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Please note these are works of historical fiction based upon the lives of the women who he became victims of Jack the Ripper and are not about the actual killings.

Apologiesto the Cats Meat Man is the second book in the Jack the Ripper victim series. This time we join the second victim of Jack the Ripper Annie Chapman in the final week of her life. Unlike the first book, the story navigates between her past and her present. However, this does not make it any less interesting. Annie comes across as a sensitive soul that has to face the realities of a harsh world. Even though we know we what's going to happen to her the author has produced a fascinating back story about her life, which is very believable. I highly recommend this book can't wait to start the 3rd book in the series.
  
Counterpart - Season 1
Counterpart - Season 1
2018 | Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Interesting story, great characters, J.K. Simmons is excellent (0 more)
Great Dramatic Science Fiction Thriller
I like J.K. Simmons so I was intrigued by this new show and decided to check it out. It is quite interesting in the fact that it tells you right away that there is a parallel Earth that is similar to ours and everyone has an other that looks just like them with the same name similar memories to a point, but certain paths in their lives diverge so there are slight differences between the prime person and their other. J.K. Simmons really shines in this playing the main characters Howard Silk and Other Howard Silk. There are differences in the parallel world compared to the prime world as well. The story is great with interesting characters, intense drama, and the cast is great as well. It always keeps you guessing and it's really well done.
  
Beauty, Beast, and Belladonna is the 3rd book in the Fairy Tale Fatal series, set in 1867. I love cozies and historical fiction, and this story was a wonderful mix of the two. Variety hall actress Ophelia Flax finds herself at a hunting party in France, pretending to be someone she is not, and trying to figure out how to avoid getting herself married to the Compte de Griffe. When an unexpected guest turns up dead after a string of petty thefts, she must try to find both the thief and the killer to get herself out of more than one entanglement. I absolutely loved the colorful characters, the time period, and the setting in this story. I plan on going back soon to read this series from the start!

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
  
SO
Spaced Out (Moon Base Alpha #2)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
When you are living in a small base on the moon, it’s hard to vanish. And yet, that’s exactly what has happened to Nina Stack, the commander. Dash Gibson finds himself in the middle of the hunt for the missing woman, all the time with one thought in the back of his mind – if they don’t find her soon, time might run out.

This is a delightful combination of mystery and science fiction that will keep fans of either genre turning pages. The characters are sharp and well done. There are plenty of twists and clues. Plus there are some very funny scenes. My only warning is that this book spoils the first in the series, but that’s a very minor issue since both books are delightful reads.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-spaced-out-by-stuart-gibbs.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated The Toad in Books

Jun 18, 2018  
TT
The Toad
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
The Toad by Elise Gravel is part of the Disgusting Critters Series. It is a non-fiction picture book about all things toads. The book shows how toads relate to frogs, their habitat, and food. It also shows that there are different kinds of toad breeds. Beyond talking about the different kinds of toads, the readers learn about their skin and the bumps. Readers learn that the pests that toads eat help to keep the insects at a reasonable amount so we humans don't have to deal with them as much.

The text in the book is presented in an easy way to read which is both entertaining and funny. The illustrations are a great visual that accompanies the text.

I received an advanced readers copy from Penguin Random House Canada and Tundra Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
  
This was the first regency romance book I've read in over a year where I've been focusing on the fantasy genre.

I'm very glad I read this book and it was filled with plenty of action, a thrilling tale of revenge and a Scottish accent to die for.

The writing and story had an easy-going flow to it that made the book finish quicker than I would have liked. Each character was written with a specific role in mind and there were no filler characters which was great.

Each character had their own individual flaws which were written to perfection and there wasn't anything that needed changing with the characters in this book. Sometimes characters are written too perfect and they have no faults of their own which makes it unbelievable even for fiction.

Overall, a good story with a solid plot and solid characters.
  
The writing is well done, and very easy to understand. The descriptions of the world are good, especially when discussing social aspects. The world is built well, with enough history given, but without overloading with too much information or facts. Although the writing is good, the character development is mediocre. The main character never really learns her lesson until it is much too late, and is hell bent on revenge before anything else. There isn't a lot of opportunity for growth, though she struggles in the beginning, it would be more empowering to see her 'fall' be a little more dramatic as far as her standards she was used to. It's mentioned but I feel that her emotions could've been better explored. For a 'biblical fiction' I enjoyed the story and historical information.

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
  
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Kristie (106 KP) rated Tiffany Blues in Books

Sep 18, 2018  
Tiffany Blues
Tiffany Blues
M. J. Rose | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Beautifully written
Tiffany Blues by M.J. Rose is a beautifully written historical fiction that for the most part, I really enjoyed. The cover art as well as the art inside the book are absolutely gorgeous. The story did move a little bit slow for me, especially the first half of the novel, but more I was captivated towards the end. I loved seeing all of the mysteries around Jenny slowly unravel, and to discover with her what was happening at Laurelton. It was pretty obvious to me who the culprit was, but I did enjoy the mystery nonetheless and discovering exactly what the motives were. The characters were all very well developed and I feel like I truly knew the characters. While some parts of this story were obvious and moved slow, overall I did enjoy this book and would recommend to fans of this genre.
  
Silence (Hush, Hush, #3)
Silence (Hush, Hush, #3)
Becca Fitzpatrick | 2011 | Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
10
9.3 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
I found this read to be very thrilling and action-packed. I was worried it would be a lot of "filler" stuff to make the read longer, but I was pleasantly suprised to find each chapter riveting. I found myself wondering what would happen next in Nora and Patch's story when I was away working or someplace I wasn't able to continue reading. It was unbelievably hard to set this book down. I cannot wait for the next installment! I have already pre-ordered it and cannot wait for it to get here so I can see what happens next!

The entire series or "saga" is a magnificent piece of work. I found the story to be inspiring and it held a great many of life's lessons within it. I really enjoy when a fiction or fanrasy writers incorporate meaning and intertwine it throughout their books.

Absolutely awesome.
  
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David McK (3219 KP) rated The Postman in Books

Jan 28, 2019  
TP
The Postman
David Brin | 1985
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
1986's winner of the 'Locus Award for Best Science-fiction novel' (same year as Orson Scott's Card's Ender's Game), this is also the basis for the Kevin Costner film of the same name.

Set in a post-apocalyptic America, this starts with Brin's central character of Gordon Krantz being robbed, and seeking to ambush his robbers. Losing his way when tracking them, he stumbles across a crashed post-van, with the uniform of the driver still intact, as is the mail to be delivered. Originally taking the mail to read for entertainment (and the uniform for warmth!), Krantz soon finds himself living the lie of being an actual postman for 'The Restored United States', heralding the (re)spread of civilization. The novel also hints that it might just be Krantz's actions that brings about that spread, acting as the catalyst for the reunification of several disparate communities.