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Merissa (12351 KP) rated Secretly Mine (Offbeat Shifters #1) in Books
Feb 11, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)
SECRETLY MINE is the first book in the Offbeat Shifters series, and the first thing I want to talk about is how wonderful it is to have two shifters, neither of which are bears or wolves!
Isaac left his job at the London Stock Exchange and is hired by an old college 'friend' as a bodyguard. His first job is to protect up-and-coming pop star, Jesse Steele. He expects a diva, but what he gets is very different.
This is a slow-burn romance with some steamy moments that enhance the overall story. The pacing is smooth, and the world-building and attention to detail are spot-on. I loved the suspense aspect of it, even though I guessed correctly early on who it was.
A great start to a series that I can't wait to continue. Absolutely recommended by me.
* 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!
Feb 11, 2021
Isaac left his job at the London Stock Exchange and is hired by an old college 'friend' as a bodyguard. His first job is to protect up-and-coming pop star, Jesse Steele. He expects a diva, but what he gets is very different.
This is a slow-burn romance with some steamy moments that enhance the overall story. The pacing is smooth, and the world-building and attention to detail are spot-on. I loved the suspense aspect of it, even though I guessed correctly early on who it was.
A great start to a series that I can't wait to continue. Absolutely recommended by me.
* 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!
Feb 11, 2021
Merissa (12351 KP) rated Clausing a Scene (Christmas Falls #6) in Books
Nov 30, 2023
CLAUSING A SCENE is the sixth book in the Christmas Falls series but don't expect to see much of the town!
Brant is Col's best friend. Hig is Col's dad (he was 17 when Col was born.) Both have liked each other for a LONG time and when Col is delayed getting to his dad's, their lust explodes in a shower of purple sparks.
This is one of the steamier stories set in this town, mostly because they hole up in Hig's house and don't want to go anywhere. You hear about the town a couple of times, usually as someone is walking or driving down a road, but that's about it. A couple of characters from other books are also mentioned.
Fast-paced with low angst, this was a great addition to the series and definitely 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 29, 2023
Brant is Col's best friend. Hig is Col's dad (he was 17 when Col was born.) Both have liked each other for a LONG time and when Col is delayed getting to his dad's, their lust explodes in a shower of purple sparks.
This is one of the steamier stories set in this town, mostly because they hole up in Hig's house and don't want to go anywhere. You hear about the town a couple of times, usually as someone is walking or driving down a road, but that's about it. A couple of characters from other books are also mentioned.
Fast-paced with low angst, this was a great addition to the series and definitely 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 29, 2023
ClareR (5784 KP) rated Ritual of Fire in Books
Sep 24, 2024
I didn’t want to get involved with another series, I’d sworn off them. But here we are, Ritual of Fire is excellent, and I need to hurry up and read book 4 (A Divine Fury) before I read book 5!
I’m addicted to the world of Cesare Aldo and 16th Century Florence with all of its richly described sights, sounds and smells. I love the characters, their relationships (Aldo, Saul the Jewish Doctor, Strocchi and the obnoxious Bindi) - just the whole package!
From the title you can guess that there’s going to be some unpleasant murders this time, and the first death is set up in the same way as that of a renegade monk, Savanola, 40 years previously. Burning.
Aldo had been banished in the last book, but he manages to become embroiled in the mystery (thank goodness!), and Strocchi has to work with him (after a word or two from his wife!).
This series is well worth becoming deeply involved with (ahem…me!). Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
I’m addicted to the world of Cesare Aldo and 16th Century Florence with all of its richly described sights, sounds and smells. I love the characters, their relationships (Aldo, Saul the Jewish Doctor, Strocchi and the obnoxious Bindi) - just the whole package!
From the title you can guess that there’s going to be some unpleasant murders this time, and the first death is set up in the same way as that of a renegade monk, Savanola, 40 years previously. Burning.
Aldo had been banished in the last book, but he manages to become embroiled in the mystery (thank goodness!), and Strocchi has to work with him (after a word or two from his wife!).
This series is well worth becoming deeply involved with (ahem…me!). Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated The Trade of Queens (The Merchant Princes, #6) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Wait - is this the end of Merchant Princes series? But what happens NEXT?! I want MORE! Stross! You can't do this to me!
Anyway, my one and only complaint about this book is that it's been too long since I read the other five, and that isn't Stross' fault. Or maybe it is, in a backwards sense, but only in that it takes longer for him to write than for me to read. If I'd stuck to my guns about not starting any series until it was finished, I'd be fine, but then I'd hardly have anything at all to read, would I? It's just that this particular series is full of intricate plotting and many characters, and I really could have used some sort of serious online reference for this world.
Some plot threads were tied up, and a few new ones were introduced. I'll could understand this book as a resting point for Stross, but not a stopping point! While most series would have lost my interest after six books, this one hasn't. He really is that good.
That said, some of the post-9/11 mania is a little dated, and it is good to be past that. I imagine he's glad to be done writing it, too. I wish our society were completely done with the erosion of civil rights caused by it, too.
Anyway, my one and only complaint about this book is that it's been too long since I read the other five, and that isn't Stross' fault. Or maybe it is, in a backwards sense, but only in that it takes longer for him to write than for me to read. If I'd stuck to my guns about not starting any series until it was finished, I'd be fine, but then I'd hardly have anything at all to read, would I? It's just that this particular series is full of intricate plotting and many characters, and I really could have used some sort of serious online reference for this world.
Some plot threads were tied up, and a few new ones were introduced. I'll could understand this book as a resting point for Stross, but not a stopping point! While most series would have lost my interest after six books, this one hasn't. He really is that good.
That said, some of the post-9/11 mania is a little dated, and it is good to be past that. I imagine he's glad to be done writing it, too. I wish our society were completely done with the erosion of civil rights caused by it, too.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2273 KP) rated A Dark and Twisting Path in Books
Aug 15, 2018
Lena’s Path Continues to be Enjoyably Twisty
Lena London and Camilla Graham have just returned from their first joint book tour when Lena gets a call from her friend Allison. Allison has found a dead body on the edge of her property. Lena goes over to be with Allison only to recognize the letter opener sticking out of the victim as one she gave her boyfriend Sam. Who is trying to frame him for murder now?
After the second book in the series, I was anxious to see what would happen to these characters next and how the cliffhanger would be resolved. I’m thrilled to say I was very satisfied with how things developed here, and I am confident that fans of the series will be as well. If you aren’t familiar with the series, it borrows heavily from Gothic stories, so this isn’t a typical cozy plot, but that doesn’t make for a bad story in the slightest. The pages turned all too quickly. I was annoyed by some timeline issues early on, but those were minor overall. Lena is a strong heroine, and the rest of the cast are charming and eccentric. If you haven’t started this series yet, I recommend it; I just don’t recommend you start here. You really need the previous two books to fully appreciate what happens here.
After the second book in the series, I was anxious to see what would happen to these characters next and how the cliffhanger would be resolved. I’m thrilled to say I was very satisfied with how things developed here, and I am confident that fans of the series will be as well. If you aren’t familiar with the series, it borrows heavily from Gothic stories, so this isn’t a typical cozy plot, but that doesn’t make for a bad story in the slightest. The pages turned all too quickly. I was annoyed by some timeline issues early on, but those were minor overall. Lena is a strong heroine, and the rest of the cast are charming and eccentric. If you haven’t started this series yet, I recommend it; I just don’t recommend you start here. You really need the previous two books to fully appreciate what happens here.
David McK (3496 KP) rated A Game of Thrones in Books
Jan 28, 2019
A Game of Thrones is one of the biggest success stories in my homeland of Northern Ireland, with many of our locations used in the HBO drama series.
Despite that, and despite knowing various people who are either directly involved (as extras) or peripherally involved (costumers) in the filming of the series, I've never actually seen a single episode of it.
Similarly, I (thought) I hadn't read any of the books in the series until I finally got round to reading this one, and realised not that far into it that, actually, yes, I had read it before - it just didn't really *stick* all that much with me (never a good sign).
Nevertheless, I still made it the entire way through the novel, which is told from a different character's perspective chapter about. As a result (I felt) the book feels somewhat fractured: just as
you're getting used to a particular narrator and their perspective, it's over to someone else ...
If I'm honest, there were also times when I felt like skipping chapters and sections of the book (those dealing with Sansa in particular), with not all the plot threads as gripping as each other.
The acid test of the novel? Would it make me more likely to hunt out and watch the TV series? Sadly, the answer is 'No, not really'.
Despite that, and despite knowing various people who are either directly involved (as extras) or peripherally involved (costumers) in the filming of the series, I've never actually seen a single episode of it.
Similarly, I (thought) I hadn't read any of the books in the series until I finally got round to reading this one, and realised not that far into it that, actually, yes, I had read it before - it just didn't really *stick* all that much with me (never a good sign).
Nevertheless, I still made it the entire way through the novel, which is told from a different character's perspective chapter about. As a result (I felt) the book feels somewhat fractured: just as
you're getting used to a particular narrator and their perspective, it's over to someone else ...
If I'm honest, there were also times when I felt like skipping chapters and sections of the book (those dealing with Sansa in particular), with not all the plot threads as gripping as each other.
The acid test of the novel? Would it make me more likely to hunt out and watch the TV series? Sadly, the answer is 'No, not really'.
Merissa (12351 KP) rated To Covet The Fae in Books
Dec 17, 2018
To Covet The Fae is the first book in the spin off series, The Kincaid Wolves. As such, it involves characters and places that we have already met. Although you could read this as a standalone, to get the full benefit I would recommend reading the Deathless Night series first. Plus the fact, they are wonderful books so it will be no hardship, I assure you.
Heather is Grace's friend and has come with her from China to Seattle. However, there is more to her than meets the eye as Brock finds out when she is taken unwillingly to meet with "the Prince". Through certain machinations, Brock and Heather find themselves separated in a different dimension, with only the toss of a coin to guide them.
This is well-written, with no editing or grammatical errors. However, as the first of a series, even a spin-off, there is a lot of groundwork that has to be laid. Also, it helps to provide the build up to the future books. This looks like it is going to be a series just as hot as the Deathless Nights, and so I have no hesitation in recommending it!
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Heather is Grace's friend and has come with her from China to Seattle. However, there is more to her than meets the eye as Brock finds out when she is taken unwillingly to meet with "the Prince". Through certain machinations, Brock and Heather find themselves separated in a different dimension, with only the toss of a coin to guide them.
This is well-written, with no editing or grammatical errors. However, as the first of a series, even a spin-off, there is a lot of groundwork that has to be laid. Also, it helps to provide the build up to the future books. This looks like it is going to be a series just as hot as the Deathless Nights, and so I have no hesitation in recommending it!
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
BookblogbyCari (345 KP) rated The Last Straw in Books
Apr 7, 2019
When I read the synopsis for this book, I thought “Aah, here’s a story with some oomph!” The book starts with the line “Perry Mason unzipped his pants…” and I thought “I didn’t think it was that sort of a book!” There were no erotic scenes though, but there was violence and drama aplenty!
The events in the book are sparked by the witnessing of a murder at a car hijacking gone awry. However, there is a snowball-come-avalanche effect for the surrounding characters. The central character is Rico, a hit man with conscience, albeit a very selective conscience. Rico’s sworn enemy is tasked with taking out the murder witness, but this puts a friend of Rico’s at risk, and tensions quickly escalate between the hit men.
There are countless high octane action scenes, and they are shocking! Rico often put me in mind of Jack Reacher, and his killer instincts mean the action scenes are so rapid that I found myself reading them twice to take everything in. And the death count becomes comparable to Game of Thrones!
In between the action scenes, a lot of background information is provided on the surrounding characters, such as the on the lawyer looking after the murder witness. And many of these characters are often working through their own moral dilemmas in relation to what’s going on. (As usual, NO spoilers in my book reviews!)
This book is the second in a series, and I usually start with the first in a series (unless I’ve seen the first portrayed in a film) but the synopsis had me sold! Much of what happened in the first book is explained in dribs and drabs throughout the second. You certainly don’t need to read the first book to enjoy the second, but I imagine you’d get more from it by reading the whole series.
It wasn’t always the most realistic story in places; like when Rico does nothing to cover his tracks after a hit, but then again we often read novels as a means of escapism, it’s not supposed to represent the real world. And in fairness, it’s done a damn good job of distracting me from my current worries. Recommended!
The events in the book are sparked by the witnessing of a murder at a car hijacking gone awry. However, there is a snowball-come-avalanche effect for the surrounding characters. The central character is Rico, a hit man with conscience, albeit a very selective conscience. Rico’s sworn enemy is tasked with taking out the murder witness, but this puts a friend of Rico’s at risk, and tensions quickly escalate between the hit men.
There are countless high octane action scenes, and they are shocking! Rico often put me in mind of Jack Reacher, and his killer instincts mean the action scenes are so rapid that I found myself reading them twice to take everything in. And the death count becomes comparable to Game of Thrones!
In between the action scenes, a lot of background information is provided on the surrounding characters, such as the on the lawyer looking after the murder witness. And many of these characters are often working through their own moral dilemmas in relation to what’s going on. (As usual, NO spoilers in my book reviews!)
This book is the second in a series, and I usually start with the first in a series (unless I’ve seen the first portrayed in a film) but the synopsis had me sold! Much of what happened in the first book is explained in dribs and drabs throughout the second. You certainly don’t need to read the first book to enjoy the second, but I imagine you’d get more from it by reading the whole series.
It wasn’t always the most realistic story in places; like when Rico does nothing to cover his tracks after a hit, but then again we often read novels as a means of escapism, it’s not supposed to represent the real world. And in fairness, it’s done a damn good job of distracting me from my current worries. Recommended!
Merissa (12351 KP) rated Undeniable Lover (Worlds of Lemuria: Earth Colony #4) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Undeniable Lover is the fourth book in the Worlds of Lemuria: Earth Colony series. This IS a series, so you would have to read it from book one for it to make sense. That being said, this book is a brilliant addition to the series.
Saar carries a scar on his face, and a whole load of guilt in his soul for something that happened in the past. He feels that no female will every want him, and shies away from most of them. There is one female though, that intrigues him, even though he should know better. Kaelyn is one of the Ursus, recently given to Zedron, and so rightfully fighting on the opposite side to Saar. However, none of the Ursus want to fight for Zedron, although they have no choice. Kaelyn and Saar end up fighting against each other, but Kaelyn is injured. Instead of leaving her to the other Ursus, Saar takes her back to the Keep, simply because he needs to know she is well.
The story moves on from there, with both Saar and Kaelyn fighting themselves, their feelings, and everyone else in this war. You also spend some more time with Zedron and Alora. Part of me wants this war to end, and for Alora to be victorious. The other part of me wants it to continue so I get more stories out of it. I would love to have Gaetan's story. He is made out to be so old, and yet he plays quite a significant role in this book. There is one bittersweet moment that could be sad if not for the relief felt by the person it happened to. I won't say much about that, but I really loved that part.
One warning though, this book does end on a cliffhanger, so don't expect everything to be tied up neatly. With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this book was a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it.
* 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!
Saar carries a scar on his face, and a whole load of guilt in his soul for something that happened in the past. He feels that no female will every want him, and shies away from most of them. There is one female though, that intrigues him, even though he should know better. Kaelyn is one of the Ursus, recently given to Zedron, and so rightfully fighting on the opposite side to Saar. However, none of the Ursus want to fight for Zedron, although they have no choice. Kaelyn and Saar end up fighting against each other, but Kaelyn is injured. Instead of leaving her to the other Ursus, Saar takes her back to the Keep, simply because he needs to know she is well.
The story moves on from there, with both Saar and Kaelyn fighting themselves, their feelings, and everyone else in this war. You also spend some more time with Zedron and Alora. Part of me wants this war to end, and for Alora to be victorious. The other part of me wants it to continue so I get more stories out of it. I would love to have Gaetan's story. He is made out to be so old, and yet he plays quite a significant role in this book. There is one bittersweet moment that could be sad if not for the relief felt by the person it happened to. I won't say much about that, but I really loved that part.
One warning though, this book does end on a cliffhanger, so don't expect everything to be tied up neatly. With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this book was a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it.
* 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!
Adobe Photoshop CS6 Classroom in a Book
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Creative professionals seeking the fastest, easiest, most comprehensive way to learn Adobe Photoshop...