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amandasbookreview's Reviews (966)
I love reading self-published, small published and Indie authors. These books usually have so many personal touches. Dunzy’s Coffee Shop by R E Henderson is one of those books. Even at first look, who actually painted the cover art for the book. Right off the bat, you see how personal this book is. The story begins in the year 2020 and shows a man named Todd coming home for the first time in a long time. He obviously has had a tough time and is not even sure why he is home and is conflicted deep down. The book then jumps to the year 1995 when Todd was a just a kid. He meets a boy named Charlie who is picked on and bullied. They become friends and bond over Star Wars. However, one night when Todd is visiting Charlie, Charlie’s brother gets arrested and his mother has a mental breakdown, leaving Charlie alone and sent off to foster care. Years go by and in middle school, the boys have reunited again. Even with so many horrible things happening in the world, will they make the right decisions and succeed in life?
This book is a great coming-of-age book filled with Star Wars and Power Ranger references that any 90’s kid will appreciate. Being a 90’s kid myself, I know I enjoyed it. I love how the author discusses many hard topics like bullying, drugs, alcohol, love, forgiveness and mental health. It is hard growing up and I love that this author shows the pressures that are on kids and teens. This book is definitely Christian Fiction and does have many messages about God and how God has a plan for everyone. So if you are religious, then you will appreciate the message. The book is very fast-paced and seems to be mostly dialogue. I did find a few grammatical errors but nothing too major, they can easily be fixed. I do wish that the point of view didn’t switch so much. But other than that, it was a quick and enjoyable read. I do believe that this book is mainly for teenage and young adult audiences as they can relate a little more to the points of view. Overall, I rate this book 3.5 stars! You should definitely check it out!
This book is a great coming-of-age book filled with Star Wars and Power Ranger references that any 90’s kid will appreciate. Being a 90’s kid myself, I know I enjoyed it. I love how the author discusses many hard topics like bullying, drugs, alcohol, love, forgiveness and mental health. It is hard growing up and I love that this author shows the pressures that are on kids and teens. This book is definitely Christian Fiction and does have many messages about God and how God has a plan for everyone. So if you are religious, then you will appreciate the message. The book is very fast-paced and seems to be mostly dialogue. I did find a few grammatical errors but nothing too major, they can easily be fixed. I do wish that the point of view didn’t switch so much. But other than that, it was a quick and enjoyable read. I do believe that this book is mainly for teenage and young adult audiences as they can relate a little more to the points of view. Overall, I rate this book 3.5 stars! You should definitely check it out!
"The chemistry between Michael and Sophia is off the charts!"
Check out the rest of the review in InD'Tale Magazine!
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2018/november/viewer/desktop/#page/78
Check out the rest of the review in InD'Tale Magazine!
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2018/november/viewer/desktop/#page/78
"The world building in this science fiction novel is utterly fantastic!"
Check out the rest of the review at InD'Tale Magazine!
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2018/november/viewer/desktop/#page/98
Check out the rest of the review at InD'Tale Magazine!
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2018/november/viewer/desktop/#page/98
The story introduces the readers to Jack Torrance and his family. Jack is an aspiring writer and a recovering alcoholic. He is married to Wendy and they have a son named Danny. Jack also suffers from anger issues which caused him to strike a student and therefore lose his job. He finally gets a job offer looking after a hotel in Colorado during the offseason. It seems like the perfect opportunity for this struggling family. Unknown to his parents, Danny has premonition and visions. According to the hotel’s chef, it is called the shine. Danny can see and hear things before they happen and also send telepathic messages to others. At first, his job seems perfect for the family. However, Jack soon starts losing control. Soon, the hotel’s eerie past comes to light and before the Torrance’s realize it, they are in significant danger. The hotel will stop at nothing to get what it wants.
I can see why this book is a horror classic. I can’t believe how easily I was pulled into this book. Stephen King can write a pretty remarkable story. He is also very talented at creating real horror and getting into the readers head! I am not a fan of horror, yet I could not put this story down. I feel like Stephen King really has a knack for creating intense foreshadowing. He builds up the suspense to the point you are terrified to turn the page but can’t stop yourself.
I also enjoyed the characters! Despite this being a horror novel, the family seems weirdly relatable. They all have their vices that they are struggling to survive. I have not seen the movie and I don’t think I can. I already won’t be sleeping tonight. I am being completely honest when I say I could only read this book during the day. Even though it terrified me, I couldn’t help but love it. This book gets 5 out of 5 stars from me!
I can see why this book is a horror classic. I can’t believe how easily I was pulled into this book. Stephen King can write a pretty remarkable story. He is also very talented at creating real horror and getting into the readers head! I am not a fan of horror, yet I could not put this story down. I feel like Stephen King really has a knack for creating intense foreshadowing. He builds up the suspense to the point you are terrified to turn the page but can’t stop yourself.
I also enjoyed the characters! Despite this being a horror novel, the family seems weirdly relatable. They all have their vices that they are struggling to survive. I have not seen the movie and I don’t think I can. I already won’t be sleeping tonight. I am being completely honest when I say I could only read this book during the day. Even though it terrified me, I couldn’t help but love it. This book gets 5 out of 5 stars from me!
Book of the Just by Dana Chamblee Carpenter is the 3rd installment of the Bohemian Trilogy. Mouse is immortal and powerful but has yet to truly accept her powers. She is given a dream where she discovers that she has a brother, something her father has always wanted. She is on the run with her love, Angelo, however, times will begin to change yet again. Angelo and Mouse are having dreams. Something dangerous is coming. Now they must find the only weapons that can help them fight against their enemies.
Check out the rest of my review at:
https://amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com/2018/10/22/book-of-the-just-by-dana-chamblee-carpenter-review/
Check out the rest of my review at:
https://amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com/2018/10/22/book-of-the-just-by-dana-chamblee-carpenter-review/
Gazelle in the Shadows by Michelle Peach is a fictional story that is based on true events that happened in the author’s life. The story introduces us to Elizabeth Booth from England who wants to travel and study Arabic. She works hard and ends up going to school in Syria. She falls in love with the people and the culture immediately. She even falls in love with a young man named Hussein. However, all is not what it seems. Hussein’s true intentions are revealed and now Elizabeth must watch her every step.
This book really dives deep into Syrian culture.
Check out my full review here:
https://amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com/2018/10/19/gazelle-in-the-shadows-by-michelle-peach-review/
This book really dives deep into Syrian culture.
Check out my full review here:
https://amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com/2018/10/19/gazelle-in-the-shadows-by-michelle-peach-review/
This is one of those books where it is physically painful to put down. I stayed up later than usual just to finish it because I had to know what was going to happen next. Fear Land by Rolynn Anderson is romantic, suspenseful and heartwrenching. Tally Rosella is a psychiatrist who works with children with anxiety. She often avoids adults because she can read their intense feelings that radiate from deep inside. When she starts a new study, she bumps heads with her new colleagues and some patients. Even though she is doing the right thing, someone starts coming after her. For the first time, she leans on her neighbors for help. There is Claire, a sweet elderly woman and Major Cole Messer who is a father to a child who suffers from anxiety as well. Tally's job seems to have an impact on these neighbors, and not just her. Tally and Cole need to work together to protect each other and Cole's son without causing him to worry.
Check out the rest of my review at:
https://amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com/2018/10/16/fear-land-by-rolynn-anderson-review/
Check out the rest of my review at:
https://amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com/2018/10/16/fear-land-by-rolynn-anderson-review/
Body Mindful Yoga: Create a Powerful and Affirming Relationship with Your Body
Jennifer Kreatsoulas, Robert Butera
Body Mindful Yoga by Robert Butera and Jennifer Kreatsoulas is an insightful guide for readers who want to take a deeper look at themselves and improve. The book is split up into different sections Listen, Learn, Love and Live. It is also filled with in-journal exercises to help the readers really identify how they view themselves. It really focuses on language and negative body image and how that affects us mentally but also socially and within our own yoga practice.
"The problem is, however, that when we habitually rely on others to validate our worth, we never truly learn how to validate ourselves. As a result, we become enmeshed in guilt, shame, and comparison as we constantly strive to arrive at an ideal." -Body Mindful Yoga, Introduction
After reading this book, I never truly realized how negative my own personal body image was. This book had me write down my personal responses to exercises in a journal and then had me go back and examine them. Here, I was able to see critical and harsh words on how I viewed my looks, body weight goals, and how I view food and eating habits. Not only this, but these negative thoughts not only control my negative body image but also makes an impact on how I treat others, how I interact socially and how it can have a negative impact on my yoga practice.
I thought this book to be extremely powerful and encouraging. This book is meant for anyone who is willing to make positive changes in their life as a whole. Not only does this book have exercises and yoga sequences but it provides encouraging and positive tips to make changes in our lives. I also love how this book breaks down social fads and language. I really enjoyed everything about this book and it will provide me with decisive changes in my daily life. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!!
Thank you, NetGalley for a copy of this book!
"The problem is, however, that when we habitually rely on others to validate our worth, we never truly learn how to validate ourselves. As a result, we become enmeshed in guilt, shame, and comparison as we constantly strive to arrive at an ideal." -Body Mindful Yoga, Introduction
After reading this book, I never truly realized how negative my own personal body image was. This book had me write down my personal responses to exercises in a journal and then had me go back and examine them. Here, I was able to see critical and harsh words on how I viewed my looks, body weight goals, and how I view food and eating habits. Not only this, but these negative thoughts not only control my negative body image but also makes an impact on how I treat others, how I interact socially and how it can have a negative impact on my yoga practice.
I thought this book to be extremely powerful and encouraging. This book is meant for anyone who is willing to make positive changes in their life as a whole. Not only does this book have exercises and yoga sequences but it provides encouraging and positive tips to make changes in our lives. I also love how this book breaks down social fads and language. I really enjoyed everything about this book and it will provide me with decisive changes in my daily life. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!!
Thank you, NetGalley for a copy of this book!
The book starts off in Cuba in 1959 and introduces Elisa Perez. She and her family are fleeing Cuba after the fall of Batista, the President of Cuba. The book then flashes forward to Marisol who lives in Florida in the year 2017. Elisa is Marisol’s grandmother and she has just passed away. Elisa asks that Marisol travels to Cuba to spread her ashes. Marisol goes and visits Ana, her grandmother’s best friend. She also meets Ana’s grandson Luis. They both teach Marisol a little more about Cuba. Luis provides insight into the struggles of the Cuban people and what Cuba is really like. Ana provides insight into Elisa’s life, a life that Marisol was not aware of. Together this knowledge will change Marisol forever.
https://amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com/2018/10/01/next-year-in-havana-by-chanel-cleeton-review/
https://amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com/2018/10/01/next-year-in-havana-by-chanel-cleeton-review/
I really enjoyed Defiant Passion: Sons of Rhodri I by Anna Markland! It is a novella about Rhodri ap Owain, the Prince of Powwydd. He is the leader of the Welsh rebels and is determined to see his people free from the Normans. Convinced by some untrustworthy spies, he decides to kidnap a Norman lords wife and children in exchange for a ransom to feed his people. When he kidnaps the lady and their children, they are accompanied by a healer. Rhodri is taken by her. He feels that she is his destiny. However, even though she feels the same, she is torn. Will they find a way to be together?
This is such a tender novella. I know novellas are short but I felt that it was way too short. I wanted more description and to see their love deepen. Their love seemed to grow out of nowhere and too quickly. However, there is no doubting the chemistry that came between Rhodri and Rhonwen. I loved the history that is displayed about Wales and the description of the weather and countryside. It made me feel as if I was there. I love Welsh history and I find that it often gets overlooked.
I loved that the author used many phrases and terms in Cymraeg, the Welsh language. It is a complicated language but it added a nice authenticity to the story. The novella comes with a glossary in the back to help with many of the terms.
Overall, I rate this book 4 out 5 stars! I definitely want to read more about this family as this book reads like a prequel. I can’t wait to read more by this author! Check it out! Historical romance lovers will adore this story!
This is such a tender novella. I know novellas are short but I felt that it was way too short. I wanted more description and to see their love deepen. Their love seemed to grow out of nowhere and too quickly. However, there is no doubting the chemistry that came between Rhodri and Rhonwen. I loved the history that is displayed about Wales and the description of the weather and countryside. It made me feel as if I was there. I love Welsh history and I find that it often gets overlooked.
I loved that the author used many phrases and terms in Cymraeg, the Welsh language. It is a complicated language but it added a nice authenticity to the story. The novella comes with a glossary in the back to help with many of the terms.
Overall, I rate this book 4 out 5 stars! I definitely want to read more about this family as this book reads like a prequel. I can’t wait to read more by this author! Check it out! Historical romance lovers will adore this story!