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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Jul 2, 2022 (Updated Jul 2, 2022)  
On my blog today, I have an excerpt from the first part of the prologue of the Christian historical fiction novel IN HONOR'S DEFENSE by Karen Witemeyer. There's also the tour wide giveaway for a chance to win all three paperback books in the Hanger's Horsemen series!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2022/07/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-in-honors.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
He's Faced Countless Perils on the Battlefield, but Nothing so Dangerous as Falling in Love.

Luke Davenport has been fighting all his life--for respect, for country, and for those unable to fight for themselves. But now that his Horsemen brothers are domesticated, he's left alone to battle the wildness within. When an opportunity arises to take a job on his own, tracking down a group of rustlers, he jumps at the chance.

Damaris Baxter has mastered the art of invisibility. Plain and quiet, she hides in books and needlework, content to be overlooked. Until her brother dies suddenly, leaving her custody of her nephew. She moves to Texas to care for Nathaniel, determined to create the family for herself that she never thought she'd have and to give him the family he desperately needs.

When Nate finds himself knee-deep in trouble, Luke's attempt to protect him leaves Damaris feeling indebted to the Horseman. But suspicions grow regarding the mysterious death of Damaris's brother. And the more questions they ask, the more danger appears, threatening the family Luke may be unable to live without.
     
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Merissa (13585 KP) rated Full Moon in Leo in Books

Dec 15, 2020 (Updated Aug 8, 2023)  
Full Moon in Leo
Full Moon in Leo
Brooklyn Ray | 2020 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
FULL MOON IN LEO is a standalone novel with the potential to become a series if the other characters speak up. In this story, we meet with Cole, a guy who's done time but for all good reasons (once you actually find out what they are), and Jesse, a trans guy who prefers they/them pronouns, who runs a charming apothecary in Jewel.

Cole has trust issues and is constantly fighting with his family. The only one he doesn't is his aunt, which is how he ends up in Jewel. There, he meets old friends and new and falls - quite literally - for Jesse. Jesse is on the spectrum and very rarely allows himself to like anyone, but Cole gets under his skin in a good way.

The apothecary setting for this novel is great, but you don't really see much more than that, just general descriptions. The pacing is good for the most part but can feel both slow and rushed in places. I would love to know more about Tara and Monica, both of whom have more than a few rough edges.

On the whole, this was an enjoyable read with a seasonal theme. If that's what you're looking for, then I can definitely recommend this book.

* 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!
Dec 15, 2020
  
SW
She Won’t Leave
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
84 of 220
Booksirens ARC
She Won’t Leave
By James Caine
⭐️⭐️⭐️

She has taken over my life.

Everything was perfect until tragedy brought my mother-in-law, Delores Sterling, to my front door with extra baggage at her side. After the sudden death of her husband, she asked if she could live with us temporarily.

I knew that living with my mother-in-law wouldn’t be easy. She’s made it obvious ever since I married her only son, that I’m not worthy of him. After all, I was his housemaid until he fell in love with the ‘help’, as Delores puts it. Because of that, I’ve kept her at arm’s length, which was easy until she knocked at my door.

My husband doesn’t see what she’s doing to us. It’s clear she has it in for me, and is destroying my marriage while living in my home.

But there’s something even worse at play.

As Delores’ presence at my home becomes more suffocating, I begin unraveling her dark secrets. The more I dig into my mother-in-law’s past, the more I realize I’m fighting for more than just my marriage.

This was pretty good. The mother in law from hell springs to mind. It was well paced and easy to read. If I’m totally honest it was a little predictable which is why I gave a 3 star.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
  
The Enemy to the Living (The Wild Hunt #2)
The Enemy to the Living (The Wild Hunt #2)
Alexandra Keillor | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE ENEMY TO THE LIVING is the second book in The Wild Hunt series, a spin-off from the Monsters of London series. I really recommend you read that series before embarking on this one, as the characters here are dealing with the consequences of what happened there.

This is Quinn and Asher's story. Quinn, we know quite well, but Asher has been a character of mystery up until now. Quinn is dealing with some heavy-duty emotions, which in turn lead to his wolf going AWOL. Asher is doing his job with the Hunt when he spots Quinn in a fighting cage. This seems to wake up all kinds of protective instincts in Asher. Will he be able to help Quinn before the fae take what they feel they are owed?

This was a great addition to the series, with emotions running high from beginning to end. I loved the way both Quinn and Asher provided what the other needed almost instinctively, with no fanfare, but just by being there. The little insights they had about each other were also good to read.

Told from both perspectives, this was a medium-paced, smooth read that I thoroughly enjoyed. 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!
Sep 26, 2025