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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2412 KP) rated Floral Depravity (Bridal Bouquet Shop Mystery #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Audrey Bloom is asked to provide the flowers for a medieval wedding, she embraces the challenge of finding meaningful flowers that are also historically accurate. But when the father of the groom dies right after the ceremony, Audrey finds herself facing another challenge – tracking down the killer.
I loved the first two in the series, and this one is no exception. The story is fast paced. I had an inkling where things were going, but I wasn’t completely sure until we reached the end. The characters are wonderful, although I do wish we’d seen more of a few of the supporting players. The medieval setting provided some great humor along the way as well. The pages flew by all too quickly as they always do.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/10/book-review-floral-depravity-by-beverly.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I loved the first two in the series, and this one is no exception. The story is fast paced. I had an inkling where things were going, but I wasn’t completely sure until we reached the end. The characters are wonderful, although I do wish we’d seen more of a few of the supporting players. The medieval setting provided some great humor along the way as well. The pages flew by all too quickly as they always do.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/10/book-review-floral-depravity-by-beverly.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2412 KP) rated Jethro and Joel Were a Troll in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The two-headed troll Jethro and Joel have a problem. While Jethro is quite content to spend his days raising the turnips they love to eat, Joel wants to be terrorizing people. When Jethro finally gives in and allows Joel to have control of their body for one day, what will happen?
I’ve always loved the title of the book, and I still find the story fun. The way he builds up to that final sentence will please adults, and the fast moving story and pictures will entertain the target picture book audience. What surprised me while reading this as an adult is the clear allegory about the dangers of giving in to what you know is wrong. Oh, don’t worry, this is a picture book with a happy ending, and it never slows down the story to lecture us.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-jethro-and-joel-were-troll.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I’ve always loved the title of the book, and I still find the story fun. The way he builds up to that final sentence will please adults, and the fast moving story and pictures will entertain the target picture book audience. What surprised me while reading this as an adult is the clear allegory about the dangers of giving in to what you know is wrong. Oh, don’t worry, this is a picture book with a happy ending, and it never slows down the story to lecture us.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-jethro-and-joel-were-troll.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2412 KP) rated Cinderella Six Feet Under (Fairy Tale Fatal Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Ophelia and Prue have traveled to Paris where they hope to reunite Prue with her mother. Instead, they find that Prue’s mother is missing and there is a dead body in Prue’s step-family’s home – a body wearing a ball gown and only one slipper. Then Gabriel shows up and insists that’s not the only tie in to Cinderella.
The combination of fairy tale with cozy mystery is successful once again. There are a couple of plot points that seem a bit rough, but for the most part the story is a fun, fast paces romp. I love the trio at the heart of the series, and the rest of the cast is just as sharp and fun. I already can’t wait to see where they go next.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-cinderella-six-feet-under.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The combination of fairy tale with cozy mystery is successful once again. There are a couple of plot points that seem a bit rough, but for the most part the story is a fun, fast paces romp. I love the trio at the heart of the series, and the rest of the cast is just as sharp and fun. I already can’t wait to see where they go next.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-cinderella-six-feet-under.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
After breaking her arm in a circus accident, Ophelia Flax finds herself in a fancy hospital in Switzerland. Another patient there, Imogen Melchor, has been asleep for 8 days. Her parents claim it is related to the Sleeping Beauty legend, which is strong in the area. Meanwhile, Professor Gabriel Penrose is in the area, officially to track down local legends, but really in hopes of finding Ophelia again. Will he succeed? What happened to Imogen?
This is a novella written specifically to wrap up loose ends after the series was canceled. As a result, it will appeal most to series fans. With only 100 pages to work with, the story is fast paces with something always happening to move it forward. The new characters are a bit short changed, but Ophelia and Gabriel are strong, and the plot kept me guessing until the end.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-sleeping-beauty-borrowed.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a novella written specifically to wrap up loose ends after the series was canceled. As a result, it will appeal most to series fans. With only 100 pages to work with, the story is fast paces with something always happening to move it forward. The new characters are a bit short changed, but Ophelia and Gabriel are strong, and the plot kept me guessing until the end.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-sleeping-beauty-borrowed.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2412 KP) rated Uncorking a Lie (A Sommelier Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Katie Stillwell is thrilled to be asked to join a dinner party where wine collector Paul Rafferty is planning to share a rare bottle he’s recently purchased with his friends. However, Katie doesn’t think the bottle looks or tastes like an old bottle of wine should. Before the evening is over, someone is dead. When Paul asks Katie to look into what happened, she finds people covering up secrets. Can she find the truth?
Despite growing up in this book’s setting of Sonoma County, California, I’m not a wine guy. That wasn’t a factor for me at all in following this plot based very heavily on wines. Everything I needed to know was expertly explained. The plot was fast with lots of twists and clues to keep me engaged. The book also has strong characters, both returning and new.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/05/book-review-uncorking-lie-by-nadine.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Despite growing up in this book’s setting of Sonoma County, California, I’m not a wine guy. That wasn’t a factor for me at all in following this plot based very heavily on wines. Everything I needed to know was expertly explained. The plot was fast with lots of twists and clues to keep me engaged. The book also has strong characters, both returning and new.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/05/book-review-uncorking-lie-by-nadine.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Designated Survivor - Season 1 in TV
Feb 15, 2018
Right from the first episode we are thrown into the thick of it as Tom Kirkman, an architect appointed to the US cabinet, is the appointed "designated survivor" - a member of government securely housed elsewhere during important events in case of a large scale attack. As he is watching the State of the Union Address, the unthinkable happens and the capitol building, with every other serving member of government inside, is blown up.
The first few episodes show Kirkman try and acclimatise with his new role and the task of reassuring citizens and finding those responsible. The series quickly adds a 24-style anti-terror task force to the mix, and the action flows thick and fast from there.
This is one of the more interesting, gripping and original series of recent years. A few annoying little plot holes in the last episodes (no CCTV in the white house?!, security checkpoints fail, boats vanishing) but otherwise excellent.
The first few episodes show Kirkman try and acclimatise with his new role and the task of reassuring citizens and finding those responsible. The series quickly adds a 24-style anti-terror task force to the mix, and the action flows thick and fast from there.
This is one of the more interesting, gripping and original series of recent years. A few annoying little plot holes in the last episodes (no CCTV in the white house?!, security checkpoints fail, boats vanishing) but otherwise excellent.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Risen (Blood Eternal #1) in Books
Mar 17, 2018
"The answers we seek might be the only things that can save us now."
OMG! How could you leave me hanging by a thread??!! I was so caught up in this fast-paced story that I didn't realize I was reaching the cliff-hanging end until I flipped the page and was greeted with bonus content!! Who are the parents of... oh never mind, as I simply don't want to share any spoilers. Charlie has no idea of the existence of vampires until it's too late to do anything but little does she know that this revelation isn't the last. This well-developed storyline has it all from three vampire clans that have different gifts to action and just the right amount of romance and I love the characters. I hope that the author doesn't take too long in releasing the second book because my curiosity is going to have me bouncing off the walls.
OMG! How could you leave me hanging by a thread??!! I was so caught up in this fast-paced story that I didn't realize I was reaching the cliff-hanging end until I flipped the page and was greeted with bonus content!! Who are the parents of... oh never mind, as I simply don't want to share any spoilers. Charlie has no idea of the existence of vampires until it's too late to do anything but little does she know that this revelation isn't the last. This well-developed storyline has it all from three vampire clans that have different gifts to action and just the right amount of romance and I love the characters. I hope that the author doesn't take too long in releasing the second book because my curiosity is going to have me bouncing off the walls.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Risen (Blood Eternal #1) in Books
Mar 17, 2018
"The answers we seek might be the only things that can save us now."
OMG! How could you leave me hanging by a thread??!! I was so caught up in this fast paced story that I didn't realize I was reaching the cliff hanging end until I flipped the page and was greeted by bonus content!! Who are the parents of... oh never mind, as I simply don't want to share any spoilers. Charlie has no idea of the existence of vampires until it's too late to do anything but little does she know that this revelation isn't the last. This well developed storyline has it all from three vampire clans that have different gifts to action and just the right amount of romance and I love the characters. I hope that the author doesn't take too long in releasing the second book because my curiosity is going to have me bouncing off the walls.
OMG! How could you leave me hanging by a thread??!! I was so caught up in this fast paced story that I didn't realize I was reaching the cliff hanging end until I flipped the page and was greeted by bonus content!! Who are the parents of... oh never mind, as I simply don't want to share any spoilers. Charlie has no idea of the existence of vampires until it's too late to do anything but little does she know that this revelation isn't the last. This well developed storyline has it all from three vampire clans that have different gifts to action and just the right amount of romance and I love the characters. I hope that the author doesn't take too long in releasing the second book because my curiosity is going to have me bouncing off the walls.
Sarah is running a sport equipment exchange in a local school gym. The night before, as she is about to leave, someone attacks her. Despite the attack, the event goes off without a hitch – until Sarah finds the dead body of the school superintendent. What is going on?
This is another fabulous, fast paced read in one of my favorite series. There are several different avenues that Sarah investigates along the way, and they all come together beautifully for the climax. Meanwhile, we get some development in several series threads and a very funny sub-plot. Sarah continues to grow as a character, and the rest of the cast, both new and returning, are fantastic. The writing makes me feel like I’ve visited Sarah’s corner of the world.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2018/02/book-review-i-know-what-you-bid-last.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is another fabulous, fast paced read in one of my favorite series. There are several different avenues that Sarah investigates along the way, and they all come together beautifully for the climax. Meanwhile, we get some development in several series threads and a very funny sub-plot. Sarah continues to grow as a character, and the rest of the cast, both new and returning, are fantastic. The writing makes me feel like I’ve visited Sarah’s corner of the world.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2018/02/book-review-i-know-what-you-bid-last.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Forbidden (Arotas Trilogy, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
From the very first chapter, I was captured, hook, line, and sinker. The fate of Roseline's family/friends was just so raw, I could picture it in my head, and it made me shudder. I read as fast as I could to find out what happened to her as she started her new life in the U.S. as Rose. Her new-found friends, the strange connection she feels with the star quarterback, and her worries of being found definitely kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering how it would all come together for her, and if she could continue to evade her immortal family.
The ending was INCREDIBLY awesome, and I'll definitely be waiting on pins and needles for more of this story. I can't wait to see how it continues from here, and I'm sure it'll be fantastic.
5 stars
From the very first chapter, I was captured, hook, line, and sinker. The fate of Roseline's family/friends was just so raw, I could picture it in my head, and it made me shudder. I read as fast as I could to find out what happened to her as she started her new life in the U.S. as Rose. Her new-found friends, the strange connection she feels with the star quarterback, and her worries of being found definitely kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering how it would all come together for her, and if she could continue to evade her immortal family.
The ending was INCREDIBLY awesome, and I'll definitely be waiting on pins and needles for more of this story. I can't wait to see how it continues from here, and I'm sure it'll be fantastic.
5 stars