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Merissa (13358 KP) rated The Sheltering Tree in Books
Apr 9, 2021 (Updated Jul 27, 2023)
THE SHELTERING TREE is an amazing story of two opposites who start their relationship as friends with benefits before it moves on to become more. With danger, excitement, and plenty of steam, this was a story I didn't want to end!
I loved how they were both older. Don't get me wrong, I like reading about the 'young 'uns' 𤣠but I do like a more mature man too. And Alistair was supposed to be an almost silver fox, so count me in! And they both had a history - with past loves and lives the other didn't know about. This made them getting to know each other all the more delicious.
I thought the way I was led in one direction, only to be turned completely around, made this an engrossing read, one that kept me turning the pages. There really is something for everyone here. Mystery, suspense, love, friendship, you name it.
And the best part is I can't differentiate between the main characters as to which one is my favourite! They are both outstanding in their own ways. And they are surrounded by an amazing supporting cast, including Connor and Juliet. Throw in the gorgeous setting of Cliveden and you have a romance to burn your Kindle.
This is a good-sized novel, but it still ended too soon for me. I was lost in their world and their relationship. I want more! And yet, I'm so happy with what I got. I adored them both.
The pacing was perfect and the style of writing was smooth. I find it hard to believe this is the author's first full-length novel! What I do know is I will be keeping an eye out in future for more books from her. This is definitely one to keep and re-read! HIGHLY 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!
Apr 9, 2021
I loved how they were both older. Don't get me wrong, I like reading about the 'young 'uns' 𤣠but I do like a more mature man too. And Alistair was supposed to be an almost silver fox, so count me in! And they both had a history - with past loves and lives the other didn't know about. This made them getting to know each other all the more delicious.
I thought the way I was led in one direction, only to be turned completely around, made this an engrossing read, one that kept me turning the pages. There really is something for everyone here. Mystery, suspense, love, friendship, you name it.
And the best part is I can't differentiate between the main characters as to which one is my favourite! They are both outstanding in their own ways. And they are surrounded by an amazing supporting cast, including Connor and Juliet. Throw in the gorgeous setting of Cliveden and you have a romance to burn your Kindle.
This is a good-sized novel, but it still ended too soon for me. I was lost in their world and their relationship. I want more! And yet, I'm so happy with what I got. I adored them both.
The pacing was perfect and the style of writing was smooth. I find it hard to believe this is the author's first full-length novel! What I do know is I will be keeping an eye out in future for more books from her. This is definitely one to keep and re-read! HIGHLY 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!
Apr 9, 2021
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
As a fan of the Pride and Prejudice book by Jane Austen, I thought it was all kinds of wrong when I came across the parody novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, by Seth Grahame-Smith, that essentially Austenâs classic novel with elements of modern zombie fiction. Mainly because Iâm not a fan of horror movies. So as we approached the theater where we were screening Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, I told my husband, âI really donât want to watch this. I hate zombies.â He just laughed. âYou hate zombies, but you watch Walking Dead. Just pretend itâs an episode of Walking dead. Just set near the Victorian era.â I admit, I do watch the Walking Dead but itâs the most stressful hour of television for me, and there are commercial breaks. This movie has a running time for this move was almost 2 hrs with no commercials.
But the movie got a giggle out of me in the first 5 minutes. And of course it made me gasp not long after. But Walking Dead has trained me well, and it wasnât too long ago that I watched Hateful Eight, so I think Iâm quite desensitized to blood and gore now, and in comparison, PPZ was relatively mild in that regard. It also had enough of the elements of the original story that fighting zombies actually became an entertaining digression. You know â beautiful young ladies, dashing young men, ballroom dancing, budding romance, zombie attack.
âTo succeed in polite society, a young woman must be many things. Kind⌠well-read⌠and accomplished. But to survive in the world as WE know it, youâll need⌠other qualities.â Those qualities include being skilled in the martial arts and weapons training, while wearing a corset âessentially making them Regency era bad-asses.
Because I donât watch Downton Abbey, the last time I saw Lily James, who plays Elizabeth Bennett, she was brilliantly blond and sweetly keeping her promise to her mother to âhave courage and be kind.â as Cinderella. In PPZ, sheâs a fierce brunette who doesnât take too kindly to Fitzwilliam Darcy, played by a sullen and haughty Sam Riley â another Disney alum, last seen as Diaval, Maleficentâs companion raven.
Where the Jane Austenâs Mr. Darcy is won over by Elizbethâs charm and wit, PPZâs Darcy is slowly won over by Elizabethâs aggressive and bold battle skills. Adding the alternate history of how zombies came to be a part of Regency era England hurried the story along, so the romantic developments felt a bit rushed, but Rileyâs Darcy was quite believable in his reluctant but growing admiration of Elizabeth.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie, zombies and all. When you can get guys to cheer for some undeadâs head getting blown off, and still make the ladies sigh for the romance, you have a pretty perfect date movie. It may very well be my favorite period costume romantic zombie action film.
But the movie got a giggle out of me in the first 5 minutes. And of course it made me gasp not long after. But Walking Dead has trained me well, and it wasnât too long ago that I watched Hateful Eight, so I think Iâm quite desensitized to blood and gore now, and in comparison, PPZ was relatively mild in that regard. It also had enough of the elements of the original story that fighting zombies actually became an entertaining digression. You know â beautiful young ladies, dashing young men, ballroom dancing, budding romance, zombie attack.
âTo succeed in polite society, a young woman must be many things. Kind⌠well-read⌠and accomplished. But to survive in the world as WE know it, youâll need⌠other qualities.â Those qualities include being skilled in the martial arts and weapons training, while wearing a corset âessentially making them Regency era bad-asses.
Because I donât watch Downton Abbey, the last time I saw Lily James, who plays Elizabeth Bennett, she was brilliantly blond and sweetly keeping her promise to her mother to âhave courage and be kind.â as Cinderella. In PPZ, sheâs a fierce brunette who doesnât take too kindly to Fitzwilliam Darcy, played by a sullen and haughty Sam Riley â another Disney alum, last seen as Diaval, Maleficentâs companion raven.
Where the Jane Austenâs Mr. Darcy is won over by Elizbethâs charm and wit, PPZâs Darcy is slowly won over by Elizabethâs aggressive and bold battle skills. Adding the alternate history of how zombies came to be a part of Regency era England hurried the story along, so the romantic developments felt a bit rushed, but Rileyâs Darcy was quite believable in his reluctant but growing admiration of Elizabeth.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie, zombies and all. When you can get guys to cheer for some undeadâs head getting blown off, and still make the ladies sigh for the romance, you have a pretty perfect date movie. It may very well be my favorite period costume romantic zombie action film.
Midge (525 KP) rated If You're Not The One in Books
Feb 25, 2019
A Fun, Fabulous Book All About Friendship And Love!
What a treat this pleasant and delightful romance was, from the best-seller author, Laura Briggs. I have read a couple of Briggsâ novels before, so I knew when I chose to read this that I would be in for a treat.
Although this book is the third in a series of stories about three women running a wedding planning business together, I thought this story worked fine as a standalone. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Wedding Belles - the three friends with their wedding planning business. Tessa is the planner, Natalie the designer, and Ama the caterer. Each have their own, unique voice and different opinions on love.
The protagonist in this third book is Natalie, the wedding dress designer. Natalie isnât particularly romantic, herself. She doesnât believe in true love, or destiny and she thinks that people are just plain lucky if they happen to find that certain someone. Itâs coincidence and nothing more.
As a wedding dress designer though, she knows she has to keep these feelings under wraps. Even if sheâs suspicious that Harper, the bride sheâs currently working with, might secretly agree with her. However, Natalieâs own love life is not straight-forward. Her family and friends are so keen for Natalie to âsettle downâ that she comes to an agreement with her casual boyfriend, Chad, to call a halt on their constant speculation. But what of boy-next-door, Brayden, who has been smitten with Natalie since they were at High School together?
For me, the greatest part of IF YOUâRE NOT THE ONE is the friendship between these three young women. These are girl-friends with whom you want to share your innermost secrets, to be there for you, or to party or have lunch with.
I love that Laura Briggs writes with flair, which helped to make this novel as wonderful as it is. This book will be highly enjoyable for anyone who loves a good romance. Overall, itâs been an incredibly entertaining story and I very much recommend it.
[Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Laura Briggs for my free ARC, in exchange for my voluntary review.]
Although this book is the third in a series of stories about three women running a wedding planning business together, I thought this story worked fine as a standalone. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Wedding Belles - the three friends with their wedding planning business. Tessa is the planner, Natalie the designer, and Ama the caterer. Each have their own, unique voice and different opinions on love.
The protagonist in this third book is Natalie, the wedding dress designer. Natalie isnât particularly romantic, herself. She doesnât believe in true love, or destiny and she thinks that people are just plain lucky if they happen to find that certain someone. Itâs coincidence and nothing more.
As a wedding dress designer though, she knows she has to keep these feelings under wraps. Even if sheâs suspicious that Harper, the bride sheâs currently working with, might secretly agree with her. However, Natalieâs own love life is not straight-forward. Her family and friends are so keen for Natalie to âsettle downâ that she comes to an agreement with her casual boyfriend, Chad, to call a halt on their constant speculation. But what of boy-next-door, Brayden, who has been smitten with Natalie since they were at High School together?
For me, the greatest part of IF YOUâRE NOT THE ONE is the friendship between these three young women. These are girl-friends with whom you want to share your innermost secrets, to be there for you, or to party or have lunch with.
I love that Laura Briggs writes with flair, which helped to make this novel as wonderful as it is. This book will be highly enjoyable for anyone who loves a good romance. Overall, itâs been an incredibly entertaining story and I very much recommend it.
[Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Laura Briggs for my free ARC, in exchange for my voluntary review.]
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Wanted in Paradise in Books
Jun 18, 2019
Wanted in Paradise by Kate Ashenden is a quick-to-read romance thriller set on the tropical nation of the Maldives. The twenty-five-year-old protagonist, Jasmine Hartwell has been on a hellish journey: surviving a typhoon in the Philippines, which killed thousands of people, and quitting her job because she cannot stand the way her boss treats her. To top it off, her ex-boyfriend has disappeared, presumed dead. After sending her condolences to his good looking superstar brother, Romeo Moretti, Jasmine is offered the chance to join him in the Maldives to help set up a concert in aid of climate change.
Readers are aware that Jasmine has had a crush on Romeo since she met him five years ago but due to their current circumstances, it would not be right for them to form a relationship while her ex, Diego is still missing. That does not stop Jasmine having strong feelings for Romeo and vice versa, however, there is another love interest on the scene. The Sheikh has fallen for Jasmine but Romeo believes he is an evil character set on destroying the concert and taking over the islands. Not only does Jasmine have to contend with this love-triangle, but Romeo's publicist also seems fixed on making things unnecessarily hard for her.
It takes a while for the reader to warm to the characters, especially as the story is fast-paced. It also takes a moment to appreciate the complexities of the storyline; it is not only about romance, but it also encompasses natural disasters, the dangers of climate change and the ignorance and selfishness of those with power. By the closing chapters, readers are enthralled with the potential of a happy-ever-after but still in the knowledge that all could backfire at the last minute.
Wanted in Paradise is Kate Ashenden's debut novel, which, whilst it has room for improvement, gives a taster of her potential. It is the ideal book for those who want a quick read and to be transported to another part of the world to escape the challenged of everyday life.
Readers are aware that Jasmine has had a crush on Romeo since she met him five years ago but due to their current circumstances, it would not be right for them to form a relationship while her ex, Diego is still missing. That does not stop Jasmine having strong feelings for Romeo and vice versa, however, there is another love interest on the scene. The Sheikh has fallen for Jasmine but Romeo believes he is an evil character set on destroying the concert and taking over the islands. Not only does Jasmine have to contend with this love-triangle, but Romeo's publicist also seems fixed on making things unnecessarily hard for her.
It takes a while for the reader to warm to the characters, especially as the story is fast-paced. It also takes a moment to appreciate the complexities of the storyline; it is not only about romance, but it also encompasses natural disasters, the dangers of climate change and the ignorance and selfishness of those with power. By the closing chapters, readers are enthralled with the potential of a happy-ever-after but still in the knowledge that all could backfire at the last minute.
Wanted in Paradise is Kate Ashenden's debut novel, which, whilst it has room for improvement, gives a taster of her potential. It is the ideal book for those who want a quick read and to be transported to another part of the world to escape the challenged of everyday life.
Merissa (13358 KP) created a post
Mar 3, 2021
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