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Merissa (11734 KP) rated HIS Desire (HIS, #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
I received this book from Hot Tree Promotions as part of the blog tour in return for a fair and honest review.
When we first meet Kate and Jesse, they don't exactly get along. Jesse comes across as quite arrogant whereas Kate isn't prepared to accept his attitude and so dishes out one of her own. As the story gets going and you understand more about how these two know each other and the details behind H.I.S. then it just rockets away. The story is fast paced, well written and plotted out to the nth degree which shows in how it flows.
Although this story can be read as a standalone, I personally am reading it as the first in a series because, believe me, I'm hooked. I want to know ALL the brother's (and Emily's) stories - why doesn't Devon go out in the field, is AJ going to be okay, did Rylee and Devon meet in Vegas, and that's just to name a few of the questions this book has left me with. To become that invested from the first book means its a winner for me.
This book is not an insta-love book (thank goodness!), insta-lust yes, but not insta-love. That grows steadily as both our main characters work through their issues, not the least of which is that someone is trying to kill one or both of them. You will be following the story along with baited breath as you try to figure out "whodunnit" but the twists at the end are jaw-droppingly excellent.
First in a series, first by this author - excellent all round Romantic Suspense. Highly recommended.
When we first meet Kate and Jesse, they don't exactly get along. Jesse comes across as quite arrogant whereas Kate isn't prepared to accept his attitude and so dishes out one of her own. As the story gets going and you understand more about how these two know each other and the details behind H.I.S. then it just rockets away. The story is fast paced, well written and plotted out to the nth degree which shows in how it flows.
Although this story can be read as a standalone, I personally am reading it as the first in a series because, believe me, I'm hooked. I want to know ALL the brother's (and Emily's) stories - why doesn't Devon go out in the field, is AJ going to be okay, did Rylee and Devon meet in Vegas, and that's just to name a few of the questions this book has left me with. To become that invested from the first book means its a winner for me.
This book is not an insta-love book (thank goodness!), insta-lust yes, but not insta-love. That grows steadily as both our main characters work through their issues, not the least of which is that someone is trying to kill one or both of them. You will be following the story along with baited breath as you try to figure out "whodunnit" but the twists at the end are jaw-droppingly excellent.
First in a series, first by this author - excellent all round Romantic Suspense. Highly recommended.
Debbiereadsbook (1095 KP) rated Nine Small Sips (Tales Of Bryant #2) in Books
Jun 28, 2019
my only fault? No Brian!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is NOT a stand alone, you really MUST read Tales of Bryant before this one, it is a continuation of Isamu and Brian’s story.
Brian and Isamu have a wedding coming up, and with an over sensitive-to-change wedding planner, a grandmother who demands traditions and a job that could take Isamu away from Brian so soon after their wedding, things are not going to plan!
Again, only the fact that Brian does not have a say is the only fault I can find with this book!
Adrian, the wedding planner, provides hysterical moments, that made me laugh out loud, cos the man simply does NOT like to change his wedding plans. But as Brian points out, it is NOT Adrian’s wedding, it is Isamu and Brian’s wedding, and Isamu needs to stand his ground.
Isamu’s grandmother and parents provide the serious side to this tale. Baba wants Isamu to embrace his Japanese heritage and include a ceremony that would honour his grandfather. I loved Isamu’s family. While they were still unsure about the age gap, they could see that Brian loves Isamu, and Isamu loves Brian.
We catch up with Isamu’s boss, Canada, oh, sorry, Caiden (love that Brian calls him Canada!) and with Isamu’s friend, Devon. Devon and Caiden have instant and powerful attraction, and I hope they get a tale of their own!
Its sexy and steamy in the most sweetest way, not quite as sweet as Tales of Bryant but still sugar rush enducing.
Like I said, just the fact that Brian isn’t given a voice, is the only reason I can’t stretch to 5 stars, and I am sorry for that!
4 very good stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is NOT a stand alone, you really MUST read Tales of Bryant before this one, it is a continuation of Isamu and Brian’s story.
Brian and Isamu have a wedding coming up, and with an over sensitive-to-change wedding planner, a grandmother who demands traditions and a job that could take Isamu away from Brian so soon after their wedding, things are not going to plan!
Again, only the fact that Brian does not have a say is the only fault I can find with this book!
Adrian, the wedding planner, provides hysterical moments, that made me laugh out loud, cos the man simply does NOT like to change his wedding plans. But as Brian points out, it is NOT Adrian’s wedding, it is Isamu and Brian’s wedding, and Isamu needs to stand his ground.
Isamu’s grandmother and parents provide the serious side to this tale. Baba wants Isamu to embrace his Japanese heritage and include a ceremony that would honour his grandfather. I loved Isamu’s family. While they were still unsure about the age gap, they could see that Brian loves Isamu, and Isamu loves Brian.
We catch up with Isamu’s boss, Canada, oh, sorry, Caiden (love that Brian calls him Canada!) and with Isamu’s friend, Devon. Devon and Caiden have instant and powerful attraction, and I hope they get a tale of their own!
Its sexy and steamy in the most sweetest way, not quite as sweet as Tales of Bryant but still sugar rush enducing.
Like I said, just the fact that Brian isn’t given a voice, is the only reason I can’t stretch to 5 stars, and I am sorry for that!
4 very good stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated The Fanatic (2019) in Movies
Aug 3, 2020 (Updated Aug 3, 2020)
Fred Durst directs this John Travolta/Devon Sawa vehicle that finds a mentally "different", Hollywood obsessed Moose (Travolta) tangled into a deadly web of admiration gone sideways.
I've actually seen a fair amount of vitriol thrown at this film from critics and audiences and it's a bit puzzling to me. There are, as pointed out in many reviews across the web, parts of the movie that seem to lack direction and look like missed opportunities. While there are certainly some of those (aren't there always) there are some good things here , too. I actually wonder if Durst included some of those things in order to move forward the fact that Moose is unstable in so many ways and lacks focus on anything of actual relevance in his life.
At the very least, this is worth a watch is you have some free time.
I've actually seen a fair amount of vitriol thrown at this film from critics and audiences and it's a bit puzzling to me. There are, as pointed out in many reviews across the web, parts of the movie that seem to lack direction and look like missed opportunities. While there are certainly some of those (aren't there always) there are some good things here , too. I actually wonder if Durst included some of those things in order to move forward the fact that Moose is unstable in so many ways and lacks focus on anything of actual relevance in his life.
At the very least, this is worth a watch is you have some free time.
Andy Walker (4868 KP) rated Dead Island (2018) in Movies
Apr 18, 2019
Shot in 2010 on an iPhone 4s.
Contains spoilers, click to show
Set on a secluded island with no cell phone service, 17 year old twins, Kelsey & Devon, who are aspiring film makers are forced to move there just before their senior year. They decide to film everything as their phone are otherwise useless. Then masked killers show up and torment the family throughout the night.
It is basically a found footage film, but filmed entire on mobile phones. To be honest I found a lot of the jerky shots and continual movement both off putting and annoying, when they did have static shots they were far too long and not interesting enough. The last fifteen minutes or so of the film are not bad but by then I'd lost a bit of interest. There is some pretty shocking acting as well.
Not really a good film, but deserving of a "good" Mark purely for the novelty of the filming medium.
It is basically a found footage film, but filmed entire on mobile phones. To be honest I found a lot of the jerky shots and continual movement both off putting and annoying, when they did have static shots they were far too long and not interesting enough. The last fifteen minutes or so of the film are not bad but by then I'd lost a bit of interest. There is some pretty shocking acting as well.
Not really a good film, but deserving of a "good" Mark purely for the novelty of the filming medium.
Merissa (11734 KP) rated A Sliver of Sunset in Books
May 8, 2023
This is a short but detail-filled story about a shifter who becomes ill with a human disease. Now most books will say that this is impossible, which is why it made for such interesting reading. There is everything in here that you would want or need in a novella - enough backstory so you know what's going on without drowning in it, steam between the main two, plenty of interesting and quirky secondary characters, and an overall story arc that I hope will continue as there are questions left unanswered by the end of this book.
Well-written and with a smooth pace, there were no editing or grammatical errors that I found. This was one enjoyable read from start to finish, and Devon Rhodes is definitely an author to look out for. I would like to read more from her. 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!
Jan 6, 2016
Well-written and with a smooth pace, there were no editing or grammatical errors that I found. This was one enjoyable read from start to finish, and Devon Rhodes is definitely an author to look out for. I would like to read more from her. 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!
Jan 6, 2016
Merissa (11734 KP) rated Lady Silver (Warlock Chronicles #1) in Books
Sep 23, 2021
LADY SILVER is the first book in the Warlock Chronicles and we enter a futuristic world that has been split between humans and warlocks, with obvious mistrust and antagonism on both sides. Bryanna and T'Laan have lived their lives on the edge under no one's control but that changes when they are captured by Devon Bastion and taken aboard his ship, Maelstrom.
There is a lot that goes on in this book that isn't explained. I hope it will become clearer in future books but, for this one, it left me wondering what was going on. We have a prologue with someone who has been captured, who drops names like breadcrumbs, and as a reader, I had no idea if I was supposed to remember these names as someone to be important. Then we skip to someone new, and then something new again. It became mostly conjoined as the story went on, but there were still parts that were fragmented and confusing.
T'Laan is the best character here, followed by Glynda. Bryanna gets away with a lot due to her naivete, but Devon? Well, he's certainly a character but I really can't say I like him. Apparently, he has reasons for everything he does, but he is just arrogant and dislikeable most of the time. He is aware that Bryanna has feelings for him, talks about possibly having feelings for her, and then treads all over them with no reason given apart from the obvious "I'm not good enough. It's for her benefit..." He lies and hides the truth, only sharing when it suits him.
I definitely wanted to know more about the Flow and how it works. Yes, I know there are different Elements, but how? What do they do? Are there limits? And the Big Bad? Just what is going on there?
I read this book and enjoyed it but I'm left with more questions than when I started and a healthy dislike of the main male character. Overall, I think this book is good and has the potential to be part of a great 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!
There is a lot that goes on in this book that isn't explained. I hope it will become clearer in future books but, for this one, it left me wondering what was going on. We have a prologue with someone who has been captured, who drops names like breadcrumbs, and as a reader, I had no idea if I was supposed to remember these names as someone to be important. Then we skip to someone new, and then something new again. It became mostly conjoined as the story went on, but there were still parts that were fragmented and confusing.
T'Laan is the best character here, followed by Glynda. Bryanna gets away with a lot due to her naivete, but Devon? Well, he's certainly a character but I really can't say I like him. Apparently, he has reasons for everything he does, but he is just arrogant and dislikeable most of the time. He is aware that Bryanna has feelings for him, talks about possibly having feelings for her, and then treads all over them with no reason given apart from the obvious "I'm not good enough. It's for her benefit..." He lies and hides the truth, only sharing when it suits him.
I definitely wanted to know more about the Flow and how it works. Yes, I know there are different Elements, but how? What do they do? Are there limits? And the Big Bad? Just what is going on there?
I read this book and enjoyed it but I'm left with more questions than when I started and a healthy dislike of the main male character. Overall, I think this book is good and has the potential to be part of a great 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!
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Serial Killer's Daughter in Books
Aug 14, 2022
As with the first in the series, The Serial Killer's Wife, this is not your usual serial killer story and although this is the second book, you don't have to have read the first ... this can be listened to/read as a standalone very easily.
Jenny is a local vet living with her husband and 2 children in a quiet village in Devon where nothing usually happens but then a young woman goes missing, Jenny is having blackouts and someone is leaving her "presents" on her doorstep. Jenny starts to doubt her own sanity and suspects those around her but could it be related to her father, the serial killer known as The Painted Lady Killer? Is Jenny taking after her father?
This is a great book to listen to and although it's a slow burner, it certainly kept me engaged throughout. It's full of suspense and mystery with a great twist at the end and I particularly liked the narrators who did a great job.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to The Serial Killer's Daughter and share my thoughts.
Jenny is a local vet living with her husband and 2 children in a quiet village in Devon where nothing usually happens but then a young woman goes missing, Jenny is having blackouts and someone is leaving her "presents" on her doorstep. Jenny starts to doubt her own sanity and suspects those around her but could it be related to her father, the serial killer known as The Painted Lady Killer? Is Jenny taking after her father?
This is a great book to listen to and although it's a slow burner, it certainly kept me engaged throughout. It's full of suspense and mystery with a great twist at the end and I particularly liked the narrators who did a great job.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to The Serial Killer's Daughter and share my thoughts.
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Death On The Coast in Books
Jun 5, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this “West Country Crime Mystery” Death on the Coast by Bernie Steadman, even though it was book 3 and I’d not read the previous two books in this series.
Set in Devon, DCI Dan Hellier and DS Sally Ellis’ crew make a gruesome discovery; someone is burning body parts in a very ritualistic way. Could a cult be responsible for this? What are their motivations? Can his team work out what is happening before another death hits their shores?
I whizzed through this well written story and although the title suggests cosy mystery to me, this is a much darker and more realistic police procedural. It’s got everything I love in a good murder mystery; a great cast of people with their own issues to contend with, interesting plot twists (despite knowing who is responsible all the way through the book) and enough intriguing goings on to keep me reading long well into the night until I finished it. Bernie Steadman is on fire with this book! I must keep up with this series from now on!
Thank you to Bloodhound Books, and #NetGalley for my ARC copy. This is my own opinion and not biased in any way.
Set in Devon, DCI Dan Hellier and DS Sally Ellis’ crew make a gruesome discovery; someone is burning body parts in a very ritualistic way. Could a cult be responsible for this? What are their motivations? Can his team work out what is happening before another death hits their shores?
I whizzed through this well written story and although the title suggests cosy mystery to me, this is a much darker and more realistic police procedural. It’s got everything I love in a good murder mystery; a great cast of people with their own issues to contend with, interesting plot twists (despite knowing who is responsible all the way through the book) and enough intriguing goings on to keep me reading long well into the night until I finished it. Bernie Steadman is on fire with this book! I must keep up with this series from now on!
Thank you to Bloodhound Books, and #NetGalley for my ARC copy. This is my own opinion and not biased in any way.
Debbiereadsbook (1095 KP) rated Trusting a Warrior (Loving a Warrior #3) in Books
Nov 26, 2020
Hansen can grab you, by the heart strings, and drag you kicking and screaming through every single emotion known to man
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 3 in the Loving A Warrior, and I STRONGLY suggest you read both books one, Loving A Warrior, and book 2, Keeping A Warrior, before you read this one. There is much referenced here that is not fully recapped. And you know, cos I said so! Both are 5 star reads.
As is this one!
Lani meets Geo on possibly the worst day of her life. Geo's ain't much better. Together they begin to navigate a relationship, while dealing with a huge amount of grief at the death of their loved ones.
Hansen has a knack of roping you in, pulling you close, and not letting you go. She can grab you, by the heart strings, and drag you kicking and screaming through every single emotion known to man, and then expect you to write a coherent review after!
I mean, I loved this book, I really did. It carries some difficult story lines, but again, Ms Hansen delivers them in a way that you cannot fault. Grief is a fickle thing, and everyone deals with that differently. I know, my sister and I dealt with my mother and father's death very different, but there is no right or wrong way. Here, Lani's grief is a decade old, but she still suffers. Geo's is much fresher, and it's HIS pain that hit me the most.
I have no personal experience of war, or those who serve. I can only imagine the horrors that are presented on a daily basis. It's to be expected that some will struggle with that, but put on a "brave face" The way Hansen describes Geo's grief and his own spiral downwards is heartbreaking, it really is. Only his relationship with Lani saves him.
I loved how the others in this series; Matt and Shane and Rhys and Devon, play a huge part here. I loved that Devon and Lani become such good friends, even if Lani is Rhys' ex.
What I want to know now, Ms Hansen, is this! Will we be privvy to want happened in Keeping A Warrior, and here, to Matt and Shane?? Cos let me tell ya, I does NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED to know! We get an inkling of what Matt suffers here, but not enough. So, please, write a followup!
Love, love LOVED the epilogue! And I loved Bosch, Geo's military dog.
I can't, in any honesty, give this book any less than. . .
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book 3 in the Loving A Warrior, and I STRONGLY suggest you read both books one, Loving A Warrior, and book 2, Keeping A Warrior, before you read this one. There is much referenced here that is not fully recapped. And you know, cos I said so! Both are 5 star reads.
As is this one!
Lani meets Geo on possibly the worst day of her life. Geo's ain't much better. Together they begin to navigate a relationship, while dealing with a huge amount of grief at the death of their loved ones.
Hansen has a knack of roping you in, pulling you close, and not letting you go. She can grab you, by the heart strings, and drag you kicking and screaming through every single emotion known to man, and then expect you to write a coherent review after!
I mean, I loved this book, I really did. It carries some difficult story lines, but again, Ms Hansen delivers them in a way that you cannot fault. Grief is a fickle thing, and everyone deals with that differently. I know, my sister and I dealt with my mother and father's death very different, but there is no right or wrong way. Here, Lani's grief is a decade old, but she still suffers. Geo's is much fresher, and it's HIS pain that hit me the most.
I have no personal experience of war, or those who serve. I can only imagine the horrors that are presented on a daily basis. It's to be expected that some will struggle with that, but put on a "brave face" The way Hansen describes Geo's grief and his own spiral downwards is heartbreaking, it really is. Only his relationship with Lani saves him.
I loved how the others in this series; Matt and Shane and Rhys and Devon, play a huge part here. I loved that Devon and Lani become such good friends, even if Lani is Rhys' ex.
What I want to know now, Ms Hansen, is this! Will we be privvy to want happened in Keeping A Warrior, and here, to Matt and Shane?? Cos let me tell ya, I does NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED to know! We get an inkling of what Matt suffers here, but not enough. So, please, write a followup!
Love, love LOVED the epilogue! And I loved Bosch, Geo's military dog.
I can't, in any honesty, give this book any less than. . .
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated The Fanatic (2019) in Movies
Sep 16, 2020 (Updated Sep 16, 2020)
Man what even is this film.
John Travolta's first line is "I can't talk too long, I gotta poo." At one point, he's dressed head to toe as Jason Voorhees for pretty much no reason. It's directed by Fred Durst. Devon Sawa's character listens to Limp Bizkit in his car and fucking loves it whilst saying the following: "You okay with some music? You like a little Limp Bizkit? Like a little Bizkit? Yeah? Nice and loud? I used to listen to this back in the day, this is hot. Oh my god, that is nice, that is nice! All right, here we go baby."
Not sure if this film is a blessing or a curse really. Is this Travolta's best performance ever or his absolute worst? I honestly can't tell! Shit is wild. One thing is for sure, Durst tries to make it "arty" by including an in your face voiceover narration now and again, and add in animated sketching sements when he feels like it because why the fuck not.
And it has a really nonsensical ending to the point of severe frustration.
I'm actually really thankful to everyone involved for providing us with a movie that is surely destined to become one big meme.
That ridiculous Limp Bizkit advertisement though, that's worth a star in my book.
John Travolta's first line is "I can't talk too long, I gotta poo." At one point, he's dressed head to toe as Jason Voorhees for pretty much no reason. It's directed by Fred Durst. Devon Sawa's character listens to Limp Bizkit in his car and fucking loves it whilst saying the following: "You okay with some music? You like a little Limp Bizkit? Like a little Bizkit? Yeah? Nice and loud? I used to listen to this back in the day, this is hot. Oh my god, that is nice, that is nice! All right, here we go baby."
Not sure if this film is a blessing or a curse really. Is this Travolta's best performance ever or his absolute worst? I honestly can't tell! Shit is wild. One thing is for sure, Durst tries to make it "arty" by including an in your face voiceover narration now and again, and add in animated sketching sements when he feels like it because why the fuck not.
And it has a really nonsensical ending to the point of severe frustration.
I'm actually really thankful to everyone involved for providing us with a movie that is surely destined to become one big meme.
That ridiculous Limp Bizkit advertisement though, that's worth a star in my book.