Search

Search only in certain items:

Crystal Shard (Paladins of Crystal. #1)
Crystal Shard (Paladins of Crystal. #1)
Nicola M. Cameron | 2022 | Paranormal, Romance
10
9.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Amazing world building!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Oooooohhhhh! I loved this! I really did!

The thing I loved the most, was there wasn't that info dump you get in some fantasy books. When Crystal gets pulled into the rose bush and spat out the other side, she has to learn everything about where she now is. And as she learns, we learn. So, it comes in dribs and drabs, just enough for you to process that bit and move on to the next. Loved that, it meant I could fully engage with the characters, instead of trying to keep up with information. Excellent world building!

I loved that Crystal has her say in the first person, and the Paladins, her group of protectors at this point, have their say in the third. Different, yes, but I loved that it was.

And I say at this point, because given what happens at the end (which, to be honest I saw coming, but hey, still loved it!) things will change in future books.

I've not tagged it as romance or multi partner YET, cos there isn't any romance, and the only smexy times is in dreams, for both Crystal and the guys. But it's coming, oh yes, it's a-coming!

Obviously, things aren't smooth sailing, and I've an idea who might be wanting to cause all this trouble. I'm fairly certain they aren't done yet.

So, when is the next one out? Cos I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED it!

This is the second book of Cameron's I tried to read. I didn't much care for the first one, but this?? Bloody loved it!

5 stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
The Thursday Murder Club
The Thursday Murder Club
Richard Osman | 2020 | Crime, Mystery
10
8.1 (12 Ratings)
Book Rating
<a href="https://amzn.to/2Wi7amb">Wishlist</a>; | <a
<a href="https://diaryofdifference.com/">Blog</a>; | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/diaryofdifference/">Facebook</a>; | <a href="https://twitter.com/DiaryDifference">Twitter</a>; | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/diaryofdifference/">Instagram</a>; | <a
<a href="https://ko-fi.com/diaryofdifference">Ko-fi</a>;

<img src="https://diaryofdifference.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Book-Review-Banner-82.png"/>;

I am so happy I am able to be part of the instagram tour for The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. Thank you to the amazing team at Penguin Random House and Viking, for sending me an ARC copy of this book.

<b><i>Synopsis:</i></b>

We follow Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim, who all meet up on Thursdays and solve mysteries. But when a murder happens in their environment, they cannot stay idle. Having their own tricks up their sleeves, they uncover evidence and keep getting closer to solving the mystery. But one mystery leads to another, and another, and before they know it, they are tangled in a mystery where everyone is a suspect and no one can be trusted. 

<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b>

Their personalities, especially the ability to be brutally honest and not care what they say or do is what kept me giggling throughout. Their resilience and perseverance, and the ability to trick people as well as be a nuisance was so refreshing to read, because it was so real, and I have seen it before. 

I used to work in a care home with people that were suffering from dementia, and I am glad that there is a book like this one, that realistically describes how the elderly spend their free time and how mischievous they can be. 

Sometimes they help the police, and sometimes they hide things and manipulate so much that I just couldn’t believe the audacity (which was funny on its own). But I think what I loved the most was how much fun they have while they are doing what they want to do - solve mysteries. And they are very good at it! 

<b><i>“In life, you have to count the good days. You have to tuck them in your pocket and carry them around with you.”</i></b>

As a foreigner, I thought I wouldn’t understand the British humor.

But I suppose living with a British partner and working in the UK does help a lot. Damn, I’ve been here too long :D Although, there was one part that I did not get, and my partner had to assist me with. 

I didn’t understand the meaning of “What forty-six kilos was in real money". And when explained, let me tell you, I was not impressed. :D

<b><i>“People without a sense of humour will never forgive you for being funny.”</i></b>

On the subject of mystery, because in the end, this is a mystery novel, it does deliver. There are multiple mysteries, shall I say multi-layered, and some of the mysteries did keep me wondering until the end. Some of them, I did guess quite early in the book. I kept thinking that all the mysteries would somehow end up connected, and they do, but not in the way I expect - that’s all I will say, without revealing too much.

<b><i>I loved the The Thursday Murder Club.</i></b>

It made me giggle, it made me wonder and try to solve the multi-layer mystery, it made me sad and surprised. It got all the emotions out of me, and I loved it! I would definitely recommend this book! 

<b><i>“Tony is not a believer in luck, he’s a believer in hard work. If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.”</i></b>
  
40x40

Merissa (12510 KP) created a post

Mar 16, 2021  
Just in ONE WEEK, you'll be able to meet Cat McKenzie - a sass-mouthed rookie cop sent to work at PIG - the Paranormal Investigative Group – in BAD VAMPIRE by Lauren Dawes (@authorlaurendawes)

PRE-ORDER NOW: https://books2read.com/badvampire

 

“You’ve been on compassionate leave for seven days.”

I held back my snarky reply.

Captain Wolfe was a scary motherf*cker who didn’t appreciate being interrupted.

I figured that one out for myself on day one.

‘Compassionate leave’ was a nice way to put it though. I’d watched my partner die a horrible, horrible death. And just stood there. Then they told me not to come into work for a week while they decided my fate.

“Are you still struggling with the Reveal?” Wolfe asked softly. “It’s okay if you are. It’s only been six months, but for many, adjusting to the new reality is hard.”

The Reveal was the day the world found out humans weren’t the only ones living on this planet.

It had all started with multi-billionaire John Davis and his shitheel son, Marcus. Marcus was convinced that dear old dad was running his auto-manufacturing company into the ground, and as a result, running all of his inheritance into the ground. The solution, in Marcus’s mind, was to hire a hitman to get rid of his father. The hitman, as it turned out, was fae, and when Marcus was eventually arrested for conspiracy to commit murder, he sold the hitman out in order to save his own skin.

In a much-publicized trial, the hitman—a fae named Kailon Perry—took the slight to heart…and out on Marcus’s ass. In front of the cameras, he let everyone see what he hid beneath his glamor while he tore Marcus Davis limb from limb.

Literally.

After that, all the supernaturals had come out to play—and all of them were monsters as far as I was concerned.

---

@magicpenbooktours #BadVampire #ACatMcKenzieNovel #LaurenDawes #MagicPenBookTours #PNR #ParanormalRomance #UrbanFantasy #ComingSoon #bookstagram #paranormalromancenovels #supernaturalhumor #humor #satire #paranormaldetective #newread #vampires #thingsthatgobumpinthenight #booklovers #PNRlovers #vampirelovers #onelastchapter #snark
     
Wolf Tamer (Claiming My Pack #1)
Wolf Tamer (Claiming My Pack #1)
Yumoyori Wilson | 2018 | Erotica, Paranormal, Romance
8
4.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wolf Tamer (Claiming My Pack #1) by Yumoyori Wilson
Wolf Tamer is the first book in the Claiming My Pack series, and right off, I will say it's NOT Reverse Harem. Not yet. It's leading up to it, but not in this book.

Harper watches her family being murdered and manages to escape, although at a cost. She finds her way into the forest and is found by Wolfie. She is then found by Sam and Dolly, together with Rogan, who put her in the system to see if she can find a forever home away from them. This doesn't work, so she ends up with them, much to little Ian's happiness.

The author tried something very difficult in this book, and that is to have the character change from being a child to an adult IN the story. Not viewing her childhood as an adult, but actually being a child. This is hard because it's a RH book, so you've got to have the innocence of the child, and then steamy, multi-partner scenes later on.

I did enjoy this book, although there were parts that didn't make sense to me. I'm hoping they will in the later books. For example, Ian has the ability to be an Alpha, but can't be bothered even though he and Carter butt heads all the time. He is the one who mated Harper first, and has been her mate for years. So why does he back down so damned quickly to Carter at one point. And who was the strange, disembodied voice?

I also would have liked more character development about Rogan, Sam, and Dolly. All three of these characters are pivotal to the story, but all three sort of fade out until the ending.

On the whole, this was a thoroughly enjoyable book, and I would carry on with the series. Like I said though, for this book, it's NOT a RH.

* I received a copy of this book with no requirement or obligation to review. I voluntarily read this book, and the review here is my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Igniting His Flame (Redwood Bay Fire #1)
Igniting His Flame (Redwood Bay Fire #1)
HJ Welch | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
so bloody cute!
I was gifted my copy of this book.

I'm not rehash the blurb here, but jumping straight in.

I bloody LOVED this book!

In a review for a previous Welch/Juliet book, I said I didn't enjoy it because it was first person/present tense/ and multi POV. If you follow my reviews, you'll know I'm not a fan. Well guess what? I didn't even notice this book was written as such!

I think that this can best be described using something from the book. This is a labrador meeting a scared puppy, and that labrador being the one thing that can help the puppy get over his trauma!

Lochlan is a fire fighter and pulls a puppy from a fire. Dario adopts a dog, after coming to town to get away from his abusive ex. The dogs bond way faster than the men, but they really don't waste much time. I loved how at ease Dario was with Lochlan, right from the start, despite his past. Lochlan is straight, so nothing to worry about. But Dario still crushes and crushes HARD on Lochlan.

I loved the others in the fire crew. They helped Lochlan to see that maybe he wasn't as straight as he thought. Metaphorically speaking, by dashing his head against the wall the make his see just what Dario means to him! I loved that it was Lochlan who makes the move, rather than Dario. But given Dario's history, it was understandable.

I loved the was both sets of parents accepted the new partner for their son. Dario's had reason to be wary, but they do give Lochlan a chance, and the man does come good.

Apart from the drama with the ex, there is little angst. And I loved that there wasn't. Dario does have some history that is high angst, but nothing on page, and he is getting the help he needs to get over that.

It's so freaking cute, I just went "ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" when I finished it, and it really is full of the warm and fuzzies! I'm looking forward to getting to know the other guys in the crew!

Can't fault it, really so....

5 full and shiny stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere and no puppies were harmed in the writing of this book!