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Merissa (13961 KP) rated Corsair’s Cove Chocolate Shop: The Complete Set in Books
Dec 13, 2017
Corsair’s Cove Chocolate Shop: The Complete Set
Corsair's Cove Chocolate Shop is a collection of four novellas by four different authors - all sharing the same theme, one family and the town of Corsair's Cove. There are four cousins, Pru (Prudence), Livy, Brynn, and Eloise. These four are all very different from each other, but they prove that when things come to the crunch, they are there for each other. I will admit to Eloise's story being my favourite, but that is mainly down to Daniel Blackthorne! That 'dastardly pirate' wiggled into my affections, and I was on tenterhooks to find out what happened next.
These are all lighthearted, fun, stories that are guaranteed to satisfy. A good length so you can either read them all together, or sneak one in during your coffee break or lunchtime. All four stories are written very well, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The town and the characters are all well described, leaving you with a longing to go there. In fact, there are a bunch of brilliant characters in here, but I'll leave it to you to read them and find out who I'm talking about.
I wasn't sure what I'd be reading, but I thoroughly enjoyed each and every word. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
These are all lighthearted, fun, stories that are guaranteed to satisfy. A good length so you can either read them all together, or sneak one in during your coffee break or lunchtime. All four stories are written very well, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The town and the characters are all well described, leaving you with a longing to go there. In fact, there are a bunch of brilliant characters in here, but I'll leave it to you to read them and find out who I'm talking about.
I wasn't sure what I'd be reading, but I thoroughly enjoyed each and every word. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2542 KP) rated Easter Basket Murder in Books
Jan 25, 2024 (Updated Jan 25, 2024)
Here’s to a Deadly Easter
Kensington has called on their go to trio for three new holiday themed mysteries, this time featuring Easter. Up first, Leslie Meier’s Lucy Stone gets involved with a promotion for the local businesses leads to the theft of a golden Easter egg. Then Lee Hollis’s Hayley Powell finds the Easter Bunny dead at a community Easter egg hunt. Finally, Barbara Ross’s Julia Snowden’s Easter on the family island off the coast of Maine is interrupted when she finds a man in coat tails dead in the garden. Then, a few minutes later, he’s gone.
All three stories have fun with the theme, and present it in some clever ways. As is often the case, I found the first story the weakest, but the mysteries in the other two stories are strong. Still, I was engaged no matter which story I was reading. All three have some great Easter elements that made me feel like it was spring. And I love the community aspects we get. I’m only a regular reader of Barbara Ross’s series, and I was interested in the updates we got on the characters there. If you are looking for some new dishes to serve this year, you’ll be interested in the recipes we get with the second and third story. Each story is roughly 100 pages, so you can read them in a sitting or two. Overall, this is a fun anthology you’ll be happy hopped on to your to be read pile.
All three stories have fun with the theme, and present it in some clever ways. As is often the case, I found the first story the weakest, but the mysteries in the other two stories are strong. Still, I was engaged no matter which story I was reading. All three have some great Easter elements that made me feel like it was spring. And I love the community aspects we get. I’m only a regular reader of Barbara Ross’s series, and I was interested in the updates we got on the characters there. If you are looking for some new dishes to serve this year, you’ll be interested in the recipes we get with the second and third story. Each story is roughly 100 pages, so you can read them in a sitting or two. Overall, this is a fun anthology you’ll be happy hopped on to your to be read pile.
We’ve all heard the story of Medea, and Rosie Hewlett has decided to tackle it from a different angle. History and stories of the time, written by men, aren’t particularly kind to women - especially when the woman in question is clever and has knowledge that the men don’t have. That’s why these powerful women in history and stories were portrayed as evil or as witches (and sometimes both).
Medea is shunned by her family because of her magic, so when the ever-so-attractive Jason turns up with an exit plan, Medea decides to help him escape and take her with him. She’s obsessed with him: he pays her attention, and she’s never had anyone pay her attention in a good way before. But as his ardour wanes and he realises that Medusa is a liability, he cheats on her in a big way - and Medea is enraged. She will have her revenge.
I don’t blame her.
I liked that we learn her motivation for her radical actions - and I empathised with her. The first person narrative certainly helped with that. I didn’t agree with how she went about her revenge, but it was effective 🤷🏼♀️. You don’t often read about Hekate, either. I’m hoping Nikita Gill’s new book will sort that out (and I have it on my kindle to read!).
This is a dark story. Medea is complex and flawed, but at the same time, she’s so interesting to read about. I’d really recommend this book! Female rage is always good to read about 😉
Medea is shunned by her family because of her magic, so when the ever-so-attractive Jason turns up with an exit plan, Medea decides to help him escape and take her with him. She’s obsessed with him: he pays her attention, and she’s never had anyone pay her attention in a good way before. But as his ardour wanes and he realises that Medusa is a liability, he cheats on her in a big way - and Medea is enraged. She will have her revenge.
I don’t blame her.
I liked that we learn her motivation for her radical actions - and I empathised with her. The first person narrative certainly helped with that. I didn’t agree with how she went about her revenge, but it was effective 🤷🏼♀️. You don’t often read about Hekate, either. I’m hoping Nikita Gill’s new book will sort that out (and I have it on my kindle to read!).
This is a dark story. Medea is complex and flawed, but at the same time, she’s so interesting to read about. I’d really recommend this book! Female rage is always good to read about 😉
Kaz (232 KP) rated The Wasp Factory in Books
May 15, 2019
A Sinister, but Excellent Read
I've just finished 'The Wasp Factory' by Iain Banks and all I can say is wow!
This story is told by Frank, a 16 year old boy, who lives on a remote island in Scotland with his father. This is about Frank, his very dysfunctional family and trying to find his brother, who has escaped from a mental institution.
What I love about this book is the way in which Iain Banks writes characters. Frank is such a complex character that, although in essence he is an evil person, there are flashes of innocence and sensitivity about him, that you can't help but like him. One moment you feel like he is the only reasonable member of his family and then gradually, you realize his true character. Despite that, you feel sorry for Frank and the life that he has grown up in and the next, completely horrified by some of the things he does in the novel. He's not just a bad character, which in turn, makes him all the more believable.
I also liked some of the dark humour in this novel. Some of the more disturbing stories of Frank's family history were told in such a way, as to make them funny. I felt guilty for laughing at times, but I couldn't help it!
Away from the story itself, I liked how the novel comments on human nature's need for power and to overpower others. This idea is relevant in the areas of gender, politics and society.
This novel isn't plot driven, but character driven, so the story was a bit slow at times. However, I was not expecting the twist at the end.
This might not be for everyone, because it is so dark and at times, really intense. However, I thought this was a brilliant first read for 2019.
I would give this 5 starts, but I have to knock a point off, because this book dragged a couple of times.
This story is told by Frank, a 16 year old boy, who lives on a remote island in Scotland with his father. This is about Frank, his very dysfunctional family and trying to find his brother, who has escaped from a mental institution.
What I love about this book is the way in which Iain Banks writes characters. Frank is such a complex character that, although in essence he is an evil person, there are flashes of innocence and sensitivity about him, that you can't help but like him. One moment you feel like he is the only reasonable member of his family and then gradually, you realize his true character. Despite that, you feel sorry for Frank and the life that he has grown up in and the next, completely horrified by some of the things he does in the novel. He's not just a bad character, which in turn, makes him all the more believable.
I also liked some of the dark humour in this novel. Some of the more disturbing stories of Frank's family history were told in such a way, as to make them funny. I felt guilty for laughing at times, but I couldn't help it!
Away from the story itself, I liked how the novel comments on human nature's need for power and to overpower others. This idea is relevant in the areas of gender, politics and society.
This novel isn't plot driven, but character driven, so the story was a bit slow at times. However, I was not expecting the twist at the end.
This might not be for everyone, because it is so dark and at times, really intense. However, I thought this was a brilliant first read for 2019.
I would give this 5 starts, but I have to knock a point off, because this book dragged a couple of times.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2542 KP) rated Sealed Off (A Maine Clambake Mystery, #8) in Books
Jan 2, 2020
Fall Brings Mysteries for Julia
The clambake that Julia Snowden and her family run on their family’s island is just running on weekends through Columbus Day. Unfortunately, tension among the staff seems to be reaching the boiling point. Romances among the staff have been causing issues all season, but Julia was hoping they could make it until the end of the season, and those issues would resolve themselves before the clambake starts up again in the spring. A fist fight as the guests and crew were leaving one days brings things to a head, and leaves Julia in the unfortunate position of firing her boyfriend’s brother. However, a dead body on the island the next morning only makes the situation worse.
There is a strong sub-plot, almost a second full mystery, in this book involving a room that has been sealed off since the 1890’s in the family mansion on the island. Between the two stories, this book moves forward at a constant pace, and the pages flew by. I never wanted to put the book down until I reached the satisfying end. Once again, I was left in awe of how the clues were woven into the story. Several series arcs were advanced here, and the chances for character development were put to full use. The new characters are just as strong as the series regulars, which is no surprise to anyone who has read the series. Those looking for recipes will be pleased with the five we get at the end of the story. There is not one wasted word in this story, and I set it down completely satisfied. Well, almost satisfied. As is always the case, I was left wanting to visit Julia and her family and friends again as soon as possible. Fans of the series will be delighted with this book. If you haven’t started this series yet, you need to fix that as soon as possible.
There is a strong sub-plot, almost a second full mystery, in this book involving a room that has been sealed off since the 1890’s in the family mansion on the island. Between the two stories, this book moves forward at a constant pace, and the pages flew by. I never wanted to put the book down until I reached the satisfying end. Once again, I was left in awe of how the clues were woven into the story. Several series arcs were advanced here, and the chances for character development were put to full use. The new characters are just as strong as the series regulars, which is no surprise to anyone who has read the series. Those looking for recipes will be pleased with the five we get at the end of the story. There is not one wasted word in this story, and I set it down completely satisfied. Well, almost satisfied. As is always the case, I was left wanting to visit Julia and her family and friends again as soon as possible. Fans of the series will be delighted with this book. If you haven’t started this series yet, you need to fix that as soon as possible.