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The Dangerous Kingdom of Love
The Dangerous Kingdom of Love
Neil Blackmore | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+, Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
After reading this book, I’d just like to say that I think Francis Bacon is perhaps one of my favourite characters ever! He has (I should clarify: in this book) the right mix of intelligence, humour and cunning to survive at the court of James I, and to keep me reading!

Francis realises that his place at court is in danger as long as Robert Carr is James I’s bedfellow (it hasn’t been explicitly told in history that James I was having sex with Carr and other young men, but he certainly liked having the young, attractive boys around). Carr is set to marry Frances Howard, and the Howards hate Bacon. Therefore, Bacon decides to find the King a new young man and oust Carr. This part where Bacon supports the rise of Villiers is, I believe, true, so this adds credence to the story.

It’s a love story for Bacon from here. He’s a reluctant romantic where Villiers is concerned (we’ll gloss over the fact that his wife, Alice Barnham, isn’t even hinted at), and realises too late that he doesn’t want to be without him. However this coincides with Bacon’s dramatic fall from grace (which is true).

I love historical fiction that takes the bones of a story and moulds it into something else VERY MUCH! Francis Bacon and all the other characters in this are fully formed people, given personalities, loves, dreams and quirks that you never see in the history books. Yes, it’s good to know what really happened (if that’s your thing), but this book was fun! Francis has a wicked side to him that I fell for. I had to keep reminding myself that this wasn’t the real Francis Bacon, it was Neil Blackmore’s Francis Bacon.

So yes, read this book. It’s bawdy and explicit in places, but oh my! The feels, people! This ticked all of my historical fiction boxes, and more besides!
  
Music & Dreams (The Road to Rocktoberfest 2023)
Music & Dreams (The Road to Rocktoberfest 2023)
JP Sayle | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
hits spots I didn't know needed hitting!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.


This book is part of the Rocktoberfest 2023 series, a multi author series. I haven't read any others, but they are all stand alone reads.


Lorcan is a rock star, high up the food chain. Rogan is his child's nanny slash teacher. Rogan has all the feels for Lorcan, but knows that's crossing boundaries. Lorcan has something for Rogan, but it isn't till there is an accident that Lorcan begins to feel for Rogan.


Sometimes, you need a super low angst book, with some smexy times and some difficult times thrown in. This book delivers on those levels, and it delivers beautifully!


Rogan has crushed on Lorcan from the start of his employment to teach Lorcan's daughter, Amy. Lorcan's feelings weren't so pronounced from the beginning, but having to look after Ro was an eye opener. And when Lor discovers Ro can sing?? The man was a goner!


I loved Lorcan, and Rogan and Amy as a unit. Amy will be a force to be reckoned with, when she gets older! She sees far too much for a little un, but she has a down to earth demeanor that everyone loves. The things she says to make Lor see Ro, REALLY see him, are far too wise!


I didn't find it especially explicit, but its not about that. This book is about seeing what's in front of you, or rather, who. And about Ro getting over his insecurities to finally be able to fulfill his dreams through HIS music, not just everyone else's.


I loved the guys in the band, Tibi and Finlee and I hope they get a story too.


Hitting spots that I really didn't know I needed hitting, and at short notice too, this was a wonderful read!


5 full and shiny stars


*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
TL
The Lies We Tell
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
dark and deadly but oh so good!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Nate is a police detective tasked with taking down the local gang leader. Ollie witnesses a murder by said gang leader and Nate is tasked to keep him safe. Even if it costs him his own life.

This is a decidedly darker book by Adams, and I loved it!

Nate is a jaded police detective, facing the end of his marriage. He is a grumpy git, with good reason. Meeting Ollie gives him a teeny tiny light to hang on to. Ollie, in turn, comes to rely on Nate to keep him safe. I loved that neither saw the other coming. I mean, Nate thought he was straight, and here is is, drooling over a PICTURE of a possible lead on the gang leader he wants to take down.

I loved that it all crept up on them, Nate and Ollie both. And I loved the way Nate's soon-to-be-ex wife dealt with everything. She could have been a nasty b8tch but I'm glad she wasn't.

Although the blurb says spice and steam, I didn't think it overly explicit, indeed it's quite some time before Nate and Ollie get physical. It's more about the powerful emotions they evoke in each other than the smex.

It is, as I said, on the darker side. Some on page torture of a police officer is described, and on page kidnapping. (Did not see that one coming, I tell ya!) There is Ollie's abuse at the hands of the gang leader (some off and some on page) Gang activities are talked about too. Be midnful of these, if you have triggers.

Pushing my personal boundaries in the best way, an excellent read. I am loving watching Ms Adams grow and develop her skill. It's been a crazy ride so far, but I do not wanna get off!

5 full but dark stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Sloane's List
Sloane's List
Viola Estrella | 2023 | Contemporary, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
high on the cute scale!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Sloane is now an empty nester, after sending her 18 year old daughter off to college. She has a list of ten things she wants to do. She just needs a man to help her. Enter Oscar. He meets her the day before Paige goes off, and is smitten from then on. But Oscar is younger than Sloane, and has a bit of a reputation. What's a girl to do, eh?

Bar one thing, and I will come back to that, I loved this!

It's a really easy read, and I mean that in a very VERY good way.

There were some plot lines I did not see coming, so well played there, but the penny did drop really fast! And some coming at ya like a freaking freight train, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it. But I loved that! Sometimes, it really is lovely to see it all laid out for you.

It's not overly explicit, and I loved that here, for these two. I was expecting it to be, for some reason, and I loved being proven wrong about what I needed to read at this point in time.

Fairly low on the angst scale, but high on the cute scale and scorching on the warm and fuzzy scale!

I loved that we got to hear from both Sloane and Oscar, but also from Paige (Sloane's daughter) Alex (Oscar's brother) and the mother hen in the apartment complex, Auntie Ernie.

So, what didn't I like? Simple. First person, present tense AND multi point of view. In fact, I very VERY nearly dumped this, once I saw how it was written. So very VERY glad I didn't!

I haven't read anything by this author before, and I think I'd like to read something with a bit more bite.

But still, a very VERY good, 4 star read.

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Hiraeth
Hiraeth
Morgan Sheppard | 2021 | Contemporary, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's a wonderful tale of finding yourself, you past, your future and falling in love!
Contains spoilers, click to show
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Ellis takes a vacation in North Wales, and finds herself feeling so much at home. Meeting Luke helped, but she had to return to Cardiff. Following dreams of dragons and Merlin, Ellis needs to go back to the vacation spot, and then things really get odd.

I liked this, I liked this a lot!

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Ellis takes a vacation in North Wales, and finds herself feeling so much at home. Meeting Luke helped, but she had to return to Cardiff. Following dreams of dragons and Merlin, Ellis needs to go back to the vacation spot, and then things really get odd.

I liked this, I liked this a lot!

It's a wonderful tale of finding yourself, you past, your future and falling in love!

Of course, tales of dragons and Merlin help, but the level of research is exceptionally clear here, with lots and LOTS of Welsh tales, myths and legends told.

The feelings Ellis have for Luke grow and develop over time, and it's really only they are apart that things start to get serious for both Ellis and Luke. The call of Beddgelert, and indeed, of each other on their souls and hearts is too powerful to ignore. Ellis gets back, but it takes a bit longer for Luke to finally admit that he needs to go home.

It's told from Ellis and Luke's point of view, along with a couple of others that need a say. Each voice is clear and different, most pointedly when Luke talks about his past, his knowledge of what he is and what Ellis is to him. Ellis doesn't have that, and she needs to learn it.

There's no drama or danger, aside from discovering that dragons still exist! It's not totally clean, there is love and passion here, but nothing explicit. It's well written and extremely well delivered.

Lots of Welsh names here, and I had no idea how to pronounce them! But it didn't spoil my enjoyment, just made me chuckle trying to read them out loud :-)

A wonderful, delightful, beautifully written love story, set in Wales, with all its myths and legends about dragons. And now I wanna visit Beddgelert, cos it's a real place, and see all the wonderful places that Ellis visits!

4 fabulous stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**

Of course, tales of dragons and Merlin help, but the level of research is exceptionally clear here, with lots and LOTS of Welsh tales, myths and legends told.

The feelings Ellis have for Luke grow and develop over time, and it's really only they are apart that things start to get serious for both Ellis and Luke. The call of Beddgelert, and indeed, of each other on their souls and hearts is too powerful to ignore. Ellis gets back, but it takes a bit longer for Luke to finally admit that he needs to go home.

It's told from Ellis and Luke's point of view, along with a couple of others that need a say. Each voice is clear and different, most pointedly when Luke talks about his past, his knowledge of what he is and what Ellis is to him. Ellis doesn't have that, and she needs to learn it.

There's no drama or danger, aside from discovering that dragons still exist! It's not totally clean, there is love and passion here, but nothing explicit. It's well written and extremely well delivered.

Lots of Welsh names here, and I had no idea how to pronounce them! But it didn't spoil my enjoyment, just made me chuckle trying to read them out loud :-)

A wonderful, delightful, beautifully written love story, set in Wales, with all its myths and legends about dragons. And now I wanna visit Beddgelert, cos it's a real place, and see all the wonderful places that Ellis visits!

4 fabulous stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Lonestar's Lady
Lonestar's Lady
Deborah Camp | 2017 | Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
delightful historical romance
I was gifted my copy of this book, that I write a review was not required.

Gussy travels across the country to find the man she was supposed to marry a liar, and a drunken fellow. Max Lonestar offers Gussy an alternative, one that would get them both what they want. Can Gussy see past Max' history, his prison time, his heritage??

I thoroughly enjoyed this!

Gussy is a bit of a headstrong young lady, and for her time, maybe too much, but she wants what every girl of her age wants: a husband, a permanent home, children. Granted, she went across country as a mail order bride to get what she wants, so maybe not the best way, but Lonestar's alternative is better than a trip home. And let's face it, Lonestar is a much better looking man than her original intended! So she puts her heart and soul, and indeed her body, into making this work, even when Lonestar pushes her away when things get dangerous.

Pulled to Augusta like no woman has ever pulled him, he hopes and prays that this will work, that she will give him what he craves. I liked that he gave her an "out" option should they not be able to work it. I liked that he, and he alone called her Augusta.

It's quite obvious who is causing the trouble to Max and Gussy, to me at least, I just didn't think he would go THAT far! I LOVED that the town pulled together, finally, to help Gussy and Max rebuild.

Not overly explicit, it carries the right amount of steamy stuff that is proper for this book, and for the time this was set. Just enough, I thought! It does carry some prejudices but they were common at that time (some still today!)

Not a difficult read, just one of those books you can fall into and lose a couple hours, I managed to read this in one sitting. But well written, from both Gussy and Max' point of view, so you get to hear from both of them.

Thank you to Ms Camp for my copy, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

4 solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Lost Voices (Lost Voices, #1)
Lost Voices (Lost Voices, #1)
Sarah Porter | 2011 | Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I'm not particularly sure what I think about Lost Voices. Here's the basic rundown: Beautiful writing, interesting story, and gripping plot and pacing. Here's the problem: I didn't like most of the characters.

I liked the main character, Luce. She was smart and brave but a little sullen. And I couldn't figure out if I liked the queen of the mermaids. At first I hated her because I didn't trust her, and then at times I did like her, and she seemed bi-polar. Some of the other mermaid girls made me so mad I wanted to hit them. Especially the disloyal ones (There was a section where the girls started following someone else as their queen and she wasn't a good choice). Also on the loyalty aspect: I felt like out of all the girls (there had to be at least thirty by this section of the story) there had to be at least one besides Luce who was loyal to the other queen. It didn't make any sense. Those other mermaids frustrated me beyond all reason.

Back to the great side of the book, the writing was beautiful. It was enchanting and descriptive. There were parts that felt odd or out of place, and it would have been much better if it were from Luce's perspective (it was third person) but it was good and easy to read.

The book was addicting, and I couldn't stop thinking about it. The plot was interesting, the pacing was good, and there was tension all throughout the book. But the characters were frustrating. Maybe it was a good frustration, because I read it pretty quickly.

My only other complaint is the ending: It could have had a little more closure, or a little more promise. It was sort of like "oh, okay, so now it's over. now what? what happens next?" It reminded me a little of Cassandra Clare's endings (only it wasn't as horrible of a cliff-hanger).

Content/Recommendation: Some slightly emotionally disturbing references like rape, abuse, violence etc. but nothing explicit. No language. Ages 14+
  
Sweetwater (The Kihn #1)
Sweetwater (The Kihn #1)
Rivi Jacks | 2013 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
kinda creeps up on ya!
Verified purchase December 2013

Now, I will be honest here, right up front, I only bought this book, because the author was giving away two additional books (from other authors) and it was a good deal.

Sofie returns to her childhood home, after the death of her parents. Parents who made it clear she was never wanted. Things are afoot in Sweetwater, and no one is quite sure what.

Lucas and his Hunters arrive to explain what is going on and how they are going to deal with it.

IT are the Kihn. while it isn't explained fully WHAT they are, they do get up to no good, what with a Gateway opening soon, near to Sweetwater. Sofie has knowledge of the Kihn, she has been seeing them in her dreams for years.

Enter a HUGE cast of supporting actors, witches, Wiccan, werewolves, guardian angels that only the Wiccan can see, various aunts, uncles, cousins and friends!!

The tale took a while to get going, Lucas and Sofie don't meet till almost half way through, and the blur comes with and explicit warning, which again, doesn't arrive til past half way, BUT its a good tale. Lots of interaction between all the characters, with more and MORE added along the way (this huge cast was one of the reasons it got 4 stars instead of 5, the other, the long warm up) Its a different tale and I enjoyed it. There is another planned and it will be purchased when its released, as this one ends on a bit of a cliff hanger!

I particularly liked the way Jacks throws things at you, just like that, "its the only way I know to keep them away, you know" made me go OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH what are "they"??? and how little hints get dropped along they way as to WHAT the supernatural people are. While its fairly obvious (after a time) what Lucas is, Sofie clicks in the last 3 lines of the book!

A different read, a good read, and I would recommend it!

And! It's present tense!

4 solid stars