The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews

November 4, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (392 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

An Uncommon Beauty…

Hidden away in rural Devonshire, Phyllida Satterthwaite has always been considered more odd than beautiful. But in London, her oddity has made her a sensation. Far worse, it’s caught the eye of the sinister Duke of Moreland—a notorious art collector obsessed with acquiring one-of-a-kind treasures. To escape the duke’s clutches, she’s going to need a little help.

An Unlikely Hero…
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Captain Arthur Heywood’s days of heroism are long past. Grievously injured in the Peninsular War, he can no longer walk unaided, let alone shoot a pistol. What use can he possibly be to a damsel in distress? He has nothing left to offer except his good name.

Can a marriage of convenience save Philly from the vengeful duke? Or will life with Arthur put her—and her heart—in more danger than ever?

Just as the title suggests, this book was a work of art. This is my second novel by Mimi Matthews and with it came high expectations. I’m thrilled to say it didn’t disappoint.

I personally enjoy historical romance stories and have read quite a few, but I considered Work of Art refreshing. The two leading characters, Arthur and Philly were well suited for each other and made for an inspiring love story. I was riveted to my seat while reading the suspense provided by the sinister Duke of Moreland. I enjoyed the detailed descriptions which made it feel like we were witnesses in the story. There were several well developed characters that added to the richness of the plot.

I have to confess, traditionally after writing a review, I’ll go to Amazon out of curiosity to see what the review percentages are. It always intrigues me when I love a book and find out that others in fact did not, or vice versus. It reminds me how reviews really are subjective to the reviewer. With that said, this time my curiosity got the better of me and I peeked before I wrote my review. I wasn’t surprised to see that a huge percent enjoyed this book as much as I did.

I honestly couldn’t put the book down which made for an exceedingly long night. While I might be tired today, it was worth forgoing my sleep to reach the happily ever after ending. I adored the honesty between Arthur and Philly that propagated a friendship which turned to true love.

This was a wholesome love story between two genuinely kind hearted individuals that deserved to find love and happiness after the tribulations that they individually endured prior to meeting. I strongly encourage readers to pick up this book. It left an everlasting impact in my heart.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Willoughby’s World of Wonder by Stephen Barnwell

November 1, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Willoughby’s World of Wonder by Stephen Barnwell
Publisher: Bayne & McKay
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full length (182 pages)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 5 stars
Review by Honeysuckle
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This is the International Edition of Willoughby’s World of Wonder, a fictional reproduction of the famous 1882 Field Guide to Strange Beasts & Curious Creatures. Willoughby’s, as it was popularly known, was created by noted cryptozoologist and naturalist, Angus Willoughby. For half a century, this unique reference guide was used as a textbook in many universities around the globe, and was considered a primary reference of many cryptozoological societies and organizations. Years of painstaking research and expert restoration have yielded the amazing rebirth of this treasured book, which is as important today as it was when it was originally published.

Ever wonder where the inspiration for some of the fantastical creatures in Percy Jackson, Clash of the Titans, The Hobbit, Harry Potter and many other fantasy series could have come from? Quite possibly, the authors were inspired by the writings of one Mr. Angus Willoughby circa 1882. This updated and illustrated reprint of the book is filled with details of well known folk such the Fey, Faerie, Brownies, Kraken, and Cyclops, as well as creatures that inhabit the night such as Pookas, Bogeyman, and Banshee’s. But there’s so much more. What is a chickfish and a Leocornus and a Mock Lobster?? Readers will see their size, habitat and other intricate details.

This book will appeal to a wide audience. I spied all three of my children, all teenagers, thumbing through this book at various times but it was my husband who really got a kick out of it. Also listed as a Field Guide To Strange Beasts and Curious Creatures, it isn’t hard to see how the clever creatures created by Mr. Willoughby found their way into thousands of fantasy and urban fantasy literature and still inspire authors today as well as their big screen counterparts.

Readers who have creative artists and budding writers in their house would do well to obtain a copy of this book. It’s both entertaining and educational.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Negotiating Love by Morticia Knight

October 29, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Negotiating Love by Morticia Knight
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (155 pages)
Other: M/M, Masturbation, Anal Play, BDSM, Fetish, Toys
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Paperwhite

When kinky meets kinkier, these opposites discover they have more in common than they realized…

SWAT Team Hostage Negotiator, Steve, wonders why he can’t stay away from the spoiled rich Allistair, owner of Dark Fantasy Resort Casino. They have mutual kinks—ones Steve can’t find with other lovers—but there’s something else about the emotionally detached, beautiful man that calls to him.

Billionaire Allistair stays alone in the luxury penthouse apartment of his casino, terrified of the real world and of succumbing to genuine emotions. One night is all he ever shares with a plaything—he knows they only want the money and luxury he can offer them and nothing more. However, a muscled law officer scratches an itch that no one else can. Could Steve ever want more than the lust-filled encounters that have become such an addiction?

As they grow closer, they discover that there’s an uneasy balance between Steve’s everyday world and Allistair’s entitled one. They also have to make sure Allistair stays safe. Filthy rich playboys are too tempting to those who seek the ultimate payday and who aren’t afraid to hurt someone to steal it…

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Steve and Allistair have a thing. Steve visits Allistair’s club, and Allistair calls Steve up to his penthouse. They have shared kink and some crazy chemistry. This visit though, is different. And Steve just listens as Allistair lays out what could either be the best thing ever, or the very worse.

I loved that Steve and Allistair have got past *some* of the getting to know you stage, and they know what works for them both. Some things take time to fully come out though, and I really did enjoy not having it all laid out immediately. When we do get the full picture?? OOOEEEE! Hot, hot, HOT!

Steve’s job makes for some difficult reading, especially dealing with the aftermath of two separate events and how he deals with that, or rather how Allistair deals with Steve in that aftermath.

Allistair handles his wealth in the only way he knows how, but Steve makes him see, really SEE, that Steve doesn’t want him for his money, he just wants Allistair. Allistair had been used before, so you understand why he holds himself back a bit. I love that Steve pushes Allistair to come out of his tower and gives him “people lessons”!

I didn’t see the thing with Allistair’s brother going the way it did and poor Kenny, the bodyguard! Will he get a story? I didn’t see some of the plot twists going quite the way they did and it was a good surprise.

Because Steve and Allistair have been together before this book, we don’t get the start of their time together, and that would be my only niggle, that I didn’t get that first meeting and how it all went down. I would like to have, but it’s just a niggle, and me, being greedy!

I’ll follow the rest of the series, too. Love these guys!

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

When Dad Showed Me the Universe by Ulf Stark

October 23, 2019 By Leave a Comment


When Dad Showed Me the Universe by Ulf Stark
Publisher: Gecko Press
Genre: Childrens, Historical
Length: Short Story (32 pages)
Age Recommendation: 6+
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Tonight Dad wants to show Ulf something very special: the universe. Of course, they can’t possibly embark on such a daring adventure unprepared, so they wrap up warm, gather provisions, and then off they go. It’s a long walk, but eventually they get there. Along the way, they learn that sometimes the journey is more important than the destination, and sometimes the biggest lessons happen when you least expect them.

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I loved the fact that this was written so unmistakably in young Ulf’s perspective. A six-year-old’s understanding of the world can be a unique one. Ulf was old enough to comprehend some of the things his father was saying about the universe but still young enough to come up with his own whimsical interpretations of other moments. The combination of what he understood and what he didn’t made me smile. This genuinely felt like it was told by a young, impressionable child, and that was exactly what the plot needed.

The humor in this tale was handled beautifully. This wasn’t something I was expecting to find at all, so stumbling across it only made the storyline sweeter. Sometimes funny moments sneak up on a person when they least expect it. It was a great deal of fun to see that happen in a picture book that was otherwise about pretty serious topics.

Speaking of more serious subject matter, I was also impressed with how the father handled his son’s questions about what they were going out to see on their evening walk. He covered several complicated topics so smoothly that they seemed much easier to explain than they would be in real life. His excitement about astronomy and science in general was contagious. I’d sure like to read more stories about the places he took Ulf if the author ever decides to write about that.

I’d heartily recommend When Dad Showed Me the Universe to anyone who loves science or the way kids think.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Lion Dance by David Seow

October 11, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Lion Dance by David Seow
Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di #5
Publisher: Epigram Books
Genre: Childrens, Holiday, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (32 pages)
Age Recommendation: 3+
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di are three siblings who love doing things together. Today is extra-special because they are going to see a lion dance. Doong doong chang went the lion dance band. Doong doong chang went the lion dance gong.

Doong doong chang!
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But where is the lion? Is he still at the zoo? Or stuck backstage? When the siblings open the curtain to find the lion, they are surprised to see a lion costume. They decide to put on the costume and start performing for everyone. And no one is more surprised than their parents to see that the lion dancers were none other than Sam, Sebbie, and Di-Di-Di.

What could be a better way to celebrate the new year than with some dancing?

This tale did a wonderful job of explaining what the Lion Dance was to preschoolers. It gave exactly enough information to keep up with the plot without slowing down the pacing with details that kids this age probably wouldn’t appreciate. I loved the fact that it spoke to young children on a level they could understand while still treating the audience with respect. There were a few parts of this celebration that were left up to readers to figure out, but it was done in a very appropriate manner for little ones.

Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di were adorable kids. It was fascinating to see what they imagined this performance would be like before it began. They all knew what lions were, but they couldn’t quite figure out how such a creature would dance. I won’t give away what they discovered, but I will say that it was as endearing as it was heart warming.

There was a twist at the end that made it impossible for me to choose anything but a five-star rating. It was exactly the sort of thing that this age group might imagine, and yet it was also something that I wasn’t expecting to find. It was delightful to be surprised by it.

This is part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone story.

I’d heartily recommend The Lion Dance to anyone who loves dancing or is interested in learning more about how the Chinese New Year is celebrated.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Great Dragon Warrior by Swee San Ng

October 7, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Great Dragon Warrior by Swee San Ng
Publisher: Epigram Books
Genre: Childrens, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Historical
Length: Short Story (33 pages)
Age Recommendation: 6+
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Basmi the dragon has always dreamt of becoming a great dragon warrior. Now it looks like his dream might come true, as a great dragon warrior is living in the cave right by him. Oh, the things he could learn from this great dragon warrior! But Basmi learns an unexpected lesson from this dragon warrior when he finally reveals himself.

Courage comes in many forms.
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Basmi was a fantastic role model. Not only was he brave and kind, he was selfless as well. One of the most interesting things about him had to do with how these strengths of his were tied into his greatest weakness. I’ll leave it up to other readers to discover that weakness for themselves in order to avoid sharing spoilers, but it was refreshing to meet a picture book character who was so well rounded. He genuinely felt real to me.

There was so much adventure poured into these thirty-three pages. The pacing couldn’t have been written better. It kept me guessing what might happen next all the way through to the final scene. I adored the fact that Basmi and his friends kept so busy as they tried to help the great dragon warrior in his recovery.

As if all of these other things weren’t enough, I was also thrilled by the plot twist that happened near the end. It was something I’d wondered about, but it was written in such a way that there was still plenty of room for an audience to come to other conclusions right up until the big reveal. All of the scenes connected to this twist were as well written as they were a pure joy to discover.

Yes, this was the sort of story that came with a message woven into it. I liked seeing how the narrator created references for the point they were trying to make. Ms. Ng did a wonderful job of pulling all of these hints together into a coherent storyline while still staying true to what the characters and setting were trying to do.

The Great Dragon Warrior was one of the best fables I’ve read in ages. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Immortal Born by Lynsay Sands

October 3, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Immortal Born by Lynsay Sands
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full length (384 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthmum

A simple promise to protect her friend’s infant son has turned Allie Chambers’ existence upside down. Caring for—and feeding—an orphaned vampire baby has been tricky enough. But as little Liam grows, so does his appetite. He needs more blood than she can personally supply. And when her attempts to steal from a blood bank go awry, Allie wakes up surrounded by doctors, cops…and the gorgeous, mesmerizing Magnus, who she can neither trust nor resist.

Magnus never expected to find his life mate breaking into a blood bank. Clearly, Allie is already entwined with his world—in deeper, more dangerous ways than she realizes. A band of vicious rogue immortals is in pursuit, and Magnus’ first task is to keep her safe. His second: to awaken her to mind-blowing pleasure, and hope she’ll accept the life, and the passion, that only he can offer.

But of cost levitra lowest all the cases, the major case of ED problem in men and highly-admired by majority of medical professionals due to its effective result in improving Erection problems. Maintain a gap between two drugs intake, do not consume viagra pfizer prix kamagra 100mg as the combination is lethal. So let’s try to combat this by using the coupon code you can get the medication in discounted rates as well as get the product generic sildenafil tablets delivery at your doorstep. Though Kamagra takes care of your sexual problems, it cannot replace drugs like buy cheap cialis http://downtownsault.org/soo-lock-boat-tours/ or Silagra online but will certainly benefit from the all-natural advantages that these pills provide. This is a romance after my own heart. The cast of characters is delightful, the placement of their physical love is perfect and I adore the relationship between Magnus and Allie. They’re so cute together. There’s not one thing I don’t like. Okay, I don’t like the bad guys but I’m not supposed to. In fact, the bad-guy plot is shockingly twisted.

I enjoyed how the author used a circular story pattern in the beginning to show how Allie and Liam came to be together and why the heroine was so afraid and distrustful when Magnus first came on stage. Later on I discovered the tragic and sadly wasteful truth. What I mean is that the “if only” from 20/20 hindsight about Stella made Allie’s reality more intense, sad and emotionally poignant. And, it justified what Allie eventually did at the action packed climax, making it all the more satisfying because it brought closure. I didn’t expect that in the aftermath of such a serious battle, Ms. Sands could make me laugh, but she did. When Magnus and Tybo discovered how Allie’s dramatic action went down, their reaction was priceless. What Magnus then said about Allie was absolutely wonderful. It was a happy ‘aww’ moment and sealed my opinion that he’s a swoon-worthy hero.

Also included in Immortal Born is the funniest scene I have ever had the pleasure of reading in this series. It involves Allie and Magnus consummating their passion for the first time as lifemates and it does not proceed like everyone likely expected, myself included. I can cheekily say that the hero is up to the challenge.

Another comical technique I enjoy reading about comes from the main characters being new lifemates. It’s practically impossible to prevent other immortals from reading their thoughts. Sure, it can come in handy in navigating tricky plot points but it’s also a perfect medium for causing embarrassment, giggles and many a grin. Ms. Sands uses it to good effect.

My absolute favorite aspect of this story is how it was written. Yes, it’s a wonderful romance but it’s the way I like them to be and rarely found. Lifemate sex was delayed. Magnus knew the reasons were practical but that didn’t stop him from being frustrated, impatient and tempted. Oh boy was he tempted, but the hero was determined to be honorable even if it killed him. Because of his determination to do the right thing, I respected the heck out of his character. A man like Magus is perfect husband material and I’d marry him myself if I could.

I could talk about how wonderful and adorable I thought Liam’s character was, how happy the happy ever after epilogue is, or about the great dialogue and supporting secondary characters woven throughout the novel, but I won’t. I will wrap this up by saying that Immortal Born is my new favorite romance in the series and that any fan who hasn’t bought the book yet needs to so they can add it to the rest of their Argeneau family keepers. It’s a great read.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Close Contact by Lori Foster

October 2, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Close Contact by Lori Foster
Series: A Body Armor Novel
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full length (364 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

There’s no resisting a desire like this…

MMA fighter Miles Dartman’s casual arrangement with personal shopper Maxi Nevar would be many men’s fantasy. She seeks him out, they have mindblowing sex, she leaves. Rinse, repeat. Yet lately, Miles wants more. And when Maxi requests his services via the Body Armor security agency, he’s ready to finally break through her defenses—and protect her day and night.

She was ready to take our relationship to the cialis price canada next level. In case of that they should not use more than one tablet viagra sales france within a 24 hour period. You are also advised to include peppers, cantaloupe, corn canadian viagra generic click now and oranges in your daily diet. The duck was expected to free sample viagra be unharmed by being lifted aloft. Receiving a large inheritance has brought chaos and uncertainty into Maxi’s life. Her ex has resurfaced, along with lots of former “friends,” and someone is making mysterious threats. Then there’s Miles, who doesn’t ask for anything…except her trust. Pleasure is easy. Now Maxi has to give her heart as well as her body…or risk losing a man who could be everything she needs.

I have some catching up to do because I enjoyed Close Contact so much, I have to go and find the first two books in the Body Armor series. I didn’t need to have read the first two to enjoy this novel which I greatly appreciated. It’s because the characters from the first two showed up to help out Miles and Maxi that piqued my interest. Even as secondary characters, they were delish. This book had a lot of pages but I whipped through the book because the pace, the action, the romance, the intrigue, and the suspense and mystery of who was behind Maxi’s harassment kept me glued to its pages. What a great read!

My favorite aspects of this story are the cats and how Miles interacted with them. They play important roles in a few pivotal scenes. I adore a big, tough hero getting purrs from a kitty so that right there makes Miles the perfect hero. I have a hard time describing Maxi because she’s many things – confident and vulnerable, sweet yet determined, and loyal to a fault. It’s her loyalty and gumption that put her in harm’s way. It seems an odd reason to put her in the cross hairs of criminal intent, especially because she is so nice and caring to everybody she meets, but since when do criminals make sense?

The very first chapter sets up the mystery. It starts off with one puzzle but things quickly heat up to the point that Miles calls in his buddies to help out. I love that part of Ms. Foster’s novels. There’s the sense of friends becoming family, of caring, loyalty and a great sense of fun and camaraderie. It always makes me happy to be a reader during those times because I feel like I’m right there, part of the community. I also like watching Maxi be overwhelmed by how many people actually show up to help out. She’s totally bemused because everyone accepts her for who she is and they do not doubt that she’s in danger. That has to be the best feeling ever – acceptance.

It’s not that the heroine has no family, she does but there’s significant tension and some bad juju in the past. So much so that I was ready to write them off as completely unlikable. Ms. Foster had a different goal in mind and I reluctantly concede that she made the right choice. I still think they need an attitude adjustment and they don’t deserve the wonderfulness that is Maxi, and that’s all I’ll say.

The good stuff is when Maxi and Miles get together in the carnal way. Ooh la la, was that spicy! They are so good together and I think they fell in love more and more every time they fell into each other’s arms. In the beginning, the words were hard for either one to say, but they showed it with their actions and how they treated each other. I liked that too.

The villain was hard to figure out until one of the internal dialogue scenes. The book is mostly told in third person for both the hero and heroine, but I was able to peek into the villain’s thought process from time to time. It was one sentence that made me shift from one possible culprit to another. I was right! But the reasoning and the motive behind it was actually kind of sad.

Close Contact is awesome. I had so much fun. It was a great weekend read and I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan but haven’t read it yet, romantic suspense lovers, and even first time readers because it’s a solid standalone read. Anyone who hasn’t read a Lori Foster book is missing out on some great writing and awesome heroes and heroines. This author does romance right.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Sword Song by Bernard Cornwell

September 19, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Sword Song by Bernard Cornwell
The Saxon Stories #4
Publisher: Harper
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical
Length: Full length (314 pages)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

The year is 885, and England is at peace, divided between the Danish kingdom to the north and the Saxon kingdom of Wessex in the south. Warrior by instinct and Viking by nature, Uhtred, the dispossessed son of a Northumbrian lord, has land, a wife and children—and a duty to King Alfred to hold the frontier on the Thames. But a dead man has risen, and new Vikings have invaded the decayed Roman city of London with dreams of conquering Wessex… with Uhtred’s help. Suddenly forced to weigh his oath to the king against the dangerous turning tide of shifting allegiances and deadly power struggles, Uhtred—Alfred’s sharpest sword—must now make the choice that will determine England’s future.

Even in peace there are battles to be fought.

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Uhtred is one of the most memorable characters I’ve had the pleasure of knowing, and he’s quickly becoming a favorite of mine. In this installment, Uhtred is doing things the way he wants, which of course irritates Alfred to no end. However, Uhtred enjoys getting under Alfred’s skin. I must admit it is rather entertaining to see how far Uhtred can push the limits of Alfred’s patience without getting into serious trouble. Even though I enjoy watching Uhtred antics, I lament their inability to see eye to eye. Uhtred and Alfred are great leaders who’ve accomplished a lot by grudgingly working together. Their achievements could reach even greater heights if they put aside their differences. Unfortunately, Alfred does not trust Uhtred and consistently denies him the credit for his victories. As a result, Uhtred continues to resent and hate his king.

This book has a bit of a different feel from the previous three, especially the first half. I got to see a different side of Uhtred. Since there is a tentative peace, Uhtred was able to spend more time with his wife and children. I found I very much enjoyed seeing the softer and dare I say more mature side of his character. I liked watching him play with his children, and his concern over his pregnant wife is very moving. I was also touched by his concern for Aethelflaed, Alfred’s daughter, whom Uhtred has known since she was a child. However, fans of Uhtred’s warrior spirit can rest assured that he is still absolutely lethal on the battle field.

I must also mention I was struck by the contrast in the description of battle scenes and Aethelflaed’s, wedding. It is a testament to Mr. Cornwell’s skill as an author that he can write brutally graphic descriptions of battle and this beautiful scene: “She was in love with love, transported that day to a height of joy that showed like radiance on her sweet face…That spring day was the first on which she wore her hair up, a sign of marriage, and it revealed her long thin neck. She was so graceful that day.” I can practically see Aethelflaed’s face as she walks down the aisle.

Unfortunately, Aethelflaed’s path isn’t easy. I can’t give many details, but I will say that Aethelflaed’s marriage is not a happy one and she has the misfortune to fall in love with another man who is definitely not suitable. Mr. Cornwell perfectly captured the moment Uhtred realized how much trouble lay ahead for his friend. “She glowed. She walked as lightly as a dancer, and she smiled so beautifully…I saw it in her face. I saw in her radiance all her sudden love and all the unhappiness that was to come, and all the tears, and all the heartbreak. She was on a voyage, and it was a journey of love, but it was sailing into a storm so bleak and dark that my own heart almost broke for her.”

I can’t recommend this series enough. Anyone looking for adventure and memorable characters would do well to pick up a copy of this book as well as the previous installments. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book!

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

(Not Quite) the Same Old Song by Lindsey Ouimet

September 18, 2019 By Leave a Comment


(Not Quite) the Same Old Song by Lindsey Ouimet
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (195 pages)
Age Recommendation: 16+
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When her brother relapses—again—and disappears with the rent money, Darcy Andrews is forced to pawn the one thing that means the most to her. Her guitar, Darlene. Suddenly the plus-size teen’s plans for a stress-free summer before senior year are washed down the drain. Now she must earn enough money to get her brother the help he needs and to buy Darlene back.

Canadian steroid company is cialis no prescription canada Genexpharma, they manufacture in Canada and sell worldwide. It is because the internet based suppliers offer generico cialis on line different exclusive purchase benefits. Since the problem is connected with male emotions and his relation. commander viagra Doctors would immediately prescribe some prescription that cialis india price can aid manage these symptoms. Enter Grey, the pawnshop owner’s son. Popular, annoyingly hot, and inexplicably on stage with Darlene in his hands. Not only is he playing her guitar, but he kind of sucks at it. Before she can stop herself, Darcy is offering Grey guitar lessons, adding yet another complication to her plans—a summer romance with the last boy she ever thought would be interested in her.

It’s all sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll. Except, not quite. She’s down one guitar, the drugs are her brother’s problem, and once school starts back, Darcy is afraid Grey is embarrassed to be seen with her. But when an opportunity to win money for her brother’s rehab arises, she won’t let all that stand in her way.

You never really know what someone might be dealing with behind closed doors.

The arc of the romantic plot line was perfect. I adored the chemistry between Darcy and Grey. They had so much in common that I immediately knew I wanted them to remain in each other’s lives either as friends or a couple. As they got to know each other better, I became even more convinced that they’d make the perfect match. Not only did they share the same hobbies, they had the same values as well. That is, they were both far more interested in quietly doing the right thing no matter who noticed than in getting credit for it. Their strong senses of integrity were well matched and also made me love both of these characters even more than I did when I first met them.

Darcy was such a relatable and interesting protagonist. Most high school students don’t need to worry about helping their moms pay rent or keep food on the table. As tough as these added responsibilities made her life, they also shaped her into a hard-working and trustworthy young woman. She took life seriously in a good way. When she did have opportunities to relax, she dove into those experiences with joy. I wanted her to finally get a happy ending after everything she’d been through.

I was also impressed with how sensitively and honestly Ms. Ouimet handled Quinn’s substance abuse. He was Darcy’s only sibling, their family was low income, and they honestly didn’t have much of a social safety net at all. All of these things made an already difficult situation even harder to cope with. There was simply not enough time, emotional support, or money to deal with all of the negative consequences of his addiction. I’ll admit to blinking back tears a few times while I read this story because of how much empathy I had for this family. They were facing awful circumstances, and the author did an amazing job of showing how Quinn’s choices affected not only his own life but the lives of his mother and sister.

(Not Quite) the Same Old Song is a must-read for anyone who has ever had personal experience with substance abuse or who wonders what it feels like to love someone who is in such a self-destructive cycle.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
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