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Winter Moon (Walker Papers, #1.5)
Winter Moon (Walker Papers, #1.5)
Mercedes Lackey | 2005 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I've only read the second story by Tanith Lee so far because I wanted to read at least one of the books in Lackey's Five Hundred Kingdom series before I got to that one. For the first fifty pages, The Heart of the Moon was slow going, but after that it got progressively better and interesting. I think it would be nice to read about Cliro's burgeoning powers. I'd give it a four out of five.

Moontide by Mercedes Lackey was an absolutely wonderful story! After reading The Fairy Godmother, I went on to read this short story before I read the next two in the series. Moira was a great character, as was Kedric in as much as he could be with his small role. I was very sorry after I finished it and would have loved to read more with these characters. A great short story! 5/5

I was a little disappointed in C.E. Murphy's story, Banshee Cries, but it did have it's moments. Joanne is a great character who I can't help but to relate to - she's so realistic - and I love Gary, he's priceless. The plot was fairly interesting but it faltered and could be a bit slow at times. It was still good though and I can't wait to read the others in the series. 4/5
  
Kiss Me Deadly
Kiss Me Deadly
Tamela Miles | 2023 | Horror, Paranormal, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Paper Dolls, I felt was perfect for a full length story
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

6 short stories, of the horror/paranormal variety.

So, here's the thing.

I like short stories, I really do. The skill with a short is, you gotta grab the reader, and hold on for those few pages and not let go.

And here, I was only grabbed once or twice, and one of those was an excerpt from another collection.

I loved the excerpt from One, which appears in Rock Paper Scissors. That really got me good and excited for this collection, it really did. I'd like to go back and read THAT particular story.

The Swinging Tree was rather good too. That certainly grabbed and didn't let go!

Paper Dolls, I felt was perfect for a full length story. What Zach and Paris could get up to boggles the (obviously very twisted) mind!

But the other stories, while well written and well told, didn't grab me too much.

I think it would have better, for ME, had I not read these short stories back to back. Maybe if I had read one, then something else, then come back to these, I might have enjoyed them better.

But still, an enjoyable way to pass an hour.

3 stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
funny and engaging throughout (3 more)
fun illustrations throughout!!
incredibly readable format with short chapters makes it a really flexible read
i’m sure joe would hate this review for no real reason & i love and respect that
if you’re a fan of his stand up comedy, not all of the content of this book will be new to you although these chapters are still a joy to re-experience!! (0 more)
(bonus tip: read it in his voice for the full effect)
  
This is the first book in this series by this author. This is a short sweet story which is fun and enjoyable. This is an office romance story, this book can be read in one sitting. The story is fast paced and will suck you in from the start. Fantastic characters with amazing chemistry. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.



Highly recommended

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book
  
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Gail Honeyman | 2017 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
7
8.6 (80 Ratings)
Book Rating
Different (3 more)
Fast-paced
Easy to read
Insightful
Too short (1 more)
Blunt
Not my usual read but I heard about it through a number of people so I thought I would give it a go. It was well written, funny with good plot twists. The characters were believeable and I felt great empathy with them. My only criticism is that the ending seemed a little rushed but perhaps that is because I was enjoying the book so much
  
Pumpkin Pied
Pumpkin Pied
Karen MacInerney | 2015 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Halloween Hijinks
Natalie Barnes has a rare few days off at her bed and breakfast, her only guest being her college roommate Lucy Resnick. The timing is perfect since the annual Cranberry Island Harvest Festival is about to start. However, rumors are swirling that the area is haunted, and Natalie and Lucy witness a few weird things themselves. What is going on?

As a fan, it was fun to pop in to visit these characters in this October set short story. The plot was good and entertaining. It perfectly kept my attention for this short read. This is a short story that took me under an hour to read. Fans of the author will recognize Lucy as the star of her own series, and I enjoyed seeing her first appearance here as well as visiting the residents of Cranberry Island. Throw in a couple of delicious sounding pumpkin recipes, and you’ve got a festive winner.
  
Halloween Hoedowns Can be Deadly
Halloween Hoedowns Can be Deadly
Ryan Rivers | 2022 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
That Corpse Isn’t a Decoration
New friends Levi Blue, a former tween actor, and Sho Tanaka, a disgraced nurse, are helping out at a Halloween hoedown in town. However, things take an unexpected turn when they find the dead body of the town’s librarian in a trunk. Since it’s doubtful she crawled in by herself, can the dynamic duo figure out what happened to her?

When this author crossed my radar a couple of weeks ago, I decided to read this short story right away since it fit the season. I’m so glad I did. While it may be a short story, it is packed with fun. I laughed multiple times, and at one scene in particular. I really liked the characters, and they felt strong even though this was a short story. And the plot was good with a nice twist and a great use of clues. I read it in under an hour, and now I can’t wait to see Levi and Sho again.
  
40x40

Dana (24 KP) rated Close Range in Books

Mar 23, 2018  
Close Range
Close Range
Annie Proulx | 2000 | Fiction & Poetry
6
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I enjoyed reading this, mainly from a craft perspective. I am not the biggest of fans of the Western stories, but the characters and their actions really came alive from her descriptions and I felt like I learned a lot.

While I didn't enjoy reading all of the stories, there were a few that were very interesting. As I said, the craft in all of the stories was very cool to be able to pick apart. I liked looking at the moods of each story as I read it. Each one had its own set tone that you should look out for when you read them. Even the smallest parts, like drawing out the settings, were all beautifully rendered.

I had never read "Brokeback Mountain" before and I hadn't seen the movie either, but I enjoyed the story when I read it. Even though she paints the two guys as very similar in the beginning of the story, the both end up having such different personalities at the end.

There was also a very short, two page story that was so beautifully vague. It was called "55 Miles to the Gas Pump." I loved how much characterization and care went into this very short story.

All in all, this was a cool collection of her short stories. I will most likely be picking up some of her other stories and giving them a read if not only to learn more from her craft.
  
DD
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the first book by this author that I've read and it definitely won't be the last. This is a very erotic short read. The story in this book sets the scene for the series. You get an introduction to the characters and a sneak peek at their story. This book will leave you wanting and needing more from the characters and this series. I cant to read more from this series and from this author in the future.
Highly recommended start to this series
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book
  
SL
Strange Little Girls
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

The title definitely doesn't lie -- these are some STRANGE little girls. Each story is so different from the last, and they all suck you in and don't let up until the end. There are even a couple I could see being turned into at least a novella on their own, as I would love to read more about that particular girl's story.

Really interesting read, and since it's a collection of short stories, you can read a little bit at a time and not forget where you are.

5 stars