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Murder on Oak Street (A South Shore Mystery #1)
Book
New York, 1904. After two years as a coroner’s physician for the city of New York, Daniel...
Historical Mystery Cozy
Merissa (13100 KP) rated Awakened by Fire (Dragons of Bloodfire #2) in Books
May 8, 2021 (Updated Jun 8, 2023)
In the second book of the series, we return to the world of the Bloodkin. In this instalment, we meet Warrick, the face of the Triad and one of the 'young' dragons at only one hundred and forty plus years. He is at his mother's home for a wedding in the family and is reunited with 'Sammy', a human child from his past. However, he soon realises that Sammy has grown up into Samantha, and he is all the more interested. The heat gets turned up when threats are made against the family and Samantha's secret is exposed to Warrick's mother, who makes her promise to help him.
This is a fast-paced, well-written book, with a romance that is a slow burner. They actually know each other from the past, but take time to know each in the now before anything happens. The difference between how a dragon thinks and how a human does is clearly demonstrated.
Recommended for all fans of adult dragon stories, with an intriguing world that continues to excite and thrill with each book.
* 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!
May 26, 2016
This is a fast-paced, well-written book, with a romance that is a slow burner. They actually know each other from the past, but take time to know each in the now before anything happens. The difference between how a dragon thinks and how a human does is clearly demonstrated.
Recommended for all fans of adult dragon stories, with an intriguing world that continues to excite and thrill with each book.
* 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!
May 26, 2016
The Witless Protection Program
10.0
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In the fifth Catering Hall Mystery by Agatha Award-winning author Maria DiRico, series sleuth Mia...
Requiem for a Mouse
5.0
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Librarian Charlie Harris and his ever-intuitive feline friend Diesel must catch a killer in a deadly...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated A Slay Ride Together with You in Books
Sep 25, 2024
Spring Brings Another Murder to Rudolph
Spring in Rudolph, New York, American’s Christmas town, is usually a little show, which means it is the perfect time for Merry Wilkinson’s friends Vicki and Mark to plan their wedding. They’ve even managed to buy the Cole House to move into, but only because it needs a lot of work. However, things aren’t going well at the house since the couple are hearing strange noises in the night. Then, when Merry is visiting, the trio find a dead body. With Mark under suspicion, Merry starts gathering clues. Can she figure out what happened?
Normally, I enjoy this series, but this entry didn’t work for me. The story was too slow to get going. While things did pick up once we found the body, including giving us some great suspects, it wasn’t satisfying. Having said that, my questions were answered at the end. Since this is set in spring, it didn’t have quite the usual Christmas cheer, but I think that’s on me more than anything. The series regulars were still fantastic, and I did enjoy getting to see them again. And we got three recipes that Vicki has been working on for her cookbook. Fans of the series will be happy to check in on the characters, but everyone else can pass this one by.
Normally, I enjoy this series, but this entry didn’t work for me. The story was too slow to get going. While things did pick up once we found the body, including giving us some great suspects, it wasn’t satisfying. Having said that, my questions were answered at the end. Since this is set in spring, it didn’t have quite the usual Christmas cheer, but I think that’s on me more than anything. The series regulars were still fantastic, and I did enjoy getting to see them again. And we got three recipes that Vicki has been working on for her cookbook. Fans of the series will be happy to check in on the characters, but everyone else can pass this one by.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated London Calling in Books
Feb 20, 2025 (Updated Feb 20, 2025)
Family Found Finally?
This book starts with Annie in Istanbul. Thanks to things her mom has drilled into her, she realizes someone is following her and manages to give them the slip before she sends out a cry for help. A cry that the City Spies get and immediately jump into action. You see, Annie is the daughter of Mother, their leader. But the spies are already on assignment protecting the fiancée of one of the princes before their royal wedding. Can they find Annie and rescue her while keeping their current assignment on track?
If you haven’t yet started this fantastic series, don’t start here since it will spoil many of the twists of the previous books. But fans will be highly satisfied when they finish the book since it gives us many of the answers we’d been waiting for. A couple things were glossed over, but that’s minor. Along the way, we get all the twists and excitement that fans expect. We also get to spend time with characters we love. They are so great at working together, and it is a joy to watch. While this book does wrap up quite a bit, it leaves the door open for further adventures - ones I hope we get. If you are a fan, pick up this book today.
If you haven’t yet started this fantastic series, don’t start here since it will spoil many of the twists of the previous books. But fans will be highly satisfied when they finish the book since it gives us many of the answers we’d been waiting for. A couple things were glossed over, but that’s minor. Along the way, we get all the twists and excitement that fans expect. We also get to spend time with characters we love. They are so great at working together, and it is a joy to watch. While this book does wrap up quite a bit, it leaves the door open for further adventures - ones I hope we get. If you are a fan, pick up this book today.
postapocalypticplayground (27 KP) rated Caraval in Books
Jan 9, 2018
Roll up roll up to the world of Caraval, a game where nothing is ever as it seems but if you succeed you can make your greatest wish come true! For Scarlett, she has been writing to Caraval Master Legend for many years, hoping that he will bring his players to her Isle of Trisda so she can experience the joy and wonder her Grandmother’s stories told her about. When her final letter see’s an older Scarlett informing Legend that she is about to marry, a pre-wedding gift arrives in the form of tickets to Caraval! One for her, her sister Donatella and Scarlett’s fiance, who by the way she has never met…. Her father is a cruel man and Scarlett see’s the opportunity for marriage as a way to escape, which won’t happen if she attends Caraval. But her sister and the young sailor, Julian, have other plans!
Sailed away to Master Legends Island, Scarlet must play the game of Caraval and the stakes are higher than she ever thought. Not everything is real and everything has a price, can Scarlett complete the game and get back to Trisda before her father knows she has gone and before her wedding day? Or will the secrets of Caraval pull her in too deep?
I went into Caraval a little sceptical, I had heard mixed reviews from friends but I wanted to love it as the story sounded amazing, thankfully I wasn’t disappointed. In a book where I was constantly told that not everything is real I found myself second guessing everything, trying to figure out the clues along with Scarlett. The Caraval itself is wonderful and vibrant but yet a little sinister if you scratch the surface, I almost felt transported to a Victorian era where the currency is secrets rather than coin. There are a ton of twists in this tale and I have to say that I struggled a little to keep up at times. My only quibble is that it did get quite ridiculous as the story progressed and I was longing for a little stability in the story. There are however, some genius bits that I loved especially around some of the forms of payment.
I found it a struggle to put this down, for the most part it was the kind of read that I didn’t have to think about as I flew through the pages and apart from the odd moments of wading through treacle I found myself utterly caught up in the world, my heart racing against the clock just as Scarlett’s did. I would totally recommend giving this a read, it’s not 100% up to the hype, but I’m glad I read it and I think it may end up in that rare pile of books that I have that I would want to read again!
Sailed away to Master Legends Island, Scarlet must play the game of Caraval and the stakes are higher than she ever thought. Not everything is real and everything has a price, can Scarlett complete the game and get back to Trisda before her father knows she has gone and before her wedding day? Or will the secrets of Caraval pull her in too deep?
I went into Caraval a little sceptical, I had heard mixed reviews from friends but I wanted to love it as the story sounded amazing, thankfully I wasn’t disappointed. In a book where I was constantly told that not everything is real I found myself second guessing everything, trying to figure out the clues along with Scarlett. The Caraval itself is wonderful and vibrant but yet a little sinister if you scratch the surface, I almost felt transported to a Victorian era where the currency is secrets rather than coin. There are a ton of twists in this tale and I have to say that I struggled a little to keep up at times. My only quibble is that it did get quite ridiculous as the story progressed and I was longing for a little stability in the story. There are however, some genius bits that I loved especially around some of the forms of payment.
I found it a struggle to put this down, for the most part it was the kind of read that I didn’t have to think about as I flew through the pages and apart from the odd moments of wading through treacle I found myself utterly caught up in the world, my heart racing against the clock just as Scarlett’s did. I would totally recommend giving this a read, it’s not 100% up to the hype, but I’m glad I read it and I think it may end up in that rare pile of books that I have that I would want to read again!
Debbiereadsbook (1478 KP) rated Hunter's Desire (Dark Reserves #2) in Books
Apr 27, 2020
bloody LOVED this!
Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Okay then!
Daddy kink has been very hit and miss for me, some okay, some good, but not ever so many being so bloody good, but this one??
So Bloody Good!!
Hunter is a Dom, through and through but is disillusioned with the scene and wants to step away. He wants to retire for the police force. He wants. . . . something else. Colsen is a train wreck waiting to happen, after the death of his mother, he is wracked with guilt for not answering the phone and now he has been suspended from work. The weekend in Vegas to celebrate his best friend's up-coming wedding is the last thing he needs but he won't let his friend down. Hunter and Colsen come together, and it's not a matter of if they will butt heads, it's purely a matter of when. Can what happens in Vegas really STAY in Vegas?
I think what makes this one work so well for ME was this was a Daddy/boy relationship, rather than a Daddy/little one. Yes, Hunter buys Lego kits for Colsen, but thats more to focus his mind on something else. And Hunter wasn't really a Daddy before Colsen, either. A Dom, yes, but not a Daddy. There is an age gap, yes, but Hunter is approaching 50 (much to his disgust!) and Colsen is in his 30's. They are both working their way through what they need from the other, even if they hate each other.
And they work through their way spectactularly! Heads butt, yes indeed, and fists almost, but what gets to Colsen the most? Words. Words Hunter says in a certain tone, that pushes all kinds of his buttons he didn't know needed pushing. I LOVED how much Colsen fought Hunter, I really did. It doesn't take much for Hunter to find out why Colson is drinking so much, and once he does, he changes tactics to get Colson. Because Hunter WANTS Colsen like he never wanted before, and Colsen will be his boy, even if only for the weekend in Vegas.
But they can't leave it in Vegas, and it is great reading when Colsen finds out what Hunter did, and when Hunter comes into Colsen's space for the first time, discovering he kept some things going.
I loved it, when they finally, FINALLY, admit those three little words to each other! Very in keeping with these guys, and I loved the little epilogue.
I was to go back and read Dan and Theo's story now, too. It's their wedding they are in Vegas to celebrate. I want to continue with this series too, some interesting characters!
It's been a while since I had a one sitting read, and this one just nailed it, for me.
5 sparkling Vegas stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Okay then!
Daddy kink has been very hit and miss for me, some okay, some good, but not ever so many being so bloody good, but this one??
So Bloody Good!!
Hunter is a Dom, through and through but is disillusioned with the scene and wants to step away. He wants to retire for the police force. He wants. . . . something else. Colsen is a train wreck waiting to happen, after the death of his mother, he is wracked with guilt for not answering the phone and now he has been suspended from work. The weekend in Vegas to celebrate his best friend's up-coming wedding is the last thing he needs but he won't let his friend down. Hunter and Colsen come together, and it's not a matter of if they will butt heads, it's purely a matter of when. Can what happens in Vegas really STAY in Vegas?
I think what makes this one work so well for ME was this was a Daddy/boy relationship, rather than a Daddy/little one. Yes, Hunter buys Lego kits for Colsen, but thats more to focus his mind on something else. And Hunter wasn't really a Daddy before Colsen, either. A Dom, yes, but not a Daddy. There is an age gap, yes, but Hunter is approaching 50 (much to his disgust!) and Colsen is in his 30's. They are both working their way through what they need from the other, even if they hate each other.
And they work through their way spectactularly! Heads butt, yes indeed, and fists almost, but what gets to Colsen the most? Words. Words Hunter says in a certain tone, that pushes all kinds of his buttons he didn't know needed pushing. I LOVED how much Colsen fought Hunter, I really did. It doesn't take much for Hunter to find out why Colson is drinking so much, and once he does, he changes tactics to get Colson. Because Hunter WANTS Colsen like he never wanted before, and Colsen will be his boy, even if only for the weekend in Vegas.
But they can't leave it in Vegas, and it is great reading when Colsen finds out what Hunter did, and when Hunter comes into Colsen's space for the first time, discovering he kept some things going.
I loved it, when they finally, FINALLY, admit those three little words to each other! Very in keeping with these guys, and I loved the little epilogue.
I was to go back and read Dan and Theo's story now, too. It's their wedding they are in Vegas to celebrate. I want to continue with this series too, some interesting characters!
It's been a while since I had a one sitting read, and this one just nailed it, for me.
5 sparkling Vegas stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Merissa (13100 KP) rated Temptation Returns (Recalled to Love #1) in Books
Dec 11, 2017
Temptation Returns (Recalled to Love #1) by Lisa Carlisle
Temptation Returns is the first novella in the Recalled to Love series, and we meet Antonio and Lina. This couple were together, but when Antonio joined the military he pushed Lina away as he didn't think it was right to keep her waiting for him. Lina eventually got over him, and found someone new. Unfortunately, Brad was 'safe' and there were no real sparks or passion between them. A couple of weeks before the wedding, and Antonio is back in town and sees Lina in a nightclub. The passion between them is still there, but Lina is now engaged, so things have changed between them.
I have to say that, for me, it was Antonio who made this book. I can understand Lina being conflicted when Antonio returned, but I can't agree with her actions following that first kiss. Yes, Brad turned out to be a first class jerk, but still... As for the story as a whole, it was fast-paced, angsty, and thoroughly enjoyable in many ways. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, and the scenes flowed from one to the next. A quick coffee break book, recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I have to say that, for me, it was Antonio who made this book. I can understand Lina being conflicted when Antonio returned, but I can't agree with her actions following that first kiss. Yes, Brad turned out to be a first class jerk, but still... As for the story as a whole, it was fast-paced, angsty, and thoroughly enjoyable in many ways. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, and the scenes flowed from one to the next. A quick coffee break book, recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated China Rich Girlfriend (Crazy Rich Asians #2) in Books
May 10, 2018
I'm upset that I didn't know that this was a sequel. I would have read the first book as well. I am definitely going to go back and do that and I hear there is a third book in the works called Rich People Problems which I also look forward to reading.
This book is based on a number of very rich Asians located all over the world. The main focus of the book is about Rachel Chu. Rachel is about to marry Nicholas Young, but feels like there is one last thing she has to accomplish before hand, finding her biological father. It has been her mission most of her life. Then an incredible thing happens on the night before the wedding, during the rehearsal that will send Rachel and Nick on a world wide tour to find the father she never knew. With stops in Shanghai and Paris, Rachel meets some the wealthiest in Asia. Her new husband being heir to one of these families. She gets to meet some of her new family and and lots of very influential people in the Asian community. When tragedy strikes, Rachel and Nick are unsure of who to trust in this elaborate group, but time will reveal the truth and they will find out if the family Rachel has been searching for was worth finding.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This book is based on a number of very rich Asians located all over the world. The main focus of the book is about Rachel Chu. Rachel is about to marry Nicholas Young, but feels like there is one last thing she has to accomplish before hand, finding her biological father. It has been her mission most of her life. Then an incredible thing happens on the night before the wedding, during the rehearsal that will send Rachel and Nick on a world wide tour to find the father she never knew. With stops in Shanghai and Paris, Rachel meets some the wealthiest in Asia. Her new husband being heir to one of these families. She gets to meet some of her new family and and lots of very influential people in the Asian community. When tragedy strikes, Rachel and Nick are unsure of who to trust in this elaborate group, but time will reveal the truth and they will find out if the family Rachel has been searching for was worth finding.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.