Review: Oak Avenue

Oak Avenue by Brandi Reeds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an excellent end to the series!

Amazon Originals - Dark Corners Collection Book 7

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Review: The Remedy

The Remedy by Adam Haslett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story itself did not pull me in, but at the end I was suddenly reminded of 1984.

Amazon Originals - Dark Corners Collection Book 6

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Review: The Tangled Woods

The Tangled Woods by Emily Raboteau
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The "horror" of this story consists of current events/movements. None of the characters are likeable.

Amazon Originals - Dark Corners Collection Book 5

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Review: Miao Dao

Miao Dao by Joyce Carol Oates
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

With the name of the collection being Dark Corners and the first story being along the lines of horror, I anticipated that this would a collection of horror stories.

This story was more of a long, drawn out narrative about a stepfather trying to sexually abuse his step daughter with the insert of feral cats every other page. While the people who have experienced this might say that it is horror, I am finding that this collection is more along the lines of the dark places we go in our lives and in our thoughts rather than the typical horror books. I guess I was almost expecting some Stephen King type of twist rather than the quick, easy twist we got.

Overall, this story was not for me (even though it had cats).

Amazon Originals - Dark Corners Collection Book 4

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Review: There's a Giant Trapdoor Spider Under Your Bed

There's a Giant Trapdoor Spider Under Your Bed by Edgar Cantero
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Funny and insanely nerdy. Loved it!

Amazon Originals - Dark Corners Collection Book 3

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Review: The Sleep Tight Motel

The Sleep Tight Motel by Lisa Unger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was confusing at times, but it was definitely suspenseful. Not sure why I am suddenly reading all the Halloween-y stories in December, but it was good anyway. I really enjoy the "mind-game" horror rather than the "blood, gut, gore" horror.

Amazon Originals - Dark Corners Collection Book 2

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Review: Hannah-Beast

Hannah-Beast by Jennifer McMahon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Trigger warnings: bullying, suicide, murder

This story keeps you on the edge of your seat, but it was a tough one. I was blown away (in a good way), but I have no words. Stunned.

Amazon Originals - Dark Corners Collection Book 1

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Review: Love the Way You Lie

Love the Way You Lie by Lisa Unger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As I was reading the final "episode," it seemed to become a love child of the IT movies and Asylum (2008). It was still a great ending, though.

Amazon Originals - All My Darkest Impulses Collection Book 4

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Review: Circling the Drain

Circling the Drain by Lisa Unger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

And the plot thickens! Really loving this series so far. I hope book 4 does not disappoint.

Amazon Originals - All My Darkest Impulses Collection Book 3

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Review: Fog Descending

Fog Descending by Lisa Unger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Second book pulls you in further. I'm getting It vibes. Friends from the past coming back together to face an evil something.

Amazon Originals - All My Darkest Impulses Collection Book 2

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Review: All My Darkest Impulses

All My Darkest Impulses by Lisa Unger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Starting out like a great Halloween read. Wish I had read this collection in October.

On a side note, everyone in this story seems to have or had black hair (except one person so far). I really hope that's going to be woven into the story.

Amazon Originals - All My Darkest Impulses Collection Book 1

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Review: Holiday Ever After: One Snowy Night/Holiday Wishes/Mistletoe in Paradise

Holiday Ever After: One Snowy Night/Holiday Wishes/Mistletoe in Paradise by Jill Shalvis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I originally picked up the paperback copy of this book while shopping at a grocery store a week before Christmas. I NEVER buy books that way, but I was really looking for a good Christmas read (2021 has not been a good year) and the cover caught my eye. This book consists of 3 novellas.

The first book, One Snowy Night, grabs you from page 1. I was pulled in so much by Chapter 3 (page 27), that I also bought the book on Kindle so I could keep reading with the lights off.

The stories are all fast reads. I am going to have to look at mores works from this author. This is my first time reading anything by her, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. Romance reads are rare for me, so this was a delightful surprise.

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Review: 24 + 1 Christmas Tales: Butterfly Adventures in Santa's Secret City

24 + 1 Christmas Tales: Butterfly Adventures in Santa's Secret City by Alexander Ruth
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a Kindle edition of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.

This story was cute. The chapters correspond to the dates in December leading up to Christmas, so this would be great as a bed time story for young children each night leading up to Christmas.

As an adult reading this, I really had a hard time keeping up with it each night as I wasn't getting getting into the story. I had a bout with COVID in the second half of November 2021 and I was really looking for something to help me get into the Christmas spirit. I had been really struggling with that this year for various reasons. This book did not help with that. In fact, I finished this story after Christmas.

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Review: Holiday Mischief with Stitch

Holiday Mischief with Stitch by Disney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Day 24

Great end to the calendar. I really want to go to Hawaii.

ISBN 13 for Advent Calendar itself - 978-1-80108-725-4

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Review: Christmas in Never Land

Christmas in Never Land by Disney
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Day 23

Never Land's first Christmas.

ISBN 13 for Advent Calendar itself - 978-1-80108-725-4

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Review: Tiana's Winter Blues

Tiana's Winter Blues by Disney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Day 22

Makes me long for Christmas cooking smells.

ISBN 13 for Advent Calendar itself - 978-1-80108-725-4

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Review: Christmas Traditions

Christmas Traditions by Disney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Day 21

Really sweet story.

ISBN 13 for Advent Calendar itself - 978-1-80108-725-4

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Review: A Present for the Queen

A Present for the Queen by Disney
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Day 20

Fun story! Off with their heads!

ISBN 13 for Advent Calendar itself - 978-1-80108-725-4

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Review: Flik's Christmas Invention

Flik's Christmas Invention by Disney
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Day 19

Not sure how I feel about this one.

ISBN 13 for Advent Calendar itself - 978-1-80108-725-4

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Review: A Meowy Christmas

A Meowy Christmas by Disney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Day 18

This one makes me want to give extra hugs and tuna to my cat.

ISBN 13 for Advent Calendar itself - 978-1-80108-725-4

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Review: Mater Saves Christmas

Mater Saves Christmas by Disney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Day 17

Loving the Santa Car design!

ISBN 13 for Advent Calendar itself - 978-1-80108-725-4

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Review: Snow Puppies

Snow Puppies by Disney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Day 16

Lot of Dalmatian puppies...

ISBN 13 for Advent Calendar itself - 978-1-80108-725-4

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Review: Pooh's Jingle Bells

Pooh's Jingle Bells by Disney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Day 15

Finally! It's a Pooh story. Always my favorite as a child.

Loved this one! I can hear the voices from the show while reading this.

ISBN 13 for Advent Calendar itself - 978-1-80108-725-4

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Review: A Super Christmas Caper

A Super Christmas Caper by Disney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Day 14

It's Christmas super hero style.

ISBN 13 for Advent Calendar itself - 978-1-80108-725-4

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Review: Aurora's Homemade Holiday

Aurora's Homemade Holiday by Disney
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Day 13

Christmas is not about the gifts or the decorations, but with whom you share it with.

ISBN 13 for Advent Calendar itself - 978-1-80108-725-4

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Review: Christmas is for Friends

Christmas is for Friends by Disney
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Day 12

Humans and animals working together.

ISBN 13 for Advent Calendar itself - 978-1-80108-725-4

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Review: Christmas in Monstropolis

Christmas in Monstropolis by Disney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Day 11

Cute!

ISBN 13 for Advent Calendar itself - 978-1-80108-725-4

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Review: Minnie's Winter Bow Show

Minnie's Winter Bow Show by Disney
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Day 10

I didn't care much for this one.

ISBN 13 for Advent Calendar itself - 978-1-80108-725-4

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Review: Donald's Christmas Gift

Donald's Christmas Gift by Disney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Day 9

Not all gifts are material things.

ISBN 13 for Advent Calendar itself - 978-1-80108-725-4

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Review: Jasmine's Snowy Day

Jasmine's Snowy Day by Disney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Day 8

Snow day!

ISBN 13 for Advent Calendar itself - 978-1-80108-725-4

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Review: A Perfect Party

A Perfect Party by Disney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Day 7

These books are making me feel nostalgic.

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Review: Christmas in the Bell Tower

Christmas in the Bell Tower by Disney
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Day 6

This was just okay.

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Review: A Christmas Gift for Chip

A Christmas Gift for Chip by Disney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Day 5

This captured the characters' personalities from the movie very well.

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Review: Santa's Little Helper

Santa's Little Helper by Disney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Day 4

This was really cute.

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Review: Mulan and the Lucky Cricket

Mulan and the Lucky Cricket by Disney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Day 3

Cri-Kee to the rescue!

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Review: Ariel's Christmas Under the Sea

Ariel's Christmas Under the Sea by Disney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Day 2

Ariel learns about Christmas

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Review: An Aristocat-ic Christmas

An Aristocat-ic Christmas by Disney
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Day 1

Kitties... enough said.

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Review: The Tsarina's Daughter

The Tsarina's Daughter by Ellen Alpsten
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ARC edition of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.

Trigger warning: some descriptions of violence including torture are graphic.

This is the follow up to Tsarina (also by Ellen Alpsten). The first half of The Tsarina's Daughter overlaps in the timeline with the Tsarina, but it is still a stand alone. It follows the story story of Elizabeth, daughter of Tsar Peter the Great and Catherine I.

The book is fast paced. It did not have the same style as the first book, but it was still a good read.

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Review: Rise of the Savior: Acolyte of Truth

Rise of the Savior: Acolyte of Truth by Antoine Bonner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a free Kindle edition of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I think this might be the first book I have ever read where the writing style really bothered me. It made the book easy to put down. I was already struggling to pick up books due to life struggles, but I kept pushing this book aside. Unfortunately, I am one of those people that cannot leave books unfinished, so I did read through to the end.

The story itself was interesting, but the delivery was lacking. The book is left open for a sequel.

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Review: The Twin Paradox

The Twin Paradox by Charles Wachter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in preparation for the book to be adapted to the screen.

I loved the premise of this book, but it gets somewhat chaotic. I don't want to give spoilers, but what could have been a major plot point that is introduced in the prologue is not even acknowledged during the whole first book. I am definitely going to read the second book to see what happens, but was rather disappointed at the missed opportunity.

This was a well researched book. I enjoyed it.

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Review: The Second Rebel

The Second Rebel by Linden A. Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ARC Kindle edition of this book from NetGalley.

The story itself was really good, but the first 70% of the book was slow paced. The pace picks up around the 70% mark and ends with punch! Can't wait for the next one.

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Review: The First Sister

The First Sister by Linden A. Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Content Warning: graphic violence, prostitution

This was a great book. It is a fast paced space opera for YA type of book. I received an ARC of the second book from NetGalley so I had to hurry up and read this book so I could get to the next one because it sounded awesome. I hope it lives up to this one.

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Review: Firebreak

Firebreak by Nicole Kornher-Stace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ARC Kindle edition of this book from NetGalley.

Content Warning: Language - I know profanities bother some people based on reviews of other other books and this book has plenty of them. It does not bother me and had no bearing on my rating. As a PC gamer, I can tell you it is all you hear/read when connected with other gamers (in-game, conventions, etc). It comes with the territory.

I have been looking for a good page turner for a while now. Firebreak comes pretty darn close. I definitely had the "I can get one more chapter in" thing going on, but it was putdownable at times. I was slightly disappointed with the fast wrap up of the end, but overall I enjoyed the book very much. The book does open up the possibility of a Stellaxis/Greanleaf prequel or sequel (*wink wink nudge nudge*, please?).

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Review: Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy

Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy by Anne Sebba
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received an ARC Kindle edition of this book from NetGalley.

A special note for Kindle users: This book has both notes in the back (numbers with no links within the text) as well as footnotes (numbers with links within the text) throughout the book. If you find using the links and/or searching the back for the notes troublesome, you may find that a paper copy of this book would be better. I usually prefer the paper copy in these cases as it is easier to flip back and forth between notes, footnotes, and where I am in the book. This had no bearing on my rating; it is simply a personal preference.

The start of the this book was somewhat confusing in how the background was presented. The first couple of chapters and the last chapter are all over the place with the time lines and stories presented. While facts are presented throughout the book, there is just as much speculation; the phrases "may have," "likely," and "probably" appear frequently.

While there were some interesting facts in this book, it was presented slow paced. Overall the book was insightful, just not a page turner.

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Review: Legacy

Legacy by Nora Roberts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ARC Kindle edition of this book from NetGalley.

Trigger warning: school shooting, graphic violence

I have just finished this book at the time of this writing, and I was up far too late finishing it (it's a work night after all). The pace of this book starts off well, but as part 1 comes to a close it comes to a screeching halt. It then ramps back up during part 3.

While I like most of the characters, Adrian gets far too pushy/bossy by pushing her workout regimens on people. Other than the slight annoyance, the book was a great read.

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Review: America

America by Mike Bond
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I received an ARC Kindle edition of this book from NetGalley.

Normally, I do not put descriptions of the book in my reviews, but since it is not yet showing on Goodreads, here it is from NetGalley's website:

Description

Four young people come of age in the 1960s, a decade that shook America to its foundation – the assassination of an idealistic young president, a tragic and unpopular war, a battle for civil rights, a cosmic clash of riots and burning cities, and an explosion of sex, drugs and rock’n roll.

Celebrated author Mike Bond’s AMERICA is the first in his seven-volume historical novel series of the lives of these four people and many others through the victories and heartbreaks of the last 70 years, and of our nation’s most profound upheavals since the Civil War – a time that defined the end of the 20th Century and where we are today.

Trigger Warnings: pedophilia involving a priest, descriptions of hunting deer, abortion

Prior to starting this book, I had read that this was to be the first of a series of seven books. I was excited to start this because I like historical fictions and learning tidbits about times I was not around for. Maybe I set my expectations too high.

At the 48% mark I found myself wondering what the point of this story is. Now that I am finished here is what I took away:

Mike: can be smart when he wants to be, prefers to be outdoors and reckless, and his existence revolves around sex

Troy: the exceptionally intelligent, disciplined military man

Tara: is (almost) Jenny from Forrest Gump (Before anyone asks, no. Not Jenny from the Block)

Daisy: abused as a child, running from her past life or being selfless and helping the world? You decide.

The majority of the book (in my estimation) centers around Mick and it's not at all interesting unless you like to read about sexcapade after sexcapade. With the little story (compared to Mick) we get about Tara and Daisy, they too are reduced to acts of sex that rarely adds to the story.

Since I still fail to see the point or take away of this book, I have an honest question. Do these four characters truly define coming of age in the '60s?

There is an excerpt for the next book of the series. It appears to pick up where this one leaves off. It appears to pick up where this one leaves off. I'm not entirely sure I am going to continue on.

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Review: Dark Roads

Dark Roads by Chevy Stevens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ARC Kindle edition of this book from NetGalley.

The first 25-30% and the last 25-30% were the best parts of the book. The pacing of the middle portions got a little slow at times. The book keeps you guessing to the end.

I've always been interested in Canada (most of my ancestors came from Canada), but I am really intrigued by the true story elements as well as the landscape. This book has made me more interested in learning more about both.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2021 - A book that has the same title as a song.

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Review: What Beauty There Is

What Beauty There Is by Cory Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ARC Kindle edition of this book from NetGalley.

Let's get the trigger warnings out of the way: suicide, child abuse, graphic violence, kidnapping, murder

This is one of those books that will leave you speechless (in a good way). It's a fast paced read and the suspense will keep pulling you along. There is some graphic violence, but it does not slow the story at all.

Based on what I am seeing, this book is the start of a series. The book offers closure so it will be interesting to see where the second book takes us. I look forward to it.

I read this book as part of the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2021 - A book that's published in 2021.

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Review: Aoife and Scathach, Shadow Twins

Aoife and Scathach, Shadow Twins by Michael Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There are two short stories in this one: Aoife of the Shadows and Scathach the Shadow and the Clan of Eriu.

There were several errors in Kindle version the book (iIf, for example), but it did not take away from the stories. Scathach's story (~15 pages) was not nearly as interesting as Aoife's (~65 pages) and seemed to be a quick beginning and conclusion with no real build up. There is quite a bit of foreshadowing with two paths destined to cross ("Everything has a reason."), so I hope we get more of their stories.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2021 - A book set mostly or entirely outdoors

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Review: Machiavelli: Guardian of Paris

Machiavelli: Guardian of Paris by Michael Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second novella in the Lost Stories from the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. It follows Machiavelli during his time in Paris. Another fast read. Loving the series (as much as I love the original series) so far.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2021 - A book that has fewer than 1,000 reviews on Amazon or Goodreads

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