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Her Healing (Healing Duet #2)
Her Healing (Healing Duet #2)
KM Lowe | 2025 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
some on page violence to Harlow that you need to be aware of!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is the second book in the Healing Duet and you really MUST read book 1, Healing Her, before this one. It follows on and you need that book's story to follow what happens next.

Keiron will be Calvin's Beta, once he takes over the pack. Leaving for Aberdeen didn't quite turn out to be the week he expected. Finding his mate in the hands of a sex trafficking ring, was not on his to-do list! Harlow has been caught by an enemy unknown. Being rescued at the point she was, meant she could go home. But why was her wolf so hell bent on staying near the beta wolf who rescued the girls?

Now, I wasn't too impressed with book 1 in this duet, but book 2 was far FAR better.

There is some on page violence to Harlow, and you need to be aware of it. I do think it's necessary for the plot though, as much as I hated reading it. And the bad guy does get his comeuppance!

I loved that Keiron, while not happy, nor was his wolf, let Harlow decide whether she wanted to come to him, or not, after her recovery at home. her wolf wasn't happy to leave Keiron, but she knew they had to try to heal, at home. Once Harlow goes to Keiron, they both instantly start to feel better.

I didn't like what Paisleigh gets Harlow to do, but then again, as she says, she is a big girl and can make her own choices about her actions.

Again, first person, present tense and multi point of view. I didn't notice it quite so much here, maybe because I enjoyed this book more.

I did think I could see some other pairings between the supporting cast, and I wonder if there will be any more of this pack, I would enjoy catching up with them!

Oh one thing: it says that THIS book is some 70 pages shorter than book 1. I didn't find that, I thought this was a lot longer!

Still, a much better read than book 1, so. . .

4 solid stars

* same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
2007 | Comedy
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Writer Nancy Oliver (Six Feet Under, True Blood) wrote the script for Lars and the Real Girl in 2002 after stumbling onto the website RealDoll.com. Directed by Craig Gillespie (the 2011 Fright Night remake, I, Tonya), Lars and the Real Girl is a much more tender and thoughtful comedic drama than you may be expecting. Ryan Gosling portrays Lars Lindstrom; a socially awkward yet decent guy. His brother, Gus (Paul Schneider, The Flowers of War), and his wife, Karen (Emily Mortimer, Transsiberian), worry about him since he spends so much time alone.

Lars not only has a shy and stand-offish demeanor he also tends to avoid people and social interactions altogether. If a woman happens to speak to him, Lars is incapable of responding. Physical contact from anyone seems to physically hurt Lars, but that doesn’t stop his friends and family from encouraging him to get a girlfriend. One fateful day, Lars is shown a peculiar website by a co-worker that sells love dolls. Although Lars is reluctant at first, he eventually warms up to the idea of a love doll as his companion. Bianca soon becomes an especially important part of Lars’ life and her presence not only changes Lars, but the town that he lives in for the better.

It took nearly a year to finally see Lars and the Real Girl after its theatrical release; a statistic that seems like a luxury ten years later when seeing and promoting new releases seems to lose steam after its opening weekend. The concept for Lars and the Real Girl is a strange one. A sex doll tagging along with an extreme introvert doesn’t sound all that appealing at first, but Lars is easy to understand as a character especially if you’re an introvert yourself or have had trouble with the opposite sex at some point in your life. Dating was always this massive hurdle that only seemed to expand and grow with each failed first date or cancellation. With those experiences and that mentality where you find yourself retreating into your own constructed sanctuary, Lars is strangely easy to relate to.

It’s not that Ryan Gosling hasn’t been a part of big budget films, but Lars and the Real Girl was released at a time in his career when he was catering more towards the independent side of things. This is pre-Drive yet post-Notebook Ryan Gosling here; films like Half Nelson and Blue Valentine solidified how talented Gosling is as an actor without all the bells and whistles of a huge cast or blockbuster film. Lars and the Real Girl is the film that made a lot of people realize that Gosling was more than a teenage heartthrob and former Mouseketeer.

Gosling fits the Lars Lindstrom role perfectly as he’s capable of portraying quirks that are as awkward as they are charming. How he’s able to talk to a doll for over an hour and not only make it believable, but also entertaining is incredibly impressive. Part of that is attributed to Bianca being treated like an actual person with her own trailer, getting dressed in private, and only being on set when she was in the scene, but Gosling also contributed quite a bit as well. Gosling improvised the CPR on Margo’s teddy bear sequence and the scene before he and Bianca enter the party.

The film fits that independent film mold a bit too well as it has humor that’s funny but not laugh out loud funny and is dramatic and heartfelt enough to make you invested in something you likely never would without the context of the film. The film shares elements from films like Her, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Lost in Translation; that sensation of being lost in what is considered to be normal society but finding something unorthodox that makes you belong and feel comfortable and whole. There’s this overwhelming sense of charm and sentimentality that can only be found in films like this.

Lars and the Real Girl is a comedic drama that relies on awkward situations or even one rare occurrence that triggers unusual peculiarities as it focuses on people’s reactions to these situations that occur. It’s worth seeing if you’ve ever felt like an outcast and to witness Lars’ odd behavior and the snowball effect that it causes. Introverts will likely enjoy it more than the average film lover, but Lars and the Real Girl takes something that seems taboo on the surface and molds it into this genuine motion picture experience that is strangely beautiful.

Lars and the Real Girl is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Vudu for $2.99 and iTunes for $3.99. It’s also available to stream for free on Amazon Prime if you have Starz with Prime Video channels. The DVD is $8.51 and the Multi-Format Blu-ray is $7.68 on Amazon. On eBay, the DVD is $7.98 and the Blu-ray is $7.95 (or best offer) while both are in brand new condition and both have free shipping.
  
Death is but a Dream
Death is but a Dream
Erin Hayes | 2013 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
*contains spoilers*

A police detective -- Callista, Callie for short -- saves a little girl from getting hit by a bus. She, herself, is then hit instead. She wakes up to find herself in the Underworld where she is taken before Hades and offered a deal. Protect his son, Plutus, and find out who wants him dead, and Hades will restore her to life. However, if Callie fails in her objective or dies while in the Underworld, she will die an eternal death, and her soul will never be allowed to have an afterlife.

It doesn't seem like a super great choice, but when a god offers you a deal, the "offering" part is really just a polite term to cover up the fact that you are going to do what that god wants you to do or your screwed. And so Callie has little choice but to accept Hades' offer. She meets several interesting characters along the way, including one of the Furies, Tisiphone, who becomes Callie's friend and ally in the Underworld.

Callie's job is complicated, however, by the fact that Hades forbids her to interview, interrogate, or even outwardly suspect any of his royal family of trying to kill his son, and even FURTHER complicated by the fact that Hades lies to her and manipulates her at every turn.

"Death is but a Dream" is a beautiful and original story of the Olympian gods, and it is quite unique in its view of Greek mythology. Perhaps the closest comparison I can make to a book/series already out there in the market is with Amber Benson's series that starts with "Death's Daughter." (I'm sorry. I can't actually remember what the series is called as a whole.) It has the same tone. Both feature strong, independent female protagonists who are thrown into a fantastical world that they want no part of, so yes, fans of Amber Benson's work will really enjoy this book, I think.

The only complaint I have is that the book could have benefited from some series editing. I had an e-book copy of the novel, and there were quite a few more errors than I would expect a published, completed book to have. Most of the errors were inconsequential -- missing commas, wrong words, etc. -- and could be easily overlooked or fixed by the reader simply inserting the correct word while reading, but still, a polished book should be as free of errors as is possible, and this book had a good number.

I still really, really enjoyed the book, though. I highly recommend it.
  
The Druid's Gift (The Nameless Gods #1)
The Druid's Gift (The Nameless Gods #1)
Dante Silva, Vanessa Mozes | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
very well written high fantasy
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

She was supposed to on a pilgrimage, being kidnapped for sacrifice was not in the plan!

I gotta be honest here, and you'll know when I gotta talk about my feelings about books, I'm nothing if not honest! When asked did I want to read this book, it came with a link, and of course I looked at it, and my first reaction was nope. That cover did nothing for me, but the blurb grabbed, so I said yes. NOW, I've read this book, and feel I should say this. That cover is right and proper for this book!! It fits Nune and Ty's story so perfectly! And it is a rather good book!

Nune is a day elf, a Druid, and Ty a night elf. They usually never cross paths. Nune is on a pilgrimage and Ty is on an initiation to move up the warrior ranks, I forget what the name he used is, sorry! Nune was supposed to be his sacrifice for this initiation, but after befriending each other, they question why Ty suddenly has to do this, when it's never been required of warriors before.

It is, quite simply, brilliantly written high fantasy. I really find myself engrossed in Nune and Ty, and their path towards finding out just what is going on in Ty's village, and why things are changing so rapidly, to the detriment of the day elves. It's told from both Nune and Ty's point of view. It does carry some difficult subjects, kidnap, elf sacrifice but these are dealt with very well.

Its not overly explicit, indeed, I thought it might actually come out clean, but Nune and Ty do get naughty on. Again, well written. Not overly graphic either, what's here is right for this book.

And there is a MUCH bigger picture that I'm still not seeing. Ty's brother is missing. There's the reason why the Nameless Gods are being summoned. And Ty still has to face his superiors about his failed quest when he gets home.

A step out of my comfort zone, but a very nice step. I hope I get to foloow Nune and Ty on their quest.

And an apology to the author for not spelling Nune with accent on the e, I don't know how to put that on!

4 solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Gaining Trust (Kiss of Leather #5)
Gaining Trust (Kiss of Leather #5)
Morticia Knight | 2017 | Erotica, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
5.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
straight back up to 5 stars
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

And just like that, back up to 5 stars!

This is book 5 in the Kiss of Leather series, and you really REALLY should read the previous books first. There is an ongoing story arc and you need to be able to follow what's going on with that. And they are 4 and 5 stars reads ?

Chuck has been undercover in another BDSM establishment, and has come to the conclusion he needs to be in this world. A world where these guys are so totally and utterly in love with each other, that he NEEDS that too. Master Jordan has been waiting to get his hands on Chuck, waiting for Chuck to admit what he wants to experience. Master Jordan knows that once he gets his hands on the handsome man, he might never be able to let go.

Master Jordan is, quite possibly, my most favourite of the Doms in this series. He is so laid back, any further and he would be horizontal! While very much a Dom, he is much more relaxed about it, calling Chuck things like babe, and sweetheart. He loves Chuck, right from the start and that shows in his careful handling of Chuck.

Chuck takes to Master Jordan very quickly, and I love watching these guys: Doms and subs alike, fall fast and fall HARD. Loving that it usually takes a major traumatic event to make the Doms see who they really want but not so much here.

I'm loving that each and every one of them from previous books play some part in future books. Loving the gentle introduction of the new guys. Loving the ongoing story arc that seems to be coming to a head. Loving that I have no idea when or where this is going to end!

I said in a previous review, that I'm loving the differences between the subs, but that all the Doms are these big guys and the subs are all younger and smaller. I still AM loving that, but I find myself thinking, what if?? What if there was a brand new Dom, who needs training with an older bigger sub?? Cos, you know, that would just bean amazing addition to this series!

Off to read book 6, trying really hard NOT to read them back to back but it's getting harder!!

5 stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Touch Of A Yellow Sun (Colors of Love #2)
Touch Of A Yellow Sun (Colors of Love #2)
V.L. Locey | 2019 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
7.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
not quite as good as book one
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Marek has been sent a lower league after one too many outbursts on the ice. He knows this could be his last posting. After yet another outburst, Marek is forced to try to lower his anger levels and who better than the most lovely neighbour of his, Shey, who just happens to be the owenr of a yoga studio? Helps that Shey pushes all of Marek's buttons, but does Marek push Shey's? Can Marek get his temper under control enough to help Shey when his past comes back to haunt him?

I really enjoyed this one second book in the Colors of Love series, not quite as much as book one though! My only gripe (and this WILL make you laugh once you read my review for Lost In Indigo!) was that only Marek has a say!

Told ya!

I'll explain. In my review for Indigo, I said that Ms Locey has a way of negating my dislike of single point of view but strong voiced characters. And while Marek has a strong voice, it's not AS strong as Matt in Indigo, and here, I really missed that! I have NO clue why Marek isn't up to muster cos the man has a LOT to say: about his hockey, his career, his attraction to Shey, his feelings (once they hit him square in the face!) for Shey, and just how he feels about that cat! It's maybe just Marek himself, who didn't push MY buttons, maybe it's just me, I dunno! I hate not being able to say!

I did enjoy the way Shey's home crept up on Marek, very quickly, he was calling Shey's apartment, HIS home. I loved Shey's history, and his grandma! The twist with the past was a surprise, and I loved how Marek handled that, even if it cost him so much. Shey really is his whole world!

Other than the hockey theme, and the colours in the titles, I'm not sure I see a common thread, but is Arn, Marek's agent, the same one that is Matt's agent?? The name rang a bell, is all!

I'm sorry this is far shorter than my usual fayre, I'm not doing so well with my reading at the moment, and my reviews are few and far between.

A very VERY good. . . .

4 star read

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
All Fired Up (Sin City Uniforms #1)
All Fired Up (Sin City Uniforms #1)
Morticia Knight | 2019 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
great start to a new series!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Shawn is the new guy in the police department and is enjoying working in Vegas. Trent is in the fire department. The pair met at a blood drive months ago and they each had an instant reaction to each other. But Trent is still hurting from the death of his previous partner, who was also a cop and he doesn’t know if he can go through that again. When Trent “rescues” Shawn, he embarrasses him at the same time. After actually getting to know one another after this, they realise they have a lot in common. Then the fires that have been plaguing Vegas turn deadly, and Trent and Shawn might be next on the vigilante's hit list.

I liked this one, a LOT.

Trent is hurting, even after two years, and he knows it. He can’t lose another police officer partner, but Shawn pushes all his buttons and then some. He KNOWS he is over protective, he KNOWS he needs to reign it in, but he struggles with that. Getting to know Shawn makes that a lot easier, but on the job? Trent goes into overdrive. But I loved that he does. Because deep down, he knows that Shawn might be The One, you know? He knows how much he is affected by Shawn.

Shawn is very laid back, relaxed in all he does but work. He loves his job. Trent is, in his eyes, the perfect guy BUT for the protective streak a mile wide. When Shawn finds out WHY Trent is just so, he lets up a bit. But when there is a real threat to Shawn, one that could very well kill him? Shawn is very glad of that streak, he really is.

I loved that EVERYONE else could see how much Trent and Shawn liked each other, way before they managed to admit it to themselves. And that everyone was happy for them when they finally sorted themselves out.

It’s well told, from both guy’s point of view, in the third person. There is some violence, but it’s needed for the storyline. I didn’t find it as explicit as some of Ms Knight’s books, but I’m not complaining. This, I found, was really rather sweet! Sexy, yes; steamy and emotional, yes but sweet and cue and I really did enjoy it!

This is the first in this new series, Sin City Uniforms. If they are all as good as this, I’ll be a happie bunnie!

4 solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Let Me Show You
Let Me Show You
Becca Seymour | 2019 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
super sweet but so bloody good!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Carter finds himself stuck, and naked, when construction worker, Tanner comes to price up some renovations on his home. Tanner immediately takes a shine to the sexy but very shy vet. When Carter has problems at work, and when they go out, Tanner goes all alpha-male-MINE on Carter, and Carter thinks FINALLY! Tanner’s best friend needs him though, it’s why he moved to town. Can Tanner commit to Carter the way Carter wants, and needs?

OH, SO very stinking cute, this one! AND warm and fuzzies! I really kinda fell into this one, and it was SOOOOO good!

Carter isn’t looking for love, it kinda finds him and knocks him for six. Tanner is a breath of fresh air, and after weeks of flirting they FINALLY get down and dirty. I mean, I was waiting, and waiting and bloody WAITING for them to get their act together and give in to the attraction but it takes them FOREVER!!!

BUT!!!

I LOVED that it did! The tension between builds over time, and I really did appreciate being made to wait for the main event.

It’s not overly dramatic, with no real drama, just a guy in a bad place taking it out on Carter at work. It’s not especially explicit, but it IS so bloody sexy. It’s not too complicated a plot to follow and there is no real violence.

There is, though, a lotta love! A lot of people love Carter and Tanner, together and separately. And they make no bones about what they want for their friends, which is for Carter and Tanner to be together.

It’s well written, from both Carter and Tanner’s point of view, in the first person. Each voice is clear and distinctive, and each change of voice occurs as the chapter changes and is clearly headed. I saw no spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading.

It’s one of those books you just FALL into, you know. You can lose a couple of hours on a wet and windy Tuesday morning, after all the chores are done, you sit down with a cuppa tea, and read a bit, and before you know it, the book is finished!

It really was far too stinking cute for its own good, and you know what?? I wrote four stars at the top of the page, but I can’t figure out why, so changing my mind, and giving it the full..

5 stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Benoit (Owatonna U #3)
Benoit (Owatonna U #3)
RJ Scott, V.L. Locey | 2019 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
my fav of the three!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

    This is book 3 in the Owatonna U Hockey series. It’s not totally necessary for you to have read books one, Ryker, and two, Scott, before this one, but personally I would recommend you do. It will give you a better picture of this group of hockey players and how they relate to each other. I didn’t much care for Ryker, but Scott was a much better read and this one is my favourite of the three!

    Benoit hit Senior year, and his focus is on his hockey. Study and hockey. He is absolutely not allowed to get involved with a certain volunteer coach who is hobbling around on crutches. Ethan knows he won’t play professionally again, since he broke his leg on his 32nd birthday but helping the next generations of players might keep him happy. A certain goalie is not on his agenda. But after a scorching hot kiss, Ethan wants more, but Benoit is not playing.

    This one, by far, is my favourite of the three. Maybe it was Benoit, or Ethan or the pairing of the two, or maybe it had been brewing up to this one, I dunno, but I loved this one!

    Benoit and Ethan have instant and powerful attraction, and they try hard to ignore it, they really do. But some things are just meant to be, even if there is a big age gap. Everyone is concerned about that gap, but Ethan and Benoit are not.

    There are some difficult topics dealt with here: racism and homophobia. Difficult reading for someone who has not experienced either, but I got way into Benoit’s heart when he deals with the aftermath of that.

    Because of the above, it does make some points quite emotional and you wanna cry for Benoit, but equally, it has some lighter moments and lots of the steamy moments!

    It is again written from both Ethan and Benoit’s point of view, in the first person. Each voice is clearly defined, coming from very different backgrounds, and they are easily identifiable if you leave off during a chapter. Each change occurs as the chapter changes. I saw no spelling or editing that would spoil anyone’s reading experience.

    I loved that Ryker, Jacob, Hayne and Scott all take part, as well as Tens are Mads. I still wanna read their story!

    Are there more? I hope so. Really loving this series.

    5 full and shiny stars

    **same worded review will appear elsewhere**