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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2353 KP) rated Permanent Sunset: A Sabrina Salter Mystery in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Sabrina and Henry have taken on a new villa, and the first event at this villa is a big wedding that they are helping coordinate. However, when family strife turns to murder of the bride-to-be, Sabrina finds herself once again playing detective to prove that she isn’t negligent in the murder of another customer.
I enjoyed the first in this series only a couple of months ago, so the characters were still fresh in my mind. It was absolutely wonderful to be back in their presence. The new cast are just as strong, and the conflict they provide keeps the pages turning until we reach the logical end. I read the book in two days, I just couldn’t put it down.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-permanent-sunset-by-c.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I enjoyed the first in this series only a couple of months ago, so the characters were still fresh in my mind. It was absolutely wonderful to be back in their presence. The new cast are just as strong, and the conflict they provide keeps the pages turning until we reach the logical end. I read the book in two days, I just couldn’t put it down.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-permanent-sunset-by-c.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2353 KP) rated Lord of the Wings (Meg Langslow, #19) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The town of Caerphilly is hosting the first annual Halloween festival, and Meg is hoping she can take it easy since she is only in charge of the Goblin Patrol, the extra volunteer security force. However, a break in at the haunted house, a foot in the alligators, and a dead body complicate matters.
I love this series, and this book is another fun addition. When I realized it was set at Halloween, I almost set it aside until October, but I just couldn’t wait. The characters are strong and charming as always, and the various aspects of the plot keep things moving forward quickly. I was disappointed that one character introduced a couple books back is once again absent, but that is my only complaint in another fantastic read.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-review-lord-of-wings-by-donna.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I love this series, and this book is another fun addition. When I realized it was set at Halloween, I almost set it aside until October, but I just couldn’t wait. The characters are strong and charming as always, and the various aspects of the plot keep things moving forward quickly. I was disappointed that one character introduced a couple books back is once again absent, but that is my only complaint in another fantastic read.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-review-lord-of-wings-by-donna.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2353 KP) rated Plantation Shudders (Cajun Country Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Maggie and her family are delighted to have a full house at their bed and breakfast as summer is coming to an end. However, the elderly couple is a real pain, so no one is too upset when they both die within minutes of each other. The sheriff is sure that one of them was murdered, and since he has a vendetta against Maggie’s family, she’s going to have to find the killer. Can she do it?
This is a fun mystery with a great setting in Louisiana Cajun country. Maggie a great main character, and her Gran makes a fantastic sidekick. I did feel the mystery slowed down a time or two, but the clues were all there and it reached a great climax.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-plantation-shudders-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a fun mystery with a great setting in Louisiana Cajun country. Maggie a great main character, and her Gran makes a fantastic sidekick. I did feel the mystery slowed down a time or two, but the clues were all there and it reached a great climax.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-plantation-shudders-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2353 KP) rated Going, Going, Ganache (Cupcake Bakery Mystery, #5) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When a photo shoot for Southwest Style turns into a disaster, Mel and Angie find themselves hosting a cupcake boot camp as a team building exercise for the fractured magazine staff. The second morning, Mel finds out of the staff members murdered behind her shop. With the prime suspects in her bakery, can Mel figure out who the killer is?
This is a wonderful addition to the series, and it is easy to see why the series has so many fans. The characters, main and new, are all strong. The mystery provides plenty of tension, suspects, and red herrings, and a couple of sub-plots involving the main characters will keep series fans engrossed as well. Add to that delicious cupcake recipes in the back, and you’ve got a winner.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-going-going-ganache-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a wonderful addition to the series, and it is easy to see why the series has so many fans. The characters, main and new, are all strong. The mystery provides plenty of tension, suspects, and red herrings, and a couple of sub-plots involving the main characters will keep series fans engrossed as well. Add to that delicious cupcake recipes in the back, and you’ve got a winner.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-going-going-ganache-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2353 KP) rated Murder Has Nine Lives in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Jaine’s cat Prozac lands a part in a cat food commercial, Jaine is already spending her money. However, on the day of the shoot, Dean, the creator of the cat food, dies after eating some. Jaine had witnessed his bad behavior first hand, but the police consider everyone there a suspect. Desperate to clear her name, Jaine begins investigating. Who poisoned the cat food?
This series is dependable for it’s light look at murder, and this book is no exception. The characters are a little out there, but they fit the tone of the book perfectly. The plot is strong with plenty of viable suspects and shifting motive, which kept me turning pages. And a couple of sub-plots pack in the laughs.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-murder-has-nine-lives-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This series is dependable for it’s light look at murder, and this book is no exception. The characters are a little out there, but they fit the tone of the book perfectly. The plot is strong with plenty of viable suspects and shifting motive, which kept me turning pages. And a couple of sub-plots pack in the laughs.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-murder-has-nine-lives-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Frog Ledge’s Groundhog Day celebration is cut short when the town historical, elderly Helga Oliver, is found dead at the bottom of the Historical Museum stairs. But when whispers that it was murder reach Stan’s ears, she begins to dig in and see if she can find the truth.
There are many plot threads introduced early that slow down the pacing of the story a little, but as the book progresses, we see how everything ties together. There are some good twists and a creative climax. The characters are great, and we even get to see a different side to a couple of them, which I really appreciated.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-icing-on-corpse-by-liz.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
There are many plot threads introduced early that slow down the pacing of the story a little, but as the book progresses, we see how everything ties together. There are some good twists and a creative climax. The characters are great, and we even get to see a different side to a couple of them, which I really appreciated.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-icing-on-corpse-by-liz.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Hayley is trying to get a job at the new magazine in Key West as a food critic. This is despite the fact that she found the magazine's owner in bed with Hayley's boyfriend. But when the owner is killed, Hayley finds herself the chief suspect in the murder.
Since I liked the most recent one when I read it a couple months ago, I thought I'd go back and start at the beginning. Hayley seems to have more flaws here than in the later book, although I still loved her. The story was a little slow to get going as well, but I got hooked in the second half. A good start to a fun series.
NOTE: I was sent this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/03/book-review-appetite-for-murder-by-lucy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Since I liked the most recent one when I read it a couple months ago, I thought I'd go back and start at the beginning. Hayley seems to have more flaws here than in the later book, although I still loved her. The story was a little slow to get going as well, but I got hooked in the second half. A good start to a fun series.
NOTE: I was sent this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/03/book-review-appetite-for-murder-by-lucy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2353 KP) rated Design for Dying (Lillian Frost & Edith Head, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Lillian Frost learns that her former roommate, Ruby, has been murdered, she is shocked. Then she recognizes what Ruby was wearing as a costume from a movie, which brings her into contact with famed costume designer Edith Head. Together, the two discover clues that could lead to Ruby’s killer. But can they piece it all together?
This book takes us back to 1937 Hollywood, and it is all fun. Real and fictional character rub elbows, and I loved it. Everyone came fully alive for me in these pages, as did the time and place (once I remembered just how much things would have changed in that time.) The mystery with strong with a couple of good twists. I love how the clues came together for the fun climax.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-design-for-dying-by-renee.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book takes us back to 1937 Hollywood, and it is all fun. Real and fictional character rub elbows, and I loved it. Everyone came fully alive for me in these pages, as did the time and place (once I remembered just how much things would have changed in that time.) The mystery with strong with a couple of good twists. I love how the clues came together for the fun climax.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-design-for-dying-by-renee.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Merissa (12926 KP) rated Bonded (Law of the Lycans #1) in Books
Mar 26, 2018
Bonded (Law of the Lycans #1) by Nicky Charles
This book has been languishing on my Kindle since April 2013, but I've finally got round to reading it, and I'm currently kicking myself for waiting so long!
This is an excellent story that shows the work it takes to keep wolves from the humans' radar, but also how some wolves think they are better than others, and what they do to them. And in the middle of it all, we have Reno and Brandi - a couple that surely belong together if only they would stop being so stubborn.
Well written, with some steamy scenes that in no way take away from the story. A smooth pace and an intricate storyline. I'm about to start Betrayed now as I am hooked on this world. Absolutely recommended by me.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is an excellent story that shows the work it takes to keep wolves from the humans' radar, but also how some wolves think they are better than others, and what they do to them. And in the middle of it all, we have Reno and Brandi - a couple that surely belong together if only they would stop being so stubborn.
Well written, with some steamy scenes that in no way take away from the story. A smooth pace and an intricate storyline. I'm about to start Betrayed now as I am hooked on this world. Absolutely recommended by me.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated The Iron Hunt (Hunter Kiss, #1) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
<i>The Iron Hunt</i> is a beautifully written book with some interesting twists on established fantasy memes. To some extent, I felt that I'd come in to the world on book 2 or 3, but as far as I know (and from what Amazon says) this is the first book of the Hunter Kiss series. There was a bit of Buffy and a little Witchblade, with other elements I'm sure I'm overlooking.
For once, it's good to see a novel in which an established couple has a seemingly-healthy relationship. Maxine and Grant have very different skills, but they work together well. That said, this is <b>not</b> a romance.
Edited to add: I just learned that there is, in fact, a prequel to this book in <i>The Wild Thing</i> anthology, which I hadn't heard of before. I'll certainly be looking for it.
For once, it's good to see a novel in which an established couple has a seemingly-healthy relationship. Maxine and Grant have very different skills, but they work together well. That said, this is <b>not</b> a romance.
Edited to add: I just learned that there is, in fact, a prequel to this book in <i>The Wild Thing</i> anthology, which I hadn't heard of before. I'll certainly be looking for it.