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Merissa (12854 KP) rated A Suitable Replacement (Deceived #4) in Books
Apr 14, 2023
This is an MM Historical Romance with a dash of fantasy added to it. After all, I don't think anyone studying the magical theory of the Goblin Wars would have gone down too well with the 'ton' in normal circumstances. However, there are parts of it that rang true for the historical genre - the attempted assassination of the royals, the child having to atone for the 'sins' of his parents, etc.
This is a fast-moving and intricate plot involving a Duchess who has run away with a love match, her brother just returned after three years away, the jilted fiance and the lady the love match was supposed to be marrying for reasons of her own.
It is written very well with enough plot twists to keep you on your toes. I loved the relationship between Kelcey and Max and the way that you were constantly left wondering what would throw a spanner in the works next. At the same time, I wanted to knock their heads together to get them to talk honestly with each other.
A thoroughly enjoyable read and definitely recommended.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 1, 2015
This is a fast-moving and intricate plot involving a Duchess who has run away with a love match, her brother just returned after three years away, the jilted fiance and the lady the love match was supposed to be marrying for reasons of her own.
It is written very well with enough plot twists to keep you on your toes. I loved the relationship between Kelcey and Max and the way that you were constantly left wondering what would throw a spanner in the works next. At the same time, I wanted to knock their heads together to get them to talk honestly with each other.
A thoroughly enjoyable read and definitely recommended.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 1, 2015

Blazing Minds (92 KP) rated Wild Rose (2018) in Movies
Nov 1, 2021 (Updated Nov 3, 2021)
Right from the very start of Wild Rose I had the same feeling that I had for the brilliant A Star is Born with Lady GaGa and Bradley Cooper, the opening music for Wild Rose just has you ready for a film that you know is going to be a well made and produced British made movie and it is.
Julie Walters is brilliant as Rose’s mother her Scottish accent is nicely done and you can see from her performance why she is one the best British actresses that we have around at the moment, her on-screen presence with Jessie Buckley certainly brings across the rocky mother and daughter relationship.
Jessie Buckley comes across very well as the down-trodden mother that only wants her dream to come true and head over to Nashville to sing Country, she puts on a great performance as Rose-Lynn, at first you get the feeling that you aren’t going to like the foul-mouthed “Wild Rose“, but as the mother progresses and you see that there is so much more to just wanting to sing.
Julie Walters is brilliant as Rose’s mother her Scottish accent is nicely done and you can see from her performance why she is one the best British actresses that we have around at the moment, her on-screen presence with Jessie Buckley certainly brings across the rocky mother and daughter relationship.
Jessie Buckley comes across very well as the down-trodden mother that only wants her dream to come true and head over to Nashville to sing Country, she puts on a great performance as Rose-Lynn, at first you get the feeling that you aren’t going to like the foul-mouthed “Wild Rose“, but as the mother progresses and you see that there is so much more to just wanting to sing.

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Criers War ( criers war book 1) in Books
Mar 13, 2023
29 of 235
Kindle
Criers War (Book 1)
By Nina Varela
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
After the War of Kinds ravaged the kingdom of Rabu, the Automae, designed to be the playthings of royals, usurped their owners’ estates and bent the human race to their will.
Now Ayla, a human servant rising in the ranks at the House of the Sovereign, dreams of avenging her family’s death…by killing the sovereign’s daughter, Lady Crier.
Crier was Made to be beautiful, flawless, and to carry on her father’s legacy. But that was before her betrothal to the enigmatic Scyre Kinok, before she discovered her father isn’t the benevolent king she once admired, and most importantly, before she met Ayla.
Now, with growing human unrest across the land, pressures from a foreign queen, and an evil new leader on the rise, Crier and Ayla find there may be only one path to love: war.
This was one I didn’t want to put down. It was brilliant from start to finish a unique story. The characters are exactly how you expect them to be I just could not fault it. Highly recommended! Also a new author for me!
Kindle
Criers War (Book 1)
By Nina Varela
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
After the War of Kinds ravaged the kingdom of Rabu, the Automae, designed to be the playthings of royals, usurped their owners’ estates and bent the human race to their will.
Now Ayla, a human servant rising in the ranks at the House of the Sovereign, dreams of avenging her family’s death…by killing the sovereign’s daughter, Lady Crier.
Crier was Made to be beautiful, flawless, and to carry on her father’s legacy. But that was before her betrothal to the enigmatic Scyre Kinok, before she discovered her father isn’t the benevolent king she once admired, and most importantly, before she met Ayla.
Now, with growing human unrest across the land, pressures from a foreign queen, and an evil new leader on the rise, Crier and Ayla find there may be only one path to love: war.
This was one I didn’t want to put down. It was brilliant from start to finish a unique story. The characters are exactly how you expect them to be I just could not fault it. Highly recommended! Also a new author for me!

Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Serial Killer's Daughter in Books
Aug 14, 2022
As with the first in the series, The Serial Killer's Wife, this is not your usual serial killer story and although this is the second book, you don't have to have read the first ... this can be listened to/read as a standalone very easily.
Jenny is a local vet living with her husband and 2 children in a quiet village in Devon where nothing usually happens but then a young woman goes missing, Jenny is having blackouts and someone is leaving her "presents" on her doorstep. Jenny starts to doubt her own sanity and suspects those around her but could it be related to her father, the serial killer known as The Painted Lady Killer? Is Jenny taking after her father?
This is a great book to listen to and although it's a slow burner, it certainly kept me engaged throughout. It's full of suspense and mystery with a great twist at the end and I particularly liked the narrators who did a great job.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to The Serial Killer's Daughter and share my thoughts.
Jenny is a local vet living with her husband and 2 children in a quiet village in Devon where nothing usually happens but then a young woman goes missing, Jenny is having blackouts and someone is leaving her "presents" on her doorstep. Jenny starts to doubt her own sanity and suspects those around her but could it be related to her father, the serial killer known as The Painted Lady Killer? Is Jenny taking after her father?
This is a great book to listen to and although it's a slow burner, it certainly kept me engaged throughout. It's full of suspense and mystery with a great twist at the end and I particularly liked the narrators who did a great job.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to The Serial Killer's Daughter and share my thoughts.

Hatchling's Mate (Dragshi Chronicles #3)
Book
From their birth, it was expected that the only two children born to the dragon shifters would...
Fantasy Romance

The Husband Criteria (The Lorings #3)
Book
London 1817 The primary aim of every young lady embarking on the Spring frenzy that is the Season...
Regency Romance Historical

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated The Proof of the Pudding in Books
Nov 9, 2023
Of Poison Gardens and Poisonous Dinner Parties
Lady Georgie has hired a new chef from France, and he is a hit in the community. In fact, Georgie’s neighbor, Sir Mortimer Mordred, has hired him to provide the dinner at the end of the open house he is hosting to show off his poison garden. The next morning, a few of the guests are sick, and one dies. Could Georgie’s chef be a poisoner?
As is usual for this series, the book takes a while to set the story in motion, but once it does, I was hooked. Georgie gets a fun new sleuthing partner that I loved. The climax, while a little unconventional, works well for this book and answers all of our questions. It was great to see the series regulars again and see them continue to grow. Meanwhile, the new characters are great. We get some funny scenes and reminders of what was going on in Europe in the 1930’s. While the two are very different in tone, they are balanced perfect. I enjoyed this latest entry in the series, and fans will as well.
As is usual for this series, the book takes a while to set the story in motion, but once it does, I was hooked. Georgie gets a fun new sleuthing partner that I loved. The climax, while a little unconventional, works well for this book and answers all of our questions. It was great to see the series regulars again and see them continue to grow. Meanwhile, the new characters are great. We get some funny scenes and reminders of what was going on in Europe in the 1930’s. While the two are very different in tone, they are balanced perfect. I enjoyed this latest entry in the series, and fans will as well.

Merissa (12854 KP) rated Feline Valentine (A Witch’s Night Out, #4) in Books
Dec 17, 2018 (Updated May 20, 2023)
Another scorcher in the Witch's Night Out series, this one being the turn of Shelley, the house-arrested earth mage. She is busy drooling over her new neighbour but doesn't think that she will ever get the chance to speak with him, as she doesn't leave home. Adrien thinks that his neighbour is an old lady, so when his brother hands him an invite for a one-night stand at the house next door, he accepts it with a smile. He plans on taking some chocolate and champagne to make the 'old girl's day' and then leaving. So imagine his surprise when it is Shelley who opens the door.
There is action and humour aplenty in this short but sweet and hot novella. I loved the rapport that was between Shelley and Adrien. With a would-be burglar and an interfering brother and friend in the mix, this is guaranteed to make you smile. Definitely recommended.
* 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!
Jan 25, 2016
There is action and humour aplenty in this short but sweet and hot novella. I loved the rapport that was between Shelley and Adrien. With a would-be burglar and an interfering brother and friend in the mix, this is guaranteed to make you smile. Definitely recommended.
* 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!
Jan 25, 2016

Merissa (12854 KP) rated Escape from Witchwood Hollow in Books
May 29, 2023
This is a Young Adult Fantasy set in a contemporary setting. Honoria, and her brother Geoffrey, are still recovering from the loss of their parents in the Twin Towers. They now live with their aunt and uncle and have moved to Arnn where Honoria quickly becomes intrigued and ensnared by the local legend of Witchwood Hollow.
Set in many different times, they do link up as the story progresses. Elizabeth, Lady Clifford, I just couldn't figure out how I felt about her. Honoria and Leon were fantastic characters that were completely real to their natures and the times.
Well written, with a fast-moving story, this definitely has more of a mystery theme than romance, although there is a hint of it. I liked how it all tied up together at the end, complete with the twist.
If you want a Young Adult Fantasy Mystery, then I can definitely recommend this.
* 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!
Mar 13, 2016
Set in many different times, they do link up as the story progresses. Elizabeth, Lady Clifford, I just couldn't figure out how I felt about her. Honoria and Leon were fantastic characters that were completely real to their natures and the times.
Well written, with a fast-moving story, this definitely has more of a mystery theme than romance, although there is a hint of it. I liked how it all tied up together at the end, complete with the twist.
If you want a Young Adult Fantasy Mystery, then I can definitely recommend this.
* 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!
Mar 13, 2016

An Orphan of Hell’s Kitchen
Book
In 1914, Hell’s Kitchen is an apt name for New York City’s grittiest neighborhood, as one of the...