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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2492 KP) rated Wild Horses in Books

Mar 19, 2021  
Wild Horses
Wild Horses
Sandy Dengler | 2020 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Will Wild Horses Keep Joe from His Own Wedding?
Joe Rodriguez is getting married! While his fiancée is busy planning the wedding over in Ireland, Joe is trying to clear up his cases as a Phoenix homicide officer before he flies over. Unfortunately, his cases aren’t cooperating. The department has been tasked to keep a federal witness safe, and it is clear that someone knows he is in town and is anxious to kill him. Not that this is the only case he is trying to wrap up. And a friend keeps dragging him away to help save a heard of wild horses from poachers. Will anything be resolved before he has to fly to Ireland?

I’ll admit that Joe’s wedding as a ticking clock was a bit unrealistic, but it did provide some great scenes, so I’m willing to overlook it. While there are several storylines, the focus was still mostly in Phoenix, so this book didn’t feel as scattered as some in the series have. I loved how the cases wove around each other and how they tied together thematically. The main characters are fun as always, and the suspects fit wonderfully into the story. I must be softening to Joe’s fiancée since I actually enjoyed the parts related to the wedding. The series originated in the 1990’s, and the author has kept that time frame for these new cases, which provides some interesting comparisons for the reader on how much life has changed. There’s one more in the series, and I hope to get to it soon.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2492 KP) rated The Drowning Sea in Books

Jun 23, 2022  
The Drowning Sea
The Drowning Sea
Sarah Stewart Taylor | 2022 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Maggie’s Still Finding Mysteries
After quitting her job, Maggie D’Arcy is spending her summer in Ireland with her daughter, her boyfriend, Conor, and his son, as they get serious about Maggie and her daughter moving to Ireland. They’ve rented a cottage on a West Cork peninsula, but their vacation hits a snag when the body of a young man who disappeared months ago washes ashore. Even though Maggie isn’t a cop, she can’t help but ask questions. Where has he been for the last few months? Who would want him dead? Can Maggie find the answers even without her badge?

Since I’ve enjoyed the first two books in this series, I was curious to see where the series was going to go in this book. Once again, the writing was atmospheric and made me feel like I was there with Maggie. The characters are well drawn, although I did have a little trouble keeping all the relationships of the villagers straight. Still, I loved getting to spend time with the core cast again. Unfortunately, the pacing of the book was off, lagging at times in the middle and leaving us with a weak climax, although the climax did answer all our questions. The book is written in present tense, and it took my brain a bit to adjust to that. Most of the story is told from Maggie’s first-person point of view, but we do get some chapters from other characters’ points of view to help flesh things out. Fans of the series will be glad they picked up this book.
  
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Merissa (13792 KP) rated Braided Dimensions (Braided Dimensions #1) in Books

Apr 15, 2024  
Braided Dimensions (Braided Dimensions #1)
Braided Dimensions (Braided Dimensions #1)
Marie Judson | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
BRAIDED DIMENSIONS is the first book in the series of the same name. We meet Kay, an ex-professor now working in a job she dislikes. She is a loner and drifting. One Halloween, she goes out and enjoys herself. When she decides to have her own garden patch, she meets the same people and now has her own little group. On her way home from the Halloween night out, something strange happens to her, leading her down a rabbit hole into ancient Wales.

One thing I need to mention first... it is SO good to read something set in Wales rather than Ireland! I have nothing against Ireland, but there are other Celtic countries out there, although you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise.

This was an enjoyable story that took place both in the present and the past. I love the group of friends Kay has. It is full of paganism and mysticism, although written as both specialised and general day-to-day knowledge. The blending of the two lives is well-written, giving the reader Kay's sense of confusion as she tries to understand what is happening.

This is definitely a series so be prepared to be left with questions at the end, which will leave you wanting more.

** 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!
Apr 15, 2024
  
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Clare Parrott (294 KP) created a post

Jul 2, 2017  
Currently Reading

Ever After by Nora Roberts
An exclusive Nora Roberts short story.

Allena has always struggled to get her life on track. And, true to form, on a trip to Ireland she is distracted by a beautiful ancient pendant and a strange storm leaves her stranded on a distant island.

Allena is forced to take shelter with her rescuer: the rugged and surly Conal. But Conal is horrified to see Allena wearing the pendant - a sign that fate is catching up with him. He fights it at every turn, but the enchanting Allena alters his life in ways he never thought possible.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ever-After-Nora-Roberts-ebook/dp/B005DXP81A/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1499030948&sr=1-12&keywords=ever+after
      
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2492 KP) rated Cry Fowl in Books

Mar 10, 2018  
Cry Fowl
Cry Fowl
Sandy Dengler | 2015 | Mystery
8
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Joe and Tommy are going to visit family in the UK, but they can’t leave behind their lives as homicide cops. Joe, visiting his in-laws in England, discovers that his father-in-law’s business partner has been murdered. Meanwhile, Tommy’s visit to family in Ireland is complicated by the fact that someone is out to kill his uncle.

It would have been nice if these two stories connected, but instead we get two novellas. That’s a minor complaint, however, since it is wonderful to get more adventures with these two great characters. Both stories are solid with plenty of complications before they are resolved. We also get some interesting developments for Joe and some good background on Tommy. Fans will be glad they read this one.