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No Hallowed Ground
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In a relentless chase across Missouri, four brave souls confront a hidden cabal of Confederate...
Lindsay (1812 KP) rated The Pretender (Mifflin County Mystery #3) in Books
Aug 14, 2025
We are introduced to Anthony, who is working while waiting for a young woman who is running late for her shift. This young woman, who goes by the name Eileen Person. She came on, tears in her eyes, and she seemed ashamed at what she did.
They make a plan and then head to her family's hometown. It turns out that this young woman is Risa, who disappeared from home two years ago and has now returned, pretending to be married.
We get a glimpse of Anthony's parents, Larvane and Herb, and a little bit of their home life.
Will the family welcome them back? Will Anthony fall for the community, and will he fall in love with Rosa? Will the community welcome Rosa back in with her husband? The act continues, though Susan got suspicious of her sister Rosa and her husband; she is not happy about Rosa coming home.
Rosa and Anthony are getting along and are starting to fall in love with each other, despite appearing to be happily married.
There are some twists and turns, but god may have a plan for Rosa and Anthony?
They make a plan and then head to her family's hometown. It turns out that this young woman is Risa, who disappeared from home two years ago and has now returned, pretending to be married.
We get a glimpse of Anthony's parents, Larvane and Herb, and a little bit of their home life.
Will the family welcome them back? Will Anthony fall for the community, and will he fall in love with Rosa? Will the community welcome Rosa back in with her husband? The act continues, though Susan got suspicious of her sister Rosa and her husband; she is not happy about Rosa coming home.
Rosa and Anthony are getting along and are starting to fall in love with each other, despite appearing to be happily married.
There are some twists and turns, but god may have a plan for Rosa and Anthony?
Debbiereadsbook (1761 KP) rated 10 Erotic Short Stories Vol.1 in Books
Nov 7, 2021
does what its supposed to!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
10 erotic-themed stories including BDSM, cuckold, threesomes and infidelity.
That is what the blurb says, and that is what you get!
These stories are short and steamy and sexy and they all come with a bit of a twist. I didn't see them coming with the first few but after that, I took to seeing what that twist would be and mostly? I was wrong!
The only thing is, I know they were short, it says the book is 60 odd pages and for ten stories in those 60 odd pages, they have got to be short. And for ME, they were just a tad TOO short, you know? I was just getting into the tale, and boom, its done.
I found them steamy enough, without being too over the top. The steam level I would put at 4 out 5.
BUT!
For delivering exactly what it says on the tin, and giving me a delightful, sexy read between 2 much longer, heavier books...
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
10 erotic-themed stories including BDSM, cuckold, threesomes and infidelity.
That is what the blurb says, and that is what you get!
These stories are short and steamy and sexy and they all come with a bit of a twist. I didn't see them coming with the first few but after that, I took to seeing what that twist would be and mostly? I was wrong!
The only thing is, I know they were short, it says the book is 60 odd pages and for ten stories in those 60 odd pages, they have got to be short. And for ME, they were just a tad TOO short, you know? I was just getting into the tale, and boom, its done.
I found them steamy enough, without being too over the top. The steam level I would put at 4 out 5.
BUT!
For delivering exactly what it says on the tin, and giving me a delightful, sexy read between 2 much longer, heavier books...
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated The Clairvoyant Countess in Books
Mar 30, 2023 (Updated Mar 30, 2023)
I Saw My Reaction Coming, but Not for the Reasons I Expected
Madame Karitska is a psychic, and when she meets a young woman in danger, Madame Karitska reaches out to Lieutenant Pruden for help. Thus begins their relationships as Madame Karitska helps him on several other case. What really happened with a couple of murders three years ago? And did a young woman die in a car accident?
I don’t normally pick up supernatural themed stories, but since I love this author’s Mrs. Pollifax series, I decided to give it a try. Sadly, it disappointed. I tried, but I couldn’t let go of the supernatural element. I think part of that was because it made the stories a bit easy to solve. I was also expecting a novel instead of a series of short stories. There are a couple of arcs that tie them together, mainly for Lieutenant Pruden, who is as equally an important character as Madame Karitska. Yet I did enjoy some of the stories in this collection, and I really liked the characters, so this wasn’t a completely loss.
I don’t normally pick up supernatural themed stories, but since I love this author’s Mrs. Pollifax series, I decided to give it a try. Sadly, it disappointed. I tried, but I couldn’t let go of the supernatural element. I think part of that was because it made the stories a bit easy to solve. I was also expecting a novel instead of a series of short stories. There are a couple of arcs that tie them together, mainly for Lieutenant Pruden, who is as equally an important character as Madame Karitska. Yet I did enjoy some of the stories in this collection, and I really liked the characters, so this wasn’t a completely loss.
Merissa (14024 KP) rated Oubliette (Cloud Prophet Trilogy #2) in Books
Apr 6, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
This book follows immediately on from Anathema and you are straight back in the action. Reychel is thrust through a portal which opens up in The Southern Kingdom. This takes her away from everything she knows, or thought she knew, and lands her firmly in the middle of haven't got a clue. They are expecting her however and once more she feels the pressure of being The Prophet when she really doesn't know how to use her gift.
Once again there are plots and subplots which delight you as you read. Who can Reychel (and the reader) trust? Nothing is as it seems but there is still a job to be done. What will Reychel and the others do?
This story once again was a wonder to read. It is intricate yet simple. The storyline is straightforward and yet there is so much to it. In all, this story is a delightful paradox and I am enjoying every moment. I have just purchased Severed which is the third in the trilogy so look out for a review of that one coming soon.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 3, 2016
Once again there are plots and subplots which delight you as you read. Who can Reychel (and the reader) trust? Nothing is as it seems but there is still a job to be done. What will Reychel and the others do?
This story once again was a wonder to read. It is intricate yet simple. The storyline is straightforward and yet there is so much to it. In all, this story is a delightful paradox and I am enjoying every moment. I have just purchased Severed which is the third in the trilogy so look out for a review of that one coming soon.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 3, 2016
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Hallowed Out in Books
Aug 17, 2022
Haunted Tour Ends in Mystery
Julia Snowden has gotten roped into an effort to bring some tourists to town during October via a haunted homes tour. One of the stops is Gus’s restaurant where a rumrunner was killed by gangsters during Prohibition. An actor has been brought in to help with the reenactment, but the night of the first tour, he is shot when the lights go out. Who did it?
It truly is wonderful to revisit the characters, no matter how briefly it might be. The plot is strong, and the characters we meet along the way are just as strong. I didn’t see the twists of the mystery coming, and the ending caught me by surprise. There is a delightful sub-plot as well that kept me grinning. And there’s a recipe or two at the end.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Haunted House Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Halloween trip to Maine.
It truly is wonderful to revisit the characters, no matter how briefly it might be. The plot is strong, and the characters we meet along the way are just as strong. I didn’t see the twists of the mystery coming, and the ending caught me by surprise. There is a delightful sub-plot as well that kept me grinning. And there’s a recipe or two at the end.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Haunted House Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Halloween trip to Maine.
David McK (3801 KP) rated Ice Age: Collision Course (2016) in Movies
Jan 3, 2022
I remember watching the first Ice Age film, way back not long after it came out, in about 2002 or thereabouts.
While it was enjoyable enough, it was also - I felt - nothing special (with Scrat the sabre-toothed squirrel stealing the show).
The franchise itself, as a whole, is proof of the old truism that sequels are never as good as the original, with each instalment struggling to match its predecessor.
This is the fifth movie in said franchise, and the core cast of characters has grown to almost unwieldy proportions: no longer just Sid, Manny and Diego but now also grown to encompass (both literally and metaphorically) their families.
The plot? With a meteor hurtling towards Earth (blame Scrat) an din danger of causing another mass-extinction event, Syd, Manny and co have to find a way of saving their way of life while also coming to terms with the fact that their daughter (wait? When did she appear gain?) is now all grown up and can make her own decisions.
The result? It's a pleasant enough way to spend about an hour and a half or so, but not a film I'd be rushing back to see.
While it was enjoyable enough, it was also - I felt - nothing special (with Scrat the sabre-toothed squirrel stealing the show).
The franchise itself, as a whole, is proof of the old truism that sequels are never as good as the original, with each instalment struggling to match its predecessor.
This is the fifth movie in said franchise, and the core cast of characters has grown to almost unwieldy proportions: no longer just Sid, Manny and Diego but now also grown to encompass (both literally and metaphorically) their families.
The plot? With a meteor hurtling towards Earth (blame Scrat) an din danger of causing another mass-extinction event, Syd, Manny and co have to find a way of saving their way of life while also coming to terms with the fact that their daughter (wait? When did she appear gain?) is now all grown up and can make her own decisions.
The result? It's a pleasant enough way to spend about an hour and a half or so, but not a film I'd be rushing back to see.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Yule Log Murder in Books
Dec 1, 2022
Christmas Murder on a Film Set
News has broken that a major Hollywood movie is going to be filmed just outside of town, and many of the townspeople are going to be used as extras. Lucy manages to snag one of those spots, but her joy turns to sorrow when a young woman dies on the set. The police seem quick to settle on a killer, but Lucy suspects that something else is going on. Can she figure things out?
I must admit that I haven't read many of Lucy's adventures, sticking mainly to the novellas featuring this character and her family. As a result, I don't have the history with Lucy's family that long time series readers do. That may be why I found them annoying. The mystery itself was very strong, however, with a solution I didn't see coming.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Yule Log Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Christmas mystery.
I must admit that I haven't read many of Lucy's adventures, sticking mainly to the novellas featuring this character and her family. As a result, I don't have the history with Lucy's family that long time series readers do. That may be why I found them annoying. The mystery itself was very strong, however, with a solution I didn't see coming.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Yule Log Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Christmas mystery.
Merissa (14024 KP) rated Estranged in Books
Jun 8, 2023
Set in dystopian/post-apocalyptic urban surroundings, Kalei is a police officer who keeps trying to gain entrance into SWORDE - a crack team who deals with Estranged. Kalei lost her parents and sister to the Estranged, and so she wants nothing more. This all changes one evening when her home is attacked and she becomes Estranged too. Now she not only has to deal with losing her family but becoming the very person she has sworn to kill.
This is an enjoyable story that is full of action. It became a bit difficult to read halfway through, simply due to the amount of action that was taking place, plus the 'street talk' that was prevalent. It did even itself out though, and once again, became a thrilling read. With plenty of twists and turns, you don't ever see what is coming before the author wants you to.
This story is all wrapped up in this book, but it has been left open for a sequel. I hope that the story does continue as I would love to carry on with Kalei's story. Definitely recommended.
* Verified Purchase on Amazon *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 2, 2016
This is an enjoyable story that is full of action. It became a bit difficult to read halfway through, simply due to the amount of action that was taking place, plus the 'street talk' that was prevalent. It did even itself out though, and once again, became a thrilling read. With plenty of twists and turns, you don't ever see what is coming before the author wants you to.
This story is all wrapped up in this book, but it has been left open for a sequel. I hope that the story does continue as I would love to carry on with Kalei's story. Definitely recommended.
* Verified Purchase on Amazon *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 2, 2016
ClareR (6238 KP) rated The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby in Books
Jun 24, 2026
The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby is a complex, clever and thoroughly enjoyable mystery set over three timelines and three destinations: Paris, Cambridge and Dubai.
I haven’t read Ellery Lloyds second book, The Club, but I have read People Like Her - and its completely different stylistically and thematically to that.
This starts in Paris in 1938, when artist and heiress Juliette Willoughby dies in a fire in her Parisian apartment/ art studio. We then jump 50 years in to the future to Cambridge where two art students discover that the fire appears not to have been an accident, and indeed is linked in some way to a murder in present day Dubai.
This is so complex that there is no way that I could try and describe the storyline beyond this - and I wouldn’t want to. It’s for the reader to find out what happens and how - and what a ride it is! I was carried along by the fantastic narration of the three voice actors, and the journey to the end was exciting and wholly surprising. I didn’t see it coming at all. Great characters (even the unlikeable ones!), interesting destinations and a riveting mystery. Recommended!
I haven’t read Ellery Lloyds second book, The Club, but I have read People Like Her - and its completely different stylistically and thematically to that.
This starts in Paris in 1938, when artist and heiress Juliette Willoughby dies in a fire in her Parisian apartment/ art studio. We then jump 50 years in to the future to Cambridge where two art students discover that the fire appears not to have been an accident, and indeed is linked in some way to a murder in present day Dubai.
This is so complex that there is no way that I could try and describe the storyline beyond this - and I wouldn’t want to. It’s for the reader to find out what happens and how - and what a ride it is! I was carried along by the fantastic narration of the three voice actors, and the journey to the end was exciting and wholly surprising. I didn’t see it coming at all. Great characters (even the unlikeable ones!), interesting destinations and a riveting mystery. Recommended!