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The Imposter (Dr Bloom #4)
The Imposter (Dr Bloom #4)
Leona Deakin | 2022 | Crime, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the fourth in this series starring Dr Bloom but the first I have read and whilst I feel this worked pretty well as a standalone, I definitely feel I have missed significant backstory and character development which would likely have enhanced my reading experience. Having said that, I found it easy to become engrossed in this engaging story.

There are dual aspects to this which are separate but with some crossover; the hunt for a serial killer and the story of high functioning psychopaths that is clearly the continuation from previous books.

There are quite a lot of characters and this, along with the storylines, means you have to be on the ball and remain focused. I admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the parts relating to the serial killer and I loved the twist; the other parts which follow on from previous books, not as much but I think that is more my fault coming in late rather than the author.

Overall, a really engaging read that is well written and I must thank Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Imposter.
  
Return of the Assassin (All The King's Men #5)
Return of the Assassin (All The King's Men #5)
Donya Lynne | 2013 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is Malek and Gina's story - both of them have mated before and lost their mates, through one reason or another. This is their second chance but will they both be too stubborn to take it?

This book is both fantastic and horrible! It is full of historical abuse, psychotic episodes, and trauma. And yet it is also full of hope, of love and of the promise of good things yet to come. With this storyline, we not only learn more about Malek and Gina, but also Trace, his brother Brak, and their father Maddox. Then there are the Drecks, Dracians, and Thracians all thrown into the mix too. However, Ms Lynne's writing is such that you are never overloaded with information, rather it all slots neatly into place, leaving you with a thrilling and emotion-packed story.

A fantastic addition to the series, leaving me wanting more... like now! Highly recommended.

* 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!
Apr 28, 2016
  
Her Mountain Rescuer (Honey Ridge #1)
Her Mountain Rescuer (Honey Ridge #1)
Alyson Archer | 2025 | Contemporary, Erotica, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
HER MOUNTAIN RESCUER is the first book in the Honey Ridge series, but features two characters we have met before. Hailey is Logan's daughter, and Beau is his best friend. We met Logan in Accidentally Kidnapping the Mountain Man, when Kaylee kidnaps him.

I love this author's books! She gives you exactly what she promises - a hot and spicy age-gap Daddy Romance with a breeding kink. AND IT WORKS! Even though this is a one-sit novella, you will get swept up in Hailey's story, feeling her heartbreak when she thinks Beau is out of her reach. You will feel his frustration at wanting his best friend's daughter. So when they get together and work it out? Sheer perfection!

If you're after a short and hot instalove story, then I recommend not only this book, but any by this author. HIGHLY 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!
May 27, 2025
  
TJ
The Jewel (The Lone City, #1)
Amy Ewing | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.8 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
My goodness. I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book and I struggled through the 1st have but that ending!!! Holy mangos was that good!

Royalty comes with its perks in the Jewel but it also comes with its flaws.
 Royalty cannot bear their own children (well they can but they come out deformed and pass away).
 So they seek and purchase Surrogates. Once a female who has hit puberty test positive to be a Surrogate they are taken and kept at a facility to be auctioned off to these Royals.

We follow the story of Violet and her journey after being sold.

This story does have a romance but the story is more politically driven.

There were some faults that made this book a 4 instead of a 5.

Firstly the beginning just exploded with information and didn't really easy you into the plot. There were multiple times I had to reread the sections to understand what was going on or who certain people were.

Secondly the romance in this didn't give us much build up. I mean I do like the couple but there was not much to go progression wise.

Other than that this book was beautifully written and once I pushed through the 1st half I could not put it down.

Can't wait to read the rest of the series.
  
The Belles: The Belles Book 1
The Belles: The Belles Book 1
Dhonielle Clayton | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
4
7.6 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Well it sounds like there are some others who felt the same way as I did about this book.

It was hard to rate it and chose 3 because of the mixed feelings. It was very slow going - I made it halfway through and then stopped for a day or two and debated whether I wanted to or could finish it or not.

There’s a lot of heavy subject matter in here underneath the pretty stuff and in between the fun and interesting things. I don’t usually like or read this dark of a book much and it was a bit of a challenge for me in parts because I don’t handle reading about deaths or harming animals that well all the time - it can be hard to stomach depending on the details and who dies etc. There were also a lot of other things that bothered me or like some others mentioned maybe should have had a bit more warning before reading it. I also was not happy with the part where Alfred tried to attack and get some action during his beauty treatment.

As some others mentioned in their reviews, some of us readers perhaps more than others need to tread lightly when considering and/or reading this. I don’t know that I’ll be reading the next in this series. This book wasn’t really a good fit for me.
  
From Sky to Sky (No Less Days, #2)
From Sky to Sky (No Less Days, #2)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
From Sky to Sky was such a different story, from the literal first page you are immersed in this world where a few people have been blessed, or cursed, with long life. Amanda G. Stevens took me on a journey of questioning why we live each day as if we have an infinite amount when we truly do not know how many days we get to live. She presented the gospel through her characters in a very meaningful and honest way, not shying away from the struggles people face. I thought that Zac was an interesting character and that he showed a lot of caring given his situation. The other secondary characters were also well developed, and I hope to learn more about them in the books that follow, as this book left me with a sense of just beginning to know their characters.

I would highly recommend reading this series in order as From Sky to Sky does drop you into an already moving plot, that is easier to understand after having read the first book. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for the creative storyline, the consistent characters, and for making me think about how fragile life really is.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
  
What You Said To Me (Tree of Life #4)
What You Said To Me (Tree of Life #4)
Olivia Newport | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What you Said to me is a little dry in finding out about the families. This one is good. Though I do not know if the story is more about the girl that looking for her family or just helping in find out about herself.

This story is mostly about the girl that might just need the help to find out what happens in the past to find out why the broken things happen. Where is all went wrong? Will Jillian be able to help her find herself and understand where her mother and her family when wrong in the first place.

This book may have you looking for your family history. We do get past the story point of view as well as the present. Will it be sliver help to find out whatever happened to the Bangt woman and why it ended or how Trisha Crower family got to Cayon Mines?

Why did some leave and only one stay in Cayon Mines? To find out that you will need to read this book. Olivia does a wonderful job of weaving history and family together. Another thing she does is bring the family stories to life. Whatever happens with St. Louis Projects that she working on. Will be that this might not be the last book in the series.
  
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Merissa (13443 KP) rated Return of the Runaway Bride in Books

Jul 21, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)  
Return of the Runaway Bride
Return of the Runaway Bride
Nancy Fraser | 2021 | Contemporary, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
RETURN OF THE RUNAWAY BRIDE is part of the Last Chance Beach Romance series but can also be read as a standalone. In this one, Emily left Chase at the altar five years ago but has now returned to try and mend bridges. Not only is it time, but she also needs to let her friends and family know what she's been up to as her novel is being made into a movie, and no one knows.

This is a well-paced novel that not only gives the reader what is going on now, but also allows them to catch up on what happened five years ago, and why. There is a good group of characters, both main and supporting, that help to move the storyline along.

The only problem I found was that sometimes the time would jump from one sentence to another. I found this to be slightly jolting but became accustomed to it as the author's writing style.

A great summer story about second-chance romance and 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!
Jul 21, 2021
  
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Merissa (13443 KP) rated The Little Morgen (Fairytales of the Myth #2) in Books

Jan 27, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)  
The Little Morgen (Fairytales of the Myth #2)
The Little Morgen (Fairytales of the Myth #2)
Miranda Grant | 2021 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
7.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE LITTLE MORGEN is the second novella in the Fairytales of the Myth series, and in case you've not realised, this time it is the Little Mermaid that gets the dark retelling.

This one I didn't enjoy quite as much, and let me tell you why. There is just too much that goes on for the number of pages you get! This made the story feel a bit disjointed to me, the pace is slightly too quick. There were so many characters and I didn't really get a feel for any of them, including Thalliya and Ragnar. There was no time to build a connection between them, or for a relationship to develop. I also found the epilogue slightly confusing as I've only just read Burn Baby Burn and the names given for Bjerner's parents jolted me.

What I did enjoy was the amount of world-building Miranda Grant puts into every story. The details were amazing. One of my favourite parts was when Ragnar bit into an orange!

So, not one of my favourites, but still a great story if you like dark and twisted retellings.

* 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!
Jan 27, 2021