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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated The Body in the Cattails in Books
Aug 5, 2023 (Updated Aug 5, 2023)
Come Make New Friends and Solve a Murder
Drew Brauner has been in Rose Creek, Oklahoma, for a couple of months now but has yet to really make any friends, so she decides to go to the new book club forming. Before the meeting is over, the women have spotted a dead body floating in the creek behind the story. As they begin to investigate, they begin to bond. Will they figure out what happened?
Really, there are four main characters, and we get to see the story from all of their points of view. They also have their own arcs. But it is all balanced wonderfully. It never becomes too much or overwhelming, and I loved every second of it. This is all juggled with the main mystery, which kept me engaged before becoming a pager turner at the climax. This is one of those books you don’t want to end because you don’t want to leave the characters behind. I already can’t wait for book two to come out. Get this utterly charming series debut today. You’ll be glad you did.
Really, there are four main characters, and we get to see the story from all of their points of view. They also have their own arcs. But it is all balanced wonderfully. It never becomes too much or overwhelming, and I loved every second of it. This is all juggled with the main mystery, which kept me engaged before becoming a pager turner at the climax. This is one of those books you don’t want to end because you don’t want to leave the characters behind. I already can’t wait for book two to come out. Get this utterly charming series debut today. You’ll be glad you did.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Fahrenheit 501 in Books
Sep 13, 2023
Are Jeans a Motive for Murder?
When Samantha Kidd is asked to join a secret fashion society, she is surprised to even hear about it. Her initial interview is cut short when she finds the dead body of an older member buried under a pile of jeans. While not officially a part of the society yet, Samantha still has the connections to ask around. Can she piece together who the killer is?
I’ll admit, the society in this book seemed like a stretch to me, but then again, I have some odd hobbies, so who am I to say anything. Besides, it sets up another fun mystery with plenty of twists to keep the reader engaged. There was one aspect of the plot that was needlessly confusing early on, but it starts to be more consistent the further into the book we go. And the plot came together for a logical climax. In addition to the regulars, a couple of characters we haven’t seen in a while pop back up here, and I enjoyed seeing them again. We also get the usual laughs, which are always a delight. Fans will be pleased with this addition to the series.
I’ll admit, the society in this book seemed like a stretch to me, but then again, I have some odd hobbies, so who am I to say anything. Besides, it sets up another fun mystery with plenty of twists to keep the reader engaged. There was one aspect of the plot that was needlessly confusing early on, but it starts to be more consistent the further into the book we go. And the plot came together for a logical climax. In addition to the regulars, a couple of characters we haven’t seen in a while pop back up here, and I enjoyed seeing them again. We also get the usual laughs, which are always a delight. Fans will be pleased with this addition to the series.
Shadow Seer (Blood Shadows #2)
10.0
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Their Shadows recognize each other immediately. Their hearts need a little more time… Emma...
Adult Paranormal Romance
Merissa (12861 KP) rated Embrace the Wild (The Blood Rose #6) in Books
May 20, 2023
Willow has been a silent Protector of a Wraith colony, hiding them from the sight of everyone - those that would help and those that harm. Malik is Mastyr of the Ashleaf Realm, trying to protect everyone, even with another Mastyr stirring up trouble. Marghetta once more makes her presence known, and Malik and Willow need to find the strength to protect the colony, as well as the heart of the Nine Realms itself.
An excellent addition to The Blood Rose series, Malik is another Mastyr that fights the thought of having a Blood Rose, due to some reason or other. This time though, Willow is also against it, as she feels that her Protector duties must come first.
This couple is hot and sweet and takes the whole thing remarkably well, which made for excellent reading. Well-written, and with no editing or grammatical errors that I could see, I would definitely recommend this book.
* 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!
Jan 28, 2016
An excellent addition to The Blood Rose series, Malik is another Mastyr that fights the thought of having a Blood Rose, due to some reason or other. This time though, Willow is also against it, as she feels that her Protector duties must come first.
This couple is hot and sweet and takes the whole thing remarkably well, which made for excellent reading. Well-written, and with no editing or grammatical errors that I could see, I would definitely recommend this book.
* 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!
Jan 28, 2016
Her Good Side
10.0
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Love this cover and I am so happy to have won a copy from bookish first to review. I used to play...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Passport to Spy in Books
Jun 14, 2023
Tracking Stolen Art in Germany
Kat Lawson’s first official case working undercover for the FBI sends her to Munich, Germany at Christmas. While she is officially there to cover the season for a travel magazine, she is supposed to get close to gallery owner Hans von Hausmann who is suspected of knowing the location of a horde of art missing since the end of World War II. After a slow start, Kat begins to make progress, but without knowing who to trust, can she complete her mission? Or is she in more danger than she realizes?
This was a fantastic book in the series. The world of Munich in December 1999 came to life, and I shivered from cold a few times as I read. The plot kept me guessing as Kat had to deal with one thing after another. The third act just ups the suspense, and I couldn’t put it down. We really only see a couple of returning characters, which means that Kat doesn’t know who she can trust, which was a wonderful addition to the plot. The characters are all strong. This book will have you hooked from the beginning. Enjoy it today.
This was a fantastic book in the series. The world of Munich in December 1999 came to life, and I shivered from cold a few times as I read. The plot kept me guessing as Kat had to deal with one thing after another. The third act just ups the suspense, and I couldn’t put it down. We really only see a couple of returning characters, which means that Kat doesn’t know who she can trust, which was a wonderful addition to the plot. The characters are all strong. This book will have you hooked from the beginning. Enjoy it today.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Warped on a Moon Trek in Books
Jun 26, 2024
Sylvia Races Through Time to Save the Day
Sylvia Stryker and her mentor, Neptune, are on a shake down cruise for the latest Moon Trek ship when a computer chip malfunctions. The best way to fix it is to talk to the original scientist who created it, so Neptune takes off. However, when Sylvia figured out the who and the when of Neptune’s mission, she takes off after him. Will she be able to fix the chip without destroying her life?
You’ll notice I didn’t say much about the mystery. That’s because, honestly, it was a little lost in everything else going on in this book. But that’s okay because I was having a grand time. The science fiction element of the plot did fall into a couple of the plot holes these type of stories often have (or I just missed something), but I didn’t mind too much. The story gives Sylvia several chances for some major growth, and those scenes are top notch. And there were plenty of laughs and fun along the way. If you are a fan of these books, you owe it to yourself to pick it up today.
You’ll notice I didn’t say much about the mystery. That’s because, honestly, it was a little lost in everything else going on in this book. But that’s okay because I was having a grand time. The science fiction element of the plot did fall into a couple of the plot holes these type of stories often have (or I just missed something), but I didn’t mind too much. The story gives Sylvia several chances for some major growth, and those scenes are top notch. And there were plenty of laughs and fun along the way. If you are a fan of these books, you owe it to yourself to pick it up today.
We Three Queens
5.0
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New mother Lady Georgiana "Georgie" Rannoch finds herself trying to separate fact from fiction when...
Thundrhed!
Book
Adventure. Don't overthink it. Thundrhed is rash, not stupid. Uneducated, yes, impulsive,...
Fantasy Epic Fantasy Action & Adventure Fantasy
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated In the Event of Murder in Books
Aug 22, 2024
More Event Than Murder
It’s the final week of the year, which means it is time for the annual fundraiser for the library in Silvercrest, Colorado. Like the rest of the town, Emma Starrs is thrilled that the cast of Chasers, the popular mystery TV show, is coming to town to headline the events. However, when murder threatens the event, Emma is asked to step in and help make sure the gala on New Year’s Eve goes off without a hitch. Can she do that?
It's been a couple of years since the first book in this series came out, so I wasn’t sure how much I’d remember about the characters. Fortunately, I was able to slip back into their world without too much effort. Sadly, the mystery was disappointing. The emphasis was more on the planning for the event, and those scenes grew repetitive. We did reach a solution, but parts of it felt forced to me. On the other hand, the characters were charming. I really did enjoy seeing Emma and her family and friends again. I wanted to like this more than I did, but it was mixed for me.
It's been a couple of years since the first book in this series came out, so I wasn’t sure how much I’d remember about the characters. Fortunately, I was able to slip back into their world without too much effort. Sadly, the mystery was disappointing. The emphasis was more on the planning for the event, and those scenes grew repetitive. We did reach a solution, but parts of it felt forced to me. On the other hand, the characters were charming. I really did enjoy seeing Emma and her family and friends again. I wanted to like this more than I did, but it was mixed for me.