Roxie Prince's Blog

Hello, everyone. I just wanted to give you a heads-up that I’ve migrated this blog over here: [Roxie Writes]. I hope you’ll take a look.

deadpoetsmusings:

Persepolis

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Source.

‘Clear Expectations’ by Terri Reid
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Finished on March 25, 2018
Read with Kindle Unlimited Subscription
FREE on Kindle Unlimited | $3.99 on Kindle | $19.99 in Paperback

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Mandy, a nurse at Freeport Hospital, is sent down to the under-construction third floor to gather supplies. To her surprise, she encounters a little girl there. At first, she believes the child has simply gotten lost, but in a split second, the little girl disappears and gives Mandy the fright of her life and starts Mary O’Reilly’s next supernatural case.

Mary and Bradley, with some surprising help, discover there are thirteen ghost children stuck in on the third floor. Together, they work to solve the mystery of their deaths and help them find the light.

Things are hectic in the Alden household, too, as Baby Mikey is due to arrive soon, and that means big, big changes for everyone.

MY REVIEW:
As always, Reid has crafted a lovely story full of heart, love, and surprise. I never get tired of this series; in fact, I eagerly await each new installment. This one especially!

My favorite thing about this series is how, while it deals with the spookiness of ghosts, they are more about family, friendship, and doing the right thing. These books are always heartwarming, sometimes tearjerking, and always uplifting in the very best way.

Reid’s writing style is my favorite. It’s easy-to-read and to get absolutely absorbed in. There are no unnecessary details, and her characters quickly become like friends. You feel like you actually know (and love) these people, and it’s easy to become invested in their lives.

This particular installment (The 20th! Wow! Talk about stamina, Mrs. Reid!) we see Clarissa’s growth as a person, Mary coming to terms with massive changes in her life, and new additions. All of this, even the disappointments and scary situations, are handled with consideration and unconditional love.

Whenever I need a pick-me-up, I know I can count on a Mary O’Reilly novel to give it to me.

‘Traveller – Inceptio’ by Rob Shackelford
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Finished on March 24, 2018
GIVEN A FREE COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
$4.99 on Kindle

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
A team of college students is assembled to work on a new sort of security system for airports and shipping companies. Their project goes haywire, though, when they accidentally create the Transporter, a time machine that goes back 1000 years.

It can only go back 1000 years wherever it is placed, but even this is a huge scientific development.

Australia, the UK, Canada, and America come together to send a group of Special Forces officers back to Saxon England hoping for the men to merge with the people and teach those in the present time more about them than they already know. Using twenty-first-century technology, they send daily reports back to the present.

But these officers quickly learn they need more than high tech gear to make it in the eleventh century.

MY REVIEW:
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Once you figure out what’s actually happening in this book, it becomes a really fun read. For the first 5% or so, I had a hard time following exactly what was happening, but I’m glad I stuck with it because this book has a lot of heart.

It flips back and forth between the perspectives of those in the present and the officer(s) they’ve sent back to the past. It is a little muddy at first what’s happening, and how these two perspectives are connected, but it eventually becomes sparkling clear.

I found this story to be extremely innovative and fun. Imagining a time machine that only goes back to a certain time period is different from most anything I’ve ever encountered before and adds a compelling perspective.

Also, the characters in this book are endearing and quite charming. I am not super knowledgeable about Saxon England, so it was fun to learn about those who lived then, and their social structure.

It was a tad confusing having a Michael and a Mike both with ‘H’ last names. I found myself having to stop and think about which character was which a few times. I think it would have read better if the names were a little more diverse.

All of that being said, this is a great read if you enjoy both historical fiction and sci-fi. It’s a lovely meld of the two genres.

whatsinsideawritersmind:

“When you are not writing, you are a writer too. It doesn’t leave you.”

— Natalie Goldberg (from Writing Down the Bones)

writingdotcoffee:

“Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader - not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon.”

— E. L. Doctorow

‘Immortal Bones (Detective Saussure Mysteries Book 1)’ by Trinidad Giachino
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Finished on March 11, 2018
FREE on Kindle

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Set in 1952, Private Detective Richard Saussure is hired to solve the mystery of why Lord Hugh Hurlingthon can’t die. Pulling Saussure out of his comfort zone, 213-year-old Lord Hurlingthon challenges the detective, and Saussure isn’t going to back down. His reputation is to always solve the case, after all.

In this dark paranormal mystery, Richard Saussure will have to dig deep into his own past and ask for the help of his favorite enemy: Dr. Annette Kensington, a forensic doctor whose thirst for justice equals her despise for Saussure.

MY REVIEW:
‘Immortal Bones’ is an interesting take on immortality, morality, and family.

Trinidad Giachino has crafted characters with bold and distinct personalities. Detective Saussure is sassy, witty, and just enough of a jerk to make you like him. Dr. Annette Kensington gives him back exactly what he gives her. Their relationship is a delightful exchange of insults combined with respect.

Lord Hurlingthon is a soft and sympathetic character. From the onset of his claim to of immortality, I believed him. Giachino’s vibrant description of his corpse-like appearance further solidified his believability.

I felt like the ending was a bit rushed compared to the pacing of the rest of the novel. Also, I hope the druid makes appearances in future novels, otherwise I didn’t feel like that storyline was quintessential to the plot.

Overall, I found this book to be an enjoyable read.

writingdotcoffee:

“The most important thing is to read as much as you can, like I did. It will give you an understanding of what makes good writing and it will enlarge your vocabulary.”

— J. K. Rowling