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A Sucker For Christmas
A Sucker For Christmas
JP Sayle | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A SUCKER FOR CHRISTMAS is part of the multi-author Tinsel and Tentacles series and it was brilliant! Simple as that.

Fitch and Shaun have been friends since Fitch was four years old, and they spend every Christmas together. He has one big secret though, that he can't share with Shaun. He has an Octopus animal spirit, but Shaun doesn't like them. This leads to both of them keeping quiet, when they each want the other. This leads Mandy, Shaun's twin sister, to intervene in hilarious ways to get them together.

This was fun and festive, with plenty of steam. I loved Fitch's octopus and the role he played. Every character in here is superb. Mandy is a character with a capital C, and I can't decide if I love her or if she drives me insane. I guess I'm in good company with Fitch and Shaun then!

This was a one-sit read for me and I thoroughly enjoyed every word. 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 4, 2023
  
Murder Under the Mistletoe
Murder Under the Mistletoe
Erica Ruth Neubauer | 2023 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Meeting the Father Turns Deadly
It’s December of 1926, and Jane Wunderly is accompanying her fiancé, Redvers, to his home in a small English village to meet his father. The two men have grown apart, so it is news to Redvers that his father is also engaged and planning to wed on Christmas morning. However, this bride-to-be is twice widowed and rumor has it that her previous husbands didn’t die of natural causes. Then an attack is followed up by a suspicious death at a Christmas party. Can Jane and Redvers figure out what is happening?

When I learned that we were getting a between the books novella this Christmas, I had to read it. And I enjoyed it. We see a couple supporting characters in addition to Jane and Redvers. Plus, the new characters are great. The plot kept me guessing, even when I thought I had a handle on what was going on. While not all the Christmas traditions are the same, it still felt familiar enough that I enjoyed the dose of Christmas spirit in December. Whether you already like this series or are looking for a quick Christmas read, you’ll be glad you picked up this ebook only novella.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2510 KP) rated Shock and Paw in Books

Dec 13, 2024 (Updated Dec 13, 2024)  
Shock and Paw
Shock and Paw
Cate Conte | 2024 | Mystery
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder During an Electric Christmas Season
This December, the Daybreak Island Chamber of Commerce is planning several events, hoping to draw visitors during the off season. Maddie James is trying to focus on running her cat café for a change, but she finds herself drawn into the drama surrounding the events, especially the decorating contest. But when a murder happens, Maddie really jumps into things, especially with her best friend one of the suspects. Can she figure out what is going on?

I’m glad we got a second Christmas entry in this series. As always, it was fun to visit the characters again, although I do feel like some of the minor characters are hard to keep track of. The pacing in this book was off. Yes, everything came into play once the murdered happened, as I figured it would, but it wandered around quite a bit on its way there. Still, I was really caught up in the second half, and the suspects kept me guessing on the way to the logical climax. I also enjoyed the Christmas spirit we got in addition to the murder and mayhem. Fans of the series will find this puts them in the holiday mood.
  
AH
A House of Bells
J.T. Croft | 2024
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
7 of 220
Kindle
A House of Bells
By J.T. Croft
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A woman haunted by fate, a child silenced by fear, and a house full of secrets and bells.
1918. Stripped of her reputation and haunted by a spirit she failed to protect, the young governess Grace Meadows finds herself out of time and growing more and more desperate. But when she’s offered a strange job from an eccentric medium, she never could have imagined what she was signing up for.

Tasked with caring for a troubled young girl who has lost the ability to speak, Grace must unravel the dangerous secrets at the heart of a run-down country mansion and find the source of the horrors which now threaten both of their lives.

As she’s forced to confront her own demons and reconcile the ghosts of past and present, can Grace protect the child from the living and dead? And what is waiting for her beyond the mysterious silk and bells which protect them from forces unseen?

This was a haughtily beautiful gothic horror. It was so well written. The characters were endearing and dislikeable when needed. I’m glad to have found this author and looking forward to reading more.
  
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Morgan Sheppard (1007 KP) created a post

Feb 17, 2026  
✨ Are you ready to journey into a world where magic and myth walk side by side, and the very air hums with ancient power? ✨

Welcome to WRAIDD ELFENNOL, a mystical island shaped and sustained by the Elements 🌍💨🔥💧, where balance is sacred, and every generation of Chosen must rise to meet challenges that test not only their strength, but their spirit.

In this young adult fantasy series, each child, upon reaching their thirteenth year, is matched with an animal Partner whose soul resonates with their own, forming a lifelong bond through which they can speak mind to mind, sharing thoughts, courage and comfort in a connection as deep as any legend.

Across shifting landscapes and ancient strongholds, quests unfold, and long-buried truths begin to stir, while elemental magic weaves through every choice, asking whether those bound by destiny are ready to restore harmony before it is lost forever.

If you were called at thirteen to stand beside your own animal Partner and defend the balance of the Elements, what creature do you think would choose you? 🐾✨

📖 Begin the adventure today (available in #KU):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GJV1CYB

#YoungAdultFantasy #ElementalMagic #AnimalCompanions #KindleUnlimited #FantasyAdventure #MythAndMagic #IndieFantasy
     
Restless Dolly Maunder
Restless Dolly Maunder
Kate Grenville | 2023 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Another fabulous read that I wouldn’t have picked up if it hadn’t have been for the Women’s Prize.

Dolly Maunder is most definitely restless. She wants more than the hand that life has dealt her - and as a female whose parents work on a farm, she is expected to get married and have children who will work on a farm.

Dolly is determined, and that’s what shows throughout this book. When her parents take away the chance for her to become a teacher, she finds other ways to change her life. She’s a force of nature! I loved Dolly’s spirit. She did come across as obstinate and single minded, neither of which is a terrible thing for someone with ambition. But it’s not easy for those who have to live with her!

This is a pretty wide-sweeping novel, from Dolly’s childhood until her old age, and it still seemed to be over too soon. It was so interesting to learn about the Australian way of life from just before WWI to after WWII, and Dolly moves around enough for the reader to see different areas of Australia.

There’s a lot of emotion in this book, and when you read the authors note at the end, you’ll see why. Recommended.