Search
Search results
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2415 KP) rated A Christmas Candy Killing in Books
Oct 19, 2022
Sweetly Festive Debut
Identical twins Alex and Hanna have made a life for themselves in a small Montana town, where they have opened Murder and Mayhem, a combination mystery bookstore and chocolate shop. In the time they’ve been here, Alex has become friends with Jane, one of their neighbors. Jane invites Alex over to view a true crime show because she believes that one of their neighbors is the killer still at large at the end of the episode. But when Alex arrives, she finds Jane’s dead body. The police think it was a robbery gone wrong, but Alex wonders if Jane was really onto something. Can she find the killer?
Between the culinary cozy theme and the Christmas setting, I have to give this debut a chance. I’m glad I did. The first couple of chapters had a bit too much background on Alex and Hanna, but once the murder happened, things picked up. I appreciated how the clues were folded into the story. Not that I figured out the killer using them. The characters are good, but they could be a little stronger. Likewise, the setting is good, but could be a little stronger. Both of these are minor complaints since I am definitely ready to visit my new friends and this location again soon. I enjoyed the Christmas timing as well. This is a delicious debut.
Between the culinary cozy theme and the Christmas setting, I have to give this debut a chance. I’m glad I did. The first couple of chapters had a bit too much background on Alex and Hanna, but once the murder happened, things picked up. I appreciated how the clues were folded into the story. Not that I figured out the killer using them. The characters are good, but they could be a little stronger. Likewise, the setting is good, but could be a little stronger. Both of these are minor complaints since I am definitely ready to visit my new friends and this location again soon. I enjoyed the Christmas timing as well. This is a delicious debut.
Simple, Safe & Secret: The 1981 Murder of Joan L. Webster by Eve Carson
9.0
Rate It
Book
It's worse than you think... It was a brisk April morning in 1990 when a woman walking her dog...
True Crime
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Legends & Lattes (book 1) in Books
Aug 3, 2023
100 of 235
Kindle
Legends & Lattes ( Book 1)
By Travis Baldree
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The much-beloved BookTok sensation, Travis Baldree's novel of high fantasy and low stakes.
*This new edition includes a very special, never-before-seen bonus story, 'Pages to Fill.'*
After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.
The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success — not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.
If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won't be able to go it alone.
But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.
I was nervous starting this as I’d seen so much hype about it. It really didn’t disappoint I loved it!! Lighthearted, sweet and just what you need to make you smile. Definitely worth it even if your not a fantasy fan I can see it still being an entertaining read. Loved it!
Kindle
Legends & Lattes ( Book 1)
By Travis Baldree
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The much-beloved BookTok sensation, Travis Baldree's novel of high fantasy and low stakes.
*This new edition includes a very special, never-before-seen bonus story, 'Pages to Fill.'*
After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.
The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success — not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.
If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won't be able to go it alone.
But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.
I was nervous starting this as I’d seen so much hype about it. It really didn’t disappoint I loved it!! Lighthearted, sweet and just what you need to make you smile. Definitely worth it even if your not a fantasy fan I can see it still being an entertaining read. Loved it!
Khaki Town
Book
Judy Nunn’s exciting new novel, a no.1 bestseller, is inspired by a true wartime story that has...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Heart of the Hunter (Dragon Chalice, #1) in Books
Oct 23, 2022
195 of 230
Kindle
Heart of the Hunter ( Dragon Chalice book 1)
By Tina St.John (Lara Adrian)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
Ariana of Clairmont would risk anything to save her kidnapped brother, a quest she knows is fraught with peril. Her only ally is Braedon le Chasseur, a formidable knight with a mysterious past, whose scarred face and brooding nature mask a soul filled with pain. Ariana fears this dangerous man and the secrets he strives to conceal - but Braedon's touch is pure seduction, his kiss a potent lure that tempts her into a passion she is powerless to resist.
Once known as The Hunter, now haunted by a dark legacy he struggles to deny, Braedon lives in a world of shadow and isolation - until he is thrust together with an innocent beauty in need of his protection. Embarking on a journey that will lead them to a legendary treasure, Braedon will be forced to confront old enemies and the stunning secret of his true nature - or risk losing Ariana and the only happiness he has ever known. . . .
I really enjoyed this book. It was historical romance with a bit of magic thrown in. It was spicy in a hot romantic way. I love Lara Adrian she never fails to bring us a good love story with the type of villains you hate forever. Recommended!
Kindle
Heart of the Hunter ( Dragon Chalice book 1)
By Tina St.John (Lara Adrian)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
Ariana of Clairmont would risk anything to save her kidnapped brother, a quest she knows is fraught with peril. Her only ally is Braedon le Chasseur, a formidable knight with a mysterious past, whose scarred face and brooding nature mask a soul filled with pain. Ariana fears this dangerous man and the secrets he strives to conceal - but Braedon's touch is pure seduction, his kiss a potent lure that tempts her into a passion she is powerless to resist.
Once known as The Hunter, now haunted by a dark legacy he struggles to deny, Braedon lives in a world of shadow and isolation - until he is thrust together with an innocent beauty in need of his protection. Embarking on a journey that will lead them to a legendary treasure, Braedon will be forced to confront old enemies and the stunning secret of his true nature - or risk losing Ariana and the only happiness he has ever known. . . .
I really enjoyed this book. It was historical romance with a bit of magic thrown in. It was spicy in a hot romantic way. I love Lara Adrian she never fails to bring us a good love story with the type of villains you hate forever. Recommended!
ClareR (5991 KP) rated Elizabeth of York: The Last White Rose in Books
Mar 14, 2023
I loved this rather melancholy story of the last Lancastrian princess - Elizabeth of York.
It’s 500 pages of history, with loads of details of what it was like to be a female royal during times of instability and unrest. Even for royalty it wasn’t a great time to be a woman. Only good for one thing: providing the next generation. But Elizabeth bucked that trend somewhat, and Weir makes the case for her having some influence with Henry VII. She was a literate, intelligent woman at a time where women weren’t always well educated. Her duty is always to her country and her family - and she had to play a dangerous game of keeping Richard happy whilst hoping that Henry would succeed. After all, she considers Richard responsible for the deaths of her brothers, one of whom was the true heir to the crown (but will we ever really know what happened to these boys?).
I really enjoyed this. I know from reviews I’ve read that some people believe it’s too long, but I can’t see how it could be made shorter and still make sense! There’s so much happening during Elizabeths lifetime: civil war, chopping and changing kings, backstabbing, family strife, births, deaths, marriages - the lot!
Three generations of royalty are covered wonderfully in this book, and I for one ate it up!
It’s 500 pages of history, with loads of details of what it was like to be a female royal during times of instability and unrest. Even for royalty it wasn’t a great time to be a woman. Only good for one thing: providing the next generation. But Elizabeth bucked that trend somewhat, and Weir makes the case for her having some influence with Henry VII. She was a literate, intelligent woman at a time where women weren’t always well educated. Her duty is always to her country and her family - and she had to play a dangerous game of keeping Richard happy whilst hoping that Henry would succeed. After all, she considers Richard responsible for the deaths of her brothers, one of whom was the true heir to the crown (but will we ever really know what happened to these boys?).
I really enjoyed this. I know from reviews I’ve read that some people believe it’s too long, but I can’t see how it could be made shorter and still make sense! There’s so much happening during Elizabeths lifetime: civil war, chopping and changing kings, backstabbing, family strife, births, deaths, marriages - the lot!
Three generations of royalty are covered wonderfully in this book, and I for one ate it up!
The Devil's Glove (Salem #1)
10.0
Rate It
Book
Northern New England, summer, 1688. Salem started here. A suspicious death. A rumor of war....
Historical Fiction Salem
Merissa (13288 KP) rated Falling From The Sky (Bear Creek #1) in Books
May 20, 2023
This is what I'm talking about!!!! This is a young adult story about heartbreak, hope, despair, confusion and love, that just happens to be between two members of the same sex. The feelings between them are true, no matter what sex you are!
Ridge is coping with life, but he's certainly not living it. He doesn't know if he will ever feel 'normal' again as he tries to cope with his dad's death. He is going through the motions of living, whilst feeling very disjointed. Micah is the only one who seems to break through Ridge's barriers, and not in a good way to begin with. Ridge finds him irritating and annoying, but Micah persists. The friendship that grows between these two is gorgeous to read about, as well as Ridge's meanderings on where the friendship is going, and his growing feelings towards Micah.
I thought this was incredibly well-written, powerful and yet delicate enough when dealing with Ridge's confusion over his feelings. The ending? Wow, that one walloped me! I completely 5683 this book and will be on the lookout for more from this author. Totally blew me away! Highly recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 7, 2016
Ridge is coping with life, but he's certainly not living it. He doesn't know if he will ever feel 'normal' again as he tries to cope with his dad's death. He is going through the motions of living, whilst feeling very disjointed. Micah is the only one who seems to break through Ridge's barriers, and not in a good way to begin with. Ridge finds him irritating and annoying, but Micah persists. The friendship that grows between these two is gorgeous to read about, as well as Ridge's meanderings on where the friendship is going, and his growing feelings towards Micah.
I thought this was incredibly well-written, powerful and yet delicate enough when dealing with Ridge's confusion over his feelings. The ending? Wow, that one walloped me! I completely 5683 this book and will be on the lookout for more from this author. Totally blew me away! Highly recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 7, 2016
Butter
7.0
Rate It
Book
The cult Japanese bestseller about a female gourmet cook and serial killer and the journalist intent...
Women in translation Japan
I Saw The Devil's Face: My Life With Joseph Michael Kalady
Book
"You better hope to God the cops don't come," my babysitter, Joe Kalady, threatened me that day on...
true crime memoir