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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2623 KP) rated Flower Power Trip in Books
Dec 4, 2024
Murder at the Masquerade Ball
It’s the start of summer at Braxton, but Kellan Ayrwick is finding the campus is anything but calm. Not only is he personally teaching a course over the summer, but the Mendel Flower Show has decided to use the campus for their presentation this year. The season is kicking off with a masquerade ball to raise money for a needed library renovation. However, the night ends in tragedy when Kellan finds a dead body in a staff only section of the library. With a friend’s sister the prime suspect, can Kellan figure out what is going on?
Those who are familiar with the series will know that there is a lot going on in these books, and this one is no exception. Yes, we do get some updates to the ongoing soap operaish storylines, including another cliffhanger. The focus is on the new mystery here, however, and it does a good job of keeping us guessing with plenty of twists and red herrings. The ultimate solution was satisfying. My biggest gripe is that Kellan seems to have some contentious relationships with the other series regulars. I hope we are growing beyond some of those issues soon because I read cozies for the groups of characters I want to revisit. Still, I enjoyed this book overall. I definitely recommend you read these books in order because of the ongoing saga. I’m hoping I can make it to the next one soon.
Those who are familiar with the series will know that there is a lot going on in these books, and this one is no exception. Yes, we do get some updates to the ongoing soap operaish storylines, including another cliffhanger. The focus is on the new mystery here, however, and it does a good job of keeping us guessing with plenty of twists and red herrings. The ultimate solution was satisfying. My biggest gripe is that Kellan seems to have some contentious relationships with the other series regulars. I hope we are growing beyond some of those issues soon because I read cozies for the groups of characters I want to revisit. Still, I enjoyed this book overall. I definitely recommend you read these books in order because of the ongoing saga. I’m hoping I can make it to the next one soon.
Something Unprofessional (Split Rock Ranch #5)
9.0
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Book
Ev Bailey is done dating his bosses. After the last disaster, he’s sworn off workplace romances...
Contemporary MM Romance Daddy / boy
The Talent's Choice
Book
In The Talent’s Choice, where dreams are made and hearts are tested, one rising star is about to...
Contemporary MM Romance
Morgan Sheppard (1036 KP) created a post
Jun 2, 2026
![Lost Graves (Boyle & Keneally #2) [Audiobook]](/uploads/profile_image/317/9e668096-6135-4694-b257-30976a5be317.jpg?m=1644157499)
Lost Graves (Boyle & Keneally #2) [Audiobook]
8.0
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Book
The only sound in the forest was the wind through the branches; the only light came from the...
The Flame Tree
Book
In the spring of 1939, dashing young William Burton and the beautiful Constance Han set sail from...
Asian Historical Fiction Women's Fiction
David McK (3880 KP) rated Murder on the Orient Express in Books
Dec 27, 2021
As a general rule, I'm not really big into murder mystery whodunnits, generally finding them boring, (sometimes) obvious and just, well, generally a little bit stale.
That may be why I'd never read perhaps Agatha Christie's most famous murder story before, or even had any interest in which any of the (numerous) films, TV series or plays based around the same.
Which is a long way of saying that I came into this 'cold', as it were, knowing little beyond the fact that it was a Hercule Poirot mystery (thanks to the 2017 Kenneth Branagh movie, which I hadn't seen), and that the murder was on a train (d'uh!) just as it ran into snow whilst on a journey.
Now that I've read it, I have to say: I found little to cause me to revise my opinion of murder mysteries in general.
That's not to say that it is bad, per se, just that it never really hooked me all that much: indeed, at times it felt more like a chore to read than something enjoyable. Indeed, I'm sorry to say, the reveal of just who carried out the crime also completely failed to elicit any form of surprise or emotion at all from me: not that I saw it coming but just that, well, it almost felt like a relief when it did.
All I can say is: sorry, any Poirot fans!
That may be why I'd never read perhaps Agatha Christie's most famous murder story before, or even had any interest in which any of the (numerous) films, TV series or plays based around the same.
Which is a long way of saying that I came into this 'cold', as it were, knowing little beyond the fact that it was a Hercule Poirot mystery (thanks to the 2017 Kenneth Branagh movie, which I hadn't seen), and that the murder was on a train (d'uh!) just as it ran into snow whilst on a journey.
Now that I've read it, I have to say: I found little to cause me to revise my opinion of murder mysteries in general.
That's not to say that it is bad, per se, just that it never really hooked me all that much: indeed, at times it felt more like a chore to read than something enjoyable. Indeed, I'm sorry to say, the reveal of just who carried out the crime also completely failed to elicit any form of surprise or emotion at all from me: not that I saw it coming but just that, well, it almost felt like a relief when it did.
All I can say is: sorry, any Poirot fans!
Merissa (14142 KP) rated The Fae King (Beyond The Mist, #4) in Books
Aug 17, 2022
Fast-paced and full of action
THE FAE KING is the fourth book in the Beyond The Mist series and we have a prophecy, a light fae King, a dark fae princess, and a mad elf prince!
This is an action-packed story that goes from enemies to lovers, sort of. Trevan and Amber don't actually hate each other - or at least, not until Trevan acts like a jerk as he allows his fears to reign. Their families have a bad history, with both sides at fault. They hate the thought of each other, and their actions out of fear only seem to compound that. It takes the mad elf prince and the prophecy to turn their hate to love and, once it does, they are unstoppable.
Fast-paced and smoothly flowing, this story skims across the surface, leaving me wanting more. I loved seeing the brothers, Storm, and Harper and want to see how the kingdom fares going forward.
I enjoyed this read and think it certainly adds to the series. It can be read as a standalone, but it makes more sense to have read them in order. Definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is an action-packed story that goes from enemies to lovers, sort of. Trevan and Amber don't actually hate each other - or at least, not until Trevan acts like a jerk as he allows his fears to reign. Their families have a bad history, with both sides at fault. They hate the thought of each other, and their actions out of fear only seem to compound that. It takes the mad elf prince and the prophecy to turn their hate to love and, once it does, they are unstoppable.
Fast-paced and smoothly flowing, this story skims across the surface, leaving me wanting more. I loved seeing the brothers, Storm, and Harper and want to see how the kingdom fares going forward.
I enjoyed this read and think it certainly adds to the series. It can be read as a standalone, but it makes more sense to have read them in order. Definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
All We Leave Behind: Transits of Three
Book
Following the exodus from rising floodwaters, the surviving descendants of those who came to create...
Science Fiction
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Touch (Selfish Myths #1) in Books
Oct 28, 2021
177 of 250
Kindle
Touch ( selfish Myths book 1)
By Natalia Jester
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
A mortal outcast, a mythical goddess, and a forbidden desire that defies the laws of magic.
They say I'm a celestial bad girl. But they're wrong--I'm far worse.
My name is Love. I spend my immortal years hunting within a frosted forest, matching human hearts with each mischievous strike of my arrow.
But in all my centuries, I've never known desire--until now.
He's a mortal. And the longer I'm with him, the more I crave his touch.
Yet binding myself to this human is forbidden. Without a doubt, it's fatal.
When I discover that he possesses abilities beyond his knowledge--a force strong enough to eradicate my kind--I have to make a choice.
One, destroy him before he destroys my race.
Or two, contain his magic by sealing his heart with someone else's.
This was a strange read but strange in a good way I think. It was a sweet story of love finding love for herself. I loved the interaction with the other emotional gods they certainly all have a story. I just can’t put my finger on what was so odd about the book I’m certainly interested in reading more by this author. For now this would be 3 stars for me.
Kindle
Touch ( selfish Myths book 1)
By Natalia Jester
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
A mortal outcast, a mythical goddess, and a forbidden desire that defies the laws of magic.
They say I'm a celestial bad girl. But they're wrong--I'm far worse.
My name is Love. I spend my immortal years hunting within a frosted forest, matching human hearts with each mischievous strike of my arrow.
But in all my centuries, I've never known desire--until now.
He's a mortal. And the longer I'm with him, the more I crave his touch.
Yet binding myself to this human is forbidden. Without a doubt, it's fatal.
When I discover that he possesses abilities beyond his knowledge--a force strong enough to eradicate my kind--I have to make a choice.
One, destroy him before he destroys my race.
Or two, contain his magic by sealing his heart with someone else's.
This was a strange read but strange in a good way I think. It was a sweet story of love finding love for herself. I loved the interaction with the other emotional gods they certainly all have a story. I just can’t put my finger on what was so odd about the book I’m certainly interested in reading more by this author. For now this would be 3 stars for me.