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MW
Making Waves (League of 7, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
As a first erotic novel, I believe this was a great choice. I bought this book years ago when I was still young and terrified about my parents finding out. I was just a freshman in high school looking for something that normal romance novels couldn’t give me. I was so tired of all the sugary innuendoes. If I am going to read about people having sex, I want clear descriptions about what is going on or nothing at all. Innuendoes that compare a lady’s part to food just grosses me out; and comparing an orgasm to an explosion of stars is just silly. Of course, I thought all this before I lost my
virginity at the ripe old age of 19 (yay for beating teen pregnancy?) And, I still think this today.

But I digress. This book is actually an anthology of two stories by different authors, both stories water related. Thus, the title.

The first story is titled Liquid Dreams by Cathryn Fox. From the very first page, Fox jumps right into the sex. When I first read it, I felt so scandalous that I knew my cheeks were red from embarrassment. Now, looking back, I realize how silly I was considering I have read much more graphic scenes since. Liquid Dreams does not want of sex scene. In fact, I am pretty sure that 85% of the novel is about the main characters partaking in foreplay. Another 10% is devoted to sex.

The plot consists of a young woman, Katrina, who keeps having dreams about a man that comes to her out of the sea. He pleases her, she pleases him. And then, by swallowing his semen, she starts regaining memories from a past life. Eventually, she figures out that the man, Ranek, is her lover from that. She also gradually realizes that she has been horribly miserable with her life because it is not her true life. The only problem is Ranek’s brother is hell-bent on seeing them both suffer.

A pretty straight forward plot with no twists or surprises and plenty of steamy sex scenes to call it erotic. The only problem I had with this novel was the way she covered her memories. Everything else was pretty believable for a fantasy erotic novel except that. In fact, it was pretty weird.

The second novel is called Dolphin’s Playground by Jaci Burton. At first, I was a little hesitant to read it just because of the title, but I sucked it up and read on. Unlike Fox, Burton is more about the plot-line than sex. This short story is about a marine biologist, Jasmine, who would rather spend her time with dolphins than people, especially her big wig boss who cares more about than living things. When she finds some sick dolphins, she decides to take them in much to the chagrin of her soon to be lover, Triton. Triton just so happens to be able to turn into a dolphin and is able to communicate with them. In fact, the dolphins that are now in Jasmine’s custody actually belong to Triton, who is also trying to find a cure with the diseased dolphins.

Since he can’t get the dolphins out of the facility, Triton decides to use it, and Jasmine, to his advantage in his search for the cure. They, of course, hook up during this search and do end up having a happy ending.

The writing was pretty simple in terms of vocabulary and biology terms. However, I really enjoyed Triton and Jasmine’s witty banter and that the you could cut the sexual tension between them with a knife. It was the characters that made this story, honestly.
  
TS
The Secrets We Keep
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Kit Stitski is dead. He fell into the quarry during a party and drowned and ever since June no one has been able to come forward to say what really happened to him. Now that school has started, his mother is making a plea with the students to come forward with what they know. Was it just a tragic accident or did someone do something to Kit? Clementine was there, she spoke with Kit and sent him off to the bushes when he said he had to go to the bathroom. Ellie was there too, she is keeping Clementine's secret, but does she have a secret of her own? Jake was there, in fact, Kit followed him to the party. And Mac was there with Ellie, did he do something to Kit?

As a new school year starts, everyone is reflecting on the tragic night at the end of the previous school year. They've had the whole summer to think about it and now that school is back in session, Ms. Stitski wants answers and closure about what happened with her son. When she shows up for the first day of school, Jake, Clementine, Ellie, and Mac are all on edge because they feel they are responsible for Kit's death. They can't imagine that this was just an accident, something must of happened to him when he was out of their sight. But is that possible?

I really enjoyed this YA novel by Deb Loughead. I was a quick read that kept me engrossed the entire time. The author never really mentions where the story is set, and it could be any town in any country. Kids will be kids and will do what they want despite the rules set by their parents. None of the kids should have been at the quarry that night. It's a dangerous place and even more so when it is dark. Kit was mentally challenged, but loved by all in the school. The students recall happy moments with Kit that help his family to heal after this difficult situation. This is a story you could see in today's news stories. A tragic accident that took the life of an innocent person.

I think people of all ages will enjoy this book. I think it is especially important for youth to read. It has a message of honesty in the book. About being able to talk to your parents about the things that are going on in your world. The book has a strong family focus and includes diverse family structures that are seen today. I recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a good novel to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dundurn for the opportunity to review this book.
  
Beautiful Demons (The Shadow Demons Saga #1)
Beautiful Demons (The Shadow Demons Saga #1)
Sarra Cannon | 2016 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Nice YA Read
www.diaryofdifference.com

I used to read a lot of Young Adult, Fiction and Fantasy books before. My little sister mentioned to me a few weeks ago that she started reading this genre. I decided that it would be a good thing to join her in this adventure, and to read some of the books she's reading.

I have also asked for recommendations on the bookshelf that I made especially for this, and received so many responses. Thank you to all of you who contributed, and this is the list that we have now - Tea's Wishlist

Beautiful Demons is the first book of the Shadow Demons series.

It is a story about Harper Madison, an orphan, that went from one family to another, causing troubles all her life and on one occasion, unintentionally made fire and burned people to death. With no family willing to take her now, she has to go to Shadowford, a place for troubled orphan girls.

But what if everything happens for a reason? And why is this whole town so mysterious? Why, for the first time, she actually belongs somewhere?

Everyone in this town seems to be hiding something? And that is just the beginning…

Even though this book is quite short, I was actually amused as to how much it was able to cover. I was pulled in from the first chapter, and this kept me going until the last.

We have all seen the new girl, new town, new school, being bullied type of scenario, and the cheerleaders owning the school and dating the jocks. This is the same, except it isn’t. It is spiced up with mystery and magic, and cheerleaders are just a metaphor of all that lies behind it. I will only reveal this much - the moment you get accepted to become a cheerleader, your life changes. But that is also the moment you realise it's only the beginning.

I liked Harper's character, and how she was presented. Sometimes she was too naïve and vulnerable for her own good, sometimes a bit too reckless when she didn't have enough information and clues. She was though, a nice young girl example of making brave decisions, but also a bad example of making stupid decisions…

The plot twist in the end was amazing, and I could never see that coming.
I think the purpose of this book was to make a nice scene building for the next books in the series, and to raise our curiosity. A lot of questions were raised, and not many were answered, which proves my point.

I really enjoyed the beginning of this series, and will definitely be reading the next books.
  
Professor Chandra Follows His Bliss
Professor Chandra Follows His Bliss
Rajeev Balasubramanyam | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Humor & Comedy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A wonderful story of family and finding yourself.
This is SUCH a good book!
Professor Chandra, a Professor at Cambridge University, has missed out on the Nobel Prize for Economics, and he’s not happy about it! So unhappy in fact, that he doesn’t pay attention whilst crossing the road, and gets run over by a bicycle. He ends up in hospital, and decides that he needs to re-evaluate his life and get in contact with his children. And so starts his journey of self-realisation.
I loved this book. The characters were all immensely likeable (even the irritating Steve - Chandra’s ex-wife’s new husband). Some of the things that happened seemed a bit unlikely, but we’re not reading this as a non-fiction book, are we? They were very funny though, and occasionally, they were quite sad. This book had it all for me. I read this on The Pigeonhole, so one part a day for ten days, and I can honestly say that I looked forward to reading it every day. I feel a little bereft that it’s over now.
Highly recommended!
  
KW
Kentucky Weddings
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book about the 3 oldest children. It starts out about Val Truelove. She and her siblings are to help pay for the younger siblings education. Val put her heart in the a prayer to god. She is reward with lottery ticket from her boss. She does not know that she wins or anything right away. She prays about it and ask her dad what to do. Doe's Val get her wish to make a wedding venture which is her dream. Doe's see get her wish and something un-expecting as well.

Heath wants to do something with is education but what does he do when his first love come to work at the farm. Heath not sure if he should do what he loves doing or get a real job. Does Heath and Jane get together? To find out you will need to read it.

Opies has a mind to work in her chosen career. But her sister buy her a date with a Batchlor of the month at an auctions and things get a little more strange and hard for her. Things start to get a better but their now story though out the three stories together.
  
Rebecca's Children: A saga of love and betrayal in 19th century Wales
Rebecca's Children: A saga of love and betrayal in 19th century Wales
Kate Dunn | 2019 | History & Politics
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not at all what I had expected!
Honestly, I didn't think that I was going to like this book, mainly because of the subtitle: 'love and betrayal' sounded a bit Catherine Cookson, and whilst I liked Cookson as a teenager, not so much now. BUT this is NOTHING like her books! There is a bit of romance, but I didn't find that it overwhelmed the story, and I really the historical detail fascinating. I'd never heard of the Rebecca Riots before, and I found the descriptions really interesting (and the English reaction completely unsurprising). Dare I say that I completely empathised with them?
Mary and William's story alone was interesting, but I really enjoyed the other sides to the story: the other Rebecca-ites, the Law and Mary's rather unfortunate, and slightly toe-curling, employer Hugh. There's a large cast of characters, as we meet a fair few Rebecca-ites, soldiers, policemen and politicians, but it didn't put me off or confuse me. It was all a clear, well-told, touching story. And I learnt something. So all good!
Many thanks to Sapere Books for giving me a copy of this book to read and honestly review.
  
Demons of Bourbon Street (Jade Calhoun #3)
Demons of Bourbon Street (Jade Calhoun #3)
Deanna Chase | 2020 | Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
of 250
Kindle
Demons of Bourbon Street ( Jade Calhoun book 3)
By Deanna Chase

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

 
New Orleans coven leader, Jade Calhoun, is embarking on a hellish mission. Literally. A week ago her ex sacrificed himself to Hell in order to save Jade's mother. While he suffers, Jade will stop at nothing to bring him home...even if it means working with Lailah, an angel she's never trusted.

But the stakes are raised when Jade discovers her boyfriend, Kane, is marked by a demon. The very same one who tried seducing him right before Jade's eyes. Now Kane's life is on the line, and consequently, Jade's soul is compromised. She'll need all the help she can get, including Lailah's, as she fights her way through Hell to save her ex and Kane - and her entire existence.

This was my favourite so far! It was fast paced lots of action and a few surprises. I really enjoyed it. Jade finally has her mum back and her friend rescued let’s hope she can stay out of hell for a while.
  
How to Survive the End of the World (When It's In Your Own Head)
How to Survive the End of the World (When It's In Your Own Head)
Aaron Gillies | 2020 | Mind, Body & Spiritual
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
OK, that was good.

Written by a comedian - Aaron Gillies - I came across this when a friend recommended it in one of my WhatsApp group chats. I'm not sure why: we hadn't been discussing the subject matter, but none-the-less (and for 99p) I thought I would give it a shot. And I'm glad I did.

Whilst there are parts that were completely alien to me (and I'm not a fan of the swearing: it's not funny, it's not clever, and it's not smart), there were other parts where it felt like the author had, essentially, been riding around in my brain for the day: almost as if he and I had inhabited the same little part of this space-time continuum.

An easy read (if not an easy subject matter) and Aaron Gillies doesn't claim to hold all the answers, simply providing his experiences and what has worked for him, alongside some dark humour that actually had me laughing out loud at one or two moments in the narrative (is that the right word?).

And now with a bonus chapter on 'How to Survive a Global Pandemic" ...