bchristian541's reviews
198 reviews

The Music Stalker by Bruce J. Berger

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dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Mental illness runs in the Covo family. Kayla Covo showed promise as a pianist at a young age, getting the attention from a well known music teacher. With his help, she starts performing, gaining fame. The people she is supposed to trust and the man she loves all are not who they seem. On top of it all, there is an angry stalker following Kayla, or is there?
This book is relatable. The mental illnesses are relatable and so are the feelings. The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because it was hard to follow at times. Either the wording wasn't right, or I didn't know who the chapter focused on until further into the chapter. It would have been easier to follow if there were titles to the chapters, mentioning whose point of view it was. Overall, I enjoyed the book and I cannot wait to read the next one.
The Flight of the Veil by Bruce J. Berger

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

   Dr. Nicky Covo fled his hometown as a Jew during the Holocaust, leaving behind his parents and two sisters. Now, living in America, he has kids of his own and a grandson while fighting the demons of his past. One day, he gets a letter from a nun stating that she believes that his youngest sister is alive and at the monastery. Between dealing with family issues, rekindling an old flame, and now this, Nicky is reluctant to believe what this nun says to be true. He decides to take the trip to Greece and see for himself. His demons await him. Is this mysterious new nun really his sister Kal? Or does the trip become his undoing? 
   A lot of different factions of people are featured in this book. There are different mental illnesses and religions throughout the book. The characters are relatable and the story is realistic. Believers and non-believers a like can enjoy this book. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. 
The Second Sun - Volume III by Kristof Morrow

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The third installment of The Second Sun follows some of your favorite characters from the earlier volumes. Characters such as Foo, Captain Valera, Withers, Still Morrow, Kamo, Xol, and many others return. See what trouble they get into this time. 
These books are set into a unique world. They follow different characters who sometimes run into each other. They are beautifully written. If you enjoy the writing styles of Stephen King, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien, you're going to like Kristof Morrow. I highly suggest taking your time reading each installment. Although they could be relatively fast reads, you're surely to miss something. Take the time to digest and fully enjoy every last bit of these tales. I hope there's more to come.
Song of Susannah by Stephen King

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dark hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Susannah (and Mia) are in a different "when" to have the baby. Jake, Pere Callahan, Roland, and Eddie are trying to find them and save Susannah. The true father of the baby and the purpose of the baby is found out, while Mia starts to doubt if what she was told is true. What happens to Mia and Susannah when they reach their destination? Find out in Song of Susannah.
I love this series. Each book is a new adventure that relates to the one before it. The characters are great and pretty relatable. I like how some of King's other books are tied into this series. I can't wait for the last installment.
Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score

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dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Lucian and Sloane grew up as neighbors. Sloane's parents looked at Lucian as their son. Then one night, Sloane lost Lucian's trust and he left. Until one day, decades later, Lucian returned to Knockemout to visit with his friends Knox and Nash Morgan. As Knox and Nash are finding the loves of their lives, Lucian and Sloane try their best at avoiding each other and when that doesn't work, they resort to insulting each other. As time goes on, they start fighting the feelings they begin to realize they have for each other. Can Sloane and Lucian see beyond their past and rekindle their flames or are they doomed to be enemies forever?
Be ready for a roller coaster ride of emotion. This was the best book of the trilogy and it made me laugh, cry, and get angry right along with the characters. Filled with passion, danger, and mystery this book will keep you at the edge of your seat. 
Wisdom from the Wild: The Nine Unbreakable Laws of Leadership from the Animal Kingdom by Julie C. Henry

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informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

Go through the Nine Unbreakable Laws of Nature that also apply to leadership. The laws are broken down into 3 different areas: change, teamwork, and resilience. With each law, there is a description of the law and a comparison with a wild creature, as well as how Ms. Henry used each of the Umbreakable Laws in her own career. 
I enjoyed the comparisons to nature as well as the workbook areas. I liked the descriptions on how to apply it to your life as well. I did feel like it became redundant and parts got a little boring. Overall, I enjoyed the book and took a good bit of notes to apply to my career. 
Things We Hide From The Light by Lucy Score

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emotional hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Lina came to Knockemout on assignment and met up with her old friend, Knox, in the process. Nash, Knox's brother, has felt drawn to Lina ever since he first saw her. Still recovering from being shot, Nash is in an extremely dark place. A dark place he isn't sure if he could get out of. That is, until Lina becomes his next door neighbor. All the while, the person responsible for shooting Nash is still at large and Nash struggles to remember the night of the shooting. Is the gorgeous Lina enough of a motivator for Nash to pull himself out of the darkness? Can Nash and his group of friends take down the shooter once and for all or is this the end of Nash Morgan? Find out in 'Things we Hide from the Light".
The second book of the Knockemout series is just as good as the first. It continues with two different characters that you meet in the first book. The characters and their feelings are all realistic. I cannot wait to read more about the characters of Knockemout.
Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

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emotional hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Naomi left her hometown on the day of her wedding to come to her up-to-no-good twin sister's aid, effectively escaping the biggest mistake of her life. When she gets to the little town called Knockemout,  irrestible Knox Morgan gives her a less-than-friendly welcome, thinking she's her twin sister. Upon arriving, she finds that her twin sister Tina, has a daughter, who she abandoned while also stealing Naomi's money and car. Left with nothing, Knox Morgan comes to her aid. Knox, attracted to Naomi, but not wanting things to get complicated, tries to keep him self distant from Naomi. Does Knox succeed in avoiding her or does the gorgeous, intelligent newcomer find her way into Knox's heart? Find out in "Things We Never Got Over".
Some characters are loveable, others you want to hit over the head with a frying pan, while others surprise you time and time again. I enjoyed every moment of this book. I did not want to put it down. The spicy scenes were perfect and not too much. I can't wait to read the next one.
The Crimson Thread by Aspen Kilgore

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dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Elle and Gingel had fled their home to save their lives. Their father was killed and they believed the same to have happened to their mother. While finding a place to settle, the sisters found Arit. Together they made a little family and a home until one day, Gingel is severely injured and death is looming over her. Her death has a guide, one only Elle can see. This guide, she names Eth, was once a man himself and he holds Gingel's thread of life. Can Elle and Arit save Gingel or does Eth collect Gingel? What is this Crimson Thread that has also appeared? Find out in The Crimson Thread.
I loved this story. It is a quick read with lovable and relatable characters. It has just the slightest bit of spice. I can't wait to read more.
Bonded Nightmare by E.M. Rinaldi

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dark hopeful tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Eryn, the last unbonded Nightmare, has been in hiding for her entire life. Her faction was hunted to near extinction by the tribunal because of their powers. Upon returning home one day, she finds her house ransacked, her mom bruised, and her dad missing. As everything unfolds, she finds that her bond is a warlock Heir. The Heir of the faction that hunted hers. 
Kai, the warlock Heir, is in search for Eryn. Not to harm her, but to bond with her. He has waited for years to even meet her. Eryn wants nothing to do with Kai. Can Kai play his cards right and find his bond? Can Eryn overlook the pasts of the factions? Find out in Bonded Nightmare.
The characters are lovable and have relatable feelings. I did not want to put the book down. It has a good bit of spice mixed with action and mystery. I cannot wait for the story to continue.