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amandasbookreview's Reviews (966)
"This touching book will leave readers with their hearts fluttering but also dabbing their eyes."
Check out the rest of the review at:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/may/viewer/desktop/#page/56
Check out the rest of the review at:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/may/viewer/desktop/#page/56
"This mysterious historical romance is nothing short of captivating!"
Check out the rest of the review at:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/may/viewer/desktop/#page/56
Check out the rest of the review at:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/may/viewer/desktop/#page/56
Just look at that cover! Curing My Venom by A. Rinum is a collection of intense poetry. The cover alone drew me in. This collection is split up into 5 phases:
1)Denial
2)Anger
3)Bargaining
4)Depression
5)Acceptance
There are some moments of hope, but life does not always work out the way we plan. Everyone will go through these stages in life. Everyone has flaws. The main point of this book is that life can be cruel and we all deal with it in our own way.
Not only is this book filled with emotional poetry but it is also filled with detailed and emotional drawings as well. These drawings really capture the essence of the poetry.
I definitely have a few favorites in this collection. For instance: The Forgotten Beast, Still Uncured, It's Okay to Not Be Okay, I Can't Seem To Heal, and Dance With The Tunes of Life.
This book really captures the emotions and is extremely relatable. I admire the author's raw honesty in the poems. There is never a moment when the emotions are held back. I love that this book really makes readers try to accept who they are and accept their emotions.
This book touches on mental health, grief, and heartbreak. Be prepared for any triggers, as I said, this book is very upfront and honest. Overall, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars! Check it out, especially if you love poetry.
Thank you to the author for a copy of the book!
1)Denial
2)Anger
3)Bargaining
4)Depression
5)Acceptance
There are some moments of hope, but life does not always work out the way we plan. Everyone will go through these stages in life. Everyone has flaws. The main point of this book is that life can be cruel and we all deal with it in our own way.
Not only is this book filled with emotional poetry but it is also filled with detailed and emotional drawings as well. These drawings really capture the essence of the poetry.
I definitely have a few favorites in this collection. For instance: The Forgotten Beast, Still Uncured, It's Okay to Not Be Okay, I Can't Seem To Heal, and Dance With The Tunes of Life.
This book really captures the emotions and is extremely relatable. I admire the author's raw honesty in the poems. There is never a moment when the emotions are held back. I love that this book really makes readers try to accept who they are and accept their emotions.
This book touches on mental health, grief, and heartbreak. Be prepared for any triggers, as I said, this book is very upfront and honest. Overall, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars! Check it out, especially if you love poetry.
Thank you to the author for a copy of the book!
I always have an appreciation for a good science fiction/fantasy story. So, Shadowverse by John-Clement Gallo definitely caught my attention. This book introduces friends: Johnny, Ryan, Dustin, Sam, Jane and Rose. Little do they know, their friend Rose is from an alien planet. All the friends soon realize they have extraordinary powers! When Rose is taken by Titan, they must rescue her. In order to rescue her, they must find an ancient warrior to help them and stop Titan's plans before it is too late.
This is definitely an interesting read. I feel this book has a lot of inspiration behind it. The science fiction aspect reminds me of Star Wars. The comic book aspect reminds me of the Fantastic Four. But the writing has the wit of Guardians of the Galaxy. One thing that blew me away, is that they author is seventeen years old. I am so impressed! This book really focuses on what it means to be a true friend and a hero. I love the bond between the friends.
The pacing can be a little awkward. Some parts in the beginning feel rushed, while the ending slows down a bit. However, this book is still enjoyable!! If you are a fan of YA, science fiction and fantasy then you will probably enjoy this story. Overall, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars! Check it out!
This is definitely an interesting read. I feel this book has a lot of inspiration behind it. The science fiction aspect reminds me of Star Wars. The comic book aspect reminds me of the Fantastic Four. But the writing has the wit of Guardians of the Galaxy. One thing that blew me away, is that they author is seventeen years old. I am so impressed! This book really focuses on what it means to be a true friend and a hero. I love the bond between the friends.
The pacing can be a little awkward. Some parts in the beginning feel rushed, while the ending slows down a bit. However, this book is still enjoyable!! If you are a fan of YA, science fiction and fantasy then you will probably enjoy this story. Overall, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars! Check it out!
"It is a commonly held belief that the most likely place to find a ghost is beneath a shadowy moon, among the ruins of a castle, or perhaps in an abandoned house where the living have fled leaving only spirits to drift from room to room."
-The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston, page 1
Once again, I am disappointed in myself. The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston has been sitting on my shelf for about a year now. It did not deserve such a fate. This book deserves to be treasured.
Xanthe Westlake and her mother, Flora, move into a new home to open an antique store to begin a new life. Flora struggles with arthritis and Xanthe does her best to support her. They need this new business venture to be a success. The helpful part is Xanthe's extraordinary gift. When she touches an item, she can feel its history and its story. Little do they know that there is a ghost in their new home. A ghost who has waited an awfully long time for someone with Xanthe's gift. Xanthe discovers a beautiful piece of silver at an auction. This item sings to her more than any other object before. She soon discovers that this piece is connected to their ghost, Mistress Merton. Mistress Merton asks for Xanthe's help in saving her daughter. This requires Xanthe to travel back in time...to the year 1605.
It is so hard to write a review for this book. I want to give you all the information, but I also don't want to spoil it. I could not put this book down. It is a beautiful blend of fantasy, paranormal, mystery, and history. This story is filled with time-travel, ghosts, history, love, danger, and justice. The characters are so beautifully developed. Xanthe is a treasure and I absolutely adore the relationship she has with her mother. Paula Brackston does a wonderful job at writing such rich, in-depth, detail. It was as if she was writing about me. When I collect antiques or vintage books, I sit there wondering about their journey and their history. So this book really hit home with me.
This book is utterly enchanting and magical. It gave the chills and I was just as lost in time as Xanthe was. Easily 5 out of 5 stars! I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Thank you to Goodreads, the author, and publisher for a copy of the book!
-The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston, page 1
Once again, I am disappointed in myself. The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston has been sitting on my shelf for about a year now. It did not deserve such a fate. This book deserves to be treasured.
Xanthe Westlake and her mother, Flora, move into a new home to open an antique store to begin a new life. Flora struggles with arthritis and Xanthe does her best to support her. They need this new business venture to be a success. The helpful part is Xanthe's extraordinary gift. When she touches an item, she can feel its history and its story. Little do they know that there is a ghost in their new home. A ghost who has waited an awfully long time for someone with Xanthe's gift. Xanthe discovers a beautiful piece of silver at an auction. This item sings to her more than any other object before. She soon discovers that this piece is connected to their ghost, Mistress Merton. Mistress Merton asks for Xanthe's help in saving her daughter. This requires Xanthe to travel back in time...to the year 1605.
It is so hard to write a review for this book. I want to give you all the information, but I also don't want to spoil it. I could not put this book down. It is a beautiful blend of fantasy, paranormal, mystery, and history. This story is filled with time-travel, ghosts, history, love, danger, and justice. The characters are so beautifully developed. Xanthe is a treasure and I absolutely adore the relationship she has with her mother. Paula Brackston does a wonderful job at writing such rich, in-depth, detail. It was as if she was writing about me. When I collect antiques or vintage books, I sit there wondering about their journey and their history. So this book really hit home with me.
This book is utterly enchanting and magical. It gave the chills and I was just as lost in time as Xanthe was. Easily 5 out of 5 stars! I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Thank you to Goodreads, the author, and publisher for a copy of the book!
I have been counting down the days for the release of I Know Who You Are by Alice Feeney. Her first novel, Sometimes I Lie absolutely blew me away, so needless to say I was so excited for this book! There are two alternating storylines. The first is about Aimee Sinclair an up and coming actress. She loves acting but does not like to be the center of attention. One day, her husband is gone. No note and all of his belongings are still there. The police are skeptical of her story since all the evidence points to her. But she has no recollection of the evidence they provide. The second is about a young girl with a hard home life. One day she runs away and a seemingly friendly woman helps her out. She is going to find that she should have stayed home.
Once again, I am shocked. This book is filled with twists and turns that I did not see coming. A good psychological thriller is not predictable and this is definitely not predictable. One thing that I loved is that both the stories flowed perfectly together. Normally, I am not a fan of alternating points of view, but Alice Feeney always manages to make it cohesive. The characters are flawed but that is what makes them more interesting. Aimee is definitely an amazingly unreliable main character. I never knew what to expect!
Be prepared. This book does discuss some pretty intense and violent themes and is not for the faint of heart. It also touches on mental illness of all kinds. But be warned, this story is utterly addicting and jaw-dropping! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Once again, I am shocked. This book is filled with twists and turns that I did not see coming. A good psychological thriller is not predictable and this is definitely not predictable. One thing that I loved is that both the stories flowed perfectly together. Normally, I am not a fan of alternating points of view, but Alice Feeney always manages to make it cohesive. The characters are flawed but that is what makes them more interesting. Aimee is definitely an amazingly unreliable main character. I never knew what to expect!
Be prepared. This book does discuss some pretty intense and violent themes and is not for the faint of heart. It also touches on mental illness of all kinds. But be warned, this story is utterly addicting and jaw-dropping! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
If you follow me on Instagram then you know that my favorite Jane Austen book is Sense and Sensibility. I have read it several times before but I haven’t had the time to read it this year. So I downloaded Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, abridged edition, narrated by Glenda Jackson. Normally, I would buy the unabridged selection but I didn’t notice until I was already listening to the book. So for those who aren’t familiar with Sense and Sensibility, it is about a woman and her daughters coming into poverty at the death of her husband. They are able to obtain a cottage and get a little allowance but they are ultimately kicked out of their home and not given any of the inheritance. Mrs. Dashwood has three daughters, the two eldest are Elinor and Marianne. Elinor tends to keep her emotions inward, while Marianne exudes passion and refuses to hide it. As the story unfolds, it shows how complicated social life at this time can be, as well as finding a suitable husband. Both Dashwood sisters find themselves in love but show the disappointment that comes with love.
One of the reasons why this book is my favorite is Marianne and Colonel Brandon. Colonel Brandon falls for her immediately but she is infatuated with another. Marianne grows so much through this story and discovers that love doesn’t always happen immediately. It grows over time with respect. I love her development throughout the story. Of course, who doesn’t love Elinor? She is always level-headed and keeps her emotions in check. I always found that so heartbreaking that she lived with those emotions on her own.
I love Jane Austen for many reasons but her books are technically contemporary since this is what romance was like at the time. She really dives into the social matters and consequences of being a woman in that time period. Finding a suitable husband was first and foremost. Their lives are thrown upside down because Mrs. Dashwood’s husband died and because they are women, they did not have any say in the estate.
This audiobook is very well done. The narrator does a splendid job with narrating this story and is really good at conveying the emotion throughout. I rate this 5 out of 5 stars.
One of the reasons why this book is my favorite is Marianne and Colonel Brandon. Colonel Brandon falls for her immediately but she is infatuated with another. Marianne grows so much through this story and discovers that love doesn’t always happen immediately. It grows over time with respect. I love her development throughout the story. Of course, who doesn’t love Elinor? She is always level-headed and keeps her emotions in check. I always found that so heartbreaking that she lived with those emotions on her own.
I love Jane Austen for many reasons but her books are technically contemporary since this is what romance was like at the time. She really dives into the social matters and consequences of being a woman in that time period. Finding a suitable husband was first and foremost. Their lives are thrown upside down because Mrs. Dashwood’s husband died and because they are women, they did not have any say in the estate.
This audiobook is very well done. The narrator does a splendid job with narrating this story and is really good at conveying the emotion throughout. I rate this 5 out of 5 stars.
I now know why Agatha Christie is sometimes referred to as the "Queen of Crime" or "The Queen of Mystery." Murder on the Orient Express is the first book by Agatha Christie that I have read. This is another one of those books that make me disappointed in myself that I waited so long to read it. Hercule Poirot is a world-famous detective who is traveling by train to get back to England for another case. While on this journey a man is found murdered and it is up to Poirot to try to find the murderer. He goes through and interviews all the passengers and discovers a link to a kidnapping years prior in America. While interviewing the passengers he comes to find that most of them are less than truthful. He must see past the lies before the murderer strikes again.
ALL. THAT. SASS. Sweet baby Jesus, Poirot is such an amazing character filled with so much attitude that I almost died from laughter. He is definitely the star of the book. I love the attention to detail, he picks up on details before the reader can. It is almost like there are little hints and clues on the way, so paying attention is a must. This is not the kind of book that you just mindlessly read. It is the kind of book that grabs you and thrusts you into the mystery and if you are not paying attention you will miss something. Some people may think it is slow, and it is true. It is not exactly a fast-paced book. But I feel like that is the beauty of it. When I was forced to put the book down, I found myself thinking about the evidence. There were times where I went back to reread a chapter to see if I missed anything. This book is meant to be slow, it is meant to make you think, it is meant to make the reader a detective of sorts.
Agatha Christie is amazing at creating characters. She managed to bring together a diverse group of people, all with their own secrets but also somehow connected. The way everything starts to connect together is quite astounding. That ending is incredible and I did not see it coming. Agatha Christie definitely sets the standard for a complex and detailed mystery. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
ALL. THAT. SASS. Sweet baby Jesus, Poirot is such an amazing character filled with so much attitude that I almost died from laughter. He is definitely the star of the book. I love the attention to detail, he picks up on details before the reader can. It is almost like there are little hints and clues on the way, so paying attention is a must. This is not the kind of book that you just mindlessly read. It is the kind of book that grabs you and thrusts you into the mystery and if you are not paying attention you will miss something. Some people may think it is slow, and it is true. It is not exactly a fast-paced book. But I feel like that is the beauty of it. When I was forced to put the book down, I found myself thinking about the evidence. There were times where I went back to reread a chapter to see if I missed anything. This book is meant to be slow, it is meant to make you think, it is meant to make the reader a detective of sorts.
Agatha Christie is amazing at creating characters. She managed to bring together a diverse group of people, all with their own secrets but also somehow connected. The way everything starts to connect together is quite astounding. That ending is incredible and I did not see it coming. Agatha Christie definitely sets the standard for a complex and detailed mystery. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Love Lines by Sheri Langer is a contemporary romance about a woman named Fordham Price. She is a single mother just trying to be a good mom and tackle the dating scene. Fordham is already stressed out as it is when a coworker, up and leaves her with an important account. Now she feels like she is failing as a mom because work is now a priority. Suddenly, a man from her past shows up and she can’t help but fall back into the feelings from all those years ago. However, they have both changed so much over the years. But there is also her daughter’s principal. The attraction is there, but it is complicated. Although, Fordham’s whole life is complicated.
This book immediately grabbed my attention with Fordham’s situation. I really wanted to enjoy this book. I was really hoping that it would dive more into the struggles of a single mom trying her best and tackling the publishing world. However, it’s main focus is on her dating life. I was not a fan of Fordham. She is not a likable character. She spent more time whining and figuring out what to wear than concentrating on work and her daughter.
The pace of the novel is quite slow and it did not need to be over 300 pages long. I wanted to care what was happening with the characters. I wanted to grow attached, but unfortunately, that did not happen. The writing is witty enough, especially from Fordham’s mom and daughter. I just wish the plot and the main character had more depth. I rate this book 2 out of 5 stars. If you enjoy romance novels about dating turmoil then you will probably really enjoy this book!
Thank you to the author and publisher for a copy of the book!
This book immediately grabbed my attention with Fordham’s situation. I really wanted to enjoy this book. I was really hoping that it would dive more into the struggles of a single mom trying her best and tackling the publishing world. However, it’s main focus is on her dating life. I was not a fan of Fordham. She is not a likable character. She spent more time whining and figuring out what to wear than concentrating on work and her daughter.
The pace of the novel is quite slow and it did not need to be over 300 pages long. I wanted to care what was happening with the characters. I wanted to grow attached, but unfortunately, that did not happen. The writing is witty enough, especially from Fordham’s mom and daughter. I just wish the plot and the main character had more depth. I rate this book 2 out of 5 stars. If you enjoy romance novels about dating turmoil then you will probably really enjoy this book!
Thank you to the author and publisher for a copy of the book!
Jaded is a Starstruck Novella by Elle J Rossi. Brooklyn arrives back in her home town after four years. She had been in design school but received a desperate call from her little brother. Their mother has never been the maternal sort. Her brother and sister are hungry and not just for food but also for the love that they would never get from their mother. The only problem with coming back home is running into her former love, Emmett. Love and passion have never been difficult for them. However, can Emmett let Brooklyn find herself? And can Brooklyn get over her fear of commitment and failure?
This is the perfect afternoon read for romance lovers. This short novella really hits the emotions hard with a relatable storyline. The characters are dynamic and full of chemistry. There were moments that really moved me and made me feel the anguish that Brooklyn felt. It is rare that a novella can grasp all these emotions in such a short amount of time. The pacing is perfect and I did not set the book down once after I opened the first page!
If you have an hour or two to spare and are desperate for a sweet romance to read...then this is it! I rate this lovely novella 5 out of 5 stars!
This is the perfect afternoon read for romance lovers. This short novella really hits the emotions hard with a relatable storyline. The characters are dynamic and full of chemistry. There were moments that really moved me and made me feel the anguish that Brooklyn felt. It is rare that a novella can grasp all these emotions in such a short amount of time. The pacing is perfect and I did not set the book down once after I opened the first page!
If you have an hour or two to spare and are desperate for a sweet romance to read...then this is it! I rate this lovely novella 5 out of 5 stars!