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Homeward Bound (Pine Cove #3)
10.0
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After Micha Perkins finds himself wrongly implicated in a crime, the last person he wants coming to...
Scorch (Homecoming Hearts #1)
10.0
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At twenty-three, bad boy Blake is facing what most don't see until decades later: the end of his...
5 stars male/male romance crime/thriller too stinking cute personal reads 2018
Steam: A Homecoming Hearts Novel #4
8.0
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Bad boy movie star Trent Charles is more famous for his outrageous behavior than he is for his...
personal 2018 4 stars 208 male/male romance
Accidentally Yours
8.5
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Possessive, dominant, undeniable. She and I are strangers, But there’s a billion-dollar...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2609 KP) rated Death Washes Ashore in Books
Apr 30, 2024
Death of a Gladiator
One morning Clark Thomas is awakened by a text from one of the detectives in town requesting his presence at a crime scene. The body of Connor West has washed up on the local state beach. Connor was the star of one of the local tourist attractions, a gladiator themed dinner and show.
Even after Clark is warned away from the case, he can’t help but dig into Connor’s life and his work at the Gladiator Games Dinner Show. With a face from his past as his way into the lives of those Clark wants to interview, can he figure out what happened?
I had an issue with how Clark got involved in the mystery here, but I put that aside and kept reading. The mystery was good with several strong suspects and twists along the way to a logical climax. I appreciated how Clark went about things in the climax, too. We also got to know him and a couple of characters better, although I feel like we have many who hardly had any page time. The writing could have used polish in several spots, but most of the time it was fine. There is a little advancement on the cliffhanger from the previous book, but we’ll have to keep reading to see where it goes next. Overall, this is a fun second book in the series.
Even after Clark is warned away from the case, he can’t help but dig into Connor’s life and his work at the Gladiator Games Dinner Show. With a face from his past as his way into the lives of those Clark wants to interview, can he figure out what happened?
I had an issue with how Clark got involved in the mystery here, but I put that aside and kept reading. The mystery was good with several strong suspects and twists along the way to a logical climax. I appreciated how Clark went about things in the climax, too. We also got to know him and a couple of characters better, although I feel like we have many who hardly had any page time. The writing could have used polish in several spots, but most of the time it was fine. There is a little advancement on the cliffhanger from the previous book, but we’ll have to keep reading to see where it goes next. Overall, this is a fun second book in the series.
Merissa (14086 KP) rated Warrior Hearts Academy: Dragon Trap in Books
May 17, 2025
DRAGON TRAP is the second book in the Warrior Hearts Academy Dragon Trilogy and MUST be read after Book One, Dragon Lost.
The story continues where the previous one finished and gets more in-depth and twisted. Slowly, the individual storylines are beginning to merge. One of these is with Razir and Bree. He is injured trying to find out information that links his older brother, Taran, to Victor. Bree, or rather Caliel, heals him enough to keep him alive, although his Dragon has gone. Whether or not Razir ever heals enough to bring his Dragon back remains to be seen.
My heart is breaking for Caliel, and I really REALLY need to know what happens next. As for Tez, well, I can't say as I particularly like him (as intended by the authors), but I am looking forward to seeing the role he has to play. Maybe he'll grow on me? Either way, Nemi remains the star of every scene she is in, especially with the hint of grandmother too.
Another cliffhanger ending designed to make you throw your e-reader at the wall! A great continuation and absolutely recommended by me.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 17, 2025
The story continues where the previous one finished and gets more in-depth and twisted. Slowly, the individual storylines are beginning to merge. One of these is with Razir and Bree. He is injured trying to find out information that links his older brother, Taran, to Victor. Bree, or rather Caliel, heals him enough to keep him alive, although his Dragon has gone. Whether or not Razir ever heals enough to bring his Dragon back remains to be seen.
My heart is breaking for Caliel, and I really REALLY need to know what happens next. As for Tez, well, I can't say as I particularly like him (as intended by the authors), but I am looking forward to seeing the role he has to play. Maybe he'll grow on me? Either way, Nemi remains the star of every scene she is in, especially with the hint of grandmother too.
Another cliffhanger ending designed to make you throw your e-reader at the wall! A great continuation and absolutely recommended by me.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 17, 2025
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2609 KP) rated Flower Power Trip in Books
Dec 4, 2024
Murder at the Masquerade Ball
It’s the start of summer at Braxton, but Kellan Ayrwick is finding the campus is anything but calm. Not only is he personally teaching a course over the summer, but the Mendel Flower Show has decided to use the campus for their presentation this year. The season is kicking off with a masquerade ball to raise money for a needed library renovation. However, the night ends in tragedy when Kellan finds a dead body in a staff only section of the library. With a friend’s sister the prime suspect, can Kellan figure out what is going on?
Those who are familiar with the series will know that there is a lot going on in these books, and this one is no exception. Yes, we do get some updates to the ongoing soap operaish storylines, including another cliffhanger. The focus is on the new mystery here, however, and it does a good job of keeping us guessing with plenty of twists and red herrings. The ultimate solution was satisfying. My biggest gripe is that Kellan seems to have some contentious relationships with the other series regulars. I hope we are growing beyond some of those issues soon because I read cozies for the groups of characters I want to revisit. Still, I enjoyed this book overall. I definitely recommend you read these books in order because of the ongoing saga. I’m hoping I can make it to the next one soon.
Those who are familiar with the series will know that there is a lot going on in these books, and this one is no exception. Yes, we do get some updates to the ongoing soap operaish storylines, including another cliffhanger. The focus is on the new mystery here, however, and it does a good job of keeping us guessing with plenty of twists and red herrings. The ultimate solution was satisfying. My biggest gripe is that Kellan seems to have some contentious relationships with the other series regulars. I hope we are growing beyond some of those issues soon because I read cozies for the groups of characters I want to revisit. Still, I enjoyed this book overall. I definitely recommend you read these books in order because of the ongoing saga. I’m hoping I can make it to the next one soon.
Merissa (14086 KP) rated Everlasting Fire (Infernal Regions for the Unprepared #3) in Books
Jan 30, 2023
EVERLASTING FIRE is the third book in the Infernal Regions for the Unprepared series and it starts where book 2 finished, so you really should read these in order.
Brooklyn allowed herself to be captured in order to save her friends. Unfortunately, this looks as though it wasn't the best idea, seeing as how she is either caged or put in a ring to fight goodness-knows-what. It is during one of these fights that her arm gets slashed which unleashes a whole load of chaos.
Alice is still the main woman for me! I love her attitude, her witticisms, and her bravery. She is just the 'poor human' with a touch of magic (that I really want to know more about because I don't think it's a touch!) holding her own against supernatural beings. Rowen is a new addition and I loved the scenes he was in. I can't wait to continue with the story.
Samir, Dominic, and Brooklyn all play their roles perfectly, definitely leaving you on a cliffhanger and wanting to know what comes next.
A great addition to the series that I definitely recommend. Black Hand is still my favourite of the bunch, but I am thoroughly enjoying the series.
** 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!
Brooklyn allowed herself to be captured in order to save her friends. Unfortunately, this looks as though it wasn't the best idea, seeing as how she is either caged or put in a ring to fight goodness-knows-what. It is during one of these fights that her arm gets slashed which unleashes a whole load of chaos.
Alice is still the main woman for me! I love her attitude, her witticisms, and her bravery. She is just the 'poor human' with a touch of magic (that I really want to know more about because I don't think it's a touch!) holding her own against supernatural beings. Rowen is a new addition and I loved the scenes he was in. I can't wait to continue with the story.
Samir, Dominic, and Brooklyn all play their roles perfectly, definitely leaving you on a cliffhanger and wanting to know what comes next.
A great addition to the series that I definitely recommend. Black Hand is still my favourite of the bunch, but I am thoroughly enjoying the series.
** 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 (14086 KP) rated Marked (Populations Crumble: Resurgence #1) in Books
Mar 29, 2023
MARKED is the first book in a spin-off series called Populations Crumble: Resurgence. I haven't read the first series but now I really want to. Not because something is missing from this book - oh, no. I want to read that because this one was SO good!
Demy is a likeable character from the start, running from danger, looking for safety. She joins the program not really knowing what she's doing, just hoping she will be safe. What she gets is so much more than she expected.
I loved this world. Okay, there are parts of it that aren't so good, but on the whole, I was taken with Demy and saw what she saw. There is lots of action and it's also very emotional. The choice Demy has to make is incredibly tough. I know which way I'd go, as it stands right now, but I'm hedging my bets because I have no idea which way this story is going to go. And I love that!
The cliffhanger is a killer and I honestly can't wait to see what happens next. An incredible story with amazing characters that I have no hesitation in HIGHLY RECOMMENDING.
** 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!
Demy is a likeable character from the start, running from danger, looking for safety. She joins the program not really knowing what she's doing, just hoping she will be safe. What she gets is so much more than she expected.
I loved this world. Okay, there are parts of it that aren't so good, but on the whole, I was taken with Demy and saw what she saw. There is lots of action and it's also very emotional. The choice Demy has to make is incredibly tough. I know which way I'd go, as it stands right now, but I'm hedging my bets because I have no idea which way this story is going to go. And I love that!
The cliffhanger is a killer and I honestly can't wait to see what happens next. An incredible story with amazing characters that I have no hesitation in HIGHLY RECOMMENDING.
** 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!
The Kiss of Life (Soul Mate Rescued, #1)
8.0
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Struggling for a new normal in the thirteen long months after her husband's murder, Elizabeth Baron...
Contemporary Military Romance Romantic Suspense