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Jamie (131 KP) rated The Grave Tender in Books
Jul 30, 2017
A haunting southern gothic
The Grave Tender is a haunting and beautifully woven southern gothic about a broken family and the love that binds them together. The story starts slow as the story introduces Hadley, her friends, family, and their small town which on the surface seems idyllic. It’s the sort of town where everyone knows each other over generations, but the smiling town hides many secrets.
What I loved most about this book was how it dealt with matters of appearance. It’s easy to point fingers and blame those that look the most guilty, who are the most eccentric. It’s the folly of letting appearances dictate our perception of the people around us. Evil is committed every day by seemingly normal people, and true monsters masquerade under the guise of banality.
The book deals with some of the most horrible situations a person can go through with extreme delicacy. Not everyone has a happy ending, sometimes there are crimes that go unpunished, sometimes victims never receive justice, some wounds heal but many more never do. I cried so much while reading this book because of how close to home it hit for me, I was honestly touched.
I can’t say much more about the book because it’s really the sort of story that needs to be experienced without spoilers. I will however note that the content in this book is difficult to stomach. For a survivor of abuse it can be either cathartic or utterly horrifying, which is why I’ve added a trigger warning in the list of warnings below. I cautiously recommend this book for those ready for a poignant and unflinchingly honest exploration of domestic abuse.
What I loved most about this book was how it dealt with matters of appearance. It’s easy to point fingers and blame those that look the most guilty, who are the most eccentric. It’s the folly of letting appearances dictate our perception of the people around us. Evil is committed every day by seemingly normal people, and true monsters masquerade under the guise of banality.
The book deals with some of the most horrible situations a person can go through with extreme delicacy. Not everyone has a happy ending, sometimes there are crimes that go unpunished, sometimes victims never receive justice, some wounds heal but many more never do. I cried so much while reading this book because of how close to home it hit for me, I was honestly touched.
I can’t say much more about the book because it’s really the sort of story that needs to be experienced without spoilers. I will however note that the content in this book is difficult to stomach. For a survivor of abuse it can be either cathartic or utterly horrifying, which is why I’ve added a trigger warning in the list of warnings below. I cautiously recommend this book for those ready for a poignant and unflinchingly honest exploration of domestic abuse.
Un-put-downable! Yes, yes, I did go there. How could I not? This book is just that! Very hard to put down! I loved Ms. Barratt's captivating writing style and her historically rich plot line. I was up long into the night reading this novel and didn't want it to end. I could feel myself following the characters' journeys, seeing Niagra Falls come to life before me.
Getting to know Adele and Drew was refreshing. I loved their characters each equally. Drew's character really reminded me of a tender hearted guy that I could fall hard for. The love he had for his sister was evident and really made for a swoonworthy man. Adele, bless her, I loved how I could "hear" her English accent when she spoke to Drew. I loved that, since my mom's best friend is from England and I love to listen to her talk. Seeing Adele and Drew together.....well, I rooted for them until the end!
The journey that Adele takes isn't an easy one. It's a long, bumpy ride for sure. But, Ms. Barratt throws in the perfect amount of twists, and a whole lot of love and understanding from God and creates a wonderful, soul stealing story.
This is definitely a book I would recommend to all with a 4 star, two thumbs up, hats off praise! Ms. Barratt did a phenomenal job with her addition to the MY HEART BELONGS series, and I can't wait to add more of her books to my shelves. She's truly talented and definitely knows what to give readers who are looking for a "up all night, page turning, heart capturing" novel. Bravo, Ms. Barratt, bravo!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Getting to know Adele and Drew was refreshing. I loved their characters each equally. Drew's character really reminded me of a tender hearted guy that I could fall hard for. The love he had for his sister was evident and really made for a swoonworthy man. Adele, bless her, I loved how I could "hear" her English accent when she spoke to Drew. I loved that, since my mom's best friend is from England and I love to listen to her talk. Seeing Adele and Drew together.....well, I rooted for them until the end!
The journey that Adele takes isn't an easy one. It's a long, bumpy ride for sure. But, Ms. Barratt throws in the perfect amount of twists, and a whole lot of love and understanding from God and creates a wonderful, soul stealing story.
This is definitely a book I would recommend to all with a 4 star, two thumbs up, hats off praise! Ms. Barratt did a phenomenal job with her addition to the MY HEART BELONGS series, and I can't wait to add more of her books to my shelves. She's truly talented and definitely knows what to give readers who are looking for a "up all night, page turning, heart capturing" novel. Bravo, Ms. Barratt, bravo!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated Where the Fire Falls (Vintage National Parks, #2) in Books
Feb 27, 2019
Ms. Barnett is back and she's done it again! Another fabulous park mystery with amazing characters and a twisty plot line, all filled with God's grace! I loved this one as much as the first one and I am so glad I read it!
Ms. Barnett takes us to the heart of Yosemite during the '20s. It was such a fun time getting to know the world back then, along with being introduced to Olivia and Clark. Both had decisions to make, both knew there was a lot at stake. Watching them throughout this novel was not only interesting, it was a fresh of breath air! I became a part of the story and loved feeling as though I was right there next to them! My son's grandparents travel the United States in their RV and visit some of the National Parks and I've heard them tell some great things, but they don't describe near like Ms. Barnett does! She truly is wonderful with her character creations and her descriptions!
This is definitely a 4.5 star worthy novel! Clark and Olivia come to life with each page turn, the romance is tender and the messages of truth and accepting God's will are strong through the entire story. From start to finish, Ms. Barnett had me hooked, and I never lost interest! If you are looking for a fun novel that will transport you back in history, then this is a novel just for you. Ms. Barnett's writing style will captivate you and you'll become a fan for life! I can't wait for book 3!!! Well done, Ms. Barnett!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Ms. Barnett takes us to the heart of Yosemite during the '20s. It was such a fun time getting to know the world back then, along with being introduced to Olivia and Clark. Both had decisions to make, both knew there was a lot at stake. Watching them throughout this novel was not only interesting, it was a fresh of breath air! I became a part of the story and loved feeling as though I was right there next to them! My son's grandparents travel the United States in their RV and visit some of the National Parks and I've heard them tell some great things, but they don't describe near like Ms. Barnett does! She truly is wonderful with her character creations and her descriptions!
This is definitely a 4.5 star worthy novel! Clark and Olivia come to life with each page turn, the romance is tender and the messages of truth and accepting God's will are strong through the entire story. From start to finish, Ms. Barnett had me hooked, and I never lost interest! If you are looking for a fun novel that will transport you back in history, then this is a novel just for you. Ms. Barnett's writing style will captivate you and you'll become a fan for life! I can't wait for book 3!!! Well done, Ms. Barnett!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Tender by Shai Amit (#promotion) This book looks like it a story about a young boy. This young boy goes on a journey of his life. We see how deals with his growing up. We also see how he deals with all kinds of emotions from death, to finding his love of this life. We get in an depth of how you can destroy your own spirit. We get to learn and get try and get understanding. We also see his success and many crashes. He learn even what love is like or is and though friendships. You could be looking and end up emptying your spirit of that love. You really can not say it based on one thing. It goes about this with giving you different way as it could be about yourself. The rating I would give this is a 4.5 moons. The reason for this is that I really did not get what most of it was about except that it might be a romance. I do know it a little more about trying to understand himself and what love is about. Well that's want I think if about. You can destroy yourself be giving all the time and not know if it really love that doing the drive or if it sex driven drive. This book I would suggest only be for Adults that are 18 and up. There a few words in here that are not for young adults. These words are a bit sexual. I have parents be advised and I will let you decide for your Teenagers if this book is appropriate. To me I advise for this to be for Adults ages from 17 and up.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Evvie Drake Starts Over in Books
Mar 19, 2020
Oh goodness, what can I say about Evvie that hasn't been said before? Nothing, I'm sure. This is such raw, real, funny, and lovely read. Evvie Drake lives alone in her small Maine town. She's recently widowed and the entire town--including her best friend, Andy--thinks her solitude is due to her grief. Meanwhile, in New York, pitcher Dean Tenney is a national joke. He's struggling with the "yips" --Dean can no longer pitch properly, and he has no idea why. Dean is also Andy's childhood friend, and so he accepts an invitation to stay in Evvie's back apartment. She needs the money, and he needs a place to get away. They make a deal: he won't ask about her husband, and she won't ask about baseball. But, even so, the two form an unlikely friendship.
Oh yeah, you say, I can see where this is going. They'll form a "friendship" and it will bloom into something more and yeah, yeah. Well, maybe. But this book is so much more than a typical romance. Evvie is not a romance caricature at all. There is true grief that screams across the pages in this novel--Evvie's and, yes, Dean's too. Dean is not just a celebrity love interest tossed in for fun. You root for him--and for them.
This story, this book. It has these funny moments and cute sections. It's sweet and tender, but there is no schmaltz. And Holmes weaves in pop culture quite seamlessly, too. Evvie and Dean will seem like people to you, your friends, and they will break your hearts, and yet, in the end, maybe mend them too. This is a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it. 4.5 stars.
Oh yeah, you say, I can see where this is going. They'll form a "friendship" and it will bloom into something more and yeah, yeah. Well, maybe. But this book is so much more than a typical romance. Evvie is not a romance caricature at all. There is true grief that screams across the pages in this novel--Evvie's and, yes, Dean's too. Dean is not just a celebrity love interest tossed in for fun. You root for him--and for them.
This story, this book. It has these funny moments and cute sections. It's sweet and tender, but there is no schmaltz. And Holmes weaves in pop culture quite seamlessly, too. Evvie and Dean will seem like people to you, your friends, and they will break your hearts, and yet, in the end, maybe mend them too. This is a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it. 4.5 stars.
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