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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2572 KP) rated Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots in Books
Jan 4, 2024
Missing Child at Christmas
Lucy Stone gets involved when a four-year-old boy is kidnapped in her community. With no clues to go on, Lucy begins to think that something much larger is happening. Is she right?
Even though I don’t normally read this series, I didn't have any trouble jumping into the characters here. There was enough explanation of who people were that I could follow along. The bits about those I assume are series regulars didn't mean quite as much to me, but I enjoyed meeting everyone. This is on the serious side of the cozy spectrum, and the atmosphere was carried perfectly throughout the story. Lucy did seem to jump to one conclusion, but since she was proved right with evidence later on, I can't call it a major flaw. There are two recipes at the end of this story to enjoy later. This is probably my favorite of the stories I’ve read from Leslie Meier.
NOTE: This is a novella, roughly 100 pages along.
NOTE 2: This was originally published in the anthology Gingerbread Cookie Murder.
Even though I don’t normally read this series, I didn't have any trouble jumping into the characters here. There was enough explanation of who people were that I could follow along. The bits about those I assume are series regulars didn't mean quite as much to me, but I enjoyed meeting everyone. This is on the serious side of the cozy spectrum, and the atmosphere was carried perfectly throughout the story. Lucy did seem to jump to one conclusion, but since she was proved right with evidence later on, I can't call it a major flaw. There are two recipes at the end of this story to enjoy later. This is probably my favorite of the stories I’ve read from Leslie Meier.
NOTE: This is a novella, roughly 100 pages along.
NOTE 2: This was originally published in the anthology Gingerbread Cookie Murder.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2572 KP) rated Nightmare on Elf Street in Books
Jan 4, 2024
Murder of (a Mall) Santa
Freelance writer Jaine Austen has taken a job as the elf at a mall to a pretty despicable Santa. When he is killed with a Christmas ornament to the heart, there are no shortage of suspects, but Jaine dives in to make sure the case is solved before her annual trip to visit her parents.
The series always features wacky humor, and this story is no exception. Even though the story is only 100 pages, we manage to get a couple of sub-plots and some twists as well. The characters are developed enough to pull us in while making us laugh as well.
This is a novella length story, so it will be faster than a full novel. As long as you know this, you’ll be fine.
Also note that this was originally released in the romance anthology Secret Santa. You’ll want to make sure you haven’t read it before purchasing it again. Although, if you haven’t read it, you’ll be thrilled to add this fun, festive mystery to your to be read pile.
The series always features wacky humor, and this story is no exception. Even though the story is only 100 pages, we manage to get a couple of sub-plots and some twists as well. The characters are developed enough to pull us in while making us laugh as well.
This is a novella length story, so it will be faster than a full novel. As long as you know this, you’ll be fine.
Also note that this was originally released in the romance anthology Secret Santa. You’ll want to make sure you haven’t read it before purchasing it again. Although, if you haven’t read it, you’ll be thrilled to add this fun, festive mystery to your to be read pile.
David McK (3801 KP) rated Warriorborn (The Cinder Spires 1.5) in Books
Dec 27, 2023
It's been like, what, eight years since the last (and first) of Jim Butcher's Cinder Spires novels (The Aeronaut's Windlass)?
I actually re-read that recently, as entry #2 had been released (The Olympian Affair) and it had been so long since the first that, whilst I could remember the general gist (steampunk, basically), not so much the actual ins and outs.
Which is probably a long-winded way of saying that I feel that this novella was released for others in the same boat: to ease them back in, as it were, to the world and its inhabitants.
In this, the Warriorborn Benedict Sorelin-Lancaster is charged by the Spirearch of Albion to investigate the mysterious reason why the colony of Dependence has cut off all contact with the outside world, and finds himself in charge of a cadre of other Warriorborns, all of whom he has arrested in the past and who have reason to mistrust him. It also shows more why the denizens of this world are so afraid of the surface than I remember from the previous entry ...
I actually re-read that recently, as entry #2 had been released (The Olympian Affair) and it had been so long since the first that, whilst I could remember the general gist (steampunk, basically), not so much the actual ins and outs.
Which is probably a long-winded way of saying that I feel that this novella was released for others in the same boat: to ease them back in, as it were, to the world and its inhabitants.
In this, the Warriorborn Benedict Sorelin-Lancaster is charged by the Spirearch of Albion to investigate the mysterious reason why the colony of Dependence has cut off all contact with the outside world, and finds himself in charge of a cadre of other Warriorborns, all of whom he has arrested in the past and who have reason to mistrust him. It also shows more why the denizens of this world are so afraid of the surface than I remember from the previous entry ...
The Blue Veil (Seven Deadly Veils #1.5)
10.0
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When one of High Lord Valadon’s rare paintings goes missing, his second in command, Remare enlists...
Urban Fantasy Romance Novella
Merissa (14013 KP) rated Shadow Play (Shadow World Novella #2) in Books
Feb 26, 2024
SHADOW PLAY is the second in the Shadow World Novellas series and we continue with Cam and Ellie. They are called to rescue a young boy who has been taken in Twilight, a changeling in his place.
I am loving Ellie and Cam. They work so well as a team and yet they still have their issues. Let's face it, they've not been together long, and with Ellie's Shadow - it takes the meaning of a love triangle to a whole new level.
There is something new to be learnt about Ellie's Shadow in every novella, as well as Ellie herself. The detail is superb and clearly shows the difference between the 'normal' world and Twilight. Quick-paced and full of action, the ending leaves you wanting the next book immediately. 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!
Feb 26, 2024
I am loving Ellie and Cam. They work so well as a team and yet they still have their issues. Let's face it, they've not been together long, and with Ellie's Shadow - it takes the meaning of a love triangle to a whole new level.
There is something new to be learnt about Ellie's Shadow in every novella, as well as Ellie herself. The detail is superb and clearly shows the difference between the 'normal' world and Twilight. Quick-paced and full of action, the ending leaves you wanting the next book immediately. 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!
Feb 26, 2024
Merissa (14013 KP) rated Fixer: a Hidden Wolves prequel in Books
Nov 11, 2025
FIXER is a prequel novella in the Hidden Wolves series and features Wade and Dustin. Wade thinks Dustin killed his little brother, so please forgive him for not being too happy when he sees Dustin for the first time in seven years, and outside his window, of all places. Dustin didn't kill Shawn, but couldn't tell Wade, or the Alpha would have found out.
This is their story of how they come to be together, in a world where they're still not supposed to be! I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but am now curious to know what happens. It made a real change to read a book where two wolves who are mates felt absolutely no pressure to have a bond.
A great introduction for a new reader and 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 11, 2025
This is their story of how they come to be together, in a world where they're still not supposed to be! I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but am now curious to know what happens. It made a real change to read a book where two wolves who are mates felt absolutely no pressure to have a bond.
A great introduction for a new reader and 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 11, 2025
My Masked Shield (Beautiful Stalkers #4)
8.0
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She hired a bodyguard. She doesn’t know who she invited into her life. Basia Langford....
Dark Contemporary Stalker Romance Novella
The White Deer of Kildare (The Castle in Kilkenny: Fairy Tales #2)
Book
A Winter Solstice fairy tale adventure All Maura wants is a peaceful winter holidays in her Irish...
Time-Slip Fantasy
This novella really packs a punch - as all good novellas do!
It’s set in a world that we all know a little about. A Covid-19-type virus, except far more severe, breaks out and social panic ensues. Society goes ion to lockdown, hospitals are unable to cope with the sheer volume of cases, and the army is drafted in to keep order. Shops are looted, food is rationed, people die horrifically.
Edith Harkness looks back on her life as she prepares to enter the last stages of Long-Nonovirus. It’s a much more serious version of Long-Covid, where the affected person dies. Edith looks back on her life, from her childhood where she lives with her brain-damaged mother, to her years of study and consequent art prizes, and then her time in lockdown with her lover, a Bulgarian Turk.
It’s a book about love, sex, desire, illness, caring, family and grief. Those are some big topics for a slim book, but it’s beautifully told.
Now I need to read some more Sarah Hall books.
It’s set in a world that we all know a little about. A Covid-19-type virus, except far more severe, breaks out and social panic ensues. Society goes ion to lockdown, hospitals are unable to cope with the sheer volume of cases, and the army is drafted in to keep order. Shops are looted, food is rationed, people die horrifically.
Edith Harkness looks back on her life as she prepares to enter the last stages of Long-Nonovirus. It’s a much more serious version of Long-Covid, where the affected person dies. Edith looks back on her life, from her childhood where she lives with her brain-damaged mother, to her years of study and consequent art prizes, and then her time in lockdown with her lover, a Bulgarian Turk.
It’s a book about love, sex, desire, illness, caring, family and grief. Those are some big topics for a slim book, but it’s beautifully told.
Now I need to read some more Sarah Hall books.