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Christine A. (965 KP) rated Lost and Found in Books
Jan 27, 2020
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is one of my favorite books. Being offered the opportunity to read his latest, Lost and Found, is an honor and privilege. I know I am supposed to be unbiased when doing reviews but it was difficult in this case.
Lost and Found is not long, less than 300 pages, and flows wells so it is a quick read. In it, we are introduced to Ezekiel Blast who has a gift for finding lost items. He feels compelled to return his finds. Instead of being thanked, people accuse him of taking the items in the first place. He is friendless and an outcast until a girl walks up to him and asks "Are you really a thief?
This story is charming and engaging. The well-developed characters are endearing. It is being marketed as SciFi and Fantasy as well as Teen and Young Adult. I agree it is a Teen/YA book but, if anything, it is light SciFi and Fantasy. People who do not usually read SciFi and Fantasy will enjoy this story.
I believe I gave an unbiased opinion on this story especially since it is not a typical SciFi and Fantasy book.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/27/20.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is one of my favorite books. Being offered the opportunity to read his latest, Lost and Found, is an honor and privilege. I know I am supposed to be unbiased when doing reviews but it was difficult in this case.
Lost and Found is not long, less than 300 pages, and flows wells so it is a quick read. In it, we are introduced to Ezekiel Blast who has a gift for finding lost items. He feels compelled to return his finds. Instead of being thanked, people accuse him of taking the items in the first place. He is friendless and an outcast until a girl walks up to him and asks "Are you really a thief?
This story is charming and engaging. The well-developed characters are endearing. It is being marketed as SciFi and Fantasy as well as Teen and Young Adult. I agree it is a Teen/YA book but, if anything, it is light SciFi and Fantasy. People who do not usually read SciFi and Fantasy will enjoy this story.
I believe I gave an unbiased opinion on this story especially since it is not a typical SciFi and Fantasy book.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/27/20.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Pumpkin Spice Peril in Books
Apr 29, 2020
Exhibiting a Murder
Over the years that best friends Mel Cooper and Angie Harper have run Fairytale Cupcakes, they have made friends with some of their customers. Near the top of that list are husband and wife artists Peter and Rene. Every Friday, Peter comes in to pick up cupcakes for Rene, who is currently putting the finishing touches on a major art installation to be unveiled in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mel and Angie are providing the cupcakes for the opening night party. However, the night before the big event, someone dies under suspicious circumstances. Has Mel been pulled into another murder?
While the murder happens a little late in the book, the time is well used to introduce us to characters and provide plenty of conflict. I was never bored, and that only increased once the murdered happened and Mel started uncovering secrets. The series regulars all sparkle as always, and I enjoyed getting to spend time with them. The new characters are just as strong. The book has a more somber tone than some of the others in the series, but it fits the events of the plot. Don’t worry, there are still some good laughs along the way. We get four new cupcake recipes at the end that sound delicious. I raced through this book like always. This is another fun entry in one of my favorite series.
While the murder happens a little late in the book, the time is well used to introduce us to characters and provide plenty of conflict. I was never bored, and that only increased once the murdered happened and Mel started uncovering secrets. The series regulars all sparkle as always, and I enjoyed getting to spend time with them. The new characters are just as strong. The book has a more somber tone than some of the others in the series, but it fits the events of the plot. Don’t worry, there are still some good laughs along the way. We get four new cupcake recipes at the end that sound delicious. I raced through this book like always. This is another fun entry in one of my favorite series.
Donuts and Disaster
7.0
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The fourth book in the BESTSELLING Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery series! "My new favorite cozy murder...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Rum and Choke in Books
Jan 2, 2023 (Updated Jan 2, 2023)
Bar Contests, Treasure Hunts, and Murder
Chloe Jackson has been drafted to represent the Sea Glass Saloon in the Barback Games. This annual tradition, a multi stage competition that includes physical and bar related contests, sounds fun until she meets some of her competition – ringers brought in to represent other bars. Meanwhile, her friend Ann asks Chloe to go with her as Ann tries to find a pirate ship sunk long ago. The first morning out ends abruptly when Ann finds a dead body – one of the Barback Games ringers. What is going on?
Sherry Harris is one of my favorite mystery writers, and this book is a perfect example why. With all of the storylines, this book has more than enough to keep us engaged. Yet, it doesn’t unfold in a traditional cozy way, which is a wonderful thing. Chloe pieces everything together for a great climax. It was nice getting to know Ann better, and Chloe is continuing to grow as well. The rest of the returning characters are charming, and the new characters fit in perfectly. I’m not a drinker, so I might have passed up this series if anyone else were writing it. But I’m so glad I started reading it. Whether this is your first visit with Chloe or you already love her, you’ll enjoy this book.
Sherry Harris is one of my favorite mystery writers, and this book is a perfect example why. With all of the storylines, this book has more than enough to keep us engaged. Yet, it doesn’t unfold in a traditional cozy way, which is a wonderful thing. Chloe pieces everything together for a great climax. It was nice getting to know Ann better, and Chloe is continuing to grow as well. The rest of the returning characters are charming, and the new characters fit in perfectly. I’m not a drinker, so I might have passed up this series if anyone else were writing it. But I’m so glad I started reading it. Whether this is your first visit with Chloe or you already love her, you’ll enjoy this book.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Wrongful Death (David Sloane, #2) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
This was a good read for sure! I think I've found a new author worthy of my reading time thanks to this Goodreads Giveaway win.
The reviews compare Dugoni to John Grisham. When I first saw that I wasn't too thrilled. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Grisham. He just isn't one of my favorite go-to authors, not 1 I always count on for an engrossing read. There are similarities in their styles...legal thrillers, lawyers as main characters, etc. But to me, Dugoni's action is more captivating. This book got me thinking, but it also wasn't too over my head with "legal speak." The characters are well written, believable with a mix of the incredible...just like real life.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Dugoni's work!
The reviews compare Dugoni to John Grisham. When I first saw that I wasn't too thrilled. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Grisham. He just isn't one of my favorite go-to authors, not 1 I always count on for an engrossing read. There are similarities in their styles...legal thrillers, lawyers as main characters, etc. But to me, Dugoni's action is more captivating. This book got me thinking, but it also wasn't too over my head with "legal speak." The characters are well written, believable with a mix of the incredible...just like real life.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Dugoni's work!
Kristin (149 KP) rated Unsavory Delicacies (Ridley Fox & Nita Parris #2) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book comes with a disclaimer of its own, and I have to say I definitely second, third, and fourth it to all future readers! All three stories are fantastic, and I'm already a fan of Ridley Fox, so I was happy to see him appear once again. "To The Last Bite" was certainly my favorite of the three (and I'm sure that doesn't bode well for my psyche), although I'm going to be quite wary of my remarks regarding a restaurant's cuisine ever again!!!
I wholeheartedly recommend this collection, especially to those who are already fans of Russell Brooks. Just make sure you're not planning to eat any time soon after reading...
Bon appetit!
5 stars =)
This book comes with a disclaimer of its own, and I have to say I definitely second, third, and fourth it to all future readers! All three stories are fantastic, and I'm already a fan of Ridley Fox, so I was happy to see him appear once again. "To The Last Bite" was certainly my favorite of the three (and I'm sure that doesn't bode well for my psyche), although I'm going to be quite wary of my remarks regarding a restaurant's cuisine ever again!!!
I wholeheartedly recommend this collection, especially to those who are already fans of Russell Brooks. Just make sure you're not planning to eat any time soon after reading...
Bon appetit!
5 stars =)
Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) rated Below Stairs: The Bestselling Memoirs of a 1920s Kitchen Maid in Books
Sep 3, 2018
Margaret Powell's memoir Below Stairs is growing up in a poor in money but rich in love with her family in a small village near London, England and her life in domestic service in the 1920s. It is simply wonderful. Her other memoirs Climbing the Stairs and Servants Hall and her Cookery Book are next on my list. It's more like listening to your favorite aunt sitting at the kitchen with you over fresh-baked cookies and glasses of homemade lemonade while retelling stories of her childhood and life in the early part of the 20th century. You HAVE to read it!. Julian Fellowes read her books and they were the inspiration behind the extremely popular BBC series Downton Abbey, that is watched by us in the states on PBS Masterpiece.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Season of the Witch (The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, #1) in Books
Feb 1, 2020
This was at least a readable YA book based upon the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina universe (I prefer the original Archie one, it's more fun). The characters were fleshed out a little, and I liked the alternating first-person narrative of Sabrina and the third-person chapters featuring the people around her. Harvey's brother, Tom's chapter was by far, my favorite. It developed his character more, and it makes me care about him more.
The reason I rate this as ok is because it was perfectly predictable and was just an ok story. If you're a fan and can stomach modern YA, it's a useful read. It's also self-contained, so you don't really have to watch the show in order to understand it. There were little nuggets of detail for viewers of the show.
The reason I rate this as ok is because it was perfectly predictable and was just an ok story. If you're a fan and can stomach modern YA, it's a useful read. It's also self-contained, so you don't really have to watch the show in order to understand it. There were little nuggets of detail for viewers of the show.
Papers for Foundation Piecing: Quilter-Tested Blank Papers for Use with Most Photocopiers and Printers
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It's 11:00 p.m. You suddenly have an insatiable itch to start a new paper-pieced quilt but you don't...