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Chained Hearts (Sentries #3)
Chained Hearts (Sentries #3)
Elizabeth Noble | 2019 | Erotica, LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
CHAINED HEARTS is the third book in the Sentries series, and really, I have no idea how poor Nick gets through each day. He has had so much thrown at him and it's not over yet.

Nick is suffering from PTSD following the attack by the Kelbit. Todd is also suffering with his health but refuses to see a doctor as he is too busy trying to find a way for them to survive and go to ground. They do find a small town where a reprieve awaits them but all good things must come to an end--and it does, for them both.

This was such a great book but I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND you read it as a series or it just won't make sense.

Todd and Nick still manage to get some steamy times in but Nick is put through the wringer once again. I am loving the overall story arc that runs through these books but I can't help but wish they had some time to move that along, rather than be sidetracked by Nick being kidnapped.

The world-building continues to amaze and the characters are just as interesting as ever. Some new ones to like and some to dislike. I'll leave it up to you to figure out which is which.

Thoroughly enjoyed every word and I can't wait for this series to continue. Absolutely recommended by me.
  
Endeavor (Voyagers #4)
Endeavor (Voyagers #4)
Ava Olsen | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
ENDEAVOR is the fourth book in the Voyagers series and I'm really hoping isn't the end! After all, as was pointed out, Charlie hasn't found love yet. Please tell me there is more to come!

Anyway, back to this one...

Jared, Alex, and Aiden are all characters we have met in the previous books. Alex is Jarad's bodyguard, and Aiden is his lawyer. The sparks have been there for all to see but they haven't acted on for numerous reasons. But then they stay on Now, Voyager and the love spell works once again.

This was a hard read in places, dealing with stalkers, sexual assault, depression and PTSD, to name just a couple of topics. However, they are perfectly written, with no quick fixes, just understanding and compassion.

It was also hot as hell, and not just because they're in Thailand for part of it! They may have a multitude of reasons, but once they decide to go for it, phew! Hold onto your hats! Hot and steamy and so full of feelings.

Once I started this, I couldn't put it down. Absolutely fantastic and HIGHLY recommended by me.

Just... please tell me there's another book. Please?!

** 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!
Aug 14, 2023
  
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Merissa (12911 KP) rated Two Souls United (Etherya's Earth #5.5) in Books

Apr 4, 2022 (Updated Jun 26, 2023)  
Two Souls United (Etherya's Earth #5.5)
Two Souls United (Etherya's Earth #5.5)
Rebecca Hefner | 2021 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
TWO SOULS UNITED is a short and sweet novella that fills the gap between books 5 and 6 and tells of the courtship between Glarys and Sam.

Glarys has been looking after the Royals for years but time has moved on, and they now have their own lives and families away from the Mansion. Glarys liked Sam when she first spoke to him at Latimus and Lila's bonding ceremony but she thought he was only speaking to her to be nice. Sam wanted to be more than nice but when he suggested they meet up, Glarys suggested he bring Jack. Sam took this to mean she wasn't interested and years passed.

Even during this novella, you not only catch up on the others but also see two deamon attacks by Bakari, which keeps the whole series moving along nicely. It moves along at a fast pace, giving you the story and not lingering over certain acts or thoughts for too long.

For a novella, you get a lot of story -- from romance to PTSD, from deamon attacks to a spa day. Definitely recommended by me, but PLEASE read it in order or you'll get spoilers.

** 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!
Mar 31, 2022
  
My Sister's Bones
My Sister's Bones
Nuala Ellwood | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.2 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Also read my review here: http://bookbum.weebly.com/book-reviews/my-sisters-bones-by-nuala-ellwood

NOW AVAILABLE IN THE UK!

<b>Trigger warnings are noted in the first paragraph.</b>

<b><i>We’re all of us, every day, just a hairbreadth away from evil. If I’ve learnt anything from fifteen years of reporting, it’s that. But I couldn’t expect these people to understand.</b></i>

This is a really heavy read as it deals with some really dark and depressing subjects, <b>such as the war and refugees in Syria, domestic & child abuse, rape, death, mental illness, alcoholism and miscarriages.</b> Don’t read this if you’re having a low period in your life because this is not going to make you feel any better, throughout it’s a rather distressing and upsetting story.

Each character in this novel was well developed, no matter how small a part they played in the plot. Ellwood has done a fantastic job with her research into PTSD as Kate’s fears and anxieties seem so real to the reader. Though I’ve never experienced anything even close to PTSD, I can really imagine how terrifying and disturbing it would be, from reading this book. It’s definitely the best and most harrowing description of the condition I’ve ever read in a fiction novel.

This was a really well presented novel and I’m amazed that it’s a debut! It was excellently written and thought out. My only issue being that sometimes, the timings in this book felt a little off. When Kate and Paul were together, one minute they'd be serving dinner and the next, after a small 5 lined conversation, it would be midnight and time for Paul to leave and Kate to get into bed. It seemed like large chunks of the day would just disappear.

Maybe I shouldn’t have read some other people’s reviews on this beforehand, but because I was expecting all these super duper amazing twists, I kind of didn’t feel that they were super duper amazing. I also found some of them to be a little far fetched and silly, rather than surprising.

I can definitely see why this has gained so many 5 star ratings, but it’s all down to personal preference at the end of the day, and this one was just a little too dark for my liking. That's not to say I didn't like this...I enjoyed this a lot, hence the 4 stars. I found myself not wanting to put it down, even when my eyes were telling me it was definitely time for sleep. It was certainly a thrilling and page turning read, but I don’t know if I could recommend this to anyone because of all the dark subject matters. It seems like the sort of book some people are going to love for it’s dark realism and others are going to hate that and find it too distressing to read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Books UK for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
  
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ClareR (5879 KP) rated The Lost Ones in Books

Dec 3, 2019  
The Lost Ones
The Lost Ones
Anita Frank | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, Horror, Paranormal
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Lost Ones is a gothic horror set during the First World War. It's 1917and Stella Marcham has already experienced a traumatic war. She has lost her fiancé, and seen more than most women as a nurse on the front line. She is grief stricken and it's highly possible that she has PTSD. Her brother-in-law asks Stella to go and keep her pregnant sister company at his country home, as she is experiencing strange occurrences, and he feels that she needs some support. He doesn't believe Stella's sister when she says that she can hear a child crying: there are no children at Greyswick.

I loved this book! it made me jump, gasp out loud and burst out in nervous laughter. It's worth bearing in mind that I was on a long train journey as I was reading this, so there are probably a number of people between Skegness and Chester who either think I'm a little unhinged, or are dying to know what I was reading (I'm considering wearing some sort of badge on long train journeys, that says 'currently reading (insert book name here)'. I'm sure it'll explain to people my frankly erratic behaviour in cases like this.).

Anyway, this book deserves any hype it gets, and I strongly suggest that if you're a fan of historical fiction with a gothic bent, you go out, buy and read this immediately. And read it in public. I can't always be the one to show herself up like this.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for my copy of this book.