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What could have been interesting, wasn't. What could have been unique, failed. What showed promise, wasn't there. Too bad.

Seeing as this is classified as paranormal romance (instead of what I originally thought was urban fantasy), it might be nice if the main two characters were at least a little likable. Nope, sorry to say, this ain't the case. Ayla is boring, unsympathetic, uninteresting, vapid, gullible, weak-willed, slow on the uptake, need I go on? Malachi is also boring, uninteresting, and slow, but he has the addition of sounding like a robot. Sounds like a winning match, eh? Clearly, these two wooden creatures are made for each other. The secondary characters served their purpose: Mabb, your typical baddie; Garret, Mabb's brother and hopeful usurper, he was almost interesting, but he suffered from the same thing his sister did, cliche; and Keller, who was the only character (or anything really) in the whole book that showed a spark of life.

The pace of the book was plodding. I lost interest every other page if I was lucky. The descriptions are seriously lacking and almost everything is boring, boring, boring. I never quite saw what the purpose of vampires and werewolves served in the book. Maybe they play a bigger role in the next two books, otherwise they're pointless and don't make sense in this world. Speaking of the universe, what the author created, while not altogether original, could have been awesome instead of vague and confusing. A real missed opportunity.

My advice: skip it. Read at your own risk of falling asleep.
  
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Merissa (11950 KP) rated Wounded Soul in Books

May 10, 2019  
Wounded Soul
Wounded Soul
Annabelle Jacobs | 2019 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wounded Soul by Annabelle Jacobs
Wounded Soul involves a human unaware of vampires, and a vampire smitten with insta-lust for said human. Of course, if it was left like that, it would be too easy, so throw into the a mix a psychotic vampire, a best friend working for the human/vampire police, another best friend terrified of the thought of vampires, and a coven leader you respect and don't want to insult. Sounding good yet?

This book a really good read, from the first steamy hot meeting, to the intensity of the psychotic, to the nerve-jangling will he/won't he live (and that's not the 'he' you're thinking of!) Annabelle Jacobs is one of my favourite paranormal romance writers, if only for the fact they are not automatically based in America. I loved her Regent's Park series, and I loved this one just as much. I would love to read more about the characters mentioned in this story, but I have no idea if there is a sequel or series planned.

Either way, this was really well-written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I noticed. The pacing was good, and the connection between the characters was intense. And don't forget the bad guy you love to hate. Definitely 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!
  
HV
Her Vampire Husband (Wicked Games, #3)
4
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I really shouldn’t have had such high hopes for this novel. I mean the entire premise of the book is about a werewold princess who marries an elder vampire in hopes that their people would stop killing each other. Really? An entire novel about that? Honey, that is the subplot in half of the other paranormal romance novels I read. What made Hauf think she could she could write an entire novel about a simple idea and expect to impress me?

First off, there is nothing more annoying than a female protagonists who hides her problems behind a mask of fake strength and apathy. Seriously, they are only hurting themselves, making a relationship with anyone impossible. And just ends up annoying the hell out of me. How about they actually go take care of their problem? Nope, that’s too simple. Seriously, writers, you need to stop creating these types of characters.

I thought that because of them being enemies and of different races, it would actually make this book interesting. How wrong I was. The main couple lacked chemistry even as they were playfully bantering and ogling each others’ body. I felt that they were just two sexually frustrated people forced to live with each other instead of two people thrown together who eventually fall in love. In fact, it was one of those novels where one page, they were at odds, and the next they were in love.

Oh disappointment, how you leave a bitter taste in my mouth.
  
Infernally Mine (The Infernal Blades #1)
Infernally Mine (The Infernal Blades #1)
Jewels Arthur | 2020 | Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I'm a killer and I'm good at it.

It's not something you can put on a resume or bring up during a date -- but we all have our secrets.

The visions I see at night are part of mine.

The Elders send me visions of my new targets -- chosen by them -- for me to kill. I don't determine if they are good or bad -- just that their fate is to die by my hand.

Questioning the Elders is suicide. I am just a monster for them to direct.

One night my vision features four sinfully yummy men. They seem to find me delicious as well.

When my life gets thrown into chaos, these men are the only ones I can trust.

What happens when I am not the monster I've always believed myself to be?

I went from being the killer to the target.

One thing is for sure, I don't plan on remaining anyone's prey.

Infernally Mine is the first book in a paranormal RH/#whychoose romance series with assassins, shifters, and a succubus. Intended for mature audiences (18+). Contains MM, foul language, and violence.

This started of brilliant it was aggressive and had some attitude I loved Mara and her attitude! Then the men entered and it all became a bit meh! Then everything was so rushed all ect the sex scenes, now don't get me wrong I love a good sex scene I just think in my opinion this book lost its way a little!
  
Expectant Moon (Gladstone Shifters #1)
Expectant Moon (Gladstone Shifters #1)
Alexander Elliott | 2018 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Expectant Moon is the first book in the Gladstone Shifters series and it takes you to a current world where things are changing. Here we find Evan, a Delta, and Ben, an Alpha. Their two lives are separate at the start but once they meet, fireworks explode!

I found the beginning of this book to be slightly discombobulated, simply because we shift from one time to another, with different characters being introduced each time. HOWEVER, stick with it because each of those characters and situations is incredibly important to the overall story arc.

Once this story progressed, I was completely hooked. I loved this history of how times and attitudes had changed, how ways of life were forgotten and how they really needed to be remembered. Luckily for everyone, Jack is on hand to help and Evan will make sure it continues.

There was enough steam to melt my Kindle - which I loved! You really get a two-for-one deal with this book as Jack and William are magnificently interwoven with Evan and Ben - only in the literary sense! There is also pain, hate, tenderness, love, and hope.

Really, this was an amazing read that I thoroughly enjoyed. An amazing start to a new series with intricate details and new situations giving a brilliant twist to the 'standard' MM Paranormal Romance genre.

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!
  
Dangerous
Dangerous
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
***ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.***

Something caught me early on with this. It was probably Liam’s “I-know-I’m-good-and-don’t-need-to-prove-it” mentality. The way nothing phased him until he met Devon Candler and everything went right out the window.

Devon could literally be the definition of sex and though she wants Liam she tries to resist him. You cant help but like her, really, with her tough chick attitude. She could certainly look after herself and designed some bad-ass weapons.

That being said, I have to admit I got a little bored in places. It might have been all the description, which I’m not that big a fan of, or the really long paragraphs (also not a fan of) and kept putting it down the more we got into the story, just wanting the plot to hurry up and play out. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a good book and I’m glad I read it but there wasn’t any introduction to the new world we were in, that’s my only problem with it apart from the above-mentioned things but they relate to me personally.

It was certainly something a little different to what I normally read and I honestly did enjoy it.

If you like something futuristic with paranormal vibes then this is probably right up your street. Add a splash of romance and you’re all set for an intense journey.
  
Reborn (The Awakening Series #1)
Reborn (The Awakening Series #1)
Dean Murray | 2015 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the story of Selene, a high school girl who has inner strength and wisdom but is trying to keep her head down and be as invisible as she can be until high school is over. This is mainly because her dad works at the local factory that is owned by the father of the bane of her life, Sandra. Sandra is a bully and is content to pick on Selene. This appears as nothing more than a spoilt little rich girl to start with but, as is typical in Dean's stories, nothing is quite as it seems.

These characters are all multi-dimensional with very real fears, laughs and loves. There is no insta-love in this story (thank goodness) although there is a reconnection that is made. The back story is given to you in a drip-feed fashion so that it doesn't overpower the current story but you are still getting the information needed for a deep understanding of what is happening.

This is a gripping story that will draw you in but one warning, it does come with a cliffhanger ending that will sucker-punch you and leave you gasping. If you like paranormal romance that comes complete with intense emotion then I can highly recommend this one. Another fantastic series by Dean Murray starts with a bang!
 
* 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!
August 28, 2016
  
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Merissa (11950 KP) rated Scrape (Reveler #8) in Books

May 8, 2021 (Updated Apr 16, 2023)  
Scrape (Reveler #8)
Scrape (Reveler #8)
Erin Kellison | 2015 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the last book in the Reveler series and it is a fast-paced and intense story. There are all the loose threads of the overall story arc, as well as the individual threads of the characters, that all need to be tied up for a satisfying conclusion. There is enough action to keep any wannabe hero intrigued, whilst the romance part shifts to a deeper level. There are no new insta-lust attractions in this book, just the continuation of previous ones that benefit all the more from them having time together.

Scrape packs in so many emotions, I think I went through all of them whilst reading this story. The one that comes across loudest for me though, was family. All of the characters now think of themselves as one family, and that only makes them stronger when adversity is facing them.

I am going to miss this series and the world of darksight, reves, and Chimera. I think Erin Kellison has done an amazing job and now I will have the pleasure of reading them all again. If you like a paranormal world that is a little bit different from vampires and shifters, then I can highly recommend the Reveler Series. Start at book one and lose yourself in the dream.

* 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 16, 2015
  
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Merissa (11950 KP) rated Confined Desires (Rehoboth Pact #1) in Books

Feb 1, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)  
Confined Desires (Rehoboth Pact #1)
Confined Desires (Rehoboth Pact #1)
Katherine McIntyre | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
CONFINED DESIRES is the first book in the Rehoboth Pact series. Sky had a crush on her best friend but was hurt when she left without much of a warning. Then Mia was with a guy, so Sky definitely thought her ship had sailed. Mia returns into her life though, at a time when quarantine gives them no option but to be in close contact. The question is whether both Sky and Mia are able to work through the baggage of their past, to make a future together.

This is the first FF romance by Katherine McIntyre I have read, and it's a contemporary! I make no bones about preferring MM and Paranormal, but it's Katherine McIntyre!!! I had no choice, honest! And speaking of honesty, that's what I got. An honest and thoughtful, sweet and sexy, story that also proves women are just as bad at communicating as men are.

I enjoyed the parallels between their story and the current state of affairs in my world, with it enhancing the story without shoving the similarities down my throat.

The world- and character-building are just what I would expect from a KM book. I am left with the warm and fuzzies from this book, and also left wanting the next in the series. A great read I have no hesitation in recommending.

* 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 1, 2021
  
A Vampire Possessed (Deathless Night #3)
A Vampire Possessed (Deathless Night #3)
L.E. Wilson | 2015 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the third book in the series (although I was unaware of that originally) and as such, I do feel like I have missed out on a big chunk of the story. Although this story was pretty much self-contained, there were references made, situations alluded to, and definitely relationships that have happened previously that I had no knowledge of. So, in my opinion, yes - this book could be read as a standalone, but you will benefit more from having read the first two.

Saying that, this is a fast-paced and enjoyable paranormal romance. You have Grace - a witch without seemingly much power, on the run for most of her life. Then you have Aiden - philanderer vampire, happy to go from one to the next without a thought. They are thrown together in unusual circumstances which just take them deeper into demons possessing vampires.

With a supporting cast of wonderful characters, some with their stories already told, some that I would hope still have theirs to come, this story doesn't slack off on its pace, keeping you entertained throughout.

Well-written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I found, I would definitely recommend this book, with the proviso that it might be best to read books one and two first.

* 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 7, 2016