I could only tolerate about two chapters. The beginning is a bit on the crude side and not a very enjoyable read.
The plot summary does a great job of I could only tolerate about two chapters. The beginning is a bit on the crude side and not a very enjoyable read.
The plot summary does a great job of the first couple of chapters. And maybe it does get better, but I don't think forcing a person to change is ever a good idea. For example, he loves smoking, but suddenly finds he can't stand the taste or what it does to his lungs (he can't breathe). His first response is to get back at the cigarette company for putting bad cigarettes into the package. He goes to eat Coco Puffs, but find they taste like rotting meat. His brain tells him to say one thing, usually quite cutting, but his mouth says something else.
That's about where I gave up. Perhaps there are those that would think this book is funny. Perhaps I didn't give it a chance to get better. But honestly, although Diane Darcy does have one of my favorite books (which is why I tried this one) Serendipity just made me feel crummy. So I quit reading....more
I’ve cut back on my Christian authors because of all the preaching, but this one I really enjoyed, perhaps because I believe what was being taught. ItI’ve cut back on my Christian authors because of all the preaching, but this one I really enjoyed, perhaps because I believe what was being taught. It is a beautiful story of the journal of a deceased brother changing a young girl’s life.
The one aspect that kind of puzzled me was the length of time it took Kathy to read the journal. Since I read the entire book in a few hours, journal entries included, why would it take her days, even a few weeks, to read something that special to her? The passage of time was needed for her to make the changes she made, but her spreading out the reading of the journal seemed a bit off to me. ...more
I’d actually give this book more of a 4.5 rating. It did keep me involved, but it ended too abruptly. Without knowing there is more to come I’d probabI’d actually give this book more of a 4.5 rating. It did keep me involved, but it ended too abruptly. Without knowing there is more to come I’d probably only rate it four stars. However, I’ve been assured future books, although all stand alone, will address the unanswered questions I have.
It is a fun original fairy story and I look forward to future books in this series!
(Be sure to read the “about the authors” portion at the end for a fun little surprise.)...more
A strong warning to anyone with British ties, including Canada. There is one word frequently used that is offensive, and another word used only once oA strong warning to anyone with British ties, including Canada. There is one word frequently used that is offensive, and another word used only once or twice that isn’t a nice word anywhere, but is considered a very strong swear to anyone in this culture.
I’m not really sure what to rate this book. Parts of this book did deserve five stars, but the first half was so repetitive it was almost boring. She disobeys, he becomes gruffer to scare her into submission; she becomes too friendly with the crew, he becomes gruffer to scare her away from the crew; she speaks too boldly, he becomes gruffer to inspire respect; and on it goes.
It reminds me a bit of the Stockholm syndrome where a kidnapped victim falls in love with her captor. From there it seems to lead towards hero worship. Of course the difference is that her captor is first her rescuer and a fairly honorable man. In the end though, he proves he would do any thing to protect her.
AI narrative was okay, but again too literal with stuttered words spoken as each stuttered letter followed by a the word....more
After reading Edenbrooke I had high hopes for Blackmore, but it didn’t live up to expectations. There wasn’t any humor or lively wit, just a run of thAfter reading Edenbrooke I had high hopes for Blackmore, but it didn’t live up to expectations. There wasn’t any humor or lively wit, just a run of the mill story.
Cassandra Campbell does a good job narrating, but the story line truly shadows in comparison to Edenbrooke. ...more
Probably 3.5 stars. This book would have been much better if it hadn’t gone on so long. There were a few places that really dragged.
There were times wProbably 3.5 stars. This book would have been much better if it hadn’t gone on so long. There were a few places that really dragged.
There were times when I got so frustrated with Dusty that I wondered why I was reading it all.
For me it was quite unbelievable that such a strong love could develop in a 14 year old. Her father’s ranch hand leaves out of necessity and it destroys her life?
Definitely not a favorite!
The virtual narration was pretty good for what it is. ...more
I think this book deserves a 4.5 star rating, not quite a five due to the last few chapters which seemed to drag a bit. But I did really enjoy the stoI think this book deserves a 4.5 star rating, not quite a five due to the last few chapters which seemed to drag a bit. But I did really enjoy the story!
Although not entirely necessary, I'd advise reading this book before Spirit of the Knight
The narration done by Lee Ahonen wasn't great which made it so I referred to the book a few times, but it was good enough that I could listen and still get other things done. ...more
The first thing that really threw me is that the Black Moth is really the villain. Not very often do I come across a book that honors the villain enouThe first thing that really threw me is that the Black Moth is really the villain. Not very often do I come across a book that honors the villain enough to name the book after him/her. In fact, I think this is a first.
There were three separate stories, all entwined, but still three stories, the one about the Black Moth, the one the synopsis is about and one with the sister of the Black Moth and the brother of the “hero”. (The brother and sister are a married couple)
While that in and of itself is fine, the only story really well written was the love story which was given in the synopsis. I really did enjoy that one!! There was a bit of humor, no conflicting misunderstandings, honesty between the couple – over all very well done. But that was only 1/3 of the book.
And the ending?!?!?
Spoiler alert…
Villain (a true villain and destroyer of feminine virtue) kidnaps “hero’s” girl. Hero goes after her, naturally. They have a sword fight, each determined to kill the other. When duel is broken up by Hero’s friends and Villain’s brother, the duelers both have wounds, but also have what might equal a good laugh and sit down to dinner together. Sorry but I just can’t imagine that happening in any place or era.
The narrator was quite good. There's several narrations available, but the one I chose was Rupert Degas....more
There wasn't anything really wrong with this book, but there wasn't anything really right with it either. The relationship was built on a few kisses wThere wasn't anything really wrong with this book, but there wasn't anything really right with it either. The relationship was built on a few kisses without any other real interactions, and the couple didn't have any chemistry that I could see.
The title is a bit misleading. It isn't a tale about a knight as we traditionally think of it, but is a story of a wealthy man with a surname Knight. I found that a bit disappointing since I enjoy tales of the medieval time period and was expecting the hero to be a true knight.
Not one worth a re-read.
The virtual narration was rather comical, very literal. For example "W-w-what?" instead of being read as a stutter, was "W" "W" "What"....more
I would probably give this book 3.5 stars. There were moments I really enjoyed, but moments I really didn’t as well.
I enjoyed the love story. I like I would probably give this book 3.5 stars. There were moments I really enjoyed, but moments I really didn’t as well.
I enjoyed the love story. I like tales of arranged marriages, or in this case basically a mail order bride, where the couple find their way to love in spite of being strangers when they marry.
However, I don’t enjoy the heroine wondering about the infidelity of her husband. That, thankfully, was only in the first half of the book, mostly. But the real reason for the lower rating is all the anger and violence. While I do like seeing a man defend his love, this was excessive and about more than defending one’s wife.
Not one I care to read again.
The computer generated narration was good, but words weren’t pronounced correctly and sometimes took a bit to figure out....more
Not a favorite subject matter - one where the heroine always suspects her husband of infidelity. Again, another one where a bit of communication wouldNot a favorite subject matter - one where the heroine always suspects her husband of infidelity. Again, another one where a bit of communication would have gone a long way.
Again I wish Good Reads had half star ratings. I give it more than four but not quite five. I love the humor in this book. It always makes me smile, iAgain I wish Good Reads had half star ratings. I give it more than four but not quite five. I love the humor in this book. It always makes me smile, if not laugh out loud!
The computer generated audio isn’t bad, not perfect, but enjoyable....more
I mostly listened to this book using a computer generated narration, which was not bad.
If I was rating the book based on what I enjoy, three stars isI mostly listened to this book using a computer generated narration, which was not bad.
If I was rating the book based on what I enjoy, three stars is too many. However, my one and two star ratings are reserved for books that either have a morally distasteful plot (two stars) or explicit intimacy (one star) so three is the lowest I can give this one.
It has one of my least favorite plots, the one where everything would be much better with even just a bit of honest communication. About half way through I wasn’t sure I’d be able to finish reading it. But that little part of me, the all or nothing part, wouldn’t allow me to give up.
Mason was forever shouting, when the reality is that shouting didn't seem to be part of his character unless it was directed at Cassidy. Cassidy was always delivering hurtful comments which caused the shouting, then would cry afterwards. There didn't seem to be even a hint of kindness between them, which given the way they treated others, wasn't exactly believable, and very, very childish!
Cassidy's reaction to an arranged marriage is totally out of sync with the time period and station of her family. Everyone in such families at that time had arranged marriages, and most accepted it as a way of life without demanding explanations of "Why are you doing this to me?"
The spider scene was totally unbelievable!! (Spoiler) Someone puts hundreds and hundreds of spiders in Cassidy's room. What was the purpose? Where would an individual gather so many spiders? How, if it was possible to even accomplish, did they keep the spiders in the one room of the house?
Anyway, unnecessary secrets, pride, jealousy, cruelty and insecurities, added to an unbelievable plot, make this one I don't care to read again - ever!...more
I debated about the rating of this book, but finally settled on four stars.
The computer generated narration isn’t wonderful, but okay if you know theI debated about the rating of this book, but finally settled on four stars.
The computer generated narration isn’t wonderful, but okay if you know the story. There’s a lot of misreading of punctuation making the meaning hard to grasp.
This is the first Marcia McClure book I’ve listened to that had a content warning at the beginning so I paid closer attention and realized it was needed.
As I said, rating was harder for me because of that, but I do enjoy the story and it’s one I read every so often, thus four stars instead of three....more
This book follows most tales of Beauty and the Beast, but there aren’t any curses or magic involved. Although it does closely follow the outline of BeThis book follows most tales of Beauty and the Beast, but there aren’t any curses or magic involved. Although it does closely follow the outline of Beauty and the Beast, it does vary quite a bit in the relationship of the main characters and the beast is struggling with being the man he used to be or the beast circumstances cause him to become.
This book has a computer generated narration which is actually quite good. ...more
I would have given this book 3.5 stars if that was an option. The story line was great, but too much time was spent on the poisonous roommate and not I would have given this book 3.5 stars if that was an option. The story line was great, but too much time was spent on the poisonous roommate and not enough time on the romance side of things. Also, I felt the end was a bit unsatisfying - too rushed for the built up emotions....more
I read “The Grimm Laws” many rears ago shortly after the first two books were available. I watched as the two books were separated into four under difI read “The Grimm Laws” many rears ago shortly after the first two books were available. I watched as the two books were separated into four under different titles. Now the four are combined back into two with a brand new book being released soon as the first in the series.
The series does need read in order to get the full benefit of each book. “Remembered” now contains a few updates which include and more fully explain events from “Bonded”.
I’ve loved “The Grimm Laws” since my first reading of it years ago and the additions tying it to “Bonded” are fantastic!
Well done J. L. Youngblood! I can’t wait to read “Shadowed”!!!...more
I read “The Grimm Laws” many rears ago shortly after the first two books were available. I watched as the two books were separated into four under difI read “The Grimm Laws” many rears ago shortly after the first two books were available. I watched as the two books were separated into four under different titles. Now the four are combined back into two with a brand new book soon being released soon as the first in the series.
The series does need read in order to get the full benefit of each book. “Forgotten” now contains a few updates which include and more fully explain events from “Bonded”.
I’ve loved “The Grimm Laws” since my first reading of it years ago and the additions tying it to “Bonded” are fantastic!...more