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Open Mind (Kink Chronicles #1)
Open Mind (Kink Chronicles #1)
Luna David | 2019 | Erotica, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
bdsm, contemporary, grrc, m-m, read, romance

 

OPEN MIND is the first book in the Kink Chronicles and we meet Jamie and Ronan. Jamie is 28 and has been a travelling nurse for the past couple of years but is now ready to settle down. Ronan has settled down but is in need of a new nurse for his specialised practice!

This story is an interesting mix of being sweet and full of kink! Different kinds of kink so if kink is your thing, there is probably at least one scene in here you will like. As for Jamie and Ronan, I kind of thought they were the perfect pair - once Ronan pulled his head out of his backside! Not every relationship is destined to be monogamous and so long as everyone agrees to that BEFORE anything happens, I'm okay with it.

This was an enjoyable book that moved along at a fair pace. I enjoyed the characters and look forward to reading more in this series.

* 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 Adventures of Forkman: What's That Noise? (Book 2)
The Adventures of Forkman: What's That Noise? (Book 2)
Tiffany Caldwell, W.R. MacKenzie | 2021 | Children, Education, Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is about learning about table manners or table distractions. Children can learn about loading the dishwasher and learning about distractions at the table from their friend Forkman. This is the second book of “The adventures of Forkman: What that Noise?”

We meet up with Kathryn and William. They are taught how to load a dishwasher the right way. The book does this in a way to show how children can do some things with help. Manners matter is true. The family learns about other table manners that they should not do at the table at dinner.

The pictures are really cute. I like the idea of a Forkman being the one to teach the family and children. I am interested in knowing what Forkman and his friends will teach Kathryn and William next time. Though I would love to read book one of this series. Find out what children were taught in book 1.

The book is set for children but it is good for all ages. We could all learn about mealtime etiquette. We could all learn how to load a dishwasher correctly. Parents should have this book on their bookshelves for their children along with book one. Children or a child will want to read about The Adventures of Forkman.
  
Light My Pyre (Everwood Falls #1)
Light My Pyre (Everwood Falls #1)
Kat Kinney | 2023 | Mystery, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
LIGHT MY PYRE is the first book in the Everwood Falls series - a town of misfits that don't belong anywhere else. I loved meeting the different characters and seeing how they fit together.

Asher and Gwyn have a romance going on but this isn't a romance book. It is a mystery with romantic elements so if you're going for big romance, this is not for you. If, however, you are looking for a page-turning mystery filled with quirky and sometimes heartbreaking characters, then I would definitely recommend you give this a go.

For me, Daisy is the "Star of the Show" without any question. Who doesn't love a funny Wolfhound who loves to eat just one sock out of every pair?

So many characters, so many stories to be told and, hopefully, more than a little romance for each of them. They really deserve it. A brilliant book I thoroughly enjoyed and have no doubt about 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
April 11, 2023
  
Baby's Got Bite (Take It Like a Vamp #2)
Baby's Got Bite (Take It Like a Vamp #2)
Candace Havens | 2015 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the second book in the Take It Like a Vamp series but can be read as a standalone without having read the first book (like I did).

It tells the story of a one-night stand that went either really wrong or absolutely perfectly, depending on which way you look at it. To begin with, Bennett looks at it as "How the hell did this happen?" but quickly gets a handle on it and deals with it. Her first stop is to let Linc know, whose reaction is pretty much the same but not for the reasons that Bennett thinks. Things move rapidly between the two of them and a lot is mentioned about how they will be in danger if people find out, due to who Linc is and his connections with Nick.

This is a well-written book with a fast-paced plot. It is full of humour and witty banter between Linc and Bennett which makes the whole thing a delight to read. Definitely 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!
Jul 28, 2015
  
Jesse's Diner (Hope, #2)
Jesse's Diner (Hope, #2)
Cardeno C | 2015 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a feel-good, sexy, romance novella in the Hope series. Steve and Tanner have known each other for a long time, and Tanner has had a crush on Steve since the very beginning. When he receives a call from Mike, his best friend and Steve's son, saying that he is worried about his dad, Tanner feels like he has to check in on him to make sure he's okay.

There is a revelation from Steve which has the possibility to destroy their relationship before it even gets started. Instead, I was very impressed with Tanner's reaction and subsequent research/knowledge, whatever you want to call it.

I adored this book - every single word. This is a hug-in-a-book, with some incredibly sensual scenes too. And just in case, the story itself isn't enough, the dedication brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. And there are not many dedications that I can say that about!

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!
Sep 29, 2015
  
Princess of Athelia (Unfinished Fairy Tales #1.5)
Princess of Athelia (Unfinished Fairy Tales #1.5)
Aya Ling | 2015 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a short but sweet addition to the Unfinished Fairy Tales series, starring "Uncle Ed and Aunt Kat". That part won't actually make sense unless you've read this novella, but trust me, it is just one of the many scenes that made me smile.

Kat is still bumbling her way through the atrocities of royal etiquette, in equal parts both charming and horrifying the court and the members of parliament. I love this about Kat - she is learning that things she took for granted could have a real impact here. Her heart is in the right place, and Edward is certainly keeping it safe for you.

I loved the insight into their relationship before they got engaged or married, although I'm not sure if I would be as strong as Kat is and be able to have a happy face on considering that she knows that she will have to leave when they get married.

Well-written and smoothly paced, this took me right back to the joys and woes of Athelia. Thoroughly enjoyed it and looking forward to Ever After.

* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 8, 2015
  
 Lord of the Silver Bow (Troy #1)
Lord of the Silver Bow (Troy #1)
David Gemmell | 2006 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
<2022 update>

Still as good as ever. I've yet to find someone to match Gemmell for this style of work.

<<2011 review>>

While perhaps more famous for his Drenai series of books (that began with 'Legend'), throughout his life David Gemmell wrote many other books as well.

At the time of his death in 2006, he was working on a novel called "Fall of Kings": the final part of a trilogy that began with with this novel. The trilogy, as a whole, was a re-working of the story of Troy: set during the early bronze age and with some famous (as well as some not-so-famous) characters from that legend all making an appearance. This first novel introduces us to some of those characters and sets the scene for what is to come ...

As it's a Gemmell book, it's a pretty safe bet what to expect: the man was famous for writing heroic fantasy, with his characters as (nearly always) flawed in some respect: the main characters in this book (particularly Helikaon) are no exception to that rule. While it could be argued that the novel could do with a bit of trimming in some of the slower sections, this is still an impressive piece of work.
  
Anthologies can be hit-and-miss for me. Sometimes, you'll get a great collection. Other times, it will be a list of mediocre stories. ONCE UPON A FORBIDDEN DESIRE definitely belongs in the first category. If you love fairy tales, then you will adore this collection. There is a heat level here for everyone, with stories ranging from The Pied Piper of Hamelin to Hansel and Gretel, told with their own twist by each of the authors.

With an abundance of new-to-me authors, as well as old favourites, I now have a list of various stories and series that I want to read, based on their stories in this anthology. There was not a single one that let the side down.

This was a fantastic collection of fairy tale retellings, each with its own heat rating at the beginning. I loved every story and thoroughly appreciated the range of various fairy tales to enjoy. 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 19, 2022
  
Halloween Kills (2021)
Halloween Kills (2021)
2021 | Horror
Fab movie
Contains spoilers, click to show
When I first heard they were reimagining the Halloween series, my first response was "leave it alone," but I was pleasantly pleased. I liked the first one, but this one was even better.
Unlike the previous film, this one isn't really about Laurie; in fact, she doesn't appear in it very much because she spends most of her time in the hospital. This one is largely on Michael still being on the prowl and the other children's desire for vengeance as adults. It's fantastic that it eventually reveals Laurie wasn't the only one who was affected on Halloween night.
There are so many killings in this film, and each one is masterfully executed. My favourite scene was when Michael was killing a gathering of people one by one. However, I was grieved by a few fatalities because I so much wanted them to succeed in their intentions; one death in the hospital that was not caused by Michael was terrible; I felt so bad for this person; and one kill towards the end devastated and enraged me. Overall, a very good film; however, I would strongly advise watching the extended version rather than the theatrical cut, since you will receive more clear answers.