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Murder, Local Style
8.0
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Retired caterer Valerie Corbin investigates a suspicious poisoning in this Orchid Isle cozy culinary...
The Fae's Promise (Grym Hollow #5)
10.0
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Evangeline has always dreamed of a life outside Grym Hollow, exploring a world of culinary magic and...
Fantasy Romance
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated London Calling in Books
Feb 20, 2025 (Updated Feb 20, 2025)
Family Found Finally?
This book starts with Annie in Istanbul. Thanks to things her mom has drilled into her, she realizes someone is following her and manages to give them the slip before she sends out a cry for help. A cry that the City Spies get and immediately jump into action. You see, Annie is the daughter of Mother, their leader. But the spies are already on assignment protecting the fiancée of one of the princes before their royal wedding. Can they find Annie and rescue her while keeping their current assignment on track?
If you haven’t yet started this fantastic series, don’t start here since it will spoil many of the twists of the previous books. But fans will be highly satisfied when they finish the book since it gives us many of the answers we’d been waiting for. A couple things were glossed over, but that’s minor. Along the way, we get all the twists and excitement that fans expect. We also get to spend time with characters we love. They are so great at working together, and it is a joy to watch. While this book does wrap up quite a bit, it leaves the door open for further adventures - ones I hope we get. If you are a fan, pick up this book today.
If you haven’t yet started this fantastic series, don’t start here since it will spoil many of the twists of the previous books. But fans will be highly satisfied when they finish the book since it gives us many of the answers we’d been waiting for. A couple things were glossed over, but that’s minor. Along the way, we get all the twists and excitement that fans expect. We also get to spend time with characters we love. They are so great at working together, and it is a joy to watch. While this book does wrap up quite a bit, it leaves the door open for further adventures - ones I hope we get. If you are a fan, pick up this book today.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Ranch Dressing in Books
Apr 4, 2025
Murder Down on the Ranch
Samantha Kidd’s father-in-law is interested in buying a dude ranch in New Jersey, so Samantha joins him and her husband on a trip to meet the current owner and check it out in depth. She is so out of her element that she must borrow jeans for the trip, but she is doing her best to be supportive and stay in the background. Their first night there, Samantha finds the owner dead in the barn. Can she get the rest of the staff to warm up to her enough to solve the crime?
This book really builds on the growth we’ve seen in Samantha over the last couple of books, which I appreciated. You could jump in here without any spoilers, but you won’t appreciate the character arc as much. I also appreciated that this allowed Samantha’s relationship with her husband to really shine. Meanwhile, the new characters were entertaining. The mystery kept me confused until we reached the logical climax. I laughed as always as I was reading. Trixie Belden fans will enjoy an Easter egg in this book. Now that I’ve caught up on this enjoyable series, I can’t wait for the next book to come out. If you aren’t caught up yet, now’s the time to fix that. You’ll enjoy the time spent doing so.
This book really builds on the growth we’ve seen in Samantha over the last couple of books, which I appreciated. You could jump in here without any spoilers, but you won’t appreciate the character arc as much. I also appreciated that this allowed Samantha’s relationship with her husband to really shine. Meanwhile, the new characters were entertaining. The mystery kept me confused until we reached the logical climax. I laughed as always as I was reading. Trixie Belden fans will enjoy an Easter egg in this book. Now that I’ve caught up on this enjoyable series, I can’t wait for the next book to come out. If you aren’t caught up yet, now’s the time to fix that. You’ll enjoy the time spent doing so.
Merissa (14024 KP) rated Unlocked and Unlost in Books
May 6, 2025
UNLOCKED AND UNLOST is a standalone as far as I can tell, although I'm guessing there's a crossover somewhere because most of the side characters seem to have stories of their own that have already been told.
Kingston is a raccoon shifter locksmith who is laid up with a sprained ankle, caused by a client's young daughter. Ethan is the client's answer to helping Kingston out of a mess. Ethan is a squirrel shifter, complete with the hyperactivity you would expect. In their world, you don't recognise your fated mate unless you're shifted.
To be honest, I didn't really get them as a couple. Kingston couldn't cope with Ethan having 5 million tabs open in his brain (and neither could I!) and was quite rude about it in places. And Ethan? Well, it seemed as though he'd just be happy someone wanted him. There was a lot in his past with his father and grandmother, but I never really got to see much of it firsthand; it came as flashbacks or memories from Ethan most of the time.
Cute and lighthearted, I enjoyed this read but definitely wanted more.
** 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!
May 6, 2025
Kingston is a raccoon shifter locksmith who is laid up with a sprained ankle, caused by a client's young daughter. Ethan is the client's answer to helping Kingston out of a mess. Ethan is a squirrel shifter, complete with the hyperactivity you would expect. In their world, you don't recognise your fated mate unless you're shifted.
To be honest, I didn't really get them as a couple. Kingston couldn't cope with Ethan having 5 million tabs open in his brain (and neither could I!) and was quite rude about it in places. And Ethan? Well, it seemed as though he'd just be happy someone wanted him. There was a lot in his past with his father and grandmother, but I never really got to see much of it firsthand; it came as flashbacks or memories from Ethan most of the time.
Cute and lighthearted, I enjoyed this read but definitely wanted more.
** 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!
May 6, 2025
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Night of the Living Bread in Books
May 28, 2025
Can Sugar Rise to the Occasion and Find Another Killer?
Sugar Calloway and Dixie Spicer are working on a new project for the Jameson County Historical Society. It’s a cook book focused on various breads. It may sound a little narrow, but they already have several ideas for subcategories, and the pair are excited about it. Their contact for the project is Marla Mercer. But Sugar’s appointment one morning never happens since she finds Marla dead on the office floor, a bread knife in her back. Everyone seems shocked by the murder, insisting that Marla was well loved. So who would want to kill her?
It’s been a few years (and a publisher change) since we got the previous book in this series. I was glad to see it back and was easily able to slip back into Sugar and Dixie’s world. It was great to reconnect with the characters, and spending time with them made me smile. The suspects seemed nice as well, at least at first. I did figure parts of the mystery out early, but I didn’t have it all put together until the climax. There are a couple of subplots that helped kept me engaged. We also get five recipes at the end of the book. Fans will be just as happy as I am to revisit these characters.
It’s been a few years (and a publisher change) since we got the previous book in this series. I was glad to see it back and was easily able to slip back into Sugar and Dixie’s world. It was great to reconnect with the characters, and spending time with them made me smile. The suspects seemed nice as well, at least at first. I did figure parts of the mystery out early, but I didn’t have it all put together until the climax. There are a couple of subplots that helped kept me engaged. We also get five recipes at the end of the book. Fans will be just as happy as I am to revisit these characters.
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Scarlet at Crystal River (Haunted Shores Mysteries #3) in Books
Nov 6, 2021
A honeymoon in the sun at Christmas, surely there's nothing better than that to raise the spirits, quite literally!
Darrell and Erin Henshaw have gone to Crystal River on the gulf coast of Florida. They are enjoying their honeymoon as well as Christmas somewhere exotic being used to cold and snowy Christmases its fantastic exploring and getting a tan. If only Darrell wasn't being followed by the spirits of two lost Latino children needing him to discover what really happened to them. now With the help of his new wife and some new friends his discovery could just be the death of him or somebody he loves. can they do this before its too late?
At the start of the book you think its going to be all lovey dovey and nauseating there a newly married couple there bound to be. some of the descriptions of the scenery i am quite jealous it sounds absolutely gorgeous definitely a dream destination. Darrell then starts having his bad feelings and it puts you slightly on edge definitely keeps you gripped and wanting to find out what's happened to the children its a thriller for sure.
I haven't read the other 2 book in this series but from how well this one is written i will certainly indulging in them. I highly recommend this book for reading 4/5 stars
Darrell and Erin Henshaw have gone to Crystal River on the gulf coast of Florida. They are enjoying their honeymoon as well as Christmas somewhere exotic being used to cold and snowy Christmases its fantastic exploring and getting a tan. If only Darrell wasn't being followed by the spirits of two lost Latino children needing him to discover what really happened to them. now With the help of his new wife and some new friends his discovery could just be the death of him or somebody he loves. can they do this before its too late?
At the start of the book you think its going to be all lovey dovey and nauseating there a newly married couple there bound to be. some of the descriptions of the scenery i am quite jealous it sounds absolutely gorgeous definitely a dream destination. Darrell then starts having his bad feelings and it puts you slightly on edge definitely keeps you gripped and wanting to find out what's happened to the children its a thriller for sure.
I haven't read the other 2 book in this series but from how well this one is written i will certainly indulging in them. I highly recommend this book for reading 4/5 stars
Merissa (14024 KP) rated Free Fall (Life Sucks, #7) in Books
Mar 28, 2023
Honestly? Connor deserves a medal!
FREE FALL is the seventh book in the Life Sucks series. This one features Connor and Raven. She is recovering from the house fire whilst staying at Connor's and realising just how much of a pain he is, simply because he cares. When things get too much, Raven runs... straight into the arms of Aunt Pat, who sets her straight on more than one issue.
This was a great story that highlights just how much your past can affect your present and future. Raven is... erm... 'slightly' grumpy at the beginning and it does take a while for her to show her nice side. She does have one, honest. You understand why she is the way she is but, honestly, Connor deserves a medal.
You don't necessarily have to have read the previous books in this series although it would help as more than a couple of them make an appearance. I thought this was a wonderful addition to the series and I can't wait to read Lex and Frankie's story next. 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!
This was a great story that highlights just how much your past can affect your present and future. Raven is... erm... 'slightly' grumpy at the beginning and it does take a while for her to show her nice side. She does have one, honest. You understand why she is the way she is but, honestly, Connor deserves a medal.
You don't necessarily have to have read the previous books in this series although it would help as more than a couple of them make an appearance. I thought this was a wonderful addition to the series and I can't wait to read Lex and Frankie's story next. 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!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Digging Up Daisy in Books
Apr 5, 2023
Intriguing Premise, but Execution Suffers
Kinsley Clark is hard at work with her landscaping company, SeaScapes, trying to get ready for the upcoming Walk Inns event at several bed and breakfasts in the area, including the one her aunt owns. As she’s digging in the dirt outside her aunt’s inn, she discovers a shoe buried in the dirt. She immediately recognizes the shoe as the one on the local news connected to the murder that took place the day before. How did it come to be in her aunt’s garden?
I really did like the premise of this mystery, so I went in hoping to enjoy the book. I did struggle through the first chapter, which gave us lots of backstory for Kinsley. Fortunately, it ended with the discovery of the shoe, and things picked up with several interesting suspects, clues, and red herrings. Unfortunately, when we reached the ending, not all the clues were accounted for. I think I can make some of them make sense, but I’m not sure they do. It’s a shame the plot turned out to be weak since I did like the characters and the setting. In the way of extras, we get some gardening tips and a couple of recipes. The characters and the setting are definitely a draw. If only the plot were better.
I really did like the premise of this mystery, so I went in hoping to enjoy the book. I did struggle through the first chapter, which gave us lots of backstory for Kinsley. Fortunately, it ended with the discovery of the shoe, and things picked up with several interesting suspects, clues, and red herrings. Unfortunately, when we reached the ending, not all the clues were accounted for. I think I can make some of them make sense, but I’m not sure they do. It’s a shame the plot turned out to be weak since I did like the characters and the setting. In the way of extras, we get some gardening tips and a couple of recipes. The characters and the setting are definitely a draw. If only the plot were better.
Shadow Guardian (Blood Shadows #1)
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Not all shadows are what they seem… Kay swore an oath to use her Shadows to guard the...
Adult Paranormal Romance