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Merissa (11953 KP) rated Awakened by Fire (Dragons of Bloodfire #2) in Books

May 8, 2021 (Updated Jun 8, 2023)  
Awakened by Fire (Dragons of Bloodfire #2)
Awakened by Fire (Dragons of Bloodfire #2)
Erin Kellison | 2016 | Paranormal, Romance
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
In the second book of the series, we return to the world of the Bloodkin. In this instalment, we meet Warrick, the face of the Triad and one of the 'young' dragons at only one hundred and forty plus years. He is at his mother's home for a wedding in the family and is reunited with 'Sammy', a human child from his past. However, he soon realises that Sammy has grown up into Samantha, and he is all the more interested. The heat gets turned up when threats are made against the family and Samantha's secret is exposed to Warrick's mother, who makes her promise to help him.

This is a fast-paced, well-written book, with a romance that is a slow burner. They actually know each other from the past, but take time to know each in the now before anything happens. The difference between how a dragon thinks and how a human does is clearly demonstrated.

Recommended for all fans of adult dragon stories, with an intriguing world that continues to excite and thrill with each 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!
May 26, 2016
  
Bridging Hope (Bridging Hearts #1)
Bridging Hope (Bridging Hearts #1)
Greyson McCoy | 2024 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
BRIDGING HOPE is the first novella in the Bridging Hearts series. We start with Pierce - a workaholic who has ended up in the last place he ever expected... his childhood home. It doesn't hold any happy memories as he was physically abused by his father. When his sister dies though, he steps up to the mark for his niece and nephew. The complication arises when his sister puts Dalton, an ex-boyfriend, down as guardian for them though. Can the two of them work together for the sake of the children?

For a shorter-length story, this one packs a punch. The world- and character-building are clear and concise, giving plenty of details about the farm, the children, and the MCs. Pierce gets his priorities mixed up at one point, but this just makes him more realistic. I loved how Dalton was the steady one, who had dreams but wasn't afraid to either put them on hold for the sake of the children or make it work around them.

A great story that I enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.

** 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!
Mar 20, 2024
  
Rebuilding Year (Reconstruction #2)
Rebuilding Year (Reconstruction #2)
A.M. Arthur | 2024 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
steamier than book one, but I loved it!
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Reconstruction series, and while not strictly necessary, I would personally recommend you read book 1, Leap Year, before this. It will give you a better view of Brian's relationship with his brother, Patrick, and it will also give you Angelo and Brian's first meeting! I really enjoyed book one, and I really enjoyed this one too!

Brian has served his sentence, and is knuckling down to get back into society and do all he needs to do to come off probation. Angelo, faced with a life changing stipulation to his mentor's will, names Brian as his significant other. Funny, really, since their one and only meeting resulted in Brian punching Angelo in the face! But Angelo is injured, and Brian offers to look after him, and after that? It's only a matter of time before they give into temptation. There are secrets between though, and it won't take long for them to come to light. Can they really survive their revelation?

When I read Leap Year, I thought Angelo a fickle creature, but with a deep heart and a deep longing for something he wasn't sure what to do with. I was proven correct in that. Angelo wants what his best freind Russel has, and wants a HOME, not just somewhere he lays his head. He hasn't had a home in a long time, and seeing Russel happy with Patrick, and Frog, Patrick's son; Angelo is yearning for it. He just never expected that Brian, the man who punched him, would be that home. But I loved that, while he didn't immediately see that he was, he FELT at home in Brian's space, even if it was technically Angelo's house.

I loved how we got all of Brian's point of view for how Patrick came to be parent to Frog (again, loved Frog!) It's this issue that causes the only real tension between Angelo and Brian, and I loved that, once Angelo got over his shock, he comes back to talk to Brian and explain his hurt. He fully understands why it really isn't an issue for Brian anymore, once Brian explains: yes, Brian is Frog biological parent, but Patrick is his dad, in all the ways that matter and Brian knows he will always be Uncle Brian to Frog.

This book is on the steamier side and I loved that, while there was TALK about exhibionism, there wasn't any ACTUAL, expect that first time, when Angelo shows himself to Brian. I loved how Brian took control, with his words, but didn't venture into full Dom/sub mode. Angelo just needed to get out his head once in a while and Brian provided the words and actions to enable him to do so.

There were a couple of characters who pop up here and who I think might be next, maybe even together. I really can't wait to see if I'm right and I really hope I get to read it!

I wrote 4 stars at the top of the page, but now I'm typing up my review, I really can't find a single thing to knock that star off, so. . .

5 full and shiny stars!

*same worded review will appear elsewhere


Reading Progress
  
How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)
How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)
2019 | Animation
Solid Film For a Solid Trilogy
In this third installment, Hiccup is trying to find a home for all the dragons the community keeps bringing in while Toothless come across a dragon that he can’t seem to stay away from.

Acting: 10

Beginning: 10

Characters: 5
It wasn’t like I didn’t like the characters as I would probably score this category for the previous two films much higher. I think my biggest concern was the cohesiveness between the characters. It felt like everyone was off doing their own thing and there wasn’t much of a connection like there was in the past two films. Maybe I was missing something, but I didn’t feel the connection I was hoping to between Hiccup and his mom. Sure she had been missing from his life for the majority of his childhood, but I feel like an opportunity was missed here to bring them closer.

Cinematography/Visuals: 10
This series has been known for its stunning visuals to date and the third installment doesn’t disappoint. There’s so much attention to detail, especially as it pertains to the dragons. There are a countless number of dragons, each with their own abilities, size, and strength. it’s cool watching them take flight in numbers through the clouds and over the ocean.

Conflict: 10
Those who are coming to be entertained won’t be disappointed with the amount of action in the movie. From its hot start and onwards, you can expect plenty of hand-to-hand combat, dragon battles, and narrow getaways. The way the air dynamics are used is something that has been perfected since the first movie and keeps getting better. The conflict was aided greatly by a solid villain with some pretty creepy dragons.

Genre: 8
It’s hard for the third movie in a trilogy to receive a perfect score from a genre standpoint. While this movie does bring some of its own flare to the animated genre, there is a bit of it that feels like more of the same. Not a bad thing, but I would be looking for a little bit more to score this higher.

Memorability: 9

Pace: 10
Never really a dull moment as the story is handled consistently and properly throughout. My nephew needed to go to the bathroom somewhere in the middle of the film and there was action happening even as I was walking him down and back up the stairs. The plot development is not overdone and cuts right back into conflict when necessary.

Plot: 10
No issues here. Basic and straightforward, but enough to build a story on. They found a way to bring the series to a fitting ending.

Resolution: 10
Very fitting and touching ending for this series. It was exactly what I could have hoped for and then some. The type of ending (a la Toy Story 3) that made me sorry to see the series go.

Overall: 92
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World gets off to a decent start then does nothing but build momentum throughout. While it didn’t wow me with originality, it most certainly entertained me and that, to me, is largely what a good movie is all about. You and your kids wlll love it.