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Searching for Sylvie Lee
9.0
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A poignant and suspenseful drama that untangles the complicated ties binding three women—two...
The Sky Is Pink (2019)
Movie
Twenty-five years in the relationship of a mother (Priyanka Chopra) and father (Farhan Akhtar) is...
Greek mythology is my catnip, and Elektra was the only thing I wanted to listen to for the week it took me to finish it (work and families can be really inconvenient sometimes!).
Elektra by Jennifer Saint is told from three female perspectives: Clytemnestra, the sister of Helen, the wife of Agamemnon; Cassandra, a Princess of Troy; and Elektra, Clytemnestra and Agamemnon’s youngest daughter.
The things these women had to put up with! Clytemnestra’s husband Agamemnon, acts like a madman (but it’s ok, it’s all for the Gods!) and she’s supposed to accept it all. Except she doesn’t.
Cassandra is treated like a madwoman after she’s cursed by Apollo. She can tell the future, but no-one believes her. So they only have themselves to blame when Troy is destroyed.
And then there’s Elektra. She seems to have fully bought into the whole “men/ daddy knows best, and anyway, he’s a hero” story. She’s a young woman who adores her father and believes he can do no wrong. She can’t understand her mothers reaction to the sacrifice of her eldest daughter and Elektra’s sister. Can we blame Elektra though? Probably. She certainly knows how to play the long game.
The narrators were well chosen, and really helped to add life and vigour to the characters of the three women. Listening to these Greek myths haas added something extra special to the stories - after all, I’ve read these stories so many times over the years in different forms. And I still can’t see a time where they’ll get old. In every retelling there’s a different angle, and I don’t think I can express enough how much I enjoy the story told from the women’s points of view.
Elektra is just fabulous - a timeless story about strong women.
Elektra by Jennifer Saint is told from three female perspectives: Clytemnestra, the sister of Helen, the wife of Agamemnon; Cassandra, a Princess of Troy; and Elektra, Clytemnestra and Agamemnon’s youngest daughter.
The things these women had to put up with! Clytemnestra’s husband Agamemnon, acts like a madman (but it’s ok, it’s all for the Gods!) and she’s supposed to accept it all. Except she doesn’t.
Cassandra is treated like a madwoman after she’s cursed by Apollo. She can tell the future, but no-one believes her. So they only have themselves to blame when Troy is destroyed.
And then there’s Elektra. She seems to have fully bought into the whole “men/ daddy knows best, and anyway, he’s a hero” story. She’s a young woman who adores her father and believes he can do no wrong. She can’t understand her mothers reaction to the sacrifice of her eldest daughter and Elektra’s sister. Can we blame Elektra though? Probably. She certainly knows how to play the long game.
The narrators were well chosen, and really helped to add life and vigour to the characters of the three women. Listening to these Greek myths haas added something extra special to the stories - after all, I’ve read these stories so many times over the years in different forms. And I still can’t see a time where they’ll get old. In every retelling there’s a different angle, and I don’t think I can express enough how much I enjoy the story told from the women’s points of view.
Elektra is just fabulous - a timeless story about strong women.
Sexted by Santa (Thrust Into Love #4)
10.0
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Christian Kringle: College professor, reluctant Santa, and...fake dating my neighbor? I'm a...
Contemporary MM Romance Seasonal Single Dad Age Gap
Merissa (13765 KP) rated The Remembering Tree in Books
Oct 3, 2022
THE REMEMBERING TREE tells a story of magical healing and a belief in God, although it is not overly religious. When Gemma's husband dies, she is left alone, with just her fifteen-year-old daughter. Shortly after, her grandma dies and she is left a home, plus money for renovations, so they move there. Once at Moonstone House, things fall into place and Gemma realises things are not always as they seem.
Although this is listed as supernatural suspense, I would also add romance to that. Whilst not the main part, it does help and support the story move along.
I found this to be a quick and easy read, with the story pretty much going in the direction I thought it would. There are a few coincidences that raised my eyebrows as it seemed rather too easy, but that may just be me.
I was also left with a couple of questions - the main one being why wasn't Gemma named after a jewel? She named her daughter one, and it's what her family was known for, but she wasn't and it never explained why. I wanted to know!
I am probably in the minority here but the last part - the final ending, if you like - didn't do anything for me. In fact, for me, it actually took away from the story. I had enjoyed it up to that point but then felt a little let down.
All in all, this was a great read that I enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending if you like cosy mysteries with a romantic element.
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Although this is listed as supernatural suspense, I would also add romance to that. Whilst not the main part, it does help and support the story move along.
I found this to be a quick and easy read, with the story pretty much going in the direction I thought it would. There are a few coincidences that raised my eyebrows as it seemed rather too easy, but that may just be me.
I was also left with a couple of questions - the main one being why wasn't Gemma named after a jewel? She named her daughter one, and it's what her family was known for, but she wasn't and it never explained why. I wanted to know!
I am probably in the minority here but the last part - the final ending, if you like - didn't do anything for me. In fact, for me, it actually took away from the story. I had enjoyed it up to that point but then felt a little let down.
All in all, this was a great read that I enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending if you like cosy mysteries with a romantic element.
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (13765 KP) rated Stuck with my Frenemy (The Karma Collectors #1) in Books
Jun 23, 2021 (Updated Jul 18, 2023)
STUCK WITH MY FRENEMY is the first book in The Karma Collectors series and if you are looking for an opposites book, then this is your winner.
Ebony is the daughter of the Morrigan, and Cherry is the daughter of Aphrodite. One is full of rainbows, the other loves black. I'll leave it to you to figure out which is which. For some as yet unknown reason, Cherry and Ebony are sent to Earth as Karma's Collectors, and their first job is to give karma to the two thieves who stole Thor's Hammer. Of course, nothing is simple, so throw in a couple of fated mates plus Loki, and you're left with a whole ball of fun.
As Maya Daniels is one of the co-authors, you can expect the pacing to be extremely fast. I think the whole book takes place over a couple of days. The characters, you will either love or hate. I know it's probably meant to be this way but I really hate Cherry! Like, seriously!!! People talk about nails on a chalkboard, well, Cherry had me like chewing on a cotton wool ball! My jaw was so tense with every scene she was in and my palms were covered in nail marks.
If humorous urban fantasy is your thing, then I can definitely recommend this book. I'm sure the series is going to be full of fun and frolics, but I'm just not sure I'm up for all that colour! I think I may just retreat into my pit of doom and gloom and be happy there.
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 23, 2021
Ebony is the daughter of the Morrigan, and Cherry is the daughter of Aphrodite. One is full of rainbows, the other loves black. I'll leave it to you to figure out which is which. For some as yet unknown reason, Cherry and Ebony are sent to Earth as Karma's Collectors, and their first job is to give karma to the two thieves who stole Thor's Hammer. Of course, nothing is simple, so throw in a couple of fated mates plus Loki, and you're left with a whole ball of fun.
As Maya Daniels is one of the co-authors, you can expect the pacing to be extremely fast. I think the whole book takes place over a couple of days. The characters, you will either love or hate. I know it's probably meant to be this way but I really hate Cherry! Like, seriously!!! People talk about nails on a chalkboard, well, Cherry had me like chewing on a cotton wool ball! My jaw was so tense with every scene she was in and my palms were covered in nail marks.
If humorous urban fantasy is your thing, then I can definitely recommend this book. I'm sure the series is going to be full of fun and frolics, but I'm just not sure I'm up for all that colour! I think I may just retreat into my pit of doom and gloom and be happy there.
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 23, 2021
Debbiereadsbook (1653 KP) rated Stronger Than Longing (Chesapeake Days #3) in Books
Oct 28, 2022
great addition to series!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 3 in the Chesapeake Days series, and while not necessary to have read books one, Stronger Than Hope and two, Stronger Than Passion before this one, I personally recommend you do. I loved them.
And while I enjoyed this one, it didn't grab me quite as much as those two books and (insert whining noise) I don't know why!
Taran pops up in the previous 2 books, but Silas does not, as he returns to town to meet his daughter.
I liked that Taran had Silas as his high school crush, and Silas had no clue. I liked that they both started into that first encounter with open eyes, but very quickly they both realised that a one and done was not going to work for them. Silas did not want a relationship but Taran does.
It's relatively lower on the angst scale, with all the drama revolving around Silas' daughter and the stoopid decision he makes that pushes Taran away. I found it lower on the emotion scale, and lower on the explicit scale. Passion and love, yes but smexy times were on the lower scale. Not a bad thing, I'm just trying to write out why I didn't love this one, so needs a mention.
Both Taran and Silas have a say, and baby Fi steals the show. We get to catch up with Nico and Hudson and with Nate and Linc and I did LOVE that we did.
I can't work out why this one didn't connect with me the way the previous two did, but it was still a very VERY good read.
4 solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 3 in the Chesapeake Days series, and while not necessary to have read books one, Stronger Than Hope and two, Stronger Than Passion before this one, I personally recommend you do. I loved them.
And while I enjoyed this one, it didn't grab me quite as much as those two books and (insert whining noise) I don't know why!
Taran pops up in the previous 2 books, but Silas does not, as he returns to town to meet his daughter.
I liked that Taran had Silas as his high school crush, and Silas had no clue. I liked that they both started into that first encounter with open eyes, but very quickly they both realised that a one and done was not going to work for them. Silas did not want a relationship but Taran does.
It's relatively lower on the angst scale, with all the drama revolving around Silas' daughter and the stoopid decision he makes that pushes Taran away. I found it lower on the emotion scale, and lower on the explicit scale. Passion and love, yes but smexy times were on the lower scale. Not a bad thing, I'm just trying to write out why I didn't love this one, so needs a mention.
Both Taran and Silas have a say, and baby Fi steals the show. We get to catch up with Nico and Hudson and with Nate and Linc and I did LOVE that we did.
I can't work out why this one didn't connect with me the way the previous two did, but it was still a very VERY good read.
4 solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
jmercado (1 KP) rated Threat (Blood Riders MC #1) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I actually really liked the book as a whole but there were just....Faults that i couldn't look over.
Threat is a MC romance that follows Nicole and Drake.
After the death of Nicole's father she decides to go undercover and seek out the answer to who killed.
That's when she meets Drake.
So when i initially went into this i was super excited about the premise, but it was very faulty with the insta-love (literally only 3 days) and as well as that i didnt find it realistic that they accepted her after they found out who she really is. I mean she did help in clearing their name but still. A cop's daughter who snuck into their Club and they still were okay with her staying?
The faults made me not want to continue on with the series.
Threat is a MC romance that follows Nicole and Drake.
After the death of Nicole's father she decides to go undercover and seek out the answer to who killed.
That's when she meets Drake.
So when i initially went into this i was super excited about the premise, but it was very faulty with the insta-love (literally only 3 days) and as well as that i didnt find it realistic that they accepted her after they found out who she really is. I mean she did help in clearing their name but still. A cop's daughter who snuck into their Club and they still were okay with her staying?
The faults made me not want to continue on with the series.
Lindsay (1793 KP) rated The Mapmaker's Children in Books
Sep 9, 2017
I loved this book with each turn of the page. It gave you two stories that went well together. You get a modern mystery. You also learn about history at that time.
This book has you learn about Sarah and her family. We learn about slavery and what it like to be a part of the UGRR? The historical fiction and story go through the past to the future.
What will happen to Sarah and helping other by being so brave? The abolitionist John Brown has a daughter that might really be talented. She and Eden have something in common. Will Eden uncover the secrets of the past to the future?
You do learn about slavery and what our country was going through at that time. Eden may find a story that connects to the Hills from the past to present.
This book has you learn about Sarah and her family. We learn about slavery and what it like to be a part of the UGRR? The historical fiction and story go through the past to the future.
What will happen to Sarah and helping other by being so brave? The abolitionist John Brown has a daughter that might really be talented. She and Eden have something in common. Will Eden uncover the secrets of the past to the future?
You do learn about slavery and what our country was going through at that time. Eden may find a story that connects to the Hills from the past to present.
Not my favourite but still great
Not my favourite book in the Max Wolfe series but still very enjoyable with a very relevant and disturbing story line with great characters, twists, gritty tension, violence and humanity all written at a great pace that makes you want to continue reading well into the wee small hours of the night. I continue to love getting to know Max and adore his relationship with his daughter, Scout and their dog, Stanley with their moments adding a depth and warmth to Max that can be hidden under his strong policeman persona.
Although not my favourite, I would still highly recommend this series and Tony Parsons as a great British author and would like to thank the publisher, Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for my copy in return for a review.
Although not my favourite, I would still highly recommend this series and Tony Parsons as a great British author and would like to thank the publisher, Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for my copy in return for a review.