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Merissa (13197 KP) rated Out of Focus in Books
Apr 29, 2022 (Updated Jun 23, 2023)
OUT OF FOCUS is a short story about two men working behind the scenes in a Welsh theatre. They are opposites in the fact that one is charming and one seems almost dour. There are reasons for it, of course, but they don't come to light immediately.
I loved how we met other characters too, getting a hint into their lives, not just the main characters. Alex and Luke take centre stage though in this low-angst slow-burn-but-not-quite romance. The attraction has been there for a couple of years without either of them acting on it, but once Alex is injured, all bets are off.
As with all of this author's works, I found the small details absolutely brilliant, and really help to make the story one that intrigues and compels you to keep turning the pages.
Although I'm not a huge fan of short stories, this one went down a treat, with all the information I could need, including a perfect epilogue to keep me happy. Absolutely 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 22, 2022
I loved how we met other characters too, getting a hint into their lives, not just the main characters. Alex and Luke take centre stage though in this low-angst slow-burn-but-not-quite romance. The attraction has been there for a couple of years without either of them acting on it, but once Alex is injured, all bets are off.
As with all of this author's works, I found the small details absolutely brilliant, and really help to make the story one that intrigues and compels you to keep turning the pages.
Although I'm not a huge fan of short stories, this one went down a treat, with all the information I could need, including a perfect epilogue to keep me happy. Absolutely 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 22, 2022
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2400 KP) rated DM Me for Murder in Books
Feb 15, 2024
Mega-Influencer’s Murder Leads to Mega Trouble
Murder is the farthest thing from Coco Cline’s mind that Monday morning. Instead, she is thrilled that mega-influencer LaTage wants to use Coco’s company, Center of Attention Consulting, to launch her rebranding. Then Coco arrives at their meeting to find LaTage dead. With the police asking Coco for help understanding the online world that LaTage inhabited, she can’t help but dig just a little deeper. Will she be able to uncover a clue that will lead to the killer?
I was really looking forward to this book, and it didn’t disappoint. Coco and her friends are in top form, and I loved watching their relationships develop. The plot was fantastic with a couple of great twists and many suspects that Coco had to sort through to reach the logical solution. If you’re looking for a warm beach getaway, the setting with definitely appeal to you as well. I love seeing cozy mysteries expanding their themes. However, if you aren’t super into social media, you’ll still understand everything that happens here, and there’s plenty of talking to suspects face to face. Fans will be delighted with this book. If you want a fun, modern cozy, you’ll be glad this series trended to the top of your to be read pile.
I was really looking forward to this book, and it didn’t disappoint. Coco and her friends are in top form, and I loved watching their relationships develop. The plot was fantastic with a couple of great twists and many suspects that Coco had to sort through to reach the logical solution. If you’re looking for a warm beach getaway, the setting with definitely appeal to you as well. I love seeing cozy mysteries expanding their themes. However, if you aren’t super into social media, you’ll still understand everything that happens here, and there’s plenty of talking to suspects face to face. Fans will be delighted with this book. If you want a fun, modern cozy, you’ll be glad this series trended to the top of your to be read pile.
Molten Death
8.0
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Retired caterer Valerie Corbin and her wife Kristen have come to the Big Island of Hawai'i to treat...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2400 KP) rated Yosemite in Books
Apr 12, 2024
Hiding in the Wilderness of Yosemite
Jack Prester’s latest assignment is to take three CPA’s into the wilderness around Yosemite and hide them from the assassins after them so they can be witnesses at an upcoming trial. Jack’s dad thinks it is doomed to fail, and with a new baby, the stakes for Jack are high. But his agrees, with his parents and Ev staying nearby to provide support if needed. Will he be able to keep everyone alive for two weeks?
It's been almost ten years since I read the previous book in the series, but I quickly slipped back into his world, and it was wonderful connecting with the characters again. Because we get the story from multiple points of view, we get to see the tourist spots as well as the area Jack is traveling. This also allows the tension to rise as we keep reading. This isn’t a high-octane thriller with tons of action, but it was impossible to put down since I had to know how it would turn out. I did feel like a couple of minor things weren’t tied up with a nice bow, but I’m being nitpicky here. On the whole, I loved getting to spend time with Jack again, and I can’t wait to crack open the next in the series.
It's been almost ten years since I read the previous book in the series, but I quickly slipped back into his world, and it was wonderful connecting with the characters again. Because we get the story from multiple points of view, we get to see the tourist spots as well as the area Jack is traveling. This also allows the tension to rise as we keep reading. This isn’t a high-octane thriller with tons of action, but it was impossible to put down since I had to know how it would turn out. I did feel like a couple of minor things weren’t tied up with a nice bow, but I’m being nitpicky here. On the whole, I loved getting to spend time with Jack again, and I can’t wait to crack open the next in the series.
Embrace the Moon
Book
A tragedy from the past won’t keep country star, Ethan Sawyer, from claiming the woman he loves. ...
paranormal romance romance bookbuzz
Port in a Storm (Sinners #8)
10.0
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San Francisco SWAT Lieutenant Connor Morgan and Crossroads Gin drummer Forest Ackerman make an odd...
Contemporary MM Romance Crime Police
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2400 KP) rated The Kill of It All in Books
Jan 18, 2024
Filming a Commercial is Killer
Madison Night has recently shot a commercial to drum up customers for her recently reopened business. But she regrets it when she gets talked into filming a public service commercial for the local police department. Madison is replacing an actress who wasn’t working out, but she doesn’t expect to find the woman dead behind the building where they are supposed to film. Suddenly, the crew are looking like suspects. Can Madison figure out who committed the crime?
I let a little more time than normal go between visits with Madison, but it was wonderful to be back in her presence. The story starts quickly and doesn’t let up, with several great surprises on the way to the logical climax. The characters, both returning and new, are as strong as always, and I enjoyed seeing Madison grow a bit more here. Fans of Doris Day movies will recognize the setup from one of them, but that movie wasn’t a murder mystery. There are plenty of great surprises along the way (and another couple of fun homages). Unfortunately, there are still a few things that I wish had been caught in an edit, but they are minor irritants. If you are looking for a fun mystery, be sure to pick up this series.
I let a little more time than normal go between visits with Madison, but it was wonderful to be back in her presence. The story starts quickly and doesn’t let up, with several great surprises on the way to the logical climax. The characters, both returning and new, are as strong as always, and I enjoyed seeing Madison grow a bit more here. Fans of Doris Day movies will recognize the setup from one of them, but that movie wasn’t a murder mystery. There are plenty of great surprises along the way (and another couple of fun homages). Unfortunately, there are still a few things that I wish had been caught in an edit, but they are minor irritants. If you are looking for a fun mystery, be sure to pick up this series.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2400 KP) rated Joshua Tree in Books
Jul 17, 2024
Being Window Dressing Can Be Dangerous
When a ranger dies while participating in a bull riding event, everyone chalks it up to a tragic accident. Everyone except for the man’s family, who is threatening to sue Joshua Tree National Park, where he works, as well as local law enforcement. So Jack Prester is sent out to poke around a little and back up the official investigation. Basically be window dressing. However, it isn’t long after Jack arrives when he finds a whole lot more going on that could shed new light on the death. Can he figure out what is going on?
Once again, it was great to be spending time with these characters. The plot drew me in and kept me turning pages. There were a couple of things I might not like from another author, but this author pulled them off while answering all my questions. The characters, both new and returning, are wonderful. I was surprised at the bit of language in the book, mainly because most of the time when it showed up, it didn’t feel appropriate. But that’s a minor issue. Overall, I continue to love the author’s use of language. It’s almost poetic at times, but never gets in the way of the story. This is another great entry in a great series.
Once again, it was great to be spending time with these characters. The plot drew me in and kept me turning pages. There were a couple of things I might not like from another author, but this author pulled them off while answering all my questions. The characters, both new and returning, are wonderful. I was surprised at the bit of language in the book, mainly because most of the time when it showed up, it didn’t feel appropriate. But that’s a minor issue. Overall, I continue to love the author’s use of language. It’s almost poetic at times, but never gets in the way of the story. This is another great entry in a great series.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2400 KP) rated A Slay Ride Together with You in Books
Sep 25, 2024
Spring Brings Another Murder to Rudolph
Spring in Rudolph, New York, American’s Christmas town, is usually a little show, which means it is the perfect time for Merry Wilkinson’s friends Vicki and Mark to plan their wedding. They’ve even managed to buy the Cole House to move into, but only because it needs a lot of work. However, things aren’t going well at the house since the couple are hearing strange noises in the night. Then, when Merry is visiting, the trio find a dead body. With Mark under suspicion, Merry starts gathering clues. Can she figure out what happened?
Normally, I enjoy this series, but this entry didn’t work for me. The story was too slow to get going. While things did pick up once we found the body, including giving us some great suspects, it wasn’t satisfying. Having said that, my questions were answered at the end. Since this is set in spring, it didn’t have quite the usual Christmas cheer, but I think that’s on me more than anything. The series regulars were still fantastic, and I did enjoy getting to see them again. And we got three recipes that Vicki has been working on for her cookbook. Fans of the series will be happy to check in on the characters, but everyone else can pass this one by.
Normally, I enjoy this series, but this entry didn’t work for me. The story was too slow to get going. While things did pick up once we found the body, including giving us some great suspects, it wasn’t satisfying. Having said that, my questions were answered at the end. Since this is set in spring, it didn’t have quite the usual Christmas cheer, but I think that’s on me more than anything. The series regulars were still fantastic, and I did enjoy getting to see them again. And we got three recipes that Vicki has been working on for her cookbook. Fans of the series will be happy to check in on the characters, but everyone else can pass this one by.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2400 KP) rated Send in the Clowns in Books
Oct 12, 2024 (Updated Oct 12, 2024)
Killer Clown in a Haunted House
Being at the local haunted house wasn’t Ellison’s choice for a Sunday night activity. But as she finds herself navigating the various rooms, she finds a room with two clowns. Ellison already isn’t a fan of clowns, but she quickly realizes that one of the clowns was just stabbed, and he dies in her arms after asking for Ellison’s help by name. When Ellison returns with help, she finds the room completely empty. Who was the victim? More importantly, who was the other clown?
I’d let too long go between visits with Ellison, but it was great to be back in her presence. The returning characters are fun, and I’m not minding the love triangle yet. The plot started out quickly and the pace never lagged. The ending was weaker than I would have liked, but it did answer all our questions. I didn’t enjoy a couple of the elements rooting in the changing times of the 70’s. One of them definitely takes the book outside of cozy territory. On the other hand, I loved the little details that put us in that decade. And the humor continues to entertain. This is a great book to read in October for the seasonal feels, but you’ll enjoy it any time of the year you pick it up.
I’d let too long go between visits with Ellison, but it was great to be back in her presence. The returning characters are fun, and I’m not minding the love triangle yet. The plot started out quickly and the pace never lagged. The ending was weaker than I would have liked, but it did answer all our questions. I didn’t enjoy a couple of the elements rooting in the changing times of the 70’s. One of them definitely takes the book outside of cozy territory. On the other hand, I loved the little details that put us in that decade. And the humor continues to entertain. This is a great book to read in October for the seasonal feels, but you’ll enjoy it any time of the year you pick it up.
