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Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows: Title: 'The face of heroin': Mom shares haunting before and after pics of addiction; Abstract: Jennifer Salfen-Tracy distributed images of her son in the hopes of finding him and raising awareness about addiction.; Category: health Title: The most talented actresses under 30; Abstract: Ah, to be young, talented and famous...; Category: movies Title: This Is The Most Expensive New Subaru Ever Made; Abstract: ; Category: autos Title: See 810-HP Mercedes-AMG E63 S Shred Tires In Less Than A Minute; Abstract: Actually, it's less than 30 seconds. Way less.; Category: autos Title: Jaime Pressly Addresses Backlash After Calling Son Dezi Her 'Favorite' Child; Abstract: The actress stood by her controversial comments, explaining why Dezi is her favorite child during an appearance on 'The Talk.'; Category: tv Title: Alfa Romeo Montreal Vision GT Concept Has Our Jaws On The Floor; Abstract: This is what a modern Alfa Romeo supercar should look like.; Category: autos Title: The Little-Known Airplane Feature That Could Save Your Life; Abstract: Remembering this tiny device could be a big deal!; Category: travel Title: Here's How Bad BMW's Big Grille Problem Could Get; Abstract: Ladies and gentlemen, it pains us to bring you this most tragic of slideshows. Actually, it really doesn't. In fact, we're rather excited to showcase what the future might hold for BMW should this current fascination with fantastically large grilles be allowed to continue unchecked. Perhaps this in-your-face display of kidneys gone wild will at least encourage designers in Munich to think twice before traveling further down this road. Us Motor1.com scribes work very hard to keep a neutral tone, but frankly, we're a bit worried about BMW. This big-grille fad is as ridiculous as the pet rock only without the cool hipster factor. It's as off-putting as listening to glam rock on a scratched-up record. We blame Lexus for this, and while some brands have pulled off the gaping grille with admirable results we're looking at you, Audi RS6 Avant oversized kidneys basically turn every BMW into a beaver joke waiting to happen. That's not a good thing. Bigger Isn't Better: BMW Concept 4 Debuts With Massive Double Kidney Grille Reviled BMW Concept 4 Grille Redesigned By Another Fan We aren't alone on this. Peruse the comments of any Motor1.com articles referencing this bonkers nose and you'll find plenty of criticism. Rendering artists the world over have attempted to make the big grille look better, while others including the anonymous designer who graciously sent us the designs featured above are ready to show us a world where every BMW is, in a word, ugly. And yes, with BMW's deep involvement in the Toyota Supra, we couldn't resist leading with a makeover that could well come to the Supra's convertible twin, the Z4. Sure, the facelift could've been on an actual Z4, but seeing the double kidney on a Supra has a bit more shock factor. Jump into the slideshow at the top of this article to see just how deep and how big this kidney-shaped rabbit hole can grow.; Category: autos Title: WATCH: Cruise Ship Navigates Tiny Corinth Canal; Abstract: At only 78 feet wide, it was a tight squeeze.; Category: travel Title: Zooey Deschanel's Estranged Husband Jacob Pechenik Files for Divorce; Abstract: The couple announced their separation in September.; Category: tv Title: Mercedes-AMG GT R Black Series Spied Testing With Lots Of Sensors; Abstract: There are multiple body configurations on the vehicles in this clip.; Category: autos Title: Is This the New BMW M3's Aggressive Rear End?; Abstract: A leaked photo purports to show the new sports sedan ahead on the assembly line of its official debut.; Category: autos Title: Race Car Driver Marino Franchitti's Thoughts on the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera; Abstract: "I'd give it some more tire only because I'm a bit scared."; Category: autos Title: Week in celebrity photos for Oct. 21-25, 2019; Abstract: Week in celebrity photos for Oct. 21-25, 2019; Category: entertainment Title: Why plane tires don't explode during landing; Abstract: Plane tires need to support thousands of pounds of weight at high speeds, so why don't they pop when the plane touches down? It all comes down to design and materials used.; Category: video Title: Porsche Taycan Turbo S Sport Turismo runs hard at the 'Ring; Abstract: Clearly, it'll haul more than just tykes and whatnots; Category: autos Title: 2021 Mercedes S-Class Drops Some Camo In New Spy Video; Abstract: More W223 sightings before more official details come in.; Category: autos Title: Hulk Hogan's jet grounded after 'melted' brakes, blown tires; Abstract: Hulk was headed to Saudi Arabia, but had a pit stop in Iceland.; Category: tv Title: British family to sue US diplomat's wife, Trump administration in death of son; Abstract: The family of a motorcyclist killed in a crash involving the wife of an American diplomat have announced they are planning to sue US President Donald Trump's administration over an alleged cover-up. Harry Dunn, 19, died on August 27 when his motorbike and a car driving on the wrong side of the road collided. In a statement issued through her lawyers and reported in US media, Anne Sacoolas admitted she was driving. She left Britain claiming...; Category: news Title: Little Girl And Dog Recreate Scene From 'Beauty And The Beast'; Abstract: You may want to grab a mop your heart's about to melt.; Category: lifestyle Title: Ben Affleck's Relapse Shows How Difficult Alcoholism Recovery Really Is; Abstract: The actor was shown intoxicated and stumbling just hours after posting about his recovery on Instagram. Experts say relapses are a part of recovery.; Category: health Title: All of Heidi Klum's Halloween Costumes Over the Years; Abstract: Bow down to the Queen of Halloween.; Category: lifestyle Title: Bruce Willis brought Demi Moore to tears after reading her book; Abstract: Demi wasn't sure how her ex would feel about her book until he called her.; Category: movies Title: Grammys to honor Dr. Dre for trailblazing production work; Abstract: Dr. Dre, who has produced hits for Eminem, Tupac, Snoop Dogg and more, will be honored by the Recording Academy for his trailblazing production work.; Category: music Title: EarthRoamer XV-HD Super Camper Can Be Yours for $1.7 Million; Abstract: The ultimate RV for the end of days.; Category: autos Title: The open-top Lamborghini Gallardo concept of your dreams is for sale; Abstract: The 2006 Concept S was a one-off meant to go into production. It never did, and you can own the only running example.; Category: autos Title: Why Prince Harry Wore His Remembrance Poppy Differently from the Rest of the Royal Family; Abstract: Why Prince Harry's Poppy Was Worn on His Cap; Category: lifestyle	mind
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows: Title: Los juegos del hambre (Los juegos del hambre, #1); Author: Suzanne Collins; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Recomiendo leerlo a todos los que quieran descubrir un nuevo mundo, una nueva historia, y por supuesto un nuevo personaje. En general es un libro que ya tiene un hueco en mis libros favoritos. [url]...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Piensa en blog; Author: Robin Houghton; Genres: non-fiction; Review: Es un libro que sirve para todos los que tienen uno. Ya sea por algun motivo profesional o mas personal como el mio pues te da pautas y consejos que a todos nos viene bien. Mientras leia el libro me pase con una libreta al lado apuntando "Esto lo tengo que hacer en el blog"^^ Y si aun no me he puesto a hacer los cambios pero nunca esta demas tener una ayuda extra. En definitiva un lugar donde consultar las dudas o coger ideas. Una cosa que me hubiera gustado es que tuviera mas sobre blogger. [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Leyendas de los Otori; Author: Lian Hearn; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Voy a decir que es mi favorito de los tres. Lo comence a leer con grandes expectativas y la verdad lo cumplio con creces. Cada vez que avanzaba queria saber mas de la historia, queria conocer que ocurria, que pasaba y como acababa. Se lo aconsejo a todos los que como a mi, les gusta las historias que dan cambios repentinos, donde la trama te atrapa y no te deja soltarla hasta el final, donde unos ninos pueden ser heroes ya que no hay que olvidar que Takeo y Kaede en esta parte de la historia tienen 16 anos. !Si eran otros tiempos! [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: La cazadora de almas (La cazadora de almas, #1); Author: Alyson Noel; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: La historia me ha resultado facil de leer, es un poco predecible, sobretodo en algunas partes, pero no deja de tener su encanto. Estoy deseando saber mas, ya que es una saga. La autora ha sabido crear un mundo que sabe enganchar, por lo menos a mi, y estoy deseando que salga el proximo libro. Lo recomiendo, si tienes ganas de descubrir un nuevo libro, una nueva historia entre el bien y el mal, un amor destinado,... entonces es tu libro. [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Pulsaciones; Author: Javier Ruescas; Genres: fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: La historia comienza con Elia, una chica que despierta de un coma y que gracias a los padres que le dan un smartphone, ella se registra en Heartbits, algo asi muy parecido al Whatsapp. Y poco a poco ella tiene que averiguar que ha pasado en esos tres dias que no recuerda. Y que mas voy a decir del libro, es un libro que recomiendo mucho ya que es cierto que tiene pocas paginas, pero se disfruta y creerme os puede llegar al corazon y espero que os guste tanto como a mi. ^^ [url]...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Harry Potter y la piedra filosofal (Harry Potter, #1); Author: J.K. Rowling; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Se lo recomiendo a todas las personas que les gustaria poder vivir un mundo de magia, lleno de magos y brujas e incluso de muggle. Es un libro muy bueno para ninos que comiencen con su lectura ya que los adentra en una gran historia. Tienes magia, aventuras, amistad, magos buenos y malos, descubres nuevos lugares y nuevos personajes, etc. En general, yo solo puedo decir que me ha encantando volver a Hogwarts, ver a Snape y al profesor Dumbledore y descubrir todo lo que se esconde detras de la piedra Filosofal. [url]...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Harry Potter y la Cámara Secreta; Author: J.K. Rowling; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Se conocen nuevos profesores, vuelven a suceder cosas extranas en Hogwarts y nuevos personajes :) Ademas voy a decir que mi personaje favorito en el libro es Dobby. Es un elfo domestico que aparece la historia y me gusta mucho . Con esos grandes ojos y orejas !Es muy mono! :) Por ultimo destacar algo mas, me ha gustado poder ver la casa y la familia completa de Ron Weasley. En definitiva es un gran libro, se puede leer facilmente y rapido. Te engancha con facilidad. Es un libro muy recomendable para animar con la lectura ya que Harry es un personaje que se quiere con facilidad. Y te deja con ganas para saber que va a pasar en el tercer ano de Harry en Hogwarts. [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Donde los árboles cantan; Author: Laura Gallego Garcia; Genres: history, young-adult, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: !Si lo es! Uno de mis libros favoritos. "Donde los arboles canta" es una historia donde l@s chic@s podemos escuchar las leyendas, las fabulas,... que se cuenta del Gran Bosque. Esta basada en la epoca medieval, y por eso encontraremos a doncellas y caballeros, a castillos y aldeas, a bosques "encantados" y barbaros. Es un libro que te gustara desde un principio y no podras parar de leer hasta el final. !Eso me paso a mi! [url]...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Mandrágora; Author: Laura Gallego Garcia; Genres: history, young-adult, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: En cuanto a la historia es de traicion, brujas, demonios, magia negra,... de facil lectura (cuando te das cuenta ya lo has terminado) y si tienes algun herman@ (pequeno), sobrin@s, prim@s o amig@s es un buen libro de lectura para todos ellos, sobretodo si te gusta este tipo de literatura. Definitivamente me ha gustado, lo caracteriza sobretodo su sencillez. La solapa del libro es de tapa dura que hace mas placentera la lectura. [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: El suelo del ruiseñor (Leyendas de los Otori, #1); Author: Lian Hearn; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: En cuanto a la historia descubri esa la tradicion del Japon feudal, los amores imposibles, el deber con el clan y con la familia, entre otros. Y por supuesto en todo esto hay una gran venganza. Venganza por los que gobiernas, por como lo hacen y como deberian hacerlo; por los familiares que se han llevado y por lo que se quiere proteger. Descubres lugares nuevos, paisajes hermosos y la forma de vivir que existia en esa epoca en Japon feudal. Al principio comienza con lentitud, aunque tiene sus puntos fuertes pero poco a poco va tomando fuerza. Y el final es bastante esperado pero da un giro que no me esperaba!!! ^^ [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Grass for His Pillow (Tales of the Otori, #2); Author: Lian Hearn; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: La historia entre Kaede o Takeo pues se vuelve mas madura. Ambos en el anterior libro eran mas ingenuos, mas infantiles. Ahora poco a poco comienzan a desaparecer esos rasgos y se afrotan a los problemas que el destino tiene reservado para ellos. Gracias a esa madurez de los protagonistas la historia se vuelve mas atractiva, si tenia muchas ganas de saber que pasaba con cada hoja que avanzaba. En esta parte de la historia se conoce a la familia de Kaede, y en Takeo descubre un secreto que marcara su destino. En definitiva, es un libro para todos los que como a mi, les guste las historias de amor, una historia donde el poder corrompe a los hombres y las mujeres luchan por tener el mismo rol que ellos. Una historia entre estos presonajes que estoy deseando saber como continuara ya que se esperan grandes batallas y no todas seran victorias. [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Verrat in Skogland; Author: Kirsten Boie; Genres: young-adult, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery; Review: En un principio, Jarven, me parecio muy ingenua en muchas partes de la historia. Por mucho que seas seleccionada para ser de actriz en un pelicula no te subes a una avioneta con dos desconocidos. No se, creo que sospecharia por lo menos algo. El resto de los personajes, algunos tenia ganas de pegarle, en cambios otros te sorprenden. Una de las partes que me ha encantado es Tine, amiga de Jarven, va a una comisaria de policia a denunciar la desaparicion de su amiga. Por ultimo, me han gustado los secretos que poco a poco Jarven ha tenido que destapar. Me gustan los libros que poco a poco te van relevando la historia, y asi te dan ganas de descubrir que va a pasar en la siguiente pagina. A modo de critica dire, que algunas partes eran predecibles, por ello el final tambien, en algunas partes. Aun asi, he disfrutado mucho leyendo el libro y hasta me han dado ganas de saber mas sobre el mundo de Skogland ^^ En definitiva, es una historia de princesas, con un final predecible pero le que la historia te sabe enganchar. [url]...; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle, #1); Author: Christopher Paolini; Genres: young-adult, romance, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Los personajes son muy variados, y podemos encontrar desde un simple granjero, hasta el rey de los enanos. El protagonista, es Eragon. Un simple campesino que vive en Carvahall, aqui es donde comienza la historia. Luego aparece el cuentacuento Brom, y Saphira. Me gustan los personajes, son en algunas ocasiones simples, pero esconden muchos secretos que eso te invita a seguir leyendo. La narracion la vivimos por parte de Eragon, ya que es su perspectiva la que nos narra la historia y los acontecimientos que suceden. Asi que sin lugar a dudas recomiendo el libro a todos los jovenes, ninos e incluso adultos que quieran vivir una aventura, donde la magia cobra fuerza segun van pasando las paginas del libro, el valor, la amistad, la muerte, donde un simple granjero puede cambiar la vida de muchas personas. En definitiva, un gran libro con una gran historia. [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: La resistencia (Memorias de Idhún, #1); Author: Laura Gallego Garcia; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: El primer libro me lo he leido con ganas y rapidez. Tiene partes lentas pero que son necesaria para explicar parte del mundo de Idhun. Hay accion y la verdad muchas veces no puedes parar de leer, para saber que pasara en la siguiente pagina. Los personajes principales me gustan mucho, son muy diferentes, y eso anade un toque mas misterio a la historia. Los personajes secundarios tienen mucho agarre y te sorprenden sucesos que pasan. La narracion la vivimos al principio por Jack, pero luego entra en juego Victoria y Christian ^^ En general, me gusta esos cambios da otra forma de contar el mismo suceso pero se vive de manera diferente. En general, es un libro que recomiendo a todos los jovenes, a los fans incondicional de Laura Gallego xDD, a todas las personas que les gusta una buena historia que aunque el libro es el comienzo la historia no acaba aqui y te dan ganas de !!Quiero leer el segundo!! [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Las tejedoras de destinos (Las tejedoras de destinos, #1); Author: Gennifer Albin; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: La protagonista es Adelice Lewys una chica que acaba de cumplir los dieciseis anos. Es un personaje que, por lo menos a mi, consigue transmitir sus miedos e incluso la incertidumbre que sucede en algunas partes de la historia. El unico pero que voy a decir de la historia, es el mundo de las tejedoras, no termine de comprenderlo, aunque espero entender algo en la segunda y tercera parte. Para resumir, es un gran libro, con una gran historia escondida entre sus palabras. Se lo recomiendo a todas las personas que se les apetezca conocer un nuevo mundo, nuevos personajes, y sin lugar a dudas, saber como es posible que una chica de dieciseis anos pueda "tejer el destino". [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: El Viajero; Author: John Twelve Hawks; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Los elfos (Vol. 1) (Die Elfen, #1); Author: Bernhard Hennen; Genres: paranormal, fantasy; Review: Desde el principio despierta mi curiosidad por conocer de cerca la historia de Mandred, un guerrero que se ve involucrado en el mundo de los elfos. Ademas de Nuramon, Noroelle y Farodin que son un trio amoroso que me llamo mucho la atencion. A mi me gusta mas, el personaje de Farodin. Segun avanza la trama, me engancha de tal forma que no me puedo despegar. El autor sabe como dejarte pegado a sus paginas para descubrir que pasa con ellos. Como el libro es el Elfo 1, el final es muy abierto y no me lo esperaba para nada. Recomiendo este libro a todas las personas que desean transportarse a un mundo donde existen elfos, humanos, magia, luchas, entre otras. Es una historia bastante completa y me gustaria conocer como acaba todo. [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: El libro de la selva; Author: Rudyard Kipling; Genres: history, young-adult, children, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Con unas ilustraciones preciosas te invita conocer la historia de Mowgli, entre otras. [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lo que encontré bajo el sofá; Author: Eloy Moreno; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: Toledo es la ciudad donde se narra la mayor parte de la historia, sus ciudadanos sufren una serie de sucesos que para ser sincero son el pan de cada dia de muchos espanoles. Mi parte favorita, es la manera en la que el autor te invita a continuar leyendo, a descubrir que ocurre detras de esas historias, que se encuentran detras de esas paginas. Me gusta como narra un simple dia a dia de dos ancianos o el de una pareja que tienen un nino. Hay que leer este libro para saber a lo que me refiero. Los personajes te transmiten tanto que llegue a llorar, a reir, a enfadarme con las injusticias, e incluso a querer hacer algo para cambiar la situacion. Es un gran libro, que te presenta personajes reales y que pueden estar pasando mas cerca de lo que uno cree. Sin lugar a dudas lo recomiendo a todo aquel lector que quiera leer algo diferente, que quiera conocer las calles, las leyendas y sin lugar a dudas las historias que se viven en la ciudad de Toledo. [url]...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: El Viajero; Author: John Twelve Hawks; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: La trama del libro es buena. Te engancha con cada pagina que lees, y lo quieres acabar para saber que va a pasar con Maya, Michael y Gabriel. Al principio vas enlazando la historia de ambos hasta que llega el final y que te atrapa con ganas. Es un final que no esperas que sucede. De Maya voy a anadir que es fuerte y valiente. De Michael y Gabriel, que son hermanos que poseen un don y que por ello puede ser una bendicion o una maldicion, segun desde el punto de vista en que lo mires. El final es abierto. Al ser una trilogia, deja muchas cuestiones que necesitan responder. Lo unico malo, es que la primera y la segunda parte estan en espanol y el tercero, hasta lo que tengo entendido, no se ha traducido al espanol y por lo tanto no se va a publicar. Asi que es lo mas negativo que veo sobre el libro. [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: El corredor del laberinto (El corredor del laberinto, #1); Author: James Dashner; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: ?Un laberinto? ?Chicos encerrados? ?Buscan una salida? ?Por que estan ahi? Son las preguntas que me vienen a la cabeza cuando comence a leerlo, es mas poco a poco van desvelando cosas, pero hasta el final no te haces una idea. Y cuando lo hayas acabo apareceran nuevas preguntas que sin lugar a dudas te invitaran a seguir leyendo su continuacion. El argumento es simple pero funciona. Casi no pude parar de leer hasta acabarlo. Te sabe atrapar ya que te mantiene en vilo y siempre sucede algo nuevo que hace que te plantees nuevas dudas. Los misterios, los secretos, el querer descubrir, son papeles fundamentales que hacen de la historia un buen libro. Es sin lugar a dudas un libro que recomiendo, se lee facilmente, y puedes conocer a nuevos personajes y llegar a resolver nuevos misterios y secretos que ni ellos mismos saben que lo saben ya que no recuerdan nada, solo su nombre. Seguire con la trilogia . [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: La caída de los reinos (La caída de los reinos, #1); Author: Morgan Rhodes; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Con un gran historia, seguire con el siguiente. Para saber mas puedes mirar en: [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Una llama entre cenizas (Una llama entre cenizas, #1); Author: Sabaa Tahir; Genres: history, young-adult, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: En definitiva, una lectura sencilla, con dos personajes muy completos y con vidas muy diferentes. Con amor, traicion, dolor e incluso injusticias, la historia es preciosa y sin lugar a dudas lo recomiendo. No os cuento nada mas, porque quiero que se lleven una sorpresa como me la lleve yo. Para saber mas, puedes ver la resena en: [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Divergente (Divergente, #1); Author: Veronica Roth; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Con una trama que engancha desde el principio, no vas a poder parar de leer hasta el final.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Bienvenidos a Lúcido; Author: Marta Conejo; Genres: thriller, crime, mystery; Review: En definitiva, es un libro que recomiendo para llegar a conocer un mundo conocido como Lucido. No descarto en el futuro leer algo mas sobre la autora. Me ha gustado mucho la manera en la que ha planteado la trama y a sus personajes. Vamos es un libro que encuentras de todo. Si quieres saber mas puedes mirar en el siguiente enlace: [url]...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: El corazón de jade; Author: Jordi Sierra i Fabra; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy; Review: Una historia preciosa que vas descubrir sobre Lin Li y sus hermanos. Para ver la resena completa en el siguiente enlace. [url]...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: El desván de Tesla (Accelerati, #1); Author: Neal Shusterman; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: recomiendo a todas las personas que les guste el misterio con pequenas pistas que tienes que ir descubriendo junto con los personajes y asi saber que secreto se esconde detras de los objetos extranos del desvan de Tesla [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Eldest = Eldest; Author: Christopher Paolini; Genres: young-adult, romance, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Es sin lugar a dudas, mi favorito de la saga. Adoro la manera en la que esta narrada y lo que descubres en el. [url]...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: La oscuridad; Author: Marianne Curley; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: [url]...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Las carreras de Escorpio; Author: Maggie Stiefvater; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Entre sus paginas descubres dos historias que estan muy relacionadas con los caballos, los Capall Uisce y las carreras. [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Los Elegidos; Author: Marianne Curley; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Es un libro juvenil de fantasia donde la trama atrapa bastante, en parte gracias a la sencillez con la que la autora, te transmite, por lo menos a mi eso en libro me encanta. Es una historia donde puedes encontrar personajes entranables, unicos e incluso alguno odioso , de viajes en el tiempo. La principal lucha es entre el bien "Los Guardianes del Tiempo" y el mal " La Orden del Caos" se decidira en el siguiente libro [url]...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: rompiendo las normas (Pushing the Limits, #1); Author: Katie McGarry; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: Es una historia de amor adolescente, pero va mucho mas alla, ya que ambos deben enfrentarse a su futuro y a la vida que les espera. La pregunta es ?Lo haran juntos? [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Taliesin; Author: Stephen R. Lawhead; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Un libro que recomiendo a todos los enamorados del mundo de Pendragon, de la magia, de la fantasia e incluso de conocer la antigua Atlantida. Es una historia que vas poder enamorarte de sus paisajes y de sus personajes, algunos tan odiosos pero otros que son un amor. [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Todas las hadas del reino; Author: Laura Gallego Garcia; Genres: young-adult, romance, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Para todos los amantes de la magia, de la fantasia, del mundo de las hadas madrina. [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: El ladrón del rayo (Percy Jackson, #1); Author: Rick Riordan; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: El libro me atrajo desde hacia tiempo y no me explico por que no lo habia leido antes. Y puedo adelantar que pienso seguir con la saga. La saga esta compuesta por 5 libros, ademas de varios libros complementarios que no me ha quedado claro si estan traducidos todos ni siquiera cuantos son. Creo que investigare un poco mas y puede que me anime a hacer una entrada. [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0	goodreads
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: UTG AR15 Carry Handle Rail Mount, 12 Slots, STANAG; Brand: UTG; Review: Well made, mounts securely, and provides a steady base for my optics.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Tactical Rifle Bipod with Handy Spring Return Ohuhu 6-9 Inches Adjustable Height for Hunting Shooting, Black; Brand: Ohuhu; Review: So far so good, will be going to the range soon to see how holds up.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Ar15 M4 Front Sight Tool; Brand: ; Review: Simple tool but it works great.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: BARSKA 15-40x50 Colorado Spotting Scope; Brand: BARSKA; Review: For the money this is a very good scope, great at the range for sighting in rifles.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: EOTECH EXPS3 Holographic Weapon Sight; Brand: EOTECH; Review: Great optic, best one that I have bought, it's worth the money.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: WOLTIS GS Type QD Sling Swivel Rail Mount Tactical Gear for 1-1/4 Sling Loop Sections Black; Brand: WOLTIS; Review: Does what it's supposed to.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows: Title: KISS and Make-up; Author: Visit Amazon's Gene Simmons Page; Review: Of the 3 original KISS members who have documented their lives and time with the band, this was, in my opinion, the least gripping. Altough Ace and Peter's books are also self-serving, Gene attempts to distort facts that are black and white and can, in fact, be proven wrong. Stating his solo album sold the most out of the four member when it is common and documented knowledge that it was indeed Ace's is just one example of his bold faced lies. As to stories of the band, only those who were there know the truth and many stories do align with the other 2 autobiographies from KISS members. Simmon's has led a colorful life and he does show a glimpse into his soft side but he would have better served himself if he allowed more than a glimpse.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Makeup to Breakup: My Life In and Out of Kiss; Author: Visit Amazon's Peter Criss Page; Review: A must read for any KISS fan, this book documents Peter Criss's entire life but most broadly covers his years in the band. Criss's inability to accept any responsibility for mistakes he has made in his life make him largely unsypmathetic to the reader. His bitterness towards the band, his ex-wives and such a vast majority of people he has dealt with his in his life leads one to ponder what sort of catharsis writing the book even brought. However, his loathing is our gain as he tosses out juicy tidbit after juicy tidbit throwing Gene, Paul and most interestingly, Ace under the bus. Likely there is a lot of truth in the book and it was hard to put down, but it did lead this reader into having a lower opinion of Mr. Criss.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Kiss & Tell (NEW SPECIAL EDITION); Author: Visit Amazon's Gordon G.G. Gebert Page; Review: I don't think anyone will sit down with this book and expect something akin to Tolstoy and as well they should not. Liken it to sitting down with the National Enquirer. The light and admittedly captivating stories volley back and forth between 2 of Ace's best "friends" in the old adage "with friends like these, who needs enemies" category. Juicy stories are thrown out one after the other and it may be harder to look at Ace the same way, but given that much of his antics have been well documented, it's not totally shocking. What IS interesting is how both authors are very eager to enlighten readers about many of his abhorrent actions yet both refuse to take responsibility in their role in many of the escapades. For example, read the story about the naked, passed out girl that they all took turns defiling and documenting it along with the way. The author charmingly refers to her body parts as something very crude and admits his girlfriend stood by and chuckled sympathetically while a group violated an unconscious women. Save a casual "I know it was wrong" statement here and there, neither man accepted responsibility for his own actions; just to sling the mud at Ace. The crudity not withstanding, the book is admittedly hard to put down. The authors assure us that by the end we will understand why they ultimately decided to throw their "best friend" under the bus but one of the authors failed dismally to do so. While Mr Gebert's vindication for writing the book may be understood, Mr McAdam's is unclear. If Mr. Gebert's statements are correct and likely there is some truth to it, one can see why he wanted to stoop to the level of the person he was lambasting if not simply to earn back some money and his muddied name from Ace. Mr McAdam's motives, however, do lead one to scratch their head as to why he would do this. Other than wanting to sever ties with an old friend whom he should have cut off long before if Ace was truly the one responsible for all the negativity in his life, including his divorce, he provides no just reasoning. Nor does he provide clues as to why he was "best friend" to a man he describes as so loathsome for so long. I guess conclusively we can understand why the friendship did not stand the test of time..............because Ace's fame and money did not stand the test of time. Largely the critical reviews I have read have been unfavorable (and with the sophomoric writing style and obvious grammar errors as well as unsubstantiated facts, it's easy to see why). However that does not stop it from being a guilty pleasure that is just impossible not to enjoy!!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Other Side of the Coin; Author: Visit Amazon's Julian Gill Page; Review: I purchased this book under the guise of it being chock full of KISS interviews. While this was true, it failed to mention that the KISS interviews are not with KISS but those associated with them and some very loosely at that. Save the interview with Charles Frehley, I did not find much too scintillating. It's not a BAD book but you have to be an extremely devoted KISS fan to salvage much from this largely dry collection.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Into the Void... with Ace Frehley; Author: Wendy Moore; Review: At what point do we say "OK, even though a person is famous, they have SOME right to a private life"? I think this book comes to that point. I believe that for a person to achieve fame, they have to accept that they will have to waive the right to a "normal" and unexamined life to some extent. However, Ms Moore cashed in and with little remorse about her errant ex-boyfriend/employer. To say she violated Ace's confidentially as well as exposed his sexual predilections is an understatement. As a huge KISS fan and with Ace my favorite member, my opinion of the band was not sullied. The people who write these "tell all" books are happy to put up with the drugs and diva-like behavior while the star is burning bright but quickly detach themselves as it diminishes. The amount of "off time" the band spent together was a surprise to me. They generally do not have a lot of positive things to say about each other yet they seemed to spend a good deal of personal time together considering. She paints Paul as odd and dismissive and Gene as rude and condescending. Peter is the only member that comes off relatively un-scathed. Prior to meeting Ace, the author claims to have never even seen cocaine in real life and yet the first time she is introduced to it, she uses it several times in that one night. According to her, Ace practically shoved it up her nose (and maybe he did, who knows?) but it gives the reader pause to believe her claims of being independent and strong and not like the other women in his life if she was so easily led into doing things she resisted. I did not come away from this book with an entirely low opinion of the author (clearly, not a high one either) but there was something self-deprecating about her that was almost charming in a sense. She admits to silly things few would (picking Ace's wedgie and sniffing her finger). Rather gross but still chuckle-worthy. Alas, she gets far more graphic with all other things fecal but this particular anecdote was harmless. As quick as she is to blame Ace for her drug habits, she offers no apologies for jumping into a life of heroin, introduced by her (other) boyfriend whom she has placed on a very high pedestal. Her obsession with this man does lead into somewhat of a yawn-fest as it's really Ace we want to hear the dirt on. No worries, we get pure mud. And great enjoyment out of wallowing in it!; Rating: 4.0/5.0	amazon_books
Given the interaction history of a user with businesses as follows: Title: Yats; City: Franklin, TN; Review: This is a must for food lovers. They let you try a sample of everything on the menu and I would suggest that before choosing. I got the chili cheese etouffee, it was so good we ordered an extra pint to go. We also got the drunk chicken which was very tasty. There is only usually one vegetarian option which was the vegan white chili, also very good. We will be back! Also the serving sizes were huge so we opted for the pints to take the extra home.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Calabria Brickoven Pizzeria; City: Mount Juliet, TN; Review: This place is way over rated, the pizza is just ok. We got the Margherita pizza, garlic knots, wings and I had a sangria. Everything was ok, I think I was disappointed because I was expecting to be blown away. Our pizza was over cooked and very skimpy on sauce and cheese. Whatever pizza you are getting, I'd ask for more cheese. The crust was good, just over cooked. The garlic knots were probably the best thing that we had, but again they were just ok. I was disappointed in the lack of draft beer selection, they had wine and mixed drinks. I got the sangria that was on special, it was ok. Nothing about this place made us want to come back. Definitely not the best pizza in mount Juliet.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Painturo's; City: Mount Juliet, TN; Review: We decided to try this place for lunch because we saw the good reviews on yelp and were looking for a decent local pizza spot. Upon arrival we went to the counter and were eager to try multiple items on the menu. We decided on 2 side salads with their homemade basil vinegarette, wings, 2 draft beers and a small Margherita pizza. We took the beers to our table and they immediately called our number for the side salads. Perfect side salad, the dressing was amazing and they included a breadstick that was extremely tasty, we got excited. They called our number for the pizza and wings. Looking at this $11.69 10" Margherita pizza, I was taken back. There was a crust with some scattered tomatoes, basil and a few very small slices of cheese. About half of the pizza was just crust with basalmic on it. After the couple pieces of it that we ate were both unappetizing and unfilling, I went up to just order a plain small cheese for comparison. It was $7.00 for a 10", while it had more cheese on it, there was little to no sauce. So both pizzas were disappointing, the wings were also tiny and just barely acceptable. If you want a good salad with excellent dressing, this is your place, not for pizza.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Bonfire Japanese Steakhouse & Mongolian Grill; City: Mount Juliet, TN; Review: I do not recommend eating here. We went with a party of 10 for dinner. Half of us arrived and were waiting on the other half, they refused to seat us because it would mess up the waiter. So we stood in the door for 15 minutes until I finally asked to sit and promised not to order anything or change seats?!? I ordered the plum wine, it was undrinkable, very disgusting. Luckily, I opted for sushi instead of the hibachi, which was probably the worst sushi I've ever had. Everyone who ate the meals cooked on the hibachi got sick. I'm fairly certain the chef was handing out cooked meat and still flipping raw chicken between servings. Also their website is misleading, I went online to plan out exactly what I was getting before we went, they didn't have anything that was on the website. We will never ever eat at a bonfire again.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Persis Biryani Indian Grill; City: Mount Juliet, TN; Review: Wow! This place exceeded our expectations. Everything was delicious, we even ordered more food to go for the next day. We will be coming back here on a regular basis.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bavarian Bierhaus; City: Nashville, TN; Review: We were a party of 3 and this was our first time here. It's big and there is a lot of seating, but sit in the bar if you do not enjoy communal seating. When we got seated we were next to a table of 8 people who were all one group, 2 other people came in and they shoved these 2 people into the party of 8 when all of the tables around us were completely empty. They looked very uncomfortable and it was an awkward pause in the group's conversation as they all had to readjust their stuff to squeeze 2 more people into this very crowded bench. That aside, we got the giant pretzel with the beer cheese, it was fantastic. Everything else was mediocre at best. Beer selection was fine, nothing I would drink. The food was bland and the people that got seated on our bench also complained that their food was not good. It was $90 for the 3 of us for lunch without any drinks and 1 appetizer. Definitely not worth it, the giant pretzel was by far the highlight of the entire experience.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Subculture Urban Cuisine And Cafe; City: Nashville, TN; Review: This place is the best, we go there all the time. I just wish we could keep it to ourselves because it is such a small establishment. Everything we have tried is amazing.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Sedona Taphouse; City: Nashville, TN; Review: We decided to try this place because it looked inviting and they seemed to have a decent beer selection. When we arrived it had a beautiful patio, with dogs on leashes and a very nice atmosphere. I was very surprised when they had my hometown favorite beer that's hard to get in my hometown on draft because it's only released one month a year. After we told the manager we were from Michigan and that was our favorite, he went and found us a growler to take some home. This just shows me how much they care about their customers. The appetizers were amazing, we got the bruschetta and the crab stuffed mushrooms. The entrees were equally as good, we will be back often!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Henrietta Red; City: Nashville, TN; Review: I wanted to love this place, unfortunately almost everything about my experience here was terrible. We were sat right away on the patio, we were brought water and our drinks quickly. The oysters were decent, that's about it. We were surprised that for a seafood place at the lack of seafood and the lack of quality of the seafood. The crab dip was hot and was very bland, the bread they served was much better than the dip by itself. The wood fired oysters were bland also and were edible, but definitely missing something (flavor). With the appetizers we had also ordered 2 entrees, we got the fish tacos and the BLT. The food took forever to come out, almost to the point that we asked it to be off the bill and just go somewhere else. But we decided to wait because I was excited to try our entrees but a little saddened at the quality of the appetizers. During this time I ordered another drink, it also took forever, draft beer is not hard to turn around even in a busy bar, this place was not busy. Then I finally got my drink about the time the food came, after sitting for over 30 minutes waiting after we finished the appetizers. Then the entrees came out, they looked ok. On first bite of the blt, it had been sitting for about 15+ minutes, the toasted bread was soggy, the crispy eggplant was mush and it had zero taste. It was like biting into a dirty, wet sock but I guarantee the sock had much more flavor. Now my first bite of the fish tacos should have been amazing, oh no the fish was like rubber pieces of a car door that fell off in the 70's covered in a blackened seasoning and drenched in a peach hot sauce that added a hint of spoiled rotted veggies to the nasty rubber "fish". On top of all of this we only took 1 bite of our food after mentioning that we had waited way too long for it and they still charged us full price. Don't waste your time here, I'm sad that we did almost 2 hours and we didn't even eat our entrees. When you have to go to get food after you go out to dinner, shame on them. Update: my husband got sick from the oysters, I didn't eat enough of the food but I'm not feeling great.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Tavern 76; City: White House, TN; Review: Best onion rings around, great draft beer selection and really good food. Great find for White House, TN.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Chef and I; City: Nashville, TN; Review: WOW! That's about all I can say. The service, staff, food, everything about this place is exceptional. We ordered almost half the menu and loved everything. You are able to watch the chefs as they prepare your food and we even questioned some methods, but it was amazing, we learned some tricks. We tried a dessert cocktail that was also good. I highly recommend this place. As a huge foodie I loved the interaction with the chef and the staff. We will come back often!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Butcher & Bee; City: Nashville, TN; Review: Great place for appetizers and drinks, I do not suggest any entrees. This was my second time here, I forgot why I hadn't rushed back... the food is not bad, but not good either. I'd say it's mediocre on their best day.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Sambuca Restaurant; City: Nashville, TN; Review: Absolutely the worst brunch experience ever. Completely unorganized and a horrible experience. Never eating brunch here again.I had to give 1 star, they deserve none. The food was horrible. Spent 2 1/2 hours without a complete meal. The food was cold and sub par, it took hours between courses. 3 hours went by before we even had dessert, we asked for the check minus my "meal" I never had and we left. Not a good place for food, only a drink place.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: O-Ku Nashville; City: Nashville, TN; Review: This is the best sushi we've had in Nashville. The entire experience was amazing. The server was knowledgeable and fun, the food was extraordinary and the sake choices were so good! Must try items include: black magic, matcha ginger, playboy roll. Please encourage the chef to make you a custom roll, you will not be disappointed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: NY Pizzeria; City: Mt. Juliet, TN; Review: We ordered wings and a cheese pizza for delivery last night. They delivered to the wrong address, not the restaurants fault. However, the pizza was burnt and the food was cold. We reheated the wings and they were mediocre, definitely not our version of hot. Pizza could have been ok if it wasn't burnt, no idea why they even sent it out like that.; Rating: 1.0/5.0	yelp
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Chef'n VeggiChop Hand-Powered Food Chopper (Cherry); Brand: Chef'n; Review: This thing is great product and a time saver. It chops everything quick into thin slices. Not perfect slices if you're looking for that type of chopper. I have used it for Chicken (burritos), Onion, cucumbers and celery. This product is not a great idea for dicing tomatoes, unless you're looking to make V8.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Hoover Carpet Cleaner SteamVac with Clean Surge Carpet Cleaner Machine F5914900; Brand: Hoover; Review: I purchase the Hoover SteamVac in May 2010 and it definitely does the job. Granted on some of the heavier stains you have to go over multiple times and helps to spray carpet stain cleaner. Regardless it does a good job. Of course its not good to clean the carpet to often but it has really been useful for me since my purchase. The prices has really gone down. Well worth the money and much better than paying someone to clean your carpet. Carpet dries fairly quickly and it works really well on stains when you use really hot/boiling water.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: J.A. Henckels 39323-100 Steak Knife Set, 4.5", Original Version; Brand: ZWILLING J.A. Henckels; Review: I purchased these steak knives three months ago and so far they have been fantastic. I paid $20 for them and they are a much better improvement over my previous knives. They are a really great deal for the price because they cut very well and they look great. You won't be disappointed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Whitmor 4 Tier Swing Arm Hanger, Silver; Brand: Whitmor; Review: These hangers are perfect for saving room in the closet. It is easy to remove and hang slacks. The slacks never slip off the arms. Well spent $20 for the two we purchased.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Whitmor 4 Tier Swing Arm Hanger, Silver; Brand: Whitmor; Review: These hangers are perfect for saving room in the closet. It is easy to remove and hang slacks. The slacks never slip off the arms. Well spent $20 for the two we purchased.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Fonder Mols 12pcs Burgundy Tissue Paper Pom Poms Flower Wedding Party Baby Girl Room Nursery Decoration; Brand: Somnr; Review: Our attempt to use this for a baby shower was a failure. The two we put together didn't look anything like the picture. Putting them together is very time consuming, especially if you want to get it to look anything like the image they provide. Who has time to sit there and ruffle out a million sheets of tissue paper? Completely overpriced for the work you have to put into them. Unless you have a lot of free time and to spend $15 for tissue paper I would stick to other decorations.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: It's A Girl Whirls (5/Pkg); Brand: Beistle; Review: For $6 for five of these was a good buy to add to our baby shower decorations. They looked great and easily held up with two pieces of tape. Careful though they can easily tangle with each other and they are really light weight which were better for indoor use. We put two outside but had to keep it from any wind.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Amscan Games, Tummy Measure Baby Shower Game, Party Supplies, Multicolor, 2in x 150ft 1ct; Brand: Amscan; Review: We had a coed shower and it was fun to watch how people guessed the measurements of the mother to be. Everyone really got into this game. This was the only game everyone played and 150 feet was actually pretty good for 40 people. We had two of these and had a full roll left over.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: 3-Piece Hanging Cutout Party Decorations, Sweet Baby Feet Pink; Brand: Creative Converting; Review: The decorations were a great add on with our baby feet and stork theme baby shower. They looked great and it was easy to find somewhere to place them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: VARIDESK- 5/8" Non-Slip Anti-Fatigue Comfort Mat 20"x34", for Kitchens or Standing Desk; Brand: VARIDESK; Review: Makes a huge difference if you're barefoot or just wearing socks but I don't feel a huge difference when wearing shoes. We use it for our Varidesk at home but I wouldnt get one for work because it would be more of a hassle especially if you went from standing to sitting. We normally stand and its much better to stand on the mat than our carpets. It does tend to slide forward on the carpets.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Rippled Pillow Sham - Queen; Brand: ShopCourtyard; Review: I ordered the standard size pillow thinking it was a standard size pillow. I am not sure if they incorrectly sent me a King size pillow case but I certainly order the standard. You have to wash it a couple times to get the actual size. You would need a 33 by 23 pillow in order to fill this humongous pillow case. We are using a King size pillow and it only fits the length but not the width. The sheets and pillow case our nice but we would have like to have standard size pillow cases.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Nordic Ware Scandinavian Silver Dollar Pancake Pan; Brand: Nordic Ware; Review: I absolutely love this pan. I'm able to make perfect small fluffy pancakes which are fun for everyone. I always leave one vacant so I can flip a pancake into another face instead of struggling to have the same face on both sides.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Home_and_Kitchen
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows: Title: Point Pleasant Manor; City: Point Pleasant Beach New Jersey; Review: It doesn't look like much pulling into the parking lot, but walking into the lobby totally changed your mind, a typical beach motel with a nice pool, but extra clean...The beds were ok, bathroom a bit small, but was manageable.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Inn at Jim Thorpe; City: Jim Thorpe Pocono Mountains Region Pennsylvania; Review: We had a wonderful stay at the Inn...the rooms were splendidly decorated and so clean! The bed was extremely comfortable, and the staff was exceptional! We stayed in a suite on the third floor overlooking the main street, we had the windows open and the street noise was minimal.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Grenville; City: Bay Head New Jersey; Review: We stayed on Friday night, the room was fine, yes, it is a historic hotel, but all the modern amenities were available. The dinner in the restaurant was fantastic! The filet was out of this world, and well worth the $35!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Landmark Resort; City: Myrtle Beach South Carolina; Review: We had booked a 3 night stay with suite and oceanview...when checking in, manager is called to inform us that the "owner" of the room we are booked in decided to come for a visit, so we got bumped...never heard of such a thing...never saw anything on the site that notified guests that the room could be owned by someone personally! Then the clerk decided to call out my cc number as she was entering into the computer, while other guests were checking in right nect to me! Very unprofessional!; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Fairfield Inn Lumberton; City: Lumberton North Carolina; Review: This was a great halfway point from FL to NY area. It was clean, and the staff was very accomodating. It is right off I95, with late night places to eat, as well as a Cracker Barrel next door. Even though the hotel was under renovations, we didn't see a lapse in any services.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Courtyard by Marriott Boston Stoughton; City: Stoughton Massachusetts; Review: Great Marriott.. All updated, great staff especially Albert who was training at the Bistro. Wonderful service all around, front desk, housekeeping included. Hotel was cheek, and outdoor courtyard was most enjoyable.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Harry Packer Mansion Inn; City: Jim Thorpe Pocono Mountains Region Pennsylvania; Review: Our group of 12 just spent the weekend at the mansion. We can't say enough about the great time we had. The rooms were extremely clean, the food was fantastic, the service was impeccable and the murder was solved! The common areas were decorated for Fall along with the outside of the property. The lounge was open, and you could take your drinks outside on the porch where there was a heater if it was chilly. The fresh flower centerpieces on each table were in beautiful jars. Our hosts, Pat, Bob and Gus were very accommodating and patient with our big group. We thank them again for a stress free weekend away!; Rating: 5.0/5.0	hotelrec
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows: Title: Celebrity In Death; Author: Visit Amazon's J. D. Robb Page; Review: This book is as good as or better than the rest of the series. Eve Dallas (top cop) is wonderful, and her husband Roarke is wonderful as well. I could sit and read all of them over again. The only thing some people might not like is there is quite a bit of sex, but even if you don't like that you can skip right over those pages and not miss a thing as far as the story goes. It is a great read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Delusion in Death; Author: Visit Amazon's J. D. Robb Page; Review: All of the books in the In Death series are great. Even though it's a series, each book is great on it's own.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Danger in High Heels (High Heels Mystery); Author: Visit Amazon's Gemma Halliday Page; Review: I like her books when I'm in the mood for something lite. They always have a murder and some comedic value.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Notorious Nineteen: A Stephanie Plum Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Janet Evanovich Page; Review: I started reading this series of books at #1, and they just keep getting better. I don't know how long she can keep them coming out, but I hope it's for a very long time.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Calculated in Death; Author: Visit Amazon's J. D. Robb Page; Review: I just love the characters in this series of books, especially Eve Dallas and Rourke. Even the rest of the repeating characters are great. They all have a particular part in the couple's lives and are present in all the books I have read so far. I plan to eventually go back to the very beginning and read every one of them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Master Plan; Author: Visit Amazon's Carol Costa Page; Review: This is the first of her books I have read and I liked it a lot. I hope there are more with these same characters.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Smarty Bones: A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's Carolyn Haines Page; Review: So far, all of the Sarah Booth Delaney books have been great. I really look forward to the next one.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Chilled (A Bone Secrets Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Kendra Elliot Page; Review: The Bone Secrets novels are the first Kendra Elliott books I have ever read. I'm sure I'll get more of them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Leave the Grave Green (Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James Novels); Author: Visit Amazon's Deborah Crombie Page; Review: Very good as have been all of her books that I have read. I will continue to get them as they become available.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Gotcha! (Sisterhood); Author: Visit Amazon's Fern Michaels Page; Review: I have read all the books in the Sisterhood series and I have loved every one of them. I love the characters and the stories.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Creole Belle: A Dave Robicheaux Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's James Lee Burke Page; Review: All of his Dave Robicheaux book are great. He always keeps the reader involved in the story, there are no dead spots; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Buried (A Bone Secrets Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Kendra Elliot Page; Review: I really enjoyed the 3 Kendra Elliot books I have read. These were the first of hers I have read. I will certainly read more.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Messenger: A Walt Longmire Story (A Penguin Special from Viking) (Walt Longmire Mysteries) - Kindle edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Craig Johnson Page; Review: Love all Craig Johnson, Walt Longmire books. Love the tv series as well. I no longer have cable or satellite so I have someone record it for me.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Gotcha! (Sisterhood); Author: Visit Amazon's Fern Michaels Page; Review: Actually, I've only read about 1/2 of it so far, but it's just as good as all the rest. I really hope she continues to write more and more in this series. I thought she was finished with the series in the book before this one and I was so glad to see this one come out.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Thankless in Death; Author: Visit Amazon's J. D. Robb Page; Review: Like every other book in the In Death series, this one is great. I read them as soon as I can get them, then wait impatiently for the next one to come out.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Redbreast; Author: Visit Amazon's Jo Nesbo Page; Review: I guess it was probably a good story to someone who likes that kind. I just really don't want to read about war stuff. There's enough of it going on to hear about today. It was recommended to me by someone who knows I like mysteries and I guess there is mystery in there somewhere, but it couldn't hold my interest long enough to find out. And it jumps back and forth from the 40's to the present to somewhere in between and I just couldn't get interested in it.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Plum Lovin'; Author: Visit Amazon's Janet Evanovich Page; Review: This one was as good as all the others. I've loved every one she's written. I hope she keeps them coming for a very long time.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Plum Lucky; Author: Visit Amazon's Janet Evanovich Page; Review: Even though this is not a 'by the numbers' book, it's still written in Janet Evanovich style, and it's still Stephanie Plum. It's very good as are all her books.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Plum Spooky (Stephanie Plum: Between the Numbers); Author: Visit Amazon's Janet Evanovich Page; Review: As with all her books, this was great. I love the numbers series and I look forward to the between the numbers books also.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Forget Me Not; Author: Visit Amazon's Fern Michaels Page; Review: I have enjoyed all of the Sisterhood books immensely, but this is the first book I've read that was not part of the Sisterhood series. I loved it, too. Everything she writes is great. Can't wait for the new one, I have it on pre-order already. Love them all.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dead Wrong (Blackmoore Sisters Cozy Mystery Series) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Leighann Dobbs Page; Review: This is the first book I have read by Leighann Dobbs. I have to say I am impressed. I liked it so much that I ordered 3 more. I'm almost finished with the second book in this series and I will probably order as many as she can write.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dead and Buried (Blackmoore Sisters Cozy Mysteries) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Leighann Dobbs Page; Review: Dead and buried is a good read. All her Blackmore Sisters books are a nice, light mixture of mystery, romance and mysticism.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dead Tide (Blackmoore Sisters Cozy Mysteries); Author: Visit Amazon's Leighann Dobbs Page; Review: So far I have loved all the Blackmore Sisters books. They are well written and very enjoyable. I always look forward to the next one.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Buried Secrets (Blackmoore Sisters Cozy Mysteries) (Volume 4); Author: Visit Amazon's Leighann Dobbs Page; Review: Just like the 3 previous books in this series, it's great. I'm reading # 5 now and already watching for the next one.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Between the Plums (Stephanie Plum: Between the Numbers); Author: Visit Amazon's Janet Evanovich Page; Review: I have read all the numbers novels and all of the between the numbers. I have enjoyed every one of them and always look forward to the next one.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Kiss and Tell (Sisterhood); Author: Visit Amazon's Fern Michaels Page; Review: I have loved all the Sisterhood books. I hope they just keep coming.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Deadly Intentions (Blackmoore Sisters Cozy Mysteries) (Volume 5); Author: Visit Amazon's Leighann Dobbs Page; Review: I have read all of the Blackmoore Sisters books so far, and I always look forward to the next one before I finish the one I'm on. So far they have all been great.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Off the Grid (A Monkeewrench Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's P. J. Tracy Page; Review: I love these books, and I eagerly await the next one to come. These ladies really make the characters come alive and the readers can absolutely relate to them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Top Secret Twenty-One (Stephanie Plum); Author: Visit Amazon's Janet Evanovich Page; Review: As with all Stephanie Plum nobels, this one was great. I really look forward to the next one as soon as I finish the latest one.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Alone (A Bone Secrets Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Kendra Elliot Page; Review: So far all of the Kendra Elliot books I've read have been well worth reading. I will most likely get each new one as they become available.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Vanished (Callahan & McLane); Author: Visit Amazon's Kendra Elliot Page; Review: This was the first Callahan & McLane book I've read. I really liked it. As with all Kendra Elliot books, it was well written and thoroughly enjoyable.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Upside Down (The Men of the Sisterhood); Author: Visit Amazon's Fern Michaels Page; Review: As with any of the Sisterhood series, the story is great. There are some phrases that are really overused in all of the Sisterhood series and now in the Men of the Sisterhood. Things like "all hands shot in the air", stuff like that. Doesn't take anything from the story, just gets old. Some of the writing almost seems like it's being written for a child, but again, doesn't take anything from the story.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Ghostly Paws (Mystic Notch Cozy Mystery Series); Author: Visit Amazon's Leighann Dobbs Page; Review: Very good read. A good book to curl up with and enjoy. So far all her cozy mysteries have been great. I'm already reading the next one - A Spirited Tail - and it is starting out as good as the others. So, flop in your favorite chair and settle down for a nice, lite read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: A Spirited Tail (Mystic Notch Cozy Mystery Series) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Leighann Dobbs Page; Review: The Mystic Notch Cozy Mysteries are just as the title suggests. They are books to cozy down with and enjoy. I have read two of the Mystic Notch books and all of the Blackmoor Sisters that are out, and I have enjoyed every one of them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dead Run; Author: Visit Amazon's P. J. Tracy Page; Review: All the Monkeewrench books are really good. When you read one, you start watching for the next one to come out. Great writing, great plots and great finishes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Take Down (The Men of the Sisterhood); Author: Visit Amazon's Fern Michaels Page; Review: Very good. I have loved all the Sisterhood books and now all the Men of the Sisterhood books. Very good reads, all of them. Am looking forward to more.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Hidden Agemda (Kate Diamond Adventure Series) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Leighann Dobbs Page; Review: I have read the Blackmore Sisters books and I have loved every one of them. This is the first of the Kate Diamond series and it was very good, but it's new and I feel sure the next one will be better.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Play to Kill; Author: Visit Amazon's P. J. Tracy Page; Review: As always, this P.J. Tracy book Shoot to Thrill, is great. I have loved all of their books so far and always look forward to the next one. I just wish they would come faster.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Louisiana Fever: An Andy Broussard/Kit Franklyn Mystery; Author: D. J. Donaldson; Review: I really liked this book. This is the first Donaldson book I have read, but I'm sure I will read many more now. I thought it had a good not overdone plot and I was really kind of worried about one of the heroes of the story (kept wanting to jump ahead to see what happened), but I didn't. It was an excellent read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Concealed in Death; Author: Visit Amazon's J. D. Robb Page; Review: I have loved every single book in the Eve Dallas series. Every time I finish one, I wait anxiously for the next one. A lot of series kind of get bogged down into a sort of sameness, but not these. Each and every one is different and good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: No Way to Kill a Lady: A Blackbird Sisters Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's Nancy Martin Page; Review: I love this series of books. I love the characters the most. I can read about them and imagine them in my mind. They are the most crazy, serious, zany, helpful, lovable, devious (I can't think of any more adjectives) bunch of characters you'll ever meet. I read this one in one day and I can't wait for the next one to be published. Hurry, please.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Festive in Death: 39; Author: Visit Amazon's J. D Robb Page; Review: I have loved every single one of the In Death Series books. I love Eve and Rourke and all their friends, funky and otherwise. I even love Summerset. Every time I finish one, I can't wait for the next one,.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Backfire (An FBI Thriller); Author: Visit Amazon's Catherine Coulter Page; Review: As expected, a great book. Once I start reading one of them I can't put it down. I have loved them all, and I love the main characters.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bombshell (An FBI Thriller); Author: Visit Amazon's Catherine Coulter Page; Review: All of Catherine Coulter's FBI Thriller Books are great. Every time I finish one, I can't wait for the next one to come out. I love the characters and the story lines. There's a new plot in every one, not just a repeat of the same ole, same ole like some other series.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Power Play (An FBI Thriller); Author: Visit Amazon's Catherine Coulter Page; Review: I say the same thing with every review I give on these books. I love them all. All of Catherine Coulter's FBI Thriller Books are great. Every time I finish one, I can't wait for the next one to come out. I love the characters and the story lines. There's a new plot in every one, not just a repeat of the same ole, same ole like some other series.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Bone Bed (Scarpetta); Author: Visit Amazon's Patricia Cornwell Page; Review: I like all the Kay Scarpetta books. I like all the regular characters, I feel like you get to know them better and better as you read more of the books. They don't have to be read in order, they are all stand alone books, but if you read from first to last everything makes more sense as you go on.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Final Cut; Author: Visit Amazon's Catherine Coulter Page; Review: As usual, this Catherine Coulter novel is as good as all the rest, I love the characters, especially Sherlock and Savich and now there's a new one to love in Nicholas Drummond. As usual, I can't wait to read the next one.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Death Without Company: A Longmire Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's Craig Johnson Page; Review: I loved the Longmire series, but we had satellite taken out so I couldn't watch it anymore, then I found the books. Love them as much as the series.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Affair: A Jack Reacher Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Lee Child Page; Review: There's not much left to say after answering the questions. They pretty much cover it. They're making a movie out of one of the Jack Reacher books and I'm sure I don't want to see it. Jack Reacher is 6'5" tall and 250 lbs. That's said in every book and I can't believe they chose Tom Cruise to play him, Ridiculous!! But enjoy the books.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Kindness Goes Unpunished: A Longmire Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's Craig Johnson Page; Review: I love Johnson's Longmire books. I had never read any of them until I saw the TV show, so I started with the first book and am planning on reading them all.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: A Wanted Man: A Jack Reacher Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Lee Child Page; Review: I have loved the Jack Reacher series since the very first one, which was a long time ago. They are well written, easy to follow and Jack Reacher always gets the job done. I have to admit that I'm having a little trouble with them now that a movie has been made from one of the books. In the books, Jack Reacher is about 6'4, 250 lbs. with hams for hands. The movie stars Tom Cruise?????? Need I say more. So disappointed in the choice for the starring role, so much so that it's making it hard for me to get back into the books. But, if you can keep from thinking about that, they are really great books.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Castle Cay (Julie O'Hara Mystery); Author: Visit Amazon's Lee Hanson Page; Review: This was the first book I've read by Lee Hanson, but I'm sure there will be more. I thought it was a very good story and it moved along well. I was impressed with the heroine, Julie O'Hara and I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Gray and Guilty Sea: A Garrison Gage Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's Jack Nolte Page; Review: This is the first Scott William Carter I have read and I loved it. There will definitely be more read. I liked the writing and the way the author moved the story along. Very good. Enjoy.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Junkyard Dogs: A Longmire Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's Craig Johnson Page; Review: Craig Johnson is an author that I found just lately, and I love the Longmire series. I'm reading them all in order from the 1st one. So far I have loved every one of them,.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Shelter from the Storm (Tubby Dubonnet Myteries , No 4); Author: Visit Amazon's Tony Dunbar Page; Review: This was the first Tony Dunbar I have read. It was pretty good, seemed to bog down in a couple places. I will read more from him though.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Hell Is Empty: A Longmire Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's Craig Johnson Page; Review: Very good book as with all the Walt Longmire series. I can't wait to finish one to start on another. I just discovered this series when they put it on tv, so I started with the first book and am going through them all in order. I know I'm going to be very sad when I get caught up on them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Divorce Horse (Walt Longmire Mysteries) - Kindle edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Craig Johnson Page; Review: I love all of the Craig Johnson Longmire books. This was a very short, I guess a novella? It was still very good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: A Grave Mistake (Blackmoore Sisters Cozy Mystery Series) (Volume 6); Author: Visit Amazon's Leighann Dobbs Page; Review: Love anything Leighann Dobbs writes. The Blackmore Sisters are my favorites. Individual paranormal powers and mystery - can't be beat. Enjoy!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Murder is a Family Business (The Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Heather Haven Page; Review: It is really a good read. This is the first I've read from this author, but I'm sure there will be more. Enjoy!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Itsy Bitsy Spider: Emma Frost #1; Author: Visit Amazon's Willow Rose Page; Review: It was a well written book. It was the first by this author that I have read and I really enjoyed it. I'm sure I will read more of them. Enjoy!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: A Good Man Gone: A Mercy Watts Mystery (Mercy Watts Mysteries) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's A.W. Hartoin Page; Review: This book was pretty good. It has several laugh out loud moments and a couple of twists. I will probably read more books from this author.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Any Other Name: A Longmire Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's Craig Johnson Page; Review: As with all the others, this Longmire story is terrific. I started with the first book after I saw the first episode of the TV show and have been reading them in the order written since. I am now on the last one and I'm looking forward to his next one. I hope it comes out soon. The books are great and even though each one is a stand alone book of it's own, I have enjoyed reading them in order and progressing with the characters. Great reads.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dry Bones: A Longmire Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's Craig Johnson Page; Review: Love Longmire. I just recently finished the last book in the series so far and I check every day to see if there's another on the horizon. Hopefully it won't be too long.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Just Evil: The Evil Trilogy Book One (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Vickie McKeehan Page; Review: This is the first book I have read by Vickie McKeehan. I am now on the second of the trilogy and I can't wait to see how it ends and start on the third one. So far, the second is as good as the first.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Tricky Twenty-Two: A Stephanie Plum Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Janet Evanovich Page; Review: As with all Stephanie Plum books, they just keep getting better. I love the laugh out loud parts, and they all have them. This one just came out and I've finished it and waiting on the next one. Love them; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: A Little Night Murder (Blackbird Sisters Mystery); Author: Visit Amazon's Nancy Martin Page; Review: Like all of the Blackbird Sister books, this one is great. It has something for everyone. A little murder, a little love, a couple of babies and more. Can't wait for the next one.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Girl in the Spider's Web: A Lisbeth Salander novel, continuing Stieg Larsson's Millennium Series; Author: Visit Amazon's David Lagercrantz Page; Review: I love all of the Lisbeth Salander books. The only problem I have is that they are kind of hard to follow. If you can't stay with it for hours and hours, it's easy to forget who various people are and you might have to read a few pages back to catch yourself up. It's kind of frustrating if you can't read it for a couple of days. But, that said, I really love the books and the characters, especially the 2 main characters.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dirty Martini (Jacqueline); Author: Visit Amazon's J. A. Konrath Page; Review: As with all the books in the Jack Daniels series, this one was great.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Brownies Bodies & Bad Guys: A Lexy Baker Bakery Cozy Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's Leighann Dobbs Page; Review: I just recently started reading the Lexy Baker series. After I read the first one, I started reading the whole series in order. They are nicely written cozy reads. I am looking forward to going through the whole series.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Scones, Skulls & Scams (Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery Series) (Volume 8); Author: Visit Amazon's Leighann Dobbs Page; Review: Love this series!! I just recently started reading this series. I read # 1 and just started going down the line. I'm on # 9 now and looking forward to the next one. Very little violence, no cursing, no explicit sex, just good cozy books.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_books
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows: Title: Wait For Me; Author: Visit Amazon's Elisabeth Naughton Page; Review: A. Must read. A page turner you don't want to put down. Intrigue. Romance. Family. Mystery. A interesting read for a relaxing winter night.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: A Dyeing Shame: A Myrtle Clover Mystery (Myrtle Clover Mysteries) (Volume 3); Author: Visit Amazon's Elizabeth Spann Craig Page; Review: Geriatric busy body in a small town. Funny, witty, and full of adjectives characters. A short read on small time.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Daddy's Home; Author: Visit Amazon's A.K. Alexander Page; Review: A twisted plot that keeps a reader engaged, turning pages, and hard to put down. Fast paced, with a solid plot, and a few key characters.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Cafenova; Author: Visit Amazon's S. Jane Scheyder Page; Review: I enjoyed the realism in this romantic story. The state of Maine reads like the most romantic scenery in the United States. A page turner for me.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Hired By The Cowboy; Author: Visit Amazon's Donna Alward Page; Review: Unpredictable. Wildly tamed. A story of fantasy fiction from a romantic heart. The writer wrote a beautiful overwhelming love story.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Seductive Secrets: Secret Lives Series, Book I; Author: Visit Amazon's Colleen Connally Page; Review: Intrigue. Romance. History. Secrets. Family. Sins of the father and mother. When the past and present collide. The stories that are not quite repeatable. A must read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Murder, Money & Marzipan: A Lexy Baker Bakery Cozy Mystery (Lexy Baker Bakery Cozy Mysteries); Author: Visit Amazon's Leighann Dobbs Page; Review: Well written. Retired grandma and friends helpful. Sleuthing in spare time from bakery contest is a different way to spend time.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dancing In The Moonlight (The Cowboys of Cold Creek); Author: Visit Amazon's RaeAnne Thayne Page; Review: Romantic. Ranch country novel. Made my mind come alive with pictures of beauty. Many characters all happy ending and perserverence does pay off in all aspects of life.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Shattered Grace (Fallen from Grace) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's K. Anne Raines Page; Review: A page turner from word one. I absolutely can not wait to read the next book in the series. Powerful storyline, plot, characters.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Nothing But Trouble (Domhan Books); Author: Visit Amazon's Lisa Mondello Page; Review: Two different worlds collide. Big city, rich, spoiled female needs bull riding, Rodeo riding, down on his luck country cowboy. Or so she thinks to follow her dreams with a medical condition that has controlled her life. Twist and turns abound but of Clyde in the the end, happiness.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Deliver Me; Author: Visit Amazon's Farrah Rochon Page; Review: Romantically interesting as life throws one curve after another at the main characters and their way to hurdle all of life's obstacles.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Mind Readers (The Mind Readers Series); Author: Visit Amazon's Lori Brighton Page; Review: Suspenseful. A page turner. Romantic in a twisted way. Decisions and coping with unexpected change. The unexpected happening without warning. Interesting read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: This Time Forever; Author: Visit Amazon's Rachel Ann Nunes Page; Review: Multi culture, dual continent intrigue. The blending of travel, families, feelings, and second chances. Dual languages and living life while blending working hard.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: This Time Forever; Author: Visit Amazon's Rachel Ann Nunes Page; Review: Multi culture, dual continent intrigue. The blending of travel, families, feelings, and second chances. Dual languages and living life while blending working hard.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: A Charmed Place; Author: Visit Amazon's Antoinette Stockenberg Page; Review: A must read. Romance that brings together past, present, and future. The mystery of what, where, why, who and how?; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Once Again; Author: Visit Amazon's Amy Durham Page; Review: Young love through the dreams of time. Past and present collide in a small town in a new England state.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Ghost and The Graveyard; Author: Visit Amazon's Genevieve Jack Page; Review: In an unexpected twist and turns of life a young nurse finds her future in a most unusual out of the way place. Page turner....; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: In Name Only (O'Donovan Family); Author: Visit Amazon's Ellen Gable Page; Review: An orphan travels toward a better life with relatives. Then meets a man and brother who are neighborsof her uncle and cousin. The story twists from there....; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Executive's Decision: The Keller Family Series; Author: Visit Amazon's Bernadette Marie Page; Review: The story has an air of reality with some very ugly secrets. When two worlds collide all secrets are in the open. A page turner.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: No Exchanges, No Returns: Book Four of The Return To Redemption Series (Volume 4); Author: Visit Amazon's Laurie Kellogg Page; Review: Family and the stories of each person's perception oh how life is, was ,and is going to be. Babies, siblings, parents of past, present and future...friends, coworkers, neighbors and how they all blend into life...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Murder Comes Unraveled: A Flock and Fiber Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's Veryl Ann Grace Page; Review: Dog breeds. Gatherings about materials. Family, Friends, strangers. Greed, money, ramblings, and youth spoiled by thoughts of self deserving life. ....; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Chasing Amanda; Author: Visit Amazon's Melissa Foster Page; Review: A page turner with many twists and turns throughout every chapter in this fine written story about many characters in this story.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Way They Were (That Second Chance) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Mary Campisi Page; Review: Past and present collide and has a twisted path towards the future with many bumps in the path of the journey.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Jenny Pox; Author: Visit Amazon's J L Bryan Page; Review: A page turner. Always wondering what new twist is in store when you turn the page. Definitely quite an imagination the author had to write such a story.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Natalie's Revenge (Frank Renzi novels) (Volume 3); Author: Visit Amazon's Susan Fleet Page; Review: Natalie plan was excited with many unexpected twist n turns...Revenge that put her living the rest of her life on the run and looking over her shoulder...she achieved her goal but not the peace she thought she would...great book....; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Maternal Harbor; Author: Visit Amazon's Marie F Martin Page; Review: Interest in twist and turns about four pregnant females from different walks of life. All different personalities with one common factor.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Something About Her; Author: Visit Amazon's Jeannie Ruesch Page; Review: Romance from the past. Interest ing how Times have changed. The lengths women and their family would go to for a reputation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Year of Past Things; Author: Visit Amazon's M. A. Harper Page; Review: Interesting take on beliefs in Louisiana about dearly departed souls and the love for the people still living life after dearly departed death...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Innocent in Las Vegas: A Humorous Tiffany Black Mystery (Tiffany Black Mysteries) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's A R Winters Page; Review: Many characters with twists, turns, and theories of who done it. Talented, motivated, and inspiring to go after when you want.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_books
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Star Chase-Probe Predators eBook; Brand: Visit Amazon's Saxon Andrew Page; Review: Love this series of books and the writing is just fine. Great read and excellent for a series. Only issue with this book is an issue I have with a number of eBooks. That issue is that while to writing is verbally okay, the use of words isn't. Example; "They all worked hard four it." The obvious mistake is the use of the word "four" instead of the correct word of "for". This is just an example and it happens throughout the book. While minor, it is irritating. Overall the book is well written and the story flow is very good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Taming a Planet (Trapped in Time Book 2) eBook; Brand: Visit Amazon's Saxon Andrew Page; Review: Love, love, love this series of books. Very fun to read and very, very enjoyable. Love the characters and the events. Only issue with this book is an issue I have with a number of eBooks. That issue is that while to writing is verbally okay, the use of words isn't. Example; "They all worked hard four it." The obvious mistake is the use of the word "four" instead of the correct word of "for". This is just an example and it happens throughout the book. While minor, it is irritating. Overall the book is well written and the story flow is very good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Nemesis; Brand: Visit Amazon's Saxon Andrew Page; Review: Love the book and really enjoy the series. Only issue with this book is an issue I have with a number of eBooks. That issue is that while to writing is verbally okay, the use of words isn't. Example; "They all worked hard four it." The obvious mistake is the use of the word "four" instead of the correct word of "for". This is just an example and it happens throughout the book. While minor, it is irritating. Overall the book is well written and the story flow is very good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Defender of the Empire; Brand: Visit Amazon's Catherine Beery Page; Review: Tremendously interesting story line that is well thought out and captivating. I loved it. Only complaint is same complaint I have had with virtually every eBook I have read and that is incorrect use of words. While spelled correctly they don't belong in the sentence, i.e.; their they go...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Trapped in Time-Extinction eBook; Brand: Visit Amazon's Saxon Andrew Page; Review: Love this book. It read well and kept my interest throughout. Only complaint is same complaint I have had with virtually every eBook I have read and that is incorrect use of words and grammar. While spelled correctly words are used that don't belong in the sentence, i.e.; their they go, instead of there they go...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Escape to Earth-Running From Fate eBook; Brand: Visit Amazon's Saxon Andrew Page; Review: This is an interesting book and while it didn't keep me guessing, the plot moves quickly and thoughtfully. I really like it and truly enjoy Mr. Andrew's writing. Only complaint is same complaint I have had with virtually every eBook I have read and that is incorrect use of words. While spelled correctly they don't belong in the sentence, i.e.; their they go...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Deadly Nightshade eBook; Brand: Visit Amazon's H. Paul Honsinger Page; Review: Very interesting book to read in this series, absolutely loved it. Only complaint is same complaint I have had with virtually every eBook I have read and that is incorrect use of words. While spelled correctly they don't belong in the sentence, i.e.; their they go...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Escape to Earth-Fighting for Space eBook; Brand: Visit Amazon's Saxon Andrew Page; Review: Loved this book and the series as well. Only complaint is same complaint I have had with virtually every eBook I have read and that is incorrect use of words. While spelled correctly they don't belong in the sentence, i.e.; their they go...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Defender of the Empire; Brand: Visit Amazon's Catherine Beery Page; Review: Well thought out book and very suspenseful. Enjoyed reading it the second time as much as the first and I can't say that for a lot of eBooks. Would definitely recommend this series to anyone interested in the genre. Only complaint is same complaint I have had with virtually every eBook I have read and that is incorrect use of words. While spelled correctly they don't belong in the sentence, i.e.; their they go...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Fenris Unchained (Rising Wolf Book 1) eBook; Brand: Visit Amazon's Kal Spriggs Page; Review: An interesting book with an unpredictable ending that kept my interest while reading it. Only complaint is same complaint I have with virtually every eBook I have read and that is that there are spelling and grammatically incorrect words used in sentences.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Defender of the Empire; Brand: Visit Amazon's Catherine Beery Page; Review: Once again another well thought out book that keeps you interested throughout. Fun to read and read again. Would recommend to anyone who likes this type of book. Only complaint is same complaint I have had with virtually every eBook I have read and that is incorrect use of words. While spelled correctly they don't belong in the sentence, i.e.; their they go...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Coming of the Prophet (The Death Prophecies Book 1) eBook; Brand: Visit Amazon's Saxon Andrew Page; Review: Fun to read. Good movement on story line. Characters aren't fully developed, but satisfactorily for this book. Good read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Kindle_Store
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows: Title: The Hobbit; Author: Visit Amazon's J. R. R. Tolkien Page; Review: This is perhaps one of the greatest books I have ever read. It's plot was great and it was just a great story with great character s.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Hobbit; Author: Visit Amazon's J. R. R. Tolkien Page; Review: This is perhaps one of the greatest books I have ever read. It's plot was great and it was just a great story with great character s.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: THE LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy - (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Return of the Ring, The Two; Author: Visit Amazon's J.R.R Tolkien Page; Review: This is perhaps one of the greatest books I have ever read. It's plot was great and it was just a great story with great character s.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Trilogy - Boxed Set of 4 Books; Author: Visit Amazon's J. R. R. Tolkien Page; Review: This is perhaps one of the greatest books I have ever read. It's plot was great and it was just a great story with great character s.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings Part 1); Author: Visit Amazon's J. R. R. Tolkien Page; Review: This is perhaps one of the greatest books I have ever read. It's plot was great and it was just a great story with great character s.; Rating: 4.0/5.0	amazon_books
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: IVSO Acer Iconia A1-810 7.9-Inch Bluetooth Keyboard Portfolio Case - DETACHABLE Bluetooth Keyboard Stand Case; Brand: Gambolex; Review: I have been using the keyboard for over a month and I'm very pleased. The keyboard is compact so I've been using the one-finger typing method. This was purchased for my Acer Tablet which fit nicely into the case and I didn't have any trouble connecting the bluetooth. I highly recommend this case.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: 12 Piece SD/SDHC Memory Card Hard Plastic Case & Microfiber Cloth; Brand: Tronixpro; Review: This is great! I had 6 memory cards in 6 different places....now all my cards are neatly organized with labels! I also put my blank cards in the holder so I can find them easily. If SD cards get lost or misplaced, there are memories on them that cannot be replaced...spend few dollars on this card holder...you won't regret it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: (SET OF 2) 52MM Snap-On Lens Cap (for Camera Lenses with 52MM Filter Threads); Brand: Goja; Review: I'm making crafty Lens Caps for my friends (Pinterest). These caps are perfect for what I have in mind. The caps fit snuggly on the lens. I suggest purchasing a "leash" so the caps won't get lost when they are removed from the lens. I've ordered from Goja in the past and have always been happy with my purchases.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Cosmos Black Elasticity Anti-Slip Elastic Neoprene/Silicone Camera/shoulder/grip Neck Strap Belt for Panasonic Sony Canon Nikon Fuji Olympus Pentax Dslr; Brand: Cosmos; Review: The strap is well made and looks durable but it's not long enough to wear across my chest. I've gone back to using the strap that came with my Canon.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Mudder Cable Shutter Release Remote Control Switch Cord Replaces RS-60E3 and CS-205 for CANON 70D PENTAX Samsung and 70D Cameras; Brand: Mudder; Review: I love this! I've used it for taking simple shots so far....but plan on using it a lot more this summer. I'm glad I purchased this instead of the wireless remote because I have more control of my shots.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Electronics
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows: Title: Rose Garden Bed and Breakfast; City: Rochester Finger Lakes New York; Review: We just spent one night at the Rose Garden B&B. Lovely Victorian in a convenient location in Rochester. Cindy and Lou were very welcoming and willing to accommodate whatever needs we had. They even offered to drive me to Dinosaur Barbecue after my husband took the car to visit a friend. The garden is lovely, breakfast delicious--especial the apple French toast. We would definitely stay again in this cleverly appointed home.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Attalos Hotel; City: Athens Attica; Review: We were very happy with our stay at the Attalos Hotel. The location is perfect--we were able to walk everywhere. Just a block from the Monastiriki station so easy to get to and from the airport. The room was basic with a tiny bathroom but exactly what I expected and a good value. The best part was the rooftop bar with the fabulous view of the Acropolis. Many good restaurants within a few blocks.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Anna Plakias Apartments; City: Plakias Rethymnon Prefecture Crete; Review: We spent 5 nights at Anna Plakias apartments and it would be hard to recommend it more highly. Although a little tricky to find the first time (look for Manolis Apartment signs--it is across the street), we were delighted with the accommodations. The building is designed so well that each apartment has privacy and a private balcony. Just a two-minute walk to the town and the beach but far enough away to be quiet. From the welcoming Raki and home-made orange cake to the clean grounds, everything was well done. Note that the pool on the top floor is refreshing and pretty but only about 2.5 feet deep.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Oia s Sunset Apartments; City: Oia Santorini Cyclades South Aegean; Review: Oia's Sunset is a perfect hotel for people who want to explore Oia and Santorini but don't want to be on display for the hordes of picture-taking tourists that crowd the streets. The hotel is not on the caldera but is in the middle of town and a one-minute walk from the caldera, restaurants, shops, the bus stop and taxi stands. We enjoyed getting up early and finding a bakery for breakfast and then walking all over Oia, enjoying the beautiful views and climbing up and down stairs. Once the tour buses arrived, we fled back to the hotel to enjoy the pool or went elsewhere on Santorini.(don't miss Akrotiri). Pallos and Stavros are wonderful hosts--arranging car rentals, restaurant reservations, sailing expeditions or just telling you the best place to see the sunset (without the crowds). The room included a kitchen (tiny but perfect) and outdoor seating. Most comfortable bed of all our Greek trip. Pool is lovely. Drinks available from small but friendly bar. Everyone we met at the hotel (other guests as well as locals) was happy to be there. Several people were back for a second or third time. If we ever get back to Santorini, we would definitely stay at Oia's Sunset!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Hostal Acapulco; City: Madrid; Review: We were two couples visiting Madrid for the first time. The Hostal Acapulco is perfectly located for seeing the major attractions as it is just a couple of blocks from the Plaza del Sol. So close to everything but in a quiet area. Everyone was very helpful. Iron and board and hair dryers avail at the desk. Rooms were basic with en suite bathroom. 4th floor but elevator is welcome at the end of a long day. AC works great. I would recommend the Hostal Acapulco to anyone looking for a well-priced stay in Madrid.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Cortijo Las Piletas; City: Ronda Costa del Sol Province of Malaga Andalucia; Review: We booked two nights at Cortijo de Las Piletas after visiting Madrid and Seville, thinking we would need a few days of rest. This far exceeded our expectations and made us wish we could spend more nights here before moving on to Barcelona. While here we visited Ronda after 5 pm (after the tour buses left) and the Caves de las Piletas. Other than that, we enjoyed the beautiful location, the pool and the gardens. Elisenda, our hostess, was so helpful recommending where to go and restaurants. We met other guests from Belgium and the Netherlands who have come every year and it is easy to understand why. The rooms are spacious, the bathrooms modern and, if you have an opportunity to dine there, the food is delicious. Breakfast is included. We highly recommend staying here and hope to have an opportunity to come back someday.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Fairfield Inn Suites Keene Downtown; City: Keene New Hampshire; Review: Great location in downtown Keene. Can park in front to unload only. Parking in separate structure requiring navigating stairs across a lot from the hotel. Very nice staff. Restaurant adjacent to hotel and others within walking distance.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Sunset at the Palms; City: Negril Westmoreland Parish Jamaica; Review: We just came back from 5 nights at Sunset at the Palms. It is hard to refrain from using the words “great” and “wonderful” too much. If you want a huge resort where you are one of hundreds of couples, with non-stop activities, this is not the place for you. With just 85 rooms and the most beautiful beach, the resort is unique among the big resorts up and down the beach. It is a place to relax, lie on the beach, read and chat with other folks—some of whom have been coming back for years. The staff is wonderful and plentiful. Everyone is happy to help. There are two rooms to a “treehouse” and they do not share a wall. The treehouses are staggered so you look mainly at the beautiful foliage. The beach is across the street but that is really not a problem at all. There is always a crossing guard and the 2 minute walk is lovely. The beach is outstanding. There are some palapas for shade but even better are the trees that provide shade as well. Unlike the big resorts with row after row of lounges, our beach had plenty of room and staff to help with chairs and drinks. One of the staff came by each day to brush sand off our lounges!! Food is good, occasionally very good. We like to always go different places each year but we have already decided to return next January. This was a perfect, relaxing vacation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	hotelrec
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows: Title: CliffsTestPrep CBEST; Author: Jerry Bobrow Ph.D.; Review: I did not buy it. I don't have this book. I rate this book as zero.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Wanted: A Leopold Blake Thriller (Leopold Blake Series); Author: Visit Amazon's Nick Stephenson Page; Review: I never got the book; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Panic: A Leopold Blake Thriller; Author: Visit Amazon's Nick Stephenson Page; Review: seller never sent the book to me; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics (Test Prep Series); Author: Visit Amazon's Vibrant Publishers Page; Review: good; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Gmat-Cat : Answers to the Real Essay Questions; Author: Arco; Review: good; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: CliffsNotes TExES: Generalist EC-6; Author: American BookWorks Corporation; Review: good; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Texas TExES 135 Mathematics 8-12 w/CD-ROM (TExES Teacher Certification Test Prep); Author: Mel Friedman; Review: good; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: TExES PPR (REA) - The Best Test Prep for the Texas Examinations of Educator Stds (Test Preps); Author: Stephen C. Anderson Ph.D.; Review: good; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Gods of Guilt (A Lincoln Lawyer Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Michael Connelly Page; Review: it is okay; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Burning Room (A Harry Bosch Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Michael Connelly Page; Review: it is okay; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Barron's PRAXIS CORE EXAMS: Core Academic Skills for Educators; Author: Robert D. Postman Ed. D; Review: good quality ,good price; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: CliffsNotes Praxis I: PPST 4th Edition with CD-ROM Test Prep; Author: Visit Amazon's Jerry Bobrow Page; Review: good quality ,good price; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_books
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows: Title: A Treasury of Miracles for Friends: True Stories of Gods Presence Today; Author: Visit Amazon's Karen Kingsbury Page; Review: ,,her,,,,:/ berry very interesting. sounded very down to home. loves every word in it.m ah read it Vaughan bargain Sommer time. zero; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Twelve Years a Slave (Penguin Classics); Author: Visit Amazon's Solomon Northup Page; Review: an interesting. and informative book to help us understand the good and bad points of this portion of our country's history.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Lawman's Christmas Wish (Alaskan Bride Rush); Author: Visit Amazon's Linda Goodnight Page; Review: didn't want to lay it down after starting it. I recommend it to anyone wanting a good clean book to enjoy.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Missy's Murder; Author: Visit Amazon's Karen Kingsbury Page; Review: a book that held my attention from the first page. full of compassion and family love and devotion. recommended for reading.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Coming Home: A Story of Undying Hope (The Baxter Family); Author: Visit Amazon's Karen Kingsbury Page; Review: .c.f. Good book for every postpone to read. recommend to any age or gender. g all I have to say; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Reunion: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Sue Walker Page; Review: Recommend for every age and gender for wholesome way to enjoy an evening at home. Tell everyone how good fit is.l; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: An Amish Christmas (Brides of Amish Country, Book 3); Author: Visit Amazon's Patricia Davids Page; Review: Keeps. One. Interest from the beginning until the end.. B Recommend to every sage Age and Sex For good reading Genfder; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: A Treasury of Christmas Miracles: True Stories of God's Presence Today (Miracle Books Collection); Author: Visit Amazon's Karen Kingsbury Page; Review: I recommend this book for every age and gender for easy and relaxing reading. Good for a way to spend an evening; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: A Time to Forgive and Promise Forever: An Anthology (Love Inspired Classics); Author: Visit Amazon's Marta Perry Page; Review: I would recommend this book for any age and gender to read for relaxation and pleasure. Tell others how much you enjoyed reading this book. o9"; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Stolen Grace; Author: Visit Amazon's Arianne Richmonde Page; Review: A book that is almost over impossible to put down. I recommend it to every age and gender for interesting reading. Tell everyone you know about. It before you forget.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: A Kingsbury Collection; Author: Visit Amazon's Karen Kingsbury Page; Review: A book that held my attention from the first page till the last paragraph. Good for every age and gender.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Angel Sister: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Ann H. Gabhart Page; Review: Didn't want to stop reading it.. very appropriate for every age and gender. Recommend it to anyone who wants to read it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: A Soldier's Heart (The Flanagans, Book 7) (Larger Print Love Inspired #396); Author: Visit Amazon's Marta Perry Page; Review: A book suitable for all ages and gender. No objectionable language. Recommend it to all of your friends and family members. Good way to spend an evening.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Return; Author: Visit Amazon's Karen Kingsbury Page; Review: What a wonderful book. So much love and understanding emotions. I recommend it for every age and gender. Heartwarming for everyone.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Rejoice (Redemption Series-Baxter 1, Book 4); Author: Visit Amazon's Karen Kingsbury Page; Review: A book that I am recommending to every age and gender. No objectionable language at all. Interesting from the beginning to the end.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: A Treasury of Miracles for Women: True Stories of God's Presence Today (Miracle Books Collection); Author: Visit Amazon's Karen Kingsbury Page; Review: Recommended for every age and gender.no objectionable language. A good way to spend an evening after a stressful day at work.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Oklahoma Reunion (Larger Print Love Inspired); Author: Visit Amazon's Tina Radcliffe Page; Review: A book that I recommend to every age and gender for good and relaxing reading. No objectionable language on any page.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Snake and Spider; Author: Visit Amazon's Karen Kingsbury Page; Review: A book appropriate for ages teenagers and adults. No objectionable language. Makes some think about what can happen to unsuspecting people.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_books
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: AMD 1A02C3W00 Socket FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2/1207/940/939/754 Aluminum Heat Sink & 2.75" Fan w/4-Pin Connector up to 100W; Brand: AMD; Review: Great. A+; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: RCA VH606N Digital RG-6 Coaxial Cable (6 feet) (Discontinued by Manufacturer); Brand: RCA; Review: Quick shipping. A+; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: RCA VH48 Splitters (3-way); Brand: RCA; Review: Quick shipping. A+; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Belkin RF Modulator; Brand: Belkin; Review: Quick shipping. A+; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: amFilm Kindle Fire HD 6 Screen Protector, Premium HD Clear; Brand: amFilm; Review: Very awesome for such a low price. I would recommend this product.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Electronics
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows: Title: To Sostre Guesthouse; City: Bergen Hordaland Western Norway; Review: We stayed in the loft suite at To Sostre for 3 nights. It was spacious and airy and the bed was very comfortable. Loved the views out the dormer windows - and the really good blinds that kept the early morning light out (an important consideration when the sun comes up at 4). The location is fantastic - a 5 minute walk to the Bryggen and the entrance to the funicular. Breakfasts were simple but delicious and included home made bread that was absolutely heavenly. We would definitely stay here again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: L Albiousse; City: Uzes Gard Occitanie; Review: My husband and I spent 2 nights here in June, one of them our wedding anniversary. We were looking for somewhere quietly elegant and we found it. The B&B is a treat for the senses - no detail has been overlooked. The room we were in had a balcony overlooking the courtyard - a lovely place for curling up with a book when not exploring Uzes. The bed was wonderfully comfortable and the breakfasts in the courtyard were relaxed and delicious. Gwilym and Alexis are charming and not only made restaurant reservations for us both nights, but walked us there! I have no problem recommending this B&B and would gladly go back if Uzes weren't so far away!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Lark and Laurel Bed and Breakfast; City: Fort Benton Montana; Review: We made a slight detour in our route in order to visit Fort Benton and stay at this B&B and we will be making the same detour in future. Bed was great (we stayed in the Red Room), breakfast was delicious, house was welcoming, and owners were delightful. Location is also good - in a quiet neighborhood but close to the downtown area. This is what a B&B should be like!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: La Torretta; City: Manarola Cinque Terre Italian Riviera Liguria; Review: We spent 2 nights here and came to the conclusion that we couldn't have done better. Manarola is the prettiest of the 5 towns and, as long as you don't mind walking up a steep hill, La Torreta is in one of the best - if not THE best - locations in the town. The whole area was jammed when we were there but there was still peace and quiet to be found at La Torreta. We were in Room 1, which had a small balcony overlooking the town and the sea beyond. There was a separate (albeit small) sitting room and a quaint but perfectly functional bathroom. Although the bed had been described as a Queen, it was actually a King (and is the source of my only complaint - it was extremely hard). Breakfast was delivered promptly at the time we chose and the lattes were delicious. Gabriele could not have been more helpful, making dinner reservations for us both nights, and advising on hiking choices and lunch spots. I have no trouble at all in recommending La Torreta.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Bear s Den B B; City: Page Arizona; Review: Excellent bed, beautifully quiet, lovely hosts, great amenities. The owners, Bubba and Deb, make you feel completely at home without being intrusive. They know the area and are able to provide extensive information about the sights, hikes, and lake activities. We will definitely go back!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Duck Inn; City: Ladner Delta British Columbia; Review: As I write this I am having coffee on the porch of Willow Cottage, watching a heron standing on one leg, preening himself on the adjacent roof top. The view of the river and the shore beyond is equally enchanting. Haven't had such a good sleep as we had last night for ages - the bed was wonderfully comfortable and there wasn't a sound (except for the snores). The rooms and deck are loaded with homey touches and the food provided for breakfast was delicious. Lovely to be able to have it when you feel like it, rather than at a set time. I'm really sorry to be leaving tomorrow - haven't had nearly enough of the peace and quiet. I agree with the owners that this place really IS what it's quacked up to be!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Chapman House; City: Nantucket Massachusetts; Review: Our group had 3 rooms in Chapman House - 1 on the top floor and 2 on the second floor. All were small but bright, beautifully decorated and with wildly comfortable beds and bedding. It was quiet and the owners/managers were extremely friendly and helpful.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Oxford Coach and Horses; City: Oxford Oxfordshire England; Review: We stayed here for one night in Room 8. The bed was extremely comfortable and there wasn't a sound, either from the other rooms or from the street. Breakfast was delicious and the owner, Sylvia, was very helpful in recommending and booking a place for dinner. I would happily go back!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Knob Hill Inn; City: Ketchum Idaho; Review: This is a lovely property. Our room (415) faced the cemetery where Hemingway is buried. Needless to say, it was quiet! Great bed and bedding. Very friendly staff. A 10-minute walk to town. We didn't eat here so can't comment on the restaurant except to say that it was packed, so must be good. We will definitely be coming back.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Fogo Island Inn; City: Joe Batt s Arm Fogo Island Newfoundland Newfoundland and Labrador; Review: We loved everything about this place. It's true that it isn't cheap but the hotel is a not-for-profit and given that its benefits are given back to the local communities, you feel like you're contributing to a great cause. And the people are absolutely lovely - both inside the hotel and on the island in general. The half-day orientation with a local Fogo Islander is a highlight and very helpful in identifying how to spend your remaining time. The views are nothing short of spectacular; the food is outstanding; the service is attentive and sincere; the homey touches and local furnishings are heart-warming; and the 2 Newfoundland dogs (Make and Break) are enormous and adorable. We would go back in a heartbeat if it wasn't such a hike from Calgary!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Spylaw Bank House; City: Edinburgh Scotland; Review: We stayed here for 3 nights and would happily go back. The owners are delightful and the house is full of character. Breakfasts were ample and good and the coffee was delicious. Bus service into town is just down the street and takes about 20 minutes. The bonus in not being downtown is that it was very quiet at night - the house is set back from the road and there was absolutely no traffic noise. There is an excellent restaurant - Dante's - in Colinton Village which is a 10-minute walk away and the Water of Leith walkway is just down the hill.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Conifer House Inn; City: Flagstaff Arizona; Review: We stayed in the Ponderosa Room but all rooms have the same setting - they all open into a central court-yard rather than being contained within the main house. The breakfast and "gathering" rooms also open into the same court-yard. Breakfast is set out by 7:00 a.m. and you are welcome to help yourself to yogurt, cereal, toast, etc. any time you want. To my mind, this offers the perfect combination of the small size and personal touch that you expect from a B&B, and a high degree of privacy that a lot of B&Bs lack. The owner is available and helpful, but not intrusive. The room was large and comfortable (great bed and bedding) and the neighbourhood is extremely quiet. We'll definitely be going back.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bridge Street Cottages; City: Bigfork Montana; Review: We spent one night here while traveling through Big Fork and were sorry we weren't staying longer. The cottages are charming and very well equipped. They all open onto a curved drive-through (as shown on the website) which makes for a cosy community feel. A potential down side of that might be some noise from other cottages during high season but there was none when we were there in October. The river cottages would probably be the quietest and most private. We were in a Wooded King cottage which was spacious and well laid-out, with separate bedroom and a huge bathroom. And Big Fork itself is delightful!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Garden Wall Inn; City: Whitefish Montana; Review: This is one of those B&Bs that you compare other B&Bs to. The house is comfortable and full of character but what really makes the experience soar is Chris, one of the owners. (Perhaps the other owner is equally lovely but we didn't meet him/her so can't comment.) There are 5 rooms - 1 downstairs and the rest upstairs - and a lovely common room on the main floor where we thoroughly enjoyed conversing and drinking wine with Chris after dinner. Loved the little touches - aperitifs before dinner; chocolates at bedtime; high quality linens, soaps, bath beads; a coffee tray delivered to the room before breakfast; etc. etc. Restaurants are within easy walking distance and it turns out that Chris is a trained chef so breakfast was ridiculously good. We will be back.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Grandview Inn Bed Breakfast; City: Page Arizona; Review: Very comfortable B&B and Kris is lovely! We stayed in the Serenity Room. Restaurants are not within easy walking distance but are only a short car-ride away. Kris is very knowledgeable about the area and happy to share information, make reservations, etc. Breakfast was delicious!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bridge Street Cottages; City: Bigfork Montana; Review: This place has such a lovely feel to it. The cottages are extremely comfortable and the sound of the river is a wonderful backdrop. Several good restaurants are within easy walking distance and the town of Bigfork is charming. Well worth a visit!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Desert Pearl Inn; City: Springdale Utah; Review: We stayed here for 2 nights in a River's Edge Suite. It was beautiful! Big room, comfortable bed, a bathroom so huge you could have played football in it, and a large balcony overlooking the river. Very friendly staff. Loved the cookies at reception. We plan to go back next year!; Rating: 5.0/5.0	hotelrec
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Electronic Catch Phrase Game (Amazon Exclusive); Brand: Hasbro; Review: We love playing this game! Came in good shape and on time.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Melissa & Doug Pull-Back Vehicles, Soft Baby and Toddler Toy Set, 4 Cars and Trucks and Carrying; Brand: Melissa & Doug; Review: My grandson loves these. I was looking for soft toys for my grandson and saw these. They are adorable. I did not even know they wound up and then raced across the floor when I bought them. We have tons of fun playing with them; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Cooplay White Yphone Y-Phone Children Replacement Phone Toys Play Piano Music Learning English Educational Cell Phone Mobile Study Best Gift; Brand: Cooplay; Review: I really was excited to give this to my 1 year old grandson as he always reaches for my phone. He really enjoyed it at first. However, it is only 6 week later and it no longer works. When I plug it in it made a clicking noise and then stopped working. To be fair the product says it is for 18 month olds and my grandson did throw it several times, but even an 18 month old throws and drops toys.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Liberty Imports Fruits and Vegetables Shopping Basket Grocery Play Food Set for Kids-38 Pieces; Brand: Liberty Imports; Review: I bought these for my grandsons 1 year birthday. He loves them! They are made of a solid quality plastic so they do not collapse if they are chewed on! However, there are a few pieces that were not safe for 12 months so we thew them out- strawberries and mushrooms.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Farkle; Brand: PlayMonster; Review: This is a really fun group game. We played it with Grandparents and Grandchildren and every one loved it. I love that you have to take some chances and just one big throw might bring in a big score or loose it all! Great family/friend fun!; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Toys_and_Games
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Ray-Ban Unisex RB 2132 New Wayfarer Sunglasses; Brand: ; Review: Tortoise shell?, Looks almost black ...but they do come with case.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: New Balance Men's NBG1701 Spiked Golf Shoe; Brand: ; Review: Fell apart after 4 weeks. Contacted New Balance. A very negative experience. I have been a New Balance customer for over 10+years, and my disappointment will preclude me from ANY further purchases. Back to FootJoy.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: New Balance MX623 Men's Sneakers; Brand: ; Review: As a New Balance customer for over 10 years, I can NO longer recommend New Balance. These shoes are Poor quality and Poorly constructed. After a few week these shoes fell apart Contacted New Balance, a very negative experience.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: 514 Straight Fit Pant; Brand: ; Review: arrived with dirt spots...looked particularly bad on white.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: New Balance Men's Mx623v3 Training Shoe; Brand: ; Review: My 2 year old 623s are holding up better than new. Materials of Construction have been cheapened.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Levi's Men's The Trucker Jacket; Brand: ; Review: Classic; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: alpine swiss Jake Mens Wool Pea Coat Double Breasted Jacket; Brand: ; Review: Very light material, ordinary buttons, required alterations. Looks...Ok.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Clarks Men's Bushacre 2 Chukka Boot; Brand: ; Review: 2nd pair...still a POOR fit One star for prompt return.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Laverapelle Men's Black Genuine Lambskin Leather Jacket - 1501344; Brand: Laverapelle; Review: Impractical buckle on collar; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Cole Haan Men's Smooth Leather Classic Moto Jacket; Brand: ; Review: Fits ok, looks good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Hanes Men's Cushion Crew Socks 6-Pack; Brand: ; Review: Staple; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Reebok Men's Royal Bb4500 Hi Fashion Sneaker; Brand: ; Review: Passable; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: adidas Men's Shoe's Raleigh 9TIS MID Sneaker; Brand: ; Review: Cheap; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Reebok Men's ROYAL BB4500H XW Fashion Sneaker; Brand: ; Review: Plenty of room; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Delsey Luggage Helium Sky 2.0, Large Checked Luggage, Softside Spinner Suitcase, Black; Brand: DELSEY Paris; Review: Smaller than expected. Cheap castors. Constructed well. Check by in a year for durability. Nylon zippers.; Rating: 4.0/5.0	amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Timex Men's Expedition Field Chronograph Watch; Brand: Timex; Review: This watch is amazing! everything works as advertised. I was never able to wear a watch before for some reason. Just having it on my wrist would bug me until I just took it off. About a year ago I puchased a fitbit charge, this was small enough to to bug me too much and I got used to it being on my wrist. After a year of the fitbit I was just using it as a watch and not really caring about the step counter or anything else that it really provided. Dont get me wrong it works great but I thought it was time for a real watch. I was looking around and saw this baby. This watch looks great, works great and it awesome. The only problem that I had with this watch was the band. I put the Mens Rubbertech (TM) Silicone Rubber Watchband Stainless Steel Deployment Buckle - by JP Leatherworks.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Mens Rubbertech (TM) 20mm Silicone Rubber Watchband Stainless Steel Deployment Buckle - by JP Leatherworks; Brand: JP Leatherworks; Review: Very easy to size. This band is very very easy to work with. I had it cut down to size and attached to my watch in less than 5 minutes...would have been shorter but I wanted to make sure that the size would work. This band is very comfortable and it is easy to put on and take off. The clasp works pretty well as it locks together but the the peice that folds over the clasp to secure it does not sit perfectly flat but it does not stick out enough to cause any real issue it just something that I have noticed and now that I see it it bugs for for no real reason.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Hanes Men's 5-Pack Boxer Brief; Brand: ; Review: These fit great and are very comfortable. I have several pair with the comfort soft waist and honestly these are just as comfortable to wear. It is summer so I was a little hesitant to try these but these work well under pressure. For this price, this deal is unbeatable. Would recommend and buy again without hesitation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Skechers USA Men's Provider Kado Oxford Shoe; Brand: ; Review: This shoes are amazingly comfortable. I wear these all day and my feet never hurt. When I wear another shoe for a day and than switch back the difference is noticeable. The soles of these shoes are so comfortable to walk on I will with out a doubt be buying these again and for a long time to come. These are very light weight so you don't feel like they are dragging you down. I wore Skechers years ago but the designs of shoes were ridiculous and they didn't last long. Finally they have started to come out with shoes that look great and hold up. if you buy these shoes you will not regret it, they are very much worth it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: 5.11 Men's Taclite Pro Tactical Pants, Style 74273; Brand: 5.11; Review: great fit, pockets for all of your needs and they will last you a long time. These pants will get the job done with whatever you are planning. I use these as range pants as well as everyday pants. These are supposed to be tear resistance but the first pair that I received already had a tear in the leg. I notified amazon and they shipped me a new pair and sent me a return label for the damaged ones. Flawless amazon service and amazing pair of pants.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: 5.11 Men's Taclite Pro Tactical Pants, Style 74273; Brand: 5.11; Review: great fit, pockets for all of your needs and they will last you a long time. These pants will get the job done with whatever you are planning. I use these as range pants as well as everyday pants. These are supposed to be tear resistance but the first pair that I received already had a tear in the leg. I notified amazon and they shipped me a new pair and sent me a return label for the damaged ones. Flawless amazon service and amazing pair of pants.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Nine West Women's Blustery Ballet Flat; Brand: ; Review: Perfect replacement pair. The old ones were just as comfy but after years of use they finally gave out .; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Nine West Women's Blustery Ballet Flat; Brand: ; Review: Perfect replacement pair. The old ones were just as comfy but after years of use they finally gave out .; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Hanes Men's 6-Pack No-Show Socks, White, Sock Size:10-13/Shoe Size:6-12; Brand: Hanes; Review: fits perfect. Very comfortable and exactly as advertised. I would recommend these to anyone looking for something similar.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Mission Belt Men's Leather Ratchet Belt; Brand: Mission Belt; Review: My brother in law had a similar belt to this and it looked interesting. Did some looking and found this one. I purchased the black belt and black buckle, looks great for a dress belt. This belt is secure and comfortable, the buckle looks a bit bulky when you are holding the belt but once the belt is on there is no issue. The mechanism seems solid, works great; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows: Title: The Shepherd s Purse; City: Whitby Scarborough District North Yorkshire England; Review: We stayed here for 1 night and when we arrived the girl on the desk was very helpful however we arrived 2 hours early for check in and the rooms where not ready so we left our bags at the reception.Just for your Information you need to go into the Shepherds purse shop and walk to the back and they desk for the hotel is there. We returned after walking around the centre for a while and we where taken to our rooms.We where gob smacked at how romantic and beautiful the rooms where.They where fairly small rooms but even me who is over 18 stone still felt comfortable.The rooms are perfect and for the price I was amazed we got this place!!The room had been taken care of and someone had spent a lot of time decorating and making it perfect a real woman's touch. The hotel is centrally located and close to everything you might want to see.I would recommend everyone visits the pubs it has that real old fashioned feeling and some great ales.Whitby is not far from where I live but far enough for me to enjoy every time I visit if you are visiting from another country then defiantly visit whitby even if its just for one night.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Spatz Aparthotel; City: Krakow Lesser Poland Province Southern Poland; Review: When arriving we where greeted by nick at the reception who was very helpful and gave us all the information we required about the local area and the hotels way of doing things.There was no lifts in the hotel which we knew however nick said he would carry our bags if we wanted but we are young and fit so the top floor wasn't too taxing.The hotel is near the old town about 15 mins, Jewish quarter is on your door step with lots of bars and restaurants to eat and drink cheap and good quality food.the Mexican restaurant down stairs is very nice and the service is fabtastic.overall a great stay :) thank you for a great experience we will stay here again; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Marina Guest House; City: Worthing West Sussex England; Review: When arriving at the guest house we where welcomed by Hugo who was very helpful and friendly.He showed us to Our rooms and explained how to get in and out of the guest house via a code on the front door which was easy to use. The rooms where large and had a very bright and modern decor,large bed and a single bed both with good firm mattress. The dining room is very unique and a nice refreshing change from the same old boring hotels/guest houses.Pandora made excellent breakfasts in the morning,hot breakfast included bacon,sausage,egg,tomatoes.There was also toast,cereals and coffee available self service which was nice. I felt very comfortable in the guest house and if i did have any issues I would be able to approach any of the staff with confidence that any issue could be resolved. The guest house is located right on the sea front which is fantastic,it took us about 35 minutes to walk from Worthing train station or you can get a taxi for 5-6 pounds as we did that on the way back to the station due to the rain. Thank You for great stay we will stay here again in the future.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Spatz Aparthotel; City: Krakow Lesser Poland Province Southern Poland; Review: We stayed in a more expensive room (6) it was ok but for the money no where near worth it,we could have got something far nicer for this price however the cheap rooms which we had last time are worth it.We visited on our honeymoon as we love poland and the area which the hotel is located,the restaurant and bar downstairs are a big plus. We requested the room to be cleaned most days as we needed fresh towels and more tea/coffee,when the cleaners came in they appeared to only make the beds,didnt clean the floor (wooden flooring) which we would expect in most hotels.We where not given any toilet rolls or water when it was cleaned which was bad :S I did however just pick some up myself when i seen the cupboard open and some on the trolley instead of going downstairs for toilet rolls which I didnt want to do. The staff on front desk where helpful however the hotel appeared to only have 1 iron in the whole place and no matter how many times we asked the iron was always in someone else s room,i think the hotel should invest in another iron in the near future. Next time we visit poland we will be staying somewhere else,the taxi driver seemed to wonder why we where staying at the spatz hotel maybe he thought it wasnt a good choice?Love krakow but we wont stay here again To anyone new to poland the cheap rooms here are good for visiting the old town,jewish quarter and its about 10 minutes walk to the main square.Top location; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Cosmopolitan Hotel; City: Leeds West Yorkshire England; Review: The location is very central and easy to find, we came to watch the strongman competition at Headingley stadium and we found the local buses to be near by for anyone travelling to the stadium the number 6,56,19,93,97 from headrow which is 5-10 minutes depending on walking speed from the hotel. It cost us £2.20 each or £4 for a day ticket which works out cheaper. Hotel was clean the reception staff are very very helpful, I will say because of this location expect some noise of traffic and people. This is unavoidable and no fault of the hotel, we had some lads three rooms down who where fighting in the room, a member of the reception took care of it quickly which was excellent The rooms (double) are comfortable, showers are very powerful be careful it may knock your head off :) nice however I do prefer lots of pressure. It was a warm day so we had the windows open fully but the room had a fan which is rare these days so we really enjoyed being cool on such a hot day. Maids did a great job at cleaning the room too, refreshed us with lots of tea/coffee/biscuits each day Restaurant was £8,50 for breakfast which sounds a lot however I am a massive eater with it being a buffet my working class roots really took advantage of this, I was like a pig in a troughs. I had the normal bacon etc as well as cereal, toast, pastries and I was stuffed all day. You also get coffee which is a very nice brew, wife who eats like a bird thought perhaps for her £8.50 was a little steep but she is hard to please, plus for one slice of bacon, an egg, beans and tea I can see her point. I however had 5 bacon, 3 sausage, 3 fried bread, a litre of beans, 5 hash browns, bowl of cereal, 2 toast, fruit and I needed some fibre after this so ate some melon to finish. The coffee was about 3 cups which I needed Plenty to say positive about this hotel, I did think the chef did a good job at cooking, he seemed to always be busy doing something. The waitress (polish I think, red head) was very friendly and helpful it's great to see someone who clearly enjoys the job they do, passion is rare these days. This is the one thing I am happy about with the EU, decent waiters/Waitress at hotels Overall the 5 stars is well deserved please keep up the good work; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Pot a Doodle Do; City: Berwick upon Tweed Northumberland England; Review: We got this via groupon, was a fair bit cheaper than normal. We stayed in a wigwam which was very nice, clean as well as having a kettle/fridge. A little tip, you are Required to buy electric cards which to be fair is a quid that lasts a few days however The previous person/family may have left some cash still on the meter so do check as this could save you some cash. If not don't worry the £1 electric goes a long way Beach is about 30-40 mins walk and Berwick is a good 40 mins to 1 hour walk depending on the fitness. The site is nice, clean and has a restaurant which serves breakfast At reasonable prices, doesn't cater for vegan or veggie persons. The site has a shower room, kitchen and toilet block located 2 mins from the wigwams, nice for normal in the past these have been Disgusting but they kept it clean.It changed my view on public Show areas. If you drive food/drink won't be an issue, if you don't drive then do make sure you stock Up as shops are few and miles away. Nice area to Walk around, stunning views and I would Go again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bella Vista Beach Club; City: Sinemoretz Burgas Province; Review: We had visited Bulgaria for the first time we booked via Tui- firstly it's 90 minutes or more and when we got off the plane the bus wasn't around, we where told it would be with us in 15 minutes but it was 1 hour or more then we got taken by a non English speaking driver who seemed to take forever dropping us off, he also didn't know the way. I started to fear for our lives and the drive was bumpy and so dark we had no clue what was happening. If you have kids or hate long transfers avoid this hotel The hotel is situated in a isolated location, beach is around 5 minutes away and another in the other direction is 15 minutes. Shop is next door selling all sorts of snacks, drinks etc kinda just like a corner shop at home. Rooms are very nice, shower is nice and clean. We had a Balcony which was really nice to have, we could sit out some evenings and also in the mornings before breakfast. Pool/bar are on the ground floor, pool isn't heated and can be freezing but you soon warm up. Bars next to pool and inside service soft drinks, water, wine in a plastic carton never tried it but looked harsh, beer was actually pretty nice. They have this odd green drink called menthol if you enjoy listerine mouth wash do give this a try Hotel reception where fine, nothing bad to report. You can rent towels for 10 lev for the pool, you can also get a room safe for 40 lev for the week. The tourists in the hotel are mostly polish/German/Bulgarian not a lot of British but they are friendly enough, we didn't really care as we got on with it. We made some English friends which helped with socialising at nights but the other people seemed to embrace the mix of cultures. The tui operated tours we did the foto safari which was ok, the main part I enjoyed was the bee farm was amazing to see all the honey being made. We also went to sozopol which was pretty crappy, save your money I heard the nessabar trip was better. My final point is to the fantastic Animation team, Jordon was a real character, funny and really made my wife's trip he made each day fun the whole team work day and night they are a massive asset to the hotel and it would have been very poor if they had not been around. My thanks go to Jordon and Nani my two fav people but to all the animation team! Overall I would visit Bulgaria again but this is not a resort for people who like it wild, or hate long transfers and isolated locals. Stay near nessabar if you wanted that; Rating: 4.0/5.0	hotelrec
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: GOOD & PLENTY Licorice Candy, 5 Pound Bag; Brand: HERSHEY'S; Review: Delicious.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Swedish Fish Soft & Chewy Candy (Original, 1.9-Pound Bulk Bag); Brand: Swedish Fish; Review: Yummy.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: RJ's Soft Eating Raspberry Licorice, 10.6 Ounce; Brand: RJ's; Review: Yummy.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: SKITTLES & STARBURST Christmas Candy Fun Size Variety Mix 31.9-Ounce Bag 65 Pieces; Brand: Skittles; Review: Nice mix.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: SKITTLES & STARBURST Full Size Candy Variety Mix 30-Count Box; Brand: Wrigley's; Review: Nice mix.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: SNICKERS Easter Minis Size Chocolate Candy Bars 11.5-Ounce Bag (Pack of 4); Brand: Snickers; Review: Favorite.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Grocery_and_Gourmet_Food
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows: Title: A Northeast storm is intensifying into a bomb cyclone, forecasters say; Abstract: A bomb cyclone is taking shape along the Eastern Seaboard and starting to make itself felt in the Northeast.; Category: weather Title: Discover the abandoned circus-themed house cloaked in secrets; Abstract: Hidden deep in a valley in New York's Catskill Mountains, this abandoned circus-themed house is the stuff of nightmares. We can just imagine Pennywise, the terrifying clown from It, roaming its haunting halls. Intrepid urban explorer and photographer Bryan Sansivero has captured the mansion, its outbuildings and grounds in all their eerie glory. Are you brave enough to take a tour?; Category: lifestyle Title: Record-smashing bomb cyclone or 'explosive cyclogenesis' wreaks havoc in the Northeast; Abstract: An 'explosive cyclogenesis' or bomb cyclone hit the Northeast, causing widespread power outages in Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire.; Category: weather Title: Can You Find the Ghost Hidden Among the Skeletons in This Tricky Brainteaser?; Abstract: The tiny ghost blends in really well with all of the skeleton skulls. Are your eyes good enough to spot it?; Category: lifestyle Title: Where are they now: Facts of Life; Abstract: Where are they now: Facts of Life; Category: tv Title: Trailer - Dolittle; Abstract: Trailer 1; Category: movies Title: 17 photos that show the ugly truth of living in a tiny house; Abstract: From cramped lofts that are hard to access to small appliances, this is what it's really like to live in a tiny house.; Category: lifestyle Title: A heartbreaking photo of a dog riding a bus alone went viral, and now people want to adopt her; Abstract: A kennel is seeking the dog's owner. If no one comes forward, she will be put up for adoption.; Category: lifestyle Title: India's capital restricts cars as people choke in dirty air; Abstract: Authorities restricted many private vehicles from taking to the roads of India's capital on Monday amid a public health crisis that has left New Delhi residents gasping and their eyes burning from toxic air pollution. The "odd-even" scheme will restrict private vehicles with odd-number license plates to driving on odd dates while even-numbered plates are allowed on even-numbered dates.; Category: news Title: House teetering on cliff is being demolished (VERY carefully); Abstract: In Wisconsin, a delicate operation is underway to demolish a three-bedroom house that's been dangling at the edge of a cliff since last year. The owners moved out after the shoreline eroded.; Category: video Title: Rip Taylor's Cause of Death Revealed, Memorial Service Scheduled for Later This Month; Abstract: The comedian died at the age of 84 last month.; Category: tv	mind
Given the interaction history of a user with businesses as follows: Title: Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery; City: King Of Prussia, PA; Review: This is an Awful Location with improper behavior of a manager, i been to Tilted Kilt in different states with my colluges for after hour parties but those are pretty professional. but this was gave me a very harsh and humiliated by a young manager. I don't drink any alcohol and purpose of being going regular to this pub is to socialize myself within the IT professional organization i work some time people in IT field comes with group to enjoy the ambience and have a general socialize talk. One fine day i drove couple of my colleagues who suppose to be Directors for a very repotted company in the united states (I don't want to Mention that company name to secure the privacy) i was only the designated driver for them as i don't consume alcohol, It was almost the late night and they are very busy in closing the pub be initially they told us we can crash in have couple of drinks and food so as we did. my colleges had some drinks and i had an appetizers as fried calamari which is awful in taste as it looks like they haven't bought us fresh we can taste different but then we weren't giving that much attention to that to make a complaint. but then we felt something wrong with my throat and i saw a lady (Server) who is passing by and called her couple of times and she wasn't responding but then i though he haven't heard or something but after couple of minutes i found out she is being engaged with his guy friend who happen to be there and having drinks and she is having a chat while charging her mobile at the bar. i approached the bar and asked bartender if he can give me a glass of water since they told us that bar was closed and i was pretty frustrated they way he answered and i asked a glass of water but then the lady who is having a conversation is laughing on my face and got into my nerves and i warned her using the sentence 'You are not supposed to laugh at customer's face like that' after couple of minutes she approached my table and warned me that i'm not supposed to talk to her like that and i immediately asked he she can get her manager. Apparently manager came and she was violated the whole situation when i was trying to talk to her in a respect way and at the same time the guy who was a guy friend and customer to the pub was jumping on me with all awful and bad words and manager haven't gave a dam to stop him instead she used the words 'I kicked you out of my club get out of my club' this was a 24 years young lady and i'm 30 years old with out alhocol consumption this is how they treated me this such a shame and insult on my face and not even she spare to give; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Legal Sea Foods - King of Prussia; City: King of Prussia, PA; Review: Fabulous n great authentic for sea food cravings... Great ambiance with bar awesome melody music..... Can't resist for sea food cravings .....bit expensive but worth it to have the fresh sea food ever directly from Massachusetts.....Boston sea food; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Andre Richard Salon; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I had an appointment today with Rachid, was scared coz I'm new to this place n also I was trying some customizations on my hairstyle but unbelievably it turned to be an awesome new look on my face thank you Rachid of doing this more carefully n patiently .... It was a Mohawak style n I believe it's very rare skill to work this style on someone ...... Nice work Rachid !!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Cantina Laredo; City: King of Prussia, PA; Review: Hospitality was awesome my server was Jonathan cook he is really fantastic guy gave me a good option from menu. Ambience is rich n professional n quite for group hangouts . Food was really fantastic n everything smells fresh cook n something different served with professionalism. I totally recommend if you are looking to try something new n authentic food. Really worth it; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery; City: King Of Prussia, PA; Review: No proper receiving, I came couple of time with my friends n colleagues every time we have to search for someone to direct us with menu. I never ever had such a worst experience with this kind of reputed food chain in any other states I have visited. Restaurant n bar with no courtesy of hospitality.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Thai Kuu; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: It's an authentic Thai food..... Loves the flavor of juicy basil leaves...great variety of meat n can able to customize the dish between veg n non- veg food.....; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Aman's; City: Norristown, PA; Review: Worst food ever tasted in the name of Indian cuisine. OMG i went for buffet today for lunch almost starving to death with my buddy. I can't believe that they don't have a single dish that taste as it supposed to be.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Asian Wok; City: Berwyn, PA; Review: It's ok kind of Thai place nothing big jus couple of tables. Most preferably it's for take out no hifi ambiance it's jus dining tables facing kitchen. Not good for hangouts. Food is not bad for the price what you pay. Quick way to stop by n pick up ur takeout no fancy dramas around the tables.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Chinnar Indian Cuisine; City: Berwyn, PA; Review: Headed for lunch with friends n I have to say that I can't able to find a single dish authentic fresh n tasty from the menu of buffet..... Not worth it of even giving a shot. Lack of freshness in many dishes taste like a reheated frozen food. Seriously disturbing in the name of Indian cuisine.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Shere-E-Punjab; City: Media, PA; Review: It's a decent Indian cuisine with good western ambience. Main course order took bit late, you can dine n booze. Menu was pretty decent n taste was ok but I felt bit expensive compared to taste n quality quantity..; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Matador; City: Wayne, PA; Review: Hangout spot with friends .... I have to say this...decent ambience, good hospitality, authentic food making us come back for regular hangout with friends. Classic place to be hangout with group. Food is really good n taste authentic.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Biryani King; City: Exton, PA; Review: I did tried this restaurant couple of times n I have a feeling that I'm having addicted to their authentic hyderabadi biryani..... Every Wednesday they have biryani mela were you can taste the choice of your biryani among chicken, shrimp, lamb, egg, vegetables, fish etc. Good for variety of biryani; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Limerick Bowl; City: Limerick, PA; Review: Good for large groups.... Very big bowling lane with specialized equipment to learn the bowling as a beginner.... Also tips from bowling allay professional if your are doing good .... Good ambiance n awesome for larger groups n professional tournaments; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: MOD Pizza; City: Wayne, PA; Review: I'm pretty addicted to this mod pizza concept of building your own pizza where u get a chance to build your own pizza knowing your calories count. You can avoid the heavy calories by avoiding heavy ingredients like cheese n other stuff. Best way to keep u healthy at the same time satisfy your taste buds. I love my own build pizza I can try different ingredient for different flavor n taste. Taste is totally depends up on your own chosen ingredients. N one more thing it's pretty quick done under 5 to 10min; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Taste of India; City: Wayne, PA; Review: This Indian cuisine is Quick accessible from my work, had a lunch Buffett with colleagues. Overall test is OK, I felt some of the items on the Buffett menu are not authentic in taste. Nice deserts though taste really good n authentic. I advice to give it a try but not up to the authentic mark for some of the non vegetarian curries. Hope this will leave you a good choice.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Spice End; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: It's been more than a year now I started going to this restaurant. I have to say this food is pretty addictive, plus they serve late night. I almost tried everything on their menu and tastes good overall. I advice to try this if you are craving for late night Indian food. I like vegetarian platter, chicken biryani with extra chicken and pav baji. Their spicy levels are pretty low.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: R & G's Ping Pong; City: Wayne, PA; Review: I have multiple experiences with this restaurant, their serving is totally bad. They almost forgot that we are waiting to order food n waiting on the table for almost 20min. Food is good, my favorite on the menu is deep fried chicken with red n green peppers and the same with tofu. I tired other items like generals Tao chicken not a big fan but overall it was ok. Their soups are good.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Baby Blues BBQ Philly; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Fried catfish with sauce, but I can't taste the fish. Cornbread is moist but could be sweeter. Mac n cheese has a nice tangy flavor but was kind of soggy. It's ok to try it.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Panera Bread; City: Wayne, PA; Review: The most arrogant manager saying on my face that he can't take an order for pick up coz I'm not wearing shoes. Due to medical reason I was not suppose to wear shoes and how come they can't take an order from a person who is not wearing a shoes for medical reason. I never ever had this kind of arrogant experience before. Mr.manager you can't take an order for pick up coz I'm not wearing a shoes what ever your compliances or rules due to my medical condition I can't wear shoes for couple of days. Hell with ur Panera bread n after being a loyal customer you blew off you reputation in one blow. Probably this location doesn't allowed any customers with disabilities.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Shere-E-Punjab; City: Media, PA; Review: Today I called to order for to go, some guy answered and I was asking him a question about difference between two items from the menu and he replied with laugh on my face. Is it something wrong or funny to ask about menu items? This is not the first time, it did happen couple of times. I advice this restaurant to watch out their behavior towards customers. Ppl don't give a sh*t if food is good. you guys need to learn n teach how to behave with customers. Yes I placed an order n haven't went to pick up. I got offended the way he laughed on my face. I would like to listen an explanation from this restaurant owner. Looking forward to hear.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: True Food Kitchen; City: King Of Prussia, PA; Review: Food is great but before you order food and sip water check the glass if it's smelling and filthy. Like real 'bad Foul' smell. I had that experience this afternoon and after that I couldn't able to eat my food coz that smell stuck in my mind.; Rating: 3.0/5.0	yelp
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: New Balance Women's WX608V3 Cross-Training Shoe; Brand: ; Review: the somewhat small rating is my fault not yours.i should have ordered a wider size.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: New Balance Women's WX608V3 Cross-Training Shoe; Brand: ; Review: the somewhat small rating is my fault not yours.i should have ordered a wider size.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Allegra K Women Layered Contrast Color Drawstring Hooded Top Purple M; Brand: Allegra K; Review: arrived on time and fit. all is good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Surgical Steel 14g Navel Barbell Blue Rhinestones Heart Dangle Belly Buttton Ring Piercing+1 Retainer; Brand: BODYA; Review: Was cute. Broke easily; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Refaxi 316L Steel Rhinestone Dangle Navel Belly Button Ring Bar; Brand: ReFaXi; Review: So cute!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: 10K Yellow Gold Diamond Round Dangle Earrings (1/2 cttw); Brand: Amazon Collection; Review: Arrived on time. Love them!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: ATTRACO Women's Stripes Print Tankini Swimsuits Modest 2 Piece Swimwear Set Blue; Brand: ATTRACO; Review: Arrived quickly &fit good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: NYFASHION101 Open Knit Brown Braided Trim Vented Cotton Beach Sun Hat; Brand: ; Review: Great hat for summer.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: New Balance Women's 680v3 Running Shoe; Brand: ; Review: Good fit and comfortable.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows: Title: Chrissy Teigen Predicts The Office's Jim and Pam Are Divorced Now, Sends Twitter into a Tailspin; Abstract: Chrissy Teigen Predicts The Office's Jim and Pam Are Divorced; Category: tv Title: Officer who shot naked man found not guilty of murder; Abstract: DECATUR, Ga. (AP) A former Georgia police officer who fatally shot an unarmed, naked man was found not guilty of murder Monday but was convicted of aggravated assault and other charges that could send him to prison for more than 30 years. Robert "Chip" Olsen's face turned red and he squeezed his eyes shut tightly as the verdict was read. His wife, Kathy Olsen, began sobbing and had to be led from the courtroom. DeKalb County Superior Court...; Category: news Title: Woman, suspect dead at 'Tarzan' actor Ron Ely's California residence; Abstract: Ron Ely, who portrayed Tarzan in the TV series in the 60s, was not harmed and is alive and well, a sheriff's office spokesman said.; Category: tv Title: Megyn Kelly Slams NBC News on 'Tucker Carlson Tonight' for Matt Lauer Investigation, Harvey Weinstein Coverage; Abstract: In Megyn Kelly's first televised interview since exiting NBC, the former Fox News and NBC News anchor took to "Tucker Carlson Tonight" Wednesday evening to criticize NBC News management for its handling of the outlet's Harvey Weinstein coverage and internal Matt Lauer investigation.; Category: tv Title: Fort Worth shooting: Officers weren't asked to do welfare check. Here's how it changed things; Abstract: When Atatiana Jefferson's neighbor called police, he says he expected them to go check and see if she was OK.; Category: news Title: 11 Ronan Farrow 'Catch and Kill' Bombshells, From Matt Lauer Rape Accusation to Harvey's Vodka Gift; Abstract: ; Category: entertainment Title: House Oversight asks court to expedite subpoena order for Trump's finances; Abstract: The House Oversight Committee asked a federal appeals court to expedite the enforcement of a subpoena for President Trump's financial records, citing Democrats' ongoing impeachment inquiry. "The Committee is engaged in oversight activity to examine whether federal official-including the President-are making decisions in the country's best interest and not for their own financial gain," the committee's lawyers wrote in a motion filed Wednesday...; Category: news Title: 'I like my body and that's all that really matters' \| Meteorologist claps back at body-shamer; Abstract: Over the weekend, 5 On Your Side meteorologist Tracy Hinson received a message from a viewer. 'Do you ever watch yourself giving the weather report? Seems that you need a girdle for the stomach overhang which shortens the front of your dresses! Today was not the first time I have noticed this. Maybe you should wear a top that covers the bulge in your stomach.' 5 On Your Side meteorologist Tracy Hinson had the perfect response to the body-shamer....; Category: news Title: Amber Portwood strikes plea deal for alleged machete attack; Abstract: Amber Portwood will avoid jail in his domestic violence arrest if she sticks to her requirements.; Category: tv Title: Lori Loughlin says she's not guilty of new charges in college admissions case; Abstract: Lori Loughlin pleaded not guilty to new charges in the Varsity Blues college admission case.; Category: tv Title: Jane Fonda, Rosanna Arquette, Catherine Keener arrested at climate change protest: 'Women bear the brunt'; Abstract: Jane Fonda was at the forefront of another climate strike as she hosted a fourth "Fire Drill Friday" outside of the Capitol Building before getting arrested for the fourth consecutive week. The 81-year-old actress was joined by fellow actors Rosanna Arquette and Catherine Keener to specifically address the burden that women carry when it comes to climate change and their role in fighting for the Green New Deal.; Category: tv Title: Airline passengers share photos of their worst in-flight meals; Abstract: Even flying business class doesn't mean you're safe from a tragic meal, as these passenger photos show.; Category: travel Title: Felicity Huffman Smiles as She Begins Community Service Following Prison Release; Abstract: The 56-year-old actress was released from prison last month.; Category: news Title: Pamela Anderson gets backlash after wearing a Native American headdress for Halloween; Abstract: Pamela Anderson is under fire after posting risqué photos of herself wearing a Native American headdress in honor of Halloween. The Canadian actress and animal rights activist, who rose to fame for her role as a lifeguard on the series Baywatch, took to Twitter like many other celebrities to post photos of herself in her Halloween costume. In the first photo, the 51-year-old sports a pair of high-waisted underwear, and appears to be drenched in...; Category: tv Title: Potential Florida State football coaching targets; Abstract: Luis Torres of the Orlando Sentinel looks at potential Florida State football coaches following the firing of Willie Taggart; Category: sports Title: Airbnb hosts reportedly used closed Facebook groups to gossip about guests and share lewd, personal information; Abstract: The hosts used the groups to complain about guests but often crossed the line, in apparent violations of Airbnb's rules.; Category: travel Title: Demi Moore Says Her 'Addiction' to Ashton Kutcher Was 'Devastating': 'It Took Me Away Emotionally'; Abstract: Demi Moore Says Her 'Addiction' to Ashton Kutcher Was 'Devastating'; Category: tv Title: Before his execution, a death row inmate told his victim's family he forgives them; Abstract: Charles Rhines, who was convicted of murder in the brutal stabbing of a 22-year-old man in 1992, was executed in South Dakota Monday, the state's attorney general said, after the Supreme Court denied a last-ditch appeal of his case.; Category: news Title: John Stamos accidentally 'likes' Lori Loughlin-to-jail tweet; Abstract: John Stamos said he didn't mean to like the tweet about Lori Loughlin's legal situation, and he's since unliked it.; Category: tv Title: Donald Trump Jr. reflects on explosive 'View' chat: 'I don't think they like me much anymore'; Abstract: After a heated appearance on "The View" Thursday, Donald Trump Jr. talked about the experience later that day with Sean Hannity on Fox News.; Category: tv Title: Gilroy mom suspected of killing 2-year-old daughter allegedly told dispatcher she 'just snapped'; Abstract: A Gilroy mother suspected of drowning her 2-year-old daughter told a dispatcher she "just snapped" as her child gave her "a hard time," according to a court document.; Category: news Title: 37 Years After His Wife Is Found Dead with an Ax in Her Skull, Husband Is Arrested; Abstract: 37 Years After His Wife Is Found Dead with Ax in Her Skull, Husband Is Arrested; Category: news	mind
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows: Title: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Look Radiant at the WellChild Awards, but When Don't They?; Abstract: Following their royal tour of Southern Africa, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped out for the annual WellChild Awards in London.; Category: lifestyle Title: 30-Minute Chili Recipes That Taste Like They've Been Simmering All Day; Abstract: Want all-day flavor fast? Try these quick chili recipes that will have a savory, satisfying dinner on the table in a jiff.; Category: foodanddrink Title: Twins' laughter can bring a smile to anyone; Abstract: Identical twins Benjamin and Samuel from Hertfordshire in the UK were born 7 weeks prematurely. Fortunately the brothers have grown into healthy and very happy toddlers.; Category: video Title: Here's Why Harry and Meghan's Latest Interview Could Be the Final Straw for the Royal Family; Abstract: In Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's ITV interview on Oct. 20, they said they're unhappy living in a fishbowl. An insider reveals the palace's response.; Category: lifestyle Title: After Mormon Family's Terror in Mexico, a Message Emerges: No One Is Safe; Abstract: After Mormon Family's Terror in Mexico, a Message Emerges: No One Is Safe By Azam Ahmed LA MORA, Mexico Andre Miller saw the column of black smoke rising from at least a mile away.; Category: news Title: LSU, Ohio State, and Clemson control path to College Football Playoff, but who else does too?; Abstract: After a rather eventful day around the college football world, the big question is how did it all impact the College Football Playoff race. You would think that two of the top four teams falling on the first Saturday since the initial release of the College Football Playoff rankings would have a dramatic effect on Read more... The post LSU, Ohio State, and Clemson control path to College Football Playoff, but who else does too? appeared first on...; Category: sports	mind
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows: Title: Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful, #1); Author: Jamie McGuire; Genres: young-adult, romance, fiction; Review: Addictive. Addictive is the best word I can use to describe this story. From the first page I was enamored by the dysfunctional and intense relationship between Travis and Abby. Jamie McGuire beautifully captured the emotions and actions of two people in a somewhat toxic yet loving relationship. I could absolutely relate to Abby and her feelings for Travis, and I felt myself routing for them during the entirety of the book. I would say my only complaint regarding this book, was the fact that it began to feel drawn out; longer then it should be. Almost like a soap opera that kept screening the same scene over and over with just slight changes. I felt that this book could have been about 50-75 pages shorted and still have been just as good. I must also say, that Travis's love for Abby sometimes walked a very thing line between the border of the typical anguish and jealousy that comes with a relationship, to be a full on needy, aggressive, possessive jerk. Thankfully, the author never let him cross that line and I was always able to keep a positive view of the character. I have read negative reviews about this book, how it supposedly takes women back 200 years and Travis abuses her yadda, yadda, yadda. My only thought regarding this is "give me a break!" This book is pure escapism. It is about two young and stupid people who love each other and make dumb choices. I think we can all relate to that. I am not sure about you, but I understand the attraction to "bad boys" and the desire to become their "exception." It's not a foreign concept. It has nothing to do with feminism or anything like that. It is purely about primal urges and emotions. Plain and simple. And in many ways, Abby is the strong female character that resists the usual temptations that make women fall for Travis. She didn't fall for him because he was gorgeous, or charming, or a fight rock star. She became his friend and got to know who he was. Travis was unstable and possessive at times. Absolutely, but never raised a hand to her. He never threatened her. He never verbally abused her. He never made her scared to leave. In fact, she DID leave when she thought that they were just too different. That takes strength. They both played mind games with each other. They both got caught up in the drama. This book is chick-lit at it's finest. If you can't get lost in this simple story, I think you are spending far too long over analyzing it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Divergent (Divergent, #1); Author: Veronica Roth; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: As cliche as it may sound, this book had me hooked after the first page. While it did bear similarities to other dystopian fiction, I felt that the concept was incredibly unique and it fascinated me. I was instantly intrigued by the idea that everyone was essentially 'sorted' in certain factions that resembled their qualities. It evoked thought-provoking exploration into what faction I myself might choose. There was no typical love triangles and while there was a love story, it was not shoved down our throats and did not take away from the overall plot. In my opinion, this was better than the Hunger Games and I look forward to reading more.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Looking for Alaska; Author: John Green; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: This was a great short, quick, heartwarming, and entertaining read. Once again John Green proves he knows how to hook his audience and never them him go. With his quirky characters, witty dialogue, and, of course, the unimaginable heartbreak, he weaves a beautiful tale. Overall, this can be basically described as a simple "coming-of-age" tale that includes all of the friendship, love, and loss that you would normally expect and it also involved a mystery that needed to be solved. It was definitely a lot different then I expected, but not in a bad way. This is the only other John Green book I have read aside from TFIOS, and like TFIOS, I was able to devour this book in a day. However, I didn't rate this story nearly as high, primarily because I did not feel as though it was as substantial as TFIOS. In TFIOS, we were dealing with two seriously sick teenagers who found love and happiness in an incredibly sad situation. We were able to follow and watch their epic love story from the beginning and this led to the ultimate sadness when tragedy hit. I just didn't feel that connection with this book. Looking for Alaska, while it did have a main protagonist, it was focused mainly on the group of friends as a whole and not just on Alaska and the main character. I did not feel particularly attached to Alaska as she seemed very flaky and unstable,and I could not understand the infatuation all of the boys seemed to have, but I did enjoy most of the other characters and overall, it was a good story. I definitely intend on reading more John green; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Thirteen Reasons Why; Author: Jay Asher; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: Clay Jensen is just your average teenage boy, with a typical crush on a beautiful girl, Hannah. Normal, right? It would seem so, except that Hannah has recently taken her own life. But it doesn't end there. One day Clay comes home to find a package on his front doorstep. A package full of audio tapes and on them, a voice from the grave: Hannah. The tapes detail the event that led to Hannah's decision to commit suicide. On them, she names 13 people she believes to be responsible for her death. And Clay is one of them. Forcing himself to hear the dying words of a girl he cared for, what Clay discovers will change the way he sees the world forever. It is hard to describe my feelings toward this book. Even though the story is decent and the concept is unique, what compelled me to read was just to find out what happens next. Full of suspense, I was propelled forward for the unyielding urge to know what happened to Hannah. Why she did what she did. Because of that, I struggled with the rating of this book. Even thought I was hooked immediately and I did not stop reading until I was done, I felt too emotionally unaffected at the end to give this story the initial four stars I had intended Ultimately, I loved the idea this book created more then the execution and the main reason why, is because I felt the reasons that were portrayed as to why Hannah killed herself, were rather weak and flimsy. While some of the events were definitely tragic, none were as truly traumatic as I expected them to be and because of that, I did not feel there was as much of an emotional connecting as I would have liked. Even with Clay. He was an extraordinarily nice young man who was obviously trouble by Hannah's actions and the taps she left, but part of me was just not convinced of the seriousness of the situation based on how t was written. While the story may not have had as much 'meat' as I was hoping, the overall message is clear: You never know the affect you have on a person's life. I do feel this is a worth while read and can definitely open your eyes to make you view people, and how you treat them, differently.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Marked (House of Night, #1); Author: P.C. Cast; Genres: young-adult, romance, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: In the first of the series by P.C. and Kristen Cast, we meet Zoey Redbird, a 16 year-old girl who has just been marked a vampyre. In their world, vampyres are not mythological creates, but very real and well known beings. Once Zoey has been marked, she has to move into the House of Night, a vampyre training academy where she will train to be an adult vampyre. It is obvious that Zoey is special as she arrives. She is more powerful then the other fledglings and this (a long with many other reasons) causes her to make enemies with Aphrodite, the Queen Bitch of the school and leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite group.. When Zoey finds out that Aphrodite has been misusing her powers, not to mention the awful way she treats people, Zoey makes it her mission to use her powers to bring Aphrodite down. Now, first let me say that while I only rated this book with two stars, I was thoroughly entertained while reading, and it only took me two days to finish. However, even though it was an 'easy read' it was almost too simplistic to be worth much. The characters are not very complex, the story is not intricate and what could be a promising plot, is ruined with the "Mean Girls" theme it took later in the book. Not to mention, I am pretty sure I found a few typos here and there...which instantly makes me lose respect for a published piece of work. From my point of view, the authors of this series could have taken this into an entirely different direction and it would have been much better. I mean, here we have Zoey, who, it turns out, is apparently destined to be one of the most powerful High Priestess ever and what does she deem worthy of these powers? Bringing down the school's 'mean girl.' Yes, this is absolutely admirable, but I would have been much more impressed at her first obstacle been something far less superficial. I may continue to read on to see how the series progresses as I wasn't complete turned off by this book, but it definitely needed much more development and complexity.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #1); Author: J.R. Ward; Genres: paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I was directed to this book by a co-worker who, when pitching it to me, stated that it was "better than 50 Shade of Grey." Now, I had never even had the urge to pick up that book for the simple fact that it was too highly popular and the reason it was, was because it was essentially smut. But I was told this book had more of an interesting premise and being a lover of vampire/supernatural story-lines, I gave in and read it. Overall, I felt that J.R. Ward had some interesting and original concepts in this book. I was absolutely intrigued by the vampires and their stories. However, I absolutely hated the 'romance' between Wrath and Beth. Yes, I know. That is essentially what this whole book was supposed to be about but really? How unrealistic was it? Beth, all alone in her apartment, sees this mysterious, dangerous-looking, yet endearing strange man outside her window and instead of screaming, she decides it's more appropriate to have sex with him? I cannot count the amount of times my eyes rolled. At that point I knew this book was not for me, yet I kept reading. I guess you can say that 'romance' novels are not my 'thing.' I would have preferred this book much more had they taken out most of the sex and just focused on Wrath and his gang. I can't say if I will continue with the series.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Defending Jacob; Author: William Landay; Genres: thriller, crime, mystery, fiction; Review: After his 14-year old son Jacob is accused of murdering a classmate, former ADA Andy Barber's life is turned upside down as he fights to prove his child's innocence. He is suspended from his job, his marriage becomes strained, and people he used to work with closely now have to work against him. Despite some potentially damning evidence, Andy fully believes in the innocence of his son, but how far will he go? Overall I would say that Defending Jacob was intelligently written. As a former District Attorney, Landay knows how to structure the trial which takes place throughout the books and even through the legal-speak he brings the readers into the internal world of the law. I was greatly intrigued by the story for the first 300 pages, but, even though Landay attempts to through some twists-and-turns into the story, I found it rather predictable and it even starts to lose my attention near the end of the book, which is why I didn't rate it more than 3 stars. Even the very end which was supposed to be a gut-punch shocker, was hinted towards several pages prior. It had so much potential and I loved it far more than I disliked it, but I was expecting much more of plot-twist then I received and I became disappointed. If you like crime/thrillers, I would definitely recommend this book as I do believe it is worth it. However, I would go into with an expectation of mediocrity and not hope of an unforeseeable ending.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Legend (Legend, #1); Author: Marie Lu; Genres: young-adult, romance, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Official rating is 3.5 stars. I have been trying to find the words to articulate why I could only find it in me to give this book a 3.5 star rating when it seems so highly received, but in general, I just feel that this book was lacking. Overall, it was a decent, fairly average dystopian. I appreciated how straight-forward it was, meaning there wasn't a lot time spent on describing every last detail. However, though this book created a great skeleton of a world, it seemed to be lacking in the actual meat of it. I feel there could have been a lot more in the way of context, providing a bit more history into just why the world exists as it does now, and give us some more time to know the characters. As it was, there wasn't much character development or insight and I didn't really feel connected to them or interested in their well-being. Overall I was very underwhelmed by the story, so I haven't decided if I will continue with the series.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1); Author: James Dashner; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: As a fan of Dystopian fiction, I was hoping for an intriguing read with The Maze Runner. Unfortunately, it paled in comparison to other books it is supposedly similar to. I felt that the entire story was poorly put together, very scattered and thrown about. The lack of information that is provided is often frustrating, and Dashner's made-up phrases for insults and curse words are unnecessary, when everything else they say is proper English and no explanation for this slang is ever given. Dashner's style of writing was very simple and everything was described vaguely. He overused several descriptive adjectives throughout the book which made the writing dull and unimaginative. While I enjoyed the characters of the story, they pretty much had no personality and they all took second chair to Thomas. Because the characters were never developed, they were static and you couldn't grow much attachment to them. The two most significant deaths of the book were very quick and emotionless. The "grievers" were hard to picture and were far too abstract for me to take seriously or fear at all. Even during parts of the book that were supposed to be mind-blowing, such as Thomas's revelations after gaining some of his memory, were lack luster and disappointing. Near the end, Dashner decided to quickly provide context on how the world came to be in its current state, but again, it was non-descript and concluded in 3 paragraphs which was sorely unsatisfying. Ultimately, there was not a lot of "meat" to this story. There was no background or character development. I think a lot of what could have been a decent story was sacrificed for other things. I will say that the very last page of the story had me intrigued, but I cannot say that I will be reading any sequels.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: The Thirteenth Tale; Author: Diane Setterfield; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: When deciding on what to rate this book, I struggled greatly between 2 and 3 stars not because it was poorly written, but because it was often a struggle for me to finish. I can say that while reading this novel I knew Diane Setterfield has a gift for words. She articulates very well and her tone and style are reminiscent of what you would expect from classic authors. Everything was proper and well spoken. She truly understands what it is like to be in love with books and describes the feeling very well. It was for these reasons, the ultimate premise of the story, and the hope that it would gradually sweep me off my feet, me that I continued to read. Unfortunately, I found myself slightly disappointed. On the outside, this book seemed to have everything I wanted in story. Mystery. Intrigue. Secrets. Scandal. Character development. However, in my opinion, it fell rather flat. I found the story within the story (Miss. Winter's story, often times was unusual and unrelateable. I could not connect with many of the characters and sometimes found it unbelievable. Another thing that often halted my progress, was Setterfield's overly descriptive style. She would use so many words to describe things that were of no real value to the story and would normally not be spoken of, such as the main character's fascinating with the phonetic alphabet. I would find myself skimming over paragraphs because I could not connect with the story while reading these types of paragraphs. Unfortunately, there were far too many pages that were just skimmed for this reason. I ultimately settled on three stars because I found the overall story very touching and the ending was beautiful. I am glad I gave it a chance but am not sure I would pick up another story by this author.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1); Author: Richelle Mead; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Scoff all you like at those of us who read teenage vampire novels (I mean, after the fiasco that was "Twilight" who can blame you?) but Vampire Academy was a refreshing breath of fresh compared to what you would normally expected from young adult vampires. Overall, I felt the premise of this book was very unique all the while being uncomplicated. The vampire lore presented in Vampire Academy was not only interesting, but almost completely original...at least, I had never it before in other tales. Pretty much none of the characters were annoying or pointless and while there may have been hints of love triangles, Richelle never let them develop and made it fully clear where the hearts of the main characters truly lied which was definitely a nice change of pace. If you are a fan of vampire stories but have been completely jaded due to the trends and vampire fluff stories going around, I would absolutely recommend this because it truly is refreshing.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues, #1); Author: Rick Riordan; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Super fun and quick read. It just captures your attention from the beginning and doesn't let go. It is a great combination of adventure, mystery, and thriller and keeps you wanting more. Great Escape from reality. I am looking forward to reading the rest.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Postmortem; Author: Patricia Cornwell; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: I was very underwhelmed by this book, to be honest. I read a lot of crime/thrillers and usually they are fairly standard so unless they really stick out or "wow" me, it will get a standard three-star rating. However, I didn't feel this even warranted that much. Truth be told I felt it was a bit dry and unremarkable. The crimes themselves while tragic were fairly uninspired and there was no real character development so you had no reason to care for any of them. There was a lot of technical speak which caused me to lose interest quickly, especially since the was written 25 years ago and I have no way to relate to the methods she mentions. In certain ways, after spending so much time with the story, that the killer ended up being a nobody, never mentioned in the book or spoken to so you had no reason to be shocked or alarmed. It was a very "meh" type of story, and certain things were very predictable, such as the murderer coming after Kay herself. Ultimately, I may try one more in the Scarpetta series, but I am not very inspired to.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: I'll Give You the Sun; Author: Jandy Nelson; Genres: fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: Very heartwarming! I'll Give You the Sun tells the story of Noah and Jude, two once inseparable twins who let secrets and misunderstandings keep them apart until they find their way back to each other. Told from alternating perspectives at different points in time (Noah at age 13-14 and Jude at their present age of 16), the story contains characters you'll love and relate too and also manages to detail and follow three passionate love stories. The primary reason I did not rate this book higher was because I did not care for the writing style at all. It was filled with abstract artistic metaphors that made me disconnect from the story. And it was often times hard to alternate between perspectives. But again, it will definitely give you feels and is definitely worth a read, especially if you are fan of John Green and similar authors.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Reconstructing Amelia; Author: Kimberly McCreight; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, fiction; Review: Real. That is the best word that I can use to describe this book. At no point did the story strain credulity or seem implausible. This book was very well-paced and contained enough forward momentum that I was always wanting to know what happens next, but it wasn't that all consuming "I cannot leave this spot until this book is finished" type of suspense, not in my opinion. The characters were genuine and relateable and the conclusion was a bit surprising and anti-climatic, but again, very real. I will say that there were a few bits and pieces of the story that could have been left out and the story would not have been affected at all. They were almost pointless and just meant to be more distracting then anything. Also, some of the writing style was a bit "green." There were several "had hads" and "that thats" in the story. But overall, worth a read.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Salt to the Sea; Author: Ruta Sepetys; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: After initially reading the plot for "Salt to Sea", I was expecting a substantial, complex and in depth story than the simple and easy read that i received with this book. The way it was written, with chapters written in small bursts, jumping from one character perspective to another, prevented me from ever being entirely engrossed in the story as it often interrupted the flow, and it hindered any actual character development or connection I may have had with the characters. Furthermore, I was highly disappointed that one of the four main characters, was completely worthless and added absolutely nothing to the book. In fact, I often felt he (Alfred) took away from it, limiting my appreciation for what could have been a touching tale. While I was intrigued by the overall idea, and I appreciate the tragedy that ended the story, there was not enough backbone to this story for me to give it a higher review. It was very detached and the way it was written left very little room for emotion. So much more could have been done with this story, and it just fell short.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Me Before You (Me Before You, #1); Author: Jojo Moyes; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: Never before have I been so immediately and completely enamored with the first few pages of a story. On the outset, this book delivers what you expect it to be: a love story; a well-paced, beautifully written, heartbreakingly brilliant love story that will exhaust all range of emotions. But it is not a typical romance, nor does it end as you might predict. Touchingly real, refreshingly honest, endearingly heart-rendering, this book is about hope, forgiveness, strength, and finding a piece of you that you didn't even know was missing. It's about pure, unselfish love; doing what you know is best for someone else, despite how it hurts you. It really is so much more than "just" a love story. Truly, even if this might not seem like "your type of book", everyone should give "Me Before You" a try.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices, #1); Author: Cassandra Clare; Genres: young-adult, romance, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Like a song that drones on endlessly and seems to lose any redeeming quality, I felt this book lasted about 200 pages longer than it needed to. Though there was enough material to ensure that there were never long periods where the story dragged, I believe this story could have been sufficiently told in far less words. The primary plot of this story (the mysterious murders and their connection with Emma's parents,) at times, felt like a side-plot to the Emma/Julian saga or the Blackthorn Family drama which ensured I would forget details pertaining to that story line and lessened it's impact and interest for me. And then there were the myriad of smaller issues such as Mark/Cristina, Mark/Kieran, Cristina/Diego. All of these lesser distractions, though intriguing, took away from the overall story and most of them could have been left out with little consequence. Furthermore, the book ended on what, to me, was a soft note that did not incite motivation to me to pick up the next book. Couple that with the recurring themes in Clare's books such as unrequited/forbidden love or the Judas among friends, and I am truly not inspired to continue this series, although I will more than likely be sure to give the next one a shot.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: What Alice Forgot; Author: Liane Moriarty; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: Very heart felt and thought provoking. Makes you wonder what your self ten years ago would think of you today and makes you believe we could all do with a good thwack on the head every now and then.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Girl with All the Gifts; Author: M.R. Carey; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Official rating is 3.5 stars. This is definitely not your average zombie story. It is as moving, charming and empathetic as it is thrilling and gripping with a surprise ending I really did not see coming. Whether you want a heartfelt drama , suspensful intrigue, imaginative science, or just a smart story with decent characters, this has a bit for everyone; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Dreamland Burning; Author: Jennifer Latham; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: A solid 4.5 star read! From the outset, the story of this book was phenomenal: A long-dead skeleton found on a property, a freezing cold case dating back to the 1920's, historical intrigue, mystery, life lessons on the power and ugliness of hatred, And overall, I did very much enjoy the story for what it was. This story was told through alternating points of view between two main characters, one set in modern day Tulsa, the other in Tulsa during the 1920's. They each had their own distinct voices and each chapter was fairly short, making the read easy and quick but powerful none the less. Through William's POV we are thrust into Oklahoma during a time when racism and hatred were the norm and Jim Crow laws were in full effect. It was easy to get lost in the past, and be grateful for the present. Rowan is a privileged bi-racial teenager living in the modern times, learning just how ugly the world can be. I enjoyed this story immensely and was deeply touched by William and the Goodhopes. It even managed to through in a surprise ending I did not see coming. My only true complain stems from one exchange inside the book. I have found that books dealing with issues such as the ones in Dreamland Burning attempt to use the book as somewhat of a political pulpit and I noticed fleeting instances of this during the book. There was one in particular, a conversation between Rowan and her best friend James. Rowan is trying to make James understand that though race relations of today are not perfect, they are infinitely better than the 20's. "There's a big difference between a mob lynching a black man and some asshole ripping off a guy because he's undocumented and you know it." James shook his head slowly, "The crime's different, but the problem's the same. It's about power and prejudice and shit rooted so deep that people don't see it anymore. You know we're six times as likely to go to jail as white people, right?" "Of course I know that, " I shot back. My mother's a BLACK public defender, for God's sake, so you can skip the lecture." You can't wish it away," James said softly. "Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Harris, Laquan McDonald - they're just the ones who made the news..." My problem with this, is that it is a blanket statement that provides no context and is used as a very one-sided argument hoping to somehow compare the events of today with the deliberate and outright hatred and ignorance of earlier decades. Trayvon Martin was not simply an innocent child like the media portrayed and Michael Brown was a criminal who assaulted a police officer. There are two sides to these stories that this book glosses over in an effort to make their point and it is dangerous. Though that interaction left a bad taste in my mouth, overall I felt that this was an amazing story that provided a powerful moral on what it means; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Hello, Darkness; Author: Sandra Brown; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: Predictable...surprising...then predictable again. If there is one thing I have learned from my CSI binge sessions, it is that the character that seems to serve no real purpose, and that is only briefly focused upon, is usually your guy. Brown used this tactic in this story, much to my displeasure. It did take me about 2/3 of the book to truly figure it out, but I still knew way before the ending. I do give her props for doing the little fake-out near the end. Had that been the true ending, it would have definitely been a surprise for me. This book rates a solid 3.5. Though I always love a good thriller, they rarely make it past three stars for me as they all have similarities that make them standard and predictable. This one was no exception. All in all, I really did enjoy the plot. The story gripped me from the first pages and the characters were enjoyable as well. The romance included (aside from the backstory) was a little bit predictable as well and overall unnecessary for the story, but it didn't hurt. Definitely recommend for any Sandra Brown or thriller fans; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Everything, Everything; Author: Nicola Yoon; Genres: fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: Though a quick and heartwarming read, I cannot, in good conscious, rate this book above three stars simply due to the cop-out ending that completely cheapened the entire story. From the outset, "Everything, Everything" feels a little bit like "The Fault in Our Stars" in terms of the doomed young love aspect. The main character is ill, with a compromised immune system that prevents her from leaving her home. When a handsome young man moves in next door, she immediately starts wanting more than she has and risks her life for love by whisking him away to Hawaii for a chance to experience life as she has never known it. Truly romantic, right? Right.....unless you do what Yoon does and turn this into just another typical YA romance where an unlikely ending ensures that everything magically falls into place. In all honestly, I just about threw the book down and stopped reading the exact moment (page 263) I realized what direction this was taking but I persisted and I am glad I did. Overall, I thought it was sweet story and I truly did route for Madeline and Oliver, and like all hopeless romantics, I am glad for them, but the ending really did lower the value of the story.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1); Author: Amie Kaufman; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: 4.5 Stars! A uniquely formatted book told through mixed media, this will be the quickest 600 pages you will ever read! An interstellar war, a virus outbreak, a rogue AI system, and a love story? What more could you ask for? I only had one true complaint regarding this story, and it was regarding the voice of AIDAN, the Artificial Intelligence system. The majority of the story is told through third-person perspective and it flowed very well. But the last 100 pages or so were told through the perspective of AIDAN, and his metaphorical, almost poetic speech really did not flow well with the rest of the story, unless he was conversing with Kady. It was hard for me to connect with those portions of the book which was a shame, because it was done through the most climactic points in the story. But overall, I was very impressed with Illuminae and look forward to reading Gemina, especially after the surprise ending!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Big Little Lies; Author: Liane Moriarty; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: Though this book can undeniably be categorized within the "chick-lit" genre, it is ultimately centered around a murder, one in which both the victim and the murderer are not revealed until near the end and both revelations provided me with more of a shock then any other standard mystery or thrillers I have read in recent years. The story was so well structured with engaging plot, fascinating characters, and an easy tone that managed to touch upon some heavy topics with dignity, realism, and humor. Perhaps what was most brilliant about the book, was also the most annoying thing, in my opinion. We are aware through the entire length of the book that a crime has been committed, when it was committed, and where. The first 400+ pages of the book are essentially a build up to that point, as we follow three mothers and the drama within their own lives which will essentially lead up to this crime. And this buildup is essentially focused upon a smaller mystery pertaining to Kindergartners and a bully among them. One child is taking the blame, though he swears his innocence, and it is causing problems for his mother (one of the three mentioned above) as she is new in town and is being ostracized by those who believe her child is bully. This all ends up playing out and becoming interconnected with various other aspects of the story to bring us the brilliant conclusion which surprised me so much, I actually verbalized my shock as I was reading. And though I did immensely enjoy the book, I would say the build-up and mommy-drama could have been paired down easily and still have given the same effect.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #1); Author: Jenny Han; Genres: romance, young-adult, fiction; Review: I am not entirely sure where all of the negativity surrounding this book comes from in the reviews below, but I wanted to provide an alternative perspective. This book, at its foundation is......cute. And fluffy. Pure and simple. It is not a substantial read. If you are looking for an intense, complicated, love story. This is not it. I admit that when I first realized this, I was disappointed. Based off of the book description, I was expecting something with a lot more substance. And I also agree that Lara Jean's voice sounds far younger than that of a 16 year-old girl (which was both obnoxious and confusing), and you can hardly call her feelings for these boys "love," but at the end of the day, this satisfies a need for a sweet and light-heard YA contemporary, and it truly was enjoyable. What I appreciated about this story, was how very untypical it was. Though Lara Jean was portrayed as this naive, innocent "good girl," she was not a socially awkward weakling. When I say this, I am reminded of Eliza from "Eliza and her Monsters" whose social ineptitude often irked me a great deal. Lara Jean had her own voice and she knew how to interact with others. Secondly, the "love triangle" present in this book was not typical. And I appreciated that as love triangles are a trope I don't often care for. Though some of it was predictable, like her falling for Peter, her handling of Josh was honest and real and Jenny Han did not allow it to become two separate and reciprocal romances. So yes, while this story is not without its flaws, I don't feel it was as worthy of a one or two-star rating. There were many redeemable moments and if contemporary is your thing, I definitely recommend giving it a shot.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Upside of Unrequited; Author: Becky Albertalli; Genres: fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: Rating 3.5/5 I wanted to be as completely enamored with this story as so many in the book community....and I did very much enjoy it. It was so very heartwarming and sweet. But there were so many problems with the story in my opinion, that I just could not give this book a high rating In fact, the only reason I gave this book the rating that I did was because I absolutely loved the relationships within the story and I was compelled to continue to see what happens. Let's start with the positive: 1. Molly is perhaps one of the most relateable characters I have ever had the privilege to read about. She is pretty much me at 17. Overweight. Insecure. Innocent. Boy crazy with no boy experience. The fat girl with the gorgeous friend/relative who always receives the attention. She is me. And She accurately expresses the thoughts that frequently pass through the minds of girls like us. As we are constantly bombarded with images that "define" the standard of beauty and make us feel unworthy and ugly, Molly naturally falls victim to these thoughts and feelings 2. I really appreciated Albertalli's writing style. She had the ability to write in a style that replicates how we tend to speak and think in today's times. I found the writing easy, fun, and quick. 3.The relationships in this book were amazing from Cassie and Molly to Molly and Reid, to Cassie and Mina, and Molly and Abby, there were a great deal of important pairings and I enjoyed the individual dynamics immensely. They truly made the story. 4. There was obviously a lot of great representation here........but.... And here is where the negative begins... Albertalli tried so desperately hard to make this book as modern as she absolutely could (terms like "vag-blocking" were used frequently as well as numerous pop-culture references) and include about every type of representation that she could, that there was very little character development outside of Molly, Albertalli manages to do the opposite of what she intends to with her expansive representation and seems to define each character by what marginalizes them. Also, can we talk about this quote: "I spend a lot of time thinking about love, kissing, boyfriends, and all of the other things that feminists aren't supposed to care about." Screeching halt here. I do not identify myself as a feminist,but I do believe in the empowerment and abilities of women. And I am pretty sure that the message of any pro-woman group is not something as superficial as "don't think about boys." If you truly are a proponent of women's equality, you know that a woman can be just as empowered and independent with a man as she can without. You don't need a man, but it's okay to want want. And finally, this book seems to be promoting the idea that you cannot be happy without a boyfriend. Albertalli does briefly insert dialogue that suggests her awareness that it is not necessary to have a boyfriend to be happy, but this entire; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things; Author: Jenny Lawson; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Hysterical. Witty. Chaotic. Irreverent. Sarcastic. Honest. Hopeful. Real. I highly recommend listening to this on audio book. Lawson narrates this herself and truly brings to life the spirit and tone in which this book was written; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Eliza and Her Monsters; Author: Francesca Zappia; Genres: young-adult, romance, comics, paranormal, graphic, fantasy, fiction; Review: My official rating for this is 4.5 stars. I was over 300 pages into reading this book, fully intent on rating this five stars, and then.... Spoiler Alert ....Eliza was outed as LadyConstellation. Now, we all knew this was coming. It was practically the biggest anticipatory event of the whole story; however, Eliza and Wallace's individual reactions to situation made me want to punch both of them in the face. Wallace reacted in a way I never would have expected. He was understandably angry at Eliza for the secrets she kept, but he took that anger to an unreasonable level, not only for the secret keeping, but essentially blaming her for his lack of financial security since she didn't want to finish the comic and his future as a writer seemed dependent upon it. He went from a kind, shy, quiet, nerd to a mean and spiteful person in the course of a few pages. Not only did it seem completely out of character, it seemed fairly unreasonably and ultimately it was corrected in the end as he realized his foolishness but that was a real turn off for me. And Eliza..well, I just wanted to slap her out of her issues. She had invested so much time and energy into a story that was inspired and loved by millions and she can't finish because now they know who she is? She now has to face the fame of her story? Seriously? And then just after a few weeks she contemplates suicide? That definitely did not seem in character for her or the situation. In the end I loved this story and was grateful for the way it ended, but those 40 or so pages of nonsense could have been left out or changed and the story would have been five star worthy.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: When Dimple Met Rishi; Author: Sandhya Menon; Genres: fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: I am conflicted over my rating for this book. I truly enjoyed the story and felt that it was a perfectly sweet YA contemporary; but the plot was never truly compelling and the book seemed to last longer than necessary which hampered my enjoyment of it. The premise of the book follows Dimple, an opinionated, sassy, independent young woman who is desperate to detach from her traditional family and start her own life. She is heading to Insomnia Con, a web-development convention, which will be her first taste of life after high school before going to college and a chance to impress one of the biggest names in her prospective field. Dimple has very little interest in a traditional Indian lifestyle and resents her mother's insistence that she find the "Ideal Indian Husband." She hopes that Insomnia Con will be a way for her to live her passion for and set her on a path outside of her family. Unbeknownst to Dimple, her parents have conspired with their longtime friends to arrange for their son, Rishi, a sweet, intelligent and traditional boy, to attend Insomnia Con in the hopes that Dimple and Rishi will meet and become married one day. Needless to say, once Dimple discovers the plan she is furious and rejects Rishi; however, after being partnered with Rishi for the project they are meant to create, as you can probably predict, Rishi begins grows on her and the idea of spending time with him is no longer an obligation, but something she desperately wants. Can she reconcile her desire for independence and adventure with a stable and serious relationship? Overall, this book was completely adorable. Dimple and Rishi, will absolutely steal your heart. Sandya Menon did a fantastic job of blending Indian Culture with modern American ideals and made both Dimple and Rishi extremely relateable However, there were several areas of the book that contained what I would consider "plot fillers," pieces of the story that didn't truly add or advance the overall plot and were just.....there. The book also had a terribly cliche'd "RomCom" type of ending that was both sweet and predictable all at once.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue; Author: Mackenzi Lee; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Rating 3.5/5 Stars. Warning: You will read this book in the voice of an English gentleman. It can't be helped. Due to the immense amount of hype surrounding the book, I was concerned that my expectations would far outweigh the abilities of this book to meet them; and while I can't say I am as enamored with it as most of the book community, I have to admit that this was a very fun ride that I found extremely enjoyable. This book follows Monty, a product of English nobility, who has been bread to be a gentleman; however, he is more inclined to live a roguish lifestyle and is the picture of debauchery. He likes to seduce both ladies and men, imbibe impressive amounts of alcohol, and essentially live a life against his father's expectations. As a last hurrah before he is expected to take over his family's estate, and Percy, his best friend and love interest, heads to law school, they are going to take a tour of "the Continent," which is basically mainland Europe. But the tour is complicated by the fact that Percy's father, a domineering and abusive man who is completely embarrassed by Monty's hedonistic lifestyle, hires a babysitter to accompany them on the tour which turns the tour into an overwhelmingly dull experience. It is further hampered by the presences of Monty's sister, who is temporarily accompanying them until she is taken to finishing school. However, the trip suddenly takes an adventurous turn after the group finds themselves pursued by the Duke of Bourbon who, we come to find out ,is after an item that Monty has stolen from him believing it to be a worthless trinket. The book then takes a turn into the mysterious and magical as the group tries to uncover the importance of this box and then use it to their own advantage. I'll admit that this story began slowly for me. I was not compelled by the plot until the actual mystery entered into the story and took the plot in a direction that was different from what I was expecting. Thought it wasn't quite a four star read for me, there were plenty of positive points. Here are my favorites: 1. I love the voice in which the story is written. Lee does a fantastic job of capturing the vocabulary and style of 18th century English language. She also has a way of writing that is clever and witty. 2. I also enjoyed the relationships that are formed within the story. I particularly enjoyed how a quasi-pirates essentially take the group under their wing, particularly Monty, and gives him the fatherly relationship he never has. 3. Felicity is the character that truly made this book for me. I found Monty slightly irritating as he was usually selfish, stubborn and cowardly, but Felicity was amazing. She was bold, sarcastic, witty, smart, and not afraid to be brave in a time that was not kind to women. 4. I really enjoyed and appreciated the historical context Lee added at the end of the; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Love & Gelato; Author: Jenna Evans Welch; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: Rating 3.75/5 Goodreads really needs to allow half-star ratings. I feel terrible leaving this officially at three-stars, especially since it was incredibly heart-warming, but it wasn't quite a four-star read for me, though I did very much enjoy the story. In an effort to honor her mother's dying wish, Lina is heading to Florence, Italy to live with the man she believes to be her father and she is not quite happy about the arrangement. He is practically a stranger, living in a cemetery. However, after receiving her mother's old journal pertaining to the time she spent in Florence, Lina, along with her newly found friend, Ren, begin a quest to discover the truth about her mother's past and how to proceed with the future. I was about half-way through the book when I realized this story was not going to pack the emotional punch that I was hoping for, The writing itself seemed underdeveloped and basic and I caught several spelling/grammar errors throughout which just adds to my opinion. I also felt that through the first half, Welch failed to truly capture the emotion in the events she was discussing, particularly in the journal entries she provided which felt very light and fluffy and did not carry the weight that they possibly were supposed to. Here we have a young girl who has just lost her mom and is sent to live in a foreign country with a man she has never met. To me, this is a substantive life changes that would seem to very heavy and emotional yet I did not feel that while reading And Ren. Can we talk about him? Cute. Charming. Sweet. He is the epitome of the boy next door and you cannot help but fall for him...but it was almost incredible how for the first half of the story he is her best friend with practically no hint and romantic feelings and then five days later she is in love with him? Don't get me wrong, I totally wanted that relationship to happen, but it seemed very quick and not quite believable. I was not as connected to their story as I'd hoped to be. But then enters the last half of the story which truly blew me away and gave me everything that I could have possibly wanted from this YA contemporary....mostly. Definitely worth the read.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1); Author: Sarah J. Maas; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Throne of Glass. Rating 3.5/5 Stars. After finding enjoyment with Sarah J. Maas's "A Court of Throne and Roses" series, I decided to pick up Throne of Glass. On the outset, I enjoyed the premise more than ACOTAR; however, this book was similar in how slowly it moved. Maas's books seem to have a pattern in which her series get better with each book. That is what I found with ACOTAR, and, from what I hear, that will likely be the case here. Throne of Glass follows Celaena Sardothien who, once the world's greatest assassin, was betrayed by someone close to her and sentenced to a life of hard labor in Endovier's salt mines. One day she is approached by Dorian Havilliard, Crown Prince of Adarlan and Chaol, Captain of the Guard. Dorian has a proposition for her. He has chosen her to compete for the title of Champion for his father, the King, the person responsible for the removal of magical history, the murder of many, and conquering of most lands. Should she win the competition against 23 other contestants, she will be the King's assassin for four years and will then earn her freedom. However, after the competition begins, Champions are being found viciously murdered and Celaena realizes that there is an evil lurking within the castle walls that must be defeated. Overall, I enjoyed the premise of the story and for the most part, I found the characters enjoyable. Celaena was both badass and very intelligent female character that you cannot help but route for. Dorian was the charming prince who was the antithesis of his father. And Chaol is the brave soldier who is willing to protect his people at any cost. Nehemia was the strong and brave warrior who seeks redemption for her people and provides Celaena will an ally and, more importantly, true friend throughout the story. However, I feel the story failed to live up to the epic summary provided on its dust jacket. And there were so many intertwined and smaller story arcs littered throughout, that it was hard to fully connect to and appreciate each one. The competition itself, which you believe will be one of the main portions of the story, actually becomes a secondary plot line until the end when we are told of the final competition. You go into the story expecting non-stop action, duels, and overall bad-assery, and are left with little more than a common fairy tale. As you might expect, relationships are formed between Prince Dorian and Celaena as well as Chaol and Celaena and they are less than believable, almost as if they were forced. Appearing almost of nowhere, suddenly Dorian wants to spend his time with her rather than continue is Playboy ways and seems to fall in love with her despite no real evidence of reciprocation on her end. Chaol, on the other hand, is far more sensible in the matter, but he does stop viewing her only as a disgusting criminal and becomes quite fond of her company, coming to trust and appreciate; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Ugly Love; Author: Colleen Hoover; Genres: young-adult, romance, fiction; Review: Rating: 4.5/5 Stars "Ugly Love" is everything you'd want and expect from a New Adult contemporary, with many of the cliche's thrown in for good measure: a gorgeous girl attracted to the handsome brooding boy who's tortured soul prevents him from moving on. It's intense. Dramatic. Passionate. And emotional. And I enjoyed it immensely. Tate, a 23 year-old nurse, has left her home in San Diego to live with her brother in San Francisco while she earns her Master's and saves money for her own place. However, her life becomes complicated when she meets Miles, the boy next door and one of her brother's closest friends. Unable to deny their attraction, Tate and Miles give in to their desires and enter into a casual sexual relationship, a relationship doomed from the beginning as Tate wants something more and Miles is unwilling to give it to her, not because he doesn't truly want to, but because of a past that keeps him from having a future Told from two different perspectives, Tate in the present, and Miles six years prior, we are thrown into a tumultuous arrangement that can only end badly as they both want the same thing, but only one is willing to embrace it. Tate and Miles are a couple that you truly route for; however, I admit that there were several moments during the entire book when I wanted to our to slap them both. "I'm so screwed up,. Everything he says should send me running, but instead, it makes me want to wrap my arms around him and give him whatever it is he's will to take from me." -Tate Tate is not only a very intelligent girl, she is very self-aware. She understands that what Mile's is asking is more than she is willing to or can give, yet proceeds anyway. At first, I could overlook this. But when Miles attempts to do the right thing and break it off, understanding that she wants more from him, he comes crawling back and she allows him to use her. He openly admits that he does not love her, nor is planning to love her, and yet she accepts this though it kills her inside. She is aware that this will do nothing but cause her pain, but she is like a moth to a flame and cannot resist the danger and the appeal. Miles takes the "haunted and brooding" boy to an intense level that goes beyond intriguing and mildly sexy to one of aggravation. He has been celibate for six years because of a heartbreaking tragedy that occurred in his past, one that caused people a lot of pain, and is now using that as an excuse to hurt Tate, keeping her from getting to close. Though he is honest from the beginning about his intentions with Tate, he becomes unreasonably possessive and shows jealousy if he thinks she is with someone else. He will not admit to himself that he actually does have feelings for her. Miles is inherently a good man, one who loves deeply,; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity, #1); Author: Victoria Schwab; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: In "This Savage Song," Victoria Schwab has managed to create an intense, thrilling, dark, and gritty world that managed to keep me hooked from beginning to end. Set in modern times, the story takes place within the city of Verity, the capital city of one of the ten territories that now divide the once United States. The federal government has been over thrown and each territory is independently run, but only one is barricaded from the outside world...because inside, monsters exist. After what has been coined the "Phenomenon" different types of violent acts now breed monsters. The Corsai, are shadows with claws, the Malchai are no more than skeletal corpses who feed on blood, and then the Sunai who pass for human and only survive by feeding on the souls of sinners, the ones whose violent acts have created the other monsters. Because of the monsters, Verity has been barricaded and split into two, with the south side being led by human Henry Flynn, who is doing what he must to hold the city together. He is the "father" of the only three Sunai in existence, including our main character August who hates being the monster that he is and desperately wishes to be human. In the North is Callum Harker, a veritable crime boss who uses the monsters as his lackeys and charges people for his protection. His daughter, Kate, is determined to show her father that she is strong enough to run the city when he is no longer able to. However, after August is sent to Kate's school to spy on her and their paths intertwined, they eventually find themselves both pursued by the monsters, unsure as to who is responsible and who they can trust. This story was so well written and well developed that I was completely enthralled. I absolutely loved the world that Schwab created, although I do admit that Schwab takes her time piecing together the background and current situation of the United States as it exists which can be a bit frustrating. But it is so unique and gritty, perhaps one of the best Urban fantasies I have ever read. I definitely cannot wait to read "Our Dark Duet." Also, there was NO romance in this story which was a huge plus in my opinion. Schwab could have easily given in to the trope of two enemies falling in love, but rather, she makes them into strong allies and friends, and I really appreciated that.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Stalking Jack the Ripper (Stalking Jack the Ripper, #1); Author: Kerri Maniscalco; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Sadly, this turned into quite the "meh" read for me, one that became increasingly harder to finish as the story went on. And that was extremely disappointing. From the title of the book to the brief synopsis on the back, I felt this would be right up my alley and the perfect fall read, and that seemed to be cemented when the story started out with Audrey performing an autopsy, providing us with the gruesome medical details. I thought I would love this story....but it fell very flat for me. In this story we follow Audrey Rose, a high-born lady in Victorian London who scoffs at the perception and expectations of women at this time. Rather than throw lavish tea parties and educate herself in proper lady-like behavior, Audrey prefers to spend her time apprenticing for her Uncle, who is a local mortician. When women of ill-repute start being murdered viciously and ending up on her uncle's autopsy table, Audrey Rose is determined to solve the murder, especially after her Uncle becomes the prime suspect and she notices several connections between the victims and her family. . With the help of an annoyingly charming and arrogant peer named Thomas Cresswell the two, not unlike that of Sherlock and Watson, take it upon themselves to solve the murders and clear her uncle's name. This book was such a painfully slow burn. Though it wasn't very long at all, just 318 pages, it felt immensely longer. This, in my opinion, likely could have been shorted by 75 pages and would have been much better, especially since I was able to guess who the perpetrator was right around that 250 page mark. Maybe even before. So basically, there was a slow build only to provide a fairly predictable ending. I am not sure if I will read the next one.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: How to Hang a Witch (How to Hang a Witch, #1); Author: Adriana Mather; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: So much love for this book! A Hocus Pocus vibe mixed with The Craft, "How to Hang a Witch is the perfect read for Fall and I could not put it down. This book follows Samantha Mather, a descendant of the notorious Cotton Mather, a strong instigator in the Salem Witch Trials. After her father is stricken with a sudden illness that lands him in a coma, Sam and her step-mother move into his childhood home in Salem to help offset the cost of medical bills. However, Salem is a town deeply connected to its history, so it is no surprise when Sam is ostracized by many of her peers due to her ancestor's connection with the witch trials, especially from the Descendants, a group at her high school that are related to those persecuted witches. However, after the area experiences a high amount of illness and death of the Descendant's family, it seems there may be a curse upon them, one that Samantha, along with the group that hates her, and a handsome ghost who is inexplicably connected, will have to try to solve together. Now first, I want to acknowledge that I did not rate this book highly because it was literary masterpiece. Not at all. The writing style felt very young, it did feel as though a teenager was writing the story. So it was in no way this serious and deeply thoughtful mystery. However, this was one of those suspenseful, "I just can't put it down" books, and I don't believe the magic of that can be discounted. I enjoyed this book immensely despite its somewhat more obvious flaws. The main complaint I have heard regarding this story, is that it is too "tropey." And in certain ways, sure. It is. The main character is an often bratty and self-absorbed teenager whose terrible attitude only enhances the tension in situations. There is also highly unusual love triangle included in the story. But Tropes exist for a reason. They are either relateable, or enjoyable to read and if they are done well or add to the story in some way, I don't find that they detract from my enjoyment. I did not necessarily find any portion of this story to be unbearably cliche, although in the end it was somewhat predictable. I would say my main irritation throughout the story was Sam herself, it just felt as though she was constantly saying the wrong things and reacting inappropriately to the situation which just fueled the fires. Also, as I mentioned above, the cause of the curse ended up to be fairly predictable, but it worked for the story line so I am not upset about it. Finally, towards the end of the story, I found myself getting a bit perplexed as it went on since there was no real structure or order to the different pieces of the mystery that we were being provided. It felt a bit scattered and was hard to keep track. Though it did make it difficult to connect the dots, it also made it; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Tell Me Three Things; Author: Julie Buxbaum; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: This book is what I would deem a "palette cleanser," the type of book you read after you've read something particularly dark,heavy, or emotional and need something light to help transition you to your next read. "Tell Me Three Things" is pretty much the epitome of fluffy YA contemporary. It is fun.Sweet. Cliche. With a very simple writing style and fairly insubstantial it is the perfect read to help with a book hangover or if you are just looking for a quick read that will warm your heart.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Words in Deep Blue; Author: Cath Crowley; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: I absolutely adored this book. Not only was it a solid young-adult contemporary, but it was also a love story to books and it was amazing. If you love a sweet romance centered around book shop, this will definitely be for you.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Hard Eight (Stephanie Plum, #8); Author: Janet Evanovich; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: Rating: 3.5/5; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: There's Someone Inside Your House; Author: Stephanie Perkins; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: With it's combination of horror and teen angst, plus the obligatory sex scene, there was a definitely a "Scream" atmosphere to this story. Makani Young is still attempting to adjust to life in rural Nebraska. After she was involved in an unfortunate incident in her Hawaiian hometown, along with having an estranged relationship with her parents, she has been shipped to live with her maternal grandmother in a small Nebraska town She has been there about a year and though she hates the town, she has built some meaningful friendships and has even sparked a romance with one of the school outcasts. However, soon, she finds herself in the middle of a real-life horror film as her classmates are being murdered one by one. After she finds herself to be a target, life soon becomes about survival, and protecting the people she loves. This book was about 80% contemporary and 20% thriller and it was often hard to reconcile the two. The vast amount of teen romance offset and lightened what could have been a more intense and intriguing story. Many of the crimes were entirely cliche: A boy dies in the school showers after having all of his clothing stolen? Or a boy who had his headphones on too loudly and didn't here the intruder before being killed? Not to mention there was a distinct lack of tension between each murder scene, which took away from the thrill of the book. Plus, we find out who the murderer is about half-way through the story. Though I enjoyed the overall "There's Someone Inside Your House," and the ending was satisfying, this book ultimately fell short. I felt that Perkins could have done a lot more with the story and it will definitely not be among the top thrillers I read this year; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: My Sister's Grave (Tracy Crosswhite, #1); Author: Robert Dugoni; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: Rating 4.5/5 Stars! Gripping. Intense. Yet realistic. Had me hooked from page one and I didn't want to put it down! Tracy Crosswhite has spent the last twenty years obsessing over the disappearance of her sister. Never truly believing that the man pegged for the crime was guilty, Tracy became a Seattle homicide detective, motivated to track down killers, including her sister's. When Sarah's body is finally discovered, so too are facts and inconsistencies that make Tracy even more determined to find the answers that she seeks which puts her in harms way as she uncovers secrets that were never meant to be unearthed. Told between present day events as well as flashbacks, this story reads exactly like a thriller movie with the courtroom scenes reading like a Law and Order episode. It was absolutely engaging and enthralling and sucked me right in. This story was intelligently told yet easy to follow. Dugoni did not create an overly complicated crime that made it hard to keep track of all the moving parts but he told a compelling story that kept me hooked until the very end. I was very impressed with "My Sister's Grave" and I look forward to reading more of Dugoni's work in the future.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Husband's Secret; Author: Liane Moriarty; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Once again Liane Moriarty has managed to weave a complicated tale filled with complex, relateable. and interesting characters. As is typical for Moriarty, "The Husband's Secret" is told from three different perspective. The first is Cecelia, the ideal housewife and mom of three girls. After accidentally stumbling across a letter her husband had written over a decade ago, one to be read after his death, she uncovers a terrible secret, one that has affected many lives and she is forced to deal with the repercussions that come along with knowing this information. The second is Tess, who has recently discovered that her husband has fallen in love with her cousin and best friend. In order to deal with this news, she flies back to her hometown to be with her mother, and is suddenly reconnected with people from her past. And then there is Rachel, an older woman who still mourns the loss of her daughter to murder three decades ago, and is struggling to adjust to life knowing that her son who has moved to New York with his wife and child. Throughout the novel, we follow these three women and find out how theirs lives are woven together and what the result of years of secrets and pain will yield. Though the premise of this story was intriguing, and Moriarty has a way of creating brilliants domestic drama, I was pretty underwhelmed by this story. It felt like a very slow burn that led to a very anti-climatic ending and I never felt entirely compelled to pick it up everyday. Also, while it was entirely clear how Cecilia and Rachel's lives intersected, Tess (though her story was the most interesting to me), really connected indirectly and had no real interaction with the other two. That seemed quite odd to me. Out of the three Moriarty books that I have read, this one definitely impressed me the least.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Every Last Word; Author: Tamara Ireland Stone; Genres: poetry, fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: Such a beautifully written and brilliantly solid YA contemporary. I am so grateful that I decided to pick up this book because this was such an amazing and touching story and I highly recommend it. Samantha McAllister seems like your average high-school teenager. She's pretty and popular with a steady group of "friends." But she hides a secret from them and most of the world" She has OCD and it fills her with dark thoughts and crippling anxiety. She has a psychiatrist she has been seing for five years and has become a talented actress, faking normalcy every day so that she can maintain her friendship with the most popular girls in school. But when she meets Caroline, an outsider with terrible fashion sense and quirky sense of humor, she suddenly understands what it means to be a friend with someone with whom you can be yourself. Understanding Sam's illness, Caroline introduces her to Poet's Corner, a secret group composed of some of the school's misfits who gather twice a week to express themselves through poetry. Sam is drawn to them and finds catharsis in the writing and speaking of poetry with this group, especially with AJ, the handsome guitar player. With the help of Poet's Corner, Sam discover's the best parts of herself and starts Though I am not personally a fan of poetry, I can very much relate to the healing power of words and I was deeply touched by how much Sam opened up with her poetry and Poet's Corner. I absolutely loved the relationships that she formed and the way that people gathered around to help her in her time of need. I also appreciated how very unique this story was. It gives you a glimpse into the often chaotic world of mental illness and does not fall into many of the typical YA tropes. Sure there is a milder group of "Mean Girls" and you have a varied take on the "hate-to-love" situation, but it was so well done and beautifully told that even if you hate these tropes I think it is worth overlooking or easy to overlook. I honestly have very little negative to say about this. Possibly one of my favorite contemporaries of all time; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Behind Closed Doors; Author: B.A. Paris; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Rating: 3.5/5 A disturbing and intense read. Grace Angel feels as if she has met the man of her dreams. He is charming, handsome, and a successful lawyer, one who fights for victims of domestic violence. Most importantly, he is not put off by Millie, Grace's sister who has Down Syndrome and will be fully under Grace's care once she reaches 18. But as soon as the wedding ends, the honeymoon never begins as Grace learns that she has married a psychopath, one who has targeted her and her sister, hoping to inflict fear and terror upon them. He locks Grace in the house daily, shutting her away from everything and everyone. Her every move is controlled and monitored and he has virtually made it impossible for her to escape or reach out for help. But Grace must persist and try, otherwise her sister will come and live in a nightmare. While reading this book I could almost feel the terror I would experience should this be my situation. Though this type of circumstance might seem improbable, it is not impossible and this story definitely felt realistic which made it all the more frightening. This was psychological terror at it's finest. It was intelligently written and a solid story and for the most part, I felt Paris did a great job of plugging up any holes. However, though this book is on the shorter side at just under pages and an easy read, it still felt remarkably long and drug out. And, it was virtually anti-climatic. There was a lot of build-up to what amounted to a fairly underwhelming and predictable ending.; Rating: 3.0/5.0	goodreads
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows: Title: Bias: A CBS Insider Exposes How the Media Distort the News; Author: Visit Amazon's Bernard Goldberg Page; Review: If you are still getting your biased news from Dan, Peter or Tom then you need to read this book. It will open your mind & explain that bias is so ingrained in TV news delivery that the talking heads can't even see it for themselves. If after reading this book you still prefer Dan, Peter or Tom at least you will know you are being spun. Read the book, it is great.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Cool It: The Skeptical Environmentalist's Guide to Global Warming; Author: Visit Amazon's Bjrn Lomborg Page; Review: Cool It: The Skeptical Environmentalist's Guide to Global Warming This book is a must read for all those concerned with global warming. It describes the destruction to the environment & world economy that will be done, not by global warming, but by expensive, futile efforts to control something that is cyclic in nature and not caused by human activities. If you really care for helping mankind you must read this book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Still the Best Hope: Why the World Needs American Values to Triumph; Author: Visit Amazon's Dennis Prager Page; Review: This is a book that should be read by anyone who has doubts as how the world should move forward. Explains consisely why the free enterprise system is the only one that helps everyone. Buy it & digest.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: To Hell in a Handbasket: Carter, Obama, and the Arab Spring; Author: Visit Amazon's Ruthie Blum Page; Review: This book is well written & a fantastic history lesson. Too bad that Obama has made some of the ssame mistakes that Carter did giving reason for the book. Buy it & become better informed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot; Author: Visit Amazon's Bill O'Reilly Page; Review: If you have never read anything about the Kennedy assignation then this is a good read. However do not expect to find much new. For instance, most of us knew before that JFK was an unmigigated wonamizer to the point of being ill. The book is like a remake of a good Broadway musical,enjoyable the second time around with a few new tid-bits.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot; Author: aa; Review: If you have never read anything about the Kennedy assignation then this is a good read. However do not expect to find much new. For instance, most of us knew before that JFK was an unmigigated wonamizer to the point of being ill. The book is like a remake of a good Broadway musical,enjoyable the second time around with a few new tid-bits.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: A Nation of Takers: America's Entitlement Epidemic; Author: Nicholas Eberstadt; Review: If you are at all concerned with your children's future this is a book that you must read & digest. We are on a road to financial disaster. If corrective action is not taken soon. We will be beyond saving. We will the new Greece.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Intellectuals and Race; Author: Visit Amazon's Thomas Sowell Page; Review: Thomas Sowell makes complicated subjects clear. His grasp of situations is unmatched. If you want to get a good grasp on the topic of race this is the book to read. Jack C. McVey; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Civilian Warriors: The Inside Story of Blackwater and the Unsung Heroes of the War on Terror; Author: Visit Amazon's Erik Prince Page; Review: Civilian Warriors is a good red for those interested in how we now conduct our foreign excursions. Did not realize how much we have come to rely on for profit warriors.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Climate Change: The Facts; Author: J.Abbot; Review: A must read for all who have doubts about the honesty of the climate change crowd & their apocalypic propaganda.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Stealing America: What My Experience with Criminal Gangs Taught Me about Obama, Hillary, and the Democratic Party; Author: Visit Amazon's Dinesh D'Souza Page; Review: A great read, especially recommended for people who think being "progressive" is the way to be.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Between the World and Me; Author: Visit Amazon's Ta-Nehisi Coates Page; Review: A successful black writer giving his son some really bad advice.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: The Strange Death of Europe: Immigration, Identity, Islam; Author: Visit Amazon's Douglas Murray Page; Review: Everyone should read this book, especially those that support open borders.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_books
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows: Title: Schindler's List (1993); Genres: Drama, War; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Intouchables (2011); Genres: Comedy, Drama; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: Fight Club (1999); Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Matrix, The (1999); Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Saving Private Ryan (1998); Genres: Action, Drama, War; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: Into the Wild (2007); Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The (2008); Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Pursuit of Happyness, The (2006); Genres: Drama; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Corpse Bride (2005); Genres: Animation, Comedy, Fantasy, Musical, Romance; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Suicide Room (2011); Genres: Drama, Thriller; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Saw IV (2007); Genres: Crime, Horror, Thriller; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Saw V (2008); Genres: Crime, Horror, Thriller; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Saw VI (2009); Genres: Crime, Horror, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Saw II (2005); Genres: Horror, Thriller; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Saw III (2006); Genres: Crime, Horror, Thriller; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Saw (2003); Genres: Crime, Horror; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Saw (2004); Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Saw VII 3D - The Final Chapter (2010); Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Martyrs (2008); Genres: Horror; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Martyrs (2016); Genres: (no genres listed); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Inception (2010); Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller, IMAX; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Forrest Gump (1994); Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, War; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Interstellar (2014); Genres: Sci-Fi, IMAX; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: Silence of the Lambs, The (1991); Genres: Crime, Horror, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Martian (2015); Genres: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Inside Out (2015); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Children, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Django Unchained (2012); Genres: Action, Drama, Western; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Imitation Game (2014); Genres: Drama, Thriller, War; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Mad Max: Fury Road (2015); Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: Sixth Sense, The (1999); Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Titanic (1997); Genres: Drama, Romance; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Room (2015); Genres: Drama; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: Deadpool (2016); Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Truman Show, The (1998); Genres: Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: American History X (1998); Genres: Crime, Drama; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Trainspotting (1996); Genres: Comedy, Crime, Drama; Rating: 2.5/5.0 Title: Green Mile, The (1999); Genres: Crime, Drama; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Game, The (1997); Genres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Seven (a.k.a. Se7en) (1995); Genres: Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975); Genres: Drama; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Memento (2000); Genres: Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: Mask, The (1994); Genres: Action, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: Léon: The Professional (a.k.a. The Professional) (Léon) (1994); Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004); Genres: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003); Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Beautiful Mind, A (2001); Genres: Drama, Romance; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Shining, The (1980); Genres: Horror; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: Cloud Atlas (2012); Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi, IMAX; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Orphanage, The (Orfanato, El) (2007); Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: Inside (À l'intérieur) (2007); Genres: Horror, Thriller; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: I Saw the Devil (Akmareul boatda) (2010); Genres: Crime, Thriller; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: Descent, The (2005); Genres: Adventure, Drama, Horror, Thriller; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: Sin City (2005); Genres: Action, Crime, Film-Noir, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Hills Have Eyes, The (2006); Genres: Drama, Horror, Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: High Tension (Haute tension) (Switchblade Romance) (2003); Genres: Horror, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Eden Lake (2008); Genres: Horror, Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: Loved Ones, The (2009); Genres: Horror; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Slumdog Millionaire (2008); Genres: Crime, Drama, Romance; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: V for Vendetta (2006); Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller, IMAX; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: Escape Plan (2013); Genres: Action, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Human Centipede II (Full Sequence), The (2011); Genres: Horror; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: Salt (2010); Genres: Action, Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: Iron Man (2008); Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Antichrist (2009); Genres: Drama, Fantasy; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Mark of the Devil (Hexen bis aufs Blut gequält) (1970); Genres: Drama, Horror; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: Das Experiment (Experiment, The) (2001); Genres: Drama, Thriller; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: Grotesque (Gurotesuku) (2009); Genres: Horror, Thriller; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: Orphan (2009); Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Identity (2003); Genres: Crime, Horror, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Ring, The (2002); Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Prestige, The (2006); Genres: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: Shutter Island (2010); Genres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Twelve Monkeys (a.k.a. 12 Monkeys) (1995); Genres: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Old Boy (2003); Genres: Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: Others, The (2001); Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Machinist (2004); Genres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Donnie Darko (2001); Genres: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Source Code (2011); Genres: Action, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: Predestination (2014); Genres: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Mystic River (2003); Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Big Fish (2003); Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lilya 4-Ever (Lilja 4-ever) (2002); Genres: Crime, Drama; Rating: 4.0/5.0	movielens
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Outtop(TM) Women Lace Crochet Vest Tank Top Casual Sleeveless Blouse; Brand: Outtop(TM); Review: I normally wear size small but ordered a medium (gut feeling) and the fit is perfect. This top is absolutely gorgeous and well worth the price. I'm not certain how well it will hold up after repeated wear and washing but for the price it really doesn't matter.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Contraband Pink Label 5137 Womens Weight Lifting Gloves w/Grip-Lock Padding (Pair); Brand: Contraband Pink Label; Review: I'm pleased with the quality and fit. I ordered a small and the fit is perfect for me. My wrists measure about five and three quarters inches. If your wrist is any bigger than that, you may want to size up to a medium.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: LuxFit Foam Roller, Speckled Foam Rollers for Muscles '3 Year; Brand: LuxFit; Review: Perfect size! Very pleased with my purchase; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Valeo Performance Weightlifting Gloves, Padded, Split-Leather Palm, Small; Brand: Valeo; Review: Threw them in the garbage after trying them out a few times. Flimsy and they slip off of the bar easily. The worst product of this type that I have ever used; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Sunny Folding Climbing Stepper; Brand: Sunny Health & Fitness; Review: I'm impressed! This climbing stepper is easy to assemble, affordable, great for small spaces and gives a good workout. I am 5'2" and 125 lbs and it is the perfect size and very sturdy for me, however, I'm thinking that a tall or heavy person may find it inadequate.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: icyzone Workout Yoga Fitness Sports Racerback Tank Tops for Women; Brand: ; Review: Nice top but is cut very large. I had to tie a knot in it to make it fit. Not recommended for women who wear a size small; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: GYMENIST Set of 2 Hex Rubber Dumbbell with Metal Handles, Pair of 2 Heavy Dumbbell Choose Weight; Brand: GYMENIST; Review: Sturdy and attractive.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows: Title: Harrah s Lake Tahoe; City: Stateline Lake Tahoe Nevada Nevada; Review: Always a great stay at Harrahs and Harveys Lake Tahoe. Lots of fun and very social. Lots to do. A bit too much cigarette smoke on the gaming floor, and hopefully they will put extractor fans for cleaner air and healthier gaming.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Harrah s Lake Tahoe; City: Stateline Lake Tahoe Nevada Nevada; Review: We had a super time. My husband and I went up for the weekend. The comedy show was the best. My husband and I were laughing from the begging till well past the end. Good selection of alcohol at the bars The rooms are clean and well maintained. Great location; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Harveys Lake Tahoe; City: Stateline Lake Tahoe Nevada Nevada; Review: Hello. My family and I all enjoy spending a weekend in South Lake Tahoe and I find Harveys is great. The rooms are large and the views spectacular. More and more of the rooms are being upgraded to modern furniture which is great. ITs clean and well run.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Harrah s Lake Tahoe; City: Stateline Lake Tahoe Nevada Nevada; Review: The rooms are tastefully decorated and clean. Very well located close to heavenly if you want to ski. The gaming is also good and the drinks are good quality. Staff are super nice and upgrade me when they can, which is also super nice. Over all experience is always good and I keep going back because of it. They have a great rewards program to, that is work signing up for even if you don't go to Tahoe often.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Harveys Lake Tahoe; City: Stateline Lake Tahoe Nevada Nevada; Review: Hello. My family love staying at Harveys. They have upgraded a lot of there rooms and they are super nice. In the VIP check-in area you are treated so special and the staff are lovely. There is a lot to do at the hotels Harveys and Harrahs are joined with a tunnel and there is a great gaming area for Children in the middle. My son loves it and we have all had fun there as a family. The hotel is a 5 min walk from Heavenly and right in the village so very well situated. The views from the hotel are great as well. Over all brilliant experience.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Harrah s Lake Tahoe; City: Stateline Lake Tahoe Nevada Nevada; Review: My son and I went up to Tahoe and stayed at Harrahs for the weekend. He is 8 and loves staying there. We love the indoor swimming pool and the gaming area for children and adults. The beds are super comfortable and the rooms are large. It is always a great place to stay. The hotel is also very central and about 5 minutes walk from the lake. We saw Rob Lake and the show was amazing!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0	hotelrec
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows: Title: AKA Resort Spa; City: Hua Hin Prachuap Khiri Khan Province; Review: I stayed at aka for 2 nights, and it was a delightful experience. Despite the long drive in to the resort, all my initial apprehensions and fears melted away the moment I was sat down with a welcome drink and ice cream. The resort area at aka is huge! But there are buggies available to fetch you around the resort. Although aka does not have a beachfront, it does more than make up for it with its open areas and tranquil environment. It truly takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the city and transports you into nature. We even got to see a few fireflies on one evening! We stayed at a deluxe one-room villa, which came with an open upper deck, a spa room, and a beautiful inviting pool. Despite the open areas in the villa, our privacy was ensured by the tall walls and lush foliage around the villa. However, all our needs were certainly attended to, and i especially loved the turn-down service. They even provided us with a complimentary cake on my fiance's birthday! The pool was fantastic too, and even though they had a public pool, we never got out of our own pool to use that. No worries about it being far away from town too. They provide FREE transport to and from town almost every hour, and for the two nights we tried the shuttle service, it was amazingly punctual. Frankly, it was way easier to get to town from aka as compared to many other resorts that may be nearer town. The only drawbacks about aka are probably the lack of eating places nearby, the lack of lighting around the resort when it gets dark (which makes it hard to take evening strolls), and the mozzies!!! Even though they do provide electric mosquito repellant in the room, I would recommend bringing your own mosquito coils to light up, especially at night. Also, the breakfast isn't the most fantastic as well. Finally, the staff, though very warm, friendly and attentive, could hardly understand English, which made it very hard for us to get our requests/ message across. And for both mornings, we had our breakfast orders all mixed up. Overall, this is probably one of the more affordable pool villas in hua hin, and it definitely does meet my expectations of a comfortable, private, clean and welcoming pool villa. Do not be deterred by the distance from town. I do recommend this for young couples/ honeymooners. Probably not the most exciting place for families with children.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: KSL Hotel Resort; City: Johor Bahru Johor Bahru District Johor; Review: This is a horrible hotel. Apart from the location, I really have nothing good to say about it. And I am not even sure where to begin when it comes to the terrible experience I had at this hotel. First, the check-in time was 3pm. We tried to check in earlier and was told to go to another counter later at 3pm to collect our keys. At 3pm, we were told to wait another half hour. And then finally at 3.45pm, we got redirected to another counter whereby the queue was awfully long, just to collect the keys. Upon collection, they said they only had 1 room ready and we had to wait for the other 2 rooms to be cleared by housekeeping. We went up. Met the housekeeper who told us all the rooms on the level have already been cleared and ready for check-in. So we went back down to tell the counter staff. And we finally got the other 2 rooms at 4.30pm! And yes, all these delay occured despite us informing them that we have a baby who needs a room to rest. Next about the room cleanliness. The bed linen had stains and even holes. The towels were not washed well. I cleaned myself with one only to realise later that there were dried up food particles on it. The toilet had pee stains on it, and it had a foul stench of ammonia. The toilet floor had black stains on it. We also found leftover rubbish that wasn't cleared properly. It made me wonder whether we had booked into a 2 star hotel?!?!? I have stayed in 3 star hotels in Malaysia which were much cleaner! And then there's the room service, or lack of it, my brother-in-law was unwell and thus he stayed in and ordered room service. Guess what? His porridge never came, in spite of multiple calls to enquire about it. Never came, nil apologies too. The final straw was when they called at 10pm at night, informing that that the check-out was at 12pm the next day. First they don't even realise that there is a possibility that people may be asleep by 10pm at night, esp when you have a child around. Second, I wonder whether they even considered compensating the 1.5hrs delay and all the inconvenience caused. Oh yes, they also said, if we check out past 12noon, they will charge 80MYR per hour. In this case, they really should return us 120MYR for the delay they caused us! Btw, they called again at 10.30pm, this time the toilet phone, because we had disconnected the room phone. Do they not get a hint or what? This is a terrible hotel to stay in. Frankly, as long as you have a car, I would recommend staying at some other hotel, like Mutiara (which is older, but with much better service, more affordable, and value-for-money, cleaner, bigger and not too far from the shopping as well). Never will we ever stay in this hotel again.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: The Sebel Busselton; City: Busselton Western Australia; Review: We had a studio room, and these are the things I loved about this place: 1. lovely big room with a heater and air conditioner. Very clean too. 2. it has a heated pool and an outdoor pool 3. privacy and outdoor space - it's like staying in your own secured residential estate 4. Own secured parking lot 5. Easy to walk out to the beautiful beach - it's just gorgeous! 6. Short drive to margaret river, yet not far from the town amenities 7. Right next to a place that sells yummy and fresh fish and chips! It's perfect to just end the day with a hot fish and chips dinner in the warmth of your spacious room. Plus, hotel guests get discounts at this shop. 8. There's also a small food court and supermarket nearby. Totally convenient! 9. There was a children playroom. Not exactly the cleanest place nor the most well-equipped. But children don't care about that. And we like the thought that they bothered to cater to young children and families. Things I didn't like too much: 1. they didn't have a baby cot, but they had a portacot with no mattress (or rather the base is too thin and hard to be comfortable for anybody). My advice for them is to invest in a good baby cots, cos' happy babies = happy parents = happy guests. 2. No cafe/ restaurant in the resort itself 3. The bigger units at the back of the resort seem really quiet. I am glad we had a unit close to the reception. 4. The toilets are lovely, but because there's no heater in the toilet, it gets realllllyyyy cold in the toilet!! I would certainly recommend this place to anybody who wants to visit margaret river.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour; City: Sydney New South Wales; Review: Adina is located at an excellent location, esp if you have kids and intend to visit the aquarium, wildlife park, madame tussauds etc. Plenty of food options nearby along the harbour, or just opp at the Harbourside shopping centre. If you don't mind walking, it is also possible to take a walk down to the Fish Market to have an excellent meal of fresh seafood! The front desk staff were pretty alright and helpful too. Service isn't anything out of the ordinary, but it wasn't anything to leave much of an impression too. The drawbacks we had were the following: 1. The cot was too big to fit in the room, and had to be left out in the living, so in the end, we had to put our baby on our bed instead. 2. The room itself is pretty small. All our luggage had to be left out in the living too, cluttering up the entire apartment. 3. We found a little cockroach on the carpet in the living area. It's just gross to have roaches running around. But we found just one in our entire stay, so I ain't gonna make a big deal out of it. 4. We were given a low level room, so all we could see from our balcony was the tree. The balcony wasn't exactly clean too, so we didn't use it much anyway. Also, because of the low level, it can get really noisy on weekend nights with the pub-goers outside. If you want a simple apartment without much frills, at a pretty good location, I would recommend Adina Apartment, Harbourside. Just don't expect any luxurious living.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Mounts Bay Waters Apartment Hotel; City: Perth Greater Perth Western Australia; Review: We chose this apartment because it was quite highly ranked in Tripadvisor. But I am really not too impressed. We stayed here twice throughout our trip to Perth, as we headed down to Margaret River in between. The first time, we were given an apartment at the Waldorf building,with a view of the road and a duck pond opp. The furnishing is pretty alright and modern, the kitchen is fully equipped and the space is just about right. But other than that, I have nothing to rave about it. The 2nd time was in the main building, and the apartment furnishing was a little more dated, and the space a little smaller. Cleanliness was about the same as the previous one. The kitchen and toilet floor was sticky, and the baby cot they gave was a play pen/ portacot, with no mattress. Good thing was that they provided us with blankets to lay the bottom, so that it's more comfortable for our baby. Location wise wasn't fantastic. It's quite a walk to the city, but there is a cat bus service that can shuttle you to the city. We had breakfast once at the cafe, and that is actually probably the only thing that was good. The waitress was friendly and the food was actually really good. It's alright for an apartment, but it's not a place I would return to. Service wasn't anything to rave about too, except for the friendly waitress and this great male front desk trainee from Malaysia. It's great if you just want a fully equipped apartment, and you are intending to drive around perth anyway (they give you your own parking lot in the secured carpark area), and don't mind a backpackers standard kind of stay.; Rating: 3.0/5.0	hotelrec
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows: Title: Quesadillas; Author: Visit Amazon's Donna Kelly Page; Review: fantastic book recipes so original all with photographs so easy to do very delicious amazing book you will loved. With salt and sweet recipes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dos Caminos Mexican Street Food: 120 Authentic Recipes to Make at Home; Author: Visit Amazon's Ivy Stark Page; Review: Excelent book , best photographs , great recipes, colorful, taste food with carnitas, everyone loves this delicious, accessible cuisine easy to find here all the ingredients in USA I love this book; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The All-American Truck Stop Cookbook; Author: Visit Amazon's Ken Beck Page; Review: Does not have any photographs in black and white though good recipes you can't sometimes have the idea of how to present your dishes.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Best of Mexico; Author: Visit Amazon's Evie Righter Page; Review: Very good recipes very well explained very rich regional dishes very good pictures I really liked, I recommend it. Great Mexican food; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Diners, Drive-ins and Dives: An All-American Road Trip . . . with Recipes!; Author: Visit Amazon's Guy Fieri Page; Review: Does not have any photographs in black and white though good recipes you can't sometimes have the idea of how to present your dishes. Some recipes don't have all the ingredients. I saw the program so I expected a better book; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: More Diners, Drive-ins and Dives: A Drop-Top Culinary Cruise Through America's Finest and Funkiest Joints; Author: Visit Amazon's Guy Fieri Page; Review: Does not have any photographs in black and white though good recipes you can't sometimes have the idea of how to present your dishes. And some importante recipes don't have the complete ingredients; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Truck Food Cookbook: 150 Recipes and Ramblings from America's Best Restaurants on Wheels; Author: Visit Amazon's John T Edge Page; Review: Very good recipes very well explained very rich dishes very good pictures I really liked, I recommend it. From different variety of food; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_books
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: MBJ Womens Solid Short Sleeve Boat Neck Dolman Top with Side Shrring - Made in USA; Brand: ; Review: Color was very nice and the fabric is soft and flowy. It is much baggier than expected though. I knew it would be loose, but it makes me feel like a balloon. I am a 38DD, so I asked for the large. It was a gift, so I could not return it. I tried running it through the dryer to shrink it, but that didn't work. I may use it as a pajama shirt instead of a blouse.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: UHIBROS 316L Surgical Stainless Steel Round Ball Studs Earrings 5 Pair Set Assorted Sizes; Brand: UHIBROS; Review: They are great quality for my sensitive ears. Bigger than I expected, but not too ridiculously huge. I prefer rounded backs, but these hold well.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Disguise Link Shield Costume; Brand: Disguise; Review: Looks great, but the plastic is thinner than I would have hoped. Any pressure on the top makes it collapse inward which means it probably won't last for a while.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: HUE Women's Opaque Sheer to Waist Tight; Brand: ; Review: I got these as a gift. I got the size 2 because even though I'm 5'1" I am 154lbs and carry most of my weight in my butt/thighs. I was hoping the excess material would help compensate for my wider midsection but it didn't. I still feel like I am going to bust out of the thighs. It is mostly solid white, until my thighs where you can clearly see my tattoo. I knew they wouldn't be as solid as leggings, but it doesn'5 hide my tattoos in the slightest. Overall, it'll work for my costume but not for continuous use.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: HUE Women's Opaque Sheer to Waist Tight; Brand: ; Review: I got these as a gift. I got the size 2 because even though I'm 5'1" I am 154lbs and carry most of my weight in my butt/thighs. I was hoping the excess material would help compensate for my wider midsection but it didn't. I still feel like I am going to bust out of the thighs. It is mostly solid white, until my thighs where you can clearly see my tattoo. I knew they wouldn't be as solid as leggings, but it doesn'5 hide my tattoos in the slightest. Overall, it'll work for my costume but not for continuous use.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Wingslove Women's Everyday Basic Comfort Lightly Padded Underwire Plunge T-Shirt Bra; Brand: ; Review: I've been measured at two different boutiques as a 36D, so that's what I ordered. It it VERY snug. I thought maybe it was because it was knew, but I've worn it and washed it a couple times now and it is still snug on the last hooks.material is nice and looks appealing.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Meaneor Women Classic Slim Fit Sleeveless Bodycon Pencil Pull-Over Party Dress; Brand: Meaneor; Review: It fits great! I was nervous the form fitting would be too unflattering, but it makes you look curvy, not lumpy. I took one star away because they said it would be here the end of October (I got it for my Halloween costume) and it didn't get here until November 15th.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Pink Queen Women's Casual Long Sleeve Slim Ruched Tunic T-Shirt Dress; Brand: Pink Queen; Review: Update: I bought the wine red in a large and it fits better length-wise for leggings, although now the sleeves are down to my fingertips. If you are short and curvy, this top will fit wrong in at least one way. Still comfy and warm with nice stitching, just a little bummed that it doesn't fit quite right. I am 5'1" and wear a size 10-12. I ordered a medium and it does fit a little snug around the belly and even though I am short it is still not as long as I would like in order to wear it with leggings. The material feels warm, which is a plus. The stitching also seems nice. I am ordering the wine red in a large to try that out, so the green will suffice until then.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Sterling Silver 1mm Box Chain Necklace Bracelet Anklet Solid Italian Nickel-Free, 7-36 Inch; Brand: Hawaiian Silver Jewelry; Review: I ordered 4 of these: 14" for my flower girl, 16" for myself, and 2 18" for my bridesmaids. They all measured exactly right. They were all in perfect condition and looked so shiny! Love them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Amayar Men Tunic Hooded Robe Cloak Knight Fancy Cool Cosplay Costume; Brand: GOLDSTITCH; Review: It's not burgundy. It's maroon. I was looking for a dark red robe for a costume and I thought this would work. I know the image can differe on different screens, but it was listed as burgundy which to me means dark red. But it isn't dark red, it is purple-ish red. Will be returning.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: DREAM PAIRS Women's Sole Simple Ballerina Walking Flats Shoes; Brand: DREAM PAIRS; Review: I wear a 5.5w, so I ordered a 6. They were incredibly tight around the front of the foot. Also the glitter is loose. I thought the shoes would be like the glazed over sort of glittery, but it is rough and sheds a lot. Returned them.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: DREAM PAIRS Women's Sole Simple Ballerina Walking Flats Shoes; Brand: DREAM PAIRS; Review: I wear a 5.5w, so I ordered a 6. They were incredibly tight around the front of the foot. Also the glitter is loose. I thought the shoes would be like the glazed over sort of glittery, but it is rough and sheds a lot. Returned them.; Rating: 2.0/5.0	amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: PINUPART Women's Summer Cold Shoulder Shirring Oversized Drape Shirt Top; Brand: PINUPART; Review: I really like this shirt I will be buying in other colors; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Natural Uniforms Women's Scrub Warm Up Jacket (Plus Sizes Available); Brand: Natural Uniforms; Review: Love this jacket; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: var aPageStart = (new Date()).getTime(); var ue_t0=ue_t0\|\|+new Date(); window.ue_ihb = (window.ue_ihb \|\| window.ueinit \|\| 0) + 1; if (window.ue_ihb; Brand: Natural Uniforms; Review: Love this jacket; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Just Love Women's Scrub Sets Six Pocket Medical Scrubs (V-Neck Cargo Pant); Brand: ; Review: The color is not burgundy over all the fit is good; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Kunsto Women's Platform Braid Flip Flop Woven Thong Sandal Flats; Brand: Kunsto; Review: Love the color ,but the leather is weak so when wearing the shoe your foot slides; Rating: 2.0/5.0	amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows: Title: James Comey Would Like to Help; Abstract: The former F.B.I. director wants an end to the Trump presidency. And yes, he knows you might think he caused it.; Category: news Title: Rare Southern Democratic governor battles Republican rivals; Abstract: Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards surged to the lead Saturday in his bid to remain the only Democratic governor in the conservative Deep South, but it was unclear if he would get enough votes to win an outright primary victory and fend off a national GOP offensive aimed at forcing him into a November runoff. Republicans were trying to hold Edwards under the 50% benchmark the region's only Democratic governor needed to win...; Category: news Title: Opinions \| The 2020 race just keeps getting more uncertain; Abstract: Pundits should confess that they have no idea how this is going to end.; Category: news Title: Liz Peek: Trump won't lose his job due to impeachment Dems will have hard time beating him in 2020; Abstract: Can former Vice President Joe Biden or Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., actually defeat President Trump in the 2020 presidential election? Democrats watching Trump's Minneapolis rally Thursday night have to wonder.; Category: news Title: Ex-Rep. Sessions Subpoenaed Over Interactions With Giuliani; Abstract: A grand jury has issued a subpoena related to Manhattan federal prosecutors' investigation into Rudy Giuliani, seeking documents from former Rep. Pete Sessions about his dealings with President Trump's personal lawyer and associates.; Category: news Title: Fourth Democratic debate's big winner, 2 surprise showings and the biggest loser; Abstract: At Tuesday night's debate, all eyes, particularly those of Democratic leaders, strategists, and donors were on Biden, who needed deliver a strong performance to reassure voters that he is ready for a general election fight against Trump.; Category: news Title: The Risk of Elizabeth Warren's Dodging; Abstract: She's presented herself as the truth-teller, the straight-talker, the one who can break down complex economic ideas and bring nonprogressives along.; Category: news Title: Feds take down the world's 'largest dark web child porn marketplace'; Abstract: Prosecutors say the vast on-line store was run by Jong Woo Son, currently serving a prison sentence in South Korea on charges related to child pornography.; Category: news Title: Yet ANOTHER Thing to Be Wary of at Airports; Abstract: Sorry! Everything is bad!; Category: travel Title: Are Democrats Willing to Pay More in Taxes for Medicare for All?; Abstract: Senator Elizabeth Warren has surged to the front of the Democratic pack by promising "big, structural change" including a "Medicare for all" program that would bring health insurance to all Americans and eliminate private coverage. But at Tuesday's presidential debate, she again refused to say...; Category: news Title: California governor pardons 3 convicted immigrants to help block deportations; Abstract: California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, on Friday announced he's pardoning three immigrants who committed crimes as part of an effort to protect them from being deported back to their home countries.; Category: news Title: Hillary Clinton Finds More to Deplore; Abstract: Former secretary of State sees awful people in both parties, laments rise of media competition.; Category: news Title: Tulsi Gabbard should take Hillary Clinton's 'Russian asset' smear as a compliment; Abstract: Hillary Clinton will go down in history as one of the worst presidential candidates of all time. So if the failed 2016 nominee is bashing one of the 2020 Democratic hopefuls, that's a sign the candidate is actually doing something right.; Category: news Title: Is God Skipping the Democratic Primary?; Abstract: The most recent Democratic debate lasted three hours and, according to one transcript I checked, exceeded 30,000 words. Almost none of them were about religion. God came up only in throwaway phrases. "God bless Kamala," said Cory Booker, praising Kamala Harris for discussing reproductive rights. Joe Biden scattered "for God's sake" and "God forbid" like croutons on his word salads. Tulsi Gabbard, explaining the meaning of "aloha," noted that...; Category: news Title: The rewriting of Democratic presidential campaign history; Abstract: Moderate Democrats are worried about one thing, reports The New York Times: defeating Trump. They're fretting that Joe Biden can't seem to run a proper campaign, and Elizabeth Warren might be weak in the general, and Pete Buttigieg might not get minority support. "Would Hillary Clinton get in, the contributors wondered, and how about Michael R. Bloomberg, the former New York mayor?" writes Jonathan Martin. Or maybe even Michelle Obama? It's not...; Category: news Title: In A Reversal, Joe Biden Wants A Super PAC; Abstract: Vice President Joe Biden's campaign said Thursday it would welcome help from a super PAC, a total reversal from Biden's stance at the beginning of the campaign and a decision reflecting his diminished standing in the race. Many Democrats view super PACs, which can raise and spend unlimited sums and often rely on checks of tens of thousands of dollars from wealthy donors for funding, as a malignant force that represents a big-money era of...; Category: news Title: The News In Cartoons; Abstract: News as seen through the eyes of the nation's editorial cartoonists.; Category: news Title: The return of socialism is about the political divide; Abstract: Socialism as big government and socialism as state-controlled economic enterprise are radically different concepts.; Category: news Title: Opinions \| 10 reasons the Democrats are winning on impeachment; Abstract: Nancy Pelosi was right.; Category: news Title: Man arrested on capital murder charge in Greenville shooting that left 2 dead, 12 injured; Abstract: Authorities have arrested a 23-year-old man on a charge of capital murder in connection to a shooting that left two dead and 12 others injured Saturday night at a homecoming party in Greenville.; Category: news Title: The Democratic establishment is right to panic; Abstract: With Sanders and Warren ascendant, the donor class feels its power in the party slipping.; Category: news Title: Amazon seen focusing on Trump in Pentagon contract challenge; Abstract: Within hours of Amazon's losing a lucrative Pentagon cloud computing contract to rival Microsoft, there were hints that the Seattle giant would challenge the decision.; Category: finance Title: The wrong kind of stocks are leading the stock market to records; Abstract: Investors are increasingly flocking to one of the safest pockets of the market defensives.; Category: finance Title: Au revoir to daylight saving time, but not a goodbye; Abstract: Au revoir to daylight saving time, but not goodbye. At 2 a.m. local time Sunday, standard time returns across most of the United States, accompanied by the welcome one-night extra hour of sleep. With the time shift, it'll be lighter earlier in the morning and darker earlier in the evening. Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and most of Arizona don't observe daylight saving time. No need to change...; Category: news Title: Donald Trump's second term is becoming more likely; Abstract: The 2020 election could go one of two ways, both of which depend on the Democratic nominee. It will either be a contest between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, or Trump will face Elizabeth Warren.; Category: news Title: The Trump-era realignment is a death sentence for the GOP; Abstract: Gov. Matt Bevin's loss should send a message to embattled Republicans in Trump Country: President Trump is not going to save you if you're drowning.; Category: news Title: Iowan convicted of murder claims his life-sentence was served once he died, was revived in medical emergency. The court disagrees.; Abstract: An Iowa convicted of murder was rushed from prison to the hospital where his heart was restarted five times. Now he claims he should be freed; Category: news Title: Republicans are throwing Giuliani under the bus. But there's a problem.; Abstract: Giuliani, Mulvaney and Sondland as the fall guys? Good luck with that argument.; Category: news	mind
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows: Title: Cowboy Bebop; Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi, Space; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Black Cat; Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Shounen, Super Power; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Bleach; Genres: Action, Comedy, Shounen, Super Power, Supernatural; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Bleach: Memories in the Rain; Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Shounen, Supernatural; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Air Gear; Genres: Action, Comedy, Ecchi, Shounen, Sports; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Black Lagoon; Genres: Action, Seinen; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage; Genres: Action, Seinen; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Bleach Movie 1: Memories of Nobody; Genres: Action, Adventure, Super Power; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Darker than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha; Genres: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Super Power; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Bleach Movie 2: The DiamondDust Rebellion - Mou Hitotsu no Hyourinmaru; Genres: Action, Adventure, Shounen, Supernatural; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Ayakashi; Genres: Action, Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Amatsuki; Genres: Action, Fantasy, Historical, Shoujo, Supernatural; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Kuro Nyago; Genres: Fantasy; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka; Genres: Comedy, Harem, Romance, School; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Bleach Movie 3: Fade to Black - Kimi no Na wo Yobu; Genres: Action, Comedy, Shounen, Super Power, Supernatural; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Asu no Yoichi!; Genres: Comedy, Ecchi, Harem, Martial Arts, Romance, Shounen; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Bakemonogatari; Genres: Mystery, Romance, Supernatural, Vampire; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood; Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Magic, Military, Shounen; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Asura Cryin'; Genres: Action, Mecha, Supernatural; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: 07-Ghost; Genres: Action, Demons, Fantasy, Magic, Military, Shoujo; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Aquarion Movie: Ippatsu Gyakuten-hen; Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Mecha; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Asobi ni Iku yo!; Genres: Comedy, Ecchi, Harem, Romance, Sci-Fi; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu; Genres: Comedy, Romance, School, Super Power; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Angel Beats!; Genres: Action, Comedy, Drama, School, Supernatural; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Asura Cryin' 2; Genres: Action, Mecha, Supernatural; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: 11eyes; Genres: Action, Ecchi, Super Power, Supernatural; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Aki-Sora; Genres: Ecchi, Romance, Seinen; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Arakawa Under the Bridge; Genres: Comedy, Romance, Seinen; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Bakuman.; Genres: Comedy, Romance, Shounen; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: 11eyes: Momoiro Genmutan; Genres: Comedy, Ecchi, Super Power, Supernatural; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: B Gata H Kei; Genres: Comedy, Ecchi, Romance, School, Seinen; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Bleach Movie 4: Jigoku-hen; Genres: Action, Comedy, Shounen, Super Power, Supernatural; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu Ni!; Genres: Comedy, Romance, School, Super Power; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Aki-Sora: Yume no Naka; Genres: Ecchi, Romance, Seinen, Yuri; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Amagami SS; Genres: Comedy, Romance, School, Slice of Life; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge; Genres: Comedy, Romance, Seinen; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Amagami SS OVA; Genres: Romance, School; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Air Gear: Kuro no Hane to Nemuri no Mori - Break on the Sky; Genres: Action, Comedy, Ecchi, Shounen, Sports; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Beelzebub; Genres: Action, Comedy, Demons, School, Shounen, Supernatural; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Asobi ni Iku yo!: Asobi ni Oide; Genres: Comedy, Ecchi, Harem, Romance, Sci-Fi; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Amagami SS: Tachibana Miya-hen - Imouto; Genres: School; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai.; Genres: Drama, Slice of Life, Supernatural; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Bakuman. 2nd Season; Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Shounen; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Angel Beats!: Another Epilogue; Genres: Drama, School, Supernatural; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Baby Princess 3D Paradise 0 [Love]; Genres: Ecchi, Harem, Seinen; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Ben-To; Genres: Action, Comedy, Martial Arts; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Aquarion Evol; Genres: Action, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Mecha, Romance, Sci-Fi; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Another; Genres: Horror, Mystery, School, Supernatural, Thriller; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Amagami SS+ Plus; Genres: Comedy, Romance, School, Slice of Life; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Ano Natsu de Matteru; Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Sword Art Online; Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Game, Romance; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Accel World; Genres: Action, Game, Romance, School, Sci-Fi; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Acchi Kocchi (TV); Genres: Comedy, Romance, School, Seinen, Slice of Life; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Bakuman. 3rd Season; Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Shounen; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Amagami SS+ Plus Specials; Genres: Romance; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Accel World EX; Genres: Action, Game, Romance, School, Sci-Fi; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Zetsuen no Tempest; Genres: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Magic, Mystery, Psychological, Shounen; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai. Movie; Genres: Drama, Slice of Life, Supernatural; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Aoi Sekai no Chuushin de; Genres: Action, Adventure, Ecchi, Fantasy, Parody, Shounen; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Amagami SS+ Plus Picture Drama; Genres: Romance; Rating: 10.0/10.0 Title: Devil Survivor 2 The Animation; Genres: Action, Demons, Supernatural; Rating: 10.0/10.0	anime
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows: Title: IntercityHotel Berlin Ostbahnhof; City: Berlin; Review: Stayed mid week at this hotel. Really clean and modern, very comfortable. The best thing was the free travel card, no messing about with ticket machines, just jump on the train and if you change your mind or get lost just jump off and go somewhere else! It was valid all the way out to Oranienburg for the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, about an hour away. Could only hear the station announcements if the window was open, we were on the station side too. Great location for getting around Berlin. East side gallery opposite hotel. For breakfast we just used the food hall at the station, really good value. Great hotel.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Comfort Inn Los Angeles West Sunset Blvd; City: Los Angeles California; Review: Stayed here on 6 April for 3 nights. We found it very clean and well equiped. The rooms were a good size and had a massive bed!! We would agree with one of the other reviewers that the sound proofing was not so good, we could here people coming in late at night, chatting, coughing and walking around but only for a short time, we were so worn out we went back to sleep and they must have been just as tired as the noise only lasted a couple of minutes! There was a very strange vibrating noise one morning which stopped when we stood on a certain place on the floor, we thought it may be a shower and would stop but it went on and on , we called reception and needless to say it stopped when they came to see!! The guy on the desk said to let him know if it happened again and he would gladly find us another room. Really nice friendly staff. We didnt use the breakfast facilities but they looked great. We preferred to go further west and stop at a Dennys or similiar en route somewhere. There were plenty of places around and the hotel was a fairly good location, quite easy to find and easy access to other main places of interest. You obviously need a car here and the car park was very handy , secure and safe . Definetly recommend this place.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Best Western Plus Casablanca Inn; City: San Clemente California; Review: We stayed here for 2 nights in April on the way to San Diego. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The room was nice and spacious and very clean we had no problems. Lovely shower. There was some noise from the room next door, dont know if we could hear them more because there was an adjoining door to their room, but they were just excited children who soon calmed down!! We didnt use any facilities, breakfast looked nice and there was a pool and spa area. Its a great location, easy to find and close to the beach. Although the weather was not good when we were there we still mangaged to stroll along the pier and the beach and then browse the shops on the way back. Very nice mexican restaurant on the main street Avila s El Ranchito.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon; City: Tusayan Arizona; Review: We stayed here in April and we were pleasantly surprised. We had book ed the room many months previous and so couldnt remember what we had asked for. We were given a suite in the hotel Annexe. It was great to have a sofa to sit on rather than the bed for a change and the fridge and microwave in the little kitchenette area were useful. The bathroom was lovely with a great shower. We were right next to the breakfast area and found it to be really nice. There was plenty of room to sit and the choice was sufficient. Perhaps it wasnt a busy time when we were there. The location was fine , close to the park, restaurants ( not so good!!) and close to the grand canyon airport for your trips into the canyon. We would stay here again but having read other reviews I think we were lucky to get a suite and this definetly made our stay more enjoyable, not sure how we ended up with one just luck i suspect.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Hotel Metro; City: New York City New York; Review: Just got back from the hotel metro this afternoon. We spent 5 nights there ,12th-17th Feb. It was a great place. Really clean and tidy. We were on the 5th floor in a room that over looked a building site, but it wasnt a problem, there was no way we would have opened the windows in that weather!! The room itself was not huge but was fine , we only slept there. The bed and pillows were so comfy, thankfully, this turned out to be so important after all the walking! Small but clean bathroom with an enormously powerful shower! The free breakfast was great for us, it started us off for the day until we had to stop again. Tea , coffee,juice, fruit, bread, bagels, yoghurt and huge muffins and pastries. Yum. All available in the comfy lounge with chairs, tables and soft sofas. The location was great especially for the first time visitor. The ESB one block away, 5th Ave one way,broadway the other, close to Times sq and the TOTR. We got the train into Penn station when we arrived and managed to find our way to the hotel in about a 10 min walk. We used the subway alot to get around and the station was nice and close. All in all a great hotel in a great location, Loved it. Will try and load some photos later when I have woken up properly!! Go for it, its great.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Occidental Lanzarote Mar; City: Costa Teguise Lanzarote Canary Islands; Review: Just returned from a week all inclusive. Very impressed, especially after reading some other reviews, perhaps the management have acted on comments. Our room was on the top floor at the back, good view of the pool area from balcony. Bit of road noise in the mornings. Very large spacious room (carpeted though,yuck!) Good size balcony with chairs,table and small clothes airer. All VERY clean, bathroom was spotless and shiny and the cleaning staff did a fab job every day. We actually commented on having not seen any bugs or creepy crawlies anywhere at all, is that an October thing ? I am not sure, it was still very hot. The corridors and communal areas were also spotless all the time. Pool area was nice, very busy with kids having a fab time. It has a huge area around it and we managed to find quieter areas to lounge about.There was a lifeguard on duty too. The music for the entertainment was a bit annoying but hey it didnt last long! Pool side snacks ok if you couldnt be bothered to go to the restaurant, all presented in stainless steel pots with lids. Coffee was horrible! Restaurant was great, lots of choice but did get a bit repetitive after our week there. The staff worked flat out all the time and were always helpul and friendly. They should have a box to put tips in at the end of your week for all the staff. House wine was fine as was the San miguel. Hotel was a fair way out of town but as said before the hotel provide a bus and it was a nice walk along sea front into Costa Teguise , 25 mins ish. Lots of evening entertainment, some better than others, not all our cup of tea but thats not a problem.Good selection of all inclusive drinks. They do need more sunbeds, if you didnt get your spot early in the morning you were out of luck, we went to the little beach down the road for the morning and when we came back in the afternoon there was no where to lounge in the shade but lots of places where there could have been beds. But i guess they cant win, people just move them to their prefered spot. Anyway it was a nice, clean good value hotel . Loved it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: NH Brugge; City: Bruges West Flanders Province; Review: My husband and I stayed for 3 nights. We arrived far to early for the room to be ready, the hotel locked our luggage away and directed us to the very secure underground car park opposite. We dropped the car off and left it here from Sunday morning till Wednesday afternoon and it cost us 27euros. We were upgraded to a deluxe room, nice and spacious, chairs and coffee table,lots of storage a coffee machine, (didnt like this much though) The biggest most comfortable bed ever !!! Luckily breakfast was served until 10.30, Lots of bread and meats, a few cereals, nice coffee and a few hot choices too along with fruit etc. Why is the lighting in hotel rooms so rubbish? And no full length mirror in the right place! Bathroom was spotless, double sink, shower and bath ( mixer taps but powerful enough) The staff were very friendly and helpful throughout the hotel. Great location, but then Bruges is not huge. Loved it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Opera Cadet Hotel; City: Paris Ile de France; Review: We are a couple who travellled with another couple and their 3 young children. We had a very comfortable double ,clean and tidy, the hanging space is in a seperate cupboard nearer the door , lovely shower, toiletries and hairdryer. No tea / coffee making facilities and the coffee at breakfast was pretty dire! Hey ho! Our friends had the room next door with a double bed, two singles and a cot,plenty big enough with a seperate toilet and bathroom and again very clean and comfy. Rooms were at the front of the hotel and were a little noisy, people shouting in the evening and scooters raciing about, nothing to late though, and the bulders over the road somewhere started their diggers by about 8a.m, but to be honest you needed to be awake by then in order to get to breakfast and get out and about!! Breakfast was not great, but ok, fruit , cereal and breads and cakes. Could have done with some cold meat / cheeses, sometimes there were boiled eggs though!! Good location, we walked here easily from the Eurostar station, and the metro stop Cadet was just at the top of the road , which was very easy to use. Restaurants in area all ok, usual Paris prices and very similar menus everywhere we went, but to be honest we didnt go for top end places with 3 kids in tow. Beer very expensive everywhere, wine much better value.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Pillows Grand Hotel Reylof; City: Ghent East Flanders Province; Review: Stayed in a cosy room, plenty large enough, just missing tea and coffee in the room. Very clean, (I dropped a lid from a cream tube under the bed, wasn't looking forward to retrieving it but there was actually only a tiny sprinkling of dust!!! Impressed!) Air con was good, bathroom had lovely shower with toiletries. Staff were all really friendly and helpful. Breakfast was included and was a very nice Buffett style, the usual bread, pastries, cold meat, smoked salmon, fruit, cereal, juices and some hot things, lovely scrambled egg and some other bits that I didn't have. The car park was full so we parked easily around the corner in Ramen. €12 I think ,for over 24hours. Great location walked 10 minutes,if that, to the river and st michaels bridge.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Traddock; City: Austwick Settle Yorkshire Dales National Park North Yorkshire England; Review: We stayed for 3 nights with dinner bed and breakfast. We had the smallest room but we knew that when we booked,it was all they had left! It was small but fine and comfy with a lovely shower and toiletries provided as well as a hair dryer . We didnt spend much time in the room so it was ok. We went out completely full every morning after a huge tasty breakfast,kept us going till mid afternoon! After walking we returned and sat in the gardens for a drink or in one of the lounges before having a fabulous dinner in the restaurant. Good quality food with lovely service, great value for money for the offer we had of dinner ,bed and breakfast. We would have spent much more going out further away for a meal and we wouldn't have got such lovely food elsewhere for the price we paid. Fantastic ,relaxing , top quality break.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Rising Sun Hotel; City: Cleeve Hill Cheltenham Cotswolds England; Review: It's just ok , clean and fairly comfy, nice bed , but just a bit tatty and in need of an update, stuck in the early 90's. Friendly welcoming and helpful staff. Breakfast was lovely . Only stayed one night so it was ok but wouldn't really stay longer.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Harbor Lite Lodge; City: Fort Bragg Mendocino County California; Review: We arrived early and the reception staff were very welcoming, our room was ready so that was great. Room was huge, fridge , microwave and TV . A kettle or coffee maker would have been useful ! We had a little outside area but it was dull and foggy so we didn't use it when we were there. We only stayed for one night anyway. There was a door to the room next door and we could hear the family next door when they arrived but to be honest the kids ran around for a bit and then we never heard from them again . So no problem for us but with less respectful people it could be a problem! We had a great meal down at the harbour down the road. There were a few restaurants to choose from. We chose the Mexican , it was great . Can't comment on breakfast . The hotel served its purpose .; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Best Western Rose Quartz Inn; City: Chester Plumas County California; Review: A nice welcome from the reception staff. Clean modern hotel. Room very big and bathroom huge! Very comfy and spotlessly clean. We looked over the front of the hotel car park, there was some building work opposite but we didn't hear anything from them. Breakfast was the usual cold buffet, enough to keep you going and clean and tidy with the very smiley lady keeping everything topped up and wiped over. We used the hotel as a base to visit Lassen and this was perfect. We ate at the pub/restaurant up the road , can't remember the name but it was brilliant. Great hotel.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Best Western Plus Bayshore Inn; City: Eureka Humboldt County California; Review: Nice room that was very clean and very big . Felt a bit weird having the window on to the front where people were walking past but we were only there to sleep so not really an issue. Although we'd didn't use the pool, laundry or spa facilities it all looked good. Breakfast was enough to keep us going , there was the usual cold food available and also some hot options, sausages , eggs etc. Nice coffee! Get there before nine though . Nice location , near the marina where we ate at the steakhouse. It was very nice and a 10% discount with hotel card. Maybe book though , it was busy, we sat at the bar and waited which was fine too. Don't bother with Marie Callendes on the other side , 1980s yuck. Anyway all good , gotta love a Best Western, friendly helpful staff too.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Paradice Motel; City: South Lake Tahoe Lake Tahoe California California; Review: We stayed here for two nights in August, the area was packed with people going to see Elton John, so it seems we were lucky to get a room. We had a room just by the car park, not a problem , once people had a checked in they didn't really use their cars much during the evening , the road was fairly quiet being just off the main drag. The rooms were completety spotless and had nice touches of little extras that you may need. Oh, but no hairdryer by the way ! Although it was small it didn't matter we were not there to stay in. There was no air con but we had a fan. The walls are quite thin and we could hear our neighbours one evening, only for a VERY short time though !!!!!! ;) the motel is within walking distance of everything and included a pass for the beach just down the road which was also lovely. We had a lovely friendly welcome and would stay here again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Aspen Lodge Bed Breakfast; City: Oban Argyll and Bute Scotland; Review: Stunning scenery , perfect accommodation, modern and immaculate , bed was SO comfy . Food was five star , just wished we had stayed longer , ten minute drive into town was not a problem, eat early on your way back from a day out then come back and enjoy the views for the evening . Bliss.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Poppies Hotel Restaurant; City: Callander Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Scotland; Review: Stayed here for two nights, the room was small but we knew that when we booked, we only slept there so no matter ! Very clean and very comfortable . The shower /toilet were only behind a sliding door so make sure you are comfortable with each other !! Breakfast was delicious. Evening meal was equally lovely ! Great base for a couple of days .; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Baywater Resort Samui; City: Choeng Mon Bophut Ko Samui Surat Thani Province; Review: We stayed here for two weeks it was great ! We arrived early before our room was ready , which we knew when we booked our flight . We were more than happy to chill out in the bar with a beer ,which we did , but within half an hour we were whisked off to our room ! We were given a fantastic room with a private pool , we couldn't believe how lucky we were and would like to say thank you very much to the staff for this !! The room was huge , the bed was huge as was the shower , the bathroom and the pool. We could've done with a couple of drawers to put our undies and shorts etc in but not really a huge worry ! Everything was kept clean and tidy every day by the cheerful staff. Breakfast was nice , enough choice each day at the buffet as well as eggs cooked to order . It was very quiet which suited us. Some more information in the rooms about the restaurant and bar may have tempted a few more people in. It was easy to find lots of places to eat and drink either just down the main road or on to the beach or just hop into a local bus and travel to Fishermans village or Chaweng. The beach was nice and a short walk away . All of the staff were really friendly and welcoming and we had a fantastic time .; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Nadler Liverpool; City: Liverpool Merseyside England; Review: Great location and fabulous welcoming ,helpful staff. Amazing price for the size of the room and the location to the attractions and restaurants . Spotless comfortable room .with a little kitchen area . Amazing how the place has been re built from an old warehouse , keeping the character and history but still modern and welcoming .Thoroughly recommended; Rating: 5.0/5.0	hotelrec
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Virbac Preventic Tick Collar, Large Dog, 25", Single Collar; Brand: Virbac; Review: however... after the first 3 months... we saw bald skin around the collar and red rashes.. the vet said she's allergic to it. so we had to stop using it. so far i haven't found anything that works better than this.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: StarMark Add-A-Link; Brand: StarMark; Review: it doesn't work anymore... so we got a hardness... thanks though it might work like wonder for puppies but not for a full grown dogs.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: StarMark Small Training Collar; Brand: StarMark; Review: i think my dog got used to the pinching. she pulls no matter what. so i've got a harness and it kind of work better.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: API FILSTAR XP Aquarium Canister Filter; Brand: API; Review: I have two filstars of this size since 2003, 13 years about. One just broke and one is still preforming great. It lasted for longer than I would have imagined. A rubber gasket in it finally broke. With this kind of lifetime I fully intend to buy another of this brand.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Petmate Sky Kennel; Brand: Petmate; Review: Flew into Germany with two dogs without any problem. Metal nits and bolts made it a breeze to fly overseas.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Pet_Supplies
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Columbia Men's PFG Bahama II Short Sleeve Breathable Fishing Shirt; Brand: Columbia; Review: I had been disappointed with my recent purchases of Columbia goods, but these shirts are really of high quality. The material is very pleasant and air circulation is excellent, whether the shirt is worn tucked in the pants or over them. The cut is definitely on the ample side, so the people who always order one size over their real one should be careful with this item. The only thing I don't like much, and take a point off for (but wish I could take a half point off only), is that the color is not as it appears on the web site. I had ordered the "Capri" and the "Bright Peach" colors. Both shirts are a lot more vivid in reality than I expected/hoped. Furthermore, the "Capri" is much more blue (no hint of green at all on the real shirt) that what is pictured on the site.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Columbia Men's PFG Bahama II Short Sleeve Breathable Fishing Shirt; Brand: Columbia; Review: I had been disappointed with my recent purchases of Columbia goods, but these shirts are really of high quality. The material is very pleasant and air circulation is excellent, whether the shirt is worn tucked in the pants or over them. The cut is definitely on the ample side, so the people who always order one size over their real one should be careful with this item. The only thing I don't like much, and take a point off for (but wish I could take a half point off only), is that the color is not as it appears on the web site. I had ordered the "Capri" and the "Bright Peach" colors. Both shirts are a lot more vivid in reality than I expected/hoped. Furthermore, the "Capri" is much more blue (no hint of green at all on the real shirt) that what is pictured on the site.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Oakley Whisker Polarized Sunglasses; Brand: ; Review: I bought these to replace another pair of Oakley Whiskers that I had lost while traveling. That older pair was fine, but I would have graded it a 4 or maybe 3.5 because of several irritating flaws. These Oakley Whiskers are absolutely fantastic. They are much better built than my old pair: the glass is thicker and darker, the frame much more rigid, the soft covering of the branches much thicker (triangular section instead of flat). It's so much better that I am beginning to wonder if my earlier pair was a fake (admittedly I bought it in Hong Kong, but at a store of a reputable chain of optical goods). In any case, I have only positive things to say about these Oakleys. They are light, yet sturdy. I can wear them for hours and completely forget they are there. The coating of the glass is very high quality, does not get dirty much as is very easy to clean. I would definitely buy these again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Manhattan Portage Small Shoulder Pad; Brand: Manhattan Portage; Review: I mounted this shoulder pad on a small Patagonia handbag that I have been using for years and that suffered from a single flaw in my view: the lack of a shoulder pad. As others have commented, this pad is a bit stiff at first, but, while never quite softening, it does curve over use, to take the shape of the shoulder. I am very satisfied with this purchase.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: ililily Canvas Long Sleeve Pullover Hooded Cotton Lightweight Sweatshirt; Brand: ililily; Review: I really like the material of this sweater. It's really soft, thin, and light, exactly what I was looking for. I followed the advice of earlier reviewers (order two sizes over your normal size) and I am glad I did: The XL size I ordered feels just fine over my usually-M-sized frame.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Merrell Moab Ventilator Wide Width Men 11.5; Brand: Merrell; Review: The Moab ventilator is a classic. I have been buying a new pair more or less every year, and wearing them out by walking or running literally hundreds of miles with them. I will keep buying them as long as they make them. Probably my easiest buying decision all year long (the only though part is remembering that for the Moabs I need US size 9.5, rather than 9, to fit my Euro 43).; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Merrell Men's Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoe; Brand: Merrell; Review: The Moab ventilator is a classic. I have been buying a new pair more or less every year, and wearing them out by walking or running literally hundreds of miles with them. I will keep buying them as long as they make them. Probably my easiest buying decision all year long (the only though part is remembering that for the Moabs I need US size 9.5, rather than 9, to fit my Euro 43).; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Merrell Men's Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoe; Brand: Merrell; Review: The Moab ventilator is a classic. I have been buying a new pair more or less every year, and wearing them out by walking or running literally hundreds of miles with them. I will keep buying them as long as they make them. Probably my easiest buying decision all year long (the only though part is remembering that for the Moabs I need US size 9.5, rather than 9, to fit my Euro 43).; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows: Title: Holiday Lodge on Canyon Lake; City: Canyon Lake Texas; Review: My wife and I enjoyed our time at the Holiday Lodge. Very clean, friendly and quaint. The Lodge is located next to a Canyon Lake boat ramp and Scuba Diving area. The owners Jennifer and Mark are on-site for questions, recommendations, etc. Hand-feeding the deer right outside our room was a nice bonus. We'll be back for sure! I highly recommend this property for couples, families and really anybody looking for a nice getaway. Thirty minutes from New Braunfels, San Marcos or Wimberly.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: G G s Clearwater Paradise; City: Guanaja Bay Islands; Review: Reading reviews and planning for another vacation and I realized that I didn't post a review from our trip to Clearwater Paradise last year (July 2013). We had a great time in what was truly Clearwater Paradise. The entire staff worked to make sure that we had a great stay. The island is remote and the lodge is even more resort...we like it that way. Diving around Guanaja was world class. The topography, coral, reef and fish/animal life were all amazing. We were the only one's at G&G's that week so it was just us and the DM on daily dive trips. George showed us some great spots and Witi and Jonathan were great fun on the boat and in the water. A highly recommended dive vacation. Get there and see it while you can...Guanaja is amazing.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Days Inn by Wyndham New Braunfels; City: New Braunfels Texas; Review: My wife and I went to NB for a weekend scuba trip for diving Canyon Lake and a Comal River night dive. The Days Inn was just off the highway and easy to find. Parking was ample. Check In was a bit slow because of a wedding party making last minute changes...not the staff's fault. Our room was up front and on the corner. Easy parking right outside of the door which made for easy loading/unloading of our gear. Rooms are always expensive in NB during the summer but the value was fair and the room clean.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Knights Inn North Platte NE; City: North Platte Nebraska; Review: We stayed for two nights at the Knight's Inn after booking with a 20% off coupon through the entertainment dot com coupon. The outside of the place just looks ok. Reviews were mixed but I dismissed the bad ones as the 10% of folks that you can't please. The room was small but had a flat screen tv, refrigerator and microwave. The rook was good enough but could use a better clean. The housekeeping staff came close to having it clean but not quite. The place wasn't nasty just not tip-top. We made do and were happy with the savings on the room. A tip...bring your own towels. Their towels are small and thin. Otherwise we were happy enough with the place and will stay again. Free wi-fi and location across the street from the beach are a great plus!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Kauai Palms Hotel; City: Lihue Kauai Hawaii; Review: My wife and I stayed a handful of nights at the Kauai Palms. I had researched the hotel and read several reviews. The hotel was the closest thing to our budget so I decided we would give it a shot. It is not a five store Beach resort but it is a nice older hotel. The staff was all very friendly, the room was very clean and the price was an excellent value. I read that some people felt the neighborhood to be a bit shady. Maybe those reviewer's lived in gated communities. I found the neighborhood to be fine and I felt perfectly safe as did my wife. We had a deluxe room that had cable TV and air-conditioning as well as a small refrigerator. The room was tastefully decorated and had a large map of the island on the wall for us to review. The room was a bit small but it is a hotel room not a vacation house rental. When on the island and looking for reasonably priced lodging I would recommend the Kauai Palms. Save your money to spend on activities and food… Who wants to spend their Hawaiian vacation in the hotel room anyway? Our next trip to the island we will most likely return to the hotel. Mahalo Nui!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Kauai Palms Hotel; City: Lihue Kauai Hawaii; Review: My wife and I stayed one night at the Kauai Palms this month. We had a late arriving flight and wanted something close to the airport. This was our second time staying at the Kauai Palms. Since we arrived so late in the evening the office was closed. A sign was posted asking you to call a number on the provided phone nearby. The lady answering the call was expecting me and gave me good instructions to access our room and key. The room was clean and had a TV with cable and air conditioning. Overall value is great at Kauai Palms. When on Kauai check into Kauai Palms as a base camp.; Rating: 4.0/5.0	hotelrec
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows: Title: Road to Perdition (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: In the Name of the Father (1993); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Minority Report (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Memento (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Ocean's Eleven (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Forever Young (1992); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Conspiracy Theory (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Basic (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: My Best Friend's Wedding (1997); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Radio (2003); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Forrest Gump (1994); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Three Men and a Baby (1987); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Adaptation (2002); Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Men in Black (1997); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Troy (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: City of Angels (1998); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Firm (1993); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Remember the Titans (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Green Mile (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Face/Off (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Titanic (1997); Rating: 3.0/5.0	netflix
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows: Title: Varsity Clubs Of America Tucson; City: Tucson Arizona; Review: There is nothing not to like about this place. Everyone seems genuinely happy to be here, and to see you! The kitchen is a really nice amenity, and the property is ideally located, the room is very nice, and the staff is almost over the top with the great attitude. Pool is beautiful and the fitness center is spotless. Far more bang for the buck than you would expect. This place is definitely on my list of places to return to, I will be back.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Lamp Lighter Inn Sunset House Suites; City: Carmel Monterey County California; Review: This place is what makes "boutique" so cool. Nice location, extremely helpful courteous service and a very eclectic room. Parking was very close, which was great as we always have a ton of stuff to carry. The entire experience is one I would gladly do again. Also, very reasonable, at least by Carmel's standards.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Tucson Marriott University Park; City: Tucson Arizona; Review: This is a really nice place for a place with such harsh reviews. The room is very nice, the check in staff was very friendly, and the location is amazing. There are no less than 20 places to eat within walking distance (less than 1/10 of a mile). The view from my room is great, the mattress is comfortable, and the AC is quiet and effective. Room is very clean, and furniture/carpet is almost new. My only critique is that they don't make clear that there is a fee to park in the garage, unless it is a weekend ($13 daily) or us the valet ($24 daily). Would it stop me from staying in the future? Not a chance. I think I just found my favorite place to stay in Tucson.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Huntington Beach Inn; City: Huntington Beach California; Review: Great location, just far enough away from the pier to allow easy beach access and the crowds associated with the pier, while being less than a 5 minute walk if you want to go to the pier. $10 parking fee was a surprise, but the underground parking was a bonus. They have a no visitors policy, which I am sure is in place to keep partying down, as no one really seemed to care who came and went, but would be a handy policy to pull out in case a party breaks out. This policy makes this hotel very family friendly (as well as the no smoking policy, even on balconies). The only issues we had were the warm hallways and the fact that the front office guy printed us a room key when we left ours in the room without any ID check at all. Yikes. Assuming they clean up the key situation, I would definitely stay here again, as it is perfectly located for beach access, restaurants, shopping, and night life if you wish.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Friendly Hills Inn; City: Whittier California; Review: We stayed in a suite (not sure what defines that, as there is only one room, maybe it was the wall unit ;). All of the furniture was very shabby and the bed left a lot to be desired. Also, no elevator to the second floor, so you will be schlepping your stuff up a steep stairwell.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Ellison Suites; City: Los Angeles California; Review: We made a reservation to stay at this hotel from July 7th thru July 9th, which we had to cancel (they agreed that we cancelled, and that there should have been no charges, as we have the confirmation from them). The room would have been $658, so we were blown away when they charged our card for $6558 on JULY 5th!!! Two whole days before we were even supposed to show up. When we contacted their 800 number, the phone was answered with "Hello", we weren't even sure we were calling a business. The young lady who answered agreed we had cancelled the reservation and that there should have been no charges AT ALL, but argued that they didn't charge the card for $6558 and that our credit card company would have to call and straighten it out, as it was a problem on their end, which I felt should have been done by Ellison. Call before reserving and check on their check in procedure (and parking situation) you will probably get the same feeling we did, and that that this isn't a family type place.; Rating: 1.0/5.0	hotelrec
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: UTG Extreme Ops 188 Tactical Leg Holster, Black; Brand: UTG; Review: Holster works well. I like the multiple points of adjustment that make the holster universal. I have seen several other "universal" holsters that really are not. This one truly is universal. Overall it is a great deal for the price.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Rothco Combat Shirt; Brand: Rothco; Review: I like the style of this shirt. I was expecting it to be a form fitting shirt like the ones issued by the government. It is not form fitting and the sizing is a bit large on me. I like the pockets and velcro placement.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: MTM ACC9 Ammo Can Combo (Holds 1000 Rounds); Brand: MTM; Review: Holds 1000 rounds of 9mm as advertised. I like the sticky labels for different bullet types and weights. A very handy idea.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: EZ Pistol Holder; Brand: EZ Pistol Holder; Review: These work great. The holsters come with a set of hook pile tape on the holster and a peel off pile portion that sticks wherever you want it. I mounted two in my safe and the other on my center console in the car. These work exactly as advertised and I willl definitely order more. The sizing will fit Glock pistols and smaller revolvers. You won't be able to use this for a S&W .500 magnum or a .460, but for medium to small pistols they work well.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: MTM Ammo Can; Brand: MTM; Review: Great company, great product. I was surprised by the size, this can is bigger than the standard MTM cans I had ordered before. It works great for holding AR mags. I will definitely buy another.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: South Bend Monofilament Fishing Line; Brand: Unknown; Review: Nice compact roll of line for my bug-out bag.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Champion Traps and Targets .22 Bullet Trap (Rimfire Only); Brand: Champion Traps and Targets; Review: This is great for backyard .22 rim fire fun. The sucker is a little heavy to lug around, but it does what it says it does.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: UTG 5-Slot QD Lever Mount Adaptor and Riser, Medium Profile; Brand: UTG; Review: Love the Quick release for mounting and removing my sight. Has enough rails for a small optic.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Ade Advanced Optics Tactical Green Laser Sight with 200 lm LED Flashlight & Built in RIS Rail Mounts; Brand: Ade Advanced Optics; Review: Great product for the price. It cost half as much as the competitions model. It works great and is easy to install. The only thing you have to do is make sure you line up the little spacer in your rail and tighten it down with the provided allen key before tightening the quick release. I have this mounted to an AR15 pistol and it is the perfect fit for the short barrel. I will definitely buy another at this price.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: NDZ Performance for Glock Rear Ambi Speed Slide Racker Plate MOS Optics Black for Gen 1-5 Most Models; Brand: NDZ Performance; Review: This is a nice little extra for your Glock. Now I do not have to use my sights to rack the gun one handed. This looks a little strange on my Glock, but it works great and I wish I had bought it sooner.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Roma Tactical Assault Rifle Scabbard / Sheath Waterproof Padded Molle Sling Case; Brand: ; Review: I use this for an AR pistol. It is the perfect length. I like the molle attachment points. I used them to attach a few magazine pouches. I cannot believe I did not buy one sooner. I highly recommend this product.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: GG&G GGG-1388 Picatinny arris Bipod Adapter, Black; Brand: GG&G; Review: Adapter is long enough that the whole bipod rests against it. Once tightened down, this thing does not allow the bipod to slip at all. Easy to install, one screw installation. Looks like a very sturdy part. What more could you ask for?; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: See All Open Sight Edge Glow Lit Reticle Fits Rifles and Pistols; Brand: SeeAll; Review: Optic is easy to mount, it does use vertical pressure screws rather than side mount screws to mount, a little different. So far I have no problems picking up the sight picture. I had read that some people cannot obtain a good sight picture because the reticle is difficult to see. No problem for me. Love the optic.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: TALON Grips for Smith and Wesson M&P Shield 9mm/.40; Brand: TALON Grips; Review: Easy to install. These look great and definitely give the grip a non slip surface. Recommend these to everyone.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Hogue Govt. Model Rubber Grip with Finger Grooves; Brand: Hogue; Review: These totally change the look and feel of my 1911. The non slip grip feels awesome in your hands. Looks amazing on my 1911. These take a little effort to install as it is a one piece grip and has to be stretched to fit.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Ade Advanced Optics Tactical Compact Rail Mounted RED Laser Sight with 200 Lumen LED Flashlight; Brand: Ade Advanced Optics; Review: Works very well. I like the three function switch. Laser, light, or laser and light. Easy to install. Works great on a rifle or a pistol.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Strike Industries 1911 Stainless Steel TORX Standard Grip Screws & Bushings with TORX Driver included; Brand: Strike Industries; Review: These look great on my 1911. Nice accessory. Easy to install.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Fobus Standard Holster RH Paddle RUGP Ruger GP100; Brand: Fobus; Review: This holster looks amazing. It has an easily adjustable retention screw. Holds my Ruger GP100 securely. Love it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Relentless Tactical The Ultimate Concealed Carry CCW Gun Belt \| Made in USA \| 14 oz Leather; Brand: Relentless Tactical; Review: Great looking belt. Very sturdy construction. Fits as advertised in the fitting guide. I would definitely buy again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: The Mouse That Roared VHS; Brand: Peter Sellers; Review: This is a wonderful old movie, and I purchased it from the Seattle King County library foundation so my money also supported a cause I believe in. The DVD was used but plays perfectly. I'm so glad to know about this source and will purchase from them in the future.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel; Brand: Maggie Smith; Review: Absolutely heart warming and hilarious! We never tire of watching this film.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Closer, The:S7 (DVD); Brand: Kyra Sedgwick; Review: I love that Brenda is both strong and flawed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Tea With Mussolini; Brand: Maggie Smith; Review: This is one of my favorite films; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Covert Affairs: Season 2; Brand: Piper Perabo; Review: You can't help but like Annie Walker, and the show continues to deliver those moments that surprise you, but our heroes always come through in the end. I enjoy the friendship between Annie and Auggie. Will their relationship grow beyond friendship? I guess I'll keep watching to find out.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Parenthood: Season 3; Brand: Lauren Graham; Review: I ENJOY THIS SERIES MORE WITH EACH EPISODE.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Movies_and_TV
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows: Title: Shepard Smith's departure from Fox News could further push out facts, staffers fear; Abstract: As soon as Shep Smith's departure from Fox News was emotional enough as is -- he didn't want a tearful goodbye in his studio or the newsroom.; Category: news Title: 6 people were taken to a hospital after being shot in Philadelphia; Abstract: Six people were injured in a shooting in Philadelphia Sunday, police said.; Category: news Title: Princess Charlene of Monaco Has the Most Daring Style of All the Royals; Abstract: She loves to show off her shoulders.; Category: lifestyle Title: Kate Middleton fired her longtime personal assistant amid split from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry; Abstract: Sophie Agnew, Middelton's longtime aide of seven years, was fired after she returned home from her honeymoon.; Category: lifestyle Title: Kate Middleton's brother James says he's 'had enough of big weddings' ahead of his marriage to his French fiancée; Abstract: His sister the Duchess of Cambridge had a somewhat grand ceremony for her marriage to Prince William in 2011.; Category: lifestyle Title: Prince Harry & Meghan Markle's Trusted Private Secretary Has Resigned; Abstract: She stepped down from the esteemed role on Friday.; Category: lifestyle Title: Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive in Pakistan for royal tour; Abstract: She and Prince William just touched down at Nur Khan Airbase.; Category: lifestyle Title: Fashion hits and misses for October 2019; Abstract: We're rounding up the best and worst dressed stars of the month!; Category: entertainment Title: Kate Middleton Wears Same Hat Diana Wore as She and Prince William Head to Pakistan Mountains; Abstract: Kate Middleton and Prince William Visit Melting Glacier Pakistan; Category: lifestyle Title: See what your favorite stars look like without makeup; Abstract: They get glammed up for red carpet events, but in their downtime, celebrities from Katie Holmes to Emma Stone prefer to let their natural beauty take center stage. Yes, just like you, stars do occasionally allow the world to see their foundation-free skin and mascara-less lashes to celebrate their freckles, little imperfections and inside-out glow, usually by way of the makeup-free selfie. They even sometimes celebrate their bare-facedness with hashtags like #wokeuplikethis and #nofilter. To see these stars without makeup including Kate Hudson, Kim Kardashian, Gigi Hadid and all the stars you see above check out the gallery now. For the latest beauty and style trends subscribe to our new podcast 'Get Tressed With Us' below! 34 Of Your Favorite Celebrities With Or Without Makeup!; Category: entertainment Title: Woman, suspect dead at 'Tarzan' actor Ron Ely's California residence; Abstract: Ron Ely, who portrayed Tarzan in the TV series in the 60s, was not harmed and is alive and well, a sheriff's office spokesman said.; Category: tv Title: 'Tarzan' Actor Ron Ely: Actor's son allegedly killed his mother before deputies shot and killed him, sheriff's office says; Abstract: The son of "Tarzan" actor Ron Ely killed his mother before he was shot and killed by deputies on Tuesday, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office.; Category: tv Title: Megyn Kelly Slams NBC News on 'Tucker Carlson Tonight' for Matt Lauer Investigation, Harvey Weinstein Coverage; Abstract: In Megyn Kelly's first televised interview since exiting NBC, the former Fox News and NBC News anchor took to "Tucker Carlson Tonight" Wednesday evening to criticize NBC News management for its handling of the outlet's Harvey Weinstein coverage and internal Matt Lauer investigation.; Category: tv Title: The King of Thailand abruptly stripped all royal titles from his 34-year-old consort, who is accused of plotting against the queen to take her place; Abstract: Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi tried to stop the king from marrying his queen, and disrespected the couple when she didn't get her wish, the palace said.; Category: lifestyle Title: Parent Trap Star Hilariously Jokes About Dennis Quaid's Engagement: 'Watch Out for Those Twins'; Abstract: Parent Trap's Elaine Hendrix Hilariously Jokes About Dennis Quaid's Engagement; Category: movies Title: 50+ Ways to Wear Fall's Hottest Hair Colors; Abstract: Hello, nirvana blonde and cinnamon ombré.; Category: lifestyle Title: Jimmy Carter hospitalized after fall at Georgia home; Abstract: Spokeswoman says former President Jimmy Carter hospitalized with a pelvic fracture after falling his home.; Category: news Title: 15 Strangest Things Mechanics Have Found in Cars; Abstract: Think French fries on the floorboard and stinky gym shoes in the back seat of your car is bad? That's nothing compared to what these mechanics have found! The post 15 Strangest Things Mechanics Have Found in Cars appeared first on Reader's Digest.; Category: autos Title: Bed, Bath and Beyond Pulls 'Blackface Pumpkins From the Shelves; Abstract: The pumpkins were removed from stores after an upstate New York community filed complaints.; Category: lifestyle Title: The Amazing All-You-Can-Eat Restaurant in Every State; Abstract: If you feel the indulgence of an all-you-can-eat restaurant calling out to you, there's one within your home state to enjoy. Whether it's comfort food, seafood, an international favorite such as sushi or Indian, or an over-the-top Brazilian steakhouse, here are 50 buffets well worth stopping in for a visit.; Category: foodanddrink Title: Take a look at the most expensive house for sale in America, a $225 million Bel-Air estate once owned by the founder of the Hilton empire; Abstract: Casa Encantada, the legendary Bel-Air estate, is officially back on the market with an astronomical asking price.; Category: finance Title: Here's how much house flippers actually make; Abstract: The reality shows make it seem like a surefire way to rake in some dough, but is flipping a house truly a royal road to riches?; Category: finance Title: How Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and the rest of the royal family will celebrate Archie's first Halloween; Abstract: Members of the royal family are known to dress up for Halloween, but the way they celebrate is typically concealed from their fans.; Category: lifestyle Title: Jimmy Carter released from hospital following treatment for injury from fall; Abstract: Former President Jimmy Carter has been released from the hospital after being treated for an injury sustained during a fall at his home earlier this week, the Carter Center said Thursday.; Category: news Title: Judge: Brad Pitt, others can be sued over New Orleans homes; Abstract: The Times-Picayune/ The New Orleans Advocate reports Pitt and other foundation directors asked the court to remove them from the lawsuit, saying they weren't personally responsible for the construction.; Category: movies Title: Mitch McConnell snubbed by Elijah Cummings' pallbearer in handshake line at U.S. Capitol ceremony; Abstract: A pallbearer appeared to refuse to shake Mitch McConnell's hand as Rep. Elijah Cummings was lying in state at the Capitol.; Category: news Title: 5 signs it's time to find a new nail salon; Abstract: From dirty nail tools to unsafe polish removal methods, these are the warning signs it might be time to find a new salon, according to experts.; Category: lifestyle Title: Homeowner says a mystery object damaged his house. It didn't fall from a plane, FAA says; Abstract: Authorities including the Federal Aviation Administration have not been able to identify a canister-type object that damaged a Kentucky man's home.; Category: news Title: Niecy Nash Announces Split From Husband Jay Tucker; Abstract: They've been married since 2011.; Category: tv Title: Cracker Barrel Has Two Thanksgiving Options This Year, and They Both Sound Delicious; Abstract: Don't feel like cooking a turkey this year? You can order a Cracker Barrel Thanksgiving dinner to bring home, or eat at the restaurant on T-Day.; Category: foodanddrink Title: When I moved from China to the US, eating out became so much more expensive I had to break the habit. Here's how I did it.; Abstract: Instead of feeling like I was depriving myself, I set out to manage my restaurant addiction by figuring out how to recreate what I loved about them.; Category: foodanddrink Title: The 15 Best Hairstyles With Bangs to Try Right Now; Abstract: Take a cue from some of your favorite celebs.; Category: lifestyle Title: Harvick has Cup title shot after 3rd straight Texas fall win; Abstract: FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) Kevin Harvick and the Stewart-Haas Racing team had already been preparing for NASCAR's finale. With another win at Texas, they now know they will be racing for a Cup title in two weeks. Harvick won the fall Cup race at Texas for the third year in a row Sunday, again securing one of the championship-contending spots for the Nov. 17 season-ending race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. "Well, we've already been going down the...; Category: sports Title: Hidden Camera Captures Cat And Baby Having The Cutest Conversation; Abstract: From the moment Lindsey Needham brought her son Brody home, she could tell that he and her cat Zora were going to be friends.; Category: lifestyle Title: So, how does one of the world's oldest recipes hold up?; Abstract: How many scholars does it take to make a stew? The answer depends on how old the recipe is.; Category: foodanddrink Title: Why Using Your Microwave's Popcorn Button Is a Bad Idea; Abstract: Pressing the "popcorn" button couldn't be easier, but it almost definitely won't yield the best popcorn. Here's what to do instead.; Category: foodanddrink Title: Anthony Bourdain's chef's knife sells for over $230,000; Abstract: Over 200 of the star's possessions were up for grabs in the auction; Category: foodanddrink Title: Young and the Restless Star William Wintersole Dies at 88; Abstract: Soap Opera Star William Wintersole Dies at 88; Category: tv Title: Ellen DeGeneres, Sandra Bullock go after 'celebrity endorsement theft industry' in lawsuit; Abstract: Ellen DeGeneres and Sandra Bullock are teaming up against fake endorsement ads in a new lawsuit filed Wednesday.; Category: entertainment Title: The History Behind Your Favorite Thanksgiving Foods; Abstract: You'll never believe which foods aren't even native to America.; Category: foodanddrink	mind
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Planet Waves O-Port Sound Enhancement for Acoustic Guitar, Large, Black; Brand: D'Addario Accessories; Review: Ok, so I read as many reviews as I could and they were all over the place. The overall view is that for cheaper guitars this works well, however the benefits drop off the higher in price guitar you go. Well, here's my experience. I installed the oport in my Taylor 316ce, a $1700 dollar guitar. First, when strumming I hear better projection and greater volume. It also balanced the over brightness associated with new guitars. There is better sustain when soloing especially on the B and high E strings. There isn't a very noticeable increase in bass, but the over balance is warmer. I did have to cut a small V in the cone to make room for the preamp inside the guitar. Installation was a snap. Did it magically turn my 316 to an 816? No. Do I like the overall sound? For the most part, yes.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Boss AD-3 Acoustic Instrument Effects Processor; Brand: Boss; Review: I bought this pedal to use with my Taylor 316 at church and am very glad I did. Solid metal construction, nice. The chours and reverb are both professional sounding and really fill the room. The bass/treble adjustments are very sensitive, allowing the sound to be fine tuned. It does provide a slight processed sound, however the strengths far outway this subtle shortcoming. Would highly recommend this product.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Elixir Strings 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings w POLYWEB Coating, Extra Light (.010-.047); Brand: Elixir; Review: I've tried a number of different flavors of Elixirs plus a few other brands on my Taylor 316ce and nothing comes even close. These strings provide a deep bass, clear highs and powerful volume. Plugged in, they sound even better. Hands down I have finally found my go to strings...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Elixir Strings 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings w POLYWEB Coating, Light/Medium (.012-.056); Brand: Elixir; Review: I've tried a number of different flavors of Elixirs plus a few other brands on my Taylor 316ce and nothing comes even close. These strings provide a deep bass, clear highs and powerful volume. Plugged in, they sound even better. Hands down I have finally found my go to strings...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Elixir Strings 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings w NANOWEB Coating, HD Light (.013-.053); Brand: Elixir; Review: I've tried a number of different flavors of Elixirs plus a few other brands on my Taylor 316ce and nothing comes even close. These strings provide a deep bass, clear highs and powerful volume. Plugged in, they sound even better. Hands down I have finally found my go to strings...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bone Saddle - Fits Many Taylor Guitars - Wave Style Compensation; Brand: MacNichol Guitars; Review: Wow!!! First, it fit my 2017 Taylor 816ce like a glove (with some sanding on the sand paper provided). Secondly, the volume, overtones, sustain and responsiveness all drastically improved. Most importantly the factor saddle allowed the High E and B strings to lay too low on the neck, so setting the action was nearly impossible and this saddle fixed this issue. I HIGHLY recommend this saddle!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Musical_Instruments
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Garrity L.E.D. Touch Lite Bright 3 Led Battery Operated Lamp, Great for Closets, Attics, Garages; Brand: Garrity; Review: They are not very bright, my closet still remains dark even when I have them on.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Greenspring Deck Mount Double Handles Led Waterfall Contemporary Widespread Commercial Bathroom Sink Faucet Chrome Finish; Brand: Greenspring; Review: Faucet is elegant and gives my bathroom the modern touch I was looking for.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: URPOWER Solar Lights 8 LED Wireless Waterproof Motion Sensor Outdoor Light for for Patio, Deck,; Brand: URPOWER; Review: Somewhat small, great for the garage.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Gatco 783 Mounting Bracket for Recessed Paper Holders; Brand: Gatco; Review: Broke very easy; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: LightInTheBox Bathroom Accessories Solid Brass Towel Bar Chrome Robe Hooks Lavatory Towel Furniture Towel Stand Holder Towel Racks Bar Kitchen; Brand: LightInTheBox; Review: Goo product! holds well; Rating: 4.0/5.0	amazon_Tools_and_Home_Improvement
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows: Title: To Say Nothing of the Dog; Author: Connie Willis; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, romance, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Ned & Verity are time-jumpers; they are transported to specific times/sites. In this story, they are tasked with finding the bishop's birdstump (it takes a while to find out just what this is), and then find that they need to correct inadvertent changes in history that have caused some slippage in the time/space continuum - and the fun begins. This was such an enjoyable story. Ms. Willis obviously did her research about the time periods featured in the book, with an emphasis on Victorian England and the behavioral details of that time. What I found really enchanting was the insertion of other authors & their characters into the conversations between Ned & Verity.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Kiss of a Demon King (Immortals After Dark #7); Author: Kresley Cole; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: This was a good story, but not a great read for me, and I'm not sure why. Rydstrom & Sabine both had responsibilities towards others that were (seemingly) in direct conflict with their desire to be with each other. They both also had horrible things done to them in the centuries before they met. By working together, they were able to eliminate their mutual enemy and resolve their differences. This all sounds like a great plot (and it was) - so why wasn't I blown away? Perhaps it was just that it didn't live up to my expectations; perhaps it was that I just didn't feel sympathetic enough toward Sabine - she certainly deserved sympathy, so why didn't I feel more of it? Maybe it's just time for me to move on to something new.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Between the Devil and Desire (Scoundrels of St. James, #2); Author: Lorraine Heath; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: At the beginning of the book, Dodger is not a very likeable person, but as we learn more about his childhood, we understand much of the WHY of his actions and attitudes, and that's there a lot to like in who he has become. At first, I was disappointed that Ms. Heath appeared to use the same 'lost-heir' storyline, until I realized it wasn't the same at all.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Surrender (MacKinnon’s Rangers, #1); Author: Pamela Clare; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: There are so few well-told romance books set in the American frontier, and this one had so much more than just the setting. It's really about what happens to people when they are taken from all they know & love, and how they adapt, survive, learn & love under very harsh conditions. Iain's family fled Scotland after Culloden, but Iain is now caught up in a North American war - the French & Indian War - because he and his brothers were framed for murder by Lord William Wentworth so he could force Iain to fight for the British; of course Connor & Morgan wouldn't stay behind, so all 3 are stuck in the war until released by Lord William (it is so easy to despise this guy!) Annie has been transported from Scotland to the frontier - literally; her uncle framed her for theft, branded her as a thief (again literally), and had her indentured for 14 years (another guy it's easy to hate). Annie & Iain meet when he saves her from certain death in an Indian attack, and this beautiful story takes off from there. I love the way the author deals with the built-in prejudices of these characters; Iain is a descendant of the highland clans who lost at Culloden, Annie is the daughter of a titled Campbell who supported the English king but was killed at Prestonpans. Iain is Catholic, Annie is Protestant. They are born to despise each other. What happens to these distinctions when locale & culture change? I'm looking forward to Morgan's story in 'Untamed'; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Caressed by Ice (Psy-Changeling #3); Author: Nalini Singh; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: This was a darker, more intense story than earlier books in the series, but to do justice to the horror that Brenna was recovering from, it had to be. Now add cold, emotionless Psy Judd to the equation. Well, he was emotionless, until Brenna decided he was hers. Singh puts so much detail and reality into her world building and the intricacies of each of these cultures, that you feel emotionally that this world exists even though you know rationally it doesn't. I could go into parallels with real-world behaviors, but I don't want to analyze it; just enjoy it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Bridal Season (Bridal Stories, #1); Author: Connie Brockway; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Another good book that took a while to get where it was going - this ended up a very strong 4.5* but not quite a 5* read. I do love stories where the heroine has the willpower and the strength to pull herself out of a bad situation and create a better life, and I knew that was going to happen eventually (this is a romance story, after all), but it didn't really 'drag me in' until chapter 10. After that, it was like a train going downhill! Letty's emotional and moral journey was so very believable and great to watch. I loved Little Bidewell and all its inhabitants (well, maybe not all, but I did come to an understanding of sorts with Catherine). And Elliot is that curious mix of alpha & beta - he knows when to take charge and when to appear not to be taking charge.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Your Scandalous Ways (Fallen Women, #1); Author: Loretta Chase; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: spoiler alert I liked this a lot more than I thought I would when I first discovered she was a courtesan and proud of it. As the story evolves, you realize that Francesca had few options open to her after her husband divorced her and ruined her in society. Her only choice was to flee England, but there were several things about her that didn't sit right with me. First, she had an affair while married - out of revenge for her husband's mistresses. When she decided to become a courtesan, she made sure it was very public so she could gloat to her husband, in weekly letters, about her high-placed protectors. She was treated very badly by her husband and by English society, and her choice of profession was not completely unreasonable given her circumstances, but she did it mainly for revenge - a 5-year vendetta was enough for me to take away a star from a well-told tale.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Captives of the Night (Scoundrels, #2); Author: Loretta Chase; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This book has been on my TBR shelf for two years - the beginning of it just didn't appeal at the time, especially after having read the Carsington books. Now that I've decided to get it off my TBR shelf, I pushed myself to read past that first part, and I will admit that the story was better than it first seemed, although the mystery was the best part - not that I cared who killed Francis, but that I got very nervous when the evidence pointed to one after the other of his likeable victims, and their stories made for interesting, often heart-rending, reading. And working together to solve the mystery led to Leila and Ismal understanding and liking each other, which always makes the romance more believable to me. This has a totally different tone/feel than Lord of Scoundrels, which takes place at about the same time; in fact, my love of that book was what caused me to pick this one up. I have reread LOS more than once, but Captives won't stay on my keeper shelf. I rate this at 3.5, but it doesn't approach 4, so down to 3* it goes; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Beyond the Highland Mist (Highlander, #1); Author: Karen Marie Moning; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: What an intriguing idea for time travel - the fairy folk interfere out of anger or revenge. And that was after the Hawk had a miserable 15 years serving a very vengeful king. Adrienne got the best of the deal - she was whisked out of a life she didn't really want, but just when they both had what they wanted, the fairy fool interfered again. And this was all because the fairy queen lied!!! Lots of angst for a while, but what a wonderful last chapter and epilogue.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Mage (Sons of Destiny, #8); Author: Jean Johnson; Genres: young-adult, romance, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: A mostly satisfying end to the series. Although Morganen already had chosen his bride in earlier books, this began with a surprise about Hope, which added a little more flavor to the story. After a very promising beginning, it bogged down a little as Hope was established as a chocolatier - interesting details about the making of chocolate, but would a woman really give a 'lecture' on how chocolate is made while she's trying to seduce her guy?! It was nice to see Consus continue as 'the good guy of Katan' (my label), and it was fun to see the varied ways the heroes and bad guys manifested their magics. All continuing storylines were nicely brought to a conclusion, including getting the gods to recognize Nightfall as a kingdom - what a Convocation!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: 1906; Author: James Dalessandro; Genres: history, fiction, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, mystery; Review: A friend put this in my hands and said, 'You've got to read this.' I expected it to be about the big earthquake and the devastation that followed. Since I already knew that the corruption and incompetence in city government increased the destruction begun by the quake, I thought it would focus on events following the quake. Boy, was I wrong! The focus was on events before the quake, culminating in the death and chaos and panic of this historic event. This book is fabulously written and very-well researched, blending fictional & factual characters so seamlessly that the reader is taken unawares, as I was, to discover that some characters I thought were completely fictional were in fact more real than fictional.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Luck in the Shadows; Author: Lynn Flewelling; Genres: history, young-adult, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery; Review: This is the first in a series humans and the Aurenfaie. It has magic, wizardry, necromancy and, of course, treachery. I was intrigued by the way the author pulled it all together.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Perfect Wife; Author: Lynsay Sands; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: The Perfect Wife is a perfect treasure! Avelyn and Paen are both wonderfully likeable and caring people. Because he spent so many years fighting in the Crusades, Paen was so obviously clueless about how to interact with his wife, yet he was observant enough to see - and deal with - Avelyn's low self-esteem caused by her nasty cousins. Thank you, Lynsay Sands, for this beautiful falling-in-like and falling-in-love story!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Key (Deed, #2); Author: Lynsay Sands; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: 'Begin as you mean to go on', Iliana's mother had always told her. So when Ileana's new husband refused to bathe until the end of July (after all, he'd just bathed in January!), she donned her chastity belt and hid the key. This was a cute premise, and Sands handled it with her trademark humor, but this one just didn't have the same punch as Love Is Blind or The Perfect Wife. The humor didn't flow quite as well here, and I just couldn't accept the idea that Iliana would have been able to wear that blasted device day and night (she unlocked it only to relieve herself), so that premise just didn't work for me in the long run. But I did enjoy the verbal interactions between them - and between Duncan and his father, where Angus berated him for being 'a randy bastard' for bedding Iliana day and night when he hadn't even been able to get past the belt! The mystery behind the murder attempts soon became pretty obvious to the reader, and I was sitting here pretty wide-eyed at Iliana's leadership in repelling a siege and saving the castle. But the characters were appealing enough to make it better than average - to me, it's 3.5, but that option doesn't exist yet, so I gave it 4; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Forgotten Garden; Author: Kate Morton; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: A wonderful multi-generational story taking place on two continents. The story is carried out in three time periods: 1913, 1975, 2005. The back story is based in the Victorian era in England, and then moves to Australia, where 4-yr-old Nell is found alone and abandoned on a wharf in Queensland shortly after the docking of a ship from England. The story moves back to England when Nell dies and bequeaths to her granddaughter Cassandra a clifftop cottage and a book of fairy tales, which serve as allegories of events before Nell was born. These dark but moving fairy tales are beautifully sprinkled throughout the book. What happens in between those two events is beautifully told and brought tears to my eyes more than once.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Runaway Duke; Author: Julie Anne Long; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This was my introduction to Julie Ann Long, and I look forward to each of her books.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Like No Other Lover (Pennyroyal Green, #2); Author: Julie Anne Long; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Julie Ann Long had me hooked as soon as I saw 'Pig and Thistle on Pennyroyal Green' on the first page - I absolutely loved "Perils of Pleasure", so to see her make a hero of one of 'the hated Redmonds' from that story is an added plus. I loved Miles from the beginning (his thought processes are terrific!) but it took me a while to warm up to Cynthia - figured there had to be a lot more to her character/background than you see at the beginning. That first kiss - wow! And who knew a simple reel could be so erotic.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Death of a Travelling Man (Hamish Macbeth, #9); Author: M.C. Beaton; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: This is part of the Hamish MacBeth series, and I love Hamish. Davina Porter's narration makes it a wonderful listen.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Eyre Affair (Thursday Next, #1); Author: Jasper Fforde; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Alternate historical fantasy that involves not only time-travel but traveling into books. Thursday Next is in the Literary Detective Division of Special Ops. Acheron Hades is stealing characters out of books - now he's stolen Jane Eyre, and it's Thursday's job to get her back.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Lost in a Good Book (Thursday Next, #2); Author: Jasper Fforde; Genres: history, fiction, young-adult, thriller, comics, crime, paranormal, graphic, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Thursday Next gets lost in a number of good books as she tries to carry out her latest assignment. And she's also desperately trying to get back the love of her life, Landen, who has been eradicated by the Goliath Corporation.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Ricochet; Author: Sandra Brown; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: A weak 4, but definitely stronger than 3 Some things were very predictable, but there were some good twists and surprises.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Charming the Highlander (Highlander, #1); Author: Janet Chapman; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: This was an okay read, actually closer to 3.5, but after a great beginning, it didn't grab me until I got to the last 80 pp. or so. A story that begins with 8 Scottish warriors fighting a skirmish in the 12th century & suddenly being transported to modern times intrigued me. Maybe the problem was with my expectations, but I just found it too easy to put down and do other things, always a bad sign for me. Grace had great scientific & mathematical ability and knowledge almost at her fingertips, but for one reason or another throughout the story, she wasn't able to put them to positive use (mountain peak in the way so she couldn't triangulate position, so the strong hero had to find the way out; later she was all set to use her math skills to solve the problem of iced cables on the ski lift, but kidnappers got in the way, etc.) I was left frustrated with the buildup of the idea of strength in the heroine because of her skills, but then always needing the hero - a strong warrior from the 12th century - solve all the problems for her, or at least deal with the aftermath when things went wrong. I will continue with the series, but have now modified my expectations.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Loving the Highlander (Highlander, #2); Author: Janet Chapman; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: This is the 2nd book in an entertaining series about some 12th century Highland warriors who have been thrust 800 years into the future. It's only been 8 years since it happened, Morgan is still not comfortable with living in this new era, and he still feels that his sword is his best friend. Sadie lost her sister in a house fire 8 yrs ago, her father died 3 yrs ago from health problems caused by smoke inhalation from that fire, and Sadie herself has major burn scars from being trapped in that fire. She is now mapping out trails and boundaries of a proposed wilderness park (in honor of her father), and her best friend is her dad's camera, which she just used to take pictures of an Adonis sunning himself on a rock - au naturel. Adonis/Morgan sees her and gives chase - Oops! Double-Oops when they both learn that the proposed park includes a special corner of Morgan's land that he wants to keep people away from, for special reasons involving the actions/powers of the druid wizard Daar, who just happens to be responsible for bringing the Highlanders forward in time. There's a bad guy, of course, and no surprise as to who that is, but I didn't really care how obvious that was. I was looking for something light and fun, so just suspend disbelief and enjoy.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Wedding the Highlander (Highlander, #3); Author: Janet Chapman; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: This is the best of the series so far. The first two were enjoyable but average reads, but this one had those extra "somethings" that make a book above-average for me. The first 'something' is Robbie - 8 years old and totally in charge, in a very disarming way. Another 'something' is Libby's gift, which has frightened her and caused her to flee from her life as a trauma surgeon in California and move to Maine. There she decides to open a glass-crafting shop (a secret hobby of hers for years) and, of course, meets Michael - which was Robbie's plan, since his goal is to find a new love for his dad, and he works toward that goal every day. The third "something" is a snowy owl that Robbie befriends and names Mary (the name of his dead mother). When these two work together, Libby & Michael don't stand a chance of sticking to their resolve to stay single. The only weak point for me was Libby's determination to keep her 'gift' secret, even after she's discovered all the other strange & magical things that go on among and around these 13th century Highlanders.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Secrets of the Highlander (Highlander, #6); Author: Janet Chapman; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Now here's a wedding to remember: the ceremony was performed by an 1800-year-old priest, and attended by two druidhs, six time-traveling highland warriors - and a dragon! This was not really a 5 read, but I upped it a little because the author resisted the temptation to have a last-minute confrontation with the villain or with any of his henchmen - you know, where the heroine does something stupid and is captured or imperiled by the villain, and the hero has to rush to her rescue. This hero out- planned the villain, and that was very refreshing. And it left time for other things to be resolved - remember that dragon?! It has been fun to follow the stories of these time-traveling warriors and their offspring - one more to go!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: O'Rourke's Bride; Author: Barbara Dan; Genres: history, biography, romance, historical fiction; Review: Took me a while to get into this - picked it up & put it aside quite a few times before I finally stayed with it. Just didn't appeal to me at all in the beginning, but it grew on me, and moved up from 2* to 3; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Dark Possession (Dark, #15); Author: Christine Feehan; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: Manolito took a poisoned knife in the chest while protecting Shea Dubrinsky and her unborn child from certain death (in Dark Celebration). He was 'held to the earth' by other Carpathians to keep him from permanently dying, and they put him in the ground so he could recover and return completely from the spirit world, but he rose too early and now he's in both worlds. I don't know why I thought this was a step too far - after all, I'm reading a series about shapeshifters, vampires, predestined soulmates, sleeping underground, etc. - but a spirit world where good spirits and bad spirits dwell in the same plane and can affect each other, and can also affect living beings, just bothered me; what's the point of eliminating a vicious vampire if he can just continue his nastiness? I really liked that this book was as much about MaryAnn as it was about Manolito - maybe even more. I loved it when she totally denied being psychic right after she used strong psychic powers she didn't know she had! It appears that Ms. Feehan has decided to add to the species in a different and somewhat unexpected way. I'm guessing Luiz will show up in subsequent books, maybe even his own?! And will the Jaguar race be saved from extinction? Only the author knows.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Turbulent Sea (Drake Sisters, #6); Author: Christine Feehan; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I started this book twice before, but the first chapter turned me off and i put it aside for something else. This was strange, because I loved the earlier books in the series, although I was disappointed in Hannah's story. This time I decided there had to be more, so I read past that first chapter, and I'm happy to say that there was more to like than dislike. In fact, there was a lot to like about Ilya, and I absolutely loved the twist about his heritage! Things I liked: The sense of family that Joley had with her band members, and the way the band members genuinely cared for and supported each other, which came out strongly when Brian dropped his bombshell near the end (and discovered they'd known all along). The slow telling of why Ilya was the way he was (and I wonder if more about his childhood will come out in the last book - maybe in some pillow talk between Ilya and Joley?) The mental and emotional bonding of Joley and Ilya - and that telepathy (how nice to be able to have a private conversation in a room full of people!) The bond of the sisters, and their willingness to drop everything and help out the one in need. We saw more of this in the earlier books. Things I disliked: The emphasis on drugs and indiscriminate sex - or rather, I disliked the excusing of self-indulgent behaviors and cheating on spouse/girlfriend (the I-was-too-stoned-to-know-what-I-was-doing, or He-was-so-lonely-and-the-girls-were-throwing-themselves-at-him excuses). This is what turned me off in the first chapter, and later as well,and the reason I can't give this 5 The over-arching Russian mob theme, and with Elle involved here, you know it's going to be in her book, too. Of course, this theme is what brought Ilya into Joley's life! And the unanswered question (unless it was there and I missed it) - why did Joley have such a trust issue that she couldn't sleep if someone else was in the room, even family members?; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Season to Be Sinful (Grantham, #1); Author: Jo Goodman; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Wow! What a great read!! A wonderful story, and so beautifully told that I read it a little more slowly at times so I could savor it, rather than rushing to the ending as I often do. For some reason, the title led me to think that this would be a lighthearted read, but it was anything but. The prologue has Lily growing up in a French abbey to age 16, when a man comes to request her services as governess to his daughters. Both Lily & Sr. Mary Joseph are convinced he is a very bad man, so the nun helps Lily escape to find her way to safety in London. Chapter 1 has her living in the slums of Holborn, keeping watch over 3 young street scoundrels, so we know right away that her escape was not completely successful, although it takes a while to learn the full story of what happened to her in the elapsed five years. Than Lily saves Lord Sheridan from a knife attack, becoming gravely wounded in the attempt. Since the 3 scoundrels think her injury is Sherry's fault, they show up at his house demanding that he save her. Sherry calls his own physician and ultimately has Lily and her 3 young scamps moved into his house and then to his country estate, where the two of them learn to like and then slowly trust each other, since both of them have serious secrets in their pasts. It is this slow growth of trust - especially on Lily's part - and the growing of like into serious love that make this such a a beautifully compelling read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: And One Rode West (Cameron Saga: Civil War Trilogy, #3); Author: Heather Graham; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Maybe it's just me, but each book in this trilogy was just a little less good than the one before.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: How to Abduct a Highland Lord (MacLean Curse, #1); Author: Karen Hawkins; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: This was a cute but somewhat mediocre romance. So why did I give it 4? I love a curse, especially when it's presented with humor, and most especially when it comes with four strapping Scotsmen who are very protective of their only sister, Fiona. Picture a rainstorm coming at you out of the clear blue sky - literally! Or maybe it's a hailstorm - Gregor's anger is so cold he brings on hail instead of just plain pouring-down rain like the others. Picture 'Black' Jack Kincaid thundering down a dark Scottish road when it suddenly begins to storm and the thunder startles his horse. Jack falls off (well, he's very drunk!) and is knocked unconscious by the fall. Now picture Fiona convincing the priest that it's OK to marry her to the drunken, sodden, unconscious Jack. He does, of course, and Jack spends the rest of the story trying to convince himself that he wants out of this marriage because he liked his life very much the way it was, thank you very much!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Mackenzies' Honor: Mackenzie's Pleasure/A Game of Chance (Mackenzie Family, #3 & 4); Author: Linda Howard; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: Zane's story, Mackenzie's Pleasure, had a little more meat (and heat!) to it than Chance's story, A Game Of Chance, so I rate MP a 4 and AGoC really a weak 3. I wanted so much more in Chance's story, but really the beginning of MP was as much about Chance as about Zane, so I was really glad they were packaged together in this volume. Both stories had very strong heroines, which packed a stronger punch because in both cases the Mackenzie brothers expected spoiled, weak, whiny women. But, for me, the female who took the spotlight in both stories was Nick in her 'pwetty dwess', wanting to be old enough to ride on 'Unca Dance's moborcycle'.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: By Possession (Medieval #1); Author: Madeline Hunter; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Moira is a serf-born woman who has been taught by life to expect nothing, especially the love of a high-born man of power and privilege. Addis is that man of power and privilege, but he has also been dealt some hard blows. First he was left for dead on a crusade (and his wounds were not delivered by the enemy!), and then he spent six years as a slave, so he understands Moira's need to be more than a bondwoman. But he also knows that he only feels whole when he is with her. The problem, of course, is that the rules of society say that they can never be more than lord and lehman, and Moira knows that her soul, her spirit, could never survive being only his mistress, especially once Addis marries, as he must to secure an alliance and provide legitimate heirs. All Addis knows is that he must find a way to make sure that their 'accident of birth' does not keep them apart. I was impressed with the steps he took to bring them their very unlikely happy ending.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: By Design (Medieval #2); Author: Madeline Hunter; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Joan has escaped the horrors in her past, only to indenture herself for 5 years to a London tiler. Her drunken master, however, was responsible for putting her in the stocks, since she was caught selling the defective tiles he sent with her to the market. Rhys protects her from the hecklers & rotten-fruit throwers, and ends up buying her indenture. He knows that he wants more from her than master & servant, but he also senses her fear of physical involvement. So altho he keeps her papers, he has not forced her to his bed - even though they both feel the strong sexual awareness between them. Joan has strong reasons for avoiding intimacy, and she is so focused on avenging what happened in the past that she does not feel she has the right to enjoy the present. Then suddenly all the promise of what could be is spoiled when the ugly and dangerous past returns. The title of this book is very appropriate - both Rhys & Joan are designers. Rhys is a mason who also sculpts beautiful statues; Joan makes lovely tiles and beautiful miniature statues. I loved reading about their work. This is a stand-alone story, but the roles that Addis & Moira play here make more sense if you have read By Possession, the first book in this series. But that's no punishment, as this is a great series!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The General's Daughter; Author: Kate Huntington; Genres: history, biography, romance, historical fiction; Review: I enjoyed this book more than I expected - it's really a strong 3.5 but didn't rise to a 4* for me. The general's daughter is really his "natural child" (just love the euphemisms that are used for out-of-wedlock births). She 'followed the drum' with her adopted father, the army surgeon. As such, she learned how to be very self-sufficient, and reminded me at first of Mary Challoner from Heyer's Devil's Cub but as the story progressed, she put me more in mind of Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody. The pleasant surprise was the relationship that developed between Marian & her half-sister, Isabella, the general's legitimate daughter.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: A Rogue For Christmas (Whittaker, #4); Author: Kate Huntington; Genres: history, biography, romance, historical fiction; Review: This was a better-than-average read (3.5) about two people meeting again at Christmastime, and learning how the actions of each one years earlier had affected the other. There are problems in the present to get thru, of course, but this is* a Christmas story!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Perfect Bride (deWarenne Dynasty, #8); Author: Brenda Joyce; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Blanche wanted to be an ordinary woman, capable of feeling deep emotions and strong passions. But she is 26 years old, and the only thing she feels strongly about is her charity work. Then her father dies and she's a rich orphan who must marry to have someone to manage her estate. Suddenly she has 228 fortune-hunters wanting to woo her, and she is so overwhelmed she flees to the countryside. But the estate she thought to escape to isn't hers after all, so she ends up staying at Land's End, which is owned by Rex DeWarenne, the brother-in-law of the man she was engaged to marry 8 years ago. After a week at his estate, Blanche and Sir Rex have gotten along so well that she decides he's the perfect man for her, so she proposes marriage to him - a marriage of 'convenience and economy' with her living in town and he spending most of his time in the country. And she is stunned that he's insulted at this offer! And Rex is already a bitter man - he lost half a leg in the war, his son legally belongs to another man, and he despises society. How could they ever suit?! Now the emotional journeys begin, and Blanche discovers she's not so emotionless after all, but that comes with a price as her emotions come back with a vengeance. She begins having nightmares and fainting spells and flashes of memory of an event that happened when she was 6 years old - an event that has been locked away from her conscious mind. All these things cause her to think she's losing her mind. Although the story eventually grabbed me, this author's writing style did not initially make it easy for me to get emotionally involved in the characters - they felt 'cardboard' to me for too long to say that I enjoyed the entire book, but I am glad I stayed with it - the 2nd half was worth the read.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Ideal Bride (Cynster, #11); Author: Stephanie Laurens; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Even though she's very accomplished in the diplomatic milieu, Caroline is determined not to act as a political or diplomatic hostess for any man ever again. But all that diplomatic experience made it almost easy for her to manage people without seeming to be a managing woman. So why can't she manage Michael? Michael has been very successful in his diplomatic career, but to be seriously considered for the next appointment, he must be a married man. So he chooses a young woman he thinks will be his ideal bride; unfortunately for him, his chosen one has already chosen someone else, so her Aunt Caro uses her diplomatic skills to try to convince Michael that he should choose someone else. She's so successful that Michael turns his sights on her, but when he proposes marriage, she's vehemently opposed, having decided that this merry widow is ready for an affair, not a marriage to another diplomat. Michael has his work cut out for him!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount (Desperate Debutantes, #3); Author: Julia London; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Well, at least this was better than The Perils of Pursuing a Prince, but not by much. I actually liked the theme about the heroine's talent in designing and sewing women's clothes, and the blackmail threat to expose Phoebe to the scorn of the ton was very realistic, so I had no problem accepting that premise. My problem was with the behaviors of the two main characters - Will couldn't see that his attempts to seduce a widowed, defenseless seamstress were more reprehensible than the sexual habits of a female servant in his household. And Phoebe was so realistically able to act like a downtrodden servant - even when she was slapped viciously in the face! - and to work her fingers to the bone while sewing wardrobes for two girls under miserable working conditions, and still have the stamina to carry on a love affair. Ah, well, only in books!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: A Dangerous Beauty (Widows Club, #1); Author: Sophia Nash; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This book has been languishing on my bookshelf for two years, so I finally told myself to read it already! Now I'm wondering why I waited so long - I had never read this author before, so I had no expectations either way, but now I know I will read her again. In fact, this is the first book in her 'Widows' Club' series, so I'll probably continue with the next featured widow.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: One Man's Love (The Highland Lords, #1); Author: Karen Ranney; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This book began with a light-hearted childhood scene: while spending the summer in the Highlands with his mother, 11-year-old Ian steals a kiss from Leitis, who promptly slaps him, so you just know that these two are meant to be a couple. But then Ian's English mother is raped and killed by a rival Scots clan, and Ian's love of his Scots heritage turns to hate, and this story becomes much more than I was expecting. Years later, Colonel Alec Landers returns to Gilmuir under orders from the Duke of Cumberland to grind that area of Scotland under the heels of the British occupation. Historically, Cumberland was called the Bloody Butcher, but in this novel the author gives that title to Col. Landers, even tho the reader soon learns that this reputation is a cover for his work as the Raven. Since it's been well over a decade, Leitis does not recognize the young Ian in this cold British soldier. This was a well-told story of the hardships endured by the Scottish people as England wielded its power and might in its goal of eliminating the clans. The outcome was historically realistic, yet uplifting. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: So in Love (The Highland Lords, #5); Author: Karen Ranney; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This was as good as the first one in the series! It's great when a series starts and ends so strongly.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Irresistible MacRae (The Highland Lords, #3); Author: Karen Ranney; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Fiona is enticed into the garden by a lie about her sister needing her, and since she was alone out there with a man, she has now been 'ruined', and the only way to protect her family is to become betrothed to the man who set her up for ruin (gotta love those rules This part of the storyline was a little weak to me, since her family lives in the country and she couldn't care less about town society. Her sister, however, did want her season and her chance, but how many women should condemn themselves to a lifetime of misery with a controlling cad who has blackmailed your family, and what loving mother should allow it, much less encourage it?! But that's the situation when the MacRae shows up. This is a romance, so needless to say, she doesn't marry unhappily, but it takes a while for James to work his magic and figures out a solution to the dilemma.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Lord Libertine (Hunter Brothers, #2); Author: Gail Ranstrom; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: If I weren't so stubborn, I would have given this up after the first 50 pages!! After another 50 pages, tho, I finally started to care somewhat about the hero, partly because there's that horrible war secret that hadn't yet been divulged, which is supposed to excuse his inexcusable behavior (and he really has been a libertine). The heroine's behavior is beyond ridiculous - her sister was viciously murdered, and she's looking for a dark man of ton society who 'licks his lips' after he kisses (according to the sister), so of course Bella is out there in society kissing men to find the culprit (and I found it interesting that she was able to get into social functions without an invitation!) She wasn't worried about what all that kissing would do to her reputation, because she's from out of town and is calling herself Lady Lace, so no one could possibly find out who she is! I did applaud her desire to avenge her sister's death even if it meant putting herself in danger, but it took her a long time to realize she wasn't putting only herself in a dangerous position. The premise of the story - the dark underbelly of society - is a good one, but it's not really a romance, and it didn't take long to figure out who the bad guy is, so it's not a suspense story either. Oh, well, at least it improved from a weak 2* to a 3! And it was nice to see such a dark and deadly topic strongly highlighted in what is called a romance.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Dark Hunger (The Brethren, #2); Author: Sara Reinke; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: I didn't want to give this book a 4 rating, but it deserves it, so what could I do?! It deserves it because it's well-written and continues to give the history and background of the world of the Brethren, an insular commune of vampires who celebrate coming adulthood by participation in a frenzied Bloodlust ceremony. The hero of the first book escaped the commune because he didn't want to take part in that. He was still on the run at the end of the first book, and this book focused partly on that, but mainly on his twin sister's flight, and on the four of them (Tessa & Rene, Brandon & Lina) trying to disappear off the radar of the Brethren. (THIS NEXT SENTENCE INCLUDES A SPOILER OF SORTS) And that's why I got so upset - these 4 have been operating as a team, and then the author has one of them do something that totally shocked me, and yes, angered me - I don't take betrayal well. Since I'm this far into their story, I will read the third one, but there had better be some conclusion!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Rescue; Author: Nicholas Sparks; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: This book begins with every parent's nightmare - my child is gone and I can't find him. And that situation is compounded by the fact that Denise's 4-year-old son is a special needs child, and that she is a single parent whose every moment is wrapped up in meeting those needs. The missing Kyle is found by volunteer-fireman Taylor, and Denise discovers that there can be room in her life for someone else, especially since that someone else interacts well with her son and seems to genuinely like to be with him, and of course with Denise. But Taylor has demons of his own, traced back to the death of his father when Taylor was nine, and that apparently make it impossible for him to maintain a relationship. This was a mostly well-told tale of how life must of necessity and love revolve around the needs of a child, but this is not a romance book IMO. One thing the author did near the end of the book made me so angry that I will not keep or reread this book. It was just so unnecessary, and is the reason for the lower rating.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Into Temptation (Friends Trilogy, #3); Author: Kathryn Smith; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Our hero and heroine have a history that did not turn out well - in fact, he 'compromised' her and then refused to marry her, leaving her forced to marry the man her father found for her. She is now widowed and they are thrown together again when Julian's sister runs off to stay with Sophia. To gain his sister's compliance, Julian agrees to have Sophia come to London with them, and the two are now forced to deal with their strong emotional attachment and the twin betrayals of the past. This was a better than average telling of this type of story - the author did not drag everything out to the last pages but had the characters solving past problems one step at a time. A strong 3.5* rating, but not quite a 4* for me.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Home Song; Author: LaVyrle Spencer; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: OK, storyline first. Tom & Claire have been happily married for 18 years, and have two teenagers who attend the same high school where Tom is principal and Claire teaches. Monica has just moved to town with her teenage son, and when she enrolls him in school, Tom discovers that Kent is the result of a drunken one-nighter at his bachelor party a week before his marriage to a pregnant Claire. Thus this story begins. As with any Spencer story, this touches the heartstrings, although mine were resistant to sympathy for Tom and Claire. First Tom spends enough time feeling guilty for that indiscretion that Claire becomes convinced he's having an affair, so when she finds out the truth, she adds that incident to what she know is a current affair - well, he's gone almost every night, so of course he's having an affair and lying about it when he says he's at school. Here's where the reality of the situation got lost for me. Claire is a teacher! She brings her work home each night. Tom is a principal who must attend meetings & group events. Suddenly Claire is unaware of the parameters of his job??!! And she is forced to face his illegitimate son in her Honors English class each day, and it's too much to bear! (emphasis is all hers). So of course she kicks Tom out and makes life miserable for her kids, but she's hurting, so they have to understand, don't they?! So why did I find this such a good story? It's so real! People do react emotionally, strike back when they're hurt, listen to the wrong people, etc. And when kids are hurt by the very people who are supposed to love and protect them, I have to get involved, even if it's only with a metaphorical slap upside the head to the selfish adult! Fortunately for Claire, her kids are much more grownup than she is.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Rogue in Texas (Rogues in Texas, #1); Author: Lorraine Heath; Genres: history, children, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This started out as a nice story, but when it took off, it really grabbed my heart, and I stayed up into the wee hours of the night to finish it. When did it grab me? Maybe it was when he read 'Ivanhoe' to Abbie and her kids every night after a hard day working in the cotton field. I know it was before he arranged a 'tournament' for the boys just so Abbie could have a day away from hard work. Maybe it was that everything about their relationship said 'I care' before each said 'I love'. This is one of those slow, seep-into-your-heart love stories.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Promise Me Forever (Lost Lords, #3); Author: Lorraine Heath; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: A beautiful story of life-long love, even though family and an ocean got in the way for quite a while. The story begins in Texas and moves to England, where they are cold to each other at first. The lack of letters is the big misunderstanding they have to get past, but then they learn that the letters they wrote to each other were all intercepted by her mother, with the best of intentions, of course. It's the content of his letters that bring tears to your eyes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Spy (Liar's Club #3); Author: Celeste Bradley; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: The books in The Liar's Club series are enjoyable reads with humor and light intrigue. They have strong heroes who are intelligent and patriotic, and strong heroines who are intelligent and resourceful, but the men seem to bungle their jobs until the women set them on the right track. There are some really great secondary characters, such as Feebles the pickpocket, Button the very sartorial valet, and Robbie the chimneysweep. The books had only a few 'suspend-disbelief' moments, (such as a supposedly very observant spy who has no clue that the young man living in his house for a month is really a woman in disguise!). They're quick, fun reads, but not keepers for me.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Impostor (Liar's Club, #2); Author: Celeste Bradley; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: The books in the Liar's Club series are enjoyable reads with humor and light intrigue. They have strong heroes who are intelligent and patriotic, and strong heroines who are intelligent and resourceful, but the men seem to bungle their jobs until the women set them on the right track. There are some really great secondary characters, such as Feebles the pickpocket, Button the very sartorial valet, and Robbie the chimneysweep. The books had only a few 'suspend-disbelief' moments, (such as when the very proper Dalton dresses as a very colorful dandy and minces around in society!). They're quick, fun reads, but not keepers for me.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Pretender (Liar's Club, #1); Author: Celeste Bradley; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: The first in the Liar's Club series, The Pretender is an enjoyable read with humor and light intrigue. There's a strong hero who is intelligent and patriotic, and a strong heroine who is intelligent and resourceful. There are some really great secondary characters, such as Feebles the pickpocket, Button the very sartorial valet, and Robbie the chimneysweep. A quick, fun read, but not a keeper for me.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Four In Hand (Regencies, #2); Author: Stephanie Laurens; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Four in Hand is a light-hearted read - no awful secrets in hero or heroine's past. Caroline and her 3 sisters come to town to find husbands, and approach the Duke of Twyford because he's their guardian - only Max is not as old as they expected; he has just recently inherited the title, and is only a little older than the heroine. The main conflict comes from a Society lady who has her mind set on being the Duchess and takes whatever steps she can to try to make that happen. There are love interests for the sisters as well - and enough humor to make it an enjoyable read, but this was written 10 years ago, so don't expect any hot scenes.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Perfect Rake (The Merridew Sisters, #1); Author: Anne Gracie; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: What a great first book in the series about the Merridew sisters. Prudence is a courageous heroine who protects her sisters from their verbally & physically abusive grandfather. While he is bedridden with a broken ankle, they escape to London to their Granduncle Oswald (who becomes a great secondary character in the series). Their goal is to get married as soon as possible to escape the guardianship of their grandfather, but Oswald puts a kink in their plans when he insists that Prudence marry first. She is considered a 'plain jane' in comparison to her lovely younger sisters, and also has a PAST that she feels makes it impossible to marry, so she invents a fake engagement to a very eligible man who never comes to London - SURPRISE! Enter Gideon, who quickly becomes infatuated, then falls in love, but keeps his sense of humor, even (or especially) when mayhem occurs. His Aunt Gussie is another great secondary character. I love Gracie's witty and humorous style - the storyline in the later books in this series did not always hold up, but this one kept me involved all the way.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Perfect Kiss (The Merridew Sisters, #4); Author: Anne Gracie; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I guess I was expecting so much more for Grace's story. Here we have this intrepid young lady who has survived the horrors of growing up with a very abusive grandfather and had plans to travel and explore, and she's stuck in a semi-gothic novel. She got there because she wants to help get her best friend out of a loveless, arranged marriage, and being the intrepid girl that she is, she... and here's where it just doesn't quite hold up. Dominic is ruled by his desire for revenge against his dead father - your classic tortured Gothic hero, but I wanted him to be Grace's hero! Instead, he tells her he loves her, but must marry Mellie, so wants Grace to be his much-loved mistress This was not a bad book - I have yet to read a bad Gracie book, but it didn't quite rise to a 4* read for me.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Stolen Princess (Devil Riders, #1); Author: Anne Gracie; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, children, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I think I was more impressed with Gabriel's relationship with his half-brother Harry (illegitimate and shunned by the rest of Gabriel's family), and their war buddies, who together make up the Devil Riders. Also liked the relationship that Gabriel developed with Callie's son, the Crown Prince, and how he helped the boy develop some skills and self-confidence.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: His Captive Lady (Devil Riders, #2); Author: Anne Gracie; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This book is what The Stolen Princess could/should have been - strong heroine with recent horror in her life but getting up each day and dealing with it every way she can; strong hero who had a more-than-miserable childhood but is still a good man, and a storyline that makes the most of these two great people. This is a beautifully written, tender love story of two people who have been starved for love and affection.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Brisingr (The Inheritance Cycle, #3); Author: Christopher Paolini; Genres: young-adult, romance, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: This series has been a fun listen - I haven't considered it a waste of time, but neither was I on pins and needles wanting to get back to it. This episode included an interview with the author; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Eragon (Inheritance, #1); Author: Christopher Paolini; Genres: young-adult, romance, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: a fun fantasy listen about a boy and his dragon living in some really brutal times in pseudo Celtic times and lands; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Eldest (Inheritance, #2); Author: Christopher Paolini; Genres: young-adult, romance, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Eragon is transformed - no longer human but a true Rider. His cousin Roran leads the villagers of Carvahall over the mountains to safety, and joins Eragon in battle against King Galbatorix's minions.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: A Great and Terrible Beauty (Gemma Doyle, #1); Author: Libba Bray; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Gothic tale of a Victorian boarding school with a deadly secret about the class of 1871. Gemma and 3 other girls 'travel' to the Realms and find delight and black magic. Gemma has visions of tragic things that come true, there is talk of the 'others', and there's a Secret Society - enough to chill MY blood! A well-told coming-of-age story; beautiful prose, interesting well-formed characters.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Rebel Angels (Gemma Doyle, #2); Author: Libba Bray; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Continues where 'A Great & Terrible Beauty' ended. Emma has been destined to bind the magic of the Realms and restore it to the Order. The beauty & fun of the magic seems to have given way to the darkness of the black magic of the supernatural. Still very well written, but not the enjoyable story that began in AGATB. This series is set in the Victorian world with all of its restrictions on the behavior of young women.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Crystal Cave (Arthurian Saga, #1); Author: Mary Stewart; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, romance, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: this is book one of the Merlin trilogy; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Hollow Hills (Arthurian Saga, #2); Author: Mary Stewart; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: this is book two of the Merlin trilogy; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Last Enchantment (Arthurian Saga, #3); Author: Mary Stewart; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, romance, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: book three of the Merlin trilogy; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Touch Not the Cat; Author: Mary Stewart; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: heroine has telepathic powers with others in her bloodline - mainly cousins as I recall.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Madam, Will You Talk?; Author: Mary Stewart; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: One of my favorite Mary Stewart books. Charity Selbourne is a WW2 widow whose pilot husband taught her about car engines and gave her driving tips - this detail becomes very important as the story progresses. Charity befriends a young boy while on vacation in France, meets the boy's father, finds intrigue and a 2nd love. Charity's remembrances of her beloved Johnny and the realization that he prepared her for a possible life without him bring tears to the reader's eyes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Airs Above the Ground; Author: Mary Stewart; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Austrian Alps, a traveling circus, the famous Lippizaners of the Spanish Riding School, a young boy who wants to join the circus, and a woman searching for her errant husband - this was another great Mary Stewart tale. I still have visual memory of a horse in a meadow gracefully executing the airy dressage movements known as 'the airs above the ground'; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Nine Coaches Waiting; Author: Mary Stewart; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: gothic tale of a governess in a French mansion; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Ivy Tree; Author: Mary Stewart; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Mary Grey takes a job posing as the heiress granddaughter to a man who is dying, and discovers that there is much that she has not been told about the situation - naturally!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: This Rough Magic; Author: Mary Stewart; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: This was a re-read for me, and I loved it just as much this time as when I first read it 4 decades ago. (Gasp!!) Mary Stewart does beautiful romantic-thrillers. The heroine is always innocently drawn into intrigue and danger, but it's done so well that you get drawn in right with her. And she does such beautiful descriptions of the setting and its history that you can feel yourself there. This is one of my favorite Stewart stories. Out-of-work actress Lucy Waring is staying on the island of Corfu with her pregnant sister (who says they will name the baby Prospero if it's a boy!) There are allusions to The Tempest in this island setting - and of course there is a tempest figuring strongly in the story, and a dolphin first saved by Lucy which later saves Lucy.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: My Brother Michael; Author: Mary Stewart; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Camilla Haven in Greece; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Moonspinners; Author: Mary Stewart; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Nicola Ferris in Crete - goes hiking and finds a young Englishman (Mark) shot and his younger brother (Colin) kidnapped, and thus the mystery begins. Another wonderful Stewart story.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Courtship Dance (The Matchmaker #4); Author: Candace Camp; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This is the final book in the Matchmaker series, and is the one the others have been leading up to - Matchmaker Francesca is beat at her own game by the rake she's trying to match to someone else. You see, 15 years ago, she broke off their engagement because he was WITH another woman; except he wasn't - the other woman lied. She's convinced he feels nothing but lukewarm friendship for her now, since he never REALLY loved her. His self-imposed task is to convince her otherwise.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Untouchable (Emperor's Brides, #1); Author: Linda Winstead Jones; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: this is the first book in the Emperor's Sons series. This one is about Alixandyr/Tristan, and Sanura, the blue Agnese, or love/sex slave. Untouchable refers to her, as anyone who touches her dies - but that's a stretch, anyone who touches her will be killed by her guards (her blue body paint comes off on whoever touches it). She's meant for the emperor, Alix's brother, but Alix touches her, kidnaps her, fights for her, and basically keeps her.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Scandalous; Author: Jenna Petersen; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: An OK story for a debut author. Katherine and Dominic both appear to view love as a weakness - Dominic doesn't believe that love can last, and Katherine doesn't want to be in love because she feels it's nothing but a prison for women. Both of these views have been caused by their backgrounds, but the reader is left to fill in the blanks about much of the background - where was the rest of the story? Dominic's mother had a child by the man she loved, but she then denied Dominic any of her love, even after her abusive husband died. And she refused to give Dominic any information about his father, even though she knew how much he craved an identity, and how much Dominic's father wanted to be in his life. Instead, she exposed Dominic to the hate and venom and beatings of her abusive husband - sorry, not my idea of motherly love.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Ecstasy (Shadowdwellers, #1); Author: Jacquelyn Frank; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Jacquelyn Frank expands her Nightwalker series by creating the world of Shadowdwellers, a community of Nightwalkers that cannot tolerate direct light - only the light of the moon and stars is tolerable to them. 'Dwellers exist in two dimensions - Realscape and Shadowscape - and have the ability to Fade into Shadowscape and Unfade into Realscape. It's easier for them to move around in Shadowscape without worrying about the dangers of Light, but they risk Euphoria and possible death if they stay too long in Shadowscape. They therefore live a somewhat nomadic life in Realscape, migrating away from extended daylight hours. Ms. Frank again does an excellent job of world-building, which includes helping the reader learn the benefits and difficulties of the two dimensions of Shadowdweller life, and the mirroring of events in those two dimensions: that what happens in Shadowscape also happens in Realscape, but not always with obvious reasons. I loved the idea that events that happen in parallel dimensions are really the cause of unexplained happenings in our dimension, not ghosts or poltergeists. Shadowdweller Trace, vizier to the Lord Chancellor of Shadowdwellers, and Ashla, a human Lost girl in Shadowscape, are the focus of this first book, and their 'romance' was to me the weakness of the book. Although the story of how Ashla came by her unusual powers was compelling enough for me to accept that she belongs in the Shadowdweller community, I did not connect strongly enough with the Trace/Ashla love story. I did not enjoy the crudeness of the descriptions of their 'lovemaking', which leaned toward erotica rather than romance, nor the 'love' language which at times was just vulgar and left no tender emotions in this reader. What I did enjoy was the background story of the Shadowdwellers' long civil war, and the consequent political intrigue and assassination attempts by a rogue contingent that wants to kill the twin regents and take power. This will be the ongoing story and is the reason I will give this series one more chance.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Winter of Our Discontent; Author: John Steinbeck; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: Sad tale of how reaching for the American Dream - in Ethan's case, trying to regain the previous lifestyle of his family - led slowly to the decay of a moral man, and the acceptance by him that his growing immorality was simply a way of taking care of his family and looking out for #1. I did not enjoy this book, but I am glad that I read it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Cold Comfort Farm; Author: Stella Gibbons; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Oh! My! This was fun and difficult at the same time. If I hadn't already seen the movie, I think I would have given up, long before Flora did. Actually, she accomplished some positive things at Cold Comfort Farm against impossible odds, especially dealing with Aunt Ada, who 'saw something nasty in the woodshed' (I did SO want to know what she saw!), and most of the cast had their happily-ever-after, especially Flora & Charles.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: We Have Always Lived in the Castle; Author: Shirley Jackson; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Ultra-dysfunctional family meets frightened townspeople. I had to read this just a chapter or two at a time - it was that chilling. We learn that Merricat poisoned her parents & brother, but that Constance was put on trial for it (and not convicted in court but definitely convicted in the eyes of the townspeople). My conclusion is that Merricat was a psychopath, and that Constance protected her at any cost.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Ceremony; Author: Leslie Marmon Silko; Genres: history, poetry, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: This is the story of Tayo, a WWII veteran of mixed heritage, who has become an alcoholic because... and here's where you can choose the cause and therefore the focus of this story. Is it caused by the war horrors he saw and endured and has debilitating nightmares about? That is a strong theme throughout much of the book. Is it because he failed to protect his cousin in the Philippines and didn't bring him safely back home to his family? He's certainly been made to feel guilty by others, and has survivors' guilt. Is it because he is part-white and all things bad come from the whites, so he's flawed? The traditions of the elders seem to teach that pretty strongly, but that doesn't quite explain Emo and Pinkie, does it? Perhaps it's all of that or perhaps it's none of that. What it is for me is the story of a man who has lost himself and is searching for his identity and his worth. I think I was meant to draw other conclusions, but in the end, that's what it is. This was not quite a 4* book for me, but definitely more than 3.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Wreath (Kristin Lavransdatter, #1); Author: Sigrid Undset; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: Read this for my reading group - would not have chosen it on my own, but was a good look into a past culture of another country.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: On the Road; Author: Jack Kerouac; Genres: history, poetry, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: I successfully avoided reading this book for decades, but then it was chosen by my book club. Mainly, I found this to be a tale of self-indulgent, reckless, irresponsible behavior, involving drinking, drugs, and women. The best that I can say is that there were two interesting places in the book - thus the 2; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: The Stone Diaries; Author: Carol Shields; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: A very sad tale of a woman who seldom really participated in her life. This life-story is extremely well-told, and the reader experiences the emotions that Daisy does not - cannot? - feel. Daisy's father worked with stone, but felt love and emotion. Daisy, and many of the people she should have been closest to, appeared to exhibit the qualities of stone - strong, long-lasting, but unfeeling; or were they just carrying out the roles that the society of the time had given them? Whichever it was, it was sad. The 'changing of voices', if that's a good term, was both helpful and frustrating to me - helpful because it wasn't an obvious one-point-of-view telling, and frustrating because I often had to rethink and review what I had previously read; that wasn't necessarily a bad thing - it just made the reading take longer. But I think it made the story richer.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Black Dragon (Dragon #2); Author: Allyson James; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: not really a 5* but this is the best of the series. I love a 'reformed' character - the Black Dragon was somewhat of a villain in the first book, but the care of a witch makes him re-think things.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dragon Heat (Dragon, #1); Author: Allyson James; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: good start to a series. I liked the concept of being a dragon only in Dragonworld but retaining some powers while in human form. Conflict with Black Dragon was entertaining but not all that tense.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Secrets Of The Heart (Aincourt's Hearts, #3); Author: Candace Camp; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I just loved Michael - there's something about a hero who remains true - and waits patiently, then gently takes control.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: To Romance a Charming Rogue (Courtship Wars, #4); Author: Nicole Jordan; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This was an OK read, but a weak ending to The Courtship Wars series, at least for me. The premise behind the broken engagement just didn't work for me - it should have, but it didn't. Here's the background: Damon and Eleanor had a whirlwind courtship, Damon proposed, Damon then tricked Elle into breaking the engagement and left for parts unknown. At this point, I thought 'Aha!' - he's been sent on a secret mission for the Crown, but no such thing. Turns out he has sworn never to give his heart, and marrying someone who could come to love him would (in his thinking) be disastrous, so he ran from it. Now it's 2 years later, and he's returned to keep Elle from marrying a man he's sure is wrong for her, but he himself still has no intention of marrying. It just didn't work for me - his feelings about marriage were firmly entrenched, but he proposes marriage, then is seen in public with his former mistress so Elle will break off the engagement - and he does this so neither one of them will be hurt in a bad marriage. NO! NO! NO! If you don't ever plan on marrying, you don't ever propose! They weren't forced into it by society, he freely proposed, and then deliberately did something that he knew would hurt Elle, so he wouldn't end up hurting her later (ooh, my aching head). It's not a bad story, just not as good as it could have been.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Pleasure Trap (Trap, #3); Author: Elizabeth Thornton; Genres: history, romance, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: This story has a touch of supernatural, but I liked the way it was done. Eve Dearing is an author who has 'the Claverly charisma' - sort of like 'the sight'. Ash Denison, who spent years in the army, is a pragmatic man who believes only the practical and proveable. Sparks fly - verbal and otherwise - when these two match wits and lifestyles. The back cover of the book refers mainly to the love story, but this is a wonderful suspense mystery as well. It's this combination of the two that makes this such a great book, and it's that combination that keeps me reading and rereading Ms. Thornton's books.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Scottish Companion; Author: Karen Ranney; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: The Earl of Straithern has buried his two younger brothers in the past six months. The doctor fears a blood disorder, but the earl suspects poisoning. His solution? Propose a marriage with the doctor's daughter Arabella, so he can beget an heir before the same fate befalls him. Of course, he's hoping he figures out the who and why before he becomes the next victim. But Grant has another big problem. He finds himself drawn to Arabella's companion, and increasingly sure that marriage to Arabella will be a disaster. Gillian has her own past tragedy to deal with and feels guilt at her attraction to the earl. This was darker and more angsty than I was expecting but it was a good read. At one point I got really angry at the author and thought, "No! She can't do that!!" but thankfully she redeemed herself. This is not quite a 4, but 3 definitely is not enough.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Mine to Possess (Psy-Changeling #4); Author: Nalini Singh; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: This is a marvelous story! It's darker than most of the earlier ones, with the kidnapping and brutal murder of street kids, some of them under the care of Talin McKade, who works as a social worker for Shine, a private organization that helps the underprivileged. Tally chose to work with needy children because of her own brutal childhood 20 years earlier, where she was sexually abused by her foster father. Her only salvation was her friendship with Clay, but he was taken away from her (to prison) after he caught her foster father abusing her; in his rage, his leopard emerged and savagely killed the abuser. Although she knew he saved her, her very young mind was traumatized by seeing the act, and she withdrew into herself. When Clay was released 4 years later, he was told that Tally was dead. I'd been looking forward to Clay's story and wasn't disappointed. Seeing what each of these traumatized but still strong characters have made of their lives was poignant but uplifting. I know some reviewers feel Clay was cheated by having such a weak heroine, because of her history with men before a good & wise social worker helped her see the destructiveness of her self-hate. Tally was then strong enough to channel her emotions and strength, and use her personal knowledge to help other damaged children. And after his initial pain and anguish over discovering that Tally deliberately hid from him and did not 'save' herself for him, Clay used a tremendous amount of love and caring to help finish the healing process for them both. This was definitely a story about the healing power of love. The very short prologue (less than 2 pp) gave a strong hint of where this story was going to go, and I thought it was carried out beautifully - and, of course, set everything up for the next book! I'll be interested to see if my guess is right about the Ghost.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Hostage to Pleasure (Psy-Changeling, #5); Author: Nalini Singh; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Loved it! This did not seem quite a 5* book as I was reading it, but by the time I got to the end I couldn't remember why! There's lots of conflict in this book - between the main characters and between the races. Dorian and Ashaya had lots of issues to deal with before they could accept their attraction and growing feelings for each other. Dorian has to deal with his rage and hate for all-things-Psy because of the brutal murder of his younger sister by a Psy sociopath; Ashaya has to deal with the possessive love of a sociopathic twin sister while she's protecting her young son from the Council and from her twin. And as their feelings for each other become more intense, Dorian's latent leopard tries more and more to emerge. It's this tortured aspect of Dorian's nature and the way he deals with it that has been so appealing. As if the conflict between Psy and Changelings wasn't enough, Singh has thrown a 3rd race into the equation, with the inclusion of the Human Alliance as major players. Tired of being considered the insignificant human race, the Alliance plans to take advantage of the growing breakdown in Psy Silence. More than a conflict between two races, this could now grow into total, winner-take-all global war. I loved the journal/email entries at the beginning of chapters - they were a nice way to fill in details that could have bogged the story down if they'd been written into the ongoing story.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Branded by Fire (Psy-Changeling #6); Author: Nalini Singh; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: this is a partial review - am in the middle of too many things right now to do justice to a full review, so just posting my thoughts on Mercy and Riley I got so-o-o frustrated with Mercy - both her grandmother and her mother were strong females who figured out how to still be a take-charge person and share a life with a mate, but Mercy was still convinced she had to go it alone because giving even a little bit would be disastrous. I did like the resolution Singh provided for the only real problem I could see to their mating - and Riley just kept coming up with such sweet surprises!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Immortal Highlander (Highlander, #6); Author: Karen Marie Moning; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Adam Black was fun and irritating and aggravating in the earlier books in this series, and could be counted on to do his best to really mess up some human's life. But when his queen punished him and made him vulnerable, he became likeable - even though he remained arrogant. And that should be hard to do when no one can see him or hear him! Until Gabrielle, that is - and there the fun begins. I liked the return involvement of the MacKeltars, and of course Gabby received valuable support and advice from their wives, and of course that led to - well...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Highlander's Touch (Highlander, #3); Author: Karen Marie Moning; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: There were a lot of things to like about this book. Circenn and his insistence on following a few basic rules - until he meets Lisa and starts breaking his own rules one by one. Circenn and his love for his family and his people. Circenn and his old-fashioned morals and gentleness. Circenn and his desire to make Lisa happy. Circenn and... I found it very easy to empathize with Lisa and her problems in the present time, and to respect her because she put aside her dreams to work menial jobs and care for her mother. I liked that Lisa had knowledge of the 14th century & enjoyed 'losing herself' in the medieval wing of the museum - it made it more plausible that she could adapt to medieval life. What I couldn't understand was why she waited so long to explain why she wanted/needed to go back to her own time.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: To Tame a Highland Warrior (Highlander, #2); Author: Karen Marie Moning; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: The prologue of TTaHW was great, but then the story kind of limped along, even though the competition for Jillian's hand should have been more interesting/compelling/I'm not sure what word to use. For me, this story really took off at p. 180, and from then on I was hooked. I loved Jillian's parents, especially her devious 'da', and the interaction/conversations of Grimm's uncle and dad were fun to read. I liked Grimm in 'Beyond the Highland Mist' (he took that wishing-on-a-star so very seriously!), and I liked him throughout this book as well - I just couldn't decide about Jillian for the longest time. In the end, it seemed to me that she didn't just grow up, she changed personalities! However it was, the 2nd half of the book redeemed it and made it almost a 4* read; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Spell of the Highlander (Highlander, #7); Author: Karen Marie Moning; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: I just had to give this a 5* because Drustan & Daegus & their wives played such big roles in this story. And I really liked the tale that slowly unfolds as to the how and why of Cian getting bespelled into the mirror. I also liked that Cian remained basically moral even after he'd done some dabbling in the Black Arts, AND after being held prisoner for 1,133 years. For some reason, I focused on how that number kept getting repeated at odd times in the story, almost like that would become meaningful in the solution of getting Cian out of the mirror - oh, well! I liked Jessi's character from the beginning - she was definitely creative in problem-solving whenever Cian got suddenly whisked back into the mirror! But the repeated episodes of her turning into a boneless puddle immediately and often over just the sight or thought of Cian was just a little over-the-top. We got the idea already!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Kiss of the Highlander (Highlander, #4); Author: Karen Marie Moning; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Talk about a bad dream! Drustan went to sleep in 16th century Scotland and woke up 500 years later - but with a scantily-clad female draped over him, so how bad could it be?! Gwen, who's on vacation in Scotland and has inadvertently awakened the sleeping hunk, is a well-educated, intelligent woman who knows that time-travel is impossible and therefore wonders what to do with this gorgeous delusional man - until he kisses her, and then what can a smart gal do but humor him?! Once she's back in the 16th century, she puts her knowledge and intelligence to good use, leading to some very funny scenes (who knew that a scientific background could be so helpful in making a strong man stay in one place AND listen!) I did wonder how the author was going to solve the dilemma that was created by solving the first problem, and still have Drustan stay true to his character and values - it was such a beautiful ending that it brought tears to my eyes. And the postscript at the end had me reaching for the next book in the series.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Tempting the Highlander (Highlander, #4); Author: Janet Chapman; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: It took my mind a little while to move from the 9-year-old Robbie in Wedding the Highlander to the grownup hunk of highland manhood we see in Tempting. But once that happened, I just sat back and enjoyed! We learned in Wedding that Robbie is the Guardian of his family, and here we see that carried out. What I found interesting - and different - is that he has always accepted this as his calling, not just his duty. And I loved the expansion of his guardianship to include the care and teaching of 4 juvenile delinquent teenage boys. And now it has again spread to include Catherine and her 2 young children, who are on-the-run from her abusive ex-husband. The threat to the Highlanders in this book is that Father Daar, the druid priest, put an 'expiration clause' in the spell that he used to transport the men forward in time. If Robbie can't undo it, his father and uncles will be whisked back to their own time - and leave their families behind! Well, that's not acceptable to this guardian!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Only With a Highlander (Highlander, #5); Author: Janet Chapman; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: This was almost a 4, and I may upgrade my 3.5 after I think about it a while. I was disappointed about a couple of things that weren't in this story, such as Mary the snowy owl, who was referred to but played no role here - and I could see a couple of spots where her interaction would have been great (now I'm telling the author what to write??!!). But I guess my biggest disappointment was with Winter's character - there's been so much buildup in previous books about her 'destiny' as the 7th daughter, that it bothered me when she wimped out so often, and Matt's character took over. I did love the resolution about the dying tree of life, and there were some great surprises - some I figured out, some I didn't.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: A Virgin River Christmas (Virgin River, #4); Author: Robyn Carr; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: This book had such a slow start that I was beginning to wonder whether the magic of Virgin River was still there. But I should have had more faith, and watching Marcie's steadfastness slowly peel away the layers of Ian's anger and guilt was worth the wait. Marcie's reasoning at first seemed mainly emotional - and it was - but that also peels away in layers to get to the real emotions. And there were emotions throughout. We know at the very beginning of the story that Marcie's husband had died a year earlier, yet I found myself in tears in chapter 12 over his passing. There was humor & laughter as well, and the characters from previous Virgin River books showed up just often enough.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Second Chance Pass (Virgin River, #5); Author: Robyn Carr; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: Until more than halfway through this book, I was wondering if I'd even be able to call it a 3* read; the Vanni/Paul story and the docudrama aspect of listing things that were happening to people created no excitement. It was more like I came home to Virgin River for a visit, and was told what had been happening to everyone in town. And that's not a bad thing - living among such caring people would be great, but this needed more than just a telling of events. Strangely, it picked up for me when Joe and Nikki met and began their misunderstanding, and even though it wasn't their book, Jack & Mel took over and created the interest that was missing.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Temptation Ridge (Virgin River, #6); Author: Robyn Carr; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: Robyn Carr makes you really want to live in Virgin River, whether or not you like small towns that are miles away from 'civilization'. After reading the books in this series, you feel like you could walk into Jack's bar and greet friends you know and love. I have a young niece with Down's, so I especially liked the way she portrayed Art, the young man with Down Syndrome, as such a likeable and loving person.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Rebellion (The MacGregors, #0.1); Author: Nora Roberts; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This is a good historical fiction, but falls really flat as a romance. Serena's mindless hatred of all things British goes on for much too long -Brigham was her brother's best friend, which should have counted for something, AND his grandmother was Scottish. My sympathy was all with the hero - I'm not crazy about a romance that goes directly from 'I hate you' to 'I love you' without even a pause for 'I like you'; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Blue Smoke; Author: Nora Roberts; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: This was a reread for me, and I think I liked it even more the second time. Obviously the suspense was muted, but I was surprised at how many details I had forgotten about the fires and deaths. This time I was able to concentrate more on the emotions and interactions of the characters, and this was simply wonderful! I know some readers were disappointed with the slow development - Reena and Bo didn't even meet until nearly 200 pages into the story! - but to me the strength of this story is in the gradual buildup of events through the years, which actually puts more tension into the current-day events. Above all, I loved the strength of family love and support that Ms. Roberts shows us throughout this story, and the way the Hale family extended that love so completely and naturally to Bo. Here's a couple of my favorite 'mom-isms' from Mrs. Hale: "We're still your parents, and we'll be your parents a hundred years after you're dead." "Your father has realized what was obvious - that I was right." I come from a large family, so this line just seemed so natural to me: "The floor was littered with kids of varying ages, with adults stepping over or around them." Yup, that's how it's done!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Trouble with Angels (Angels Everywhere #2); Author: Debbie Macomber; Genres: paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I love Shirley, Goodness and Mercy, and they were their usual bumbling, lovable selves in this book. My problem was with one of the 'heroines' - Maureen was such a bitter, vindictive divorcee that she made her own daughter miserable, and that made me dislike her immensely. The angels had a very hard time with her, and were only slightly successful, IMO. I loved the story of Joy & Ted, and the soul-searching and despair of Paul the minister was very real.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: A Stockingful of Joy; Author: Jill Barnett; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I usually love these Christmas anthologies, but my favorite authors disappoint in this one. "A Light in the Window" by Justin Dare stands out in this quartet and shows the true Christmas spirit.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Upon a Midnight Clear; Author: Jude Deveraux; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Finding 2 good stories out of the 5 included was not a very good holiday gift. Jude Deveraux's "The Teacher" was OK, but the shining star goes to Mariah Stewart for her "If Only in My Dreams". Linda Howard's "White-Out" was just ok and has been around for a while.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Darkly Dreaming Dexter (Dexter, #1); Author: Jeff Lindsay; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Dexter is a serial killer who only kills really bad guys, like child molesters.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Wedding Challenge (The Matchmaker #3); Author: Candace Camp; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: 2nd book of the Matchmaker series and the weakest story; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Damien (Nightwalkers, #4); Author: Jacquelyn Frank; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: Nightwalker series Damien is King of Vampires and Syreena is Lycanthrope queen; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Noah (Nightwalkers, #5); Author: Jacquelyn Frank; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: Nightwalkers #5 Noah is the Demon King; Kestra is human/Druid; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Mrs. Miracle (Angelic Intervention #4); Author: Debbie Macomber; Genres: paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: cute but not memorable; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Summer at Willow Lake (Lakeshore Chronicles, #1); Author: Susan Wiggs; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: This has been languishing on my TBR for much too long, so I finally decided summertime was a good time to read it. Before I finished it, I had already decided I needed to get the next in the series so I can follow other members of these families.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Winter Lodge (Lakeshore Chronicles #2); Author: Susan Wiggs; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: Great follow-up to Summer At Willow Lake - now I have to continue The Lakeshore Chronicles!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Scot and I; Author: Elizabeth Thornton; Genres: history, romance, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: This is the first E. Thornton book I've read with paranormal elements in it, and it seemed to me that she tried to give a light-hearted approach to the psychic element at the expense of the drama of the political intrigue, with this reader left somewhere in the middle. Even with all the red herrings thrown in, I was able to easily figure out who the real villain was by the middle of the book, but that may be because I've read a lot of her books. All that said, I did enjoy the book and read it in one day, so she did keep my interest, but it didn't have that feeling of suspense I usually get from her. And the rocky-path-to-true-love aspect was well-done. I'd give it 3.5; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Runaway McBride (Seers of Grampion, #1); Author: Elizabeth Thornton; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: James Burnett has psychic powers, and decides he'd better start using them to 'save his bride', who just happens to be the same woman who disappeared from his life without a word 8 years ago. Faith sees it differently - he was courting another while he was engaged to her. But then Faith discovers a photograph of her mother and wants to learn more about the mother she never knew - now she's being stalked, her room is searched, and an attempt is made on her life. Now she needs James, and they both have a chance to find out what happened all those years ago. I've been a fan of E. Thornton's romantic-suspense historicals for years. This was not on a par with her earlier works, IMO, but the mystery is well-told; every time I thought I had it figured out, I discovered that I was on the right track, but had no idea where the road led.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Sanctuary; Author: Raymond Khoury; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: A genetic secret that reaches back centuries - and of course, it could be worth a lot in the hands of the greedy and power-mad, so there's plenty of torture and death and man's inhumanity to man. The author personalizes it by making it about one young woman and her mother. It was a good-enough story (kiss of death here?). There were parts that were predictable, but enough that took me by surprise to keep me going to the end. Strangely enough, even though I wasn't strongly impressed, I still want to read 'The Last Templar' - maybe I should have read that one first.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Great Gatsby; Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Fitzgerald knows how to tell a story, but that's the only good thing I can say about this 'classic' - I have always had a problem with the glorification of the lifestyle portrayed in this book, and even more with trying to make a sympathetic character of Gatsby.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: A Tale of Two Cities; Author: Charles Dickens; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I'm really glad that this was not required reading in high school or college, or I might have had those memories getting in the way of my total immersion in this book. I did see a movie version many years ago, so it was not an unknown tale. I chose to listen to the book rather than sit down & read it, so I was able to continue the story even while physically doing those mindless tasks. I think that actually helped me concentrate more on what was happening to the characters and to the countries, and to be even more appalled at the mindless frenzy and violence of the French Revolution - not to mention the lengths that the human being will go to in retribution. It has happened too often throughout history.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Far From The Madding Crowd; Author: Thomas Hardy; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: What a marvelous telling of 19th century rural life, and of the steadfastness, patience, and reliability of the hardworking Gabriel Oak, who definitely lives up to his name - strong in character and able to bend with the storms of life. We are told that Bathsheba is a strong, independent woman, but I didn't come away with that impression at all. She lives an independent life because she is financially able to do so - but what might have happened to her if she hadn't inherited the farm? Might she have ended up like Fanny, loved but discarded because she had nothing else to give but her love? And where is her strength throughout her marriage to Troy and his subsequent disappearance? She is manipulated by Boldworth into agreeing to marry him after Troy is officially declared dead. She only finds the courage to go to Gabriel and tell her feelings after he tells her he's planning on migrating to America - again she is manipulated by a man in her life. I loved this book for its depiction of many aspects of rural life and the natural catastrophes that had to be dealt with or simply endured, and for its examination of human nature in the ups and downs and joys and tragedies of relationships.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: When Character Was King: A Story of Ronald Reagan; Author: Peggy Noonan; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction; Review: It is very obvious in the reading that Peggy Noonan admired Reagan - for his kindness, for his honesty, for his reliability. She states that the most important thing a man can bring to the presidency is his character, and she goes on to show - through interviews with Reagan, his family members, close friends, and some political enemies - why she is convinced that Reagan's character was of a high, moral fiber. She doesn't sugarcoat his first failed marriage or the major scandal of his administration - the Iran/Contra affair. I definitely learned some new things in this read. I was not aware, for example, how very close to death Reagan came in the attempt on his life that so tragically damaged Jim Baker with a bullet to the head. And I remember the air-traffic controllers' strike, and the outrage by many that Reagan fired most of them, but I did not know that the union demanded a 100% pay increase or they would 'shut down the skies' - Wow!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Constitutional Chaos: What Happens When the Government Breaks Its Own Laws; Author: Andrew P. Napolitano; Genres: non-fiction, history, biography, historical fiction; Review: "Unless you work for it, sell to it, or receive financial assistance from it, the government is not your friend. This statement from Constitutional Chaos highlights one of the points that Napolitano makes in this book: when it is not outright breaking the law to achieve a goal it desires, it subverts the law to take what it wants. He discusses the Takings Clause of the 5th Amendment, which has evolved into the 'right' of the government to take property for non-public purposes as long as they can state it's for eventual public benefit. THE major point for me is this: Our Constitution was meant to ensure rights of the people by putting limitations on the actions of the government. Unfortunately, all 3 branches of government are now interpreting it to be the rights of government - the very thing the Constitution was meant to limit. The author's sensible solution is for the people to become more aware of abuses by elected officials, and to vote them out of office.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight; Author: Unknown; Genres: history, poetry, biography, historical fiction, romance; Review: I always thought the battle with Grendel came later in this epic poem, so was surprised to see Grendel dispatched so quickly. But my only recollection of Beowulf is reading/discussing a brief excerpt in high school, and that memory is a long way in the past!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Invitation (includes Montgomery/Taggert, #13); Author: Jude Deveraux; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: 3 novellas - only one I liked was Kane Taggart's story; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Thunder on the Right; Author: Mary Stewart; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Jennifer is told that her cousin Gillian is dead, but she is not convinced and investigates. I don't remember any more about this book, so I'm guessing that this is one of the few Mary Stewart books that I didn't absolutely love.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Gabriel Hounds; Author: Mary Stewart; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: rich and spoiled cousins visiting their aunt in Lebanon, but there's danger behind the gates of the palace.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time; Author: Mark Haddon; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: a wonderful telling of the life of an autistic teenager, told in his voice.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: First Comes Marriage (Huxtable Quintet #1); Author: Mary Balogh; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I like it when the heroine is not a shy retiring type, but still follows societal rules. And I liked that Vanessa was realistic about her arranged marriage - there was no 'oh, I really loved him/her all along' with these two. And what I especially liked about Vanessa was that she wouldn't allow a misunderstanding to fester and ruin things - she refused to accept in silence what women were taught to accept in silence (and no, there is no unfaithfulness on either side). There's a lot on introspection in this book, which helped define what the characters were really thinking and feeling (and in Elliot's case, had him trying to convince himself he wasn't feeling what he was feeling). Vanessa practiced cheer and happiness until it seemed saccharine, but when you look at her philosophy of life, it makes sense: laughter is so much better for the soul than glumness, and she made it her role to cheer people (her sisters in their poverty, her first husband in his fatal illness). So here's Vanessa trying to practice that philosophy with Elliot, who has his own reasons for believing that you can't laugh and be happy when you are supposed to be a serious, sober, responsible adult. What do you end up with? A true marriage of opposites, and a slow, delightful romance. What I didn't like was the apparent ease with which the sisters entered society - not realistic for me, and one of the reasons this isn't a 5, but altogether it is a strong 4; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Witch Heart (Elemental Witches, #3); Author: Anya Bast; Genres: young-adult, romance, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I loved the first book in this series, and the world the author established, but I've lost that earlier desire to see what happens next. This was not quite a 4 read for me, in part for the same reason that others may love it - when the main characters are literally running for their lives from more-powerful-than-anyone demons who can literally poof into their room and annihilate them, the author has them take long time-outs for mind-blowing lovemaking. OK, put that way, what's not to like?! But it also said to me that no one, including the author, was taking the life-and-death situation seriously, so why should I? It didn't just break the tension, it eliminated it. And I had a problem with Adam's mindset about sex and love. He was so strongly in love with his now-dead wife that he felt he would be cheating on her if he fell in love again, but having indiscriminate sex with numerous women was not cheating?! I was glad to read Claire's story and find out what happened to her after she rescued Thomas and sent him back to Earth in Witch Blood; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Untamed (MacKinnon's Rangers, #2); Author: Pamela Clare; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I didn't like Untamed quite as much as Surrender, but it was still a 5* read. IMO Ms. Clare was very wise to put Morgan in a very different setting than his brother Iain - that of a severely wounded prisoner who is given the choice of joining the French (thus becoming a traitor) or dying a painful death at the hands of the Abenaki. Obviously, he doesn't die, and he's too honorable to turn against his brothers & the Rangers, so he has to play a very mental game to survive. Morgan also had to deal with a very interesting dilemma - his allegiance lay with a brutal, often immoral English commander, so he had to deceive a very honorable & fairminded French commander. Because of the compelling storytelling in these two books, I have done more reading about the French & Indian War (Seven-Years' War) than I've probably done since high school!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Lord of Hawkfell Island (Viking, #2); Author: Catherine Coulter; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Vikings - Rorik & Mirana; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Lord of Raven's Peak (Viking, #3); Author: Catherine Coulter; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Vikings - Merrick & Laren; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lord of Falcon Ridge (Viking, #4); Author: Catherine Coulter; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Vikings - Cleve & Chessa; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Devil's Embrace (Devil, #1); Author: Catherine Coulter; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: WARNING! SPOILER IN THIS REVIEW!! I just finished my reread of this book, which I would not have done if not for the BHB challenge! So I knew about the abduction and rape - what a wonderful lover! (Just in case you didn't recognize it, that was sarcasm!!) - and the gang rape that comes later, and really expected those events to negate everything else. That said, I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed the rest of the book. I loved the sailing activities and descriptions, and almost-travelogue approach to descriptions of Genoa and Italian countryside. And as a history buff, I thoroughly enjoyed the British look at the 'irritating rebellion' in the Colonies. Setting aside the rapes (which it's impossible to do), this would have been a weak 4, so I'm giving it a weak 3; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Courtship (Brides, #5); Author: Catherine Coulter; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Heatherington & Helena; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Season of the Sun (Viking, #1); Author: Catherine Coulter; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Vikings - Zarabeth & Magnus; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Once a Princess (Cardinia's Royal Family, #1); Author: Johanna Lindsey; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Tanya works in a Mississippi tavern - with dreams of soon owning it herself - when along comes a small group of very arrogant men who tell her she's a lost princess and they're going to take her to her destiny. Yeah, sure, what intelligent woman would believe that line?! So she does her best not to go with them, and they do their best to make sure she does. Pretty much a foregone conclusion, since there are 4 of them against one determined, able-to-take-care-of-herself feisty gal. Since this is a romance, you know everything's going to work out at the end, but it's the journey that makes this a fun read; and what an action-packed journey it is! I loved the personalities and interactions of the characters. This was a reread for me, and I enjoyed it just as much the 3rd time as I did the first.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Lord of the Far Island; Author: Victoria Holt; Genres: history, fiction, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery; Review: Ellen has had the same terrifying dream almost her entire life. She sees a room with red curtains, and the dreams progressively reveal a little more each time and give her the feeling of something terrible about to happen. The room exists nowhere in her life as a Poor Relation, the orphan of a mysterious marriage that no one will talk about. Then her life changes for the better with a marriage proposal, which unfortunately didn't end in marriage when Philip died of a gunshot wound which was ruled a suicide . When all seems lost, Ellen receives a letter from her previously unknown guardian, and gets a chance to learn about her parents by traveling to Far Island. When she arrives, she learns that the Lord of Far Island is the mysterious stranger she met twice in London. What does it all mean? What will she learn about her parents? And more importantly, will she finally learn the mystery about that room in her dreams? Good gothic mystery that reminded me why I used to regularly read Victoria Holt.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Out of the Dust; Author: Karen Hesse; Genres: history, young-adult, children, poetry, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: Such a poignant story of the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. The story is written in diary style, and told in the voice of a 14-year-old girl. Tragedies befall her family one after the other, until she can't take any more and hops the train west, to get 'out of the dust'. She has an epiphany on the train and realizes that the dust - the trials they've all lived through - are what made her who she is, and she chooses to stop feeling sorry for herself (tho Lord knows she has plenty of reason) and to be proud of who she is.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Jacob (Nightwalkers, #1); Author: Jacquelyn Frank; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: 1st in NightWalker series; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Rapture (Shadowdwellers, #2); Author: Jacquelyn Frank; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: Ecstasy, book 1 in this series, was just an ok read for me, and after enjoying most of Frank's previous Nightwalkers series, I was more than a bit letdown, so I waited quite a while before getting Rapture. But I usually give a series a 2nd chance (unless the first is really bad!), so I finally picked it up. And through more than half the book, my thought was, 'this is ok, but I think I'm done with this series' - and then everything started happening! Turns out that Shadowdwellers have a latent '3rd gift', and for Daenaira it's being a berserker in battle. It certainly explains what seemed like self-destructive behavior through 8 years of being a slave. I thought it was great that Frank gave this gift to a female character! But stay away from Magnus - his gift is compelling truth in everybody just through skin-to-skin contact. (I would say that our court/legal system needs this, but they'd screw it up by asking the wrong or inappropriate questions!) And he certainly needed to start using his power - life in Sanctuary had become downright dangerous for everybody - except the ones trying to take over, of course.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Duma Key; Author: Stephen King; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I liked the first half of this story, then everything just got too nasty for me.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: England's Perfect Hero (Lessons in Love, #3); Author: Suzanne Enoch; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This is Robert Carroway's story (referred to as 'Bit' in the 1st book of series; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Sin and Sensibility (Griffin Family, #1); Author: Suzanne Enoch; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Eleanor Griffin & Valentine Corbett; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Rake (Lessons in Love, #1); Author: Suzanne Enoch; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Lord Dare & Lady Georgianna; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: After the Kiss (Notorious Gentlemen, #1); Author: Suzanne Enoch; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: The Notorious Gentlemen: Sullivan Waring and Isabel; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Something Sinful (Griffin Family, #3); Author: Suzanne Enoch; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Story of Clay Griffin and Sarala. More than 3* but less than 4; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Reforming a Rake (With This Ring, #1); Author: Suzanne Enoch; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: First in the series - This is the story of Alexandra and Lucien Balfour; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: An Invitation to Sin (Griffin Family, #2); Author: Suzanne Enoch; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Zachary Griffin & Caroline Witfield; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Before the Scandal (Notorious Gentlemen, #2); Author: Suzanne Enoch; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Phineas & Alys; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: A Matter of Scandal (With This Ring, #3); Author: Suzanne Enoch; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Emma Grenville & Duke of Wycliffe; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Meet Me at Midnight (With This Ring, #2); Author: Suzanne Enoch; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Second book in the series - This is about Lord Sin and Vixen; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Taming Rafe (Bancroft Brothers, #2); Author: Suzanne Enoch; Genres: history, children, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Rafe Bancroft & Felicity; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Distant Magic (Guardians, #3); Author: Mary Jo Putney; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: part of the Guardian series, which I love, but this book was just so-so; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Water for Elephants; Author: Sara Gruen; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: * spoiler alert My enjoyment of this book ranks midway between those who have nothing bad to say about it, and those who can't find anything nice to say. I liked the beginning of the story and I really liked the way it ended. And I liked the parts in the middle that involved Jake's growing friendship with Walter, and I have to say that I thought his emotion on learning what happened to Walter & Camel seemed the most real part of his emotional involvement - and that includes the 'romance' in the affair with Marlena. I enjoyed 'seeing' the performance of Marlena & Rosie - it was described so well that it was remarkably easy to visualize. I liked the dual-age perspective, with 90-something Jacob both reminiscing about his life with the circus, and crabbing about being old and no longer relevant in anyone's life. Having the circus in town was a good segue between young & old Jake. Surprisingly, I did not have a hard time accepting the ending. As soon as the modern-day circus owner learned that Jacob had been part of the Benzini Circus and had witnessed the animal stampede, they were practically soul brothers, so letting Jacob stay with the circus was not a big stretch. Disappointments: Jake was the circus vet, but other than making sure the animals were decently fed (when possible), and shooting a horse he could not cure, what did he do? There were such details about eating meals; why not an instance or two of his detailed care for a sick/injured animal? 2) The villains were totally villainous - there was relentless nastiness and vicious behavior by August & Uncle Al. And I'm not comfortable with the easy excuse that August was a paranoid schizophrenic - he seemed to plan his verbal cruelty and enjoyed the pain he inflicted; that sounds more like a sadist than a schizophrenic.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Death in Venice; Author: Thomas Mann; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I know this is a classic and highly regarded, but I couldn't get past my dislike for Auschenbach. The author kept referring to him as 'the solitary traveler' as tho we should have pity for or empathy with him, but his demanding nature was so self-serving and uncaring of others that I couldn't really appreciate the message. Initially, it looked like Auschenbach had sexual feelings for the young Tadzio, but eventually you come to the realization that it was the beauty of art that he was seeing, altho I still wonder why he only saw it in the boy.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Mill On The Floss; Author: George Eliot; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: A semi-autobiographical account of life in Victorian society; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: To Seduce a Bride (Courtship Wars, #3); Author: Nicole Jordan; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: book 3 of The Courtship Wars Lily & Heath, Marquess; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: To Pleasure A Lady (Courtship Wars #1); Author: Nicole Jordan; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: ; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: To Bed a Beauty (Courtship Wars #2); Author: Nicole Jordan; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: book 2 of The Courtship Wars features Roslyn & Duke of Arden; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: If His Kiss Is Wicked (Grantham, #3); Author: Jo Goodman; Genres: history, fiction, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, mystery; Review: This is an outstanding book! See my review at Amazon; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Masquerading Mistress; Author: Sophia James; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: see my Amazon review; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: You Slay Me (Aisling Grey #1); Author: Katie MacAlister; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: this was somewhat interesting but very forgettable - just not for me; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Time and Again: Time Was / Times Change; Author: Nora Roberts; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Two stories of time-traveling brothers from the future who find two sisters in the present; each story has a different resolution. Interesting read but not among her best.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Only in Your Arms; Author: Lisa Kleypas; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: spoiler alert ** Has a heroine that just didn't have enough of a personality for me (too much a victim, I guess), and a much-older hero with two sons near heroine's age. She's a Creole, running from an arranged marriage, and he marries her to get revenge against her betrothed, who was his first wife's lover. Just nothing appealing in this for me.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Scandalous Lord, Rebellious Miss; Author: Deb Marlowe; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This was a very disappointing read - see my Amazon review; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: What a Rogue Desires (Reece Family Trilogy, #2); Author: Caroline Linden; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This is book 2 of the What a... trilogy and tells David Reece's story. He has been tasked with taking care of his twin brother's affairs while the Duke (his brother) is on his honeymoon. This is David's chance to prove he is no longer a good-for-nothing rogue, and this story had possibilities, but it just kind of stalled after the woman-steals-ring-and-David-kidnaps-her premise was set up. It was OK but not keepable.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Gettysburg (Gettysburg, #1); Author: Newt Gingrich; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Excellent alternative-history of that part of the Civil War from Gettysburg to end of war. This is book 1 of a trilogy, and gives an emotionally-charged account of both historical and fictional characters. Except for the fictional characters, every historical person & event is faithful to true history until the Battle of Gettysburg.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Pearl Harbor (Pearl Harbor, #1); Author: Newt Gingrich; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: This alternate-history telling of the bombing of Pearl Harbor is mainly from the Japanese viewpoint - thus the December 8th in the title. Much of the book focuses on Japan's Manifest Destiny mindset - that this was their time in history to take control of the Orient, and therefore the United States needed to be neutralized as a fighting power so it could not interfere in Japan's plans. A big message here seems to be that wars do not just happen - Japan had meticulously planned every detail of their systematic takeover in China, in Indonesia, etc. - but as happens throughout history, signals are misread or ignored by others. If you are not a WWII scholar, it could be easy to miss when the factual becomes alternate-history, but I am one of those readers who are glad that the book is not full of footnotes that would flag those points. The Internet is full of instant information, and thus becomes an informative history lesson. I am now moving on to Days of Infamy to see how these authors use the revised results of the Pearl Harbor attack to tell an alternate story of the remainder of the war with Japan. This would have been a 5* review but for the abominable editing in the first part of the book - either it got better as the book progressed, or I got used to it. I convinced myself after a while that I could tell, by the sentence structure (or lack of it!), which author was writing. In any case, it was pure laziness in the editing department - and really an insult to the reader that more care was not taken. All that said - on to Book Two!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Grant Comes East (Gettysburg, #2); Author: Newt Gingrich; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: spoiler alert In book one of this excellent alternative-history series, the battle of Gettysburg never happened; Lee retreated under cover of night and set up a trap that decimated the Army of the Potomac. Lincoln has brought Grant from the western theater and put him in charge of the new Union Army. Historical figures remain true to who they were in real history, but there are different battles & different results from actual history.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Never Call Retreat: Lee and Grant: The Final Victory (Gettysburg, #3); Author: Newt Gingrich; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: In this heart-rending conclusion to their alternative-history Civil War trilogy, the authors show the political intrigue and actions that create the environment in which commanders and soldiers must fight a war, and which helps decide which army will be victorious. In reading this trilogy, I often found myself googling names & battles to see whether what I was reading was factual, semi-factual, or completely fictional - and in the process, got an excellent history lesson.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant; Author: Daniel Tammet; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction; Review: The true-life story of an autistic savant with Asperger's Syndrome. Everything to him is associated with colors - thus the title.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Mossflower (Redwall, #2); Author: Brian Jacques; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: This marvelous fantasy is about Martin the Warrior and the woodland creatures of Mossflower banding together to keep the pleasures of their woodland for being taken over by a cruel ruler. In addition to enjoying the story itself, I had the pleasure of listening to an audio version narrated fantastically by the author with voices for the creatures done by a full cast. What a lovely experience!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Great Expectations; Author: Charles Dickens; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: spoiler alert I surprised myself by liking this a lot more than I expected to - which sounds like I was deliberately punishing myself by choosing it to begin with; but it's one of those books that I always intended to read 'someday', and I finally decided someday was now. It definitely had its ups and downs in holding my interest, and had I been reading a physical copy, I'm sure I would have put it down more often. There are a great many villains and pompous people and malcontents - and social climbers just like Pip - and not all that many 'good' people profiled, but as you get more into the lives of all these people, you discover/realize that most of these people are not all good or all bad, just as in real life! There are some you just have to love no matter what - Joe of course, and Biddy, and Herbert Pocket and Wemmick. Ah! I loved the way Wemmick set the scene for his own wedding - I can see them holding up Aged Parent so he doesn't fall over while they tug his white gloves on! And from the beginning, you suspect that there's at least some good in Magwitch, but who would have thought that Jaggers, the solicitor, had a heart of gold hidden away. There's plenty of character growth and redemption to make you feel that almost anything is possible, and the ending holds out a strong possibility that Pip will finally get his Estella, but Dickens originally wrote a different ending that, to me, seems to fit better - that they meet briefly on the street, but then go on with their own separate lives.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Devil's Cub; Author: Georgette Heyer; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This is such a delightful story! A young rake with no visible morals (except his love for his mother) talks a foolish girl into running off with him to Paris - so she knows he doesn't have marriage in mind. Her more sensible sister takes her place, thinking she can get back home without any damage to her reputation once the Cub realizes he has the wrong sister. He is less than calm when he discovers he's been duped, but Mary keeps her head (and the gun from his carriage) and shoots Vidal when he won't let her go - and the fun begins. I first read this book many years ago, and find it even more enjoyable with each reread. I now get much more enjoyment out of the sibling-like squabbling between the Cub and his cousin Juliana, because I'm not thinking ahead to the next scene with Mary & Vidal. And I paid much more attention from the beginning to the character of Frederick Comyn, who loves the flighty Juliana. And of course there's Vidal's maman Leonie and her 'monseignor', known to everyone else as the Duke of Avon from 'These Old Shades'; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: These Old Shades; Author: Georgette Heyer; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I think I'm in the minority on this book. I really liked the plucky Leonie, but the way the duke used this young girl for vengeance was callous. Strangely, the sequel about their son, "Devil's Cub" is one of my most-loved Heyer stories.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Cotillion; Author: Georgette Heyer; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This is a treasure, and was such a pleasure to read! Kitty is a naive, caring country girl who convinces mild-mannered Clark Kent - oops, I mean Freddy to engage in a fake betrothal with her so she can escape her miserly adopted uncle and enjoy some time in London. Kitty is a very likeable but impulsive heroine who creates plenty of opportunities for Freddy to come to her rescue, which he does repeatedly. I absolutely loved Freddy! He is the perfect example of an alpha male in disguise; a well-dressed gentleman with not much in his brainbox (at least that was everyone's perception, including his). But no one ever needed his help before, and Freddy ends up proving his worth in charming ways - always for Kitty.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Corinthian; Author: Georgette Heyer; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Sir Richard Wyndham is "first, last, and always a man of fashion, and he will never do anything unbefitting a Corinthian." So says his sister Louisa, who has been badgering him to offer marriage to iceberg Melissa Brandon. When Sir Richard sets off to do his duty, Melissa's father is fortunately away from home, and an enlightening conversation with Melissa makes Richard aware that she is only agreeable to marry him because he has enough money to bail out her family. So Richard gets thoroughly drunk that night, and while attempting to walk off some of the effects, he rescues a youth who is dangling at the end of some knotted sheets that ended too far from the ground. When he catches the escapee, he discovers the youth is really a young lady who is running away because she is being forced into marrying her odious cousin, only because she is "cursed with a large fortune!" Running away from an unwanted marriage suddenly sounds like a good idea to a very drunk Richard, so off they go on the stagecoach - definitely a new experience for this very rich young man (although he thinks his 28 is quite old compared to Penelope's 'just turned 17'). Three days and several bizarre events later, he readily admits that Pen has indeed led him on an adventure beyond belief, as he recalls "my comfortable home, my ordered life, my hitherto unblemished reputation", but since he is laughing as he says this, the innocent young Pen has no idea that he is declaring his love. It takes him a little longer, but he eventually convinces her! I loved this book, mainly because of Richard who, no matter the circumstances, remained the quintessential Corinthian who could not abide a poorly tied cravat! This was not quite a 5, but I enjoyed it too much to lower the rating to 4.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Nonesuch; Author: Georgette Heyer; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Ancilla Trent was born into a respected but not affluent family, and moved in the first circles of society in Hertfordshire, until her father's unlucky investments and untimely death left the family in financially uncomfortable circumstances. Her best hope was to marry well, but Ancilla would not marry where she did not love - but neither did she wish to be a burden on her brother or her uncle, so she became a schoolmistress and then a governess, thus putting her outside the accepted boundaries of the socially acceptable. This is important in understanding her mind-set when The Nonesuch, Sir Waldo Hawkridge, comes to Oversett and begins paying attention to her. She does like his attention and his company, but she is convinced that he's merely flirting with her and refuses to take his attention seriously. Just when she thinks his intentions are honorable, she learns that he is renovating Broom Hall for 'his wretched brats', and it's obvious to her what that means! Surely a virtuous woman can have nothing to do with a man who has such a cavalier attitude about his libertine behavior! But he doesn't act like a libertine, and his eyes twinkle so, and he has a wonderful sense of humor that keeps her on the edge of laughter, and his young cousin Julian certainly thinks highly of him - so what to do?! I loved the balance of youthful and mature romantic pairs, both of them strongly impacted by the selfish and self-centered Tiffany. Mrs. Chartley's reading of Tiffany's character was spot on: "...an odiously precocious little baggage who was wild to a fault, as vain as she was beautiful, and wholly wanting in character and disposition." And Tiffany so often proved her right: she becomes livid with anger and has a raging tantrum on the street when she is ignored by everyone all because they're caring for some insignificant little street boy who is seriously injured. Yup, that's Tiffany, so, of course, this reader just kept waiting for her to get her comeuppance! A strong 4; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Remember When; Author: Judith McNaught; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I absolutely love McNaught's historicals, but her contemporaries are very hit or miss for me - mostly miss. I loved 'Perfect' and liked 'Paradise', but other contemporaries have disappointed.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Indiscreet; Author: Candace Camp; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: H/h meet, decide to use the other to achieve their own ends, lie and/or withhold important information from each other, fall in love anyway. OK story, but not a keeper.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Joy; Author: Jayne Ann Krentz; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: the suspense story was much better than the romantic aspect for me; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Son of the Morning; Author: Linda Howard; Genres: history, romance, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: I recently finished another reread of Son of the Morning. This is one of those books that I just have to reread every other year. I give it 5+, and would rate it 10* if that were possible. Grace St. John is a twentieth-century research scholar who has recently begun deciphering some 14th century documents involving the Knights Templar. Then her husband & brother are brutally murdered, and she is on the run, protecting her life and the documents that someone desperately wants. It was interesting to see her evolve from a very loved and protected wife & sister to a street-smart woman who knows how to fight for what she wants. Black Niall is a 14th century Scottish warrior who is the Guardian of the Templar Treasure & Power. In the course of a year, Grace discovers just enough to know that she really needs to know more - and that she needs Niall's help, which is where the time travel comes in. I thought the lead-in and preparation for her time-traveling was very well-done. Readers who picked this up for the romance were somewhat disappointed, but not I. There were numerous little vignettes of Niall and Grace sensing the other & becoming aware of each other through dreams, and their meeting actually didn't take place until well into the book. And even then the romance didn't overpower the story, for which I am grateful, as I think it would have diluted a very powerful suspense tale. Don't get me wrong - I love the love story of Grace and Niall, but I loved this book because it also had a very well-developed plot in both time periods. And reading about the mystique of the Templars & their secrets is always interesting for me.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Jezebel (Batistas #3); Author: Katherine Sutcliffe; Genres: history, children, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I love stories about wounded people who help heal each other; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Cutting Edge; Author: Linda Howard; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: spoiler alert Tessa was accused of embezzlement from the firm she worked for, and decided to fight back; Brett was a charming corporate troubleshooter who lowered the boom on her because he had been falling for her - what a bullying jerk!; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Dream Man; Author: Linda Howard; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Marlie Keen had lived as a virtual prisoner for over 20 years because her psychic gift made her too vulnerable around people - she was so bombarded with the emotions of others that her only defense was to live like a hermit. Then something horrible happened to her, and she lost her psychic skills. For six years, she lived and enjoyed a normal life. Now she's 'experienced' another woman's violent death, but when she reports it to the PD, she is faced with the cynicism and disbelief of Detective Dane Hollister, who feels that a psychic is simply a psychotic who forgot the 'ot'. However, that doesn't stop him from wanting to get into bed with her. I loved the epilogue - very cheesy, but still funny!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch; Author: Terry Pratchett; Genres: paranormal, young-adult, fantasy, fiction; Review: This was an enjoyable escape from reality, and at the same time too many of the people and behaviors were all too possibly real. The footnotes were wonderful and almost a story in themselves. But I'd like to add my own footnote to the authors: "Seems to me," to use the words of Adam the Antichrist, that those maggots were gross and unnecessary and over-the-top, Neil & Terry!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Then Comes Seduction (Huxtable Quintet, #2); Author: Mary Balogh; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This is really a 4.5* book, and would have been a 5* if there had been more to Katherine in the first 1/3 of the book. At 25, Jasper is a good-for-nothing rakehell, with no apparent reason for his selfishness. We quickly discover that he does have a conscience, but silly Katherine is scared enough to run home to the country for 3 years. When she returns she should be older & wiser, but it takes a social disaster that could ruin her family before she thinks of anyone but herself. I know that I fell for Jasper long before Katherine did. But what really made this a great story was the unfolding of their love - slowly and beautifully and very believably. I liked that it took time and shared events and talking to each other to help that love develop.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: At Last Comes Love (Huxtable Quintet, #3); Author: Mary Balogh; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Each book in the Huxtable series has been just a little better than the one before, and this one is great! Meg and Duncan are two very strong characters who sacrificed their possible early happiness for the sake and well-being of others, although in Duncan's case it takes a little while to realize he's not the total cad that society believes him to be. And it takes Meg a while (too long?) to realize that perhaps she didn't sacrifice as much as she thought. In the hands of master storyteller Balogh, their early trials enable them to become strong enough to deserve a real and reciprocal love, especially because they work at it, knowing that love needs to be fed to grow strong.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Walden, or Life in the Woods; On the Duty of Civil Disobedience; Author: Henry David Thoreau; Genres: history, poetry, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Thoreau said, "A written word is the choicest of relics." As someone who loves to read, I agree completely. There were some real gems in this book - the sections on 'Sound' and 'Solitude' may end up being my favorite part of the book, since I also love watching & listening to nature. And he spent a very interesting 4 pages describing a war between red ants & black ants! But then he followed that up with a long, boring description of Walden Pond, how its shoreline is made of a belt of smooth, rounded white stones, how it rises & falls, etc. I guess I couldn't understand how he could make one so interesting and the other so boring - well, maybe I can; he couldn't seem to resist pontificating and judging. According to Thoreau, age does not bring wisdom; he's 30 & has not heard anything valuable from his seniors - sounds like a very strong ego in play, and it came thru at unfortunate times for this reader. Am I sorry I read this? No. Will I ever read it again? No.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew: From Fox Hunting to Whist—the Facts of Daily Life in 19th-Century England; Author: Daniel Pool; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: This book is a gem! It is meant as a reference book for those reading works of fiction written in/about victorian times, but I also enjoyed it as something (mostly) very interesting to read a chapter or section at a time - just pick something interesting out of the Table of Contents and read away. Or go to the very extensive Glossary to find the explanation of a word or term that has been driving you crazy in that novel you're reading. I had fun reading this, and some sections were a lot more interesting than I expected. And I especially liked the numerous references the author made to many of the classics written in that era. Since I had just finished "Great Expectations" those references really 'jumped out' at me, and invariably gave me a better understanding of the meaning or law behind things such as the indenturing of apprentices (and also why the document was called an indenture). I know, I'm a word nerd, but I love stuff like this!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Dark Highlander (Highlander, #5); Author: Karen Marie Moning; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: How can you not love a man whose biggest fault is loving too strongly? And how can you not love a man who is strong enough - morally & emotionally - to withstand the evil power trying to take over his soul, while searching for a way to send it back where it belongs? Daegus is host to 13 evil immortal souls because his unconditional love for his twin brother led him to time travel to undo Drustan's death, thus breaking the Compact with the Fae and picking up the evil hitchhikers in the 'inbetween'. Now he is searching for the way to keep from unleashing all this evil on the world. His mistake is in not realizing/understanding that his unconditional love for Drustan is reciprocal - if he had gone to his brother for help, they may have found an answer earlier, but then Daegus wouldn't have met Chloe. His Druid self 'knew' her immediately, but it took Chloe a little longer. She loved Celtic artifacts, and was entranced with the multitude of them she saw in his penthouse, but once she realized Daegus was the ultimate Celtic artifact - well!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America; Author: Bill Bryson; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: I have read reviews from book critics who talk about the humorous irreverence in Bill Bryson's writing. Well, there's irreverent, and then there's just plain mean. Too often, I got the impression of 'I'm so much better than these rubes/morons/farmers' (he used 'farmers' as an epithet, and as the daughter of a farmer, I took great exception to this). There were just enough truly funny - and sometimes just heartrendingly sad - moments in this book to keep me reading, but I truly got angry on behalf of the many groups of people he mocked in this book.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1); Author: J.K. Rowling; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I enjoyed this more than I expected to - and since I enjoy fantasy and magic, I don't know why I was so reluctant, altho I think it had something to do with expecting to be disappointed after all the hype. But it was fun, it was realistic about behaviors of pre-teens, and solving problems needed cooperation and teamwork by the students, which made Harry part of a team in more than name, and I think was one of the main draws for me. Now that I've begun, I will continue the series, and look forward to the year-by-year growth of all the students.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3); Author: J.K. Rowling; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: OK, I don't really think this is a 5* book, but it is the best of the Harry Potter books I've read so far, and definitely better than 4. I liked the first two, but when Rowling got Harry out of the Dursley's house before summer was completely over, the fun started early as well. And of course, when Harry was restricted to Hogwarts when all the other third-year students got to go to the magic town of Hogsmeade, you just knew that he wasn't going to be a good boy and stay put. And there just had to be more to the Sirius Black story that a good wizard gone murderer. There were a few surprising things, but it was pretty obvious what Hermione was up to. But those Dementors - brrrr!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2); Author: J.K. Rowling; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: The beginning of this book was just mildly entertaining, although I did like the character of Dobby and hope we see more of him in future books. It wasn't hard to figure out who his abusive owner was, and I enjoyed the smelly solution Harry used to free Dobby. And I really wanted Gilderoy Lockhart to be involved in some of the shenanigans so I could have (another) reason to dislike him, but the narcissism he displayed was all there was. The story picked up for me when the Petrified Cat was followed by petrified students, and the attempts by The Three to solve the mystery kept my interest until I got to the end. I do have to say that removing and then rejuvenating all the bones in an arm was a bit much for me - altho it did solve the problem of the broken arm! This was really more a 3.5 read, but going down to 3* wasn't right either, so I bumped it up.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Dream Thief (Drakon #2); Author: Shana Abe; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Zane is the perfect bad-boy-you've-gotta-love. We know from The Smoke Thief why Zane is such a consummate thief and why he trusts no one (except Lia's mother Rue). And it's easy to understand why he keeps giving Lia the cold shoulder - he understands perfectly what horror awaits any human who messes with dragon girls. And that leads to Lia's other problem - her dragon powers have not fully developed; she can't Turn to smoke and she can't fly; what's the fun in being a dragon if you can't fly?! She does dream, tho, and the future she sees for herself and her family is not reassuring - can she change it? Can she trust Zane? Can Zane learn to trust Lia? They'll find out when they (reluctantly) join forces to find the Draumr diamond - Lia knows it must be destroyed; Zane wants the money he's been promised for bringing it back. I love the dragon world that Shana Abe has created, and she expands it beautifully in this book. She creates beautiful mind pictures of dragons in flight - makes you want to look up to try to see one flying and looping through the sky. Will definitely be reading the next one: Queen of Dragons; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Forever and the Night (Vampire, #1); Author: Linda Lael Miller; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: This is the story of Aidan the Reluctant Vampyre, who was 'made' against his will 200 years ago. He hates being a vampire, especially now since he's met Neely the Human, and has been searching for a way to become human again. His twin sister, Maeve, does not understand; she willingly followed him into the vampire world and has embraced almost everything about it (she does miss the sun). And then there's Valerian, vain and arrogant and beautiful. There are no real surprises as the story progresses towards its HEA, but it is creatively done and keeps the reader's attention. This is a very strong 3, but didn't rise to 4 for me.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #1); Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafon; Genres: history, fiction, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I was enchanted with the opening chapter, and even more enchanted with how the closing chapter mirrored the beginning. Everything in-between was enchanting or horrifying, with the emphasis on tragedy and horror as events unfolded. And again there was the mirroring in the present of things that happened to other people in the past. The enchanting part for me in the body of the book was, surprisingly, not the romances (of Julian & Penelope in the past, and of Daniel and Bea in the present), but the delightful character of Fermin, who had plenty of horrors of his own to deal with, but refused to give in to gloom and depression.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: His Majesty's Dragon (Temeraire, #1); Author: Naomi Novik; Genres: history, young-adult, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: An aerial corps is a very important aspect of warfare, but instead of airplanes we have the Dragon Corps taking part in the Napoleonic Wars. This is a fantasy historical that does a good job of making everything sound 19th century except the dragons; even when they're working with/interacting with dragons, the characters sound and act like 19th c. people, and there are some looks into 19th c. society. I really liked the emphasis on the dragons - their varieties of breeds, their personalities, their ability to teach humans how to work with dragons instead of just treating them as flying horses to be broken to harness. I also loved the way the author had Temeraire be the one to encourage Lawrence, the reluctant academic, to read - well, the dragon couldn't hold the book or turn the pages, so Lawrence had to read to him! I also enjoyed seeing Lawrence's character development; he was not an especially likeable hero at the beginning, at least to me, but as he acknowledges his prejudices he changes his thinking and behavior accordingly, and not coincidentally, becomes more of a leader. Looking forward to the rest of the trilogy.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Throne of Jade (Temeraire, #2); Author: Naomi Novik; Genres: history, young-adult, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: I was really looking forward to the continuation of the Temeraire series, but midway through this book I doubted that it would rate any more than a tepid 3* rating. His Majesty's Dragon ended with the information that Temeraire was a Celestial dragon that the Chinese now wanted back. They had given the dragon egg to the French (and we learn the reason for this near the end of this book), but now state that a Celestial deserves a handler with royal blood, and Laurence definitely does not fit that standard. A compromise is reached to have Laurence and his crew travel to China with Temeraire to see what can be worked out. A great premise, but we then spend six months on board a sailing ship with them (at least, it seemed that long!) Just as I was getting mighty sick of being at sea with only boring ship tasks and illness, strange and dangerous things began happening on board, and a 250-foot sea serpent appeared, giving Temeraire something to do. Once they arrived in China, the book took off again, our suspicions about one of the Chinese delegation was proven true, and a treacherous event led to a surprise ending, with hints of what may happen in the next book. As another reviewer said, there's plenty to love: sea monsters, battles at sea and on land, assassination attempts, and political intrigue. So my tepid 3* grew to a barely 4, and I will read on in the series.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Black Powder War (Temeraire, #3); Author: Naomi Novik; Genres: history, young-adult, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Temeraire and Laurence are finally able to leave China (and Laurence is relieved to learn that Temeraire wants to go back to England) - but first they have to travel to Istanbul to pick up 3 dragon eggs that Turkey has agreed to sell to England. Their overland trip (I was relieved to learn that we wouldn't again be on a sailing ship for a good part of the book) takes them across deserts, of course, and the real problems of sandstorms, lack of water, searing heat, and in their universe, feral dragons. When they arrive in Istanbul, the British ambassador is mysteriously missing, and the Turks refuse to sell the eggs, so Laurence does the only thing he can - he steals them! I like the addition of the feral dragons to the story, mainly because it's more realistic to have malcontents and outcasts in any species, and it opens up possibilities for future events. Novik has created intelligent and sentient dragons in this series - I think we've now reached the point where that may lead to conflict between dragons and humans, although Temeraire the activist has assured Laurence that he understands that the war against Napoleon takes priority over trying to establish dragon rights. But when that comes, it should be very interesting!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Empire of Ivory (Temeraire, #4); Author: Naomi Novik; Genres: history, young-adult, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Well, we traveled to another continent in this book. In His Majesty's Dragon it was Europe (England especially) and the Napoleonic Wars, in Throne of Jade it was Asia (China specifically), in Black Powder War it was the region of Eurasia (Turkey), and in this book we travel to Africa to try to find a cure for the deadly disease that is decimating the dragons. In the process, they are captured and enslaved, and ... (well, more would be a serious spoiler). Again, this book didn't really grab me until the 2nd half, and since I began the series because of the intriguing aspect of the use of dragons in warfare, specifically the Napoleonic Wars (oh, there is a scene with Napoleon and Laurence, but you'll have to read the book to find out how that happens), I had decided that I would say goodbye to Temeraire. But shame on Ms. Novik - she ended the book with a cliffhanger and now I have to read the next one (that's my rationalization speaking!) I continue to be impressed with the author's creativity about the dragon world, and her obvious historical and geographical research - I just wish I felt the characters more. My true rating is more than 3, but really falls too short to become a 4.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Wildest Hearts; Author: Jayne Ann Krentz; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: I really liked this one, especially Oliver; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Midnight in Ruby Bayou (Donovan, #4); Author: Elizabeth Lowell; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: this is Faith Donovan's story; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Angels & Demons (Robert Langdon, #1); Author: Dan Brown; Genres: history, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Robert Langdon is a symbologist who is asked to help investigate the torture and murder of a Catholic priest who is a scientist & who just happens to have invented the antimatter that has now been stolen & is hidden somewhere in the Vatican. When Langdon arrives at the Vatican, he learns that 4 cardinals have been kidnapped and that every hour, one of them will be branded and killed in retaliation for the branding & killing of 4 Illuminati members in 1668, an event that Langdon calls 'la purga'. Langdon describes the Illuminati as a group of Catholics who chose science over the teachings of the church whenever the ideals of the two diverged, and that the Illuminati had gone underground after 'la purga' and has apparently now been resurrected to exact retribution. On a preface page, the author states that the brotherhood of the Illuminati is factual. However, I could find no proof that the times and dates and people are historically accurate, or that the Illuminati existed in the 17th century. The Bavarian Illuminati was founded on May Day, 1776, long after Bernini's sculptures were put in place in various churches. The founders were able to use the Illuminati for a very real political conspiracy, aimed at seizing power in Bavaria, & came close to succeeding. But the Illuminati's role was almost non-existent outside Germany, and by 1790 they had ceased to exist. Poor Bernini, however, is probably now believed by many to have been an organizer of the underground Illuminati.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: To Wed a Scandalous Spy (Royal Four, #1); Author: Celeste Bradley; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Willa Trent is "The Mishap Miss" of Derryton village, and is the main reason this book is so delightful. She doesn't understand why things happen to boys who've tried to court her in the past 3 years (broken limbs, etc.), but things are looking up: Nathaniel Stonewell, Earl of Reardon, is prostrate at her feet. I mean, really prostrate! The stone from her slingshot accidentally knocked down a hornet's nest, and the stinging that ensued panicked Nathaniel's horse, causing him to be forcibly dismounted in the road, where a stone was waiting for his head to fall on it. Since Willa couldn't wake him up, she stayed beside him to protect him - all night long. Well, we all know that if a young maiden spends the night with a man, they're obliged to marry - and the villagers waste no time in making that happen. This all happens before page 50, when they begin to travel the rocky road, literally & figuratively, of their inconvenient marriage. Willa, however, is resourceful and indomitable - and full of almost as many secrets as her new husband.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Let the Night Begin (Brotherhood of Blood, #4); Author: Kathryn Smith; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: This is a very good story of love lost and love recovered, and Reign is a hero to die for (oh, wait - she did). This is a strong 4.5 read and would have been a 5* if not for the use of the 'f' word for making love. I have accepted the use of that word to show strong anger, frustration, etc., and in some cases it's very appropriate (in battle, e.g.), but being 'f'-ed is just not loving and romantic to me. I just wish authors would resist this push to be so graphic.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Poetry 180: A Turning Back to Poetry; Author: Billy Collins; Genres: young-adult, non-fiction, poetry, fiction; Review: When I saw that this anthology was put together by a former Poet Laureate of the U.S., I looked forward to reading, as the back cover promises, a collection of poems "by the most exciting poets at work today." I love poetry of all kinds, free-verse or rhyming, serious or silly, realistic or fantastic, so I picked this up with high expectations, and I guess that was my problem. I expected some of them to be dark - and some are; I expected some to be silly - and some are; I expected some to be poignant - and some are. What I didn't expect was that so many of them would speak only to other contemporary poets and not to the reader.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Little Men: Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys; Author: Louisa May Alcott; Genres: history, young-adult, children, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: At one point in this delightful book, the author states plainly that there is no particular plan to her story, other than to describe events at Plumfield, but also tells us that most of these happenings are taken from real life, which I can easily believe. By the time you reach the end of the book, it is both difficult and easy to realize that all of these events took place in just six months. There are so many gems here that are true-to-life: her descriptions of the glaringly mismatched dress-up outfits, the friendly wrestling matches that become too rough in the heat of the moment, the face-saving lie that grows until it explodes, etc. And the poignant moments still bring tears to my eyes at each rereading: when Jo observes Daisy listening raptly to Nat's fiddle-playing, and says "just like my little Beth', when Jo & Laurie are watching the children perform and Jo talks about her 'little men'. And then there's the chapter about a death in Jo's family.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Law of Love; Author: Laura Esquivel; Genres: history, comics, paranormal, graphic, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Is this meant to be science-fiction? Or is it a tongue-in-cheek spoof of every aspect of life the author could toss in? The fact that I still don't know after finishing it tells me that whatever the author meant it to be, it missed completely with me. Reincarnation over centuries until you get life right - I'm OK with that. A man having to be reincarnated as a woman so 'he' can experience rape from her perspective - I'm fine with that. Because fetuses 'created' in a lab become bodies without souls (huh?) it's all right to use them for body-swapping - NOT OK with that. This gets 2* because the drawing of lives seen in regression were really good - and who can hate having some good music with your book?; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: After Twilight (Dark, #6.5); Author: Amanda Ashley; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: the 5* review is only for Dark Dream, the Carpathian story in this anthology. I loved both Falcon and Sara, and liked that Jacques & Shea played a big part in Sara's rescue. But I do not remember any of the other stories in this anthology.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #1); Author: Douglas Adams; Genres: paranormal, young-adult, fantasy, fiction; Review: This is one of those stories that is only complete when you read all of the books in the series, so I will just say that is was cute but I wasn't greatly impressed. It's obvious the author has a wonderful imagination, and I will just have to take it on faith that the story grows and improves, but at present I have no intention of continuing the series.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Only One (Dark, #9.5; Star, #0.5; Companion, #0.5); Author: Christine Feehan; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: my 5* rating is for Dark Descent, the Carpathian story of Traian & Joie; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Raven Prince (Princes Trilogy, #1); Author: Elizabeth Hoyt; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Edward makes a very sympathetic hero - all of his actions are understandable and within character, given his sad history and his need to have an heir or have everything revert to the Crown (Anna told him she was barren). All of his actions - that includes going to a brothel for sex. Very much out of character was Anna's trips to the brothel to have anonymous sex with Edward (she wore a mask). Although she knew who he was, to him she was 'that whore from Aphrodite's'. No matter how I look at it, I just don't see that as lovemaking. The dialogue and the quirkiness and variety of the supporting cast made this a book worth reading, but this one's not a keeper.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Wicked Under the Covers (Carlisle Family, #1); Author: Barbara Pierce; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This book had such an unsympathetic heroine that I couldn't care about anything that happened to her.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Master of the Night (Mageverse #1); Author: Angela Knight; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I rarely give any book just 1, but the vulgar sex talk and descriptions of the sex act (I can't call it love-making) were seriously disgusting.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Fever (Leopard People, #1-2); Author: Christine Feehan; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: This is really a 2.5 but since it's better than 2* I bumped it up. It includes two stories - The Awakening and Wild Rain, and creates the story of the Leopard People. I think I may have finally found a Feehan series I don't plan on continuing.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Killer Angels (The Civil War Trilogy, #2); Author: Michael Shaara; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: This is an awesome book about the Battle of Gettysburg and the men who fought it.!!! It won a Pulitzer Prize and it's easy to see why. Deserves even more than 5; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: John Adams; Author: David McCullough; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Awesome read! It's easy to see how this book received a Pulitzer prize. Although I've been familiar with Adams the politician, and I've known about the voluminous correspondence between John & Abigail, and the love and respect those letters show, I was very impressed with the look at Adams the man that this book gives us. And much of it was shown through his correspondence to Abigail, to his children, to life-long friends, etc. How did McCullough find/get access to all these letters? Did everyone save letters in those days - did the major players (Adams, Abigail, Jefferson) make copies of all their correspondence?! Rather puts us all to shame in this day and age!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Elizabeth and Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens; Author: Jane Dunn; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this well-researched study of two queens of the same generation, ruling in neighboring monarchies on the same island - a rare occurrence in the world of the 16th century that held that the natural order of things required a male ruler. But instead of making them kindred spirits and supportive of each other, this rarity instead made them life-long rivals, and eventually led to the imprisonment and execution of one of them. Mary Stuart was queen from birth, and thus was surrounded by excessive flattery and praise. She grew up in false security, and since she was never challenged, she was basically unaware of her own capabilities. And her youth, and the political manipulations by others, worked against her. Elizabeth, on the other hand, was in danger for much of her youth - with Henry VIII for a father, and his penchant for divorcing, imprisoning, executing his wives, their children were often in jeopardy. The lessons she learned from her childhood were that her fate lay largely in her own hands and in how she conducted herself. At the very beginning of this book, the author tells us that Elizabeth believed in self-discipline and sacrifice, while Mary valued pleasure over duty. In the course of the following 400 pages, she presented historical facts and details that proved this again and again. For all her charisma - and it was apparently quite awesome - Mary's self-centeredness led to grief time after time, with tragic results.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Lady of Quality; Author: Georgette Heyer; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This really should be a 5 rating, but it just wasn't quite there for me - a strong 4.5, tho! I love to sink into Heyer's regency world - to experience and perhaps understand a little better the ups and downs of living in 19th century England, this time in Bath. And I especially love the way she uses the vernacular of those times - it's so much more enjoyable to figure out the meaning of the slang & 'cant' through the conversations of the characters rather than reading a glossary, such as in the following soliloquy: Ninian is speaking to Miss Wychwood: "The thing is - well, owing to one cause and another, I'm a trifle behind the wind at the moment! Until quarter-day, in fact! As soon as my allowance is paid I shall be tolerably well up in the stirrups again, but it won't do to be getting under the hatches, so ..." Much better than, 'I'm broke, ma'am.' Or this: "If ever I heard such a whisker!" Oliver interjected. "You are generally held to be a diamond of the first water, my girl! And don't tell me you don't know it, for I am a hard man to bridge, and I give you fair warning that you'll catch cold if you try to gammon me!" What a lovely way to tell Annis that he thinks she's beautiful!! Lady of Quality is not a love story - rather, it's about Annis finding love at the advanced age of 'nine-and-twenty' and 1)learning how to recognize that it is love, 2) working through the dilemma of accepting that love or retaining her comfortable, independent life, & 3) discovering that, with the right person, she can indeed have it all. I really liked that Oliver recognized that he, rake that he was, loved Annis and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, and that he also understood why she was reluctant to accept his love and to acknowledge hers. This book delved a little more deeply into the serious problems experienced by unmarried women, especially those who were not financially independent. Annis had the money and background to allow her to live independently, although even here she had to employ an older female companion in her household if she wanted to be accepted in society. But poor Miss Farlow, the 'gibble-gabbler' of this story - Maria was a 'poor relation' with no beauty, so she was doomed to do and be whatever her relatives asked of her; no wonder she prosed on and on: how else was she to be noticed?! I have to admit, I got so lost in her perorations that I had to go back and read again what she said to get her meaning; then I often laughed in sheer delight at Heyer's ability to actually bury a meaningful statement in that deluge of words! But no one, not even Annis, seemed to understand that Maria needed more than to just be tolerated; Maria herself accepted her 'place' in society, although you could hear it; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Dance Through Time (MacLeod, #1; de Piaget/MacLeod, #2); Author: Lynn Kurland; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: This was not really a 4 read for me, but it was above average for the most part, so 3* wasn't enough. I liked the story, I loved the Highlander clan members (especially Angus & Ian & Malcolm), and Jaime's son Jesse was almost too good to be true. And I really liked the gradual change in Jaime from his first 'she's-a-witch, I'll-throw-her-in-the-pit' response when he first saw her in his castle. So what didn't I like? Elizabeth was a 20th century author who often ate take-out and seldom cleaned her own apartment, yet without any adjustment time she jumps right in and not only organizes cleaning the castle (that was for survival), but is down on her hands and knees scouring a truly disgusting floor, and apparently was a good enough cook to create recipes. And then there's Megan, who's been posing as a boy for nearly a decade because Jaime didn't allow females in the castle, but as soon as Beth puts her in a dress, she acts completely like a girl, again with almost no adjustment time. It was just too jarring for me. That said, I will continue reading about the MacLeods; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Naked in Death (In Death, #1); Author: J.D. Robb; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Better than a 3* read, but doesn't meet 4* requirements for me. This was a well-written suspense thriller with romance (of course) which takes place in the fairly-near future, but already there are flying cars and off-planet sites. With all the scientific and electronic improvements in this society, I found a very strange futuristic anomaly - Eve has to completely strip so a machine can scan her bones/internal organs?! That seemed gratuitous to me (especially since she thinks about how the technicians are looking at her on their monitors) - it just doesn't fit with the other advances. The societal differences, actually, were not all that much different, except for all the fake-food they appeared to eat (well, maybe that's not so different after all!) As a coffee lover, I could definitely sympathize with Eve when she got to drink some real coffee! This was more suspense-thriller than romance, which was actually OK with me, but the clues were pretty easy to follow. I did like the way that Roarke recognized and helped with the trauma in Eve's past. It's easy to see that the romance part of this series will grow. I liked this one enough to read the next in the series. For now, this gets passed on to my husband, who liked but was somewhat confused by the one he read out-of-order.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #1); Author: J.R. Ward; Genres: paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Read this in less than 2 days. It was a compelling read, once I got past the leather-wearing biker-mentality depicted in the first chapter, and I will be continuing the series. I loved Fritz the butler and Butch the human cop I liked: the relationship of the brothers - close because of their task of protecting their race from humans and especially from 'lessers', but realistically behaving like siblings who don't always get along the hints of the dark secrets of the other 'brothers' that you just know you're going to learn more about when you read their stories that the vamps drank only from each other because their blood is stronger/richer than that of humans (altho the detail about having to drink from the opposite sex lets you know it's more than drinking blood) Didn't like: the names of the male vampires - violent emotions every one. Darius was the only one with a 'real' name - and look what happened to him Beth's immediate desire for sex with the guy who basically broke into her apartment Confusing: Wrath was nearly blind - because of eye problems before transition that got worse over the centuries? BUT Beth's transition improved her eyesight! Could be because Wrath's blood was so rich BUT he'd been getting that rich blood from Marissa ever since his transition and no vision improvement for him. Maybe I missed the explanation for that?; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lover Eternal (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #2); Author: J.R. Ward; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: To me, this is a beautiful love story not because Mary is a human with leukemia, not because she is able to soothe Rhage's dragon, but because of the way he totally proves his love at the end of the book. I liked: the relationship that developed between Rhage and Mary the strength both characters showed in fighting their inner demons learning more about the backgrounds of others in the Brotherhood Butch - what can I say, I really like his character! I disliked: hearing about those "sh*kickers" all the time - enough is too much already!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches' Guide to Romance Novels; Author: Sarah Wendell; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I joined a challenge to read the books discussed in this book, so my main purpose in reading this book was to get a list of the books. I liked the way the authors traveled through the history of the romance genre, putting book titles in to emphasize each point. I felt the authors gave a good history of the genre, and some of the information was presented in a serious way. Much of the book was entertaining in a silly way, but there was way too much vulgarity for this reader! However, I did get my booklist!!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Outlaw Viking (Viking I, #2); Author: Sandra Hill; Genres: history, young-adult, children, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Vikings and time-travel should be an unbeatable combination, but this particular one didn't 'wow' me. Although I did like this book, I didn't feel compelled to continue with the series.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Scarlet Letter; Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: A marvelous study of how one's actions affect and reflect the person within. In one case - Hester - you have someone who not only accepts but embraces the punishment of society, and in another case - Rev. Dimmesdale - how hidden guilt can affect both the mental and physical health of an individual.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: God's Fool: The Life of Francis of Assisi; Author: Julien Green; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Many biographers fill their books with lots of dry details that sometimes make the biography a boring read. Not so here - the author converted to Catholicism as an adult, and fell in love with the ideals and goals of Francis of Assisi. He writes the results of his research/pilgrimage of Francis' life in a series of short vignettes, as if he were having a conversation with the reader.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Last of the Mohicans; Author: James Fenimore Cooper; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I have been reading about the French & Indian War, so thought this would be another part of that. Although it takes place during the 3rd year of the war, and shows the conflict between Indian Nations and their reasons for allying with either the French or the British, this is a more a personalized aspect of conflict between Indians, with the white scout Hawkeye as a focus. In the end, the forces of good defeat the forces of evil, but Uncas, who personified the forces of good, is killed by the evil Magua, who is then killed by Hawkeye. Cora has already been killed by another Huron. Why didn't the author have Uncas kill the man who kidnapped his love, rather than have the white man be the one needed to repel evil? Here is where I got very upset with the author, although in all honesty - given the era in which he was writing - he probably could not have done differently even had he wanted. Cora and Uncas suffer the tragic fate of doomed interracial love, while Alice and Heyward, the conventional white lovers, will live happily ever after. Did J.F. Cooper write it this way because society could not accept their love; is he suggesting that different races should not mix; or did he simply want a dramatic and sad ending?; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Story of Edgar Sawtelle; Author: David Wroblewski; Genres: history, fiction, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, mystery; Review: I was so angry when I finished this that I wanted to throw the book, but I was listening to it, so there was no physical book to throw! And that makes as much sense as this story did. The author spent 3/4 of the book telling an involved, convoluted story well, it is based on Hamlet, and did a pretty good job of telling the story and history of Edgar Sawtelle, but then it rambled and wandered and stopped - I guess coming to the last page means you've reached the end, but to me it just stopped and left me feeling cheated.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Tess of the D'Urbervilles; Author: Thomas Hardy; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: How to rate a book that is a well-written tragedy, has a wonderful heroine, and is full of characters that use and abuse her. She is a commodity to her parents, whom she continues to love and take care of, even at her own physical expense and emotional well-being. And let's not even talk about the man who professes to love her, marries her, and leaves her because she was raped and bore a child. I knew this tale was a 'downer' before I ever picked it up, but I am really appalled at the 'message' that seems to come out of Tess' life story: be caring and conscientious, put the well-being of your family before yourself, work hard your entire life, and be despised and looked down on by others, even by the ones who created your downfall. Hardy went out of his way to make sure that nothing ever went right for Tess.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Legend in Green Velvet; Author: Elizabeth Peters; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: An enjoyable cozy-mystery about a young American woman, Susan, who is about to take part in her first archaeological dig in Scotland. While enjoying the sights of Edinburgh, she gets caught up in some melodrama and a murder, and ends up on the run with a look-a-like of one of her favorite historical figures. I enjoyed the history about Mary, Queen of Scots, and about Bonnie Prince Charlie, but got turned off a couple of times by Susan 'lecturing' to others about Scottish history. A little bit here and there would have worked better for me than long discourses. I also unfortunately got turned off by the narrator of the audiobook, especially when she mispronounced names, such as Culloden and Celts (she actually said 'Selts').; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Queen Victoria: From Her Birth to the Death of the Prince Consort; Author: Cecil Woodham-Smith; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction; Review: This surprised me by being a very enjoyably-readable tome of the life and times of Queen Victoria. The author succeeded (with me) in making this a very well-documented accounting of Victoria the person and woman as well as Victoria the queen. We see her as a girl, trained and manipulated for potential political gain by others. We see her relationships with her mother, with her half-sister Feodora (who she loved devotedly all her life), and especially with her husband Albert, the absolute love of her life (and the devastation his death brings to her). In the course of telling all these personal details of Victoria's life, the author covers the political happenings, the wars, the people who served in British government - much of it told through excerpts from letters, diaries, & other documents. I was especially enthralled with the letters between Victoria & Albert, which put me in mind of the correspondence of John & Abigail Adams - in both cases showing personal love along with total participation in political/national life.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Tempt Me at Twilight (The Hathaways, #3); Author: Lisa Kleypas; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This is one of those almost-but-not-quite 5 reads. It was easy to understand why Harry didn't believe in love and didn't trust affection, so I could see why he chose the strategy he did to acquire what he wanted - and he wanted Poppy. But the fact that he knew -and didn't care - that his actions were intentionally hurtful towards Poppy made it difficult for me to even want him to succeed. Naturally, Lisa Kleypas knows how to bring us around to her way of thinking: Harry redeemed himself wonderfully, leading to some tear-worthy lines with his version of romantic words: "You're my balance wheel, Poppy" - out of context, it doesn't do much for you, but when you read the whole speech, it is very romantic. Seeing how the hotel staff genuinely cared for Harry-the-person as well as Mr. Rutledge-the-employer let us know there had to be more to Harry than projected to the world, but of course it took Harry longer to realize that maybe friends are really not more inconvenient than enemies. And when he realized that the something magical in Ramsay House was really love, I knew that he was worthy of Poppy. The Hathaway family is what makes this series so great - I read Mine Till Midnight because I wanted to read more about Cam, but then I fell in love with the Hathaways - it's always fun to see what they're going to do next (like rescue a macaque from the hotel food lift!). And after what happened in this book, I'm more eager than ever to read the story of Catherine and Leo, but I'm wondering if Beatrix's story will come before theirs. No matter - I'm looking forward to both!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Comanche Heart (Comanche, #2); Author: Catherine Anderson; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Amy was brutalized by the comancheros when she was just 12, and Swift Antelope helped bring her emotionally back from that nightmare. Before he left to fight with his People, they became formally betrothed in the Comanche style, and Swift promised to return for her when the fight was done. But when he returned, Amy's stepfather showed him a grave & told him it was Amy's. With nothing to live for, Swift became a gunfighter and rode with some comancheros. When they attempted to rape a girl they kidnapped, Swift rescued her & decided he needed to leave that life. He went north to settle with Hunter (from Comanche Moon) and was overjoyed to discover Amy, alive and working as a schoolteacher. But 15 years have passed, Amy still has nightmares about her past, she is frightened of the man he has become, and she wants out of their betrothal. This is a story of discovery and healing. Swift once told Amy, "If ever anyone had Comanche heart, it was you, blond hair, blue eyes, and all." Now Swift has to help Amy rediscover that zest for life, because now that he's found her again, he can't imagine life without her.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Indigo Blue (Comanche, #3); Author: Catherine Anderson; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I wavered between 3/4 for quite a while, but in the end decided my 3.5* didn't really reach to the 4, mainly because it was too easy to put the book down and do something else. Indigo's story should have been more compelling, but for a girl who had been through as much as she had, parts of it just didn't ring true for me. I guess Comanche Moon was just too compelling, and this one suffers in comparison.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Partner; Author: John Grisham; Genres: thriller, crime, mystery, fiction; Review: There were lots of interesting twists and turns in this tale, with lots of bad guys - some really bad and some just more bad than good. I found myself rooting for Patrick the embezzler, mainly because of the despicable guys he did the embezzling from. There were so few obviously good guys - Patrick's lawyer Sandy, and Patrick's buddy from the 'old days', a judge who's close to retirement - that they really stood out. There were some big 'surprises' at the end, two that I had been anticipating (so no big surprise), but one that was really masterful.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Thirteenth Tale; Author: Diane Setterfield; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Stories within stories and mystery piled on mystery. It begins with the dual story of twinship, which created the initial connection between Margaret the biographer and Vida the novelist - Margaret is the surviving conjoined twin who still emotionally feels the connection of her sister because they shared one heart. Vida's story is about twins born out of possible incest (the reader will learn whether or not that is true), and hidden truths that haunt three generations of the Angelfield family. This book reminded me strongly of Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden, in that you have a modern-day mystery (1970's?) which has its roots in the actions of those who lived 3 generations earlier. The similarity ends there, however, as each book is a marvel in itself. Setterfield used the common love of books as the 'cement' between the two women protagonists, and in the end, it was the written word - the diaries - that provided the missing information (in Morton's book, it was the tales of the Authoress). I found Margaret's occasional commentary to have a dual purpose - to pull together the thoughts of biographer and reader after she'd discovered something momentous, and to give the reader some calming breathing space before the next mystery arose or was solved. A great story!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Last Lecture; Author: Randy Pausch; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: This was one of those cry-for-happy, cry-for-sorrow, or laugh-out-loud-funny books. There was plenty of each, and I often found myself laughing or choked up with tears as I listened to this book that is basically a good-bye to his children. Randy Pausch lived a good life, had a great job, a wonderful wife, three terrific children, and died last summer of pancreatic cancer. Those are the facts, but there's so much more in this little book that could be considered inspirational. Such as the value he placed on hard work. Such as the old truism that failure so often precedes success, so instead of feeling hurt by criticism, learn from it. Such as the teaching method he learned from his high school football coach: that there was really only one way to teach kids how to develop self-esteem: "You give them something they can't do, they work hard until they find they can do it, and you just keep repeating the process." Such as, ultimately, time is more important than money. Maybe it's because I'm also a teacher, but most of his goals resonated with me, as did his never-give-up attitude.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Whiskey Rebellion: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and the Frontier Rebels Who Challenged America's Newfound Sovereignty; Author: William Hogeland; Genres: non-fiction, history, biography, historical fiction; Review: I like reading about seemingly obscure but significant events in history. The Whiskey Rebellion came about because the first excise tax levied by the new U.S. was a whiskey tax that was more costly to the small, local farmers who made their own whiskey, than it was to the larger conglomerates in the northeast.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Knight in Shining Armor; Author: Jude Deveraux; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I know many Deveraux readers loved this book, or they liked it but hated the ending. The ending was just fine with me, in fact, it was probably the only reasonable ending. No, my problem with the book was Douglass - she moaned, she whined, she cried, she was such an anti-heroine that I almost didn't finish the book; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Duchess (Montgomery/Taggert, #2); Author: Jude Deveraux; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Claire is an American heiress, Harry is a penniless duke who of course needs to marry money. That's basically all I remember of this story, except that I gave it away after reading it.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Sweet Liar (Montgomery/Taggert, #6); Author: Jude Deveraux; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I liked this for the very reason that other readers appear to dislike it - the search for information about why Samantha's grandmother suddenly disappeared from her family, and what really happened to her. I liked Mike and the way he sort of shocked Sam back to wanting to live. Their love story was sweet, but not really the heart of the story. If I were rating this simply as a romance, it would be a weak 3, but I liked the rest of the story.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Velvet Angel (Velvet Montgomery Annuals Quadrilogy #4); Author: Jude Deveraux; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Elizabeth hates the Montgomerys; she has been told tales of all the vile things they have done. So when she is delivered, naked and rolled up in a carpet, to Miles Montgomery, she believes everything she's been told about him - until he goes about changing her mind. This book has a great ending, with the women 'saving the day' - unusual in a medieval.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Study in Scarlet; Author: Arthur Conan Doyle; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: This is the book in which Dr. Watson meets Sherlock Holmes for the first time, and the meeting and first impressions made the book more enjoyable to me. The backstory - the reason behind the killings at the beginning of the book - was very sad and depressing, but Sherlock, of course, was so focused on finding out the truth about the murders that I got the impression that Dr. Watson and the reader were the only ones who cared about the tragic history of the man who was arrested.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Wallflower Christmas (Wallflowers, #4.5); Author: Lisa Kleypas; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I enjoyed revisiting The Wallflowers after their marriages. But since time was very nicely devoted to each of the original Wallflowers and their spouses, it didn't leave enough time for the romance between Hannah and Rafe. And this is the only reason this book doesn't receive 5* from me. As usual, I love Lisa Kleypas' writing, and the humor of the Wallflowers comes through, and I love the house-party Christmas setting. But I was left wanting to know more about Rafe and Hannah, and the story was over much too soon. Still, it was a very enjoyable read.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: No Regrets; Author: Michele Ann Young; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I read this book because it has so few ratings on Goodreads, sort of like a wallflower at a dance. My hope was that it was ignored because it was unseen, but alas! alack!, as the old poem says. The characters are flat, and there are more cliched situations than any one book should hold. Add a heroine who's ridiculously naive and yes, TSTL, and a hero who pretty much lies to everyone, and that's it.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Second Glance; Author: Jodi Picoult; Genres: history, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: What happens to society if we go from high-minded medical/scientific work that has curing illness & disease as its main purpose/motivation, to scientifically improving hereditary qualities by controlling breeding in humans (because that could lessen or eliminate those diseases)? This book, which also includes ghosts, love stories, and a 70-year-old murder mystery, has a very disturbing history lesson about state-approved sterilization and the American Eugenics Society. The author took an abstract idea - how eugenics was used/abused in the 1930s - and personalized it by acquainting us with the people it affected in the story. She did the same in the modern-day parts of the story with the ideas of stem cell research and gene modification, and the need to balance positive aspects with potential pitfalls of new genetic technologies.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Curveball (Richmond Rogues, #2); Author: Kate Angell; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: Three bad boys of baseball, known as the Bat Pack, each meet the woman who will reform him and make him want to be gasp monogamous! Basically, the book is how each woman achieves what she wants, the guys are convinced they did the convincing, and there's just enough baseball involved to say it's definitely a sports story about love, or love stories about sports. It was a cute story and moved at a good pace AND (a plus for me in a contemporary) was not loaded with off-color or foul language.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: 74 Seaside Avenue (Cedar Cove, #7); Author: Debbie Macomber; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: I enjoyed this more than I thought I would through the first half of the book, but I have read Debbie Macomber books before, so I stayed with it, and the last 1/3 was worth the read. But I learned a very valuable lesson: even though books in some series are written as 'stand-alones', picking up one in the middle of the series is like coming into a movie in the middle; by the time you get to the end, you've figured things out, but you're aware you missed so much more. That said, I enjoy books about small towns and the general neighborliness and friendships that last - even the gossiping that goes on!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Code of the Woosters: Jeeves to the Rescue; Author: P.G. Wodehouse; Genres: history, fiction, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, mystery; Review: Bertie Wooster is a loveable nitwit, but fortunately for him, and for us, he has the inimitable Jeeves, Butler Extraordinaire. Bertie and his buddies bumble through life, creating problems for themselves; Jeeves easily finds solutions (usually!) and makes everything work out. The fun and joy is not so much in the plotline as it is in the absolutely delightful dialogue, often rambling and deliriously off-topic. Bertie is the narrator, and his thoughts have the same rambling, ridiculous direction as the conversations with his pal Gussie and his Aunt Dahlia. And then there's that cow-creamer!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Leave It to Psmith; Author: P.G. Wodehouse; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, comics, crime, graphic, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This is a charming comedy of errors, told as only P.G. Wodehouse can do. I did a lot of chuckling, and had some laugh-out-loud moments as I read about the enterprising Psmith "the 'P' is silent, as in psychic and ptarmigan" as he carried out his plan to get out of the fish business and make something of himself. His campaign began when he placed an advert in the newspaper, offering to do anything for anyone provided it had nothing to do with fish. He is soon off to Blandings to steal a necklace, all part of the job, of course! There is something of a Keystone Kops character to the actions of the bumbling thieves (real ones!) and of other members of the household as they all try to steal an expensive necklace in order to become rich (the thieves), settle a debt, help a friend, etc., but it's really more of a droll humor than slapstick. I was a little apprehensive that, without the inimitable Jeeves and Bumbling Bertie, a Wodehouse just wouldn't be the same, but I feared for naught, as they say. I'll be looking for the other Psmith stories.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Mating Season; Author: P.G. Wodehouse; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: IMO, this was not as good as Code of the Woosters, but it was very enjoyable nonetheless. Bertie is not very gifted in the brainbox, but he is such a likeable character, and is always willing to help his friends, which of course gets him into difficult situations that only Jeeves can get him out of. The main enjoyment in a Wodehouse story is not what happens, but how the author describes what happens through dialogue. And Bertie does go on and on and on, so there's plenty of dialogue.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Magical Christmas Cat (Breeds, #17; Feline Breeds, #11; Murphy Sisters, #2; Psy-Changeling, #3.5); Author: Lora Leigh; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: As usual with anthologies, you have a strong story, a weak story, and others in-between. Since she is the reason I got the book to begin with, I guess it's no surprise that I think Nalini Singh's is the strongest of the four, and maybe the others suffered from comparison. 3.5* - Stroke of Enticement by Nalini Singh: I really liked the letter to Santa from the hospitalized young Annie, and I think it raised my expectations of how that would/could develop, but the limitations of the short story let me down here. However, it was a sweet holiday story and that's probably exactly what it was meant to be. 2* - Christmas Bree by Erin McCarthy: the witch-abilities of the sisters was cute, but ... And the shared dreams between Bree and Zach just didn't do anything for me. 3* - Sweet Dreams by Linda Winstead Jones was better, and the psychic dreams of Ruby actually helped move the storyline along, but why does the heroine have to become an idiot to set the scene for the bad guy? She did have the heroine redeem herself, but still... Christmas Heat by Lora Leigh: this was my first (and probably only) LL story, and I did read it, but since erotica is not my style, I think a rating by me would not be fair.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Afterlife and Other Stories; Author: John Updike; Genres: history, fiction, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, mystery; Review: First the positive: John Updike definitely knew how to use words to evoke mental pictures and feelings of all kinds in the reader. The detailed beauty of his words made you see objects and situations in a new light. Now the puzzling: Updike was in his 60's when this book was published, so I assume that these stories were written at about that time in his life. Yet nearly every story included adulterous, divorced, remarried (and remarried) characters who seemed to enjoy nothing about the middle-aged stage of life except getting rid of the current wife. And what's with the story about the divorced dad who came back to visit his young adult son, discovers the son had been bitten by infected ticks and may well have Lyme's Disease, and his one thought is that "he had got out just in time" - WHAT?! Yet Updike dedicated this book to two "newcomers to this life" - his grandchildren? And the negative: Out of 22 short stories in this collection, I found only 4 that had anything about 'the particular wonders' of life beyond middle-age. The rest were very depressing tales of very self-centered people.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Angle of Repose; Author: Wallace Stegner; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: It took me much too long to work my way through this novel, but I am nevertheless (reluctantly) giving it 4. Why? Mainly because of the marvelously descriptive phrases and passages that the book is almost littered with. Stegman's descriptions of the American West of the 19th century are hauntingly beautiful. I also liked the way he told the story through letters and documents and newspaper clippings, with the intermittent narration of the historian grandson of Susan & Oliver Ward, who fills in some of the gaps in their story with what he thinks/surmises/hopes is what happened. This should have been a good, compelling read, so what went wrong? 1) Lyman's complaints & problems were interjected too often, sometimes breaking the flow of the historical story. I was fine with his interposing his comments within the historical events, and other than setting up his situation at the beginning of the book, the resolution of his problems (or lack of it) could have been the ending - which leads to another major problem - 2) What was that last chapter all about? An awful ending - but maybe he was saying that his whole life had been just as awful.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (Hitchhiker's Guide, #2); Author: Douglas Adams; Genres: paranormal, young-adult, fantasy, fiction; Review: This was a very relaxing way to spend a couple of hours. I enjoyed 'Restaurant' more than "Hitchhiker's Guide'. Both books, and I imagine any further ones in this series, are creatively ridiculous. But this one was more ridiculously funny, with the author making fun of everything he wants to, and it's apparent he has a long list. But then there are so many things to choose from, as any good satirist knows. And it's so nice to be able to order Jynnan Tonnyx and Ouisghian Zodahs anyplace in the Universe.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Letter Perfect (California Historical, #1); Author: Cathy Marie Hake; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: A 19th century story about a young woman who traveled to California to live with her father after her mother died of consumption - and then discovered that her father had died two years earlier, and that nobody out West knew she existed. Ruth is very klutzy & eager to please, but also something of a suffragette, and Josh is a gentlemanly rancher who initially believes that women should depend on men and do what they're told. He, of course, soon sees the light. A sweet but rather bland story.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Paradise Valley (Virgin River, #7); Author: Robyn Carr; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: I was really looking forward to this book, even though I knew it would not be a light-hearted read, but I admit to being very disappointed in having Rick's very serious story so diluted by all the others. What happened to Rick in Iraq obviously impacted all the major players in Virgin River, and I figured that would be plenty to fill a 400-page book. Obviously, I was wrong. This read like the last book in a series, where all the relationships had to be brought to a conclusion. In the process, what should have been the major story, wasn't.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: French Quarter Fiction: The Newest Stories of America's Oldest Bohemia; Author: Joshua Clark; Genres: history, poetry, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: The synopsis for this book said it branches across genre - and that's true. It also said that romance is one of those genre - but I obviously have a different definition of romance. I was expecting blues stories, and ghost stories, stories that take place in cemeteries or crypts. I must say that I had absolutely no idea that almost everyone in the French Quarter (to judge by this anthology) is depressed or suicidal or homicidal or on drugs. I do not recommend this as a guide to attract tourists! My main purpose in reading this book was to find some new authors to read, and I found two, so I guess my search was successful.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: A Monstrous Regiment of Women (Mary Russell, #2); Author: Laurie R. King; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: This book is more Mary than Russell-Holmes in its content, and most of the time it works. In this story, Mary turns 21, takes possession of her inheritance, and becomes Miss Independence (sometimes a little too stridently but also very believeably). She gets involved in women's suffrage (especially in caring for abused women), and has some very interesting conversations about translations of the Bible. There are deaths of women, which of course turn out to be murder, and a financial mystery involving the woman who runs the center for women. And there is enough Holmes, both of the personal and professional variety, to keep him to the forefront, even when he appears to be on the sidelines. I do like the Russell/Holmes discussions and interactions, especially the way Holmes almost always seems to 'know' where Mary is or is going to be, which of course drives her to distraction - the perfect partnership!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Light on Snow; Author: Anita Shreve; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: A coming-of-age story with lots of complications - Nicky is on the cusp of womanhood, but really left her childhood behind two years earlier when her mother and baby sister died in a car accident, and her father was so devastated that he moved them away from everyone and everything she knew. They've just been drifting along as the remaining half of a family, until one day on their daily walk in the woods they discover an abandoned baby so newly-born she still has an attached umbilical cord. Suddenly, their frantic trip to town to get the baby to the hospital pushes the dad into interacting with other people, and into communicating with his daughter. No Pollyanna solution to the abandoned-baby situation, although Nicky has some true-to-her-age daydreams on the subject.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Wicked Duke Takes a Wife (Boscastle, #9); Author: Jillian Hunter; Genres: history, children, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: JIllian Hunter got her magic back on this one! Yes, it's highly unlikely/improbable that Harriet, formerly of St. Giles, would be someone to tempt a lordly duke into thinking of marriage, but this is Romancelandia, so I don't have that big a problem with improbable situations. There was just enough serious stuff here - the reason that Griffin was dubbed The Wicked Duke, the reasons why his niece Edlyn was so incorrigible, and what that led to - to balance out all that improbable stuff. As a bonus, I loved the quotes from Frankenstein and the way that book was worked into the story.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Ender's Game (Ender's Saga, #1); Author: Orson Scott Card; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Ender was a Third in a society that only allowed two children per family. When he was six, he was taken by the state to be trained in a military academy in space.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Woman in White; Author: Wilkie Collins; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This story is told through the reminiscences, diaries, and sworn statements of several characters. The reader quickly learns that these statements are being presented as part of an investigation, but the reason for the investigation is not openly stated at the start, and the reader must piece things together to figure it out. Each narrator reveals a little more of the puzzle of this mystery through explaining their actions and their observations of the actions of others. The catalyst for many of the events is the woman in white, although she is basically a powerless victim who has escaped from a mental asylum. And that is only one of the themes in this novel. We have the thwarted young love of Walter & Laura, the marriage of obligation of Laura to Sir Percival, Percival's need for money and the big mystery in his past which appears to be the cause of the incarceration of the woman in white. And above all, the powerlessness of women in the 19th century. This is a wonderfully-written mystery with many twists and turns, and great characters throughout, even the villainous ones.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Wide Sargasso Sea; Author: Jean Rhys; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Antoinette's story is that of a young girl, and later a young woman, who had no control over anything that happened in her life. She was born into a well-to-do family in the West Indies, but when the money disappeared, she and her mother were left to a life of poverty and isolation for five years. Her mother's remarriage made her an heiress, but when her stepfather arranged a marriage to a young Englishman, her fortune and home became his. He did not want to be in the Caribbean (it appears that his father arranged his participation in the marriage: maybe a do-this-or-you're-disinherited situation?), but he stayed. Jane Eyre's Rochester was a character I simply could not like, and therefore couldn't understand how such a strong personality as Jane could fall in love with him. Jean Rhys took my feelings a step further - in having him narrate his own part of this story, she left me with the impression of a weak man who found it too easy to blame his problems on others, and then to punish them for what he thought they had done. His mental abuse of Antoinette was unfathomable - he deliberately and systematically completed the destruction of her sanity based in great part on the word of a stranger who demanded money in exchange for silence. So how could I give this 5? The author so beautifully described the heat & humidity & colorful foliage of the region that the reader can almost see & smell the flowers and the rain and even the sweat of the people. Having the two main characters narrate their own part of the book helped the reader see and feel events through their perspective, narrow and biased as it often was.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Yiddish Policemen's Union; Author: Michael Chabon; Genres: history, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Picture this: Israel is a failed proposition, so instead of European Jews migrating to the Jewish state of Israel, they end up in northern Alaska in an area ceded to them temporarily by the U.S. government. Problem is, their 60 years of occupation is almost up, and the Reversion will be effective in two months - but certain factions in the Jewish community have their own plans. Meyer Landsman is a detective who has his own problems - mainly drink and almost a dozen unsolved cases. He makes it an even dozen when he decides to take exception to the murder of a drug-using chess player who lives in the hotel room next to Meyer's. A lot of other people take exception to his trying to solve the murder. Mayhem ensues - and so do sparks between Meyer and his ex-wife Bina, who is also currently his boss. Chabon uses picturesque language in his descriptions, such as 'methane flatulence' and 'sucking-candy vowels and chewy consonants' of the Tlingit language - never having heard that language spoken, I'll have to take his word for it. I have previously heard Yiddish words and phrases, but never so many in one place that I needed a Yiddish dictionary to know what was going on in the first half of the book. I did enjoy the last third of the book - hence the 3; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Here, There Be Dragons (Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica, #1); Author: James A. Owen; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, comics, children, crime, paranormal, graphic, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: This was pure fun from beginning to end - and the end includes a very nice touch for fantasy-lovers. Come aboard a dragon-ship and visit the Archipelago of Dreams, as you travel with the Caretakers of the Imaginarium Geographica, which is an atlas of all the lands that have ever existed in myths and legends and fairy tales. Maybe along the way you'll find out what really happened to Noah's Ark! And of course, there are dark forces, led by the Winter King, who want the Geographica and the power to be found within its pages.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Devotion (Hawthorne, #2); Author: Katherine Sutcliffe; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This is the story of Trey Hawthorne, brother to the hero in Miracle. IMO, Miracle was a better story, but this one was still good.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Hannah Swensen, #1); Author: Joanne Fluke; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: This book is a keeper for me because of the recipes ! That's right - there are some really great cookie recipes in it that I can't wait to try! Other than that, this was a quick & easy read and didn't take much concentration to stay on top of what was happening. There was just enough mystery to keep me working through the clues with Hannah, and I was over 3/4 of the way through the book before I figured out the probable identity of the murderer, so the author did a good job there. But I did get very irritated about Hannah checking out all the clues and interviewing everybody, while the official police investigator (her brother-in-law) made phone calls and worked late on paperwork - but all was fine because she called in regularly and told him what she'd found out! If you can get past that silly premise, it's an OK story.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: One White Rose (Rose #3); Author: Julie Garwood; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I fell in love with the Claybournes the first time I read For the Roses. In that book, Douglas was the brother who first discovered the baby who was thrown in the refuse heap (she became their baby sister Mary Rose), so this role was perfect for him. He travels to a farm to collect the Arabian stallion he had purchased, but instead finds himself delivering the widow's baby during a rainstorm. Then of course he has to stay a while because the doctor says that the premature baby can't be moved from the cabin 'for 8 weeks; 10 would be better' if he's to have a chance at survival. Was the good doctor doing some matchmaking? Douglas & Isabel are stranded alone at the cabin for 2 months, so you can see where this is going. This is vintage Garwood - the dialogue between H/h and among the brothers is great (all the brothers put in an appearance). Just writing this makes me want to read FTR again!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Darkfever (Fever, #1); Author: Karen Marie Moning; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: With apologies to those who already love this series, this just did not appeal to me. I was looking forward to the continuation of the search for the Hallows and the problems that Aoibheal was worried about at the end of Spell of the HIghlander. But this was a quantum leap into a very dark universe that is supposed to be modern-day Dublin. Every city has its dark side, but then shouldn't there also be a light side? Basically, I had 3 problems with it: 1) I am not a fan of first-person narrative unless the narrator is someone I can empathize with. The only thing that MacKayla did to make me care about her was her love for her sister - not a small thing, but not enough. 2)The unrelenting dark and gloom and doom needed something light to break the tension 3) Having the heroine take off her clothes in a public place because it is impossible to resist the lure of the Death-by-sex Fae was too much for me to accept. Even Adam Black wasn't that irresistible! The non-ending of this book calls for the reader to continue with the next book, but I think I'll pass, and I didn't think I could say that about a KM Moning book; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: So Many Books, So Little Time; Author: Sara Nelson; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Such a disappointment!!! "A Year of Passionate Reading" was about almost everything but reading - we learned about problems in her marriage (where's the respect for her husband?), we learned about her travels and the important people she knows and meets, and we get lots of titles of books she read in the past or chose not to read or started but stopped. What we don't get is a review or synopsis of the 52 books she set out to read. We do get a 3+ page appendix of the 21 books she actually read with a brief explanation of why she liked it (or not), including an apology for actually reading a Mary Higgens Clark book. As I was reading this, I realized that, with very few exceptions, I already have a list of the books she listed or talked about - it's called "1001 Books You Should Read Before You Die".; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Girl with a Pearl Earring; Author: Tracy Chevalier; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: OK, now I've got to research Vermeer, and see if he really was anything like Chevalier depicted here.I thought the description of life in 17th century Delft was fantastic. And I loved all the details involved in the paintings as they proceeded from thought to finished painting. But I always have a hard time reading about the helpless aspect of a woman's role in family and society. At the end, the sadness in the story was Griet's acceptance of the inevitability of her role in life, so different from what she yearned for.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Crescent City Kill (Skip Langdon, #7); Author: Julie Smith; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: This is better than your typical murder/suspense thriller. I liked the strong focus on some of the secondary characters, and I especially liked that the author did not have the reader experience everything that happened through the main character's eyes. I didn't like the idea that the main villain keeps getting away to cause chaos in the next book in the series. Please, let the 'good gal' win the day and find a new villain for the next book!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Clipper of the Clouds; Author: Jules Verne; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: This is a masterpiece! The Albatross is to the skies what the Nautilus in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea is to the oceans. Jules Verne was surely a genius - in his scientific knowledge, in his imagination, in his ability to tell a great story. His words create beautiful visual pictures of the regions the Albatross flies over - what a great geography lesson! And the man had a prodigious vocabulary - words such as crepuscular (at twilight), fulginous (like lightning), phanerogam (spermatophytes - plants that produce seeds); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Flyte (Septimus Heap, #2); Author: Angie Sage; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: What a delightfully enjoyable fantasy series!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Princess Bride; Author: William Goldman; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, children, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: What a delightful read! I love the movie and watch it often, but really had no desire to read the book (why bother? I thought), until I put it in a challenge this month - and am I ever glad I did! The book stands on its own, as any good book should, and I will likely read it again. But I found myself appreciating some sections more because I could picture how that happened in the movie. And I know I'll appreciate the movie version more the next time I watch it (this week!) because of the details in the book that provided some history or background for what was going to happen. I especially liked the sections that gave the histories of Inigo and Fezzik. But here's what truly makes this a masterpiece - the author's insistence that he was writing an abridged version of a (non-existent) tale by S. Morgenstern, and his interjections within the story of all the (again non-existent) sections he deleted because they were so-o-o boring. Bottom line? Read the book AND see the movie!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Lover Revealed (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #4); Author: J.R. Ward; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: I liked Butch! There, I said it!! I even developed some respect for Marissa, except she sure did a lot of vacillating. The author gave out so many hints about Butch's destiny that even this blind person could see it, but that was part of the charm in it for me. My only disappointment was about the Fore-Lesser; for some reason, I really wanted him to be able to escape Omega - oh, well!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Garden Spells (Waverley Family, #1); Author: Sarah Addison Allen; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: This book was delightful from beginning to end: it reminds me a little of Christine Feehan's Drake Sisters, especially the first book, which was more lighthearted than the others. This has a house that responds to emotions, and an apple tree that throws its apples at people when it wants them to eat one! The Waverleys, who belong to the house, also each have some special talent - Cousin Evanelle, for example, gives unexpected and sometimes strange gifts at seeming random to townspeople, but their purpose later becomes clear.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables, #1); Author: L.M. Montgomery; Genres: history, young-adult, children, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: A delightfully told story! Anne is precocious and outgoing and very, very, very talkative!! She also has a penchant for getting into trouble, and often drives Marilla and Matthew to distraction. And they put up with all her shenanigans even though she's 'just a girl' and their plan had been to take in an orphan boy to help Matthew with the work at Green Gables.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Moonstone; Author: Wilkie Collins; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I absolutely loved The Woman in White, so looked forward to this one, which actually was written first. I enjoyed it for the same reason I did WiW - a good mystery told in several voices/perspectives as the mystery is slowly unraveled. And they are both excellent mysteries, and the paths to resolution are numerous and meander with information often totally unnecessary to the case, as would happen in real life. But Moonstone didn't grab me immediately, as Woman in White did - the opening narrative here was full of meandering (and often funny) information that I'm sure was meant to give the background on all the characters, but it was so lengthy that I began to despair - who would expect a butler to be so talkative?! Fortunately, I kept going, because this book is a gem (bad pun, I know)! But I think the main problem, for me, was that Franklin Blake, the love of Rachel Verinder's life, didn't strike me as a strong & sterling character, even in his own narrative, so there was no 'poor Franklin' feeling for me as there was a 'poor Walter' feeling in Woman in White. That said, this is a great mystery novel, and an excellent look into Victorian life at all levels.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Physik (Septimus Heap, #3); Author: Angie Sage; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Each book in this series just seems to get a little bit better. This one was almost a 5, so I'm really looking forward to 'Queste', which I hope will have more of Jenna and the Dragon Boat. And, of course, Nicko and Snorri (how's that for a girl's name!) need rescuing from... (must read to find out!); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Charity Girl; Author: Georgette Heyer; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I love a hero who thinks he's not a hero, and quietly stumbles along doing all sorts of heroic things! Charity certainly got lucky when Desford was the one who saw her walking alongside the road - trying to walk to London, the silly twit! This book gets 4.5* from me - not quite a 5* read.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Stupidest Angel (Pine Cove, #3); Author: Christopher Moore; Genres: comics, paranormal, graphic, fantasy, fiction; Review: I was really looking forward to reading a fresh, new Christmas story, and I wish I could say that I found it enjoyable. Alas, I need more than I found inside this book. How to feel Christmas cheer: watch Santa shoot your boyfriend in the head, and then see his undead buddies suck out your boyfriend's brains. The philosophy of this story was stated near the end: Life is messy - people generally suck. Now that cheered me right up! I never got close to any laugh-out-loud moments, but I did have to chuckle when one of the undead asked, "Who died and made you leader?" to which Dale replied, "You did." And I did enjoy Molly the nutcase & Roberto the fruitbat coming to the rescue, but at that point, the only thing that could rescue me was coming to the last page, which I did.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: A Light in the Storm: The Civil War Diary of Amelia Martin, Fenwick Island, Delaware, 1861; Author: Karen Hesse; Genres: history, young-adult, children, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Karen Hesse set this story in the border state of Delaware during the beginning of the Civil War, and shows how towns and even families were almost immediately divided over slavery and secession, and what could (and often did) happen to those in the minority. Amelia Martin, the writer of the diary, compares her task of trying to keep her parents together to that of Pres. Lincoln trying to keep a nation together. Amelia's character is based on a real-life girl who took over her father's Lightkeeper duties when he became too ill to do them, and saved 22 people in the years of her career as Lightkeeper. This story brings two things to mind: the first is that life for many people in the 19th century was very hard, and the 2nd is that most children had to grow up very fast and shoulder a variety of family responsibilities.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Fiction Class; Author: Susan Breen; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: Arabella has been writing her own novel for 7 years, but is stuck on writing an ending. She is currently teaching an adult fiction-writing class, but resents the attitudes and what she has projected as the life styles of her students. Her mother is suffering from advanced Parkinson's, and Arabella visits her for 2 hours every week, but resents the fact that this visit is on the same day as her fiction class. In fact, Arabella harbors a lot of resentment - basically, she feels very sorry for herself. She is not a very likeable character at the beginning of this novel. However, as the weeks go on, Arabella begins to care about her students rather than resent them, and to consider them as people and not as problems. It is at this point that she becomes a good teacher and, not surprisingly, develops a positive character. And as her attitude toward her students changes and improves, so does her understanding and acceptance of her mother. This was a journey of acceptance - of self and of others. The weekly writing assignments and lesson hints were a bonus.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Case of the Missing Books (Mobile Library Mystery #1); Author: Ian Sansom; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Israel Armstrong is an overweight vegetarian Englishman with a Jewish mother and an Irish father who takes the job of librarian in a Northern Ireland village. A few problems erupt immediately, however. The library is closed permanently, the Mobile Library he's supposed to use is an empty, rusty van, AND all the books are missing! And the craziness begins. I do not enjoy slapstick comedy, and I'm sure I would not like a movie version of this book. But I think that the reason this works in book form is that Israel is a foil for the machinations of all the minor characters - and there are quite a number of those. In fact, the villagers are the real strength of this strange cozy-mystery. The locals 'tested' Israel at every turn - when he asked for directions to Ballymuckery they sent him through Ballygullable, and of course he was gullible enough to fall for it. What really happened to the books?! Guess you'll have to read it to find out.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Gilead (Gilead, #1); Author: Marilynne Robinson; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: Pastor John Ames has a weak heart, and has decided to write letters to his young son who will grow up without him. So he wants to give him some family history (his begats) and words of wisdom. I'm not sure what to write about this book - there were parts that really spoke to me (maybe it's the age factor?) but others where I thought 'these are not things I would put down if I were writing letters to my child'. Then again, the main character was painfully honest in writing about himself, his father, & grandfather, so I guess it fits. What I often saw, however, was the rambling of an old man, and maybe that was the painful part for me - is this what will happen to me? It is a thought-provoking book, the kind of book that you really want to discuss with others while you're reading it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Xenocide (Ender's Saga, #3); Author: Orson Scott Card; Genres: paranormal, young-adult, fantasy, fiction; Review: A weak 4* but deserves more than 3. There were several disappointments in this book, but the main one is that so much of the book was spent on detailing the OCD actions of the 'godspoken', that the author decided to write a part 2 Children of the Mind rather than dealing now with resolving the problems of Jane's survival and the splintering of Ender's adopted family - in fact, those problems just kept getting bigger! And I'm not sure i'm optimistic enough to want to read the 4th book of what should have been a trilogy.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Life, the Universe and Everything (Hitchhiker's Guide, #3); Author: Douglas Adams; Genres: paranormal, young-adult, fantasy, fiction; Review: My apologies to those who really loved this entire series, but I'm jumping ship now. I truly enjoyed The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, but the individual wanderings of the characters and their ability to be not-obliterated by truly obliterating events just didn't give me any reason to keep on reading. It was the truly ridiculous interaction of characters that made Restaurant so much fun. Taken as an indictment of any and every world society's propensity for hurting, hating, killing anyone for any excuse, this series is spot on.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Graveyard Book; Author: Neil Gaiman; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I listened to an audiobook narrated by the author, and loved it so much that I willingly did the ironing to get some more listening time! This was not really lighthearted - it started with the vicious murder of Bod's family when he was a baby, and his life was in danger while he was growing up, so the only safe place for him was the graveyard and its inhabitants, who had adopted him. But there was plenty of 'fun' stuff from the 'behavior' and stories of the dead people that Bod grew up with. There was also reality in this fantasy; family is what you make it, growing up means growing away from what has been safe and comfortable, leaving the nest can be a dangerous undertaking, etc. These all applied to Bod as much as they apply to each of us. Hmm, when I started this review, I wasn't planning on becoming philosophical - it just led itself there! IMO, this book definitely deserved the Newbery Award!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: A Spot of Bother; Author: Mark Haddon; Genres: thriller, crime, mystery, fiction; Review: I absolutely loved The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, so I looked forward to enjoying this book. Sadly, I found little to enjoy in the parade of sad, bad, and awful events in the lives of the four members of this dysfunctional family. George is retired and depressed and convinced he has cancer (the spot of bother in the title) even though the doctors assure him otherwise. His self-centered wife is having an affair and even invites her lover to her daughter's wedding, in case she needs emotional support during the 'ordeal' (she doesn't like her daughter's fiance & is afraid her son will invite his gay lover to the wedding). And then there's the wedding - step aside, here come the Keystone Kops. Turning the wedding into a total farce was sad and unnecessary and definitely unfunny.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Blaze of Memory (Psy-Changeling #7); Author: Nalini Singh; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Dev Santos is the director of Shine, the organization dedicated to protecting the Forgotten. Dev is one of the Forgotten and has an affinity for machines; he can 'read' machines, and since he 'draws' metal when he does so, his friends & family are concerned that he will eventually become too cold, emotionless. Enter Katya, the Psy scientist who was thought to have died in the explosion of the lab where she worked. But when she shows up unconscious and battered on Dev's doorstep, he takes her in - reluctantly at first (she is Psy, after all), and when she regains consciousness and claims amnesia, everyone rightly fears she's a Psy spy, out to kill Dev or infiltrate Shine. So what does Dev do? He cares for her, of course. Gotta love him for that, and when others wanted to lock her away to protect the Forgotten from her, soft-hearted Dev couldn't bear the thought of locking her up after all she'd already endured. So what does he do?! Takes her along with him to Shine and other areas where she could cause trouble (she has remembered what Ming LeBon did to her mind, and that his implanted compulsions could cause her to harm Dev & others). Dev was in love, I got that, but he was also responsible for the safety of a lot of others, and he completely ignored that responsibility in this instance. For that reason, I removed one star from my rating. Because I really did love this book. It was really all about The Forgotten, and it now places them on a par with the Changelings and the Psy, and adds another strong element to the conflict between Psy and Changelings. I absolutedly loved the letters from a mother to her son (who turned out to be Dev's grandfather). The letters helped explain the exodus of some Psy from the Silence Protocol, the very Psy who are the ancestors of The Forgotten. The ending was to-cry-for, and I did! Now I want more of Keenan and Noor!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: All Quiet on the Western Front; Author: Erich Maria Remarque; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: This is a very painful and realistic look at war through the eyes of Paul, a foot soldier in the German army. The war is told through the sounds and sights he experiences, including the gruesome sights of men being mutilated and destroyed in a war that they don't understand. There is no talk of noble purposes, just survival of their group members - and what happens to Paul emotionally as each one of his friends dies.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Doomsday Book (Oxford Time Travel, #1); Author: Connie Willis; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: I fell in love with Connie Willis when I read and thoroughly enjoyed To Say Nothing of the Dog, so I really looked forward to reading Doomsday Book. I immediately discovered that the two books had much in common but also much that was very different. There is absolutely nothing lighthearted about this book, although there is much humor sprinkled throughout the modern segments. Doomsday Book won both the Hugo and the Nebula Awards in 1992/93, and I wholeheartedly agree with those decisions. This is a gripping tale of the indomitable will of the human spirit. It begins with Kivrin, a medieval-history student in the year 2048, preparing to travel back in time to 1320 to conduct hands-on research. But a time-slip sent her to 1348 on the eve of the Black Plague. The story switches back and forth in time, focusing on Kivrin in the 14th century, and then on the chaos among her colleagues in 2048 as they try to deal with an epidemic in their own time, which was spread & then made worse by air travel, which of course was not a problem in 1348, where travel was exceedingly difficult and sometimes next to impossible. Modern science and medicine should have made the 21st C. epidemic easier to isolate (which they immediately worked on), and thus to control and eradicate than in the medieval era. But human nature hadn't really changed thru the centuries, so scapegoating was still alive and well and exascerbating problems. So when Kivrin's colleagues eventually realized that she was not where she should have been, and tried to find and bring her home, they faced opposition from a department head who expected this 'mission' to bring him fame. The anguish and pain and suffering that Kivrin saw and experienced made personal the historical statistics we have read about the black plague. At one point, I got really frustrated with the amount of apparently purposeless time Willis was spending on those irritating bell-ringers in modern time, but I should have trusted her; they definitely had a purpose!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: When Calls the Heart (Canadian West, #1); Author: Janette Oke; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I liked this for the look into the day-to-day living of people in the late 19th century in the developing West - this book takes place in Calgary and the countryside to the north. Also enjoyed the look at nature and the way she portrayed the majesty of the mountains. And as a teacher, I was amazed and appalled at the all-enveloping tasks of teaching in the country, not to mention the personal restrictions on a teacher's life. I have long been aware in an academic way of what was involved in a teacher's day, but Ms. Oke brought it to life, as it were.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Curse of the Pharaohs (Amelia Peabody, #2); Author: Elizabeth Peters; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This book was fun, but not as compelling/riveting a read as Crocodile on the Sandbank. The first part was cute, as Amelia discovers what her readers already knew: she is not a happy stay-at-home mom. So off to Egypt they go. I enjoyed the twists and turns that developed in the story, but felt no suspense in the murder mystery - I was pretty sure from the beginning whodunnit and I was right, but I loved the reasoning processes used by both Amelia and Emerson. But Amelia's overbearing arrogance was too evident too often, (which somewhat diluted my enjoyment of their competition), and since I didn't have a murderer to figure out, I did a lot of coasting through events. I enjoyed it enough to read the next book in the series - I'm looking forward to an older Ramses joining them in their travels and digging.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: I Am the Messenger; Author: Markus Zusak; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery; Review: This is so totally different from The Book Thief that I had a hard time getting into the characters and the swearing and the I'm-a-total-grunge-and-proud-of-it presentation. But gradually something happened and I found myself interested in Ed's life, and by the time he got to the Ace of Hearts tasks, I wanted things to work out for his friends. Not quite a 4 read, but much better than 3; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Fire Study (Study, #3); Author: Maria V. Snyder; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Blood magic, corruption of power, a massacre, tormented souls, a Soulfinder, a Story Weaver, a Spirit Guide - what's not to love?! For a start, there wasn't enough of Valek, Ari, and Janco - I really got hooked on those guys in Poison Study! There is, rightly I thought, a lot of time spent in Yelena's thinking about being a Soulfinder: what if I like it too much and start abusing my power? what if I do it wrong and create more tormented souls? what if...? what if...? After a while, tho, I really wanted her to pay more attention to her Story Weaver's hints. And although I definitely like a strong heroine who can take care of herself, I also want her to be smart enough to know when she should rely on a skill or strength that someone else has. Eventually, Yelena does stop fighting what she is, and opens herself to the positive possibilities of her talent. Now all she has to worry about is: what will my spirit guide be? Irys has a hawk, Bain has a wind leopard, Zitora has a unicorn, Yelena has ? read it and find out!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1); Author: Stieg Larsson; Genres: thriller, crime, mystery, fiction; Review: This is so much more than it looks at first glance - a missing and/or murdered girl, a dysfunctional family, and the money/power games played in high finance. The original Swedish title: Men Who Hate Women, seems to more accurately indicate the theme threaded through everything else - and boy, is it threaded through everything else! Battered women, rapists, sadists... Once you get past the listing of the members of the Vanger family tree (it put me in mind of the 'begats' in the Bible!), you're sucked into the behaviors and consequences of a highly dysfunctional family, with more dirty laundry than any one group of people should have. And although a couple aspects of the mystery can be guessed once the investigation gets going, it's still only a guess until more details are discovered - and it's fascinating to watch it all unfold, and realize that you were right about this person, but wrong about that one. I loved the 'take-that' actions of Lisbeth, who has been a victim all her life, and decides she's not going to take it any more. I look forward to reading more about her in The Girl Who Played with Fire.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Ceremony in Death (In Death, #5); Author: J.D. Robb; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: This story is deep into the occult: we have white witches - Wiccans - and black witches - Satanists - and more sex and human blood in the rituals than I really wanted to read about. You know who the bad gal is almost from the beginning, but don't get too complacent - there's more here than meets the eye, and there are enough surprises to keep you on your toes. It's almost Halloween; in fact, there's a Halloween costume party in the works, and Peabody really gets into the spirit of it. I love Peabody!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Rapture in Death (In Death, #4); Author: J.D. Robb; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I enjoyed this one a lot more than the previous book, even with that out-of-character closet scene (which gets explained and is very much part of the storyline). And I love Peabody!! I've discovered I enjoy this series more in audio form.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Queste (Septimus Heap, #4); Author: Angie Sage; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I'm still liking this series, but this book took too long to get really interesting. Once it did, it moved right along, but never rose to a 4 - closer to a 3.5; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Family Blessings; Author: LaVyrle Spencer; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: WOW! This story was so emotionally draining through the first part that I had to put it down and do something physical to recharge. As this story opens, the heroine is a widow who loses her oldest child in a motorcycle accident, and we soon learn that two decades earlier she lost a baby to SIDS. This sounds like a bad soap opera, but in this author's hands, it becomes an uplifting story of dealing with loss. Unfortunately, IMO, this is marketed as a romance, and the focus in readers' minds is on the older woman/younger man relationship - but this is so much more; it's about how people deal with loss, and how that loss can come forward "out of the blue" and seem as fresh as the day it happened. I don't know that I'll ever be able to read this again - I used so many tissues my husband was sure I must have a cold - but I'll never be sorry I read it. It is definitely a count-your-blessings story, and a tribute to the strength and resilience of family.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: When Seducing a Duke (Victorian Soap Opera, #1); Author: Kathryn Smith; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Rose Danvers loves Greydon Kane; Greydon Kane loves Rose Danvers. And this we know at the beginning of the book. So what's the problem?! For starters, neither one knows how the other one feels. And Rose's father made each of them promise to have nothing to do with the other - an understandable action at the time, since Grey was living the life of an unrepentant libertine. Grey has since changed his lifestyle, but Rose's father is not alive to see that, so Grey feels honor-bound to keep his promise. But it's a promise that's getting harder to keep, since Rose and her mother are living in his London home during the Season, which demonstrates another problem - Grey supports them because they were left destitute when Papa died, and he's convinced that Rose's feelings for him are based solely on gratitude - and Rose is convinced that even if she can get him to marry her, it would only be because he feels obligated to take care of her. So she does what any self-respecting, well-brought-up young lady would do; she goes to a less-than-respectable masquerade ball and seduces him! After the first few chapters, I was skeptical that this story was really going anywhere - we have a spoiled, rash young lady who doesn't even begin to grow up until a major disclosure well into the story, and a (formerly) unredeemable duke who enjoyed the decadent life he led and didn't want to be redeemed. But 'formerly' was the key - we learn the reasons he turned his back on his former life and on society, and we watch the spoiled Rose grow up. Ms. Smith did a good job of steering us through all their trials and tribulations, but this still did not rise to a 4 for me. And because of two things, it dropped even lower to a mere 3: I got so tired of coming across the overused word 'arse' - a talented author shouldn't have to resort to that; and if I want erotica (I refer specifically to the readings from Voluptuous) I would buy something labeled 'erotica'. I realize now that some readers will rush to get this based on my last statement, but that's OK with me!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Poison Study (Study, #1); Author: Maria V. Snyder; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: This book was every bit as good as a friend said. To emphasize how good - I generally do not enjoy books written in the first person, but this is one story that had to be told that way. Yelena's life has been a story of survival, so becoming the Commander's food taster and risking death by poison is a big step up from an immediate hanging. She learns quickly and is resourceful, and there are some opportunities for escape, but there's this little matter of needing a daily antidote against a very painful & deadly poison she was given, so she bides her time and learns more skills, and in the process gains the first friends she's had since her early orphan years. Add strong magic and political intrigue and really good characters, and you have a very good first book in a series. Looking forward to further adventures for Yelena in Magic Study.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; Author: Washington Irving; Genres: history, young-adult, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I last read this as required reading in middle school. I have to say that I now have a much greater appreciation for the way the author used words to paint verbal pictures of the countryside and especially of the characters. At the time, the interesting story was the scarecrow image of Ichabod that Irving created - and The Headless Horseman!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Angels' Blood (Guild Hunter, #1); Author: Nalini Singh; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I love Nalini Singh! I totally love her Psy-Changeling books! So why such a bland rating on this one? It has the very creative and inventive world-building that I've come to expect from Ms. Singh, but I just couldn't feel anything for the main characters. And though I have absolutely no problem enjoying books about vampires & shapeshifter & humans with PNR abilities & magic in general, I just couldn't get my mind to suspend all disbelief enough to enjoy the world created here: Angels live openly in the mortal world; Archangels create vampires to serve them; and when a vampire 'goes bad', Guild Hunters are sent to track them down. I'm fine with the vampire-hunting, and maybe even with the reason given for creating vampires, but cruel and ruthless archangels who basically cared mainly about creating their own personal kingdoms on earth was 'a bridge too far' for me. So I think I'll stay with the Psy-Changelings.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Born in Fire (Born In Trilogy, #1); Author: Nora Roberts; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I wanted to really love this because the heroine has my mother's name - Margaret Mary - and the setting is Ireland. But it just didn't give me that extra kick that so many of Nora's books have. I loved the feel of the scenery, and was really interested in the glassblowing and the mental visualizing of the finished pieces, but when I can put a book aside for a while, I know it's because the main characters just aren't drawing me in; and they should have - I love a strong, talented female and a certain amount of arrogance in the man. They did eventually make me care about them, but that was 3/4 of the way through. I will complete the trilogy - maybe now that all the characters are established, the next will take off sooner. This was a 3.5, and I tried to convince myself it was a weak 4, but it didn't work - maybe I hold Nora to a higher standard!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Born in Shame (Born In Trilogy, #3); Author: Nora Roberts; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: What a wonderful conclusion to a very good trilogy! The first chapter in Born in Fire (Born In trilogy #1) grabbed me and drew me in to the Irish flavor and culture of the series, but by the time I finished that book, I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue. It was very much an OK story, but Maggie was difficult to like, so I put the rest of the series on hold until recently. I'm so glad I continued. I loved Brianna & Grayson's story in Born in Ice (Born In trilogy #2), but Born in Shame (Born In trilogy #3) was even better - the icing on this family's saga. Part of the extra appeal was the flavor-of-magic with the fairy stone and the shared dreams of a past life, but mainly it was Shannon & Murphy themselves; I really heart* Murphy!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Traitor's Moon; Author: Lynn Flewelling; Genres: history, young-adult, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery; Review: spoiler alert I thoroughly enjoyed Luck in the Shadows, and liked Stalking Darkness, but by the time I was finally drawn into what was happening here, it was too late. I should have cared when Queen Idrilain died, especially since she was probably murdered. And I should have cared when it seemed Nyal was betraying Beka (well, actually I did care!) It was obvious that Seregil and Alec were the good guys, and their selfless actions kept a bad situation from becoming an all-out war, but such selfless actions in the face of constant abuse was a bit much for me. Seregil is hated/despised by his people, is physically and emotionally abused by them, but he puts up with/accepts all of it, including his permanent exile, because he feels he deserves it. I'm choosing voluntary exile from this series.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1); Author: C.S. Lewis; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I have had this in my audio library for ages, but since I saw and loved the movies, I just kept scrolling past this listen. I should have succumbed sooner - it was narrated by Michael York, and he made a good story great - he is such a versatile actor, and his voice becomes each character. And I really should have learned my lesson with The Princess Bride - there's so much extra enjoyment in the telling of the characters' impressions of events that can't be shown in a movie. So sometimes you can love both!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Magician's Nephew; Author: C.S. Lewis; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: This story is about the genesis of Narnia, but I would not put this first in reading order - that definitely belongs to Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. I have the feeling that this was written to answer questions that readers asked - so we have a 'nothing' world, and Aslan sings it into being. We learn about the first 'sons of Adam and daughters of Eve' and how the animals learned to talk, and even how the wardrobe came to be magical. And, of course, how the serpent/wicked witch was released and turned loose on Narnia. But first read the stories of the Pevensies and their adventures in Narnia - this one will actually make more sense after the fact.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Shutter Island; Author: Dennis Lehane; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: OK, I wrote this really great review, but when I clicked 'save' I got an error message that Goodreads was temporarily unavailable 'but we're working on the problem' - and of course my review is gone! I may rewrite it some day.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge; Author: David McCullough; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: I wonder how many people who regularly use the Brooklyn Bridge know about the genius and suffering of John and Washington Roebling, the father and son responsible for this long-standing marvel. And the bridge itself is the monument to them, since no statues or other memorials were erected in their honor. It was difficult at first to follow the jumping-back-and-forth-in-time format of the book, but after a while I almost looked forward to that; I think parts of it could have gotten tedious otherwise. David McCullough is superb in writing 500+ pages of what could have been a dry treatise on a marvelous undertaking.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories; Author: Susanna Clarke; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Enjoyable compilation of stories about how the Fae Folk interact/interfere with humans, sometimes in a mischievous way and sometimes in a malicious manner. A few of the stories didn't do much for me, bringing the overall rating down to 3, but several of them were very enjoyable 4 reads - especially the title story and the story about the Duke of Wellington and his horse, and I really enjoyed the story where the Raven King got his comeuppance at the hands of a charcoal burner!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Camel Club (Camel Club, #1); Author: David Baldacci; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: The book started out slow, but once the author got all the characters in and established, it started to move along. It was obvious from the beginning that there was a plot against the U.S., and except for Captain Jack, we knew who the 'bad guys' were, and slowly got some of the why. But the purpose, and the actual carrying out of the plot - there were some surprises there. I had to stay up late last night - once the trap was sprung, I couldn't stop. As with all political thrillers, I find myself wondering how much has basis in fact and how much is total fabrication (the description of Murder Mountain, for example). I liked the play on names - the leader of the Camel Club is 'Oliver Stone', which we know almost from the beginning is not his real name. The Camel Club is a group of four 'old fogies' who keep an eye on the doings in D.C. - they are fascinating characters, and I will read the next in this series. This wasn't really a 4* read for me because of that very slow start, but much too strong to be just a 3; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Last Battle (Chronicles of Narnia, #7); Author: C.S. Lewis; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: The end-times have arrived in Narnia, the false Aslan is convincing the residents to destroy things, and while many are apprehensive about what's happening and what they're being asked to do, no one speaks out or resists. This sort of thing has happened too often in the real world to just dismiss this as fantasy. Nevertheless, I wasn't all that crazy about this final book, or should I say, what seemed to me like misdirection - Eustace and Jill were brought back to help the king save Narnia, but then learn that nothing they do can save it, that it's too late to stop the invasion. Again, this is very true-to-real-life situations, and all leads to the end of the world and the beginning of New Narnia. Bottom line - did C.S. Lewis have to use Susan as his example of 'falling away'?! I'm still upset about that!!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #5); Author: J.R. Ward; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: I surprised myself with how much I liked this book, because Vishous has been developed as some kind of weird, kinky character. But when we learn more about the brutality he experienced when living/training with his father, and his experiences before he joined the Brotherhood, it's hard to not develop empathy for him. Then he meets Jane, and there were the expected ups and down of their developing relationship, but that was the most bizarre resolution for lovers that I've ever seen! Dropped it from a 4 just like that!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Johnny Tremain; Author: Esther Forbes; Genres: history, young-adult, children, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: Excellent book!! This story is timeless, although it speaks about a very specific time in history. It has held up very well since it won the Newbery Award in 1944. The appeal for me is that it shows the growth and development of the person of Johnny Tremain while it chronicles the growth of a movement that resulted in the development of a new country.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #6); Author: J.R. Ward; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: I think I need to step away from the Black Dagger Brotherhood for a while; I think I would have given up on this one if I didn't have it in some Challenges. I had to force myself to continue reading, but am glad I did - the last 1/4 of the book was worth it, and raised my rating to a strong 3.5. Phury has gotten cheated in so many ways in this series, including in this book, but at least the ending really was about him - and in a way that brought cry-for-happy tears to my eyes.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Mister Monday (The Keys to the Kingdom, #1); Author: Garth Nix; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: This was my first Garth Nix book and it won't be the last, especially since I want to see what happens on the other days of the week. And I have to admit that I probably liked it so much because it was so well narrated. I've found that I enjoy most fantasy books more when I listen to them rather that read the print copy. I think that's partly because I'm doing some mundane, boring task while I'm listening to this story of strange and often bizarre things that take place in an other-worldly situation. Good escape and nothing to take seriously, although I did find myself caring what happened to Arthur.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Great Depression and the New Deal; Author: Robert P. Murphy; Genres: non-fiction, history, biography, historical fiction; Review: I'm a big proponent of "the rest of the story" (rest in peace, Paul Harvey!) I read a variety of history books to try to learn more than the official version, and I especially like the ones that show cause and effect, pointing out the obvious and not-so-obvious. The scariest part is seeing our politicians repeating the problems of the past and swearing to us that it'll be better this time - trust us!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Magic Study (Study, #2); Author: Maria V. Snyder; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Yelena's story continues in this 2nd book in a trilogy. We travel with Yelena and learn about her family and her background, and she learns more about her abilities and how they affect her future.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: No Choice But Seduction (Malory-Anderson Family, #9); Author: Johanna Lindsey; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I stopped buying Lindsey's Malory books after I was very disappointed with the Amy/Warren book. I read this one because I could get it at the library, and was pleased to find it more enjoyable than The Magic Of You, mainly because Boyd was so clueless about how to romance a woman that he asks for advice from James and Anthony Malory - and trusts the advice they give him!! But you've got to love a shipowner who can't captain his own ships because he gets violently seasick and sails anyway!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Howl's Moving Castle (Howl's Moving Castle, #1); Author: Diana Wynne Jones; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: This is lighthearted and just lots of fun - the author said she got the idea from a boy at a school she was visiting, who asked her to write about a moving castle. In addition to the constant moving and rotating, the castle boasts a color-coded doorknob. By turning the knob to a different color before you open the door, you step out in a different location - traveling made easy! But of course all is not sweetness and light. There's the Wicked Witch of the Waste who puts a spell on Sophie, making her an old woman, and who is responsible for the disappearance of the King's brother and a wizard, among others. And then there's the green slime, which oozes everywhere when Howl is in a foul mood!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Enchantment; Author: Orson Scott Card; Genres: history, young-adult, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: A delightful tale of a Russian Sleeping Beauty and the modern-day grad student who wakens her, saves her from the magic bear who's been 'guarding' her, and travels back with her to the 9th century. While in Russia, Ivan, who also happens to excel in track-and-field, has been studying ancient Russian dialects; both of these skills will prove invaluable to him as he and the princess travel back and forth in time to elude Baba Yaga and try to find ways to defeat her and save Katerina's kingdom and its people. When I read a book like this, I just like to enjoy it, not analyze it. This was just a lot of fun to listen to, and I liked that parts of it were from Baba Yaga's POV - it didn't make her less of an ogre, but it did make her a more interesting ogre. And that, lo and behold, some people in modern times (relatives naturally) had plenty of magic. Well, why should magic only exist in ancient times?!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Loving a Lost Lord (Lost Lords #1); Author: Mary Jo Putney; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: The first chapter of "Loving" started out in typical Putney fashion, and I looked forward to a great read. It started out great, but then it was almost like someone else wrote the next couple of chapters. Just about the time I wondered where Mary Jo had gone, she came back. This was not a bad book - just not her usual great writing, so I'm 'grading' her according to what I expected. There were some really good parts - when Adam's friends were searching for him, and the dreams/nightmares that gave hints of his past. But the ending that resolved everything in both families (Adam's and Mariah's) was too much, too soon, and way too fortuitous. And the whole thing about Mariah's family? - I would have bashed Daddy from here to Sunday!! However, I will be reading about the next Lost Lord and hope the real Mary Jo Putney is back; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Morning Glory; Author: LaVyrle Spencer; Genres: history, children, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Elly is a dirt-poor pregnant widow with two small boys, and Will is an ex-con who can't keep a job because of his record. In desperation, Elly advertises for a husband to work her farm, and Will applies after he's fired from the mill. The beauty in this story is in watching these two lost & unloved people discover that there is someone in the world for them. The slow journey takes them through a separation as Will goes off to fight in WWII, and ends in a courtroom as Will is again prosecuted for murder; this time he didn't do it, and Elly puts aside her fears and goes on a crusade to make sure he's acquitted.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: To Catch a Bride (Devil Riders, #3); Author: Anne Gracie; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Rafe is furious! He survived 8 years of war, but is now besieged by his family, who have arranged a marriage of convenience for him. Since he's the second son, he wasn't expecting that, but he is the heir to his older brother, who is childless, and it's now up to Rafe to 'secure the succession'. He was willing to do that - until he discovered the devil's agreement that was worked out as part of the proposal. Rafe's solution?! Go to Egypt to find the long-lost granddaughter of a good friend of his grandmother. He finds her living on the streets of Cairo, masquerading as a boy. At first he's confused - why didn't Alicia go to the British Consulate when her parents died of the plague? And what does Ayisha mean when she says, "Alicia is dead - here there is only Ayisha"? Rafe decides that she means she adopted the Ayisha persona to fit in better - but she's been masquerading as a boy, so that's another confusing aspect. Then Ayisha's masquerade is discovered by those who would sell her to a brothel, and she has to leave Egypt. What will await her in England? And what's the other secret she is guarding so zealously? This is a weak 4, but 3* just didn't seem enough; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Perils of Pursuing a Prince (Desperate Debutantes, #2); Author: Julia London; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: This is the tale of a very naive ninnyhammer who travels from London to Wales to demand her inheritance from an uncle who received the inheritance from her father, who had no male heirs. That uncle is now dead and the inheritance has been transferred to the man known locally as the Prince of Powys. The Prince is also the uncle of the man with whom Phoebe, the ninnyhammer, traveled alone for the last part of her trip (her female companion had died mysteriously shortly after Percy joined them), in a private carriage that Phoebe paid for (did I say she was naive?). And the day after they arrive at the castle, she allows Percy to kiss and fondle her (prone on a sofa) because 'it felt so good to have a man's arms around her' (I did say she was a ninnyhammer, didn't I?), and of course they're observed, and now the Prince calls her a whore as well as a con artist trying to claim someone else's inheritance, and, and, and... If this sounds totally ridiculous, I've been successful!; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: The Girl Who Played with Fire (Millennium, #2); Author: Stieg Larsson; Genres: thriller, crime, mystery, fiction; Review: A well-written and well-researched (as far as I can tell) sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. This book also follows the theme of men-who-hate-women. It's obvious that Larsson had his own agenda about which evils he wanted to target, and he went at them with a vengeance (but then, isn't that what all authors do?!) As in the first book, Lisbeth Salander is the woman-who-hates-men-who-hate-women; and does she ever know how to exact vengeance on those who have abused her or her friends. Larsson makes it very believable that this very antisocial woman would have such staunch supporters, who so strongly doubted her guilt or just plain 'knew' that she was innocent that they did everything they could to protect her/exonerate her. Bless Kalle Blomqvist! When I finally learned what 'All the Evil' referred to, I was both affirmed and surprised - I like to feel I'm smart enough to figure out some things, but I don't like it when things are so obvious that there really is no mystery, and some of the disclosures were major surprises. This was riveting right to the last page, and then ??? what an ending/non-ending! And book 3 is not available yet?! There were a couple of things in here that made this less than a solid 5* for me, but on reflection it was too good to give it anything less.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Counterpoint: Tecumseh vs. William Henry Harrison; Author: James A. Huston; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction; Review: This was a very interesting book - it followed the lives and careers of William Henry Harrison and Tecumseh; their actions pretty much defined the Red Man/White Man conflict in the Northwest Territories. As Territorial Governor, Harrison had virtually dictatorial powers in making agreements/treaties with Indian tribes - no wonder they called him White Devil Harrison. Tecumseh's dream was to establish a confederation of tribes so they would have the strength/power to prevail against the Long Knives. This dream was shattered at Tippecanoe, and when he took his forces north to Canada to join up with the British, he was disillusioned by the way the British failed to carry out their promises; he was killed at the Battle of Thames, which Harrison successfully co-ordinated & won. The style of the book really appealed to me - the author covered concurrent stages/events in the lives of these two men, from childhood to death, and since their actions often affected each other, the melding of events which culminated in their meeting in battle was almost seamless. This would have been a 5* rating, but the author got carried away a couple of times in describing the interior of houses in minute detail, which interrupted the flow of the story for me.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Best Laid Plans (Loving Jack, #2); Author: Nora Roberts; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: A Harlequin-style story of about 20 years ago that was such a waste of my time. I did get some cleaning and gardening done while I listened, so I guess it wasn't a complete waste. This probably should be a 1* - the audiobook reader had the voice and presentation of a perky high-school cheerleader, and I can't begin to explain how wrong that sounded.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Ice Blue (Ice, #3); Author: Anne Stuart; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: This was OK but nothing great - and it wasn't helped by a so-so narration; very rarely do I find that I should have read a book instead of listening to it, but this is one of those times. This should have been an exciting story - bad guys want the heroine and the priceless artifact she possesses, good(?) guy wants the artifact and is supposed to 'dispose of' the heroine. heroine figures she's doomed no matter what. But it was such a repetitive theme - heroine tries to escape, heroine gets caught, heroine gets rescued but discovers she's still in danger, heroine tries to escape, heroine gets caught... (repeat previous actions). BTW, my 3* rating is what I'm guessing it would be if I'd read it; for the audiobook, it's 2; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Blue-Eyed Devil (Travises, #2); Author: Lisa Kleypas; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Lisa Kleypas is to be commended for doing a great job of portraying both the abused wife and the abuser. This alone adds 1/2 to my rating. And her inclusion of a female character who portrayed narcissistic and controlling behaviors similar to Haven's husband was also well-done. But while the first-person narration may have given a more personal knowledge of Haven's thoughts and feelings, it robbed the reader of the same knowledge of Hardy. I think this is one of those books that should be read instead of listened to, at least for me. It took me too long to get used to the reader's voice, which unfortunately didn't endear me to the character of Haven.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Rape of Nanking; Author: Iris Chang; Genres: history, fiction, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, mystery; Review: This is easily a 5* book, but I did not enjoy the reading of it. So why did I read the story of this absolutely brutal horror? For the same reason I spent a day at the Holocaust Museum - to honor and remember the victims. In her epilogue, the author talked about 3 lessons to be learned, and she feels that the third lesson is the most distressing of all: how frighteningly easy it is for the human mind to accept genocide when we are removed from it. The author makes little attempt to be objective; she states in her introduction that her initial goal was to honor those so horribly slain. But she also spent considerable time analyzing how this could have happened, and in explaining what she thinks is the first lesson to be learned, she said this in the epilogue: "The Rape of Nanking should be perceived as a cautionary tale---an illustration of how easily human beings can be encouraged to allow their teenagers to be molded into efficient killing machines able to suppress their better natures."; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Our Town; Author: Thornton Wilder; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I enjoyed this trip down Memory Lane; my high school drama club did a production of this play, and it's amazing how much I was able to visualize that while reading this again so many years later. Who says you can't go home again?! I will admit, though, that my 4* rating includes those memories. Even without the memories, this was an easier play to read than most Shakespeare plays - I could relate to the setting (I'm a small-town girl), and to the language more here than in a Shakespearean setting. But playwrights meant them to be seen and not just read, and I do enjoy a good production of a play.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Coffin Dancer (Lincoln Rhyme, #2); Author: Jeffery Deaver; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: Almost as good as The Bone Collector - a series definitely worth continuing; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, #1); Author: Jeffery Deaver; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Lincoln Rhyme is a forensic scientist who is also a quadriplegic - who can move one finger! So how is he able to do his job?! Enter Amelia Sachs, who becomes Lincoln's eyes & legs at the scene as he trains her to 'walk the grid' of crime scenes and bring the evidence back to him for analysis and conclusions. Usually I get turned off as authors become too wordy about technical aspects of a job, but this just worked for me, partly I think because Lincoln's brain & mind & voice are the only parts of his body that he has any control over, so listening to him think aloud is a very important part of the narrative. And it becomes downright fascinating to 'see' him put clues together and leap way ahead of my thinking! This is a series I will definitely continue!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Mummy Case (Amelia Peabody, #3); Author: Elizabeth Peters; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Amelia is an amusing and annoying pompous know-it-all; but that's why this series works. But what makes this one even better is the inclusion of Ramses in the expedition. Proud and loving mama Amelia wasn't all that happy to include him, but Emerson insisted on having his son with them, and Ramses proceeds to take center stage. He is described by his mama as 'catastrophically precocious' and is extremely successful in finding any and every loophole in his protective mama's laundry list of instructions of things he must not do. (She's actually trying to protect others from Ramses!) I'm now listening to book 4, and am very pleased to see that Ramses is solidly involved. Love that boy!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lion in the Valley (Amelia Peabody, #4); Author: Elizabeth Peters; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Love that Ramses!! He's impossibly precocious, disgustingly logical and literal, and extremely difficult to keep track of; things that would drive a real-life parent to heart failure, but great to love in fictional fantasy. The banter between Amelia and Emerson continues to be as enjoyable as it was in the first book. And the author always manages to throw in a few unexpected twists - I did not figure out the reasonings behind the Master Criminal's actions towards Amelia, although I was leaning towards the real identity of MC.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Dreamveil (Kyndred, #2); Author: Lynn Viehl; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I loved the Darkyn series, and after only two books about the Kyndred, I'm very taken with this series as well OK, bad pun, since the Kyndred call themselves the Takyn, but I couldn't resist! Genetic experiments have given unique skills to the Takyn, such as telekenesis. Rowan can 'dreamveil' - by touching someone, she can appear to be the person who is loved by the one touched, so it is understandable that she wants to find out if she's loved by the one she loves, and also understandable if she doesn't really want to find out. After all, in the first book, she dreamveiled and discovered she wasn't Matthias' love. Now she has two very different men to choose between - what will she do?!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Burning Wild (Leopard People #3); Author: Christine Feehan; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: After being less than impressed with the first two books in the Leopard series, I was reluctant to read this one, even after I picked it up for a song. Well, I was wrong!! And I'll grab up the next one, hoping that Feehan continues the series in this vein. OK, now that you've heard the commercial, on to this story: Jake Bannaconni is a rich, powerful guy who finds pleasure in ruining other rich and powerful people. Since the book begins with the vicious abuse he received from his parents all through his growing-up years, it's easy enough to understand why he enjoys bringing other down. When you then realize that he's only bringing down those who have been in cahoots with the enemy (aka his parents), or are cruel/crooked in their own way, you begin wanting him to ruin them all. And when you learn that he helps the misfits and abused and cast-offs and finds positions for them on his ranch and in his businesses - well, your heart just melts. When he took Emma in, though, he got a lot more than he bargained for, and that's exactly what this reader wanted. I'm hoping that Drake's story is next, but I'll also be OK with Joshua's story, or even Connor's.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Scandal; Author: Carolyn Jewel; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This book has been on my TBR for almost two years - every time I put it in a challenge, I ended up switching to something else, but this time I was determined. That may be why it took me so long to settle into the story, or maybe it took a while for the story to engage me - that happened about midway and is why this is not 4, altho it is a strong 3. Sophie married very unwisely when she was young and impulsive, and her marriage was a difficult and unhappy one. She is now sure of two things - she will never be foolish enough to fall in love again, and she will never marry again unless she can be sure that her husband will be faithful. Since she is sure that men are never faithful, she has vowed never to remarry. Lord Banaltt was the very type of man she knew she could never love or marry. Now it is up to him to convince Sophie that, altho he was that kind of man, he really has changed - that he is in love with her and would be faithful. His own past is against him - how can he convince her he is permanently changed for the better?! At first I didn't like the constant changing from present to past, but it ultimately worked much better than telling the past all at once. This is a very intense read, but I'm glad I finally got to it.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Death by Sudoku; Author: Kaye Morgan; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: I like to work sudoku puzzles - altho I admit to extreme frustration at times and go to the electronic game that lets you know if your guess is incorrect (Yeh! it's cheating!!). This book has clues and sample sudoku puzzles (with a solution key at the end), so if I get really frustrated I can sneak-a-peek for a little help, and the clues were actually very helpful in seeing all the logical ways of solving the puzzles. Liza, the heroine of the story, creates sudoku puzzles & writes a column for her local newspaper. The story starts with her participation in a sudoku competition, and one of the contestants is killed that night. She, of course, gets drawn into the search for whodunit. It's a cute cozy mystery. The Sodu-cues, as she calls them, and the puzzles salted throughout made this a 3.5* for me.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Mercenary (T-FLAC, #1); Author: Cherry Adair; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I very seldom give 1* ratings, but this book was really bad! I enjoyed her Edge Brothers trilogy, but going back to the beginning of the series was a huge mistake.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #4); Author: Douglas Adams; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I've either been reading this series too long, or I'm in a Douglas-Adams induced hallucination, but this book absolutely worked for me. Then again, when I was younger, some of my favorite poetry was of the nonsense variety, so this fit right in, all the way to the last sentence, in which Adams states that he had a point when he started the story, but doesn't now remember what it was. Sheer escapism, but also full of lots of messages to ponder - how's that for an oxymoron!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Prey; Author: Michael Crichton; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Prey is a scientific thriller about how nanotechnology can be misused and create something dangerous. I felt there was more scientific jargon than the average person needs (or can handle?), so I gave it a weak 4. But I will keep getting chills whenever I think about how much possibility exists in the scientific world for experiments like Crichton portrayed in this book - or how many may be going on right now!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Sharp Objects; Author: Gillian Flynn; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: This was a very dark read, but at the same time it was riveting and compelling. The writing was seemingly low-key but concise and sharp (just like the title). The characters were chillingly developed, especially those of Camille, Amma, and the mother. As Camille talked so matter-of-factly about her alcoholism and her cutting, you could 'feel' the silent screams trapped inside her, and the more you discovered about her childhood, the more you wondered how she was able to actually go back to her hometown and try to carry out the assignment her newspaper boss gave her - to cover the investigation about the kidnapping and killing of young girls. So she went back home - and then the chilling events really began! Very impressive for a debut novel. I will read more by this author, but not right away - I still have goosebumps!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Deeds of the Disturber (Amelia Peabody, #5); Author: Elizabeth Peters; Genres: history, fiction, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, mystery; Review: This is actually a strong 3.5, but I just couldn't give it 4. For one thing, Amelia immediately and always believes her well-mannered nephew Percy over her own son Ramses. Yes, Ramses has done lots of things that drive his loving parents crazy, but mean and malicious behavior? Never!! But it was Amelia's whiny behavior about Emerson that did me in. She suspects that a woman from Emerson's distant past is still in love with him, so therefore she draws the conclusion that her loving soulmate is meeting this woman every time he leaves the house, but of course an accusation will never pass her lips, so she broods and sulks and carries on to the reader until this reader wanted to slap her face.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Last Camel Died at Noon (Amelia Peabody, #6); Author: Elizabeth Peters; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Instead of solving a mystery that develops as they're excavating, Amelia & Emerson are off to find out what happened years ago to a missing archaeologist and his wife. There is much mention of H. Rider Haggard and King Solomon's Mines. After a grueling trek through the desert, which almost kills Amelia, there is a hidden city and of course information about the missing archaeologist (did we ever doubt that they would be successful?!) An interesting conclusion to their search, and of course Amelia insists that she knew the truth before Emerson did. Ramses plays a big part in the adventures; his doting mama, of course, is torn between pride at his abilities and chagrin at being upstaged. Love that Ramses!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Savvy (Savvy, #1); Author: Ingrid Law; Genres: young-adult, romance, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: The Beaumont family members all have "savvy", a special-to-each-person extraordinary ability that exhibits at age 13; Mibs is just coming of age as this story begins. She has been looking forward to her 13th birthday and learning just what her "savvy" will be, but two days before her birthday her father is in a serious car accident and is in a coma in the hospital. Her mother wants to be there with him, and Mibs and two of her brothers are left in the care of the preacher's wife. On her birthday, which of course does not get celebrated in the manner she had anticipated, Mibs is convinced that her 'savvy' will bring her dad out of his coma - the only problem is that they are many miles away and have no way of getting to the hospital. But that doesn't stop Mibs, so somehow she, her brothers, and the preacher's children are in a pink bus -going the wrong way! And then Mibs discovers that her savvy is not what she thought - now what will happen? Savvy was an Honor book for the 2009 Newbery Award. In a different year, Savvy may have been the winner, but it was competing with The Graveyard Book this year.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog (Amelia Peabody, #7); Author: Elizabeth Peters; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This installment of the Amelia Peabody/Emerson escapades was the best I've read so far - even better than the first one! Emerson is kidnapped and strongly 'interrogated' by one of their many enemies (when Amelia is trying to figure out who is behind it, she comes up with a list of 13 possible doers-of-the-dastardly-deed). Intrepid Amelia helps rescue him, only to discover that Emerson has gasp* forgotten her and their 12-year marriage! I thought that part of the plot went on too long (and I personally would get a little paranoid about being wiped out of my loved one's memory so completely!), but I enjoyed the unfolding events too much to worry about that, especially since Amelia did enough worrying for everyone. I'm usually pretty good about figuring out most things, but I was taken by surprise more than once.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: A Letter of Mary (Mary Russell, #3); Author: Laurie R. King; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I liked this book so much better than A Monstrous Regiment of Women, and am so glad I continued the series. The letter of the title is not a letter to or from Mary Russell, but possibly having to do with Mary Magdalen. And that letter is only part of this mystery - an acquaintance of Mary is killed shortly after delivering the manuscript to her, so Mary & Holmes put all their attention to solving the who & why of her murder, which briefly looks like a tragic hit-and-run.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat's Jewel Box; Author: Madeleine K. Albright; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: This was a Christmas gift and I wasn't sure I'd care for it (I'm not a great fan of autobiographies), but this was a very different approach and gave a new slant on what I saw or thought I saw in the years that Madeleine Albright was U.N. ambassador and U.S. Secretary of State. After an Iraqi poet called Albright a 'slithering snake', or something to that effect, she wore a snake brooch to the next U.N. session where she spoke about Saddam's actions, and the press picked up on the connection. After that, she made a conscious effort to seek out pins that would send a message. As she speaks about various events in her political career, she explains why she chose the brooch she wore.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Club Dead (Sookie Stackhouse, #3); Author: Charlaine Harris; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery; Review: OK, I finally decided it was time I learned what all the Sookie-hype is all about, and I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised. It helps that there's no need to take anything seriously, even when a dead body suddenly appears in your closet and you're wishing that the smell was just a dead rat I have decided that vampires are the perfect houseguests. They cannot enter your house unless you specifically invite them in, and when you decide to uninvite them, they must leave IMMEDIATELY! And, as Sookie discovered, a good way to send off a boyfriend who has seriously ticked you off!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Vanished Man (Lincoln Rhyme, #5); Author: Jeffery Deaver; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Love the Lincoln Rhyme/Amelia Sachs series!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Forbidden Falls (Virgin River, #8); Author: Robyn Carr; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: What a great couple - I loved both Ellie and Noah all the way through! Ellie is absolutely amazing - she has all sorts of reasons to complain about her rotten life and to expect others to give her a break, for heaven's sake, but she just keeps on working and coping and caring for her two kids. And Noah needed so badly to be a minister with his own congregation that he used his inheritance to buy, repair and refurbish the old church in Virgin River. How these two discovered friendship and love along the way makes a beautiful story. The only thing that kept this from being a 5* read for me was Vanni, although she did straighten up by the end of the book. I can't imagine the devastation of losing your husband, much less while pregnant, as happened in Second Chance Pass, so I tried to look at everything she did through that loss, but her 'I'm-the-only-one-who's-suffering-here' behavior got to be too much for me when she allowed her anger at her husband to cause her to ignore both the physical and emotional needs of a baby. So when his counseling didn't do much, Noah sent in the cavalry - Ellie - who cleaned up the house, cuddled and loved the kids, and shamed Vanni out of her self-indulgence. And along the way, we meet again many of the Virgin River residents, as they helped Ellie get her kids back from the Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde character she had been briefly married to. And Noah's first act of kindness when he moved to Virgin River -rescuing a seriously injured dog - bears fruit at the end when his dog Lucy becomes a hero, and is reunited with ... well, you have to read the story for that part!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Déjà Dead (Temperance Brennan, #1); Author: Kathy Reichs; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: I wanted to like this a lot more than I did - and that has nothing to do with differences in the Temperance Brennan of this series and the one in TV's Bones. This one, after all, is the original. My problems were twofold; I hit overload (often) on the lengthy and detailed explanations of the mutilated bodies of the victims, and the overly detailed scientific and forensic descriptions. Yes, we know that she's a forensic anthropologist and expect some of that, but it was often too much to wade through. My 2nd problem, surprisingly, was not the first-person narrative, which usually leaves me wondering why others are doing what they're doing - there was some of that, but it was mostly workable, except for her good friend Gabby; I never felt that I got to know her. No, my 2nd problem was when this highly-intelligent person develops TSTL tendencies, such as when she goes out alone to a less-than-desirable neighborhood on a dark and stormy night knowing that a serial killer is out there somewhere! On the positive side, I felt that the thriller/suspense mystery was very well-done, so on balance this is 3.5. I love a good mystery, so will read the next in the series, hoping that the problems mentioned above do not continue.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Summoning (Darkest Powers, #1); Author: Kelley Armstrong; Genres: young-adult, romance, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: 'I see dead people' - well, it worked in "Sixth Sense" and it definitely works here, mainly because there's so much more here than that. Chloe gets her first period and is harassed by a very gross-looking ghost on the same day - at school, of course! She's happy about the first event, even tho she has to vandalize the bathroom dispenser to get a sanitary napkin, but the ghost (her second of the day) really freaks her out, and the school insists on two weeks of counseling in a group youth center before she can return to school. There she's told she has schizophrenia and needs meds to keep her behavior 'normal'. Since Chloe wants above all to be normal, she willingly takes the pills, until other events and behaviors in the center cause her to question what she's been told. This was my 13th book for the month - how appropriate!! I initially rated it a strong 4.5 but have raised it to 5. At first I felt that the beginning chapters were not compelling enough, but now I'm thinking that the author was trying to make the reader look at two strong but opposing reasons for Chloe's behavior, and make them both believable. So she set the hook really well. But now, of course, I have to get the next book!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Round Robin (Elm Creek Quilts, #2); Author: Jennifer Chiaverini; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: The women in the Elm Creek Quilters' Club share a love of quilting and support each other when difficulties pop up in their personal lives. I love the way the author wove the individual stories into the making of the Round Robin Quilt. As each quilter created her section of the quilt, we learned more about her background and the personal problem she was facing in the present time, and discover that facing that difficulty helped her decide what her section should portray in the quilt. The descriptions of the quilt designs made me wish that pictures or photos of the quilts had been included in the book. This is a really good series, and worth continuing.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Mostly Harmless (Hitchhiker's Guide, #5); Author: Douglas Adams; Genres: paranormal, young-adult, fantasy, fiction; Review: I think I should have stopped with "So Long and Thanks for All the Fish". This was OK, but the Tricia/Trillian thing just didn't work for me - and poor Random! The 2nd half of the book was much better than the first, and I was anticipating the point where the storylines for Arthur and Ford would intersect. The best line for me was when the new and improved Guide told Random that the earth wasn't really destroyed, it was just "discontinuous along the probability axis" - I'm still thinking about that one.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: A Matter of Class; Author: Mary Balogh; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I loved the way this story unfolded. Short but sweet is very true in this case.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Real Murders (Aurora Teagarden, #1); Author: Charlaine Harris; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: A weak 3 rating for a plot that was just so-so for me. I thought it was a good premise - a club that studies old, unsolved, well-known murder cases, mainly just for the academic exercise. And then someone starts murdering members of the club, and that should have made for an intense tale - but when your main character does something really stupid and dangerous to a child, it's hard to take the rest of the story seriously - and that's too bad.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Fahrenheit 451; Author: Ray Bradbury; Genres: paranormal, young-adult, fantasy, fiction; Review: Is this a straightforward message about the horrors that can arise if there is total government control, or a cautionary tale about unintended consequences - or is it both? In the Author's Afterword of this book, Bradbury talked about the various faces of censorship. He said that there's more than one way to burn a book, including editing and revising to try to please everyone. And he depicts this in the story by talking about how books were first burned by minorities who objected to something in the book, each ripping a page or a paragraph from one book after another until there was nothing of any importance left between the covers. Some quotes from the book that really struck a chord with me: Books are hated and feared because "they show the pores in the face of life." "Those who don't build must burn." "We are all bits and pieces of history and literature and international law."; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Help; Author: Kathryn Stockett; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: Set in Mississippi in the early 1960s, and told in the voices of two black maids and one young white woman, this book shows how things can begin changing just by not accepting the way things are. Sometimes all that is needed is someone to be brave enough to say, 'this is wrong', and to do something, as Rosa Parks did when she refused to go to the back of the bus, and as these women did when they told their stories. Aibilene, Minny, and the other maids find whatever dignity they can in their jobs, even though the issue of race basically undermines that attempt at dignity; they are all women who feel they have no choices except to follow their mamas into the white women's kitchens and laundries. Their hopes lie in education and change someday, never expecting it to be in their lifetimes. As Aibilene says, "I just want things to be better for the kids," and she means both white kids and black kids. Skeeter is the white woman who says, 'this is wrong', and tries to get the maids to share their stories. There is real danger for the maids - they could lose more than just their jobs - and it is not until the death of Medgar Evers and the imprisonment of one of the maids that the maids themselves say 'this is enough' and begin sharing their stories. Skeeter soon finds herself a pariah in white society, shunned by all her former friends and acquaintances. There are some very emotional moments in this book, and some funny ones - including the story about 'two-slice Hilly"!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Never Less Than a Lady (Lost Lords, #2); Author: Mary Jo Putney; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Much better than the first book of the Lost Lord series - Mary Jo has found her way again with this story. The characters were so much more realistic and believable than the couple in Loving A Lost Lord, and I liked the way Randall and Julia talked to each other instead of pretending problems didn't exist. A couple of those very real problems were resolved almost too easily (and maybe unrealistically?), which kept this from being a 5* read for me.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Gargoyle; Author: Andrew Davidson; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I'm not going to call this my favorite book, and there were definitely parts of the story I didn't even like, but I liked the author's writing style. I'm greatly impressed with his attention to detail - often more than I wanted to read about! It took me as long to read the first few chapters as it did to read the next 350 pages, mainly because I was on emotional/horror overload as the nameless main character describes in detail the feeling of being roasted, and then the agony of rehabilitation. I felt especially grateful that he chose to intersperse the details of the accident and rehabilitation with his history and growing-up years. I'm not sure if I could have taken the intensity otherwise. Once I got past that, I felt compelled to keep on reading until I was done, so that definitely makes it a good book! I got caught up in the beautifully-told stories of Marianne Engel, the modern-day sculptor who insists that she and the main character knew and loved each other 700 years ago. And at the end of the book, it's up to the reader to decide: did she create these stories out of her severe schizophrenia, or did they really happen? Davidson did some serious research. He had international proofreaders (Japanese, Icelandic, Italian), which I imagine made Marianne Engel's stories culturally accurate. I found myself stopping often to look things up on the internet to see if they're really factual - such as 'Titivillus' and 'Ernich's Crusaders', and even Engelthal Monastery. I've never read Dante's Inferno, but after reading about this character's personal descent into hell, I'm not sure I want to. But I am surprised that the author's resolution of all the threads in this story made sense to me - after all is said and done, I'm calling this a book of one man's redemption.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Of Mice and Men; Author: John Steinbeck; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: Although the setting of this story is a hardscrabble ranch in Central California in the 1930s, the people and their approach to problems is timeless. On the surface, this is the tale of two migrant laborers who dream of having their own place, and the realities they face in trying to achieve that dream. As we meet the other workers on the ranch, we feel the hopelessness and loneliness of each of them, and see that each one of them has a handicap to overcome or to live with: Crooks because he's black, Candy because he's crippled, Lennie because he's a child in a powerful man's body, and George because he feels responsible for Lennie. Lennie has a child's need for love and touching, which leads to tragedy as the strength of his adult body causes him to hurt or kill what he loves/wants, and George has the burden of being needed so much that he has no life of his own. The ending is inevitable but heart-wrenching.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1); Author: Suzanne Collins; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: In this futuristic dystopian society, an unnamed apocalypse has wiped out all of North America. Rising from the ashes is one nation called Panem, which is comprised of 13 Districts surrounding the Capitol, the seat of power and government. Well, there were 13 Districts, until those districts rebelled against the abusive government - and lost. In retaliation, Panem Central obliterated District 13, and in the treaty that followed, established the annual hunger games, in which each district was required to participate or face the fate of District 13. To that end, everyone must attend the annual Reaping, at which two names are drawn for each district. Those 'lucky' winners then participate in The Games, but don't think Olympics here! They become gladiators in The Arena, and only one of the 24 comes out alive. So this is not a totally new theme, but this is the book I just read, and it both enthralled and appalled me. There are too many things in history and in the present that show the vicious, brutal, conscienceless behavior of people/governments in power. But to increase the horror and helplessness of the citizens in this fictional society, the gladiators who are put into the arena are children who are forced to kill in order to survive, while everyone else in their districts are forced to watch the Games, which are broadcast as they're happening, which of course means that 23 families are required to watch their children diel And each year after the games, life goes on for everyone else - but maybe things are about to change! Looking forward to Catching Fire, but I'm going to wait a while, since book 3 doesn't come out til August.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Wish List; Author: Eoin Colfer; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Meg has a mission - to help a dying man right the mistakes he made during his life (his wishlist). Meg, however, is already dead; killed in an explosion while she and her partner were trying to rob this same old man. Because her last act in her misbegotten life was to save the old man's life, she has this one chance to avoid hell. Satan, however, feels cheated of a soul he was expecting, and orders Beelzebub to keep Meg from completing her mission, so Beelzebub sends Belch (Meg's crime-partner-in-life) to reel her in; there was obviously no question of where Belch ended up, and he wants to feather that hot nest as much as he can. This one had its moments, but I much prefer his Artemis Fowl books.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Rest Falls Away (The Gardella Vampire Hunters, #1); Author: Colleen Gleason; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: I wanted to like this more than I did, but it was just too inconsistent and far-fetched for me. The inconsistency was resolved - the beginning gave the feeling that perhaps the author was going for tongue-in-cheek with the opening behavior of the heroine, but then it became obvious that it was meant to be a serious approach to staking vampires. But that led to the far-fetched aspect: here is this young debutante carrying stakes to ton events so she can poof any vampires that show up. Actually, I was willing to accept her behavior, since she was the only one of the three vampire-hunters who could show up at society events. But here's my problem: vampire guardians were making vampires out of titled men of the ton, whom Victoria then poofed out of existence, but there was no big hue and cry about the disappearance of these lords?! Sooner or later, there should have been concerns and investigations, but none were mentioned - I had a problem with that.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Awakening (Darkest Powers, #2); Author: Kelley Armstrong; Genres: young-adult, romance, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Now I admit I'd get rather freaked out if I had a long conversation with a sweet little old lady in a restaurant, and then realize everyone's laughing at me because I'm the only one who sees and hears her. Chloe not only sees ghosts, she can summon them, and if she tries too hard, she summons them from the grave (we're talking zombies here!), and then has to release their spirits so they can go back to being dead. But she's still learning what her powers are, so learning how to control them is hard work. It would be nice if she had the leisure to practice skills and control, but that darn Edison Group won't leave them alone. And she's not the only one having problems with control - Derek's werewolf wants to come out at the most inconvenient times!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Big Over Easy (Nursery Crime, #1); Author: Jasper Fforde; Genres: young-adult, thriller, comics, crime, paranormal, graphic, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: This is a delicious parody of detective fiction and nursery rhymes - I found myself chuckling aloud on several occasions.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Stuart Little; Author: E.B. White; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I was initially surprised to find this shelved as 'adventure', but when I reread it, I realized that it's all about adventure; well, adventure and acceptance. Stuart's parents accept him, even though he is nothing like their other son; most friends and neighbors and strangers accept him, which makes this an almost-ideal world to live in. So that makes this a beautifully-told message to kids about accepting and even loving people who are different than they are. And in this world of human giants, everything Stuart does is an adventure! Children's imaginations can create numerous endings or further adventures for Stuart, who at the end of the book, is on the road still searching for his friend Margalo - going north, because who knows what adventures may be found up north! I think E.B. White was very clever to end the book without answering whether or not Stuart finds Margalo. The adventure, after all, is in the journey, not in the destination.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Door in the Tree (The Magician's House Quartet, #2); Author: William Corlett; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: This is the 2nd book of "The Magician's House Quartet", and I got lost/confused a couple of times because I didn't read the first one, but the author cleverly worked in most of the previous action as this story went along, so I was able to enjoy the action in this one. It's definitely a "teaching-but-not-preaching" type of story, and his approach here is that it's OK to believe in something that hasn't been scientifically proven. Here are just a few of the ideas/statements he puts forth: We should each discover our true self, discover our place in the order of things, and then do our duty. "The difference between magic and science is that magic can't be put to the test." "The secret of magic is believing, but in order to believe...you have to stop not believing." (If you've read or seen The Polar Express this makes absolute sense!) "The problem with science is that relying on proof can cloud one's perception of the magic that is ever present." And I think this one is my favorite line: "You were so busy not believing that you didn't even believe what you already knew you believed." In case you still didn't realize it, this book is about magic - but it's also about getting along without magic, which is what most of us have to do (or do we??); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Midnight Pleasures with a Scoundrel (Scoundrels of St. James, #4); Author: Lorraine Heath; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This historical-romance series gives a new twist to the story of Fagin's boys from Dickens' Oliver Twist, and lets you see what could have happened if someone gave them a chance to escape their lives as pickpockets and thieves. Some have names we recognize, such as Jack Dodger; Oliver becomes Luke, who is discovered to be the grandson of a duke. Others are cleverly named - Frannie chose the last name of Darling because Feagan always called her 'Frannie, darling'; James chose the surname Swindler because that's what he was good at as one of the boys. And the skills they learned as boys from Feagan serve them well as adults when they channel them for (mostly) legal activities. This is James Swindler's story, and he is such a caring and generous guy that for quite a while I felt he was being cheated in his heroine, 'cause she was really playing him for a fool. But fear not! Lorraine Heath had an extra card or two up her sleeve. But even though I've never subscribed to the theory that revenge is OK for the hero but not the heroine, I still wasn't completely happy with her actions toward James. And the extra twists at the end were a bit of a surprise - one of them validated my earlier thinking, but the other one was somewhat out of the blue. The 4* is for James (of course!), and for the fact that the author was able to surprise me twice, although I did figure out the first surprise about halfway through.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Angel's Peak (Virgin River, #9); Author: Robyn Carr; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: On the morning after their wedding, Ellie and Noah are overwhelmed to find many Virgin River residents working on the renovation of the house they just purchased. Ellie turns to Noah and says, "They're so wonderful. How can they be this wonderful?" To which Noah replies, "I think they practice." Oh, wait! This was supposed to be the story of Sean and Franci, but that one didn't take long to tell and wasn't enough to hold my attention: Sean and Franci were a hot young couple, Franci wanted marriage, Sean told her not to let the door hit her on the way out, so Franci didn't tell him she was pregnant, Franci disappeared, Sean went on to live the carefree life of a single man, and now it's 4 years later and Sean learns that he's the daddy of Wild Iwish Rose. My problem? I just didn't really like either character all that much. Sean was still an arrogant SOB (until Rosie melted his heart, of course), and Franci's only excuse for withholding news of his daughter was that he would feel compelled to offer marriage. Things do work out for them - this is a Virgin River romance, after all - but the side stories about Ellie/Noah, Luke/Shelby, and even Maureen/George were much more interesting. Their segments brought my overall rating up to 3.5. And I love Art!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: A Wicked Lord at the Wedding (Boscastle, #8); Author: Jillian Hunter; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I really looked forward to learning more about Sebastian, and why he avoided his Boscastle cousins and brothers, but I was so disappointed in how this story was carried out. First: the younger Sebastian respected Eleanor and what she was able to do in wartime, but the present-day Sebastian appeared to feel that Elle, as a woman, did not have the ability to do what she had already been successfully doing - yes, part of that was his desire to protect her, but the stronger message was that this task needed a man; not the way to convince your beloved that she has value to you beyond the bedroom. Second: his PTSD caused him to be least-in-sight for much of the first 6 years of their marriage, yet other than a couple of vague references, his feelings and behaviors during that time are never shared with his wife - how can a wounded marriage heal without this resolution?! I enjoyed the very childish competition they carried out in their search for the letters, and was actually glad to see a serious problem develop which needed their cooperative behavior to resolve.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Sir Thursday (The Keys to the Kingdom, #4); Author: Garth Nix; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: OK, I'm just a kid at heart - working my way thru Garth Nix's Keys to the Kingdom. I like the escapism of the totally improbable and impossible - at least, I think it is! And if young Arthur Penhaligon makes you think of Arthur Pendragon, I don't think that's an accident!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lady Friday (The Keys to the Kingdom, #5); Author: Garth Nix; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: In the previous book, Lord Arthur had successfully defeated Sir Thursday, and therefore controls The Glorious Army of the Architect. But no rest in sight for poor Arthur - Superior Saturday has closed the front door of the House and shut down the elevators. While Arthur is trying to decide what to do, he receives a message, but discovers after he touches it that it's really a transfer plate and zoom* he's landed in a pile of snow! He's not sure where he is, but soon finds Suzy Blue and Fred (or they find him), and now it's time to do something - but what?! Meanwhile, poor Leaf is in danger of being inhaled by Lady Friday (who is a doctor in the hospital Leaf ended up in at the end of book 4). Leaf is trying to save her Aunt Mango, so she follows the line of sleepers who are under the mind-control of Lady Friday. Inhaling the essence of humans is Lady Friday's drug-of-choice, and obviously it would be to everyone's benefit to put a stop to her habit! These books have become my habit-of-the-moment! The Seven Days of the Week = The Seven Keys to the Kingdom = (perhaps) The Seven Deadly Sins?! It's always interesting to see how different authors take essentially the same theme and end up with totally different approaches.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Ice Skating: Steps to Success: Steps to Success; Author: Karin Kunzle-Watson; Genres: non-fiction; Review: I am not a skater, and at this stage of my life, it's highly unlikely that I will become one, but I do like to watch ice skating and ice dancing, and with the winter olympics coming up, I wanted to learn a little about the logistics of skating. Basically, I learned three things: posture is extremely important, maintaining a 'body box' is critical, and skating backwards is apparently not as difficult as I thought it would be.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely, #1); Author: Melissa Marr; Genres: young-adult, romance, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Aislinn sees faeries. She's seen them all her life, but she has always followed Gram's rules - don't let them know you can see them and they'll leave you alone. It's been working for years, but suddenly the rules are changing and she doesn't know why. She only feels safe with Seth, who is her very good friend. Of course, Seth wants to be more than her friend, but it takes Aislinn quite a while to figure that out. And now the Summer King wants her, and the Winter Girl is warning her, and the Winter Queen is a nasty witch (with a capital B!) I really liked that Ms Marr used such a great and different resolution to the situation the four main characters faced. It made for a somewhat unexpected ending. A weak 4, but definitely deserves more than a 3 rating.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Butler Did It; Author: Kasey Michaels; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: When the marquis is away, the butler decides to play entrepreneur! Especially since the marquis was away for 5 years - it was just too boring to take care of a house with no one in residence, so Thornley decided to keep the staff on their toes by renting the Westham mansion during the Season to carefully selected people. It was working out well - financially - for all staff members, but then the marquis arrived to find his home invaded by strangers, and the fun begins. This was a delightful read! Ms. Michaels not only blurred the lines and rules of society - she pretty much eliminated some of them, while poking fun at a very restrictive society. There's a sequel about the marquis' best friend - hope Shall We Dance? is an entertaining as this was.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Silver Chair; Author: C.S. Lewis; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: In this story, we meet Eustace Scrubbs again (you remember Eustace, the smarmy cousin of the Pevensie children), just 5 months after his adventure on the Dawn Treader with Prince Caspian, although in Narnia it's been 70 years. Prince Caspian is now King Caspian - an old King Caspian whose only son was taken hostage and has been missing for 10 years. So Aslan has called Eustace and his schoolmate Jill Pole to Narnia to rescue Prince Rilian, and on their quest they encounter gnomes, giants, betrayal, and errors in judgement. Aslan has told them to watch for four signs to help them - "remember the signs and believe in the signs" - but of course they are distracted and miss the signs, and things go wrong until they get back to their purpose. The message is obvious: if we don't follow the signs, we may take the wrong road and lose our way. I liked the idea of the quest, and I loved the brave but extremely pessimistic Puddleglum, but I did miss the Pevensies.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Last Night's Scandal (Carsington Brothers #5); Author: Loretta Chase; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I just HAD to rate this a 5* rather than a strong 4, mainly because I was SO GLAD to see that Olivia has not lost the Zest for Life that she had in Lord Perfect. Her letters were a delight to read! For years, she has been Last Night's Scandal, as she so matter-of-factly tells Peregrine. She proceeds to blithely complicate his life, but who else understands how to deal with his parents?!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Elegant Gathering of White Snows; Author: Kris Radish; Genres: fiction; Review: It took me a long time to read the first 3 chapters, and the only thing that kept me going was that I knew my daughter would ask me how I liked it (she loaned it to me). I started it because it was supposed to be all about friendship, but most of those first chapters leaned very much toward the 'I-am-woman, men-are-pigs' outlook: men are lazy, men get drunk and slap women around, men sleep around, men are lucky to have us, etc. All of those things are true about some men, and all of those things are true about some women. The basic story here is that 8 women who are in a Friendship Club (they call it their weekly Study Group) suddenly decide to go for a walk in the middle of the night - and they just keep on walking and talking, leaving their families to fend for themselves. Mary decides she is happy with her life the way it is - she loves her husband & kids, she enjoys being a homemaker - and she tells the others she's going back home. Although the other women end up affirming her choice, I was left with the idea (from the author) that Mary was a cop-out, accepting less than she could be. Even later on, Mary is not portrayed as happy with her life, but as someone who is "content with the confines society has set". It was almost like the author was saying, 'she's happy, but she doesn't know any better' - that attitude bothered me. So why have I rated this a 4?! Well, it's a weak 4, but 3 just wasn't enough to show how much I enjoyed most of the rest of the book - the profiles of the walkers and of other women who heard about the walkers (Margaret's story was just totally heartbreaking, and it had nothing to do with bad choices and weak or abusive men). Unfortunately, the 'men-are-pigs' idea sneaks back in every now and then: when two of the women are talking about their husbands, one makes the remark that their men are basically hanging on to a good thing - this is after we've read their profiles and know what difficult times both women have put their husbands through, and the men were always there for them! Oh, well! If you can get past this apparent mindset of the author, this is a book worth reading - and the friendship theme is really there, including stranger-to-stranger friendliness and kindness.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Ten Things I Love About You (Bevelstoke, #3); Author: Julia Quinn; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Ten Things I Learned in This Book: 1) Annabel's family was poor 2) Annabel loved her family SO 3) Annabel had to marry rich to save her family. 4) The Earl of Newbury was rich BUT 5) Annabel detested the Earl of Newbury. NEVERTHELESS 6) Annabel's Grandmother ordered her to marry the Earl EVEN THOUGH 7) Annabel was happier with Sebastian WHO 8) was a handsome rogue with a great secret from everyone except the reader!, AND WHO 9) discovered that he felt more than lust for Annabel AND THEREFORE 10) did what he had to do to keep Annabel from marrying the duke SO THAT Oops! That's already ten things, so you'll have to read the book to find out what comes next!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Dark Stranger (Slater Brothers, #1); Author: Heather Graham Pozzessere; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Although this story is a romance so yes, it has an HEA, this is really a story of the struggle of the settlers who lived near the borders of Kansas and Missouri during the American Civil War. Specifically, it portrays incidents that created the "Bleeding Kansas" of the 1860s. This was the era of Quantrill's Raiders, who attacked the McCahy Ranch and brutally murdered Kristin's father. Now a small group of the Raiders has returned, wanting Kristin as their plaything. Cole Slater happens upon them and saves her, and to get him to stay to protect the ranch, she offers herself - and he accepts. What she doesn't know is that Cole used to ride with Quantrill's Raiders - he wanted to avenge the murder of his wife by Union Jayhawkers, and that was supposed to be the purpose of Quantrill's group. But he had left the Raiders some time ago when he discovered that their only purpose seemed to be the same indiscriminate killing and burning that had been done to him by the Pro-Union Jayhawkers. He is, however, still in the Confederate Army. Kristin's brother Matthew had joined the Union Army after their father was killed by the Confederate raiders, so now Kristin had protection from both sides of the conflict - or was in peril from both sides! This was a very intense read, and I enjoyed the personalized history lesson. The author very cleverly brought Cole's brothers into the conflict at the ranch, and set up the personal animosity between Malachi Slater and Kristin's sister Shannon, who just happen to be the H/h in Rides A Hero.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lewis and Clark Through Indian Eyes; Author: Alvin M. Josephy Jr.; Genres: history, poetry, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction; Review: Nine Indian writers tell about the people in the Corps of Discovery Expedition of Lewis & Clark, and about the people they encountered. It is mostly told by descendants of the Indian people described in the journals, and gives a contemporary Indian perspective as well as historical information. It shows how invaluable Sacajawea was to the success of the expedition - that without her skills, there could have been totally different results. There's a beautifully-told eye-witness account of the death of Sacajawea at age 82 in 1869. The authors use the journals of both Lewis and Clark, and the oral history of the Indian tribes, and show how the two perspectives were often at odds with each other. One example: the oral history of the Umatilla/WallaWalla Indians tell how the explorers were poor housekeepers and existed precariously in the region; Lewis & Clark described the Indians as "the most hospitable, honest, sincere people we have met in our voyage."; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Wild Heart (Wild, #1); Author: Lori Brighton; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Closer to 3.5* but didn't rise to the level of 4; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The River (Brian's Saga, #2); Author: Gary Paulsen; Genres: young-adult, thriller, children, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: In Hatchet, 13-year-old Brian Robeson was forced to spend 54 days alone in the Canadian wilderness when the bush-plane pilot had a fatal heart attack and crash-landed in a lake, leaving Brian with nothing but his hatchet. Now a government survivalist organization wants him to do it again, so they can improve the way they teach survival techniques. Things are going fairly smoothly - well, Brian learned a lot in his ordeal - but lightning strikes the government man through their 2-way radio, sending him into a coma and frying the radio. This time he doesn't even have his hatchet -just two pocket knives, a map, and the clothes they're wearing. But somehow Brian must get an unconscious, injured man 100 miles downriver to a trading post before Derek dies of dehydration. Too often, a sequel doesn't live up to the original story, but this one definitely does. Once the lightning struck, I could not put this down.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Great Garden Companions: A Companion-Planting System for a Beautiful, Chemical-Free Vegetable Garden; Author: Sally Jean Cunningham; Genres: non-fiction; Review: I'll be using certain sections of this book everytime I plan my spring and fall gardens.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Descartes' Bones: A Skeletal History of the Conflict Between Faith and Reason; Author: Russell Shorto; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Descartes died in Stockholm in 1650. Three burials, 3 centuries, and 6 countries later, we have this philosophical book. In it, the author traces the journey of Descartes' remains, which began with "a ceremony of repackaging" when the bones were disinterred and placed in a 2' copper casket because 16 years in a wooden casket had left nothing but bones. And then there was The Mystery of the Misplaced Head! So this book was part forensic mystery as the author tried to trace events after Descartes' death, which of course led to events before Descartes' death, which led to a discussion of Descartes' contributions of philosophy and science, which led to a discussion of beliefs and practices between then and now that relate to Descartes teachings, which led to a look at the battle between religion and rationalism - which was the whole purpose of this book! There were times when I was very much reminded of James Burke's Connections series, in which he began with two seemingly unrelated events/inventions, and then proceeded to show the connection, often through dozens of degrees of separation. I find this type of study fascinating. I also thought the author gave a good representation of both sides of the religion/secularism issue.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Particle Physics: A Very Short Introduction; Author: Frank Close; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: I am not a scientist, and I have only a basic understanding of physics. So altho this is A Very Short Introduction to particle physics, it's still contains strong elements of an unknown foreign language to me. And I was doing fine until the formulas started coming in chapter 4! The most significant thing I recall after that is that anti-matter destroys matter in a flash of light, and that positrons are destroyed when they collide with electrons. But that's OK - that I didn't get that much out of some of the chapters, I mean! The good news for me is that this was an audiobook, so I can (and will) go back to it again to see what else I can glean from it. What I learned from this book (so far): Quarks and electrons are the seeds of matter on earth Quarks cluster together in threes The fundamental structure of the atom is beyond imagining Atoms from a long-dead supernova made you and me That's not a bad list - and maybe I'll add to it as I listen again. I especially want to re-do chapter 8, which he titled "Exotic Matter and Anti-Matter" to see if I can hear (and understand) the answer to the question: where did all the anti-matter go?; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Bellwether; Author: Connie Willis; Genres: history, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Definitely not my favorite Connie Willis book, although I may follow the example of another reviewer and reread it in a few years. One of my main problems, I'll admit, was in the expectation going in of the type of story I'd be reading, and this was far from it. The info bits about real fads in history was interesting, but I just couldn't get into the chaos of daily life in the lab, and for much of the book saw no purpose in it. To find out that Flip was a bellwether of sorts was a bit much to take. And speaking of bellwethers, what did they end up doing with the sheep?!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Blackout (All Clear, #1); Author: Connie Willis; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: I love Connie Willis' Oxford Time Travel books. This one is about Oxford students who travel back to 'observe only' certain events of WWII, but problems cause them to be trapped in the past. This was an excellent look at how the war impacted the average citizen in England and how well they rose to the occasion. I think I really learned more about the human impact of the London Blitz from these two books than I understood before, since she really made the reader feel the experience of falling bombs and huddling in shelters. And do notice that I said 'two books'. Make sure you have All Clear on hand or readily available when you read this book, because you'll want to continue right on to find out what else happens to the main characters - and many of the other characters are so interesting and compelling that you want to know their whole story, too. This book starts a little slow, but I was soon caught up in it. My 5 is a rating of the two books combined, since it is really one story.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Mr. Dixon Disappears (Mobile Library Mystery #2); Author: Ian Sansom; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: I wasn't all that crazy about the first book in this series, The Case of the Missing Books, but I liked the idea of the Mobile Library in a small village in Northern Ireland, so I gave the series a second chance and am glad I did. Israel Armstrong is the librarian - a young, Jewish vegetarian "stuck in the middle of nowhere in the north of the north of Northern Ireland" and driving a beat-up and much-repaired mobile library. Other than living in a chicken coop, his biggest problem is trying to get people to return their library books on time - until Mr. Dixon disappears and the police arrest Israel for kidnapping. To add insult to injury, they confiscate the mobile library and use it as their investigation headquarters! So Israel and his friend Ted launch their own investigation and find out what really happened to Mr. Dixon. Now if Israel's relationship with his girlfriend Gloria would work out as well...; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Demon from the Dark (Immortals After Dark #10); Author: Kresley Cole; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: Here's where I wish GR used the 1/2. This is really more than 3 but didn't rise to a strong 4* for me. I really loved Malkom, and Carrow did eventually grow on me - how can you not like a witch who will do anything to save her niece?! And the ending was both emotional and hilarious. On reflection, it's a weak 4* for me.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Someone Named Eva; Author: Joan M. Wolf; Genres: history, young-adult, children, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Czech freedom-fighters, rebelling against Hitler's takeover of their country, attempted to assassinate his #1 man in Czechoslovakia. In retaliation, Hitler orders the elimination of a Czech village - men and teen boys are executed, women and girls are placed in concentration camps, and the town is burned, bulldozed, and wiped out of existence. The town was Lidice. All of this is factual - this book itself is fiction based on these facts, and follows the young Milada who is dragged into Hitler's 'Perfect Aryan Race' idea because she is blond and fits all the facial measurements dreamed up by the purists (this program also existed) I always thought they only focused on Germans who fit this concept of perfection, but the goal here was to 'Germanize' them and wipe out any memories of who they had been, so Milada became 'Someone Named Eva' This is a heart-rending story of civilian victims of war, but also an uplifting story of the indomitability of the human spirit. I highly recommend this book!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2); Author: Suzanne Collins; Genres: young-adult, romance, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: In Hunger Games, after a failed rebellion, the government annihilated District 13, and forced the other districts to have teenagers participate in an annual only-one-can-live elimination. Katniss and Peeta both survived, however, because they portrayed themselves as young lovers who would rather die together (by eating poisonous berries) than have to decide which one will live and which will die. The president was less than pleased, so for the upcoming Quarter Games he has decided that the participants will be drawn from previous district winners, which guarantees that Katniss & Peeta will be right back in it. There are some interesting twists in this one, which the readers figure out way before our heroes do, especially single-minded Katniss, who has decided that Peeta must be the one who survives, so she pretty much misses all the hints and clues. In her defense, she's got a lot on her mind. Fortunately for my peace of mind, I knew the story would not end until book 3, but that was still quite a cliffhanger at the end!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Vampire Viscount; Author: Karen Harbaugh; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: A weak 4* but stronger than 3* Lord Nicholas St. Vire is a reluctant vampire, hates the woman who 'turned' him, and has spent decades searching for a way to reverse the process. He's sure he's finally found it, and all he has to do is find a willing virgin to marry, one who will love him even knowing what he is. This book is said to be the first Regency-vampire book - my copy was published in 1995. I think it held my interest because the author chose how she would interpret/carry out the "rules" of vampirism. Vampires burn up in sunlight check Vampires need blood check Vampires can't eat food Umm, really? This was different enough to make it worthwhile - and I may search for another paranormal Harbaugh wrote before this one, about a Regency man who makes a bargain with the devil, and then wants to get out of it - and the bargain involves a decent woman, of course!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows, #1); Author: Kim Harrison; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery; Review: Full disclosure here - I chose this book only because I needed a 'witch' book I hadn't already read, and I could get this one at the library. To my great surprise, I really liked it - and what's not to like: it has a witch, a vampire, a human, and a 'posse of pixies'. And I've got to say, without Jenks & his Matalina and that posse of pixies, this would have been just an OK story for me. Things have not been going well for Rachel Morgan at Inderland Security, so she resigns and then quickly learns that there's a contract out on her - as in "I want that witch DEAD!" As she's running from a variety of assassins, she collects a rather unique and unlikely team, and learns that having a pixy for backup is a lot better than she imagined. So while she and her team are trying to nullify her death contract, they end up establishing the private firm of Vampiric Charms Runner Service. So now I have another series to read - maybe this wasn't such a good idea!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Anyone But You; Author: Jennifer Crusie; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: What a pleasant surprise this book was!! I loved it from start to finish. Nina's character was just so real, with her insecurities about being 40 in a world that idolizes the looks of a 20-year-old. And Alex's ignorance of the realness of her insecurities was also very true-to-life. Nina is somewhat recently out of a very one-sided marriage, and all she wants is her independence and a dog. And of course, everyone knows that a good pet can be a good connection for friendship - which is all Nina wants, since she's through with marriage. Alex, however, takes one look at Nina and definitely wants more, and the fact that he's ten years younger doesn't bother him a bit. Being a smart guy, he eventually discovers how to build that friendship into more - once he gets past his own insecurities about not being rich. So I guess I'm a convert to Jennifer Crusie, and will definitely try another of her books.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Not My Daughter; Author: Barbara Delinsky; Genres: young-adult, romance, fiction; Review: Teenage girls who are best friends make a pact to become pregnant. Why? Their mothers are best friends, so they want to continue the tradition! Really, that's only part of it, but all the 'reasoning' used by the girls fits right in with the intelligence/emotionalism conflict that teens live with. To complicate this particular situation, this takes place in a small town, where everyone knows everybody; and these are 'good' girls, well-behaved with good grades, so immediately others proclaim that this is proof of poor parenting by the mothers. To further complicate the situation, one of the pregnant girls is the daughter of the high school principal, who is herself an unmarried mother! To Delinsky's credit, she handles all these variables quite well, and the story is really all about the repercussions of this bizarre pact - from the reactions of the boys who discovered they were 'used' by the girls, to the actions of the school board in trying to fire the principal, to the strain all this put on the friendship and business relationship of the mothers.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Man in the Iron Mask; Author: Alexandre Dumas; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This book was not at all what I expected - how could I have gone so long being unaware that The Man in the Iron Mask is only the vehicle for everything else that happens to the musketeers? Poor Philip was content/resigned to his imprisonment until Aramis decided to try to use him to unseat the corrupt King Louis - when that failed, Philip ended up in the iron mask and then disappeared from the story. There was a sad inevitability to everything that happened to Aramis and poor Porthos after the failed attempt, and D'Artagnan was torn between his sworn duty and his friendships. This was not really a 4* read for me - I got lost too often in the wordy, flowery, and off-topic conversations and explanations - but it was so much more than 3* so there you are!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: I'll Scream Later; Author: Marlee Matlin; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: I admire anyone who has the drive and positive self-image to refuse to be diminished or defined by a disability. Marlee Matlin is Deaf, and has a happy marriage with four healthy children. She is also an accomplished actress, with a career that began with an Oscar-winning role in Children of a Lesser God. I first saw her in Reasonable Doubts, which I loved, and enjoyed her role as a professional pollster in West Wing. After reading her book, I have to say I also admire her for overcoming her self-inflicted drug addiction. This book, however, was a weak 3* for me because of the strong emphasis on her numerous sexual relationships. I understand that these relationships also helped make her the person she is today, but I don't need or want to know what goes on in the bedroom (euphemistically speaking!) It is because of this tendency to 'bare-all' in their memoirs that I seldom read autobiographies, and I now know some things about Ms. Matlin that I wish I didn't.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Ansel Adams: Our National Parks; Author: Ansel Adams; Genres: history, comics, poetry, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Ansel Adams first personally experienced the beauty and grandeur of Yosemite National Park when he was 14 years old. About a decade later, he began his lifelong work of preserving the beauty of nature by photographing as much of the wilderness areas as he could, and by using those photos to lobby Congress to preserve the national park areas. Many of the letters he wrote to presidents and to various members of government are included here. The photos in this book remind me of areas already visited and enjoyed, and make me want to visit other parks that are known to me only by name.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Rides A Hero (Slater Brothers, #2); Author: Heather Graham Pozzessere; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This was OK, but I liked Dark Stranger better, and Apache Summer looks much better in comparison. I was constantly torn between wondering whether Shannon was brave but impulsive, or just (too stupid to live. She put herself in danger several times, she put her sister in danger, she put Malachi in danger, she put Iris in danger - need I go on?! If she had learned from her behavior, I'd go with brave but impulsive, but she obviously didn't, so I have to lean toward TSTL. Other than that, this series was a chilling look at the Kansas/Missouri conflict during Civil War times, the guerilla warfare that existed between jayhawkers & bushwhackers, and the lawlessness that came with it.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Virgin's Secret (Lost City, #2); Author: Victoria Alexander; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Disappointing! A weak 3* - I expected to really enjoy the antiquities aspect, but this time it didn't work for me. The death of Gabrielle's half-brother became the story, and the non-resolution of that will be the reason I continue with the next book, which I hope is better than this one.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Shall We Dance?; Author: Kasey Michaels; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I loved The Butler Did It and was looking for more of the same amusing read with this sequel. After a slow start, it was really enjoyable for a good part of the book when spies -professional and otherwise - were coming out of the woodwork. There was a sweet young-romance between secondary characters, and the bittersweet romance of the main characters, and the farce of the somewhat-factual public battle between the King and the Queen Consort he wanted to divorce. But it lost something along the way, and dropped from "I really liked it" to a blander "I liked it" feeling by the end.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Highland Dragon; Author: Kimberly Killion; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: I read this on the recommendation of another Goodreads member, and rated it 3.5. The heroine had somewhat the appeal of a Julie Garwood heroine, but I had a problem with the continued demands she made on the hero. He, in turn, had his own reasons for bowing to her demands, which made him more likeable to this reader and eventually, of course, to the heroine.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Catherine, Called Birdy; Author: Karen Cushman; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, children, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: I love reading about medieval times, so when that was coupled with a Newbery Honor award, I expected to really love this book. It's well-researched, and I loved the comments Birdy made about each Saint-of-the-Day, but the book just didn't really keep my interest, so it gets a weak 4 from me. This is about the 14th year of the life of Catherine, called Birdy, "of the village of Stonebridge in the shire of Lincoln, in the country of England, in the hands of God...in the year of Our Lord 1290." Birdy just wants to be able to play with the village children, but must spend most of her time on 'lady-lessons'. She also spends a lot of time trying to foil her father's plans to see her married soonest. And in the process, she grows up a little bit - enough to see that there may be more to people than she first thought, as when her brother Robert (whom she calls the abomination) goes out of his way to help save an abused bear and find a home for it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Rules; Author: Cynthia Lord; Genres: children, young-adult, fiction; Review: Catherine makes simple rules for her autistic brother David to remind him of what she considers the basic and important rules of public behavior. I particularly liked the idea that this book is told from the viewpoint of a young teen with an autistic sibling. Catherine just wants to be able to hang out with her friends, and have uninterrupted conversations, but too often she has to be the caretaker for her brother "just for an hour" or "just for the afternoon", and her frustration and anger war with her genuine love for David. This book is an excellent reminder that the genuine needs of the 'low maintenance' child are too often lost sight of in a family that is struggling to meet the needs of the 'high maintenace' special-needs child.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Murder On Monday; Author: Ann Purser; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Although the murder happened on page two, this cozy-mystery took a while to get going. But I liked the setting of a small English village with ordinary people, some of them hiding not-so-ordinary secrets. And Lois Meade is in the perfect position, as the person who cleans their houses, to find out some unsavory secrets as she helps the local constabulary. I really liked that the author made the Inspector a caring and intelligent person, and not the usual incompetent who needs the amateur sleuth to figure things out for him.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Dead & Buried; Author: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: In a small coastal town, where everyone knows everyone else, an unrecognized woman gets into an intensive-care room at the hospital and kills an unknown man. Oh! - and people are being doused with gasoline and set on fire! This is not a cozy mystery; it's not even a good variation on the 'Stepford Wives' theme. It was only my determination to complete a monthly challenge that kept me going to the bitter end - and really, that's not even a good enough reason!; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Envy; Author: Sandra Brown; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: OK, this really deserves 3.5, but I just couldn't give it 4 for two reasons: 1. Maris fell in love with Noah because she loved his book so much - I know that reason can go out the window when emotions walk in the door, but really?!! 2. Maris again - she came to Parker's bed while still claiming to love her husband, and then was upset with him for 'using' her and pushing her out the door (which he did). Envy is a good read; a well-told story with some predictable plotlines but also some surprising twists. Bottom line? I had a problem with Maris. However, I loved Mike - he was the real hero of this book! And I really liked the story-within-a-story format.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Phantom Tollbooth; Author: Norton Juster; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Wordplay, puns and figures of speech taken literally. A simple fantasy story to amuse children, but humor that can tickle the funnybone of adults, and may go right over most children's heads - much as cartoons of old. I loved the Princesses of Rhyme and Reason!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Road; Author: Cormac McCarthy; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I did not enjoy reading this, but once I started, I felt compelled to finish it. I think I knew that this would be my reaction, and that's why I delayed reading it! This is really what I envision as a post-apocalyptic world; not just (just?!) the devastation and almost-total annihilation, but the reversion of the human being into the human animal. I have some pictures in my mind now that I really don't want there, but I was glad for the one ray of hope that McCarthy included, and an ending that leaves the possibility of a new beginning. This was not a strong 4* book for me, but 3* just wasn't enough to show how it impacted me. The starkness of the language emphasized the barren world the man and boy navigated, but the inconsistency of that method created some problems for me - I know that incomplete sentences are acceptable and can be useful. Pack a punch. Set things up. Stark and bleak. Cold as ice. But after that chopped language has set the scene, we have sentences full of 'vestibular calculations' and the 'great pendulum in its rotunda', and I'm spinning! I personally thought the decision to use no punctuation other than periods was a great way to show the bleakness of life (contractions without apostrophes, conversation without quotation marks), but then when an apostrophe was used, it was used incorrectly - I know, I'm nit-picking here, and the first time I put it down to a typesetting error, but later it was written the same way, and it was jarring - why was it even there?! . OK, I'm done, but when I see 'Pulitzer winner', I expect a good story and a well-written story.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Diamond in the Window (Hall Family Chronicles, #1); Author: Jane Langton; Genres: history, young-adult, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: A delightful YA book with strong elements of magic. Eleanor and Edward discover a previously unknown to them attic room, and learn about The Mystery of the Disappearing Children. When they begin sleeping in the attic room, they have strange shared dreams in which they see and hear Ned and Nora - the missing children - but can never catch them. And then their dreams become downright dangerous! Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau figure strongly in this story - at least their busts do!! Uncle Freddy speaks daily to Ralph and Henry, and Eleanor loves Louisa - in fact, she decides to marry Louisa and Henry, but Uncle Freddy stops the ceremony! This would be a wonderful book to read to, and share with, your pre-teen children or students. It has a rather abrupt ending, but there are more books in the Hall Family Chronicles.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Wintergirls; Author: Laurie Halse Anderson; Genres: paranormal, fantasy, young-adult, fiction; Review: Wintergirls live in the borderlands, and their existence in the real world is the surreal one. The trick is to try to avoid all the pitfalls of the real world, i.e., the evils of eating, and the lies of people who tell you that you're not fat, that your arms are like sticks when you can clearly see that they're as fat and heavy as logs. But when you fall off the edge of the borderlands, you're lost - Cassie is lost/dead, and Lia feels both betrayed and guilty about Cassie's death; she sees and talks to Cassie's ghost constantly. This was not an easy book to read. I knew that I would be reading about a girl with anorexia, but not that I would be living in her head, which was very scary - to see the total lack of self-esteem, of hating what she thought she was. I've read other books about cutters, but this was the first one that gave a reason for cutting other than creating designs on the body or inflicting deserved pain (in the opinion of the cutter), Lia's main purpose in cutting was to let the fat and toxins ooze out of her body, so her cutting appeared to be completely tied to her anorexia, which was tied to her lack of self-worth, and so on. Lia's lifeline appears to be her young sister Emma - she loved playing with her, baking for her, and I think in the end that Emma was Lia's reason for wanting to come back to the real world rather than joining Cassie.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Handmaid's Tale; Author: Margaret Atwood; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Written in 1986, The Handmaid's Tale is disturbing, frightening, and almost prophetic in its telling of the downward spiral that can be the consequence to society when extremist views of any ilk are translated to violent action. This was a compelling read - I didn't want to find out what had created the world in which Offfred resided, but I was drawn into the telling and the horror of what fanaticism produces: never the intended freedoms that are so anticipated, but the dehumanization of members of society as the leaders attempt to create a new and better world. As the Commander said, when he was virtually acknowledging that they had created an unacceptable, unwanted world: "You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs. We thought we could do better." The assassination of a president is too sadly believable, but the planned, violent takeover of government by the machine-gunning of the entire Congress?This is still unbelievable to me, but isn't that what people of other countries felt before it happened to them? Another quote: "Truly amazing, what people can get used to, as long as there are a few compensations." But what happens when there are NO compensations, as was the case for the Handmaids, who were totally dehumanized. Is this when unrest leads to uprisings and rebellion and outbreaks of resistance? There were many lovely tidbits of thought sprinkled throughout this Tale - but then, when you have nothing but time, as was the case in Offred's existence (have you noticed that I refrain from calling it her life? since no real living appears to be available to her), it must help to think of things beyond the routine of living. Some of my favorites: 'one and one and one and one doesn't equal 4 because each one remains unique' "Why is it that night falls, instead of rising like the dawn? You can see the darkness rising from the horizon... like a black cloud." I was really touched by her prayer, as she's thinking her way through the Our Father... "I don't believe for an instant that what's going on out there is what you want" We need you to provide a heaven... Hell we can create for ourselves." "You must feel pretty ripped off. I guess it's not the first time." And how said when life is so bland and bleak, so scripted and restricted, that thinking about having a fight over unimportant things (like whose turn it was to clean the toilet) can look so appealing. I did like the open unknown of the ending that allowed for a possible positive outcome. And the epilogue that I expected to be boring was anything but - it filled in some answers while still leaving some things open to my own interpretation. I don't expect to grab another Atwood book immediately - I'll need a lot of positive reading to bring back the sunshine - but I'm not sorry I read this.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: One Second After (After, #1); Author: William R. Forstchen; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: A scary and rather realistic look at what our world could become after an EMP electro-magnetic pulse attack. It's all too easy to believe that people would behave/misbehave just as they do in this story.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Undead and Unappreciated (Undead, #3); Author: MaryJanice Davidson; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I'm really surprised - almost stunned - at how much I'm enjoying this series, since I'm not all that crazy about most urban fantasy. But how can you not love a 6-months-dead vampire who turns out to be Queen of the Vampires AND who has a shoe fetish?! Granted, I don't even recognize the names of many of the expensive shoemakers, but Betsy does know an expensive shoe when she sees it, especially when the she-devil is wearing it (I jumped ahead just a little with that detail). Betsy is still trying to come to terms with her death, her queen-status, and her feelings for Sinclair, but now she has something serious to worry about - the Ant (her stepmother) is pregnant for the second time. And then the vampires learn that the devil borrowed the Ant's body for her first pregnancy, and the devil's daughter is loose somewhere out there in Minneapolis or St. Paul, and they have to find and destroy her before she destroys the world. WAIT! Betsy's dad is the father, so this devil's daughter is her half-sister. What to do??!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Desire Never Dies (Lady Spies, #2); Author: Jenna Petersen; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I like a good spy story, but this one missed in several ways. I was tempted to give it 3* because I liked the concept of a female code-breaker, but I just couldn't do it.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Seduction is Forever (Lady Spies, #3); Author: Jenna Petersen; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This is book 3 of the Lady Spies trilogy. It was an OK read, but the sudden lust in a prim-and-proper society widow came on a bit fast and strong. Emily is a spy who was seriously wounded on a mission 6 months ago. Grant is a spy who is still trying to recover emotionally from the death of an innocent young woman during a shoot-out on his mission a year ago. Their handlers are wary of giving either of them a 'real' mission, so each is given the bogus mission of protecting the life of the other from an unknown threat. Then Emily learns about a threat to the Prince Regent, they confess their spyness to each other, and decide to partner-up to figure out and eliminate the threat to the Prince, because if they report the threat to their superiors, they know the case will be taken from their hands. Their hands, by the way, are as busy with each other as they are with working on the case!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Bloodstream; Author: Tess Gerritsen; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Tess Gerritsen is definitely the Queen of the Medical Thriller, at least in my eyes. Her background in medicine helps create very believable and readable medical situations, which are the basis for the thriller aspect of the stories. In this case, teenagers in an otherwise sleepy Maine town are becoming unexplainably violent and turning on friends and family members. When a historically similar situation is uncovered, the town is divided between those who want to hide the information because it could kill tourism income (most of the town), and those who want to discover the cause and save the kids (the police chief and the new doctor in town)! While some aspects of the plot are easily figured out, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you surprised and guessing, and I was gratified at times when I, and the townspeople, were wrong about someone (altho of course the townspeople were wrong more often than the reader!) I am somewhat chagrined to have to admit that I was surprised by the ultimate ending - she caught me on that! This took me two days to read only because it's not the kind of book I can read right before bedtime!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Black Ice (Harry Bosch, #2); Author: Michael Connelly; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: I've had this audiobook for 2 years and just kept choosing something else, which tells me I must not have been greatly impressed with the first Harry Bosch book, The Black Echo. Well, either my tastes have changed in two years or this book was much better (I'm thinking the much-better part), because I found myself wanting to listen for longer periods of time. Really ready now to continue with this series.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Picture of Dorian Gray; Author: Oscar Wilde; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray was also on my personal list of Classics-to-read-in-2010, and I really thought this would be a reread from high school years, but I apparently read an excerpt or abridged version, although I guess I could have forgotten that many things. The ending, of course, is indelibly imprinted in memory, as well as what I call the two major events - about the young girl, and her brother who comes for Dorian years later but is convinced for a while he must have the wrong man, and the deciding moment in Dorian's misbegotten life, when he chooses between keeping his secret or his friend's life. I had forgotten the second scene involving Dorian and the brother, along with many other minor details and events, but I guess that's why we reread certain works. I rather think, tho, that there will be no more rereads of this.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Undead and Uneasy (Undead, #6); Author: MaryJanice Davidson; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: OK, I'll admit it - Queen Betsy is my guilty pleasure, and I don't even have her shoe fetish! This story has more angst than previous books, in good part because of the author's intro letter. After reading that, I was a bit apprehensive, wondering which of the main characters was going to be killed, so I reached the final pages with a combination of feeling displeasure/pleasure at what happened to whom. Loved the werewolf pack! I'll bet we see more of them - at least we'd better!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: To Scotland, With Love (MacLean Curse, #2); Author: Karen Hawkins; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Not really a 4* read, but so much more than a mere 3, this book starts out strong, with Gregor's best friend Venetia the victim of an apparent abduction, which angers Gregor so much that he causes a blizzard in April - that MacLean Family Curse, you know. When he finds out that she's been tricked into a mad dash to Gretna Green (she thinks she's going to her very sick Mama), the blizzard gets even worse, which actually makes it possible for him to catch the erstwhile lover, but prevents him from returning Venetia to London before gossip can ruin her reputation. Now begins the conflict between these very different personalities: Gregor is orderly and organized, self-contained and usually even-tempered - well, look what happens when he loses his temper! Venetia has grown up with the emotionalism and chaos of her parents' home, and has developed a stron propensity for getting involved in solving the emotional and chaotic problems of others. Not exactly the clash of titans, but sparks and snowflakes fly while they're discovering what's really important. All very predictable, but the minor characters turn it into a comedy of errors with an all's-well-that-ends-well conclusion.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: To Catch a Highlander (MacLean Curse, #3); Author: Karen Hawkins; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Sophia's father was supposed to go to Edinburgh to sell her mother's diamonds so they could repair the roof, but he made a side trip to Stirling to do some gambling, and lost not only the diamonds but the house as well, because he just happened to have the deed in his pocket. So Sophia set about making the house look so undesirable that the MacLean wouldn't want to keep it. But when he arrives, he just happens to overhear her devious plan, so he's able to undo all her efforts. And that made this such a one-sided conflict, which means no conflict. Dougal was obnoxious almost to the bitter end, and Sophia's later actions just seemed unrealistic to me.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Sleepless in Scotland (MacLean Curse, #4); Author: Karen Hawkins; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Catriona rushes to London to save her twin sister Caitlyn from ruin, and ends up in a compromising situation with the brother of the man that her sister was trying to compromise. It's all a comedy of errors - Hugh is out to trap Caitlyn in her own scheme and teach her a lesson, and Catriona thinks it's Laird Alexander in the carriage that she gets trapped in. (Are you confused yet?!) But the trap is sprung on these two, so of course Hugh must propose, and of course Catriona must marry him. Since neither wants to marry, they privately agree to a temporary marriage of convenience - well, we all know how those work out in a romance novel! Now let's add in Hugh's 3 abused children - no, he didn't abuse them - who have no desire to share their father with anyone, and we have a very interesting and funny battle of wills. The last book in this series is the romance of Caitlyn & Laird Alexander, which is going to have to be terrific to change my impression of Caitlyn - which currently is that of a spoiled and willful child. But Hawkins made me like Dougal in this story (another brother) when I didn't much care for him in his own book, so I'm thinking positive thoughts!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Laird Who Loved Me (MacLean Curse, #5); Author: Karen Hawkins; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I have really enjoyed the MacLean Curse series, but this book, not so much. For that, I have to like and respect the main characters, and that didn't really happen here. In the previous book, Caitlyn felt spurned by Alexander, so she set a trap to force him into having to offer for her (and then she planned to publicly reject him). Instead, her sister and his brother were caught in the trap and 'had' to marry. Alexander feels that she needs to be taught a lesson, so he gets her invited to a Scottish estate for a house party, where he plans to ruin her. She's in her 20's, and he's about 40 - both should have enough intelligence to back off from their plans, but of course they didn't. I guess I shouldn't have expected that the author could make these two more appealing, but it was a disappointing end to the series.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Married By Morning (The Hathaways, #4); Author: Lisa Kleypas; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Dina's review was so terrific that I'll just say Ditto!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Clifford's Family; Author: Norman Bridwell; Genres: paranormal, children, fantasy, fiction; Review: I enjoy reading this series to and with my grandchildren.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Clifford's Manners; Author: Norman Bridwell; Genres: children, fiction; Review: A great book to read to little children like grandchildren!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Love You Forever; Author: Robert Munsch; Genres: poetry, children, young-adult, fiction; Review: This book was given to me by a well-loved daughter. I love the message - I may not like some things you do, but I will always love you. However, I wish the author had left out the pages about mom driving across town and rocking her adult son in her arms. This was a 5 book until that part.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Both Sides of Time (Time Travelers, #1); Author: Caroline B. Cooney; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: This is a review of Both Sides of Time & Out of Time. I picked up these two YA time-travel books thinking I'd do some light-hearted reading. The beginning of the first book focused on Annie's wish-fulfillment of living in a time when women were sheltered and treasured and men had elegant manners. But then the books turned darker, showing the other side of life for women in the 19th century - their total dependence on the men in their lives & the lack of any real ability to choose, especially when the man in charge is not a caring or benevolent figure. And the author also focused strongly on how easy it was to change events just by being in the wrong time, and how dangerous it was for other people who belonged in that time. So I definitely did not get a light-hearted read! I was also very glad I had picked up both books, as the first one doesn't really end - the two books definitely go together. There are at least two more books in this series to get to the conclusion of Annie & Strat's story & see if this love-across-time has a happy ending.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: My Brother Sam Is Dead; Author: James Lincoln Collier; Genres: history, young-adult, children, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: spoiler alert This is apparently an often-banned YA book. Since it was written in 1975, it has appeared on many annual banned-book lists. The reasons are varied, and IMO mostly ridiculous. One reason given was 'foul language' - the word damn was used once or twice, and perhaps even bloody, a British cuss word. Another reason given was 'extreme violence' - the Revolutionary War was going on, and descriptions were given of what had been seen in battle, including a beheading during a fight between British soldiers and armed Patriot sympathizers. 'Unpatriotic behavior' was another reason used for banning the book, because one of the characters in the book expressed her scorn and dislike of both sides of the conflict - her civilian husband had died in a British prison for selling beef to the wrong side, and her son was about to be executed by the Patriots on a false charge of stealing a cow. This Newbery-winning book is worth reading on its own merits, but perhaps even more because so many people have tried to make sure it isn't read.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Lady's Guide to Improper Behavior (Adventurers’ Club #2); Author: Suzanne Enoch; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Advice you won't find in 'A Lady's Guide to Proper Behavior': 1)Strongly berate someone at dinner while you're a guest in his brother's house 2) Tell a disabled man that he must ask you to dance 3) Kiss the disabled man on the stairs of his house after you've grabbed his cane & caused him to stumble 4) Enter a bachelor's bedroom while said bachelor is in his bed I'm a sucker for stories about wounded and emotionally tortured heroes, so I was strongly disposed to like Bartholomew. I initially thought Tess was a proper snob - she did write and live her guide to proper behavior - but when I learned why she was so coldly and meticulously proper, I wanted to cry for her as well. And then of course, she started breaking her own rules with Tolly (see above advice). This was not an especially strong 5* read, but I was so impressed with what each did for the other that I couldn't rate it lower. And I look forward to more of the Adventurers' Club.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Crave (Fallen Angels, #2); Author: J.R. Ward; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: This is really 3.5* but not enough for 4* I like the way Jim Heron's character is developing and growing, and I enjoyed learning more about Adrian and Eddie.And Isaac and Grier were fine as a couple who both brought lots of baggage to their relationship. So what ruined it for me?! Disposition of the spirits of Daniel and Cissy! Grier's brother Daniel lived a less than sterling life, and I get it that he didn't really commit suicide, but his spirit, tho restless, is not in torment and looks forward to joining their mother in heaven. Cissy, on the other hand, appears to have lived a very innocent life, and yet she is entrapped by Devina in a wall in hell! That just didn't work for me!!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Girl Who Chased the Moon; Author: Sarah Addison Allen; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery; Review: I thoroughly enjoyed The Girl Who Chased the Moon. I love books with a light touch of magic, especially when it's a new twist, like wallpaper that changes with your mood - from lilacs to fluttering butterflies to phases of the moon, etc. And then there's the light that dances through the woods, and the hope and love that's baked into Julia's cakes - so much that it floats through the air to reach those with a 'sweet sense' (one of the reasons why her cakes sell so well?). This is my 2nd Sarah Addison Allen, and I loved both of them. The emotional conflicts in which she puts her characters are poignant and believable, and I enjoy the ways she has them work them out.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Definitely Dead (Sookie Stackhouse, #6); Author: Charlaine Harris; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery; Review: It's nice to know that vampires can't come back as ghost once they're definitely dead! I knew i was liking this book more than the previous ones in the series when I got really involved in the story well before the halfway mark, thus my 4* rating. And in this book I may have found a good reason for continuing the Sookie series! I found the earlier books to be easy reads, but of the I-can-take-them-or-leave-them variety. But this one got me more involved for a variety of reasons - Sookie went to New Orleans and I could relate to that, altho I may never listen to New Orleans jazz in the same way again, since she states that many of those musicians can't see the light of day. And I liked seeing more of and learning more about Claudine, who turns out to be Sookie's fairy godmother. I got a good laugh when Sookie asks, 'You mean things could have been worse?!' Mainly, tho, I think it was because of Quinn!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Jacob Have I Loved; Author: Katherine Paterson; Genres: history, young-adult, children, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Louise and Caroline are twins, but although Louise is the older, she spends her growing-up years resenting her talented twin and feeling sorry for herself. Since this is told in Louise's voice, it is sometimes difficult to see whether or not she has just cause for her feelings of being unloved and unappreciated. I admit I lost a lot of sympathy for her over the way she treated her childhood friend Call, at times telling herself it wasn't fair that he was her only chance at a friend/playmate. It wasn't really until the ending pages, when as a nurse-midwife, she delivered twins and had to ignore the healthy one while she labored over saving the weak one, that she really grew up. There was no obvious 'oh, now I understand', but the last two pages gave the message loud and clear.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Aunt Dimity and the Duke (An Aunt Dimity Mystery, #2); Author: Nancy Atherton; Genres: mystery, thriller, romance, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I'm really enjoying this series! The light touch of paranormal magic lantern, stained-glass window that hasn't been corroded by wind & sea, and of course, the very special Aunt Dimity add to the delightfully told stories and the people who inhabit them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Speak; Author: Laurie Halse Anderson; Genres: young-adult, fiction; Review: Well-told story of a troubled teen's first year of high school. Melinda was not a troubled teen until she snuck off with her best friend to attend a summer beer party, got drunk, and was raped. When she called 911, the other kids assumed she was reporting a wild party, and ostracized her once school started. Since she told no one what happened to her, her parents, teachers, and former friends could not understand her antisocial behavior. In fact, at a meeting, her dad turned to the school principal and demanded, 'What have you done to her? She wasn't this way before you got hold of her.' Her savior turned out to be her art teacher, Mr. Freeman, and slowly Melinda starts to come out of the silent deep freeze she surrounded herself with. I really liked the ending.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Heat Seeker (Elite Ops, #3); Author: Lora Leigh; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I'm happy to report that I finally finished Heat Seeker. Sorry, Lora Leigh lovers, but this was a chore. What to say about it? For one thing, it could easily have been at least 50 pages shorter if she hadn't persistently stated over and over how much Bailey hated the high society life her family and friends engaged in, and how pointless it was, and how she couldn't understand how her wonderful mother could enjoy that life, and, and, and... Even tho the super-intelligent agents had super intelligence-gathering at their fingertips, I knew who the super-secret mastermind was at least 100 pages before they learned it in the last 10 pages.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: To The Limit (NASCAR, #4); Author: Pamela Britton; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: I'm sure car-racing enthusiasts would rate this book higher, but since I'm not one, I will just say that this was an OK read for me, but I won't be reading any more of this series.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Homicide in Hardcover (Bibliophile Mystery #1); Author: Kate Carlisle; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: Brooklyn believes firmly in her job of book restoration - she refuses to let a good book die, especially if it's a very old classic, even if it's cursed. Enough people have already died when they owned/inherited this book, or were even working on restoring it. The latest victim is Brooklyn's mentor, so she's determined about 3 things: a) the book is not going to kill her because there's no such thing as a curse, b) she is definitely going to finish restoring the book before next week's exhibit, no matter how many other things go wrong, and c) she's going to find out who killed her friend and mentor. I love a good cozy-mystery, and this one qualifies; it's not the best I've read, but it's well above average, so I'll look forward to continuing this series - especially since I expect to see more of the 3 things I liked about it: 1) more of Brooklyn's family - her parents remind me very much of Alex P. Keaton's parents in Family Ties, and you know there are stories behind sisters who are named Savannah, London, and India, 2) more good cozy-mysteries, and 3) books, books, and more books! She is a book restorer, after all!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Confessions of a Shopaholic (Shopaholic, #1); Author: Sophie Kinsella; Genres: young-adult, romance, fiction; Review: A very weak 3* for this, and that's only because the last 70 pages somewhat redeemed the title character. This is total fluff, and that's not a bad thing, but when I read fluff, I want to at least like the main character. Becky is self-centered, self-indulgent, childish and immature, and she goes on that way for almost 3/4 of the book. She even cons her own parents!; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: The Convenient Marriage; Author: Georgette Heyer; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This was even more delightful the second time around, although it's been so long since my first read that much of this seemed new. It's a light-hearted Georgian romp about a very immature young lady who convinces a very rich Earl that he should offer for her instead of for her beautiful older sister; she's actually doing this out of love of her sister, who loves an army captain but was going to Sacrifice herself in a Marriage of Convenience to get the family out of the mess their brother created with his gambling. Although there's an abduction (foiled by the heroine), some more nasty plotting, highway robbers, and a sword fight, this is really a comedy, with some Keystone Kops elements when the heroine's brother and his best friend try to resolve a dilemma that the silly twit (aka heroine) has gotten herself into.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The A.B.C. Murders (Hercule Poirot, #13); Author: Agatha Christie; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: I liked the subtlety of the clues in this book. And yes, I admit it, I liked that it was more of a cozy-mystery; serious and deadly but not filled with detailed descriptions of blood and gore. I enjoyed following the clues and red herrings and trying to solve it before the killer was unmasked.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Desires of a Perfect Lady (Lost City #3); Author: Victoria Alexander; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: spoiler alert I enjoyed this book more than The Virgin's Secret - maybe it's because much of the mystery was developed in the first of the series, but I also felt that the characters had more depth in this one. Olivia's strength of character was developed in a very unhappy marriage - we learned that in the earlier book. Here we discover how absolutely miserable it was, and why she's so determined to do whatever it takes to meet the ridiculous terms of her late husband's will. This forces her to contact Sterling, who should have been her husband ten years ago, but he deserted her in her time of need. Of course, he claimed that she deserted him - and here's a BIG SPOILER and the reason I dropped this rating a full star to a weak 4: Sterling has hated Olivia for 10 years and felt she deserved what she got out of her marriage because of a letter he received from Olivia's father breaking off their engagement. He never attempted to check with her to see why this great love of theirs no longer existed?! He refused to read the letters she smuggled out to him?! Nope - I need a hero! Fortunately, Sterling lost some of his arrogance and rigidness of character as this story continued, but I felt his lack of action and trust ten years ago was a serious weakness that I had to work hard to overcome, and happily he did as well. Since this is a romance, we know they'll eventually get together, so I want to include this mushy piece of dialogue: "You saved me. I was lost and you have found me. Dead and you have brought me back to life", and let you decide or discover who was speaking to whom.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: If Books Could Kill (Bibliophile Mystery #2); Author: Kate Carlisle; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: The occupation of the heroine was the initial draw for me in this series - I wanted to read about repairing old books, and Brooklyn is an accomplished book restorer. But the real draw is Brooklyn's wacky family, who apparently will be following her around the world or across the country, depending on where each installment takes her. This time it was to Scotland, and I loved the travelogue aspect as Brooklyn and her friend Robin traversed Edinburgh on foot, and the descriptions of the countryside and the inside of Rosslyn Chapel on their car trip that ended up in a haystack (and the lovely matter-of-fact response of Brooklyn's parents when that happened!).; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Brave New World; Author: Aldous Huxley; Genres: paranormal, young-adult, fantasy, fiction; Review: If this is Utopia, I vote for something else! A world in which I'm so happy that I need to take drugs? I don't think so!!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: What I Did For a Duke (Pennyroyal Green, #5); Author: Julie Anne Long; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Genevieve has been best friends with Harry for years, and expects it to end in marriage, but Harry has marriage with someone else in mind. Alex caught Genevieve's brother Ian climbing into the bedroom window of Alex's fiancee, so goodbye engagement and hello to revenge ideas. Instead of calling Ian out, Alex plans to seduce Ian's sister, and taunts him with it repeatedly (you deserved that, Ian!) So a heart-broken Genevieve should be easy to seduce, right?! Lots of luck with that, Alex - and the fun begins!! That's one of the things I really love about JAL's books - there's so much fun involved.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Stormwalker (Stormwalker, #1); Author: Allyson James; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: A strong 3, but not enough for 4, mainly because of that weird trip below. There's lots of potential, tho, so I will read the next in the series, if for no other reason than to see what that mischievous, shape-shifting god Coyote gets up to.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: One Dance with a Duke (Stud Club, #1); Author: Tessa Dare; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Amelia was a very sensible, very caring, very pragmatic, intelligent young woman who agreed to marry an arrogant, antisocial, very rich duke so she could help her younger brother Jack, who owed a gambling debt to the duke. All sympathies should be with Amelia, right?! Yet with every detail that was disclosed, my sympathies turned more and more to Spencer and away from Amelia, who focused everything around her blind devotion to Jack, and repeatedly blamed her husband for not caring. And for all that we were told how caring and sympathetic she was, I didn't feel that she tried very hard to help and understand Spencer's niece Claudia until after the big revelation - which is also when she finally had her eyes opened to Jack's true character. And I was extremely disappointed in the ending - if we're going to have a strong-willed heroine, she has to be strong enough to admit that she was at fault, and be the one to mend fences, instead of waiting impatiently for the hero to come to her. With all that I didn't like, why such a strong rating? Simply, I loved everything else, and look forward to more Tessa Dare!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Seeing a Large Cat (Amelia Peabody, #9); Author: Elizabeth Peters; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Ramses is all grown up, and is sporting a mustache to prove it. Unfortunately, Mother Amelia is not impressed; he's growing up much too fast to suit her. But that's the extra appeal in this story for the reader - along with the addition of the excerpts from Manuscript H that add his perspective to these adventures.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Falcon at the Portal (Amelia Peabody, #11); Author: Elizabeth Peters; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I love this series, and have enjoyed seeing Ramses grow up and often dismay his mother in more ways than one. And just thing how dismayed she would be if she knew everything he did! I love the inclusion of the "excerpts from Manuscript H" that tell events from Ramses' point of view. This should have been a 5 read, but really! Nefret!! What were you thinking?! Actually, you weren't thinking, you were reacting - they always told you that your impulsive ways would get you in trouble one of these days!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Peach Cobbler Murder (Hannah Swensen, #7); Author: Joanne Fluke; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: Hannah Swenson bakes cookies and solves murders. These are quick and easy reads, and the mysteries are usually easily solved by the reader before Hannah figures them out. But I also enjoy the kitchen talk - well, I love to bake! - and I buy the books as much for the recipes as for the stories. But this one had something extra that raised my rating 1/2. Hannah's mother and some other local ladies belong to a Regency Lovers' club, and there were some interesting explanations of phrases that I have often seen in Regency Romances. "Diamond of the first water" is meant to mean an Incomparable, but this is the first time I've seen an explanation of the derivation of the phrase, and it makes so much sense I suppose it should have been obvious - and no, I'm not going to explain it! So a bow to the research of phrases, and 3.5.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Rip Van Winkle; Author: Washington Irving; Genres: history, young-adult, children, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: I enjoyed this trip down memory lane with a reread of a beautifully constructed tale - about a lazy lout who escaped up into the hills to avoid the deserved nagging of his wife, and ended up sleeping for 20 years, right through the American Revolution. Washington Irving could paint wonderful word-pictures, and the reading was made even more enjoyable by the lovely illustrations of N.C. Wyeth.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Herndon's Lincoln; Author: William Henry Herndon; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction; Review: A very interesting book about Abraham Lincoln written by his law partner. I enjoyed hearing directly from one of Lincoln's contemporaries, and further enjoyed reading the letters written to and by Lincoln.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Apple Cookbook; Author: Olwen Woodier; Genres: non-fiction, fiction; Review: This is a great little book (under 200 pp) filled with a variety of apple recipes - from apple pie to apple cake to apple fritters to apple chutney - that are mostly easy to make. It has found its own place on my cookbook shelves, and I look forward to trying more of the recipes. In addition to the recipes, it's also a little primer on apple varieties - for each variety, it gives a little history and then ends with a chart that shows the best uses for each variety.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The World According to Bertie (44 Scotland Street, #4); Author: Alexander McCall Smith; Genres: thriller, crime, mystery, fiction; Review: I like the precocious six-year-old Bertie, and was looking forward to having much of this book be about Bertie. In spite of the title, it was not to be. It was an entertaining book, but I wanted Bertie (little tantrum here!); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: A Highlander Christmas (Highlander, #7); Author: Janet Chapman; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: This is a light-hearted, feel-good, series, so it's appropriate that this final book culminates at Christmas-time. Well, actually it's centered around the winter solstice, with druidhs past and present working their magic. And it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work that magic, which is why Camry is so conflicted, and why Luke thinks it's all hokum, since they both are physicists. I'm a big believer in serendipity, so when Grace refers to magic as 'serendipitous coincidence', I'm on-board. And then Camry tells Luke 'my heart hurts when I think of a future that doesn't include you' - OK, there's that 'uncompromising, unpretentious, unconditional' love Luke learned from his young half-sister. Now if I could get my mind around a 5-month-old Fiona being a 15-year-old, I'd fit right in! But this series is for fun, so suspend disbelief and enjoy the MacKeage magic!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate (Calpurnia Tate, #1); Author: Jacqueline Kelly; Genres: history, young-adult, children, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: In this engaging tale, 11-year-old Calpurnia talks about herself, her family, and other people and events in the year 1899. This was especially interesting to me as this time in history is very close to that of my dad's growing-up years. Callie talks about the advent of the new drink, Coca Cola, and the viewing of the new auto-mobile, which looked so strange without any horses in front of it. And I loved her growing relationship with Granddaddy, who decided he'd devoted enough of his life to things he had to do and now could concentrate on what he wanted to do, which was study nature. Callie was pleasantly surprised at how much she enjoyed her activities with Granddaddy, especially since her original purpose was to avoid having to do all the 'girl' things her mother kept insisting on.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America; Author: Erik Larson; Genres: history, fiction, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, mystery; Review: I can now understand why people recommend this book about the building of the Chicago World's Fair - the author made it a fascinating read. I liked the connections with other events, including seemingly insignificant items that were later connected. I loved reading about the new innovations - first appearance of the ferris wheel - as well as products that appeared for the first time at this fair - Juicy Fruit gum and Cracker Jacks, anyone?!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Running Hot (Arcane Society, #5); Author: Jayne Ann Krentz; Genres: history, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Not quite a 4* read for me, but I did like the tie-in to the Eclipse Bay series, with the verification of Arizona Snow as more than a conspiracy nut. I do enjoy reading about each new entry in the Jones & Jones psychic investigative agency - in this case, it's Luther & Grace, both with very strong psychic abilities. And I liked the husband & wife owners of the bar In Hawaii, and the way they took care of misfits - that's why they 'adopted' Luther, which turned out to be a smart move on their part. He made the perfect bartender/bouncer - just manipulate emotions to prevent fights, convince drunks to go home & sleep it off, etc. I don't think I could ever trust my feelings around Luther - no wonder Grace told him to stop using his skill on her!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Still Alice; Author: Lisa Genova; Genres: non-fiction, fiction; Review: This was a heart-breaker. I compulsively read it in one day and then couldn't read anything for a while after I finished it. I think losing myself like this has long been one of my fears, altho I'm long past the age of early-onset Alzheimer's.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The House on Mango Street; Author: Sandra Cisneros; Genres: history, young-adult, children, poetry, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: The House on Mango Street is a quick read, but parts of it will stay with you for a long time. It's made up of little snapshots - vignettes - in Esperanza's life growing up in a very poor neighborhood in Chicago. Much of it is written almost like poetry, and creates mind pictures both silly and heart-breakingly sad. You can sense both the hopelessness of some and the dreams of others of getting out to a better life. At the end she says "For the ones I've left behind. For the ones who cannot out."; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Burning Up (Children of the Sea #3.5; Psy-Changeling #0.6; Iron Seas #0.5); Author: Angela Knight; Genres: history, romance, children, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Nalini Singh's story was a 4* read, and brought the rating for this anthology up to 3. Virginia Kantra's story was the best of the other 3, but not something that encouraged me to read more of her Children of the Sea.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Merlot Murders (Wine Country Mysteries #1); Author: Ellen Crosby; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: I didn't realize this is part of a series when I picked it up - in fact, I didn't figure it out until I got to the end of the book and thought there should be more to the story, so I looked up the author's name and discovered more Wine Country Mystery books. Don't get me wrong - the murder mystery in this one is nicely solved, it's the family story that continues on. The author does a very nice job of getting the reader into the mindset of the winery owners, and there's a wine primer of sorts scattered throughout. I imagine this will continue in succeeding books, along with more of the story on what so far is a very dysfunctional family. And it looks as well that the titles will be alliterative - the next one isThe Chardonnay Charade; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Body in the Basement (Faith Fairchild, #6); Author: Katherine Hall Page; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Maybe if I'd started this series at the beginning, I'd know enough about the characters to accept the premise that Faith and Pix (how's that for the name of a thirty-something woman?!) would conduct their sleuthing over the telephone. Apparently, Faith is the expert amateur sleuth, and Pix needs help from her friend and mentor. This was an OK read, but a very weak 3 from me; usually a cozy-mystery moves along quickly for me, but this one was very sluggish. It's apparently a successful series, but just not my cup of tea.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Let It Be Love (Effingtons, #11); Author: Victoria Alexander; Genres: history, children, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I read Victoria Alexander's books about the Effingtons for their fluff and silliness. Altho I feel this series has deteriorated from the earlier books, it's still a relaxing read that I don't take seriously.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Lost Recipe for Happiness; Author: Barbara O'Neal; Genres: paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: The Lost Recipe for Happiness was my first book by O'Neal. It has a romance interwoven into the story, but this is basically a story of survival, and knowing when to finally let go of what might have been so you can embrace what might be even better. It's a heart-wrenching story but I liked it a lot and gave it 4; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Books; Author: Larry McMurtry; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: This was not at all what I was expecting, but I learned several interesting things I did not know before, so that made this a worthwhile read. I did not know that McMurtry was an antiquarian book lover who spent decades buying & selling and collecting rare and unusual books - this is a guy who loves books! And I did not know, for example, that McMurtry's first book - Horseman, Pass By - became the movie Hud, starring Paul Newman.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Lord of the Silent (Amelia Peabody, #13); Author: Elizabeth Peters; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This was a weak 4 for me, but how can you not enjoy Amelia's arrogant self-assurance and acerbic wit?! I think I could learn to enjoy being growled at by Emerson even when he's not in one of his amorous moods! And I'm glad to see that the roles of Ramses & Nefret continue to grow.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Golden One (Amelia Peabody, #14); Author: Elizabeth Peters; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Not quite 4* on this one - am I perhaps getting a little jaded?! But I really enjoy this series, and will continue reading.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Guardian of the Horizon (Amelia Peabody, #16); Author: Elizabeth Peters; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: The book just before this one introduces the twins of Ramses & Nephret, so it was difficult at first to get my mindset back to a time when Nephret treated Ramses as her brother. Once I did that, I was ready to travel with them to the Lost Oasis, This book explained about Nephret's early life. I think if I had known that this was a look back into time, I would have read it before they were married and had twins, but it was still a good read. Actually, I listen to this series - Barbara Rosenblatt is such a great narrator!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Serpent on the Crown (Amelia Peabody, #17); Author: Elizabeth Peters; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I know I enjoy this series more because of the marvelous narration of Barbara Rosenblat, so part of this rating belongs to her. That said, I do have a warm place in my heart for Amelia's quirks & Emerson's bluster, as well as for Ramses, Nefret, & their precocious twins. I've enjoyed watching Ramses & David grow up, and have really liked the inclusion of the "excerpts from Manuscript H" that have been part of the books since Ramses became an adult. I'm somewhat sad to be coming to the end of their journeys.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Widow (Boston Police/FBI, #1); Author: Carla Neggers; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: This was a good romantic-suspense story, but didn't rise to a 4* read for me. The romance took a back seat to the murder mystery, and in this story I thought that was the right approach - Abigail was trying to solve the mystery of her husband's murder 7 years ago. And there are so many possible murder candidates on the island!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Daring to Dream (Dream Trilogy, #1); Author: Nora Roberts; Genres: paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: This is really a 3.5* but didn't deserve going down to 3* - Nora Roberts does know how to tell a story.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Wish List; Author: Lisa Kleypas; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: "I Will" by Lisa Kleypas was almost a 4* read "Puddings, Pastries, and Thou" by Lisa Cach didn't quite make a 3, more of a 2.5 "Union" by Claudia Dain was a good 3* read "All I Want" by Lynsay Sands got 3.5; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Accidental Wedding (Devil Riders, #4); Author: Anne Gracie; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, children, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Nash Renfrew returned to England to take possession of his inheritance and to find a wife. So he asked his aunt to find him "the right sort of wife" for "an excellent marriage"; well-born, well-connected, well-trained in managing large social occasions, someone who can help him in his diplomatic career. The last thing he wants is a love match - he saw what 'the passion of a lifetime' did to his parents' marriage, so he want nothing to do with love, thank you very much. Maddy meets none of his requirements - well, maybe one of them, but she's keeping that a secret. She lives in a rundown cottage, supporting her 5 brothers and sisters by raising bees, renovating the hats of the women in the village, and doing all the cost-cutting things that poor people do. But on his way to claiming his inheritance, Nash arrives literally at her feet when his horse slips and throws him into a wall, and Maddy saves his life and nurses him back to health. And since he also lost his memory from the blow to his head, he's still in her cottage when others think he should be long gone. It's a small village, and reputations can be easily ruined, but Nash discovers to his surprise that he enjoys spending time with the children. Perhaps it's time to rethink his plans - as soon as they find out who is trying to force Maddy out of the cottage, and why. a very strong 4; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Duke's Temptation (Boscastle #10; The Bridal Pleasures #1); Author: Jillian Hunter; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Samuel is the 'duke of duality'; he's the Duke of Gravenhurst, but with a tarnished reputation - a reputation that he has engendered by disseminating unsavory rumors and false information about himself. Why?! One reason is to protect his other persona - as the Lord of Anonymity, the author of a dark historical romance series. Enter Lily Boscastle, who is almost engaged to her childhood friend. Samuel meets her at a literary masquerade ball and is immediately enchanted with her and decides to marry her, but there are a lot of roadblocks to get through, especially since her almost engagement became real at the very same ball. While Samuel retreats to his estate to write (and to try to figure out how to keep the wedding from happening), Lily witnesses a murder that involves her betrothed, but instead of supporting her story he denies that there was a murder - and there's no body to prove her story. Lily refuses to recant, she breaks her engagement, and now society labels her a jilt with an unstable mind. No one believes Lily, not even her parents, so she seeks employment as a housekeeper (no experience, but why should that matter?!), and accepts a position far from London. She discovers after she arrives there that it's Samuel's estate. Now he has her where he wanted her and he didn't even have to kidnap her to accomplish it! There's just the small matter of keeping his secret identity a secret from her while she's living in his house. Samuel's servants are wonderful characters, and really enliven the plot. This is a strong 3, but didn't really rise to 4 for me.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Shakespeare's Landlord (Lily Bard, #1); Author: Charlaine Harris; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I chose this book because Charlaine Harris is the author chosen this month for the Featured Author Challenge, and I wanted to find something other than Sookie Stackhouse. I'm so glad I picked this up! This has much more depth than the Sookie series, and Lily Bard is a character the reader can empathize with. Lily is a flawed character, not because of anything she did but because of what was done to her. Because she cleans houses, she knows a lot about the people around her, but she keeps them at a distance, until events start happening around her. The landlord is murdered and transported to the park in the dead of night in her trash-can cart. Lily figures that makes her a suspect, so she decides she'd better help figure out 'whodunnit' to get her off the hook. In the process, she starts interacting with others, and it's that part of the story that made this more than a murder mystery. I'll leave the Sookie books to others and continue with Lily's story.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Giver (The Giver, #1); Author: Lois Lowry; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: This is definitely the type of book that lends itself to discussion; if you'd like to read a discussion of it, go here There are so many ideas in this short book to mull over, such as the loss of emotion leading to losing the ability to see color, which could lead to the idea that what you don't use, you lose. So, letting others think for you and make all the decisions leads more and more to a strong dependency on having others make all decisions. And I love it when an author leaves events open to the reader's interpretation, I think the ending is perfect, because the reader can decide what it means or what you want it to mean. But it also means that I definitely want to read the rest of the trilogy! As with almost all dystopian novels, this shows how good intentions often go too far, and so many positive things are given up or lost in the search for utopia.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Passions of a Wicked Earl (London's Greatest Lovers, #1); Author: Lorraine Heath; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: At first I had a very difficult time accepting the premise of the backstory of this romance - a young bride was so frightened at the thought of a wedding night that she invited her childhood friend (who was also the groom's brother) into her bedchamber so he could convince the groom to postpone the wedding night until she was ready, but she was so naive that she had no idea what the ramifications could be. Kudos to Ms. Heath for slowly building an understanding of both characters so that their earlier actions did become more believable. I'm a big Lorraine Heath fan, but this one did not meet the standards I've come to expect.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Ruthless Game (GhostWalkers, #9); Author: Christine Feehan; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Rose has been on the run from Whitney and his breeding program for 8 months, and Kane has been searching unsuccessfully for her. Then Kane's GhostWalker team is assigned to rescue some cartel hostages, and it turns out that Rose is the informer who provided the information about where they were. The hostages are successfully rescued, but Kane and Rose don't make it to the helicopter in time, and now they're on the run from Whitney and from the cartel. And Rose's baby decides that now is a good time to be born! But how to protect him without going into hiding again?! "We're different. We're always going to be different," Kane tells Rose. "We have enemies and we can't pretend them away." To Rose that also means that Whitney will go on playing his ruthless game, and she'll just have to be prepared to deal with it. But Kane is slowly convincing Rose that she needs him - in more ways than one - and that his team, his family, are hers also; that she no longer needs to feel alone. Rose justifiably has trust issues, so even trusting Kane was a big deal, and now she's supposed to trust all these strangers?! Sure, they're his family, but Rose is just now experiencing the concept of family as support. So they'll give her some time to realize that together they cancel out each others' weaknesses. And Rose takes it to heart when Rhianna says, "Being alone is no fun when you know no one has your back." Family looks out for family, and that's not a cage, that's love and protection.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Quiet Child; Author: Debra Salonen; Genres: romance; Review: This was definitely a case for not reading a series out of order. Took me half the book to figure out past events. Apparently, the previous books are about the 3 sisters and their problems, and they all had lots of problems! In this book, the heroine agrees to help a troubled child who has night terrors & refuses to speak (they discover his grandmother abused him) - oh, this child is the son of the heroine's ex-fiance, who cheated on her in a drunken one-nighter and then was honorable enough to marry the other woman when he found out she was pregnant. The heroine also has medical problems that make it highly unlikely she can ever have children of her own. Can she do this? She's a pre-school teacher, so her conscience won't let her ignore a child in need, but can she bear to let her past love back into her life, even just on a business level?!; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: The Chocolate War (Chocolate War, #1); Author: Robert Cormier; Genres: history, young-adult, children, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: "The world was made up of two kinds of people - those who were victims and those who victimized." And that's the chilling premise of this story, so we see lots of instances of school bullies intimidating other students. The 'Vigils' hand out assignments to the victimized students and sit back to enjoy the chaos that ensues. But one of those assignments, concerning the school chocolate sale, takes on a life of its own, and a new kind of chaos follows, as one boy discovers his answer to the question on his poster - "Do I dare to disturb the universe?" - and he sees himself as the man in the poster, standing upright and alone and unafraid. And then he finds out what happens when he dares to disturb the universe of the Vigils. A chilling novel with an even more chilling ending.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Blunt Instrument (Inspector Hannasyde, #4); Author: Georgette Heyer; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I love Georgette Heyer! I read and reread her regencies, but this is the first of her mysteries that I've read, and I admit to being taken aback when, on the first page, PC Glass picks up the telephone! Once I got my mind set in the proper decade, I was drawn right into the time and the story, and thoroughly enjoyed watching Inspector Hannasyde figure out the clues and apprehend the murderer. As usual, I love Heyer's witty dialogue and the variety she puts in her characters. Now I have to find the first Inspector Hannasyde book!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Hellion in Her Bed (Hellions of Halstead Hall, #2); Author: Sabrina Jeffries; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: There's enough going on in this saga of the Halstead family to keep me reading the series, but not enough to proclaim it a great series. The author cleverly doles out just enough about the past family scandal to whet the appetite for the 'real story' of what happened to the parents.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Dark and Deadly; Author: Jeanne Adams; Genres: thriller, crime, romance, mystery; Review: Dark and Deadly by Jeanne Adams - weak 3* - 2.19 I loved Dark and Dangerous by this author, so I was glad to pick this one up, but it was a disappointment. The love/hate/love relationship between Tori & Paul verged on the childish at times. Tori's emotional growth seemed to be stuck at late-teen level, although what happened to her in college helps account for some of that. The stalker aspect - something happens to every man who gets close to Tori - was well done, and there were plenty of clues to lead the reader to the stalker, although the 'reasoning' behind the behavior wasn't as easy to figure out. This is really a 2.5, but rating just two stars didn't seem right, so I upped it to a weak 3; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The BFG; Author: Roald Dahl; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: BFG = Big Friendly Giant Dahl's Chickens = Charles Dickens Another fun book by Roald Dahl!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Found (The Missing, #1); Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix; Genres: history, young-adult, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Thirteen-year-old Jonah has always known he was adopted, but his friend Chip has just learned that his parents kept his adoption a secret. Why is the name of an FBI agent attached to Chip's adoption papers? And that same name came up when Jonah and his dad started checking Jonah's background. Things start happening when Jonah and Katherine, his sister, get their hands on an FBI list of Witnesses and Survivors. Witnesses to what? Survivors of what? And what about those people who just mysteriously appear out of nowhere and then vanish into thin air? Chip thinks they're crazy when they start talking about a Time Warp - but is that the answer? And let's not forget that plane that landed (appeared?) 13 years ago with only babies on board! This is Book 1 - I immediately picked up Sent, the next in the series; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Rule Against Murder; Author: Louise Penny; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: I really like this series! And I think one of the things that makes it more appealing is that Inspector Gamache has a stable, loving marriage - I love all the ways he and his wife show that to each other. In fact, this book has a different setting because the Gamaches are celebrating their anniversary at the Manoir Bellechause. Three Pines does get into the story in a couple of ways, though. Peter & Clara Morrow are attending a family reunion when a member of their very dysfunctional family is murdered, and of course Armand is there to help solve the murder. To keep out of the way of the investigation, Reine-Marie spends some time in nearby Three Pines, so we also get to visit with some of its inhabitants. I was taken by surprise by the solution to the murder, some of which I should have been able to decipher, but I'll just say that I was enjoying the story so much that I didn't use my sleuthing skills!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lord Sunday (The Keys to the Kingdom, #7); Author: Garth Nix; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Arthur finally comes to the conclusion of his seven tasks. But in gaining all 7 Keys to the Kingdom, does he end up saving the Kingdom, as he thinks, or dooming it, as Lord Sunday says he will?! And what happens to Arthur, and to his own world? This series is for those who enjoy fantasy and YA. Kudos to Garth Nix for his creativity!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman (London's Greatest Lovers, #2); Author: Lorraine Heath; Genres: history, children, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Stephen Lyons is a 2nd son, sandwiched between two titled brothers. His younger half-brother is a duke, for heaven's sake! So he decides to be best at something - and that something is being a highly proficient and desired lover of many women! But Stephen takes nothing else seriously, so in despair his brothers buy him a commission - and then war with Russia breaks out, he is sent to the Crimea, and his life changes forever. Now he's back home, and a mystery woman appears with a baby she claims is his son. Stephen's problem? He doesn't remember her! In fact, he doesn't remember anything about the war - when he recovered from near-death injuries, his most recent memory was having tea with his sister-in-law two years ago. Stephen has forgotten much, but he does know that he is not the same man he was before the war. One thing he does know is that women are a gift to be treasured, and therein lies his problem - he's always thought of them in the plural, so what will happen if he marries the mother of his child, knowing how unlikely it is that he will be able to be monogamous, since love is not involved, at least on his side. Sorry, Stephen, you have more lessons in store - enjoy them!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: False Colours; Author: Georgette Heyer; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: What a delightful romp!! Kit Fancot comes home unexpectedly from Vienna because he 'has a feeling' that his twin in his trouble - and he's right; Evelyn has not been seen or heard from for almost 2 weeks, and no one knows where he is. To make matters worse, he's supposed to attend a family dinner the very next night - the family of the woman he recently proposed to! The twins' Mama decides that Kit should masquerade as his brother 'just for the night', and Kit has the devil of a time trying to persuade her that it just won't do. Of course he's not successful, so off he goes the following night to be Evelyn, having been assured by his Mama that the only person he really has to fool is his betrothed, who has only briefly met him. Love is not the reason for the marriage-proposal; Evelyn needs to marry to prove to his uncle that he is settled down enough to be put in charge of the inheritance that should have come along with his succession to the title of Earl of Denville. Evelyn is the older, titled twin, but Kit has always been the more reliable one, and all his skills are called upon to pull off this masquerade. He is successful with that on the night of the dinner, but the following day Evelyn still has not shown up, and Kit knows that he'll never to able to maintain the masquerade in town, so he decides to repair to the estate in Sussex, but - you guessed it - Cressy's grandmama decides on the perfect idea of having the two of them come for a visit so that Cressy & Evelyn can get better acquainted. Now Kit is really in the soup! The twins' Mama is such a lovable widgeon that it is almost too easy to forgive her propensity for getting into serious debt, which is really what's behind Evelyn's need to marry. But since her sons have forgiven her, who am I to cavil?! And then there's Sir Bonamy Ripple, a "grossly fat and elderly dandy" of sedentary disposition - he does so love his food - but he's always been there for Lady Denville and honestly cares for her, so this reader cared for him as well, and chuckled about the "wary look in his eye" when she told him he was her "best of friends" and he was very afraid of where that would lead! Oh! Lest the reader worry - all the romances in the book work out happily!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Moby-Dick or, The Whale; Author: Herman Melville; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: How does one rate a classic?! I came close to giving this 3, but GR says that means "I like It", and I can't in all honesty say that. It is obvious that Herman Melville knew his whales, and knew a lot about whaling - but this volume on the details of that industry gave me many more details about it than I cared for, although I will admit that the passage about the shark feeding-frenzy over the dead whale was excellent, and I had some great mind-pictures about the sailors trying to beat them off. And I do 'get it' that whaling trips had to be tedious, with lots of time just searching for whales or at the mercy of the weather. It does have a humdinger of an ending!; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Aunt Dimity's Good Deed (Aunt Dimity, #3); Author: Nancy Atherton; Genres: mystery, thriller, romance, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Lori has not heard from her (dead) Aunt Dimity for two years; since Lori and Bill got married and went back to the States. But that marriage is having some problems - Bill's aunts keep harassing Lori about the fact that she's not pregnant yet, and Bill has been burying himself in work and emotionally pulling away from Lori. So she convinces him they need a second honeymoon at the lovely, magical English cottage she inherited from Aunt Dimity. When it's time to leave, Bill has a work emergency, and Lori goes off on her 2nd honeymoon with her father-in-law! Shortly after they arrive, father-in-law William disappears on a mysterious errand, leaving a very cryptic note behind, and Dimity leaves her own note, saying that she and Reginald the Bunny are traveling with him. Lori is convinced that this has something to do with the British branch of the Willis family, so what else can she do but try to track him down?! Off she goes in pursuit, with 12-year-old Nell and Bertie the Bear as her companions and assistants. Nell is an absolute delight, with a creative, inventive, and devious mind! We meet all the British relatives, and Lori seems to be always an hour or two late in catching up to William, who turns out to be pretty devious himself. Dimity does her part to keep Lori on track, but where is Bill?! Never fear - this marriage was meant to be!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Zinnia (St. Helen's, #2); Author: Jayne Castle; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: You can't fight Mother Nature. Psychic talents need the help of a human prism to help them focus and use their power to the fullest extent - just following the laws of synergy. But Nick has learned that most prisms don't like to work with matrix-talents, and that's what he is. But when he sends out a psychic probe, he gets a response from a strong prism in his casino - Zinnia has been wandering the casino, trying to figure out a way to get into Nick Chastain's office because she's convinced he had one of her clients kidnapped. Yep, this is the same Zinnia who was photographed coming out of the bedroom of a very influential businessman who also happened to be very much married - you'll need to read the book to find out what that was all about! Now she's on the front page again - after Nick convinced her he didn't kidnap her client, she hied herself off to Morris' bookshop, and discovered his body. Nick followed her to try to keep her out of trouble, but the combination of a murdered body, the owner of Chastain's Casino, and The Scarlet Lady (aka Zinnia) was too much for the tabloids to ignore. And it seems that everywhere she turns, that tabloid photographer is there to put the worst spin on her activities, which doesn't make her relatives happy - they've lost their place in society and are looking for Zinnia to make an advantageous marriage to put them back where they think they deserve to be (except for her brother Leo - he's on her side). And then there's Nick's relatives, who love to keep reminding him that he's a bastard in more than one way. If that's not enough, they've got some mysterious deaths to figure out, and the mystery of the lost Third Chastain Expedition, and the difficulties of finding a marriage match for two decidedly unmatchable people - well, guess how that will turn out!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Orchid (St. Helen's, #3); Author: Jayne Castle; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: More of the same on the planet of St. Helens - and Hobart Batt, the agent for matchmaking Synergistic Connections, has his hands full again with two extremely-difficult-to-match people: Orchid is the author of psychic-vampire novels, and is also an off-the-charts full-spectrum prism; and Rafe Stonebraker possesses a talent that appears to frighten most people: he's a strat-talent and apparently people are afraid that means he can read their minds. I really like the comic-relief appearance of Hobart and all the hoops he puts Rafe through. There are also more murders to be solved, and another conspiracy to unravel.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Amaryllis (St. Helen's, #1); Author: Jayne Castle; Genres: history, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: About 200 years ago, pioneers from Earth began colonizing the planet of St. Helen's. They traveled between the two planets through an energy gate they called the Curtain. But suddenly and mysteriously, the Curtain closed, and the remaining pioneers were left to survive on their own. Things were made much more difficult when they realized that none of the tools and materials they brought from earth would last - books disintegrated, electronic equipment would not function, anything they made from earth materials decayed and fell apart. But the people apparently had no trouble surviving in the same atmosphere, and survive and prosper they did. And they developed skills unheard of, or untapped, on earth. - especially in the psychic areas. But by the five hells, St. Helen's became a hyphenated world. There are bat-snakes and eel-fish and mouse-wrens and cat-dogs. The people eat straw-peaches and cherry-grapes and drink coff-tea my reading stuttered whenever I came across that!* Even the people are hyphenated! Amaryllis is a full-spectrum prism, and Lucas is a detector-talent (he's also an illusion-talent, but that's a secret he guards very well). All this silliness aside, this is really a pretty-good suspense-romance (I told you it's a hyphenated world), and even though no reputable marriage agency would match a high-class talent with a full-spectrum prism, you just know that Amaryllis and Lucas will have their happily-ever-after, especially when Lucas brings her rose-orchids! Note: this is a strong 3* read, but didn't reach a 4* rating for me.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Death of a Glutton (Hamish Macbeth, #8); Author: M.C. Beaton; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: A very weak 3, but couldn't bring myself to give it 2 - I do love Hamish!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Lord Emsworth and Others (Blandings Castle, #5.5); Author: P.G. Wodehouse; Genres: thriller, comics, crime, paranormal, graphic, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: What's not to like about P.G. Wodehouse?! Lord Emsworth was the jewel in the crown of these short stories, and by itself would have a 5* rating. But a a non-golfer, I didn't really enjoy the humor in some of the other stories.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Reunion in Death (In Death, #14); Author: J.D. Robb; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Almost a 5* - and this from someone who has rated several of these books with merely 3s. This may be the best of the series, with lots of memorable scenes; the one in Dallas was heart-wrenching, and then you jump to the other end of the spectrum with their first-anniversary celebration! Loved meeting Peabody's parents, and seeing Peabody move to the next level in her career, so to speak. And what an interestingly bad & nasty evil gal who deliberately pitted herself against Eve. Kudos to Roark for knowing when to stand back and let Eve do her thing even though he would rather have been doing the bashing than watching Eve participate in a deadly cat-fight; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Ender's Shadow (Shadow, #1); Author: Orson Scott Card; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I loved Ender's Game so I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I soon discovered that it is so much more than 'a parallel telling' of EG - it is simply the life story of Bean. We learn everything important about Bean from the age of two (and eventually even before, thanks to Sister Carlota). And we learn that what makes Bean so successful in Battle School isn't the training he gets there, but the life-on-the-streets training he received before he was selected for Battle School (again thanks to Sister Carlota).; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Running Blind (Jack Reacher, #4); Author: Lee Child; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Really just 2.5 - too many implausible things for me to swallow (pun intended).; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Aunt Dimity Down Under (An Aunt Dimity Mystery, #15); Author: Nancy Atherton; Genres: mystery, thriller, romance, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Lori has been called many things in her life, but diplomatic is not one of them - she loses her temper easily, speaks hastily, and isn't too concerned when facts get in the way of a good theory. So why has she been chosen by the Pym sisters for a task that may need "the utmost" diplomacy"? Because the Pym sisters see her traits in a different light - they think she's "strong-willed, determined, and naturally inquisitive", and they want her to go to New Zealand in search of their long-lost nephew, one they just discovered they had. So off to New Zealand to find Aubrey, deliver a letter from the Pym sisters, and fly back home to her own darling twins. But of course things are not that straightforward, and Lori is now looking for a great-grandniece who has scarpered, thus taking Lori on trips through both islands of scenic New Zealand. This travelogue part of the story was of great interest to me, and I was pleased to recognize places, plants, and creatures from our own very enjoyable trip to New Zealand. The main difference was that I didn't have an invisible (dead) friend who wrote messages to me in a blue journal!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Quilter's Apprentice (Elm Creek Quilts, #1); Author: Jennifer Chiaverini; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Lovely story-within-a-story telling of two women who learn to patch together the unraveled parts of their lives as they stitch together a quilt. My only disappointment is the lack of pictures or drawings of the quilt squares; they were well-described, but I would have loved to see what they looked like.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Gathering; Author: Anne Enright; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: This novel won a Man Booker Prize, so it must be a well-told and meaningful story. But I guess I missed it - or perhaps I got so overwhelmed with the self-pitying telling through the voice and memory of Veronica that the purpose of this telling got buried. I got it that something terrible happened to Liam when they were children, but that event appeared to be the scapegoat for everything that has gone wrong in Veronica's life. Is she depressed? Is she having a nervous breakdown? I found myself wishing I cared, but nothing Veronica told us about herself made me care about her. As I said, I guess I missed the author's purpose - unless it was to make me as depressed as Veronica. What I did like was the way she portrayed memory as elastic - we must have done this, we might have done that, we probably did some other thing. Memories are often difficult to hold on to, or to place correctly, so that worked to begin with, but this 'maybe remembering' got old rather fast. And I got totally turned off when she used this device to picture what her grandparents did sexually before she was born! And that scene on the train with the thoughts of 'sexual sunlight' was too much to bear.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: The Case Against My Brother; Author: Libby Sternberg; Genres: history, fiction, young-adult, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, mystery; Review: I usually associate the Ku Klux Klan with terrorizing and discriminating against African-Americans, so this story was an eye-opener for me in several ways. Teenage brothers Carl and Adam Matuski have moved to Oregon to live with their uncle, and as Polish Catholics, they are caught up in an anti-immigrant movement that culminated in passage of the Oregon School Law in 1922, which required that children attend public schools. (I had not previously known of this law, which was appealed and declared unconstitutional in 1925). Carl, however, doesn't have time to worry about the pending election - he is too busy working two jobs and trying to prove that Adam is innocent of the theft of jewelry from his girlfriend's house. This is a very poignant story of a young man's coming to manhood under extremely difficult and very believable circumstances.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Compromised; Author: Kate Noble; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: This is really 3.5, but so much better than a plain 3 that I felt compelled to average it up. An interesting and mostly enjoyable read, but not a keeper.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Cedar Cove Christmas (Cedar Cove, #8.5); Author: Debbie Macomber; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: This is a corny but cute modern telling of the first Christmas. Mary Josephine Wyse is unmarried and heavily pregnant with no daddy in sight, so she sets off for a small town - Cedar Cove - where he said he'd be spending Christmas with his parents. But the parents aren't home & there's no room in any of the inns, but a good-hearted woman puts her up in an apartment above the barn. The barn houses an ox and a lamb and a bad-tempered camel in addition to the horses (the town does a live manger scene). Mary Jo's brothers, the three Wyse men - I told you it was corny! - follow her to Cedar Cove, but many difficulties delay their arrival - will they get there in time for the birth?! As you read, you may find yourself searching for each element of the first Christmas.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Scoundrel In My Dreams (Runaway Brides, #3); Author: Celeste Bradley; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, children, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I decided to give Celeste Bradley another chance when I picked up the trilogy of The Runaway Brides - and I'm glad I did! This series revolves around 3-year-old Melody, a foundling who is left on the doorstep of a gentleman's club; the note attached to her clothing says that the money stopped coming, so it's time for her father to step up and take over. But who's her father?! Only 3 gentlemen in this club are young enough to father any children, so naturally each book in this trilogy covers the exploits and loves of each of the three. And naturally, none of them was aware that he was a potential father, but all three wanted to be Melody's father! Adding to the enjoyment of the books for me was the way it was told to an about-to-be-married Melody, who was having serious last-minute doubts on the morning of her wedding. To ease her nerves, the redoubtable Button tells her the tale of what really happened 20 years ago (sorry, you'll have to read the books to find out who Button is!) One important caveat: be sure to read the books in order, as it's really a tale told in 3 parts. Devil In My Bed, Rogue In My Arms, Scoundrel In My Dreams; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Elusive Bride (Black Cobra Quartet, #2); Author: Stephanie Laurens; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: 3rd September Dear Diary, Yesterday was the most frightening and the most wonderful day of my life! First we were pursued by Black Cobra cultists as Captain MacFarlane was escorting me to my uncle in Bombay. The captain sent me ahead with his men while he and his lieutenant stayed behind to delay the pursuers. His tactics worked, but the captain was murdered by the cultists. I kept my word and delivered his packet to Colonel Delborough and his men, and that's when the wonderful thing happened. As Major Hamilton walked me to my escort, I suddenly knew that he was "the one" I've been waiting for - my sisters were right when they said I would know! 1st October Dear Diary, Gareth Hamilton doesn't yet know that he is "The One", so I had to follow him to Aden when he suddenly left Bombay. But some cultists appeared on the dock and tried to murder me! Luckily for me, Major Hamilton is very good at what he does, and I am safe. But he has now decided that my people & I must travel with him for safety's sake - what a lucky happenstance! 8th October Dear Diary, Traveling on the sea is boring when I have no opportunity to spend time with Gareth. At least that's what I thought until the cultists attacked - once again, Major Hamilton saved my life! Naturally, I kissed him in thanks, and I am here to report that Gareth is no frog!! 22nd October Dear Diary, Why didn't I appreciate the comfort of the sea?! Camels stink - and they spit! And the sand in this desert gets into everything! And how am I going to pursue my goal with Gareth when the Berber nomads we're traveling with insist that unmarried women cannot spend time alone with a man?! Reader's note: While Emily is spending most of her time trying to get the chance to seduce Gareth, he is busy trying to keep the cultists from killing them and getting the letter that he has been tasked to deliver to England, the letter that Captain MacFarlane died for, the letter that would prove who the Black Cobra is - so he keeps telling himself that he doesn't have time for the games that Emily is playing. Once they are safely in England, then he can see where his feelings for her might go. But this is a romance, so of course life-and-death situations must allow some time for the romantic moments. There were a couple of surprises in this story, so kudos to the author for that, but many of the diary entries made Emily look frivolous and brainless, which took much away from the intensity of the action. I have to believe that was the author's intent, and to some degree it worked. At times, tho, I wanted to tell Emily how frivolous and brainless she was acting! Then she would redeem herself by doing something thoughtful and intelligent. FINALLY, it seemed, she realized that her pursuit of Gareth for personal reasons was; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Storm Warning; Author: Nora Roberts; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: It's easy to see that this is an early Nora Roberts - with a mostly unlikeable, selfish, physically macho hero, and the fact that he's burning for the heroine he tossed aside 3 years ago doesn't excuse his behavior. Still, I enjoyed Aunt Tabby, and I liked the emphasis on nature and photography. Good character development on the other characters isolated in the inn by a severe thunderstorm.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies, #1); Author: Pittacus Lore; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed the story. As others have said, there were obvious holes in the story, and it's loaded with one cliche after another. And I didn't even mind the classroom scenes (for the most part, anyway). I loved Bernie Kosar, and knew that he was no ordinary dog, but was surprised that it took John so long to figure it out (if your dog entered the woods on one side, and almost immediately came out on the other side, wouldn't you wonder just a bit?!) One thing I did like was that the information about life on Lorien and the final battle there came through John's dreams and memories rather than just a dry explanation - his 'experiencing' those events made them more real, both to him and to the reader.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, #2); Author: Cassandra Clare; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: To my surprise, I enjoyed City of Ashes much more than I expected to, so much that I will be reading book 3 City of Glass. I say this with surprise because I didn't feel any burning need to pick up book 2 after I read City of Bones, & really did so only because I needed it for the SRC challenge - just goes to show you never know! One big plus for me is that the author just jumped right into the continuing story and left it up to the reader to remember what had happened in the first book. I really get quite frustrated when an author spends a considerable amount of time recapping what had previously happened. And Clare was able to surprise me a couple of times with events that I didn't anticipate, and that always makes a story more enjoyable to me.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lavender Morning (Edilean, #1); Author: Jude Deveraux; Genres: history, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: This was slow-starting, and at first I thought it was just going to be a pleasant read, but then Jocelyn started getting acquainted with the women who were her tenants in the big Edilean mansion, the mysteries of the past just kept coming, and I got much more interested and involved. The current-day romance took a back-seat for me to the romance of the past, which we learn about in bits and pieces until it all starts coming together. I had one of the mysteries figured out, but the author surprised me with another!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Mother's Gift: Waiting for Mom, Nobody's Child, Mother's Day Baby; Author: Kathleen Eagle; Genres: poetry, romance; Review: I loved the concept of motherhood-by-adoption in this anthology. It was a quick read and the stories were poignant, but it was too easy to put the book down in-between stories, so this is a weak 3; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Reckless Bride (Black Cobra Quartet, #4); Author: Stephanie Laurens; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This was more of a 3.5, but definitely not 4* - it just took too long for the story to really get going - maybe it's just been too long since I read book 3. The secondary mystery was a good touch, tho, and actually kept my interest in the story until the cultists started seriously showing up. The conclusion was a nice twist - I think I should have seen it coming sooner than I did, but at least I figured it out before any of the good guys did! All in all, a good ending to the series.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Murder is Binding (Booktown Mystery, #1); Author: Lorna Barrett; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Found a nice cozy-mystery series that takes place in bookstores. What's not to like?!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Uneasy Alliance; Author: Jayne Ann Krentz; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: I usually enjoy a JA Krentz book, but this early attempt (1984) is really bad! I'm very glad I got it as a library book.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: The Hellion and the Highlander (Devil of the Highlands, #3); Author: Lynsay Sands; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Although I usually rave about Lynsay Sands' historicals, this one was shy of a 4* read for me. It could be because it's the 3rd book in her Devil of the HIghlands series and I didn't read the first two, but I didn't feel that anything was missing in the storyline. One thing I do know - she likes to talk about piffles!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Man from Stone Creek (Stone Creek, #1); Author: Linda Lael Miller; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This is about a marshall going undercover as a schoolteacher in a 1903 border town that has your one rich, nasty rancher who also owns the general store that is managed by a young woman. Maddie has a younger brother who is, of course, one of the students who harassed the previous teacher that Sam replaced. I liked the way that Sam & Maddie interacted with everyone else in this small, poor town and the ways they helped them. I wasn't crazy about the way the triangle of one man/two women was resolved. Sam was 'nearly engaged' to a woman he's known for years back home, and she takes it into her head to join him. Her daddy knows that Sam is undercover - he's the one who sent Sam to try to capture or stop the band of rustlers & train robbers before they killed again - and he doesn't stop his daughter from going into harm's way. By this time, Sam is crazy about Maddie, but he's made promises to Abigail. I kept thinking of all the ways this could be resolved, but was stunned at the solution. I would have been angry if one of them had been killed by the bad guys, so maybe stunned isn't so bad.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming; Author: Mike Brown; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: This was fun to read! I don't think I've ever read an easier to comprehend book about astronomy. It was full of interesting and mostly easily-digestible information about scientific procedure in general and astronomy in the specific realm studied by Mike Brown. To make it easier to relate to him as a real human being as well as a head-in-the-skies astronomer, he liberally salted his journey with tales of his courthood of his wife and the birth and early years of their daughter, which all were a definite part of his successes and near misses. Oh, yes - the 'journey' he was on was a decades-long search for the tenth planet, which he found, only to have his achievement lead to the demotion of both Pluto and his new discovery. As one who always wondered how & why Pluto qualified as a planet, I wasn't dismayed at the now-old news of its new rating, but I thoroughly enjoyed the way the tale was told in this book. I highly recommend it!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: All Clear (All Clear, #2); Author: Connie Willis; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: WARNING! This is book two of the All Clear duo - be sure to read Blackout first!! I love Connie Willis' Oxford Time Travel books. This continues the story of three Oxford students who travel back to 'observe only' certain events of WWII, but problems cause them to be trapped in the past. This was an excellent look at how the war impacted the average citizen in England and how well they rose to the occasion. I think I really learned more about the human impact of the London Blitz from these two books than I understood before, since she really made the reader feel the experience of falling bombs and huddling in shelters. And do remember that I said 'two books'. You must read Blackout first or you'll be totally confused; this book is really a continuance of what happened to Michael, Merope, and Polly in Blackout- and many of the other characters are so interesting and compelling that you want to know their whole story, too. My 5* is a rating of the two books combined, since it is really one story.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Duel of Hearts; Author: Diane Farr; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: An OK read, but nothing compelling. Two very strong-willed people find love amongst constant bickering. Very light-hearted and silly.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: O'Hara's Choice; Author: Leon Uris; Genres: history, fiction, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, mystery; Review: It's been a long time since I read a Leon Uris novel, so when I saw this on a used-book shelf, I grabbed it. I don't know enough about the origins of the U;S. Marine Corps, so I don't know how much fact is intermingled with the fiction. I did enjoy the telling of its history, but agree with others that this was not one of Uris' best books.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: How to Woo a Reluctant Lady (Hellions of Halstead Hall, #3); Author: Sabrina Jeffries; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: A very weak 4* but definitely better than 3* "Love is for fools and dreamers. The only people who benefit from it are flower sellers and Valentine artists." Obviously, some big changes are in store for our hero before he becomes part of a loving couple. This book could also easily be titled 'Not Merely a Rogue' because Giles spent years being a fake rake (well, the excessive part anyway!) while he was being a spy for the government - operating under the rationale that you have to act like a scoundrel to learn the secrets of scoundrels. Unfortunately, Minerva distrusts him because of all those rakish years (since she doesn't know about his government work), so he's relying on his barrister skills to win her over, along with his skills as a lover. But Minerva has plans to live on her own and support herself as an author. Will she cling to those plans, or will Giles prevail and be able to turn a fake engagement into a real marriage?; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Summer in Sonoma; Author: Robyn Carr; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: Cassie had been searching for years for her perfect soul-mate, but has just escaped near-rape at the hands of a guy who looked just perfect for her. Her savior was a hulking biker dude, and while she's very grateful to him & decides he makes a great friend, he doesn't fit any of her criteria for a perfect mate-for-life. Julie & Billy have been married for 10 years (high school sweethearts), are poor as churchmice, and she's just discovered she's pregnant with their 4th child. They're still very much in love, but can their love survive adding another member to their already strained finances? Marty & Joe have one child and lots of expensive toys that Marty would give up in a minute (the toys, not the child!) if her husband would just give her the kind of attention & loving she received before they were married, and when she meets up with an old flame (who incidentally cheated on her more than once when they were going together), she is very temped by his loving attention - will she take that last step? Beth is a very successful doctor with an ex-fiance who dumped her when she had a mastectomy at 25 for early-onset breast cancer. Now at 30, she again faces a new cancer. These four high-school friends (who were initially amazingly ignorant of what each other faced, given that they were such close friends!) become each other's supporters and confidantes as their problems are faced and conquered. Although this is a very weak 4, I felt it deserved more than 3; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Kill For Me (Romantic Suspense, #9; Daniel Vartanian, #3); Author: Karen Rose; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: Completes the Vartanian trilogy. This is Susannah Vartanian's story, and is just as scary as the other "For Me" books. Ms. Rose shows the possible danger lying in wait in Internet chat rooms with her story of black market teenage sex rings.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Scream for Me (Romantic Suspense, #8; Daniel Vartanian, #2); Author: Karen Rose; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: "There was something about Dutton, GA that brought out the worst in people." I guess so! Agent Daniel Vartanian grew up in Dutton with his serial-murderer brother Simon, who was featured in Die For Me (book #7). Violent rape and murder occurred in Dutton 13 years ago, and now a similar crime has happened in nearby Arcadia - Daniel is convinced it's related. And Alex Tremaine is very involved - it was her twin sister who was violated so brutally 13 years ago, and now she's been drawn back to Dutton to care for her 4-year-old traumatized niece, since Hope's mother has mysteriously disappeared - is she the newest victim? Supposedly Alicia's killer was caught and is serving a life sentence. Is this a copycat killer - or did they get the wrong guy? And revenge is definitely in the picture with the current killings- someone feels he has retribution to exact on a number of people in Dutton for things that happened in the past; and his 4 years in prison have given him time to plan how to go about it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Die For Me (Romantic Suspense, #7; Daniel Vartanian, #1); Author: Karen Rose; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: When I read a Karen Rose book, I know the thriller aspect is going to keep me on the edge of my seat, and this book did not disappoint.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Peach Keeper; Author: Sarah Addison Allen; Genres: history, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I have been in love with Sarah Addison Allen's writing since I read Garden Spells, and was tickled to see Claire Waverly & her magical culinary talents brought into this book. This wasn't quite as good as GS, but it was a fun, compelling read. I liked the variety of things that "her grandmother used to tell her." I liked the folklore that was brought into the story, especially the bit about putting a penny on the windowsill and leaving the window open a crack to allow the ghost to be sucked out of the house. Willa rather overdid it, tho, and left the window open enough to allow a black-and-yellow bird to fly in! Those black-and-yellow birds appeared regularly enough to provide a magical thread to be followed, and I thought the culmination of that was pretty neat.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: In Bed with a Highlander (McCabe Trilogy, #1); Author: Maya Banks; Genres: history, young-adult, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I've stayed away from Maya Banks' books until now, but how can I ignore a highlander series?! Ewan is a typical 12th/13th? century highland warrior, and Mairin is a not-so-typical heiress (she was raised in a convent). This probably explains why she speaks all her thoughts, often to her chagrin. Since I am a big Julie Garwood fan, that worked just fine for me! I enjoyed this book enough to pick up Alaric's story, but since a big draw in this book was young Crispen, I hope MB has something equally entrancing for the next one.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Portrait in Death (In Death, #16); Author: J.D. Robb; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: These just get better and better! Not quite 5* but definitely more than 4; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Cat Who Could Read Backwards (Cat Who..., #1); Author: Lilian Jackson Braun; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: I'm a bit late to the party on this series, but I definitely enjoyed this one enough to read the next. You've got to love the arrogant and inscrutable cat!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Fourth Bear (Nursery Crime, #2); Author: Jasper Fforde; Genres: history, young-adult, thriller, comics, crime, paranormal, graphic, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Parts of this were barely 3, but the last half was almost 4, so a strong 3.5 from me. You definitely have to know your nursery rhyme characters to get the full benefit of this series, and there's a hilarious take on the tongue twister "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers". Goldilocks didn't do so well in this story, unfortunately, but Red Riding Hood and her grandma came out OK (pun intended!); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Psmith, Journalist (Psmith, #3); Author: P.G. Wodehouse; Genres: history, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, fiction, mystery; Review: I seem to be reading this series backwards. At the time I read Leave It to Psmith, I did not realize it was book 4 of a series, but I enjoyed it almost as much as the Jeeves' books, so when I saw Psmith, Journalist I grabbed it. However, it did not grab me as strongly as I anticipated - maybe it was his remove to New York and the gangster talk. The Wodehouse humor did show through enough that I will try to 'finish' this series by looking for books 1 & 2.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: A Mind to Murder (Adam Dalgliesh #2); Author: P.D. James; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: Why did it take me so long to discover the books of P.D. James?! This is the 2nd book in her Adam Dalgliesh series, and I'm already seeing the development of Dalgliesh's character, both as an inspector and as a person, so I'm looking forward to continuing this series, and maybe more of James' other works. I like her writing style.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Something About You (FBI/US Attorney, #1); Author: Julie James; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: Really 3.5, but since it looked like a weak 3 at the beginning, that says something about how Ms. James got me into the characters. I'm now more likely to continue the series.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Scandalous Desires (Maiden Lane, #3); Author: Elizabeth Hoyt; Genres: history, children, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: A very weak 4* but definitely rates more than 3. I'm impressed by how the author got me to actually like/sympathize with Mickey, who was very much a rat in the previous book.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Black Hawk (Spymasters, #4); Author: Joanna Bourne; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Why did I wait so long to read this?! Now I have to go back and reread the others in the series because I know I've forgotten so much about the backstory of Justine and Hawker. Even if the rest of the story didn't merit 5 (which it does), the conversations definitely make it a strong 5* - I found myself constantly thinking about a conversation to get all the nuances and hidden meanings behind what was said and what was really SAID. This series definitely merits a reread.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: A Spy in the House (The Agency, #1); Author: Y.S. Lee; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Young Mary Quinn becomes a spy for The Agency, an all-female investigative unit, at the age of 16. Since she grew up on the streets but was educated at the Scrimshaw Academy, we have a look into how she lives in both worlds. This was interesting enough to have me look for the next in the series, and I'm hoping it will show her growing into a young lady, and hopefully learn more about her early life.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Daring; Author: Jillian Hunter; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This languished on my booksheelf for a long time, and I don't know why, because I usually love Jillian Hunter's books. I enjoyed this one as well, and debated between 3/4, but a month after reading it, nothing stands out in my mind that makes it memorable.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: High Country Bride (McKettricks, #1); Author: Linda Lael Miller; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I nearly put this aside several times - a girl who was raised in a brothel couldn't be that ignorant, could she?! Even when I was able to accept that premise, the book didn't grab me until over halfway, when other factors - and characters - made it much more interesting. The 2nd half gets 4, but the first half is a very weak 3, but that stronger ending made me want to pick up the next in the series.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: A McKettrick Christmas (McKettricks, #10); Author: Linda Lael Miller; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I read the first book in this series - High Country Bride (McKettrick Cowboys, #1) - and liked it. Since I wasn't quite ready to let go of Christmas yet, I decided to jump ahead & read this one. It's a strong 3* with a little magical touch in it - well, it wouldn't be Christmas without that! A quick and enjoyable read - Lizzie's on her way home for Christmas when an avalanche derails the train and strands them in the middle of nowhere during a snowstorm. Lizzie has faith that her family will come for her, but will they get there before another avalanche sends the train off the cliff? Remember that Christmas magic!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Bridge to Terabithia; Author: Katherine Paterson; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I seldom read a book and like the movie more (it's usually the other way around) but this is a case where I liked the book and loved the movie, which made the book come alive even more. Kudos to Ms. Paterson for writing a story that makes the reader feel what the characters feel, and that also lends itself so wonderfully to visual imagery.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Power of Six (Lorien Legacies, #2); Author: Pittacus Lore; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I have to admit that I wasn't overpowered with the first book - I am Number Four - and could have lived without finding out more about the Loriens, but my library had a copy of this, so I went for it, and I'm glad I did. I actually liked the switching of voices back and forth, which I thought made the stories more interesting and had me looking forward to the story arches coming together. I'm not a fan of love triangles, tho - you know that has to end badly. And then the cliffhanger that shouts 'read the next in this series!' - which I will if it's available at the library. If it's not, I'll just provide my own outcome.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Leviathan (Leviathan, #1); Author: Scott Westerfeld; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, children, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: I read this because it is a group-read in a challenge, so I'm trying to be ultra-fair in my review. I love reading alternative-histories, and since the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik are shelved as steampunk, the WWI theme sounded like it should make a good steampunk story. It didn't work for me, tho, for several reasons. The main characters are 15-16 years old, but but this seems to be geared more toward middle-schoolers than young adults. Maybe the characters will mature and act more their ages as the books continue, and maybe this wouldn't have bothered me so much if I'd felt more drawn into the story. Living in the belly of the whale, so to speak, gave a whole new meaning to 'guts of the ship', and all the descriptions that probably entrance a middle-schooler were a big turn-off to me, but that's my personal problem, so I added one star to my review because of that, and also because of the great illustrations. And I'd have been a happier camper if I'd known at the beginning that this is really Part I of a story rather than a standalone book. Do I care enough about what's happening to seek out the next book? Probably not.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: His Mistress by Christmas (Mistress Trio, #2; Wicked Family Secrets, #1); Author: Victoria Alexander; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I wavered between 3/4 for a while, but finally decided that the premise of the love story moved it up for me - I love it when the guy knows he's in love & wants marriage, but has to convince the reluctant gal that it's really more than just lust for his beautiful body! And it includes a country house party, which I always like.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: 1022 Evergreen Place (Cedar Cove, #10); Author: Debbie Macomber; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: This is really 2.5 stars, but I somewhat reluctantly moved it up to 3, mainly because of the Christmas theme. I've tried several of the Cedar Cove books, but I guess they read too much like a soap opera, and I was never a big fan of those either. I have read and enjoyed other Debbie Macomber books, so was not reluctant to start this series, but have decided to leave it to those who love them.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: To Desire a Wicked Duke (Courtship Wars, #6); Author: Nicole Jordan; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I read this because I wanted to finish the Courtship Wars series. This gets a very weak 3 from me, mainly because of the heroine. Tess was a very compassionate, judgmental person, and when you figure out how she can reasonably be both, please explain it to me!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Something to Prove; Author: Cathryn Parry; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: A very weak 3, more like 2.5; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Shotgun Bride (McKettricks, #2); Author: Linda Lael Miller; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I enjoyed this one more than the first in the series - still not a 4* read, but a strong 3.5. Plenty of action, plus 5 mail-order brides who all want to marry Kade!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Love Over Scotland (44 Scotland Street, #3); Author: Alexander McCall Smith; Genres: thriller, crime, mystery, fiction; Review: Bertie is my favorite character; poor put-upon Bertie. When his overbearing mother gives him the lemon of being forced into a teenage group of musicians, he makes lemonade by managing to get left behind in Paris and having a grand adventure. More Bertie, please!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Girl Who Married a Lion: And Other Tales from Africa; Author: Alexander McCall Smith; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Interesting variety of folktales from Africa. I loved the "introduction" by Mma Romatswe from The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series - such a good series!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Other Guy's Bride (Braxton, #2); Author: Connie Brockway; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Not as good as As You Desire but still a very good read; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Hot Blooded (Dark, #11.5; Midnight, #2.5; Mageverse, #0.5); Author: Christine Feehan; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: I always find it hard to rate an anthology, because inevitably I really like some and really don't like others, and that holds true here. On the strength of Christine Feehan's Dark Hunger, tho, I give this an overall 3.5 Christine Feehan's Dark Hunger gets a strong 4* - loved Riordan & Juliette & looking forward to stories about Jasmine & Solange Maggie Shayne's Upyr story gets a weak 3* Emma Holly's cute story gets 3.5* just because it was so cute Angela Knight's Mageverse is definitely not for me - just 2* there & won't be continuing that series; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Claiming the Courtesan; Author: Anna Campbell; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Lust does not equal love. Obsession = stalker, not love. Had I cared more about the two protagonists, I might have been able to make this a weak 3. I understood Verity's rationale for doing what she did at 15, but Kylemore's emotional development appeared to have been frozen at his 7-year-old self, and that just wasn't appealing at all.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Northern Lights; Author: Nora Roberts; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I'm generally a Nora Roberts fan, and I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. A weak 3; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Wicked Wyckerly (Rebellious Sons, #1); Author: Patricia Rice; Genres: history, children, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: John Fitzhugh Wyckerly inherited a bankrupt estate when his drunken older brother broke his neck tumbling down the stairs. It didn't take Fitz long to calculate that, if he could organize the family's assets well enough to produce 10,000 pounds a year, he'd be out of debt in about 100 years - not good news! So he knew that he didn't have time for women "unless they came accompanied by boundless wealth - and immense stupidity." Then why is he having soft thoughts about Miss Abigail Merriweather, who is equally penniless and has had her 4 younger siblings taken away from her care. Well, she does seem competent enough to handle his very out-of-control 6-year-old daughter, the daughter he just recently met when he decided that becoming a responsible earl should begin with taking responsibility for his illegitimate child. His interest in Miss Merry has nothing to do with her mothering skills, but he soon realizes that her interest in him is based on his possible ability to help her find a good solicitor who can help her get back her siblings. How lowering is that?! - but also very intriguing! And so begins this impossible match that doesn't meet their financial needs - but Ms. Rice does a great job of resolving their problems, and throws in some surprises about the Wicked Wyckerlys.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Fired Up (Arcane Society, #7; Dreamlight Trilogy, #1); Author: Jayne Ann Krentz; Genres: history, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I love the Arcane series of Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick, so I have become familiar with the strat-talents and illusionists and hunters, as well as the other psychics who are intuitive & probability talents, but now the Dreamlight Trilogy adds a dreamlight-reading talent in the person of Chloe, and Jack Winter wants to be her newest client. Jack is a financial strat, but he's been having some serious nightmares, and is convinced that he'll go crazy and commit suicide or murder - unless he finds the Burning Lamp and uses its powers to keep him from becoming a Cerberus. And that's where Chloe's talent comes in - he needs her dreamlight abilities to access the power of the lamp. The villains, of course, want the lamp and Chloe for their own use.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Days of Gold (Edilean, #2); Author: Jude Deveraux; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This is one of those strange circumstances when I deliberately read books out of order. I started with book 1, which is a contemporary story about characters in the town of Edilean. When I saw that the books alternated between contemporary and historical, I skipped this one (book 2) & went right on to book 3 to pick up on characters mentioned in book one. Now I'm reading the historical ones. Days of Gold tells the backstory of Edilean and Angus, who ended up founding the town of Edilean.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Hidden Summit (Virgin River, #15); Author: Robyn Carr; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: A strong 3.5* that I upped to 4* because the Virgin River series is such a comfort read for me.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Burning Lamp (Arcane Society, #8; Dreamlight Trilogy, #2); Author: Amanda Quick; Genres: history, fiction, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: A social reformer and a crime lord - not exactly a match made in heaven, but certainly suited for the streets of London. And Adelaide Pyne & Griffin Winters soon find that they are very well-suited indeed. At first, Adelaide is convinced that the Burning Lamp is motivating/manipulating their emotions. But there are other problems to solve first - someone else wants the Burning Lamp - the same someone who stole it 15 years ago, and just needs a strong dreamlighter to help him access the powers of the lamp. Adelaide just happens to be a strong dreamlighter. And it appears this thief has teamed up with the crime lord who is Griffin's strongest rival. As if the inbuilt enhanced powers of this duo are not enough, they now have red crystals that strongly but briefly enhance their powers to a deadly degree. In order to defeat the villains, it looks like the Winters and the Jones families will have to collaborate - not what their ancestors had in mind!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Duchess Diaries (Boscastle #12; The Bridal Pleasures, #3); Author: Jillian Hunter; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: a generous 4* but 3* just wasn't enough; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Knock Out (FBI Thriller, #13); Author: Catherine Coulter; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: This is really a 3.5, but I upped it to 4 because I loved the 7-year-old psychic, Autumn. Such an intrepid girl. Took a while for Mom to realize what she had, and then there was the 'how-do-I-deal-with-this' phase, which I can fully understand! Coulter seems to be adding more and more PNR to this series - the Backman family was beyond scary with their abilities.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Whiplash (FBI Thriller, #14); Author: Catherine Coulter; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: More like 3.5, but 3 just wasn't enough - guess I'm hooked on Savich & Sherlock!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Poor Caroline; Author: Elizabeth Mansfield; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This was really a 3.5* read, but not up to 4; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (The Wicked Years, #1); Author: Gregory Maguire; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I had no preconceptions when I started this book, but even so I was surprised at the scope of the journey I traveled to get to the expected end of the story. In this version of the Wicked Witch of the West, Gregory Maguire explores the following question: "One never learns how the witch became wicked, or whether that was the right choice for her - is it ever the right choice?" We pretty much learn how and why - in his view - the witch became wicked, but the rightness or wrongness of her choices is left to the reader. I must say that I now have a different perspective of this particular witch.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Midsummer Night's Sin (Blackthorn Brothers #2); Author: Kasey Michaels; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Better than the first book - The Taming of the Rake - but still not 5; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Much Ado About Rogues (Blackthorn Brothers, #3); Author: Kasey Michaels; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Maybe it's the accumulation of the characters, but this was the best of the trilogy.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Angel's Rest (Eternity Springs, #1); Author: Emily March; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: Emily March is a new-to-me author, so I wasn't sure what I was getting into. I could tell from the blurb on the back of the book that this would be full of angst, but I didn't know whether I would like the way the author handled it. As you can tell from the 4* rating, she mostly did OK. Gabe was hiding out at Eagle's Way above the small mountain town of Eternity Springs, trying to outrun his demons and not being very successful. His wife and child died in a car accident and this is his first Christmas without them. He's just about decided to end all his torment when he's "attacked" and knocked down by a very playful and friendly boxer, who decides to adopt him, pretty much against Gabe's feelings. Nicole comes into Gabe's life when the dog gets caught in a trap and Gabe takes him to the town's vet, who happens to be Nic. I love it when an animal brings the H/h together! One of the best characters in the book is Celeste, who is creating a 'healing place' that she's named Angel's Rest. More of that, I'm sure, in the following books. I already have book 2, Hummingbird Lake which is about Sage, who of course has her own past demons to be exorcised.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Midnight Crystal (Ghost Hunters, #7; Arcane Society #9; Dreamlight Trilogy #3); Author: Jayne Castle; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: The environment on Harmony accelerates the development of paranormal powers in those who possess them. So there are some interesting levels of powers in the characters in this futuristic book. And we're exploring more of Harmony by going underground into a subterranean world probably built by the alien race that somehow still wasn't able to survive, even in the catacombs of Harmony. As with the Winters men in the first two books of this trilogy, Adam is having nightmares and hallucinations, and needs the Burning Lamp and a strong dreamlight reader to save him. But it looks like they also have to save the entire underworld - and maybe even Harmony itself.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Divided in Death (In Death, #18); Author: J.D. Robb; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I think Robb has kicked this series up a notch by delving more into Roarke's personal history and how that affects his relationship with Eve, as happened in the previous book. Now we have the added angst of the emotional & moral dilemma that threatens to tear them apart. It won't, of course, but the reader really feels the emotional turmoil that Eve & Roarke experience.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Celebrity in Death (In Death, #34); Author: J.D. Robb; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I'm with everyone else and thoroughly enjoy the ongoing romance of Eve & Roarke, but I love Peabody as well. I've listened to the entire series (so far) and happily give the books 5* in good part because of the wonderful narration of Susan Erickson. She makes all the characters come alive, and I can't even think the snarkiness of Eve, much less the glorious accent of Roarke!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Taming an Impossible Rogue (Scandalous Brides, #2); Author: Suzanne Enoch; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: A weak 4* but 3* just doesn't do it; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Collectors (Camel Club, #2); Author: David Baldacci; Genres: thriller, crime, mystery, fiction; Review: I love the members of The Camel Club (maybe because I can identify with them age-wise), and I enjoyed them just as much in book 2 - but I really don't like cliffhangers (altho I saw it coming as the book progressed). Fortunately for me, I have the next book on my physical bookshelf - but am calling this a weak 4* because of the cliffhanger.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Charmed by His Love (Spellbound Falls, #2); Author: Janet Chapman; Genres: romance, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I love a little magic - and those Highlanders are just fine, too!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Dragon Warrior (Midnight Bay, #2); Author: Janet Chapman; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: I rated this 3.5* but it definitely deserves more than 3, so upped it to 4. I loved William the dragon in the first book, and happily devoured his book here.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Death Dealer (Harrison Investigation, #6); Author: Heather Graham; Genres: history, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I'm glad I read The Dead Room first, or I might have gotten too frustrated to continue. So I can understand the low ratings from people who read this as a stand-alone. I didn't like this quite as much as The Dead Room, but was glad I continued what was really an unfinished story. There are definitely times when the reader needs to be alerted to the fact that this story really started in the previous book.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Viscount's Bride; Author: Ann Elizabeth Cree; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This sat on my TBR shelf for quite a while, and now I know why. This was a strong 2* but didn't rise to 3. I just didn't find myself engaged with the main characters; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Envy (Fallen Angels, #3); Author: J.R. Ward; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: This sat on my bookshelf for a long time, and I finally put it in a challenge so I'd have to pick it up. The beginning told me I was wise to wait, but then it picked up until I finally got engrossed in it. A very strong 3.5; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Handbook to Handling His Lordship (Scandalous Brides, #4); Author: Suzanne Enoch; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I really like the Scandalous Brides series because it's such a welcome break from the balls & breakfasts & shopping trips of the ton ladies, and gets into the difficulties of the unprivileged women who don't fit into all of society's rules.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Beautiful Mystery (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #8); Author: Louise Penny; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, non-fiction, fiction; Review: I was torn between 4* & 5* for this, because I really did not like the ending, but I will definitely> read/listen to the next one, so I went for the 5, but I cried at the ending! Loved the Gregorian chant, tho.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Recipe Club: A Novel About Food and Friendship; Author: Andrea Israel; Genres: non-fiction, fiction; Review: A very good concept of communication between friends by email and letters, but it fell short in the execution. I really wanted to give this more than 2, but it definitely fell short of 3; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Highlander Ever After (Nvengaria, #3); Author: Jennifer Ashley; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Really closer to 3.5, but 3* just didn't seem enough.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Uglies (Uglies, #1); Author: Scott Westerfeld; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: More like 3.5, but it drew me in enough that giving it just 3 didn't seem right. I liked it enough to go on to Pretties sometime soon.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Pretties (Uglies, #2); Author: Scott Westerfeld; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: A reluctant 3* from me - I got very tired of the words 'bubbly' and 'bogus'. If anything draws me to read book 3, it'll be because I feel sorry for Shay and want to see something positive happen there.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Maisie Dobbs (Maisie Dobbs, #1); Author: Jacqueline Winspear; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Having never read Jacqueline Winspear before, I came to this book with no expectations, but having read it, I can see why it won various Best First Novel awards, and I look forward to reading more in the Maisie Dobbs series, altho I'm not sure the others can hold the emotional impact of this one. This was not a happy book, but like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, it has that 'rising-above-what-life-dealt you' aspect. Maisie was a poor girl in service who caught the attention of Lady Rowan and Maurice Blanche, who helped get her into university, where she was studying when her friend Enid was killed in an explosion at the munitions plant where she worked . Maisie took her friend's advice to 'do something' and enlisted in the nurse's corp (with forged papers). This story is told through Maisie's feelings and experiences in WWI and the years following. As a survivor of a serious head injury, Maisie has much empathy for all those who survived, many in much worse condition, whether their injuries were visible or not. This story gets very much into both the physical and psychological scars of those who survived the war, and leads into the cases she follows as an investigator. It will be interesting to see whether this same aspect follows into other books in the series.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Messenger of Truth (Maisie Dobbs, #4); Author: Jacqueline Winspear; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: Closer to 3.5* - this is the first Maisie Dobbs book that hasn't been a 4* for me. Everything just seemed to drag along for quite a while, altho it did definitely redeem itself in the last quarter. Lots of introspection (maybe too much?) and much thinking about endings and beginnings - makes me wonder what the next book will bring!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Flowers on Main (Chesapeake Shores, #2); Author: Sherryl Woods; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: more like 3.5* - not really a 4* but definitely more than 3; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: No Good Duke Goes Unpunished (The Rules of Scoundrels, #3); Author: Sarah MacLean; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: 4.5 for Temple, but Mara is another story altogether; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Dark Storm; Author: Christine Feehan; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: Dax has a lot to learn and get used to after being trapped for 500 years in a volcano with the master vampire Mitro. In spite of being of the old world, he accepted that Riley might have something to contribute to his fight against Mitro. I liked the way that Riley grew into her powers and her affinity to the earth, and I especially liked that Feehan made her a major part of the final fight with Mitro. Loved the Old One!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Leopard's Prey (Leopard People, #6); Author: Christine Feehan; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: A weak 4* but definitely stronger than 3, and I will continue this series, altho of course there'll be a wait.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Seducing an Angel (Huxtable Quintet #4); Author: Mary Balogh; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: A slow start and I was afraid I was going to be very disappointed, but Balogh pulled it off. Somewhat a weak 4, tho.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Speaking from Among the Bones (Flavia de Luce, #5); Author: Alan Bradley; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: Flavia finds another body - why are we not surprised?! But there is so much more going on in-between her detecting adventures that seem to be life-changing events for Flavia - her oldest sister is engaged to be married, and her beloved Buckshaw is for sale because of unpaid debts. And then there are other mysteries to be uncovered - Flavia is a very busy busy-body indeed! But of course she solves the mystery of the organist's death, altho I was a bit disappointed that Inspector Hewitt wasn't in the story more often. But then Alan Bradley has that cliff-hanger sentence at the end of the book. Thank heaven I'm late reading this one and can immediately pick up the next one.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Once Upon a Tower (Fairy Tales, #5); Author: Eloisa James; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I wish I could see what the 5* reviewers saw in this story, but I feel I'm being generous is rating it 3* - it was a weak 2.5* until the last 20 pages or so, so the hero's actions raised it to 3, but I can't say I really enjoyed this story until those last pages. Too bad...; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Death of a Snob (Hamish Macbeth, #6); Author: M.C. Beaton; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: I usually enjoy the Hamish stories, but this one was just plain boring - what happened? The most interesting character was Geordie's truck - 'Himself' drove Geordie crazy instead of just driving where Geordie wanted to go...; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Surprising Lord Jack (Duchess of Love, #2); Author: Sally MacKenzie; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Really 3.5 'cause I just couldn't buy into the idea that Lord Jack could have been fooled so easily. It was a light, funny read, tho.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lord of Wicked Intentions (The Lost Lords of Pembrook, #3); Author: Lorraine Heath; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Best in the trilogy of The Lost Lords of Pembrook! The more you read, the more your heart aches for Rafe. Don't know why I waited so long to read it, but now it makes me want to go back and revisit Sebastian's and Tristan's stories.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Aunt Dimity Beats the Devil (An Aunt Dimity Mystery, #6); Author: Nancy Atherton; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I always enjoy an Aunt Dimity adventure, but not that crazy about Lori's "roving eye", as Aunt Dimity calls it. Admittedly, this time she had some help from a yearning ghost who invaded Lori's feelings & actions, but still... It's getting harder to believe in Lori's love for Bill. Need to see more Lori-Bill interaction! As far as this story, I knew something was up with Adam, but was still taken by surprise.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Aunt Dimity: Detective (An Aunt Dimity Mystery, #7); Author: Nancy Atherton; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: It was nice to be back in Finch, and to actually see Bill in the story instead of just hearing about him. And like some other reviewers, I'm getting tired of Lori's 'wandering eye' since she doesn't seem to want to leave it at the 'look-don't-touch' stage.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: It Happened One Midnight (Pennyroyal Green, #8); Author: Julie Anne Long; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: When the only thing you can find wrong with a story is that the heroine is called Tommy, what else can you do but give it 5?! I fell in love with the Pennyroyal Green series from the very first, and altho there have been a couple of little blips along the way, I'm still in love. I admit a bias toward the Everseas (The Ballad of Colin Eversea seems to be mentioned or partially sung in every book), but Jonathon Redmond made a great hero in his battle against his father & cronies, and in his battle for and love for Thomasina (the afore-mentioned Tommy). Looking forward to Ian Eversea's book...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Game (Mary Russell, #7); Author: Laurie R. King; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Loved the emphasis on Rudyard Kipling's Kim, all grown up and now missing. So Mycroft sends Sherlock and Mary to India to find him. A big enjoyment is reading about their travels, and the very fortuitously discovered young man who guides them along the byways.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The God of the Hive (Mary Russell, #10); Author: Laurie R. King; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: This is really Part Two of the story that began in The Language of Bees, so be sure to read that first. Actually, to enjoy all the events that occur in these two books, start the series from the beginning - The Beekeeper's Apprentice. And to enjoy these books to the fullest, listen to them - the narrator (Jenny Sterlin) is fantastic!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Newcomer (Thunder Point, #2); Author: Robyn Carr; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: Really just 3.5, but giving it only 3* didn't seem quite fair.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Arrangement (The Survivors' Club #2); Author: Mary Balogh; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I love The Survivors' Club series! There's something about triumphing over seemingly disastrous situations that gets to me every time - and Mary Balogh makes you feel it right along with her characters. Vincent was blinded in battle at the age of 17 (I believe), and his loving and helpful mother and sisters are certain the solution to his problems is marriage to, of course, a woman of their choice. So to try to get back his independence, he flees his family and plans to hide out while he figures out the rest of his life. Sophia is a 'poor relation' who displeased her guardian and has been kicked out of the house. In despair, she goes to the rector as she has no other options than the street. Vincent learns of her situation and proposes marriage to her, finally convincing her that marriage will be beneficial to them both - she really has low self-esteem and initially feels that all the benefits of a marriage would come to her, since Vincent is wealthy and a viscount to boot. What follows is a beautiful journey, with Sophia learning she actually has value - what she does to help Vincent become more self-sufficient on his own estate is lovely to watch unfold. Their "arrangement" of a marriage becomes something beautiful to behold.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Murder on the Rocks (Mack's Bar Mystery, #1); Author: Allyson K. Abbott; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: I surprised myself with how much I liked this. Learned a lot about synesthesia (not sure how well I'd deal with that!), and learned how to make a lot of drinks I'll never make (but the recipes are included if you'd like to give them a try). Mack's synesthesia makes the story itself even better - in fact, its probably the main reason for the stars. I liked the way it all took place in the bar with the antics of the regular customers and their take on the murders.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Vixen in Velvet (The Dressmakers, #3); Author: Loretta Chase; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I was so entranced with Simon's unique solution at the end that I added 1/2* to my rating, so a weak 5. Why weak for this delightful read? I really like the descriptive segments (they are dressmakers after all), but at the same time I found myself turned off by the styles themselves - I usually dream about wearing the dresses described, but just couldn't get excited about many of them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dark Witch (The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy, #1); Author: Nora Roberts; Genres: history, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Sure and I love it when Nora takes me to Ireland! Altho, like other reviewers, I see her other series showing up here, it doesn't take away from her making me feel like I'm in Ireland. It looks like this trilogy is a recasting of the Blood Brothers trilogy, with the blood bond being real (cousins and brother/sister) instead of the blood ceremony shared by the young boys in Blood Brothers. And I agree with others that Branna & Fin are a repeat of Mia & Sam, but I'm just going to go ahead and enjoy it anyway. I still haven't gotten my real-life trip to Ireland, so for now this will have to do.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Look of Love (San Francisco Sullivans, #1; The Sullivans, #1); Author: Bella Andre; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: Just didn't do anything for me - sorry!; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Twisted (Tracers #5); Author: Laura Griffin; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: Good suspense with thriller aspect - not quite 4 but definitely more than 3; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Snowfall at Willow Lake (Lakeshore Chronicles, #4); Author: Susan Wiggs; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Kudos to Susan Wiggs for making this reader actually sympathize with some of Sophie's choices and actions - I say some because, as a mother, I can't accept her hands off/emotionless mothering prior to her epiphany ( when she was kidnapped and nearly died . This is a very weak 4, but the author kept me reading and involved, so it deserves more than 3.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Dual Image; Author: Nora Roberts; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: I feel kinda guilty giving Nora only 3 but that's what is was for 2/3 of the book. The last third brought it up to 3.5* with a couple of twists in the storyline, but it didn't catch me enough to make it 4.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: What the Duke Desires (The Duke's Men, #1); Author: Sabrina Jeffries; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: A very weak 4, but deserves more than 3; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Last Wicked Scoundrel; Author: Lorraine Heath; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, children, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: A bit disappointed that William Chase, the last of the Scoundrels of St. James, rated only a novella. I do understand that they've known each other for 3 years, but that was only because Winnie needed Dr. Chase's medical skills, and I was looking forward to a romantic development evolving instead of just suddenly being there. That said, I did enjoy it, but one rather major point in the story kept this from being 5. Now I'm looking forward to revisiting all the books before I read the stories about their children.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lost Lake (Lost Lake, #1); Author: Sarah Addison Allen; Genres: paranormal, romance, fantasy, fiction; Review: I feel guilty giving only 3* to a Sarah Addison Allen book - actually it's 3.5* - I liked it but didn't love it as much as previous books.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Brownies and Broomsticks (A Magical Bakery Mystery, #1); Author: Bailey Cates; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: More like 3.5, but the author enticed me to get the next book, so we'll call it 4; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: When the Marquess Met His Match (An American Heiress in London, #1); Author: Laura Lee Guhrke; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Could have been a 4, but proofing/editing errors pulled me out of the story too often - I tried to ignore them, but they just got in the way of the story ('she was in high dungeon' - really?!) But when Belinda's hat got removed twice in the same visit (she removed it, then Nicholas came in the room and removed it), I decided I couldn't award that 4th - a strong 3.5 for the story, but 3* overall.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Baby Bargain; Author: Dallas Schulze; Genres: romance; Review: This was a lot darker than I was expecting - Kelly has lived a miserable life with an abusive father, and Dan has his own heartache. Apparently there is a story before this one (The Vow?) in which he's the lost love of the heroine, presumed dead in a plane crash which killed his father. He actually ended up in a Central American prison for two years, so by the time he gets back his sweetheart has married his best friend. He has to live with that and the loss of a child he never knew was on the way (reason the best friend married his sweetheart). It's New Year's Eve, drink is involved, and Kelly ends up pregnant. This is basically the story of how two very wounded souls save each other.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Wicked Weaves (A Renaissance Faire Mystery, #1); Author: Joyce Lavene; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I love a good cozy-mystery, but this one just didn't do it for me. For one thing, I have to actually like the main character, and Jessie was too self-centered for my tastes. A cozy-mystery amateur has to stick her nose in where it doesn't belong - I get that. But Jessie's attitude of 'I'm-doing-this-for-their-own-good, why-don't-they-appreciate-me' got on my last nerve.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Thankless in Death (In Death, #37); Author: J.D. Robb; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Loved Eve, Roarke, and company as usual, but I just couldn't take being in the psycho-killer's head so much. I think a good part of my enjoyment is the way the stories are sequential and refer back to earlier characters.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Where'd You Go, Bernadette; Author: Maria Semple; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: This grew on me as I got familiar/comfortable with the format, but didn't quite make it to a 4* read for me.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Slay It with Flowers (A Flower Shop Mystery, #2); Author: Kate Collins; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: 3.5* really. I will be continuing with this cozy series, even though our heroine has some TSTL moments. What can I say - I like Marco!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Persuader (Jack Reacher, #7); Author: Lee Child; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Not my favorite Reacher to date. A weak 3, in great part because I got really tired of hearing "I said nothing." Maybe it's been happening all along and I just didn't notice it because I was more caught up in the story. Or maybe it's just me - my husband loves these books and is currently listening to them all over again!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Bluebird Winter (Spencer-Nyle Co #2.5); Author: Linda Howard; Genres: young-adult, romance, fiction; Review: I love Sarah's Child and reread it every year or two, so I was thrilled to find Derek Taliferro's story, since he was such an important and lovable secondary character in SC. However, I have to admit to feeling a little bit cheated, or feeling that Derek got cheated, with this being such a short story. I did enjoy it - just felt it needed more.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Moonlight On My Mind (Second Sons, #3); Author: Jennifer McQuiston; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: 4 is a little generous, but there were enough things in this that I liked that 3* wasn't really fair. I just had a really hard time understanding Julianne - because she was too vain to admit she couldn't see well, she basically gave a false statement to the magistrate and implicated Patrick in the murder of his brother. Now the earl is dead and the family is broken, so Julianne tries to 'fix' things. In fact, the whole story is about her trying to fix things without admitting how they got broken in the first place. I realize she is young, so that's the reason for my generous 4, but I was still bothered by her refusal to admit what she did.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Hero (Thunder Point, #3); Author: Robyn Carr; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: This was really a 3.5 read for me, but I upped it to 4* because I loved the fleshing-out of Rawley, the more-than-taciturn Vietnam vet who rescued Devon and her daughter and took them in.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Murder on the Rocks (Gray Whale Inn Mystery, #1); Author: Karen MacInerney; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: Good book for the first in a series, and especially good if you like home-made goodies, as the recipes are included at the back of the book. I like a heroine who's willing to strike out on her own, but when that character trait gets into the too-stupid-to live category, it takes away from the story for me. Natalie has only been out in her boat once with fairly poor results, but she takes it into Smuggler's Cove and tries to make sure that no one knows she's going there This was really a 3.5* read, but not strong enough for 4; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Books Can Be Deceiving (Library Lover's Mystery, #1); Author: Jenn McKinlay; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: This was my introduction to Jenn McKinlay, and I am already reading the 2nd book in this series. As a gal who grew up in a small town and has read tons of library books, I really fell for the small-town librarian theme.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Highlander Next Door (Spellbound Falls, #6); Author: Janet Chapman; Genres: history, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I love the products of Janet Chapman's imagination! The romances are great, of course, but I think it's the magic that makes her Highlander and Spellbound Falls books so great. And in this one, we see some of the results of what's happening with that new god that just barely manifested in For the Love of Magic. And it looks like this god is thinking modern and hands-on, unlike the Oceanuses, so looking for some possible conflict in the future.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Death by Rhubarb (Heaven Lee, #1); Author: Lou Jane Temple; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Heaven Lee may be sassy, brassy, and street-smart, but she just didn't do it for me as a main character. There were plenty of suspects to choose from for the crime, but Heaven's obsession with suspecting all of her exes was a bit much - in fact, she had a few too many exes! But what brought the book down from a weak 3 to my 2* rating was the insertion of the recipes into the story itself. Do I skip the recipes so the story flows, or do I read the recipes in case I want to try any of them?! After a while, I ended up skipping them because I knew I wouldn't search back through the story for a recipe I might try, which was a shame because I might have missed something good, but I got tired of losing the thread of the story.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: All Fudged Up (Candy-Coated, #1); Author: Nancy CoCo; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: Actually 3.5* A good start to a new-to-me cozy mystery series. Too many tempting recipes, since I have to limit my sweets intake, but easy reading - will continue the series.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Sleight of Paw (A Magical Cats Mystery, #2); Author: Sofie Kelly; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Not quite a 4, since I knew who the bad guy was way too early, but I love the magical involvement of her cats.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Dark Wolf (Dark, #22); Author: Christine Feehan; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance; Review: Been waiting a long time for Dimitri & Skyler's story and whizzed right through itl Fortunately I knew that Dark Lycan and Dark Wolf were closely connected, so I had this on hand before I read Dark Lycan. Really 4.5, but I liked the way Skyler could accomplish what all the strong Carpathian warriors couldn't! And I really enjoyed the close friendship between Skyler, Josef, and Paul.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: State of the Onion (A White House Chef Mystery, #1); Author: Julie Hyzy; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: This book started out with a bang - literally - but then had too many ups and downs to make it a strong read. I give it 3.5, but did like it enough to get the next book in the series, Hail to the Chef. I'll see how that one goes before I judge the whole series.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Murder on Astor Place (Gaslight Mystery, #1); Author: Victoria Thompson; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I liked this one so much that I immediately ordered book 2 in the series. I like the turn-of-the-century setting and the idea that Sarah has lived both in the world of the haves and the have-nots, and how she has created a new life for herself.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Murder on St. Mark's Place (Gaslight Mystery, #2); Author: Victoria Thompson; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I'm really enjoying this series about life in turn-of-the-century New York. We mainly see it through the eyes of Sarah Brandt, a widowed midwife, so we see a lot of the woes and worries and often sad lives of the non-privileged. Even though Sarah grew up as one of the Knickerbockers, she left that life when she decided to marry someone of whom her parents didn't approve. I'm warming up more to Sgt Frank Malloy as we learn more about his sad history, and see him finally realizing he can have a relationship with his young son. The mystery unfolded more easily for the reader than for Sarah and Frank, although admittedly they did all the work and I just reaped the benefits!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Murder on Gramercy Park (Gaslight Mystery, #3); Author: Victoria Thompson; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: There are several reasons why I like this series so much - I love the turn-of-the-century setting, I strongly admire Sarah Brandt, and I love the way the character of Frank Malloy is developing into someone with a conscience. It's also heartening to see the relationship developing between Frank and his son Brian. And also, inevitably, a positive change in the way Frank and Sarah relate to each other. I just ordered the next in the series.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Texan's Luck (Wife Lottery, #3); Author: Jodi Thomas; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: A very strong 3 but not quite enough for 4, especially comparing it to the first one in the Wife Lottery. Over all, though, this series (all 4 books) made for a great read.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Farm Fresh Murder (A Farmers' Market Mystery, #1); Author: Paige Shelton; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: 2.5 but really couldn't give it 3* - I usually round up but this just dragged; I had to remind myself that I had this in a challenge so I couldn't quit. It did get better about 2/3 of the way in, but not enough to give it that boost up. I realize I'm in the minority here - I see lots of 4* ratings, so I may give the next one in the series a try to be fair to the author.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Eggs Benedict Arnold (Cackleberry Club, #2); Author: Laura Childs; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Wanted to like this a lot more than I did. Just got too overwhelmed with all the activities the three ladies had going on. And Suzanne's too-stupid-to-live behavior. The author might have redeemed herself with the character of the homeless man and how he fit in, but then added another TSTL moment.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: The Third Circle (Arcane Society, #4); Author: Amanda Quick; Genres: history, fiction, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: My reads of the Arcane Society are usually 4 & 5* reads, but this just came out as 3.5* - not sure if that's because I read it out of order (I just recently discovered that I had skipped this one), or because I wasn't exactly taken with Thaddeus' paranormal skill of hypnosis; just something about being under someone else's control. This won't stop me from reading them - in fact, I just picked up In Too Deep.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater; Author: Kurt Vonnegut Jr.; Genres: paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: When I finished listening to this, I was grateful for two things: That I was done with the book and that I didn't pay very much for it. I've read good satire, but this was more slapstick-with-a-trowel. Obviously, Kurt Vonnegut is not for me.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Witches' Bane (China Bayles, #2); Author: Susan Wittig Albert; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Since I liked Thyme of Death 4* worth, I was looking forward to book 2. I wanted to like this, but too often I had to make myself pick up the book and continue reading - not a good sign. I persevered, but I have to say, China, I don't know why your boyfriend loves you! . Things did pull together enough to make it 2.5* but definitely didn't approach 3* - too bad!; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Death of a Nag (Hamish Macbeth, #11); Author: M.C. Beaton; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: This one just dragged for me - I was pretty sure who the murderer was early on, but had to wait for Hamish to provide the motive. Everything just seemed so dull and dreary - and then Beaton had to kill off Towser! The last one wasn't all that great, either even with the breakup with Priscilla . I think I'll be moving on - goodbye Hamish...; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Girl with Glasses: My Optic History; Author: Marissa Walsh; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, romance, fiction; Review: As a girl with glasses, I really thought I'd be able to relate, but I had to force myself to finish. An eye exam is a sexual experience? Really?!; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: England My England: Anglophilia Explained; Author: Mark Dery; Genres: history, poetry, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction; Review: I was expecting "Anglophilia Explained" - I didn't get it. What I did get out of it was one man's explanation of his childhood anglophilia - not really interesting at all.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Worst Ideas Ever: A Celebration of Embarrassment; Author: Daniel B. Kline; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: I got this for a bargain price, and it sounded like it should be a humorous read, but I was underwhelmed - I guess just like many of the Worst Ideas Ever!; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Three Dirty Women and the Garden of Death; Author: Julie Wray Herman; Genres: thriller, crime, mystery; Review: 'Oh, good', I thought. This has older women as the main characters, and as there are three of them, I'll be seeing through more than one person's eyes (my main problem with first person). Alas! I had to work hard to find characters to like, and since Korine turned out to be the really main character, that was difficult to do. I did like Janey & J.J., and Chaz, but that wasn't enough to get me happily through the book, altho I did finish it.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Rotten to the Core (Orchard, #2); Author: Sheila Connolly; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Apologies to those who love this series, but Meg just isn't doing anything for me. The first book, One Bad Apple was a weak 3* for me, so I decided that was just because the author was setting the scene and things would liven up, but it didn't happen. I guessed the who early on, and even guessed what was going on at the celebration dinner before it even happened.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: You Better Knot Die (Crochet Mystery, #5); Author: Betty Hechtman; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: I usually start a series at the beginning, so I can learn about the characters and not get 'lost' in future books, but I needed a book beginning with 'Y' so I jumped in here. This was a strong 3.5* read for me, but I bumped it up to 4* to be fair about jumping into the middle of the series. Will try to find book one and read them in order.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Aunt Dimity: Snowbound (Aunt Dimity #9); Author: Nancy Atherton; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Only Lori could go for a day hike in excellent weather and end up snowbound in a strange place - with 2 more Americans, no less (recall that they're in England!) Good think Bill thought to remind her to take Aunt Dimity along as a hiking companion - and Reginald always goes along, of course, peeking out of the top of her daypack.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Death, Taxes, and Peach Sangria (Tara Holloway, #4); Author: Diane Kelly; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I've been having fun with Tara Holloway and her friends and co-workers. So why only 2* for this one? Tara spends way too much time on trying to figure out how to have her cake and eat it, too. She has the hots for Nick, but wants to enjoy him while keeping Brett on the back burner in case things don't work out with Nick. She came across as a user, and I can't enjoy a heroine I have no respect for.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Death, Taxes, and Green Tea Ice Cream (Tara Holloway, #6); Author: Diane Kelly; Genres: mystery, thriller, comics, crime, graphic, romance, fiction; Review: I usually start a series at the beginning of the series, but I guess my brain was out to lunch when I got this one, because I thought I was starting at the beginning. It didn't take much reading for me to figure out that there were things I should already know, so I looked it up and saw #6 in the title - big Oops! Nevertheless, I really enjoyed Tara and her friends and co-workers, and immediately requested the first 4 books from the library (that's all they had). Even though I now know how #5 ends, I'll likely be buying that one to read all the events that led up to this very enjoyable book.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: One Touch of Scandal (Fraternitas Aureae Crucis, #1); Author: Liz Carlyle; Genres: history, romance, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Not my favorite Liz Carlyle story, but 3* wasn't enough, so it's a weak 4. Part of the problem may be that I read book #3 first, not realizing it was part of a series. I now have the rest of the series, so hopefully it will grow on me.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Confessions of a Viscount; Author: Shirley Karr; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: 3.5 bumped up to 4* because I loved the ingenuity of the hero in setting the stage over and over. And I like the idea of a lady spy .; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Once More, My Darling Rogue (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, #2); Author: Lorraine Heath; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: OK, it's really more like 3.5, but I just couldn't give it just 3, even though Ophelia was such a very unlikeable character at the beginning. Phee, however, was a completely different personality, the one Ophelia should have been all along. I do like how the previous characters keep popping up in these books.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Homecoming (Thunder Point, #6); Author: Robyn Carr; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: I guess it's really 2.5, but the writing just seemed too wooden and flat for me to become engaged in the story. I believed the romance -sort of, but again, I didn't feel engaged in the characters. Maybe I need to swear off Ms. Carr for a while.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Permed to Death (Bad Hair Day Mystery, #1); Author: Nancy J. Cohen; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: I've heard really good things about this author, so I was surprised at how much I really couldn't get into this story. I'll be generous and call it 2.5, but calling it 3* would mean I liked it, and I didn't, not really.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Pirate King (Mary Russell, #11); Author: Laurie R. King; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: I was warned that Pirate King was not up to the usual standards for this series, so I put it aside for quite a while - after the intensity of books 9 & 10, I didn't want to face the possibility of a downer. Unfortunately, my warnings were correct. Because I love this series, I kept on reading/listening, and was relieved to find that the story did actually pick up near the end, enough to raise it to 3. Now I have to ponder whether to pick up the next in the series (is the magic gone?) or go back to the beginning and revisit the magic...; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: To Scotland with Love (Kilts and Quilts, #1); Author: Patience Griffin; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: Really closer to 3.5, but just couldn't like it enough for 4, mainly because I ran out of patience with Cait. She insisted for way too long that her gran didn't love her/hated her, even tho Deydie had been trying for years to get Cait to come back home for visits. Even when the quilters accepted her, she still felt sorry for herself. Eventually, she came around, but it just took too long.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Long Way Home (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #10); Author: Louise Penny; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: A bit of a letdown from all the others in the series, but still an enjoyable listen. I would love to see the Garden of Cosmic Speculation, though I doubt I'll be visiting Dumfries, Scotland, especially on that one magical day.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust (Flavia de Luce, #7); Author: Alan Bradley; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: A very reluctant 4 - definitely not my favorite Flavia novel - so glad she's going back to Buckley and Bishop's Lacey! I missed all the usual secondary characters, and am disappointed that we really didn't learn any more about Harriet or about the Nide - or will this be an ongoing theme?; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind (Miss Julia, #1); Author: Ann B. Ross; Genres: thriller, crime, mystery, fiction; Review: Julia has always done what the men in her life told her to do ("When Papa said 'Jump', I was always the first one in the air"). At least she had always done as told until her husband of 44 years died of a heart attack ("Right in our driveway. In his new Buick Park Avenue.") Then she found out that this man she had always honored and obeyed had a mistress and a son - a son who was dropped off on her doorstep because Julia's philandering husband had made no arrangement for the mistress ("Wesley Lloyd didn't leave me a red cent... not even the house I been livin' in some twelve years now"). And off goes the mistress to get some training, leaving her son with Julia. Then strange things begin happening, and Julia begins to speak her mind - and change her behavior! A very enjoyable read, and I already have the next in the series.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Villa; Author: Nora Roberts; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: Maddy made this a 4* for me, and she's not even one of the 'heroines'!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Daring Miss Danvers: The Wallflower Wedding Series; Author: Vivienne Lorret; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I like trying new authors - you never know when you'll find an absolute gem. However, this one was just OK - I loved the concept and mostly liked the way it unfolded, but the secrets and misunderstandings lasted too long, and it just didn't give me the spark that tells me I'm having fun. I picked up the trilogy, tho, so will continue with it and hope I feel that spark!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Finding Miss McFarland (Wallflower Weddings, #3); Author: Vivienne Lorret; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I bought this trilogy by an unknown-to-me author because the theme sounded interesting, maybe even intriguing, but sadly the intriguing part didn't happen for me. The first two were weak 3, and this one was teetering on the edge, but what completed the fall to 2 was something that should have been trivial, but kept getting in the way of the story. The first time I saw Warthall Place, I read it as Wart-hall, and that just took me way out of the story (who wants warts?), so I tried pronouncing it War-thall (maybe that's what the author meant). But every time it came up, I instinctively read Wart-hall. I just couldn't get back to that weak 3* - it was just OK.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: A Peach of a Murder (A Fresh-Baked Mystery, #1); Author: Livia J. Washburn; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Good first book in a series that I plan on continuing! It involves senior citizens and retired teachers, both of which describe me, so I was able to (mostly) relate. I also enjoy baking, so that works for me as well. Kudos to the author for doing a good job of masking the identity of the murderer, which I did not figure out until the main character did.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lady Be Good (Wynette, Texas #2); Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: I previously read one book by Phillips and was not overly impressed, so I decided to move on to other books and other authors. Now SEP is the featured author of the month, so I decided to give her one more try, and went for a different series. Well, lazy Kenny and Lady Emma did it for me!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Viper Game (GhostWalkers, #11); Author: Christine Feehan; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I loved the GhostWalker series when it began, but now things are going past bizarre. I get it that Whitney is a mad scientist, but isn't it about time that they start catching/exposing some of the government people that are behind his funding?! Please, Christine!! This is 4* only because I loved Nonny and the three little vipers, and of course the total brotherhood of Ezekiel, Malachi and Mordechai. Otherwise it's just a 3* because most of the 'love' scenes were really violent sex - a big turn-off for me.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Slice of Murder (Pizza Lovers, #1); Author: Chris Cavender; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: 3.5, but I can no longer eat pizza that often (darn it!). Will likely continue the series...; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Not Always a Saint (The Lost Lords, #7); Author: Mary Jo Putney; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I love the Lost Lord series, and enjoyed this one as well - just not as much as the others. This is really 3.5 but doesn't quite rise to 4; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: When the Rogue Returns (The Duke's Men, #2); Author: Sabrina Jeffries; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Strong 3.5, but definitely different enough to give it more than 3; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Only a Promise (The Survivors' Club, #5); Author: Mary Balogh; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: What can I say that others haven't already expressed so well. Ms. Balogh's Survivors' Club series has grabbed me emotionally with every book. My heart aches with the sorrow and pain and frustration of each character as they deal with the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, both the physical and emotional scars of that war. In Ralph's case, the emotional scar of watching his three best friends blown up in front of his eyes (after having convinced them to join up with him) is devastating, so when he decides that he must marry to preserve the dukedom, he welcomes the opportunity to have a loveless marriage with Chloe. Chloe has her own problems, having been run out of London twice over scandals not of her making, so marriage and a life in the country sounds like the solution to her problem. Then Ralph's grandfather (the duke) dies, and their life-altering story begins, because a young duke can't just hide in the country, can he?; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Garden of Secrets (Angel's Bay, #5); Author: Barbara Freethy; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery; Review: A very weak 3 for me - too easy to put down, and I'm not a fan of romantic triangles, especially when they last practically to the end. I did notice that many reviewers gave this 4/5, so take my rating with a grain of salt.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Forgotten Sins (Sin Brothers, #1); Author: Rebecca Zanetti; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: A strong 3.5, but definitely enough to have me order the next in the series. Have to read the stories of the other Dean brothers (or is it the Gray brothers?) - and see what else the commander has in store for them.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Murder on the Ghost Walk (Magnolia Mysteries, #1); Author: Ellen Elizabeth Hunter; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Good premise, but it just didn't engage me at all.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Only a Kiss (The Survivors' Club, #6); Author: Mary Balogh; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Another excellent, heart-rending story in The Survivors' Club series. Looking forward to the story for the Duke of Stanbrook...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Wicked Intentions (Maiden Lane, #1); Author: Elizabeth Hoyt; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: A strong 3.5, so I'm bumping it up to 4 and definitely continuing the series.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Alpha and Omega (Alpha & Omega, #0.5); Author: Patricia Briggs; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: A big thank you to all the Patricia Briggs fans who kept saying, 'You've gotta read Alpha & Omega before Cry Wolf.' I really lucked out - I picked up Cry Wolf from the library and it included A&M as a bonus at the beginning of the book. I loved Charles in this novella and cried for Anna. I am guessing that Anna's strength will come out sometime in Cry Wolf, which I have already started.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Wild Cat (Leopard People, #8); Author: Christine Feehan; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Really 3.5* but 3* just isn't enough; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy (Smythe-Smith Quartet, #4); Author: Julia Quinn; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I think I'm being very generous with 3. Why? The Smythe-Smith books have just not had the appeal I'm used to, and this one was the worst - a pox on you, Sir Richard! The book was a quick read, but the sudden happy resolve just didn't do it for me. Julia Quinn has been an auto-buy for years, but it's beginning to look like I should go back to her earlier books and enjoy them all over again.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Nemesis (FBI Thriller, #19); Author: Catherine Coulter; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: This is closer to 3.5 but doesn't meet my 4* criteria. I've been reading this series for years (started in print form and now doing audiobooks). I don't know whether I've become too critical, or whether the books have lost some of their touch.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Devoted in Death (In Death, #41); Author: J.D. Robb; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Deputy Banner definitely moved this up from a strong 4* to the full 5s; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dukes Prefer Blondes (The Dressmakers, #4); Author: Loretta Chase; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Finished Dukes Prefer Blondes this morning (Feb. 6) and loved it. It was interesting to see how the author followed the different-stations-in-life theme of the Dressmakers series, but did it in reverse. And I absolutely loved the dialogue between Clara and Raven!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Legend of Lyon Redmond (Pennyroyal Green, #11); Author: Julie Anne Long; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Finally got the story of Olivia and Lyon, and it was mostly worth waiting for. But I dropped my rating a full star, not because of that epilogue that was really out of left field, but because Olivia waited until they were actually at the altar saying their vows before she said 'I don't' - how cold! However, I will be rereading the entire Pennyroyal Green series!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (Pink Carnation, #1); Author: Lauren Willig; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: A solid 4 due to the excellent narration of Kate Reading. The historical story was a bit over the top in places, but overall very enjoyable.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Mad for the Plaid (The Oxenburg Princes, #3); Author: Karen Hawkins; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Close to 3.5* but doesn't merit 4* from me.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Prince Who Loved Me (The Oxenburg Princes, #1); Author: Karen Hawkins; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Really a low 3* - more like 2.5; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Prince and I (The Oxenburg Princes, #2); Author: Karen Hawkins; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This was given to me by a friend (thanks, Kate) just because it was on my wish list! Now that's a friend!! I enjoyed but did not love this book, so it gets a weak 4.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Dog Named Christmas (A Dog Named Christmas #1); Author: Greg Kincaid; Genres: history, young-adult, children, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: I've had this audiobook on my iPod for over two years - decided to start listening to it while taking a walk, and when we got back home I just sat down and listened until I finished it. Very heartwarming, with a family facing some very realistic and challenging problems - trust Todd to figure out how to do some healing!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Cat Who Came for Christmas; Author: Cleveland Amory; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, comics, children, crime, paranormal, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: I did not know until reading this book that Cleveland Amory is a lifelong animal activist, and this book was as much about that as it was about Polar Bear, the cat Amory helped rescue on Christmas Eve, the cat he (a dog lover) decided to keep instead of just shelter overnight, and the inevitable discovery that people do not own cats but are owned by them.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Because of Miss Bridgerton (Rokesbys, #1); Author: Julia Quinn; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Really 3.5* but didn't make the 4* - I wanted to like it a lot more than I actually did. Maybe I'm judging it a little too harshly? I'll do a reread in a few months and see - after all, I can't really get rid of a Julia Quinn book - and there is that Pall Mall game...; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: A Buccaneer at Heart (The Adventurers Quartet, #2); Author: Stephanie Laurens; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, comics, crime, graphic, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: This is a 4* mainly because of Aileen - otherwise it's 3.5; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Daredevil Snared (The Adventurers Quartet, #3); Author: Stephanie Laurens; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, comics, crime, graphic, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Really closer to 3.5, but 3* isn't enough. The tension in the slaving compound and the mining stratagems (delaying tactics) brought the tension level up and counterbalanced the author's writing style. And the cliffhanger was really expected, since the 4th and final mission is in the last book.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lord of the Privateers (The Adventurers Quartet, #4); Author: Stephanie Laurens; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, comics, crime, paranormal, graphic, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: A good resolution to the ongoing rescue efforts and the catching of the masterminds, bringing in all the heroes/heroines from the first 3 books in the quartet, as well as some characters from other series. With all that, it should be 4, but the best I could one up with was 3.5 and just didn't make that leap to a 4, I think perhaps because I started this quartet with far more interest than I ended it.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Someone to Love (Westcott, #1); Author: Mary Balogh; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Anna Snow is a Cinderella with a conscience - she realizes that her good fortune comes at a cost to others. While she tries very hard to learn how to fit into her new station in life, she doesn't forget or turn her back on those she left behind. She finally has what she always wanted in life - family - and does all in her power to make them family in truth.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Perks of Loving a Scoundrel (Seduction Diaries, #3); Author: Jennifer McQuiston; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Really more like 3.5, but needed more than a 3; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Spinster's Guide to Scandalous Behavior (Seduction Diaries, #2); Author: Jennifer McQuiston; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Really 3.5* but couldn't up to it 4; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Chimes; Author: Charles Dickens; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: A short Christmas story that left me feeling I needed more...something. Perhaps this is one book that I would have enjoyed more by actually reading rather than listening to it; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: The Call of the Wild; Author: Mitsu Yamamoto; Genres: history, children, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: I haven't read this since high school, and I think perhaps I enjoyed it more now than I did then. London's descriptions of the sled dogs' emotions was masterful. The Call of the Wild belongs on a classics list and on Children/YA reading lists, so it's hard to realize that Jack London did not enjoy writing (except for the "serious" works that were critical of the industrial system, and part of that comes through here in his love of the untouched wilderness); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Hero in the Highlands (No Ordinary Hero, #1); Author: Suzanne Enoch; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Really 4.5, but Gabriel is such a wonderful, caring guy that 4* wasn't enough, so I bumped it up.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Marry in Haste; Author: Anne Gracie; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Beginning of another great series - the only thing that threw me off was the spelling of Emmaline's nickname; every time I saw 'Emm' I found myself reading 'Emma' - it took me a while to do it right! I love all of Anne Gracie's series, and always look forward to a good reread.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Someone to Hold (Westcott, #2); Author: Mary Balogh; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: A strong 4.5, so of course it had to become 5. I didn't like Camille at all in the first book of this trilogy, but once I got into her head, I naturally became very sympathetic to her downward change of status, and admired her for her efforts in adjusting to that drastic change. It is her growth in character that made me adjust my rating upward.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband (Rokesbys, #2); Author: Julia Quinn; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Maybe 3.5, but I have the same feeling about this Rokesby book as I had with the first one - Because of Miss Bridgerton. Another reviewer called that book 'Julia Quinn-lite'. I agreed with that and this has the same feel. Time to go back to the original Bridgerton series...; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: An Affair with a Notorious Heiress (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, #4); Author: Lorraine Heath; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: 3.5 upped to 4* because 3* just didn't seem enough.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Bound Together (Sea Haven/Sisters of the Heart, #6); Author: Christine Feehan; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: 4.5* round up to 5* because this is such a good series...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Seven Minutes in Heaven (Desperate Duchesses by the Numbers, #3; Desperate Duchesses, #9); Author: Eloisa James; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: closer to 3.5; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Power Game; Author: Christine Feehan; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: 3.5 upped to 4* because I really fell for Zeke's soft side, which he tried so hard to hide from others.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Proper Way to Stop a Wedding. In Seven Days or Less (The Lady Travelers Society, #0.5); Author: Victoria Alexander; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Enjoyable story - interesting premise and fairly well carried out, but nothing to excite. Typical novella fare - it definitely couldn't have lasted for a full novel.; Rating: 3.0/5.0	goodreads
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows: Title: The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort; City: Kiawah Island South Carolina; Review: I was walking to my car after a beautiful fireworks show at the resort. A valet driver came speeding by me and my children and almost hit us. I stopped to tell him to slow down and he yelled out of the window to get out of the way. How disrespectful after all the money we paid.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Secrets The Vine Cancun; City: Cancun Yucatan Peninsula; Review: Beautiful honeymoon room for our 11 year anniversary. Terrible room service. Forgot to turn our room down amongst other things. Beautiful resort but they push the wine too much especially when they clearly see me drinking a martini. Terrible night life. Karaoke shouldn't be the highlight of the evening.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica; City: Gulf of Papagayo Province of Guanacaste; Review: This was a very unique resort spot. Beautiful in a nature loving way. I've been to several secrets but this one lacked night life. Very small and quiet. If you are looking for quiet and love to meet people go there. The resort is very small compared to other secrets. Preferred club is a must for this resort and ask for a room in the 100 level!!! Iguanas hang by the pools.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Disney s Wilderness Lodge; City: Orlando Florida; Review: We had a wonderful time at this resort. We had a short visit to Orlando and loved every bit of this resort. It was very convenient to all parks and the bus system was quick. The room was amazing! My kids loved their bunk beds and the pools were nice! They were putting up the lobby Christmas tree when we arrived so my kids got to see it in action! That was beautiful!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Sandpearl Resort; City: Clearwater Florida; Review: My family decided to come here for the weekend before we boarded our cruise ship. I have not been happy with this Resort. When you enter the entrance smells like sewer. The public beach access is right next door and anyone can walk into this resort because their security isn't strict. I saw the security catch a few people swimming in the pool who didn't belong to the resort. I think this happens a lot. The beach is NOT private. The fee come with free wifi and water. Ask for water bottles anytime. It is included. Overall the place is beautiful but leave the property and you are feeling like spring break in myrtle beach.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos Beach Resort; City: Cabo San Lucas Los Cabos Baja California; Review: We are expert all inclusive resort people. We have never experienced such poor service before. All food and bar service was extremely slow. There were not enough bars at this resort for it to be an all inclusive. The resort needs to pick one, be an all inclusive or don’t. It was a very beautiful place but the service was 2 stars. The bar lines were too long (all of the time) and the workers liked to socialize more than work.; Rating: 2.0/5.0	hotelrec
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Adam Resurrected; Brand: Jeff Goldblum; Review: Although the story was disturbing, the performance by Mr. Goldblum was nothing short of amazing. Not since "One flew over the Cuckoos nest" has the fine line between sanity and otherwise been so artfully performed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Hondo VHS; Brand: John Wayne; Review: If you like GREAT horseback chases, riding, and a bit of romance, then this is a great movie for you! John Wayne is put into a moral quandry in this movie that makes for an interesting plot, as well.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dredd; Brand: Lena Headey; Review: This is one of the few well crafted action movies of late. Of course, if you cannot stand shoot em up movies, then this is definitely not for you. The tension between Dredd and his trainee, created a sense of realism for me, which is difficult to relay in a Sci-Fi setting.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Star Trek; Brand: Chris Pine; Review: What a great movie for Star Trek fans. It was great fun to see the new crew emulate some of the original characters' qualities and unique styles.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Star Trek XI; Brand: ; Review: What a great movie for Star Trek fans. It was great fun to see the new crew emulate some of the original characters' qualities and unique styles.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Escape; Brand: Isabel Christine Andreasen; Review: Wow, was this an entertaining movie! The story is set during the worst years of the Black Plague in Europe. Many people have died, some have lived and are moving away from the Cities of Death, while witch hunts are conducted trying to find Scapegoats for the pestilence. The cinematography is amazing, the Countryside of Norway beautiful, and the story is compelling. If you are into the Hunger Games, you'll love this medieval take on a young girl who must rise to the occasion to defend her "family." There is not much dialogue so it is easy to follow the English subtitles. But the story is vividly told by the actions of the characters and their good performances. There is nothing simple about this movie, the hurt and desperate nature of the times is dramatically portrayed. You won't be disappointed!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Homefront; Brand: Jason Statham; Review: Filthy language throughout, so this will definitely offend the sensitive. I've many Jason Statham movies, but this one takes the cake for expletives.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Defiance [Blu-ray]; Brand: Daniel Craig; Review: Did you know that small numbers of Jews were able to hide from the Nazis, in the dense forests of what is now modern day Ukraine? How was that possible? This movie brings the Actors who portray "James Bond" and "Sabretooth-XMEN" to recreate a TRUE story. Yes, it deals with the subject of the Holocaust, but it is not a morose and contemplative film. Most of the movie is edgy and action packed. This movie is a new classic which has been enjoyed by my entire family and many of my friends. I highly recommend it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: State of Play; Brand: ; Review: If you missed this movie in the theaters, rent it now! This is one of the best corporate espionage/political thrillers I have ever seen. It kept me intrigued throughout. No implausible, high voltage action scenes. If you enjoy NCIS on T.V. you will love this movie.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Tin Star VHS; Brand: Henry Fonda; Review: Henry Fonda plays a man soured on law enforcement because the citizens who hired him were weak cowards. He comes across a young Anthony Perkins who has just been appointed Sheriff of a town populated with the very likes of the people that Henry Fonda loathes. So begins the tutelage of Anthony Hopkins' character... like Fonda's character says, "Gunfighting is easy, learning men is hard." Anyone who has ever been a LEO can attest to the fact that learning human nature is the toughest part of the job. If you haven't seen this movie, but you liked, "The man who shot Liberty Valance", I'm sure you'll agree, this is one great Western!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: I am Number Four anglais; Brand: ; Review: Trust the critical reviews. This is a movie that must have been marketed for the "Tween" audience. There is absolutely NOTHING new here for Sci-Fi fans, from the brooding twilight-esque actors, to the been done before monsters a'la Harry Potter. I was disappointed to say the least.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Automata; Brand: Antonio Banderas; Review: A very thoughtful work that won't appeal to "Transformers" fans. An Insurance agent witnesses the birth of artificial intelligence during his wife's 3rd trimester of pregnancy. His beautiful wife's sensuality is juxtaposed to the sensitivity of a "pleasure-bot." This is an artistic rendering of man's last hurrah on Earth. The "life finds a way" theory of evolution, revisited.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: War of the Arrows; Brand: Hae-il Park; Review: Great flick and Western viewers should easily enjoy this beautifully filmed movie.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: November Man; Brand: Catarina Scorsone; Review: Slow, benign plot with zero intrigue. I fell asleep 1/2 way through it. Definitely not up to Mr. Brosnan's best work as 007.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: People Will Talk VHS; Brand: Cary Grant; Review: Do Physicians heal only with pills, knives, and injections, or can their patients also be healed by compassion and a genuine concern for their welfare? Do we value our social status in life, more than our compassion for another human being? Can we protect the dignity of another person with all our heart and energy? These are just a couple of the fascinating topics explored by this wonderful movie. A simply fantastic movie full of social commentary that is just as relevant now as it was over 60 years ago when this movie was filmed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Physician (2013) [ Blu-Ray, Reg.A/B/C Import - Germany ]; Brand: Stellan Skarsgard; Review: Very well done movie! Although the screenplay writers took some license, the movie plot was good and both my Wife and I enjoyed this show after reading the book. You will need to closely follow the dialogue though, because like many modern movies, the directors don't care if heavily accented English cannot be understood by their audiences.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Purple Plain 1954; Brand: Gregory Peck; Review: A psychological thriller set during WWII. Don't let the funky movie poster throw you off. This is a very interesting film. The old melodrama is fun but the underlying current of just who is sane during wartime, makes this a very intriguing tale. It should have been called, "A war of wills."; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Labyrinth of Lies; Brand: Lukas Miko; Review: Amazingly, the German kids in school immediately after the War were never taught about the Nazis' "Final Solution." This very true story is a docu-drama about the first German prosecutions of Nazi War Criminals, living anonymously in Germany in the 1960's. It is absolutely incredible that young Lawyers, Police, and Teachers knew nothing about the Concentration camps...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Passengers; Brand: David Morse; Review: Good idea and I really like Anne Hathaway, but a poor screenplay ruined this movie.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Gifted Hands - Il Dono [Italian Edition]; Brand: cuba gooding jr; Review: A very well done biography of Dr. Ben Carson. He is a self-made man who is devoted to G_D. His life is an inspiration to people born into difficult family situations. It is a testament to how a love for reading can inspire people to achieve! And for you folks who hate all things conservative, this movie was made long before Dr. Carson launched his political career.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: An Inspector Calls (Region 3 DVD / Non USA Region) (English Subtitled); Brand: Louis Koo; Review: A Really top rate morality play. How deeply does money corrupt all sense of fair play and goodness? We find out in one family's lives. Fine acting and a tale that will keep you riveted to your seat.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Movies_and_TV
Given the interaction history of a user with Wikipedia articles as follows: Title: Arena Civica; Description: football stadium Title: Ladislav Šubrt; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Franz Radakovics; Description: Austrian association football player Title: Franz Schilling; Description: Wikipedia disambiguation page Title: Leopold Facco; Description: Austrian association football player Title: Hans Frankenstein; Description: Austrian association football referee Title: Leopold Vogl; Description: Austrian association football player Title: Ignaz Sigl; Description: Austrian association football player Title: Johann Hoffmann; Description: Wikipedia disambiguation page Title: Johann Hoffmann; Description: Association footballer Title: Josef Chloupek; Description: Austrian association football player Title: Richard Fischer; Description: association football player Title: Vlastimil Borecký; Description: association football player Title: Otto Marischka; Description: Association footballer Title: Robert Pavlicek; Description: Austrian association football player Title: Siegfried Joksch; Description: Association footballer Title: Franz Runge; Description: association football player Title: Mathieu André; Description: French association football player Title: Anton Artes; Description: Austrian association football player Title: Franz Chloupek; Description: Austrian association football player Title: Richard Hanke; Description: Association footballer Title: Adolf Vogl; Description: Austrian association football player Title: Josef Mirschitzka; Description: Austrian association football player Title: Franz Schilling; Description: speed skater from Austria Title: Wilhelm Hahnemann; Description: German footballer Title: Karl Huber; Description: Austrian footballer Title: Karl Schott; Description: Austrian association football player Title: Karl Durspekt; Description: association football player Title: Friederich Franzl; Description: Austrian footballer Title: Georg Braun; Description: Austrian footballer Title: Rudolf Schlauf; Description: Association footballer Title: Willibald Hahn; Description: Association footballer Title: Category:Helsingborgs IF managers; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:IF Elfsborg managers; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Mjällby AIF managers; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Franz Hanreiter; Description: association football player Title: Category:SC Hakoah Wien footballers; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Johann Klima; Description: Austrian association football player Title: Category:Moss FK managers; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Stuttgarter Kickers managers; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Johann Hoffmann; Description: German neurologist Title: Heinrich Retschury; Description: Austrian football player Title: Template:FK Austria Wien seasons; Description: Wikimedia template Title: Template:SK Rapid Wien seasons; Description: Wikimedia template Title: Otto Noll; Description: Austrian association football player Title: Ludwig Hussak; Description: Association footballer Title: Ladislaus Kurpiel; Description: football player Title: Leopold Grundwald; Description: association football player Title: Willibald Stejskal; Description: Association footballer Title: Category:Austrian football clubs 1920–21 season; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Gustav Putzendopler; Description: association football player Title: Josef Madlmayer; Description: Association footballer Title: Walter Feigl; Description: Association footballer Title: Category:Association football club seasons navigational boxes; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Association football clubs 1921 season; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Association football clubs 1921–22 season; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Association football clubs 1922 season; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Association football clubs 1920–21 season; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Association football clubs 1922–23 season; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Association football clubs 1923 season; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Association football clubs 1924 season; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Association football clubs 1923–24 season; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Association football clubs 1925 season; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Association football clubs 1924–25 season; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Association football clubs 1925–26 season; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Association football clubs 1926–27 season; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Association football clubs 1927–28 season; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Czech Republic football club seasons; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Czech Republic football club seasons by year; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Hungarian football club seasons; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Hungarian football club seasons by year; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:HŠK Građanski Zagreb managers; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:SK Rapid Wien seasons; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Leopold Nitsch; Description: Association footballer Title: Josef Brandstätter; Description: Association footballer Title: Vinzenz Dittrich; Description: Association footballer Title: Category:AC Sparta Prague seasons; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Association football clubs 1964 season; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Otto Janczik; Description: Austrian association football player Title: Ferenc Héger; Description: association football player Title: Adolf Burger; Description: Czechoslovak soccer player Title: Antonín Janda; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Antonín Novák; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Zdeněk Kummermann; Description: Czech soccer player Title: József Jeszmás; Description: football player Title: Lajos Kósa; Description: association football player Title: Hermann Leitner; Description: association football player Title: Lajos Lutz; Description: association football player Title: Ferenc Molnár; Description: Wikimedia disambiguation page Title: Ferenc Molnár; Description: football player (b. 1885) Title: Václav Pilát; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Václav Prošek; Description: Czechoslovak soccer player Title: Karel Kužel; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Karel Nytl; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Karel Pimmer; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Rudolf Holý; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Rudolph Nickolsburger; Description: Hungarian footballer Title: Nándor Paulusz; Description: association football player Title: József Péter; Description: association football player Title: Imre Remete; Description: association football player Title: József Schaller; Description: association football player Title: Zoltán Szaffka; Description: association football player Title: Béla Szentmiklóssy; Description: football player Title: Rezső Szidon; Description: association football player Title: Rudolf Krčil; Description: Czech footballer Title: Péter Varga; Description: Hungarian association football player (b. 1897) Title: Jenő Wiener; Description: association football player Title: János Wiener; Description: association football player Title: Ferenc Molnár; Description: Hungarian footballer Title: Ladislav Medek; Description: Czechoslovak soccer player Title: Antonín Breburda; Description: Czech soccer player and soccer coach Title: Norbert Zajiček; Description: association football player Title: Jake Madden; Description: Scottish football player and coach Title: Miroslav Hajný; Description: Czech soccer player Title: František Junek; Description: Czech footballer Title: Francisco Frione; Description: Uruguayan-Italian professional football player Title: František Fichta; Description: association football player Title: Richard Veselý; Description: association football player (1881-) Title: Jan Zadák; Description: association football player Title: Karel Kovařovic; Description: association football player Title: Matkovich József; Description: association football player Title: Kelemen Richárd; Description: association football player Title: Manuel Anatol; Description: Footballer Title: Antonín Kučera; Description: Czechoslovak association football player (1900-1950) Title: Miroslav Vaněk; Description: Czechoslovak association football player (-1949) Title: Inter-Allied Games; Description: 1919 sporting event in Paris, France Title: Jaroslav Jirkovský; Description: Czech ice hockey player Title: Alois Kovařovič; Description: association football player Title: Antonín Šetela; Description: association football player Title: Bohumil Jelínek; Description: Slovak association football player Title: Bohumil Macoun; Description: association football player Title: František Jirásek; Description: association football player Title: František Rosmaisl; Description: association football player Title: Jan Košek; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Jaroslav Čížek; Description: association football player Title: Josef Pelikán; Description: Slovak association football player Title: Karel Hradecký; Description: Czechoslovak footballer Title: Luciano Tessari; Description: Italian footballer and manager Title: Miroslav Široký; Description: association football player Title: Štefan Čambal; Description: Slovak footballer Title: Renato De Manzano; Description: Italian footballer Title: Rudolf Krummer; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Vladislav Jelínek; Description: association football player Title: Zdeněk Richter; Description: Slovak association football player Title: Joaquín Vázquez Fernández; Description: Spanish footballer Title: József Ember; Description: Hungarian associational football player and associational football manager Title: Géza Toldi; Description: Hungarian footballer Title: Emanuel Benda; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Otto Bohata; Description: Czech soccer player and soccer coach Title: Sándor Peics; Description: association football player Title: Béla Baubach; Description: association football player Title: István Beneda; Description: association football player Title: Ferenc Bihari; Description: football player Title: Category:Births in Badajoz; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:FC Viktoria Plzeň managers; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:FC Zbrojovka Brno managers; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Czechoslovak football referees; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Ferencvárosi TC seasons; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Sándor Bródy; Description: Hungarian association football player Title: Lajos Buza; Description: association football player Title: Antonín Ratzensberger; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Category:MTK Budapest FC seasons; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:SK Kladno managers; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:SK Slavia Prague managers; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Kálmán Csontos; Description: association football player Title: Category:Újpest FC seasons; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Vilmos Dán; Description: association football player Title: Antonín Klicpera; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Václav Benda; Description: Czech soccer player Title: František Stehlík; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Jaroslav Srba; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Karel Hromádka; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Karel Steiner; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Otto Novák; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Jan Dvořáček; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Viliam König; Description: Czech soccer player Title: template:Mitropa Cup seasons; Description: Wikimedia template Title: HŠK Građanski Zagreb; Description: association football club in Croatia Title: Jovan Spasić; Description: Footballer Title: Category:SK Jugoslavija managers; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Alojz Mahek; Description: Czech football player and coach Title: Dušan Petković; Description: Yugoslavian football player Title: Gustav Remec; Description: association football player Title: Teofilo Spasojević; Description: Serbian footballer Title: Branislav Hrnjiček; Description: Serbian footballer Title: Maksimilijan Mihelčič; Description: Slovenian footballer Title: Slavin Cindrić; Description: Croatian footballer Title: Božidar Petrović; Description: association football player Title: Slavko Milošević; Description: association football player (1908-1990) Title: Aldo Spivach; Description: Italian association football player Title: Miroslav Lukić; Description: association football player (1909-1964) Title: Slobodan Anđelković; Description: Serbian footballer Title: Nikola Babić; Description: association football player (1905-1974) Title: Jovan Ružić; Description: Serbian footballer Title: Aleksandar Petrović; Description: Serbian footballer Title: Danilo Stojanović; Description: Serbian footballer Title: Franjo Giler; Description: Yugoslav footballer Title: Károly Nemes; Description: Hungarian footballer and coach Title: Category:Ethiopia national football team; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Nikola Perlić; Description: Croatian footballer Title: Category:FK Vojvodina managers; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Milutin Ivković; Description: Serbian footballer Title: Rudolf Hitrec; Description: footballer Title: Branislav Sekulić; Description: Serbian footballer Title: Category:HŠK Građanski Zagreb players; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Elemér Berkessy; Description: Hungarian association footballer and coach Title: Category:People born in Hradec Králové; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Ethiopia national football team managers; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:FK Željezničar Sarajevo managers; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Category:Millonarios Fútbol Club managers; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Template:Czechoslovak First League seasons; Description: Wikimedia template Title: Branko Petrović; Description: association football player Title: Momčilo Đokić; Description: Serbian footballer Title: Lajos Fischer; Description: Hungarian football player Title: 1923 Yugoslav Football Championship; Description: football tournament Title: Rezső Huber; Description: association football player Title: János Hungler; Description: association football player Title: Imre Koszta; Description: football player Title: Antal Lyka; Description: Hungarian association football player and association football manager Title: Ferenc Szedlacsek; Description: Czechoslovak soccer player Title: Jaroslav Bohata; Description: Czech soccer player Title: Izidor Rázsó; Description: association football player Title: SK Jugoslavija; Description: association football club in Serbia Title: Ivan Montana; Description: association football player Title: Vinko Radić; Description: association football player Title: Šime Poduje; Description: association football player Title: József Sándor; Description: Hungarian association footballer Title: Template:Yugoslavia football squad 1924 Summer Olympics; Description: Wikimedia template Title: Template:Yugoslavia football squad 1928 Summer Olympics; Description: Wikimedia template Title: Template:Yugoslav First League; Description: Wikimedia template Title: Milorad Dragićević; Description: Serbian footballer Title: Petar Dujmović; Description: association football player Title: Miroslav Dešković; Description: Croatian football player Title: Nándor Hidegkuti; Description: Hungarian footballer Title: 1930–31 Magyar Kupa; Description: Football Title: Predrag Radovanović; Description: Serbian footballer Title: 1924 Yugoslav Association Football Championship; Description: 1924 Yugoslav Association Football Championship Title: Dragan Jovanović; Description: Serbian footballer and coach Title: 1926 Yugoslav Association Football Championship; Description: 1926 Yugoslav Association Football Championship Title: Milan Stojanović; Description: Serbian footballer Title: Dragomir Tošić; Description: Serbian footballer Title: Balkan Cup; Description: former association football tournament at the Balkan Peninsula Title: Vladimir Kragić; Description: Croatian footballer Title: Milorad Mitrović; Description: Serbian footballer Title: Antun Bonačić; Description: Croatian footballer Title: Lorenzo Gazzari; Description: Italian footballer Title: Otmar Gazzari; Description: Italian footballer Title: Marko Mikačić; Description: association football player (1911-1946) Title: Janko Rodin; Description: Croatian footballer Title: Rudolf Wetzer; Description: Romanian footballer Title: Dragutin Najdanović; Description: Serbian footballer Title: Mirko Bonačić; Description: Serbian footballer Title: Luka Kaliterna; Description: Association football player and manager Title: Template:Balkan Cup; Description: Wikimedia template Title: Ignác Amsel; Description: football player Title: Category:SK Jugoslavija players; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Károly Zsák; Description: association football player Title: Serbian Olympic Cup; Description: football competition between the most successful Serbian clubs Title: Balkans Cup; Description: football tournament Title: Category:Balkans Cup; Description: Wikimedia category Title: Leo Lemešić; Description: Croatian footballer Title: Template:Yugoslavia football squad 1920 Summer Olympics; Description: Wikimedia template Title: Gyula Lázár; Description: Hungarian footballer Title: Ljubo Benčić; Description: Croatian footballer Title: Gábor Obitz; Description: Hungarian footballer and manager Title: László Fenyvesi; Description: Hungarian association football player Title: József Fogl; Description: association football player Title: Gyula Karácsonyi; Description: association football player Title: Gyula Király; Description: Hungarian football player Title: Gábor Kléber; Description: association football player Title: Ferenc Kocsis; Description: association football player (b. 1904) Title: Kálmán Kovács; Description: Hungarian association football player (b. 1912) Title: Lipót Kállai; Description: association football player Title: Pál Lágler; Description: Hungarian association football player Title: Henrik Nádler; Description: association football player Title: Béla Rebró; Description: association football player Title: László Régi; Description: Hungarian football player Title: György Skvarek; Description: association football player Title: Miklós Sáros; Description: association football player Title: Template:Hungary Squad 1938 FIFA World Cup; Description: Wikimedia template Title: Gábor Urbancsik; Description: association football player Title: Béla Volentik; Description: association football player Title: Béla Révész; Description: Hungarian association football player Title: József Újvári; Description: association football player Title: Móric Haár; Description: Hungarian association football player Title: Ernő Németh; Description: Hungarian association football player Title: Zoltán Opata; Description: association football player and association football manager Title: Simon János (labdarúgó, 1915); Description: association football player (1915-) Title: Gyula Krivicz; Description: association football player Title: Keszei László; Description: association football player Title: Milorad Arsenijević; Description: Serbian footballer Title: István Lukács; Description: footballer Title: Heiko Herrlich; Description: German football player and manager Title: Lajos Weber; Description: association football player Title: Gyula Mándi; Description: association football player Title: György Molnár; Description: association football player Title: Category:Brooklyn Wanderers players; Description: Wikimedia category Title: József Berta; Description: association football player Title: Lajos Bohus; Description: football player Title: András Bérczes; Description: association football player Title: Josef Schneider; Description: Austrian football player and coach Title: Jenő Kalmár; Description: association football player Title: Jenő Ligeti; Description: association football player Title: Ferenc Fehér; Description: association football player Title: József Holzbauer; Description: association football player Title: Template:Hungarian Footballer of the Year; Description: Wikimedia template Title: Lajos Juhász; Description: association football player Title: Károly Kővágó; Description: association football player Title: István Ströck; Description: association football player Title: Albert Ströck; Description: association football player Title: János Stófián; Description: Hungarian football player Title: Template:Hungary squad 1934 FIFA World Cup; Description: Wikimedia template Title: Template:Romania football squad 1924 Summer Olympics; Description: Wikimedia template Title: János Víg; Description: association football player Title: Ferenc Weinhardt; Description: association football player Title: Illés Spitz; Description: Hungarian association football coach and association football player Title: Bocskai FC; Description: association football club in Hungary Title: János Aknai; Description: association footballer Title: Nemzeti SC; Description: sports club in Hungary Title: Ferenc Borsányi; Description: football player Title: Lajos Bányai; Description: association football player Title: Gyula Dudás; Description: association football player Title: István Mészáros; Description: Hungarian association football player and association football manager (b. 1899)	wikirec
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000; Brand: Microsoft; Review: My old Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard has given me great service for fifteen or more years but the new computer I just built does not have PS/2 keyboard inputs. I tried using the PS/2 keyboard with a PS/2-USB adapter but the keyboard was not recognized by the BIOS. The native USB keyboard is recognized by the EUFI BIOS in the Asus motherboard. I rarely need to update the BIOS settings but this small issue impelled me toward this purchase. I am glad that I did because the new MS Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 is even better than the old one. This KB has extra keys including a calculator and web browsing keys which are nice to have but the basic design with split right and left hand keys arranges so my wrists don't have to bend is the primary reason I use it. Anyone who has not used an Ergo KB may question how beneficial this design is, as I did before I started using one years ago. Once you try this split design and become familiar with it you will most likely be more than satisfied.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: TCL LE32HDF3300TA 32-Inch 720p LED HDTV with 2-Year Limited Warranty (Black); Brand: TCL; Review: I have an HTPC in my entertainment center so a smart TV is not needed. This TV was the largest screen LCD that would fit into my 40" cabinet and it has room to spare. Picture quality is excellent. I find the angle of view to be exceptional. I was working on the TV in the cabinet looking down at the screen virtually standing above the TV and I could make out the image just fine. Some reviews were negative about angle of view so this may be a subjective measure or a factor that varies within the sample. Mine is great. I use the SPDIF Coax audio out to my Yamaha receiver, two Bose 901s and Bose rear/center speakers. There are a lot of surround sound effects in an NFL football broadcast that would otherwise go unnoticed. This is a flawless implementation of digital audio, as far as I can determine. I use the over the air antenna rf signal input as well as HDMI from the HTPC and a Blu-ray player. I like the glass stand but, because this is in a cabinet, it keeps the screen from being flush with the cabinet front. So I've switched to the 200mm wall mount plate using an 18.5" fixed extender from the rear of the cabinet (room wall). This cabinet formerly housed a Sony 34" 200 lb. flat screen HDTV (i.e. huge box).; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: CAR Charger 90W 65W for Toshiba Satellite Portege Tecra Laptop Auto DC; Brand: PWR+; Review: Just after I finished connecting this to the 12v outlet in my VW Jetta trunk and setting the Laptop in the back seat, I discovered a 110v outlet that was factory installed in the VW elbow center console. So my advice is this: Check to be certain you really need this device before you buy it. It worked fine while driving from Wisconsin to Delaware a few weeks ago.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Silverstone Tek Aluminum Front Door/Steel Body Micro ATX Media Center/HTPC Case ML04B - Black; Brand: SilverStone Technology; Review: I've built two systems using this case and if you want a case that fits into your media center with your receiver etc. this is a good choice. It accepts standard size power supplies but does not pay a significant penalty in size in doing so.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: StarTech.com 1 ft Panel Mount USB Cable - USB A to Motherboard Header Cable Adapter F/F; Brand: StarTech; Review: I am using this in my HTPC as the input for the IR Receiver of a Rosewill Windows Media Center remote control. I used a blank serial port knockout on the rear of the Silverstone case. The single-port USB pin fits onto the H77 proprietary CIR pins and is used with the ASRock IR receiver that can be ordered directly from ASRock. As it happens the Rosewill Remote control comes with its own IR receiver that operates via a standard USB port but I am not using that receiver in this system.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Electronics
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows: Title: Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive in Pakistan for royal tour; Abstract: She and Prince William just touched down at Nur Khan Airbase.; Category: lifestyle Title: Stars who welcomed babies in 2019; Abstract: See which celebrities expanded their families this year!; Category: entertainment Title: Celebrity kids then and now: See how they've grown; Abstract: See what the children of Bobby Cannavale, Ray Liotta, Jude Law, Jamie Foxx, Sylvester Stallone, James Gandolfini and more stars look like now.; Category: entertainment Title: This Mom Had a Hilarious Response to a Man Who Told Her to 'Cover Up' While Breastfeeding in Public; Abstract: She did exactly what he asked.; Category: health Title: Kelly Ripa responds to backlash over son in 'extreme poverty' joke; Abstract: Kelly RIpa is defending a joke she made about her son on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"; Category: tv Title: Presenting: The 41 All-Time Most Stunning Dresses From the People's Choice Awards Red Carpet; Abstract: Top hats? Got 'em. A cane? Mm-hmm. Shoulder pads? You betcha.; Category: lifestyle Title: Fans are divided after Drake was revealed as a surprise festival headliner, booed off stage; Abstract: Fans are divided after the audience at Tyler, The Creator's Camp Flog Gnaw festival booed Drake, who was revealed to be the surprise headliner.; Category: music	mind
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows: Title: Yardbarker's NFL Week 6 game-by-game analysis, grades; Abstract: The Chiefs stumbled against Houston, their second consecutive loss at home. Russell Wilson outdueled turnover machine Baker Mayfield in Cleveland. And how 'bout them Cowboys?! Here's Yardbarker's Week 6 whip-around.; Category: sports Title: Miguel Cervantes' Wife Reveals Daughter, 3, 'Died in My Arms' After Entering Hospice Care; Abstract: Miguel Cervantes' Wife Reveals Daughter 'Died in My Arms' After Hospice Care; Category: tv Title: Charlize Theron & Margot Robbie Have Some Face Time in L.A., Plus Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Will Smith & More; Abstract: Star Tracks: Tuesday, October 15, 2019; Category: entertainment Title: Former NBA first-round pick Jim Farmer arrested in sex sting operation; Abstract: Farmer, 55, was booked for trafficking a person for a commercial sex act.; Category: sports Title: Snow crab sells for record price in Japan; Abstract: A "five shining star" snow crab was auctioned off in Tottori, Japan for a record-breaking 5 million yen ($46,000). wide.; Category: foodanddrink Title: Thousands of people have problems accessing Disney+, and they're not happy; Abstract: The company says it's working 'quickly to resolve the current user issue.'; Category: finance	mind
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Legrand - Wiremold CMK30 30-Inch Flat Screen TV Cord Cover; Brand: Wiremold; Review: Looks clean and easy to install Love it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: VideoSecu Mounts Tilt TV Wall Mount Bracket for Most 23"- 75" Samsung, Sony, Vizio,; Brand: VideoSecu; Review: Holds up my 55inch tv. Easy to install and strong; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bluetooth; Brand: VicTsing; Review: The idea is awesome, but the quality of sound was bad; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: JanSport Hatchet Backpack; Brand: JanSport; Review: Love this bag! Has so many compartments for all my things, pockets and organization is important to me. I use this bag for work and to travel around the city. I've got compliments on it! Very comfortable; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: InnoLife Full Set of 10 Colors 3ft 3.5mm Male to Male M/M Flat Noodle Music Record Stereo Audio Auxiliary AUX; Brand: INNOLIFE; Review: Great for the price. You get what you pay for; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Samsung 32GB BAR (METAL) USB 3.0 Flash Drive (MUF-32BA/AM); Brand: Samsung; Review: Love it! It's so fast and fits perfect on my keys; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Electronics
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Stanley 16-401 Bailey Chisel Set, 5-Piece; Brand: Stanley; Review: 1 of my chisels came horribly milled -- kind of like it was set in at a funny angle in the grinder at the factory. Amazon's customer service was unapologetic and tried to offer me a $7 refund/discount, if I simply kept the chisel set. $7? Not sure how they came to that number. Not surprisingly, I returned them for a full refund and bought a set of Stanley Sweethearts (750s). MUCH better chisel set. Socket-style handles, better steel, better handle design. Consider spending about $20-$30 and buy the Sweethearts instead. They will last you a lifetime, if maintained properly.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Kreg Tool Company KKS1070 Kreg Bench Dogs; Brand: Kreg Tool Company; Review: I work in the human factors/product design industry, so part of my job is identifying issues with products and making them work better for people. That being said, this coffee grinder is pretty much flawless. All the parts you interact with are removeable and washable, so you don't get and coffee residue build up over time (easily the best part of this design). The cups overlap well so no bean dust gets out. The motor is as quiet as any other you will see at this price point (a little over conversation level when grinding). The coffee grind is surprisingly good for a blade-style grinder -- 5 seconds held down, followed by three pulses will usually make the beans uniform in cut. The power button is built into the design so that it's comfortable to access and hold down. This thing even does great at mixing small batches of wet ingredients for pesto sauces, etc. The two downside I see with the design -- and I'm stretching here -- is the fact that a.) you cannot store/wrap the cord around the base of the unit very easy, and b.) the bean brush it comes with is not attachable to the unit (ex. Magnetic clip, Velcro, etc.). Seriously though -- this is a great grinder. Look at the features offered from other similarly priced models and you will see that this one is considerably a better deal.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Rockwell 3.0 Amp Sonicrafter Oscillating Multi-Tool, with Variable Speed, Hyperlock Clamping, and Universal Blade Fit; Brand: Rockwell; Review: Nice tool, but just slightly underpowered (for door jambs, baseboards) and too bulky to handle comfortably with one hand. The variable speed is nice, but I find myself using on full speed most of the time. The one exception is with 1/2" drywall -- with that stuff, you can get away with setting this on 4 of 6, or 5 of 6 without issue. Overall though, if this tool were 25% more powerful and had a slightly narrower body/grip, then I could see a lot more value in it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Tooluxe 00883L Scraping Blade \| Stainless Steel with Brass-plated Hammer End; Brand: Tooluxe; Review: Nice multi tool for removing baseboards, caulking, etc. I like that it has the brass end for use with a hammer, and it feels pretty sturdy.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: KC PROFESSIONAL 97297 Hollow-shaft Nut Driver Set, 7 Piece; Brand: KC Professional; Review: (See title); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bosch 11255VSR SDS-plus BULLDOG Xtreme Rotary Hammer; Brand: Bosch; Review: Nice balance of weight vs. capabilities. I used this instead of renting a larger machine for thinset removal. I cleared about 200 sq. ft. of 12" tile as well as 200 sq. ft. of thinset in a couple days with it. It does get pretty warm if you run it for more than about 10 - 15 minutes straight. No performance changes, or anything though -- just something to keep in mind. I'd imagine that if you wanted to use this machine for heavy use (6+ hours a day) for lots of jobs (10+), it would eventually die. However, for your average DIYer looking to remove some tile and thinset, this machine should do the trick. (Get Amazon's extended warranty, if you're unsure about it). Considering this is a fairly light-weight machine (maybe 10 lbs.?), it was pretty easy to use continuously without getting too much arm fatigue. However, the shorter length of the machine means that you're going to spend much more time on your knees and hunched over. Keep this in mind if you have bad knees or a bad back.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The AMES Companies, Inc Jackson 4-Pound Engineer Hammer - 1197000; Brand: The AMES Companies, Inc; Review: Good for your run of the mill smashing, bashing, mashing, and trashing. Not so great for gnashing or crashing. Consider a heavier weight if you want to achieve the latter.; Rating: 4.0/5.0	amazon_Tools_and_Home_Improvement
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows: Title: 'It triggers the trauma': Atatiana Jefferson shooting fuels tensions with police in Fort Worth; Abstract: "It's always been kind of like that around here," says a resident of the same neighborhood where Jefferson was fatally shot by former Officer Aaron Dean.; Category: news Title: Photo of emotional nurse after 'particularly hard day' goes viral; Abstract: Her sister revealed that she had just wrapped up four days worth of work that included assisting in the delivery of a stillborn baby.; Category: health Title: Prince Harry acknowledges tensions with William in ITV interview; Abstract: Britain's Prince Harry has acknowledged tensions with his older brother Prince William for the first time, saying they are on "different paths."; Category: lifestyle Title: Body of missing Alabama girl found; 2 being charged; Abstract: Investigators searching through garbage found the body of a 3-year-old girl who was missing more than a week, and authorities are charging two people with murder, police said Tuesday.; Category: news Title: The Voice recap: Night four of the Battles takes an emotional turn; Abstract: The Voice recap: Season 17, episode 10: The Battles, Part 4; Category: tv Title: Have a little piece of extra skin? Everything you need to know about skin tags; Abstract: Are skin tags dangerous? How do you get rid of them? Doctors explain what you need to know.; Category: health Title: New Hampshire Couple's Adventure Ends in Mysterious Death in Texas; Abstract: Seeking adventure, James Butler, 48, and Michelle Butler, 45, rented out their house in New Hampshire in the summer of 2018, bought an R.V. and set out to live anywhere but home. Their travels took them to New York, Arizona and, in October, to a campground on the South Texas coast. But then the Butlers disappeared. On Friday, the authorities said they had found their bodies buried in a shallow grave on the beach southeast of Corpus Christi....; Category: news Title: Homicide suspects 'exploited' blind spot to escape jail, authorities say; Abstract: The two homicide suspects that escaped a California jail were able to "exploit" a "blind spot" in the jail to escape over the weekend, according to authorities.; Category: news Title: Walmart releases Black Friday ad with $129 Apple Watch, TV deals, electronics doorbusters; Abstract: Walmart's Black Friday 2019 ad includes a 40-inch TV for $98, Apple iPad for $249, Xbox One, Playstation 4, deals on toys, Instant Pot and more.; Category: finance	mind
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Utz Pork Rinds, Original Flavor – Gluten Free and Keto Friendly Snack with Zero Carbs per; Brand: UTZ; Review: it was what i was looking for to use for a recipe as a coating for chicken and fish as for bread crumbs. you just break up the pork rinds put them in a zip lock bag and save for later. you make a egg wash and dredge the chicken or fish or any meat to be cooked in the crumbs put on a greased baking dish. in the oven its great for them that want to keep to gluten free recipes. its great no fat or carbs but the flavor is great , you can add any other herbs to it as flavor too i forgot to say enjoy. oh bake in 350 oven 45v min till done .; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Utz Pork Rinds, Original Flavor – Gluten Free and Keto Friendly Snack with Zero Carbs per; Brand: UTZ; Review: i used these as crumbs for baking chicken breast a ew way to bake them all gluten free baking came out great good idea plus a good snack i guess.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Enjoy Life Baking Chocolate, Soy free, Nut free, Gluten free, Dairy free, Non GMO, Vegan, Paleo, Semi Sweet Mini; Brand: Enjoy Life Foods; Review: these are what i was looking for on a gluten free dairy free soy free diet . as jules makes her gluten free flour and she uses them in her recipes . so i found them even though I do buy others at times in a pinch when i am waiting for them to come safe food for all people to eat we all need a bit of chocolate in our lives rite LOL. [...] is where i buy my flower.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: AH!LASKA Organic Chocolate Syrup, 22 Ounce (Pack of 4); Brand: AH!LASKA; Review: this product is great it is so very good , it is what i was looking for in a chocolate syrup its a keeper I will rder more later for sure; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Maruchan Ramen Picante Chicken, 3.0 Oz, Pack of 24; Brand: Maruchan; Review: so far they are great a big difference in the salt content witch is good. there great for a fast snack or added to a meal just cut back on salt .; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Tinkyada Brown Rice Pasta, Lasagne, 10-Ounce (Pack of 6); Brand: Tinkyada; Review: I have been buying this companys pasta now for over a year and it is great it do the dry recipe where you don't cook th enoodles and it comes out just fine. its a keeper just like the other pastas they make.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Wholesome Organic Coconut Palm Sugar, Non GMO, Gluten Free, 1 LB bag (single pouch); Brand: Wholesome; Review: I have been using this for a long while now i love it is organic and all natural and its great in all that i make nd bake .; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Euro Cuisine RI1020 All Natural Yogurt Culture / Starter ( Contains 10 - 5gr Packet); Brand: Euro Cuisine; Review: its what i was looking for will order it again for sure its good for your digestion and more love it; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Betty Crocker Bisquick Baking Mix, Gluten Free Pancake and Baking Mix, 16 Oz Box (Pack of 3); Brand: Bisquick; Review: I use this allot and it is great use it as the other mix like reg its just as good as the regular mix; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Rapunzel Pure Organic Whole Cane Sugar, 24 Ounce; Brand: Rapunzel; Review: it was what I was looking for to make kefir with water kefir grains that need organic sugar I will order again when I need some.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Coconut Secret Organic Raw Cocoonut Nectar, 12 oz; Brand: Coconut Secret; Review: great wanted a different thing to add for sweet things no agave for us not good for you at all, this and organic raw honey is all we use other then organic sugar .; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: NOW Foods Almond Flour, 2 pk; Brand: NOW Foods; Review: just got it its a great flour more good things in it for you gluten free; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee, USDA Organic Coffee with Cordyceps and Chaga mushrooms, performance, Vegan, Paleo, 10 Count; Brand: Four Sigma Foods; Review: it is great coffee i have bought it now 2 times .i will get it again when i get low for sure i have bought both blends great taste no gitters at all.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Utz Pork Rinds, Original Flavor – Gluten Free and Keto Friendly Snack with Zero Carbs per; Brand: UTZ; Review: got this for my hubby for when he watches his sports show.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Utz Cheese Balls with Real Cheese Snack, 35 Ounce; Brand: UTZ; Review: got theses for my hubby when he watches sports, there great will buy them for a long time; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Grocery_and_Gourmet_Food
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Floral Embossed Latex Swim Cap; Brand: ; Review: pretty but still leaks some at edges; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Bike Airplane; Brand: Schylling; Review: breaks within seconds. cheap POS; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Kaky (Original Buff); Brand: Buff; Review: badass!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: EPE Black High Density Foam Roller: 6"x12", Round, 1.9 lbs per cubic foot (FFP); Brand: Per; Review: firm and big. found somewhere else cheaper; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Fit & Fresh Cool Coolers Slim Reusable Ice Packs for Lunch Boxes, Lunch Bags and Coolers, Set of; Brand: Fit & Fresh; Review: great for my kids lunches - stays cold and is a slim fit; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: YETI Hopper 30 Portable Cooler; Brand: YETI; Review: only had 2 months and not keeping ice for more than a day - with 3 bags in it! yes, we are in Utah but still I followed all the directions & read the Yeti guide and BOO. get off your high horse Yeti; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Clean Steel Stainless Steel Cups (Pack 5 or 2); Brand: Pratico Outdoors; Review: great for anti-plastic durable kids cups; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Elite Sportz Equipment Rock Climbing Chalk Bag and 2 x Chalk Balls; Brand: Elite Sportz Equipment; Review: works great, easy to use, lots of chalk for a good price; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: ZOMAKE Pop Up Tent 4 Person, Beach Tent Sun Shelter for Baby with UV Protection; Brand: ZOMAKE; Review: opens in a jif which is fun & easy but the folding down part is another story. tent is huge with tons of ventilation & open views. i sleep in there w my 6 year old twins; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Raskullz Mohawk Child Bike Helmets; Brand: Raskullz; Review: son loves this thing - fitting was easy; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows: Title: Novotel Canberra; City: Canberra Australian Capital Territory; Review: We enjoyed our stay - the porter was lovely and helpful, and they extended us in the same room which was a higher grade than we paid for the extension. The one bedroom apartment is not much compared to an apartment hotel, it seems like an afterthought - but I suppose they do specialise in hotel rooms. The "living" area has no sofa, only a small round table and 3 dining chairs. There is no washing machine, dryer or cooking utensils such as a prep knife! Also the children's dinner menu is ok but does not include any extras like a drink or icecream, in fact the kids icecream was $6.50 which we thought was pricey. Breakfast is normally good there and the cold variety was fine, but I asked for poached eggs and was directed to the dried out eggs cocotte on the buffet which were not the same nor fresh. All of the hot buffet was not in fact hot at all. So we only ate there once for breakfast. This was our 8th stay and we would still stay again for the location, but probably wouldn't pay extra for an apartment again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Novotel Canberra; City: Canberra Australian Capital Territory; Review: Enjoyed stay except a couple of things. Housekeeping staff kept knocking on the door and entering before we had a chance to answer - including once when we had a late checkout and the DO NOT DISTURB sign on! Against all rules of hotels, we found this unacceptable. Also at breakfast good variety as always but it wasn't busy and took 25 mins to receive my coffee and 40 mins to receive our poached eggs (forgotten); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Holiday Inn NYC Lower East Side; City: New York City New York; Review: We booked 3 rooms in early May for 6 nights each, the hotel is well located only a block from the subway. Area still a bit grungy but I never felt unsafe. Walking distance to Soho, Little Italy, Brooklyn Bridge etc. My only complaint was that my room keycard was constantly faulty - I had to get it changed 5 out of 6 days. After the 3rd time I was told it was probably because it rubbed against credit cards so I then kept it in the cardboard sleeve - but it kept happening. They gave me a late checkout so all is well. . My room was really good, nice and quiet and clean - it was very small but had a king bed - perfect for 1 person and luggage! My friends had a twin and found it very tight with 2 doubles and they also had very noisy neighbours at 3am. My room was recently refurbished and the bathroom seemed brand new. Had everything you need except my usual complaint about US hotels - no fridge or kettle and awful teabags. Ice was down the hall though so I kept my milk in the ice bucket.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Hotel Realm; City: Canberra Australian Capital Territory; Review: Lovely hotel in general except the noise from the party in full swing downstairs - possibly a design flaw as the sound goes straight up to the rooms which many seem to overlook the central foyer area. I think I got upgraded to a suite (not advised on checkin!) as the room was huge and had a kitchenette, dining area, living and separate bedroom and even a desk area - a lot bigger than many 1 bedroom apartments. You have to make sure you get the correct lifts or you find yourself in the wrong half of the hotel. Also the hallways are quite depressing and a bit shabby - lets the standard of a decent hotel down. I didn't eat here this time but on previous visit (to affiliate Burbury hotel across road) used the restaurant and bar which were both reasonable; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Sebel Pinnacle Valley Resort; City: Merrijig Victoria; Review: We had a great short notice long weekend at the end of January. We stayed for 3 nights in a two bedroom chalet which appeared to have recently been refurbished and had all modern facilities we required. Our only complaint about the room was that the kids room was upstairs with no door and very tight stairs - and the only toilet was downstairs. When we went to the restaurant one evening, they gave the kids birdseed to hand feed the parrots, and they loved the kangaroos. The pool was good, even if a bit dated, and could do with more bean bags for relaxing by the pool - if more than 2 families there they were all in use. The staff were generally very friendly especially the restaurant waitress Dara who our kids loved and she remembered their names each time she saw them. The food was hit and miss - we had one great night, except for slow delivery of food, frustrating since there were not many guests. The second visit for dinner the delivery was quick but the food was pretty average. Breakfast they burnt our toast! Overall we were pretty happy and would definitely stay again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay; City: Singapore; Review: We got upgraded to a Premier floor room as previous guests and loyalty program customers - our room was lovely and bigger than standard - and had a great bathroom and lovely view. Only issue with our room was the safe didn't work despite at least 7 attempts to fix it including the safe company techs. We were offered a room move but had settled in by that time so just stayed there and stored our passports with reception safe. Breakfast was good. Insufficient staff poolside at happy hour - one poor girl completely run off her feet with orders. The only thing that causes me to give a lower rating was the terrible treatment in the Premier lounge - on entry we said hello to the staff but no-one checked our eligibility on arrival in the lounge (website says all Premier floor guests are entitled). We were told after being in there for 15 minutes with our small children and were eating our snacks that we were not entitled to be in there - lots of other people were in there and it was very embarrassing. The staff member acted like she was doing us a favour by allowing to finish our snacks. A few minutes later she came over and told us that children under 12 are not allowed (nothing in the website about this) - most humiliating since they could have said this on entry or when they told us we were not allowed to be there! I am disgusted that you treat your guests this way - perhaps if we don't have access put a swipe on entry to lounge or don't allow access to that floor at all! Sour taste to an otherwise good hotel; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Paradise Road The Villa Bentota; City: Bentota Galle District Southern Province; Review: We had a relaxing and enjoyable two night stay at The Villa Bentota - despite the weather! The historic building is lovely and tastefully decorated. There are lots of places to relax (some do get soaked wet though!) The grounds were immaculate and there were lots of lovely touches like a tea and cake service in the bar in the afternoon. The breakfast was great (especially the Sri Lankan curry but also the Western breakfast). Hint - make sure you order the Sri Lankan breakfast before 7.00pm for the next morning - would have been nice to know before arriving at breakfast!!! Luckily we stayed two nights so we could try it! We travelled with our 2 small children and had two rooms together connected by the adjoining balcony. We could have booked one suite but they wanted to charge $40USD for each extra bed which we thought was ridiculous. The only real disappointment were some of the evening meals and occasional lapses in otherwise good service. Our friends have stayed before and returned on the strength of the meals (they were disappointed this time). There is plenty of variety in the menu, which is good and the first night the lobster pasta was great. Next day, the meals were very average. We had all our meals in the bar as it was close to our rooms. I had baked crab which looked like a large lump and tasted only of mustard. I would not have known there was crab in it except I found lots of little bits of shell in it. The chocolate mousse was powdery and lumpy, and we ordered banana fritter and got banana split (another item on the menu), then they refused to accept that they had given us the wrong dessert (the bar staff had ordered it correctly but the chef appeared to have made the wrong one). My friend also ordered filtered water and when it didn't arrive she queried it - she was bluntly told "NO" she had not ordered it! From what I gather this is unusual for this hotel, service is normally completely impeccable and to be honest it was really good in all other areas. Also, a small carton of milk in the fridge was assumed to be for tea/coffee as is standard in many hotels around the world - but alas was part of the mini bar and we were charged for it. There is free wifi but only in public areas.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins; City: Melbourne Victoria; Review: We had a lovely return stay to the Sofitel Melbourne, a true 5 star hotel. Nice welcome and super easy checkout. Awesome views, upgraded to corner room, sparkling wine. It is great to see that turn down service still exists. This is by far the best Sofitel in Australia. Breakfast buffet was good - pricey but you could order heaps of different things to order and proper coffee was included. More awesome views! Good gym equipment with a view. Our only suggestion for the room is that it would be nice if the shower was separate to the bath. It would be great if there was a pool - not really possible!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Best Western Hobart; City: Hobart Greater Hobart Tasmania; Review: I don't normally stay at Best Western but Hobart was extremely full so I had few options. I was pleasantly surprised. the pillows provided were rock hard but they supplied soft ones on request. Windows wheezed from the wind (maybe common in windy Hobart!) My only complaint was that every day of my 3 day stay I got to my room and the key wouldn't work - despite keeping the magnetic strip away from cards and my mobile - kept in the little sleeve. Very annoying.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Quest Ballarat Mews; City: Ballarat Victoria; Review: We enjoyed our overnight stay - it is walking distance to Sovereign Hill. This place is large enough to be suitable for a longer stay and we got a good deal. Yes it is a bit dated, and definitely needs a paint and freshen up, but the 2 bedroom apartment had everything we needed. Our friends had the place next door, their carpet was heavily stained. Ours had a new oven. The courtyard is a nice area, even though it can be really noisy with (our) kids and an echo! One complaint is that the stairs are very noisy and every single floor board upstairs creaked. There is no sort of soundproofing between floors! And the toilet barely has room for you to get in the door (narrowly misses the toilet). Otherwise only little things like hair in the bath plug hole and the kitchen drawers needed a good wipe down inside and out.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lake Serenity Boutique Hotel; City: Ratnapura Sabaragamuwa Province; Review: We liked this hotel, a tranquil setting in a tea plantation around a small lake with nice grounds and wildlife. It was very quiet when we stayed, and we received a warm welcome and good service from the manager. Room was large, with nice furniture and a balcony overlooking the tea plantation. The bathroom needs an update, and the room could do with a refresh paint but was acceptable. The air-conditioning was directly above the bed and changing the temp didn't seem to work, and as there was only a sheet on the bed I woke up freezing. The pool area was nice and there is a children's playground area (needs a good high pressure clean up and some rubber matting or similar as it is just on dirt). Overall the staff were friendly, the only disappointment was the slow (but friendly) service in the restaurant. We arrived with 2 small children at 7.00pm and were the only guests. We didn't get our food menus until 7.25 and got our meal at around 8.10 - one course and we were there 90 minutes! They need to consider speeding up their "process" when dealing with children who have no patience for unnecessary delays. Food was average. Another smaller restaurant would be much better when the hotel is quiet - the restaurant is very large, they do wedding receptions. They are clearly pumping money into this place, updating it and adding rooms and setting up an organic farm as well with an additional smaller restaurant planned.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins; City: Melbourne Victoria; Review: We had a lovely time again at the Sofitel for our anniversary, we appreciated the upgrade. We had access to the Lounge for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. We had dinner in No35 restaurant where the food was also good but very pricey.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bairnsdale International; City: Bairnsdale Gippsland Victoria; Review: Stayed here for 2 nights, standard motel room layout but everything is reasonably new and good quality. Probably best in Bairnsdale but also most expensive. Friendly reception when I rang to say we would be late (reception closes 10pm), explained key arrangements. I was lying in bed and thought it was really noisy at first with the road traffic (main road like most country motels) then realised that the window was open. Shut the window - double glazed, almost completely silent. Much better! We didn't use the restaurant and there isn't much else. We ended up having to stay an extra night and same reception, still friendly but she was rushing back and forward to the restaurant to help out - would be good to have more staff at peak check in/dinner times. Also my room was supposed to be king, certain it was only queen (I was on my own so didn't really matter); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Mango House; City: Galle Galle District Southern Province; Review: This place came recommended to us. It is quaint and quirky with nice artwork, a lovely B&B in a historic colonial villa, perfect for couples but not designed for young children (ours were the only ones staying - there is only one family room). The staff were lovely and our kids liked the cat, Mango. The breakfast was very good. Overall we liked it, but it was the most expensive place we stayed in Sri Lanka and had the smallest rooms - which you can understand to a point as we wanted to stay in the Fort itself so there is limited space (explaining the high price for location and beware the ++ tax and service charge!). There was only room to put your case inside and move around the bed - no room for the kids to play in aircon and only the bed to relax on. The family room had a wooden semi-loft just big enough for a double mattress on the floor (like a high double bunk - smart use of space as the rooms have lovely high ceilings). Unfortunately the loft was very noisy - it creaked when you move and made a loud clatter on the wooden floor every time something was dropped on it. The stairs were very steep (not ideal for young children getting up at night for the bathroom). There were 100's of DVDs available none suitable for children and the TV was tiny - only viewable from the end of the main bed. It would have been nice to have tea/coffee facilities in the room and a small fridge to keep drinks in (no space though!) The rooms are the only air-conditioned part - the hotel is very open and allows air through so has a nice airy feel to it, and there were open common lounge areas but it was very hot so we couldn't spend a lot of time there and too echoey for our noisy kids to play without spoiling the serenity for the other guests - we were very conscious that other people staying were there to relax in peace. I imagine if you wanted a romantic stay, one of the balcony rooms would have been lovely.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit Sukhumvit; City: Bangkok; Review: We have stayed here 4 times in the last 2 years with our young children, and appreciate the recognition as return guests - we have been looked after each time - this time with an upgrade and late checkout (after a couple of hiccups via email prior to check-in). It is a lovely modern hotel with great Thai service. Excellent value, breakfast was included - good with lots of variety. Rooms are modern, great views. Good location, Ploenchit BTS (monorail/train) station is outside the door, good shopping within walking or short BTS distance. We didn't use the restaurant for dinner this time. The pool is a bit small and quite slippery - that is the only complaint I can think of!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lespri Grand; City: Negombo Western Province; Review: Good value for money especially with free airport transfer to hotel. Hotel was better than we expected - we arrived at midnight with our young children and we were swiftly checked in and straight into beds already made up for them. The room was big and clean and reasonably modern. The breakfast was fine, nice pool, staff friendly. A couple of minor maintenance issues (lights not working etc). The only odd thing we found was the pathway to our room (near reception) was not very wide (especially with suitcases) - it would be very easy to fall into the pond! Thankfully we didn't. The rest of the rooms were set further back so wouldn't have this issue. We also didn't get a chance to explore Negombo or the beach itself as we headed south.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Novotel Century Hong Kong; City: Hong Kong; Review: We enjoyed our time in Hong Kong. This is a very standard Novotel, (Europe standard) not like some others in Asia which are way above. The hotel is centrally located but is quite tired and the rooms are tiny (I suppose expected in Hong Kong). There was no way that we could move or put luggage in the room booked if you pulled out the sofa bed - we ended up paying to upgrade for more space (with a refreshed bathroom so they may be refurbishing the hotel). The restaurant food was OK for breakfast but the staff were not particularly friendly and it took a long time to get eggs ordered and received in a very clunky process. Chairs are worn and tired and the chair covers are peeling off. We did like the pool though, open late and a decent size - with a good separated toddler pool. We also liked that the hotel offered a free shuttle from the airport express train - it does take a while as it is last stop (but first stop going back!). Also convenient to MTR and trams. Staff in the premier lounge were lovely too (particularly Hilary) but the lounge is way too small. Queenie in reception was also very nice, as were the housekeeping staff. Checkout took a long time (even at 5.30am) - the two staff were looking after the only other guest at reception which left us waiting almost 15 minutes. Also some confusion over whether the staff had ordered the taxi as requested as it was too early for shuttle. Certainly not our best Novotel experience.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Hanoi Daewoo Hotel; City: Hanoi; Review: The rooms are very spacious but this hotel is very noisy - the front side has a lot of constant traffic noise and also the ongoing noise from the musical broadcasting (propaganda?) at the traffic lights below - starting 6am is not enjoyable at all. I am not sure if the rooms are double glazed but they don't seem to be as I was on the 10th floor. I asked to move rooms as I was staying a while and was told by the Duty Manager that it wasn't noisy! So I gave up. Otherwise the hotel is quite nice, breakfast is fine, but the hotel decor and style is very dated - it looks like an 1980's time warp. The doormen and girls and room attendants were all lovely and most staff had a good working knowledge of English, some were excellent. There was also a lovely woman from the linen room who helped me with some last minute sewing repairs - she had no English but between us (and google translate) we worked it out and she was super helpful. On the other hand, reception and business centre staff were often abrupt and it was hard to get the attention of the staff in the ground floor bar/lounge who were always busy chatting to each other. The pool is a great size even if the water is HOT! It is big enough for curved laps. The gym was small and always in heavy use so there was a bit of waiting to use equipment but I liked that they offered some classes in Zumba and Yoga. Wifi was free but constantly had to be reset. Location wise, it was good to be near where I was working and also Lotte, but I would have preferred to be near the old quarter - it is about 5km / 30 mins in traffic.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Grand Mercure Danang; City: Da Nang; Review: We had a lovely time at this hotel, we were well looked after, after first being checked into a room on a non smoking floor where the previous guest had been smoking. You can't mask it with cleaning products and so were upgraded to a great room. Good breakfast. The hotel is only a few years old. The pool was nice enough, but there is no privacy from the restaurant or even the road really and it closes 7.00pm. The downside of this hotel is that it is a bit out of the way - you can't really walk to anything local. However they do offer a complimentary shuttle to the markets/temple/beach every 2 hours during the day and a free shuttle to airport. The Duty Manager was lovely and helpful and most of the staff was obliging, some had varying levels of English. the staff on reception I found the least helpful but certainly not bad compared to many hotels. Service staff in lounge were very friendly and helpful.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Novotel Twin Waters Resort; City: Twin Waters Sunshine Coast Queensland; Review: I have stayed here a number of times over the last 20 years and this time was the most disappointing as it appears that not much has changed! It was great when it opened and at the top end of Novotel standards in Australia but now looks very dated, old and tired. Good points: The bed was good, very comfortable, breakfast was standard Novotel, reasonable and well staffed. The free barista coffee is great, except the first day there was a very long queue (bad timing for us due to a large conference group). The bed was very comfortable. Our room was the end building and nice and quiet. Staff in kids club were nice. Pitch and putt was fun and free. Grounds nicely maintained, we liked the resident kangaroos eating the resort grass. Beach is close by, an easy walk and manned by the local lifesaving club. Negatives: The foyer is exactly the same as when it opened, like a time warp. The only very odd addition is the table tennis table in the middle of the foyer, surrounded by couches for arriving and departing guests. Is that the image you wish to project? The only place you could find to put it? The foyer would be a great space again with a complete refresh to keep up with the times. Public bathrooms also need an update. The terracotta tiles throughout the foyer and the rooms date from the 1990s and the slat wooden doors also date the place. Our room had wall tiles in bathroom replaced but that was about it. It would only need new moder floor tiles and modern plain internal doors and it would look much more up to date. We rang up to organise the sofa bed to be made up and were told to do it ourselves - so we did - but I am not convinced that the sheets were fresh. The kids club now charges $65 a session for 2 children (more than standard babysitting prices) which I think should at least be subsidised by the hotel as it used to be completely free! A big jump from 0-$65! Staff were nice and the boys were happy enough to play there, but we paid extra $8pp for "dinner and dessert" which would be ok but my son was served burnt microwave pizza (so could only eat the topping) and the other son had 2 party pies and both had choc wafer biscuits for "dessert". I would have at least expected the Novotel kids meals from the restaurant which are a similar price and generally have some nutritional value. When I mentioned my concerns to reception about the "meal standard", the staff at reception dismissed it with "it's run by an outside agency". That's great but food should be to a standard, surely! Anyway, kids club used to be free and part of the services, not any more! The Aqua park ($15+ per session) looked great but wasn't open on Friday, and on Saturday was shut at 3.00pm (no signs or info to tell; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Barclay On View; City: Bendigo Greater Bendigo Victoria; Review: Good location, easy to walk into main part of town. Standard motel, expensive for what is essentially a budget motel. Looks awful from outside, two story basic motel, but inside my standard queen room was clean and simple, the bed was very comfortable. Bathroom dated. Staff friendly enough. Would have liked a safe. There is better quality/value in Bendigo.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Plantation urban resort spa; City: Phnom Penh; Review: Nice quiet, simple modern place - quite serene. We found it reasonable value, even if at the high end for Phnom Penh, but included breakfast. Rooms are fine, mine was smallish in size. Would have liked a chair to relax in - not enough space in my room! Pleasant surroundings, the finish is a bit rough (like many in SE Asia) particularly the tiling around the hotel, but otherwise good. Staff were nice and friendly and plenty of them - most were helpful with very good English. Pool area had loungers and covered day beds but no feeling of spaciousness. Breakfast was a small buffet, pleasant enough but nothing special. Restaurant is otherwise way overpriced, the choc fondant was disappointing and overcooked and flat. Desserts were much better and 50% cheaper at the top French restaurant up the road. Hotel offered 20% off spa treatments for in-house guests, but don't tell you that it is not for unspecified "specials". Annoying. I found the spa reception staff the least helpful - they didn't seem to have many clients but never available at the time you wanted. The only drama we had with the hotel was my friend's room door stuck locked on her last day and the staff couldn't get it to open. They had to break a window to get back in so she could grab her bags to go to the airport etc. She had an upset baby, had to rush and left some stuff behind in the rush and nearly missed her flight. I hope that was unusual ! If it was, I would definitely stay again, especially with a good deal.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lake House; City: Daylesford Victoria; Review: The rooms were lovely, styling was very tasteful, room cosy, and we liked the heated bathroom floor (it was a particularly cold winter day)! Nice setting, grounds well tended. The restaurant was great too, expensive as to be expected for one of the top rated restaurants in Australia, but we thought it was worth it as every course was really good and the staff very knowledgeable. The wine matching was all spot on. For our stay, there were only a couple of things to note. More soundproofing would have been good, you could hear the neighbours. We also found it odd that the room numbers were those cheap Bunnings type letterbox number stickers slapped above the room doors - not stylish at all, especially since the rooms were lovely. The only thing we didn't like about the Lakehouse building was the restaurant bathroom which had hospital lino and the vanity/sink set was laminate. It felt like it has been missed in the styling - how about some nice tiles and a decent vanity? Felt a bit like a portable toilet block - again at odds with the stylish interior design in the library/bar and restaurant. These were such minor observations but we are always more critical according to price paid.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: High Country Holiday Park; City: Mansfield Victoria; Review: We stayed in a cabin on the Melbourne Cup long weekend, so prices were peak season, but we found the 2 bedroom spa cottage we booked was a decent size and had everything we needed - full oven, our own BBQ and even an (old) dishwasher! The park was good for kids, it was small enough that it felt safe for them to ride their bikes, it had a games room, playground, toddler playroom, camp kitchen, small swimming pool (too cold this weekend!), and was overall nicely maintained and pleasant, centred around a little creek (this could be an issue for some). Staff were very nice, location was good, in town so easy walking to pubs/cafes/shops. My only suggestion would be a screen to stop the shower (over spa bath) spraying all over the bathroom floor. Bedroom 2 has 2 sets of bunks which takes up all the room, so is pretty much just for sleeping! Would definitely recommend and would stay again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Mercure Melbourne Albert Park; City: Melbourne Victoria; Review: Pleasant room, very standard Mercure. My biggest gripe is that my keycard did not work - every single attempted entry including check in. When you are staying at the furthest point from reception it is very annoying to have to go all the way back because your key doesn't work. I rang on one occasion from my friend's room only to be told that I had to go downstairs again (like it was my fault - I didn't keep the keycard near my phone or any bank cards it stayed in the little card sleeve given to me on check in). Very frustrating. I also didn't like the half cleaned up feel of the open area on the walk to the lift (the last tower end). It looked like they had not finished cleaning up after a conference and remained that way all weekend. It made it feel disorganised and very messy, almost like we were walking to the goods lift through the back of house area. The Pullman end was fine and the foyer was nice. Parking was priced for CBD - way too expensive so I found street parking for free (after being told that would be impossible!!). When my room was serviced, there did not seem to be any supervisor checks done, bath mat and amenities not replaced, so I rang up and waited over 20 minutes for my bath mat by which time I couldn’t wait to have my shower and had used the hand towel. The guest relations manager on check in was lovely, and efficient and we got all our rooms in the same area. The Dutch guy on reservations when I called was also very helpful.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Reef House Palm Cove MGallery by Sofitel Collection; City: Palm Cove Cairns Region Queensl; Review: Positives: This hotel is in a great location in Palm Cove, directly across the road from the beach, walking distance from everything local and the restaurant looks lovely with its open environment (if you can get in to eat there). Board games are good, as is the book library. DVDs looked ok but there were none suitable for young kids. The pools, pool spa and lounge were nice, and free adult bike hire is a good idea (kids bikes too would be nice). Parking is free. We didn't use the "spa". Negatives: I review all my stays on a price vs quality/value system. This place disappointed on service and value for money. Our issues were the dated rooms, lack of general service and lack of inclusions for breakfast. There are standards expected with the property labelled MGallery by Sofitel. This property is nowhere near the standard if you compare it to other MGallery hotels - Como, Lindrum and Mt Lofty or Sofitel branding. Our room was very dated. It had a nice sized balcony with a sink and bar fridge which unfortunately was covered in rust. There were lots of little patches of rotting wood that need attention. The windows had white wooden shutters that are certainly not blackout, so no chance of a sleep in as sunlight pours in. There is no compendium to tell you anything about what is on offer or even how to call reception (we were told that apparently Accor is redesigning the compendiums?) and it didn’t seem to have an interactive menu on the TV. We tried the trusty “dial 9” however there was no answer. Later we found out this is the number to call, but no one answers! No doubt there will be a refurb of the rooms in the future to keep up to an upscale standard. “Breakfast” was included in our rate, at most hotels that is a buffet or cooked breakfast unless specified in the booking. Unfortunately, at this hotel it is not until you sit down and get handed a menu that you are advised that it is only continental breakfast included and you have to pay a $13 per person supplement for a cooked breakfast (including children). The service for breakfast started out terrible and partially improved as the week went on (some staff never actually look at the customers, rather off into the distance so as not to engage with people who may wish to request something crazy like a menu, or to order!!!!) I had to go up to the counter and ask if we could get a menu on two days and had to ask if we could order another day. Frustrating. The billing was an issue throughout the stay, still not completely correct by check out time but we ended up giving up. Wedding receptions take preference for the restaurant, I agree nice and lucrative for the company, but there are other inhouse guests who are paying good money to have available facilities such as restaurants. We could not use the restaurant for lunch or; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Mid City Motel Warrnambool; City: Warrnambool Victoria; Review: This is a fairly standard motel - they are clearly in the process of refurbishing (and should price accordingly). My room had been refurbished so was quite nice, the bed was comfortable and the bathroom was clearly very recently completed. However the 3 other rooms my group stayed in were not refurbished, but priced the same (high) - they were terrible, especially the bathrooms. Two rooms had a terrible stench and bug zappers outside the room which were noisy all the time as they zapped away. These rooms were not good value compared to my room. The new curtains were certainly not "black out" (they barely cover the window) and the rooms are not very soundproof. Double glazing would probably help, particularly the ground floor rooms. There is a lot of noise in the evening and mornings - you hear every car arriving/departing and car doors slamming at all hours. The cleaning staff also appear not to recognise "do not disturb" signs and yell to each other at the top of their voices. I liked the look of the playground, and the pool(s) seem nice but needs some shade and is not very private at all. It is possible that as the weather improves shade might be provided? This place should be pretty good (apart from the noise) when the refurb is complete.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Frog Gully Cottages; City: Longford Sale Gippsland Victoria; Review: We really enjoyed our stay and wished we could have stayed longer (we hope to go back). The 2 bedroom cottage was comfortable with a good sized living area and was well designed, with 2 bathrooms including a bath, and a BBQ on the deck. Well maintained and spotless and felt very private and quiet. Ann has thought of everything you might need for a short stay and gave us a great breakfast welcome pack of bacon eggs fruit bread milk and cereals (and even little chocolate frogs). There was a great view to the wetlands with lots of birdlife on view including pelicans, cockatoos, crimson rosellas, galahs, blue fairywrens and plenty that I don't know - there is a bird watching book if you want to check though. There were books and DVDs and lots of space outdoors for our kids to ride their bikes and run around and explore. It is only about 20 minutes drive to Seaspray (90 mile beach). Our hosts were very obliging and prompt replacing the gas bottle for the BBQ when it ran out. There is a wire screen door to the deck, the only thing I felt the cottage needed was a wire screen door on the front door to allow for better air flow, and possibly a blind on the kitchen window.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bridges on Argyle; City: Traralgon Gippsland Victoria; Review: This place is far superior to the other accommodation I have stayed in during my visits to this area. New, modern, large room, comfortable decent bed, good double glazing. Yes you pay more but it is so worth it. My room was at the back of the building and I heard no traffic noise. I liked the small kitchenette but didn't really end up using it on my overnight stay; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: All Seasons Resort Hotel Bendigo; City: Bendigo Greater Bendigo Victoria; Review: Looks very much like a large standard motel from the back. We stayed 2 nights in a triple (queen & single), nice big room, ours was updated and had a new bathroom. It was reasonably soundproof between rooms but you can hear cars coming and going. Wi-fi was free, but didn't work at all the first night, and the second night it was intermittent. The pool was nice enough, inside. The "gym" was tiny (3 things in a small room). Staff were friendly. Bistro dinner was reasonable (think RSL or Club) with a great kids play area and video games room as well as a little play room for toddlers. The outside playground needs updating (but the bistro one makes up for that). The BBQ area seemed nice, but I agree with previous reviewers in that allowing people to smoke in the BBQ area, smoke drifts into the pool area. Don't bother with the breakfast, it was terrible, like a school cafeteria. Certainly not hotel standard, barely motel standard. $18 for an adult, with soggy scrambled eggs and the rest of the lukewarm "hot" food was very greasy. There was cereals but only one small bowl of fruit on offer. I thought $7.50 for a 5 year old was way overpriced - at many chains (all seasons is a chain) children under 12 have free breakfast. I would probably stay again but go elsewhere for breakfast.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Hotel Anteroom Kyoto; City: Kyoto Kyoto Prefecture Kinki; Review: This is an unusual hotel, very arty and modern. The location is outside the city centre, at least 15-20 minutes walk south from Kyoto station and between 2 subway stops. As Kyoto goes, the price was reasonable (probably reflecting the location). We booked a bigger room than the standard size (priced accordingly). They were refitting the foyer art installation on our arrival so the foyer was a bit like a building site on check in and an empty space on check out. We were checked into a room that wasn't finished being cleaned yet which is unacceptable but was the only service issue. When I rang down about this there was no apology, just "it will be ready soon" and we waited in the hallway. I would have hoped it was ready before you gave me the keys, thanks. I liked the wet room with shower, bath and scrub stool, and we had a separate toilet. No cupboards though, just hanging space on the wall. There was a little couch which was a pale grey colour and had an unfortunate big stain on the fabric, making the room feel dirty. Everything else was spotlessly clean.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Grand Mercure Beijing Central; City: Beijing; Review: We booked two of the highest standard rooms at this hotel (executive suite and junior suite), because our group was 4 adults and 2 young children - we were very disappointed especially since each room cost double the price of a standard room. The room was supposed to have a living and dining area (no dining table unless you count a small coffee table in the living area with no chairs as a "dining table"). There was some dead unusable space outside the bathroom, then the bedroom with one rock hard pillow each. This was no comparison to the photo on the website. The foyer of the hotel was quite nice, but the rooms need a renovation. The window on the road side didn't shut properly, and when I rang down they came and "shut" the window but it didn't seal - I could feel a draught and I could still hear all the road noise. I thought maybe it was a language issue, so I went and spoke to the staff at the front desk who spoke the (comparatively) best English. Nothing further was said, and I waited at the desk to see if they could sort it out for me. After 15 minutes I enquired what was happening and I was told to just shut the window! I gave up and had a road noisy night. The side window near the bathroom however was double glazed! The bathroom was cramped, there was hardly any room to actually sit on the toilet, with two door stoppers to stub your toes on, the bathroom door wouldn't close and opened onto the toilet so there was no toilet privacy, the toilet cistern lid kept coming off, dismantling the flush mechanism so it wouldn't flush, the phone in the bathroom had cords hanging out and didn't work, the bedroom cupboard doors were damaged and very very dated. The list goes on. We also asked for an extra bed as we had a child in each room but they wanted to charge $USD70 for each bed (which would be more than the cost of a standard room). Not impressed at all so declined that and my son slept on the couch instead. Breakfast was very average too, dried out buffet food, lukewarm water for tea and coffee. I would not stay here again, it is no way near the standard of a Grand Mercure, or even a standard Mercure. Service was not friendly (our Shanghai hotel was the opposite in every way). We did think that the location was good though, near Tiananmen Square, and convenient and close to the subway.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza; City: Chuo Tokyo Tokyo Prefecture Kanto; Review: We booked 3 nights and enjoyed our stay, except for the hotel restaurant. I have not used this chain before but would definitely use them again. We found the reception location a bit odd on level 3, with an unassuming lift lobby style entrance on the ground floor. Signage was fine though. Staff were friendly and their English was good. They kindly looked after our suitcases for a night before our stay - we dropped them off and then went to Kyoto. The rooms were modern, comfortable and a very good size compared to most Tokyo hotels. The bathroom was good with a wet room including a decent bath, and our children liked the coloured bath salts! We found the little USB/charger port cables very handy, first time we have seen these and hopefully they become common. The internet was fast and free. Location itself is really good, lots of restaurant options and upmarket shopping in area, it a decent walk from Tokyo Station (about 15 mins), but is right on top of the metro (if you come from the metro with bags, be prepared for lots of stairs!). I loved the Japanese restaurant under the hotel at B1or B2 on the way down to the depths of the metro (not part of hotel). We did not try the hotel restaurant for breakfast but we had dinner in the hotel on our last night. We normally prefer to eat local but it was quite late and we were tired. I was not very impressed, Italian themed, the food was average and expensive (even for hotel restaurants). I ordered the pork which I was told came with potatoes, but it didn't. When I queried, he said "sorry I got it wrong". So a lump of pork on a wooden board. Not good value. I was also offended by the compulsory "bread/cover charge" for all guests including both children even though they shared a pizza! This is the only place I have seen charge this outside of Italy. Apparently if you stay in house you can get a small discount (which we didn't realise). Aside from the hotel restaurant, it was a very enjoyable stay and we would happily stay here again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Mercure Port of Echuca; City: Echuca Victoria; Review: This motel is in a good location, easy walk to the port. It is one of the nicer places to stay in Echuca but is definitely not comparable to a 4 star Hotel category. We only stayed one night. The reception staff was nice. The door to our room didn't close properly, you had to give it a shove to ensure it was closed. Our room was nice enough and had been updated, except they really need to cover that awful exposed brick on the two main walls inside the room as it keeps it looking terribly dated. Cover it! We also had a view over the top of McDonalds drive thru, which is a first for me! Breakfast was included in our rate, it was a very simple country motel style continental buffet with basic a la carte options for hot food. Hot food came out quickly and was pleasant enough. I don't know what the normal price is for breakfast. Annoying that the restaurant doesn't accept Accor Plus loyalty card as it has been "sold". It should be in their contract to accept the card, one of the main reasons people choose Accor hotels instead of a cheaper option. The pool area looked nice but it was not swimming weather!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: InterContinental Grand Stanford; City: Hong Kong; Review: We enjoyed our 3 nights here. There is a free shuttle from Hong Kong Station if you use the Airport Express. The rooms are a decent size, modern, we had 2 double beds and a partial ocean view which was the best thing about it - it was well worth the extra! Check in staff at reception were good, the only annoying part was my family in foyer surrounded by suitcases, and nobody offered to take our bags - not really good enough for a "5 star", there was no shortage of porter/concierge staff. The rooftop pool area is lovely (was a bit cold outside in late March though). The location as far as Kowloon goes is good, but surrounded by other Western hotels, expensive Western restaurants and not much soul. It felt very touristy. You can walk to the MRT, Star Ferry and Nathan Road. Breakfast had a good variety but was super expensive - and there are not many other breakfast options around. Whilst this hotel is fine, my next trip to Hong Kong will be back on Hong Kong Island.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport; City: Mascot Botany Bay Greater Sydney New South Wales; Review: This hotel is a standard airport hotel, pleasant room, comfortable bed, lacking in personality. Airport shuttles used to be free, but clearly no longer! $7. There is absolutely nothing else around for dinner or drinks. Service was great from concierge when I left my wallet in the taxi, he immediately rang the cab company for me (evening 1/8). The porter on the driveway was good too, they were both very helpful. The restaurant and bar on the other hand were both disappointing. I went up to the Irish style bar 3 times before I could get any service (it was very quiet and I assume the only staff member was collecting food?). And then they shut 30 mins earlier than they first said. The food in the restaurant was ok (South American?) but if you advertise waffles for dessert for $16, I would expect more than a singular waffle! Very poor value and when I complained about the miserly small single waffle portion, they brought another scoop of ice-cream (but no second waffle). Overall average.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Beehive; City: Male; Review: In July I stayed twice at this hotel - I stayed for work then went to a resort then came back for a transit night. I enjoyed my stay as the staff were friendly (particularly the manager, Julius), service was personal (it is a small hotel, they remember your name). Hotels in Male are not the same standard you expect in the Maldives resorts. Prices are reasonable and a simple but adequate breakfast was included. My first room was a decent size, with a great international adapter powerboard under the "desk" which was super handy. It would have been good to have a powerpoint adapter near the bed as well (or USB points as some hotels now offer), as I found my adapter and the one I borrowed from reception not to work very well in the power points (both kept falling out). The downside of this room was the slat blinds were not block out and I was woken very early every day by daylight streaming in. The water pressure was terrible and the wifi is only set for short stays so you have to get new codes all the time. I had a rock hard pillow but they gave me a softer one on request. In fact the staff tried to help with anything they could. Unfortunately the room on the second visit didn't have any adapter points and had a tiny bathroom where the shower sprayed over the toilet and sink. It was however recently refurbished and had carpet (quieter) and great block out curtains. Both stays there was a large item of renovating equipment stored in the hallway right next to the lift - they are short on space but this was annoying as you had to walk around it to get to the lift or stairs. Small things though as I find service always makes the difference.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Albury Paddlesteamer; City: Albury New South Wales; Review: This is my second stay, and it is a major improvement since my last visit about 3 years ago. My room had a brand new bathroom and the room itself was updated too. The rooms will always be standard, but it was very clean. It was noisy like most motels, with cars parked right outside guest room doors, but there is no major traffic noise, as the road itself is no longer busy like when it was the main highway. The location is no longer as convenient and it is a fairly long walk (about 2km) into the city centre. Value for money was average, but I had a decent sleep and would stay again.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Coolum at the Beach; City: Coolum Beach Sunshine Coast Queensland; Review: We enjoyed our stay as our kids loved the pools, but a few things were disappointing. These are not luxury apartments (though priced accordingly), they are just modern family holiday apartments. The pools were very good, plenty of chairs and shade, next to very clean BBQs and a small but reasonable gym. Underground parking was provided. Location was also good - easy walk across road from a great patrolled beach, adjacent to supermarket, bottle shop and renovated local pub, and walking distance to shops/cafes. The apartment itself was reasonably modern, and pleasant but nothing special. There was good storage, and the kitchen was reasonably well equipped but missing some (mismatched) crockery. We were on the ground floor and the unit was very dark, the back bedrooms we called "the cave" as there was an additional wall outside the apartment which blocked natural light. However at night, fluoro lights in the outside corridor shone into the rooms through the sides of the curtains, keeping the kids awake. I also didn't know I was paying for zero housekeeping service - and no additional amenities - we booked on a hotel site, not a holiday apartment site. Most of the other apartments I have stayed at clean the rooms at least every 3rd day with rubbish cleared daily (or on request). This place apparently only offers a weekly service. At the nightly rate price we paid, I shouldn't have to pay extra for a replacement roll of toilet paper when staying for a week, or more dishwasher powder (which they expect us to use to wash up and put away dishes prior to departure). Made the whole place seem penny pinching and not luxury at all. Also we had to take out all of our own rubbish each day, and the garbage chute was quite revolting. We were also instructed to clean the apartment before leaving or potentially face an additional cleaning charge. Would I stay again? Maybe. But there are plenty of similar properties in the area, similarly located, but more competitively priced with more service.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Vibe Hotel Sydney; City: Sydney New South Wales; Review: Location is very central. Check in staff were both friendly. Room was generic, reasonable size, but a bit tired, particularly the bathroom, but had everything you need. My room was reasonably quiet, considering I had a view onto the intersection. The curtains got stuck (the rail has to go around a bend as it was a corner). The reception staff member came and sorted it promptly, and brought my requested fresh milk. I didn't use the wi-fi but I think it was free. One complaint, the fridge didn't work which I didn't realise until I went to use the milk when I was about to check out. All in all - staff good - room average.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Hilton San Diego Bayfront; City: San Diego California; Review: This hotel is very modern and staff were friendly. Our room was lovely - we had a great view along the waterfront. We liked the location but it is not for everyone as it is near the convention centre at the edge of the city centre - we liked it as it was walking distance to Gaslamp Quarter and along the bay. The pool was nice but crowded by "day visitors". Our kids loved the mini water slide. We left our bags in the morning when the room wasn't ready and waited for a text message to say room was ready - which never came (not unusual with an international number). It is expensive, but I would happily stay again; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: LEGOLAND California Hotel; City: Carlsbad California; Review: This place is great....for kids (which is why we booked it). It is an old hotel that has been done up for Legoland, so the theming is great and was heaps of fun. For adults it is all a bit of a shock especially the noise and general uncontrolled mayhem of kids running around screaming. Made our kids look quiet! Lucky there is a Lego play pit in the foyer as the queues to check in are pretty terrible - staffing is for a 3 star. The room was well designed with bunks semi-separated from the main bed area. We loved the disco lift and there are daily activities for kids. We booked a themed room which was a long walk down the corridor (hotel only 3 levels) but the kids loved it, especially the secret treasure. We didn't dine in for dinner but the very average breakfast was included (also targeted at kids with a kids buffet), lots of queueing again and I had some hygiene concerns with kids touching all the food in the kids buffet that other kids will be eating from... Staff cannot keep up with the mess and spills and sticky floor. This was a one off hotel choice for us, and was great for convenience. The best thing apart from the Lego theming was the early access to the theme park and the smiles on our kids' faces - they loved it!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Fairmont Dallas; City: Dallas Texas; Review: We booked 2 rooms for 3 nights for our family - every night there was a huge conference on. Staff were lovely and our room was nice and generic Fairmont - you do pay more but there is a minimum standard. Pool is not heated!!! Not really a kids hotel . Location is good for downtown but not for life! We found the area quite soulless and had to walk a long way to find good breakfast if you don't want to pay hotel buffet prices.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Swissotel Sydney; City: Sydney New South Wales; Review: We really enjoyed our stay in this hotel, it was a great location above Myer at Pitt St Mall and Market St and we had a view down to Darling Harbour (some water!). Easy to walk all over Sydney city and to Darling Harbour and down to the Rocks and Circular Quay and easy access to transport and loads of shopping! Hotel itself was very nice with decent sized refurbished rooms. Breakfast was a bit hit and miss though, especially when it got busy - the system to get eggs is a bottleneck as it is located behind where everyone is trying to get their bacon etc. The chef struggled to keep up and/or sort out who ordered what. So we had to wait ages as our eggs had clearly been given to someone else. Other than that we really enjoyed our stay and would definitely stay again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: VinOasis Phu Quoc; City: Phu Quoc Island Kien Giang Province; Review: We had a great time during our 6 nights here on a prepaid opening special package with only a few minor irritations. Plus: Brand new hotel, very luxurious – definitely 5 star standard. Wide open spaces, high ceilings etc. Lots of staff. Immaculately clean. Our room was big with views over the pool and to the beach. Free airport shuttle (with a nice permanent booth, not just your name printed on a piece of paper!) Free buffet breakfast, buffet dinner, cocktail each day. Free access to Vinpearl Safari, Zoo and VinPearl land next door. Sunset is lovely - direct west on the beach. The resort water park is great, if somewhat empty. Most staff were very friendly and helpful where possible. (English is quite limited for most staff, except the staff at reception and guest services). Free kids club open long hours (but pretty basic with no planned activities and all in one big open room including a baby cot in it?). Minus: On arrival I was not asked for a credit card or cash deposit to the room as is the standard at hotels worldwide. I didn’t even notice. However, it was extremely embarrassing when I ordered from room service and when I was signing for it I was told I couldn't charge to the room - I had to pay cash! It took a while to work out the issue and then sort it out (possibly due to language barrier). Eventually I went all the way back to reception to leave a credit card. There is still only one restaurant open. The buffet dinner variety was good, but after a few days is all very same same. Very limited options for lunch. Other restaurants are not yet open. There is not much else to do independently in the immediate area. Pool movies is a great idea but was often cancelled and relocated to the bar due to rain. - my kids were keen but the movies were all quite violent with M or R ratings. Sometimes the info conflicts – on check we were told pool is open until 9pm, signs at pool say 7pm, really 6.45pm latest before you are asked to leave. Overzealous lifeguards (maybe a bit bored?). Beware there are lots of water slides you can't do alone, or have to be 140cm (our 8yo is 135cm). No towels can be taken from the pool area. if it is raining you just have to walk from the pool with no towel, and then drip all over the tiles inside - dangerous! Just to make sure they don't lose a towel? Design issue - we went to Akoya Spa for a treatment however it was raining. The spa is a number of different buildings - from reception to the change area to the treatment rooms. So we got soaked going between (they offer an umbrella but the water was up to our ankles in parts!) Suggestions: Offer a kid friendly pool movie before the main movie (eg 6.45pm). Have fries on the room service menu. Have themed dinners; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Pullman Adelaide; City: Adelaide Greater Adelaide South Australia; Review: We really enjoyed our 3 nights at Pullman Adelaide, we really liked the location. Rooms are modern, and it had a gym, pool, spa, sauna and steam room. Tip though - hotels 101 - when refurbishing, you really need 2 power-points on each side of the bed, and/or USB ports so that…; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Novotel Saigon Centre Hotel; City: Ho Chi Minh City; Review: I would never stay at this hotel again. The website allows booking for 2 adults and 2 children so I would expect them to have somewhere to sleep. Room had a queen bed and a single sofa (like a small chaise) which was smaller than a single bed. I rang down and asked for a rollaway so that each child could have a bed, and was told that it cannot fit in the room, there is no larger room and that the 7 year old would have to share the bed with myself and my husband. I would never have stayed here if I knew that it CANNOT accommodate 2 adults and 2 children in a room. Fix your booking system so that 2adults and 1 child is the maximum - you deceived me and basically I was forced to have an uncomfortable night. I would have chosen a different hotel that accommodates my needs instead of prepaying for something that is effectively impossible to deliver. Meanwhile my son knocked over an extremely cheap vase in the bar, and then they wanted my room number to charge for the broken vase. Disgusted.; Rating: 2.0/5.0	hotelrec
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows: Title: Koh Tao Montra Resort Spa; City: Koh Tao Surat Thani Province; Review: The hotel looks great and has many facilities like 2 big pools and a pool bar and access to the sea. Our room had a nice balcony but unfortunately smelled really moldy, especially mattress and cushions. Worst thing: The people next door had the TV on full volume for the whole night. But the staff was so friendly!!! Wouldn't go there again.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Nadapa Resort Koh Tao; City: Koh Tao Surat Thani Province; Review: We were staying in a room with a fan at the ground floor. The building is very new (from March 2013) and the furniture in our room was made out of concrete except the bed. The room was very clean in the beginning but we stayed for almost ten days and it was only cleaned once, also the bin, and we had to ask for fresh bed sheets. We had many ants in our room even when we hung up all food onto hangers. But of course the room was really cheap and the guy at the reception was friendly. The location is really good.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Waldhotel Bad Sulzburg; City: Sulzburg Baden Wurttemberg; Review: Lovely place to spend a weekend in solitude, to relax and to enjoy nature. We stayed at the hotel with our family (all adults) and really enjoyed the peaceful surroundings. The hotel is very close to the forest so you can go on hikes and walks and afterwards relax in the SPA. The rooms are of good quality and at night it was absolutely quiet. The breakfast buffet offers a great variety of bread, fruits, eggs, cake, cheese, muesli etc. really delicious, served in a beautiful winter garden. The staff was very friendly. We have been to the hotel for about four to five times and are always happy to come back.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Wyndham Garden Donaueschingen; City: Donaueschingen Baden Wurttemberg; Review: We spend one night at the hotel and it was a really bad night with very little sleep. From the description and the pictures we expected a picturesque and peaceful hotel surrounded by lush green plants. What we got was a room facing a busy road and behind that a railway line backed by a church with a strong bell. On our bed we found earplugs - what kind of relaxation is that? The receptionist told us that the last train would stop at 22.45h which wasn't true because further trains passed through much later. The room was rather old and the car park really difficult to maneuver in. The few good things about this place were very friendly waiters and waitresses at the restaurant, a delicious breakfast buffet and large koi ponds in the centre of the restaurant.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Le Beach Club; City: Pereybere; Review: We stayed in the hotel for one week at a two storey loft. It was really nice to have the beach right in front of the hotel - one of the most beautiful beaches. Swimming in the sea was fantastic! The room was very spacious and we had a kitchen and two balconies. The nearby supermarket and food stalls made cooking very easy. The breakfast was provided by the hotel and alright. The staff at the reception was rather brief and neither welcoming nor helpful. The people responsible for the restaurant, cleaning and security were really kind. What was annoying was loud music in the middle of the night from cars near the hotel or night clubs/bars. We thought we could walk to Grand Baie which was not very nice because there is no sidewalk - rather take a taxi. There is always one in front of the hotel. When you book a room make sure you get one with sea view!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Tama Hotel; City: Saint Gilles Les Bains Arrondissement of Saint Paul; Review: From the homepage we expected bright rooms, a beautiful view and a modern apartment. Instead we got a room with no daylight, unless we opened a kind of garage shutter which opened towards a patch of soil and a gutter. When other guests arrived, we constantly had their cigarette smoke drifting into our kitchen. What we didn't understand is why they put us into this room, because we had the impression that the other rooms with a beautiful view were not booked for days. Pros: In the beginning, the nights were very quiet. The nearby supermarket is very well equipped and the region is really recommendable because it is very dry and warm with lots of sunshine.; Rating: 2.0/5.0	hotelrec
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Virtua Tennis - Sega Dreamcast; Brand: by Sega; Review: "Very fun but very frustrating" Virtua Tennis is a simple and fun tennis game that anyone can pick up and play. However, there are two major problems with the game. They are the computer AI and the overly difficult challenges near the end of the game. Gameplay: 7 Virtua Tennis has three different modes of play in which you can play both singles and doubles matches. In Arcade mode you basically play five tennis games. If you want to move on to the next opponent you must beat the current one. If you lose one match you are eliminated. In the Exhibition mode you just play one game with the players and court of your choosing. In the World Circuit mode you must travel the world and play matches of increasing difficulty. There are also training stages. In these you must do things like knock bowling pins down and smash boxes off of the court. There are only two buttons in Virtua Tennis. The A button button is a regular shot and the B button is a lob shot. Lobbing hardly ever works. About 90% of the time you try a lob shot your opponent will smash an impossibly hard to hit shot back in your face. You can also dive for the ball. This almost never works. If you are lucky enough to be able to hit the ball when you dive it will usually go out or leave a very easy shot for your opponent. At first there are eight players to choose from. By playing through the World Circuit you can unlock eight more. Each of them have their own strengths and weaknesses. While some of the players, like Tim Henman and Mark Philippoussis, are fairly well known, none of them are huge superstars. I really don't care about that though. There are also ten courts to choose from. There are four different court surfaces that play quite differently. This is a very nice feature because your strategy slightly changes depending on what surface you are playing on. Virtua Tennis can be very addictive. It is easy to sit down and spend many hours with this game. I found it hard to put down the controller after playing. One flaw in the game is the computer AI. When you are playing the computer it seems like most of the time they have a pattern. Whatever side of the court you hit the ball from the computer usually hits it to the other side. I frequently found myself sprinting to the other side of the court before the computer player would even hit the ball. Your computer partner in doubles is even worse. He simply doesn't do his job. I have felt like throwing the controller through my TV screen many times because my partner would just stand there and let the ball pass him. The computer will also sometimes lunge into your side of the court to hit the ball. Another thing I don't like about the game is how absurdly hard it is to get some of the; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Aidyn Chronicles: The First Mage; Brand: Aidyn chronicles; Review: "Aidyn Chronicles is pure bliss." Aidyn Chronicles is easily one of the best games I have ever played. It is also very different from any other game I have ever played. The battle system, storyline, character customization, and the overall feel of the game is completely unique and original. Story: 9 Aidyn Chronicles is about a young orphan named Alaron who searches for a cure for his poisoned body and ends up searching for his true name. He also meets a strange spirit who tells him many strange things. I absolutely loved the story. It becomes more and more interesting the more you progress through the game. You get to travel to many large towns and meet many interesting characters. The towns are very different from each other. One is near snowy mountains, one is in the desert, and another is a port near the ocean (my personal favorite). I think there are 13 different characters that can join your party. You can only have four party members at a time. Every character has his or her own unique personality. You will have a very different experience depending on who you choose. The game takes place in a medieval fantasy setting. I think the setting is perfect. There are two downsides to the story. One is the fact that the characters make the same motion over and over again while talking. This gets extremely annoying. The other is the ending. The ending is very bad. I better not say anything else about it. Gameplay: 10 The gameplay is wonderful. There are two different modes of gameplay. They are trek mode and battle mode. In trek mode you explore the world of Aidyn and go from town to town. Most of the areas of the game are incredibly expansive. The mountains and desert in particular are just amazingly huge. There are many different caves and other secret areas that aren't part of the main quest. Most of them don't have anything very good in them though. To get into a battle you must get near enemies that are in trek mode. A lot of them guard roads or paths. If you have a high enough stealth rating you can sneak past them if you want. If you sneak up on them it gives a better position in battle. The battles themselves are very original and fun. Your party members and the enemies have a certain amount of space in which they can move. It is a little bit like the Shining Force games. When you get close enough to the enemies you can attack them. Characters with a high thief rating inflict more damage from behind. If you want you can equip some characters with long-range weapons like bows but it never seemed to work well for me. You can build up your characters however you want. It's probably a good idea to build up ratings like strength, dexterity, and warrior at the beginning of the game, but you certainly don't have to. Some skills don't have anything to do with combat. The; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: We Love Katamari - PlayStation 2; Brand: by Bandai; Review: Back in September of 2004, Namco released a quirky, low budget game called Katamari Damacy. The game was not expected to tear up the sales charts in North America and was released at the budget price of $20. You roll around a ball and have to get a bunch of stuff stuck to your ball as quickly as possible. Not exactly something that would seem to be successful in America. However, those who purchased on release discovered simple yet wonderfully fun and addictive gameplay, bizarre humour, surreal visuals, and an eclectic and catchy soundtrack. Word of mouth spread and Katamari Damacy became an unexpected sleeper hit. Now, one year later, a sequel has been released called We Love Katamari (Everybody Loves Katamari Damacy in Japan). Could WLK possibly reach the high bar set by the original? No, it far exceeds it. Story This time around we follow the tragic childhood of the King Of All Cosmos. We discover the king had a harsh and abusive father. It hardly needs mentioning that this is presented in a purely non-serious, humorous fashion. The cutscenes include chopped off pompadours, a boxing rabbit, and red pandas. Yep, it's all just as weird and random as in KD. That's a good thing in my book. And yes, the intro is just as stoned out as KD's. Gameplay You still roll a katamari around and collect as much junk as possible in a limited amount of time. The controls are basically the same as well. Namco knows not to fix what isn't broken. WLK feels every bit as fun and fresh as the original. There simply are not enough original and unique games being made like this one. Maybe when there are a thousand other "roll a ball around and collect stuff" games I'll complain. I certainly won't be doing so any time soon. This time around the stages are larger and more numerous, the locations are more varied, and the goals are more diverse. Many stages are hyper and crazy like in KD, but some are calm or even beautiful. It feels nice rolling up fireflies on a peaceful night or rolling up flowers in a beautiful paradise. Mix in goofy stages like controlling a sumo wrestler who has to eat as much food as possible before his bout, and WLK hardly ever gets old. The 23 cousins from the first game return and are joined by 17 new cousins for a total of 40. You can now use them all in the single player mode, which is especially nice considering how awesomely designed they all are. The presents return as well, and there are many, many, many more than in KD. Like the cousins, they are bizarre yet neat looking. Also like the cousins, some of the presents can be very challenging to find without help. Passing the minimum requirement on each stage usually isn't difficult, but the king will scold you if you only get the minimum. Retrying the stages and getting the king's full approval can be quite challenging. So, in a certain sense,; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia; Brand: by NIS America; Review: Ar Tonelico: Melody of Elemia is the latest 2-D RPG from the developers at Gust, who are mostly known for the long-running Atelier series. The game was released in North America by NIS America, over a year after the Japanese release. Originally scheduled for a much earlier release date, the game was delayed several times due to NIS America not realizing just how much dialogue needed translating. Ar Tonelico takes place in a unique fantasy world centering around a massive tower called shockgasp Ar Tonelico. At the base of the tower lie the Wings of Horus, a land where the common folk live their puny little lives. Much farther up Ar Tonelico is the holy city of Platina, where our whiny protagonist, Lyner Barsett, resides. As an Apostle of Elemia, Lyner's job is to fight off viruses invading Platina. Soon, however, Lyner crashes his airship (why does that always happen?) and lands on the Wings of Horus. He comes to meet two cute beings known as Reyvateils. This strange race consisting of only attractive young girls is a vital force in Ar Tonelico's world, as they are the only capable bearers of Song Magic. The shy, traumatized Aurica, and the spicy loli, Misha, are the two Reyvs fighting for Lyner's, and thus the player's, attention. You must make a choice between the two at one point, so I suppose there is a tiny element of dating simulator here, but it certainly isn't prominent. This branching point, among others, create seven possible endings. The girls' personalities, as well as the two paths, are different enough to warrant playing the game more than once, despite the lack of a "New Game+" option. Other characters include the stereotypical lone gunman Jack, the unsocial, chainsaw-wielding female mechanic Krusche, and the holy knight Radolf. These party members don't have many lines or really much depth, because most of the narrative attention is (understandably) given to the Reyvateils. As you explore Ar Tonelico's varying environments, you will, just like in any RPG, have to engage in combat with assorted foes. The battles are random (ie you don't see the enemies on the field), which is, as usual, annoying. A nifty little encounter feature helps make up for this, however. A green bar appears on the lower-right corner of the screen whenever fiends are present. As battle draws near, the bar begins flashing red. After each encounter is complete, the bar is drained a bit. When it empties, you no longer have to fight monsters in the current area (unless you exit and re-enter). This aspect helps lessen the tedium of fighting countless battles in massive areas, in that you can actually feel progress being made with each fight. The battles themselves take place with a party of four: Three normal combatants plus a Reyvateil. Reyvateils can do nothing but sing Song Magic, which works by charging the magic to a certain point, then using it. Song Magic itself is really just a fancy name for standard RPG spells (attack magic, healing, and stat enhancers), except for the charging; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Rule of Rose - PlayStation 2; Brand: by Atlus; Review: As the teen and young adult male populations tend to consume the profit-making minds of game developers, anything (even superficially) deemed too "kiddie" or "girly" is often left out. Females that aren't either boring sex ciphers, perky and cute anime archetypes, or unrealistic, token "strong women" are a rare sight in the video game universe. Young children in active roles are practically non-existent. It's encouraging, then, to see Rule of Rose break these two annoying trends. The player takes control of Jennifer, an English schoolgirl who arrives in a bus at a big, spooky house. The premise may seem entirely generic at first, but this is intentional. Absolutely nothing is know of Jennifer's past or even her life at the outset. However, as the game unravels, more and more is revealed until we learn her devastating history. As a mystery/horror story, Rule of Rose is a sparkling success. Jennifer runs into and is basically imprisoned by the girls of the Red Crayon Aristocrats. Each girl has a widely different personality, but they are all sadistic yet vulnerable. The Aristocrats function as a sort of female version of Lord of the Flies. Those on top are treated as royalty, while those on the bottom are treated as sub-human filth. This game achieves what so little others do: The player strongly feels for Jennifer and is worried for her. While playing, I felt as Jennifer felt, and desperately wanted her to escape. The children accentuate this by being perfectly voiced, with not a rotten apple in the bunch. Everyone has genuine English accents, which is vital for believability. No one sounds as if they are simply reading lines, and I never even thought about the voice acting while playing. Which is as it should be. Slow strings are the musical medium of choice for much of Rule of Rose, and they go well enough with the atmosphere. Slow, tense music plays during suspenseful moments, dramatic songs play during emotional scenes, and faster, intense strings play during battle. Again, it all fits the mood nicely, but there's nothing here that's memorable or of interest outside the game. Clever visual motifs further engross the player into this strange world. Wiggly, child-like animations are used quite a bit, such as in loading screens, chapter introductions, and in books (which serve a similar purpose as memos or notes do in other horror games). These childish doodles often portray brutal content, making them eerie and surreal. The in-game graphics are at about the standard for PS2 horror titles. There's nothing here pushing system limits, but nothing noticeably sub-par either. The main cast are understandably much more detailed than other characters. With such a nice environment and theme, the developers had a real gem in their hands. It's too bad, then, that they actually make you play the game. As Jennifer explores, she will inevitably encounter odd, child-like ghouls. Sadly, she will virtually only encounter these creatures. Lifeless, malicious zombie children? Sure, that's pretty creepy. Unfortunately, the scare factor is completely eliminated when you see them every other step. Jennifer; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Shiren The Wanderer - Nintendo Wii; Brand: by Atlus; Review: Shiren the Wanderer isn't like most RPGs out there; you can't just level grind and expect to get by. There are practically no easy battles in the later dungeons, you've always got to be on your toes and think one step ahead. Item management plays a central role. This is my first roguelike, and although I've not played one before, I can tell that it's the real deal, not a "roguelike on training wheels" as some were fearing. While you can keep your levels for most of the main story, the post-game dungeons are a different story. And even when only your items are lost upon death, it's still more challenging than 95% of RPGs out there. (I should mention, though, that it's never challenging in a frustrating way. There's always a drive to go right back into that dungeon you just died in and try again.) No two dungeon trips are ever the same, so the game looks to be endlessly replayable. I believe Chunsoft have accomplished what they probably sought out to do: Satisfy the hardcore roguelike faction while also opening doors to the general RPG fan. Wii owners don't have much of a selection when it comes to any sort of RPG, especially those of the turn-based type. Thankfully, we now have at least one excellent title in the genre to cherish.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Video_Games
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Large Embroidery Hoop - 5" x 7" - SA439 Replacement; Brand: Other; Review: The item I received is not a good embroidery hoop. I just ruined the second blanket in a row because the stabilizer released out of the hoop. My hoop also doesn't look like the image shown, so I guess I received a cheap knock off.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Mudder Plastic Sewing Machine Bobbins with Storage Case for Brother Janome Singer Elna Sewing Machine, Transparent, 25 Pieces; Brand: Mudder; Review: Nice case, but the bobbins are breaking quite easily. I have already thrown out 5 because they cracked and broke while adding thread.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Grabbit Magnetic Sewing Pincushion with 50 Plastic Head Pins, Blue; Brand: Grabbit; Review: Perfect for my needs. Actually ordered it twice since I liked it so much; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Clover 4710 Pen Style Chaco Liner Blue; Brand: Clover; Review: It "catches" on the chalk every now and then and then pulls the fabric, but overall I am happy and would buy again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Sewline Riolis Sewline Water-Soluble Fabric Glue Pen with Refill-Blue; Brand: Sewline; Review: How did I ever sew spandex without it?; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Arts_Crafts_and_Sewing
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows: Title: The Dead Saint (Bishop Lynn Peterson); Author: Visit Amazon's Marilyn Brown Oden Page; Review: I thought this book was good but, way too long. Some of the descriptions were not necessary. Although it did have a good twist toward the end. I would enjoy reading another book from the author if it has a short story line.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: They Almost Always Come Home; Author: Visit Amazon's Cynthia Ruchti Page; Review: This book about the miscommunication between a married couple and how they grew apart but, near disaster brought them together again. Test of faith, love and marriage. The male character loves boating in Canada.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Abiding Hope; Author: Visit Amazon's Angela Benson Page; Review: I personally like the Christian fiction stories. It shows the character of a Christian and what family should be about.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: All the Angels Stood - Kindle edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Laura J. Marshall Page; Review: I loved how she showed how much Christ loves us even when we lose all hope in ourselves. The determination of the young man in the spirit is just tremendous and loving. It shows God's awesome unconditional love for us. Thank you Laura Marshall and Holy Spirit.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Everything's an Argument with Readings: With 2001 APA Update; Author: Visit Amazon's Andrea A. Lunsford Page; Review: My son really enjoyed having this book for his college course.; Rating: 4.0/5.0	amazon_books
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Mizone Allison 3 Piece Comforter Set, Yellow, Twin/Twin X-Large; Brand: Mi-Zone; Review: THE Set would be ideal if a matching bed skirt was included.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Cotton Craft Napkins, 12 Pack Oversized Dinner Napkins 20x20 Ivory, 100% Cotton, Tailored with Mitered corners and a generous; Brand: Cotton Craft; Review: It was fine. A little thin in quality.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Northwest Enterprises Hard Plastic One Piece 5-Ounce Champagne Flutes, Clear, 20 Count; Brand: Party Essentials; Review: Cheap, disposable; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Home Basics Paper Towel Holder PH00820 (Red); Brand: Home Basics; Review: It was missing a rubber piece on the bottom.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Teeny Peenie Bachelorette Party Sipping Straws- 20 Pack; Brand: Haute Soiree; Review: Got them as a birthday gift. Low ankle socks, perfect!; Rating: 4.0/5.0	amazon_Home_and_Kitchen
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows: Title: High Fidelity (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Royal Tenenbaums (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Something's Gotta Give (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Dogma (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Perfect Storm (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Jaws (1975); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Mummy (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Beautiful Mind (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: 1984 (1984); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Three Musketeers (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Aliens: Collector's Edition (1986); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Grumpy Old Men (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Clash of the Titans (1981); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Beverly Hills Cop (1984); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Sixteen Candles (1984); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Lethal Weapon (1987); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (1940); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Alien: Collector's Edition (1979); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Braveheart (1995); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Silence of the Lambs (1991); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Cocoon (1985); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Ghost (1990); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Starman (1984); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Men in Black II (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Forever Young (1992); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: 10 Things I Hate About You (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Lethal Weapon 3 (1992); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Farscape: Season 2 (2000); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Stargate (1994); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Finding Nemo (Widescreen) (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Signs (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Sixth Sense (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Mask: Special Edition (1994); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Grumpier Old Men (1995); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Rain Man (1988); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Farscape: Season 4 (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Tremors (1990); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Judge Dredd (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Glory (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Gone in 60 Seconds (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Angels in the Outfield (1994); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: My Cousin Vinny (1992); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Farscape: Season 1 (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Rocky (1976); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Time Machine (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Trading Places (1983); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Mummy Returns (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Terminator (1984); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Pretty Woman (1990); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: A Bug's Life (1998); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Black Hawk Down (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Breakfast Club (1985); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Stand by Me (1986); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Romancing the Stone (1984); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Fatal Attraction (1987); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Tron (1982); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: The Road Warrior (1981); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Apollo 13 (1995); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: O Brother (2000); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Willow (1988); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Another 48 Hrs. (1990); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Haunted Mansion (2003); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Seven (1995); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Barton Fink (1991); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Star Trek: Nemesis (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Terminator 2: Extreme Edition (1991); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Brewster's Millions (1985); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Batman Returns (1992); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Pearl Harbor (2001); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Batteries Not Included (1987); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: As Good as It Gets (1997); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Fifth Element (1997); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Die Hard (1988); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Weird Science (1985); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Runaway Bride (1999); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: A Clockwork Orange (1971); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Monsters (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Risky Business (1983); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Forrest Gump (1994); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Three Men and a Baby (1987); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Star Trek: First Contact (1996); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Shining (1980); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: 48 Hrs. (1983); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Big Fish (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Rock (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Coming to America (1988); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Lethal Weapon 2 (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Star Trek: Insurrection (1998); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Farscape: Season 3 (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Enemy Mine (1985); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Schindler's List (1993); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Men in Black (1997); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Ghostbusters 2 (1989); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Lean on Me (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: A Fish Called Wanda (1988); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Never Been Kissed (1999); Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Air Force One (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Basic Instinct (1992); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Total Recall (1990); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Money Train (1995); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Misery (1990); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Jurassic Park (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Lethal Weapon 4 (1998); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Raising Arizona (1987); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Batman (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Matrix (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Beetlejuice (1988); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Assassins (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: City Slickers (1991); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Independence Day (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Darkman (1990); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Running Man (1987); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Big (1988); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Mask of Zorro (1998); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Remember the Titans (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Firestarter 2: Rekindled (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Demolition Man (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Con Air (1997); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Fugitive (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Rambo: First Blood: Ultimate Edition (1982); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: GoldenEye (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Maverick (1994); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Look Who's Talking Now (1993); Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: The 20th Anniversary (Rerelease) (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Clueless (1995); Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Ghostbusters (1984); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Sling Blade (1996); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Single White Female (1992); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Roxanne (1987); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The First Wives Club (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Cape Fear (1962); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Green Card (1990); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Princess Bride (1987); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Frequency (2000); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Monty Python's The Meaning of Life: Special Edition (1983); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Cheaper by the Dozen (1950); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: National Lampoon's Animal House (1978); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Immortal Beloved (1994); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Rush Hour 2 (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Nick of Time (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Stephen King's It! (1990); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Prophecy 2 (1998); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Private Parts (1997); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Once Bitten (1985); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Man on the Moon (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Rush Hour (1998); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Prophecy 3: The Ascent (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Stephen King's Cat's Eye (1985); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Wag the Dog (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Pulp Fiction (1994); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Lost in Translation (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Star Trek: Generations (1994); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Prophecy (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Suicide Kings (1997); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Batman Forever (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Hannibal (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Truman Show (1998); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Birdcage (1996); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Lawnmower Man (1992); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Wedding Planner (2001); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: U.S. Marshals (1998); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Beverly Hills Cop III (1994); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: K-9 (1989); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Brother Bear (Theatrical Widescreen Version) (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Planes (1987); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: All of Me (1984); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Who Framed Roger Rabbit?: Special Edition (1988); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Patch Adams (1998); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Miss Congeniality (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Spaceballs (1987); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Sister Act (1992); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Beethoven (1992); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Stepmom (1998); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Jerk (1979); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: True Lies (1994); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: My Blue Heaven (1990); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bowfinger (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Three Amigos (1986); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Alien 3: Collector's Edition (1992); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Sweet Home Alabama (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Say Anything (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: For Your Eyes Only (1981); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The World Is Not Enough (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Caddyshack (1980); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: L.A. Story (1991); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Hairspray (1988); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Ransom (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Green Mile (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Terminal (2004); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Tomorrow Never Dies (1997); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: National Lampoon's Vacation (1983); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Lion King: Special Edition (1994); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Monty Python: The Life of Python (2000); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Others (2001); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Murder By Numbers (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Pelican Brief (1993); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Phenomenon (1996); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Die Another Day (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Simpsons: Season 2 (1990); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Ice Age (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Monty Python's And Now for Something Completely Different (1971); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Crocodile Dundee (1986); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Hang 'Em High (1968); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Golden Years (1991); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Congo (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Reservoir Dogs (1992); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Firestarter (1984); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Stir Crazy (1980); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Curly Sue (1991); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Back to the Future Part III (1990); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Absolute Power (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Joe Versus the Volcano (1990); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Wayne's World (1992); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Emperor's New Groove (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: From Hell (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Roger Waters: The Wall: Live in Berlin (1990); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Little Nicky (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Addams Family (1991); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Flight of the Navigator (1986); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: PCU (1994); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Woman in Red (1984); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Shanghai Noon (2000); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: She's Having A Baby (1988); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Blues Brothers: Extended Cut (1980); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Sleepy Hollow (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Back to the Future Part II (1989); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Great Outdoors (1988); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Great Mouse Detective (1986); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Money Pit (1986); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Tommy Boy (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: See No Evil (1989); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bulletproof (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Edward Scissorhands (1990); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: That Thing You Do! (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Spies Like Us (1985); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Billy Madison (1995); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Cable Guy (1996); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: The Rescuers (1977); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Beauty and the Beast: Special Edition (1991); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Bridges of Madison County (1995); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Muppet Treasure Island (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Happy Gilmore (1996); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Good (1966); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Canadian Bacon (1995); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Turner and Hooch (1989); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Dennis the Menace (1993); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Antz (1998); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Airheads (1994); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Haunted Honeymoon (1986); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: An American Tail (1986); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The 'Burbs (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Evita (1996); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Shanghai Knights (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dragnet (1987); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A League of Their Own (1992); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Ferngully: The Last Rainforest (1992); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: In the Line of Fire (1993); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Oliver & Company (1988); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Funny Farm (1988); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Benny and Joon (1993); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Aristocats (1970); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Summer Rental (1985); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Toy Story (1995); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Producers (1968); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Cast Away (2000); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: The Virgin Suicides (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: High Noon (1952); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Waterboy (1998); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Anastasia (1997); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Pretty in Pink (1986); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Big Daddy (1999); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Black Sheep (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Brave Little Toaster (1987); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Nothing But Trouble (1991); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Wedding Singer (1998); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Muppet Movie (1979); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Unforgiven (1992); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dirty Harry (1972); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Grinch (2000); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Blow (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Anger Management (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: High School High (1996); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Clue (1985); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dragonheart (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Charlotte's Web (1973); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Santa Clause 2 (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Untamed Heart (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Rob Roy (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Police Academy 3: Back in Training (1986); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Boyz N the Hood (1991); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Hercules (1997); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Look Who's Talking Too (1990); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Wolf (1994); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Hook (1991); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Nine Months (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Lord of the Rings (1978); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Alamo (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Ghost and the Darkness (1996); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Ricochet (1991); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Teen Wolf / Teen Wolf Too (Double Feature) (1985); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Aladdin: Platinum Edition (1992); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Great Balls of Fire! (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Look Who's Talking (1989); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Diamonds (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Top Secret! (1984); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Three Men and a Little Lady (1990); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Parent Trap (1998); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Pocahontas (1995); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Man Without a Face (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Undercover Blues (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Death Becomes Her (1992); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Toy (1982); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Planet of the Apes (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Footloose: Special Collector's Edition (1984); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Disturbing Behavior (1998); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Army of Darkness (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Baby Geniuses (1999); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Overboard (1987); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Don Juan De Marco (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Doc Hollywood (1991); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Stuart Little (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Rushmore (1998); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold (1994); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Twins (1988); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Nutty Professor (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Secret of My Success (1987); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: An American Werewolf in Paris (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Freejack (1991); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Good Morning (1987); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Jewel of the Nile (1985); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Raising Cain (1992); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: UHF (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Popeye (1980); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Island of Dr. Moreau: Director's Cut (1996); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Langoliers (1995); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Do the Right Thing (1989); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Robin Hood (Disney) (1973); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Doors (1991); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Solo (1996); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Flubber (1997); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Mrs. Doubtfire (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dirty Dancing (1987); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Top Gun (1986); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Can't Hardly Wait (1998); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: An American Werewolf in London (1981); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Something to Talk About (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Junior (1994); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Interview with the Vampire (1994); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Throw Momma From the Train (1987); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Mad Max (1979); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Fisher King (1991); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Save the Last Dance (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Homeward Bound 2: Lost in San Francisco (1996); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Gung Ho (1986); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Treasure Planet (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Cocktail (1988); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Father of the Bride 2 (1995); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Weekend at Bernie's (1989); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Groundhog Day (1993); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Needful Things (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Scrooged (1988); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Waterworld (1995); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Re-Animator (1985); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Passenger 57 (1992); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: What Dreams May Come (1998); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Anaconda (1997); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Batman & Robin (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Toys (1992); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: The Black Cauldron (1985); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bicentennial Man (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Striking Distance (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The World According to Garp (1982); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Powder (1995); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Homicide: Life on the Street: Seasons 1 & 2 (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: 12 Monkeys (1995); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dracula 2000 (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Harold and Maude (1971); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Shrek (Full-screen) (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dead Poets Society (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Jumanji (1995); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Slums of Beverly Hills (1998); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Preacher's Wife (1996); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Traffic (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Fox and the Hound (1981); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Ruthless People (1986); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Space Jam (1996); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Last Boy Scout (1991); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Kindergarten Cop (1990); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Trespass (1992); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Meet Joe Black (1998); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Shrek (Widescreen) (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Tombstone (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Tigger Movie (2000); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Kingpin (1996); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Murder at 1600 (1997); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dune (1984); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Philadelphia (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dumbo (1941); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Peter Pan (1953); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Tootsie (1982); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Varsity Blues (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Dangerous Minds (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Dr. T & the Women (2000); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Scream (1996); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear (1991); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Encino Man (1992); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Shrek 2 (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: While You Were Sleeping (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Erin Brockovich (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Vegas Vacation (1997); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Vampire in Brooklyn (1995); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Last Starfighter (1984); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Caddyshack 2 (1988); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Dr. Dolittle (1998); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: Special Edition (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Goonies (1985); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: From Dusk Till Dawn (1996); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Peggy Sue Got Married (1986); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: My Best Friend's Wedding (1997); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Outbreak (1995); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Practical Magic (1998); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Twister (1996); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Toy Soldiers (1991); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Big Trouble in Little China (1986); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Patriot (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Naked Gun (1988); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Mary Reilly (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Vampires: Los Muertos (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Cops & Robbersons (1994); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Halloween (1978); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Lilo and Stitch (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Sandlot (1993); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Wallace & Gromit in Three Amazing Adventures (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The American President (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Into the Woods (1990); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: My Girl 2 (1994); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Sleeping Beauty: Special Edition (1959); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Commitments (1991); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Road to Wellville (1994); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: War Games (1983); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Passion of the Christ (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Scarface: 20th Anniversary Edition (1983); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: George of the Jungle (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Trapped in Paradise (1994); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Dick Tracy (1990); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Buddy Holly Story (1978); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Holes (2003); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Sleuth (1972); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Jaws: The Revenge (1987); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Can't Buy Me Love (1987); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bird on a Wire (1990); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Inspector Gadget (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Cliffhanger (1993); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Fly / The Fly 2 (1986); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Payback (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Carrie (1976); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Alice in Wonderland (1951); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Babe (1995); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dave (1993); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Red Dragon (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Chicken Run (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Always (1989); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Three Caballeros (1942); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Flatliners (1990); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Men at Work (1990); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Hot Shots! (1991); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Jerry Maguire (1996); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Terminal Velocity (1994); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Flashback (1990); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Few Good Men (1992); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Tuesdays with Morrie (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Secret of N-I-M-H (1982); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Ocean's Eleven (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Love Bug (1968); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Parent Trap (1961); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Fly Away Home (1996); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Road to Perdition (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Fun and Fancy Free (1947); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A Kid in King Arthur's Court (1995); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: The Great Muppet Caper (1981); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Air Bud: Golden Receiver (1998); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Mars Attacks! (1996); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Miami Rhapsody (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Dudley Do-Right (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Honeymoon in Vegas (1992); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Mannequin (1987); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Fantasia 2000 (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Futurama: Vol. 1 (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Best of The Muppet Show: Peter Sellers / John Cleese / Dudley Moore (1978); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Madeline (1998); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Best of The Muppet Show: Mark Hamill / Paul Simon / Raquel Welch (1978); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Exorcist: Restored Version (1973); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Best of The Muppet Show: Diana Ross / Brooke Shields / Rudolph Nuryev (1976); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Pete's Dragon (1977); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Lion King 1 1/2 (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Twister (1990); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Matchstick Men (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Sword in the Stone (1963); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The NeverEnding Story (1984); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Uncle Buck (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: My Fair Lady: Special Edition (1964); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bad Boys (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Wizard of Oz: Collector's Edition (1939); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Wild Wild West (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Storm of the Century (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Sound of Music (1965); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Wild Thornberrys Movie (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Desperado / El Mariachi (1995); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: South Pacific (1958); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Gremlins (1984); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Mona Lisa Smile (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Oklahoma! (1955); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Last Unicorn (1982); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Vanishing Point (1971); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Dark Crystal (1982); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Goldfinger (1964); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Les Miserables (1998); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Back to the Future (1985); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Crow (1994); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Fried Green Tomatoes (1991); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Tales from the Crypt: Deadly Duo (1995); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Cheaper by the Dozen (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Stigmata (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: South Pacific (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Friday the 13th (1980); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1982); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Rugrats Go Wild (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Matrix: Reloaded (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Grosse Pointe Blank (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Ella Enchanted (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Matrix: Revolutions (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Bubba Ho-Tep (2003); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: The Shawshank Redemption: Special Edition (1994); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Jack (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Biloxi Blues (1988); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Rescuers Down Under (1990); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: 12 Angry Men (1957); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Absent-Minded Professor (1961); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Escape to Witch Mountain (1975); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Labyrinth (1986); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Fantasia (1940); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Steel Magnolias (1989); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Chicago (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: This Is Spinal Tap (1984); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Stand and Deliver (1987); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Little Shop of Horrors (1986); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dune (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Princess Diaries (Widescreen) (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Children of Dune (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Van Helsing (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Titanic (1997); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Office Space (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Secondhand Lions (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Minority Report (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: A Goofy Movie (1995); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Andre (1994); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Stuart Little 2 (2002); Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Daddy Day Care (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Spider-Man (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Citizen Kane (1941); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Cell (2000); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Dr. Strangelove (1964); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Secret Window (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Left Behind II: Tribulation Force (2002); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: The King and I (1956); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Tommy (1975); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Night Shift (1982); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Oklahoma! (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Guys and Dolls (1955); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Fiddler on the Roof (1971); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Left Behind: The Movie (2000); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Mary Poppins (1964); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: She's All That (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: West Side Story (1961); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: SLC Punk (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Hunchback of Notre Dame II (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Music Man (1962); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Home on the Range (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Garfield: The Movie (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: Extended Edition (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0	netflix
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows: Title: The Dance of Anger CD: A Woman's Guide to Changing the Pattern of Intimate Relationships; Author: Visit Amazon's Harriet Lerner Page; Review: I ordered this book for my mom. A therapist had told her about it and suggested it'd be a good read. Shes really happy about it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Hunger Games (Book 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Suzanne Collins Page; Review: Bought this as a gift for my son. Wonderfully packaged and such great books!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Mockingjay: The Hunger Games; Author: Collins; Review: Bought this as a gift for my son. Wonderfully packaged and such great books!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Mini My Perfectly Purple Coloring Purse; Author: Katie Rowbottom; Review: I bought this for my niece and she loves it. It is so cute! It's little which makes it great for taking it places to keep the littles busy. Great book!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: My Pretty Pink Coloring Purse; Author: Make Believe Ideas; Review: I bought this for my niece and she loves it. It is so cute! It's little which makes it great for taking it places to keep the littles busy. Great book!; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_books
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows: Title: Milflores de Boracay; City: Boracay Malay Aklan Province Panay Island Visayas; Review: We stayed at Milflores for 4 days during peak season of Christmas (Dec26-29). I was with a very large group that we took up the entire 3rd floor of the building. I was pleasantly surprised with the amenities and the quality of this place. When you get a hotel with a certain price range, you sort of expect a certain quality. With Milflores, the price was a steal! You get a room which feels like a luxury hotel at a very underrated price! Plus, the staff will make you feel right at home and the quality of service makes you feel like you're the only client that they have. I'm so happy with the stay that I am considering making it my home when in Boracay when I go back for summer. check this place out. It is so WORTH your money :); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: KokosNuss Garden Resort; City: Coron Busuanga Island Palawan Province Mimaropa; Review: LOCATION: a few minutes away from the town proper. a ride can cost P9.50 per person on a tricycle or walking can be an option too. FEEL: a homey, quiet, laid back resort. They have an assortment of bungalows in the traditional Philippine architecture and rooms to choose from. PERSONAL: Our group booked 4 cottages with airconditioning, each had it's own murals and themes. It kind of reminds you of children's playrooms which will make you feel comfortable and at home at once. THE ROOMS: clean and roomy. The extra mattress in the room was so comfortable that you wouldn't even think that you slept on the floor. But since it is a garden resort, you will have the occasional sounds at night - from crickets to large lizards. THE BATHROOM: - unusually huge with heater. However, you would have to bring your own shampoo and toiletries since the only thing they offer is soap and toilet paper. The spacious bathroom is due to the plant life space in the bathroom which also serves as a drainage when water flows out the shower. Very clever and very practical. THE COST: For a 4 day stay at this place, I was surprised at the amount I paid - unbelievably cheap - a cottage costs P1880 or around $40 for 4 persons. THE FOOD: the best breakfast in coron! They make their own Pancakes. DO TRY - Mango Pancakes, Apple Pancakes, Banana Pancakes. You can even request your own fruit pancake. Don't forget to try the pancakes with the local Palawan Honey -- it's so YUMMY!!! THE SERVICE: the staff is mostly comprised of women. Unless you tell them by the sign at the door to clean your room or you tell them directly to clean your room, they won't. The staff is helpful when touring and can lend a hand while arranging transport to the airport. OTHER AMENITIES: the children can have fun with the additional big swings and the kiddie pool. There are also available toys like volleyball and soccer the kids could borrow and play in the large garden area.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Oasis Hotel Jericho; City: Jericho West Bank; Review: LOCATION: the hotel is near the Dead Sea hence, easy to get to. However, it is a hotel in the middle of very hot desert. FEEL: low key, elegant, continental with touches of the Middle East PERSONAL: arrived with a large tour group and my room was opposite my brother's family's room. All rooms from the tour group were all in one floor or near each other THE ROOMS: I got a suite with king-sized bed all to myself! Very spacious and clean. There is an office desk with internet access, a TV (not flat screen), spacious closet space and nice view of the desert. My brother's family's room got 2 twin beds. THE BATHROOM: Very spacious with bathtub and separate shower. Complimentary toiletries are refreshed everyday. THE COST: reasonable for the quality with breakfast buffet and dinner THE FOOD: the breakfast buffet is standard continental with breads, cheeses and cereals. there are inclusions of salads, middle eastern dishes like hummus and pickled vegetables. The breakfast buffet is served on another floor. the dinner was delicious with middle eastern dishes like stewed lamb, pickled vegetables, beef, rice and ice cream (not complimentlary). The dinner buffet was served on the 1st floor. THE SERVICE: courteous and fast. they even let us borrow the towels from the hotel to use for the Dead Sea activity OTHER AMENITIES: pool; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Morgenland Village; City: Saint Catherine Red Sea and Sinai; Review: LOCATION: long ride from Cairo to Sinai but hotel is very near Mt. Sinai, Saint Catherine's Monastery, The Burning Bush. FEEL: very dry, tropical feel with large cross pool and villas PERSONAL: I was with a group of tourists and it was the second hotel we stayed at from a number of hotels in the Holy land tour. THE ROOMS: are basic. with twin beds, no carpet, a balcony overlooking the pool and opens up to it. The lighting in the room could use some help since it could get pretty dim since light bulbs are sparse. The lamps were of no help. No special treatments on the bedding, just basic one pillow and blanket. It could get cold in Sinai at night. No TV sets in the room, with dresser and one mirror. THE BATHROOM: is spacious, without a tub. But, lighting is a problem. My shower area is dim since there was no light in the area. the hot water could take a while, and bring your own toiletries. The toiletries provided by the hotel is meager and disappointing. The Bathroom can use some renovation since it is showing signs of wear and tear. THE FOOD: tried the breakfast buffet and the dinner buffet. The breakfast buffet is a treat with a variety of breads and cheeses and omelets made to order. Doughnuts, hummus and pickled veggies are also present. Dinner buffet at Sinai is middle eastern fare. with pita bread, fish, and the staples- pickled veggies, hummus and salads. THE SERVICE: it would've been a great treat to eat at the dining hall if it weren't for the bad service. We all felt "rushed" by the waiters and bus boys who clear the table even though you haven't finished and would make no apologies for the mistake. Almost got mad at a waiter when he didn't allow us to sit near the breakfast buffet table and placed us too far from it even though there were empty tables around. OTHER AMENITIES: shops open for shopping 24/7, a tent near the reception for a shisha bar/shop, and a pool.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Lake House; City: Tiberias Galilee Northern District; Review: LOCATION: a little off the city center but near hot springs and some holy sites FEEL: beachy, tropical feel, with wooden furnishings with a view of the beach. PERSONAL: I was with a tour group and this was the 4th hotel we stayed at out of of 6 hotels from the tour. THE ROOMS: I saw 4 rooms during my 2-day stay here. the first room I was assigned was below average from the prior hotels we stayed at during the tour. The room was compact with only a small window to peek at- and the lights a little on the dim side. (Think of solitary confinement) Apart from that, there was a stinking smell that sealed my over-all first impression. My brother and his family, were just a few doors away and experienced the same problem. We requested to change rooms and found out that most of the people from my tour also requested a room change due to the same problems. We were shown 3 rooms from a different wing. The new wing was definitely better than the first one they assigned to us but was disappointed when they showed us rooms that were still not cleaned after! To top it off, we were offered a room my friend from the tour complained about (smelled like smoke in a no-smoking floor but with good view and twin beds). I eventually settled for the room on the ground floor with a queen sized bed and a balcony while my brother's family settled for 2 twin sized beds just a couple of doors down from mine. The room i settled in was huge with a couch, much more space, a little hallway and the balcony opens up to the hotel lawn and hotel garden restaurant. The hotel management wanted to make it up to us (for all the room changes) that they decided to give us complimentary wine (all you can drink), cheese and snacks when we came back from sightseeing the very next day right after we got back after sightseeing just before dinner. THE BATHROOM: with a tub and toiletries which were refreshed everyday, a hairdryer, clothesline for wet clothes. THE FOOD: tried the breakfast buffet and dinner buffet at the hotel. One of the bright spots in this hotel. The breakfast buffet had a lot of variety ranging from the standard breads and cheese and milk to - omelets made right there, chocolate milkshakes, doughnuts, salads, yogurt etc. a bit more than the usual breakfast laid in the other hotels. DINNER was a surprise. the first night we were able to taste Greek food (there was a Greek group which were billeted at the hotel same day as ours), and the staples like Hummus and other middle eastern fare. The second day, we were surprised by Italian food which we happily ate. The rooms may be below average but at least the food wasn't that bad. THE SERVICE: the service was fast and courteous. OTHER AMENITIES: the hotel has a coffee shop and a water fountain/refill station for water; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Thunderbird Resorts Casinos Poro Point; City: San Fernando La Union La Union Province Ilocos ; Review: THUNDERBIRD RESORT: LUXURY IN LA UNION If you want a quick getaway to just relax and eat good food, Thunderbird Resort may just be your salvo. LOCATION: Pora Point, La Union, Philippines FEEL: Mediterranean/Greek-inspired, Modern. PERSONAL: Tagged along with my folks who were there for a wedding. RECEPTION: Spacious, airy and welcoming. First thing that greets you is the blue-painted dome and a staff that offers you a welcome drink and cold mini-towels to wipe off the heat of the sun. It was a nice first impression. THE ROOMS: Junior Suite Beach View - The rooms are spacious and good for 4 people. The beds are so comfortable that it would tempt you to stay in than to stay out. There is a kitchenette with microwave, a mini-bar, and the fastest wi-fi service imaginable. Yes, it is tempting just to stay in and turn on the 42 inch LED and just doze off. It is luxurious, spacious and the welcome chocolates surely made for a lasting impression. There is a dining area out in the balcony over-looking the sea with nice woven seats for nice meals and leisurely reading. THE BATHROOM: The bathroom had a tub and separate shower area. The shower area has see-through glass doors with wooden floors and stones. Very modern. The tub however, is a Jacuzzi with turbo jets for a nice massage (and a nice playtime for the kids). It doesn’t feel cramped even when there are 5 people using the bathroom. The toiletries available are from VMV – a hypo-allergenic brand with a loofah and scrub. THE COST: Is a bit pricey but is worth every penny. A Junior Suite Beach View room can ring up P8,000+ (US $188+) and the Master Suites can fetch up to Php 17,000+ (US$ 400+). Tip: book for a week day and get a discount of less than Php2,000 on the published rate and sometime, you might even get an upgrade!  THE FOOD: The buffet at breakfast is delicious with a variety of continental fare. What is remarkable though- is their Lemongrass Iced Tea, which is brewed fresh daily and the beautiful view overlooking the sea and the pool while digging in your breakfast. One of the things that one must try is their pizzas and Greek dishes. The pizzas are thin-crust and homemade. Something to try while lounging in the pool or reading a book on the balcony. THE SERVICE: The service is personal and friendly. The staff is extra helpful when we had a problem with the toilet. A quick call and someone was already at the door ready to assess the problem and ask for the maintenance to fix it. OTHER AMENITIES: The resort has its own gold course, a casino and pool and beach area.; Rating: 4.0/5.0	hotelrec
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: FlyStone Univeral Car Holder / Windshield 360 Degree Cradle Mount for Samsung Galaxy S4 / Galaxy S5; Brand: Generic; Review: Great product; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Spigen Ultra Fit Galaxy Note 3 Case with Rubbery Fell Non Slip Grip Matte for Galaxy Note 3; Brand: Spigen; Review: perfect case for the pocket; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: OtterBox Original Case 77-30079 (2012 Version)for Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 White/Glacier; Brand: OtterBox; Review: Love it works great; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Xawy CO-NT3-LTH-BR Caseology [Leather Skin] Premium PU Leather Cover Shock Absorbent TPU Armor Bumper Galaxy Note 3 Case; Brand: Xawy; Review: Great case has a good grip and looks added; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: 3 in 1 Charging Stand for iPhone AirPods Apple Watch Charger Dock Station Silicone,Support for Apple Watch Series 3/2/1/AirPods/iPhone X/8/8; Brand: TTM; Review: Works great; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Samsung ECC1DP0UBEG OEM USB Charging Data Cable for Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 - Non-Retail Packaging - Black; Brand: Samsung; Review: great item; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Galaxy Note 5 Case, Caseology [Wavelength Series] Textured Pattern Grip Cover [Navy Blue] [Shock; Brand: Caseology; Review: great item; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: kate spade new york Wrap Case for Samsung Galaxy S7 edge - Saffiano Gold; Brand: Kate Spade New York; Review: My wife loved it and it really shiny and fancy as well...; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Cell_Phones_and_Accessories
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Coconut Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar: How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar and Coconut Oil To Lose Weight, Prevent; Brand: Visit Amazon's Brian Night Page; Review: This is a quick read, but it gave me a few other uses that I never thought about. I recently adopted a Paleo type of lifestyle and am getting healthier by the minute. Coconut is a huge component in that type of diet and I had almost forgot about apple cider vinegar until I saw this book. I cook, clean and now bathe in both of these on a daily basis.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: PALEO: Paleo Diet For Weight Loss and Health: Get Back to your Paleolithic; Brand: Visit Amazon's James Adler Page; Review: Nice story, some good recipes, lost me on the NLP. I knew about this before, but it seemed an odd way to hook into this Paleo lifestyle. This a a good book to at least find out what the Paleo diet consists of and how to start it.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Superfoods Today Chocolate Sugar Detox: Quick & Easy Gluten Free Low Cholesterol Whole Foods Recipes full of Antioxidants; Brand: Visit Amazon's Don Orwell Page; Review: I did pick up a few ideas. The story was kind of tedious. Kept waiting for the chocolate reference. It came at the end and was minimal. Fast read as I skimmed through a lot of it.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Diet Digest: Grain Free Cooking and Anti Inflammation - Kindle edition; Brand: Terri King; Review: I have been wheat free for 2'years, but it wasn't until I went totally grain free that it made a HUGE difference. I'm always looking for new and interesting ways to spice up my meals. Very good selection of ideas.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Metabolism: The Ultimate Guide To A Fast Metabolism! - Finally Get In; Brand: Chris Smith; Review: I'm approaching my 60's and have changed my metabolism through Paleo and Ketogenics. This was a good back up read for what I am doing.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Vitamins & Minerals (Speedy Study Guides) eBook; Brand: Speedy Publishing; Review: I have recently and finally got control of my supplements after an entire lifestyle change. When I am explaining supplements to friends and family, this is a great reference to show that I know what I'm talking about.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: 33 Self-Publishing Tips eBook; Brand: Visit Amazon's Ryan Stevens Page; Review: I am just getting started in my career as a non fiction writer and everything out there is so overwhelming. I really appreciated the approach in this book to organize myself and just get started.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: WordPress Made Super Simple - How Anyone Can Build A Professional Looking Website From Scratch; Brand: Visit Amazon's Jack Davies Page; Review: Not sure what's wrong with me, but Wordpress is not easy. And It has been easy for me in the past to self teach a number of software programs. Even with "easy" instruction I just got hung up too often and this book didn't help me get unstuck. I am sorry to say that I flipped through most of this book when I just got frustrated. It get's 3 stars for effort. Wordpress is sitting at a 1; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Jump-Start Your Photography In 30 Minutes: Introduction To Digital Photography - Kindle edition; Brand: Raymond Salisbury; Review: I just got into using my DSLR to take stock photos. My camera was overwhelming with all the bells and whistles and this book did offer what it promised. I am finally off of my automatic settings and starting to use the camera effectively. Actually learned more in the 30 minutes than I did flipping through the cameras manual.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Nutrition: vitamins and minerals - Kindle edition; Brand: The Open University; Review: I love how clicking on the link in the activity portion sends you to and answer key. Ie; What are macronutrients? To Answer...Fats, proteins and carbohydrates. I use this alot when asked questions about certain Vitamins and Minerals. Great reference to go back to time and time again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Ketogenic Diet: A Scientifically Proven Approach to Fast, Healthy Weight Loss - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Kristen Mancinelli Page; Review: When I adopted a Bulletproof lifestyle and intermittent fasting, the next step was to understand ketogenics. This book answered all my questions so that I could continue the lifestyle without being constricted. I have lost over 30lbs in a year, and am off almost all my medications after suffering heart failure and triple bypass 5 years ago. When nothing else was working for me even before my heart episode this did and still does. I have lent this book out so many times, I finally lost it. Now I have it digitally and refer to it constantly when I explain to family and friends the reasons for my success.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Ketogenic Fat Bomb Recipes: A Ketogenic Cookbook with 20 Paleo Ketogenic Recipes For Fast Weight Loss - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Nom Foodie Page; Review: I've been on a Ketogenic/Paleo diet for the last year with great success. I am always looking for that quick snack to tie me over during the day until dinner that doesn't come out of packaging. I love to bake and this is a the perfect recipe book to try different things. There aren't that many recipes in it, but there are enough to keep me experimenting and to also keep up this lifestyle with ease.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Kindle_Store
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Motorcraft FL-820-S Oil Filter; Brand: Motorcraft; Review: It's OEM... You cannot beat it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: ECOGARD XA4878 Premium Engine Air Filter Fits Ford F-150, Expedition, E-350 Super Duty, F-250 Super Duty, E-250, Mustang, E-150; Brand: EcoGard; Review: For those on a budget, this is a great filter. I replaced the old Fram filter with this and it felt like the quality was as good, and there have been no issues. I will purchase again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: GOOACC Nylon Bumper Fastener Rivet Clips Automotive Furniture Assembly Expansion Screws Kit Auto Body Clips 8mm - 40PCS; Brand: GOOACC; Review: I had to drill the holes out a bit bigger but this helped me reattached some wheel well covers that I had to remove to work on the crankshaft pulley.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dorman 594-103 Harmonic Balancer; Brand: Dorman; Review: Installed it on my 2004 Town & Country. It worked perfectly, but be ready for a battle to get it back on without the installation tool. I had to rig up a separate bolt and washer setup to get it in far enough for the original bolt threads to catch and pull it on the rest of the way.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Moog K7406 Sway Bar Bushing Kit; Brand: Moog; Review: Fits my '04 Town & Country perfectly! They were easy to install and along with a new set of sway bar links, has cured my front end clunking noises!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: WIX Filters - 58934 Automatic Transmission Filter, Pack of 1; Brand: Wix; Review: Perfect fit for my '04 Town & Country. No complaints. Transmission is running a lot smoother after this fluid/filter change.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Automotive
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Moon Cay: Book 2 (The Face of the Enemy Series) - Kindle edition; Brand: GLYN ADAMS; Review: Interesting story! At time unbelievable. Worth reading ig you enjoy 1880s sea stories.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Skimmers: Book 5 (The Face of the Enemy Series) - Kindle edition; Brand: GLYN ADAMS; Review: Exciting story!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The First Officer: Book 7 (The Face of the Enemy Series) - Kindle edition; Brand: GLYN ADAMS; Review: WThis was a. Very interesting story, along with a lot of action. Some of. The events were unbelievable! But, nevertheless fun to read and. Imagine.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: USS Preble (Hunnicutt Book 1) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's William Kaufman Page; Review: The story started out slowly, but picked and became more interesting, enough so that I read the folloeup book. Have not yet finished it, but it seems more ap interesting!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: USS Truxtun (Hunnicutt Book 2) - Kindle edition; Brand: William Kaufman; Review: An easy read. A fast moving story. I enjoyed it enough to read another book by the same author!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: In Command (Donald Cameron Naval Thriller Book 8) eBook; Brand: Visit Amazon's Philip McCutchan Page; Review: If you like to read WWll sea stories, here's one you don't want to miss!; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Kindle_Store
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: GMYLE 3 in 1 Bundle Soft-Touch Frosted Hard Case for Macbook Pro 13 inch with CD-ROM (Model:; Brand: GMYLE; Review: Wow! The item arrived as promised and it is really good,very good!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bose Sounddock AUX Input Converter Adapter Cable ipod iphone dock to 3.5mm plug - 3.3 feet BLACK; Brand: iCablez USA; Review: I really like the adapter I intend to use for my iPod and I end up using it for my Smart TV. Will buy again from this seller!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Generic Audio iPod iPhone input converter to regular MP3 plug; Brand: Generic; Review: The product is exactly the item as sold and exactly what I need and it is in excellent condition!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Silicon Power 1TB Rugged Portable External Hard Drive Armor A30, Shockproof USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Xbox and; Brand: Silicon Power; Review: The product is exactly the item as sold and exactly what I need and it is in excellent condition!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Mpow Bluetooth 4.0 Receiver/Music Audio Adapter for Bose Sounddock & Other 30-Pin Analog Audio Speaker Docks; Brand: Mpow; Review: The product is exactly the item as sold and exactly what I need and it is in excellent condition!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: EN-14 En-El14 Rapid Travel Charger for Nikon D3300 D3200 D3100 D5200 D5100 D5300 D5500 D3300 DSLR Coolpix P7800,; Brand: Happyjoy; Review: The product is perfect the perfect I am looking for!; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Electronics
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: CMVision IR56-56 LED Indoor/Outdoor Long Range 100ft IR Illuminator With Free 500mA 12VDC Adapter; Brand: CMVision; Review: The difference in whether this will work good for anyone is one the right light frequency 850 nm and also how good a camera you have, I have two camera's made by Sharx good cameras, one is 5 years older than the newest one and it makes a huge difference in how well you see with the camera at night.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Hanvex HDCQ12 12ft 2.1mm x 5.5mm DC Plug Power Adapter Extension Cable, 20AWG Cord for 12V CCTV Wireless IP; Brand: Hanvex; Review: worked great with the ir illuminator the 6ft cord that comes with it is not long enough if you are mounting on your soffit; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: TriVision Internet Security Camera Wireless Wi-Fi, HD 1080P, Indoor, Micro SD Card DVR up to; Brand: Trivision; Review: Own 4 of these now, excellent camera, easy to set up and program to send you emails and watch video, very clear video can read a license plate number off a car. If you are going to have a video camera for security buy a good one like this other wise you are wasting your money.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: WD 1TB WD Elements Portable USB 3.0 Hard Drive Storage (WDBUZG0010BBK-EESN); Brand: Western Digital; Review: Easy to set up and use, hooked it up to my router and backup my computers over wifi every day.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: ROXANT ROX-GS Authentic Grip Scope HD Wide View Monocular; Brand: Roxant; Review: I would highly recommend it to friends. I have had other cheaper monoculars in fact I ordered two from Amazon at the same time yours and one called Exlight, I returned the Exlight it was terrible quality. I find yours to be of excellent build and quality with easy viewing of wildlife. I live next to a forest area and watch animals and birds with it. I can easily use it with my glasses on while not having to press my glasses against the monocular but can hold it just in front of my glasses and see perfectly. It allows a wide viewing angle and plenty of light coming through so it is easy to find something quickly. It is designed well and grips comfortably, the size is a little larger that others I have used but I like it better because the smaller ones don't give as good a view through them. I do find the adjustment ring a little hard to turn but expect it to loosen up more with use. The price is very reasonable for the quality of the monocular.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: CMVision IR130-198 LED Indoor/Outdoor Long Range 300-400ft IR Illuminator With Free 3A 12VDC Adaptor New Version has Photo Sensor ON; Brand: CMVision; Review: Easy to install and lights up my whole front yard for a camera placed 20 feet away from it looking through a window.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Electronics
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Turn Me On, Dammit! [Region 2]; Brand: Helene Bergsholm; Review: I really enjoyed this, it's not porn-like if you will, only a couple of scenes it could be an NC17. It has a lot of funny moments, it's not all drama. The ending table scene was perfect, I laughed out loud.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Thirteen; Brand: Evan Rachel Wood; Review: My daughter is getting ready for her first year of HS. I remember my first year and all the drama that followed, although we didn't call it drama back then. Anyway, I had my daughter watch this will Mom's supervision, then asked her if she got the message I had intended for her to get from the movie. She did get it. I would recommend this as a catalyst for starting a serious conversation on the issues our kids will be thrown into in HS, "clicks", bullying etc. This movie was very believable and had a good progression to the point I wanted to my daughter to pick up on. I think she will be more aware of these situations when she experiences them in HS.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Man On Wire [DVD]; Brand: ; Review: I really liked this documentary. Seeing the images of the WTC back then and the footage of its construction brings even more of the impact of 9/11 to home. Incredible feat to finally realize a life goal.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Wes Craven Presents: They; Brand: Laura Regan; Review: Started out tense, then fell flat and predictable after the diner scene, too bad because the beginning scarred the @#$) out me.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Neverlake; Brand: David Brandon; Review: I watched this on Prime, and it creeped me out so much, I loved it. I do Mentoring, my Mentee was looking for a scary movie to watch with his girlfriend. I recommended this one and bought this copy for him. They too were on edge through it. It's a good story, the kids scare me.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Vietnam - A Television History VHS; Brand: Will Lyman; Review: Picked up this VHS set due to the reviews I read about the new DVD set being cut up and edited. I binge watched all of them. A lot of information I didn't know in all my reading. If you're going to get this series I would opt for the VHS version.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Northern Soul; Brand: Antonia Thomas; Review: Arrived quickly, packed safely and securely. I stumbled across the "Northern Soul" movement accidentally on YouTube while looking for 60's & 70's music videos. This movie gave me the thought of a UK version of Dirty Dancing just because of the music and dance, nobody puts Baby in the corner though. It was interesting to learn about how certain records had fake labels to mask the type of music and the hunt for certain music that the young people were looking for, the hit and miss of playing a record with a masked label, spoiler alert ! The golden record is found, Watch the old Northern Soul filmed videos on YouTube and check out this movie.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Movies_and_TV
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows: Title: Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever (Bill O'Reilly's Killing Series); Author: Visit Amazon's Bill O'Reilly Page; Review: I felt like I was there when reading this. I was totally immersed in Lincoln's world. The level of detail was impressive; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot; Author: Visit Amazon's Bill O'Reilly Page; Review: This book gave me a whole new perspective on JFK, as well as the relationship between him and Jackie. The authors definitely personalized the legend.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot; Author: aa; Review: This book gave me a whole new perspective on JFK, as well as the relationship between him and Jackie. The authors definitely personalized the legend.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Hunchback of Neiman Marcus: A Novel About Marriage, Motherhood, and Mayhem; Author: Visit Amazon's Sonya Sones Page; Review: Was unaware this was entirely verse. I found the poetry to distracting to allow me to settle into the story.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: The Witness; Author: Visit Amazon's Nora Roberts Page; Review: This book hooked me from the moment I began reading it. The characters are well developed and I felt connected to them right away. My only complaint is that I would have loved to read about the Volkov's in the aftermath of their ruination.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_books
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Atlas 8320H Marcato Pasta Machine Replacement Handle; Brand: Atlas; Review: Perfect Packaging. Arrived Super Fast! Heavy duty and feels nice and comfortable in hand. Recommend Highly!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Libbey Coca-Cola 16-3/4-Ounce Glass Tumblers, Georgia Green, Set of 12; Brand: Libbey; Review: Love the glasses! perfect packaging, arrived super fast. A+++ Thanks!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Digital Thermometer Talking Instant Read- Electronic BBQ- Great for Barbecue, Baking, Grilling, Cooking, All Food & Meat,; Brand: Surround Point; Review: I was checking some meat Inside the oven. My husband says, how are you going to see the temp when it is facing away from you. Just then I pushed the talk button to get the temp and my husband says 'very cool!" This is something he very seldom states about kitchen equipment. I knew then that I had got the right thermometer!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Corelle Impressions Sandstone 1 Quart Serving Bowl; Brand: Corelle; Review: Perfect!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Anchor Hocking Central Park Drinking Glasses, 16 oz (Set of 12); Brand: Anchor Hocking; Review: I adore these glasses! They look amazing and feel great in your hand. Great size. They are lightweight but kind of on the thin side, so buy extra because they can break a little easier.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: HoneyCanDo SHF-01440 5-Tier Black Storage Shelves 800 lbs; Brand: Honey-Can-Do; Review: Extremely sturdy and beautiful!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: KitchenAid KHB2351CU 3-Speed Hand Blender - Contour Silver; Brand: KitchenAid; Review: Awesome tool!,,; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: 48-Pack Pint Size Plastic Berry Baskets, 4-Inch Berry Boxes with Open-Weave Pattern, Ideal for Summer Picking & Crafts! (48; Brand: Cornucopia Brands; Review: I am very impressed with these baskets! I found these so extremely strong, yet flexible. I didn't have to worry about them breaking as I stuffed them with fruit. If I collapsed one with my hand, it would simply bounce right back into its original shape. The beautiful weave pattern allowed my fruit to breathe ensuring that it lasted longer. I used them to organize all the fruit in my fridge, so it is ready to grab whenever I need it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Home_and_Kitchen
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows: Title: MLB umpire Eric Cooper dead at 52; Abstract: Cooper served as an MLB umpire for 21 years.; Category: sports Title: After throwing a punch, Dabo Swinney made CB Andrew Booth ride the manager bus back to Clemson; Abstract: ; Category: sports Title: 'Shocked, stunned and sad': Baseball world mourns Iowa umpire Eric Cooper's death; Abstract: Major League Baseball umpire Eric Cooper was known as a mentor and relentless worker on the field.; Category: news Title: Ford botches Explorer launch, putting CEO back on hot seat; Abstract: Ford Motor Co.'s Jim Hackett and Wall Street analysts started this year frustrated with one another. Sure, the automaker had been underperforming, but the chief executive appealed for time to show he was fixing things. He assured them the redesigned Explorer SUV rolling out months later would be a proof point.; Category: finance Title: Forde-Yard Dash: This is how bad the playoff picture can get; Abstract: ; Category: sports Title: Louisiana's Shane Vallot Unleashes Most Disrespectful Block of the Season; Abstract: The scoreboard said Louisiana beat Arkansas State, 37-20, on Thursday night. The box score says Louisiana dominated the ground game, rushing for 315 yards on 46 attempts (6.8 yards per attempt), in winning their fifth game of the season. It did not mention that Louisiana also stole Arkansas State's soul with one of the most vicious, violent, and disrespectful blocks you will ever see. During the Ragin Cajuns' 17-point loss, Vallot, a redshirt...; Category: sports Title: Charlize Theron Says Playing Megyn Kelly Was 'Harder' Than Portraying a Serial Killer; Abstract: Charlize Theron: Playing Megyn Kelly Was 'Harder' Than Playing a Serial Killer; Category: movies Title: Iowa State Football: Breece Hall drawing comparisons to former Cyclone great; Abstract: Most of the offseason conversation around the Iowa State football team centered on how the replacements for a couple offensive playmakers could be found. There were a handful of in-house candidates, but not many with a proven track record, particularly at running back. So when Breece Hall broke through the last two weeks with rushing performances that have been rare for Cyclone freshmen, the ...; Category: sports Title: Iowa State Men's Basketball: Notebook -- Kansas the talk of Big 12 media day; Abstract: KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- There's plenty to discuss about the Big 12 men's basketball season after a year in which the league heavyweight was finally unseated, a team got to the national title game and a host of potential All-Americans populate the rosters. It's Kansas' showdown with the NCAA, though, that is going to dominate the conversation. Jayhawk coach and Hall of Famer Bill Self, however, ...; Category: sports Title: Xavier Foster narrows recruitment to two schools: Iowa and Iowa State; Abstract: It's now a Cy-Hawk battle for Oskaloosa big man Xavier Foster.; Category: sports Title: Powerball Winning Numbers For 10/23/2019 Drawing: $120M Jackpot; Abstract: Here are the winning Powerball numbers for the jackpot drawing on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019.; Category: lifestyle Title: Hospital association executive fired after Trump-like satirical blast against governor; Abstract: Scott McIntyre was fired after he criticized Gov. Kim Reynolds about Iowa's Medicaid "mess"; Category: news Title: Texas grasping for answers after all-phases meltdown vs. TCU; Abstract: The concrete walls encircling the field at Amon G. Carter Stadium weren't going to be enough to stop the flood.; Category: sports Title: No. 82 is significant, but for Tiger Woods its significance is defined by consistency and perseverance; Abstract: Tiger Woods' 82nd PGA Tour win tied Sam Snead's record, but more than a number, it represents a combination of consistency and perseverance; Category: sports Title: Brett McMurphy's College Football Bowl Projections After Week 9; Abstract: Is Oklahoma still projected to earn a College Football Playoff bid? The post Brett McMurphy's College Football Bowl Projections After Week 9 appeared first on Stadium.; Category: sports Title: Iowa woman killed when gender-reveal goes horribly wrong; Abstract: The Marion County Sheriff's Office confirmed one woman is dead after sustaining serious injuries during a gender-reveal announcement. At 4:03 p.m. Saturday, officials responded to an explosion at 180th Place in rural Knoxville. When first responders arrived, a 56-year-old woman was pronounced dead. During the investigation, authorities found that during a gender-reveal announcement, an explosion occurred. The woman was struck by a piece of...; Category: news Title: Fan falls from upper deck during Oklahoma State-Iowa State game; Abstract: An unidentified fan fell from Jack Trice Stadium's upper deck to the lower deck during Saturday's Iowa State-Oklahoma State football game; Category: sports Title: Family inadvertently made pipe bomb for gender reveal, authorities say; Abstract: Authorities said a Knoxville family inadvertently made a pipe bomb for a gender reveal that ended in a deadly accidental blast over the weekend. The Marion County Sheriff's Office said Monday that Pamela Kreimeyer, 56, died Saturday after shrapnel from the gender reveal explosion struck her in the head. Marion County Sheriff Jason Sandholdt said the unintentional pipe bomb was intended to explode colored powder into a puff of smoke revealing the...; Category: news Title: Peterson: Campbell gives Cyclones fans some good news JaQuan Bailey will return; Abstract: Injured Iowa State defensive end JaQuan Bailey will use 2019 as a redshirt season. He's planning to play in 2020, coach Matt Campbell says; Category: sports Title: Jeff Goodman's College Basketball Coaches on the Rise; Abstract: From the Mountain West to the Ivy League, keep an eye on these promising coaches. The post Jeff Goodman's College Basketball Coaches on the Rise appeared first on Stadium.; Category: sports Title: Gender reveal explosion in Waukee second example in as many days of celebration attracting police presence; Abstract: No injuries were reported. A complaint of a broken window because of the incident has not been substantiated, the release says.; Category: news Title: Former NBA first-round pick Jim Farmer arrested in sex sting operation; Abstract: Farmer, 55, was booked for trafficking a person for a commercial sex act.; Category: sports Title: The 50 Best One-Hit Wonders of All Time; Abstract: Not every successful artist stays successful. Here are the best one-hit wonders from the 1950s all the way through the 2000s.; Category: music Title: Powerball Winning Numbers For 10/30/2019 Drawing: $140M Jackpot; Abstract: Here are the winning Powerball numbers for the jackpot drawing on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019.; Category: lifestyle Title: College basketball's best frontcourts; Abstract: These are the best bigs in the country.; Category: sports Title: Jeff Goodman's Top 102 College Basketball Players for 2019-20; Abstract: Find out which hoopers made the cut for Jeff Goodman's in-depth list. The post Jeff Goodman's Top 102 College Basketball Players for 2019-20 appeared first on Stadium.; Category: sports Title: Best Places to Retire If You Can't Save Up $1,000,000; Abstract: If you can't retire with $1 million, you can still live well.; Category: finance Title: Ranking every regular-season 'Game of the Century'; Abstract: Sporting News ranks 23 regular-season "Game of the Century" chapters in college football history ahead of No. 1 LSU at No. 2 Alabama.; Category: sports Title: Brett McMurphy's College Football Bowl Projections After Week 10; Abstract: It's going to be a fun bowl season for the Group of Five. The post Brett McMurphy's College Football Bowl Projections After Week 10 appeared first on Stadium.; Category: sports Title: Potential Florida State football coaching targets; Abstract: Luis Torres of the Orlando Sentinel looks at potential Florida State football coaches following the firing of Willie Taggart; Category: sports Title: College football: 10 things we learned this weekend; Abstract: Orlando Sentinel college football writer Matt Murschel shares his Week 10 thoughts; Category: sports Title: Police: Woman shot while driving in Des Moines; Abstract: A shooting investigation is underway Monday after authorities said a woman was shot while driving in Des Moines. Authorities were called to the area of 14th Place and Keo Way just after 6 p.m. Sign up for our Newsletters Des Moines police confirmed to KCCI that the victim, who suffered a minor gunshot wound to the leg, was taken to a local hospital for treatment. TOP STORIES FROM KCCI: Election Day 2019: What to know before you vote Warren...; Category: news Title: 10 Bold Predictions For the College Basketball Season; Abstract: School is back in session, or at least it finally gets back underway on the hardwood.; Category: sports Title: Five Candidates to Replace Willie Taggart at Florida State; Abstract: Florida State announced they fired Willie Taggart on Sunday, which means the Seminoles will need a new head football coach.; Category: sports Title: Cause determined in Jessi Combs' fatal speed record crash; Abstract: Occurred at speeds near 550 mph; Category: autos Title: Star Ohio State DE Chase Young will miss Maryland game 'due to possible NCAA issue'; Abstract: Ohio State said Friday morning that star defensive end Chase Young would miss Saturday's game against Maryland.; Category: sports Title: College football Week 11: Picks and preview; Abstract: ; Category: sports Title: Xavier Foster: Inside the moments that steered the in-state blue-chip talent to Iowa State; Abstract: In the weeks leading up to Monday's announcement, Foster struggled to find clarity, other than that he knew he wanted to stay in Iowa.; Category: sports	mind
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows: Title: Tulemar Bungalows Villas; City: Manuel Antonio Province of Puntarenas; Review: I, my husband and our 3 year old stayed at the Tulemar Villas during 07/10 - 07/13 and we simply loved it. We booked through Dave at [url] . We stayed in 204 villa and that is part of the Buena Vista Villas. The room we had was amazing ...... We loved the ocean view it had from our balcony. My son loved the room and he often refers of going back to the "Brown Room" after we returned. The room was very luxurious. Our concierge was Chris and he was awesome. I read some good reviews about him here and requested if we could have him as our concienge. He started emailing me as soon as I confirmed my reservations and tried to see how he could help out. He booked a very nice private taxi for us to come from La Fotuna as we as go back to San jose after the trip. he also advised the driver where to stop for lunch, etc. Since the time we arrived, he took good care of us. Starting with helping roll our luggage to our room, to taking us for a tour of the place and then to the supermarket to buy milk for my son, arranging for our tours there, and providing recommendations for places to eat. He arranged an amazing horseback riding tour for us and my 3 year old loved it. He found a tour which had only one other person so it was like a private tour and we had a lot of fun. He also arranged a tour for the Manuel Antonio National park which was also with two more people. My son didn't feel fell as it was too hot and it was his 6th day ( I think he was tired ) and we had to come back. I called Chris and he immediately called the tour company and had us pay only the park fees which was really very nice of him and I didn't expect that. One evening he surprised us by bringing lovely and delicious brownies. I wish I could bring Chris back with us as he had answers to everything. Tulemar Villas is a really nice place with lot of wildlife. You don't need to go to the jungle actually. We saw Iguanas by the pool and monkeys on the trees. They do have a shuttle that drops you off at the front gate. There are a lot of nice resturants and eating places within a short distance away. In case you need to go further they will call you a cab. Do check out Sancho's (very close to the front gate) as they have lovely fish tacos actually the best I have ever had. I had theor fisg tacos on all the three evenings I was there as couldn't get enough of it. Overall it is a lovely place to stay and all the staff is wonderful. One day my son wanted to eat a banana and Chris had left for the day. I called the front desk and they; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Hampton Inn Suites by Hilton San Jose Airport; City: Alajuela Province of Alajuela; Review: I stayed here with my family for one night before flying out from San Jose. This hotel is very close to the airport and they have free airport shuttles to take you there. The rooms are nice and clean. There is a Dennys across from the street and another restrurant in walking distance which was a nice thing to have for a quick dinner. They have free international calling to any country included which was a nice feature. The breafast in the morning was good. The staff while checking out gave a nice balloon in the shape of a monkey to my son which kept him occupied in the airport. We didn't use the hotel service for paying departure tax and found the lines in the airport to be moving very fast.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Erupciones Inn Bed And Breakfast; City: La Fortuna de San Carlos Arenal Volcano National Park ; Review: I stayed at this beautiful place between 07/07 - 07/10 with my husband and 3 year old. The owner Jesse is just wonderful. This place was recommened to me by a very good friend who is inturn Jesse's school friend and also satyed at the place last year. This is an actual farm and you can see horses outside your cottage. They provide breakfast and the eggs are from the chickens in the farm and the milk is straight from the cows in the farm. You have a lovely view of the Arenal volcano from each room. The rooms are pretty nice but basic as they are on the farm. Jesse is an excellent hostess and provided us all the information for tours around the area. She arranged a private tour of the volcano for us which was pretty nice and also recommed a nice place for us to eat in the town of La Fortuna. This is a little further away from town and a car will be nice to have. We din't have a car and Jesse gave us the contact of a taxi driver (Luis) who took us verywhere and was very nice. Jesse also provided us with discounts to the tours she booked for us. Overall a nice place to stay and that too on a working farm with a wonderful hostess :).; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Residence Inn by Marriott San Jose Escazu; City: San Rafael de Escazu San Jose Metro Province; Review: We stayed at this hotel one night (the day we landed in San Jose) before going to La Fotuna. The hotel rooms are very nice and they serve a nice breakfast along with complimentary wi-fi in the rooms. There is a mall across the street which has a food court as well as a movie theater and a children's park. It is a little futher from the airport (cab took $32 USD) but we had no issues going to it. Overall a very nice hotel.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Melia Nassau Beach All Inclusive; City: Nassau New Providence Island Bahamas; Review: Amazing Vacation I recently stayed at the Melia for a 10 day vacation starting Dec 25,2014 – Jan 04, 2015. I was a little scared reading all the reviews before my trip but the experience was totally different. There was NO Construction like the people mentioned and the hotel property looked very nice. Here are the plus points 1. Kid & Co – This is simply an amazing place. My 5 year old loved it and wanted to go to it every day during our stay. He went for 1 session every day and simply loved it. The staff is amazing with kids. A special mention of CYNARA and CHRYSTAL is needed as they are so good with children. Everyday my son did amazing crafts and we had to bring it all back home. Dino and Jeyvonne deserve a special mention as well. If you have kids from the age group of 5 – 10, do plan to stay here as they will surely enjoy the kids club. 2. Beach – the beach is simply amazing. This is our 4th Caribbean destination and we found this beach to be the best. We spent all our vacation on the beach and never went to the pool. The beach is very clean with mild waves for the kids to play and have fun. 3. Staff – The hotel staff is very friendly and happy. Special mention to Judelynthia, Swan, Dwinque and Melinda for making our stay so memorable and fun. They are always smiling and trying to come up with activities to keep us entertained. There was a lot of fun activities the week we were in with a wonderful fireworks display on the beach for the hotel. The lifeguard Wellington (I hope I got his name right) needs a special mention as he made my son very happy by chatting and answering all his questions. 4. Food – the food was amazing in the buffet as well as the three other restaurants. It was never hard to get a reservation in the restaurants. On day I mentioned to the chef that I liked a particular item in the buffet. He made wonderful variations of that dish and had it every alternate day of the buffet during my stay. Some of the not so good points: • Stuart Cove - This is an outside company managing the water sports facility at this hotel. We were in the all inclusive package and the non motorized sports were included. My husband did the paddle boat and his paddle went missing once when he fell off the boat. The paddle should actually float but it did not. We told them and they said they will change us a 99$ for the missing paddle if they don’t find it. 99$ for a missing paddle is unbelievable. The next afternoon they made us sign on paper that we will have to pay for the 99$. Later that day I met a lady who said she found a missing paddle and returned it to them and they didn’t want to; Rating: 5.0/5.0	hotelrec
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows: Title: Chevy Says This Isn't a Mid-Engine C8 Corvette Hybrid Prototype; Abstract: There are some curious electronic extremeties on this test mule.; Category: autos Title: Niagara Falls: Boat stuck on rocks 101 years dislodged; Abstract: High winds and heavy rains dislodged the remains of a barge in the rapids above Niagara Falls that had been there 101 years.; Category: weather Title: Survivor Contestant Rudy Boesch Dies at 91 After Long Battle with Alzheimer's Disease; Abstract: Survivor's Rudy Boesch Dead at 91; Category: tv Title: Regis Philbin Lists Longtime Connecticut Estate at a Loss for $4.6 Million See Inside!; Abstract: Regis Philbin Lists $4.5 Million Connecticut Home See the Property; Category: tv Title: Meghan McCain confronts Trump Jr.: 'You and your family have hurt a lot of people'; Abstract: Donald Trump Jr., the president's son, defended his family after "View" co-host Meghan McCain suggested they were responsible for the lack of "character" in American politics.; Category: news Title: Oprah Winfrey bought her next-door neighbor's California ranch for $6.85 million take a look inside; Abstract: In addition to her new ranch, billionaire Oprah Winfrey already owns two properties in the Montecito, California area: She purchased the first, nicknamed the "Promised Land," for $50 million in 2001, and the other, nicknamed "Seamair Farm," for $29 million in 2015.; Category: finance Title: Marlboro Man Bob Norris dies at 90, having reportedly never been a smoker; Abstract: Robert "Bob" Norris, who played the iconic Marlboro Man for more than a decade in the '60s, has died at his Colorado ranch at 90. Norris landed the high-profile ad campaign for the Philip Morris cigarette brand by happenstance, as his son, Bobby Norris, told the local CBS affiliate, KKTV.; Category: tv	mind
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows: Title: 101 Dalmatians (1996); Genres: Adventure, Children, Comedy; Rating: 2.5/5.0 Title: Frequency (2000); Genres: Drama, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Prince of Egypt, The (1998); Genres: Animation, Musical; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: Matilda (1996); Genres: Children, Comedy, Fantasy; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (Halloween 7: The Revenge of Laurie Strode) (1998); Genres: Horror, Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: Howl's Moving Castle (Hauru no ugoku shiro) (2004); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Fantasy, Romance; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Lolita (1997); Genres: Drama, Romance; Rating: 1.5/5.0 Title: Deep Rising (1998); Genres: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi; Rating: 2.5/5.0 Title: 102 Dalmatians (2000); Genres: Children, Comedy; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Just Like Heaven (2005); Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959); Genres: Adventure, Children, Sci-Fi; Rating: 0.5/5.0 Title: Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003); Genres: Action, Adventure, Children; Rating: 1.5/5.0 Title: World Trade Center (2006); Genres: Drama; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008); Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi; Rating: 0.5/5.0 Title: Rush Hour 3 (2007); Genres: Action, Comedy, Crime, Thriller; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Dark Knight, The (2008); Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, IMAX; Rating: 2.5/5.0 Title: 9 (2009); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Sci-Fi; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: P2 (2007); Genres: Horror, Thriller; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: Breakdown (1997); Genres: Action, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Awake (2007); Genres: Drama, Thriller; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Snake Eyes (1998); Genres: Action, Crime, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Identity (2003); Genres: Crime, Horror, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Trapped (2002); Genres: Action, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Avatar (2009); Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, IMAX; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Quarantine (2008); Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Flightplan (2005); Genres: Action, Drama, Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: Double Jeopardy (1999); Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Mindhunters (2004); Genres: Action, Crime, Horror, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: High Crimes (2002); Genres: Thriller; Rating: 2.5/5.0 Title: Shawshank Redemption, The (1994); Genres: Crime, Drama; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Cellular (2004); Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Secret Window (2004); Genres: Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Benchwarmers, The (2006); Genres: Comedy; Rating: 2.5/5.0 Title: Skeleton Key, The (2005); Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Air Force One (1997); Genres: Action, Thriller; Rating: 2.5/5.0	movielens
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows: Title: Game, The (1997); Genres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Romancing the Stone (1984); Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Romance; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: Fantasia (1940); Genres: Animation, Children, Fantasy, Musical; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bad Boys (1995); Genres: Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: Jackie Brown (1997); Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: Kingpin (1996); Genres: Comedy; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Crime; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: Cell, The (2000); Genres: Drama, Horror, Thriller; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: Alice in Wonderland (1951); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Children, Fantasy, Musical; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: G.I. Jane (1997); Genres: Action, Drama; Rating: 4.5/5.0 Title: White Men Can't Jump (1992); Genres: Comedy, Drama; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Snake Eyes (1998); Genres: Action, Crime, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: Meet Joe Black (1998); Genres: Romance; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: War of the Worlds, The (1953); Genres: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: Money Train (1995); Genres: Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: 2012 (2009); Genres: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller; Rating: 1.5/5.0 Title: Angels & Demons (2009); Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Twelve Monkeys (a.k.a. 12 Monkeys) (1995); Genres: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: 1408 (2007); Genres: Drama, Horror, Thriller; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: 17 Again (2009); Genres: Comedy, Drama; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: 2 Fast 2 Furious (Fast and the Furious 2, The) (2003); Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: 21 (2008); Genres: Crime, Drama, Romance, Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: 28 Days Later (2002); Genres: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: 28 Weeks Later (2007); Genres: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: 3 Ninjas (1992); Genres: Action, Children, Comedy; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: 30 Days of Night (2007); Genres: Horror, Thriller; Rating: 1.5/5.0 Title: 300 (2007); Genres: Action, Fantasy, War, IMAX; Rating: 3.5/5.0 Title: 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001); Genres: Action, Thriller; Rating: 2.5/5.0 Title: 3:10 to Yuma (2007); Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Western; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: 40-Year-Old Virgin, The (2005); Genres: Comedy, Romance; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: 8 Mile (2002); Genres: Drama; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001); Genres: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi; Rating: 4.0/5.0	movielens
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Jessica Simpson Women's 2 Pair Pack Solid Lurex Knee High; Brand: ; Review: I bought these socks knowing they would not be knee high based off of the reviews, which was actually what I was looking for. I needed them to be sparkly socks for a Michael Jackson costume so they worked perfectly. I do really like them and plan to continue wearing them as an everyday item in the future as well.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: No Nonsense Women's Regular Pantyhose with Reinforced Panty and Toe, Pack of 6; Brand: ; Review: So probably didn't need this many, but I am stocked up now! These worked great and were just what I needed. No issues with the fit and didn't run easily.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Calvin Klein Big Girls' Crop Bra with Logo Elastic (Pack of 2); Brand: ; Review: Okay, so for the price, these were great. Yes, I am an adult and these are children's bras, buuuut they were super cheap so I tried them out. I ordered a large and wear a size 32D and they fit fine. If you have a smaller chest, you can pull these off. They did rip after a while, but along the seam, so I will probably sew them back together.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Haola Summer Fashion Women Cute Short Sleeve Printed Tops Casual T Shirt; Brand: Haola; Review: Based on the reviews, I ordered an XL and normally wear a M, I should have gone with the large, but it still fits fine. It's a cute slouchy look. The lips were more neon pink than I would have liked, so it looks a bit tacky, but for $9, it is a cute shirt and will look good layered.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: V28 Fashion Women Oversized Plaid Blanket Checked Tartan Scarf Shawl Cozy Wrap; Brand: v28; Review: This scarf is AMAZING. It is too cute, I get so many compliments on it. This is an item you need to own in your wardrobe. It's a huge blanket scarf and totally great for fall and winter.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows: Title: Love in a Small Town (Pine Harbour) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Zoe York Page; Review: This is an absolute must read!!! Zoe York has done it once again! Love all her books:) This was an awesome start to a great upcoming series. Could not put the book down once I started. Rafe and Olivia have the kind of love that some people could only dream about! When you're meant to be, nothing will stand in your way. This was an exciting read and will keep you wanting more!! I cannot wait to read more of the series!! Have to say that Zoe York is one of my top fave authors!!!!!! Great job Zoe York! Keep up the great work!:) Received this ARC from the author for an honest review.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Love in a Snow Storm (Pine Harbour) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Zoe York Page; Review: Love in a Snow Storm by Zoe York is book #2 in the Pine Harbour series. I fell in love with the first book, Love in a Small Town featuring Rafe and Olivia and knew this one would be awesome as well!! So I highly recommend reading that one too if you haven't already!! The Fosters and Minellis grew up together. Jake Foster and Rafe Minelli are best friends and Jake has fought feelings for his best friends little sister, Dani, since she was in high school. Reason being is that he is "too old" for her and her brothers would kill him. Years pass and Dani is all grown up and Jake is having a hard time not wanting her. Dani has loved Jake since she was 17 and she's ready to do something about it. The chemistry between these two is panty melting!! They decide to take a risk to be together but keep it a secret. But what happens when their brothers find out? Will they get their HEA??? I absolutely loved this book and I enjoyed catching up with everyone in the book especially Rafe and Olivia!! Can't wait to read the next one!!!:) Zoe York - you rock girl!!!! I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: That Night With My Best Friend's Brother; Author: Visit Amazon's JS Cooper Page; Review: Loved Alice and Aiden!! Cannot wait for their next book!!! This is a prequel to Falling for My Best Friend's Brother!! Recommend reading One Night Stand before this.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Falling For My Best Friend's Brother; Author: Visit Amazon's J. S. Cooper Page; Review: Loved it!!! It was a fun story and I could not put it down. It has everything that you want when reading: love, laughter, anticipation, jealousy ( lots of it, lol), hot sex, and swooning!!!! Alice and Liv have been bestfriends since childhood and Alice has only ever loved one man, Aiden Taylor. Her best friend's HOT older brother! She has crushed on him since childhood and has loved him since they shared a heated night together when she was 16. There is some age difference and timing was always an issue. Now that they are older can they get past the issues and all the games that have been played between them? They both have secrets. Does Alice really know the man she loves? Can they have their HEA? This was an awesome and fun read by JS Cooper. She did not disappoint and I am looking forward to reading more from this author. I do recommend reading the first book, One Night Stand, which features Liv's story and introduces Alice and Aiden. Received an ARC from the author for an honest review!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Fall Away (SEALs Undone) (Volume 3); Author: Visit Amazon's Zoe York Page; Review: Oh my!! Poor Trick is a sexy SEAL that suffers from PTSD but doesn't handle it well. He treats his problem with that and insomnia with drinking and going through women like candy. He hooks up with a girl one night, only to wake up the next morning and meet her roommate as he was leaving. Now he can't stop thinking about her!! Gaby, a teacher, has that attraction to Trick, but knows nothing could ever get the thought of him hooking up with her roommate out of her head. She wants to like him and be with him, but she's not sure she can. Can they get past all their issues so they can be together? Another great read from Zoe York!! I received an ARC from the author for an honest review!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Corps Security: The Series; Author: Visit Amazon's Harper Sloan Page; Review: Awesome series!!! Make sure you have some time set aside to read because you will not want to put this series down!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Disillusioned (Swept Away); Author: Visit Amazon's J. S. Cooper Page; Review: Hooked from the beginning! The author pulls you in and you get so caught up in trying to figure everything out that you can't put the book down. It will have you on the edge of your seat!! So many twists and turns keeps you guessing. You think one thing only to discover you were wrong. I loved it!!! I love a good book that has mystery, secrets and lies. The only thing that I didn't like is that I had not read the first book, Illusion. I do recommend reading it before so that you can grasp the background to this second book. Now I am off to read the first one so that I will be ready for the next one. Great job JS Cooper!!! I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Love on a Spring Morning; Author: Visit Amazon's Zoe York Page; Review: Ryan Howard is a single father of 3 children which he absolutely loves and is very protective of. He is struggling to raise his kids while trying to survive the tragic loss of his wife! He doesn't care for the "Hollywood types" that are going to be living in the cottages on his lane. His in-laws have went away so that their house can be used for some of the cast. Ryan has been left in charge of making sure everything is in order at the cottages. This is the first movie to be filmed in the little town of Pine Harbour. Holly Cresinski, aka Hope Creswell (actress), arrives early to the "nice" town for some peaceful rest and relaxation from all the limelight and her mother before the filming starts. She is staying in the main house. Her hot water doesn't work so she shows up at Ryan's while he is busy with his dad duties. Even though he is a "grump" he gives her the directions on how to turn it on. Something has intrigued Holly about this grumpy lumberjack. She uses going for a run to get closer to his place but she quickly realizes he is outside watching her. From there, she begins going to his porch to have nightly discussions under the stars every night. A friendship has begun but Ryan won't let it go any further than that! Holly starts getting to Ryan and they enjoy their nightly talks about everything but the truth. She never feels like it's the right time to tell him. When he finds out her secret he pushes her away and doesn't want anything to do with her. He doesn't want his kids publicized. He still loves his wife and he does not want a relationship with anyone, especially someone in the public eye. Opportunities come into play that has them running into each other and they decide to be friends again. His kids adore her and want to see her or ask about her constantly. Holly wants more and tells him another secret she's been hiding but Ryan cannot risk it. So what happens when the filming is over and Holly returns to California? Will Holly be able to break down Ryan's walls? This was another great read by Zoe York!! Even though I wanted to slap Ryan for his behavior a couple of times, I still felt he needed a second chance at love. He deserved it!! Overall this was a great book portraying the life and struggle of a man that is grieving and also trying to be there for his kids. Truly touched my heart!! I definitely recommend this book but I do encourage reading the first 2 books in this series beforehand. It is a continuance of the other 2 and you will not regret it!!! Zoe York is a wonderful author and she will not disappoint in any of her books. They are all great!! I received an ARC of this book from the author for an honest review.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Made To Love You (The Love Series, Book Five) (Volume 5); Author: Visit Amazon's Megan Smith Page; Review: Megan Smith has really outdone herself with this book! This series is awesome. Make sure you start reading from the very first book because you don't want to miss a thing. Each book is a continuation of the one before it!! I don't want to give too much away and spoil it but the title of the book says it all. Cooper and Jaylinn were made to love each other, but one phone call can change everything!! Can Cooper and Jaylinn survive all the heartache that has come their way?? Grab a box (or two) of Kleenex and sit down to the most heart wrenching book I have read in a while. I love this series but I think this one is my favorite thus far!! Great job Megan Smith!!! Looking forward to the next one!!:); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Four Week Fiance; Author: Helen Cooper; Review: I was given an ARC of this book from the author for an honest review. I can honestly say that Helen Cooper/J.S. Cooper did not disappoint with this book. I highly recommend it. The love interest that Mila has for her older brother's best friend, TJ, has just went to a whole new level when he asks her to be his fianc for 4 weeks. The chemistry between these two is HOT!!! But TJ has some secrets that Mila has yet to learn about. Can a four week engagement turn into anything more for Mila or will she end up getting hurt?? I'm so anxious to read the next book!!! You did a great job with this one!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Escalation (Clandestine Affairs) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Tessa Teevan Page; Review: It was hard to put this book down. It has suspense, mystery, and of course... Romance!!! The questions keep piling up for Brie. Who can she trust? What do they want from her? Can she get past all the lies and secrets that are unraveling around her? Brie heads back to her childhood home to try to figure things out. Will she be able to find any clues that will give her the answers she has been longing for? Will her and Rafe be able to reconcile? This is a must read but it is the 2nd book in this series. I definitely recommend you read the first one in order to know what's going on. Tessa Teevan has done an awesome job with this series!! You will not be disappointed. Can't wait for the next book!!! This book was gifted to me by another author, Beth Ehemann in exchange for an honest review.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Fall Fast; Author: Visit Amazon's Zoe York Page; Review: I received an ARC of Fall Fast from the author Zoe York in exchange for an honest review!! Fall Fast Is the 5th sizzling sexy story from the Seals Undone series. Loved Nathan and Emme and their sexy one night together after being stranded at the airport when their flights were cancelled. Two strangers. One night. Definite chemistry. They live thousands of miles apart and don't think they will ever see each other again. Nathan leaves reminders of him for Emme to find hoping she will reconnect with him, but knowing her divorce was just finalized and she needs time. He is willing to wait as long as she needs. Will their one night be all they get or will Emme finally reach out to Nathan? I couldn't wait for the conclusion of this short story that had been published earlier in a boxed set. Not disappointed at all!! The Seals Undone series has definitely kept my attention!! But Zoe rocks with all of her series. She will not disappoint!! I recommend all of her books!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Boarded by Love (Bellevue Bullies) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Toni Aleo Page; Review: This is the first book I have read by Toni Aleo and she did not disappoint. Loved Jude and Claire!!! I just recently, in the last year or two, decided I love hockey ( go Preds). Reading this book made me love it even more!!! Can't wait to read the next one!! Thanks for a great book Toni Aleo!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Love on the Run (Pine Harbour) (Volume 5); Author: Visit Amazon's Zoe York Page; Review: Loved loved loved this book!!! I have been waiting for this book for a while and Zoe York rocked it again!!! Liana, Hope's best friend and a country singer from Nashville, is on tour and has a run-in with her ex that causes some anxiety issues. She runs to Hope to get away, stating she had a break for a couple of days, but Hope doesn't buy it. She hires someone to protect her. Dean, the older brother that has taken care of his brothers almost all his life, is now in business with Zander in a security business. His first job.... to be Liana's bodyguard while she is on tour. You can tell these two have chemistry from the start but they don't want to admit it. Enjoyed the banter back and forth that these two shared and loved when these two finally gave in. Will they be able to go their separate ways after 6 weeks? Zoe York is an amazing author and she is one of my top faves to read!!!!! She has a few different series going on and they are all amazing!!! I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_books
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows: Title: The Power: A Titan Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Jennifer L. Armentrout Page; Review: Love the book and the story line; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Dusssie; Author: Visit Amazon's Nancy Springer Page; Review: I loved the story . Her and her mom had so many cute moments.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Firewall; Author: Visit Amazon's Sierra Riley Page; Review: Very interesting and intense book .; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Harry Potter (4 Volumes set); Author: Visit Amazon's J. K. Rowling Page; Review: One of the best book series I've ever read. Fantastic books allows you to use your imagination and so many ways; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Book 2; Author: J.K. Rowling; Review: One of the best book series I've ever read. Fantastic books allows you to use your imagination and so many ways; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Book 7; Author: J.K. Rowling; Review: One of the best book series I've ever read. Fantastic books allows you to use your imagination and so many ways; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_books
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows: Title: Bunk House Motel; City: Chadron Nebraska; Review: Looking for a inexpensive, very clean motel? Look no further! Bunk House Motel was just what we needed after a long day of driving. The owner was very helpful and friendly. Not a big room, but extremly clean, and confortable. If you're looking for a place just for the night, this place is a great value.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Dallas Love Field Airport; City: Dallas Texas; Review: We stayed at Hawthorn Suites the night before our early morning flight. The hotel is just a few blocks from Love Field. Very helpful staff. Rooms are dated, but clean, comfortable, and quiet. Apartment feel. Would recommend. Lowest price in the area...they have a senior discount too!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: SpringHill Suites Dulles Airport; City: Sterling Loudoun County Virginia; Review: Stayed here during a visit to DC. Drove to DC Metro...into DC. Clean, good beds, good service, and a good full breakfast. Had two double beds with a pull-out sofa...very spacious. Friendly staff. Great value... Only paid $108.00. Would recommend this hotel; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Comfort Suites Granbury; City: Granbury Texas; Review: Outstanding staff, hugh suite, clean, great breakfast! Nice pool too! We stayed here during a golf tornament in neighboring Glen Rose. I had to change our reservations, and the young woman on the phone was very helpful. She even changed our two rooms so they would be joining! Checking in was very enjoyable and informative. Great value...would recommend this hotel for your stay in the Granbury area!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: La Quinta Inn Suites Austin Cedar Park; City: Cedar Park Texas; Review: Great price, great service, and great social hour. Good, hot breakfast. Close to hospital during my husbands surgery. Close to Lakeline Mall, movie theaters, hospital, and good restaurants. Would recommend this hotel.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Motel 6 Copperas Cove; City: Copperas Cove Texas; Review: With several updated hotels now in Copperas Cove, Texas, one would expect all hotels to be competitive. Not the case with this Days Inn. Although the price was good...AARP RATE...the quality was poor. Back entrance was dirty. Room space was decent, with a chair and desk. TV channels were very few...maybe 10 at the most. Towels were thin and a dingy white. I have stayed in many hotels that have been less than welcoming, but never have I seen feces on the toilet lid! Not the seat, but the lid! I had already unpacked, so I just cleaned it instead of changing rooms. I told management when I checked out, and he did apologize...but that was all. I'll go back to Comfort Inn in Copperas Cove. ..great hotel. With that said, I would to mention that the desk clerk was very friendly and helpful during check in.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Super 8 by Wyndham Salmon; City: Salmon Idaho; Review: Friendly, helpful staff! Arrived early, and was able to check in. Hotel was clean...nice size room. Staff helped us with info and directions to local attractions. Detailed driving instructions! Great price...offered AARP, and Senior discounts. Would recommend this hotel.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Virginian Lodge; City: Jackson Jackson Hole Wyoming; Review: I searched hotels, etc. in Jackson, Wyoming, and realized most were out of our budget! Finally, I found the The Virginian Lodge! Rooms were large, clean, and conveniently located. Would recommend this lodge if you are looking for friendly staff, clean, and budget friendly!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: La Quinta Inn Suites Cleveland; City: Cleveland Texas; Review: We spent the night after driving through flooding rains! We were exhausted! We were met by a friendly and helpful, representative, Molly. The room was very nice, AARP rates also! The breakfast was outstanding! Helpful attendent...even showed us how to use the omelet maker...Delicious! Fresh trimmings for the omlet! Overall a five with a great price! I would recommend this hotel.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	hotelrec
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Banjo Minnow 006 - 110 Piece Fishing System; Brand: As Seen On TV; Review: I have been fishing the banjo minnow since I was 14, I am now 32. I have caught literally thousands of bass on this product. Here is the deal, it works!!!! Get it, fish it just like they tell you and you WILL catch fish.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Augusta Sportswear Men's Wicking T-Shirt; Brand: Augusta Sportswear; Review: I will buy this again. Fit really nice as an under shirt.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: 5 Bike Bicycle Floor Parking Rack Storage Stand by CyclingDeal; Brand: CyclingDeal; Review: Sturdy, easy to put together, and does the job I needed it to. I just wish I had two more end pieces. I would be willing to pay to get two more end pieces. Then I could use the three bike set and the 2 bike stand.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: BicycleStore® Anti-theft Alloy Steel Mountain Road Cycling Bike Chain Locks Motorcycle Lock with Key 900mm; Brand: ; Review: Great quality. Fits in bike pouch nicely.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Wilson All Pro Composite NFL Pee Wee Football; Brand: Wilson; Review: The seams are stitched really strange. Wouldn't buy again.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Intex Trolling Motor for Intex Inflatable Boats, 36" Shaft; Brand: Intex; Review: Received the item and had to contact Intex because it was not working. Now I have to wait for them to send me a new one, which is nice but a bummer the first one wasn't good.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Aorace 10pcs/lot Mini Fishing Lures 10 Colors Fishing Bait 2.6cm/1.6g Fishing Tackle #10 High Carbon Steel Treble Hook; Brand: Aorace; Review: Have caught several fish already. Works perfectly!; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Dr. Martens Men's Keith Lace up; Brand: ; Review: i bought these for my work and i love them.. can always count on dr. martens. recommend to anyone. great looking to; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Under Armour Men's Original Series 6” Boxerjock; Brand: Under Armour; Review: this briefs are exactly what ive been looking for.. they fit and feel great and they breathe.. im an automotive technician and these help out tremendously breathing in our not so breathable uniforms; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: ASICS Men's GEL-Equation 7 Running Shoe; Brand: ; Review: Very comfy and supportive; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Carhartt Men's Workman Zip Front Jacket; Brand: ; Review: fits great!! comfortable and warm enough..; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: JawayTool 120 Pieces 5A 7.5A 10A 15A 20A 25A 30A Mini Blade Fuse Assortment Automotive Car Truck Fuses; Brand: JawayTool; Review: great assortment of mini fuses and way better price then the local auto stores; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Spigen Liquid Air HTC One M9 Case with Durable Flex and Easy Grip Design for HTC One M9 2015; Brand: Spigen; Review: The case fits nicely but the it makes the power button too sensitive. Constantly keep hitting the power button by hand or even in the pocket.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: LG G4 Case, [Scratch Resistant] i-BlasonClear [Halo Series] Bumper Case Cover for LG G4 2015 Release (Clear (Anti Scratch)); Brand: i-Blason; Review: Nice fit..but with leather back LG G4, lip protection is decreased. Good looking case though since the leather can still be seen from the back. Highly Recommend Update: the rubber sides have already started off from the insides. Looks like this case isn't made for leather backs.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Galaxy Note 4 Screen Protector Glass, PLESON Premium Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Tempered Glass Screen Protector (2.5D 9H; Brand: PLESON; Review: Only covers the screen portion and not the complete front. Looks dumb ! Will not be buying again !; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Tronsmart WC1T Quick Charge 3.0 Wall Charger for HTC 10, LG G5, Lumia 950/950XL, Nexus 5X/6P; Brand: Palytte; Review: Makes the LG G4 very hot compared to the Samsung Quick Charge adapters. I was very surprised to see the temperature difference.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Case, Protective Cover; Brand: Samsung; Review: Nice looking case. The back is a little slippery. Provides good lip protection. The sides are rubber...but the rubber doesnt feel like it will be able to absorb an impact probably damaging the phone. If you are careful with your phone and need a good case...this is the way to go.; Rating: 4.0/5.0	amazon_Cell_Phones_and_Accessories
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Jungle Queen AR09166-T Complete Bed Set, Twin Size; Brand: Jungle Queen; Review: I bought this for my 1 year old twin bed and I absolutely love tit. It look just like it does in the picture. The colors are bright and make it pop. It go great with her black furniture. I search long and hard for a comforter set for her room & I'm very satisfy with this one..; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Achim Home Furnishings Capri 3-Piece Rug Set, Leopard Skin; Brand: Achim Home Furnishings; Review: This rug set is more than I expected. The area rug is huge! It fits right under my Queen size bed and the matching rugs go so well in front of my dressers. You can't beat the price! All the other rugs I come across was 1 rug and they charge you by the inch. The price for a rug the size of the area rug alone run you $100 or more. But this set is a steal. Not 1 but 3 gorgeous rugs for only 50 bucks. They match the leopard theme in my bedroom perfect!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Better Home New Vinyl Shower Curtain Liner with Magnets, Black; Brand: Better Home; Review: IT DID THE JOB.FOR THE PRICE IT LASTED A VERY LONG TIME; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: 5 PIECE BLUE BATHROOM RUG SET, INCLUDES AREA RUG, CONTOUR RUG, LID COVER AND TANK SET - COLOR: BLUE; Brand: Madison; Review: My bathroom is beautiful. Look just like the picture; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: 3 Piece Black Sheer Voile Curtain Panel Set: 2 Black Panels and 1 Scarf; Brand: AHF; Review: I ordered them in black to hang in front on my closet & I absolutely love them. They're gorgeous!; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Home_and_Kitchen
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: GOGO Sports Headband/Sweatband, Terry Cloth Head Band; Brand: GOGO; Review: They were ok.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: GOGO Sports Headband/Sweatband, Terry Cloth Head Band; Brand: GOGO; Review: They were ok.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: NFL Chef Hat and Apron Set; Brand: Wirezoll; Review: My boyfriend loved it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: NFL Chef Hat and Apron Set; Brand: Wirezoll; Review: My boyfriend loved it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: aminco Carolina Panthers NFL Sports Team Logo Swirl Heart Shape French Hook Style Charm Dangle Earring Set Multi; Brand: aminco; Review: I absolutely love them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Vive Foot Rocker - Calf Stretcher for Achilles Tendinitis, Heel, Feet, Shin Splint, Plantar Fasciitis Pain Relief; Brand: Vive; Review: Not very helpful for my plantar issues. You may as well do the wall stretches.; Rating: 2.0/5.0	amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows: Title: Dirty Dancing (1987); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Air Force One (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Patriot (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Big Daddy (1999); Rating: 2.0/5.0 Title: Sweet Home Alabama (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Con Air (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Old School (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: The Royal Tenenbaums (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Gangs of New York (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Bend It Like Beckham (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Swordfish (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: The Green Mile (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Princess Bride (1987); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Private Benjamin (1980); Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Big Fish (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: The Shawshank Redemption: Special Edition (1994); Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Bad Santa (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0	netflix
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Gustaf's Wine Gums, 2.2 Pound Bags (Pack of 3); Brand: Gustaf's; Review: I subscribed Gustaf's Wine Gums 2.2 Pound Bags (Pack of 3) for $17.26 after 15% subscription discount in May and was expecting my next shipment soon. To my surprise, Amazon has just increased its price to $39.95, which is MOR THAN DOUBLE what I paid for 4 months ago. In addition, Amazon eliminated its subscription option. Now it becomes a grossly overpriced sugar product and my pocket and health will probably be better off without it.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Indus Organics Turmeric (Curcumin) Powder, 1 Lb Jar, Premium Grade, High Purity, Freshly Packed; Brand: Indus Organics; Review: I have used other brands of organic turmeric powder for years. This one smells and tastes like sawdust. Won't buy again.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Organic Dark Chocolate Chewy Banana Bites - 3.5 Ounce - Delicious Barnana Coated Potassium Rich Banana Snacks; Brand: Barnana; Review: Good taste, but grossly overpriced snack. After eating it once or twice, the novelty wears off, then I won't buy it even with a 20% off coupon.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Comvita Certified UMF 15+ (MGO 515+) Manuka Honey I New Zealand's #1 Manuka Brand I Raw, Non-GMO,; Brand: Comvita; Review: I am not fully convinced of UMF hype and really don't like the strong chemical/medicine smell and taste of this product.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 Title: Kiva Certified UMF 20+, Raw Manuka Honey - New Zealand (8.8 oz); Brand: Kiva; Review: I am not fully convinced of UMF hype and really don't like the strong chemical/medicine smell and taste of this product.; Rating: 1.0/5.0	amazon_Grocery_and_Gourmet_Food
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: DJI Osmo Extension Stick; Brand: DJI; Review: Does exactly what you want it to do. Nice and sturdy. My only complaint is that it took me extending it 3 to 4 times before I got it extended all the way out, because it doesn't want to just slide out, which is good in its own right. Nice piece of gear.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: DJI Osmo Tripod; Brand: DJI; Review: Very sturdy, light weight so it won't weigh you done but not cheap feeling, very good balance of sturdiness and weight. Does the job like you'd want it to do.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: DJI OSMO Base for Handheld 4K Camera and 3-Axis Gimbal; Brand: DJI; Review: Great addition to the Osmo. Keeps the Osmo very stable, no worrying about it falling over. It stays put.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: HPRC Hard Case for DJI Phantom 4, Pro and Pro+, Black (HPRC2700WPHA4); Brand: HPRC; Review: No worries about your drone being protected with this case. The amount of stuff you can keep in here is great. The molded foam has gel up very well. I have had this case for about 4 months and taken it on about 3 trips and it's held up very well. I like the ability to be able to carry it or pull it on its wheels. I haven't tested it waterproof abilities but with its seals it seams like it should be fine.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: MSI Enthuastic Gaming Intel Z170A LGA 1151 DDR4 USB 3.1 ATX Motherboard (Z170A Gaming M5); Brand: MSI; Review: This mobo is awesome. Great looks and even better performance. The flexibility of drives is awesome. 3xM.2 drives and 6 sata drives, can't ask for more, oh wait you do get more, a U.2 drive input as well. Lots of usb options from 2.0 to 3.1. The manual is great too, very easy to understand. The nest part it has a section that shows your m. 2 and sata interface. Comes with some great software. I'm usually not a fan of manufacturer software but msi has some stuff that is actually really useful. The M.2 genie is great. I have 3 Samsung 960 evo m. 2 in 1tb setup in raid 0, with the software I was able to set them up as bootable drives with OS on it. You wanna talk about fast, this combo with this board, youll have yhe fastest system ypuve ever seen. Get this board, you won't regret it. Yhe only thi g i wish it had was integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Lexar Multi-Card 25-In-1 USB 3.0 Reader - LRW025URBNA; Brand: Lexar; Review: Super fast transfer, lots of different options for card types. Looks good too; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Transcend USB 3.1/3.0 Super Speed Type-C Multi-Card Reader for SDHC/SDXC/MS/CF (TS-RDC8K); Brand: Transcend; Review: Super fast transfer and it has a ton of flexibility with different formats of sd card, cf card, it can take it all.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Electronics
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Spectrum Diversified Euro Lid Organizer, Chrome; Brand: Spectrum Diversified; Review: Simple rack, made with good quality. Sturdy. Wish they made the rack with just a bit more space between the supports (a cupcake pan barely fits), but it still serves its purpose I wanted it for.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Portion Control Containers by Beachbody - BPA free - 7 Piece Kit; Brand: Beachbody; Review: great quality! These are the exact same containers that come with the 21 day fix. I know because I purchased the 21 day fix from here and purchased and extra set of containers. They are small but if you have the actual workout, it is for a purpose to train yourself of portion control.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Parke 60" TV Stand; Brand: Coaster; Review: We have been searching for a nice, affordable entertainment table for a while now. I was very impressed when we put it together. It is very sturdy, the color is beautiful (a dark deep brown) and it fits our consoles perfectly! I love that it has spacing on the bottom and tops of shelves! I was concerned with how low the table would actually be, but for this price, I had to give it a chance and I really do love the way it looks in our house! We have a tv mounted to the wall, but we placed the sound bar on the top shelf and still have lots of space for décor! We get lots of compliments and they are just floored when they find out we only paid what we did! LOVE this item. Highly recommend!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Winsome Nolan Console Table with Drawer; Brand: Winsome; Review: What a great piece of furniture! We have searched for an entry table for quite some time now, wanting one that is a good quality and pleasing to the eye. Well this is it! The table is a rich dark brown wood (Actual wood. not the cheap ply wood). It is exactly as predicted by the size in the description. The drawer is little though, almost too little to really utilize it, so we purchase a wicker serving tray to place on top of it to organize mail and keys. It looks great in our entry way along with the long horizontal mirror that I have placed with it. So elegant looking at such an affordable price! Love this table! highly recommend!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Jack Daniel's Pub Mirror w/Black Finish, Brown; Brand: Jack Daniel's; Review: This is such a cool mirror. The quality is great, along with the color. The reason I gave 4 stars is because I wish it came in a longer option- to match the size of our entry way table, but other than that we love it! very easy to hang up and clean. We found the hooks are great for our keys and hats. I probably wouldn't hang a jacket on their, but you could possibly with a light jacket.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Fit & Fresh Signature Collection Ladies' Melbourne Insulated Tote; Brand: Fit & Fresh; Review: Love this bag! it is a great size & great quality.. very insulated & good straps! I have been looking for a lunch bag that was big enough for our Rubbermaid containers & a drink for work and then adult beverages for weekends! you possibly could fit a bottle of wine standing up in this thing LOL! great buy! & the print is so fun!; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Home_and_Kitchen
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows: Title: Texas Secrets: The Gallaghers of Morning Star Book 1 (Texas Heroes) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Jean Brashear Page; Review: I've loved Jean Brashear's writing for years, but had not read any books in her Texas Heroes series. But I recently picked up the ebook of Texas Secrets, Boone and Maddie's story, and I was hooked. I love reading novels set in Texas. Once a Texan, always a Texan I guess. But Jean's story about Boone coming to grips with his father's death and the interloper, Maddie, just struck a cord. I enjoyed Texas Lonely (Boone's reclusive brother... Book 2) and Texas Bad Boy (Boone's lost sister... Book 3) just as much. In fact I purchased Texas Refuge and Texas Star today and am anticipating a relaxing weekend, snuggled up with more Texas Heroes! I highly recommend this series and all of Jean Brashear's books. She's fantastic!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: How We Made Our First Million on Kindle: The Shelfless Book - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Bob Mayer Page; Review: Interesting caveats about Word. Worth reading. I learned things I didn't know and I've been an eBook formatter or years!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: About Last Night; Brand: Visit Amazon's Ruthie Knox Page; Review: As I read along, I became more and more in love with Nev and more disgusted with Cath... then Ms. Knox subtly different made me see the light. About Last Night turned out to be one of the best books I've read in ages. Good show, Ruthie!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Enterprising Ladies Regency Boxed Set - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Kasey Michaels Page; Review: All of Ms. Michaels' Regency Romances are marvelous, but to put these three Enterprising Ladies together in one volume is such a treat. And Indiscreet is hands down my favorite Regency of all time.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Now and Forever: The Complete Crosse Harbor Time Travel Trilogy - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Barbara Bretton Page; Review: I've loved every Barbara Bretton I've ever read. And these 3 Time Travel stories are simply wonderful. The made me want to stand up and declare myself a Patriot!; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_Kindle_Store
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows: Title: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking; Author: Visit Amazon's Susan Cain Page; Review: This is an interesting ramble, and while it varies a lot in terms of rigor, she makes a convincing case for the value of introverts as managers and professionals. The TED talk is a good, succinct summary.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking; Author: Susan Cain; Review: This is an interesting ramble, and while it varies a lot in terms of rigor, she makes a convincing case for the value of introverts as managers and professionals. The TED talk is a good, succinct summary.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Sister Queens: The Noble, Tragic Lives of Katherine of Aragon and Juana, Queen of Castile; Author: Visit Amazon's Julia Fox Page; Review: I've been a Tudor junkie for years, and this was the first I'd ever read from Kathrine's perspective. It's great for personal background, and pretty sketchy on the actual divorce intrigue, but still an interesting read.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 Title: Why the Law Is So Perverse; Author: Visit Amazon's Leo Katz Page; Review: The topic is a great one, and there's enough depth to make the book useful. The perspective is entirely manly, though, without even a hint that feminist epistemology might even exist. Also, the author is apparently a law professor, but he can't seem to tell the difference between ontology and definition. Maybe he's trying to be thought-provoking, but the bogus arguments get pretty annoying after a while.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 Title: Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioral Economics; Author: Visit Amazon's Richard H. Thaler Page; Review: More about the disciplinary politics than I expected, and that turned out to be one of the best things in the book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 Title: Misbehaving; Author: Visit Amazon's Richard H. Thaler Page; Review: More about the disciplinary politics than I expected, and that turned out to be one of the best things in the book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0	amazon_books
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows: Title: Man arrested in 1993 cold case rape after he's identified by DNA: Police; Abstract: The suspect was 28 at the time and not known to the victim.; Category: news Title: Mitch McConnell snubbed by Elijah Cummings' pallbearer in handshake line at U.S. Capitol ceremony; Abstract: A pallbearer appeared to refuse to shake Mitch McConnell's hand as Rep. Elijah Cummings was lying in state at the Capitol.; Category: news Title: Multiple Houses on Fire After Plane Crashes in NJ; Abstract: At least two houses are on fire in Colonia, New Jersey, after a plane crash, according to the Colonia Fire Department. A Cessna 414 crashed into a home on Berkley Avenue at 11 a.m. Tuesday, according to the FAA. The FAA will conduct an investigation into the cause of the crash. The number of people aboard and their conditions are unknown. The area is a heavy residential area with tree-lined streets. News 4's Dennis Protsko, who is part of the...; Category: news Title: Bill Murray Applied To Work At An Airport P.F. Chang's And They're Totally Down To Hire Him; Abstract: Dude loves a lettuce wrap.; Category: foodanddrink Title: Former NBA first-round pick Jim Farmer arrested in sex sting operation; Abstract: Farmer, 55, was booked for trafficking a person for a commercial sex act.; Category: sports Title: Heidi Klum's 2019 Halloween Costume Transformation Is Mind-Blowing But, Like, What Is It?; Abstract: You might say she's scary good at playing dress-up, because Heidi Klum's 2019 Halloween costume is even more impressive than we could have imagined and that's saying a lot, considering transformative Halloween costumes are kind of her thing. But this year Klum took it up one more notch as she shared her metamorphosis into,; Category: lifestyle Title: Chick-fil-A Apologizes to Customers for Promoting National Sandwich Day Which Is on a Sunday; Abstract: Chick-fil-A Apologizes for Promoting National Sandwich Day; Category: foodanddrink Title: Convicted ex-NFL tight end Kellen Winslow II has CTE symptoms, his attorneys say; Abstract: Attorneys for former NFL tight end Kellen Winslow II will present evidence of his cognitive impairment before his February sentencing for sex crimes.; Category: sports Title: Supreme Court refuses to block lawsuit against gun manufacturer brought by Sandy Hook families; Abstract: The Supreme Court refused to shield Remington Arms Co. from potential liability for the 2012 school shooting that left 26 dead in Newtown, Conn.; Category: finance	mind

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