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Eleanor (1463 KP) rated A is for .... Alibi in Books
May 21, 2019
Good time-killing mystery
This is the first book in the Kinsey Millhone "Alphabet" mystery series by Sue Grafton. I listened to the audio-book narrated by Mary Peiffer.
Kinsey Millhone is a Private Investigator based in the fictional city of Santa Teresa in California in the 1980s. In this outing she is hired by Nikki who is out on parole for her husband's murder and despite doing the time is still wanting to establish her innocence and find out the real killers identity.
The tough headed Kinsey goes head long into picking up the cold case digging up old secrets and ruffling a few feathers. I liked her as a strong female lead who, despite this being written and based in the 80s, is a lot more independent than many recent female leads I’ve read.
The main story isn’t the most exciting and the book suffers from a lot of unnecessary waffly descriptions and talk of her jogging (it’s a taboo word to me.)
I’ll be carrying on with this series as the audio-book was a pleasant distraction and I think Kinsey has a lot of potential to be a great character.
Kinsey Millhone is a Private Investigator based in the fictional city of Santa Teresa in California in the 1980s. In this outing she is hired by Nikki who is out on parole for her husband's murder and despite doing the time is still wanting to establish her innocence and find out the real killers identity.
The tough headed Kinsey goes head long into picking up the cold case digging up old secrets and ruffling a few feathers. I liked her as a strong female lead who, despite this being written and based in the 80s, is a lot more independent than many recent female leads I’ve read.
The main story isn’t the most exciting and the book suffers from a lot of unnecessary waffly descriptions and talk of her jogging (it’s a taboo word to me.)
I’ll be carrying on with this series as the audio-book was a pleasant distraction and I think Kinsey has a lot of potential to be a great character.
Georgie is off the Italy in the spring of 1935. She is going to keep her friend Belinda company until she gives birth to her baby in secret. However, when the Queen finds out about Georgie’s plans, she worms Georgie’s way into a nearby house party to Georgie can learn if the Prince of Wales has secretly married Mrs. Simpson. When Georgie arrives, she finds a strange assortment of guests, which include her mother with another mission for Georgie. Can she accomplish any of it?
I look forward to this series because they are always fun, and this book is no exception. As Georgie is heading out to her ultimate destination, we get updates on everyone in her life. This may slow things down for those new to the series, but fans will absolutely love it. Once we reach Italy, things pick up and get very interesting quickly. I love how the global politics of the day was woven into this book while still giving us an entertaining mystery and keeping the tone light as always.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-on-her-majestys-frightfully.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I look forward to this series because they are always fun, and this book is no exception. As Georgie is heading out to her ultimate destination, we get updates on everyone in her life. This may slow things down for those new to the series, but fans will absolutely love it. Once we reach Italy, things pick up and get very interesting quickly. I love how the global politics of the day was woven into this book while still giving us an entertaining mystery and keeping the tone light as always.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-on-her-majestys-frightfully.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Merissa (13123 KP) rated Her Husband's Army Buddy (McLeod Security #1) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Her Husband's Army Buddy (McLeod Security #1) by Doris O'Connor
Her Husband's Army Buddy is the first book in the McLeod Security series, and we meet the owner of the security business, Zane, and his wife, Sandy. Sandy and Zane have been married for 10 years, and are happy. That is until Sean shows up asking if there are any jobs going at Zane's security business. Sean and Zane have a history, and Sandy is worried that she will get kicked to the curb when they reignite their past together. Instead, it is Sandy who is able to bring the three of them together.
This is a fast-paced book, with plenty of steam. It gives a small introduction into the world of BDSM without going into too much detail. It is fairly low angst, although there is the usual stubbornness involved. It starts off the series well, and with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, I have no hesitation in recommending it.
* 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!
This is a fast-paced book, with plenty of steam. It gives a small introduction into the world of BDSM without going into too much detail. It is fairly low angst, although there is the usual stubbornness involved. It starts off the series well, and with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, I have no hesitation in recommending it.
* 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!
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Choosing (Seer, #1) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
I am finding it difficult to write a review without giving too much of the story away! This book is filled with so many aspects that left my mind reeling, my heart aching, and my stomach churning. But through it all, the message is clear. The Father has chosen us, chosen me. I am beautiful, I have worth. There is freedom in the truth.
With multiple viewpoints and storylines to follow, this book is intense and pretty heavy at times. But LIFE and TRUTH bleed through in even the most dreadful moments. Rachelle has created a brilliant dystopian world with intriguing characters. Reading this book kept me up late and had me biting my nails. I even had a dream or two about the story. It gets inside your head for sure! Watching Carrington develop and grow and become a seer of truth was beautiful.
The Choosing is the first book of a series and definitely leaves you wanting more. However, it does end with a fairly satisfying conclusion...for now. I enjoyed Rachelle Dekker's debut novel and look forward to continuing this series.
I received The Choosing as a gift. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
With multiple viewpoints and storylines to follow, this book is intense and pretty heavy at times. But LIFE and TRUTH bleed through in even the most dreadful moments. Rachelle has created a brilliant dystopian world with intriguing characters. Reading this book kept me up late and had me biting my nails. I even had a dream or two about the story. It gets inside your head for sure! Watching Carrington develop and grow and become a seer of truth was beautiful.
The Choosing is the first book of a series and definitely leaves you wanting more. However, it does end with a fairly satisfying conclusion...for now. I enjoyed Rachelle Dekker's debut novel and look forward to continuing this series.
I received The Choosing as a gift. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
ClareR (5916 KP) rated Tudor Dawn: Henry Tudor is ready to take the crown (The Tudor Series Book 1) in Books
Jul 2, 2019
A really interesting history!
I really liked this - I’ve not read much about Henry Tudor, and everyone is always much more interested in Henry VIII and his promiscuous love life! Henry Tudor isn’t like his son at all. He may well have enjoyed the company of women, but David Field doesn’t play on that fact. I learnt so much about the history of Henry’s upbringing and subsequent escape into exile - and it is a vey male dominated book. We don’t see much of what his mother would have been doing, but we do learn about her hard work on his behalf.
I hadn’t realised that he’d been such a sickly child and that some of these problems followed him in to adulthood, or that he actually seemed to love his queen (although that may well be fictionalised - but I’d like to know!). This first book in the series takes up to Henry VII’s death. I think I will be reading the next in the series.
What I really liked about this book was that it’s more history than fiction. It’s not dry, academic type history though, and that’s what really drew me in.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for my copy of this book to read and honestly review. I really enjoyed it.
I hadn’t realised that he’d been such a sickly child and that some of these problems followed him in to adulthood, or that he actually seemed to love his queen (although that may well be fictionalised - but I’d like to know!). This first book in the series takes up to Henry VII’s death. I think I will be reading the next in the series.
What I really liked about this book was that it’s more history than fiction. It’s not dry, academic type history though, and that’s what really drew me in.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for my copy of this book to read and honestly review. I really enjoyed it.
Merissa (13123 KP) rated Under A Lavender Moon (Nightingale Songs #1) in Books
Feb 9, 2021
UNDER A LAVENDER MOON is the first book in the Nightingale Songs series, and we enter a world where magic is called tin-chai and can take many forms. Rilla has kept her tin-chai a secret but is found by scouts anyway. With no options available to her, she is taken to the emperor, along with a group of other girls, to compete for the 'honour' of becoming one of his wives,
There are hints of romance in this book, between Rilla, Friend, and Carrick. However, that is very much in the background as the story moves along. The main characters are fully supported by an interesting group of secondary characters, some you will like, some you definitely won't. This is part and parcel of the story though, and is what will keep you turning the pages.
The pacing is smooth, leading you to the cliff-hanger ending, and will also leave you wanting more. For a debut novel, this is incredibly intricate and intriguing. I can't wait to continue with this series, and have no hesitation in recommending it.
* 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!
There are hints of romance in this book, between Rilla, Friend, and Carrick. However, that is very much in the background as the story moves along. The main characters are fully supported by an interesting group of secondary characters, some you will like, some you definitely won't. This is part and parcel of the story though, and is what will keep you turning the pages.
The pacing is smooth, leading you to the cliff-hanger ending, and will also leave you wanting more. For a debut novel, this is incredibly intricate and intriguing. I can't wait to continue with this series, and have no hesitation in recommending it.
* 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!
Charlotte_14 (68 KP) rated ICED MALICE Detective Kendall Halsrud #2 in Books
Sep 26, 2019
Iced Malice Marla Madison
When I started reading this book I wasn’t aware that it was part of a series, but it became apparent that I was missing a lot of back story to fully understand the content of parts of the story, especially between Ryan and Brynn, and Kendell and Nash.
I would recommend that others do start this series with the first Detective Kendall Halsrud novel “Relative Malice” I imagine this will set the scene for Iced Malice as this is book 2 out of 4.
Even with having to work with missing plot keys I found Iced Malice to be an enjoyable crime mystery. I found it easy to get sucked into the mystery of the stories as they are more than one case happening during the course of the story. I’m not sure if it’s with me not starting with book 1 but I seemed to keep getting lost and in a permanent position of confusion.
I may have to come back to this again after I find the 1st book. It will not be for a while as I have a pile of books that I need to get through before any rereading takes place. So at present I feel I can only give Iced Malice 5/10
When I started reading this book I wasn’t aware that it was part of a series, but it became apparent that I was missing a lot of back story to fully understand the content of parts of the story, especially between Ryan and Brynn, and Kendell and Nash.
I would recommend that others do start this series with the first Detective Kendall Halsrud novel “Relative Malice” I imagine this will set the scene for Iced Malice as this is book 2 out of 4.
Even with having to work with missing plot keys I found Iced Malice to be an enjoyable crime mystery. I found it easy to get sucked into the mystery of the stories as they are more than one case happening during the course of the story. I’m not sure if it’s with me not starting with book 1 but I seemed to keep getting lost and in a permanent position of confusion.
I may have to come back to this again after I find the 1st book. It will not be for a while as I have a pile of books that I need to get through before any rereading takes place. So at present I feel I can only give Iced Malice 5/10
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments, #5) in Books
Sep 5, 2019 (Updated Mar 27, 2021)
43 of 250
Book
City of Lost Souls ( Shadowhunter book 5)
By Cassandra Clare
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Discover more secrets about the Shadowhunters as they fight to protect the world from demons in the fifth book in the internationally bestselling series. What price is too high to pay, even for love? Clary is willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost? This edition contains a map and a new foreword by Cassandra Clare. Read all the sensational books in The Shadowhunter Chronicles: The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy, The Bane Chronicles, The Dark Artifices, The Last Hours and The Shadowhunter’s Codex.
So I’ve almost totally given up on these books Clary and Jace drive me mental!
This one was the only one I actually enjoyed the reason being it brought the other characters forward instead of focusing on this toxic childish relationship.
I will stick to the end as I’m not for giving up on a series especially 5 books in. The reason for the 3 stars instead of 2 was because the book did bring the other characters forward!
Book
City of Lost Souls ( Shadowhunter book 5)
By Cassandra Clare
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Discover more secrets about the Shadowhunters as they fight to protect the world from demons in the fifth book in the internationally bestselling series. What price is too high to pay, even for love? Clary is willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost? This edition contains a map and a new foreword by Cassandra Clare. Read all the sensational books in The Shadowhunter Chronicles: The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy, The Bane Chronicles, The Dark Artifices, The Last Hours and The Shadowhunter’s Codex.
So I’ve almost totally given up on these books Clary and Jace drive me mental!
This one was the only one I actually enjoyed the reason being it brought the other characters forward instead of focusing on this toxic childish relationship.
I will stick to the end as I’m not for giving up on a series especially 5 books in. The reason for the 3 stars instead of 2 was because the book did bring the other characters forward!
Merissa (13123 KP) rated A Reckless Soul (Secrets of the Zodiac, #2) in Books
Apr 6, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
A friend of mine recommended this book to me via GoodReads and as I occasionally read Historical Fiction, I thought I'd give it a go, especially whilst it is still at the promotional price on Amazon. I'm very glad that I did. Although this is Book 2 in the Secrets of the Zodiac series, you don't have to have read the first one (although I will be now, plus any others I can get!).
The story is very well-written with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout. I got the mole wrong but I'm so very glad that I did. I loved how it was written and all fell into place. This book swept me away to the Regency era where life for a woman, let alone a lady, was so very different, with different rules and regulations that she was supposed to follow. Put an independent woman in the mix who knows how to look after herself, along with a male who thinks that she isn't capable, and you're in for an explosive combination which makes for a terrific read.
I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the lookout for more in this series. Definitely recommended to all History Fiction fans out there.
September 11, 2016
The story is very well-written with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout. I got the mole wrong but I'm so very glad that I did. I loved how it was written and all fell into place. This book swept me away to the Regency era where life for a woman, let alone a lady, was so very different, with different rules and regulations that she was supposed to follow. Put an independent woman in the mix who knows how to look after herself, along with a male who thinks that she isn't capable, and you're in for an explosive combination which makes for a terrific read.
I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the lookout for more in this series. Definitely recommended to all History Fiction fans out there.
September 11, 2016
Merissa (13123 KP) rated Magpies & Mayhem (The Boundlands #2) in Books
Sep 16, 2022
MAGPIES & MAYHEM perfectly describes the second book in The Boundlands series. We met both Sidney and Jordan in book one. Sidney is the extrovert to Elara's introvert, and Jordan was Levi's roommate. Now they have their own story that includes a gorgeous little dragon named Huck.
Sidney is definitely on the chaotic good scale of things, and her shifting to a magpie whenever she is startled just helps to confirm that. Jordan, by contrast, is solemn (with reason) and thinks things through. This just means they make the perfect pair, balancing each other out and giving the other just what they need.
The story is smooth and follows along nicely from Elara and Levi's, who we also catch up with in here. The world- and character-building continue to give you all you need to know, whilst leaving you wanting more. For me though, Huck definitely stole the show.
A great addition to the series, I can't wait for Grim's story to see where we will go next. 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!
Sidney is definitely on the chaotic good scale of things, and her shifting to a magpie whenever she is startled just helps to confirm that. Jordan, by contrast, is solemn (with reason) and thinks things through. This just means they make the perfect pair, balancing each other out and giving the other just what they need.
The story is smooth and follows along nicely from Elara and Levi's, who we also catch up with in here. The world- and character-building continue to give you all you need to know, whilst leaving you wanting more. For me though, Huck definitely stole the show.
A great addition to the series, I can't wait for Grim's story to see where we will go next. 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!