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Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Edge of the Heat (Westwood Harbor Corruption, #1) in Books
Jan 11, 2021
Well I became aware of this book after a mutual follow via Twitter and I thought I'd give it a go when the author described it as romantic suspense.
I'm not sure I'd class as that, though, now I've finished it. It's more contemporary romance with a bad guy in it, but I guess the ending itself was kinda suspenseful slash intrigue-mystery since it left you wondering what's going to happen next.
The beginning (prologue) left me a little confused as I was unable to figure out what it had to do with the rest of the story but since I'm aware the book is in two parts I'm assuming it will all make sense after reading that one.
The characters, for me, were okay. Craig has to be my favourite. Think it was the bum wiggle in the fire-station as he was making a meal that caused that to happen. And then he was just a nice guy all the way through. As for Emma, she did my head in a little concerning the vision. She just seemed a little blind to the good thing she had going on with Craig and I felt like slapping a little sense into her. But it all worked out in the end-ish.
For a first story, it's pretty good but I found it a little stilted in places and the transitions between chapters were a little strange. I felt the previous chapters never had proper endings, they just seemed to stop. And apart from a few minor wording/punctuation errors its good.
I'm not sure I'd class as that, though, now I've finished it. It's more contemporary romance with a bad guy in it, but I guess the ending itself was kinda suspenseful slash intrigue-mystery since it left you wondering what's going to happen next.
The beginning (prologue) left me a little confused as I was unable to figure out what it had to do with the rest of the story but since I'm aware the book is in two parts I'm assuming it will all make sense after reading that one.
The characters, for me, were okay. Craig has to be my favourite. Think it was the bum wiggle in the fire-station as he was making a meal that caused that to happen. And then he was just a nice guy all the way through. As for Emma, she did my head in a little concerning the vision. She just seemed a little blind to the good thing she had going on with Craig and I felt like slapping a little sense into her. But it all worked out in the end-ish.
For a first story, it's pretty good but I found it a little stilted in places and the transitions between chapters were a little strange. I felt the previous chapters never had proper endings, they just seemed to stop. And apart from a few minor wording/punctuation errors its good.
Merissa (12897 KP) rated Hellhounds Never Lie (Willow Lake Supernaturals #1) in Books
Aug 14, 2023
HELLHOUNDS NEVER LIE is the first book in the Willow Lake Supernaturals series and I honestly can't wait to return!
Dillon is a hellhound looking for a home, and Ash is a fire mage with wonky magic. How's that going to work? Brilliantly, that's how! Ash has been through hell and back but still has a heart big enough to want to help others when he can. Dillon has been searching for his utopia but found the opposite instead with Rob's pack. They chase him when he leaves and it is Ash who saves him. In reality, they save each other.
They are fated mates - although they don't realise it. So I expected the instant attraction. What I didn't expect was how tender Dillon was with Ash, and how fierce Ash was if he thought someone was having a go at Dillon. *chef's kiss* Loved every scene they were in, whether it was in the pub or the bedroom.
Filled with fantastic characters, there are at least half a dozen others I now want stories for! Plus, I need to know the secrets that are still hiding - yes, Dot, I'm looking at you! Jeremy is next and I'm sure that one will have me laughing if his texts are anything to go by. 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!
Aug 14, 2023
Dillon is a hellhound looking for a home, and Ash is a fire mage with wonky magic. How's that going to work? Brilliantly, that's how! Ash has been through hell and back but still has a heart big enough to want to help others when he can. Dillon has been searching for his utopia but found the opposite instead with Rob's pack. They chase him when he leaves and it is Ash who saves him. In reality, they save each other.
They are fated mates - although they don't realise it. So I expected the instant attraction. What I didn't expect was how tender Dillon was with Ash, and how fierce Ash was if he thought someone was having a go at Dillon. *chef's kiss* Loved every scene they were in, whether it was in the pub or the bedroom.
Filled with fantastic characters, there are at least half a dozen others I now want stories for! Plus, I need to know the secrets that are still hiding - yes, Dot, I'm looking at you! Jeremy is next and I'm sure that one will have me laughing if his texts are anything to go by. 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!
Aug 14, 2023
Merissa (12897 KP) rated The Ruby Dragon Prince (Omega Fairy Tales #1) in Books
Mar 28, 2025
THE RUBY DRAGON PRINCE is the first novella in the Omega Fairy Tales series and is a retelling based on The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Instead, we have six Omega princes and their cruel father, plus Dragon princes!!!
Tovey is extremely close to his brothers, being as they only really have each other. They daydream about what a life could be like, but Rumi doesn't need to. He's found his mate and has been given a small green marble which opens to a different realm. The princes go there and have a ball - literally. Tovey meets with fated mate, Rufus, but leaves to go back with his brothers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, especially the relationship between the brothers and their responsibility to the kingdom. They are in an untenable situation and are fully aware of it. However, a little bit of magic helps them out in ways I won't talk about because, you know, spoilers.
The scenes between Tovey and Rufus are dynamic, to say the least. I loved the difference in Rufus between catching, half-breeding, fully-breeding, and protecting Tovey. Talk about animal instincts!
This is a world I look forward to returning to, and I'm so happy that bookworm Selle is next. I cannot wait!
** 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 28, 2025
Tovey is extremely close to his brothers, being as they only really have each other. They daydream about what a life could be like, but Rumi doesn't need to. He's found his mate and has been given a small green marble which opens to a different realm. The princes go there and have a ball - literally. Tovey meets with fated mate, Rufus, but leaves to go back with his brothers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, especially the relationship between the brothers and their responsibility to the kingdom. They are in an untenable situation and are fully aware of it. However, a little bit of magic helps them out in ways I won't talk about because, you know, spoilers.
The scenes between Tovey and Rufus are dynamic, to say the least. I loved the difference in Rufus between catching, half-breeding, fully-breeding, and protecting Tovey. Talk about animal instincts!
This is a world I look forward to returning to, and I'm so happy that bookworm Selle is next. I cannot wait!
** 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 28, 2025
KatieLouCreate (162 KP) rated Nerve (2016) in Movies
Jan 3, 2018
Great Film
I watched this with my friend as a one off. We wasn't sure what to expect from it but we had already sat down to eat and thought why on earth not. At first, I thought it was going to be a cheesy stereotypical film about teenagers online. Especially with all the internet searching screens at the beginning. I restrained from rolling my eyes. But as the film developed I became hooked. It was a light thriller almost. The type where it has you on the edge of your seat because of the suspense and horrors of what is happening. It had just the right amount of love interest for me. It did not entirely dominate the film, nor did it take away from the story line, but it did happen fairly quickly. Another oddity I found was one of the characters, Tommy. I liked this character. He was interesting and funny. But I did not understand his passiveness in the film. It was clear he is interested in Vee (the protagonist) but does nothing to show his interest and stop her falling for Ian. As well as that, he just randomly knows these computer hacker internet websters? There is nothing to indicate why he knows them yet they become crucial towards the end of the film. It would be nice to have a little background on them.
Other than that, I enjoyed watching the film. I believe it raised awareness about the dangers of anonymity on the internet. It also shows that sometimes risks should be taken. We should do things that scare us and push us out of our comfort zones every-now-and-then. But do not go too far. It could be a very dangerous game.
Other than that, I enjoyed watching the film. I believe it raised awareness about the dangers of anonymity on the internet. It also shows that sometimes risks should be taken. We should do things that scare us and push us out of our comfort zones every-now-and-then. But do not go too far. It could be a very dangerous game.
tapestry100 (306 KP) rated Everyone's a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too: A Book in Books
Aug 2, 2017
Originally reviewed on http://www.frommybookshelf.com
I have never heard of Jomny Sun, nor his twitter feed, @jonnysun, and after having read everyone's a aliebn when ur a aliebn too, I feel like I've been missing out on something fairly amazing. everyone's a aliebn opens with the alien Jomny being dropped off on Earth, to study the planet and what it means to be an earthling. Never feeling like a part of his people, Jomny at first feels lost on Earth, but as he learns what it means to be an earthling thru his encounters with a varied cast of characters, he actually discovers what it means to be human instead, and begins to finally feel like he has found his place in the universe.
This is one of those rare treats of a book for me that reminds me how you can be fooled by a book, and in a beautiful way. Remarkably told thru the sparsest of illustrations and text, everyone's a aliebn when ur a aliebn too has an emotional impact I was not expecting. The illustrations and text are so basic, I initially thought I was just reading a cute little story about an alien on Earth and his misadventures, but what Jonathan Sun provides is actually a guide to the ups and downs of all human emotion, and it is surprisingly powerful. I enjoyed it so much that I immediately flipped back to the beginning as soon as I finished and read the whole thing again. I think this would be a perfect book for anyone who is having a hard time finding their place in the world; if Jomny can do it, any of us can.
I have never heard of Jomny Sun, nor his twitter feed, @jonnysun, and after having read everyone's a aliebn when ur a aliebn too, I feel like I've been missing out on something fairly amazing. everyone's a aliebn opens with the alien Jomny being dropped off on Earth, to study the planet and what it means to be an earthling. Never feeling like a part of his people, Jomny at first feels lost on Earth, but as he learns what it means to be an earthling thru his encounters with a varied cast of characters, he actually discovers what it means to be human instead, and begins to finally feel like he has found his place in the universe.
This is one of those rare treats of a book for me that reminds me how you can be fooled by a book, and in a beautiful way. Remarkably told thru the sparsest of illustrations and text, everyone's a aliebn when ur a aliebn too has an emotional impact I was not expecting. The illustrations and text are so basic, I initially thought I was just reading a cute little story about an alien on Earth and his misadventures, but what Jonathan Sun provides is actually a guide to the ups and downs of all human emotion, and it is surprisingly powerful. I enjoyed it so much that I immediately flipped back to the beginning as soon as I finished and read the whole thing again. I think this would be a perfect book for anyone who is having a hard time finding their place in the world; if Jomny can do it, any of us can.
ClareR (5879 KP) rated Cruel Acts (Maeve Kerrigan #8) in Books
Apr 19, 2019
An exciting, beautifully written police thriller.
For someone, who in the past, has always said that they don’t like thrillers, police procedurals or anything vaguely in those styles, I’m not doing too badly at reading exactly those type of books lately. And I’m really enjoying them - this book in particular.
Considering that this is the eighth book in the series and I haven’t read the other seven (soon to be e was no confusion, and I didn’t feel as though I was missing out at all.
The lead character, Maeve Kerrigan, is a detective sergeant, and she has been put on the case of the retrial of Leo Stone. He had been found guilty of the gruesome murders of two women. However, a juror from the original trial has now made it known that THAT trial was prejudiced. Maeve and her partner, Josh Derwent, are in charge of re-examining the evidence. Another woman goes missing whilst Sone is in custody, though, throwing the whole investigation into doubt.
This is a seriously exciting book - there are cliff hangers all over the place (I had to stop reading from time to time to work, eat, sleep, parent, so the multiple cliffhangers may have been of my own making), and I loved how new evidence revealed. The main characters are immensely likeable, and those who are less so are so well described that you end up disliking them as well. The last chapters of the book also tense and exceedingly fast paced, that I felt as though I couldn’t breathe until the end! I was well and truly sucked in to the action.
I will be going back to the first seven books of this series to fill in my Kerrigan knowledge, and I’m looking forward to any future books in this series! This one comes highly recommended!
Considering that this is the eighth book in the series and I haven’t read the other seven (soon to be e was no confusion, and I didn’t feel as though I was missing out at all.
The lead character, Maeve Kerrigan, is a detective sergeant, and she has been put on the case of the retrial of Leo Stone. He had been found guilty of the gruesome murders of two women. However, a juror from the original trial has now made it known that THAT trial was prejudiced. Maeve and her partner, Josh Derwent, are in charge of re-examining the evidence. Another woman goes missing whilst Sone is in custody, though, throwing the whole investigation into doubt.
This is a seriously exciting book - there are cliff hangers all over the place (I had to stop reading from time to time to work, eat, sleep, parent, so the multiple cliffhangers may have been of my own making), and I loved how new evidence revealed. The main characters are immensely likeable, and those who are less so are so well described that you end up disliking them as well. The last chapters of the book also tense and exceedingly fast paced, that I felt as though I couldn’t breathe until the end! I was well and truly sucked in to the action.
I will be going back to the first seven books of this series to fill in my Kerrigan knowledge, and I’m looking forward to any future books in this series! This one comes highly recommended!
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Carpenter Road in Books
Jun 5, 2019
I first met Leighton Jones in Carpenter Road, N.M. Brown’s second book featuring this character. I have not read the previous story, The Girl on the Bus, but believe me you don’t need to for this one to make sense, as this easily reads as a standalone and is still a very good read.
When by chance Leighton comes across a prostitute kicking up a fuss about her stolen coat that had some money in, and discovers the girl who was seen last seen wearing it has now gone missing, Jones a traffic cop, decides to take it upon himself to investigate if the two are connected.
So what did I think? Detective Jones is such a caring, lovable character, I instantly found myself drawn to him.
Rochelle, the prostitute, is an unlikely sidekick who gets roped into Leighton’s investigations, and she’s also a fantastic character. I was so invested in her part of the story and the danger she’d been inadvertently thrown into. I too, hoped she’d eventually get out of the prostitution racket to achieve her goals and turn her life around, just how she had wished for.
N.M. Brown’s writing really grabbed my attention from the first page, and kept me up all night reading. I especially liked hearing from the serial killer’s point of view. He was so creepy, it really added a new dimension to the story and kept me hooked throughout.
The ending was a bit of a shock. I honestly, didn’t expect to feel a little choked up by a Bloodhound crime book! But there, I said it, N.M. Brown really took me by surprise with that twist!
This is an unputdownable, well-written crime novel that’s distinctive, compelling and memorable!
When by chance Leighton comes across a prostitute kicking up a fuss about her stolen coat that had some money in, and discovers the girl who was seen last seen wearing it has now gone missing, Jones a traffic cop, decides to take it upon himself to investigate if the two are connected.
So what did I think? Detective Jones is such a caring, lovable character, I instantly found myself drawn to him.
Rochelle, the prostitute, is an unlikely sidekick who gets roped into Leighton’s investigations, and she’s also a fantastic character. I was so invested in her part of the story and the danger she’d been inadvertently thrown into. I too, hoped she’d eventually get out of the prostitution racket to achieve her goals and turn her life around, just how she had wished for.
N.M. Brown’s writing really grabbed my attention from the first page, and kept me up all night reading. I especially liked hearing from the serial killer’s point of view. He was so creepy, it really added a new dimension to the story and kept me hooked throughout.
The ending was a bit of a shock. I honestly, didn’t expect to feel a little choked up by a Bloodhound crime book! But there, I said it, N.M. Brown really took me by surprise with that twist!
This is an unputdownable, well-written crime novel that’s distinctive, compelling and memorable!
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Bring Me Back in Books
Jun 5, 2019
Bring Me Back – hailed as “The gripping Sunday Times bestseller with a killer twist you won’t see coming” – is B.A. Paris’ third novel, but did it live up to its hype?
I have to admit as much as I tried to avoid reading other reviews of this book, I soon discovered that to my horror, many people were in shock that this was not as good as her previous two books, and that kind of put me off reading it at first. However, I finally got around to reading it only to discover it’s not that bad! Now I kick myself for not picking it up before. haha!
There is, however, quite a contrast to B.A. Paris’ previous two books. I think the shocking end was a little unbelievable, although it was deliciously evil of the author to spring on us!
I also thought the ending then went on to ‘wrap up’ with a confessional letter revealing all, which went on for far too long and made the earlier shock ending fall a little flat afterwards.
The premise of the story is that Finn and Layla went on holiday to France but only Finn came back. The boyfriend Finn was a suspect for a while, but since Layla just went missing and no body was found the case was eventually closed due to lack of evidence.
But if Layla went missing in France, then who is sending Finn emails and leaving little Russian dolls all over the place – seemingly from her – twelve years later?
Not my favourite book by B.A. Paris, but I am pleased I read it. The mystery of who is messing with Finn is definitely worth finding out!
I have to admit as much as I tried to avoid reading other reviews of this book, I soon discovered that to my horror, many people were in shock that this was not as good as her previous two books, and that kind of put me off reading it at first. However, I finally got around to reading it only to discover it’s not that bad! Now I kick myself for not picking it up before. haha!
There is, however, quite a contrast to B.A. Paris’ previous two books. I think the shocking end was a little unbelievable, although it was deliciously evil of the author to spring on us!
I also thought the ending then went on to ‘wrap up’ with a confessional letter revealing all, which went on for far too long and made the earlier shock ending fall a little flat afterwards.
The premise of the story is that Finn and Layla went on holiday to France but only Finn came back. The boyfriend Finn was a suspect for a while, but since Layla just went missing and no body was found the case was eventually closed due to lack of evidence.
But if Layla went missing in France, then who is sending Finn emails and leaving little Russian dolls all over the place – seemingly from her – twelve years later?
Not my favourite book by B.A. Paris, but I am pleased I read it. The mystery of who is messing with Finn is definitely worth finding out!
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Gilded Cage in Books
Jan 26, 2019 (Updated Jan 26, 2019)
Disappointing
This was a book with big aspirations but patchy execution. I thought I was getting into some kind of dystopia with 'special skilled people'. On the one hand, that's what I got, on the other it was much more than this, almost too much of many other things. This is a hugely political read, which I am not adverse to but it was inherently confusing due to an overly large cast of characters, many of similar importance; I didn't know where to place my focus.
The start to the book is gentle (post-prologue), introducing a family who are about to do their ten years time in subservience. Hierarchy is the name of the game in GILDED CAGE and if you're not skilled then you have to forfeit your rights as a person and serve the skilled for ten years in slavedays. This family were from Manchester and as a Mancunian myself, I was piqued at this facet to the book. Manchester had a slaveday town called Millsmoor and this was described as a dark, pre-industrial revolution kind of inhuman place; definitely a contrast to life outside.
Lots about this book interested me, the Equals (skilled) and their way of life. What I found was that almost all of the Equals in this book were obnoxious in one way or another. There was no upstairs/downstairs feel to the story, despite some suggestion of kind dispositions. Do not get me started on the sadomasochistic keeping of a man-dog.
Whilst this is the first book in a trilogy and there is much more to come, the story did not weave together for me at all. I don't feel invested enough to continue with the rest of the series.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
The start to the book is gentle (post-prologue), introducing a family who are about to do their ten years time in subservience. Hierarchy is the name of the game in GILDED CAGE and if you're not skilled then you have to forfeit your rights as a person and serve the skilled for ten years in slavedays. This family were from Manchester and as a Mancunian myself, I was piqued at this facet to the book. Manchester had a slaveday town called Millsmoor and this was described as a dark, pre-industrial revolution kind of inhuman place; definitely a contrast to life outside.
Lots about this book interested me, the Equals (skilled) and their way of life. What I found was that almost all of the Equals in this book were obnoxious in one way or another. There was no upstairs/downstairs feel to the story, despite some suggestion of kind dispositions. Do not get me started on the sadomasochistic keeping of a man-dog.
Whilst this is the first book in a trilogy and there is much more to come, the story did not weave together for me at all. I don't feel invested enough to continue with the rest of the series.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated The Silent Second in Books
Jan 16, 2020
Good, but Not the Tone I Was Expecting
Chuck Restic has spent twenty years in HR, and he’s good at his job – making sure employees get along so they don’t sue each other or, more importantly, the company. That’s how he first meets Ed, who has had a complaint filed against him. Ed seems like a nice guy, and their meeting goes well, but then Ed disappears a couple of days later. A plea from Ed’s family to figure out what happened to him intrigues Chuck. He’s recently separated from his wife, and he wants to do something to fill his time away from work, so he uses his boredom as an excuse to start poking around. The trail quickly leads to real estate around Los Angeles, but how could that have led to Ed’s disappearance?
I’d seen the author speak at a library event a while ago, and I thought this book sounded like fun. While I certainly enjoyed it, I found the book to be darker in tone than I was expecting. There were a few laughs when Chuck was in HR mode, but for the most part, this felt more like a hard-boiled book. But that’s my only complaint with the book. I really did like Chuck – in fact, I could identify with him a bit too much. (Maybe that was part of my problem.) The rest of the cast are just as strong and become well-rounded people as we learn most about them. The plot was great with plenty of twists and an ending I didn’t see coming. The book was light on foul language and didn’t get too graphic with the violence or sex, which I most definitely appreciated. This is a solid debut, but pick it up when you are in the mood for something on the darker side.
I’d seen the author speak at a library event a while ago, and I thought this book sounded like fun. While I certainly enjoyed it, I found the book to be darker in tone than I was expecting. There were a few laughs when Chuck was in HR mode, but for the most part, this felt more like a hard-boiled book. But that’s my only complaint with the book. I really did like Chuck – in fact, I could identify with him a bit too much. (Maybe that was part of my problem.) The rest of the cast are just as strong and become well-rounded people as we learn most about them. The plot was great with plenty of twists and an ending I didn’t see coming. The book was light on foul language and didn’t get too graphic with the violence or sex, which I most definitely appreciated. This is a solid debut, but pick it up when you are in the mood for something on the darker side.