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Healing Kiss
Healing Kiss
Amanda Uhl | 2023 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
HEALING KISS is a contemporary romance with paranormal elements. Lilian is able to store energy and use it to heal others, especially those who are quite literally on the same wavelength as her. It is not a finite source though and does have an impact. She returns to Cleveland to save her sister from dying. She has been on the run for the past two years from a dodgy company that wants to use her talents against her will. Tristan is a billionaire with trust issues and a mother who is dying. When these two bump into each other, it sets off events that neither of them could have foreseen.

This was a slow starter for me but once I got into the groove, the rest of the book flew by. There is quite a bit of angst, both in general and between our two main characters. Angelina was made into too big a deal for my liking and I found myself skipping over the scenes with her in them, which is a shame as they help to move the story forwards, but I just found I couldn't help myself!

The build-up to the end and the epilogue were fantastic and I really hope to read Hannah's story. This was a thoroughly enjoyable story with a fresh look at talents and how they 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 opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 5, 2023
  
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Merissa (13178 KP) rated Uprising (Rebellion #3) in Books

Apr 7, 2022 (Updated Jun 26, 2023)  
Uprising (Rebellion #3)
Uprising (Rebellion #3)
Annabelle Jacobs | 2022 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
UPRISING is the third book in the Rebellion series, and I think this is the last. The story is wrapped up nicely, giving me exactly the ending I was looking for.

This book focuses on Michael and Isaac, the two enigmatic Alphas from packs seemingly on opposite sides of the war, but looks can be deceiving as we find out. Isaac and Michael were as close as two wolves could be without being bonded. When they decided what they were going to do, it placed them miles apart - both figuratively and literally. Now events have brought them back together, but can they pick up where they left off?

Uprising starts where Defiance finished and the whole host of characters return, including those you love to hate. Some will shock you though, and some you will end up feeling sympathy for. Don't you just love it when an author does that to you?

Just as full of action as the previous two, you get the bigger picture in this as groups start working together. If there was one character I wish I'd heard more from, it would be Baker, but it wasn't his book!

A brilliant end to a fantastic series and absolutely recommended by me, so long as you read it as a series and don't miss out on any of the good bits.

** 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 7, 2022
  
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Merissa (13178 KP) rated Restrained Desires (Rehoboth Pact #3) in Books

Apr 4, 2022 (Updated Jun 26, 2023)  
Restrained Desires (Rehoboth Pact #3)
Restrained Desires (Rehoboth Pact #3)
Katherine McIntyre | 2022 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
RESTRAINED DESIRES is the third book in the Rehoboth Pact series, bringing to a close this fantastic trilogy. Kyle has played her part in the previous two books, strong and steady but kind of in the background. Now it's her time to shine.

Oh, Kyle! Bless you, sweetheart. You are so completely adorable but, please excuse me as I deck your mother! What a piece of work! It's amazing you turned out as you did. And thank goodness Chelsea can see that.

When I first read fake-date, I will admit to groaning a little. I love that trope but felt Kyle deserved someone who saw her, and who wanted her. And guess what? That's exactly what I got! Chelsea has her own issues to contend with but never did she not see Kyle for the wonderful human being she is. (Yes, I do know she's a character!)

Aubrey - you were a sod in this one. I went off you for a while. I'll let you off... just this once.

This is a spicy-hot story with plenty of feel-good moments. I will even admit to my eyes leaking but that's all I'm saying.

Ms McIntyre certainly saved the best until last in my opinion. Absolutely amazing. This whole trilogy is definitely one to buy, keep, and to re-read. ❤

** 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!
Mar 31, 2022
  
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Merissa (13178 KP) rated Code Blue (Atrous Series #2) in Books

Feb 23, 2022 (Updated Jul 3, 2023)  
Code Blue (Atrous Series #2)
Code Blue (Atrous Series #2)
N.R. Walker | 2022 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
CODE BLUE is a follow-up to Code Red, the first in this duo. Now, I LOVED Code Red, so this one can't possibly be as good, can it? It's an N.R. Walker book - OF COURSE, it can!!!

I got my wish - I got more of Steve and Jeremy. What I wasn't prepared for was how much I would fall in love with both of them as they struggle with certain feelings, situations, and people.

Told completely from Steve's point of view, we see him struggle with his love for Jeremy when a stalker becomes apparent. He also has secrets from his past that come back to bite him in the butt, but which help to explain his feelings. Jeremy is also struggling with his health, which doesn't help matters. Code Red was on tour, this one is mainly at Jeremy's home for reasons that become apparent. And, yes, the name of the book means something!

I was so happy to see Moscoe here and the support they provided. The epilogue had me in tears for both couples, but then I'm sappy that way.

This was an amazing sequel and I'm delighted N.R. Walker wrote it. This is definitely a duology for me to buy in paperback, so I can look at them on my shelves, and fall in love with them all over again.

Absolutely fantastic and completely and utterly 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!
Feb 23, 2022
  
Fly by Night
Fly by Night
Frances Hardinge | 2005 | Children
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
116 of 220
Kindle
Fly by Night ( Book 1)
By Frances Hardinge
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A fantastic adventure story set in an alternative historical world that launches the career of a uniquely talented children's writer. In a fractured Realm, struggling to maintain an uneasy peace after years of civil war and religious tyrrany, a 12- year- old orphan and a homicidal goose become the accidental heroes of a revolution. Mosca has spent her life in a miserable hamlet, where her father was banished for writing inflammatory books about tolerance and freedom. Now he is dead, and Mosca is on the run after unintentionally setting fire to a mill. With a delightful swindler named Eponymous Clent, she heads for the city of Mandelion. A born liar, Mosca lives by her wits in a world of highwaymen and smugglers, dangerously insane rulers in ludicrous wigs, secret agents and radical plotters. She is recruited as a spy by the fanatical Mabwick Toke, leader of the Guild of Stationers, who fears losing his control over the publication of every book in the state. Mosca's activities reveal a plot to force a rule of terror on the Realm, and merry mayhem soon leads to murder..

I really enjoyed this. A girl trying to escape her fate she releases a prisoner and becomes his aide this is a full adventure for her and as she goes she learns a lot about herself and who to trust. It’s a hard road for Mosca but she has her pet goose to help her through. It’s a quirky world inspired by English history. Where books are dangerous.
  
Calvin (Almstead Island: Newcomer's Club #2)
Calvin (Almstead Island: Newcomer's Club #2)
Kerry Kilpatrick | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
CALVIN is the second book in the Almstead Island: Newcomer's Club and you don't need to have read book one (Will and Beckett) but I recommend you do, just because it's a wonderful story.

And this one is too! Don't get me wrong, Calvin comes into Micah's life on a wrecking ball, steamrollering over him in pretty much every way. Luckily for Calvin, that is exactly what Micah needs, although he does push back in small ways, which was great to see.

Will and Beckett are also in this book, with Will helping a clueless Calvin, and Beckett being a friend to Micah when he desperately needs one. One thing I will say, is I loved Beckett's response to Micah's problem!!! Muah *chef's kiss*

Calvin and Micah work in pretty much every way imaginable. Yes, they made mistakes and didn't communicate 100% but who does? They both had good reasons for behaving the way they did. Jamie is Calvin's best friend and I know he was looking out for him, but he was a bit of a d!ck too!!

Another fantastic story that had me gripped from the very (horrible - because of everything Micah has been through) beginning, right through to the HEA that completely satisfied. I know it is Emil and Anders next, but I'm hoping for Jamie and Noah to have a story too, whether together or separately, I don't care!

** 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!
Jan 29, 2025
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2395 KP) rated The Library Game in Books

Apr 18, 2025 (Updated Apr 18, 2025)  
The Library Game
The Library Game
Gigi Pandian | 2025 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder Strolls into a Library
Tempest Raj and the rest of the team are working on turning a house into a new library in Hidden Creek, this one focused on classic mysteries. While the library isn’t ready to open yet, they are participating in the Summer Stroll program that kicks off in a few days. Their contribution will be an escape room and an interactive mystery play that Tempest wrote with her best friend, Ivy. Naturally, Tempest is there for a dress rehearsal. Unfortunately, it goes horribly wrong with one of the actors turning up dead after a scripted power outage. However, by the time they call the police, the body is gone. Is he really dead? If so, who moved the body?

The case is even more impossible than I was able to work into my teaser, and I had fun watching Tempest lead us to the logical solution. The pacing might have lagged a bit in the middle, but that might be me. It was fantastic to spend time with all the regulars again, and I’m curious where some of the relationships will go from here. The suspects were good, too. We get a delicious sounding recipe for Blackberry Crumble Cobbler and more references to classic mysteries. I really need to find a time to read some of them. This book will work well as an intro/standalone if you haven’t read the earlier books in the series yet. But you’ll want to go back to read them after the fun you’ll have here. Fans will be glad they picked up this book.
  
Broken Heart Questioned (Bella and the Beast Master #5)
Broken Heart Questioned (Bella and the Beast Master #5)
Sarah Westill | 2025 | Mystery, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
BROKEN HEART QUESTIONED is the fifth novella in the Bella and the Beast Master series. You will need to read the others in this series to get the full enjoyment, but if it's just the mystery part you're after, then you 'could' read it as a standalone, but seriously - Why?

Markus returns to Bella after being called away for a few months. He has missed her desperately. Bella has also missed him just as much, but she's also had other things on her mind. Such as trying to keep the contents of her stomach from making a reappearance. Not only that, but those d@mned hormones are making life difficult. So maybe it's not the best time to investigate on behalf of someone who has been accused of murdering five women.

Do you know my favourite part of this book? Well, all of it, obviously, but THE favouritest part? Those hormones! Do you have any idea how wonderful it is to read about a pregnancy where everything isn't all sunshine and roses? For some, it is, yes, but not for everyone. So reading about how difficult it can make just day-to-day living was fantastic and something completely relatable.

I can't wait to read whatever comes next from this amazing author, and HIGHLY RECOMMEND both this series and the Gen-Heirs: The Guardians of Sziveria series. Simply superb!

** 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!
Jul 1, 2025
  
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
2014 | Action, Sci-Fi
Chris Evan as Steve Rogers/Captain America Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow Sebastian stan as Bucky Barnes/The winter soldier The rest of the cast Fury's car chase The elevator scene (1 more)
The highway fight scene Cap and Bucky's final fight Cap and Bucky's relationship The political intrigue Antony Mackie as Falcon
Nothing (0 more)
"i'm with you till the end of the line"
Man 2014 sure was a fantastic year for Marvel! Not only did we get Guardians of the Galaxy, but also Captain America the Winter Soldier, a film that I honestly didn’t really appreciate all that much when I first saw it, as back then I wasn’t all that interested in the plots of these films more then I was just seeing the cool characters and fight scenes. But upon rewatching this I was legitimately blown away by how jaw dropping good this was, because not only is this an amazing movie that completely surpasses the first film on every level with it’s excellent story and standout action sequences, but also serves as a great action thriller, and surprisingly, a political satire that reflects the corruption that lies in our very own government. And sure Jon Favreau and Joss Whedon did great jobs with their inclusions in the franchise, but the Russo brothers just absolutely nailed it with this film.

And what makes Winter Soldier so good and entertaining, is it’s extremely captivating story. I was so invested in it that I couldn’t take my eyes off of the screen, I focused and paid attention to every line of dialogue that was said by these characters, as well as every easter egg and reference, which trust me, there are a lot of! This film also features a ton of different twists and turns which on my first viewing way back in 2014, really had me shocked, and though rewatching it five years later doesn’t at all have the same impact on me that it once did, it still is highly entertaining, and some scenes do actually still hold that element of surprise with their abrupt sequences. And while technically they’re not in that jump scare category, the were some parts of the movie that really caught me off guard and made my heart stop for a moment. One aspect about this movie that I thought was very interesting and added a sense of realism to the plot, was the political satire that was excellently interwoven into the storyline of the movie, and like I said, really made the film feel very grounded because it reflects all of the corruption lying within our very own government, and for Captain America to want to expose that and put a stop to it really when you think about it lines up perfectly with Steve’s very patriotic attitude and outlook. I mean he’s Captain America for crying out loud!

All of the performances in this film are absolutely phenomenal! Chris Evans, Scarlet Johansson, Robert Redford, Sebastian Stan, as well as Anthony Mackie. And if that’s not good enough we’ve got freaking Samuel L. Jackson reprising he role as Nick Fury. What more could you possibly ask for in terms of casting, I mean seriously! There is not a single bad or bland performance, and everyone gets to shine with their own great and memorable moments. But for me the standout of this movie is Sebastian Stan as the Winter Soldier. Holy crap! This is the definition of a badass villain, and he owns every scene he is in. Whenever he shows up on screen and starts taking down guys your heart just starts beating faster and faster, and I was on the edge of my seat when watching the nail biting action scenes he shows up in. So gold star to the Russo brothers for not giving us another two dimensional baddie just there to be evil, as well as being a typical MCU villain. Yeah I’m looking at you Darren Cross! Overall just fantastic performances.

The action scenes in this movie are amazing, and you can really tell that the filmmakers as well as the Russos really put a lot of effort in these sequences, as they are choreographed and shot so well, and the way the directors move the camera really adds a whole other intense and exhilarating edge to these already intense scenes. The highway scene in particular is probably one of, if not the best part of the movie, I mean it’s just perfection, and that’s mainly because of the excellent choreography and directing, that Joe and Anthony Russo definitely put a lot of time into getting just right. And they not only did it right, they did it masterfully! Henry Jackman’s score for the film is so good as well, and it may just be in my top ten favorite soundtracks of all time. And the Winter Soldier’s theme is just downright fantastic as well as absolutely terrifying!

So that’s my review. This is a film that really surpassed my low expectations when rewatching this for the first time in a few years. And with it’s great storyline and characters, as well as it’s amazing performances and action sequences, which kept me enthralled and entertained the entire time, Winter Soldier proves that it is not just a great Captain America movie, or MCU addition, and that it is just an amazing film in general.
  
Kill the Father
Kill the Father
Sandrone Dazieri | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
9
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Filled with Twists and Turns
This was one of the better thriller/mystery novels I have read so far this year. Wow. It was well written, filled with lots of twists and turns and the way everything is tied together is fantastic and makes the writing flow to keep you engaged and the pages turning.

The characters speak for themselves. They’re heavily flawed and are dealing with horrible pasts. I like both of them and Dante and Colomba do make a great team. Dante certainly has his quirks and his mannerisms due to his being a previous kidnapping victim. It feels like they certainly complement each other and they have an amazing chemistry when working together. They’re both very strong characters, no doubt.

If any of you have read The Monster’s Daughter by Michelle Pretorius I found some similarities between Colomba and Alet in the fact they both don’t take crap and go beyond their limits to solve things and they’re certainly not afraid to take a swing or kick to make their point across (Colomba has a good share of that throughout the book)

The plot was really good and what I really enjoyed reading the most was the way everything was seamless and how it was put together. Everything that happened to Colomba and Dante was related and well explained. The explanation as to the origins of Colomba’s situation was very well done! I enjoyed that aspect of the plot. The only thing is, the book is rather long and the plot a bit on the slow side but it’s nevertheless a great read and going through the twists and turns was completely worth it.

And yes, there’s a cliffhanger ending. I can’t wait to read the second one.