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ClareR (5726 KP) rated Always Greener in Books
Feb 27, 2020 (Updated Feb 27, 2020)
Always Greener is about a reality TV show in the near future, where everyone is permanently glued to their screens through visual implants or AR glasses (if they haven't got the money). How bad is your life? Because if it's REALLY bad, you're more likely to become a contestant on The Grass is Greener, where you'll be watched 24/7 through your visual implants. There's no off switch, there's no privacy - the public want to see everything.
The first couple of chapters were a little hard-going, but I'm glad I persevered. It's a satire of the reality TV that we have today, and J. R. H. Lawless has taken it to it's furthest point, it's most outrageous end. To be fair, I'm sure it could probably be even more heartless, invasive and damaging, but the contestants are saved, to a certain extent, by a host with a conscience.
I did really enjoy this - but I can't say as it made me feel particularly positive about the future: people used as guinea pigs for drugs and procedures untested on anyone else, with fatal consequences; suicide so commonplace, that it has become a steady job for a group of people who clean up after them - what a way to make a living; the total lack of empathy for people who are less fortunate, reduced merely to a prime-time, all-the-time, streaming slot.
Not a future I would want, but a great book, nonetheless. Its a good read!
Many thanks to NetGalley for my copy of this book to read and review.
The first couple of chapters were a little hard-going, but I'm glad I persevered. It's a satire of the reality TV that we have today, and J. R. H. Lawless has taken it to it's furthest point, it's most outrageous end. To be fair, I'm sure it could probably be even more heartless, invasive and damaging, but the contestants are saved, to a certain extent, by a host with a conscience.
I did really enjoy this - but I can't say as it made me feel particularly positive about the future: people used as guinea pigs for drugs and procedures untested on anyone else, with fatal consequences; suicide so commonplace, that it has become a steady job for a group of people who clean up after them - what a way to make a living; the total lack of empathy for people who are less fortunate, reduced merely to a prime-time, all-the-time, streaming slot.
Not a future I would want, but a great book, nonetheless. Its a good read!
Many thanks to NetGalley for my copy of this book to read and review.
The Adventures of an IT Leader
Robert D Austin, Shannon O'Donnell and Richard L Nolan
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What does it take to lead and manage your company's tech? Becoming an effective IT leader and...
The Economics of Race in the United States
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Brendan O'Flaherty brings the tools of economic analysis--incentives, equilibrium, optimization, and...
Yule Log Murder
Barbara Ross, Leslie Meier and Lee Hollis
9.3
Rate It
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Fresh-baked cookies, pies, and cakes can warm even the frostiest Christmases in coastal Maine. But...
Merissa (12066 KP) rated The Diplomatic Heir (Etherya's Earth #7) in Books
Jan 3, 2023
Every page was a delight!
THE DIPLOMATIC HEIR is the seventh book in the Etherya's Earth series and continues with the next generation. This time, it's Tor's turn and he has found his mate in Esme, the disinherited Elven hybrid princess who has spent the majority of her life running from her dastardly father!
Tor is wonderful - handsome, caring, protective - everything you would expect from a son of Miranda and Sathan. He is also a virgin but that isn't the main characteristic. Esme is strong but oh so broken. She constantly makes decisions that hurt her but help those she is trying to protect, whether they want it or not!
Not only do we get their amazing action-packed story, but we also get updates on Miranda and Sathan. Latimus, Evie, and Darkrip have cameos, plus other family members. And not only that, but you meet new characters that I now want their stories too. I'm looking at you, Jaxon! There is so much to this book, every page was a delight.
This was a wonderful addition to the series and, honestly, makes me want to re-read all of them again. I can't wait for book 8 but I guess I must. 😂 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me but, please, start from the beginning so you don't miss anything.
** 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!
Tor is wonderful - handsome, caring, protective - everything you would expect from a son of Miranda and Sathan. He is also a virgin but that isn't the main characteristic. Esme is strong but oh so broken. She constantly makes decisions that hurt her but help those she is trying to protect, whether they want it or not!
Not only do we get their amazing action-packed story, but we also get updates on Miranda and Sathan. Latimus, Evie, and Darkrip have cameos, plus other family members. And not only that, but you meet new characters that I now want their stories too. I'm looking at you, Jaxon! There is so much to this book, every page was a delight.
This was a wonderful addition to the series and, honestly, makes me want to re-read all of them again. I can't wait for book 8 but I guess I must. 😂 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me but, please, start from the beginning so you don't miss anything.
** 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!
Her Druid Temptation (The Amber Druid Series 0.5)
9.0
Rate It
Book
HER DRUID TEMPTATION—A prequel to the AMBER DRUIDS SERIES He’s always been her...
Paranormal Romance Short Stories
Merissa (12066 KP) rated Crashed (Gold Hockey #12) in Books
Jul 28, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)
CRASHED is the twelfth book in the Gold Hockey series but you can read it as a standalone as I have.
Fanny is single and happy to be so after she has spent ten years trying to piece her heart back together. It feels broken all over again when the man she has been trying to forget comes back into her life. Brandon has more regrets about Fanny than he knows what to do with, but one thing is sure. He loves her and wants her back.
This is another winner for Elise Faber. Not only does she have a couple of fantastic characters in Fanny and Brandon, but the story itself sweeps you off your feet. My heart broke for Fanny as she remembered, and the reader found out, just what had happened to hurt her so badly. But then it also broke for Brandon, for forgetting so much. The other characters support them and move the story forward.
I was able to read this as a standalone although I am now left wanting ALL the others, including Scar and Kaydon's story which is due next! Fanny and Brandon have made me smile, laugh, and feel sorrow, so it's only right that I recommend you have all the feels I did! 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!
Jul 28, 2021
Fanny is single and happy to be so after she has spent ten years trying to piece her heart back together. It feels broken all over again when the man she has been trying to forget comes back into her life. Brandon has more regrets about Fanny than he knows what to do with, but one thing is sure. He loves her and wants her back.
This is another winner for Elise Faber. Not only does she have a couple of fantastic characters in Fanny and Brandon, but the story itself sweeps you off your feet. My heart broke for Fanny as she remembered, and the reader found out, just what had happened to hurt her so badly. But then it also broke for Brandon, for forgetting so much. The other characters support them and move the story forward.
I was able to read this as a standalone although I am now left wanting ALL the others, including Scar and Kaydon's story which is due next! Fanny and Brandon have made me smile, laugh, and feel sorrow, so it's only right that I recommend you have all the feels I did! 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!
Jul 28, 2021
Merissa (12066 KP) rated Songbird (The Tudor Court #1) in Books
Apr 13, 2021 (Updated Jul 27, 2023)
SONGBIRD is the first book in the Tudor Court series, and we are introduced to the world of King Henry VIII, and his love of music. Bess is sold to the King just before her tenth birthday and, with hard study and lots of practice, becomes a favourite of his. We stay with her as she grows from a young child, to a young woman, with friends and lovers along the way.
Reading about Henry, Katherine, Mary, and the Boleyn sisters, from a servant's perspective made it all the more fascinating. Her life at court is comfortable, but she is still a servant. There is romance for Bess, from Tom, who was with her from the start, to Nick, a courtier currently in favour with the King. Bess has her own choices to make, some of which end up being heartbreaking.
If I had one thing to say, it would be I was disappointed we skipped so much of Henry's reign, but then, if we'd had it all, it would have been enough for more books! A fascinating story, with realism and character development a-plenty. This was a book I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending, and I am so happy to see there is a second book in this series!
* 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 13, 2021
Reading about Henry, Katherine, Mary, and the Boleyn sisters, from a servant's perspective made it all the more fascinating. Her life at court is comfortable, but she is still a servant. There is romance for Bess, from Tom, who was with her from the start, to Nick, a courtier currently in favour with the King. Bess has her own choices to make, some of which end up being heartbreaking.
If I had one thing to say, it would be I was disappointed we skipped so much of Henry's reign, but then, if we'd had it all, it would have been enough for more books! A fascinating story, with realism and character development a-plenty. This was a book I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending, and I am so happy to see there is a second book in this series!
* 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 13, 2021
Merissa (12066 KP) rated The Rebellious Pet (Alien Slave Masters #2) in Books
Jun 6, 2023
We first met Joel in The Captain's Pet, where the story involved Wid and Captain Kell. This time, Joel has gone to a space station with his Master as Firth has become ill. They are hoping that the healing waters of the station will enable him to recover. Lalith, the ruling matriarch of the space station, decrees that Arath is in charge of Joel. He is thus passed from one Master to another, with everything that goes with that. Arath is a strong character, with his own set of standards and foibles. These two come to an understanding, and Joel also makes friends with a cadet called Wen. Just as he thinks his life is bearable, he uncovers a plot which could change everything.
This was exceedingly well-written, with a fast but smooth pace that builds up to a climactic ending. There was a twist with the females that literally had me laughing out loud. Joel and Arath have a satisfying ending to their story, but I hope to see more of them in the future. With no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this is a wonderful addition to the Alien Slave Masters series. These books come with a Reader's Advisory - please take note of it as these are not to everyone's taste!
* 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 19, 2016
This was exceedingly well-written, with a fast but smooth pace that builds up to a climactic ending. There was a twist with the females that literally had me laughing out loud. Joel and Arath have a satisfying ending to their story, but I hope to see more of them in the future. With no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this is a wonderful addition to the Alien Slave Masters series. These books come with a Reader's Advisory - please take note of it as these are not to everyone's taste!
* 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 19, 2016
Dana (24 KP) rated Snow like Ashes in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I was very interested by this book. I had gotten it as a Christmas present from one of my family members, but I had never actually picked it up to read. So when I decided to, I was pleasantly surprised.
I have been reading a lot of high fantasy novels as of late, and this had may similarities to them, but they were good commonalities.
I have been falling more and more in love with the kick ass lead female character in novels. It has been really great to see strong females emerging more and more each year.
The characters were fleshed out very well, but in the next book, I would like to see more of what they are doing and why they are doing it. I want to see the consequences of their actions. It was fun to see how the characters interacted with one another.
One of my favorite parts of high fantasy novels is the character names. I love how unique they are and this novel had just that. The creativity of the names is very refreshing.
Even though there was a bit of a love triangle, it was very tastefully done. It was refreshing to see that the entire story wasn't centered around the love triangle and that the main character was making choices, not based on the guys in her life, but what would be best for her and her people.
I loved the idea of the novel and how there were eight realms, the four seasons and the four other places. To add to this I loved how the names of the capitals were named after months in those seasons.
Even though I called the ending before I read it, it was still interesting to see how it would all play out.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes high fantasy novels, the different magical abilities people can have, or if they just want a great read.
I can't wait until the next novel!
I have been reading a lot of high fantasy novels as of late, and this had may similarities to them, but they were good commonalities.
I have been falling more and more in love with the kick ass lead female character in novels. It has been really great to see strong females emerging more and more each year.
The characters were fleshed out very well, but in the next book, I would like to see more of what they are doing and why they are doing it. I want to see the consequences of their actions. It was fun to see how the characters interacted with one another.
One of my favorite parts of high fantasy novels is the character names. I love how unique they are and this novel had just that. The creativity of the names is very refreshing.
Even though there was a bit of a love triangle, it was very tastefully done. It was refreshing to see that the entire story wasn't centered around the love triangle and that the main character was making choices, not based on the guys in her life, but what would be best for her and her people.
I loved the idea of the novel and how there were eight realms, the four seasons and the four other places. To add to this I loved how the names of the capitals were named after months in those seasons.
Even though I called the ending before I read it, it was still interesting to see how it would all play out.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes high fantasy novels, the different magical abilities people can have, or if they just want a great read.
I can't wait until the next novel!