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11 Missed Calls
11 Missed Calls
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
11 Missed Calls by is a cleverly told story written from several points of view, with two different timelines. We see what happens before Debbie disappears leaving her two young children behind, we also see her grownup children Anna and Robert 30 years later, as they are still struggling to come to terms with the reason their mother would just walk away from them whilst they’re away on holiday in Tenerife. During this time, Anna has become increasingly worried that there is something her family is not telling her, and she begins to do some digging around and finds a private detective to help her.

Is their mother dead, or is there another reason she walked out of their lives for good? Would you forgive your mother if she did that to YOU?

OMG! If you love books about dysfunctional families and all the drama that attracts, you should really enjoy this one. Honestly, if you think your family were crazy, try this one; They’ll suddenly look like saints and you’ll feel so much better about your life for reading this!

Carpenter captured both Debbie’s and Anna’s characters (and what they each went through), very well. I totally did not see that ending coming and I was convinced I had all the answers, right up until the very end. I also got really involved for Anna’s plight for answers, and felt for how lonely she was when she finds her husband’s love letter from another woman, which ingeniously added another twist to this family drama. Despite the holiday in Spain’s Canary Islands, this book has a very British feel to it, which stands to reason as both the author and setting are based in the north of England and it can be quite grim (weather-wise) up North! Overall this was an entertaining read, rife with family secrets, lies and surprises!

And a touch of bad weather, too.
  
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JT (287 KP) rated Starred Up (2014) in Movies

Mar 16, 2020  
Starred Up (2014)
Starred Up (2014)
2014 | Drama
8
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Violent and to the point (1 more)
Great acting
Prison Isn't Suppoed To Be A Holiday Camp
Prison dramas don’t get much grittier than this. Not since Scum has there been one with as much brutal tour de force. Eric (Jack O’Connell) is ‘starred up’. A term used to describe violent young offenders moved straight into an adult prison. Once he gets inside he comes face to face with the only person that might be able to control him, his father Neville (Ben Mendelsohn).

It’s a major part of their relationship as Nev’s parental tactics involve the cruel to be kind method. It’s the only way that Eric is going to survive and the only way he will walk out in one piece. Eric finds some solace in Oliver (Rupert Friend) whose anger management sessions are a place to unleash a tirade of resentment. It places him within a group where any other individual might find themselves out of their depth – Eric takes it full on.

The film is written by Jonathan Asser, a former prison psychotherapist who worked in HMP Wandsworth. So he more than anyone can inject the film with a massive sense of realism. The prison violence can be hard to watch but you don’t find yourself turning away from the screen.

It’s not shrouded in Hollywood gloss and is shot with graphic precision. Mendelsohn’s performance is excellent playing the psycho and his delivery is spot on. Friend is also a joy to watch and a real talent. The Homeland star-making imprints into the acting elite.

However, this is very much O’Connell’s film and it’s not hard to see why he is fast becoming a standout actor. Grabbing this role in a vice-like grip he battles with his personality, the adoration from his father and a corrupt system who want him eradicated. It doesn’t paint the prison system in a particularly good light but then prison isn’t supposed to be a holiday camp.
  
An Amish Christmas Kitchen
An Amish Christmas Kitchen
Leslie Gould, Kate Lloyd, Jan Drexler | 2019 | Contemporary, Romance
9
5.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Wunderbaar Christmas Collection!
I love Christmas, I love novellas (they’re fast and easy to read!), and I love Amish, so what better combination than all three wrapped up into one amazing collection? There isn’t anything better, if you ask me. And, I have to say, this collection was worth the anticipation, worth the wait. All these authors did a fabulous job!

But, one specific story I want to focus on is Kate Lloyd’s An Unexpected Christmas Gift. After reading all of Lloyd’s other novels, I knew I needed to read this story. And, I will tell you, I was not disappointed! It was a quick read, I read it in just an hour, but it was packed full of amazing characters, and one heart warming, soul moving message of truth and forgiveness.

Following Maria Romano and her story was moving. I loved every minute of this holiday novella. I fell in love with Naomi, Nancy, Anna and Silas, the Amish family that invited her in, I fell in love with Maria herself and Naomi’s sister Linda, I loved Troy Bennett and despite my food allergies and not able to eat a lot of delicious amazing food, I fell in love with the recipe that Lloyd included in the story. I will definitely be making the Christmas Caramel Cake for my guys!

If you’re a fan of Christmas, Amish, and working in the kitchen, then I will tell you right now. This is a collection of stories you don’t want to miss. All the stories are worthy of 4 stars and have a touch of romance woven in. Don’t miss it! You’ll be sharing this collection of holiday stories with all your book loving, Amish loving friends.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher, Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
The Sun in Her Eyes
The Sun in Her Eyes
Paige Toon | 2015
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is my fourth or fifth book by the author and I have to admit my least favourite. I even liked [b:Thirteen Weddings|18280725|Thirteen Weddings|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1394992094s/18280725.jpg|25752669] better and that didn't even have the ending I wanted but the story and characters got to me more.

I can't say I felt anything for Amber, maybe the fact that she was already married from the start and in a somewhat good marriage with Ned made me a little uncomfortable with what was going on with Ethan. If Ned hadn't been in the picture I would have been all over the Ethan and Amber storyline. Revisiting first-loves is fine by me, but not necessarily when you're quite happily married. If she'd been unhappy, sure.

As for the letter that Doris sent her asking to meet so she could hear the message her mum wanted to give her, I was a <s>little</s>, make that a lot disappointed by that. I was expecting some big secret or something...

Despite not enjoying this as much as the others it has made me want to go on a Paige Toon book binge so I've hunted out all the ones I have but not read yet and will be reading [b:Pictures of Lily|7134057|Pictures of Lily|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1269790608s/7134057.jpg|7396938] first before moving onto [b:Lucy in the Sky|1032295|Lucy in the Sky|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328707137s/1032295.jpg|1018573],[b:One Perfect Summer|12064651|One Perfect Summer (One Perfect #1)|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1330897612s/12064651.jpg|17032024],[b:The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson|18114638|The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson (Jessie Jefferson #1)|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1383081247s/18114638.jpg|25441913] and [b:The Longest Holiday|16000770|The Longest Holiday|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1363007994s/16000770.jpg|21762175]