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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2395 KP) rated Salt Water Wounds in Books

Aug 19, 2022 (Updated Aug 19, 2022)  
Salt Water Wounds
Salt Water Wounds
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Facing Wounds from the Past and Danger in the Present
It’s been two months since Hurricane Irma devastated the island of St. John, and in that time, Sabrina Salter and her friends have been trying to figure out how they are going to rebuild. Sabrina’s grandmother has some contacts back in the Boston area that will be able to help them get supplies, and she has asked Sabrina to join her so they can begin to search for Sabrina’s mother, who abandoned her as a toddler. Meanwhile, two explosions on St. John leave behind a dead body and danger for the friends Sabrina is leaving behind. Will they figure out what happened in the past and what is happening in the present?

If you are new to the series, know that this book will mean much more if you read it in order. We are seeing developments in several storylines we’ve followed since the beginning. While the two stories do start and end together, in many ways, we are seeing two parallel plots in this book. Both were compelling for different reasons, and I had a hard time putting the book down, reading the last third when I really intended to be doing something else. Elements of the climax are rushed, although that is a minor thing. Sabrina gets some wonderful character development here, and it’s great to see the rest of the cast again. This is a step away from the cozies I typically read, so keep that in mind before you pick up the book. If you are a fan, you’ll be happy with Sabrina’s latest adventure.
  
    Animated Essential Atlas

    Animated Essential Atlas

    Medical and Education

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    The Focus Animated Essential Atlas of Anatomy and Physiology includes a full chapter on: -Cell –...

The Astonishing Color of After
The Astonishing Color of After
Emily X.R. Pan | 2018 | Young Adult (YA)
6
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
*some minor spoilers

I was compelled to finish this book, despite not loving it... and There were some things about this book that really irritated me. 

First, I really didn't like the characters. Kinda hard to love the book when you don't like the characters. 

The mom, Dory, I could relate to. Depression is a dangerous disease that steals your body and your life. 

The dad was a horrible person... rude, disrespectful, unthoughtful, and uncaring about his daughter and her passions. Maybe I'm biased because I love art, but who in their right mind tells their kid to stop doing art. 

And then, at the end, when suddenly he is encouraging her that she has a gift and that her mom would be proud? Like, okay, mom dies and suddenly you're not an asshole anymore? What? 


There were a lot of flashbacks, and memories, and not a whole lot of plot. I think it could have been spread better. There were whole sections where she was just having flashbacks and it was annoying. 

The romance aspect was somewhat uncomfortable... like it was too much of a struggle for Pan to write it. It didn't flow well. Maybe that was the point. To be awkward.

It got a little better near the end and I was like : (insert "now kiss" meme here)

I kind of expected Phon (spelling? I listened to the audiobook) to be her aunt, so that wasn't much of a surprise. But the reveal was fun and clever. 

The writing was beautiful, and the color aspect was interesting. Like I said, I felt compelled to finish it, but I found myself irritated while I was listening. 

I did relate to the author's note about re-writing her novel multiple times though... 

And the end of the book felt good... I had a feeling all Lee's visions would become her final series of art, and I'm happy with it.

Recommend to ages 13+. Very little language. 
  
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Little Ray Of Sunshine (41 KP) rated The Protector in Books

Jan 11, 2019 (Updated Feb 10, 2019)  
The Protector
The Protector
Jodi Ellen Malpas | 2016 | Erotica
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Book Review | The Protector by Jodi Ellen Malpas
I love Jodi Ellen Malpas books I've read This man trilogy 3 months ago here is the book review for this here http://bit.ly/2fv5RN0.

Wow, what can I say this book is worth the purchase ;)

The story is about a beautiful spoiled daddy's girl Camille Logan but there is more to meet the eye she wants her life free from her dad's money and she wants to be more independent and earn her own money. Her father is a businessman but he gets himself into some dodgy dealing and starts having enemies around him. Her father Trevor Logan receives a blackmailing letter if he doesn't do what they say they would kidnap his daughter. So Logan hires a bodyguard for Camille and his an ex-SAS sniper Jake Sharp. Wow, his everything women wish for tall dark haired and built like a god ;). Camille doesn't like that she as to have him around everywhere she goes but she can deny the attraction she gets from him.
But Jake Sharp as his own personal problems from his past what are still running through his mind and he can jeopardise his job by letting his guard down and let Camille in body and soul ;) but Jake didn't really expect her to be warm and independent as he feels she will be a spoiled daddy's girl but soon he realise what she really likes and he can stop his feelings for her but women and Jake don't mix well but he soon realise that she not like other women he's slept with.

I really love this book it really gripped with the chemistry between Camille and Jake but I love how Jodi Ellen Malpas brings in the thrilling story and you questioning through the book who wants to harm Trevor and his daughter Camille.

Its worth every penny I hope there is a second book because their stories as grabbed me and I want more :)

Thank you for writing this book Jodi x
  
Shadow Souls (The Vampire Diaries: The Return, #2)
Shadow Souls (The Vampire Diaries: The Return, #2)
L.J. Smith | 2010 | Paranormal, Young Adult (YA)
2
6.5 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is my review on Amazon.com:

I have to be honest. This book was actually better than The Return: Nightfall (Vampire Diaries). Sadly, this does not prevent it from being a horrible book.
This book was all over the place and the plot was barely coherent.

Here's the deal: Damon was possessed at the behest of Hot Topic rejects, Misao and Shinichi. This led him to tricking Stefan into going into a place called the Dark Dimension. Elena gets over floating like a balloon to team up with Damon to get him back.

Caroline is still possessed and trying to have Matt arrested for assaulting her. I have to say that the parts with Caroline were the only things remotely interesting about the book. Unfortunately the Matt/Caroline?Mrs Flowers scenes were shoved aside in favor of feeble attempts at eroticism with Damon and Elena.

Stefan and Elena bored me. Every time Elena had an out-of-body experience, I grit my teeth at the insipid dialogue and promised my brain Milk Duds to soothe the loss of brain cells.

Bonnie and Meredith? Strictly on the sidelines and BORING. Meredith was one of my favorite characters and now she's been reduced to generic friend. Ugh.

Another thing that bothered me was the unhealthy obsession with the ideas of purity and virginity. Elena is a virgin. Uh, okay and this is a secret WHY?

Also, readers do not need it pounded into their heads how hot Elena is. Seriously, it seemed like every five pages I was subjected to how awesomely and mind-blowingly hot she is. COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY!

Oh, and THE END *deep breath*... This could have been a shocking and heart-wrenching development, but for some reason LJS decided to play it for comedy. This left me feeling overtly hostile to the book and not at all looking forward to the next installation.

The thing is, LJS did better. I expect better of her. Come on! This is the woman who wrote Secret Vampire (Night World)!