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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2633 KP) rated Mission Manhattan in Books
Feb 20, 2024 (Updated Feb 20, 2024)
Another Fast Pasted Adventure
As this book opens, the team is in Venice. MI6 has intercepted a threat against a climate change rally that is featuring Beatriz Santos, a teen who has gained quite a following with her outspokenness on the topic. Since she is from Brazil, Rio has been tasked with getting close to her. It’s a good thing they are there, since things don’t go according to plan.
But Venice was just the beginning. As the team looks into what happened there, they realize that the danger isn’t over yet. Can they figure out what is happening in time to stop it?
I was anxious to dive into this book after the cliffhanger from the last book, and it did not disappoint. It did take a while to get back to cliffhanger, and the answers only lead to more questions. While I could have done without the climate change theme, I was happy to see those mini-lectures never lasted too long. Instead, we get plenty of surprises and fun as the City Spies try to figure out exactly what is going on so they can stop it. Meanwhile, I still love these characters and their relationship. Fans of all ages will love their latest adventure and be left wanting to find out what happens next.
But Venice was just the beginning. As the team looks into what happened there, they realize that the danger isn’t over yet. Can they figure out what is happening in time to stop it?
I was anxious to dive into this book after the cliffhanger from the last book, and it did not disappoint. It did take a while to get back to cliffhanger, and the answers only lead to more questions. While I could have done without the climate change theme, I was happy to see those mini-lectures never lasted too long. Instead, we get plenty of surprises and fun as the City Spies try to figure out exactly what is going on so they can stop it. Meanwhile, I still love these characters and their relationship. Fans of all ages will love their latest adventure and be left wanting to find out what happens next.
Lover's Moon (Gladstone Shifters #7)
10.0
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Hovering on the brink of extinction, a tiny group of wild red wolves have been released in North...
Paranormal MM Romance
Merissa (14152 KP) rated Trooper (The Reckless Order MC #2) in Books
Mar 30, 2026
TROOPER is the second novella in The Reckless Order MC series, and you don't need to have read book one to enjoy this one. Trooper takes place a couple of years after Tarzan.
Shea is happy being alone, convinced no one will stay. She has her tattoo shop, and that's good enough. Plus, she has her best friend, Trooper/Teddy/Theo. But that's all it is, right? Trooper has been happy with his love 'em and leave 'em life up until now, but he's getting older and is maybe just the tiniest bit envious of what his brother has with Keely. He's just glad he's got Shea as his best friend. After all, it will never be anything else, right? Their relationship pootles along until Shea is on the receiving end of a stalker. Trooper doesn't take kindly to this and does everything in his power to protect her.
Once again, this was WAY too short for my liking. I am in love with the writing style and the characters, so the ending always comes way too soon. This was a great addition to the series, and I also loved catching up with Tarzan and Keely. Definitely recommended by me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mar 30, 2026
Shea is happy being alone, convinced no one will stay. She has her tattoo shop, and that's good enough. Plus, she has her best friend, Trooper/Teddy/Theo. But that's all it is, right? Trooper has been happy with his love 'em and leave 'em life up until now, but he's getting older and is maybe just the tiniest bit envious of what his brother has with Keely. He's just glad he's got Shea as his best friend. After all, it will never be anything else, right? Their relationship pootles along until Shea is on the receiving end of a stalker. Trooper doesn't take kindly to this and does everything in his power to protect her.
Once again, this was WAY too short for my liking. I am in love with the writing style and the characters, so the ending always comes way too soon. This was a great addition to the series, and I also loved catching up with Tarzan and Keely. Definitely recommended by me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mar 30, 2026
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2633 KP) rated Love Me or Grieve Me in Books
May 9, 2024
Obituary Error Puts Madison in Danger
It all starts with a mix up in the paper. Addison Nigh, a once famous jazz singer, has died, but a small paper in town mixes it up with Madison Night, and other papers pick up on the error. Naturally, this creates problems for Madison since banks freeze her accounts and clients cancel appointments, or don’t show up at all.
But Madison can’t help but be curious about Addison. As she begins to meet the woman’s friends and family, she stumbles over a dead body. Can Madison figure out what is really going on?
I always love it when an author comes up with a creative premise for a mystery, and this is one of those. It leads to so much happening that it is hard to put down. I couldn’t figure out which thread was important until Madison figured it out at the end. The premise also allows us to see real growth in Madison and her relationship with her boyfriend, which I enjoyed. There are some great comic moments as well. Fans of Doris Day movies will not only recognize the title but also some of the details in Addison’s life, but that’s only a jumping off point. Anyone who enjoys a great mystery will be glad they picked this one up.
But Madison can’t help but be curious about Addison. As she begins to meet the woman’s friends and family, she stumbles over a dead body. Can Madison figure out what is really going on?
I always love it when an author comes up with a creative premise for a mystery, and this is one of those. It leads to so much happening that it is hard to put down. I couldn’t figure out which thread was important until Madison figured it out at the end. The premise also allows us to see real growth in Madison and her relationship with her boyfriend, which I enjoyed. There are some great comic moments as well. Fans of Doris Day movies will not only recognize the title but also some of the details in Addison’s life, but that’s only a jumping off point. Anyone who enjoys a great mystery will be glad they picked this one up.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2633 KP) rated French Quarter Fright Night in Books
Sep 4, 2024
Frightful Time with the New Neighbor
Ricki James-Diaz is leading the efforts of the Bon Vee staff to put on the best haunted house New Orleans has seen this Halloween. Those efforts are being hampered by their new next-door neighbor, who is constantly making complaints about them. Ricki is shocked when she learns who has bought the house – mega movie star Blaine Taggart, the best friend of her late husband. Ricki had hoped to never see Blaine again, but things get complicated when another dead body turns up on Bon Vee property. Can Ricki once again figure out what happened?
I’m so glad that a new publisher picked up this series. It was wonderful to visit Ricki and her friends again. I enjoyed getting to see some of the relationships grow in this book, even if Ricki’s relationship with the detective isn’t really realistic. I also enjoyed seeing Hollywood pop up here. The mystery itself is strong with some nice surprises before we reach the logical ending. It was fun to visit the city during Halloween. As always, I laughed several times while reading. We also get some recipes inspired by vintage cookbooks at the end of the book, including several appropriate for the season. Fans will be just as happy as I was that Ricki and her friends are back.
I’m so glad that a new publisher picked up this series. It was wonderful to visit Ricki and her friends again. I enjoyed getting to see some of the relationships grow in this book, even if Ricki’s relationship with the detective isn’t really realistic. I also enjoyed seeing Hollywood pop up here. The mystery itself is strong with some nice surprises before we reach the logical ending. It was fun to visit the city during Halloween. As always, I laughed several times while reading. We also get some recipes inspired by vintage cookbooks at the end of the book, including several appropriate for the season. Fans will be just as happy as I was that Ricki and her friends are back.
Treasure and Tarot (Echoes of Secret Springs #1)
8.0
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It's been five years since Colton Maxwell left Sebastian behind to go on a quick adventure. He was a...
MM Romance Mpreg Supernatural
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
Merissa (14152 KP) rated Kari's Kismet (Divergent Omegaverse #6) in Books
May 15, 2026
KARI'S KISMET is the sixth book in the Divergent Omegaverse series, and I absolutely recommend you read the others prior to this one. There is quite a lot of overlap, both in Drinkwater and the brothers themselves.
Bowie is the literal thinker of the PAs and has a traumatic past. He desperately wants to be loved, but doesn't think he is worthy of it. As for Kari, he's attracted to Bowie, but keeps his distance as he doesn't want to force anything. That is, until Bowie's "boyfriend" steps over the line and hurts Bowie. Then Kari will do whatever he can to ease Bowie's pain.
Although Daddy is mentioned in the blurb, it's quite light on the Daddy side. It is more about the emotions and relationship goals, not only for Bowie and Kari, but also how others can affect them. For Bowie, it was also bout having the confidence in his found family to understand they will accept him, no matter what, and he really is worthy of love.
This was a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and absolutely recommend.
** 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 15, 2026
Bowie is the literal thinker of the PAs and has a traumatic past. He desperately wants to be loved, but doesn't think he is worthy of it. As for Kari, he's attracted to Bowie, but keeps his distance as he doesn't want to force anything. That is, until Bowie's "boyfriend" steps over the line and hurts Bowie. Then Kari will do whatever he can to ease Bowie's pain.
Although Daddy is mentioned in the blurb, it's quite light on the Daddy side. It is more about the emotions and relationship goals, not only for Bowie and Kari, but also how others can affect them. For Bowie, it was also bout having the confidence in his found family to understand they will accept him, no matter what, and he really is worthy of love.
This was a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and absolutely recommend.
** 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 15, 2026
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2633 KP) rated Reckoning at the Riviera Royale in Books
May 20, 2026
The Elephant in the Case
Anty is off to the French Riviera at the invitation of his mother. They have a strained relationship, but Anty goes because he thinks this will be a good chance to confront his mother over a nagging question about his father’s death. But when he arrives, he discovers there’s been a more recent death. There’s a floating circus on the island where Anty is, but the headliner has been killed, trampled to death by his elephant. The animal is set to be executed for this crime, but Anty isn’t buying it. Can he find the real culprit in time to spare the beast?
I was happy when my schedule allowed me to slip in the next book in the Anty series. While this is the wildest case he’s taken on yet (pun always intended), the book does take the murder seriously with a good number of suspects and motives leading to the logical climax. Only Anty and his valet return here, but the rest of the suspects feel real while also maximizing comedic potential. And yes, the dry wit is still on full display. At times, it could be tone down, but I was still laughing as I puzzled over the clues. This book is a circus in the best way possible and fans old and new will be glad they picked it up.
I was happy when my schedule allowed me to slip in the next book in the Anty series. While this is the wildest case he’s taken on yet (pun always intended), the book does take the murder seriously with a good number of suspects and motives leading to the logical climax. Only Anty and his valet return here, but the rest of the suspects feel real while also maximizing comedic potential. And yes, the dry wit is still on full display. At times, it could be tone down, but I was still laughing as I puzzled over the clues. This book is a circus in the best way possible and fans old and new will be glad they picked it up.
Merissa (14152 KP) rated The Beauty and His Beast in Books
Mar 3, 2025
THE BEAUTY AND HIS BEAST is a medieval-type story with the Beast being Everild, the current king's cousin, and someone who has seen enough war to last three lifetimes. His Beauty is Camdyn who was training to be a cleric when he was told he was to be married instead.
The connection is there immediately between our two MCs but Everild isn't just the beast. He wants Camdyn to be happy and is happy to waylay his fears in any way he can. They both grow and develop together, learning how to please the other in small but significant ways - a garden hat, for example - and their bond grows. Their relationship is beautiful. Simple as that.
Of course, not everything goes according to plan and there is a 'small' wrinkle in their plans. I won't say more because, you know, spoilers, but suffice it to say I loved every word.
This book had me with leaky eyes and laughing out loud. It was also the first by this author I have read, but I guarantee it won't be the last. HIGHLY 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 3, 2025
The connection is there immediately between our two MCs but Everild isn't just the beast. He wants Camdyn to be happy and is happy to waylay his fears in any way he can. They both grow and develop together, learning how to please the other in small but significant ways - a garden hat, for example - and their bond grows. Their relationship is beautiful. Simple as that.
Of course, not everything goes according to plan and there is a 'small' wrinkle in their plans. I won't say more because, you know, spoilers, but suffice it to say I loved every word.
This book had me with leaky eyes and laughing out loud. It was also the first by this author I have read, but I guarantee it won't be the last. HIGHLY 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 3, 2025