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A Day at the Office
Book
One office, five lives, on the most romantic day of the year. For most people, Valentine’s Day...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated Verse and Vengeance (A Magical Bookshop Mystery #4) in Books
Sep 7, 2021
Weak Plot but Charming Characters
Violet Waverly is upset to see that PI Joel Redding is back in town, and once again staking out Charming Books, trying to learn about the secret of the bookstore. But when he is killed during the first annual Tour de Cascade Springs bike race, she begins to wonder what else he was up to. Will the investigation lead back to Violet’s secret? Why does the bookstore keep putting copies of Walt Whitman’s poetry in her path?
I really enjoyed the third book in the series earlier this year, so I sat down looking forward to this one. Sadly, the mystery disappointed. While there are some developments, the pacing could have been better. Then, in the rush to wrap things up, a major part of the mystery remains unexplained. I don’t normally read paranormal cozies, but I do enjoy the magical essence of this series. We get some additional mythology here, which I appreciated. Likewise, the series characters continue to grow, as do their relationships. Series fans will still enjoy this book even if the mystery could be stronger.
I really enjoyed the third book in the series earlier this year, so I sat down looking forward to this one. Sadly, the mystery disappointed. While there are some developments, the pacing could have been better. Then, in the rush to wrap things up, a major part of the mystery remains unexplained. I don’t normally read paranormal cozies, but I do enjoy the magical essence of this series. We get some additional mythology here, which I appreciated. Likewise, the series characters continue to grow, as do their relationships. Series fans will still enjoy this book even if the mystery could be stronger.
Bound (Blood Moon, Texas Shifters #3)
10.0
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Book
Teacher by day, fantasy writer by night, West Caldwell was forced to live in secret long before...
MM Paranormal Romance Urban Fantasy Vampires Shifters
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated Bear a Wee Grudge in Books
Dec 1, 2021 (Updated Dec 1, 2021)
Murder Presents a Wee Problem
Silver Hollow, Michigan, is hosting a Highland Fling weekend, and the Silver Bear Shop is getting in the spirit with teddy bears wearing kilts that Sasha Silverman and the rest of her family plan to sell at the event. Unfortunately, before the event kicks off, their rival, Teddy Hartman, is found dead near the festival’s grounds, and Sasha’s dad is the prime suspect. Can Sasha clear his name and still be ready for the festival?
As a fan of the series, I’m surprised that Teddy lasted as long as he did, he’s been that obnoxious in earlier books. It was nice to see this series thread come to the forefront. While the plot starts well, it does stall a bit in the second half before coming to a logical climax. I still have a hard time keeping all the supporting players and their relationships straight, but they are supporting players. Sasha and her immediate family and friends are strong, and the suspects keep us guessing. This mix of Scottish and teddy Bears is one that fans will enjoy.
As a fan of the series, I’m surprised that Teddy lasted as long as he did, he’s been that obnoxious in earlier books. It was nice to see this series thread come to the forefront. While the plot starts well, it does stall a bit in the second half before coming to a logical climax. I still have a hard time keeping all the supporting players and their relationships straight, but they are supporting players. Sasha and her immediate family and friends are strong, and the suspects keep us guessing. This mix of Scottish and teddy Bears is one that fans will enjoy.
Lessons
10.0
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Book
While the world is still counting the cost of the Second World War and the Iron Curtain has...
WW2 Post war Germany Post War UK Relationships Literary Fiction Historical Fiction
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated The Clairvoyant Countess in Books
Mar 30, 2023 (Updated Mar 30, 2023)
I Saw My Reaction Coming, but Not for the Reasons I Expected
Madame Karitska is a psychic, and when she meets a young woman in danger, Madame Karitska reaches out to Lieutenant Pruden for help. Thus begins their relationships as Madame Karitska helps him on several other case. What really happened with a couple of murders three years ago? And did a young woman die in a car accident?
I don’t normally pick up supernatural themed stories, but since I love this author’s Mrs. Pollifax series, I decided to give it a try. Sadly, it disappointed. I tried, but I couldn’t let go of the supernatural element. I think part of that was because it made the stories a bit easy to solve. I was also expecting a novel instead of a series of short stories. There are a couple of arcs that tie them together, mainly for Lieutenant Pruden, who is as equally an important character as Madame Karitska. Yet I did enjoy some of the stories in this collection, and I really liked the characters, so this wasn’t a completely loss.
I don’t normally pick up supernatural themed stories, but since I love this author’s Mrs. Pollifax series, I decided to give it a try. Sadly, it disappointed. I tried, but I couldn’t let go of the supernatural element. I think part of that was because it made the stories a bit easy to solve. I was also expecting a novel instead of a series of short stories. There are a couple of arcs that tie them together, mainly for Lieutenant Pruden, who is as equally an important character as Madame Karitska. Yet I did enjoy some of the stories in this collection, and I really liked the characters, so this wasn’t a completely loss.
Merissa (13585 KP) rated Gathering Storm (Knights of Black Swan #5) in Books
Apr 3, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
Oh my word, where to start? This whole series is one of the best that I have read and is permanently on my Kindle, as well as the 'real' books being bought as and when funds allow!
The characters themselves are wonderful and there are so many aspects to fall in love with - the men and women themselves, the relationships between them, their loyalty, their children, the Knights and Lady, the trainees, the Sovereign - the list goes on. Even in Book 5, this story is still fresh and the characters are still growing. I honestly couldn't say which one is my favourite as they are all magnificent. You meet some new characters in this book in the shape of 'original' vampires and Knights-in-training.
This book is again action packed and will leave you breathless. It made me laugh, it definitely made me cry. I was worried, stressed and tense. All these things are GOOD because it means that I have been drawn into the world that I am reading about.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!
* Verified Purchase - September 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
September 7, 2016
The characters themselves are wonderful and there are so many aspects to fall in love with - the men and women themselves, the relationships between them, their loyalty, their children, the Knights and Lady, the trainees, the Sovereign - the list goes on. Even in Book 5, this story is still fresh and the characters are still growing. I honestly couldn't say which one is my favourite as they are all magnificent. You meet some new characters in this book in the shape of 'original' vampires and Knights-in-training.
This book is again action packed and will leave you breathless. It made me laugh, it definitely made me cry. I was worried, stressed and tense. All these things are GOOD because it means that I have been drawn into the world that I am reading about.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!
* Verified Purchase - September 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
September 7, 2016
Young Women
8.0
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Book
A vivid, bold and compelling new novel of female friendship and what it means to be a young woman,...
Literary Fiction Feminism
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated Cheddar Late Than Dead in Books
Apr 20, 2023 (Updated Apr 20, 2023)
There Falls the Groom Down the Stairs
Carly Hale is surprised when Dawn and Klarissa walk into her restaurant. While she knew them in school, she hasn’t seen them since she’s been back in Balsam Dell, Vermont. The chance encounter winds up with Carly catering Klarissa’s wedding shower. But the day of the shower is filled with more tension than Carly expected. Things only get worse when the groom crashes the party. A little while later, Carly finds him at the bottom of the stairs, dead. Who would want to kill him?
This book starts off quickly, introducing us to suspects and conflict before the murder happens, then gives us some great twists that kept me reading. The climax logically resolves things, although I did have a couple of small niggles with the ending. It was great to see the characters again, and I like how their relationships are growing. There are some great new characters, including strong suspects. Meanwhile, the book introduces us to grilled cheese donuts, including a recipe in the back. If you are hungry for a fun cozy, pick this one up.
This book starts off quickly, introducing us to suspects and conflict before the murder happens, then gives us some great twists that kept me reading. The climax logically resolves things, although I did have a couple of small niggles with the ending. It was great to see the characters again, and I like how their relationships are growing. There are some great new characters, including strong suspects. Meanwhile, the book introduces us to grilled cheese donuts, including a recipe in the back. If you are hungry for a fun cozy, pick this one up.
