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Sensitivemuse (246 KP) rated All Systems Down in Books
Feb 28, 2018
Great fast paced reading
So let’s start with the actual review first. This book was a quick read and an enjoyable one. It was action packed and although it’s a thin book to start with, it makes the reading even quicker.
Those who love plot hooks where the world runs amok and hell breaks loose will love this book. It immediately starts in the first few chapters and sets the ball rolling. The background story as to how the world (or to be exact the USA) goes downhill is explained by having North Korean hackers finding a way to plant viruses into the web which pretty much breaks down society. It’s a good “what if” scenario and further chapters show how fast society just crumbles when things we rely on daily vanish before our eyes.
There’s a variety of characters in the book that are easy to follow. Each have their own share their own spot in the plot and eventually converge and meet together (albeit a bit coincidentally but well, they’d have to meet somewhere right?)
My favourites would have to be Brandon, Vailea , and Carmen. Although the survivors of the crisis have their own strengths, these three stood out for me the most. They’re likeable, and as mentioned before showed their strengths to survive to protect their loved ones (or avenge them in some cases)
Orion and Xandra would be my two least favorite ones. Orion because he was just so whiny, Xandra because although I know she’s supposed to be analytical and a computer whiz, her personality was blah and just downright unlikable. She has her uses but she’s not really someone I would ideally have tea with if I had a choice.
So overall, a really good plot, filled with action and fun to read. The ending does result in a cliffhanger but it was a really good one. I’d love to know what’s going to happen next. It does play out almost like a movie and it’s well done.
Now for the next part of my review. Why did I like this so much? Well considering I just moved to Portland, it got me recognizing street names, bridges (still haven’t memorized all of them yet) and asking my husband (who’s lived in Portland all his life) all sorts of questions (ie: “Where is <enter name of street here>” in which he replies with a sigh and says: “Oh god you’re reading a book that’s set in Portland aren’t you?!?!?”) so because I’m familiar with the setting, it even made the reading experience twice as special.
I greatly enjoyed this one. I can’t wait for the second.
Those who love plot hooks where the world runs amok and hell breaks loose will love this book. It immediately starts in the first few chapters and sets the ball rolling. The background story as to how the world (or to be exact the USA) goes downhill is explained by having North Korean hackers finding a way to plant viruses into the web which pretty much breaks down society. It’s a good “what if” scenario and further chapters show how fast society just crumbles when things we rely on daily vanish before our eyes.
There’s a variety of characters in the book that are easy to follow. Each have their own share their own spot in the plot and eventually converge and meet together (albeit a bit coincidentally but well, they’d have to meet somewhere right?)
My favourites would have to be Brandon, Vailea , and Carmen. Although the survivors of the crisis have their own strengths, these three stood out for me the most. They’re likeable, and as mentioned before showed their strengths to survive to protect their loved ones (or avenge them in some cases)
Orion and Xandra would be my two least favorite ones. Orion because he was just so whiny, Xandra because although I know she’s supposed to be analytical and a computer whiz, her personality was blah and just downright unlikable. She has her uses but she’s not really someone I would ideally have tea with if I had a choice.
So overall, a really good plot, filled with action and fun to read. The ending does result in a cliffhanger but it was a really good one. I’d love to know what’s going to happen next. It does play out almost like a movie and it’s well done.
Now for the next part of my review. Why did I like this so much? Well considering I just moved to Portland, it got me recognizing street names, bridges (still haven’t memorized all of them yet) and asking my husband (who’s lived in Portland all his life) all sorts of questions (ie: “Where is <enter name of street here>” in which he replies with a sigh and says: “Oh god you’re reading a book that’s set in Portland aren’t you?!?!?”) so because I’m familiar with the setting, it even made the reading experience twice as special.
I greatly enjoyed this one. I can’t wait for the second.
Debbiereadsbook (1166 KP) rated Surreal Estate in Books
Nov 5, 2018
love love LOVED this one!
Sasha can't live at home, so he's on the streets. He finds an empty home that calls to his 6th sense and moves in. Then Nick buys the house. The house reacts badly to Nick wanting to sell it, and makes Nick's already tight budget and time frame almost impossible. Sasha doesn't want Nick to end up in the hospital, or worse, so he has to come up with something quick, while clearly out and healing his grandfather's house.
I won a copy of this book, and I am so bloody glad I did! Ms Ryan usually writes Young Adult and had this book came with that tag, I would not have entered, cos I'm not a YA fan. This is Ms Ryan's first foray into a much more adult setting, and into the male/male genre, and BOY does she smash it out the park!
Sasha can read houses, they call to him. His skill isn't made immediately clear, and we have to wait for the full picture. I think it really hit me, just what this meant for Sasha, when he was healing his grandfather's house.
I loved we got all of Nick's internal wrangling with himself over his growing feelings and attraction to Sasha. Loved that he was like, "okay then, must be bi" Loved the interaction between Nick and his brothers! His older brother needs a story now, needs to find his happy ever after, especially after what happened here. Well both brothers should have a story, I think!
It's not overly explicit, I thought, but it wans't lacking in any thing regards to the heat and steam level between these two! Not at all! It does carry a violence and drug use warning. These ARE needed and are an integral part of the story, but they are all off screen. We know Sasha's mum does drugs, but we don't see it. We know WHAT happened to Nick, cos we deal with the fall out, but not HOW. It also comes with a non-con warning. It's mostly touching, and doesn't develop into a full blown attack, but could very well have. It needs mentioning though.
It's told from both Sasha and Nick's point of view, in the first person. Each change occurs as a a chapter changes and is clearly headed. I didn't quite manage to read it in one sitting, but very nearly!
I can't wait to see what Ms Ryan comes up with next. I love finding new to me authors, especially ones who step outside their comfort zone! She impressed me here, greatly, and, apparently, I'm a tough critic! I'm not sure that's true, but I LOVED this book.
so,
5 full and shiny stars!
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I won a copy of this book, and I am so bloody glad I did! Ms Ryan usually writes Young Adult and had this book came with that tag, I would not have entered, cos I'm not a YA fan. This is Ms Ryan's first foray into a much more adult setting, and into the male/male genre, and BOY does she smash it out the park!
Sasha can read houses, they call to him. His skill isn't made immediately clear, and we have to wait for the full picture. I think it really hit me, just what this meant for Sasha, when he was healing his grandfather's house.
I loved we got all of Nick's internal wrangling with himself over his growing feelings and attraction to Sasha. Loved that he was like, "okay then, must be bi" Loved the interaction between Nick and his brothers! His older brother needs a story now, needs to find his happy ever after, especially after what happened here. Well both brothers should have a story, I think!
It's not overly explicit, I thought, but it wans't lacking in any thing regards to the heat and steam level between these two! Not at all! It does carry a violence and drug use warning. These ARE needed and are an integral part of the story, but they are all off screen. We know Sasha's mum does drugs, but we don't see it. We know WHAT happened to Nick, cos we deal with the fall out, but not HOW. It also comes with a non-con warning. It's mostly touching, and doesn't develop into a full blown attack, but could very well have. It needs mentioning though.
It's told from both Sasha and Nick's point of view, in the first person. Each change occurs as a a chapter changes and is clearly headed. I didn't quite manage to read it in one sitting, but very nearly!
I can't wait to see what Ms Ryan comes up with next. I love finding new to me authors, especially ones who step outside their comfort zone! She impressed me here, greatly, and, apparently, I'm a tough critic! I'm not sure that's true, but I LOVED this book.
so,
5 full and shiny stars!
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1166 KP) rated Behind the Iron Cross in Books
Dec 27, 2018
love love LOVED this one!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
A sensual heiress, a wounded playboy and the soldier who will serve them both.
Oh I liked this one, I liked it a LOT!!!
Meet Kat, a wealthy business woman trying to help expand her company and repair a very damaged Germany after WW1. Meet Sam, Kat's best friend, fiancee, and her dead brother's lover. And Friedrich, a decommissioned soldier forced to sell his body to keep his widowed sister-in-law and her baby fed.
Like I said, liked it A LOT!
The scene is set with Friedrich going to the club Kat and Sam frequent for the first time. There is am immediate connection between the three, and it burns bright through the whole book. I didn't find it as explicit as some BDSM or menage books, but that might be just me. It IS sexy, oh yes, don't think that it isn't, and what is here is very well written. Maybe it's because a lot of words used were from that time, and not today's words for things. I didn't mind that I didn't find it as explicit, I just needed to mention it!
I LOVED how it all worked though! Kat is a Dom; Sam, a confirmed homosexual (but he can be with women, should he and Kat actually get married and need to produce an heir!) and Friedrich is the glue that binds all three of them together. Kat shows him all kinds of things that he didn't even know existed and Sam shows him just how good it is to be with a man.
I liked the business espionage line, wasn't sure how that was gonna go and I do so love being kept on my toes!
And I absolutely LOVED the solution that Sam comes up with to get Friedrich, Elise and Rudi out of Germany; to give Kat a husband; to give Sam a wife AND heir and for the three of them to be together back in the States. I was reading when Sam was talking and I'm thinking "What the bloody hell is he going on about?" And then, ping! Light bulb moment just a fraction of a sentence before Sam laid it out! Loved it!
First I've read of this author, unless there is something tucked away in a bo x set I might have read. I'd like to read more!
You know what?? I wrote 4.5 stars at the top pf the page when I sat down to write this up, but now? I can't think why I did that, or what to take the half star off for, so . . . .
5 full stars!
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
A sensual heiress, a wounded playboy and the soldier who will serve them both.
Oh I liked this one, I liked it a LOT!!!
Meet Kat, a wealthy business woman trying to help expand her company and repair a very damaged Germany after WW1. Meet Sam, Kat's best friend, fiancee, and her dead brother's lover. And Friedrich, a decommissioned soldier forced to sell his body to keep his widowed sister-in-law and her baby fed.
Like I said, liked it A LOT!
The scene is set with Friedrich going to the club Kat and Sam frequent for the first time. There is am immediate connection between the three, and it burns bright through the whole book. I didn't find it as explicit as some BDSM or menage books, but that might be just me. It IS sexy, oh yes, don't think that it isn't, and what is here is very well written. Maybe it's because a lot of words used were from that time, and not today's words for things. I didn't mind that I didn't find it as explicit, I just needed to mention it!
I LOVED how it all worked though! Kat is a Dom; Sam, a confirmed homosexual (but he can be with women, should he and Kat actually get married and need to produce an heir!) and Friedrich is the glue that binds all three of them together. Kat shows him all kinds of things that he didn't even know existed and Sam shows him just how good it is to be with a man.
I liked the business espionage line, wasn't sure how that was gonna go and I do so love being kept on my toes!
And I absolutely LOVED the solution that Sam comes up with to get Friedrich, Elise and Rudi out of Germany; to give Kat a husband; to give Sam a wife AND heir and for the three of them to be together back in the States. I was reading when Sam was talking and I'm thinking "What the bloody hell is he going on about?" And then, ping! Light bulb moment just a fraction of a sentence before Sam laid it out! Loved it!
First I've read of this author, unless there is something tucked away in a bo x set I might have read. I'd like to read more!
You know what?? I wrote 4.5 stars at the top pf the page when I sat down to write this up, but now? I can't think why I did that, or what to take the half star off for, so . . . .
5 full stars!
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Remember Me Forever (Lovely Vicious, #3) in Books
Jan 23, 2020
<b><i>I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i></b>
Remember Me Forever</i> is the third and last book of Sara Wolfs <i>Lovely Vicious</i> trilogy, when we are brought back to the world of Isis and Jack. Its been over three years since Isis Blake has fallen in love, and with Jack having disappeared off the surface of the planet, she tries to get over it by living a normal life as possible until she comes across someone she would rather never see again.
Sara Wolfs latest book is the darkest of the three books - the first book, <i><a href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/blog-tour-love-me-never-by-sara-wolf-arc-review-and-giveaway"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">Love Me Never</a></i>, is very light-hearted: there is a lot of laugh out loud moments, snarky comments, and a great banter between Isis and Jack. The second, <i><a href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/arc-review-forget-me-always-by-sara-wolf"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">Forget Me Always</a></i>, is a little darker than the first, but Isis still has her moments. Wolf gives us a few teasers from Jacks and Isiss past without fully revealing anything. <i>Remember Me Forever </i>brings both Jacks and Isiss past to light, and their confrontations towards it.
I adored Isis throughout the entire trilogy, and its no wonder Jack adores her as well. Isis has a quirky personality - despite all shes gone through, she tries to find light of the situation. She takes the situations shes in and spins them right back with a funny comeback, even if it may be well over the top. (I suppose this is because I cope the same way - I come back with an evil little comment.)
I also really liked how Isis takes what happens to her and tries to help others who are in a similar situation before anything bad actually happens to them. Isis, however, doesnt do that by going to someone else entirely - she confronts the perpetrator herself. All of that is, in a way, helping her prepare for the final confrontation - her past.
It was an absolute joy to go through a part of Isiss and Jacks journey of life - the <i>Lovely Vicious</i> trilogy deals with a dark topic, but has a great balance of funny and serious.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/blog-tour-remember-me-forever-by-sara/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Remember Me Forever</i> is the third and last book of Sara Wolfs <i>Lovely Vicious</i> trilogy, when we are brought back to the world of Isis and Jack. Its been over three years since Isis Blake has fallen in love, and with Jack having disappeared off the surface of the planet, she tries to get over it by living a normal life as possible until she comes across someone she would rather never see again.
Sara Wolfs latest book is the darkest of the three books - the first book, <i><a href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/blog-tour-love-me-never-by-sara-wolf-arc-review-and-giveaway"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">Love Me Never</a></i>, is very light-hearted: there is a lot of laugh out loud moments, snarky comments, and a great banter between Isis and Jack. The second, <i><a href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/arc-review-forget-me-always-by-sara-wolf"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">Forget Me Always</a></i>, is a little darker than the first, but Isis still has her moments. Wolf gives us a few teasers from Jacks and Isiss past without fully revealing anything. <i>Remember Me Forever </i>brings both Jacks and Isiss past to light, and their confrontations towards it.
I adored Isis throughout the entire trilogy, and its no wonder Jack adores her as well. Isis has a quirky personality - despite all shes gone through, she tries to find light of the situation. She takes the situations shes in and spins them right back with a funny comeback, even if it may be well over the top. (I suppose this is because I cope the same way - I come back with an evil little comment.)
I also really liked how Isis takes what happens to her and tries to help others who are in a similar situation before anything bad actually happens to them. Isis, however, doesnt do that by going to someone else entirely - she confronts the perpetrator herself. All of that is, in a way, helping her prepare for the final confrontation - her past.
It was an absolute joy to go through a part of Isiss and Jacks journey of life - the <i>Lovely Vicious</i> trilogy deals with a dark topic, but has a great balance of funny and serious.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/blog-tour-remember-me-forever-by-sara/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Debbiereadsbook (1166 KP) rated Tristan (The Hawks, #1) in Books
Mar 26, 2021
This book, right? This book is bloody AMAZING!!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This book, right? This book is bloody AMAZING!!
I mean, this is the author's first book, that I can see, and it blew me away, it really did.
It's told from Nim and Tristan's point of view, with two others getting a say for a short time. They have clear and concise voices, and you get the setting of this world in dribs and drabs. You do NOT get everything all at once, and I really loved being able to process every little bit as and when it came at me.
And you can process it, just in time for the next bit to be thrown at you. And I really LOVED getting thrown at! I can't tell you how much I love being able to take steps into a new world a bit at a time, I really can't.
There is something much bigger going on here, that is revealed, I'm sure. The clues are there, I think, but I'm not sure I put it all together in the way it's meant to be put together. I mean, SOME things are totally clear, but it's the other bits and pieces that are a little fuzzy and I love that they are, cos I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED the next book to make things unclear!
Tristan and Nim's story is dark and deadly, and somewhat graphic in it's violence in places, but it really is needed, for you to get what has happens to the Blues since the ambush and death of their king. There is passion and love here, but it's not especially explicit, but as much as the violence IS needed, the sex is NOT. You get all you need between Nim and Tristan with what is here.
The people in this world are varied and different, with their own skills and powers and traits unique to their race. Some hints about dragons and Nephilim. Wings for Nim, her brother Val and a couple of Tristan's men. Those things are just *there*, you know? You don't get a big long winded explanation, just Nim stretched her wings. And I loved that!
Like I said, I bloody LOVED this book, and if this really IS this author's first book, she nailed it! Absolutely NAILED it and I cannot wait to see what comes next. I know that Val is next, Nim's brother, and given what happens to him in this book, I think that one might be a much more difficult read.
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This book, right? This book is bloody AMAZING!!
I mean, this is the author's first book, that I can see, and it blew me away, it really did.
It's told from Nim and Tristan's point of view, with two others getting a say for a short time. They have clear and concise voices, and you get the setting of this world in dribs and drabs. You do NOT get everything all at once, and I really loved being able to process every little bit as and when it came at me.
And you can process it, just in time for the next bit to be thrown at you. And I really LOVED getting thrown at! I can't tell you how much I love being able to take steps into a new world a bit at a time, I really can't.
There is something much bigger going on here, that is revealed, I'm sure. The clues are there, I think, but I'm not sure I put it all together in the way it's meant to be put together. I mean, SOME things are totally clear, but it's the other bits and pieces that are a little fuzzy and I love that they are, cos I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED the next book to make things unclear!
Tristan and Nim's story is dark and deadly, and somewhat graphic in it's violence in places, but it really is needed, for you to get what has happens to the Blues since the ambush and death of their king. There is passion and love here, but it's not especially explicit, but as much as the violence IS needed, the sex is NOT. You get all you need between Nim and Tristan with what is here.
The people in this world are varied and different, with their own skills and powers and traits unique to their race. Some hints about dragons and Nephilim. Wings for Nim, her brother Val and a couple of Tristan's men. Those things are just *there*, you know? You don't get a big long winded explanation, just Nim stretched her wings. And I loved that!
Like I said, I bloody LOVED this book, and if this really IS this author's first book, she nailed it! Absolutely NAILED it and I cannot wait to see what comes next. I know that Val is next, Nim's brother, and given what happens to him in this book, I think that one might be a much more difficult read.
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Purple Phoenix Games (2266 KP) rated Baby Dinosaur Rescue in Tabletop Games
Apr 21, 2021
The Kids Table series from Purple Phoenix Games seeks to lightly explore games that are focused toward children and families. We will do our best to give some good insight, but not bog you down with a million rules.
The island’s volcano is about to erupt! We HAVE to get these baby dinosaurs to safety FAST! Place the game board on the table with the lava tracker token on the highest lava spot. Depending on how challenging you want your game, place all your dinosaur tokens at the bottom of the board ready to move to safety. Shuffle the cards and deal each player three. You are ready to truck it to the safety of a neighboring island.
On your turn you will play a card from your hand and move any dinosaur to the next-closest open spot that matches the card you played. So if you play that Fish Bone card, move one dino to the first Fish Bone spot on the board you see. Draw another card and it’s the next player’s turn. Do they also have a Fish Bone? Great, play it now because the next-closest open Fish Bone spot is the one PAST where you last placed a dino moving them even further ahead!
Uh oh, have a Lava card in your hand? You HAVE to play that first. When a Lava card is played, no dinosaurs move, but the Lava token moves down one spot closer to obliterating the island!
Play continues in this fashion of playing cards and hopefully leap-frogging dinos to move further ahead on the path to safety. Players are playing cooperatively, so either everyone wins when all the dinos get to the other island, or everyone loses because the island has been burninated.
Components. Any game with a trumpet-playing character already has great components. But, the board and chips are good sturdy quality, and the cards are as well. If you find that you will be playing this one quite a bit I would suggest sleeving the cards as they are handled a lot during play.
We love this game and my son requests it more than any other game we own. It is simple, fun, and tense at times! What we love about this game as parents is that it teaches children about cooperative gaming. No dinosaurs are owned in the game – everyone is trying to save ALL the dinos, not just “THEIR” dino. It also teaches that sometimes you have Lava cards and are unable to help the team, and that’s okay because another player will pick up that slack and make the team better. Gotta love educational games with great themes! Pick it up online as I haven’t seen it in stores anywhere.
The island’s volcano is about to erupt! We HAVE to get these baby dinosaurs to safety FAST! Place the game board on the table with the lava tracker token on the highest lava spot. Depending on how challenging you want your game, place all your dinosaur tokens at the bottom of the board ready to move to safety. Shuffle the cards and deal each player three. You are ready to truck it to the safety of a neighboring island.
On your turn you will play a card from your hand and move any dinosaur to the next-closest open spot that matches the card you played. So if you play that Fish Bone card, move one dino to the first Fish Bone spot on the board you see. Draw another card and it’s the next player’s turn. Do they also have a Fish Bone? Great, play it now because the next-closest open Fish Bone spot is the one PAST where you last placed a dino moving them even further ahead!
Uh oh, have a Lava card in your hand? You HAVE to play that first. When a Lava card is played, no dinosaurs move, but the Lava token moves down one spot closer to obliterating the island!
Play continues in this fashion of playing cards and hopefully leap-frogging dinos to move further ahead on the path to safety. Players are playing cooperatively, so either everyone wins when all the dinos get to the other island, or everyone loses because the island has been burninated.
Components. Any game with a trumpet-playing character already has great components. But, the board and chips are good sturdy quality, and the cards are as well. If you find that you will be playing this one quite a bit I would suggest sleeving the cards as they are handled a lot during play.
We love this game and my son requests it more than any other game we own. It is simple, fun, and tense at times! What we love about this game as parents is that it teaches children about cooperative gaming. No dinosaurs are owned in the game – everyone is trying to save ALL the dinos, not just “THEIR” dino. It also teaches that sometimes you have Lava cards and are unable to help the team, and that’s okay because another player will pick up that slack and make the team better. Gotta love educational games with great themes! Pick it up online as I haven’t seen it in stores anywhere.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated Snuggle with the Strange: 9 Twisted Tales (The Snuggle Series #1) in Books
Jul 28, 2021
I usually try to stay away from books featuring short stories because usually they aren't that great. However, there was something about Snuggle with the Strange: 9 Twisted Tales by Liane Carter that jumped out at me. I felt compelled to read it, and I'm glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and all the short stories.
I didn't really know what to expect with Snuggle with the Strange except that the stories would be a bit out there. The first two stories gave me Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz vibes but for adults. These stories were more paranormal/supernatural in nature, and I really enjoyed them. The next six stories were more realistic in the fact that they could actually happen to anyone (which is a scary thought!). The last story returned to being supernatural again. I loved each and every story, and I thought the pacing and world building for each was done very well. Each story has an original feel and isn't like any of the other stories in the book. Even though this is a fairly short book, all the suspense makes it seem as if time has stood still. My favorite stories in Snuggle with the Strange were "Life in the Shed" and "He Looked Like My First Mistake." Although all the stories are written very well, I just loved those a little extra. Oh, and something else I loved was that the cover of the book links each of the nine stories. I thought that was very cool!
All of the characters are well fleshed out in each story. There's just enough information on each character so you can love them or love to hate them. At times, I felt like I was the main character in the story!
As this is an adult horror book, there are quite a few trigger warnings for Snuggle with the Strange which include demons, underage drug use (a few mentions of marijuana), implied rape, implied child rape, attempted rape, death, murder, violence, attempted murder, domestic abuse, child abuse, and profanity.
Overall, Snuggle with the Strange is a breath of fresh air for those who love the genre horror. With it's interesting cast of characters and original short stories, this is one book that every horror lover should read. I would definitely recommend Snuggle with the Strange: 9 Twisted Tales by Liane Carter for those aged 16+ who like their horror with a flair of originality instead of rehashed fiction. If that sounds like you, this is your kind of book!
--
(A special thank you to Liane Carter and Lola's Blog Tours for providing me with a paperback of Snuggle with the Strange: 9 Twisted Tales in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)
I didn't really know what to expect with Snuggle with the Strange except that the stories would be a bit out there. The first two stories gave me Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz vibes but for adults. These stories were more paranormal/supernatural in nature, and I really enjoyed them. The next six stories were more realistic in the fact that they could actually happen to anyone (which is a scary thought!). The last story returned to being supernatural again. I loved each and every story, and I thought the pacing and world building for each was done very well. Each story has an original feel and isn't like any of the other stories in the book. Even though this is a fairly short book, all the suspense makes it seem as if time has stood still. My favorite stories in Snuggle with the Strange were "Life in the Shed" and "He Looked Like My First Mistake." Although all the stories are written very well, I just loved those a little extra. Oh, and something else I loved was that the cover of the book links each of the nine stories. I thought that was very cool!
All of the characters are well fleshed out in each story. There's just enough information on each character so you can love them or love to hate them. At times, I felt like I was the main character in the story!
As this is an adult horror book, there are quite a few trigger warnings for Snuggle with the Strange which include demons, underage drug use (a few mentions of marijuana), implied rape, implied child rape, attempted rape, death, murder, violence, attempted murder, domestic abuse, child abuse, and profanity.
Overall, Snuggle with the Strange is a breath of fresh air for those who love the genre horror. With it's interesting cast of characters and original short stories, this is one book that every horror lover should read. I would definitely recommend Snuggle with the Strange: 9 Twisted Tales by Liane Carter for those aged 16+ who like their horror with a flair of originality instead of rehashed fiction. If that sounds like you, this is your kind of book!
--
(A special thank you to Liane Carter and Lola's Blog Tours for providing me with a paperback of Snuggle with the Strange: 9 Twisted Tales in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)
Kara Skinner (332 KP) rated Mine Forever in Books
Sep 10, 2019
What do you do when the love of your life is almost kidnapped by druggies? You do everything you can to convince her to come home with you, of course. Which is exactly what Simon does with Kara. But even with Kara reluctantly living with Simon again, things aren’t perfect. Kara won’t accept anything less than a relationship and Simon is still trying to figure out how to be in one. Can Simon put his past behind him so he can finally have happiness with Kara?
Like Mine for Tonight and Mine for Now, Mine Forever is a fantastic erotic romance. I like it even better than the second one because aside from getting Kara to move in with Simon again,the under-developed druggie plot has all but disappeared. and Kara is showing that she’s not willing to take any crap from Simon, even refusing sex until he opened up to her about his past. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of hot sex scenes that can make you blush, but Kara still needs Simon to open up.
And Simon, despite being an alpha male, is still awkward and endearing. 15479193670_d73f1ff314_mIt’s really obvious that he has no idea what to do in a relationship, to the point of absurdity. I mean, you have to be living under a rock not to know that flowers and chocolates are basic gifts for Valentine’s Day. As much as I like an awkward love interest, I really didn’t like how Simon handled Valentine’s Day. Getting help from his female employees is good and so is being nervous and wanting to make things right with Kara, but buying an entire carload of Valentine’s Day merchandise? That was a little to ridiculous for me. First of all, it’s unrealistic. Nervous binge-shopping and being a billionaire don’t go hand in hand. Binge-shopping leads to a broke hoarder real quick, I don’t care how high your salary is. Second of all, does he even know Kara? She’s hardly a material girl. Why would a large quantity of material goods make her happy? But Simon does express his love with gifts, so I guess that does fit.
We finally learn how Simon got his scars in this book. The suspense had actually been killing me to find out and the reason did not disappoint. Honestly, I’d have relationship problems too if I went through the same thing. And now that he’s opened up to Kara he can finally begin healing for real.
This book is one of my favorites of the series, right up there with the first one. You can’t find it by itself anymore. You’ll have to buy the entire Billionaire’s Obsession series. But if you like contemporary romance that flirts with the erotica genre, then you’ll like this series.
Like Mine for Tonight and Mine for Now, Mine Forever is a fantastic erotic romance. I like it even better than the second one because aside from getting Kara to move in with Simon again,the under-developed druggie plot has all but disappeared. and Kara is showing that she’s not willing to take any crap from Simon, even refusing sex until he opened up to her about his past. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of hot sex scenes that can make you blush, but Kara still needs Simon to open up.
And Simon, despite being an alpha male, is still awkward and endearing. 15479193670_d73f1ff314_mIt’s really obvious that he has no idea what to do in a relationship, to the point of absurdity. I mean, you have to be living under a rock not to know that flowers and chocolates are basic gifts for Valentine’s Day. As much as I like an awkward love interest, I really didn’t like how Simon handled Valentine’s Day. Getting help from his female employees is good and so is being nervous and wanting to make things right with Kara, but buying an entire carload of Valentine’s Day merchandise? That was a little to ridiculous for me. First of all, it’s unrealistic. Nervous binge-shopping and being a billionaire don’t go hand in hand. Binge-shopping leads to a broke hoarder real quick, I don’t care how high your salary is. Second of all, does he even know Kara? She’s hardly a material girl. Why would a large quantity of material goods make her happy? But Simon does express his love with gifts, so I guess that does fit.
We finally learn how Simon got his scars in this book. The suspense had actually been killing me to find out and the reason did not disappoint. Honestly, I’d have relationship problems too if I went through the same thing. And now that he’s opened up to Kara he can finally begin healing for real.
This book is one of my favorites of the series, right up there with the first one. You can’t find it by itself anymore. You’ll have to buy the entire Billionaire’s Obsession series. But if you like contemporary romance that flirts with the erotica genre, then you’ll like this series.
Girls Are Coming Out Of The Woods
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'In Girls are Coming out of the Woods, Tishani Doshi combines artistic elegance with a visceral...
Nick Friesen (96 KP) rated Baby Driver (2017) in Movies
Jul 18, 2017
Ansel Elgort's Baby is Compelling and Well Acted (3 more)
The Criminals Each Have Interesting & Distinct Personalities
The Movie Drives to the Infectious Soundtrack
Punchy & Skillfuly Edited Cinematography
So-so Love Interest (1 more)
Ends With a Stereotypical Action Movie Climax
Edgar Wright Goes Fast & Furious (In a Good Way)
Edgar Wright has yet to direct a bad movie. Baby Driver doesn't ruin his streak, but it doesn't quite raise the bar. It does do something new, for Wright at least, in transposing his humor and musicality on top of more mature and serious subject matter. The issue is that the story isn't as original or creative as his previous works. Instead, the creativity and originality exists in the way the movie is executed. Bank heists, a getaway driver, and the shadowy mastermind are all well-worn tropes; but Wright sets it all to an eclectic and rhythmic soundtrack that drives the movie forward. Baby Driver is masterfully edited to sync up with the rhythm of the music, for the first two-thirds at least, until it devolved into a bit of a frantic mess. I almost wonder if that was intentional, however, as it perfectly mirrors Baby's situation. In the first two acts he is calm, in control, and driving to the music on his many iPods. In the third act, his predicament devolves into a disaster beyond his control, and he is knocked out of the rhythm he normally operates in. In the end, none of Baby Driver is bad or poorly done, it just isn't quite as memorable as the Cornetto Trilogy or Scott Pilgrim.