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Debbiereadsbook (1454 KP) rated Smith's Corner: Layla & Levi (The Heartwood Series #2) in Books
Aug 31, 2021
Layla's history is dark, and painful reading and I cried for Layla
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Heartwood Series. I would STRONGLY recommend you read book one, Delilah & Dallas, before this one. THAT book sets this one up nicely.
I also said in my review for that book, that I made put the clues together, and made a picture, but that I was fairly certain it was going to be worse than I thought.
And I wasn't wrong.
Layla has had to be strong, for Delilah and Cora but both girls are growing up now, and moving on with their lives. Levi is one of Dallas' older brother, and is quite literally, smitten with Layla. He knows she has secrets (Dallas knows some of them but wont tell Levi) but Levi also knows Layla is his, and he won't let her go.
I loved that Cora plays a bigger part here than Delilah, that Cora approves of Levi, and that Cora actively helps Levi win Layla over. And he does that beautifully!
When Layla eventually tells Levi all, he does exactly as Dallas does, all Alpha-Male-Protect-whats-Mine, but he tempers his reaction, he holds it all in til he is not in Layla's presence, and I loved him for that.
Layla's history is dark, and painful reading and I cried for Layla. Layla the child, but also Layla the adult. She has a huge support network now, but she didn't always, and she still struggles with letting people in. That Levi takes his time with Layla, getting to know her and letting her set the entire pace of their relationship was probably the only way he could have gotten in.
When Layla's past comes back to cause problems, I loved that ALL the brothers came to stand with her, beside her, to see that the past stays there. And that all solves itself so differently to what I was expecting!
And we are set up nicely for Ash and Alora, who are next. Ash has a tale to tell, and I can't wait to read it!
This book contains triggers: please be mindful of those reading this book.
Creeping up from 4 stars to 4.5 stars but rounded up for the blog.
same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Heartwood Series. I would STRONGLY recommend you read book one, Delilah & Dallas, before this one. THAT book sets this one up nicely.
I also said in my review for that book, that I made put the clues together, and made a picture, but that I was fairly certain it was going to be worse than I thought.
And I wasn't wrong.
Layla has had to be strong, for Delilah and Cora but both girls are growing up now, and moving on with their lives. Levi is one of Dallas' older brother, and is quite literally, smitten with Layla. He knows she has secrets (Dallas knows some of them but wont tell Levi) but Levi also knows Layla is his, and he won't let her go.
I loved that Cora plays a bigger part here than Delilah, that Cora approves of Levi, and that Cora actively helps Levi win Layla over. And he does that beautifully!
When Layla eventually tells Levi all, he does exactly as Dallas does, all Alpha-Male-Protect-whats-Mine, but he tempers his reaction, he holds it all in til he is not in Layla's presence, and I loved him for that.
Layla's history is dark, and painful reading and I cried for Layla. Layla the child, but also Layla the adult. She has a huge support network now, but she didn't always, and she still struggles with letting people in. That Levi takes his time with Layla, getting to know her and letting her set the entire pace of their relationship was probably the only way he could have gotten in.
When Layla's past comes back to cause problems, I loved that ALL the brothers came to stand with her, beside her, to see that the past stays there. And that all solves itself so differently to what I was expecting!
And we are set up nicely for Ash and Alora, who are next. Ash has a tale to tell, and I can't wait to read it!
This book contains triggers: please be mindful of those reading this book.
Creeping up from 4 stars to 4.5 stars but rounded up for the blog.
same worded review will appear elsewhere
Merissa (12943 KP) rated Of Land and Sky (Wraidd Elfennol #3) in Books
Dec 21, 2017
Of Land and Sky (Wraidd Elfennol #3) by Morgan Sheppard
Of Land and Sky is the third book in the Wraidd Elfennol series, and it starts approximately sixty years after Water Weaver.
The world of Wraidd Elfennol has been in balance since the original Chosen went on their quest, but now new Chosen of Earth and Air have been announced. Bran and Rhosyn don't get on very well to begin with, but they have to learn to work together. With their Partners ever ready with words of wisdom, we stay with them as they bring the trees back to life.
This is a very different book to Water Weaver - more introverted. I wasn't sure how this would turn out, but I'm really pleased with the results. There are many lessons in this book if you choose to see them, from family to love.
Fair warning though - this book had me sobbing towards the end. I knew it would happen, but that didn't lessen the impact in any way!
A brilliant addition to the series, and definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements fora review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The world of Wraidd Elfennol has been in balance since the original Chosen went on their quest, but now new Chosen of Earth and Air have been announced. Bran and Rhosyn don't get on very well to begin with, but they have to learn to work together. With their Partners ever ready with words of wisdom, we stay with them as they bring the trees back to life.
This is a very different book to Water Weaver - more introverted. I wasn't sure how this would turn out, but I'm really pleased with the results. There are many lessons in this book if you choose to see them, from family to love.
Fair warning though - this book had me sobbing towards the end. I knew it would happen, but that didn't lessen the impact in any way!
A brilliant addition to the series, and definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements fora review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Before I Met Him in Books
Jun 5, 2019
Before I Met Him is another gripping book from author John Nicholl featuring DI Gareth Gravel. With not enough evidence to prosecute abuser Sheridan, the best thing the cops can do now, is to wait for him to slip up. Oh, right. Tell that to the little six year old girl and her family, and see what happens next… and that’s just how Nicholl played this story. Seventeen years later we get to see exactly what damage was done. The hunted does in fact become the hunter.
Wow! As depressing as this sounds this is a fantastic, gory, and engrossing read. Before I Met Him blends the psychological thrills expected in a crime book with elements of pure horror. Who wouldn’t want the abused to get their own back? But is there ever a right way to do it? Is an eye for any eye justice, or plain old revenge? If you can’t hunt the one that did it to you, will any other abuser do? There are just some of the questions this book had me thinking as I dissected each twist and turn and raced towards the blood curdling end.
It’s dark, sadistic, and totally creepy. It’s another brilliant, well-written John Nicholl book!
Bloody marvellous!
Literally.
Wow! As depressing as this sounds this is a fantastic, gory, and engrossing read. Before I Met Him blends the psychological thrills expected in a crime book with elements of pure horror. Who wouldn’t want the abused to get their own back? But is there ever a right way to do it? Is an eye for any eye justice, or plain old revenge? If you can’t hunt the one that did it to you, will any other abuser do? There are just some of the questions this book had me thinking as I dissected each twist and turn and raced towards the blood curdling end.
It’s dark, sadistic, and totally creepy. It’s another brilliant, well-written John Nicholl book!
Bloody marvellous!
Literally.
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Death On The Coast in Books
Jun 5, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this “West Country Crime Mystery” Death on the Coast by Bernie Steadman, even though it was book 3 and I’d not read the previous two books in this series.
Set in Devon, DCI Dan Hellier and DS Sally Ellis’ crew make a gruesome discovery; someone is burning body parts in a very ritualistic way. Could a cult be responsible for this? What are their motivations? Can his team work out what is happening before another death hits their shores?
I whizzed through this well written story and although the title suggests cosy mystery to me, this is a much darker and more realistic police procedural. It’s got everything I love in a good murder mystery; a great cast of people with their own issues to contend with, interesting plot twists (despite knowing who is responsible all the way through the book) and enough intriguing goings on to keep me reading long well into the night until I finished it. Bernie Steadman is on fire with this book! I must keep up with this series from now on!
Thank you to Bloodhound Books, and #NetGalley for my ARC copy. This is my own opinion and not biased in any way.
Set in Devon, DCI Dan Hellier and DS Sally Ellis’ crew make a gruesome discovery; someone is burning body parts in a very ritualistic way. Could a cult be responsible for this? What are their motivations? Can his team work out what is happening before another death hits their shores?
I whizzed through this well written story and although the title suggests cosy mystery to me, this is a much darker and more realistic police procedural. It’s got everything I love in a good murder mystery; a great cast of people with their own issues to contend with, interesting plot twists (despite knowing who is responsible all the way through the book) and enough intriguing goings on to keep me reading long well into the night until I finished it. Bernie Steadman is on fire with this book! I must keep up with this series from now on!
Thank you to Bloodhound Books, and #NetGalley for my ARC copy. This is my own opinion and not biased in any way.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Split (2016) in Movies
Feb 4, 2018
2/3 of a good movie
Contains spoilers, click to show
Normally I don't do spoilers, but I don't think it avoidable with this film.
The career of M. Night Shyamalan has produced one classic, a few pretty good, a few just all right and a few pieces of garbage. I guess I feel this film is in the pretty good category.
As with a lot of thrillers, the set up and character introduction is the easy part and this film does that well setting the stage of the kidnappings, the unknown, interesting world in which the girls now live and the unusual kidnapper the ladies are presented with. His relationship with them is mostly curiosity as with the psychiatrist.
Where the film kind of loses it for me was in the third act. Two of the women are completely tossed aside with no remorse after you are given to care about them. The "beast" is borderline unbelievable and sticks out as somewhat contrite.
I had read or been told the film had ties to "Unbreakable", but that vision didn't slap you in the face and i liked that. The appearance of Bruce Willis at the end was a bunch of fun.
Still enjoyed the film enough to recommend
.
The career of M. Night Shyamalan has produced one classic, a few pretty good, a few just all right and a few pieces of garbage. I guess I feel this film is in the pretty good category.
As with a lot of thrillers, the set up and character introduction is the easy part and this film does that well setting the stage of the kidnappings, the unknown, interesting world in which the girls now live and the unusual kidnapper the ladies are presented with. His relationship with them is mostly curiosity as with the psychiatrist.
Where the film kind of loses it for me was in the third act. Two of the women are completely tossed aside with no remorse after you are given to care about them. The "beast" is borderline unbelievable and sticks out as somewhat contrite.
I had read or been told the film had ties to "Unbreakable", but that vision didn't slap you in the face and i liked that. The appearance of Bruce Willis at the end was a bunch of fun.
Still enjoyed the film enough to recommend
.
Merissa (12943 KP) rated Shave & Shimmer (Sangre Trilogy #2) in Books
Mar 22, 2018
Shave & Shimmer (Sangre Trilogy #2) by Alex Carreras
Shave & Shimmer is the second novella in the Sangre Trilogy, and now that Asher has found love, he is determined everyone should. The first person on his matchmaking list is Tory, the high maintenance twink we were first introduced to in Asher & Niko's story. Tory wants to find The One, but has had no luck so far, which is why he agrees to Asher's suggestion that they go on a double-date. It starts off well, but ends badly, through no fault of Tory. He finds out more about Ray's past and what made him react that way.
This is once again a well-written but extremely fast-paced novella. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, no doubt leading to the third and final story. The story, this one moment in their lives, is well-told and is complete. I would love to know more about them, and what their futures hold though.
* 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!
http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=26515
This is once again a well-written but extremely fast-paced novella. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, no doubt leading to the third and final story. The story, this one moment in their lives, is well-told and is complete. I would love to know more about them, and what their futures hold though.
* 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!
http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=26515
MoMoBookDiary (20 KP) rated Then. Now. Always. in Books
Oct 1, 2018
MoMo’s Book Diary highly recommends this latest release from the wonderfully talented Isabelle Broom.
Isabelle Broom has done it again. I had never heard of the town Mojacar on the south coast of Spain before reading this book yet now I have a strong desire to make time to go and discover this town for myself.
Isabelle Broom has a way of writing that takes you deep inside the story and you almost feel you are there along with the characters. I felt the bond between the characters was true to life and very real. The complex and at times troubles that we face through life are sprinkled here perfectly.
I will rave about this book to friends for a long time – and like I did with Isabelle’s last book – A Year And A Day – I will buy and send copies to good friends who I believe will enjoy the book as much as I did.
Thanks to Netgalley, Isabelle Broom and Penguin UK for the chance to read and review this book prior to publication. I was uncontrollably excited when I received the email asking if I would like to review this book and I just couldn't put it down...
Isabelle Broom has done it again. I had never heard of the town Mojacar on the south coast of Spain before reading this book yet now I have a strong desire to make time to go and discover this town for myself.
Isabelle Broom has a way of writing that takes you deep inside the story and you almost feel you are there along with the characters. I felt the bond between the characters was true to life and very real. The complex and at times troubles that we face through life are sprinkled here perfectly.
I will rave about this book to friends for a long time – and like I did with Isabelle’s last book – A Year And A Day – I will buy and send copies to good friends who I believe will enjoy the book as much as I did.
Thanks to Netgalley, Isabelle Broom and Penguin UK for the chance to read and review this book prior to publication. I was uncontrollably excited when I received the email asking if I would like to review this book and I just couldn't put it down...
Justin Taylor (59 KP) rated Treasure Planet (2002) in Movies
Oct 31, 2018
Great characters (3 more)
An awesome soundtrack by John Rezenik lead singer of the goo goo dolls
Awesome action scenes
The subtle Easter eggs to it's source material
Basically if you read the story of treasure island you'll notice there's bound to be some changes or cuts and know that it's pretty much the same story (1 more)
It's a product of it's time. You'll definitely know that the film hasn't aged well which isn't the movies fault. Example A. The bad CG animation at the time was great but today's standards.... probably not so great
Treasure planet is good
An underrated Disney classic treasure planet deserves the praise it gets. The movie is swashbuckling fun and a pretty good movie as well. Now let's see just how good it is well...the movie for starters has a great cast of characters from our main character Jim to the awesome John silver. Also the soundtrack is awesome too with songs like I'm still here being the favorite out of the bunch. Also the movie has some pretty intense moments as well as some humor as well.
If I had to pick one bad about the movie is that it's a pretty generic plot and the story is pretty much more or less the same plot of treasure island
If I had to pick one bad about the movie is that it's a pretty generic plot and the story is pretty much more or less the same plot of treasure island
David McK (3562 KP) rated The Blood Crows (Eagle, #12) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Book number 12 in Simon Scarrow's (what was originally called) Eagle series (before the 'Eagle' moniker was dropped with the publication of [b:Centurion|2993197|Centurion|L.D. Alford|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347251292s/2993197.jpg|3023669]), with this one seeing the return of Roman soldiers Macro and Cato back to the scene of the first novels: back to the still-untamed Britain.
The newly promoted Prefect Cato (who has thus overtaken his old mentor and friend Macro - now a Centurion - in rank), as well as Centurion Macro, are given the task of taking command of a military outpost on the borders of the empire: a military outpost in which the previous Prefect has been killed in mysterious circumstances, and in which (it proves) the current Commander and his Blood Wolves are carrying out a policy of total war against the inhabitants of the valley in which the fort is situated.
It's not long before Cato has to assert his own authority, as well as finding ways to deal with hordes of vengeful natives on his doorstep ...
As before in the series, I found this to be an enjoyable read: it will also be interesting to see where the series goes next! :)
The newly promoted Prefect Cato (who has thus overtaken his old mentor and friend Macro - now a Centurion - in rank), as well as Centurion Macro, are given the task of taking command of a military outpost on the borders of the empire: a military outpost in which the previous Prefect has been killed in mysterious circumstances, and in which (it proves) the current Commander and his Blood Wolves are carrying out a policy of total war against the inhabitants of the valley in which the fort is situated.
It's not long before Cato has to assert his own authority, as well as finding ways to deal with hordes of vengeful natives on his doorstep ...
As before in the series, I found this to be an enjoyable read: it will also be interesting to see where the series goes next! :)
Merissa (12943 KP) rated Divine Challenges (Rise of the Stria #2) in Books
Jan 20, 2020
DIVINE CHALLENGES is the second book in the Rise of Stria trilogy, and we return to Evainne and Kahl as they try to figure out... well, everything, really. Their relationship is still early days but it's amazing how fast something moves when your life is being threatened every which way! I love Evainne's sass and Kahlym's protectiveness; even when he does the wrong thing, his heart is in the right place.
Lots of different players in this one and the action is non-stop once again. The best bit for me is although there are new players, the old ones remain and become even more loved than they were in book one. So easy to see their different personalities now!
This was an amazing read that kept me glued to the page. I will admit a guilty pleasure of re-reading book one, just so I could continue without any gaps. It is exceedingly well-written, with fantastic world- and character-building, and the pacing is perfect, with plenty of action and tender moments. It does end on one helluva cliffhanger, so fair warning. As for me, I can't wait to get the last book and finish off this outstanding story. Highly recommended!
Lots of different players in this one and the action is non-stop once again. The best bit for me is although there are new players, the old ones remain and become even more loved than they were in book one. So easy to see their different personalities now!
This was an amazing read that kept me glued to the page. I will admit a guilty pleasure of re-reading book one, just so I could continue without any gaps. It is exceedingly well-written, with fantastic world- and character-building, and the pacing is perfect, with plenty of action and tender moments. It does end on one helluva cliffhanger, so fair warning. As for me, I can't wait to get the last book and finish off this outstanding story. Highly recommended!