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Nevermore (Raven Crawford, #2)
Nevermore (Raven Crawford, #2)
J.C. McKenzie | 2019 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
NEVERMORE is the second book in the Raven Crawford series and we return to Raven as she is still adjusting to what happened at the end of book 1 and the death of the Corvid Queen.

I say that some of the instances in this book are not a surprise, but then I don't think they were intended to be. What you do get is the continuation of the story, with sass and snark in handfuls, steam that melts your Kindle, and a story that just keeps getting better.

I loved how Raven is still at her dead-end job with Mike, not because it's a dead-end job but because she's still got her 'normal' life. She's still trying to pay off Robert's debts and has moved back home. This isn't anyone who has let things go to her head and even more so in this one! We get more of her family in this one, plus some more of the 'bad guys' which, to be honest, just leaves me wanting more.

The writing is on form as always, with the pacing being perfect for the story. The characters just keep on getting better and the story will have you turning the pages, unwilling to stop reading.

For a top-notch Urban Fantasy, I have no hesitation in recommending both this book and the series.
  
Pieces of You (Missing Pieces #1)
Pieces of You (Missing Pieces #1)
N.R. Walker | 2020 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Pieces of You is the first book in the Missing Pieces series and, let me tell you, N.R. Walker does not pull any punches here. No sirree. This is a gentle book with only remembered steam which, once you read it, makes perfect sense. It is an emotional book. I think I read most of it with a lump in my throat but whenever Justin said something or couldn't remember Dallas, it grew a little bit larger!

The writing is smooth and the contemporary setting all too believable. The supporting characters provide a bit of light relief whilst providing a back-up system to Dallas. There is not a single superfluous scene or character in this book. Everyone and everything has been placed for a reason.

This is the first book in the series so you only get a HFN ending. It finishes on a bright, hopeful note though so that's something. Who knows what the future holds for Dallas and Justin. It won't be easy no matter what but I seriously can't wait to continue their fabulous story. Highly recommended by me.

* 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!
  
Forbidden Storm (Storm #2)
Forbidden Storm (Storm #2)
A.R. Vagnetti | 2020 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Forbidden Storm is the second book in the Storm series and this time the story is about Kurtis and Lucretia. If you have read book one, you will know Kurtis had hopes for a relationship with Nicole, which Logan was quick to dismiss! Lucretia has her own secrets to hide which impact her past, present, and future.

Theirs is very much a will they/won't they story with plenty of action along the way. I am pleased to see Nikki and Logan still play a part in here although, obviously, not as much. Lucretia's secrets come out and she pays the price in more ways than one. Kurtis is okay but more often than not he will do or say something that annoyed me.

I do love the story development both in this story and the overall story arc. There are plenty of hints about stories to come which definitely leaves me wanting more. The characters continue to grow and adapt as times change.

This was a brilliant addition to the series that I thoroughly enjoyed. I absolutely recommend it and I look forward to whatever comes next.

* 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. *
  
Unbirthday: A Twisted Tale
Unbirthday: A Twisted Tale
Liz Braswell | 2020 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I absolutely adore Alice in Wonderland and this Twisted Tale just made me want more!
This is the second of the Twisted Tale series that I have read and I have not been disappointed so far. I love the retelling of the Disney stories that I grew up watching and adored so much, and these tales take me right back to the excitement I had as a child when first watching these films.
We revisit Alice eleven years after her original adventure in Wonderland just as she is coming to the realisation that maybe Wonderland was a dream that her younger self made up. Just as she comes to this realisation and has started to take photographs of the inhabitants of her town as a hobby, the inhabitants of Wonderland start appearing in her photographs, but not happily… Alice then has to find her way back to Wonderland and a way to save all of the characters that she loved so dearly the first time around.
I enjoyed revisiting the characters and trying to solve the new riddles that were presented through this book, both the actual riddles and trying to decide who was which character in both worlds. This book only strengthened my love for Alice and her Wonderland!
I look forward to reading more of the Twisted Tale series soon!
  
SHE'S THE ONE WHO WON'T BEHAVE is the penultimate book in the War Stories of the Seven Troublesome Sisters series and we get Gypsum's story, the unwanted 'daughter'.

It can be hard to not fit in or to want something you think is unattainable. This is how Gypsum feels. She has felt unwelcome for most of her life at home and wants nothing more than to be free to choose her own path. This leads her to the reczavy, where she learns sexual freedom is only one of the paths open to her with them.

Not only that, but Gypsum has a brain and isn't afraid to use it, concerned for what lies ahead from the Mongols. She learns all she can, figuring out plans and contingencies before she meets Ryalgar. I do think Gypsum was the most under-estimated sister and loved seeing her 'behind the scenes' actions.

Only one book to go and I really can't wait. This whole series has been a fantastic read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

** 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!
Aug 3, 2022
  
CW
Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses
Jenny Hale | 2015
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Loved this book, caught me at the first page that I forgotten to take note of what town it is placed in for my map. Feels a little cookie-cutter along the lines of Trading Christmas/When Christmas Comes and a few of Debbie Macomber's other holiday books. If you enjoy Debbie Macomber's holiday books you will definitely like this one! I find it funny that in this book and another series I read they both use the last name Sinclair for grouchy millionaires. Have to keep an eye out for more books by Jenny Hale, already signed up for her newsletter.

~Crossposted at <a href="http://detetiv.wordpress.com">What's Detetiv Doing now?</a>

[I do not get paid for this arc review]
  
Alanna: The First Adventure
Alanna: The First Adventure
Tamora Pierce | 1983 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
8.8 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
This middle grade series is one great. It's a fast engaging read. I first read it in the late 90s early 2000s not realizing that it was written in the 80s. If you're new to fantasy it's a good intro into the genre. None of the themes run too deeply but at an age where life is starting to get complicated I appreciated that, and it made me think about a lot of different and deep things.
It holds up. I still enjoyed this book as an adult having just finished before writing this review. There are better grow with you books that I've read (even by this author, her skills keep getting better) , but sometimes you want an easy read. Highly recommend.
  
Desperate Measures (Aspen Falls #5)
Desperate Measures (Aspen Falls #5)
Melissa Pearl, Anna Cruise | 2018 | Contemporary, Romance, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Desperate Measures (Aspen Falls #5) by Melissa Pearl & Anna Cruise
Desperate Measures is the fifth book in the Aspen Falls series, and we finally get Camilla's story. She has made regular appearances throughout this series, but hasn't as yet had her say. She does in this one, and it was definitely worth waiting for!

Cam grew up on the wrong side of the tracks (so to speak) and was determined to change her life, and to make a difference. She does this, but not without heartbreak. She leaves behind the love of her young life, knowing he is in with the gangs that are rampant. She walks away, and does make a difference. Alex has always remained in her thoughts though, even when she tries to forget him. So when he turns up, bloody and battered, will she help him, or arrest him?

This was a great story, with plenty of depth to both the situations and the characters. There were no editing or grammatical errors to this story that I noticed. I enjoyed the banter between Cam and Alex, as well as the situations they found themselves in. Even though she is a police officer, Cam did across with a healthy dose of naivety at times.

With enough action to keep you turning the pages, this was thoroughly engrossing from start to finish. Absolutely recommended by me.

This is a series that I am thoroughly enjoying. Can't wait for the next one.

* 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!
  
Mercy River
Mercy River
Glen Erik Hamilton | 2019 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Helping a Friend Gets Van into Trouble
A middle of the night phone call sends Van Shaw to the small town of Mercy River, Oregon. The call had come from fellow former Army Ranger Leo Pak, and Leo has been arrested for a murder in the community. Van thinks Leo is innocent, but Leo won’t answer Van’s questions about what happened. Meanwhile, the town is the site of an event for current and former Ranger, so the population is swelling this weekend. Will that help or hurt Van’s efforts to clear his friend?

While this may sound like the set up for many of the books I normally read, it isn’t long before the plot branches off in some thrilling new directions. Those looking for a thriller will not be disappointed with the action scenes, yet the mystery is tied up perfectly. Since Van is out of town for much of this book, the series regulars are reduced to cameos, yet we still get some updates on them. The new characters are fully developed, and Van continues to be a complex main character. I appreciated how this book works in issues that vets face without slowing down the book by preaching. Like the earlier books in the series, this one does have flashbacks, but they don’t focus on any particular time in Van’s life while still helping us appreciate the events unfolding in Van’s life currently. This book has more language and violence than I typically read, but it fits for a thriller and never gets excessive. This was another compelling entry in the series. Anyone looking for a great thriller will be pleased this picked up this book.