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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2484 KP) rated A Trace of Poison in Books
Aug 14, 2025
Murderous Mystery Fete
The local mystery writers are hosting a Murder Fete to raise funds for the local orphanage, and they have convinced Agatha Christie to invite some of her famous friends. The weekend will include talks about the craft of mystery writing, author signings, and a short story contest where the winner gets a publishing contract on both sides of the Atlantic. However, the opening night’s cocktail reception ends with a murder. Since Phyllida is helping make sure the event is a success, she’s on hand. Can she solve a second real life murder?
Those who fell in love with the main characters in the first book in the series will be glad to be spending more time with them and seeing how their relationships develop. The supporting players and suspects could have been stronger. That means, the mystery could have been stronger as well, although there were some twists that kept me entertained. And things made sense once Phyllida had solved things. While the mystery could be stronger, this is still an entertaining book that will please mystery fans, especially fans of Agatha Christie.
Those who fell in love with the main characters in the first book in the series will be glad to be spending more time with them and seeing how their relationships develop. The supporting players and suspects could have been stronger. That means, the mystery could have been stronger as well, although there were some twists that kept me entertained. And things made sense once Phyllida had solved things. While the mystery could be stronger, this is still an entertaining book that will please mystery fans, especially fans of Agatha Christie.
Make Them Bleed (Pretty Deadly Things #1)
8.0
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He’s secretly stalking her inbox. She’s secretly hiring masked killers. Love’s never been this...
The Case of the Canterfell Codicil
10.0
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There's a literary niche for all tastes including those who think that either Dorothy L Sayers...
Merissa (13770 KP) rated Claimed by the Bear (Mokoaroa Shifters #2) in Books
Jun 11, 2025
CLAIMED BY THE BEAR is the second book in the Mokoaroa Shifters series, and features Liam and Ava, childhood friends who went their separate ways when Liam became an Alpha Elite and Ava didn't know about shifters.
This story has a lot of potential, but it also needs a run-through by an editor. The flow is disjointed in places, with times changing in just a paragraph, sometimes from one day to another, and the continuity needs checking as one moment Liam packs Ava's swimsuit, and the next, she has to borrow one. The perspective also changed from first to third person within the same paragraph. And Gormack, Liam's uncle, became Gormuck on more than one occasion.
All this meant I couldn't lose myself in the story as I wanted, especially when there is a great supporting cast of characters I would love to hear more from. All in all, a good read with great potential.
** 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!
Jun 11, 2025
This story has a lot of potential, but it also needs a run-through by an editor. The flow is disjointed in places, with times changing in just a paragraph, sometimes from one day to another, and the continuity needs checking as one moment Liam packs Ava's swimsuit, and the next, she has to borrow one. The perspective also changed from first to third person within the same paragraph. And Gormack, Liam's uncle, became Gormuck on more than one occasion.
All this meant I couldn't lose myself in the story as I wanted, especially when there is a great supporting cast of characters I would love to hear more from. All in all, a good read with great potential.
** 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!
Jun 11, 2025
Stacked (Mars Fitness #2)
8.0
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When the person you desire is so close, and yet so far. Sawyer I've been in love with my best...
Contemporary MM Romance Best Friends to Lovers
Merissa (13770 KP) rated Her Mountain Rescuer (Honey Ridge #1) in Books
May 30, 2025
HER MOUNTAIN RESCUER is the first book in the Honey Ridge series, but features two characters we have met before. Hailey is Logan's daughter, and Beau is his best friend. We met Logan in Accidentally Kidnapping the Mountain Man, when Kaylee kidnaps him.
I love this author's books! She gives you exactly what she promises - a hot and spicy age-gap Daddy Romance with a breeding kink. AND IT WORKS! Even though this is a one-sit novella, you will get swept up in Hailey's story, feeling her heartbreak when she thinks Beau is out of her reach. You will feel his frustration at wanting his best friend's daughter. So when they get together and work it out? Sheer perfection!
If you're after a short and hot instalove story, then I recommend not only this book, but any by this author. HIGHLY 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 27, 2025
I love this author's books! She gives you exactly what she promises - a hot and spicy age-gap Daddy Romance with a breeding kink. AND IT WORKS! Even though this is a one-sit novella, you will get swept up in Hailey's story, feeling her heartbreak when she thinks Beau is out of her reach. You will feel his frustration at wanting his best friend's daughter. So when they get together and work it out? Sheer perfection!
If you're after a short and hot instalove story, then I recommend not only this book, but any by this author. HIGHLY 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 27, 2025
The Tell-Tale Homicide
3.0
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Rare books librarian Juniper Blume lands her dream job: creating a new museum in her Chesapeake Bay...
Merissa (13770 KP) rated Candle Love (New California Monster Romance #3) in Books
Dec 8, 2025
CANDLE LOVE is the third book in the New California Monster Romance series, and I'm guessing I should have read the previous books first. You can read this as a standalone, and I have no idea which characters were in previous books, but that's just my feeling.
In this one, Julie is the adopted human in a Dragoon family, about to spread her own wings, as she moves into shared housing. Chalice and Trent already live there, and both are smitten with socially awkward Julie from the very beginning.
Although described as spicy, I would go more for cosy, although shenanigans do happen, just so you know. It was also good to see sleep apnea represented, and the easy acceptance of it, which I know isn't always the case.
Overall, this was a quick, light-hearted, cosy read that I enjoyed and can recommend.
** 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!
Dec 5, 2025
In this one, Julie is the adopted human in a Dragoon family, about to spread her own wings, as she moves into shared housing. Chalice and Trent already live there, and both are smitten with socially awkward Julie from the very beginning.
Although described as spicy, I would go more for cosy, although shenanigans do happen, just so you know. It was also good to see sleep apnea represented, and the easy acceptance of it, which I know isn't always the case.
Overall, this was a quick, light-hearted, cosy read that I enjoyed and can recommend.
** 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!
Dec 5, 2025
Falling for my Ex's Twin (Falling For You #2)
Book
I thought my ex-husband’s twin hated me. I couldn’t have been more wrong. After my marriage...
Contemporary MM Romance
Carma (21 KP) rated Cowboy SEAL Christmas (Navy SEAL Cowboys, #3) in Books
Jun 17, 2019
Love and a Llama, how can a book get any better than this?! Cowboy Seal Christmas is the 3rd book in the Navy Seal Cowboy series (a sort of spin off of Helms Big Sky Cowboy series). I have not read the first 2 books in this series (time constraints and a overwhelming TBR pile but I did read all the books in the Big Sky Cowboy series). This book has all the elements I loved from those books and more. Nicole Helm has a way of getting you right into the moment as if you were standing right there alongside the characters. 5/5 for Grouchy Gabe!!!
Gabe Cortez is a grouchy, ex Navy SEAL who hates Christmas. He hates most things actually and is more than happy to tell you how much it all sucks. He had a horrible childhood that led to him entering the military and losing a good friend in one horrifying instance. He comes to Revival ranch with his 2 friends, Jack and Alex, to help start a new program for injured military servicemen and women to get back on their feet. Jack and Alex both find love (spoiler for the first 2 books haha) and he is once again the odd man out. Then he meets the new ranch therapist Monica Finley and hope starts to rise in him again.
Monica Finley is looking forward to working with all the men and women headed to Revival Ranch for therapy and help getting back to civilian life. Growing up with a Marine father suffering from PTSD has helped her understand some of the struggles men and women face upon returning home. She has a 10 year old son named Colin, with her late Air Force husband Dex, who is her entire world. She protects him, well overprotects, as well as she can as a single mother and is hoping the closeness of the ranch will help them all start a new life. Gabe has been the only one to deny needing therapy and keeps his distance from her both literally and figuratively. She has to find a way to crack his shell. Can Gabe help her understand not only his struggles but some of her own struggles since her husband died?
This story flows really well from start to finish. I was able to get a great idea of where Monica and Gabe are in their lives as well as some past situations that have molded their current state of mind. Throw in great friends (who meddle), a Montana snowstorm, being snowed in for days without heat (snuggle alert), past secrets, daily questions (1 for her, 2 for him) and a llama and you have pretty much the perfect love story. Nicole Helm once again draws me into her cowboy world and makes me sad to leave when the story ends.
Gabe Cortez is a grouchy, ex Navy SEAL who hates Christmas. He hates most things actually and is more than happy to tell you how much it all sucks. He had a horrible childhood that led to him entering the military and losing a good friend in one horrifying instance. He comes to Revival ranch with his 2 friends, Jack and Alex, to help start a new program for injured military servicemen and women to get back on their feet. Jack and Alex both find love (spoiler for the first 2 books haha) and he is once again the odd man out. Then he meets the new ranch therapist Monica Finley and hope starts to rise in him again.
Monica Finley is looking forward to working with all the men and women headed to Revival Ranch for therapy and help getting back to civilian life. Growing up with a Marine father suffering from PTSD has helped her understand some of the struggles men and women face upon returning home. She has a 10 year old son named Colin, with her late Air Force husband Dex, who is her entire world. She protects him, well overprotects, as well as she can as a single mother and is hoping the closeness of the ranch will help them all start a new life. Gabe has been the only one to deny needing therapy and keeps his distance from her both literally and figuratively. She has to find a way to crack his shell. Can Gabe help her understand not only his struggles but some of her own struggles since her husband died?
This story flows really well from start to finish. I was able to get a great idea of where Monica and Gabe are in their lives as well as some past situations that have molded their current state of mind. Throw in great friends (who meddle), a Montana snowstorm, being snowed in for days without heat (snuggle alert), past secrets, daily questions (1 for her, 2 for him) and a llama and you have pretty much the perfect love story. Nicole Helm once again draws me into her cowboy world and makes me sad to leave when the story ends.