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Stranger Things: Darkness on the Edge of Town
8.0
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Christmas. Hawkins, 1984. All Chief Jim Hopper wants is to enjoy a quiet first Christmas with...
BLUSH tells the story of three generations of women who discover that the trashy novels of the Jackie Collins/Judith Krantz era might hold the key to saving their family’s winery. Jamie Brenner’s BLUSH is the second book in my ABC author challenge [B].
This is a sweeping novel that gives a lot (!) of details about wine and vineyards. The Hollander family owns their Long Island winery—belonging to matriarch Vivian and her husband, Leonard. Leonard, who is quite firm in his ideas about gender roles, would not let their daughter Leah take over, so she runs a cheese shop in New York City. Leah’s daughter Sadie is struggling in college with her thesis.
When they all converge at the vineyard, they discover Leonard is thinking of selling. He refuses to accept any of Leah or Vivian’s ideas to help save it. But when Sadie finds Vivian’s trashy old novels from her book club days, the three women come together. It’s fun to hear about the old novels (you’ll enjoy this book if you like Krantz or Collins) and watch the women triumph over Leonard, who, honestly can be sort of awful. The themes of marriage, sexism, and family run strong and make this an interesting read, even if the characters sometimes frustrate you to no end. 3 stars.
This is a sweeping novel that gives a lot (!) of details about wine and vineyards. The Hollander family owns their Long Island winery—belonging to matriarch Vivian and her husband, Leonard. Leonard, who is quite firm in his ideas about gender roles, would not let their daughter Leah take over, so she runs a cheese shop in New York City. Leah’s daughter Sadie is struggling in college with her thesis.
When they all converge at the vineyard, they discover Leonard is thinking of selling. He refuses to accept any of Leah or Vivian’s ideas to help save it. But when Sadie finds Vivian’s trashy old novels from her book club days, the three women come together. It’s fun to hear about the old novels (you’ll enjoy this book if you like Krantz or Collins) and watch the women triumph over Leonard, who, honestly can be sort of awful. The themes of marriage, sexism, and family run strong and make this an interesting read, even if the characters sometimes frustrate you to no end. 3 stars.
Merissa (13427 KP) rated Music & Dreams (The Road to Rocktoberfest 2023) in Books
Oct 30, 2023
MUSIC & DREAMS is part of The Road to Rocktoberfest 2023, a multi-author series. We meet Lorcan and Rogan, the lead singer of a famous band, and the teacher/nanny he hired to look after his daughter. Rogan is attracted to his boss but won't act upon it. Lorcan has feelings for Rogan he is desperately trying to ignore. Until something goes wrong and Lorcan looks after Rogan, unlocking his feelings and making them obvious to everyone, including Amy, his daughter.
Oh, these two. Well, three if I include Amy, which I absolutely have to. So cute. Rogan's insecurities are completely understandable, whilst Lorcan is so very down to earth. Amy is a child who has her eyes wide open and sees everything.
I loved this story. It was everything I needed, from low angst to high steam. I just hope that we get to see the other two find their HEA too! With a smooth pace and no editing errors I noticed, this was a delightful read that kept me turning the pages. Loved every word and HIGHLY recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 28, 2023
Oh, these two. Well, three if I include Amy, which I absolutely have to. So cute. Rogan's insecurities are completely understandable, whilst Lorcan is so very down to earth. Amy is a child who has her eyes wide open and sees everything.
I loved this story. It was everything I needed, from low angst to high steam. I just hope that we get to see the other two find their HEA too! With a smooth pace and no editing errors I noticed, this was a delightful read that kept me turning the pages. Loved every word and HIGHLY recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 28, 2023
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Ruin Season in Books
Sep 23, 2023
136 of 235
Kindle
The Ruin Season
By Kristopher Triana
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jake Leonard has more than his share of troubles. He’s close to 40 now and suffers from bipolar disorder and the painful memories of the psychotic episodes that derailed his life.
Living in the rural south, Jake spends his days breaking horses and his nights training dogs in solitude. His 19-year-old girlfriend, Nikki, is the daughter of the local sheriff, and she’s just getting worse with drugs and alcohol. Jake does his best to persuade her to ease up on them, but things go from bad to worse when Nikki has a breakdown and gets involved in heroin and low-budget porn.
After a friend’s funeral, Jake reconnects with his ex-wife Michelle. He’s never stopped loving her, but she’s remarried with a young daughter.
Soon, chaos unfolds like a pocketknife, and as Jake’s dark history is revealed, he finds himself spinning toward the inner demons he’s worked so hard to escape.
This was one of those that you have to keep reading a lot of it got home bipolar is such a horrible illness. It was a whole rollercoaster of how life can change so quickly and our decisions have a dramatic effect, especially those made when not of a clear mind.
Kindle
The Ruin Season
By Kristopher Triana
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jake Leonard has more than his share of troubles. He’s close to 40 now and suffers from bipolar disorder and the painful memories of the psychotic episodes that derailed his life.
Living in the rural south, Jake spends his days breaking horses and his nights training dogs in solitude. His 19-year-old girlfriend, Nikki, is the daughter of the local sheriff, and she’s just getting worse with drugs and alcohol. Jake does his best to persuade her to ease up on them, but things go from bad to worse when Nikki has a breakdown and gets involved in heroin and low-budget porn.
After a friend’s funeral, Jake reconnects with his ex-wife Michelle. He’s never stopped loving her, but she’s remarried with a young daughter.
Soon, chaos unfolds like a pocketknife, and as Jake’s dark history is revealed, he finds himself spinning toward the inner demons he’s worked so hard to escape.
This was one of those that you have to keep reading a lot of it got home bipolar is such a horrible illness. It was a whole rollercoaster of how life can change so quickly and our decisions have a dramatic effect, especially those made when not of a clear mind.
The Family on Smith Street
7.0
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A happy family. A picture-perfect street. A secret someone would kill for. My husband James and I...
![The Housemaid [Audiobook]](/uploads/profile_image/c03/3740bbca-cb41-49c7-a566-4c0c47ae2c03.jpg?m=1652622395)
The Housemaid [Audiobook]
8.0
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“Welcome to the family,” Nina Winchester says as I shake her elegant, manicured hand. I smile...
Never Fall Again (Gossamer Falls #1)
Book
Landry Hutton has spent three years rebuilding her life behind the secure gates of The Haven, an...
Romance Suspense Christian Fiction
Lighten The Load (Ghosts along the Oregon Trail, #2)
Book
After a devastating tragedy, Dorcas Moon faces brutal choices in the unforgiving wilderness. An...
Historical Western Adventure American West Pioneers
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2440 KP) rated Helpless in Books
Mar 19, 2025 (Updated Mar 19, 2025)
Murder and Kidnapping in a Storm
With the remains of a tropical storm hitting the area, the last thing that Zoe Chamber-Adams and Pete Adams need is a criminal running around the area. But that’s just what they’ve got. They are called to a horrific scene on a neighbors’ farm. The wife has been shot, the husband left for dead, and their daughter kidnapped. As Pete tries to find the daughter before she is taken out of the area, Zoe tries to learn what she can from the husband. Will the storm help or hurt them?
This is more of a ticking clock thriller than a mystery, with the book taking place over the course of a day. As much as I love this series, this one was a bit of a letdown. I found Zoe’s portion of the story slowed the plot down, and I found it a very dark book, even by this series’ standards. On the other hand, the overall plot of the book was great and I was still always reluctant to set the book down. It was great spending time with Zoe and Pete, and I enjoyed seeing the updates we still got on the series regulars and some ongoing stories. Fans of this great series will still be glad they picked up this book.
This is more of a ticking clock thriller than a mystery, with the book taking place over the course of a day. As much as I love this series, this one was a bit of a letdown. I found Zoe’s portion of the story slowed the plot down, and I found it a very dark book, even by this series’ standards. On the other hand, the overall plot of the book was great and I was still always reluctant to set the book down. It was great spending time with Zoe and Pete, and I enjoyed seeing the updates we still got on the series regulars and some ongoing stories. Fans of this great series will still be glad they picked up this book.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated The Volk Advent in Books
Dec 12, 2017 (Updated Dec 12, 2017)
I will start my review by telling you that by the end of the second chapter I stopped reading this and I called my daughter into my bedroom and I began to read the book out loud. We read it in one sitting and we both loved it.
The suspense kept us on the edge of the bed and we often found ourselves laughing. The story line was beautiful and uplifting and full of life lessons. This author is talented and has a way with words. We both look forward to reading more of her books and we HIGHLY recommend this to one and all. -
The suspense kept us on the edge of the bed and we often found ourselves laughing. The story line was beautiful and uplifting and full of life lessons. This author is talented and has a way with words. We both look forward to reading more of her books and we HIGHLY recommend this to one and all. -