Search

Search only in certain items:

Home All Along
Home All Along
Beth Wiseman | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A story of heartache and hope, Ms. Wiseman brings us another inspiring Amish novel. I have been a big fan of this author's tender writing style for a long time. Her words of encouragement are written through out the pages of each novel, and this one was no exception. She brought her readers another home run with this one. 

As with her previous novels in this series, Ms. Wiseman creates a story filled with twists and turns, and mixes it up with the simple living and finely chiseled characters, in Charlotte and Daniel. Learning to let go, move on and accept what God has in store for them, is never an easy feat, but Ms. Wiseman accomplishes that and so much more. 

This book is beyond captivating. It will leave you reflecting on the will of your own life, and I love that she did that for me! It's a book that I won't soon forget, that's for sure! This is most definitely a 5 star novel, and I highly recommend it to all. You'll fall in love with these beautiful characters and their Amish living and want more when you reach the end. Well done, Ms. Wiseman, well done! 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
TR
Triggered Response
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
An explosion in a secret defense lab changes the lives of three men forever...
His brain was on fire, and he fought going back to the raging inferno of his private hell. Despite the power he now possessed, he couldn’t even remember his name. According to the news, he was Brayden Sloane, former security expert at Cranesbrook Labs, now wanted for murder and kidnapping. He couldn’t remember that, nor the woman who claimed to be his wife. Claire Fanshaw needed Bray to find her friend who'd disappeared following the explosion. Until Bray regained his memory, she'd stick to him like glue. But what would he do when he realized the woman in his bed was a stranger? And what would she do if the cops were right about Bray?

This story is excellent with mystery, twists and turns, and romance with a little ‘what if’ fantasy thrown in. Even if you have not read the previous two novels you can read this one as enough information is filtered back through the story so you won't feel lost.
The author has done a great job for the final book in the series. Well constructed plot and wonderful developed characters
Three authors made it work and leaves you wanting more. Very hard to put down.

I received this ARC from the author and this is my honest and voluntary review.
  
40x40

Sam (74 KP) rated A Place Called Here in Books

Mar 27, 2019  
A Place Called Here
A Place Called Here
9
8.8 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
I’m a massive fan of Cecelia Ahern and I hadn’t even heard of this one until I saw it at a charity book stall at the hospital. So, for 50p, I definitely couldn’t resist.

This is one of Ahern’s more abstract novels, based on the idea that all lost things that people have stopped looking for end up in the same place – a little village called ‘Here’.

Sandy is a private investigator who has always had to find missing things since a girl from school went missing when she was younger. She was always losing things but always made a task out of trying to find every single one, hardly ever giving up. She finds herself in a strange place, surrounded by missing people and objects, and no knowledge of how to get home.

Jack’s brother is missing, and he enlists on Sandy’s help to find him. Only, Sandy never shows up when they arrange to meet.

Sandy is the person to go after the missing people, so who will look for her when she goes missing?

I loved reading this and loved the question it raised over what really happened to Sandy when she went missing. The book is based on such a unique idea and made an interesting read and one of my favourite books of 2017.
  
Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility
Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen, Stacy King, Po Tse | 2014 | Comics & Graphic Novels, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

I have never been a big fan of Jane Austen or Manga books. However, combining the two made for an interesting and fun read. Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility (Stacy King (Story Adaptation), Po Tse (Art by), Jane Austen (Original Story)) is part of the Manga Classics series. According to Goodreads, as of 6/13/2019, most of the 15 novels in the series have been adapted by Stacy King with artwork from Po Tse.

I attempted to read Sense and Sensibility several times but, I stop, put it down, and give up. I understand the time period in which it was written so it is not because of the way women behave or how they are treated that I have not finished.

Reading the Manga Classics version I found Austen's well-known classic easier to read and, for the first time, was able to finish reading the story.

I gave 5 stars to Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility not for Austen's work. It is because of the superb way Stacy King was able to adapt the story into a Manga novel without losing the original story.

I feel this series would be a fun way to introduce Classics to "non-readers".

This review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 6/15/19
  
Sleeping Giants (Themis Files #1)
Sleeping Giants (Themis Files #1)
Sylvain Neuvel | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (20 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

The title of this is what drew me. Sleeping Giants? Sounds right up my alley. It has been a long time since I read a sci-fi novel that wasn't heavy on the romance/erotica also. However, this novel was captivating. I know there are novels out there told through interviews and the like but I have never read them before. Therefore, it was something new and different. I honestly felt I would have enjoyed the novel more if it had been written more traditionally. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. As someone who loves to thoroughly research things, I almost felt that I was the narrator going through all the relevant information I have collected to put the story together. It was appealing.

Style aside, it also has an interesting plot. Giant robots and recovered technologies are nothing new, but the author weaves a stories that grabs your attention and keeps you turning each page. I was hooked until the very last page. In fact, once I finished, I sat in a daze wrapping my mind around everything I had just taken in.

If the description interests you, I highly recommend that you read this novel. I understand it is not expected to be published until April 2016. It is definitely worth the wait.
  
Cursed (Beholder, #1)
Cursed (Beholder, #1)
Christina Bauer | 2016 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is not my normal read as lately I have been hitting the erotica/contemporary romance hard. However, it had to do with necromancy and that is something I simply cannot pass up. Necromancy is something I am highly interested not only because it is rarely written about (compared to vampires, shifters, etc.), but also because rarely is the hero/heroine ever the necromancer. Usually the necromancer is the villain/antagonist.

This story was refreshing, like a breath of fresh air from what I have been reading. Elea is such a powerful character, both in magic and personality. I could definitely get behind her and her ideals. The author’s created world was also fascinating. I felt she not only created a marvelous world but also did a good job at explaining it. Sometimes in fantasy novels, I get lost concerning the author’s created mythology, but I wasn’t with this novel.

It definitely has a young adult feel to it though. Regardless, I loved it and can’t wait to read more. If you are a fan of strong heroines with interesting magic, and a fascinating world beyond imagination, then you may enjoy this novel. Not to mention the young love that spurs main characters. I am all for young, dewy eyed love…
  
AC
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I ordered this book off of Amazon when it recommended it with another purchase. I thought sure why not, and ended up with a permanent addition to my collections. If there is one thing I love more than erotic, is historical erotica, especially a well written on.

Before I gush over how much I fell in love with this novel, I will state the only thing that annoyed me about this novel which is Cassandra’s want of independence. First of all, I guess I can understand her in a sense, but for the time she lives in, she seems to be asking too much. Not to mention, at a certain point, she became annoying about it. We get it, you want your independence. Now please stop kicking the dead horse.

Beyond that, this was a really good a read. Very few erotic novels have such great plotlines to go along with their delicious erotic scenes. I loved that this novel had both. I also liked that the sex wasn’t what the two fall in love. Like any normal human being, Mark worries for Cassandra when he realizes someone has tried to harm her. As they spend more and more time together, their feelings grow. You can actually watch the progression of them falling in love.

A must read for historical erotica readers everywhere.
  
JT
Jackson's Trust (Fourth Down, #1)
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have not read any of the author’s previous works, nor do I usually read sports romances. I requested this novel because I couldn’t get over how hot the cover was. With a cover like that, it has to be good right? Right! I was definitely not disappointed.

First of all, I know nothing about sports so I was praying there wasn’t a lot of terms I didn’t understand. I was pleased that this was one of those novels that didn’t leave nonsports fan in the dark. I loathe the trope of the man not liking commitment (for whatever reason), but I liked Jackson so much, I didn’t even notice. Reading his interactions were both humorous and pleased the romantic in me.

Duke has an easy style that makes her writing a pleasure to read. I felt that I didn’t have to force myself to be interested nor did I struggle to make it through. There were some “twists”, I guess, but I wasn’t surprised by them. In fact, Leila’s “secret” was kind of a joke.

If you are looking for a heart melting read that will have you both cursing and laughing out loud, then I suggest this novel to you.
  
Luckiest Girl Alive
Luckiest Girl Alive
Jessica Knoll | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
6
7.2 (12 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ani FaNelli is engaged to a wealthy man, has a great job, and is finally about to lead the life she's always wanted. But Ani is hiding a secretive past - as a teen, she endured a traumatic event and she's kept her secrets hidden ever since. Now, as she's about to get married, Ani is struggling to contain her past and lead the life she's always wanted.

This was an interesting book - Ani is truly a despicable character in many ways, though as her past unfolds, you start to learn more about what has made Ani who she is. Her finance and her school-hood friends aren't much better. Perhaps the best thing about this book is Knoll's ability to eventually make Ani sympathetic, despite many of her faults. She's a complicated and multi-faceted character, which is a refreshing change from many novels.

The novel is suspenseful for sure, but because it was so consistently billed as the next "Gone Girl," I kept waiting for an even bigger twist, which was a bit of a letdown. I probably would have enjoyed the novel even more if I didn't have all these comparisons swirling in my head. In the end, it was a good read and certainly a fast one, but doesn't necessarily live up to its billing.
  
I recently picked up the new Legend of Korra comic, Turf Wars and was drawn back into the world wholeheartedly. I love the Avatar: The Last Airbender tv show and realized that I hadn't read all of the comics released after the show concluded. There is a set that includes lost stories from the time of the show, but these newer bind-ups are actually continuing the story beyond the show's plot. It was so nice to be able to see what was happening with our favourite characters and how they've grown.

The characters we've grown to love are still apparent in this graphic novel, despite the fact that over a year has passed. Each has their own unique voice, which is familiar from the tv show and makes you feel like you're inhabiting the world once more. Toph's voice was the easiest to image as she has such a unique tone and outlook on life. It was interesting to see the progression of Katara and Aang's relationship in the aftermath of the war.

For any people concerned about reading the comics and not having them live up to the show you love, I hope that I can erase any fears. I loved reading this storyline and feeling the struggles that the characters were going through. I cannot wait to continue with these graphic novels and see how the story progresses.