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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2488 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 (2488 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 (2488 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 (13782 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!
Cynthia Armistead (17 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.
Clare Parrott (294 KP) rated Gabriel's Redemption (Gabriel's Inferno, #3) in Books
Feb 13, 2018
I was so looking forward to reading this book, the 7 months waiting seemed like forever but finally the day arrived. Now 5 days later and i'm finished and I have to say it fell flat for me. We have the story of Gabriel and Julianne which seemed to be an account of day to day life with only a couple of interesting bits (sorry, i'm not giving anything away) Then theres Christa, some would say she got what she deserved and yes i think she did but it didn't keep me up till 2am reading so I could find out what happened to the nasty bitch. And then theres Paul...Why was he included? I seems to me his was a non story. I think I should have stopped at book 2 ( I can't believe I just said that!). 4 very generous stars.
Gail (4 KP) rated Just the Way You Are in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Just the Way You Are by Allison M. Lewis
Four Stars
At first the story was interesting because hello how many fairy tales do you hear about where the princess is disabled. I was excited for the story to build up young girls spirits who didn’t believe they could. It did do that some what but I feel like it was corny and unrealistic. I liked how Derrick built her up and pushed her to believe in herself. How Misty stood up to her father and demanded he listen. There was no demand on a sexual nature between them and it was refreshing to read about a couple not dominated by sex. The direction the author wanted was somewhat there but the flow of the story was lacking. Conversations didn’t have the believable quality at all. Overall it was a good story so I would read more from this author.
Four Stars
At first the story was interesting because hello how many fairy tales do you hear about where the princess is disabled. I was excited for the story to build up young girls spirits who didn’t believe they could. It did do that some what but I feel like it was corny and unrealistic. I liked how Derrick built her up and pushed her to believe in herself. How Misty stood up to her father and demanded he listen. There was no demand on a sexual nature between them and it was refreshing to read about a couple not dominated by sex. The direction the author wanted was somewhat there but the flow of the story was lacking. Conversations didn’t have the believable quality at all. Overall it was a good story so I would read more from this author.
Jcadden76 (64 KP) rated Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) in Movies
Jun 18, 2018
You can't beat a movie with a Basilisk
As the second in the series, Chamber of Secrets knocks it out of the park. It might not be my favorite in the series but that is a poor choice of words, they are all tremendous.
Chamber of Secrets for me, hits the hardest at the very end of the movie. The tone of the movie as a whole is much darker than our first outing in The Sorcerer's Stone, but the end is very tragic and traumatic and thought provoking. You have the backstory on the main villain of the series, the potential death of a couple of main characters... there is a just a lot going on!
This is one of the series that I can put on and just enjoy as background noise. Worth a re-watch if it has been a while for you.
Chamber of Secrets for me, hits the hardest at the very end of the movie. The tone of the movie as a whole is much darker than our first outing in The Sorcerer's Stone, but the end is very tragic and traumatic and thought provoking. You have the backstory on the main villain of the series, the potential death of a couple of main characters... there is a just a lot going on!
This is one of the series that I can put on and just enjoy as background noise. Worth a re-watch if it has been a while for you.