, Yazoo vocalist] and he was there and I don't really remember, because I was into not being starstruck, and Alison saw him and she leapt over the security guards and gave Michael Jackson a massive kiss, it was really funny. All the security guys were looking on going, "What the fuck was that?' I think there's a picture of us with all these really famous people like Paul McCartney, all lined up looking like geeks. I guess Dangerous was the closest he got, not to my style of production, but a more synthetic sound."

Source
  
Once Upon a Murder
Once Upon a Murder
Samantha Larsen | 2024 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not as Strong as the First Book
It’s 1784, and spinster Tiffany Woodall is hoping to put the chaos and intrigue of the last few months behind her. However, when she finds a dead body on her way to work at the castle one morning, she knows that isn’t going to happen. When the local bookseller, the man Tiffany loves, is accused of the crime, she can’t help but get involved. Can she figure out what happened?

The first book in this series was one of my favorites of last year. This book wasn’t as good, but it was still enjoyable. As with the first book, the mystery takes a backseat at times. However, here the other storylines weren’t as compelling. This is especially true of the romance. I was glad it wasn’t dragged out too much and I bought it in a way I wouldn’t in other series, but I wasn’t as invested in it. When the murder really kicks in during the second half, I was more fully on board, and I love how that was resolved. Likewise, I still loved all the characters and did enjoy seeing what happened to them. Fans of the first will want to pick this up. If you missed the first, you’ll definitely want to start there.
  
The Other
The Other
Dan Chaon, Thomas Tryon | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry
6
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
(This review can also be found on my blog at <a href="http://themisadventuresofatwentysomething.blogspot.co.uk">The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl</a>).

When I read the synopsis of this book, I was definitely intrigued. One good twin, one bad twin, yup, definitely sounded interesting. However, it took me a long time to get into this book, but I was definitely rewarded with a twist and a great ending!

Niles and Holland are identical twins. Niles is the good one whilst Holland is the bad one, always up to something really bad. Niles worships Holland and would do anything to get Holland's admiration, including making excuses for Holland whenever Holland does a bad deed. What will it take for Niles to realise that Holland isn't all he seems?

The title of this book comes across as being a book about something sinister. I believe there were plenty of better titles the author could have chose for his book though. Whilst it does suit the story, I feel the author missed a trick with the naming of it.

The cover of The Other very much suits it!! I won't say too much because I don't want to give anything away, but once you read this book from start to finish, you'll realise why it suits the book perfectly.

The world building and setting are fantastic! The book takes place around the mid-1900s. I wasn't alive at the time, but the author did a great job in re-creating that era for me. I could actually feel that I was in that moment in time.

The pacing is what really good me. The first two-thirds of the book is really slow, almost painfully. I was tempted to stop reading it and add it to my did not finish pile, but I really hate leaving books unread, so I read on. However, I'm so glad I didn't give up on this book. The last third of the book is amazing! The author nailed the pacing here. I couldn't put the book down once I got to this bit. I was rewarded for my perseverance with a twist I never saw coming as well as an ending that I didn't see coming either.

The dialogue matches the setting. The characters speak as they would from the mid-1900s. I found the dialogue between the characters to be quite entertaining and sometimes funny.

As for the characters, for a long time, I had a hard time relating to them. It wasn't until I started to really enjoy the book and found out the twist that I started caring about the characters. Niles is always aiming to please, a goody two shoes. Holland doesn't really care what anyone thinks. He's his own person and will do anything to get what he wants. Ada comes across as the voice of reason in the book. I found myself wishing that she was my grandmother. My favourite character was Alexandra, the mother of the twins. Although she wasn't featured much in the book, I still really liked her. I think it's because I found myself relating to her the most.

This book definitely isn't what you think it is. It will leave you gobsmacked once you finish it. I'd recommend this book to anyone aged 15+.