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Merissa (12051 KP) rated A Little Christmas: Jacob in Books
Dec 14, 2022
A LITTLE CHRISTMAS: JACOB tells the sad story of Jacob being passed from pillar to post from birth. Sent off to Boarding School at a young age, he never saw his father again. Things went as well as can be expected for him at school until his father got arrested. Then the Headmistress really comes into her own and Jacob ends up being kicked to the curb on Christmas Day when he turns eighteen. Luckily for him, after a rocky time, Richard finds him and saves his life. Under Richard's care and guidance, Jacob realises just who and what he is.
I did enjoy this story and found it to be a great addition to the Little Christmas series but it just didn't work as well for me as some of the others. Jacob was definitely broken and Richard was the one to mend him, with plenty of loving care. There was something about Jacob that didn't sit right with me whereas I found Richard to be a sweetie.
The pacing is smooth with some tender and hot scenes. I think this is the first book by this author I have read and I will definitely read some more. I don't know what it was about Jacob that didn't work, but it certainly hasn't put me off this author or Daddy/littles. 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!
I did enjoy this story and found it to be a great addition to the Little Christmas series but it just didn't work as well for me as some of the others. Jacob was definitely broken and Richard was the one to mend him, with plenty of loving care. There was something about Jacob that didn't sit right with me whereas I found Richard to be a sweetie.
The pacing is smooth with some tender and hot scenes. I think this is the first book by this author I have read and I will definitely read some more. I don't know what it was about Jacob that didn't work, but it certainly hasn't put me off this author or Daddy/littles. 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!
Not If I See You First
8.0
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The Rules Don't deceive me. Ever. Especially using my blindness. Especially in public. Don't...
Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Debbiereadsbook (1197 KP) rated Hot Conduit (Hot Under the Collar #2) in Books
Feb 6, 2024
so steamy once they decide to act on their attraction!
I was gifted my copy of this book, direct from the author.
This is book 2 in the Hot Under the Collar series, and it can totally be read as a stand alone. HOWEVER, I loved book 1, Sweat Connection, like LOVED IT, so I strongly recommend you read that book as well. Not necessary, but my personal opinion.
Taken from the review I wrote for book one:
I'm not rehashing the blurb, and I'm not telling you the story, I'ma just gonna jump straight in!
READ THIS FREAKING BOOK, PEOPLE!
Again, I'm jumping straight in, cos I bloody loved this book!
Theo and Lex have chemistry, right from the start, but the major dislike for each other takes centre stage for a time. Once they click on the app, all bets are off.
I loved that Lex, once he knew about them, made an effort to ease Theo's issues with germs. Like he took wet wipes for Theo to clean the table at the diner. I loved those little things he did.
There is steam here, so much steam. Once they decide to act of the attraction, it flies hawt off the charts! But emotional too. Theo is dealing with his past exes, and Lex had his heart broken. But they get there, they really do.
I loved the goat yoga! I could see that happening, it was so much fun!
I loved book one, and I loved this one too. I can't wait for book 3!
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Hot Under the Collar series, and it can totally be read as a stand alone. HOWEVER, I loved book 1, Sweat Connection, like LOVED IT, so I strongly recommend you read that book as well. Not necessary, but my personal opinion.
Taken from the review I wrote for book one:
I'm not rehashing the blurb, and I'm not telling you the story, I'ma just gonna jump straight in!
READ THIS FREAKING BOOK, PEOPLE!
Again, I'm jumping straight in, cos I bloody loved this book!
Theo and Lex have chemistry, right from the start, but the major dislike for each other takes centre stage for a time. Once they click on the app, all bets are off.
I loved that Lex, once he knew about them, made an effort to ease Theo's issues with germs. Like he took wet wipes for Theo to clean the table at the diner. I loved those little things he did.
There is steam here, so much steam. Once they decide to act of the attraction, it flies hawt off the charts! But emotional too. Theo is dealing with his past exes, and Lex had his heart broken. But they get there, they really do.
I loved the goat yoga! I could see that happening, it was so much fun!
I loved book one, and I loved this one too. I can't wait for book 3!
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Driving Me to You in Books
Dec 17, 2018
This heart-warming story is based around only a few characters but trust me when I say with characters this full of life, you don't need many. Sam has just come back from India after being severely ill but it has changed how she views life and she has a lot of ideas on how to share this with others. Verlaine is down on his luck after being out of work for four months and has applied for his dream job - renovating classic cars. Gemma is struggling to keep the business her late father started afloat and has asked (but paying for) the help of an old friend, Marcus. Marcus is Sam's ex-boyfriend but he has decided that he will have her back, after all, who could resist him? And then you have Paul and Scott, a couple that definitely belong together, that complement each other and work well together. The one you don't hear much of is Jack, Verlaine's flat mate, who seems a bit grumpy but that is understandable as he is worried about where they will live if things don't work out between Verlaine and the boss' sister! So there are the characters, let the story commence.
This story is full of bumps and bends as Sam and Verlaine learn about each other, make friends with each other and the others in the small circle, and let the sparks fly between them. Sam is also trying to find a way of mending her relationship with Gemma, is it really broken beyond repair? The things you find out about Marcus will make your toes curl but I won't say whether that's in a good or bad way.
The thing that I love about Julie Farrell's stories is that although you have the main characters, you also get taken along on the side stories of the other characters. This makes the book simply a delight to read and they are never boring! They are realistic but not depressing. Julie's heroines have backbone, a sense of humour and wit, and yes, slightly kooky in a good way. Her hero's are not perfect, they have their flaws which just makes them more loveable.
If you are looking for a modern romance with a hint of suspense and mystery, then check out this book. I honestly can't see how you would be disappointed.
This story is full of bumps and bends as Sam and Verlaine learn about each other, make friends with each other and the others in the small circle, and let the sparks fly between them. Sam is also trying to find a way of mending her relationship with Gemma, is it really broken beyond repair? The things you find out about Marcus will make your toes curl but I won't say whether that's in a good or bad way.
The thing that I love about Julie Farrell's stories is that although you have the main characters, you also get taken along on the side stories of the other characters. This makes the book simply a delight to read and they are never boring! They are realistic but not depressing. Julie's heroines have backbone, a sense of humour and wit, and yes, slightly kooky in a good way. Her hero's are not perfect, they have their flaws which just makes them more loveable.
If you are looking for a modern romance with a hint of suspense and mystery, then check out this book. I honestly can't see how you would be disappointed.
James Bagshaw recommended track Trouble by The Music Machine in Ultimate Turn On by The Music Machine in Music (curated)
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Splintered (Reflections, #3) in Books
Apr 4, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
Okay, so Broken was written from Adri's point of view and Torn was from Alec's perspective. Splintered is from both of them and revolves less around their relationship than the pack relationship as a whole. This series is so hard to put down! I love that in these books there actually is a pack hierarchy. It isn't just all friends together. There is a reason for each member and a dominant needs to have submissives around. Splintered leads you deeper into the world of the pack and just what is involved in leading one and also just being a member of one.
The characters continue to grow and change. Old characters strengthen - Adri is really starting to find out who she is. It isn't all plain sailing though, far from it. And there is an argument in the book between her and her mum that is long overdue in my opinion. I can't wait to see where it goes from here.
As Adri finds her strength, Alec finds his vulnerabilities. He has decisions to make and things to do that affect the whole pack and the humans associated with them. Is this easy? No. But he does it anyway because it is the lesser of two evils. I won't say more than that and ruin it for anyone else. I will say though that Adri and Alec are fast becoming my favourite, most well-balanced couple!
We have new characters pop up in this book too but, like with any of these books, things aren't always as they seem. I need to know more about Oblivion but once again, I won't won't say more than that. *wicked LOL*
There is a twist at the end of the book that some reviewers have been disappointed in. I wasn't, in any way, shape or form. This is part of a series, not stand-alone books, and as such I expect the story to carry on unfolding in the books that follow this one. I love that Dean Murray has done it this way and it is yet another way in which this book differs from the majority.
Once again, definitely recommended for all fans of paranormal, urban, fantasy, YA.
* 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!
August 28, 2016
The characters continue to grow and change. Old characters strengthen - Adri is really starting to find out who she is. It isn't all plain sailing though, far from it. And there is an argument in the book between her and her mum that is long overdue in my opinion. I can't wait to see where it goes from here.
As Adri finds her strength, Alec finds his vulnerabilities. He has decisions to make and things to do that affect the whole pack and the humans associated with them. Is this easy? No. But he does it anyway because it is the lesser of two evils. I won't say more than that and ruin it for anyone else. I will say though that Adri and Alec are fast becoming my favourite, most well-balanced couple!
We have new characters pop up in this book too but, like with any of these books, things aren't always as they seem. I need to know more about Oblivion but once again, I won't won't say more than that. *wicked LOL*
There is a twist at the end of the book that some reviewers have been disappointed in. I wasn't, in any way, shape or form. This is part of a series, not stand-alone books, and as such I expect the story to carry on unfolding in the books that follow this one. I love that Dean Murray has done it this way and it is yet another way in which this book differs from the majority.
Once again, definitely recommended for all fans of paranormal, urban, fantasy, YA.
* 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!
August 28, 2016
Darren (1599 KP) rated Marauders (2016) in Movies
Jul 25, 2019
Story: Marauders starts when a bank robbery which leaves the bank manager executed, the president of the bank Hubert (Willis) has an excellent reputation and with the FBI investigating the robbery, Montgomery (Meloni) and his team Stockwell (Bautista) and newbie Wells (Grenier) try to put the clues together.
When the second heist happens, the fingers start pointing back at Hubert and a bigger conspiracy comes to the top with connection to a previous incident.
Thoughts on Marauders
Characters – Hubert is the bank president, he has always kept the face that the bank puts their customers first, but when his banks start getting robbed, he must deal with the fingers pointing back at him. Montgomery is the lead investigating from the FBI trying to get to the bottom of the heists, he has his own demons which haunt him everyday after the death of his wife and will not stop until he learns the truth. Stockwell is Montgomery’s trusted second, he is the tired cop figure, he is good at his job and hates people getting in his way. Wells is the rookie agent, with the qualifications to make him the best, he gets the jobs the others don’t want to do, while noticing things they miss.
Performances – The performances in the movie are mixed, we know that Bruce Willis is mostly mailing it in and it is a strange role for him. Christopher Meloni is the star of this movie, the determination and broken side of his character makes him stand out. Dave Bautista does get the funniest lines, some hit or than others, while Adrian Grenier starts strong but fades away in the biggest scenes of the middle of the movie.
Story – The story follows the effects of a brutal heist, the FBI must investigate the heist which brings us into the new web of conspiracies which could bring down a political powerhouse. This a story which does keep us guessing from start to finish, which is something I was surprised to see, as I thought this would be a lot messier. The positive of keeping us guessing, does leave the bigger question about just why the heists needed to be as brutal as they were because of certain injuries or deaths not needing to happen for the cause.
Action/Crime/Mystery – The action is brutal and often in your face when it comes to the gun sequences, the crime side of the film comes from the heists and just what they are aiming to achieve from the heists. The mystery is what draws us in because we don’t know what is happening which keeps us invested throughout.
Settings – The film is set in the city which shows how the panic of the robberies starts flying around we see how things get out of hand.
Scene of the Movie – The heists do feel very intense, which I did like.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – The last sequence.
Final Thoughts – This was a surprisingly entertaining film, having no expectations going in, this did become intense and kept you guessing even if things unravel in the final scene.
Overall: Enjoyable crime thriller.
When the second heist happens, the fingers start pointing back at Hubert and a bigger conspiracy comes to the top with connection to a previous incident.
Thoughts on Marauders
Characters – Hubert is the bank president, he has always kept the face that the bank puts their customers first, but when his banks start getting robbed, he must deal with the fingers pointing back at him. Montgomery is the lead investigating from the FBI trying to get to the bottom of the heists, he has his own demons which haunt him everyday after the death of his wife and will not stop until he learns the truth. Stockwell is Montgomery’s trusted second, he is the tired cop figure, he is good at his job and hates people getting in his way. Wells is the rookie agent, with the qualifications to make him the best, he gets the jobs the others don’t want to do, while noticing things they miss.
Performances – The performances in the movie are mixed, we know that Bruce Willis is mostly mailing it in and it is a strange role for him. Christopher Meloni is the star of this movie, the determination and broken side of his character makes him stand out. Dave Bautista does get the funniest lines, some hit or than others, while Adrian Grenier starts strong but fades away in the biggest scenes of the middle of the movie.
Story – The story follows the effects of a brutal heist, the FBI must investigate the heist which brings us into the new web of conspiracies which could bring down a political powerhouse. This a story which does keep us guessing from start to finish, which is something I was surprised to see, as I thought this would be a lot messier. The positive of keeping us guessing, does leave the bigger question about just why the heists needed to be as brutal as they were because of certain injuries or deaths not needing to happen for the cause.
Action/Crime/Mystery – The action is brutal and often in your face when it comes to the gun sequences, the crime side of the film comes from the heists and just what they are aiming to achieve from the heists. The mystery is what draws us in because we don’t know what is happening which keeps us invested throughout.
Settings – The film is set in the city which shows how the panic of the robberies starts flying around we see how things get out of hand.
Scene of the Movie – The heists do feel very intense, which I did like.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – The last sequence.
Final Thoughts – This was a surprisingly entertaining film, having no expectations going in, this did become intense and kept you guessing even if things unravel in the final scene.
Overall: Enjoyable crime thriller.
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Twell and the Army of Powers (Como Chronicles #1) in Books
Jun 21, 2017
Twell and the Army of Powers (Como Chronicles #1) by Kate O'Leary
Twell and the Army of Powers is the first book in the Como Chronicles. It gives us an in-depth view into the lives of those who live there, how their lives are regulated, what is forbidden, and what isn't. Twell is the main character, and the story is told from her perspective, and yet is still rounded out enough that you don't feel like you are missing out on anything.
Twell is a bit of a brat at the start of the book, and I mean that in the nicest possible way. Her character grows in ways unforeseen, by her own actions and by the 'gentle' advice from her friends. All of the characters have grit though, whether you like them or not. There is not a weak character amongst them, and they all grow and change throughout the book.
There is so much I want to say about this book, but won't in case of spoilers. Things happened that I never saw coming; my heart was broken on more than one occasion; it jumped into my mouth as I desperately held onto hope (even knowing that the author wouldn't make it so easy). The story is concise and gripping, thrilling and action-packed, ending on a cliffhanger that had me shouting out "NO!" even though I had already suspected the outcome!
This is a fantastic Young Adult Dystopian story with a dash of romance, that is guaranteed to enthral the reader. 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 my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Twell is a bit of a brat at the start of the book, and I mean that in the nicest possible way. Her character grows in ways unforeseen, by her own actions and by the 'gentle' advice from her friends. All of the characters have grit though, whether you like them or not. There is not a weak character amongst them, and they all grow and change throughout the book.
There is so much I want to say about this book, but won't in case of spoilers. Things happened that I never saw coming; my heart was broken on more than one occasion; it jumped into my mouth as I desperately held onto hope (even knowing that the author wouldn't make it so easy). The story is concise and gripping, thrilling and action-packed, ending on a cliffhanger that had me shouting out "NO!" even though I had already suspected the outcome!
This is a fantastic Young Adult Dystopian story with a dash of romance, that is guaranteed to enthral the reader. 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 my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated All the Broken People in Books
May 22, 2019
Alice Bennett knows what it means to suffer. After burying her abusive childhood and reinventing herself, Alice is living a life she never imagined could be hers. She's married to a perfect Southern gentleman. She has a challenging job she loves--writing for a woman's magazine. But when her past comes back with a vengeance, Alice finds herself on the outs with her husband, her perfect life crumbling around her feet.
Desperate to get things back to where they were, Alice travels to the mountains of North Georgia to care for her mother-in-law who was injured in a bad fall. Her motives aren't purely altruistic; she's hoping to get back into her husband's good graces. When she arrives, Alice discovers that the fall was no accident. Alice must battle her own inner demons as she uncovers the not-so-perfect truth of her husband's past. Ugly family secrets and devious attacks from an unknown assailant threaten to kill more than just Alice's dreams.
A dark journey into the Georgia mountains where kudzu covers the landscape and a grudge can last generations.All the Broken People will leave you questioning who the good guys really are or whether they exist at all.
This is an absolutely great suspenseful thriller, a roller coaster ride of a book! I couldn't put it down! The characters were well written, the intricate plot was fascinating. Just a wonderful book!
There is plenty of suspense and surprises.
The conclusion was something I didn’t see coming which is always fun.
The author has a real sense of how to build the tension to bring out the best pieces of the plot.
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this early copy!
Desperate to get things back to where they were, Alice travels to the mountains of North Georgia to care for her mother-in-law who was injured in a bad fall. Her motives aren't purely altruistic; she's hoping to get back into her husband's good graces. When she arrives, Alice discovers that the fall was no accident. Alice must battle her own inner demons as she uncovers the not-so-perfect truth of her husband's past. Ugly family secrets and devious attacks from an unknown assailant threaten to kill more than just Alice's dreams.
A dark journey into the Georgia mountains where kudzu covers the landscape and a grudge can last generations.All the Broken People will leave you questioning who the good guys really are or whether they exist at all.
This is an absolutely great suspenseful thriller, a roller coaster ride of a book! I couldn't put it down! The characters were well written, the intricate plot was fascinating. Just a wonderful book!
There is plenty of suspense and surprises.
The conclusion was something I didn’t see coming which is always fun.
The author has a real sense of how to build the tension to bring out the best pieces of the plot.
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this early copy!
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Then There Was You in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Then There Was You is a story filled with heartache, regret, pain, broken dreams...and the journey that Paige and Josh must traverse to gain the healing they need in order to move on with their lives.
There is a love triangle-squareish thing going on. But tastefully done and did not make me uncomfortable or annoyed. It felt very real and a situation that is very believable. Being set in Australia and jumping back and forth from an American perspective and an Australian's it really helped the perspective of how differently cultures can be even if they speak the same language. I LOVED it! I adore learning about different cultures...Even if I was disappointed to learn a thing or two about Koalas that weren't all that great. And drop bears! Y'all better watch out for those if you ever visit the land down under!
This story depicts the amazing hand of God at work in our lives. Sometimes, the things He has for us are even greater than we ever thought possible. Even if we can't see how it could ever work out.
Both Paige and Josh let preconceived ideas influence their opinions of each other. Only through trust and removing the walls they have placed around themselves will they be able to see the truth. But when that trust is tested will everything they have built be for naught?
A touching and moving romance infused with the healing that only God can provide. Travel Down Under with Paige McAllister for the adventure of a lifetime.
I received a complimentary copy of Then There Was You from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
There is a love triangle-squareish thing going on. But tastefully done and did not make me uncomfortable or annoyed. It felt very real and a situation that is very believable. Being set in Australia and jumping back and forth from an American perspective and an Australian's it really helped the perspective of how differently cultures can be even if they speak the same language. I LOVED it! I adore learning about different cultures...Even if I was disappointed to learn a thing or two about Koalas that weren't all that great. And drop bears! Y'all better watch out for those if you ever visit the land down under!
This story depicts the amazing hand of God at work in our lives. Sometimes, the things He has for us are even greater than we ever thought possible. Even if we can't see how it could ever work out.
Both Paige and Josh let preconceived ideas influence their opinions of each other. Only through trust and removing the walls they have placed around themselves will they be able to see the truth. But when that trust is tested will everything they have built be for naught?
A touching and moving romance infused with the healing that only God can provide. Travel Down Under with Paige McAllister for the adventure of a lifetime.
I received a complimentary copy of Then There Was You from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.