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Merissa (14194 KP) rated Over the Emerald Valley (Immortal Jewels) by Lee Colgin in Books
May 5, 2022 (Updated Jun 20, 2023)
OVER THE EMERALD VALLEY is a standalone story within the Immortal Jewels series. I haven't read any of the other books in this series although I do love the Outcasts series.
This book is set in ancient Egypt where Solon has been sent on a mission to visit some remote emerald mines where the Pharaoh thinks he is being short-changed. Once there, he is 'gifted' with Temaj, a concubine who may or may not be there to spy on him. He resists the attraction, but not for too long. Temaj has had a rough life but is now making the best of it. Will he help Solon rock the boat, or will he decide he is too comfortable?
I liked how Temaj was able to draw Solon out of himself, although I found his bratty attitude a bit much at times. I know it was his character but it didn't seem to fit with his role all of the time. Abasi must have been a very laid-back owner to allow him to speak in such ways in public. Temaj was also able to make Solon see things differently, and I loved his comparisons as he tried to make Solon understand his point of view.
The supporting characters were wonderful and I couldn't help a pang of sadness with Temaj at the thought of not seeing Seli or Met again. And Solon with Neku. I am hoping we will see more of Solon and Temaj's life with Eshe in different books.
Overall, this was a very good read that kept my attention to the end. 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 3, 2022
This book is set in ancient Egypt where Solon has been sent on a mission to visit some remote emerald mines where the Pharaoh thinks he is being short-changed. Once there, he is 'gifted' with Temaj, a concubine who may or may not be there to spy on him. He resists the attraction, but not for too long. Temaj has had a rough life but is now making the best of it. Will he help Solon rock the boat, or will he decide he is too comfortable?
I liked how Temaj was able to draw Solon out of himself, although I found his bratty attitude a bit much at times. I know it was his character but it didn't seem to fit with his role all of the time. Abasi must have been a very laid-back owner to allow him to speak in such ways in public. Temaj was also able to make Solon see things differently, and I loved his comparisons as he tried to make Solon understand his point of view.
The supporting characters were wonderful and I couldn't help a pang of sadness with Temaj at the thought of not seeing Seli or Met again. And Solon with Neku. I am hoping we will see more of Solon and Temaj's life with Eshe in different books.
Overall, this was a very good read that kept my attention to the end. 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 3, 2022
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated the PC version of Wolfenstein: Youngblood in Video Games
Aug 8, 2019
The latest game in the popular Wolfenstein series has arrived with
Wolfenstein Youngblood and it is a departure from the prior games in the
series. The series originated on early computers with Castle Wolfenstein
and Beyond Castle Wolfenstein before emerging years later as an early
First Person Shooter Game. The success of the series has endured with this
now being the fourth release in the series since Bethesda took control of
the series.
Unlike prior games in the series, BJ Blazkowicz is a minor character and
players will plat as either Soph or Jess; his teenage twins. Like the
prior games in the series, the Nazi’s are in control and in this alternate
version of the 1980s; the twins must work with one another to complete
various missions with the Resistance in order to save the day.
The game requires players to play in a Co-Op mode with either another
player or the A.I. controlling the other sister. This is tricky as if one
dies; the game ends and you also must repeat the entire level as there are
no checkpoints and saves.
I strongly suggest playing with another player as thanks to the Buddy Pass
option; you can play with a friend who has the Trial Version of the game
or be randomly matched with another player. The trick with being matched
with another player is that you do not have control over which missions
you will play and I have played far more of the “Brother 2” level than I
wanted to.
The A.I. also has issues with doing things like going full bore into a
large mass of enemies with low health when you are in need of aid. The
smart move would be to withdraw, help heal your sister, and regroup, but
this does not happen. It can be very frustrating to be deep in a level and
lose it due to issues like this.
There were also some annoying crashes like when I was in the final battle
with the Uber Boss and had to repeat several levels to return to where I
was.
Thankfully the game looks great and the action is as intense and brutal as
any in the series. There are numerous weapons which can be upgraded via
Silver coins that players collect and they will be needed as the enemies
are abundant and the Mechanized units can really end your game fast.
There are also special weapons players can obtain as well as gun
emplacements which really help turn the tide of the battle.
In between missions’ players can hang out in headquarters and explore as
well as take on additional side missions and interact with various N.P.C.
characters.
While some may take exception to the new style of play, the characters,
and other issues; the game is attractively prices at $29.99 and seeing how
Bethesda has been providing updates on a regular basis; this is a
Wolfenstein game that fans who exercise a bit of patience and adaptation
can warm up to as I did.
3 stars out of 5.
http://sknr.net/2019/08/08/wolfenstein-youngblood/
Wolfenstein Youngblood and it is a departure from the prior games in the
series. The series originated on early computers with Castle Wolfenstein
and Beyond Castle Wolfenstein before emerging years later as an early
First Person Shooter Game. The success of the series has endured with this
now being the fourth release in the series since Bethesda took control of
the series.
Unlike prior games in the series, BJ Blazkowicz is a minor character and
players will plat as either Soph or Jess; his teenage twins. Like the
prior games in the series, the Nazi’s are in control and in this alternate
version of the 1980s; the twins must work with one another to complete
various missions with the Resistance in order to save the day.
The game requires players to play in a Co-Op mode with either another
player or the A.I. controlling the other sister. This is tricky as if one
dies; the game ends and you also must repeat the entire level as there are
no checkpoints and saves.
I strongly suggest playing with another player as thanks to the Buddy Pass
option; you can play with a friend who has the Trial Version of the game
or be randomly matched with another player. The trick with being matched
with another player is that you do not have control over which missions
you will play and I have played far more of the “Brother 2” level than I
wanted to.
The A.I. also has issues with doing things like going full bore into a
large mass of enemies with low health when you are in need of aid. The
smart move would be to withdraw, help heal your sister, and regroup, but
this does not happen. It can be very frustrating to be deep in a level and
lose it due to issues like this.
There were also some annoying crashes like when I was in the final battle
with the Uber Boss and had to repeat several levels to return to where I
was.
Thankfully the game looks great and the action is as intense and brutal as
any in the series. There are numerous weapons which can be upgraded via
Silver coins that players collect and they will be needed as the enemies
are abundant and the Mechanized units can really end your game fast.
There are also special weapons players can obtain as well as gun
emplacements which really help turn the tide of the battle.
In between missions’ players can hang out in headquarters and explore as
well as take on additional side missions and interact with various N.P.C.
characters.
While some may take exception to the new style of play, the characters,
and other issues; the game is attractively prices at $29.99 and seeing how
Bethesda has been providing updates on a regular basis; this is a
Wolfenstein game that fans who exercise a bit of patience and adaptation
can warm up to as I did.
3 stars out of 5.
http://sknr.net/2019/08/08/wolfenstein-youngblood/
Debbiereadsbook (1839 KP) rated Hiding From Two (Soul Match #3) in Books
Jun 30, 2018
really enjoying this series!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 3 in the Soul Match series, and you really DO need to read books one, Slave For Two and book two, Cherished By Two before you read this one. You need to know about Chris, Lasar and Nary and not all is recapped here.
Morgan is Chris' cousin and under Lasar's protective custody. After Advisor Hallosh helped save Morgan from the attack at the Nall's sex party, the Soul Match flares between them. But then it flares again when Morgan meets Rama, Lasar's warrior friend. But Morgan is scared, and it takes another vision that Chris has to make Morgan see, that there are worse things than being a third in a Soul Match bond. Time is running out, though, for both the human and Alasharian rebellion.
For me, the weakest of the three books so far, and I think it's mainly because of Morgan himself! He was so adamant that he would NOT match with Hallosh and Rama, and then BOOM, his opinion flipped on a penny and I felt it a bit much.
We do get some Chris and that vision the Shar Shar Ar graces Chris with. We get what's happening with the Nall and the Void.
And we are introduced to Graham in the most horrific way. His book is next.
So, not as good as book 2, but on a par with book one.
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere*
This is book 3 in the Soul Match series, and you really DO need to read books one, Slave For Two and book two, Cherished By Two before you read this one. You need to know about Chris, Lasar and Nary and not all is recapped here.
Morgan is Chris' cousin and under Lasar's protective custody. After Advisor Hallosh helped save Morgan from the attack at the Nall's sex party, the Soul Match flares between them. But then it flares again when Morgan meets Rama, Lasar's warrior friend. But Morgan is scared, and it takes another vision that Chris has to make Morgan see, that there are worse things than being a third in a Soul Match bond. Time is running out, though, for both the human and Alasharian rebellion.
For me, the weakest of the three books so far, and I think it's mainly because of Morgan himself! He was so adamant that he would NOT match with Hallosh and Rama, and then BOOM, his opinion flipped on a penny and I felt it a bit much.
We do get some Chris and that vision the Shar Shar Ar graces Chris with. We get what's happening with the Nall and the Void.
And we are introduced to Graham in the most horrific way. His book is next.
So, not as good as book 2, but on a par with book one.
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere*
Merissa (14194 KP) rated Something Unavoidable (Split Rock Ranch, #6) in Books
Feb 6, 2026
SOMETHING UNAVOIDABLE is the sixth book in the Split Rock Ranch series, and the second I have read. You don't have to have read the others, but you might want to. I definitely do!
Izzy is a brat, pure and simple. He has his reasons, which come out in the book, but to say he was a troubled character to begin with is, I think, putting it mildly. Keegan is the vet who rubs Izzy the wrong way simply by existing. Keegan isn't a doormat though, and there's only so much he will take before pushing back.
This was not just snark, sass, and s3x, there was so much more to it, including grooming, gaslighting, and abused animals. And no, it's not all doom and gloom either. I loved the relationship Izzy and Keegan had, with all the banter and arguments that came with. At the end of the day, though, Keegan is the one Izzy ran to, and the one who helped put Izzy back together again.
I'm not usually a fan of bratty characters, but Izzy grew on me. And I loved how Keegan was with him. Tender and caring when needed, dominant when they both needed. I thought this was a great addition to the series, and look forward to reading more. 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!
Feb 6, 2026
Izzy is a brat, pure and simple. He has his reasons, which come out in the book, but to say he was a troubled character to begin with is, I think, putting it mildly. Keegan is the vet who rubs Izzy the wrong way simply by existing. Keegan isn't a doormat though, and there's only so much he will take before pushing back.
This was not just snark, sass, and s3x, there was so much more to it, including grooming, gaslighting, and abused animals. And no, it's not all doom and gloom either. I loved the relationship Izzy and Keegan had, with all the banter and arguments that came with. At the end of the day, though, Keegan is the one Izzy ran to, and the one who helped put Izzy back together again.
I'm not usually a fan of bratty characters, but Izzy grew on me. And I loved how Keegan was with him. Tender and caring when needed, dominant when they both needed. I thought this was a great addition to the series, and look forward to reading more. 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!
Feb 6, 2026
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Gunslinger: (Claire Whitcomb Westerns Book 2) in Books
Dec 20, 2020
I am not one for reading westerns or much historical fiction however, I am a fan of D.V.Berkom's work so was persuaded to read the first of the series "Retribution" and I surprised myself by enjoying it so jumped at the chance to read "Gunslinger" as I was itching to find out what Claire gets up to next.
D.V. has a great ability to create characters that you quickly become invested in and Claire is definitely one of those. D.V. also creates strong, female characters that don't take any grief from the supposedly stronger gender and, again, Claire is most definitely one of these but her job is made even harder given the time and location in which this book is set.
I'm not going to go into the plot here, you will just have to read it, but what I will say is that you really get absorbed and transported to the Wild West and you are quickly captivated by the characters and drawn into this action packed story so much so that, before you know it, it's over and you are left wanting more and herein is the only gripe I have ... it's not long enough but maybe that's because I read too quickly!
As I said, I usually give Westerns a wide berth as they are not my thing but this series has definitely made me think twice about doing this in the future and if you are of a similar opinion, I would suggest you do the same by giving this series a try ... you never know, you might change your mind and fine another genre to get your teeth into.
I am lucky to be a member of D.V. Berkom's ARTeam and was sent a copy of Gunslinger before the official publication date of 28-December-2020 in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review and for which I am extremely grateful and I don't have to wait long for book 3, "Legend", which is due to be published in January 2021 and which is already sat in my to-be-read pile just waiting for my hungry little eyes to be engrossed once again.
D.V. has a great ability to create characters that you quickly become invested in and Claire is definitely one of those. D.V. also creates strong, female characters that don't take any grief from the supposedly stronger gender and, again, Claire is most definitely one of these but her job is made even harder given the time and location in which this book is set.
I'm not going to go into the plot here, you will just have to read it, but what I will say is that you really get absorbed and transported to the Wild West and you are quickly captivated by the characters and drawn into this action packed story so much so that, before you know it, it's over and you are left wanting more and herein is the only gripe I have ... it's not long enough but maybe that's because I read too quickly!
As I said, I usually give Westerns a wide berth as they are not my thing but this series has definitely made me think twice about doing this in the future and if you are of a similar opinion, I would suggest you do the same by giving this series a try ... you never know, you might change your mind and fine another genre to get your teeth into.
I am lucky to be a member of D.V. Berkom's ARTeam and was sent a copy of Gunslinger before the official publication date of 28-December-2020 in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review and for which I am extremely grateful and I don't have to wait long for book 3, "Legend", which is due to be published in January 2021 and which is already sat in my to-be-read pile just waiting for my hungry little eyes to be engrossed once again.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Beast in Books
Jun 21, 2019
Abbott Savage is very mercurial. But one constant in his life has been his love for London. He loves her so much that he knows he's not right for her. Giving her to his best friend, Kyle. Now Kyle has died and London is pregnant with his child. What is Abbott to do? He doesn't want anyone else to take care of London, but he has so many demons in his past, he's not sure if he can take care of her himself.
Thank you to C.M. Seabrook for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I wish I would have known that this was part of a series, now I want to read the rest of the Savage's stories.
Abbott is also known as The Beast of Port Clover. He's a boxer, who uses his fists inside and outside of the ring. The only constant in his life is London. She's been in his life for most of it and knows his heart better than anyone. Can Abbott put his life of debauchery aside in order to get the girl he's always wanted? In this book, I really felt for Abbott. His heart is damaged from his own doing and he doesn't see that it can be healed.
I will definitely go and read the rest of this series.
Thank you to C.M. Seabrook for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I wish I would have known that this was part of a series, now I want to read the rest of the Savage's stories.
Abbott is also known as The Beast of Port Clover. He's a boxer, who uses his fists inside and outside of the ring. The only constant in his life is London. She's been in his life for most of it and knows his heart better than anyone. Can Abbott put his life of debauchery aside in order to get the girl he's always wanted? In this book, I really felt for Abbott. His heart is damaged from his own doing and he doesn't see that it can be healed.
I will definitely go and read the rest of this series.
Merissa (14194 KP) rated Tapped by My Roommate (Thrust Into Love #3) in Books
Sep 9, 2021 (Updated Jul 14, 2023)
TAPPED BY MY ROOMMATE is the third book in the Thrust Into Love series and could easily be read as a standalone as the connection is the college, not the people.
Ethan has just finished with his girlfriend, a real piece of work who had changed the locks before he could get his clothing or his lizard out of there. He ends up staying with Rhett, someone who always seems willing to help. When they share a drunken kiss, Ethan realises he may not be as straight as he thought. But just who will help him with his bi-curiosity?
I really enjoyed this book! Ethan and Rhett are both great characters with lots to learn. They are ably supported by a great cast of supporting characters who help them with their highs and lows.
This was both steamy and sweet. Told from both perspectives, you are with them as they make their own realisations about who they are and what they want.
A fantastic addition to the series and absolutely 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 9, 2021
Ethan has just finished with his girlfriend, a real piece of work who had changed the locks before he could get his clothing or his lizard out of there. He ends up staying with Rhett, someone who always seems willing to help. When they share a drunken kiss, Ethan realises he may not be as straight as he thought. But just who will help him with his bi-curiosity?
I really enjoyed this book! Ethan and Rhett are both great characters with lots to learn. They are ably supported by a great cast of supporting characters who help them with their highs and lows.
This was both steamy and sweet. Told from both perspectives, you are with them as they make their own realisations about who they are and what they want.
A fantastic addition to the series and absolutely 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 9, 2021
Merissa (14194 KP) rated The Wicked (Mythology #2) in Books
May 31, 2023
The second book in the Mythology series continues pretty much where book one finished. Micah and Hope are together, but Micah is having to fight his instincts every step of the way, which has an impact on how he and Hope are. She is supportive in every sense, but she can't fight every battle for him. Things are not easy for them both though, either at school or in their personal lives. They both have choices to make and things to do, which will lead them in differing ways. Will they be able to work this through?
This is a full-on and action-packed book. Although I enjoyed it, it didn't have as much impact on me as the first one, I think because it is quite fragmented into which story is currently being told. Don't get me wrong, I understand that this is the way it needs to be to cover everything and to get the story told, I'm just not a big fan of separate storylines within one.
This is well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I found. The storyline was smooth (within each particular story) and culminated together nicely at the end. A good addition to the series, and I'm still looking forward to continuing Micah and Hope's story.
* Verified Purchase on Amazon *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 31, 2016
This is a full-on and action-packed book. Although I enjoyed it, it didn't have as much impact on me as the first one, I think because it is quite fragmented into which story is currently being told. Don't get me wrong, I understand that this is the way it needs to be to cover everything and to get the story told, I'm just not a big fan of separate storylines within one.
This is well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I found. The storyline was smooth (within each particular story) and culminated together nicely at the end. A good addition to the series, and I'm still looking forward to continuing Micah and Hope's story.
* Verified Purchase on Amazon *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 31, 2016
Dana (24 KP) rated Dreams of Gods and Monsters (Daughter of Smoke and Bone, #3) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I really enjoyed this series when I started it back when it first came out. Unfortunately for me, being the weird person I am, I decided to wait TWO YEARS after this book came out to actually read it, even though I had bought it when it came out. (Seriously, we are talking not very smart right here.) Because of that, it was kinda hard to get back in the series. I didn't remember a lot of stuff until it was remembered by the characters themselves. When a couple of new characters were introduced, I thought I was already supposed to know them. It was a mess.
Speaking of the characters, I love the little commentaries they have when it is in their point of view. Zuzana and Karou are so sassy all of the time and I just love it. I was also happy that all of my ships were still afloat by the end of the book and I even got some new ones!! (Liziri, am I right?) I am just happy that the characters got to be happy.
For me, maybe because it had been so long since I had read the other books, the story line got very confusing at points. A lot was going on at once and was sometimes hard to follow. I didn't know what was going on at all for the first few chapters, but it started to get cleared up a bit as I went along.
In my opinion, too much happened too late in this book. A whole new conflict started/was revealed with about seventy pages left and was never really resolved which I thought was odd. It was a really cool plot line that could have gone onto another book, but the series is over, so I honestly don't know what to think about that.
Overall, despite my complaining, I really did enjoy this book and the series as a whole. It had a very interesting concept throughout and the characters and their stories were very compelling, which is something I absolutely love about the series. I just think I would have enjoyed it more if I had either reread the previous two books or read this one when it came out.
I would definitely recommend this series to people who want to read something different, because this is certainly that!!
Speaking of the characters, I love the little commentaries they have when it is in their point of view. Zuzana and Karou are so sassy all of the time and I just love it. I was also happy that all of my ships were still afloat by the end of the book and I even got some new ones!! (Liziri, am I right?) I am just happy that the characters got to be happy.
For me, maybe because it had been so long since I had read the other books, the story line got very confusing at points. A lot was going on at once and was sometimes hard to follow. I didn't know what was going on at all for the first few chapters, but it started to get cleared up a bit as I went along.
In my opinion, too much happened too late in this book. A whole new conflict started/was revealed with about seventy pages left and was never really resolved which I thought was odd. It was a really cool plot line that could have gone onto another book, but the series is over, so I honestly don't know what to think about that.
Overall, despite my complaining, I really did enjoy this book and the series as a whole. It had a very interesting concept throughout and the characters and their stories were very compelling, which is something I absolutely love about the series. I just think I would have enjoyed it more if I had either reread the previous two books or read this one when it came out.
I would definitely recommend this series to people who want to read something different, because this is certainly that!!
Merissa (14194 KP) rated Lost Wolf (New Dawn, #4) in Books
Mar 21, 2019
Lost Wolf (New Dawn, #4) by Rachel M. Raithby
Lost Wolf is the fourth book in the New Dawn series, and we not only have a new couple, but we go back and re-meet the others too. The start of this book runs concurrently with a couple of the others, so you get to see Tyler and Regan in action that you 'missed' last time.
Regan hasn't had it easy, and it is her story to tell so I won't even try. Needless to say, Tyler is the one who helps her to live again, although being Dark Shadow, that poses a problem all of its own. Not only that, but Kat and Bass are having their own problems, brought about by Castor still trying to ruin their lives. No-one said being a shifter was easy.
There is so much in this book - from meeting new characters, to new romance, to building plans, to the world ending... it's all there. And without a single editing or grammatical error that I noticed. The storyline flowed smoothly, and with the chapter headings, you always knew when you were. I have thoroughly enjoyed this addition to the series, and I can't wait to see where we go from here. Absolutely 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!
Regan hasn't had it easy, and it is her story to tell so I won't even try. Needless to say, Tyler is the one who helps her to live again, although being Dark Shadow, that poses a problem all of its own. Not only that, but Kat and Bass are having their own problems, brought about by Castor still trying to ruin their lives. No-one said being a shifter was easy.
There is so much in this book - from meeting new characters, to new romance, to building plans, to the world ending... it's all there. And without a single editing or grammatical error that I noticed. The storyline flowed smoothly, and with the chapter headings, you always knew when you were. I have thoroughly enjoyed this addition to the series, and I can't wait to see where we go from here. Absolutely 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!