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Rogue's Passion (Iron Portal #2)
Rogue's Passion (Iron Portal #2)
Laurie London | 2013 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Asher and Olivia actually make a very good couple, although Asher does come across as a bit of a tool to begin. In his defence, he is injured and worried about his dog... but still. Olivia is traumatised as a bomb has just exploded nearby and people are injured and dying. The ability to control her healing talent is hard at the best of times but in circumstances like this, near impossible.

Due to Asher toning down his attitude, Olivia realises that he isn't actually as bad as she originally thought. Just in time too, as two Army Investigative Unit officers arrive on the scene. An unregistered Healer talent and a Cascadian barbarian would not go down well. Luckily they help each other and are able to leave. Things heat up pretty quickly after that although they both agree that it is only for a week, to begin with. They both have a history that makes them wary of the thought of commitment.

Cameo appearances are made by Neyla and Rickert as well as a few others from Book 1.

Well-written and fast-paced, Olivia and Asher work well and play hard. This is an intense and sometimes steamy novella which carries on perfectly with the Iron Portal series. Definitely recommended and looking forward to the next one.

* 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!
Jun 21, 2015
  
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ClareR (5784 KP) rated The Split in Books

Nov 4, 2021  
The Split
The Split
Laura Kay | 2021 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Humor & Comedy, LGBTQ+, Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
There aren’t many books that make me laugh out loud, but The Split did just that - and more than once. It doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a book with much to laugh about. I mean, Ally is dumped by her girlfriend who is already seeing someone else, she’s having a career crisis after managing to escape teaching, and she moves back in with her dad in Sheffield - which is a long way from London. At the last minute, Ally impulsively takes the cat - Emily’s cat. I think this surprises Ally too, as the cat doesn’t seem to like anyone, least of all Ally.

So not the cheeriest subject, but the way it was written - and the narration by Imogen Church - was what made me empathise with Ally. And the situations Ally found herself in were so relatable. I felt really mean laughing at her and Jeremy going out for their first few runs, but they were hilarious (and I’ve been there too!).

I even found myself talking to Ally (should I own up to this, and the fact that I was wearing headphones at the time?!), and was helpfully reminded by the 17 year old, that telling a fictitious character not to email her ex-girlfriend was pretty pointless. I stand by what I said though!

I loved this book, and it brightened my day for a week of dog walks and (the dreaded) dinner preparation!
Recommended!
Many thanks to Quercus for my original e-copy (even though I listened to it on Audible!).
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2271 KP) rated Dead Man's Hand in Books

Nov 29, 2023 (Updated Nov 29, 2023)  
Dead Man's Hand
Dead Man's Hand
Penny Warner | 2010 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Chip in the Dead Man’s Hand
The cold, snowy weather that Flat Skunk, California is having this January doesn’t hide a dead body, especially since the body is found hanging in front of one of the stores in town. While it would be easy to rule it an obvious suicide, the sheriff finds evidence that leads him to believe it is murder. Naturally, Connor Westphal sees the chance to get a big news story for her paper, but she can’t get a handle on the story. What is the meaning of the chip from the nearby Indian casino found in the victim’s hand? Or does the victim’s drug dealing have anything to do with his death?

This book didn't have quite the feel of the other books in the series, and some of the regulars were absent or weren't around much. Having said that, I did still enjoy seeing Connor one last time. She makes an interesting and strong main character. I also enjoyed getting to see more of her service dog. The plot was strong and I didn't see the ending coming at all. I enjoyed seeing how things had changed for deaf people even in the short time between when the series started and this book, which came out in 2007. There is much more foul language than is typical for a cozy. This is the final book in the series, and I really liked where Connor wound up. I'm sure that other fans of the series will be happy as well.
  
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Shrooms ( Garden Variety Zombies 1)
Zola Joyce | 2023
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
163 of 235
Kindle
Booksirens ARC
Shrooms (Garden Variety Zombies 1)
By Zola Joyce
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hazel always had doubts about the protective abilities of the government. Particularly Child Protective Services and the cranky old lady who’d been doing her best to separate Hazel from her one and only parental unit. Why couldn’t Mrs. Stenopoulos see the value of independent living, and Hazel’s knack for it from the youngest of ages?
She was second in command of her mother’s slightly illegal but very profitable enterprise.
She’d taught herself to drive a full four years before she was eligible to get a license.
She’d rescued her beloved hound from the ‘Clinical Trial’ her mother’s boyfriend of the month had recently concocted.
And just a few weeks after her 15th birthday, she’d secured a full ride scholarship to the local university. Early entrance.
Hazel was a caretaker, a dog lover, and a crack shot. Ask anyone in town.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.


If you enjoy Zombie YA then it’s definitely the book for you! I think it could have done with a bit more humor and it did have some just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I’ve gone with a 3⭐️ because it’s well written and the idea is really interesting. The ending has thrown me a little and I really want to read the next to make sure I wasn’t high on mushrooms reading that last page 😆.