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Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Dearest Cousin Jane in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Rating: DNF
Dearest Cousin Jane is not about Jane Austen or a re-write of one of her novels, but rather about her extended family. It sounded interesting. If I'd gotten to the halfway mark, I may have found it interesting. However, I couldn't push myself past the first few chapters.
Dearest Cousin Jane was very hard to read. I found myself, even after several chapters, unable to understand who was speaking, and which characters were which. The writing was very formal and good, and matched the time period, so I'm not complaining about that. I just didn't like the fact that I didn't understand what I was reading, and had to go back and re-read several times.
Dearest Cousin Jane got higher ratings on Amazon and goodreads. Please check out some other reviews.
This review is copyright Haley Mathiot and Night Owl Reviews.
Dearest Cousin Jane is not about Jane Austen or a re-write of one of her novels, but rather about her extended family. It sounded interesting. If I'd gotten to the halfway mark, I may have found it interesting. However, I couldn't push myself past the first few chapters.
Dearest Cousin Jane was very hard to read. I found myself, even after several chapters, unable to understand who was speaking, and which characters were which. The writing was very formal and good, and matched the time period, so I'm not complaining about that. I just didn't like the fact that I didn't understand what I was reading, and had to go back and re-read several times.
Dearest Cousin Jane got higher ratings on Amazon and goodreads. Please check out some other reviews.
This review is copyright Haley Mathiot and Night Owl Reviews.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Voices Under Berlin: The Tale Of A Monterey Mary in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Did Not Finish
I really loved the idea of this book, it sounded great and it won five book awards. But after the first few chapters, I felt like I still didn't know what was going on and I didn't know who the characters were. I love spy books! They are my absolute favorite… but I didn't feel compelled to read this one. And I have come to realize that if I have to force myself to read something, why read it?
The writing was pretty good, and it had some funny lines, but it wasn't enough to keep me reading. I also really liked the phone calls, but still it wasn't enough for me.
I really wish I had liked this one more. However, check out Goodreads and Amazon for more reviews (30+ 4- and 5-star reviews), you will see that I am in the minority.
I really loved the idea of this book, it sounded great and it won five book awards. But after the first few chapters, I felt like I still didn't know what was going on and I didn't know who the characters were. I love spy books! They are my absolute favorite… but I didn't feel compelled to read this one. And I have come to realize that if I have to force myself to read something, why read it?
The writing was pretty good, and it had some funny lines, but it wasn't enough to keep me reading. I also really liked the phone calls, but still it wasn't enough for me.
I really wish I had liked this one more. However, check out Goodreads and Amazon for more reviews (30+ 4- and 5-star reviews), you will see that I am in the minority.
KittyMiku (138 KP) rated Amazon Kindle in Apps
Mar 21, 2019
Amazing to have
The Kindle App allows you to connect your device to your Amazon account, which in turn, allows you to read from your digital library anywhere. I have the app on my phone, laptop and I do have a Kindle itself. I used it everywhere, from doctor appointments, to interview waiting rooms, to just at home. It is light weight and you never have to worry about carrying an extra book with you in case you finish the one you are on currently I find this app to be the most used application I own besides Goodreads. I suggest all avid book readers getting the Amazon Kindle app. After all, you never know when your Kindle might die, or when a good opportunity arises for you to sink your teeth into that good book you are reading.
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Senshi (Katana, #2) in Books
Jan 23, 2020
Original Review posted on <a title="Senshi by Cole Gibsen" href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/2013/11/review-senshi-by-cole-gibsen.html">http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/2013/11/review-senshi-by-cole-gibsen.html</a>;
Original Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Owls
<i><b>Note:</b> Formatting may be lost due to copy and paste</i>
Well, I'll admit Katana felt like a stand alone with the "oh, hey, they lived happily ever after! There's no more!" And I actually did think Katana was a stand alone.
But then Goodreads spoiled everything. -_- I can't believe you would do that to me, Goodreads.
Well, not exactly. I really wouldn't have known Katana had a sequel without Goodreads, but with the announcements every single day (Katana was a book club read in October) at school about preordering Senshi, I'm bound to know eventually.
Or the county library would have said, "hey, there's a sequel!" right after I returned Katana in Ebooks Library Lend101. Go figure.
Moving on.
In Senshi, it's been a few months since the events left off in Katana. Going down memory lane in terms of nutshell spoilers, Rileigh's finally come to terms with her inner warrior self (go Rileigh!).
I must say, despite the fact Katana felt like a stand alone, Senshi had some nice surprises waiting for me when reading, and it was almost as good as the first novel. Okay, I almost always love the first novel before the sequels because it's not the end where you have to wave good bye to characters.
But I just love it when authors lead you down one road but then all of a sudden, they toss in a thing or two (or more) that throws the reader off balance. It makes everything less predictable. ^_^
The characters are just as amazingly written as ever, particularly Quentin, who I must admit has already landed on my favorite characters from the series next to Rileigh (of course, Rileigh. It's not like I can read Quentin's mind from Rileigh's view, even though I would love to, but I'm just one little opinion out of... hundreds). Then there's Sumi and also Dr. Wendell. I hope I'm not the only when I say the interaction between Rileigh and Dr. Wendell is pretty classic in the way Rileigh pushes Dr. Wendell's buttons all the time. Sumi, on the other hand, is a nuisance and a pain in the butt. Unfortunately, she's likely back in the next book: Shinobi. Fantabulous. A great way to make a Tuesday better. Good thing it's not a Friday. I think I'll survive.
My Two Cents of Randomness: Aliens didn't abduct Rileigh and change her up did they? I still find the cover really weird. O_o (But only the story matters in my humble opinion, so says the girl who can't even draw a pair of eyes that aren't lopsided.)
Original Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Owls
<i><b>Note:</b> Formatting may be lost due to copy and paste</i>
Well, I'll admit Katana felt like a stand alone with the "oh, hey, they lived happily ever after! There's no more!" And I actually did think Katana was a stand alone.
But then Goodreads spoiled everything. -_- I can't believe you would do that to me, Goodreads.
Well, not exactly. I really wouldn't have known Katana had a sequel without Goodreads, but with the announcements every single day (Katana was a book club read in October) at school about preordering Senshi, I'm bound to know eventually.
Or the county library would have said, "hey, there's a sequel!" right after I returned Katana in Ebooks Library Lend101. Go figure.
Moving on.
In Senshi, it's been a few months since the events left off in Katana. Going down memory lane in terms of nutshell spoilers, Rileigh's finally come to terms with her inner warrior self (go Rileigh!).
I must say, despite the fact Katana felt like a stand alone, Senshi had some nice surprises waiting for me when reading, and it was almost as good as the first novel. Okay, I almost always love the first novel before the sequels because it's not the end where you have to wave good bye to characters.
But I just love it when authors lead you down one road but then all of a sudden, they toss in a thing or two (or more) that throws the reader off balance. It makes everything less predictable. ^_^
The characters are just as amazingly written as ever, particularly Quentin, who I must admit has already landed on my favorite characters from the series next to Rileigh (of course, Rileigh. It's not like I can read Quentin's mind from Rileigh's view, even though I would love to, but I'm just one little opinion out of... hundreds). Then there's Sumi and also Dr. Wendell. I hope I'm not the only when I say the interaction between Rileigh and Dr. Wendell is pretty classic in the way Rileigh pushes Dr. Wendell's buttons all the time. Sumi, on the other hand, is a nuisance and a pain in the butt. Unfortunately, she's likely back in the next book: Shinobi. Fantabulous. A great way to make a Tuesday better. Good thing it's not a Friday. I think I'll survive.
My Two Cents of Randomness: Aliens didn't abduct Rileigh and change her up did they? I still find the cover really weird. O_o (But only the story matters in my humble opinion, so says the girl who can't even draw a pair of eyes that aren't lopsided.)
Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated House of Rougeaux in Books
Jun 10, 2018
A Family Saga Spanning Generations and the Globe
I won a copy of House of Rougeaux through a Goodreads Giveaway (my first time winning!) I don't think I would have normally picked this up - and I try to enter myself in giveaways for just this reason - to discover new authors and read stories I wouldn't normally seek out.
House of Rougeaux was a wonderful story of a family spanning across the globe and across generations. The saga is non-linear, so it jumps around a bit. I had a hard time following in the beginning and there are quite a few characters to keep straight. But once I got a few chapters in, it was fairly easy to keep track. The family tree illustration in the beginning is super helpful and I fell in love with this family - and the way the author connected the generations was clever and didn't feel forced at all.
From the early 1800's at a sugar plantation in Martinique with Abeje, a healer, and her brother - facing tremendous brutality and loss - only to survive and start the legacy of this story and this family. To more present day with Eleanor, a musician in Canada - faced with a harrowing situation and tough choices, coming full circle.
There is magic and wonder, healing and suffering, as well as music and love. You see these aspects reflected across bloodlines, across generations, from slavery to freedom and across the world. Things are passed down, and you see a bit of some characters in other, through an intricate weaving of layers. But it's easy to see how this family changed and progressed over 100 years, and the spirit that lives within them all.
The story was captivating and the writing, eloquent. Thanks to Goodreads, Jenny Jaeckel and Raincloud Press for the opportunity to read and review.
House of Rougeaux was a wonderful story of a family spanning across the globe and across generations. The saga is non-linear, so it jumps around a bit. I had a hard time following in the beginning and there are quite a few characters to keep straight. But once I got a few chapters in, it was fairly easy to keep track. The family tree illustration in the beginning is super helpful and I fell in love with this family - and the way the author connected the generations was clever and didn't feel forced at all.
From the early 1800's at a sugar plantation in Martinique with Abeje, a healer, and her brother - facing tremendous brutality and loss - only to survive and start the legacy of this story and this family. To more present day with Eleanor, a musician in Canada - faced with a harrowing situation and tough choices, coming full circle.
There is magic and wonder, healing and suffering, as well as music and love. You see these aspects reflected across bloodlines, across generations, from slavery to freedom and across the world. Things are passed down, and you see a bit of some characters in other, through an intricate weaving of layers. But it's easy to see how this family changed and progressed over 100 years, and the spirit that lives within them all.
The story was captivating and the writing, eloquent. Thanks to Goodreads, Jenny Jaeckel and Raincloud Press for the opportunity to read and review.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated No Weddings in Books
Jan 8, 2021
I first saw this book as a giveaway on Goodreads and entered to win it. Unfortunately I wasn’t a lucky winner and after re-reading the synopsis I decided I wanted to read it anyway, which isn’t always the case with the books I enter to win on Goodreads. So off I went to Amazon to search it out and I was surprised by the price (77p) so I pre-ordered it and two days later it was delivered.
Let me say this now; I'm not a big contemporary romance reader any more. I tend to stick to paranormal/urban fantasy/suspense books with romance in them for an added element.
But I have to say that I really liked this!
It was told from Cade's POV, a proper ladies man, who sets up a party planning company with his three older sisters and decides they won't do any weddings as Cade seems to always end up sleeping with a guest (or two). But then he meets Hannah, an amazing baker/cook who they want to hire to make the cakes for whatever events they're organizing for, and as he gets to know her he begins to really like her.
Let me tell you this book is full of sexual tension; they flirt, they touch...it was really kinda cute watching how he softened and changed.
http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_n5z8fpUqsd1t0hoy1o1_5001.gif.html"; target="_blank
Another thing I liked was the banter between almost everyone. The siblings reminded me a bit of me and my brother; Cade and Hannah; Cade and his room mates.
Let me say that there is no sex in this book—plenty of romance!—and their relationship is going to continue into the next one, One Funeral, which I believe is going to be from Hannah's POV. And let me tell you I will most definitely be continuing this series.
Let me say this now; I'm not a big contemporary romance reader any more. I tend to stick to paranormal/urban fantasy/suspense books with romance in them for an added element.
But I have to say that I really liked this!
It was told from Cade's POV, a proper ladies man, who sets up a party planning company with his three older sisters and decides they won't do any weddings as Cade seems to always end up sleeping with a guest (or two). But then he meets Hannah, an amazing baker/cook who they want to hire to make the cakes for whatever events they're organizing for, and as he gets to know her he begins to really like her.
Let me tell you this book is full of sexual tension; they flirt, they touch...it was really kinda cute watching how he softened and changed.
http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_n5z8fpUqsd1t0hoy1o1_5001.gif.html"; target="_blank
Another thing I liked was the banter between almost everyone. The siblings reminded me a bit of me and my brother; Cade and Hannah; Cade and his room mates.
Let me say that there is no sex in this book—plenty of romance!—and their relationship is going to continue into the next one, One Funeral, which I believe is going to be from Hannah's POV. And let me tell you I will most definitely be continuing this series.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Beauty from Pain (Beauty, #1) in Books
Oct 14, 2019
Well this is a backburner book (#1 on my to-read on Goodreads), having been on my Kindle since some time in January 2014 when it was released. I think I've put off reading it simply because of the "erotica" label it had on Goodreads. It wasn't exactly erotica, though. Yeah, they had quite a lot of sex but there was a romance to it, too.
So this starts with Laurelyn arriving in Australia with her best friend to spend time with her best friends brother for three months as he studies wine making there. On the first night they head out to a bar and take part in an...open mic night? Laurelyn sings and plays the guitar (I think) and attracts the attention of Jack, a man looking for his next lover. Instead of the usual week/month, he plans to spend three months with his next bed fellow, giving her whatever she wishes for and making her feel special. Laurelyn catches his attention and he plans to seduce her into agreeing to his arrangement.
I guess if I was on the receiving end of an attractive rich guy wanting to spend three months with me, getting to know me and spending a lot of that time in bed, I'd enjoy it, too, but I have to admit I got a little bored with this. It was taking a little too long to get where it was going and I skipped entire sex scenes. The books 271 pages felt more like 500.
It had a rather promising start, apart from the slightly stalkerish behaviour of Jack as he tried to meet Laurelyn again, and I enjoyed the slow seduction and how he treated her. But then I didn't really see the relationship grow as such. It didn't work for me, personally.
By the end, I wasn't all that bothered about what was going to happen next with the characters so I won't be continuing the series.
So this starts with Laurelyn arriving in Australia with her best friend to spend time with her best friends brother for three months as he studies wine making there. On the first night they head out to a bar and take part in an...open mic night? Laurelyn sings and plays the guitar (I think) and attracts the attention of Jack, a man looking for his next lover. Instead of the usual week/month, he plans to spend three months with his next bed fellow, giving her whatever she wishes for and making her feel special. Laurelyn catches his attention and he plans to seduce her into agreeing to his arrangement.
I guess if I was on the receiving end of an attractive rich guy wanting to spend three months with me, getting to know me and spending a lot of that time in bed, I'd enjoy it, too, but I have to admit I got a little bored with this. It was taking a little too long to get where it was going and I skipped entire sex scenes. The books 271 pages felt more like 500.
It had a rather promising start, apart from the slightly stalkerish behaviour of Jack as he tried to meet Laurelyn again, and I enjoyed the slow seduction and how he treated her. But then I didn't really see the relationship grow as such. It didn't work for me, personally.
By the end, I wasn't all that bothered about what was going to happen next with the characters so I won't be continuing the series.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Goodreads: Book Reviews in Apps
Nov 4, 2017 (Updated Nov 4, 2017)
The only way I keep track of my books
If I didn't have this app, I would be using the website daily, logging my one-a-day diet of books. It's as simple as that. As I have memory of a goldfish, I'd have no idea what I'd read this year if I didn't use GoodReads. And since I'm up to 270 books this year, there would be absolutely no chance of me remembering them all.
The best bit is seeing what others are reading and adding it to my To Be Read list. Reading reviews has helped immensely in terms of choosing what I should plough through next. And seeing how many pages is useful so I can calculate how much time I need to read the next book.
Of course, the app isn't perfect - the search functionality can be problematic as you can't really search just for an author's page. But it's easier than using the website.
The best bit is seeing what others are reading and adding it to my To Be Read list. Reading reviews has helped immensely in terms of choosing what I should plough through next. And seeing how many pages is useful so I can calculate how much time I need to read the next book.
Of course, the app isn't perfect - the search functionality can be problematic as you can't really search just for an author's page. But it's easier than using the website.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Hidden in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Well you have to love it when you win a Goodreads giveaway, get sent the wrong book, read it, & are pleasantly surprised at your luck. That's just what happened to me with this book. I won another book called Hidden but was sent this 1 by mistake. It was better than the book I really won!
This book alternates between Egypt in the 1920s & Egypt at the turn of the century. It is told alternately from the perspective of Aimee & a journal written by Hezba a few decades before.
It wasn't hard to figure out the plot, but I am happy to say that it didn't make the book any less engaging even after I had its number. The story is very well written even though I wish I hadn't figured it out as soon as I did. The characters are fascinating & the plot moves along at a nice clip with just the right number of twists & turns. I hope Chumas continues writing like she did here.
This book alternates between Egypt in the 1920s & Egypt at the turn of the century. It is told alternately from the perspective of Aimee & a journal written by Hezba a few decades before.
It wasn't hard to figure out the plot, but I am happy to say that it didn't make the book any less engaging even after I had its number. The story is very well written even though I wish I hadn't figured it out as soon as I did. The characters are fascinating & the plot moves along at a nice clip with just the right number of twists & turns. I hope Chumas continues writing like she did here.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Iron House in Books
Jan 15, 2018
First off I have to admit that I wasn't at all sure whether or not to read this book. I read Hart's The Lost Child. I thought it was just okay, but not exactly my thing. A friend won Iron House on Goodreads & offered me the book when she'd finished it. I can now say that I am VERY glad she did!
This book was much more satisfying than The Lost Child! The characters were very well developed & seemed to me to be much deeper & less predictable. The plot was still very dark which seems to be a Hart trademark, but the story was engrossing. It tore at your heart, but managed to gross you out & keep you on the edge of you seat at the same time. All the hallmarks of a great book in my eyes.
I don't know what the future will bring, but for me I sure hope John Hart continues writing in the style of Iron House. It was a winner!!!
This book was much more satisfying than The Lost Child! The characters were very well developed & seemed to me to be much deeper & less predictable. The plot was still very dark which seems to be a Hart trademark, but the story was engrossing. It tore at your heart, but managed to gross you out & keep you on the edge of you seat at the same time. All the hallmarks of a great book in my eyes.
I don't know what the future will bring, but for me I sure hope John Hart continues writing in the style of Iron House. It was a winner!!!