“The secret of blending in, is don’t try to. Everyone is so fucking self-obsessed.”
The Girl in the Ice is the first in the Detective Erika Foster series, a thriller by Robert Bryndza. I'd heard a lot of good things about this book from my blog friends and I can say I was pretty excited when I finally picked it up. But despite the excitement I felt, it took me a while to finish it. The first few chapters were a bit slow for me but I'm glad I stuck to it until the end. I haven't read a lot of thrillers but this one is a good one.
The book centers on DCI Erika Foster when she is called down to South London to investigate a murder case involving a body of a woman found under a thick sheet of ice. Erika has been off the police force for the past months due to the death of her husband and we see how she's still struggling because of it. She tries to do her best to solve the case but when she starts to find some leads with the help of her new colleagues, the victim's wealthy father and the higher ups start to meddle. At some point she is kicked off the case because her boss wants her to play by some rules but Erika only wants to do her job properly and not to be dictated what to or not to do.
I think Erika Foster is a strong character, a smart and determined woman. She has some ups and downs but they don't stop her from doing what's right. We also see some backstory of what happened to her husband which I think helped on understanding her more. I also actually like Moss and Peterson! The three of them make a great team and I would like to see more of them working together.
What I love most when reading mystery/thriller is when the author keeps on making me guess what will happen next or who the real culprit is. In this book, I kept guessing until the middle part where I finally figured out who the killer was! And man, did I get that right! But still, the turn of events are unexpected and there are a lot of suspects until finally the last few pages reveal who it really is.
Overall The Girl in the Ice is a good debut thriller novel. The pacing is just right (though for me the first few chapters were a bit slow), it has great story line, impressive writing, has some twists and turns and intriguing characters. I'm planning on reading the second book in the series some time soon.
“Love
and loss,” he said, “are like a ship and the sea. They rise together.
The more we love, the more we have to lose. But the only way to avoid
loss is to avoid love. And what a sad world that would be.”
One word: Brilliant.
Gahd, I really love this series and now that I've finished the last book, I don't think I'll ever be the same again! I mean, after knowing Kell, Lila, Rhy and all the other characters, it's hard to move on! And thinking that their story is already over... no, no, no! But well, Shades of Magic has been an amazing adventure.
It's been over a week since I finished the book but until now I still have a book hangover. I tried picking up another book right after finishing but I just can't take my mind off Kell. It's a bit crazy, I know, but I needed a while to absorb everything and convince myself that it's really finished. The series is over. And it still makes me frown everytime I tell myself that.
Everything in this book is just plain brilliant. The characters, the plot, the prose, the worldbuilding, especially the world building! I fell in love with everything the instant I read the first chapter and right there and then I had my new favorite series. And author!
“Picking out a gift?” asked the captain. “No.” “Good, then take this.” He dropped a ring into Kell’s hand. Kell frowned. “I’m flattered, but I think you’re asking the wrong brother.”
The characters are what made me love this series even more. I've already grown fond of Kell, Lila, Rhy, Alucard and even Holland who broke my heart in this last book. They all had their own moments, times when they had to make crucial decisions and I think that's when their character shone the brightest. Rhy has finally started acting like a prince, wanting to do something to protect his family, his people, his kingdom. Kell is ever the self-sacrificing prince/brother/Antari. (And I fell in love with him all over again!) Lila, well, she's still the best thief out there, always headstrong and stubborn. I've always liked Alucard since the AGoS but in this book, omg, he stole my heart! And Holland, oh poor Holland. My heart ached for him all throughout.
I also love the interactions between the characters because they always just end up bickering with each other, annoying the hell out of one another. Especially Kell and Alucard! Sometimes Holland too. But those playful moments are what I'll miss most!!!
Her heart was beating hard against her ribs, some primal part of
her saying run, and she was running, just not away. She was tired of
running away. So she was running into Kell. And he caught her.
Now let's get to the romance part where oh. my. gulay. Kell and Lila. Lila and Kell. Do I need say more? Because they're perfect. For each other. With each other. From the first book I've been rooting for their romance and finally, finally, Schwab gave us something exciting in this book! And can we also talk about that scene where Kell was teaching Lila some magic words? OH. MY. GOD! I was practically grinning the entire time. And when Alucard walked in on them? It was hilarious!
Moving on, we also have Rhy and Alucard and they're the cutest! I enjoyed every moment they had together especially when Rhy acted all prince-y at first but in the end finally realizing Alucard's true feelings.
When Kell Maresh and Lila Bard had first parted ways, he’d
whispered the word in her wake, beneath his breath, full of the
certainty—the hope—they’d meet again. He’d known it wasn’t an end. And
this wasn’t an end, either, or if it was, then simply the end of a
chapter, an interlude between two meetings, the beginning of something
new.
Overall, I'm very satisfied with this series. Schwab didn't disappoint and that ending is just... perfect! I honestly had to stop myself a few pages away from the ending because I just didn't want it to end. I love this series that much! I guess I wasn't just ready for it to end that I tried to draw it out for as long as I could. But of course, it had to end.
Anyway, I know I only ended up fan-girling without even coming up with a proper review but there's really only one word to describe this book and it's brilliant. So read it, you guys!
It was 2013 when We The Kings released the album Somewhere Somehow and it's probably one of the best albums ever! I love all the songs but my favorite is Sad Song. Several days ago, the band released a music video for Sad Song and I tell you, it's beautiful!!
You and I,
We're like fireworks and symphonies exploding in the sky.
With you, I'm alive
Like all the missing pieces of my heart, they finally collide.
So stop time right here in the moonlight,
'Cause I don't ever wanna close my eyes.
Without you, I feel broke.
Like I'm half of a whole.
Without you, I've got no hand to hold.
Without you, I feel torn.
Like a sail in a storm.
Without you, I'm just a sad song.
I'm just a sad song.
With you I fall.
It's like I'm leaving all my past in silhouettes upon the wall.
With you I'm a beautiful mess.
It's like we're standing hand in hand with all our fears upon the edge.
So stop time right here in the moonlight,
'Cause I don't ever wanna close my eyes.
Without you, I feel broke.
Like I'm half of a whole.
Without you, I've got no hand to hold.
Without you, I feel torn.
Like a sail in a storm.
Without you, I'm just a sad song.
You're the perfect melody,
The only harmony
I wanna hear.
You're my favorite part of me,
With you standing next to me,
I've got nothing to fear.
Without you, I feel broke.
Like I'm half of a whole.
Without you, I've got no hand to hold.
Without you, I feel torn.
Like a sail in a storm.
Without you, I'm just a sad song.
Without you, I feel broke.
Like I'm half of a whole.
Without you, I've got no hand to hold.
Without you, I feel torn.
Like a sail in a storm.
Without you, I'm just a sad song.
I'm just a sad song.
“I asked you here tonight because when you realise you want to spend the
rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to
start as soon as possible.”
The Rosie Project had been sitting on my TBR for years now and I'm just glad I was finally able to get around it. It's one of those book I read at night, on my bed, before sleeping, which made me smile and sometimes giggle. The first hundred pages were a slow read for me, but enough to entertain and get me glued to the story.
Don Tillman, an Associate Professor of genetics, is looking for a suitable life partner and thinks that the best way to find one is to create a questionnaire. He's socially challenged, awkward around people and lets logic rule his life rather than emotions. Certain that he'll be able to find the perfect wife using the questionnaire, he starts handing them out, posting them on sites and attending speed-dating. He also turns to his friend Gene, a Psychology Professor, for help since he's experienced when it comes to human relationships. Then one day, Don meets Rosie, a strong-minded and cheeky girl who is his exact opposite. Rosie smokes, is always late, drinks like a man and is totally unsuitable for him but something about her makes Don wants to spend time with her.
“I haven’t changed my mind. That’s the point! I want to spend my life
with you even though it’s totally irrational. And you have short
earlobes. Socially and genetically there’s no reason for me to be
attracted to you. The only logical conclusion is that I must be in love
with you.”
This book is actually charming and I don't hate Don but sometimes he annoyed me. I mean, yes, he's socially awkward and all but his actions are sometimes too frustrating! But despite that, I like that he recognizes his talents and uses them. He's smart, logical and though he's a creature of habit, he's willing to change and he tries after meeting Rosie.
“Humans often fail to see what is close to them and obvious to others.”
I liked a lot of things about this book but I think I wasn't smitten by it. It was a fun read, the characters are endearing but the plot is somewhat predictable. Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading this book. There were times I felt like the story was dragged but nonetheless, I
enjoyed reading this book. I also read that it has a sequel but I think
I'm putting that one aside for now.
I remember reading and loving the book so much I've re-read it several times. I just love everything about the book―the lovely cover, the endearing characters, the touching plot and Colleen Hoover is just an amazing writer!
So imagine my surprise when it was announced that there was going to be a mini series for the book! I was like OMG! OMG! OMG! And no, I wasn't calling Owen, I was just so so excited! Then they announced who will play the characters (I like both Katie and Ryan, by the way) and then there was the shooting and Colleen teasing us with photos and then the trailer came out and then it was April!!!
[Warning: This post contains screenshots from the series]
I watched the whole series on April 5 (one sitting) and I loved it! I mean, yes, they changed some aspects of it but it was beautiful nonetheless. I think Katie and Ryan did a great job portraying Auburn and Owen though at first I was having second thoughts about Katie. Don't get me wrong, she's really really good but she wasn't what I expected Auburn to be.
I loved Emory and AJ was super cute! I hated Lydia, of course, but I understand where she was coming from. The face of Trey in my head was definitely not Rocky Myers but I guess he worked out too. The paintings were BEAUTIFUL!!! I especially loved "Every time he touches me, I think of you." And I also had to smile when Colleen appeared at the auction in one of the episodes.
So I guess everything just worked out for this series. It's short, yes, but in those 7 episodes they were able to put life to the beautiful characters of the book!
***
I'll love you forever even when I can't. I'll love you forever even when I shouldn't.
“When I turn the painting around to face me again, I run my fingers over it. I touch the space between the two hands, and I think about everything between the two of them that is pulling them apart. And I hope, for her sake, that Adam is right. I hope she does have a second fate. Because she deserves it.
★★★★/★★★★★ you've touched me
without even
touching me
I wasn't prepared to read this book. I didn't expect it to be this powerful, to be overflowing with emotions. Now I'm not sure what to feel because I'm so overwhelmed. This book has touched me and it's very beautiful. The words, the messages, the illustrations, everything. It's meant to be read.
The book is divided into four chapters; the hurting, the loving, the breaking and the healing, and each page will surely make you feel something, if not tug at your heart.
you might not have been my first love
but you were the love that made
all the other loves
irrelevant
***
i don't want to have you
to fill the empty parts of me
i want to be full on my own
i want to be so complete
i could light a whole city
and then
i want to have you
cause the two of us combined
could set it on fire
***
nothing is safer
than the sound of you
reading out loud to me - the perfect date
“I'm a glass half-full sort of person. That's not a crime. You see the bad in people, but I see the good. And I do believe there is good in most people.”
Miracle on 5th Avenue was my first Sarah Morgan book and it didn't disappoint. I actually planned on reading this one last Christmas but since I was kinda busy with other things, I moved reading it until now. I'm also thinking of picking up the first two books in the series since I like Morgan's writing a lot. Maybe some time soon when I find time.
The story centers around Eva who runs an event and concierge business, Urban Genie, with her two best friends, Frank and Paige. Their business covers organizing events to walking dogs to decorating an apartment for Christmas. That's what happens when one of their clients, Mitzy, asks Eva to decorate her grandson's apartment who is away in Vermont, or so they thought. Eva, ever professional and so fond of Mitzy, wholeheartedly agrees thinking that no one is occupying the apartment and she can do her job undisturbed. Little did she know that there's a surprise waiting not only for Mitzy's grandson, Lucas Blade, but also for her.
“I'm starting to understand why you don't date much. You're a hopeless romantic and you're waiting for Prince Charming?” The faint hint of humor needled her, even though she was used to being teased for her rose-tinted view on life.
“No, but even you have to agree Prince Charming is a more appealing character than Jack the Ripper.”
I'm a big fan of Christmas romance that's why I enjoyed this book a lot. I adore Eva so much she makes me want to fall in love! With Lucas Blade! Anyway, I think the characters are what I love most in this book. Eva is a hopeless romantic who always looks at the bright side of life. She's kind and sweet and she's the type of friend who never whines. After the death of her grandmother, she tries to live up everything she'd taught her, even being the sunshine in everyone's life even though sometimes she feels like crying. Lucas, on the other hand, believes that you can only love once. We all know he's wrong but he's so stubborn and his walls are all up. He's the exact opposite of Eva, always brooding and writes mystery/horror novel.
Now that they are in a situation they both didn't want but don't have a
choice, they decided to just mind their own business. Eva will decorate
Lucas's apartment while Lucas writes his book. But having writer's
block, the last ting Lucas needs is a singing Eva in his kitchen whose
cooking always distracts him! But soon he realizes that Eva is actually
the solution to his writer's block.
I like Eva a lot and her personality is very admirable. She's so positive in everything, always seeing the good side of things. I also like her best friends Frankie and Paige. Throughout the book we get to read a little about them and from it I can already tell that I'm going to love them as much as I loved Eva! Mitzy also warmed my heart. She's so sweet and cares so much for both
Lucas and Eva.
“Lucas was right. Love wasn't a fairy tale. It was messy and painful.”
Despite being opposites, Eva and Lucas found something in each other. After the death of his wife, Lucas chose to distance himself from others, keeping his pain to himself. He never thought that one Christmas, a woman will walk into his apartment, will put a giant Christmas tree inside and make him fall in love again. No, he never thought that Eva's singing and cooking will get through his icy personality. But he doesn't want to hurt Eva so he tries to push her away even though all he wants to do is pull her closer to him. Eva, on the other hand, knew what she's getting into when she starts feeling something for Lucas. She's honest so she never hides her feelings but what can she do when Lucas can't do the same? She really wants to be what her grandmother wanted her to be, to be the sunshine not the rain, but love hurts and Lucas is an ass.
I think everything in this book is perfect. The characters, the plot, the writing style and the snow! There are only two seasons here in our country; summer and rainy, so we don't get snow that's why I love reading about them. I think snow makes Christmas more magical and more romantic! Anyhow, I really enjoy this book. If you want a fun, Christmas romance with endearing characters, this one is for you.
