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Eternal Bloodthirst (Blood Moon #1)
8.0
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Every vampire has a soulmate, and once they find them, the clock starts ticking... Vadym and...
Adult Paranormal Romance
The Ophelia Girls
9.0
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A mother's secret past collides with her daughter's present in this intoxicating novel from Jane...
Historical Fiction Literary Fiction
David McK (3600 KP) rated Rambo: Last Blood (2019) in Movies
May 8, 2022
If you asked anyone to name actor Sylvester Stallone's two most famous roles, they would probably give you (in order):
1: Rocky Balboa
2: John Rambo.
While the Rocky films have been having something of a renaissance of sorts ever since 2006's Rocky Balboa (and the Creed films), Rambo has been left on the sidelines somewhat - perhaps as a result of the increasingly cartoony (and violent) films ever since the 1982 original.
I haven't seen all the Rocky films - I gave up partway through Rocky III, before having to force myself to sit through Rocky Balboa and the first Creed film - but I have seen all the Rambo films.
There's still no doubt that the original Rambo film is far and away the best: indeed, I would strugglt to remember much of the plots of part II (other than there's a fight scene heavily ripped off in Charlie Sheen's 'Hot Shots: Part Deux'), or even part III (starting with Rambo helping to build a temple in Vietnam) or 2008's 'Rambo' (which ends with Rambo coming home as the credits roll)
This one picks up from the end of that film, with Rambo now running the horse ranch that belonged to his family, and with the plot kicking into drive when the daughter of a friend runs away to Mexico in search of her absentee father, and is promptly kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel.
Cue an extraordinarily violent last act when, for reasons, members of that cartel decide to attack Rambo on his home turf ...
1: Rocky Balboa
2: John Rambo.
While the Rocky films have been having something of a renaissance of sorts ever since 2006's Rocky Balboa (and the Creed films), Rambo has been left on the sidelines somewhat - perhaps as a result of the increasingly cartoony (and violent) films ever since the 1982 original.
I haven't seen all the Rocky films - I gave up partway through Rocky III, before having to force myself to sit through Rocky Balboa and the first Creed film - but I have seen all the Rambo films.
There's still no doubt that the original Rambo film is far and away the best: indeed, I would strugglt to remember much of the plots of part II (other than there's a fight scene heavily ripped off in Charlie Sheen's 'Hot Shots: Part Deux'), or even part III (starting with Rambo helping to build a temple in Vietnam) or 2008's 'Rambo' (which ends with Rambo coming home as the credits roll)
This one picks up from the end of that film, with Rambo now running the horse ranch that belonged to his family, and with the plot kicking into drive when the daughter of a friend runs away to Mexico in search of her absentee father, and is promptly kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel.
Cue an extraordinarily violent last act when, for reasons, members of that cartel decide to attack Rambo on his home turf ...
ClareR (5945 KP) rated Moonlight and the Pearler’s Daughter in Books
Jul 19, 2022
Moonlight and the Pearler’s daughter ticked a lot of the boxes on my ‘favourite books’ list:
Historical fiction ✅
Set somewhere completely out of my previous knowledge ✅
A strong female character, operating in a difficult situation ✅
A bit of a mystery ✅ (I don’t really want to try and solve it, I just like the big reveal!)
As is often the case, the expectation of women in historical fiction is to stay at home, look after the house, wait to get married and have babies. But Eliza won’t stay at home when her father goes missing - she doesn’t assume he’s dead like the rest of the townsfolk.
There’s a real feeling of danger in a town where there appears to be no law keepers - not honest one’s, anyway. And if the corrupt, prejudiced townsfolk don’t get you, the climate and the wildlife (jellyfish, crocodiles!!) will.
This is a gripping, descriptive novel, that puts the reader firmly in Eliza’s world. I certainly had more of an idea of the hardships of living in NW Australia at this time. What will stay with me however, is Eliza’s determination to save her father and her family. She’s single-minded in her quest to find him, and determined not to let anyone else take the blame for his supposed death. It’s unnerving at times, when the attitudes of the white settlers towards the Aboriginals and other people of colour are starkly described.
A dark time in history, indeed.
And I’d highly recommend this. It’s wonderfully told.
Historical fiction ✅
Set somewhere completely out of my previous knowledge ✅
A strong female character, operating in a difficult situation ✅
A bit of a mystery ✅ (I don’t really want to try and solve it, I just like the big reveal!)
As is often the case, the expectation of women in historical fiction is to stay at home, look after the house, wait to get married and have babies. But Eliza won’t stay at home when her father goes missing - she doesn’t assume he’s dead like the rest of the townsfolk.
There’s a real feeling of danger in a town where there appears to be no law keepers - not honest one’s, anyway. And if the corrupt, prejudiced townsfolk don’t get you, the climate and the wildlife (jellyfish, crocodiles!!) will.
This is a gripping, descriptive novel, that puts the reader firmly in Eliza’s world. I certainly had more of an idea of the hardships of living in NW Australia at this time. What will stay with me however, is Eliza’s determination to save her father and her family. She’s single-minded in her quest to find him, and determined not to let anyone else take the blame for his supposed death. It’s unnerving at times, when the attitudes of the white settlers towards the Aboriginals and other people of colour are starkly described.
A dark time in history, indeed.
And I’d highly recommend this. It’s wonderfully told.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1) in Books
Aug 2, 2022
138 of 230
Book
Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Book 1)
By Laini Taylor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reread
Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.
When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?
When you start a book and realise you have already read it but continue because it was so good! Well this was better the second time round. All the emotions came flooding back and I love that a book can have that effect on you. Rereading Karou and Akivas story was just as enjoyable as the first time the world building and story is just beautiful. I really like this authors style.
Book
Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Book 1)
By Laini Taylor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reread
Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.
When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?
When you start a book and realise you have already read it but continue because it was so good! Well this was better the second time round. All the emotions came flooding back and I love that a book can have that effect on you. Rereading Karou and Akivas story was just as enjoyable as the first time the world building and story is just beautiful. I really like this authors style.
ClareR (5945 KP) rated The Last House on Needless Street in Books
Mar 9, 2022
This book is mind-bending, constantly surprising and just plain old phenomenal, really 🤷🏼♀️ Just when I thought that I knew what was going on, something happened to completely throw me off.
It’s also a book with just enough oddness to keep me reading. Usually, a book about missing children would be a big “no” from me, but I have to admit to being drawn in by the talking, God fearing cat. I mean, how can that not appeal to the reader?
Ted is the main character though. He lives in a rundown house on Needless Street with his talking cat, Olivia, and his daughter Lauren, who visits at the weekends. He’s a reclusive man, who boards up his windows, has spy holes to look into the garden and uses a chest freezer to keep his cat in when he’s out. He doesn’t do himself any favours - he’s odd.
And so Dee decides that he is the man responsible for the disappearance of her sister. The Police have already discounted him, but she is sure that he fits the profile of a child abductor. She finds a house for sale on Needless Street, moves in and bides her time.
This is hands down, one of the strangest, delightfully off-kilter, most uncomfortable books I’ve read in recent times. I thought I had the ending all sorted out, but there are a fair few twists and turns that will wrong-foot you throughout this frankly brilliant book.
If you enjoy an eccentric, strange, slightly horrifying book, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy this. I loved it.
It’s also a book with just enough oddness to keep me reading. Usually, a book about missing children would be a big “no” from me, but I have to admit to being drawn in by the talking, God fearing cat. I mean, how can that not appeal to the reader?
Ted is the main character though. He lives in a rundown house on Needless Street with his talking cat, Olivia, and his daughter Lauren, who visits at the weekends. He’s a reclusive man, who boards up his windows, has spy holes to look into the garden and uses a chest freezer to keep his cat in when he’s out. He doesn’t do himself any favours - he’s odd.
And so Dee decides that he is the man responsible for the disappearance of her sister. The Police have already discounted him, but she is sure that he fits the profile of a child abductor. She finds a house for sale on Needless Street, moves in and bides her time.
This is hands down, one of the strangest, delightfully off-kilter, most uncomfortable books I’ve read in recent times. I thought I had the ending all sorted out, but there are a fair few twists and turns that will wrong-foot you throughout this frankly brilliant book.
If you enjoy an eccentric, strange, slightly horrifying book, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy this. I loved it.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Eversworn ( Daughters of Askara book 3) in Books
Sep 19, 2022
168 of 230
Kindle
Eversworn ( Daughters is Askara book 3)
By Hailey Edwards
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
When an exchange of stolen goods in the Feriana marketplace turns sour, Isabeau stumbles from the encounter bruised and laden with new orders to complete an even larger heist. With her child’s life at stake, there’s no room for error—or allies.
Armed with a lethal book of spells, she strikes a dangerous bargain with Roland Bernhard. Steal a shipment of salt from the Feriana colony, and she’ll have her freedom—and her daughter. It’s all she’s ever wanted. At least it was…until she runs into Dillon Preston.
Dillon is out of commission after a mine explosion, and itching for a distraction. He gets it when the female who saved his leg arrives at the colony with nothing but flimsy excuses and even flimsier attire. She’s after something, but is it him—or the salt?
Trapped in a desperate bid to gain true freedom, Isabeau is willing to sacrifice her life for her daughter’s, but Dillon has other plans. He wants a package deal, and he’s not willing to lose either female, even if it means the future king of Sere’s head will roll.
That was much better I think I just really don’t like Emma or Harper! So this is Dillon Isabeau’s story and I really enjoyed it. He’s a grumpy guy who final warms through. This was an easy read and a decent continuation of the series.
Kindle
Eversworn ( Daughters is Askara book 3)
By Hailey Edwards
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
When an exchange of stolen goods in the Feriana marketplace turns sour, Isabeau stumbles from the encounter bruised and laden with new orders to complete an even larger heist. With her child’s life at stake, there’s no room for error—or allies.
Armed with a lethal book of spells, she strikes a dangerous bargain with Roland Bernhard. Steal a shipment of salt from the Feriana colony, and she’ll have her freedom—and her daughter. It’s all she’s ever wanted. At least it was…until she runs into Dillon Preston.
Dillon is out of commission after a mine explosion, and itching for a distraction. He gets it when the female who saved his leg arrives at the colony with nothing but flimsy excuses and even flimsier attire. She’s after something, but is it him—or the salt?
Trapped in a desperate bid to gain true freedom, Isabeau is willing to sacrifice her life for her daughter’s, but Dillon has other plans. He wants a package deal, and he’s not willing to lose either female, even if it means the future king of Sere’s head will roll.
That was much better I think I just really don’t like Emma or Harper! So this is Dillon Isabeau’s story and I really enjoyed it. He’s a grumpy guy who final warms through. This was an easy read and a decent continuation of the series.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Muse in Books
Jan 30, 2022
18 of 230
Book
The Muse
By Jessie Burton
⭐️⭐️
Seductive, exhilarating and suspenseful, The Muse is an unforgettable novel about aspiration and identity, love and obsession, authenticity and deception – a masterpiece from Jessie Burton, the million-copy bestselling author of The Miniaturist.
A picture hides a thousand words . . .
On a hot July day in 1967, Odelle Bastien climbs the stone steps of the Skelton gallery in London, knowing that her life is about to change forever. Having struggled to find her place in the city since she arrived from Trinidad five years ago, she has been offered a job as a typist under the tutelage of the glamorous and enigmatic Marjorie Quick. But though Quick takes Odelle into her confidence, and unlocks a potential she didn't know she had, she remains a mystery – no more so than when a lost masterpiece with a secret history is delivered to the gallery.
The truth about the painting lies in 1936 and a large house in rural Spain, where Olive Schloss, the daughter of a renowned art dealer, is harbouring ambitions of her own. Into this fragile paradise come artist and revolutionary Isaac Robles and his half-sister Teresa, who immediately insinuate themselves into the Schloss family, with explosive and devastating consequences . . .
Oh it started so well and I was enjoying it but I just got so bored. I really wanted to enjoy this book but I couldn’t find anything to keep me hooked in! The characters were wushu washy and the story lost it appeal. Such a shame!
Book
The Muse
By Jessie Burton
⭐️⭐️
Seductive, exhilarating and suspenseful, The Muse is an unforgettable novel about aspiration and identity, love and obsession, authenticity and deception – a masterpiece from Jessie Burton, the million-copy bestselling author of The Miniaturist.
A picture hides a thousand words . . .
On a hot July day in 1967, Odelle Bastien climbs the stone steps of the Skelton gallery in London, knowing that her life is about to change forever. Having struggled to find her place in the city since she arrived from Trinidad five years ago, she has been offered a job as a typist under the tutelage of the glamorous and enigmatic Marjorie Quick. But though Quick takes Odelle into her confidence, and unlocks a potential she didn't know she had, she remains a mystery – no more so than when a lost masterpiece with a secret history is delivered to the gallery.
The truth about the painting lies in 1936 and a large house in rural Spain, where Olive Schloss, the daughter of a renowned art dealer, is harbouring ambitions of her own. Into this fragile paradise come artist and revolutionary Isaac Robles and his half-sister Teresa, who immediately insinuate themselves into the Schloss family, with explosive and devastating consequences . . .
Oh it started so well and I was enjoying it but I just got so bored. I really wanted to enjoy this book but I couldn’t find anything to keep me hooked in! The characters were wushu washy and the story lost it appeal. Such a shame!
The Island
7.0
Rate It
Book
It was just supposed to be a family vacation. A terrible accident changed everything. You...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Black Widow ( Annie Carter book 2) in Books
Jun 1, 2022
97 of 230
Book
Black Widow ( Annie Carter book 2)
By Jessie Keane
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In Dirty Game, Annie Bailey was an East End Madam. In Black Widow she's queen of the gangs and trying to save her daughter's life! Annie Bailey had done it all; Madam, mistress and Gangster's moll. Now she's Annie Carter, and she taking over the East End. Annie knew that it wouldn't last. Everything was going so well; she was living in Majorca, had Max Carter - the head of the Carter firm by her side, and had given him a beautiful daughter, Layla. But if there was one thing life had taught her, it was that everything could change in the blink of an eye. One minute she's lying by the pool, the next she's out cold. When she comes round Max and Layla are gone. It's not long before she gets the demands. They want money or she'll be getting her little girl back in pieces! There's only one thing Annie can do, she heads back to the East End of London and gathers the Carter firm together. Someone has snatched her husband and child. Now there's a score to settle, and it's being settled Annie Carter style!
Loved it!! I couldn’t put it down or stop thinking about it! This is the second book and this time they mess with her child. From start to finish it had me on edge. I really like this writer. We see that hard faced Annie almost crumble and I do say almost!
Book
Black Widow ( Annie Carter book 2)
By Jessie Keane
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In Dirty Game, Annie Bailey was an East End Madam. In Black Widow she's queen of the gangs and trying to save her daughter's life! Annie Bailey had done it all; Madam, mistress and Gangster's moll. Now she's Annie Carter, and she taking over the East End. Annie knew that it wouldn't last. Everything was going so well; she was living in Majorca, had Max Carter - the head of the Carter firm by her side, and had given him a beautiful daughter, Layla. But if there was one thing life had taught her, it was that everything could change in the blink of an eye. One minute she's lying by the pool, the next she's out cold. When she comes round Max and Layla are gone. It's not long before she gets the demands. They want money or she'll be getting her little girl back in pieces! There's only one thing Annie can do, she heads back to the East End of London and gathers the Carter firm together. Someone has snatched her husband and child. Now there's a score to settle, and it's being settled Annie Carter style!
Loved it!! I couldn’t put it down or stop thinking about it! This is the second book and this time they mess with her child. From start to finish it had me on edge. I really like this writer. We see that hard faced Annie almost crumble and I do say almost!