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Winterian Sky (Ninety Planets)
Winterian Sky (Ninety Planets)
Rafe Jadison | 2023 | Erotica, LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
WINTERIAN SKY is the first book in the new Ninety Planets science fiction series. In it, we find a planet besieged on two fronts - one is by an incoming attack force, the other is by a virus with no known cure that is decimating the population.

Chesterfield is the lone scientist dedicated to finding a cure. Danacio is a Guard of Winterian, prepared to lay down his life for his planet. Together, these two go on a journey to figure out where the virus originated from and how to cure it. They meet a brilliant couple who have suffered their own losses, just as determined as Chesterfield to find the answers and the cure.

This is a fast-paced book that will keep you turning the pages. All of the characters are well-rounded and I loved how they all worked together, meshing with purpose. As the first book in a new series, there is world-building but also worlds-building. You get an idea of the Alliance and the things they stand for. I can't wait to read more in this series, and I'm seriously hoping for an update on Winterian and how their war is going on.

Love plays a big role in this story - whether it is familial love or romantic. There are moments of closeness between our two MCs but it is closed-door/fade-to-black which worked perfectly in this story.

A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and I can't wait to return to the Ninety Planets!

** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 6, 2023
  
The Founder (A Broken World #4)
The Founder (A Broken World #4)
Dean Murray | 2017 | Dystopia, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Founder is the fourth book in the Broken World series, but this book takes you on a different route than the previous three. In this one, Skye is by herself, not knowing if she will ever see Brennan again. Instead of running away from the enclave, she is running towards it. She is searching for her mother and will do whatever it takes to get answers. This book certainly has a different dynamic to the others - don't get me wrong, I love Skye. It was just a bit strange to only hear about her and not Brennan too. Instead, Skye manages to get a small group of friends, none of whom know who she really is, whilst she is searching for her mother.

This is one heck of a book, with more twists and turns than a maize maze! There were some parts that were quite technical, but my husband was fascinated when I read them out to him, so I guess it's just not my strong point! Instead, I found the interpersonal relationships intriguing, especially when one of Skye's creche-mates turns up.

This is part of a series, so it does you no good to read this as a standalone. You need to have read the others for it to make sense. However, there were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, and the pace and integrity of the characters are just what I have come to expect from Dean Murray. Ending on a cliffhanger, it will definitely leave you wanting more. Definitely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 3, 2017
  
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Merissa (12069 KP) rated Bad Moon Rising (The Crown's Wolves #1) in Books

Nov 8, 2021 (Updated Jul 10, 2023)  
Bad Moon Rising (The Crown's Wolves #1)
Bad Moon Rising (The Crown's Wolves #1)
Zoe Forward | 2021 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
BAD MOON RISING is the first book in The Crown's Wolves series, and let's start with the fact that the Crown is a complete douche with (probably) criminal ties to a syndicate.

Okay, moving on. Nova wakes with no memory of who or what she is. She just has a name tattooed on her wrist, plus a mobile that keeps giving her instructions. She follows the instructions (possibly the only time in the book) and finds Roman. Then the story really gets going as people blow up and we enter a world of lycanthropes and magic.

Now, stick with me here because this may not sound good, but this was a confusing book. There is SO much going on and the reader has no idea about any of it. This is normal though for the first book in the series. There is always a lot of world-building to do, but there is a LOT in here. Bad Moon Rising hosts a number of characters, some dead, that you will learn about, plus lifestyles, weaknesses, etc.

Don't think you will walk away knowing what's going on though. Oh, no! This is not a book for those who like everything tied with a neat bow at the end. This series is only just getting started and you will be left with more questions than answers.

A great book though with an individual storyline and take on the paranormal world, and one I can't wait to continue.

** 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!
Nov 8, 2021
  
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Merissa (12069 KP) rated Luna Ascending (Wolves of Fenrir Watch #1) in Books

Jul 30, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)  
Luna Ascending (Wolves of Fenrir Watch #1)
Luna Ascending (Wolves of Fenrir Watch #1)
Zana Wilder | 2021 | Paranormal, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
LUNA ASCENDING is the first book in the Wolves of Fenrir Watch and we find a world on the brink of war, with the humans blissfully unaware of anything.

Freya thinks she is human but there is something about her that will make you think otherwise. Maybe it's the dodgy electrics or the migraines, but from the very beginning, you know she isn't who she thinks she is. With two major factions after her, Freya needs to figure out just who she is before very much longer.

Whilst the premise of this story is a good one, the execution was a bit rough. I definitely wouldn't call it a romance as there is none. Erotica, maybe. I felt no connection between our main characters, not even the 'good' ones. There is a scene halfway through that is rape. She is coerced by a spell and thinks she wants it, but it's still rape. So be warned. The sex scenes between her and the other MC are hot (ish) but because of no connection, they still felt quite clinical. There was a lot of telling and not so much showing in this story.

It finishes on a cliffhanger and I am curious enough to want to continue this story and get some answers to the questions I have. It is very fast-paced, and with enough spelling and editorial errors to be worth mentioning. I found this to be a quick read but enjoyable.

TRIGGER WARNING - RAPE/DUB-CON/SEXUAL COERCION

** 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!
Jul 30, 2021
  
Duron (Assassin's To Order #3)
Duron (Assassin's To Order #3)
JP Sayle, Lisa Oliver | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
6
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Duron instinctively knew that Beaumont needed his strength at that point!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 3 in the Assassins To Order series, but of the three, I think this can be read as stand alone the most. Sure there is some reference to previous books and what's happened before, but this book goes off on a tangent to that.

Duron is one of the council's assassins. Beaumont is the council's new leader. Duron wants to be free of the council, but meeting Beaumont, his mate, wasn't a factor he planned. Beaumont is looking for answers to his family's deaths. Together, they can get what they both want.

I liked this well enough. It does go off on that tangent, and away from the main plot that is running through these books, but that plot is still there, just more a subplot rather than the main plot.

I loved that Beaumont and Duron are both very powerful shifters, with big animals, Duron more than a few and I loved the way these two soothed each other. Great big men, with that much power under the skin, were never going to be gentle lovers, and breaking a bit of furniture was always going to happen! (Well, all the furniture, but who cares!) Duron instinctively knew that Beaumont needed his strength at that point, rather than his love, you know?

I'm still not entirely sure about The Devil and who that really is, even if the clues are there, I think that they will pop back up again at some point.

I have to say, my least favourite of these collaborations, but still a good read.

3 stars (I'm sorry!)

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
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Merissa (12069 KP) rated Meet Me at the Top in Books

Jul 27, 2022 (Updated Jul 27, 2023)  
Meet Me at the Top
Meet Me at the Top
S.H. Pratt | 2022 | Contemporary, Romance
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A short but oh-so-sweet story.
MEET ME AT THE TOP is a short but oh-so-sweet story about two people who meet by accident and yet make an impact on each others' lives.

Alice is having a dream trip to the city where her favourite film was made. She meets Sam when she goes to a bar to see if she can sit in the same seat. I would say the attraction is immediate, but neither of them acts upon it. After all, that would be a little weird! Instead, they chat and then bump into each other again later on. This leads to a dinner invitation that Alice has the choice to accept or not, completely on her terms.

I really enjoyed this story but I. NEED. MORE!!!! This is the reason novellas aren't my favourite. This only gave me a snippet and left me with so many questions I need answers to. I loved how Sam and Alice were together, how they admitted to their attraction whilst acknowledging the difficulties they faced. It was a bittersweet ending for me, only because I. NEED. MORE!!!! I need my HEA for both of them; they deserve it and so much more. Please, Ms Pratt, tell me they're happy and together! I'm begging you.

A wonderfully warm tip-of-the-hat to Nora Ephron, written in S.H. Pratt's heart-warming and succinct style. A great novella that I have no hesitation in recommending.

** 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!
Jul 22, 2022