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Merissa (12660 KP) rated The Gentle Wolf (Perth Shifters #2) in Books
Nov 16, 2020 (Updated Aug 14, 2023)
THE GENTLE WOLF is the second book in the Blackwood series and, wow, I hope you're ready for a read that will knock your socks off.
Aodhan is Braden's best friend and a well-renowned chocolatier in his own right. Thomas is the curator/owner of a local museum. For the past two years, Thomas has gone to Aodhan's shop every Tuesday for a coffee. Both of these have their own issues to work out.
What an amazing story! This covers some serious issues like child abuse, emotional and mental abuse, demisexuality, depression, survivor's guilt, and a whole host of other things so please don't expect a light and fluffy read. Instead, what you get is a story full of depth and feeling without being depressing in and of itself.
The pacing is perfect for this story and there were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my enjoyment of the book. The characters are outstanding and now I really can't wait for Hunter's book. I don't actually know if he's got one but I sincerely hope he does. Braden and Coll from book one pop up now and again but you don't have to have read their book to get this one. Different settings, some different characters, all good.
Aodhan and Thomas make the perfect couple and I was with them every step of the way as they tried to work through turbulent pasts. One of the best bits for me was when Iona told Thomas something and he told her just exactly what she had done. I'm trying to be deliberately vague but, trust me, read the book and you'll know which part I'm talking about.
Blackwood was a great book that I thoroughly enjoyed. This one? Phenomenal! Absolutely and utterly 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!
Nov 16, 2020
Aodhan is Braden's best friend and a well-renowned chocolatier in his own right. Thomas is the curator/owner of a local museum. For the past two years, Thomas has gone to Aodhan's shop every Tuesday for a coffee. Both of these have their own issues to work out.
What an amazing story! This covers some serious issues like child abuse, emotional and mental abuse, demisexuality, depression, survivor's guilt, and a whole host of other things so please don't expect a light and fluffy read. Instead, what you get is a story full of depth and feeling without being depressing in and of itself.
The pacing is perfect for this story and there were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my enjoyment of the book. The characters are outstanding and now I really can't wait for Hunter's book. I don't actually know if he's got one but I sincerely hope he does. Braden and Coll from book one pop up now and again but you don't have to have read their book to get this one. Different settings, some different characters, all good.
Aodhan and Thomas make the perfect couple and I was with them every step of the way as they tried to work through turbulent pasts. One of the best bits for me was when Iona told Thomas something and he told her just exactly what she had done. I'm trying to be deliberately vague but, trust me, read the book and you'll know which part I'm talking about.
Blackwood was a great book that I thoroughly enjoyed. This one? Phenomenal! Absolutely and utterly 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!
Nov 16, 2020
Debbiereadsbook (1407 KP) rated Royally Arranged (The Royal Series #2) in Books
May 22, 2024
sometimes, you need to see whats coming at ya!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Royal Series. I have not read book one, Royally Screwed and a quick read of that blurb tells me you don't need to read that one before this. Those characters do not appear in this book. It's also the first book I've read of Mallory's. I'll come back to that.
Rafe needs a wife, a temporary arrangement, while his twin brother, his ELDER twin, gets a clean bill of health. A business arrangement which Astoria enters, with a shelf life to the arrangement. At least it started as such.
I liked this. It follows a proven track: an arranged marriage; they have sex (which wasn't part of the arrangement) there is a major fall out, and then a make up, and all is happy in the world. And sometimes you need to see what's coming at ya, like a freight train, and ain't nothin' you can do to stop it. And I LIKED that in this book!
It's steamy in places, but I didn't find it overly heavy on the smexy times. I didn't find it particularly emotional, either. Rafe lost his wife and son, but you don't FEEL that pain from him.
I think that is what I missed the most in the book: emotional connection. Yes, they have smex and do all the things they are supposed to, but I didn't find an EMOTIONAL connection between them. They do say those three little words, but again, I didn't FEEL the love between them.
As I said, my first book by Mallory. I'd like to delve into the backlist of this author to see if I can find that connection. Might just be how the author writes, is all.
So, because I felt that was missing, I gave this book
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Royal Series. I have not read book one, Royally Screwed and a quick read of that blurb tells me you don't need to read that one before this. Those characters do not appear in this book. It's also the first book I've read of Mallory's. I'll come back to that.
Rafe needs a wife, a temporary arrangement, while his twin brother, his ELDER twin, gets a clean bill of health. A business arrangement which Astoria enters, with a shelf life to the arrangement. At least it started as such.
I liked this. It follows a proven track: an arranged marriage; they have sex (which wasn't part of the arrangement) there is a major fall out, and then a make up, and all is happy in the world. And sometimes you need to see what's coming at ya, like a freight train, and ain't nothin' you can do to stop it. And I LIKED that in this book!
It's steamy in places, but I didn't find it overly heavy on the smexy times. I didn't find it particularly emotional, either. Rafe lost his wife and son, but you don't FEEL that pain from him.
I think that is what I missed the most in the book: emotional connection. Yes, they have smex and do all the things they are supposed to, but I didn't find an EMOTIONAL connection between them. They do say those three little words, but again, I didn't FEEL the love between them.
As I said, my first book by Mallory. I'd like to delve into the backlist of this author to see if I can find that connection. Might just be how the author writes, is all.
So, because I felt that was missing, I gave this book
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated The Blessing (The Amish Cooking Class #2) in Books
Feb 25, 2019
How to write a review without giving spoilers, when there is so much I want to say!? I will say that, if you don't know by now, Wanda Brunstetter is one of my absolute favorite Amish novelists. She never fails to hook me with her books and keep me entertained the entire way through. And, The Blessing, book 2 in her Amish Cooking Class series is no exception! I was hooked from the beginning and held captive til the very end. True talent!
The Blessing picks up where book 1, The Seekers, left off. Heidi and Lyle Troyer are adopting a baby but a sad circumstance leaves Heidi heartbroken and once again teaching a class to occupy her mind. She, once again, opens her home to strangers and the fun begins! Each new character brings something special to the story and I loved watching Heidi interact with them. The messages thrown into the story and watching the characters realize what those messages were, was truly refreshing!
This book is deserving of so much more than 5 stars! Mrs. Brunstetter has created another wonderful novel that every Amish fiction fan (and those that are new to the genre!) will fall in love with. Not only with her writing style, but also with the characters. They quickly become a part of the reader! I highly recommend this book to all book lovers! Hats off to the talented Mrs. Brunstetter, once again! I can't wait for book 3 to release. <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/book-review-the-blessing-by-wanda-brunstetter/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
The Blessing picks up where book 1, The Seekers, left off. Heidi and Lyle Troyer are adopting a baby but a sad circumstance leaves Heidi heartbroken and once again teaching a class to occupy her mind. She, once again, opens her home to strangers and the fun begins! Each new character brings something special to the story and I loved watching Heidi interact with them. The messages thrown into the story and watching the characters realize what those messages were, was truly refreshing!
This book is deserving of so much more than 5 stars! Mrs. Brunstetter has created another wonderful novel that every Amish fiction fan (and those that are new to the genre!) will fall in love with. Not only with her writing style, but also with the characters. They quickly become a part of the reader! I highly recommend this book to all book lovers! Hats off to the talented Mrs. Brunstetter, once again! I can't wait for book 3 to release. <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/book-review-the-blessing-by-wanda-brunstetter/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
Effective Coding with VHDL: Principles and Best Practice
Book
This book addresses an often-neglected aspect of the creation of VHDL designs. A VHDL description is...
Merissa (12660 KP) rated Changed (The Made Ones Saga #2) in Books
Sep 23, 2020
Changed is the second book in The Made Ones Saga and this time we meet with Bree and her Catman, Gato. We caught a glimpse of her in Kit's book but this time the focus is all on her!
Initially, Bree is slightly annoyed 😉 that all her armour has disappeared. Instead, she is stuck with her natural hair colour, no tattoos, no piercings. Luckily for her, she is around people who help her to realise her armour was actually camouflage. And as for Gato, well, he loves her red hair.
This was a fantastic second book. The world is now more familiar which helped but, for me, the best part was Bree's attitude. She is attacked how many times, by people she thought were friends, and she still manages to come out of it with a smile on her face. Audi and Fortis are just sublime and I really hope to see more of them in the last book. I wasn't too sure about Arina to begin with but she is also someone I am hoping will get their HEA.
The interweaving between Kit's book and Bree's is wonderfully done. Once again, as with Kit and Rafe, Bree and Gato are supported by an amazing cast. I loved seeing Kit and Rafe again in this one.
A fantastic addition to the series and now I will (im)patiently wait for Awakened. 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!
Initially, Bree is slightly annoyed 😉 that all her armour has disappeared. Instead, she is stuck with her natural hair colour, no tattoos, no piercings. Luckily for her, she is around people who help her to realise her armour was actually camouflage. And as for Gato, well, he loves her red hair.
This was a fantastic second book. The world is now more familiar which helped but, for me, the best part was Bree's attitude. She is attacked how many times, by people she thought were friends, and she still manages to come out of it with a smile on her face. Audi and Fortis are just sublime and I really hope to see more of them in the last book. I wasn't too sure about Arina to begin with but she is also someone I am hoping will get their HEA.
The interweaving between Kit's book and Bree's is wonderfully done. Once again, as with Kit and Rafe, Bree and Gato are supported by an amazing cast. I loved seeing Kit and Rafe again in this one.
A fantastic addition to the series and now I will (im)patiently wait for Awakened. 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!
Merissa (12660 KP) rated Running from My Heart (Rock Bottom #3) in Books
Oct 10, 2019
Running From My Heart is the third book in the Rock Bottom series but can be read as a standalone. I haven't read any of the others, and it certainly didn't have an impact on my enjoyment of it.
Ross and Arden are both drowning in grief, but dealing with it in very different ways. Arden has shut himself away from everyone and everything, whereas Ross is King of the One-Night-Stands. They are doing what works best for them. But then they meet in a grocery store and both their lives change for the better, although not painlessly.
This is a very emotional read as the two of them certainly go through the wringer. They have personal revelations that both help and hinder them in their recovery from such soul-destroying grief. I will admit to shedding a tear or two as the baby Osprey, but enough of that!
I have no idea if there were any errors in this book, but I don't think there were as I usually get jolted out of the storyline. With this book, I was completely engrossed from start to finish. The story is smooth, the pacing is perfect. There is a fantastic cast of characters, both main and supporting, that help bring this story to life. I definitely want to read book one, Foster and Justin's story, even though I know from this book they have their HEA.
Absolutely fantastic and 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 the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Ross and Arden are both drowning in grief, but dealing with it in very different ways. Arden has shut himself away from everyone and everything, whereas Ross is King of the One-Night-Stands. They are doing what works best for them. But then they meet in a grocery store and both their lives change for the better, although not painlessly.
This is a very emotional read as the two of them certainly go through the wringer. They have personal revelations that both help and hinder them in their recovery from such soul-destroying grief. I will admit to shedding a tear or two as the baby Osprey, but enough of that!
I have no idea if there were any errors in this book, but I don't think there were as I usually get jolted out of the storyline. With this book, I was completely engrossed from start to finish. The story is smooth, the pacing is perfect. There is a fantastic cast of characters, both main and supporting, that help bring this story to life. I definitely want to read book one, Foster and Justin's story, even though I know from this book they have their HEA.
Absolutely fantastic and 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 the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (12660 KP) rated His Witch to Keep (Keepers of the Veil #2) in Books
Apr 19, 2023
This is book 2 in the Keepers of the Veil series and, although I haven't read Book 1, this in no way diminished my enjoyment of this book!
Serenity is doing jobs which she wouldn't usually do, on duff information, as she tries to cooperate with her sister's kidnappers and get her sister returned safely to her. Alexi is there but Serenity doesn't know if it is to help or hinder her, but the sparks are flying from the outset.
I loved how this was written from both perspectives. Serenity isn't just a "woe-is-me damsel in distress". She is a kick-ass alpha female who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to fight for it. Alexi I loved - he has a darkness within him that is not surprising considering his 'job' but his love for Serenity shone through, even if he wouldn't admit to it out loud.
Full of action and a twist that you may or may not see coming, this is a hot and fiery story that will definitely leave you wanting more. I am off to look for book 1 and also see when book 3 is due out. I do hope that Nikolai gets his story told as the banter between him and Serenity allowed you to see more of his character than what he usually allowed his brother to see. Definitely recommended.
* 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 9, 2015
Serenity is doing jobs which she wouldn't usually do, on duff information, as she tries to cooperate with her sister's kidnappers and get her sister returned safely to her. Alexi is there but Serenity doesn't know if it is to help or hinder her, but the sparks are flying from the outset.
I loved how this was written from both perspectives. Serenity isn't just a "woe-is-me damsel in distress". She is a kick-ass alpha female who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to fight for it. Alexi I loved - he has a darkness within him that is not surprising considering his 'job' but his love for Serenity shone through, even if he wouldn't admit to it out loud.
Full of action and a twist that you may or may not see coming, this is a hot and fiery story that will definitely leave you wanting more. I am off to look for book 1 and also see when book 3 is due out. I do hope that Nikolai gets his story told as the banter between him and Serenity allowed you to see more of his character than what he usually allowed his brother to see. Definitely recommended.
* 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 9, 2015
Merissa (12660 KP) rated Bad Boys After Dark: Brett (Bad Billionaires After Dark #4) in Books
Nov 21, 2023
Brett is the fourth book in the Bad Boys After Dark series, but you can read it as a standalone (as I did), and you won't get lost. The other brothers play a big part in Brett's story, but not enough that you are lost with who is with whom. Brett and Sophie have known each other for a while, as Sophie works for Brett's brother. Since a wedding they both attended, Brett can't get her out of his mind. He is worried though, as he knows Sophie is not looking for just one night, but a long-term relationship. Due to circumstances in his past, Brett is slightly phobic about commitment but decides he needs to take a chance with Sophie.
This is a sweet and yet hot story, with Brett and Sophie actually getting together quite quickly as their shared attraction is off the charts. There is some angst in the book, but refreshingly enough it is not between Brett and Sophie, but Brett and someone else (who I won't say as I don't want to spoil the book).
There is an excellent array of characters, each with their own individual quirks, and loads of them needing their own stories. This was a well-written contemporary romance, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. A long book with more than enough to sink your teeth into, I definitely recommend this book.
* 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!
Mar 26, 2018
This is a sweet and yet hot story, with Brett and Sophie actually getting together quite quickly as their shared attraction is off the charts. There is some angst in the book, but refreshingly enough it is not between Brett and Sophie, but Brett and someone else (who I won't say as I don't want to spoil the book).
There is an excellent array of characters, each with their own individual quirks, and loads of them needing their own stories. This was a well-written contemporary romance, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. A long book with more than enough to sink your teeth into, I definitely recommend this book.
* 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!
Mar 26, 2018
Night Reader Reviews (683 KP) rated A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash #2) in Books
Jan 25, 2022
Surprisingly Good *Not The Teen Novel It Is Made Out To Be....Adult Content*
So much like the first book in the series, this one has a lot of adult content. That's as far as the warning is going to go this time.
I was pleasantly surprised when I opened this book and found that the first sentence in this one was the last sentence in the previous book. The transition from one book to another was so flawless that they actually could just be part one and two of the same book.
Right away we join Poppy on her journey away from the Ascended and towards Atlantia and her uncertain future. Casteel and Poppy are slowly navigating their relationship and trying to establish where they stand with each other and how far they are willing to take things. This is hard to accomplish when it seems like every time they turn around they face one problem after another be it Ascended, Craven, Descenters, or even unhappy and nervous Atlantians and Wolven.
No punches are pulled (literally) in this second Blood and Ash novel. The twists and turns are just as surprising as in the first if not a bit more confusing than before. While it is not quite as good as the first one because it falls into the trap that many fantasy books do when there are battles and the description of them causes that battle to drag on. However, that did not take too much away from how enjoyable this book is.
I was pleasantly surprised when I opened this book and found that the first sentence in this one was the last sentence in the previous book. The transition from one book to another was so flawless that they actually could just be part one and two of the same book.
Right away we join Poppy on her journey away from the Ascended and towards Atlantia and her uncertain future. Casteel and Poppy are slowly navigating their relationship and trying to establish where they stand with each other and how far they are willing to take things. This is hard to accomplish when it seems like every time they turn around they face one problem after another be it Ascended, Craven, Descenters, or even unhappy and nervous Atlantians and Wolven.
No punches are pulled (literally) in this second Blood and Ash novel. The twists and turns are just as surprising as in the first if not a bit more confusing than before. While it is not quite as good as the first one because it falls into the trap that many fantasy books do when there are battles and the description of them causes that battle to drag on. However, that did not take too much away from how enjoyable this book is.
Merissa (12660 KP) rated The Freedom of Loving (Matters of the Heart #3) in Books
Feb 7, 2023
THE FREEDOM OF LOVING is the third book in the Matters of the Heart series and it's time for Jared and Sam to shine. Both of them appear in book 2 (Robert and Niall) and, this book runs concurrently in places, so I really would recommend you read at least that one first. I haven't read book 1 (Garrett and Presley) yet but it will be done, I promise you!
Jared is in a marriage of convenience... but not for much longer. He's put up with a lot from his wife but her latest trick is one step too far. Once his divorce is final, he'll be free to be with Sam, the man he has loved for years. Sam returns that love but refuses to be the other man. There is a little angst as Jared mistimes certain revelations but nothing too serious.
Oh, if anyone needs to be together, it's these two. The chemistry is there in spades on every page they share. But it's not all hot and heavy, it's full of emotions too. They are there for each other, and there for their found family, including horrible situations with parents that others simply may not understand.
I found the pacing to be perfect for their story. It moved along nicely without being bogged down anywhere. There isn't a single thing I would change. This is a hug-in-a-book 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jared is in a marriage of convenience... but not for much longer. He's put up with a lot from his wife but her latest trick is one step too far. Once his divorce is final, he'll be free to be with Sam, the man he has loved for years. Sam returns that love but refuses to be the other man. There is a little angst as Jared mistimes certain revelations but nothing too serious.
Oh, if anyone needs to be together, it's these two. The chemistry is there in spades on every page they share. But it's not all hot and heavy, it's full of emotions too. They are there for each other, and there for their found family, including horrible situations with parents that others simply may not understand.
I found the pacing to be perfect for their story. It moved along nicely without being bogged down anywhere. There isn't a single thing I would change. This is a hug-in-a-book 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!