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Sink or Swim: Part One (Aria & the Seven Seas, #1)
10.0
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Caught between the land and sea, I’ve always been the spare. The misfit. The siren. Salt, magic,...
Paranormal Romance Erotic Multi-Partner
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Hanging by a Thread in Books
Sep 30, 2023
Book Was Threadbare
Abbey is settling into her new life in Hideaway Grove, but it’s her aunt Sarah that is facing trouble. Blaine Hutchinson is opening a rival bakery. But before she can get it off the ground, she is murdered in her shop. With Sarah as a suspect, can the Abbey figure out what really happened?
I was hoping to like the second book since I saw potential in the first. Sadly, this book wasn’t that good. The main mystery was strong enough for a novella, and it was fleshed out with lots of subplots. I wanted to tell Abbey not to take on anything else at several points in the book. Not to mention that there wasn’t the follow up on things there should be been. We do have a good conclusion to the mystery at least. And I do like Abbey and many of the other characters, although what Abbey pulls on the potential love interest at one point wasn’t handled well. I support what she was going for, but this wasn’t how to do it. Since Abbey’s sewing studio is located next to Sarah’s bakery, we get lots of talk about mouthwatering desserts. Unfortunately, I think this will be my last visit with these characters.
I was hoping to like the second book since I saw potential in the first. Sadly, this book wasn’t that good. The main mystery was strong enough for a novella, and it was fleshed out with lots of subplots. I wanted to tell Abbey not to take on anything else at several points in the book. Not to mention that there wasn’t the follow up on things there should be been. We do have a good conclusion to the mystery at least. And I do like Abbey and many of the other characters, although what Abbey pulls on the potential love interest at one point wasn’t handled well. I support what she was going for, but this wasn’t how to do it. Since Abbey’s sewing studio is located next to Sarah’s bakery, we get lots of talk about mouthwatering desserts. Unfortunately, I think this will be my last visit with these characters.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated A Cure For Everything: A Vampire Novella in Books
Sep 22, 2022
I don't usually read vampire books, I love a good horror book every now and again but I've never really got into vampire books so wasn't sure if this was something I would enjoy but I thought, what the heck, why not? And, I was pleasantly surprised because it wasn't what I expected at all - it was so much more.
The premise is quite simple really, Millie is happily married with 2 young children when she receives a devastating diagnosis meaning she has but months left to live. However, there is a cure ... become a vampire! Seems like a simple decision doesn't it? Not so for Millie - her mum was a vampire and it didn't end well so what will she do? And when you think you know what's going to happen, Mr Jenkins throws in a great twist which left me wanting more.
A great, quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed and that cover, wow ... eye-catching and creepy.
I am looking forward to reading more of Mr Jenkins work if this short story if anything to go by and I must thank him for making me a part of his Advance Reader Team but this in no way influenced my thoughts on this novella which I thoroughly enjoyed.
The premise is quite simple really, Millie is happily married with 2 young children when she receives a devastating diagnosis meaning she has but months left to live. However, there is a cure ... become a vampire! Seems like a simple decision doesn't it? Not so for Millie - her mum was a vampire and it didn't end well so what will she do? And when you think you know what's going to happen, Mr Jenkins throws in a great twist which left me wanting more.
A great, quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed and that cover, wow ... eye-catching and creepy.
I am looking forward to reading more of Mr Jenkins work if this short story if anything to go by and I must thank him for making me a part of his Advance Reader Team but this in no way influenced my thoughts on this novella which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Feline Valentine (A Witch’s Night Out, #4)
8.0
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Under magical house arrest in her great-grandmother’s suburban cottage, college graduate and...
Paranormal Romance Novella
Luck of the Draw
8.0
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Drawing the short straw is bad luck…isn’t it? A treaty between three warring realms calls for...
MM Fantasy Romance Arranged Marriage Novella
Merissa (12889 KP) rated Embrace The Night (The Blood Rose #5) in Books
May 17, 2023
An excellent addition to the Blood Rose series, this novella tells Jude and Hannah's story. Jude is a Mastyr who has suffered a loss, Margheta killed his wife and daughter a hundred years ago. Hannah is a human who owns the bar where those from the Realm can go and relax, safe in the knowledge that they won't be burnt to a crisp when the sun comes up.
Now Hannah knows all about the Blood Rose phenomenon that is sweeping the Realms, after all, she is part of the group that has set up a communications network in the hopes of working around Margheta and still finding ways to talk to each other in emergencies. Hannah is not prepared to leave her bar though, for reasons that she will go into.
This is fast-paced, the same as all of the Blood Rose series, but full of information and action. With no grammatical or editing issues that I found, I can definitely recommend this book and the series. 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 the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 13, 2016
Now Hannah knows all about the Blood Rose phenomenon that is sweeping the Realms, after all, she is part of the group that has set up a communications network in the hopes of working around Margheta and still finding ways to talk to each other in emergencies. Hannah is not prepared to leave her bar though, for reasons that she will go into.
This is fast-paced, the same as all of the Blood Rose series, but full of information and action. With no grammatical or editing issues that I found, I can definitely recommend this book and the series. 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 the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 13, 2016
Merissa (12889 KP) rated Leading Me Home (Harrington Hills #1) by in Books
May 20, 2023
This is a real friends-to-lovers story, complete with hidden feelings on one side. However, what made this story exceptional to me is the way in which it is written and the believable, likeable characters that Megan Linden gives us. Told from dual points of view, you hear from both Tyler and Kevin as they realise how deep their feelings for each other are, and what this means as one is an Alpha's Son, whilst the other is a lone wolf.
I loved how it was Mom B, the Beta, who spoke to Kevin and gave him the reassurance he needed. It wasn't just swept under the carpet in a "love conquers all" way. No, he was told that loving a Harrington was tough, but it was worth it!
This novella has it all - friendship, romance, it has some hot scenes without being gratuitous, and it has definitely left me wanting more. Absolutely adored this book and I'm looking forward to returning to Harrington Hills as soon as I can. 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!
Feb 16, 2016
I loved how it was Mom B, the Beta, who spoke to Kevin and gave him the reassurance he needed. It wasn't just swept under the carpet in a "love conquers all" way. No, he was told that loving a Harrington was tough, but it was worth it!
This novella has it all - friendship, romance, it has some hot scenes without being gratuitous, and it has definitely left me wanting more. Absolutely adored this book and I'm looking forward to returning to Harrington Hills as soon as I can. 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!
Feb 16, 2016
David McK (3562 KP) rated The King in Rome (Warrior #1) in Books
May 28, 2023
As an author, Simon Scarrow is - IMO - most associated with the genre of historical fiction.
Even more so - again, IMO - with those set during the time of the Roman Empire: I think we're approaching 20, now, of his full length Cato and Macro novels (edit: as of typing this, 22 novels).
I can't say much about TJ Andrews, other than I'm aware he has collaborated with Scarrow on a a few e-book novella's.
This is the latest in that collaboration, taking - as it's inspiration - the tale of Caratacus, the British warlord who defied the Empire before the time of Boudica, and who appeared in some of the earlier Eagle (aka Cato and Macro) novels as an antagonist. Eventually defeated by the Roman legions, Caratacus was spared by the Emperor Claudius to live out his life in the confines of Rome (and with Prefect Cato being name dropped when he mentions that in this novella), which is where this series of novellas picks up, as Caratacus is persuaded to tell his life story to a Roman historian who first encounters him at a banquet hosted by the Emperor Nero.
Told, therefore, from the 'other point of view' than the usual, I'm interested in seeing where this goes!
Even more so - again, IMO - with those set during the time of the Roman Empire: I think we're approaching 20, now, of his full length Cato and Macro novels (edit: as of typing this, 22 novels).
I can't say much about TJ Andrews, other than I'm aware he has collaborated with Scarrow on a a few e-book novella's.
This is the latest in that collaboration, taking - as it's inspiration - the tale of Caratacus, the British warlord who defied the Empire before the time of Boudica, and who appeared in some of the earlier Eagle (aka Cato and Macro) novels as an antagonist. Eventually defeated by the Roman legions, Caratacus was spared by the Emperor Claudius to live out his life in the confines of Rome (and with Prefect Cato being name dropped when he mentions that in this novella), which is where this series of novellas picks up, as Caratacus is persuaded to tell his life story to a Roman historian who first encounters him at a banquet hosted by the Emperor Nero.
Told, therefore, from the 'other point of view' than the usual, I'm interested in seeing where this goes!
Merissa (12889 KP) rated Enemy Red (Mark of Lycos #1) in Books
May 29, 2023
Fenris is a young pup, he's only 25-years-old, and now his uncle, the Alpha of the Silver Clan, intends to find him and his twin brother mates. Fenris is none too happy with this, so runs off. He finds himself far from home, in a situation unexpected, that calls on his protective and mating instincts, against all odds. Pulled into a tangled web, with doubts over who to believe, Fenris has to do what he thinks is right - both for himself and for the wolf he wants to claim as his own.
This is a fast-paced novella that covers a lot of ground with the story. Fenris' twin, Anson, is mentioned in passing so I hope that we will hear more about him in the future. Well written and with smooth pacing, this story will take you along with it as it reaches the conclusion. With overall questions left (nothing major though), this part of the story wraps up nicely, whilst leaving you wanting to know more.
Definitely 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!
Mar 15, 2016
This is a fast-paced novella that covers a lot of ground with the story. Fenris' twin, Anson, is mentioned in passing so I hope that we will hear more about him in the future. Well written and with smooth pacing, this story will take you along with it as it reaches the conclusion. With overall questions left (nothing major though), this part of the story wraps up nicely, whilst leaving you wanting to know more.
Definitely 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!
Mar 15, 2016
David McK (3562 KP) rated The War Prince (Warrior #3) in Books
May 30, 2023
I think I'd posted previously that I'd heard (read) that Simon Scarrow and Tj Andrews 'Warrior' series of e-book novellas was to be a series of five.
If so, we're now at the halfway point.
(The previous entries being The King in Rome and The Druid's Lair).
We're also now past Caratacus' childhood and teenage years, with the protagonist hearing recounting how his training at the hands of the Druids came to an end when he was summoned home in order to participate in an assembly of tribes in an attempt over the, uhhh, 'ownership' of Lhandain.
Whilst all concerned do, initially (pre assembly), agree to abide by the resolution reached by the Druid High Council, this soon falls by the wayside when it is discovered that those on the council are just as venal and corrupt as any other (with Caratacus, as he recounts the tale, laying the blame squarely on Rome).
I'll continue reading these - I do also have to say, I'm intrigued by the 'modern day' (well, modern day to the historian in Nero's Empire who is documenting the story, not modern day to us) opening and closing of each novella - is he bringing unwelcome attention to himself?
If so, we're now at the halfway point.
(The previous entries being The King in Rome and The Druid's Lair).
We're also now past Caratacus' childhood and teenage years, with the protagonist hearing recounting how his training at the hands of the Druids came to an end when he was summoned home in order to participate in an assembly of tribes in an attempt over the, uhhh, 'ownership' of Lhandain.
Whilst all concerned do, initially (pre assembly), agree to abide by the resolution reached by the Druid High Council, this soon falls by the wayside when it is discovered that those on the council are just as venal and corrupt as any other (with Caratacus, as he recounts the tale, laying the blame squarely on Rome).
I'll continue reading these - I do also have to say, I'm intrigued by the 'modern day' (well, modern day to the historian in Nero's Empire who is documenting the story, not modern day to us) opening and closing of each novella - is he bringing unwelcome attention to himself?