Angelika

First person narrator in a supporting role?

Revisado: 09-30-18

The plot of the story lacks climax, tension, a villain and a goal, in short excitement. The plot switches from present time back and forth to Marcus's past. There in Marcus's past, the heroes of the American and French revolution have become alive, which has kept my interest up in the story. In the present time we meet Diana - the first person narrator - again with her family on the sideline.
No doubt the author has detailed knowledge of the revolutionary time at the end of the eighteenth century.

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Too many first-person narrators!

Revisado: 09-01-18

Five people are telling the story! At the beginning of every chapter I have to ask, who is talking now, especially when a new first-person narrator is introduced. The chaperone narrator could have been deleted, without taking much away from story.
The interweaving aspect of religion was unexpected, but part of the plot. Overall a beautiful woven tapestry tale, which leaves a loose end (the ending of the tsar, tsarina and their demon).

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Full of passion and art

Revisado: 08-15-17

If you could sum up Born in Fire in three words, what would they be?

Art + Passion = Life + Love

What other book might you compare Born in Fire to and why?

I compare this book to newer Nora Roberts books. The characters in this book series are more alive and passionate than in her newer books. Many newer books are repetitive with fairly flat characters who can be boring. The setting description in this book is very enjoyable, too. There is something about this Ireland series as well as the Irish Jewels series I really love and what makes me enjoy listening to these audiobooks over and over again.

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Not A Romance Novel

Revisado: 06-05-17

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The heroine was annoying. At least the daft and naive southern bell improved as the story progressed. The reader could not pull off an Irish accent, and why she was chosen for the performance is anyones guess. Thirdly the Tuatha Dé Danann have been made into villains, which is disgracing and twisting Irish history and mythology to far.

If you’ve listened to books by Karen Marie Moning before, how does this one compare?

I listened to her Highlander books, which are more what I expect from a fantasy romance novel.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator distracted, because she could not speak with and Irish accent.

Do you think Darkfever needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, not for me. I am a romance book reader and this is not a romance book.

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The Title should be "Sex and Religion"

Revisado: 03-01-15

What did you like best about Sex & God: How Religion Distorts Sexuality? What did you like least?

The tactics established religions use to control people and their sexuality and why are well described; but to name religion a disease, which infects like a virus is somehow exaggerated. The jewish-christian-moslem patriarchal "god" and its negative influence on people especially women are described in detail. I assume "god" equals an established church for Mr. Ray, which it does not do for me. Mr. Ray seems to neglect, we humans need spirituality as much as we need sexuality. The churches distort not only sexuality, but spirituality as well. Churches created a distorted concept of "god" in order to serve their political goals. The have more to do with power, property, control of people than with reconnecting to the creative power behind and within all things.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The tactics and strategies established churches employ to bind and control people are well explained. Examples of people suffering under the sexual dogma of churches are compelling.

What three words best describe Darrel Ray’s voice?

He is reading.

Do you think Sex & God: How Religion Distorts Sexuality needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

To explore how and why the concept of "god" in the established churches was created and how and to what purpose it is used in comparison to non-established religions would be interesting.

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Not boring at all

Revisado: 03-01-15

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend it to somebody interested in Tantra

What other book might you compare Confessions of a Hollywood Tantra Masseur to and why?

I listened to this book parallel to the "Taoist Sexual Secrets", which I prefer because of its lessons, instructions and practical uses. Its something I can do myself. A Massage is something passive and another person is needed for it.

Any additional comments?

Massages and sex scenes one after the other could get dull, but the book is well written and every new woman introduced is described in an interesting manner. On one hand, I appreciate Mr. Carvill's adoration for the female body and his kindness towards his clients. This is more than many men give women they have sexual encounters with, because they use women's body just for their sexual satisfaction without giving anything back. On the other hand there is the person of Mr. Carvill himself. He prefers to have a professional sexual relationship to many women to a loving relationship with one women in order to avoid emotional entanglements. During the whole book the question "why" was always on my mind. He answers this question or hints at it in several places in the book with honesty. Certainly, he won't be able to do this kind of work, while having a relationship with one woman, but intimacy with includes body, mind and spirit can not reached without emotional involvement.

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Charming story, but flat characters

Revisado: 08-30-14

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No, I would not recommend this book, because the story is very short and the main characters remain flat, which makes the read unsatisfactory.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The storyline takes a jump from the beginning of the main character's holiday to the end of the Ireland holiday. This is a missed chance to tell us more about the characters, their history and to develop their relationships with more depth. Well, what else shall I say, Nora Roberts describes the ups and downs of a romance far better and with more detail.

What does John Martin Byrne bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I was hoping from former review the reader would read with a stronger Irish accent.

Could you see The Empress of Ireland being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

It might, because the story is shortened and flat enough.

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Not as good as Three Sisters

Revisado: 05-14-14

What would have made Dark Witch better?

A different reader would be in order for a start, the one used reads with to much pathos. Secondly, a better defined or more believable villain / antagonist would also improve the story. A heroine who is in fear of a bear in Ireland is just silly. And to create a wolf with red eyes roaming Ireland is laughable at best.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Dark Witch?

I did not listen to end of the story, its seems predictable, the villain is unbelievable plus the readers voice is a bit annoying.

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To much religion and not enough fulfilling romance

Revisado: 01-12-14

Would you try another book from Rae Carson and/or Jennifer Ikeda?

Although I love books with strong female characters, I would not try another book by this author.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Somewhat disappointing. Its hard to describe my disappointment, without giving away the story.

Did The Girl of Fire and Thorns inspire you to do anything?

To believe in life's purpose.

Any additional comments?

Somehow to story does not make sense. On one side the story has a hostile if not even racist undertone against tribal people and shamans. On the other side the story lets an "evil" magician / shaman speak a sacred language and declare the "good" people to be barbarians. Additionally, the protagonist wonders about the fact that opposing parties declare to do god's will, but this does not make her question her own kind of god-believe.

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The Civil War Starts

Revisado: 12-04-13

Where does Tangle of Need rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The Psy / Changeling books are my second favorite paranormal romance series with "A Discovery of Witches" being on first place and the "Elder Races" stories coming third.

What did you like best about this story?

I hesitated to buy this book, because I do not like love triangles, but I am glad I read it eventually, because it fleshes out the story of the series as a whole. The love story of Riaz and Adria is only one part of the overall plot. Normally I don't like stories with a lot of characters, but it is okay in the context of this series, because most of the characters mentioned in the book have been introduced more throughly in previous books. For people who did not read the older books of the series, this novel might mention just names indeed; but I am delighted to see how other characters from previous books are faring such as Indigo, Drew, Judd, Hawk, Sienna and Sasha, for example. In contrast to "Tangle of Need", the following book "Heart of Obsidian" has less characters and focuses more on the main couple. This book also made a little more room for the Arrows, and I am so curious about what will happen with Vasic in the new book being published in February 2014.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The liveliness of changeling interaction, their teasing, poking and squabbling makes me smile, sometimes laugh. This is a contrast to psy interaction, which can be dangerous, and multilayered.

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