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Merissa (13472 KP) rated The Forecast Looks Like Reindeer (Part of: Double-Booked for the Holidays) in Books
Nov 22, 2025 - 12:40 PM
THE FORECAST LOOKS LIKE REINDEER is part of the Double-Booked for the Holidays series, a multi-author collaboration.
In this story, Dale and Aspen are both going to the Winter Wonderland resort - Dale to the human side, even though he's an alpha - and Aspen to the shifter lodge. He's hoping his omega heat doesn't spoil his Christmas. Both of them are looking forward to some peace and quiet, with plenty of R'n'R included. Unfortunately for everyone, something has gone wrong with the booking system, and everyone is double-booked. Dale and Aspen are the first to agree to share a cabin.
This is a very low-angst story that shows the connection forming between our two MCs. The descriptions of the places, the food, and the cabin are simply wonderful. And the steamy scenes certainly warmed things up! These two are compatible in simply every way, and it shows with every interaction.
And the story doesn't just end with Christmas. You get to see them the whole year (and more) afterwards. Yes, it's at breakneck speed, but you still see them!
A supersweet story that begins and ends at Christmas. 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!
Nov 25, 2025
In this story, Dale and Aspen are both going to the Winter Wonderland resort - Dale to the human side, even though he's an alpha - and Aspen to the shifter lodge. He's hoping his omega heat doesn't spoil his Christmas. Both of them are looking forward to some peace and quiet, with plenty of R'n'R included. Unfortunately for everyone, something has gone wrong with the booking system, and everyone is double-booked. Dale and Aspen are the first to agree to share a cabin.
This is a very low-angst story that shows the connection forming between our two MCs. The descriptions of the places, the food, and the cabin are simply wonderful. And the steamy scenes certainly warmed things up! These two are compatible in simply every way, and it shows with every interaction.
And the story doesn't just end with Christmas. You get to see them the whole year (and more) afterwards. Yes, it's at breakneck speed, but you still see them!
A supersweet story that begins and ends at Christmas. 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!
Nov 25, 2025
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BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated See how they run (2022) in Movies
Dec 8, 2022
Despite a miscast Sam Rockwell - it works well...enough
The British Comedy/Murder Mystery SEE HOW THEY RUN came and went in movie theaters (at least in the U.S.) pretty quickly last fall and, consequently, most folks missed that this was even a thing.
The good news is that it is now streaming on multiple streaming services so as people gather for the Holidays there is a fun, family friendly (but good for adults) film that young and old alike could gather around the TV to watch together.
Written by Mark Chappell and Directed by Tom George (both of whom who have quite a few BBC TV Series under their belts, but it looks like this is the Major Motion Picture debut for them both), SEE HOW THEY RUN is a comedic look at the British Murder Mystery with a frumpy detective, a victim who “deserved it” and a plethora of potential suspects who are all brought into a room by the Detective on a “dark and stormy” night to reveal “whodunnit”.
Normally, with these types of films, it comes down to the casting and while there are some very good - and fun - actors in many of the roles, one of the roles is terribly miscast and that brings down the quality of this film quite a bit.
So, let’s start with what works - the central murder mystery is clever…enough…(for this sort of thing) and is wonderfully constructed around the London Stage debut of the long-running Agatha Christie murder mystery play THE MOUSETRAP in the 1950’s and, thus, this film is a period piece and that atmosphere adds - in a positive way - to the look and feel of this movie.
Saoirse Ronan, as always, is very good as the young Policewoman who is brought in to aide the main detective and proves out to be quite the Detective herself. She really holds this film together tightly in the middle. Adrien Brody, Ruth Wilson, David Oyelowo and Harris Dickinson all bring something to the film in their characters (and suspects) that add color and life to the central mystery.
Unfortunately, the usually good Sam Rockwell is miscast as the lead sleuth on this case. His frumpy, disheveled Detective was reminiscent of Columbo and just didn’t fit in this British Murder Mystery. While this performance is not a distraction to this film, it doesn’t elevate or lift this movie either, and - in a murder mystery - the detective solving the mystery is a major cog in the movie machine and this cog just isn’t that interesting.
Rockwell is not helped by a green Director and Writer who are looking to make the leap from television to film and this film feels more like a made for TV film, than a major motion picture.
Which is why this film is a good one to catch on one of the streaming services it is currently on. It is a fun enough film that will entertain young and old alike over the Holidays.
Letter Grade: B-
6 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
The good news is that it is now streaming on multiple streaming services so as people gather for the Holidays there is a fun, family friendly (but good for adults) film that young and old alike could gather around the TV to watch together.
Written by Mark Chappell and Directed by Tom George (both of whom who have quite a few BBC TV Series under their belts, but it looks like this is the Major Motion Picture debut for them both), SEE HOW THEY RUN is a comedic look at the British Murder Mystery with a frumpy detective, a victim who “deserved it” and a plethora of potential suspects who are all brought into a room by the Detective on a “dark and stormy” night to reveal “whodunnit”.
Normally, with these types of films, it comes down to the casting and while there are some very good - and fun - actors in many of the roles, one of the roles is terribly miscast and that brings down the quality of this film quite a bit.
So, let’s start with what works - the central murder mystery is clever…enough…(for this sort of thing) and is wonderfully constructed around the London Stage debut of the long-running Agatha Christie murder mystery play THE MOUSETRAP in the 1950’s and, thus, this film is a period piece and that atmosphere adds - in a positive way - to the look and feel of this movie.
Saoirse Ronan, as always, is very good as the young Policewoman who is brought in to aide the main detective and proves out to be quite the Detective herself. She really holds this film together tightly in the middle. Adrien Brody, Ruth Wilson, David Oyelowo and Harris Dickinson all bring something to the film in their characters (and suspects) that add color and life to the central mystery.
Unfortunately, the usually good Sam Rockwell is miscast as the lead sleuth on this case. His frumpy, disheveled Detective was reminiscent of Columbo and just didn’t fit in this British Murder Mystery. While this performance is not a distraction to this film, it doesn’t elevate or lift this movie either, and - in a murder mystery - the detective solving the mystery is a major cog in the movie machine and this cog just isn’t that interesting.
Rockwell is not helped by a green Director and Writer who are looking to make the leap from television to film and this film feels more like a made for TV film, than a major motion picture.
Which is why this film is a good one to catch on one of the streaming services it is currently on. It is a fun enough film that will entertain young and old alike over the Holidays.
Letter Grade: B-
6 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Merissa (13472 KP) rated Reap This (Oh So Happy Holidays #1) in Books
Nov 1, 2017
Reap This (Oh So Happy Holidays #1) by Rafe Jadison
Reap This is a novella about Seamus, a witch from Massachusetts, who has been given information that he can't handle right now. So he goes home for the comfort of his family, coincidentally at the same time as Samhain. What he does there gives you the rest of the story, so I'll stop here.
Now, first thing I must say is how refreshing it is to read a book that actually talks about being a witch and Samhain without exaggerating and being over the top. Not only that, but Seamus' reactions to what he has been told are also completely believable. This book is a combination of sorrow and hope. I had tears in my ears in the first quarter of the book as you find out more about Seamus and what is going on with him. Al the way through, you are not sure just how it will end, but you do hold onto the hope that I mentioned before. The letter at the end made me laugh out loud, so you are left with a smile on your face, even if the ending isn't what you expect.
I loved this book, from start to end. Rafe Jadison is a brilliant author who engages with his readers through the words of his stories. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Now, first thing I must say is how refreshing it is to read a book that actually talks about being a witch and Samhain without exaggerating and being over the top. Not only that, but Seamus' reactions to what he has been told are also completely believable. This book is a combination of sorrow and hope. I had tears in my ears in the first quarter of the book as you find out more about Seamus and what is going on with him. Al the way through, you are not sure just how it will end, but you do hold onto the hope that I mentioned before. The letter at the end made me laugh out loud, so you are left with a smile on your face, even if the ending isn't what you expect.
I loved this book, from start to end. Rafe Jadison is a brilliant author who engages with his readers through the words of his stories. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Ahsoka in Books
May 8, 2018
I've been wanting to read this novel for a long time, as Ahsoka Tano is my favorite character from the Clone Wars cartoon, and second-favorite in the entire Star Wars series. (Because General Leia exists.) I picked the book up at a used book store in Oregon when we went home from the holidays, but I've just had so many other things to read. I finally read it for May 4th, Star Wars Day.
I didn't like it as much as I wanted to. I've read another book by Johnston, That Inevitable Victorian Thing, which I enjoyed but thought was too fluffy. And comparing this to the last Star Wars book I read - Phasma - this tilts that way too. It's not as fluffy as TIVT - people die, and the Empire is the ever-looming possible doom that it always is - but it just didn't feel as gritty as Phasma did. Perhaps it shouldn't; Phasma is a villain, and her backstory is suitably dark. And Ahsoka, here, is floundering a little in the wake of Order 66, and being alive when none of her compatriots, to her knowledge, are.
I did enjoy learning how she got her lightsabers back, and the story should lead well into the Rebels cartoon, which I have yet to watch.
So I don't know. It was an entertaining book, and it was effective at furthering Ahsoka's story, it just...wasn't quite what I wanted.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
I didn't like it as much as I wanted to. I've read another book by Johnston, That Inevitable Victorian Thing, which I enjoyed but thought was too fluffy. And comparing this to the last Star Wars book I read - Phasma - this tilts that way too. It's not as fluffy as TIVT - people die, and the Empire is the ever-looming possible doom that it always is - but it just didn't feel as gritty as Phasma did. Perhaps it shouldn't; Phasma is a villain, and her backstory is suitably dark. And Ahsoka, here, is floundering a little in the wake of Order 66, and being alive when none of her compatriots, to her knowledge, are.
I did enjoy learning how she got her lightsabers back, and the story should lead well into the Rebels cartoon, which I have yet to watch.
So I don't know. It was an entertaining book, and it was effective at furthering Ahsoka's story, it just...wasn't quite what I wanted.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated For the Record in Books
Jan 2, 2019
After reading Regina's novella Her Dearly Unintended in the collection With This Ring? I decided that I just HAD to read one of her full length books. I am so glad I did. Set in 1885 in the hills of Missouri, For the Record is a charming, adventure filled, book. The Dashing Deputy has an immediate sense of mystery that made me want to know more about him. And Betsy has a free spirit that melds perfectly with Deputy Puckett. Their banter and their adventures are a joy to follow and thrilling to read.
This book was a slow start for me. I'm sure it had more to do with the holidays than anything else. Because, once I got into the meat of the story, I couldn't put it down. Sprinkled with faith, Betsy and Joel's story is a fast riding adventure that is sure to keep you up till the break of dawn solving the mystery.
Although this is the third book in the series, I was able to follow the storyline just fine. I have a feeling that that the characters would make more sense if I had read the first two books. However, For the Record is a stand alone and can be read as such. If the thought of a Texan deputy thrown into the Ozarks intrigues you, I don't think you will be disappointed.
I received a complimentary copy of For the Record from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
This book was a slow start for me. I'm sure it had more to do with the holidays than anything else. Because, once I got into the meat of the story, I couldn't put it down. Sprinkled with faith, Betsy and Joel's story is a fast riding adventure that is sure to keep you up till the break of dawn solving the mystery.
Although this is the third book in the series, I was able to follow the storyline just fine. I have a feeling that that the characters would make more sense if I had read the first two books. However, For the Record is a stand alone and can be read as such. If the thought of a Texan deputy thrown into the Ozarks intrigues you, I don't think you will be disappointed.
I received a complimentary copy of For the Record from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
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