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Merissa (14198 KP) rated The Lost Art of Seducing a Mage Warrior (The Lost Arts #1) in Books
May 9, 2025
THE LOST ART OF SEDUCING A MAGE WARRIOR is the first book in The Lost Arts series and does NOT give you everything all at once, which I loved!
Perian is a charismatic character, effortlessly drawing others to him. He is aware of this but doesn't weaponise it. When he is attacked by three men who don't understand that "No" is a complete sentence, he thinks his time is up. Instead, he is rescued by Brannal, a Mage Warrior, who takes him back to the Queen's castle to recover. If Perian is the sunshine one, then Brannal is the grumpy one, although this description doesn't fit either of them perfectly.
There are plenty of misunderstandings between Perian and Brannal, which I actually loved to read. They are at the beginning of a new relationship, with lots of things going on and different characters in the mix, so, surprisingly, they're not that good at communicating. When they do speak to each other, they both admit it is something they need to work on, and that neither of them will get it right all the time. It made a refreshing change to read that, rather than unnecessary angst.
The ending was satisfying for now, but I oh-so-desperately want more! Lots of loose threads that I want tying up! A great story and a brilliant beginning to the series. 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!
May 9, 2025
Perian is a charismatic character, effortlessly drawing others to him. He is aware of this but doesn't weaponise it. When he is attacked by three men who don't understand that "No" is a complete sentence, he thinks his time is up. Instead, he is rescued by Brannal, a Mage Warrior, who takes him back to the Queen's castle to recover. If Perian is the sunshine one, then Brannal is the grumpy one, although this description doesn't fit either of them perfectly.
There are plenty of misunderstandings between Perian and Brannal, which I actually loved to read. They are at the beginning of a new relationship, with lots of things going on and different characters in the mix, so, surprisingly, they're not that good at communicating. When they do speak to each other, they both admit it is something they need to work on, and that neither of them will get it right all the time. It made a refreshing change to read that, rather than unnecessary angst.
The ending was satisfying for now, but I oh-so-desperately want more! Lots of loose threads that I want tying up! A great story and a brilliant beginning to the series. 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!
May 9, 2025
Rival for Rent (Heartbreakers Anonymous #1)
Book
Rule #1: Don’t become a bodyguard to the kid you used to bully. Mason: In my defense, I didn’t...
Contemporary MM Romance Enemies to Lovers Bisexual Awakening Forced Proximity
Merissa (14198 KP) rated Camping with the Boss (Pride Summer Camp 2025) in Books
Jun 30, 2025
CAMPING WITH THE BOSS is part of the Pride Summer Camp 2025 series and can be read as a standalone.
Whilst this is a romance, it is also a mystery, all wrapped up nicely with a company retreat, and a little Daddy bow on the top. Canyon and River are struggling to keep their house and their car. River works for Wade Darian and has set up a retreat, but then he disappears. Wade is none too impressed, and Canyon ends up filling River's shoes. BUT there's more going on than just Wade and Canyon getting jiggy with it. Everyone's got secrets. Who will share first?
I thoroughly enjoyed this story! There is an abundance of smaller mysteries going on, such as who is stealing the desserts from the break room, and you get answers to all of them. Obviously, the big mystery is who is behind all the drama within the company. The answer to that one, when it came, didn't come as a surprise, but I don't think it was meant to.
I loved Wade and Canyon so much, but I also want to see Ander and Jared have their story. And maybe Jet and River too. You can see where I'm going with this, surely? Suffice it to say, this was a brilliant story with amazing characters that I hope to read more of in the future. 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!
Jun 30, 2025
Whilst this is a romance, it is also a mystery, all wrapped up nicely with a company retreat, and a little Daddy bow on the top. Canyon and River are struggling to keep their house and their car. River works for Wade Darian and has set up a retreat, but then he disappears. Wade is none too impressed, and Canyon ends up filling River's shoes. BUT there's more going on than just Wade and Canyon getting jiggy with it. Everyone's got secrets. Who will share first?
I thoroughly enjoyed this story! There is an abundance of smaller mysteries going on, such as who is stealing the desserts from the break room, and you get answers to all of them. Obviously, the big mystery is who is behind all the drama within the company. The answer to that one, when it came, didn't come as a surprise, but I don't think it was meant to.
I loved Wade and Canyon so much, but I also want to see Ander and Jared have their story. And maybe Jet and River too. You can see where I'm going with this, surely? Suffice it to say, this was a brilliant story with amazing characters that I hope to read more of in the future. 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!
Jun 30, 2025
Merissa (14198 KP) rated All the Devils are Here (The Wild Hunt #3) in Books
Dec 19, 2025
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE is the third in The Wild Hunt series, and we finally get Vlad and Grant's story. While fully invested in the others, I really wanted theirs!
And it was worth the wait! Let me tell you!! We find out more about Grant's past and how Vlad came to turn him. We see more of the non-communication and longing on both sides, before circumstances force a move. And we see Grant return to his hometown and bump into family. Not only that, but the overarching story continues with a twist you may or may not have seen coming.
The other Huntsmen are here too, but it is Asher and Quinn who spend the most time with Vlad and Grant in Margate. They are just as cute and funny as they ever were, but I appreciated the scenes with them in them.
Grant is the one who pieces things together, leading to an epilogue that will leave you wanting the next book immediately. The only trouble is, the release date mentioned is summer 2026, so I'm going to have to (im)patiently wait until then.
This series is a spin-off from the Monsters of London series, so there are crossover characters. I would suggest reading both for the fullest enjoyment, or at least the first two in this series. Absolutely brilliant and 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!
Dec 19, 2025
And it was worth the wait! Let me tell you!! We find out more about Grant's past and how Vlad came to turn him. We see more of the non-communication and longing on both sides, before circumstances force a move. And we see Grant return to his hometown and bump into family. Not only that, but the overarching story continues with a twist you may or may not have seen coming.
The other Huntsmen are here too, but it is Asher and Quinn who spend the most time with Vlad and Grant in Margate. They are just as cute and funny as they ever were, but I appreciated the scenes with them in them.
Grant is the one who pieces things together, leading to an epilogue that will leave you wanting the next book immediately. The only trouble is, the release date mentioned is summer 2026, so I'm going to have to (im)patiently wait until then.
This series is a spin-off from the Monsters of London series, so there are crossover characters. I would suggest reading both for the fullest enjoyment, or at least the first two in this series. Absolutely brilliant and 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!
Dec 19, 2025
Alive By Proxy: A Lawyer On the Run (Proxy Legal Thriller Series #3)
Book
Quinton Bell built his second life on one rule: hide in plain sight. In Houston, he is a...
Legal Thriller
Merissa (14198 KP) rated Hooked On You (EMS Station 1 #1) in Books
Feb 24, 2025
HOOKED ON YOU is the first book in the EMS Station 1 series and we begin with Connor, a paramedic, and Judah, the owner of a yarn shop. Connor suffers from GAD (General Anxiety Disorder) and his co-worker has suggested he learns to knit in order to help with that. Being as she's pregnant, he decides he will knit her a baby blanket. This brings him into contact with Judah and the attraction is there immediately, although Connor thinks he is straight, so there's that.
Both Connor and Judah were brilliant characters and I loved how their personalities complemented each other. I can say I didn't like Seb much though. Yes, he's supposed to be this happy-go-lucky kinda guy but he was also completely clueless and sometimes caused hurt where he didn't mean to but just didn't think.
I really enjoyed this story! It was so well written and I loved how although they both were attracted to each other, their friendship grew first. It felt very natural in the build-up to more, and both of their reactions afterwards made perfect sense. I think 'natural' would be my word for this book because not everything was easy but it wasn't with unnecessary angst either.
A great read by a new-to-me author. I give this book 4.5 stars and definitely recommend it.
** 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 24, 2025
Both Connor and Judah were brilliant characters and I loved how their personalities complemented each other. I can say I didn't like Seb much though. Yes, he's supposed to be this happy-go-lucky kinda guy but he was also completely clueless and sometimes caused hurt where he didn't mean to but just didn't think.
I really enjoyed this story! It was so well written and I loved how although they both were attracted to each other, their friendship grew first. It felt very natural in the build-up to more, and both of their reactions afterwards made perfect sense. I think 'natural' would be my word for this book because not everything was easy but it wasn't with unnecessary angst either.
A great read by a new-to-me author. I give this book 4.5 stars and definitely recommend it.
** 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 24, 2025
Absolution
9.0
Rate It
Book
Ten years after the publication of Annihilation, the surprise fourth volume in Jeff VanderMeer’s...
Weird Fiction Speculative fiction
Merissa (14198 KP) rated Omega Captive of the Golden Dragon (Alpha Dragons #3) in Books
Aug 20, 2025
OMEGA CAPTIVE OF THE GOLDEN DRAGON is the third book in the Alpha Dragons series, but it can easily be read as a standalone.
It is a sweet, slow-burning story that doesn't start off so well for either of our main characters. At nineteen, Caylen finds out he is a set-omega in a wolf pack, which means he will be sold. Varik, however, has it even worse. He is a golden dragon, who are hunted for their scales. Instead of protecting him, his parents keep him in a cage and forcibly take his scales. This goes on for years, until he is rescued by his brother. It is his brother also also rescues/buys Caylen and brings the two of them together.
This is full of emotions, and my heart broke along with Caylen's at one point in the story. Actually, at more than one point, but you get my meaning. It is steamy in places where it needs to be, but mostly it is about the connection between Caylen, Varik, and Varikan.
Smoothly written with a fast-ish pace, this was a brilliant read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The epilogue was perfect, and I enjoyed the snapshot into their later lives. Although dealing with some not-so-nice topics to begin with, this book gave me the warm fuzzies. 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!
Aug 20, 2025
It is a sweet, slow-burning story that doesn't start off so well for either of our main characters. At nineteen, Caylen finds out he is a set-omega in a wolf pack, which means he will be sold. Varik, however, has it even worse. He is a golden dragon, who are hunted for their scales. Instead of protecting him, his parents keep him in a cage and forcibly take his scales. This goes on for years, until he is rescued by his brother. It is his brother also also rescues/buys Caylen and brings the two of them together.
This is full of emotions, and my heart broke along with Caylen's at one point in the story. Actually, at more than one point, but you get my meaning. It is steamy in places where it needs to be, but mostly it is about the connection between Caylen, Varik, and Varikan.
Smoothly written with a fast-ish pace, this was a brilliant read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The epilogue was perfect, and I enjoyed the snapshot into their later lives. Although dealing with some not-so-nice topics to begin with, this book gave me the warm fuzzies. 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!
Aug 20, 2025
Merissa (14198 KP) rated Seeing Death (The Augur #1) in Books
Sep 9, 2025
SEEING DEATH is the first book in The Augur series, and we begin with Bryn on the eve of his 18th birthday. The world has changed from how we know it, and now a gene changes in some people at the exact time they turn eighteen. Bryn thinks he's okay as he just has a headache, but it all goes belly-up when it turns out to be a rare gene. Gunnar is a lupine detective who gets seconded to be Bryn's partner when Bryn finishes his three years of training.
The slow-burning relationship between these two is simply magnificent! They start as strangers, but quickly become more, without anything happening. They tease each other in a way that made me laugh out loud more than once. Not only them, but you also have Warden and Emmett. The relationship between all four of them is perfect, and Talbot is there for a dose of sweetness in case you need it. You also have Agent Bell, who has a dry wit and works well with Gunnar and Bryn.
The story is left wide open, although this instalment comes to a satisfactory conclusion for now. Gunnar and Bryn have now kissed. Warden is subtly staking his claim. And I want more! From all of them! This was a brilliant introduction to their world, and I can't wait to return to it. 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!
Sep 9, 2025
The slow-burning relationship between these two is simply magnificent! They start as strangers, but quickly become more, without anything happening. They tease each other in a way that made me laugh out loud more than once. Not only them, but you also have Warden and Emmett. The relationship between all four of them is perfect, and Talbot is there for a dose of sweetness in case you need it. You also have Agent Bell, who has a dry wit and works well with Gunnar and Bryn.
The story is left wide open, although this instalment comes to a satisfactory conclusion for now. Gunnar and Bryn have now kissed. Warden is subtly staking his claim. And I want more! From all of them! This was a brilliant introduction to their world, and I can't wait to return to it. 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!
Sep 9, 2025
Merissa (14198 KP) rated The Cowboy and the Rascal (Farthingdale Valley #1) in Books
Mar 29, 2023
THE COWBOY AND THE RASCAL is the first book in the Farthingdale Valley series, a spin-off from Farthingdale Ranch. Leland, Maddy, Quint, Jasper, and Ellis all make an appearance, which I loved, but the main story is about Gabe and Blaze. Gabe is Team Lead on Leland's new project and Blaze is a parolee.
Gabe is slow to anger and prepared to accept anyone - if they are prepared to work. Kurt, Wayne, Tom, and Blaze make up his first crew and they're a mixed bag to be sure. I'm not going to say what happens with the others apart from I really hope Wayne has his story told. He intrigued me!
Back to Gabe and Blaze - their relationship is a slow-build but consistent. Gabe has his doubts because of the 'rules and regulations' of who he is and what they're doing, but no doubts about Blaze himself. Nope, it's Blaze who can't see that Gabe wants him for him, that he will ever be good enough for Gabe. Jasper is Gabe's friend and, having been through a similar situation, helps Gabe find the right answers.
I loved being back in Farthingdale, whether it's Ranch or Valley, I really don't care. Gabe and Blaze get a HFN ending so I'm really hoping to see more of them as the series progresses. A brilliant start and one I 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!
Gabe is slow to anger and prepared to accept anyone - if they are prepared to work. Kurt, Wayne, Tom, and Blaze make up his first crew and they're a mixed bag to be sure. I'm not going to say what happens with the others apart from I really hope Wayne has his story told. He intrigued me!
Back to Gabe and Blaze - their relationship is a slow-build but consistent. Gabe has his doubts because of the 'rules and regulations' of who he is and what they're doing, but no doubts about Blaze himself. Nope, it's Blaze who can't see that Gabe wants him for him, that he will ever be good enough for Gabe. Jasper is Gabe's friend and, having been through a similar situation, helps Gabe find the right answers.
I loved being back in Farthingdale, whether it's Ranch or Valley, I really don't care. Gabe and Blaze get a HFN ending so I'm really hoping to see more of them as the series progresses. A brilliant start and one I 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!