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The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
Muriel Spark and Candia McWilliam
7.0
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Muriel Spark's The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie includes an introduction by Candia McWilliam in Penguin...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated The Gift of the Magpie in Books
Dec 13, 2020
Who Used a Helping Hand to Murder?
This year at Christmas, the churches in Caerphilly, Virginia have started a Helping Hands for the Holidays charity event, and Meg is right in the thick of it, organizing and helping. One of their projects is helping Harvey the Hoarder declutter and fix up his house before the county is called to intervene. Day one goes pretty well, but when Meg shows up for the second day, she finds him lying in a pool of blood in the garage. Are the rumors of a treasure hidden in the house true? Did that get Harvey killed?
I always enjoy visiting Meg, and this book was no exception. The sub-plots involving her large family slow down the main mystery early on, but as a fan of the series and the characters, that’s a minor complaint. Once the mystery gets going, it is strong with several good suspects and twists before we reach the great climax. The sub-plots still weave in and out of the main mystery, and I really enjoyed them and the Christmas spirit they give us. I didn’t find this book quite as funny as some of the others, maybe because it left me contemplating which side of the hoarder or collector line I’m on. If you are looking for an entertaining mystery set at Christmas, there’s still time this year to cozy up to the fire and enjoy this mystery.
I always enjoy visiting Meg, and this book was no exception. The sub-plots involving her large family slow down the main mystery early on, but as a fan of the series and the characters, that’s a minor complaint. Once the mystery gets going, it is strong with several good suspects and twists before we reach the great climax. The sub-plots still weave in and out of the main mystery, and I really enjoyed them and the Christmas spirit they give us. I didn’t find this book quite as funny as some of the others, maybe because it left me contemplating which side of the hoarder or collector line I’m on. If you are looking for an entertaining mystery set at Christmas, there’s still time this year to cozy up to the fire and enjoy this mystery.
Surprisingly Down to Earth, and Very Funny
9.0
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The hysterical, shocking and incredibly intimate memoir from one of the most original and unique...
The Hair of Harold Roux
10.0
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In 1975 the National Book Award Fiction Prize was awarded to two writers: Robert Stone and Thomas...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Magical Midlife Dating ( Levelling Up book 2) in Books
Feb 9, 2022
24 of 230
Kindle
Magical Midlife Dating ( Leveling Up book 2)
By K.F. Breene
She must learn to fly, but can she withstand the allure of the handsome new teacher?
A Wall Street Journal bestseller and Top 3 book in the entire Amazon Kindle store!
The decision has been made. Jessie has taken the magic, and all the weird that goes with it. Including wings.
There's only one problem - she can't figure out how to access them.
Through a series of terrible decisions, Jessie realizes she must ask for help. Gargoyle help.
But she could've never predicted who answers her call - he's an excellent flier, incredibly patient, and a good trainer. He's also incredibly handsome. And interested.
Maybe flying isn't the only thing she needs help with. Maybe she needs help getting back on that saddle, too, emerging into the dating pool.
Except, the new gargoyle is also an alpha, just like Austin, and the town isn't big enough for two.
Turns out, flying is the least of her problems.
I love this series for so many reasons it’s just so funny. Niamh is just hilarious I love her! I love how they call human men and women Dicks and Janes there is just so much to grab onto and each chapter and character brings a smile. It’s so well written I highly recommend it especially if you need a break from those all to serious books.
Kindle
Magical Midlife Dating ( Leveling Up book 2)
By K.F. Breene
She must learn to fly, but can she withstand the allure of the handsome new teacher?
A Wall Street Journal bestseller and Top 3 book in the entire Amazon Kindle store!
The decision has been made. Jessie has taken the magic, and all the weird that goes with it. Including wings.
There's only one problem - she can't figure out how to access them.
Through a series of terrible decisions, Jessie realizes she must ask for help. Gargoyle help.
But she could've never predicted who answers her call - he's an excellent flier, incredibly patient, and a good trainer. He's also incredibly handsome. And interested.
Maybe flying isn't the only thing she needs help with. Maybe she needs help getting back on that saddle, too, emerging into the dating pool.
Except, the new gargoyle is also an alpha, just like Austin, and the town isn't big enough for two.
Turns out, flying is the least of her problems.
I love this series for so many reasons it’s just so funny. Niamh is just hilarious I love her! I love how they call human men and women Dicks and Janes there is just so much to grab onto and each chapter and character brings a smile. It’s so well written I highly recommend it especially if you need a break from those all to serious books.
Merissa (11953 KP) rated Moonlight (Knights of Black Swan #4) in Books
Apr 3, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
The Black Swan series is a set of books that you really should read in the reading order, not out of sequence. By doing this, you will get swept up into a world of strong, protective, drool-worthy males. Their female counterparts are also strong, protective, ok so maybe not drool-worthy to me, they sure are gorgeous! The stories lead into one another and the characters become more in-depth.
The humour in these books has always had me laughing out loud but some in this one have had my husband asking just what is so funny! One of the last scenes that is written in this book, is so beautifully done that I had tears in my eyes and had to go back and re-read. I have loved being with these characters as they have grown and changed; some changes being more noticeable than others (Deliverance and Grey). Others just seem to grow more comfortable with themselves and their role in life (Glen). Other characters have their lives changed in one way or another and you see how they adapt. This book is an excellent read and the series as a whole continues to delight.
So, that's what you get with the Black Swan - and if you haven't read the first one yet (which is free), why not?
* Verified Purchase - September 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
April 10, 2021
The humour in these books has always had me laughing out loud but some in this one have had my husband asking just what is so funny! One of the last scenes that is written in this book, is so beautifully done that I had tears in my eyes and had to go back and re-read. I have loved being with these characters as they have grown and changed; some changes being more noticeable than others (Deliverance and Grey). Others just seem to grow more comfortable with themselves and their role in life (Glen). Other characters have their lives changed in one way or another and you see how they adapt. This book is an excellent read and the series as a whole continues to delight.
So, that's what you get with the Black Swan - and if you haven't read the first one yet (which is free), why not?
* Verified Purchase - September 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
April 10, 2021
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Death be Hell ( Terra Vane 8) in Books
Oct 11, 2023
149 of 235
Kindle
Death be Hell ( Terra Vane 😎
By Katie Everwood/Katie Epstein
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You’re damned if you do, and you’re damned if you don’t. At least that’s the position Terra and the team are in. One of their own is at risk, and time must be reversed to save them.
How will they do that? With no other option, they’ve got to travel through the Shadow Veil to the Demon Cities. A lust demon will lead the way, but she has a confession. Once her sinister ex finds out she’s returned, the darkness shadowing one of their own will be the least of their problems.
It’s time to for the team to go to hell and back.
Literally.
Oh this is so one of my favourite series I love it! I have missed these characters and this was the perfect book to get reacquainted with them. Bernard just breaks my heart and I love seeing a bit more about him and his trauma in this and I know he loves Terra still. Libbey has really changed my opinion of her this book I just loved her!!! I didn’t think we could beat the zombies but the trip to hell was just brilliant I loved the costumes so funny. This was a huge bonding instalment and it was really fun! Then the ending smacks you in the face not happy 😭
Kindle
Death be Hell ( Terra Vane 😎
By Katie Everwood/Katie Epstein
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You’re damned if you do, and you’re damned if you don’t. At least that’s the position Terra and the team are in. One of their own is at risk, and time must be reversed to save them.
How will they do that? With no other option, they’ve got to travel through the Shadow Veil to the Demon Cities. A lust demon will lead the way, but she has a confession. Once her sinister ex finds out she’s returned, the darkness shadowing one of their own will be the least of their problems.
It’s time to for the team to go to hell and back.
Literally.
Oh this is so one of my favourite series I love it! I have missed these characters and this was the perfect book to get reacquainted with them. Bernard just breaks my heart and I love seeing a bit more about him and his trauma in this and I know he loves Terra still. Libbey has really changed my opinion of her this book I just loved her!!! I didn’t think we could beat the zombies but the trip to hell was just brilliant I loved the costumes so funny. This was a huge bonding instalment and it was really fun! Then the ending smacks you in the face not happy 😭
Mrs March
10.0
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Shirley Jackson meets Ottessa Moshfegh meets My Sister the Serial Killer in a brilliantly unsettling...
1950’s USA Historical fiction suspense
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Chasing the Dragon in Books
Feb 14, 2024
28 of 220
ARC
Chasing the Dragon
By Mark Towse
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A town on its knees, dread's bony fingers wrapping around its throat and squeezing, death rattles soon to follow.
Drugs, filth, and a lack of human decency are starving it of hope.
Introducing Simon Dooley, our trauma-driven wannabe superhero, the relentless voice of his dead mother pleading with him to "end the chaos." Dressed in a leotard and armed only with a dozen dog poop bags, Simon's plight will find him falling in love and going head to head with the seediest characters walking the streets.
The town needed a hero... it got Reformo.
This was honestly such a fun read. This dude has some parental issues that’s for certain. So Simon decided on the advice of his dead mother that he’s going to clean house and the neighbourhood. So he invents Reformo the super hero everyone needs. Now all the way through this book I couldn’t stop laughing which when you’re on a bus full of people you get crazy looks. You can tell the author has poured everything into this book and it really has paid off. It’s dark, funny, bloody , violent and even a little emotional at the end there. Please read any trigger warnings as it does touch a few and it is dark and violent with some graphic details.
I was kindly given this to me by the author in return for an honest review.
ARC
Chasing the Dragon
By Mark Towse
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A town on its knees, dread's bony fingers wrapping around its throat and squeezing, death rattles soon to follow.
Drugs, filth, and a lack of human decency are starving it of hope.
Introducing Simon Dooley, our trauma-driven wannabe superhero, the relentless voice of his dead mother pleading with him to "end the chaos." Dressed in a leotard and armed only with a dozen dog poop bags, Simon's plight will find him falling in love and going head to head with the seediest characters walking the streets.
The town needed a hero... it got Reformo.
This was honestly such a fun read. This dude has some parental issues that’s for certain. So Simon decided on the advice of his dead mother that he’s going to clean house and the neighbourhood. So he invents Reformo the super hero everyone needs. Now all the way through this book I couldn’t stop laughing which when you’re on a bus full of people you get crazy looks. You can tell the author has poured everything into this book and it really has paid off. It’s dark, funny, bloody , violent and even a little emotional at the end there. Please read any trigger warnings as it does touch a few and it is dark and violent with some graphic details.
I was kindly given this to me by the author in return for an honest review.
Merissa (11953 KP) rated Bella's Countryside Christmas in Books
Oct 4, 2024
BELLA'S COUNTRYSIDE CHRISTMAS is set in Haileybrook. To escape a boring conference, she fakes illness and goes to the church where she should have been married, if she hadn't called it off. While there, she saves a nativity scene from guaranteed disaster, as well as helping a cute man by pretending to be his date. After a better-than-expected day/evening and a moment of connection complete with a kiss, she disappears to help her younger sister, leaving Jack all alone. Fast forward a year (give or take) and Bella is returning to Haileybrook, this time to live and work.
This was such a great story! It is gentle, with no unnecessary angst or drama, with a healthy dose of mystery. Character-led with cameos from characters out of other books, this was a story I didn't want to end. The people here were funny and likeable, especially the ones from the home!
The flow of the story was smooth and left me wanting to continue reading, even when I got to the chapter breaks. It has Christmassy vibes but doesn't rule the whole story. A fantastic read and 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 25, 2024
This was such a great story! It is gentle, with no unnecessary angst or drama, with a healthy dose of mystery. Character-led with cameos from characters out of other books, this was a story I didn't want to end. The people here were funny and likeable, especially the ones from the home!
The flow of the story was smooth and left me wanting to continue reading, even when I got to the chapter breaks. It has Christmassy vibes but doesn't rule the whole story. A fantastic read and 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 25, 2024