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Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated Tampa in Books

Mar 15, 2018  
Tampa
Tampa
Alissa Nutting | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry
8
6.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is meant to shock! Based on the case of Florida teacher Debra Lafave, this book explores a taboo subject with a twist. Not as often do you hear of a female teacher having an affair with a student, so it's a great book that flips this subject on its head to reveal a shocking double standard that's sadly present in our society.

I was so interested in where this story was going and how it was going to end that I hardly put it down! Definitely a NSFW book with some rather graphic scenes. Don't expect this book to be anything like Lolita in the sense that Nabokov writes in a such a way that you catch yourself slipping and feeling sorry for Humbert on occasion, Nutting makes no efforts to make us feel sorry for Celeste, she's presented as a lust driven woman who will stop at nothing to fufill her desires.

By liking this book I am not condoning the actions written within, I simply found this a fascinating read. Very different to anything I've read before.
  
EL
Every Last Drop: A Vampire Anthology
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A collection of short stories involving vampires. Who doesn’t love vampires. These are the legitimate kind though so no sparkles. I enjoyed the twist in history. To give a reason for blood lust.
Natural Born Predators was awesome. The Beauty and The Beast with a vampire twist. Belle is no damsel in distress. She is a hard core vampire hunter. She is lethal and hot. Frey is a god with the power to control the weather around his castle. He imprisoned Bell's father for trespassing. What he wasn’t expecting was this beauty to come and calm his world. He knows he can’t change who Bell is but can he accept the thought of her always putting her life at risk.
All the stories were really good. It would be awesome to read full length novels of Fate and Fortune and Natural Born Predators. To get more details on the love stories and how the lives of the people effected turned out. To see that not all stories have a HEA.
  
FI
Found in Silence (A Prairie Tale #2)
Lisa Sorbe | 2017
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Found in Silence by Lisa Sobre

Four Stars

This is the first story I have read by Lisa Sobre. It was different in the sense that instead of turning to the child in comfort our main lady turned cold and lifeless. Jen was all about her image and what people thought of her. She was either in love or in lust with a man ten years older than her. She turned herself into someone else just to be what she thought he needed or wanted. The emotions she felt were so real to me that I thought someone was telling my story. Only my kids saved me. Miles was just omg and so perfect for Jen. He didn’t put up with her mess and found the beauty she had hidden within. I definitely will be reading more from this author. The writing style caught my attention and the story was so raw and beautiful. The author made Jen into the perfect example of why people don’t want to fall in love but completely flipped to show the benefits of loving the right person.
  
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themaxdog (14 KP) rated Lady Renegade in Books

Jul 17, 2019  
Lady Renegade
Lady Renegade
Elizabeth Rose | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Characters (0 more)
The Ending! (0 more)
Lady Renegade is a story filled with action, adventure, and romance. I liked that this book fleshed out the world and the cast of characters more than the first, helping me to build a better understanding of the world that these characters inhabit and their relationships with one another. It was also refreshing that the plot focused on more than just love and lust!

I also liked the author's decision to include a blind main character - something that I have never encountered before in a romance novel. Wren is a strong, feisty, independent lady, and it was nice that her blossoming feelings for Storm were a bonus rather than becoming the sole reason for her existence.

This book would probably have been rated higher if it wasn't for a particular event that happened at the end. Without spoiling the book, something happened which made me question a lot of what had already happened and really didn't sit very well with me. I guess you'll have to read the book to see for yourself!
  
Kalil (Men of S.O.C, #1)
Kalil (Men of S.O.C, #1)
S. Reynolds | 2014 | Mystery, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a slow burner with a build-up towards the main part of the story. There are parts of this story that aren't nice to read about but you do have to read all parts to fully understand the mindset of the serial killer. Trust me, you will feel really sorry for those girls, even knowing that it's not real and there is nothing you could do anyway.

This is very well written and put together and will leave you wanting more. The love build-up is slow and steady, although the lust is instantaneous, which makes a nice change in this era of insta-love.

For a book on the darker side of romance suspense but with added dashes of humour and deep friendships then definitely give this one a go! Recommended.
 
* 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!
July 26, 2016
  
Clausing a Scene (Christmas Falls #6)
Clausing a Scene (Christmas Falls #6)
Casey Cox | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
CLAUSING A SCENE is the sixth book in the Christmas Falls series but don't expect to see much of the town!

Brant is Col's best friend. Hig is Col's dad (he was 17 when Col was born.) Both have liked each other for a LONG time and when Col is delayed getting to his dad's, their lust explodes in a shower of purple sparks.

This is one of the steamier stories set in this town, mostly because they hole up in Hig's house and don't want to go anywhere. You hear about the town a couple of times, usually as someone is walking or driving down a road, but that's about it. A couple of characters from other books are also mentioned.

Fast-paced with low angst, this was a great addition to the series 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!
Nov 29, 2023
  
Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson, #3)
Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson, #3)
Patricia Briggs | 2008 | Fiction & Poetry, Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
8.6 (16 Ratings)
Book Rating
Iron Kissed was just as good as the previous books in the Mercy Thompson series, if not better. Since I've been reading a lot of urban fantasy-type books lately, I have to admit to a bit of confusion at the beginning in remembering this world and the characters. Luckily most of it came back and I was able clear everything up. I was worried going into Iron Kissed, with the love triangle and was so happy when Mercy finally chose someone, as opposed to dilly-dallying for the next few books. I don't mind the romance angle, but I can get sick of everyone falling in love/lust/or whatever with the main character (even if Mercy kicks-major-youknowwhat!) in this genre of book(s). If only I could be so lucky. LoL Only in fiction. Anyways, the ending did disturb me and turn my stomach, which is a credit to the author, but it really added an element of realism to the book and especially to Mercy's character. I hope to see Mercy stronger than ever in the next book. Can't wait for it!
  
Heart Bandit (Gargoyle Night Guardians #1)
Heart Bandit (Gargoyle Night Guardians #1)
Rosalie Redd | 2020 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
HEART BANDIT is the first book in the Gargoyle Night Guardians series, and we start off with Beaumont, who has been a Gargoyle for over 800 years. We find a new world of evil fae, the Critch, dubious souls, and an unwillingness to give in. Sadie does what she has to, to survive and plan for her longterm goal of getting her GED. If this includes pickpocketing, then so be it. However, all things change when she takes Beaumont's spark stone.

Rosalie Redd has created a world of interest, with strong alpha males and feisty females to keep them on their toes. There is no "insta-bond" between our two main characters, just good, old-fashioned lust and interest. There are plenty more characters I can't wait to hear about, not limited to Drake, the leader of the Chicago Gargoyles who you don't actually see much of.

The world-building is wonderful, the characters come alive, and the pacing is smooth. All in all, this has been a great read and I can't wait to continue with the series. After all, I'm really hoping for Drake!
  
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Gaz Coombes recommended New Values by Iggy Pop in Music (curated)

 
New Values by Iggy Pop
New Values by Iggy Pop
1979 | Punk
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I think I must have heard it on tour in the late 90s. When you’re a kid you know Lust For Life or The Passenger and all about his work with Bowie. But when it came to less well-known stuff, it was different. It was before you could find things out so easily, you just had to know a bit about the artist and dig around a bit. When I heard this I thought, “What a great band, what a great time!”. It’s got that slightly postpunk feel, it’s so tight, the drums are really dry. And I love the backing vocals – when the rest of the band do them it’s like a gang but it isn’t laddy; it’s got a cool sophistication about it. I think that’s what Iggy brings to things: he’s raw, he’s kind of punk, but he always has a sense of style. Maybe that’s what Bowie and Iggy saw in each other, that common ground of not over-intellectualising things, of being throwaway but with care and thought. And I love his lyrics, they can be funny – especially with some of the ad-libs – but always cool."

Source
  
Ignite (Midnight Fire, #1)
Ignite (Midnight Fire, #1)
7
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
140 of 250
Kindle
Ignite ( Midnight Fire book 1)
By Kaitlyn Davis

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

Kira Dawson has the power to burn vampires to a crisp. The problem is, she doesn't know it yet. The even bigger problem is she's dating one.

When Kira Dawson moves to South Carolina, she meets Luke, a blond goofball who quickly becomes her best friend, and Tristan, a mysterious bad boy who sends shivers down her spine. Kira knows they're keeping secrets, but when she discovers Tristan's lust for blood and her own dormant mystical powers, Kira is forced to fight for her life and make the heartbreaking decision between the familiar comfort of friendship and the fiery passion of love.

Well it wasn’t terrible! If I had I’d say very middle of the line and slightly predictable. It had an interesting view on the “vampire slayers/catchers” but the end was definitely predictable. I good read if you need a gap filler. This is just my opinion and I wouldn’t put anyone of giving it a go!