Search
Search results
Morgan Sheppard (926 KP) created a post
Sep 21, 2022 (Updated Sep 21, 2022)
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Second Wife in Books
Mar 6, 2019
This cleverly, well-written novel is a fast read because you will not want to put it down.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
In the psychological suspense novel, The Second Wife by Sheryl Browne, Rebecca and Nicole swore to be best friends. They moved away from each other but stayed in touch as many of us do today - by text and email. They, however, unlike most of us, remain close.
Rebecca receives news from Nicole's devoted and loving husband, Richard, letting her know Nicole is dead. She killed herself by drowning. Rebecca is shocked and tries to understand why Nicole would do such a thing. She moves into Nicole's home and gradually takes over Nicole's life.
Sheryl Browne takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions with a story filled with love, marriage, family, secrets, betrayal, lies, deceit, intrigue, twists and turns, but, most importantly, friendship. Rebecca is determined to find out how her friend that was so full of life could commit suicide.
The story is told from multiple points of view and uses flashbacks to help the reader better understand the characters and their actions. This cleverly, well-written novel is a fast read because you will not want to put it down.
This is the fist book by Sheryl Browne I have read but it will not be the last.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on 3/6/19.
In the psychological suspense novel, The Second Wife by Sheryl Browne, Rebecca and Nicole swore to be best friends. They moved away from each other but stayed in touch as many of us do today - by text and email. They, however, unlike most of us, remain close.
Rebecca receives news from Nicole's devoted and loving husband, Richard, letting her know Nicole is dead. She killed herself by drowning. Rebecca is shocked and tries to understand why Nicole would do such a thing. She moves into Nicole's home and gradually takes over Nicole's life.
Sheryl Browne takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions with a story filled with love, marriage, family, secrets, betrayal, lies, deceit, intrigue, twists and turns, but, most importantly, friendship. Rebecca is determined to find out how her friend that was so full of life could commit suicide.
The story is told from multiple points of view and uses flashbacks to help the reader better understand the characters and their actions. This cleverly, well-written novel is a fast read because you will not want to put it down.
This is the fist book by Sheryl Browne I have read but it will not be the last.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on 3/6/19.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Reject ( Academy of Misfits book 2) in Books
Dec 16, 2021
209 of 250
Kindle
Reject (Academy of Misfits book 2)
By Bea Paige
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
What's the saying: keep your friends close and your enemies closer?
Guess I'm about to find out just how difficult that really is. I might have my best friend back but his safety and that of my chosen family depends on me doing something I vowed never to do.
Join Camden's crew.
Thing is, you don't turn down the leader of Hackney's Hackers and then get a second chance without forfeiting something in return. The relationships I was just starting to build, is that too high of a price?
Sonny with his joking nature and dimples.
Ford with his mysterious dominance and protective instinct.
Eastern with his unyielding loyalty and feeling of home.
This term at Oceanside Academy, my sanity will be pushed to the limit as I walk the fine line between friend and foe. All I know is this better be worth it because I'm about to learn something important about myself. I was happy being a delinquent, but a reject... ? Not so much.
Loved it!! Better than the first one and I enjoyed that! The story is developing and becoming more thrilling although I had the cliffhanger pegged from the start. I’d have tho by now that some of the characters would start grating on me but they aren’t the one you want to see dealt with is Monk that dude has it coming! Really good reverse harem too as it’s built nicely to this point. Definitely recommend.
Kindle
Reject (Academy of Misfits book 2)
By Bea Paige
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
What's the saying: keep your friends close and your enemies closer?
Guess I'm about to find out just how difficult that really is. I might have my best friend back but his safety and that of my chosen family depends on me doing something I vowed never to do.
Join Camden's crew.
Thing is, you don't turn down the leader of Hackney's Hackers and then get a second chance without forfeiting something in return. The relationships I was just starting to build, is that too high of a price?
Sonny with his joking nature and dimples.
Ford with his mysterious dominance and protective instinct.
Eastern with his unyielding loyalty and feeling of home.
This term at Oceanside Academy, my sanity will be pushed to the limit as I walk the fine line between friend and foe. All I know is this better be worth it because I'm about to learn something important about myself. I was happy being a delinquent, but a reject... ? Not so much.
Loved it!! Better than the first one and I enjoyed that! The story is developing and becoming more thrilling although I had the cliffhanger pegged from the start. I’d have tho by now that some of the characters would start grating on me but they aren’t the one you want to see dealt with is Monk that dude has it coming! Really good reverse harem too as it’s built nicely to this point. Definitely recommend.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Mark of Fate ( The Marked book 3) in Books
Dec 17, 2021
210 of 250
Kindle
The Mark of Fate (The Marked series book 3)
By Rinna Ford
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
War will be waged, lives will be lost…
One step forward and two steps back.
That’s what it feels like for Emelia since nearly dying at the hands of the Council. No matter what, they always seem to have the upper hand, and to make matters worse, her triple hybrid nature is working against her. However, her ability to blow up things by accident is the least of her problems.
Friends will become enemies, and enemies will become something more as Emelia and her mates search for the ones they’ve lost and try to fulfill the prophecy before time runs out. Emelia is the cursed child foretold to rule them all, but will she be able to succeed where others have failed?
Only fate knows the answer.
I absolutely loved it! Best one so far I love how she is finally getting her self together and kicking ass! Ok so I may have cried a little I won’t put why as it’s a spoiler and I wouldn’t want to take that from anyone else enjoying this series. It didn’t take long to read as I just couldn’t put it down and it’s now almost 3am! Definitely recommend to any reverse harem or fantasy fan!
Kindle
The Mark of Fate (The Marked series book 3)
By Rinna Ford
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
War will be waged, lives will be lost…
One step forward and two steps back.
That’s what it feels like for Emelia since nearly dying at the hands of the Council. No matter what, they always seem to have the upper hand, and to make matters worse, her triple hybrid nature is working against her. However, her ability to blow up things by accident is the least of her problems.
Friends will become enemies, and enemies will become something more as Emelia and her mates search for the ones they’ve lost and try to fulfill the prophecy before time runs out. Emelia is the cursed child foretold to rule them all, but will she be able to succeed where others have failed?
Only fate knows the answer.
I absolutely loved it! Best one so far I love how she is finally getting her self together and kicking ass! Ok so I may have cried a little I won’t put why as it’s a spoiler and I wouldn’t want to take that from anyone else enjoying this series. It didn’t take long to read as I just couldn’t put it down and it’s now almost 3am! Definitely recommend to any reverse harem or fantasy fan!
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Fuelled by Dragons Fire (Return of the Dragonborn #2) in Books
Feb 23, 2021
29 of 250
Kindle
Fuelled by Dragon Fire ( Return of the Dragonborn book 2)
By N.M. Howell
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
The dragons have returned. The world still wants them dead.The ancient dragonborn people have returned to Shaeyara, and with them came the dragons. But the celebration of their return is short lived as they soon discover they are not welcome. The world is at war.After living underground for eight months, Andie and her followers have had enough. It is time to return to the surface to find her people, and together they must stop the lies and prove to the world who the true monsters are: The University that has had the world in its clutches for centuries.The only problem is those who survived from the University have already convinced the world of their evil and will stop at nothing to have them destroyed. But with the peace of their world at stake, Andie and the dragonborn must band together to reunite the war-ravaged world before it's too late.Only, with a traitor in their midst, the task is proving more difficult than Andie could have ever
We continue with Andie be friends finding their escape route ending up on a ship. Dealing with traitors and finding out it hurts more when. It’s a friend! Then to finding acceptance for her race and their dragons, well at least do now! This is a good story with very different characters.
Kindle
Fuelled by Dragon Fire ( Return of the Dragonborn book 2)
By N.M. Howell
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
The dragons have returned. The world still wants them dead.The ancient dragonborn people have returned to Shaeyara, and with them came the dragons. But the celebration of their return is short lived as they soon discover they are not welcome. The world is at war.After living underground for eight months, Andie and her followers have had enough. It is time to return to the surface to find her people, and together they must stop the lies and prove to the world who the true monsters are: The University that has had the world in its clutches for centuries.The only problem is those who survived from the University have already convinced the world of their evil and will stop at nothing to have them destroyed. But with the peace of their world at stake, Andie and the dragonborn must band together to reunite the war-ravaged world before it's too late.Only, with a traitor in their midst, the task is proving more difficult than Andie could have ever
We continue with Andie be friends finding their escape route ending up on a ship. Dealing with traitors and finding out it hurts more when. It’s a friend! Then to finding acceptance for her race and their dragons, well at least do now! This is a good story with very different characters.
Connor Sheffield (293 KP) created a post
May 21, 2017 (Updated May 21, 2017)
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Delayed Admission (Shadow Veil Academy #1) in Books
May 14, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
65 of 250
Kindle
Delayed Admission ( Shadow Veil Academy book 1)
By Heather Renee
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Some secrets are better kept.
To Raegan Keyes, she's the only one of her kind, but has no idea what she is. Until, one night, she finds out her unexplainable abilities aren't the only thing she needs to worry about. Suddenly, her world becomes much bigger than she ever could have dreamed.
When a mysterious man named Enzo arrives, too striking to be human, Raegan learns she's not as alone as she believed. As more secrets are revealed, she's swept off to an academy for others like her, thousands of miles away from home, by a complete stranger whom she'd rather stab than travel with.
As tension builds between Raegan and Enzo, she begins to find her purpose as she settles into her new existence, alongside elves, witches, vampires, and shifters. With a group of new friends, she's finally feeling alive again. That is, until something sinister comes along, once more throwing her life into mayhem.
I didn’t really know what to expect but I really ended up enjoying it! I love that Reagan is a dragon with Elf and witch magic it’s something for everyone. I wondered if it would be to YA and it is in parts but still a decent adult read too especially if you’re looking for something light!
Looking forward to more from Heather Renee.
Kindle
Delayed Admission ( Shadow Veil Academy book 1)
By Heather Renee
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Some secrets are better kept.
To Raegan Keyes, she's the only one of her kind, but has no idea what she is. Until, one night, she finds out her unexplainable abilities aren't the only thing she needs to worry about. Suddenly, her world becomes much bigger than she ever could have dreamed.
When a mysterious man named Enzo arrives, too striking to be human, Raegan learns she's not as alone as she believed. As more secrets are revealed, she's swept off to an academy for others like her, thousands of miles away from home, by a complete stranger whom she'd rather stab than travel with.
As tension builds between Raegan and Enzo, she begins to find her purpose as she settles into her new existence, alongside elves, witches, vampires, and shifters. With a group of new friends, she's finally feeling alive again. That is, until something sinister comes along, once more throwing her life into mayhem.
I didn’t really know what to expect but I really ended up enjoying it! I love that Reagan is a dragon with Elf and witch magic it’s something for everyone. I wondered if it would be to YA and it is in parts but still a decent adult read too especially if you’re looking for something light!
Looking forward to more from Heather Renee.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Apprentice (The Black Mage #2) in Books
Jan 12, 2021
7 of 250
Kindle
Apprentice (The Black Mage book 2)
By Rachel E. Carter
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
She survived a trial year at the Academy, but that was just the easy part....
Now 16-year-old Ryiah is an apprentice of Combat, her school's most notorious faction of magic. When she finishes she will be a mage, but in order to do so she has to survive four years with a training master she hates and her old nemesis, Priscilla. To make matters worse the unwanted attraction Ry feels for her sometimes-friend-sometimes-rival Prince Darren is at an all-time high - even though he is betrothed to the very girl she can't stand.
Really, the only bright spot to Ryiah's new life is the time she spends with her friends, including an older apprentice named Ian, who she finds herself thinking about quite often.
Just when things start to get comfortable they take a turn for the worse. An apprentice is killed in a rebel attack and several mages end up dead. Unwittingly, the apprentices find themselves in the midst of a budding unrest between Jerar and its northern neighbor, Caltoth. For Ryiah the impending conflict means many things, but as her apprenticeship draws to a close she finds her biggest problem at home.
Unfortunately for her, Darren's not going anywhere.
So it was ok! It went exactly how I expected to be honest and followed a familiar pattern to other similar books! That’s not saying I didn’t enjoy it but it lacked a little depth! The characters were wispy washy and even when we lost Eve it wasn’t emotional enough! So hoping I can find a deeper connection in the next book.
Kindle
Apprentice (The Black Mage book 2)
By Rachel E. Carter
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
She survived a trial year at the Academy, but that was just the easy part....
Now 16-year-old Ryiah is an apprentice of Combat, her school's most notorious faction of magic. When she finishes she will be a mage, but in order to do so she has to survive four years with a training master she hates and her old nemesis, Priscilla. To make matters worse the unwanted attraction Ry feels for her sometimes-friend-sometimes-rival Prince Darren is at an all-time high - even though he is betrothed to the very girl she can't stand.
Really, the only bright spot to Ryiah's new life is the time she spends with her friends, including an older apprentice named Ian, who she finds herself thinking about quite often.
Just when things start to get comfortable they take a turn for the worse. An apprentice is killed in a rebel attack and several mages end up dead. Unwittingly, the apprentices find themselves in the midst of a budding unrest between Jerar and its northern neighbor, Caltoth. For Ryiah the impending conflict means many things, but as her apprenticeship draws to a close she finds her biggest problem at home.
Unfortunately for her, Darren's not going anywhere.
So it was ok! It went exactly how I expected to be honest and followed a familiar pattern to other similar books! That’s not saying I didn’t enjoy it but it lacked a little depth! The characters were wispy washy and even when we lost Eve it wasn’t emotional enough! So hoping I can find a deeper connection in the next book.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Some Will Not Sleep: Selected Horrors in Books
Jun 22, 2021
90 of 250
Kindle
Some Will Not Sleep: selected horrors
By Adam Nevill
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
A bestial face appears at windows in the night.
In the big white house on the hill angels are said to appear.
A forgotten tenant in an isolated building becomes addicted to milk.
A strange goddess is worshipped by a home-invading disciple.
The least remembered gods still haunt the oldest forests.
Cannibalism occurs in high society at the end of the world.
The sainted undead follow their prophet to the Great Dead Sea.
A confused and vengeful presence occupies the home of a first-time buyer.
In ghastly harmony with the nightmarish visions of the award-winning writer's novels, these stories blend a lifelong appreciation of horror culture with the grotesque fascinations and childlike terrors that are the author's own.
So I wrote a few notes on each story that I enjoyed!
They are just little rambling I’m far from a in depth critic!
1. Where Angels come in
I’ve read this before and it it’s stuck with me for some reason. We all had that one house as kids that spooked us, only luckily mine was never full of creepy things.
2. The Original Occupant
A man determined to spend time in a Swedish forest finds himself disturbing a sacred ritual only to disappear after writing a frantic letter to his friends. After a search of the house and forest he’s never seen again! Really good and quite creepy never mess with someone’s sacred alter!
3. Mother’s Milk
Well that’s just made my stomach turn! A man thinks he’s found lodgings and a job finds himself turned into a milk fiend the source of the milk is definitely an interesting one.
4. Yellow Teeth
An old friend comes to visit and never leaves. This was creepy I’d just hate having someone around me that filthy and smelly.
5. Pig Thing
A strange little piggy tale after a family move to New Zealand
6. What God have Wrought
This follows a soldier searching across desert for the creature that holds his sister! For some reason this didn’t grab me.
7. Doll Hands
This is what will happen when the world comes to an end the over privileged using the poor souls as meat! Quite chilling!
8. To Forget and be Forgotten
I loved this! It reminded me of his Apartment 16 which is a book I fell totally in love with and the first book I read of Adams and this was in that style. A lot of the paragraphs struck home with me especially at the start! Solitude is something we all seek at some point and being around people can be taxing.
9. The Ancestors
This is the second time I’ve read this and it still creeps me out! A little girl makes friends with a ghost and some toys that have dark intentions and definitely dislike parents!
10.!The Age of Entitlement
11. Florrie
Another brilliant short! I think a good cleansing of all newly brought houses is in order to prevent this!
Overall I absolutely love his writing style each story even ones I didn’t quite click with transports you to that scene you’re reading. I’m building a steady collection of Adams books I highly recommend anyone of them!
Kindle
Some Will Not Sleep: selected horrors
By Adam Nevill
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
A bestial face appears at windows in the night.
In the big white house on the hill angels are said to appear.
A forgotten tenant in an isolated building becomes addicted to milk.
A strange goddess is worshipped by a home-invading disciple.
The least remembered gods still haunt the oldest forests.
Cannibalism occurs in high society at the end of the world.
The sainted undead follow their prophet to the Great Dead Sea.
A confused and vengeful presence occupies the home of a first-time buyer.
In ghastly harmony with the nightmarish visions of the award-winning writer's novels, these stories blend a lifelong appreciation of horror culture with the grotesque fascinations and childlike terrors that are the author's own.
So I wrote a few notes on each story that I enjoyed!
They are just little rambling I’m far from a in depth critic!
1. Where Angels come in
I’ve read this before and it it’s stuck with me for some reason. We all had that one house as kids that spooked us, only luckily mine was never full of creepy things.
2. The Original Occupant
A man determined to spend time in a Swedish forest finds himself disturbing a sacred ritual only to disappear after writing a frantic letter to his friends. After a search of the house and forest he’s never seen again! Really good and quite creepy never mess with someone’s sacred alter!
3. Mother’s Milk
Well that’s just made my stomach turn! A man thinks he’s found lodgings and a job finds himself turned into a milk fiend the source of the milk is definitely an interesting one.
4. Yellow Teeth
An old friend comes to visit and never leaves. This was creepy I’d just hate having someone around me that filthy and smelly.
5. Pig Thing
A strange little piggy tale after a family move to New Zealand
6. What God have Wrought
This follows a soldier searching across desert for the creature that holds his sister! For some reason this didn’t grab me.
7. Doll Hands
This is what will happen when the world comes to an end the over privileged using the poor souls as meat! Quite chilling!
8. To Forget and be Forgotten
I loved this! It reminded me of his Apartment 16 which is a book I fell totally in love with and the first book I read of Adams and this was in that style. A lot of the paragraphs struck home with me especially at the start! Solitude is something we all seek at some point and being around people can be taxing.
9. The Ancestors
This is the second time I’ve read this and it still creeps me out! A little girl makes friends with a ghost and some toys that have dark intentions and definitely dislike parents!
10.!The Age of Entitlement
11. Florrie
Another brilliant short! I think a good cleansing of all newly brought houses is in order to prevent this!
Overall I absolutely love his writing style each story even ones I didn’t quite click with transports you to that scene you’re reading. I’m building a steady collection of Adams books I highly recommend anyone of them!
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Arrival (BirthRight Trilogy #1) in Books
Oct 8, 2021
163 of 250
Kindle
The Arrival ( Birthright trilogy book 1)
By Nicole MacDonald
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Bound by love, drawn by magick, happily ever after won’t come without a fight.
Looking for love, four friends cast a spell. Thrust into a terrifying new world, they find themselves fighting for their lives, until help drops in. Now, alongside the Griffon Guard, they must learn to use powers they never knew they had, to save a world they never knew existed
Love might be an option, but only if they defeat an ancient darkness hell bent on ruling the world...
So I almost gave up on this book 3 times but I thought no give it a chance. It was incredibly hard to read for the first 10 chapters and you never knew what character was talking as it jumped from one to the other with any indication. This drove me crazy!!! But you can feel the authors passion in this book so I thought it deserved a good chance. As you can see it took me a few nights to read. However after saying all the negative there are some major positives!!
The characters are likeable the story line is very good and shows so much promise! Towards the end you become slightly hooked so much so the bloody thing ends on a cliffhanger that had me shouting nooooooo! I do recommend to any readers please stick with it!
Kindle
The Arrival ( Birthright trilogy book 1)
By Nicole MacDonald
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Bound by love, drawn by magick, happily ever after won’t come without a fight.
Looking for love, four friends cast a spell. Thrust into a terrifying new world, they find themselves fighting for their lives, until help drops in. Now, alongside the Griffon Guard, they must learn to use powers they never knew they had, to save a world they never knew existed
Love might be an option, but only if they defeat an ancient darkness hell bent on ruling the world...
So I almost gave up on this book 3 times but I thought no give it a chance. It was incredibly hard to read for the first 10 chapters and you never knew what character was talking as it jumped from one to the other with any indication. This drove me crazy!!! But you can feel the authors passion in this book so I thought it deserved a good chance. As you can see it took me a few nights to read. However after saying all the negative there are some major positives!!
The characters are likeable the story line is very good and shows so much promise! Towards the end you become slightly hooked so much so the bloody thing ends on a cliffhanger that had me shouting nooooooo! I do recommend to any readers please stick with it!