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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated Charred in Books
Feb 25, 2023
Will Alene Get Charred During the Pandemic’s Early Days?
This book opens in May 2020 and finds Alene Baron trying to keep her café in Chicago opened with a reduced staff and takeout or delivery only. Things are complicated when her long lost uncle returns to town and wants to connect with his brother, Alene’s father. Oh, and there are bodies turning up in burned out buildings owned by Alene’s best friend’s husband.
Since this is the third book in the series, I like the characters. That helped me get on board with the story that is truly the main story in the book, not the mystery that you’d expect in a culinary cozy. While I enjoyed the real main story, that backwards emphasis bothered me, especially how the story of the burned out buildings was resolved. I’m not sure I was ready to read a book set during the pandemic, but the book does a good job of capturing how everyone was feeling about life then. However, it introduces the riots before the event that triggered them happened in real life. The end result was only average.
Since this is the third book in the series, I like the characters. That helped me get on board with the story that is truly the main story in the book, not the mystery that you’d expect in a culinary cozy. While I enjoyed the real main story, that backwards emphasis bothered me, especially how the story of the burned out buildings was resolved. I’m not sure I was ready to read a book set during the pandemic, but the book does a good job of capturing how everyone was feeling about life then. However, it introduces the riots before the event that triggered them happened in real life. The end result was only average.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Twisted Sisters (The Orion Circle #2) in Books
Dec 12, 2017
I received an eARC when I signed up to host the book tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.
This is not a stand alone so Tortured Souls should be read first. This is a fast paced and exciting read full of paranormal elements and it contains just the right amount of romance to captivate you. The story line is well written and the characters are easy to relate to. The entire gang returns in this sequel plus a few new friends. Want to know what happens and what the consequences are for playing around with a ouija board? Then I highly recommend you read this YA book that's full of thrills and chills.
This is not a stand alone so Tortured Souls should be read first. This is a fast paced and exciting read full of paranormal elements and it contains just the right amount of romance to captivate you. The story line is well written and the characters are easy to relate to. The entire gang returns in this sequel plus a few new friends. Want to know what happens and what the consequences are for playing around with a ouija board? Then I highly recommend you read this YA book that's full of thrills and chills.
New A-Level Business: AQA Year 1 & AS Complete Revision & Practice: Exam Board: AQA
Book
This clear, concise Complete Revision & Practice book from CGP is a perfect way to prepare for the...
WJEC GCSE Welsh as a Second Language All-in-One Revision and Practice
Book
Exam Board: WJEC Level & Subject: GCSE Welsh as a Second Language First teaching: September 2017...
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Constitution Check (Dungeons and Dating #4) by Katherine McIntyre in Books
Sep 24, 2022
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is book number 4 in the Dungeons and Dating series and I have to say I have loved every one so far. The series is centred on a group of people who run a business called the Tabletop Tavern and have come together through their love of board games, particularly Dungeons and Dragons.
Each book focuses on different characters and their love life and life in general. This book focuses on Kelly who is trying to get over a domestically violent relationship that ended with the death of her then-girlfriend and Tabby who has never felt any good for anybody.
Katherine is an absolute wizard with words and you get a clear understanding of what each character is going through. She tackles the tougher subjects abuse/homophobia/grief etc in such a delicate but powerful way. It is a pleasure to read even though some of it is heart-breaking.
I 100% recommend reading not just this book but the whole series. Fantastic Katherine.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
This is book number 4 in the Dungeons and Dating series and I have to say I have loved every one so far. The series is centred on a group of people who run a business called the Tabletop Tavern and have come together through their love of board games, particularly Dungeons and Dragons.
Each book focuses on different characters and their love life and life in general. This book focuses on Kelly who is trying to get over a domestically violent relationship that ended with the death of her then-girlfriend and Tabby who has never felt any good for anybody.
Katherine is an absolute wizard with words and you get a clear understanding of what each character is going through. She tackles the tougher subjects abuse/homophobia/grief etc in such a delicate but powerful way. It is a pleasure to read even though some of it is heart-breaking.
I 100% recommend reading not just this book but the whole series. Fantastic Katherine.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
On the Parole Board: Reflections on Crime, Punishment, Redemption, and Justice
Book
Few people experience life inside of prison. Even fewer are charged with the formidable...
Creating Financial Value: A Guide for Senior Executives with No Finance Background
Book
How many senior executives and managers are able to reach the top with little or no financial...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated Scene of the Brine (Pickled & Preserved Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Coverdale is all talking about the Porter family who has just moved into town. Unfortunately, they arrive with the family accountant in tow, and Dirk Unger is not a nice man at all. When he is poisoned and the son of a friend becomes the prime suspect, Piper must jump in and figure out what really happened.
The book took a bit to get going, but once it did I was fully on board. I do like these characters, and it was great to see them again. The plot took some unexpected twists on the way to a creative climax, and I read the second half in one day so I could find out what was happening.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-scene-of-brine-by-mary.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The book took a bit to get going, but once it did I was fully on board. I do like these characters, and it was great to see them again. The plot took some unexpected twists on the way to a creative climax, and I read the second half in one day so I could find out what was happening.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-scene-of-brine-by-mary.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated Before the Fall in Books
Mar 15, 2018
The description of the book (who crashed a private jet killing nearly everyone on board) makes it sound like another twisty-turny thriller along the lines of "The Girl on the Train", and while the central mystery does have some surprises and keeps one wanting to read, this is actually a much smarter book than that. It is far more interested in human nature, what makes each of us what we are, how we cope with tragedy, and how our minds can jump to make conclusions that aren't there. It even manages to dig into themes like art, the recent financial crisis, and the 24-hour news cycle. All of the characters are interesting and very well written. Everything seems entirely believable and the book is full of moments of genuine emotion. Those looking for another trendy "thriller-of-the-month" might be disappointed, but anyone looking for a truly great novel, possibly one of the year's best, should pick this up.
Tattoo Lettering & Banners: Classic and Modern Script Designs
Book
For both the experienced and aspiring tattoo artist, as well as creative tattoo customers, this book...