Search
Search results
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated A Succession of Swords (The Chronicles of Serenity #1) in Books
Mar 3, 2023
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
When it's time for Philla and Deminious to move on, they must choose their successors. Their daughter will be queen and they have 3 sons to choose from whom all have good qualities and would rule well. It's a hard choice but they make it. After the wedding, they ascend to the celestial plain. All is well; they are happy. What could possibly go wrong?
This is a good story and I did enjoy it. There just seemed to be a lot going on. There were sections where it was one part of the story, then the next paragraph was with somebody and something completely different, and it took a couple of sentences to catch up with what was happening. It was a bit of a shame as it did take away from the story as the flow that should have been there wasn't.
I did enjoy the story when I was able to decipher what was what and I would recommend it. You may just need some patience.
** 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. *
When it's time for Philla and Deminious to move on, they must choose their successors. Their daughter will be queen and they have 3 sons to choose from whom all have good qualities and would rule well. It's a hard choice but they make it. After the wedding, they ascend to the celestial plain. All is well; they are happy. What could possibly go wrong?
This is a good story and I did enjoy it. There just seemed to be a lot going on. There were sections where it was one part of the story, then the next paragraph was with somebody and something completely different, and it took a couple of sentences to catch up with what was happening. It was a bit of a shame as it did take away from the story as the flow that should have been there wasn't.
I did enjoy the story when I was able to decipher what was what and I would recommend it. You may just need some patience.
** 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. *
Luck of the Draw
8.0
Rate It
Book
Drawing the short straw is bad luck…isn’t it? A treaty between three warring realms calls for...
MM Fantasy Romance Arranged Marriage Novella
Merissa (13739 KP) rated Openly Yours (Offbeat Shifters #2) in Books
Mar 3, 2021 (Updated Aug 2, 2023)
OPENLY MINE is the second book in the Offbeat Shifters series, and we continue with the tiger and monkey mates. Now openly mated, Isaac and Jesse have a busy time ahead of them. Not only is there the Youth Centre to get sorted, but Jesse is recording a new album. Because these two are suckers for punishment, they also decide to move home and arrange a wedding too. Throw in some health complications, and you've got a story to lose yourself in.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. And, as wrong as this may sound, I loved the part where Isaac and Jesse are dealing with some news that has a strong impact on both of them. I found this to be sympathetically written, whilst remaining true to the story.
The pacing is smooth and the supporting characters are just as good as in book one. One thing is clear, Jesse has dreams to fulfil and Isaac will move heaven and earth to help.
A great addition to the series, and one I am happy to recommend.
* 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!
Mar 3, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. And, as wrong as this may sound, I loved the part where Isaac and Jesse are dealing with some news that has a strong impact on both of them. I found this to be sympathetically written, whilst remaining true to the story.
The pacing is smooth and the supporting characters are just as good as in book one. One thing is clear, Jesse has dreams to fulfil and Isaac will move heaven and earth to help.
A great addition to the series, and one I am happy to recommend.
* 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!
Mar 3, 2021
Merissa (13739 KP) rated Gideon (Boyfriend for Hire #3) in Books
Nov 20, 2020 (Updated Aug 14, 2023)
GIDEON is the third book in the Boyfriend For Hire series but you don't have to have read any of the previous books to enjoy this one.
It starts off with both Gideon and Rowan attending the wedding of a friend when Rowan makes a comment about getting married himself. For some reason, Gideon takes that to mean Rowan is leaving and starts to imagine just how dull his life would be without Rowan in it.
This is a low-angst book that takes place over the Christmas period and you mainly get to see Gideon with Rowan's crazy but wonderful family. Chaos incarnate but coming from a place of love. Personally, it would drive me insane but there you go! 🤣
There are some steamy moments but mainly it is that first-blush time when everything is new and shiny. This was a great seasonal read with wonderful characters (especially the dogs) who help make the story shine.
Absolutely recommended by me.
* 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!
Nov 20, 2020
It starts off with both Gideon and Rowan attending the wedding of a friend when Rowan makes a comment about getting married himself. For some reason, Gideon takes that to mean Rowan is leaving and starts to imagine just how dull his life would be without Rowan in it.
This is a low-angst book that takes place over the Christmas period and you mainly get to see Gideon with Rowan's crazy but wonderful family. Chaos incarnate but coming from a place of love. Personally, it would drive me insane but there you go! 🤣
There are some steamy moments but mainly it is that first-blush time when everything is new and shiny. This was a great seasonal read with wonderful characters (especially the dogs) who help make the story shine.
Absolutely recommended by me.
* 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!
Nov 20, 2020
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2474 KP) rated Wedding Bride and Doom in Books
Nov 27, 2024 (Updated Nov 27, 2024)
Fatal Flowers
When Kate Ludlow's marriage ended, she packed up her teenage daughter and moved from Southern California back to her hometown in Connecticut. She also went about turning her part time gig as a wedding planner into a full business, hustling to prove herself to her new customer base. The florist she works with the most is Lori-Sue, which can be awkward since the two have a history dating back to high school. So when Kate finds Lori-Sue's body one day, she also finds herself the prime suspect. Naturally nosey, Kate gets involved. Can she clear her name?
This debut sounded fun, so I was looking forward to it. It starts out well, with Kate finding the body quickly. However, the further I went into the book, the more I struggled with it. The plot seemed disjointed at times, but connections are made at the end. Meanwhile, we learn things late in the book about Kate that would have been nice to learn earlier. Finally, the climax only works because Kate is stupid. On the other hand, I really did like the characters, and the cliffhanger is intriguing. Still, I think I will probably pass on the sequel, unfortunately.
This debut sounded fun, so I was looking forward to it. It starts out well, with Kate finding the body quickly. However, the further I went into the book, the more I struggled with it. The plot seemed disjointed at times, but connections are made at the end. Meanwhile, we learn things late in the book about Kate that would have been nice to learn earlier. Finally, the climax only works because Kate is stupid. On the other hand, I really did like the characters, and the cliffhanger is intriguing. Still, I think I will probably pass on the sequel, unfortunately.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2474 KP) rated A Fashionably French Murder in Books
May 1, 2025 (Updated May 1, 2025)
Tabitha Must Find a Well Dressed Killer
Tabitha Knight, who grew up learning both French and English, is making some money tutoring various people in French. She’s now landed a job as a translator for a diplomat’s wife who is looking to buy an haute couture dress for her daughter’s upcoming wedding. Their first stop is Maison Lannet, where they are treated to a fabulous fashion show. But when Tabitha realizes she left her gloves behind, she finds the designer dead. Can she figure out what happened?
It was nice to be back in 1950 Paris, once again seeing what life was like for people trying to rebuild their lives after the war. Yes, Julia Child has a strong presence in this book again, so there is lots of talk about French cuisine. So expect your mouth to water. The pacing of the mystery was a bit uneven, thanks in part to a couple of subplots, but I appreciated some of the twists we got along the way. The characters are fun as always, and I am curious to see where one storyline will go in the next book. All told, anyone interested in Julia Child or life in Paris in 1950 will be glad they picked up this book.
It was nice to be back in 1950 Paris, once again seeing what life was like for people trying to rebuild their lives after the war. Yes, Julia Child has a strong presence in this book again, so there is lots of talk about French cuisine. So expect your mouth to water. The pacing of the mystery was a bit uneven, thanks in part to a couple of subplots, but I appreciated some of the twists we got along the way. The characters are fun as always, and I am curious to see where one storyline will go in the next book. All told, anyone interested in Julia Child or life in Paris in 1950 will be glad they picked up this book.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2474 KP) rated Edam and Weep in Books
Aug 6, 2025
Carly Finds Murder at a Fundraiser
As this book opens, it’s just over a month until Carly’s wedding to Ari. But today, she’s focused on the 50’s diner themed fundraiser for the local high school’s gym. While she’s selling simple grilled cheese (of course), some of the other vendors are offering various other offerings. But the man selling sodas clearly doesn’t want to be there, and his rude behavior leads to a confrontation with Carly’s mom. When the man is found dead later with the scarf that her mom was wearing around his neck, Carly jumps in to figure out what really happened.
When I heard about this book, I quickly added it to my reading plans since I’ve enjoyed the earlier books in the series. Sadly, this one was disappointing. There are two dualing storylines, but they both losing steam in the second half. The mystery plot felt a bit familiar, although I didn’t have the killer pegged. Fortunately, the characters are still charming, and I enjoyed spending time with them. We get two cheese themed recipes at the end. This is one that fans will want to read to the end. But if you are new to the series, start with an earlier book.
When I heard about this book, I quickly added it to my reading plans since I’ve enjoyed the earlier books in the series. Sadly, this one was disappointing. There are two dualing storylines, but they both losing steam in the second half. The mystery plot felt a bit familiar, although I didn’t have the killer pegged. Fortunately, the characters are still charming, and I enjoyed spending time with them. We get two cheese themed recipes at the end. This is one that fans will want to read to the end. But if you are new to the series, start with an earlier book.
The Dartington Bride (Daughters of Devon #2)
Book
1571, and the beautiful, headstrong daughter of a French Count marries the son of the Vice Admiral...
Historical Fiction Devon Elizabethan French Wars of Religion Daughters of Devon Series
Echoes on the Wind (Maggie O'Shea Mystery #4)
Book
TWO STRONG WOMEN, GENERATIONS APART, CONNECTED BY MUSIC… In 1943 war-torn France, a young woman...
Historical Mystery Romance Suspense