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Merissa (13878 KP) rated Ringmaster (Seven Sins Carnival #1) in Books

Mar 13, 2026

Ringmaster (Seven Sins Carnival #1)

Arden Hart | 2026 | Contemporary, Erotica, Romance

10.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

RINGMASTER is the first book in Arden Hart's new Dark Romance series, Seven Sins Carnival. And I've mentioned right at the beginning that this is Dark Romance, because light and fluffy it certainly is not!

Elias is the ringmaster (obviously) of the carnival, and his brothers all have different roles. Most of them are not related by blood, but by trauma, shock, and horror. They were disgustingly abused by a cult, but escaped. Now, as adults, they are seeking vengeance. Jules is a freelance reporter who knows there is a story there. She just doesn't know how twisted it is.

If you don't like Primal Play, PDAs, or exhibitionism, then this may not be the book for you! Because it has all that and more. Elias and his brothers are all deranged in their own perfect ways, but the story is written in a way that makes it understandable. My heart breaks for Rowe, and I can't wait for his story.

Silas is next, and I hope we see more of Jules and Elias, too. This was a great, bloody start to a new series, and I am here for it. Absolutely recommended by me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mar 13, 2026

Kudos

Debbiereadsbook (1684 KP) rated Thicker Than Water in Books

Mar 18, 2020

Thicker Than Water

Becca Seymour | 2020 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

I needed Thatch!

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Callen finds Thatch, the leader of a black ops task force, bleeding and bitten when he goes against orders, again. But Thatch was bitten by Callen's sister, and his niece is now missing and Thatch might be the only link to finding the child. But as the investigation spreads its net, Callen is forced to make some decisions, decisions that could cost him his heart.
I really REALLY enjoyed this from Ms Seymour! She usually writes fairly fluffy, contemporaries and this isn't fluffy, nor contemporary but it is great!
I loved the twist to werewolf lore, that the oly way for a wolf to be made is to be bitten. But that act kills the wolf and transfers all their memories to the new wolf.
I loved the supporting cast, and all the little . .hints/clues/dropped comments . . .about them. Some questions wre thrown up, that haven't been answered here. However, in my personal experience, its best not to wait for those questions to be answered cos the last time I felt like this, I had a right proper hissy fit when those questions were NOT answered LOL So I won't voice those questions, and then I can't be dissappointed, right?
I loved Callen. He is funny and hilarious, and dark and deadly. He is deep and meaningful, but takes great pleasure in winding his friends up.
I loved that fact tht the bond between Callen and Thatch creep up on them, and there isn't that MINE moment at first meeting. It DOES come, but it's more growled out of Callen in reaction to someone else touching Thatch.
So why only 4 stars with all those things I loved?
Thatch isn't given a voice.
Now, I know I say it a lot, and I will continue to say it where I think it necessary but HERE I think it really needed. Thatch takes ALL of his Hazel's, Callen's sister, memories and thoughts and feelings. ALL of them. And that had to be confusing when they start to come through! When those memories sends them far north to find Hazel's daughter. When he comes face to face with that daughter. What was Thatch feeling? I needed that, I really did, and if I HAD Thatch, I have no doubt, not a single one, that this would have been a 5 star read.
I don't know if this is a stand alone, or there will be more of this group of people, I hope so, I really do!
But I don't get Thatch, and so. . .
4 good, great solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**

Kudos

Merissa (13878 KP) rated Crazy Over You (Taming the Pack, #3) in Books

Dec 17, 2018

I received this book from Entangled Publishing in return for a fair and honest review.

This is book 3 in the series and whilst this isn't detrimental to the story, I now NEED to read books 1 and 2 plus anything else I can get my grubby mitts on by Wendy Sparrow. This is a fast-flowing, good-paced book that is full of witty banter, sexual attraction, a first-class bitch and impossible situations.

I was kept guessing to the end about Ross and what LeAnn would do. I know what I wanted her to do but she didn't always (if ever) do the expected. The attraction between her and Travis sizzled off the page but they both have an uphill battle with the Pack. They do have a good friend in Jordan however, and I'm sure his is one of the stories that I'm now wanting.

The thing that I loved about this book is that it's not all light and fluffy. Death is involved and I found out it has its own smell. Pack Law is also involved, swift and deadly.

If you need a good shifter book to read, then I can definitely recommend this one. Now excuse me, I'm off to hunt down the others.

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!