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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2204 KP) rated Secrets and Scents in Books

Mar 1, 2023 (Updated Mar 1, 2023)  
Secrets and Scents
Secrets and Scents
Lyn Perry | 2022 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Unexpected Surprise in the Storeroom
Best friends Kelli and Jo are thrilled that the opening day for their new book and candle shop, Reading Makes Scents, is finally here. However, the celebration hits a bad note before it can even get started when Kelli finds a stranger unconscious in their storage area. Who is he? Why was he attacked? Does it have anything to do with the prophecy they found weeks before in their building?

While I normally skip paranormal themed stories, I made an exception here, and I’m glad I did. It does employ a narrative technique I dislike (early multi-chapter flashbacks), bet there is a good story here. I got quite caught up in it near the end, in fact. The story is a bit different from what I normally read, but it worked well. The paranormal elements are light, and they are a fun addition to the story. I loved Kelli, Jo, and their love interests. The rest of the cast are fun as well, and the town where the action takes place was delightful. The book is on the short side, so keep that in mind. As a bonus, there’s a recipe at the end. If you are looking for something light and fun, this book is for you.
  
TL
The Latecomer
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Title: The Latecomer
Author: Jean Hanff Korelitz
435 pages

I love the roses on the cover how there's three bloomed and one getting ready to bloom fits the story perfectly.

In the story it follows Salo and Johanna who had triplets Harrison, Lewis and Sally through IVF. IVF is in vitro fertilization in which an egg is removed from a woman's ovary and fertilized with the males sperm in a laboratory. Than later on if any are successful the embryo is put back into the woman's womb to develop into a baby. This subject is why I choose to read the book because before my rainbow baby I'm pregnant with currently after five miscarriages, being told I'm infertile would never have kids, and having a ruptured ectopic pregnancy last August we were planning to go this route. This book is very emotional and hits close to home personally. Also, in the book the triplets are going off to college when they plan to do another round of IVF introducing "The Latecomer" which is emotional to say the least. This book was very emotional to me but could not hold my intrest for long. Reason being it's very slow paced and I'm usto books with a faster paced plot. I do reccomend if you enjoy reading a lovely emotional story though.
  
While Paris Slept
While Paris Slept
Ruth Druart | 2021 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
While Paris Slept was really so much more than I expected. I didn’t expect to become so emotionally invested in all sides of this story, and I didn’t expect to cry quite as much as I did!

Jean Luc Beauchamp is put in an impossible situation as soon as the Nazis occupy France. He has a deformed hand, and if he shows any kind of weakness it could mean his death. But to stay working on the railways brands him as a collaborator. Someone who has facilitated the Holocaust.

So when a woman thrusts a tiny baby at him as she is put on a cattle truck, Jean Luc does the only thing he can do.

He and his girlfriend (and later, wife) begin a perilous journey , eventually settling in 1950’s California. In 1953, Jean Luc is questioned about his role in the war, and is told something that will change his life and that of his family forever.

We switch between the two timelines of wartime France and and the present day (1950’s) California and Paris.

It’s an unforgettable story of resilience, secrets and survival. All actions on both sides of the story were all for the love of a child. Oh, how I cried (this seems to be becoming more and more frequent lately!)!

Wonderful storytelling ❤️
  
Sealed with a Curse
Sealed with a Curse
Morgan Sheppard | 2022 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!


Selene is a swan herder. She has grown and played with the princes of the kingdom. Unfortunately, since the queen has died, the princes have done nothing but bully and make Selene's life a misery. She won't do anything to report them and just carries on dealing with it the best way she can. Praying to the goddess to come and make her feel protected at least in a little way.


This is a beautifully written story I loved it from start to finish. I love Morgan's writing style anyways, this is her tenth book and I inhale each book as quickly as I can then get depressed waiting for the next one to come out. Her imagination brings anything to life and the detail put into each description makes it almost as if you can see it in front of you.


I adore both Selene and Con (as well as the majority of the other characters) and the way their story grows If it were possible I would like to read more to do with them and any more adventures they may go on. It seems like their story isn't quite finished maybe? Just my opinion, of course, maybe I'm just hoping too much.


Recommended Read


** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
  
Wulfgang (Bad Oak Boys #3)
Wulfgang (Bad Oak Boys #3)
Erin M. Leaf | 2016 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Silas needs a break from the rock n roll lifestyle of Bad Oak, so he decides to go back to his teaching roots for the summer and leave all the werewolf madness behind him. What he doesn't realise is that Wulfgang is about to make an appearance in his life, and that means a BIG change, in more ways than one.

I loved the fact that Silas is a calm character who accepts who he is and what has occurred. Too many times, the story is taken over the with angst of changing, whereas this story was able to concentrate on bringing a broken pack together and making it stronger, the politics that Bardulf is dealing with, and the dangers of aconite to the wolves.

This is a smoothly-paced and exceedingly well-written story, full of love, humour and angst, with characters that are well-rounded and delightful. If I had one warning about this book, it would be not to read the last few chapters in an airport, where people look at you strangely when you start crying! Absolutely and definitely recommended!

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 15, 2016