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A poignant and transporting cross-cultural love story set against the lush backdrop of the Sicilian...
The Other Daughter
8.0
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Twenty-one year-old Scarlett Strohman has had to walk a difficult path thus far in her young life....
Contemporary Romance
Detroit Stories by Alice Cooper
Album
Named for the city that launched the original Alice Cooper group on the road to success, “Detroit...
Shadows in the Sun: Healing from Depression and Finding the Light Within
7.0
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A first-of-its-kind, cross-cultural lens to mental illness through the inspiring story of...
A Terrible Country
Book
When Andrei Kaplan’s older brother Dima insists that Andrei return to Moscow to care for their...
Diablo (The Gifted Ones #2)
10.0
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Trace Black hasn’t forgotten the tragic death of his parents and birth pack. His only focus since...
MM Mpreg Paranormal Romance
Debbiereadsbook (1590 KP) rated Hiding Place in Books
Apr 3, 2023
I wanted Robert and I don't get him.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Zach buys a Pele tower that needs fixing up, in an effort to hide from the loss of his bandmates. Said tower belonged to Robert's grandfather. Someone died in that tower, murdered, and it was never solved. Can Robert and Zach find some answers with what Zach uncovers? Or will Robert's past eat away at him too much.?
Now, if you follow my review, you'll know I'm ALL about sharing of the book feels, right? And I have one overwhelming feeling about this one:
I wanted Robert and I didn't get him.
This book is told entirely from Zach's point of view, in the first person. While I liked Zach well enough, it was ROBERT who held my attention for much of the book and I wanted to hear from him, badly. I needed to know what he felt about his grandfather doing what he did with the tower. What he felt about Zach, cos in the beginning, Robert sure did blow hot and cold! And just what was going on in his head when he finally gets it all out, and tells Zach about his birth. It wasn't pretty, reading Robert telling Zach, but I wanted in Robert's head then the most.
It's quite clear early on, to me anyway, whodunnit, but just not HOW. Zach's discovery in the loft explains that though.
I know I shouldn't have, but I had to chuckle at the bit when Zach was sick and Robert wanted to get some medicine down him. Benylin is cough syrup, and the only and correct way to take said syrup is to swig out the bottle, and Robert says that to Zach, have a swig of Benylin! Made me laugh that did!
So, while I really enjoyed this book, I still felt that Robert might have made it a 5 star read, but I didn't get him, so...
4 good solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Zach buys a Pele tower that needs fixing up, in an effort to hide from the loss of his bandmates. Said tower belonged to Robert's grandfather. Someone died in that tower, murdered, and it was never solved. Can Robert and Zach find some answers with what Zach uncovers? Or will Robert's past eat away at him too much.?
Now, if you follow my review, you'll know I'm ALL about sharing of the book feels, right? And I have one overwhelming feeling about this one:
I wanted Robert and I didn't get him.
This book is told entirely from Zach's point of view, in the first person. While I liked Zach well enough, it was ROBERT who held my attention for much of the book and I wanted to hear from him, badly. I needed to know what he felt about his grandfather doing what he did with the tower. What he felt about Zach, cos in the beginning, Robert sure did blow hot and cold! And just what was going on in his head when he finally gets it all out, and tells Zach about his birth. It wasn't pretty, reading Robert telling Zach, but I wanted in Robert's head then the most.
It's quite clear early on, to me anyway, whodunnit, but just not HOW. Zach's discovery in the loft explains that though.
I know I shouldn't have, but I had to chuckle at the bit when Zach was sick and Robert wanted to get some medicine down him. Benylin is cough syrup, and the only and correct way to take said syrup is to swig out the bottle, and Robert says that to Zach, have a swig of Benylin! Made me laugh that did!
So, while I really enjoyed this book, I still felt that Robert might have made it a 5 star read, but I didn't get him, so...
4 good solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Merissa (13555 KP) rated Run with the Moon (Valen's Pack #1) in Books
Apr 11, 2023
I have put this book in the dystopian genre because there is a hint of it within these pages. Humans have basically tried to kill each other off using biochemical warfare which has decimated their numbers. The shifters, which were a minority, were immune to most of the chemicals and have since thrived, being able to live off the land and generally in peace.
However, they have their own set of rules regarding alphas, such as when they're old enough, they have to leave their birth pack and start their own, or they have to fight their father for the right to rule. Now Valen loves and honours his father so even though he doesn't want to leave, he abides by their rules. Through circumstance, he meets Aaren who has never seen a shifter before. Aaren lives in a village, guided by his father, where sex is for recreation and gay is something that just isn't mentioned.
There is an instantaneous attraction and reaction between these two when they meet and it just continues to get hotter as we progress through the story. Valen, although having doubts about how to act as an alpha, certainly has no issues in the bedroom... or next to a river or by a tree. Aaren is very happy to learn whatever Valen wants to teach him and learns about himself along the way.
The story is fast-paced and well-written. There are characters to enjoy and those that annoy slightly (sorry goofball!) but it all makes it more 'real'. I loved how the story evolved and became more than just about Aaren and Valen, although they do make a fantastic pair.
Definitely recommended for all fans of MM Paranormal Romance.
* 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!
August 6, 2016
However, they have their own set of rules regarding alphas, such as when they're old enough, they have to leave their birth pack and start their own, or they have to fight their father for the right to rule. Now Valen loves and honours his father so even though he doesn't want to leave, he abides by their rules. Through circumstance, he meets Aaren who has never seen a shifter before. Aaren lives in a village, guided by his father, where sex is for recreation and gay is something that just isn't mentioned.
There is an instantaneous attraction and reaction between these two when they meet and it just continues to get hotter as we progress through the story. Valen, although having doubts about how to act as an alpha, certainly has no issues in the bedroom... or next to a river or by a tree. Aaren is very happy to learn whatever Valen wants to teach him and learns about himself along the way.
The story is fast-paced and well-written. There are characters to enjoy and those that annoy slightly (sorry goofball!) but it all makes it more 'real'. I loved how the story evolved and became more than just about Aaren and Valen, although they do make a fantastic pair.
Definitely recommended for all fans of MM Paranormal Romance.
* 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!
August 6, 2016
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Collaborator's Daughter in Books
Apr 16, 2023
This is something a little bit different to what a normally read but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Set in two timeliness - 2010 and 1944 - the story is written from the point of view of Fran (Safranka) in Sussex in 2010 and her father, Branko in Dubrovnik in 1944. Fran was born in Dubrovnik but left with her mother when she was just a baby and never knew her father but was always told he was a hero.
Fran is now in her 60's; her stepfather has recently passed away having lost her mother a number of years earlier. With her son having grown up with his own family and having found out that her father's remains have been found in a mass grave containing fascists and collaborators from World War II; Fran decides to return to her country of birth to learn more about her father and to find out what she wants to do with the rest of her life now she has no one left to care for.
I loved the characters and particularly the fact that they were of an older generation which was a refreshing change proving that it's never too late to change your life although it remains a scary concept. I loved the setting and the descriptions of Dubrovnik which really made me want to visit. I found the sections set in 1944 were my favourite parts, I wish they had been longer and more in depth however, the author has explained why this was very difficult due to the lack of information available.
Overall, an enjoyable read and whilst I don't usually like a book that has quite such a focus on romance, it did work well with this particular story and it made for a gentle and easy read.
My thanks go to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Collaborator's Daughter.
Set in two timeliness - 2010 and 1944 - the story is written from the point of view of Fran (Safranka) in Sussex in 2010 and her father, Branko in Dubrovnik in 1944. Fran was born in Dubrovnik but left with her mother when she was just a baby and never knew her father but was always told he was a hero.
Fran is now in her 60's; her stepfather has recently passed away having lost her mother a number of years earlier. With her son having grown up with his own family and having found out that her father's remains have been found in a mass grave containing fascists and collaborators from World War II; Fran decides to return to her country of birth to learn more about her father and to find out what she wants to do with the rest of her life now she has no one left to care for.
I loved the characters and particularly the fact that they were of an older generation which was a refreshing change proving that it's never too late to change your life although it remains a scary concept. I loved the setting and the descriptions of Dubrovnik which really made me want to visit. I found the sections set in 1944 were my favourite parts, I wish they had been longer and more in depth however, the author has explained why this was very difficult due to the lack of information available.
Overall, an enjoyable read and whilst I don't usually like a book that has quite such a focus on romance, it did work well with this particular story and it made for a gentle and easy read.
My thanks go to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Collaborator's Daughter.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The creator (2023) in Movies
Sep 28, 2023
Taken from the pages of today’s headlines; “The Creator” presents a fresh yet complicated look at A.I. and how it may play into the future.
Director Gareth Edwards presents a future where A.I. has evolved to be incorporated into all aspects of society ranging from medical to production and the military.
When a deadly attack hits Los Angeles, the United States declares war on A.I. units and not only bans them but looks to hunt down and eliminate all units worldwide.
This causes an issue with the Asian Block where A.I. units are manufactured and actively incorporated into society with zero prejudice or concerns.
Joshua (John David Washington), sits out the conflict in Asia content with his wife and the pending birth of their child. When a U.S. raid arrives it is revealed that Joshua is actually undercover for the military and his wife sees this as a betrayal and flees with her allies and A.I. units but is killed in the process.
Years later Joshua is recruited to take part in a raid to eliminate the person behind the A.I. and take out the new weapon they have reportedly constructed. Unwilling at first; Joshua is convinced by the possibility that his wife survived the attack.
During the raid, it is revealed that the weapon is a robotic child Joshua named Alphie (Madeline Yuna Voyles) and Joshua is forced to flee with Alphie and in doing so; has divided loyalties as his focus is to find his wife despite the U.S. forces in hot pursuit and destroying all the communities with A.I. they encounter.
While parts of the film do tend to run a bit long; the cast is top-rate and the film provides an interesting debate on A.I. and its use in society and does so with a solid amount of action in the process.
4 stars out of 5
Director Gareth Edwards presents a future where A.I. has evolved to be incorporated into all aspects of society ranging from medical to production and the military.
When a deadly attack hits Los Angeles, the United States declares war on A.I. units and not only bans them but looks to hunt down and eliminate all units worldwide.
This causes an issue with the Asian Block where A.I. units are manufactured and actively incorporated into society with zero prejudice or concerns.
Joshua (John David Washington), sits out the conflict in Asia content with his wife and the pending birth of their child. When a U.S. raid arrives it is revealed that Joshua is actually undercover for the military and his wife sees this as a betrayal and flees with her allies and A.I. units but is killed in the process.
Years later Joshua is recruited to take part in a raid to eliminate the person behind the A.I. and take out the new weapon they have reportedly constructed. Unwilling at first; Joshua is convinced by the possibility that his wife survived the attack.
During the raid, it is revealed that the weapon is a robotic child Joshua named Alphie (Madeline Yuna Voyles) and Joshua is forced to flee with Alphie and in doing so; has divided loyalties as his focus is to find his wife despite the U.S. forces in hot pursuit and destroying all the communities with A.I. they encounter.
While parts of the film do tend to run a bit long; the cast is top-rate and the film provides an interesting debate on A.I. and its use in society and does so with a solid amount of action in the process.
4 stars out of 5