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TM
Take My Hand (Take My Hand, #1)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is my first experience with a book by Nicola Haken. The synopsis sounded promising and I have been looking for a new series to read, so I thought I would give this one a go.

This story is of two people trying to start their lives over after terrible events that occurred in each of their lives. They get thrown together and together they learn how to love...again.

The story is primarily set in London, so that's amazing! I'm obsessed with London and all things British, so I was SOOOOO excited for this book. I wanted to fall in LOVE with this book, and these characters, but at best I only fell in LIKE with this book. Sigh.

Dexter and Emily are great characters. They have the tormented past, the rocky relationship, and undying love for one another. Okay so it sounds like this book has everything a book needs. But still... I just couldn't fall in love, and let me tell you why.

1) Dexter is from the U.S.A. so when he moves to London, he clearly doesn't understand all of the lingo and slang that the English use. Which is fine. Emily used a lot of these slang words, "ginger minger" being an example of one, and so the narrator would pause and explain what each one meant. This was very helpful throughout the story. However, this is the part that bothers me. Throughout the story when Dex would have a chapter and be talking sometimes I would get confused and he started to sound like Emily to me. I felt like the two were blending together.

2) There were several times throughout this book I wanted to literally reach into my kindle and slap Emily. I understand she's never really been in a relationship before, and I understand she's socially awkward, but my god! It's like this girl is from another planet and she doesn't understand human interactions, AT ALL! She blushes at everything - even when it's not sexual, she doesn't know how to talk to people, and she doesn't know how to be in a relationship. If the guy is a alcoholic and throws stuff at the wall, and runs out on you every time he's scared. You drop him and run. It just didn't seem realistic at all.

He drank and ran out on her when she was in a strange country with a strange woman she'd never met, and he was just like, peace out. Then she had the nerve to feel sorry. He kept secrets from her and she had the nerve to scold herself for feeling that way. It just didn't feel real to me. I felt like she gave in to him too easily. Now, before you all comment like crazy about how I don't understand alcoholics and how I don't know how they operate and how I don't understand addiction, let me just tell you this... You're wrong. I understand, and I understand better than some. I was a teenage alcoholic. It ruined my life and it took me YEARS to get it back together. SO I GET IT.

3) Now that all that's out of the way on to the next. I didn't like that Emily was so clearly afraid to say SEX or PENIS, or VAGINA. If you can't say it or talk about it, you shouldn't be doing it. She really needed to grow up. I understand that some people just don't feel comfortable talking about it, but at some point you need to draw a line. Emily was just a little too chaste for my preference and I think the description of the sex scenes from Emily's perspective were out of place for this very reason. The chapters where she was the narrator, she shouldn't have been comfortable describing what was going down. I feel like the scene should have been set up and then a fade to black would have been more appropriate.

4) Lastly, Rachel... UHHHH MOST ANNOYING CHARACTER EVER!! At first I thought she was badass! Here you have this girl who has lived her life in a wheelchair and has had to compensate for it by being independent, coloring her hair funky colors, and getting tattoos. Awesome! Right... WRONG. She then opened her mouth. OMG! She's not independent and trying to stand out, she's just down right offensive, and she didn't seem to fit at all in this story.

I know by now you're probably thinking "Why did you give this book three stars if you clearly hated it." Right? Well, I didn't hate it, at all. I liked it, it evoked emotion, it made me think and it made me feel. Those things are SOOO important when writing a book. This author has some definite promise, and I know there are a couple more books in this series. I will probably read them since this book ended on a cliffhanger (which was awesome, btw). I want to know what happens to these characters, and I'm hoping they both grow up a bit in the upcoming books.

My one last thing I'd like to point out is the editing. Now, I don't know if I got a pre-edited copy or if I got the final draft. So, I'm not considering the editing in my rating, because I can't be certain. I do feel that this book needs some serious proofreading, but again it may not be that way in a purchased copy so again don't hold that minor detail against the author, because no one is perfect.

I will definitely read other books by this author. She has a great writing style, her story flows very nicely, there aren't any dull moments, and her story is one that tears at the heartstrings. I in no way mean this review to sound as if I'm attacking her, when in fact its the complete opposite. I commend her for writing this book, and I think she did it well. Plus, the most important thing EVER, her writing made me think and feel which is what good writing should do. So, I implore you to give this book a chance don't let my feelings and observations deter you from reading a book with great potential that you may absolutely love!
  
TR
Tabula Rasa (Tabula Rasa, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was extremely curious about Tabula Rasa when I found out what it meant (Latin: Scraped Tablet. AKA, a newborn basically.) I also thought it would be a really interesting read – I mean, girl has a tragic past, and is basically a lab rat in a procedure to erase those memories. Oh, and what's even more intriguing? Most of the "rats" are delinquents. I suppose from a delinquent's view, one would want to erase memories. Better than sitting in juvie, right? :p

It's certainly a cause for curiosity. I mean, we're reading the story from a possible criminal! I know I shouldn't be excited, but can you blame me? I've never actually read a story from a delinquent! ^o^

Not to burst any exciting bubbles bubbling up, but truth is, Sarah, our main character, isn't. That was highly disappointing when I found out. Instead, I found out she was some idol of sorts in New York, famous for uncovering a scam. Um... not too exciting. Plus, she seems much too fearless. I could have sworn she wasn't afraid of death even throughout the entire book. If there's one question I want to ask Sarah, it's "Are you even afraid of anything?"
<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uGUfnIbJtyY/U5yh6n3z6iI/AAAAAAAADe4/BU4P9O2rlTg/s1600/giphy+(12).gif"; border="0">
During the earlier parts of the book though, I sort of wanted to just toss Tabula Rasa aside and mark it as DNF. It felt a little too creepy, and confusing. The creepy part probably worked to an advantage, seeing how the surgery was quite detailed. *shudders*
<blockquote>Improvising seems familiar. Like it's my style.</blockquote>
Now the confusing part, that was just randomly thrown in. And I mean the quote. Not me randomly throwing the word confusing around and about. Sarah's going to a tool closet and putting things in her pocket. I'm not sure that's improvising. She's not making anything from what I read, aside from noticing a door. Does noticing a door count as improvising?

The romance between Thomas and Sarah. Really odd. Just... really odd. I felt like Thomas was trying a bit too hard on being funny at the beginning. Later he tends to be more "relaxed" and the humor felt more natural. But for a hacker with a father formerly in the Russian Intelligence Agency – do they call it RIA? – Thomas just seems too carefree. It was as though hacking just isn't... him. I suppose a new career is on the horizons for said character.

I did learn some new things though. I'm done with truth serums. What's with authors after Veronica Roth throwing serums around? They're popping up in so many places. O_o Oh, and apparently it actually snows in Hawaii. In the mountains. Wait, there are mountains in Hawaii? MIND = BLOWN.
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_L4F_cUFsRc/U5yiXj5ftDI/AAAAAAAADfA/n9f9CgNd_H4/s1600/giphy+(13).gif"; border="0" height="179" width="320">
The Bourne Identity? I haven't read it myself, even though that sounds really familiar. Divergent? I'm not too sure. Even the folks of Dauntless are afraid of something. I guess the former's more of a bull's eye with Tabula Rasa than the latter. Tabula Rasa reminded me more of Nikita, Au Revoir Crazy European Chick, and apparently something else I can't remember with all the action and secret plots/schemes (it has something to do with operations).
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Advanced review copy provided by EgmontUSA for review
Original Review posted at <a href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/2014/09/arc-review-tabula-rasa-by-kristen-lippert-martin.html">Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
<a href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cG5gfBqJVzk/VA5BIojjZ9I/AAAAAAAAD1g/7srLUfpAGEU/s1600/banner.png"; /></a>
  
Cthulhu Wars
Cthulhu Wars
2015 | Fantasy, Fighting, Horror, Miniatures
Well balanced (2 more)
Fantastic models
Interesting mechanics
Takes a while to get going (1 more)
Not to be taken lightly
Risk, but with outer planer beings and more death
So,
This game is pretty epic to play.
A basic knowledge of Lovecraftian lore definitely helps, however not essential.

You need a bit a patience whilst setting up and the first few rounds. You also really need to read a good chunk of the instruction book.
HOWEVER.

There has been a lot of tweeking with this game before putting it out, as I've played a few games now and found that anything odd or "broken" is easily explained in the FAQ's that you don't need to read on set up.

The models and artwork are pure horrifying beauty. Probably the best artwork I have seen in a table top game.


The game is easy to set up, but a working brain does help when playing, as you have to keep an eye on EVERYTHING.

All of the factions have been balanced wonderfully, some have raw strength but is countered by intelligent play.


If you like anything Lovecraft, this game is definitely for your.
War/strategy game fans. It's great with an interesting twist on the traditional war games.
Model lovers... great models. My DM has used them in some D&D/ Pathfinder sessions.
  
I took a chance on this book, based on the fact that Lucinda Riley is one of my friends' favourite authors. It's not something that I'd normally choose to read, but I'm glad I did. It's a really interesting story of how one of six adopted sisters, Maia, finds out about her birth family after the death of her adopted father. He leaves her some clues to help her, which to be fair, are pretty vague, and she enlists the help of a Brazilian author (whose books she translates from Portuguese to French) who also happens to be an historian.
Luckily, her adoptive father was very wealthy, and she has no financial need to find her birth family, but it must be nice when she discovers that they are an old Brazilian family, who were once very rich, and are now just plain old wealthy.
Maia also has a secret of her own in her past, one that has made her shut herself away from the world, and this trip to Brazil appears to be the start of her healing herself.
It's a lovely story, and I think I'll be keeping my eyes open for the other books in the series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book to read and fairly review.
  
Adrian&#039;s Bodyguard (Vampires of Vadin #1)
Adrian's Bodyguard (Vampires of Vadin #1)
Shelby Rhodes | 2017 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Adrian's Bodyguard (Vampires of Vadin #1) by Shelby Rhodes
Adrian's Bodyguard is the first book in the Vampires of Vadin series, and we start off with the vampire King himself, nearly 10,000-year-old Adrian. He survives an assassination attempt, and is more concerned about the hole in the wall, than his safety. Others are more concerned though, and he ends up with a bodyguard that he wants, but doesn't want! Xavier does his best to be professional around Adrian, but the tension between them just makes things hotter. Plus the fact, Xavier can't quite control his impulses to wind Adrian up.

I thoroughly enjoyed this mixture of contemporary and other-realm magic. They have cars, not run on fossil fuels, obviously!, and mobile phones, but magic is also an everyday act. The two joining together was great to read, and I loved it. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, and I loved the dynamic between our two main characters. So many characters I would love to hear about now, first and foremost Asher and Kaiden!!!

Absolutely recommended by me.

**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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
The Future King
The Future King
James Riley | 2020 | Children, Science Fiction/Fantasy
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Can Fort Stop the Future King?
This book picks up almost immediately after the previous book ended. Fort has just rescued his father, but the man is in a coma. Oh, and half of England is under a dome. No one knows what is happening inside the dome, but a video has been released demanding that Fort and his friends Rachel and Jia be sent to the dome or the people inside won’t be released. While no one in charge intends to send the trio, they still find themselves there. Will they be able to stop what is coming?

If you haven’t read this series yet, don’t start with this book. It assumes you’ve read the first two, and there isn’t much background given to help explain the world that has been created. This book starts out a little slowly with too many teases about what might happen in the future, but once the main quest really gets going, the book picks up, and there are twists and surprises that kept me engaged. The characters are good, and Fort does more growing here. I’m not a fan of the post-apocalyptic setting, especially right now, but I am intrigue enough that I have to know what is going to happen next, so I will be back for more.
  
The Enemy We Don’t Know
The Enemy We Don’t Know
Liz Milliron | 2020 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Enemy at Home
It’s November of 1942, and Betty Ahern is doing her part for the war effort from her hometown of Buffalo, New York. That’s why she is one of the many young women working at Bell Aircrafts to build the planes the Allies need. But when someone starts sabotaging the production line, Betty sees her chance to emulate her big screen idol, Sam Spade, and solve a mystery. A murder further complicates things. Can she figure out what is happening?

I love learning about World War II, so it was nice to read a historical mystery set at home during the time. Betty finds plenty of motives that would only work during this time period, which I appreciated. The pacing could have been a little better, but the book kept me engaged most of the time along the way to a great climax. Betty and the main characters were well-developed. I did feel like some of the supporting players, especially Betty’s family, could use more development, but hopefully we will see that happen as the series progresses. Betty was first introduced in a short story that I need to go back and read now. There are a few references to what happened there, but nothing spoilery. If you enjoy historical mysteries, be sure to check out this book.
  
Awariye (Danubian #2)
Awariye (Danubian #2)
Charlie Godwyne | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
AWARIYE is the second book in the Danubian series, and I highly recommend you read Lantern first.

Awariye was mentioned in Wren's book. He was the bard that stayed with Wren all night, singing and reciting poetry, until Wren came back. Now we catch up with him when he is not doing too well. In fact, he becomes deathly ill. Igor is one of Uli's top soldiers and is happy to share his bed with the unwell bard if it will make him well again. The relationship between these two is soft and sweet, in keeping with Awariye's recovery.

The last part of the book deals more with the Lantern Gods than with Igor and Awariye, leading on to comments made by Uli about Wren changing and having to leave the castle. I would liked to have seen these changes, rather than just know about them through comments.

This was a great addition to the series that has left me wanting more. I'm really hoping the next story will help tie everything together and answer some of the questions I have.

A wonderful story and definitely recommended by me.

** 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!
Oct 21, 2023