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knitswithbeer's reviews
918 reviews
The Barbarian's Mistress by Nhys Glover
5.0
This book is mistitled. He wasn't a Barbarian and she didn't want to be his mistress.
she wanted to be his wife, having loved him since she was a child.
I don't usually read or like books that go into graphic detail about sex; it's gratuitous and unnecessary. Not in this book though, it's an integral part of the story.
The four main characters are all emotionally scarred by sex in their past and this is a story of discovery, awakening, redemption and love.
Oh, and revenge, which by the time it comes has you wanting to spit in his eye as he dies.
she wanted to be his wife, having loved him since she was a child.
I don't usually read or like books that go into graphic detail about sex; it's gratuitous and unnecessary. Not in this book though, it's an integral part of the story.
The four main characters are all emotionally scarred by sex in their past and this is a story of discovery, awakening, redemption and love.
Oh, and revenge, which by the time it comes has you wanting to spit in his eye as he dies.
The Bletchley Park Enigma: 200+ Facts on the Story of Alan Turing That Inspired the Smash Hit Movie The Imitation Game Starring Benedict Cumberbatch by Alan Johnson
1.0
waste of time. no new facts and glossed over all I already knew. Mind, you, as someone who enjoyed the Imitation Game but thought it didn't have enough maths, I'm probably biased.
Fire at Twilight by Lila Ashe
5.0
Never disappointed by Yarnagogo. Got the first free whilst looking for her new Cypress Hollow book, Darling Songbirds and cme upon a whole new series I hadn't heard about. Read it on the train today so bought this set when I got home and had reliable wi-fi. Now not sure which to read first; Darling Songbirds or Burn. What a delicious dilemma.
Fiona's Flame by Rachael Herron
5.0
OK. It's official. I'm a numpty.
I've just finished reading this book; the 5th book of hers that I've read this week. Why?
Her latest, The Darling Songbirds, is just out and downloading it I realised I hadn't read the last one of hers I bought, A Life in Stitches, yet. So of course, I had to do so. Having read that, I re-read Cora's Heart, realising two things at the end; #1: I had merely read the sample of Fiona's Flame at the end of that book, not the whole thing and, #2: Wishes and Stitches (CH#3) had somehow escaped my notice. Worse still, I couldn't access it on Kindle and was planning a trip to Waterstones. Having sourced an e-copy (thank you), I read that too.
Ordinarily I don't take reading or knitting to work as we're always too busy, but this week I've been snatching the odd moment as Rachael's work keeps me wanting to go right through to the end.
Having just finished Fiona's Flame, I've decided it's my favourite - so far. The plot - no spoilers! - is different to her others with one half of the love interest already knowing her feelings, at least in part, from the outset. The tale too is quite dark and moving. Hell, why don't I just admit it? Yes. I cried. Several times. I also laughed, got angry and enjoyed myself. There are of course lots of the signature RH pieces; knitting, Eliza references, sex.
OK. I'm not a prude but ordinarily I don't enjoy reading about sex. Somehow you get caught up in her characters that the sex never seems out of place nor gratuitous, so never makes me feel uncomfortable.
There is always a mixed feeling of joy and sadness at the end of her stories. Often, right at the end and Fiona's Flame is no different. Joy; The story, the characters, the romance. The Happy Ending. Sadness; That the book is over.
I thoroughly and wholeheartedly recommend this book. Not just to Cypress Hollow fans, knitters or even romance readers. To everyone who enjoys a good read because that's definitely what this book was. No, a Great read.
Now I'm off to another Beer Festival to indulge in three of my favourite things; great ale, knitting and a Rachael Herron story (The Darling Songbirds).
On a final note to Amazon and HGA Publishing. What gives? Why put links to other books by the author at the back of the book that don't work? If it's not available in kindle format or, worse still, takes me to the same title but by two other authors, why bother? Bad form. Take note and sort it out.
I've just finished reading this book; the 5th book of hers that I've read this week. Why?
Her latest, The Darling Songbirds, is just out and downloading it I realised I hadn't read the last one of hers I bought, A Life in Stitches, yet. So of course, I had to do so. Having read that, I re-read Cora's Heart, realising two things at the end; #1: I had merely read the sample of Fiona's Flame at the end of that book, not the whole thing and, #2: Wishes and Stitches (CH#3) had somehow escaped my notice. Worse still, I couldn't access it on Kindle and was planning a trip to Waterstones. Having sourced an e-copy (thank you), I read that too.
Ordinarily I don't take reading or knitting to work as we're always too busy, but this week I've been snatching the odd moment as Rachael's work keeps me wanting to go right through to the end.
Having just finished Fiona's Flame, I've decided it's my favourite - so far. The plot - no spoilers! - is different to her others with one half of the love interest already knowing her feelings, at least in part, from the outset. The tale too is quite dark and moving. Hell, why don't I just admit it? Yes. I cried. Several times. I also laughed, got angry and enjoyed myself. There are of course lots of the signature RH pieces; knitting, Eliza references, sex.
OK. I'm not a prude but ordinarily I don't enjoy reading about sex. Somehow you get caught up in her characters that the sex never seems out of place nor gratuitous, so never makes me feel uncomfortable.
There is always a mixed feeling of joy and sadness at the end of her stories. Often, right at the end and Fiona's Flame is no different. Joy; The story, the characters, the romance. The Happy Ending. Sadness; That the book is over.
I thoroughly and wholeheartedly recommend this book. Not just to Cypress Hollow fans, knitters or even romance readers. To everyone who enjoys a good read because that's definitely what this book was. No, a Great read.
Now I'm off to another Beer Festival to indulge in three of my favourite things; great ale, knitting and a Rachael Herron story (The Darling Songbirds).
On a final note to Amazon and HGA Publishing. What gives? Why put links to other books by the author at the back of the book that don't work? If it's not available in kindle format or, worse still, takes me to the same title but by two other authors, why bother? Bad form. Take note and sort it out.
The Darling Songbirds by Rachael Herron
5.0
Yet again the author conjures up a realistic world peopled with characters you love getting to know. The way she does makes me want to visit this place and have a beer with these people. The romance, always predictable - well it wouldn't be a Romance Novel otherwise would it? - looked at one point doomed. if I have one criticism it's that I didn't quite believe the way it was saved. A little bit rushed and twee.
That doesn't diminish the cracking good read. Glad I'm on the mailing list as I can't wait for the next instalment of the Songbirds trilogy. Though I have the Firefighters box set to keep me going in the meantime.
That doesn't diminish the cracking good read. Glad I'm on the mailing list as I can't wait for the next instalment of the Songbirds trilogy. Though I have the Firefighters box set to keep me going in the meantime.
The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell
3.0
Disappointing. The first half is descriptive and evocative of a vanished way of life. Orwell writes in such a way that the reader is immersed in the subject, his description of down the mine being particularly strong. However the second half is for the main part a repetitive, rambling rant about pet subjects. True, he warned obliquely about the coming Fascist-led War but his point is almost lost in verbosity. The last two pages of the book could replace the whole of Part 2. Socialist sensitivity was obviously offended and the commissioners got more than what they bargained for but I can't help but feel that if Orwell had been less vitriolic he may well have been more successful in his call to Socialist arms.