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    Winter Kingdom features seven, double-sided hexagonal map tiles that are randomly arranged into the...

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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2554 KP) rated Murder at Keyhaven Castle in Books

Sep 16, 2022 (Updated Sep 16, 2022)  
Murder at Keyhaven Castle
Murder at Keyhaven Castle
Clara McKenna | 2022 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
You Are Invited to a … Murder
The wedding of American heiress Stella Kendrick to Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst is just days away, and they can’t wait. A murder in a nearby town doesn’t seem like it could interfere, until they learn the man was ranting about killing someone before he died and he had a copy of the newspaper’s announcement of their wedding in his pocket. When another murder happens during an outing to the ruins of Keyhaven Castle, it threatens their wedding. Are the two deaths related? Will Stella and Lyndy be able to get married?

This is another case where you could jump in here, but the events and the characters’ reactions to them will make more sense if you’ve read the first two books in the series. The story walks a fine balance between taking the events of the story seriously and being too dark, and I appreciated how that was handled. I did figure out a few things early on, but there was so much happening, it didn’t really ruin the story for me. Part of that is because of the strong romance in the series – I think I was rooting for Stella and Lyndy to get married as much as they were. Obviously, I love them, and they continue to lead a great cast of characters. Again, the world of 1905 was brought to life wonderfully. If you are a fan of this series, you’ll definitely enjoy this book. If you are new, I suggest you meet Stella and Lyndy soon.
  
The Ostin Scholar (Isle of Ostin #3)
The Ostin Scholar (Isle of Ostin #3)
Michelle Dare | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE OSTIN SCHOLAR is the third book in the Isle of Ostin and really does need to be read as a series.

We met Presley in Arbor and Zeke's story and, in just one short scene, he made my heart ache with what he has to contend with. Now we get to see exactly what he's up against, and the Kade family dynamics. And when I say Kade family, I don't include Roland because he's not part of them and certainly doesn't deserve to be!

Lazlo and Presley are so cute as a couple. Lazlo definitely has the Ostin protective streak over Presley, but also over his son, Everest, and Lina, his best friend and mother to their son. We see Roland up close and personal in this one, making him even more horrible and conniving.

I am loving this series, almost as much as I love the 'theme' of the castle. The story arc moves along nicely with each story, but you don't miss out on any of the relationship-building between the main pair. Or, as in this case, the relationships between a long-lost uncle and nephews.

Definitely recommended by me and bring on The Ostin Rebel as I really want Roland to meet his grisly end. An ornament for one of the boats does sound good... 😁

** 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!
Aug 6, 2023
  
Captive Queen: The Decrypted History of Mary Queen of Scots
Captive Queen: The Decrypted History of Mary Queen of Scots
Jade Scott | 2024 | History & Politics
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Tudor England has always been a favourite subject of mine, and then on to the Elizabethan period as well. It’s always interested me how Elizabeth I treated her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, especially after I visited Carlisle Castle and saw some of the displays that explained her captivity there. It may have only been a few weeks out of the 19 years that she was held captive, and I was curious about the rest of those years.

Captive Queen explains a lot of Mary’s life and also tells of how she got to the point of her imprisonment. So much information was gleaned from the encrypted letters that she sent to, and received from, her supporters. When they were decrypted, after their discovery in a French archive, they answered a lot of questions.

Jade Scott uses this information to paint a really interesting picture of Mary’s captivity, and just how involved she was in the various plots to release her and put her on the English throne. I mean, who can blame her?! She was imprisoned in some awful places - regardless of the fact that she was in castles or stately homes.

I rather enjoyed the little fictional chapter headers. They made it feel more personal, and ideal for people like me who don’t always enjoy dry, academic historical writing. This is absolutely not that - I whizzed through this book, thoroughly enjoying it.

So, if you enjoy history and want to find out more about Mary, Queen of Scots, you may well enjoy this too.