Raymond Mathiesen Book Reviews & Promotions in Armidale, New South Wales | Book shop

Raymond Mathiesen Book Reviews & Promotions

Locality: Armidale, New South Wales

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Address: 3/231 Canambe Street 2350 Armidale, NSW, Australia

Website: http://raymondmathiesenbookreviews.blogspot.com.au

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19.01.2022 Spring Reawakening (Pauer Bautam University Book 4) by Brandon Reed 5 stars Sex, desire and love... This story is from Sean's point of view and is by far the best in the series so far, getting afive stars from me (the others so far have been four and four and a half). Sean and Ryan told Sean's parents that they are a couple, but is that really how Sean feels? There is trouble in their sex life and Sean definitely has wandering eyes. Beyond that Ryan has been really busy with his university work and just seems distant. Even more Ryan is graduating soon. After that will they even be blips on each other's radar? Spring Reawakening takes the character development to a new level of complexity. We like both these guys, but we clearly see their flaws and understand the obstacles in their way. Both are maturing, but both clearly have a way to go to be truly adult. Yes there is hot sex in this story, but this is so much more than erotica. When do we truly love somebody? How does it play out in our thoughts and behaviour? Young love is a big part of youth culture, but when is 'love' really love? Once again Reed keeps things tight with only a few characters and fast passed action, but this time we do not feel that something is missing, that the story could have been longer with more detail. This story really made me want to read the last one to find out what will happen. One thing I want to point out is that the Pauer Bautam University books should not really be read as stand-alone stories. They definitely develop the second on the first, etc. As I say I really enjoyed this story and it is definitely worth the five stars. https://www.amazon.com//pro/B006RNGZ6W/ref=series_rw_dp_sw

13.01.2022 CRYSTALS: Healing Energy: Gemstones: Attract Wealth & Reduce Stress (Healing, Chakra Healing, Crystal Healing, Auras, Anxiety Relief, Energy Work, Self Healing) by Mary Solomon 4 stars General introduction to crystals and gemstones.... When I downloaded this book I expected something like an index of crystals and gemstones, with a description of each type's uses and healing qualities. This book does give you a little information like that, but it mainly is a general discussion of the topic, covering subjects like: What Are Crystals How Do Crystals Heal? In-Depth Discussion Of Birthstones Crystal Colors and Their Meanings. There is a lengthy description of the link between Chakra healing and crystals, interesting advice on how to purchase crystals and different methods of programming crystals. The section on how to cleanse crystals was very good and quite in depth, pointing out that some common methods, like leaving them in sunlight, are only suitable for some crystals and can even be damaging to others. I was really glad I read that section as I found I was mistreating some of my crystals. As I say, some sections are quite in depth and very practically useful, while others tend to be more vague and philosophical. I downloaded this book on a free day, so I was happy, but to tell the truth I don't know if it is worth the $3.05 (U.S.), which is quite pricey for this type of ebook. I would have expected .99c. https://www.amazon.com//dp/B00M6BA3FI/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0

08.01.2022 Graduation Splash (Pauer Bautam University Book 5) by Brandon Reed 5 stars And most things must come to an end... Unlike the other stories in the series, some of which were quite funny, Graduation Splash has an air of sad nostalgia as Ryan finishes up college and prepares to leave Los Angeles. The romance with Sean is over, but Ryan can't help looking back at the past year. The two aren't talking, but perhaps they might meet one more time to part as friends? Reed really manages to capture the end of university experience, with its uncertainty and sadness, as well as looking forward to the future. The story certainly rang true for me. Life does have its endings and we must learn to navigate them. Some things endure, but other things must come to an end and we must leave them. This story is the penultimate ending of the series and you really have to have read the other stories, hopefully in order, to get the full impact of this tale. We really feel we have gone somewhere over the series as we learn of Sean's immaturity (his wanting to play around) and Ryan's stubbornness (his insistence on being dominant). These guys seemed destined to fall apart. But then again the reader always hopes for growth, which is after all a central part of being young. Hopefully in reading about then we can avoid Sean and Ryan's mistakes. As I have said in my previous reviews I liked these characters and I wanted to look at their lives just one more time. I cared about what happened to them as if they were real people. Over the series they have become like young men I have perhaps known. This story of course has a bit of sex in it, but the tale is so much more than just fun erotica. Graduation Splash is not quite as good as Spring Reawakening, but is definitely worth five stars. https://www.amazon.com/Graduation-Splash-Paue//ref=sr_1_1

07.01.2022 The Lost Knight by Candy Atkins 5 stars The adventure of turning 13... What if there was a doorway to another parallel world? What if that world was filled with tree dwelling fairies, castle dwelling elves, pegasus' and unicorns, and other strange creatures? What if magic was true? If you are intrigued by these questions this book is for you. Agatha lives with faster parents in New York. She doesn't have much of anything and isn't exactly a social success. Nothing much of anything has happened in her quiet life. On her thirteenth birthday, though, things are about to take a very different track. Agatha wakes up and sees a strange creature in her bedroom. Could that really have been The Grimm Reaper that she saw and, if so, why wasn't she afraid of him? Candy Atkins takes us on an epic adventure reminiscent of the novels of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Agatha and her new friends wander over the land of Ashra in a quest to save it from the evil plans of Stratagor Ziras. Agatha seems to hold the key to defeating the enemy, but she must first decide if she is up to the cause and also learn something of this strange new land. As I say, this story is an epic, stretching over six volumes, so don't expect a complete story in this book: this is only the very beginning. Typical of many 13 year old girls Agatha is emotional and talkative, and not quite sure of herself. We like her precisely because she is not the hero type: we can relate to her as a person. Despite her shortcomings, Agatha manages to pull through. Despite her fear, she shows courage. This book is indeed about facing fear. If you have ever moved to a new school or a new neighbourhood you will understand the story well. It can be quite scary to leave the familiar behind and move into the complete unknown. The Lost Knight is also about discovering who you really are and who you will be: your talents and skills, what you will do with your life. At 13 these questions can seem almost fantasy, though they are very real. Teenagers are no longer children, but not quite adults either. The fantasy of what if becomes the reality of adult life. This is definitely a girl's story, but there is plenty in it that imaginative boys will understand and like. I read mostly boy's books, but every so often I pick up a girl's book to expand my perspective. As you see this is one of them and I can honestly say that I enjoyed The Lost Knight and that it is worth five stars. https://www.amazon.com//dp/B01FR93FR8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0

02.01.2022 Diary of the Gone: a paranormal suspense novella by Ivan Amberlake 5 stars The fear inside manifest... Callum is plagued by visions of the Gone, those doomed to die. Tortured by the experiences he understandably has trouble coping. In a bid to move him to a more peaceful environment his family have moved to Olden Cross, a hick town on the edge of a swamp. But the visions do not end, and worse yet, teenagers seem to have started disappearing. This novel really was a great read. The plot has no dull spots and the story moves along swiftly, keeping you intrigued, and then on the edge of their seat. Callum is a likable 15 year old, with the same desires and troubles as many guys of that age: he wants a girlfriend; he fights with his older sister; he has to put up with bullies. We instantly feel that we would like to know him. We are on his side and want him to overcome his troubles. Beverly is convincing as an older sister. She definitely has a mind of her own and spirit. She understandably has trouble accepting her brother, who after all seems to her to be a bit weird. While this is a paranormal thriller, it is also a novel about coming of age. How can we overcome ordinary life problems? How do we cope with circumstances like an absent father? Will we rise to meet life's challenges, or will we be a "sissy-pants"? This book will definitely appeal to the young and young at heart. It will also definitely appeal to guys, although girls will find plenty of female characters in it to relate to. I really did like this book. Paranormal is one things, but as I have tried to say there is more than that in it to recommend it. I really do think it is worth 5 stars. https://www.amazon.com//dp/B00FGK1QTI/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0