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Debbiereadsbook (1608 KP) rated Rowan & Aldred (Ambrosia #2) in Books
Aug 17, 2024
HEED the triggers, I have none but this really pushed my boundaries!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2in the Ambrosia series, and I have not read book one. I want to, though. Oh how I WANT!
I wasn't sure how this was gonna go, since it came with a stern, VERY STERN warning to note the triggers. I, after reading, STRESS that point.
Rowan is a bully and Aldred the God of Justice and Retribution. Who better to meek out the punishment the boy deserves. But something is off with Rowan and it takes a bit of time for Aldred to get deep into Rowan's reasons for being a bully. What he discovers shocks him, and makes him oddly protective of the boy. There is also the issue of the god going around, giving ambrosia out to humans, which is deadly if not managed correctly.
So, triggers:
Explicit smex: Oh yes, once Aldred decides he's keeping Rowan, the God loves his boy, and he loves him HARD.
Torture: Aldred, in the beginning, is brutal to Rowan. It was painful, reading about it, and it goes way darker than anything I've read before. I will admit, I came close to stopping, but something begged me to continue and I am so glad I did.
Mention of past abuse: Rowan's reasons for being a bully aren't immediately clear, and it does take some time for Aldred to get to the bottom of them.
Sexual assault: If it's the scen I'm thinking of, it's not a full on page assault, just the threat is there, and but for a kitty cat, there would have been.
It's a very different read than my usual fare, and I'm not tagging it as romance, because, let's be honest, I'm not sure Aldred could love in the hearts and flowers sense, but he cares, DEEPLY for Rowan, and I think, in time, his hearts and flowers will come.
Told from both Rowan and Aldred's point of view, this book is powerful in it's intensity; dark in it's violence; and in the end, the reason's for Rowan being a bully is paid back a hundred fold.
I've had a look, and can only see two books by this author name, and I question that! Why?? Cos if this is book 2 by this author, what is Lucie Fleury gonna be like at book 4, 6 or ten?? Sign me up, mate, I'm-a following this author!
Again though, HEED the triggers, I have none but this really pushed my boundaries!
But dear lord I cannot give it anything other than. . . .
5 full and shiny stars! (but more if I could!)
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2in the Ambrosia series, and I have not read book one. I want to, though. Oh how I WANT!
I wasn't sure how this was gonna go, since it came with a stern, VERY STERN warning to note the triggers. I, after reading, STRESS that point.
Rowan is a bully and Aldred the God of Justice and Retribution. Who better to meek out the punishment the boy deserves. But something is off with Rowan and it takes a bit of time for Aldred to get deep into Rowan's reasons for being a bully. What he discovers shocks him, and makes him oddly protective of the boy. There is also the issue of the god going around, giving ambrosia out to humans, which is deadly if not managed correctly.
So, triggers:
Explicit smex: Oh yes, once Aldred decides he's keeping Rowan, the God loves his boy, and he loves him HARD.
Torture: Aldred, in the beginning, is brutal to Rowan. It was painful, reading about it, and it goes way darker than anything I've read before. I will admit, I came close to stopping, but something begged me to continue and I am so glad I did.
Mention of past abuse: Rowan's reasons for being a bully aren't immediately clear, and it does take some time for Aldred to get to the bottom of them.
Sexual assault: If it's the scen I'm thinking of, it's not a full on page assault, just the threat is there, and but for a kitty cat, there would have been.
It's a very different read than my usual fare, and I'm not tagging it as romance, because, let's be honest, I'm not sure Aldred could love in the hearts and flowers sense, but he cares, DEEPLY for Rowan, and I think, in time, his hearts and flowers will come.
Told from both Rowan and Aldred's point of view, this book is powerful in it's intensity; dark in it's violence; and in the end, the reason's for Rowan being a bully is paid back a hundred fold.
I've had a look, and can only see two books by this author name, and I question that! Why?? Cos if this is book 2 by this author, what is Lucie Fleury gonna be like at book 4, 6 or ten?? Sign me up, mate, I'm-a following this author!
Again though, HEED the triggers, I have none but this really pushed my boundaries!
But dear lord I cannot give it anything other than. . . .
5 full and shiny stars! (but more if I could!)
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1608 KP) rated Thicker Than Water (Redwater Demons #1) in Books
Jul 27, 2024
freaking loved this book!
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This book, right here, is what I love MOST about reviewing. I come across a blurb that I love the sound of, by an author that is new to me, and the book blows me away! I freaking LOVED this book!
Julian is a demon hunter. His latest job finds himself adopted by the demon he was sent to kill. But she's just a little girl, and he cannot. He then finds said toddler kidnapped from him, and a demon contacts him, to share custody! (I'm sorry, but that really did make me chuckle!) But as Cassius and JJ bond over Desi, pieces are being moved on the cheesboard, and it's not very clear who will come out on top.
Like I said, freaking loved this book!
I loved the jump straight in for JJ and Desi. I loved the gentle way we are told about this world and the people and demons in it. The world building is excellent, and I could keep up and follow what was being thrown at me at all times. Cass and JJ have redefined the SLOW BUILD! I love the gradual way the attraction builds between these two. It's slow and subtle, and one of them thinks/says something and its "say what now??" SOme funny moments, too.
It's violent in places. JJ bears the brunt of that but not all is on page. MUCH is implied. I liked that we don't get it all, but we get some clues as to how bad it really was.
While JJ and Cass have a slow build, when we get to the main event?? Totally fade to grey and I freaking LOVED THAT TOO!! I'm big enough to admit, I like my books on the steamy side, and I'm also big enough to admit that not all books nned to be explicit. I loved that this one was not.
Betrayal of the highest order is painful for JJ, but Cass comes to the rescue, in his true form. And I loved that there was no indication that demons in this world had another form! There is some indication who might be next, at the end of this one with a bit of the next book. Actually, it gives you the next TWO books, I hope!
This is a new to me author, at the start of a new series. Two questions I ask myself when I read new authors and starts of series: will I read more by this author?? And will I continue the series. My answers to both questions is a HELL FREAKING YES!!
I can't fault this, I really cannot.
5 full and oh-so shiny stars!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This book, right here, is what I love MOST about reviewing. I come across a blurb that I love the sound of, by an author that is new to me, and the book blows me away! I freaking LOVED this book!
Julian is a demon hunter. His latest job finds himself adopted by the demon he was sent to kill. But she's just a little girl, and he cannot. He then finds said toddler kidnapped from him, and a demon contacts him, to share custody! (I'm sorry, but that really did make me chuckle!) But as Cassius and JJ bond over Desi, pieces are being moved on the cheesboard, and it's not very clear who will come out on top.
Like I said, freaking loved this book!
I loved the jump straight in for JJ and Desi. I loved the gentle way we are told about this world and the people and demons in it. The world building is excellent, and I could keep up and follow what was being thrown at me at all times. Cass and JJ have redefined the SLOW BUILD! I love the gradual way the attraction builds between these two. It's slow and subtle, and one of them thinks/says something and its "say what now??" SOme funny moments, too.
It's violent in places. JJ bears the brunt of that but not all is on page. MUCH is implied. I liked that we don't get it all, but we get some clues as to how bad it really was.
While JJ and Cass have a slow build, when we get to the main event?? Totally fade to grey and I freaking LOVED THAT TOO!! I'm big enough to admit, I like my books on the steamy side, and I'm also big enough to admit that not all books nned to be explicit. I loved that this one was not.
Betrayal of the highest order is painful for JJ, but Cass comes to the rescue, in his true form. And I loved that there was no indication that demons in this world had another form! There is some indication who might be next, at the end of this one with a bit of the next book. Actually, it gives you the next TWO books, I hope!
This is a new to me author, at the start of a new series. Two questions I ask myself when I read new authors and starts of series: will I read more by this author?? And will I continue the series. My answers to both questions is a HELL FREAKING YES!!
I can't fault this, I really cannot.
5 full and oh-so shiny stars!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
The Gene: An Intimate History
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Selected as a Book of the Year by The New York Times, The Economist, Independent, Observer and Mail...
Geometries
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The book is an innovative modern exposition of geometry, or rather, of geometries; it is the first...
Debbiereadsbook (1608 KP) rated Mute (Dragon Runners #1) in Books
Jul 21, 2018
Good, but not great
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Katrina lands a job in the local biker bar while she finishes up her final semester at nursing school. Club enforcer Mute props himself up at the end of the bar for most of the night and watches. Kat's life is threatened, along with that of the club. Mute digs deep to overcome his fear of falling in love again, and pulls out all the stops to save both Kat and his beloved club.
Ok! SO!
I liked this, mostly. I think.
Not a particularly original story line, but it is told in a slightly different way. Kat has her say for the bigger part of the book in the first person. Then Mute has a say, for a little bit, in the third person. Until Mute has his say, I wasn't sure I was enjoying it, and maybe I wasn't even going to finish it. But Mute having his say made the book a little more enjoyable and I did finish it.
I liked that there was a slow build between Kat and Mute. I did not like that the love word was bandied about very early on.
From what I can see, this is a first time author and in places, it does show. It's a little . . . clunky . . . . .at points and some things don't flow too well.
A good start, not a great one.
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Katrina lands a job in the local biker bar while she finishes up her final semester at nursing school. Club enforcer Mute props himself up at the end of the bar for most of the night and watches. Kat's life is threatened, along with that of the club. Mute digs deep to overcome his fear of falling in love again, and pulls out all the stops to save both Kat and his beloved club.
Ok! SO!
I liked this, mostly. I think.
Not a particularly original story line, but it is told in a slightly different way. Kat has her say for the bigger part of the book in the first person. Then Mute has a say, for a little bit, in the third person. Until Mute has his say, I wasn't sure I was enjoying it, and maybe I wasn't even going to finish it. But Mute having his say made the book a little more enjoyable and I did finish it.
I liked that there was a slow build between Kat and Mute. I did not like that the love word was bandied about very early on.
From what I can see, this is a first time author and in places, it does show. It's a little . . . clunky . . . . .at points and some things don't flow too well.
A good start, not a great one.
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1608 KP) rated Lies & Deception(Soldiers of Fury MC #1) in Books
Jul 2, 2018
Not really one for me :-(
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
*insert sigh*
Gonna jump straight in here, and this review may well be on the short side!
For the most part, I DID enjoy this. Mostly.
And for the life of me, I cannot, I simply CAN'T figure out what didn't work, or why! And you KNOW how much that frustrates me!!
It's well told, from both Fin and Mitch's POV, in the third person. Perfect for me. It's a very well delivered tale.
I did see who was feeding the police their insider information very early on, I did NOT see who was helping him. I would have love to have been told how Mitch and Finn dealt with finding out each other's secrets, because we don't get that here and I wanted to know how that went down!
It's not overly explicit for a male/male book, but it does come with a contemporary tag. Just the right amount for this book. It does get rather detailed in the description of the violence dished out by Finn's older brother, Rocky. But then again, Rocky isn't the best example of big brother material!
It is, as far as I can see, the first I've read of this author. I'd like to read more. Maybe I just picked the wrong book to jump into Nic Starr's world!
A GOOD 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 for the blog.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
*insert sigh*
Gonna jump straight in here, and this review may well be on the short side!
For the most part, I DID enjoy this. Mostly.
And for the life of me, I cannot, I simply CAN'T figure out what didn't work, or why! And you KNOW how much that frustrates me!!
It's well told, from both Fin and Mitch's POV, in the third person. Perfect for me. It's a very well delivered tale.
I did see who was feeding the police their insider information very early on, I did NOT see who was helping him. I would have love to have been told how Mitch and Finn dealt with finding out each other's secrets, because we don't get that here and I wanted to know how that went down!
It's not overly explicit for a male/male book, but it does come with a contemporary tag. Just the right amount for this book. It does get rather detailed in the description of the violence dished out by Finn's older brother, Rocky. But then again, Rocky isn't the best example of big brother material!
It is, as far as I can see, the first I've read of this author. I'd like to read more. Maybe I just picked the wrong book to jump into Nic Starr's world!
A GOOD 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 for the blog.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1608 KP) rated Snow One Like You (Snowed In - Valentine's Inc #9) in Books
Feb 13, 2020
LOVED this book!
Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted a copy of this book.
Oh yeah, I LOVED this book! So much!
Angelo and Spencer have a great deal of . . .not hatred cos that is too strong a word, but they really dislike each other, with a passion. And it's that passion that spills things over into something much more, something neither of them dreamed of.
So much passion, from these two, it burned the page! While what they say to themselves is hatred of the other, deep down, they both know that there is something more between them and getting stuck in a snow storm together is the time to let it all out, and just FEEL, you know?? So much the feels!
I loved the speed at which these guys fell, once they admitted to themselves at least what they were actually feeling. Usually I don't but the whole book (bar the epilogue) takes place over a few days, some 125 pages, so for it to work, it has to be fast. I loved that they were all in.
Both guys have a say, in the first person, so we get it all from them both. How much Spencer riles Angelo up. How much Spencer gets a kick out of calling him Angel. How much what they both want from the other means to them. LOVED these guys, I really did!
Can't see that I've read anything else by this author, and now I want more!
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Oh yeah, I LOVED this book! So much!
Angelo and Spencer have a great deal of . . .not hatred cos that is too strong a word, but they really dislike each other, with a passion. And it's that passion that spills things over into something much more, something neither of them dreamed of.
So much passion, from these two, it burned the page! While what they say to themselves is hatred of the other, deep down, they both know that there is something more between them and getting stuck in a snow storm together is the time to let it all out, and just FEEL, you know?? So much the feels!
I loved the speed at which these guys fell, once they admitted to themselves at least what they were actually feeling. Usually I don't but the whole book (bar the epilogue) takes place over a few days, some 125 pages, so for it to work, it has to be fast. I loved that they were all in.
Both guys have a say, in the first person, so we get it all from them both. How much Spencer riles Angelo up. How much Spencer gets a kick out of calling him Angel. How much what they both want from the other means to them. LOVED these guys, I really did!
Can't see that I've read anything else by this author, and now I want more!
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
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