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Merissa (12934 KP) rated Shave & Shimmer (Sangre Trilogy #2) in Books
Mar 22, 2018
Shave & Shimmer (Sangre Trilogy #2) by Alex Carreras
Shave & Shimmer is the second novella in the Sangre Trilogy, and now that Asher has found love, he is determined everyone should. The first person on his matchmaking list is Tory, the high maintenance twink we were first introduced to in Asher & Niko's story. Tory wants to find The One, but has had no luck so far, which is why he agrees to Asher's suggestion that they go on a double-date. It starts off well, but ends badly, through no fault of Tory. He finds out more about Ray's past and what made him react that way.
This is once again a well-written but extremely fast-paced novella. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, no doubt leading to the third and final story. The story, this one moment in their lives, is well-told and is complete. I would love to know more about them, and what their futures hold though.
* 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!
http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=26515
This is once again a well-written but extremely fast-paced novella. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, no doubt leading to the third and final story. The story, this one moment in their lives, is well-told and is complete. I would love to know more about them, and what their futures hold though.
* 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!
http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=26515

Carma (21 KP) rated The Last First Date in Books
Jun 17, 2019
The Last First Date by Maggie Wells
Maggie Wells is a new author to me. I read this as part of a 4 book collection through overdrive. The Last First Date was a cute very short novella. As with any other novella I read, well most of them anyway, I am left wanting. This one cut off a little sharper than most so I felt like I needed more answers than normal.
Overall it is a cute short story. Detective Langley Lang Sheppard finally has a day off and is having the worst first date of this life. Jessica Vickers is dealing with recent life setbacks and is just trying to get to the New Year to start over fresh. They each are just holding on to their pathetic lives until the clock strikes midnight. A chance stop at a local convenience store finds them in each others path and so it begins.
I wish it would have gone a couple more chapters to set up a little more of the story. There are some pretty comical sections that made me laugh out loud. I liked Maggie Wells writing style so I probably will give another story of hers a try (after getting through my TBR shelf first ha)
Maggie Wells is a new author to me. I read this as part of a 4 book collection through overdrive. The Last First Date was a cute very short novella. As with any other novella I read, well most of them anyway, I am left wanting. This one cut off a little sharper than most so I felt like I needed more answers than normal.
Overall it is a cute short story. Detective Langley Lang Sheppard finally has a day off and is having the worst first date of this life. Jessica Vickers is dealing with recent life setbacks and is just trying to get to the New Year to start over fresh. They each are just holding on to their pathetic lives until the clock strikes midnight. A chance stop at a local convenience store finds them in each others path and so it begins.
I wish it would have gone a couple more chapters to set up a little more of the story. There are some pretty comical sections that made me laugh out loud. I liked Maggie Wells writing style so I probably will give another story of hers a try (after getting through my TBR shelf first ha)

Merissa (12934 KP) rated Chasing Butterflies (Bad Girls #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Chasing Butterflies (Bad Girls #1) by Jennifer Labelle
Chasing Butterflies is the first novella in the Bad Girls series. In it, we meet Sawyer. She left her home town with her big sister and never looked back. Now, due to the death of her sister, she returns there, needing a fresh start. Her first night in town, and she bumps into the one memory she was hoping to avoid.
This is a very fast-paced novella, although it is an easy read. Unfortunately for me, I didn't really connect with Carley before she died, so the impact on Sawyer was pretty much lost. And while I understood Sawyer's reasons for selling her parents' home, actually moving back there to work didn't make a lot of sense. Not exactly a fresh start.
Still, this was written very well, with love a foregone conclusion so the declarations that came thick and fast actually didn't seem that premature. For a quick coffee break book, then I would recommend this.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is a very fast-paced novella, although it is an easy read. Unfortunately for me, I didn't really connect with Carley before she died, so the impact on Sawyer was pretty much lost. And while I understood Sawyer's reasons for selling her parents' home, actually moving back there to work didn't make a lot of sense. Not exactly a fresh start.
Still, this was written very well, with love a foregone conclusion so the declarations that came thick and fast actually didn't seem that premature. For a quick coffee break book, then I would recommend this.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Unlocked in Books
Dec 14, 2020
Unlock Something Different – and Special – with this Book
This is an unusual release. The first 500 pages are a guide to the world of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, with character information, info on animals, background on the races, and a few fun activities. The last 250 pages are a “novella” (it is short for this series) and picks up where Legacy, the previous book in the series, left off. It’s not just filler, but it contains lots of plot developments that fans will be glad they read. It splits time between Sophie, the main character, and Keefe, one of her friends who is going through quite a bit here.
If you are new to the series, you really don’t want to start here. Yes, I said guide, but it comes with lots of spoilers for the first eight books in the series. Back up and start at the beginning; it’s worth it. This is more a love letter to fans. If you are a fan, you’ll definitely enjoy the information contained in this book. And the novella will leave you satisfied. It feels like a complete story and made me laugh and cry. Yes, there is another cliffhanger, so now begins the wait for book 9.
If you are new to the series, you really don’t want to start here. Yes, I said guide, but it comes with lots of spoilers for the first eight books in the series. Back up and start at the beginning; it’s worth it. This is more a love letter to fans. If you are a fan, you’ll definitely enjoy the information contained in this book. And the novella will leave you satisfied. It feels like a complete story and made me laugh and cry. Yes, there is another cliffhanger, so now begins the wait for book 9.

Suspiciously Sweet
Book
Trevor Hill has a secret. By day he’s a mild-mannered journalist, but by night he’s the...
Contemporary MM Romance Novella

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Death of a Halloween Party Monster in Books
Aug 26, 2023
Cold Costumed Corpse
This story features Lee Hollis’s series star Hayley Powell, who is hosting a Halloween party at her new restaurant. However, the night ends in horror when the body of the high school music teacher is found in the freezer. Is one of Hayley’s friends a killer?
I don’t read this series, just the novellas when they are part of an anthology I want to read, but I found myself feeling right at home partying with these characters from the beginning of this story. I did figure out one aspect of the story early on, but there were several more, including the identity of the killer, that I hadn’t pieced together until Hayley did. It’s a twist on a locked room mystery, which is always fun. The ending was great and kept me turning the pages. There are also some recipes to enjoy while you read or at a party you are hosting this Halloween.
NOTE 1: This is a novella, so expect something shorter than a typical novel before you pick it up.
NOTE 2: This novella was originally in the Halloween Party Murder anthology. If you’ve already read it there, you don’t need to buy it again here.
I don’t read this series, just the novellas when they are part of an anthology I want to read, but I found myself feeling right at home partying with these characters from the beginning of this story. I did figure out one aspect of the story early on, but there were several more, including the identity of the killer, that I hadn’t pieced together until Hayley did. It’s a twist on a locked room mystery, which is always fun. The ending was great and kept me turning the pages. There are also some recipes to enjoy while you read or at a party you are hosting this Halloween.
NOTE 1: This is a novella, so expect something shorter than a typical novel before you pick it up.
NOTE 2: This novella was originally in the Halloween Party Murder anthology. If you’ve already read it there, you don’t need to buy it again here.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Scared Off in Books
Aug 26, 2023
While the Parents Are Away, a Corps Turns Up
Julia Snowden responds to a panic call from her niece, who was supposed to be spending the night with two friends but needs help when a party breaks out. The police have been called, and, while they are making sure everyone is gone, discover a dead body in the shed outback. Was Julia’s niece spending the evening with a killer?
If you are also a fan of this series but haven’t read, Shucked Apart, a word of warning that this story contains spoilers for that book. As I said earlier, it’s always great to spend time with the characters. It’s also hard to believe how old Julia’s niece is getting. I always lose track of book time in the series I read. Anyway, the mystery was great; I enjoyed the way it unfolded. As a bonus, there’s a recipe for you to enjoy at your own party.
NOTE 1: This is a novella, so expect something shorter than a typical novel before you pick it up.
NOTE 2: This novella was originally in the Halloween Party Murder anthology. If you’ve already read it there, you don’t need to buy it again here.
If you are also a fan of this series but haven’t read, Shucked Apart, a word of warning that this story contains spoilers for that book. As I said earlier, it’s always great to spend time with the characters. It’s also hard to believe how old Julia’s niece is getting. I always lose track of book time in the series I read. Anyway, the mystery was great; I enjoyed the way it unfolded. As a bonus, there’s a recipe for you to enjoy at your own party.
NOTE 1: This is a novella, so expect something shorter than a typical novel before you pick it up.
NOTE 2: This novella was originally in the Halloween Party Murder anthology. If you’ve already read it there, you don’t need to buy it again here.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Murder Under the Mistletoe in Books
Dec 14, 2023
Meeting the Father Turns Deadly
It’s December of 1926, and Jane Wunderly is accompanying her fiancé, Redvers, to his home in a small English village to meet his father. The two men have grown apart, so it is news to Redvers that his father is also engaged and planning to wed on Christmas morning. However, this bride-to-be is twice widowed and rumor has it that her previous husbands didn’t die of natural causes. Then an attack is followed up by a suspicious death at a Christmas party. Can Jane and Redvers figure out what is happening?
When I learned that we were getting a between the books novella this Christmas, I had to read it. And I enjoyed it. We see a couple supporting characters in addition to Jane and Redvers. Plus, the new characters are great. The plot kept me guessing, even when I thought I had a handle on what was going on. While not all the Christmas traditions are the same, it still felt familiar enough that I enjoyed the dose of Christmas spirit in December. Whether you already like this series or are looking for a quick Christmas read, you’ll be glad you picked up this ebook only novella.
When I learned that we were getting a between the books novella this Christmas, I had to read it. And I enjoyed it. We see a couple supporting characters in addition to Jane and Redvers. Plus, the new characters are great. The plot kept me guessing, even when I thought I had a handle on what was going on. While not all the Christmas traditions are the same, it still felt familiar enough that I enjoyed the dose of Christmas spirit in December. Whether you already like this series or are looking for a quick Christmas read, you’ll be glad you picked up this ebook only novella.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Death by Yule Log in Books
Dec 1, 2022
New Boyfriend and a Christmas Murder
This Christmas, Hayley Powell's daughter is coming up to Maine for Christmas and she's bringing her new boyfriend. Hayley does her best to greet Connor with an open mind, but something about him just rubs Hayley the wrong way. However, when a young man is found murdered after getting into a fight with Connor, it begins to look like Connor is the prime suspect. Hayley may not like him, but she doesn't want to see Connor accused of a crime he didn't commit. Can she figure out what is going on?
This story made me want to pick up the full length novels, not that I have yet. While I obviously didn't understand all the character history, I certainly got enough to fully enjoy what was happening here. The mystery was strong and kept me engaged until the end. As a bonus, there are recipes throughout, including one for a Yule Log cake.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Yule Log Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Christmas mystery.
This story made me want to pick up the full length novels, not that I have yet. While I obviously didn't understand all the character history, I certainly got enough to fully enjoy what was happening here. The mystery was strong and kept me engaged until the end. As a bonus, there are recipes throughout, including one for a Yule Log cake.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Yule Log Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Christmas mystery.

Chance on Love (Shifter World: Royal-Kagan (#4), Kagan Wolves (#0.5))
Book
Two shifters from rival packs walk into a bar and… I blame everything that happened next on those...
Paranormal Romance Novella