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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2464 KP) rated The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster! in Books
Nov 8, 2022
Will the Pigeon Enjoy a Roller Coaster?
Pigeon is ready to ride a roller coaster. He knows he will need a ticket. He knows he will need to wait in line. And he knows it will be scary as it twists and turns at high speed. But he is ready. Is he really ready for what will happen next?
This is a mostly fun entry for fans of Pigeon. It’s told in typical style with illustrations and dialogue only. There isn’t quite as much interaction for us, but Pigeon still carries the book by himself. The story didn’t go quite the way I thought it would, but once I adjusted my expectations, I had to laugh at the outcome, especially the final page. And it provides a good lesson for all that sometimes things you are looking forward to turn into disappointments. I think the biggest issue with the book will be some of the vocabulary choices, which will be a bit beyond the target audience. Yes, I get the concept of stretching a vocabulary, but I think a couple of the words are a bit too abstract for the age group. Still, fans of Pigeon will be glad they picked it up.
This is a mostly fun entry for fans of Pigeon. It’s told in typical style with illustrations and dialogue only. There isn’t quite as much interaction for us, but Pigeon still carries the book by himself. The story didn’t go quite the way I thought it would, but once I adjusted my expectations, I had to laugh at the outcome, especially the final page. And it provides a good lesson for all that sometimes things you are looking forward to turn into disappointments. I think the biggest issue with the book will be some of the vocabulary choices, which will be a bit beyond the target audience. Yes, I get the concept of stretching a vocabulary, but I think a couple of the words are a bit too abstract for the age group. Still, fans of Pigeon will be glad they picked it up.
Merissa (13614 KP) rated Soul Journey (Soul Series #1) in Books
Jun 8, 2023
We start off this book with Annisa and Landon being a couple when a new brother and sister move in next door to Annisa. She feels an immediate pull to Chase but doesn't do anything as she is with Landon - even though he acts like a jerk at times. It all becomes clear and Landon's behaviour is explained. Annisa and Chase are together, and so are Penelope and Landon. This leads to a fast-paced fantasy adventure, as they learn more about themselves, who can help them, who is out to hinder them, and who wants to actually harm them.
Well written, with a full range of teenage emotions and reactions, this is a story that will sweep you away as you stay mainly with Chase and Annisa as they learn just who they are and what they are capable of.
With no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this was an enjoyable story from start to finish and I look forward to continuing their story!
* 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!
May 25, 2016
Well written, with a full range of teenage emotions and reactions, this is a story that will sweep you away as you stay mainly with Chase and Annisa as they learn just who they are and what they are capable of.
With no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this was an enjoyable story from start to finish and I look forward to continuing their story!
* 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!
May 25, 2016
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2464 KP) rated Hidden Beneath in Books
Jun 29, 2023 (Updated Jun 29, 2023)
What Happened to Ginny?
It’s another busy summer for the Snowden Family Clambake, but Julia quickly agrees when her mother, Jacqueline, asks Julia to join her for a memorial for a friend who vanished five years ago. Since it’s been five years, Ginny has been officially declared dead. Something about her disappearance feels off to Jacqueline, so she asks Julia what she can find out. Will Julia find any answers after all this time?
As a long time reader of the series, I enjoyed that this book continued a couple of ongoing storylines. I was satisfied with how things played out in them. As always, the characters are fantastic. I was smiling within pages of starting the book at getting to spend more time with these old friends. The plot spends a little time laying a foundation before it really takes off, but I was hooked the entire time and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough by the end. We get five recipes at the end as well. This is a favorite series of mine. If you enjoy it, you’ll be thrilled with the latest entry. If you aren’t yet a fan, pick up a book today, and you’ll get hooked.
As a long time reader of the series, I enjoyed that this book continued a couple of ongoing storylines. I was satisfied with how things played out in them. As always, the characters are fantastic. I was smiling within pages of starting the book at getting to spend more time with these old friends. The plot spends a little time laying a foundation before it really takes off, but I was hooked the entire time and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough by the end. We get five recipes at the end as well. This is a favorite series of mine. If you enjoy it, you’ll be thrilled with the latest entry. If you aren’t yet a fan, pick up a book today, and you’ll get hooked.
Hiss Me Deadly
5.0
Rate It
Book
Charlie and Diesel must catch a killer before he strikes another deadly note in this latest...
Merissa (13614 KP) rated Orbit: A Lunar Wolves Novella in Books
Jul 4, 2023
ORBIT is a Lunar Wolves Novella - it says so in the title. It is also the first book I have read in this series or by the author. I was told I wouldn't need to read the series to enjoy this book but I'm afraid I think that was wrong.
This is a short novella and, for me, you really didn't learn anything about the world or the characters so having some knowledge would have been helpful. Callum and Vaughan were a cute couple but also a paradox. On the one hand, they communicated nicely. Callum, in particular, helped Vaughan with his social anxiety. But then, on the other, neither of them talks when there's a problem, which I found odd, especially when it could be linked to said social anxiety.
The ending is quite abrupt. I'm guessing we will see more of them in future books but, as a novella, it's more of a meet-cute and not much more.
A good read but I would definitely recommend reading the series.
** 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!
Jul 4, 2023
This is a short novella and, for me, you really didn't learn anything about the world or the characters so having some knowledge would have been helpful. Callum and Vaughan were a cute couple but also a paradox. On the one hand, they communicated nicely. Callum, in particular, helped Vaughan with his social anxiety. But then, on the other, neither of them talks when there's a problem, which I found odd, especially when it could be linked to said social anxiety.
The ending is quite abrupt. I'm guessing we will see more of them in future books but, as a novella, it's more of a meet-cute and not much more.
A good read but I would definitely recommend reading the series.
** 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!
Jul 4, 2023
Dani Capello Shadows of Men
Book
"An endearing queer couple uplifts this romantic, unique, and occasionally violent tale." - Kirkus...
LGBTQ+ Coming of age literary
Debbiereadsbook (1623 KP) rated Phoenix Rising in Books
Aug 9, 2024
It's a bit different to the usual adding a third troupe, and I do like a difference.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
For the most part, I liked this book. It's a bit different to the usual adding a third troupe, and I do like a difference.
Luka and Burton live together, but at the beginning of this book, they are NOT a couple. Phoenix thinks they are. They both want Phoenix in their lives, but they also want each other.
Mostly, its three guys getting down and dirty, There is much, MUCH smexy times. I'm usually one to say I like my books on the smexy side, but I also like some story with my smex. And apart from these three getting together, the only real plot line is Phoenix' father and him getting his comeuppence. It was a bit too much smexy times, if I'm totally honest.
Some minor editing niggles: misplaced names was the biggest for me.
Did I love it? No. But I did enjoy it, and it's the first I've read of this author. I'd like to jump into their world.
4 good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
For the most part, I liked this book. It's a bit different to the usual adding a third troupe, and I do like a difference.
Luka and Burton live together, but at the beginning of this book, they are NOT a couple. Phoenix thinks they are. They both want Phoenix in their lives, but they also want each other.
Mostly, its three guys getting down and dirty, There is much, MUCH smexy times. I'm usually one to say I like my books on the smexy side, but I also like some story with my smex. And apart from these three getting together, the only real plot line is Phoenix' father and him getting his comeuppence. It was a bit too much smexy times, if I'm totally honest.
Some minor editing niggles: misplaced names was the biggest for me.
Did I love it? No. But I did enjoy it, and it's the first I've read of this author. I'd like to jump into their world.
4 good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2464 KP) rated Villains’ Realm in Books
Jun 6, 2024 (Updated Jun 6, 2024)
Enchantment Creating New Lands
Disney’s CEO has completely changed his mind about opening a Villains’ Realm in each park. The man was opposing it because it was a clear threat, giving the villains a foothold. But now, he’s greenlit them, and constructions has started immediately. In order to stop them from being completed, Eli and his friend Blair are going to have to team up with Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother. Can they stop it in time?
If you haven’t been following this saga, you’ll probably be lost trying to follow what is happening. Fans will want to read this book since it sets up the next book. Unfortunately, it falls into middle book trap. We don’t get any real battles with the villains, just stand offs. The climax is abrupt and the story just kind of stops. As usual in the series, the characters are thin as well. Plus some editing left me confused a couple of times. On the positive side, it’s always fun to watch the Kingdom Keepers interacting with Disney characters, and I enjoyed seeing a lot of the action taking place at the California parks. I’m curious to see where things are going, so I’ll be back for the conclusion.
If you haven’t been following this saga, you’ll probably be lost trying to follow what is happening. Fans will want to read this book since it sets up the next book. Unfortunately, it falls into middle book trap. We don’t get any real battles with the villains, just stand offs. The climax is abrupt and the story just kind of stops. As usual in the series, the characters are thin as well. Plus some editing left me confused a couple of times. On the positive side, it’s always fun to watch the Kingdom Keepers interacting with Disney characters, and I enjoyed seeing a lot of the action taking place at the California parks. I’m curious to see where things are going, so I’ll be back for the conclusion.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2464 KP) rated A Fashionably French Murder in Books
May 1, 2025 (Updated May 1, 2025)
Tabitha Must Find a Well Dressed Killer
Tabitha Knight, who grew up learning both French and English, is making some money tutoring various people in French. She’s now landed a job as a translator for a diplomat’s wife who is looking to buy an haute couture dress for her daughter’s upcoming wedding. Their first stop is Maison Lannet, where they are treated to a fabulous fashion show. But when Tabitha realizes she left her gloves behind, she finds the designer dead. Can she figure out what happened?
It was nice to be back in 1950 Paris, once again seeing what life was like for people trying to rebuild their lives after the war. Yes, Julia Child has a strong presence in this book again, so there is lots of talk about French cuisine. So expect your mouth to water. The pacing of the mystery was a bit uneven, thanks in part to a couple of subplots, but I appreciated some of the twists we got along the way. The characters are fun as always, and I am curious to see where one storyline will go in the next book. All told, anyone interested in Julia Child or life in Paris in 1950 will be glad they picked up this book.
It was nice to be back in 1950 Paris, once again seeing what life was like for people trying to rebuild their lives after the war. Yes, Julia Child has a strong presence in this book again, so there is lots of talk about French cuisine. So expect your mouth to water. The pacing of the mystery was a bit uneven, thanks in part to a couple of subplots, but I appreciated some of the twists we got along the way. The characters are fun as always, and I am curious to see where one storyline will go in the next book. All told, anyone interested in Julia Child or life in Paris in 1950 will be glad they picked up this book.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2464 KP) rated Murder at Cottonwood Creek in Books
Nov 26, 2025 (Updated Nov 26, 2025)
Uncovering Fossils and Murder
Stella and Lyndy are in Montana visiting Stella’s mother and the dig site where Lyndy’s father is spending the summer of 1906 looking for fossils. Not too long after the couple arrives, the night watchman for the dig dies. While the local coroner is quick to rule it an accident, Stella thinks there might be more to it. If she is right, how can Lyndy and Stella prove it?
It was natural that Stella and Lyndy would wind up in the US at some point instead of England, where the earlier books were set. This different setting allowed us to see a different side of Lyndy. Between that and the continuation of character arcs from earlier in the series, I liked the character growth we got. Sadly, many of the regulars didn’t make the trip, and I did miss them. The new characters, while good suspects, weren’t the same. The mystery is a bit uneven, partially because it tries to do a bit too much. I did have one issue that I didn’t feel was resolved, but overall, I was satisfied with the ending. While this may not be the best book to jump into the series with, it is one that fans will still enjoy.
It was natural that Stella and Lyndy would wind up in the US at some point instead of England, where the earlier books were set. This different setting allowed us to see a different side of Lyndy. Between that and the continuation of character arcs from earlier in the series, I liked the character growth we got. Sadly, many of the regulars didn’t make the trip, and I did miss them. The new characters, while good suspects, weren’t the same. The mystery is a bit uneven, partially because it tries to do a bit too much. I did have one issue that I didn’t feel was resolved, but overall, I was satisfied with the ending. While this may not be the best book to jump into the series with, it is one that fans will still enjoy.
