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Merissa (12358 KP) rated Alexi (Tangled Tentacles #1) in Books

Mar 23, 2022 (Updated Jun 30, 2023)  
Alexi (Tangled Tentacles #1)
Alexi (Tangled Tentacles #1)
JP Sayle, Lisa Oliver | 2022 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
ALEXI is the first book in a new series about a group of Kraken shifters who are called in to assist the police on several missing people cases - or is it a serial murderer? Danik is worried it will be swept away as a serial killer when he just knows they are still alive. Alexi soon puts those fears to rest once they realise they are mates. No way will Alexi go against Danik like that.

So, what do you have? A group of close brothers who tease each other constantly. Different personalities I am looking forward to getting to know. A possibly crooked police force. Missing paranormals, presumed dead, but oh so alive according to Danik. It's all here, and it's FUN.

I loved the way the personalities worked well with each other. Danik and Alexi are just wonderful, giving me warm, squidgy feelings whenever they are soft and cuddly. It is funny, with some brilliant one-liners that kept me amused. The pacing is spot-on, and the ending leads perfectly to the next book.

What's next? A Kraken and a Vampire. Oh, boy!

I honestly can't wait to continue this series. Absolutely 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!
Mar 21, 2022
  
Veil of Mists (Seven Deadly Veils #2)
Veil of Mists (Seven Deadly Veils #2)
Diana Marik | 2022 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
VEIL OF MISTS is the second full-length book in the Seven Deadly Veils series and we return to Miranda and her world of paranormals. We begin with her in New Mexico and then travel to France. All the old crew are there, but we also meet the Vampire High Council, who are desperate to get their claws into Valadon.

While I enjoyed this story, I wasn't fully gripped by it. It has multiple layers and deceptions, as well as three or four stories going on simultaneously. While some may prefer it this way, I found it distracting and wanted to skip over parts (Bastien and Josette having s3x for example.)

The (sort of) love triangle between Remare, Miranda, and Valadon is still going on and full of miscommunications that had me rolling my eyes. Some things are blown up out of proportion, while others are just swept under the carpet.

On the whole, I enjoyed this book but I didn't feel as though it moved the series forward much. I still recommend it if you like all of the above and want a richly detailed and intricate saga to keep you entertained for hours.

** 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 14, 2024
  
Brutal Reign (Shadow Heirs #5)
Brutal Reign (Shadow Heirs #5)
C.J. Primer | 2024 | Paranormal, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
You should probably start at the beginning!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.

So, here's the thing. The blurb grabbed, it really did, even though it's the lsst in series, it says it can be read as a stand alone book. And I have no doubt that for some, it can. But for me? I missed something, I really did.

There were a lot of characters who grabbed me far more than Seb, Ace or River did and I think that's where I missed not reading any previous books.

So, here's what I did like.

All three have a say, and I liked getting into all three heads.

It's a slower burn book,. but once these three get with what Fate has in store for them, it's steamy and smexy. I liked that contrast in the before and after.

I didn't like how Seb and Ace were with River in the beginning, but given what happens later, I fully understand why they did what they did, to keep themselves away from River.

I'm just not sure this was the book for me to start with! And that's entirely my own fault, since it does it's last in series. I will, however, try something else of Primer's work, since this is the first I've read of their work.

But I finished it, and it had a satisfactory ending. I really liked the epilogues!

3 good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Kicks (Pleasure Seekers, #2)
Kicks (Pleasure Seekers, #2)
Kristian Parker | 2024 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
a perfect follow up to book one!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Pleasure Seekers series, but it can be read as a stand alone book. I loved book one, Thrill, and would strongly recommend it but it's not necessary, you know?

I loved Eddie and Scott in book one, and I was looking forward to getting to know them better, because I was fairly certain they are putting on a face for the world. But I discovered, not so much for Eddie. He's very laid back, until he lays eyes on Billy, then all bets are off!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it, and I don't know why and my book brain hates that I cannot voice why!

I liked Eddie and Billy, separately and apart. We got a lot of Billy's family here, raising his teenage sister and reconnecting with his older brother but we don't get much about Eddie's. I kinda missed that.

There is powerful and immediate attraction for these two and it burns hot and bright through the whole book. That is, until Billy finds out what Eddie did and then, all bets are off again!

Tyler is still living with Eddie and Scott and as such, Tyler and Danny, along with Scott play a large part here. I liked that we got to catch up with them.

Not an especially emotional read, but sometimes, that's just what you need.

Scott is next. Now Scott, I know, is putting on a face, and the poor man has a case of envy, given that his two flatmates are now loved up and I look forward to getting his story!

As I said, I liked this book, just couldn't quite love it though, like book one, (sorry!)

4 very VERY good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Contagion (Dark Matter #1)
Contagion (Dark Matter #1)
Teri Terry | 2019 | Dystopia, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contagion, the first book in Teri Terry's Dark Matter series
‏I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

In Teri Terry's Contagion, Kai's sister, Callie, is missing. She disappeared a year ago and Kai is beginning to lose hope Callie will ever be found. That is until he receives a call from Shay, who is most likely the last person to see Callie before she disappeared.

With the help of Shay, Kai seeks the truth about Callie's disappearance. Their search takes them through areas affected by a painful and contagious epidemic, an epidemic that mimics the flu, and which almost no one survives.

While the description presents a typical lost child/search storyline, the book is more than that. Notice the epidemic? It is more than a common epidemic.

The chapters are short and are time-stamped which ensures the reader knows the timeline events occurred. The story is presented from Callie and Shay's perspectives. Some reviewers on Goodreads commented they were confused in the beginning but, after reading a few chapters, everything made sense.

Contagion is the first book in Teri Terry's Dark Matter trilogy. The complete trilogy was released in the UK and the 1st book has been finally released in the USA! Deception (book 2) and Evolution (book 3) are available for purchase from the UK.

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 8/11/19.
  
A Vixen in Venice
A Vixen in Venice
Kate Deveaux | 2015 | Erotica, Fiction & Poetry
8
5.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this book from Totally Bound Publishing in return for a fair and honest review.

This book is part of the Totally 5 Star series which has the focus on a different city in each book. Although, to be fair, the focus of this book definitely wasn't on Venice but rather the goings on in Venice.

I enjoyed reading this book - it is a hot, steamy but also fun read. A couple of things didn't sit right with me which I'll go into shortly. If, however, you're looking for a book to read for pure pleasure and not to worry about the nitty gritty then I can definitely recommend this one. On the whole though, this was thoroughly enjoyable and a raunchy, fast-paced story.

The things that didn't seem to work (for me) was what Alessandro actually did. There is an explanation in the book but by the time I reached that point, I think my mind had gotten too confused with it. It's also not clear why he was brought in to supervise Monique although she does need it. She comes across as very flighty which is not something that you would expect from someone who needs this job and income.

On the whole, the characters are good, the story is well-written and the sex scenes are smoking. An escape from reality? Yes! Definitely recommended.

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Deception (Dark Matter #2)
Deception (Dark Matter #2)
Teri Terry | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
‏I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

Deception is the 2nd book in the Dark Matter series by Teri Terry. I was given the opportunity to review the 1st book, Contagion, and thoroughly enjoyed it. When offered the 2nd book, I jumped at the chance.

Deception starts where Contagion ends. Shay, believing she is the carrier of the epidemic, surrenders to the army. Kai is heartbroken and feels betrayed because Shay left. After discovering survivors like Shay are not carriers, he is desperate to find her.

I enjoyed the 1st book more than the 2nd. Because it is a YA book, there is the obligatory love triangle. Still, it is worth reading. We are introduced to other groups. They are survivors, those hunting the survivors, and those behind the epidemic. One of the people we learn more about is Dr. Alex Cross, Kai's hated stepfather and Callie's father.

The 3rd and final book in the trilogy, Evolution, is available for pre-order. Its release date is August 11, 2020. I am looking forward to seeing how the trilogy ends. Will Kai and Shay end up together? What will happen to Callie? Will she get her revenge?

View my review of Contagion at http://philomathinphila.com/2019/08/11/200-word-review-of-contagion-by-teri-terry/.

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/16/20.
  
After reading this book all my head wants to say is WOW...

I have not previously read any books by Roseanna M. White and I am now scratching my head wondering how I could have missed her? This book On Wings of Devotion is actually the second book in her Codebreaker series. However, I was not lost at all just jumping into this one (I will definitely be going back and reading the first one though).

The character interactions in this book are the best I have read in a while. They banter back and forth so much, and you just can’t help but smile or laugh, through it all. They did have their ups and downs, but I was amazed by Ara’s absolute faith in the face of everything that happened. Yes, she had doubts but they never lasted for long. That is what I personally strive to do even though it doesn’t always work out as well as in this book. Camden was also a great character who I enjoyed getting to know. He was the picture of a flamboyant flyboy with a teddy bear heart underneath. So much mystery surrounds him, and we get fed little bits of his true character throughout the book. It was like getting to know someone in real life, you slowly get to know them over time.

The storyline in this book was riveting like it literally sucked me in (Laundry did not get done that day
  
The Queen Con (The Golden Arrow Mysteries Book 2)
The Queen Con (The Golden Arrow Mysteries Book 2)
Meghan Scott Molin | 2019 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Overly complicated
I wasn't keen on the first book in this series, but it got me just about intrigued enough to want to read the second. And sadly I liked this one even less than the first.

Fortunately MG was a much more bearable character in this book, although still fairly irritating - her actions and emotions are very childlike and not fitting for a grown adult. Calling her car the "Millennium Turd" drove me crazy. But at least her relationship with Matteo wasnt quite as prominent and frustrating. The problem with this book though is the plot. It's just ridiculous and overly complicated. I felt so confused trying to figure out what was going on and to me it was an entirely unnecessary sequel. A standalone story in the same setting would have been a much better idea rather than trying to link it too much into the plot from the first book.

Also the reveal about who the Golden Arrow is comes right at the end of the book and to be frank, I saw this coming from early on in the first book and I was aghast at how the characters in the book didnt see it coming. I've also already spotted the twist that any future books will throw up about this reveal, so it was rather a let down overall. I only bothered to read it as it was free on Kindle Unlimited!
  
Billionaire's Muse (The Billionaire’s Playground #3)
Billionaire's Muse (The Billionaire’s Playground #3)
JP Sayle | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
BILLIONAIRE'S MUSE is the third book in The Billionaire's Playground series but can be read as a standalone, as I did. This book revolves around Marcus, a famous photographer, and Fin, a university history student.

Fin is special - in that he doesn't have a filter and is a literal thinker. This has led to some less than satisfactory 'dates'. Marcus finds Fin completely refreshing and wants to treat him the way he should be, not the way he has been. Throw in two mums who have their own views of the world, add a cheeky nanna, and you have a book to lose yourself in.

This was a great book. The way Fin takes everything so literally made me realise just how much we say without it really meaning anything. I loved that Marcus found the situation funny without laughing or undermining Fin himself.

Marcus and Fin are helped (and sometimes hindered) by a wonderful supporting cast. This is book three and it really makes me want to read books one and two -- if only to see what Nanna gets up to!

A fantastic story that I thoroughly enjoyed and definitely recommend.

** 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 13, 2021