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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2478 KP) rated Death by Dumpling in Books
Jul 18, 2018
Lana Finds Herself Delivering Death
Lana Lee has landed back at her parents’ Chinese restaurant as a waitress in an effort to get her life back together. She thinks she’s hit rock bottom, but she’s wrong. Not too long after delivering Mr. Feng his usual order of dumplings, the man is found dead. Somehow, he got shellfish dumplings instead of the pork he ordered. With the police looking at everyone at the restaurant, Lana starts poking around to clear herself and the rest of the employees. But is one of them really guilty?
This was a very fun debut. The mystery is good, although the pacing does lag a bit in the middle. It does pick up again in the final third, giving us some great twists and turns before we reach the logical climax. The characters are mostly strong, which some room to grow as the series progresses. I did feel that Lana’s mother was the weakest characters, and I hope she is fleshed out more as the series progresses. I will definitely be back for seconds.
This was a very fun debut. The mystery is good, although the pacing does lag a bit in the middle. It does pick up again in the final third, giving us some great twists and turns before we reach the logical climax. The characters are mostly strong, which some room to grow as the series progresses. I did feel that Lana’s mother was the weakest characters, and I hope she is fleshed out more as the series progresses. I will definitely be back for seconds.
Alicia S (193 KP) rated Game Saver (Game #3) in Books
Sep 28, 2018
Yet another fabulous book in the Game series!! I love everything BJ Harvey writes and Abi and Cade's story sucked me in from page one. These two were beyond perfect together and I loved every moment of their journey. Dr. Caden Carsen III has grown up in a family with money, his father in politics and his mother the perfect Stepford Wife... yet he wants none of it and is determined to be his own man. When his parents decide to start stepping in with woman to put on his arm he decides to take matters into his own hands and ask Abi, a one-night stand from 10 months ago, to be his pretend girlfriend.... These two go in expecting so much less and end up with so much more.... This book was a trip to read as both Abi and Cade are such incredible characters and the banter between the two of them is off the charts adorable, not to mention I laughed my a$$ off throughout most of the book!? HIGHLY recommended author, book & series!!!
Raylan
Book
The star of JUSTIFIED returns in a stunning new novel from 'the greatest crime writer who ever...
Maigret at the Coroner's
Georges Simenon and Linda Coverdale
Book
Maigret grapples with the American justice system on a trip to Arizona in this new translation, book...
Puppy Play (The App #3)
Book
Can an app be what Sam needs to heal his broken heart and overcome his fears after having his lower...
Contemporary MMM Erotica Kink Romance LGBTQ+
The Bandalore (Pitch & Sickle #1)
8.0
Rate It
Book
1885 London, England Silas Mercer died once. He’d rather not do it again. On his return to the...
MM Historical Gaslamp Fantasy
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2478 KP) rated Murder Comes Home in Books
Oct 2, 2025
Tessa Must Pick Another Murderer
Tessa Treslow and her aunt have agreed to be featured on the TV show Picks with Ricks, hoping that the hosts will find some treasure in the old garage they need to clear out. But one of the hosts has his eye on the car that Tessa has almost finished restoring. That is until the car becomes a crime scene with the dead body of the show’s camera man inside. Who killed him? And why was the car involved?
While a TV crew being the subject of a murder isn’t new, the set up for this one still caught my attention. The more I read, the more I got hooked, with a mystery from the past also drawing me in. Everything made sense by the time we hit the climax. Meanwhile, the characters get better with each book. I’m loving the series regulars, and the suspects kept me guessing. I’m finding each book in the series gets stronger, and I’m looking forward to reading the next soon.
While a TV crew being the subject of a murder isn’t new, the set up for this one still caught my attention. The more I read, the more I got hooked, with a mystery from the past also drawing me in. Everything made sense by the time we hit the climax. Meanwhile, the characters get better with each book. I’m loving the series regulars, and the suspects kept me guessing. I’m finding each book in the series gets stronger, and I’m looking forward to reading the next soon.
Merissa (13749 KP) rated Imminence (Connected #2) in Books
Nov 9, 2017
Imminence (Connected #2) by Kat Stiles
Imminence is the second book in the Connected series, and being as I loved book one, I couldn't wait to read this one. As it had been a while since I read book one, I took the opportunity to re-read that one, and can I just say that even knowing how it ended this time, I still fell in love with the characters and situations just as much! HOWEVER, this review is about the second book, not the first.
Imminence starts where Connected finished. Basically, Em puts the phone down on her dad - the one she had thought was dead for years - and tries to understand just what is going on. Also, whilst dealing with the adrenaline drop from the attack. Not easy for anyone, let alone a sixteen-year-old! The gorgeous Tommy is on hand though, to help her cope. And yes, this is one of those times that I felt like a complete cougar, lusting after a (much) younger man!! I blame Kat Stiles though - if she hadn't made him so scrummy, I wouldn't be needing counselling right now! ;)
Suffice it to say, this story is packed full of action and melting moments, plus you get to see Em's dad and why he did what he did. I loved that part, when it all became clear. If an author can make you relate to the 'big bad' then she is definitely doing it right. Lauren was a star in this book, and the repartee she has going on with Demetri had me laughing out loud.
Excellently written, with a fantastic storyline, and amazing characters, Imminence is a wonderful addition to the Connected series. Fair warning though, it does end on a cliffhanger that had me shouting out! Absolutely loved it, and definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Imminence starts where Connected finished. Basically, Em puts the phone down on her dad - the one she had thought was dead for years - and tries to understand just what is going on. Also, whilst dealing with the adrenaline drop from the attack. Not easy for anyone, let alone a sixteen-year-old! The gorgeous Tommy is on hand though, to help her cope. And yes, this is one of those times that I felt like a complete cougar, lusting after a (much) younger man!! I blame Kat Stiles though - if she hadn't made him so scrummy, I wouldn't be needing counselling right now! ;)
Suffice it to say, this story is packed full of action and melting moments, plus you get to see Em's dad and why he did what he did. I loved that part, when it all became clear. If an author can make you relate to the 'big bad' then she is definitely doing it right. Lauren was a star in this book, and the repartee she has going on with Demetri had me laughing out loud.
Excellently written, with a fantastic storyline, and amazing characters, Imminence is a wonderful addition to the Connected series. Fair warning though, it does end on a cliffhanger that had me shouting out! Absolutely loved it, and definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (13749 KP) rated Taylin's Temptation (Divergent Omegaverse #2) in Books
Aug 7, 2025
TAYLIN'S TEMPTATION is the second story, but the first full-length novel, in the Divergent Omegaverse series. As you might have gathered, this book focuses on Taylin and Hollis, whom we met in the introductory short story.
These two met five years before this story starts, but both of them hid behind a professional veneer. Once Derick and Lane announced their retirement, Hollis' position within the company changed, ensuring that he and Taylin work closer together. Apart from that, nothing much changes until they go on a work trip together. Hollis had tried warning Taylin that his heat was due, but Taylin's naughty wolf stopped him from hearing that, and so Taylin insisted he come with him on the trip. The gloves are off when Hollis goes into heat!
There are a lot of different personalities in this story, some of which I can't wait to learn more about, some of which I don't particularly like right now. However, I'm reserving judgement as I know Ms. Sayle has a way of making you like even the man-whorish of character! It is a bit much at times, but I was always thankful to return to Taylin and Hollis.
This story is also full of light-hearted moments between brothers and close friends. HOWEVER, it's not all fun and frolics. During the above-mentioned work trip, they find a business that is decidedly not light-hearted, with the conditions the omegas are working in and under being disturbing, to say the least. I really hope this is one of the threads that continues and these omegas get their own HEAs, whether that's a mate or having a career.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait to continue with the series. 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!
Aug 7, 2025
These two met five years before this story starts, but both of them hid behind a professional veneer. Once Derick and Lane announced their retirement, Hollis' position within the company changed, ensuring that he and Taylin work closer together. Apart from that, nothing much changes until they go on a work trip together. Hollis had tried warning Taylin that his heat was due, but Taylin's naughty wolf stopped him from hearing that, and so Taylin insisted he come with him on the trip. The gloves are off when Hollis goes into heat!
There are a lot of different personalities in this story, some of which I can't wait to learn more about, some of which I don't particularly like right now. However, I'm reserving judgement as I know Ms. Sayle has a way of making you like even the man-whorish of character! It is a bit much at times, but I was always thankful to return to Taylin and Hollis.
This story is also full of light-hearted moments between brothers and close friends. HOWEVER, it's not all fun and frolics. During the above-mentioned work trip, they find a business that is decidedly not light-hearted, with the conditions the omegas are working in and under being disturbing, to say the least. I really hope this is one of the threads that continues and these omegas get their own HEAs, whether that's a mate or having a career.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait to continue with the series. 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!
Aug 7, 2025