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r_j_setser's reviews
823 reviews
Among the Crimson Snow (Kickstarter Mass Paperback Edition) by Angela R. Watts
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
Retribution by Connor Kimbley
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
4.5
Review & content warnings to come.
Death Without Company by Craig Johnson
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Rape
Grieving Dads: To the Brink and Back by David Dicola, Kelly Farley
emotional
5.0
Rating this 5 stars because there are too few books for dads who've lost a child, and this one is very well written. There is a lot of commentary about what it feels like to be a grieving dad (or parent) and as a wife, I related to a lot of what each of these dads said. I was able to recognize my husband's struggle with grief. We went through this book together and I'm glad we did; it opened up conversation topics for us and gave me (the wife) a different perspective and way of helping my husband where other books geared towards women were completely useless.
Cautions: There are a lot of stories, not terribly graphic, but I couldn't read them and neither could my husband. Our story is still too fresh. There is also some cursing, but honestly, I think that made the book more relatable because when you're in this situation, sometimes the only words that encapsulate the right feelings are curse words.
I recommend this book especially to anyone who may know a grieving dad, because as someone on the outside, you might not know how to help someone in this situation. These dads shared both their frustrations and comforts from how those around them responded to them, and most of the time, what you think will "help" might actually hurt very deeply.
Cautions: There are a lot of stories, not terribly graphic, but I couldn't read them and neither could my husband. Our story is still too fresh. There is also some cursing, but honestly, I think that made the book more relatable because when you're in this situation, sometimes the only words that encapsulate the right feelings are curse words.
I recommend this book especially to anyone who may know a grieving dad, because as someone on the outside, you might not know how to help someone in this situation. These dads shared both their frustrations and comforts from how those around them responded to them, and most of the time, what you think will "help" might actually hurt very deeply.
The Cold Dish: A Longmire Mystery by Craig Johnson
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
5.0
The Cold Dish is now going to be the book I recommend to anyone looking for Western reads.
Longmire has a dry, sarcastic sense of humor and each of the characters has such vibrant personalities that it's difficult to believe this is fiction. I had no prior introduction to Longmire before reading this book (for book club), but after this one, I'm a fan. Walt is such a loveable character.
"I'm a loveable slob."
The depth of the male-emotion in this story, accompanied by strong female characters, also surprised me. When I think of "Westerns", my mind goes to John Wayne-type stories, so I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting so many solid female characters who played such large roles in the story. And I loved every one the women in this book. But even more, I loved how Walt carried himself and that we saw his emotionally vulnerable side (because I feel like men processing emotions isn't often shown in stories). He isn't perfect, but he's a pretty stand-up guy and I'm really glad he's our main character.
"The older I get, the more I think I look like a muppet."
"Oh please, all the women in town chase you. Can you imagine if you were good-looking to boot?"
As far as the story goes, I never lost interest. It's the perfect pace of Walt living his life and trying to solve the case. It's both exciting and tugs on the heartstrings. Overall, I really enjoyed it!
Content disclaimers: High cursing content and some mild s3xual jokes made. No on-page s3x, but the topic is prevalent considering the nature of the case and can become mildly descriptive. There's no gory descriptions regarding the cases, but the action does pick up towards the end, so expect a lot of *pew pew* action.
Longmire has a dry, sarcastic sense of humor and each of the characters has such vibrant personalities that it's difficult to believe this is fiction. I had no prior introduction to Longmire before reading this book (for book club), but after this one, I'm a fan. Walt is such a loveable character.
"I'm a loveable slob."
The depth of the male-emotion in this story, accompanied by strong female characters, also surprised me. When I think of "Westerns", my mind goes to John Wayne-type stories, so I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting so many solid female characters who played such large roles in the story. And I loved every one the women in this book. But even more, I loved how Walt carried himself and that we saw his emotionally vulnerable side (because I feel like men processing emotions isn't often shown in stories). He isn't perfect, but he's a pretty stand-up guy and I'm really glad he's our main character.
"The older I get, the more I think I look like a muppet."
"Oh please, all the women in town chase you. Can you imagine if you were good-looking to boot?"
As far as the story goes, I never lost interest. It's the perfect pace of Walt living his life and trying to solve the case. It's both exciting and tugs on the heartstrings. Overall, I really enjoyed it!
Content disclaimers: High cursing content and some mild s3xual jokes made. No on-page s3x, but the topic is prevalent considering the nature of the case and can become mildly descriptive. There's no gory descriptions regarding the cases, but the action does pick up towards the end, so expect a lot of *pew pew* action.
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Don't care for the blood magic use.
Pawsitive Beginnings by Leighann Dobbs
mysterious
fast-paced
2.0
I expected a quick mystery because of the page count (81 pages) but I didn't expect the story to feel like the synopsis of a longer novel. It was rushed, the storytelling was clipped and poorly edited, and the resolution was a little ridiculous. I wanted a cozy cat mystery, but this just didn't do it for me. Maybe the full series is better, but I read this to get a feel for the series as a whole, so it's unfortunate that I didn't care for it.
Unleash the Cosmos: A Space Poetry Anthology by Nathaniel Luscombe, Jenni Sauer
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0