jonetta's review against another edition
4.0
Carolina "Carly" May is a genealogist who was invited by the eccentric aunt of New Mexico's governor, Josh Quintrell, to come to their Taos ranch to compile a record of the Quintrell/Castillo family. She arrives following the death of the family patriarch, A. J. Quintrell, a former U.S. senator. However, digging up the past is creating trouble within the family and Carly finds herself on unsafe footing. Dan Duran, a former Army Ranger and now an agent for St. Kilda was born and raised in the Taos community with ties to the family. He decides to come to Carly's aid both in her research and to protect her from unknown factions.
This is a complicated story as you must keep track of the genealogy of both the Quintrell and Castillo families, along with the progeny from the Senator's exploits outside of marriage. The dynamics within the family are interesting and complex and you will find yourself stumbling around trying to keep up but you'll be intrigued enough to stick with it. The developing relationship between Carly and Dan is well written and the dialogue witty.
My complaint with the book lies in the ending. The story was well crafted to lead to an exciting climax that was rushed and abrupt. It took the wind out of the sails of a pretty fascinating tale, enough for me to drop the rating to 3.5 stars. I'm rounding to 4 because everything leading up to this was pretty compelling. And, we don't learn very much about St. Kilda Consulting!! I guess I'll have to read the next book for those answers.
This is a complicated story as you must keep track of the genealogy of both the Quintrell and Castillo families, along with the progeny from the Senator's exploits outside of marriage. The dynamics within the family are interesting and complex and you will find yourself stumbling around trying to keep up but you'll be intrigued enough to stick with it. The developing relationship between Carly and Dan is well written and the dialogue witty.
My complaint with the book lies in the ending. The story was well crafted to lead to an exciting climax that was rushed and abrupt. It took the wind out of the sails of a pretty fascinating tale, enough for me to drop the rating to 3.5 stars. I'm rounding to 4 because everything leading up to this was pretty compelling. And, we don't learn very much about St. Kilda Consulting!! I guess I'll have to read the next book for those answers.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Always Time to Die
4 Stars
Synopsis
Carly May is a genealogist hired by Winifred Castillo to trace the history of her family. But someone in the Quintrell-Castillo line would rather keep old and dark secrets buried with the dead. Soon Carly finds herself the target of a sinister foe who will stop at nothing to prevent her from discovering the truth. The only person Carly can turn to is Dan Duran, a dangerous enigma with ties to the Quintrells and secrets of his own.
Review
Well-paced action and suspense.
The history of New Mexico is interesting and the genealogical aspects well-researched and explained in a way that even this science-phobe could understand (the table at the front of the book is especially useful for keeping track of who's who). Some readers may find the details excessive and tiresome but it is relevant and necessary to the plot.
The mystery is intriguing and there are just enough clues to figure it all out in time. Nevertheless, the story lacks a sense of urgency and the big confrontation scene never comes. Moreover, the transition to the epilogue is so sudden that I thought my copy might be missing a few pages.
There are also several loose ends such as the origins and nature of St. Kilda's consulting, what really happened to Sylvia Quintrell, why does Alma have it in for Carly, what are Carly's roots and what happened to Lucia and Armondo?
The romance is secondary and while the sexual tension between Dan and Carly is excellent, their chemistry never really materializes. Carly's spunk and sass, however, are a definite highlight and her banter with Dan is simply brilliant.
Overall, an intriguing read that pulled me in and wouldn't let go. I will be continuing with the series.
4 Stars
Synopsis
Carly May is a genealogist hired by Winifred Castillo to trace the history of her family. But someone in the Quintrell-Castillo line would rather keep old and dark secrets buried with the dead. Soon Carly finds herself the target of a sinister foe who will stop at nothing to prevent her from discovering the truth. The only person Carly can turn to is Dan Duran, a dangerous enigma with ties to the Quintrells and secrets of his own.
Review
Well-paced action and suspense.
The history of New Mexico is interesting and the genealogical aspects well-researched and explained in a way that even this science-phobe could understand (the table at the front of the book is especially useful for keeping track of who's who). Some readers may find the details excessive and tiresome but it is relevant and necessary to the plot.
The mystery is intriguing and there are just enough clues to figure it all out in time. Nevertheless, the story lacks a sense of urgency and the big confrontation scene never comes. Moreover, the transition to the epilogue is so sudden that I thought my copy might be missing a few pages.
There are also several loose ends such as the origins and nature of St. Kilda's consulting, what really happened to Sylvia Quintrell, why does Alma have it in for Carly, what are Carly's roots and what happened to Lucia and Armondo?
The romance is secondary and while the sexual tension between Dan and Carly is excellent, their chemistry never really materializes. Carly's spunk and sass, however, are a definite highlight and her banter with Dan is simply brilliant.
Overall, an intriguing read that pulled me in and wouldn't let go. I will be continuing with the series.
simplyparticular's review against another edition
4.0
A quick suspense read, kept me up half the night. Great hero and heroine, intelligent. Found the genealogy details fascinating. Lots of icky incest, though. Kenedy-esque family story line, plus connections to drug smugglers kept the story interesting.
hollie313's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
labraden's review against another edition
3.0
Carolina May has been hired by Winifred Castillo to trace her family's history, but some people in Winifred's family don't want their long-held secrets revealed, especially Winifred's nephew, Governor Josh Quintrell of New Mexico. When Josh's father, US Senator and womanizer, AJ Quintrell dies, Josh decides to use his death to propel him into a run for the presidency. At the same time, threats against Carly begin with a bloody dead rat on her pillow. Dan Duran of St. Kilda Consulting is home due to an injury that he sustained while on the job that he continues to tell people occurred in a climbing accident. He recognizes that Carly has an uphill battle trying to trace the family's history, so he decides to help and hopes that he will be there if threats against Carly become more violent.
Powerful family secrets are the center of Always Time to Die. The story is filled with characters that are part of the family or are in some way connected to the family that have secrets of their own. Details about those secrets are slowly revealed throughout the book; some of which leads to further investigation and danger for Carly and Dan. The large number of characters in the story make it a little difficult to follow, but the family tree at the beginning of the book does help. There is an unexpected twist toward the end of the book, making the struggle through the multitude of details earlier in the story worth the effort. The romance between Carly and Dan plays second fiddle to the mystery surrounding the Quintrell/Castillo family. Overall, a well written and researched story that suffers a little from so many characters.
Powerful family secrets are the center of Always Time to Die. The story is filled with characters that are part of the family or are in some way connected to the family that have secrets of their own. Details about those secrets are slowly revealed throughout the book; some of which leads to further investigation and danger for Carly and Dan. The large number of characters in the story make it a little difficult to follow, but the family tree at the beginning of the book does help. There is an unexpected twist toward the end of the book, making the struggle through the multitude of details earlier in the story worth the effort. The romance between Carly and Dan plays second fiddle to the mystery surrounding the Quintrell/Castillo family. Overall, a well written and researched story that suffers a little from so many characters.
imbookingit's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
A somewhat convoluted plot, with science! used to find the final answer.
I enjoyed the heroine. The hero worked well enough for me.
A somewhat convoluted plot, with science! used to find the final answer.
I enjoyed the heroine. The hero worked well enough for me.
kathijo63's review against another edition
2.0
Week 1 of the 2018 Reading Challenge: A book with the letters A, T & Y in the title.
I am at it again! Doing this Reading Challenge (a different topic each week) plus the PopSugar Reading Challenge. I have an ambition year planned.
I am at it again! Doing this Reading Challenge (a different topic each week) plus the PopSugar Reading Challenge. I have an ambition year planned.
aimee70807's review against another edition
5.0
Same review as for #2 in the series (which I read before this one). I like that there are different characters with each book in the series (so far), so you don't end up rolling your eyes at the lengths the author has to go to add drama to the same old characters' lives.
More...