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The Inheritance Games
8.8
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An utterly addictive and twisty thriller, full of dark family secrets and deadly stakes. Perfect for...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2585 KP) rated Kaleidoscope in Books
May 11, 2024 (Updated May 11, 2024)
Once Again, a Kaleidoscope of Stories Lacking Focus
As with the first book featuring Madame Karitska, we get several stories that weave in and out of each other. Sometimes, they touch. Sometimes they only take up a chapter. Madame Karitska winds up in the possession of some diamonds when she runs into an old friend on a train. She helps a wife whose husband is interested in a nearby commune. A man who is deathly ill comes to her for help. She even helps a government official who is afraid some home grown terrorists might be at work.
Fans of the first book will be happy to hear that the format of the plot didn’t change much. Sadly, for me, that means it didn’t work as well as I would have liked. The way the stories wander around and in and out of each other without any clear beginning or climax frustrates me. One of them ends very anticlimactically. On the other hand, I do enjoy the charming characters and I liked spending time with them again. As with the author’s Mrs. Pollifax series, the characters haven’t really aged even thought it was roundly 25 years between books and both take place in their present. As a fan of the author, I’m not sorry I read this book, but I won’t be reading this series again any time soon.
Fans of the first book will be happy to hear that the format of the plot didn’t change much. Sadly, for me, that means it didn’t work as well as I would have liked. The way the stories wander around and in and out of each other without any clear beginning or climax frustrates me. One of them ends very anticlimactically. On the other hand, I do enjoy the charming characters and I liked spending time with them again. As with the author’s Mrs. Pollifax series, the characters haven’t really aged even thought it was roundly 25 years between books and both take place in their present. As a fan of the author, I’m not sorry I read this book, but I won’t be reading this series again any time soon.
Debbiereadsbook (1772 KP) rated A Sucker For Christmas in Books
Jan 19, 2024
its about the emotions between these two.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I love JP Sayle, you know I do, and I LOVED the Tangled Tentacles series, with the kraken and their arms, so I was expecting to love this book too, even if Fitch is an octopus, rather than a kraken.
But for me, I found it a little . . .flat . . maybe?? I dunno WHY I didn't love it, and I can't get my bloody book brain to spill its secrets, so I can't explain what was up with it! I'll just write what I did like and be done, ok??
I liked that Fitch, at 4 years old, knew that Shaun would be his. I liked that Fitch waited for Shaun to get with the feelings programme. I liked that they both have a say.
I did love Shaun's sister, Mandy, and what she did. She loves her brothers, plural, for she included Fitch in the number, and she wanted them both to be happy. Sneaky!
It has some steam, but I didn't think it was as smexy as some other Sayle books. It was more about the emotions between these two, and finally admitting who you wanted to be with!
3 good stars, and I'm so sorry I didn't love it!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
I love JP Sayle, you know I do, and I LOVED the Tangled Tentacles series, with the kraken and their arms, so I was expecting to love this book too, even if Fitch is an octopus, rather than a kraken.
But for me, I found it a little . . .flat . . maybe?? I dunno WHY I didn't love it, and I can't get my bloody book brain to spill its secrets, so I can't explain what was up with it! I'll just write what I did like and be done, ok??
I liked that Fitch, at 4 years old, knew that Shaun would be his. I liked that Fitch waited for Shaun to get with the feelings programme. I liked that they both have a say.
I did love Shaun's sister, Mandy, and what she did. She loves her brothers, plural, for she included Fitch in the number, and she wanted them both to be happy. Sneaky!
It has some steam, but I didn't think it was as smexy as some other Sayle books. It was more about the emotions between these two, and finally admitting who you wanted to be with!
3 good stars, and I'm so sorry I didn't love it!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2585 KP) rated Fondue or Die in Books
Dec 12, 2024 (Updated Dec 12, 2024)
A Pageant Proves that Murder is not Beautiful
This Labor Day, Willa Bauer is participating in the Dairy Days festival held in the next town over. Her employee and friend, Mrs. Schultz, is once again helping out with the Miss Dairy pageant that closes out the festival. But when Willa finds the pageant director dead, plans turn chaotic. The police don’t seem that certain that it was murder, but Willa is concerned about the safety of her friend, so she starts investigating. Can she figure things out?
I’d forgotten just how much I love this series until I picked up this book, but I was soon under the spell of the characters again. We aren’t in the usual locations as much, but that’s a minor complaint. The characters’ relationships continue to draw me in, and I liked the new characters we met as well. At least the ones who weren’t acting suspicious. One relationship gets some wonderful development. The mystery is fantastic. I kept second guessing myself until we reached the climax. I did have a niggle with the ending, but it was minor overall. As usual, these books will make you crave cheese, so you’ll be happy with the three recipes at the end. Fans new and old will find themselves savoring this entry.
I’d forgotten just how much I love this series until I picked up this book, but I was soon under the spell of the characters again. We aren’t in the usual locations as much, but that’s a minor complaint. The characters’ relationships continue to draw me in, and I liked the new characters we met as well. At least the ones who weren’t acting suspicious. One relationship gets some wonderful development. The mystery is fantastic. I kept second guessing myself until we reached the climax. I did have a niggle with the ending, but it was minor overall. As usual, these books will make you crave cheese, so you’ll be happy with the three recipes at the end. Fans new and old will find themselves savoring this entry.
A Killing in Costumes
7.0
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Stardom fades fast when you’re on the line for murder, in this debut cozy mystery perfect for fans...
ClareR (6241 KP) rated The Spoiled Heart in Books
May 26, 2026
I’ll be honest, I’m not too sure how to explain The Spoiled Heart, but I will say that I can’t understand why Sahota’s books aren’t more widely known and read. This is the second book I’ve read (The China Room being the first), and I will be reading his two earlier novels at some point!
Nayan is a man with a past: he loses his son and mother in a senseless fire (an arson attack), and turns to activism in his local Trade Union after the collapse of his marriage. He’s a caring man who. Looks after his father with dementia, even though they’ve always had a very tense relationship.
When he decides to run as the trade union General Secretary, Megha decides to run against him, even though she has far less experience and comes from a very affluent background. Nayan also starts a relationship with Helen, an old schoolfriend of his sister, who has a teenaged son.
There’s a lot going on in this - more than I could possible tell you in this short review (and why wouldn’t you read it instead?!), so I won’t!
I liked that it was written from the perspective of Sajjan, who is investigating what happened to Nayan and his own family’s involvement. This gripped me from the off. It’s a novel with big topics, big feelings and big reveals!
Nayan is a man with a past: he loses his son and mother in a senseless fire (an arson attack), and turns to activism in his local Trade Union after the collapse of his marriage. He’s a caring man who. Looks after his father with dementia, even though they’ve always had a very tense relationship.
When he decides to run as the trade union General Secretary, Megha decides to run against him, even though she has far less experience and comes from a very affluent background. Nayan also starts a relationship with Helen, an old schoolfriend of his sister, who has a teenaged son.
There’s a lot going on in this - more than I could possible tell you in this short review (and why wouldn’t you read it instead?!), so I won’t!
I liked that it was written from the perspective of Sajjan, who is investigating what happened to Nayan and his own family’s involvement. This gripped me from the off. It’s a novel with big topics, big feelings and big reveals!
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Fantasy Lover (Hunter Legends Series #1) in Books
May 27, 2024
105 of 220
Book
Reread
Fantasy Lover ( Dark Hunter 1)
By Sherrilyn Kenyon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It might sound like a man's favorite fantasy - to live forever, destined to be the lover of thousands of women. But for Julian of Macedon, it's a nightmare. Once he was a proud Spartan general; now he's a love-slave, his essence magically held captive in a book, cursed to spend all eternity pleasing women. Then, one day, Grace Alexander summons Julian to fulfill her passionate dreams - and sees beyond the fantasy to the man himself.
Long years as a sex therapist, listening to other people's bedroom problems, have taken a lot of the fun out of the physical side of love for Grace. But with or without sex, the rules of the enchantment cannot be changed - Julian is hers for the next month. And, as their time together slips by, Julian and Grace find more to share than sympathy and conversation and they begin to wonder if love might be within their grasp. That leaves only one question. Is love enough to break a 2,000-year-old curse?
This is a reread for me and one of my favourites. The Dark Hunter series has to be one of the best fantasy series out there. I love the Greek gods and everything these books bring.
Book
Reread
Fantasy Lover ( Dark Hunter 1)
By Sherrilyn Kenyon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It might sound like a man's favorite fantasy - to live forever, destined to be the lover of thousands of women. But for Julian of Macedon, it's a nightmare. Once he was a proud Spartan general; now he's a love-slave, his essence magically held captive in a book, cursed to spend all eternity pleasing women. Then, one day, Grace Alexander summons Julian to fulfill her passionate dreams - and sees beyond the fantasy to the man himself.
Long years as a sex therapist, listening to other people's bedroom problems, have taken a lot of the fun out of the physical side of love for Grace. But with or without sex, the rules of the enchantment cannot be changed - Julian is hers for the next month. And, as their time together slips by, Julian and Grace find more to share than sympathy and conversation and they begin to wonder if love might be within their grasp. That leaves only one question. Is love enough to break a 2,000-year-old curse?
This is a reread for me and one of my favourites. The Dark Hunter series has to be one of the best fantasy series out there. I love the Greek gods and everything these books bring.
Merissa (14037 KP) rated King (Nobel Reckoning #2) in Books
Feb 17, 2025
KING is the grand finale of this duology and absolutely needs to be read after Consort.
Rue has been found and is being taken back to her old Pack. Durin has to do his duty to the queen as it is the change of seasons. What a bleak beginning! But, oh man, it's also such a great beginning. I was immediately right back in the story, with all my hopes and dreams resting on their shoulders.
This author is simply amazing at character-led stories full of emotions, and this one is no different. Did I cheer for Rue when she stood up for herself? Why, yes, I did. Did I sob into my Kleenex when my heart was eviscerated? Yep, I did that too. And did I cry again when something happened to a brave illusionist Fae? Yep, you've got me again.
This is an action-packed story with highs and lows, building to a dramatic ending that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Such an amazing story and one I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
** 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 12, 2025
Rue has been found and is being taken back to her old Pack. Durin has to do his duty to the queen as it is the change of seasons. What a bleak beginning! But, oh man, it's also such a great beginning. I was immediately right back in the story, with all my hopes and dreams resting on their shoulders.
This author is simply amazing at character-led stories full of emotions, and this one is no different. Did I cheer for Rue when she stood up for herself? Why, yes, I did. Did I sob into my Kleenex when my heart was eviscerated? Yep, I did that too. And did I cry again when something happened to a brave illusionist Fae? Yep, you've got me again.
This is an action-packed story with highs and lows, building to a dramatic ending that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Such an amazing story and one I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
** 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 12, 2025
Merissa (14037 KP) rated Demon Marked (Everwood Falls #4) in Books
Mar 16, 2026
DEMON MARKED is the fourth book in the Everwood Falls series. Although you could read it as a standalone, I would personally recommend reading them in order. This town is very friendly, so that way, you would know more about the characters that pop up when needed.
Norah is the detective of Everwood Falls, keeping the town and its occupants safe. Ember is a Fae princess who adores the Mundane world (and Norah). When a curse reactivates, and Ember is in danger, Norah will do all she can to find out who did it and to find a cure.
This story definitely has golden retriever/black cat energy! Norah is all bite, black, and sharp edges, whereas Ember is fluffy, pink, and glitter. Throw in a dragon pregnancy, a bake-off show, curses, and a hellhound who keeps bursting into flames, and you have a story to keep you entertained from beginning to end.
I love returning to Everwood Falls and seeing all the old friends, while enjoying the story for the new ones. I can't wait for Bryce and Ryker's story! 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!
Mar 16, 2026
Norah is the detective of Everwood Falls, keeping the town and its occupants safe. Ember is a Fae princess who adores the Mundane world (and Norah). When a curse reactivates, and Ember is in danger, Norah will do all she can to find out who did it and to find a cure.
This story definitely has golden retriever/black cat energy! Norah is all bite, black, and sharp edges, whereas Ember is fluffy, pink, and glitter. Throw in a dragon pregnancy, a bake-off show, curses, and a hellhound who keeps bursting into flames, and you have a story to keep you entertained from beginning to end.
I love returning to Everwood Falls and seeing all the old friends, while enjoying the story for the new ones. I can't wait for Bryce and Ryker's story! 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!
Mar 16, 2026
Merissa (14037 KP) rated Born of Fire (Myths and Whispers #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2022
BORN OF FIRE is the first book in the Myths and Whispers series, and we start way, waaay back, with the beginning of the Myths. Then we fast-forward to the current day and Jax, a twenty-year-old carpenter who lost his parents in a tragic accident. Or was it?
Being as this is the first book, be prepared for a lot of world-building and explanations. They are done in a way so you don't really notice them, which is excellent! Jax is completely unaware of who or what he is, so we learn as he does.
Told completely from his perspective, this story has some interesting aspects. I found the latter part of the book more interesting, but I realise that the first part is absolutely necessary.
The one question I had all the way through is what about Gertie? He played chess with her all those Saturdays but then she's never mentioned again. I wanted to know more!
A great start to a new series and definitely an author to keep a lookout for. 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Being as this is the first book, be prepared for a lot of world-building and explanations. They are done in a way so you don't really notice them, which is excellent! Jax is completely unaware of who or what he is, so we learn as he does.
Told completely from his perspective, this story has some interesting aspects. I found the latter part of the book more interesting, but I realise that the first part is absolutely necessary.
The one question I had all the way through is what about Gertie? He played chess with her all those Saturdays but then she's never mentioned again. I wanted to know more!
A great start to a new series and definitely an author to keep a lookout for. 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!