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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Bear a Wee Grudge in Books
Dec 1, 2021 (Updated Dec 1, 2021)
Murder Presents a Wee Problem
Silver Hollow, Michigan, is hosting a Highland Fling weekend, and the Silver Bear Shop is getting in the spirit with teddy bears wearing kilts that Sasha Silverman and the rest of her family plan to sell at the event. Unfortunately, before the event kicks off, their rival, Teddy Hartman, is found dead near the festival’s grounds, and Sasha’s dad is the prime suspect. Can Sasha clear his name and still be ready for the festival?
As a fan of the series, I’m surprised that Teddy lasted as long as he did, he’s been that obnoxious in earlier books. It was nice to see this series thread come to the forefront. While the plot starts well, it does stall a bit in the second half before coming to a logical climax. I still have a hard time keeping all the supporting players and their relationships straight, but they are supporting players. Sasha and her immediate family and friends are strong, and the suspects keep us guessing. This mix of Scottish and teddy Bears is one that fans will enjoy.
As a fan of the series, I’m surprised that Teddy lasted as long as he did, he’s been that obnoxious in earlier books. It was nice to see this series thread come to the forefront. While the plot starts well, it does stall a bit in the second half before coming to a logical climax. I still have a hard time keeping all the supporting players and their relationships straight, but they are supporting players. Sasha and her immediate family and friends are strong, and the suspects keep us guessing. This mix of Scottish and teddy Bears is one that fans will enjoy.
Lessons
10.0
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While the world is still counting the cost of the Second World War and the Iron Curtain has...
WW2 Post war Germany Post War UK Relationships Literary Fiction Historical Fiction
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated The Clairvoyant Countess in Books
Mar 30, 2023 (Updated Mar 30, 2023)
I Saw My Reaction Coming, but Not for the Reasons I Expected
Madame Karitska is a psychic, and when she meets a young woman in danger, Madame Karitska reaches out to Lieutenant Pruden for help. Thus begins their relationships as Madame Karitska helps him on several other case. What really happened with a couple of murders three years ago? And did a young woman die in a car accident?
I don’t normally pick up supernatural themed stories, but since I love this author’s Mrs. Pollifax series, I decided to give it a try. Sadly, it disappointed. I tried, but I couldn’t let go of the supernatural element. I think part of that was because it made the stories a bit easy to solve. I was also expecting a novel instead of a series of short stories. There are a couple of arcs that tie them together, mainly for Lieutenant Pruden, who is as equally an important character as Madame Karitska. Yet I did enjoy some of the stories in this collection, and I really liked the characters, so this wasn’t a completely loss.
I don’t normally pick up supernatural themed stories, but since I love this author’s Mrs. Pollifax series, I decided to give it a try. Sadly, it disappointed. I tried, but I couldn’t let go of the supernatural element. I think part of that was because it made the stories a bit easy to solve. I was also expecting a novel instead of a series of short stories. There are a couple of arcs that tie them together, mainly for Lieutenant Pruden, who is as equally an important character as Madame Karitska. Yet I did enjoy some of the stories in this collection, and I really liked the characters, so this wasn’t a completely loss.
Merissa (12943 KP) rated Gathering Storm (Knights of Black Swan #5) in Books
Apr 3, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
Oh my word, where to start? This whole series is one of the best that I have read and is permanently on my Kindle, as well as the 'real' books being bought as and when funds allow!
The characters themselves are wonderful and there are so many aspects to fall in love with - the men and women themselves, the relationships between them, their loyalty, their children, the Knights and Lady, the trainees, the Sovereign - the list goes on. Even in Book 5, this story is still fresh and the characters are still growing. I honestly couldn't say which one is my favourite as they are all magnificent. You meet some new characters in this book in the shape of 'original' vampires and Knights-in-training.
This book is again action packed and will leave you breathless. It made me laugh, it definitely made me cry. I was worried, stressed and tense. All these things are GOOD because it means that I have been drawn into the world that I am reading about.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!
* Verified Purchase - September 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
September 7, 2016
The characters themselves are wonderful and there are so many aspects to fall in love with - the men and women themselves, the relationships between them, their loyalty, their children, the Knights and Lady, the trainees, the Sovereign - the list goes on. Even in Book 5, this story is still fresh and the characters are still growing. I honestly couldn't say which one is my favourite as they are all magnificent. You meet some new characters in this book in the shape of 'original' vampires and Knights-in-training.
This book is again action packed and will leave you breathless. It made me laugh, it definitely made me cry. I was worried, stressed and tense. All these things are GOOD because it means that I have been drawn into the world that I am reading about.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!
* Verified Purchase - September 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
September 7, 2016
Young Women
8.0
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A vivid, bold and compelling new novel of female friendship and what it means to be a young woman,...
Literary Fiction Feminism
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Cheddar Late Than Dead in Books
Apr 20, 2023 (Updated Apr 20, 2023)
There Falls the Groom Down the Stairs
Carly Hale is surprised when Dawn and Klarissa walk into her restaurant. While she knew them in school, she hasn’t seen them since she’s been back in Balsam Dell, Vermont. The chance encounter winds up with Carly catering Klarissa’s wedding shower. But the day of the shower is filled with more tension than Carly expected. Things only get worse when the groom crashes the party. A little while later, Carly finds him at the bottom of the stairs, dead. Who would want to kill him?
This book starts off quickly, introducing us to suspects and conflict before the murder happens, then gives us some great twists that kept me reading. The climax logically resolves things, although I did have a couple of small niggles with the ending. It was great to see the characters again, and I like how their relationships are growing. There are some great new characters, including strong suspects. Meanwhile, the book introduces us to grilled cheese donuts, including a recipe in the back. If you are hungry for a fun cozy, pick this one up.
This book starts off quickly, introducing us to suspects and conflict before the murder happens, then gives us some great twists that kept me reading. The climax logically resolves things, although I did have a couple of small niggles with the ending. It was great to see the characters again, and I like how their relationships are growing. There are some great new characters, including strong suspects. Meanwhile, the book introduces us to grilled cheese donuts, including a recipe in the back. If you are hungry for a fun cozy, pick this one up.
ClareR (5885 KP) rated Daughters of War in Books
Oct 27, 2021
Daughters of War is set during the Nazi occupation of France and tells the story of three sisters: Hélène, Elise and Florence.
Hélène, the eldest, is a nurse and does her best to protect her two younger sisters, although Elise is determined to play her part in the Resistance. Florence is happy to hide away in their cottage, longing for the day that France will be free again.
I loved the relationships between the sisters - they’re all sp different from one another - and they pull together in times of need and danger.
And there’s plenty of danger here, both in their village and in the places that Hélène and Elise must go to as their roles in the Resistance dictate.
And the secret they uncover about Florence is pretty shocking and totally unexpected for the sisters.
This was a really enjoyable read on The Pigeonhole. There’s a great mix of emotion, adrenaline and danger. This is the first book in a planned trilogy, and I’m really looking forward to seeing where the sisters go next in the next two books.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and the publisher for serialising this book - I loved it.
Hélène, the eldest, is a nurse and does her best to protect her two younger sisters, although Elise is determined to play her part in the Resistance. Florence is happy to hide away in their cottage, longing for the day that France will be free again.
I loved the relationships between the sisters - they’re all sp different from one another - and they pull together in times of need and danger.
And there’s plenty of danger here, both in their village and in the places that Hélène and Elise must go to as their roles in the Resistance dictate.
And the secret they uncover about Florence is pretty shocking and totally unexpected for the sisters.
This was a really enjoyable read on The Pigeonhole. There’s a great mix of emotion, adrenaline and danger. This is the first book in a planned trilogy, and I’m really looking forward to seeing where the sisters go next in the next two books.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and the publisher for serialising this book - I loved it.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Aerobics Can Be Deadly in Books
Jan 12, 2023
Killer Workouts Are Fun for Us
Sho Tanaka and Levi Blue have decided to make a triathlon the first item they tackle on their bucket lists. When they go to the local gym to sign up to train, Levi manages to get them jobs as background extras in an aerobics video being shot the next day. However, when one of the stars dies during the first scene, Levi is ready to jump in and find the killer. Will Sho go along with it? Will they figure out what is going on?
While this is the first book in the series, it follows the novella that really introduces the characters. I read them out of order, but I didn’t have trouble figuring out the main characters and their relationships. There are plenty of laughs, especially in the beginning, but as the book progresses, things get more serious, lending itself to some great characters moments. Not that the humor ever goes completely away. Meanwhile, we have a strong mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. I will definitely be back for the prequel soon.
While this is the first book in the series, it follows the novella that really introduces the characters. I read them out of order, but I didn’t have trouble figuring out the main characters and their relationships. There are plenty of laughs, especially in the beginning, but as the book progresses, things get more serious, lending itself to some great characters moments. Not that the humor ever goes completely away. Meanwhile, we have a strong mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. I will definitely be back for the prequel soon.
Sebastian's Fate (Etherya's Earth #7.5)
10.0
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She was in love with a man who didn’t know she existed… Vampyre aristocrat Celine has eyes...
Paranormal Romance Novella