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Merissa (12861 KP) rated Grayality in Books
Oct 4, 2022
A story full of emotions, both good and bad
GRAYALITY is a book full of emotions, both good and bad. Pate is a trans-man who likes the on-and-off again girlfriend of the local bully, and Oakley, his best friend, thinks he is straight until he meets Sadie at a drag-queen show. Their new start in a small country town just got more complicated.
There are words of wisdom in here, spoken between the two best friends, or their new friends. However, there is also a lot of country stereotypical behaviour that may or may not be exaggerated.
I loved seeing Pate and Oak go through their relationships, although I can honestly say I couldn't stand Maybelle from the beginning. Oak is the one who had to change his thinking the most and is also the one who suffered the most, I would say. Pate is the one who physically paid for being who he is.
This was a great story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is emotional and almost tangible in what our young friends go through. A brilliant read that I highly 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
There are words of wisdom in here, spoken between the two best friends, or their new friends. However, there is also a lot of country stereotypical behaviour that may or may not be exaggerated.
I loved seeing Pate and Oak go through their relationships, although I can honestly say I couldn't stand Maybelle from the beginning. Oak is the one who had to change his thinking the most and is also the one who suffered the most, I would say. Pate is the one who physically paid for being who he is.
This was a great story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is emotional and almost tangible in what our young friends go through. A brilliant read that I highly 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Merissa (12861 KP) rated The Heart of Everton Inn (Betwixt the Sea and Shore, #2) in Books
Oct 18, 2022
Return to the Orkney Islands and the Selkies as the story continues...
THE HEART OF EVERTON INN is the second book in the Betwixt the Sea and Shore series and it runs concurrently alongside book one. This means that you will see things through Adaira's eyes as they happen to Briony or any of the other villagers. You will also see things that happened with Adaira that you didn't see before.
This series is so well-researched, it shines through every scene. I love the village characters, the scenery, the relationships. It's all so clearly defined and makes for a gripping read.
Adaira and John have their ups and downs as they try to have a relationship but it seems as though the world is against them. Even though there is an age gap, it is clear that these two will fit together if only they are allowed.
This was a brilliant addition to the series but it does end on a cliffhanger, so just consider yourself forewarned. I can't wait to see what happens next. Definitely 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!
This series is so well-researched, it shines through every scene. I love the village characters, the scenery, the relationships. It's all so clearly defined and makes for a gripping read.
Adaira and John have their ups and downs as they try to have a relationship but it seems as though the world is against them. Even though there is an age gap, it is clear that these two will fit together if only they are allowed.
This was a brilliant addition to the series but it does end on a cliffhanger, so just consider yourself forewarned. I can't wait to see what happens next. Definitely 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!

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Spoon to be Dead in Books
Dec 16, 2023 (Updated Dec 16, 2023)
Is Trinidad’s Ex a Killer?
As winter sets in, Trinidad Jones is concentrating on figuring out how to keep her shake shop going through the cold months. But that takes a back seat when her ex-husband walks through the door of her shop one morning. No one had informed her that Gabe had been let out of prison. Even more surprising, he announces that he thinks he just killed someone before collapsing on the floor. What could be going on?
The book starts that quickly, and I got caught up in the action. The pacing was a little uneven in the middle, but things pick up for a fantastic climax. Since this is (sadly) the final book in the series, we get a wrap up for the characters. Some of that was a little abrupt, but overall, I liked it. Gabe being in town provided a great way to see different sides of several of the characters and watch their relationships grow. Considering how much I love the characters, that was nice. The Christmas setting didn’t really kick in until the second half of the book, but it was strong then. We also get some festive recipes to enjoy later. Fans of the series will be satisfied with this book, and if you haven’t started this series yet, you’ll want to do so today.
The book starts that quickly, and I got caught up in the action. The pacing was a little uneven in the middle, but things pick up for a fantastic climax. Since this is (sadly) the final book in the series, we get a wrap up for the characters. Some of that was a little abrupt, but overall, I liked it. Gabe being in town provided a great way to see different sides of several of the characters and watch their relationships grow. Considering how much I love the characters, that was nice. The Christmas setting didn’t really kick in until the second half of the book, but it was strong then. We also get some festive recipes to enjoy later. Fans of the series will be satisfied with this book, and if you haven’t started this series yet, you’ll want to do so today.

Heal Yourself: Body ~ Mind ~ Spirit
Book
The body wants to return to balance. It just needs the tools to do so. Heal Yourself ~ Body ~ Mind ~...
Body~Mind~Spirit Healing

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Stellarlune in Books
Dec 19, 2022 (Updated Dec 19, 2022)
Sophie’s Next Chapter is One Fans Will Love
Sophie Foster has just learned that her friend Keefe has run away to the Forbidden Cities in order to hide from the changes that are being forced on him. As much as Sophie wants to try to find him, she decides that her best course of action might be to find a way to stop the next step in the plans for Keefe. Meanwhile, her friends have a less than positive reaction to the action she just took against their enemy, the Neverseen. Will this drive a wedge in her circle of friends?
If that teaser doesn’t make sense to you, then this book isn’t for you – yet. You really need to read these books in order. Heck, I wish I’d had time to reread the last one before I dove into this one. Fans will be thrilled with what we get, however. I only felt the pacing slowed down a couple of times, which is saying something for a 700 page book. We definitely got some advancement on the overall story as well. Meanwhile, the characters continue to mature, and I loved how that lead to some natural progressions in relationships. Sophie’s world continues to be fun as well. Naturally, there’s a cliffhanger, which means I’m already anxious for the next book.
If that teaser doesn’t make sense to you, then this book isn’t for you – yet. You really need to read these books in order. Heck, I wish I’d had time to reread the last one before I dove into this one. Fans will be thrilled with what we get, however. I only felt the pacing slowed down a couple of times, which is saying something for a 700 page book. We definitely got some advancement on the overall story as well. Meanwhile, the characters continue to mature, and I loved how that lead to some natural progressions in relationships. Sophie’s world continues to be fun as well. Naturally, there’s a cliffhanger, which means I’m already anxious for the next book.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated A Stolen Child in Books
Jun 21, 2023
Murder and Kidnapping
Maggie D’arcy has completed her training and has officially joined the Garda in Ireland. While she waits for an opportunity to be promoted to detective, she is on patrol and is called to the scene of a murder. Not only does Maggie recognize it as an address she had been to a few days before after a domestic disturbance call, she also realizes that the victim had a toddler who is now missing. On loan to the detectives for this case, can Maggie find the child in time? Will her knowledge of the neighborhood help?
Maggie has been on quite a journey in this series, and it’s nice to see this natural step in her career. The plot starts strongly. While it does get a little uneven in the middle, things pick up when we get to several logical twists at the climax. I liked how Maggie’s knowledge of the neighborhood where the crime took place played an important part of the plot. The suspects come to life, and it is nice to see Maggie’s relationships grown, both personally and professionally. As a police procedural, this is a bit darker than the cozies I typically read, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. If you are looking for a solid police procedural set in Ireland, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
Maggie has been on quite a journey in this series, and it’s nice to see this natural step in her career. The plot starts strongly. While it does get a little uneven in the middle, things pick up when we get to several logical twists at the climax. I liked how Maggie’s knowledge of the neighborhood where the crime took place played an important part of the plot. The suspects come to life, and it is nice to see Maggie’s relationships grown, both personally and professionally. As a police procedural, this is a bit darker than the cozies I typically read, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. If you are looking for a solid police procedural set in Ireland, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated DM Me for Murder in Books
Feb 15, 2024
Mega-Influencer’s Murder Leads to Mega Trouble
Murder is the farthest thing from Coco Cline’s mind that Monday morning. Instead, she is thrilled that mega-influencer LaTage wants to use Coco’s company, Center of Attention Consulting, to launch her rebranding. Then Coco arrives at their meeting to find LaTage dead. With the police asking Coco for help understanding the online world that LaTage inhabited, she can’t help but dig just a little deeper. Will she be able to uncover a clue that will lead to the killer?
I was really looking forward to this book, and it didn’t disappoint. Coco and her friends are in top form, and I loved watching their relationships develop. The plot was fantastic with a couple of great twists and many suspects that Coco had to sort through to reach the logical solution. If you’re looking for a warm beach getaway, the setting with definitely appeal to you as well. I love seeing cozy mysteries expanding their themes. However, if you aren’t super into social media, you’ll still understand everything that happens here, and there’s plenty of talking to suspects face to face. Fans will be delighted with this book. If you want a fun, modern cozy, you’ll be glad this series trended to the top of your to be read pile.
I was really looking forward to this book, and it didn’t disappoint. Coco and her friends are in top form, and I loved watching their relationships develop. The plot was fantastic with a couple of great twists and many suspects that Coco had to sort through to reach the logical solution. If you’re looking for a warm beach getaway, the setting with definitely appeal to you as well. I love seeing cozy mysteries expanding their themes. However, if you aren’t super into social media, you’ll still understand everything that happens here, and there’s plenty of talking to suspects face to face. Fans will be delighted with this book. If you want a fun, modern cozy, you’ll be glad this series trended to the top of your to be read pile.

Brujería y Encantamientos Para El Amor y La Curación: Sana Tus Emociones Desde Lo Más Profundo De Tu Ser y Siente Que El
Book
¿Cansado de atraer los tipos de amor equivocados o de salir con la persona equivocada? Aprende...
Self-Help Relationships Spirituality

Uncommon Friends: Keeping Chickens the Animal Lovers’ Way
Book
Ask not what your chickens can do for you; ask what you can do for your chickens. Gone are the...
chickens non-fiction home and garden

A Woman’s Self-Love
Book
How to develop Self-Love in five easy steps, even if you failed at every other self-help strategy. ...
self-help