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What a great cozy – even thought this book (#5) was the first I had read in this series, by chapter three the main characters all felt like old friends. The story is full of twists and turns that kept me guessing right up to the end, and the author’s smooth writing style kept the story flowing. If you’ve read any of the Soup Lover’s Mysteries, you should love this one. If not, now’s as good a time as any to start – you don’t need to have read the previous books to enjoy this story, and I did enjoy it!

NOTE: I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
  
In West Mills
In West Mills
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book grabbed my attention from the beginning and held it. The things that brought the rating down for me were the transitions between years toward the end of the book. It wasn't until you were a few pages into the chapter that you knew it was 5 or 10 years later.

Knot is the kind of woman who does what she wants no matter what other people think about it. This story takes us from 1942 all the way through 1987. Telling the story and secrets of West Mills. Each character has a different story that all melds together in one incredible telling. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to other books by this author.
  
Losing Lila (Lila, #2)
Losing Lila (Lila, #2)
Sarah Alderson | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry
6
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I seem to be having a bit of a problem with paranormal books at the minute. I don't know if I'm growing tired of the genre or I'm losing interest in reading (blasphemy!) but I got bored with this in places which is why it's taken me so long to read it.

I did enjoy reading the conclusion to Lila's story, and I even read the x-rated chapter that's free from the author's website, but it didn't grab me as much as it probably should have.

This is the third book by the author and I have liked them all, though I think paranormal may have to be avoided by me for a while.
  
Modern Calligraphy and Hand Lettering by Lisa Engelbrecht
Genre: Calligraphy and craft
ISBN: 9781592536443
Published: September 1st 2010 by Quarry Books
Rating: 5

This book was absolutely amazing. I have loved calligraphy since I was eleven.

This book had everything: information on supplies and tools and instructions on how to build your own tools. There are chapters on different calligraphy styles, like classic calligraphy, vintage styled alphabets, raw dry-brush techniques, funky fun letters, calligraphy on fabric, urban-styled graffiti, flourishes, gothic, and mixed media pieces. Every chapter is exciting and inspiring, and each chapter will speak to a different person and hit on their personal style. I have to say the fabric section really made me want to dance and get out my sewing machine. There were example pieces, full alphabets, photographs, stroke-by-stroke instructions on certain alphabets, and ideas beyond belief. This book is enough to keep me busy for at least the next two decades…

I recommend this book to anyone interested in calligraphy, collage, mixed media, or anyone who loves hand-writing pieces of art (Yes there are still some of us who love hand-writing letters and love poems and posters. We're awesome.).
  
The Accidental Baker
The Accidental Baker
Clare London | 2019 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Accidental Baker by Clare London
The Accidental Baker is more like a collection of short stories that all a common theme - Easter, and Donnie's chocolate. Each chapter involves a different couple, and how they meet. ALL of the stories are sweet, some characters are lovely, some (sorry Henry) I really didn't take to.

This was well-written and excellently paced - each story giving just what it needed to work. Personally, I would love to see this progress into their own stories, just so I got more information about each couple. Maybe if I knew more about Henry, he wouldn't grate on me so much. I understood his back story, what we got, but it just didn't do it for me.

A thoroughly enjoyable, quick, seasonal read - absolutely perfect for your coffee break, or when you just have time for a few pages! Just one chapter, and you get a complete story. Definitely recommended.

* 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!
  
Nightfall: Keeper of the Lost Cities
Nightfall: Keeper of the Lost Cities
Shannon Messenger | 2017 | Children
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book picks up moments after book five in the series ends as Sophie is dealing with the fact that the Neverseen have kidnapped her human parents. After getting her human sister hidden away, Sophie begins to hunt for them. The only clue is Nightfall, a clue that leads to Keefe’s mother, Lady Gisela. But can she be trusted? Or is she using Sophie and her friends for her own purpose?

I’ve been waiting a year to get the next chapter in Sophie’s story after the cliffhanger of the last book, and I wasn’t disappointed. This really is a next chapter, so if you haven’t read these books, don’t start here since you will be lost. But fans will quickly find themselves turning the 800 pages in this book. The plot really stalls only once about two thirds of the way, but it isn’t too long before we are ramping up for the climax. Meanwhile, all our favorite characters get some development and their moments to shine while we meet a fantastic new character.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-nightfall-by-shannon.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
My Sister, the Serial Killer
My Sister, the Serial Killer
Oyinkan Braithwaite | 2018 | Crime, Thriller
6
7.8 (12 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a very different novel to what I usually read.
A book about a sister who covers up her own sisters murders, before realising that her sister has hit the number of murders to make her a serial killer. And still she doesn’t report her to the police or try to do much to stop her. At one point, someone tells her she’s worse than her sister and I think that is very true. Her sister might be the murderess but she is standing by and letting it happen time and time again.
The style of the writing was very different to most books, with the short chapters and each chapter name being taken from something that happened in the chapter. It was also quite a short book, so something that can be read in an evening.
I didn’t find myself particularly sad that it was coming to an end, and that we didn’t find out if either sister ever had a happy ending or not. The book was ok, but not really one that I found myself looking forward to a bit of free time to continue reading or picking up for half an hour before bed.
  
The Magicians Guild is the first of the Black Magician Trilogy and was published in 2001, Followed by The Novice (2002) and The Black Magician (2003). The story starts with a young Slum Dweller named Sonea as she discovers her magical potential after throwing a stone through a magical barrier. Going in the run Sonea has to deal with both the magicians guild after her and the growing chaos that is her loosing control of her power. After being found by Lord Rothen and helped achieve control, Sonea must face a difficult trial for both entrance to the Guild and Mentorship between Rothen and the sinister looking Fergun.

Canavan stated on her website that the initial inspiration which ended up being part of the first chapter came form her watching a documentary of the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona where a report about the government taking the host cities homeless and sending them to other cities/towns. Later that night she saw herself and several others being herded out of a city...by magicians hence the first chapter.

Now when I first found the book I was in a Waterstones (Well known British bookstore) mindlessly looking....wasn't even expecting to buy a book and I came across The Magicians Guild. Finding the blurb interesting I bought it and after reading it I fell in love and I ended up rushing to buy the other two books. Hearing the influence of the first chapter reminded me of the influence Susanne Collins the writer of the Hunger games series had of flicking through channels and hearing two different news posts.
  
40x40

Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Quicksilver in Books

Apr 27, 2018  
Q
Quicksilver
2
2.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was rather confused by the concept of this book after reading the pitch and the blurb, but it was a werewolf book and I love werewolf books, so I gave it a try. However, even after the first few pages, the word that came to mind was "sappy." I kept reading the dialogue and the interior monologue and thinking "Who says stuff like that?" and even the actions of the characters. I mean, I wouldn't tell a random good looking stranger that I've been having emotionally stirring dreams about him for the past six months. That's an invitation for a stalker. No girl would do that. It felt illogical and it didn't make sense, and I couldn't read past the seventh chapter.
  
MM
Mr. Maybe
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I really enjoyed reading this book and practically read it in one shot. Libby was a great character; I related to her (to a certain extent) and thought she was fairly realistic. However, there were a couple of things that bothered me: did the author have to make Ed a complete bore? I don't think it's bad to have two decent love interests. Second, did Nick have an upper-class raising or not? Lastly, the ending was too abrupt, I would have like there to have been a chapter or epilogue more; seemed to me that there were a few loose ends. Otherwise, I found it to be an easy, fast, and fun read. Jane Green's books haven't disappointed me yet.