An interesting mix of paranormal Gothic, mystery, and genealogical delight. But for me, the three modes didn't add up as well as needed. I liked it alAn interesting mix of paranormal Gothic, mystery, and genealogical delight. But for me, the three modes didn't add up as well as needed. I liked it all, but it was missing that charm, that underlying tension of "I must know what's going on." Loved solving the various generational gaps and missing relatives. But I also felt like the connection between the main character and her pseudo aunt and godmother was contrived. That said, I also knew where it was going in the long-run, so I held on, hoping it would pop at some point. I liked it... just wish there was something stronger to latch on to. I'll give the author's next book a chance again tho, as it has all the elements to be successful. Sometimes debuts in this genre aren't the author's amazing releases.... those come a bit later!...more
Easily 4.5 stars. First Elston read. Will definitely read more. So many sides to a series of events, and just when you think you know who the killer iEasily 4.5 stars. First Elston read. Will definitely read more. So many sides to a series of events, and just when you think you know who the killer is, things change course and you learn parts of a scene you missed, either because the character left it out, the time period wasn't clear, or the truth was hidden in the words without you realizing it. Alibis can easily be crafted, but knowing how to systematically break it down into pieces, so you can run that fine-tooth comb thru every uttered word, that's how you reveal the truth and stun your audience. Wish it were even longer, I didn't want to stop reading it. Couldn't give the full 5 stars because the motivation of one character was never clear because we never got their point of view except thru a few scenes / dialog... we needed the voice in their head to tell us why, why they did it....more
Love is complicated. Especially for twin sisters where there's a question over which sibling a man might love. Toss in interesting family dynamics andLove is complicated. Especially for twin sisters where there's a question over which sibling a man might love. Toss in interesting family dynamics and the holidays, and you're to have drama-filled festivities. Very much enjoyed this holiday novel... and while I am not quite ready for Christmas, this put me in a jolly mood. Good writing. Quality dialog. Memorable characters. Found myself rooting for various couples to find their way to each other in the end, but also for the truth to come out. Everyone needs a reality check to sometimes accept the path they should take....more
I love a good cozy. A light romance is helpful sometimes. Small town politics and secrets. Enjoyed the various character plights. Had a little troubleI love a good cozy. A light romance is helpful sometimes. Small town politics and secrets. Enjoyed the various character plights. Had a little trouble connecting with the main character given her entry into the story but it shows promise....more
Over the years, I've become an eager reader of m4m romances... nothing too gushy, nothing too explicit. They should have a few hot scenes, a few momenOver the years, I've become an eager reader of m4m romances... nothing too gushy, nothing too explicit. They should have a few hot scenes, a few moments of romance and love... but the characters need to be real and completely pop out of the pages. Handle with Care is a good example. A transplant from Canada and a local Londoner (or he's really from Cambridge) compete at an internship in a museum. Their meet cute is a disaster in public, but underneath the introductions, something started to smolder.
I loved that we only saw it from 1 character POV. Often the chapters alternate so we see how they feel about each other in the privacy of their own separate lives. A few surprises along the way, some I'm entirely sure I believe... but ultimately, it felt like a potential real-life situation, sans the HEA. Do those really exist? LOL, I'm becoming a pessimist. Enjoyed the story and will check out more from the author now. Thanks....more
Another enjoyable m4m romance with grit, drama, and the price of fame. As I often say, and now I begin to wonder more, is this for real? Love the storAnother enjoyable m4m romance with grit, drama, and the price of fame. As I often say, and now I begin to wonder more, is this for real? Love the story, but I struggle to accept the way people talk to each other in these books. I am quite sarcastic but only with those I know and love. I'd never say the things I say to my family and friends (meaning be witty and sarcastic when they do something funny, or I do something dumb). But in the m4m romances I've come to adore, they do it with strangers too. I'd feel so guilty! And then there's the sex - almost always so perfect. Ha.... reality vs. fantasy, I suppose. Some of us readers prefer one over other. But I say all that acknowledging I really like this book and the characters. They have charm and an obnoxious personality unlike some where it's all rudeness. Adorable, funny, and filled with surprising scenes. I fell for them as a couple, but fate intervened in the end and left us stranded. Will they or won't they... get together, that is. You'll have to read book 2 in the series. :)...more
Cooking. Romance. Drama. Always good things in a book. I enjoyed the storyline, found it engaging and charming. Was a new author to me, but I'll contiCooking. Romance. Drama. Always good things in a book. I enjoyed the storyline, found it engaging and charming. Was a new author to me, but I'll continue to read more of their work....more
Second book by the author, and I really wish my Spanish language comprehension was stronger. I'm mostly able to read but I miss out on context, verb tSecond book by the author, and I really wish my Spanish language comprehension was stronger. I'm mostly able to read but I miss out on context, verb tense, and a few other details. So I read in English, and I worry the translations lose something that really makes the book stand out, at least for me. Nothing wrong with the translation, just that it's a little too straightforward simple and on the nose with the Great Detective. Interesting plot. Good pacing and humor, but missed the boat for me on a few levels. Sorry!...more
Another winner. I enjoy a good romcom, even if the plots and scenes are never like real life. First book by this author, kept me engaged. Balanced twoAnother winner. I enjoy a good romcom, even if the plots and scenes are never like real life. First book by this author, kept me engaged. Balanced two different relationships with some levity and drama....more
Victoria Hamilton writes a few series, and sometimes it takes a couple of years for an installment to release. That's the case with Thanks for Muffin,Victoria Hamilton writes a few series, and sometimes it takes a couple of years for an installment to release. That's the case with Thanks for Muffin, part of the Merry Muffin series set in upstate New York. Merry is warm, inviting, and smart. She often gets too involved in crimes. This time, the mission she's been focused on for 7 previous books has come to fruition - her new foundation / building / art center / anything goes opportunity... meaning she has this great space she's turned into an investment, and each time someone visits her mansion and property, some killer shows up. What bad luck. I didn't connect much with this murder mystery, as I usually do with her books, but I did love all the time with the regular supporting cast. Oh, they are fun!...more
I've been reading a few of the author's other series (under a pen name) and enjoyed the historical fiction / mystery aspects. In those ones, the protaI've been reading a few of the author's other series (under a pen name) and enjoyed the historical fiction / mystery aspects. In those ones, the protagonist are semi-famous figures from history... but here, the main character is pure fiction. I liked it just as much. Good setting, especially given the popularity of The Gilded Age in the US and Downton Abbey in England. A cross between them setting-wise, plus a focus on finding a suitable husband for a friend's daughter. Makes for a lot of engaging dialect, drama, and eventually, conflict. Looking forward to the second installment....more
I'm behind on reading books written by author Jesse Q. Sutanto. I've enjoyed those I read, mostly about interfering aunties and parents, so I expectedI'm behind on reading books written by author Jesse Q. Sutanto. I've enjoyed those I read, mostly about interfering aunties and parents, so I expected to enjoy Read Between the Lies. But I was surprised as it's about authors and social media, and the extent to which someone will lie. What a tough subject to tackle, as while most authors don't usually write about their own experiences (minus a few hilarious real-life moments and memoirs), it's the kind of book that makes you wonder what really goes on behind the scenes in a famous person's life. Social media can destroy them in an instant, and it makes you think more deeply, is it all worth it? Love the characters in this book... I could relate with the inner monologues and feelings, tho I haven't had a bully in my life. I enjoyed the drama, which was on the light side, more about build-up and the reality of whether someone is truly doing things to hurt you or you're just imagining it. Great read~...more
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