Wordless Wednesday

 

Book Review: Switching Hour by Robyn Peterman

Author: Robyn Peterman
Title: Switching Hour

(Magic and Mayhem #1)

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Mystery, UF
Format: ebook

Pages: 222 
Published: September 1st 2015
Where I Got It: My shelf (amazon freebie)

Summary: Released from the magic pokey and paroled with limited power is enough to make any witch grumpy.

However, if you throw in a recently resurrected cat, a lime-green Kia and a sexy egotistical werewolf, it’s enough to make a gal fly off the edge.

Not to mention a mission…with no freaking directions.

So here I sit in Asscrack, West Virginia trying to figure out how to complete my mysterious mission before All Hallows Eve when I’ll get turned into a mortal.

The animals in the area are convinced I’m the Shifter Whisperer (whatever the hell that is) and the hotter-than- asphalt-in-August werewolf thinks I’m his mate.

Now apparently I’m slated to save a bunch of hairy freaks of nature?

If they think I’m the right witch for the job, they’ve swallowed some bad brew.

Review:

It's fall time! So I am dusting off some Halloween/Fall-y books. Yayy! 

We follow Zelda who is released from prison on parole with limited magic. She is given a mission to prove herself that she has changed from the selfish woman/witch she used to be. Along with her recently resurrected cat and a sexy egotistical werewolf, can she solve the mystery and fill her Aunt's shoes?

This was amusing. It kept me chuckling. I liked Zelda even though she wasn't the nicest witch. She's not evil...but super superficial and selfish. It was refreshing!

Her cat was creepy, but funny. 

The werewolf was okay....but meh. I could've done without him. I think the "romance" was a little awkward and it happened really quick. The love isn't there yet, but there is the lust and the fact that she is his fated mate so it felt like none of them had a choice. I'm glad Zelda is making him court her before she really agrees to anything. Kuddos to her for that. 

The big ol' twist was for shocking. I am on the fence with how I feel. Maybe I'll be more settled with this reveal in book 2 if I read it (which I am tempted). 

Overall, I did enjoy this. It was funny and quick. Not amazing, but it was fun. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Charming as a Verb by Ben Philippe

Narrated by: James Fouhey

Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins

Release date: 10-13-20

Publisher: HarperAudio

YA Fiction

To review

When I read YA fic I do prefer the more sad dramatic ones it seems. This was good, but yes not a lot happened

Halti goes to a fancy school, he lives in a fancy place, except he doesn't. His dad works as a I do not know, my brain is not working, janitor, handy man, whatever, and they live in the basement. He is smart, loves shoes, and is all about getting into Columbia.

So yes that is what the book was about. Thinking about Columbia. Helping a girl find the social scene. Falling for a girl. And doing some stupid things. Seriously Henry, bad bad bad.

Not the most exciting book, but still a good normal book, about normal things. I also really wonder about their love of sneakers, they were intense, they read magazines, so much I do not know.

Good narrator. Good voices for male and female, he did do well with everyone.

Henri “Halti” Haltiwanger can charm just about anyone. He is a star debater and popular student at the prestigious FATE academy, the dutiful first-generation Haitian son, and the trusted dog walker for his wealthy New York City neighbors. 

But his easy smiles mask a burning ambition to attend his dream college, Columbia University. There is only one person who seems immune to Henri’s charms: his “intense” classmate and neighbor Corinne Troy. When she uncovers Henri’s less-than-honest dog-walking scheme, she blackmails him into helping her change her image at school. Henri agrees, seeing a potential upside for himself. 

Soon what started as a mutual hustle turns into something more surprising than either of them ever bargained for....

This is a sharply funny and insightful novel about the countless hustles we have to keep from doing the hardest thing: being ourselves. 

Book Review: Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

Author: Jenny Han 
Title: Always and Forever, Lara Jean

(To All the Boys I've Loved Before #3)

Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Format: paper

Pages: 325 
Published: May 2nd 2017
Where I Got It: Borrowed from friend

Summary: Lara Jean is having the best senior year.

And there’s still so much to look forward to: a class trip to New York City, prom with her boyfriend Peter, Beach Week after graduation, and her dad’s wedding to Ms. Rothschild. Then she’ll be off to college with Peter, at a school close enough for her to come home and bake chocolate chip cookies on the weekends.

Life couldn’t be more perfect!

At least, that’s what Lara Jean thinks . . . until she gets some unexpected news.

Now the girl who dreads change must rethink all her plans—but when your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?

Review:

Been delaying this because I do not want to say goodbye to Lara Jean and her world. This was a bittersweet goodbye because I have really enjoyed her journey. 

The story continues with Lara Jean. This is her final year of High School before she goes to college and joins the adult world. She has a lot to look forward to...prom, Senior trip to New York City, Beach Week, and her dad's wedding. She has high hopes she will get into the college close to home so she can stay home and still go to school with her bf Peter. However....things may not be so perfect when she gets unexpected news....

Is it wrong that I like John more still than Peter? Peter is not bad overall. He is a good guy and he really has gotten better since book 1. I still like John better though. I hope he gets his own story someday!!! I want to see him happy. 

But speaking of Peter...I wanted to shake him a few times. There were a few times he was SOOOO dumb!! Yes, Lara Jean was dumb sometimes too. Thus is the teen life and young love. They are immature in different ways. BUT PETER! Dumb jock. Cute and sweet, but thick-headed. 

This was nerve-wracking the entire time because life is starting for these young kids and love can complicate matters. I just want everyone to be happy!!! We saw what happened to Margot in book 1 and I was so scared for Lara Jean and Peter. 

I was not happy with the ending. ALL this build-up. ALL this tense....and it just sort of ended. It is left open-ended. I wanted some sort of epilogue. Maybe someday? Someday we'll see what happens to everyone?  I need more!!!!!!!!

Overall, I really enjoyed this series overall. I am sad to say goodbye especially with how it ended. It is open-ended. Until the author writes more I will pretend that everything is rainbows and kittens for everyone...especially for John haha. This wasn't as good as book 1 or 2, but it was still good. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: The Call by Peadar O'Guilin

Imagine a world where you might disappear any minute, only to find yourself alone in a grey sickly land, with more horrors in it than you would ever wish to know about. And then you hear a horn and you know that whoever lives in this hell has got your scent and the hunt has already begun.

Could you survive the Call?

Hardcover, US Edition, 312 pages

Published August 30th 2016 by Scholastic

Series: Grey Land #1

Horror Dystopia YA

I liked this. It was not like the bleak US dystopia books where everything is shiny and bleak. Now, shit here was bleak.

The Sidhe came back and locked in Ireland from the rest of the world. Nothing comes in, nothing goes out. They are running out of things. And then there is the Call, when every teenager gets dragged into the Grey Lands to be hunted for sport. These days 1 in 10 make it out alive.

Yeah, I liked the darkness, the Sidhe were vicious and angry. They wanted back into our world, that they had first.

And yes there was the whole school thing, so that some would survive everyone is sent to school to learn how to make it out. And yes there is the guy that thinks he is all that and goes a bit power hungry, but every school needs an asshole.

And then there is Nessa, Ireland went to hell and she got polio. Her odds are not good, but dang that girl was cool. She trained in every way she could.

I liked it and I did not want to put it down.

Audiobook Review: Seduce Me in Dreams by Jacquelyn Frank

Author: Jacquelyn Frank

Narrator: Coleen Marlo

Title: Seduce Me in Dreams

(Three Worlds #1)

Genre: SciFi, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published: March 1st 2011

Where I got It: My shelf (audible)

Summary: Dark. Mysterious. Sensual. When Bronse Chapel, the commander of a specialized unit of the Interplanetary Militia, begins to dream about a beautiful and exotic brunette, he wants to dismiss it as being induced by lack of sleep ... or perhaps lack of sex. But his instincts tell him it's something different, something far more dangerous.

Ravenna is the leader of the Chosen Ones, a small group of people from her village born with extraordinary powers. She doesn't know what draws her to Bronse's dreams night after night, but she senses that he and his team are in jeopardy. Ravenna can help him, but first Bronse must save the Chosen Ones from those who plan to use their powers for evil. Together, Bronse and Ravenna will be unstoppable. But Ravenna is hiding something that could endanger them all

Review:

Honestly...I do not remember the last SciFi romance I've read/listened to? Mmmm *wrecks my brain*. Have I EVER read SciFi romance??????????? I do not remember. Yesss I have read plenty of SciFi normal (some may have a small element) but yea....I cannot think of one.  

The story follows Bronse Chapel who is the commander of a specialized unit of the Interplanetary Militia. He starts dreaming of a beautiful and exotic woman who is haunting him during his waking day. Little does he know this woman is real. It is Ravenna who is the leader of a small group of people from her village that are born with powers. They are called the Chosen Ones. She doesn't know what draws her to Bronse's dreams night after night, but she knows something will happen to his team so she tries to help him and warn him of the dangers ahead. 

The first 75% of the book I simply could NOT stop listening too. I had to know what was going to happen next. I liked Bronse and I liked Ravenna. It took an eon for him to finally save her and get to her, but it was worth it when they found each other. Not under GREAT conditions, but they really earned each other and helped each other out. 

Now...the last 25% dragged a bit. I zonked out twice. We had fast-paced and then it slowed down quite a bit comparatively. But I was happy they found their HEA and whatnot. 

The narrator was new to me and she did well. I like her guy voices. She did try to make them all different and I appreciate that. Some were similar, but overall I applaud her performance. 

In the end, I am unsure if I will continue to book 2. We shall see. I enjoyed this for what it was and I liked their journey and I huzzahed when he finally found her! The last 25% was not as good though. It slowed down too much for compared to fast-pace and action of the beginning. Overall, I'll give this a 3. 

Challenge(s):
- #43 for Audiobook Challenge

- #19 SciFi

Bingooooo for "SCI-FI"

Audiobook Review: Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

Author: Louise Rennison

Narrator: Stina Nielson

Title: Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging

(Confessions of Georgia Nicolson #1)

Genre: YA, Fiction, Comedy, Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published: June 24th 1999

Where I got It: My shelf (audible)

Summary: There are six things very wrong with my life:

1. I have one of those under-the-skin spots that will never come to a head but lurk in a red way for the next two years.

2. It is on my nose

3. I have a three-year-old sister who may have peed somewhere in my room.

4. In fourteen days the summer hols will be over and then it will be back to Stalag 14 and Oberfuhrer Frau Simpson and her bunch of sadistic teachers.

5. I am very ugly and need to go into an ugly home.

6. I went to a party dressed as a stuffed olive."

Review:

Awwww this popped up as a recommendation in Audible so I had no choice! This was for sure a blast from the past. I adored these books in High School and Middle School. 

The story follows Georgia who is your atypical British teen. Heck she is your average Teen even here in the States. She has a baby sister, is annoyed by her lame parents, and is boy mad. 

These are just as hilarious even as an adult. I loved these books as a teen myself. I could relate in a lot of ways and it is just plain hilarious. Poor Georgie. Being a teen sucks.

I listened to the audio this time around (I have the book somewhere in this library of mine) and it was still good. I loved the voice actress. She sounded familiar....but I cannot remember if I heard her before. But I hope she does the rest of the series because she is fabbity fab fab! Aahhhhh youth. I miss thee. 

There are some cringey moments but overall I still really enjoyed it. I may dive into the next books...but we shall see. Someday!

I'll give this a 4 overall. This held up pretty nice I think! If you need a quick laugh and want to remember the golden years of a teen...this is the one for you. 

Challenge(s):
- #43 for Audiobook Challenge

B's Monday Review: Falling Inn Love

When city girl Gabriela spontaneously enters a contest and wins a rustic New Zealand inn, she teams up with bighearted contractor Jake Taylor to fix and flip it.

Director: Roger Kumble

Writers: Elizabeth Hackett, Hilary Galanoy

Stars: Christina Milian, Adam Demos, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman

1h 38min | Comedy, Romance 

It did have a lot of Hallmark feels, but without the ultra cheesiness. I enjoyed it, I knew what I was getting, it was light, and omg I am meant to live in NZ!

Recommend

Sure

Book Review: The First Mrs. Rothschild by Sara Aharoni

Author: Sara Aharoni
Title: The First Mrs. Rothschild
Genre: Historical Fiction & Romance
Format: ebook

Pages: 484
Published: January 1st 2015
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: It is the turn of the eighteenth century in Frankfurt, Germany, and young Gutle and Meir Amschel Rothschild struggle to establish themselves in the cramped and restricted Judengasse. But when Meir’s talents as a novice banker catch the attention of a German prince, Meir is suddenly afforded entrée into the European world of finance and nobility, and the Rothschilds’ lives are changed forever. As proud as Gutle is of her husband’s success, she is also cautious—very much aware of the fact that her husband’s rise is tied to his patrons’ willingness to “see past” his Jewishness. As their family grows, and a dream of fortune comes true, so does their belief that money will ultimately bring the power needed to establish Jewish civil rights.

Told through Gutle’s intimate journals, revealed across decades—from the French Revolution through personal tragedies and triumphs

Review:

Finally reading this one. It has been on my virtual Kindle shelf for a million years. 

We follow Gutle who is a young Jewish woman in Frankfurt, Germany during the turn of the eighteenth century. She marries Meir Amschel Rothschild who wants more than life in Judengasee. After catching the eye of a German prince, Meir and Gutle find themselves in a whole new world and new dangers.

The story is told all in journal formatting which usually excites me. I love that intimate connection with characters! However....I didn't connect with Gutle like I wanted to. Maybe it was her? Maybe it was me? But...she....was boring. Gah. That is so harsh of me I know! However, I was more curious about her hubby and her children. I felt like she was a school teacher lecturing (especially as we got further along in the story). It didn't feel natural or like she was writing her true thoughts all the time. We had glimpses here and there, but I felt like she didn't want to let her emotions run freely. 

The story itself was okay and it was fun seeing them rise. They are good people and he worked really hard to get everything! I cheered. But....that connection was lost for me. Maybe if it was his journal or if it was just told like a normal story - ie 1st person or something. 

I will admit...I skimmed a lot especially in the middle and near the end. There were so many times I just wanted to walk away and be done...but I pushed forward because I was curious to see what this family had in store for them. Plus there are so few stories set in the Jewish POV. I wanted to learn and see so I kept reading and finished this. Again...maybe I would've felt more with a different POV or story format.

Overall, I wish I had liked this more. It felt more like a lecture sometimes rather than intimate thoughts of a young girl who becomes a wife, mother, grandmother, and so on. I'll give this 2 stars. 

Audiobook Review: Delicate Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan

 

Author: Carrie Ann Ryan 

Narrator: Gregory Salinas

Title: Delicate Ink

(Montgomery Ink #1)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Erotica

Format: Audiobook

Published: October 14th 2014

Where I got It: My shelf (audible)

Summary: One look at the woman who comes in for new ink and Austin Montgomery knows she’s the one for him. The problem: she can’t stand him. Now he’ll have to be his most charming and brooding if he has any chance of changing her mind…and claiming her heart.

Sierra Elder has reasons for keeping away and secrets close to her heart. An accident took her first love and scarred more than her soul in the process. Now the inked man with a wicked grin is starting to melt the ice she’s built to keep her safe, but the danger isn’t only from what she feels.

Some secrets were never meant to be kept and when mistakes from both of their pasts come knocking, they’ll have to trust each other, even if it could hurt them both in the process.

Review:

I mainly grabbed this one because I want to be good and read the books in order. There is one a little later down in the series I want to read....so I'm trying to be better at starting at book 1. ;) 

We follow Austin Montgomery and Sierra Elder. Austin is nearing 40  and is starting to realize he needs to maybe settle down and maybe find someone who can make him happy. Walks in Sierra who he has been slightly attracted too but she cannot stand him. It will take some work, but maybe he can win her over. Sierra has her reasons for wanting to stay away even though she lusts after Austin. She has a lot of secrets and past hurts that she is scared to share. However, some secrets are never meant to be hidden and mistakes from the past has a funny way of coming back. 

Oh Austin...oh Sierra. Both really, really dense. For smart individuals who can manage successful businesses...they are really dumb sometimes. Especially near the end. SIGHS....they need a kick in the romp. I liked them though and they were good for each other. 

There is BDSM here which is normally not something I lean to in romances. However, it was done really well. He is the dom and she is the sub, but mainly in the bedroom. They are equals in real life. I have a hard time with dom/sub relationships that leak into the real life situations and the dom takes ALL control and makes ALL the decisions. NO. That person is an adult and has the right to do what they will. GAH. But yes - I am happy with how this was done. 

Warning...there are a LOT of BDSM smexy scenes. I did fast forward through some of them especially near the end. I was much more interested in the story and I was itching to see things get resolved LOL! Even though Austin and Sierra get together and become a couple quickly.....it does take a lot of time for them to fully trust each other and admit their feelings. 

There are a couple of sideline stories that happen as well. In the end...I did grow to like them. But it felt very jarring at first. It seemed to ruin the flow a little bit. I felt like they could've had their own book or short story or something...IDK. It just didn't work at first. Like I said...I grew to like them and be interested in their stories and problems, but I wanted to mainly focus on our main couple in this one especially since they already have enough drama/issues to fight through.

Now the narrator.......I liked him a lot. His girl voices were okay. Not amazing, but it worked well and each girl had slight differences so I was content. 

Overall, I enjoyed this. I did not like the side stories at first because it felt a little jarring for me. Yes, I did grow to like them and be intrigued, buuuuut they could've just had their own book or short story. I liked Austin and Sierra a lot and I liked how their BDSM relationship was showcased. It felt natural and real. Yes, he is alpha...but Sierra is his equal - not his property. I'll give this a 3. 

Challenge(s):
- #42 for Audiobook Challenge

Wordless Wednesday

 

Book Review: The Laird's Angel by Caroline Lee

Author: Caroline Lee
Title: The Laird's Angel

(The Highland Angels #2)

Genre: Historical Romance
Format: ebook

Pages: 241 
Published: January 27th 2020
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary:As a member of the Queen's Angels—an elite trio of secret agents, masquerading as ladies-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth Bruce—Melisandre Lamond has a most useful skill: Seduction. Mayhap 'tis her ability to understand others' desires, or mayhap a yearning for acceptance; whatever the root, Mellie has become skilled in the art of love, and knows all the right ways to get a man to spill all his...secrets.

After an assassination attempt on the Queen, all evidence points to the Frasers of Lovat, surely under orders from their new laird, the deceptively handsome Lachlan Fraser. But even Mellie is surprised when the Queen announces the seductive Angel's betrothal to the traitor, wondering how far her loyalty to the Crown really extends. Can Mellie tempt Lachlan into revealing his treasonous plans, before she's forced to actually marry the man?

After the Scottish War for Independence, all Lachlan Fraser wants for his clan is peace. He's happy working with his hands, building a strong future for his family and his beloved daughter. But duty calls him to Scone, where he's surprised to learn of his betrothal to one of the Queen's ladies...the very knife-wielding wench who'd so recently saved him from a cut purse's attack!

He'll marry her, aye, but Lachlan vows to unravel Lady Melisandre's riddles first! Because once he gets her home, and sees the way she effortlessly wins over his daughter and the rest of the Frasers, he begins to suspect she's not really the cold and haughty lady she's pretending to be.

Can this mis-matched betrothed pair learn each other's secrets before the assassin strikes again? 

Review:

This has been the one I've been itching to read BUT I wanted to be a good egg and read the series in order. LE SIGH. BUT I am glad I did. They may follow different gals but the story and mystery continue in each book. 

This one follows Lady Melisandre who uses a special trick to get info from the men. After an assassination attempt on the Queen, all the evidence seems to point to the Frasers of Lovat and their new laird. Melisander, aka Mellie, is asked  to pretend to be the laird's Queen-ordered betrothal to find out the truth. Lachlan Fraser just wants peace and happiness. He accepts the Queen's command since Mellie intrigues him and...well...it IS a command from the Queen. 

I adored this romance between these two. They do not seem at all compatible...on the surface. As we learn more and more about them, we soon realize they NEED each other and are simply perfect for each other. I am so glad there was more to both of them especially Mellie. She acts like a cold-hearted wench who is willing to do ANYTHING to get info...she has a huge and sensitive heart and she really deserved happiness. 

Lachlan deserves happiness too but he has a decent family and a sweet kid so I didn't feel AS bad for him as I did Mellie. She had a crappy family. Poor thing...especially when we find out what her ex did to her. GRRRR. I wanted to find him and feed him to the Loch Ness Monster. Gah. Hopefully karma finds him soon and quick. Lachlan's ex was a piece of work too. Grrr. 

I really did like this much more than book 1. Maybe it was because we got to spend more time with these characters? Or maybe I just loved the chemistry and story between these two. Or both?  BUT yes...I did really enjoy this one.

I guessed the little twist. I wasn't being serious when I guessed it, but I was right and I was shocked I was right. Wish I can say..........

Anyways.....

Overall, I liked this better than book 1 and the prequel. I adored the couple here and their story. They were a fun couple with a lot of hurdles to finally get the HEA they needed. I'll give this a 4. 

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths

Hardcover, 304 pages

Published January 5th 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (first published February 5th 2009)

Series: Ruth Galloway #1

Mystery

Library

I do not read many mysteries, or thrillers (not counting historical), so when I was recommended this one I just did not know. But then I picked it up, and then I binged it.

Ruth is 40, an archaeologist. Lives with 2 cats. And likes her life just as it is. Then a cop shows up asking for her help with the remains found in an henge. Two girls are missin

And Ruth was perfect, I liked how she helped solve the murder, I'd love this as a tvshow btw. She doesn't always make the best decisions, but that makes her human.

Good mystery too. I had my suspects, and I was pretty good this time around.

Final thoughts: Yes, I would totally recommend it

Blurb:

Forensic archaeologist Dr. Ruth Galloway is in her late thirties and lives happily alone with her two cats in a bleak, remote area near Norfolk, land that was sacred to its Iron Age inhabitants—not quite earth, not quite sea. But her routine days of digging up bones and other ancient objects are harshly upended when a child’s bones are found on a desolate beach. Detective Chief Inspector Nelson calls Galloway for help, believing they are the remains of Lucy Downey, a little girl who went missing a decade ago and whose abductor continues to taunt him with bizarre letters containing references to ritual sacrifice, Shakespeare, and the Bible. Then a second girl goes missing and Nelson receives a new letter—exactly like the ones about Lucy. Is it the same killer or a copycat murderer, linked in some way to the site near Ruth’s remote home?

Book Review: The Worst Dogs by Matthew De Lacey Davidson

Author: Matthew De Lacey Davidson 
Title: The Worst Dogs - A Progressive Murder Mystery
Genre: Contemporary, Murder Mystery
Format: ebook

Pages: 194
Published: July 11th 2020
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: In the Maritimes of Canada, a series of murders have baffled the police force in the small town of Feckless Bay. Enter Detective Sergeant Natalya Stone, an African American detective – originally from Chicago – currently working for the Provincial Police. She quickly discovers that these violent murders are most likely by the same perpetrator – and are, most likely, hate crimes.

“Murder is not an entertainment,” she quips to Zev Arendt, a young local Detective Constable, whom she has taken under her wing to assist her in solving the hate crimes. They encounter dead end after dead end, and weeks go by with no leads. Finally, based on her experience and intuition, and with the skills that Zev has acquired from his mentor, they find exactly what they are looking for: hiding – in plain sight

Review:

I've enjoyed this author's previous works so I was excited to check this one out.

In the Maritimes of Canada there has been a series of murders that have baffled the small town police force so they call in Detective Sergeant Natalya Stone. She is an African American detective who is originally from Chicago. She teams up with Zev Arendt who is the local Detective Constable. The discover that these terrible murders are done by the same perpetrator and seem  to be fueled by hate.

This was good. I did not expect that reveal at the end. It was good. At first it didn't make sense to me, but as killers go...they reveal all and why and then it made sense. That was a good ending for sure! I had my suspects...but I was wrong with all of them. 

I do like the fact that this had a huge focus on the issues our society has to deal with still....hatred. We have so much hate still especially when it comes to race and even gender. It's so sad, but that is the reality even in small Canadian towns. But having this really made the story feel real. 

I adored Natalya and Zev. They made a great team and I hope they continue on and solve more crimes together. They worked well and they seemed like they could be great friends. Zev for sure has a talent and I think with Natalya's experience and if he stays under her wing Zev could be an amazing detective. The small town is too small for Zev for sure. 

Again...this was good. I finished this in a single sitting. I could not put it down! The writing style is wonderful like with the author's previous works. The author really does have a way with words! 

All-in-all, this was a really good mystery. This kept me locked in placed and I had to read it all in one shot. The big reveal shocked me! So good! If you need a good murder mystery I suggest this one. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

Best of August

Happy September!! Summer is ending? WHAAA???

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd's pick..........Nice dragons finish last by Rachel Aaron

"I re-listened. So obvi it was the best book of the month."

Carole's pick......As The Stars Fall by Steve N. Lee

"A beautiful story!!!!"

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole's pick............A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014)

"Funny and makes you happy you live in the 21st century."

No pick for Blodeuedd this month

 

"I can not remember what I watched!"

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd's pick...........The Umbrella Academy


   

"Yay new season. Intense!"

Carole's pick........Supernatural

"Been binge-watching before the last season comes out!! Started from the beginning!"



Best Cover of the Month:

Bloduedd's pick - 

"Very sweet!"

Carole's pick - 

"Fun and beautiful!"

Tell Me Something Tuesday: A Big Newbie Mistake

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 

  

what’s the biggest mistake you made as a newbie blogger?

So many mistakes. Soooo many. However, I will pick one mistake.

That is allowing myself to let what people think of me impact what I do or don't do on my blog. Opinions are like butts...everyone has one. You cannot make everyone happy! It's impossible. Sometimes my opinions or my reviews may not be what someone wanted...but I what to be honest in all I share. Sure I may soften the blow and not want to be mean and hurtful for the sake of being hurtful. 

But yes....I still have to remind myself that I won't appease everyone. I'm not perfect. However, as long as I am doing what I love and I be as honest as I can that is all that matters.