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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2395 KP) rated Mistletoe and Murder in Books
Oct 18, 2023
Christmas Wedding Faces Criminal Complications
It’s five days before Kate Hamilton is set to marry Detective Inspector Tom Mallory on Christmas Eve, and the complications are starting to come, like travel delays for Kate’s family and friends coming from the states. But the bigger complication comes from Sheila Parker, an acquaintance who comes looking for an appraisal of her coin collection. That night, Sheila’s house is searched. The next day, Sheila vanishes. Can Kate figure out what happened to Sheila before her wedding?
I find missing person mysteries to be that much more compelling, so I was hooked on this one quickly. I did figure a couple of things out early, but there were still plenty of surprised on the way to the climax. Meanwhile, I loved spending time with the characters old and new. We get some good updates on ongoing storylines, and the ending sets up the next full length book. I am a bit surprised that the wedding came in an ebook only novella, and there isn’t a lot of time for Christmas trappings, but both of these are minor issues. Fans will be happy to get a chance to visit the characters again. While this might not be the best place to start if you are new to the series, I definitely recommend you start the series soon.
I find missing person mysteries to be that much more compelling, so I was hooked on this one quickly. I did figure a couple of things out early, but there were still plenty of surprised on the way to the climax. Meanwhile, I loved spending time with the characters old and new. We get some good updates on ongoing storylines, and the ending sets up the next full length book. I am a bit surprised that the wedding came in an ebook only novella, and there isn’t a lot of time for Christmas trappings, but both of these are minor issues. Fans will be happy to get a chance to visit the characters again. While this might not be the best place to start if you are new to the series, I definitely recommend you start the series soon.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2395 KP) rated Murder on the Iditarod Trail in Books
Aug 8, 2022
Race to Stop a Killer
The Iditarod Race, the 1100 miles dog sled race between Anchorage and Nome, is a hard a grueling endurance event, but it has never been deadly for humans - until now. First, someone falls asleep on his sled and winds up crashing into a tree. State trooper Alex Jensen is brought in to figure out what happened, but before he can make a complete determination, another body turns up dead. He takes the offer of help from musher Jessie Arnold willingly. But will that be enough to keep anyone else from dying?
I read this book on my recent Alaskan cruise, and I think that helped me get into the story. I found all the facts about the race and the various setting fascinating. Outside a couple of characters, I had trouble keeping everyone straight, but I really did care for Jessie and Alex. I did find some of Alex’s behavior unrealistic, but I do get the dramatic tension it was creating. The race takes over from the mystery as the main driver of the plot at times, but I got caught up in the action and the climax was a page turner. Overall, I enjoyed this one, and book two came home from my trip with me as a souvenir. Hopefully, I can get to it soon.
I read this book on my recent Alaskan cruise, and I think that helped me get into the story. I found all the facts about the race and the various setting fascinating. Outside a couple of characters, I had trouble keeping everyone straight, but I really did care for Jessie and Alex. I did find some of Alex’s behavior unrealistic, but I do get the dramatic tension it was creating. The race takes over from the mystery as the main driver of the plot at times, but I got caught up in the action and the climax was a page turner. Overall, I enjoyed this one, and book two came home from my trip with me as a souvenir. Hopefully, I can get to it soon.
Murder at Keyhaven Castle
10.0
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With her wedding to Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst just days away, strong-willed American ex-pat...
Merissa (13169 KP) rated Fate and Switch (Weavers Of The Ether #3) in Books
Jul 7, 2023
FATE AND SWITCH is the third book in the Weavers of the Ether series and the second one in Wren's story. I would definitely recommend you read this as a series so you get the full benefit of the story and all the behind-the-scenes machinations.
Wren is doing her best to help people alongside Etienne but she is asked to do something that makes her a little uncomfortable. And throw into the mix the fact she has a new mate - maybe - who doesn't want her, and it gets more complicated than she wants.
Orion, Killan, and Etienne are still brilliant characters, the same as Alaric is - once you get to know him. Unfortunately for me, I didn't see as much of him as I wanted as his story was overshadowed by Madame and her tricks. Their courtship was mentioned over a couple of pages but I would have liked to have seen it.
Still a great story and I'm happy Wren (and her bear) got their HEA. I look forward to seeing more of them in future books, hopefully. 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!
Jul 7, 2023
Wren is doing her best to help people alongside Etienne but she is asked to do something that makes her a little uncomfortable. And throw into the mix the fact she has a new mate - maybe - who doesn't want her, and it gets more complicated than she wants.
Orion, Killan, and Etienne are still brilliant characters, the same as Alaric is - once you get to know him. Unfortunately for me, I didn't see as much of him as I wanted as his story was overshadowed by Madame and her tricks. Their courtship was mentioned over a couple of pages but I would have liked to have seen it.
Still a great story and I'm happy Wren (and her bear) got their HEA. I look forward to seeing more of them in future books, hopefully. 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!
Jul 7, 2023
Murder at the Majestic Hotel
7.0
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Against all expectations in Edwardian England, newly married American heiress Stella Kendrick and...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2395 KP) rated Paint Me a Crime in Books
Jul 24, 2023 (Updated Jul 24, 2023)
Grand Opening Murder
Jessamine Rhodes has worked hard to open a new community art center in Rose Shore, British Columbia, and is excited that opening day is here. She’s honored that artist Gabriella Everhart has agreed to show one of her paintings and teach a class on watercolors. But as the event is winding down, the lights go out briefly. When they come back on, someone has stolen the painting, and an art collector is dead. With her reputation and new business on the line, Jessamine tries to figure out what happened. Can she do it?
The book jumps right in with the opening, so it isn’t too long before the plot gets rolling. I was hooked the entire way through, thinking I had it figured out a couple of times only to be wrong when we reached the logical climax. The characters are also charming, and I loved spending time with them, although the suspects could have had a little more page time to be fully developed. The writing kept me a little outside the story at first until I adjusted, but it was a minor issue. One of Jessamine’s friends owns a tea shop, so there is lots of talk about food – enough to make me hungry while I read. This is a promising debut, and I’ll definitely be looking for more by this author.
The book jumps right in with the opening, so it isn’t too long before the plot gets rolling. I was hooked the entire way through, thinking I had it figured out a couple of times only to be wrong when we reached the logical climax. The characters are also charming, and I loved spending time with them, although the suspects could have had a little more page time to be fully developed. The writing kept me a little outside the story at first until I adjusted, but it was a minor issue. One of Jessamine’s friends owns a tea shop, so there is lots of talk about food – enough to make me hungry while I read. This is a promising debut, and I’ll definitely be looking for more by this author.
Shadow Healer (Blood Shadows #3)
10.0
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To reach the light, first they have to face the Shadows…. Riley has been a Healer long enough...
Adult Paranormal Romance
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2395 KP) rated Murder at a London Finishing School in Books
Jul 26, 2023 (Updated Jul 26, 2023)
Returning to Their Alma Mater Means Murder
Brit Edwina Davenport and American Beryl Helliwell first met at Miss DuPont’s Finishing School for Young Ladies and forged their decades long friendship there. But now they’ve been hired by Miss DuPont to find out what is going on at the school that is driving down enrollment. The duo aren’t getting far with their investigation when they stumble on a dead body. Have the pranks escalated to murder?
If you look for the dead body to drop early, you might be disappointed with this book. I wasn’t. Between the early investigation and meeting the new characters, there was plenty to keep me engaged. Of course, things kick up a notch when murder enters the story. The ending, while logical, did feel a little rushed, but that was a minor complaint. We don’t see much of the series regulars, although a couple do make cameos. The new characters more than make up for it, and I appreciate how complex they were by the end. Beryl and Edwina grow as a result of visiting some place from their past. The story is set in the 1920’s, and things going on in society infuse the book. If you enjoy historical mysteries or mysteries set in England, you’ll be glad you picked this up.
If you look for the dead body to drop early, you might be disappointed with this book. I wasn’t. Between the early investigation and meeting the new characters, there was plenty to keep me engaged. Of course, things kick up a notch when murder enters the story. The ending, while logical, did feel a little rushed, but that was a minor complaint. We don’t see much of the series regulars, although a couple do make cameos. The new characters more than make up for it, and I appreciate how complex they were by the end. Beryl and Edwina grow as a result of visiting some place from their past. The story is set in the 1920’s, and things going on in society infuse the book. If you enjoy historical mysteries or mysteries set in England, you’ll be glad you picked this up.
Merissa (13169 KP) rated Scorched by Darkness (Eternal Mates #18) in Books
Apr 19, 2021 (Updated Jul 27, 2023)
SCORCHED BY DARKNESSEternal Mates series and what a joy it was to get back into this series, having missed the last couple of stories.
Hartt and Mackenzie are both assassins, both charged with killing the same mark, the King of Death himself. They start off as just two rival assassins, but things quickly change when they realise they are fated mates. Neither of them wants to be with someone just because Fate said so though, so Hartt goes above and beyond to prove he loves her. Plus, he does have some grovelling to do because of Iolanthe!
This was a brilliantly paced story, with plenty of intrigue to move the story along, plus steamy times. I loved seeing couples I have met before, and how their personalities change and yet remain the same. Read it, you'll understand what I mean!
I also loved the hints about Syn. I really can't wait to learn her story. I am wondering if she'll be the next story, but either way, I can't wait for this to continue. A brilliant addition to the series, and 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 19, 2021
Hartt and Mackenzie are both assassins, both charged with killing the same mark, the King of Death himself. They start off as just two rival assassins, but things quickly change when they realise they are fated mates. Neither of them wants to be with someone just because Fate said so though, so Hartt goes above and beyond to prove he loves her. Plus, he does have some grovelling to do because of Iolanthe!
This was a brilliantly paced story, with plenty of intrigue to move the story along, plus steamy times. I loved seeing couples I have met before, and how their personalities change and yet remain the same. Read it, you'll understand what I mean!
I also loved the hints about Syn. I really can't wait to learn her story. I am wondering if she'll be the next story, but either way, I can't wait for this to continue. A brilliant addition to the series, and 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 19, 2021
Merissa (13169 KP) rated Cocktails & Casualties (Crooked Cove Mysteries #1) in Books
Aug 17, 2023
COCKTAILS & CASUALTIES is the first book in the Crooked Cove Mysteries and we are introduced to Teddy, a wandering bartender who decides to go exploring by herself when the cruise ship she is on docks at an island. Unfortunately, time gets away from her and she ends up stranded. Luckily for her, she is found by a nice couple who take her to 'civilisation' where she can at least eat and sleep in a bed for the night. Then her adventures really begin.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story as Teddy becomes good friends with Jazz, and learns all about the other members of the community. Hawk is a great character and I hated what happened, although he still managed to hit me in the feels near the end of the book. There is a slight triangle here with Nate and Santi, which I'm hoping doesn't become a thing. Santi, all the way!
The pacing was wonderful and all the characters well fleshed out. I enjoyed my time in Crooked Cove and look forward to returning, where (hopefully) I'll see more of Santi! 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!
Aug 17, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this story as Teddy becomes good friends with Jazz, and learns all about the other members of the community. Hawk is a great character and I hated what happened, although he still managed to hit me in the feels near the end of the book. There is a slight triangle here with Nate and Santi, which I'm hoping doesn't become a thing. Santi, all the way!
The pacing was wonderful and all the characters well fleshed out. I enjoyed my time in Crooked Cove and look forward to returning, where (hopefully) I'll see more of Santi! 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!
Aug 17, 2023