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Jasmine's Journey to Jesus
Book
Jasmine’s Journey to Jesus is a powerful and inspirational story of survival, hope, growth and...
Fiction Coming of Age Christian Fiction
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2589 KP) rated Kill or Bee Killed in Books
Jun 5, 2024
Bailey Must Bee Careful
It’s time for the annual Bee Festival in Humble Hills, Colorado. Since Bailey’s Granny Bee is in charge, that means that Bailey will be busy with the week-long festival helping make sure that it runs smoothly. One of the events is a local-restaurant cooking contest, and morning show host Rex Rafferty is coming to town, with a film crew, to host the event. However, Rex is a horrible man, and it isn’t long before Bailey and her best friend, Evie, who is a contestant, are doing all they can to avoid him. Before the contest is over, he’s been murdered. The crew he brought with him seem like obvious suspects, but the evidence seems to point to the event’s contestants. Can Bailey free her friend?
The book starts out a bit slowly, but with a very funny scene. It isn’t long before the plot kicks in and we are meeting the victim and prime suspects. I enjoyed following Bailey as she looked for the killer. The ending was a bit abrupt, but it did answer all of my questions and kept me turning pages. Over the course of the book, we get laughs from characters and other slapstick situations. A few of the characters still don’t get enough page time to develop, but I enjoyed seeing the series regulars again and watching their relationships grow. The suspects are good, but a couple could have used a little more page time. Overall, this is a fun second entry in what is quickly becoming a sweet series.
The book starts out a bit slowly, but with a very funny scene. It isn’t long before the plot kicks in and we are meeting the victim and prime suspects. I enjoyed following Bailey as she looked for the killer. The ending was a bit abrupt, but it did answer all of my questions and kept me turning pages. Over the course of the book, we get laughs from characters and other slapstick situations. A few of the characters still don’t get enough page time to develop, but I enjoyed seeing the series regulars again and watching their relationships grow. The suspects are good, but a couple could have used a little more page time. Overall, this is a fun second entry in what is quickly becoming a sweet series.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2589 KP) rated Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies in Books
Aug 15, 2024
Don’t Bother Booking This Vacation
Eleanor Dash’s first book was an instant best seller. It was inspired by a trip she took to Rome, and she fictionalized parts of it. She just didn’t change the hero’s name, and ever since, her ex, Connor Smith, has been worming his way into her life. Ten years later, Eleanor is planning to kill him off – at least in her next book. However, someone seems determined to do it in real life on a trip they are both on to celebrate ten years of her series. Can she figure out what is going on?
The premise of this one sounded fun, and I was intrigued when I heard that there are footnotes in the book. Sadly, the footnotes didn’t add anything; in fact, they came across as self-indulgent at times and lazy at others, like when the author put character descriptions in them. And I’ll call out the foul language, which was especially excessive at the beginning. (See your footnote complaining about calling out foul language didn’t work.) The characters were shallow, and some of their relationships and issues seems like issues that could have been resolved quickly. Eleanor herself doesn’t seem to fit her backstory. Yes, the characters grew, but it wasn’t quite enough for me. The pacing in the book was off as well, although there were some good twists. I did enjoy the virtual trip to Italy. In the end, this book wasn’t nearly as clever as it thought it was, so the result wasn’t as entertaining as I hoped it would be.
The premise of this one sounded fun, and I was intrigued when I heard that there are footnotes in the book. Sadly, the footnotes didn’t add anything; in fact, they came across as self-indulgent at times and lazy at others, like when the author put character descriptions in them. And I’ll call out the foul language, which was especially excessive at the beginning. (See your footnote complaining about calling out foul language didn’t work.) The characters were shallow, and some of their relationships and issues seems like issues that could have been resolved quickly. Eleanor herself doesn’t seem to fit her backstory. Yes, the characters grew, but it wasn’t quite enough for me. The pacing in the book was off as well, although there were some good twists. I did enjoy the virtual trip to Italy. In the end, this book wasn’t nearly as clever as it thought it was, so the result wasn’t as entertaining as I hoped it would be.
Kari's Kismet (Divergent Omegaverse #6)
8.5
Rate It
Book
When life throws Kari Starling a curve ball of love—will his Daddy nature and Bowie’s Ex...
Omegaverse MM Romance Daddy Romance
Merissa (14046 KP) rated Lustful Nights (Peaches #1) in Books
Apr 14, 2025
LUSTFUL NIGHTS is the first book in the Peaches series and features Lennox and Jensen, plus a whole host of other brilliant characters.
Lennox has gone back to school to get his nursing degree. To support that, he works at Peaches as a dancer a few nights a week. Jensen is Lennox's big brother, Nick's, best friend who gets the shock of a lifetime when he sees Lennox dance, especially because it wakes something up inside him.
This is a fun and sassy low angst story between the two of them. The angst comes into how they tell Nick about their relationship. Lennox has had a bad run of relationships in the past, so his friends are concerned when they find out he's dating someone secretly. Jensen, however, is a cutie-patootie who goes full steam ahead for what, or who, he wants. The thing I loved the most is that although the steam comes off the page for these two, you also get the emotional connection. Jensen is everything Lennox needs, and vice versa.
The pacing is very smooth and all the characters are brilliantly written. It is Preston's turn next and I can't wait to see what happens with him. I really hope Jonas plays a part. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me and I can't wait to read more.
** 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!
Apr 4, 2025
Lennox has gone back to school to get his nursing degree. To support that, he works at Peaches as a dancer a few nights a week. Jensen is Lennox's big brother, Nick's, best friend who gets the shock of a lifetime when he sees Lennox dance, especially because it wakes something up inside him.
This is a fun and sassy low angst story between the two of them. The angst comes into how they tell Nick about their relationship. Lennox has had a bad run of relationships in the past, so his friends are concerned when they find out he's dating someone secretly. Jensen, however, is a cutie-patootie who goes full steam ahead for what, or who, he wants. The thing I loved the most is that although the steam comes off the page for these two, you also get the emotional connection. Jensen is everything Lennox needs, and vice versa.
The pacing is very smooth and all the characters are brilliantly written. It is Preston's turn next and I can't wait to see what happens with him. I really hope Jonas plays a part. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me and I can't wait to read more.
** 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!
Apr 4, 2025
Nine-Tenths
8.0
Rate It
Book
Colin Levesque is at loose ends. He's finished university, but has no career; he adores romance...
MM Urban Fantasy Romance
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2589 KP) rated Throne of Threats in Books
Jun 13, 2025
You Are Cordially Invited to a … Kidnapping
Jax is just days away from the event we’ve been waiting for almost as much as she has – her wedding to the youngest son of a ruler of a neighboring kingdom. With friends and family coming in a couple of days before the big event, and a couple of days before the rest of the guests, Jax is hoping for some relaxing before she has to play hostess and politics with her guests. But when Uma, her lady in waiting, goes to pick up the flowers a couple of days before, she is kidnapped. With only a cryptic clue to guide her, can Jax find Uma and rescue her? And will this latest case hurt her relationships with those she loves most?
Any fan of the series has been looking forward to the events of this book. The beginning takes a bit of time getting to the story. Part of that is set up, but some is just general updates on the characters and the realm. Once the kidnapping happens, the pace doesn’t let up. I loved how things came together. I also loved getting to spend time with these characters again. They truly are fun. Reactions to the events of the story felt realistic, and part of that is because of elements from the past books that are mentioned in passing. It feels like we’ve turned a page in the series, and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Any fan of the series has been looking forward to the events of this book. The beginning takes a bit of time getting to the story. Part of that is set up, but some is just general updates on the characters and the realm. Once the kidnapping happens, the pace doesn’t let up. I loved how things came together. I also loved getting to spend time with these characters again. They truly are fun. Reactions to the events of the story felt realistic, and part of that is because of elements from the past books that are mentioned in passing. It feels like we’ve turned a page in the series, and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated King of Khoth ( Dark Warrior Alliance book 12) in Books
Mar 23, 2023
34 of 235
Kindle
King of Khoth ( Dark Warrior Alliance book 12)
By Brenda Trim and Tami Julka
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Dragon shifter, Angus Callanach, is returning to his home realm after one of the Vampire Princes reopens the portal to Khoth. Having spent two hundred years as the majordomo at Zeum, he is ready to once again take up his mantle as the king of the Cuelebre. Life seems sublime when his millennia long search for the love of his life, Keira ends. That is, until he discovers she has no recollection of him or their relationship and she is firmly in the clutches of his archenemy, Cyril, the Unseelie King. Keira wakes up in a strange cave, clueless about her identity and the world around her. Everything she is told comes into question the moment Angus crashes into her life. Kidnapped for the second time, she is taken to Khoth and discovers she is a powerful sea dragon princess with intimate ties to the Cuelebre. Overwhelmed by it all, she swears off relationships so she can focus on regaining her identity, but the passion that ignites between her and Angus is hotter than the fire he breathes.
Absolutely one of my favourite stories so far! I love the dragon shifters I love Angus and Mack in this was her brilliant funny self. It was such a feel good instalment to a series I have grown to love. It also sets us nicely up for Brhics story.
Kindle
King of Khoth ( Dark Warrior Alliance book 12)
By Brenda Trim and Tami Julka
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Dragon shifter, Angus Callanach, is returning to his home realm after one of the Vampire Princes reopens the portal to Khoth. Having spent two hundred years as the majordomo at Zeum, he is ready to once again take up his mantle as the king of the Cuelebre. Life seems sublime when his millennia long search for the love of his life, Keira ends. That is, until he discovers she has no recollection of him or their relationship and she is firmly in the clutches of his archenemy, Cyril, the Unseelie King. Keira wakes up in a strange cave, clueless about her identity and the world around her. Everything she is told comes into question the moment Angus crashes into her life. Kidnapped for the second time, she is taken to Khoth and discovers she is a powerful sea dragon princess with intimate ties to the Cuelebre. Overwhelmed by it all, she swears off relationships so she can focus on regaining her identity, but the passion that ignites between her and Angus is hotter than the fire he breathes.
Absolutely one of my favourite stories so far! I love the dragon shifters I love Angus and Mack in this was her brilliant funny self. It was such a feel good instalment to a series I have grown to love. It also sets us nicely up for Brhics story.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2589 KP) rated Forbidden City in Books
Mar 2, 2022 (Updated Mar 2, 2022)
Spying and Chess
While on a recent mission, Paris discovered some bonus intel, and that turns out to be a valuable find. It leads MI6 to believe that the evil organization Umbra is going to kidnap one of North Korea’s nuclear scientists. If MI6 wants to get him to defect first, they need to find a way to approach him. Given North Korea’s secrecy and security, that won’t be easy. However, the scientist’s son is a top chess player, and he is planning to enter a couple of international tournaments. So Paris tries to upgrade his own chess skills so he can join the tournaments. Will Paris and the rest of the team be able to make contact with the scientist? Is he even interested in defecting?
Having enjoyed the first two in this series, I was looking forward to this book, and I wasn’t disappointed. This book is Paris’s time to shine, but all the other characters get their own smaller moments, and I continue to love their relationships. We get some surprising advancement on one series plot thread, although others are only mentioned in passing. I do feel like the other books in the series had a bit more action, but with all the angles the teams uses to approach their mission, I was never bored. We get a few laughs along the way, and even when we aren’t laughing, it’s just fun to be around the characters. Fans will enjoy this latest book. I’m already looking forward to their next mission.
Having enjoyed the first two in this series, I was looking forward to this book, and I wasn’t disappointed. This book is Paris’s time to shine, but all the other characters get their own smaller moments, and I continue to love their relationships. We get some surprising advancement on one series plot thread, although others are only mentioned in passing. I do feel like the other books in the series had a bit more action, but with all the angles the teams uses to approach their mission, I was never bored. We get a few laughs along the way, and even when we aren’t laughing, it’s just fun to be around the characters. Fans will enjoy this latest book. I’m already looking forward to their next mission.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2589 KP) rated The Drowning Sea in Books
Jun 23, 2022
Maggie’s Still Finding Mysteries
After quitting her job, Maggie D’Arcy is spending her summer in Ireland with her daughter, her boyfriend, Conor, and his son, as they get serious about Maggie and her daughter moving to Ireland. They’ve rented a cottage on a West Cork peninsula, but their vacation hits a snag when the body of a young man who disappeared months ago washes ashore. Even though Maggie isn’t a cop, she can’t help but ask questions. Where has he been for the last few months? Who would want him dead? Can Maggie find the answers even without her badge?
Since I’ve enjoyed the first two books in this series, I was curious to see where the series was going to go in this book. Once again, the writing was atmospheric and made me feel like I was there with Maggie. The characters are well drawn, although I did have a little trouble keeping all the relationships of the villagers straight. Still, I loved getting to spend time with the core cast again. Unfortunately, the pacing of the book was off, lagging at times in the middle and leaving us with a weak climax, although the climax did answer all our questions. The book is written in present tense, and it took my brain a bit to adjust to that. Most of the story is told from Maggie’s first-person point of view, but we do get some chapters from other characters’ points of view to help flesh things out. Fans of the series will be glad they picked up this book.
Since I’ve enjoyed the first two books in this series, I was curious to see where the series was going to go in this book. Once again, the writing was atmospheric and made me feel like I was there with Maggie. The characters are well drawn, although I did have a little trouble keeping all the relationships of the villagers straight. Still, I loved getting to spend time with the core cast again. Unfortunately, the pacing of the book was off, lagging at times in the middle and leaving us with a weak climax, although the climax did answer all our questions. The book is written in present tense, and it took my brain a bit to adjust to that. Most of the story is told from Maggie’s first-person point of view, but we do get some chapters from other characters’ points of view to help flesh things out. Fans of the series will be glad they picked up this book.