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Barking with the Stars
Barking with the Stars
Sparkle Abbey | 2017 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Star is Dead
Pet therapist Caro Lamont is working with the stars and dogs who are part of the Barking with the Stars fundraiser, which is raising money for an organization that provides service dogs to soldiers who have returned from war. The biggest celebrity is Purple, an internationally famous pop star. But a few days before the big event, Purple is found dead. The police suspect foul play and are looking at Caro’s ex-husband. Geoffrey is many things, but a killer is one of them, right?

This series is always fun, and this book is no exception. The plot moves forward well, and Caro keeps digging until she puts things together in the end. I did feel like one plot point got forgotten as the book went forward, but that is a minor complaint. The characters are great. Caro and a few others seem very real, but the rest can be eccentric. They work in the series and provide some fun laughs, especially Betty. The series storylines advance as well, and I enjoyed getting those updates. This is another fun entry in a very fun series.
  
Verse and Vengeance (A Magical Bookshop Mystery #4)
Verse and Vengeance (A Magical Bookshop Mystery #4)
Amanda Flower | 2019 | Mystery
5
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Weak Plot but Charming Characters
Violet Waverly is upset to see that PI Joel Redding is back in town, and once again staking out Charming Books, trying to learn about the secret of the bookstore. But when he is killed during the first annual Tour de Cascade Springs bike race, she begins to wonder what else he was up to. Will the investigation lead back to Violet’s secret? Why does the bookstore keep putting copies of Walt Whitman’s poetry in her path?

I really enjoyed the third book in the series earlier this year, so I sat down looking forward to this one. Sadly, the mystery disappointed. While there are some developments, the pacing could have been better. Then, in the rush to wrap things up, a major part of the mystery remains unexplained. I don’t normally read paranormal cozies, but I do enjoy the magical essence of this series. We get some additional mythology here, which I appreciated. Likewise, the series characters continue to grow, as do their relationships. Series fans will still enjoy this book even if the mystery could be stronger.
  
Fire in the Rain (Wraidd Elfennol #4)
Fire in the Rain (Wraidd Elfennol #4)
Morgan Sheppard | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fire in the Rain is the fourth and final book in the Wraidd Elfennol series and brings this fantastical series to a fitting end.

Afon and Necia are a married couple, which makes a nice change, who have been together for five years. They are both Chosen to bring back the balance once more although Necia copes with it easier than Afon does.

Just the same as with Of Land and Sky, time has moved on and we meet the great-grandchildren of Bran and Shyla, Rhosyn and Opal. I love how past characters are brought into the story whilst each story stands by itself, although I would recommend reading them as a series as there is an overall story arc.

This book has a faster pace than the others but it is just as nail-biting in places. Packed full of emotions, this story deals with self-confidence and self-worth as well as other subjects.

This has been a full-on fantasy series that I have thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend to all fantasy lovers, especially if you have a love of Welsh mythology.

"The one thing that always remained true, no matter what other change occurred, was the love to be found within the silence of beats of the heart of Wraidd Elfennol."

* 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!
  
The Trail Boss and the Brat (Farthingdale Ranch #6)
The Trail Boss and the Brat (Farthingdale Ranch #6)
Jackie North | 2022 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE TRAIL BOSS AND THE BRAT is the sixth and final book in the Farthingdale Ranch series and we finally get Quint's story.

Quint is set in his ways and tells himself that Brody and Kit are all he needs. Ashley, a poor little rich boy-brat, arrives on the scene to shake that belief. Ashley has lost the only person who believed in him and encouraged him to be his own person. She left him a gift of time at Farthingdale Ranch. He books up but doesn't pay attention to what is required of him, leading to a dangerous situation for him and Quint.

This does allow them time to get to know each other, though. Quint realises there may be more to Ashley than he first thought and soon starts to imagine all the possibilities life may be offering him.

This was a great finale to the series and also offered up an answer to what happened to two characters from a book that links to this series. I loved that part! I'd always wanted to know and thought I never would. I will admit to my eyes leaking at that part!

A great end to a fantastic series. Brilliant stories, one and all, and absolutely 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!
Mar 18, 2022
  
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
J.K. Rowling | 2014 | Children
10
9.3 (217 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was probably one of the last people in my generation to read this book! (just kidding lol) But I think I picked this series up a couple years back and devoured ever book like it was candy! I was super nervous that I wouldn't follow the ideas and characters and I was scared I would hate it and a whole generation would hate me for hating it! But I ended up falling in love with everything about this book! So glad I read it later in life because I think I appreciated the concepts more as an adult.
  
This is the final book in the trilogy and although it does wrap somethings up it kinda leaves a "that's it?" feeling. The characters do not seem to develop any more than they did in the second book except Marco whom I hated throughout the series. Usually the concluding book in a trilogy is the biggest because all the revelations that come but this was the shortest. I think this could have been done as two books instead of three and ended stronger. That said I suggest you read all three together for the best experience.
  
The first book in this series was a Sunshine State Young Readers book this year so I used it as a read aloud in my fourth grade classroom. They loved the first one so much I bought the second & third books. We finished this on the last day of school. They thought it was better than the first book & BEGGED me to start the third one. Lol! Then they were lining up to borrow the third one of the summer. They were all mad when o told the, I'd taken it home so I could read it.
  
The Handmaid's Tale  - Season 1
The Handmaid's Tale - Season 1
2017 | Drama
Incredibly powerful (1 more)
Elizabeth Moss and Joseph Fiennes is fantastic
Very graphic at times (0 more)
Masterful adaptation of Atwood's classic book
There was a lot riding on this TV show, more than 30 years after the original book came out. But it was unbelievably dark, even more so than the book, and completely adjusted for contemporary times. Attacking various structures where women have fought hard for their rights such as the workplace, LGBTQ rights, FGM and pro-choice - this series shows how the state can take those rights away and take control of women's bodies. Extremely grim viewing, it really is a difficult watch.
  
SB
Slow Burn (The Fitzgerald Family, #1)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
this is the first book by this author that ive read and it definitely wont be the last. This is the first book in 'The Fitzgerald family series'. This book is an exciting romantic thriller which will have you reading long into the night. The plot has lots of twists and turns to keep you hooked. This story has everything you need for a amazing read from murder, mystery, to romance, hot scenes and fab characters. I cant wait to read more from this author in the future.

Highly recommended

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MI
Make It Hurt (Texas Bounty, #2)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
this is a very short read and I only wish it would have been longer. This is a second chance love story. This is the second book in the series. The more I read from this author they better they get. I absolutely loved the character, I fell in love with them from the first page. I read this book in one sitting and was definitely left wanting more. I cant wait to read more from this author in the future.

Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book
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