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David McK (3705 KP) rated Christmas Eve in Books

Apr 3, 2022  
CE
Christmas Eve
Jim Butcher | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I read this when it was provided as an addendum to 'Battle Ground' (that's book #17).

I was unaware that, apparently, this had also been released previously, on Jim Butcher's own website, back even before Peace Talks (or book #16) was released.

it is set after Battle Ground - thankfully giving no spoilers but only dropping hints to what will transpire - with Harry Dresden, Chicago's only professional wizard, attempting to put together a bicycle for his daughter on Christmas Eve, while staying with Michael and Charity Carpenter.

A bit like Scrooge, he receives numerous supernatural visitors on that night (although for very different reasons than Scrooge did!), with the final visitor and the final portion of the story bringing a tear to the eyes.
  
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Merissa (13765 KP) rated Daughter of the King (The Derbfine Series #3) in Books

May 18, 2018  
Daughter of the King (The Derbfine Series #3)
Daughter of the King (The Derbfine Series #3)
Ashley York | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Daughter of the king (The Derbfine Series #3) by Ashley York
Daughter of the King is the third book in The Derbfine Series, but could be read as a standalone as most of the characters are not major ones in the first two books. Brighit and Darragh have been promised to each other, almost from birth. And whilst there is comfort in the familiarity, there is also worry for Brighit as she fears Darragh will want her to change, to become the 'perfect little wifey'. Darragh is aware of Brighit's behaviour and loves her spirit. The only way for these two to work together is to trust each other, and that doesn't appear to be happening any time soon.

Once again, this book will draw you in. Not so much for the mystery, as that is quite straightforward, but for the complications and restrictions upon others in that time. Brighit and Darragh have to talk to each other about what happened, truthfully, for any headway to be made. I loved how Darragh worked things to allow Brighit more freedom, and how she realised Darragh wasn't how she had pictured him.

I'm putting this one as my favourite out of the three, simply because of how well written Brighit and Darragh were. With no editing or grammatical errors, this book was a delight to read, and Ashley York is a fantastic historical romance writer that I have no hesitation in recommending.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
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Ross (3284 KP) rated Abducted in Plain Sight (2017) in Movies

Mar 4, 2019  
Abducted in Plain Sight (2017)
Abducted in Plain Sight (2017)
2017 | Biography, Crime, Documentary
8
7.2 (11 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
Such a bizarre story, sensitively told
The story of how the Broberg family sleepwalked into their eldest daughter being abducted is truly bizarre. I think a large part of their logical progression and how they didn't react to the red flag warnings stems from their being part of the church of latter-day saints and how the community aspect of the church would give them a false sense of security. I think this was played down quite a lot, possibly being sensitive not to criticise religious beliefs, but does tend to sensationalise the story a little.
The first half of this documentary brilliantly shows how a series of truly weird decisions by the family allowed a manipulative, charismatic man to gradually isolate their daughter from them and allow him to abduct her. There are some moments when you can't help but shout "WTF" (the full version) at the TV.
The second half continues this theme but I felt like I was past the point of disbelief and stupid decision upon stupid decision had left me numb to it.
The story is sensitively told, by the family themselves (and at times by "B", the abductor in his own words). While their actions are clearly stupid and irresponsible, their thought processes are clearly explained and they admit themselves how stupid they were. The family come across as a lovely, sensitive, emotional group that went through a terrible time in the mid-70s.
Some unpleasant sections when it gets into the detail of the abduction, which serve as a real wake-up after the somewhat comedic elements leading up to the abduction.