I liked it, very sarcastic, set in the first person. It reminded me of the way I think, I don't vocalize what I think, most of the time(it would get m...moreI liked it, very sarcastic, set in the first person. It reminded me of the way I think, I don't vocalize what I think, most of the time(it would get me into as much trouble as it does her). Charley Davidson is a kick butt PI and a grim reaper. She's fast and funny with a quick comment to make about everything. I liked her uncle and the cop that she butts heads with. Reyes is hot, hot, hot and boy what a shock when you learn his origin. Not much real sex, supernatural love, at least a bit. This was funny, fast paced and interesting to read. I look forward to the next book she writes to see what happens in Charley's life. Thanks to the publisher for sending me this advanced copy.(less)
For a first novel it wasn't awful, but it needs some work. The dialog in places is stilted and slow. It was a bit far fetched for me and I read a bit...moreFor a first novel it wasn't awful, but it needs some work. The dialog in places is stilted and slow. It was a bit far fetched for me and I read a bit of everything. It was fast to read(short.) I may have put it down if I hadn't promised myself to read books I win or am given, by the author or publisher, in a day or two so I can post a review. It was OK, not really my thing. (less)
Interesting and lots of music talk. The people he met and trained with or trained, were impressive. I love that he can trace his teacher back, through...moreInteresting and lots of music talk. The people he met and trained with or trained, were impressive. I love that he can trace his teacher back, through teachers, to Beethoven. He seemed to have the same problems many celebrities have with personal relationships, three marriages and two families of children(opus 1 and opus 2). As most celebrities he felt the need to share his political views at the end of the book. He is disgusted with the current president and his policies, I had to agree with him. Of course he was talking of President Bush and I'm talking about Obama. It was a good book and fast to read, an interesting look at a music filled-life. Maybe not always the way he imagined, but music inspired and enjoyed all the same. I won this on the giveaway section and received it in the mail today. Thank you Random House and Leon Fleisher for this experience. I'm going to give this to my children's piano teacher to enjoy next.(less)
Fantasy is not something I read a lot of, but this story kept my interest. I had a uncorrected proofs copy and so I found a few misspelled words and s...moreFantasy is not something I read a lot of, but this story kept my interest. I had a uncorrected proofs copy and so I found a few misspelled words and sentences that needed restructuring (I'm sure this will be fixed in the bound book). The story was interesting, if not a bit long. This is the first book in a series, so it was setting up the story for the rest of the books. The hero is an interesting kid, his life is turned upside down and hopefully he will come out OK in the end. I'm not sure how the author is going to accomplish this, it will be interesting to read the rest and find out. The idea that 'Dark' is the same as 'Evil', seems to be a common theme in fantasy. Except that the author has turned that around in this story. My son wants to read this next, he is a fantasy fan and currently reading a series about dragons. This will be a good book for him, adult themes are tamed down and the hero is only 19. I look forward to book number two. I won this on Goodreads giveaway.(less)
History, murder, friendships sold for nothing, love, death, wax, the guillotine, high fashion, corruption, deceit, despair, loss and more. This book h...moreHistory, murder, friendships sold for nothing, love, death, wax, the guillotine, high fashion, corruption, deceit, despair, loss and more. This book has it. The story constructed around the history of the French Revolution kept me reading late into the night. I wanted to know what happened to Marie and to her family. Would she lose Henri forever? Would the salon be lost and with it all her work? Would she be captured and tried as a Royalist? Marie and her family played both sides to survive, she assisted the Kings family and she made the wax death masks for the Revolutionists. Her mother called them Survivalists, but Marie worried that by tutoring a royal and being friends with the other side, her family would suffer. Fear for her life and the lives of those she loved kept her working, but would she be able to keep playing both sides undetected? Would they capture her and her family, and if they did what would happen to them?
The characters in this book keep you tied to the story, will they live, will they die. You really care about each one and worry for them. Marie is a strong independent woman who wants to be known for her art, but she finds that there is more to life then fame and fortune. Love is found and lost in a moment of indecision where death is around every corner. Her wax museum kept up with the news and produced scenes for the people to see of the weekly happenings(early TV news). Writers wrote and spoke the news filling the French with their sensationalistic words and lies. Truth didn't sell newspapers or make a writer famous, but the better the lies the more they sold. Isn't that the way it is with life now?
If you love historical/fiction you will enjoy this book. This book is well written and fast to read. I now wish we hadn't skipped Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum when we were in London. I won this on Goodreads giveaways.(less)
I liked it. I need an evil plan, I need to start thinking about what I can do to make a difference in life and in my life especially. What can I give-...moreI liked it. I need an evil plan, I need to start thinking about what I can do to make a difference in life and in my life especially. What can I give-away and back. Wakers, I want to be one. Haters, I want to have some of those(I think I may already(how exciting).) Life is for the living and taking a risk has never been easy for me, but I need to do what I need to do. I've written four books and only me and a close friend have read them. My friend wants me to do more then just write them and maybe now I will. Nothing is ever going to be perfect, but that is where the fun lies. How boring it would be, who would want to touch it, read it, look at it, eat it, if it were absolutely perfect? No one. I'm not perfect and neither will anything I produce. My blog, my kids, my cooking, my writing, and me, all works in progress. Like the book, 'Think Like a Black-Belt' says, "I can just try to be better today then I was yesterday."
This is a fun book and educational at the same time. I hope my senior in HS will read it next, I think he's creative at heart and working 9-5 may kill him. He's a thinker and a performer but working for someone else will be a challenge. I'm easily bored(ADHD maybe?) and so being a substitute teacher keeps that at bay, but it also limits my exposure to the students(which I love.) I think I may be settling because it is comfortable right now, but I really don't want to look back and wonder why I didn't step out of my comfort zone when I had the chance. Change is going to happen whether I like it or not, I may as well get started now.
Read this book and think about what you can do. The world is a changin', can you keep up? I won this on Goodreads giveaways.(less)
This is scary and since we all will be old someday, this is a good book to read. Elder abuse is a real issue, ma...moreI won this book at Librarything.coms.
This is scary and since we all will be old someday, this is a good book to read. Elder abuse is a real issue, made more so as the Baby-boomers retire. My grandmother was abused in the care center she was sent to following a stroke. You think you are doing the best thing for your love ones and then something happens to make you rethink the whole thing.
This book starts with a story of her mother, who was abused in a care facility. She outlines what happened following the abuse and what steps they took to protect her mother in the future. The author then went on to make sure that others were aware of the problems going on in care facilities for the elderly. She then outlines what you can do to protect your loved ones and to help ensure their safety. We will all face this tough decisions. What do we do when our parents are no longer capable of caring for themselves? Where so we look for the information we need to make a educated decision, and how do we go about checking out the facilities around us?
This is a great resource for those who need to make these tough decisions. Someday we all will be at the mercy of those who care for us. The decision to move into a care facility cannot be taken lightly. This book will assist you in knowing where to look, who to talk with, and what questions to ask. (less)
I want to give it 3 1/2 stars, it was good but very long and drawn out. The story was interesting, but the descriptions were huge and went on and on a...moreI want to give it 3 1/2 stars, it was good but very long and drawn out. The story was interesting, but the descriptions were huge and went on and on and on. Alice is lost and thinks she can somehow find herself in the propagation of a rare orchid, but she discovers that it only brings pain into her life. Richard is also lost and looking for something to help him get over the war and the horrors he had to live. They both need something, but neither knows what. Geoffrey is a piece of work who desperately is looking for a cure to his scaly skin. His search drives him a bit mad and the death of a old women drives him over the edge. The story revolves around the orchid and everyones obsession with it, Alice wants it for her sister, Geoffrey for its medicinal properties, Richard for its place in the world and the old women for its herbal value. Alice does realize she should never have touched it in the first place, but only after it was too late to change her future. Many innocent people are hurt because of this flower and because of the actions of others, this is how real life works most of the time. The end is good and even with the on and on and on the book went, I enjoyed the story and the ending. If I hadn't needed to review it I'm not sure I would have worked through it so fast. Lots of pages and many could have been cut to allow the story to be more easily discovered by the reader. I won this on Goodreads giveaways.(less)
I want to give it 3 1/2 stars, I liked it better then 3, but some of the writing needs to be firmed up in places. The start of the book was confusing...moreI want to give it 3 1/2 stars, I liked it better then 3, but some of the writing needs to be firmed up in places. The start of the book was confusing and seemed to go on and on, but finally the story emerged and it was good. Paranormal seems to be a hot button and for good reasons. A writer can make anyone do anything and be anyone. This author took advantage of that and really pulled some different beings into the mix. I like the idea of an angel here on earth and what consequences that may have for all of us. The characters, once you got past the rocky beginning, really took on a life of their own. Ryder was a bit sappy, but in a sexy Edward Cullen way. Lucian was tough, think Damon in Vampire Dairies, yet soft around the edges. Lily was just plain confused and not sure what to believe or who to trust. Past lives and curses made the story interesting and after the rough start, I didn't put it down. I received it in the mail and finished it the same day. If you can read through the confusing bits, I think you will like the romance and the mystery this story has. Ramona, put this on the Kindle. I think you will be surprised how many copies you sell. Start it at a reasonable price, under $5. Its a good story and an interesting idea. I won this book on Goodreads giveaway.(less)
**spoiler alert** This is the first I've read of this author, and a well established series. The relationships between the characters is well establis...more**spoiler alert** This is the first I've read of this author, and a well established series. The relationships between the characters is well established at this point, but I did not feel lost at all. I loved the way they interacted with each other and the book read like a country song(which I love so believe me that is a good thing.) Country songs can say anything, nothing is off limits and that is how this book is written. People die, people have sex, people cheat and cuss, people love and share. This is the story of life, life in this small town, but still life in general. Busy parents, kids and sports, love and loss, life!
I would love to go back and read the rest of the series from the start and maybe this summer I'll have the time. I suggest this book to anyone who enjoys a mystery, even a small amount of romance mixed in. The chief of police and the minister(sounds like a bad joke) are partners in life and in this book they even tie the knot for real. Having not read the others in this series I can guess how they got together and how their relationship developed, by the comments made and the situations they find themselves in. They love each other, but they don't always agree(real life again.)
Read this book and maybe the whole series. It was tough to put down and I look forward to the next one. This author is easy to read, she made me laugh, cry and really think about my relationships with the people I love and care about. It was a good story. I feel like I made a whole town of new friends between these pages.
This is a great book for the business owners or the person wanting to start a business. The principles are told to you in the form of a story and it i...moreThis is a great book for the business owners or the person wanting to start a business. The principles are told to you in the form of a story and it is fast to read yet interesting. Having a business is one things, but building a business that can work with out you is the hard part. How can you run a successful business that will run well without your constant supervision, or run without you completely when you decide to sell? Read this book and find out how. The story reads well, followed by an implementation guide to help you follow the steps. The end is a summary of tips from the story.
The story follows a small business owner through his decision to sell.
Read this book and start your business on a whole new path, one that you can take a break from and enjoy your hard work. (less)
Way to long and drawn out...too much going on that the story got lost in the shuffle. I realize that the main characters are somehow met to get togeth...moreWay to long and drawn out...too much going on that the story got lost in the shuffle. I realize that the main characters are somehow met to get together, but the round about way to get there is too much. I thought the plot was good, but the added on and added on characters and side stories lost the flow. I have been reading this book off and on for months and I can tell you it did not get better. I finished it to get it off my currently reading list.
The sad part about it is...I have read this author before and enjoyed her work. This book needs editing to make it flow better...cut cut cut. The romance even took a back seat to all the other stuff going on that didn't seen to get the reader anywhere. 2 1/2 stars (less)
I have five children and I have never used a Baby Planner, not that it doesn’t sound like a great thing to have, I just know that I could not afford...more I have five children and I have never used a Baby Planner, not that it doesn’t sound like a great thing to have, I just know that I could not afford one and most of what they do(according to the book) I wanted to do myself. I wanted to paint and sew and nest for my little ones and I think that it would have been hard to turn that responsibility over to another person, especially in one whose only purpose is to get paid.
But this is a review of the book, not of Baby Planners as a whole. The book was sweet and cute. I love the little quotes at the top of each chapter, a few of my favorites:
“Making a decision to have a child- it’s momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside you body.” Elizabeth Stone-With my oldest away at college I feel this one daily, I miss him.
“A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest.” – Irish Proverb
“Children make you want to start life over.” –Muhammad Ali
The main character Katie is a strong women looking to have a child of her own and the way she goes about trying is funny and sad at the same time. I feel for the characters and their struggles, life is hard enough without adding additional people in the mix. But without my children my life would be less then it is today. I could identify with the pregnant women in this book and I laughed out loud in a few places.
I did not care for the sex, it felt out of place and too graphic for the subject matter, a few kisses and the next day would have made better reading. The book as a whole was quirky and fun to read with a good message about love making a family, not biology. I would suggest this to anyone who enjoys Chick-Lit. 31/2 stars on my blog(less)
I loved this book. Reading about death and loss is nothing I enjoy and yet this book gave me hope in the future, even with the loss each member experi...moreI loved this book. Reading about death and loss is nothing I enjoy and yet this book gave me hope in the future, even with the loss each member experienced. The struggle this family goes through is heartbreaking and yet amazing. Feeling for every one of the members of this family is easy, the writer makes you part of their lives and you want them to be happy, you want them to laugh, smile, and most of all enjoy each other.
Nicholas did a wonderful job of painting the lives of these people. His words are beautifully constructed into a masterpiece that everyone should read and experience. Love for each other helps each of them get through this loss and so many others they experience in life. I don’t think I am expressing how much I loved this book; I want everyone I know to read it. It’s short and sweet, believe me it will be worth your time to read it. The pictures he brought into my head made the story alive for me, the heartache and love etched across my mind brought me to tears. This is a moving story of the love and loss one family experiences, each person feeling something different and yet so much the same. Read this book!!!
One of my favorite lines from the book: “You guide a child through life and cultivate a proper upbringing; you help mold an entire human being, a person capable of doing anything. You have bred pain and suffering, struggle and hardship. There are no more pleasant anecdotes and honest lies that delay the mockery of reality. There is only this hurt- an infection of emotional codependency manifested in parent and offspring that never separates. Some call it love.” This is from the mother, Kathryn, she struggles with her love for her children and hurts at the things they must go through in this life. Her daughter Emma is who she is thinking about at this part in the story. She loves her family deeply and yet struggles herself with many things she has no control over.
Each of us struggles with something that makes us feel less than everyone else and yet we are all so much alike. Embrace your life experiences and reach out to those around you. Read this book, I don’t know if I’ve said that enough, you will love it. (less)
I never took the AP US History exam, but my Senior son did and he scored a 3. He said it was one of the most difficult tests he had ever taken. He stu...moreI never took the AP US History exam, but my Senior son did and he scored a 3. He said it was one of the most difficult tests he had ever taken. He studied AP US History 1 his Freshman year and then AP US History 2 his Sophomore year, and even with all that time on tests, papers, class attendance and reading the text he still only got a 3.
This book takes the tests from the past and evaluates them and then decides on the topics that generate the most questions. The chapters are broken up into the time periods and the info that is most relevant to the test questions in that time period. The beginning of the book explains the process and how many questions you need to get correct to score a 5(61.6% correct) also another chapter is filled with information on the DBQ and Free response questions. This book points out things to read on the AP web page and were to find more assistance. It also stresses that useless memorization will not be much help. The last bit of the book give a list of the top ten people, cases, etc that will most likely generate questions on the test. A study guide is included on how far ahead to prepare and what to know for sure before the exam.
I wish I had had this book for my Senior son, but now I do and I will be having my Freshman son read this book while he is getting ready for his AP exam next spring. The more help the better.(less)
I liked it and it was short yet not short enough to develop the characters. The romance seemed fast, but the book was short. I liked the insecurity of...moreI liked it and it was short yet not short enough to develop the characters. The romance seemed fast, but the book was short. I liked the insecurity of the main character. I would be interested in the rest of the series as soon as I have a free moment.
Good story and the sex was sweet not overly graphic. Even in HEAT it was still pretty clean. (less)
Cute romance with a few twists that are small. Lots of sex in the middle, Desire is not as heavy into the sex as the Blaze line of romances. I'm worki...moreCute romance with a few twists that are small. Lots of sex in the middle, Desire is not as heavy into the sex as the Blaze line of romances. I'm working my way through all the different romances to see what I like the best. These books are like candy, quick and sweet.(less)
This kind of book is like candy, sweet and quit and yet not tons of substance. I'll admit that this is a super romance so that it is quite a bit longe...moreThis kind of book is like candy, sweet and quit and yet not tons of substance. I'll admit that this is a super romance so that it is quite a bit longer then most, but it was still short on substance. Sweet, quick and it hit the spot. Nothing I will think about of caring around in my head past today.(less)
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I realize now that this in number 20 in the Dark Hunters Series. This is good because it helps me...moreThis is the first book I’ve read by this author and I realize now that this in number 20 in the Dark Hunters Series. This is good because it helps me realize why I was so lost at times in the reading. I think the books can be read out of order, but starting with 20 left me a bit confused.
The story was entertaining and held my interest most of the time, only when the story switched from present to past it took me a minute to realize the shift. Lots of characters fill these pages, many names, shapes and animals with mystical powers and sorted pasts. Jess is a man that could get any women’s heart pumping fast. Abigail on the other side is a bit too whiny. I really didn’t care for her, Jess deserved better in my estimations. I did like the way the story started in the past and then today, the flow was good even with the time shifts.
I entered a blog hop to win this book since I had never read this author before. I had heard of her and many of my friends on Goodreads had commented on her books. I’m trying to read things I don’t usually pick up at the library, this is definitely one I would not have grabbed. That said I really am enjoying paranormal, especially the act that anything can happen and usually does.
I would suggest this book to those who love paranormal romance and action stories. 3 1/2 star really(less)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! When Enaitollah Akbari was about ten years old, his mother takes him from Afghanistan over the border to Paki...more I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! When Enaitollah Akbari was about ten years old, his mother takes him from Afghanistan over the border to Pakistan away from the Taliban. It is there where he wakes one morning to find his mother gone and he is alone. He has to make his own way and figure out what to do with his life. It is the story of his journey through many countries, finding jobs, being deported and making friends, seeking the help of strangers and showing us what it is like to be an illegal in a foreign country.
It pulls at your heartstrings as this young boy overcomes, hunger, fatigue, border patrols, freezing, drowning and even death to eventually become a political refugee in Italy. It is a short read, but well worth it. It is interesting to see what life was like for a 10 year old boy as he struggles to find a safe, happy life somewhere out there. It is a unique book that shows the resilience of the human spirit. He sees many others fall along the way, but he somehow makes it despite overwhelming odds. It is a good read and you should definitely pick it up.
Thank you to our guest reviewer - Heather - Thanks for the great review Heather. (less)
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