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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
May 28, 2020
Merissa (13854 KP) rated A Tale of Two Kingdoms (Knights of Black Swan #6) in Books
Apr 3, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
The story of star-crossed lovers has been around for a while and if asked, most people would say that Romeo & Juliet is the most famous one. Well think again because Duff and Aelsong are about to take that crown! This story has been a long time coming as we met Duff and Aelsong in Book 2 (The Witch's Dream) but it is well worth the wait. Duff has decided that he has waited long enough and makes a plan to ensure that he and Aelsong are together. He enlists the help of some friends, new and old and along the way you get a glimpse of what the royal lives are like for both the Fae and the Elves. Are they really that different? How do you fight prejudice that is so ingrained no one can actually remember why it all started in the first place?
This is a romance primarily but it also deals with issues like prejudice, history, war and even all of the above in one family! This book does not disappoint on any level and the standard of Victoria Danann's writing just keeps on getting better. No, this isn't as long as the others and NO this definitely doesn't affect the quality. It just meant that I was able to sit and read this in one sitting with no interfering habits, like sleeping, getting in the way!
This is part of a series and I would highly recommend that you read them in order. As a taster, the first book - The Familiar Stranger - is FREE. Get this one, take a deep breath, enter another dimension and never look back.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
April 10, 2021
This is a romance primarily but it also deals with issues like prejudice, history, war and even all of the above in one family! This book does not disappoint on any level and the standard of Victoria Danann's writing just keeps on getting better. No, this isn't as long as the others and NO this definitely doesn't affect the quality. It just meant that I was able to sit and read this in one sitting with no interfering habits, like sleeping, getting in the way!
This is part of a series and I would highly recommend that you read them in order. As a taster, the first book - The Familiar Stranger - is FREE. Get this one, take a deep breath, enter another dimension and never look back.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
April 10, 2021
Merissa (13854 KP) rated Star-Crossed Negotiations in Books
Nov 14, 2022
I loved EVERY word!
STAR-CROSSED NEGOTIATIONS is a hard-hitting story of love and betrayal, of wars fought and peace wanted. It is everything I have come to expect from a Tessa McFionn book and I loved every word!
Vanysha and Kieran were young lovers, torn apart by a disapproving parent and the events that followed were kept secret. Move forward six years and they meet again by chance when the ship Kieran is using to take him to another planet is the one Vanysha bought. Everything that could go wrong, does go wrong, but they still make it to Hexaka. What they find there is nothing that they expected but turns into something even more.
I really felt for Van and Kieran in this story. Neither of them deserved what happened to them, especially Van. They are well-rounded characters with understandable pain and anguish. There wasn't a single thing about them that could have been better.
The supporting cast is just as good - both on the ship and planet-side! I adore H'reeh and I really hope his children get a story of their own! In fact, I hope we return to Hexaka. It is a much nicer world than Central! Plus, I need to see how Van and Kieran getting on.
Steadily paced, this novel gives the characters time to adjust to circumstances, and that made the steamy time even hotter. Definitely worth the wait.
This is definitely a Royal Jan-star this author's crown! Please tell me we're returning, please!!! 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
Vanysha and Kieran were young lovers, torn apart by a disapproving parent and the events that followed were kept secret. Move forward six years and they meet again by chance when the ship Kieran is using to take him to another planet is the one Vanysha bought. Everything that could go wrong, does go wrong, but they still make it to Hexaka. What they find there is nothing that they expected but turns into something even more.
I really felt for Van and Kieran in this story. Neither of them deserved what happened to them, especially Van. They are well-rounded characters with understandable pain and anguish. There wasn't a single thing about them that could have been better.
The supporting cast is just as good - both on the ship and planet-side! I adore H'reeh and I really hope his children get a story of their own! In fact, I hope we return to Hexaka. It is a much nicer world than Central! Plus, I need to see how Van and Kieran getting on.
Steadily paced, this novel gives the characters time to adjust to circumstances, and that made the steamy time even hotter. Definitely worth the wait.
This is definitely a Royal Jan-star this author's crown! Please tell me we're returning, please!!! 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
Debbiereadsbook (1681 KP) rated Duron (Assassin's To Order #3) in Books
Jul 25, 2023
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
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
Merissa (13854 KP) rated The Lies That Bind (Dark Lies #1) in Books
Feb 13, 2026
THE LIES THAT BIND is the first book in the Dark Lies series, set in a paranormal world where Omegas are rare. Mason is an Omega and has been treated as a servant by most of his pack growing up. That all changes when Kip and his family move to town, and the two boys become best friends. When Mason is promised to Jerome, they think up a plan that will save Mason from having to mate him. Then the story really gets going.
This is a fast-paced story, full of attempted murder, best friends to lovers to I love you's. All the way through, you know Kip has a secret, but it's unclear what it is. I liked how Kip and Mason actually had to work at their relationship. Yes, it was incredibly fast, but it wasn't all smooth sailing. They had to figure out what worked best for them, amid all the amazing 'advice' given by different people.
As the first in a series, I was expecting some arc to come into play, but I was not expecting what I got! It will be interesting to see where it goes from here.
I received an early edition of this story, and as such, it does need another edit. Chapters 5 and 6 (I think) were the same ones repeated, and it made me chuckle when "ears ran down his cheeks." Still, a good story that I look forward to seeing develop in future books.
** 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!
Feb 13, 2026
This is a fast-paced story, full of attempted murder, best friends to lovers to I love you's. All the way through, you know Kip has a secret, but it's unclear what it is. I liked how Kip and Mason actually had to work at their relationship. Yes, it was incredibly fast, but it wasn't all smooth sailing. They had to figure out what worked best for them, amid all the amazing 'advice' given by different people.
As the first in a series, I was expecting some arc to come into play, but I was not expecting what I got! It will be interesting to see where it goes from here.
I received an early edition of this story, and as such, it does need another edit. Chapters 5 and 6 (I think) were the same ones repeated, and it made me chuckle when "ears ran down his cheeks." Still, a good story that I look forward to seeing develop in future books.
** 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!
Feb 13, 2026
Merissa (13854 KP) rated Clone Me a Lover (Interstellar Lovers #1) in Books
Aug 14, 2017
Clone Me a Lover (Interstellar Lovers #1) by Rosalie Redd
Clone Me a Lover was originally part of the Baby, It's Cold in Space anthology, and it stood out from the others due to Angelo Thirteen's gentle demeanour, his hopeful attitude, and his willingness to help. With Elle trying to do all she can to rescue her brother before he is sent to the mines, and Angelo Thirteen really not wanting to go back to earth, you could be forgiven for thinking that they just both fall into bed. Nothing could be further from the truth though, as these two learn about each other first. Angelo Thirteen respects Elle for being a Captain and all that comes with it, whilst Elle is blown away by the difference in attitude between Angelo and the men that she knew from her own planet.
This is a novella, so it is quick-paced, but the story is not lacking in any way. This is novella one in the series, and I can't wait to continue it. I can only imagine just where Rosalie Redd's imagination will take us next time. With no spelling or editorial mistakes to disrupt my reading flow, I have no hesitation in highly recommending this novella.
* 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!
This is a novella, so it is quick-paced, but the story is not lacking in any way. This is novella one in the series, and I can't wait to continue it. I can only imagine just where Rosalie Redd's imagination will take us next time. With no spelling or editorial mistakes to disrupt my reading flow, I have no hesitation in highly recommending this novella.
* 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!
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Off the Books (Novel Idea, #5) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
In Off the Books, Lila is helping prepare for a bridal expo jointly presented by an event organizer and the literary agency she works for. The event no sooner gets started than Lila, already nicknamed the "murder magnet" by some in town, finds yet another corpse. This one turns out to have been murdered in a way suggestive of scenes from two of her agency's authors' books. With A Novel Idea's reputation at stake, Lila's boss decides that the staff of the agency need to band together to find out who the real murderer is.
An unusual method of murder and a plethora of suspects kept me guessing until the end, and Lila's personal life kept it interesting as well. I enjoyed getting to know the staff at A Novel Idea and Lila's family and friends, and can't wait to return to Inspiration Valley to learn more about them. I've already picked up book #1 in the series so that I can catch up.
I would highly recommend this one to all cozy mystery lovers, or to anyone who has ever thought about publishing a book (or is even a little bit curious about the process). I enjoyed the glimpses into Lila's professional life - enough to give you a taste of a literary agent's life but not bog down the story with too many details.
NOTE: I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
An unusual method of murder and a plethora of suspects kept me guessing until the end, and Lila's personal life kept it interesting as well. I enjoyed getting to know the staff at A Novel Idea and Lila's family and friends, and can't wait to return to Inspiration Valley to learn more about them. I've already picked up book #1 in the series so that I can catch up.
I would highly recommend this one to all cozy mystery lovers, or to anyone who has ever thought about publishing a book (or is even a little bit curious about the process). I enjoyed the glimpses into Lila's professional life - enough to give you a taste of a literary agent's life but not bog down the story with too many details.
NOTE: I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Murder House (DCI Matilda Darke #5) in Books
Jan 27, 2020
This is the fifth in this series starring DCI Matilda Darke but only the second I have read having previous been lucky enough to read the first in the series "For Reasons Unknown" which introduced DCI Darke to the world. Having missed the books in-between and although I have likely missed out on a lot of back story, I didn't feel it detracted from my enjoyment of this book and I felt it worked well as a standalone.
This book starts with the gruesome and brutal murder of 3 family members on the night they were celebrating a family wedding. This is a seemingly motiveless crime against a perfect family ... but can there be such a thing? What follows is the complex investigation by DCI Darke and her Homicide and Major Investigation Team.
The characters are interesting, likeable (mostly) and believable and I quickly became invested in them and their lives. The plot is complex with multiple layers and lines of enquiry and with twists and turns and red herrings aplenty; it certainly kept me on my toes from start to finish and didn't disappoint.
The Murder House is a dark, gripping, thrilling and well paced story which I have no hesitation in recommending to lovers of crime novels like myself and thank you to One More Chapter (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers) and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
This book starts with the gruesome and brutal murder of 3 family members on the night they were celebrating a family wedding. This is a seemingly motiveless crime against a perfect family ... but can there be such a thing? What follows is the complex investigation by DCI Darke and her Homicide and Major Investigation Team.
The characters are interesting, likeable (mostly) and believable and I quickly became invested in them and their lives. The plot is complex with multiple layers and lines of enquiry and with twists and turns and red herrings aplenty; it certainly kept me on my toes from start to finish and didn't disappoint.
The Murder House is a dark, gripping, thrilling and well paced story which I have no hesitation in recommending to lovers of crime novels like myself and thank you to One More Chapter (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers) and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Booty Camp in Books
Aug 5, 2019
Mila and Grady practically grew up together. Grady's sister along with Mila and other friends just opened a new roller rink in town. Mila is beautiful, but quiet and shy. Every time Grady sees her, he wants to devour her. What he doesn't know is that Mila is a virgin and she's crushing on the douchebag who runs the roller hockey league. But before Mila gets with him, she would like a few lessons and who better to teach her than Grady. They are up for a weekend of Booty Camp to teach Mila everything she needs to know to be with another man. Will Grady be able to let her go to another man after this weekend?
Thank you to Frankie Love, C.M. Seabrook and Booksprout for a copy of this book to review.
Booty Camp is the final book in the Booty Call series.
Even though Grady, as a pilot, has a different woman in every city, there is only one woman he wants. And teaching her to be good at sex for another man, might just kill him. Mila is surprised at how well things are going between her and Grady during their Booty Camp. Will she go to the other man or will she pine over Grady, a man she knows she can't have, or can she?
What will happen between these two friends? Will they become lovers or have to just deal with being teacher and instructor?
Thank you to Frankie Love, C.M. Seabrook and Booksprout for a copy of this book to review.
Booty Camp is the final book in the Booty Call series.
Even though Grady, as a pilot, has a different woman in every city, there is only one woman he wants. And teaching her to be good at sex for another man, might just kill him. Mila is surprised at how well things are going between her and Grady during their Booty Camp. Will she go to the other man or will she pine over Grady, a man she knows she can't have, or can she?
What will happen between these two friends? Will they become lovers or have to just deal with being teacher and instructor?
The English Country House Garden: Traditional Retreats to Contemporary Masterpieces
Marcus Harpur and George Plumptre
Book
There is something special about the English country house garden: from its quiet verdant lawns to...