**spoiler alert** Ms. Miller is an exceptionally fine writer in several genres, and this one is a little different for me with a stronger romance sect**spoiler alert** Ms. Miller is an exceptionally fine writer in several genres, and this one is a little different for me with a stronger romance section. No, let's be honest--more sex in the story than I'm use to getting. Of course, a reader always has the option of skimming over or skipping over the sex scene until the storyline appears again,, and that's what I chose to do mostly in this story. The book was too good to just give up on because of a minor point, at least as long as it stayed minor, and it did.
In this story Mojo Sheepshanks has opened an investigative agency, mostly to help her sister with getting the goods on her husband's fooling around, but events soon lead Mojo into wild scenarios that have her chased by killers, man-eating dogs, crazed mistresses, and other assorted psychos lurking in the shrubbery and eager to put an end to Mojo's existence.
But Mojo doesn't give up all that easily, so with a few moments to catch her breath and check her e-mails, she's up and running again, looking for answers to those questions occupying most of her time--who is trying to kill her and why? Who killed a neighborhood girl and why? What is her sister hiding about her past and how can Mojo get her to let her help her deal with blackmailers who may be murderers, as well?
This story is as multi-dimensional as the first one, and even more intriguing, but it almost lost a half a star from me because it has a somewhat open ending and there are no further books listed in the series. Distinct bummer! I would certainly be up for reading further about Mojo and her adventures in detection work, but so far it seems like I'm not going to get the chance. Please, Ms. Miller, won't you reconsider and write a third story about Mojo's world? I'm sure there many of your fans who would really, really enjoy it! As it is, I recommend this story as a standalone, or followup to "Deadly Gamble."...more
In this volume, Kylie Galen has a great deal on her plate, with trying to find out more about her family (so eventually she will know more about herseIn this volume, Kylie Galen has a great deal on her plate, with trying to find out more about her family (so eventually she will know more about herself and her abilities), find out where Mario is and what he is plotting, help her friends with their wedding preparations, hold her breath about her mother's boyfriend (whom she does doesn't like and doesn't trust, regardless), and lead a semi-normal teenage life. Hah! Every few pages something new happens (including the appearance of a mysterious sword that no one can explain) that has to be be dealt with, but gradually, the pieces fall into place at the very end. At least, as many come together as Ms. Hunter is going to give you for this book!
Each of the books in this series has seemed (at least to me) to have been just a little bit more three-dimensionally drawn, with a deeper plot development, and most of it came together with this book. Because I have been following the series in order, I haven't paid as close attention to the character descriptions or scenery as I might have otherwise, since most of the story takes place in the same area. But by now the major characters are well drawn, and I am imagining them fully blown, taking part in the actions of the book. And the actions are so vivid that I am not really taking the time out to try and compare one book with the other on which one gave better scene description--my mind is carrying the "set" description from previous books.
In other words, this is a really good series for young adults or adults--a story is a story, and the only difference should be the depth of the storyline and the faceting of the characters, and frankly, I can't find much different between this series and any other straight "adult" series. I guess the real biggies are the lack of much overt sex or violence, and that's just fine with me. The villain kills and threatens and does the posturing villains do, sex is talked about (somewhat), and generally in a more humorous vein, but these books are for young adults and I'm reading the stories for the storylines--which are pretty interesting. So, if you want to read paranormal romance mystery for anyone (let alone young adults), I recommend this book, and this series, and I think (although I haven't had a chance to try them yet), some of the rest of Ms. Hunter's series. I'm looking forward to a number of more books to read. Thank you, Ms. Hunter! ...more
This is one of the best books I've read in some time, not just this year. It's an anthology of 16 (!) writers, each giving us a sample of his/her workThis is one of the best books I've read in some time, not just this year. It's an anthology of 16 (!) writers, each giving us a sample of his/her work to savor and decide if we like it and want more. For most of them, I definitely want more, and even on the one not-so-great, I want to try again, because I may have interpreted it incorrectly. Of the 16, 10 I gave an A for story construction and beauty, 5 got B or B+, so you can see it's a wonderful collection. And I'm not just whizzing over "nice" stories and giving them As: some I definitely didn't like, but the stories were powerful and well written, and deserved to be read and appreciated.
I don't want to go into details with each story, I don't want to give away plotlines. Some end well, others don't. Still, the writing is compelling and leaves its mark, and that's a sign of good writing to me. I believe you'll enjoy this book, and use it as a springboard to read more of the authors you discover here. And you will have discovered one of the beauties of anthologies, as well. Good reading. Thank you, Ms. Marr, for an excellent editing job, and a lovely story. ...more
This book continues the Relics of Merlin series and, as far as I am concerned, is even better (plotwise) than the first two.
Lady Philomena is slightlyThis book continues the Relics of Merlin series and, as far as I am concerned, is even better (plotwise) than the first two.
Lady Philomena is slightly past marriage age (in her 40's) and resigned to spending her life using her talents at connecting with ghosts and helping them to find peace and move on, and help their families, too. Then she meets Sir Nicodemus Wulfson, who is looking for a "medium" who can convince his ailing brother that the ghosts in their castle are at peace now, and he can get on with his life. Sir Nicodemus doesn't believe in ghosts, but he'll do just about anything to help his brother relax his fears enough to get some sleep and start healing. Nico is also still hunting for the one who killed his fiance two years ago, and trying to run the home farm, as well. Now, he is taking over his brother's duties until he is able to return to them, and he obviously has a very full plate. Oh, and the villagers tend to believe that he could have killed his fiance, since he is a werewolf. A very volatile mix, for sure.
And in steps Lady Philomena, who is more than a little miffed when she learns Sir Nicodemus believes she is somewhat of a charlatan, faking her calling up of spirits to get money out of the rich set she moves in. She decides to do the best job she can, then get home to London as quickly as possible. But once she is in the brothers' castle, she begins to find clues pointing to an age-old secret in the castle, and all sorts of strange things begin to happen....
Ah, now I've told more than I've let slip in many a review! I'm not a really big fan of romances, but there are a few authors that I do read, and Kathryne Kennedy is one of them. She makes her romances interesting because her tales are not just about romance--there's usually a mystery, maybe ghosts, or some other paranormal activity going on to make it a really interesting story, and the plotline is multilayered and the characters are three-dimensional. I am really sad to know that the next book, "Everlasting Enchantment," is the last one she has in the series. Or at least, it is the last one our so far. Hope, hope. (There were supposed to be 13 relics, after all.) Well, I really recommend this book to anyone who likes romances, particularly historical ones. There is werewolf activity in the book, but this is more of a cozy than otherwise, so it's not very dark. I found it to be a marvelously entertaining story, and I'm looking forward to the next one. Thank you, Ms. Kennedy!...more
Well, the series is definitely turning darker now, and I'm not going to tell you how! Just remember, this is a story about fighting vampires and somebWell, the series is definitely turning darker now, and I'm not going to tell you how! Just remember, this is a story about fighting vampires and somebody's gotta die sometime, don't they? Given that, the storyline advances with Lissa, Rose, Dimitri, Christian and Adrian visiting the royal court and Lissa making some decisions about her future. While they are there Rose is dealing with "seeing ghosts" and what brought it on, and if she's going crazy or what. Finally, it emerges that Lissa and other Moroi are not the only ones developing new talents. Because of this, the story leads into the next book, and I can't wait to get my hands on it! I think the series is getting better and better--at least this storyline sets it up for a tale of epic proportions and I am hoping that Ms. Mead is in firm control, and will lead it to a satisfying conclusion. I recommend this book. ...more
Well, this volume had a lot more tags on it, as it seemed more involved than the previous story. Sarah Booth Delaney is continuing her detective work Well, this volume had a lot more tags on it, as it seemed more involved than the previous story. Sarah Booth Delaney is continuing her detective work by trying to figure out who killed a used-to-be famous writer who was about to release some memoirs that could have burned a lot of people with stories about " the old days." The deeper Sarah Booth digs, the more she uncovers that bares more motives for murder, and even those she really wants to be close to come under more scrutiny than she likes in her search for the truth.
Most of the story moves pretty well, but there are slow patches. I just pushed through them, because I figures that Ms. Haines would get back to the main them--who did it--eventually, and I could handle a few pages of filler. I was right, and the "filler" usually added a bit of color to the story, as well. The characters are fairly well fleshed out, and the story very well-developed, with the scene description only occasionally lacking, so it's fairly easy to keep feeling yourself "there," even watching the scenes with Sarah Booth and Jitty. (If you don't know who Jitty is by now in the series, I ain't gonna tell you!)
This book is for those who like Southern works, works that take their time in developing character and backstory, so that you feel almost like a longtime resident listening to and watching what's happening. I know I've already got my mind set on the next book, "Splintered Bones" and am eager to find out what Sarah Booth is going to investigate next....more
I was really reluctant to give a 5-star rating to a "cozy witchcraft" book, but this book actually gives a lot more than I first thought on finishing I was really reluctant to give a 5-star rating to a "cozy witchcraft" book, but this book actually gives a lot more than I first thought on finishing it.
First, the plotline was pretty good, and somewhat involved. Second, the character descriptions were quite well painted and brought the cast vividly to life. Thirdly, the book was filled with humor, even with all the werewolves, witches, fights, etc. going on. For example, on page 74, "There was no lock on the door, so the Indy 500 pit crews had nothing on me as I stripped. I wrapped myself in his plush monogrammed bathrobe and tossed my wet clothes in the oversized dryer." Typical fare--sexually-loaded scenes laced with humor, and most every other kind of scene with at least a little humor in it.
In this, the first book in the Southern Witch series, Tammy Jo Trask is the would-be witch, who believes that her family is one of the few paranormal families (or even groups or singles) in Duvall, Texas, and her family has worked hard to keep it that way for decades. Although Tammy's mother and aunt are very strong witches, Tammy Jo has yet to blossom into witchhood in her early 20's, and she's decided to give it up and lead a normal life. She wears her family locket to a party and it's stolen by a gang of thieves. That's bad enough, but Tammy Jo's great, great great-aunt Edie's ghost resides in the locket, and if Tammy Jo doesn't get it back real quick, Edie will be torn apart and gone for good. This disaster starts Tammy off on her odyssey to retrieve the locket and Edie, and she learns many things about her small town and herself in the process. She joins forces, at least temporarily, with Bryn Lyons, of the family on Tammy Jo's no-no list, and she acquires a new pet that is quite helpful on a number of occasions.
Not everything is resolved thoroughly, but something needs to be left for the next book, and I am definitely getting it to find out what happened with the people who were rather nasty to Tammy Jo at the end of this book. I don't think they'll die, but they may wish they were dead.... Tammy Jo was beginning to develop some of her witchy powers, and she had a hard time reining in her desires to get even....
I certainly recommend this book to anyone who likes humorous paranormal stories....more
I just finished this introductory book to Ms. Blackwell's "Haunted Home Renovation Mysteries." It's pretty good, and may be better plotted than her fiI just finished this introductory book to Ms. Blackwell's "Haunted Home Renovation Mysteries." It's pretty good, and may be better plotted than her first work in her vintage clothing series.
Mel Turner grew up in the construction business and took over her dad's business as just a temporary measure while he got back together after his wife died. That was two years earlier. Now, she's still trying to get away to live in Paris and lick her divorce wounds for a year or ten in some backstreet pad while she sips lattes. Hah! Life happens.
She visits a friend's rehab to check on him and finds the rehab party had no construction supervisor and heavy drinking was involved, she gets pulled into an accident that turns into a murder investigation, faces possible charges of negligent practices by Cal-OSHA, and two teenage boys are living with her and her father and his disabled friend (and their business partner). Oh, and she has acquired a dog she doesn't want. And she's being courted by three men who make her somewhat anxious, and she can now see ghosts--or at least one. Paris looks better and better! There is a fair amount of incidental humor (with that blend there would have to be), and I know I was always turning pages to find out what happened next and what was the real thing someone was after. It has good character development, plot and excellent scene description. I thought it was very good, indeed....more
Kylie Galen is a normal teenager who gets caught up with some friends and sent to a camp for troubled teenagers, to help her deal with her "issues." BKylie Galen is a normal teenager who gets caught up with some friends and sent to a camp for troubled teenagers, to help her deal with her "issues." But the camp itself is supplying Kylie with more issues than she thought existed--things like vampires, werewolves, ghosts and shapeshifters, some of whom she is sharing a camp cabin with for the next two months. But Kylie knows she doesn't belong in the camp, because she isn't a shapeshifter, a vampire, or a witch, and that dead guy no one else can see just started showing up a couple of days ago....
This was my first taste of Ms. Hunter's work, and I liked it. It had more depth than I expected, with several storylines going on at the same time at one point as the different campmates' lives intersected with each other. Scene description was rather light except for a couple of outdoors descriptions, but the plotline was so interesting and the characters so 3-D that I didn't mind very much, since I could paint the picture with my mind, anyway.
One fairly important point in the plot wasn't explained, so I am hoping it is in the next book, "Awake at Dawn." I've already ordered it, because I want to know more of Kylie's story, and that of her campmates, Miranda and Della. A dyslexic witch and a vampire who has Donald Duck bedroom slippers are definitely interesting. Thank you, Ms. Hunter for a very interesting read, and more to come....more
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