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Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated The Lamp (the Lamp Series, Book 1) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I received this book as a member giveaway through LibraryThing for an honest review. I received the Omnibus so read all four books together. I recommend that since you will want to know what happens next.
I was amazed by the characters in this series. They were so real but also had a uniqueness to them. [Jason Cunningham] did a magnificent job of taking you into the struggle between good and evil and showing you the shades of grey most of us get caught up in. [The Lamp Series Omnibus] as the name suggests is four complete novels that follow Violet, Levi, Jenny and Micah as they try to come to terms with what is right and wrong. Also they must decide how best to protect those they love.
As a comic book fan and someone who loves to read about struggles of conscience this series kept me coming back for more. I was vaguely reminded of [The Stand] except this was focused on one city.It is never made clear if it goes beyond. They mystery involved also keeps you on your seat.
[Cunningham] has written a must read for fans of many types of genres.
I was amazed by the characters in this series. They were so real but also had a uniqueness to them. [Jason Cunningham] did a magnificent job of taking you into the struggle between good and evil and showing you the shades of grey most of us get caught up in. [The Lamp Series Omnibus] as the name suggests is four complete novels that follow Violet, Levi, Jenny and Micah as they try to come to terms with what is right and wrong. Also they must decide how best to protect those they love.
As a comic book fan and someone who loves to read about struggles of conscience this series kept me coming back for more. I was vaguely reminded of [The Stand] except this was focused on one city.It is never made clear if it goes beyond. They mystery involved also keeps you on your seat.
[Cunningham] has written a must read for fans of many types of genres.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated I Hate You, Kelly Donahue in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Mark hates Kelly Donahue. He is going to fight her to the death. and kill her. physically. This journal contains his research, data, death plans, and detailed drawings (well, or not so detailed, but still entertaining) of what she will look like when she is dead.
After finishing this book—and while I was reading it, for that matter—I really wasn't sure what to think of it. Was Mark in love with Kelly, but in denial? was he literally insane? Who knows! Either way it was hilarious.
I can't tell you much about it, because it's pretty short, and if I give you any more details than I have, reading it won't be as much fun. I recommend if you like humor, graphic novel-styled books, or journal-esque novels, grab this one next chance you get!
I'm going to have to keep this one on my "I'm bored out of my mind and I need a good laugh at someone's obnoxiously violent sense of humor" shelf.
Yes I totally have a collection of books like that.
Content/recommendation: A little bit of strong language, some (not explicit) sexual content, and drawings of… body parts. Ages 18+
After finishing this book—and while I was reading it, for that matter—I really wasn't sure what to think of it. Was Mark in love with Kelly, but in denial? was he literally insane? Who knows! Either way it was hilarious.
I can't tell you much about it, because it's pretty short, and if I give you any more details than I have, reading it won't be as much fun. I recommend if you like humor, graphic novel-styled books, or journal-esque novels, grab this one next chance you get!
I'm going to have to keep this one on my "I'm bored out of my mind and I need a good laugh at someone's obnoxiously violent sense of humor" shelf.
Yes I totally have a collection of books like that.
Content/recommendation: A little bit of strong language, some (not explicit) sexual content, and drawings of… body parts. Ages 18+
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Murder, She Wrote: A Date with Murder in Books
May 2, 2018
Cabot Cove is Still Proving to be Deadly
Labor Day in Cabot Cove, Maine, means the Wirth’s annual end of summer picnic, and Jessica Fletcher is there to enjoy the time with her friends. The party ends in tragedy, however, when Hal Wirth dies of a heart attack. Something feels off to Jessica about his death, and she starts looking for answers. When she is warned off and another body turns up, Jessica knows she must be on the right track. Can she prove it?
As big a fan of the show as I am, I have never picked up one of the tie in novels until now. I’m glad I finally did because I really enjoyed this book. The Cabot Cove episodes were always my favorite, and I enjoyed reconnecting with Mort and Seth as well as Jessica. They were all in fine form, and it was comforting to be in their presence again. The mystery was complex, with several surprises that kept me turning pages. Unfortunately, I did feel that the ending was short changed, leaving one major plot point unaddressed. Still, I’m glad I picked up this book overall.
As big a fan of the show as I am, I have never picked up one of the tie in novels until now. I’m glad I finally did because I really enjoyed this book. The Cabot Cove episodes were always my favorite, and I enjoyed reconnecting with Mort and Seth as well as Jessica. They were all in fine form, and it was comforting to be in their presence again. The mystery was complex, with several surprises that kept me turning pages. Unfortunately, I did feel that the ending was short changed, leaving one major plot point unaddressed. Still, I’m glad I picked up this book overall.
David McK (3623 KP) rated Sharpe's Revenge in Books
Feb 18, 2019
For the last couple of years or so, I've been (slowly) making my way through the Sharpe books, in chronological order by setting and in between my various other reading activities i.e. maybe one Richard Sharpe book every couple of months or so
I'm approaching the end of that project, with (currently) only two more novels to go: [book:Sharpe's Waterloo|328986], and [book:Sharpe's Devil|615225].
This particular entry is set during the latter days of the Napoleonic Wars: during the Peace of Amiens in 1814, to be precise, with Sharpe's personal and professional life falling apart after he is framed by wily French spymaster Pierre Ducos. This novel also sees the fall-out from certain events in the previous entries ([book:Sharpe's Siege|564536]), starting with an - illegal - duel between Sharpe and the naval commander who was responsible for abandoning him and his men behind enemy lines, moving on to his cuckolding by his wife Jane by a former friend, and even expanding on the family of the commander of that French fort with one family member, in particular, playing a very important role in Sharpe's future life!
I'm approaching the end of that project, with (currently) only two more novels to go: [book:Sharpe's Waterloo|328986], and [book:Sharpe's Devil|615225].
This particular entry is set during the latter days of the Napoleonic Wars: during the Peace of Amiens in 1814, to be precise, with Sharpe's personal and professional life falling apart after he is framed by wily French spymaster Pierre Ducos. This novel also sees the fall-out from certain events in the previous entries ([book:Sharpe's Siege|564536]), starting with an - illegal - duel between Sharpe and the naval commander who was responsible for abandoning him and his men behind enemy lines, moving on to his cuckolding by his wife Jane by a former friend, and even expanding on the family of the commander of that French fort with one family member, in particular, playing a very important role in Sharpe's future life!
Erika (17789 KP) rated The Huntress in Books
May 4, 2019
To start out with, I wish I could give this a perfect 10, but one of the main characters, Nina, was completely insufferable and easily, her chapters could have been cut out.
Alright, so, I don't consider books post WWI to be historical fiction, and I normally steer clear of WWII/aftermath fiction because bookstores and goodreads are inundated with hundreds of novels. But, I decided to pick up this book anyway.
Essentially, it's a Nazi hunt. There are three viewpoints from three different characters. As I mentioned, Nina was insufferable. Most of the reviews I read talked about their love of this character and the origin of the Night Witches (AKA female, Russian pilots). Ian was one of the other main characters, a former war correspondent who's a Nazi hunter, trying to find 'The Huntress', who murdered his brother. Then, there's Jordan, an American teenager whose father marries a mysterious German woman with a daughter.
I won't spoil the plot, but basically, you can work out the entire plot within the first few chapters. What kept me reading was the writing style, and every other character but Nina.
Alright, so, I don't consider books post WWI to be historical fiction, and I normally steer clear of WWII/aftermath fiction because bookstores and goodreads are inundated with hundreds of novels. But, I decided to pick up this book anyway.
Essentially, it's a Nazi hunt. There are three viewpoints from three different characters. As I mentioned, Nina was insufferable. Most of the reviews I read talked about their love of this character and the origin of the Night Witches (AKA female, Russian pilots). Ian was one of the other main characters, a former war correspondent who's a Nazi hunter, trying to find 'The Huntress', who murdered his brother. Then, there's Jordan, an American teenager whose father marries a mysterious German woman with a daughter.
I won't spoil the plot, but basically, you can work out the entire plot within the first few chapters. What kept me reading was the writing style, and every other character but Nina.
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated The Note: A CSI Eddie Collins Short Story in Books
Jun 5, 2019
The Note is a short, fast, fun read written by Andrew Barrett, which features Eddie Collins a Crime Scene Investigator who has a few problems of his own to solve.
When Eddie discovers someone is out to kill him, he adds the death threats to the rest of his pile and sets out to avoid being killed. He has no idea who wants him dead, or when it will happen so he spends the next few hours cautious and paranoid wondering who his killer might be and when he will strike.
Andrew Barrett’s The Note is actually the first book featuring Eddie Collins and the first book I’ve read by this author. With a great plot, a fun, humorous writing style and a clever twist in the tale, I’m definitely intrigued to read more of this series: four of which are full length novels.
A short, sharp and surprising storyline, I literally flew through this book. I highly recommend to all crime fans! I want more!
With thanks to Bloodhound Books and Andrew Barrett for my digital copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of this book.
When Eddie discovers someone is out to kill him, he adds the death threats to the rest of his pile and sets out to avoid being killed. He has no idea who wants him dead, or when it will happen so he spends the next few hours cautious and paranoid wondering who his killer might be and when he will strike.
Andrew Barrett’s The Note is actually the first book featuring Eddie Collins and the first book I’ve read by this author. With a great plot, a fun, humorous writing style and a clever twist in the tale, I’m definitely intrigued to read more of this series: four of which are full length novels.
A short, sharp and surprising storyline, I literally flew through this book. I highly recommend to all crime fans! I want more!
With thanks to Bloodhound Books and Andrew Barrett for my digital copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of this book.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated 27 Days to Midnight in Books
Jan 18, 2018
This novel far exceeding any expectations I had. The description was more than enough to interest me but I was hooked from day one. I typically dont like young adult, But Kruppa has a distinct voice that it didnt feel like young adult. Not to mention it was steampunk. I am a sucker for steampunk although I find that very few authors can pull it off well. Kruppa is among those.
27 Days to Midnight is a fast paced novel filled with wonder and adventure. It has such an interesting concept, although not the first of its find, and Kruppa is a great storyteller. Her easy style makes it a quick read as I was hungry for every word, turning pages before I even realized I had read them. I was so caught up in the story, it wasnt difficult forget the real world.
Sometimes there are good novels. And then there are novel like this where you can read all the blood, sweat, and tears put into every word. If this sounds like a novel you would be interested in, I implore to not pass it up. Become caught up in Kruppas extraordinarily fantasy.
27 Days to Midnight is a fast paced novel filled with wonder and adventure. It has such an interesting concept, although not the first of its find, and Kruppa is a great storyteller. Her easy style makes it a quick read as I was hungry for every word, turning pages before I even realized I had read them. I was so caught up in the story, it wasnt difficult forget the real world.
Sometimes there are good novels. And then there are novel like this where you can read all the blood, sweat, and tears put into every word. If this sounds like a novel you would be interested in, I implore to not pass it up. Become caught up in Kruppas extraordinarily fantasy.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Death by Coffee (Bookstore Cafe Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Best friends Krissy and Vickie have moved to Pine Hills and opened a bookstore and coffee shop. They’ve even named it Death by Coffee after one of Krissy’s dad’s bestselling mystery novels. But they find themselves in a real life mystery on their first day in business when a customer buys a cup of coffee, takes it to his office across the street, and dies. Krissy will have to act fast to clear their shop of any wrong doing in the crime.
The book sounded like fun, and I really wanted to like it, but the truth it is turned out to be average. The plot was a little uneven at times, but it still advanced to a great and logical climax. The suspects were good, but most of the series regular characters were a bit flat. Krissy did some embarrassing things that made me cringe, and her cat was annoying. Here’s hoping the series gets better as it goes along.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-death-by-coffee-by-alex.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The book sounded like fun, and I really wanted to like it, but the truth it is turned out to be average. The plot was a little uneven at times, but it still advanced to a great and logical climax. The suspects were good, but most of the series regular characters were a bit flat. Krissy did some embarrassing things that made me cringe, and her cat was annoying. Here’s hoping the series gets better as it goes along.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-death-by-coffee-by-alex.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Dana (24 KP) rated Ruin and Rising (The Grisha #3) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
This was such a great book. If you have yet to pick up this series, I highly recommend it. Leigh Bardugo does an excellent job in keeping the audience entertained throughout the series. Where there is normally a kind of slump in the second and third books in other series, there is no such thing in these novels. I am now trying to get all of my friends and family to read this series. What a great end to a great story. But, there are more stories to come out in this world. Super excited about that!!! Please READ THIS SERIES!!! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!! There will be minor spoilers ahead, so be aware.
****MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD****
There were quite a few times where I just had to put down the book because of the stuff that went down. When there were too many sad parts, which there were a ton, I was devastated, so I couldn't read on. That's why it took me about a month to finish it. (well, also because of finals and other factors, but that was a main one)
****MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD****
There were quite a few times where I just had to put down the book because of the stuff that went down. When there were too many sad parts, which there were a ton, I was devastated, so I couldn't read on. That's why it took me about a month to finish it. (well, also because of finals and other factors, but that was a main one)
Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated Mirror, Mirror (includes In Death, #37.5) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
The J.D. Robb story, "Taken In Death," was enjoyable - a nice thing, since it's the reason I bought the anthology. In it, Dallas takes on a kidnapper in a rebelling of Hansel and Gretel. I skipped the stupid coin story by Mary Blayney. I read one of her coin stories once and it was just too clichéd and predictable for me to ever put myself through that again. I do wonder, though, if she ever writes anything else? I went ahead and read "Beauty, Sleeping" by Elaine Fox, to see if the rest if the book would be worth reading.. While Fox's piece was okay, it was more romance than anything else. It had a supernatural twist, and it was a reworking of Sleeping Beauty, but in the end it was a romance. And to be honest, I just didn't trust the editors any more at that point. They chose Blayney and then the Fox piece, and one Robb story didn't outweigh them. I suppose if I'm ever truly hard up for something to read, I might try the other two stories in the book - but I would probably read one of the many free novels available before then.