One final review before the new year

The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen

by Hendrik Groen

 5/5 Stars

This novel gives you a clear look into the life of our elders even if just for a year. To begin I'd like to say I am a social worker in a skilled nursing facility who really needed to read this book. "Mr. Groen" does a fabulous job depicting not only the realities but what keeps someone like me in the business for the right reasons. I was able to take comfort in his words and find some ease in saying goodbye to the "oldies" I've come to love so much when it's their time to go.

He touches on everything from the prime seating in the dining room, to apartment up keep, to the newest and best mobility scooter ratings. There's a true look into the dating scene or lack there of in retirement communities and how they truly view their friends and family. As well as the start of dignity stripping one goes through as they age.

It is truly heartwarming to hear the stories of Henrik and his feisty cohorts. If I'm completely honest Evert is my favorite trouble maker. At the end you'll see the true value of friendship, love, and accepting the value of friendship.

If you're ready to laugh, cry, and love these feisty old coots by all means get a copy as soon as possible.

I am happy to finally give something a GREAT review. In the new year I'm going to give myself a goal. - to review at least every other book I read. I feel like if I only do ARC reviews it'll get fairly mundane pretty quickly. Several of the books I've been asked to read are similar and I'd rather give an eclectic smattering.

With that being said 2019 goals include
1. Review at least every other book I read.
2. Weekly blog posts
3. Read MORE! :)

Happy New Year All!
 
*Disclaimer- I first read this book early on in 2018 and have loved it ever since.*

Resilience by Marcia D.M

Resilience by Marcia D.M.





3/5 Stars

The plot and rollercoaster of Resilience is phenomenal. I absolutely loved the story. The only thing keeping me from giving a 5 star review is the errors in translation that will hopefully be fixed in the future. I truly fell for these characters and felt like I was living right along with them through every twist and curve.

It is certainly a dark tale. You start out by meeting this beautiful woman named Cassandra searching for a place to grab lunch before heading back to work. The story continues with her awaking in a cell as she's been kidnapped with several others by terrorists.

Much like the main character just when you think you have found your footing something is bound to knock you off your feet. I absolutely recommend this read but suggest you prepare yourself for the hardships. I found it to be a fast read as I couldn't put it down or wait to find out what was going to happen next.

Be forewarned that there is plenty of darkness and erotica that may not be appropriate for all readers.


I for one will be anxiously awaiting the sequel. Which, I hear will have a much better translator

Roan: Tales of Conor Archer Vol. 1 E.R. Barr

Roan: The Tales of Conor Archer

by E.R. Barr

 

Kindle Bestseller in Three Categories 

•    Science Fiction
•    Young Adult and Teen
•     Children

 

I am about 30% in. To be honest I am having a bit of a hard time following all of the nuances of the story but am enjoying it for the most part. I plan to update this post as I get further in and to the meat of the story. Do know that so far, my opinion disagrees with the majority of people who have reviewed this story on amazon.

 

It begins with following a young man named Conor Archer whose mother is dying. He is of a Celtic family yet she is the only relative he knows and he has little knowledge of their family or heritage. Conor is a musician and on this night going out to play per his mothers wishes. He happens upon a strange man and his life begins to change in the strangest of ways.

 

Thus far the book has an air of secrecy and suspense. I can understand why other characters are  keeping the main character in the dark but I don't necessarily like the forced way that the reader is also kept in the dark. It feels almost as though there is a very obvious carrot to get the reader to follow or in this case read on when there is no real development of the story. That being said at this point I am a little overwhelmed with the obvious want to be something more and underwhelmed with the actual story. I also prefer to be oblivious to the carrot dangling in the first place.

 

However, I do know I've only just begun and like all stories there needs to be a framework. To be fair most folklore starts out this way. So, I am going to hold off on my opinion for now and will trudge off  to continue and will update as things progress.

11/30/18 Update I am now at about 75% completed.  Unfortunately my opinion continues to remain the same. I am starting to understand more of what is happening but am still not a fan of the story and some of the 'morals' of the story. I am dedicated to finishing as I wasn't raised a quitter but to be honest if it wasn't something I was asked to review it would have been a DNF. I do not enjoy books where so much of the information is 'unknown'. A little to add some mystery is fine but I am beside myself. I really should have chosen another book to start with.

I'll be back dear readers with a follow up once I'm finished (If I finish). Feel free to leave a comment and any suggestions of what my next book will be. Granted I'm pretty sure the next book will be After Glow by Autumn Jones Lake unless I choose to reread the series and start from the top! Or even the whole series in one... We shall see!

First Things First

Hello All,

I am an avid reader who is trying to follow her dreams. I am on the edge of thirty and work at a Nursing Home and Rehab as a Social Worker. Tough stuff and not always the easiest environment to be in. I recently celebrated a one year wedding anniversary and as much of my goals are being crossed off the list I've decided to find a way to turn my biggest outlet and passion : Reading : into something more substantial.

You should know that most of the time I have my nose stuck in a book, but when I don't I can usually be found with family, friends, or in the outdoors. There are all four seasons here so I spend plenty of time raking leaves, shoveling snow, wearing rain boots, or lastly doing all the fun outside stuff. Like swimming, kayaking, fishing, or maybe with a wild hair -hiking.

In my following posts I will begin to review some books. I may start with a favorite author or series and work my way forward to trying new things. I will leave a *Warning* when it is an erotic or risqué book but know my taste is eclectic. I also like sweet romances, history, suspense, crime, comedic, young adult, and even autobiographical. I'm always open to suggestions!