Search
Search results
A Song for Issy Bradley
9.5
Rate It
Book
This is the story of what happens when Issy Bradley dies. It is the story of Ian - husband, father,...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated Candy Canes of Christmas Past in Books
Dec 9, 2023
Murder in Lucy’s Past
This story takes us back in time to the first Christmas that Lucy Stone spent in Tinker’s Cove, Maine. Lucy is trying to deal with her husband's project, fixing up their home. So when town librarian Miss Tilly is nice to Lucy, Lucy looks for some way to repay her new friend. And that's how she begins trying to uncover the circumstances surrounding Miss Tilly's mother's death almost 50 years before. Was Mrs. Tilly murdered? If so, how can Lucy find out what happened after all these years.
This story is as much about Lucy's struggles to fit into a new town and live in an old house as it is about the mystery. Lucy and her husband are really struggling, which gives most of this story a darker tone for a cozy. It is also a weak mystery. The solution was very coincidental and almost an after thought compared to the resolution to the other story line. But I liked the characters. They are vivid and seem like people I would love to get to know better. While it didn’t turn out that way, this story lets me see the appeal for those who do like them.
NOTE: This story was originally part of the anthology Candy Cane Murder, so if you’ve read that book, there is no need to pick up this story a second time.
This story is as much about Lucy's struggles to fit into a new town and live in an old house as it is about the mystery. Lucy and her husband are really struggling, which gives most of this story a darker tone for a cozy. It is also a weak mystery. The solution was very coincidental and almost an after thought compared to the resolution to the other story line. But I liked the characters. They are vivid and seem like people I would love to get to know better. While it didn’t turn out that way, this story lets me see the appeal for those who do like them.
NOTE: This story was originally part of the anthology Candy Cane Murder, so if you’ve read that book, there is no need to pick up this story a second time.
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Winter Moon (Walker Papers, #1.5) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
The first story by Mercedes Lackey is meant to take place in her world of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, minus the power of The Tradition to force things a certain way. The only clue the I found that could indicate that this story would fit in the Five Hundred Kingdoms is the presence of the Fool. Other than that, it simply read as a good fantasy plotline, with equal parts romance, intrigue, and adventure. The story wrapped up nicely, with no loose ends, but I would love to read a full novel about the Grey Ladies - not much information is given on this group of women and they certainly have much potential for a good full-length story.
The second story is by Tanith Lee, whom I have never read before now. I rather enjoyed the world development, despite the length she had to work in, and the imagery was both mysterious and beautiful. After I read the story, I went looking online to see if this world fit into any other novels, but I could not find any information on this. Still, I plan to check out more of her work now.
The third story by C. E. Murphy takes place in her Walker Papers series, specifically between the first and second book. Since I have only read the first two books in the series, I thoroughly appreciated how this story filled in a few blanks for me about what is happening in the series. In this story, Joanne learns about her deceased mother, who turns out to be quite a fascinating character. I think I may even prefer her to Joanne. It can't be easy for the author to translate a thick Scottish accent onto paper, either. Now I am anxious to read more of the Walker Papers series.
The second story is by Tanith Lee, whom I have never read before now. I rather enjoyed the world development, despite the length she had to work in, and the imagery was both mysterious and beautiful. After I read the story, I went looking online to see if this world fit into any other novels, but I could not find any information on this. Still, I plan to check out more of her work now.
The third story by C. E. Murphy takes place in her Walker Papers series, specifically between the first and second book. Since I have only read the first two books in the series, I thoroughly appreciated how this story filled in a few blanks for me about what is happening in the series. In this story, Joanne learns about her deceased mother, who turns out to be quite a fascinating character. I think I may even prefer her to Joanne. It can't be easy for the author to translate a thick Scottish accent onto paper, either. Now I am anxious to read more of the Walker Papers series.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated An Amish Heirloom in Books
Feb 27, 2019
This is a wonderful collection of stories! Amy, Kathleen, and Kelly are among authors that I love to read and read over again. An Amish Heirloom is beautifully written and collaborated, and each story brought something new to the table. As soon as I opened the book, I was hooked.
Amy, Kathleen and Kelly all wrote amazing stories for this novella. I loved the firefighter in Amy’s story! Of course, I’m married to one so I’m always partial to them. But, in trademark Amy fashion she creates a story that is believable and captivating, and full of second chances. Her characters, Leon and Susie, are chiseled perfectly and she always leaves me wanting more.
Kathleen’s story of longing and hope is stunning and also beautifully written. Shane and Lucy are sweet characters and I loved watching them interact! The connection they share over a Bible is felt throughout their story and I didn’t want it to end.
Kelly wrote a sweet story of a quilt and a baby bringing two people who have longed for each other together is another well rounded, believable story and I loved every second of it! Kelly, like Kathleen and Amy, is a well seasoned author when it comes to creating stories of hope, longing and inspiration.
However, despite me loving those stories, I wasn’t overly fond of Beth’s story in this one. For a while now, I’ve had a hard time getting into her stories. Something about her writing style has changed and I find it difficult to get into. But, I didn’t let that deter me. I read her story and pushed on and finished it, and while I didn’t care for this one, it still lent a nice piece to the collaboration.
That all said, this is a 4 star read for me! These ladies bring inspiring messages to the table for their fans and left me wanting more from them. Each story has something in it that is special to the characters, and really made miss my grandmother (she passed away in 2017), and how she would make everyone a quilt here, or give them something special there, to cherish and love. Well done ladies, and I look forward to another collaboration!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Amy, Kathleen and Kelly all wrote amazing stories for this novella. I loved the firefighter in Amy’s story! Of course, I’m married to one so I’m always partial to them. But, in trademark Amy fashion she creates a story that is believable and captivating, and full of second chances. Her characters, Leon and Susie, are chiseled perfectly and she always leaves me wanting more.
Kathleen’s story of longing and hope is stunning and also beautifully written. Shane and Lucy are sweet characters and I loved watching them interact! The connection they share over a Bible is felt throughout their story and I didn’t want it to end.
Kelly wrote a sweet story of a quilt and a baby bringing two people who have longed for each other together is another well rounded, believable story and I loved every second of it! Kelly, like Kathleen and Amy, is a well seasoned author when it comes to creating stories of hope, longing and inspiration.
However, despite me loving those stories, I wasn’t overly fond of Beth’s story in this one. For a while now, I’ve had a hard time getting into her stories. Something about her writing style has changed and I find it difficult to get into. But, I didn’t let that deter me. I read her story and pushed on and finished it, and while I didn’t care for this one, it still lent a nice piece to the collaboration.
That all said, this is a 4 star read for me! These ladies bring inspiring messages to the table for their fans and left me wanting more from them. Each story has something in it that is special to the characters, and really made miss my grandmother (she passed away in 2017), and how she would make everyone a quilt here, or give them something special there, to cherish and love. Well done ladies, and I look forward to another collaboration!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Book Divas (227 KP) rated A Fierce and Subtle Poison in Books
Dec 12, 2017 (Updated Dec 12, 2017)
This author's debut novel is simply stunning and brought back memories of when I lived in La Isla del Encanto...Puerto Rico. This magical story of young love and unmeasurable loss is beautiful and frightening at the same time. The story quickly pulls you in and keeps you immersed with a strong and well paced plot and the characters are all beautifully written. The author's writing style was so vivid that I felt like I was a part of the hair raising story line. I highly recommend this haunting read to readers of all ages and I am looking forward to more of this author's work.
{I received an ARC from Algonquin Young Readers. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}
{I received an ARC from Algonquin Young Readers. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}
___ 3 'Creepy' Stars
I'm going to be totally honest here...if I was just rating Coraline then I probably would of given this book 5 Stars as I enjoyed that story very much. It was creepy, atmospheric, well written and I really liked the artwork. I adored the animated film but have only now gotten around to reading the story that inspired its making. I just knew I was going to love reading the original story.
What let this book down, in my opinion, was all of the other short stories that followed. I enjoyed maybe 2 other stories but when reading the rest I was looking forward to finally finishing the book. For this reason I had to knock off 2 stars...but Coraline really was great.
I'm going to be totally honest here...if I was just rating Coraline then I probably would of given this book 5 Stars as I enjoyed that story very much. It was creepy, atmospheric, well written and I really liked the artwork. I adored the animated film but have only now gotten around to reading the story that inspired its making. I just knew I was going to love reading the original story.
What let this book down, in my opinion, was all of the other short stories that followed. I enjoyed maybe 2 other stories but when reading the rest I was looking forward to finally finishing the book. For this reason I had to knock off 2 stars...but Coraline really was great.
We Never Got to Cornwall: The True Story of a Secret Cancer Sufferer
Her Loving Husband (and Carer)
Book
What do you do when a loved one suddenly dies? I guess you have no idea - see a solicitor? It's not...
Waking Kate
Book
From New York Times bestselling author Sarah Addison Allen comes Waking Kate, a haunting and...
Pages for You
7.0
Rate It
Book
Haunted by an unspoken passion, a narrator decides to write some pages, pages comprising the story...
SN
Something New
5.0
Rate It
Book
In 2010, Lucy and her long term boyfriend John broke up. Three long, lonely years later, John...