Mkitty's Bubble: July 2014

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Juniper's Princess by Chelsea O'Neal Giveaway

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Juniper's Princess

Angel Crest Series Book 1

Released July 2, 2013

Blurb:

Daniah is different, she always has been and now her dreams and visions of the future are increasing, she knows her life is changing. She just doesn't know by how much...

Jaiden is different, but he knows why and he knows his responsibilities. He must find the saviour of his race, the angel human half-breeds who are fighting a war for humanity's souls. If he can't convince Daniah she is more than just a little different - she is the princess of their people - they are all going to die.

Unfortunately Daniah doesn't have many reasons to trust Jaiden, especially when he is caught in a web of his own lies.

In a world where half-breed angels walk among us, fighting an evil for our souls, Daniah must find the strength to become the princess we all need.

Purchase a Signed Copy from Author

Zoku's Hope

Angel Crest Series Book 2

by Chelsea O'Neal

Release April 2014!

Cover by Mallory Rocks Art

Blurb:

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After Jaiden found Daniah in Juniper, they returned to Garnet City. Daniah is destined to become Queen of Zoku, a race of angel half-breeds who protect the humans from a soul-stealing evil. Now, Daniah is learning of her abilities and responsibilities as queen. Just as things seem to be going smoothly, a group of Zoku show up to help, led by an angel, Shelly.

Mallory has been on her own for most of her life, trying to protect and save those around her. She is Toyek, and she's been hiding in plain sight while fighting for her life. She is intent on finding her friend’s daughter, whatever it takes, when an innocent trip to the supermarket takes an interesting turn.

Orion has been hired to find a female and, as a Tracker, finding people is his specialty. He discovers much more than he was looking for when he runs into the beautiful Mallory. While pursuing both his target and the resistant Mallory, he finds himself fighting to defend Princess Daniah and the Zoku.

Can Orion and Mallory work together to help Daniah be the hope the Zoku so desperately need? Or will a few surprises and a tragedy be all it takes to break the united front of the Zoku fighting against the evil Meikal?

Purchase signed copy from Author

Giveaways:

An ebook of Juniper’s Princess and an ebook of Zoku's Hope

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Bio Chelsea O'Neal:

Chelsea O’Neal lives in her fantasy world where people can fly, vampires could be real, money is never an issue, and the romantic meeting of your true love is a normal happening. When not relaxing in Chelsea-ville, she enjoys talking with animals that talk back and taking long walks with her Prince Charming…

Actually Chelsea lives in the United States in Nebraska, where she was born and raised, with her black lab Daisey, who hasn’t spoken actual words, but she is pretty sure Daisey understands her. She is yet to meet her Prince Charming, though she is quite sure he is out there. Chelsea enjoys working in a library as well as a cosmetologist. She is an avid reader and writing has always been her passion. Zoku’s Hope is her second novel, and she is working on her next book now.

Visit her website : Chelsea O'Neal

Chelsea O'Neal has a unique voice in storytelling, threading the characters lives together intricately to give us a complex web of good versus evil in a world descending into chaos...

Connect on Amazon Author Page

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Stay Another Night P.S. Meronek

Stay Another Night by P.S. Meronek
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Stay Another Night caught me by surprise. I thought it would be just another murder/mystery ...but it wasn't! The Narrator is a woman, which I didn't realize at first. Her name is Coco Stevens, and she tells the adventurous,dangerous, and redeeming story of her

"Billy Cunninham was my curveball, and I never saw him coming until it was too late to do anything about it."

I wondered throughout her life who this character was, because his name did not come into the story till the end. Coco narrates her present life, and catches the reader up with how she came to be in alternating chapters. In the present she is 25 years old and drop dead gorgeous at 5'8" and blond. Coco breaks down in Brittle, Nevada, on fumes in her '57 Chevy Bel Air. She meets Mark Zarillo, a lawyer, posing as a Highway Patrolman. Later in the story we find out why she was in Brittle and how this town eventually changes the course of Coco's life forever.

Coco ran away(at 16)after her Father was killed by a drug addicted murderer, and her Mother sunk into depression. She hopped on a bus and landed in front of Dante's, a strip club. There she met one of her best friends Jack Holiday, who was the manager. The strip club got raided and found out that Coco was only 17, she got fired but that was the day she met Sam Spielman.

Hearts, stars, flutters....Bang... Explosion of love!!!

He waited till she turned 18 and graduated High School before they became an item. He was a mob boss but also became respected by legitimate means as well. Coco goes on to college to graduate with a degree in Business and a minor in Geology. Coco and Sam stay together and when on a trip to Africa, a famous photographer scouts Coco. He takes her pictures and she becomes famous. She battles inside about the two different sides of Sam because she doesn't want to be involved in the gangster lifestyle but Sam can't always keep both lives separate. She has a falling out with Sam due to some wrong information and goes to Brittle for revenge, but instead she finds her heart and the truth of her past as well as Sam. All because of chasing down Billy Cunningham or BC...

I liked Coco's character because she was beautiful, smart, independent, and took care of herself. She is very passionate with a love for animals and people. No matter what situation is thrown at her she always makes the right and heartfelt decision. She can forgive things I would hold hard in my own heart forever. I really admired her. She stuck it out with Sam and re-united with her Mom. All things in my own life I haven't been able to do. She definitely had a lucky streak but I think she deserved it because she worked hard.

I gave this book 3 stars because it was confusing switching from past to present and I felt that the end of the story just stopped. I don't really get the character of Sam. Some things just didn't seem plausible in the plot and certain situations popped up without warning, taking the story in a strange direction for example...::Who put the hit out on Sam?? We never see the Gangster part of his life.(Meyer Lansky is even mentioned!) I was left with too many questions unanswered. Otherwise I really enjoyed reading about Coco's life and I am happy that her life ended in rainbows. I think too because the Title and the book just didn't jive with each other, was another reason I gave it 3 stars. I liked it but I didn't love it. It is still an interesting read with all the twists, turns and surprises. I honestly don't know what genre to shelve it as.. romance, mystery ,thriller, fiction?? It didn't really seem like a mystery or a thriller...maybe more like a fictional biography?

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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The Ties That Bind Marta Tandori

The Ties That Bind (A Prequel to Too Little, Too Late)

The Ties That Bind by Marta Tandori
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the Prequel to:
Too Little, Too Late (A Kate Stanton Mystery) by Marta Tandori

Too Little Too Late
*This story gives some background on Brooke Connelly and Dr. Eric Devane which will be important to the next book.

The first part of the story starts in 1998 Colorado City, AZ : There is a hidden commune (The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or FLDS) with a Prophet as the leader, who enforces strict rules, with his God Squad and has lots of sister-wives. Here we meet Chaz Longo and family. Apparently, the commune has produced too many men and not enough women to go around. So the Prophet has been kicking out boys for any tiny infraction of the rules.. as what happens when Chaz and Casey go to St. George to get plastic baggies and canning jars..a simple task turning into a nightmare...

"Tommy Metcalf got kicked out for wearing a short-sleeved shirt,"Chaz reminded him (Casey, who was taking off his constricting undergarment). "His family barely got to say goodbye before the God Squad dropped him off outside of Hurricane." "Just like an unwanted mutt," Casey remarked bitterly."

Chase gets caught and exiled, while Chaz in front of the prophet gets.. punished by the Prophet separating his family, and denouncing his father as worthless.

"Defy me and you will risk eternal damnation. Is that what you want for your family?" Chaz could only shake his head in shame. In his heart, he knew he had no choice -- none of them did once the Prophet made his decision. Within days of his audience with the Prophet, Chaz's remaining eleven brothers and sisters, his mother and two sister-wives were reassigned to Oliver Hewitt, a 56-year-old man, well-respected with the FDLS.

Unfortunately Chaz found out that Oliver was impotent and wanted Chaz to impregnate his wives.. which could possibly be his mother at one time. Chaz decides to leave before this happens and makes it to Salt Lake City. He finds a home with Tony and Mellie Sinclair. On a errand he meets Pete Echlin who tells Chaz all about Vegas and his dreams of being a famous chef there. *Just as a side note I'm giving you some names of the characters because it's really important to the story which gets really really TWISTED*

We haven't even met the evil Darren Sonsini yet, in Las Vegas, where Chaz and Pete went. Brooke Connelly used to be a showgirl in Vegas, and worked with Darren, so did Chaz, Pete and another guy Matt.

"Chaz immediately understood why Matt and the other boys worshiped the ground she walked on. She was both guardian angel and sexy siren."

The boys started working for Darren's dirty side of business instead of the restaurant Renata. Pete started running special errands and in 2003 Chaz ended up the manager of Darren's strip club the Desert Dune. Carmen who worked at the club, became good friends with Chaz. Pete stole money from the club so Chaz got fired and beat up even though he returned the money. The key to the locker with the money was taped to the awning on top of the trailer that Pete and Chaz once shared, the key said 2YY.
Chaz later partnered up with Rina to open a Porn Studio, and used Carmen in their Gonzosmax videos. Gonzosmax with Carmen was a smash hit, but Darren wasn't happy..or Rina

"Carmen told me you and some other guy pissed off some mobster years ago and he had you run out of town." Her eyes bore into his. "Is that true?"

Rina when pregnant was scheming and wasn't who she used to be which was best friends with Carolyn, Eric Devane's daughter.

2011 Los Angeles, California.. Brooke Connelly... Another escapee from Colorado City. She had a soft spot for the boys who were getting kicked out. Brooke created a safe haven for the boys, as well as working to set them up with jobs when she was with Darren. Now at 32 she was manager of Elegance, a high class restaurant and bar. Brooke had a troubled history as well and Clint Stabler had saved her when she needed it the most. He was also her boss and lover. Brooke also had a boyfriend named Dr. Eric Devane, who was a reproduction specialist. Eric's first wife Claire Ziegler died and left a daughter Carolyn. Mary Anne Hollister was one of his clients, she wanted a baby at any cost and would dangle a golden carrot of money over Eric.... kind of how Clint dangled carrots over Brooke as well. (Told ya it gets twisted...) Mary Anne gets Cancer and then wants the baby terminated.. which is not an easy thing to do.
There is murder, brutality, stealing, bribing, and all kinds of wicked games going on!
Brooke is the most tangled up in the whole mess, from Colorado City to Las Vegas to California, with all the characters from Darren to Chaz to Eric and Clint.
It's strange how Brooke seems to be in the center of the mess and moves on to the next book with only Eric, Carolyn, and the mysterious baby from Mary Anne Hollister. This book is awesome, and filled with so many twists and turns.. deviousness, lies and secrets. No one in this book is innocent. I absolutely could not stop reading it. I can see now how little details in this story reach out into the rest of the books, it's really cool how intricate these books are woven. I could not stop reading once I picked this up. I suggest not reading "Forbidden and just reading in this order:

The Ties That Bind, Too Little Too Late, No Hard Feelings
on Amazon

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C.O.D.E Human N.J Paige

Code Human by N.J. Paige
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I believe Code Human is a powerful book with a message about prejudice and morality. Code Human is a dystopian, coming of age story about Fenesia Thornbark and her family surviving the every day violence of the autocratic Kaukus. Death to anyone who apposes them! The Governor Samuel "Facious" Malborn, is the Purist leader of the Kaukus and his 100 purist chosen. Her family takes the journey to fight for freedom under the name of the Human Code.

The author N.J. Paige asks in the beginning of the book "Who would you die for?" I think that is a very important question. The answer to that question is deep inside us, and reflects who we truly are inside. It shows a person's real values and morals.

There is a caste system in the Kaucus society: Purest, Purestkind, and Underkind: Shiller, Besmirchian, and Rubrick. The Purest are the leaders, the Purestkind are the people who look like the Purest (blue skin, pale white hair and either blue or green eyes, brown eyes are shunned for being different). The Underkind look different so they have no status, they are ignored and treated as slaves to the Purestkind. If the Purestkind are caught being sympathetic to the Underkind or befriending/mating with them.. they will be killed and whipped as well.

"I can't deny the reality of our society, harsh and merciless, the have's and have not's, the free and the bounded"pg 10

Fenesia, her sister Anicey and their mother Sara, are shopping at Mrs. Em's when Fenesha notices a Shiller (Yellow skin,hair and eyes) across from her.

"I stare, not only because a part of me loathes the Shiller. but because she is a Shiller and because I've seen her, or someone like her in my real dreams, except that it...it was my face that I saw."pg 12

Fenesia is Crossing the Border Dance, meaning she is turning 18 and is starting to question the society she lives in. She watches her Mother and Father pretending to hate the Underkind in public, yet treat their employees, Jules and Johnny, like family. They own a restaurant called Wildgoose Mulley and John, the father, always feeds anyone that comes by the backdoor. His quote to his daugher "Feed the famished because they may be the one's who save your life."
This quote proves true later in the story.

Fenesia is coming to terms with her surroundings and the people in it, in fact she's fallen in love with a Besmirchian so she's torn, she wants her family to be safe but yet she can't stand the cruelty around her and wants to be free. She says "Now I understand I've been living a lie!"pg 38

On their way to the restaurant for lunch hour, on the train, a Rubrick is being whipped in public and people are starting a revolution against the harsh treatment of the Underkind, suprisingly some of the Purestkind are joining the revolution called "Defender's of the Code".
Anticey asks her mother, Sara " Why do they suffer and we don't?" while in public on the train. Sara replies "Well because they are lazy and unintelligent and they are not like us, they look different and they hat the fact that we were successful in our endeavors. They hate us for being the chosen. It's easier to blame us for their failures. Besides they are really filthy!"pg 28 This is how the Purestkind are brainwashed to behave, to lie instead of having the freedom to say the real truth.

After this all hell breaks loose and the Thornbark family makes their journey toward freedom and to join the Defender's of the Code.

"Many Purestkind have turned against the Purest. When the human code - civility and freedom - have been broken, our natural instinct comes to the front; that is; what is truly in our hearts. And if we feel empathy for our fellow being and believe in their right to live, their right to freedom and justice, then we will naturally aid in their defense. I did not know that I had even fundamental beliefs close to my heart until two weeks ago and mother, Well she surprises me more than I have surprised myself; considering how she used to talk about the Underkind. Father never said an unpleasant word about the Underkind... I only wish we would have been more prepared.pg 106

I really enjoyed Code Human because it touched my heart, and is true to our own society today. It felt refreshing for a story to be told about who we truly are as humans and what humanity is. I hope that more people read this book, because it really has a powerful message that will touch every reader of all ages!

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Meghna Sundari Venkatraman

MEGHNA by Sundari Venkatraman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sanjay, his wife Reema, their children Sasha and Rehaan and his sister Meghna were a very close knit family. When Meghna and Sanjay's mother, Sushma died of a heart attack, they were devastated. So was Rahul, Sanjay's best friend, because Sushma was like a mother to him as well. Rahul was just as much a part of this close knit family and grieved right along with them. Meghna was only 16 but she worshiped Rahul.

"She was so that she barely reached his shoulder. She hadn't lost her puppy fat yet but had the beginnings of a real beauty. Her large grey eyes with long,thick dark lashes looked up at Rahul trustingly."

Rahul leaves after college, to join his father (Shyham Sinha) at their bank. Once Rahul was settled in on the bank's board, bringing in new ideas and acclimaing to life in London. Finding his own group of friends, and activities he liked to pursue. His selfish Mother (Rajni) never usually paid any attention to him but decided to throw him a party. It was a Congratulations party because the members of the bank board accepted his proposal! Rajni deviously just wanted to flash her handsome son off in front of her friends and arrange a marriage to Aisha for her own mutual benefits. Rahul realizes the only woman he truly cares about is Meghna.

He recalled his last day in Mumbai six years back. He could still feel Meghna in his arms. He had kissed her innocent lips, forgetting she was barely 16."

Rahul decides to take a break from work and visit Sanjay,Reema,Sasha and Meghna back in Mumbai. This is my favorite part of the story when Rahul sees Meghna beautiful, all grown up, teaching dancing classes and working as a copywriter at a website. Both Rahul and Meghna have changed and struggle to move their relationship into adulthood and beyond. Meghna makes some dangerous choices and jumps the gun not really trusting Rahul but deep down she's been waiting for him to come back for her. Will they make it? Will they get married??

"The woman from Venus couldn't quite comprehend the kind of dread this male specimen from Mars was suffering from."

I also wanted to read this book because my name is Meghan and I wondered what a Meghna would be like.

" Meghna was just the perfect name for her. Her grey eyes reminded him of dark, rain-bearing clouds. The lightning temper in her eyes and the thunder in her expression added to his conviction. Just now the grey eyes were smiling guilelessly up at him."

Meghna also loves to dance, is fiercely loyal to her family,and is quick to make decisions. She is emotionally a bit dramatic and stubborn especially when it comes to trusting Rahul. She also is a little rebellious whereas Rahul has been living in the corporate, rich world. That's all part of growing into a relationship.

"She knew that he had always loved her. He had even told her so that very evening, dammit. Didn't she have any faith in him?..."

In a way I am sort of like her, young, pretty, creative, emotional but I've dived more on the wild side of life. Everyone also thinks it's really hilarious to make me mad just like Rahul does to Meghna. Why do men think we are beautiful when we are angry? Arrrgggghhh!!

I liked the suspense and drama between Meghna and Rahul because you never quite know till the end whether they are gonna make it or not. Plus their love is so innocent and naive, because in life they both only wanted each other...never anyone else. They also make some pretty hilarious comments towards each other!!

"What was wrong with the man? She had made a tremendous effort to get all decked up for his sake. She had never taken so much trouble over her looks. And look at him; he behaved like he was blind."

Sanjay and his wife Reema do their best to give advice when it's appropriate and stay out of the way when they can see the couple needs to work out their issues. They are a wonderful example of what a healthy relationship is and I think that makes a big impact on Meghna and Rahul. It's an important aspect of the story because Meghna's parents have passed away and Rahul's parents don't have a healthy relationship at all.

I enjoyed this story, which says a lot because I am not a big romance book fan. I'd love to read some more or Sundari Venkatraman's Books.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my opinion.
My amazon review
To purchase Meghna ~ Amazon
Sundari's other Books : The Malhotra Bride 4 stars, Double Jeopardy 4 stars
Sundari-Venkatraman's Amazon Page

Twitter @sundarivenkat

Facebook: Sundari Venkatraman

FB page: AuthorSundariVenkatraman

FB page: Flaming Sun

Google: +SundariVenkatraman

Sundari's Blogs

Flaming Sun

Rising Sun

Ascension Miracles

View all my reviews

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Zombie Attack! Rise of the Hoard Devan Sagliani

Zombie Attack: Rise of the Horde (Volume 1)

Zombie Attack: Rise of the Horde by Devan Sagliani
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At first I was afraid that this would be just a copy of a classic ol zombie tale. Just when I thought I knew what would happenin the story, I was blown away by the creativeness of the author! I love the references to current pop culture and details of teenage life. I also like the fact that the characters were mostly teens. In all honesty I think the younger generation would survive better in the Zombie apocalypse, especially after reading this book. Looking forward to the next horde,a big fight :)

Xander Macnamara (16) is living at Vandenberg Air Force base. He is fluent in martial arts and practices to pass the time. His brother Moto is military royalty, and he gave Xander a Katana, as well as training before he left for his current duty. When Benji Jones (12) is being bullied by Weasel, Xander steps in and makes Weasel apologize for trying to steal comic books and beating up Benji. Then Benji becomes his friend and traveling companion till the end. Benji tells how he lost his whole family on Z day, he loves reading comics and talking.
The base gets run over by a zombie horde while the two run to an elementary school. They successfully maneuver out of the school only to run into the Parker twins who are packing heat. Their father was in the military and trained them with every auto gun imaginable.
This is the start of an incredible journey to find Xander's brother Moto (hel-lo mo-to, Motorola commercial ) in Hueneme. The two boys meet crazy, cannabalistic, charismatic, religious, fanatical, helpful, innocent, brave, smart, talented, and strange people, most get eaten except for a rare few gems. The boys manage to watch tv, eat junk food, play video games (mostly Benji), drive sweet cars, listen to rock and roll, make escape plans, search and rescue, meet cute girls,live in a mansion with a pool, evade zombies, kill zombies with swords and guns, all through this traumatic zombie experience.

The zombies were believable,and the characters were solid. I felt while reading, oh no they got stuck again...very suspenseful. The author really took the time to put in details that would be real to these young kids, and also was able to incorporate how they felt and dealt with their awful surroundings, bad people, sad events, kick butt dreams and still hold out hope! A stronge message in this book is that bad things happen, but there is always an answer to every situation. Never give up because the small things in life are miracles. You never know who you will meet or what adventure waits around the corner.

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Old Reviews

Updated Reviews
I will post a new page for coming reviews

Sundari Venkatraman
https://sundarivenkatraman.blogspot.com

The Malhotra Bride ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Double Jeopardy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Runaway Bride ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Joe Abercrombie
http://www.joeabercrombie.com/

Half a King ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Shattered Seas #1
Half a World ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Shattered Seas #2
Half a War ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Shattered Seas #3

Jack Wallen
http://www.monkeypantz.net

I Zombie I ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Zombie #1 eBook
The Last Casket ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spin off of I Zombie
My Zombie My (to read) Book #2 ON HOLD

Thomas A. Meyers

http://www.facebook.com/EricElmoor

Eric Elmoor and the Gauntlet of Godrick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Book #1
Eric Elmoor and the Chalice of Cameron ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Book #2

David Estes

http://www.davidestesbooks.blogspot.com/

The Moon Dwellers ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Star Dwellers (to read)
The Sun Dwellers (to read)
The Earth Dwellers (to read)

Fire Country ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ice Country ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Water and Storm Country (to-read)

Emmy Laybourne
http://emmylaybourne.com

Monument 14 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sky On Fire ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Savage Drift ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Devan Sagliani

http://devansagliani.com

Zombie Attack! Rise of the Horde ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Zombie Attack! Army of the Dead ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Curse of the Living

Edward Hackemer
http://edhackemer.info/index.htm

Throckmorton Family Novels: Alex Throckmorton's FB Page

Book 1: In A Cream Packard ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book 2: The Katydid Effect ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book 3: A Bridge To Cross ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book 4:Dollar to Doughnut ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book 5: The Flying Phaeton ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

**Book 6: Sangria Sunsets... TBA**

My Attempt at a Family Tree

To Read- yet....

We Three O👽📥📚🖍

Joseph N Taylor

Tomorrow's Past Series:

Book 1: The Hunt

Book 2: The Rescue

Book 3: The Reunion

Book 4: Shenandoah

Everette Morgan

Few Are Chosen: K'Barthan Trilogy Part 1

MT McGuire

Slaughtertown Circus *won*

Journey Into the Realm Series:

Book 1: The Elf Girl

Book 2: The Spell Master

Book 3: The Stolen Child

Markelle Grabo

Tsar Wars *gift*

Steven Goldin

Breeder 2

Casey Hayes

The Biology of Luck

Jacob M Appel

Last Train To Paris *ARC/GR*

Michele Zackheim

WOW: War Crimes *ARC/GR*

Christie Golden

Coming Reviews