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An Eccentric Engagement
An Eccentric Engagement
Donna Lea Simpson | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
3
5.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sweet romance (1 more)
Good commentary about social justice
Does more telling than showing (1 more)
Felt more like a lecture than a love story
A sweet regency romance
So this was a bit of a non-traditional romance as it takes place after the courtship. Sorrow and Bertram are engaged to be married and the two return to Sorrow’s country home for the wedding. The two are very clearly in the early stages of excitement over a new relationship, stealing kissing and admiring each other — the “puppy love” stage. Neither of the two truly love each other but are already prepared for marriage. The actual romance was more told than shown and it unfortunately just didn’t work for me. The romantic aspect seemed to take a back seat to the other two major plot lines: Sorrow’s altruistic family and Bert’s difficult relationship with his overbearing father.

Both of these plot lines are actually really good, but I felt that they both needed more time to be developed and would have been better in a full length novel. All of the conflict was resolved in a few pages with barely any resistance and the discussion felt more like a lecture that was repeated multiple times. Not that the message was bad, I appreciated the way they approach discussing the mentally ill and the elderly, and I actually liked the Marchand’s way of life, but I think it could have been delivered better.

It also didn’t help that Sorrow kind of annoyed me. When she talks to other people to try and explain her views it again turns into a mildly pretentious lecture. Her insistence on absolute harmony and willingness to throw everything out of the window if she didn’t get her way was also extremely grating. Creating needless drama for the sake of drama is not a good way of filling up pages.

Overall its not bad, it’s a cute and clean love story that will appeal to folks with a strong sense of social justice. It was a fluffy and pleasant way to pass the time, but I didn’t feel much of anything while reading it.
  
Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook
Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook
Martha Stewart | 2006 | Home & Garden, Reference, Technical
10
9.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
It contains EVERYTHING (0 more)
The essential homekeeping encyclopedia
So first off, this is NOT a read-cover-to-cover kind of book. This is an encyclopedia. This is a you-spilled-red-wine-and-barbecue-sauce-on-Grandma’s-handmade-lace-doily-tablecloth-and-need-to-know-how-to-get-the-stain-out kind of book. And it’s AMAZING. If you have a question about homekeeping, the answer is in here.

How to take care of 12 different possible kinds of countertop materials? It’s in here.

What is this weird shaped scrub brush and what is it used for? In here.

Components of a staircase, pros and cons of carpeting a staircase, and how to do it if you choose to? In here.

How to read a Consumer Confidence Report provided by your water supplier? Different kinds of heating and cooling systems, and how to maintain them? Need to know all sixteen types of spoons? How to clean and maintain most small (and large) kitchen appliances? All in here, along with so much more.

It’s a huge book, with an incredible amount of information. It also features lots of pictures, charts, and the occasional inspirational quote. I checked this book out from the library once and immediately put it on my wish list to own, because I wanted a reference copy in the house! (I finally bought my copy almost a year ago.) If you have a passion for housekeeping (or even if you don’t but it’s still a responsibility of yours) this is a fantastic book to have in your arsenal. Yes, you can find most of this information through Google – but it can be hard to decide how reliable that information is. Martha’s not going to lie to you! You know she’s tested this stuff.

There’s more than just cleaning and maintenance – there’s also suggestions for home layout, how to make a house more convenient and comfortable for everyone living in it, hints for storage and workflow. This book really has everything.

I 100% recommend this book for homeowners, and renters can get a lot out of it, too.

You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
  
Eclipse (Twilight, #3)
Eclipse (Twilight, #3)
Stephenie Meyer | 2007 | Paranormal, Young Adult (YA)
10
7.4 (95 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
Title: Eclipse
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Summary: In Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer Bella and Jacob make-up and fight again. Edward also wants her no where near the pack because he thinks it’s dangerous so he has Alice “kidnap” Bella for a sleepover while he is out of town so she doesn’t run off to La Push again, but Jacob comes to the rescue and gets her from school. They hang out for a bit until he says he rather she be dead than a vampire. Rosalie goes on to explain to Bella why she doesn’t want her to become a vampire and Jasper tells Bella later on about his first years as a vampire with Maria and the newborn army. Than Victoria’s and Riley’s newborn army comes to fight the Cullens and the Pack. After they are defeated the Voultri show up to clean up the mess.

Review: In the book when Edward had Alice ‘kidnap’ Bella so she wouldn’t run off to La Push to see Jacob was very controlling, just because he’s her boyfriend that doesn’t give him the right to tell her who she can and can’t be friends with. Than when Jacob told her he rather she be dead than a vampire was not right of him either and very messed up. I also understand why Rosalie feels the way she does about Bella becoming a vampire. I also feel for Jasper during what he went through in his newborn years with Maria. Than when Jacob was being pushy and kissed her it pissed me off so much I would have punched him too. Also I knew it was Victoria the whole time it was very obvious and she’s not really good at it. It was also mean of her to use Riley and the newborn vampires for her own selfish games. I was very glad when they defeated her. In my opinion the Voultri should have let Bree live since she surrendered that part was very sad. But I’m glad Bella agreed to marry Edward the old fashioned way like Alice and Him wanted instead of just being to Vegas even though Seth is better than both Edward and Jacob. Both of them are very controlling.
Would I recommend? Yes
  
I'm having a remarkably hard time gathering up my thoughts to review THE FRUIT OF HER HANDS. The book is a mixed bag as far as I'm concerned.

Overall, the book was informative and easy entertainment, but it lacked depth. For the most part the characters were either good or bad, with no shades of grey, which made them unrealistic and led to my feeling of detachment. Shira was a sympathetic and capable main character during the first third of the book and looked to be an interesting Medieval wife. Unfortunately, after she became married, she lost her personality. I realize that it was an accurate portrayal of Jewish wives back then, but Shira had been scholarly, while still seeing to her duties, up until this point and then turned into a boring protagonist. What set her apart and made me want to read about her was her attitude about learning the Talmud like the men. What interested Meir in the first place was Shira, who he thought unusual; not that I was shown their love, I was just told about it. The chemistry was lacking between them, but that may be in part that I didn't get a good sense of who Meir was as a person, other than he was brilliant, a revered scholar, et cetera. No one felt real in this book and that's a shame.

What was perhaps done best were the details and information about the Jewish people and their faith. Generally, it was written into the story quite well, even if Shira was conveniently placed right in the way of big events. I learned much and am grateful for the history of that time. My one problem with it was that although I felt the pain and suffering the Jewish endured, it was just a little too clean. More realism and grit would have added much to the book.

Perhaps the scope of the book did a disservice to the story as a whole, and it might have benefited a few scenes taken out. As a whole, it's a decent book and a good debut, but it still lacks that something that makes me what to say "read it".
  
<b>Psycho</b>
How can I read and review the book Psycho without comparing it to its movie adaptation? Yeah, not possible. For starters, the biggest difference has to be Norman Bates' physical description, which is balding and dumpy in the book. A far cry from Anthony Perkins. For most of the book I admit to not being able to visualize Norman in a different light than Perkins, who I feel was genius casting. I mean, who in that day and age would ever see that next-door-boy-look as a threat? Other than that, I have to say that the movie is pretty darned true to the book; some minor things but nothing necessary was kept out. I enjoyed Bloch's writing, it's just smooth and easy to read, keeping to a nice clip. The next to last chapter has a bit of an infodump explaining Norman's behavior, but it's short and really didn't bother me. Probably one of the best handled infodumps I've come across. So, I'd definitely recommend reading the book if you enjoy the movie, it adds a little here and there to the film.
<i>4 stars</i>

<b>Psycho II</b>
How do I put this succinctly...? What a total piece of crap.

I thought it started out pretty well, for say about the first 25 or 30 pages, minus Norman's rape of a nun's corpse (which didn't seem in his character IMHO), but then it started going downhill and ended up in a deep, deep well. Bloch's characters and plot are cliche, boring, obnoxious, two-dimensional or a combination of all of the above. The denouement is ridiculous, although not totally unforseen, and it just seemed like Bloch wasn't even interested in writing a proper sequel with Norman Bates and was more interested in showing Hollywood as amoral and vapid. Whatever. I'm glad this is over. I have better things to do with my time, like clean the litter boxes.
<i>1.5 stars</i>

I will eventually get to <b>Psycho House</b> but I need a recovery period so this is going back to the library. I highly doubt that it'll be worse than P2.
  
Sweep: Volume 1 (Sweep, #1-3)
Sweep: Volume 1 (Sweep, #1-3)
Cate Tiernan | 2010 | Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
10
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Enthralling (5 more)
Great Character development
Easy to relate to (more so for young adults).
Very consistent, you don't see crazy out of character, makes no sense, kind of actions.
Very Emotional, you will be all over the place and love every minute.
Clean, though it has a passionate romance, this is not a steamy book, perfect for YA and people simply not interested in those kinds of things.
There is a side to 'very emotional' that can be a little unsettling for some. I loved it though! (1 more)
Not Steamy - For those who would want it.
Whats not to love?!
*No Spoilers*

I loved this book, though I read the series when I was young, having the 15 novels constrained to a few bigger books instead of a bunch of tiny ones is a huge plus for me!

Years and years after my first read, this book still pulled me in and kept me there. Cate Tiernan really grabbed the bull by the horns by offering us a MC Heroine who is not perfect or a knock out. At 16 she is down to earth, she has her flaws and insecurities which really is what makes her such and intresting character to come and relate to. And the best friend who she can't help but relate herself to. Cate brings the world of teenage angst and adds in magick and danger for a thrilling mix that will pull you right in.

This book takes over the span of roughly a year. With plenty of twists and turns, ups and downs and all arounds. Morgan and Cal have a very interesting journey, along with a group of...we will call them friends. Its such a diverse group of personalities.

Its definitley a book I would recommend to any YA. My little sister has just read it and is also in love! But if you are not YA don't turn it away so quickly, it's a book to be read! I never got to finish the series before and am so excited to follow more of Morgan's story!
  
Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheehan does not wish to linger on the grisly scene before her eyes. Two mutilated corpses. In a church. In Clontarf. Her profiling background screams one fact: this is just the beginning of a sickening message.
Meanwhile, a 17-year-old case is playing out on a TV documentary, the convicted professing his innocence and historical police errors being exposed daily in the media. Frankie's superior, commissioner Donna Hegarty, makes no bones about who she expects to clean things up - both in terms of past mishandlings and the present murders.
But not everyone working the cases wants the truth to come out. And the corridors of power have their own vested interest. Soon Frankie pinpoints just what is making her so nervous: the fact that anyone could be the next victim when justice is the killer.
The Killer In Me is a fast-paced thriller in which lies are safer than the truth, the past is never far from the present, and the ability to kill could well, it seems, live in everyone.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy of The Killer in Me.
The Killer in Me is the second novel to feature Dublin based Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheehan of An Garda Síochána’s Bureau for Serious Crime.
I could use a lot of words to describe this book and how much I liked it, but I want to summarize it in few words: it's amazing and gripping.
This novel is fast paced and full of twists and turns which just ramp the suspense level up.
I was gripped from the start and read this book in one go. It is really well written and very cleverly thought out.
Dark and intense, this story is told wonderfully well.
I found the characters very interesting and also full of depth.
Lot of red herrings about to keep you guessing all the way to the end.
 Highly Recommend.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy of The Killer in Me; this is my honest voluntary review.
  
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Dean (6925 KP) rated the Xbox One version of Forza Horizon 3 in Video Games

Aug 21, 2018  
Forza Horizon 3
Forza Horizon 3
2016 | Racing
Amazing Graphics, from the cars, scenery and weather effects (2 more)
Good soundtrack
Sooo many options: Freeroam, events, championship, bucket list challenges... Almost endless
Auction system could use tweaking (1 more)
Another mode so xbox live races focus more on where you finish
Groundbreaking Driving game
I've been playing video games for a long time, since the spectrum before moving on to the Megadrive. I love driving games and can honestly say this is probably the best and most fun I've played to date! Not since PGR2 has a driving game been this groundbreaking.


You can sense the PGR2 influence in the realism of the environments and cars and some game modes. Along with a similar skill system. The weather effects are amazing from Fog, rain, clouds along with the times of day including dawn, sunset, night time create so many looks and experiences. You'll pull over to stop and watch a sunset. Every car looks and sounds as it should right down to the interior drivers view. It's a beautiful looking game.
The game itself has tons of variety. You can just cruise around, challenge a rival to a set route, random 1 on 1 races in Free roam. There are exhibitions and championships, you can create your own as well and fully customise the weather and time of day, car class and types of cars. There are bucket list challenges that can be done for times, skills, drifts, jumps, speed etc. Again fully customisable to create your own. There is something for everyone here and it's just so much fun.
The only minor points are the auction system for selling, buying could be better but you don't really need to use it. The other issue when racing others online your place is overall is decided partly on your skills during the race. This does include being quick and clean racing... but you might find slower drivers who drift a lot get more xp and end up ahead of you on the leaderboard even if you beat them in the race.
Overall though the best driving game to date. Roll on Horizon 4 in October.
  
Magic - Single by ABC Dialect
Magic - Single by ABC Dialect
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Abc Dialect is an electronic duo based in Barcelona, Spain. Not too long ago, they released a lovely music video for their “Magic” single.

The audiovisual tells an interesting tale of a young man who purchases a bird from a pet store.

Later, the video follows him as he adapts a loving companionship between him and his new pet.

‘Magic’ contains a relatable storyline, pleasing vocals, and groovy instrumentation flavored with funky synthesizers, glistening keys, clean guitar chords, and enchanting flute.

Also, the likable tune showcases the group’s harmonically bright production which evokes a sense of smooth laidback euphoria.

“For this track, we’ve decided to go with a more organic approach. Recording live drums together with keyboards and bass and then adding some guitars, synths, flute, and vocals. We tried to keep the instrumental as simple and groovy as possible in order to give more space to the vocals and the flute which are the key elements on this track. The lyrics are simple but effective and relatable. The song had started being much more electronic and fast until we understood that it was meant to be much more real and pure.” – Abc Dialect

Abc Dialect formed in 2017 by London-based Argentinians, Tomás Susevich and Luca Oliva Knight.

The origin of their name was inspired by a trip to Japan, where they realized the dialect of their music was different than that of other cultures on the eastern side of the world.

This was a defining moment for the songwriters as they knew that they wanted their music to extend past the western hemisphere.

Therefore, they selected their name as a play on words addressing the dialect in which their music is created. Their goal is to have their music universally accepted by all.

Abc Dialect cites influences from both the past and present and draws inspiration from legacy acts such as Kool & The Gang, The Whispers, The Whitest Boy Alive, and Jamiroquai.

‘Magic’ is the first single from their upcoming EP, entitled, “Real Life”, available on June 13, 2019, via Casablanca Sunset.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/abc-dialect-magic/
  
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BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Winter in Books

Jan 2, 2019  
Winter
Winter
Marissa Meyer | 2016 | Children
8
8.9 (26 Ratings)
Book Rating
Full review to come.I have really enjoyed this series. Exploring a future version of Earth where the moon in populated, there are only a handful of actual "countries", cyborgs, androids, and emperors work together to bring peace and safety to both Lunars and Earthens. However, I found Winter to be mercilessly long. That being said, this was an epic finale to The Lunar Chronicles. I am SO glad that I FINALLY read this series.

I have become quite attached to all of the characters in these books. I think Cress and Scarlet are my personal favorites...along with Thorne and Wolf. Of course, the majority of the series revolves around Cinder and she truly turns out to be a remarkable girl. Winter has MANY different perspectives, making it easy to get a little muddled, but doesn't take long to get in the flow. I think by having so many point of views of the surroundings and activities it helps fill a lot of would be gaps. This is also a contributing factor to why the book is so long. Hardcover is 827 pages in length and took me about a week to complete. To keep this review spoiler free for anyone who hasn't read the first three books, I will simply state that Winter wraps the whole story up quite nicely. And despite its length, this is a journey that I am glad I was a part of.

The Lunar Chronicles is not a Christian series and is marketed as "Young Adult". I feel that it is appropriate for this age group (and adults can enjoy it too of course!). The romance is clean and sweet. There is no foul language that I can think of. There is some violence as the wolf hybrid soldiers reign terror on Luna and Earth. Also there is a pretty epic battle to wrap everything up.

If you enjoy sci-fi and young adult fiction, I think you would enjoy this series! Check it out and let me know your thoughts!

I borrowed Winter from my local library. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.