Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Mrs. Claus and the Evil Elves in Books
Oct 6, 2022 (Updated Oct 6, 2022)
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.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Never in Books
Jul 10, 2022
Book
Never
By Ken Follet
⭐️⭐️⭐️
A stolen US army drone.
A shrinking oasis in the Sahara Desert.
A secret stash of deadly chemicals.
Each is a threat to global stability. Each can be overcome with only the highest levels of diplomacy. But when those in charge disagree and refuse to back down, an international chain reaction kicks off with potentially catastrophic consequences: a world edging closer to war . . .
Now three people must work with the utmost skill to stop that from happening:
A spy working undercover with jihadis.
A brilliant Chinese spymaster.
A US president beleaguered by a populist rival for the next election.
The only question is – in a game of brinksmanship, can the inevitable ever be stopped?
This took longer than It usually does for me to finish a Ken Follet I did enjoy the book and find it quite current with everything going on in the world at the minute. It was good but I don’t know something was missing for me. I liked the way he worked in those little relationships with certain characters I think those are what actually made the book likeable. I really wanted to love this and be giving it full 5 stars such a shame it fell a little flat.
Muted Chords (The Road to Rocktoberfest 2022)
8.0
Rate It
Book
Josh Shepard developed an intense connection to music, despite being born deaf. None of his...
Contemporary MM Romance
Not Okay Cupid
8.0
Rate It
Book
Her wicked revenge, or his wicked heart... Hazel McCallister loves her life. Perfect grades....
Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Merissa (13398 KP) rated The Solitary Protector (Etherya's Earth #8) in Books
Jun 7, 2023
Addie wants to know more about her purple eyes and sets off on a journey. Along the way, she meets Leo. To say these two are opposites would be an understatement at first glance, but once you learn more about them, you realise that they are both different and the same. Delayed gratification and so much hotness! Add to that a dash of heartbreak, hard choices, and a newly-found prophecy and you've got a recipe for a 5-star read!
Another star in the crown of Etherya's Earth, I honestly love this series. The one thing I'd recommend is to read it from the beginning, just so you get the full benefit. After all, these relationships don't just happen, you know. 😉
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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 7, 2023
Filtration Play (Leather and Lattes #4)
8.0
Rate It
Book
Ollie’s always been drawn to trouble, but he’s never met trouble quite like Fin before… ...
Just a Little Fling (Just a Little #3)
8.0
Rate It
Book
Nico Nico is all about living his best life, trading the drama of relationships for the thrill of...
Contemporary MM Romance Daddy / Little Romance Age Play
ClareR (5996 KP) rated The Persians in Books
Feb 3, 2025
Both the women in Iran and those in the US are non-conformists, rule breakers - and some more than others. There’s the obvious Shirin, who’s arrested on prostitution charges at the beginning of the book, and Bita, who decides to break away from her family history and wealth, and make her own way. Then there’s the matriarch, Elizabeth, who remains in Iran and uses her age and family name to get away with not following the rules of Islamic law (to some degree), and her granddaughter Niaz, who is arrested and put in a Tehran jail.
A lot of secrets are revealed (there are some big secrets to be revealed!), and when mothers and daughters are honest and truthful with one another, relationships can be repaired. But will they?
A very enjoyable, somewhat escapist read - I mean, the wealth of these people is startling!
My Good Bright Wolf
10.0
Rate It
Book
A memoir about thinking and reading, eating and denying your body food, about the relationships that...
Memoir Trigger warning: eating disorders
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Death Comes to Marlow in Books
Jul 30, 2025 (Updated Jul 30, 2025)
This is a great locked room mystery. I thought I had things figured out, but I was wrong on the who and the how. Yet all the clues were there. I also enjoyed seeing the characters again and watching them and their relationships grow. The suspects were strong as well. The humor wasn’t as strong as the first book, although there were still some grins and laughs to be had. I’m glad I already have book three in this fun series.
