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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated All That Is Necessary in Books
Mar 9, 2018
20 years ago, the small Boston town of Exeter was rocked when it was learned the Boston mob was using the swamp to dump bodies. Now, Rick, the son of one of the men convicted as a result, is moving back to town. And his old friends don't know what to make of it. I could not put this book down, literally reading most of it in one day. While not a mystery, the tension is still very real, and the characters are so great you want to root for them. NOTE: Jennie is a friend who sent me the book for free. I honestly can't wait for the sequel to come out.
<a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/01/amazon.html">Read my full review at Carstairs Considers</a>.
<a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/01/amazon.html">Read my full review at Carstairs Considers</a>.

Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Two-Way Street in Books
Jan 6, 2021
Firstly, this book was written almost ten years ago when MySpace was a really popular site. Now if it had been a newer, edited version where all the MySpace's were replaced with Facebook or Twitter I might have gelled with it a little more.
Secondly, it's supposed to be YA but the way the characters were acting for 18 year olds was pretty ridiculous at times. It was like they were fifteen or something. I struggled to get Courtney. She was so annoying at times, so whiny and inner turmoil-y. So immature compared to some other books I've read lately.
Thirdly, the thing that split them up was pretty obvious after about 100 pages. A lot of drama over something that could have been so easily sorted out.
Not my sort of book.
Secondly, it's supposed to be YA but the way the characters were acting for 18 year olds was pretty ridiculous at times. It was like they were fifteen or something. I struggled to get Courtney. She was so annoying at times, so whiny and inner turmoil-y. So immature compared to some other books I've read lately.
Thirdly, the thing that split them up was pretty obvious after about 100 pages. A lot of drama over something that could have been so easily sorted out.
Not my sort of book.

Debbiereadsbook (1441 KP) rated A Star to Sail By in Books
Sep 9, 2023
loved being kept on my toes!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Crispin wanted to be in the Navy, and now he finds himself on a pirate ship, helping them. But these pirates aren't like anything he heard about and Billy, especially, calls to him for reasons he can't figure out. Billy knows though, and it takes a storm to bring them finally to admit to each other what they could be.
What I especially liked about this, was being kept on my toes!
We are aware that something happened to Crispin to mean he is surviving on a merchant ship, and is no longer in the Royal Navy, but not WHY. We know Billy hates Naval officers, but not WHY. And we get the answers to both almost at the same time. Very different reasons, but equally devastating to them. I'm not going to go into it, for spoilers, but difficult reading, Billy's especially. Be mindful of the trigger warnings on this book.
It's not especially explicit, but I didn't mind that here. It's more about the feeling these two men have for each other, and knowing that they can be together, in this time, and be safe.
It is, however, quite violent. These pirates are ...reasonable...in their behaviours, but things happen and then Crispin and Billy are dealt a nasty blow. The level of violence is not graphic, though it does carry some detailed descriptions of punishments and the aftermath. Also, the reason Billy hates Naval officers is described in some detail.
It's not a complicated read, and I found I read it faster than I normally would for a book of this length, some 370 pages.
First I've read of this author, I like the way she spins her tales. I'll certainly read more by this author.
A very enjoyable, 4 star read
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Crispin wanted to be in the Navy, and now he finds himself on a pirate ship, helping them. But these pirates aren't like anything he heard about and Billy, especially, calls to him for reasons he can't figure out. Billy knows though, and it takes a storm to bring them finally to admit to each other what they could be.
What I especially liked about this, was being kept on my toes!
We are aware that something happened to Crispin to mean he is surviving on a merchant ship, and is no longer in the Royal Navy, but not WHY. We know Billy hates Naval officers, but not WHY. And we get the answers to both almost at the same time. Very different reasons, but equally devastating to them. I'm not going to go into it, for spoilers, but difficult reading, Billy's especially. Be mindful of the trigger warnings on this book.
It's not especially explicit, but I didn't mind that here. It's more about the feeling these two men have for each other, and knowing that they can be together, in this time, and be safe.
It is, however, quite violent. These pirates are ...reasonable...in their behaviours, but things happen and then Crispin and Billy are dealt a nasty blow. The level of violence is not graphic, though it does carry some detailed descriptions of punishments and the aftermath. Also, the reason Billy hates Naval officers is described in some detail.
It's not a complicated read, and I found I read it faster than I normally would for a book of this length, some 370 pages.
First I've read of this author, I like the way she spins her tales. I'll certainly read more by this author.
A very enjoyable, 4 star read
*same worded review will appear elsewhere

Debbiereadsbook (1441 KP) rated Sloane's List in Books
Dec 19, 2023
high on the cute scale!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Sloane is now an empty nester, after sending her 18 year old daughter off to college. She has a list of ten things she wants to do. She just needs a man to help her. Enter Oscar. He meets her the day before Paige goes off, and is smitten from then on. But Oscar is younger than Sloane, and has a bit of a reputation. What's a girl to do, eh?
Bar one thing, and I will come back to that, I loved this!
It's a really easy read, and I mean that in a very VERY good way.
There were some plot lines I did not see coming, so well played there, but the penny did drop really fast! And some coming at ya like a freaking freight train, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it. But I loved that! Sometimes, it really is lovely to see it all laid out for you.
It's not overly explicit, and I loved that here, for these two. I was expecting it to be, for some reason, and I loved being proven wrong about what I needed to read at this point in time.
Fairly low on the angst scale, but high on the cute scale and scorching on the warm and fuzzy scale!
I loved that we got to hear from both Sloane and Oscar, but also from Paige (Sloane's daughter) Alex (Oscar's brother) and the mother hen in the apartment complex, Auntie Ernie.
So, what didn't I like? Simple. First person, present tense AND multi point of view. In fact, I very VERY nearly dumped this, once I saw how it was written. So very VERY glad I didn't!
I haven't read anything by this author before, and I think I'd like to read something with a bit more bite.
But still, a very VERY good, 4 star read.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Sloane is now an empty nester, after sending her 18 year old daughter off to college. She has a list of ten things she wants to do. She just needs a man to help her. Enter Oscar. He meets her the day before Paige goes off, and is smitten from then on. But Oscar is younger than Sloane, and has a bit of a reputation. What's a girl to do, eh?
Bar one thing, and I will come back to that, I loved this!
It's a really easy read, and I mean that in a very VERY good way.
There were some plot lines I did not see coming, so well played there, but the penny did drop really fast! And some coming at ya like a freaking freight train, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it. But I loved that! Sometimes, it really is lovely to see it all laid out for you.
It's not overly explicit, and I loved that here, for these two. I was expecting it to be, for some reason, and I loved being proven wrong about what I needed to read at this point in time.
Fairly low on the angst scale, but high on the cute scale and scorching on the warm and fuzzy scale!
I loved that we got to hear from both Sloane and Oscar, but also from Paige (Sloane's daughter) Alex (Oscar's brother) and the mother hen in the apartment complex, Auntie Ernie.
So, what didn't I like? Simple. First person, present tense AND multi point of view. In fact, I very VERY nearly dumped this, once I saw how it was written. So very VERY glad I didn't!
I haven't read anything by this author before, and I think I'd like to read something with a bit more bite.
But still, a very VERY good, 4 star read.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
I really enjoy Steve Harvey as a comedian, but this book just didn't do it for me. Maybe the book would have been helpful when I was still dating but now that I am in a relationship the advise seemed obvious. Even if I was still dating I think most of his advise is common knowledge on how to conduct yourself as a lady but I guess some people need help in that area. The first chapter was the most helpful for me. After that I just read to finish the book. I really wouldn't recommend this book to anyone I know,but it could be helpful to some single women out there.

Auburn (57 KP) rated The Warrior Maiden (Hagenheim, #9) in Books
Apr 10, 2019
Another fantastic addition to some wonderfully reimagined fairy tales. The author does a beautiful job weaving the classic story of Mulan in a Lituanian world. It also gives us a look at two of the youngest members of the Duke of Hagenheims family.
Throughout each book another fairytale unfolds and one of the Dukes children is a central part. I enjoy seeing what happened to the older children now married and how we receive a glimpse of their furtures through these books.
As always it is a well done version of Mulan that captures the soul of a warrior. A must read for fans of romance, fairy tales, and Melanie Dickerson's stories.
Throughout each book another fairytale unfolds and one of the Dukes children is a central part. I enjoy seeing what happened to the older children now married and how we receive a glimpse of their furtures through these books.
As always it is a well done version of Mulan that captures the soul of a warrior. A must read for fans of romance, fairy tales, and Melanie Dickerson's stories.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Attack of the BULLIES (NERDS, #5) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Now that Miss Information has entered the scene, the kids in NERDS are over worked trying to stop her many schemes. But when she creates her own team, the BULLIES, will Ruby be able to leads the NERDS to stop them?
This is the final book in the series, and it goes out in fine form. There's action. There's laughs. And Ruby gets her turn in the spotlight as well. The book does a good job of wrapping things up in a way that will satisfy fans. It certainly did for me.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-review-nerds-attack-of-bullies-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is the final book in the series, and it goes out in fine form. There's action. There's laughs. And Ruby gets her turn in the spotlight as well. The book does a good job of wrapping things up in a way that will satisfy fans. It certainly did for me.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-review-nerds-attack-of-bullies-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated Fickle in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Read my full review here! https://bookbumzuky.wordpress.com/2017/01/06/fickle-by-peter-manus/
AVAILABLE NOW!
Like most other reviewers, Im digging the way this was laid out. Its set up as if were reading a blog, we get the post and then we get the comments too. Its fun and informal. My only issue with the blogging aspect of this is that the characters type like idiots and occasionally use abbreviations I dont understand.
There are a number of characters in this novel when you include all the blog family. Our main characters are Fickel, Mysterious Hottie and Burly Bear and I didnt particularly like any of them...
AVAILABLE NOW!
Like most other reviewers, Im digging the way this was laid out. Its set up as if were reading a blog, we get the post and then we get the comments too. Its fun and informal. My only issue with the blogging aspect of this is that the characters type like idiots and occasionally use abbreviations I dont understand.
There are a number of characters in this novel when you include all the blog family. Our main characters are Fickel, Mysterious Hottie and Burly Bear and I didnt particularly like any of them...

BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Guard (The Selection, #2.5) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
By now you will be quite familiar with Aspen Leger. The man who first broke America's heart and the main reason she signed up for the selection in the first place. But who is the man behind the sweet words and tender kisses? The man who thought he had nothing to offer.
"We know you're strong, but accepting help is its own kind of strength."
- Happily Ever After (The Guard) - page 244
There are several scenes that overlap from The Elite in this novella. It was enlightening to see these scenes unfold through Aspen's perspective. Very helpful overall to learn more about his character. It is perfect to read AFTER The Elite.
"We know you're strong, but accepting help is its own kind of strength."
- Happily Ever After (The Guard) - page 244
There are several scenes that overlap from The Elite in this novella. It was enlightening to see these scenes unfold through Aspen's perspective. Very helpful overall to learn more about his character. It is perfect to read AFTER The Elite.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Book
This classic story of Sophie and her extraordinary tea-time guest has been loved by millions of...