logo
Wrong email address or username
Wrong email address or username
Incorrect verification code
back to top
Search tags: Maine
Load new posts () and activity
Like Reblog Comment
show activity (+)
review 2020-06-09 06:33
Six Cats a Slayin' (audiobook) by Miranda James, read by Erin Bennett
Six Cats a Slayin' (Cat in the Stacks Mystery) - Miranda James
Charlie has an uncomfortably flirtatious new neighbor, Gerry, who seems interested in buying up homes in the area. When she invites him to her big Christmas party, he decides to go in order to be polite but makes sure to take Helen Louise, his girlfriend, with him. Both of them are shocked when the party ends with Gerry's death, quite likely due to poison.
 
Kanesha's in charge of the investigation, and Charlie does his best to stay in her good graces by keeping his nose out of it. Mostly. It helps that he has a lot on his plate. His daughter-in-law is running herself ragged trying to take care of her new baby and might land herself in the hospital soon if she doesn't accept help. Also, in addition to Diesel, Charlie now has five mystery kittens to take care of. Someone, quite possibly a scared child, left them on his doorstep, and he's determined to find out who it was and see if they can be reunited.
 
Content warning for this book:
Transphobia, although not on the part of the main character or any of his friends.
(spoiler show)
 
The only other book I've read in this series was the first one. I normally like to read series in order when I can, but this was the only audiobook in this series that my library owned, so I figured I'd give it a shot. Honestly, skipping eight books wasn't too much of an issue. I could tell character relationships had changed: Kanesha has softened towards Charlie, Charlie now had a girlfriend, and his relationship with his son was better. There was even a part where Charlie thought back to what his life was like at the beginning of the series, so if there were any gaps in my memories of him and his relationships, they were filled in pretty neatly.
 
I read the paper version of the first book, so this was my first audiobook experience with the series. Bennett was a good cozy mystery narrator, but maybe not the best choice for this particular series, which features a first person male POV. Most of the secondary characters are female, so maybe that was a factor, but I still think a male narrator would have been better.
 
Anyway, now for the story itself. Oddly enough, the primary mystery seemed to be the kittens and the identity of the person who dropped them off. The murder was more secondary - although Charlie chatted with friends about it and did a little bit of research, he did mostly stay out of it, and as a result, most of the resolution happened off-page. While it was certainly a tragic story, I found it to be a bit weak.
 
The kitten storyline, on the other hand, was nice. Diesel got multiple opportunities to act as their adorable giant babysitter, and Charlie tried to resist being charmed by Ramses, the only one of the bunch with a distinct personality. I enjoyed Charlie's efforts to figure out who left the kittens, and the whole thing was resolved in a very warm and fuzzy way.
 
All in all, this made for a decent listen. I wish my library owned more audiobooks in this series, although thankfully I do own a used copy of Book 8 that I haven't read yet.
 
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
Like Reblog Comment
text 2020-01-06 05:44
Maine Waterfront Homes for Sale: Get One for Yourself and Enjoy a Serene Living

Are you in a mood to buy a property at Maine Waterfront? If yes, then the for sure the decision is a great one and this place is known for its serene and natural beauty. So, having a property out here is no less than a blessing if your budget permits. You can search for waterfront homes for sale in Maine, to book your dream home. There are few things that you need to take into consideration for identifying the best Maine waterfront homes for sale.

 

• Location of the property: Take a map of the locality and then try to identify the locality and its surrounding area to get an idea of the location is suitable for you or not. Check the potential problems which can hamper your stay in the property and then decide the property.

 

• Collect information about the property and property owner: How old is the property and who is the owner which is a must for you to know before you think of finalizing the deal even when it is one of the best Maine waterfront homes for sale. Enquire with the neighbors to get an idea about any existing issues with the property.

 

• Take a tour of the property: Collect the keys from the real estate broker and take a tour of the property inside out. If possible, take with you a property investigator who will help you to detect the loopholes in the property, if any.

 

The above 3 are important points to consider when you are planning to buy one property on sale at Maine. In case you are looking for professional assistance to get an idea about the best properties on sale @ waterfront Maine, then you should speak to the experts of Waterfront Properties of Maine, a trusted real estate agent of the industry. So, what are you waiting for? Get one for yourself and enjoy a serene living! Amid nature. The experience will be memorable for you and you can spend some quality time with your family and friends if you wish to during weekends or vacation time.

 

Source: https://maineswaterfront.blogspot.com/2020/01/maine-waterfront-homes-for-sale-get-one.html

 

Like Reblog Comment
show activity (+)
review 2019-12-05 23:54
She's Not There : A Life in Two Genders - Jennifer Finney Boylan
She's Not There : A Life in Two Genders - Jennifer Finney Boylan

Memoirs are hard to get right: too much honesty and everyone will come away hating you, too littleand everyone comes away hating you and thinking you're a phony. Then too, many people who have had interesting lives aren't able to articulate them very well. Then you can read a couple of hundred pages and still never have a clue what the author is like. And those who are good at turning their personal history into charming anecdotes are rarely also good at placing their narrative into a bigger context. Every single bit of it is hard: there are just so many places to screw it up.

Boylan does not screw it up. She gives the reader enough to feel engaged on an emotional level, all the while she's making one laugh and cry and laugh and sigh and laugh. I had no problem at all believing that she's the most popular professor at her college. She's funny as hell in a quiet sort of way, not at all like a string of jokes cobbled together. And then wham, right in the feels.

 

What I think it is, is this: Boylan is brilliant at capturing the concrete detail, and the detail is so much more evocative and visceral than emoting would be. There's no cataloging of emotional states, instead there are things that happen, or that noticeably fail to happen. There are weird relatives, and stupid kid stuff (from both the parent and child angles). I like the visit to the beach and the creepy aspects of an old house.

  

A good book by a writer who is new-to-me gives me a list of titles to look forward to reading. Not only do I want to read everything else Boylan has written, but I want to read everything Richard Russo has written, too.

 

Library copy.

Like Reblog Comment
text 2019-09-03 10:05
Coastal Maine Property for Sale: The Best Neighborhood One Can Dream of

Are you dreaming to own a property with the best neighborhood? Coastal Maine real estate is the best option to look for. There is no limit to the appealing property that provides the right home option. The coastline of Maine provides the best oceanfront property that comes in different options like condos, homes, and cottages.

Finding the right property from the available Coastal Maine property for sale is never an easy task. It is necessary to look for the right property that is available in the best neighborhood. The homes available in Maine mean more than just living to people. It proves the right place to live a healthy lifestyle and spend a vacation with loved ones away from city life. You can find this property as an investment option and can earn a decent return. With so much to offer, Maine has properties for sale that has best neighbors. We know that neighbors matter when we look for a property. This decides the peace and happiness that we enjoy at a new place.

Coastal Maine real estate has considered this and sold property only to the genuine people who are professionals and love to live an independent life. With this, homes in Maine assure of complete freedom and maintains privacy. The property here comes up with strong local connections that help to maintain best relationships with neighbors and get good communities. The real estate developer here provides deep knowledge of the local market, neighbors, regional resources and other factors that are must consider while deciding on a property in oceanfront. Property here comes up with excellent service to all the home buyers.

Coastal Maine property for sale is an opportunity for home seeks to get a dream property that proves the best place to live with the best neighborhood. Property here provides easy access to public facilities and is equipped with all the modern amenities. This is a perfect place to spend a few days in the arm of nature and improve the overall health. The property here improves the social status and helps to find new friends.

 

Source: https://www.oceanfrontpropertiesofmaine.com/coastal-maine-property-for-sale-the-best-neighborhood-one-can-dream-of-in/

Like Reblog Comment
review 2019-08-31 13:32
Reach
Logan (7 Brides for 7 Blackthornes #6) - Samantha Chase

This is the 6th book in the 7 Brides For 7 Blackthornes series.  This book can be read as a standalone novel.  Be aware this series is meant to be read in order and can be enjoyed by doing so.  Keep in mind there may be spoilers, should you read this prior to previous books.

 

Logan comes back to the fold, in order to give a vacation to an employee.  The family owns many ventures and he is being pushed to choose where he might be involved with just one.  What if he wants to run them all?

 

Piper has known Logan for a long time.  They grew up together and even had been friends some time back.  As they get to know each other again - they learn they have more in common than they first thought.  Also, that it is good to have an opposite to attract.

 

This story just had a steady pace and the heat between the characters built.  I truly think this is a terrific series, and this story was a great addition to it.  The characters seem meant for one another from the start, and as the story grew, I could not wait to see where their arc would take me.  I give this a 4/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

 

 

***This early copy was given in exchange for an honest review only.

More posts
Your Dashboard view:
Need help?