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The Rogue (Traitor Spy Trilogy, #2)
The Rogue (Traitor Spy Trilogy, #2)
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The paving issues from the previous book where definitely less evident here. Really enjoying the plot, though, I did find Dannyl's story dragging a bit, but having learnt Canavan's habit of pulling loose threads together, I am guessing this will all make sense by the end of the last book. She still has a tendency to not develop the affection between people will, so some (though not all) romantic interests seem to come out of nowhere, though I wouldn't exactly call it instalove, it does border on it at times.

Still a very enjoyable read, and I'm both looking forward to finishing the whole story, as well as wanting to put it off because I don't want it to end.
  
The Shimmering
The Shimmering
Susan Kearney | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sci-Fi Romance
The shimmering By Susan Kearney was a sci-fi romance that was very reminiscent of the stories I have read in my younger days and I was such a sucker for these, So this book had me feeling rather nostalgic, wanting to experience this all over again.
This was my main reason for wanting to read this novel and I have to admit I was also looking for something light, fluffy and just easy to read, a bit of romantic instalove to warm the old heart, sigh.
And The Shimmering does all that, you get exactly what it says on the tin.
This was an ok read, not amazing, but it passed a few hours and was enjoyable in an easy non-brain taxing way.
Basically, you have our intrepid heroine journalist Sandra Lowell testing out an astral projecting machine for a story.
This device manages to, with a little help from an ancient Totem the Zorash, to send Sandra across the universe and into the body of a woman about to be married to Daveck. Daveck is intent on marrying his enemies daughter to force her to reveal the location of the same object that has helped propel Sandra here to his planet from across the stars.
So what worked for me and what didn't.
well, I felt that the storyline here is so imaginative that much more could have been done to expand on this, I would have liked to see this more of this new world, to explore and meet its alien people properly.
Sandra also seemed a lot more fleshed out than Daveck, who I really struggled to get a fully dimensional picture of and to connect with, also I'm all for instalove but I felt that Sandra after lamenting all through earlier chapters why she didn't have a man and how important her career was gave up that job unbelievably fast.
Now that is out of the way, why should you read The Shimmering?
Well, This is a charming uncomplicated tale of instalove across the stars, it's very imaginative and though it's a simple angst-free story it does kind of give you a warm nostalgic glow, This wasn't quite a three for me but a two seemed too low so I've rated this 2 1/2 on the Goodreads rating I would have rated it slightly higher if I was able to connect more with the book's characters, for me this was an ok read that pleasantly passed the time.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free readers copy of the Shimmering. This is my own unbiased opinion.

Arc Reviewed By BeckieBookworm
https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9460945-bex-beckie-bookworm
  
Her Guardian Hero (Hot as Sin #2)
Her Guardian Hero (Hot as Sin #2)
Kitty O'Bliss | 2025 | Contemporary, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
HER GUARDIAN HERO is a short story in the Hot as Sin series, featuring Carlos as the overprotective firefighter/paramedic and Maya as the object of his fascination. On Goodreads, it is described as an OTT Instalove Fire Fighter Quick Read and that is exactly what it is. It is only 43-odd pages, so don't expect a full backstory for the characters. Instead, you get two snippets in time - the main part and then the epilogue that also leads onto the next story.

Carlos has lost someone to asthma before and he is determined to not let that happen to Maya. As for her, she is determined not to be seen as weak. The sparks fly off the page between these two, leading to a spicy scene that might just take your breath away!

A great short read, perfect for that steamy coffee break, and 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!
Apr 14, 2025
  
<b><i>I received this book for free from Netgalley/Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i></b>
Well, then. This is going to be one of the harder reviews to write, isn't it. (And it'll probably come out a little choppy, but um... bear with me.)

Okay, so how about I start with this: <i>The Prophecy of Shadows</i> is great, but the only thing working against the book is the instalove between Nicole and Blake. But even the instalove isn't much of a bother – Nicole is attracted to Blake from the get go, but she's not as <em>obsessed</em> as Danielle, who would threaten anyone in Blake's proximity. Yet?

Anyways, the first book in the <i>Elementals</i> series brings yet a new idea to the <a title="Mythology" href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/search/label/Mythology"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">mythology</a> genre, sort of following in <a title="Raye Wagner" href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/search/label/Raye%20Wagner"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">Raye Wagner's</a> footsteps. When Nicole first moves to a new school, she is quickly thrown into the world of witches, people who are descended from Greek gods but not exactly demigods. Witches in Madow's newest series are those not directly descended from a Greek god (basically, a generation or two later...?) and their powers are mostly based off of color theory (definitely not getting into the specifics of that one). Nicole is weirded out and dismisses the entire idea at first, but quickly has a change of heart.

The book is also a little slow on the pacing side, especially for those who like constant action. Madow spends approximately half the book setting up the plot and introducing the world of witches, and I personally think that in itself is good enough without being overwhelming. Even though the witches in the <i>Elementals</i> series are similar to witches in general, I enjoyed learning how each color corresponds to a particular emotion or talent. Any particular legendary creature fighting comes later on in the book.

It'll be interesting to see how Madow takes the series with the sequels, and I'll be looking forward to the sequels (which, by the way, have extremely interesting and adventurous titles).

<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/arc-review-the-prophecy-of-shadows-by-michelle-madow/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
  
Stanley&#039;s Christmas Redemption (Mission City #2)
Stanley's Christmas Redemption (Mission City #2)
Gabbi Grey | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Stanley does redeem himself!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Mission City series, but I am reading it after I've already book 3. It only means I know that there is a happy ever after for Stanley and Justin. They can be read as stand alone books though.

I wasn't sure I'd like Stanley, after what he did to Maddox from book 1, but the man does redeem himself beautifully here, eventually!

It's a very instalove book, much in keeping with book 1. Mid level smexy times, not explicit but thats really not what this book is about.

This book is about looking at your previous life choices, recognising that maybe they weren't the best choice, and trying to make good on them. Stanley does a complete 180 turn at the beginning of this book and it was a bit whiplash-y but it all comes good! I really did like that Maddox became friends with Stanley, in the end.

The ansgt level is mid range, but very much inkeeping with the other two books.

I'm really enjoying this series, I want to visit Mission City again real soon!

4 solid stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere