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Merissa (13115 KP) rated Forsaken Fate (Forsaken Destiny #2) in Books
Jan 29, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)
FORSAKEN FATE is the second book in the Forsaken Destiny series and we continue with Echo. She is getting used to the idea of having multiple mates and, so long as she can still hide from dear old dad, she's not too bothered. Until she is reminded that mate number 4 could well be telling dear old dad exactly where she is. So the 'bleep' hits the fan, big time.
Tyler is still my number one guy and I'm SO happy about what happened, for him! He doesn't belong in a stony prison, so YEY, Tyler!!! But I have to say, coming in at number 2 is Xzavier. Oh, I do so love a confused male!
The pacing of this book is fast and furious, with some exceedingly funny bits in there too. There is one scene that brought a smile to my face simply because I know the feeling all too well! Talk about making me laugh!
Anyhoo, perfect pacing, an intriguing storyline with amazing characters - it really couldn't be anything else than a Maya Daniels novel. Absolutely recommended. Bring it on, Forsaken Heart!!
* 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!
Jan 28, 2021
Tyler is still my number one guy and I'm SO happy about what happened, for him! He doesn't belong in a stony prison, so YEY, Tyler!!! But I have to say, coming in at number 2 is Xzavier. Oh, I do so love a confused male!
The pacing of this book is fast and furious, with some exceedingly funny bits in there too. There is one scene that brought a smile to my face simply because I know the feeling all too well! Talk about making me laugh!
Anyhoo, perfect pacing, an intriguing storyline with amazing characters - it really couldn't be anything else than a Maya Daniels novel. Absolutely recommended. Bring it on, Forsaken Heart!!
* 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!
Jan 28, 2021
Merissa (13115 KP) rated Forsaken Dream (Forsaken Destiny #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2020 (Updated Aug 8, 2023)
FORSAKEN DREAM is the first book in the Forsaken Destiny series and we start off with Echo. She is a Seelie Princess with a betrothed she has no interest in. Plus, she doesn't want to be puppet her father wants her to be. So she leaves and hides in the human realm. Sixty years later, trouble arrives in the form of three mates...
Echo is exactly the kind of female you expect from a Maya Daniels novel. She is strong and feisty, certainly not the kind of female to just accept and obey. Out of the three males, Tyler is my favourite so far. There is something so endearing about the 'Hulk'. Only trouble is, I couldn't pick him out of the book cover! Still, the three males are working out nicely together but a spanner was thrown in the works right at the end. I can't say it was a surprise but I look forward to seeing how it all works out.
This was a great start to a new series with a small cast of characters that I look forward to reading about. 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!
Dec 17, 2020
Echo is exactly the kind of female you expect from a Maya Daniels novel. She is strong and feisty, certainly not the kind of female to just accept and obey. Out of the three males, Tyler is my favourite so far. There is something so endearing about the 'Hulk'. Only trouble is, I couldn't pick him out of the book cover! Still, the three males are working out nicely together but a spanner was thrown in the works right at the end. I can't say it was a surprise but I look forward to seeing how it all works out.
This was a great start to a new series with a small cast of characters that I look forward to reading about. 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!
Dec 17, 2020
Merissa (13115 KP) rated Fated Mates: an MM Paranormal Romance Charity Anthology in Books
Aug 23, 2023
Part of Fated Mates: an MM Paranormal Romance Charity Anthology!
One thing I love about J.P. Sayle stories is that she comes up with different shifters and problems. For instance, in A SCENT LIKE NO OTHER, Pierre is a skunk shifter and has faulty anal glands. Now, hand on heart, I can honestly say I've never read about either of those before. I'm just glad he wasn't called Pepé! 😁
Along with Pierre, we have Eliphas, a mage who works well with his ancestors' crystals, as well as being an amazing tattoo artist, specialising in protection. Pierre knows they are a triad, but it comes as a shock to Eli. This leads to cross-purposes, as Eli isn't sure he'd be happy with a third, not when he has Pierre. But Pierre has always known and, now he's got Eli, he wants to know when they'll meet their third. This leads to Pierre doing a spell without Eli's knowledge, which opens a whole can of worms he wasn't expecting.
A great introduction to these two characters, and I look forward to reading more.
** 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!
Aug 23, 2023
One thing I love about J.P. Sayle stories is that she comes up with different shifters and problems. For instance, in A SCENT LIKE NO OTHER, Pierre is a skunk shifter and has faulty anal glands. Now, hand on heart, I can honestly say I've never read about either of those before. I'm just glad he wasn't called Pepé! 😁
Along with Pierre, we have Eliphas, a mage who works well with his ancestors' crystals, as well as being an amazing tattoo artist, specialising in protection. Pierre knows they are a triad, but it comes as a shock to Eli. This leads to cross-purposes, as Eli isn't sure he'd be happy with a third, not when he has Pierre. But Pierre has always known and, now he's got Eli, he wants to know when they'll meet their third. This leads to Pierre doing a spell without Eli's knowledge, which opens a whole can of worms he wasn't expecting.
A great introduction to these two characters, and I look forward to reading more.
** 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!
Aug 23, 2023
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Pink Lemonade Cake Murder in Books
Sep 5, 2023
Three Strikes, You’re Dead
Summer has come to Lake Eden, and Hannah is excited to be hosting the snack booth at the baseball tournament in Lake Eden, debuting her new pink lemonade themed desserts. One of the celebrity participants is Bernie “No-No” Fulton, a local who pitch part of a season for the Twins. But when Hannah’s mother finds No-No’s body under the bleachers, Hannah has a new mystery to solve. After all, Delores had a reason to dislike the man, so Hannah’s mother is a suspect. Can Hannah figure out who wanted him out permanently?
Once again, fans of the series will know what to expect. The mystery is decent, but the story is padded with lots of talk about food, even for a culinary cozy. And the sub-plot involving Mike slows down the beginning of the story. I also had a hard time buying how the police deal with Hannah’s sleuthing in this book. And yet, I still do like checking in on the characters, and the recipes sound delicious as always. The cliffhanger makes it obvious we are back in the soap opera territory I had hoped we’d left behind. If you are curious about the series, start with the early books to see why so many people read it.
Once again, fans of the series will know what to expect. The mystery is decent, but the story is padded with lots of talk about food, even for a culinary cozy. And the sub-plot involving Mike slows down the beginning of the story. I also had a hard time buying how the police deal with Hannah’s sleuthing in this book. And yet, I still do like checking in on the characters, and the recipes sound delicious as always. The cliffhanger makes it obvious we are back in the soap opera territory I had hoped we’d left behind. If you are curious about the series, start with the early books to see why so many people read it.
Merissa (13115 KP) rated The Water King's Bride (The Descendants #2) in Books
Oct 12, 2022
THE WATER KING'S BRIDE is the second book in The Descendants series and follows directly on from book one, so I definitely recommend you read that first!
Heidi and Isaiah have stopped their constant bickering from book one as they both realise they have feelings for the other. That has to take a backseat though, as Heidi is desperate to find her father and missing people. We meet a multitude of new characters and reunite with some old ones, although whether that's a good thing remains to be seen.
As with book one, this is just as fast-paced and it is full of action. Whilst it fits with the story, I would like to see more about the characters, their backgrounds, the world they live in. Sometimes, it feels as though it's a spin-off from another series, one that explains about TimeKeepers, etc.
Saying that, this was a brilliant addition to the series that kept my attention and had me turning the pages. A fantastic story and I can't wait to see what happens next.
** 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!
Heidi and Isaiah have stopped their constant bickering from book one as they both realise they have feelings for the other. That has to take a backseat though, as Heidi is desperate to find her father and missing people. We meet a multitude of new characters and reunite with some old ones, although whether that's a good thing remains to be seen.
As with book one, this is just as fast-paced and it is full of action. Whilst it fits with the story, I would like to see more about the characters, their backgrounds, the world they live in. Sometimes, it feels as though it's a spin-off from another series, one that explains about TimeKeepers, etc.
Saying that, this was a brilliant addition to the series that kept my attention and had me turning the pages. A fantastic story and I can't wait to see what happens next.
** 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!
Merissa (13115 KP) rated Wulfgang (Bad Oak Boys #3) in Books
May 20, 2023
Silas needs a break from the rock n roll lifestyle of Bad Oak, so he decides to go back to his teaching roots for the summer and leave all the werewolf madness behind him. What he doesn't realise is that Wulfgang is about to make an appearance in his life, and that means a BIG change, in more ways than one.
I loved the fact that Silas is a calm character who accepts who he is and what has occurred. Too many times, the story is taken over the with angst of changing, whereas this story was able to concentrate on bringing a broken pack together and making it stronger, the politics that Bardulf is dealing with, and the dangers of aconite to the wolves.
This is a smoothly-paced and exceedingly well-written story, full of love, humour and angst, with characters that are well-rounded and delightful. If I had one warning about this book, it would be not to read the last few chapters in an airport, where people look at you strangely when you start crying! Absolutely and definitely recommended!
* 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!
Feb 15, 2016
I loved the fact that Silas is a calm character who accepts who he is and what has occurred. Too many times, the story is taken over the with angst of changing, whereas this story was able to concentrate on bringing a broken pack together and making it stronger, the politics that Bardulf is dealing with, and the dangers of aconite to the wolves.
This is a smoothly-paced and exceedingly well-written story, full of love, humour and angst, with characters that are well-rounded and delightful. If I had one warning about this book, it would be not to read the last few chapters in an airport, where people look at you strangely when you start crying! Absolutely and definitely recommended!
* 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!
Feb 15, 2016
Merissa (13115 KP) rated Eeny Meeny by Laura N. Andrews in Books
Jun 15, 2022 (Updated Jun 19, 2023)
EENY MEENY is a standalone novella in the Nursery Crimes series. I have to say, this is the first time I've read about a psychopath as the main GOOD character!
Honestly? This novella was brilliant. Originally, I planned on giving 4-stars but then I realised that there is nothing wrong with the story as it is. It's just me being greedy, wanting a full-blown novel. Of course, with it being a novella, the pacing is fast and the emotional connection between the main characters is pretty much instant, but still!
This is a complete story, including details of Elizabeth's childhood, her relationship with her mum, and her feelings for Isaac. She may not have the full scope of emotions but she loves him with all that she is. And that is enough! You also find out about those she targets and why. It really is all here.
Ms Andrews' writing never disappoints! Very different to what she's written previously, she nevertheless nailed it. Very different and I loved every word. 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 8, 2022
Honestly? This novella was brilliant. Originally, I planned on giving 4-stars but then I realised that there is nothing wrong with the story as it is. It's just me being greedy, wanting a full-blown novel. Of course, with it being a novella, the pacing is fast and the emotional connection between the main characters is pretty much instant, but still!
This is a complete story, including details of Elizabeth's childhood, her relationship with her mum, and her feelings for Isaac. She may not have the full scope of emotions but she loves him with all that she is. And that is enough! You also find out about those she targets and why. It really is all here.
Ms Andrews' writing never disappoints! Very different to what she's written previously, she nevertheless nailed it. Very different and I loved every word. 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 8, 2022
Debbiereadsbook (1478 KP) rated A Sucker For Christmas in Books
Jan 19, 2024
its about the emotions between these two.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I love JP Sayle, you know I do, and I LOVED the Tangled Tentacles series, with the kraken and their arms, so I was expecting to love this book too, even if Fitch is an octopus, rather than a kraken.
But for me, I found it a little . . .flat . . maybe?? I dunno WHY I didn't love it, and I can't get my bloody book brain to spill its secrets, so I can't explain what was up with it! I'll just write what I did like and be done, ok??
I liked that Fitch, at 4 years old, knew that Shaun would be his. I liked that Fitch waited for Shaun to get with the feelings programme. I liked that they both have a say.
I did love Shaun's sister, Mandy, and what she did. She loves her brothers, plural, for she included Fitch in the number, and she wanted them both to be happy. Sneaky!
It has some steam, but I didn't think it was as smexy as some other Sayle books. It was more about the emotions between these two, and finally admitting who you wanted to be with!
3 good stars, and I'm so sorry I didn't love it!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
I love JP Sayle, you know I do, and I LOVED the Tangled Tentacles series, with the kraken and their arms, so I was expecting to love this book too, even if Fitch is an octopus, rather than a kraken.
But for me, I found it a little . . .flat . . maybe?? I dunno WHY I didn't love it, and I can't get my bloody book brain to spill its secrets, so I can't explain what was up with it! I'll just write what I did like and be done, ok??
I liked that Fitch, at 4 years old, knew that Shaun would be his. I liked that Fitch waited for Shaun to get with the feelings programme. I liked that they both have a say.
I did love Shaun's sister, Mandy, and what she did. She loves her brothers, plural, for she included Fitch in the number, and she wanted them both to be happy. Sneaky!
It has some steam, but I didn't think it was as smexy as some other Sayle books. It was more about the emotions between these two, and finally admitting who you wanted to be with!
3 good stars, and I'm so sorry I didn't love it!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Merissa (13115 KP) rated Mr Collins in Love in Books
Aug 1, 2025
MR COLLINS IN LOVE is a genteel story that begins a few months before the better-known story of Pride and Prejudice. In here, we learn more about Mr Collins and his patroness, Lady Catherine. He is not one of the nicest characters in P&P, so I was a little dubious about reading this.
I'm happy to say I was wrong! Lee Welch has written his character in a way that makes you sympathise with him. He is basically cast adrift in a world he doesn't fully understand. The insinuation that he is on the spectrum comes across loud and clear, and trust me, it does make sense!
Charlotte (Miss Lucas) and his childhood friend, Jem, are both there to help him find his way and give him the life he needs. It's not exactly a romance, so don't expect too much. Instead, it shows a deep and tender love that Mr Collins is not even aware of, even though he fears its loss.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from this author.
** 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!
Aug 1, 2025
I'm happy to say I was wrong! Lee Welch has written his character in a way that makes you sympathise with him. He is basically cast adrift in a world he doesn't fully understand. The insinuation that he is on the spectrum comes across loud and clear, and trust me, it does make sense!
Charlotte (Miss Lucas) and his childhood friend, Jem, are both there to help him find his way and give him the life he needs. It's not exactly a romance, so don't expect too much. Instead, it shows a deep and tender love that Mr Collins is not even aware of, even though he fears its loss.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from this author.
** 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!
Aug 1, 2025
Ali A (82 KP) rated I Must Betray You in Books
Feb 7, 2022
Trigger Warnings: blackmailing, manipulation, revolution, shooting, police brutality, government oppression
Set in late 1989 communist Romania, 17-year-old Cristian is forced to become an informer by the secret police in exchange to help his family. While he deals with the guilt and paranoia of being an informer, Cristian also risks everything to let the world know what is happening in Romania. But what is the cost of the revolution?
As usual, another section of history I didn’t really know anything about until Ruta Sepetys wrote a book about it and now I’ll be doing a ton of research about it this weekend. I was in middle school and high school in the 2000s, so I kind of understand why I probably never really learned much about this if they didn’t unseal files for 15 years… though I do remember learning about Nadia Comăneci leaving the country? But I don’t remember Nicolae Ceaușescu or the horrors of his regime.
Rita Sepetys is one of my favorite authors - if she writes it, I know I’m going to read it, get immersed in a new part of history I probably wasn’t aware of, and learn something new. I know Sepetys does a ton of research on each of her books, and this one is no different. She lets you know it is a work of fiction, but that a ton of research went into the novel and then she lists resources at the end of the book. Knowing how much research was done for this and matching it with a narrator who captivates the readers - I couldn’t put this book down.
The chapters were mostly short and a quick read, but that matched with the franticness of Cristian’s life. You slowly see his eyes opening to the fact that what his country is doing to him and his countrymen is not right and how much they had been lied to to keep them in line. You felt the same suspension he felt as he tried to figure out who he could really trust.
Please read this book (and other titles by Sepetys as well) and learn about an aspect of history that most likely wasn’t taught much in school in a way that’s well written and well researched.
Set in late 1989 communist Romania, 17-year-old Cristian is forced to become an informer by the secret police in exchange to help his family. While he deals with the guilt and paranoia of being an informer, Cristian also risks everything to let the world know what is happening in Romania. But what is the cost of the revolution?
As usual, another section of history I didn’t really know anything about until Ruta Sepetys wrote a book about it and now I’ll be doing a ton of research about it this weekend. I was in middle school and high school in the 2000s, so I kind of understand why I probably never really learned much about this if they didn’t unseal files for 15 years… though I do remember learning about Nadia Comăneci leaving the country? But I don’t remember Nicolae Ceaușescu or the horrors of his regime.
Rita Sepetys is one of my favorite authors - if she writes it, I know I’m going to read it, get immersed in a new part of history I probably wasn’t aware of, and learn something new. I know Sepetys does a ton of research on each of her books, and this one is no different. She lets you know it is a work of fiction, but that a ton of research went into the novel and then she lists resources at the end of the book. Knowing how much research was done for this and matching it with a narrator who captivates the readers - I couldn’t put this book down.
The chapters were mostly short and a quick read, but that matched with the franticness of Cristian’s life. You slowly see his eyes opening to the fact that what his country is doing to him and his countrymen is not right and how much they had been lied to to keep them in line. You felt the same suspension he felt as he tried to figure out who he could really trust.
Please read this book (and other titles by Sepetys as well) and learn about an aspect of history that most likely wasn’t taught much in school in a way that’s well written and well researched.