Blue Cat Review

Review

7:00 pm 5 November 2016

I have to agree with the other reviewers, this is an amazing book. I really enjoyed the characters, the story and Ms. Maas' writing style. The story could actually end right here. Everyone's situation is tidied up and they could all go on their way, so this could be the ending. But, like all good storytellers, Ms. Maas has several more books in this series. And, though things are nice and tidy, there are plenty of doors that can be opened to start another story, as I'm sure the author will show me as I start on book #2, Crown of Midnight.

For a full review of this first book, Throne of Glass, check out my blog, http://www.bluecatreview.us/ in the next couple of weeks.

This book was purchased from Barnes and Noble for nook. This is an honest review. I am not being compensated in any way. All opinions are fully my own.
~ Judi E. Easley

Review

Crown of Midnight

7:00 pm 5 November 2016

Not quite as fantastic as the previous book, but still really good. Not enough difference to lose a star. I'm getting some of my suspicions confirmed in this one. One thing about this book is that I feel like I've been running around inside those dark tunnels with Celaena, going round and round in the dark. I loved the tunnel scene when Celaena counts the doors and figures out where she is. The atmosphere is spectacular. Ms. Maas creates such a solid feel to the whole scene, and I mean that as in rock solid. The doors loom hugely in my mind and seem impermeable.

In part, I feel that the prince is a weak character. In spite of his learning and power, his personality seems a bit on the dull side. Maybe I'm just expecting too much of a geek, but I feel this weakness in him is what keeps Celaena holding him at arm's length. She knows she could walk all over him. While Chaol is off the charts in character and personality. He may not hold the same power that Dorian does, but he is the stronger character. Definitely a good match for Celaena. Now that the trio has gone to the edge and come back, they all have new directions to go in. In the next book, Heir of Fire, I'm hoping that I'll get more answers. Though I don't foresee all my questions being resolved since there's at least one more book in the series.

I purchased this ebook from Barnes and Noble for nook. This is an honest review. I am not being compensated in any way. All opinions are fully my own.
~ Judi E. Easley

Review

White Locks

7:00 pm 2 November 2016

This second book wasn't as good as the first book and there were some problems with it. It's an Indie production, and it needs another go through by its proofreader in one section. But mostly it simply wasn't as well done as the first book. I'm getting a bit tired of Marie's hysterics. The third book isn't out until 2017, and I probably won't read it, as the characters are all predicting doom and gloom. Not an encouraging forecast.

Review

Black Keys (The Colorblind Trilogy Book 1)

7:00 pm 1 November 2016

What a book for our time. This is the first romance I've read that addresses the Arab Muslim situation head on. The author really portrays the vicious, hateful American very well. Did I forget to mention, ignorant, as in uneducated? Judging all the people of a faith and culture by the actions of a few. That would be like judging all Protestants who meet in church on Sunday mornings by the standards of the Manson Family. Not fair you say? Well, yes, you're right. It's not fair to judge a large group by the actions of a few. So why do Americans continue to do it?

In Black Keys, Marie starts to gain an education and learn about Islam. She learns that Arabs are people and that they worship God. Once she is back in the US, she learns that Muslims are just people and that they have been horribly mistreated on a daily basis right in front of her and she had never noticed. She also learns that one particular Arab is too good to be parted from.

Normally, I would be hitting the 3-star rating button at this point, because the story doesn't end in this book. However, the author has served up such a story so far, that I feel she has already done justice to the idea of writing a book. This book could have ended right here, but it doesn't. It is enough of a story that you could end it and call it complete. But there's another book to read, White Locks. And I've just downloaded it.

This review is not complete...

Review

Unlawful Desire (ALFA PI Book 2)

7:00 pm 1 November 2016

This was an okay read. Not quite up to par with the previous one. Something a little awkward about the whole thing. Full review upcoming.

Review

The Magnolia Story

7:00 pm 31 October 2016

This couple has such a great story. Anyone who's a fan of their show ( and who isn't!) should read this book. Full review soon.

My Review:
How many of you watch Fixer Upper on HGTV either when it's on or On Demand or some other way? How many of you feel like Joanna Gaines could be your next best friend and you'd love to drop by the farm and sit and chat? This book is the story of how Joanna and Chip got to be your next best friend.

This is written in their two voices and you can just hear them back and forth, the way it's done. As they tell their story of how they came to be what they are today, the most together couple any of us have ever seen raising four really good children, you feel like it's time for another glass of sweet tea. You just get the feeling that you are sitting down in their home having a conversation with them and the children are down the hall playing. You can almost hear the giggles from time to time. You certainly can feel the love for each other, for their children and for God.

One thing you learn about this couple is that they have put God central in their lives. Many times in their life together they have simply prayed for help or guidance and God has answered. Joanna listens to a small, quiet voice; and it hasn't steered her wrong, yet. They don't preach about how they believe in God, they simply live it. Their belief flows through their actions. It's a big part of what you see on that TV screen. That serenity and calm, the love.

If you're a fan of Fixer Upper and have been waiting for something more from Joanna and Chip, well, here it is! Their story! I strongly recommend it for anyone who enjoys their show or just a great family story.

I purchased this from Amazon. This is an honest review. I am not being compensated in any way. All opinions are fully my own.
~ Judi E. Easley at Blue Cat Review

Review

Operation Tropical Affair

7:00 pm 27 October 2016

This gal's all over the place and isn't afraid of anything! She's hooked on animals. She's a vegetarian. She's gutsy and not taking crap from anyone. This is book #1 in the series. I'm onto book #2 now and hopefully #3 after that. Then I'll review the series.

Review

Three Weeks To Wed (The Worthingtons)

7:00 pm 26 October 2016

An interesting premise for a romance. It certainly made for some amusing moments. Full review on the blog soon.

Review

The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D.

7:00 pm 23 October 2016

I plan on reading this book again sometime soon and have added it to my favorites list. This is an awesome read. It makes you think about how people see you and what you really know about the people in your life. As close as you are to someone, do you really know them? How they feel about you, about their life? What their secrets are? If you were to die tomorrow, how painful would it be for your special someone to read your journals? What harm could your secrets do?

More to be said in a full review on my blog soon!

Review

Royal Rock: A Bad Boy Royal Romance

7:00 pm 22 October 2016

This bad boy's found his bad little girl.

B. B. Hamel definitely has a way with words. The words she uses most frequently aren't necessarily ones that some readers will want to read. So while I can say her story concept was really good and her characters were well drawn, her execution was a bit raw. Yes, it probably is appropriate to the characters and situations involved. That doesn't make it anymore palatable. Aside from the language, there is an aspect of the story being a very restricted slice of life. There's not much description of the settings or of other people. There's not even much description of the main characters, just enough to enable you to see them sketched in on your mental stage. But there's plenty of action and conversation to tell the story.

I would recommend this book, and probably any other in this series for readers who enjoy romances a bit on the rough and graphic side. This is certainly not for those looking for sweet romantic scenes.

Review

Wild Raspberries

7:00 pm 16 October 2016

I must admit to some confusion at times keeping track of who they were speaking of, since there was so much family involved and two deceased husbands, but three grieving women. And, of course, it seemed that everyone was plotting. Full review soon on my blog.

Review

Smart Housekeeping: The No-Nonsense Guide to Decluttering, Organizing, and Cleaning Your Home

7:00 pm 14 October 2016

What a fun Read! I've read other books on decluttering and housekeeping and such, but none as fun as this one. Full review soon on the blog.

Review

That Man - The Wedding Story, Part 2

7:00 pm 13 October 2016

That's cheating.

No matter how well written the book. No matter how good the story. It's just not right to chop up a book into 3 or 5 separate books so that readers have to by more books to get the whole story. I don't and won't give more than a 3 star rating to any book series created that way. And I won't buy anymore books by this author.

Review

Sage of Innocence

7:00 pm 8 October 2016

This second sister's story is a fast-paced read. The characters aren't drawn deeply, but they still seem to hold up well and interact naturally. This is truly all about the action and storyline. Full review on my blog soon.

Review

Thyme to Live

7:00 pm 8 October 2016

And the third one finishes up the series so far. I guess that means I should get the full review done, eh?

Review

A Hearth in Candlewood

7:00 pm 7 October 2016

A nice cozy historical read. Full review in my blog soon.

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