Still Missing Previous Plot Line

Who Speaks for the Damned by C.S. Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While it is good to see Sebastian and Honor again I hoped for more about Sebastian's background. Of course if you follow the series you know his Mother is alive and well in France but that is in a past book and that story line seems to be dropped. The mystery is entertaining and the solution satisfying. Both Sebastian and Honor are featured and some of the side characters make an appearance. There were several surprises that added to the enjoyment of the story.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews: #383 - Who Slays the Wicked by C.S. Harris, Murder on Trinity Place by Victoria Thompson

Who Slays the Wicked by C.S. Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Murder strikes close to home. Sebastian St. Cyr is called to the home of his niece's husband. He has been killed and his wife is one of the suspects. This one really baffled me. I suspected just about everyone except the one who did the deed. It is a great mystery and I really enjoyed visiting with both Sebastian and family. There is one thing that is missing from this book and the previous one. The arc about Sebastain's mother seems to have been dropped. Hope to hear more about that in future books.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.


Murder on Trinity Place by Victoria Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one where I saw the clues and who done it before the Frank and Sarah. It was fun seeing all the familiar characters again. The additional side story where Sarah is matchmaking was a added bonus. Great addition to the series. I would like to see Mother Malloy fleshed out a little more. She has a very limited role since Frank and Sarah married and fleshing her out and giving her a bigger role would add to role of the regular cast of characters.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews #206 - Why Kill the Innocent by C.S. Harris, Battle Cruiser by B. V. Larson

Why Kill the Innocent by C.S. Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have to start by saying I was disappointed in Why Kill the Innocent. This is one of my favorite mystery series and I have never missed any. In fact I have read then all in order. So to start this is a nice mystery and we get to watch Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, and his wife Hero work to solve the murder of Jane Ambrose, a murder that the crown wants swept under the table. A lot of the actual history of the period is used to solve the murder and makes for some very interesting reading. What I felt missing was the tension between the various characters and any lead toward solving the issues that have been set up as part of the backstory in the series. Where any of that comes up lacks the connection to the series characters. I want Sebastian to still be looking into his past and I want more of a conflict between Hero and her father. That would have added to this story and would have moved the story arc instead of stalling it leaving me with a feeling that the story was just a little flat.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.


Battle Cruiser by B.V. Larson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This story was full of recycled tropes and it had scenes that were contrived. The voice of the main character did not make him any more likable. He came across as arrogant. In fact I have a name for him but not one I would put in a review. By the end of the book I had gotten used to the voice and since it did not go in a straight line I kept listening just to see what happened next. This was not a audio book I purchased so the things that made this a three star book did not bother me as much as it would if I had been out money.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 82 - Where the Dead Lie by C.S. Harris, The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick, Talk Cowboy to Me by Carolyn Brown

Where the Dead Lie by C.S. Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It always seems like a very long wait for the next Sebastian St. Cyr book so the I was offered a ARC on Netgalley I jumped at the chance. Once I started reading I was back in the wonderful world that Harris has painted. Once again Sebastian is trying to solve a murder and runs right into a world that Jarvis controls. Not everything is solved and I was left with the feeling that things were not what the seemed in the Jarvis household. Now I have to wait another year to see if what I think I saw is what Harris is setting up. Great addition to the series.


The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I worried when I realized that The Girl Who Know Too Much was set in the 1930's, a big jump form Quick's usual time frame and focus. I did not need to worry. The jump is seamless and the focus on a mystery kept my attention. I loved both Irene and Oliver. Both had interesting secrets and both were great together. Burning Cove is a great setting - a place full of secrets and interesting characters. with a scene at the end of the book Quick let us know that there will be other stories in this setting. I am looking forward to coming back for another visit and hope it will be soon. I received a free copy of The Girl Who Knew Too Much from the publisher in return for a honest review.


Talk Cowboy to Me by Carolyn Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sourcebook has been sending me teaser chapters of books and when I read the ones for Talk Cowboy to Me I was hooked. I purchased the book and it turned out to be as good as the first five chapters lead me to believe. There is a twist in how the plot laid out. I expected the two people competing for the ranch to remain enemies but that did not happen. In fact as the story evolved they learned to work together to get everything done.  Each came with two children that added to the fun in the story.  The big problem for Adele O'Donnell was the reputation that Remington Luckadeau had as a player. That was the big tension driver in the book. 

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Stacking the Shelves - January 7, 2017

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books I added to my shelves this week. They may it be physical or virtual. I include books I buy in a physical store or online, books I borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.  Follow the link to see what others have on their shelves. 

Below are all of the books I have accepted for review since my last Stacking the Shelves post on December 17.

Title	Pub Date	Archive Date	Downloaded on
From Ice to Ashes by Rhett C. Bruno
Where the Dead Lie by C.S. Harris
The Holver Alley Crew by Marshall Ryan Maresca
The Golden Gate by Robert Buettner
The Stars Are Legion by Kameron Hurley
Home at Lastly Lily Everett
Close to Home by Lily Everett
Death of a Ghost by M. C. Beaton
Rogue Agent by Kellie Wallace Purchased from Library Used Book Store: Mistletoe Cowboy by Carolyn Brown -  I have seen her western romance books but have never read one so decided to give her a try.

Stacking the Shelves - April 4, 2015

Books Stacked on My Shelves

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books I added to my shelves this week. They may it be physical or virtual. I include books I buy in a physical store or online, books I borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.  Follow the link to see what others have on their shelves. 

I got four books I had on reserve at the library this week.  They are Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear, Prudence by Gail Carriger, by J.D. Robb and Who Buries the Dead by C. S. Harris.  

I also checked out three books by Patricia Briggs.  Two are Mercy Thompson novels;  Blood Bound and Bone Crossed.  On the Prowl which has the first Charles and Anna Story and one Science Fiction Short story collection - Magic City, Recent Spells edited by Paula Guran.  I started out reading the Charles and Anna books by Briggs.  I then read the latest Mercy Thompson books.  Now I am going back to read the early books.

I won The Calling (Laws of Segregation Book 2 from Nina Croft, purchased Reining in Justice by Delores Fossen and got two free ebooks –Melis’s Gambit by Ann Gimple and Hunter by Cynthia Lucas.

Book Beginnings and The Friday 56 - April 3, 2015

I'm linking up with Rose City Reader for Book Beginnings and Freda's Voice for Page 56. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Pick the closest book on your book stack and join the fun.

The Beginning:

"They called it Bloody Bridge. it lay at the end of a dark, winding lane, far beyond the comforting flicker of the oil lamps of Sloane Square, beyond the last of the tumbledown cottages at the edge of a vast stretch of fields that showed only black on the moonless night."

Page 56

"When Sebastian then asked to see Mr. Austen's sister instead, the girl grew so flustered she dropped the card he handed her."

From the latest book in one of my favorite mystery series. Who Buries the Dead by C. S. Harris is part of the Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery series. I love the series and wait every year for the latest edition. I have finished it so have to wait another year for my next fix.

Musing Mondays, March 12,2012

This week’s musing asks…

What book do you wish you were reading right now? Where would you take it to, if you could go anywhere to read for a while?

My favorite place to read in in the swing in my backyard.  All of the spring flowers are starting to bloom right now and that is where I would like to read When Maidens Mourn by C. S. Harris.  This is the next book in one of my favorite mystery series and normally I would sit down and start reading as soon as it arrived.  The book came in the mail Friday but I was registered and participating in the Book Bloggers and Publishers Online Conference and did not want to miss any of the session so I did not start reading because I could not give the book my full attention.  The Conference ended around 10:00 p.m. last night, too late to start reading a book I knew I would not be able to put down. Now it is Monday mornings and I need to read this month's book for the Science Fiction Book Club meeting on Wednesday before I read anything else so I still have to wait but I will read it before the end of the week and if the weather stays warm I will read part of it in my backyard swing.

Waiting on Wednesday (WOW) February 8, 2012

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Only one book a year comes out in this series and I have been waiting almost a year for this one.  It will be out in March and I have it pre-ordered.


When Maidens Mourn (Sebastian St. Cyr #7) by C. S. Harris


From Goodreads:


When Gabrielle Tennyson is murdered, aristocratic investigator Sebastian St. Cyr and his new reluctant bride, the fiercely independent Hero Jarvis, find themselves involved in an intrigue concerning the myth of King Arthur, Camelot, and a future poet laureate...:

 

May Book Ends (Other books I have enjoyed)

As several of my posts reflect, C.S. Harris has hooked me on the Sebastian St. Cyr Mysteries. Since 5 books in the series have been published I have not had to wait for the next book. Sadly that is over. I just finished the fifth book, What Remains of Heaven. The next book, Where Shadows Dance, is scheduled for publication in March of 2011. I will have to wait for months for the next mystery and to find out what will happen next in the Sebastian’s personal life, There are so many secrets affecting so many of the characters and C.S. Harris reveals some and leaves the readers in suspense over others. I will be picking the next book up as soon as it comes out.


I like cats and cat stories so when I saw Catalyst by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough I knew I had to read it. Here is a book about cats in space. What could be better than a book with two of my favorite things; cats and science fiction. Catalyst is a cute story with very appealing cats and a good cast of human characters. It reads more like young adult fiction and I was surprised when I finished the book and found that I was left hanging. I will have to wait for the next book to get the rest of the story.




I love the Liaden books by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. Sharon has written a contemporary mystery series and since I like her writing I purchased Barnburner, the first book in the series, from Fictionwise last week. I wasn’t sure what to expect since Barnburner is so different for other books Sharon has written. The book has an interesting plot, well-developed characters and plenty of suspense. I found Barnburner to be a very enjoyable story. During the time I was traveling in my RV I spent a summer in the Maine and knowing a little about the area added to my enjoyment. Oh, there is also a cat in the story.

When Gods Die by C.S. Harris

Mystery

Guinevere Anglessey, the Marchioness of Anglessey is found dead wearing a necklace that belonged to Sebastian St. Cyr’s mother. Rumor blames the Prince Regent who discovered her body. St. Cyr is asked to find the killer and his investigation uncovers some of his own family secrets.

When Gods Die, the second book, in this series builds on the foundation established in What Angels Fear. The characters continue to grow, more of the history of the period is used, the difference between the rich and the poor is spotlighted and the many side plots continues to develop. If you like a good historical mystery series this one is a must.

New American Library published When Gods Die by C. S. Harris in 2006.

I checked When Gods Die out from the Rogers Public Library.

What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris

Historical Mystery

What Angels Fear starts off looking like a typical Regency Romance but quickly becomes a mystery. The manners and society of the era are worked into the lives of the characters.

What Angels Fear is the first book in a five book series. I loved the main character, Sebastian St Cyr, Viscount Devlin. When he finds himself accused of murder he calls on skills he used in the Napoleonic Wars. Knowing he will be convicted unless he finds the evidence to clear himself, he disappears into the London underworld. Using a group of friends and allies he works to uncover the truth.

The fact that I like to read Regency Romances increased my enjoyment of What Angels Fear. This was a different outlook on a world I had already visited many times. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. (More books for my TBR pile).

Penguin published What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris in 2006.

C.S. Harris writes historical romances as Candice Proctor.

I purchased What Angels Fear from Amazon.