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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated The Twist and Shout Murder in Books
Feb 4, 2022
I’m Going to Shout About This Twisty Debut
It’s 1962 in Camden, Texas, and Dot Morgan is almost done with her secretarial schooling. But she’s taking on helping her father with a run for the local city council. However, the election hits a snag when her father’s opponent dies. The police think it was a tragic accident, but Dot thinks something else is going on. The trouble is, if she convinces the police that it was murder, will she and her father become the top suspects?
It did take me a couple of chapters to get fully into this book, mainly because I felt like I was trying to remember all the characters and their relationships to each other. But once I got that sorted out, I was hooked. There are plenty of complications for Dot to deal with, and I enjoyed seeing how she dealt with everything. She is strong. There are plenty of great characters, including a potential love interest. That time in history is also brought to life, including the changes society was going through. I already can’t wait to see these characters again. If you are looking for a fun historical mystery, you’ll be glad you picked up this one.
It did take me a couple of chapters to get fully into this book, mainly because I felt like I was trying to remember all the characters and their relationships to each other. But once I got that sorted out, I was hooked. There are plenty of complications for Dot to deal with, and I enjoyed seeing how she dealt with everything. She is strong. There are plenty of great characters, including a potential love interest. That time in history is also brought to life, including the changes society was going through. I already can’t wait to see these characters again. If you are looking for a fun historical mystery, you’ll be glad you picked up this one.
Merissa (11958 KP) rated The Ballad of Aramei (The Darkwoods Trilogy #3) in Books
Mar 31, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
Exhausting; Exhilarating; Shocking; Satisfying; Breathtaking; Epic - just some of the words I would use to describe this book and the series as a whole.
In this book you sort of get two stories overlapping, one concluding and then one starting - both of which will pull you in and keep you reading. I loved how this book rounded things off and tied them all together. There are still twists and turns aplenty so you will definitely not be bored. And one thing that I will say about the ending is that are little "mini" epilogues for the main characters which somehow just seem to fit better than one big one.
I won't write about the storyline as that has already been covered by others. What I will say is that the whole series is one of the best that I have read in a long time - 3 books in 3 days! This series is definitely a keeper and although I have read the Kindle versions, I will be buying the "real" books too! There is a new series coming out this year called The Darksouls Trilogy which I'm hoping will have a couple of familiar faces in there somewhere.
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 14, 2016
In this book you sort of get two stories overlapping, one concluding and then one starting - both of which will pull you in and keep you reading. I loved how this book rounded things off and tied them all together. There are still twists and turns aplenty so you will definitely not be bored. And one thing that I will say about the ending is that are little "mini" epilogues for the main characters which somehow just seem to fit better than one big one.
I won't write about the storyline as that has already been covered by others. What I will say is that the whole series is one of the best that I have read in a long time - 3 books in 3 days! This series is definitely a keeper and although I have read the Kindle versions, I will be buying the "real" books too! There is a new series coming out this year called The Darksouls Trilogy which I'm hoping will have a couple of familiar faces in there somewhere.
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 14, 2016
Merissa (11958 KP) rated Under His Skin (Alien Encounters #1) in Books
Apr 16, 2023
Kaden, Hayden, and Camden are all aliens, seeking refuge here on Earth as their home planet is no more. Kaden was married but his wife was killed as they tried to escape. For over a year now, he has been friends with Annabelle, wanting to be more, but mindful of the rules and regulations that he has to follow, which allow him to stay 'free' on earth. Annabelle is determined to make her own way through life and stand on her own two feet. She is refreshingly direct and does not play games. The interactions between these were hot, albeit I did get whiplash from Kaden a couple of times.
This is well-written and steadily paced, there are moments of sweetness, balanced by downright sexiness! This is the first book in the series and I can't wait for the next. I don't know if it will be Hayden (my favourite, but then I do love me a hot geek!) or Camden. Either way, I know it will be brilliant. Definitely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 21, 2015
This is well-written and steadily paced, there are moments of sweetness, balanced by downright sexiness! This is the first book in the series and I can't wait for the next. I don't know if it will be Hayden (my favourite, but then I do love me a hot geek!) or Camden. Either way, I know it will be brilliant. Definitely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 21, 2015
Merissa (11958 KP) rated Flying Hard for Finn (Pet Play by the Lake) in Books
Apr 21, 2023
FLYING HARD FOR FINN is another in the Pet Play by the Lake series and introduced me to dove play. I've read about puppies, ponies, and bunnies, but never a bird. It started off differently than usual too, which I thought was brilliant.
Finn is the younger one in the couple. When the story starts, he is a handler without a pet because puppies and kittens just don't do it for him. That changes when he sees a dove. It changes even more so when he realises he knows who the dove is - his step-uncle of the past four years.
There is lots going on here and with a slight hint of taboo-but-not-really. Theo is a brilliant character but his ex, Isaac, is a douche through and through. Finn has more understanding and patience than most twenty-three-year-olds. Together, it works.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to more in this series. Definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 21, 2023
Finn is the younger one in the couple. When the story starts, he is a handler without a pet because puppies and kittens just don't do it for him. That changes when he sees a dove. It changes even more so when he realises he knows who the dove is - his step-uncle of the past four years.
There is lots going on here and with a slight hint of taboo-but-not-really. Theo is a brilliant character but his ex, Isaac, is a douche through and through. Finn has more understanding and patience than most twenty-three-year-olds. Together, it works.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to more in this series. Definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 21, 2023
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Clean Win (A Sam Quinton Mystery #4) in Books
Apr 28, 2023
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sam Quinton is a retired wrestler, who now owns a gym as well as has the side hustle of being a private investigator. He gets hired for a high-profile case that doesn't seem as straight-cut as it should. Will Sam figure it out before it's too late?
This is the 4th instalment of the Sam Quinton mysteries and, although I haven't read any of the other books in this series, it didn't matter. There were a couple of mentions of previous cases he had worked on but nothing that would confuse you or takes away from this book. I would say it could be read as a stand-alone.
There is a lot of detail given in the story and in this case, which is good as you are able to go along at the same pace as him in discovering the answer to whodunit.
I didn't expect it to be who it was I had bets on another character! There is a lot to keep you hooked and continue reading.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Sam Quinton is a retired wrestler, who now owns a gym as well as has the side hustle of being a private investigator. He gets hired for a high-profile case that doesn't seem as straight-cut as it should. Will Sam figure it out before it's too late?
This is the 4th instalment of the Sam Quinton mysteries and, although I haven't read any of the other books in this series, it didn't matter. There were a couple of mentions of previous cases he had worked on but nothing that would confuse you or takes away from this book. I would say it could be read as a stand-alone.
There is a lot of detail given in the story and in this case, which is good as you are able to go along at the same pace as him in discovering the answer to whodunit.
I didn't expect it to be who it was I had bets on another character! There is a lot to keep you hooked and continue reading.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Night She Disappeared in Books
Aug 7, 2022
139 of 230
Book
The Night She Disappeared
By Lisa Jewel
⭐️⭐️⭐️
On a beautiful summer night in a charming English suburb, a young woman and her boyfriend disappear after partying at the massive country estate of a new college friend.
One year later, a writer moves into a cottage on the edge of the woods that border the same estate. Known locally as the Dark Place, the dense forest is the writer’s favorite place for long walks and it’s on one such walk that she stumbles upon a mysterious note that simply reads, “DIG HERE.”
Could this be a clue towards what has happened to the missing young couple? And what exactly is buried in this haunted ground?
This started off slow for me but by the end I was gripped. I had kinda guessed what had happened half way through but it was well written and kept me interested until the end. I’m halfway way between 3&4 stars and only because I had worked it out early it stays at a 3. Not sure I’d have killed Zachary but he certainly wasn’t a nice character and needed a smack. I can’t imagine having your children just disappearing like that.
Book
The Night She Disappeared
By Lisa Jewel
⭐️⭐️⭐️
On a beautiful summer night in a charming English suburb, a young woman and her boyfriend disappear after partying at the massive country estate of a new college friend.
One year later, a writer moves into a cottage on the edge of the woods that border the same estate. Known locally as the Dark Place, the dense forest is the writer’s favorite place for long walks and it’s on one such walk that she stumbles upon a mysterious note that simply reads, “DIG HERE.”
Could this be a clue towards what has happened to the missing young couple? And what exactly is buried in this haunted ground?
This started off slow for me but by the end I was gripped. I had kinda guessed what had happened half way through but it was well written and kept me interested until the end. I’m halfway way between 3&4 stars and only because I had worked it out early it stays at a 3. Not sure I’d have killed Zachary but he certainly wasn’t a nice character and needed a smack. I can’t imagine having your children just disappearing like that.
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Homicide Hérault (Hardy Durkin Travel Mystery #6) in Books
Jan 26, 2023
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Hardy Durkin is on a bicycle tour around France with his group. As they are following a delightful path a couple of the group decide to have a little splash in the water so one of the group goes behind a rock to change and ends up getting the fright of her life, 2 skeletons. Hardy contacts his friends who are in the know and discover a lot more!
I have enjoyed this story it is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone. There is a lot of good information which is very interesting to read. I had an issue with one of Bluette's previously and was a bit apprehensive as I didn't want to upset her if I didn't like the story or style of writing, but there were no issues at all with that she has done a fantastic job and made it legible and exciting. Well done, Bluette, a fantastic job.
Recommended by me
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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. *
Hardy Durkin is on a bicycle tour around France with his group. As they are following a delightful path a couple of the group decide to have a little splash in the water so one of the group goes behind a rock to change and ends up getting the fright of her life, 2 skeletons. Hardy contacts his friends who are in the know and discover a lot more!
I have enjoyed this story it is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone. There is a lot of good information which is very interesting to read. I had an issue with one of Bluette's previously and was a bit apprehensive as I didn't want to upset her if I didn't like the story or style of writing, but there were no issues at all with that she has done a fantastic job and made it legible and exciting. Well done, Bluette, a fantastic job.
Recommended by me
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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 (11958 KP) rated The Castle of Thorns in Books
Nov 1, 2021
THE CASTLE OF THORNS is a fantasy story loosely based upon Beauty and the Beast. Gisela has epilepsy, but no one understands (or knows) her illness. Luckily for her, a witch knows which herbs to use to treat her. All that is good until her supply runs too low for the usual trip by sea. Instead, they will have to go through the forest where a man-eating monster-fox lives.
This is a sometimes dark story with plenty of death before Knorren realises the error of his ways. Gisela also has a couple of sisters that really should be in Cinderella rather than this story! Jana is sweet with her, but she still coddles Gisela, making her think she is weaker than she is.
Some of the supporting characters didn't do anything for me and actually left me wondering what their purpose was. It is fast-paced, especially near the end when it wraps up with a hop, skip, and a jump.
This was an enjoyable read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
This is a sometimes dark story with plenty of death before Knorren realises the error of his ways. Gisela also has a couple of sisters that really should be in Cinderella rather than this story! Jana is sweet with her, but she still coddles Gisela, making her think she is weaker than she is.
Some of the supporting characters didn't do anything for me and actually left me wondering what their purpose was. It is fast-paced, especially near the end when it wraps up with a hop, skip, and a jump.
This was an enjoyable read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Taming The Dragon (Sparks of Desire #5)
8.0
Rate It
Book
His past broke him. Kadin’s siblings believe he only cares about pure dragon bloodlines and...
Paranormal Romance Dragons
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated Charlie Thorne and the Curse of Cleopatra in Books
Jun 30, 2022 (Updated Jun 30, 2022)
Charlie’s Following Cleopatra’s Footsteps
Charlie Thorne is once again on her own, and she’s decided to find out what Cleopatra left behind over two thousand years ago. To do so, she needs to slip into the apartment of a rich Egyptian playboy. Naturally, things don’t go as planned, and Charlie finds herself being chased by not only the man’s security, but several different countries’ agents. Can she dodge them and still find what Cleopatra left behind?
This series has a couple of issues for me. One is Charlie, who can come across as a perfect character for far too long. Eventually, we do see some weaknesses, but it takes a while. I suspect this is something that adults will pick on more than kids do. Then there’s the data dumps. We need some of that information to have the context for the action, but it can get to be a bit much. However, overall, I do like these books, and this one in particular. There are plenty of action sequences and twists. I’m curious where the series is going to go from here. I like the core cast, yes, even Charlie. And I mentioned the action, right? Fans of good stories will enjoy this book.
This series has a couple of issues for me. One is Charlie, who can come across as a perfect character for far too long. Eventually, we do see some weaknesses, but it takes a while. I suspect this is something that adults will pick on more than kids do. Then there’s the data dumps. We need some of that information to have the context for the action, but it can get to be a bit much. However, overall, I do like these books, and this one in particular. There are plenty of action sequences and twists. I’m curious where the series is going to go from here. I like the core cast, yes, even Charlie. And I mentioned the action, right? Fans of good stories will enjoy this book.
