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Mayhawke (97 KP) rated The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey in Books
Feb 9, 2018
A good Christmas story without the mawkishness
I have nine children. I bought this book for the oldest two - over twenty years ago It is a beautiful book, wonderfully illustrated, with a great Christmas story: Jonathon Toomey - a cold and unfriendly man, since the loss of his wife and child takes in a homeless woman and her son in the middle of winter, with - for grown ups - a predictable outcome.
This story is not especially original, but it is the way in which it is told rather than the story itself that makes it stand out. I dislike sugary sentimentalism and one of the problems I have buying childrens books (particularly Xmas ones) is that the market is so over-loaded with 'sugar' that it's verging on a serious case of diabetes. This book is not sugary, nor even particularly sentimental. It tells a fine story, calmly and with dignity.
It has been a popular story with all the varied personalities in the family, which has to say something about breadth of appeal, and as it was re-issued in 2015 It seems to be weathering social change as well.
This story is not especially original, but it is the way in which it is told rather than the story itself that makes it stand out. I dislike sugary sentimentalism and one of the problems I have buying childrens books (particularly Xmas ones) is that the market is so over-loaded with 'sugar' that it's verging on a serious case of diabetes. This book is not sugary, nor even particularly sentimental. It tells a fine story, calmly and with dignity.
It has been a popular story with all the varied personalities in the family, which has to say something about breadth of appeal, and as it was re-issued in 2015 It seems to be weathering social change as well.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2204 KP) rated Live and Let Fly (Kite Shop Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
There’s a kite contest coming to town, and Emmy Adler has pinned her hopes on winning. She thinks that the fame will drive people to her website and help her shop survive the upcoming winter. The judge is, Jasmine Normand, a local who gained fame on a reality show, and Emmy has a run in with her in the weeks leading up to the contest. When Jasmine turns up dead, a tabloid starts insinuating that Emmy had something to do with the death. Can she learn the truth and save her reputation?
Emmy’s town is a wonderful Oregon beach side town, and the atmosphere makes me want to settle in for a vacation. The mystery starts out strong, but loses some steam in the middle before coming back to life for a great climax. Emmy is learning some patience, and it shows in this book. I enjoyed seeing her and the rest of the returning characters again. The new cast of characters are just as strong.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/12/book-review-live-and-let-fly-by-clover.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Emmy’s town is a wonderful Oregon beach side town, and the atmosphere makes me want to settle in for a vacation. The mystery starts out strong, but loses some steam in the middle before coming back to life for a great climax. Emmy is learning some patience, and it shows in this book. I enjoyed seeing her and the rest of the returning characters again. The new cast of characters are just as strong.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/12/book-review-live-and-let-fly-by-clover.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2204 KP) rated The Chocolate Clown Corpse (A Chocoholic Mystery, #14) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Clowns are the theme for the annual winter carnival in Warner Pier, which is ironic since the man who ran the clown themed store in town was murdered about a month before it starts. Since that store was next door to TenHuis Chocolade, Lee Woodyard is hoping to buy it to expand the business. That’s how she meets the family and gets further involved when evidence begins appearing suggestion the homeless man who has been arrest for the murder might be innocent. But if he is innocent, who actually did it?
The book started out a little slowly, but once it gained speed, I found it hard to put it down, as always. I did spot the ending a little early, but I was having so much fun I didn’t mind. Lee, her husband Joe, and the new characters are great, but I do wish we could see more of the supporting cast – another common complaint when it comes to this series. Still, fans of Lee’s will gobble this book down like always.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-chocolate-clown-corpse-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The book started out a little slowly, but once it gained speed, I found it hard to put it down, as always. I did spot the ending a little early, but I was having so much fun I didn’t mind. Lee, her husband Joe, and the new characters are great, but I do wish we could see more of the supporting cast – another common complaint when it comes to this series. Still, fans of Lee’s will gobble this book down like always.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-chocolate-clown-corpse-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Captain America: Civil War (2016) in Movies
Mar 30, 2018 (Updated Feb 14, 2020)
Thirteenth MCU movie is a supremely confident and accomplished piece of entertainment. Attempts to bring the Avengers under political control cause tensions within the group; these are only exacerbated when the Winter Soldier resurfaces and apparently commits a deadly attack on an international summit.
Despite the title, this is basically the third Avengers movie, and possibly the best one yet, with great performances and superbly staged action built around a solid script. The directors marshal a big story with lots and lots of characters and make it look very easy; no wonder they were signed up for the next (proper) Avengers film. On the other hand, despite the exhilarating thrills of sequences like the stunning airport battle, this is ultimately quite a dark and introspective film about guilt, loyalty, responsibility, and friendships stretched to breaking point, and this and the fact it is so dependent on having seen many of the previous films in the series means it is probably not the most accessible of Marvel pictures. For those who've been following along, however, this is one of the best film in what's currently the most consistently impressive film franchise in the world. Plus, Black Panther's in it, too.
Despite the title, this is basically the third Avengers movie, and possibly the best one yet, with great performances and superbly staged action built around a solid script. The directors marshal a big story with lots and lots of characters and make it look very easy; no wonder they were signed up for the next (proper) Avengers film. On the other hand, despite the exhilarating thrills of sequences like the stunning airport battle, this is ultimately quite a dark and introspective film about guilt, loyalty, responsibility, and friendships stretched to breaking point, and this and the fact it is so dependent on having seen many of the previous films in the series means it is probably not the most accessible of Marvel pictures. For those who've been following along, however, this is one of the best film in what's currently the most consistently impressive film franchise in the world. Plus, Black Panther's in it, too.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated All Is Bright: A Devotional Journey to Color Your Way to Christmas in Books
Jan 2, 2019
I LOVE Christmas! And I LOVE coloring books! What better way to celebrate the season than by coloring a Christmas book? Beginning on December 1 this devotion will carry you through Christmas to New Year's Eve. Each devotion is only one page long and the opposite page is a full picture to color in. The perfect way to relax and express creativity while keeping Christ at the focus of Christmas. Filled with beautiful pictures of angels, nativity scenes, stars, winter, scripture, and patterns. At the end of the book there are Family Activities. Verses and conversation starters and prayer, to discuss Christmas as a family and keep or sights on Jesus in the middle of a busy season. Extra coloring pages are included at the end of the book as well. A beautiful way to bring the story of Christmas into our daily routine. If you enjoy coloring books, this is the perfect one to begin your holidays.
I received a free copy of All is Bright from Tyndale Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a free copy of All is Bright from Tyndale Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated What Happens in Paradise in Books
Nov 7, 2019
It’s been a year since Irene Steele received the news that her husband Russ was killed in a helicopter crash. The most shocking part: it occurred on the island of St. John, where he apparently lived a double life with another family. Now Irene and her two grown sons are back on the island, trying to move on—and learn more about the life Russ led there.
I really am loving this series. I worried for naught this book wouldn’t be as captivating as the first! It was, per usual, a delicious Hilderbrand read. I love these characters, especially stalwart Irene. And Huck, oh Huck, the tough yet sweet fishing captain. She just captures them all so perfectly!
This book is really quite fascinating—almost a mystery. There’s plenty of good relationship drama, too and lots of curiosity about Russ’ business dealings. It’s so easy to get caught up in everyone’s lives.
This is a fun, dramatic, and engaging read. You can read it out of order, but pick up Winter in Paradise first (if you haven’t already) for the full experience!
(Also, this was my first read BOTM. Yay!)
I really am loving this series. I worried for naught this book wouldn’t be as captivating as the first! It was, per usual, a delicious Hilderbrand read. I love these characters, especially stalwart Irene. And Huck, oh Huck, the tough yet sweet fishing captain. She just captures them all so perfectly!
This book is really quite fascinating—almost a mystery. There’s plenty of good relationship drama, too and lots of curiosity about Russ’ business dealings. It’s so easy to get caught up in everyone’s lives.
This is a fun, dramatic, and engaging read. You can read it out of order, but pick up Winter in Paradise first (if you haven’t already) for the full experience!
(Also, this was my first read BOTM. Yay!)
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