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Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Drawn (Moon Claimed, #1) in Books
Jan 11, 2021
**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**
3.5 stars.
I really like the books cover, which is always a good thing :)
So, this is the debut story from the author and I was intrigued from the beginning. Why did she have these dreams? Why did she recognise the lake in the picture?
I liked Nathan. He seemed like a really nice, sexy guy who had his eye on Tess right from the start. And some of the sex scenes were fairly steamy... ;P
The story concept was different to any other I've read in the "mates" sense, though I wont spoil it by telling you how and let you read it for yourself.
There are a few minor wording issues but considering the author is from France, it is overall very good.
3.5 stars.
I really like the books cover, which is always a good thing :)
So, this is the debut story from the author and I was intrigued from the beginning. Why did she have these dreams? Why did she recognise the lake in the picture?
I liked Nathan. He seemed like a really nice, sexy guy who had his eye on Tess right from the start. And some of the sex scenes were fairly steamy... ;P
The story concept was different to any other I've read in the "mates" sense, though I wont spoil it by telling you how and let you read it for yourself.
There are a few minor wording issues but considering the author is from France, it is overall very good.

Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated The Toad in Books
Jun 18, 2018
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
The Toad by Elise Gravel is part of the Disgusting Critters Series. It is a non-fiction picture book about all things toads. The book shows how toads relate to frogs, their habitat, and food. It also shows that there are different kinds of toad breeds. Beyond talking about the different kinds of toads, the readers learn about their skin and the bumps. Readers learn that the pests that toads eat help to keep the insects at a reasonable amount so we humans don't have to deal with them as much.
The text in the book is presented in an easy way to read which is both entertaining and funny. The illustrations are a great visual that accompanies the text.
I received an advanced readers copy from Penguin Random House Canada and Tundra Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Toad by Elise Gravel is part of the Disgusting Critters Series. It is a non-fiction picture book about all things toads. The book shows how toads relate to frogs, their habitat, and food. It also shows that there are different kinds of toad breeds. Beyond talking about the different kinds of toads, the readers learn about their skin and the bumps. Readers learn that the pests that toads eat help to keep the insects at a reasonable amount so we humans don't have to deal with them as much.
The text in the book is presented in an easy way to read which is both entertaining and funny. The illustrations are a great visual that accompanies the text.
I received an advanced readers copy from Penguin Random House Canada and Tundra Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Taste of Beirut by Joumana Accad is an incredibly comprehensive introduction to preparing Lebanese cuisine. Taste of Beirut is a love story of history, culture, and food simply blossoming chapter after chapter, after chapter. The passion for the food, culture, and people left me with the deep desire to whip out my passport and take a trip across the world.
By reading this book, I learned a lot about the Lebanese cuisine. With each recipe there is a high quality picture that accompanies it. Throughout the book there are explanations and translation of ingredients, essential do's and don'ts, helpful notes included with nearly every recipe. Also included is how to prepare and store commonly used ingredients to make cooking quicker and easier. Recipes are straightforward, and dishes look very flavorful.
I received this book from HCI Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
By reading this book, I learned a lot about the Lebanese cuisine. With each recipe there is a high quality picture that accompanies it. Throughout the book there are explanations and translation of ingredients, essential do's and don'ts, helpful notes included with nearly every recipe. Also included is how to prepare and store commonly used ingredients to make cooking quicker and easier. Recipes are straightforward, and dishes look very flavorful.
I received this book from HCI Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Debbiereadsbook (1444 KP) rated Escape You (Cole Brothers #3) in Books
Jan 14, 2020
good but myabe not for me
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Tyler finds out his amazing one night stand is the mark for the next ATF raid. Then he finds himself on the opposite side of the fence, as her fiancee. Mia knows she has no choice to this union of Mafia branches, but she doesn't have to like it. Finding out there really IS a way out of it, is great, just not who Tyler really is. Can they really be together when it all goes down?
This is book 3 in the Cole Brothers series, and I have not read the others. I don't feel I missed out on anything by not doing, but this book gives me enough hints to THOSE books, that I would LIKE to go back and read them, because I want to, not because I need to.
And I really am NOT sure how I feel about THIS book! And ya'll know I'm ALL about my book feelings. Its just I don't seem to have any about this book and I cannot for the life of me, figure out what doesn't work for me.
I liked that both Mia and Tyler have a say, it is in the first person, but each change is headed as the chapter changes. I liked that Tyler's deception discovered late in the day, not by Mia, cos Tyler tells her, but by the other major players.
I liked that there is a much bigger picture here, with ALL the Cole brothers involved, and that picture is what makes me want to go back and read the other books. Maybe THIS one will fit in better then, I don't know.
A *for a Mafia book* Nice book, and as much I as hate using that word for a book, it's the ONLY one I can muster.
3 solid GOOD stars, just maybe not for me.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Tyler finds out his amazing one night stand is the mark for the next ATF raid. Then he finds himself on the opposite side of the fence, as her fiancee. Mia knows she has no choice to this union of Mafia branches, but she doesn't have to like it. Finding out there really IS a way out of it, is great, just not who Tyler really is. Can they really be together when it all goes down?
This is book 3 in the Cole Brothers series, and I have not read the others. I don't feel I missed out on anything by not doing, but this book gives me enough hints to THOSE books, that I would LIKE to go back and read them, because I want to, not because I need to.
And I really am NOT sure how I feel about THIS book! And ya'll know I'm ALL about my book feelings. Its just I don't seem to have any about this book and I cannot for the life of me, figure out what doesn't work for me.
I liked that both Mia and Tyler have a say, it is in the first person, but each change is headed as the chapter changes. I liked that Tyler's deception discovered late in the day, not by Mia, cos Tyler tells her, but by the other major players.
I liked that there is a much bigger picture here, with ALL the Cole brothers involved, and that picture is what makes me want to go back and read the other books. Maybe THIS one will fit in better then, I don't know.
A *for a Mafia book* Nice book, and as much I as hate using that word for a book, it's the ONLY one I can muster.
3 solid GOOD stars, just maybe not for me.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**

AT (1676 KP) rated Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther in Books
Feb 15, 2020
I ran across Cat Tale on the New Books shelf at my library. I had no real interest in the subject prior to seeing the cute picture on the cover, along with the bright color scheme. I was also drawn to the word, "Weird," in the title. I flipped the book over, and read the praised reviews on the back, so I decided to give the book a try. I'm so glad that I did! Number one, I live in Florida, but am a transplant from the north. So I see a lot of names on counties, streets, schools, etc., and know them from that, but not from what any of the people or places were involved with in their day. So I did get a little basic name history while reading, which was an added bonus.
The book, itself, reads like a fiction novel. Plus, it's pretty funny throughout, which made it that much more enjoyable! I kept looking names and events up to make sure that they were real when the book seemed too fictional. (They were real.) It's amazing how messed up the whole process got while trying to save the species, and how such a small number of people can end up being so detrimental to any project. There were some unforgettable characters (again, real people!) that assisted Florida during this process. I quickly was drawn to the story and information. To me, it ended up being wildly interesting. Without ruining the details for you, I realize that any non-fiction account needs to be taken with an open mind and a grain of salt at times. However, everything that I questioned was information that could be found easily. I wish more non-fiction books were written for smooth reading like Cat Tale was. Craig Pittman took a potentially dry, possibly boring subject, and made it very engaging all the way through. It's definitely worth reading, if you're even the least bit curious. (Or, if you simply like the cover picture and color scheme!)
The book, itself, reads like a fiction novel. Plus, it's pretty funny throughout, which made it that much more enjoyable! I kept looking names and events up to make sure that they were real when the book seemed too fictional. (They were real.) It's amazing how messed up the whole process got while trying to save the species, and how such a small number of people can end up being so detrimental to any project. There were some unforgettable characters (again, real people!) that assisted Florida during this process. I quickly was drawn to the story and information. To me, it ended up being wildly interesting. Without ruining the details for you, I realize that any non-fiction account needs to be taken with an open mind and a grain of salt at times. However, everything that I questioned was information that could be found easily. I wish more non-fiction books were written for smooth reading like Cat Tale was. Craig Pittman took a potentially dry, possibly boring subject, and made it very engaging all the way through. It's definitely worth reading, if you're even the least bit curious. (Or, if you simply like the cover picture and color scheme!)

Merissa (12911 KP) rated Cruising in Books
Jan 30, 2018
Cruising by Cate Ashwood
Cruising is a short book, told from dual perspectives, about best friends who are both in love with each, but completely unaware of the other one's feelings. As it is told by both Jake and Dylan, you get the whole picture about why neither of them had made a move before, whilst hoping that they make a move sooner rather than later. Both characters are well rounded, having their own foibles which just makes their cuteness even higher!
This is only a short story, but it is complete in its build up, cruise, and hopefully HEA. The writing was smooth, the pacing perfect, and there were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and have no hesitation in recommending it.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is only a short story, but it is complete in its build up, cruise, and hopefully HEA. The writing was smooth, the pacing perfect, and there were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and have no hesitation in recommending it.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Kyera (8 KP) rated Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up in Books
Feb 1, 2018
Sorry, Not Sorry is Naya Rivera's ode to her life. It follows her path from childhood stardom (sort-of) to motherhood with all the trials, tribulations, successes, heartbreak and awkwardness in-between. Her honesty in the book is refreshing and makes me admire her more. She's not perfect and no one is, but she has gone through the good and the bad in her life and come out the other side a stronger person. Naya has very relatable stories and advice for any reader. Her story with Ryan is real and makes you root for them, even if they didn't have a picture perfect start. In her book, she says she set out to write something that was real and I feel that she hit the mark beautifully. She is honest, relatable and inspiring. This is one of the "celebrity" books that I enjoyed reading the most, and would recommend it. It's a quick read, so what are you waiting for?

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated The Caboose Who Got Loose in Books
Oct 16, 2019
Dream but Enjoy the Present
Katy is a caboose, but she doesn’t like traveling at all. She longs for peace and quiet and a stationary life. Then she is presented with the joys of her current life. Will she realize her dream? Will she enjoy life until then?
I hadn’t read this picture book for years until I picked it up recently, and I was immediately struck by the moral of the story. It’s complex, about enjoying your life while you dream of something else, so kids might not fully grasp it, but that doesn’t make it any less good. Of course, kids are mostly going to be interested in the story and pictures. As with all Bill Peet’s books, the pictures are detailed and colorful. The story, told in rhyme, will keep kids’ attention as well although the vocabulary might be a bit too complex for those just learning to read to read on their own.
I hadn’t read this picture book for years until I picked it up recently, and I was immediately struck by the moral of the story. It’s complex, about enjoying your life while you dream of something else, so kids might not fully grasp it, but that doesn’t make it any less good. Of course, kids are mostly going to be interested in the story and pictures. As with all Bill Peet’s books, the pictures are detailed and colorful. The story, told in rhyme, will keep kids’ attention as well although the vocabulary might be a bit too complex for those just learning to read to read on their own.

Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Mar 10, 2022

Merissa (12911 KP) rated True North (Yule Lads #1) in Books
Dec 20, 2023
TRUE NORTH is the first book in the Yule Lads, and this is not a Hallmark story!
It is intricate and intriguing, but I always felt as though I wasn't getting the full picture. It is fast-paced and non-stop, including the relationship between Dylan and Somerset. This is definitely something I want more of, as I just didn't feel as though I had enough.
If the aim was to keep the reader in the dark, along with Dylan, so you learn at the same time as him, then it worked. I kept reading in the hope I would understand more of what was going on.
This was an absorbing story that I look forward to reading more of.
** 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!
Dec 9, 2023
It is intricate and intriguing, but I always felt as though I wasn't getting the full picture. It is fast-paced and non-stop, including the relationship between Dylan and Somerset. This is definitely something I want more of, as I just didn't feel as though I had enough.
If the aim was to keep the reader in the dark, along with Dylan, so you learn at the same time as him, then it worked. I kept reading in the hope I would understand more of what was going on.
This was an absorbing story that I look forward to reading more of.
** 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!
Dec 9, 2023