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Bound & Teased
Bound & Teased
Marie Tuhart | 2015 | Contemporary, Erotica, Romance
8
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ry and Jed had an unusual upbringing and this may have had an effect on how they live their lives. Does it really matter? Not if you are enjoying this book! This is just part of the backstory that you learn about as the book develops. You will also learn about why and how Katie left, why she has returned, what her relationship with her father is like, and also how cool her gran is.

There is a lot of action in this book and lots of games played. Part of the realisation that Katie has to make is the difference between pleasure for 'you' and pleasure for 'only me'. Ry and Jed want her to feel pleasure, they get their pleasure from that. Things Katie has seen have given her a jaundiced view so it is something that she works on. They push Katie's boundaries, but they also respect her safewords.

Well written, with plenty of steaminess, and a dash of mystery, this book delivers just what it says in the synopsis. If you don't like ménage or BDSM, then I can pretty much guarantee you won't like this book. If you do like them, then I would have no hesitation in recommending this one for you to try.

* 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!
Jan 15, 2016
  
A Raven's Touch
A Raven's Touch
Linda Bloodworth | 2016 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This story starts with Justice waking up from a dream, outside her home in her nightwear. Not only that, but she appears to have two 'muffins' growing out of her shoulder blades. She has no idea of what is going on, is afraid to tell her parents, and on top of that, needs to get ready to go back to the hell that is called high school.

A Raven's Touch includes some shocking (violent) scenes in the high school that are necessary to the storyline. So much happens in such a small amount of time, but it is well-written and paced so it doesn't feel rushed when you are reading it. There is a reference made in the beginning to Matt Smith's Doctor Who - or at least, I like to think so. This made me smile as I read through the beginning.

This is a story of friendships, hardships, love and hate. With vampires, witches, elves and angels who speak to "Him" on a daily basis, this is the start of a series that I am looking forward to continuing. Personally, I can't wait to read more about Darien and Justice, although Moira and Tom make me smile too. Definitely 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!
Feb 19, 2016
  
Twist of Fate (Weavers Of The Ether #2)
Twist of Fate (Weavers Of The Ether #2)
Essie Suter | 2023 | Erotica, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
TWIST OF FATE is the second book in the Weavers of the Ether. You don't necessarily have to have read book one but I feel it would help more if you did.

Anyway, this is Wren's story and we start off with her rambling around in a forest, goodness knows where, as she ponders her life and just how she ended up in this position. Then she falls into a trap laid by rogue mages, plus meets two of her three mates. And then the third turns up and the fun really starts.

There were parts of this book that felt slightly disjointed or jerky as the story moved from one thing to another and I was left with unanswered questions. I'm not sure about that epilogue. It felt as though Wren's story was done with when that happened! I will have to wait and see. I am glad to hear other books will be coming in this series though, as this is a world I am enjoying and look forward to learning more about.

Overall, I enjoyed this story and catching up with Soren, Echo, and the rest. Orion is definitely my favourite out of this lot. So let's see what happens next!

** 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 23, 2023
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2275 KP) rated Under the Paper Moon in Books

Apr 25, 2024 (Updated Apr 25, 2024)  
Under the Paper Moon
Under the Paper Moon
Shaina Steinberg | 2024 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I Wished I’d Liked It Better
Not content to stay home during World War II, Evelyn Bishop went to Europe and joined the OSS. Now back in Los Angeles, she has settled into life as a PI. But when the target of her latest case is murdered, Evelyn must join forces with Nick Gallagher, the man who betrayed her, to figure out what is going on. Can they do it?

The premise and setting for this book intrigued me, and I dove in excited to see what would be happening. We get some flashbacks to the war, but most of the book is set in the “present” of 1948. The story was good with plenty going on to keep us engaged and a climax that makes sense. But there are many things that didn’t work for me, including the relationship between the leads. I also feel like the author forced a certain ending on Evelyn’s life. But maybe it was just that I was rooting for other things to happen. In the end, I was okay with the way Evelyn’s life turned out. Maybe it was just that the film noir inspiration didn’t work for me here. The narration got a little awkward at times as well, but most of the time it worked. I’m not sorry I read this book, and I got caught up in the story, but I’ll probably pass on anything else from the author.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2275 KP) rated Irish Soda Bread Murder in Books

Dec 26, 2024 (Updated Dec 26, 2024)  
Irish Soda Bread Murder
Irish Soda Bread Murder
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
These Loaves of Bread Aren’t Deadly to Your Waistline. They’re Just Deadly
Three cozy mystery authors reunite to again present St. Patrick themed novellas with their characters. Up first, Carlene O’Connor revisits her Home to Ireland characters as Tara gets involved when her aunt’s rival dies from Irish soda bread. Next, Peggy Ehrhart presents a story with her Knits and Nibbles characters when a judge in a contest baking dies after sampling the first loaf of bread. Finally, Liz Ireland takes Mrs. Claus and three of the elves from Santaland to Oregon when April goes to investigate a leak in her inn only to get involved in some shady things going on with her caretaker.

All three stories are entertaining. I read this anthology for the Mrs. Claus story, but I felt right at home with the characters from the first two as well, so if you haven’t met any of them yet, you can easily use this to sample the authors. Given that these are novellas, I felt the authors all did a good job of bringing the characters to life, although I did feel the pacing could have been stronger. Still, I enjoyed all the stories and the twists we did get. I even laughed at that final story multiple times. If you pick up this book now or wait until March to read it, you’ll find yourself enjoying it.
  
Veil of Mists (Seven Deadly Veils #2)
Veil of Mists (Seven Deadly Veils #2)
Diana Marik | 2022 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
VEIL OF MISTS is the second full-length book in the Seven Deadly Veils series and we return to Miranda and her world of paranormals. We begin with her in New Mexico and then travel to France. All the old crew are there, but we also meet the Vampire High Council, who are desperate to get their claws into Valadon.

While I enjoyed this story, I wasn't fully gripped by it. It has multiple layers and deceptions, as well as three or four stories going on simultaneously. While some may prefer it this way, I found it distracting and wanted to skip over parts (Bastien and Josette having s3x for example.)

The (sort of) love triangle between Remare, Miranda, and Valadon is still going on and full of miscommunications that had me rolling my eyes. Some things are blown up out of proportion, while others are just swept under the carpet.

On the whole, I enjoyed this book but I didn't feel as though it moved the series forward much. I still recommend it if you like all of the above and want a richly detailed and intricate saga to keep you entertained for hours.

** 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!
Feb 14, 2024
  
Sea Glass and Fireflies
Sea Glass and Fireflies
Kate Ellington | 2023 | Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
SEA GLASS AND FIREFLIES is an emotional second-chance historical romance.

Elsie and Charles were childhood friends, on the brink of something more, when Charles left, promising to write frequently. This dwindled off and Elsie was courted by Gabriel, also a friend to them both. The story starts on what should have been Elsie and Gabriel's wedding day, as she prepares to live with her uncle for a while, to try and work through her complicated emotions over the loss of Gabriel at sea. Once there, she reconnects with Charles, but is she reading too much into it?

This was a page-turner that kept me gripped from the very beginning. As a reader, you can feel Elsie's emotions and all the confusion she is working through. I do wish I'd have had some from Charles' side, but that made the ending all the more satisfactory.

Well-written, with lovely descriptions throughout, and with a smooth pace, this book was a delight to read. It is the first by this author I have read, and I look forward to reading more by her in the future. 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 29, 2024
  
Death Washes Ashore
Death Washes Ashore
Caleb Wygal | 2021 | Mystery
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Death of a Gladiator
One morning Clark Thomas is awakened by a text from one of the detectives in town requesting his presence at a crime scene. The body of Connor West has washed up on the local state beach. Connor was the star of one of the local tourist attractions, a gladiator themed dinner and show.

Even after Clark is warned away from the case, he can’t help but dig into Connor’s life and his work at the Gladiator Games Dinner Show. With a face from his past as his way into the lives of those Clark wants to interview, can he figure out what happened?

I had an issue with how Clark got involved in the mystery here, but I put that aside and kept reading. The mystery was good with several strong suspects and twists along the way to a logical climax. I appreciated how Clark went about things in the climax, too. We also got to know him and a couple of characters better, although I feel like we have many who hardly had any page time. The writing could have used polish in several spots, but most of the time it was fine. There is a little advancement on the cliffhanger from the previous book, but we’ll have to keep reading to see where it goes next. Overall, this is a fun second book in the series.
  
Welcome Home to Murder
Welcome Home to Murder
Rosalie Spielman | 2022 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Retired From the Army Doesn’t Mean the End to Dead Bodies
Tessa Treslow left her hometown in Idaho as soon as she graduated from high school. She’s now spent over twenty years in the army and is ready to retire. Since she still doesn’t know what she is going to do with the rest of her life, she agrees to return to New Oslo for an extended visit. While reuniting with her parents and aunt, she senses that there is something they are keeping from her. But she learns more in the more horrific way when she and her aunt find a dead body in the garage her aunt runs. The police, in the form of Tessa’s high school boyfriend, feel that her family has the perfect motive. Can Tessa figure out what really happened?

This series debut has been on my radar for a while, and I’m glad I finally got to pick it up. It has some twists on the familiar cozy tropes, and I enjoyed those. There is a depth to the characters I appreciated, and I also liked that we got details about Tessa and the others over the course of the book without any data dumps. The mystery had a few pacing issues in the middle, but overall, it was good with plenty of red herrings and a logical climax. I’m looking forward to seeing what else Tessa can find in her hometown.