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parklandmom's reviews
768 reviews
The Wrecking by Christy Barritt
4.0
Read: December 2024
Format: Kindle e-Book
Book #155 of 2024:
This was a good novella for a short story. Or novella??? My only beef is that I really didn't like the name of the serial murder, The Grim Wrecker. Just The Wrecker or something better would have been more suitable.
I did guess the identify of The Grim Wrecker but that was okay. I often do that. I admired the FMC's bravery and integrity despite all she had been through. Their relationship built pretty naturally and made sense.
It has been a while since I last read Christy Barritt and I have a book slated for 2025's reading plan.
Format: Kindle e-Book
Book #155 of 2024:
This was a good novella for a short story. Or novella??? My only beef is that I really didn't like the name of the serial murder, The Grim Wrecker. Just The Wrecker or something better would have been more suitable.
I did guess the identify of The Grim Wrecker but that was okay. I often do that. I admired the FMC's bravery and integrity despite all she had been through. Their relationship built pretty naturally and made sense.
It has been a while since I last read Christy Barritt and I have a book slated for 2025's reading plan.
For Mercie's Sake by Sharon Srock
4.25
Read: December 2024
Series: The Mercie Series, #1
Format: Kindle e-Book
Book #156 of 2024: This is my final book for 2024 and my 53rd new-to-me author for the year.
I have many Kindle e-Books by Sharon Srock on my Kindle and this is my first one read. This story touched my heart. It brimmed with hope in all circumstances. God is with us in the valleys as much as on the mountain tops.
This is a short novella and I know there are a couple of more books in the series. Personally, I would prefer them all in one book. I do look forward to reading the remainder of this series though.
Series: The Mercie Series, #1
Format: Kindle e-Book
Book #156 of 2024: This is my final book for 2024 and my 53rd new-to-me author for the year.
I have many Kindle e-Books by Sharon Srock on my Kindle and this is my first one read. This story touched my heart. It brimmed with hope in all circumstances. God is with us in the valleys as much as on the mountain tops.
This is a short novella and I know there are a couple of more books in the series. Personally, I would prefer them all in one book. I do look forward to reading the remainder of this series though.
The Translator's Daughter by Jamie Ogle
3.25
Read: December 2024
Format: PDF e-short/novella
Challenge Prompt: CNL's #43 of 50 - "takes place in a country that you've never been to"
Book #138 of 2024:
This just wasn't really my genre of interest. The writing is very good.
Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer
4.25
Read: December 2024
Series: Timeless, #4
Format: paperback
Challenge Prompt: CNL's #36 of 50 - "includes pirates"
Book #154 of 2024: [I had originally started this on audiobook while waiting for my paperback to come. I didn't enjoy the narrator. She doesn't sound like a 20 year-old and I've just never been a fan of Rachel Botchan's narrations.]
I was admittedly a little nervous about this one! If I didn't know how great the previous books were, I never would have picked this up. I've never read a book set during pirate times, unless Peter Pan counts! However, I had a reading challenge prompt to fulfill and I knew Gabrielle Meyer would not disappoint!
I did struggle a bit getting into the pirate time period. However, as the novel progressed, it got better and better. I really like Caroline's bravery and gumption. Lewis and Marcus/Maxwell are both strong males. Both time periods have many points of interest.
I admittedly still favour the first two novels in this series but all of them are fantastic. Meyer has a way of taking something fantastical (time-slip/time-crosser) and makes it into something special while giving glory to God for integrity, reliance on God's leading, and choices.
Series: Timeless, #4
Format: paperback
Challenge Prompt: CNL's #36 of 50 - "includes pirates"
Book #154 of 2024: [I had originally started this on audiobook while waiting for my paperback to come. I didn't enjoy the narrator. She doesn't sound like a 20 year-old and I've just never been a fan of Rachel Botchan's narrations.]
I was admittedly a little nervous about this one! If I didn't know how great the previous books were, I never would have picked this up. I've never read a book set during pirate times, unless Peter Pan counts! However, I had a reading challenge prompt to fulfill and I knew Gabrielle Meyer would not disappoint!
I did struggle a bit getting into the pirate time period. However, as the novel progressed, it got better and better. I really like Caroline's bravery and gumption. Lewis and Marcus/Maxwell are both strong males. Both time periods have many points of interest.
I admittedly still favour the first two novels in this series but all of them are fantastic. Meyer has a way of taking something fantastical (time-slip/time-crosser) and makes it into something special while giving glory to God for integrity, reliance on God's leading, and choices.
All Is Bright by Colleen Coble
4.0
Read: December 2024
Series: Hope Beach
Format: audiobook from Everand but I own the 4-in-1 novella collection on Kindle
Narrator: Devon O'Day (not a fan; very blasé)
Book #151 of 2024: This is the last of the 4 Christmas novellas. This one is associated with the Hope Beach series. I enjoyed the story and the community of people. It's nice to see someone above their twenties in a book. It needs to happen more often in the book world.
Series: Hope Beach
Format: audiobook from Everand but I own the 4-in-1 novella collection on Kindle
Narrator: Devon O'Day (not a fan; very blasé)
Book #151 of 2024: This is the last of the 4 Christmas novellas. This one is associated with the Hope Beach series. I enjoyed the story and the community of people. It's nice to see someone above their twenties in a book. It needs to happen more often in the book world.
All Is Calm by Colleen Coble
4.25
Read: December 2024
Series: Lonestar, #4.5
Format: audiobook from Everand but I own the 4-in-1 Christmas collection on Kindle.
Narrator: Devon O'Day - not a fan, too blasé
Book #150 of 2024: This is my favourite of the four Christmas novellas... so far. I have the fourth/last left in this Christmas collection. This novella is associated with the Lonestar series. I haven't yet read that series.
I love the idea of this ranch for kids. The main character was there for a part of her childhood and comes full circle to work there. I enjoyed how they befriended the main character, helped her, and believed in her.
Series: Lonestar, #4.5
Format: audiobook from Everand but I own the 4-in-1 Christmas collection on Kindle.
Narrator: Devon O'Day - not a fan, too blasé
Book #150 of 2024: This is my favourite of the four Christmas novellas... so far. I have the fourth/last left in this Christmas collection. This novella is associated with the Lonestar series. I haven't yet read that series.
I love the idea of this ranch for kids. The main character was there for a part of her childhood and comes full circle to work there. I enjoyed how they befriended the main character, helped her, and believed in her.
Holy Night by Colleen Coble
3.0
Read: December 2024
Series: Aloha Reef, 4.5
Format: audiobook borrow from Everand but I own the Christmas collection Kindle e-Book
Narrator: Devon O'Day (not a fan, too blasé)
Book #149 of 2024: I've read most everything that Colleen Coble has written. The Aloha Reef series is the one series that I didn't continue after the first book. It just didn't click for me. This Christmas novella associated with that series is the same. I do love that one of the minor characters has Down Syndrome because I have a heart for Down's kids and adults.
Series: Aloha Reef, 4.5
Format: audiobook borrow from Everand but I own the Christmas collection Kindle e-Book
Narrator: Devon O'Day (not a fan, too blasé)
Book #149 of 2024: I've read most everything that Colleen Coble has written. The Aloha Reef series is the one series that I didn't continue after the first book. It just didn't click for me. This Christmas novella associated with that series is the same. I do love that one of the minor characters has Down Syndrome because I have a heart for Down's kids and adults.
Silent Night by Colleen Coble
4.0
Read: December 2024
Series: Rock Harbor, #5.5
Format: audiobook borrow from Everand but I own the Christmas collection Kindle e-book
Narrator: Devon O'Day (not a fan; too blasé)
Book #148 of 2024: I really like the Rock Harbor series but never read this Christmas novella. It was nice to visit again and have such a happy ending.
Series: Rock Harbor, #5.5
Format: audiobook borrow from Everand but I own the Christmas collection Kindle e-book
Narrator: Devon O'Day (not a fan; too blasé)
Book #148 of 2024: I really like the Rock Harbor series but never read this Christmas novella. It was nice to visit again and have such a happy ending.
Christmas Witness Pursuit by Lisa Harris
4.0
Read: December 2024
Series: O'Callahan, #2
Format: Kindle e-Book
Book #147 of 2024: I didn't realize this was part of a series until I was part way in. I sensed the brothers each had a book so I checked and verified.
This book has a lot of suspense and action. I am also thankful for quieter moments when the two lead characters would talk. I like balance. It adds depth to a book. The interesting premise of a witness to a high-profile case and temporary amnesia added a lot of mystery.
I've read many books by this author and I always enjoy them.
Series: O'Callahan, #2
Format: Kindle e-Book
Book #147 of 2024: I didn't realize this was part of a series until I was part way in. I sensed the brothers each had a book so I checked and verified.
This book has a lot of suspense and action. I am also thankful for quieter moments when the two lead characters would talk. I like balance. It adds depth to a book. The interesting premise of a witness to a high-profile case and temporary amnesia added a lot of mystery.
I've read many books by this author and I always enjoy them.