Auto-correct

Case in point.

Now I admit that I am not always diligent about editing and reading over my posts on here or FB before submitting them.  Usually, it is after I hit submit that I read it.  But this happens to me all the time on my phone when I text or submit posts or reviews, the DAMN auto-correct.

I just caught one that I wrote:  all tied up  =  amputated when auto-corrected

And I have a decent sized phone screen, but if I am typing a long message, which I tend to do, it is a b*tch to scroll up and reread it.  Only when it is posted will it show up in one box that fills the screen. I know auto-correct can lead to funny texts as demonstrated by the many memes dedicated to it, but I hate it. I like the auto-suggest feature so if I am starting to type "fri"  the option Friday friend  fries pop up, and I can quickly choose.  But if I have typed my damn word out already why in the hell is the auto-correct changing it.

I've looked through my phone settings, and there isn't a way to change it.  Well, no way I can tell that it can be changed. So I must remind myself to double check everything I type and send so I don't mess up.  Yeah right, like that's gonna happen.  So please forgive if you've ever come across a weird word that is so out of place in one of my posts, I blame auto-correct. But please feel free to comment with the offending word if you like.

Is there a technology that you hate?

No matter how much I hate auto-correct there is one I hate even more: Group Text

Review: SEAL It With A Kiss

SEAL It With A Kiss by Rogenna Brewer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Engaging story

I really liked the story and personalities of the characters. The only problem I have with it is the ending. Talk about tied up with a pretty bow, and done in about two paragraphs. I like a happy ending, but this one was so unbelievable because any real emotions or real grief are pushed aside for the happily ever after. Otherwise, I think it was a great book, and I'd like to read more from her.

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Review: Every Little Kiss

Every Little Kiss by Susan Hatler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fast cute read

It was a very typical romance novel where everything worked out in the last ten pages. There was growth in the character but these type of books are just too feel good and not my favorite. Most people will like this and it is a good book. So if you like romantic sappy love stories then this is your book. Otherwise if you don't then steer clear. They fall in love too quickly and too sappy.

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Review: Clarity

Clarity by Loretta Lost
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Rushed and superficial story,
The many references to the immaturity of the characters could not account for the juvenile writing style. It kept my interests, and I think if I were a teenager I would have loved it. But I couldn't get over my impression that the characters were young teenagers play acting like young adults. It is a short read but the story continues, and I don't care to know the end. I got the book on a free promotion, so it was an okay read considering. The good thing about her writing is her vocabulary and word usage; that was great. Otherwise, the dialog was weak as were the characters.

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Review: After You

After You by Jojo Moyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Growth and love

I thought this was a very beautiful ending. Louisa had so much growing and grief to go through. It was very nice to see all the characters find some level of happiness and closure. Very nicely done.

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Review: Me Before You

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am still in mourning...
I was still crying hours later when I thought about the book. So incredible. The question from the description: "What do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart?" just makes me tear up again thinking about it. I really liked Louisa's character but felt sorry for her because she had a real shitty dad. That was one part I just couldn't understand why the dad was such an "arse" and demeaning to her. This story broke my heart in so many pieces and Will's character was great. Highly recommend.

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Review: The Nightingale

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was such an engaging and sweeping story. It told of the day to day struggles that the southern French citizens endured during the occupation of France by the Nazis. And it told of the resistance and how just a few individuals can make an impact on others by their sacrifices. It was so heartbreaking at the time (towards the end) and kept a steady pace throughout. I listened to the audio, so I am not sure about the chapter and transitions. I would just find myself realizing that oh we are back with Vivian or oh this is about Isabelle. I thought the story was very good.

I only have a few issues with the writing. First, I felt like the dialog was very stilted. The narrative portions are great and descriptive as well as moving, but then almost all the dialog felt off to me. Possible the author tried to use speech in the South of France (I think that's where they were most of the time, at least the small village) during the 1940s, but I didn't feel like it was authentic and natural. I've been a huge 1940 era movie fan, and while the dialog is different because I'm more accustom to American English, the main dialog felt forced. The other thing that didn't work was the frequent repetition of how dangerous Isabelle's work is or what she's facing if this was supposed to build suspense, it didn't. I also didn't understand how/why Vivian would go with the various people when they were being taken away by the Nazis and leave Sophie home with Ari (Daniel), but then I realized Sophie was older than I expected her to be. But more importantly Vivian was just stupid and naive at times, I know that is so much a part of her character, but sometimes it just was too much. I mean she goes with the butcher's wife I think when they are trying to take her away, and Vivian could have easily gotten swept up in it and carried off. So Vivian's character bothered me the most, I don't have a lot of sympathy for those that are blind and naive to what is around them. She was like a fricking ostrich with her head in the sand. And Vivian's character didn't seem to match the modern day older lady, the feistiness and attitude didn't fit with who the author showed Vivian's character as even with the growth towards the end of the war.

I most identified with Isabelle's character most, her impetuous nature, brazen anger, and independence. She was a sad character that never knew love until after so much hurt. I also think it is so interesting to see the contrast of personality in the sisters. It was a beautiful and moving story that I would recommend. The historical nature of the book was incredible as well.

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Review: Night Owl (Night Owl Series Book 1)

Night Owl by M. Pierce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I began reading this book for the simple fact that it was mentioned as having dealt with alternating voices for each chapter well and I began reading it for research purposes. Also, I don't usually prefer erotic novels. I like romance and I enjoy the hot scenes, but when the erotic novels use BDSM or other types of sex play, it isn't usually my cup of tea.

This book started out fast with the erotic scenes. I was disappointed that it lacked a substantial plot or character development, the sex is rough and male dominated. Hannah's decisions and position in the relationship is weaker, and it isn't explained why except for his good looks, and she can't talk when he's near. So many times, Matt is an asshole, and she doesn't allow him to apologize (if he thought he should even) or expect him too. I didn't understand the need for a writing partner because it didn't go anywhere except for being the catalyst that brought them together. There were many things in the story that reminded me of Fifty Shades, but this is definitely written better although you could say not as original. The alternating voices was effective and seamless.

Despite all this, I read it very quickly, and I was pulled into the story, and the plot and character development came later. After a few chapters, I wondered if I would continue with the series, but towards the end, I did want to know what happened to Matt and Hannah.

So this is not one I would recommend to anyone unless you did like an erotic novel that was similar to Fifty Shades of Grey. I don't tend to read erotic novels and this series besides Fifty Shades is probably only the second or third erotic book I've read. Cara McKenna comes to mind as the other author I've read that writes erotica.

In the end, I did like the characters and the story, but I most likely wouldn't read it again.

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Review: After Dark (Night Owl Series Book 3)

After Dark by M. Pierce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was very much engrossed in the story and characters by the 3rd book. This book is finally the one where Matt and Hannah have to deal with many of their relationship issues. But they don't do it well. They both lie and hide from each other, and after a year together, their communication is weak. This book also highlights how unhealthy their relationship is. The psychiatrist eventually says that Hannah is good for Matt and all his issues (very Fifty Shades), but I find that false. I can't imagine a medical doctor not trying to work more on the negative co-dependent and enmeshed relationship they have. There is a point where he questions Matt's possessiveness, dominance, and preference for degradation of Hannah. The doctor's questions became a growth moment for Matt, and I liked his character more for it. It dealt with some very heavy issues including death and isolation (but the other did as well), and while it was written well, the resolution to these issues was not so clear.

Hannah resorted to childish behavior when she was angry (so does Matt) and doesn't talk about her feelings well, more often she does the same things back to him to show why she was mad, but then screws that up by also saying it turned her on. They are both f*cked up and immature.

Again, the similarities in plot to Fifty Shades is substantial, but M. Pierce is a better writer than E.L. James. Although Hannah was reduced to nonverbal shyness at the awesomeness and sexy body of Matt, it wasn't irritating like the many Anna (from Fifty) idiosyncrasies.

So if you like Erotic novels, then you might want to check this series out.

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Review: Last Light (Night Owl Series Book 2)

Last Light by M. Pierce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book exposed Matt as extremely manipulative and insecure. The storyline was interesting and although Night Owl ended weird only because of the epilogue which set this book up, this book was good. I read each book quickly and immediately after ending the last, so they run together as far as what happened in each.

I disliked Matt some in this book because of the deception, even more than in the first book. Hannah's character grew but only because she was forced out on her own. This relationship is about as healthy as eating donuts every day. Their relationship is extremely enmeshed and codependent, that I don't see it working as well in reality.

So while I had issues with it, I still was engaged and interested in continuing to read and finish it quickly. Again, this is an erotic novel and in the genre of Fifty Shades.

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Review: Beat

Beat by Vi Keeland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thought this was one of the best I've read of Vi Keeland, but I've only read four or five of her titles. I read it all through the night and it was very steamy! The story was engaging and I liked the characters a lot. She also built up the long foreplay between the two main characters that it was electrifying when they got together.

There were times that the sentence structure was clunky but overall it was an enjoyable book.

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"The Swallow" Reviewed by Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views (09/16)

The Swallow
Isabelle Joshua
CreateSpace (2016)
ISBN 9781530520275
Reviewed by Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views (09/16)

“The Swallow” is the first book in the Caged Beauty Series, and the debut novel by author Isabelle Joshua.

Special Agent Kathryn Bryant was tricked and coerced into working for the NSA by her ex-boyfriend, Evan, who is now her boss. Espionage isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and after one too many missions extracting sensitive data from disgusting lowlifes, Kathryn vows to make an escape, and begins careful deliberation of her secret exit to her new life. One more mission, that’s what she keeps telling herself, but her latest target, Alex, is unlike any she has ever known. After spending a week with Alex, Kathryn realizes that he is the perfect person to help her escape, but how can she convince him, and will she sacrifice the mission in the process?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thoroughly. A bit of espionage, a bit of intrigue, a bit of romance – what’s not to like? The writing is straightforward, deliberate, and often brash, pulling the reader deeply into the story, either through a glimpse into Kathryn’s innermost thoughts or through the witty dialogue between the characters.

Ranking closely second to the writing style, are the delightful characters created by Ms. Joshua. Kathryn is a strong female lead, confident and sexy, down to earth and playful, but also mean, and sometimes nasty, especially in the second half of the book. Alex is every woman’s dream guy – thoughtful, caring, gorgeous, sensitive, strong, manly, and forgiving, almost to a fault - I could go on, but you get the idea. I felt like a fly on the wall watching their relationship develop, and the sex scenes – the perfect mix of romance and steam - sultry, inviting, and hot, without being sappy, insulting, or slutty. The supporting characters are genuine and create a nice balance, aiding the protagonists through a steadily moving plot.

I don’t usually do this, as I believe in the old adage of not judging a book by its cover and all, but I have to add that in addition to a fantastic story, the book cover is quite exquisite – simple, yet beautiful, clean and enticing.

“The Swallow” by Isabelle Joshua is a creative, intriguing story, and sets a solid foundation for a spectacular series, a bit different from anything currently on the market. That said, I was disappointed to learn that there is only one more book in the series, scheduled for production in 2017. Overall, I highly recommend this book and look forward to the upcoming conclusion, “The Bluebird.” One can always hope Joshua’s fans can change her mind by urging her to continue this incredible series!

To purchase "The Swallow" click here.