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Merissa (11805 KP) rated Written on my Heart in Books

Dec 17, 2018 (Updated Apr 14, 2023)  
Written on my Heart
Written on my Heart
Cole Gibsen | 2015 | Contemporary, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This story is about two individuals who have both had to deal with an amazing amount in their pasts that most people wouldn't cope with, without curling up into a ball and hoping for everyone and everything to go away.

Ashlyn is struggling to cope with her new flatmate and her job, especially when her past comes a-knocking. Lane is working all hours to try to provide for his family. Their paths cross when Ashlyn's co-worker, Emily, sends her to him to get a tattoo covered over. Their relationship is bumpy which makes a nice change, no insta-love here.

This is well-written and has a smooth plot line. Although you are told some of what happened to Ashlyn, it doesn't go into too much detail. An enjoyable contemporary romance, 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!
Jul 28, 2015
  
Geekerella (Once Upon a Con #1)
Geekerella (Once Upon a Con #1)
Ashley Poston | 2017 | Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
8
7.8 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
Geekerella is a modern day retelling of the classic fairytale, Cinderella. Our protagonist is Ella and the most important thing in her life is fandom, specifically her love of Starfleet. It was a show that she watched on re-runs with her dad and fell in love with. Her father even started a convention called Excelsicon because of his love of Starfleet. After her mother died when she was a small child, it was just Ella and her dad. Unfortunately, her father got remarried and later died in a car accident leaving Ella with her step-mother and two step-sisters. They didn’t understand her love of the sci-fi cult hit and treated her more like a servant than a sister.

Geekerella is a cute contemporary novel that will speak to your fandom loving heart. Even if you’re not super into sci-fi, comics, comic con, cosplay or those types of things, I think you will enjoy the classic human experience portrayed in this book. The Cinderella retelling aspect of the story was the least relevant to my reading experience. I personally enjoyed the development of friendly and romantic relationships, the geeking out over fandoms and the personal growth seen in this novel.

The main characters are likable and relatable, despite the fact that one of them is famous. He alternates between wanting to be normal, or down to earth, and succumbing to the intoxicating appeal of being famous. Even though you generally know the bones of the story if you’re familiar with Cinderella, the story itself doesn’t feel incredibly formulaic and can surprise you at times.

Highly recommended to young adult/teen fan of contemporary books, teen romance, nerd/geekdom, comic con, cosplay, fairytale retellings and simple, cute reads.
  
The Night House
The Night House
J.C. McKenzie | 2019 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE NIGHT HOUSE is a standalone post-apocalyptic fantasy romance that seamlessly blends medieval knights and sword-play from a different planet with current day earth.

This was a fantastic read, ticking most of my boxes. Thane and Taya have sparks flying aplenty when they are meet and these continue throughout the book. I loved not only Thane though, but his whole team. They were all strong characters with a strong sense of duty and loyalty. Once Taya was part of their team, that was it. No stupidity or senseless behaviour, just helping the newbie out where possible.

If I could give out half stars, this would be a four and a half! The reason for that half star being knocked off would be the ending. It felt very quick to me, almost as if the author was running out of available words in her word count. Big build-up followed by events happening very quickly and not taking up much page space. Still, I loved this book anyway, so perhaps that's why it seemed to end too quickly!

If you like fantasy and contemporary genres merged together, then I would definitely recommend this book!
  
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Morgan Sheppard (926 KP) created a post

Jun 14, 2021  
To Catch a Dream is going on tour! Yes, that's right. You heard me! The wonderful ladies at Goddess Fish Promotions have done some awesome work and will be promoting my latest from June 28 to July 16. If you fancy joining in, please click HERE - https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2021/06/blurb-blitz-to-catch-dream-by-morgan.html

With good friends and a new job and, twenty-six-year-old Caitlin has it all. Strong, independent, and content with her life, Caitlin isn’t looking for love.

Smart, sexy, and sweet, Will is everything a girl could want. He also makes Caitlin want things she was certain she could live without.

Life isn't always simple though, and Caitlin has decisions to make. Her ex-boyfriend, Andrew, is still hanging around and causing trouble. Not only that, but Cat refuses to choose between a new man and her two best friends.

With her heart on the line, Caitlin must decide if she's prepared to take a chance or play it safe.


To Catch a Dream is a sweet contemporary romance with sensual moments. It also contains some strong language.
     
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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

May 29, 2021  
On my blog today, read a great excerpt from the contemporary romance novel GINGERBREAD KISSES by Minette Lauren. Enter the giveaway to win a signed copy of the book, a $25 Amazon gift card, and/or signed copies of all the books in the HOT IN MAGNOLIA series including the prequel!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2021/05/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-gingerbread.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
Hollywood actress Ginger Lynn Harding is broke, unemployed, and stuck in the glaring spotlight of a sex-tape scandal thanks to her lousy ex-boyfriend. Changing her coveted ginger-colored hair to brown, Ginger heads to small-town Magnolia, Texas, where she plans to hide out and wait tables at the Cupcake Diner and Dive.

As a Magnolia constable and possible candidate for mayor, Roland Karr prides himself on protecting the community. When he nabs a Lauren Bacall look-alike for speeding, Roland is surprised that he lets the sassy beauty off the hook, but he can’t help it. She looks like she could use a break.

As Ginger settles into life in Magnolia, she can't stop thinking about the handsome and debonair cop, but can she risk losing her heart when she's lost everything else?
     
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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Nov 29, 2022  
Sneak a peek at the contemporary Christian romance series THE SKY KING RANCH by Susan May Warren Fiction on my blog, and enter the giveaway for your chance to win the books in the series and a Northern Nights of Alaska necklace!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2022/11/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-sky-king.html

**BOOKS SYNOPSIS**
Sunrise: Pilot Dodge Kingston has always been the heir to Sky King Ranch. But after a terrible family fight, he left to become a pararescue jumper. A decade later, he’s headed home to the destiny that awaits him.

Sunburst: When former Navy Seal and lifelong bachelor Ranger Kingston is called upon to take part in a rescue mission to save his brother Colt, who has been kidnapped by terrorists in Nigeria, he is shocked to find among the hostages a woman he knows and could never forget.

Sundown: Former Delta Operative Colt Kingston may not know the truth, but he sure doesn’t trust Tae, the woman who is caring for his ailing father at Sky King Ranch. Behind those beautiful blue eyes, he can tell there is a troubled–and smart–woman.
     
Gifts for the Season is a warm-hearted collection of seasonal madness, from new love to old, it's all here. Each one gives you a short story, some with new couples, some with old, but all full of Christmas spirit.

I will admit, I preferred the ones that were new stories but that is because I really don't like reading stories where I think I may have missed out on something!

For me, my favourites were The First Snow of Winter by Joanna Chambers and Driving Home for Christmas by Annabelle Jacobs. The first because it's a historical romance which stands out from the contemporary/paranormal rest and the second because junction 10 on the M42 is well known to me so it gave me a feeling of familiarity.

As with all anthologies, some I enjoyed more than others, but every story is a winner in my book. 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!
Nov 6, 2020
  
Escape from Witchwood Hollow
Escape from Witchwood Hollow
Jordan Elizabeth Mierek | 2014 | Paranormal, Young Adult (YA)
8
7.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a Young Adult Fantasy set in a contemporary setting. Honoria, and her brother Geoffrey, are still recovering from the loss of their parents in the Twin Towers. They now live with their aunt and uncle and have moved to Arnn where Honoria quickly becomes intrigued and ensnared by the local legend of Witchwood Hollow.

Set in many different times, they do link up as the story progresses. Elizabeth, Lady Clifford, I just couldn't figure out how I felt about her. Honoria and Leon were fantastic characters that were completely real to their natures and the times.

Well written, with a fast-moving story, this definitely has more of a mystery theme than romance, although there is a hint of it. I liked how it all tied up together at the end, complete with the twist.

If you want a Young Adult Fantasy Mystery, then I can definitely recommend this.

* 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!
Mar 13, 2016
  
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Merissa (11805 KP) rated Wild at Heart (Wild Love #1) in Books

May 3, 2022 (Updated Jun 20, 2023)  
Wild at Heart (Wild Love #1)
Wild at Heart (Wild Love #1)
Stacy Gold | 2022 | Contemporary, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
WILD AT HEART is the first book in the Wild Love series and we meet Jules and Evan, both consultants, both hiking to put their world to rights.

One thing I want to say straight away is I'm NOT a hiker. I go for walks, yes, but not hikes. So I tip my hat to the author for her obvious love of hiking and the outdoors. Her experience shines through in every word when they're on the trail, which made it a delight to read.

The relationship between Jules and Evan was full of peaks and dips too. Some of which I empathised with and understood. Others just frustrated me and made that part of the book slow down to a snail's pace as I slogged past it. Mainly told from Jules' perspective, I found her to be hanging onto past trauma without making much of an effort to move past it. She was quick to place distance between her and Evan for the most spurious of reasons. He, at least, acknowledged his faults and worked hard to overcome them. He also had the patience of a saint, which he needed with Jules!

The ending is nicely wrapped up with a big bow although it was a bit quick and convenient after all the (sometimes unnecessary) drama.

My rating would be 3.5 stars but I'm rounding it up for both Archaeolibrarian and Goodreads. I would recommend this outdoorsy romance for fans of contemporary romance.

** 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!
Apr 27, 2022
  
CM
Call Me Michigan
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a second chance novel - Mason and Tyler were best friends in their younger years, although both of them wanted more, neither of them said anything. When Tyler left home under difficult circumstances, Mason got blinding drunk before chasing after her and giving her a drunken kiss. Now, this is not guaranteed to win anyone over, so unsurprisingly, Tyler leaves anyway. Fast forward a few years, and Tyler returns to take care of her family. Of course, the first person she sees is Mason, although he doesn't recognise her. Things are about to change for the pair of them.

This is a well written, fast moving and smoothly paced contemporary romance, showing character growth and not just with the two main characters. With getting to know each other again, things don't go exactly smoothly. However, things eventually work out for them, which is good because the situation is about to get a whole more complicated.

This is a story guaranteed to give you the warm fuzzies, at the same time as you laugh and cry with the characters and the situations they find themselves in. Definitely recommended by me.

* I was given this book in return for a review which has in no way affected my opinion. *