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Becs (244 KP) rated Foundations Of Faith in Books
Oct 2, 2019
Style: Light
Point of view: Third person
Difficulty reading: It was as easy as singing the ABC’s!
Promise: Foundations of Faith promises a compelling religious read that will have you answering questions about your own faith.
Quality: All around good read, wasn’t what I was expecting but would definitely reread again.
Insights: Usually when it comes to Fantasy style of books, I always think powers (spells), mythical creatures, places that don’t exist, etc. etc. Foundations of Faith didn’t really have the typical Fantasy aspect to it. Theresa and Thomas have ‘powers’ but they aren’t magical powers like a witch or wizard would have. But it was still a great read that will end up being reread a couple more times.
Ah-Ha Moment: There wasn’t really a moment where I went ‘Ah yea, that’s the turning point’. One scene did come pretty darn close though. This scene: Thomas returns back from the retreat and finds out his mother is in the hospital and his father is in jail for putting his mother in the hospital. It’s never revealed how Thomas’s mother was hurt, and I would have definitely loved if that was explained better but then again this isn’t a Thriller so it’s also okay.
Favorite quote: “She shared how she had finally found God, not in the back of a church with hands held in prayer, but in the back of a police car with hands held in cuffs.” – I feel like this is a huge reason why most end up finding religion/ God. Something terrible or even life-threatening happens to them and they just start praying, see some signs and boom they now believe.
“As he walked, he felt the darkness behind him, following him. He swore he heard it whisper, “Run!” – Hello darkness, my old friend. I’ve come to talk with you again. Because a vision softly creeping, left its seeds while I was sleeping. And the vision that was planted in my brain still remains, within the sound of silence. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself 🙂
Aesthetics: I reallyyyyy dig the cover! It gives it that mystery horror feel even though there isn’t really any horror in Foundations of Faith. The chapter headings, awesome font. Great read. But that cover is just so aesthetically pleasing. 🙂
“The deeper the feelings of unworthiness dug into his heart, the darker the room became. It spread from the outside in, growing darker and more ominous with each new thought. He feared it would swallow him whole.”
Point of view: Third person
Difficulty reading: It was as easy as singing the ABC’s!
Promise: Foundations of Faith promises a compelling religious read that will have you answering questions about your own faith.
Quality: All around good read, wasn’t what I was expecting but would definitely reread again.
Insights: Usually when it comes to Fantasy style of books, I always think powers (spells), mythical creatures, places that don’t exist, etc. etc. Foundations of Faith didn’t really have the typical Fantasy aspect to it. Theresa and Thomas have ‘powers’ but they aren’t magical powers like a witch or wizard would have. But it was still a great read that will end up being reread a couple more times.
Ah-Ha Moment: There wasn’t really a moment where I went ‘Ah yea, that’s the turning point’. One scene did come pretty darn close though. This scene: Thomas returns back from the retreat and finds out his mother is in the hospital and his father is in jail for putting his mother in the hospital. It’s never revealed how Thomas’s mother was hurt, and I would have definitely loved if that was explained better but then again this isn’t a Thriller so it’s also okay.
Favorite quote: “She shared how she had finally found God, not in the back of a church with hands held in prayer, but in the back of a police car with hands held in cuffs.” – I feel like this is a huge reason why most end up finding religion/ God. Something terrible or even life-threatening happens to them and they just start praying, see some signs and boom they now believe.
“As he walked, he felt the darkness behind him, following him. He swore he heard it whisper, “Run!” – Hello darkness, my old friend. I’ve come to talk with you again. Because a vision softly creeping, left its seeds while I was sleeping. And the vision that was planted in my brain still remains, within the sound of silence. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself 🙂
Aesthetics: I reallyyyyy dig the cover! It gives it that mystery horror feel even though there isn’t really any horror in Foundations of Faith. The chapter headings, awesome font. Great read. But that cover is just so aesthetically pleasing. 🙂
“The deeper the feelings of unworthiness dug into his heart, the darker the room became. It spread from the outside in, growing darker and more ominous with each new thought. He feared it would swallow him whole.”
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Siren Sacrificed ( Thief of Hearts book 2) in Books
Feb 27, 2022
36 of 230
Kindle
Siren Sacrificed ( Thief of Hearts book 2)
By C.R. Jane and Mila Young
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What is a siren without her power?
I'm about to find out, and I have no problems embracing the darkness to do so.
I was thrown into a literal hell, and every day feels like it could be my last.
But amid such darkness, I thought I found light with three men who've shown me happiness is possible even in a place like this.
Except, maybe I was too quick to trust and give my heart away.
They say trust takes years to build, seconds to break... and I don't think forever will be long enough to repair what they did to me.
One will sacrifice himself for me. One will shatter my soul. And one will kill me to save me.
This is a weird little series I’m really enjoying it! It has such a dark undertone that gives me the creeps. This young woman has just had hell and I’m not sure how much more she can take! This ending is just so sad but I felt peaceful with her. Can’t wait to see what book 3 brings. I really enjoy Mila Youngs books.
Kindle
Siren Sacrificed ( Thief of Hearts book 2)
By C.R. Jane and Mila Young
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What is a siren without her power?
I'm about to find out, and I have no problems embracing the darkness to do so.
I was thrown into a literal hell, and every day feels like it could be my last.
But amid such darkness, I thought I found light with three men who've shown me happiness is possible even in a place like this.
Except, maybe I was too quick to trust and give my heart away.
They say trust takes years to build, seconds to break... and I don't think forever will be long enough to repair what they did to me.
One will sacrifice himself for me. One will shatter my soul. And one will kill me to save me.
This is a weird little series I’m really enjoying it! It has such a dark undertone that gives me the creeps. This young woman has just had hell and I’m not sure how much more she can take! This ending is just so sad but I felt peaceful with her. Can’t wait to see what book 3 brings. I really enjoy Mila Youngs books.
The Girl with Seven Names: Escape from North Korea
Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER An extraordinary insight into life under one of the world's most ruthless...
KatieLouCreate (162 KP) rated Pushing Daisies - Season 1 in TV
Jan 9, 2018
Favourite TV Series
This has to be one of my all time favourite television series. The story follows Ned, a man who can bring the dead back to life. But only for a minute. Any longer and something else has to die in their place. If he touches thelay person/thing again, they will die again. Forever.
This is all well for the private investigator, Emerson Cod who accidently discovered Ned's abilities. The two of them solve crime and split the earnings between them.
However, one day Emerson and Ned are given the task to find out who murdered a woman on a cruise. The women just so happens to be Ned's childhood sweetheart Charlotte Charles. Can he keep her alive for only a minute? Or will he succumb to his selfish want of needed company and love.
The series appears to be light hearted and playful. However, this contrasts with the darkness of what is actually happening. Two men solving murder mysteries.
It is humorous and playful, often using metaphors and quirky language in the characters dialogue. Overall, it is a refreshing watch compared to other television series. I highly reccomend if you like lighthearted romance, murder mysteries with laugh out loud humour.
This is all well for the private investigator, Emerson Cod who accidently discovered Ned's abilities. The two of them solve crime and split the earnings between them.
However, one day Emerson and Ned are given the task to find out who murdered a woman on a cruise. The women just so happens to be Ned's childhood sweetheart Charlotte Charles. Can he keep her alive for only a minute? Or will he succumb to his selfish want of needed company and love.
The series appears to be light hearted and playful. However, this contrasts with the darkness of what is actually happening. Two men solving murder mysteries.
It is humorous and playful, often using metaphors and quirky language in the characters dialogue. Overall, it is a refreshing watch compared to other television series. I highly reccomend if you like lighthearted romance, murder mysteries with laugh out loud humour.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Girl on Fire in Books
May 7, 2018
Addictive reading
"I woke up and the world was gone.
All was silent, all was black, the darkness so complete that it was as if all the light had been drained from the world."
Those are the dramatic opening lines to this book which had me hooked and eating up the pages as if my life depended on it.
Mr Parsons writes with grit, authenticity and humanity which I find very addictive and although Max isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, he is a very engaging character that I love getting to know a little more with each outing.
I must admit that there were times when I felt reality was ignored for the sake of the story (i.e. missed suspects which, in my opinion, were glaringly obvious) but I just put them to one side and continued to enjoy the ride on Mr Parsons' roller-coaster because, after all, this isn't a true story although the subject matter certainly is unfortunately.
Although this can be read as a standalone, I would very much recommend you read the others in the series as this will give more depth and understanding to the main characters and will enhance the whole reading experience.
I would highly recommend this series and Tony Parsons as a great British author and would like to thank the publisher, Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for my copy in return for an impartial review.
All was silent, all was black, the darkness so complete that it was as if all the light had been drained from the world."
Those are the dramatic opening lines to this book which had me hooked and eating up the pages as if my life depended on it.
Mr Parsons writes with grit, authenticity and humanity which I find very addictive and although Max isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, he is a very engaging character that I love getting to know a little more with each outing.
I must admit that there were times when I felt reality was ignored for the sake of the story (i.e. missed suspects which, in my opinion, were glaringly obvious) but I just put them to one side and continued to enjoy the ride on Mr Parsons' roller-coaster because, after all, this isn't a true story although the subject matter certainly is unfortunately.
Although this can be read as a standalone, I would very much recommend you read the others in the series as this will give more depth and understanding to the main characters and will enhance the whole reading experience.
I would highly recommend this series and Tony Parsons as a great British author and would like to thank the publisher, Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for my copy in return for an impartial review.
Merissa (11928 KP) rated Journey to the Dark Goddess: How to Return to Your Soul in Books
Dec 17, 2018
This is a must-have books for anyone's collection, whether they are Pagan or not. At some point in your life, you will make a descent to the Dark Goddess. Whether this is by choice or not is irrelevant. It is also a descent that people will resist and fight but will ultimately lose as they travel downwards. This is a journey that everyone NEEDS to make, to see their soul complete. Without darkness there is no light and life should be about balance.
I have made my own descent many times, the first one that I am conscious of was 10 years ago. This book helped me to understand things that I had only touched the surface of. It centers mainly around the Sumerian Goddess Inanna and the Greek Goddesses Persephone and Psyche, although other Dark Goddesses are mentioned. The books contains preparations, meditations and rituals to help you work through your journey.
A wonderful book to add to your collection that you will want to read again.
I have made my own descent many times, the first one that I am conscious of was 10 years ago. This book helped me to understand things that I had only touched the surface of. It centers mainly around the Sumerian Goddess Inanna and the Greek Goddesses Persephone and Psyche, although other Dark Goddesses are mentioned. The books contains preparations, meditations and rituals to help you work through your journey.
A wonderful book to add to your collection that you will want to read again.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Golden House in Books
Jan 1, 2018
Insightful and readable
This novel by Salman Rushdie is a present day commentary on modern day America in the build up to Trump and how fact and fiction as well as art and reality collapse into one other. There have been a number of books written in the wake of the shock of Trump (this desperate need to make sense of things) and Rushdie’s novel definitely helps shed light (or explain the darkness) upon the situation.
Narrated by René, an aspiring filmmaker, this account feels very similar to the likes of The Great Gatsby, in which everything is rather hyperbolic because it is written from the perspective of an outsider. Following the exceedingly wealthy Golden family, René attempts to figure out the mysterious circumstances of their arrival from India, and the subsequent, often cataclysmic events surrounding them, in which the narrator plays a part. The slow emergence of a dark history of corruption and evil is paralleled by Rushdie's perception of the rise of ignorance, untruth, bigotry and hatred, and of "The Joker" (i.e. Trump, although he is never named).
The writing is brilliant. It is discursive, sometimes addresses the reader directly, even sometimes adopts the form of a screenplay and has a wonderful voice of its own. The context surrounding the Mumbai bombings is intriguing as much of it is based on factual information. The truth is, after all, stranger than fiction.
While the style is not flawless, as the postmodern blurring between supposedly objective narrative and things René has "made up" for his screenplay did get a little haphazard, however, this may be Rushdie's attempt to reflect how "post-truths" are disseminated in a similar fashion. Nonetheless, I thought The Golden House was enjoyable. Even after all these years, Rushdie is able to adapt his writing to suit a modern generation.
Narrated by René, an aspiring filmmaker, this account feels very similar to the likes of The Great Gatsby, in which everything is rather hyperbolic because it is written from the perspective of an outsider. Following the exceedingly wealthy Golden family, René attempts to figure out the mysterious circumstances of their arrival from India, and the subsequent, often cataclysmic events surrounding them, in which the narrator plays a part. The slow emergence of a dark history of corruption and evil is paralleled by Rushdie's perception of the rise of ignorance, untruth, bigotry and hatred, and of "The Joker" (i.e. Trump, although he is never named).
The writing is brilliant. It is discursive, sometimes addresses the reader directly, even sometimes adopts the form of a screenplay and has a wonderful voice of its own. The context surrounding the Mumbai bombings is intriguing as much of it is based on factual information. The truth is, after all, stranger than fiction.
While the style is not flawless, as the postmodern blurring between supposedly objective narrative and things René has "made up" for his screenplay did get a little haphazard, however, this may be Rushdie's attempt to reflect how "post-truths" are disseminated in a similar fashion. Nonetheless, I thought The Golden House was enjoyable. Even after all these years, Rushdie is able to adapt his writing to suit a modern generation.
Merissa (11928 KP) rated The V Girl: A Coming Of Age Story in Books
May 8, 2023
This book is disturbing - it's as simple as that. However, it is also absolutely fantastically mind-blowing! The whole book is about a dystopian future where 'recruitment' happens once a year. Recruitment is basically another name for the forced enlistment of people, to be used as 'entertainment' for the troops. In a world where virgin is something that is said as an insult, and rapes of both male and female occur on an almost daily basis, you would not think that this book would be any good at all.
Wrong!
This book is exceptional. It is dark and fear-filled, it is horrific and stomach-churning, and yet it is also a book about hope, about a light that can shine in the darkness, about the comfort the human touch can bring, about love.
The V Girl is simply astounding. I am so glad that I have read it. I really can't recommend it highly enough - but please, take note of the trigger warnings. They are there for a reason as this book is full of unicorns and rainbows!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 21, 2015
Wrong!
This book is exceptional. It is dark and fear-filled, it is horrific and stomach-churning, and yet it is also a book about hope, about a light that can shine in the darkness, about the comfort the human touch can bring, about love.
The V Girl is simply astounding. I am so glad that I have read it. I really can't recommend it highly enough - but please, take note of the trigger warnings. They are there for a reason as this book is full of unicorns and rainbows!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 21, 2015
Merissa (11928 KP) rated The Ostin Prince (Isle of Ostin #2) in Books
Aug 6, 2023
THE OSTIN PRINCE is the second book in the Isle of Ostin series. Theo and Pax just want to be left alone, but the press has other ideas. During a skirmish, Theo and Pax are rescued by none other than the cousin Theo used to play with, Arbor. Zeke, who has been staying with Theo and Pax, finds himself entranced by this no-filter Ostin, who thinks he is darkness personified, when all Zeke can see is his light.
The overall story arc moves along nicely in Arbor and Zeke's story, whilst still giving the reader the full enjoyment of their story. Both Zeke and Arbor see themselves one way, but the other sees them completely differently. It was nice seeing a softer side to Arbor, as he is usually the one who runs his mouth off - for comedic effect at times.
The Ostins so far all have a protector side that comes into full force when it involves the ones they care about. I loved seeing this.
A great addition to the series and I look forward to the next book!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 5, 2023
The overall story arc moves along nicely in Arbor and Zeke's story, whilst still giving the reader the full enjoyment of their story. Both Zeke and Arbor see themselves one way, but the other sees them completely differently. It was nice seeing a softer side to Arbor, as he is usually the one who runs his mouth off - for comedic effect at times.
The Ostins so far all have a protector side that comes into full force when it involves the ones they care about. I loved seeing this.
A great addition to the series and I look forward to the next book!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 5, 2023
Debbiereadsbook (1166 KP) rated Running From Darkness (Dark River Stone Collective #3) in Books
Apr 23, 2023
That he wanted in Conall's bed was secondary to making sure Calli was safe.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 3 in the Dark River Stone Collective series. While not strictly necessary, I would recommend you read at least book one, The Light Beneath The Dark. It will give you a better picture of Linc and Mason, as it's their story and they play a large part here. Some references are made to that book, so it might help. BUT book 2, When Darkness Turns To Light, was a far more gripping read. So, you know, just read 'em both!
Conall and Kyle are perfect for each other, right from the start. I loved that Kyle knew he wanted Conall, but he wanted to HELP Conall and his sister Calli first and foremost. That he wanted in Conall's bed was secondary to making sure Calli was safe.
Because Conall finds her being attacked by their step-father and reacts with violence. Which I totally get and fully approve of, given as Calli is 14. Running to the Dark Angels was the quickest way to get her safe.
I loved that Mason is very . . loose . . with his words, and helps Conall keep Calli safe. Calli will be a force of nature, once she has some time to come to terms with what's happened, she really will. She shows great courage here, and I loved that River kinda attached herself to Calli.
This book doesn't quite bite the way book 2 does, but it bites in a very different way. I still enjoyed it as much as book 1 though, and it is a welcome addition to this series.
Who is next?? I dunno, I don't really care, but I will be reading it!
4 good solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 3 in the Dark River Stone Collective series. While not strictly necessary, I would recommend you read at least book one, The Light Beneath The Dark. It will give you a better picture of Linc and Mason, as it's their story and they play a large part here. Some references are made to that book, so it might help. BUT book 2, When Darkness Turns To Light, was a far more gripping read. So, you know, just read 'em both!
Conall and Kyle are perfect for each other, right from the start. I loved that Kyle knew he wanted Conall, but he wanted to HELP Conall and his sister Calli first and foremost. That he wanted in Conall's bed was secondary to making sure Calli was safe.
Because Conall finds her being attacked by their step-father and reacts with violence. Which I totally get and fully approve of, given as Calli is 14. Running to the Dark Angels was the quickest way to get her safe.
I loved that Mason is very . . loose . . with his words, and helps Conall keep Calli safe. Calli will be a force of nature, once she has some time to come to terms with what's happened, she really will. She shows great courage here, and I loved that River kinda attached herself to Calli.
This book doesn't quite bite the way book 2 does, but it bites in a very different way. I still enjoyed it as much as book 1 though, and it is a welcome addition to this series.
Who is next?? I dunno, I don't really care, but I will be reading it!
4 good solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere