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Immersion Play (Leather and Lattes #1)
9.0
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One bratty boy searching for somewhere to call home, one damaged Daddy Dom looking to escape his...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2623 KP) rated Murder at an English Séance in Books
Jun 26, 2024 (Updated Jun 26, 2024)
I Foresee a Fun Book in Your Future
The biggest news in the village of Walmsley Parva (well, aside from Beryl’s latest stunt) is the arrival of the Dinsdales. Miss Dinsdale is a psychic, or so she claims. Beryl has had previous experiences with so called psychics, and she has her doubts right from the start. So she is fully on board when the two friends are hired to prove Miss Dinsdale is a fake.
Naturally, that means attending a séance or two to see Miss Dinsdale in action. What no one expects is for them to find a dead body at one of the sittings. Edwina and Beryl quickly change the focus of their investigation. Will they solve their latest case?
Since the last book took place mainly outside the village, I was thrilled to be back for this book. I enjoyed seeing the residents again, and see how Edwina and Beryl’s relationships with them continue to grow. The new characters are good, although there was one that seemed a little young for the age he had to be. I also enjoyed seeing how Edwina and Beryl continue to grow. The story was good with a couple of subplots that kept me engaged as I was reading. The time period came alive as I was reading as well. If you haven’t started this series, you are in for a treat. And if you are already a fan, you’ll be happy with the latest entry.
Naturally, that means attending a séance or two to see Miss Dinsdale in action. What no one expects is for them to find a dead body at one of the sittings. Edwina and Beryl quickly change the focus of their investigation. Will they solve their latest case?
Since the last book took place mainly outside the village, I was thrilled to be back for this book. I enjoyed seeing the residents again, and see how Edwina and Beryl’s relationships with them continue to grow. The new characters are good, although there was one that seemed a little young for the age he had to be. I also enjoyed seeing how Edwina and Beryl continue to grow. The story was good with a couple of subplots that kept me engaged as I was reading. The time period came alive as I was reading as well. If you haven’t started this series, you are in for a treat. And if you are already a fan, you’ll be happy with the latest entry.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2623 KP) rated Murder on Devil’s Pond in Books
Jul 11, 2024
Murder of the Town Recluse
Hannah Solace has returned to her small town in Vermont to help her sister run a B&B. The only person she’s really reconnect with is Ezra Grayson, the town’s eighty-year-old recluse that most people want to see sell the house he’s lived in most of his life. Then Hannah finds his dead body on the pond that borders the B&B. When she finds herself on the suspect list, Hannah begins to investigate. Is his death related to a secret from the past? Or was one of his heirs, who are staying at the B&B, too impatient to inherit?
I’ll admit, it took me a couple of chapters to fully get pulled into this new world, but once it did, I was fully hooked. The mystery is complex with a variety of motives. I figured one thing out early, but the rest, including the killer, kept me guessing. The characters, including the suspects, grew more complex as I read as well. There are some relationships I’m looking forward to seeing explored further as the series goes along. The environmental themes are well done, and the recipe at the end sounds delicious. This book is a little more on the serious side for a cozy mystery, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. If you are looking for a new series you can dig into, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
I’ll admit, it took me a couple of chapters to fully get pulled into this new world, but once it did, I was fully hooked. The mystery is complex with a variety of motives. I figured one thing out early, but the rest, including the killer, kept me guessing. The characters, including the suspects, grew more complex as I read as well. There are some relationships I’m looking forward to seeing explored further as the series goes along. The environmental themes are well done, and the recipe at the end sounds delicious. This book is a little more on the serious side for a cozy mystery, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. If you are looking for a new series you can dig into, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2623 KP) rated Rivers and Creaks in Books
Jan 11, 2025
Andy Finds a Corpse on His First Day
Andy Shirley and his late wife had planned to run a bed and breakfast in Monte Rio after they retired. Now that the time has come, he has to take it on by himself. While he’s been figuring out how to be a good host, something that doesn’t come naturally to him, he runs into a problem he wasn’t expecting – murder. When he takes over the business, there is a wedding party staying there, and one of the bridesmaids has been killed. Can he solve the crime, or will it destroy his business?
This author has been on my radar to try for a while, and I finally got a chance with this book. Sadly, the results were mixed for me. I grew up near where this book is set, so I enjoyed that aspect of things. However, the plot was uneven, with as much focus on Andy settling into his new life as the murder. This led to a weak climax that at least did answer our questions. Meanwhile, Andy was a bit pricklier that I found enjoyable. I get it, but it took a while to warm up to him. Some of that came from the new relationships he is forming, and I enjoyed reading about those. I also enjoyed the humor of the book. I’d give a second book in this series a try, but I hope the issues with the first are ironed out.
This author has been on my radar to try for a while, and I finally got a chance with this book. Sadly, the results were mixed for me. I grew up near where this book is set, so I enjoyed that aspect of things. However, the plot was uneven, with as much focus on Andy settling into his new life as the murder. This led to a weak climax that at least did answer our questions. Meanwhile, Andy was a bit pricklier that I found enjoyable. I get it, but it took a while to warm up to him. Some of that came from the new relationships he is forming, and I enjoyed reading about those. I also enjoyed the humor of the book. I’d give a second book in this series a try, but I hope the issues with the first are ironed out.
One Last Chance
8.0
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Dayton is in a place in his life when he's just about to give up on finding a suitable partner to...
Merissa (14132 KP) rated The Lost Art of Finding Where You Belong (The Lost Arts #2) in Books
Jul 17, 2025
THE LOST ART OF FINDING WHERE YOU BELONG is the second book in The Lost Arts series that gives you Brannal and Perian as the main characters. It does follow on from the first book, so I would absolutely recommend you read that one first.
This book is told from Perian's perspective, and you find out just how he's fitting in at the castle, what others think of him, plus his relationship with Brannal. Now, I may be jumping to conclusions, but I am picking up hints about what the future might hold! 😁 I'm keeping everything crossed that what I'm thinking comes to pass, but I'm also happy to go wherever this story arc takes me.
This book isn't full of action and adventure, but rather seeing more of the day-to-day routine and different relationships Perian has. The one with Renny is so sweet, and I love how fiercely she defends him, even when it shouldn't be necessary.
I am loving this world and the characters who are there. With some seriously spicy scenes, this was a delight to read, and I can't wait to return and find out more. 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 17, 2025
This book is told from Perian's perspective, and you find out just how he's fitting in at the castle, what others think of him, plus his relationship with Brannal. Now, I may be jumping to conclusions, but I am picking up hints about what the future might hold! 😁 I'm keeping everything crossed that what I'm thinking comes to pass, but I'm also happy to go wherever this story arc takes me.
This book isn't full of action and adventure, but rather seeing more of the day-to-day routine and different relationships Perian has. The one with Renny is so sweet, and I love how fiercely she defends him, even when it shouldn't be necessary.
I am loving this world and the characters who are there. With some seriously spicy scenes, this was a delight to read, and I can't wait to return and find out more. 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 17, 2025
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2623 KP) rated Flower Power Trip in Books
Dec 4, 2024
Murder at the Masquerade Ball
It’s the start of summer at Braxton, but Kellan Ayrwick is finding the campus is anything but calm. Not only is he personally teaching a course over the summer, but the Mendel Flower Show has decided to use the campus for their presentation this year. The season is kicking off with a masquerade ball to raise money for a needed library renovation. However, the night ends in tragedy when Kellan finds a dead body in a staff only section of the library. With a friend’s sister the prime suspect, can Kellan figure out what is going on?
Those who are familiar with the series will know that there is a lot going on in these books, and this one is no exception. Yes, we do get some updates to the ongoing soap operaish storylines, including another cliffhanger. The focus is on the new mystery here, however, and it does a good job of keeping us guessing with plenty of twists and red herrings. The ultimate solution was satisfying. My biggest gripe is that Kellan seems to have some contentious relationships with the other series regulars. I hope we are growing beyond some of those issues soon because I read cozies for the groups of characters I want to revisit. Still, I enjoyed this book overall. I definitely recommend you read these books in order because of the ongoing saga. I’m hoping I can make it to the next one soon.
Those who are familiar with the series will know that there is a lot going on in these books, and this one is no exception. Yes, we do get some updates to the ongoing soap operaish storylines, including another cliffhanger. The focus is on the new mystery here, however, and it does a good job of keeping us guessing with plenty of twists and red herrings. The ultimate solution was satisfying. My biggest gripe is that Kellan seems to have some contentious relationships with the other series regulars. I hope we are growing beyond some of those issues soon because I read cozies for the groups of characters I want to revisit. Still, I enjoyed this book overall. I definitely recommend you read these books in order because of the ongoing saga. I’m hoping I can make it to the next one soon.
Fighting Fate (Monsters of London #3.5)
9.0
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One night. That’s all I do. I won’t change that for a werewolf, no matter how adorable he might...
MM Paranormal Romance
Black Cake
8.5
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In this moving debut novel, two estranged siblings must set aside their differences to deal with...
Fever (Songbird #1)
8.0
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Singing in the shower takes on a whole new meaning in Melissa Pearl's first New Adult Contemporary...
Contemporary Romance