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Rachel King (13 KP) rated A Perfect Blood (The Hollows, #10) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
Harrison pulls off another stellar installment in the Hollows series, a book I could hardly put down for anything. Rachel Morgan's drama expands to epic proportions with the threat of HAPA, an underground organization that is working to eradicate all non-human species. Combine that with Rachel's neutered magic thanks to Trent's bracelet, and it's a catastrophe waiting to happen. My frustration at Rachel's indecision is near constant from cover to cover, and that is just with the bracelet situation.
Rachel's romantic interest is also in limbo, as she ignores her attraction to Trent and bickers with her new bodyguard, Wayde - yet another source of frustration. Meanwhile, romance buds for both Ivy and Jenks, and secrets hover in the periphery, such as Glenn's personal motivations and the identity of the vampire Felix. The subplots provide nice diversions to the main one, and will expand in the next book in the series certainly.
The introduction of HAPA to the series also adds some backstory to the history prior to the beginning of the series as to the revealing of the inderland species, which I appreciate. Once upon a time, HAPA was much more vocal about their hatred for the inderlanders, and now it seems they have a much greater presence than previously assumed. This provides much fodder for plot possibilities!
I also rather enjoyed the interactions between Al and Trent's family at the end of the book. Personally, I think Harrison could turn Al into a very good dad - and children could be the key to truly taming him. Just keep writing, Harrison!
Rachel's romantic interest is also in limbo, as she ignores her attraction to Trent and bickers with her new bodyguard, Wayde - yet another source of frustration. Meanwhile, romance buds for both Ivy and Jenks, and secrets hover in the periphery, such as Glenn's personal motivations and the identity of the vampire Felix. The subplots provide nice diversions to the main one, and will expand in the next book in the series certainly.
The introduction of HAPA to the series also adds some backstory to the history prior to the beginning of the series as to the revealing of the inderland species, which I appreciate. Once upon a time, HAPA was much more vocal about their hatred for the inderlanders, and now it seems they have a much greater presence than previously assumed. This provides much fodder for plot possibilities!
I also rather enjoyed the interactions between Al and Trent's family at the end of the book. Personally, I think Harrison could turn Al into a very good dad - and children could be the key to truly taming him. Just keep writing, Harrison!
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Never Tell (Detective D.D. Warren #10) in Books
Mar 28, 2019
Includes Detective D.D. Warren, Flora Dane, and FBI Special Agent Kimberly Quincy (1 more)
Can stand alone
A stand-alone, multi POV novel and the 10th novel in the Detective D.D. Warren series.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
I was not my parents' favorite child. I was not even the favorite daughter. Let me say my family has a strange sense of humor so my dad bought me Lisa Gardner's novel "The Other Daughter". I laughed and let the book sit for a few years. When I eventually read it, I knew I found an author I would definitely read again.
Never Tell by Lisa Gardner can stand alone. The multi POV thriller is the 10th novel in her Detective D.D. Warren series. It includes Flora Dane who was first introduced in Find Her, the 8th novel in her Detective D.D. Warren series.
In Find Her, Dane was kidnapped while on spring break and held for 472 days. Since then, she in now working as Warren's unpaid Confidential Informant). The agent who was instrumental in rescuing Dane was FBI Special Agent Kimberly Quincy, daughter of FBI Profiler Pierce Quincy, a main character in Gardner's FBI Profiler series. Kimberly Quincy also returns to assist with Warren's case.
It might be difficult to understand the connections I mentioned if you have not read prior books. The book does stand alone and will make you want to go read the others.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/27/19.
I was not my parents' favorite child. I was not even the favorite daughter. Let me say my family has a strange sense of humor so my dad bought me Lisa Gardner's novel "The Other Daughter". I laughed and let the book sit for a few years. When I eventually read it, I knew I found an author I would definitely read again.
Never Tell by Lisa Gardner can stand alone. The multi POV thriller is the 10th novel in her Detective D.D. Warren series. It includes Flora Dane who was first introduced in Find Her, the 8th novel in her Detective D.D. Warren series.
In Find Her, Dane was kidnapped while on spring break and held for 472 days. Since then, she in now working as Warren's unpaid Confidential Informant). The agent who was instrumental in rescuing Dane was FBI Special Agent Kimberly Quincy, daughter of FBI Profiler Pierce Quincy, a main character in Gardner's FBI Profiler series. Kimberly Quincy also returns to assist with Warren's case.
It might be difficult to understand the connections I mentioned if you have not read prior books. The book does stand alone and will make you want to go read the others.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/27/19.
Deborah (162 KP) rated The Legacy of Pemberley (The Pemberley Chronicles, #10) in Books
Dec 21, 2018
The Legacy of of Pemberley is the 10th book in Rebecca Ann Collins' Pride & Prejudice sequel series. Each book is substantial, at around 300+ pages long, so this in itself if quite an achievement! The books span about 50 years from the conclusion of Austen's novel and as well as the characters we know and love, we have been introduced to whole generations of new and interesting characters. With such a large cast, it's all credit to Ms Collins that she seems to know at all times what she's doing and where she's going with them!
Of course, it's not all about the length of the series and the number of characters, but each book has been beautifully written and none of it ever seems tedious or repetitive. There is sadness as well as much happiness in the pages of these books and particularly in reading this last volume as you know there is no planned sequel! Some threads are wrapped up, but there is still the potential for more. That, after 10 books in this series, I still find myself hungry for more about these characters is a great testament to what Ms Collins has achieved. I'm sure if she does ever choose to come back to these characters there will be many ready to hang on her every word!
Pride & Prejudice has probably inspired more sequels and retellings than any other novel ever; some of them are good, some of them toe-curlingly awful and some pretty medicocre, but this series if definitely worth reading.
Of course, it's not all about the length of the series and the number of characters, but each book has been beautifully written and none of it ever seems tedious or repetitive. There is sadness as well as much happiness in the pages of these books and particularly in reading this last volume as you know there is no planned sequel! Some threads are wrapped up, but there is still the potential for more. That, after 10 books in this series, I still find myself hungry for more about these characters is a great testament to what Ms Collins has achieved. I'm sure if she does ever choose to come back to these characters there will be many ready to hang on her every word!
Pride & Prejudice has probably inspired more sequels and retellings than any other novel ever; some of them are good, some of them toe-curlingly awful and some pretty medicocre, but this series if definitely worth reading.
Merissa (12351 KP) rated Midnight Redemption (Bonded By Blood Vampire Chronicles #6) in Books
Apr 21, 2020
Midnight Redemption is the finale of the Bonded by Blood series and you are in for an explosive, non-stop-action read!
Although you could read this as a standalone, I do believe you would get the most out of it if you do read it as a series. After all, characters and previous lives are mentioned (some in great detail) so I think it would help to know just what is going on and who is who!
Anyway, things have changed a lot since the last book. Broderick buried himself in a crypt, thinking he was doing the right thing. Anthony has been carrying on with the business. Davina thought her mum was insane and said mum ended up in a mental hospital. Phew! And into that numerous characters from other books including the Norse Wolves (yey!!!!) and there really is so much going on.
This is one helluva finale! One I have waited for and am NOT disappointed in the result. The only thing I would say is that because of the previous lives mentioned I sometimes got confused. All that means though is that I will be re-reading this as a complete series now it is complete - to get the full enjoyment, you understand!
Midnight Eclipse is still my favourite in the series but this one comes a close second. Absolutely recommended by me!
* 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!
Although you could read this as a standalone, I do believe you would get the most out of it if you do read it as a series. After all, characters and previous lives are mentioned (some in great detail) so I think it would help to know just what is going on and who is who!
Anyway, things have changed a lot since the last book. Broderick buried himself in a crypt, thinking he was doing the right thing. Anthony has been carrying on with the business. Davina thought her mum was insane and said mum ended up in a mental hospital. Phew! And into that numerous characters from other books including the Norse Wolves (yey!!!!) and there really is so much going on.
This is one helluva finale! One I have waited for and am NOT disappointed in the result. The only thing I would say is that because of the previous lives mentioned I sometimes got confused. All that means though is that I will be re-reading this as a complete series now it is complete - to get the full enjoyment, you understand!
Midnight Eclipse is still my favourite in the series but this one comes a close second. Absolutely recommended by me!
* 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!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2271 KP) rated Nacho Average Murder in Books
Jul 2, 2020
Vacation with Murder
Robbie Jordan is taking a well-deserved vacation and heading back to Santa Barbara for her high school reunion. This is the first time she’s been back since her mother died, and it is definitely a struggle for her even before she hears a rumor that her mother might not have died from natural causes. When someone else dies under similar circumstances, Robbie can’t help but investigate. Will she learn the truth before she has to return home?
Vacation books can be tricky to pull off while satisfying fans. Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite work. I enjoyed seeing a different side of Robbie as she interacted with her old friends, and I did like the new characters. However, I missed the series regulars. The plot wasn’t as strong as it could have been, although things were wrapped up by the time we reached the end. I enjoyed spotting the parallels between where Robbie stayed and her own place back in Indiana. Instead of my normal breakfast food cravings while reading this book, I was left craving Mexican food, which I didn’t mind in the least. The recipes at the end will help everyone with that. As a fan of Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone mysteries, I enjoyed the references to that series in this book. If you are a fan of the Country Store Mysteries, you’ll still want to pick up this book. But if you are new to the series, back up and read the earlier entries in the series.
Vacation books can be tricky to pull off while satisfying fans. Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite work. I enjoyed seeing a different side of Robbie as she interacted with her old friends, and I did like the new characters. However, I missed the series regulars. The plot wasn’t as strong as it could have been, although things were wrapped up by the time we reached the end. I enjoyed spotting the parallels between where Robbie stayed and her own place back in Indiana. Instead of my normal breakfast food cravings while reading this book, I was left craving Mexican food, which I didn’t mind in the least. The recipes at the end will help everyone with that. As a fan of Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone mysteries, I enjoyed the references to that series in this book. If you are a fan of the Country Store Mysteries, you’ll still want to pick up this book. But if you are new to the series, back up and read the earlier entries in the series.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2271 KP) rated Bronzed Betrayals in Books
Feb 13, 2021 (Updated Feb 13, 2021)
The Unexpected Body in Laurel’s Room
Laurel Beacham and Jack Hawkes are enjoying a night out together. Well, that might be an exaggeration since they are at a party they aren’t enjoying. However, it provides the perfect cover for an art recovery that the two have planned. That recovery doesn’t go as planned, but the night really spins out of control when Laurel returns to her hotel room to find a dead body. She knows the victim, but who killed the person? Are they trying to frame Laurel?
As always with this series, I have to warn you not to jump in here. There are so many ongoing plot threads that you won’t fully appreciate what happens here if you do – not to mention the twists that will be spoiled from earlier books. Fans of the series will be very happy with this book. There is plenty of action to keep them glued to the page, and the advancement we get on the ongoing stories is satisfying. All this while providing us with a beginning, middle, and end to the story told here. I went into the book thinking that this was the final book of the series, but clearly that won’t be the case with the plot threads that were left open and the cliffhanger we get. Meanwhile, the characters are showing some maturity, which I enjoyed. When you are in the mood for a cozy caper, I highly recommend this series. If you are already a fan, you’ll enjoy this chapter in Laurel’s story.
As always with this series, I have to warn you not to jump in here. There are so many ongoing plot threads that you won’t fully appreciate what happens here if you do – not to mention the twists that will be spoiled from earlier books. Fans of the series will be very happy with this book. There is plenty of action to keep them glued to the page, and the advancement we get on the ongoing stories is satisfying. All this while providing us with a beginning, middle, and end to the story told here. I went into the book thinking that this was the final book of the series, but clearly that won’t be the case with the plot threads that were left open and the cliffhanger we get. Meanwhile, the characters are showing some maturity, which I enjoyed. When you are in the mood for a cozy caper, I highly recommend this series. If you are already a fan, you’ll enjoy this chapter in Laurel’s story.
Merissa (12351 KP) rated Fighting Faete (Beyond The Veil #5) in Books
Nov 20, 2023
Fighting Faete is the fifth book in the Beyond The Veil series, and this series shows no signs of slacking. Each story is wonderful as a standalone, but together, they are brilliant. Kat is the Beta, and as such she knows very few men that are more dominant than her, and even less that she would like to mate with. She pits herself against bigger, tougher opponents, just to see if she will find someone more dominant. What she doesn't know is she already has her mates, and they are JUST as dominant. Kat needs to figure out how to have a relationship WITH them, and they need to figure out how to deal with someone as strong and sassy as Kat is.
This story is a welcome addition to the series. I've wanted Kat's story ever since she ran from Aeron and Alak. Before they get together is laugh-out-loud funny, but once they get together, the sparks fly even more. Well written, and with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, Fighting Faete is an action-packed story, with highs and lows and surprises. The pacing is smooth, with no jarring at any time. A great addition to the series, and highly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 11, 2018
This story is a welcome addition to the series. I've wanted Kat's story ever since she ran from Aeron and Alak. Before they get together is laugh-out-loud funny, but once they get together, the sparks fly even more. Well written, and with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, Fighting Faete is an action-packed story, with highs and lows and surprises. The pacing is smooth, with no jarring at any time. A great addition to the series, and highly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 11, 2018
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2271 KP) rated Dead Man's Hand in Books
Nov 29, 2023 (Updated Nov 29, 2023)
The Chip in the Dead Man’s Hand
The cold, snowy weather that Flat Skunk, California is having this January doesn’t hide a dead body, especially since the body is found hanging in front of one of the stores in town. While it would be easy to rule it an obvious suicide, the sheriff finds evidence that leads him to believe it is murder. Naturally, Connor Westphal sees the chance to get a big news story for her paper, but she can’t get a handle on the story. What is the meaning of the chip from the nearby Indian casino found in the victim’s hand? Or does the victim’s drug dealing have anything to do with his death?
This book didn't have quite the feel of the other books in the series, and some of the regulars were absent or weren't around much. Having said that, I did still enjoy seeing Connor one last time. She makes an interesting and strong main character. I also enjoyed getting to see more of her service dog. The plot was strong and I didn't see the ending coming at all. I enjoyed seeing how things had changed for deaf people even in the short time between when the series started and this book, which came out in 2007. There is much more foul language than is typical for a cozy. This is the final book in the series, and I really liked where Connor wound up. I'm sure that other fans of the series will be happy as well.
This book didn't have quite the feel of the other books in the series, and some of the regulars were absent or weren't around much. Having said that, I did still enjoy seeing Connor one last time. She makes an interesting and strong main character. I also enjoyed getting to see more of her service dog. The plot was strong and I didn't see the ending coming at all. I enjoyed seeing how things had changed for deaf people even in the short time between when the series started and this book, which came out in 2007. There is much more foul language than is typical for a cozy. This is the final book in the series, and I really liked where Connor wound up. I'm sure that other fans of the series will be happy as well.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Jun 5, 2022
Merissa (12351 KP) rated Notes of Unspoken Words (Ruined & Relinquished #1) in Books
Oct 26, 2023
NOTES OF UNSPOKEN WORDS is the first book in the Ruined & Relinquished series, although some characters from a different series also have cameos.
In this one, Casper and Reed are step-brothers who are in love with each other, although both will deny it. This leads to a traumatic relationship for both of them. When they're on the way home from a tour, Sunshiney Reed rescues a man from the street. Grumpy Casper decides to stay at Reed's home until he knows the man, Elic, can be trusted. Elic turns out to be the catalyst needed to make Casper and Reed realise just what they've got together, and how Elic can be included in that.
This story was easy to read with wonderful characters. I have to say, Cas and his protective streak was by far my favourite. His grumpiness was for a reason and I loved how he was portrayed.
One thing - if you haven't read the other series (Three Ties) as I haven't, you may get confused about all the different brothers involved and the different triads they're in. There must be something in the water!
All in all, a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and can't wait to continue with this series. 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 26, 2023
In this one, Casper and Reed are step-brothers who are in love with each other, although both will deny it. This leads to a traumatic relationship for both of them. When they're on the way home from a tour, Sunshiney Reed rescues a man from the street. Grumpy Casper decides to stay at Reed's home until he knows the man, Elic, can be trusted. Elic turns out to be the catalyst needed to make Casper and Reed realise just what they've got together, and how Elic can be included in that.
This story was easy to read with wonderful characters. I have to say, Cas and his protective streak was by far my favourite. His grumpiness was for a reason and I loved how he was portrayed.
One thing - if you haven't read the other series (Three Ties) as I haven't, you may get confused about all the different brothers involved and the different triads they're in. There must be something in the water!
All in all, a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and can't wait to continue with this series. 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 26, 2023