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Merissa (14056 KP) rated Rogue (Relentless #3) in Books
Jun 8, 2023
This book starts with just a small gap from the ending of the last one. Sara has 'escaped' from her home, leaving Nikolas, Tristan, and her shadows behind. Of course, she's not allowed to escape by herself, Jordan has blackmailed Sara into letting her come along. I don't think that Jordan was expecting the escape to take the route it did, although it gave me plenty of laughs to start off this rollercoaster of a book.
Sara is determined to stand on her own, to prove that she isn't helpless or hopeless! With Jordan, Peter, and Roland's help, she has physical support. With the friendship of David and Kelvan, she has IT on her side too. She proves that she kicks ass whilst also showing her caring and empathetic side.
Sara's character grows with leaps and bounds in this book, as she harnesses both her Fae and her Mori sides. I will just add here that although I love Nikolas, I was ready to whomp him upside the head when he kept saying it was too dangerous for Sara and not listening to her. I couldn't wait for her to pull the rug out from under his feet! Of course, I still love his character, but still!
Packed full of emotion and action, this is a thrilling climax to the trilogy. What a journey this group of characters have taken me on. This is most definitely a 5-star series - there is not a book that lets it down. Absolutely loved it and highly recommended!
* Verified Purchase on Amazon *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 7, 2016
Sara is determined to stand on her own, to prove that she isn't helpless or hopeless! With Jordan, Peter, and Roland's help, she has physical support. With the friendship of David and Kelvan, she has IT on her side too. She proves that she kicks ass whilst also showing her caring and empathetic side.
Sara's character grows with leaps and bounds in this book, as she harnesses both her Fae and her Mori sides. I will just add here that although I love Nikolas, I was ready to whomp him upside the head when he kept saying it was too dangerous for Sara and not listening to her. I couldn't wait for her to pull the rug out from under his feet! Of course, I still love his character, but still!
Packed full of emotion and action, this is a thrilling climax to the trilogy. What a journey this group of characters have taken me on. This is most definitely a 5-star series - there is not a book that lets it down. Absolutely loved it and highly recommended!
* Verified Purchase on Amazon *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 7, 2016
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Every Kind of Wicked (Gardiner and Renner #6) in Books
Aug 25, 2020
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
Every Kind of Wicked by Lisa Black is the 6th book in her Gardiner and Renner series. I have not read any of the earlier books so, to give a fair review., I read the 1st book, That Darkness. While some novels allow you to pick up in the middle of the series, having a basic understanding of the main characters helped reading Every Kind of Wicked. I will include a description of them below this review.
Maggie Gardiner and Jack Renner investigate a murder which occurred where they first met, in the Erie Street Cemetery. She is having difficulty dealing with the events of the last eight months, and Rick, her ex-husband, is suspicious of Jack. Rick wants to investigate Jack and his past.
Black's Gardiner and Renner are an interesting duo. If you have not read any of the Gardiner and Renner series, think Bones meets Dexter. They allow people to believe they are dating to throw off any suspicions they have of Jack. The event which brought them together continues to pull them closer.
Once I knew who the characters were, I enjoyed the book. I will continue reading the series and start Black's Theresa MacLean series.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 8/25/20.
Here is what you need to know to get the most out of Lisa Black's Gardiner and Renner series before reading book #6.
Maggie Gardiner forensic investigator for the Cleveland Police Department and she is good at it. She works alongside the homicide detectives, including Rick, her ex-husband, and Jack Renner. Maggie and Jack met eight months prior while working a case involving a Jane Doe discovered in the local cemetery.
Jack has a mission. He needs to find the women he is hunting, and has been hunting, through several states.
Maggie follows all of the clues which keep pointing to one person - Jack. After confronting Jack, Maggie needs to decide if it is moral to kill someone that has harmed others and that will do harm again. She agrees to give Jack time to leave so as not to arouse suspicions that the serial killings stopped when he left Cleveland.
At some point after the first book, That Darkness, but before the 6th book, Every Kind of Wicked, Rick becomes suspicious of Jack. He is determined to show Maggie the kind of man Jack is.
Every Kind of Wicked by Lisa Black is the 6th book in her Gardiner and Renner series. I have not read any of the earlier books so, to give a fair review., I read the 1st book, That Darkness. While some novels allow you to pick up in the middle of the series, having a basic understanding of the main characters helped reading Every Kind of Wicked. I will include a description of them below this review.
Maggie Gardiner and Jack Renner investigate a murder which occurred where they first met, in the Erie Street Cemetery. She is having difficulty dealing with the events of the last eight months, and Rick, her ex-husband, is suspicious of Jack. Rick wants to investigate Jack and his past.
Black's Gardiner and Renner are an interesting duo. If you have not read any of the Gardiner and Renner series, think Bones meets Dexter. They allow people to believe they are dating to throw off any suspicions they have of Jack. The event which brought them together continues to pull them closer.
Once I knew who the characters were, I enjoyed the book. I will continue reading the series and start Black's Theresa MacLean series.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 8/25/20.
Here is what you need to know to get the most out of Lisa Black's Gardiner and Renner series before reading book #6.
Maggie Gardiner forensic investigator for the Cleveland Police Department and she is good at it. She works alongside the homicide detectives, including Rick, her ex-husband, and Jack Renner. Maggie and Jack met eight months prior while working a case involving a Jane Doe discovered in the local cemetery.
Jack has a mission. He needs to find the women he is hunting, and has been hunting, through several states.
Maggie follows all of the clues which keep pointing to one person - Jack. After confronting Jack, Maggie needs to decide if it is moral to kill someone that has harmed others and that will do harm again. She agrees to give Jack time to leave so as not to arouse suspicions that the serial killings stopped when he left Cleveland.
At some point after the first book, That Darkness, but before the 6th book, Every Kind of Wicked, Rick becomes suspicious of Jack. He is determined to show Maggie the kind of man Jack is.
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated The Lady and the Mountain Man (Mountain Dreams, #1) in Books
Feb 23, 2021
I truly enjoyed this adventure across the country!
I have read several of Misty M. Beller’s books now and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors in the Christian historical fiction genre. This is the first book in The Mountain Series and a great introduction to the series overall! I will be buying the rest of the series.
From the very beginning, Misty M. Beller grabs your imagination with intrigue and travel. With so much going on in the first few chapters I was nervous that the rest of the book would not live up to the beginning’s standards. I was pleasantly surprised when that same even pace was kept through the whole book! The vivid descriptions through Leah’s travels across the country and the descriptions of everyday life on the mountain were fascinating and believable. It got my imagination involved. The plot was believable (Mostly, I mean it is a work of fiction), and it flowed well from one scene to the next keeping a hint of mystery along the way.
The characters in this book were interesting. I loved Leah’s faith; I strive to have the faith she displays. I also liked her unwavering strength when things got tough on the mountain, she showed such a positive spirit and seemed like a joyful person. Gideon... Silent and quiet at first, great with animals, like to chop wood, Mm, talk about a mountain man
I have read several of Misty M. Beller’s books now and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors in the Christian historical fiction genre. This is the first book in The Mountain Series and a great introduction to the series overall! I will be buying the rest of the series.
From the very beginning, Misty M. Beller grabs your imagination with intrigue and travel. With so much going on in the first few chapters I was nervous that the rest of the book would not live up to the beginning’s standards. I was pleasantly surprised when that same even pace was kept through the whole book! The vivid descriptions through Leah’s travels across the country and the descriptions of everyday life on the mountain were fascinating and believable. It got my imagination involved. The plot was believable (Mostly, I mean it is a work of fiction), and it flowed well from one scene to the next keeping a hint of mystery along the way.
The characters in this book were interesting. I loved Leah’s faith; I strive to have the faith she displays. I also liked her unwavering strength when things got tough on the mountain, she showed such a positive spirit and seemed like a joyful person. Gideon... Silent and quiet at first, great with animals, like to chop wood, Mm, talk about a mountain man
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2593 KP) rated The Christie Caper in Books
Mar 29, 2023
Honoring Agatha Christie Turns Deadly
Annie Laurence Darling is hosting The Christie Caper, a week-long tribute to the queen of crime on her one hundredth birthday. But the event is being crashed by Neil Bledsoe, a reviewer who hates all but the most hard boiled mysteries and has made lots of enemies. Things have hardly started before the attacks on Neil begin, but he still goes ahead with tearing down Agatha Christie. Can Annie figure out what he is up to and stop him before someone stops him permanently?
Obviously, this book came out quite a few years ago since it was tied to Agatha Christie’s centennial. But that hardly matters since this is a great puzzle worth of Christie herself. I did find the pacing a little slow as it neared the middle of the book, but things picked up again not too long after that. All the characters we know and love are here once again, and they are fantastic. I do find Annie’s temper a little annoying, and hope it tones down as the series progresses. The suspects are strong as well. We get a great dose of humor as the book goes along. As with the others in the series, there is more foul language than I would expect for the genre. All told, this is another fine addition to a well-loved series. Fans of Christie will also enjoy it.
Obviously, this book came out quite a few years ago since it was tied to Agatha Christie’s centennial. But that hardly matters since this is a great puzzle worth of Christie herself. I did find the pacing a little slow as it neared the middle of the book, but things picked up again not too long after that. All the characters we know and love are here once again, and they are fantastic. I do find Annie’s temper a little annoying, and hope it tones down as the series progresses. The suspects are strong as well. We get a great dose of humor as the book goes along. As with the others in the series, there is more foul language than I would expect for the genre. All told, this is another fine addition to a well-loved series. Fans of Christie will also enjoy it.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2593 KP) rated Frosted Yuletide Murder in Books
Dec 19, 2021
Delectable Christmas Fun
Emory Martinez and her twin sister Carrie are not happy to discover that their mystery client for a Christmas party is Blair, an old high school nemesis. As the evening progresses, Blair continues with her abuse of Carrie, but she gets into fights with others at the party as well. When Emory and Carrie return to the location of the party the next morning, they find Blair’s dead body. The rumors and evidence seem to be pointing to the sisters. Can Emory figure out what happened before either of them spends the holiday in jail?
Before we go any further, I do want to issue a warning – this book spoils some events in the lives of the characters from previous books in the series. If you aren’t up to date, don’t start here. As a Southern California resident, I enjoyed this book’s setting since its depiction of weather in December made me feel right at home. The plot is filled with events that kept me engaged. I did feel the climax was a bit weak, but overall, I still enjoyed the book. One reason is the characters. Yes, the suspects are strong, but I’m talking the series regulars. I love getting to spend time with all of them, and fans of the series will be interested in seeing the latest developments in Emory’s life. You’ll want to work this Christmas cozy into your reading schedule as soon as you can.
Before we go any further, I do want to issue a warning – this book spoils some events in the lives of the characters from previous books in the series. If you aren’t up to date, don’t start here. As a Southern California resident, I enjoyed this book’s setting since its depiction of weather in December made me feel right at home. The plot is filled with events that kept me engaged. I did feel the climax was a bit weak, but overall, I still enjoyed the book. One reason is the characters. Yes, the suspects are strong, but I’m talking the series regulars. I love getting to spend time with all of them, and fans of the series will be interested in seeing the latest developments in Emory’s life. You’ll want to work this Christmas cozy into your reading schedule as soon as you can.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Fractured part 1 ( Society book 11) in Books
Jan 7, 2023 (Updated Jan 7, 2023)
6 of 235
Kindle
Fractured part 1 ( Society book 11)
By Mason Sabre
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Society law states that mixing the species is illegal, and anyone who breaches this rule will be executed.
The next heart-pounding instalment in Mason Sabre's Paranormal and Urban Fantasy, Society Series.
Cade MacDonald, shifter, wolf, son of the alpha, detective … law breaker.
He is a man who believes that we only get one life and is willing to do whatever it takes to do the right thing in his, even if it means breaking those laws.
When a young shifter is hunted down and slaughtered for the same secret Cade holds close to his own heart, he must face more truths than his soul can stand. Does he risk everything and fight for Gemma Davies, shifter, tiger, member of a different species—the one thing in the world that makes sense to him, or does he abide by the laws and lose everything?
I love love love this series! We are back with Gemma and Cade as they fight to stay apart not knowing they are being lied to left right and centre. This series just drags you in every single book whether it’s a short novella or a full book. I have to pace myself as I’ll read the lot in days. We also have the mysterious Henry trying to convince Gemma she’s his reincarnated lost love. It’s all hotting up.
Kindle
Fractured part 1 ( Society book 11)
By Mason Sabre
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Society law states that mixing the species is illegal, and anyone who breaches this rule will be executed.
The next heart-pounding instalment in Mason Sabre's Paranormal and Urban Fantasy, Society Series.
Cade MacDonald, shifter, wolf, son of the alpha, detective … law breaker.
He is a man who believes that we only get one life and is willing to do whatever it takes to do the right thing in his, even if it means breaking those laws.
When a young shifter is hunted down and slaughtered for the same secret Cade holds close to his own heart, he must face more truths than his soul can stand. Does he risk everything and fight for Gemma Davies, shifter, tiger, member of a different species—the one thing in the world that makes sense to him, or does he abide by the laws and lose everything?
I love love love this series! We are back with Gemma and Cade as they fight to stay apart not knowing they are being lied to left right and centre. This series just drags you in every single book whether it’s a short novella or a full book. I have to pace myself as I’ll read the lot in days. We also have the mysterious Henry trying to convince Gemma she’s his reincarnated lost love. It’s all hotting up.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Heartless ( Scarlet Suffragette 3) in Books
Jun 17, 2023
78 of 235
Kindle
Heartless ( Scarlet Suffragette 3)
By Nicola Claire
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Qualified physician? A menace to society? The next Chief Surgeon?
Returning to life in the Antipodes has not gone quite as expected for Dr Anna Cassidy; an axe hangs over her head. With no sign of her nemesis in Auckland City, Anna finds herself holding her breath.
But a gruesome surprise awaiting her in her home surgery one morning changes all of that.
Puppet policeman? Blind protector? Steadfast husband?
For Inspector Andrew Kelly, however, the subsequent murders are very personal indeed. As a ghost from his past haunts his present and threatens his future, he must first find the truth amongst the lies before he can end his misery.
But this killer wants their pound of flesh.
When the bodies pile up, and the heartless are identified, can Andrew protect the one woman he loves? Or will the murderer have the last laugh and crush his heart forever?
A gritty, twisted, and authentic Victorian romantic suspense, sure to rip you apart... just like old Jack.
This was the best one of the trilogy and perfect ending! I have enjoyed this series so much it’s the time period I love and has a Jack the Ripper link as well as the most amazing female characters just a really good series. The 5 star review is well warranted for the whole series too. I really enjoy Nicola Claire’s writing style.
Kindle
Heartless ( Scarlet Suffragette 3)
By Nicola Claire
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Qualified physician? A menace to society? The next Chief Surgeon?
Returning to life in the Antipodes has not gone quite as expected for Dr Anna Cassidy; an axe hangs over her head. With no sign of her nemesis in Auckland City, Anna finds herself holding her breath.
But a gruesome surprise awaiting her in her home surgery one morning changes all of that.
Puppet policeman? Blind protector? Steadfast husband?
For Inspector Andrew Kelly, however, the subsequent murders are very personal indeed. As a ghost from his past haunts his present and threatens his future, he must first find the truth amongst the lies before he can end his misery.
But this killer wants their pound of flesh.
When the bodies pile up, and the heartless are identified, can Andrew protect the one woman he loves? Or will the murderer have the last laugh and crush his heart forever?
A gritty, twisted, and authentic Victorian romantic suspense, sure to rip you apart... just like old Jack.
This was the best one of the trilogy and perfect ending! I have enjoyed this series so much it’s the time period I love and has a Jack the Ripper link as well as the most amazing female characters just a really good series. The 5 star review is well warranted for the whole series too. I really enjoy Nicola Claire’s writing style.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Rings (2017) in Movies
Oct 30, 2017 (Updated Oct 30, 2017)
Done to death (excuse the pun)
(Rant) The American Ring series is a franchise that should never have been given the go-ahead in the first place, mostly because it's a massacre of the original Japanese film, as Hollywood has never heard of the term "less is more". And this pretty much tops the entire collection as the most pointless film that was made. Lessons were clearly not learnt from the initial two movies.
For one, assume that Samara is evil. There are no two ways about that. So why these do-gooders continually attempt to save her is beyond me. Do they never learn? And two, after seeing what Samara can do to a person's face in the previous films, this seems to be less frightening in the third and hopefully final film in the trilogy. Hence the above the qualm - less is more.
The Japanese films diverge massively, and the best part of it is the fact that they don't need to be over-dramatic to create pure fear. Japanese and Korean subtlety does not translate well in the US film industry and its uniqueness is why the movies were exemplary. Not worth your time.
For one, assume that Samara is evil. There are no two ways about that. So why these do-gooders continually attempt to save her is beyond me. Do they never learn? And two, after seeing what Samara can do to a person's face in the previous films, this seems to be less frightening in the third and hopefully final film in the trilogy. Hence the above the qualm - less is more.
The Japanese films diverge massively, and the best part of it is the fact that they don't need to be over-dramatic to create pure fear. Japanese and Korean subtlety does not translate well in the US film industry and its uniqueness is why the movies were exemplary. Not worth your time.
HN
How Not to Get Hit: The Art of Fighting Without Fighting
Robert Twigger and Nathaniel Cooke
Book
The average person isn't looking to be in a situation where fists are going to fly, but many of us...
David McK (3832 KP) rated Star Wars: Convergence (The High Republic #5) in Books
May 30, 2026
When I read the blurb of this, the first thing I immediately thought of was:
Romeo and Juliet.
But in space.
And with warring planets instead of warring families.
Now that I've finished it, I can say that - while there *is* a (strong) element of truth in that, it's also not the whole picture.
Set during the High Republic era of Star Wars (so even before the much-maligned TV series 'The Acolyte'), this was an actually an era I hadn't yet dipped my toes in to - to me, Star Wars has always been in and around the time of the original trilogy (showing my age here).
Still, for a 99 pence offer, I thought I might as well give it a try.
While it's by no means the worst Star Wars book I've read (and I've read a few...), it's also not the strongest contender: there's nothing wrong with it per se, and the setting does free it from the usual Jedi vs Sith shenanigans, and so whilst I may pick up any the direct sequel (by a different author, I believe), I'm also not in any rush to do so.
Romeo and Juliet.
But in space.
And with warring planets instead of warring families.
Now that I've finished it, I can say that - while there *is* a (strong) element of truth in that, it's also not the whole picture.
Set during the High Republic era of Star Wars (so even before the much-maligned TV series 'The Acolyte'), this was an actually an era I hadn't yet dipped my toes in to - to me, Star Wars has always been in and around the time of the original trilogy (showing my age here).
Still, for a 99 pence offer, I thought I might as well give it a try.
While it's by no means the worst Star Wars book I've read (and I've read a few...), it's also not the strongest contender: there's nothing wrong with it per se, and the setting does free it from the usual Jedi vs Sith shenanigans, and so whilst I may pick up any the direct sequel (by a different author, I believe), I'm also not in any rush to do so.