This was a very indulgent easy read, which I enjoyed on a long weekend interstate. I enjoyed the story of Diane and her overcoming of grief after her This was a very indulgent easy read, which I enjoyed on a long weekend interstate. I enjoyed the story of Diane and her overcoming of grief after her husband and only child die in a car accident. Diane owns a literary cafe and this is where the title comes in to play. The sentences are very short, this was noticeable in the translation, but in a way it was suited to the easy read. Diane takes off to Ireland on a whim after suffering at home for a year after the tragedy, using this time to try and come to terms with the loss of her family. There was nothing earth shattering about this book but it did suit me for a long weekend I spent visiting family with my mum, and I seemed to fly through it such was the ease of reading. ...more
My first SK novel. I wasn't overly scared.. wanting to finish quickly as my main motivation was to see the movie. I was mostly picturing the talented My first SK novel. I wasn't overly scared.. wanting to finish quickly as my main motivation was to see the movie. I was mostly picturing the talented Kathy Bates, after googling many of the images from the film.
Another synopsis isn't needed, such a classic book it is, but I was not fussed. I own many other of his novels to read and may get to them at some stage.
I read in many reviews this was one of his scariest book, but I was not convinced of this. I wonder what the movie will hold for me. Maybe the genre is just not for me....more
Liked this one. Liked Wolf. I was a bit confused, but what’s new?! Review to follow.
I have left it too long to review properly. Looking forward to numLiked this one. Liked Wolf. I was a bit confused, but what’s new?! Review to follow.
I have left it too long to review properly. Looking forward to number two. In my general, rushing nature, I didn't understand some portions of the ending. I shall re read possibly. I always tend to still really like the protags that do the wrong thing, and this is one of them in Wolf. Detective.. ...more
I read this slowly and inconsistently on my lunch break at work. It was a quick read, and certainly a little preachy at times. These books have their I read this slowly and inconsistently on my lunch break at work. It was a quick read, and certainly a little preachy at times. These books have their place, but not really with me. ...more
Having never read a regency romance novel I was happy to take on this one leant to me by my librarian and friend at work. We talk about books all day Having never read a regency romance novel I was happy to take on this one leant to me by my librarian and friend at work. We talk about books all day every day (well, on and off at least) so I asked her to lend me one that she thought may tickle my fancy. I’m glad she did. I happily rate this 4 stars.
Judith Law is a young and somewhat overlooked lady; voluptuous with fiery red hair. Some may say feisty. These traits are not helpful when your wicked aunt is trying to set up your ditzy blonde cousin to an eligible bachelor who happens to reside not too far away. Enter Rannulf, the one that is handsome in a not so conventional way. Larger than life in every aspect, and thus begins a dalliance with the lovely young Jude, with the annoying cousin in the background vying for his affections!
The interesting thing with this book was the seemingly accurateness to the idiosyncrasies of days gone by. To me it seemed genuine, and the societal niceties were pleasant to read about. Jude seemed to be quite the Goddess in and out of the bedroom, which was a tad unbelievable, but to be expected. Love scenes always need to be lovely, don't they?
I will happily read this series if I can locate them all, perhaps more accurately, if I can locate some time.
Rannulf is quite the rogue, quite the rough around the edges, a most handsome cad. “You do altogether too much lying, you know”.
This was an expected sugary sweet ending, rounding up very neatly, the lives of the cast of characters of this fictitious town of Cedar Cove. The authThis was an expected sugary sweet ending, rounding up very neatly, the lives of the cast of characters of this fictitious town of Cedar Cove. The author bases this on her own home town and sprinkles all the stories with lots of family break-ups and reconciliations, love, loss and happy times. This series was always a welcome distraction between heavier reads, as it was the connection of a Goodreads friend, Marianne. We call Marianne the book whisperer as she has this uncanny knack of remembering and sourcing books for her reading friends. She is so passionate about this, and we love her for it! As always, I digress. This series is very worthwhile for those readers who like unchallenging and sweet storylines. We hear a lot about what the characters are eating, wearing. In the finale we revisit each story all over again, so it is a tad repetitive, and each storyline comes full circle. The odd thing to me was the main character of this book was only properly introduced in the book prior, therefore I lacked any connection with her and her family. As the cover depicts, I feel the many storylines covered over the last eleven books have been presented to us with a red bow; not a shiny one but one that has faded over time. The series probably did go for a book or two too long, but it was always an easy and enjoyable read. Thanks, Marianne. ...more
Love having reading friends to share books with! Thanks Mel. Very glad to have unexpectedly stumbled acr5 unflinchingly bright hot stars for 'The Dry'
Love having reading friends to share books with! Thanks Mel. Very glad to have unexpectedly stumbled across this one, considering I’d had a recent conversation with my local bookstore manager where she’d mentioned it’s their top seller. I always ask her what is the current best seller. Best seller it is.
A dazzling debut where again I am left wondering, what’s debut-ish about this work? The entire read I was chopping and changing my mind about who killed this young family in cold blood. I was wary of Gretchen, wondering why the school Principal was so often at the local pub.
Loved the writing, soft hearted at times ‘…washed down with a decent shiraz – he felt he was a little bit in love with her himself.’ This reader was a bit in love with protagonist Faulk, love a character that is capable and a teeny bit flawed. My 18-year-old self would have warmed to him, as did a young Ellie here in this story.
The harsh landscape explained to a tee. ‘It was terrifying. It was a flash of hell. The land was drier now than it had been then. This would be no slow burn.’ ‘They rolled and burned for a thousand hours until a pair of thick gloved hands reached down and hauled Faulk back by the shoulders.’
This is an author to watch out for, and I smiled to read her dedication – “To my parents, Mike and Helen, who always read to me.”
So to you all, I wholeheartedly recommend this non-put-down-able book to Australian fiction lovers, thriller lovers and supporters of Australian Women Writers. Would love to know what you think....more
I do love this series. The tenth in a homey setting where all the little day to day happenings are convenient and compact, with LOTS of marriages, LOTI do love this series. The tenth in a homey setting where all the little day to day happenings are convenient and compact, with LOTS of marriages, LOTS of pregnancies and LOTS of sparkly clean storytelling. Debbie Macomber has this style down pat. You do feel like you are coming home while reading these stories, and 'Cedar Cove' feels like the place that would welcome anyone. This is a simple series that I find myself coming back to time and time again. Worthwhile reading that will put a smile on your face in times when real life is not always so kind. Fiction is kind to us in this way, and this author delivers every time. Characters to love - what's happening with poor Charlottte? Characters to hate - I want to strangle Joelene! A precocious teenager whose father has no idea! I recommend this series to anyone who wants a rest from the hard stuff. ...more
This ticked all the boxes for me. It's light, frivolous, easy to pick up and out down, and even a little bit too convenient. But these serve a purposeThis ticked all the boxes for me. It's light, frivolous, easy to pick up and out down, and even a little bit too convenient. But these serve a purpose. The Cedar Cove residents have been very busy. Some police work, a little bit of match making, many (yes!) very quick marriages. A delightful series that is just what the doctor ordered. Judge Griffin is recuperating, librarian Grace is looking at a literacy program where slower readers read to dogs, Mary Jo is considering a marriage proposal.. or is she? David is up to his old tricks again - a woman is supporting this cad now! Much to the disappointment of the lovely Ben. Triplets come early with lovely names after regular characters, Christie the Walmart employee is working hard and studying - finding love with a run away chess player, Sheriff Davis is hard at work looking after the woman he loves as Faith is the target of sinister proportion. I've left out some storylines, the author has zillions. I really liked this one. Five stars from the normally reserved township they call Cedar Cove. Thanks again to my book whisperer, aka Marianne. Look forward to the next instalment. Mack and Mary Jo - this is a sweet one. MJ stumbled across old war love letters on the last page. Who could they be about? Matriarch Charlotte will help I'm sure, aided by some lovely home cooked meals. Can't wait....more
This the second last instalment of an enjoyable and simple series is needing to come to an end (for me). I didn't love this one, the Peyton storyline This the second last instalment of an enjoyable and simple series is needing to come to an end (for me). I didn't love this one, the Peyton storyline (Bruce and Joelene) here was too weak for my liking, with characters doing things that were not too nice, even for Cedar Cove standards. Added to this is the way happenings are all wrapped up quite neatly, it is not realistic in most cases. Though to be fair, this series is a wholesome one, and perhaps I'm tiring of this. I will still happily read number 12 as I have enjoyed the series as a whole, but with so many books to read and access to a dozen or more libraries, I need to move on to bigger and brighter things. These books always did fill a nice gap in my reading and I am glad I read them. Die hard fans will always be happy with books by Debbie Macomber....more
This is my love hate series. A very straight and christian view of a little town, based loosely on the author's own home town. It's super wholesome anThis is my love hate series. A very straight and christian view of a little town, based loosely on the author's own home town. It's super wholesome and rather convoluted, but I still keep going back. Told in chapters about different townspeople, we get to see the going's on with the Cedar Cove residents. A couple kiss for the first time and it's a 'I'm yours, you're mine scenario', and a clinic is getting built by volunteers and they are on the job and cleaning up with their dustpan and broom on the same day as approval. It's sweet and I keep reading. Mind you though, I can't find A Cedar Cove Christmas which I really did want to read now as it's Christmas time, and to continue the series so I can get the physical copies back to my Book Whisperer - I may just have to go and buy it online. This author is doing something right, she has a strong following. ...more
I both read and listened to this on audio cd. The narration was terrible, she went into robot mode when spPossibly some little spoiler-ish bits here.
I both read and listened to this on audio cd. The narration was terrible, she went into robot mode when speaking as a male!
A rewarding and safe read as always, some unlikely things happened in my opinion (characters in this series play it very 'safe'). One example was a couple in a long distance relationship who visit each other and the guy stays at a friends house?! I'm being judgemental, I know!
Cedar Cove is moving along nicely, it was nice seeing the Sheriff meet a lady he loved, as with Bruce and Rachel. Grace was unlucky with some bad tenants (solved in a kind of unlikely manner again), and our beloved Olivia has been given some bad news. Interesting enough, the author has made preludes to Charlotte's age, which I didn't see coming as in Cedar Cove things just keep plodding along. (A bit like my favourite childhood series where the girls just didn't age). I guess I'm not expecting the real life bits like this as it's super breezy and light. I'm being judgemental again.
Looking forward to see what comes next, also of interest is an interview with the author, you can see she has got a very loyal following, who are committed to this series. ...more
A bit too sweet, but I'll read em' all. I'm tossing up with this one, as I've rated everyone of this series so far a 4. Very very nice, too nice, everA bit too sweet, but I'll read em' all. I'm tossing up with this one, as I've rated everyone of this series so far a 4. Very very nice, too nice, everything falling into place easily. I know these books have their place but just so sickly sweet. Every meal is described and every moral is in check. I'll keep reading as they're a given easy read. I honestly do enjoy them, they just lack oomph and any type of challenge. It's a Christian theme that's not at all edgy. I know, they're not meant to be! Addendum ** 5 minutes after writing this. Who am I kidding? I start a new book and keep referring back to Cedar Cove. They really are lite n easy'.....more
Ahh. I've just breathed a little sigh of contentment. The Cedar Cove books are neat. Neat with mostly right and moral characters, neat with just the rAhh. I've just breathed a little sigh of contentment. The Cedar Cove books are neat. Neat with mostly right and moral characters, neat with just the right amount of angst and tension. Neat with fighting, and with the making up. Neat with wrapping up just so, and so so neat at leading us into the next instalment. Bobby and Teri were my favourite characters here in no. 6, and lucky for me we get to know more about these two in no. 7. There's a splattering of the 'bad guy' element here, when the quirky international chess extraordinaire Bobby is shaken when he realises his nail technician and new wife has been threatened! He doesn't like to lose and will not let this happen! I'm also keen to follow up with Rachel, Bruce and Jolene. I giggle sometimes in Cedar Cove, where the fashion and eating habits seem so straight! I don't know how food can seem that way, but everything in this series does in a way. Even where Teri talked about birth control. It's neat and sweet and all things nice. I'll be back for more. Did I ever tell you about a 'book whisperer' that I know? Thank you Marianne....more
