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First Impressions (Auckland Med. #1)
10.0
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Michael: Two years ago, I made a mistake, a big one. Then I added a couple more just for good...
Contemporary MM Romance
When Love Returns (The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy #3)
10.0
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Riddled with doubt and lingering regrets, will Suzanne and Paul find strength in God to explore a...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Debonair in Death in Books
Nov 8, 2021
Art Shop Owner Murdered in Cabot Cove
Everyone in town, especially the women, seem captivated by Nelson Penzell, the new co-owner of the art gallery on the water front of Cabot Cove. Jessica Fletcher feels like something is off about him, however. Still, she didn’t expect him to be murdered. Sheriff Metzger is sure that Coreen, the nail tech from the hair salon, is a good suspect since she was seen screaming outside the gallery where Nelson was found covered in his blood. But Jessica thinks something else is going on. Can she prove it?
As much as I enjoyed the Murder, She Wrote books that came out over the last few years, I felt like something was off with the characters we loved from Cabot Cove. This book fixes so much of that. The characters and their relationships to each other feel like a natural extension of the series. The suspects are just as strong. Unfortunately, I did feel the pacing could have been better in the first half, but we get plenty of fun twists in the second half. Any fan of the TV series will be happy they picked up this book for a visit with old friends.
As much as I enjoyed the Murder, She Wrote books that came out over the last few years, I felt like something was off with the characters we loved from Cabot Cove. This book fixes so much of that. The characters and their relationships to each other feel like a natural extension of the series. The suspects are just as strong. Unfortunately, I did feel the pacing could have been better in the first half, but we get plenty of fun twists in the second half. Any fan of the TV series will be happy they picked up this book for a visit with old friends.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated The Twist and Shout Murder in Books
Feb 4, 2022
I’m Going to Shout About This Twisty Debut
It’s 1962 in Camden, Texas, and Dot Morgan is almost done with her secretarial schooling. But she’s taking on helping her father with a run for the local city council. However, the election hits a snag when her father’s opponent dies. The police think it was a tragic accident, but Dot thinks something else is going on. The trouble is, if she convinces the police that it was murder, will she and her father become the top suspects?
It did take me a couple of chapters to get fully into this book, mainly because I felt like I was trying to remember all the characters and their relationships to each other. But once I got that sorted out, I was hooked. There are plenty of complications for Dot to deal with, and I enjoyed seeing how she dealt with everything. She is strong. There are plenty of great characters, including a potential love interest. That time in history is also brought to life, including the changes society was going through. I already can’t wait to see these characters again. If you are looking for a fun historical mystery, you’ll be glad you picked up this one.
It did take me a couple of chapters to get fully into this book, mainly because I felt like I was trying to remember all the characters and their relationships to each other. But once I got that sorted out, I was hooked. There are plenty of complications for Dot to deal with, and I enjoyed seeing how she dealt with everything. She is strong. There are plenty of great characters, including a potential love interest. That time in history is also brought to life, including the changes society was going through. I already can’t wait to see these characters again. If you are looking for a fun historical mystery, you’ll be glad you picked up this one.
Practice Girl
8.0
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Jo never heard of the label "practice girl"...until she was called one. And those two devastating...
ClareR (5686 KP) rated A Tidy Ending in Books
Oct 2, 2022
I loved A Tidy Ending! Joanna Cannon has created a really interesting character in Linda. On the surface, she’s a woman who hasn’t done much with her life - other than marry Terry and work in a charity shop. She begrudgingly visits her manipulative mother more often than she’d like to, and becomes obsessed with the woman who owned her house before she and Terry moved in.
When she tracks Rebecca (the ex-homeowner) down, Linda believes she’s found a new best friend. Rebecca wouldn’t agree with her. And so begins what looks like a story of manipulation and lies. But who is manipulating who? I mean, they’re ALL lying - that’s a given!
Linda is fascinating, her mum is unpleasant, and Terry comes across as underwhelmed by everything except his fishing. No wonder he annoys Linda so much!
There’s a mystery running alongside all of Linda’s relationships - women go missing, and Linda begins to think Terry might be involved.
That’s where I’ll leave the plot, because I don’t want to give anything away. I will say that I just loved the way that Joanna Cannon wrote about the characters in this: confidence tricksters, nosy neighbours, bossy mums, seemingly depressed husbands. A thoroughly good read!
When she tracks Rebecca (the ex-homeowner) down, Linda believes she’s found a new best friend. Rebecca wouldn’t agree with her. And so begins what looks like a story of manipulation and lies. But who is manipulating who? I mean, they’re ALL lying - that’s a given!
Linda is fascinating, her mum is unpleasant, and Terry comes across as underwhelmed by everything except his fishing. No wonder he annoys Linda so much!
There’s a mystery running alongside all of Linda’s relationships - women go missing, and Linda begins to think Terry might be involved.
That’s where I’ll leave the plot, because I don’t want to give anything away. I will say that I just loved the way that Joanna Cannon wrote about the characters in this: confidence tricksters, nosy neighbours, bossy mums, seemingly depressed husbands. A thoroughly good read!
Merissa (11964 KP) rated In Deeper Water: Part Two (Aria & the Seven Seas, #2) in Books
Nov 22, 2022
Political machinations, pirates, and leviathans all feature here!
IN DEEPER WATER is the second in the Aria and the Seven Seas series and continues where book one left off.
In this one, Aria adds to her Royal Pod but it isn't as easy as you may think. Political machinations, pirates, and leviathans all feature here. Each kingdom is so very different from the previous ones. I love how Aria is herself, no matter what. The other members of her Pod become clear but the road to true love is never smooth, so Aria and her Pod have some work to do before they all get their HEA.
No middle-book-slump for this series, no sirree. Instead, we have a story full of action and adventure, with plenty of steam. The relationships within the Pod make it so much more interesting than 'just' an erotic tale.
A great addition to the series and definitely recommended by me. Can't wait for the finale.
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
In this one, Aria adds to her Royal Pod but it isn't as easy as you may think. Political machinations, pirates, and leviathans all feature here. Each kingdom is so very different from the previous ones. I love how Aria is herself, no matter what. The other members of her Pod become clear but the road to true love is never smooth, so Aria and her Pod have some work to do before they all get their HEA.
No middle-book-slump for this series, no sirree. Instead, we have a story full of action and adventure, with plenty of steam. The relationships within the Pod make it so much more interesting than 'just' an erotic tale.
A great addition to the series and definitely recommended by me. Can't wait for the finale.
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated The Shadow of Memory in Books
May 11, 2022 (Updated May 11, 2022)
Is a Cold Case Leading to Modern Murders?
Kate Hamilton and her fiancé, Tom Mallory, are trying to plan their wedding, but having difficulty making decisions. Meanwhile, Kate and her colleague, Ivor, are asked to sell a painting that might be several centuries old. Something about it seems off to Kate, however. Then there’s the murder in Kate’s village with ties to a friend of hers. Kate begins to think these events are connected, but can she prove it?
There is a lot going on here, but I never had trouble following the story at all. I’m impressed with how everything comes together at the end without dropping any of the plot points along the way. The characters we already know are wonderful, and it is great to see their relationships growing. The new characters feel real, even though they don’t get that much page time. This book is on the more serious side of the cozy spectrum, but that’s just an observation, not a warning. I was actually frustrated that life kept getting in the way of my reading because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Fans will be pleased. If that isn’t you yet, start this series today.
There is a lot going on here, but I never had trouble following the story at all. I’m impressed with how everything comes together at the end without dropping any of the plot points along the way. The characters we already know are wonderful, and it is great to see their relationships growing. The new characters feel real, even though they don’t get that much page time. This book is on the more serious side of the cozy spectrum, but that’s just an observation, not a warning. I was actually frustrated that life kept getting in the way of my reading because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Fans will be pleased. If that isn’t you yet, start this series today.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Prophecy (Destine Academy book 4) in Books
Jul 23, 2022
127 of 230
Kindle
Prophecy ( Destine Academy book 4)
By Sara Snow
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Caroline and her friends are running out of time in their quest to find answers - and her family - in the shocking fourth installment of the exciting new Destine Academy series.
Sixteen-year-old Caroline and her magically talented friends are racing against the clock to find answers that will lead her to her missing mother and brother. As Caroline’s powers escalate, they find help from an unexpected ally,
...and Caroline is confronted with the possibility that her mother and brother are better off without her.
Between her friends wanting to protect her, and her aunt wanting to control her, Caroline is feeling increasingly out of control of her own life.
Her growing relationships with Aldrick and Corbin complicate matters further as she continues to feel TORN between the two. Caroline and her friends uncover more about Tempeste and The Entiere
...but nothing could have prepared them for what they reveal—and what it means for Caroline.
So we now know the phrophecy and Caroline has unlocked another power! She’s also found and lost all her friends in less than 24 hours! What is her aunt up to? I really like this little series. I like Sara Snow!
Kindle
Prophecy ( Destine Academy book 4)
By Sara Snow
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Caroline and her friends are running out of time in their quest to find answers - and her family - in the shocking fourth installment of the exciting new Destine Academy series.
Sixteen-year-old Caroline and her magically talented friends are racing against the clock to find answers that will lead her to her missing mother and brother. As Caroline’s powers escalate, they find help from an unexpected ally,
...and Caroline is confronted with the possibility that her mother and brother are better off without her.
Between her friends wanting to protect her, and her aunt wanting to control her, Caroline is feeling increasingly out of control of her own life.
Her growing relationships with Aldrick and Corbin complicate matters further as she continues to feel TORN between the two. Caroline and her friends uncover more about Tempeste and The Entiere
...but nothing could have prepared them for what they reveal—and what it means for Caroline.
So we now know the phrophecy and Caroline has unlocked another power! She’s also found and lost all her friends in less than 24 hours! What is her aunt up to? I really like this little series. I like Sara Snow!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Mrs. Claus and the Evil Elves in Books
Oct 6, 2022 (Updated Oct 6, 2022)
Evil Elves Complicating Christmas
April Claus is thrilled that, for her second Christmas as Mrs. Claus, she is able to host her friend Claire at the North Pole. However, on top of the normal holiday chaos, there are new challenges. The reindeer are on strike. Someone scares the crowd at the annual ice sculpture contest with a drone-deer. And April’s friend Jupiter is worried about her boyfriend. Can April juggle all of this with her normal Mrs. Claus duties?
Obviously, there is quite a lot happening here. It’s all balanced perfectly with plenty of action and twists in the mystery to keep us engaged the entire time. April leads a cast of charming characters, and I enjoyed the growth in some relationships. The fantasy setting is wonderfully realized. I love getting lost in this world, and I can only imagine how much fun it would be to read this in December. Then there’s the humor. Claire’s reactions to some of the things she sees are priceless, and there are other great moments, too. Yet the more serious themes and elements work as well. If you have yet to start this series, you are in for a treat. Fans will find the Christmas spirit here no matter when they pick up the book.
Obviously, there is quite a lot happening here. It’s all balanced perfectly with plenty of action and twists in the mystery to keep us engaged the entire time. April leads a cast of charming characters, and I enjoyed the growth in some relationships. The fantasy setting is wonderfully realized. I love getting lost in this world, and I can only imagine how much fun it would be to read this in December. Then there’s the humor. Claire’s reactions to some of the things she sees are priceless, and there are other great moments, too. Yet the more serious themes and elements work as well. If you have yet to start this series, you are in for a treat. Fans will find the Christmas spirit here no matter when they pick up the book.
