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Lee Ann (116 KP) rated City of the Lost (Casey Duncan, #1) in Books
May 24, 2018
Anyone who writes usually has authors that they can point at and say "If I can ever be compared with them, I'll be happy." For me, I don't look at the authors who are defined as the classics - Austen, Shelley, etc - I look at Kelley Armstrong. If anyone ever compares anything I've written to something of hers, I think I'll die happy.
Every genre this woman turns her hand to she excels in. From her Women of the Otherworld Urban Fantasy Series, to her YA Darkest Powers, her Sea of Shadows fantasy, the crime fiction of Nadia Stafford, the Cainsville series (oh how I love you and am dying for the final book!) and this, the Casey Duncan series. I swear I haven't read a book by Kelley that I haven't instantly become invested in the storyline and the characters.
City of the Lost is written in Kelley's typical style - honest, detailed without being overloading, intricate and fascinating. Her characters just jump off the page with their realism. There is no perfect person, they are flawed and human. She twists and turns the plot with a skill that I'm in awe of. And just when you think you have it figured out, she throws in a twist you didn't see coming and the ride just keeps on moving.
Can't wat for the next book in this series. Long live Kelley Armstrong!
Every genre this woman turns her hand to she excels in. From her Women of the Otherworld Urban Fantasy Series, to her YA Darkest Powers, her Sea of Shadows fantasy, the crime fiction of Nadia Stafford, the Cainsville series (oh how I love you and am dying for the final book!) and this, the Casey Duncan series. I swear I haven't read a book by Kelley that I haven't instantly become invested in the storyline and the characters.
City of the Lost is written in Kelley's typical style - honest, detailed without being overloading, intricate and fascinating. Her characters just jump off the page with their realism. There is no perfect person, they are flawed and human. She twists and turns the plot with a skill that I'm in awe of. And just when you think you have it figured out, she throws in a twist you didn't see coming and the ride just keeps on moving.
Can't wat for the next book in this series. Long live Kelley Armstrong!
Lee Ann (116 KP) rated City of the Lost (Casey Duncan, #1) in Books
Mar 13, 2018
Anyone who writes usually has authors that they can point at and say "If I can ever be compared with them, I'll be happy." For me, I don't look at the authors who are defined as the classics - Austen, Shelley, etc - I look at Kelley Armstrong. If anyone ever compares anything I've written to something of hers, I think I'll die happy.
Every genre this woman turns her hand to she excels in. From her Women of the Otherworld Urban Fantasy Series, to her YA Darkest Powers, her Sea of Shadows fantasy, the crime fiction of Nadia Stafford, the Cainsville series (oh how I love you and am dying for the final book!) and this, the Casey Duncan series. I swear I haven't read a book by Kelley that I haven't instantly become invested in the storyline and the characters.
City of the Lost is written in Kelley's typical style - honest, detailed without being overloading, intricate and fascinating. Her characters just jump off the page with their realism. There is no perfect person, they are flawed and human. She twists and turns the plot with a skill that I'm in awe of. And just when you think you have it figured out, she throws in a twist you didn't see coming and the ride just keeps on moving.
Can't wat for the next book in this series. Long live Kelley Armstrong!
Every genre this woman turns her hand to she excels in. From her Women of the Otherworld Urban Fantasy Series, to her YA Darkest Powers, her Sea of Shadows fantasy, the crime fiction of Nadia Stafford, the Cainsville series (oh how I love you and am dying for the final book!) and this, the Casey Duncan series. I swear I haven't read a book by Kelley that I haven't instantly become invested in the storyline and the characters.
City of the Lost is written in Kelley's typical style - honest, detailed without being overloading, intricate and fascinating. Her characters just jump off the page with their realism. There is no perfect person, they are flawed and human. She twists and turns the plot with a skill that I'm in awe of. And just when you think you have it figured out, she throws in a twist you didn't see coming and the ride just keeps on moving.
Can't wat for the next book in this series. Long live Kelley Armstrong!
Natari (73 KP) rated Touch the Dark (Cassandra Palmer, #1) in Books
Jul 19, 2019
This is the first novel by my all time favourite author. I remember the first time I read Touch the Dark, and each reread has been as thrilling as the last. The pages couldn't be easier to turn if they turned themselves, the Cassandra Palmer and same-world differnet heroine Dorina Basarab series keep me hooked cover to cover, book to book. I recommend Karen Chance to anyone and everyone, including all the fun, lighthearted but sexy novellas and short stories too.
What I love most about Touch the Dark is that Cassie is genuine. She has no clue about anything, understands she is just a human in a vampire and mage world, but is still plucky and doesn't let herself stay down no matter how hard she gets pushed.
This was the first ever adult paranormal romance I had read, and it opened me up to the genre. But I have never found another series that is as sexy and not-awkward with both romance (genuine relationship building) and the steamy scenes.
Balance between romance and action and world building is perfect. It is a first in a series, so be aware of that. Committing to Cassie's story is the best decision you will ever make.
Enjoy the book, fall in love with the series.
What I love most about Touch the Dark is that Cassie is genuine. She has no clue about anything, understands she is just a human in a vampire and mage world, but is still plucky and doesn't let herself stay down no matter how hard she gets pushed.
This was the first ever adult paranormal romance I had read, and it opened me up to the genre. But I have never found another series that is as sexy and not-awkward with both romance (genuine relationship building) and the steamy scenes.
Balance between romance and action and world building is perfect. It is a first in a series, so be aware of that. Committing to Cassie's story is the best decision you will ever make.
Enjoy the book, fall in love with the series.
Hidden Markov Models for Time Series: An Introduction Using R
Walter Zucchini, Iain L. MacDonald and Roland Langrock
Book
Hidden Markov Models for Time Series: An Introduction Using R, Second Edition illustrates the great...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Dim Sum of All Fears in Books
Oct 22, 2020
Fear Not, This is a Fun Book
A new souvenir shop has opened next to Ho-Lee Noodles, the restaurant that Lana Lee’s parents own and where she works. Over the last few weeks, Lana has become friends with Isabelle, one half of the newlyweds who own the new store. That makes it person when Isabelle and Brandon, her husband, are found murdered in the back of their store one morning. Despite warnings to stay out of the investigation, Lana begins to poke around. Can she figure out what happened?
Too many books got in the way of me returning to this series sooner, but I’m glad I was able to revisit the characters. The plot is strong, with plenty of secrets and suspects that kept me guessing until the very end. Lana is a relatable, sympathetic heroine, and I really like her friends as well. There is some room for growth in her relationships with her family, and I hope that happens as the series progresses. There are some spoilers for the first book in the series here, so if you are interested in the series, I definitely recommend you read them in order. I’m glad I got to return to Ho-Lee Noodles, and I hope it isn’t so long before I move on to book three.
Too many books got in the way of me returning to this series sooner, but I’m glad I was able to revisit the characters. The plot is strong, with plenty of secrets and suspects that kept me guessing until the very end. Lana is a relatable, sympathetic heroine, and I really like her friends as well. There is some room for growth in her relationships with her family, and I hope that happens as the series progresses. There are some spoilers for the first book in the series here, so if you are interested in the series, I definitely recommend you read them in order. I’m glad I got to return to Ho-Lee Noodles, and I hope it isn’t so long before I move on to book three.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Teacher’s Threat in Books
Jul 15, 2023
Going Back to School is Murder
Madison Night needs cash to buy inventory to relaunch her decorating business. After the banks keep turning her down, she hopes that getting an MBA will change their minds. The only class she is finding helpful in the program is Radical Business Theory, even after the professor uses her as an example on her first day. However, when the professor is killed in the parking lot, Madison wonders what is going on at her new school. Can she figure out how to relaunch her business while also solving the murder?
This book really is focused on both parts of that question, and new comers to the series will definitely find the mystery slow as a result. As a fan of the series who is invested in Madison’s life, I found the dual focus enjoyable. It certainly helps that we have an ingenious murder method and a surprising yet logical climax. The characters, both new and returning, are great as always. Fans of Doris Day will laugh at the massive Easter Egg in this book, but if you haven’t watched the movies, you’ll be fine since the author uses the scene to advance the plot. If you are a fan of this mystery series, you’ll be happy with this book. If the series sounds fun to you, I recommend you start at the beginning.
This book really is focused on both parts of that question, and new comers to the series will definitely find the mystery slow as a result. As a fan of the series who is invested in Madison’s life, I found the dual focus enjoyable. It certainly helps that we have an ingenious murder method and a surprising yet logical climax. The characters, both new and returning, are great as always. Fans of Doris Day will laugh at the massive Easter Egg in this book, but if you haven’t watched the movies, you’ll be fine since the author uses the scene to advance the plot. If you are a fan of this mystery series, you’ll be happy with this book. If the series sounds fun to you, I recommend you start at the beginning.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Annihilation (The Spread #6) in Books
Jul 31, 2022
Well, we have come to the end of the series and I have to admit, I am a little sad. What a series this has been! You might have thought it would get a little stale by book 6 but let me tell you, this is definitely not the case.
Book 6 continues to follow Aaron and his friends fighting against an alien invader to prevent the destruction of the earth however, aliens are not the only dangers they encounter so be warned! Not everyone or everything is as it seems and, as is usual with Mr Wright's work, no one is safe.
I have become totally and utterly invested in the characters in this series; I have seen them grow and develop, at their best and their worst and I am sad to come to the end but what a perfect ending it is.
This is a gripping series and one I would highly recommend you read from the start. I suppose you could just drop in with this book but why on earth would you?!?! You would be missing out on so, so much.
Once again, my thanks must go to Iain for accepting me into his "street team" and for providing me with an advance copy in return for comments and an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Book 6 continues to follow Aaron and his friends fighting against an alien invader to prevent the destruction of the earth however, aliens are not the only dangers they encounter so be warned! Not everyone or everything is as it seems and, as is usual with Mr Wright's work, no one is safe.
I have become totally and utterly invested in the characters in this series; I have seen them grow and develop, at their best and their worst and I am sad to come to the end but what a perfect ending it is.
This is a gripping series and one I would highly recommend you read from the start. I suppose you could just drop in with this book but why on earth would you?!?! You would be missing out on so, so much.
Once again, my thanks must go to Iain for accepting me into his "street team" and for providing me with an advance copy in return for comments and an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated The Witless Protection Program in Books
Mar 28, 2024 (Updated Mar 28, 2024)
Mia’s Past Disrupts Her Future
Mia Carina is impatiently waiting for her boyfriend, Shane, to propose, but her life gets turned upside down when she catches of glimpse of her supposedly dead first husband, Adam. She thought he had died several years ago in a boating accident. Why is he back? What will this mean for Mia’s future?
When Adam was mentioned in the first book in the series, I knew he’d pop back up at some point, but as is always the case in something like this, it’s how the story is executed that matters. This one was great, with plenty of twists to keep us engaged. A couple of things get rushed in the climax, but that is minor. Meanwhile, we get a couple of strong sub-plots that weave in and out of the mystery perfectly. The characters are strong, even if over-the-top at times. Mia and Shane keep things grounded for us, and we get plenty of laughs along the way. Sadly, this is the final book in the series, but the author wraps things up well. We even get another four delicious sounding recipes at the end. Fans will be happy with how this book ends the series. If you’ve missed reading these, don’t hesitate to pick up this delightful series.
When Adam was mentioned in the first book in the series, I knew he’d pop back up at some point, but as is always the case in something like this, it’s how the story is executed that matters. This one was great, with plenty of twists to keep us engaged. A couple of things get rushed in the climax, but that is minor. Meanwhile, we get a couple of strong sub-plots that weave in and out of the mystery perfectly. The characters are strong, even if over-the-top at times. Mia and Shane keep things grounded for us, and we get plenty of laughs along the way. Sadly, this is the final book in the series, but the author wraps things up well. We even get another four delicious sounding recipes at the end. Fans will be happy with how this book ends the series. If you’ve missed reading these, don’t hesitate to pick up this delightful series.
Obsessed book reviews (49 KP) rated Still Life (Forever Still #1) in Books
May 7, 2019
This is the first book in the series and what a fab start it is. This is a story about two broken people trying to mend. This story is heart breaking as well as beautiful. The characters are fab and work well within the story. Its a bit slow in the beginning but stick with it, it is definitely worth it. I cant wait to read book 2.
would recommend
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Obsessed book reviews (49 KP) rated Luca (Ruin & Revenge, #2) in Books
May 7, 2019
This is the second book in this series by this author. This story is full of angst, action, drama and hot steamy scenes. fantastic characters, you will fall in love with as you read. I was hooked from the first page. This is a gritty romance read you will be reading long into the night. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed and advance reader copy of this book
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed and advance reader copy of this book