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WikiCamps Australia
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WikiCamps is the ultimate camping companion, whether you're heading away for a weekend camping trip...
WikiCamps New Zealand
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WikiCamps is the ultimate camping companion, whether you're heading away for a weekend camping trip...
WikiCamps UK
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WikiCamps is the ultimate camping companion, whether you're heading away for a weekend camping trip...
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Wedlocked in Books
Feb 11, 2019
While the cover of the book gives the impression that the story is exclusively about the main character Rebecca's bad marriage. The book actually encompasses her life leading up to the bad marriage and what happens as a result of the rocky nuptials. The actual ceremony is understood to have happened sort of "between the lines," so to speak. The book is a before and after image in prose.
The prologue to the book is the immediate aftermath of the ceremony when Rebecca is undergoing the realization of her mistake. I was a bit confused at this point since I could not figure out if the ceremony took place or not. The next chapter starts in Rebecca's childhood, growing up with two sisters and a very marriage-minded mother in a strict Jewish household. To her mother's dismay, Rebecca is quickly influenced by her grandma Emma into a love for acting, movies, and theater. From there, the book walks us through Rebecca's pursuit of an acting career and near-absence of dating material.
Though Rebecca is likable enough, I had a difficult time relating to her career struggles, since I have little interest in that side of the business. I also did wonder if she was really as talented as she claimed to be, since her struggles were so great.
When a man, Evan, finally lays claim to Rebecca's heart, both Rebecca and Evan handle the relationship poorly and Rebecca abandons her suffering career with a broken heart. The man she eventually becomes "wedlocked" to, Craig, then shows up in her life, and a rebound relationship becomes a permanent one before Rebecca thinks to learn a bit more about her new husband. A honeymoon from hell makes the reality of her situation quite clear as Craig's bad behavior and numerous secrets get him in trouble with the Italian government, until a new friend, Michael, flies in to save the day.
Without spoiling the ending, I think Rebecca handled her problems remarkably well, with a little help, and ended the book with a humorous twist. If I suspend my opinions of the Hollywood-influenced methods of dating, marriage, and divorce that is so common in America today, the book was an entertaining read, and likely would make an even better movie.
The prologue to the book is the immediate aftermath of the ceremony when Rebecca is undergoing the realization of her mistake. I was a bit confused at this point since I could not figure out if the ceremony took place or not. The next chapter starts in Rebecca's childhood, growing up with two sisters and a very marriage-minded mother in a strict Jewish household. To her mother's dismay, Rebecca is quickly influenced by her grandma Emma into a love for acting, movies, and theater. From there, the book walks us through Rebecca's pursuit of an acting career and near-absence of dating material.
Though Rebecca is likable enough, I had a difficult time relating to her career struggles, since I have little interest in that side of the business. I also did wonder if she was really as talented as she claimed to be, since her struggles were so great.
When a man, Evan, finally lays claim to Rebecca's heart, both Rebecca and Evan handle the relationship poorly and Rebecca abandons her suffering career with a broken heart. The man she eventually becomes "wedlocked" to, Craig, then shows up in her life, and a rebound relationship becomes a permanent one before Rebecca thinks to learn a bit more about her new husband. A honeymoon from hell makes the reality of her situation quite clear as Craig's bad behavior and numerous secrets get him in trouble with the Italian government, until a new friend, Michael, flies in to save the day.
Without spoiling the ending, I think Rebecca handled her problems remarkably well, with a little help, and ended the book with a humorous twist. If I suspend my opinions of the Hollywood-influenced methods of dating, marriage, and divorce that is so common in America today, the book was an entertaining read, and likely would make an even better movie.
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Lion's Honey: The Myth of Samson in Books
Feb 11, 2019
I was a little surprised as to what comprised this book, as I expected to find a fictional retelling after the reproduction of Judges 13-16 of the King James Bible. Instead, what follows is a detailed commentary that examines and dissects the Biblical account, using even the original language to understand the full meaning of the text, with all of its nuances and allusions. As many times that I have studied the story of Samson in church growing up, there is apparently quite a bit that I never knew about such an interesting character in Hebrew history.
As any person chosen of God to do His will, Samson is a man plagued by his destiny and how it separates him from the rest of humanity. Though chosen of God from the womb to live as a Nazarite, he is still very much human with human urges. Almost constantly at war with himself, Samson seems to set himself up to be hurt by those he puts his trust in so that he may let loose his anger and rage against those who hold his people captive -- the Philistines. Like so many modern-day psychological head cases, much of his choices are also driven by a need for that hidden something lacking in his relationship with his parents. He looks for it in the wrong places and the wrong women, even paying a visit to a prostitute. He seems to use his strength and anger with an artistic flair, first setting up a group of Philistines at his wedding with an unsolvable riddle, and later finding rather unique ways of further punishing the Philistines, such as using the jawbone of an ass to kill a thousand of them. Furthermore, every verbal account from Samson is spoken poetically.
What I found most interesting is the way that David Grossman explored the account of Samson and Delilah. He alludes that Samson in fact knew the betrayal that Delilah harbored and welcomed it in order to finally shed his God-given destiny. While he ends his life in a final act of redemption, I have to wonder if he did complete the task that God had given him to "begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."
Despite the intense detail that David Grossman goes into when writing this study of Samson, the book is a very good read and well worth my time.
As any person chosen of God to do His will, Samson is a man plagued by his destiny and how it separates him from the rest of humanity. Though chosen of God from the womb to live as a Nazarite, he is still very much human with human urges. Almost constantly at war with himself, Samson seems to set himself up to be hurt by those he puts his trust in so that he may let loose his anger and rage against those who hold his people captive -- the Philistines. Like so many modern-day psychological head cases, much of his choices are also driven by a need for that hidden something lacking in his relationship with his parents. He looks for it in the wrong places and the wrong women, even paying a visit to a prostitute. He seems to use his strength and anger with an artistic flair, first setting up a group of Philistines at his wedding with an unsolvable riddle, and later finding rather unique ways of further punishing the Philistines, such as using the jawbone of an ass to kill a thousand of them. Furthermore, every verbal account from Samson is spoken poetically.
What I found most interesting is the way that David Grossman explored the account of Samson and Delilah. He alludes that Samson in fact knew the betrayal that Delilah harbored and welcomed it in order to finally shed his God-given destiny. While he ends his life in a final act of redemption, I have to wonder if he did complete the task that God had given him to "begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."
Despite the intense detail that David Grossman goes into when writing this study of Samson, the book is a very good read and well worth my time.
Debbiereadsbook (1444 KP) rated Owned by the Sea in Books
Jul 2, 2018
really REALLY good
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
A year ago, Jonty's world imploded at the loss of his parents and his sister in a storm at sea. In an effort to get out more, and begin to try to get on with his life, Jonty decides a charity auction to raise funds for the lifeboat station that saved him would be a good idea. Jed was on that lifeboat, indeed, was that one to pull Jonty from the stormy sea and he knew, he KNEW that day, that one day, Jonty would be his. The charity auction is a great way to spend time with Jonty, to get Jonty into his life, and into his bed.
I liked this one, a lot, a LOT!
It focuses on Jonty coming out of himself, pushing his own boundaries. On Jed's 'no rush' approach to getting Jonty into his bed. On the fact that neither of these two men see this...whatever it is...as a quick fling. And on Jonty's art auction, that pulls the whole village together to raise money for the lifeboat station.
It's well told, from both men's point of view, so we get Jonty's escape from the sea, and his effort to pull himself out of his painting funk. We get Jed and all the naughty thoughts he has about Jonty, and his infinite patience.
There is no break up/make up, no nutty ex to spoil anything between them and their growing love. It's a really great easy read and I mean this in a very VERY good way!
Jed in a Dominant that calls to Jonty's submissive side, but it's only in the bedroom and nothing too heavy. I've NOT filed it on the BDSM shelf, because of that fact. I actually found it not overly explicit for a MM book, and I really liked that it wasn't too heavy on the sexy time. It's not needed for THIS book.
OH!!!
Be warned! There is a third in this relationship, a Newfoundland dog called Marmite. He really steals the show, that is, right up until Jed gives Jonty his gift right near the end. Some proper giggle out loud moments!
A great story, well written, that was the perfect way to spend a lazy, wet, holiday afternoon.
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
A year ago, Jonty's world imploded at the loss of his parents and his sister in a storm at sea. In an effort to get out more, and begin to try to get on with his life, Jonty decides a charity auction to raise funds for the lifeboat station that saved him would be a good idea. Jed was on that lifeboat, indeed, was that one to pull Jonty from the stormy sea and he knew, he KNEW that day, that one day, Jonty would be his. The charity auction is a great way to spend time with Jonty, to get Jonty into his life, and into his bed.
I liked this one, a lot, a LOT!
It focuses on Jonty coming out of himself, pushing his own boundaries. On Jed's 'no rush' approach to getting Jonty into his bed. On the fact that neither of these two men see this...whatever it is...as a quick fling. And on Jonty's art auction, that pulls the whole village together to raise money for the lifeboat station.
It's well told, from both men's point of view, so we get Jonty's escape from the sea, and his effort to pull himself out of his painting funk. We get Jed and all the naughty thoughts he has about Jonty, and his infinite patience.
There is no break up/make up, no nutty ex to spoil anything between them and their growing love. It's a really great easy read and I mean this in a very VERY good way!
Jed in a Dominant that calls to Jonty's submissive side, but it's only in the bedroom and nothing too heavy. I've NOT filed it on the BDSM shelf, because of that fact. I actually found it not overly explicit for a MM book, and I really liked that it wasn't too heavy on the sexy time. It's not needed for THIS book.
OH!!!
Be warned! There is a third in this relationship, a Newfoundland dog called Marmite. He really steals the show, that is, right up until Jed gives Jonty his gift right near the end. Some proper giggle out loud moments!
A great story, well written, that was the perfect way to spend a lazy, wet, holiday afternoon.
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
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