Kindle Customer

Not her best stuff

Revisado: 12-12-19

In spite of my rating for this book, I still find Caitlin Doughty a fascinating person who is doing a good thing for humanity: helping people come to terms with death and mortality. Her narration is great. She's a great story teller as well.
However, I found this book to be... preachy and somewhat pompous. Of course other cultures have different death rituals. That's not shocking to anyone who has read any history or ever picked up a book. I feel like part of the intent her is to shock the reader with seemingly strange, bizzare rituals and practices regarding death. If so, it didn't work so well on me. My bff calls me a barbarian. Perhaps, I am.
The incessant berating or American/Western death culture gets old. Western death rituals are no less valid than any other culture. If this had simply been a study of death customs of other parts of the world and peoples, I would've found it much more engaging and interesting. Too bad really because I liked hearing about the practices. I just didn't need all the preachy commentary.

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Perfect Beach Read!

Revisado: 11-22-15

What made the experience of listening to Falling in Fiji the most enjoyable?

You know, sometime, you just want a nice, quick, light read. Something that makes you feel good, uplifted, hopeful, when the world is going to crap around you. Since it's short--novella length-- it would be the perfect kind of book to take to beach in Mexico or the Caribbean this winter.

What other book might you compare Falling in Fiji to and why?

I'd have to say Casey Hagen's writing is similar to Jill Shalvis or less well known, Liz Bemis, or Jennifer Cruisie or Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Not really answering the question, but that's my two cents worth anyway.

What does Russell Lord bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I thought he had a nice reading voice. It's never that easy for a man to do the women's voices convincingly, but at least I could distinguish between the characters, so it's a minor issue. His voice is mellow and easy to listen to. He doesn't just read the book in a laborious monotone. It's acted and engaging.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I got a kick out of the adventure generator. That was very very clever! I liked Corrine and Everett. They were average, normal people who got their happily ever after. It's nice to think that might happen for all of us!

Any additional comments?

I don't normally read contemp romance, usually it's hist rom or mystery, but the cover really caught my eye so I thought I'd give it a go. I just wanted something that would make me feel happy. Romance always does that.
I had no idea that this was Casey Hagen's first book. I never would have guessed that by the quality of the writing. It's quite well done and she has a witty sometimes bawdy sense of humor.
This is the kind of book that would make a good movie!

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Fierce Darcy! Poor Belinda!

Revisado: 08-04-15

Would you consider the audio edition of Malice at the Palace to be better than the print version?

I've never read any of the books only listened. But really, why read when Katy Kellgren can do it for me! She's the best!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Malice at the Palace?

Any time Darcy is on stage. Darcy O'Mara has to be one of my all time favorite heroes!

Which character – as performed by Katherine Kellgren – was your favorite?

Georgie, of course, but all the characters are well read and distinguishable.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! If fact, I pretty much did! lol I have a house cleaning business so I get to listen to audio books all day. Started this one at 8am this morn and only have about an hour left!

Any additional comments?

Starts out a bit slow, but really gets going once Darcy appears. In this book we really get to see how the characters are changing.
I'm so sad I'll have to wait another year for the next book!

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Not nearly stunning enough

Revisado: 07-26-15

What did you like best about The Other Daughter? What did you like least?

The complexity of Rachel and the plot so far as learning about her her to for unknown family and the discovery of what she really is! What did I like least? The romance. It wasn't really a romance.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The setting is what drew me to the story. I love Her Royal Spyness and think the Phryne Fisher books are unique.Again, the romance here was lackluster at best.

What about Nicola Barber’s performance did you like?

She's pretty good. Nothing annoying about her narration.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Not a chance

Any additional comments?

If you're getting this book because you think it's a romance, I'll stop you right there. It's not. Its as if Lauren Willig couldn't decide if this was a Historical Romance or Historical Fiction. Now remember, when I say this, I read and write Historical Romance, so I'm not anti romance in any way! The romance is contrived, forced. There is no palpable tension. Then all of a sudden at the end, oops! they love each other. let's get married right away and live happily ever after. Most of the tension was "told" not "shown". Rachel spends alot of time mooning over her half sister's situation, then at the end, she abandons her to a loveless marriage of duty and a rotten mother. Like, oh well, tough cookies for Olivia! The Olivia/Jon storyline never gets resolved. There are alot of unanswered question left over. Olivia's story would be very interesting because she has a lot of opportunity for change. Rachel's relationship with her father is never resolved either. Historically, it was well done. Entertainment wise... eh, I wouldn't read it again.

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Wrong Narrator

Revisado: 09-10-12

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Hillary Huber was totally the wrong pick for narrator. She's breathy and unemphatic. When Ares drops the f-bomb, she whispers it! This is supposed to be an alpha male, lady. Say it with some ruthlessness! Her voice and presentation make both the hero and the heroine appear weak. Which they aren't.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Eternal Rider?

I'd say Larrisa Ione writes some pretty hot sex scenes! She's not afraid to drop the f-bomb or swear or be crude. After all, these are soldier, warriors, alpha types, not regency heros. Makes the story and the characters more real.

Would you be willing to try another one of Hillary Huber’s performances?

Never. She's dreadful.

What would have made this romance irresistible?

Actually, it's not a bad book. I ended up just reading it and I really liked it.

Any additional comments?

Requires you to stretch your imagination. It's interesting to see a paranormal/urban fantasy based in Christianity. Very unique and creative.

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Missing something

Revisado: 12-15-11

Would you try another book from Diana Gabaldon and/or Jeff Woodman and Rick Holmes ?

Diana is a fantastic writer and I am absolutely hooked on her Outlander series, but I don't think I'd do another Lord John book. Rick Holmes was bad and Jeff Woodman lacks something in portraying LJ that Davina Porter captures perfectly. Davina Porter's voice is much deeper and raspier when reading Jamie, not to mention much more fierce--acted, not read. She just is the voice of Jamie Fraser.

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

Now, I'm not a prud by any means, I'm trying to break into the romance genre myself, but really after all these years of picturing Jamie and knowing what happened to him at the hands of Jack Randall and how that experiece effected him... I really don't want to hear about Lord John's designs on Jamie's body. Sometimes, I wonder who Diana is writing to--what is her target market? Why would women who read Outlander and fell in love with Jamie, the epitome of manliness, want to read or listen to gay sex scenes with LJ? Although an honorable guy, he's just not compelling, yet she keeps ramming him down out throat. Maybe there are women out there who want to read about gay sex, but frankly, I'm not one of them.
I guess my expectations were too high. I thought his would be more of a straightforward mystery, which is what I was under the impression the LJ books were, but it's more of a long plodding story with just a sort of mystery, a couple of good one liners and a little more filling in of Jamie's time at Hell water. It's lacking real excitement, it all seems forced. It's just dull, flat, insubstantial, uncompelling. Disappointing.
Her Royal Spyness was way way better.

Would you be willing to try another one of Jeff Woodman and Rick Holmes ???s performances?

No. I heard great things about Jeff Woodman's LJ, but it's he's just not up to snuff.

Was The Scottish Prisoner worth the listening time?

I suppose. I'm thinking that some of what is told here will show up in one of the Outlander books

Any additional comments?

This story is missing something. That something is Claire. Or Davina Porter. Or maybe just women in general.

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Missing something

Revisado: 12-15-11

Would you try another book from Diana Gabaldon and/or Jeff Woodman and Rick Holmes ?

Diana is a fantastic writer and I am absolutely hooked on her Outlander series, but I don't think I'd do another Lord John book. Rick Holmes was bad and Jeff Woodman lacks something in portraying LJ that Davina Porter captures perfectly. Davina Porter's voice is much deeper and raspier when reading Jamie, not to mention much more fierce--acted, not read. She just is the voice of Jamie Fraser.

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

Now, I'm not a prud by any means, I'm trying to break into the romance genre myself, but really after all these years of picturing Jamie and knowing what happened to him at the hands of Jack Randall and how that experiece effected him... I really don't want to hear about Lord John's designs on Jamie's body. Sometimes, I wonder who Diana is writing to--what is her target market? Why would women who read Outlander and fell in love with Jamie, the epitome of manliness, want to read or listen to gay sex scenes with LJ? Although an honorable guy, he's just not compelling, yet she keeps ramming him down out throat. Maybe there are women out there who want to read about gay sex, but frankly, I'm not one of them.
I guess my expectations were too high. I thought his would be more of a straightforward mystery, which is what I was under the impression the LJ books were, but it's more of a long plodding story with just a sort of mystery, a couple of good one liners and a little more filling in of Jamie's time at Hell water. It's lacking real excitement, it all seems forced. It's just dull, flat, insubstantial, uncompelling. Disappointing.
Her Royal Spyness was way way better.

Would you be willing to try another one of Jeff Woodman and Rick Holmes ???s performances?

No. I heard great things about Jeff Woodman's LJ, but it's he's just not up to snuff.

Was The Scottish Prisoner worth the listening time?

I suppose. I'm thinking that some of what is told here will show up in one of the Outlander books

Any additional comments?

This story is missing something. That something is Claire. Or Davina Porter. Or maybe just women in general.

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Eh...

Revisado: 08-01-11

This is okay. It's different, I'll give it that. But there's no sex. A little drawn out. Lynn is a self depricating author and that does make it funny at times.

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So Good that I'm Shocked!!!

Revisado: 04-18-11

I don't know what it is about this book. It is a little hard to understand what's going on in the begining. Like all fantasy, it's a little confusing if you don't know the lay of the land or have a map handy. I thought it took through the whole first part to really get going, but once it does, you just can't stop! Sometimes the story seems to move slow, but it's really not. It's very hard to explain. At first, I thought this was going to be just a rehash of Lord of the Rings... It sort of starts out that way with the token cookie cutter characters, but they are soooo human. Everyone is not what they seem. This really is a book and a world about men and the weakness of men. The women in this book are incredibly strong people able to take care of themselves and are natural born leaders. I like that this book has sex in it. Literature is supposed to be about the human condition and sex is part of that. Something about the way men write the act that is raw yet sensual. Martin captures the mindset, the culture, the erotisism of barbarianism in a believable way. The Drogo, Dani story line is wonderful, slowly evolving. Every one is flawed, all have strengths and weaknesses, there's not good guys and no bad guys, everything seems to float somewhere in that gray murky area. All have a legitimate claim to the iron throne.

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Some parts boring, some parts Fantastic!!

Revisado: 03-03-11

Parts of this book are fantastic!!! and other parts, are just plain boring. Sometimes I think Diana forgets who her audience is. Women don't want all the war detail. Just give it to me quick and straight. If you like Lord John, you'll like this book. I don't particularly. I think he's just not compelling so there's parts of this that are boring, although, you have to listen to understand what will happen in the next book. I think that story like will give some insight into Claire's history. Willie, I'm sorry to say, is not at all compelling. I just don't care about him, at least, not really until the end. The story line with Ian is sad. The Roger, Brianna story line is holy cow fantastic!! It makes the whole book worth while! I'm not sure why so many are upset that Diana leaves you hanging at the end of this book. She pretty much does that with all her books. I think you will have to read some of the Lord John mysteries to understand exactly what's going on in some parts, but it's not necassary. All Diana's books are written where the first have sets you up for what happens in the second half. This is very similar. All the action happens in the second half of the book

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