Hadley Vlahos� novel of her experiences as a hospice nurse is phenomenal. Each patient’s story, as well as Hadley’s, was so moving, each touched my soHadley Vlahos� novel of her experiences as a hospice nurse is phenomenal. Each patient’s story, as well as Hadley’s, was so moving, each touched my soul in a unique way. I liken Hadley to Roma Downey in her most loved role, Touched By An Angel. Her connection to her patients was so much more than caregiver to patient. She was their guide at the end.
I am giving this five stars and a high recommendation. ...more
I enjoyed reading this - the author did a great job inducing anxiety, and I was invested in most of the characters. The ending was lackluster, and I wI enjoyed reading this - the author did a great job inducing anxiety, and I was invested in most of the characters. The ending was lackluster, and I wish it was stronger. I sooooo wish it had a stronger ending.
I do recommend this to others. I am very picky about how stories end, and I recognize that others may not see such a problem with the ending.
Three and a half stars, rounded down to three....more
I don’t know how to explain why I didn’t care for this book. I don’t care for creature horror that much, but this one was just bad. The characters werI don’t know how to explain why I didn’t care for this book. I don’t care for creature horror that much, but this one was just bad. The characters were not enjoyable, and I’m kind of glad their individual story lines ended the way they did.
Two stars for the effort. The premise had promise, but the execution was very poor. ...more
Ten years after four Native American friends commit an “act�, payback is upon them. There are really six characters who have an impact on the storylinTen years after four Native American friends commit an “act�, payback is upon them. There are really six characters who have an impact on the storyline of this novel, one of them is not what you would expect!
There were a couple of cons in this book. The story started with action, then it was very slow for a good bit. Then a major hit to the storyline, and afterwards I felt like the bottom fell out of the plot before picking up again after a long gap in action. Jones has a way of not finishing one piece of action in a novel; rather, he uses the next scene’s characters to state what happened. Some of the writing was a little difficult to understand just because of the flow of writing. There were several times I had to re-read sections.
However, I loved the unique story Jones told in the book. How much of it is true Native American lore, I don’t know, but it did seem plausible that the lore is based upon old Native American beliefs. I enjoyed the main characters, they were developed well with a sense of being grounded in the story. You can feel the relationship between the four friends, and just how deep the bond runs. Even the different settings were very descriptive and believable.
A little of the ending was written in an ambiguous manner, but I felt it was appropriate in that the things left unexplained were intentional so that they would not detract from the main storyline.
I feel this book deserves five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. It was enjoyable with a horror that was both psychological and physical. Hopefully the sequel will be just as enjoyable. ...more
I mentioned in one of my updates that I felt like I was watching a B movie while reading this novel. That feeling remained throughout the book.
I am nI mentioned in one of my updates that I felt like I was watching a B movie while reading this novel. That feeling remained throughout the book.
I am not going to share spoilers, but the only redeeming factor I could relay is that there were some scary parts in the prose. Other than that, there was no decent commentary, the plot was ridiculous - even for a horror novel. I feel like maybe Hendrix was attempting to make light or fun of similar plot lines, such as Annabelle or Chucky. If that was the intent, I’m sorry to say it worked. It was more or less a poorly done SNL skit.
This was not an enjoyable read for me. I grew up in Charleston and was looking for my hometown feels � even that was poorly done. I would have abandoned the read on it, but it’s Grady Hendrix - I felt like it deserved a chance.
I did not care for this at all. The only reason I gave it two stars were the scary moments towards the beginning of the book. I really don’t recommend it for anyone.
Update: I’ve changed my mind and am giving this one star instead of two. ⭐️...more
It’s so funny because I just said in another recent review that I did not really enjoy creature horror. But I had not read Lone Women yet!
This story It’s so funny because I just said in another recent review that I did not really enjoy creature horror. But I had not read Lone Women yet!
This story follows Adelaide Henry as she leaves California (in quite the climactic manner) and travels to Montana, where she plans to homestead. She also brings along a very heavy trunk that she keeps locked and away from contact with others. Once she arrives, she meets a few other women who quickly become friends.
There were many characters in this book, and they were all developed wonderfully. There was no confusion in telling them apart or remembering their role in the plot. I believe there are three different types of characters in novels - those I like, those I dislike, and those I am indifferent towards. Indifference is bad, and I’m glad to say there were no characters like that. Characters were good, or they were bad - only one that I can recall really surprised me by changing sides, so to speak.
Lone Women was dynamic, the characters colorful, with the plot rounded and full. It definitely had the small town vibes I enjoy so much, and the continuity and ease in following the storyline were great. The other enjoyable part of the book was the complete ending. No ambiguous ending is a plus.
There were many very strong revelations, but only one real twist. I thought I had the twist figured out, but LaVelle took it a few steps further. My mouth dropped open when it was revealed, and I then spent the next few hours finishing this engaging and enjoyable tome.
I am giving this 4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️�, rounding it up to 5. I definitely suggest others read this....more
**spoiler alert** Penpal � I enjoyed the first half immensely. There were so many creepy moments that I stopped reading this at night!
The second half**spoiler alert** Penpal � I enjoyed the first half immensely. There were so many creepy moments that I stopped reading this at night!
The second half was very slow and quite confusing. The writing did not flow well at all. I had to reread some parts of the story in order to understand it. Part of this was the vocabulary used. Sometimes the easiest way to share a story is the best way - no need to make it so complicated.
While I don’t mind a slightly ambiguous ending if it works for the plot, I still not quite sure what happened at the end.
***Spoiler Alert*** Supposedly the one kid is being stalked, but it was the other kid who died? Who was the stalker? What happened to the neighbor? So many questions that I wanted answers on. But there were none to be had.
So I’m giving this 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3. I would say give it a try, some people loved it and some don’t. ...more
After reading Notes on an Execution, I feel like I need to develop a new rating system for the books I’ve read. This novel is a notch ahead of some otAfter reading Notes on an Execution, I feel like I need to develop a new rating system for the books I’ve read. This novel is a notch ahead of some other five stars I have rated � I wish I could give it a higher rating.
It seems like writing in different time lines has become the new fad these days; Kukafka handled it much better than some other authors I have read. From the beginning, we are asked to follow the remaining life of Ansel Packer as he sits on death row awaiting his execution. His life is not only shared in prose provided by Ansel, but also in different timelines from the females he knew throughout his life. His mother, former fiancé, other family members, fellow foster children from the same foster home. In places, I was left questioning Ansel’s outcome as well as his solutions to problems. Kukafka sometimes used the other characters� actions or memories to fill those holes in Ansel’s story.
Ansel also deeply believes there are multiverses. If, perhaps, he had handled one thing differently while growing up - would it have changed his outcome? Or would he still be sitting on death row? This is a deep and strong belief for Ansel. You will need to read the novel to see how this turns out.
The continuity of the story follows through to the satisfying ending. I was nervous about if or how the execution would take place. I became more invested in the characters as the story went along. Each character was distinctly different from the others, as were their strengths and weaknesses. Because of the intimacy of the characters, the book gave me the small town vibes I so greatly enjoy.
How do you enjoy a book about a gentleman sitting on death row while he awaits his execution? I don’t know that I can say enjoyment is the correct descriptive � but this novel was unique in how the timeline was handled, thought-provoking in how our actions affect our futures, and the characters were wonderfully written.
I’m giving this five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, only because I can’t give it ten....more
This story of a recovering addict working as a nanny for a young child was very enjoyable. The writing style made this an easy read, and the flow of wThis story of a recovering addict working as a nanny for a young child was very enjoyable. The writing style made this an easy read, and the flow of writing made the plot easily understood.
And what a twist! I was *not* expecting that all � unique in my opinion and showing up at the perfect time. I will say the twist was a huge jump from what is thought to be happening to what actually is happening. Perhaps too much of a jump? And how exactly did the protagonist come to the conclusion she did? No explanation was given.
One thing I really enjoyed was the ending, which was complete while it flushed out the characters and gave the book a satisfying ending.
I would call this a “gentle horror� book with major thriller vibes. Rating it 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️, I would recommend it for anyone who enjoys paranormal reads or thriller books....more
Children on the Hill was unlike anything I have read before. The first half of the book moved much too slowly, and the opening chapters had me confuseChildren on the Hill was unlike anything I have read before. The first half of the book moved much too slowly, and the opening chapters had me confused. Other than that, once the pace picked up and the twist was revealed (at nearly 90%), my reading and interest picked up too.
The characters were developed well for the most part, and the atmosphere of the different settings was laid out in a way that places the reader in the situation with the right ambience.
I’m giving this book 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️. It was a good and quick read!...more
SA Cosby did a phenomenal job in writing this novel. From the first word to the last, the story was fully dynamic. The pace remained the same, and theSA Cosby did a phenomenal job in writing this novel. From the first word to the last, the story was fully dynamic. The pace remained the same, and the action remained constant throughout.
This novel begins with a funeral for two gay men, one black and one white, who were married with a daughter, but were shot down in cold blood. The story continues with the fathers of these men, Buddy and Ike, seeking justice of the criminals who killed their sons. Along the way, they come to terms with how they judged their sons for their way of life. They also learn how life is different for different races.
The only con I could find in this book is that I didn’t feel like I got to know the two sons who were killed. All other characters are fleshed out in detail, giving me the chance to become invested in their lives.
There was very little consideration before giving this five stars. A story with feeling that gives the reader little room to travel anywhere but in Ike’s and Buddy’s worlds while they seek justice.
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