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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2554 KP) rated A Slay Ride Together with You in Books
Sep 25, 2024
Spring Brings Another Murder to Rudolph
Spring in Rudolph, New York, American’s Christmas town, is usually a little show, which means it is the perfect time for Merry Wilkinson’s friends Vicki and Mark to plan their wedding. They’ve even managed to buy the Cole House to move into, but only because it needs a lot of work. However, things aren’t going well at the house since the couple are hearing strange noises in the night. Then, when Merry is visiting, the trio find a dead body. With Mark under suspicion, Merry starts gathering clues. Can she figure out what happened?
Normally, I enjoy this series, but this entry didn’t work for me. The story was too slow to get going. While things did pick up once we found the body, including giving us some great suspects, it wasn’t satisfying. Having said that, my questions were answered at the end. Since this is set in spring, it didn’t have quite the usual Christmas cheer, but I think that’s on me more than anything. The series regulars were still fantastic, and I did enjoy getting to see them again. And we got three recipes that Vicki has been working on for her cookbook. Fans of the series will be happy to check in on the characters, but everyone else can pass this one by.
Normally, I enjoy this series, but this entry didn’t work for me. The story was too slow to get going. While things did pick up once we found the body, including giving us some great suspects, it wasn’t satisfying. Having said that, my questions were answered at the end. Since this is set in spring, it didn’t have quite the usual Christmas cheer, but I think that’s on me more than anything. The series regulars were still fantastic, and I did enjoy getting to see them again. And we got three recipes that Vicki has been working on for her cookbook. Fans of the series will be happy to check in on the characters, but everyone else can pass this one by.
Extraction Play (Leather and Lattes #2)
8.0
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Pixie is off limits, yet Eva can't seem to stay away from her brother's best friend... Eva’s at...
Contemporary FF Romance Friends to Lovers Kink
Into The Churn
10.0
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Seventeen-year-old Ezren Hart interns in her mother’s terraforming lab, studying Belethea’s...
Young Adult Science Fiction Adventure Action Romance
David McK (3791 KP) rated Troy (2004) in Movies
Apr 28, 2020 (Updated Aug 25, 2024)
Following the success of "Gladiator" in 2000, I was expecting Hollywood to resurrect the old sword and sandals movies of yore, and for their to be a glut of the same.
At the time of writing this review (2020), there was actually surprisingly few such films: of the top of my head, I can only really think of "Robin Hood", "Kingdom of Heaven", and this.
With quite a few big names in its cast - Brad Pitt, Sean Bean, Orlando Bloom, Peter O'Toole and Eric Bana to name a few - this retells the story of the siege of Troy (although said siege doesn't seem to last as long as originally told), following Paris (Orlando Bloom) elopement with the wife of Menelaus of Troy (Brendan Gleeson) Helen (Diane Kruger), giving an excuse for Agememnon (a scenery chewing Brian Cox) to go to war against that city.
While this does have some bruising action scenes - the beach landing, and Achilles Vs Hector are my personal favourite - unfortunately large swathes of the film are bogged down by necessary exposition, and I have to say that the face of this version of Helen of Sparta (or Troy) may not be able to launch the fleet of a thousand ships that she is described as in the original texts (where she is said to be the most beautiful woman in the world).
At the time of writing this review (2020), there was actually surprisingly few such films: of the top of my head, I can only really think of "Robin Hood", "Kingdom of Heaven", and this.
With quite a few big names in its cast - Brad Pitt, Sean Bean, Orlando Bloom, Peter O'Toole and Eric Bana to name a few - this retells the story of the siege of Troy (although said siege doesn't seem to last as long as originally told), following Paris (Orlando Bloom) elopement with the wife of Menelaus of Troy (Brendan Gleeson) Helen (Diane Kruger), giving an excuse for Agememnon (a scenery chewing Brian Cox) to go to war against that city.
While this does have some bruising action scenes - the beach landing, and Achilles Vs Hector are my personal favourite - unfortunately large swathes of the film are bogged down by necessary exposition, and I have to say that the face of this version of Helen of Sparta (or Troy) may not be able to launch the fleet of a thousand ships that she is described as in the original texts (where she is said to be the most beautiful woman in the world).
Merissa (13979 KP) rated Fairies Never Fall in Books
Jun 6, 2025
FAIRIES NEVER FALL is a standalone story featuring Ezra and Lysander. Ezra made a mistake in his youth and paid the full price. Lysander is a fairy prince who is hiding from magic-sucking demons. Oh, and he also has poisonous skin that Ezra is immune to.
This was a wonderful story, with many different races being represented. I loved the various festivals they had, and the meanings behind them. Watching Lysander become more confident was one of the best bits of the book! But it wasn't just him. It was seeing Ezra become more settled, even when it felt as though everything was falling down around his ears in other parts of his life. Neither of our MCs was perfect, but that made it better.
This was a medium-paced story, giving me time and opportunity to fully appreciate the little nuances of the story before moving on to the next big thing. I really hope to return to this world again, especially to spend more time with Ann, Elsabeth, and Belle! Plus, there's always Felix and Orion!
A great 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!
May 27, 2025
This was a wonderful story, with many different races being represented. I loved the various festivals they had, and the meanings behind them. Watching Lysander become more confident was one of the best bits of the book! But it wasn't just him. It was seeing Ezra become more settled, even when it felt as though everything was falling down around his ears in other parts of his life. Neither of our MCs was perfect, but that made it better.
This was a medium-paced story, giving me time and opportunity to fully appreciate the little nuances of the story before moving on to the next big thing. I really hope to return to this world again, especially to spend more time with Ann, Elsabeth, and Belle! Plus, there's always Felix and Orion!
A great 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!
May 27, 2025
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2554 KP) rated Paradise Plagued in Books
Nov 26, 2025
Jax Finds Vacation Turns Political
Jax, her new husband, and her closest friends are escaping to the Ogdam Oasis for a much-deserved vacation. She is going under an assumed name in a hope to truly be able to relax. However, Jax finds a dead body their first night there. When some things at the scene don’t add up, Jax determines that it was murder. Can she find a way to bring about justice without giving away who she really is?
It was longer than I intended before I returned to this series, but it was good to visit Jax again. All my favorite characters made the trip with her, and some of the others did get mentioned. Updates on the politics of the realm in the months since we last visited Jax slowed down the beginning, but I got caught up in the mystery once it really got going. I did figure one thing out early, but I was hooked all the way until the logical solution. A few of the characters didn’t come fully alive for me, but that was due to their limited page time. This story does move the series into a new direction, and I’m anxious to see what comes next. Fans will be glad they read this book and be ready for the next when they set this one down.
It was longer than I intended before I returned to this series, but it was good to visit Jax again. All my favorite characters made the trip with her, and some of the others did get mentioned. Updates on the politics of the realm in the months since we last visited Jax slowed down the beginning, but I got caught up in the mystery once it really got going. I did figure one thing out early, but I was hooked all the way until the logical solution. A few of the characters didn’t come fully alive for me, but that was due to their limited page time. This story does move the series into a new direction, and I’m anxious to see what comes next. Fans will be glad they read this book and be ready for the next when they set this one down.
Around and Around We Go (Vermont Trailblazers #2)
10.0
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When you’re facing The End, it’s time to rewind to the beginning. At thirty-eight years old,...
Contemporary MM Sports (Ice Hockey) Romance
Knife River (The Ty Dawson Mysteries)
Book
A sheriff fighting to keep the peace in 1970s Oregon faces a shocking secret from his town’s past,...
Crime Thriller Series Mystery 1970s Historical
Merissa (13979 KP) rated Fallen (Everwood Falls #2) in Books
Apr 12, 2024
FALLEN is the second book in the Everwood Falls series, and this time we follow Lucien and Isabel as they navigate Lucien's curse and Isabel's lack of memories. She is also dealing with her own problems, such as a stalker who is trying to kill her.
It was wonderful seeing the familiar characters again, although it did take me a moment to get them sorted in my head. I love seeing how they all live and work together with their different strengths and weaknesses. Unfortunately for me, that means I also forget which one is a what. I get there though!
I thought the mystery side was well done, giving plenty of opportunities to see it all building as it comes together. The only part that got me (as such) was how Lucien and Isabel went from avoiding each other to declaring their love. It just seemed a little fast (if you ignore the prior two thousand years) with no real build-up to it.
A great addition to the series and a welcome return to Everwood Falls. I look forward to reading more in the future.
** 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!
Apr 12, 2024
It was wonderful seeing the familiar characters again, although it did take me a moment to get them sorted in my head. I love seeing how they all live and work together with their different strengths and weaknesses. Unfortunately for me, that means I also forget which one is a what. I get there though!
I thought the mystery side was well done, giving plenty of opportunities to see it all building as it comes together. The only part that got me (as such) was how Lucien and Isabel went from avoiding each other to declaring their love. It just seemed a little fast (if you ignore the prior two thousand years) with no real build-up to it.
A great addition to the series and a welcome return to Everwood Falls. I look forward to reading more in the future.
** 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!
Apr 12, 2024
Merissa (13979 KP) rated Accidentally Summoned an Incubus (Briar Coven, #1) in Books
Mar 19, 2025
ACCIDENTALLY SUMMONED AN INCUBUS is the first book in the Briar Coven series. It deals with a serious subject but is also fun, sexy, and lighthearted.
Lex has refused to summon her incubus because she doesn't feel as though it's right. Lochran has waited for his summons but is close to giving up. So when Lex's magical house accidentally summons him, fun times are had.
There were so many parts of this that I enjoyed. Firstly, the not-so-nice part was handled well and in a manner fitting for the book. I can't say I was disappointed with how it ended either! Having Grandma as the head of the coven was a stroke of genius and I loved how she flipped between the two roles.
I hope that we see more of Billy and Jake too, but I'm guessing I will have to wait for that being as she is part of a pack. Maybe, maybe not?!
A great read with a multitude of brilliant characters, first and foremost being the House! I really wish I had one! 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!
Mar 19, 2025
Lex has refused to summon her incubus because she doesn't feel as though it's right. Lochran has waited for his summons but is close to giving up. So when Lex's magical house accidentally summons him, fun times are had.
There were so many parts of this that I enjoyed. Firstly, the not-so-nice part was handled well and in a manner fitting for the book. I can't say I was disappointed with how it ended either! Having Grandma as the head of the coven was a stroke of genius and I loved how she flipped between the two roles.
I hope that we see more of Billy and Jake too, but I'm guessing I will have to wait for that being as she is part of a pack. Maybe, maybe not?!
A great read with a multitude of brilliant characters, first and foremost being the House! I really wish I had one! 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!
Mar 19, 2025