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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Masking for Trouble (Costume Shop Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
In a town that loves costume parties, Halloween is a huge deal, which means things are very busy for Margo Tamblyn in her family’s costume shop, Disguise DeLimit. However, this year things are looking grim thanks to Paul Haverford, who has grand designs for the city, plans that include closing down small shops like Disguise DeLimit. However, when Margo finds Paul’s body at the opening party, she finds herself as the prime suspect. Can she find the killer and clear her name?
I loved the first book in this series because the characters are so wonderful. It was great to see them again and watch their relationships grow and change. The plot was fun and unique, and I enjoyed that as well. Plus the book made great use of the Halloween time frame.
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/2016/10/book-review-masking-for-trouble-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I loved the first book in this series because the characters are so wonderful. It was great to see them again and watch their relationships grow and change. The plot was fun and unique, and I enjoyed that as well. Plus the book made great use of the Halloween time frame.
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/2016/10/book-review-masking-for-trouble-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The town of Frog’s Ledge, Connecticut, is celebrating the start of the holiday season with their big tree lighting, and Stan is doubly excited since her new pet patisserie is opening the next day. However, things take an unexpected turn when Santa dies on his way to light the tree. Meanwhile, two other men are missing. Is there a connection?
I was hooked from the start with this book. Even though I figured out one thread early on, I still wanted to know how it was all going to play out. I did feel the climax was rushed, but that is my only complaint about this book. I love these characters and the relationships that have grown over the course of the series, and getting to spend time with them helped add to the Christmas spirit in this book for me.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/12/book-review-purring-around-christmas.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I was hooked from the start with this book. Even though I figured out one thread early on, I still wanted to know how it was all going to play out. I did feel the climax was rushed, but that is my only complaint about this book. I love these characters and the relationships that have grown over the course of the series, and getting to spend time with them helped add to the Christmas spirit in this book for me.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/12/book-review-purring-around-christmas.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Whisper To The Blood (Kate Shugak, #16) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I've enjoyed Stabenow's work since her first novel, <i>Second Star</i>, and I request every new book at the library as soon as it hits their computer system. I'm glad I read this one, but it really took patience to get to the "good stuff." For some reason, the first half of the book moves very, very slowly. It does wrap up a loose end from the previous Shugak tale, but one of the book's two murders is solved in such a way that it seems an afterthought, right at the end.
Still, Johnny Morgan, now 16, gets more "face time" in this book than in any of the earlier ones. The Aunties (Vi, Edna, Joy, and Balasha) all get some time, and we get more of their background than we've had in the past.
I definitely recommend the book for confirmed fans of the Shugak series, but it wouldn't be the best place for a reader new to the author to start.
Still, Johnny Morgan, now 16, gets more "face time" in this book than in any of the earlier ones. The Aunties (Vi, Edna, Joy, and Balasha) all get some time, and we get more of their background than we've had in the past.
I definitely recommend the book for confirmed fans of the Shugak series, but it wouldn't be the best place for a reader new to the author to start.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated The Ghosts of Misty Hollow in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Emma and Phil are in Massachusetts at the invitation of mystery writer Gino Costello. He plans to include ghosts in his next book, and plans to use Emma’s expertise to get that part right. However, tension between Gino and Vanessa and the presence of many ghosts looking for Emma’s help will keep this trip for being restful.
While I don’t read many paranormal cozies, I enjoy this series because the characters are so much fun. We only really see Emma, Phil, and Granny here, but they are fantastic, and the new characters more than make up for any characters you might miss. The pacing is a little uneven, but the plot is good and the further I got into the book, the harder it was to put down.
Note: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-ghosts-of-misty-hollow-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While I don’t read many paranormal cozies, I enjoy this series because the characters are so much fun. We only really see Emma, Phil, and Granny here, but they are fantastic, and the new characters more than make up for any characters you might miss. The pacing is a little uneven, but the plot is good and the further I got into the book, the harder it was to put down.
Note: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-ghosts-of-misty-hollow-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated Ready Player One in Books
Jul 5, 2018
10 years late I figure out how to review after I already posted the rating - OOPS - I shall never do that again.
I'm a sucker now for gaming books, who knew? Sci Fi and Gaming has now become some of my favourite genres to read. This book has a very specific gaming objective - find the egg. My kind of game, aside from the plethora of infoduming available in this book, which kind of got annoying (a bit over descriptive to me) it was a joy to read all of the old 80s things, and of course, find out who wins! I do believe Art3mis was my favourite of the characters in the book, not main but she held her own - and the great and powerful og (I died when I read that line) was superb.
I'm taking a stab at book 2 now that this is a series <spoiler> I believe that it's going to have to do with the button of doom </spoiler>
I'm a sucker now for gaming books, who knew? Sci Fi and Gaming has now become some of my favourite genres to read. This book has a very specific gaming objective - find the egg. My kind of game, aside from the plethora of infoduming available in this book, which kind of got annoying (a bit over descriptive to me) it was a joy to read all of the old 80s things, and of course, find out who wins! I do believe Art3mis was my favourite of the characters in the book, not main but she held her own - and the great and powerful og (I died when I read that line) was superb.
I'm taking a stab at book 2 now that this is a series <spoiler> I believe that it's going to have to do with the button of doom </spoiler>
Bysa (2 KP) rated The Hunger Games in Books
Sep 19, 2018
**This read was hard to put down. I initially held-out on getting the book because I heard I should get all three books of the series before hand because I will want to keep reading. That person was so right! I am angry with myself for waiting to read this book! I planned on going to the movie opening later this month but I wanted to finish this book before-hand. So glad I did.**
I think the author did an incredible job demonstrating each characters motivations. The characters are very memorable. I did not find any time where I wanted to stop reading or where the story slowed to a point where I couldn't go on. Many books have done that for me, not this one. I would definitely re-read this book and would go as far as to buy all my tweenies and/or youngin's in the family a copy!
I think the author did an incredible job demonstrating each characters motivations. The characters are very memorable. I did not find any time where I wanted to stop reading or where the story slowed to a point where I couldn't go on. Many books have done that for me, not this one. I would definitely re-read this book and would go as far as to buy all my tweenies and/or youngin's in the family a copy!
Merissa (12854 KP) rated Tigana in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Another stunner of a book by GGK although this one is a stand alone book and is based loosely on Italy in the 11th and 12th centuries.
In so many ways similar to The Fionavar Tapestry series but so different too. A brief synopsis is that there has been a major battle between 2 wizards in which one of the wizard's sons dies. In revenge the wizard removes the name "Tigana" from the memories and vocabularies of its inhabitants so that eventually the name will die, just like his son did.
This story is so intricate and involved and it is not a clear black/white, good/evil book which is what makes it such a superb read. Everything about is well written, from the villains to the locations to the history that you are given.
This book is bittersweet and poignant and I'll leave it to you to see if there is a happy ending.
Certainly classed as a classic by me and a firm favourite.
In so many ways similar to The Fionavar Tapestry series but so different too. A brief synopsis is that there has been a major battle between 2 wizards in which one of the wizard's sons dies. In revenge the wizard removes the name "Tigana" from the memories and vocabularies of its inhabitants so that eventually the name will die, just like his son did.
This story is so intricate and involved and it is not a clear black/white, good/evil book which is what makes it such a superb read. Everything about is well written, from the villains to the locations to the history that you are given.
This book is bittersweet and poignant and I'll leave it to you to see if there is a happy ending.
Certainly classed as a classic by me and a firm favourite.
Merissa (12854 KP) rated A Life, Freed in Books
Dec 17, 2018
I received this book from YA Reads as part of their blog tour in return for a fair and honest review.
This is the third book in the Rowan Slone set and you just know that things won't be going smoothly for her. Although on paper her life is going well, in actuality she is struggling to manage. Helping Jess with her fractious 5-month old son doesn't exactly help with her studying time. Also, Rowan is now with Shane and she enjoys his kisses, there doesn't appear to be any spark between them. When Mike appears back on the scene, it is no surprise that Rowan spends more time with him than she has done previously with Shane.
The book moves along at a fair pace as there is a lot to wrap up in this final book. It is all wrapped up though and leads to a very satisfying conclusion. This has been a wonderful, heart-wrenching series that has been enjoyable throughout.
This is the third book in the Rowan Slone set and you just know that things won't be going smoothly for her. Although on paper her life is going well, in actuality she is struggling to manage. Helping Jess with her fractious 5-month old son doesn't exactly help with her studying time. Also, Rowan is now with Shane and she enjoys his kisses, there doesn't appear to be any spark between them. When Mike appears back on the scene, it is no surprise that Rowan spends more time with him than she has done previously with Shane.
The book moves along at a fair pace as there is a lot to wrap up in this final book. It is all wrapped up though and leads to a very satisfying conclusion. This has been a wonderful, heart-wrenching series that has been enjoyable throughout.
ClareR (5874 KP) rated Tales of the City (Tales of the City, #1) in Books
Nov 18, 2019
Tales of the City is set in San Francisco in 1976 - three years after I was born, so how can I feel nostalgic?! This is how a feel good book should be written. I loved it.
They’re all great characters, and I warn you - this is a laugh out loud book, and when you have to explain to the 12 or 14 year old sons WHY you’re laughing, the explanations can be interesting! I feel fortunate that a friend convinced me to go and see Armistead Maupin with her at my local literature festival, otherwise I don’t know whether I would have ever picked up this book. I’d simply never heard of Maupin, and I don’t have Netflix to have heard about the TV series. Now I wish I had Netflix!
I’m glad I have book 2 waiting in the wings, because I really want to keep living in 1970s San Francisco!
They’re all great characters, and I warn you - this is a laugh out loud book, and when you have to explain to the 12 or 14 year old sons WHY you’re laughing, the explanations can be interesting! I feel fortunate that a friend convinced me to go and see Armistead Maupin with her at my local literature festival, otherwise I don’t know whether I would have ever picked up this book. I’d simply never heard of Maupin, and I don’t have Netflix to have heard about the TV series. Now I wish I had Netflix!
I’m glad I have book 2 waiting in the wings, because I really want to keep living in 1970s San Francisco!
Pixie Book "Connie Learns How to Swim"
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The best-selling Pixi Book Series from Carlsen Publishing – over 15 million books sold annually ...