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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Forbidden City in Books
Mar 2, 2022 (Updated Mar 2, 2022)
Spying and Chess
While on a recent mission, Paris discovered some bonus intel, and that turns out to be a valuable find. It leads MI6 to believe that the evil organization Umbra is going to kidnap one of North Korea’s nuclear scientists. If MI6 wants to get him to defect first, they need to find a way to approach him. Given North Korea’s secrecy and security, that won’t be easy. However, the scientist’s son is a top chess player, and he is planning to enter a couple of international tournaments. So Paris tries to upgrade his own chess skills so he can join the tournaments. Will Paris and the rest of the team be able to make contact with the scientist? Is he even interested in defecting?
Having enjoyed the first two in this series, I was looking forward to this book, and I wasn’t disappointed. This book is Paris’s time to shine, but all the other characters get their own smaller moments, and I continue to love their relationships. We get some surprising advancement on one series plot thread, although others are only mentioned in passing. I do feel like the other books in the series had a bit more action, but with all the angles the teams uses to approach their mission, I was never bored. We get a few laughs along the way, and even when we aren’t laughing, it’s just fun to be around the characters. Fans will enjoy this latest book. I’m already looking forward to their next mission.
Having enjoyed the first two in this series, I was looking forward to this book, and I wasn’t disappointed. This book is Paris’s time to shine, but all the other characters get their own smaller moments, and I continue to love their relationships. We get some surprising advancement on one series plot thread, although others are only mentioned in passing. I do feel like the other books in the series had a bit more action, but with all the angles the teams uses to approach their mission, I was never bored. We get a few laughs along the way, and even when we aren’t laughing, it’s just fun to be around the characters. Fans will enjoy this latest book. I’m already looking forward to their next mission.
Merissa (12943 KP) rated Tentacles Rock (Tinsel and Tentacles) in Books
Dec 8, 2023
TENTACLES ROCK is part of the multi-author Tinsel & Tentacles series. In this one, we are in a world where preternaturals are reclaiming the word monster! Nereus is an Octopus who retains his tentacles when he is in human form. He is working in a restaurant to help him take over his father's restaurant back home. Rick is a guitarist in a well-known band who supports preternaturals. He is also in a slump, unable to find what he is looking for, until he finds Nereus. Together, these two find what they didn't know they were looking for in each other.
This was an enjoyable read that kept my interest as the pages turned. The relationship between Nereus and Rick was a sort of fast-paced slow-burn. The timing jumped a couple of weeks at one point, where I would have liked to have seen their relationship grow even further. Don't get me wrong, it did grow. These two were adorable on the streets, and hot in the sheets. I guess I'm just greedy in wanting every moment of their time.
I loved the epilogue at the end that rounded off their story nicely. I would happily return to this world and this author's work. 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 opinions. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 8, 2023
This was an enjoyable read that kept my interest as the pages turned. The relationship between Nereus and Rick was a sort of fast-paced slow-burn. The timing jumped a couple of weeks at one point, where I would have liked to have seen their relationship grow even further. Don't get me wrong, it did grow. These two were adorable on the streets, and hot in the sheets. I guess I'm just greedy in wanting every moment of their time.
I loved the epilogue at the end that rounded off their story nicely. I would happily return to this world and this author's work. 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 opinions. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 8, 2023
Merissa (12943 KP) rated My Professor Sweetheart (Sweetheart Escapes) in Books
Sep 18, 2023
MY PROFESSOR SWEETHEART is part of the multi-author Sweetheart Escapes series and can be read as a standalone.
Jamie and Andres are the main couple in this one, although there are other characters I now want stories for, including Hank and Avery! Guess I'll be searching the author's backlist for those and keeping my fingers crossed.
Anyway, back to this one. Jamie is the student, so close to graduating, and Andres is the professor. They both sign up for the auction but the attraction is already off the charts when they finally meet at the resort. The Daddy/boy aspect of this was so good. Jamie wanted to learn all he could, and Andres was happy to help. It was done in a steamy sweet way and made it a great read.
Part of what I enjoyed so much is we see them on their weekend but also in 'real life' doing what they have to, to hide what they are to each other. And breaking each other's hearts before they figure out what to do. It really gave the story some depth for me, instead of it being insta-love. Well, it still was, but then we had the rest of the story to help build it up.
A brilliant story 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 18, 2023
Jamie and Andres are the main couple in this one, although there are other characters I now want stories for, including Hank and Avery! Guess I'll be searching the author's backlist for those and keeping my fingers crossed.
Anyway, back to this one. Jamie is the student, so close to graduating, and Andres is the professor. They both sign up for the auction but the attraction is already off the charts when they finally meet at the resort. The Daddy/boy aspect of this was so good. Jamie wanted to learn all he could, and Andres was happy to help. It was done in a steamy sweet way and made it a great read.
Part of what I enjoyed so much is we see them on their weekend but also in 'real life' doing what they have to, to hide what they are to each other. And breaking each other's hearts before they figure out what to do. It really gave the story some depth for me, instead of it being insta-love. Well, it still was, but then we had the rest of the story to help build it up.
A brilliant story 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 18, 2023
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Murder at the Majestic Hotel in Books
Jul 14, 2023 (Updated Jul 14, 2023)
Honeymoon Interrupted but a Not So Sweet Death
This book picks up a couple of days after the third book ended. The newly married Stella and Lyndy have just arrived in York for their honeymoon, but they discover that, despite their reservation for the honeymoon suite, it has been taken by someone else for the night. The interloper is Horace Wingrove, owner of England’s most popular chocolate company. The next morning, Wingrove is dead, and Stella and Lyndy can’t help but worry that this might have been their fate had their reservation been honored. But Stella sees a few things that don’t quite make sense to her. Will she figure out what is really going on?
If you haven’t read this series yet, be aware that this book spoils some of the previous book in the series. It only makes sense considering what happened and how close in time this book is to the previous one. The plot seemed to wander a bit before it came into focus, but once it did, I was hooked, and things made sense at the end. While I enjoyed seeing Stella and Lyndy’s relationship continue to grow, I did miss some of the other regulars and the complications they bring. But the characters we did get to meet are good. The multiple viewpoint narration is great at bringing us the story as always. I also enjoyed the little bit of real history that is twisted into the plot. Fans of historical mysteries will be glad they picked up this series.
If you haven’t read this series yet, be aware that this book spoils some of the previous book in the series. It only makes sense considering what happened and how close in time this book is to the previous one. The plot seemed to wander a bit before it came into focus, but once it did, I was hooked, and things made sense at the end. While I enjoyed seeing Stella and Lyndy’s relationship continue to grow, I did miss some of the other regulars and the complications they bring. But the characters we did get to meet are good. The multiple viewpoint narration is great at bringing us the story as always. I also enjoyed the little bit of real history that is twisted into the plot. Fans of historical mysteries will be glad they picked up this series.
Merissa (12943 KP) rated Bad Girlfriend (Billionaire's Club #13) in Books
Sep 23, 2021 (Updated Jul 14, 2023)
BAD GIRLFRIEND is the thirteenth book in the Billionaire's Club series and normally I wouldn't start a book if it was that far into the series, but this was an Elise Faber book, so obviously I did!
Tammy is single and happy to be that way. She has friends with benefits, sometimes without the friends part. She has enclosed her heart behind a wall and no one, I repeat, no one is breaking through it. Except you know that Fletcher is the one to do it. Add in a wedding where everyone is just so goddamned nice, and you've got a story on your hands.
Tammy has her issues and, luckily for her, Fletcher is all too understanding about them, there to help her and not run roughshod over her. The attraction between these two is there from the beginning but they don't act upon it until their weekend away.
Although it mainly takes place at the wedding, you do get backstories for both Fletcher and Tammy, plus see them moving forwards. There are some couple here that I presume are from previous stories but it didn't impact this one in any way.
This was a great, easy-to-read story that I fully enjoyed and have no hesitation in 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!
Sep 23, 2021
Tammy is single and happy to be that way. She has friends with benefits, sometimes without the friends part. She has enclosed her heart behind a wall and no one, I repeat, no one is breaking through it. Except you know that Fletcher is the one to do it. Add in a wedding where everyone is just so goddamned nice, and you've got a story on your hands.
Tammy has her issues and, luckily for her, Fletcher is all too understanding about them, there to help her and not run roughshod over her. The attraction between these two is there from the beginning but they don't act upon it until their weekend away.
Although it mainly takes place at the wedding, you do get backstories for both Fletcher and Tammy, plus see them moving forwards. There are some couple here that I presume are from previous stories but it didn't impact this one in any way.
This was a great, easy-to-read story that I fully enjoyed and have no hesitation in 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!
Sep 23, 2021
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Wings of Stone ( The Dragons of Ascavar 1) in Books
Jul 16, 2023
94 of 235
Kindle
Wings of Stone ( The Dragons of Ascavar 1)
By J.D. Monroe
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Doctor Gabrielle Rojas knows her Jane Doe patient shouldn’t heal this fast, or have a blood type that doesn’t exist. She also knows that Tarek, the sexy stranger who claims he’s her next of kin, is out of his damned mind.
But she can’t deny her own eyes when she watches him turn into a dragon and fly out the window with her patient. There’s no mistaking his gleaming scales and massive wings, and her day only gets weirder when he calls her to dig a couple of bullets out of his delicious backside.
Meddling in the affairs of dragons lands Gabrielle in a dungeon in the magical land of Ascavar, where dragons rule and magic burns bright.
With war on the horizon for his people, Tarek swears to take Gabrielle home to her safe, normal life. But her healing touch soothes his wounded heart, and he soon realizes that this is one promise he can’t keep.
As passion binds them together, both dragon and doctor must ask…can they ever go back?
I enjoy this a lot more than I expected to for the first quarter of the book I was a bit weary but I ended up really enjoying it. It was one of those reads that catches you by surprise. The story line was good, the characters were good and it had some grit. Definitely surprised me.
Kindle
Wings of Stone ( The Dragons of Ascavar 1)
By J.D. Monroe
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Doctor Gabrielle Rojas knows her Jane Doe patient shouldn’t heal this fast, or have a blood type that doesn’t exist. She also knows that Tarek, the sexy stranger who claims he’s her next of kin, is out of his damned mind.
But she can’t deny her own eyes when she watches him turn into a dragon and fly out the window with her patient. There’s no mistaking his gleaming scales and massive wings, and her day only gets weirder when he calls her to dig a couple of bullets out of his delicious backside.
Meddling in the affairs of dragons lands Gabrielle in a dungeon in the magical land of Ascavar, where dragons rule and magic burns bright.
With war on the horizon for his people, Tarek swears to take Gabrielle home to her safe, normal life. But her healing touch soothes his wounded heart, and he soon realizes that this is one promise he can’t keep.
As passion binds them together, both dragon and doctor must ask…can they ever go back?
I enjoy this a lot more than I expected to for the first quarter of the book I was a bit weary but I ended up really enjoying it. It was one of those reads that catches you by surprise. The story line was good, the characters were good and it had some grit. Definitely surprised me.
Merissa (12943 KP) rated Crashed (Gold Hockey #12) in Books
Jul 28, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)
CRASHED is the twelfth book in the Gold Hockey series but you can read it as a standalone as I have.
Fanny is single and happy to be so after she has spent ten years trying to piece her heart back together. It feels broken all over again when the man she has been trying to forget comes back into her life. Brandon has more regrets about Fanny than he knows what to do with, but one thing is sure. He loves her and wants her back.
This is another winner for Elise Faber. Not only does she have a couple of fantastic characters in Fanny and Brandon, but the story itself sweeps you off your feet. My heart broke for Fanny as she remembered, and the reader found out, just what had happened to hurt her so badly. But then it also broke for Brandon, for forgetting so much. The other characters support them and move the story forward.
I was able to read this as a standalone although I am now left wanting ALL the others, including Scar and Kaydon's story which is due next! Fanny and Brandon have made me smile, laugh, and feel sorrow, so it's only right that I recommend you have all the feels I did! 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 28, 2021
Fanny is single and happy to be so after she has spent ten years trying to piece her heart back together. It feels broken all over again when the man she has been trying to forget comes back into her life. Brandon has more regrets about Fanny than he knows what to do with, but one thing is sure. He loves her and wants her back.
This is another winner for Elise Faber. Not only does she have a couple of fantastic characters in Fanny and Brandon, but the story itself sweeps you off your feet. My heart broke for Fanny as she remembered, and the reader found out, just what had happened to hurt her so badly. But then it also broke for Brandon, for forgetting so much. The other characters support them and move the story forward.
I was able to read this as a standalone although I am now left wanting ALL the others, including Scar and Kaydon's story which is due next! Fanny and Brandon have made me smile, laugh, and feel sorrow, so it's only right that I recommend you have all the feels I did! 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 28, 2021
Debbiereadsbook (1454 KP) rated Reluctant Rockstar (Reluctant Rockstar #1) in Books
Aug 6, 2023
the biggest warm and fuzzies!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Usually I write a little blurby bit, but I'm not going to here, I'm gonna jump straight in!
Cos, this book right?? It's so freaking good!
It's not ever so smexy, but it has passion and emotion. It's not explicit but it has steam! There isn't much drama, save for the idiot ex-manager and Martin making his decision. It's not very long, some 95 pages, but I'll come back to that bit shortly.
And all that is why I loved this book! Finding yourself after such a long time is what this is all about and Martin, once he makes the decision he does, he and Simon are a couple, after such a short space of time, and Martin leaving to finish what he needs to do gives them time to miss each other, even though they are in constant contact.
Back to the length of this book. I would probably have said, as I've done before, that this book is too short. However, I don't think this particular book would work as a longer piece, I really don't. It's the perfect page length for this story, for Simon and Martin to fall in love.
It's full of emotion and love, and gave me the biggest warm and fuzzies feeling I've had in a long time!
First I can see of this author, I want more if they are all this cute!
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Usually I write a little blurby bit, but I'm not going to here, I'm gonna jump straight in!
Cos, this book right?? It's so freaking good!
It's not ever so smexy, but it has passion and emotion. It's not explicit but it has steam! There isn't much drama, save for the idiot ex-manager and Martin making his decision. It's not very long, some 95 pages, but I'll come back to that bit shortly.
And all that is why I loved this book! Finding yourself after such a long time is what this is all about and Martin, once he makes the decision he does, he and Simon are a couple, after such a short space of time, and Martin leaving to finish what he needs to do gives them time to miss each other, even though they are in constant contact.
Back to the length of this book. I would probably have said, as I've done before, that this book is too short. However, I don't think this particular book would work as a longer piece, I really don't. It's the perfect page length for this story, for Simon and Martin to fall in love.
It's full of emotion and love, and gave me the biggest warm and fuzzies feeling I've had in a long time!
First I can see of this author, I want more if they are all this cute!
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Merissa (12943 KP) rated The Ostin Scholar (Isle of Ostin #3) in Books
Aug 6, 2023
THE OSTIN SCHOLAR is the third book in the Isle of Ostin and really does need to be read as a series.
We met Presley in Arbor and Zeke's story and, in just one short scene, he made my heart ache with what he has to contend with. Now we get to see exactly what he's up against, and the Kade family dynamics. And when I say Kade family, I don't include Roland because he's not part of them and certainly doesn't deserve to be!
Lazlo and Presley are so cute as a couple. Lazlo definitely has the Ostin protective streak over Presley, but also over his son, Everest, and Lina, his best friend and mother to their son. We see Roland up close and personal in this one, making him even more horrible and conniving.
I am loving this series, almost as much as I love the 'theme' of the castle. The story arc moves along nicely with each story, but you don't miss out on any of the relationship-building between the main pair. Or, as in this case, the relationships between a long-lost uncle and nephews.
Definitely recommended by me and bring on The Ostin Rebel as I really want Roland to meet his grisly end. An ornament for one of the boats does sound good... 😁
** 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 6, 2023
We met Presley in Arbor and Zeke's story and, in just one short scene, he made my heart ache with what he has to contend with. Now we get to see exactly what he's up against, and the Kade family dynamics. And when I say Kade family, I don't include Roland because he's not part of them and certainly doesn't deserve to be!
Lazlo and Presley are so cute as a couple. Lazlo definitely has the Ostin protective streak over Presley, but also over his son, Everest, and Lina, his best friend and mother to their son. We see Roland up close and personal in this one, making him even more horrible and conniving.
I am loving this series, almost as much as I love the 'theme' of the castle. The story arc moves along nicely with each story, but you don't miss out on any of the relationship-building between the main pair. Or, as in this case, the relationships between a long-lost uncle and nephews.
Definitely recommended by me and bring on The Ostin Rebel as I really want Roland to meet his grisly end. An ornament for one of the boats does sound good... 😁
** 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 6, 2023
Merissa (12943 KP) rated Relentless Habit (O-Town, #1) in Books
Aug 16, 2023
Relentless Habit is the first book in the O-Town series, which is a spin-off from the Riot MC series. In this, we meet Cecilia who is a recovering addict. She sees a man with some serious dance moves but takes no action. After the third night of seeing him, he makes a move and Cecilia learns about the force of nature that is Brock.
I enjoyed this novel as Cecilia and Brock dance around each other. Brock was a bit of an ass when Cecilia tried to tell him something and he steamrollered over her. Then! gets upset when he finds out later what it was. Saying that, though, once he got his head out of his ass, he proved to Cecilia that he was there for her and refused to let her push him away when the going got tough.
I thought their romance was hot and steamy, full of banter, support, and maybe just a few too many nicknames and endearments, but that's just me. A couple of situations seemed a bit O.T.T. to me but, once again, that's just my opinion.
All in all, this was a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I will be on the lookout for more books by Karen Renee now. Absolutely recommended.
* 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!
Sep 29, 2020
I enjoyed this novel as Cecilia and Brock dance around each other. Brock was a bit of an ass when Cecilia tried to tell him something and he steamrollered over her. Then! gets upset when he finds out later what it was. Saying that, though, once he got his head out of his ass, he proved to Cecilia that he was there for her and refused to let her push him away when the going got tough.
I thought their romance was hot and steamy, full of banter, support, and maybe just a few too many nicknames and endearments, but that's just me. A couple of situations seemed a bit O.T.T. to me but, once again, that's just my opinion.
All in all, this was a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I will be on the lookout for more books by Karen Renee now. Absolutely recommended.
* 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!
Sep 29, 2020