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Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Tara Court Hotel; City: Pattaya Chonburi Province; Review: A really good hotel with friendly and helpful staff. Unfortunately, our AC was broken. However, the staff were quick to upgrade our room at no extra charge. It was between walking street and Jantiem beach, so we had the choice of a night. A good location as the local transport was only 10B each way. I would recommend this place. Good value for money.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Khao Yai Garden Lodge; City: Pak Chong Pak Chong District Nakhon Ratchasima Province; Review: Previous to our visit here, I have only ever booked and paid for one other hotel and not even spent a night there - and it was the same here. The room was very dirty with bugs everywhere. I know it is in a national park, but that is no excuse to leave dead bugs all around the room. The decor was very outdated, the bathroom was horrendous and the staff were unwilling to allow us to change rooms without rebooking despite not being full. Stay at Lilawilai around the corner - a much better place!; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Bedolo Bungalows; City: Gili Air Gili Islands Lombok West Nusa Tenggara; Review: Very nice bungalows; so new the AC still had its plastic wrapper on! However, they are in the middle of the island and it is VERY dark on the way home from tea. For us it was fine, but a line female traveler may want to consider somewhere on the east or the north.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Cherry Orchard Apartments; City: Port Erin Isle of Man; Review: If you are looking for a conveniently located apartment near Port Erin beach, then this is a good place. The rooms are comfortable with a good living space. I'd recommend it. This is our second visit for a wedding.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Lexis Suites Penang; City: Bayan Lepas Penang Island Penang; Review: Tasted ourselves for the last night of a holiday. Nothing more than average. Spacious room, ok plunge pool, poor location. The beach is not attractive and the town has very little to offer. There are better deals too be had.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: 23 Love Lane; City: George Town Penang Island Penang; Review: Stayed for 2 nights in George Town. A great location close to both night life and restaurants. Very quiet and friendly staff. Would stay again. The complimentary breakfast was great, as was afternoon tea.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Kiki s House Hostel; City: Ha Giang Ha Giang Province; Review: We met the guy who worked at the hostel on a bus to Ha Giang. He got annoyed at us because we didn't want to stay at his hostel. As a result, he got the bus to drop us a few ks away from the town. We gave him the benefit of the doubt and enquired about tours anyway. Want very helpful and was quite pushy with getting us to book. I'd choose Bong's over this.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: YOGA DESIGN LAB | THE COMBO YOGA MAT | 2-in-1 Mat+Towel | Eco Luxury | Ideal for Hot Yoga,; Brand: YOGA DESIGN LAB; Review: Beautiful mat! I love the colors and design. Works great for regular and hot yoga. The only thing is I am 5'9" and wish it was a bit longer.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: YOGA DESIGN LAB | THE COMBO YOGA MAT | 2-in-1 Mat+Towel | Eco Luxury | Ideal for Hot Yoga,; Brand: YOGA DESIGN LAB; Review: Beautiful mat! I love the colors and design. Works great for regular and hot yoga. The only thing is I am 5'9" and wish it was a bit longer.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: YOGA DESIGN LAB | THE COMBO YOGA MAT | 2-in-1 Mat+Towel | Eco Luxury | Ideal for Hot Yoga,; Brand: YOGA DESIGN LAB; Review: Beautiful mat! I love the colors and design. Works great for regular and hot yoga. The only thing is I am 5'9" and wish it was a bit longer.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: YOGA DESIGN LAB | THE COMBO YOGA MAT | 2-in-1 Mat+Towel | Eco Luxury | Ideal for Hot Yoga,; Brand: YOGA DESIGN LAB; Review: Beautiful mat! I love the colors and design. Works great for regular and hot yoga. The only thing is I am 5'9" and wish it was a bit longer.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: YOGA DESIGN LAB | THE COMBO YOGA MAT | 2-in-1 Mat+Towel | Eco Luxury | Ideal for Hot Yoga,; Brand: YOGA DESIGN LAB; Review: Beautiful mat! I love the colors and design. Works great for regular and hot yoga. The only thing is I am 5'9" and wish it was a bit longer.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors |
Given the interaction history of a user with businesses as follows:
Title: Rock Bottom; City: King of Prussia, PA; Review: Great place to grab a bite to eat on your way to kop mall. The food is American traditional and always really good. I knock off one star because the service is slow on really busy weekend nights. I would definitely suggest going on a week night or during lunch and you will see how good this place is.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Minella's Diner; City: Wayne, PA; Review: Delicious diner with a huge menu! You can definitely come here for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The service can be a little shakey sometimes but the food is good.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Franzone's Pizzeria & Restaurant; City: Bridgeport, PA; Review: The pizza is delicious. Unique and nothing like I've had before and the slices are huge which is a plus.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Palm Tree Market; City: Bridgeport, PA; Review: This is a cute little deli in Bridgeport and also a small convenience store. I want and was able to customize my sandwich and it came out to perfection. They also have self serving coffee which is pretty good. I would recommend stopping by here if you want a quick lunch.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: El Limon; City: Conshohocken, PA; Review: This place is seriously so good and consistent. My friends all know about this place and love it. The prices are very fair and the portions are just enough and not overwhelming. The only downside with this place is the ambience of the restaurant, it is small and can feel like you have no space to just have a convo with a friend. With that being said this place is amazing for ordering take out or wanting to pick up dinner.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Forever 21; City: King Of Prussia, PA; Review: This place is absolutely horrible! The store is way too big and completely unorganized for its size. I have been to other forever 21's that were quite large but they were organized by sections. This one is just a random mess of clothes thrown all over the place. I rarely see employees on the floor. They always seem to be crowded behind the register or in the dressing room. The mangers at this place are just as bad as the associates they are rude and seem to careless about their jobs. I have often seen long lines at the register just because two people are ringing and the other employees are crowded behind talking to each other. This is one of the worst forever 21s I have ever been to. I try my best to avoid coming to this store it is not worth the hassle. I would like to leave no stars but does not seem possible.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Little Sicily Pizza; City: King Of Prussia, PA; Review: This place is alright. The only pizza worth buying is the Sicilian style. The other style is okay and nothing to brag. Getting food from here is always okay and not too bad. Overall this place is nothing special and only good for its convenience.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: TD Alfredos Pizzeria; City: Phoenixville, PA; Review: This place is amazing. The food is good and very reasonably priced. I went with my boyfriend the other day and we were able to get 2 pepperoni slices and an order of fries for under $6. The pizza was good and this is definitely a nice place to stop by for a quick bite. They stay open pretty late so come at your own convenience.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Chickie's & Pete's; City: Audubon, PA; Review: This place is definitely a nice place to go if you wanna catch a game or get a bite to eat. My boyfriend and I spilt the crab fries which were delicious and the perfect temperature when they came out. He ordered a cheesesteak and I got the calamari. My order was cooked nice and crispy and had a nice flavor. He liked his cheesesteak, the bread they serve it with is good. A little too cheesy for his taste but the flavor was there. Overall it was a nice experience dining in this restaurant.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Corner Bakery; City: King of Prussia, PA; Review: I love corner bakery and the ingredients used in their food. I choose them over panera for pretty much anything. The only good thing panera has is the cheddar broccoli soup the one at corner bakery is good but missing a certain something that panera has. Overall there is no competition and I prefer corner bakery. They bring you your meal right at your table and you don't have to handle the clean up. This is definitely the place to grab a quick lunch or bite to eat. I recently ordered the loaded baked potato soup, simply delicious!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Franzone's Pizzeria & Restaurant; City: Bridgeport, PA; Review: I thought I loved this place but clearly ordering delivery from here is not good. The 1st time I got delivery the pizza was so thin and flimsy my family barely ate it. I have eaten at this pizzeria serval times before and have ordered pick up and enjoyed my food. I have only ordered single slices until my first delivery so maybe those toast up easier. The second time I got delivery the pizza was just as horrible as the first time. The pizza dough is just way too thin and I guess has too much cheese and sauce. I really wanted to love this place because the flavor is there but they just can't seem to deliver a decent pizza. Due to that problem I'm most likely never going to order from here. They are just not consistent with the dough texture and I would rather know what to expect when I order a pizza.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Legal Sea Foods - King of Prussia; City: King of Prussia, PA; Review: I have only ordered take out but this place has the best fish and chips I've ever had!! I seriously love them and crave them all the time. The fish pieces are so flakey and fresh tasting! Only downside is that the meal is kinda of pricey. Beside that the are my favorite and always friendly when I order. The host joe was very informative on the order and answered all my questions.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Gangster Vegan Organics; City: Norristown, PA; Review: I stopped by here earlier to grab a smoothie, I got one called c.r.e.a.m which was a chocolate one. It was so delicious and the staff was super friendly and helpful. I also got tempted into getting the sweet potato pie and it did not disappoint, so sweet and good. I enjoy going to this store when I wanna grab a quick bite but want to stay away from junk. I definitely see myself going here a lot more and not just because it is right around the corner of my house.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Flanigan's Boathouse; City: Conshohocken, PA; Review: This place is okay. They have nice wing flavors but the fries were cold when I got them. I wouldn't really go out of my way to come here.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Doc Magrogan's Oyster House - West Chester; City: West Chester, PA; Review: I've been the west Chester location a couple of times and have enjoyed my meals. Nothing in the menu particularly stands out to me. Definitely a nice place for locals to dine at.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Seasons 52; City: King of Prussia, PA; Review: The good The restaurant menu is good for people with dietary restrictions. The menu changes seasonally so new food every few months. The service here is excellent and for the most part the food is good. The bad Trying to get in during prime lunch or dinner time will definitely be a wait. The location makes it a hot spot for locals businesses and mall traffic. A reservation is would be highly suggested if you know you want to stop by. Since the place is health conscious depending on what you order the food can be bland. Overall seasons 52 is a nice restaurant but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here. There are better local restaurants in the area. Also some with the same if not better concept of seasons 52.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | yelp |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Ajetex Women's Fish Scale Mermaid Printed Leggings; Brand: Ajetex; Review: I pulled these out of the package and I was SO happy with what I saw, right color and print, and good material for what I paid! But, I was worried they wouldn't fit. It was a one size fits all, which is a medium small. and my hips are about 38-40 inches. And my thighs are about 22-23 inches. I'm 5'3. BUT They only give me a lil bit of a love handle, which i expected and is easy to cover with a skirt or loose shirt and they're so comfy and cute AND I LOVE THEM I REALLY WANT TO BUY MORE. Idk how theyll last through the wash, but hopefully well! I also received the package only 11 days after ordering! Thats two weeks earlier than expected!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ninimour- Sexy Retro Vintage Digital Print Skater Skirt (Starry Night); Brand: Ninimour; Review: I really love this skirt. It's super cute and unique and fun. It fits VERY well. I have a 27 inch waist, but 40 inch hips so generally skirts like this tend too be too short... It wasn't! Covered my butt very well! It also stretches enough I can shimmy it up over my hips instead of over head like a few skirts I have to do. So if you have a waist about up to 32 or 33, even 34, I'd say this still fits very well! You definitely get what you pay for it. It's made pretty well, not perfect of course which is why I only gave it a 4 star. But I would definitely buy another one if I had the money! It also arrived after only 11 days, which is almost 2 weeks earlier than expected. This is the only pic I have of the skirt, but it is obviously not see through, and the print is soooo vivid and colorful!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Cnlinkco Women's High Waisted Double Slits Maxi Skirt; Brand: CNlinkco; Review: I would really give this a 2 1/2. It doesn't look as nice as the photo, and instead of a thick band of spandex, they used one of those thin strips which is REALLY unflattering and allows it to fabric to bucnh as you walk really bad :/ so disappointment there. The fabrics at least nice *i did order the black instead of white so it wouldn't be see through* and it cuts where i wanted *I bought it to show off my tat* But its just not flattering around the waist area, i might try to fix that myself. Update: So I decided to remove the thin band of elastic right before I went clubbing, Now it's perfffff. It didn't ride up* i took it in a little on the seams* and is very flattering! Worthy of three stars now.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: PERSUN Summer Knit Crop Tank Top Spaghetti Strap Crochet Tops Camisole Vest; Brand: PERSUN; Review: For the price it's quite worth it. Its decent material and pretty well made, theres only one seem, on the side of the zipper, I will have to clean up. it is VERY snug, guess it'll encourage me too lose weight maybe. I had to take off my bra to wear this, which isn't too big of a deal since it's padded enough you don't have to worry about nipping but if you have decent sized breast I do NOT suggest buying this, it will not fit with your bra on, and there is no support for boobs that need support. Overall super cute and I can't wait to wear itwhen I travel abroad. For size reference I'm 5'3, 135 pounds and normally wear a small or medium top, 34c. It's comfortable and breathable.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Kissky Women's Color Block Long Sleeve Bodycon Tshirt Dress; Brand: Kissky; Review: I loveeee this! It's not as long as I hoped though, and its a bit baggy in the torso(although I expected this would happen), but it's still adorable and I've gotten tons of compliments on it! For size reference i'm 5'3 and usually wear a small/medium. Measurements 34-27-38. I could of gotten a large in the hopes of it being longer, but then it'd be baggier than it already is. The material is nice and sturdy, and kept me relatively warm today.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Zando Women Tribal Print Bikini African Metallic Swimsuit Two Piece Beachwear Cutout Halter Neck Bathing Suit Swimwear; Brand: Zando; Review: I ABSOLUTELY love this. Makes my curves look amazing. Only complete is WHY IS THE BACK A THONG? i have curvy hips and was worried it'd cut into me. it didn't. Can't wait to wear it out. I ordered a medium, mostly because my chest is small, and was worried the bottom wouldn't fit. I guess i could have tried to order a Large to maybe not make the back look so much like a thong, but then everything else would have been too big because everything else fit perfect. To put it in perspective for others trying to figure out what size to get I ordered a medium I'm 5'3, about 145lbs. Measurements: 34-28-39. I wear about a 9 or 11 in jeans. Very thick in the hips and relatively thick in the booty, if i pull the suit down it DIGS into my butt cheeks terribly, but fits perfectly on my waist and hips. So i'll just wear it pulled up because it's so cute otherwise. Wish theyd make the bottom a bit wider on it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Tigon Hostel; City: Hue Thua Thien Hue Province; Review: I stayed in this Hostel during the Hue festival. it's a Nice Hostel in a great location, close to the river, staff were really friendly, even rode me to a shop that i needed a camera repair for on their motorbike, they really went out of their way to keep me happy. Breakfast was pretty good!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dolce Vita; City: Puerto Princesa Palawan Island Palawan Province Mimaropa; Review: We stayed 3 nights in Puerto Princesa and cannot recommend this hotel highly enough. We really enjoyed our stay here, the staff were very helpful and booked tours for us and recommended places we could visit. The room we had was fantastic, the only issue was some Mosquitos in the room but the staff sprayed them out for us. The bed also had two separate quilts. We really looked forward to coming back to the hotel after our daily activities and hopping into the pool right next to the bar/ restaurant. There are some great street food options just out the front gate of the hotel (try the pork sticks!). We would stay here again if we came back!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: La Natura Resort; City: Coron Busuanga Island Palawan Province Mimaropa; Review: Just like the name says, this place is in the middle of nature!! We had a great stay at this resort. We loved how the resort was out of Coron town from all the noise and busy streets. Although a little far from Coron, it was well worth the trike ride. The food was fantastic!! The staff were very friendly and made sure we were happy with everything. We recommend that anyone visiting Coron to stay here if they want to relax by the pool, whilst also having the opportunity to take day tours to Coron Island from the Coron harbor. Simply Fantastic!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Treetops; City: El Nido Palawan Island Palawan Province Mimaropa; Review: We cannot thank David and Grace (and staff) enough who made our time in El Nido very memorable. We originally booked for 1 night, however we loved it so much that we ended up staying there for 4 nights. The rooms are fantastic, and as the name says are literally in the treetops, although only 2 rooms, it makes the stay a lot more intimate! David and Grace helped us book tours (Servant Tours) from the main beach each day and we had an amazing time on the islands around El Nido. Grace went out of her way to help us as much as possible, she collected Mangosteen for us from the local markets and each morning started fantastically with the breakfast on the balcony of the main kitchen. The viewing area down the front of the property was fantastic to relax in the hammocks and view the amazing sunset over the islands (Probably the best sunset we have ever seen). We have traveled to many countries, and have stayed in all types of accommodation from hostels to resorts, and we believe this is one of the best places we have stayed in, we felt like we were at home and felt very welcome. Thank you so much.. we will return! Salamat! Matt & Nhu; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ryokan Sanga; City: Minamioguni machi Aso gun Kumamoto Prefecture Kyushu; Review: We travelled around Japan for 3 weeks and Ryokan Sanga was perfect to unwind from the busy big cities and relax in the tranquil hot springs in the mountains. We stayed in the Hisakaki room for 2 nights which had a private room Onsen. It was fantastic to finish the night with a hot bath after dinner. The staff were so friendly and helped us, welcomed us and made our futon, served us hot tea in our room every day. The food was probably the best we have ever had. They also mix the menu up on different nights so you aren't eating the same dishes. One tip: go there on an empty stomach as you won't go home hungry from Ryokan Sanga. We highly recommend this place to anyone visiting Japan, it was a real authentic experience and we preferred this over the bigger busy city life.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Lanzerac Country Estate; City: Tanunda Barossa Valley South Australia; Review: Stayed here for my 30th back in January 2016. Location is perfect and central to explore surrounding wineries. Very close to Turkey Flat! Owners were very helpful by providing recommendations and suggestions of wineries to visit. We felt at home, welcome and the owners invited us for a drink near the barn on our first night. We would highly recommend this place for anyone staying in the Barossa.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Golden Bell Hoi An Boutique Villa; City: Hoi An Quang Nam Province; Review: This hotel was great. We really enjoyed our stay. The breakfast each morning included eggs, bacon, fruits, juices, coffee etc. motorbikes available for 150,000 dong a day. Rooms are excellent. Only thing we had that we could fault was that hot water was hit and miss. Several occasions the hot water was only warm. The hotel has no lift so you must walk up the stairs. No problem as the staff help with the bags :) head chef is really friendly (owner). They offer cooking classes, we didn't do one though. We bought some fruit from the market and they cut it up for us. We highly recommend this hotel to anyone staying in Hoi An.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Chancellor Hotel on Union Square; City: San Francisco California; Review: The location of the hotel is great directly opposite union square and close to many shops, bars, restaurants and transport links including the tour bus (we loved the tour bus and particularly top deck across golden gate bridge!) However, for the price I would say the hotel was only average with quite small rooms, no breakfast included and quite old fashioned being in need of renovation. The free sweets in the room and cookies, tea/coffee on reception were a bonus though which we liked.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Blue Sea Club Martha s; City: Cala d Or Majorca Balearic Islands; Review: Just back from a 1 week holiday at Club Martha's and we can't wait to go back again. The 1 bed apartment was great, lots of clean swimming pools and no problem getting a sun bed. Our 16 month old loved the pool and nightime disco. Gorgeous beach within a few minutes walk and also a lovely walk or bus-train journey into cala d'or around the classy marina. Only negative would be an average breakfast and would advise that the hotel is in cala egos and not cala d'or but we found this a positive thing as Cala Egos was nice (if quiet) and the walk to cala d'or stunning.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Inturotel Cala Azul Park; City: Cala d Or Majorca Balearic Islands; Review: We fly home tomorrow after 2 wonderful weeks at cala azul park. The facilities are superb - indoor pool, outdoor pools, restaurants and room. We had an amazing view across the pool with the sea in the distance. Cleanliness levels were superb and all the staff are friendly and helpful with very high levels of customer service. We travelled with a 2 year old and a 12 week old and were well looked after with the kids club and mini disco being a big hit. The hotel is only a very short walk from a gorgeous beach and a pleasant 10 minute walk into the heart of cala d'or. Highly recommend.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hipping Hall; City: Kirkby Lonsdale Cumbria England; Review: Had a brilliant time at Hipping Hill. Beautiful room with views across the lawn, welcoming and friendly hospitality and simply delicious 6 course taster menu. Perfect venue for much needed rest, recuperation and relaxation. Only reason not 5 star review is that the grounds are relatively small so this place is all about the lovely room, relaxing lounge area and delicious restaurant dining.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Pod Vezi; City: Prague Bohemia; Review: Outstanding hotel in a location at the foot of Charles Bridge in a beautiful, historic and friendly location. Excellent breakfast, friendly staff and very helpful knowledgeable guys on reception who helped guide around the city. Lovely touches in the room each day like a small bottle of bubbly. Highly recommend!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Dead Weight (Lizzy Gardner); Author: Visit Amazon's T.R. Ragan Page; Review: Love Lizzy. Fast paced. Held interest. The two stories complimented each other and never were too complicated. Absolutely would recommend it for light reading.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Unhallowed Ground (Harrison Investigation); Author: Visit Amazon's Heather Graham Page; Review: I really couldn't have guessed who the culprit was. I wopuld like to read more about these characters in future stories.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Circle of Bones: a Caribbean Thriller; Author: Visit Amazon's Christine Kling Page; Review: Great plot. Held my interest from beginning to end. I could hardly wait to read the next chapter. Good read; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shadow Spell (Cousins O'Dwyer); Author: Visit Amazon's Nora Roberts Page; Review: Bloody brilliant!!! Never a dull moment in this book. Good balance between the tension in their private lives and their crusade against their enemy.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: When Darkness Falls; Author: Visit Amazon's Shannon Drake Page; Review: When Darkness Falls was captivating from start to finish. It kept my interest.. Could not put it down. Good read!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Monster (A Cassidy Edwards Novel) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Carmen Caine Page; Review: I could not give this five stars because I cannot urge anyone to get involved in another urban fantasy series or ANY series in which the author may or may not get around to completing a series if and when she may or may not finish the first or second book of yet ANOTHER series. Just call me "tired of being strung along without a chance of a proper ending or ANY ending." (OR at the VERY LEAST the NEXT book in an already existing SERIES.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Spellfinder (A Cassidy Edwards Novel) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Carmen Caine Page; Review: Weak, convoluted plot. Characters ill defined.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Pokmon Deluxe Essential Handbook: The Need-to-Know Stats and Facts on Over 700 Pokmon; Author: Scholastic; Review: My grandson was so excited to receive this as a gift. He loves it and takes it with him wherever he goes!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Darkness Taunts (Sensor); Author: Visit Amazon's Susan Illene Page; Review: I enjoyed this as well as all the other books in the serier.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Darkness Divides; Author: Visit Amazon's Susan Illene Page; Review: Enjoyed all the books in the series.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Deep Midnight; Author: Visit Amazon's Shannon Drake Page; Review: Good story, but predictable and old. Some parts were gripping and scary. Others were trite, too wordy and dragged out.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dark Guardian Craved (The Children Of The Gods Paranormal Romance Series) (Volume 12); Author: Visit Amazon's I. T. Lucas Page; Review: Holds your interest from start to finish. Can't wait for next book!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: DARK STRANGER The Dream (The Children Of The Gods) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's I T Lucas Page; Review: Got my attention and drew me right in. Read ALL 13 books and was happily involved from start to finish. Never a dull moment. Loved how the characters developed and continued to evolve and interact with each other throughout the series. Looking forward to next book - number 14!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Divergent; Author: Visit Amazon's Veronica Roth Page; Review: My daughter burns through books. I love book sets. She can stop talking about this series and has almost finished the third book. She has to pace herself because she doesn't want it to end!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Treasure Hunters; Author: Visit Amazon's James Patterson Page; Review: Good read. My son loves this book, great choice for a 10 year old. It is a real page turner. 5 stars!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Prodigy; Author: Visit Amazon's Marie Lu Page; Review: My daughter is an extreme book addict. I love buying box sets as a gift. This was an excellent choice.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Welcome to Middle School; Author: Visit Amazon's James Patterson Page; Review: I love giving box sets as gift. Gave this to my son for Christmas gift. It is age appropriate and completely entertaining for middleschooler.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Teen's Guide to World Domination: Advice on Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Awesomeness; Author: Visit Amazon's Josh Shipp Page; Review: Cool book; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Earth Abides: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's George R. Stewart Page; Review: One of my favorite books. Gave as a gift to my highschool daughter. She is enjoying it as well.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book; Author: Visit Amazon's Better Homes and Gardens Page; Review: Gave as a gift to my daughter. She loves it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: M AR De AR Muralhas; City: Evora Evora District Alentejo; Review: Framed by the old city walls this exceptional spot is worthy of a multi night stay. At times we felt as if we were staying with friend's with the warmth and graciousness of the staff. The restaurant was well worth the vist and the wine list was above average for most of Portugal.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Elbow Beach Bermuda; City: Paget Parish Bermuda; Review: I travel a lot. Some may say that I am a hotel snob as itend to lean toward the higher end of the hotel spectrum. This said there is one thing that consistently stands out for me when i travel whether to a 6 star resort or a travel motel and that is the staff. Elbow Beach have some of the most dedicated, responsive and genuinely welcoming staff of any hotel that I have visited in any country. To a person, they where there to ensure that we (family with 11 and 14 year old girls) felt at home, had any concern or want addressed and educate us on the complex, the island itself and their culture. Not to be missed: - Dinner at Lido, while it is somewhat expensive, I can count our dinner there as one of our overall trip highlights - Renting Scooters on the property. This group made sure we were capable and confortable before they turned their attention elsewere - Diving/Snorkeling with Bluewater Divers. Service, safety and FUN!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Suites Charleston Historic District; City: Charleston South Caro; Review: The location cannot be beat for this hotel. Walking distance to everything that makes Charleston great. Restaurants, carriage rides, the market, waterfront and shopping all within steps of the front door. The Bell service was fantastic, the front desk a bit slow. The decor in the hotel is somewhat tired but the rooms were clean and the beds were confortable. I'm an early riser and like to get a workout in before my work day starts but the gym didn't open until 8am.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Ylang Ylang Beach Resort; City: Montezuma Province of Puntarenas; Review: This is truly a unique and special place. We travellied to Ylang Ylang for a Christmas vacation with our family of 4, daughters 11 and 15, my wife and I. We were looking for a place to start our Costa Rica vacation that combined beach relaxation with some fitness related activities away from the large resorts found elsewhere. From our arrival at the Tambor airstrip to our departure 6 days later from the beach in Montezuma aboard a water taxi our trip was exceptional. The pace of life in this area is definetly slower than our normal lives and while it took a day or so to come to terms with that by day 6 I was happy to take time to savour every moment. Here is my one very small caution, this is a somewhat remote, jungle-ish property so you will experience bugs of various types, birds, lizards, monkeys, bats and other assorted animals. We had a small issue with ants in our room one night which was quickly addressed and loved the closeness that we were able to commune with the natural environment. The ability to open our windows facing the thundering waves brought a peacefullness to our surroundings that I have never experienced in all of my travels. The staff at Ylang Ylang are to a person exceptional. It is clear to see that they enjoy their work and take pride in the positive experience that they help to create for their guests. I would list Particia and Christian who work in the restaurant area as prime examples of staff who work tirelessly to ensure that guests are well looked after. I am a meat eater and was well aware that my menu options were going to be limited at the restaurant. Although I did fully miss not having a juicy piece of beef for almost a week I was totally satisfied at every meal. The dishes were loaded with flavour and the portions were very generous. The fruit bowl with granola and yoghurt at breakfast contained more fruit than I would consume in a week, all fresh and delicious.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: U Chiang Mai; City: Chiang Mai; Review: Having done exhaustive research on where to stay in Chiang Mai we landed on the "U". We were not disappointed. The reception we received was warm and relaxed, the bags were promptly dropped in our 2 rooms (adjacent as requested on booking) and we were given a tour of the entire facility. We had Ipods in the room preloaded with our selection made at booking and great views over the pool located in the centre of the three buildings. The restaurant is great for breakfast and decent for the other meals although we focussed on eating out at other restaurants for the most part. The pool and lounging area was just right for the size of the complex. We hesitated using the massage services of the hotel as the pricing was double that available at several places within a 1 minute walk until they gave us a hotel guest discount voucher. We enjoyed the 1 hour Lanna massage and would highly recommend. I quickly discovered that as far as massages go you get what you pay for and most of the hotels have superior massage services to those found in the small shop fronts.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Beachfront Phuket; City: Cherngtalay Choeng Thale Thalang District Phuket; Review: I agree that this Condo lacks in service at the restaurant but there are numerous places to eat within walking distance and Surin Beach is a short walk/taxi ride away offering a wide array of beachfront and hotel based dining options. No real need for a car here as the taxis are readily available. The room we had was a two bedroom with a full kitchen very well laid out with full height glass offering spectacular views of the Sea and great sunrises. Bang Tao beach is several kilometres long and offers many spots to engage in various water based activities and great for beachcombing at lowtide.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Citadines Trafalgar Square London; City: London England; Review: This is a somewhat basic hotel but within walking distance to the eye, Tate modern, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben etc....We had a 1 bedroom that had a pullout couch with 2 single beds and a small kitchen. Perfect for a family of 4 with young teens. Probably too small for 4 with older teens or 4 adults.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Belize Tradewinds Paradise Villas; City: San Pedro Ambergris Caye Belize Cayes; Review: Just far enough away from the action to be able to relax in between bar and restaurant action in San Pedro. Great clean resort, spacious rooms and an attentive staff. Hardly significant but the bartender seemed a bit pissy whenever you asked for a drink.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Le Meridien Tampa; City: Tampa Florida; Review: Beautiful historical renovation of a circa 1900's US Courthouse. Tall ceilings, wide hallways and lots of marble. Can be a little bit noisy when trying to sleep with doors slamming and outside noise but this is a small nuisance.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Sunset at the Palms; City: Negril Westmoreland Parish Jamaica; Review: Wow, totally unexpected relaxing small resort. The people are over the top friendly, hard working and eager to make your stay top notch. With only 80 or so rooms this intimate jungle type setting is a welcome change from the mega resorts nearby. The food was exceptional at both the buffets and a la carte dinners as well as the jerk burgers, jerk chicken, jerk nachos, jerk fries......can't get enough of the jerk!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Honua Kai Resort Spa; City: Lahaina Maui Hawaii; Review: Great resort with all the room amenities and resort amenities that you could ever need. The place has a mix of ocean front, ocean view, resort view and mountain(parking lot and highway in between) view rooms. It is totally worth getting at least the ocean view room....it's why you're going to Maui to begin with!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: SeaGarden Beach Resort; City: Montego Bay Saint James Parish Jamaica; Review: If you're looking for a quick getaway and don't want to spend 2 hours on a bus after landing or having to leave your hotel at 7am for a 1pm flight then this is your spot. The convenience of being close to the airport does mean that you see and hear the planes landing but this really becomes background noise quickly. Very clean, smallish hotel with large rooms, great buffet, great pool and beach bars, a great little beach with plenty of chairs and great swimming for kids and adults alike. The Jerk chicken at the beach is great. Can't say enough about the staff. Down to a person they were friendly, helpful and eager to please. Evening entertainment was varied, engaging and when thet had local acts on stage truly authentic. Not a 5 star for sure but relaxing, fun, safe well worth the money!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Baraza Resort Spa Zanzibar; City: Bwejuu Zanzibar Island Zanzibar Archipelago; Review: Where do I start? this is a popular post-safari beach front resort. Maximum 90 guests in about 30 1 and 2 bedroom rooms. Each of the guest rooms is standalone creating excellent privacy. We stayed in a garden view 2 bedroom with Plunge pool that was fantastic. Plenty of room for us to spread out and relax in our room. The décor is north African/middle east/Moroccan inspired and the buildings and grounds are meticulously kept. With 180 staff it seemed that we never had any problem finding what we needed right away. The staff are super friendly, unassuming and very helpful and willing to please. Great beachfront, great pool and great food, don't see what you want just ask and you will have it prepared. Have allergies? No problem as the chef takes care in accommodating. This is an all inclusive with some pay for play type items like the Spa, top shelf liquors and wine in the room (beer and soft drinks were included). We had no problem finding a wine we liked from their daily selections. Overall, don't hesitate to book this place, you will not be disappointed. Awesome service!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Brown Trout Golf Country Inn; City: Aghadowey Coleraine County Londonderry Northern Ireland; Review: Simple accommodations, great pub, excellent and creative food in the restaurant. If you're looking for a base to explore the area this is a great spot. Jane and her team do a spectacular job making all feel welcome throughout the day.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills; City: Los Angeles California; Review: I travel a lot for business and I have come to really appreciate the little things. Courteous staff, welcoming atmosphere, clean fresh smelling lobbies, hallways and rooms. The Sofitel is a great example of all of these and more. Great Beverly Hills location, great staff from the Valet crew all the way through. This hotel will not disappoint.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Bergan Turbo Scratcher Cat Toy, Colors may vary; Brand: Bergan; Review: Buttercup is the only one of my 4 cats that play with it, but that if i start the ball off for her then she plays with it.. And the center scratch pad is the only one that one of my 4 cats use who also enjoys just laying on it..; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Catit Style Scratcher with Catnip; Brand: Catit; Review: 1 of my 4 cats won't use it and still uses the carpet.. but the other love it... It does tend to leave a mess from the cats using it but nothing a vacuum can't clean up..; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Feline Greenies Smartbites Cat Treats; Brand: Greenies; Review: My 3 male cats love these.. and Spunky does puke a lot less from these.. but sadly another treat brand my 4th cat Buttercup won't touch not sure why she doesn't any cat treats.. Would love to find a brand she will eat....; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Feline Greenies Dental Cat Treats Multiple Flavors; Brand: Greenies; Review: Of my 4 cats 2 cats love these the 3rd doesn't and likes the Greenies Hairball treats, and the 4th won't touch any cat treat brand (i've tried them all for her).. Yeah she's weird like that but she will eat red skittles if left out...; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Feline Greenies Dental Cat Treats, Catnip; Brand: Greenies; Review: Of my 4 cats 2 cats love these the 3rd doesn't and likes the Greenies Hairball treats, and the 4th won't touch any cat treat brand (i've tried them all for her).. Yeah she's weird like that but she will eat red skittles if left out...; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: bulk buys OD386-1 Ball Track Cat Toy with Mouse Swatter; Brand: bulk buys; Review: Took a hammer and a locking wrench to tap the spring into the base.. My 4 cats liked the white mouse when it wasn't attached, and since putting it together don't play with it; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Feline Greenies Dental Cat Treats; Brand: Greenies; Review: Of my 4 cats 2 cats love these the 3rd doesn't and likes the Greenies Hairball treats, and the 4th won't touch any cat treat brand (i've tried them all for her).. Yeah she's weird like that but she will eat red skittles if left out...; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: JW Pet Company Cataction Feather Ball with Bell, Cat Toy; Brand: JW Pet; Review: Not sure what the green ball around the bell is made of.. But my cats weren't interested in playing with this toy... Not even the feather part held their interest... Not sure it's due to the Material the green ball is made of, or the sound of the bell..(a dull sounding bell); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: CAT1st Ninja Cat Tunnel Best Cat Toy, Green; Brand: Cat1st; Review: My cat Mr. Snugglesworth loves this which is attached to the cube part and if he isn't napping on top of the cat house or on my bed he'll be inside this.. Only Con is with the Cube part the black material rips to easily...; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: SmartyKat Crazy Cruisers Electronic Chase Cat Toy; Brand: SmartyKat; Review: My cats all were very interested in this toy when first brought out.. and now when i bring it out will hold their interest for a little bit.. a Good toy as long as you don't leave it out but only bring it out here and there much like a Da`Bird wand toy..; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: GoCat Da Bird Pull 2 Piece Pull Apart Rod & Bird, Handmade in the USA; Brand: Go Cat; Review: Still the best cat in the house.. Nothing else gets my cats more excited then when I get the "feather toy" down from its hiding place.. (other then picking up their wet food plate) And my cats are spoiled, they have more toys then a rich 6 year old boy does... It is a toy you don't want to leave laying out...; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bergan Turbo Scratcher Accessories; Brand: Bergan; Review: Great replacement ball for the Bergan Turbo Scratcher; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Cat and Dog Water Fountain, Built-in Reservoir,Filtered Water for Your Pet, 168 oz. Water Capacity; Brand: PetSafe; Review: Has a nice sized tank for holding water (I live in Las Vegas too), easy to refill the back container.. Roommate finds the sound soothing when he sleeps in the front room.. Stopped Conan from wanting to only drink from the sink... Only tip/warning that comes to mind is, would be that when you first get it and set it and then fill it with water make sure you cats aren't near it when you turn it on for the first time.. It will make odd sounds at first as the pump starts to take in and push the water through for the 1st time.. I made that mistake and my cats avoided it for a first few hours...; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Catit Hagen Treat Ball; Brand: Catit; Review: My cat Spunky figured how this toy works in less then 1 minute.. It is far to easy for Spunky and Conan to get the "cookies" out of it.. The other "cookie" toy I got them the Pull & Play is far better in terms of keeping them busy at working on getting "cookies"..; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Bergan Turbo Scratcher Accessories; Brand: Bergan; Review: THe pad that came with the Scratcher didn't last long... these replacements though have lasted MUCH LONGER then the one that it came with... i'm still on 1 of the 2 and it's lasted 3 times longer then the one it came with...; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Catit Design Senses Illuminated Ball - 2-Pack; Brand: Catit; Review: a great replacement ball for the Bergan Turbo Scratcher; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush; Brand: Hertzko; Review: The furminator is still the best at removing the undercoat, but most of my cats don't enjoy how invasive it is... This Product though is A LOT less invasive for my cats, and they will all allow me to properly get their backs and sides with this device... In fact most (3 of my 4 cats) enjoy me using this on their backs and will lay down for me to brush their backs..; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Platinum Pets Formal Pet Bow Tie and Collar, 9 to 10-Inch, White; Brand: Platinum Pets; Review: Looks stylish on my Spunky, who is a 8yo 20lbs buff Tuxedo male..; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: CoolCyberCats Fun Rat Pack Refill/Attachments - Fits Wildcat and popular Bird and Mouse type wands/poles; Brand: CoolCyberCats; Review: My cats go mad crazy for the long skinny one and the one with the while tail... Just add packing paper covering over top of them slowly moving it like a real mouse, and they will go insane trying to get them.. ATM these are my cat's favorite toy..; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Namsan Puppy and Cat Cosplay Peacock Costume…; Brand: Namsan; Review: The strap for the hat is way to large for my 8yo cat, and it just falls off...; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Frenzy Reindeer Fun Fur Attachment - Fits Wildcat and popular Bird and Mouse type wands/poles; Brand: Frenzy; Review: The string loop is way to long from the Fur part and also lacked the attachment to even attach to the Da-Bird cord... Ended up just hanging it on a doorknob..; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Frenzy HareTastic (Rabbit) Fur Attachment/Refill - Fits Da Bird, Clarion Baton and Flying Frenzy Pole Toys; Brand: Frenzy; Review: The string loop is way to long from the Fur part and also lacked the attachment to even attach to the Da-Bird cord... Ended up just hanging it on a doorknob..; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Our Pets Play-N-Squeak Backyard Cat Toy; Brand: Our Pets; Review: Conan loves this toy the other one just like it... The 1st one I got vanished one day... But he loves to carry it around from room to room while meowing with it...; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Pet_Supplies |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Hotel Steve; City: Liptovsky Mikulas Zilina Region; Review: This is the second time I have stayed at this hotel, and the second time, they did not disappoint! The staff are SOOOO helpful...and friendly...and the breakfasts are over-flowing with choice and portions! The restaurant at the hotel has excellent meals ( all costing extra, but minimal prices!)...I recommend this hotel whole-heartedly!!! GO!..Enjoy!...and elt me know!!! :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Komodor; City: Dubrovnik Dubrovnik Neretva County Dalmatia; Review: The Komodor hotel is not situated that close to the old town of Dubrovnik ( ou need to take a 15 minute bus ride into town), but the amenities it has makes it worthwhile to stay. A lovely outside pool and sunbathing area,and a 5 minute walk to the "beach/coast". Buffet breakfasts are fine...and we stayed for the buffet dinners too, as worth the money.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Grey Walls Hotel; City: Windermere Lake District Cumbria England; Review: ; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Grosvenor Suites; City: Edinburgh Scotland; Review: Much better than going to a Travelodge. Large rooms. Nice staff. Breakfast could have done with some hot food, but it had cold meats, cheeses, cereals and bread etc. Positioned in a residential area, so quiet, but just 5 mins from the main road into Edinburgh. Walk or bus or tram.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Garden Opera; City: Paris Ile de France; Review: Dirty looking rooms. Cracked lights. Bad breakfasts. Dirty carpets. Ripped net curtains. Old fashioned bathrooms that need better cleaning. small rooms. All rooms need refurbishing. Old looking toilets and sink basins. Lift not working when 4 people go in it.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Sant Eligio; City: Naples Province of Naples Campania; Review: Nice hotel in the heart of Naples. You can have breakfast either in your room or up on the roof terrace (which can be cold if before the sun comes out). No meats for breakfast though....even though they show a sausage on their photos!! :) Nice enough people in reception. Helpful. The surroundings of the hotel aren't anything toi look at, but its all safe there, so no worries! You cant get the free wifi in all rooms though..saw many people sitting on the communal stairs with their phones and laptops!; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Mangreen Country Hotel; City: Norwich Norfolk East Anglia England; Review: Lovely secluded country house in the middle of the Norfolk countryside, about 3 miles from Norwich itself, so an ideal pit stop for journeying into the city. The cooked breakfasts are hearty and filling. The only downside to the stay was that we were booked into a "double room", but that was a double bed made up of 2 twin beds pushed together and the bedding sheets didn't fit it, so were always coming off during the night. Apart from that...lovely hotel...lovely settings, and lovely and friendly staff!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Astir Hotel; City: Patras Achaea Region West Greece; Review: This is supposed to be a 4 star hotel, and they probably have the rating due to their roof terrace with swimming pool...which are the best features of the hotel! The rooms are hot and sweaty...the air-conditioning doesn't work well...and the decorations in the room are old and tired. Breakfast, which you have to pay separately for, are cold and at times, they run out before the end of the breakfast sittings...so don't go down late to eat!; Rating: 2.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: AmazonBasics Subwoofer Cable - 35 Feet; Brand: AmazonBasics; Review: does the job and looks much better than the cable I replaced.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: AmazonBasics 3.5mm to 2-Male RCA Adapter Cable - 4 Feet; Brand: AmazonBasics; Review: does the job great and has a good look; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: GGMM C300 Metal Earbuds In-Ear headphone with One button Remote Control (Gray); Brand: GGMM; Review: I loved everything about these. I couldn't stop listening to my favorite songs while wearing these. I have and use over twenty different earphones and if I had to only keep a handful this would be staying with me.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mengo Bumps In-Ear Earphones [Ultra Bass] with built-in Microphone for Smartphones (iPhone Samsung LG HTC Nokia iPod; Brand: Mengo; Review: I bought two of these and they have been great. I like how they look and how they sound. I read about people having problems carrying them in there pockets. I solved this problem by storing them is ear bud cases that I bought on amazon. I use the pouches that they came with just to keep them dust free but use the cases when I'm on the go, been working for me.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: AUKEY Bluetooth Receiver V4.1 Wireless Audio Music Adapter A2DP with Hands-Free Calling and 3.5mm Stereo Jack for Home and Car; Brand: AUKEY; Review: this is the best. I bought three different similar brands and this one is my fav.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: New Balance Women's W890v4 Neutral Light Running Shoe; Brand: ; Review: Very please with the shoes fit and wears great; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hatley Girls' Solid Splash Jacket; Brand: ; Review: The reason it was too small was my daughter gave me the wrong size. Re-order the correct size in a 10 fit just fine then. I am returning the size 8 that she told me to order. Love the splash jacket also after I took it and had my grandaughters name embroider on the coat she loved it even more.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Lillian Rose 10.5"X9.5" Flower Girl Tote Bag; Brand: Lillian Rose; Review: Was a great shower gift for the bride; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Skechers Women's Microburst One up Fashion Sneaker; Brand: ; Review: Love them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Citizen Men's Eco-Drive Promaster Nighthawk Dual Time Watch with Date, BJ7000-52E; Brand: Citizen; Review: Christmas gift; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Skechers Women's Flex Appeal 2.0 Sneaker; Brand: ; Review: Only problem I have is keeping them tied.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Timex Men's T2N694 Fairlawn Avenue Black Resin Strap Watch; Brand: Timex; Review: Christmas gift; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ollio Women's Ballet Shoe Floral Lace Breathable Flat; Brand: ; Review: Love the shoe but size was too big had to send back. Order what I normally wear but shoe was still to big; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Anvershiel House; City: Portrush County Antrim Northern Ireland; Review: My husband and I had a very nice stay here during our honeymoon. The B&B is very convenient to dining and pubs in Portrush, and a walk along the shore offers a very scenic way to get into town. Our room was cozy and clean, the price was reasonable, and I thought the breakfast was incredible--I highly recommend the Ulster fry.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Casselman Inn; City: Grantsville Garrett County Maryland; Review: My husband and I stayed in the Casselman motel for one night as an affordable option for visiting Wisp ski resort in McHenry (there are also slightly more expensive rooms available in the inn). The room was very clean and cozy, with unique furniture accents that I find are not so common in such reasonably priced motel rooms. Staff in the inn were friendly and helpful, and breakfast in the restaurant was adequate. All in all, a great deal for the price.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Glendowan House; City: Letterkenny County Donegal; Review: My husband and I happened upon this B&B during our honeymoon and stayed here for two nights. We had attempted to stay in Bunbeg, but we couldn't find a B&B that was open (it was late October, and every house we tried was already closed for the season). Fortunately we came across Glendowan, which is very well situated for a visit to Glenveagh National Park or a hike up Errigal. Our hostess was extremely accommodating and made a delicious traditional breakfast. She gave us a number of recommendations for hikes in the area, and even offered to drive us a half hour to an excellent starting point. Rooms were nicely decorated, very sunny, and had great views of the Donegal countryside. And the showers featured the best water pressure I've found anywhere in Ireland. All in all a lovely stay.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Holiday Inn Central Plaza; City: Beijing; Review: Incredible hotel: beautifully decorated rooms; cozy slippers and robes; good tea, fresh fruit and copious bottles of water; a well-stocked fridge; high-quality linens and a very comfortable mattress; and a varied, extensive, and immensely tasty breakfast. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. No complaints at all and I would happily stay here again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Inn at the Canyons; City: Monticello Utah; Review: Nice motel at a reasonable price. The staff members were very helpful and gracious. The room was spacious and clean, the bed comfortable, the fridge and microwave handy, and the breakfast a bit disappointing but probably fair for the price. My only real complaint is that the hot tub was a bit a caustic—I felt a bit like a Teflon vial being cleaned for trace element analysis. Fellow hot-tubbers likewise observed this condition. Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to grab dinner at the K&A Chuckwagon just across the street—a real treat.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Suenos Encantados y Casa Vieja; City: Cuba New Mexico; Review: I stayed here for one evening after visiting Chaco. The room was very quaint and boasted a cozy, old-world feel; the outdoor setting was peaceful and lush (lush for NM, that is). The bed was a bit soft, but the linens decent enough. The fridge and microwave were a plus, although I was loathe to microwave the egg-based breakfast sandwich prepared for me (I can't complain, as I've never actually microwaved a previously cooked egg and eaten it, but my terrible food snob self just can't bring myself to do it). However, I very much enjoyed drinking a good deal of coffee on the veranda in the crisp morning with lovely views all around. All in all a very nice stay.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Caesar House Residenze Romane; City: Rome Lazio; Review: After reading the reviews on Tripadvisor.com., we decided on Caeser House and we were not disappointed. Spent 4 nights there in August with my family of four (two boys aged 13 and 15 years) and I'm hard pressed to find a fault with the place. The location is perfect - 5 minute walk from the ancient sites (the two forums and the Colosseum, etc), perhaps ten minute walk to the Trevi Fountain/Spanish Steps region. If you don't mind the walk - the Vatican is an easy 25 - 30 minute walk from the hotel. But don't worry, there are two metro stops within minutes of the hotel if walking isn't your thing! The hotel itself is deceiving. The drab exterior and second floor location may put you off, but don't be fooled - once inside the premises you will be delighted. Our two rooms (we were supposed to have the family suite but I think another family was given this as their kids were younger - no worries - our kids were happy to be on their own across the hall) had obviously just been renovated with vibrant colours and very nouveau chic decor and plumbing in the bathrooms (you get your own very nice bathroom with large shower in each room). The air conditioning worked perfecrtly as did the brand new flat screen T.V.! As well, the entire place is immaculately clean. As well, there is an elevator for those unable to climb the stairs to the second floor. The real strenght of this hotel. however, is the staff. We were overwhelmed by the depth of their hospitality and their desire to be helpful. Any inquiry, no matter what the nature, was met with immediate attention and detailed responses. No matter what problems we encountered - a broken key, a safe that wouldn't open (yikes!), trouble with an airline reservation - the staff ( Pamela, Uni (sp?) and Danny) were gracious and thorough. Trully unsurpassed service from exceedingly charming people. Breakfast was delicious and quite reasonable at 10 Euro per person, but there were lots of cafes around so we often declined the hotel breakfast. One tip - across the street from the hotel is an alley that appears to be a dead end. It isn't - in fact it leads to a very affordable restaurant that serves absolutely delicious pizza and pasta, cold beer and excellent wine all at a fraction of the cost of most restaurants. We were told it was a "local" secret! Not anymore! We will definitely stay here again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Toren; City: Amsterdam North Holland Province; Review: My family of four stayed here in August for three nights and we really were not impressed. Toren is part of the Canal House hotel and shares the bar/breakfast room. Aside from those two very elegant rooms, the hotel is pretty much a 1 - 2 star flop house. Our room, which had an extra bed added, was extrremely small and did not allow for any space to put our luggage. Even with three in the room it would have been too small. There was no A/C and the bathroom was really quite grungy. The hotel is close to Ann Frank House and within easy walking distance of the Dam and the museum district, but these are not good enough reasons to stay here. From what I saw, the Canal House was not much better. The staff was indifferent, at best, and truly not interested in us. On a related note, I have to say how dejected we were with Amsterdam in general. Having been there some ten years ago were were really looking forward to exposing our children to what used to be a vibrant, beautiful city. Sadly, it is nothing of the sort anymore. Drugs (pot and magic mushrooms) are king now, with prostitution running a close second. At one time it was a chore to find the famed "brown cafes" that sell marijuana. Now these "coffeehouses" are on virtually every street corner, and so too are the legions of stoned "drug tourists" that go with them. Moreover, it seemed that the entire city was under construction - even the museums which were very disappointing since so many exhibits were closed. I hate to say this, but we were even disappointed by Ann Frank House - sacred ground indeed, but badly in need of work. I could go on, but suffice it say that Amsterdam is off our travel map for a while.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Villa d Estrees; City: Paris Ile de France; Review: This was my second time at Villa D'Estrees and I will definitely return. Six years ago we were there with our kids who were 10 and 12 at the time. We stayed in their adjacent property across the alley in a huge, spacious apartment. This time I brought my aging parents and were in the main hotel on the 5 th floor in adjoining rooms. A small elevator made transfer of my Mom to and from the lobby quite simple and the rooms were quite large with all the amenities you need although no coffee maker or microwave. A lot seems to be made by some reviewers about noise from the Irish Pub down below but I have to say this was a complete non-issue for us and we had windows on the street directly above the Pub. With the windows shut and AC on we did not hear a thing, and I'm a very light sleeper!! Location of this hotel is simply perfect - Latin Quarter surrounded by excellent restaurants, the Metro is within steps as is the RER train which is the best way to get to and from Charles de Gaul airport, Versailles, and many other nearby attractions. Notre Dame, St. Chappelle, Isle St Loius are less than 5 minute walks, and you can easily walk to the Louvre in 20 to 30 minutes, Eiffel Tower in 45, of course the metro will get you there in far less than that!! The hotel staff are perhaps it's strongest asset. They were immensely helpful in planning our vacation, easily accessible by e-mail and extremely gracious in virtually all of our interactions. They were kind, knowledgable, and anxious to help with any problems that arose. I cannot say enough about them - even the night staff. The hotel offers breakfast in the morning and while at first blush it seems a bit expensive at 12 Euros, the convenience, quality and volume (big servings!) make it worthwhile. Of course there are lots of local cages in which you can get a coffee and croissant but you will pay at least 8 euros for it and wish you had just eaten in the elegant lobby of the hotel!! If you have an apartment you can always do some shopping for fruit and baked goods at any of the local shops close by and make your own breakfast. I highly recommend you take the hotel's advice on restaurants as well - they booked us in to 3 - the Latin, Allard and Christine and they were perfect ,exactly what we were looking for on those nights. If you tell them what you want they will find it for you and even book for you in advance - we did this all by email. Stay here you won't be disappointed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Inn at the Falls; City: Bracebridge Muskoka District Ontario; Review: Just returned from a weekend At Inn at the Falls where we celebrated a friend's wedding. I cannot understand the poor reviews of this Inn - for us it delivered on virtually every category. Clearly this is no Holiday Inn Express (thank goodness) and if that's what you want then consider the Travelodge. However what it lacks in glitz and and modern decor it more than makes up for in charm. We saw no evidence of dirt or a lack of attention to cleanliness. This is an old property, the main lodge and accompanying buildings are worn and lived in, but very comfortable. We had one of the older rooms in the Gate House, a beautiful loft with lots of room, a nice jacuzzi tub and a flat screen TV. The room was immaculate, everything worked, and it was very private. There were a few spots on the carpet that looked bleached out but this made no difference to us. The small pub downstairs in the old building was very charming with great food and a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Great selection of drinks and beer. The wedding was handled perfectly with a wonderful, charming outdoor ceremony and a delicious meal in which guests chose from three entrees. Staff were efficient and courteous throughout our stay. The location is ideal. Any complaints are, in my opinion, unfounded. We saw no evidence that the owners were "letting the place go" as some reviewers have suggested.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Mystic Springs Chalets Hot Pools; City: Canmore Kananaskis Country Alberta; Review: Spent 4 nights here in July. Overall a good experience, although not without some disappointing features. The condo was in excellent condition, meticulously clean, well maintained with soft beds, comfortable furniture and excellent kitchen and bathroom facilities - everything you need to cook and clean complete meals. The layout, however, was quite unusual - very narrow with a long staircase to the upper bedrooms. This leaves very little floor space for your luggage, equipment, etc and I think would be quite frustrating for families with small kids, cribs, playpens, etc. No room, as well, for skis, climbing gear, etc. Doubly frustrating was all the locked closet doors! Location is really not what you might expect - on a road within walking distance from the downtown area but it feels like a residential street with no restaurants or cafes close by. Minor issue but worth noting - this is no main street hotel! The complex has a very nice central complex with an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub (no "mystic spring" or natural hot pools as one might expect from the name), and BBQ area and an indoor laundry facility with a pop machine. The laundry facilities were fine and the staff will provide coins and detergent at a reasonable price. One of the machines repeatedly took our money - staff grudgingly refunded it but refused to put a warning sign on the machine (so I did!). The two BBQ's worked but were very dirty and poorly maintained. Overall though the grounds were quite nice and there is a definite family/party feel as groups share the BBQ's and mingle about. Parking can be an issue as well. The parking lot is just large enough for one car per condo, but of course many more show up leaving you forced to park on the street which can be a challenge in the high season. Beware - staff can be quite arbitrary in what they consider a legitimate spot and threaten to tow vehicles that they feel are not parked properly (even though nothing is marked). This brings me to my biggest issue, which is the attitude of staff. While some were at least grudgingly friendly, most were quite rude. I felt like I was in the way the entire time I was there. Inquiries about things like restaurants and hiking trails were met at best with indifference, at worst with blatantly false information that on one occasion caused us to become quite lost in the mountains! We began to joke about it among the other families there and actually took turns when it was time to ask questions or seek assistance. Overall a very nice condo, a bit quirky in design, but clean and mostly functional. Not the best location, not the nicest staff. For the price I would look elsewhere - Silver Creek, Copperstone , and Blackstone all looked better to my eye and similarly priced.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with businesses as follows:
Title: Tee Time Family Fun Center; City: Saint Louis, MO; Review: We decided to have my son's birthday party at this location because of a great Groupon deal for the "Indoor Package". We'd been here for a round of mini golf in the past, so thought it would be an opportunity to explore more of what they had, further. The package was said to include- balloons, decorations, napkins, plates and utensils. I found this to be a bit misleading. There were NO balloons (and I didn't purchase these because it stated that there would be balloons- disappointing). There were no decorations... just plates, cups and napkins and a table cover. On the bright side, I did feel that our host was kind and tried to be helpful even though it quickly got crowded around 7pm (our party began at 6pm). Overall, this facility is feeling a bit mismanaged and run down. There are gems in it if they were just given a bit more TLC. The "3-D Blacklight Maze" should be called "haunted" amidst the other descriptions and was too scary for our group of 7 year olds. Maybe 12 and over? I'd say we had a good time because kids love games and being together but I'm not sure I would've ever paid the full price for this had we not been using a Groupon.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: ALDI; City: Saint Louis, MO; Review: I've been a fan of this location for quite some time, however, I've noticed that one of my favorite aspects of this store- THE PRODUCE... has gone south. I don't know what's going on but I go on Thursday (the day after the ad is out) and it looks like a zoo of animals ran through the produce fruit section... almost couldn't stomach it. SO sad because I've loved this store but the past 3 times, this has been the case. Otherwise, great buys... great prices... overall a nice store with great employees (except the main manager... he is always crabby and rude).; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Kitchen Sink; City: Saint Louis, MO; Review: Went here for a celebratory lunch. I ordered the Chicken & Waffles but was disappointed because it was wings and a waffle. Compared to the other things ordered at our table (which I tried most of- we're a sharing family), I was kinda bummed. I think I was assuming it would be a big piece of fried chicken that I could eat WITH the waffle... my bad. The food is DELICIOUS and the employees were great. Highly recommend it! Just know what you're ordering. :); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Donut Stop; City: Saint Louis, MO; Review: We LOVE it here! We've tried many donut shops in St. Louis and this is still on the top of our list. Great little shop with kind people and GREAT donuts! You have to try the Cinnamon Glob. :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cafe Telegraph; City: Saint Louis, MO; Review: We were SO surprised by this hidden gem! We assumed from the exterior that it would be a dive place... we were ready for a dirty diner. I don't know why?! This place is beautiful inside. We've been 4 times and it is consistently good with great service. Really good barbecue, great burgers! We're fans of the wings and love the Asian sauce! Highly recommend that you give it a try!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: McLain Bbq & Pizza; City: Saint Louis, MO; Review: We've been here a few times and it's our inexpensive answer to Imo's in St. Louis... great pizza and quick service. We love it! We've not been disappointed and will return.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Nippon Tei; City: Ballwin, MO; Review: This was such a great experience!!! We've been to a couple other sushi places in West County but this was SO much better than any other. We even liked it better than our fav place in WEBSTeR. The SHAKIRA roll? Amaz-ing! We were given some great seasoned edamame to start and even though we sat at the sushi bar (recommend making a reservation), it did not lessen our experience. Great service, kind servers, great sushi chefs, creative rolls, really fresh and full of flavor...timely service... will absolutely go back!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | yelp |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya; City: Playa del Carmen Yucatan Peninsula; Review: Let me begin by saying I LOVE THIS PLACE!! I must have said it a hundred times during our stay from 8/4/07-8/10/07. When we first arrived our rooms were not ready until the 3:00 pm check in. I had planned ahead and packed a bag so we can start to enjoy our stay. We were given our bracelets and immediately were told to go to eat, drink and use the pool. Promptly at 3:00 all 3 of our rooms were ready. One of the rooms had a king bed for the two teenage boys. Within minutes they changed there room, no problems! The rooms are spacious with lots of granite and dark woods. Very sheek. During our stay we enjoyed all the activities, food, resturants, drinks, and shows. Water sports, sand sports and the ocean were all within expectations. The shows were pretty good for resort style shows. One night we wanted to go down to the ocean and enjoy a bottle of champagne. Not a problems, within 10 minutes we had a fruit platter, champagne and 2 chlled glasses sent to our room! The pool and pool bar I think were our favorite. The drinks were excellent (the fruit de something was terrific). Not waterered down at all. The mix of people was enjoyable as well, meeting alot of fun sociable people. Not too many young children. I have traveled 3 times a year for the past 10 years, mostly to resorts and Caribean Islands. I must say this resort was a first class operation. The food was terrific (no episodes with the fruits, water or ice out of a group of 6), the staff was pleasing and pleasant, the resort itself was gorgeous (pictures do not do justice) and overall a wonderful experience....I am already planning a long weekend return in two months!!! Hope you all enjoy as much as we did!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Riverview Hotel; City: New Smyrna Beach Florida; Review: I recently stayed at The Riverview for four nights in July 2013. The hotel and the staff could not have been nicer. Each room was perfectly sized and appointed with nice robes, high end linens and a overall spa like feel. The gigantic screen tv was perfect as I layed in my comfy bed with plush comforter and soft sheets! Room service in the morning for coffee and cereal on the balcony did not take longer than 10 minutes. Centerally located to Flagler and Canal it was perfect distance to walk and easy access to the beach. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised with the newly decorated rooms and would highly recommend. Do not forget to book your spa appointments and enjoy the waterfall and spa pool! Excellect hotel!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sandals Grande Antigua Resort Spa; City: St John s Saint John Parish Antigua Antigua and Barbu; Review: Was excited when we booked an all inclusive, butler penthouse suite for a week. We booked 41 weeks ago and every week I would read reviews and became a bit concerned at some of the statements. I am not a picky person or a travel snob but expect what we pay for. At over 8k just for the room I am expecting 5 star accommodations and service. Not the case at all. As others have stated the staff made you feel like a bother which was the case 50% of the time. Our butlers where fantastic but I didn't feel the need to have them bring me lunch or drinks either so we did not make them run around. The bartenders at the Med pool are great however the servers have attitudes that make you get up and get your own drinks! They could not be bothered with even a smile. The food was terrific especially at Bayside and Mario's. (Michelle is always there with a smile!) Service is slow but you are on vacation and with not a whole lot to do at night so you can sit and enjoy cocktails while you wait. The rooms need to be cleaned up as the couches were run down and dirty. Wear your slippers on the floors as they are not mopped clean. We had friends on the Sunset bluff and they felt like they were in a run down motel and moved to the Mediterranean side. Others in the Caribbean side said they rooms are small and old. The beach is very small and not overly exciting and I felt other Caribbean Island beaches are prettier. Not a ideal if you like long walks on the beach. The beach vendors where not a bother to us and the man with the handmade jewelry at the end of the Med side has really nice designs. The resort is low key so unless you are traveling with a group or are looking for night time excitement I would not recommend this resort. The fire pits at night are very relaxing but by 10 pm everyone was back to their rooms and the resort winded down. They do fog at about 5-6pm which I found funny to see a huge puff of smoke going around the resort. Do not eat outside at this time. I mixed bug spray with my body lotion and didn't get any bites as some complained about the bugs. The casino next door is closed and the one in St. John's is a bit shady, as I felt the whole downtown area was. If you venture out ask for Billy the driver and go to Sheer Rocks Restaurant in St. Mary's Parish!! (see my review and pics) Overall we had a nice time but at the price we could have stayed at the Ritz and had better service and accommodation's for the price we paid!; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Ritz Carlton Aruba; City: Palm Eagle Beach Aruba; Review: The Ritz Carlton in Aruba is perfectly located at the end of the beach where the high-rise hotels are. I have visited this property three times since it opened and not once have been disappointed. Excellent staff food and resort layout complement this beautifully decorated hotel. White sandy beaches beautiful views of the sunset. Easy to grab a cab to downtown or to any of the restaurants on the island. There are a lot places to vacation and keep coming back to Aruba every year and have never been disappointed. The weather in July and August is unsurpassed!! Looking forward to our return this August!! Club level is well worth it as we'll.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Brunelleschi; City: Florence Tuscany; Review: I honestly booked this hotel just by the looks and the architect, not knowing that it is one of the oldest structures in Florence as it was a women's prison. We treated ourselves to the Pagliazza Suite which was beyond amazing. The hotel staff and management where so accommodating to us especially when the AC broke. They switched us for the night into the Duomo Suite (Suite is terrific but the bedroom is on the 2nd floor and bathroom on first. Can be a bit of a walk at night or dangerous after vino). Again the views where spectacular. The rooms, linens and spa like products are all an excellent quality. The breakfast had an excellent selection and the bar inside at night was great for a night cap and to chat with the friendly bartender about the Italian life. Centrally located to all attractions, dining, shopping and museums makes this the best hotel. We are very excited to be returning this April for our third visit!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Ritz Carlton Aruba; City: Palm Eagle Beach Aruba; Review: Once again I was not disappointed! With so many places to travel to why risk a sure thing!! From the minute we walk thru the doors the staff makes us feel like we are home. Hugs and kisses and catching up with everyone makes it so personal! Ubirna at the bar, George at the pool, Antoine, Jo and Juliette at Club...all are always attentive to our needs to make sure we are relaxed. Club level food is always delicious. BLT steak and Madero all make leaving to try other restaurants hard. Want a light dinner, be sure to have amazing sushi in the Divi lounge!! Special treat this trip was the taco tent!!!! Hoping they bring back this amazing feature in August when we return (hint hint!!!). No complaints here!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge; City: Brooklyn New York; Review: The new 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is just what the area that is being revitalized needed!! Perfectly located right off the Brooklyn Bridge with amazing NYC and bridge views. The 5 star hotel is organic and prides itself on using local artists, furniture designers, and has a warm and earthy feel. The recycled hangers and bins are all in tune to their earthiness. The lobby is inviting and perfect for cocktails and hanging out without feeling stuffy. Put your feet on the table, sit on the table...it's all ok with this living room vibe! Rooms are clean, new and spacious with carefully thought of extras like sweatshirt material robes, socks, and modern with IPad controls. Staff is super helpful and relaxed. Looking forward to a revisit in the summer when the pool up top is open!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Before I Go to Sleep: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's S. J. Watson Page; Review: Fascinating story; a book I couldn't put down. I felt Christine's confusion, her fear, and her hope in every page.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Magic Hour: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Kristin Hannah Page; Review: Fascinating story line with very believable characters. Little Alice captures your heart and doesn't let go! This may be Kristin Hannah's best; I couldn't put it down.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Waiting for June; Author: Visit Amazon's Joyce Sweeney Page; Review: Interesting story about a pregnant teen. It has a different slant, and I found it thoroughly entertaining! I recommended it to our book club for summer reading!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Keep Me Ghosted (Sophie Rhodes Romantic Comedy) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Karen Cantwell Page; Review: Very entertaining book. Wasn't sure about the story line until I started reading, but after just a few pages, I was hooked. Fast paced and cleverly written!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Tread Softly on My Dreams: Robert Emmet's Story; Author: Visit Amazon's Gretta Curran Browne Page; Review: This was called a novel, so I assumed it was fiction. Wrong! The dialog may have been created, but the characters and events are factual! This was a tragic time in Ireland's history and this book opened my eyes to the conditions at that time. It really was an interesting read. I withheld the last star because it took me a while to get involved with the story. The beginning was a bit overwhelming with a vast number of different characters in different places and it took a while to see the relationship between them. Once things came together, I was pulled in and really enjoyed the book. I will probably recommend it to our book group.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Firefly Beach; Author: Visit Amazon's Meira Pentermann Page; Review: Loved the variety of characters and a story that wove them together in a very believable way, in spite of the presence of a very persistent firefly! Was pulled in within a few pages and couldn't put it down.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Advocate; Author: Visit Amazon's Teresa Burrell Page; Review: Loved this book! Well developed story with believable relationships between characters and plenty of mystery and suspense without it being the whole story and without resorting to overwhelming violence and gore. Couldn't put it down and am sorry the book is finished.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Mystery Box; Author: Visit Amazon's Eva Pohler Page; Review: An unusual story line which kept me reading all night! Seldom have I read a book where I had no idea what was coming next. It was fascinating, frightening, and heartwarming all at once, and I can't wait to read her next one.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Through the Fog; Author: Visit Amazon's Michael C. Grumley Page; Review: Take an 18-year-old boy who may be hallucinating, and a psychiatrist who is struggling to come to terms with her child's abduction, and you have the makings for a book that you can't put down! Well written and fast-paced, the story pulls you in and the characters become real. Can't wait to read the next book in the series!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Gray Girl; Author: Susan I. Spieth; Review: What a fascinating look at the life of a Plebe at West Point! Written by a woman who lived through the four years when women were still a novelty and before the military had a strict policy against sexual harassment, Susan Spieth weaves a fascinating story combining the real experiences of Plebes (freshmen) with fictional characters and a compelling story line. Didn't want to put it down!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Beyond Control (Beyond Love Series) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Karice Bolton Page; Review: Not happy with this author. Book was entertaining enough but it had no conclusion. The author informs the reader that we have to read the next book to find out what happened. The last 20% of the book was excerpts from 6 other books. I will not bother with any of her other books, assuming they will also have no ending, and I cannot recommend this book for the same reason.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics; Author: Visit Amazon's Daniel James Brown Page; Review: Impossible to imagine the determination and fortitude of these young men. A powerful, compelling story, one the reader is drawn into, and one not quickly forgotten. I don't think most people in our present day have any idea what young men and women of that era had to do to simply exist, let alone to be able to attend college. No wonder they were called the Greatest Generation!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Painted From Memories; Author: Visit Amazon's Barbara Forte Abate Page; Review: Depressing, emotional in ways that are hard to deal with, this book is not entertaining; it leaves the reader with nothing but lead in the pit of the stomach. I need books that either bring rejoicing at the end or resolution of the problems. This just gave a little hope, but since Cat never comes to terms with her past, I can't see a future for her.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Into the End; Author: Bonnie R. Paulson; Review: I dislike a book that leaves you hanging and forces you to read the next in the series to conclude. It is an interesting read but because I don't like having to buy another, I'm done. Who knows how many books there will be? At the end of this one we don't even know who the enemy is!; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: A Garden in Paris; Author: Visit Amazon's Stephanie Grace Whitson Page; Review: Couldn't put it down. Equal parts love, self-discovery, and family relationships, with the wonders of Paris thrown in for good measure!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: OXO Good Grips 6-Inch Fine Mesh Strainer; Brand: OXO; Review: A million uses and perfect for all; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Euro Cuisine YM80 Yogurt Maker; Brand: Euro Cuisine; Review: We've been using this every week since it arrived. The boyfriend eats a yogurt every morning for breakfast and now they're all home made and I feel better about it. Plus, you can customize the flavors! I will say we've never used a yogurt starter, we just pop open some probiotic capsuls and it works great. Saves some money and less ingredients. I've used it for coconut yogurt and that turns out great as well. Definitely worth it. Plus the jars are adorable.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Magnolia Organics Dream Collection Sheet Set - Full, White; Brand: Magnolia Organics; Review: Love these sheets! So worth the money. Super soft and strong they do not seem like they're going to wear out. I love that they're organic. They're much better than any sheets I've owned in the past which was surprising after reading other reviews but I'm very happy with the purchase.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Magnolia Organics Blanket - Full/Queen, Natural; Brand: Magnolia Organics; Review: Love this! Right now we're using as an extra layer since it's cold out (February) but fully anticipate using it on its own when it gets warmer out. Love that it's organic, sturdy, warm, and well made.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: My Pillow Premium Series [Std/Queen, Medium Fill] Available in 4 Loft Levels | Patented Adjustable Interlocking Fill; Brand: MyPillow Inc; Review: Returned after I did the research and learned how they are made and what they are made of. No way I'm putting my head on that every night. Went with an organic pillow after learning about all the chemicals. Do your research, people!; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-R-A, 6 Qt, Red; Brand: Crock-Pot; Review: Love love love! Use it all the time. Sometimes 5x a week. It's great. Easy to clean and easy to use. What more to ask for? It's big enough for a 6lb Boston butt and we haven't needed it for anything bigger than that. Favorites are chili, pulled pork, any kind of roast, really anything you can think of turns out amazing.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: IMUSA USA MEXI-86016 Aluminum Tortilla Press 8-Inch, Orange; Brand: Imusa; Review: I did like using this but after a few times of making tortillas, the handle snapped in half. I didn't think cast iron could do that, but it did. So now I will look for a better product with less chance of breaking.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Command Small Clear Refill Strips, 16 Sets of Strips; Brand: Command; Review: Love the book, but one of the pages is upside down... tried to add video but could only add photo but you can still get the idea.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 | amazon_Home_and_Kitchen |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Shangri la Regency; City: Darjeeling Darjeeling District West Bengal; Review: We enjoyed a nice stay in this hotel. Room is clean and specious enough but you can not use balcony as the chairs or table is not clean. You will face sudden power cuts in Darjeeling then geyser will not work. Only TV and some of the lights will work. Breakfast is average. Over all we enjoyed a lot.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Mount Embassy Hotel; City: Siliguri Darjeeling District West Bengal; Review: After a long train journey, what we need is a good quality sleep. Horrified things happened when we switch off the light and went for sleep. Rats were running throughout the falls ceiling and created hell lot of noise. We spend all most sleepless night. Otherwise this hotel is clean and staffs are good.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Hotel and Restaurant Shangri la; City: Darjeeling Darjeeling District West Bengal; Review: We have stayed both the hotel Shangrila Regency and Hotel and Restaurant Shangri-la. Room is clean and specious enough and made in wood. You will face sudden power cuts in Darjeeling then geyser will not work. Only TV and some of the lights will work. Breakfast is average and always severed in room. This hotel is just opposite to Glenary's. Only thing is that this hotel do not accept cards. Over all we enjoyed a lot.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Club Mahindra Madikeri Coorg; City: Madikeri Kodagu Coorg Karnataka; Review: This was our first visit to any Club Mahindra resort and it does exceed our expectation. This resort is truly beautiful and full of different kinds of plants and birds. Resort management organized different kind of activities throughout the day, so you will never get bore. Most amazing thing is that one gentleman plays violin every morning during breakfast hours and we loved his performance. Staffs are very polite and helpful.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Windsongs; City: Kalimpong Kalimpong District West Bengal; Review: First of all please note that I didn’t get a chance to stay in this property and I am sharing my experience while I tried to book 2 rooms for 30th Sep’16 to 3rd Oct (3 nights). Like every other members of this forum, I always prefer to rely on traveller’s review about hotel/resorts/places of interest. I found Windsongs has very good review and didn’t think twice to go for this hotel. Accordingly I have initiated communication (21st Sep ’16) with Property owner for room availability. After receive positive response on rooms (2 rooms for 3 pax) availability, I have initiated NEFT of 12K as advance booking amount and requested for confirmation. But surprisingly property owner informed me that they cannot provide 2 rooms because 1 room has booked through other channel (probably MakeMyTrip) despite of we received confirmation on 2 rooms availability (22nd Sep’16) and payment of advance booking amount. Property owner suggested me that we can take one extra bed and stay during 30th Sep’16 to 3rd Oct (3 nights). Truly, we dishearten with this situation and decided to cancel our booking. I am wondering how this can be possible in today’s world where thousands of travellers are booking rooms online without facing any difficulties. Property owner can definitely avoid this situation by soft lock of 2 rooms as he has committed to someone during the same period. Honestly, Property owner is very polite and responsive. He has immediately refunded our full advance amount. I am just sharing my experience with other travellers so they can avoid any such circumstances and ensure their booking. Lastly don’t judge on property/service/location by my review comments because my review is only for faulty booking process which needs some improvement.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Retreat; City: Darjeeling Darjeeling District West Bengal; Review: We stayed here for 3 nights and fortunately got glance of Kanchenjunga in every morning between 6AM to 8AM. Best part is you don’t have to rush anywhere to see Kanchenjunga in every morning. Just wake up and check through your window whether Queen is visible or not!!! Accordingly you can take a snap or another nap . Breakfast is moderate and staffs are helpful. But service needs improvement per room tariff.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Eco Hotel El Rey Del Caribe; City: Cancun Yucatan Peninsula; Review: Having been to the hotel zone in Cancun 13 years ago, we were determined to avoid Cancun on our recent 16 day trip to Yucatan and Quintana Roo, but we needed to spend our last night there to make sure we could return our rental car and catch our flight home the next day. We chose Hotel el Rey Del Caribe because it is an eco-hotel, the price is reasonable, and it is downtown-not in the God-awful (to us) hotel zone. If we had known how lovely it was, we would have spent more than 1 night. The courtyard is beautiful with the only pool, out of the 5 places that we stayed, that was warm, hammocks, fountains, tropical gardens, a very unique tree, etc. The rooms have all the modern conveniences - 2 double beds, a/c, tv, kitchenettes, a fruit basket, etc., while still feeling quaint as opposed to sterile. The breakfast was suburb - you get a choice of 12 different breakfasts included in your room price. In the morning, the housekeeping staff gathered around the pool and did yoga for several minutes before starting their day. There is a spa and opportunities for guests to do yoga, too. They advise you on all the ecological sites worth visiting. There are books to borrow in the library. It is in a nice neighborhood and we felt totally safe walking to a French sandwich shop at dusk. If you stay here, take time to peruse the book next to the comment book on the stand to the right of the reception desk-it will explain the many ecological features, complete with photos. I'll just share one-the a/c is operated w/ a key and it is attached to the key to your room and is not be be removed. In that way, every time you leave your room, you must turn your a/c off, therefore conserving energy for when you really need it. We will definitely stay here again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Maison del Embajador; City: Merida Yucatan Peninsula; Review: Hotel Maison Lafitte is conveniently located between the main plaza (the historic district) and Paseo de Montejo. We were able to easily walk to both. It's also across the street from Parque Santa Lucia where they have free traditional dancing on Thursday nights, and where they set up tables and chairs and live musicians and you can order drinks and food every night, as far as we could tell. The free parking lot is small but we were always able to get a spot. The hotel has a business center with free computers/internet, a bar, a restaurant, 2 courtyards, a pool (cold), and a boutique. Our room had two double beds, tv, a/c, toilet, shower, sink, closet with safe (but no key), iron, ironing board, and a minibar with drinks and snacks (for a fee). The courtyards are beautiful with lush tropical vegitation and fountains. The free breakfast was the best free breakfast we had at any of the places we stayed. It was a buffet and had a good selection of fruit, cereal, granola, 3 hot dishes each day, pastries, juices, etc. The clientele seemed to be upper middle class Mexicans, which suited us just fine. We enjoyed staying in a place where we weren't surrounded by other native English speakers. The staff was very friendly and always available.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Quality Inn Suites Casper; City: Casper Wyoming; Review: We thought this was way overpriced for a hotel that doesn't have a pool and has only 3 pieces of equipment in its tiny fitness room. Also, walls were thin and people in the room next door kept us up with their loud talking until 3 am, and then resumed their loud talking at 6:30 am, so we got very little sleep the first night. (The second night of our stay was quiet.) Hot breakfast was nice. We will try a different hotel next time we are in Casper.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Le Square Phillips Hotel Suites; City: Montreal Quebec; Review: This hotel had everything we needed - laundry room (washers and dryers only take loonies and toonies - front desk will make change and sell you laundry detergent), beautiful fitness center, indoor pool, and sun deck. Probably the best free hotel breakfast buffet we have ever had (try the Montreal bagels which are smaller and sweeter, and the juices which tasted like they were fresh-squeezed). Hotel is conveniently located just 1/2 block off St. Catherine's which is a major shopping/festival street, near Vieux Montreal, near the museum district, etc. Front desk gives maps and directions. Concierges are very friendly and helpful.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor s Club; City: Madison Wisconsin; Review: I stayed here with my husband for a romantic weekend. We booked one of the king rooms in the Governor's Club that has a 2 person whirlpool. The staff was very attentive while still respecting our privacy. The room was nicely appointed and had a view of the Capitol. The breakfast in the Governor's Club was nice. We are staying here again in February.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Seagull Bay Motel; City: Bayfield Wisconsin; Review: This is a family run mtel. It is older but our room was clean and reasonably modern. The motel is right on the shore of Lake Superior. Walking trails are just steps away. One of them took us through an old apple orchard. The City of Bayfield is a short walk in the opposite direction from the walking trails. We walked to Maggie's for dinner. Our family of 4 stayed here Labor Day weekend. We would definitely stay here again - mostly for the location and the personableness.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Greunke s First Street Inn; City: Bayfield Wisconsin; Review: The first time I tried to stay here, I arrived with the reservation I had made on the internet, and they had no record of it and were full. However, they called a condo development just outside of town and arranged for me to have a room there. I was disappointed that they didn't have a room for me, but I was very pleased with how they handled it. Since then, I have stayed there several times, though I now call to make my reservation directly with Greunke's instead of relying on the internet. I stay there the night before I depart on kayak trips and it is perfect - cheap, friendly, comfortable. I get a room with a shared bathroom. The bed is a little soft, but the room is clean and well-decorated and the place has a certain charm that is hard to find nowadays.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Brewery Creek Inn; City: Mineral Point Wisconsin; Review: The pictures I saw of our room (room 1) before booking our stay were nice, but they did not do it justice. Given how old the building is, it's amazing how clean and modern the renovations made our room feel, while preserving the quaintness of the stone walls, deep windowsills, etc. No expense was spared. From the carefully planned lighting (everything is on a dimmer and there are cam lights that are aimed at the stone walls to give them a beautiful after-dark glow), to the exceptional linens, to the natural stone tile in the bathroom, everything was top notch! The common room is inviting and the book collection which guests are free to peruse is delightfully eclectic. The two complaints I saw most often in other reviews were 1) Breakfast isn't big enough. We had pastries, lemon velvet cake from the brewpub restaurant, hard-boiled eggs, bananas, yogurt, sourdough bread/toast, and a variety of dry cereal with milk. I thought breakfast was more than plentiful. 2) It's weird having to use the back door when the brewpub/restaurant is closed. Weird? You get to walk right past the brewing room - it's the only time you get to see it - I thought it was wonderful! My husband and I stayed here to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary. We will definitely be back. I'll write about the food/beer in a review of the brewpub/restaurant.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Best Western O Hare Elk Grove Hotel; City: Elk Grove Village Illinois; Review: We had a StayParkTravel reservation at this hotel the night before we flew out of O'Hare for a two week vacation and the night we returned to O'Hare from our vacation, since our return flight didn't get in until 11:43 p.m. During our first night's stay, I told the desk clerk that we would be returning around midnight and she assured me that it would not be a problem and that they would hold our reservation. Well, when we returned to O'Hare, this is what transpired: A Super 8 shuttle picked our family of 4 and another couple up and dropped the other couple off first at the Super 8. The shuttle then dropped us off at the Quality Inn, where the desk clerk (Sam) informed us that they were oversold and that they didn't have a room for us but that they had arranged for our reservation to be transferred to the Super 8 (the same one we had just left - why didn't they just have the shuttle driver drop us off at the Super 8 in the first place)? Sam called the Super 8 to verify that they were still holding our room. He offered to call the shuttle to come back and pick us up and take us to the Super 8. But since our car was at the Quality Inn, we elected to drive ourselves to the Super 8 so that we wouldn't have to return to the Quality Inn the next morning to pick up our car. Sam told the Super 8 that we were on our way. A few minutes later, we arrived at the Super 8 where we were told that that our card had been declined so they had given our room away. (I had been notified just before leaving from vacation by my bank that one of my Visa cards had showed up on a possibly compromised list and that they would be deactivating it and sending me a new card in the mail). I was livid. My husband and I had an Am Ex and 3 other Visas in our wallets plus plenty of cash that we could have paid for the room with. Neither the Quality Inn nor the Super 8 told us that they would be trying to run the deactivated card through or asked us how we wanted to make payment. If they had, we would have explained to them that the card we used to make the reservation had been deactivated, and we would have given them one of our other cards. By now, it was after 1 a.m., and we had awoken at 6 a.m. to drive 5 hours to the airport, then had taken two 3 hour flights to get to O'Hare. Our kids were exhausted and so were we. The Super 8 was unable to direct us to another hotel that had a room. While we were there, another traveler came in and they told him they did not have any rooms. Rather than try to find another hotel on our own, we ended; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: La Playita Resort; City: Playa Venao Pedasi Los Santos Province; Review: We enjoyed a day visit here. You pay $5 per adult, $2 per child to use their beach. The beach is beautiful and safe for swimming. It is sheltered from the waves that make for good surfing at other nearby beaches. There are two palm-covered shelters with hammocks and picnic tables. We were able to have one to ourselves. On the day we were there, there was only one other small group on the beach. However, the resort itself seemed deserted. Other than the caretakers/workmen, no-one else was around, and the only beverage they had available for purchase was beer - no soda, no water, nothing for our kids. Luckily, we had brought our own water bottles. The only food they had was fish. We did not try it, as we had stopped at Playa Venao Resort for lunch before coming to La Playita. If you do want to eat and drink something besides beer here, I would recommend bringing your own cooler. They will charge you for a cooler (we were asked if we had one), but it's only $5 or $10 to bring a cooler in. There were a couple of large yellow "for sale" signs up which made me question whether the resort is even still open for lodging and dining. It could be that we were there in the rainy season so it was semi-closed, or it could be that it is for sale, so it is semi-closed. However, at Playa Venao Resort, which is definitely still open for lodging and dining, there were almost no other customers, either, so I suspect it has more to do with it being the rainy season.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Riande Granada Urban Hotel; City: Panama City Panama Province; Review: We spent 4 nights here and this was one of the most enjoyable hotels we have ever stayed at. The staff is friendly and helpful. The rooms are clean and well-equipped. The location is safe and within walking distance of 2 brewpubs, restaurants with nearly every type of cuisine, an El Rey super market, etc. You have to check out the bathrooms by the pool - they are do cool! A hotel this nice would be $300 or more in the States. A few other reviewers have faulted the staff for not speaking enough English. Really? Panama is a Spanish speaking country. Learn a little Spanish. If the tables were reversed would you expect the American hotel workers in your hometown to speak Spanish to Panamanian visitors? I only speak a little Spanish, but we were able to communicate with the staff just fine.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Country Inn of Two Harbors; City: Two Harbors Minnesota; Review: We stayed here the night before setting out for a 5 day backpacking trip on the Superior Hiking Trail. The front desk staff were extremely friendly and accommodating. For instance, they let us use their breakfast room to sort out all our backpacking gear the afternoon we checked in. We didn't know that they had an 18 hole mini golf course right on the property until we got there. A free voucher was included in our stay. The course is tiny, but challenging. The rooms were clean and had all the usual amenities, including a small fridge. The location was excellent. We walked to Carmody 61 for dinner (a brew pub of sorts - see my separate review), walked to the Shopko to get last minute supplies, and stopped at the McDonald's that is right next to the hotel for ice cream cones for dessert. I would definitely stay here again if I were ever in Two Harbors.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Rodeway Inn; City: Rhinelander Wisconsin; Review: We stayed here for one night. The parking lot is well lit. The exterior of the building is attractive. The check in process went smoothly. The breakfast room is very small and only seats 6 at 3 tables for 2. The breakfast was typical. The breakfast serving area was very congested.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hualapai Lodge; City: Peach Springs Hualapai Reservation Arizona; Review: Stayed here one night. It was nicer than I expected. The outdoor pool and hot tub were a nice treat, but they closed at 9 pm, which seemed early. The gift shop had some nice things at a nice range of prices. The free continental breakfast was average. A train comes through every 15 min. so they give you earplugs at checkin. For those checking out between 4am and 6:30 am, they offer a sack breakfast.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hampton Inn Suites Phoenix Tempe; City: Tempe Arizona; Review: We stayed here 1 night. I chose it because it is across the street from an Avis car rental and because I'm a Hilton Honors member and like the Hilton family hotels. We took the hotel's free shuttle from the airport the night we arrived and then the next morning, I walked across the street and picked up our rental car. We saved about $400 in airport taxes by not picking up our rental car at the airport. The front desk staff was very friendly. The beds were comfy. The breakfast was full and good.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hualapai Lodge; City: Peach Springs Hualapai Reservation Arizona; Review: Our room was large and nicely appointed. A real value for what we paid. The bed and pillow were the most comfortable I have ever slept on. Seriously. I would take them home if I could. The only shortcoming is the train tracks run alongside the wing our room was in, and there were a lot of trains that came by. The front desk told us about the trains and gave us ear plugs, but since we had to wake up at 4:30 am to drive to Hilltop, we were afraid that if we wore the ear plugs, we wouldn't hear our alarm.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Chalet Landhaus; City: New Glarus Wisconsin; Review: My husband and I stayed in one of the double whirlpool rooms for 1 night. The hotel's Swiss chalet exterior is delightful. The interior public spaces (lobby, restaurant, etc.) are cozy and inviting. Our room itself was plain, but the wood ceiling beams and the stenciling above the doorway to the sitting are gave it a vaguely Swiss feel. The whirlpool was big, the mattress was really comfortable, and the sitting area was a nice bonus. I am not a clean freak, but I would score the room 100% for cleanliness. I didn't observe a single hair, crumb, thread, etc. The staff were friendly and both check-in and checkout were quick and efficient. We ate dinner in the restaurant, see my separate review, and the breakfast buffet was included in our stay. My husband and I have pretty eclectic tastes-when staying in a big city, we like an urban, hip boutique hotel where you're served a hand-crafted cocktail at check-in. But keeping in mind that the whole point of going to New Glarus is to soak in the small town, rural, Swiss atmosphere, we thought the Chalet Landhaus was perfect. We are already planning another trip to New Glarus because the brewery was closed, so we want to come back and visit it, and we would stay at Chalet Landhaus again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Yays Zoutkeetsgracht Concierged Boutique Apartments; City: Amsterdam North Holland Province; Review: We had a wonderful 5 night stay at the Yays Zoutkeetsgracht. We booked a large 1 bedroom with a canal view. My husband and I had the bedroom and our 12 and 18 year old kids slept on the sofa bed in the living room. We would definitely recommend this place to friends and would stay here again. Pros: 1. The location was even more convenient than we thought it was going to be. Just a short walk from the Barentszplein bus stop and the Zoutkeetsgracht tram stop. If you stay here and use public transportation, you will get to know bus #48 and tram #3 very well. It's also not too far of a walk from the hotel to Amsterdam Central. We did the walk twice during our stay. You go through some areas that aren't super pedestrian friendly, though, in terms of not having sidewalks, etc., so I recommend taking the public transportation instead. 2. Our unit had a washer/dryer combo right in the unit which was super convenient. We were puzzled that our clothes never seemed to fully dry, though, until a friend who has an "extraction" dryer in the U.S. explained to us that the European washer/dryer combos are not meant to fully dry your clothes. Not a big deal, we just hung them on the bar stools and chairs in the apartment until they were fully dry. 3. We loved the contemporary decor of the unit. The bedroom was huge. The sofa-bed was not a typical crappy U.S. sofa bed - it folded out differently and was much more comfortable. 4. We loved the Nespresso machine. We have a Nespresso machine at home and no longer drink regular coffee. 5. The grocery store we found is a little farther away than we had expected, but we soon learned that it was easy to get to on Tram #3. We bought groceries and made our own breakfasts every day, which kept costs down, kept us from overeating, and helped us get out the door and on with our day more quickly. We also bought groceries to make dinner 2 of the 5 nights we were there. Again, this helped us keep costs down and helped keep us from overeating. The kitchen was adequately equipped. 6. We loved being able to look out the window and see the canal. 7. The towels were good quality and there were plenty of them, which we really appreciated. So many times when travelling with a family of 4 we feel shorted on towels, but not here! Cons: 1. Our refrigerator door wouldn't shut tightly. We reported this to maintenance and to the front desk but it was not fixed while we were there. 2. We were disturbed twice due to the apartment below us leaking - they wanted to see if the leak was coming from our apartment. They were very nice and apologetic about it, and we didn't mind letting them in, but it made me glad that we weren't in the leaking apartment. 3. The only part of our apartment; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Howard Johnson by Wyndham Salem; City: Salem Oregon; Review: We stayed here for 2 nights. We chose this hotel because of its proximity to downtown. The good: Check-in was efficient. The room decor was newer and nice. When we had a problem with our toilet, the front desk responded right away. The a/c worked well. The bed and pillows were comfortable. The room was clean. There's a restaurant nearby that delivers sushi. The bad: We had continuous problems with the toilet, the shower leaked so my son's clothes which were on the floor against the opposite wall got wet, my bed lamp was loose and didn't work at all, my husband's bed lamp was loose. The breakfast was mostly carbs-cereal, waffles, bagels. No yogurt like most hotels offer. The breakfast room was small and crowded. The a/c was loud to the point that it interfered with my sleep. The blankets on the bed were too light-I kept asking my husband to turn the a/c down because I was freezing. Overall, if this hotel fits your budget, it will be okay and I would say go ahead and stay here-just expect a few inconveniences. But I have cancelled my reservation for October and am going to try a different hotel that is a little farther from downtown but gets better reviews.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Fables De La Fontaine (French Edition); Author: Jean De La Fontaine; Review: French speaker, I was looking for this book for years. Jean De La Fontaine is a great Freanch writer. Read him, and you will be wise. This is my literary bible. Thanks Amazon.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Candide (French Edition); Author: Voltaire; Review: Good book to read and reread. I am a french speaker. Thanks amazon for this masterpiece book. I love it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Calculation of Drug Dosages; Author: Sheila J. Ogden RN MSN; Review: Great book. Used as new. Low price. I love it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Complete Book of Numerology; Author: David Phillips; Review: Great book for low price.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 6th Edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Carolyn Jarvis Page; Review: Great book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: LPN to RN Transitions; Author: Lora Claywell MSN RN; Review: It is exactly what I was looking for. So, no complaints.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, 8th Edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Wanda K. Mohr Page; Review: Arrived on time, and as described. Low price for a great book. I recommend.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination (Saunders Comprehensive Review for Nclex-Rn); Author: Linda Anne Silvestri PhD RN; Review: Great book; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing: Theory and Application (Marquis, Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing); Author: Bessie L. Marquis RN CNAA MSN; Review: Great book, and cheap.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Opera Cadet Hotel; City: Paris Ile de France; Review: We stayed at this hotel for 5 nights. I liked the location (near metro, fruit markets, restaurants) beautiful lobby and garden. Most helpful staff and excellent breakfasts. Bedrooms are small, but cozy. Beds are not very comfortable. Bathrooms are fine except for the shower heads but there are dryer lines that are heated and very nice for a quick laundry in your room.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Courtyard Los Angeles Pasadena Old Town; City: Pasadena California; Review: We are Gold Marriott customers and I normally love staying at a Marriott but this is not your ordinary Marriott. We stayed one night, and because of one party there was a 20 minute wait for elevators since one was broken and the rest full. No staff to help, not a clean hotel, noisy rooms (you can hear every neighbor) and loud flushing toilets!! Felt like a cheap motel6.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Westin South Coast Plaza Costa Mesa; City: Costa Mesa California; Review: Friendly staff, clean, fast working staff at the front desk getting you checked in & out, comfortable and large rooms. We came for a wedding party for two nights. All guests were talking about the comfortable beds and clean rooms, and we all stay at very nice hotels! I highly recommend.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Best Western Hotel Le Donjon; City: Carcassonne Center Carcassonne Aude Occitanie; Review: When our travel agent said Best Western I made a face because I thought it will be simple hotel in a beautiful historical city. What we found was a beautiful hotel with the old world charm, great entry with beautiful furniture and art, excellent large rooms and spacious bathrooms (great amenities) and the most helpful staff. The staff speak multiple languages so they were conversing easily with people from all over the world. Location is perfect, since you can walk everywhere (shops, restaurants, landmarks) and get back quickly if needed. I highly recommend.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Plaza Tour Eiffel; City: Paris Ile de France; Review: The hotel is near Eiffel tower so there are lots of restaurants, bus stops, and metro stations close by which makes this hotel a great location for tourist. its not as good as being close to Louvre but still great, Rooms are very small, and its really hard to have two suitcases open and walk around the room. nice modern bathroom and clean rooms. small reception and hallways. breakfast is served downstairs and its quite good. there is a nice gym at that level also. best part of the hotel you ask? The concierge named Daniel ! The man knows Paris and he is very helpful so listen to him! every restaurant and every idea he gave us turned out to be brilliant.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Radisson Blu Hotel Nice; City: Nice French Riviera Cote d Azur Provence Alpes Cote d Azur; Review: A very nice hotel, across the beach, with large comfortable rooms, and very nice clean bathrooms. If you have an ocean view, you will have street noise. Breakfast is very nice with good service. Probably the worst concierge service I have ever seen anywhere in Europe, so don't ask them for help. Ask the locals if you need anything. Taxi service is expensive in Nice (20 Euro to get to a restaurant) so take the city bus (3 Euro) to go to center of the city. The hotel is a 25-30 minute walk from restaurants & shops. Definitely take the bus to go see St. Paul De Vance one day.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Chesterfield Mayfair; City: London England; Review: We stayed here two weeks ago (December 2018) occupying two rooms, for 4 people, The hotel is located in a beautiful neighborhood, close to shops, restaurants, and in a safe upscale area. The staff is super friendly, and always offering assistance. Doorman always offering umbrellas, getting a cab in time, and cheerful. Decor is rich and very English, which is the true charm of the place. Rooms are small with barely enough room to walk around the desk and beds, but you will have adequate space to sleep, hang your clothes, or sit down to put on your shoes. Beds are comfortable. Bathrooms are also small, but clean and updated. Breakfast which is included in the daily rate is good. You can use the buffet or order your own breakfast. If you like to experience the "real feel" of London, try this hotel.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: A Fair of the Heart (Welcome To Redemption Book 1) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Donna Marie Rogers Page; Review: If you enjoy a quick, light, romantic read, then this is the story for you. Ms. Rogers does a wonderful job creating likeable and down-to-earth characters. The story features a single mom and a 'hottie' ex-military man who struggles with the fact he falls so quickly for not only Lauren, but her children as well.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Merry Christmas, Henry - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Aubrey Wynne Page; Review: Merry Christmas Henry is a delightful, well-written story. Henry is the kind and quite type, with more depth than most probably realize. While working at the art museum, Henry becomes obsessed with a woman in a painting. He even goes as far as naming her, and adding a few of his own touches to the painting which unleashes an interesting event, giving Henry just what he needed for Christmas.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Murder Under Construction (Two Sisters and a Journalist Book 1) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Maddie Cochere Page; Review: If you like strange, quirky humor with mystery you'll enjoy this book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Taking Chances (Waiting For Dusk Book 4) eBook; Brand: Visit Amazon's Nancy Pennick Page; Review: Andrew starts his day in quite the predicament as he nearly plunges into the depth of the Grand Canyon. Fortunately, his fingers gripping the edge of the canyon don't fail him and hes able to hold there until his friend rescues him. If not for his strong grip, and the help of his friend, he would not have been afforded the opportunity to meet the lovely waitress, Kate, who immediately stole his heart. This story is a short, cute, peek into the blooming romance of Andrew and Kate.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Murder Is Where the Heart Is (Two Sisters and a Journalist Book 2) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Maddie Cochere Page; Review: Great read! Murder is Where the Heart Is is another fast paced, cute and quirky read by Maddie Cochere. If you like mystery with a touch of humor and romance you'll enjoy this book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Seduction of Lord Stone (Dashing Widows) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Anna Campbell Page; Review: This was a cute story. A quick and easy read with good tension in many of the scenes.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Kindle_Store |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: MBT Women's Sport 2 Walking Shoe; Brand: ; Review: This is my second pair of MBT's my first pair I spent $254 for. So this price point was great.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Portlandia Women's Bounce Ankle-Strap Sandal; Brand: Portlandia; Review: Great shoe love the round shape of the toe bed. I have a narrow foot it is a little wide for me; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Eric Michael Laguna Boot; Brand: Eric Michael; Review: Beautiful boot if you have a narrow foot it's too wide. The size 10/41 ran about a half size too large for my foot.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: FRYE Women's Jillian Chukka Boot; Brand: ; Review: The leather is very soft I have an narrow foot and it fits like a glove.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: MBT Women's Mila Laceup Shoe; Brand: ; Review: Not as much Cushion And support as my MBT sport three sneakers. But the fit is a lot better for my narrow foot.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Minnetonka Women's Chesney Scuff Slipper; Brand: Minnetonka; Review: Love them, have a lot of support; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Moondance; Brand: Van Morrison; Review: one of my favorite albums of all time, VAN THE MAN!!!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Moondance; Brand: Van Morrison; Review: one of my favorite albums of all time, VAN THE MAN!!!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Soundstage Presents: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live; Brand: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers; Review: one of the BEST, concert films EVER!, buy this and rock out, THIS BAND IS A NATIONAL TREASURE!!!!!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sunshine Daydream Veneta, OR, 8/27/72; Brand: Grateful Dead; Review: there's been a lot of crap released since '95, when Jerry lost control of the helm of the" SHIP OF FOOLS", but this is excellent! , I LOVE this!, and would advise on buying it. Craig Trexler Belmont, Ca. 2014; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Croz; Brand: David Crosby; Review: he's 70 something and still making music better than most; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale; Brand: Eric Clapton; Review: I loved JJ, so the rest is history; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: CSNY 1974; Brand: Crosby Stills Nash & Young; Review: Love the sound worth the dough; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hypnotic Eye; Brand: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers; Review: I'm not sure, some times it takes a while, some songs are classic Petty; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Voyager; Brand: Jenny Lewis; Review: I liked her in riloy kiley too girley now; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Inside Story; Brand: Robben Ford; Review: he's better now; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Communique; Brand: Dire Straits; Review: classic; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Grifter's Hymnal; Brand: Ray Wylie Hubbard; Review: great record; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: GarciaLive Volume Five: December 31st, 1975 Keystone Berkeley; Brand: Jerry Garcia; Review: Great recording of great old shows that I saw back in Keystone in the '70's; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Live at Winterland Ballroom; Brand: Paul Butterfield; Review: haven't listened to the whole thing yet but compared to the studio record that they did ( in my top ten of all time) it's just ok; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Glendale Train; Brand: New Riders Of The Purple Sage; Review: waste of money buy the first album it's way better. Jerry's playing is very disappointing bad recording choice of songs sucks; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: SUPER SESSION; Brand: Kooper Bloomfield & Stills; Review: Some is good, some isn't, but if you like this album you will like the separation of instruments; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Child Is Father to the Man; Brand: Blood Sweat & Tears; Review: great sound; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Wish You Were Here; Brand: Pink Floyd; Review: not as good as expected; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Love Over Gold; Brand: Dire Straits; Review: classic sounds great; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!; Brand: The Rolling Stones; Review: ok; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: In Time: The Best Of R.E.M., 1988-2003; Brand: R.E.M.; Review: High quality sound; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: foreverly; Brand: Billie Joe + Norah; Review: I'd rather hear the originals; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: GarciaLive Volume Four: March 22nd, 1978 Veteran's; Brand: Jerry Garcia; Review: it's ok; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hiding/Albert Lee; Brand: Albert Lee; Review: ok; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Take Me to the River 1978-1982; Brand: Levon Helm; Review: 2 great albums; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cheater's Game; Brand: Bruce Robison; Review: great; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Gaucho; Brand: Steely Dan; Review: classic, good deal; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Workingman's Dead; Brand: Grateful Dead; Review: pt 2 god's own music; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: American Beauty; Brand: Grateful Dead; Review: god's own music; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day - The Inside Story; Brand: Led Zeppelin; Review: didn't think I'd like it but wow; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Another Day, Another Time: Celebrating the Music of Inside Llewyn Davis; Brand: Various Artists; Review: great music; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Regrooving The Dream; Brand: Patty Larkin; Review: good album, real good deal; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Old Sock; Brand: Eric Clapton; Review: average at best; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Complicated Game; Brand: James McMurtry; Review: genius; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Terraplane; Brand: Steve Earle; Review: almost perfect; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Second Hand Heart; Brand: Dwight Yoakam; Review: eh; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Ruffian's Misfortune; Brand: Ray Wylie Hubbard; Review: great; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Blue Moon Swamp; Brand: No Doubt; Review: great album; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Blak and Blu; Brand: Gary Clark Jr.; Review: not my cup of tea; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Live at the Troubadour; Brand: Sarah Jarosz; Review: kinda short but still great music; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Build Me Up From Bones; Brand: Sarah Jarosz; Review: great deal; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Eye of Zombie; Brand: John Fogerty; Review: had this on vinyl back in the day, this remaster sounds great; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Buddy And Jim; Brand: Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale; Review: pretty good; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hymns to What Is Left; Brand: Greg Brown; Review: not as good as his earlier stuff but still Greg Brown; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Astral Weeks; Brand: Van Morrison; Review: sound not a whole lot different than my original; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Born To Sing: No Plan B; Brand: Van Morrison; Review: very good album; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Crosseyed Heart; Brand: Keith Richards; Review: not his best effort; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Nashville Obsolete; Brand: Dave Rawlings Machine; Review: pretty good not bad I can't complain; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: King of Electric Blues; Brand: Muddy Waters; Review: It's Muddy, that's all you need to know, good recording with" Champagne and Reefer"; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Action In Frisco; Brand: Little Village; Review: nice piece of history well recorded; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: System: Live At Lion’S Share San Anselmo 1972; Brand: JERRY / SAUNDERS,MERL GARCIA; Review: not very good recording, jerry's voice bad, especially for '72, guitar is good but there's a lot better stuff out there from the 70's; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Very Best of the Rascals; Brand: Rascals; Review: lousy quality sound not remastered; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Donovan's Greatest Hits; Brand: Donovan; Review: really good music and great remastered sound , HURDY GURTY MAN, is perfect with early Led Zep sans Plant playing all instruments; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: I Can't Imagine; Brand: Shelby Lynne; Review: not her best effort; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Santana IV; Brand: Santana; Review: really good not perfect they should try again after all these years; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: American Kid; Brand: Patty Griffin; Review: great album for people our age who had parents from the big one; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Devil Music; Brand: Randall Bramblett; Review: not my cup of tea; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: So Many Roads; Brand: John Hammond; Review: ok nuthin to write home about; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: On the Road; Brand: Traffic; Review: not one of my favorite traffic stops, I love Traffic studio albums; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Live Grape; Brand: Moby Grape; Review: desent live in "78 recording, great guitar ,sax and some nice Cornelius Bumpus vocals too!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Couchville Sessions; Brand: Darrell Scott; Review: I like this a lot, there are some very interesting cuts on here; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Pink Floyd - Pulse VHS; Brand: David Gilmour; Review: VERY GOOD SHOW AND GREAT SOUND! !; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mystery To Me; Brand: Fleetwood Mac; Review: ONE OR TWO SONGD GOOD; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Turn Blue; Brand: The Black Keys; Review: I'm 65 and I like this album a lot; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Surf-N-Burn; Brand: Blue Stingrays; Review: killer surf album by Mike Campbell and other Tom Petty mates Ron Blair and Benmont Tench, not like other surf music , this one doesn't get monotanous; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Beatles: Rubber Soul; Brand: The Beatles; Review: good version of old classic; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: New York Tendaberry; Brand: Laura Nyro; Review: good sound; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: More Than A New Discovery / Laura Nyro; Brand: Laura Nyro; Review: not my bag; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Live At The Boarding House; Brand: Mcguinn,Clark & Hillman; Review: it's ok, I was there so it means more to me; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | amazon_CDs_and_Vinyl |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Desert Bound (Cambio Springs Book 2) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Elizabeth Hunter Page; Review: Elizabeth Hunter is such a fantastic writer. These characters, like those in her other books, are such interesting people. I am left a little lonesome when I finish. The mystery is there, as well, intriguing yet plausible, carefully constructed. Her descriptions of Cambio Springs make me want to vacation there.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: His Every Word (For His Pleasure, Book 11) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Kelly Favor Page; Review: First, the original 10 other stories were a nightmare of typographical and publishing errors. Then, book 10 ends in a cliffhanger. Now, book 11 ends the same way? Unless I'm the sultan and Ms. Favor is Sheherizade, this is no way to earn my respect or interest. Poorly developed storylines and a crummy way to treat readers.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Belmary House Book One - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Cassidy Cayman Page; Review: If you don't have time to write the whole story, have the decency to mention it in the book's description. Cliffhangers are a juvenile effort used by people who are author wannabes.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Relatively Torn; Brand: Visit Amazon's Zoey Long Page; Review: These two characters are yin and yang, fire and water. Their initial 'clash' after her yoga session is interrupted by his noisy jiujitsu match and sparks fly. Derrick and Madison travel a tumultuous path to find themselves and each other, an intense passion-filled path leading to a surprising and satisfying conclusion.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Zane (THE FLAMES OF VAMPIRE PASSION SERIES Book 1) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Elaine Barris Page; Review: I loved the way these two loved each other. His complete and total support of her and her willingness to trust him, especially given her experiences was just awesome. The standard vampire lifestyle was not the emphasis here and that was a refreshing change. Great supporting characters and intriguing storyline. Thank you; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: COME WHEN CALLED: Full-length, Standalone, MMF Bisexual Romance - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Piper Trace Page; Review: The book is well written, the story leaps along. The characters come alive as the story progresses, each one a quirky individual, moving the story along. Such tension, not only in character interaction but in plot resolution. It was steamy hot and definitely a great read. Thank you.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Kindle_Store |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Outback Steakhouse Gift Card; Brand: Outback Steakhouse; Review: Thank you!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Amazon.com Gift Card in a Ornament Tin (Merry Christmas Card Design); Brand: Amazon; Review: Thank you!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Amazon.com Gift Card in a Birthday Cupcake Tin; Brand: Amazon; Review: Thank you! I saved the tin and repurposed it for makeup.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Amazon.com Gift Card in a Santa Smile Tin; Brand: Amazon; Review: Thank you!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Amazon.com Gift Card in a Gift Tag; Brand: Amazon; Review: Thank you!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Gift_Cards |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel; City: Hong Kong; Review: First time in Hong Kong, we got in early 6AM and was greeted very professionally and nicely. Our room view overlooked Victoria Bay above the HK Convention Center. The rooms were nice abit small but may be the standard room size because it is in Hong Kong. Beds were nice and comfortable. The hotel was very conveniently close to a Star Ferry (cheap ride to Kowloon across the bay). We had dinner at the cafe and was decent quality. The staff was wonderful and provided assistance in giving good information in visiting different parts of Hong Kong.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Crowne Plaza Costa Mesa Orange County; City: Costa Mesa California; Review: Stayed during a business trip - nice, clean room and convenient location - nearby the South Coast Plaza! Had a parking fee but was reasonable. Fast checkout with Jorge and Javier. The bed was very comfortable and quiet. Bathroom had plenty of hot water for the shower; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver; City: Vancouver British Columbia; Review: Had a business trip in Vancouver. Stay here due to close location to Pacific Center. Skytrain from airport stops nearby. Room was very nice and spacious. King bed was comfortable. Small shower stall was the only minor issue.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Calgary Downtown; City: Calgary Alberta; Review: Had a business trip in Calgary. Decent hotel - nothing too bad or outstanding. Room is OK but could use a remodeling to freshen up the appearance. Bed was comfortable. Nearby construction and local transit train was the only minus staying here. Had dinner at the hotel restaurant was really busy so dinner was slow (30 mins for a burger!). But was comp by the restaurant for the slow service.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Grand Hyatt New York; City: New York City New York; Review: Had stay here at the Grand Hyatt due to local area convenience. Enjoyed my stay here - nice clean room. Had to extend my stay longer - was an easy process to do so. Lots of things in the area - food and shopping wise.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Crowne Plaza Shanghai Noah Square; City: Shanghai; Review: Was visiting Shanghai after a long gap of several years. Very impressed by the newness, cleanliness and good service. Rooms are spacious, neat and clean. Good sumptuous breakfast. Good value for money; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Garden Hotel Guangzhou; City: Guangzhou Guangdong; Review: I have been staying at this hotel for at least the past 15 + years. I find it the most service friendly and conveniently located Hotel in Guangzhou City. It has a truly classy lobby, good staff, great restaurants and clean and reasonably spacious rooms. Naomi Cen needs of special mention as she has been very helpful in granting extended checkout; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Radisson Blu Hotel GRT Chennai; City: Chennai Madras Chennai District Tamil Nadu; Review: My family and i stayed just one night in this property, on our way back from Sri Lanka. Right from the airport, where we were met by Warren, who actually handed over our room keys before getting into the car, to our driver Babu, to the ushers kumar and Ganesh, to Charles, the housekeeping incharge, to Sandhya, Kalai.......all so very friendly and helpful. Ranjeet at the reception upgraded us for a nominal charge. The Great Kabab factory dinner, the lovely south indian breakfast and filter coffee........what a wonderful feeling for a family who lives abroad, and each visit to Our land reminds us how much India has to offer international tourists. This hotel, though not very big, is an example of how good standards can be set even by people who are so simple in their living. One suggestion is that the great kabab factory could tone down its portions. It will be good for our health and economy😊😊; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ceylon Tea Trails Relais Chateaux; City: Hatton Central Province; Review: Our travel agent recommended this place to us, and booked us in the Dunkeld bungalow. What a magical experience. After spending 3 nights in this place, i would rate this among my list of top 10 destinations, having travelled on a regular basis to around 60 countries. It takes about 5 hours by road from Colombo. We travelled from Sigiriya. The weather was a beautiful 17-21 degrees C, the staff truly dedicated, friendly and professional. As i keep mentioning, my wife is vegetarian. But the hotel went out of their way to assist in providing the best meals. Right from the Chef, to Sanjaya, Kisun, Umesh, the drivers, helpers.....all became like family in these 3 days. Highly recommended for those who wish to do nothing but chill out, enjoy the magnificent views, go for walks and just recharge. Just a word of caution.....do take adequate measures in case you bring the elderly and those who have difficulty in climbing or walking along uneven paths. Other than that, the place is heaven in all respects including cleanliness.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah; City: Ajman Emirate of Ajman; Review: My family and I spent 2 wonderful days and nights at this relatively new Oberoi property in Ajman. A truly delightful experience, right from the time we checked in, to the special attention given to us by almost every member of the staff. The rooms are large, comfortable, clean, with great views of the hotel property and the sea. The pool is a marvel for those who swim. The chefs paid extra attention to the fact that two of us were vegetarian. They even rustled up wonderfully tasty and well made waffles made with eggless batter. At every meal, it was a delight to see chef Vishal and Dhaval mixing with the crowd, attending to their requests. Sunita Mankekar, the manager, was personally around to help. Arjun, Faruza, Shabnam, Aman, Shashank..........and some names I cannot remember.....all were super helpful. For those who wish to have some quiet, quality time with that extra touch of attention........this place deserves a visit; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Oasia Residence Singapore by Far East Hospitality; City: Singapore; Review: My son had to be settled at his university in Singapore. So we needed to be there for a couple of weeks, and wanted to shortlist service apartments closer to his university. After studying the areas we preferred, we decided to finalise on Oasia Residence. We stayed there as a family for three weeks. I must confess that the entire experience was extremely satisfying. The entire team was professional, friendly, helpful at all times. Being a service apartment, dining was restricted to a continental kind of breakfast for just 5 days of the week. But, the food available was healthy and the service friendly. Tea, coffee and juices were avaialable in the lobby right through the day. Security, cleanliness levels, pool, all excellent. Bus shuttle available morning and evening to Clementi Station All in all, a highly recommended destination. Each time we as a family need to visit Singapore for longer durations, we would definitely choose Oasia. I don't recall all names. But the ones I recall, and who were always helpful are Hasrul, Nadra, Nichlas, Nancy Zhang(the manager), Ishwari, Nirani and many others. Always helpful, always smiling.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Lodge 10.5 Inch Square Cast Iron Grill Pan. Pre-seasoned Grill Pan with Easy Grease Draining for Grilling Bacon,; Brand: Lodge; Review: This was a gift.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Old Mountain Pre Seasoned 10108 10 1/2 Inch x 1 3/4 Inch Square Grill Pan with Assist Handle; Brand: Old Mountain; Review: I really like it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Lodge ASHH51 Silicone Hot Handle Holder, Green; Brand: Lodge; Review: Really handy.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Circulon Genesis Aluminum Nonstick 12-Piece Cookware Set, Red; Brand: Circulon; Review: It is a little more light weight than I had thought, but so far I like it. I was not aware it was not dishwasher safe, but that is not a real issue.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Instant Read 8" Stem Thermometer; Brand: MeasuPro; Review: I have not used it yet so I really do not know,, I had to select a star to get the drop down to comment.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Febreze Bissell Style 8 & 14 Replacement Vacuum Filter; Brand: Febreze; Review: Fit was a little tight, but it works and it smells wonderful.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Home_and_Kitchen |
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows:
Title: Celebrity plastic surgery transformations; Abstract: See how stars like Sharon Osbourne, Cardi B, Pauly D, Kim Zolciak-Biermann, Gisele Bundchen, Kanye West and others have altered their looks.; Category: entertainment
Title: Kylie Jenner and her bestie get surgery together, plus more news; Abstract: What kind of surgery did Kylie Jenner and her BFF just get together? Plus, more celebrity news for Oct. 23, 2019.; Category: entertainment
Title: World's largest treehouse burns to the ground; Abstract: The entire structure collapsed in less than 15 minutes; Category: news
Title: Lori Loughlin Is 'Absolutely Terrified' After Being Hit With New Charge; Abstract: Lori Loughlin Is 'Absolutely Terrified' After Being Hit With New Charge; Category: tv
Title: Katie Holmes Looked Incredible in a Black Dress and Sheer Tights in New York City; Abstract: Even in the pouring rain.; Category: lifestyle
Title: Megyn Kelly and Rose McGowan selfie sparks speculation: 'Brainstorming'; Abstract: The newswoman shared a photo of herself taking a selfie with McGowan on Friday. Kelly, who hasn't yet landed anywhere after abruptly leaving NBC last year, has been using her platform as of late to speak out against sexual harassment and non-disclosure agreements.; Category: entertainment
Title: Fox News contributor: 'Most likely' outcome is Trump doesn't run in 2020; Abstract: Fox News contributor Christopher Hahn predicted that President Trump will not run for reelection in 2020.; Category: news
Title: 'Go back to work': Outcry over deaths on Amazon's warehouse floor; Abstract: Billy Foister died last month after a heart attack at work. The incident was just one in a series of recent accidents and fatalities; Category: finance
Title: Miranda Lambert Reveals the Real Reason Behind Her Secret Wedding: 'It's Not for Everybody Else'; Abstract: Miranda Lambert Reveals Why She Secretly Married Brendan McLoughlin; Category: music
Title: Bruce Willis brought Demi Moore to tears after reading her book; Abstract: Demi wasn't sure how her ex would feel about her book until he called her.; Category: movies
Title: Heidi Klum's 2019 Halloween Costume Transformation Is Mind-Blowing But, Like, What Is It?; Abstract: You might say she's scary good at playing dress-up, because Heidi Klum's 2019 Halloween costume is even more impressive than we could have imagined and that's saying a lot, considering transformative Halloween costumes are kind of her thing. But this year Klum took it up one more notch as she shared her metamorphosis into,; Category: lifestyle
Title: Barneys Is Sold for Scrap, Ending an Era; Abstract: Authentic Brands Group will take control of the Barneys name one that has been part of the Manhattan landscape since 1923 and license it to other companies like Saks Fifth Avenue. The firm B. Riley Financial is preparing to liquidate Barneys' high-end wares, at its five stores and two Warehouse locations, starting with private sale events for Barneys' "most loyal" shoppers next week.; Category: finance
Title: Video captures terrifying moment woman slips at Grand Canyon; Abstract: Emily Koford was visiting the national park with her mom when a step backward left her clinging to the rocks.; Category: video
Title: This is Why Your Dog Follows You to the Bathroom; Abstract: Ever get the feeling you're being followed? Then odds are, you've got a dog. As for why your canine companion follows you everywhere you go, read on 'cause we got the scoop!; Category: lifestyle
Title: Kim Kardashian Says She's Gained 18 Pounds Over the Past Year; Abstract: Will Mrs. West have to resist those tasty treats this holiday season? The "KUWTK" star gets candid about gaining weight and is determined to get back to where she was.; Category: tv
Title: Demi Moore Says Her 'Addiction' to Ashton Kutcher Was 'Devastating': 'It Took Me Away Emotionally'; Abstract: Demi Moore Says Her 'Addiction' to Ashton Kutcher Was 'Devastating'; Category: tv
Title: Cause determined in Jessi Combs' fatal speed record crash; Abstract: Occurred at speeds near 550 mph; Category: autos
Title: Prince Charles Hit by One of the Most Incredible Art Hoaxes in Royal History; Abstract: Prince Charles Hit by Art Hoax; Category: lifestyle
Title: Ian Ziering's Wife Erin Ludwig Files for Divorce Days After Split Announcement; Abstract: Ian Ziering's Wife Erin Ludwig Files for Divorce; Category: tv
Title: Kendall Jenner Wore the Tiniest Dress to Go Jewelry Shopping; Abstract: No fall layers to see here.; Category: lifestyle
Title: 37 Years After His Wife Is Found Dead with an Ax in Her Skull, Husband Is Arrested; Abstract: 37 Years After His Wife Is Found Dead with Ax in Her Skull, Husband Is Arrested; Category: news | mind |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: How Did I Get Here?; Author: Visit Amazon's Ahmad Aleem Williams Page; Review: the book was very real to why a man would cheat. I will rate the book A. I needed to read more. What happen after the two women are in the kitchen.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Nobody's Perfect (Rescue Me, Vol. 3) (Rescue Me Saga); Author: Visit Amazon's Kallypso Masters Page; Review: This story has touch my heart in so many ways, the abuse that so many women endure in their lives included myself. I cried about her pain and my own. Just cannot find a knight ha ha. But I enjoy this stories and give me hope that the world can be alright. :). Going to read the next wonder story.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Church Boyz II: When Things Go Wrong / My Last Cry; Author: Mr. H H Fowler; Review: Book one , two and three was excellent. The book keep you in suspense and you can not put the book down. I was sick and I read both book in two days. It is a must have in your library collection.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Keyshia and Cashmere: A Jersey Hood Love Story; Author: Visit Amazon's Karma Monae Page; Review: The book is good. Gets my attention but I do not like continue stories without more book to finish.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Medical Terminology For Dummies; Author: Visit Amazon's Beverley Henderson Page; Review: Love the medical terminology book the step by step is great; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows:
Title: Shaquille O'Neal donates home to family of Atlanta boy paralyzed in shooting; Abstract: Shaquille O'Neal heard Isaiah Payton couldn't go home after he was paralyzed from the chest down. So Shaq donated an accessible house to his family.; Category: sports
Title: Subtle Signs You May Have Clogged Arteries; Abstract: These surprising clues can point to clogged arteries and underlying heart disease.; Category: health
Title: TV Hosts Celebrate Halloween 2019 With Spooktacular Costumes; Abstract: ; Category: tv
Title: Au revoir to daylight saving time, but not a goodbye; Abstract: Au revoir to daylight saving time, but not goodbye. At 2 a.m. local time Sunday, standard time returns across most of the United States, accompanied by the welcome one-night extra hour of sleep. With the time shift, it'll be lighter earlier in the morning and darker earlier in the evening. Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and most of Arizona don't observe daylight saving time. No need to change...; Category: news
Title: Luka Doncic injures head in collision with Dwight Howard; Abstract: Doncic entered the game averaging 25 points per contest this season. He had a triple-double in the game.; Category: sports
Title: Meghan McCain confronts Trump Jr.: 'You and your family have hurt a lot of people'; Abstract: Donald Trump Jr., the president's son, defended his family after "View" co-host Meghan McCain suggested they were responsible for the lack of "character" in American politics.; Category: news
Title: Missing college student's parents meet with mother of Natalee Holloway; Abstract: Investigators did not call the man a suspect, but said they wanted to identify him and speak with him in connection to Aniah Blanchard's disappearance.; Category: news
Title: Christopher Dennis Dies: 'Hollywood Superman' And Frequent 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Guest Was 52; Abstract: Hollywood Boulevard is in mourning for a lost superhero following the death of the man known as Hollywood Superman, who frequented the Walk of Fame tourist attraction.; Category: entertainment
Title: Kevin Hart Steps Out for Date Night With Wife Amid Recovery From Car Accident; Abstract: Kevin Hart is in better spirits following the violent car crash that left him hospitalized in September. Last night, he was spotted out with his wife for date night in Los Angeles.; Category: movies | mind |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Betsy and the Great World/Betsy's Wedding; Author: Visit Amazon's Maud Hart Lovelace Page; Review: I read Laura Ingalls Wilder and Anne of Green Gables, and loved both, but it was Betsy Ray who really stole my heart! I read each of the "high school and beyond" books over and over when I was in high school, and continued to read them into college and beyond. Betsy's life resonated with me -- from her concern over her social status to her love of writing; her house as a haven for other teenagers to her guilt over times she was not true to herself. I used her a role model -- sometimes of what not to do! (Procrastinate! Neglect what gives you joy, even if it isn't "popular." Keep your feelings hidden -- you'll end up at the most important dance of the year with the wrong boy!) I learned that decisions have consequences, and that it was worthwhile to think things through a bit. The fact she "lived" so many decades before me didn't matter -- human nature doesn't change that much, and setting limits with boys, seriously considering basic faith beliefs, neglecting schoolwork, and gathering with friends for all kinds of good times (dancing, sledding, talking, plotting, ...) -- are issues that ring true at any time period! I liked that she was a "typical teenager," with problems and silliness and fun times and worry and heartbreak and joy. I especially liked that Betsy was always, always available. She was a comfort read, she was a steady friend during the sometimes trying times of adolescence, and it was -- and is -- always wonderful to open the pages and walk into the Rays' house again. (Could you pass me a muffin? Oh, and some fudge!) In this two-volume set, Betsy leaves Deep Valley and finally explores The Great World -- then she returns home, to her first two years of marriage. I can honestly say, as someone who teaches Marriage courses in college, that the description of Betsy's marriage is one of the best I have ever read -- it is true to what happens as two people learn to live together, to make adjustments, to consider another person's feelings (sometimes even before your own). It does not paint marriage as "happily ever after" -- it shows that marriage takes work. I was fortunate to know that from my own parents, but not everyone is, so I recommend "Betsy's Wedding" to anyone considering getting married, no matter how in love they may be. (And if you like reading about Betsy, make sure you read "Emily of Deep Valley" -- my personal favorite! -- and "Carney's House Party," too!); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Betsy Was a Junior/Betsy and Joe; Author: Visit Amazon's Maud Hart Lovelace Page; Review: I read Laura Ingalls Wilder and Anne of Green Gables, and loved both, but it was Betsy Ray who really stole my heart! I read each of the "high school and beyond" books over and over when I was in high school, and continued to read them into college and beyond. Betsy's life resonated with me -- from her concern over her social status to her love of writing; her house as a haven for other teenagers to her guilt over times she was not true to herself. I used her a role model -- sometimes of what not to do! (Procrastinate! Neglect what gives you joy, even if it isn't "popular." Keep your feelings hidden -- you'll end up at the most important dance of the year with the wrong boy!) I learned that decisions have consequences, and that it was worthwhile to think things through a bit. The fact she "lived" so many decades before me didn't matter -- human nature doesn't change that much, and setting limits with boys, seriously considering basic faith beliefs, neglecting schoolwork, and gathering with friends for all kinds of good times (dancing, sledding, talking, plotting, ...) -- are issues that ring true at any time period! I liked that she was a "typical teenager," with problems and silliness and fun times and worry and heartbreak and joy. I especially liked that Betsy was always, always available. She was a comfort read, she was a steady friend during the sometimes trying times of adolescence, and it was -- and is -- always wonderful to open the pages and walk into the Rays' house again. (Could you pass me a muffin? Oh, and some fudge!) (And if you like reading about Betsy, make sure you read "Emily of Deep Valley" -- my personal favorite! -- and "Carney's House Party," too!); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Heaven to Betsy/Betsy in Spite of Herself; Author: Visit Amazon's Maud Hart Lovelace Page; Review: I read Laura Ingalls Wilder and Anne of Green Gables, and loved both, but it was Betsy Ray who really stole my heart! I read each of the "high school and beyond" books over and over when I was in high school, and continued to read them into college and beyond. Betsy's life resonated with me -- from her concern over her social status to her love of writing; her house as a haven for other teenagers to her guilt over times she was not true to herself. I used her a role model -- sometimes of what not to do! (Procrastinate! Neglect what gives you joy, even if it isn't "popular." Keep your feelings hidden -- you'll end up at the most important dance of the year with the wrong boy!) I learned that decisions have consequences, and that it was worthwhile to think things through a bit. The fact she "lived" so many decades before me didn't matter -- human nature doesn't change that much, and setting limits with boys, seriously considering basic faith beliefs, neglecting schoolwork, and gathering with friends for all kinds of good times (dancing, sledding, talking, plotting, ...) -- are issues that ring true at any time period! I liked that she was a "typical teenager," with problems and silliness and fun times and worry and heartbreak and joy. I especially liked that Betsy was always, always available. She was a comfort read, she was a steady friend during the sometimes trying times of adolescence, and it was -- and is -- always wonderful to open the pages and walk into the Rays' house again. (Could you pass me a muffin? Oh, and some fudge!) (And if you like reading about Betsy, make sure you read "Emily of Deep Valley" -- my personal favorite! -- and "Carney's House Party," too!); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Father's Angels; Author: John Steven Waldron; Review: This is an excellent account of multiple areas of contemporary interest -- gay parenting, adoption, immigration, what it means to be a FAMILY, the importance of reliable and instrumental help for working parents wanting the best for their children. John's story keeps you engrossed through all the twists and turns. I recommend it highly for personal reading, as well as in appropriate Sociology, Family Studies, and related courses.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Choices in Relationships: Introduction to Marriage and the Family; Author: Visit Amazon's David Knox Page; Review: I ordered an exam copy of this book for a class I teach in Courtship and Marriage. On page 2 (the first page of text), it says "The federal government regards marriage as a legal relationship that binds a couple together for the reproduction, physical care, and socialization of children." Really? That's how the federal government defines marriage? Even before the repeal of DOMA? It doesn't (and didn't) regard people marrying in their 60s and over as married? Or those who do (or did) not plan to have children? Or those younger couples who are (or were) infertile? My initial overview of the book found it to be engaging and well laid-out, but when I have to question the authors' credibility on the VERY FIRST PAGE, I obviously cannot use this book in my course. (There are other errors, too, that reflect a conservative religious bias.); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Forcing the Spring: Inside the Fight for Marriage Equality; Author: Visit Amazon's Jo Becker Page; Review: There was QUITE a bit going on about gay marriage in the 1990s and earlier 2000s (and even some seeds of ideas in the 1980s). I like the reviewer who says it's like writing about WW2 and starting with Normandy. Normandy didn't just happen because Churchill woke up on June 1st and said "Let's invade France next week!" The gay marriage movement also took a LONG time, with LOTS of other people involved. Credit cannot be given to a tiny few, late in the game. And, let us not forget that gay rights are still not a done deal (not that civil rights for African Americans are, either).; Rating: 1.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: The Fight: A Secret Service Agent's Inside Account of Security Failings and the Political Machine; Author: Visit Amazon's Dan Bongino Page; Review: Dan, thank you for writing this book. I encourage everyone to take a small fraction of your time and read this book. Better days can and will be ahead for our country but only if true patriot leaders lead the way, like Dan Bongino. Stay in the fight, Dan; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Navy SEAL Training: Self-Confidence; Author: Visit Amazon's David Rutherford Page; Review: Great book by a great patriot. I highly recommend everyone looking to personally or professionally grow to pick this book up and read it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ghosts of War: A Pike Logan Thriller; Author: Visit Amazon's Brad Taylor Page; Review: Brad Taylor knows firsthand what he is writing about. Great action and suspense on every page, will keep you turning and not wanting it to end.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Crisis of Character: A White House Secret Service Officer Discloses His Firsthand Experience with Hillary,; Author: Visit Amazon's Gary J. Byrne Page; Review: Great book highly recommend. People need to know the quality of their character.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ring of Fire (A Pike Logan Thriller); Author: Visit Amazon's Brad Taylor Page; Review: Brad Taylor is one of the best in the game, his personal resume speaks for itself. I highly recommend reading every Pike Logan book in the series.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Inns Of Banff; City: Banff Banff National Park Alberta; Review: The hotel is serviceable and has parking (not covered). 4 of us headed to banff for a weekend and got a discounted rate using out SUTP coupon and on Sunday the two that didn't want to ski got some free passes to the hot springs that are near town. It is not near the centre of town - we walked to dinner which was OK since it was only -5 but we cabbed it home as we were exhausted. The hot tubs at the hotel are nice and big - roof top also so you can admire the view before it gets dark. Because it is open for all guests there's rules about drinks in the hot tub so bring your 'adult' beverages in a coffee cup or travel mug. Some small ish towels are provided and there are lockers for your stuff nearby. I'm not a big fan of hot tubs at hotels but this one was OK. The rooms are OK too, clean but for sure needing updates. Not bad for $99/night.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Cerritos Surf Town; City: El Pescadero Baja California; Review: First off: Bring a flashlight or headlamp and binoculars! The whales (grey whales and the odd Humpback) are so close, binoculars would have made a huge difference. The grass in front of the bungalows is very uneven and not lit up so when walking around at night after a few cervezas it could be hazardous. A few things we found lacking: 1) Hotel booklet says drinking water provided - it was not; 2) When we checked in there were no towels or tea towels in our room - we had to remind them and then eventually pick them up ourselves a few hours later; 3) No plug for kitchen sink making doing dishes difficult; 4) Kitchen quite poorly equipped (1 large plate, only knives were butter knives etc. We bought a small paring knife and dish bowl then left them behind); 5) No dresser or wardrobe to put clothes in so live out of suitcase all week; 6) no safe in room, but apparently not required. 7) Wifi is only usable near the office, it only worked one day we were there. As everyone has said, the location is amazing!!! You can't beat it. We were in a studio bungalow right next door to construction (#5). They start at 6 am and go on most nights until at least 6 pm, sometimes as late as 8 pm, every day except sunday. We could not use our hammock and felt uncomfortable on our patio so spent a large part of our time at the pool. I didn't have ear plugs so I was awake every day at 6 am. We complained and despite another bungalow staying empty all week were never offered to be moved - we asked twice. Giovani (manager) is awfully nice but has no solutions when problems occur. Water went out a few times a day; was out all day sunday when the water pump cratered. Power went out a few times a day. No biggie really, I think expected when you are remote like this. A neighboring hotel was without power from Sunday to Wednesday!! The food at the restaurant was great, but we only ever ate dinner there. Had a small bar fridge in our room so did our own breakfast and lunch (bought food on the way up in Cabo at the Chedraui). Lots of great small places nearby to eat for much cheaper (not the beach club though - very expensive) you just have to adventure around a bit. Pool is unheated but we swam in it everyday, about same temp as ocean which should be no problem for any other Canadians! Be sure to turn the left dial on the hot tub up so the heats turns on. After 8pm it no longer heats up and the pool water filters through it so they get cold. We were not happy being in Bungalow #5 and woken up at all hours but we are still considering buying another groupon and heading back next year! I think no matter what bungalow you are in you will hear; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Lions Campground; City: Red Deer Alberta; Review: I have not camped at this site and can only speak to my experience using their dumping station. I have used their sani dump regularly over the past three years and have found it to be in steadily declining condition and the prices always going up. Used to be $4 in 2010, last year $5, this year $6. The condition of the sani dump is very poor. The metal collar where your sewer hose connects has gaps between it and the concrete pad and as a result the material (use your imagination) from the 'black tank' sprays out between the two!!!! So disgusting and unhygienic - should not be charging for such poor quality stuff. The road is worn also and as a result where you park to dump is sloped AWAY from the dump. You can never get your tanks fully empty. I usually end up having to put 2x8's under the far tires to at least get my trailer to sit level.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Tropical Inn; City: North Battleford Saskatchewan; Review: Stayed here for work, is a busy place for sure. Lots of working folk. The rooms are extremely out dated and show a lot of wear and tear i.e. wrecked carpet, damaged and repaired tub surround, decades of silicone on top of each other etc. The bed was comfy and clean but only a double, not queen which was ok as I was on my own. Central location on highway is great. Its close to fast food places and the Smitty's has good service. I was in room 135 which is a long walk from front office. Rooms are in a square but you can only get to front office by one route. Pretty dumb.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Executive Suites Hotel Conference Centre Metro Vancouver; City: Burnaby British Columbia; Review: This place is near Gilmore sky train station which makes it handy. There's also a grocery store about a block away to grab breakfast items etc. There were ants in my room so I kept my food things in the fridge. I did tell reception I saw some ants and they said they could move me if I saw more. I saw two every day I was there. They didn't bother me but not great to see. The rooms are a little dated and worn but beds were clean and comfy. It would be handy if they provided a channel listing for the cable, I couldn't find a schedule channel so endless surfing ensues.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Anchorage Guest House; City: Berwick upon Tweed Northumberland England; Review: A friend and I recently spent 4 nights with Sandra and Ian. We stayed in a few B&B's during a 3.5 week stay in England, Scotland and Ireland - "The Anchorage" was the nicest by far. They are both so knowledgeable about the area that you'll not run out of things to do and see! There is lots going on in this little community and some great pubs and restaurants also. Very friendly people who just want you to love Berwick as much as they do :) We had a twin room with very comfortable beds. The bathroom is well stocked and has a great shower. Everything was up to par here and I'd recommend it and stay again for sure. The location is close to the centre of town, an easy walk to the train station if your luggage isn't too big and close to where the busses that go to Alnwick, Lindisfarne and other nearby villages stop. You won't be disappointed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Imperial College Accommodation Prince s Gardens; City: London England; Review: The location can't be beaten! Close to the central Tubes, Covent Garden, Leicester square etc. Not the comfiest bed I ever slept on, but I did sleep so that's OK. The included breakfast was enough to last us the day and they didn't mind if you grabbed a second coffee. They're sticklers for time though and there's no getting breakfast or checking in 30 seconds early. Student Union bar gets busy and noisy some nights but our room was on the backside from the square so didn't bother us.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Quality Hotel Conference Centre; City: Abbotsford British Columbia; Review: I'm staying here for two weeks on a work assignment. Second night I asked to move to a king room as there wasn't room between two queens to do my yoga. They had me moved across the hall to a large king quite the same night. Very accommodating and front desk always helpful. Parking can get pretty busy being a conference centre too. Pool and Hot tub were not working when I arrived but have since been fixed and are lovely. Gym doesn't have much for free weights but two OK treadmills and 2 spin bikes. No cups for the water cooler though so bring your own. Beds are decent, pillows aren't the best. Wifi is good, continental breakfast is OK - waffles are good, coffee is the pits. Convenient location to the highway with grocery stores, Tim's, sushi place, hair salon etc. all nearby. They have microwaves if you ask, apparently. Provision of some real cutlery would be nice.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: St Andrews Motor Inn; City: Saint Andrews New Brunswick; Review: We stayed here for two nights on a fall tour of Eastern NB (mid-October). We managed to catch one night of the Indulge festival which was fun and brought a real party atmosphere to the town. The negatives: This hotel was OK. Not many towels - two medium sized ones for 2 people. Very little hanging space to dry them. Bathroom is super tiny for such a large room - sink is separate from toilet/tub. Rooms are dated, carpet is super worn out and stained. Linens and towels were clean and fresh. Door lock is a cheap regular type door lock that unlocks itself every time you go in or out of the room - you have to physically re-lock it every time you leave or return to the room. No temperature control in the room - it was too hot all the time - we left the porch door open most of the time we were in the room to try and cool it off. Room 306 is right across from the vending machines and storage room where cleaning staff store their supplies and do laundry. Both result in a lot of noise and the sounds of people talking and laughing very early in the morning. Walls, doors and floors are paper thin so we heard everything from the floor above, below and all around us. Small notes about all sorts of odd things (shower curtain, toilet overflows etc.) stuck on the walls were random and unusual. Hotel is currently for sale so I doubt any upgrades coming anytime soon. This place is greatly in need of some TLC but overall for location it is tough to beat. Price is high for what it is, but in relation to others in the area it is reasonable. Indoor pool still not open... The Positives: Location is fantastic! Right on the ocean so every room has an amazing view. Also right on the main drag just a short walk to the center of everything happening on Water Street. Bed was very comfortable. We upgraded to the King suite and had a lovely little sun porch addition which we used quite a bit and a small deck overlooking the bay. The sun porch was ideal for late October sunny days. The Wifi was great and we were able to watch shows on Netflix with no problems - TV only has 1 channel. Staff were polite and unimposing.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Captains Inn; City: Alma Albert County New Brunswick; Review: After a long day on the road it was nice to come to this centrally located Inn and not have to drive any further. Restaurants all nearby as are grocery and convenience store and liquor store. (All next door on either side in fact!) An easy walk around town and you'll get everything you need. The room was comfortable, a decent size, lots of hot water and warm. Breakfast was lovely and served quickly with plenty of coffee. Terry is friendly, knowledgeable (great recommendation for Harborview restaurant) and welcoming. I'd highly recommend staying here and will do so again if I'm ever lucky enough to be in the area.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Quality Inn Suites; City: Yorkton Saskatchewan; Review: I have stayed here twice (each stay about 5 days) in the last couple of months for business travel. Location is good, rooms are usually clean, fitness center has good equipment (with some very poor grammar on all of the signs), breakfast is sufficient and parking is free. Lots of working folks staying here so the breakfast room gets quite busy around 7:30-8am. Can get noisy in the morning with everyone leaving. Last time I went there were crumbs on the floor between the beds upon checkin. They didn't get vacuumed up all week... Not my crackers!; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Coast Swift Current Hotel; City: Swift Current Saskatchewan; Review: I usually stay at the holiday inn next door but switched to Coast as their workout room is better. It has room to do stuff not using the machines and has a decent selection of weight. Some if it is looking a little tired, but all totally adequate. Rooms are nice and clean, staff are friendly and onsite restaurant is decent (Smileys). Pretty limited menu but speedy and fresh. I will return.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Holiday Inn Express Hotel Suites Swift Current; City: Swift Current Saskatchewan; Review: I've stayed here several times for work but lately have been trying other places. Staff are always courteous and rooms are decent. Elevator is slow but the stairs are always convenient! I do not like the massive amounts of disposable dishes and cutlery and cups for breakfast. I am conscious of my waste and that is not easy whem on the road. The workout room is tiny with only 3 machines and 1 is often broken. There is little to no room to do your own workout so usually I ended up trying to do my no equipment exercise or yoga between beds or in my room somehow. I have found a hotel with actual dishes for breakfast and a nice big workout room with free weights and everything! Thanks Holiday Inn for the good sleeps.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Wilderness: A Short Work Tie-In to Innocence; Author: Visit Amazon's Dean Koontz Page; Review: I just love the way Dean Koontz writes and I could tell that this was a prelude to something more. I can't wait for the book and have put it on my Christmas List.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Doing Hard Time (A Stone Barrington Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Stuart Woods Page; Review: I really enjoy all the Stone Barrington books and I enjoyed this one also, although it seemed a little rushed.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Whole Enchilada: A Novel of Suspense (Goldy Schulz); Author: Visit Amazon's Diane Mott Davidson Page; Review: I have read all of Diane Mott Davidson's series and thoroughly enjoyed each one. Great characters and very interesting stories.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Solomon's Throne; Author: Visit Amazon's Jennings Wright Page; Review: This was the first time I read Jennings Wright. I enjoyed the story, felt it was well written and will look for other books by this author.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Malice; Author: Visit Amazon's Robert K. Tanenbaum Page; Review: this book was very exciting and kept you on the edge of your seat throughout.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Excavation; Author: Visit Amazon's James Rollins Page; Review: I recently discovered James Rollins and Just love his take on events in his books. This book was very, very good and an interesting concept.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: When We Were Gods: A Novel of Cleopatra; Author: Visit Amazon's Colin Falconer Page; Review: I just discovered Colin Falconer and am enjoying his books. In fact I am now reading "Harem" by him. I am fascinated by Egypt and found "Cleopatra" fascinating and it held my interest all the way through.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Abandon; Author: Visit Amazon's Blake Crouch Page; Review: Really enjoyed this book. Had never read Blake Crouch before but have since read several of his books and enjoyed each one. I would reccomend him.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Harem; Author: Visit Amazon's Colin Falconer Page; Review: Just finished this book and really enjoyed it. This is the second one of his books I have read. Very interesting and a good read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Someone You Know: A Lucy Black Thriller (Lucy Black Thrillers); Author: Visit Amazon's Brian McGilloway Page; Review: This is the second book I've read by Brian McGilloway and like his writing style. I will read more from him.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: A Secret Woman: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Rose Solari Page; Review: I found this book to be somewhat disjointed and confusing at times.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Little Girl Lost: A Lucy Black Thriller (Lucy Black Thrillers); Author: Visit Amazon's Brian McGilloway Page; Review: I recently discovered Brian McGilloway and really liked this book. Lucy Black is a heroine that is very human but smart and engaging at the same time. Will read more of Brian McGilloway's books.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Platte River Waltz, Orphans in the Storm; Author: Visit Amazon's Ken Consaul Page; Review: Liked this book, in fact have ordered the second installment.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Platte River Waltz, The Growler Brigade; Author: Visit Amazon's Ken Consaul Page; Review: I very much enjoyed this series and am anxiously awaiting the next installment. Good characters and story line.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Play Dead; Author: Visit Amazon's Leslie O'Kane Page; Review: Light, enjoyable reading. If you are looking for something light but keeps you guessing this is the book for you.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Run; Author: Visit Amazon's Blake Crouch Page; Review: I am an avid reader and have numerous favorite authors. I have added Blake Crouch to that category. I have read many of his books and have enjoyed all of them. He has an interesting take on the future. His "Pine" series is gripping and "Run" was very "on the edge of your seat" good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Deep Fathom; Author: Visit Amazon's James Rollins Page; Review: This is one of the best books I have read in quite some time. I have read quite a few of James Rollin's books and have greatly enjoyed each one but I think this was one of my favorites. I would highly reccomend James Rollins and especially "Deep Fathom".; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Amazonia; Author: Visit Amazon's James Rollins Page; Review: James Rollins is my newest favorite author. His stories capture your attention and do not let go. They are very believable and thoroughly entertaining. I would highly recommend them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dark Visions (Sarah Roberts Thriller); Author: Visit Amazon's Jonas Saul Page; Review: I just discovered Jonas Saul's Sarah Roberts series. I found this first book to be completely entertaining and I can say that I have never read a book about an "automatic writer" before. I is quite a long series and I just started the third book in the series and just ordered books 4,5 and 6.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Last Kiss Goodbye: A Novel (Dr. Charlotte Stone); Author: Visit Amazon's Karen Robards Page; Review: I am an avid reader and just can hardly stop a book before the end, always feeling that it will get better. I did stop this one. I just really did not like it at all and couldn't see wasting my time.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: River God; Author: Wilbur A. Smith; Review: This is the first book I have read by this author and I enjoyed it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Grounded (Out of the Box) (Volume 4); Author: Visit Amazon's Robert J. Crane Page; Review: I am really enjoying this series and and am eagerly awaiting #5 and 6 in the series. When I finish the "Box" series I am going to check out the other series he writes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: River God, a Novel Of Ancient Egypt; Author: Visit Amazon's Wilbur Smith Page; Review: This is the first book I have read by this author and I enjoyed it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Little Book of Butts; Author: Visit Amazon's Dian Hanson Page; Review: bought this for my husband and he likes it. It shows pictures of "behinds" over the years with a history of of the art of this photography.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane; Author: Visit Amazon's Katherine Howe Page; Review: I actually stopped reading this book. Didin't like it. Too slow; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Fix-It and Forget-It Big Cookbook: 1400 Best Slow Cooker Recipes!; Author: Phyllis Good; Review: great book in excellent condition. Many great slow cooker recipes. I would highly recommend this book for anyone, especially the working person.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Light of the Fireflies; Author: Visit Amazon's Paul Pen Page; Review: interesting concept. Held my interest all the way through but the ending was kind of anticlimactic. Character development was confusing at times.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Sandford Arms; City: Appleby in Westmorland Eden District Lake District Cumbria England; Review: My Wife and I wanted a relaxing stay to celebrate my birthday, that's just what we got !!! The room was nice and clean, the bathroom was shall we say "a lot larger and nicer than some we have come across", clean, plenty of extras, a choice of a bath or shower, which came in nicely after our day out walking in the nature reserve. Food was plenty-full, tasty and cooked well (the Sanford burger was sooo tasty) best I have eaten in a long while (not that I am a burger person mind). A big thank you and well done to Stephen, Nicola, Ellie and family for making our stay so nice and relaxing. Creaky boards and wooden beams only added to the charm of this (I believe to be an 18th century) converted Farm House and barn. We stayed on a 2 night groupon deal, well worth the full price never mind the deal !!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Leapark Hotel; City: Grangemouth Falkirk District Scotland; Review: We went on a visit it see Edinburgh Tattoo on Monday 18th August 2014 and stayed the night in this very well established hotel. Everything from arrival to departure went as smooth as silk, the room was spacious, clean with a very comfortable king size bed, bathroom a nice size and clean. The restaurant served very tasty food with plenty of choices on an evening. service good, and the self-service breakfast ample, with plenty to choose from. All I can say is well done to every one for the enjoyable stay and service we received. Just for info this hotel is about 30 to 40 mins drive from Edinburgh but well placed for a very enjoyable stay.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Abisko Mountain Lodge; City: Abisko Norrbotten County; Review: My wife and I stayed at this mountain retreat in March 2015 for 3 nights. We had one of their Superior rooms (no 21) this accommodation was one of the best we have stayed in, plenty of room with two arm chairs, 3 drawer unit, double wardrobe, very large double bed, nice sized bathroom with shower and under floor heating, all this and only a short distance from the Lodge. It was snowing when we arrived, snowing whilst we stayed and snowing when we left soooooo magical. All the staff where very helpful and friendly, but we have to say a big thank you to "Sis" and her dog called "little monkey" who could not do enough to make our stay perfect. This Lodge, which by the way dose not advertise its self as a hotel would beat many so called hotels in the uk for location, friendliness, comfort and food of a very high standard (perfect). It is only 30 or so K's from the Norwegian border so a day trip is very easily achievable. Just some quick information on Sweden, it is quite expensive to visit as food and drinks can be a bit on the high side, but well worth it for the ambiance and experience of this fantastic country especially in winter to view the Aurora Borealis (commonly known as the northern lights) of which we are told that you have a 95% chance of seeing this magical light show in Abisko. Over three nights we had two shows, one can't complain about that. I do hope that my review helps someone choose the right place to stay in northern Sweden.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: ICEHOTEL; City: Jukkasjarvi Kiruna Norrbotten County; Review: We both stayed here in March 2015 as part of our winter holiday experience for two nights One night in an Art Suite and one night in a warm cabin (Magical) The Ice Hotel has been going for 25 years, being reborn every year as a totally new venture in November, the ice melts back into the Torne River at the end of April. Their are 18 Art Suite's to choose from, we had the one titled "Forest Fairy" (no 317) and these stay at a constant -5c during the day/night however cold the outside gets. Each one as unique as the Hotel itself. Expensive to stay, eat and be merry, but well worth it for the experience alone. Remember its one of those (tick the box's experiences) more of a novelty but very interesting.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Kings Arms Hotel; City: Temple Sowerby Penrith Eden District Lake District Cumbria Engla; Review: We stayed here as a couple in May 2015 for a well earned 2 night break on a Groupon deal with breakfast and packed lunch. This delightful establishment consisted of a well stocked bar, comfortable rooms and dinning room. You can eat in either the bar side or the main restaurant serving food from bar snacks to full 3 course meals (good portions) on an average price for Cumbria. The room was clean, the bed comfortable, and towels smelled fresh (only down side we found that the rooms on the front are a little noisy from about 07:00 as on the main road) but as the bed was nice and comfortable it wasn't too much of a problem. Tea & coffee making facilities always welcome along with bottled water (still & sparkling) and plenty of hot water in the bathroom (takes a little while to come through tho). Second day we went on a nice walk along the river (7 miles) and we where provided with a packed lunch as part of the deal. (Just as a note Penrith is only a 15 to 20 min drive away) depending on traffic !!! All in all, a nice restful time with very friendly staff, good food and drink, made this trip most enjoyable. Thank You; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Nent Hall Country House Hotel; City: Alston Cumbria England; Review: My wife and I stayed here on a Groupon deal for two nights bed and breakfast. All the staff we had the pleasure to converse with where both pleasant and polite (could not do enough for you) that helped in making our stay a very present one. What you must take into consideration that this hotel is old, originally built in 1731 as a country home, with various extensions added over the years. We stayed in the newest east wing with all the rooms on the ground floor, our room had (no wifi as must be just out of range being the last one), a very comfortable four poster bed, tea and coffee making facilities, colour flat screen TV with DVD player, all in all, very nice. All the rooms (breakfast, lounge, bar area and bedrooms seemed to be kept clean and tidy) these areas look a bit out dated and tired but goes with the hotels age. The area surrounding is rural so not too many places near to eat, we had both nights meals in the bar area as main restaurant only seems to be open on the weekends, we enjoyed the food served in the bar area as you can reserve a table for a time that suits (within reason) service can be a little slow, but the food is cooked from fresh so worth the slight wait, the wolf was a very nice pint of ale along with the cloudy draft cider. All in all, polite staff, comfortable accommodation, good food, in a nice location. "Thank You" for a very enjoyable stay.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Iso Syote; City: Iso Syote Lapland; Review: My wife and I stayed here in Feb/March 2016 in a log cabin. So much has been said about this location in previous reviews, I can confirm that it is a magical snow covered location nearly at the top of the fells, nice people, good food, knowledgeable guides, enjoyable safaris, and a week's stay not long enough. 😃; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Villagg Tal Fanal; City: Ghasri Island of Gozo; Review: Firstly I would like to point out that it's a bit out of the way, but on the bus route !!! and to get the full benefit you do need to hire a car, but then again to see the island at your own pace (as and when) you do need to drive (it's the same as home they drive on the left) The rustic masionets with either one bedroom or the slightly bigger two bedroom ones are basic but clean and a very good base to start from, all rooms have ceiling fans Located in the middle of the complex you will find a very nice swimming pool and plenty of sun beds to go around, oh and a very fast free wifi to boot, which is available around the complex not just your accommodation. A general store with all your needs is around a 15/20 min walk, but if have transport go down to Victoria and you will find the only Lidle on the island, good shopping, good price and plenty to choose from.The island of Gozo is only small around 14km long by 7.25km wide and filled with nature, countryside, beaches, culture, history and activities i.e. Scuba diving etc. You can see most of the main attractions via the open top buses that regularly run around the island, I do believe it's around €20 for a days travel on these hop on - hop off modes of transport and around €21 for a full weeks travel on the normal buses if you happen to be on a tight budget. We enjoyed our 10 night stay; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Nellim Wilderness Hotel; City: Nellim Lapland; Review: This hotel is in the middle of the wilderness, but don't let that put you off as every thing you need for your adventures from equipment, cold weather clothing and super guides are provided for you. The accommodation was rustic but very comfortable and clean, the food good and plentyfull with buffet style service but lots to choose from, the service attentive and I must thank Mika (hope I got the name right) and her hotel team for looking after us. Everything from airport transfers to trips were arranged without fuss and all ran like clockwork. In fact you don't have to worry about anything (makes a nice change) in fact all you need to do is Enjoy the experience and its so nice to get all that clean fresh air. I would like to mention two super guides Jonny and Emmi who worked so hard to make our trips sooo enjoyable 😁 Just one more thing, if you can, try the Aurora bubbles as this experience will be fantastic and unforgettable especially if the lights come out to play. 😀 Hope for clear Skies and good northern light and you will be amazed !!!!!! Note: read my review on northern lights for photo tips 👍 To all the staff at Nellim Thank you so much (kiitos paljon); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Magnolia Resort; City: Katelios Cephalonia Ionian Islands; Review: This hotel is a very good standard for Greece as not sure if its in line with other European resorts 4 stars but for Greece this is good. From arrival, 10 nights b&b to departure, only one thing to complain about and that was the sun beds which are uncomfortable due to a supporting bar that fits not so nicely in your back (design fault ??) Hotel is Adults only, rooms very nice, room bed comfortable, plenty of room to sunbath, staff from the front desk, restaurant, bar and cleaning are very friendly, which I think makes a good holiday that bit better. We never tried the hotels meals (apart from breakfast which were the same items daily) but gave you a good start to the day. The hotel is only a 15 min walk to the majority of the resort restaurants (2 are only 5 min away) all we tried where very good. Thank you all at Magnolia for a most enjoyable and restful stay.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Old Mill Bed Breakfast; City: Yarm Stockton on Tees England; Review: This review is one that I feel to be correct as to my experience. All I can say to my fellow reviewers that have had a bad experience at this B&B is you must have been very unlucky. I feel that you must do a bit of investigating before booking any accommodation!!!!! Upon arrival we found that the receptionists was very helpful, the room was around the back of the windmill (room 2) nice clean spacious room with a large tv, kettle and coffee/tea/milk/sugar for two. Bathroom ample size for two normal persons, shower nice and plenty hot water. Extras available like tweezers, nail file etc, all they ask if you use them please make a donation (to me that's fair) and a nice touch if you have forgotten them. Can't please everyone tho!!!! The bed was comfortable, pillows nice and only complaint was the early morning lightness (room gets too light too early) lol. Continental Breakfast ample as we are not big eaters so can't comment on the full English, good brew tho. One for Zoe, health and safety - shower doors not connected properly, so might fall off at some point, but we where carefully using them as that didn't make our stay any less enjoyable. Sorry I didn't mention it to you, forgot 🤗 Thanks to you all for making our stay enjoyable and we would come back for a second stay. 😁😁; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Haley s Hotel and Restaurant; City: Headingley Leeds West Yorkshire England; Review: Stayed at this hotel as convenient to my daughter who I was visiting. Lovely hotel, very cosy and welcoming. Has parking at the hotel which I've noticed is not readily available in the city centre hotels. Staff were very helpful and polite. I was upgraded to a double room. Bathroom was a good size and very clean with toiletries available. The shower was lovely, no problems with water pressure. Bed was very comfortable. It was very clean and facilities were excellent with tea/coffee, hairdryer, iron and ironing board (if you needed any of these, but nice to have the choice). I didn't eat at the restaurant in the hotel but it was fairly busy and looked nice. I paid £44.50 for the room and that is a good rate after checking out some of the hotels on various sites in Leeds. Would definitely stay in this hotel again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Wroxall Abbey Hotel Estate; City: Warwick Warwickshire England; Review: Stayed at this hotel on midweek break. Staff all very lovely and helpful. Very welcoming. Room was large but cosy. Made use of the pool/sauna/steam room and jacuzzi and we had it all to ourselves. The food was lovely although not much choice for vegetarians. We had such an amazing sociable time in the bar in the evenings, bar staff were friendly and Phil the night porter was very entertaining. They all made our stay so lovely and would recommend this hotel.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Amathus Beach Hotel Rhodes; City: Rhodes Town Rhodes Dodecanese South Aegean; Review: Stayed at this hotel from the 12th to the 19th October. We found the hotel staff very welcoming and helpful during our stay. It was the week where the hotel was hit by the tornado and bad storm. The hotel was very organised and before long were sorting out the aftermath of trees on cars, pool equipment (sunbeds, parasols, mud and foliage) in the pools, power lines down and recovered reasonably quickly. This was a first at the hotel as this had never happened before so well done them in being organised in the clean up job. We went all inclusive and the restaurant and bar areas were lovely with efficient staff. It was nice that you didn't have the ID bracelets and signed for drinks and meals. It would be nice if you had a selection of drinks in the fridge in your room as it does stipulate you were not allowed to fetch food or drinks into the hotel to be consumed in the rooms. Coffee and tea making facilities would have been nice in the room too. Selection of fruit in room on arrival was a nice touch. Wifi in the hotel is free but unreliable and cuts out unless you are outside or near the windows in your room. Stayed in room 924 which was a decent room but only housed a shower and not a bath. It was fine and I was too tired to explain I would prefer a room with a bath so we stayed put. I'm sure if I had mentioned it to the staff they would have accommodated us as we had no problems with them. Beds were comfortable. We ventured to Rhodes town which was lovely and if you like to shop this was the place for you but most of the shops had similar goods of handbags, tee shirts and tacky souveniers . There is a bus stop in front of the hotel, however there was a bus strike on and a few buses went passed us packed like a London tube! It is easier to get a taxi there which was 8 euros so you could share a taxi. Bus tickets were available at the hotel shop. It was the weather that affected our enjoyment but that is beyond the control of the hotel and they coped admirably with this situation. It is a lovely hotel but a good 4 star rather than a five star.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bosworth Hall Hotel Spa; City: Market Bosworth Leicestershire England; Review: Booked this break via a discounted website. The grounds to this hotel are very impressive but they cannot afford to rely on this alone. Entered the hotel whereby reception appeared very tired with worn carpets and dreary decor. There was one member of staff on reception so had to wait to book in. Prompt booking in and directed to room. The hotel was extremely busy with lots of people around reception and pool area. Room was on lower ground, extremely small for a twin room. Minute bathroom. Water pressure in the shower was very good. This is the only positive thing I can say to describe the room. No ventilation as couldn't open window (screwed shut). The whole place is in great need of refurbishment. The restaurant in the evening was also very busy. Booked for 20.30 and got in at 21.15. It is a carvery and food left was not appetising. Staff tried their best and were polite and lovely but they were lacking in numbers and run ragged. To be fair it was half term therefore not the ideal time to book a peaceful break but facilities were lacking. Breakfast was running way behind and supposed to end approximately 09.30, there were 36 people still waiting to go in so we decided to book out early. What said it all was when we said we were checking out even with another night to stay, the receptionist never asked us why and just said thank you for the keys. Not impressed and very disappointed. Will not be going again.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Playa Pesquero Resort Suite SPA; City: Rafael Freyre Holguin Province Cuba; Review: I visited this resort in September 2015 with my friend. We had an amazing time there for a week and wish we had booked for two weeks. The beach was so perfect, white sand and turquoise sea, so relaxing. Went on the pedaloes and the catamaran, but it was swimming in the sea which was so great. The room was very clean, a bit dated but we wanted for nothing. Maid service was excellent and we had a few problems initially with trying to figure out the tv and broken shower head but they were resolved almost immediately after we phoned reception. Food was reasonable but my friend was vegetarian so it was a bit limited and she got a bit fed up of blue cheese on toast for breakfast and fries for other meals. We booked a trip to Holguin with a local taxi driver (in a classic American car) via the holiday rep, this was amazing value and was personal as he took us to local places including the Hill of the Cross where the Pope blessed the city. We wanted to go to Havana but were unable to go due to the Pope trip. It was a totally relaxing holiday and the entertainment was good as there were several choices of events on, we just followed the music. A couple of the bands were really good and the swimming/dance troupe were excellent doing routines to Michael Jackson soundtracks. We would defintely go again for longer and hopefully make Havana this time.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: H10 Marina Barcelona Hotel; City: Barcelona Catalonia; Review: We stayed in this hotel last week for three nights. It was very clean. Good size twin room. It is outside the city and near the Olympic village. Taxis are available outside the hotel and not too expensive if traveling locally. Staff were polite, helpful and friendly. The breakfast was an excellent inclusive, sets you up for the day. We didn't have time to make use of the hotel facilities but they looked good. We went for a brief taster of Barcelona and it went far too quickly. Lovely hotel if you don't mind a good walk into the main part of the city or have a car. Would recommend this hotel.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: SENTIDO Bilyana Beach; City: Nessebar Burgas Province; Review: I went to this hotel the first week in July with my friend. We were very impressed with the room. Very clean and comfortable, overlooking the beach (side sea view). The restaurant was excellent with plenty of choice and there was fruit everywhere where you just help yourself. The pool bar was great for the afternoon snack with the most delicious pizza, it was very popular and was gone after five minutes of putting it out!! The beach was lovely and we had nice walks and the sunbeds and parasols were free. There was no need to reserve although we noticed a few towels put out by a few guests. The bars were great as you could just help yourself to soft drinks and coffees which were lovely. We had a walk into the town of Nesebar which was just up the road about 15 mins leisurely walk, but plenty of benches along the way if you needed to sit down as my friend has a dodgy hip. Lots of nice souvenier shops. I couldn't fault this hotel as it wasn't huge and the facilities were great. The indoor pool is a good size where you could have a decent swim and we joined in the aquarobics with the animation team and had a good workout. I highly recommend this hotel for the good customer service we experienced and food excellent. We're hoping to go back next year.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Best Western Kilima Hotel; City: York North Yorkshire England; Review: Lovely hotel. Bit of a trek into town if you’re not good on your feet but decent if you’ve okay. Room was very comfortable, not a great view from window (next door ‘s bins) but wasn’t staying there for that. Fantastic breakfast that set you up for the day. Lovely staff. My only criticism would be on checking out they then stated parking was £10 extra as we didn’t book with them direct. This should’ve been made explicit when checking in then you’re aware. There is a car park at the rear of the hotel. I didn’t mind paying but you should be up front about it and not say on your way out. Not good practice but this is my opinion. Otherwise clean, tidy and friendly hotel and staff. Would recommend.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hallmark Hotel Chester The Queen; City: Chester Cheshire England; Review: We stayed a few nights in this hotel. The room was very comfortable, complete with a four poster bed. There is a small lift provided or you can use the grand staircase. It has several sitting rooms downstairs and places to eat. We had breakfast there which was self service with lots of choice. Great start to the day. It is opposite the railway station so very convenient by train. There is parking but you have to pay extra for this and from what the receptionist said it does get filled up quite quickly. This is situated in the car park at the side of the hotel. There is a drop off area directly at the front of the hotel. The inside of the hotel was very impressive from the chandelier in reception to the huge exhibits on the landings. Lots of pictures of the royal family due to it being the Queen hotel. It was more impressive than the museum in Chester!! Very enjoyable stay. Highly recommend this hotel.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: FM Living The Atrium; City: Liverpool Merseyside England; Review: Had booked this accommodation a few days in advance and it was lovely. Location was great, room clean and comfortable. However we had a slight problem with the room key. We were given the key code for the outside door and room 34. Followed the instructions but the box was empty. As we had come in about 14.30 we assumed we were too early and the room was not ready. We came back about 17.00 and there were still no keys. We rang the telephone number we were given and were told we were in room 32. All our details were for the other room. The lady who was there was lovely and gave us the keys to get in. She was due to go home and we were lucky she was around otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to get into the room having paid for it. I don’t think anyone else as had this problem looking at previous reviews. I thought I would mention it as if someone gets there very late with the same problem you would be stuck with no room as no one is on site. The place is a good location and nicely furnished and this was our only issue.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Infidel; Author: Ayaan Hirsi Ali; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction; Review: Soooo good and such a good first-hand look into Islam and many of the misunderstandings Westerners have about this varied religion and accompanying culture.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Choke; Author: Chuck Palahniuk; Genres: thriller, crime, mystery, fiction; Review: Didn't like it as much as I liked Fight Club.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Skinny Dip; Author: Carl Hiaasen; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: Not an intellectual book but an awesome beach read :); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance; Author: Barack Obama; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction; Review: He's a better speaker than a writer--took me FOREVER to forge my way through it but it's a very interesting biography given where he's come from and where he is now; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Love You Forever; Author: Robert Munsch; Genres: poetry, children, young-adult, fiction; Review: This was my favorite book when I was little. I actually incorporated it into a few gifts for my mommmy. So cute.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Skinny Bitch; Author: Rory Freedman; Genres: non-fiction; Review: Basically tells you what you already know..fat and sugar bad, veggies good...but in a mean way.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Unbearable Lightness of Being; Author: Milan Kundera; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I really want to know who insisted I read this. I feel like everyone talks about this book and it was interesting at first but the last like 3/4 of the book is really cold sex and suicide talk. Fun, right?! Oh, plus awkward occasional sidebars from the author. I really struggled to finish it and feel like overall it tries to take metaphors and symbolism so far that it loses what makes a compelling plot line.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Alchemist; Author: Paulo Coelho; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: I'm a sucker for anything Paulo Coelho and it kind of reminded me of a grown-up "The Little Prince" (which is another one of my favorites) so obviously I love this. Overall good message that things happen for a reason and to pursue your dreams plus just an interesting read!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Interpreter of Maladies; Author: Jhumpa Lahiri; Genres: fiction; Review: This book was so engrossing I didn't want it to end--that said it's a super quick read. It just reminds you that there are so many different kinds of love--love for your parents, love for your friends, love for a lover--and so many different shades and degrees of love within those types. I think my favorite story is the one about an elderly landlady and her tenant who sits with her each night. It just reminded me that even though it's super trite and cliche little things go a long way and even small degrees of love or caring and kindness can mean a lot for some people.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1); Author: Stieg Larsson; Genres: thriller, crime, mystery, fiction; Review: Pulls you right in...very interesting and makes me want to go to Sweden, not just for the hot blondes ;); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: One Hundred Years of Solitude; Author: Gabriel Garcia Marquez; Genres: history, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Cien anos de soledad...oh Spanish six! Seriously refer to the family tree at the beginning and consider never naming one of your own kids after yourself as everyone in this book has the same name!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins, #1); Author: P.L. Travers; Genres: history, young-adult, children, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: She's a lot meaner in the book. But as a former nanny I totally identify!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: A Short History of Nearly Everything; Author: Bill Bryson; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Ok so this book is AMAZING but at times arduous. It's just a lot to think about/read all at once. And you have to remember everything he's said because he references previous people/theories/events. I know this makes me sound like an idiot but when you pick up and put down a book over the course of months (what? I AM BUSY) it really makes you wish you had a better memory. That said, not as dense or unattainable as a book like this easily could be and so, so interesting. Sad note: in this book (or at least the version I read, maybe it's been updated) Pluto is still a planet. RIP Pluto's planetary status, RIP.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Ethical Slut: A Guide to Infinite Sexual Possibilities; Author: Dossie Easton; Genres: non-fiction, romance; Review: I get the point of the book but it's a little too liberal for me.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Stumbling on Happiness; Author: Daniel Todd Gilbert; Genres: non-fiction; Review: Really interesting book on why we remember things the way we do, how we imagine our world, and how our past experiences limit the way we can imagine our futures and live our lives today. Also really funny/snarky.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Relentless; Author: Dean Koontz; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Not even a good beach read. Seriously, it involves a teleporting dog. Remind me why this guy is a best-selling author?; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide; Author: Nicholas D. Kristof; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: Really interesting read with lots of good organizations and stories. Horrifying statistics but hopeful, nonetheless.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: A Lion Among Men (The Wicked Years, #3); Author: Gregory Maguire; Genres: paranormal, young-adult, fantasy, fiction; Review: Normally I love Gregory Maguire but this was a bit of a disappointment. It's really hard to like the cowardly Lion, who is so cowardly, and that might have been a huge part of it. Still really interesting but not anywhere near the caliber of the books with Elphaba.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The House of Mirth; Author: Edith Wharton; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I really expected to hate this book, or at the very best have it be very slow and boring, but found it to be really interesting and fast-paced. Even though Wharton published it in 1905 I found it to be very true to life for me now. Not to get all women's lib on you but it totally describes the trouble that women continue to have today trying to exist on our own in what is still very much a man's world.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close; Author: Jonathan Safran Foer; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: A.mazing book. Truly moving but also really interesting and edifying. Thanks for recommending it, Brenda!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Then We Came to the End; Author: Joshua Ferris; Genres: fiction; Review: I may never come to the end of this book. Whining about hating one's job and feeling empty and bitching about co-workers is just not my cup of tea. There's so much great literature out there and I had such high hopes after having this book recommended but I just can't justify wasting any more time reading it.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The White Tiger; Author: Aravind Adiga; Genres: thriller, crime, mystery, fiction; Review: Really interesting perspective of India, social classes, and what you have to do to "make it" that I think could apply to many societies. It's always a bit difficult for me to read a book where you don't LIKE the protagonist (he scratches his balls, says what men might really think about women, and is overall a vulgar and somewhat dishonorable man) but somehow you end up rooting for him all the same. He does many small things to redeem himself and the whole book is written as though to the Premier of China which is oh-so-apropo right now. I'd recommend it but I wouldn't say it's a "fun" read.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Say You're One of Them; Author: Uwem Akpan; Genres: history, children, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: A series of short stories that are sometimes difficult to read both because the author writes in local slang but because of the nature of the stories. All are told from the perspective of children which makes them more heartbreaking to read. Interesting read but not cheery in any way, shape, or form.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bittersweet (California Historical Series, #2); Author: Cathy Marie Hake; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I wanted to gouge my eyes out but it was free AND I'm hard-up for books here in Ecuador. I'm also KIND OF a sucker for period pieces so I thought it might be interesting and the puritan values kind of were especially since we give the Muslims such shit for their treatment of women but our own history is remarkably similar. Anyway a good beach read, I guess, but predictable.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Confessions of an Economic Hit Man; Author: John Perkins; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, comics, crime, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Especially because he focuses on Ecuador and Ecuadorian history and ties a lot of American economic and political policies together and reminded me of American history pieces I had forgotten (attacking Panama and covering up the civilian casualties in 1989 renigging on our promises and treaties because we wanted to oust our OWN puppet, Noriega, anyone?) I find the author's writing style a bit amautre (his emotional depth rivals a rock) but the actual facts, statistics, and history are incredibly interesting.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: How to Be Single; Author: Liz Tuccillo; Genres: non-fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Didn't realize until about halfway through why I liked the concept but not the implementation of this book and it's because it's by one of the co-authors of "He's Just Not That Into You." Still interesting perspectives on what it means for a woman to be single in today's society throughout the world but still a bit...preachy. I don't know why just her writing style gives me the icks and makes me want to yell at her that there isn't one single solution and she should stop being so judgy.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Witch Doctor's Wife (Amanda Brown #1); Author: Tamar Myers; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: Good beach read/interesting personal stories about Africa; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Of Love and Shadows; Author: Isabel Allende; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Allende is incredible at mixing the reality of a harsh dictatorship (although she never actually calls Pinochet out by name) and love, social class, and other human issues. It's a bit sad but somehow kind of hopeful.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Girl Who Played with Fire (Millennium, #2); Author: Stieg Larsson; Genres: thriller, crime, mystery, fiction; Review: An excellent addition to "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" -- I couldn't put it down.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (Millennium, #3); Author: Stieg Larsson; Genres: thriller, crime, mystery, fiction; Review: Still really really amazing but somehow didn't live up to the first two books greatness.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Let the Great World Spin; Author: Colum McCann; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: This book was a little hard to get into. Really slow. Some interesting stories in it but overall just kind of meh for me.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society; Author: Mary Ann Shaffer; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: A really interesting perspective on WWII by those who were cut off completely from the UK and the mainland. I also really liked that it was written in the form of disparate letters to give you many perspectives and voices.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: How Did You Get This Number; Author: Sloane Crosley; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Ahhhhh I so wanted to love this book and I think some of the stuff is still really funny but nowhere near the level of "I Was Told There Would Be Cake." Still a fun quick read, though.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Lover's Dictionary; Author: David Levithan; Genres: young-adult, poetry, non-fiction, romance, fiction; Review: It's like that Hugh Grant line in "Love, Actually." When you're in love, or recovering from love, it is actually all around. Every single thing around you, every word in the dictionary tells a story. This one brought up some great GRE review for me as well as telling a tale of anxious first dates, smitten puppy-love, betrayal, and everything in between. I'm a nerd and love words so this is basically my dream come true.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Unhooked: How Young Women Pursue Sex, Delay Love, and Lose at Both; Author: Laura Sessions Stepp; Genres: non-fiction; Review: This was recommended to me by a friend who said it explained her whole life and views on men and why dating in our culture is such a struggle for her and I went into it really wanting to like it, but, meh? I think the author took a lot of liberties with presenting her own opinions as facts or well-documented research or "studies." She rarely quotes the studies she references and often uses "quotes" from high school and college-age kids (circa 2004 so I actually was in college and remember the phraseology) that clearly were not said by a teenager. Things like "dry sexing"--which varies greatly from what she meant which is "dry humping." She gets kind of judgy about the hookup culture and while I agree that there are some messed up things I just felt like the whole thing could have been done without her on her on high telling us it all goes back to daddy issues.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Alice in Wonderland; Author: Jane Carruth; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: So I almost never say this about a book but I think I actually liked the movie better? This may be due to my unnecessary love for the Cheshire Cat (who is little featured in the book) but for the most part Disney stuck to the book, cutting out a few poems here and there but overall I thought they stayed true to the storyline and characters and even gave them a bit more pizazz. It's hard, though, if you have seen the movie, to read this book and not picture it. Still worth reading, still charming, and I thought it was very child-like and appropriate and not the drug-fueled hallucination I was anticipating.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Is Inequality Bad For Our Health?; Author: Norman Daniels; Genres: non-fiction; Review: Interesting viewpoints (and counterview points) on healthcare in the US (and a bit of comparison to England, Costa Rica, Denmark, etc.) and both what it says and what it means for the nation's poor and societal growth as a whole. Obviously it's an academic non-fiction book. That said it's still a little bit dry. I personally find the topic fascinating and think it could be spiced up to be both academic AND interesting.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: A Framework for Understanding Poverty; Author: Ruby K. Payne; Genres: non-fiction; Review: I think anyone who works with disadvantaged youth or wants to understand youth culture in this country should read this book. Obviously it doesn't explain every individual case of poverty and children and Ruby Payne makes some blanket statements about the poor but that's why it's just "the framework" for understanding poverty. I'm a pretty quick reader but I got through it in a couple of hours--really easy to read and intelligible.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun; Author: Gretchen Rubin; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: I liked the premise and the idea that the author immediately applied her research to her own life, but she just ends up coming across as an entitled person I couldn't identify with. Many of her anecdotes seemed braggy to me, and I get genuinely sorry for her husband, who she only told stories of being mean to. I couldn't finish it--I only got through month 4--so maybe it gets better. I don't know. Maybe if I was married with kids it would resonate more.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: When You Are Engulfed in Flames; Author: David Sedaris; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Maybe it's because "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim" slayed me and I may have peed just a little at "Me Talk Pretty One Day" but I had high high expectations here. In this book, more than the others, he comes across as a whiney boyfriend who refuses to learn French while living in France and it's just...hard to identify with him when his complaints are so...trivial? I don't know I just couldn't crack up at most of the stories and I really wanted to. A decent beach read if the cover doesn't scare away your friends, it's still chuckle-inducing but if you haven't read his other stuff go there first.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Tomten; Author: Astrid Lindgren; Genres: young-adult, children, poetry, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: One of my favorite holiday books as a kid. The Scandanavians might be to blame for my love for our homies, the gnomies.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Can You Get Hooked on Lip Balm?: Top Cosmetic Scientists Answer Your Questions about the Lotions, Potions and Other Beauty Products You Use Every Day; Author: Perry Romanowski; Genres: non-fiction, young-adult, fiction; Review: Full disclosure: I won this in a first reads contest, AM addicted to lip balm, and was really excited to get it. I got it expecting it to be more of a chemistry of beauty products and it was...kind of. I consider myself a really fast reader and it took me forever to plow through this. It has some science thrown in there but in a really dry way and often they just list products to use without really explaining how things work. Maybe I'm not the fasionista/beauty queen this book was targeting but I think we all know that expensive doesn't necessarily = better and that seems to be the message of every single chapter. That said I really liked that they listed both ingredients and brand names to use. It's a good reference to have if you're in the market for a particular product or have a specific question.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Amor; Author: Paulo Coelho; Genres: non-fiction, poetry, fiction; Review: This is just a series of quotes from different books. In my opinion it's an excellent way to practice some Spanish, a healthy outlook on love, and it makes me want to read the books the quotes come from. The art work is gorgeous as well :).; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1); Author: Suzanne Collins; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Ah-mazing. I don't usually give 5 stars but I couldn't put this book down. So engaging from the first sentence and if you want to read into the parallels to our society and human nature it's easy to do. If you just want to enjoy yourself and cheer on the scrappy underdog you can do that, too! Love.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America; Author: Paul Tough; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: I really wanted to like this book: I find The Harlem Children's Zone and Mr. Canada so intriguing. There are a LOT of great facts, statistics, and history packed into the book. I kind of got the impression that the author didn't care for Canada himself, however. Like actively disliked him didn't care for him. It was really hard to read-all those facts and history and statistics could not have been written in a more dry, impersonal, or boring manner. He also ties it up without letting you know how it all turned out or how it's going now. Not in a cliff-hanging, call to action kind of way. It's like he bored himself out of finishing the book. That said if you're doing a research paper it's fact based and accurate.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Tickle His Pickle!: Your Hands-On Guide to Penis Pleasing; Author: Sadie Allison; Genres: non-fiction, romance; Review: This book came highly, highly, highly recommended. Not the kind f thing I would normally pick up but I mean it's the kind of thing every girl (or boy) should get better at, right? Some of it was ridiculous (stash some panties in his briefcase for a treat!--ew. Pretty sure that's creepy stalker territory, am I wrong? Are we doing this now? Is that sexy and romantic?) some gross (a how-to guide on ball shaving) but it's a quick read and I got a couple of good ideas.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Bossypants; Author: Tina Fey; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: "Sometimes it's like a fun sociology litmus test...My whole life, people who ask about my scar within one week of knowing me have invariably turned out to be egomaniacs of average intelligence or less." P.8. And that's when I fell in love. Because we all probably have that one thing that is our own litmus for people and she just put it so succinctly and beautifully and dear god the whole book is just hilarious. WARNING: Do not read it in a public place people will hear you cackling and think you're a crazy person. This book is a quick read but absolutely necessary. I often felt like Tina was talking directly to me (there's literally a sentence that goes, "...which is why you bought this book, or borrowed it from that woman at the office..." AND I DID. I BORROWED IT FROM SOMEONE. HOW DID SHE KNOW? She is the wise and great Tina Fey and I want to grow up to be just like her. Is it the next great American novel? No. Did it make me laugh in a way "Ulysses" never will? Yes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2); Author: Suzanne Collins; Genres: young-adult, romance, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I started reading this last night and couldn't put it down. I'm already sad there are only 3 books in the series!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Room; Author: Emma Donoghue; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: I could not put this book down. Although the premise seems really depressing the author somehow captures exactly how a child thinks and acts and what they say. It was incredibly interesting, especially with recent current events and interviews of released hostages of child abductions. Although the mom's story must be interesting, too, I think the child's perspective really captures this story well.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Don't Breathe a Word; Author: Jennifer McMahon; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I...I don't even. This book was dark, sometimes haunting, and without giving away the ending left me with a true and deep sense of WTF. The book started strong and somewhere in the middle just got incredibly muddled. You lose a sense of who knows what and who is lying and about what and, honestly, which character is even which. I don't know if I'd recommend the WHOLE book, but definitely the first half; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Angel Burn (Angel Trilogy, #1); Author: L.A. Weatherly; Genres: young-adult, romance, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Ok this is a long review. I really liked the book but felt like it had SO much potential and fell just a little short. This book should be made into a show on the CW. It's edgy, angsty teens go on an action packed adventure fighting their demons and some real-live angels-you can just picture the gorgeous actors brooding at the camera. Throughout the book I kept picturing it as a movie or tv show. The narrative style is different from anything I've ever read and sometimes it takes a few sentences to figure out if Willow, Alex, Jonas, or some third person narrator is talking. It would work on tv. I'm interested to read the next two books-maybe the loose ends are tied up and the transitions get a bit more smooth. Also maybe grabbing a native Spanish speaker for the translations. Just little mistakes like se realista doesn't mean what the author meant which was seas realista. When Willow asks Alex to teach her Spanish i wanted to yell, "no!" My only other critique is that allll the Angels come to the US and mainly Denver, Colorado? Really? No one wanted to try out Italy? Canada? And as a native of Denver there are some HUGE mistakes. I double dog dare you to find a Victorian house in LoDo. But it's a small thing that only bothers natives I'm sure. If you're looking for a fun easy read or something to get your teen into this summer I'd highly recommend this book. If you want a book with deeper implications and a non-US centric paradigm I'd look elsewhere. It's totally teen appropriate with just a hint of drinking but have you seen Gossip Girl or Vampire Diaries lately??; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Tinkers; Author: Paul Harding; Genres: history, poetry, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: "the forgotten songs we never really knew, only think we remember knowing, when what we really do is understand at the same time how we have never really known them at all and how glorious they must really be." This is just one of a thousand dude-deep insights into why George wishes he knew his father better. If you find that quote beautiful by all means read it. The story concept is great but the writing style is like my high school boyfriends' poetry. I'm not going to finish reading this book. I just can't handle parables anymore.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Art of Racing in the Rain; Author: Garth Stein; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, non-fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: This isn't some trite "Marley and Me" OMG my dog is my life book. The dog narrates the life of his owner and family so you see things from his point of view and it's 100% believeable. I'm not all about putting clothes on dogs and anthropomorphising them but this is just so real feeling it kind of makes me wonder why more dogs aren't out there writing. And then I remember. I highly highly recommend this book as it's very zen/positive ways of looking at things in your life, even when it falls specacularly to pieces. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The 17 Day Diet: A Doctor's Plan Designed for Rapid Results; Author: Mike Moreno; Genres: non-fiction; Review: So I've never been on a diet-diet before. I mean there was that summer in college where I had two internships, an Anthroplogy class, and a part-time retail job. That summer I lived on Luna Bars and Sugar Free Rock Star. Not so healthy but I was young and goddamn was I skinny. But this diet is actually really cool because even if you don't follow it for.ev.er. you have some great recipies and alternative ways of making foods--eggplant parm that isn't deep fried, for example. I have only been on it for 2 weeks but I've supposedly lost weight and I just FEEL better. I don't really understand the other reviews who didn't follow it--I guess it gets a little repetitive but the recipies are really good. I actually want to go to the gym and have a good reason to resist those sweet potatoe fries. I hope that the mindset lasts and would suggest it to anyone with the willpower of a fruitfly because it's really easy to stick to and yummy.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: If I Stay (If I Stay, #1); Author: Gayle Forman; Genres: young-adult, romance, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: The premise of this book is super depressing, I'll give you that. I was already in a sad mood when I started this book but surprisingly it wasn't as horrendous as one would think. It's actually quite uplifting, to think of all the things we take for granted. The face your mom makes when she's making fun of you, the things left unsaid. I don't know I thought it was quite poignant--and in a way all of us have to decide every day if we're going to be present and be here; if we're going to make our lives worthwhile. Look at me, writing like a cheeseball. Obviously it's young adult fiction so it won't take you long and it's good. DO IT.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: A Billion Wicked Thoughts: What the World's Largest Experiment Reveals about Human Desire; Author: Ogi Ogas; Genres: non-fiction; Review: Oh Jesus. Where to even begin with this one. It SOUNDED like a very interesting premise: "the world's largest experiment," however, is not really an experiment but a series of hypotheses. They leave out entire populations (lesbians, apparently, don't exist and there is no disaggregated data on race or really anything outside of W. Europe and the US) and use this terrible analogy of men as Elmer Fudd and women as detectives when describing what motivates men and women to seek out relationships, sex, porn, etc. I got 1/3 of the way through and couldn't do it anymore. I did learn one fun fact, though: gay men have larger penises (on average) than straight men. So the next time someone says something homophobic or makes fun of "effeminate" gay men, whip out this little factoid and watch them squirm. You're welcome.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Where She Went (If I Stay, #2); Author: Gayle Forman; Genres: fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: Everyone said this book was better than the first and I hate to disagree, but I do! This book was somehow profoundly sadder and more angsty: the boy that can't let go of his past. I don't know I still really really liked it and had a hard time putting it down but it wasn't a cathartic read. Sometimes it's hardest letting go.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1); Author: George R.R. Martin; Genres: history, romance, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: After all the hype I was expecting this to be amaaazing. It was good--very long and at times confusing as the narrator changes frequently and everyone is related or has similar names (there's a family tree in the back which I only discovered once I finished...utilize it) but overall it's good and I'm super pumped to watch the HBO series now!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Lacuna; Author: Barbara Kingsolver; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: I don't know why this book took me FOREVER to finsih but it did. The topics/themes should appeal: Mexico, history, Tolstoy, Frida, adventure, the gays. I mean there's a little something for everyone and I normally love Kingsolver. Somehow this just wasn't as engaging to me. Maybe the parallels with the US government today were too obvious, maybe the main character was just a little too off-putting to really connect with, I really don't know. Anyway I'd recommend reading "The Poisonwood Bible" to anyone but this one just didn't do it for me.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Paying for Graduate School Without Going Broke, 2004 Edition; Author: The Princeton Review; Genres: non-fiction; Review: Nothing really extraordinary in this book. A good skim but definitely happy I didn't buy it and could return it to the library quickly.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: My Sisters Made of Light; Author: Jacqueline St. Joan; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: The premise of this book is saddening to think about and has been done before in a million different ways, so I wasn't expecting much of it to be honest. I mean, honor killings in Pakistan. The author of this book writes each sentence like poetry with such vivid images you can almost smell the delicious food or feel the acid burning your own skin. Each story is woven so well into the others that you're sometimes reading a story within a story, that's actually within a story. And you stop feeling like a superior Westerner. There are so many parallels to women feeling inferior to men in society: the Western world is not exempt. And there are so many beautiful things about the relationships with men and women that are so universal. I even found myself admiring one of the characters who wants to hug someone but can't and is so excited to marry her so she never has to cry alone again. I don't know I just found this book to be really touching and inspiring with only moments of the sadness and harshness I anticipated. Highly recommend.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Locust and the Bird: My Mother's Story; Author: Hanan Al-Shaykh; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I'd be interested in reading this author's other works. She starts the book off by talking about how her mother abandoned her as a child and how she doesn't really like her...and then the rest of the book is narrated by her mother. Mother/daughter relationships are complicated, to be sure, but her mom was a child-bride and just never seems to have grown up or matured. It's hard to identify or empathize for the protagonist even if she is a child. I don't know it was just really hard for me to get into this book, but I sense the author probably has a better writing style when she's using her own voice.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Half Broke Horses; Author: Jeannette Walls; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: I don't really do chick-lit so this was the perfect fit for me: a wily old woman telling tales of independence on the American frontier. Witty lines like "If I owned Hell and west Texas I would sell west Texas and live in Hell." I mean, obviously I loved it. Not a tough read but a highly entertaining one. Very spunky!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Why Men Love Bitches: From Doormat to Dreamgirl—A Woman's Guide to Holding Her Own in a Relationship; Author: Sherry Argov; Genres: non-fiction, romance; Review: Meh. Someone recommended this book and it starts off strong but quickly spirals into playing stupid mind games and pathetisad stories. No one wants to be a doormat and the basic message is good: love yourself don't expect someone else to if you can't. So to save you the trouble of reading this book: just love yourself more-even if you don't snag a man you'll be happier. Fin.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking; Author: Susan Cain; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: This book was really painful to read. Most people who've known me longer than a couple of months wouldn't describe me as an introvert, so on the one hand I liked that this book spoke to me and explained me to me, and in a way that I could help others understand my needs, but on the other hand...GOD was it painful to read. Like ripping duct tape off of a wound. Just...hard truths to face, but then she makes you face them. And face them. And face them. And, I'm all for facing your demons but c'mon move on to the next demon, please. I didn't end up finishing the book, even though I found it fascinating, because it was just like "HEY HERE IS THIS THING THAT YOU DO THAT OTHERS DON'T GET AND ISN'T WHAT WILL GET YOU NOTICED OR PROMOTED, but I swear it's good in a special way" for all the pages.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Little Bee; Author: Chris Cleave; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: GAH. I really wanted to love this book. People I trust when it comes to recommending good books liked it. In the end I think it comes down to believability. I think the author has a compelling plot and does a good job of not making any of the characters too two dimensional. Despite being a man he captures some of the female voice, at least intially, when it comes to Little Bee. I can tell he doesn't spend a lot of time around children because Charlie's voice isn't anything child-like, even a grieving child. (See "Room.") I never get to a point where I feel like I know or care about Sarah. Her being a White woman in the middle class of a developed country she should be easier to identify with but he never caputres who she is or what she's about, other than a vaguely annoying person. I don't know I don't to spoil how it ends so I will just say this: this is a book whose ending totally ruins the experience of reading the book. (At least for me.) The beginning and middle were interesting and compelling but I think Cleave just gave up towards the end and wanted it to be over. There were a couple of emotionally-charged scenese where you could tell he wanted you to cry, or feel, or at least connect with the two women and it just falls short and feels contrived. It's an easy read--I finished it in a plane ride--so if you have the time?? But if you're truly interested in African issues and immigration or the story of two worlds colliding, or women, there are other books that do a much better job.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Zeitoun; Author: Dave Eggers; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: The premise of the story is interesting: an inside view of Katrina, from someone who stayed behind in the aftermath of the storm. I felt like 3/4 of the book was setting up for the hurricane and since I knew it was coming it was actually super boring and really hard to get into. I guess 20 years from now that might not be the case and it could, someday, be interesting. The last 1/4 of the book focuses on the injustices imposed upon the people of New Orleans, particularly Zeitoun, in part because of his Middle Eastern appearance and heritage. They sort of casually throw in that his wife has PTSD as a result of all that she and her husband went through, but never finish that aspect of the story. She just casually loses her mind. I really had to force myself to finish it and felt that the most interesting parts of the book were the shortest and there lacked a clear call to action on how this could have been prevented/what could be done in the future/what is being done. I just find it difficult to waste my time on poorly written books when there are so many great ones out there.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop: A Memoir, a History; Author: Lewis Buzbee; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: GAH! I really wanted to like this book. A book about books; about the joys of reading, of finding that book that fits in so perfectly with your soul it was always a part of you. But it was SO, so slow. There were select quotes/pieces I really identify with but overall I think this book is very self-indulgent and lacking in substance. Another book to add to the "why finish this when there are so many great things out there to read" section, unfortunately.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Does Foreign Aid Really Work?; Author: Roger C. Riddell; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: Synopsis of 400 page book: yes and no, sometimes maybe.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1); Author: E.L. James; Genres: young-adult, romance, fiction; Review: Ummm...so for me it started off slow then got interesting then got all whiny. I mean, I know everyone loves this book so I hate to be the nay-sayer but GOD is she annoying. Her, her inner goddess, and her subconscious. There are so many bodice-ripping steamy romance novels I guess I'm not sure why this one is so popular. Well, no, that's not true: she changes him. He goes from "oh no I'm not a relationship guy" to "I would do anything for you" in the span of a week. Every girls' dream, right? Ladies: you're not gonna change him. Christian Grey notwithstanding.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty Shades, #3); Author: E.L. James; Genres: paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Why, for the love of all that is holy, did I read book #3? I have no idea. I hate myself a lot for it. Ana is the most pathetic character I've ever read (and that includes Bella from Twilight, which is saying a lot) and I wanted to hit her. A lot. So I get why Christian wants to. In this book she supposedly outwits a criminal mastermind and I just kept thinking, "yeah right. She can't outwit a glass door." Seriously, she blames her assistant because SHE didn't take her birth control. IT'S NOT THAT HARD. I just...I hate her. I wanted her kidnapper to kill her. And now I just kind of worry about my friends that swore up and down that the books get better and better and I just had to read them and, "ZOMG I had to wake my boyfriend up in the middle of the night for sexy time they were just so steamy!" I worry for them, you know? I don't think most of the stuff in these books was ever *that* kinky and it was so poorly written (he wraps himself around her like a vine, she thinks, "holy crap/oh fuck/my inner goddess got off her chaise lounge" and explodes around him. She gets butt-hurt about him having ever had exes and just...I hate her. I hate this book, and I hate me for reading it.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Lysistrata; Author: Aristophanes; Genres: history, poetry, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: I expected this book (originally performed in 411 BC) to be dense and difficult to get through--obviously reading a modern translation helped, but this book was hilarious. Just the right amount of bawdy humour to lighten what is actually serious war-time/women's rights content. To those saying it's inappropriate for high schoolers I say: it's been too long since you were in high school. What high schooler doesn't think about sex almost all the time? And what high school girl wouldn't be empowered to know that it's ok to think about sex, and to deny someone sex at the same time? Yes, there are penis and sex jokes. Get over it. And yes, it takes place a long, long time ago. But guess what? Sex strikes still take place in modern times and have ended wars and conflict--many women the world over don't have the power (or know that they do, if they ban together) over when and how their bodies are used. A hilarious book that teaches empowerment? I would highly recommend this to anyone.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Encountering Development: The Making and Unmaking of the Third World; Author: Arturo Escobar; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: Dear Development World, Here are all the things I hate: here are none of the solutions. Love, Arturo. xoxo; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Development as Freedom; Author: Amartya Sen; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction; Review: A really interesting perspective and must-read for anyone interested in international development. Disagree with some of the tenants but appreciate the insight.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Roald Dahl's Book of Ghost Stories; Author: Roald Dahl; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I am a sucker for anything Roald Dahl does. He's the author that made me love reading. The collected ghost stories aren't by him but hand-picked just for you, by him. I'd have to say some are scarier than others and none are as eerie as those goose bumps books we all read as kids, but all are engaging and fun to read. Perfectly short enough to read before bedtime...as long as you can fall asleep after a goof ghost story!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1); Author: James Dashner; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I loved this book. To all the haters who will tell you it's not as good as The Hunger Games: KATNISS IS NEVER COMING BACK. The only way to find her again is to re-read those books. This is not The Hunger Games. Nothing may ever compete with the glory that was that trilogy. I'll never get over it so I won't ask you to, either, but please stop looking for her and trying to make that comparison. I miss her too. Was this story the best-written young adult apocalyptic non fiction I've ever read, with three dimensional characters I could identify with and wanted to be friends with? No. For that, please see the paragraph above. Was there an exciting mystery and a story I kept thinking about after I put the book down? Yes. There are parts of this story line I am hoping are fleshed out in book two, like: the romance (?) the details of who Thomas is (did he lose his personality with his memories?) and just generally what is going on. I rarely say this, but I'm excited for this to be made into a movie because I think some of the flatter aspects will play out well on the big screen. Seriously. She's not coming back.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Death Cure (Maze Runner, #3); Author: James Dashner; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: "Minho grunted something; Thomas nodded and gave her a long look, trying to let her know with his eyes how terrible he felt. Jorge just sat there, staring at the floor. Brenda cleared her throat." FOR AN ENTIRE BOOK. The whole book was a little like Jorge's character: sitting there, staring at the floor. While we're on the topic of Jorge, who is vaguely Hispanic and says things like hermana, hermano, muchacho, and NOT A SINGLE OTHER SPANISH WORD or phrase that a non-Native English speaker of Hispanic origin might use. It's like Dashner realized the only diversity in the book was Minho (Right? He's Asian? Am I being racist because of his name? It never really says, or is in any way reinforced) and wanted to throw in a lil dash of color. I have a better idea what the Maze slugs look like than any of the characters. These kids are supposed to be smart, the best of the best, but choose TIME AND TIME again to go through life consciously making uninformed decisions. People are constantly telling them, "wait you don't know the whole story/all the facts, let me tell you..." and Thomas is like, "No! NO! I am afraid I may have been mean before and I just don't want to know!" Which, I guess might be true to how some adolescents think and act, but I think when we're talking about someone who can SAVE THE WORLD, you might want to be like "ok ok so I may have been someone in the past that current me wouldn't like, but knowing that doesn't magically make me my past person. Knowledge about the past isn't actual time travel. Since I'm a genius I know that. Ok, tell me what's up so I can do something productive instead of just running from place to place messing stuff up." And all his little friends follow him, because Dashner tells us he's a natural leader and highly intelligent (but he never acts like it so I wonder if Dashner is confusing him with another character? One we didn't meet?) Dashner's writing style really falls off and I caught a couple of instances where random characters or places would just inexplicably appear. Like when they're in Denver, take a brief ride to the mountains, and then he describes this piney cliff that's been worn away by the sea. Did...in the future is Denver near the sea? Was it a longer journey? Are we near the ocean now? But Dashner never explains things, or fleshes ideas or characters out enough that you care where they are or who lives or dies. I almost didn't finish this book, and I'm mad at myself that I did. OH! And at the end you discover (no spoilers I promise) that there's a PREQUEL that would (supposedly) answer all your burning questions.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Gone Girl; Author: Gillian Flynn; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: This book left me shaken. The level of manipulation on the part of both protagonists/narrators is formidable. It's not a difficult book to read because of the writing but because of the content: it's hard to read a book where you never know whether you can trust the narrators, and are pretty sure you don't like either of them. The ending was unexpected, in a book that was all about shattering your expectations. Good read, overall, but don't do it if you're already mad at your significant other!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Gifted (Donovan Circus, #1); Author: Liz Long; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I have such a weakness for YA novels. This one is a particularly interesting concept (who doesn't want to be "gifted"?) but is poorly written and ultimately very unbelievable. Trying too hard to tie in with existing supernatural comics and stories, and highly emotional (oh I'm such a girl, I'm so hormonal and transparent but so, so, so closed off) it was a quick read, but ultimately disappointing.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: When You Were Older; Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I really liked this book--which was unexpected. I thought it would be sad, and parts definitely were, but it was kind of melancholy and therapeutic more than it was sad, sad. Know what I mean? The author does a great job of hitting you with waves of sadness and hope, and revealing the pieces of a man's life slowly. Not a great literary classic by any means, but a great quick read.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls; Author: David Sedaris; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: David Sedaris does it again. Not as side-clenchingly funny as "Me Talk Pretty One Day," Sedaris manages to tell personal and somewhat dark stories with self-awareness and humor.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: 25 Love Poems For the NSA; Author: Iain Thomas; Genres: young-adult, poetry, non-fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Iain Thomas has taken words off the NSA flag-list and made them about something more powerful and soul-crushing than war: love. And somehow it's not weird. Somehow the poetry is lovely and you forget that it's a political statement about the NSA. It's so moving, in fact that each one makes you truly re-consider how the NSA can flag some of the words (listed at the back) as they are incredibly common. The NSA is watching you/listening to you anyway, you might as well have them watch you read some great poems.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dualed (Dualed, #1); Author: Elsie Chapman; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I am having such a hard time writing a review about this book without it's being tainted by the second book. Like so many sequels it left a lot to be desired. So, if you're looking for a series might I suggest not starting this one. If you're looking for a one-off this book is exactly what the back cover tells you it will be: two teen clones battling to the death for the safety of the city, nay the world . If that isn't your thing, maybe also don't read it. Parts get pretty graphic and gruesome. I was pleased that the "romantic" aspects of the book were kept to a minimum (heart pounding, long looks, etc. etc.) So, the unrealistic parts: Kersh is under sieige constantly, yet the most anyone ever talks about are occasional flares from outside the walls, and no one has ever seen current evidence of people out there, not even on propaganda newscasts, and no one is curious?!?!? . Oh, also West becomes a master assassin with no training and is almost always narrowly missing screwing things up. While it might be realistic (I would have no idea how to become a master assassin) it also leaves the reader unsure as to how well she will fare against her Alt. I mean, don't get me wrong there are a lot of plot holes to rally against, but overall this was a compelling YA read.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Divided (Dualed, #2); Author: Elsie Chapman; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery; Review: Haaaaaaaaaate. So much hate. The first book started strong, albeit with a few plot holes I thought surely would be answered (WHAT IS OUTSIDE THE WALL) but no, no. Just weirdness. West is no longer an assassin or active and just teaches young people to kill while she's not in school herself or working in an art gallery. Or smooching like she's never smooched her bf Chord. (Sidenote: I couldn't decide how we're pronouncing his name so almost every time I read it, it sounded different in my head and I kind of hated all versions.) Pretty idyllic, eh? Except for her creepy empty house since her entire family is dead. So of course she has to get involved in some weird kill or be killed scenario and never once stops to think about it or ask for help. Because logic and reason. The only plus is that, somewhere in the story arc the author explains the origins of Kersh and the Alts (ish) but mostly this just raises more questions. By the end I was genuinely hoping a stray bullet would kill Chord (whiny. So whiny.) and/or West. Which isn't typically how you want to feel about a protagonist. I see a third book explaining outside the wall and I see myself ignoring it.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead; Author: Sheryl Sandberg; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: I wanted to like this book. I even expected a little kick in the pants to motivate me to lean on in and be the best woman I could be. But after months of picking up, starting, putting down, restarting, and putting this book back down I am giving up. I just...can't. This is not a book about leaning in and being your best self and embracing your womanhood to gain an edge in the board room. It just isn't. This is a book by Sheryl Sandberg about how great Sheryl Sandberg thinks Sheryl Sandberg is. And maybe that's one small step for a woman but one great step for womankind. Lord knows men write enough tomes declaring their own greatness. It just doesn't translate into actionable items (unless you're Sheryl Sandberg and you've managed to perfect time travel and want to read your own book about how to become yourself. Even then I think you'll find yourself a bit cocky.) That said, the Ban Bossy campaign and other talk/items/campaigns that have arisen because of this book are great, and maybe that's it's best legacy.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: First Frost (Frost, #1); Author: Liz DeJesus; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I have a weakness for YA fiction, and the description for this book looked intriguing and all the other reviews were good! The book is poorly written by an adult that is clearly misremembering what it was like to be young. Oh, those youths, blowing raspberries at each other and wearing their skinny jeans, buying their lipstick! Kids, amirite? The author clearly read some of the original Grimms stories, but just skimmed/selectively chose what she wanted for the other details in the book. The main character is constantly waiting to be saved, and even her own mother calls her weak. The whole thing just left me disappointed. There are so many great YA novels out there, don't bother with this one.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls are Not for Sale, an Activist Finds Her Calling and Heals Herself; Author: Rachel Lloyd; Genres: history, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, mystery; Review: I think, for someone who has never worked with those living in poverty, that this would be a really tough and eye-opening book to read. For me, it was still really compelling and interesting but perhaps didn't make as much of an impact as it has done to others. I commend Rachel Lloyd for telling her story, and the stories of other girls who have been trafficked. Reading about a 13 year old girl who is forced to have sex 10 times a day and then told by police officers that it was her "choice" really brings home how tough gender norms and the sex industry make things for girls and women. Even though it's a tough subject matter it's not necessarily sad, and focuses largely on recovery and positive outcomes for girls, as well as prevention.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Divergent (Divergent, #1); Author: Veronica Roth; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: A good friend talked me into reading this. I was wary as nothing will ever fill the void Katniss left, and another post-apocalyptic YA novel felt like cheating. It was really good, though, and I found it impossible to put down. I've already bought the next two and can't wait to dig and and find out what happens next. Young adult novels: proving that we are all just angsty teens at our core?; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Insurgent (Divergent, #2); Author: Veronica Roth; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Like a lot of 2 out of 3 novels, this book sets the stage for a lot of things in book three and is necessary but kind of unremarkable on its' own.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Book Thief; Author: Markus Zusak; Genres: history, young-adult, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: I started off kind of hating this book. It seemed like the author was oversimplifying a really complicated issue (WWII) and some of the imagery was kind of sentimental/stream-of-consciousness. But something kept me reading and completely turned my opinions around. It's a really compelling story, the imagery and characters stay with you and I even felt feelings and cried tears. Definitely recommend.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Allegiant (Divergent, #3); Author: Veronica Roth; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: ARHGHGHGHGH I wanted to like this book so badly. There are just...so many revolutions and plots and counterplots and insecurity and identity crises. The Fringe. The Fractions. The other books were really engaging and great and this just fell short. Tris and Four/Tobias just whine and whine and whine and kiss and have sex (???? do I even care????) and whine, then whine again. We're led to believe that Four is bold and impulsive and Tris is smart and calculating but it just seems like everyone (including the author) is winging it. Meh.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Goldfinch; Author: Donna Tartt; Genres: thriller, crime, mystery, fiction; Review: I totally get why everyone is reading this. The author is a true wordsmith and captures perfectly how a child thinks and speaks versus an adult versus a drunk teen and keeps you wrapped around her little finger. I am in grad school so my whole life is reading and when I saw the hard copy of Goldfinch I'll admit to you that I was intimidated. That's A LOT of book when you're in a time crunch. But it goes so quickly, and you become so absorbed, that it only took me a long weekend to read. That said, I only have one caveat... No spoilers, I promise: suffice it to say that while I loved this book, the last 100 pages left me wanting. The author had a lot of loose ends to tie up and sort of lost that voice that made the rest of the book so compelling. I still absolutely recommend and love this book the ending just left me wanting.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ender's Game (Ender's Saga, #1); Author: Orson Scott Card; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: So I kind of cheated and saw the movie before I read the book. Part of me is glad that I did because the author doesn't necessarily describe all of the technology to a degree that makes sense. All of the sudden Ender is palming doors and I think if I hadn't seen the movie and known that it was some sort of handprint electronic opening device I would just think he was high-fiving all the doors or trying to feel them up or something. But, part of me wishes I hadn't because I kept expecting certain plot twists that either never came or were entirely different or more nuanced than the movie ever was. I will agree with other reviewers that the first to third person changes are irritating, and that there could be more strong female characters. Valentine, Ender's sister, is rejected from fight club (Battle School) because she's too compassionate (but later plots to take over the world?) and the only chick at school is the first to suffer from "mental exhaustion." The author goes so far as to explain that "centuries of evolution" have made girls unfit for battle school. Nevermind that the school recruits the top minds for strategic thinking, and that at no single point in the book does anyone do anything with either a penis or a vagina, it must be this genetalia and not their brains that make people one way or the other. But, I digress. Overall this book was a fun read and one that, unlike Hunger Games or other books of the YA ilk, I wasn't able or willing to really extrapolate beyond it's original meaning. This book just is what it is: a book intended to show the underestimated strength in children and youth and a quick read.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Middlesex; Author: Jeffrey Eugenides; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: Holy crap. I don't even know where to start with this book. I really resisted reading it because I'm stubborn and an excessive number of people recommended it to me whenever the topic of gender comes up. But this book isn't really about gender. I mean, yes, the main character is socialized as a girl, later lives as a man, and gender comes up, but to me this was much more about history, family, and identity writ large than it was about gender specifically/in a silo. The novel winds through history, relationships, family, and friendships--from the end of the Ottoman Empire to the fall of Motor City, this book's got it all: jilted lovers, incest, first love, teenage angst, civil war, race relations. This would be too much for many authors to take on, and in fact there is a section that goes quite slowly towards the beginning, but overall the whole novel is engaging, fun, and deeply interesting.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Bone Season (The Bone Season, #1); Author: Samantha Shannon; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Gah, it's taken me forever to figure out how to describe my love for (and hate of) this book. A good thing to know before you begin is that every person and most things have at least two, but sometimes three, names. Part of this is due in part to the two worlds the characters inhibit: the government-controlled Scion world, and the Reph-controlled once-Oxford-land. Sometimes the main character (whose name I just had to look up to write the review, that's how confusing this book is), Paige or XX-40, makes up her own little nicknames for things that already have two names. Stop trying to make fetch happen, Paige. Beyond trying to figure out all of the psychic powers people have, which could take you forever, most of the characters are fairly two dimensional. You don't really ever care whether they live or die, or exactly what-o-mancer power they have. Yet, somehow, this book is engaging. I couldn't put it down and found myself really drawn to it. Maybe the aether called to my aura here in meatspace, and someone in the book was calling me to it. Amirite? Also, yeah, meatspace is the grossest, most unnecessary way to describe humanity that I think we've ever come up with in any language I've ever heard. Since I picture the aether to be a misty sort of fog only supernaturals can see I also kind of image meatspace to be moist. Moist meatspace. There. I have officially created the worst sentence in the English language. I won't give any spoilers but suffice it to say that with a few eye rolls and the use of the GLOSSARY (which I only discovered once I had read the book, and is at the back of the book, making flipping back and forth unecesarily difficult whether you're reading a print or online version) you can and will like/love this book. I know this review seemed really negative but somehow I was really drawn to this world and the plotline, even in the moist meatspace that I read it in.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Life After Life; Author: Kate Atkinson; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: The premise of this book made me hold off on reading it as I was afraid it would be a Benjamin Button/Time Traveler's Wife/Groundhog Day romcom and I am SO happy it wasn't. The novel takes place from 1910-1945 in England and Germany and unfolds several potential realities in the life of Ursula, the protagonist. I know everyone likes to think that things happen for a reason, and I've always found this sentiment to be trite, and a means for justifying any number of sins--from breakups to death--that would be better dealt with more directly. That said, in the sense that major events can act as positive or negative catalysts in one's life I do believe it to be true, and find that the author utilizes these major turning points not as ways to justify not dealing with life but rather to show that, even when dealt a bad hand, one's response to life's events can impact not only your own life course but those around you in dramatic ways. Seemingly small decisions like walking a friend home or reacting to a nasty big brother, lead to death and destruction or love and happiness. In my opinion, at least, this book was about making the best decisions and treating those around you with love even in dire circumstances like, say, Nazi Germany or the blitz in London. Which sounds trite, I know, but the tale was so beautifully woven and the characters so multi-dimensional and nuanced that it didn't feel that way to read. I can't do it justice, but suffice it to say I recommend it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Frog Music; Author: Emma Donoghue; Genres: history, fiction, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, mystery; Review: You know how sometimes you meet a really charming, gregarious, and fun person at a party and think, "I absolutely love this gem of a person! We're going to be best friends!" But then, after a few coffees or brunches you realize that their wit and sparkle is masking a really selfish, crazy person? The characters in this book are ALL like that. The more you get to know each of them, the less you like them. There are no real relationships (friendships or otherwise) to speak of, and all the characters are so deeply guarded and selfish that they often do really cruel things to one another. They also sing. A LOT. Since my life hasn't turned into a musical number, I am assuming most other people's aren't either. The smattering of French slang (often unexplained) and music that may or may not relate to the situation at hand (and most songs I was unfamiliar with and therefor unable to imagine sung) were distracting. When I read the last few pages and came to understand the amount of work Ms. Donoghue put into making these characters (based on real people and real events) true to life, I think I appreciated the task she had at hand, although still not the characters, much more. Also, let's talk for a second about the sex scenes. I'm honestly surprised a woman wrote these as they seem like a 13 year old boy's understanding of sex from having recently watched a lot of porn. Blanche gets wet at the drop of a hat and doesn't realize that she's being used by her pimp boyfriend until a cross dresser innocently asks whether she feels that way? Puh-lease. There's no way someone who's being paid for sex loves it each and every time. Everyone hates their jobs occasionally, and I assume sex work is no exception to that rule. Oh and also she goes from being heterosexual to being FISTED by a woman and feels it's just like a penis? WHAT THE HELL WAS GOING ON IN SAN FRANCISCO that a fist isn't significantly larger? Also was this graphic image necessary, given the context of when it happens? These were the least believable of the entire book, and the lady loses her baby several times by simply forgetting he exists, so that's saying a lot.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: #GIRLBOSS; Author: Sophia Amoruso; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: Full disclosure: I kind of view audiobooks as cheating, and this was my first audio book. When Goodreads emailed me saying I could have a free audible version of #Girlboss because I had marked it as "to read" I jumped on it. I read Tina Fey's "Bossypants," and still regret not having gotten the audible version so that I could HEAR Tina Fey reading me her book. This book was not read by Sophia Amoruso, and I cannot imagine what it would take to flawlessly read a book, chapter by chapter, and intone what the author wants to intone into every word and anecdote. That said, while I appreciate the effort, this particular reader mispronounced "ennui," making me question the very fabric of the English language and whether or not I knew how to speak it. I mean, was I wrong all this time and no one corrected me? Where else had I heard it? Could I somehow make someone say it for me? Then she mispronounced Roald Dahl and I realized, no, no. I have a handle on this. SHE doesn't. All of that is to say, please take my review with the grain of salt that is my resistance to audio books. The content of the book is a little bit like listening to Britney Spear's "Work B*tch* on loop for the 4 or 5 hours that it takes to listen to this book. At times inspiring, often irritating (sidenote: why does Britney adopt a British accent for just 1/4th of the song?), and, in the end, too much. Honestly, I felt like she told her story in the first two chapters and hooked you, but then filled in stupid details (OMG you once wore Abercrombie and believe in magic?) without real content for the next 10 chapters. She quotes a lot of really pithy, overused cliches like Steve Jobs and Leonardo DiVinchi and seems to mock everyone who does things differently than she does. "When I was in high school, I always submitted a real resume for retail jobs..." which is great, because it's obviously worked for her. But it's also just not the only way to do things (when I was in high school and worked retail and some toolbag came in with a printed resume, we laughed at them and thought maybe they weren't prepared for the real world of retail service, and made them fill in our paper application.) For example, after explaining how Nasty Gal grew out of her own feelings of ennui and anarchy, the author preaches positivity as, "your thoughts become your actions." So...#hypocrisy? Often contradictory (do as I say, not as I do) and often condescending (although, again, maybe that was just the audio version coming across that way to me) I felt all my initial inspiration wane and grow into irritation. It was with great difficulty (and a long plane ride) that I finished this book. My recommendation? Read the first three chapters, watch the Britney video twice, and call it a day.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Girl in the Picture: The Story of Kim Phuc, the Photograph, and the Vietnam War; Author: Denise Chong; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction; Review: 3 1/2 stars. It got real slow about 3/4 in, when you're too far to turn back but still have so far to go to finish. I am currently living in Southern Vietnam, and wanted to read a book that didn't just focus on the war. I really appreciated the author's writing style, and how she changed Phuc's name to Kim as Kim did, how she was able to really show what Kim was thinking and feeling at different periods in her life. Although this book starts during the war (which they do call the American War here, and the author more or less sticks to that while the book is taking place in Vietnam) it is about so much more. I laughed out loud at some of the descriptions of food, traffic, the North vs. South stereotypes, and overall really enjoyed the book. It did get super Jesus-heavy in the end, which I really could have done without, but again I believe that's the magic of the author and probably how Kim wanted to be represented and her story told, as she seems to value her faith. I also found fascinating Kim's tales from Soviet Russia and Fidel's Cuba.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Book of Negroes; Author: Lawrence Hill; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: You guys, I think I just don't like historical fiction. The author started with this great, believable character and then tried to weave her in to actual events. As a way of leaving about slavery and the salve trade it was a good book, something every 6th grader should be required to know, but as a literary exploit it just felt false and hallow. I think once she hit Canada the book just didn't ring true for me, which is about 3/4 into the book: too far to turn back. I don't know. It was a good beach read: fast and (initially, at least) compelling, but beyond that I just don't know if I'd recommend it.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Yes Please; Author: Amy Poehler; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction; Review: 3 1/2 stars. I don't know. Maybe I don't like autobiographies, or audio books, or both. I think I was expecting the book to be funny, and parts certainly were, but it was mostly filled with anecdotes about drugs, children, and divorce. There were some really deep sections (see: Time Travel) that felt really poignant and real, and then she ends with this weird stand up about phones controlling our lives. I don't know. It was just a mess, the beginning is slow, and I think this is my last attempt at making myself do audio books.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dark Places; Author: Gillian Flynn; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Despite the title, I think this book was the least dark of Gillian Flynn's books. As with her other titles, many of the main characters are seriously disturbed, but this reads much more like a murder-mystery/more typical narrative (instead of the lose-faith-in-humanity-all-hope-is-lost situations her other titles portray). It's a pretty quick and engaging read, and most of the characters are believable three dimensional.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Gone (Gone, #1); Author: Michael Grant; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Why was this on my to-read shelf? I have no idea, but when goodreads emailed me and said it was available on kindle for like $2 I went for it. It was worth every penny (but not a single one more). I don't even know where to start with this book. For one thing the formatting is funky, so it jumps from storyline to storyline seemingly in the same paragraph. For another there's this religious undertone that maybe God is going to save us all if we just pray (?) that pops up inconsistently and is more distracting than anything deep or meaningful. But maybe "the Darkness" is a metaphor and God saves all the "True Believers" in the end. Overall, the writing's effect is cluttered and disjointed--I can't even keep all the people straight, much less what all their stupid super powers are. Character development is minimal at best, and even the love stories that pop up seem like something that a robot would write about how humans feel. All I know is that I'm not reading the rest of the series, talking wolves and whips for hands being only the tiniest part of that. Ten bucks says Sam discovers that Love triumphs over Hate and makes his powers stronger.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Fourth of July Creek; Author: Smith Henderson; Genres: history, fiction, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, mystery; Review: It is SO HARD to give a positive ranking to a book with such imperfect anti-heroes. I do feel like the author paints everyone in this strange dichotomy of all-women-are-whores and all-men-are-violent and we are all doomed. From a literary standpoint I think it's a solid novel, but I will say it is fragmented and doesn't flow well. Many of the literary devices employed (such as the complete lack of punctuation at random junctures) seem superfluous and, rather than adding to the story, simply serve to distract. The diary pieces from Rachel/Rose are probably the most cringe-worthy bits. Is she interviewing herself? What is going on? Despite the choppiness and the characters you just don't ever fully feel for (or like), it's an engaging read that leaves you hoping against all reason that these people will turn their lives around.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Size of Thoughts: Essays and Other Lumber; Author: Nicholson Baker; Genres: history, poetry, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: On "Rarity" Baker philosophizes on the very nature of what makes a thing rare, and the meaning that holds for us. He says: "...rarity constitutes part of the pleasure we take in many of the things we value, how rare should we allow a rareme to remain when it is in our power to influence its frequency?" The author eschews a radical empathy for inanimate things (such as a lesser-used couch or disliked shirt) to show what the hipster movement has perhaps best exemplified. "When it begins to exist for others, it ceases to live in us." Or, my favorite snarky line: "Contrarians trample one another to buy unfashionable socks."; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Orchardist; Author: Amanda Coplin; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: I don't think I've read another character-based (vs. plot-based) book that I enjoyed so thoroughly. The characters stayed with me long after I put the book down. The writing is just gorgeous, and you really become invested in the characters (rather than where they're going within a plot). It's slow, sure, but so is real life in a lot of ways.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: A God in Ruins; Author: Kate Atkinson; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: I LOVED "Life After Life". This is not that book, or really anything like it, despite the same author and cast of characters. As well-researched and written as it was, I just didn't find the plot or the characters compelling.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Girl on the Train; Author: Paula Hawkins; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: Ok, I'll admit that this isn't a "great" novel in the sense that Dostoevsky is a great author. Although, some striking similarities into some creepy people with both, I have to say. I think the thing people don't like about this book is that everyone is a mess and it's not a typical thriller in that everyone is fixed and all mysteries are solved in the end. Honestly life is like that, though, and I really liked this book. I did NOT, however, like any of the characters, or that the fat alcoholic who can't get over her ex is named RACHEL, which is a name for pretty, smart, and amazing people. That's just known. You cannot trust any of the narrators, who often contradict not only each other but themselves, which keeps things interesting but makes caring about the characters tough. The book kept me engaged throughout, was an interesting and quick read. My biggest quibble is that all the female characters are weak and hope only for a fairy tale romance (and marriage with kids) while all the men are controlling and peter on violence all.the.time. I don't think it's an accurate representation of domestic violence or alcoholism, which contributes to the societal narrative and general misunderstanding about how these issues affect an individual and how they "should" react to certain events.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer, #2); Author: Michelle Hodkin; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Putting aside some of the annoying gender dynamics here for a second (and it's really hard to put them aside) I thought it was pretty good for a sequel. Still trying to figure out what's going on but, unlike so many sequels, setting up the final book hasn't completely derailed the plot and lost my interest. Now, about the sex stuff: DO IT ALREADY OR DON'T. Since this is a young adult novel, I find it particularly harmful that her virginity is so prized, and that she is so pure (her kisses could kill him!) but that it's somehow appealing that he's been promiscuous in his past (but he's not now. No, no, a good girl can change a bad boy and make him stop doing drugs, having the sex, I mean we haven't even seen him smoking in this book. Nicotine is addictive, I don't care how hot your girlfriend is if you've been smoking since you were 11, you should probably devote a paragraph to how hard it was to quit and how great things taste/how nice it is to breathe again.) This dichotomy of girl's purity and boy's promiscuity is incredibly harmful and unrealistic. If you are writing to a young audience don't write in every instance of sex as though it's a life-altering one-way ticket straight to hell. Abortions! Loss of reputation! Have sex once, like Anna, and become a tooootal sloot. It only takes one dick and you won't be able to stop yourself, ladies. But for dudes there is no emotional attachment, and it's just for funsies. Unless you reallly care about a girl and then you will just hold her shoulders and mutually fantasize about a kiss. The plot itself was great, again ignoring all of the admissions of love and near-kisses. Michelle Hodkin does a fantastic job of making you question the trustworthiness of the narrator, and I love the literary references. No one does untrustworthy narrator like Nabokov, and it cannot be a coincident that they reference "Invitation to a Beheading" for imaginary crimes. You find yourself constantly battling whether what Mara sees and hears is real or hallucinated, and what you would do if you were her family and friends. In most books you suspend disbelief and allow magic to occur, but this author keeps you firmly grounded in reality while making you believe just enough. It's fantastic. Obviously going to buy the next one straight away.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Underground Girls of Kabul; Author: Jenny Nordberg; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: Overall a good overview of gender relations, gender identity, and sexuality against a backdrop of Afghanistan. I don't think the author reaches any earth-shattering conclusions (or solutions) and actually think some of her conclusions and musings are potentially harmful (literally, for the people she interviews, but more metaphorically for readers) and think the book could have gotten to them more quickly.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, #2); Author: Diana Gabaldon; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: So many people whose book judgement I usually trust love this book, and this series. I made a leap and purchased Outlander and Dragonfly in Amber before a long vacation, and I really wish I hadn't. While the concept is right up my alley (time travel! history! strong women!) the way it actually plays out is just so...rapey I stopped reading this book halfway thought. I know other series have come under fire (Game of Thrones leaps to mind) for their use of rape as a literary device, but this goes well beyond that. I work on gender issues every day and I know that threats of violence and sexual violence are very real, very true things that every woman experiences, sometimes daily. I know that gender inequality 200 years ago was even more imbalanced than it is today. What I do not believe is that everyone was just raping, and threatening to rape, everyone else all the damn time. Having also worked with survivors, I just don't believe that the degree to which having sex with someone you love heals you from rape. Or that rape is the only way to save your loved ones or stop a war. Honestly, the sex scenes themselves (even the consensual ones) are uninspiring and far too frequent. I'm happy that the characters have such active sex lives. Good for them! But, you know, move on to the plot, because there is seriously better porn out there to use, ladies, and it doesn't have to involve rape. And, after you've been raped, your man should never pin you down and say "you're mine and only mine" to make it all better before he does you. That isn't love, that's something else.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy, #1); Author: Deborah Harkness; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I really wanted to like this book, and for the most part I did, but UGH the "romance" was trying. I just...didn't care AT ALL about the one-dimensional Matthew, or how Diana felt about him. She went from a potentially interesting character to someone who just seemed sleepy all the time after meeting him. Snooze.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Little Prince; Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupery; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Just re-read this childhood classic, and love it even more.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis; Author: J.D. Vance; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Despite all the buzz I just couldn't love this book. It was beautifully written, and the pieces where Vance tells his story are wonderful. The pieces where he tells you what to think about his story are not. I also whole-heartedly dismiss his assessments that he and those he attempts to represent are not fundamentally racist. He talks about those who sincerely believe that Obama isn't American/is Muslim/whatever whatever as not being racist views but that Obama talks like a Harvard professor and just doesn't represent them. I cannot swallow that, given how many educated old white men represent the American people in all other areas--from mayors to governors to Congress. There are several places where Vance talks about studies following African American migrants who followed similar paths towards jobs that then died as those industries died, and he will make some parallels between the two groups, but he somehow manages to dismiss Black concerns as somehow Other or Different from poor White concerns. The implication is that White people's poverty is somehow sadder/better/more worthy of our attention, and that is combined with several dismissals of the existence of racism that just left a sour taste for me. You can discuss your own problems without putting down the problems of others. He also dismisses entirely that there are policy solutions to poverty and hopelessness, and instead promotes a total embrace of this individualistic pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps mentality, when he himself received government subsidies to achieve his goals: from the G.I. Bill to student loans. Of course, he highlights the importance of a stable home-life, but doesn't think child services can fix that, that teachers are equipped to assist, and just sort of shrugs it off as unfixable (except by individual families) by policies or programs. There is a weird Republican/Christian undertone to the whole thing that I wish he had either fully explored or left alone. It would be interesting to hear how Christ saved him, but he just sort of mentions it in the conclusion as though everyone reading knows what church does, despite the only other mention being much earlier on in the book and having more to do with over-reporting of church attendance by those in the South, and no the actual substance of how his church helped him. Overall, I think there are better reads with more substance out there to explain the sociological and policy implications of White poverty, and wish Vance had stuck to what he actually knows: his own story.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Love, Stargirl (Stargirl, #2); Author: Jerry Spinelli; Genres: romance, children, young-adult, fiction; Review: Blah. None of the charm of the first book (and all of the insecurity that book lacked). Not even finishing it I'm so bored.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Life and Other Near-Death Experiences; Author: Camille Pagan; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: I received a new kindle for Christmas, and with kindle comes the gift of kindle unlimited. This book had a high rating and was free on kindle unlimited, so I thought I'd give it a chance. Even as a beach read this was a regrettable experience. The writing is terrible, the characters are hollow, and the homophobia the protagonist expresses EVEN THOUGH SHE HAS A GAY TWIN BROTHER WHOM SHE IS CLOSE TO AND NON-JUDGMENTAL OF is astounding. Had I not lost internet and thus the ability to download literally anything else I wouldn't have finished this book.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Passage (The Passage, #1); Author: Justin Cronin; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: This is SO good, and the premise simply doesn't do it justice.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | goodreads |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: In Your Dreams: A Mark Appleton Thriller; Author: Visit Amazon's Aaron Patterson Page; Review: Loved the first two books in this series, but I thought this one went a little out there. Should have stopped on the second book.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Neon Rain; Author: JAMES LEE BURKE; Review: First book by this author I have read, but will be reading more. Very entertaining.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Mr. Mercedes; Author: Visit Amazon's Stephen King Page; Review: Mr. King at his best! Couldn't put it down.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Redemption; Author: Laurel Dewey; Review: Love the way she pulls you into the story. I find myself really caring about Jane Perry. In this book she starts to try to forgive her father. Good characters and intriguing story line. Can't wait to read the next one.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Extreme Prey (A Prey Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's John Sandford Page; Review: Love all the Prey books. Lucas Davenport rocks!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Kiwassa Lake Bed Breakfast; City: Saranac Lake New York; Review: Authentic Adirondack get-away, lakefront paradise.Long and winding country road ending at Kiwassa Lake. Quiet and quintessential surroundings from wooded paths, to rustic cabins, to B n B rooms with carefully chosen decor. Fabulous breakfast and and a welcoming ambiance prevails.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Juniper Hill Inn; City: Ogunquit Maine; Review: Off-season get away. The Juniper Hill Inn is clean, comfortable and welcoming. With a great location, it's easy to travel to Nubble Light, Wells Beach and of course, the charming town of Ogunquit. Off-season offers a different coastal Maine experience, we bundled up for a beach walk and found the more limited dining options offering great food and great service. Looking forward to returning one day.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Black Point Inn; City: Scarborough Maine; Review: Intimate cocktail hour overlooking sand beaches in tastefully decorated room. White wicker decor suited the space by the sea. The celebration then moved to a private dining room where a plated dinner, diner's choice was expertly served. Exceptional service, friendly atmosphere and delicious food and drinks. The inn is a 'real find', easily accessible from nearby Portland.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Eliot Hotel; City: Boston Massachusetts; Review: Great service and welcoming atmosphere never grows old. From doorman, to check-in, to bellman and beyond, year to year you feel valued each time you stay at The Eliot. Old school charm, “the way it used to be” makes this a true favorite.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fairfield Inn Suites Springfield Holyoke; City: Holyoke Massachusetts; Review: Refreshing find. Clean and cheerful decor. Friendly and efficient staff. Great breakfast with multiple choices. Satisfied travelers give this place a feel-good vibe. Just stayed for an overnight, in town for a Friday night wedding. With other wedding guests staying here, too, it was easy to feel at home in this comfortable place just off the highway.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows:
Title: TRADE ALERT: Falcons send Mohamed Sanu to New England Patriots; Abstract: ; Category: sports
Title: Body of missing Alabama girl found; 2 being charged; Abstract: Investigators searching through garbage found the body of a 3-year-old girl who was missing more than a week, and authorities are charging two people with murder, police said Tuesday.; Category: news
Title: San Antonio man considered habitual DWI offender on trial for murder; Abstract: A San Antonio man with a record of multiple drunken driving convictions is on trial, accused of murder in the death of a motorcyclist in 2018. Jurors are expected to begin hearing testimony Tuesday in the murder trial of Ricky Cantu. He was 57 when he was arrested and charged with murder in the death of Rudy Borrego, 51. According to a police report, Borrego was traveling in the westbound lane around 7 p.m. Feb. 24, 2018, in the 2100 block of...; Category: news
Title: Suspect connected to death of woman on I-90 pleads not guilty; bond set at $250,000; Abstract: ; Category: news
Title: Rep. Katie Hill's lawyers send cease-and-desist letter to DailyMail.com over nude photos; Abstract: The website is the second to publish alleged lewd photos of the Democratic congresswoman.; Category: news
Title: 15-year-old nearly paralyzed after football hit says life is a struggle; Abstract: The family of a local high school football player partially paralyzed during a game is speaking out.; Category: sports
Title: Parkland shooter's defense team pushes against trial's start in January; Abstract: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The judge in the Parkland school shooting case is risking an appeal - along with an emotionally draining retrial - by insisting jury selection get underway in January, defense lawyers warned Wednesday. Nikolas Cruz, 21, faces the death penalty if convicted of first degree murder in the Feb. 14, 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and while he has ...; Category: news
Title: TobyMac says late son 'had an untamable grand personality,' shares last text exchange; Abstract: TobyMac's 21-year-old son, Truett Foster McKeean, died Wednesday in Nashville. The Christian star released a statement Thursday on the sudden death.; Category: music
Title: Iowa woman killed by explosion at gender reveal party; Abstract: An Iowa woman was killed by debris from an explosion at a gender reveal party on Saturday, police said.; Category: news
Title: 1 Dead, 4 Hurt In Overnight North Austin Car Wreck; Abstract: Collision along the 5600 block of North FM 620 Road just after 2 a.m. on Sunday leaves a man dead and 4 others with serious injuries..; Category: news
Title: He dropped the gun, walked out of the house and put his hands up. Then an officer shot him five times.; Abstract: The acting police chief in San Bernardino, Calif., said the officer's decisions "did not meet the standards held by our department."; Category: news
Title: New witness in Reed case claims Fennell knew Stites was having affair; Abstract: Defense attorneys for death row inmate Rodney Reed have identified a third new witness who claims to have information that may cast further doubt on Reed's guilt in the 1996 murder of Stacy Stites. A former Bastrop County deputy says that he knew Stites and her fiance Jimmy Fennell and that he used to socialize with the couple. The former deputy said Fennell confided in him that Stites was ...; Category: news
Title: Florida third grader called a 'hero' for preventing possible school shooting; Abstract: A Florida third grader is being called a hero for bravely reporting a classmate who brought a loaded gun to school on Thursday.; Category: news
Title: NFL Week 9 Power Rankings: More ammo for Belichick as greatest coach ever; Abstract: Doug Farrar offers up myriad surprises in Touchdown Wire's Week 9 NFL Power Rankings.; Category: sports
Title: Cornell student, 18, found dead in gorge after frat party, reports say; Abstract: A top Ivy League student was found dead Saturday afternoon in a New York gorge after he left a fraternity party and disappeared Thursday night, according to reports.; Category: news
Title: Murder trial begins in Colorado missing woman's case; Abstract: Murder trial begins in Colorado missing woman's case; Category: news
Title: Wreck causing major back-ups on GA 400 northbound at North Springs MARTA station; Abstract: A wreck on Georgia 400 northbound near the North Springs MARTA station is quickly creating major traffic backups for morning commuters. One person was injured, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. 11Alive's Crash Clark said that only one lane of traffic is being allowed to pass while crews work on the crash. But the damage has been done. Backups stretch back to the I-285 interchange. Motorists are advised to take Roswell Road...; Category: autos
Title: Georgia man requests several types of steak, lobster for last meal; Abstract: Ray Jefferson Cromartie has ordered his final meal before his scheduled execution on Wednesday.; Category: news
Title: Person found dead on Interstate 85 from apparent gunshot wound; Abstract: A death is being investigated on Interstate 85, Gwinnett Police said Thursday morning, and is suspected to have been caused by a gunshot wound. The incident is blocking traffic on I-85 northbound just south of Jimmy Carter Boulevard, police said. The victim is a black female, police said in a tweet. They are not currently releasing her identity. They added the death does not appear to be a suicide, according to the medical examiner's office. It...; Category: news
Title: "This was a terrible thing"; guard speaks out in death incident near GA State Univ.; Abstract: ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) -- "He is bleeding from his mouth." Those were the words heard on a frantic 911 call Sunday night from an apartment building in downtown Atlanta just steps from Georgia State. "Do not touch his head! Do not touch his head sir!," the call continues. Twenty-four-year-old Deionte Davis was laying on the floor of apartment 20708. The building's security guard told the 911 operator that Davis was attacking people in a rage and he...; Category: news
Title: Medway man charged with manslaughter after wife dies in accident while he was driving; Abstract: A Medway man, who was the driver in a fatal I-95 crash near Lincoln in August was indicted for manslaughter on Wednesday, October 30.; Category: news
Title: 'Honestly don't blame him': Joey Gatewood's transfer from Auburn leaves fans bummed out; Abstract: Auburn football head coach Gus Malzahn announced that quarterback Joey Gatewood would enter the transfer portal.; Category: sports
Title: Kentucky man dies trying to save sons from Florida rip current during family trip; Abstract: Stephone Ritchie Sr. was on a family vacation in Florida when he died. "He got caught in the waves," after ushering sons out of water, a cousin said.; Category: news
Title: The Best Casserole Recipe from Every State; Abstract: Take a bite out of the best casserole recipes in the country. The post The Best Casserole Recipe from Every State appeared first on Reader's Digest.; Category: foodanddrink
Title: Cobb County Walmart sells winning $276,000 lottery ticket -- are you the winner?; Abstract: Someone in metro Atlanta has a huge jackpot -- and they don't even know about it.; Category: finance
Title: Maryland man, 46, gets probation after he killed a father and his four daughters when his SUV crossed a median and slammed into their minivan; Abstract: Alvin Hubbard III, 46, of Cambridge, Maryland, was sentenced to one year of probation after he killed a father and his four daughters when his SUV slammed into a family's minivan in 2018; Category: news
Title: Jimmy Garoppolo addresses Erin Andrews interview by saying he uses 'baby' 500 times a game; Abstract: ; Category: sports
Title: Mario Addison back with "mixed emotions" after death of brother; Abstract: The Panthers gave defensive end Mario Addison some space, letting their leading pass-rusher skip last week's game to be with his family in Alabama after the death of his brother. Addison's back to work this week, but he admitted the emotional wounds haven't healed and probably won't for some time. "I'm fair. I always say [more]; Category: sports
Title: 'The bridge has definitely been burned': Williams says Redskins have smeared him in aftermath of cancer diagnosis; Abstract: Seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams won't play for the Redskins this season, and his future with the team is unclear.; Category: sports
Title: Three school workers charged in death of special needs student; Abstract: The student was reportedly restrained face-down for nearly an hour before becoming unresponsive; Category: news | mind |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Dave's Gourmet Sauce, Crazy Caribbean, 5 Ounce; Brand: Dave's Gourmet; Review: I have had this before and I will say it is hot, but it don't kill me, truthfully while the heat is intense, it goes away shortly. I use more then the recommended drops and sure, my nose runs, I sweat but I am building up a tolerance to it. I am half Korean so I am pretty used to hot, spicy foods.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dave's Gourmet Sauce, Crazy Caribbean, 5 Ounce; Brand: Dave's Gourmet; Review: Love this sauce, it is hot but not gut wrenching hot to me. If you are not used to spicy stuff I would not try this. A couple Mexican friends tried this and said it had a kick.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Reaper Sling Blade Hot Sauce - Made with the Carolina Reaper!; Brand: CaJohns Fiery Foods; Review: I like this product, while it does have a bite, I was expecting hotter. Daves Ghost Chili Pepper Sauce is hotter. But overall not bad.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dave's Original Insanity Hot Sauce - 5oz; Brand: Dave's Gourmet; Review: If you like straight Flame On heat this will do the trick. As far as taste, really lacks flavor. Don't get me wrong, I like this sauce, I use a good line of this and it makes me sweat, my nose run and it burns going down the throat, but they could have added more ingredients to make it have flavor. If you are not used to super spicy heat, leave this stuff alone.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ghost chili pepper - The hottest pepper in the world!!! 1, 000, 000 Heat Laval; Brand: Magic Plant; Review: I planted it outside in the middle of June and nothing sprouted. I live in Virginia so the summers are humid and hot, I have grown habaneros, jalapenos and cayenne peppers with no issues, so this was a waste of money.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 | amazon_Grocery_and_Gourmet_Food |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: attwood 9067-1 Heavy-Duty Acid-Resistant Power Guard Series 27 Vented Marine Boat Battery Box, Black; Brand: attwood; Review: Ordered 3....they work great...very satisfied!!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Zebco 808 MAGNUM Spincast Selectable Bait Alert Fishing Reel; Brand: Zebco; Review: Good reels...no problems!!!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shoreline Marine Generation III Johnson Fuel Line Assembly; Brand: Shoreline Marine; Review: Good product..works as expected...no problems!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Orvis Tie-fast Knot-tying Tool; Brand: Orvis; Review: Great tying tool!!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: OKUMA Fin Chaser B Series Spinning Combo; Brand: OKUMA; Review: Don't buy this ....came without a screw to secure handle to reel.....junk!!!!'; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Shoreline Marine LED All Round Stern Light 36in; Brand: Shoreline Marine; Review: Very satisfied...good bright light!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Frontier Natural Products 2305 Cream Of Tartar Powder, 16 oz; Brand: Frontier; Review: I bake a lot and the little jars of this product were very expensive. Now I can bake and not worry about the cost of the cream of tartar. I like saving money.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Frontier Sage Leaf Rubbed, 16 Ounce Bag; Brand: Frontier; Review: I bought this product to try a tea made from dry sage. Too strong for me and barely used it. Not sure what I will do with the rest of it. It probably has some good uses for others but not for what I needed.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Roland Quinoa Flour, 17.6 Ounce; Brand: Roland; Review: I like this flour. It is my first time using it but so far I like. I have reordered as the first recipe took almost all of it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bob's Red Mill Whole Grain Organic Quinoa Flour, 22 Ounce (Pack of 4); Brand: Bob's Red Mill; Review: Good product and the price is right. Will order again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bob's Red Mill Tapioca Flour, 20 Ounce; Brand: Bob's Red Mill; Review: I would order this product again. It is a good value.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Grocery_and_Gourmet_Food |
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows:
Title: 50 First Dates (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Pearl Harbor (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Double Jeopardy (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Independence Day (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Johnson Family Vacation (2004); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Man on Fire (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Twisted (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Thunder Road (1958); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Day After Tomorrow (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: X2: X-Men United (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Under the Tuscan Sun (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Scary Movie (2000); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Waterworld (1995); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Batman & Robin (1997); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Married to the Mob (1988); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Laws of Attraction (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0 | netflix |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Prince of Thorns; Author: Visit Amazon's Mark Lawrence Page; Review: Took me quite a while to feel comfortable inside this story. Quite confronting, although his actions are understandable given his age, witnessing the violent deaths of his family, along with no mentor to reign in his violent adolescent behaviour. However, once comfortably ensconced, I did enjoy the story and was intrigued to see what would happen next, hence chasing up the next book. I do prefer my "hero's" to be more moral but as he is still quite young and maybe he will learn as he grows.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Orb Sceptre Throne; Author: Visit Amazon's Ian C. Esslemont Page; Review: Like all Malazan books, world created by Erikson and Esslemont, you are back with old friends and meeting new ones. This is a world I have entered at least three times and will again! Esselmont and Erikson are as one.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Phantom; Author: Visit Amazon's Terry Goodkind Page; Review: This book is an improvement! Enjoyed it. Interesting how it is all beginning to "pan out" looking forward to reading Confessor.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Daylight War: Book Three of The Demon Cycle; Author: Visit Amazon's Peter V. Brett Page; Review: Did not enjoy it as much as first two books. Although it did improve towards the end. A real cliff hanger! Guess it will be quite a wait till we know what will happen,!; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: King of Thorns (The Broken Empire); Author: Visit Amazon's Mark Lawrence Page; Review: Definitely one of the better books I've read. Towards the end I could not put it down until finished. Does Jorge become at least 'likeable'? Mmm maybe not but easier to understand and anticipate with dreaded joy what he will bring about!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Emperor of Thorns (The Broken Empire); Author: Visit Amazon's Mark Lawrence Page; Review: A good read. I enjoyed the journey that was Jorg. A dark hero with a twisted soul. Their was never really absolution for him. Tho I guess saving the world may have contributed towards it in a small manner. This was a man that I hope I never meet except between pages.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Priceless: A Rylee Adamson Novel (Book 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Shannon Mayer Page; Review: I really enjoyed this book. Just that it was too short. The right amount of action, sexual tension, humour etc.,put together the right way, made it good mix. Looking forward to the next book.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Shadowed Threads (A Rylee Adamson Novel (Book 4)); Author: Visit Amazon's Shannon Mayer Page; Review: I think this one was the best of the three. Pulling you in completely. Characters more believable, storyline making sense. All round totally enjoyable. Disappointed to note that there is not a follow up of Rylee Adamson, yet!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Magician's End (The Chaoswar Saga); Author: Visit Amazon's Raymond E. Feist Page; Review: Not likely. Pure joy to read such a well written book. Drift into the world of Midkemia and become one with it! Characters you know & love so well. This story is equally as exciting and dramatic as all before. Characters rounded out, matured. New ones bristling with mischief & intrigue. I sincerely hope that the final chapter is not so final after all.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Icebound Land (Ranger's Apprentice, Book 3); Author: Visit Amazon's John Flanagan Page; Review: Once again a rattling good yarn. Adventures & perils abound. Heroes & Heroines. The only shortcoming is the short length of the tale but as it is written with the intention of being read by 12 yr olds, I can see the reasoning in this. Not that you have to be 12 yrs old. I am 70 yrs old and thoroughly enjoy all the tales.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Storm Warrior (Grim); Author: Visit Amazon's Dani Harper Page; Review: Fantasy, battles, romance, sex! What more could you ask for. A very fictional Faerie story! A little too glib for me but ok to fill in some time with.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Wretched of Muirwood; Author: Visit Amazon's Jeff Wheeler Page; Review: A compelling read. Fantasy looks at humanity's struggle against insurmountable odds. Seeking faith to guide them be it a form of religion or earthly magic. Putting meaning yet again in that old but goody "have faith, you will prevail". Looking forward to the next book of Muirwood.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Hammer's Fall: The Chronicles Of Logan Hammersmith; Author: Derick Summers; Review: Enjoyed this engaging story of good v evil! Also the form of writing different to what I'm used to reading.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Landmoor; Author: Visit Amazon's Jeff Wheeler Page; Review: I rattling good story of good, evil & magic mixed in with knights & mystery & a smidgen of romance.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Villiers Lodge Hotel; City: Surbiton Kingston upon Thames Greater London England; Review: ; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Waldorf Bankside Serviced Apartments; City: Auckland Central North Island; Review: We booked a studio apartment for our first week in NZ whilst we flat hunted. The Bankside Waldorf Apartments were perfect for what we needed. Clean, comfortable and very central (5 mins from Queen Street). The manager was helpful and informative. The studios are spacious and everything you need; a small kitchen with oven , hobs, dishwasher, microwave, kettle, toaster, washing machine, heater, TV, Sky, wireless (reasonable cost)... I'd definitely recommend it for inexpensive, simple accommodation in the centre of Auckland.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: On the Beach Backpackers Lodge; City: Whitianga Coromandel Peninsula Waikato Region North Isl; Review: We booked 'On the Beach Backpackers' for one night to explore the Coromandels. It was great value, excellent location and very friendly and helpful staff. The double ensuite we had booked turned out to be a mini apartment with a small lounge/kitchen, separate bathroom and bedroom. The rooms were clean and well maintained. The owners seem to have thought of everything, with extra blankets, heaters, tea bags all supplied!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Abseil Breakfast Inn; City: Waitomo Caves Waitomo District Waikato Region North Island; Review: The Abseil Inn is one of the best B&Bs I have has the pleasure of staying in. A warm welcome and lovely hosts make the driveway worthwhile! The room was beautiful, we stayed in the swamp room with a double bath and a very comfortable bed. The owners have thought of every little detail, they gave us towels and shampoo for the cave trip, there were matches, candles and bubble bath for a dip afterwards. The B&B is on the top of a hill overlooking gorgeous countryside. The breakfast is plentiful and delicious with a surprisingly extensive selection of NZ honey. It's a fabulous place to stay.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rainforest Retreat; City: Franz Josef Westland National Park Te Wahipounamu West Coast Region ; Review: The rainforest retreat is a professionally ran campsite with reasonable prices and good facilities. It has fairly private motor home sites with/without power. The campsite is close by to the Main Street with cafes, bars, tours, supermarket and the glacier pools. A highlight was $6 to hire the private hot tub for 30 mins, great value and a treat after our ice climbing trip!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park; City: Queenstown Otago Region South Island; Review: The Queentown Lakeview Campsite felt like a car park with many motorhomes parked with only a few metres between sites. It has clean facilities but an overpriced laundry ($8 to wash and dry a load). The drier left the washing damp so we were forced to hang the washing around our campervan. The location is excellent, only a few minutes walk from the famous ferg burger! An ok campsite, I probably wouldn't stay again.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Old Shoulder of Mutton; City: Winster Peak District National Park England; Review: I couldn't ask for a more perfect bed and breakfast. Julie and Steven have thought of everything. Steven sent an email with recommendations of things to do and places to eat. We were welcomed with carrot cake and tea in the cosy guest lounge. Our bedroom was beautiful and had lovely original features including the fireplace, beams and a low door frame! The breakfast was delicious and full of locally sourced produce, the bacon is exceptionally good. I really cannot recommend this place enough, the hosts are friendly and the building is fantastic.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: A Hand To Guide Me; Author: Denzel Washington; Review: I purchased this book before it was released from the publisher. I was not disappointed in any way when I received the book. It provided insight into the character of Denzel Washington that you cannot get from watching him in the movies. Also, the short vignettes about various people were so uplifting! The principal point of the book that I received was that there are a lot of very successful people from the majority culture who never tell their hard luck stories in public. Overcoming adversity is not something that is relegated to ethnic minorites, even though that is all that you see reflected in the media. I also liked the format of the book because you can basically go down the list and select the people that most interest you in order to find out their background stories. There is really a broad cross section of Americans reflected in the book. I would recommend the book for teens as well as adults to provide the inspiration that you can make it, and your obstacles may be great, but, they are not as insurmountable as you may first think that they are. A beautiful book and one that I would recommend for every library (personal, educational, and public).; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: America I AM Legends: Rare Moments and Inspiring Words; Author: Smiley Books; Review: This book is a must have for those interested in Icons of Black History. The pictures and quotes are very poignant and summarize the essence of each person in a few powerful words.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Complete Quincy Jones: My Journey & Passions: Photos, Letters, Memories & More from Qs Personal Collection; Author: Visit Amazon's Quincy Jones Page; Review: I purchased this book with a birthday present gift card. It is beyond fabulous. The personal memorabilia that he has placed in the book is reproduced so well, that it seems like you actually have the real things at your disposal. I was so excited when I purchased the book and I was not disappointed at all. I am a great admirer of Mr. Jones because he is not only a musician and producer, but also, a composer and arranger. He defies stereotypes for African American musicians, yet he is quintessentially African American. He has embraced and arranged/composed for all musical mediums. He has no limits to his reach and creativity. I have several biographies on musicians and this is by far the best one. The combination of pictures, writing, and memorabilia help to create an "experience" that goes beyond just reading a bio, or just looking at a coffee table book. I highly recommend the book to all fans of Quincy Jones, and to those who want to get a glimpse of how he collaborated with musicians and entertainers across all genres. I would also recommend the book to young musicians who aspire to greatness, they can get a glimpse of how great a life a musician and a committed humanitarian can have. "Q" is most definitely an American Icon and a national treasure.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different; Author: Visit Amazon's Tullian Tchividjian Page; Review: The book Unfashionable gives a strong wakeup call to Christians that we need to be "different" from the world/culture. We are not supposed to blend in seemlessly with non-Christians. We are however to model the love of Christ here on earth, which is something we need to focus more strongly on. The book is very encouraging in terms of being different. Since America is such a conformist society, despite the rampant claims of individualism, there is a price to be paid for non-conformity. We must always remember that our allegiance is to God first, then man. The author writes in a clear engaging manner without being judgmental or preachy, which is quite an accomplishment. At the same time, he is clearly against compromise of the Word and Christianity. He outlines the dangers of compromise and re-inforces the need to go outside the church walls to minister to those in need. I highly recommend the book to those Christians who want to make a difference and at the same time please the Lord.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Michael Jackson Vault: A Tribute to the King of Pop 1958-2009; Author: David Lifton; Review: I purchased this book in lieu of purchasing numerous magazines about the King of Pop. The book quality is excellent and the fact that it is in it's own case is a bonus. The book covers the span of Michael's career in a positive way and also includes funeral pictures. There is no tabloid fodder or negativity in this book. The book is a great antidote to the horrendously biased and prejudiced coverage of Michael's death ( I mean prejudice in the true sense of the word - RACIAL). The American press could not accept that Michael is a world wide icon who is revered in and outside of the United States. His fame supersedes that of Elvis' and I can say that unequivocally because I was an adult when Elvis died. A great coffe table book that is reasonably priced and a great conversaton piece. I recommend the book to all of his fans and those curious about his life. It is a fitting memento of his career.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Free at Last: Experiencing True Freedom Through Your Identity In Christ; Author: Visit Amazon's Tony Evans Page; Review: This video set though old, contains info that is seldom taught in such an indepth manner. Dr. Evans explains the intent of the Christian life as defined by Christ, versus, what we normally think. He is very detailed about why some of us do not live a life of Freedom in Christ. He then tells how to live the Christian life without a sense of "should do this, must do this (works) and as a result living in total frustration. In short, he tells you how to have Freedom in Christ. If the set is ever re-released on DVD, I would highly recommend it to Christians everywhere. He is clear and down to earth, without being condescending.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Religions of the Stars: What Hollywood Believes and How It Affects You; Author: Visit Amazon's Richard Abanes Page; Review: I bought this book as a research tool for a class that I teach on Cults and World Religions. It provided me with the information that I needed on how Hollywood subtly and not so subtly puts religious views into movies without our knowledge. Great book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Capitol Men: The Epic Story of Reconstruction Through the Lives of the First Black Congressmen; Author: Visit Amazon's Philip Dray Page; Review: This book details the rise to power of the first Black congressmen during Reconstruction. It is not commonly known that Black people could vote immediately after slavery. The author gives a portrayal of men who were not shackled by negative stereotypes and refused to believe the dominant attitudes in society about Black capabilities. They lived by the creed of "The content of their character". Some were consummate politicians in the best sense of the word. They were men of brilliance, perseverance, and courage. They succeeded against all odds and serve as a great beacon of what can be done despite fierce racial prejudice.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Playing Piano for Pleasure: The Classic Guide to Improving Skills Through Practice and Discipline; Author: Charles Cooke; Review: This is a great book with specific, workable techniques for improving your piano playing skills. The way that he outlines how to break down a piece of music and learn it is enlightening. My question is, why did I not receive this type of instruction when I first learned to play the piano? This would have saved me years of frustration. Nevertheless, I have the tools now to improve my playing. I was truly amazed when I looked at the copyright date of the book, 1941!! The info has been around for decades!! If you like playing the piano for your own enjoyment, this book is invaluable. Follow his tips and you will see noticeable improvement in your playing within a week. You must practice faithfully on a daily basis. His techniques take the boredom out of practice. I immediately went out and bought an abacus to use as my counter to easily keep track of the number of times that I practiced the "fractures" Buy this book if you want to improve your playing, start where you are and go from there.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments: Finding Personal Meaning in a Crazy World; Author: Visit Amazon's Kent M. Keith Page; Review: This is one of the best books that I have ever read. It is filled with practical advice and is a joy to read! I recommend it highly.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Unbought and Unbossed: Expanded 40th Anniversary Edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Shirley Chisholm Page; Review: Shirley Chisholm is without peer! That is saying a lot in a country like America. Pioneer, trailblazer, lover of her constituents. I could go on and on. She spoke truth to power and did not back down! This usually results in abject failure for the speaker, but, not with Congresswoman Chisholm. She is a role model of integrity and caring, yet, she understood the political system and was able to use it to her advantage, rather than being a hapless victim. I highly recommend this book to all!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: West Side Story Special Edition; Author: Natalie Ddmgm 1004353 Wood; Review: Beautiful set. Great Price!. I already had the music to Somewhere that looks exactly like the cover of the DVD set! Had not seen movie in years. I love the screen play! Great bonus. I would recommend to those who like this movie. You can really tell that many years have passed since the movie was done. Race and ethnicity are apparently eternal issues for America!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Do It Anyway: The Handbook for Finding Personal Meaning and Deep Happiness in a Crazy World; Author: Visit Amazon's Kent M. Keith Page; Review: Book was very thought provoking. Hard to read it and remain the same person. I would recommend to those who want to improve their spirit in terms of dealing with difficult people. His logic is very piercing. The stories are almost as striking as the ones in the New Testament in the Bible.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 9 Things a Leader Must Do: How to Go to the Next Level--And Take Others With You; Author: Visit Amazon's Henry Cloud Page; Review: Amazing analysis of leadership! One of the best books that I have ever read about leadership. Practical and comprehensive without being the least bit boring. I have already recommended the book to several others. It was recommended to me by a former Xerox Sales Trainer.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: High Five! The Magic of Working Together; Author: Ken Blanchard; Review: This book is amazing! It is really an extended parable. Very inspiring! Great story, meanings are crystal clear. The principles are clear and very applicable to life.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Street; Author: Dimas Salaberrios; Review: This book is quite a story. Mr. Salaberrios has led an amazing life. Despite having two parents and living a middle class lifestyle, he still desired the street life. His story of redemption is nothing short of amazing. A wonderful and engrossing read. You will not be disappointed when reading it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Light, Bright and Damn Near White: Black Leaders Created by the One-Drop Rule; Author: Visit Amazon's Michelle Gordon Jackson Page; Review: This book is well written and the author backs up her statements with evidence. The book is enlightening and moves along swiftly. I would recommend this book highly to students of history. I would also recommend to those who like to know unusual occurrences in Black History.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shoot the Conductor: Too Close to Monteux, Szell, and Ormandy (Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Series); Author: Visit Amazon's Anshel Brusilow Page; Review: This book was a fantastic value. 8.95 for a 29.95 hardback book that came in shrinkwrap. For me as a bibliophile, it does not get any better than that! The story of Anshel Brusilow's lilfe is good. He shows the human side of classical musicians. (we know the human side of all other musicians thanks to the National Enquirer, TMZ, etc.) If you are a musician, I would recommend this autobiography. His personal insights about music are insightful. For example - he did not like to teach the violin, however he recognized that "those who teach best are those who learned best by breaking the task down into small steps, analyzing each challenge and finding the solution. ) p. 78.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Prayers That Avail Much: Gold Letter Edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Germaine Copeland Page; Review: This is one of the best prayer books on the market. I have used it since 1990 and the prayers are very effective. I highly recommend this book!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Sankofa Moment: The History of Trinity United Church of Christ; Author: Visit Amazon's Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Page; Review: Great read. I liked the story told from Dr Wright's perspective versus what the media has said about him. He was a good and understanding leader for the congregation. He was able to grow the church and also serve the community at the same time.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality; Author: Visit Amazon's Henry Cloud Page; Review: The missing ingredient that takes you from just the talented and successful to greatness is Integrity. Something that is sadly missing in the 21st century at lots of levels. We would do well to heed the advice of Dr. Cloud. Evaluate yourself. See if you meet the standard and if not, re-direct your life and actions. A great read and very inspiring.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Prayers That Avail Much: Three Bestselling Works Complete in One Volume; Author: Word Ministries Inc.; Review: Beautiful book! I have given two as gifts already. I would recommend this. I have the original hardback /3 volume book. However, this one is more compact, printed on beautiful paper and easy to read. I would highly recommend this product. The prayers are great and cover Everything!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Prayers That Avail Much; Author: Word Ministries; Review: Beautiful book! I have given two as gifts already. I would recommend this. I have the original hardback /3 volume book. However, this one is more compact, printed on beautiful paper and easy to read. I would highly recommend this product. The prayers are great and cover Everything!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century -Loose-leaf Edition (Musician Version); Author: None; Review: Beautiful book. Great accompanist manual. Found it cheaper on the Hymbook website, after I had bought it though. Did not return. Great for music collectors.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Music: Presents / Gifts for Music Lovers & Musicians [ Small Ruled Notebook / Journal Carnival ] (Music Gifts; Author: Visit Amazon's smART bookx Page; Review: Cheap and Shoddy. Definitely not worth 5.50. I do not recommend this. A more solid journal with music notes can be purchased for almost the same price. a hardback journal for the same price as this paper tablet.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Zebra Notebook: Gifts/Presents (Zebra Print/Stripes/Skin/Fur/Pattern - Ruled Notebook) [ Animal Print Stationery/Accessories ] (Contemporary Designs); Author: Visit Amazon's smART bookx Page; Review: Cheap and Shoddy. Definitely not worth 5.50. I do not recommend this. A more solid journal with music notes can be purchased for almost the same price. a hardback journal for the same price as this paper tablet.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Don't You Forget About Me (Book Two of Pam of Babylon); Author: Visit Amazon's Suzanne Jenkins Page; Review: The story of PAM OF BABYLON continues in this tale that allows a much more personal and even honest connection with the women of Jack's life as they become more honest with themselves about who they are and the road they traveled to get to the place they are now. It's emotionally riveting and addictive so be prepared to get hooked!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hunted; Author: Visit Amazon's Suzanne Ferrell Page; Review: Another great story in the Edgers Family Saga! Just reading this kept me tense with anxiety as the story unfolded with never ending action. Not to mention a great representation of the efforts required to deal with past horrors and learn to trust and love as well as the commitment and patience required to teach a wounded warrior how to trust and depend on another. I'm going straight away to read the next story in this fabulous series!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dream Lover (Book Three of Pam of Babylon); Author: Visit Amazon's Suzanne Jenkins Page; Review: What can I say that hasn't been said before?! The ongoing saga of the love and devastation of Jack's life and those blessed and cursed to be involved in it will pull you in like driving by the scene of a train wreck...you can't look away yet are so thankful you aren't involved! This book is just as compelling and well written as the first, if not more so...an unusual feat in most ongoing series of stories. I'm moving onto the next story anxious to witness the further character development that has unfurled with each story thus far.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Christmas in Greektown: Greektown Stories Book Three (Volume 3); Author: Visit Amazon's Suzanne Jenkins Page; Review: This story won't disappoint as some do in serial sagas! Excellently written with intrigue and excitement from beginning to end! It made me wish I had a colorful Greek family to spend my holidays with! The loyalty and support this family offers each other during tragedy despite their differences is a very real and honest portrait of many families.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Lace Reader: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Brunonia Barry Page; Review: Amazingly well written story that is as unique as each shell in the sea! It gripped me from the beginning with descriptions that created visions of this world, it's inhabitants and the lace they created and read. There is a brief period as you near the climax that left me questioning if there actually was one or had I missed it...a period needed to prepare the reader for what was to come...A climax that made my heart beat faster, my shoulders tense and hooked me on every word as I navigated the unexpected twists and turns, the revelations and understanding of the evil that unfortunately is very real in this world! The most unusual thing about this story is that I was satisfied when I finished it, not crying out to know more or feeling patronized with a happily-ever-after closing...but left in a place to believe in the power of hope and healing. You won't regret a moment spent with this story!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Scattered Life; Author: Visit Amazon's Karen McQuestion Page; Review: This is a story about life. And just like life there are brief periods that seem to drag along without much happening that appears noteworthy. But those periods, like life, are broken up by moments of utter joy and happiness, confusion, pain and loss. It's easy to read this and judge the characters for their selfish thoughts and actions, but it's an honest portrayal of how many people think and feel everyday and everyone does at least on occasion. Cuddle up prepared to stay awhile because it's a book you don't want to put down! And keep the tissues close at hand...You're going to need them!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Tanglewood Plantation; Author: Visit Amazon's Jocelyn Miller Page; Review: I fell in love with this novel from the first page! The characters are believable and realistic throughout. It's a unique tale of falling back into a time that's as foreign as traveling to another country alone. It's riveting, tragic and hopeful!! In one word...FABULOUS!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Tanglewood Plantation II: Adventure in the Everglades. (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Jocelyn Miller Page; Review: It's rare that a sequel is as good as the first of the series but this book achieved that and more! It continues with a glimpse into life during another time, the challenges, atrocities, and strength of spirit of the people who lived through it. And it does that all extremely well!! I couldn't stop reading it! The cliffhanger at the end led me immediately to the third book of this series. Read them all chronologically. You will be glad you did!! This saga will make your heart race, your shoulders tense, your faith to arise and your spirit and heart to crack at times. Its a tale that makes you consider what people endured through the Civil War and how some persevered while others lost hope. Its a fascinating tale that's worth your time to read and consider the plight of the history of our country and be thankful for those with the strength and spirit to survive and even thrive, uncovering strengths they didn't know they had. And it's exploded in a unique way that flows easily and is never distracting. Excellent!!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Tanglewood Plantation III: Adventure in New Orleans; Author: Jocelyn Miller; Review: Another fabulous story that sucks you into the perils and challenges of life during the Civil War and allows a glimpse into the actions some took as a means to survive this horrendous time. It's just as good as the first in the series! I read all 3 within 2 days!! It's hard to put down.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Kitchen House: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Kathleen Grissom Page; Review: This is a profound story of the horror and beauty of life during the worst days of slavery. At times it's difficult to read but impossible to stop. It reflects man's humanity and love for one another and the devastation wrought through jealousy and resentment. Very well written with believable characters and storyline that has you holding your breath through the trauma and loss and cheering through the small victories. I LOVED it!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shine Not Burn; Author: Visit Amazon's Elle Casey Page; Review: This was a really fun story that sucks you in from the beginning. Mack and Andie have you laughing a lot, crying a little, and cheering for a happily-ever-after even if you aren't really a believer. Their story is a great example of how to shine not burn! It's a super fast read because you don't want to put it down! It's consistently exciting and entertaining from beginning to end.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: FAR AWAY HOME, an Historical Novel of the American West: Aislynn's Story- Book I; Author: Visit Amazon's Susan Denning Page; Review: I must admit this story was in greater depth and detail than I anticipated. It's a wonderful story of adventure, love, danger and hope as the West was settled soon after the gold rush and the East/West railway was being created. It's a fabulous novel although the ending left me frustrated and irritated, open to a sequel obviously. It ruined part of my pleasure after enjoying each page until then. Now there's nothing left to do but keep my eyes open for the continuing saga that I hope is yet to come.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: MacKenzie Fire: A Sequel to Shine Not Burn; Author: Visit Amazon's Elle Casey Page; Review: The story of City and Country is just as fun to read as it's predecessor, Shine Not Burn! It has unlimited laughter, a few tears, hot love scenes but not horribly graphic, and a realistic glimpse into the psyche of some people. It's got it all! A really fun and fast read that leaves you smiling but wishing for more when it's over!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Don't Make Me Beautiful; Author: Visit Amazon's Elle Casey Page; Review: This is a story that imprints on your soul and will never leave you!! The issue of domestic violence is handled with honesty and understanding in a way that it seldom is. This book made me laugh often, bawl like a baby, and bring light to hope for those who have endured and survived, just as I have. You will never regret reading this but you might one day regret that you didn't. Read it and share it with your friends and family! Share a great novel and the education and enlightenment that this story holds!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Whistling Woman (Appalachian Journey) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's CC Tillery Page; Review: This is the first of 4 books in this series and I LOVED them all!! Along the vein of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, this story shares a glimpse of life at another time, a simpler time. However this brought to life my heritage with so much history and legends of the Cherokee tribe. I read the entire 4-novel series in one weekend and hated for it to end!! It's fascinating and entertaining yet relatable.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sleeping With the Enemy: Jackson Falls Book 2; Author: Visit Amazon's Laurie Breton Page; Review: I fell in love with COMING HOME, the first in the Jackson Falls series. I couldn't wait to delve into this story!! I wasn't disappointed! I read it straight through in a day. It's riveting with fully fleshed characters that are only briefly introduced in the first story... plot is well constructed and together it has you hoping for a happy ending but unsure if that can happen. I found myself relating a little too well with Rose and even dreaming of a man such as Jesse! My only disappointment was that it wasn't the mercurial saga of COMING HOME. But then again, that stroke of magic is hard to capture more than once and might've felt too contrived and redundant in a second installment of a series. Those feelings aren't nearly enough to dissuade me from continuing my exploration of the people of Jackson Falls! Breton has created people and a town I want to know more about, be friends and neighbors with and share this quaint place they call home. What more can you ask from a writer?!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Coming Home; Author: Visit Amazon's Laurie Breton Page; Review: This is beyond a romance novel. It's exciting, interesting, flirty, ferocious, heartwarming, heartbreaking and romantic enough to bring butterflies to the stomach of non-believers. It's a roller coaster ride that has you cheering at times and holding your breath at others. I'm on my way to read the sequel!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Days Like This (Jackson Falls Series); Author: Visit Amazon's Laurie Breton Page; Review: I have not a single complaint about this third installment of the Jackson Falls saga. I was only disappointed it ended so soon! It's as exhilarating and anxiety ridden as I've come to expect from this series. Breton does it again...thank goodness!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Miles Between Us: Jackson Falls Book 6 (Volume 6); Author: Visit Amazon's Laurie Breton Page; Review: FINALLY!!! Every story in this series is engaging and entertaining. However, until now none have measured up to the first, COMING HOME. This one does in spades!! It's as compelling, emotional and fear inducing but also as hopeful and exciting!! I'm so glad I read this entire series from beginning to end in chronological order!! It may be one of my favorite ever!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Light of Hidden Flowers; Author: Visit Amazon's Jennifer Handford Page; Review: This story went beyond my expectations!! Ultimately, it's the story of 3 people struggling to define who they are and where they belong at their current stages in life, all having suffered loss and feeling as though they somehow should be more or better. The author handles this with an astute and deft touch leaving you so involved and invested in the tale that you might fail to recognize that the characters are all traveling the same journey but fighting their own demons as they negotiate their paths to a better place, a stronger knowledge of self and renewed confidence and hope for a better future. It's heartwarming and inspirational and extremely well written! All around a great story about unexpected discoveries when you're willing to step out of your safety zone and be bold in spite of the fear!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The One I Was; Author: Visit Amazon's Eliza Graham Page; Review: A fascinating story about the lives of people struggling to survive and thrive through the worst circumstances and come to terms with the guilt they each harbor for the decisions and lives they've led. Utterly entertaining yet a serious novel addressing a very human condition. Excellent character development and plot lines! Although it's not a story with excitement and intrigue on every page it's definitely one you will remember long after you finish it!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ink & Lies; Author: Visit Amazon's S.L. Jennings Page; Review: I wasn't familiar with this author when I stumbled across this book. It looked like a light-hearted, entertaining read. And it was! Plus much more. As I was enjoying the witty repartee and sexual escapades I fell in love with Rhys and Fi and the Colonel. And then it made me cry. This fluffy piece of light entertainment touched my soul and shattered my heart!!! And I fell more deeply in love than before. It's fabulous and so much fun to enter this fictional world and dysfunctional cast of characters!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: When You Were Older; Author: Visit Amazon's Catherine Ryan Hyde Page; Review: This isn't exactly light-hearted reading. It's a compelling story of life after the tragedy of 9/11, the loss of your mother and learning to reclaim your past and adjust to your new normal. It's honest and poignant. It's a story that makes you love the characters and mourn when their time in your life comes to an end. But just maybe some of the lessons in Russell's story will stay with you longer than you realize. It's a stunning work of fiction!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: An Absent Mind; Author: Visit Amazon's Eric Rill Page; Review: This is a truly gifted work that offers a glimpse into the life of dealing with Alzheimer's disease, a diagnosis worse than death for a man and his dysfunctional family. It's emotional without being melodramatic. It's painful to witness their descent into the depths of this horrible condition and fight to retain what's buried underneath the disease...the man with all his flaws, the husband and father. It's painful to read but impossible to stop. It's intimate and honest with well developed characters and a plot dictated by the progression of the disease. This was my first encounter with a story by this talented author but it won't be my last. I will be looking for more!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Worthy; Author: Visit Amazon's Catherine Ryan Hyde Page; Review: This is a story about second chances. What happens when you finally get the chance to build a relationship with someone you thought was gone forever only to have them reappear in your life but different than you dreamed they would be?! It's a compelling and complex relationship that rises up with the help of a wonderful dog and the memories one person can share with the other. It's a lovely story full of hope and finding ways to make friends and create the family you dreamed of. Excellent story and unique plot! It's WORTHY of your time!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Wreckage; Author: Visit Amazon's Emily Bleeker Page; Review: This story is gritty, heartbreaking, gripping and hopeful! A fabulous story that you can't put down. It has drama, intrigue, romance and the unlikeliest of protagonists...the truth. It's the stalker that haunts them and threatens not just their present lives but their healing from the past and all the horrors they endured. It's so beautifully written that it feels effortless. It flows smoothly from past to present with well defined characters and a unique and compelling plot. Can't wait to read more from this author!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: When I'm Gone: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Emily Bleeker Page; Review: This story offers a painfully honest glimpse into grief and how to begin living again, holding onto the person you lost so tightly that you're missing the life you should be living, and uncovering secrets you never imagined and discovering the truth and how all these painful steps lead Luke into living again. It's confusing and sad, funny and intriguing, and a story that you are so anxious to continue that you can't wait for just another moment to squeeze in just one more page! I didn't want this story to end!! Amazingly well written and incredibly moving in so many ways!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Funerals for Horses; Author: Visit Amazon's Catherine Ryan Hyde Page; Review: This is a painfully difficult story to read, especially if you have any experience with mental health illnesses and the toll and impact it has on every member of a family. Hyde handles this with remarkable insight and brutal honesty yet there remains an underlying thread of hope, compassion and faith in the love of family who shared not only the childhood of growing up in a house consumed by mental illness but their own faith in each other to overcome it. Simon and Ella are deeply flawed yet lovable characters that you cry for and fight with in their battles. It's a fabulously unique story about a common topic that you will savor long after it ends, a story you can get lost in over and over again! I put off reading this novel by a favorite writer of mine, placing several others ahead of it, unsure if this was a book for me. I wish I hadn't waited! It's a story for everyone! Bravo!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Grave Secrets; Author: Visit Amazon's Linda Trout Page; Review: A really great, entertaining story! You will get lost in Sara and Morgan as the intrigue and unsolved mysteries complicate their initial feelings and purpose in their business relationship. The disappearance of Sara's daughter appears to be the thing to bring them together before evidence of Sara's involvement in multiple deaths drives them apart. And whatever happened to Sara's daughter, abducted the day of her father's funeral?! This story will suck you into these mysteries and the sadness as Sara's fight to maintain her sanity leaves you hoping and wanting so much more for her! It's a book you hope doesn't end!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Language of Hoofbeats; Author: Visit Amazon's Catherine Ryan Hyde Page; Review: Another amazing novel from Catherine Ryan Hyde! The superlatives have all been used before with her works to the point of redundancy. This story about a modern family of fostered children and adopted, abandoned animals will touch your heart in an unexpected and maybe unknown way. It points out that families seem to fall into one of two categories...the talkers and the non-talkers, and how people can be impacted by both in ways not examined too closely before. It's a story about a girl and a horse, or maybe two girls and a horse but it's so much more than that! It's at times funny, sometimes dark, unflinchingly honest and offers a thread of hope...for change, for happiness and for healing. It's brightest message is that families come in various forms just as happiness does. It's a really fabulous novel that will leave hoof prints on your heart and might expand your view and understanding of the people around you and how you perceive and respond to them. I put this book down on the lower part of my reading list, not expecting it to appeal to me very much but having faith in one of my favorite authors. I was surprised to find that when finished it was one of my favorites!! You might be just as surprised! Don't hesitate!! Read it today!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Thousand Lies; Author: Visit Amazon's Sharon Sala Page; Review: Man, this story is something else!!! I loved it from the beginning. With a setting of the Louisiana bayou and New Orleans it has the PERFECT history and mystic energy to get lost in as the story of the Poe family and those they love unfolds. It's a novel with intrigue and exciting twists and turns. It's the age-old battle of evil against good, love against hate but told in an enthralling and unique way. I read it straight through without stopping and when it was over I wished for more. My favorite Sala novel so far and ranks near the top of my overall works of current fiction!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Hen House; Author: Visit Amazon's Sharon Sala Page; Review: I read all 3 books in the Whippoorwill Series within 2 days from start to finish. Each one got better and better, unlike many series which often struggle after the first installment. These characters are fully fleshed, complex and consistent throughout and the plot lines continue to be entertaining and overall unpredictable. It's often unexpectedly humorous and yet heartwarming while also being painful and insightful. I would recommend this to anyone, even readers who generally aren't drawn to period dramas.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Out Of The Dark; Author: Visit Amazon's Sharon Sala Page; Review: Sala has created a riveting and emotional saga about how hope and love can survive through the ashes of unbelievable trauma and tragedy. You will cry for the victims and cheer for justice. But mostly you will love these characters and pray for healing and resolution! Would make an awesome movie but cost a fortune to do this story justice!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Reunion; Author: Visit Amazon's Sharon Sala Page; Review: It's a triple threat! This story has it all in twists and turns you won't see coming! Great characters you will love, a well executed plot and a quick read that you won't want to put down!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Star Sand; Author: Visit Amazon's Roger Pulvers Page; Review: I read this novel with no prior knowledge of the author or it's story but I can honestly say it's a story that I will never forget! It's beautiful and heartbreaking...a sad statement to the effects of war on humanity. But most of all it offers the reader the opportunity to question the definition of bravery during such turmoil when fear and devastation is an expected part of daily life. It's so easy to read and be absorbed into this story. You will find your heart opening and feeling compassion and empathy for each of the central characters. Even those you might not expect to. This is truly a piece of literature that I think the world could benefit by if used as required reading in educational institutions. It's said that we must learn from our past to avoid making the same mistakes in the future. Maybe stories such as this could impact enough people to slow the fervor for war that is so widespread throughout the world...but that's asking far too much from a novel, fiction or otherwise. Because ultimately humans seem to fall clearly on one side of the issue or the others, just as the brothers in this story do, just another example of how war tears families apart. This review is far too long but I can't express enough my pleasure, passion and emotion I have for this book! It's a story I didn't want to stop reading even after a satisfying and befitting end. Read it today and spread the word!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Field Of Poppies; Author: Visit Amazon's Sharon Sala Page; Review: OMG... I admit I have only recently discovered the art of Sharon Sala but from the first novel I was a FAN, as in fanatic. I have been working my way through her books with increasing speed and admiration with each one. However, I cannot imagine one surpassing this!!! I was actually breathless at the ending!! This is a creation of life-like characters facing some real-life issues with honest emotion within a plot that could have easily become cheesy and unbelievable without her deft sensitivity, insight and understanding of humanity and the lengths that people will go to out of love...love of power, prestige and greed...love of a parent for their child...the love of a man for his family, his faith and truth. The story reflects in a heartwarming and heart wrenching way the definition of family without ploys to draw the reader in but with directness and truth. It's a story of salvation and redemption. But it's also a story of a mysterious murder and not just a loss of a loved one but also a loss of innocence and faith in what had always been held as truth. It's riveting!! I came to love these characters, all of them including those who lived outside the boundaries of law, and I wanted to read about the rest of their lives. I was left comfortable with the knowledge of how their lives continue, but I wanted to be a witness to it! This story touched me so deeply that I was emotionally invested without ever having personally experienced any of these events. I cannot say enough about how much I loved this creation and yet I have no more words. READ IT TODAY!!!! Step into Poppy's life and experience each twist and turn, each high and low, and every emotion along the way! You know, they say that the definition of true art is it's ability to make you feel something. This isn't a book or a story...it's art.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Living with Markus; Author: Visit Amazon's Florence Osmund Page; Review: This story captures so many of the struggles that are prevalent today within families and our communities...addiction, caring for an ailing parent, juggling the responsibilities of a family and work. And it does it with a deft hand in creating characters that feel real and a believable storyline. I loved the insight and empathy shown in expressing the emotions of Marc as his life is changing from what it was and what he had expected it to be!! Having experienced a similar situation myself I felt that it was such a realistic, honest and sympathetic representation of the war that one often wages within themselves under these circumstances! Sometimes it does seem that the story is a bit slow to move along but isn't that also how life goes?! The really big moments and achievements take time!! This novel also shows the benefits of having a village to help with raising children and caring for our parents when they can no longer care for themselves. It's not a job that's easy or too often successful when handled alone by a single person. This story shares with the reader the joy and support of good friendships, the love and heartache of being a family and struggling through the difficulties in life, and the rewards of giving second chances to those you love with no expectation of receiving anything in return!! It's beautifully written and paints a picture in the mind of the reader that leaves you feeling as if you watched it all unfold without dragging you down with excessive details and descriptions. This is a story about love, forgiveness, loss and making mistakes in life even with the best of intentions, as we all do! When your reach the end of the story you will feel that you know these characters and have shared their lives, the struggles and the triumphs, and that you know what happens after the story ends but their lives continue. It's a pleasurable and satisfying story to read with enough drama to hold your interest and enough reality to capture your heart as you laugh, cry, mourn and celebrate with these new friends!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: In Her Eyes; Author: Visit Amazon's Wesley Banks Page; Review: A heartwarming and heartbreaking story that you will love!! You will hold your breath at times with your heart racing, almost afraid to read the next lines as you experience the pain and joy of Ben and Casey's story. And it will end far more quickly than you want it to!! You feel like you know every character and can see them dance across your eyes from the first line of this story!! Expect to laugh and cry at the expected and unexpected events as this story unfolds. So well written that even when events occur as you may expect you can't help but be emotionally invested in every step of this journey. And it's a journey worth taking!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shoot Down; Author: Visit Amazon's Mark A. Hewitt Page; Review: This story is complex. Be prepared to take your time diving into this world of espionage, post 9/11 terrorist actions and political posturing and fighting for power!! I enjoyed every page of this work of fiction and caught myself more than once wondering how much distance really lies between fiction and truth. This story is so well created, characters so realistic, and the storyline so believable that I think as a reader you can't help but wonder! The only drawback for me was the number of $1000 words the author used throughout the story. I'm very well read, a former journalist and editor, and I had to refer more than once to Google for definitions! That interruption of the flow of the story kept me from getting fully engrossed in this harrowing tale and from becoming too attached to the characters. Also, at the end, I was disappointed to not learn of the revelation of Kelly Horne, her role in his life, and how she would be accepted into his life beyond her parallel career path.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: One Way; Author: Visit Amazon's Tom Barber Page; Review: This is my first book to read by this author but it won't be my last!! A fantastic, thrilling, nail biting story from beginning to end!! I read it straight through in one day without stopping! You won't want to put it down! Loved these characters and the storyline was intense and almost believable in this era of corruption and violence! Amazing novel by such a young author!! His talent is obvious. He was born for this!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Forget Me Not: Book One (Mark Kane Mysteries) (Volume 1); Author: Mr John Hemmings; Review: I am a big fan of mystery and crime novels, both fiction and nonfiction. This is my first novel by this writer and I was immensely impressed!! It's not some fast-paced whodunnit with quick twists and turns, unnecessary violence and salacious sexcapades...it reads like a true story with a progressive storyline that's realistic and believable and characters that are well defined, fully fleshed out and realistically intelligent, flawed and humane. It's a testament to the talent of this author that a reader can easily forget that this is a work of fiction!! Like true crime stories, there are periods when the story lags a bit waiting for the next piece of the picture to be divulged. However, I think this lends to the realistic tone of the story. Unlike a television show everything is wrapped up nice and neatly in 30 minutes in real life and this novel progresses in a realistically timely manner. In addition to an interesting storyline it also raises some moral questions for the reader to ponder about what they might do in a similar situation as Mark Kane, the lead character. I like that this character has those challenges to address. His response to these situations reveal a great deal about him and reflect the thought and effort that was put into creating a character that's lovable but flawed, honorable but not perfect and far from pious! He's neither the suave James Bond, the bungling Inspector Clousieu or the genius of Sherlock Holmes...he's a tiny bit of a dreamer that would like to be like all of the above in some ways but he's a regular guy who just has to work hard and use everything available to him to get the pieces of the puzzle to form the full picture. He and his best friend/secretary/advisor and sounding board are both characters that you would enjoy knowing in real life!! And that makes them characters that you will want to visit over and over again!! I'm delving into the next book in the series and I can't wait!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Pitch Black (Blackwood Security) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Elise Noble Page; Review: This was my first introduction into the work of Elise Noble, the author of this exciting novel but I am now a total fan of her and Diamond, the tough-as-nails, cunning and emotionally damaged main character in this story! I drawn into the story from the beginning...the description of the pain and loss, fear of the unknown and an unquenchable need to escape her world are universal feelings that most people have experienced at some point in their life! And it was depicted so honestly without melodramatics that I immediately was drawn to this character as though she were someone I already knew! And each character was just as fully developed and interesting as they were introduced into the storyline! And what a storyline it is!! I thought fairly early on that I had it all figured out...and I couldn't have been more wrong! There are unexpected twists and turns all along the way! You won't see this one coming!! Although the story didn't end with a HEA that ties everything up all nice and tidy, it ended with a good-enough-for-now that leaves the reader satisfied for the moment and hopeful for the future...and definitely anxious to read the next story in this series!! Buy it and read it today! You will be happy you did!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mistake Creek: An action-packed conspiracy thriller - Kindle edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Rachel Amphlett Page; Review: This is an action packed adventure from beginning to end!! And the twists and turns will keep you on your toes! It's exciting, interesting and unpredictable! You'll love this ride!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Color of Heaven; Author: Visit Amazon's Julianne MacLean Page; Review: I have read this book THREE TIMES in less than a year!!! And it is still just as riveting, emotional, hopeful and thought-provoking as the first time!! You will never regret a minute spent in a book from The Color of Heaven series! And you won't forget it either!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Malevolent: (Cases of Lieutenant Kane Series Book 1) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's E.H. Reinhard Page; Review: Love Lt. Carl Kane!! A fully fleshed out character that you can't help but like even with his flaws!! And this storyline is a helluva ride from beginning to end!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Withholding Evidence (Evidence Series) (Volume 3); Author: Visit Amazon's Rachel Grant Page; Review: From Concrete Evidence thru to Withholding Evidence, these stories are a fast, fun, exciting roller coaster ride of drama, intrigue, hot sex and romance! Never a dull moment! I read all three straight through in less than 2 days because I didn't want to put them down. You won't want to either!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Malevolent (Shaye Archer Series) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Jana DeLeon Page; Review: What a gripping, exciting and addictive story from beginning to end! Lots of twists and turns with a few red herrings thrown in to keep you guessing till the end! And it's an end that you won't see coming!! A wonderful lead character that pulls on your heartstrings from the start with plenty of well-fleshed supporting characters...at times you will laugh out loud and maybe you will have a tear in your eye as you become absorbed into this mystery and the heartache and trauma for the residents of NOLA that you quickly fall in love with! An excellent book!! Can't wait for the next in this series!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dirty Laundry - A True Story: From the Streets to an Executive One Man's Forty Year Journey; Author: Visit Amazon's Ivan Von Baublitz Page; Review: This is a great book that makes you ponder your own journey through life and the favor you have received. It is a bit difficult to read through most of the book because it's written based on the level of education the main character has during the period of his life he's sharing...As a confirmed OCD addict and member of the grammar police it drove me NUTS!!! LOL! But I would still recommend it to anyone who enjoys a biography or tale of people who overcome great adversity!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: What's Left of Me (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Amanda Maxlyn Page; Review: I not only laughed and cried while reading this story but I giggled outload and sobbed in heartache! This story is about two young people who meet during a life-or-death struggle but it's a wonderful novel for anyone of any age! It makes you think about what is really "living" and what you might do in the same situation. It makes you think and it makes you FEEL, deeply. It's extremely well-written!! Conveying joy, passion and happiness well is one thing...but realistically expressing raw pain, deep seated fears, the turmoil of battling just to live and have an opportunity for a life is something entirely more complex and often shied away from. Not by this author in this story!! It's a story that will stay with me, as a part of me and how I view my life as I cope with my own life-altering disability, forever. It made me reflect on my own life and how I want to LIVE!! You can't ask for any more from a novel than that it touches something deep inside you and hopefully leaves a lasting impression and this story delivers in spades!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hyde, an Urban Fantasy; Author: Visit Amazon's Lauren Stewart Page; Review: This story is FABULOUS!! A hint of mystery and intrigue, a pinch of paranormal, and a healthy dose of hot sex and passion is obviously a recipe for a successful, addictive novel that you will hate to see end!! I can't wait to continue reading the story of Mitch and Eden, two monsters who are more than they appear that you will love from the very first page!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Memory of Us: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Camille Di Maio Page; Review: This is an unexpected, surprising, heartwarming and heartbreaking period novel that you won't soon forget!! If you're looking for light reading for your commute to work or to unwind for a few minutes each day this is NOT the book for you! It's riveting!!! You fall in love with Julianne and Kyle immediately as well as most of the other central characters. Even those you don't like you come to understand to some degree. This is a story of growing up, sacrifice, happiness and loss, joy and sorrow, and even redemption and hope. And maybe leaves the reader believing in the healing power of time, love and forgiveness. A really EXCELLENT story!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Body Reader (Detective Jude Fontaine Mysteries); Author: Visit Amazon's Anne Frasier Page; Review: This is a unique and gripping story that you can't put down once you start it! The characters are well created and true to themselves throughout. The story is riveting, exciting and often unexpected...everything you would want in a crime/thriller/mystery novel!! I hated to see it end yet somehow you know that Jade will continue to not only survive but to thrive and you REALLY want her to!! The interactions between the characters feels genuine and organic and the storyline moves at a fast pace. I read it straight through in one day and now wish that I could start all over again! You might not be surprised by who is kidnapping and murdering these young women but you will be surprised by the revelation and confrontation! It's worth reading TWICE!! REALLY EXCELLENT!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Broken Angels; Author: Visit Amazon's Gemma Liviero Page; Review: One of the best and most memorable novels I have read in years!!! I don't have words to describe how this story and these characters crawled through my mind, traveled my body and planted firmly in my heart but that's exactly what happened!! It's not some fast-paced, thrill-a-minute, roller coaster ride. This is literature!! It's a work of art created from a place of love obviously! And it will leave you feeling just that way, and so happy that you read it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: But Not Forgotten (Clint Wolf Mystery Series) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's BJ Bourg Page; Review: This is my first novel by this author but it certainly won't be my last! His grasp of police procedures, human pain and suffering and the psychology of his characters is on point painting vivid pictures in your mind as you read the story. And it's an exciting story from the start to the end!! Lots of plot twists to keep you on your toes and an ending that you won't predict! It's a super-fast read, probably because you don't want to put it down! Read it today and you'll be hooked, too!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Evelyn, After: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Victoria Helen Stone Page; Review: This story grips you from the first page and doesn't let go til the end!!! It's fabulous! You will feel horrified at the lengths some characters go to in this novel. You may rant and rail at them in your head. You will definitely feel their pain, frustration, fear and confusion. And you will love most of them even when you hate the choices they are making! This is a story about losing something you thought was everything, something priceless and irreplaceable, only to discover that the real thing of value was laid down long ago and is still there waiting to be picked back up again! It's a painful, heart wrenching story of loss and hope!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Before he Kills (A Mackenzie White Mystery-Book 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Blake Pierce Page; Review: The works by Blake Pierce never disappoint but this new character and series is something to be really excited about! Mackenzie White is an extremely well developed character with great strengths and just as great weaknesses. You will appreciate her brilliance, stubbornness and vulnerability all in the pursuit of ending the spree of a serial killer with more working against her than for her. You will experience her heartache, insecurities and fear as well as her drive and determination to succeed in spite of all the obstacles she's facing. You will cheer for her small victories and agonize over her failures but ultimately you will come away from this book with a new favorite protagonist that feels alot like a close friend! I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an exciting, twisted glimpse into the terror of evil and psychological thrillers!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Weightless; Author: Visit Amazon's Kandi Steiner Page; Review: Although I am well past the age of being a Young Adult I sometimes find a book that appeals to me and this one hooked my interest from the start! It's adult, complex and sophisticated enough to satisfy readers of all adult ages. This is a heartbreaking, heartwarming story of coming of age, shattered innocence, the pain and joy of growing into adulthood and of first love! You will cheer for, be frustrated beyond imagination by, and hold high hopes for Natalie, Mason and Rhodes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: AN Innocent Client (Joe Dillard); Author: Visit Amazon's Scott Pratt Page; Review: Joe Dillard is a man you will quickly be drawn to and the kind of character you wish was really your friend...a defense attorney who is burnt out after years of fighting for the wrong side, a loyal, honest and loving husband and father, the kind of buddy you would enjoy having dinner and drinks with once a week. This first novel in the series is a real page turner! You might figure out fairly early on who is behind the murder of the less-than-respectable evangelist but there are so many ways that the story twists and turns that you still won't be disappointed! It's exciting enough to get lost in yet realistic enough to make you believe it's possible and you can't help wanting to know what happens next to this really lovable protagonist as he makes his way through the mine field of being a criminal defense attorney dealing with the worst of society on both sides of the law!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Butterfly Garden (The Collector); Author: Visit Amazon's Dot Hutchison Page; Review: This is one of the most fascinating, unusual and disturbing books I have read in a very long time!!! And I read 4-5 books a week. It's like watching a train wreck...horrific but you can't turn away from the sight. The storyline is complex, unique, fluid and very well developed as are the characters. You will love some, hate some and even have mixed feelings about the antagonists in this novel. It's the perfect recipe for a fabulous psychological thriller!! I LOVED every page and was saddened and excited for the future when I reached the end...an utterly fascinating and terrifying story that will leave you with real emotion long after you finish the last word. You will never see butterflies again and not recall this story, I think.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Under the Legend; Author: Visit Amazon's Carolina Carter Page; Review: Although not a fantasy as most might expect the idea of a private island...a place where much loved celebrities can escape from the endless hounding of media and live a peaceful and private life of their own creation after experiencing an untimely "death"...is fantastical yet also firmly based on some theories and dreams of diehard fans since the death of Elvis. This story touches the reader with remembrances of some of those much loved and missed, bigger-than-life, heroes and heroines of bygone days. It also includes a cast of well developed new characters that you will come to love and hate, with little room for ambiguity. The story is riveting, exciting and thought-provoking throughout. What would you do and how far would you be willing to go to runaway from paradise to return to your real life and the world you know?! Could you leave behind the love of your life to suffer torture or death just so you could return to where you came from? Reading this novel is a glimpse into a fairytale life that offers access to the greatest talents and minds the world has known in a paradise without worry, stress, the problems and wars raging around the world, if only you could leave behind the world and life you had before. It's a wonderful novel that will touch you in unexpected ways as the story unfolds in unpredictable twists and turns throughout.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Problem With Crazy (Crazy In Love) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Lauren K. McKellar Page; Review: I laughed out loud and bawled like a baby...it's just that good!! I can't wait to read the rest of the series but I hope it doesn't remind me of my own pain and losses in life quite as well as this story did! LOL; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Any Means Necessary (a Luke Stone Thriller-Book #1); Author: Visit Amazon's Jack Mars Page; Review: This story is unexpected and exciting from the first page! You can't stop reading! It's like watching a train wreck and just wondering how far it will go before it stops, just like Luke Stone as he fights to uncover who is behind the theft of radioactive materials and what the plot is really about! You will love the partnership between Luke and Ed, the newest member of the SRT team as they work together against the evil that has overtaken this country. The plot is timely and believable, terrifyingly so, and the characters are so deftly created that you can picture them in your mind's eye throughout the story. You will be hooked before you near the last page!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Any Means Necessary (a Luke Stone Thriller-Book #1) - Kindle edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Jack Mars Page; Review: This story is unexpected and exciting from the first page! You can't stop reading! It's like watching a train wreck and just wondering how far it will go before it stops, just like Luke Stone as he fights to uncover who is behind the theft of radioactive materials and what the plot is really about! You will love the partnership between Luke and Ed, the newest member of the SRT team as they work together against the evil that has overtaken this country. The plot is timely and believable, terrifyingly so, and the characters are so deftly created that you can picture them in your mind's eye throughout the story. You will be hooked before you near the last page!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Scent of Lies: A Paradise Valley Mystery (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Debra Burroughs Page; Review: This is the first book I have read by Debra Burroughs but it won't be the last! It was a complex, interesting and exciting story with most of the characters being very well developed and realistic, even in their evil. The romance was a nice touch and added to the building excitement and suspense. I am looking forward to reading more of this series and learning the secrets Evan had worked so hard to keep Emily from knowing! I can't wait to learn all the answers as Emily and Colin work together to solve future mysteries including how to build a life together after they have both suffered such loss and are still coming to terms with their grief and this unexpected relationship!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dead Line (A Cal Murphy Thriller) (Volume 2); Author: Jack Patterson; Review: Cal Murphy is everything you love in a journalist and nothing you expect in a hero! His sidekick and secret love, Kelly Mendoza, is the perfect partner for him as he battles to uncover the true story. She makes him feel like he can be a stronger, better man for her. Together they fall into some incredible and dangerous situations, some they don't always come out of together. This story is another roller coaster ride of danger, intrigue, real human emotion and a reminder of what's even more important than getting the getting the story! It's a fun and fast read that leaves you ready to jump into the next book of the series!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: My Sister's Grave (Tracy Crosswhite); Author: Visit Amazon's Robert Dugoni Page; Review: I can't express how much I loved this story from the beginning to the very last word! It was unexpected, unique and totally enthralling. There were moments when my eyes filled with tears as this author made no move to shy away from the deep seated pain of loss and unanswered questions. The storyline is complex, more than it seems on the surface, with characters that are just as complex and real. I hated for the story to end but it's just the beginning of my new relationship with this author as I dig in for more exceptional stories!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Blackmail Club (Jack McCall Mystery) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's David Bishop Page; Review: I immediately got hooked on this story as well as Jack McCall, Nora Burke and the colorful Max Logan, a character you would want to spend an evening or more with just for the entertainment of his conversation. This mystery is convoluted, complex and unique with a cast of memorable, well developed characters in addition to the three representatives of McCall Investigations. Even the ghost-like presence of Jack's late wife, Rachel, is so well conceived that her presence is as real as the paper she was created on and just as lasting. The storyline is interesting, unique yet believable and one you might suspect the end to but will leave you unsure and guessing until the finale. It has mystery, intrigue, lust, greed, innocence and enough twists and turns to make the ride a pleasure and the end a disappointment. Which is exactly what you want from a series...characters you want to spend more time with and know better, entertaining reading with a little extra spice just for fun and an unexpected and unforgettable journey!! Read it today and prepare to extend your library to include much more by this author. You will be glad you did!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Eyes Unveiled (Unveiled Series) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Crystal Walton Page; Review: This is a really beautiful story built upon the dreams, hopes, fears and zest for life that lives within the heart of young adults like no one else! And it's exposed and expressed brilliantly by this author with a sensitivity, vulnerability and reality that is respectful, refreshing and truly touching. It reminded me of my own dreams, hopes, heartaches and fears at the same stage of my own life...it's just THAT good!!! This story is definitely a character driven drama but with such exquisitely created characters it's still easy to get lost in the storyline. This is a true romance novel without salacious sex scenes that aren't needed to spice up the story for attention or detract attention from what might be missing in a lesser work of art. It's a really fabulous story for YA readers but just as enjoyable and refreshing for those who are well beyond that description.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Sandman; Author: Visit Amazon's Morgan Hannah MacDonald Page; Review: I can't tell you how how quickly this book hooked me and had my undivided attention! I stayed awake ALL NIGHT to finish it!! It's a gripping storyline with intrigue, murder, mystery, red herrings everywhere, heartache and loss, laugh-out-loud moments and enough romance and sex to spice things up without feeling gratuitous to the real story. J.J. Thomas, Shadowhawk and Megan are characters so well and thoroughly created that they feel like real people that you want in your life. The Sandman and all the other suspects seem just as believable and even likeable at times. I especially appreciated that the ending of the story was able to address those lingering questions about how the story developed without leaving loose threads wrapping up a plot line that could've been ripped from today's headlines in a satisfying way. I hate to part with these characters so I will be diving into the rest of this series very quickly! This author might be a new discovery for me but she quickly jumped to my Fave List with this story!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Spirits Of The Bayou (The Spirits Trilogy) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Morgan Hannah MacDonald Page; Review: This is a great story that includes everything that makes NOLA and Louisiana a unique and exciting place ~ great food, a mystical history and ancient beliefs and religions ~ with the added benefit of uniquely beautiful, interesting and humorous characters. The storyline is just as rich and interesting as the history of the place itself and as complex as the characters in this novel! It was a very quick and fun story to get lost in as you travel the streets, swamps and bayous as Luc, Jake and Celestine race against time to save more children's lives from the evil that threatens them all.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Forgotten Boxes; Author: Visit Amazon's Becki Willis Page; Review: This is one of the best stories I've read in quite awhile...REAL lifelike characters that you can't help but fall in love with and accept with their realistic insecurities, weaknesses and strengths...and a storyline of mystery and intrigue that keeps you guessing till the end! I especially loved having the opportunity to share Tarn's thoughts throughout the story, a rare opportunity in a true romance novel. He and Charity come alive on these pages but it's also notable that the forays into the past have voices and characters just as strong, consistent and indelible, especially Nell and Harold. This author truly paints a picture with her words and it's a beautiful voice that resonates within you after the story ends!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sparrow - Kindle edition; Author: Visit Amazon's L.J. Shen Page; Review: I don't usually read many romance novels. I usually prefer psychological thrillers and mysteries. However there was something about the synopsis of this story that caught my attention and I am glad it did!! This is far from your typical romance and offers a bit of mystery and intrigue along the way. Some might think the relationship between Sparrow and Troy isn't very realistic but it's a dynamic and circumstance that I can relate to very well! It hit almost too close to home for me although my relationship ended quite differently after many years. The characters in this story are strong, well defined, complex and even somewhat confusing. You may find yourself unsure who the actual bad guys are as the plot line delves deeper into this unconventional lifestyle and the people within it but you can't resist cheering for them despite this confusion. It's a fun, fast, exciting and entertaining story to lose yourself in for awhile! I would definitely recommend to friends!! Especially those who enjoy the spicier, steamy side of romance and sex...those scenes are top notch even when they are far from romantic! Each one offers insight into the thoughts, feelings and motivations from various characters point of view that adds exceptional depth to these characters, even through their weaknesses and flaws! It's every bit as revealing, possibly more so, about this story and it's evolution and characters that much of the dialogue and descriptions provided throughout the story. By the end, you KNOW who these people are and love them, warts and all!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Justice Redeemed (Darren Street); Author: Visit Amazon's Scott Pratt Page; Review: This isn't my first book by Scott Pratt and I am sure it won't be my last either! He has a gift for creating believable, lifelike characters, compelling storylines, and a talent for building tension as his creative adventures flow along. This story is no different than what I have come to expect from this author! It hooks you quickly from the start with unexpected, heart racing danger and intrigue and doesn't let up until the end with a tale that's both extraordinary and believable at the same time. He creates characters you like even though they might not always be on the right side of the law and some you will hate that could be positioned in the opposite category, or so it may seem. This story is exciting, intense and hard to put down until the last word on the last page.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Follow You Home; Author: Visit Amazon's Mark Edwards Page; Review: This story is gripping from the beginning but just as frustrating until well along in the plot line. I was sitting on the edge of my seat, running my hands through my hair in frustration and suspense. WTH happened in Romania?!?! I imagined everything from murder and mayhem to paranormal activities and alien abduction! I even tried to leave the book and move onto something a little more "comfortable" to read...but I just couldn't. I HAD to know!! But I NEVER imagined what really happened or the full impact of that experience until the final page. This is a fabulous and unique storyline with interesting characters that are fully fleshed and well developed. The reader is granted great insight into the minds of Laura and Daniel, experiencing their thoughts and fears and even their own resistance to delve into this excursion which had such a tremendous impact on their lives and their relationship and it's lasting effect. It's riveting, heartbreaking, terrifying and full of unexpected twists and turns! This is one story you won't be able to predict the end!! Just sit back and settle in for the long haul and know that eventually all will be revealed and you will be glad you held on for the ride!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Cause to Kill (An Avery Black Mystery-Book 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Blake Pierce Page; Review: I love Avery Black, the protagonist in this series by author Blake Pierce! As with all his stories this is a deeply flawed, fascinating character that is fighting herself and her own past as much as she's fighting to catch a killer. Pierce allows great insight into this new heroine and creates a character you like, understand to some degree and definitely want to cheer for as well as occasionally give her a swift shake in regard to some of the decisions she makes. Her supporting cast of characters are just as likeable and just as flawed in their own ways. As this intricate, twisting storyline develops Avery Black must get into the mind of the serial killer in order to solve the crime and the reader gets a ride along into the sick depravity that leads one human to do such horrible deeds to another. It's chilling and downright freaky!! The only weak point in this amazing story to me is the relationship between Black and Howard Randall, the serial killer who destroyed the life she had built for herself as a successful criminal defense attorney...it was a little too "Silence of the Lambs" for me...but ultimately a successful tool in helping build the tension, move the story along, assist Black in understanding the mind of the killer, but most of all, I think, it provides the greatest insight and understanding as well as empathy for Black. This is a fabulous psychological thriller and I can't wait to read the next in this series! You can never go wrong with a Blake Pierce novel!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: In the Waning Light (Snowy Creek Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Loreth Anne White Page; Review: This story was far better than I expected and can even express! It far exceeded my expectations from the teaser I read before beginning this story! It's a twisted, heart wrenching tale about a woman who has to go back home to face the summer when her innocence and family were lost to her by the murder of her sister and the memories locked inside her brain from that insidious day that changed her life forever. It's riveting and compelling, the unfolding of secrets so many people tried to hide from and the way that one day impacted the lives of an entire community. It's hard to put down! The author creates within the reader the same hunger and drive for the truth and understanding in a rare and unique way. It's so extremely well crafted that you become emotionally engaged in the mystery and the characters of this little town on the bay. It's a gem to be discovered and brought to light to fully appreciate it's beauty!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rescuing Finley (A Forever Home Novel) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Dan Walsh Page; Review: This story is wonderful!!! It offers insight into the emotional thoughts and experiences of all the main characters including Finley that really contribute a great deal to building the plot line throughout this story. It's definitely a character-driven storyline rather than an event driven experience. These characters are all very well fleshed out and realistic even in their weaknesses and their pain. The story also presents a common thought of many veterans and civilians regarding the war in Iraq and Afghanistan that plays an integral part in some of the issues our veterans deal with after returning home, at least based upon my personal experience with friends and family members who served. It's not a political statement so much as a contributing factor these veterans deal with in their struggle to return to their new "normal". This is a really heartwarming story about a real program and people that make such a tremendous difference in the lives of not just veterans but also shelter dogs and the inmates who train them to become service animals...well worth your time to read!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Song for the Asking; Author: Visit Amazon's Steve Gannon Page; Review: This is an exciting, complex and emotional introduction to Daniel Kane, LA Homicide Detective, and his dysfunctional, artistic and loving family. The family saga is the best part of this novel! Allowing an unapologetic and realistic glimpse into this family's complex, heartwarming and sometimes emotionally barren relationships pulls you into this story and moves you into hoping for healing, reconciliation and an acknowledgment of the love and tragedy that binds them together even more strongly than just "being a Kane." The story is well developed and hard to step away from but the character development is really the artistry of this work, each person so well crafted that they are indivual and unique, easily recognizable and consistent throughout the book, and equally as strong and flawed as the people you know in your own life. They are amazing and the difficulty in creating such fleshed out, fully created characters, especially in this quantity in one novel, is a feat that shouldn't be overlooked any more than the stirring, exciting roller coaster ride of the plot line. It's an excellent story and leaves you eager to continue the series and spend more time within the lives of these characters and their problematic, often humorous and always emotional lives!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Dead Key; Author: Visit Amazon's D. M. Pulley Page; Review: This book at one point refers to Poe's "The Tale-Tell Heart" which is perfect because this thriller is similar to the intensity and intrigue of that classic tale. It's exciting and confusing, heartbreaking and heartwarming, full of fabulous, well developed characters and enough twists and turns to keep you riveted to the story and wondering right up until the very end! It's dark and haunting and hard to put down!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sleep Tight; Author: Visit Amazon's Rachel Abbott Page; Review: Excellent, believable character development and a twisted, tension-building plot drive this incredible story of Love and Obsession! The storyline is believable and the reader will think they have it all figured out until the very end. But it's full of surprises that you won't see coming but can't put down till you reach the conclusion!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Someone to Save You: An engrossing psychological thriller; Author: Visit Amazon's Paul Pilkington Page; Review: This is truly a psychological thriller from the very beginning until the end! The plot twists and red herrings will keep you on the edge of your seat and confused about the true nature of what's going on throughout the story. It's creatively developed with a strong plot and consistency as you watch the events unfold trying to understand how everything could be related or if it is just a weird and random set of coincidences. There is a large cast of well developed characters to keep you guessing from the start but you won't see the end coming or who is the evil that's calling all the shots!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: An Invisible Client; Author: Visit Amazon's Victor Methos Page; Review: This crime thriller is just as exciting, intriguing, addictive and emotional as any Grisham novel with the same dramatic courtroom drama that we have come to love! This novel is full of creatively developed, well rounded characters that you will love and hate and a storyline that will keep you riveted from the first page until the very end! And once or twice you might even laugh out loud or get a tear in your eyes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Shark (Forgotten Files); Author: Visit Amazon's Mary Burton Page; Review: This is a great book with fabulously developed characters and an exciting and interesting storyline! There are a few moments that are somewhat predictable but overall it keeps you guessing and on your toes with enough unexpected twists to keep you engaged and enough emotion to keep you invested. The steamy side of the story is just a little extra spice but it also adds depth to the relationship between the characters and insight into their thoughts and emotions throughout the tale. It pulls you into their world and keeps your heart racing!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Professor (McMurtrie and Drake Legal Thrillers); Author: Visit Amazon's Robert Bailey Page; Review: I LOVE courtroom dramas, mysteries and thrillers and this novel has them all to some degree. It's an exceptionally well crafted courtroom that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. The mystery has nothing to do with discovering the evil that lurks but if it will be revealed and how it could possibly happen. As a proud born and bred Alabamian, a lifelong Crimson Tide fan, and a former journalist that shared a friendly working relationship with the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant, I can say that I think he would have been quietly pleased with his pivotal role in this story. As a daughter of this state I can say that this story has OUR people in it...well developed characters that for the most part well represent the personalities, moralities, and attitudes of many of my brothers and sisters very realistically. At times it was easy to forget that this is a work of fiction. I could see my home in the places where I have visited and lived in this novel and the lifestyle and people that I know and love. This is now MY home for courtroom drama with great plot lines, colorful characters and a fun and exciting read! I can't wait to read the next story in the series and spend a little more time rocking on the front porch with my cold glass of sweet tea by my side, my own fur baby at my feet, as I revisit with my new friends in the next story! That's what reading this book feels like to me!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Between Black and White (McMurtrie and Drake Legal Thrillers); Author: Visit Amazon's Robert Bailey Page; Review: After reading "The Professor" and discovering the talent of Robert Bailey in creating a rich, unique voice with a compelling storyline and realistic characters that are much like my fellow Alabamians that I know and love I COULD NOT WAIT to get the second novel in the series! I bought it as soon as I finished posting my review of the first and read it non-stop from beginning to end. He drafts a tale in a way that draws you into the storyline and builds a relationship between the reader and the personalities on the page, even those who aren't very likeable. This is a complex story based in part on the ugly past of the town of Pulaski, TN, much like many Southern towns who share a history of bloodshed and bigotry at the hands of the KKK. The history itself is a prominent character in this story and contributes a great deal in the realistic plot line that develops along the way. This story has as many twists and turns as a rural road in the mountains of the Deep South but has an ending that you won't see coming! It's another winner! The only downside to finishing this book is that there isn't another installment available at this time to continue the roller coaster ride that began with the first page of "The Professor" and never let up. But I will be watching and waiting with my fingers crossed for the opportunity to spend a little more time with my new friends from this series!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Good Sam; Author: Visit Amazon's Dete Meserve Page; Review: This story leaves the reader with a serious case of the warm fuzzies! It's an engaging and intriguing story with fabulous characters so deftly created that they feel real...strong yet vulnerable, flawed with common weaknesses that are relatable to everyone. It's a believable story for this time in society with some unexpected twists. It's overall a heartwarming, well executed and entertaining story that is reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks style but it's unique and interesting in it's own way and style!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Die For Me: A Novel of the Valentine Killer; Author: Visit Amazon's Cynthia Eden Page; Review: This book kept me spellbound from the very beginning until the final word! I wasn't familiar with this author's work so I had no expectations of greatness but I was pleasantly surprised! This is a dark and twisted story that has the reader searching everywhere for the evil that is obviously lurking so close. And there are plenty of deftly created characters to consider, some who appear to be good, honest and caring people and some that just leave you a little unsure if they can be hiding their own secrets and if those secrets are deadly. These characters have a voice and personality that is easily recognizable, the entire cast! Especially Dane and Katherine, the two characters who tell the story and provide you with the greatest insight into how the demons from your past can change and shape who you become. I read this book nonstop straight through in a matter of hours. It's exciting and emotional, tense and intriguing. It's not an ending that you will predict but nothing about this story is really predictable. It has twists and turns everywhere and seems that once one secret is revealed there are two more questions that arise that need to be answered. You will be engaged until the end! I can't wait to read more by this author! I hope each book is just as great as this one!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Lion, the Lamb, the Hunted; Author: Visit Amazon's Andrew E. Kaufman Page; Review: This is a psychological thriller in all the best ways!! A twisted story of a kidnapped child, a possible wrongfully-convicted muderer who has been executed, and the hunt for the truth by an emotionally damaged man who survived a childhood of abuse and neglect. All these elements come together to form a complex and compelling story that you won't want to put down. It's fast-paced, emotional and exciting from the start. Simply fantastic!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Away from the Dark (The Light); Author: Visit Amazon's Aleatha Romig Page; Review: I am often somewhat disappointed in series novels, especially those that end with a cliffhanger such as the prior story in this series did. Often the continuing saga doesn't share the same level of excitement and intrigue as the initial introduction. That's definitely NOT THE CASE in this series! I loved the first book and was disappointed to realize it ended with a cliffhanger, forcing me to immediately purchase this second part of the story. As with the first, I couldn't put it down!! It was just as enthralling, intriguing and twisted as the first but in somewhat different ways. It was every bit as entertaining and addictive as the first! I actually wish there was another one to follow this! I came to love Sara and Jacob as well as many of the other characters in these stories and would love to know what happens next. How does it all end?! That's a question worth pursuing as you indulge yourself in this deeply twisted, complex, psychological thriller. It's a storyline that appropriate and believable in this day and age, sadly so. It's thought provoking and also offers some insight into the cult phenomenon and how people can be swept away by something that seems so foreign and unnatural to the average person. This is entertainment at it's best!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Grave Man - A Sam Prichard Novel (The Sam Prichard Series) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's David Archer Page; Review: This is a really fun, interesting and unique story that moves quickly and before you know it you are hooked! It's extremely well developed in it's plot line and character creation. The story moves through your mind like watching a film. With unanticipated revelations it unfolds dramatically in a way that will surprise you and keep you entertained.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Stranger Within; Author: Visit Amazon's Kathryn Croft Page; Review: This story is not your average family drama or psychological thriller or any of the other labels some might try to assign it. It's deeply emotional, with upheavals and depth that was totally unexpected to me. The story is interesting and engaging throughout. It's much like watching a train wreck...you know with each second that it's heading toward disaster but you can't look away!! It's a fabulous novel with characters so well defined and developed that you feel they are real. This story is intense and riveting and unbelievably good!! It was my first introduction to the work of Kathryn Croft but it will definitely be a long and pleasurable relationship!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Last Song - A Sam Prichard Mystery (Volume 9); Author: Visit Amazon's David Archer Page; Review: I LOVE Sam Prichard! I discovered the first book in this series just 3 days ago and I was hooked! I immediately purchased the first series of 8 books and read it straight through, finishing up early this morning. I immediately went back to Amazon and purchased this book, the 9th and currently last edition of the series. I want more!! These books are exciting and intriguing with enough plot twists to keep you actively engaged in the fast unfolding stories and this book was no exception! The primary characters are extremely well developed and consistent throughout each story. They are realistically flawed but likeable people that you enjoy spending time with. I am sad to reach the end of this story and have to part with my new friends but I am sure David Archer has other stories and characters that will be just as entertaining, intriguing and engaging. This kind of talent is not a tale of luck but intense dedication to detail, investment of time and hard work and a commitment to honoring the gift he was given. I can't wait to meet his other characters and delve into a new world with him again. I'm sure it's going to be a great ride!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: While You Were Sleeping: A gripping psychological thriller you just can't put down; Author: Visit Amazon's Kathryn Croft Page; Review: A Kathryn Croft novel will apparently always leave you feeling twisted and shocked. They don't play out the way you expect them to which is the greatest attraction of them and the irrefutable proof of her talent! It's a helluva ride from the beginning to the end! And this is no exception! A wonderful psychological thriller that keeps you guessing even when the answer seems so obvious!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Unintended Consequences; Author: Visit Amazon's Marti Green Page; Review: This book is a fast, fun and easy read! I started it and was sucked into the story immediately and couldn't put it down. I read it straight through in one afternoon. But that's not to say that it's simple. It's a complex, mostly character driven story that has plenty of moments that will have you on the edge of your seat! And what characters they are!! This lady knows how to deftly and thoroughly create well rounded characters that each have their own distinctive voice which just makes it that much easier to read and understand! I am looking forward to reading more work by Marti Green!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Presumption of Guilt (Innocent Prisoners Project); Author: Visit Amazon's Marti Green Page; Review: This has everything the first story in the series has...mystery and intrigue, and unrelenting sense of pressure, and the empathy and compassion for another that makes it a heartwarming tale that the reader becomes vested in. But the drama, danger and psychological thriller aspect is even greater making this impossible to put down! I loved the depth of inner conflict several of these deftly created characters experienced in their own unique voices. These characters and storylines will stay with you after the book ends and even inspire the reader to the fragility and state of the justice system we have as the events are quite relevant to this time we live in. It may be a work of fiction but it casts a light upon our justice system that resonates with you without casting aspersions or criticism on a system that, although can be fragile and dangerous, difficult and complex, is still the best in the world!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Price of Justice (Innocent Prisoners Project); Author: Visit Amazon's Marti Green Page; Review: I have read the previous books in the HIPP series and fallen in love with each of the primary characters who serve through this program. I have developed mixed feelings about each protagonist in each story as they are characters created just as magnificently as the returning primary characters in this series. Each one is so well developed and rounded that they feel like real people with their individual strengths and weaknesses, flawed yet with either redeeming qualities or a history of trauma that makes them human rather than the monster we think in our dreams could only compete such heinous crimes. This is one of the best aspects and greatest accomplishments for an author and it's done extremely well in each story. The psychological thriller storyline is exquisite and more complex and convoluted in this story than each of the previous ones but one consistency remains...just when you think you have it all figured out you find out you are wrong! LOL! These plot lines are exciting and interesting and will leave you on the edge of your seat more than once as it progresses. And this story is absolutely the best yet!! But I haven't completed the series yet...that will probably be by early tomorrow. Once you start these books it's hard to put them down and I am ready to jump into the next HIPP project right now!! Don't delay. This is a helluva ride and well worth your time!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: First Offense (Innocent Prisoners Project); Author: Visit Amazon's Marti Green Page; Review: What a fabulous book!! I couldn't put it down. I finished it about 3 am this morning. As with all books in this series it's amazingly well written with a driving storyline and fully rounded characters that all have their own distinct voice that is consistent thru each tale. And as with each one it's a story that has some basis in reality that makes the reader consider the state of our justice system and penal code. While being an intriguing and exciting story to read it's also thought provoking, somewhat educational, inspiring, heartbreaking and heartwarming, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Marti Green has a real talent for creating stories that are realistic to our times and relevant as well as engrossing and entertaining. And this book is just further proof of that talent.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: No Turning Back; Author: Tiffany A. Snow; Review: I actually squealed out in frustration when it ended!! I wanted MORE! This story was exciting, intriguing and kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end!! I loved Kathleen, Blane and even Kade! These are the kind of characters that get under your skin. They each are so deftly created to have their own unique voice and are consistent throughout the story, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Speaking of story...what a story this is!! It has so many unexpected twists and turns that you can't predict what will happen next! And don't be surprised when people aren't exactly who you think they are as you read this!! It's hard to tell the good guys from the bad, but that's one of the great things about this book! Just like real life people are seldom totally good or bad. I can't wait to read the next book in this series! I'm definitely hooked!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Broken Grace; Author: Visit Amazon's E.C. Diskin Page; Review: This story is full of twists and turns, lots of suspects and motives but little evidence to lead to the killer. It's all locked inside the mind of Grace, the victim's fianc who's suffering from amnesia after a harrowing accident the day of the murder. The story is a little slow drawing you in at the beginning but it picks up quickly and you find yourself questioning everyone and holding your breath for the next revelation. You won't predict how this ends!! It's a great storyline that's well developed and keeps you guessing! There are deftly created characters that are relatable and realistic, complex and confusing. It's a great paradigm that reflects that nobody is all bad or all good, it just depends on the circumstances at the time.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: His First His Second (An Alicia Friend Investigation); Author: Visit Amazon's A. D. Davies Page; Review: This is a great book!! It has everything you look for in a psychological thriller/murder mystery...a complex, well developed storyline, plenty of potential antagonists and possible murderers, deftly created characters with their own solid voices as well as strengths and weaknesses and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing till the end!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Priest: A Love Story; Author: Visit Amazon's Sierra Simone Page; Review: This is a fabulous story about Tyler and Poppy, two complex and wonderfully created characters that you will love immediately! It's a difficult story about the dilemma of forbidden love and God's path for each of us. It's a unique and unusual story in this genre that keeps you spellbound from the beginning! And that's not even taking into consideration the erotica within these pages! Keep an ice cold drink on hand as you read...you're gonna need it, if not much more! LOL!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Betrayal (Infidelity) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Aleatha Romig Page; Review: This is fabulous from the start and gripping til it's cliffhanging end! It's intriguing, erotic in a classy and elegant way, and romantic! It's a great way to kickoff the series and I CANNOT WAIT to continue this series!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Flash; Author: Visit Amazon's Tim Tigner Page; Review: This book surprised me in many ways and I loved them all! As a reader I was immediately immersed in the story as I experienced the same confusion as the primary characters, Emmy and Troy, in the opening chapters. And then I was lost to the thrill ride of this unique and totally unexpected storyline! It's got more twists and turns than a Deep South dirt road and just as many surprises to discover!! I spent several hours on the edge of my seat believing the end was near and it wouldn't be a happy one just to get that last minute phone call that bought me a little more time with these characters that I became emotionally invested in and perversely curious about what the future would bring to them. This is a quick read because you won't want to put it down! It's exciting, a real psychological thriller that keeps you guessing from beginning to end and satisfies your mind with an ending you won't predict! The only downside is that there isn't a sequel but that's really part of the appeal of this story...the protagonists are just average people who get caught up in something much bigger than anyone could even imagine...anyone except Tim Tignor obviously! LOL!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Killing Game; Author: Visit Amazon's Toni Anderson Page; Review: This book was totally unexpected from the way it began and the storyline all the way through to the end! But the really exciting part to me was the unique writing style of Ms. Anderson! It's obviously very adept at conveying the story and drawing the reader in emotionally and intellectually, it's filled with well defined characters and an equally as well developed story but it's a refreshing and unique style that lent it's voice to the story. You knew you had NOT read this story before just from the tone, rhythm and style and I loved and respect that unique talent! I can't wait to dive into more works by this talented author!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Her Final Breath (The Tracy Crosswhite Series); Author: Visit Amazon's Robert Dugoni Page; Review: Robert Dugoni lays all his talent on the line in this second book in the Tracy Crosswhite series. It's obvious he's an exceptionally gifted writer and no "one-hit wonder". Sequels or ongoing series often loose some momentum after the introductory story but definitely NOT in this case. This story may not be as emotionally charged as the first but I think that's based on the plot line rather than any weakness on the part of Mr. Dugoni. This is another well crafted work of fiction with deftly created, well defined characters, a complex storyline that keeps the reader intrigued throughout, and enough twists and turns to qualify as an amusement park roller coaster! The end is just as strong as the beginning and the ride doesn't slow down for a minute. So settle in with your beverage of choice, a comfortable chair with good lighting and dive into the world of crime that makes you forget that it's fiction and pulls you along this adventurous, exciting, frustrating and addictive series! It's fabulous!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: In the Clearing (Tracy Crosswhite); Author: Visit Amazon's Robert Dugoni Page; Review: It's difficult to continue to sing the praises of Robert Dugoni's talent and knowledge without being clearly repetitive. Fortunately, his talent and imagination aren't as limited as my list of adjectives! LOL! Each Tracy Crosswhite novel is a unique and individual story with very likable and relatable recurring characters that you quickly become friends with and are always happy to reunite with. This story is no exception! The storyline in this novel might be my second favorite, only preceded by "My Sister's Grave". This story shares the emotional depth as the first did with an equally complex and unique plot that keeps the reader intrigued and engaged mindfully and emotionally throughout. Another exceptional work of fiction by one of the most talented psychological thriller/police procedural/murder mystery writers today!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Trace of Death (a Keri Locke Mystery--Book #1); Author: Visit Amazon's Blake Pierce Page; Review: I LOVE this new series!!! Blake Pierce never fails to impress but this story may possibly be one of the best! It's a psychological thrill ride that leaves you confused, conflicted and anxious hoping for resolution. You will stay hooked from the beginning to the unexpected end! Wish I could give it more than 5 stars!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Escape: A New Life (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's David J Antocci Page; Review: This is a fast and furious tale that immerses the reader immediately into the story and doesn't let go even after the final page! There are well defined characters, some you will love and some you will love to hate. But there are none that won't evoke some emotion in you as you experience their tales of survival. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: ESCAPE, Past Sins (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's David J Antocci Page; Review: All too frequently serial stories lose some momentum after the initial tale that hooks your interest. Although the level of intrigue may not be quite as high in this story because most of the big background info has already been revealed the plot line is just as exciting and intriguing although far more emotional!! It's heartwarming and heartbreaking...everyone's fantasy of the perfect love and one of the greatest tragedies anyone can suffer all rolled into one helluva story! I can't wait another minute...onto the conclusion!!! My thirst for justice is strong after taking this ride with Abby and Eric and I can't stop now!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: ESCAPE, Dead End (Volume 3); Author: Visit Amazon's David J Antocci Page; Review: I loved all three books in this series and the major characters that evoked such strong emotion!! The storyline is complex and always exciting but the premise is actually fairly believable in the world we live in where reality tv can make normal people do ridiculous things and turn anyone into a celebrity! Usually I hate to part with characters that I have bonded with through a story but this time I feel satisfied and at ease, confident about how life will continue for this ragtag group of outsiders that I came to love! This is a great series to get involved with but be warned...start it when you have a day and a half or two days to spend immersed in a book because you won't want to put it down until the very end!!! Excellent character development and twisting plot lines will keep you intrigued and riveted!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cicada Spring: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Christian Galacar Page; Review: I went into this book with little information about the storyline and even less about the author. And am exceedingly happy that I took the plunge! This story is like life...varying paths converging at an intersection in time that changes many lives in unpredictable and profound ways! The facts in this tale are very appropriate and accurate for the time period in which it takes place...an earlier time when serious crimes weren't so prevalent, investigative techniques and forensic sciences were very rudimentary, and small town America with low crime, innocence and naivety was the norm more than the exception. Overall most of the characters are well crafted with easily identifiable personalities and occasional glimpses into their thoughts and feelings are provided throughout the story adding an additional element of understanding that draws you deeper into this twisted tale even with those characters you don't like or agree with! I enjoyed this book immensely and look forward to reading more from this author! I think you will also if you enjoy unexpected twists and turns, psychological drama with a little mystery, and especially so if you were fortunate to grow up in a time and place such as the location of this tale!! You get a nostalgic reminder of "better days gone by", shared childhood memories with the major characters which builds a bond between you as you experience the pain, heartache and loss that breathes life into this novel!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Watching; Author: Visit Amazon's Calle J Brookes Page; Review: I didn't recall this book from the brief synopsis on Amazon so I got it...again. LOL! It didn't take me long to realize I had already read the story but by then I was already hooked...again! This is so exceptionally well written with a riveting plot line and well developed characters that I couldn't part with it until I finished the last page...again! LOL! The really exciting part of this experience and the sigh of a truly excellent novel is that you can derive the same sense of adventure, anxiety and pleasure from reading it more than once! If you haven't yet read this story I encourage you to do so. And if you have but it's been awhile then I encourage you to delve into it once again and reacquaint yourself with these amazing characters and fabulous story!! You won't regret it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Child Taker & Slow Burn Box Set eBook; Author: Visit Amazon's Conrad Jones Page; Review: This combination is very interesting, complex and well developed. These stories are all about the mystery...who, what, why....nothing to distract from the storyline. Both have unexpected twists and turns, most revealed at the end to surprise you with gratification!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Gone The Next; Author: Visit Amazon's Ben Rehder Page; Review: This was my first book to read by this author but it won't be my last! It was a roller coaster of emotion from laughing at lighthearted banter to the anxiety and concern over the story of a missing little girl... and all the possible outcomes. It's a complex plot line, well developed and executed, with believable characters that are extremely well defined and consistent throughout the story. It has enough unexpected twists to keep you guessing till the end and the intrigue never falters. It's a really entertaining and riveting story that you won't want to part with!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dear Crossing: The Ray Schiller Series; Author: Marjorie E. Doering; Review: This is a very good book! You may think you know more than once who's behind the murders in Widner but you will be wrong! LOL! This story has a flock of red herring to keep you distracted. It's entertaining, flows well and keeps you engaged throughout the story!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Sacrifice: A Madison Knight Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Carolyn Arnold Page; Review: I love this series and the protagonist and primary character, Detective Madison Knight!! She and her partner, Terry, faced innumerable obstacles and red herrings in their attempts to solve the crime that cross their desks in the Major Crimes Unit. These characters are entertaining, exciting, well rounded and consistent throughout each book of the series. They are a pleasure to spend time with! And this story is a really convoluted, complex mystery that has more going on than simply a death under questionable circumstances. It's intriguing and at moments heartbreaking, but overall it's a difficult book to part with until the end!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Girl He Knows; Author: Visit Amazon's Kristi Rose Page; Review: This is a fun and entertaining read! At moments you may laugh out loud or huff in frustration. The point of view is presented in a unique manner and stays consistent throughout the story. The characters are where the author really shines though...well rounded, each with a distinct and unique voice that's quickly recognizable to the reader, and believable!! These are people who want to know or may already have in your life. This is a very realistic and believable storyline that also shines a light on other real-life issues that women deal with everyday...infertility, potential health issues of their children, marriage conflict and resolution, and especially deep-seated, debilitating grief! I look forward to reading more by this author and witnessing the progression of her work!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Gray and Guilty Sea: A Garrison Gage Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's Jack Nolte Page; Review: Storie I have read in a long time! It's a consistent story ambling along like it's main character, the limping former PI and resident curmudgeon, Garrison Gage. But that doesn't mean it's a slow story to read!! Don't be unaware that this will draw you in and keep you hooked til the end! It doesn't rely on a roller coaster of excitement to hold your interest but a well developed, consistent level of intrigue and revelation with hints of deep emotion from the various deftly created characters that surround Gage as he searches for the murderer and reason for death of the young girl he discovered washed up on the beach, an unknown that no one seems too concerned about. I cannot wait to read the next story in this series!! This is a truly talented author with a gift for painting a picture with words that you can see, feel and relate to, a picture that you attach yourself to strongly enough to hang over your mantle and revisit frequently!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Desperate Place for Dying: A Garrison Gage Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's Jack Nolte Page; Review: This second book in the Garrison Gage series is just as great as the first, possibly better in some ways. This story has a greater sense of urgency and intrigue. The emotional drama spreads over a wider spectrum as well. And it's also like 2 stories in one...the reappearance of Gage's wife's killer in his life and the search to find the killer of his former lover being the most prevalent storyline. Throw in the teenage angst of his newly assumed daughter, the complexities of his relationship with a drop-dead journalist whose career alone should be enough to have him running for the hills, said his unwavering wit especially at the worst of times and you see Gage at his best and worst! It's a great story and excellently crafted novel if you aren't bothered by the many editing errors that slow down your reading, requiring you to stop and briefly review to determine what the current sentence was supposed to say. But it's a book well worth that minor inconvenience and distraction!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Lovely Wicked Rain: A Garrison Gage Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's Scott William Carter Page; Review: This was by far my favorite book so far in the Garrison Gage series!! It has all the usual hallmarks of Scott William Carter's writing...a complex but well developed, believable storyline that always surprises you in the end, realistic, deftly created characters that each have a unique and recognizable voice, and descriptions that paint a clear picture in the reader's mind from the very beginning until the end. His stories in this series always have an emotional component to them but this one exposes more vulnerability in the characters you come to know best and even those that are new to you but you feel like you know them so well! Onto the last book in the series...I can't wait to begin it but hate to reach the end of the series!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Shroud of Tattered Sails: A Garrison Gage Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's Scott William Carter Page; Review: I have read each Garrison Gage novel and loved each one, becoming more invested with each story and loving and knowing these recurring characters with a greater understanding and emotion as the experience progressed through each case, each mystery to be solved, each loss and brush with death. And it led to this final story, this exceptional and intriguing tale of a woman whose ship washes ashore and she's discovered aboard with no memory of who she is or how she came to be there. It focuses on one of Gage's greatest weaknesses and best qualities, the need to help the damsel in distress even more than his undeniable compulsion to solve a mystery. This book is a fantastic journey that's completely surprising in it's unfolding facts, so relative to the world we live in today, and the greatest dip into understanding and self-discovery of Gage's emotional journey that has brought him to this place and the woman he can't resist and discovers that he can't let go of despite her mysterious past and all that he doesn't yet know about her. This was absolutely THE BEST book in the series!!! It has the same well crafted story that's thorough and answers all the questions that arise as it progresses in the sometimes swift and sometimes lumbering way that is Gage himself. All the characters that you come to know and love experience change and growth throughout the progression of the series but in believable and realistic ways and this author has a talent for creating exquisite and unique characters and revealing their complexity in subtle and captivating ways through each book in the series. The only downside to reaching this point in the series is that there's nothing else, no opportunity to spend more time with these imaginary friends and those who love and hate them. It's sad to part with them but sharing their stories was a fun, exciting, sometimes nail-biting experience that I'm glad I got to witness!! Excellent series that will have you addicted and wanting more even after you reach the end but I'm sure these characters will linger with you long after the last word on the page, the whisper of their voices reaching out from your memories at odd times like the memories and life lessons learned and shared with old friends will do!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Letter; Author: Visit Amazon's Kathryn Hughes Page; Review: I stumbled upon this story of a mysterious letter being discovered that had never been sent to it's intended recipient, a man's love of his life and the woman carrying his child. The adventure to discover the mystery of what happened to these lovers and deliver the long overdue letter is only part of this enthralling story. This author manages to intertwine the past with the present with ease and relevance, not relying on useless filler to extend the story or pull at your heartstrings. This story does that well enough on it's own. Could this letter have altered the lives of those involved? Is it too late now and receiving the letter will only bring additional heartbreak and pain? Will knowing the facts related to a tremendous loss affect the ability to heal and move on? These are all questions that arise throughout this story and fortunately the answers are found within these pages as you delve into a different time in life and experience it through the eyes and hearts of these central characters who have been so well created that they feel genuine, real and thoroughly consistent throughout this story. It's a wonderful book! I found myself going back to the beginning after finishing it the first time so I could read it more slowly and immerse myself in every little detail, not quite ready to separate myself from these wonderful characters, the challenges they endured and overcame and the lessons shared through the lines on each page. This gem is a unique and wonderful discovery that touched me in an extensive spectrum of emotion and allowed me to become totally lost in this vastly different world, different era and lives so different from my own yet with people much like many that I have known! It's so realistic that you will forget you're reading a piece of fiction as you delve deeper with each page! It's a story you will be happy you read and one I believe that will stand the test of time as something you will read over and over again and share with friends!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Precious One: A Novel; Author: Marisa de los Santos; Review: This book was amazing...breathless with pain one moment and breathtaking with beauty the next! It's so finely crafted that you realize very quickly in that this is a work of LITERATURE, well beyond just another novel! The story is not so unique...the messiness and beauty of a family at it's worst and best, individually and collectively. But the way it's written is a true work of art...so much revelation and poetry on each page! I can't express it even relatively close to the expression and emotion this author uses throughout or deserves! It's a book that became part of me, not just through shared experiences with these amazingly real characters, but because each word speaks to your soul. I won't ever forget it!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Affair; Author: Visit Amazon's Gill Paul Page; Review: This is a fictional story of a woman who is hired to work as a research advisor on the crew of the production of the historical Hollywood classic film, "Cleopatra." The story is interesting and interwoven well in the historical drama of the making of the film and uses artistic license to include interaction with real people involved in the casting and creation of the movie, including Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The use of this unusual technique adds additional depth and intrigue to the story as well as offering a glimpse into what had to be a wonderful and difficult part of their legendary romance. The storyline is clear and easy to follow with additional well created characters that are as easy to accept as Taylor and Burton. However, there's definitely multiple distinct stories happening at the same time with only the slightest rope tethering them together. I was a little disturbed and uncomfortable with that. I felt the main storyline suffered a bit by the efforts to keep all the tales equally as interesting, complex and intriguing as possible. The emotional component of the story was beautiful when expressed through the eyes of love but felt somewhat flat during the emotional difficult period after a tragic loss and all secrets are revealed. I would still recommend this book despite these minor distractions! It's a fun and easy read, offers plenty of opportunities to smile throughout. It's entertaining and a pleasurable escape into a different world and different time and ultimately that's really the sign of a well written novel! I look forward to reading more books by this author as this was my first introduction to her work.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: One-in-a-Million Boy; Author: Visit Amazon's Monica Wood Page; Review: This story was so much more than I anticipated!! It's a story of joy through heartbreak, lasting friendship, hope and redemption!! And it's all bundled in a surprising and unexpected package filled with poetry and descriptions that capture words usually so difficult to define. It's a wonderful story, so well conceived and created with characters that are achingly real in their strengths and weaknesses. It's a beautiful book that will make you laugh and cry and leave you feeling hopeful in the end!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Sugar Men; Author: Visit Amazon's Ray Kingfisher Page; Review: This is a novel that explores what it really means to survive...against insurmountable odds, against the most atrocious crimes against humanity, against the scenes witnessed through war and death...and what it takes to really triumph above it all! Just "forgetting about it" doesn't work as these characters learn. Is there a way to finally heal and leave the past behind? Or is it forever etched into your very being and the deepest recesses of your heart and mind? Maybe the only hope is in facing and embracing the past and what it means to be "The Lucky One." This is a heartbreakingly beautiful, poignant story that's as relevant today for our troops returning from war as it would've been for those troops and survivors of the Nazi concentration camps! These characters have a voice and a story to tell that's compelling, addictive, devastating and hopeful! And it's told with beauty, humor, deep understanding of the human psyche and spirit that prevails despite the greatest hell on earth! A fabulously enjoyable although sometimes uncomfortable story about facing the fears that have controlled and haunted your life and finding peace among the tattered nightmares.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rosa's Gold; Author: Visit Amazon's Ray Kingfisher Page; Review: This is a story that will move you in unexpected ways...a journey no one wants to travel but you will find yourself unable to turn away from it! I learned much I wasn't familiar with about this time in history and got a heart wrenching look into what life was like for so many and the burdens carried by those who survived. It's wonderfully written, a story within a story, with fabulously flawed and realistic characters that carry the story with a strong and distinctive voice. This one will etch wisdom onto your heart and soul...Every day is a sunny day!! You won't regret your time spent with this novel and these perfectly imperfect people who feel so real and come to mean so much to you! What more could you ask for from a novel?! This book has it all!! Mystery, intrigue, romance, history and finally a very satisfying ending!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Lulu's Cafe: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's T.I. Lowe Page; Review: Such a refreshing, crisp and clear voice that this story has throughout! I was immediately entranced by the tortured Gabriela, her horrific life and most of all by her total ignorance of what being loved feels like. I rode each wave of her traumatic story with tears on my heart and prayers in my head. I cheered through the growth and each small victory that Leah achieved and the love she found from friendships, the understanding and always encouraging Lulu who helped guide her on her journey with plenty of Southern sass and charm, laughter in her bright eyes that shined with the spirit of God's love in her heart! And I nearly swooned in my seat over the gorgeous yet totally unexpected man that Crow turned out to be! What fabulously rich and wonderful characters, each so individual with their own style of Southern charm yet so alive with burning faith inside that made their presence in everyone's day brighter and happier!! I LOVED them all!!! I was especially surprised, exceedingly impressed and spiritually moved by the way faith, hope, and healing through God's love was shared in this novel without being preachy or dominating the story...just a consistently present additional character so alive that His presence was just as touching and realistic as every other person in this fabulous story of friendship, second chances, rebirth and the miracle of healing through love!! Definitely a book that I will remember and recommend to many!! I can't wait to read more by this immensely talented and inspiring author!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: A Harmless Little Game (Harmless #1) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Meli Raine Page; Review: I loved this story from the beginning! It captured my interest, gutted my heart, and enthralled me to follow this story of one young woman's plan to exact revenge on those who made her a victim and how she transforms into a survivor along the way. I was immediately invested into her struggle and hope for her healing. However, I didn't know that this was just a teaser for the series and would leave me frustrated and sitting on the edge of my seat with the cliffhanger that jolted me into that realization. Excellent story concept by an obviously very talented author with a great mind for character development and a unique storyline. However, I really hate to when a book description and story synopsis doesn't warn that it includes a cliffhanger ending requiring you to immediately invest in the entire series to finish the story. Maybe the series as a whole is well deserving of a 5-star rating...I will let you know if I decide to crumble at this obvious marketing ploy and proceed till the end.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Three Silver Doves; Author: Visit Amazon's Deborah Garner Page; Review: This was a book for pleasure reading from beginning to end! Yes, there's mystery and intrigue along the way but always interspersed with opportunities to laugh or smile. With characters as colorful as the New Mexico desert flowers and end of the day sunsets you get a feeling of welcome from each one and a comfort of feeling that you know them all, despite some surprises along the way.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: From a Paris Balcony; Author: Visit Amazon's Ella Carey Page; Review: Two women trying to find their own way in a country and time not exactly their own. This novel does an excellent job of keeping one foot deeply entrenched in each period of time, weaving the stories together until the unforeseeable twist that lays the past to rest and opens the future to possibilities. Extremely well written and an unusual premise that explores how women respond to the social norms and expectations placed on them by themselves as much as family and society and what can happen when those boundaries are challenged.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: One Lavender Ribbon; Author: Visit Amazon's Heather Burch Page; Review: I don't know where to begin here...there's so much emotion left when you finish this story!! First of all, the writing and detail is fabulous!! Being familiar with the Gulf Coast I could see the vision these words portrayed. It made me homesick for my beach time and the friends and family that make it so special. Much like the wonderfully created characters throughout this story...each lovable and flawed in their own way, with their own voice and wisdom to share as the story progresses. And what an amazing and enriching story to absorb yourself into!!! It's like life...full of fabulous moments of happiness and joy tempered with periods of loss and heartache. It's deeply moving as well as paying wonderful tribute to those soldiers who served in all wars but especially WWII. That part of the storyline was handled with particular grace and respect as well as obvious admiration and appreciation for those who sacrificed so much for so many!! This is my first book by this author but I will definitely be delving into her other works! Her flow is easy and seamless. You will get lost in the story before you know it and chapters will have flown by! Almost too quickly since you find early on that these characters are people you want to spend a great deal of time with!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The House by the Lake; Author: Visit Amazon's Ella Carey Page; Review: This novel offers a unique glimpse into the possibilities and frustrations that many might have experienced in the early days of Hitler's reign and how choices made can impact generations to come. It's a wonderfully complex story that has magic and hope thread into each line. A joy to read!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Auld Acquaintance; Author: Visit Amazon's Ruth Hay Page; Review: This book is a relaxing, curl up with a cup of tea, kind of read. It's intriguing enough to keep your interest without the edge of your seat stress. It's a beautiful yet often sad tale about how exciting life can be when you allow yourself to take chances and pursue the unknown adventures offered to you! I loved it and can't wait to read more!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Sex, Lies & Sweet Tea: Sex and Lies Book 1; Author: Visit Amazon's Kris Calvert Page; Review: As a true Alabama girl I have had the pleasure of meeting a few true Southern gentlemen and Mac Callahan is perfect!!! The storyline is interesting enough to keep you intrigued, the romance is HOT yet delicately handled and all of the characters remind me of people I really know!! It's like coming home to a cold glass of sweat tea and visiting with family on the front porch swing.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Red Mountain: A Novel (Red Mountain Chronicles); Author: Visit Amazon's Boo Walker Page; Review: A really fabulous novel!!! It makes you want to move to Red Mountain and share a community with these wonderfully flawed yet loving people who have wine in their blood and acceptance in their hearts!! I cannot wait for the sequel!!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Everything We Keep: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Kerry Lonsdale Page; Review: This story is steeped in conflict and mystery... unanswered questions and a little bit of magic. It was so easy to become lost in this story. The words flow effortlessly and the characters are realistic...likeable and flawed, lovable and vulnerable, all with secrets in their past. But uncovering those secrets is the answer to all their questions and the journey to become someone stronger and better! It's painful and funny and heart achingly real as you delve into the story of Aimee and James and how everything could go so wrong that seemed so right. I can't wait for the sequel, "Everything We Leave Behind!"; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Things We Wish Were True; Author: Visit Amazon's Marybeth Mayhew Whalen Page; Review: This book captured my interest and curiosity from the beginning and I loved watching the story unfold as mysteries were solved, secrets exposed and love grew in unexpected ways and places! It's a wonderfully smooth ride from beginning to end with characters like the people you might see in your neighborhood and events that are so relevant to this time we live in. You'll feel like your peeking into the lives of people you know and love every minute of it!!! :-); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Behind His Eyes - Truth (Reading Companion to the bestselling Consequences Series) (Volume 5); Author: Visit Amazon's Aleatha Romig Page; Review: I absolutely LOVED the original series and devoured every word of it like it was the key to my own personal fairytale!! I couldn't imagine anything that would've made it better. Thankfully, I didn't have to imagine because this immensely talented author and a legion of devoted fans came up with the ONLY thing that could improve upon that fabulous storyline...Tony's private thoughts, feelings and struggles. And it WORKED!!! I loved having the opportunity to know him better and see his internal struggles, his growth through the difficult times and his understanding and acceptance of what Claire really brought into his life and what he lost without her. He was always the "Bad Guy that you loved to hate" yet obviously had some redeeming qualities that would peek through when he would allow himself to surrender a bit of control and not view those moments as signs of weakness. However, having the chance to see into his mind and his memories...the very things that he guarded more tightly than anything else...and learn more about the words of his grandfather and the things that made him into the man he initially was and was frequently still perceived to be throughout the story was such a revelation and made me love him more! More importantly, it made me love him WITH Claire even more!!! Suddenly he wasn't the bad guy she loved despite his issues but just another flawed human molded by the events of his past, one that taught him nothing about love and relationships. He became a hero when I could finally understand what he had to overcome to be the man Claire deserved to have, not just because they loved each other but also because of how they were both able to change and become stronger individually and also as a couple because of those same horrors that they both had to conquer in their own ways!!! Obviously, I'm enthralled with this and still deep into falling in love with Tony myself after reading this book and you will be also!!! I think he's finally the HEA Prince Charming that I couldn't fully see before... I was afraid to trust that their future together was secure enough to believe in their HEA before reading this companion novel...not so much anymore. He's not suddenly perfect where this story ends and he's still his usual self sometimes...an ass who doesn't always think before he speaks or acts, a powerful man used to controlling every aspect of his world who doesn't cope well with things beyond his control, and a man who loves so deeply and doesn't always allow himself the openness to share his vulnerability and expose his heart for others to see...but he's a work in progress and he's definitely come a long way!! I can't wait to read the next book and delve deeper into his perspective and the man he is inside... and fall a little more in love with a fabulous fantasy man that I won't ever forget!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: From Sand and Ash; Author: Visit Amazon's Amy Harmon Page; Review: I tend to avoid period novels because I often find it difficult to get lost in a story about a time in life that I can't relate to...but this story is so different!!! I was swept away from the beginning and fell in love with Eva and Angelo when they were children and learning to love each other and become family. The story of what they endure and all they overcome during one of the most horrific times in history feels very authentic and realistic. THEY feel very authentic and realistic!! They are the characters that I want to read books they wrote later in life and to know what happened after this story ends...you want to hold onto them as long as possible!! It's a beautiful novel!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bright Side; Author: Visit Amazon's Kim Holden Page; Review: This is a book that makes you laugh out loud, seriously, and cry, big, ugly bawling tears! But what happens in between is truly beautiful and makes you wish you had a Bright Side in your life!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Gus; Author: Visit Amazon's Kim Holden Page; Review: "GUS" is everything "BRIGHT SIDE" was and more!! This isn't a sequel that disappoints but fills your soul with the sunshine and hope that the first book left you thirsting for at the end! It's dark and painful, as the loss of someone you love so dearly should be. But like life, it goes on... and eventually there is healing and happiness and MUSIC...and sunsets that all remind you that you have to live each day and each moment with purpose and presence. And it's truly EPIC!! You don't want to miss this ride!! You might not get the chance again and it's one you won't forget! So put on your big girl pants and just DO IT. READ. IT. NOW.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Franco (Bright Side) (Volume 3); Author: Visit Amazon's Kim Holden Page; Review: Kim Holden knows how to DO EPIC!! And after you read this series you'll know exactly what that means! I don't read many romance novels because they tend to be so scripted and...well...cheesy. But these stories are anything but!! You will IMMERSE yourself totally in each of the books and be lost in a world of beautiful people, sunshine and very real problems to be overcome...and you'll love every minute of it!! It's just that fabulous!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fractured; Author: Visit Amazon's Catherine McKenzie Page; Review: I loved, LOVED this book!! It's interesting from the start but you really get pulled in the deeper the story goes...yet few facts are revealed until near the very end...few clues about the who, what, where and when. Yet you're thoroughly intrigued and totally invested by the time it's all revealed! Yes, there are secrets revealed and plenty for everyone to share one or two it seems. But secrets don't lead to tragedy and testimony in court usually...or do they!?! That's one of the questions you'll have to answer for yourself, as well as a few others, before the final page of this novel...once everything has been revealed!! But the answers aren't as important as the questions nor nearly as exciting and tense as uncovering the story bit by bit until you're left with devastated lives, painful truths and even more painful secrets... and the final question you find yourself asking...was it all just a horrible accident?! This is a wicked good storyline and such a unique reading experience!! The characters are so/so...some so well created they jump off the page into life in your head, others not much more than dressed up stick figures although that might very well be on purpose...this lack of knowledge about them adds stark contrast later in the story when everyone's stories and secrets have been spilled in the streets of what only looks like an idyllic neighborhood from the outside.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hidden; Author: Visit Amazon's Catherine McKenzie Page; Review: Another really great story!! The storyline isn't unique but the way it's written, the insight from all the primary characters, and the end...the questions left for the reader to ponder and answer for themselves... makes this a very unique and different reading experience!! The characters are so clearly developed and defined and their voices so individual and true to their creation that you will love them all, faults and all! It's often heartbreaking but in various ways and for various reasons but there's some satisfaction at the end. And the reader is left with a sense of finality even as their thoughts dwell on unanswered questions for their own lives.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Silent Child; Author: Visit Amazon's Sarah A Denzil Page; Review: A totally unexpected storyline with suspicion against everyone except possibly those who deserve it the most! You won't figure this one out but you'll be addicted to the story, the conflicting feelings of Emma, and the journey to discover Aiden's truth! It's a book you can't put down until the very end!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Saving April; Author: Visit Amazon's Sarah A. Denzil Page; Review: This story will sweep you away with emotion, intrigue and frustration as you follow the story of Saving April and learn what this really means. It's twisted and ugly and ohhh so good that you won't believe it!! It's a fast, exciting ride you don't want to miss '; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Maude; Author: Visit Amazon's Donna Foley Mabry Page; Review: This story carries the reader from the late 1800's up until the early 1960's and explores and shares every facet of this extraordinary, ordinary life of Maude, the author's grandmother. It's a fascinating story and brings history into focus making the reader aware that these times weren't such a distant past and that through even the greatest heartaches and periods of national insecurity and fear there were moments of joy and happiness...and that love comes in many faces and depths just as honesty does. This book is strife with honesty that some might find difficult to read or accept but that I found totally refreshing and quite believable. I have known women like Maude and my life was also made better for it!! I hope this book reminds each reader of a "Maude" they've been blessed to have in their life and if not here's your chance to enjoy that precious gift for a little while.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Broken Ones; Author: Visit Amazon's Sarah A. Denzil Page; Review: This is one weird, twisted story with creepiness overload!! And it's not over at the end! It's enthralling and frustrating and sooo confusing but finally the questions have answers...mostly.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Darkest Thread (Flint K-9 Search & Rescue Mysteries) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Jen Blood Page; Review: LOL!! That's right...Jen Blood has done it again!! I LOVED this first book in the spinoff from the Erin Soloman series! Jammed Flint was one of my favorite characters in that series along with her son, Bear, and the always attractive yet tormented FBI agent, Jack Juarez. And they're all here in a fabulous mystery with intense intrigue that builds and builds non-stop making it difficult to put this book down!! It's a unique and extremely well thought out plot with an ending you won't see coming and just enough of the paranormal to keep it realistic and surreal at the same time. The characters all have the Jen Blood charm of being well flushed and consistent throughout the storyline and even those who you won't like have some redeeming qualities, just like real people! LOL! It's fabulous and I can't wait to read the next in this series!! And thankfully...no cliffhanger ending requiring you to read on for answers! Just a really exciting, well crafted story that makes you WANT to read more!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Betrayal; Author: Visit Amazon's Tim Tigner Page; Review: And I don't mean just from the first page to the last. This isn't my first read by Tim Tigner and I have enjoyed the previous books very much! However, I can say without a doubt that this book is the one that makes me now anxious to read everything he's written that I can find!!! It's just sooo excellent for so many reasons! Yes, his character creation is always fully fleshed out, almost all with some redeeming qualities that often make them either somewhat likeable or relatable despite their evil deeds. His storylines are always intriguing and exciting with unexpected twists to keep you enthralled. His storytelling ability is smooth, easy to read and grasp never leaving you feeling like maybe you missed something and skipping back to catch a minor detail because even the minor details are presented in such a way as to make the mundane memorable. However, the emotional and intense relationships in this story carry a far deeper intimacy, insight and entice a far greater emotional investment in the reader. This storyline is scarily realistic and believable in the post 9/11 world of terrorism that we live in!! It will keep you up late into the night hoping and waiting for good and the strength of patriotic Americans to prevail, with fingers crossed and bated breath! I know. I began this book yesterday morning and finished at 2 am this morning!! I even read while preparing supper for my family!! My only disappointment with this book in the end was a surprise to me and not worth deleting a star in my review...it was over. No sequel when I wanted to dive immediately back into the next world-threatening adventure with these characters! And I tend to generally not be a HUGE fan of series as they often require reading each in sequence to get the most from each installment and that's not always convenient or possible for me and I hate leaving a series til I've read each one. LOL. Just a bit of OCD on my part but we all have our quirks. :) In the end, the bottom line is that this is one of the best books I've read in a very long time!!! Sadly, the threat to our world and the protagonists in this story which was extensive and a long journey ended far too soon. But they won't be forgotten!! Thank you, Mr. Tigner, for such an exceptional reading experience and sharing your scary and twisted ideas with us all! It's a pleasure!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Pushing Brilliance (Kyle Achilles); Author: Visit Amazon's Tim Tigner Page; Review: This is one never-ending, continuously suspenseful thrill ride with brief moments that allow you to catch your breath before it's unexpectedly stolen again! And it doesn't stop until the very end!! Sit down, get comfy, take a deep, relaxing breath before the first page because you might not get another before the last. Easily worth 5 stars!!! Probably more but I am still coming down from the high and calming my racing heart before I dive head first into the next in the Kyle Achilles series. :) Tim Tigner is one scary former counterterrorism specialist with either an imagination that's been starving for the action of his past work or one fertilized by those same experiences...and I don't think I want to know which it is! I'm just going to keep enjoying the benefits of his racing imagination and talented creations!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Breakthrough; Author: Visit Amazon's Michael C. Grumley Page; Review: What would you do to save another civilization? What if you had to choose to trust something you couldn't understand yet not trusting could destroy your own world? How do you decide who to trust and what's real? This story asks all those questions in a plot that has you sitting on the edge of your seat and civilization at risk of being destroyed...at least civilization as we know it. This is fabulously written and a unique storyline and perspective explored about one of our world's oldest questions...is their other intelligent life our there somewhere?; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Leap; Author: Visit Amazon's Michael C. Grumley Page; Review: This series by Michael C. Grumley is unlike anything I've ever read before!! Only similarity is that it's one of those fabulous stories you can't put down and a series that won't let you rest without diving immediately into the next book!! Totally awesome and unique all around!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Catalyst (Breakthrough); Author: Visit Amazon's Michael C. Grumley Page; Review: CATALYST is another installment in one of the most intriguing and exciting series of books that I've ever read!! I'm not a science, anthropology, computer or marine biology geek and I generally dislike most science fiction novels for being too unbelievable. However, this series makes me love them all, understand more of these areas of specialty than I previously thought I could without an extended college education. And the science fiction portion is believable and realistic based on scientific facts which have raised many questions in our own history as humans and our evolution. Add in the intrigue, mystery and geopolitical ramifications and fictional yet believable situations and you have another book that you can't put down!! Essentially it's a fascinating plot line with masterfully crafted characters and events that feel very real and timely in our age of technology and research. It's unique and hasn't become redundant and boring as the series has progressed but actually just the opposite. You will laugh with the dolphins and primates, cry with the humans you love and be willing to fight against the antagonists who want to either steal or destroy the amazing discoveries with no regard for casualties along the way! Everyone will LOVE the BREAKTHROUGH series and will find themselves jumping into each consecutive book with enthusiasm, curiosity and a devotion rarely felt for entertainment reading!! It's got something for everyone and can convert those who doubt it's for them, like me, in short order! You'll also find characters based on real people who have lived extraordinary lives and contributed so much to our scientific advancements, such as DeeAnn Draper, the woman best known for her work in teaching KoKo the gorilla to communicate...and a former Navy SEAL and counterterrorism specialist turned successful author and one of my favorites, Tim Tigner, who makes a special appearance in this story under another name and also provided technical details and support to Grumley as he created this fantastic tale! It doesn't get much better than this book which crosses into so many genres and yet is true to each one without losing sight of the story! Bravo Michael C. Grumley for doing what so few writers can and doing it so exceptionally well!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Split Second; Author: Visit Amazon's Douglas E. Richards Page; Review: First let me say that this book is extremely intriguing and has a unique and exciting plot line with well developed characters that are much like people you know, simple in many ways yet complex and very different from one another. The novel is well written and difficult to put down, harder yet to accurately guess the ending. However, at times it's difficult to understand unless you have a grasp of quantum physics, astrophysics or any other type of higher education physics knowledge. The author tries to explain the science that plays a key role in this novel in simple, basic language for even a layman to understand...but it's obviously a difficult task. I am a fairly intelligent, educated person but these particular passages were difficult to understand and frustrating as they occur at pivotal moments in the story which causes the storyline to lag at times when the reader is most involved and anticipating what happens next. I found myself laying the book down and taking a break when these particular episodes occurred because it interrupted the flow of the story for me. I understand the need to explain how and why the events proposed are possible but it was a little too complex for me to absorb easily, often requiring that I read these passages multiple times. It's obvious this author is highly educated and extremely intelligent. Maybe there's no easier way to explain these scientific concepts or maybe he's too intelligent to realize this is going to be difficult for the majority of readers...I don't know which. I do know that in the end I enjoyed this story very much but still was totally clueless about the theories, laws of physics and scientific research and evidence presented...and the story was still really excellent without that understanding. Read this novel but don't stress about understanding all of the engineering sciences that make the plot possible, as I did. Just skim over it and keep going and you'll enjoy the reading experience and adventure much more!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Blood Ties (Julie Collins Series #1); Author: Visit Amazon's Lori G. Armstrong Page; Review: This mystery novel had it all...wonderful characters who are bigger than life yet so realistic also, enough intrigue and action to keep you deeply rooted in the book foregoing laundry, supper and even that end-of-the-day glass of wine just so you don't have to stop reading for a moment, and human emotion that runs the gamut from tears to laughter with a little sexual frustration and emotional complexity thrown in for good measure. You will LOVE Julie Collins and her ragtag group of friends and enemies!!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hide and Seek; Author: Visit Amazon's P. S. Brown Page; Review: This may be a debut novel but it's apparent the author is highly skilled and gifted!! The premise of this story has been explored before but not like this plot line, that I'm aware of. It's exciting and terrifying, heartbreaking and heart racing! The characters are wonderfully created and the details well thought out and descriptive enough that you can see the story unfold in your mind as you read along. But be prepared for an unexpected and satisfying twist to the end of this psychological game of cat and mouse!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Heaven to Betsy (What Doesn't Kill You, #5): An Emily Romantic Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's Pamela Fagan Hutchins Page; Review: Pamela Fagan Hutchins has done it again! Her books are ALWAYS well conceived and executed with characters you become attached to like old friends and a plot line that keeps you engrossed from start to finish, and real life kinda comedy that will make you laugh out loud!!! This book is no different. It's fabulous, funny, exciting and sometimes kinda hot!!! But it also raises the moral and legal dilemma of real life about illegal immigrants in this country and spotlights some of the challenges these people face without preaching about it or advocating for one policy or another...it's just enough to make you think about this very complex and real issue. It's wonderfully touching, deftly addressed and handled with such delicacy that no one should find offense but might view the issue with a little deeper insight...just another example of how talented Mrs. Hutchins really is!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Closing; Author: Visit Amazon's Ken Oder Page; Review: This book had a tone that immediately reminded me of that wonderful classic, "To Kill a Mockingbird." It's an era several years later and Nate Abbitt is no Atticus Finch, to be clear. The storyline is very different yet still raises similar questions that Harper Lee explored in her exquisite tome. The similarities end there although justice and law in the post-Depression South were similar in many states and mindsets that exceeded boundary lines on maps and both of these stories explore those topics in varying ways. Additionally I believe the characters in this novel are as clearly and deftly created as those in my all-time favorite book mentioned above. The story, questions to be answered and secrets uncovered throughout this book roll along as consistently as clouds of dust fly on an old dirt road starving for rain. This book will hook you before you know it as it also shares that laid back easy way that exemplifies Southern life...but don't be mistaken...there's plenty of excitement and unexpected adventure that unfolds as you delve deeper into this story and you'll love every page of it!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Truth She Knew (The Truth Series Book 1); Author: Visit Amazon's J. A. Owenby Page; Review: This book exceeded my expectations tremendously!!! Yes, it's got some great romance and a few steamy pages... and as well as they're written that's nothing compared to the heart of this story!!! Unless you have had personal experiences dealing with serious mental health conditions you might not realize how amazingly accurate and realistic this story can be!! And it's addressed in an emotionally sensitive, realistic and open way to expose and explore the complex relationships involved in a family dealing with these issues but more importantly the issue of how to move beyond it...when to let go...or is it ever okay to really walk away?! It's a fabulous story and an entertaining book but it's much deeper than that for people who have lived in similar situations and see their reality reflected so honestly on the page. I'm diving into the next story in the series right now!!! It's 2am...sleep is way overrated anyway.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Old Wounds to the Heart (Whippoorwill Hollow) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Ken Oder Page; Review: This isn't some action packed, psychological thriller or murder mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. It's sooo much MORE than that!! This is an unflinchingly honest story about the mistakes of youth and the consequences that you can't outrun through time nor money. It's a heartbreaking story of pain, loss, redemption and how people stumble through life, often making poor choices, in an attempt to grow up and find love and happiness, to build a life of memories and how others may be impacted by your path to old age, wisdom and acceptance of responsibility for the resulting consequences. It's masterfully written in a flowing tale that keeps you engaged by the sheer unexpected honesty and the unfolding actions of a frivolous and foolish youth upon people who thought they were beyond the perils of the ignorance of youth. It's real and difficult to read at times, to see the authentic pain in someone's heart as it's represented in this tale...and not just the pain of the innocent victims but what happens when a person is faced with the cold, hard truth of who they are and questions of how to mend the tears they have rent into the lives of the people around them...their family and friends. Is redemption possible? How do you heal such deep hurts and disappointments? Can you survive the price you have to pay for those choices? Can you really change who you've always been? This book explores all those questions in a flowing tale that you're unlikely to ever forget!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Echoes Beneath (The Truth Series) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's J. A. Owenby Page; Review: This is a great story!!! It's entertaining, intriguing and painfully honest about what life is like when you live with someone who has a mental health disorder or disease. The writing, plot line and flow are consistent and the characters are tremendously created to feel like the people you know and friends you've had. My only reason for not giving it 5 stars is that I felt the ending wasn't complete but more of a cliffhanger...a publishing gimmick to sell more books. I understand why that's needed...it is a business based with the primary interest in selling publications rather just publishing them. But I loved these characters and the storyline enough to want to know what happens next so I would buy the sequel without feeling manipulated into but because this book is written well enough that I am emotionally attached to these characters and am not yet ready to part with them!!! Buy this book and share it with friends, especially young woman or those who appear to possibly be in a similar situation!!! You won't regret it or forget it!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Pennies from Burger Heaven (Lost Souls Mystery #1); Author: Visit Amazon's Marcy McKay Page; Review: I can't express how amazing this book is!! I read some of the reviews first so knew it was good but they didn't express just how special this story is!!! I LOVED IT!! Every perfectly created character, every adventure, heartache and joy each so equally and eloquently expressed and a story so intriguing, well conceived and executed that's both realistic and relevant to the days we're living in and an entertaining, enthralling story that you get lost in it!! This story needs more than 5 stars...it deserves more...much more!! Like thousands of pennies from Burger Heaven!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Tears of Tess; Author: Visit Amazon's Pepper Winters Page; Review: It's dark and violent...it's needs not understood and desires denied...it's the darkest evil in the world that brings Tess and Q together...depravity and greed paid for with the bodies and souls of women stolen from around the world and sold as slaves...but what happens after they are together is something they didn't expect and you won't see coming! It's beyond what I even hoped for!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Quintessentially Q (Monsters in the Dark) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Pepper Winters Page; Review: Darkness and light...pain and pleasure...misery and euphoria...life and death...Q and Tess have been through all this but it's as complex a tale as their fuckupedness together...but can they recapture what others vowed to destroy? This book answers that question with the perfect plot line for these imperfect souls who are not only opposites and what the other desires but more alike than even they know. Tess was destroyed...obliterated and left as a breathing tomb of destruction. Q was destroyed in his world of business and a heart he didn't even know he possessed was shattered into fragments as tiny and cold as falling snow...burying him in an avalanche of pain and loss. But can he bring the light and life back to Tess and allow his beast to thaw from it's frozen state and breathe life and passion back into his shattered soul? This book has the answers and you WANT to read it...you NEED to know just as much as Q and Tess need to know...and you'll be forever changed and marked by this unforgettable story!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Je Suis a Toi (Monsters in the Dark) (Volume 4); Author: Visit Amazon's Pepper Winters Page; Review: What happens when two people drawn to darkness share a life of service to others and an undeniable love and unquenchable desire for one another?! This little book answers that question and so much more! You can't tame the beast but is it possible to train him? To fill even that darkness with the light of unconditional love and acceptance? You will have to read it to find out! And you will be so happy you did...and maybe a little hot for a beast of your own! ;); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Twisted Together (Monsters in the Dark) (Volume 3); Author: Visit Amazon's Pepper Winters Page; Review: This isn't a story of lighthearted love and HEA. It's darker than 100 shades of Grey with sharp lances of light burrowing through total darkness...pain and pleasure, death and life, beginning and end...and you'll drink every word in with an insatiable thirst! Q and Tess...so different yet so much alike. Two bodies that share one all encompassing love...but can it survive the evil that is determined to tear them apart and destroy the only happiness either has ever known?! Will they ever be free to spread their wings and soar together above the disease that threatens their lives and their love? This story is as exceptionally well written as each in the series before it. However, it shares a level of emotion that exceeds all we've experienced in the prior books, a danger that threatens beyond sanity and security but the most basic survival of life and of facing the loss of your true soulmate, your home and the reason your heart beats. You have to delve into the blackest darkness to fight the greatness evil but can you deal with the choices and actions you take once you're forced back into the sunlight?! Can you find your way to your love with the scars and memories you bear? Or will that darkness and guilt consume your fire and burn all that's good that's left in your life?! These are all questions that this book will answer and leave the reader satisfied and yet still burning with desire for the love, passion and connection that Q and Tess have shared!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bishop's War; Author: Rafael Amadeus Hines; Review: I can't believe this is a first publication by a new author!! That's mind-blowing, especially after reading this awesome tale!! This book was waaay more than I expected and beyond anything I imagined!! You will LOVE John Bishop, the Valdez family and the Razor Team!! This book is impossible to put down! I found myself scheduling cooking for my family and other tasks required between chapters and even then often postponing as long as possible, hoping for a brief lull in the action, excitement and adventure...but they were few and far between! The action begins in the first few pages and doesn't let up! And it's GOOD!!!! Like amazingly EXCELLENT for a debut novel by a new author!!! And I am dying for the story to go on!!! Bring me the next book in the series, PLEASE!!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Deadly Thyme; Author: R. L. Nolen; Review: I enjoyed this book very much although it does require some patience to get through it. It's a little slow throughout the book but it's a well conceived plot with exceptional character development! Unfortunately, I figured out about halfway through who the protagonist was but it was still entertaining and unexpected in reading the story unfold. It's a very good book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys British crime novels and psychological thrillers.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Confessions of a Reformed Tom Cat: A Modern Love Story (Modern Love Stories) (Volume 4); Author: Visit Amazon's Daisy Prescott Page; Review: This was such fun to read!!! I didn't even have a hint that it was written by a woman til the end! LOL! It's so honest and real!! And laugh-out-loud funny and crying-real-tears and stifling-sobs heartbreakingly sad at different times and a little bit together. Every minute was a pleasure!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Gingerbread Man: A Marlow and Sage Mystery (A Nursery Rhyme Mystery) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Lee Strauss Page; Review: AT ALL!! It was so much better!!! Fabulous story, well rounded characters and a unique storyline that's well conceived and created! I can't wait to read more of the stories in this series!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Shack; Author: Wm. Paul Young; Review: That's the true gift that brings such a tremendously thoughtful, honest and healing story such as this into our lives!! Something this profound...human and realistic without recoiling from the messy emotions and superiority of people...a story so inspired and inspiring with the ability to lead people into healing and forgiveness from the darkest of despair, the greatest pain, the unrelenting anger of grief...a story so well conceived and created with characters that FEEL so real, even those whom human eyes have never beheld and hands have never touched...this can only be given through the grace of a God who loves all with a special "fondness" and is opening a door for those of us who are feeling lost and separated to have a real dialogue about our beliefs in God and with God. This book presents a perception of unwavering love, HIS desires for our lives and an opportunity for helping to step out of our brokenness and move on and addresses many questions that people have about religion and our worldly training from the Bible, a book interpreted and written by man, in a way that doesn't conflict with those lessons necessarily but rather offers a different interpretation...an interpretation that seems possible to achieve and focuses on a personal relationship with God more than deeds and following a particular doctrine...a relationship of love and trust. And the definition of this relationship is one that can transcend beyond the spiritual and improve every relationship within your life!! I have watched the movie and couldn't wait to read the book, buying my kindle edition within an hour of crying my way through the last hour of the film. And the book is SOOO MUCH BETTER!!! This is a story that will touch everyone who reads it and will never be forgotten once you've finished the last page!! And it just might change your life. What more could you want from a novel?! This delivers beyond your expectations even if you've seen the movie and think you know the story! I'm still amazed and feeling especially blessed and thankful for having such a story introduced into my life! And it's entertaining, too! LOL!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Wish Me Home; Author: Visit Amazon's Kay Bratt Page; Review: This work of fiction has a firm foothold in reality in several areas. The story is well thought out and created with characters you will feel strongly about, both good and bad. This book makes you FEEL many things...And isn't that what art is really about?! It's entertaining, easy to read, painfully heartbreaking and hopeful! I highly recommend that EVERYONE read this because there's something in this story that everyone has a personal experience with...dysfunctional and codependent relationships, chronic depression, insecurity and low self esteem, or maybe just knowing someone close who's dealt with any one of these issues. This story will touch your heart and make you smile, even at unexpected moments.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: See Me Not; Author: Visit Amazon's Janelle Harris Page; Review: This is a psychological thriller from the beginning. It's not difficult or a big mystery about who's behind the texts, FB posts and threats to Emma's job and marriage. The mystery is WHY...and you might be surprised and deeply saddened as this unusual a well conceived plot unwinds. It's a step into darkness that's unexpected yet too many people experience every day, a glimpse into the madness that can be created when people haven't been loved well and without reservation...when life is a day to day walk through the darkest pits of Hell on Earth and the even darker places where a fractured, broken heart and mind live without healing. This story was a gripping ride of unexpected twists and events that kept me riveted to each page with a poignant and important message buried in the ending that was justified in some ways yet heartbreakingly honest and painful. There's not exactly a HEA...but there's a chance.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dear Aaron; Author: Visit Amazon's Mariana Zapata Page; Review: I don't often read romance novels. And somehow I didn't even know this story was one when I got it. But I am so happy that I stumbled upon it!! It was a heart wrenching pleasure from beginning to end!! I LOVED Aaron and Ruby and every minute of this story!! Read it and share the tears and laughter! You'll be glad you did!!!! The only thing I didn't like was that it ended...I wanted MORE! :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Beneath a Scarlet Sky: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Mark Sullivan Page; Review: For those who loved "The Alchemist" this is a story that will impact you just as strongly and leave an unforgettable lesson and an appreciation for the blessing of each new day. This is the inside story of one man's heroic journey through Hitler's regime and the occupation of Italy but it's also a story of fate, faith, forgiveness and the will to survive when giving up seems so much easier. It's about taking chances and doing the right thing even when the penalty could be death or worse...inprisonment in the worst of the Nazi controlled institutions in Italy. It's a tale of unforgettable love and passion and fighting against the greatest evil when you feel that you have lost your way and your reason for fighting. And it's an honest commentary and reflection of how one person can make a difference even when they are surrounded by an epic machine of evil and destruction and the losses they endured to survive one of the worst periods and wars in the history of the world. You won't be able to put it down or forget Pino Lella and the amazing life he lived with thankfulness in his heart for each day.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Beneath a Scarlet Sky (Center Point Large Print); Author: Mark T Sullivan; Review: For those who loved "The Alchemist" this is a story that will impact you just as strongly and leave an unforgettable lesson and an appreciation for the blessing of each new day. This is the inside story of one man's heroic journey through Hitler's regime and the occupation of Italy but it's also a story of fate, faith, forgiveness and the will to survive when giving up seems so much easier. It's about taking chances and doing the right thing even when the penalty could be death or worse...inprisonment in the worst of the Nazi controlled institutions in Italy. It's a tale of unforgettable love and passion and fighting against the greatest evil when you feel that you have lost your way and your reason for fighting. And it's an honest commentary and reflection of how one person can make a difference even when they are surrounded by an epic machine of evil and destruction and the losses they endured to survive one of the worst periods and wars in the history of the world. You won't be able to put it down or forget Pino Lella and the amazing life he lived with thankfulness in his heart for each day.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hush; Author: Visit Amazon's Anne Frasier Page; Review: This novel gets under your skin and goes straight to your soul...the place where your dreams and nightmares, hopes and love...live. And it speaks to all of those. You won't be able to put it down. And when it ends you're relieved yet still want more!! This is the most intriguing story that I have read in a long time. It's so well written with every character so fully developed that it feels like non-fiction. And the writing and story development is so precise and creative that there's no need to resort to red herrings and unexpected twists to lead you astray. It's simple and straightforward but impressively complex, much like life can sometimes be and probably more like the complex and convoluted mind of a killer might be. Be prepared to jump into the psychosis of a serial murderer and the people who fight to find him throughout the darkness and the light of their lives. But be forewarned...you may not ever be able to forget it once you've been there! Five stars isn't enough for a novel as well crafted, with obvious attention to each detail, artfully moved through the plot without feeling forced or rushed and without deceiving the reader at any point yet still holding their breath in the touch of a keystroke. It's riveting and unforgettable in the very best and worst ways possible!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Roses of May (The Collector); Author: Visit Amazon's Dot Hutchison Page; Review: The introductory story in this series was one of the best that I have ever read and even a year later I remember it so well. I couldn't wait for the next book in the series and it finally arrived!!! This is a different story from The Butterfly Garden. The tone is that of a young teenage girl and the author strikes it with realism and accuracy. But it's a totally different story yet just as exceptional in it's own way. It provides a more rounded and personal look into the personalities and thoughts of the Quantico Three as well as the recurring and new characters. The storyline is unexpected, complex, emotionally draining and well executed. And it's worth every moment you spend immersed in the novel as the world around you falls away because you ARE in this tale...you feel the pain, loss, anger, confusion, love, fear and fearlessness of Priya as she is learning to live after the horrific death of her sister, the loss of her father and the family she'd always known and never imagined a life without. It's fabulous and I think everyone should read this series!! It's too good to miss!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Trapped Girl (Tracy Crosswhite); Author: Visit Amazon's Robert Dugoni Page; Review: ...to grab you at the beginning and take you for a wild ride with no idea about where it will end! Dugoni is a master and this series is proof of his talent, skill and endless creativity. This isn't one of those mass-produced formulation series that make you think you've read it before and know how it ends. With a Dugoni novel, you never know! Even after so many books in this series the only things you can count on is the consistency of the characters, the stubbornness of Tracy Crosswhite who is a great detective but also has a strong personal connection to the victims who fall into her hands and a complex storyline that will surprise you every single time!! It's just as good as the first and every book in the series since!! And now I am off to read the most recent addition to it!!! Follow me, or Tracy, and enjoy the ride!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Stillhouse Lake; Author: Visit Amazon's Rachel Caine Page; Review: I started this book about 11 pm one night...intending to do just a little light reading before going to sleep. Sleep never came! It's now 7:30 am and I read it straight through without stopping!!! It's an unbelievably twisted tale that has red herrings, the worst type of evil in the world and a fabulous ideal of how a person goes on after learning their husband was torturing and killing young women right under your nose and you never had even a clue...but a bloodthirsty social posse thinks that isn't possible and you should die for your crimes of blind trust, naive control and total ignorance. How do you fight back when the world thinks you're an evil monster and the monster you eventually came to know still lives in your head?! This is a page-turner that will have you fidgeting in your seat, questioning everyone and not knowing who to trust... and you will love every page of it!! I can't wait to read the next book in this series! Exceptional plot line that's reminds me of the questions that surrounded the wife of the BTK Killer so it's unfortunate relevant to the world we live in which makes it feel so real, especially with such incredibly fully defined characters that provide such insight. It's terrifying to realize this could happen, heartbreaking to acknowledge that it has yet thoroughly addictive...like the train wreck you see coming but can't look away from. Just so...incredible and enthralling!!! I can't think of enough adjectives to describe my visceral reaction to this story and my pleasure at discovering such an obviously talented writer!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Good Mother; Author: Sinead Moriarty; Review: This novel starts off commonly enough with the breakup of a family through a difficult divorce. It's relevant and honest in it's realistic view and grabs you from the start, especially if you're a child of divorce or have become a single parent through it. And that's just the beginning of a fabulous and heartwarming, heartbreaking journey as Kate, Luke, Jess, Bobby and even Nick ...plus an extended cast of equally as well developed and colorful cast of characters that fill their lives with laughter, madness and unwavering love and support...traverse the horrendous mine field of childhood cancer and the fight to persevere, hold everyone together and find peace and joy while grabbing onto life with desperate hands and hearts. This is a painfully honest glimpse into the laughter, fights, joy and pain of such an unexpected and unfair part of life and death that effects everyone within the family and their individual lives as they plow through the uncertainty and dangerous decisions and treatments as well as the emotional tsunami that threatens to overtake them all along the way. It's a simple storyline that could fail and fall into overused and well known concepts and just rely on the reader's emotions and experience to drive it to success. However, it doesn't do that!! It's exceptionally well written and explores the depth of the range of emotions that others often shy away from. It's more than just tugging heartstrings but a fully developed life of a family grappling with all the complexities of life beyond just the illness and battle with cancer...the fight to not become defined and destroyed by the illness. I loved this story but the additional insight into the thoughts and emotions of one of the characters who seems to have become lost and overlooked by events and a world he doesn't understand is inspirational and makes you wish you could step into the story and help in some way. To capture the voice of this character in an unflinching and realistic way is a testament to the talent of this author and one of the highlights of this novel that sets it apart from many dealing with the same subject matter. This was my first novel by Sinead Moriarity but I am immediately following this up with another of the two that I've already purchased upon completion of this story even before my tears had dried.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Second Captive; Author: Visit Amazon's Maggie James Page; Review: WOW!!! What a story! It's a psychological thriller that begins commonly enough but it's not long into the storyline when it veers from the expected and keeps you rooted to each page with anticipation and tension. Fabulous characters that will inspire mixed feelings in you as the story progresses and a well executed concept that will surprise you at the end. Some elements are fairly easy to figure out but don't think you know how it will end!!! LOL! Entertaining thrill ride throughout!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: His Kidnapper's Shoes; Author: Visit Amazon's Maggie James Page; Review: ...of loss, rejection, compassion and understanding. A mother's love for her child is the greatest love. But what happens when the mother who loves you isn't your own? As an adult you discover her secrets but not her reasons. But does the why of it all matter? And what happens to a woman who loses her son twice in one lifetime? Is forgiveness and healing possible? It's a compelling story that will invoke various emotions as you read it and you won't want to put it down!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Widow, Virgin, Whore; Author: Visit Amazon's Deanna Lynn Sletten Page; Review: This is a story about three very different women, on the surface, how they come to share a home and eventually their lives together...through difficult transitions, raising children, romances both fleeting and not, and every day life and eventually death of friends and loved ones. And the discovery that although they have vast differences they also share a lot in common. Each character has a unique voice that's consistent and appropriate, some stronger than others just as their personalities dictate. Very deftly created with a storyline that builds progressively to a predictable ending yet isn't completely predictable in it's execution. Very well written and a pleasurable read that will make you laugh, cry and feel in the end like you're parting with friends.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Faultlines; Author: Visit Amazon's Barbara Taylor Sissel Page; Review: Very good book!! The concept isn't novel but the execution is unique, emotional and very well executed!!! And the characters are so well rounded that you feel like you know them and understand their thoughts and emotions, even the antagonists of the story. As a woman who lost a brother to drunk driving when we were both very young I found the emotions expressed to be accurately conflicted, heart wrenching and realistic....the fear, hope, anger, resentment and the urge to place blame overwhelming. It's all written with a sensitivity, understanding and unwavering honesty. As are the depiction of the effects on the families of those involved. This novel reflects a real talent for writing, a gift for understanding the human psyche and it's strengths and weaknesses and the ability to fully express and explore vulnerabilities with a keen hand and compassionate heart. A wonderful story for all ages! Especially appropriate for those teens who risk becoming a statistic as they navigate the trials and perils of growing up, peer pressure and the desire to rebel against the restrictions placed on them when they believe they are already grown and want to prove that. This is a good book to bring home the risks and possible consequences of their decisions in an entertaining, emotionally wrenching story that will capture their attention and doesn't preach about the morality or place judgements upon their decisions but offers a glimpse into the "what if's" of their futures. Highly recommend as a great novel, quick read that you won't want to put down!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Till The Dust Settles; Author: Visit Amazon's Pat Young Page; Review: This story is full of unexpected twists and turns. The timeline will tug your heartstrings but it's a unique, respectful and well conceived plot line that keeps you riveted to the story with very well and fully created characters that are consistent throughout the novel. An excellent read that leaves you wondering in the end!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Invisible; Author: Visit Amazon's Barbara Copperthwaite Page; Review: Although this isn't a thrill-a-minute psychological drama it's such a unique concept, well conceived and executed with realistic characters, that it's hard to put down! When watching the news about longtime serial killers and rapists I have often found myself wondering how a wife who lives with this man everyday can possibly be oblivious to his crimes. This story offers a believable, realistic view into the thoughts and feelings of the spouse through just such a situation. And that's fascinating to me!! I couldn't put it down!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Flowers for the Dead; Author: Visit Amazon's Barbara Copperthwaite Page; Review: I wasn't sure what to really expect from this novel. It seems that many stalker/serial killer tales follow a similar path, probably because of the psychology of such monsters who hide wide open in society. But this story took me on an unexpected, twisted journey through the creation of the psychological break through the actions and decisions leading to the climax. And it was a helluva ride!! Hard to put down once I got hooked after the first couple chapters! It caught my imagination and attention from the very beginning... but the interwoven stories that seemed unrelated kept my curiosity aroused and my mind totally engaged. Fabulous character development even though I'm sure some of it was difficult and maybe even painful for the author...to dig so deep and create such trauma has to leave a residual grief for someone you've created. And that attachment to her characters shows through in this book, reflecting a compassion and empathy for all the characters and their respective experiences including the monster that will haunt your dreams and make you look at those people you see in society that don't exactly fit in with a different perspective. Could they have the potential to become like Adam? Or could they be saved by a compassionate offer of friendship, patience and acceptance to help them find a place in a world that feels like a place that's foreign and has no welcome for the odd people...those who are raised with a different view of life, dreams that they fear expressing and pain that has no words big enough to describe... the ones who can only find peace, escape and understanding in a fantasy world of their own creation?! Can the innocent victims who cross their paths survive and thrive in a life after being touched by such evil and witnessed the worst of humanity? Can they heal? These questions haunt me after finishing this deftly created and executed plot line. And that's the sign of true talent and artistry with words. Not just to make you feel the rush of emotions as you delve through these experiences vicariously but also to leave your mind with questions, your emotions tangled with compassion and hope, and your humanity searching for answers long after the final word is read and the story has ended. THAT'S hard work, dedication and commitment to using the talent a writer is blessed with to it's fullest potential regardless of the genre or chosen way of expression and this author has nailed it beautifully, horrifically and in an emotionally churning, terrifyingly wonderful novel!! I will be reading more by this author and look forward to my soul searching after effects of her fabulous creations!!! After all it's the sign of a true artist who can make you feel and think even after the presentation has passed. That's different than just being a writer who can create and execute an entertaining story.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Strategy; Author: Visit Amazon's Anita Waller Page; Review: Excellent sequel to a particularly twisted, fabulous thriller novel! Both books will keep you spellbound and your emotions all over the place as the unexpected happens over and over again! Wonderful character development and execution of a complex storyline! The prequel was awesome and the sequel is every bit as good!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Abattoir of Dreams; Author: Visit Amazon's Mark Tilbury Page; Review: Totally unique storyline that is weird beyond belief but so cool that you can't even imagine what will happen next! Loved it!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Cross My Heart: A Fiona Donovan Vigilante Thriller (Fiona Donovan Vigilante Justice Thrillers) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's James M. Matheson Page; Review: This book hooks you from the beginning and never lets you loose! There's not a dull moment or a break in intensity throughout the story! It's exciting, compelling and tugs your heartstrings while also making you question what you might do in the same situation. The characters are excellently developed and consistent and the storyline is well conceived and executed. Fabulous, fun read! I can't wait to read more Fiona Donovan tales!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Lost Child: A Gripping Psychological Thriller; Author: Visit Amazon's D S Butler Page; Review: This is the first book I have read by this author but what an exciting introduction to her/his work! I often find myself frustrated with UK crime novels because their investigative procedures are so different from what we watch on TV in US criminal scenarios and read in US novels which often make everything seem to move so quickly and exciting. However, this author used that pace to build the drama and intrigue, giving few clues along the way. And it was a nail-biting, edge of your seat, heart pounding thrill ride throughout the story!! The storyline is well conceived and even better executed in something that could've easily become predictable or tedious as the plot of child abduction is a common enough idea. But this was not predictable in any way! Just when you think you've got it figured out there are unexpected revelations and twists abound. The characters are so deftly created and revealed that you feel you know and understand them without being bogged down with a lot of backstory and details yet each tidbit revealed becomes relevant as the tale progresses. I read this straight through without stopping and actually hated for it to end! It's one of those stories that makes you feel emotionally involved with the characters and leaves you wanting to know what happens next week, six months and even 10 years later. What more could you ask for in a fiction novel in this genre or any other for that matter?!?! I LOVED it and will be following up with more novels by this author! The author's notes at the end indicate this is a different type of story than their usual work but if their other creations are as well written and conceived as this book then I can't imagine being disappointed at all! Talent will always rise to the top regardless of the subject matter and it's that talent that is the connecting thread throughout an author's works. I expect to soon add this writer to my list of favorites! Read this book and then spread the word! It's well worth your time and you'll be happy you did! I expect it's one of those stories that will stay with you long after the final page has been passed by and you've moved on to another tale.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Deadly Obsession: DS Mackinnon series prequel; Author: Dr D S Butler; Review: A great book for a quiet day of reading because once you begin you won't want to stop till it's over! Unlike many British crime novels that I have read this one moves quickly at an intriguing and alluring pace with enough red herrings and possible protagonists to keep you guessing but you won't figure it out until the end. It's a well developed and created tale with enough character development to give you a sense of each one without blogging down with details, a great balance! I enjoyed it very much and am now moving on to learn what happens next in the Detective McKinnon series!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dark Peak; Author: Visit Amazon's Adam J. Wright Page; Review: I must admit it didn't take me very long to accurately guess who the real protagonist in this story was. However, that didn't detract from the excitement, lack of conviction about my suspected serial killer, or the intensity of the story and trying to understand what motivates such crimes! It was a unique and well executed storyline with great characters that you loved and loved to hate and a few somewhere in between!! The ending is somewhat unexpected but a suitable and satisfying close for such a twisted, evil tale of old secrets and evil deeds and the driving force behind them. Enjoyed it very much! Read straight through without putting it down!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: While You Were Mine; Author: Visit Amazon's Ann Howard Creel Page; Review: This is an extraordinarily well written story that surpassed my greatest expectations! Based on the premise I expected a light-hearted, quick read to pass the time on a series of airplanes while I traveled. That's far from what I got with this novel!! It was a fast and easy read, very entertaining...especially for the people seated around me at various times as I laughed out loud, smiled with the joy of loving a child or the blush of a first real love, shed tears over the devastation of war and it's effects on those who survive it... and so much more!! This book makes you feel like you are a witness to the lives of it's characters and you know them as friends. You experience their thoughts and emotions even at times without the author having to clearly express them on the pages. It's fabulous and I hated for it to end!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Criminal Defense (Philadelphia Legal); Author: Visit Amazon's William L. Myers Jr. Page; Review: You won't believe this story but it's written well enough that you think it could just be true!! I read this from start to finish without stopping even for meals... and it was worth it! Excellent plot, incredibly well executed with characters that are so fully developed that you think you know and understand them and can even predict the ending...but you will be wrong on that point. What a fabulous example of the talent and hard work of this author!! I can't wait to read more!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: What Remains True: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Janis Thomas Page; Review: I don't generally leave too many reviews. A book has to REALLY move me...with any BIG feels from anxiety or tension to the happy ugly cry and anything in between...for me to believe my opinion will carry some weight. This novel kept calling me back more than a day after finishing it, yelling in my head...or maybe it was my heart that still was reeling with emotion from this story...that I MUST tell people about it!!! And dismissing this from my thoughts just wasn't enough to release me from the compulsion. As a child in a family trying to continue living and coping with each of our own feelings of guilt after my brother died unexpectedly and far too young I was intimately familiar with how the reality of this situation would feel and look like...with my own guilt and feelings of loss but unwilling to express my emotions for fear of making it more difficult or painful for my parents who temporarily lost sight of their remaining children, watching my previously-thought indestructible mother crumble under her grief and guilt, and my reserved, normally strong and stoic father pretending that life was moving on and denying himself the right to grieve because of the responsibility and guilt he carried...this picture was achingly familiar to me before opening the book. I didn't believe anyone could realistically and effectively describe this alien landscape that seemed as remote as a secret island where the LEFT BEHIND AFTERs were condemned to roam separate from the land they had previously inhabited. I was totally wrong!! This author made me feel that I was reading MY STORY!! HOW DID SHE KNOW?!?! The exquisite yet simple expression of the feelings and thoughts was painfully accurate and wonderfully real!! It was like taking a trip back in time and gaining the insight I couldn't gather back then. This story is a tribute to love that lasts beyond death, the resilience of the human heart to continue despite an injury that seems fatal just in it's survival, and the perfect illustration of creating a life that goes on as a family, a different life than before, yet an enduring one with love that heals through honesty and acceptance of the pain of loss and the inevitability of mortality for everyone and that all things aren't always as they appear from one perspective. And it's a stunning portrayal of how lost you can be individually and as a family through grief and that it's a solo decision and effort to face that grief and loss and walk through those feelings that CAN lead to resurrecting yourself and possibly your family on the other side of it!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Anything; Author: Visit Amazon's Lou Aronica Page; Review: I am working my way through every novel in THE HEARTS OF MEN series and although I haven't left reviews for those stories before this one I have LOVED every word of each one!! So much so that I couldn't read further without spreading the joy and pleasure of this series and the immense talent of this author!! Many series tend to become redundant after the first few stories. This one doesn't!! Each story is so unique and well written and conceived that you immediately feel a kinship with the characters and are drawn into their lives, happiness and heartache. And it's so effortless that you don't realize how deeply you're invested until you reach the end of the story and wish there was so much more!! It's like parting with friends and knowing their lives will carry on without you. Each story is hopeful and has a little touch of magic, either through an enduring love that can transcend the greatest gulfs in a relationship or through the mysteries of life and maybe some slightly paranormal indulgences. But what is magic that makes it less believable than love?! You can't hold it in your hands, explain exactly how it works, why or when yet it has a transformative power that can be just as great as the power and change that comes from finding the one person you were meant to love and sharing your lives together!! This series isn't so much a glimpse into understanding how men view love as an affirmation that love transcends gender, age, ethnicity and even the period of time that it exists in! It's a heartwarming series that you will remember long after the last word is read with characters that you will feel were friends who shared your life for awhile. I can't wait for more from this amazing author!! If I have one criticism it's one that each reader will agree with... the stories are not nearly long enough!! I want MORE!! More time to sit in the worlds created by this novelist's words, more time with these men and women who ease into my heart as quickly and easily as the love for a child that grows throughout a pregnancy and feels like it has always had a place in your heart and life, more stories to remind me that love is special and worth looking for and fighting to keep and HEA really does happen for real people who find the person who holds the matching piece to make their heart complete!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Flash and Dazzle; Author: Visit Amazon's Lou Aronica Page; Review: I have been reading this series in order and have enjoyed each novel in it to this point although only one other up til now moved me so greatly that I HAD to leave a review!! It went beyond a compulsion...it was a deep-seated need to share it. I didn't expect another novel in the series to effect me in such a way. That's just so rare in serial stories it seems. And this story didn't reach that level...IT OBLITERATED IT!! This one will make your heart sing, your soul cry and every emotion in between!! You will love it so much and feel that it's such a REAL experience you have survived that you will kind of hate it for taking you on that journey despite being so thrilled to have been fortunate to have found such a gem!! The talent required to inspire such emotion in a reader, such personal involvement in a story, is awe-inspiring!! I think after reading this novel I will always carry a little FLASH AND DAZZLE inside me! Read it! NOW!!! You don't want to miss this piece of art and this joyful, heart wrenching, realistic celebration of life, friendship and love!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Chasing Fireflies; Author: Visit Amazon's Paige P. Horne Page; Review: This book will move you in many ways!! It's a complex roller coaster ride through emotions as you live life through Cash and Sara's eyes. And due to the talent and extremely well executed plot and the effort made by this author to find words to describe feelings that anyone would struggle to put into words adequately, that's exactly what you do as you are absorbed into this tale of love that lasts forever, the battle of fighting mental illness not just on those who suffer from it but also those who share their lives, the joy and devastation of daily triumphs and failures, and the commitment of a relationship that is strong enough to celebrate the good days and continue to have hope even in the darkness. This is a sadly realistic storyline that can be used not just for entertainment, an opportunity to escape into a beautiful, poetic story but also to educate those who have been blessed to never suffer from the despair expressed in the lives of those who have this sometimes debilitating illness and the people who love and care for them and don't understand their feelings and thoughts either. This isn't a novel that will leave you jumping for joy but it will remind you that even after the darkest days and worst tragedies life goes on and there are better days to be found if you just hold on long enough!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Font D Argent Hotel; City: Pas de la Casa Encamp Parish; Review: Rooms are clean and modern, if a bit on the small side. Everything seemed in working order. The pillows were uncomfortable and we did not sleep well some nights. The double room had two beds pressed together. A short walk to ski lifts, which is a plus. Proximity to pubs leads to some (tolerable) noise. Buses cannot get into the village, which implies a long uphill walk with luggage to reach the hotel your first night, unless you're arriving by car or wait for the village shuttle to the hotel. Ski locker is conveniently located, and equipped with lockers for each room, and boot racks. The space is very cramped with few benches. The major downside was the food. Breakfast and dinner buffets had a limited selection of very oily dishes. Some foods were all right (in particular fruits and orange juice at breakfast) but for the most part the prepared buffet foods were not very tasty: eggs and bacon were too oily to eat. If you are going to the hotel your best bet is the grilled food selection in the evening, but be sure to ask for it to be thoroughly cooked. Or, take B&B and eat at any of the restaurants across the street. We may have been spoiled by a truly excellent 4-star hotel on our last ski trip. Spa area contains two wet saunas, two dry, and two jacuzzis. All the saunas and jacuzzis are small (fit two or three people) but we never found the saunas crowded. The demand to buy a swimming cap for 2 euros to wear in the jacuzzi (even for short-haired men) is unreasonable to our minds. We understand this is a new rule. The hotel has a long list of rules, interfering with the holiday vibe. In any case the jacuzzis were surprisingly cold - no warmer than most indoor swimming pools. This was a major disappointment considering the spa facilities were a key consideration in our choice of this hotel. There are no towels available in the spa area; you must bring your own from the room. Bathrobes are provided but are not replaced, so don't use them in place of towels. Service was overall decent, but some of the kitchen wait staff were rude to us. Receptionists were helpful. Overall this hotel is not bad, but given our experience with 4 star hotels elsewhere in Europe, we feel that it does not live up to the rating.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Navatara Phuket Resort; City: Rawai Phuket; Review: We stayed in Navatara for 3 nights and it was honestly not enough. Navatara is a fairly small resort hotel in Rawai beach. This is on the southern tip of Phuket, about an hour (and 1,000 baht) from the airport depending on traffic. It’s far from the nightlife of Patong and many attractions in Phuket. They are serious about the “slow life resort” motto and the location makes it ideal if your main goal in Phuket is to relax; not so good if you want to see tourist attractions. The nearest beach is a fishing beach; you need to drive to reach swimming beaches, but the hotel offers a shuttle. The local beaches are not exactly secluded, but not too crowded. The room was spacious and well decorated. All the fixtures were in good working order and the shower was great also. The windows let in a lot of light. All the hotel rooms face the swimming pool, which was never crowded while we were there. There are three floors and no elevator, so it’s one of the rare cases I asked the bellhop for help with our bags even on departure. Ground floor rooms cost more, and some of them have direct pool access, but we didn’t miss that. We enjoyed the quality bathrobes and slippers. The breakfast is nice; it has a buffet and an a-la carte selection of hot dishes, all included. We also had dinner in the hotel the first night we stayed there. The food is not spectacular and not bad. The menu offers some pretty standard Thai dishes. For some better restaurants- we suggest you take the hotel shuttle to the fish market and eat in that general area. It’s about a 20 minute walk or the hotel staff will drive you there and back for free. What truly struck us in this hotel is the great service. From the complementary drinks upon arrival, to the fruit basket, to the thoughtful birthday treat I got and the hotel shuttles everything seemed to be taken care of with a smile and attention to detail. For example: their restaurant is open to the air. When we went to dinner, a waiter offered us some mosquito repellent. We’d already applied our own but it is nice that they thought of it. There is a small outdoor gym, and a spa, but there is also a gym directly across the street, and a perfectly nice massage place down the street. Since we only stayed there briefly, we did not get to enjoy all the hotel has to offer (e.g. spa). Still- we highly recommend this hotel and would love to stay here again when the opportunity comes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Angelie Hotel; City: Zhangzha Jiuzhaigou County Sichuan; Review: We stayed in this hostel a few nights to visit the nature reserve. Our stay was comfortable with a few inconveniences. The double room we stayed in was at a very high standard for a hostel. It was closer to a 3 star hotel at hostel price. The bed was comfortable, the shower had good water pressure and warm water. The shower leaks onto the carpet outside the bathroom door, making that spot permanently wet. The window was facing away from the street, and it was still noisy even on the 4th floor. Sadly the windows aren't sound proof. The hostel has no elevator. This in combination with the lack of phone in the room made us run up and down 4 floors whenever we needed something from the reception. Angie speaks wonderful English. It is possible to do laundry in the hostel for 10 yuan and hang it to dry on the top terrace. There is a router in the room. Ours stopped working on a few occasions. Usually a few restarts solved the problem. The hostel is within walking distance of the park.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Emma s Guesthouse; City: Songpan County Sichuan; Review: We stayed in Emma's Guesthouse for two nonconsecutive nights in different rooms. Looking back- I don't know what made me want to stay another night there. Emma and her sister are very accommodating and nice hosts. However, the guesthouse was simply inconvenient to stay at. There was construction going on on the street, so it was noisy when we stayed on the first floor. There were problems with the plumbing, which they tried to fix to no avail. The power was out every day during the day, which also meant no hot water. When the power was back, the water was still barely above room temperature and the pressure was very low. The rooms themselves are also quite cold, since even in May it gets chilly in northern Sichuan. I realize that the guesthouse is still a work in progress, but for what you actually get, the price is too high in my eyes. You can find accommodation in the area for far less, and in Jiuzhaiguo the same price will get you a 3 star hotel. All that being said, Emma is a nice person and is full of information. I would suggest you inquire about the things that are important to you before booking.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Camellia Hotel; City: Da Lat Lam Dong Province; Review: Let's start with the good: the staff is nice and welcoming. Many of them speak good English and are helpful. The breakfast was basic and filling. The hotel is a bit further from the center of the city than others. The rooms themselves are pretty old and outdated. The furnishings have seen better days. The first room we were in had little to no WiFi signal and a smelly toilet. Some rooms have no window, some bathrooms have no window or vent, so the bathroom door gets coated in mold. Check your room carefully. We switched rooms. Our new room had only one electric outlet and another hidden behind the closet, so we couldn't use it. The bed is not of good quality (it is both hard and saggy). The light in the bathroom did not work. When we noticed that we went down to reception to let them know, but it was dark and empty at 2230. At that time we also wanted to go out to get some food but we were locked in the hotel. We panicked since locking what seemed to be the only entrance and exit is a major fire risk. We did not appreciate the early curfew and would have liked to be told about it on check in. To sum this up, it's one of the cheaper hotels (it is actually more of a hostel), but we still don't think it's a good value, unless all that is important to you is the friendliness of the staff.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Blue Jay Lodge; City: South Lake Tahoe Lake Tahoe California California; Review: Stayed here on a holiday weekend, so this place wasn't even cheap. The rooms are pretty dated, with old furniture for a "rustic" feel. The bathroom in our room was basically a "wet room". The shower only had a curtain to divide it from the rest of the bathroom and the bathroom would get flooded whenever we took showers. Good thing about the rooms- they are equipped with a big TV, a mini fridge, a microwave and a coffee machine. This is a lodge in a ski resort. It's close to the gondola and to some casinos and restaurants. However, there are no boot racks or ski lockers. Breakfast is minimal. Don't count on it. We brought our own snacks. The staff was nice and welcoming, but this lodge was not good value. Maybe for $50 I would have been ok with it, but at x5 that on a holiday weekend, I am a bit disappointed.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Jerzees Men's NuBlend Hooded Pullover Sweatshirt; Brand: Jerzees; Review: I should have gotten a smaller size, but its ok. I was only going to use it for a Jack Frost cosplay but as it is kinda large. Its very comfortable though, perfect for cold days when you just want to snuggle in sweats; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Jerzees Men's NuBlend Hooded Pullover Sweatshirt; Brand: Jerzees; Review: I should have gotten a smaller size, but its ok. I was only going to use it for a Jack Frost cosplay but as it is kinda large. Its very comfortable though, perfect for cold days when you just want to snuggle in sweats; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Shoes 18 Womens Canvas Shoes Lace up Sneakers 18 Colors Available; Brand: Shoes8teen; Review: These are great shoes, only problem I have is the no arch feature. So it was very strange to walk in them at first but I know with time I will get used to it. These are mainly for days when I want to wear all black.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hallowen Decorations Cosplay Real Fluffy White Fox Fur Tail Key Chain Bag Charm Accessories 17" FURTALK Original; Brand: FURTALK; Review: Love this tail! At first I thought it was really small, because the fur was matted together, but once I let the tail air out and wore it a bit, it fluffed out and got nice and big. This is my first ever real tail I've ever bought and so far, very happy with it. I wore it once so far and I had to keep checking it was still on me because it's so light! Would totally buy another one; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Halloween Fur Keychain Bag Charm - Extra Large 20" Silver Fox Tail Key Chain Natural Color FURTALK Original; Brand: FURTALK; Review: Love this big fluffy tail! I was surprised to see the white was not pure white, but a little hint of blue. And the more I look at the tail, I can see almost 'rings' in the tail. I love it's uniqueness, and since it's a real tail, I knew it probably wouldn't be exactly like the picture. Every tail is different! Be aware of that! Over all very fluffy, love the colors!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Easy Spirit Women's Romy Walking Shoe; Brand: ; Review: Very lightweight great walking shoe. I ordered a wide and I think I should've ordered the regular width since the is a little too much room in the sneaker. Wearing a thicker sock is solving the problem for now. Very nice sneaker. Would definitely order again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Vera Bradley Accordion Wallet; Brand: ; Review: This is a nice wallet. I ordered it for a birthday gift. I was so disappointed to receive an email stating shipment on item is delayed since I needed to give this gift in 2 days. I can't tell you how pleased I was to have received this the next day! So I ended up receiving this item as promised. Thank you!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: DELIMIRA Women's Modest Swimdress Plus Size One Piece Swimsuit Skirted Swimwear; Brand: ; Review: Pretty and comfortable!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fruit Of The Loom Women's 6 Pack Crew Socks; Brand: ; Review: These socks serve their purpose but the knit is somewhat rough....not very soft. They lose their shape and after washing stay misshapen. I would not purchase this item again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Skechers Performance Men's Go Walk 3 Slip-On Walking Shoe; Brand: ; Review: Great shoes. Bought these for my husband who has a wide foot and he loves them. Very comfortable and lightweight.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Riders by Lee Indigo Women's Pull-On Waist Smoother Straight-Leg Jean; Brand: ; Review: Love these! I didn't realize that these are pull on jeans but they are so comfortable and flattering. I would definitely purchase more.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Anna by Anuschka Genuine Leather Large Tote Shoulder Bag | Hand-Painted Original Artwork | Paisley Collage; Brand: Anna by Anuschka; Review: This bag is beautiful but I was disappointed that this was a bag by "Anna" I know there is Anna by Anuschka and I feel this should be told. The bag is not signed Anuschka it is signed Anna. I have previously purchased a bag by Anna and I was not very Happy with the colors. The colors were too bright and therefore almost giving the bag a "cheap" appearance. Although I still feel this think this should by listed as a bag by Anna I am still very pleased with this particular bag. I looked at the description and the last line does state that it is a bag by Anna. I will read everything next time!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Shengshou Megaminx Speed Cube Puzzle, Black; Brand: Shengshou; Review: Shengshou does a great job on all their puzzles and this is no exception.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Winning Moves Games 5007 Rubik's Cube; Brand: Winning Moves Games; Review: How is it that the original Rubik's continually makes garbage products... I bought this one thinking that they couldn't possibly screw up a 2 x 2 cube. Well they did...the thing is impossible to turn and way over priced. You would think they could throw in a stand... The size is good though, I guess if you want lemonade out of lemons.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: MoYu YJ Aolong 3 X 3 Black Speed Cube Puzzle; Brand: MoYu; Review: I may be giving this five stars prematurely bc this is my first cube other than the original Rubik's brand (Which is garbage). But this cube is absolutely amazing! It turns so freely and rarely pops. I strongly doubt I will ever have to buy another one of these cubes but I will buy this one if I should need to.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Lanlan® Void Puzzle Speed Cube White 3x3x3; Brand: Lanlan; Review: Spins nicely. A fun challenge above a regular 3x3x3; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Shengshou ® 4x4x4 Puzzle Cube Black; Brand: Shengshou; Review: Best 4x4x4 that i have owned thus far. Great fluid movement and cuts corners very nicely!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shengshou 2x2x2 Puzzle Cube, Black; Brand: Shengshou; Review: I am simply okay with this. I constantly feel like the movements and pieces are about to pop. It moves much nicer than the Rubik's 2x2x2 but still not what i would call a speed cube.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Yellow Mountain Imports Go Game Set with 9x9 Playing Field Go Board and Single Convex Stones; Brand: Yellow Mountain Imports; Review: A nice starter set for beginning GO players.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: MoYu 3x3 Smooth New 3 x 3 x 3 YJ Sulong Black Speed Cube Puzzle; Brand: MoYu; Review: Very impressive speed cube. It was so quick that it actually took sometime to get the movements down. Very pleased.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Toys_and_Games |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Dora's Big Book of Stories (Dora the Explorer); Author: Various; Review: Great find. Children love these stories and don't mind hearing them over and over. Several stories in one book. I bought several of these type of books that I couldn't find in stores.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Storytime with Dora and Diego (Dora The Explorer and Go, Diego, Go!); Author: Various; Review: I read this book to children at the daycare I worked at. The children love hearing these stories over and over. I was able to purchase it and several others through Amazon. I could not find them in stores.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23; Author: Phillip Keller; Review: This book helped me to view Psalm 23 from a more in depth perception.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: What To Do About Your Brain-Injured Child; Author: Visit Amazon's Glenn Doman Page; Review: He documented the results of a lifetime intense research, but gave very little information on how to help our child.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: 500 Formulas For Aromatherapy: Mixing Essential Oils for Every Use; Author: Carol Schiller; Review: Came in handy, was new to essential oils.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy; Author: Visit Amazon's Valerie Ann Worwood Page; Review: Useful for someone new to essential oils.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Is This Your Child?: Discovering and Treating Unrecognized Allergies; Author: Visit Amazon's Doris J. Rapp Page; Review: Had this years ago and let someone borrow it. Never got it back. This helped me with my autistic son who has food allergies.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Aromatherapy Workbook; Author: Marcel Lavabre; Review: Got some good recipes using essential oils.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Modern Essentials Bundle 6th - Modern Essentials 6th Edition a Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential; Author: ; Review: Love having the small book to put in my purse. Very informative!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Practice of Godliness; Author: Visit Amazon's Jerry Bridges Page; Review: This is a good read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: The Ultimate Weird Tales Collection - 133 stories - Clark Ashton Smith (Trilogus Classics) eBook; Author: Clark Ashton Smith; Review: ... if it had been better proofread. I've seen much worse, and I suppose for the price, I really shouldn't complain. Still, it's annoying. Smith blew me away with his Zothique stories, which I first read many years ago in a Ballantine Books paperback edited by Lin Carter. Which brings me to another thing that could have been better about this collection: I think it would have made more sense to group the stories into distinct series: Zothique, Averoigne, Hyperborea, etc. instead of whatever order -- I don't think it's by date of publication -- this is in. Again, though, it's hard to beat the price, and even though I'm a major fan of Smith and have every collection of his work I could find, it contains stories I've never read before, some of them real gems. If you've never read any Clark Ashton Smith and enjoy weird fantasy and science fiction, you're in for a real treat. He had a literally unique imagination, and a rich, poetic command of language. Jack Vance's "Dying Earth" stories were directly inspired by Smith's tales of Zothique, the Last Continent, and you'll find much of the same mordant wit and sardonic humor here, too.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: My Alaska Klondike Adventure Along the Chilkoot Trail; Author: Visit Amazon's Bernardette Costa Page; Review: A nice account of a backpacking trip on the historic Chilkoot Trail in Alaska by the author and her husband. Told with humor and a good eye for description, with some local history and colorful characters to add some spice to the narrative. A great read for a rainy afternoon.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Better Living Through Bad Movies; Author: Visit Amazon's Scott Clevenger Page; Review: Do you savor world class snark, or get a sick thrill out of seeing cinematic turkeys grandiose ("The Phantom Menace") and obscure ("The Mesa of Lost Women") and actors whose egos far exceed their ability mercilessly mocked? Want to know what the Five Stages of Bad Sequels are? Would you like to be amazed as the authors prove with precise, geometric logic that "Beaches" and "Armageddon" are in actuality the same movie? If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions, then there's no reason to wait one minute longer: buy this book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Rafael Sabatini Megapack - Kindle edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Rafael Sabatini Page; Review: You can't beat this megapack of Sabatini novels, plus one straightforward work of history and several short stories. I'd previously read "Captain Blood", "The Sea Hawk" and found them to be fun reads. (For Errol Flynn fans who're unfamiliar with the books, the movie is *not* based on the latter novel.) They're both here, as well as "Scaramouche", and those three alone would make this ebook worth having, but when you add in a bunch of his lesser-known works, a fascinating history of the Borgias, and a handful of nicely twisty short stories, this is a monstrously good deal for a penny shy of a buck. If you've seen the movie versions of "Captain Blood" or "Scaramouche", you're already familiar with the basic plot of a Sabatini novel: guy meets girl, girl rejects guy or is considered too far above him in social status, guy wins her heart with his courage and self-sacrifice. However, on this simple formula Sabatini hangs some wonderful historical detail, great characters and settings, intricate sub-plots and unexpected turns of events, not to mention dialog with a subtle sting -- as you'd expect, since it seems like his two favorite settings are the Italy of the Borgias, and France from the 17th century through the Revolution. In fact, there are only three sea-faring adventures in the megapack: two novels and a short story. I also wanted to give a shout-out to his history of the Borgias, written as a reaction to the sensationalized accounts which constitute a major portion of what has been written about Pope Alexander VI and his son, Cesare, for example, Dumas' "Celebrated Crimes". Sabatini doesn't try to whitewash them, but he does set them within their proper historical context, and points out that much of what was cited as evidence of their crimes was written by their enemies, usually based more on gossip than fact. Or in one case, a Protestant who was holding up the Borgias as examples of the degeneration of the Papacy, so you can be sure he was even-handed in his assessment. It's certainly great fun to watch Sabatini demolish various myths and misconceptions about these two individuals, who were fascinating in their own right, without the lurid nonsense that's attached itself to the legend. Finally, I want to compliment the producers of this megapack for once again making sure it's been fairly well proofread. Not perfect, but well within acceptable levels. Highly recommended.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Hub : Dangerous Territory; Author: James H. Schmitz; Review: There's really nothing I can add to the reviews here praising James H. Schmitz, and this collection undoubtedly contains some of his best work. His fictional universe of The Hub was tremendously influential on a generation of SF writers, including the late Iain Banks. Two of the short stories -- "The Searcher" and "The Winds of Time" -- feature some of my favorite Schmitz alien monsters. The featured novel, "Demon Breed" aka "The Tuvela", is a true classic, a showcase for two things the author excelled at: resourceful female protagonists and intense, suspenseful conflicts set in fascinating, meticulously thought-out alien ecologies. (Although for what it's worth, I agree that the last chapter, which is a sort of an epilog, adds absolutely nothing to the story. Leaving that plot element unresolved would have been much more effective, in my opinion.); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Tripods Boxed Set of 4: When the Tripods Came/ the White Mountains/ the City of Gold and; Author: John Christopher; Review: (Note: This is a review of the first three books in the set.) After writing a series of "Broken Earth" genre novels in the Fifties and Sixties, of which the most famous is probably "No Blade of Grass", British author John Christopher turned his hand to these novels for young adults. Wildly popular when first published, beginning in 1967, the first two books were even made into a BBC series. The first three books are set in a post-alien-invasion Europe, after the mysterious conquerors of Earth have erased technological civilization and forced humanity back into a pre-industrial agrarian state. In the first book, the aliens themselves are never seen in the flesh, just striding across the country in their huge Tripod machines. To keep us subjugated, the aliens cleverly co-opt the tradition of a rite of passage to fit each adolescent human -- they have to wait until the subject's skull has attained roughly adult dimensions -- with a mind-control device, a fine silver-mesh Cap which becomes a part of the victim. The narrator runs away on the eve of his Capping ceremony and sets out on a perilous journey across the Channel to join the resistance in their Alpine base, and ultimately take an important part in the final struggle to stop the aliens before they can "xenoform" the Earth's atmosphere into a lethal facsimile of their home planet. The fourth book is a prequel, set during the days of the invasion. One of the best things about the original trilogy is the way its main protagonist starts out as headstrong, selfish and rather unlikeable, but matures over time, through hard experience. I also enjoy its echoes of Wells' "War of the Worlds", some obvious, like the eponymous Tripods, and some not so obvious. Although in this case the ETs originate from outside our solar system. The main problem with the trilogy is a common one for novels published at a time when "juvie" SF was -- with a few exceptions like Madeline L'Engle and Andre Norton -- pretty much exclusively written for a male audience. So there's something of a dearth of female characters, much less strong ones. Nevertheless, these are gripping reads, well-plotted, with plenty to say about friendship, self-sacrifice and the truest kinds of heroism. Ever since I first encountered the series back in the mid-1970s, I re-read them every decade or so, for fun. I've also made it kind of a personal mission to introduce young readers in my family to Christopher's Tripod series. They deserve not to be forgotten, so it was great to be able to purchase new editions for a great-nephew, instead of having to hunt down the old Colliers paperbacks.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: The Moon and More; Author: Sarah Dessen; Genres: fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: ** spoiler alert ** **WARNING: Spoilers*** This book man. This is my second time reading The Moon and More. Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite authors, and has been ever since I picked up "The Truth About Forever" back in junior high. Even though I am technically an adult now, I just can't give up my YA "teen" books. TMAM is Dessen's most recent release, and follows the story of a young girl, Emaline, who works for her family's beach house rental company. She is dating Luke, her long-term boyfriend, and they plan on attending college together in the fall until Emaline meets Theo - an aspiring filmmaker from New York who is working on a documentary about a local recluse/former artist. Long story short, Theo turns out to be an annoying character at best who is all BEST DAY/DATE/TIME EVER all over Emaline when they start dating. After he is fired, he gets her in a heap of trouble with her parents....blah blah blah. Theo is actually my least favorite character. I actually don't care at all for his story line. The real story lies withing Emaline's family. After her mother got pregnant with her in high school, her biological father left the picture. Her mom married Emaline's "dad" who then adopted her. Her father only comes back into her life to talk about school - the one thing they both can bond about. He helps her get into Colombia, offering to pay her tuition, but then revokes his generosity for no apparent reason. We learn later that he is in the middle of a divorce, so he makes his way down to Colby with his 10 year old son who instantly attaches himself to Emaline. That's where the real story is. I'm really glad Dessen put less of a push on the "love" story and more on the importance of family. Emaline's mother gets a shoutout in the title for telling her daughter that she loves her "the moon and more"....and that's where the real power of the story takes hold. Rating: 3.5/5 Favorite Character(s): Morris Reread?: Yes; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity (The Pastoral series, #2); Author: Eugene H. Peterson; Genres: non-fiction, young-adult; Review: Read for an assignment. He gives three areas where pastoral integrity is lacking: prayer, scripture, and spiritual direction. I agree with a lot of what he says. i found it interesting, would recommend to anyone who is in leadership in a church.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Catcher in the Rye; Author: J.D. Salinger; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: this is one of those books that you love, but don't know why. I read this my last year of high school, and loved it. the character of Holden made you want to punch him in the face everytime he talked, but isn't that a sign of good writing? when I writer can make me hate or love a character with all that is in me - they've succeeded in what they want to accomplish.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Charlie Bucket, #1); Author: Roald Dahl; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I read this as a quick clear-my-head reading in between a bunch of stressful weeks of school. I'd never read any of mr. Dahl's book as a kid, and picked Charlie and the Chocolate Factory up at a thrift store for my nephew. I was obsessed with the Tim Burton remake, so I figured it would be incredibly different from the move, but I was surprised how similar it was, including direct quotes from the book that made it into the movie! It amazes me that this was originally published in 1964 and it is STILL incredibly relevant to kids today and it's still a funny and mesmerizing read for every generation! It makes me wonder what makes it such a timeless piece of work, and how the method of storytelling affect its longevity! I'm working on becoming a better communicator to kids, taking pointers from Walt and storytellers like Mr. Dahl!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: 3500: An Autistic Boy's Ten-Year Romance with Snow White; Author: Ron Miles; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: Okay. I am a huge fan of Disney and working with kids. and this book astounded me. and made me cry. and made my love for disney shoot through the roof. Ben's story is only one of the millions of children, and children with disabilities, who have been impacted and changed through the disney company. there's just something about the stories and characters that stick with kids. read this. just read it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Holes (Holes, #1); Author: Louis Sachar; Genres: young-adult, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I somehow missed out when all of my friends were reading this in middle school, so when i got a copy of it at a garage sale for .25 cents i figured i'd give it a try. such a good, easy, fun read but the plot is so intricately woven together! i loveee it!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | goodreads |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: DeLonghi D677UX 2-1/5-Pound-Capacity Deep Fryer; Brand: DeLonghi; Review: works great, we wore the other one out! Helps keep grease from accumulating on your kitchen cabinets, heats quickly and can accommodate a fair amount of food.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Yunko 8 Mini Bows Silicone Mould Fondant Sugar Bow Craft Molds DIY Cake Decorating; Brand: YunKo; Review: Made fondant bows for cupcakes. I brushed in a little cornstarch with a small brush to prevent any sticking.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: SUCK UK Original and Official Sugar Skull Spoon; Brand: Suck UK; Review: these are great!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cooking Bundle - Digital Meat Timer and Thermometer Probe, For Cooking in Oven, Smoker, Grill or BBQ; Brand: ; Review: Quick and accurate!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Silver Tone Cz Bridesmaid Snowflake Necklace with Earrings Set; Brand: ; Review: great size. Good accent to Holiday attire.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Home_and_Kitchen |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Krampus; Brand: ; Review: Reminds me of Stephen King's The Mist. And Christmas CAN be scary. A moment that will always live in my nightmares is the open grave scene in Mickey's Christmas Carol.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Doctor Thorne - Season 1 2015; Brand: ; Review: Doctor Thorne should be marketed for young people! Make no mistake, Doctor Thorne is not Downtown Abbey. But it doesn't have to be! I've watched 3 episides so far but the The "PG-14" warning" has made me laugh. There's been no real violence. Unrequited love and longing, certainly, and some posturing, but mostly just fun characters, costumes, and an easy to follow story line. Julian Fellowes' introduces and then and "debriefs" to help us Americans. For adult watchers, its silly and fun. For girls, it could be more than that. If your daughter doesn't get why you like Downtown Abbey, try Doctor Thorne!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Take Me Home; Brand: Sam Jaeger; Review: I enjoyed the journey.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Take Me Home; Brand: Sam Jaeger; Review: I enjoyed the journey.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Visit; Brand: Ed Oxenbould, Deanna dunagan, Peter McRobbie, Kathryn Hahn Olivia DeJonge; Review: Unexpectedly unforgettable. Spoilers How can I consider myself of above average intelligence but I still didn't figure it out until I was watching the credits... um, I feel like a dumbness. The moral is that evil hides. The true monsters are unexpected. The worst monster in this movie is the kid's Dad, who made his kids into monsters by leaving them. He literally made them murderers. The actual insane people are last in the rank because they killed people due to mental illness, not evil intent.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Barbra Streisand: A Happening In Central Park VHS; Brand: ; Review: Terrible acting.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Project Nim; Brand: Stephanie Lafarge; Review: Whatever your feelings, beliefs, or experiences with animals, this is must-see documentary. I disliked the way certain people involved with the project were portrayed more as villains than others, since everyone who taught or raised Nim were complicit. It made me uncomfortable, but the best documentaries do.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bernie; Brand: Jack Black; Review: Jack Black can act!!!! I loved this movie; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys; Brand: Richard Dreyfuss; Review: There is nothing to compare it with. The best, ever.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: American Carny: True Tales From the Circus Sideshow; Brand: Todd Robbins; Review: It made me feel magnificently uncomfortable; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Taking Chance; Brand: Kevin Bacon; Review: If anything good came come out of this whole mess... this recommendation by John Kelly is it! Now we civilians can begin to understand the meticulous care with which our fallen servicemen are brought home. I'm so glad I watched this.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: An Inspector Calls (Region 3 DVD / Non USA Region) (English Subtitled); Brand: Louis Koo; Review: That's from a review on page one And I couldn't agree more. Premise was spot on so I don't care about believability or plot holes. I cared about the fate of each character.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Movies_and_TV |
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows:
Title: Hidden Hawaii: IMAX (1991); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Something's Gotta Give (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Italian Job (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Last Samurai (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mystic River (2003); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Lost in Translation (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Big Fish (2003); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: 50 First Dates (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Two Weeks Notice (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Matchstick Men (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Road to Perdition (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Catch Me If You Can (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The School of Rock (2003); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Cold Mountain (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Monster (2003); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Chicago (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: 13 Going on 30 (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Seabiscuit (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Africa: The Serengeti: IMAX (1994); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Great Barrier Reef: IMAX (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Alaska: Spirit of the Wild: IMAX (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Voices of Iraq (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bowling for Columbine (2002); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Air Force One (1997); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Rock (1996); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Patriot (2000); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ocean's Eleven (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Pearl Harbor (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Spy Game (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Independence Day (1996); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Bourne Identity (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Matrix: Reloaded (2003); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Matrix (1999); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Matrix: Revisited (2001); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Minority Report (2002); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Comedian (2002); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: American Beauty (1999); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Royal Tenenbaums (2001); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Raising Arizona (1987); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Monster's Ball (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Traffic (2000); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Miss Congeniality (2000); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: sex (1989); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Runaway Bride (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: What Women Want (2000); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Lethal Weapon 4 (1998); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Lethal Weapon (1987); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Lethal Weapon 2 (1989); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Erin Brockovich (2000); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Maverick (1994); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Die Hard (1988); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Twister (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Sideways (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Speed (1994); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Passenger 57 (1992); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Eraser (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Entrapment (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Haunting (1999); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Pelican Brief (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0 | netflix |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: La Quinta Inn Suites Denver Aurora Medical Ctr; City: Aurora Colorado; Review: Great very clean Hotel, rooms clean and updated. Pool clean and warm, staff helpful and friendly. This hotel is better than others we have recently stayed at. You will like location and restaurants nearby; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Quality Inn Suites; City: Eagan Minnesota; Review: StAyed due to decemt rates and breakfasts. We had Jacuzzi room, very comfortable. Clean but bathroom needed attention in one area, mgmt was notified. of issue. Staff and good shuttle service . Nice pool area too; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Horizon Inn Motel; City: Lincoln Nebraska; Review: We had other reservations in another town but due to a mechanical breakdown we had to find another hotel much closer. I chose the Horizon Inn due to price, it was close to highway and free breakfast. CLEAN, UPDATED INN WITH GREAT RATES, CLEAN AND VERY NICE ROOMS You cant beat price in Lincoln; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Comfort Inn Suites near Medical Center; City: San Antonio Texas; Review: Newly remodeled, super clean Comfort Inn. I cant say anything negative for this place. Super friendly and helpful staff. Maybe a more flavorful coffee would be great. Prices are low for such a nice hotel; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Comfort Inn; City: Alexandria Louisiana; Review: Hotel is close to main highway and well worth the couple of extra blocks to get here. The staff is super friendly and helpful. Nice. updated clean rooms for most part. Nice and clean amnenities and good breakfasts. We stayed several days with one minor issue which staff took care of promptly. Bathroom floor could have been cleaner... I recommend this place to everyone; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Murphy s Resort at Estes Park; City: Estes Park Colorado; Review: Nice hotel great for family and couples. Clean, safe, well maintained property with several room options. Play ground area for kids and a good breakfast selection. They offer discounts, worth drive if your coming in on route 66. Watch out for animals and people on roads please, thanks; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Appenzell Inn; City: Estes Park Colorado; Review: Nice suites, clean, looks newer or recently remodeled inside, free continental Breakfast! Very helpful, nice and friendly staff, and great housekeeping staff. Breakfast is good but many packaged items but a nice selection for a place this small. Coffee is very good with good tea selections. Also, note there is no oven available in suites. You can cook on hot plate and elect fry pan or microwave but no oven, fyi.. Great views and some traffic noise depending upon which room your in... The outside of hotel is dated but well maintained and rooms are comfy, clean and nice!!!! Hotel is open year round.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Quality Inn Suites Kansas City Airport North; City: Platte City Missouri; Review: Nice hotel for last min layover, clean well stocked ammenities, very kind and helpful staff. Only downside was a chilly room but it warmed up fast with good heater. Breakfast selections are decent. Thanks for evening staff and awesome very helpful shuttle driver who helped us out, please tip these people when u can to reward their good actions; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Paola Inn and Suites; City: Paola Kansas; Review: We have stayed here before and this hotel is very very good. Friendly, helpful staff who brought out luggage cart and she went extra mile for us. Early chack in, very clean, comfortable rooms. This place is very nice with a great breakfast and convenient location; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Quality Inn Suites Loveland; City: Loveland Colorado; Review: Came here with my better half Great location right off Hwy 34, very close to several restaurants etc. Nice walking path just outside hotel front door. All areas of this Quality inn are in great shape and very clean. Room is awesome, super clean and quiet. No reason not to stay here, great rates also, discounts galore!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Westwood Inn Suites; City: Kimball South Dakota; Review: Great rates, service, very clean room and front desk area. Free breakfast. They accomodate pets. Give this place a try and save money, time also.Room with Jacuzzi . Very close to highway and convience stores; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Appeldoorn s Sunset Bay Resort; City: Isle Minnesota; Review: Great location right on Mille Lacs lake, amazing views with lots of wildlife all around. Be cateful driving with all of wildlife to see. Resort is newer, very clean and charming. Staff is very helpful and friendly. Would definety atay here again. Isle and WAhkon are nice towns to visit; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: AmericInn Lodge Suites Lincoln North; City: Lincoln Nebraska; Review: Came to this Americinn in Lincoln due to a decent price and free breakfast and that they allow pets also. The hotel is very nice, clean and with good coffee and okay variety including hot breakfast items also. Room was very clean, no bad odors and comfy bed. Great job for the housekeepers; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 40 Club Inn; City: Aitkin Minnesota; Review: Stayed nite as they have good food in restaurant and its close to town Rooms are ok , clean for most part. 40 club is good for events also. Hotel is close to the action of the lakes area. Give this place a try u will like it; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ripple River Motel and RV Park; City: Aitkin Minnesota; Review: We stayed in this newly renovated and very charming motel. Great amenities, very neat and clean rooms. The ownets are very friendly and helpful. Will stay here again and this is a great place to get away for a night or two.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: La Quinta Inn Suites Olathe; City: Olathe Kansas; Review: We stayed here as it is enroute to our destination and also for price and frequent stay rewards. Good price, vert good breakfast, nice location, felt very safe... Room was clean but had mildew smell. We notified front desk of room issue and they said they would take care of...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Hidden Garden Cottages Suites; City: Saugatuck Allegan County Michigan; Review: Our first stay in the Tuscany cottage was the first weekend in November. We loved the cottage so much that we booked it again for New Years eve weekend. I must say, if one is looking for an escape from the "rat race" this is it. Quiet, secluded, very romantic. Shopping and great food are right out the front door. Hidden Gardens has become our in-state vacation get away. We are looking forward to our next stay.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Country Inn Suites by Radisson Lima OH; City: Lima Ohio; Review: Very clean and pleasant hotel. Breakfast is included with the room. Didn't have time to use the pool or whirlpool, but they looked really inviting.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Comfort Inn Suites Northern Kentucky; City: Wilder Kentucky; Review: Stayed here on our way from Cleveland to Gatlinburg. As always the Carlson group didn't let me down. The room and employees were the best. The whirlpool was in great shape. Didn't use the pool but it looked nice.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Park House Inn Bed Breakfast; City: Saugatuck Allegan County Michigan; Review: We went to Saugatuck looking to escape the rat race. Mission accomplished. The Park House was exactly what we needed. The Maude's Suite is perfect for couple looking for a romantic get away. Yes, the TV is tiny, but who goes to a B&B to watch TV??? The linens on the bed were of much better quality than expected. Comfy bed, great water pressure in the shower and an outdoor hot tub to boot. All areas were maintained and cleaned to the highest standards. Toni, the inn keeper, inquired about special dietary needs during the reservation process. These needs were not only met, but exceeded. Not only did they provide a gluten free option, but it was delicious. The B&B is about .6 miles from the heart of downtown Saugatuck. Walking was the best option since wine tasting was on our agenda. All and all, this is one place every couple should try at least once. Tell 'em Marc and Marisa sent ya.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: GrandStay Hotel Suites Appleton Fox River Mall; City: Appleton Wisconsin; Review: Newly remodeled hotel just off highway 41. Centrally located to shopping and restaurants. The rooms are spacious and very clean. The members of the staff are very professional and friendly. Ben and Alyssa went out of their way to make sure my trip to Appleton was enjoyable. I will definitely be staying with these folks again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Park House Inn Bed Breakfast; City: Saugatuck Allegan County Michigan; Review: When visiting Saugatuck, The Park House Inn has become our place to stay. Quaint, quiet and close to downtown. Tonie and Rick are the perfect hosts. They are willing to accommodate any dietary restrictions. One can never go wrong booking a room here.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Starlite Resort; City: Saugatuck Allegan County Michigan; Review: We stayed at the Starlite on May 23rd while visiting for a concert at the arts center. This motel has quite a few things going for it. First and foremost is that it is clean!! Then there is the cool decor including sleep number beds. Conveniently located on the Blue Star Highway, you are only about a mile walk to downtown Saugatuck. The only draw back I found was a slow moving drain in the bath tub. I would have given 5 circles had it drained properly. Definitely will stay here again!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with businesses as follows:
Title: Sweet Spot; City: Doylestown, PA; Review: The sweet spot is anything BUT sweet. When we first arrived, they didn't acknowledge us, so we stood at the counter thinking we were supposed to order there. After standing around for a few minutes, one of the waitresses asked if we were planning on eating there, and told us she would get us a table. After waiting awhile and being seated, five minutes later they asked if they could move us to a smaller table, to fit another group in. We had a party of three, and they only gave us two seats, we had to ask for a seat, even though they moved us! Then we sat with our menus for awhile before they came out slowly and finally took our order. This place is NOT Caribbean or anything close to it. We ordered the jerk chicken entree for $12.99 , and it was a small scoop of white rice, two small pieces of chicken (which was not jerk style at all), and three two-inch slices of mango. Not worth the price. The beef patties were not the traditional Jamaican/Caribbean kind, they were more like soggy croissants with a teaspoon of beef, and they came out so unevenly. We had put in two orders (one order comes with two) and one order came with two big patties and the other came with three dinky crumbs. Then we were still hungry so we thought we would order buffalo wings. They were $4, and came with only 5 wings doused in crappy hot sauce. No bleu cheese. No celery. And almost $1 a wing ! So dinner sucked. Went to check out their frozen yogurt bar. The fruit was like jam, definitely not fresh. The cherries were moldy, and everything looked like it had been sitting there all day. We didn't try any because we didn't trust it. When we went to pay, they messed up our check, forgot to put the wings on there (thankfully, I was not trying to pay for that), and created so much confusion. Complete lack of organization. The only thing that was the slightest bit pleasurable was the habanero relish that came with the small pieces of chicken, and they only gave us about a tablespoons worth. So somehow they managed to ruin the only thing good about the place too. The service was crappy, the food wasn't good (totally has potential, if it only wasn't so half-assed), and we were highly disappointed. I'm surprised they've even lasted so long. Our friends and I will never, ever, ever return.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Otto's Brauhaus; City: Horsham, PA; Review: I really enjoyed ottos. Went here with my cousin for lunch, was very welcomed and greeted by, who I am guessing, were the owners. They were casually floating around the customers. Waitress was really nice and helpful, answered all the questions we asked. First time at a German spot so had a lot to ask. Lots of beer on draft. Of course, expected and delighted, being that it was a brauhaus. Ordered the rauchfleisch for appetizer. Wiener schnitzel and sausage sampler for entree. All pretty good, except the app was more like a deli plate. The mashed potatoes are to die for!! All in all, good, comforting food, beer, and atmosphere. Definitely would try again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Nonno's Italian Coffee Parlor; City: Doylestown, PA; Review: So I come here all the time. I love the coffee and ice cream. But recently I've been really irritated with the service. I know it's winter. But if the hours are posted, I would expect they'd be open to the hour. Why am I getting rudely rejected at 8:35 when they close at 9? For a cup of coffee and some ice cream? I know there's a lot of things that need to be taken care of before closing. But that is NOT how you run a business. If they reject customers at 8:35 and employees plan to be out by 9, then the owner should be changing the hours. Any other business is open until said posted time and do not start to clean up until after. And the fact that the employees were rude doesn't help either. Don't get mad at me for showing up when you are technically supposed to be open. I'm understanding. I know I came late but what I came for doesn't take time and is already made. I would've expected at least for them to say hey we're closing but let me help you out since you're here, but know for next time or whatever. This has happened not once. Not twice. It seems to happen every damn time.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: HONEY Restaurant; City: Doylestown, PA; Review: **TIPS and THINGS TO KNOW: -it is a SMALL plate restaurant. Everything is meant to be shared and loved. -it is on the pricier end. But it is worth every damn penny. You are paying for ART. -make reservations ahead of time!! Seriously. -you WILL experience different kinds of foods. And probably love it. Do NOT be scared to try anything new!! Wow. I literally can not say one single bad thing about this place. It is everything a restaurant should strive to be. Our new favorite spot!! Came here last night with the fiancé. We had been trying to come for awhile; we live right in town. But they are just so popular it is always so busy! Oh man, what a blast of flavors!! Every dish is a piece of culinary art. We were served a piece of warm baguette with goat cheese and some kind of sweet fruit to start. Then they brought out spiced truffle popcorn. OMG. The BEST popcorn EVER. (These were starters that were given to everyone- free apps!) Then we got the catfish banh mi, which we were skeptical about at first. Being Asian, we are extra judgmental when it comes to how our kind of food is prepared. It was different; served open-faced style, the best damn banh mi I've ever had haha. Moved on to the B.e.L.T which is pork belly, duck egg yolk, lettuce and tomato marmalade all on a nice toasty baguette. EXCELLENT. Last two dishes and our most favorite was the foie gras sliders and of course, their featured ribs with ginger ice cream (Yes, ice cream!!), that stays on their menu as it is the most favorite. (The chef changes the menu as he pleases) And to end, we didn't order dessert but of course the chef doesn't let you leave without something sweet so they brought a small dairy free chocolate sorbet for us to share. (Free of charge of course) SO. The food? Amazing. You can taste the love in every bite. Our server? Attentive, very well educated in the culinary arts, and just a damn great guy. Ambiance? Beautiful inside, but we enjoyed the outdoor seating. We will definitely be back. Probably tonight.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews; City: Warrington, PA; Review: I'm giving one star because the first time we went was pretty good. We sat at the bar, bartender was nice, the general manager (the Asian lady) was around and spoke with all the guests and the food was pretty good. But the last experience I had with my friend was absolute shit. I mean enough to ruin it to the point where we will never come back. To any red robin for that matter. I would give negative stars if I could. For a burger and fries joint, those are THE two things you really can't afford to mess up. Yet they did. Cold burgers. Cold fries. I asked for no salt. Of course it was extra salted. Like COME ON. I emphasized it over and over. and why the hell does it take 30 mins for my "bottomless" round of fries to come. We were finished with our burgers before the second round even came. Is that how they try to skimp you out? You'd think they would have fresh fries rolling out the kitchen but apparently waiting for COLD food is part of Red Robin's experience. The icing on the cake? The little shit waitress who hates herself and the fat obnoxious manager that weren't attentive to us at all.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Pag's Pub; City: Doylestown, PA; Review: Eh. This place was okay. The service was pretty bad. We had to ask for a menu and then the waiter had the nerve to ask us 15 mins later if we were planning on eating lol. Really?! The mussels sucked. They're breaded and salty and weird. Also for the amount you get its pricey. The mac and cheese is awesome. We got the pancetta pizza which was really good, but they could've been more generous with the toppings. I'd come back for the mac and beer. But I'll sit at the bar next time.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Pina's Pizzaria; City: Chalfont, PA; Review: Small, cozy, family owned pizza spot with great service! Usually at a small pizza joint it's self-seating after ordering at the counter but here they bring you out menus and your meal to you. The young waitress was really friendly and got all of our orders correct. The garlic knots are sooo garlicky we loved them and the cheese fries were fresh. Fiancé ordered the chicken parm which was hot, cheesy and super good. The only downfall was the cheesesteak that I ordered. It was kinda cold which is like a no-no for a cheesesteak :/ would def come back though, they deserve another chance :); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Nicole Bridal & Formal Shoppe; City: Jenkintown, PA; Review: I absolutely love this place. It is the cutest boutique with everything you need from gowns and accessories to bridesmaid dresses. The BEST part- is the family that owns and has maintained the shop for 20 years. Marina is an absolute doll to work with. She is so very helpful and accommodating; just because of her I wanted to buy my dress there. It was the first place I ever went to try on dresses and she really made me feel comfortable. She didn't rush me into buying and was completely honest and real with me. I actually didn't end up buying my dress there, I couldn't help that I found the one for me somewhere else :( but I honestly wanted to give them the business. So I will pass this place along to every future bride I know!! I plan on purchasing some accessories possibly. They specialize in couture gowns that are very unique and beautiful. Check them out!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: TJ Smith's; City: Warrington, PA; Review: So much love for this place..This is our go-to spot. Tj's never disappoints. Service is always great and the food is exceptional. Specials are unique and flavorful; you'll never see the same thing twice. Seriously, I've never had a bad meal here. We live in doylestown where there are a ton of great restaurants but we always come back to TJ's. I recommend their buffalo wings, chicken marsala, broiled seafood combo.. Anything really, you can't go wrong!!! The best part? It's not a chain restaurant. Mom & pop- the Smiths know what they're doing.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Phi Vietnamese; City: Doylestown, PA; Review: It was satisfactory for my pho craving. Wasn't the best, wasn't the worst. Positives: -only pho place in town -BYOB -good service -food was served very hot (temp), which will make any meal that much more acceptable -fresh ingredients Negatives: -a bit pricey -noodles were over cooked. Kept breaking into small pieces -everything was so sweet ?! The nuoc mam (fish sauce) needed to be more vinegary and spicier. -Also we ordered wings which were served piping hot, but the sauce is basically a sweeter and thicker version of their nuoc mam. -I ordered the house special Broken rice which was yummy, good portions and meat grilled nicely. But again, everything was on the sweeter end.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Cross Keys Diner; City: Doylestown, PA; Review: I've eaten here a couple of times. I get mixed feelings every time. Coffee is good. Specials are good- except they always run out pretty early, which is disappointing bc everything else on their menu is basic diner items. Theres always at least a 20 min wait on the weekends- expected bc it's not a huge place. Bakery items are made on-site so those are always great. Pancakes are fluffy and yummy. But their regular food items are just okay. Servers do their job but nothing exceptional. I don't understand why this place got so many stars for an average diner. At best, it's worth three.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Empanada Mama; City: Doylestown, PA; Review: I love this place. Its right in town tucked away in the back, so it's a super small spot, not much room to eat there- it's more of a takeout spot. On a nice day we will just find a bench outside and eat them. They have unique empanadas and they are all really good. You can't choose a bad one. And they're still just as tasty when reheated in the oven. Plenty of dipping sauces to choose from. It's no wonder they are always busy. The best part is you can see what empanadas are on the menu each day by going on their website. And if you order ahead of time it makes for an easy pick up!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hickory Kitchen; City: Doylestown, PA; Review: Eaten here a handful of times. Pretty decent every time. Nice spot for some hearty barbecue. Great ribs and chicken. They have good specials. Really good homemade iced teas and lemonade. Good pricing. The last time we showed up, we didn't know we walked in right before closing. But they kindly served us and we were able to enjoy our meal there without being rushed. And they consistently made sure we were satisfied until the very end! For that, we always come back.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Best Taste of India II; City: Doylestown, PA; Review: First time. A bit awkward inside, it was super quiet so we felt like we had to whisper lol. The food took quite awhile, but there was 6 of us and we all ordered something different so that was understandable. Worth the wait though, the food was really delicious. Our server wasn't super friendly or anything but she was very attentive. Would definitely come back for takeout.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Ma's Kitchen; City: Warminster, PA; Review: We were craving authentic Dominican food so we headed here. First time. Atmosphere wasn't the most inviting- it was super quiet and awkward. It took a bit for us to be seated, which was a little irritating (we were hungry), and there were only two other parties there. But anyway, we got seated and served by my mama herself. She is quite slow, but super sweet and we enjoyed conversation with her and her husband. Was worried our food would take a while but it actually came out pretty fast and hot! Ordered the muestras Dominicana, the sampler app consisting of 1 empanada, 1 papa relleno, and a few yucca fritas with cheese. It was a bit on the pricier end but considering everything is homemade, we didn't complain. It was very delicious, except for the cheese sauce (it was cold and way too buttery). The papas rellenos are bomb (it is a traditional dish, basically a deep fried ball of mashed potatoes with ground beef inside) I got the carne guisados (beef stew with potatoes) and the hubby got the bistec encebollados (thin, tenderized steak) we both got yellow rice and shared red and black beans, both of which were really good. All in all, it was pretty good- I would definitely do takeout. This place really has potential, the food isn't the best, but it's pretty authentic so for reviewers saying the food sucks, well, they must be used to over-salted American food. The flavors were all there. I think with more staff, and maybe some light music, they could do pretty well. Also, it's BYOB.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Easton Buffet; City: Warrington, PA; Review: I can't believe this place is still in business. It's the worst "food" I've ever had. I found myself asking many times what it is I was really eating... Nothing looks like real chicken or shrimp, nothing was served hot, way below average Chinese American food.. Everything is basically frozen previously and just heated up. Food needs to be kept above 140 degrees to prevent bacteria growth and they are most definitely not keeping it hot enough while sitting out..Save yourself a trip to the ER stay away !!!!; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Grub Burger Bar; City: North Wales, PA; Review: Some pros: -they have beer! -no need to tip bc you order and seat yourself -they have an outside seating area -literally attached to the mall! Easy access to shop -the fries look good! Didn't have any..Should've The cons: -they didn't ask how I wanted my burger cooked. I told them anyways, asked for medium, came out well done -literally completely flavorless. And the patty to bun ratio is like really? I get it, hide the little burger under a big bun to make it look bigger. But then I expect the burger to be AMAZING. It was just meh. -they had an issue with one of their fryers so I couldn't get a chicken sandwich. But they have chicken sandwich propaganda everywhere like take it off your outdoor signs then if u can't make it, getting ppls hopes up and shit -food was cold. Every bit of it =/ temp is always a hit or miss for me. Esp meat, burgers need to be piping hot!! -the Mac n cheese was good, but was so cold wasn't as good as it probably could have been -they forgot some shit for my order. Would I come back? Maybe for beer. It's cheaper than smokey bones' across the hall. I'd probably get fries next time. SIDE NOTE: I gave another star bc the manager came around, asked how it was, I gave him my honest opinion, and he gave my friend and I each a burger, fries, and shake on the house coupon. What a nice guy! And he's not nice just bc he gave us that. He's nice bc he asked each table how their meal was and genuinely wants customers to have a nice experience. Thank this man, grub burger, he is clearly your best asset.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Brick House Tavern + Tap; City: Willow Grove, PA; Review: We've been here before but didn't come back because the last few times we came we had bad experiences. Heard the menu changed, came to try it. Needless to say, not only am I unimpressed, but now I know for sure I will never come back. The service is absolutely great. Greeted promptly, waitress was sweet and even the manager came around. But the food is horrible. I wasn't a big fan to begin with but it's totally gone down hill. Whoever is cooking the food needs to calm their spice hand. Last couple times I came there was literally mountains of salt on everything- it was totally inedible. This time, the same. Also we ordered cajun tater tots and trust me, I like well-seasoned stuff but when I say it was swimming in seasoning I mean it was waaaay too much. And I am not a picky eater- I will literally eat anything and everything so coming from me, that means a lot. I really wanted to like the spicy chicken sandwich the flavors are SO good but the chicken is SOOO salty!! We forced it down. I ordered the bbq salmon- What. The. Fudge. First of all the bbq sauce on it needs to go. I get where they're trying to go with this but it would be so much better without it. Oh but wait. The layer of salt on top of the asparagus that the salmon was sitting on, made everything completely inedible! Not to mention the salmon itself was covered in salt so mixed with that bbq sauce, ugh. I mean this is classic food network 101. Salt will ruin your food if it's too much. I so wanted to love everything bc the service was so wonderful. But sad to say, this will be my last experience =/; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Alessio's Seafood Grille; City: Warrington, PA; Review: We are pretty disappointed. We live in doylestown, decided not to eat at their original spot in hopes they would have more seating (husbands been there, I haven't), tried this location out. We really could not be more unsatisfied.. It's an Italian seafood restaurant. I'd expect the seafood to be on point. We ordered the octopus and it was completely overcooked, not flavorful, and loaded with salt. We ended up eating it with the bed of lettuce it was served on to try to balance the salt but still it was too much... Needed something else, maybe a light sauce idk but it was way overcooked so it was chewy. Not a good start. I ordered the grilled scallops and shrimp. Scallops were cooked perfectly and the highlight of my meal. The shrimp on the other hand was super overcooked that the outer skin was literally peeling off the meat. They were huge shrimp, totally had potential but so overcooked I couldn't enjoy it. The veges it came with were okay. Too much oil. The mashed potatoes were not good. I LOVE mashed potatoes. And garlic. But idk what was going on there, it was not good. Husband ordered the seafood pescatore. Man oh man did it look marvelous on that huge plate. I mean HUGE portion. Enough for at least 2 people. But it was mostly overcooked, chewy mussels and calamari, only a few shrimp and scallops. Again, everything overcooked and chewy!!!!!!! Ugh!!! Nobody wants to chew for 2 mins on a piece of seafood. On the flip side, the linguine it was served on was al dente and perfect. We aren't the kind of people to send food back. It's a waste and they cooked it already so we usually suck it up and just eat it. Dessert was gluten-free tiramisu. Very delicious. Also our server, don't remember her name (maybe Lauren?), but long blonde hair, younger girl. She was super sweet, tried to be as attentive as she could but she was basically the only server and had a few tables so it was understandable. I guess we're seafood snobs but idk... over $100 meal for two of us so definitely not cheap. For the price we expected something more. IF there's a next time maybe I'd get just a pasta dish or try their pizza. The worst part was my eyes were stinging the entire time bc of the smoke from their cooking. As I'm writing this, I smell like a campfire. It didn't look that smokey but my eyes were getting stingy towards the end cuz the place is really small. Also to access the bathroom you have to go outside around the corner. Didn't even bother.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Epidedmy Skin Care; City: Philadephia, PA; Review: Edmy is an amazing aesthetician. She's very professional and super sweet. I've been going to her since last September mostly for lashes but have gotten a facial and plan on trying her other services. I found her when I was looking last minute to get my lashes done before my wedding. She totally accommodated me even on short notice and really put the finishing touch on my look for the big day. Ever since then I've been a loyal customer and we've gotten closer; I feel totally comfortable and relaxed anytime I come. I recommend her to everyone because people always ask about my lashes. She works on her own so you know you get her full attention and every experience is the best because she performs every step. And her move into a new location is wonderful! Very private, chic, clean. Though it's metered parking, I can always find parking right on the street (I've been there anywhere from morning to afternoon and always find a spot!) If you haven't checked her out yet, do it! She's one of the best and it's easy to book an appt on her Facebook page (it links you to a website to choose services and such). Everything is listed clearly so there should be no surprises. Love my girl Edmy hope you do tooo; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: BLU Mediterranean Grill; City: Doylestown, PA; Review: Omg absolutely nothing bad to say here. It is a small, cozy spot so I def recommend making reservations. Decor is beautiful. Great homemade Mediterranean with Greek, Tunisian, and Italian flavors. Love the BYOB. Arrived on a busy Saturday night, party of 3, we shared the duck ragu over house made gnocchi, and saganaki cheese appetizer. Absolutely delicious!! Mouth drooling. Also served with bread and housemade tomato pesto, YUM. For entrees we got the moussaka, lamb kabob, and lamb couscous. Best moussaka I ever had- def recommend for a classic!! Lamb kabobs were great portions with tender lamb meat served over herbaceous rice and veges. Lamb couscous was a bit gamier in flavor, very tender- the couscous, light and delicious. Had plenty for leftovers. Finished the night with housemade walnut baklava, not too sweet, great ending to the dinner Great service by the lovely couple owners, SO friendly, felt like I was in their home- the chef in the back deserves all compliments. Food served piping hot and fresh. So excited to have a great Mediterranean spot in town. Needless to say, we will definitely be back for the numerous delicious dishes we saw passing by us.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Outback Steakhouse; City: Jenkintown, PA; Review: I wasn't expecting the best steak ever or anything like that, but boy has this place gone downhill. They really screwed up our order. One of us wasn't served his salad at the same time as the rest of us, we think they totally forgot his salad lol, even though all of us had one included with our steaks. For our entrees every person's steak was cooked completely off of what we requested. All of our sides were wrong and mixed up. One of us ordered a 20 oz ribeye- he got a 10 oz flat, overly well done sirloin lol. When he asked for a new one the server apologized and took it back. He didn't get a new one til we were all finished with our meals (45 mins later). It was a giant, rare ribeye which he ended up laughing at and packed it home to cook it and eat later. Only giving 2 stars because our server was so great and tried to help us out. Wasn't his fault the food came out all wrong. He even read back all of our orders to us to verify. This used to be a good spot back in the 90s lol. Guess it's our fault for thinking it'd still be good. Will never be back.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: DiNic's Pork & Beef; City: Montgomeryville, PA; Review: Not sure if this is just me but this place does not compare to the DiNics in Reading Terminal. Sure it might look similar but honestly my roast pork sandwich was not good. I got the broccoli rabe and long hots on it. Idk if it was that and the sharp prov together but holy crap it was so friggin salty I chugged a whole bottle of water. I didn't even finish my sandwich. Didn't wanna pack it home either. I so wanted to love it bc the one in reading terminal is so good. I should've said something but I felt like i was being stared down and judged for not loving the hype. I would maybe try again but I'll give it a few months for them to work the kinks out.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Charlotte's Ear Piercing Service; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: 0 stars. Super disappointed. Called to inquire about getting my 5 month old's ears done 3 weeks ago. Our zip code wasn't listed but neighboring towns (like within 3 miles of us) were listed so I called to ask if they would do it. Whoever I spoke with said it was fine but they would charge me the max, and to go ahead and make an appointment online. That was fine with me so I made the appointment and received the confirmation. Here I am, day of appointment, received no phone call/text from anyone prior. I called their number with no answer. Later someone called me back and said oh we can't go to you because you're outside our area, regardless of my previous conversation with someone who told me it was fine. Whatever no biggie, I get it if they can't drive "this far." BUT no one called to tell me they weren't going to be able to keep this appointment and THAT is unacceptable. The worst part is she asked me if I knew someone who lived in Philly or the surrounding area. If I was going to travel to take my daughter somewhere, I wouldn't have chosen this service. As a nurse myself, I had much much higher expectations. She asked me to call her if I "figured something out" lol ok lemme just move. Terrible customer service, will NOT be calling them back or recommending to anyone.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Noodle Eighty Eight; City: Souderton, PA; Review: Just picked up takeout for tonight. We probably order from here once or twice month. Never disappoints. Food is always hot and fresh. We recently have tried to eat more vegetarian and we are so pleased that they offer many options. Their homemade noodles are so bomb. Curbside delivery in the back makes pick up easy and contactless. Prior to covid, we used to eat inside and it was BYOB. We love this family run restaurant!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rakkii Ramen; City: Doylestown, PA; Review: Pre-covid review. Not a fan. Walked in with a party of 8. They only have booths and small tables. We asked to put a few tables together (they were empty), but we were told they are "so busy" it's not possible to put them together ? We even offered to put them together ourselves but we were promptly denied again. So we sat at two different booths, unable to share a conversation or a meal. Waited 45 mins for any food to come out. Gyoza finally came out. We had the veggie ones and they were standard, probably from frozen, but not great enough to pay $7 for 6 pieces?! What a rip off. I could buy a whole bag for that. Half of us ordered vegetable ramen and the other half had spicy/miso. We all agreed the broths were way too salty and lacked any flavor other than salt. Anyway with gluten free ramen ($3) and to make it spicy ($1) we were charged extra. I ended up paying $20 for a super sub par bowl of ramen. I would've been better off making instant at home.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Curry Leaf Indian Cuisine; City: Harleysville, PA; Review: Have dined in once pre-covid and the service was pretty slow but it seems to be the speed at most Indian places. I like to attribute it to the cooking, maybe it takes longer? Regardless, we were in no rush, we had a delicious meal. Have gotten takeout a few times since and got to say, it's our new fave Indian spot! Great portions of rice with entrees. Would definitely recommend!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Agape Bakery; City: North Wales, PA; Review: So. I used to like this bakery but it's gone down hill. Lately their baked goods don't last more than a day without getting moldy or tasting rotten. And their buns with cream or any kind of filling has been very sparse with the fillings. So this is the icing on the cake. With much encouragement from my mom, we chose to get my daughter's 1st birthday cake. She swore up and down that a Korean baker would make a better cake than an American one- against my first choice, I decided to give them a try. We wanted a 2 tier cake, vanilla on the top and mocha on the bottom. I sent a couple pictures of cake designs I wanted, but I'm pretty relaxed and just told her I wanted something similar and the same vibes but nothing exactly. When we first got the cake I didn't get a chance to see it because I was still decorating and getting the room together, it was very hectic. It was later I saw that the flowers were FAKE! Cheap dollar store plastic flowers on a cake. I've never seen fake flowers on a cake. I've seen fondant and buttercream but never FAKE flowers- especially for the $$$ I spent. And she charged me EXTRA for decoration! Unbelievable. What did I pay extra for?! I might as well have gone to the dollar store and slapped them on myself. AND there was NO mocha cake to be found. We were given 2 vanilla tiers. DISAPPOINTMENT. I was SO EMBARRASSED peeling fake flowers off the cake to feed my guests and apologizing for not having the mocha. She had the nerve to text me and tell me she really tried her best on this cake. Sure, fine people make mistakes. I can forgive mixing up the cake flavors (but a TRUE professional would never dare). But her attitude and audacity to tell me that I should've SPECIFIED no FAKE flowers is RIDICULOUS. I wouldn't even have thought to request something like that! The pics I sent had real flowers or cream flowers. You could get a grocery store cake and they all have edible flowers. At the end she said she would do better next time. There will be no next time. She charged me a ridiculous amount for the cake. The flavors were wrong. With fake flowers. And I was offered NO reimbursement. Also when I paid for the cake I bought a couple buns, you'd think she would've been nice and not charged me. It's NOT about the money. It's the principle of having professionalism and manners. Done with this place.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 | yelp |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Half Sheet with Lid; Brand: Nordic Ware; Review: Sturdy and easy to clean!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Good Cook Bradshaw International 21085 Nutcracker, 5 inches, Metal; Brand: Good Cook; Review: Cracks nuts like nobody's business.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Jelly Roll Baking Sheet; Brand: Nordic Ware; Review: Sturdy and easy to clean!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Checkered Chef Cooling Rack Baking Rack. Stainless Steel Oven and Dishwasher Safe. Fits Half Sheet Cookie Pan; Brand: Checkered Chef; Review: Bacon's never been better!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: mDesign Storage Container for Mini Fridge, Kitchen, Refrigerator, Freezer, Pantry, Cabinets - Wide, Clear; Brand: mDesign; Review: It works great for cheese in the fridge.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Home_and_Kitchen |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Koller Products TOM Aquarium Mr. Cleaner Battery Operated Gravel Siphon; Brand: Koller Products; Review: The suction is extremely less than adequate. I understood that it would be unlikely to be super powerful for only 10 bucks, but I will stick to my standard drain into a bucket gravel cleaner for now.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Hikari First Bites; Brand: HIKARI; Review: Good food for some tiny fish.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Downtown Pet Supply 960 Pet Waste Bags, Dog Waste Bags, Bulk Poop Bags on a; Brand: Downtown Pet Supply; Review: Perfect for kitty litter cleanup; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: MisterMax Anti Icky Poo Odor Remover (1) Pint; Brand: Mister Max; Review: Works wonders cleaning up pet messes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Wellness Kittles Cat Treat Variety Pack - 3 Flavors (Chicken & Cranberries, Salmon & Cranberries, and Tuna & Cranberries; Brand: Wellness Natural Pet Food; Review: Only treats my cat will eat!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Pet Ultimates Probiotics for Cats - 20 Species - Stops Diarrhea & Vomiting, Cuts Litterbox Smell; Brand: PetUltimates; Review: This has worked wonders for our Cat with stomach issues. Lasts much longer and is more effective than the Forti Flora we had been using; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Pet_Supplies |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Delfin Spa Women's Mineral Infused High Waist Exercise Shorts - Regular & Plus Sizes; Brand: Delfin Spa; Review: I bought this product because I thought it would serve as a sort of "compression, girdle-like" garment to hide fat. I found it to be very flimsy and not at all as described. It would be fine for a very fit, slim person to exercise in, but for someone who is large and is trying to look better in their exercise outfit, I would not suggest it.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Shadowline Women's Plus-Size Petals 53 Inch Short Flutter Sleeve Long Gown; Brand: Shadowline; Review: I love shadowline gowns! I buy them all the time. It is very hard to find a quality nylon nightgown these days and Shadowline makes the best! The quality of the nylon is so superior to anything I have ever owned. They are so soft and the major benefit is that you cannot see through them. The colors and detail on them are so pretty. I buy them in short sleeve for summer and long sleeve in the winter. The length is perfect, and they have a wide sweep, which is important to me. I've tried everything on the market,and Shadowline is the only gown I will buy from now on. They launder beautifully and hold up to many washings. Very comfortable and a dream to sleep in! Love, love, love the black ones!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shadowline Women's Plus-Size Petals 53 Inch Short Flutter Sleeve Long Gown; Brand: Shadowline; Review: I love shadowline gowns! I buy them all the time. It is very hard to find a quality nylon nightgown these days and Shadowline makes the best! The quality of the nylon is so superior to anything I have ever owned. They are so soft and the major benefit is that you cannot see through them. The colors and detail on them are so pretty. I buy them in short sleeve for summer and long sleeve in the winter. The length is perfect, and they have a wide sweep, which is important to me. I've tried everything on the market,and Shadowline is the only gown I will buy from now on. They launder beautifully and hold up to many washings. Very comfortable and a dream to sleep in! Love, love, love the black ones!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Olga Women's No Side Effects Underwire Contour Bra; Brand: Olga; Review: Do not like this bra at all. For a full-figured size, it does not provide good support and the straps are elastic. I don't know how any full-figured woman can wear a bra with stretch straps, as I bounce all over when I wear one. Sure wish the description had clearly stated that the straps were elastic, as I would never have bought thisd.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Olga Women's Luxury Lift Bra; Brand: Olga; Review: Had high hopes when I ordered this bra, but discovered it has elastic straps when it came in the mail. I don't know how any full-figured woman can wear stretch straps which just make me bounce all over the place. Will be returning. So disappointed. The description should clearly state that the straps are elastic.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Shadowline Women's Plus-Size Petals 53 Inch Sleeve Long Gown; Brand: Shadowline; Review: I am a plus-size woman who likes to lounge around in my nightie. I found Shadowline gowns several years ago and now I am a devoted fan who wears nothing but Shadowline. I can put my gown on and not worry about anyone seeing through it because it is made of very high quality nylon and comes in beautiful colors. I always get the darker colors -- black, blue, red and purple. I do not prefer the pastel because I fear you may be able to see through those. I have them in short sleeve for summer and long sleeve for winter. They are so well made and have beautiful detail embroidered at the neckline. I was recently hospitalized and wore my gowns and received so many compliments from the nursing staff -- they had never seen such beautiful gowns in such lovely colors. They launder beautifully and are very true to size. I especially like them because they don't have "big gaping necklines" that fall off my shoulders like some plus-size gowns. It is very difficult to find a long, wide-sweep nylon nightgown these days -- everything is cotton, which I do not like. Nylon allows me to "glide on the sheets" and get out of bed easily. Cotton does not slide like nylon does. Love, love, love these gowns! Highly recommend!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shadowline Women's Plus-Size Silhouette 40 Inch Short Cap Sleeve Waltz Gown; Brand: Shadowline; Review: In my opinion, Shadowline is the BEST GOWN! It is made with very high-quality nylon that you cannot see through. They have a wide sweep, come in wonderful colors and sooo comfortable. They launder beautifully. Once you own one, you will never go back to your old gowns. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE SHADOWLINE! You will not be disappointed!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Tapp Collections™ Floral Pattern Purse Hanger; Brand: Tapp Collections; Review: Nice and sturdy and holds my heavy purse securely from a table. Great device to avoid germs when you put your purse on a floor in a restaurant!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Cooler Master MegaFlow 200 - Sleeve Bearing 200mm Red LED Silent Fan for Computer Cases; Brand: Cooler Master; Review: Cools my PC and has a sweet red light. I love Cooler Master products, so this definitely was a must have when adding fans to my PC.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: CowboyStudio Deluxe Tilt Mount with Umbrella Holder- Mount C; Brand: CowboyStudio; Review: Love this thing. It's made of sturdy metal and the screws are tight enough to hold heavy attachments. So far, I've connected a wireless lav receiver, shotgun mic, and H4N on this puppy. It takes it all like a champ. I'm really happy with this purchase and it has been used in half a dozen shoots so far, EASILY justifying its very justified price.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: SanDisk Extreme 32 GB SDHC Class 10 UHS-1 Flash Memory Card 45MB/s (SDSDX-032G-X46); Brand: SanDisk; Review: A class 10 SD card perfect for heavy duty recording. I only use SanDisk for my professional video recording, and audio recording, and it's never let me down. The 32GB is also a good middle ground for video, because it's easy to install Magic Lantern for DSLR, and also a nice "okay, let's switch cards" point, while also being able to handle a ton of data from multiple shoots. Perfect.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Corsair Air Series AF120 Performance Edition Twin Pack Fan; Brand: Corsair; Review: These bad boys lowered my computer by 10 degrees celsius. I was having lots of overheating issues, and these solved it. Also, they're quiet! My computer was noticeably quiet after the install.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Movo Photo FF200 Manual Follow Focus/Zoom Control Lever Lens Clamp for DSLR Video Cameras; Brand: Movo; Review: Works great on Canon L-Series lenses, but sucks on my 18-135mm zoom or 50mm prime. Basically, it isn't rubber or elastic, just plastic, so it needs to fit the lens you're using. We rented a 50mm f/1.2L lens and it fit just fine, but a smaller lens doesn't quite fit it and slips and causes jerky zooms. I've tried to use it a few times but I keep throwing it back in the bag. I'll likely use it on some of my newer lenses I want to buy, IF IT FITS.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: 10KT White Gold Baguette and Round Diamond Fashion Ring (1/4 cttw); Brand: D-GOLD; Review: cheap looking; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: 1 Carat Radiant Cubic Zirconia CZ Sterling Silver 925 Wedding Engagement Ring Band Set Sizes 4 to 11; Brand: Bonndorf; Review: very cheap looking; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Brinley Co. Womens Ankle Strap Platform Stilettos; Brand: ; Review: It is very very heavy; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Samsonite Leather Expandable Briefcase, Black; Brand: Samsonite; Review: very classy; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ray-Ban RB 3386 Sunglasses; Brand: ; Review: Did not say Made in Italy...........who knows if it's from CHINA; Rating: 1.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Night Rising (Vampire Babylon, Book 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Chris Marie Green Page; Review: Green's Night Rising has a few things to recommend. For one, Green does a good job of creating atmosphere, especially that of the creepy variety. We feel, through the main character, Ms. Madison, that something isn't quite right from the very beginning as she goes to meet her missing father's co-workers in at a private detective agency. The paintings seem to smolder with hidden passion, and when she turns away the figures in them seem to subtly change and even follow her with their gaze. The author also tells the story from not just the heroine's perspective, but also from a vampire's, which provides an interesting contrast. But overall the book definitely loses steam after the first sixty pages. The dialogue is often tedious. The author cannot resist an explanatory sentence or two between every spoken sentence, which interrupts the flow of the dialogue into a disjointed morass. As a result the dialogue seems to take forever, and the characters' actions are only hastily described. The main character herself is not very likable. A character who feels the need for a good sex romp to "blow off steam" even as she is supposedly frightened and actively searching for her missing father doesn't come across as believable, not to mention sympathetic. The problem here isn't even the sexual undertones -- it's the clunky, obviously forced way the author inserts them into the book. In the first few chapters the main character is fondled by a being with paranormal, disembodied powers for no apparent reason other than that he simply can. There's nothing wrong with sexuality in a story...but when both good guys and bad guys have raging libidos with little rhyme or reason, the story and characters come across as a little two-dimensional. A potentially interesting paranormal mystery loses its way.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Wolfbreed; Author: S. A. Swann; Review: This interesting tale of a werewolf girl in medieval Prussia is paced in such a way that putting the book down after the first fifty pages or so becomes very difficult. The book's plot is concise yet its philosophical undertones are rich. What does it mean to be 'human'? This is a central question in the book because we see so-called humans, even 'godly' humans, who exhibit little but savagery and lack all semblance of empathy. On the other hand there are the werewolves, creatures who are branded as monsters simply for being different. The Christian knights aren't interested in understanding them, but merely using them for their own violent and ultimately secular ends (cloaked in disingenuous Christian rhetoric). The book can just as easily be viewed as a cautionary tale on the misuse of religion. As a Christian I found the acts of many of the so-called Christian knights in this book to be deplorable, but it did not in any way detract from the book. If you've read any scholarship on the medieval period, particularly Manchester's A World Lit Only by Fire, then you'll be aware of the unfortunate misuse of religion, and particularly Christianity, as a dangerous force of ignorance and superstition during the medieval period. Lilly and Udolf are excellently drawn characters who come across as strong yet vulnerable and at once likable. The idea of knowing truly what it means to forgive tests both characters and plays a central role in the storyline. One character has to learn what it is to forgive oneself while another character has to learn to overcome visceral fear and hatred too. The drama is all the more poignant because these characters' lives are thrown into tragic situations not of their own making, and even as we wonder whether these characters will make the morally ideal choices, we understand, given the flawed worlds in which they live, that they may prove to be as imperfect as their environment.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Evermore: The Immortals; Author: Alyson Nol; Review: As my first read by Noel, I was not sure what to expect. Although there are many similarities between this book and Twilight, that was not what bothered me. The intriguing fantastical elements in Noel's book are squandered by two-dimensional character development and the author's struggles in trying to explain her world to us. The writing flow in the book is intuitive. I found myself easily gliding through chapter after chapter. But towards the end of the book, I realized that the strange Afterlife, the Immortals, and the mystery of Ever's suitor, Damen, felt more like plot devices than flesh-and-blood characters and real dilemmas. Ever is an incomplete female protagonist; she is never really made into a person. Real people have hobbies and experience periods of strength and times of vulnerability. In Ever's case, though, we have a depressed girl who doesn't who doesn't know how to respond to her powers. Initially this is understandable, but Ever changes very little as the story progresses. As time passes, rather than feel empowered by her abilities, she never, ever decides to reassess new purposes in her life based on her unique gift. In a similar way she is unconvincing in her relation to her smoldering mystery-suitor. Damen's strange abilities should empower her; instead, the author creates a character that becomes wholly dependent on Damen without viewing the world with any greater degree of initiative. In contrast, Bella's lack of initiative in Twilight made some degree of sense; she was a person surrounded by powerful supernatural beings in a frightening world of vampires and werewolves with repressed impulses. Ever has supernatural abilities and allies (her ghost sister included), with one vague enemy, and yet throughout the story she is always reacting and never approaching the world with any aspirations of her own. Even at the end, Ever accidentally stumbles on her power, without actually developing much emotionally beyond overcoming some of her grief (which allows her to let her ghost sister return to the Afterlife). Ultimately a very worthy effort fell short. With more time and editing I feel as if this work could have become something both fascinating and compelling. In the end it seems like the author herself never really has a fully defined idea for the mechanics of the world she intended to create. As a result, we as readers can't become fully lost or absorbed in that world. It, like Ever's persona, remain incomplete and inaccessible, allied to plot devices rather than full-bodied experiences or events.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Forge of Heaven; Author: Visit Amazon's C. J. Cherryh Page; Review: Forge of Heaven is in some ways vintage Cherryh. You can expect psychological complexity in a world of which you feel you're just beginning to scratch the surface. This is Cherryh's great virtue as a writer; she develops her personalities and her worlds with an equally deft brush. Although the interests of the main characters often diverge or even compel the various protagonists to use deception against one another, we see the complicated reasons why trust is limited, even between well meaning characters. The book is set in the world where Marak Trin Tain's world is continuing to undergo great changes as the result of a conflict between a human faction called the Movement and an alien race called the Ondat. Most of the action occurs on Concord Station, a place with great diplomatic significance. On this station the diverse interests of human factions and the alien ondat meet. Their interaction may ultimately decide the fate of Marak's world and everyone who dwells on it, not to mention the continuing peace in the universe. For those of you who haven't read much Cherryh before reading this book, a few things to remember: Cherryh's writing is fast-paced from a psychological perspective, with running thought processes fleshed out in a way that can come across as confusing to the reader. Still, the stream of thought consciousness comes across as authentic, as if you're really in the heads of the various characters, thereby making them that much more 3-dimensional. Another thing that readers may have trouble with is that Cherryh chooses to show the story from quite a few different perspectives, (and more than Cherryh herself is accustomed to). Whereas in the Foreigner series we see almost everything from the Paidhi Bren Cameron's point of view, in this story we have the point of view of Marak, a teenage girl (Cathy), a Governor (Setha), the Project Leader (Brazis), and the Project Tap (Procyon). In other words the story forces us to follow 5 different first person narratives, which sometimes strains the flow of the plot and the reader's ability to understand everything that's happening. Nonetheless this book is overall a rewarding read with good pacing, and a suitable climax towards the end. My only overall complaint is that Cherryh tries to bite off a little more than she can chew in this book. Some of the antagonists' motives and tactics throughout the book are left unexplained and underdeveloped to a great extent. Between the Earth/Inner Worlds faction, the Apex faction, the Ila, the ondat, and all of the other groups running around, she might have been better off giving us a more detailed view from one or two main characters/factions. By the end of this book I felt like I was only grasping the tip of the iceberg on what clearly is just a glimpse into a many-layered world.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Going Rogue: An American Life; Author: Visit Amazon's Sarah Palin Page; Review: Palin writes so consciously aware of her audience that it's obvious she doesn't intend to divulge anything of her true self or beliefs. Palin is less interested in telling a true story than in re-hashing history in a way that makes her own light shine. As far as politicians being shameless opportunists, she proves that she is no different. She constantly refers to platitudes and focuses on giving her zealous advocates a fake, more heroic view of her life in a way that smacks of demagoguery.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Children of Húrin; Author: Visit Amazon's J. R. R. Tolkien Page; Review: I should make it clear that this story is not a happy tale, and no doubt you've heard the same from others. But to simply call it that without going further does it a disservice. Although this may be a tragic story, throughout the narrative it remains clear that the main character at the outset, Turin son of Hurin, could very well have made different choices. Though Morgoth doomed him, Morgoth's power is not absolute, and even some of Turin's ill-fated choices have some positive consequences at given times. Even after dismal defeats Turin picks up his life and tries to move forward, and there is something very admirable about his determination and resilience despite his flaws (chiefly pride, arrogance, and quick anger). As some reviewers have noted, one of the unique aspects of this book is its archaic language. Though some readers may find that this makes it that much harder to become engrossed in the characters, I found it enhanced my ability to empathize with them. This is because the archaic, epic style of the narrative breathes consequence into every paragraph, conversation, and decision the characters make. There is never any question in the story about the importance of what is at stake. In a similar way, the characters act intelligently and the flourished language gives special weight to their actions. I would highly recommend this book, particularly to all who have read the LOTR. This is a book whose heartache and tragedy will let you go back and read the LOTR trilogy with that much more appreciation for the good that transpires from the efforts of four little hobbits, Gandalf, and many others. It also reaffirms the epic scope and breadth of Tolkien's world, if you ever doubted its immensity or depth in the first place.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers; Author: Visit Amazon's Loung Ung Page; Review: The story of Loung Ung's family and the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia is gripping, and her gift for storytelling is apparent from the beginning. In the opening chapters she introduces us to her family, and we know each of her siblings and her parents so that they are not simply characters but flesh-and-blood people. I also found Ung's style to be at times especially poignant because of its self-effacing tone. At one point she explains the psychology of one of her sisters (Chou) and compares her sister's personality to her own, explaining that she acted badly towards her sister because of her own insecurities and that her sister was the bigger person. One of the themes that she underscores in her book is that human beings can have many different reactions to tragedy and sacrifice. (Some people she mentions, including her own psychological reaction, fixate at one point on hatred and vengeance. Other family members react without hate and simply endure). She and her family are forced to find food any way they can during their ordeals, and at times slowly watch one another starving to death. It is not a pretty story, but there is also hope and resilience. Loung Ung tells of the heroism of her little brother in trying to get food for their mother and baby sister. There are times in this book where you will probably cry. Before reading this book I knew relatively little about the history of Cambodia or its conflict. After reading this book though, I can at least say that I understand the human toll and shared cultural memory from the entire generation that lived through the seminal events of the Khmer Rouge's rise and fall. The letters to the author at the back of the book are also of interest, and I actually wish she had included more. You can see some of the reactions to her book, many written by Cambodians or those with family who lived through it. All in all, this is an excellent book, well-edited and briskly paced. To know the truth of what happened there is more than enough, but she goes one step farther. She makes the reader feel as if they have been invited to share in the insights of her family, understanding not only their suffering but also who they were, their personalities, idiosyncrasies and relationships. Ultimately in reading this book we are able to mourn what is lost because she effectively ushers us into her world.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Samurai: The Philosophy of Victory; Author: Robert T. Samuel; Review: Robert Samuel's book on samurai is a useful addition to the collection of anyone who is fascinated by samurai as historical (or dare one say romantic?) figures. The illustrations are well done, and the passages from primary source material offer interesting little glimpses into a world much unlike our own. I have noticed some negative comments about the content of the book being plagiarized and having inaccuracies. To my mind some of these criticisms miss the point. This book is clearly intended as a supplemental part of someone's collection, not a stand-alone volume. I always get suspicious at charges of plagiarism when they're leveled at an author using primary source material; much of the information here is hundreds of years old, and has no copyright per se. Perhaps the translation is copyrighted, but more likely I would expect that a translation with an expired copyright is probably available and may be what the author is using. Presumably the book went through some editorial scrutiny... The real value of this book is that it illustrates everday aspects of the society in which the samurai lived. This dimension can become lost in many samurai books, where the preoccupation with famous battles and warrior codes sometimes makes us forget the larger picture.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Host; Author: Visit Amazon's Stephenie Meyer Page; Review: Stephenie Meyer's The Host is on the verge of hitting the box office, and I feel privileged to be able to see this wonderful book come to life on the big screen, but the book is definitely worth a read beforehand. Although this story is told from an alien's perspective, the empathy that Meyer weaves between the reader and Wanderer is a work of genius. I went into the book not even expecting to enjoy it. From what little I'd heard of it, I thought to myself 'Uhoh, here we go...a love triangle plus Invasion of the Body Snatchers'. My fears were groundless. The Host is a book about loyalty, friendship, love, and the mystery of bonds that can form whether we fully understand them or not. The author shows a real emotional intelligence and gives this palpable depth to each of her major characters. Some people may quibble over her writing style, but I also found that Meyer's writing has progressed since her Twilight books. It's more subtle in places and more fully developed throughout The Host. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series. Now please, Mrs. Meyer, go ahead and write it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled--and More Miserable Than Ever Before; Author: Visit Amazon's Jean M. Twenge Page; Review: This author has an axe to grind, and it clearly shows in her extremely biased, poorly contrived analysis of her so-called 'Generation Me'. She spends a good portion of the book taking one sentence quotations out of context from hapless 15-25 year-olds and then inserting smarmy or sneering comments. A perfect example (midway through the book): the author mentions that GenMe holds onto dreams more fiercely than other generations. In response to one young professional's idea that never giving up is a good thing, the author haughtily replies 'Uh-huh. But you might have to live in your car'. Is this supposed to pass for insightful analysis? As a fellow academic I spent much of this book wondering how this woman attained a Ph. D. I expect a certain objectivity and fair, balanced analysis. What the reader gets in this diatribe of a book is an indictment of the younger generation based not on objectively-gathered evidence, but personal venom. The positive attitude and high expectations of Generation Y/Millennials has many advantages. None of them are explored in proper detail throughout this negative train wreck of a book. As someone who has published on generational dynamics, I've discovered that there is much in the younger generation to view in a promising light (and ways that Gen Xers have complementary connections with Gen Y). If you want to gain insight on the younger generation, choose a different book, preferably by an author with a more open mind.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Samurai Battles; Author: Michael Sharpe; Review: This book is an excellent read, feverish at times in its intensity as it condenses 700 years of samurai conflict into one relatively thin, lushly illustrated volume. Many of the battles recounted are given a wider context, making the history come alive (cliche as that may sound). I found the book to be well-written, which I don't say lightly. As someone who has a major interest in Asian history especially, I'd heartily recommend this book. For readers who find this book enjoyable, I would also recommend The Last Samurai, an intriguing biography on Saigo Takamori.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shadows of the Ancients (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Christine M Butler Page; Review: One sexy, witty, enticingly snarky wolf girl? Check. A unique take on werewolf power and relationship dynamics? Check. This is an overall fun read with dialogue that will have you laughing out loud at times and raising your eyebrows at others. In one evening I ran across this deliciously wolfy paranormal book, and a few hours later I had to buy book #2 and #3 in the series. Yes, it's THAT good. If you like Patricia Briggs or Jeaniene Frost, you will enjoy Ms. Butler's writing.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Falling Into the White (The Ancients) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Christine M. Butler Page; Review: I really wanted to like this book. My main problem was with where the author took the love triangle. Mikael went from being a total prick who had no regard for human life (See attack on Ashley from book one as example) and who felt no problem using the term for a female dog when referring to Jess, to this miraculous turnaround as supportive and then loving boyfriend. Were I in Jess's shoes, I'd be asking myself 'Do I want to be with someone who doesn't seem to care about taking human life?' At no time in this book do Jess and Mikael have a single tough conversation which show that he has changed or grown in response to either of his actions in book one. As a result, Jess's switch from Evan to Mikael doesn't seem true to her character or to his. Although I still enjoyed the interactions in this book between Jess and her friends and family, the romance for me didn't feel genuine. I will still pick up the 3rd book in the series because I enjoy Jess's voice as a character.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Dancing with an Alien; Author: Visit Amazon's Mary Logue Page; Review: For me this was a touching romance about a girl and an alien boy who fall in love despite very different cultural views. It's a little cheesy, yes - but if you don't overthink it, this book will leave a lasting impression. If you believe in the power of love at all and what it can accomplish, (or the sacrifices we make because of it), then I think you'll find this to be a story well worth getting into and enjoying. To the negative folks I have to just shrug my shoulders. It's a teen romance, so I didn't understand the complaint that it was too sentimental. It was just right- reminding me of how I felt at that age. It brought up some old memories...and yes, life seems simpler when you're younger, more black and white, but that was portrayed well in this story, and it didn't detract from the story's meaning. This book might remind many readers of what their first love or crush felt like.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Full Moon Kisses; Author: Visit Amazon's Ellen Schreiber Page; Review: I love paranormal books - werewolves, vampires, coyote shapeshifters - you name it. I also am normally not into a lot of description. A good story doesn't have to be lyrical throughout to be well told. Still - would stringing together a few words to create even a little atmosphere be too much to ask? Perhaps I'm being too hard on this author. Her characters are likeable enough. The problem is that the characters and the world she puts them in are so underdeveloped that it's like the equivalent of watching a black and white movie. See lines like this: "It was warm outside and I wasn't in the mood for something hot..." She does a lot of telling us rather than showing us things, and the same goes for her characters. Celeste's inner dialogue gets tiresome quickly because the author portrays Celeste as preoccupied with her own anxieties and only selectively observant of the world around her. As a character she just comes off as...you could almost say two-dimensional. I feel like this writer needs to pick it up a notch. No more lazy descriptions and halfhearted characterization. Don't be afraid to use a few big words once in a while.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Deliverance (Modern Library 100 Best Novels); Author: Visit Amazon's James Dickey Page; Review: Deliverance is an interesting book. The writing isn't bad - some very haunting passages, and the characters' mindsets are described well. What begins as a harmless adventure, four men going down a river in the wilderness, becomes something harrowing. All of that saidTHIS is supposed to be one of the best 100 novels? Really? I'm giving this book one star because it tries to be much more than it is. None of the characters are all that memorable. I also have to wonder if the book's rape scene would be glossed over so casually if it appeared in other books - yet since this book is a "classic" it amazingly gets a free pass. I cannot consider this a great book or even a good book because none of its characters are relatable. They are all shallow suburbanites. Yes, the main character discovers and evolves as a result of what happensbut so what? By the end of the story all of them drowning in the river would have spurred maybe a shrug of the shoulders. Lack of diversity in the story also made me want to yawn. Are there any important characters who aren't Caucasian? Any interesting characters who are female? Nope and nope. If this is a book about exploring the true depth of horror outside of civilization (and in the savage heart of human beings) both of these themes could have been explored a lot more effectively by looking at men AND women and by looking how culturally, humans, even in virtually untrammeled nature, have made very different choices on what is savage/uncivilized or not. Even measuring this book against its own standards, I find its so-called psychological depth far too simplistic about the primal aspect of nature and human beings. Readers can do better than this.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War; Author: Visit Amazon's Stephen R. Platt Page; Review: This is compelling historical storytelling at its best. Readers get a strong sense of how individual actors changed the tide of events to determine the fate not just of the Taiping Rebellion, but the whole of China. A popular history in the best sense of the word, Platt's book provides insight for amateur history buffs and rigorous historians alike. His use of primary sources is concise and makes the book very readable in contrast to some of the more convoluted, academic books on the subject.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hidden in Plain Sight: What Really Caused the Worlds Worst Financial Crisis and Why It Could Happen Again; Author: Visit Amazon's Peter J. Wallison Page; Review: Listening to an interview given by this author was eye-opening. Did he spend the first chunk of the interview discussing what his book was actually about? No. He zeroed in on what he called was a leftist conspiracy of one star reviews to discredit his ideas, then proceeded to bemoan himself as a victim. I'm a conservative, Mr. Wallison - not a cheerleader. Understand the difference. The focus on victimhood is something I'm used to hearing from the other side of the aisle, not a fellow conservative. Even if some of these one star reviews aren't warranted, why not rise above it instead of fixating on it? Your book is based on a premise that "most conservatives" and "almost all Republicans" in Congress agree with you. Why do you feel the need to bring this up at the outset of your book? Are you really that insecure in your ideas that you believe if we do not hear that you are just like all other conservatives, we won't take you seriously? It mystified me that you did not feel confident enough in your own book to let the evidence speak for itself. Your book is also written with the most agenda-driven approach I have seen for this topic. There are many excellent conservative economists you might want to read and learn from - folks who are conservative but who can write critically and with an open mind without compromising their principles. One last idea: try actually allowing readers to view a small sample of your book. If you are willing to stand by your research and evidence, shouldn't a sample encourage new readers to pick up and purchase your book? What are you afraid of? What do you have to hide?; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Tiger Queens; Author: Visit Amazon's Stephanie Thornton Page; Review: Let me start by saying I find it very difficult to put books in a nutshell. Stephanie Thorntons The Tiger Queens: The Women of Genghis Khan definitely falls under that category. It reads almost like an epic, yet it shows an intimacy with its characters that rivals the least pretentious stories Ive ever read. If the best historical fiction stories work like a time machine, immersing a reader in a fascinating era and place far removed, then Tiger Queens succeeds on every level. Why does this startling book go beyond just extraordinary? In telling the story of Borte and other fiercely independent Mongolian women during the time of Genghis Khan, this book did something which very few books do well: it gave me a true glimpse into what it would have been like to live in a totally different culture and context. It revealed what it was like to be a nomad on the harsh yet beautiful steppes of Mongolia more than 800 years ago. The author deftly explores, with a poignant first-person narrative, the lives of several key women in the rise of the Mongol tribes, their triumphs and tragedies, and what happens to their families along the way. This is some of the best historical fiction I have read, and in some ways it has a lot in common with epic fantasy. The stakes keep building, and the tension with it. We see Borte as a little girl, and then as she grows up and marries the man who eventually is destined to try to unite all the Mongol clans. There is one caveat I should point out: due to the need for realism and detail, the author does not sugarcoat the harsher aspects of nomad culture. There are some brutal and tragic moments in the story. Bortes captivity at the hands of the Merkid who want revenge on her husband is a prime example. Yet overall the strong narrative voice of Borte and the other women soars above everything else. We get to know these women and to feel their families almost as if they were our own. The lush insights of the steppe environment itself, the political intrigue, the dynamic relationships starting with Bortes struggle to protect her husband and family all of it Ms. Thornton uses like an expert historian to truly ensnare us in the rich world of a Mongol civilization nearly a millennia ago. This is a book I will never forget. Well-worth reading for anyone who likes seeing things from a feminine perspective and enjoys historyand anyone else who just enjoys a great story!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Life is Beautiful: How a Lost Girl Became a True, Confident Child of God (Morgan James Faith); Author: Visit Amazon's Sarah M. Johnson Page; Review: This book tells about one woman's courage and survival in a way that comes off as humble, honest, and deeply personal. Very few of us can understand what it is like to lose your father and brother in a plane crash and have your mother nearly burn to death, all while carrying that personal guilt. Yet Sarah's story is not ultimately one of tragedy or depression - she shows how through the tragic event of the plane crash she was able to choose a new path for her life, to become stronger, to make new friendships and discover new things about herself and others. How do we live with crushing guilt? How do we take life's hardest lessons and use them for something good? How do we reinvent ourselves in the wake of even the most terrible events? All of these questions and more are thoughtfully posed as Sarah tells her story. I would have a box of tissues handy, but more than that have a pen or tablet ready as you read this because many of her struggles and revelations were things that I found applicable to my own life. Reading this story, you will come away with a newfound ability to change your own life, to take responsibility and make better decisions. I'm giving this 5 stars not because it was a 'fun read' or an 'easy read.' It definitely wasn't. It was a meaningful read about how one survivor used the power of God to help reshape her life. Whether you are a person of faith or not, it's hard not to admire the way Sarah uses her sincere beliefs to turn her life in a better direction and help others.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Catching Jordan (Hundred Oaks); Author: Visit Amazon's Miranda Kenneally Page; Review: I should probably apologize to the author because my original review of this book was a bit harsh. I love some of Kenneally's other books (Defending Taylor and Racing Savannah, to name two). What bothered me the most about this book was the male protagonist, Sam. Sam's response when he and Jordan get into relationship rough spots is to get intimate with other girls. I'm no relationship guru, but I have a wife I love and I also have a pretty strong opinion about acting selfishly without regard to someone else's feelings, especially if you claim to love that person. The author made me permanently dislike Sam because, you have to ask yourself: if getting intimate with other girls is Sam's COPING MECHANISM when he has relationship troubles, then how is he ever going to have a successful long term relationship? He didn't develop or improve as a person as the story went on either...and the fact that Jordan looks past this womanizing rather than addressing it just makes her character seem weak, not to mention making the ending pretty unbelievable. Not recommended.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Defending Taylor (Hundred Oaks); Author: Visit Amazon's Miranda Kenneally Page; Review: This well crafted romance deals with some issues you don't normally see in teen romance. The author painted a poignant picture of what it's like having all the pressure of being a politician's daughter. The issues of drug use and how our society too quickly judges people are also dealt with in a thoughtful way, and I really enjoyed how the author at the end of the book talks about the ways her personal experience of burnout and overwork contributed to the overall theme of Taylor's story. This book was refreshingly real in how there is a bittersweet side to the ending too. Yes, the end is a happy one - Taylor ends up with a great guy...but she also has to live with some of the mistakes she's made, and not all of those consequences can be undone or forgotten. Overall, I highly recommend this book. One final note: it's nice to see a romance where two childhood friends eventually become so much more...my heart just about melted as I saw their relationship develop. Give this one a try, you'll enjoy it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Racing Savannah (Hundred Oaks); Author: Visit Amazon's Miranda Kenneally Page; Review: Heartwarming, fun, and with characters that I felt to know and regard almost like old friends, Racing Savannah was a book I read in literally two nights. I had never read a romance that takes place in a horse-racing backdrop, and I found myself enjoying learning the ins and outs of horse racing almost as much as I enjoyed seeing Savannah and Jack's relationship develop as the story progressed. One thing I love about this author is that she portrays people realistically. Most people in the story, just like most people in the real world, are a mixed bag - and yes, there are exceptions like the creepy son of one of the horse owners. Overall though, Racing Savannah succeeds not just with the main protagonists' relationship but also the side characters which Kenneally puts in to enrich the story. Oh, and any story about a badass girl jockey falling in love is just hard not to love...so I'm giving it 5 stars.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: American Female: a true tale of adventure; Author: Visit Amazon's Emily Carpenter Page; Review: Although the author's writing is decent from a technical standpoint, I had a lot of trouble empathizing with Emily. From the start of the book there is very much a 'victimized' role that she chooses to relish in and refuses to try to break out of. It's very hard for me to sympathize with someone when all I know about them is 1) They are suffering, and 2) They are apparently willing to put up with poor treatment by a selfish, manipulative, abusive man. In a weird way, I felt like there was a sense of entitlement to the author's writing. There was a definite "woe is me, see my suffering" theme to the book. This is why I simply had to put it down and could not finish it. While I think the author had good intentions trying to write about her experiences and maybe, in a catharsis of sorts, heal from some of the abuse she endured, I think her life choices struck me as very shallow. Wanting to travel and see the world may be an interesting goal, but it doesn't necessarily mean anything about a person's character. I would have preferred to hear about Emily growing up as a young girl and getting to know HER as a person first, rather than first and foremost as a victim of her own foolish ambitions and other people. I would encourage people who read this book to realize that WHO you choose to associate with matters and that YOU can make that decision. Don't feel trapped in a devastating relationship. Deal with it in healthier ways than the author of this book.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Wild Cat (A Leopard Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Christine Feehan Page; Review: This is one of the sexiest, romantic, amazing paranormal romance books I have read in a LONG time. It actually changed my life and helped my marriage - I know that sounds a little unbelievable, but it's kind of true. I loved how the book focused on the relationship between Siena and Elijah - and how it shows that pregnant women can be sexy as hell. I just love that. I also like that the author didn't try to sugarcoat the premise: this is a book about very instinctual leopard shifters. In other words, half-animal, half-humans who are significantly controlled by their instincts. If you like paranormal books with shifters, this is a great read. The key to enjoying the book is to accept the premise too. Be forewarned, there is a strong dose of 'alpha male' testosterone here, but it makes sense given the book's premise with leopard shifters who follow their instincts and have to listen to their animalistic selves. If you can't handle male protagonists outside of the vanilla-sensitive archetype, this book is NOT for you. Yet for me this book was just incredible, it opened my eyes to new facets of a relationship and how every little thing you do to show someone you care (especially in the bedroom) can make a big difference. Lots of great sex also didn't hurt :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: When Dimple Met Rishi: The laugh-out-loud YA romcom; Author: Visit Amazon's Sandhya Menon Page; Review: This book hit me on an emotional level that stayed with me long after I had finished it. To be honest, I had never read a romance with an arranged marriage theme, and I wasn't sure what to expect. The way the author develops Dimple and Rishi's relationship - from budding friendship to something more, despite the obstacles and the chaos of them trying to figure out what they want out of life for themselves - it was just poignant and perfect in so many ways. I would recommend this book to any optimist or romantic at heart, and to anyone who just wants to be inspired by two relatable, likable people. I look forward to reading more by this author.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Claimed by the Viking Warriors eBook; Author: Visit Amazon's Lily Reynard Page; Review: The romance between Leif / Hjalmar and Eadyth is hot and sometimes so sweet. The little historical details Lily throws into the story make it a fun read too. This story was completely satisfying. This is the first book I've read by this author, and it definitely won't be my last!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows:
Title: Roger & Me (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Spellbound (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The School of Rock (2003); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Triplets of Belleville (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Nowhere in Africa (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Capturing the Friedmans (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shrek 2 (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Station Agent (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bruce Almighty (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: About Schmidt (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: House of Sand and Fog (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Saturday Night Live: The Best of Will Ferrell 2 (2004); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Super Size Me (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Mighty Wind (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Fog of War (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Grapes of Wrath (1940); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Gangs of New York (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Chicago (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: I Shot Andy Warhol (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Dinner Game (1998); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Traffic (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Pianist (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Trainspotting: Collector's Edition (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: City of God (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dial M for Murder (1954); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Election (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Laurel Canyon (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Strangers on a Train: Special Edition (1951); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Insider (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Million Dollar Baby (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Annie Hall (1977); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Finding Neverland (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0 | netflix |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: LinenTablecloth 6 ft. Rectangular Stretch Tablecloth Ivory; Brand: LinenTablecloth; Review: This fits our 6' table well. The portion that is designed to cover the top of the table is a slightly different material and on our table, doesn't come to the full edge at the centers, as it's just not quite stretchy enough. There are nice pockets for the feet. Looks very good.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: LDR 512 P3515 Bellows Type Toilet Plunger; Brand: LDR Industries; Review: This plunger is excellent. It's powerful and able to easily clear clogs, and, if allowed to fill with water as you insert into the bowl, doesn't cause overflow. Cleans well once the blockage is cleared by sealing the bowl and flushing with clean water.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 1 X Calla Lily Bridal Wedding Bouquet 10 Head Latex Real Touch Flower Bouquets KC51 White by JASSINS; Brand: ReNext; Review: I ordered these as decoration in the restrooms at my office. Someone realized they hadn't been watered and decided to take care of that for me.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Think Board Peel and Stick Clear Dry Erase Board, 54"x30"; Brand: Think Board; Review: After repeated attempts to get this to stay on my wall, I gave up and put it in the bin. It's a great idea, but it didn't like the paint on my wall.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Vornado 733 Full-Size Whole Room Air Circulator Fan; Brand: Vornado; Review: Does a great job of circulating air in my office.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Home_and_Kitchen |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: The Wild One; Author: Visit Amazon's Danelle Harmon Page; Review: It was an interesting story. The characters are a little predictable but I enjoyed it. I am interested to read the next book; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Metamorphosis: A New Translation by Susan Bernofsky; Author: Visit Amazon's Franz Kafka Page; Review: Makes you think about the world and how we interact with it. This is a classic book that everyone should read; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Final Cut; Author: Visit Amazon's Catherine Coulter Page; Review: Many twists and turns. Just when I thought I figured it out it changed Can't wait for more catherine coulter; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Big Sky Secrets (The Parable Series); Author: Visit Amazon's Linda Lael Miller Page; Review: I really enjoyed this book as well as all of Linda Lael Miller books. There is familarity from characters from other books and believable characters.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Collector; Author: Visit Amazon's Nora Roberts Page; Review: you can always count on Nora Roberts to weave a great story and transport you. The characters are lovable and you root for them; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Divergent; Author: Visit Amazon's Veronica Roth Page; Review: There is constant action and interesting characters that you start to like right away, I was hooked immediately and can't wait to start the next book. I am cautious to buy trilogies at one time but eoukd Definately recommend with this one; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Surrender My Love (Haardrad Family); Author: Visit Amazon's Johanna Lindsey Page; Review: Johanna Lindsey never disappoints.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A White Wind Blew: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's James Markert Page; Review: I live in Louisville Kentucky and have always been fascinated by Waverly Hills. I have been there. This was a good story about what could have happened there although it is fictitious.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Moon Over Montana (McCutcheon Family) (Volume 5); Author: Visit Amazon's Caroline Fyffe Page; Review: Great story. Love the characters and the way they interweave with other books; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Texas Twilight: The McCutcheon Family Series; Author: Visit Amazon's Caroline Fyffe Page; Review: Great characters. I love how it intertwined with her other books; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Blood Magick (Cousins O'Dwyer); Author: Visit Amazon's Nora Roberts Page; Review: Wonderful series. I enjoy trilogies very much and Nora Roberts is always a great read; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Treasure Me (The Liberty Series); Author: Visit Amazon's Christine Nolfi Page; Review: I enjoyed this book and rooted for the heroin to find love and a plan to her life; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Still Alice; Author: Visit Amazon's Lisa Genova Page; Review: It really makes you understand the how a person with Alzheimer's feels; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Strange Visitation at Wolffe Hall (Grayson Sherbrooke's Otherworldly Adventures); Author: Visit Amazon's Catherine Coulter Page; Review: Pretty typical short story. Very predictible. I love Catherine Coulter but was disappointed; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Invisible; Author: Visit Amazon's James Patterson Page; Review: I couldn't put this down. It kept spinning not knowing where it would go next. I love James Patterson and this was one of my favorites; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Stars of Fortune (Guardians Trilogy); Author: Visit Amazon's Nora Roberts Page; Review: Great characters; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Skeleton's Key (Delta Crossroads) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Stacy Green Page; Review: I enjoyed reading the Skeleton Key as part of this series. I read them out of order which makes some less exciting. It's a great mystery and romance; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bay of Sighs (Guardians Trilogy); Author: NA; Review: Loved it. Non stop action great romance. I can't wait for the next book; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Island of Glass (Guardians Trilogy); Author: Visit Amazon's Nora Roberts Page; Review: I love Nora Roberts and this trilogy. It ended a little less dramatic than her usual books but I still loved the characters; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Fairhaven Village Inn; City: Bellingham Washington; Review: We have stayed at the Inn three times now and each time have been very satisfied. The staff are very pleasant. The library with fireplace is welcoming - a pleasant venue to meet other guests. The breakfast is more than generous. The rooms could be furnished with a little more imagination - my only negative. There is a branch of Daphne's wine bar next door for snacks and a good selection of wines. . The location is ideal with many small shops and restaurants within a block or two. It is only about an hour's drive to Vancouver, convenient If you want to go there for the day but not pay Canadian rates for a hotel.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: La Suite Villa; City: Trois Ilets Arrondissement of Le Marin Martinique; Review: We had three marvelous days at La Suite Villa, a small new hotel built in French colonial style. There are about 6 suites in the main building and 9 private villas. It is located across the bay from Fort-de-France not too far from the hotel area at Pointe du Bout. The decor is ultra high style featuring paintings and sculptures by local artists (for sale if you are interested), lobby furniture upholstered with silver leather and other modern fabrics and plush lounge chairs on the terrace near the open air bar. The steps down to the bar are glass with wine glasses underneath. Tropical flowers are everywhere in the lobby and restaurant all open to the breeze and overlooking the infinity pool. The restaurant, Le Zandoli, serves up the best French food we have ever eaten (and we have eaten quite a lot over the years). Crayfish in coconut milk, calimari (especially divine), scallops tartare, salmon with ginger and teriyaki vinagrette, paper thin slices of salt crusted dorado, the list goes on and on! All fresh and local. Our suite was sweet indeed with a platform bed enabling us to look out over the bay to the lights of Fort-de-France at night. When we entered the room there were flowers strewn over the bed and even on the toilet seat. The bathroom has glass tiles, the main room features local art work and the covered balcony has a huge jetted tub, two hammocks, a mini-bar and coffee maker. The owners are absolutely charming and went to great lengths to make us comfortable. We had some difficulty finding information about the boarding time for a cruise. The hotel contacted the port agent for us and also arranged for a car and driver for a tour of the island surrounding the Parc Naturel Regional de la Martinique, a beautiful area with picturesque towns and a memorial to slaves who were shipwrecked at L'Anse Cafard. While we were at the hotel a Canadian artist, Niko, arrived to set up a show of her paintings. The hotel owners introduced us and we were treated to a private showing of her very interesting work. Our only complaint is that it is too far way from our home.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Amazonia; City: Cayenne Arrondissement of Cayenne; Review: We had to overnight in Cayenne unexpectedly. The only hotel that was availble was the Amazonia. After reading the few other reviews we had some trepidation but our room was spotless, the Wi-Fi was free and it was so quiet we could hear the birds singing. The hotel seems to be mostly for business people with a number of meeting rooms. The decor is 1980s. For the price it was fine. There isn't much to see in Cayenne.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Antiche Figure; City: Venice Veneto; Review: We booked 4 nights at this lovely hotel on the Grand Canal. What a delight to sit outside at their bar sipping a prosecco and watching the canal traffic: laundry and luggage, cabinetry and vegetables, the ambulance, fire "truck" and police, lumber and a shiny black grand piano tipped on its side all passed by: Venice on parade. The hotel is 3 star which means that you don't get plush bathrobes but it has everything else including free internet service and an ample breakfast. The staff are very kind and helpful. Our room, one of the less expensive red level, still had a view of the canal and an adjacent church. The furnishings were in good condition and the decor very Venetian as it should be.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shangri La s China World Hotel; City: Beijing; Review: Obviously this is a hotel for busy people. We got a laugh out of a small shelf by the toilet with a picture of a cellphone engraved on it. I guess not everyone would know what it was for (I didn't). Our room was very comfortable, especially the bed. Of course there was free wi-fi everywhere. The lobby was graced with lovely floral arrangements and the usual inviting bar area with excellent service. Because it was Saturday a string trio composed of Chinese instruments backed up with a piano added to the atmosphere. The lobby itself was decorated with heavy pressed glass sculptures in Chinese designs and the usual decorative assistants always ready to assist.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cedarbrook Lodge; City: SeaTac Washington; Review: I'd heard about this hotel but wasn't able to book because they were full. Now I know why. The site is a former excutive retreat for the executived from fallen Washington Mutual now under new management since their bankruptcy. Although it's only a few minutes from SeaTac Airport it seems a world away. Set in beautifully landscaped grounds it's quiet and peaceful - a great way to start a grueling flight the next day. When we checked in we were offered hot apple cider and a warm welcome. The rooms are in several separate buildings, each with its own great room complete with snacks available at any time. We had dinner in the bar area but the restaurant looked very attractive and was filled with smiling diners. Our meal was excellent. We were offered a pillow selection by email before we checked in. In retrospect I wish we had made a choice as the standard issue was quite hard. Other than that, it was a great experience.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: UNAHOTELS Century Milano; City: Milan Lombardy; Review: We stayed in this hotel for 4 nights. The room was very large with a sofa in the sitting area, the bed was comfortable, a walk-in closet, the Wi-Fi in the room worked, the location - near the central train station and a metro stop - and the staff were very pleasant. But, for a 4-star hotel we were very surprised to see that apparently it had not been updated since (I guess) the 1970s and was desperately in need of aid. The ceiling plaster in our room entry way and bath was cracked and stained, the furniture outdated, the TV was old, and the interior window frames were in disrepair. And this was on the so-called Executive Level.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Castello Santa Maria; City: Civitella d Agliano Province of Viterbo Lazio; Review: We stayed four nights at the Castello, a member of the well-named Charme & Relax network of country hotels. The Castello was originally a monastery founded in the 15th Century. It is now a hotel with several cottages set in an olive grove. We shared the modern Broom Cottage with another couple. We had two bedrooms and two baths with a central sitting room equipped with a small frig, toaster, 3 burner stove and dishes/silverware. The grounds are set with olive trees and of course we came away with some of the oil as well as the black cherry jam served at breakfast. The large swimming pool has a place to picnic in the shade as well as lounging furniture around the pool. Very pleasant to relax and contemplate the countryside including the isolated town of Civita di Bagnoregio. Despite being deep in the countryside the roads are good and we spent several days touring to Montefalco, Torgiano and Orvieto. We splurged on dinner one night at the hotel. The dining room which is used for wedding receptions and meetings was jaw dropping with its paintings and art works. The food, wine and service were excellent; the prices were what one would expect at a first class restaurant. Free Wi-Fi is available inside near the Castello's office or at a table under the trees not far from the building's wall. My one suggestion would be to add more light inside the cottage - the wattage in the bulbs is pretty low. Other than that minor quibble I highly recommend it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ravenscroft Inn; City: Port Townsend Washington; Review: This is the best B&B we have ever stayed in! No teddy bears or fripperies - just sophistication. The owner knows how to run a hostelry for sure. We even received a thank you note for staying. The sheets are soft and silky, the towels extra thick, the breakfast delicious. We will definitely return and to recommend to everyone we know.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hilton Anchorage; City: Anchorage Alaska; Review: Don't expect luxury but if you have a short stay the hotel is well located for shopping dining and to the Alaska RR train station. We stayed here some years ago and they had a nice top floor bar but no more. The lobby is not terribly welcoming, quite dark and crowded with tour groups. Our room was clean but badly in need of refurbishment.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Green Gables Inn; City: Walla Walla Washington; Review: The 1909 Craftsman home captures the best of Walla Walla - quiet streets lined with enormous leafy trees (filled with squirrels), the numerous other houses of the same era, the proximity to Whitman College and the prospect of trying some of the excellent wines from the local area. Typical of homes of the era there is a wrap-around veranda. Our room was very large with a just -remodeled bathroom, fireplace and a balcony furnished with comfortable chairs. Breakfast was huge - could not eat all the main course because each day I could not resist the light-as-air scones, bar far the best I have ever tasted. Free Wi-Fi. My only small suggestion for improvement is to get rid of the green carpeting on stairs and upper hall. It doesn't fit the other décor. Will return for sure.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile; City: Montreal Quebec; Review: For reasons unknown we ended up on the top floor of this hotel. We had a view of the St. Lawrence River in one direction and a hill covered with trees in fall foliage in the other, original oil paintings on the wall, tea and coffee, the Bose radio softly playing classical music, and Lanvin toiletries in the black and while marble bath. It was cold and windy outside and I was perfectly content to relax in luxury. Actually, the hotel is well situated with museums and good shopping on the Golden Mile if you are so inclined. We ate at the bar connected to the restaurant and it was really excellent. People in Montreal are stylish and the food and wine matched the clientele. The bar menu had a selection of cheese from Quebec which is justly famous and an extensive wine list. What more does one need on a wintery day? I'd return to this hotel any time.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fairhaven Village Inn; City: Bellingham Washington; Review: We stayed at the Inn again after a couple of year's gap. It is always pleasant to be in the Fairhaven area of Bellingham. As usual the rooms are clean and well-kept. The management is exceptionally helpful, printing out directions and menus or local restaurants, as well as advice on what to see/do. For the first time, we went to Western Washington's campus to stroll around the outdoor sculpture park, a place we have missed before. Among the many shops in the vicinity of the hotel is the wonderful bookstore just across the village green from the Inn. A definite must see. Back in the room we watched the Alaska Ferry head out in the winter darkness while we put our feet up in front of the fireplace. All in all a stay there makes for a very nice weekend getaway.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Courtyard San Jose Campbell; City: Campbell California; Review: We were in the location for a memorial service and our travel agent put us up at another place abutting the freeway but very difficult to arrive/depart. We moved to the Courtyard and found it perfectly acceptable: easy access, clean, quite, room well appointed, lobby nice with food available and staff helpful. If we have to return we would definitely stay there. It's expensive although it's probably the going rate for Silicon Valley.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hellenia Yachting Hotel; City: Giardini Naxos Province of Messina Sicily; Review: For a 4-star hotel we found the property very faded, looking like nothing had been done since the 70s or 80s. We even had the old-style keys with a heavy brass fob Our room had a great view over the pool and beach but it was very hot and there was no air conditioning. Bathroom needed serious upgrading. For some odd reason the pictures on the hall walls on our floor all hung at an angle as if in commentary. We were with a group tour and the food was absolutely abominable - so bad we had to forego them in favor of the Sea Sound restaurant nearby which was excellent.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Dioscuri Bay Palace Hotel; City: San Leone Agrigento Province of Agrigento Sicily; Review: The hotel is clearly budget even though it supposedly has a 4-star rating. We had a ground floor unit looking out at a construction project. The walls are tissue-paper thin and not only could we hear the people in the next room but we heard (loudly) a wedding reception in the main room nearby. The room was clean and modestly furnished - no problem for a one night-stay but for longer I'd want better. The property is right on the water with a large swimming pool and an adjacent restaurant in a separate building from the main property.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Antico Hotel Roma 1880; City: Syracuse Province of Syracuse Sicily; Review: This is a lovely hotel with pleasant staff and a great restaurant with outdoor seating as part of the hotel but separately operated. Everything was modern and clean and stylish. It has a private outdoor terrace for guests. Because the hotel is composed of at least 2 buildings, those with difficulties climbing stairs need to be sure they book on the side with the elevator; otherwise the steps are long. One side of the hotel faces part of the Piazza Duomo - what a great site for people watching!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Parker New York; City: New York City New York; Review: Not far from Central Park, a block from Carnegie Hall, 2 blocks from Fifth Avenue - what's not to like? We had a very pleasant 3-night stay at this hotel. The rooftop pool is spectacular, especially at night when the lights of Manhattan are all yours. The bed was very comfortable, I loved the Moonshine toiletries. The Nave Bar is delightful for coffee during the day and drinks during the evening. And if you are really hungry, the breakfast at Norma's is spectacular (not cheap though). My only quibble is the red drapes in the lobby which conceal the entrance to a hamburger place - this seems out of place to me.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: La Conner Channel Lodge; City: La Conner Washington; Review: We enjoyed our stay at the Channel Lodge. Our room with balcony over the water was a respite from pre-holiday business. What's not to like about a fireplace, a comfortable bed, nice linens, and décor that emphasizes the Pacific Northwest? We'd return anytime to enjoy the amenities and stroll in the small town filled with boutiques and art galleries.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Century Hotel; City: Tualatin Oregon; Review: The hotel is between a busy road and a man-made lake. Our room faced the road but we enjoyed the small balcony nevertheless. The room was adequate, the bed comfortable, and there were plenty of towels in the bathroom. It was rather dark and had a large and very fake fig tree - an even larger one was in the lobby, adding a downscale note to the ambience. Breakfast was included at the adjacent Hayden's restaurant. It was more than ample and excellent. While the room was clean, the coffee maker still had the coffee grounds from the last occupant in it and a cleaning rag was left in the bathroom. One off-putting element that likely isn't in the hotel's ability to fix is the little lake. It had a number of ducks and ducklings which are fun to watch but the shallow lake was filthy with feathers floating everywhere and "stuff" covering the bottom. Children were playing the water! It seems that the city is asking for a big problem.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Divani Meteora Hotel; City: Kalambaka Trikala Region Thessaly; Review: This 4-star hotel is basically in the middle mountainous central Greece. If it was in another location such as Athens I think it would be rated 3 star. Even taking that into account, I would recommend it despite being quite basic. It's clean, comfortable, and the staff were pleasant. The free Wi-Fi worked well. It appears to be built for bus tours although for the traveler on their own, there were many notices on their bulletin board, for tours around the area, especially to their world-class attraction - the monasteries. Our room overlooked a lovely swimming pool, the opposite side of the building was near the base of the astounding rock pillars where devout monks built their churches around 1400. Our only disappointment was the food, which was rather poor with frequently tasteless main courses.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Lopez Lodge; City: Lopez Island San Juan Islands Washington; Review: There's nothing fancy here but it's quiet, relaxing and well equipped. We stayed in early November and the room was cozy. Amenities are somewhat reduced but towels were soft, shower good, bed comfortable, and a lovely view of the nearby saltwater. It's connected to a great bakery and bookshop in the tiny village, so for a pleasant get away on a lovely island, what more do you need.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Times Square Suites Hotel; City: Vancouver British Columbia; Review: A great place for an extended stay with a fully equipped kitchen including dishwasher, washer and dryer. The furnishings are modest and the instructions on how to be eco-friendly are extensive. The bed was very comfortable but no bedside table. It's in a great location within easy walking to the center, the waterfront in both directions: English Bay in one direction and the Coal Harbor on the other. Tons of restaurants are nearby and Stanley Park is only a few blocks. Free and fast internet in the room and a nice terrace with a barbecue on the top floor.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Grande Denali Lodge; City: McKinley Village Denali National Park and Preserve Alaska; Review: Don't expect luxury digs (after all it's near a wilderness area). Nevertheless they are more than adequate with good wi-fi and comfortable beds. Some rooms have an excellent view of the surrounding mountains. The staff in the main lodge are very nice and helpful. I especially enjoyed the native art that decorates the entire area. The food served at the bar and restaurant is excellent - an unexpected bonus in such a remote area. The people at the tour desk are knowledgeable about all the opportunities for recreation in the area and a shuttle bus takes you to the main park entrance, railway station, and little town.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Citadines Strasbourg Kleber; City: Strasbourg Bas Rhin Grand Est; Review: Small serviced apartment ideal if you plan to stay in Strasbourg for medium length periods of time They have studios ie one bedroom apartment with small kitchenette facilities or two bedrooms apartments with sofas which turn into beds and small kitchenettes Clean, friendly service; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Adagio Strasbourg Place Kleber; City: Strasbourg Bas Rhin Grand Est; Review: Adagio provider you a home away from home: it's small apartments are fully equipped and furnished Cleaning is impeccable Prices are reasonable I stayed in a one bedroom apartment and a second person slept on the sofa bed in the living room Both beds were comfortable; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Monaco Grand Canal; City: Venice Veneto; Review: The hotel is at a stone this from St Mark's square: it cannot be more centrally located than this. The public areas such as reception, restaurant, hall ans breakfast rom are furnished in a modern rather impersonal style. In contrast the rooms are furnished in Venetian style: silk upholstery and guilted mirrors. The rooms can be small and some of them are dark as the windows open on a very narrow side street. Ask for a room facing the Grand Canal : you will see the stupendous Church Della Salute opposite you. The suites are lovely. Everything though comes at a rather high price.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Centro Culturale Don Orione Artigianelli; City: Venice Veneto; Review: This is a "casa d'ospitalita'religiosa" a hotel which is housed in a former convent where orphan or destitute children used to be homed. It is run as a normal hotel and welcomes individuals as well as groups of religious conviction or simply groups of regular tourists of any creed. The rooms are spacious and very clean. The nicest ones overlook the tranquil and attractive cloister. Furniture is what you would expect to find in a religious institution: no frills, contemporary, rational, a bit cold. No television. A crucifix in each room. Breakfast is simple but good. The prices are very competitive. The hotel has many good meeting rooms perfect for workshops and conferences. Service is extremely pleasant. This is the only hotel which I have visited which comes with its own church! It is wonderfully located at a two minutes walk from the central Accademia bridge and public transport.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Independente Hostel Suites; City: Lisbon Lisbon District Central Portugal; Review: Not to be recommended It is supposed to be vintage, it only succeeds in being shabby Furniture is old and scruffy, armchairs dirty Incredibly noisy as it does not have double glazing and is on a very busy, cobbled street And expensive for what it is: a little less than 100 euros for a double room including breakfast; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Saturnia International; City: Venice Veneto; Review: A family run hotel centrally located it is at a five minutes walk from St Mark's square and a good location if you plan a night at the Fenice Opera house. It has a Venetian atmosphere, as most of the rooms have furniture in the local style The restaurant is good at a reasonable price Good value for money; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Castle House Hotel; City: Canterbury Kent England; Review: Centrally located this is my favorite b&b in Canterbury Full English Breakfast is served in a nice dining room on the ground floor The bedrooms are cosy. Parking is available, a definite plus in central Canterbury The B&B is near the walls and the Norman castle and a ten minutes walk from the main shopping area and the cathedral; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Royal Rochebrune; City: Megeve Haute Savoie Auvergne Rhone Alpes; Review: The hotel's location could not be better: you walk a few steps up the hill (one minute) and you are at one of the main ski lifts of the area. You can hire your skiing gear there and then you are off on the 450 Km skiing runs of the MEGEVE valley. Nothing can beat that in convenience. True,there is a free bus going through the village which will take you to the ski lifts but have you tried that with children? And there is no waiting time for the bus if you are a guest of the Royal Rochebrune Hotel. The common areas in the hotel are comfortable: you have sofas, armchairs, a couple of computers, a billiard table and a television. The hotel also offers a free sauna: you need to book it in advance. We stayed for the third year running in a standard room. They are small. You can't open the door completely because it bangs against the double bed. The bathroom is extra small: you need to take turns because it cannot accommodate two people at the same time. Two small armchairs and a little table just about fit in front of a large double door window. The room feel cozy because of its wood wall and ceiling paneling. However the maintenance of the rooms needs to be improved. This year we stayed on the first floor. The corridors have scruff marks all over. In our room the armchairs were stained and needed reupholstering. The lighting in the rooms is very poor. Reading in bed or trying to find your things in the wardrobe is difficult. There were dead lamp bulbs which needed replacing. Our light shading curtains let a lot of light through because they were too small. We complained and the staff changed them to proper size ones. Service is good: Carmen as well as the other staff at the front desk are very helpful. We took half board as in the previous years. The village offers first rate restaurants but we cannot be bothered after a full day skiing . So we always have dinner at the hotel. This year 's chef is an improvement on previous years. The menu was interesting and varied: it became less so after six days in the hotel. You are given a choice of fish and meat for your main course. Luckily we did not have any vegetarians in the party this year as this can often prove to be a problem in France and also at this particular hotel. The choice of music at breakfast and dinner is questionable if you don't like disco dancing type of music. Price: we paid 337 euros per room half board for two people Dinner and breakfast ( which is excellent) were included and amounted to 55 euros per person which is not a bad deal for what we were given. So on the expensive side but possibly not for MEGEVE which is a chic and well known resort.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Greif Maria Theresia; City: Trieste Province of Trieste Friuli Venezia Giulia; Review: This is a favorite spot of ours for family reunions. In the summer the terrace is great and commands a superb view over the little harbour of Barcola. In winter the dining room is pleasant and never crowded. The service excellent the whole year round. The food is good: we normally have fish and shellfish. The desserts are also first rate. I never stayed at the hotel. But the whole atmosphere of the entrance hall and public places is very smart. The Trieste Rotary club meets for lunch here.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Residence Jean Sebastien Bach; City: Strasbourg Bas Rhin Grand Est; Review: If you are on a business visit to the European Parliament or to the Council of Europe, the Residence Bach is well located. You cross the wonderful park of the Orangerie, a ten to fifteen minutes very pleasant walk, and you are at your meeting. The residence offers serviced flats. They are small, one to two bedrooms. They all have a "kitchenette on a cupboard", television set and VDV player. They are quiet and the service is friendly.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hilton Molino Stucky Venice Hotel; City: Venice Veneto; Review: We did not stay in the hotel, only visited the public areas and had a drink in the bar on the top floor. I have rarely seen a better use of an industrial heritage site. It made me think of St Pancras station in London. The flour mill was a beautiful red brick building to start with but had fallen in a state of complete and utter desolation. It is now a wonderful highlight and part of the Giudecca skyline. Beautifully light up at night. Inside the hotel is more than what you would expect even from a Hilton: super luxury in excellent taste.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Gardens Suites Hotel by Affinia; City: New York City New York; Review: The hotel offers large rooms with kitchenette facilities. This allows you to stay in at night if you don't feel like going to a restaurant. The kitchenette is fully equipped with pots, pans, plates, coffee making pot. The location is good if you want to stay in the Upper East side , a nice part of town. The service is friendly. The rooms are quiet as the sound insulation is good, a definite plus in Manhattan. Our room had a sofa corner and a vanity table ( useful if you share the room with your husband and he spends hours in the bathroom!). We stayed a couple of years ago and would definitely come back. It such a plus to have so much room in central Manhattan! Other members of the family stay there regularly as we all visit my son and his young family who live in the area.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Allegria Hotel; City: Long Beach Long Island New York; Review: This is the only hotel on the oceanfront in Longbeach. We chose it because I was visiting family living in Manhattan and rather than seeing them at theirs we thought we would have a little outing together. We also chose Long Beach because I flew in to JFK from Europe. It took me only 25 minutes by taxi from the airport, a 60$ drive. The rooms are spacious and decorated in a modern style. The AC did not work in one of the rooms but the engineer came right away and fixed it. This is the second time we stay at the hotel. Last time some four years ago you could access the beach straight from the hotel. This time you could not but they gave us free beach passes: a good thing because adults and children over 13 yrs of age pay 15$ a day each to access the beach. The hotel is right on the board walk. We used the swimming pool on the terraces, small but the terrace commands a super view of the beach. The management and staff at the desk were helpful and efficient. Rooms are pricey: we paid an average of 500$ a night but that included the Memorial Day week end. We did not use the restaurant ( expensive) and went to the many good and reasonably priced local restaurants.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Via del Corso Home; City: Rome Lazio; Review: A nice b&b centrally located, well appointed The furniture is stylish and the beds extremely comfortable Breakfast is served in the rooms and is extremely copious and well presented Service was super friendly and attentive Sound insulation is excellent and the noise of the surrounding streets is kept well out of the room Very large flat television Good price quality ratio I paid 150 euros for a double room single occupancy; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Araba Fenice; City: Pilzone Iseo Province of Brescia Lombardy; Review: Our room overlooked the lake where we went for a lovely swim. Funnily enough we seemed to be the only ones who did: everyone else preferred the swimming pool. The room was nicely decorated but not very spacious. The restaurant was a real treat. We had the set lake fish menu and plenty of excellent local wines. Our table was right on the edge of the water, very peaceful and romantic. The service was friendly and efficient. We would definitely go back.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Les Grands Montets; City: Chamonix Haute Savoie Auvergne Rhone Alpes; Review: The hotel is ideally situated near the Grand Montets gondola. Only a couple of minutes walk. We stayed in the cheapest rooms (Classic ): the interior deco was not great. I gather that they are gradually refurbishing the hotel and have not got around to doing the less expensive ones up. However the windows were large and offered a nice view over the mountains. The rooms very rather spacious , mattresses good and bed linen were frequently changed. Another plus: lighting was great( often mountain hotels in the Alps have very poor lighting) Breakfast was excellent and service courteous and efficient. The hotel has a sauna, small swimming pool, jacuzzi, gym room, all in very good nick, clean and pleasantly decorated. Also a bar and chalet style common spaces. It does not have a restaurant. so for evening meals we went to Argentiere by foot: a ten minutes walk to the local village which is in the outskirts of Chamonix. If you have small children and don't want the evening trek to the village, the hotel has three fabulous apartments with kitchenettes where you can fix your evening meal. We paid roughly 170 euros per double room and thought the price quality ratio was good.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Palazzo Rocchi; City: Lucca Province of Lucca Tuscany; Review: The B&B is run by the heirs of the Rocchi family, owners of the Palazzo Rocchi. Centrally located near St Michael church it has ten beds in two double rooms and three rather grand suites. I stayed in an extremely spacious apartment which the family uses as an overflow. It was charmingly decorated. Breakfast is copious and the owners do all they can to please you. The decoration of the suites is lovely : frescos, marble fireplaces and comfortable period furniture. Prices were very reasonable for the standard of service offered.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Distilling the Scene: Painting Watercolour (Paint Watercolour); Author: Visit Amazon's Ron Ranson Page; Review: I gave 5 stars even if it didn't arrived on time! The book is like new & is exactly what I wanted. I am very pleased. It was worth waiting for. It came from the UK & was probably delayed in customs. It was 6 days late. I would still use this seller again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: How to Stay Christian in College: An Interactive Guide to Keeping the Faith; Author: Visit Amazon's J. Budziszewski Page; Review: Purchased two of these books for nieces. Well received. Easy reading.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Watercolour Flowers (Ready to Paint); Author: Visit Amazon's Wendy Tait Page; Review: Very pleased with this book. Looking forward to getting into it more.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Watercolor for the first time; Author: Visit Amazon's Kory Fluckiger Page; Review: Excellent service. Book as described.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Exploring Watercolor: Creative Exercises and Techniques for Painting With Watermedia; Author: Visit Amazon's Elizabeth Groves Page; Review: Very pleased with this book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Art Handbooks: Wild Flowers in Watercolour; Author: Visit Amazon's Wendy Tait Page; Review: I'm very pleased with this little book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: When I Found You; Author: Visit Amazon's Catherine Ryan Hyde Page; Review: I really enjoyed this book. It kept my interest all the way through. A story of faithful love no matter how tough life is. First book I have read by this author. I will read more.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Moog K80276 Cam Bolt Kit; Brand: Moog; Review: It firs; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: TMS Youth Kids White Pink Butterfly Dirt Bike ATV Motocross Off-road Helmet DOT with Goggles and Gloves (Medium); Brand: TMS; Review: Nice items for my 7 yr old girls; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Club 1000 Original Club Steering Wheel Lock, Red; Brand: Winner International; Review: ; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Omix-Ada 17103.04 Coolant Overflow Bottle; Brand: Omix-Ada; Review: Not and OEM but looks ol and fits; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Coverking Custom Fit Seat Cover for Jeep Wrangler TJ 2-Door - (Neoprene, Black/Yellow); Brand: Coverking; Review: Fit is perfect, highly recomended, better than expected Wrangler 2003; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Automotive |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Webkinz Rabbit; Brand: Webkinz; Review: I bought this as a raffle prize for an event that was a series of human animal role play races. Everyone loved them. It was adorable, not too small, not too big, just sweet and squishy soft. Groom it a bit when you take it out of the bag to look its best for presentation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Webkinz Clydesdale; Brand: Webkinz; Review: I bought this as a raffle prize for an event that was a series of human animal role play races. Everyone loved them. It was adorable, not too small, not too big, just sweet and squishy soft. Groom it a bit when you take it out of the bag to look its best for presentation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Webkinz Black Stallion Friesian Horse; Brand: Webkinz; Review: I bought this as a raffle prize for an event that was a series of human animal role play races. Everyone loved them. It was adorable, not too small, not too big, just sweet and squishy soft. Groom it a bit when you take it out of the bag to look its best for presentation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Aurora World Inc. 8" Bitty (Bunny); Brand: Aurora World Inc.; Review: I bought this as a raffle prize for an event that was a series of human animal role play races. Everyone loved them. It was adorable, not too small, not too big, just sweet and squishy soft. Groom it a bit when you take it out of the bag to look its best for presentation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Webkinz Schnauzer; Brand: Webkinz; Review: I bought this as a raffle prize for an event that was a series of human animal role play races. Everyone loved them. It was adorable, not too small, not too big, just sweet and squishy soft. Groom it a bit when you take it out of the bag to look its best for presentation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Webkinz Himalayan; Brand: Webkinz; Review: I bought this as a raffle prize for an event that was a series of human animal role play races. Everyone loved them. It was adorable, not too small, not too big, just sweet and squishy soft. Groom it a bit when you take it out of the bag to look its best for presentation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Webkinz Siamese Cat; Brand: Webkinz; Review: I bought this as a raffle prize for an event that was a series of human animal role play races. Everyone loved them. It was adorable, not too small, not too big, just sweet and squishy soft. Groom it a bit when you take it out of the bag to look its best for presentation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Webkinz Lamb; Brand: Webkinz; Review: I bought this as a raffle prize for an event that was a series of human animal role play races. Everyone loved them. It was adorable, not too small, not too big, just sweet and squishy soft. Groom it a bit when you take it out of the bag to look its best for presentation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Aurora Mini Flopsie 8" BAILIE GOLDEN RETRIEVER DOG; Brand: Aurora; Review: I bought this as a raffle prize for an event that was a series of human animal role play races. Everyone loved them. It was adorable, not too small, not too big, just sweet and squishy soft. Groom it a bit when you take it out of the bag to look its best for presentation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Haktoys Regular Transparent Bubble Gun Shooter Light Up Blower Machine | Bubble Blaster for Kids, Parties, Etc.; Brand: Haktoys; Review: Exactly what I expected. Works great.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ganz Lil'Kinz Horse 6.5" Plush; Brand: Ganz; Review: I bought this as a raffle prize for an event that was a series of human animal role play races. Everyone loved them. It was adorable, not too small, not too big, just sweet and squishy soft. Groom it a bit when you take it out of the bag to look its best for presentation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ganz Lil'Kinz Yorkie 6.5" Plush; Brand: Ganz; Review: I bought this as a raffle prize for an event that was a series of human animal role play races. Everyone loved them. It was adorable, not too small, not too big, just sweet and squishy soft. Groom it a bit when you take it out of the bag to look its best for presentation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Webkinz Grey Arabian; Brand: Webkinz; Review: I bought this as a raffle prize for an event that was a series of human animal role play races. Everyone loved them. It was adorable, not too small, not too big, just sweet and squishy soft. Groom it a bit when you take it out of the bag to look its best for presentation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ganz Lil'Kinz Poodle 6.5" Plush, Black; Brand: Ganz; Review: I bought this as a raffle prize for an event that was a series of human animal role play races. Everyone loved them. It was adorable, not too small, not too big, just sweet and squishy soft. Groom it a bit when you take it out of the bag to look its best for presentation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Toys_and_Games |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Mushrooms Demystified; Author: Visit Amazon's David Arora Page; Review: An excellent book but a bit difficult to use and definitely not for a neophyte like myself. I probably would give it five stars as I become more knowlegeable about the subject.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Essential Ppin: More Than 700 All-Time Favorites from My Life in Food; Author: Jacques Ppin; Review: Jacques is probably my favorite TV chef. He is effortless in the kitchen. His knife work is astonishing and he produces delicious food that is not so complicated as to be not worth the effort. A good book!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of New England and Eastern Canada: A Photographic Guidebook to Finding and Using Key Species; Author: Visit Amazon's David L. Spahr Page; Review: Down to earth (pun intended) and useful. Not a scientific tome but a pragmatic handbook.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Understanding Earth; Author: John Grotzinger; Review: I was looking for a comprehensive book on Geology that wasn't so technical I would have to go back to school to get through it. This book works admirably. It's technical, but not to the point of being obscure. For an in depth view of the Earth Sciences it is very good!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything; Author: Visit Amazon's Christopher Hitchens Page; Review: Whatever your conclusions this book will make you inspect your beliefs as never before. Highly recommended!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Forest Forensics: A Field Guide to Reading the Forested Landscape; Author: Visit Amazon's Tom Wessels Page; Review: As a companion to his other book this is terrific!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Pri-G Gasoline Treatment - 32 oz.; Brand: Power Research Inc; Review: Good price for this quality stabilizer, others like this one cost more and don't work as well. This works well and would recommend to anyone looking for particular item and this was the best price I found anywhere.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Gates 31830 Fuel Tank Cap; Brand: Gates; Review: Div of Motor Vehicle said I needed it replace it, passed inspection.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: STA-BIL 22264 360 Performance with Vapor Technology -10 oz.; Brand: Sta-Bil; Review: Does what it states, this is my hird or fourth bottle. Use ethanol treatment for today's gas.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Coleman MadDog GearATV Thumb Assist Control - 2000007488; Brand: Coleman; Review: Not bad for the money... took a little to make it fit and work.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bosch 7900 Copper with Nickel Spark Plug (Pack of 1); Brand: Bosch; Review: Bought to have on hamd.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Tire Inflator, 3-in-1 Inflation Gun, with Gun, Locking Chuck and 2-inch Gauge, NPT and Flexible Hose (Campbell Hausfeld MP600000AV); Brand: Campbell Hausfeld; Review: Not bad, clamps onto the valve stem which makes it easier for some vehicles and bicycles.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Sierra Tools Battery-Operated Liquid Transfer Pump, Model# JB5684; Brand: Northern Tool + Equipment; Review: Works great; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: NGK RC-FDZ080 Spark Plug Wire Set; Brand: NGK; Review: Helped in my Ford at 95,000 miles along with the ignition block.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: TEKTON 5941 Digital Tire Gauge, 100 PSI; Brand: TEKTON; Review: Yes, love this little gauge and works well, quickly.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mobil 1 (120768 High Mileage 5W-20 Motor Oil - 5 Quart; Brand: Mobil 1; Review: Always use it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: E3 Spark Plug E3.53 Automotive Spark Plug, Pack of 1; Brand: E3 Spark Plugs; Review: Used in many vehicles and machinery and would recommend to everyone.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: APDTY 084537 Blower Motor Resistor BMR Kit w/Wiring Harness Pigtail Connector; Brand: APDTY; Review: Worked for my 2002 Durango just fine, all I needed was the wiring, the resistor was fine so put it away for later.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Stant 10838 Fuel Cap; Brand: Stant; Review: Working so far as replacement.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Raybestos PGD833C Professional Grade Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set; Brand: Raybestos; Review: Worked well, so much less dust than what was on the Ranger I bought and came with it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Partsam 48" Truck Tailgate Red/white LED Light Bar for Reverse Running Brake Turn Signal for GMC Sierra C1500-C3500; Brand: Partsam; Review: Works so far...; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: MIU COLOR Foldable Cargo Trunk Organizer Big Capacity Washable Storage with Metal Handles Black (NO Cooler); Brand: MIU COLOR; Review: Wife in her vehicle, she likes it and uses it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Pilot Automotive CC-6223 Camouflage ATV Cover, Large; Brand: Pilot; Review: Bought hoping it was a better product.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Honey-Can-Do Folding Car Trunk Organizer, Black; Brand: Honey-Can-Do; Review: CHEAP! CHEAP! CHEAP! If I could leave '0' stars I would, Purchased similar in the past and it was heavier, a;almost canvas material, this is soooo thin. The previous purchased had panels so you could add some stability to the bottom, this has nothing. Material cheap. Sewing cheap and would not be able to life this out so it would stay stable to carry anything inside the bag. Better material used in a clothes pin bag. Honey-Can-Do better and forget this one. Unless you want to buy one from me as stupidly I bought two without seeing. My wife has a Ford Escapt and IO a Durango, both SUV and this was a waste of money.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Coleman MadDog GearAll Weather Protection ATV Cover - 2000007483; Brand: Coleman; Review: See how it holds up over the winter months.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: SYLVANIA 9007 XtraVision Halogen Headlight Bulb, (Contains 2 Bulbs); Brand: Sylvania; Review: Good price.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: SYLVANIA - 9007 (HB5) SilverStar zXe High Performance Halogen Headlight Bulb - Bright White Light Output, HID; Brand: Sylvania; Review: Good price.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mothers Detail Brush Set - 2 Pack; Brand: Mothers; Review: Will try them and what I see and feel looks good.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dorman 65385 AutoGrade Oil Drain Plug; Brand: Dorman; Review: Needed one and ordered because I needed it, a part that hopefully fits as it states.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Custom Accessories 92515 Clear License Plate Protector; Brand: Custom Accessories; Review: Ordered another 2-pack and did not need four so ordered this one. While cleaning up plates and installing the 2-pack of Zone Tech Clear License Plate Shields - 2-Pack Novelty/License Plate Clear Bubble Shields, this single plate when taken out of the wrapper felt like hard plastic with little give. Removed the plate, cleaned the frame and installed. While tightening the second bolt as it was pulling everything 'together' it cracked around the nut and frame and there was not that much pressure. If you want a better deal, don't order unless it does not require tightening, and I was using the proper screwdriver, the other two went on fine, this one cracked and not only out the money but have to buy another. Like throwing money away...; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: E3 Spark Plug E3.54 Automotive Spark Plug, Pack of 1; Brand: E3 Spark Plugs; Review: Best all around plugs; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Set of 6 Ignition Coils for Various Ford Mazda Mercury 3.0L V6 fits DG-500 / DG500 / FD502; Brand: Parts Galaxy; Review: Working well, good price.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: ANCO 31-Series 31-20 Wiper Blade -20", (Pack of 1); Brand: Anco; Review: Did the job, will see how long it lasts.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Auto Expressions Premier Visor Organizer; Brand: Auto Expressions; Review: Replacement item, other wore out and probably ordering another.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Kingshowstar 49" Auto Tailgate LED Light Bar Red White Reverse Stop Running Brake Turn Signal; Brand: Kingshowstar; Review: Great item, especially when pulling the trailer or on the road all day,; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: TuningPros SRV-M Sunroof Moonroof Top Wind Deflector Visor Thickness 1.4mm 38.5" (980mm) Dark Smoke Set of 1; Brand: Tuningpros; Review: So far so good, relly cuts down the draft and the NOISE on my Ford Escape, now I use the sun roof...; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: DEDC Car Windshield Cleaner Wipe Tool from Inside Window Glass Cleaning Tool for Home Bedroom with Long Handle Blue; Brand: DEDC; Review: Easy to use, spray cleaner on, wipe off, was when dirty.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: CIPA 32000 10" Day/ Night Rearview Mirror"; Brand: CIPA; Review: Works, wider view on my work truck.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Yuasa YUAM320BS YTX20L-BS Battery; Brand: Yuasa; Review: New in box, working well.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment Concentrate - Rejuvenate & Stabilize Old Gasoline, Cure Ethanol Problems, Improve MPG, Reduce; Brand: Star Brite; Review: Have to use for awhile to see any difference. Good price...; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Star Tron Ring Clean+ Plus Deposit Control Fuel Additive with Enzyme Technology - 16 oz; Brand: Star Brite; Review: Have to use for awhile to see any difference. Good price...; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: ONLINE LED STORE Automotive DC Power Outlet Extension w/On-Off Switch [Heavy Duty] [12V-24V] [15 Amp] [In-Line Fuse]; Brand: ONLINE LED STORE; Review: As described, fast shipping.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Motorcraft EV267 Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve; Brand: Motorcraft; Review: As described, fast shipping.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Motorcraft TPMS-3 Sensor Assy-Tyre Pressure Monitor; Brand: Motorcraft; Review: As described, fast shipping.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: TEKTON 4964 Impact Universal Joint Set,3-Piece; Brand: TEKTON; Review: Have not used yet but seem very well made.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dorman 095-159 Oil Drain Plug Gasket, (Pack of 10); Brand: Dorman; Review: Work well.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Motor Trend MT-923-BG FlexTough Contour Liners - Deep Dish Heavy Duty Rubber Floor Mats for Car SUV Truck; Brand: Motor Trend; Review: Although claims to fit my vehicle, it does not. Should have gone to Sam's for less, this is light weight and doesn't fit properly.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 | amazon_Automotive |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: LL Womens Round Neck 3/4 Sleeves Tunic Dress - Made in USA; Brand: Lock and Love; Review: It barely covers my butt! It is way too short.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Del Rossa Womens Adele Cotton Nightgown, Long Victorian Sleepwear; Brand: ; Review: I always love cotton nightgowns and this one fits great.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Just My Size Women's Satin Stretch Wire-Free Plus Size Bra (1960); Brand: ; Review: I like the fabric and the comfort.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bali Women's Double-Support Wire-Free Bra #3820; Brand: ; Review: Fits well and is very comfortable.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hanes Women's Value Crew Sock (10 Pack); Brand: ; Review: These socks are warm but not heavy! I think they are just great for everyday wear in shoes or boots.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: SlimMe Patrona High Waist Thigh Shaper - Shapewear Black; Brand: ; Review: It actually fit better than expected and is lightweight.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Holiday Inn Express Boston Waltham; City: Waltham Massachusetts; Review: It was hard to find a hotel near Boston that would not break my bank, but this one fit the bill. It has all the quality amenities one expects at a Holiday Inn Express. It was clean and the rooms comfortable. It has good access to the interstate and into Boston.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shoreline Towers; City: Gulf Shores Alabama; Review: This place is not fancy, but it was a perfect fit for us. Wonderful beach that is not crowded, huge rooms with a big ocean front balcony, and a nice pool. It is at the end of the commercial/condo strip, which gets you out of the crowded area, but close enough to the restaurants.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Days Inn by Wyndham Hilton Head; City: Hilton Head South Carolina; Review: We had a nice stay. The mgnt was hospitable. The pool is great, but it is close to the rooms in the middle of the complex. Not bad if you are on a tight budget and are good without the luxury. Centrally located on the Island, so it is close to the beaches, Coligne square and Harbor Town; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Indigo Boston Newton Riverside; City: Newton Massachusetts; Review: There were not many options for a business trip to the Newton area, but we were pleasantly surprised with this Hotel Indigo. Very well renovated with a great restaurant. The staff was very friendly and helpful with a couple of requests. Easy access to I-90 into Boston.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Holiday Inn Express Custer; City: Custer South Dakota; Review: We are fans of Holiday Inn Express and this location is now near the top of the list. We found it to be clean, well taken care of and comfortable. It has a great indoor pool and hottub, a great view to the rear of the property, and a great outdoor sitting area. Custer is a great central location for all there is to do in the Black Hills area. We went for one of the rooms with a balcony and really enjoyed it at night.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Discovery Lodge; City: Estes Park Colorado; Review: It can be difficult to find a quality place in Estes Park that does not require a two or three night minimum, but Discovery Lodge was perfect for our one night stay as we got set for the Trail Ridge Road . Very comfortable and cozy for our family of 4. May have gotten a little tight for us and our two teenage boys if we had planned a longer stay, but we had a great stay here.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Highlands at Sugar; City: Banner Elk North Carolina; Review: The units are several years old, but they are spacious. It is located at the top of Sugar Mountain with great views of the Valley and of nearby Banner Elk and Beech Mountain. The huge hot tub in the unit was great as well. The units do not have AC, which was not a problem in December but it could be an issue in the summer. Great place to stay and relax.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hyatt Regency St Louis at The Arch; City: Saint Louis Missouri; Review: The hotel is right in the shadow of the Arch as close to the Mississippi River as you can get. Walkable to all of the other downtown attractions (Old Courthouse, Ballpark Village, etc.). We had a good experience with our check in and stay. Each staff person we came in contact with was very polite. The room was good, a bit small if more that two, but adequate for us. They do have some minor issues with their TV system that they should address.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hampton Inn Suites Rome; City: Rome Georgia; Review: My wife and I have stayed here twice before, but this was our first time with an odd numbered room that fronts to the major highway. The hotel is modern and the staff is great, but an even numbered room that over looks the rear parking lot is a must. The road and engine noise never stopped. We will go back, but only after guaranteed an even numbered room.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Mohawk Motel Canada; City: Massey Northeastern Ontario Ontario; Review: The staff was very polite and helpful. Room, bed. bath, shower comfortable, fluffy pillows. The comforter was amazing cozy. Microwave and fridge, Plus we had a DVD player to use. I am so pleased I will stay again when I am there. The area is quiet.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Thunder Bay Inn; City: Thunder Bay Thunder Bay District Ontario; Review: This is the third time we have stayed here in the last year. Rooms are clean and spacious. There are microwaves and fridges in the rooms plus hi speed internet. All rooms are none smoking which is nice. There are in room movies. but you can not view anything that is still in theaters. No elevator. Comp breakfast is offered from 6 to 9 am.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Days Inn Suites by Wyndham Whitecourt; City: Whitecourt Alberta; Review: The room was clean and nice. The bed was comfortable as well as the pillows. Staff was freindly. The only draw back is it is very warm because of the fire place. The air conditioning is noisy as well. Breakfast wasn't that great. Cold cheese omlet. There were muffins, cereal; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Super 8 by Wyndham High Level AB; City: High Level Alberta; Review: Good clean hotel, Nice rooms, Comfy bed. Continental Breakfast is really good. Hot and cold iteams are available. Fruit as well. Staff is friendly and helpful. Pool is still out of order. I like the fact that if you are a YK Co-op member they will give you a discount on the room.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: West Coast Motel on the Harbour; City: Ucluelet Barkley Sound Alberni Clayoquot Regional Dist; Review: Check in was fast and friendly. We stayed 3 nights. Beautiful place, friendly people. On site guest laundry available. Beds are comfortable. We had a Microwave and frig in out room. Rooms were very clean. No air conditioners in the room but you can open the windows and/patio doors. Our room didn't have screens. So not sure if all the rooms are this way. All in all we enjoyed our stay greatly and will defiantly come here when we return.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Super 8 by Wyndham Hinton; City: Hinton Alberta; Review: Checkin was fast and friendly. Then evening staff was very pleasant and easy to talk to. The morning staff was nowhere to be found at check out and slowed down our check out time. The room was dated. The desk in out room really needs to be replaced as the top of it had really bad water damage. There was no comfortable sitting area other than the bed. Don't get me wrong there were 2 chairs in the room but they were the same as were in the breakfast area. Can't really sit and relax in these chairs after a long day of driving. Would have been better had there been a small couch or comfy chair in there. Prices are fair, breakfast is good, bed was comfortable. Plus side, guest laundry is available.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Super 8 by Wyndham Whitecourt; City: Whitecourt Alberta; Review: Stopped in for the night. Quick check in. I booked a King room but ended up with a double queen. Entered the room and it was freezing. Would have been nice if they had pre-warmed it. Had to leave for an hour before the room was warm enough to stay in. Breakfast was kinda lame this morning. Only 6 sausages, cold boiled eggs, 3 muffins, 10 bagels, some bread and cereal available. Usually they have more for 8:00 am but not today.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Super 8 by Wyndham Peace River AB; City: Peace River Alberta; Review: Fast friendly check in and check out. Super breakfast was excellent. One of the best I have had at a Super 8. The rooms are clean and quiet . Beds are very comfy. Watched a little tv so I can say the reception is very good as well. For a hotel the towels are even fluffy. Not over used and scratchy. I would defiantly recommend staying here and will be back myself.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Super 8 by Wyndham High Level AB; City: High Level Alberta; Review: I have been staying at this hotel for many many years and this time I was disappointed. I was here a few months ago and I can tell something has changed around here. Is it new management? Is it new a owner? Or could it be the staff? Every year when the weather warms up they hang flower baskets from the hooks in the entry way. This is so warm and welcoming. But they haven't done this, this year. Entryway looks kinda lacking, sad in a way. I checked in last night and the front desk staff took about 10 min to realize I was there waiting even thought I rang the bell a couple of times. When she did get to the desk another guest she knew was there and she started talking to him. He had to tell her I was here first and she should be serving me first. He was very polite. She seemed confused and didn't know which side of the hotel my room was on. We were on the bottom floor which you have to access from the inside first time before unloading your vehicle front the outside. So I sent my spouse to the wrong side of the hotel. Cause she said it was on the back side when in fact it was on the front side. This morning I came in to the dinning area and noticed the homey feeling was missing. The nice added touch of the table decorations were gone. The food area looked messy. There were romen noodles all over the coffee dispensing machine tray. The kitchen area where they prepare the breakfast was a mess. Limited sugar, tea, cream, hot choc, oat meal, yogurt and fruit were provided and I was here at 5:30 am. You would think everything would be fully stocked at this time. I was also hoping to enjoy the hot tub as my feet and hips take a dislike to road trips. But these are out of service until further notice as per the sign taped on the front desk. On a good note the room was clean and quiet. Pillows are nice and fluffy. Bed is a little hard but I like softer mattresses so not their fault. I hope when I return the atmosphere will have improved.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Travelodge Nanaimo; City: Nanaimo Vancouver Island British Columbia; Review: The room was great, beautiful. Quick check in. A/C seemed small for the size of the room. Maybe if they cleaned the filter it would work better. This hotel offers a free breakfast. But their breakfast area only has 6 or 7 tables for a place that has about 60 rooms. I have been checking the breakfast area since around 6:50 this morning to see if there is any tables open yet. It is now 8:33 and the place is still jam packed full. We couldn't get for breakfast yesturday either cause of the same situation so we were forced to go to a restaurant for breakfast. So there is an added cost for breakfast if you can't get in. The only real hot thing offered is waffles if the batter isn't watered down like it was the first day. Many people had trouble with their batter sticking to the grill. They do offer guest laundry. A little expensive. But if u need clean clothes what the heck.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Best Western Pacific Inn; City: Vernon Okanagan Valley British Columbia; Review: Fast check in. Clean room even though our room was a little small. It was quite nice. Complimentary tea and coffee 24/7 in the lobbie which was very nice as I am up all hours of the night. All of the staff is very helpful. I would defiantly stay here again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Super 8 by Wyndham Whitecourt; City: Whitecourt Alberta; Review: We always at this hotel when we go thru Whitecourt. The staff is friendly. The rooms are clean. Even though there are quite a few a oil crew fellows that stay here the hotel is quite quiet. I had a small problem of running out of sugar for my nightly tea but this was delt with quickly. That was very nice I thought . The breakfast is always good. We will be returning on our next trip.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Prestige Radium Hot Springs Resort; City: Radium Hot Springs Kootenay Rockies British Columbia; Review: Fast check in and check out. We had a king kitechenette. The room was large and clean. Fully stocked with everything you would need in a kitchen. Just bring food. The freezer didn't work that well. No coffee or hot water offered at front desk between 11 pm to about 6 am. Which kinda sucks if you are up at all hours of the night and don't want to wake your partner by making hot water in the room. All in all room was good. Would return.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Insurgent (Divergent, #2); Author: Veronica Roth; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Love, love, LOVE this series!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss, #3); Author: Stephanie Perkins; Genres: fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: Love, love, LOVED this. Didn't want it to end. Now I may do a series re-read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Fault in Our Stars; Author: John Green; Genres: romance, young-adult, fiction; Review: One of the best YA books I have read, hands down. And I've read a lot of YA books.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1); Author: E.L. James; Genres: young-adult, romance, fiction; Review: It took me until over halfway through the book before I could even stand the characters. If I hadn't been reading it for book club, I might have stopped. The characters did become less one-dimensional as the book went on, but there wasn't a lot of plot. I probably won't read the sequels.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Shatter Me (Shatter Me, #1); Author: Tahereh Mafi; Genres: young-adult, romance, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I really liked this book and am very much looking forward to the sequels. The only thing that was sort of distracting was the fact that I kept thinking to myself, "Isn't this the plot of X-Men?!";); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Gone Girl; Author: Gillian Flynn; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: I am someone who can usually guess the twists in books, but this one continually surprised me. I couldn't put it down! I just didn't know who to root for!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Eleanor & Park; Author: Rainbow Rowell; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I cannot express how much I loved this book. Funny and bittersweet and so different from other books in this genre. I didn't want it to end!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Two Boys Kissing; Author: David Levithan; Genres: fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: I loved this book so much.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike, #1); Author: Robert Galbraith; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: A really fun and captivating read. Can't wait for the next one. Nice to have some new JKR work to anticipate.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dreams of Gods & Monsters (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #3); Author: Laini Taylor; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Loved this series so much. This was a fitting ending. So sad it's over. Can't wait to re-read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: We Were Liars; Author: E. Lockhart; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: A really different and good read, though I figured out the twist about a third of the way through. Recommended!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: I'll Give You the Sun; Author: Jandy Nelson; Genres: fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: Loved.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Armada; Author: Ernest Cline; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: A fun, fast-paced read that somehow seemed almost too quick. I missed the cleverness of Ready Player One, but still enjoyed this book.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Yes Please; Author: Amy Poehler; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction; Review: Everyone should listen to this book. That's right, I said listen.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Royal We; Author: Heather Cocks; Genres: young-adult, romance, fiction; Review: Thoroughly enjoyed this. Sweet and funny. I didn't want it to end. Sequel please! REREAD!!! Loved it just as much (if not more) the second time.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Martian; Author: Andy Weir; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: You guys, I freaking loved this book. I listened to it while I was running and would be so sad when my run ended because I wanted to keep listening. I can't wait for the movie.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl; Author: Jesse Andrews; Genres: romance, young-adult, fiction; Review: I had a really hard time getting into this book because I found the narrator sort of insufferable (think Order of the Phoenix when I just wanted Harry to stop whining already!) but he did grow on me as the story went on. I am looking forward to seeing the movie.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, #1); Author: Benjamin Alire Saenz; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Such a beautiful book. This one will be a future re-read for sure.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Me Before You (Me Before You, #1); Author: Jojo Moyes; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: I was a little wary of reading this because I had read all the controversy, but I really saw this as the story of one man's life and one man's choice, not as a statement of what every person in this situation should or must do. So, don't let the controversy keep you from reading.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Challenger Deep; Author: Neal Shusterman; Genres: paranormal, fantasy, young-adult, fiction; Review: An insightful and creative look into the life and mind of a person with a mental illness. Confusing at first, but becomes clearer as the story goes on, just as it does for the protagonist.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 172 Hours on the Moon; Author: Johan Harstad; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: What the actual hell?; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Leaving Time; Author: Jodi Picoult; Genres: romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Totally didn't call the twist at the end, which is rare for me with her books.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Carry On; Author: Rainbow Rowell; Genres: young-adult, romance, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I'm in love with this book. I only wish there were 7 more. It's been a while since I wanted to stay up all night reading a book, but my Harry Potter loving heart couldn't get enough of this one.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: These Broken Stars (Starbound, #1); Author: Amie Kaufman; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Loved this. Excited to read the sequel, though am kind of bummed to discover it's about completely different characters.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Everything, Everything; Author: Nicola Yoon; Genres: fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: I had such a book hangover after finishing Carry On that I started and stopped more than one book. But this one I read in one sitting.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Gracefully Grayson; Author: Ami Polonsky; Genres: children, young-adult, fiction; Review: Loved this. Also made me nostalgic for the family that is the theatre.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: If You Could Be Mine; Author: Sara Farizan; Genres: fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: It hurts.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Prince's Gambit (Captive Prince, #2); Author: C.S. Pacat; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: I'm so glad I didn't discover this series until all three books were out. The waiting might have killed me.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Haunting of Sunshine Girl (The Haunting of Sunshine Girl, #1); Author: Paige McKenzie; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: If you love Maureen Johnson's Shades of London series, you will love Sunshine. In the words of Kat Griffith, it is creeptastic.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Price of Salt; Author: Claire Morgan; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: I think I was supposed to like Carol more than I actually did. I found her irritating and overly dramatic and I didn't really understand Therese's attraction to her. I kind of wanted to shake Therese and tell her to have a little self respect. She deserved better. I'm interested to see if I feel differently about the movie.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock; Author: Matthew Quick; Genres: young-adult, fiction; Review: I ended up really loving this. Very different and unexpected.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Crown (The Selection, #5); Author: Kiera Cass; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Wah wah.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Running Dream; Author: Wendelin Van Draanen; Genres: romance, children, young-adult, fiction; Review: I just loved this.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: We Are the Ants; Author: Shaun David Hutchinson; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: My favorite thing I've read this year.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two (Harry Potter, #8); Author: John Tiffany; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I heart Scorpius Malfoy.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity, #1); Author: Victoria Schwab; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Ahhhh, when you finish a book and don't realize it's going to be a series...; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Goodbye Days; Author: Jeff Zentner; Genres: romance, young-adult, fiction; Review: This was just lovely.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda; Author: Becky Albertalli; Genres: fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: Loooooooovvvvveeeeedddd. Re-read before the movie comes out. Just as great as I remember!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: An Ember in the Ashes (An Ember in the Ashes, #1); Author: Sabaa Tahir; Genres: history, young-adult, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Loved this. Just loved it. Can't wait to read the next one.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2); Author: Sarah J. Maas; Genres: young-adult, romance, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Ahhhhhhh!!! Why did I start reading this series before they were all released?!?! So good and so hard to wait for the next one.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Warcross (Warcross, #1); Author: Marie Lu; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Fans of Ready Player One need to pick this up ASAP.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Zookeeper's Wife; Author: Diane Ackerman; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: More like a 3.5. I wanted this to be more of a narrative than it was. I struggled with the writing style and admittedly did a lot of skimming trying to get back to the story. I'm interested to see if I like the movie more.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Eliza and Her Monsters; Author: Francesca Zappia; Genres: young-adult, romance, comics, paranormal, graphic, fantasy, fiction; Review: <3; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Alex, Approximately; Author: Jenn Bennett; Genres: fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: I just ate this up. It was DELICIOUS.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Turtles All the Way Down; Author: John Green; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: A candidate for my favorite JG book. I have never identified with one of his characters so much.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | goodreads |
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows:
Title: Spider (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sweet Home Alabama (2002); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Captain Corelli's Mandolin (2001); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Liebestraum (1991); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Piano (1993); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sleeping With the Enemy (1991); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Out of Africa (1985); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Driving Miss Daisy (1989); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Mrs. Doubtfire (1993); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Before Sunrise (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Bridges of Madison County (1995); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Autumn in New York (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: A Clockwork Orange (1971); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Airplane! (1980); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Shining (1980); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: South Park: Bigger (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Harold and Maude (1971); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Father of the Bride (1950); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Chocolat (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Titanic (1997); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: South Park: Winter Wonderland (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Story of O (1975); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Naked Gun (1988); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The English Patient (1996); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dances With Wolves: Special Edition (1990); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Far and Away (1992); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Chicago (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Moulin Rouge (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Ring (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Amelie (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Kundalini Yoga (2000); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Depeche Mode: The Videos '86-'98 (1998); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: A Beautiful Mind (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: 28 Days Later (2002); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Mulholland Drive (2001); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Panic Room (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Alex and Emma (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Serendipity (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Signs (2002); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: While You Were Sleeping (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Grey Owl (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Maid in Manhattan (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Angels and Insects (1996); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Cast Away (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: White Oleander (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Meet the Parents (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Two Weeks Notice (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Sunshine (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Tuck Everlasting (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Girl (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The End of the Affair (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Native American Medicine (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: America's Sweethearts (2001); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: You've Got Mail (1998); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Onegin (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Punch-Drunk Love (2002); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Blair Witch Project (1999); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Italian for Beginners (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Cider House Rules (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Wedding Planner (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Big Fish (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Return to Me (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Bounce (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Swept from the Sea (1997); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Love Actually (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Snow Falling on Cedars (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Adaptation (2002); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Along Came Polly (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Cold Mountain (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Neale Donald Walsch: On Abundance and Holistic Living (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Eyes Wide Shut (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Miss Congeniality (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Finding Nemo (Widescreen) (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Jacob's Ladder (1990); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Muppet Movie (1979); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Erin Brockovich (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Strange Days (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Lilith Fair: A Celebration of Women in Music (1997); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Monsters (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Animals Are Beautiful People (1975); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Zoolander (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Braveheart (1995); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Silence of the Lambs (1991); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dr. Wayne Dyer: How to Get What You Really Want & Improve Your Life (2000); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Secret Window (2004); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: South Park: Timmy! (2000); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Roger & Me (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: South Park: Season 2 (1998); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Michael Moore's The Awful Truth: Season 2 (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Indigo Girls: Live at the Fillmore (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Stephanie Foster: Beginners and Intermediate Yoga (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Gone with the Wind: Collector's Edition (1939); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Sound of Music (1965); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Misery (1990); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Before Sunset (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Super Size Me (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Blue Man Group: The Complex Rock Tour Live (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rivers and Tides (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Psycho (1960); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: It's a Wonderful Life (1946); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Alice's Restaurant (1969); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Massage Your Mate (1988); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Somewhere in Time (1980); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: A Bug's Life (1998); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hannibal (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man: IMAX (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Shakespeare in Love (1998); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: This Is My Father (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Deepak Chopra: The Way of the Wizard & Alchemy (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Brother Bear (Theatrical Widescreen Version) (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The World According to Garp (1982); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Notebook (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bridget Jones's Diary (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: In the Bedroom (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Garden State (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Life Is Beautiful (1997); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Prince and Me (2004); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Shall We Dance? (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Being John Malkovich (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bowling for Columbine (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: A Room with a View: Special Edition (1986); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Day After Tomorrow (2004); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Butterfly Effect: Director's Cut (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Chasing Amy (1997); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: 13 Going on 30 (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Man Who Cried (2000); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Starsky & Hutch (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Good Will Hunting (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Center of the World (2001); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Little Black Book (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: South Park: Season 1 (1997); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Dance for Camera (2003); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Doe Boy (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Red Dragon (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Robert Thurman on Buddhism (2002); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Beach (2000); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Best in Show (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: On Golden Pond (1981); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Thunderheart (1992); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Team America: World Police (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: National Lampoon's Vacation (1983); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Others (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Fawlty Towers: The Complete Set (1975); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Royal Tenenbaums (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Terms of Endearment (1983); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Cirque du Soleil: La Magie Continue (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Closer (2004); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Keep the River on Your Right: A Modern Cannibal Tale (1999); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Ice Age (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: A Walk to Remember (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: To Walk with Lions (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Meet the Fockers (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Tibet: Windham Hill (1988); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Michael Moore's The Awful Truth: Season 1 (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: National Lampoon's Animal House (1978); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Finding Neverland (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Possession (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0 | netflix |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Cottonwood Hotel; City: Cottonwood Arizona; Review: Karen and her Cottonwood Hotel are absolutely wonderful! We stayed in the John Wayne suite #2 over the Memorial Day weekend and had a great time. Her hotel is welcoming and nicely appointed. The beds are a welcome comfort after a long day of sightseeing. The balcony, overlooking Main Street of Old Town Cottonwood, is a great place to unwind with a nice bottle of wine from one of the 3 local tasting rooms. Old Town Cottonwood is the perfect location to base a visit to the area. It doesn't have the crowds of Sedona but is just a few minutes away. The hotel is also close to the Verde Valley Railroad & Tuzigoot National Monument, both a must see. The only negative was the fact that we could not stay longer in this beautiful area and utilize Karen's vast knowledge of the local history and sites. We can't wait to go back and the Cottonwood Hotel will definitely be on our list. Thanks for the hospitality Karen!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ramada by Wyndham Lebanon; City: Lebanon Tennessee; Review: We arrived on a Thursday afternoon and went to the opening of a local art show then had dinner at a local restaurant. We returned to the hotel and had a good first night. We hung the Do Not Disturb sign on the door because Friday, we planned to stay in the room until 9:30 or so. As we were leaving, we noticed a cloth bag outside our door. I took the bag to the housekeeper that was cleaning the room next door. I explained that we were next door and we found the bag outside our room. She said it was not her's so I told her I would drop it at the front desk. We returned Friday evening to find the room had not been serviced. I went to the front desk and was told the reason it was not serviced was because the DND sign was on the door and we were given fresh towel but told that housekeeping was gone for the day. Apparently, they only check once and if the DND sign is out, they do not return. That night we again placed the DND sign on the door. On Saturday morning at 9:15 housekeeping knocked on the door to see if we wanted service, completely ignoring the DND sign. We told housekeeping to come back in 30 minutes. As we were leaving, we stopped by the front desk to request service to make sure they returned. We were told it was our fault for the room not being cleaned because we put the DND sign out. So it's our fault your staff does not recheck missed rooms? Especially when we were out of the room by 9:30 AM. Saturday evening when we returned the room had been serviced. We felt that because we complained the first morning, housekeeping ignored our DND sign and disturbed us anyway. On a side note, my wife walked around the room in white socks. Bad mistake! The carpet was so dirty it turned the bottom of her socks black the very first night.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Dillard House; City: Dillard Rabun County Georgia; Review: We arrived early Friday, August 1st for the festival. Our room was not available, but not surprising, since the hotel was sold out for the weekend. So we spent the day and early afternoon at the festival. We checked in to our room at 2:30 PM. We were in the Meadows building. The room was clean and well equipped. We unpacked settled in. We decided to have dinner in the restaurant, Big Mistake! We were seated immediately and then sat for almost eighteen minutes before someone came to our table. We ordered water and a bottle of their featured local wine. After a five minute wait we were told they were out of all featured wines and only had one of their house red wines available. We chose to pass on the wine. It's difficult to understand how a restaurant could be out of so many wines on a weekend they are sponsoring an event on their grounds with a sold out hotel. Shortly the food began to arrive. It's presented family style so we had bowls of vegetables, plates of meats, and a basket of bread. To put it plainly, the meal was awful. The meats were over cooked. The chicken was so dry we could not finish it. The steak was too salty as were most of the vegetables. The breads were extremely dry and everything was lukewarm at best. And for this we were charged $24.95 each. Needless to say we dined at local restaurants in Dillard the rest of the weekend and found several nice places to eat a good hot meal.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Lennox House Bed and Breakfast; City: Colorado Springs El Paso County Colorado; Review: The Lennox House is a beautiful historic home in Colorado Springs. The rooms are nicely decorated & comfortable. The innkeepers, Debbie and Mike, are friendly & very helpful with suggestions for sightseeing and for dining. Our room, The Spring Haven, faces west & overlooks Nevada Avenue with a view of Pikes Peak. This was a perfect place to stay for a couple of days to sightsee in Colorado Springs before heading up in the mountains to our dude ranch. The service was exceptional as was the breakfast both mornings. The history of this fine old home is quite interesting. You can read about John Lennox and his family here, [url] We would highly recommend a stay at the Lennox House; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Red Roof Inn Charleston Kanawha City WV; City: Charleston West Virginia; Review: I would like to provide some feedback on our 1st stay at a Red Roof Inn; we stayed at the Charleston, West Virginia location. When I found your website and reviewed RR on TripAdvisor I was quite impressed with the ratings and reviews as well as your free pet policy, no smoking policy, and specifically your 12:00 pm check out and 2 pm check in. We arrived at 1:50 pm and were then told there was a new GM and they were not allowed to let anyone into the rooms until 3 pm, even if they were ready it was due to being short staffed the GM wanted to personally inspect each one. As we left to drive around and kill some time we saw 4 housekeepers out back smoking at a picnic table. We realize everyone needs a break, but to have all or most of your staff on a break in the middle of the critical turnover time was surprising at best. Once we were checked in we were quite impressed with the room and I even posted on Facebook how pleasantly surprised we were at the room quality and price. The next morning we kept hearing people outside of our room and we had to comfort our dogs so they would not bark. It turns out we are in a room next to the employee break room which would have been fine except several employees, along with their children and a couple of boyfriends or husbands were hanging out outside of the break room smoking and chatting. They were out there the majority of the morning disrupting our sleep and keeping our dogs agitated; additionally it stinks outside the room from the smoke and we had to walk through the smoking group to get to the lobby, to walk the dogs, and to get to our car. We can't tell you how disappointed we are. The potential for a great experience and finding a nice, affordable hotel with great amenities was ruined. I wanted to share my experience in the hope that this type of environment is limited only to this property and that you are aware of it. I find it odd that the management at this location can create their own policies which are contrary to your corporate advertisements on your website. I hope you will address our concerns so others do not experience what we did. We will give Red Roof another chance at a different location but we will not stay here again and will recommend that others do not also. Thank you; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Days Inn by Wyndham Lebanon; City: Lebanon Tennessee; Review: Checked in and went to our room. Initial odor was apparent, a little musty and faint smell of smoke (nonsmoking room). Rooms on both sides were also nonsmoking but had smokers occupying them smoking at the entrance. There were significant carpet stains, stains on the chairs, & the walls could use some attention as well. The really strange thing we noticed was there was no place in the room to hang cloths. All racks had been removed only a holder for an ironing board (no ironing board or iron) remained. The next morning we left the room before 10:00 AM and returned around 4:00 PM to discover the room had not been serviced. I went to the front desk to let them know and they offered to clean the room but we were going to be in for a couple of hours and we had our two dogs with us so we declined. They provided us fresh, but very rough towels, soap, shampoo, & coffee. On the third day we went down for their free breakfast at 8:30 AM (breakfast ends at 9:00 AM). We looked around and everything was empty and the attendant had pretty much cleaned everything up. When she saw us she did bring out some processed biscuits and placed them in the warming bin, but they were cold and it would have taken several minutes to warm up. I got some coffee that was luke warm and my wife asked for some water. She was told that water was in the vending machine up front. Really, you offer a free breakfast and make customers buy water? We were directly under the staircase to the second floor. The stairs are metal and very noisy. There was a lot of traffic on the stairs until well after midnight which did not bother us too much as we are night owls. But could definitely be an issue for some travelers. Not to mention the fireworks that started around 12:30 AM on our second night. Fortunately, they only lasted about ten minutes. Granted, was just a few days after the Forth of July and there were 4-5 fireworks stands within a mile of the hotel, but a little courtesy goes a long way. Even though the hotel provided free WiFi, the maximum download speed I could maintain was 2.3MB/Second. I suspect they had a 3MB DSL line and this is simply too slow for a hotel full of guest, which the hotel was full. Overall, we were very displeased with this Days Inn a Wyndham Property. Would not recommend this property until a major upgraded takes place. There are too many other hotels in the area to waste your money here.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: DISCIPLINE (The Billionaire's Rules, Book One) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Kelly Favor Page; Review: I have to say that I love this series and can't wait for the next book to come out.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Billionaire's Obsession (What An Alpha Billionaire Wants Romance Book 8) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Natalie Golden Page; Review: I have to say this is one of my favorite series to date! I look forward to the next chapters I am just sad that there is a break in between books sometimes I have to go back and re-read the last one so I can refresh my memory; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mr. Blackwell: Part Three (A Billionaire Romance) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Emilia Winters Page; Review: I loved this series!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Chance Encounter Series: Complete Box Set: Alpha Billionaire Romance - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Ellie Danes Page; Review: I loved this set Ellie Danes is becoming my favorite author!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Taming Blake: Book Three: Blake's Girl - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Charlotte Eve Page; Review: this w's by far one of the best books I have read! I waited until I finished all 3 of them to write the review and I have to say I couldn't stop reading!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Kindle_Store |
Given the interaction history of a user with businesses as follows:
Title: Witches Brew Tours; City: New Orleans, LA; Review: My husband and I did the 3 in 1 daytime and then the Haunted evening tour. It was just amazing. We learned so much about the history of the city (and Im not a big history fan). And I cant forget to mention the guides. Trevor (daytime) and MaryEllen (nighttime) were absolutely hilarious and entertaining. They knew their history and threw in some quirky humor. They kept the entire group engaged and interested. A definite recommend.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Bean Gallery; City: New Orleans, LA; Review: Great food and clean. This small diner allows for comfort and is located in a great and easy to get to spot. My husband and I had one of their great sandwiches and a drink. The deck out front is great to enjoy watching the city while relaxing in the shade.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: New Orleans City Park; City: New Orleans, LA; Review: So much to offer. You definitely need to spend almost an entire day there to be able to see it all. There is so much in this one location, you cannot possibly see it all in a 2 hour timeframe. From the trees, the gardens, the putput golf, the amusement park and more, there is something for EVERYONE!! I am a person who enjoys nature and there is just so much beauty there, you could lose yourself. It is not crowded when walking the paths and you can see many different animals. A lot of rental bike amd paddle boats. Just an amazing place!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mulate's; City: New Orleans, LA; Review: Great food. It took almost to the end of our meal for the waiter to open up but otherwise it is a place with great atmosphere. Good selection on the menu and you cant go wrong with the gumbo. Delicious!!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Cafe Beignet on Royal Street; City: New Orleans, LA; Review: Beignets were so amazing we went back the next day for more. Outdoor courtyard allows for more room than inside the cafe. It was funny watching the birds play tug of war with whatever scraps they could get. And the staff were young and perfect. Everyone was pleasant.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Governor; City: New Orleans, LA; Review: We saved this place for our farewell to New Orleans dinner and we were not disappointed. The waiter offered wonderful and tasty suggestions from their menu and was ever present making sure we had everything we needed. If I ever come back, this is a definite must.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Palace Café; City: New Orleans, LA; Review: A definite visit. I loved their gumbo so much I even bought their cookbook. Great waiters and fantastic personalities. We sat outside and enjoyed the evening and food. A definite return visit next time we come to town.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Creole House Restaurant & Oyster Bar; City: New Orleans, LA; Review: We are not fans of oysters (shock I know) but we enjoyed this place. The food was great (gumbo wonderful) and they had a variety of food for everyone. The dessert was just amazing and so sweet I could only eat a portion of it (my husband happily agreed to finish it all). Definite recommend for anyone.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | yelp |
Given the interaction history of a user with businesses as follows:
Title: Alésia Restaurant; City: Saint Petersburg, FL; Review: Refreshing change from the usual spots. Went for dinner with another couple and we were really impressed. Very nice atmosphere, great menu & wine/beer list - coffee to die for! Can't wait until the cooler weather to eat out on the adorable outdoor seating area.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Seabreeze Island Grill; City: Redington Shores, FL; Review: It's a shame that the service & management is lacking as the setting & food were fairly good. First off, the menu posted online gives one false hope of what may actually be offered when you show up. We were looking forward to the ahi appetizer, hog fish & lobster listed online (literally an hour before heading over), so naturally disappointed to see the menu not listing any of these items! Either keep your website current or add a large disclaimer that it's a sample menu & items may not be available. Service was not overly impressive either, although she was trying. When passing by the kitchen area, it did seem a bit out of control, so perhaps the service problems are caused by mismanagement. The beach definitely needs more options, but until they are more polished, we will dine elsewhere which is a shame since the water location is fantastic.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Wig Villa; City: Saint Petersburg, FL; Review: I have agree with everything said in the prior review. I too thought Kellie was just wonderful as I'm new to alopecia & knew a month into it that I needed to get some wigs. I let Kellie pick out what she thought would look good & she was very patient as I probably tried on the same wig 3 times to finally decide! I have since called back to order the same style in another color. Highly recommend Wig Villa!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Square 1; City: St. Petersburg, FL; Review: We were excited to try this newer place, but they have many problems that need to be ironed out. The food has potential-we especially liked the buffalo burger option. Everyone in our group thought the buns were too soggy on the bottom, but were otherwise good quality. The power went out tonight towards the end of our meal. We sat for quite some time with no one clearing plates off our table which got kind of rank after a while. Then they had no computers to print checks nor run credit cards, so other diners started getting quite irritated as we were pretty much held hostage while they were waiting for their computers to reboot. About 20 minutes waiting-still with now nasty smelling food left on our table, our waiter finally came to explain the problem. The manager made no appearances which was shocking as there were several customers like us just sitting there waiting for some form of communication! Instead, the waiter conveyed the message from the manager which seems quite cowardly on the managers part. Its sad to see a place that has potential to be so poorly managed. We were irritated, but felt bad for the waiter as it was just unacceptable for the manager to not make an appearance in hopes that some locals may give it a second chance.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Birch & Vine; City: Saint Petersburg, FL; Review: Love this place! We went on Thurs night for dinner & both had fish-Salmon & Wahoo-both fantastic. Salads & veggies are all very fresh in line with farm to table. Very nice wine list as well. The hotel has been restored/renovated beautifully, with breath taking views from the roof top lounge. Very nice addition to the thriving Beach Drive scene!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Cleanout King; City: St. Petersburg, FL; Review: David excels as the King of Clean Outs! He had a lot of patience working with me while trying to figure out what to do with 48 years of stuff accumulated in my former parents' home. There were some valuable items, but a ton of books, dishes, Knick knacks and years of accumulated junk mixed in. He helped me coordinate some private sales with buyers as I was not up for an estate sale, then handled the final clean out which ended up being a bit more than I realized (4 bdrm home where every time a child moved out, the room became 'out of sight, out of mind'). The PR dog Genesis was a welcome guest - sweetest dog ever! Two days after the clean out, we realized the power supply for the robotic pool cleaner accidentally was removed, but Dave graciously located it & dropped it off which was much appreciated. Great service & highly recommend!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dickey's Barbecue Pit; City: St. Petersburg, FL; Review: Quality bbq in a casual, rustic atmosphere. We've ordered take out a few times & it has been consistently very good. Ate in for the first time recently & my mouth was actually watering while we were standing in line to order! The aroma from the smokers etc are awesome. The atmosphere is casual - you place your order at the counter, pour your own drink & find a seat, but it's definitely not fast-foodish. The country decor & music adds to the rustic feel. I noted that they also have cajun fried turkeys you can order for the holidays-tempting!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Flowers Unlimited; City: St Petersburg, FL; Review: Quality & customer service have greatly declined over the years. My husband has used this florist for several years, but the last two arrangements have been pretty poor... The first time he sent them pictures of what he ordered vs what was received & they quickly admitted their error & credited part of the cost back. This time was an even worse arrangement where the roses never opened & just drooped over within 2 days... Pictures of what was ordered was sent along with pictures of the sorry looking arrangement. No response to email or FB messaging - so obviously they have zero interest in keeping existing customers. We will bring our business elsewhere.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Square 1; City: St. Petersburg, FL; Review: We've been back a few times & I'm happy to say the burger joint has redeemed itself. I like that they have leaner meat selections that you can have served over lettuce vs a bun. The edamame never disappoints either. Amazing that we can eat healthy at a burger hotspot! Gotta love it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Absolutely Beautiful Flowers; City: St. Petersburg, FL; Review: I ordered a large arrangement online for a co-worker who had her baby at the nearby Bayfront Baby Place. She said the flowers were gorgeous although I did not personally see them. I was a little confused on the delivery fee as their website states free delivery to local hospitals yet I was charge $11 or $12.. I reached out to them to find out why via FB messenger, but did not hear back & it wasn't worth the hassle to follow up again - but it would be helpful to know the rules (assume you have to call or go in person vs ordering via web to qualify for free local hospital delivery).; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Mill Restaurant; City: Saint Petersburg, FL; Review: Excellent dinner experience for my husband's birthday on Sat night. We had heard many great raves from friends who had been to the Mill, but we're initially hesitant to go ourselves when they first opened since there's no reservations or call ahead lists & heard of long wait times. Now that it's been open for awhile, we figured we'd give it a try & arrived relatively early (6ish) for dinner. We love the decor & everyone is so friendly from start to finish, I believe The Mill made a wise choice with first come, first served as the place will always attract a full crowd without risk of last minute cancellations. The food was amazing - we had the cheese plate to start, hubby had the boar ribs & I had the diver scallops - all very well prepared & picture perfect presentation - finished with espresso & chocolate torte. Definitely recommend this place.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: CMX Tyrone Luxury 10; City: Saint Petersburg, FL; Review: Finally we have a decent theater in the neighborhood! I hated going to the movies on weekend nights as I'm easily distracted & annoyed by rude fellow movie goers (texting during movie, loudly chomping on popcorn, squeaky seats, etc). The rows are wide as are the seats so my 2 Sat night visits for full house new releases went great as I'm not right on top of my neighbor! Add wine in my seat & I'm one happy girl in my recliner. We ate in the front lobby area which they have full wait service (including full bar)-highly recommend dining in lobby vs trying to juggle a tray in your recliner if you're having a meal. Great addition to the area!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | yelp |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Sunny Health & Fitness NO. 059 Twist Stepper Step Machine w/Handle Bar and LCD Monitor; Brand: Sunny Health & Fitness; Review: I mainly use this product in two minute increments for a quick burst of energy. Just something to get the heart rate elevated. It's small enuf to set anywhere and mine sits next to my chair in the living room. I'll use the commercials as my timer. When my shows back on, times up! I'm hoping that by using it in small spurts like this, it will prolong the use of the cable snapping that I've read in other reviews where they use it as their main exercise machine.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Source One LLC Large Full Size Treadmill Book Holder (TBH-FS); Brand: SOURCEONE.ORG; Review: This works great. There is a small lip on both sides so it can be hung on the front panel. As you can imagine, this makes it hard to turn pages should you be reading an actual book or magazine and not your e-reader. So I had my hubby saw down a 1x2 inch board to slip inside there and WAH-LA! It's perfect!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: MaXimus Pro Gym Rebounder Mini Trampoline with handle bar. Package Includes Great Compilation Rebound DVD, 3 MONTHS FREE VIDEO; Brand: MXL MaXimus Life; Review: Put it together the instant I received it and couldn't be happier. I am stretching the weight limit and still get plenty of air at a THIRD of the cost of the bungee cord style! As long as the quality remains as tough as it seems under the pressure, this will get me through the next step of my journey! FOLLOW-UP: It's been a year since my last review and my rebounder has long since been moved to the living room! I put it away when there is company, of course, but while its out in front of me I jump on it all the time! What a difference it makes to spend even 5-10 minutes at a time. Even to take TWO minutes of your time while walking through to jump on and get the blood flowing! I love it and when this one gives out (and it's not showing signs of that happening any time soon), I plan to purchase the same model!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: OUTBAGS USA OB-32SC Nylon OWB Outside Pants Carry Holster w/ Mag Pouch. Family owned & operated. Made in USA; Brand: OutBags; Review: No more rolling around in my purse. It clips nicely to the sides.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Garrison Grip TWO 1.25 Inch Extra Long Grip Extensions Fits Taurus PT738 TCP 380 & PT732; Brand: Garrison Grip; Review: allows all four fingers to wrap around the stock; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 36 TravelJohn Disposable Adult Urinal Bags; Brand: Travel John; Review: I'm told these have come in handy at those times when big city rush hour traffic jams come to a screeching halt.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress with Never Flat Pump; Brand: Insta-Bed; Review: We have owned this bed since 2013 and pull it out for company, kids and grandkids, at least every other month and its still doing great. No problems at all (knock on wood).; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Nerf CS-18 N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike (Colors may vary); Brand: Nerf; Review: kids loved it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Nerf N-Strike Elite Demolisher 2-in-1 Blaster; Brand: Nerf; Review: it was a gift. they loved it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Disney Perry the Platypus Pillow Pet - 16" Authentic Perry, Folding Plush Stuffed Animal Toy; Brand: Pillow Pets; Review: it was a gift.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: 26" Rapid Fire Machine Gun Toy for Kids with Revolving Bullet Belt, Bayonet, Lights & Sounds; Brand: Velocity Toys; Review: kids loved it; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: K'NEX Mighty Makers Home Designer Building Set; Brand: MIGHTY MAKERS; Review: arrived in good condition, too much for a 6 year old though.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Toys_and_Games |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Holiday Marketing; Brand: Visit Amazon's Heather Hart Page; Review: Short, concise and helpful ideas that can be immediately applied. Heather is a no-nonsense writer who gets straight to the point, so you do not have to wade through a bunch of hype. An author can read this book, then immediately apply the practical suggestions. Specific websites are given and all the information is straight forward, so even if you are not internet savvy, it is easy to understand the information given and apply it. Note: I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: How to Find Free Christian Books Online - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Shelley Hitz Page; Review: The title is an accurate description. You can type in free Christian books on google and get results, but Shelley's book covers free as in FREE & in GIVEAWAYS & in BOOK REVIEWS in exchange for a free book; so if you are interested in those categories, this is the book for you. {I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review of this product}; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Author's Quick Guide to Organizing Your Non-Fiction Book - Kindle edition; Brand: Kristen Eckstein; Review: Note that it is a guide and not a book. Pro: the body of this guide is easily found elsewhere, but it is nice to have in one location & author does explain things in a simple manner. It is a guidebook with helpful publishing tips. Con: the guide feels like she writes only to plug herself and her coaching business, a real turn off for me. *I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Blindsight (Kindle Single) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Chris Colin Page; Review: A kindle single. A true story that is longer than a magazine article, but shorter than a regular book. Four stars for good portrayal of Simon Lewis's life and information about traumatic brain injury and blindsight. It felt like a good magazine article. Recommended for those who deal with anyone with brain injuries as it gives an internal view into their world's new mindset. Quote: "With all internal regulators of my brain damaged, I felt everything simultaneously." Quote from the writer, Chris Colin about Simon, "What life has in store for him isn't clear. But he seems to accept this." Great interaction between writer and Simon Lewis. I appreciated how Chris unfolded Simon's story, educated us about traumatic brain injury and blindsight, then carried us into Simon's changed perspective of the world. Very intriguing! Simon Lewis is inspiring in his fight for recovery! Chris Colin is an excellent writer. Recommended for inspiration in overcoming difficulties and for those dealing with traumatic brain injuries.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: ebook,Elizabeth Kaye,Lifeboat No. 8: An Untold Tale of Love, Loss, and Surviving the Titanic (Kindle Single),Byliner Inc.,TRANSPORTATION / Ships; Brand: Visit Amazon's Elizabeth Kaye Page; Review: True account of surviving the sinking of the titanic on April 15, 1912 in lifeboat No. 8. This story has all the cold hard facts of this terrible disaster, yet manages to weave in the intimate details of numerous passengers. We see some of the passengers strengths and weaknesses as they face one of their greatest challenges - to survive! Countess of Rothes is inspiring in the manner in which she deals with the weak and destraught, then leads strongly, aiding in their ultimate survival.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Romance Under the Oaks eBook; Brand: Visit Amazon's B. J. Robinson Page; Review: A fictional story with historical facts weaved into it about the affects of the Civil War on Louisiana, specifically New Orleans and the plantation, Oak Alley. The main thrust of this book is romance. There are some historical facts regarding Louisiana in the Civil War and about the plantation known an Oak Alley. It touches on ending slavery, but not much more. It is well written, but there is just not much substance beyond falling into each other romantically. The author is not explicit in detail, but there is just an abundance of romance, so if you are into christian romances, this book will appeal to you; if you prefer more substance, I would look elsewhere.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: A Lancaster Amish Sketchbook - Book 1 (A Lancaster Amish Sketchbook Serial (Amish Faith Through Fire)) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Ruth Price Page; Review: Similar to a novella, this cute little Amish story was a quick read tonight. I think it would be better to have the story as one book rather than break it into three short books. Ive deducted a star for the inconvenience of having to purchase them separately; though this first novella was free.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: A Lancaster Amish Sketchbook - Book 2 (A Lancaster Amish Sketchbook Serial (Amish Faith Through Fire)) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Ruth Price Page; Review: This book is inadvertently divided into three sections and sold as three books. Three stars for incompleteness! In the future, I recommend you put your book as one entire book or develop your story into three complete books, but not publish several chapters as a book, its deceptive.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 | amazon_Kindle_Store |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Civil War Prisons: A Study in War Psychology; Author: Visit Amazon's William Best Hesseltine Page; Review: I have had this book before and liked it, misplaced it somewhere, so reordered it. It was received when I was supposed to get it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Sultana: Surviving the Civil War, Prison, and the Worst Maritime Disaster in American History; Author: Visit Amazon's Alan Huffman Page; Review: I read this book previously and liked, so decided to read it again; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era; Author: James M. (James Munro) McPherson; Review: I liked the book well written sort of long but very good; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Nazi Doctors: Medical Killing and the Psychology of Genocide; Author: Visit Amazon's Robert Jay Lifton Page; Review: I liked this book, it wqas well written; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Six Miles to Charleston: The True Story of John and Lavinia Fisher (Murder & Mayhem); Author: Visit Amazon's Bruce Orr Page; Review: I liked this book, not to long but good; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Sword of Lincoln: The Army of the Potomac; Author: Visit Amazon's Jeffry D. Wert Page; Review: I liked this book, was well written and held my interest throughout; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Andersonville: The Last Depot (Civil War America); Author: Visit Amazon's William Marvel Page; Review: I liked this book, only one prison camp, but well written; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Portals to Hell; Author: Lonnie Speer; Review: I liked this book was well written; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Herman Classics, Volume I; Author: Visit Amazon's Jim Unger Page; Review: I still think that Herman was funny; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Ballpark Book : A journey Through the Fields of Baseball Magic; Author: Visit Amazon's Ron Smith Page; Review: I thought this was an interesting book in regards to Ballparks; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Grant and Sherman: The Friendship that Won the Civil War; Author: Visit Amazon's Charles Bracelen Flood Page; Review: I have read some of the book at the library and liked it, so I knew I wanted to get the book.l; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Civil War Battlefields Then and Now (Then & Now Thunder Bay); Author: Jr. James Campi; Review: This was a very good book relating to the Civil War history.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Mengele: The Complete Story; Author: Gerald L. Posner; Review: I thought is was an interesting book, similar to another book in regards to Mengels life.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Children of the Flames: Dr. Josef Mengele and the Untold Story of the Twins of Auschwitz; Author: Visit Amazon's Lucette Matalon Lagnado Page; Review: I enjoyed reading this book, was well written; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Civil War: An Illustrated History; Author: Visit Amazon's Geoffrey C. Ward Page; Review: I liked this book in regards to civil war history; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hunting Evil; Author: walters-guy; Review: It was a book that held my interest throughout the book; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Nuremberg Trials: The Nazis and Their Crimes Against Humanity; Author: Visit Amazon's Paul Roland Page; Review: I enjoyed reading this book in regards to the Nuremberg Trials.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Last Nazi: The Life and Times of Joseph Mengele; Author: Visit Amazon's Gerald Astor Page; Review: This was a good books similar to the other book I read in regards to Jospeh Mengele.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Strange Brew; Author: R. Moranis; Review: I liked the movie, I have seen movie in the past; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hitler's Traitor : Martin Bormann and the Defeat of the Reich; Author: Louis Kilzer; Review: I like reading this book, went along with some of the previous books Ive read .; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Civil War Curiosities: Strange Stories, Oddities, Events, and Coincidences; Author: Visit Amazon's Webb Garrison Page; Review: I thought that was a well written book by this author and comparietablee to other good Civil war books Ive read in the past; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Last Full Measure: A Novel of the Civil War (Civil War Trilogy); Author: Visit Amazon's Jeff Shaara Page; Review: Very well written book to hold your interest thorougdhout book; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Baseball Maniac's Almanac: The Absolutely, Positively, and Without Question Greatest Book of Facts,; Author: Bert Randolph Sugar; Review: I thought it was a pretty good Baeball Almanac; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bedlam: A Year in the Life of a Mental Hospital; Author: Visit Amazon's Dominick Bosco Page; Review: I think this is a well written book in regards to Mental Hospitals; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Confield; Brand: Autechre; Review: I have owned and loved all of Autechre's albums (except Chiastic Slide - haven't heard) and one thing common about all of them is they took a few listens to realize what it was they were aiming for -but once you do 'get' it, the music seems to form in your mind's eye a very real, adventurous quality kind of like those 'magic eye' photos. It just seems like noise until you finally see it's a very lush, fully realized sonic world that they've put into a record. The type of simulated 'sonic world' they've made with 'Confield' is dark, dense, sinister, disorienting but interesting to explore at the same time. But I'm not sure what to think of this album. I liked their other stuff because it was physical, chunky and funky (in its own stange way) but 'Confield' is so far in the deep end of random noise that it could take many, many listens to warm up to it. I'm not even going to attempt to describe what it sounds like. All the usual words used to describe autechre can be used here: alien, whirrs, clicks, blips, clanking, amorphous, melodic, inhuman, static, hiss, blah blah... The best I can do is it kind of sounds like 'ep7' seeping into a terrifying nightmare of H.R. Giger proportions, or you may think it sounds really techno and upbeat...I don't know. You just have to listen to it. Ae have always intuitively and brilliantly tread the fine line between alien and soulful, satisfying the intellectual and emotional parts of the mind at the same time. It's like it triggers some kind of primitive 'AAH! SCARY NOISE!!' tripwire in your brain, only to seduce and bewitch your soul at the same time and make you feel comfortable. And I think they really have done it again with this album, even though you might think you've been conned into buying some kind of arbitrary logorithmic sound software test run bulls**t at first. But there really is substance to this music, it just doesn't reveal itself at first and will probably annoy the hell out of you and everyone that hears it when you first listen to it. Just like 'Autechre' (aka 'lp5') did with me the first few times I listened to it. But don't get me wrong, this isn't nearly as accessible as 'lp5'. So if you're new to Autechre buy something else first. If you have heard other stuff by them and you feel game for something even more edgy, exciting and daring then buy Confield. But this album does deserve to be heard even though it might totally baffle you.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: 26 Mixes for Cash; Brand: Aphex Twin; Review: I don't know how anyone could not like this album; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Love. Angel. Music. Baby.; Brand: Gwen Stefani; Review: I was so happy to hear that Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook, from arguably one of the greatest bands of all time,Joy Division and New Order, were going to be appearing on an album some from blonde singer from a band called 'No Doubt'. Imagine my disappointment when I found out they only appear on ONE SONG! And all they do is one bass riff a few times! And Bernard plays some guitar for about three seconds in the break! And it doesn't even sound like him. I felt [...] and cheated. This Gwen lady made a big mistake, they should have been all over the album, and they should have written the songs too. Anyway, this album is way better then the poppy hip-hop and boring, unoriginal R&B that making top 40 radio unlistenable. 'What You Waiting For' is seriously the only song on the radio other then Modest Mouse that I can stand, and that's pretty bad. So for that I give this album four stars. This Gwen Stefani girl has a bright future ahead of her.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Waiting for the Sirens Call; Brand: New Order; Review: New Order have been my fave band since I first heard them. I'm so glad that they have they not faded into obscurity. In fact, the press are in love with the idea of saying New Order are the main influence of the cool, new bands of the moment. What they fail to mention is they are also one of the main influences of classic bands like Nirvana and U2 - Kurt Cobain and Bono have said so themselves. The expectations on them are almost superhuman - they're supposed to satisfy the club scene, indie scene, all the while having mass appeal AND revolutionizing music, AND graphic design all the while sounding like they did it without any effort. Or maybe not. Maybe people recognize that they've fallen off a bit, but are still grateful that they are releasing albums that don't suck. Opinions on their best work are all over the place, so I don't think it really matters. But I can say with complete sincerity that this is one of their best albums, which is astonishing as they should be way past their prime by now. They sound more sober and ordinary on this album, but there are still some puzzling, giddy moments that will turn some people off as 'too pop' or whatever, but every track on here is killer, except I Told You So - which is merely very good. This is definately the most polished and professional sound they've had for an album, it sounds amazing and Bernard's vocals sound unusually rich. The production on Republic (too flat and plastic) and Get Ready (too pixel-ly and fuzzed-out when it should have been LOUD and crisp like My Bloody Valentine) marred those two albums, but they were still pretty good. But this time they got it right - producing themselves with the assistance of some of the best producers out there. They've never made an album like this before where the sound is uncompromisingly modern and professional. This is the first New Order album where there aren't too many surprises, just the New Order sound taken to new heights of lushness and attention to detail. You could argue that they aren't pushing new ground, but they are still the only band I can think of that make accessible music that is very distinctive - compared to the increasingly formulaic and homogenous drivel being forced on us by radio and MTV. You get some poignant and melodic rockers and some teen dance-pop from a parallel universe. And it closes with a Lou Reed-esque rocker. On this album New Order do what they do best, brilliant melodies and arrangements that convey their own unique emotion. How many other bands from the 70s still sound more fresh and cutting edge then bands half their age? It's almost ridiculous. THey are praised so much that I almost want to think 'Eh, I don't like them anymore' just to be contradictory and move on to something else, something more fresh and new, but you can't. I'm sounding like the classic snob now, but; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Always Now; Brand: Section 25; Review: This album is usually described as gloomy. It's not. The overall effect of the album is happy and upbeat ("there's plenty of sadness in the world today / so why should we make any more / life's a feeling / yeah"), especially the last 2 songs on the album. The genius production of the album by Martin Hannet, amazing drum sounds. Nobody has ever made a snare and bass drum sound so fascinating and powerful. Unfortunately, the cd reissue doesnt include actual marble paper-lined envelope style record sleeve. Now that's class.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_CDs_and_Vinyl |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Nokia C6-01 Unlocked GSM Phone with 8 MP Camera, 720p Video Recording, and Ovi Maps Navigation--U.S. Version with Warranty; Brand: Nokia; Review: it wasn'what i expected compare to my c7 it was slower and i had to tap on it several time to write something, and it needed a memory card to access some features.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Evecase Screen Protector Variety Pack with 2x Clear and 2x Anti-Glare Matte Film for Nokia Lumia 920-4 Pack; Brand: Evecase; Review: i like the screen protector, it went on nicely no bubbles or chance for fingerprint to get on while putting it on cause it had a film on both side; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: MPERO Collection Full Coverage Clear Case for Nokia Lumia 521; Brand: EMPIRE; Review: i pick it because it was clear, i never used a hard cover case before but it fits well and i was complemented about it because it is clear; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Fosmon DURA S Series Flexible SLIM-Fit TPU Case for Nokia Lumia 520 (Black); Brand: Fosmon; Review: i picked because it says slim fit but it didn' t fit my nokia 521, i don' t know if it' s made for the 520. the only way it fitted was when i removed the back cover on my phone. so i returned it and was refunded my money; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: For Nokia Lumia 521 T-Stand Impact Kickstand Hybrid Double Layer Fusion Cover Case Black/Red; Brand: HRWireless; Review: I like the protection my phone has from it, and it came on time; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | amazon_Cell_Phones_and_Accessories |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: BEST Vitamin C Serum- 20% Vitamin C E + Amino Complex + Hyaluronic Acid Serum -- Natural & Organic -- Reveal Youthful Skin -- Powerful Anti-Oxidants and Anti-Aging Vitamin C Serum for Your Face -- Satisfaction Guarantee; Brand: Cosmedica Skincare; Review: I purchased this to add extra health and glow to my skin. I have uneven skin and vit C is good for evening skin tone. This feels really good on my skin, especially after harsh exfoliants like retinol or peels. It feel like my skin drinks this stuff. I will prob repurchase; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Derma Roller SGF + FREE Travel Case - Titanium Alloy Micro Needle Roller - 1.0mm Needle Length - We donate $1 from every purchse to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation! - 540 Needles-Best Skin Roller for Body and Face-Ultimate Therapy for Reduction of Stretch Marks, Wrinkles, Scars, Large Pores, Eyes Pouches-Incredible benefits for Beauty, Health, Personal Care; Brand: ; Review: i got mine in the mail rather quickly and i have been using it for a little over a week now and the clarity and hyperpigmentation in my skin is already showing improvement, i was a little skeptical at first but i use it nightly and am very happy with the results so far. Fast shipping; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Xtreme Brite Brightening Gel 1oz.; Brand: Xtreme Brite; Review: i got this to get rid of a scar and it did just that, if you are looking to remove any discoloration (spot) this will get rid of it, i dont know about putting it all over your face but it def work for a spot; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rohto Hadalabo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (Moist) - 170ml; Brand: Rohto; Review: i got it for a moisturizer and it is not what i expected, i think there are several other korean moisturizers that are better; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: NARS Lip Lacquer, Baby Doll; Brand: ; Review: i saw some one review it on a you tube channel and purchasaeed it, i will not repurchase this as it wasnt anything special and some what drying; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Rohto Hadalabo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (Moist) - 170ml; Brand: Rohto; Review: i got it for a moisturizer and it is not what i expected, i think there are several other korean moisturizers that are better; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Rohto Hadalabo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (Moist) - 170ml; Brand: Rohto; Review: i got it for a moisturizer and it is not what i expected, i think there are several other korean moisturizers that are better; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Rohto Hadalabo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (Moist) - 170ml; Brand: Rohto; Review: i got it for a moisturizer and it is not what i expected, i think there are several other korean moisturizers that are better; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Rohto Hadalabo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (Moist) - 170ml; Brand: Rohto; Review: i got it for a moisturizer and it is not what i expected, i think there are several other korean moisturizers that are better; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Rohto Hadalabo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (Moist) - 170ml; Brand: Rohto; Review: i got it for a moisturizer and it is not what i expected, i think there are several other korean moisturizers that are better; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: NARS Lip Lacquer, Baby Doll; Brand: ; Review: i saw some one review it on a you tube channel and purchasaeed it, i will not repurchase this as it wasnt anything special and some what drying; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: NARS Lip Lacquer, Baby Doll; Brand: ; Review: i saw some one review it on a you tube channel and purchasaeed it, i will not repurchase this as it wasnt anything special and some what drying; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: NARS Lip Lacquer, Baby Doll; Brand: ; Review: i saw some one review it on a you tube channel and purchasaeed it, i will not repurchase this as it wasnt anything special and some what drying; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: NARS Lip Lacquer, Baby Doll; Brand: ; Review: i saw some one review it on a you tube channel and purchasaeed it, i will not repurchase this as it wasnt anything special and some what drying; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: NARS Lip Lacquer, Baby Doll; Brand: ; Review: i saw some one review it on a you tube channel and purchasaeed it, i will not repurchase this as it wasnt anything special and some what drying; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: NARS Lip Lacquer, Baby Doll; Brand: ; Review: i saw some one review it on a you tube channel and purchasaeed it, i will not repurchase this as it wasnt anything special and some what drying; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | amazon_Beauty |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Sterling Silver Peridot, Garnet, Amethyst, Blue Topaz and Citrine; Brand: Amazon Collection; Review: These were way better than I thought they would be. I really love every pair. In another review the person commented on the color of the garnet not being red enough but they really are as pictured. I was also worried that the earrings would be too heavy, but I forgot I even had them on until someone complemented me. Highly recommended.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: On Trend Black and White Paris Long Maxi Dress Chevron 3/4 Sleeve; Brand: On Trend; Review: This dress is just ok for me. It's a bit short (I'm 5'9") so another 2-3" in length would be great. It's a cute dress but I never really wear it. It's hanging in my closet but I always have something that I want to wear more.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Reef Women's Stargazer Luxe Thong Sandal; Brand: ; Review: I have a ton of Reef flip flops and these are my favorites. Very sparkly in the sun. Sadly I did damage the side a little and the glitter came off. I was not being careful and I accidentally hit the shoe with a shovel. I don't think this would happen with daily wear and tear.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: uxcell Women Leaf Shaped Interlocking Buckle 2.5cm Wide Stretch Cinch Belt; Brand: uxcell; Review: This belt is better in real life. I wasn't expecting much because it's a cheap belt but I really like this. Perfect over a dress. I would buy another.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: var aPageStart = (new Date()).getTime(); var ue_t0=ue_t0||+new Date(); window.ue_ihb = (window.ue_ihb || window.ueinit || 0) + 1; if (window.ue_ihb; Brand: Lamaze; Review: I'm only in my first trimester but have been very sore so I wanted a more comfortable bra to wear around the house and on weekends. I'm a 36DD and ordered a size large. The bra is very comfortable and even kinda cute. The bottom band stays in place but is not tight... no back bulges either. If I'm laying on my side I do tend to pop out. I put a cami over it and feel comfortable running errands. Definitely a relaxed natural boob look. This is holding me in but not high and tight like an underwire bra. The fabric is soft and it washes well. I'm debating on getting another one but might wait a few months. I would think it would be good for breastfeeding and I'll update in 7 months if there are any problems.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bali Women's Comfort Revolution Convertible Wirefree Bra; Brand: ; Review: I just started my second trimester and I've gone up a cup size. I'm normally a 36DD but have started buying bras in a DDD. I saw that this bra ran a bit big so I got my usual size and it's perfect. I'm so sensitive and sore right now that the soft material and lack of underwire is really nice. I might have to buy another one because I wear this all the time. I also like how the band in the front goes down a little longer. It sometimes rolls up but overall it's very comfortable.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Mothers en Vogue Women's Maternity Jersey Knit Shorts; Brand: ; Review: Pre-pregnancy I was a size 8 sometimes 10 and I've been having a really hard time finding shorts that fit right. I'm 24 weeks now and very round. I bought the large because I figured I'd rather have them too big than too small. The fabric is very smooth and cool for summer. There is stretch to them and the large is not tight. The band is a little weird. It's not a fully tummy panel so it will slip off my belly and bunch up under it. The pleats are not noticeable with a long shirt on but they are not cute if you are wearing a shorter/regular length shirt. I'm keeping them because they are comfy and cool but will mostly wear on the weekends when I'm not going anywhere.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Sperry Top-Sider Women's Audrey Slip-On; Brand: SPERRY; Review: I was worried about these because of other reviews. They were a tiny bit tight when I first slipped them on but I wore them around the house while cleaning to break them in. No blisters or sore marks! They broken in quickly and are incredibly comfortable. I got the grey nubuck and I would buy them again. I'm on the slightly smaller side of a size 8 and the 8 was perfect.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Carter's Baby Girls' 7 Pack Bodysuits (Baby) - Multi Print Striped; Brand: ; Review: I love these patterns. The pink with blue birds is gorgeous on my blue eyed baby. I've bought the same set in different sizes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Made By Johnny MBJ Womens Open Front Draped Knit Shawl Cardigan; Brand: ; Review: I really like this sweater. I bought the XL and normally wear a 14 in tops. The sweater fit well and is not at all tight. It's soft and the bright blue is really pretty. Perfect for layering, not too bulky but warm enough to wear on it's own.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Little Boys Girls Long Irregular Sleeve Elephant Cotton Pullover T-shirt; Brand: MowMee; Review: This shirt is bizarre and hilarious. The sleeve that is the elephant's trunk is a good 2-3 inches longer that the striped sleeve. Crappy quality but it makes me laugh every time I see it. It also runs kind of big.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Marca west Unisex Baby Kid Child Toddler Safari Baseball Beanie Cap Hat; Brand: Marca west; Review: This is one of the only hats my 18mo old will keep on her head. It's really cute on her and we get tons of compliments. I'm going to buy another.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shopglamla Short Sleeves Contrast Print Colorblock Raglan Top. Made in USA; Brand: SHOPGLAMLA; Review: I wish the body of the shirt was stretchy... I thought it would be a jersey knit but it's a rayon non-stretchy material. I would have sized up if I paid attention. Otherwise the shirt is cute and looks like the picture.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Boundaries with Kids; Author: Visit Amazon's Henry Cloud Page; Review: Understanding God's Word is not always easy. How to apply God's Word in our daily lives is often misinterpreted with the best intentions. Dr. Henry Cloud explains what God says, why God says it and how parents can raise their children to have good character by following the words of the Lord.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Love Out Loud: 365 Devotions for Loving God, Loving Yourself, and Loving Others; Author: Visit Amazon's Joyce Meyer Page; Review: For obvious reasons, a devotional is personal. For those that live and practice JOY, Jesus Others Yourself, yourself is often neglected. This devotional gently gives the reader balance that will encourage following The Word with a happy heart.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Meditation for Beginners; Author: Visit Amazon's Jack Kornfield Page; Review: Redundant! While the author is addressing "beginners", every chapter reiterates the first. The book may actually be a meditation - or a sleep aid.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Ghosts of Manhattan: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Douglas Brunt Page; Review: Stories written in the first person, as this one is, are missing depth. If the author was not married to a well known anchorwoman, I doubt the book would be on any bestseller lists.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dead Simple; Author: Visit Amazon's Peter James Page; Review: gripping, unexpected. Finally someone can produce an exciting book without over the top violence. This is so scary and believable.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Same Kind of Different As Me Movie Edition: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art; Author: Visit Amazon's Ron Hall Page; Review: I don't want to give anything away so besides being inspirational, the challenge Ron and his wife face is totally accurate. It made me cry which is highly unusual.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story; Author: Visit Amazon's Ben Carson Page; Review: I very much enjoyed learning about the Doctor and i admire him very much; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Unspoken Bond: An award winning story; Author: Visit Amazon's Blake O'Connor Page; Review: I confused this ebook with one about a dog at Christmas . I apologise to the author; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Boy Made of Dawn: Navajo Nation Mystery (A Navajo Nation Mystery); Author: Visit Amazon's R. Allen Chappell Page; Review: Hillerman like. Enjoyable to read. The main characters are likable and I want to more about them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Star Wars Origami: 36 Amazing Paper-folding Projects from a Galaxy Far, Far Away....; Author: Visit Amazon's Chris Alexander Page; Review: I bought this as a gift for a ten year old boy and it is very nice looking and he has really enjoyed it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 3:10 a.m. & 3:21 a.m.: (Henry Bins Books 2 & 3) - Kindle edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Nick Pirog Page; Review: I very much enjoy Nick Pirog's writing and sense of humor and I especially like this series. And I'm not young! Sorry Mr. Pirog. I am a little old lady fan! But I have recommended this series to my daughter's book club group.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Allie and Bea : A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Catherine Ryan Hyde Page; Review: Lovely.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Unmasking Miss Appleby (Baleful Godmother Series) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Emily Larkin Page; Review: Really liked this historical regency novel. Wasn't sure about the shapeshifting premise when I read the description but that attribute is what contributed to making this a unique and enjoyable read. Wasn't familiar with Emily Larkin books before but plan to read more.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Brigadier's Runaway Bride (Dukes of War) (Volume 5); Author: Visit Amazon's Erica Ridley Page; Review: I must confess this is one of my favorites in The Dukes of War series. Such a heartwarming read. I became much more emotionally involved in the story of Sarah and Edmund than any of the previous characters in The Dukes of War books. The whole series though are quite excellent reads for anything set in the Regency period. Erica is one of my favorite authors.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Diamond for a Duke (Seductive Scoundrels) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Collette Cameron Page; Review: First time I've read this author's work. Enjoyable, light, sweet "Cinderella" type romance. Prefer a little more depth to characters and story myself but for a quick frothy read is recommended.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Wagers Gone Awry (Conundrums of the Misses Culpepper) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Collette Cameron Page; Review: Worthy of 4 1/2 Stars. This is a great start to what I hope will continue to be an enjoyable series to read. Great characters, dialogue, romance, humor. Look forward to reading next in series.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Heartless Design (Secrets of the Zodiac) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Elizabeth Cole Page; Review: First time reading this author. Great read. Strong characters, dialogue, romance, mystery set during the Regency period. Look forward to reading rest of the series and other books by Elizabeth Cole.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Of Valor & Vice: A Revelry's Tempest Novel (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's K.J. Jackson Page; Review: A very good read. Loved the main characters, Adalia and Toren. Good plot. Good dialogue. The right amount of steam between the H & h. Loved Stone Devil Duke by this author and decided to see how Of Valor & Vice compared. Just as good. Followed up with Sin & Sanctuary. Perfect. Can't go wrong with any of this author's books.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Of Sin & Sanctuary: A Revelry's Tempest Novel (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's K.J. Jackson Page; Review: Wow! I really loved the first book of Revelry's Tempest (Of Valor & Vice) but this one really topped it. Found myself getting so emotionally involved in the story of the two lead characters, both tortured souls, who somehow were able to find a way to triumph over all they had experienced. This author rocks.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Willing (The Namesaken); Author: Visit Amazon's Michaela Wright Page; Review: I am not as fluent as others in telling why I like a book, but this one definitely grabbed me. Set during the time of Jack the Ripper. Main character is a prostitute who is intelligent and has a strong character. The H could be described as having occult leanings or toward mysticism. So many layers to this story. There are strong sexual scenes but they do pertain to the total story and are woven so well into it. This was worth reading and reviewing. Will look forward to reading more by Ms Wright.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Her Wicked Ways; Author: Visit Amazon's Darcy Burke Page; Review: This was a good story. Really loved the altruistic hero "Fox" but had some frustrations with the heroine Miranda. He was in love with her but she had a hard time making up her mind about whether to concede to the wishes of her arrogant parents or to follow her heart. Do like to read Darcy Burke's books. Would like to read the rest of this series.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Forgotten & Remembered: The Duke's Late Wife (Love's Second Chance Series) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Bree Wolf Page; Review: I very much enjoy the writing of Bree Wolf. Many weeks ago I read Forgotten & Remembered so I decided to read again before I wrote a review. Bree does a very good job with character and story development, not so strong with period development re: customs, apparel, society and other things which give more "flavor" to the period of time a novel is set within. Nevertheless, I did become engrossed in the story of Graham and Rosabel. Graham was a very tortured soul who could not get over the death of his first wife. He chose Rosabel as his second wife because he thought she would be a good mother to his daughter. Rosabel ended up becoming the best possible choice he could have made for someone that would end up helping him with his issues. At times I wanted to shake some sense into him. Almost too much melodrama going on. Needless to say, there was a HEA. Thank you Bree.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Despised & Desired: The Marquess' Passionate Wife (Love's Second Chance Series) (Volume 3); Author: Visit Amazon's Bree Wolf Page; Review: Despised & Desired is the third book in Bree Wolf's Love's Second Chance series that I have read. I will say this is a really wonderful series full of great characters and strong stories. I've found myself getting emotionally involved in each story. The two main characters, Frederick and Elspeth (Ellie) met years ago by chance when they were still young. During the following years, Ellie suffered emotional and physical scarring from an accident, and after serving in the Napoleonic wars, Frederick returns a shattered and emotionless man after witnessing his best friend's death. The storyline does involve some mystery mainly due to some unexpected deaths. Frederick and Ellie marry due to his mother choosing someone she feels will help him. Both Frederick and Ellie deal with a lot of tragedy but they end up being able to heal one another.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cursed & Cherished: The Duke's Wilful Wife (Love's Second Chance Series) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Bree Wolf Page; Review: Having recently reread the first book in Love's Second Chance series, it was so nice to have Edmond Dunsworth, a very likable secondary character in the first, be the H in Cursed & Cherished when I read it. He was a Duke that needed to marry quickly to save his estate. The quickest and best choice he could make was one of two sisters. Needless to say, despite some role reversals planned purposely by the two sisters, he chose Anna, the sister that ended up being the one that would challenge him the most. Without going into too much detail, Anna tried hard to thwart him as much as she could before she was won over. There were some misdeeds that went on which were eventually sorted out before resolving into a HEA. Thank you Bree for a fine read. Look forward to rest of series. Please note: I received a copy of this book as a gift. This is an honest review of what I read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Counterfeit Countess (Brazen Brides) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Cheryl Bolen Page; Review: This was a delightful story. Two strong lead characters. A "Countess" who really wasn't a countess as she had been taken advantage of and married by a scoundrel impersonating a lord before he died under titillating circumstances.. A handsome lord who befriends her and hopes to get some important information out of her pertaining to his job with the foreign service. Several laugh out loud humorous moments especially regarding one large feline. Our hero Edward soon falls in love with Maggie but is deeply torn because of his long-term engagement with a lovely and beautiful girl. Maggie falls in love with Edward but knows he is destined for another and she must soon find someone else to marry and support her and her younger sister and long-time servant. Lot of suiters to consider. Throw in a good amount of mystery, suspense, and some treachery. And then a HEA!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Abandoned & Protected: The Marquis' Tenacious Wife (Love's Second Chance Series) (Volume 4); Author: Visit Amazon's Bree Wolf Page; Review: I wasn't sure that I would like this book as the main character, Henrietta Turner, appeared in an earlier book as sort of an unlikeable, man-hating friend to the heroine. It was a pleasant surprise the more I read this book that I actually starting liking Henrietta and hoped she would find her happily ever after with Connor. Henrietta needed to come to terms with what happened to her mother. Connor was the perfect husband to help her. The story was well thought out. The was some skullduggery involved. Almost a cliffhanger ending but still a most satisfying read.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ruined & Redeemed: The Earl's Fallen Wife (Love's Second Chance Series) (Volume 5); Author: Visit Amazon's Bree Wolf Page; Review: Wow! Since I've been reading the rest of Bree Wolf's second chance series in order, Ruined & Redeemed was hard to read and truly like the lead female character as she appeared in an earlier book and was unredeemable. This book was a rollercoaster for that reason. Sebastian was a truly likable man who was very forgiving of what his wife had done and still loved and accepted her. I felt sorry for Charlotte and how she had limited choices to deal with the problems she had faced in her past, but I had a hard time understanding how she was still accepted by those to whom she had caused the most harm. This truly was a gut-wrenching read. Please note: I received a copy of this book as a gift. This is an honest review of what I read.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Betrayed & Blessed: The Viscount's Shrewd Wife (Love's Second Chance Series) (Volume 6); Author: Visit Amazon's Bree Wolf Page; Review: Betrayed & Blessed was a good followup to the story of Henrietta in Bree's Abandoned & Protected, with her brother Tristan and his wife Beth. A lot of skullduggery happening to Tristan. Treachery. Help of a good friend. Wish Tristan would have been a stronger lead character so thank goodness for Beth, the woman he married. Happy ending. Please note: I received a copy of this book as a gift. This is an honest review of what I read.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Loving the Hawke (The Seven Curses of London) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Lana Williams Page; Review: A very satisfying read. Loved the main characters, Lettie & Nathaniel, and how they ended up finding their HEA. A nice amount of steaminess but not overly done. Would like to read more of Lana Williams' books after my first exposure to her writing.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Once A Mistress; Author: Visit Amazon's Rebecca Hagan Lee Page; Review: A very nice read about second chance love. Some mystery involved. Strong H and h characters. Kept me interested enough to read through till the end. Would like to followup with other books in this series.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Lord of Temptation (Rogues to Riches) (Volume 4); Author: Visit Amazon's Erica Ridley Page; Review: Lord of Temptation is the 4th novel in Erica Ridleys Rogues to Riches series. Having recently read and reviewed the box set of the first three books, Lord of Chance, Lord of Pleasure, Lord of Night, I was most anxious and fortunate to read a free ARC of Lord of Temptation. Lord Hawkridge, Zachary Nash, better known as Hawk to his friends and family, was one of the periphery characters I was first introduced to in the previous novels in this series. While not a true supporting character in the other books, enough was revealed of him to let me know he was considered a likable man and friend to the other characters, and he was saddled with a debt-ridden estate and title. Faith Digby, also introduced in the previous books, seemed to epitomize what is generally a nondescript friend of the heroine or another character of the book, perhaps spinsterish, doesnt seek attention, and has no secrets to hide. As I was re-introduced to the characters of Hawk and Faith, it is revealed that Hawk and Faith were childhood friends, fell in love several years ago, and Hawk planned to marry Faith, even though she was lowborn, right around the time he inherited his marquessate. They haven't seen one another for ten years. Hawk is still dealing with low funds and other family problems, and Faith has moved on and is half in charge of a boarding school for abandoned and low-born girls. Without revealing too much of the storyline and spoil your reading pleasure, suffice it to say Hawk and Faith become reacquainted through the endeavors of several characters made familiar in previous books, and they both have a lot of issues to work through. There is a lot of forgiveness that takes place as well as secrets revealed. This is a fine addition to the Rogues to Riches series. A little more was revealed about characters introduced in the previous books and I look forward to reading more about them in successive books in the series. While I consider this a very good read, I found that I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the other's I've read in the series so therefore rate it slightly less.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: To Tame A Dragon (The Reluctant Bride Collection) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Megan Bryce Page; Review: Humorous story, fun, engaging characters. A quick read. And a HEA.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Rogue: Rogues and Gentlemen Book 1 (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Emma V. Leech Page; Review: I like Emma Leech books. I'd actually read the 2nd one in this series first (which I absolutely adored) so my expectations were very high when reading this one. This is a very good book but IMO not quite as good as The Earl's Temptation. The good thing about reading this one is it gave me much appreciated background information I did not have when reading the 2nd book first. There are strong lead characters in this book, Henri (Henrietta) and Captain Savage. A lot of good periphery characters who also appear in the 2nd book. Emma does a good job of drawing us into the adventures of her characters and how they find their HEA. That's what counts, right?; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Deceived & Honoured: The Baron's Vexing Wife (Love's Second Chance); Author: Visit Amazon's Bree Wolf Page; Review: This is probably now my favorite of all of the Loves Second Chance Series. The characters of Derek and Madeline, who appeared in earlier books, really resonated with me. Derek, raised as a common man but new to a title, finds himself with Lady Madeline in a compromising situation and they have to marry to save both their reputations. Lady Madelines upbringing and demeanor were completely different from Dereks. Madeline had planned and expected to marry someone from her class and background. Derek had no plans to marry until he saved and repaired the run-down barony he was gifted for his outstanding military service. Their story is a testament to how difficult it was for two strong willed individuals from different backgrounds to make their marriage work. As said by Derek Opening ones heart to someone makes one vulnerable. I received an ARC of this book from the author for a fair and unbiased review.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Devil's Lady; Author: Visit Amazon's Deborah Simmons Page; Review: Loved the story and the buildup of the characters. Very romantic. Only complaint would be that I wasn't sure in which medieval time frame it was set (reference to King Edward forcing the heroine to pick who she would wed but it wasn't stated which King Edward). Otherwise a good read and it was HEA.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: A Kiss for Miss Kingsley (A Waltz with a Rogue Novella) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Collette Cameron Page; Review: Thoroughly delightful. Olivia and Allen are charming. Second chance at love happiness. Fun to read.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Missing Marquess of Althorn (The Lost Lords); Author: Visit Amazon's Chasity Bowlin Page; Review: Captivating and engrossing story. Well defined characters. Greedy relatives. Villainous plots. Strong, honorable hero and meek appearing but independent minded heroine. Chastity Bowlin does a good job drawing us into the story of Marcus and Jane and their eventual path to HEA.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Lost Lord of Castle Black (The Lost Lords); Author: Visit Amazon's Chasity Bowlin Page; Review: Long lost lord with partial amnesia returns to claim inheritance. Mystery. Greedy relatives. Betrayal. Sinister plots. Oh what tangled webs we weave.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Lady of Desire (League of Rogues); Author: Visit Amazon's Darcy Burke Page; Review: An entertaining read with mystery, intrigue, and potential hidden treasure relative to King Arthur. Two lead characters at odds with one another who discover they need to work together to succeed in solving the riddle of the ancient manuscripts they possess. I usually greatly enjoy anything written by Darcy Burke and though Lady of Desire has an interesting plot, it didn't quite knock it out of the park for me. The romance between the H and h seemed to be lacking in warmth. Nevertheless, I do plan to read the successive books in the series. Forewarning: there are some steamy sexual episodes so some may be offended.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The de Valery Code (Regency Treasure Hunters) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Darcy Burke Page; Review: An entertaining read with mystery, intrigue, and potential hidden treasure relative to King Arthur. Two lead characters at odds with one another who discover they need to work together to succeed in solving the riddle of the ancient manuscripts they possess. I usually greatly enjoy anything written by Darcy Burke and though Lady of Desire has an interesting plot, it didn't quite knock it out of the park for me. The romance between the H and h seemed to be lacking in warmth. Nevertheless, I do plan to read the successive books in the series. Forewarning: there are some steamy sexual episodes so some may be offended.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: High Warrior; Author: Visit Amazon's Kathryn Le Veque Page; Review: Other reviewers have already well stated what I cannot do better. High Warrior is such an emotional rollercoaster. The story and characters will be well remembered by this reader. No one can do it like Kathryn Le Veque does with her writing. Amen.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Counterfeit Duke: A Regency Romance; Author: Visit Amazon's Agnes Forest Page; Review: The Counterfeit Duke by Agnes Forest was an entertaining, clean, Regency romance read. Andrew and Philip had been best friends since school years and were often mistaken for one another. They both left together for the Napoleonic wars. Only one came back. Andrew fulfilled his dying friend's request to take his place and save the country estate and look after Ella, a dear friend of Philip and former ward of the old duke. There is a lot "Philip" (aka Andrew) has to contend with when he returns...scheming relations, restoring the estate's productivity, and his true identity. Please note: I was provided a free e-book version of this novella and submitted a voluntary, unbiased review.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Lord of Secrets (Rogues to Riches) (Volume 5); Author: Visit Amazon's Erica Ridley Page; Review: Lord of Secrets is a fine addition to Erica Ridleys Rogues to Riches series set during the Regency period. It is another story about a member of the Grenville family which has been in several of the previous four books. Though this is a standalone piece, reading is enhanced if the earlier works have also been read. Heath Grenville is known as a fixer for problems that members of the ton are experiencing. He does this not to make money but to help out friends as well as family members. He is attracted to Miss Eleanora Winfield at a society function, not realizing she is a paid companion to a member of the ton. Noras position is only temporary until her employer recovers from an accident, but she desperately needs the funds from her employment to send back home to her grandparents and brother to help support them and their sheep farm. Nora spends any free time she has in drawing, which she greatly loves. By attending to her employer at society functions she is able to observe and note more and more members of the ton. She adroitly captures their mannerisms in caricatures, sharing and sending them home to her brother. Unknown to Nora, her brother passes them on to someone who contacts someone else who is able to publish them and send desperately needed funds back to the family. Once she finds out about this, Nora realizes this is a godsend so she can earn more funds by continuing with the caricatures about society members. She doesnt do it because she dislikes the ton, but because her family needs the funds to save their livelihood. The more they see one another at society events and in public venues, the more attracted Heath and Nora are to one another. Nora knows there is no future between them as she is a commoner, and Heath knows he must marry someone within his own class. They also are at cross purposes with one another. He is focused on finding and revealing the person perpetrating the caricatures and she is desperate to help out her family. Will they be able to move beyond their differences and find a HEA? This was an engaging story with likable primary and secondary characters plus lovable Captain Pugboat. It captured well the differences between the classes and the Regency period. A very good read. Looking forward to the next in the series. Note: Besides purchasing this book, I had also received an ARC of this work and voluntarily wrote this unbiased review. Rating: 4.5; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
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