The Blair Reader, for the reader in you!
358743
The Blair Reader is a good book, I had to read this for one of my English classes. It really gets you thinking. I highly recommend this book, and if you have to read it for a class, make sure to purchase it on here because Amazon has it for the best price compared to book stores.
4223287
If you're the kind of reader that wants to get involved in a story because of characters and can forgive certain impossible plot leaps in exchange for amusing and cool characters, then this might be a perfect book for you. The plot isn't bad, don't get me wrong, I just felt like it was the same as many other romance thrillers - slightly heavy-handed and so packed with twists, turns, and excitement that a reader can almost become exhausted, and a bit detached from the reality that the book is trying to convey. I would still give the book a top rating, because it did not suffer from this stereotype nearly as much as many other books in the genre, and as a romance, it kept the interest building and didn't pay off right away. It trusted itself to be good enough to draw the readers onward in the story, as it well should, since that is precisely what happened to me!

I think Juliana's development as a character was my favorite, and the gradual revelations of her feelings and fears were reflected in Rick's growing concern for her safety, even through his initial reluctance. Being able to capture the development of feelings and "love" in a relatively short novel is a great talent, and by keeping the sexual interest obvious through Juliana's general looks and attractive nature, the reader sort of knew a coupling was coming, but were also kept guessing from early on. Vaughan can keep a reader uncertain, and in some amount of doubt, which is wonderful! I think Rick and Juliana make a heck of an interesting pair and a dynamic couple to follow through an adventurous, suspenseful novel. I hope to read more of Vaughan's work in the future, and I expect that her talent will carry through in those as well!
1080331
This book took my breath away and left me panting for more.  It is beautifully written.  I loved Blaire. She is an upright, right on woman.  I can hardly wait until the next book!
2171186
If, like I did, you find yourself reading all these great reviews, yet still hesitating to buy because you aren't sure this kind of book is your "thing".....stop right now and just get it! I am a proud lover of these books and/or series: The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Divergent series, A Song of Ice & Fire (Game of Thrones), Twilight, The Lord of the Rings, etc.. Also a huge Stephen King fan.  So, in short- if you enjoyed any of those, I feel very confident in saying you will most certainly enjoy this! So, stop reading reviews already and start devouring this great read!  You won't be sorry, trust me! Gotta go- can't wait another minute to start Book #2!
4099158
This is definitely a 5 star read. I was drawn in from the first page to the very last, left wishing part 2 were already available. I fell in love with these characters and their stories! E.k. Blair has a way of capturing your attention fully. I could not put this book down and finished it in one sitting. I cried with this couple and also felt their joy. Beautifully written. All in all I LOVE this book! It is now one of my favorites!!
3804856
E.K. Blair you have just risen to the top of my favorite Authors!!!  This book was amazing,  I couldn't put it down till it was finished.  I was struggling at work all day not to immerse myself in it.  Breaking the mold of every other book I've read.  I'm dying to read the next one..
1559117
What does it say when you can finish reading a book in three days from receiving it with a five week old baby causing a hiatus every two to four hours for food, changes, or just plain attention. Well... I would say that means it is a really good book!

Michelle Moran does not disappoint with her third novel, and I am excited for the four. She is one of those authors who writes a good book and as a reader you assume that was it, but each next novel is full of such entertainment that you are excited and cannot decide if it was better than the last.

Through the words of these pages, a reader gets to travel from Egypt to Rome and become immersed in the lives of historical figures in a way intangible before. The characters and people are brought to life on the pages and their emotions and causes are strongly felt as if a reader was a participant in their day to day lives.

This is a general market novel that I thoroughly enjoyed and would easily say it could be meant for any audience, young adult or adult. The only caution with a young adult I would say is for maturity. Be forewarned of the historically accurate references to the indulgences that the Romans participated in that may be distasteful. Each page brings to light the good and the bad of history and makes me want to delve a bit deeper and just go get a textbook and read. (Yet this is so much more entertaining!)

My favorite part is basically a Roman version of a Robin Hood wanting to bring out the very best. With issues of slavery, indiscretion, betrayal, kidnapping, murder, suicide, illness, birth, adventure, travel, romance, secrets, true love, and long lasting truth every page keeps a reader on their toes. I highly recommend this and every other novel by author Michelle Moran.
4492657
I absolutely adore Blair. She's like a mix between Jessica Jones and Harry Potter. As a down on her luck ex foster child with maybe, maybe two friends to get name. She's street though, cocky and yet so real.
Needing money for rent she takes a job four a woman who says her husband is having an affair with a ghost. As any women Blair is skeptic until she runs into Aiden Wallace a weakening wizard and her life is never the same again.
4018539
"You campaign in poetry, you govern in prose" - Mario Cuomo...

This was, for me, a surprisingly engaging book. I picked it up out of idle curiosity and ended up in admiration of Tony Blair's writing and particular perspective. To be sure, his use of buzz words and hipspeak in describing situations and people sometimes borders on the tabloid but these are offset by his almost-brutal candor in speaking about himself, his insecurities, and his shortcomings. And, although he had a prime minister's access to the powerful and famous, this is not a gossipy book. Thankfully.

One of the book's assets is the 32 pages of pictures, most of which look like they came from personal albums. And he ensures that we are able to picture many of the people who figure largely in his book and his life, but would be thought of as being "behind the scenes".

The requisite chapter on Princess Diana is as much a jeweler's eye on the monarchy and their unceremonious launch into a new era with the death of their exiled princess as it is a fond memorial to her. While Peter Morgan wrote a brilliant, Oscar-winning screenplay for "The Queen", Tony Blair's account of those times diverges from it and seems more trustworthy (albeit, not as dramatic, natch).

There is so much in this book that has already fallen to history and out of our awareness. The Good Friday Agreement, which was instrumental in easing the tensions with the Republic of Ireland, will probably go down as an important cornerstone of his legacy.  But his defense of his support of the Iraq War is too long and labyrinthine and seems to strain his easy writing style.

There are very few nettlesome moments in this book and I think it is wrong to put more emphasis on this biography than it merits. It is the personal account of someone who was where very few people of the world have been. History will be the ultimate judge, but this is a good read whilst we wait.
489919
I was a huge fan of Three Cups of Tea, and couldn't wait for Greg's next book to come out.  If it has been a while since you read Three Cups of Tea (which it had been for me), I was happy to find that the author uses the first chapter to reintroduce you to the main characters of the Central Asia Institute. I also enjoy that the book is written in the first person.  I was also very appreciative of how Greg walks you through who all the major players are in the United States Military, as while I do read the news, I don't know each commander's name necessarily.  A big chunk of the story does describe the USA's involvement in Afghanistan, which was also enlightening to read about from Greg's first person perspective.

Amazing story: can't recommend it enough.

My small note of caution to Kindle Users:  I read this on my Kindle (world edition - so smaller screen than the Kindle DX).  Greg's goes to great lengths to describe just how rural these places are, but it's hard to visualize how far apart each of these projects can be.  When you first fire up the story in your Kindle, it will automatically jump to the first page of text.  Go back to the beginning and look at a map!  Bookmark that page so you can refer to it easily throughout the story.  I had an "ah ha!" moment at the end of the book when I realized that there was in fact a map.  Also each chapter has a photo at the beginning of it, and they look terrible on the Kindle's small black and white screen.  Just a small sacrifice I suppose for the ease of using such a device, but if that type of thing is important to you, I'd probably buy the actual book.  Also this is the perfect type of book to read and then give to somebody to enjoy, so it sort of stinks that you can't (technically - I know I can Google just as well as anybody) re-gift it to someone.
2808721
I received this book free :-)) Thank you Blair! First read Spirit Guides and when I started on this book I could NOT put it down. This book, Psychic Development has proved to be the same!! Blair's writing just draws you in and it is so informative and easy to read. It is written in such a way that you just "get it". Your not reading along and having to stop and ask yourself what you just read? So thrilled to have this book and look forward to many more books written by Blair!! Thank you again Blair for giving this book.
1380814
I've read all of Blair's books & I have to say Working Stiff is now one of my top three favourites, Tryp is number one!! It's an outstanding read.

It's funny, heartwarming & heart bruising, action packed & so very touching and one of my favourite things is that it's a full length novel & not split into multiple parts!!

Both Cash & Roxy are very likeable & lovable characters who have flaws but are amazing friends & colleagues. She is hilarious when she's annoyed, I loved her rants. Their friends are brilliant additions to this story & I look forward to reading more about them in future books!!

I honestly loved this book. I enjoyed every page, no part of it felt overwritten or put in as filler, it's just full of great writing of an exciting & extremely enjoyable story. I highly recommend it, you will not be disappointed!!

Debbie, 1970, UK
1733908
Upon reading Blair Howards EMOJI, you WONT get: F bombs or excessive foul language; explicit sex scenes; present-time, violent murder scenarios; bloody descriptions; boring plot lines; flat, humorless characters; unrealistic settings...well, you get the picture.

What you WILL get: A  5  exciting, enjoyable read that will, when you reach the end, will have you quickly moving on, with great anticipation, to the next Harry Starke or Kate Gazzara adventure. You get the picture. Youll love the book! (I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.)
905009
Diana Gabaldon has something special, and everyone who I have talked to, who has read the series agrees - this is great reading!  Outlander is the start of what continues to be an addicting legacy.  Her vast panoramas of scenery and character take you deep into the story and into the lives of everyone involved.  I was a bit skeptical at first when a friend recommended the series to me, not being a romance fan myself, however these books go far beyond that genre. Outlander and the rest of the series are just extraordinary works of fiction. They are intelligent, wonderful story telling.  Her attention to the detail of her characters makes the story one the most imaginative works I have read in a while.  The heroine is an admirable strong, witty woman and the hero is delightful.  Claire and Jamie are a wildly entertaining and endearing team.  Once you have started Outlander I am sure you will sail all too quickly through Drums of Autumn. I highly recommend Diana Gabaldon!
590706
This is just a joy to read, and one where you can tell the author truly loves their characters and the world they're set in. It's vivid and sharp, in a way that hearkens back to Daughter of Smoke & Bone.

Buy for Kindle, buy the paperback ... collect 'em, trade 'em with your friends!
3561539
Being of Brit ancestry (thanks Gramma), I loved anything about these dry-humored folks. So, when I started this book and found that the hero was a Brit well.....I was in like Darcy (as in Jane Austin). As the story progress, I began to think that here is a writer with spunk and a lot of gumption. She tells it like it is really happening now and I am there in the scene with her well-developed characters. It's like it's not even fiction.....it's in real time. I love Diane's writing and have all her books on my super-duper KINDLE FIRE HD that everyone should have by now for Pete's sake! I think that Diane is one of the best authors when it comes to getting into the depth of character development. Oh to live in Nashville so I could sit down to coffee with her being a frustrated writer myself and pick her inventive brain. Well, another great read coming up, "Back to Walnut Bridge". Thanks Diane! I am a fan for life!!!! Love the tea cup angle too!
2518075
I have read books by Fern before and enjoyed them so I was delighted to be asked to read The Postcard for the blog tour. For anyone who may not know (I have a lot of followers from overseas) Fern is a well known TV personality in the UK and this always comes through in my mind when I read her books. She has a calm, gentle personality and its almost as though her voice is in my head narrating the story.

We are back in Cornwall (honestly I don't pick them just because I live here!) in a lovely coastal village called Pendruggan. Penny is married to Simon the local vicar, mother to baby Jenna. She was previously a big name in a tv production and is now trying to adapt to a more mundane lifestyle. When she gets word of her mothers demise it triggers a spiral in her mental health which has been fragile recently. For anyone who suffers depression all the signs are there but Simon seems oblivious, he is too wound up with the care of his congregation.  It seems a little mis-matched having a high-flying career woman like Penny married to Simon who in all honesty is a bit of a weed! Jenna is adorable though and is the apple of her mothers eye.

Thankfully Pennys best friend Helen is a real hands on capable woman .. the kind of bestie all women need. I really liked her and her character adds a lot to the story.

The new neighbours bring a little light relief, mix those with the wonderful comments from Queenie the local gossip and its amusing in places.

There is a running theme with Ella who comes to Pendruggan searching for her past ..

But the real emphasis has to be on Suzie .. she is the estranged sister of Penny. The author gives us plenty of insight into their childhood via flashbacks, Penny adored her father but something major causes a rift between her, Suzie and mother. I really disliked Suzie from the onset, she is such a manipulative cow, predictable in places but still addictive to read about.

The Postcard itself has a significance and that did make me blink a little.

Penny isn't very houseproud, you will see what I mean when she does the laundry!

I became quickly absorbed in this book and it has a certain laid back charm, perfect for a holiday read so you can lose yourself in the village community. All the threads of the tale come together and tie in nicely but there is an abrupt ending which leads on very nicely to another instalment covering Ellas story.

My thanks to Fern, the publisher and Netgalley for my copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily.