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The Christmas Swap
The Christmas Swap
Melody Carlson | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Looking for a sweet Christmas themed book that deals with a romance. This book has it and a sweet way of how it goes. This deals with a house swap at Christmas time. This book reminds me of the Hallmark Movie called “The Christmas Swap.” I do not know if this was a make on that or if it was maybe inspired by it. I do not know.

The book is about two families but mostly about a songwriter that somehow ends up taking care of this own house. The way it comes about seems kind of cute. We also have Emma who is struggling to be a musician. How will Emma and West's relationship go?

Will Gillian or maybe Harris mess up the sweet romance that is blooming? Does this seem to take a turn when someone figures out who West is? Is the caretaker who he is? Emma seems to be belated with the house they are staying in and the area in Colorado. Will the family and guest learn to ski and enjoy Christmas before going home?

The author writes this book well. This book is Christmas themed and charming. I enjoyed it. The only thing I kinda wish it was a bit more to it. Though I guess, I read too many romances to see how it ends. It is not all that bad. The story is caring and a bit different in the way that the owner is the one in more of a predicament than the heroine.
  
After the War is Over
After the War is Over
Maureen Lee | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
204
Book
After the war is over
By Maureen Lee

Liverpool, 1945.Three women, strong friends, return home from the war trying to fit back into their old lives after they've been demobbed.They've been thrown together by the war and shared all sorts of good and bad times. Now their old lives seem dull in comparison, but not for long... The younger women, Maggie and Nell, are both twenty-one and are full of hope and excitement; Iris, on the other hand, is feeling apprehensive about returning to civilian life. At the age of thirty her only wish in life is to have a baby, but sadly this wish has yet to come true. When one of the women falls pregnant, there begins a dramatic sequence of events so wide-reaching that the three friends' lives will become more intricately interwoven than they could ever have imagined. Over the next quarter of a century this story of three remarkable - and very different - women unfolds into an uplifting tale of how three ordinary families become extraordinary.


This is not normally a book I’d pick up from a shop or the library this was passed on by a friend and I always like to try different books. I really enjoyed it! It’s a gentle well told story of 3 women who’s lives take so many different twists and turns. You find yourself immersed into each of their lives. I will certainly be trying more of her books sometimes a girl needs a break from supernatural and crimes!
  
Clan of the Jersey Boys (Fangsters #1)
Clan of the Jersey Boys (Fangsters #1)
Ryan Field | 2013
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
DNF

I hate DNF’s. I always feel bad for not finishing them but sometimes I just cant get into a story. I stopped at 38%.

Right. Well, I expected this to be better–that sounds bad I know–but I was expecting them to be these tough vampires who kicked arse while running an illegal empire. In a way it was, but it didn’t seem bad-arse enough for me. Sure there were a few scenes with retribution/warnings handed out to people but I didn’t feel it.

Another thing that got me was all the mention of family and it’s many members. Yeah I know families are important in Italian/Sicilian cultures but more people kept getting mentioned and I found myself getting confused. What with Anton and someone else being turned by one person and his dad and uncle turned by someone else and this guy turned by the brother of that guy making them cousins…I got lost. It was a little too much for me to keep up with.

The relationship between Anton and Leo happened a little too fast for me to believe. Not the sex–he’s an attractive guy after all–but the “love you’s” and how strong their feelings were after the one night they spent together. Or maybe I just missed something?

It’s not a bad story, it was just a little different to what I normally read; the mobster/gangster bit anyway. If you like vampires, mobsters and m/m stories then you will probably like this.
  
    My PlayHome Stores

    My PlayHome Stores

    Entertainment and Education

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    From the creators of the award winning "My PlayHome" series! "My PlayHome Stores" allows your child...

    Dream City: Metropolis

    Dream City: Metropolis

    Games and Entertainment

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    As mayor of Dream City: Metropolis, you’ll build a city of your dreams and explore a beautiful 3D...

Military Wives (2020)
Military Wives (2020)
2020 | Drama
8
8.6 (7 Ratings)
Movie Rating
The music helps shine outstanding performances by the cast! (0 more)
I hoped that more of the characters backstory would have been more explained and developed! (0 more)
War United Them! Music Made Them A Family!
When their spouses are called to war, a group of military wives form a choir to deal with the distraction of the impending war. Unaware of what it takes to start and form a choir, the ladies learn that they have a lot more in common than what they think. The war may have united them but their love of music is what made them a family.
 When I watched the trailer for the movie, I was left somewhat baffled. I couldn't tell if the film was garnered more for fans of music or military families. But being a fan of Kristin Scott Thomas, I threw all doubts and hesitation about the film away and watched it...and I'm glad I did! Not knowing much about the story and it's characters, I became very enthralled with the movie. At first viewing, I thought I was watching a "military" version of the movie Pitch Perfect. Not knowing that the movie was based on a true story, it peaked my interest to learn more about the "true" military wives choir. After multiple watches though, I can honestly say that the overall plot and feel of the movie makes this a must see film. Fans of music and military films will enjoy this movie very immensely. A must see and highly recommended film!!!
  
Realm of Knights (Knights of the Realm, #1)
Realm of Knights (Knights of the Realm, #1)
Jennifer Anne Davis | 2019 | History & Politics, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
In case you haven’t heard about this hidden gem, Realm of the Knights is the first book in a new series by Jennifer Anne Davis. Long story short: Since the day of her birth (and subsequent death of her mother) Reid Ellington has been forced to live as her father’s sole male heir. She’s had to walk like a boy, talk like a boy, and do all kinds of boyish things. It’s the only way she can inherit her father’s estate.

But when the beans are spilled — and by a prince with a taste for blackmail — she’s forced to accept his offer of silence in exchange for an act of treason. She’s sucked into a whole world of secrets, far more dangerous and deadly than the one she’s fighting to keep. And it may cost her more than she realizes.

To be honest, Realm of the Knights isn’t my usual cuppa. The last time I read anything close to a high or epic fantasy was during my Forgotten Realms phase, especially ones with courts or royal families.

But Realm of the Knights caught my eye — first (admittedly) by its bold, beautiful cover and second, the major Arthurian-Mulan vibes I was getting. This was all I needed to abandon my High-Fantasy famine and dive right in.

And I don’t regret it one bit.

You can hear more about my reflections at <a href="https://www.bookishvalhalla.com">Bookish Valhalla</a>