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Cold Days (The Dresden Files, #14)
9.3
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Cold Days (The Dresden Files, #14) You can't keep a good wizard down - even when he wants to stay...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Wild Irish Rose in Books
Mar 2, 2022
Molly’s Back!
It’s February 1907, and Molly Murphy Sullivan’s life has settled into the busyness of everyday life for a wife and mother. However, she feels the desire to return to her old life as a detective when her husband, New York Police Captain Daniel Sullivan, comes home with tales of his latest case. Seems a young woman newly arrived from Ireland has been accused of murder on Ellis Island. Molly can’t help but make the connection to when she first arrived several years before. Can she find out what really happened?
It's been years since we last visited with Molly, and I have missed her. Within pages, it was like no time had passed. Unfortunately, some of the bad remained, like how Daniel can run hot and cold, especially when it comes to Molly’s investigation. I get that it is accurate for the time, but can he grow out of it, please? However, there are other times I loved his character. Molly is her usual strong self, and the supporting players are as fun as always. The pacing was a little uneven early on, but it got much stronger as it went along. The solution was perfectly logical and wonderfully page turning. I hope we haven’t heard the last of Molly.
It's been years since we last visited with Molly, and I have missed her. Within pages, it was like no time had passed. Unfortunately, some of the bad remained, like how Daniel can run hot and cold, especially when it comes to Molly’s investigation. I get that it is accurate for the time, but can he grow out of it, please? However, there are other times I loved his character. Molly is her usual strong self, and the supporting players are as fun as always. The pacing was a little uneven early on, but it got much stronger as it went along. The solution was perfectly logical and wonderfully page turning. I hope we haven’t heard the last of Molly.
Love is For the Dogs
Book
A coveted award…a missing Maltese…and a cheating ex… Can Trisha Campbell survive this year’s...
Sweet Contemporary Romance
Fear The Silence
9.0
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“Do you believe Will took his own life?” The question echoed off the white tiles in the...
Chasing Harmony
Book
A refreshing YA debut from Canadian author Melanie Bell, perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell, Becky...
Young Adult LGBTQIA+
Merissa (13389 KP) rated Geomancist (7 Forbidden Arts #5) in Books
Jun 8, 2023
Sean is our Geomancist, but he can't access his power any longer, following a traumatic event with his twin sister. He is desperate to own the bar he works in, so he can fulfil his dream. Then Asia walks into his life, and tells him that SHE wants the bar - to change it into a spa to fulfil HER dream! The race is on to see which will raise the money first, and be the owner of the bar/spa.
To do this they have to do something that neither of them wanted to - attend a week-long private party on a private island owned by a Columbian drug lord. Things don't go according to plan and the book takes a sinister twist. Parts of this story are incredibly 'uncomfortable' to read, as well as hot and spicy bits of the story.
It unfolds in a way that could only be written by Charmaine Pauls, she keeps you guessing and the story moving in ways that you just don't anticipate. Absolutely thrilling and heart-wrenching, this story is a fantastic addition to the Seven Forbidden Arts series. Highly recommended and I'm already looking forward to the next book!
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 1, 2016
To do this they have to do something that neither of them wanted to - attend a week-long private party on a private island owned by a Columbian drug lord. Things don't go according to plan and the book takes a sinister twist. Parts of this story are incredibly 'uncomfortable' to read, as well as hot and spicy bits of the story.
It unfolds in a way that could only be written by Charmaine Pauls, she keeps you guessing and the story moving in ways that you just don't anticipate. Absolutely thrilling and heart-wrenching, this story is a fantastic addition to the Seven Forbidden Arts series. Highly recommended and I'm already looking forward to the next book!
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 1, 2016
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Torn Asunder in Books
Apr 25, 2024
The Murder of the Uninvited Guest
Julia Snowden is happy and nervous to be hosting the first wedding in years on Marrow Island. The wedding is between her friends Zoey and Jamie. The rehearsal dinner the night before has one man that Julia doesn’t recognize at it. Part way through the meal, he collapses. Unfortunately, it quickly becomes apparent that he was murdered. Fortunately, Julia’s detective boyfriend, Tom, is on hand. But if no one knows who the man is, who would want to kill him?
Obviously, Julia begins to make connections soon, and this book gave me major Agatha Christie vibes. I do mean that as a compliment. The suspects were strong, and I had a hard time putting the book down until things came to a logical and surprising climax. I love the characters in this series, and it was great to spend time with them again, even if some of the regulars only had cameos. There are five more recipes at the end of the book to enjoy later. I laughed and teared up a time or two as I was reading this book. Series fans will put this one down very satisfied. If you haven’t started the series yet, you need to fix that today. This is a great series.
Obviously, Julia begins to make connections soon, and this book gave me major Agatha Christie vibes. I do mean that as a compliment. The suspects were strong, and I had a hard time putting the book down until things came to a logical and surprising climax. I love the characters in this series, and it was great to spend time with them again, even if some of the regulars only had cameos. There are five more recipes at the end of the book to enjoy later. I laughed and teared up a time or two as I was reading this book. Series fans will put this one down very satisfied. If you haven’t started the series yet, you need to fix that today. This is a great series.
I can absolutely see why James by Percival Everett was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. I haven’t read Huckleberry Finn. I know it’s a classic, but I still don’t feel a pressing need to read it - especially after reading this!
This is James’ story - the slave in Huckleberry Finn. When he finds out that he’s going to be sold to another owner and separated from his wife and daughter, James decides to hide out on a nearby island until he can work out what to do. But things go wrong, he ends up heading towards the free states with Huck Finn, gets separated - and let’s face it, a lot happens.
This made me laugh, worry a lot for James’ safety - I was well and truly captivated by the story. I’m pretty sure this will have filled in a lot of James’ story that’s left out in the original. White society is menacing and dangerous for James, and he’s constantly looking over his shoulder. They’re not bothered that he’s an intelligent, educated man.
I absolutely loved this, and I’ll be happy if it wins the Booker Prize (I could say that about most of the long list, never mind the shortlist!).
James deserves its success.
This is James’ story - the slave in Huckleberry Finn. When he finds out that he’s going to be sold to another owner and separated from his wife and daughter, James decides to hide out on a nearby island until he can work out what to do. But things go wrong, he ends up heading towards the free states with Huck Finn, gets separated - and let’s face it, a lot happens.
This made me laugh, worry a lot for James’ safety - I was well and truly captivated by the story. I’m pretty sure this will have filled in a lot of James’ story that’s left out in the original. White society is menacing and dangerous for James, and he’s constantly looking over his shoulder. They’re not bothered that he’s an intelligent, educated man.
I absolutely loved this, and I’ll be happy if it wins the Booker Prize (I could say that about most of the long list, never mind the shortlist!).
James deserves its success.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Shock and Paw in Books
Dec 13, 2024 (Updated Dec 13, 2024)
Murder During an Electric Christmas Season
This December, the Daybreak Island Chamber of Commerce is planning several events, hoping to draw visitors during the off season. Maddie James is trying to focus on running her cat café for a change, but she finds herself drawn into the drama surrounding the events, especially the decorating contest. But when a murder happens, Maddie really jumps into things, especially with her best friend one of the suspects. Can she figure out what is going on?
I’m glad we got a second Christmas entry in this series. As always, it was fun to visit the characters again, although I do feel like some of the minor characters are hard to keep track of. The pacing in this book was off. Yes, everything came into play once the murdered happened, as I figured it would, but it wandered around quite a bit on its way there. Still, I was really caught up in the second half, and the suspects kept me guessing on the way to the logical climax. I also enjoyed the Christmas spirit we got in addition to the murder and mayhem. Fans of the series will find this puts them in the holiday mood.
I’m glad we got a second Christmas entry in this series. As always, it was fun to visit the characters again, although I do feel like some of the minor characters are hard to keep track of. The pacing in this book was off. Yes, everything came into play once the murdered happened, as I figured it would, but it wandered around quite a bit on its way there. Still, I was really caught up in the second half, and the suspects kept me guessing on the way to the logical climax. I also enjoyed the Christmas spirit we got in addition to the murder and mayhem. Fans of the series will find this puts them in the holiday mood.
ClareR (5996 KP) rated Epic of Helinthia in Books
Apr 18, 2025
I really enjoyed this. Epic of Helinthia is a play on the Greek myths, using the usual Gods and Goddesses with the addition of a “younger” Goddess: Helinthia.
The humans of Helinthia’s island are caught in the crossfire when other Gods (namely Hera) decide to teach her a lesson. Of course the humans are just pawns to be played with.
I liked the action (fights, chases, lion attacks (I know!!)), the interference of other Gods/ Goddesses (Artemis and Apollo in particular) in order to help their favourite humans, and the fact that you could never be quite sure who you could trust.
The writing is immersive - the scenes are well set, the characters are both easy to live and hate, as well as empathise with.
It felt as though a lot of research had gone into the culture of the time as well as the mythology surrounding it, and it was rather violent and bloody on occasion (these were violent times!).
I’m so glad that I enjoyed this, as I have the next instalment all set to go from BookSirens - the Oracle of Helinthia is set to be out very soon (and my review will be up as soon as I’ve read it!).
The humans of Helinthia’s island are caught in the crossfire when other Gods (namely Hera) decide to teach her a lesson. Of course the humans are just pawns to be played with.
I liked the action (fights, chases, lion attacks (I know!!)), the interference of other Gods/ Goddesses (Artemis and Apollo in particular) in order to help their favourite humans, and the fact that you could never be quite sure who you could trust.
The writing is immersive - the scenes are well set, the characters are both easy to live and hate, as well as empathise with.
It felt as though a lot of research had gone into the culture of the time as well as the mythology surrounding it, and it was rather violent and bloody on occasion (these were violent times!).
I’m so glad that I enjoyed this, as I have the next instalment all set to go from BookSirens - the Oracle of Helinthia is set to be out very soon (and my review will be up as soon as I’ve read it!).