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Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, #2)
Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, #2)
Ilona Andrews | 2008 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.1 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
Addictive magical read
My Kate love continues to grow and if I didn’t have study and arc obligations, I’d be running straight into book three. MAGIC BURNS showed a bit of a softer side to Kate with the introduction of Julie and I found that whole part of the storyline interesting. Curran piques my attention constantly and I’d like to see his presence in the book so much more than it is, but I’m grateful for any little peeks.

I feel like I have started to get some answers to my questions in this instalment, like how magic and tech works, how the pack and the people are organised and function. I’m still a bit foggy over the order. My big questions are...who is Kate’s father and what is so special about her blood (please don’t tell me).
  
With fall in the air, Julia must make decisions about her future with the family clambake. Will she stay or return to her job in New York City? That gets put on the back burner when the body of a potential competitor is found on an abandoned boat and the police begin to question her brother-in-law, who is clearly hiding something.

The book started off strong and never slowed down. There are plenty of secrets, clues, and twists along the way to a fantastic ending. The characters were strong and that made me care about the solution to the mystery that much more.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-musseled-out-by-barbara.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Nick and Tesla have decided it is time to learn the truth about where their parents are and what they are working on. When two government agents admit the twin’s parents are missing, they start to look for clues the agents have missed. Will they find the clues to save the day?

I was so glad to see that this on-going mystery was the focus of this book, and it’s nice to get some answers about what has been happening. The characters are good for a middle grade series, although one does seem very over the top. Still, this is a climax that series fans will appreciate.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-nick-and-teslas-solar.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Rose Carroll is a Quaker Midwife in Amesbury, Massachusetts, in 1888. The small town is usually quiet until a fire destroys some of the factories in town, killing employees. Rumors circulate that it was caused by arson. Will her connections in town help Rose figure out what is happening?

This is a good series debut. I had a little trouble keeping track of the characters at the beginning, but I quickly got them all straight, and I grew to care for them by the end. The plot is good with some nice complications and a creative climax. I’m looking forward to visiting Rose again in more books.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-delivering-truth-by-edith.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
MA
Murder at the Male Revue
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Catering a fund raiser for the community center is doing double duty for the Skinny Dipping Grandmas as they can also check “Visit a strip club” off Joy’s bucket list. But when the auction for the men gets started, chaos insures and the town council’s president is murdered. Who could as done it?

As always, Francine is our guide to this third wacky and fun mystery. There are some good secrets, twists, and surprises that come out, although the ending did feel a bit abrupt. The characters are fun and strong. Between a couple of slapstick scenes and the dialogue, we get some great laughs along the way as well.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-murder-at-male-revue-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
NL
New Lands (The Chronicles of Egg, #2)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Egg and Guts are headed to the New Lands to try to find the treasure map they've found. But their journey will be dangerous with hostile Natives and a settlement that has an edict against foreigners. Will they survive long enough to explore the wilderness?

A great middle grade novel, this one picks up where the first one ended (so read it first). The characters are fun, charming, and feel real. The plot takes some great twists and I was shocked a time or two by what Egg learns along the way. Can not wait for the third and final book to come out.

NOTE: I won an ARC of this book in a contest.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-review-new-lands-by-geoff-rodkey.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
TS
True Stories
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This collection of 10 non-fiction stories feature stories of shipwreck and bear attack from the 1800’s, the life of Blues musician Muddy Waters, and growing up with six older brothers in Vietnam. Personally, I want to start exploring creeks like the guy who wrote the last chapter here.

I don’t normally read non-fiction, but I enjoyed all 10 of the stories here. They were entertaining, which is what it takes to keep me reading. Middle school guys will love it, and anyone looking to learn something in an entertaining fashion will enjoy it.

NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book, but no review was requested or promised. My thoughts are my own.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/09/book-review-guys-read-5-true-stories.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Lady Georgiana is asked to come to an estate in 1930's England to teach the new heir to the dukedom proper upper society manners. This heir has just been discovered and has been raised in the Australian Outback. However, not too long after this heir arrives, Georgie has to add sleuthing to her list of things to do when someone gets a knife in the back - literally.

These trips back in time are always fun, and this one was no exception. I loved the new characters and the tension was so thick I always had a hard time putting it down.

I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Please read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-heirs-and-graces-by-rhys.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
CO
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
When a case Daniel is working on turns dangerous, Molly and Liam leave New York to join Sid and Gus in Paris. But when her reception is not what she expected, is Molly in more danger now than she was before?

More than any other book in the series, I felt this one had a large number of real people popping up in Molly's fictional world. The plot was good with some twists I didn't expect and the characters are so real by this point I just love visiting them. All told, it was a great trip back to 1905.

NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/03/book-review-city-of-darkness-and-light.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Stickmen's Guide to Your Mighty Muscles and Bones by John Farndon and Venitia Dean is well-written with clear text and illustrations. The diagrams are labeled well and easy to understand. Children will enjoy the interesting diagrams throughout the book. The book contains a large about of information that is presented in a way that is accessible by the reader. An illustrated timeline shows the history of muscle and bone is fascinating. It has an added bonus of providing a sense of how understanding of our skeletal system grows. The timeline also provides extra information about muscles and bones.  

I recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about the human body and how it works. 

I received this ARC from NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group and Hungry Tomato in exchange for an honest review.