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That Summer
8.0
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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Big Summer comes another timely and deliciously...
Strangers to Ourselves
Book
"Know thyself," a precept as old as Socrates, is still good advice. But is introspection the best...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2275 KP) rated Essentials of Murder in Books
Sep 11, 2021
Essential Series Debut
After a scandal in San Francisco sent her packing, Carissa Carmichael has returned home to Oak Creek Valley in Southern California and has decided to open Aromatherapy Apothecary, a store specializing in essential oils. She is planning to work with her neighbor, who owns a candle shop, but the neighbor’s son, Russ, is certain that Carissa is going to steal business from his mom’s store. After a particularly nasty scene with Russ, Carissa enters her shop the next day to find his body in the back of her shop. Already convicted of the crime by local gossip and with the detective in charge of the case determined to find evidence to arrest her, Carissa sets out to prove her innocence. Can she do it?
I always love it when a debut cozy has characters who already feel like old friends, and that’s the case here. As we slowly meet Carissa’s family and friends, they form a great group I can’t wait to hang out with again. The suspects? They are great at keeping us confused. The mystery is good. I had some guesses on part of it, but I wasn’t sure until the end. The climax could have been stronger, but it did answer all our questions. As a Southern California resident, I loved recognizing some of the locations mentioned even if Oak Creek Valley is fictional. This is a fun debut you won’t want to miss.
I always love it when a debut cozy has characters who already feel like old friends, and that’s the case here. As we slowly meet Carissa’s family and friends, they form a great group I can’t wait to hang out with again. The suspects? They are great at keeping us confused. The mystery is good. I had some guesses on part of it, but I wasn’t sure until the end. The climax could have been stronger, but it did answer all our questions. As a Southern California resident, I loved recognizing some of the locations mentioned even if Oak Creek Valley is fictional. This is a fun debut you won’t want to miss.
Therapy by Anne-Marie
Album
Anne-Marie’s second studio album, ‘Therapy’, is the official follow-up to her multi-platinum...
Buckley the Highland Cow and Ralphy the Goat: A True Story about Kindness, Friendship, and Being Yourself is an adorable book; It was charming and enjoyable. It will help children learn about being kind to others, learning about friendship, and being about yourself. Children will need to know they can be themselves and still be kind and make friends.
This book does show that being different is okay. Family can come in all different sizes and shapes. The story is excellent for all children to learn. Bullying is not a good idea. Children can learn by reading this book to stand up for themselves or their friends.
We meet Buckley and see how he deals with losing his mama. We see how he adapts to the farm where he remains living. Things do not change much for him until a new member joins the farm and becomes a family.
When we meet Ralphy; He seems to be a calming presence for Buckley. It also makes Buckley curious and starts to make some changes. Will they be friends forever? The photographs are lovely. I love the authentic look and feel of the images.
This book deals with two farm animals. This book is suitable for children that love animals as it focuses on farm animals. Though it is not just for fans of animals and farms, it is for all kinds of children.
This book does show that being different is okay. Family can come in all different sizes and shapes. The story is excellent for all children to learn. Bullying is not a good idea. Children can learn by reading this book to stand up for themselves or their friends.
We meet Buckley and see how he deals with losing his mama. We see how he adapts to the farm where he remains living. Things do not change much for him until a new member joins the farm and becomes a family.
When we meet Ralphy; He seems to be a calming presence for Buckley. It also makes Buckley curious and starts to make some changes. Will they be friends forever? The photographs are lovely. I love the authentic look and feel of the images.
This book deals with two farm animals. This book is suitable for children that love animals as it focuses on farm animals. Though it is not just for fans of animals and farms, it is for all kinds of children.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Mark (Detective Louise Blackwell #4) in Books
Nov 7, 2021
Having not read any of the previous books in this series, I wasn't quite sure what to expect but what I got was a very engaging and enthralling story.
I don't think you have to have read any of the previous books to enjoy this but I recognise that there is a lot of history that is missing, particularly when it comes to the difficulties DI Blackwell has with her superior, however, I feel the author provides enough of the back-story to get you up to speed.
DI Blackwell is an interesting and complex character; she has her issues (who doesn't!) but her determination, strength and fortitude shines through in this multi-threaded story. The cast of supporting characters are equally as good and all have their place and their own stories. As I said, this is a multi-threaded story but the underlying plot is the branding attacks which ultimately turns into murder. Told from both DI Blackwell's and the killer's point of view, this provides a comprehensive view of the case and into the mind and motivations of the killer.
With scenes of peril, descriptions of violence and body modification that some may find difficult, and brimming with suspense and a host of suspects, this is a book that's easy to get your teeth into and I need to thank Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
I don't think you have to have read any of the previous books to enjoy this but I recognise that there is a lot of history that is missing, particularly when it comes to the difficulties DI Blackwell has with her superior, however, I feel the author provides enough of the back-story to get you up to speed.
DI Blackwell is an interesting and complex character; she has her issues (who doesn't!) but her determination, strength and fortitude shines through in this multi-threaded story. The cast of supporting characters are equally as good and all have their place and their own stories. As I said, this is a multi-threaded story but the underlying plot is the branding attacks which ultimately turns into murder. Told from both DI Blackwell's and the killer's point of view, this provides a comprehensive view of the case and into the mind and motivations of the killer.
With scenes of peril, descriptions of violence and body modification that some may find difficult, and brimming with suspense and a host of suspects, this is a book that's easy to get your teeth into and I need to thank Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Pocket Wife in Books
Nov 4, 2021
182 of 250
Book
The Pocket Wife
By Susan Crawford
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
A stylish psychological thriller with the compelling intrigue of The Silent Wife and Turn of Mind and the white-knuckle pacing of Before I Go to Sleep—in which a woman suffering from bipolar disorder cannot remember if she murdered her friend.
Dana Catrell is shocked when her neighbor Celia is brutally murdered. To Dana’s horror, she was the last person to see Celia alive. Suffering from mania, the result of her bipolar disorder, she has troubling holes in her memory, including what happened on the afternoon of Celia’s death.
Her husband’s odd behavior and the probing of Detective Jack Moss create further complications as she searches for answers. The closer she comes to piecing together the shards of her broken memory, the more Dana falls apart. Is there a murderer lurking inside her . . . or is there one out there in the shadows of reality, waiting to strike again?
A story of marriage, murder, and madness, The Pocket Wife explores the world through the foggy lens of a woman on the edge.
I just didn’t click with it. It started out ok but I just got so bored it became a chore to read. I didn’t get a good representation of Bipolar disorder either as some one who has Bipolar it just didn’t feel authentic.
Book
The Pocket Wife
By Susan Crawford
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
A stylish psychological thriller with the compelling intrigue of The Silent Wife and Turn of Mind and the white-knuckle pacing of Before I Go to Sleep—in which a woman suffering from bipolar disorder cannot remember if she murdered her friend.
Dana Catrell is shocked when her neighbor Celia is brutally murdered. To Dana’s horror, she was the last person to see Celia alive. Suffering from mania, the result of her bipolar disorder, she has troubling holes in her memory, including what happened on the afternoon of Celia’s death.
Her husband’s odd behavior and the probing of Detective Jack Moss create further complications as she searches for answers. The closer she comes to piecing together the shards of her broken memory, the more Dana falls apart. Is there a murderer lurking inside her . . . or is there one out there in the shadows of reality, waiting to strike again?
A story of marriage, murder, and madness, The Pocket Wife explores the world through the foggy lens of a woman on the edge.
I just didn’t click with it. It started out ok but I just got so bored it became a chore to read. I didn’t get a good representation of Bipolar disorder either as some one who has Bipolar it just didn’t feel authentic.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2275 KP) rated A Dish to Die for in Books
Aug 10, 2022
Murder on a Neighboring Key
Even when you live in paradise, you need a break. That’s why Hayley Snow is taking a few hours with her friend Eric and their dogs and heading to a beach on one of the nearby islands. However, the day takes a sad turn when Hayley’s dog finds a dead body half buried in the sand. The man was G.G. Garcia, a Key West developer who had a bad reputation. The local police think there is something suspicious about his death, and Hayley gets pulled into the investigation. Will she figure out what really happened?
I’ve fallen in love with Key West thanks to this series, and I was happy to be back. Sadly, the mystery was very weak. Even the characters got frustrated by their lack of progress throughout the book. Plus, the victim was a little too evil, with a few things that felt thrown in just to make other characters feel virtuous. The book gets a little dark and edgy for a cozy as well. Finally, there’s a subplot that comes across as half-baked, the characters involved definitely deserved better. On the other hand, I really did enjoy the location and the series regulars. Nathan, Hayley’s husband, gets some good development thanks to a visit from his estranged father. If you are new to the series, this isn’t the book for you, but fans will enjoy catching up with the characters.
I’ve fallen in love with Key West thanks to this series, and I was happy to be back. Sadly, the mystery was very weak. Even the characters got frustrated by their lack of progress throughout the book. Plus, the victim was a little too evil, with a few things that felt thrown in just to make other characters feel virtuous. The book gets a little dark and edgy for a cozy as well. Finally, there’s a subplot that comes across as half-baked, the characters involved definitely deserved better. On the other hand, I really did enjoy the location and the series regulars. Nathan, Hayley’s husband, gets some good development thanks to a visit from his estranged father. If you are new to the series, this isn’t the book for you, but fans will enjoy catching up with the characters.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Rage: Redemption ( Odin’s Wolves book 1) in Books
Jun 15, 2022
108 of 230
Kindle
Rage: Redemption ( Odin’s Wolves MC book 1)
By Candi Fox
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶
Rage, half-wolf, half-god, all badass is a skilled warrior and SGT at Arms for Odin’s Wolves MC. Rage never expected to love again after losing his wife and child a century ago, but when an ancient evil arises, and he meets Desiré everything changes.
Desiré is running from her monster of an ex, who killed her family, and now wants her son. She will do anything to save her little boy and when she lands in White Horse, OK and meets Rage, she starts to have hope.
Can Desiré and Rage learn to believe in love again?
Well I kinda really enjoyed that! Was it perfect maybe not but I found myself unable to put it down which is why it’s now 1:35am. This is why I give books 5⭐️’s if you get that feel good I don’t want to put this book down unfinished then I’m my opinion it’s a 5 star book. It does have to be a perfect book!
So this one his ticks a few boxes for me: hot shifters ✅ magic ✅ Norse mythology a huge ✅ and some spice✅.
This is Odins Wolves on motorcycles what more could you want? Lots of fantasticical creatures too. I’m looking forward to more.
Kindle
Rage: Redemption ( Odin’s Wolves MC book 1)
By Candi Fox
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶
Rage, half-wolf, half-god, all badass is a skilled warrior and SGT at Arms for Odin’s Wolves MC. Rage never expected to love again after losing his wife and child a century ago, but when an ancient evil arises, and he meets Desiré everything changes.
Desiré is running from her monster of an ex, who killed her family, and now wants her son. She will do anything to save her little boy and when she lands in White Horse, OK and meets Rage, she starts to have hope.
Can Desiré and Rage learn to believe in love again?
Well I kinda really enjoyed that! Was it perfect maybe not but I found myself unable to put it down which is why it’s now 1:35am. This is why I give books 5⭐️’s if you get that feel good I don’t want to put this book down unfinished then I’m my opinion it’s a 5 star book. It does have to be a perfect book!
So this one his ticks a few boxes for me: hot shifters ✅ magic ✅ Norse mythology a huge ✅ and some spice✅.
This is Odins Wolves on motorcycles what more could you want? Lots of fantasticical creatures too. I’m looking forward to more.
Merissa (12374 KP) rated A Bright Celestial Sea by Chani Lynn Feener in Books
Jun 27, 2022
A BRIGHT CELESTIAL SEA is a standalone that could easily be the first in a series.
Pryor and Castor, plus others in their crew, are sent to a World Ship to find a missing royal. It's not that easy though, and things become complicated when other things are found to be missing too. Throw in an Emperor-in-waiting and you've got one helluva story.
Half of the mystery is easy to see - it doesn't hide at all, except from Wystan and the others. But still, as the reader, it is all there for you as we are in Pryor's mind for the most part. The other part though - was brilliantly set up, with only a few clues as I neared the end. I won't say anything else but I loved it!
The world-building is second to none. The worlds and ships, plus the different hierarchies, are simple and clean to see. I didn't feel like the story lagged in any places; it definitely kept my attention from beginning to end.
This author is new-to-me but I will absolutely be keeping an eye out for future publications - especially if this does become a series. 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!
Pryor and Castor, plus others in their crew, are sent to a World Ship to find a missing royal. It's not that easy though, and things become complicated when other things are found to be missing too. Throw in an Emperor-in-waiting and you've got one helluva story.
Half of the mystery is easy to see - it doesn't hide at all, except from Wystan and the others. But still, as the reader, it is all there for you as we are in Pryor's mind for the most part. The other part though - was brilliantly set up, with only a few clues as I neared the end. I won't say anything else but I loved it!
The world-building is second to none. The worlds and ships, plus the different hierarchies, are simple and clean to see. I didn't feel like the story lagged in any places; it definitely kept my attention from beginning to end.
This author is new-to-me but I will absolutely be keeping an eye out for future publications - especially if this does become a series. 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!