Search
Mark Tobey: Threading Light
Book
The first comprehensive English-language monograph on Mark Tobey in forty years, this book traces...
Singles (1992)
Movie Watch
Set amidst the burgeoning Seattle alternative music scene of the early Nineties, Singles follows a...
Jerry Cantrell recommended Paranoid by Black Sabbath in Music (curated)
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Seashells , Spells and Caramels in Books
Mar 21, 2021
40 of 250
Kindle
Seashells,Spells& Caramels ( Spells & Caramels book 1)
By Erin Johnson
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
A magical French island. A dead contestant. An aspiring baker must clear her name before she gets burned.
Imogen Banks has dreamed her entire life of opening her own bakery in Seattle. But when she accidentally sets fire to her apartment and loses all her possessions, her dreams get toasted. Still coping with her loss, she receives a cryptic invitation she can't possibly refuse: entry into a mysterious baking competition on a beautiful French island.
When Imogen realizes the island village is magical and the bake-off’s participants are witches and wizards, she’s not sure her fledgling powers will be enough to win the coveted contest. In the midst of trying to cast her very first spell, a competitor drops dead and Imogen finds the psychic judges' mystical fingers all pointing at her. Can Imogen unlock her own magic and stop the killer from coming back for seconds or will she jump straight from the frying pan and into the fire?
This was a bit predictable but an easy pleasant read! She has a very entertaining relationship with a living flame and budding sweet friendship with a baking witch. This is British bake off with princes, villains and lots of magic!
Kindle
Seashells,Spells& Caramels ( Spells & Caramels book 1)
By Erin Johnson
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
A magical French island. A dead contestant. An aspiring baker must clear her name before she gets burned.
Imogen Banks has dreamed her entire life of opening her own bakery in Seattle. But when she accidentally sets fire to her apartment and loses all her possessions, her dreams get toasted. Still coping with her loss, she receives a cryptic invitation she can't possibly refuse: entry into a mysterious baking competition on a beautiful French island.
When Imogen realizes the island village is magical and the bake-off’s participants are witches and wizards, she’s not sure her fledgling powers will be enough to win the coveted contest. In the midst of trying to cast her very first spell, a competitor drops dead and Imogen finds the psychic judges' mystical fingers all pointing at her. Can Imogen unlock her own magic and stop the killer from coming back for seconds or will she jump straight from the frying pan and into the fire?
This was a bit predictable but an easy pleasant read! She has a very entertaining relationship with a living flame and budding sweet friendship with a baking witch. This is British bake off with princes, villains and lots of magic!
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Death be Burned (Terra Vane #4) in Books
Jun 2, 2021
76 of 250
Kindle
Death be Burned ( Terra Vane book 4)
By Katie Carys
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
My name is Terra, and I’m a Psychic. At times I wish I could control my visions; it would make tracking down the remaining nine escapees a lot simpler. That task just got a lot more urgent, as most of the psychos have blasted their way through a portal and are now wandering the streets of Seattle - one of them being a fire djinn intent on revenge following his brother’s recent recapture.
I’m heading after them with my hand-picked team of specialists; among them being my shifter partner who I’m more drawn to every day, and a lust demon who has her eyes set on him too - it’s going to be one hell of a bumpy ride. If we’re not careful, someone’s going to get burned, and with two worlds now on the line the stakes have never been higher.
I really fault these books, I love the writing, the characters and the storyline. Terra absolutely is the perfect female role. I’m still firmly in Kalebs corner of course there just so much tension! my stomach sank at the thought of losing Bernard that is just not an option!! Looking forward to book 5.
Kindle
Death be Burned ( Terra Vane book 4)
By Katie Carys
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
My name is Terra, and I’m a Psychic. At times I wish I could control my visions; it would make tracking down the remaining nine escapees a lot simpler. That task just got a lot more urgent, as most of the psychos have blasted their way through a portal and are now wandering the streets of Seattle - one of them being a fire djinn intent on revenge following his brother’s recent recapture.
I’m heading after them with my hand-picked team of specialists; among them being my shifter partner who I’m more drawn to every day, and a lust demon who has her eyes set on him too - it’s going to be one hell of a bumpy ride. If we’re not careful, someone’s going to get burned, and with two worlds now on the line the stakes have never been higher.
I really fault these books, I love the writing, the characters and the storyline. Terra absolutely is the perfect female role. I’m still firmly in Kalebs corner of course there just so much tension! my stomach sank at the thought of losing Bernard that is just not an option!! Looking forward to book 5.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Jul 8, 2021
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Hard Cold Winter in Books
Oct 20, 2020
Bodies at a Cabin
Van Shaw has just returned to Seattle from his time in the Army Rangers when Willard, one of his grandfather’s friends, asks for a favor. Willard is concerned about his niece, who went to her boyfriend’s cabin and hasn’t been heard from since. Van goes out there and discovers a grisly scene. It looks like a murder suicide, but Van begins to investigate anyway. He soon finds himself facing more danger than he bargained for. Will his Ranger training keep him alive? Or are the forces at work too great for him?
After enjoying the first book in the series, I was anxious to revisit Van. He was just as great a character this time around, and I enjoyed watching him grow a bit and interact with the characters, both old and new. The plot just continues to build until we reach the satisfying and explosive climax. The series is darker than I normally enjoy, and that did bother me a little, but that is completely on me. I do appreciate how Van’s past, both before the Army and as a Ranger, is worked into the story, and the light it shines on the struggles vets face when they return to civilian life. I will be picking up the third book soon.
After enjoying the first book in the series, I was anxious to revisit Van. He was just as great a character this time around, and I enjoyed watching him grow a bit and interact with the characters, both old and new. The plot just continues to build until we reach the satisfying and explosive climax. The series is darker than I normally enjoy, and that did bother me a little, but that is completely on me. I do appreciate how Van’s past, both before the Army and as a Ranger, is worked into the story, and the light it shines on the struggles vets face when they return to civilian life. I will be picking up the third book soon.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Iced in Paradise in Books
Apr 15, 2020
Tracking an Ice-Cold Killer
Leilani Santiago has returned from Seattle to the island of Kauai to help run her family’s shave ice shack. Unfortunately, that means dealing with family dynamics, including her estranged father. He’s returned now with Luke, his newest surfing protégé, for a local competition. The morning of the competition, Leilani finds Luke dead on the floor of the shave ice shack. With her father as the prime suspect, Leilani begins to investigate. Can she find the truth?
This book is written in first person present tense, which took a couple of chapters to get used to, but once I did, I had no trouble getting lost in the story. The mystery with strong with plenty of suspects, yet things make sense when Leilani finds the truth. Like other books Naomi Hirahara has written, family dynamics are also a strong storyline, and they weave in and out without taking over from the mystery. This helps us get to know the characters, and I grew to love them as I read. I did struggle with the Pigeon English the characters speak; at times it really slowed me down as I worked to translate what they were saying. But that was my only complaint. The book left me feeling like I’d visited Kauai but craving shave ice.
This book is written in first person present tense, which took a couple of chapters to get used to, but once I did, I had no trouble getting lost in the story. The mystery with strong with plenty of suspects, yet things make sense when Leilani finds the truth. Like other books Naomi Hirahara has written, family dynamics are also a strong storyline, and they weave in and out without taking over from the mystery. This helps us get to know the characters, and I grew to love them as I read. I did struggle with the Pigeon English the characters speak; at times it really slowed me down as I worked to translate what they were saying. But that was my only complaint. The book left me feeling like I’d visited Kauai but craving shave ice.
Necessary Trouble: Americans in Revolt
Book
Necessary Trouble is the definitive book on the movements that are poised to permanently remake...
Politics social issues
Honest Life by Courtney Marie Andrews
Album Watch
After a decade spent at the height of the music industry, touring solo and with large pop bands,...
folk