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graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Night's Edge in Books
Feb 15, 2019
I just finished Maggie Shayne's short story, Her Best Enemy, and enjoyed it a lot. Yes, the plot is rushed and I didn't believe they could love each other that soon at the end, but it was a really fun story! I would have liked it better if Ms. Shayne had left them just starting out in their promising relationship and not dropping the L-bomb at the end - it felt too forced and cheesy. But as I said before, it was very fun, and an easy and fast read too! :)
4/5 stars
Someone Else's Shadow was another very good story. I really liked Maddie, and while the love angle was again very fast, but at the end I appreciated that the author addresses how fast they fell in love. As with the first story, the ghost angle was creepy and made the whole atmosphere of the story come alive. The chemistry between Maddie and Phil was palpable and it did make me feel like they could in fact fall in love that fast. A great short story!
4.5/5 stars
Dancers in the Dark was another good tale in this anthology. Rue was a likable protagonist who had a horrible past, and while Sean could have been brought to life (ha!) more, he was still a good hero for her. The plot was well-done and I never got annoyed at Rue for feeling sorry for herself or anything, which can happen in stories similar to this. All-in-all it was a fascinating tale.
4/5 stars
4/5 stars
Someone Else's Shadow was another very good story. I really liked Maddie, and while the love angle was again very fast, but at the end I appreciated that the author addresses how fast they fell in love. As with the first story, the ghost angle was creepy and made the whole atmosphere of the story come alive. The chemistry between Maddie and Phil was palpable and it did make me feel like they could in fact fall in love that fast. A great short story!
4.5/5 stars
Dancers in the Dark was another good tale in this anthology. Rue was a likable protagonist who had a horrible past, and while Sean could have been brought to life (ha!) more, he was still a good hero for her. The plot was well-done and I never got annoyed at Rue for feeling sorry for herself or anything, which can happen in stories similar to this. All-in-all it was a fascinating tale.
4/5 stars
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Clockwork Dollhouse in Books
Oct 19, 2018 (Updated Oct 19, 2018)
Short but gripping
A very short novella, Clockwork Dollhouse by Jordan Elizabeth is a haunting steampunk tale of revenge. Set in a previous century, Governor Robert Pendleton is shocked to discover an intruder in a set of rooms that have not been entered for years. He is even more shocked to discover the intruder is his niece, Ainsley, the daughter of his sister, Jane.
When Jane was young, unable to walk due to a disfigured foot, she took delight in creating mechanical dolls, representing her family. Ever since Ainsley, now an orphan, appeared at the castle, the dolls have taken on a life of their own, acting out events to suggest Robert had murdered his parents and sister. Unnerved, Robert wonders who is moving the dolls; is it Ainsley or have the mechanical figures come to life. Could it even be Jane's ghost?
In under thirty pages, Jordan Elizabeth engages readers with a gripping tale of secrets and deceit. The steampunk genre adds an extra element of thrill, making Clockwork Dollhouse an apt short story to be published at this time of year. Although short, it proves the author's skill and wide imagination.
When Jane was young, unable to walk due to a disfigured foot, she took delight in creating mechanical dolls, representing her family. Ever since Ainsley, now an orphan, appeared at the castle, the dolls have taken on a life of their own, acting out events to suggest Robert had murdered his parents and sister. Unnerved, Robert wonders who is moving the dolls; is it Ainsley or have the mechanical figures come to life. Could it even be Jane's ghost?
In under thirty pages, Jordan Elizabeth engages readers with a gripping tale of secrets and deceit. The steampunk genre adds an extra element of thrill, making Clockwork Dollhouse an apt short story to be published at this time of year. Although short, it proves the author's skill and wide imagination.
Sara Cox (1845 KP) rated Donuts and Disaster in Books
Jul 27, 2019
Donuts and Disaster - other than making me feel extremely peckish throughout I surprised myself by enjoying this short book. I was having a spout of 'I want to read, but nothing is holding onto my interest' when I found this on my #tbr shelf. It's number 4 of a series of Sandy Bay Cozy Mysterys. Meghan runs a bakery and finds herself (yet again apparently) tangled up with a murder. The story was quick paced and a lot happened in a short space of time. If I were to offer a criticism I would say that the murder should happen sooner for such a short book. The murder did not happen until half way through, which means there was only a little time in the short book for it to be solved. But as a quick and easy read after a long day at work - definitely a winner. I like that you can read it as a standalone and not need to know what happened in the previous books. The discovery of a killer disappointed me a little as very little investigative work went into it - I was expecting more Jessica Fletcher than accidental confession/discovery.
Obsessed book reviews (49 KP) rated Done Deal (The Boardroom, #0.5) in Books
May 7, 2019
This is the first book by this author that I've read and it definitely won't be the last. This is a very erotic short read. The story in this book sets the scene for the series. You get an introduction to the characters and a sneak peek at their story. This book will leave you wanting and needing more from the characters and this series. I cant to read more from this series and from this author in the future.
Highly recommended start to this series
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book
Highly recommended start to this series
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book
Kristin (149 KP) rated Strange Little Girls in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
The title definitely doesn't lie -- these are some STRANGE little girls. Each story is so different from the last, and they all suck you in and don't let up until the end. There are even a couple I could see being turned into at least a novella on their own, as I would love to read more about that particular girl's story.
Really interesting read, and since it's a collection of short stories, you can read a little bit at a time and not forget where you are.
5 stars
The title definitely doesn't lie -- these are some STRANGE little girls. Each story is so different from the last, and they all suck you in and don't let up until the end. There are even a couple I could see being turned into at least a novella on their own, as I would love to read more about that particular girl's story.
Really interesting read, and since it's a collection of short stories, you can read a little bit at a time and not forget where you are.
5 stars
Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk and Other Stories
Nikolai Leskov and David McDuff
Book
The story of a passionate young woman who escapes her stifling marriage through adultery and murder,...
Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated Six Foot Six in Books
Jul 1, 2021
A lovely little short story that follows Timothy Flowers who turns 21 on the day this is set on. Timothy is minding his own business when a man, Charlie, starts to talk to him and offers him a day’s paid work. Timothy is unsure but decides to help Charlie out.
What follows is a story about their day and makes you want to read more when it’s finished. It was heartwarming and although Timothy is different from most normal 21 year olds, Charlie doesn’t treat him that way at all.
I would definitely recommend it! I just wish it was a little longer!
What follows is a story about their day and makes you want to read more when it’s finished. It was heartwarming and although Timothy is different from most normal 21 year olds, Charlie doesn’t treat him that way at all.
I would definitely recommend it! I just wish it was a little longer!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Full Exposure in Books
Sep 6, 2019
I struggled with this from the start. There was too much description at the start, which I understand but I'm not a fan of, then we meet Riley and I perked up at their interaction during the photography bit.
After that, I didn't feel anything for them and their budding romance, almost to the point of DNF'ing it up to the end but considering how short it was I thought I might as well finish it.
The ending was kinda cute but since I never really gelled with the story it was also rather meh.
Not a story I'll keep.
After that, I didn't feel anything for them and their budding romance, almost to the point of DNF'ing it up to the end but considering how short it was I thought I might as well finish it.
The ending was kinda cute but since I never really gelled with the story it was also rather meh.
Not a story I'll keep.
Busted (Will Trent, #6.5)
7.0
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FBI Special Agent Will Trent finds himself in trouble. Will Trent is on his way to Macon for an...
The Uparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall
6.0
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Fiction. Hans Phaall, a bankrupt bellows-mender from Rotterdam, thinks up an ingenious scheme to...
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