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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2585 KP) rated Molten Death in Books

Apr 3, 2024 (Updated Apr 3, 2024)  
Molten Death
Molten Death
Leslie Karst | 2024 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Valerie Face a Hot Problem on Vacation in Hawaii
Valerie Corbin and her wife, Kristen, are spending a couple of weeks in Hilo, staying with Kristen’s friend Isaac. They have arrived just as a lava flow is really gaining steam, so they decide to go out and see it early their first Saturday morning on the island. When Valerie wanders away from the other two, she sees part of a body being buried in the molten lava. She can’t get anyone to take her seriously, even Kristen and Isaac. Certainly, the police aren’t taking it seriously without any proof. Can Valerie figure out what really happened?

Author Leslie Karst lives part time in Hilo, so I wasn’t surprised that she chose this as the setting for her new series. Her knowledge showed in how she brought the setting to life. And who doesn’t want a Hawaiian vacation? The plot was very inventive, and I appreciated Valerie’s good motive for getting involved. We had some nice twists before a great climax. I did struggle with Valerie’s relationship with Kristen because they were so at odds for much of the book. I think if this hadn’t been my introduction to them, I would have been okay with this sub-plot. Overall, I liked the series regulars by the end, and Valerie’s darker baggage made her an interesting character. We do get some Pigeon and Hawai’ian mixed into the dialogue. A couple times it was a bit overwhelming, but for the most part, I could figure it out from the context. We get six Hawaiian recipes at the end. The inventive plot will make this series debut a winner for mystery fans.
  
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Merissa (14030 KP) rated Sugar Rush in Books

Nov 24, 2025  
Sugar Rush
Sugar Rush
L.A. Lambert | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
SUGAR RUSH is set in an A/B/O world that reads like a contemporary in many ways. Jordy and Kieran are stepbrothers. Kieran (alpha) is a tattoo artist, well on his way to being a success, while Jordy (omega) is about set to go to college with his best friend, Dani. Jordy has crushed on Kieran for a long time - years, in fact - but doesn't think anything will come of it, UNTIL one night when Kieran gets sh!t-faced and blurts out the truth to Jordy before falling asleep. He doesn't remember what he said or did the night before, but Jordy certainly does, and he plans ways to annoy, irritate, and generally get under the skin of Kieran before Kieran submits to Jordy's will.

This was a high-angst read, with plenty of toing and froing from Kieran. And, to be honest, I can't blame the guy. He didn't have the easiest childhood, and is now worried about how it would be seen by those he loves. He doesn't want to lose their love, even if he does gain Jordy's.

I loved how Jordy and Kieran balanced each other out. Jordy needed every single drop of brattiness, some could say resilience, when dealing with Kieran. And Kieran is all growly possessiveness. Yum!

I won't say anymore for fear of spoilers, but I will say this was an excellent read, and the first by this author I have read. Definitely 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!
Nov 23, 2025