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ArecRain (8 KP) rated Long for Me (Luminous, #3) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A boss romance involving BDSM. Sounds like the perfect recipe right? I thought so too, but I wasnt 100% happy with this novel. On one hand, the erotic scenes were as graphic as they were hot. The chemistry between the leads was undeniable.
The being said, I wanted to punch the heroine in the face on multiple occasions. Okay, I know that is a bit extreme. Overreactions aside, she could be pretty obnoxious. I understand that she is supposed to have the PTSD from past abuse back story but she over the top with it. Even after the long extensive conversations with her best friend about the BDSM community, she still cant separate from abuse. Even after going to the club and seeing consenting couples enjoying themselves. She still cant separate it from abuse. I had to put the book down multiple times because she was so annoying.
If that doesnt bother you, or you can get past that aspect, the story is pretty enjoyable.
A boss romance involving BDSM. Sounds like the perfect recipe right? I thought so too, but I wasnt 100% happy with this novel. On one hand, the erotic scenes were as graphic as they were hot. The chemistry between the leads was undeniable.
The being said, I wanted to punch the heroine in the face on multiple occasions. Okay, I know that is a bit extreme. Overreactions aside, she could be pretty obnoxious. I understand that she is supposed to have the PTSD from past abuse back story but she over the top with it. Even after the long extensive conversations with her best friend about the BDSM community, she still cant separate from abuse. Even after going to the club and seeing consenting couples enjoying themselves. She still cant separate it from abuse. I had to put the book down multiple times because she was so annoying.
If that doesnt bother you, or you can get past that aspect, the story is pretty enjoyable.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated The Final Tap (Living History Museum, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Kelsey Cambridge is getting ready for the first annual Maple Sugar Festival at Barton Farm, the living history museum she runs in Ohio. As part of that festival, she has invited Dr. Conrad Beeson to teach a class on harvesting maple sugar. However, while he is inspecting the trees on the farm, someone stabs him with a hand drill. With the police looking at one of Kelsey’s employees, can she find the real killer?
I was delighted to slip back into the world of this series. The setting is fantastic, and the characters are strong. Not all the returning characters get a lot of page time, but the ones that do get a good deal of development. The suspects are also strong, and the varying suspects and motives kept me guessing until the end.
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-final-tap-by-amanda-flower.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I was delighted to slip back into the world of this series. The setting is fantastic, and the characters are strong. Not all the returning characters get a lot of page time, but the ones that do get a good deal of development. The suspects are also strong, and the varying suspects and motives kept me guessing until the end.
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-final-tap-by-amanda-flower.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated A Girl's Guide to Landing a Greek God in Books
Mar 9, 2018
A Girl’s Guide to Landing a Greek God by Bill Fuller (Mythmaker’s Trilogy #1) – 4
After running out on her own wedding, Angie takes a trip to Greece with a request from her grandmother to go to one particular island. What she doesn’t know is that on the island is Milos, a man who has been in love with Angie for years. Oh, and he also happens to be a Greek god. What will happen when she arrives?
Fantasy and romance – not my normal genres at all, and this book was heavy on the romance early on, which meant I was a little bored. Once the fantasy began to play a bigger factor in the book in the second half, I got much more interested in the book. So interested, in fact, that I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next to these characters.
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-girls-guide-to-landing.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
After running out on her own wedding, Angie takes a trip to Greece with a request from her grandmother to go to one particular island. What she doesn’t know is that on the island is Milos, a man who has been in love with Angie for years. Oh, and he also happens to be a Greek god. What will happen when she arrives?
Fantasy and romance – not my normal genres at all, and this book was heavy on the romance early on, which meant I was a little bored. Once the fantasy began to play a bigger factor in the book in the second half, I got much more interested in the book. So interested, in fact, that I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next to these characters.
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-girls-guide-to-landing.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated The Final Reveille (Living History Museum, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Kelsey Cambridge enjoys her job running the Barton Farm Living History Museum. However, on the weekend that she’s added Civil War reenactors to the museum’s activities, she gets word from Maxwell that he is going to cut off the funds she’s been getting through a charitable foundation to help keep the place running. When Kelsey finds Maxwell murdered on the museum property the next morning, she becomes a suspect. Can she find the real killer?
I already enjoy history, but Kelsey’s love of the subject comes through loud and clear. The plot was a little slow to get going as the museum and characters were introduced, but it quickly gained speed and drew me in. Kelsey is a strong character, and the rest of the cast is great as well. I’m looking forward to reading more about them in the future.
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/2015/05/book-review-final-reveille-by-amanda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I already enjoy history, but Kelsey’s love of the subject comes through loud and clear. The plot was a little slow to get going as the museum and characters were introduced, but it quickly gained speed and drew me in. Kelsey is a strong character, and the rest of the cast is great as well. I’m looking forward to reading more about them in the future.
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/2015/05/book-review-final-reveille-by-amanda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated Fogged Inn (A Maine Clambake Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
It’s the off-season in Maine, and Julia and her boyfriend Chris are operating a dinner restaurant in the building where their friend Gus has his breakfast and lunch restaurant. When Gus comes in one morning to open, he finds a dead body in the refrigerator. The victim had come in for dinner the night before, but he is a stranger in town. Who was he? And why was he murdered in the restaurant?
This book opens with the murder right away, and the pace never slacks. I did miss a few of the usual supporting characters who are reduced to cameos here, but the new characters more than make up for it. The book builds to a sobering climax that adds some nice depth to the book and even a couple of our characters. I love this series, and this is another great entry.
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/2016/02/book-review-fogged-inn-by-barbara-ross.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book opens with the murder right away, and the pace never slacks. I did miss a few of the usual supporting characters who are reduced to cameos here, but the new characters more than make up for it. The book builds to a sobering climax that adds some nice depth to the book and even a couple of our characters. I love this series, and this is another great entry.
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/2016/02/book-review-fogged-inn-by-barbara-ross.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The Toy and Train Expo has come to town, and Liz McCall and her father have a booth for their vintage toy shop, Well Played. Their booth is next to a face from Liz’s past, Craig McFadden, who used to bully Liz in school. Craig has some big announcement to make this weekend, but before he can, he plunges off the cat walk in the convention center. What’s going on?
I never really grew up, so a series set in a vintage toy shop has me smiling from page one. The fact that the story is strong and kept me guessing only helps. The characters are wonderful, and I’d love to meet Liz and her family. There are significant developments in the romantic triangle introduced in the previous book. Add in a strong dose of humor thanks to certain events and Liz’s father’s love of puns, and you’ve got a winning book.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-murder-on-toy-town-express.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I never really grew up, so a series set in a vintage toy shop has me smiling from page one. The fact that the story is strong and kept me guessing only helps. The characters are wonderful, and I’d love to meet Liz and her family. There are significant developments in the romantic triangle introduced in the previous book. Add in a strong dose of humor thanks to certain events and Liz’s father’s love of puns, and you’ve got a winning book.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-murder-on-toy-town-express.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated Ivy Get Your Gun (Ivy Meadows Mysteries #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Ivy takes on an undercover job at Gold Bug Gulch, where one of the gun fighters has just been shot and killed. As she gets to know the employees at the tourist trap ghost town, she finds plenty of suspects, but was it an accident or murder? Meanwhile, she also trying to land a part in Annie Get Your Gun for a theater company that might really boost her career and keep her relationship with her new boyfriend on track.
Since I’ve loved the first three books in this series, I was expecting to love this one, and I wasn’t disappointed at all. The story moves forward quickly, and the characters are strong. The author finds that perfect balance of comedy without making anything or anyone not feel real. In fact, there’s some real depth to these characters by the end. Throw in the acting, and I completely enjoyed it.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/05/book-review-ivy-get-your-gun-by-cindy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Since I’ve loved the first three books in this series, I was expecting to love this one, and I wasn’t disappointed at all. The story moves forward quickly, and the characters are strong. The author finds that perfect balance of comedy without making anything or anyone not feel real. In fact, there’s some real depth to these characters by the end. Throw in the acting, and I completely enjoyed it.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/05/book-review-ivy-get-your-gun-by-cindy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated Farmed and Dangerous (Local Foods Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Winter has settle on Massachusetts, but farmer Cam Flaherty is still very busy. She’s growing food in her hoop house and hoping to land a contract to provide produce during the summer at the local assisted living facility. However, the night that her food is served, one of the residents dies from poison. With local gossip and the police looking at her, Cam must dive in to the mystery to clear her reputation.
The book did start a little slowly, but once the murder takes place, things pick up. I was turning pages as quickly as I could until I reached the satisfying ending. It was great to spend time with these characters again, and the suspects were equally engaging. Be sure to read through the recipes, too, since there is a joke in one of them.
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/2015/06/book-review-farmed-and-dangerous-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The book did start a little slowly, but once the murder takes place, things pick up. I was turning pages as quickly as I could until I reached the satisfying ending. It was great to spend time with these characters again, and the suspects were equally engaging. Be sure to read through the recipes, too, since there is a joke in one of them.
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/2015/06/book-review-farmed-and-dangerous-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated Murder Most Fowl in Books
Mar 9, 2018
One morning in March, Cam’s neighbor dies at his breakfast table, just hours after his chicken farm his hit by animal rights activists. Wayne was a very nice man, often offering Cam advice on her own heard of chickens. When the man’s daughter turns to Cam for help understanding what happened to him, Cam starts investigating. But can she find the killer?
I always enjoy my time on Cam’s farm, and this book was no exception. The pacing was a tad uneven, but that was only a minor issue. The mystery is still strong, with good clues, red herrings, and a great climax. While a couple of supporting characters sat this one out, the rest of the cast is back and as strong as ever. This will leave you turning pages until you read the end.
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-murder-most-fowl-by-edith.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I always enjoy my time on Cam’s farm, and this book was no exception. The pacing was a tad uneven, but that was only a minor issue. The mystery is still strong, with good clues, red herrings, and a great climax. While a couple of supporting characters sat this one out, the rest of the cast is back and as strong as ever. This will leave you turning pages until you read the end.
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-murder-most-fowl-by-edith.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated Mulch Ado About Murder (Local Foods Mystery, #5) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Cam Flaherty is helping new hydroponics farmer, Nicole, by starting a few plants for her. She’s dropping off a few of those plants when she finds Nicole dead in her greenhouse. The police question those protesting Nicole’s hydroponic methods, including Cam’s visiting mother, Deb. Deb is clearly hiding something from the police. Will it get her arrested for murder?
I hadn’t realized how much I had come to love these characters until I was visiting them again. They are wonderful, and I enjoyed getting to catch up on their lives. We’ve gotten to see a lot of growth in Cam over the course of the series, and watching her interact with her parents provides an opportunity for more. And the mystery? It starts quickly and moves along at a brisk pace with plenty of secrets and suspects before we reach the climax.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/06/book-review-mulch-ado-about-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I hadn’t realized how much I had come to love these characters until I was visiting them again. They are wonderful, and I enjoyed getting to catch up on their lives. We’ve gotten to see a lot of growth in Cam over the course of the series, and watching her interact with her parents provides an opportunity for more. And the mystery? It starts quickly and moves along at a brisk pace with plenty of secrets and suspects before we reach the climax.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/06/book-review-mulch-ado-about-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.