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Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, #1) in Books
Aug 26, 2019 (Updated Sep 3, 2019)
Admittedly it's been a while since I read and enjoyed a paranormal romance but since that's what 75% of my paperbacks are at the minute, I decided to try this series.
And I was pulled in fairly quickly. It was straight into the action at Eidolon's demonic underground hospital in New York dealing with injuries and his brothers. And Tayla--an Aegis, the demons mortal enemy--ends up being one of his patients.
Within the first 25 pages we had a rather steamy sex scene and though I was surprised by the enemies turned lovers actions, I was intrigued on what would end up happening. Would she betray the Aegis for him? Would he defend her against all the demons who wanted her dead?
It was pretty non stop with stuff going on. It wasn't always just from Eidolon and Tayla's POV. We saw the odd scene from someone related to the hospital who was being hunted by the Aegis and I was very anti-Aegis from pretty early on.
"Tayla...she rocked his underworld"
This was a quote from early on in the book but I found it accurate and rather sweet. The romance was rocky, one minute they were all over each other and the next trying to kill each other--literally. I actually really liked the turmoil, the angst, and devoured the book in about two days when I finally just sat down and started it properly.
There is a story arc starting in this one that involves Gem, a half demon, and her want of Kynan, a human, that we see playing out in the occasional scene that has me intrigued and I'm looking forward to seeing how that plays out in the next book.
I have book 2, Desire Unchained, and book 5, Sin Undone, in paperback, too, and look forward to reading them.
And I was pulled in fairly quickly. It was straight into the action at Eidolon's demonic underground hospital in New York dealing with injuries and his brothers. And Tayla--an Aegis, the demons mortal enemy--ends up being one of his patients.
Within the first 25 pages we had a rather steamy sex scene and though I was surprised by the enemies turned lovers actions, I was intrigued on what would end up happening. Would she betray the Aegis for him? Would he defend her against all the demons who wanted her dead?
It was pretty non stop with stuff going on. It wasn't always just from Eidolon and Tayla's POV. We saw the odd scene from someone related to the hospital who was being hunted by the Aegis and I was very anti-Aegis from pretty early on.
"Tayla...she rocked his underworld"
This was a quote from early on in the book but I found it accurate and rather sweet. The romance was rocky, one minute they were all over each other and the next trying to kill each other--literally. I actually really liked the turmoil, the angst, and devoured the book in about two days when I finally just sat down and started it properly.
There is a story arc starting in this one that involves Gem, a half demon, and her want of Kynan, a human, that we see playing out in the occasional scene that has me intrigued and I'm looking forward to seeing how that plays out in the next book.
I have book 2, Desire Unchained, and book 5, Sin Undone, in paperback, too, and look forward to reading them.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Vacation in Books
Aug 6, 2020
Overall, this is repetitive drama billed as a high stakes thriller. Most of this book would not need to happen if Kate simply confronted Sean at the beginning of our story, instead of theatrically swanning about and playing "detective" while on vacation. I hate these sort of stories where instead of communicating, everything goes awry because the characters refuse to speak to one another.
While overall this is a quick read, the beginning feels slow. It features much of Kate's angst, over and over, as she speculates about which of her three friends is the culprit. Walks down memory lane about how good things once were. (Again, never does she really try to speak to her husband--or even honestly with any of her friends.) She is insistent, after reading a few Facebook Messenger bits, about everyone's guilt.
Of course, I cannot truly blame her, because none of these characters are very likeable. Her friends are pretty despicable and their husbands, too. All the characters treat their children rather terribly, either berating them or neglecting them for the trip. The poor kids have issues that are completely overlooked. At least Logan varies narrators throughout the story so we do get to see things from more than just Kate's panicked point of view. But it only serves to show how short-sighted these adults can be.
The story picks up later on, but, by then, it's hard to really care for anyone. I won't deny that this is a fast read and it does keep you interested with some (often predictable) twists. But it's tough to be fully invested when it's a bunch of whiny, clueless supposed grownups who think their problems are more important than all. 3 stars.
While overall this is a quick read, the beginning feels slow. It features much of Kate's angst, over and over, as she speculates about which of her three friends is the culprit. Walks down memory lane about how good things once were. (Again, never does she really try to speak to her husband--or even honestly with any of her friends.) She is insistent, after reading a few Facebook Messenger bits, about everyone's guilt.
Of course, I cannot truly blame her, because none of these characters are very likeable. Her friends are pretty despicable and their husbands, too. All the characters treat their children rather terribly, either berating them or neglecting them for the trip. The poor kids have issues that are completely overlooked. At least Logan varies narrators throughout the story so we do get to see things from more than just Kate's panicked point of view. But it only serves to show how short-sighted these adults can be.
The story picks up later on, but, by then, it's hard to really care for anyone. I won't deny that this is a fast read and it does keep you interested with some (often predictable) twists. But it's tough to be fully invested when it's a bunch of whiny, clueless supposed grownups who think their problems are more important than all. 3 stars.
Debbiereadsbook (1087 KP) rated Dark (Blood Moon, Texas Shifters #1) in Books
May 25, 2020
something not quite right, but not sure what!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I finished this book, so that's a good thing!
I can't say what didn't quite work for me, I hate that I can't, you all know it annoys me so!
The world building is good, with werewolves and vampires exposed to the world a short time ago, in a thoroughly modern way!
Hayden and Ethan have history, I was expecting that history to be a bit more than it appeared to be. Ethan's personal history is bad, as is Hayden's, both of them having difficult childhoods. There is much angst about their childhoods.
Or there SHOULD have been. While Ethan regularly comments on what his childhood did to him, how he closed off from everyone, Hayden does not. I wanted MORE from Hayden about her childhood!
Ethan brothers held more interest to me, than Etahn himself, I'm afraid and I would like to have had a bit more about them. I can see a pairing between one of his brothers and Hayden's sister, Ellie. Who, in my humble opinion, needed a slap a time or two!
There is a back story that kinda got lost on me, and I wasn't sure what the whole point of the kidnappings was, to be honest. It tells you, in the book, but the penny did not drop for me, I'm afraid.
Some sexy bits, although much of those are glanced over, off screen as it were. Some violent bits too.
Still, as the first by this author AND a first in series, not a bad read, just not one that really pushed any of my buttons, I'm sorry to say!
3 good stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I finished this book, so that's a good thing!
I can't say what didn't quite work for me, I hate that I can't, you all know it annoys me so!
The world building is good, with werewolves and vampires exposed to the world a short time ago, in a thoroughly modern way!
Hayden and Ethan have history, I was expecting that history to be a bit more than it appeared to be. Ethan's personal history is bad, as is Hayden's, both of them having difficult childhoods. There is much angst about their childhoods.
Or there SHOULD have been. While Ethan regularly comments on what his childhood did to him, how he closed off from everyone, Hayden does not. I wanted MORE from Hayden about her childhood!
Ethan brothers held more interest to me, than Etahn himself, I'm afraid and I would like to have had a bit more about them. I can see a pairing between one of his brothers and Hayden's sister, Ellie. Who, in my humble opinion, needed a slap a time or two!
There is a back story that kinda got lost on me, and I wasn't sure what the whole point of the kidnappings was, to be honest. It tells you, in the book, but the penny did not drop for me, I'm afraid.
Some sexy bits, although much of those are glanced over, off screen as it were. Some violent bits too.
Still, as the first by this author AND a first in series, not a bad read, just not one that really pushed any of my buttons, I'm sorry to say!
3 good stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
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Bob Mann (459 KP) rated Star Trek - Nemesis (2002) in Movies
Sep 28, 2021
This film should have worked. They had four years to work up the film: the biggest gap between movies in the series to date. The sets and special effects deployed are a notable improvement on “Insurrection” and are, at times, very impressive. It’s a movie that has personal angst for Picard; an epic space battle; and the death of a major character. And a young Tom Hardy turns in a memorable performance, belying what was to come: it’s interesting that this is only Hardy’s third feature (following his debut in “Black Hawk Down” just the year before!). It’s also a full NINE years before he won the BAFTA Rising Star award!
And yet it’s just not very engaging: I find myself fiddling with my phone while its on, which is never a good sign. Gone are any of the comic asides that have tended to lighten the mood of these films: this is dark and plot-heavy throughout. It’s even got a ‘mind-rape’ scene that is quite disturbing.
Naturally, the Enterprise insurance premium has taken another hammering by the end of the film. You can just imagine the discussion back in space dock… “no mate…” – sucking air in through his front teeth “…that whole front bumper’s gonna have to be replaced, and that’ll cost you a pretty packet”!
Combined with poor marketing and fierce competition (the film opening in the same month as “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”), this ended up with the worse financial performance of any of the Trek movies (in terms of budget to return ratio). And it killed the franchise. The only option was to be a full reboot: something that was to take another seven years to happen.
And yet it’s just not very engaging: I find myself fiddling with my phone while its on, which is never a good sign. Gone are any of the comic asides that have tended to lighten the mood of these films: this is dark and plot-heavy throughout. It’s even got a ‘mind-rape’ scene that is quite disturbing.
Naturally, the Enterprise insurance premium has taken another hammering by the end of the film. You can just imagine the discussion back in space dock… “no mate…” – sucking air in through his front teeth “…that whole front bumper’s gonna have to be replaced, and that’ll cost you a pretty packet”!
Combined with poor marketing and fierce competition (the film opening in the same month as “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”), this ended up with the worse financial performance of any of the Trek movies (in terms of budget to return ratio). And it killed the franchise. The only option was to be a full reboot: something that was to take another seven years to happen.
Merissa (11704 KP) rated The Ashes That Remain (Cimmerian Moon #2) in Books
Apr 7, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
This book continues with Sinta's tale - Jason is still in DC as far as she knows, Wade still wants to be with her, and she is still trying to leave Jason behind emotionally and find something more than brotherly love for Wade. Throw in the lizards, trying to find out information, surviving plus the general angst of living underground in conditions as best as can be made for weeks on end. Sinta's mum doesn't want her to become one of the 'hunters' but wants her to remain in the enclosure where she is safe. Sinta doesn't want that as she knows that she is good at what she can do.
Sinta has grown up a lot in the time gone by since the first book. She doesn't hesitate to put her hand up to go 'outside' to find other survivors although Wade has a few words to say about this. The action that continues in this book is gripping and full on - you never feel that anything isn't happening for a reason though which makes it wonderful to read.
I won't give any of the story away except to say that it had me holding my breath in places as I read as fast as I could to find out what the result was. An absolutely brilliant, breathtaking venture into Sinta's dystopian world. This is a five-star series and I can't wait for In Danger's Embrace, book 3, to be released hopefully in October.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 3, 2016
Sinta has grown up a lot in the time gone by since the first book. She doesn't hesitate to put her hand up to go 'outside' to find other survivors although Wade has a few words to say about this. The action that continues in this book is gripping and full on - you never feel that anything isn't happening for a reason though which makes it wonderful to read.
I won't give any of the story away except to say that it had me holding my breath in places as I read as fast as I could to find out what the result was. An absolutely brilliant, breathtaking venture into Sinta's dystopian world. This is a five-star series and I can't wait for In Danger's Embrace, book 3, to be released hopefully in October.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 3, 2016
Debbiereadsbook (1087 KP) rated Sleigh Bells on Bread Loaf Mountain in Books
Dec 6, 2021
cute and sweet!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
If you follow my reviews, you'll know I'm all about the book feelings and how much I hate using the word NICE to describe a book. But sometimes, that word sticks at the tip of my fingers and I can't shift it no matter what.
So, this is a nice book.
Roxy goes home for Christmas for the first time in several years, at the request of her aging grandmother. Her (currently) off-again boyfriend is in Milan. A conversation between them sets Roxy off in a bad mood and things go downhill from there. Or rather, Roxy goes uphill but the weather turns for the worse and Roxy runs off the road in a blizzard and she only packed her good clothes. Ranger Mark finds her, and there follows a lovely tale of finding your true self.
I liked it. It's relatively clean, just some kissing. Low angst, although Roxy does have to dig deep to make the decision she does. Just Roxy has a say though, and maybe if Mark had been given a voice, I might have enjoyed it more.
I refer back to the book feelings. My first and most lasting feeling about this book is that it's a Hallmark Christmas movie, wrapped up in some 178 pages. It didn't seem that long though.
It's incredibly sweet, and I think, for ME, just a bit too much.
But! This is the first I've read of this author, under either name she uses, and I'd certainly give her another go. A book with a bit more bite might be more for me.
3 good, twinkly stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
If you follow my reviews, you'll know I'm all about the book feelings and how much I hate using the word NICE to describe a book. But sometimes, that word sticks at the tip of my fingers and I can't shift it no matter what.
So, this is a nice book.
Roxy goes home for Christmas for the first time in several years, at the request of her aging grandmother. Her (currently) off-again boyfriend is in Milan. A conversation between them sets Roxy off in a bad mood and things go downhill from there. Or rather, Roxy goes uphill but the weather turns for the worse and Roxy runs off the road in a blizzard and she only packed her good clothes. Ranger Mark finds her, and there follows a lovely tale of finding your true self.
I liked it. It's relatively clean, just some kissing. Low angst, although Roxy does have to dig deep to make the decision she does. Just Roxy has a say though, and maybe if Mark had been given a voice, I might have enjoyed it more.
I refer back to the book feelings. My first and most lasting feeling about this book is that it's a Hallmark Christmas movie, wrapped up in some 178 pages. It didn't seem that long though.
It's incredibly sweet, and I think, for ME, just a bit too much.
But! This is the first I've read of this author, under either name she uses, and I'd certainly give her another go. A book with a bit more bite might be more for me.
3 good, twinkly stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Merissa (11704 KP) rated Awakened Desires (My Kinky Housemate #5) in Books
Nov 25, 2022
"This story was so touching, romantic, safe, consensual, and incredible."
AWAKENED DESIRES is the fifth book in the My Kinky Housemate series and this time it's the quiet housemate's turn - Rory! We've had snippets of his story in other books but you don't necessarily have to have read them to get this. When his best friend from the past gets in touch, Rory helps him, even though he's nervous about just how they will be together, considering the reasons they fell out of touch.
One thing I will say straight away is that although this book is just as hot in places as the others, the focus is more on the reconnection between Rory and Cal. They both have to put the past behind them (easier said than done) and trust each other to move forward. It was their reconnection that made this story so absolutely perfect.
The rest of the housemates are there to support both Rory and Cal with whatever is thrown at them. Hendrix, oh my heart, he is killing me. I love him so much and can't wait for his story. He was such a sweetheart in this book. I just hope he doesn't have too much angst to deal with before his HEA!
This story was so touching, romantic, safe, consensual, and incredible. I can't say I've had a favourite in this series as I've thoroughly enjoyed each one as I've read it, but I think that may have to change. Let's see if Hendrix can knock them off the top spot!
Absolutely fantastic and highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
One thing I will say straight away is that although this book is just as hot in places as the others, the focus is more on the reconnection between Rory and Cal. They both have to put the past behind them (easier said than done) and trust each other to move forward. It was their reconnection that made this story so absolutely perfect.
The rest of the housemates are there to support both Rory and Cal with whatever is thrown at them. Hendrix, oh my heart, he is killing me. I love him so much and can't wait for his story. He was such a sweetheart in this book. I just hope he doesn't have too much angst to deal with before his HEA!
This story was so touching, romantic, safe, consensual, and incredible. I can't say I've had a favourite in this series as I've thoroughly enjoyed each one as I've read it, but I think that may have to change. Let's see if Hendrix can knock them off the top spot!
Absolutely fantastic and highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!