This is a cute sweet little romance story with a talented full ensemble cast. Not really an enemies to lovers story, it's more of a series of misunderThis is a cute sweet little romance story with a talented full ensemble cast. Not really an enemies to lovers story, it's more of a series of misunderstandings that are resolved step by step....more
This is an old school, sci-fi action adventure in the vein of Flash Gordon (the 1980s movie, not the animated tv series). It starts in 1989 on Earth aThis is an old school, sci-fi action adventure in the vein of Flash Gordon (the 1980s movie, not the animated tv series). It starts in 1989 on Earth and quickly takes off from there.
It was fun. It wasn't meant to be taken too seriously. It was a quick and easy read.
This is a deeply personal collection of mixed media prose and poems. There are unsent text messages, crossword puzzles, letters, lists, refrigerator mThis is a deeply personal collection of mixed media prose and poems. There are unsent text messages, crossword puzzles, letters, lists, refrigerator magnet poems, doodles, sketches, and more traditional freeform poems.
At times it felt like reading someone's diary, that I was prying into intimate feelings that weren't meant for others to see. Other entries were funny or angry or hopelessly conflicted. Some expressed self love. Others self loathing. I was drained and a little shaky by the end.
Representation: LGBTQA+, the author is queer/asexual (but not aromantic) Feminist
Even though this is the 16th novelette in this series of cozy mysteries, I wasn't lost at all even though I haven't read any of the prior books. I thoEven though this is the 16th novelette in this series of cozy mysteries, I wasn't lost at all even though I haven't read any of the prior books. I thoroughly enjoyed myself....more
The beauty of this story, particularly the ending, made me cry. It was a good kind of cry. He captures the pains and joys of the creative process viviThe beauty of this story, particularly the ending, made me cry. It was a good kind of cry. He captures the pains and joys of the creative process vividly. Bravo....more
I do not read a lot of this kind of historical fiction and I now remember why. The story structure is that of a memoir, written in the first person, wI do not read a lot of this kind of historical fiction and I now remember why. The story structure is that of a memoir, written in the first person, with letters interspersed. It is based on a historical person for whom we few details on his life events.
Our main guy lived during one of the most tumultuous time periods in history - before, during and after the French Revolution. This was a time full of violence, enslavement, abject poverty, and obscene wealth and even though he lives through all this as a person of color, I didn't feel it the emotional impact this would have. He seemed strangely detached from his losses, his loves, and his triumphs.
The story opens in a French manor house during the French Revolution. The description of the food, fashion, manners, etc were deeper and more vivid than the description of the collapse of the life he'd known for years. He just seemed indifferent to the bad and the good. This continued throughout the book.
Again, this may just be because I do not read a lot of this type of historical fiction. Maybe there was a shorthand used that I missed. I was really looked forward to this one but I was left disappointed.
I received this in Goodreads Giveaway from Amazon....more
Lovely recipes for all seasons (and dessert). Most of the recipes use readily available, seasonal ingredients common in the Americas, Europe, North AfLovely recipes for all seasons (and dessert). Most of the recipes use readily available, seasonal ingredients common in the Americas, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Australia/New Zealand. Most don't require special equipment. Most should be within an average cook's skill and some are very simple. I really enjoyed the variety of these recipes.
Some are vegan but most are either vegetarian, contain meat, or contain seafood. Some of the vegetarian options might be adaptable to vegan (for example, substitute vegan yoghurt, sour cream or cream.)
There are a larger number that are gluten free or can be adapted (gluten free noodles, gluten free thickened like corn or arrow root starch)...more
I had forgotten how beautiful Patrick Rothfuss's writing and storytelling are. I may need to reread The Name of the Wind. I may need to get this storyI had forgotten how beautiful Patrick Rothfuss's writing and storytelling are. I may need to reread The Name of the Wind. I may need to get this story in a physical book too....more
I'm not sure if I was tired or if the story was. I've been reading Jeff Wheeler's books from his first one and have always enjoyed them but something I'm not sure if I was tired or if the story was. I've been reading Jeff Wheeler's books from his first one and have always enjoyed them but something was missing here for me. Something subtle in the tone. It's a good story. Don't let my tepid reaction keep you from checking this out.
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway through Amazon's Kindle store....more
All of the stories were written by Michael William Frend, some of which had previously appeared elsewhere.
AlthougI won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.
All of the stories were written by Michael William Frend, some of which had previously appeared elsewhere.
Although they generally fall under the umbrella of Sci-fi, they fall under different sub-genres: horror, ecology, space opera, etc. This may be what I struggled with. Too much variety? I also felt that there were some pacing and rhythm issues within individual stories.
It seems weird to call a story with so much violence sweet but it kind of was. It captures what it is like to be the weird new kidI loved this story.
It seems weird to call a story with so much violence sweet but it kind of was. It captures what it is like to be the weird new kid at school and nailed the bullying.
It was well written, well balanced, and ultimately heart warming. Its tone reminded me of "Warm Bodies."
It is YA mostly because of swearing (as the author said, teenagers swear) and violence. Still, it more paranormal than horror. Not too scary.
I got this from the author in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you!...more
This book was so sweet and funny. The illustrations were joyful. I think you could enjoy this book at any age, as long as you aren't a grouchy grump.This book was so sweet and funny. The illustrations were joyful. I think you could enjoy this book at any age, as long as you aren't a grouchy grump....more
What to say about this book? This is not a plot driven story, although there is an over arching growth progression for our main character. It is more What to say about this book? This is not a plot driven story, although there is an over arching growth progression for our main character. It is more like a mash-up of a serialized story set in a Medieval RPG world which is violent, politically unstable, and crime ridden.
Our main guy becomes a Paladin (chosen warrior) for the sea god RekNor after a close call with drowning at sea. Krell is a country bumpkin. He can read and he is fairly level headed but he is also very naive. RekNor pretty much chose him because he was too stubborn to drown and he finds him amusing.
What follows is a story that progresses episodically with quests and vignettes. A monster of the week here. A bar scene there. The tone reminded me a lot of Conan the Destroyer. Lots of hair-brain schemes that somehow work out. Fight scenes that are very violent but also a bit slapstick. Humor is laced through all of this and there is a lot of tongue in cheek observations. All through this, Krell learns more and gains more skills in fighting and healing. (He levels up.)
If that sounds like something you would enjoy, you will love this book. I enjoyed it for the first half but then it started to get tiresome.
I received a Kindle copy of this from a Goodreads Giveaway but I highly recommend the Audible book. The narrator totally digs in and clearly enjoys himself performing this book....more