#488 ~ No-One Ever Has Sex in the Suburbs

No-One Ever Has Sex in the Suburbs by Tracy Bloom

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There is not too much to say about this book really, other than ... it was simply brilliant.

Tracy has a masterful use of dialogue which is set within perfect comic timing and incite.

I loved it, and now I'm off to play the Artic Monkeys very loud, very loud indeed.

As usual I purchased this through the Kindle Unlimited package, but you can pick up a copy HERE.

As a footnote, I thought I would mention that the production values on this were very high, and it is a quality piece of work from whichever way you look at it.

Hugs and Happy Reading
xoxox





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#487 ~ Four Christmases

Four Christmases by Loretta Livingstone

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well constructed short stories; two with a religious theme.

They were nicely done - after studying A215 Creative Writing Module at University, I know how difficult it is to achieve a short story ... it is way harder than most people would assume.


I purchased my copy through Kindle Unlimited, you can find it HERE on Amazon.

Hugs and Happy Reading.


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#486 ~ Ghost Gifts

Ghost Gifts by Laura Spinella

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Extraordinarily good, with really decently constructed characters.

I particularly like the modest pace and texture in the plot that kept me engaged and surprised by the plot twist.

I would certainly read Ms Spinella again.

The text only held two errors, which is a bonus, I like my books to have high production values.

Errors/Bug Bears:

Page 129:  'piss in his country-issue boots in heartbeat' - missing an 'a' there I believe.

Page 226:  'Pa said that all time'. - missing 'the'.

Purchase Details:

Another Kindle Unlimited book for me - this is such a brilliant option for somebody that reads a lot, but doesn't mind being restricted by the choices available.  At the moment I am pretty much sticking to it exclusively as I have limited recreational reading time, but will start buying more books when I have some more time University modules.

I got my copy HERE.  If you don't have the option to get a copy with Unlimited, at the time of publishing this the Kindle file was £3.98.

Happy reading.

Hugs


xoxo


Bibliography:

Spinella, L (1 March 2016), 'Ghost Gifts' published by Mortlake Romance on Amazon UK.




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#485 ~ Treasured by Thursday

Treasured by Thursday by Catherine Bybee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

#7 of Weekday Brides Series



More of the same from Catherine Bybee - she is a good solid author, and it is nice sometimes to have a no surprises read; she is at what I would classify as holiday reading.

I borrowed this (along with all the series on Kindle Unlimited), but unlike all of the six books this one did not have the accompanying audio file. Very frustrating, and I don't understand why they would offer 6 out of 7 with audio format and leaving the concluding book in the series hanging high and dry without it - it's a problem specific to me I know, but still Amazon, why?

You can get a copy of this book HERE

Happy reading.

Hugs

xxoxo



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#484 ~ Not Quite Dating

Not Quite Dating by Catherine Bybee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

#1 Not Quite Series



Having worked my way through most of this author's Weekday Bride series, I thought I would try another one from a different one of her series.

This author does what it says on the tin, contemporary romance, but in such a delightful way the reader tends to forget that they are follow a formula. That's not necessarily a bad thing, an it is probably more noticeable if you read several in a row.

That having been said, I loved it and rated it a 4, based on the audio file I listened to rather than the written text as it was free with my Kindle Unlimited Download.  You can get a copy of the book HERE.

Hugs


xoxox

#483 ~ Seduced by Sunday

Seduced by Sunday by Catherine Bybee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book #6 in the Weekday Bride Series




Just because I find Ms Bybee's work a little formulaic, does not mean that I do not absolutely love them - because I do love them!

I do realise that I've been pushing the envelope by going for it, and reading (listening in this case) to the whole series over one week though, and it isn't really to be recommended. Maximum enjoyment is reached if you spread them out a bit. Still, one more in this series to go.

Get a copy HERE.

#482 ~ Taken by Tuesday

Taken by Tuesday by Catherine Bybee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book #5 of the Weekday Bride Series



Still happy to report that this series continues to be enjoyable. However, I have come to realise that she uses stock phrases spread across the series, such as 'poster child for ...' - although this is probably not that noticeable unless you read them in a straight run.

Again, I listened rather than read this as I got a free audio file with the Kindle Unlimited download.

Get you copy HERE.

Hugs

Kay

#481 ~ Single by Saturday

Single by Saturday by Catherine Bybee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

#4 Book from the Weekday Bride Series




More of the same quality from this author, but with this being book 4 on the trot I did come to realise that it is some what formulaic - not that there is anything wrong with that! An entertaining read is, when all is said and done an entertaining read.

I read - or in my case listened to it - when recovering from a nasty bout of flu, and it made my load a little lighter. The fact that it came with a free audible file was a real bonus as I couldn't hold my little weak arms up.

You can pick up a copy HERE.

#480 ~ Fiance by Friday

Fiancé by Friday by Catherine Bybee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

#Book 3 of Weekday Brides Series




I actually listened to this as a free audible file that came with the Kindle Unlimited book.

With a nasty case of Man flu at the time it helped sooth the pain ... girls it's true man flu is far so more serious than any normal strain!

Although this kind if brash American chic lit that I would avoid ... full of 'gotten' etcetera ... I really like her literary voice and style.

You can pick up a copy HERE.  

#479 ~ Married by Monday

Married by Monday by Catherine Bybee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

#Book 2 in Weekday Bride Series




Not such a good rating as 'Wife by Wednesday', I just didn't find it as interesting.

It's just a good solid read - or listen in my case, as I got a free audio file with the Kindle Unlimited.

You can pick up a copy HERE.

#478 ~ Wife by Wednesday

Wife by Wednesday by Catherine Bybee

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was expecting trashy Americanised Chic Lit to get me through a bout of flu, and ended up striking gold with Catherine Bybee.

A thoroughly enjoyable read ... or listen in this instance ... as a free audio file came with the Kindle Unlimited file.

#477 ~ The Last Queen of England

The Last Queen of England by Steve Robinson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am beginning to think that Steve Robinson's books are my guilty pleasure.

Another excellent read, I can't wait to get my hands on more of this series.

#476 ~ To The Grave

To the Grave by Steve Robinson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars





Book #2



I don't want to give any spoilers for this one; it was really well written and the audio version was first class. I am definitely a Steve Robinson fan, and love JT. Recommended read.

Luckily, I am an Amazon Unlimited Kindle reader, so I paid not a thing for this book. Although, I am happy to admit that I would have been happy to pay the full asking price.

Kay

#475 ~ Hard Times

Hard Times by Charles Dickens

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bought as a set book for my Open University Module.

There is nothing to add about Dickens that hasn't been said already. It was a little hard-going in places, but that is more down to the style of its writing than the substance.



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#474 ~ Circ

Circ by Simon Fairbanks et al

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An interesting collaborative writing by Giselle Thompson ('Receiver of Stolen Words') et al.

Engaging, interesting and well written. A group of this size was always a risk working in collaboration, but they pulled it off completely.

I loved it ... a triumph of good writing, humour and application of craft.

You can find it HERE.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay xoxo





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#473 ~ In the Blood

In the Blood by Steve Robinson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#1 in the Jefferson  Tayte Genealogical Mystery Series




I've gone for 5 stars on book from Kindle Unlimited.

Overall whilst it was well written and kept my interest it was slightly on the predictable side as far as plot goes. However, the writing and grammar were accomplished (a refreshing change from some of the rot out there) and therefore I rounded up the 4.75 I'd allotted in my head to a 5 stars.

I have downloaded the others in the series, and will be interested to see how JT gets on finding his own family connections.


Hugs

Kay






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#472 - A Receiver of Stolen Words

A Receiver of Stolen Words by Giselle Thompson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars















It's really rare to get 5 stars from me these days, but Giselle has managed. Obviously, there is a link as she has studied the Creative Module that I am currently doing, but it goes beyond just that.

She has a really fluid and lovely voice that is very recognisable, and is a mistress of the short story (a skill I envy). However within each of her pieces there are subtle variations in her style that make them a joy to read.

I'm a regular reader of her blog, and enjoyed the book that she collaborated on with 9 others, 'Circ'. Even though there were so many it was easy to distinguish talents from the other talented authors.

This is highly recommended if you are studying Creative Writing, or just enjoy differently told and well researched literature.

You can purchase a copy HERE, which is an absolute snip at £1.83; she is definitely selling herself short.

Happy reading.

xoxox

#470 ~ Our Triumph and Our Glory (Book 1)

Our Triumph and Our Glory by Megane Kilpatrick

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Megane is an old head on young shoulders. This short piece is beautifully written and outstanding. Currently, it's on free download, so please pick up a copy and support her.

Hugs
Kay
xoxo

#469 ~ Lacey's House

Lacey's House by JoAnne Graham

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
















I liked this; a pleasant reading experience that made me cry in places.

The themes were sympathetically dealt with with an acceptable pace of plot.

* * *

Unfortunately, I'm so entrenched in two Uni modules it was the briefest possible wording of a review.


Hugs
xoxo

#10 ~ Scribblings of Freya

OU material all arrived, and I've started on both modules. I need to get ahead.

I have been pleasantly about the content of A105, and am looking forward to getting stuck in.  A215 has created a great outpouring of writing.  So far today I've written 672 words, which doesn't include the reflective passages that I've written for each one; I'd estimate over 1,000 word count if they are added in.

The chink in the damn, has caused a deluge of writing ... all of it is quite different.  I am not sure where it's all been, or what the dark corner of my mind my contain, but it's exciting.

Until I'm sure what will be used for TMA or EMA, I can't share, but as soon as things are eliminated or submitted and marked I will do.  Mostly the passages are rough as a badger's bottom, but then that is the point of free writing.  I need to draft them quite a bit.  The idea is to mine ideas, and I'm certainly doing that.

I am very happy.

Freya

xox