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ClareR (6037 KP) rated Daughters of War in Books
Oct 27, 2021
Daughters of War is set during the Nazi occupation of France and tells the story of three sisters: Hélène, Elise and Florence.
Hélène, the eldest, is a nurse and does her best to protect her two younger sisters, although Elise is determined to play her part in the Resistance. Florence is happy to hide away in their cottage, longing for the day that France will be free again.
I loved the relationships between the sisters - they’re all sp different from one another - and they pull together in times of need and danger.
And there’s plenty of danger here, both in their village and in the places that Hélène and Elise must go to as their roles in the Resistance dictate.
And the secret they uncover about Florence is pretty shocking and totally unexpected for the sisters.
This was a really enjoyable read on The Pigeonhole. There’s a great mix of emotion, adrenaline and danger. This is the first book in a planned trilogy, and I’m really looking forward to seeing where the sisters go next in the next two books.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and the publisher for serialising this book - I loved it.
Hélène, the eldest, is a nurse and does her best to protect her two younger sisters, although Elise is determined to play her part in the Resistance. Florence is happy to hide away in their cottage, longing for the day that France will be free again.
I loved the relationships between the sisters - they’re all sp different from one another - and they pull together in times of need and danger.
And there’s plenty of danger here, both in their village and in the places that Hélène and Elise must go to as their roles in the Resistance dictate.
And the secret they uncover about Florence is pretty shocking and totally unexpected for the sisters.
This was a really enjoyable read on The Pigeonhole. There’s a great mix of emotion, adrenaline and danger. This is the first book in a planned trilogy, and I’m really looking forward to seeing where the sisters go next in the next two books.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and the publisher for serialising this book - I loved it.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated Aerobics Can Be Deadly in Books
Jan 12, 2023
Killer Workouts Are Fun for Us
Sho Tanaka and Levi Blue have decided to make a triathlon the first item they tackle on their bucket lists. When they go to the local gym to sign up to train, Levi manages to get them jobs as background extras in an aerobics video being shot the next day. However, when one of the stars dies during the first scene, Levi is ready to jump in and find the killer. Will Sho go along with it? Will they figure out what is going on?
While this is the first book in the series, it follows the novella that really introduces the characters. I read them out of order, but I didn’t have trouble figuring out the main characters and their relationships. There are plenty of laughs, especially in the beginning, but as the book progresses, things get more serious, lending itself to some great characters moments. Not that the humor ever goes completely away. Meanwhile, we have a strong mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. I will definitely be back for the prequel soon.
While this is the first book in the series, it follows the novella that really introduces the characters. I read them out of order, but I didn’t have trouble figuring out the main characters and their relationships. There are plenty of laughs, especially in the beginning, but as the book progresses, things get more serious, lending itself to some great characters moments. Not that the humor ever goes completely away. Meanwhile, we have a strong mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. I will definitely be back for the prequel soon.
Sebastian's Fate (Etherya's Earth #7.5)
10.0
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She was in love with a man who didn’t know she existed… Vampyre aristocrat Celine has eyes...
Paranormal Romance Novella
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas in Books
Sep 28, 2023
Deadly Christmas Play
Merry Wilkinson’s mother, opera singer Aline Steiner, has agreed to come out of retirement to be part of the musical version of A Christmas Carol that the local theater company is doing this December. However, things aren’t going well at rehearsals, as Merry witnesses first hand. Then someone associated with the play is killed in Merry’s shop, and Merry’s assistant is a suspect. Can she figure out what is going on?
It's been three years since we last visited these characters, but I slipped back into their world again in no time. It was fabulous to be back, and I remembered just how much I loved the setting of Rudolph, New York, and the characters. I enjoyed getting to see them grow here, and the I’ll be interested to see how some relationships go forward. The plot was a little uneven, but we still get plenty of suspects and some surprises along the way to a fantastic climax. If you enjoy a Christmas cozy, you owe it to yourself to check out this series. Fans will be thrilled with the latest book.
It's been three years since we last visited these characters, but I slipped back into their world again in no time. It was fabulous to be back, and I remembered just how much I loved the setting of Rudolph, New York, and the characters. I enjoyed getting to see them grow here, and the I’ll be interested to see how some relationships go forward. The plot was a little uneven, but we still get plenty of suspects and some surprises along the way to a fantastic climax. If you enjoy a Christmas cozy, you owe it to yourself to check out this series. Fans will be thrilled with the latest book.
ClareR (6037 KP) rated Cleopatra and Frankenstein in Books
Jan 29, 2023
This book has divided opinion on Goodreads - I’m coming down on the “I enjoyed it” side. I like a book that has absolutely nothing in common with my life: the vulnerable, arty Cleo, and the quick, excessive Frank may as well be from another planet with their lifestyle, excesses and impulsive marriage.
There are a fair few vulnerable characters in this novel: Cleo, Zoe (Frank’s sister), Quentin (Cleo’s gay best friend) and Eleanor. Actually Eleanor comes late to the story, and I could have read so much more about her. She’s funny, has an interesting family and simply has a lot of interesting things to say.
I’ll just add that there’s an attempted suicide in this, and both Cleo and Frank have some pretty serious mental health issues. Whilst I think they were sensitively and well dealt with, they may be upsetting for some readers. And then there’s the Flying Squirrel incident. I’d be more than happy to never have to think about that again.
So, if you like reading about complicated relationships and self-destructive behaviour, then this will be the book for you. It’s certainly a book that I’ll remember.
There are a fair few vulnerable characters in this novel: Cleo, Zoe (Frank’s sister), Quentin (Cleo’s gay best friend) and Eleanor. Actually Eleanor comes late to the story, and I could have read so much more about her. She’s funny, has an interesting family and simply has a lot of interesting things to say.
I’ll just add that there’s an attempted suicide in this, and both Cleo and Frank have some pretty serious mental health issues. Whilst I think they were sensitively and well dealt with, they may be upsetting for some readers. And then there’s the Flying Squirrel incident. I’d be more than happy to never have to think about that again.
So, if you like reading about complicated relationships and self-destructive behaviour, then this will be the book for you. It’s certainly a book that I’ll remember.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated Scone Cold Killer in Books
Jun 23, 2022
Gia Finds Trying to Outrun Her Past is Murder
Gia Morelli is trying to put her ex-husband’s financial scandal behind her as she moves from New York City to central Florida. Not only is she closer to her best friend, but she’s opening her own diner, the All-Day Breakfast Café. Her first day ends horribly, however, when she finds her ex in the dumpster behind the restaurant. What was he doing in Florida? Who killed him?
I love breakfast, so the hook of this series definitely appealed to me. While Gia’s phobias were a little over the top for me, I loved the character’s overall. The relationships Gia is forming are strong, and I can’t wait to spend more time with everyone. The story starts quickly, but it could have been a little stronger overall. Still, I couldn’t put the book down, finishing it in just a couple of days. Sadly, we don’t get any breakfast food recipes here, but the food talk definitely made me crave breakfast while I was reading. Overall, this was a solid debut, and I would definitely enjoy spending more time with the characters in the future.
I love breakfast, so the hook of this series definitely appealed to me. While Gia’s phobias were a little over the top for me, I loved the character’s overall. The relationships Gia is forming are strong, and I can’t wait to spend more time with everyone. The story starts quickly, but it could have been a little stronger overall. Still, I couldn’t put the book down, finishing it in just a couple of days. Sadly, we don’t get any breakfast food recipes here, but the food talk definitely made me crave breakfast while I was reading. Overall, this was a solid debut, and I would definitely enjoy spending more time with the characters in the future.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated City of the Dead in Books
Feb 27, 2023 (Updated Feb 27, 2023)
Breaking into a Museum is Only the Beginning
As this book opens, the team has been tasked with breaking into the British Museum and retrieving a couple of items from their exhibit on Egypt. These are sensitive items that the government doesn’t want to officially ask for back and doesn’t want to admit they even have. But the mission is not all it appears to be. What will happen when the team learns the truth?
Yes, I’m being vague in my teaser, but this is definitely a case where the fun comes in seeing how the plot evolves, so I’m giving as few spoilers as I can. There are plenty of twists that had me turning pages as fast as I could. I will say a matter of trust was resolved a little too easily for me to buy, but it was minor. As always, I love the characters, and I love watching their relationships. The growth here is great. We still get some laughs along with the adventure, too. The cliffhanger is going to make the wait for the next book even harder. Fans young and old will be delighted with this book.
Yes, I’m being vague in my teaser, but this is definitely a case where the fun comes in seeing how the plot evolves, so I’m giving as few spoilers as I can. There are plenty of twists that had me turning pages as fast as I could. I will say a matter of trust was resolved a little too easily for me to buy, but it was minor. As always, I love the characters, and I love watching their relationships. The growth here is great. We still get some laughs along with the adventure, too. The cliffhanger is going to make the wait for the next book even harder. Fans young and old will be delighted with this book.
Refuge (Relentless, #2)
9.0
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To keep the people she loves safe, Sara left everything she knew behind. She soon learns this new...
Fantasy Paranormal Romance Young Adult
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated Barbecue Can Be Deadly in Books
Oct 26, 2023
Brisket and Deadly Tension
Sho Tanaka’s sister Jenny is entering a local barbecue competition, and Sho and Levi Blue are going along to show their support. Sho immediately notices all the tension between the other professional contestants. But he isn’t prepared when he and Levi stumble over a dead body. With the evidence pointing to Jenny, Sho is quick to jump into the investigation. Who is cooking up more than barbecue?
Quite often when I start a mystery, it’s easy to see who the victim will be. That wasn’t the case here, which is something I loved. I did feel the pacing was off in the first half, but I still enjoyed the book and was satisfied when we reached the end. I love these characters. They are strong with great relationships. While the book deals with some serious topics, like early onset dementia and prescription drug addiction, it is a comedic mystery, and I laughed quite a few times. The competing tones are balanced perfectly, making for a richer reading experience. It’s going to be a long wait for me until the next in the series comes out. If you haven’t started this series yet, fix that today.
Quite often when I start a mystery, it’s easy to see who the victim will be. That wasn’t the case here, which is something I loved. I did feel the pacing was off in the first half, but I still enjoyed the book and was satisfied when we reached the end. I love these characters. They are strong with great relationships. While the book deals with some serious topics, like early onset dementia and prescription drug addiction, it is a comedic mystery, and I laughed quite a few times. The competing tones are balanced perfectly, making for a richer reading experience. It’s going to be a long wait for me until the next in the series comes out. If you haven’t started this series yet, fix that today.
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Face the Music (A Series of Falling Stars #2) by M.L. East in Books
Jun 7, 2022
independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is the second book in the a series of falling starts set and I thoroughly enjoyed this one as much as the first. I'm also glad it's not over yet as I'm not ready to say goodbye to any of the characters yet.
There are so many emotions and different feelings that are dealt with in this story the confusion that some of the members of the band deal with regarding themselves, sexuality, feelings certainties and hopes. It's a brilliant story to read that centres about relationships, different sexualities and also finding yourself and trying to understand your own self and worth. It sheds a whole different light on what seems to be a simple routine of a world famous K-pop band there is a lot more too it.
You are doing a fantastic job, M.L. East, at bringing very sensitive subjects to light in a calm and understanding manner with just enough humour in there just to make it not so heavy. Keep up the fantastic work well done.
5/5 stars a definite recommendation, please read the series!
This is the second book in the a series of falling starts set and I thoroughly enjoyed this one as much as the first. I'm also glad it's not over yet as I'm not ready to say goodbye to any of the characters yet.
There are so many emotions and different feelings that are dealt with in this story the confusion that some of the members of the band deal with regarding themselves, sexuality, feelings certainties and hopes. It's a brilliant story to read that centres about relationships, different sexualities and also finding yourself and trying to understand your own self and worth. It sheds a whole different light on what seems to be a simple routine of a world famous K-pop band there is a lot more too it.
You are doing a fantastic job, M.L. East, at bringing very sensitive subjects to light in a calm and understanding manner with just enough humour in there just to make it not so heavy. Keep up the fantastic work well done.
5/5 stars a definite recommendation, please read the series!