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Eternal Flame (Guardians #1)
Eternal Flame (Guardians #1)
Valerie Twombly | 2013 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book has a twist on the tale of vampires in that they have been chosen by the gods as protectors of the human race and actually dwell in an alternative realm. They are all hot and some have special skills. They all have a weakness, which are silver bracelets, as we find out with Marcus.

There are too many excellent characters in here to name them all but I will admit to having a soft spot for Seth and Baal! An excellent book and, I hope, the start of a new series. How it ended leaves it wide open for the next book along, whilst also neatly tying off this story.

There are a couple of reasons I haven't given this 5 stars. For one, there is insta-love and... bonded mates or not, this bugs me. For someone who has not been in a relationship for 5 years and has been so hurt in the past, it just beggars belief that she would fall into bed with Marcus after the first date, no matter how big the attraction.

I would also liked to have known more about the gods, who they are and what their role in this is. I get the feeling they have a big part to play in this but we don't really hear much about them. Are they Egyptian? I'm not sure although Egypt plays a big part in this.

On the whole, a totally enjoyable paranormal romance with a twist. If you enjoy hot alpha males, demons and shifters all in one book then I can recommend this one to you.
 
* 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. *

July 23, 2016
  
Taken by a Dragon (Eternal Mates #7)
Taken by a Dragon (Eternal Mates #7)
Felicity Heaton | 2015 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the story of Anais and Loke - a huntress from Archangel and a dragon shifter. During the battle that takes place in book 2, Loke snatches Anais from the battle after he gets a vision of her death. For some reason (we all know what), this is unacceptable to him so off they go. Loke calls Anais his 'little amazon' as he thinks she is fierce and unafraid. Loke is an intelligent, smexy blue dragon man who lives away from the other dragons because he doesn't like the power plays.

This is a brilliant continuation of the Eternal Mates series and I am LOVING that we have a dragon shifter - sorry, Kyter and Cavanagh! There are so many threads that are connected in this book and I really want Taryn and Bleu's story but I am waiting oh so patiently for that one as I know it will be superb!

But anyway, back to this one - the whole story seems to be coming together. We have mentions of Olivia and Loren showing up to help Loke; Sable and Thorne are there, and Kyter, Cavanagh and others all make an appearance. This is definitely a series (for me) to read in order as it makes the small nuances more noticeable and enjoyable. The plot is fast-paced and well-written with humour, heat and decisions to be made and maybe regretted.

Definitely recommended as both a book and the series. Another cracker from Felicity Heaton.
 
* 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 30, 2016
  
48 of 235
Kindle
The Taming of Ilona ( Vampire Memoirs 2)
By Nicola Ormerod
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ilona lives a simple life in the seventeenth century. She is the youngest daughter of a farming family and is the apple of her father's eye. Then her world is turned upside down when her father sells her hand in marriage to an older wealthy businessman. Cut off from her family, raped and abused, Ilona struggles to cope with the hand she has been given. She befriends a local businesswoman and friend of her husband, Katrina, who teaches her how to fit into higher society. When she falls pregnant, she tries to see it as a blessing and tries to make the best of her new, brutal life. But Ilona is desperate to know what it is like to be held tenderly and, in her hour of need, turns to her friend and asks her to arrange one night, one night where she will know love and passion. She is introduced to Redvick. He is tall, dark, and gorgeous. Un-natural sparks fly between them, their passion is undeniable, and Redvick is forced to reveal his true nature. Their love is forbidden, but they are soul mates, connected in mind, body, and spirit, but how can they ever overcome their impossible situation and be together.

I absolutely devoured this book in 1.5 hours. It almost broke me in the middle been a while since a book made me cry! Maybe the mother in me. This is the story of Reds mother and how she dealt with her life and believe me it was hard! I thought the first book was good but this just was brilliant! I classic vampire love story was entwined with the tragic life of a 15 year old new wife. Loved it!
  
Dark Phoenix (Phoenix #2)
Dark Phoenix (Phoenix #2)
Elise Faber | 2019 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
OMG, I never expected this story to go this way! I will say now that I think I spent far too long actually wanting to whop a character upside his head!

Dark Phoenix pretty much starts where Phoenix Rising left off. Cody and Daughtry are still trying to learn what it's like to be bonded mates, but things aren't going too well given outside circumstances. For example, there is a big shocker that happens about who it was that actually kidnapped Daughtry. This results in Cody being a complete donk and pushing Daughtry away. She is feeling overwhelmed and her feelings of inadequacy are rampant. She also feels very lonely as her friendships with John and Suz take a beating too. Daughtry is so strong in some ways, as Morgan very eloquently said. She has faced so much, been betrayed by so many, and yet still carries on with a pure heart.

Just like with book one, this book has it all - an action-packed climax, enough feels to leave you feeling wrung out, and a big enough dollop of humour that you feel like you just have to carry on. The secrets and mysteries that are revealed in this book are stunning and I personally hope for some more from this series, as I don't feel that I am ready to leave Daughtry and Cody yet. I am hopeful from the way it ended that there will be more to come. Highly 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!
Dec 17, 2015
  
Eternal Bloodthirst (Blood Moon #1)
Eternal Bloodthirst (Blood Moon #1)
S.J. Blackrose | 2015 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
In a genre full of vampires, S.J. Blackrose has managed to carve out her own niche with a set of vampires different from any I have previously read. In this, there are two types of Vampire - one feeds from each other, and the other feeds from humans. They have soulmates but they are always from the opposite 'set'. They have a choice to become one or the other once they are together.

However, a twist is made to this within the story, and that is that a time limit is now imposed upon those who have found their mates. In an effort to show how important a bond is, and how respected it must be, Lilith creates a time limit of 100 years. If you have not bonded within that time, you will both die. Simple, but effective. Amongst this, you have a history of lies and manipulations, the return of an old enemy thought long vanquished, secrets amongst those who you thought you knew, and a mahoosive cliffhanger ending. Excellent.

This book is well-written and with a smooth pace. There were a couple of editing errors that I found but nothing to spoil the general flow of the story. Told from a multiple set of viewpoints, this makes for an in-depth and tantalising glimpse into any given situation and certainly helps to move the story onward.

Definitely recommended for fans of vampires out there, who like things with a twist and a dash of spice.

* 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!
Jan 5, 2016
  
Stray (Outcast Mates #3)
Stray (Outcast Mates #3)
Lee Colgin | 2022 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Leonas is a panther shifter who hates water. Can Jeno show him the pleasures of it?
STRAY is the third book in the Outcast Mates series, and I would highly recommend you read it as such, rather than a standalone.

I had said previously that I wanted Leonas' story and I'm happy to say, I got it. He meets a young vampire called Jeno, who has a troubled history with opium addiction. Ivaz thought he'd got rid of the nasty goblin but, instead, it just looks like he moved to a different town. The town where The Twig and Berries reside. That puts it on Leonas' radar, and he, in turn, brings Sebastian and Dominus back into the story.

I found this story to be delightful but it just didn't quite tick all the boxes for me. There were parts I loved - Leonas' hate of baths, for example - that I thought were brilliant, but there were also other parts that frustrated me. Jeno's lack of anger with Leonas was one. Yes, I agree there's no need for unnecessary angst but this WAS NECESSARY!!!!! Leonas didn't give him a chance to explain and basically kicked him out when he was needed the most. I expected at least five minutes of anger but there was nothing. This was more insta than the others and I missed the slow-burn feeling I got with the previous couples.

This is a great addition to the series and I'm really glad I've read it. I highly recommend the series, and have no hesitation in recommending this book as part of that.

** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
The Founder (A Broken World #4)
The Founder (A Broken World #4)
Dean Murray | 2017 | Dystopia, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Founder is the fourth book in the Broken World series, but this book takes you on a different route than the previous three. In this one, Skye is by herself, not knowing if she will ever see Brennan again. Instead of running away from the enclave, she is running towards it. She is searching for her mother and will do whatever it takes to get answers. This book certainly has a different dynamic to the others - don't get me wrong, I love Skye. It was just a bit strange to only hear about her and not Brennan too. Instead, Skye manages to get a small group of friends, none of whom know who she really is, whilst she is searching for her mother.

This is one heck of a book, with more twists and turns than a maize maze! There were some parts that were quite technical, but my husband was fascinated when I read them out to him, so I guess it's just not my strong point! Instead, I found the interpersonal relationships intriguing, especially when one of Skye's creche-mates turns up.

This is part of a series, so it does you no good to read this as a standalone. You need to have read the others for it to make sense. However, there were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, and the pace and integrity of the characters are just what I have come to expect from Dean Murray. Ending on a cliffhanger, it will definitely leave you wanting more. Definitely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 3, 2017
  
RR
Reds Robin ( vampire memoirs book 1)
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
🔞🔞🔞🔞

45 of 230
Kindle
Reds Robin ( Vampire Memoirs book 1)
By Nicola Omerod
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Robin is a rather self-absorbed model. On a night out, she bumps into Red, a vampire. One unholy and lustfully fantastic night later she finds herself a member of the undead. Having shied away all of her life from love, she now has to adjust to the fact that she and Red are soul mates. But something appears to be amiss with Robin. She doesn't like human blood. She is a Santorian, a special breed of vampire thought to be extinct. As she matures, she will become indestructible, impervious to sunlight. But to accomplish this, she must survive on the blood of other vampires. Robin learns to love for the first time and finds her place in her new family, who have welcomed her into their arms. However, when a vicious rival vampire pack kidnaps Red, it falls solely in her hands to use her newly tuned senses to seek him out and she must battle her way through the entire vampire pack to get him back.

Holy hell this book was filthy 😂 and I mean filth, but in a good way! It was constant but not so you skipped paragraphs or pages like most smut books! Robin was a bitch, she swore like a sailor and was a proper nymph oh and she’s British! Red was just jaw dropping I loved all the characters and under it all it had a decent vampire story. Best smut book I’ve read in a long time and I’m one of those that skips these scenes if I get bored. Brilliant!!
  
40x40

Merissa (11950 KP) rated Stuck with my Frenemy (The Karma Collectors #1) in Books

Jun 23, 2021 (Updated Jul 18, 2023)  
Stuck with my Frenemy (The Karma Collectors #1)
Stuck with my Frenemy (The Karma Collectors #1)
Maya Daniels, Cassandra Fear | 2021 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
STUCK WITH MY FRENEMY is the first book in The Karma Collectors series and if you are looking for an opposites book, then this is your winner.

Ebony is the daughter of the Morrigan, and Cherry is the daughter of Aphrodite. One is full of rainbows, the other loves black. I'll leave it to you to figure out which is which. For some as yet unknown reason, Cherry and Ebony are sent to Earth as Karma's Collectors, and their first job is to give karma to the two thieves who stole Thor's Hammer. Of course, nothing is simple, so throw in a couple of fated mates plus Loki, and you're left with a whole ball of fun.

As Maya Daniels is one of the co-authors, you can expect the pacing to be extremely fast. I think the whole book takes place over a couple of days. The characters, you will either love or hate. I know it's probably meant to be this way but I really hate Cherry! Like, seriously!!! People talk about nails on a chalkboard, well, Cherry had me like chewing on a cotton wool ball! My jaw was so tense with every scene she was in and my palms were covered in nail marks.

If humorous urban fantasy is your thing, then I can definitely recommend this book. I'm sure the series is going to be full of fun and frolics, but I'm just not sure I'm up for all that colour! I think I may just retreat into my pit of doom and gloom and be happy there.

** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 23, 2021
  
Weave Them And Reap (Weavers Of The Ether #1)
Weave Them And Reap (Weavers Of The Ether #1)
Essie Suter | 2023 | Erotica, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
WEAVE THEM AND REAP is the first book in the Weavers of the Ether series and, I'm not 100% sure but it feels like it's a spin-off from a different series. Whether it is or not, I enjoyed this story of a renegade weaver finding her destiny and three mates at the same time!

There are other characters I'm hoping have stories told about - the princess in the Gate, Cam, Leif, Jet, and Wren, to name just some. But this story was about Echo, Finn, Brogan, and Soren. Four very different people who have a mate bond… if they accept it.

I'll be honest, Echo was a little annoying to start with. Her constantly happy mood, even when Jet was cussing her, was a bit much but I do know people who are like that, which made it all the more believable! Brogan was the one to hold everyone together, always chilled - until he's not. Finn was the lonely dragon who found everything he didn't know he was looking for. And Soren - oh, man - I've saved the best for last. Mr Ice who was slowly but surely melted. What a great group.

This is the first book by this author I have read and I was drawn in from the first page. The world intrigues me, as do the characters, and I look forward to reading more in this series and also by the author. The overall story arc has been left wide open, although, with the epilogue, we know Echo and her guys are certainly happy enough!

Thoroughly enjoyable 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!
Jun 20, 2023