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Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Darkness Before Dawn (Darkness Before Dawn, #1) in Books
Sep 6, 2019
3.25 stars.
I liked this to start with--the first 40% or so--but then I started to lose interest. I can't put my finger on what it was but I was determined to carry on and figure out who "hoodie" was and why Sin seemed a little odd.
It rumbled along at a quite sedate pace for awhile, nothing too much happening apart from relationship issues. I was interested in a Dawn/Victor romance and we had a little of that but I thought there was too much Michael for my liking and I wasn't too fond of him for a time.
At about the 85% mark, I realised something and I was pleasantly surprised and then another something happened at the 90% mark that had me getting interested in the story again.
But then that ending! How could it just end like that?! I'm sure that Victor will stop, though, after all she is the only sunshine he will ever see.
My edition contained a preview of the next book in the trilogy but I skipped it as I'm not entirely convinced that I liked it enough to continue the series.
I liked this to start with--the first 40% or so--but then I started to lose interest. I can't put my finger on what it was but I was determined to carry on and figure out who "hoodie" was and why Sin seemed a little odd.
It rumbled along at a quite sedate pace for awhile, nothing too much happening apart from relationship issues. I was interested in a Dawn/Victor romance and we had a little of that but I thought there was too much Michael for my liking and I wasn't too fond of him for a time.
At about the 85% mark, I realised something and I was pleasantly surprised and then another something happened at the 90% mark that had me getting interested in the story again.
But then that ending! How could it just end like that?! I'm sure that Victor will stop, though, after all she is the only sunshine he will ever see.
My edition contained a preview of the next book in the trilogy but I skipped it as I'm not entirely convinced that I liked it enough to continue the series.

Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Deathmaker (Dragon Blood, #2) in Books
Sep 6, 2019
I received this copy via the author in exchange for an honest review.
Im a huge fan of Lindsay Buroker so when she offered me the chance to read this, I jumped at the chance.
Its part two in her Dragon Blood series and takes place a little time after the first. This one is more like her Emperors Edge series with it being heavy on the action and light on the romance, though there is enough to make you happy. Its more subtle than that of the first, which is what I really like about the authors books.
I grew to like Tolemek/the Deathmaker early on in this, despite him being one of the bad guys, and I think Cas had the same problem. Hes unlike the rest of the pirates she ends up meeting. Tolemek doesnt like hurting women, unlike some of the others, and over time he softens towards Cas and she gets under his skin. It was all rather sweet reading.
If youre a fan of the author then you need to read this. If youve never read anything by her, why not?
Im a huge fan of Lindsay Buroker so when she offered me the chance to read this, I jumped at the chance.
Its part two in her Dragon Blood series and takes place a little time after the first. This one is more like her Emperors Edge series with it being heavy on the action and light on the romance, though there is enough to make you happy. Its more subtle than that of the first, which is what I really like about the authors books.
I grew to like Tolemek/the Deathmaker early on in this, despite him being one of the bad guys, and I think Cas had the same problem. Hes unlike the rest of the pirates she ends up meeting. Tolemek doesnt like hurting women, unlike some of the others, and over time he softens towards Cas and she gets under his skin. It was all rather sweet reading.
If youre a fan of the author then you need to read this. If youve never read anything by her, why not?

Merissa (12911 KP) rated A Hundred Lies in Books
Sep 2, 2020
A Hundred Lies is a historical romance with a supernatural twist. Rosalie has made a living from gathering information and reading body language to portray herself as a fortune-teller. Unfortunately for her, a Lady with no scruples has decided she knows too much and wants to silence her. This leads to Rosie and her family travelling to Scotland to try to escape.
The amount of detail and research in this book is amazing, leading to a rich comprehensive story. The characters are all well-described, even if you don't like them! This book is part of The Hundred Kisses series but it can be read as a standalone as I did. The only downside to that is that I now want to read the others too. 😁
I thoroughly enjoyed every word of this novel and thought the ending was superb, tying everything up nicely. If you like your romances to have a twist, then I can absolutely recommend this 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!
The amount of detail and research in this book is amazing, leading to a rich comprehensive story. The characters are all well-described, even if you don't like them! This book is part of The Hundred Kisses series but it can be read as a standalone as I did. The only downside to that is that I now want to read the others too. 😁
I thoroughly enjoyed every word of this novel and thought the ending was superb, tying everything up nicely. If you like your romances to have a twist, then I can absolutely recommend this 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!

Jackjack (877 KP) rated I am Jonas (2018) in Movies
May 17, 2020
Not a bad film
I enjoy a gay romantic film from time to time. Although this one wasn't all new experience and happy endings it's quite a sad one but I still enjoyed it.
Good film about a young man (Jonas) that becomes good friends with a new guy at school (Nathan) they share a few kisses and a small romance starts. The film jumps from the main character as a 15 year old boy to an adult showing both parts of his life and how he wasn't on the best path and it explains why as the film goes on. These two young boys head off for a date night at the cinema Jonas is the innocent one and wants to go home after but Nathan the adventurous one wants to try and sneak into a gay bar unable to get in they take an offer from a man to take them to another bar, one thing leads to another and Jonas is left deserted and Nathan gone. Good film for a late night watch and if you don't mind reading subtitles.
Good film about a young man (Jonas) that becomes good friends with a new guy at school (Nathan) they share a few kisses and a small romance starts. The film jumps from the main character as a 15 year old boy to an adult showing both parts of his life and how he wasn't on the best path and it explains why as the film goes on. These two young boys head off for a date night at the cinema Jonas is the innocent one and wants to go home after but Nathan the adventurous one wants to try and sneak into a gay bar unable to get in they take an offer from a man to take them to another bar, one thing leads to another and Jonas is left deserted and Nathan gone. Good film for a late night watch and if you don't mind reading subtitles.

Awix (3310 KP) rated Educating Rita (1983) in Movies
May 18, 2020
Julie Walters makes a memorable movie debut in this surprisingly moving comedy-drama. Caine plays Frank, a boozy lecturer and (he thinks) awful teacher who is slightly baffled by Rita, a bright but uncultured new student who wanders into his office one day. She wants more out of life, and thinks studying literature will help her get it. But is she right? And what can they learn from one another?
Very well written and extremely well-played, the heart of the film is the relationship between the two of them and how it slowly changes over time: not really a romance or a friendship, but something still powerful and very affecting. As well as the shifting dynamic between them, the film is also about many other things: snobbery, both standard and reversed; class; the purpose of education; what it means to be a teacher, and much more. The origins of the piece as a two-handed stage play are fairly obvious, and funding issues mean it is set (distractingly) somewhere in the little-known Liverpool-Oxbridge-Dublin region, but the story and performances are strong enough for these not to be serious issues. A very fine film.
Very well written and extremely well-played, the heart of the film is the relationship between the two of them and how it slowly changes over time: not really a romance or a friendship, but something still powerful and very affecting. As well as the shifting dynamic between them, the film is also about many other things: snobbery, both standard and reversed; class; the purpose of education; what it means to be a teacher, and much more. The origins of the piece as a two-handed stage play are fairly obvious, and funding issues mean it is set (distractingly) somewhere in the little-known Liverpool-Oxbridge-Dublin region, but the story and performances are strong enough for these not to be serious issues. A very fine film.

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated A Madness of Sunshine in Books
May 22, 2020
86 of 200
Book
A Madness of Sunshine
By Nalini Singh
Golden Cove is a peaceful town.
That is until one fateful summer, when tragedy shatters the trust holding the community together. All that's left are whispers behind closed doors, broken friendships and a silent agreement to never look back. But they can't run from the past forever.
Eight years later, a young woman disappears without a trace, and the residents of Golden Cove wonder if their home shelters something far more dangerous than an unforgiving landscape.
The town's dark past and haunted present are about to collide . . . in a murder mystery that's been years in the making.
I’ve been a Nalini fan for a few years and I love her work, I’m not sure what I was expecting from this book as she stepped away from the paranormal romance. What I got was a very well written crime/thriller I really enjoyed reading it her characters were interesting and the plot was good. Her books always flow so well and this was no different I’m excited to see what else can come from this brilliant writer!
Book
A Madness of Sunshine
By Nalini Singh
Golden Cove is a peaceful town.
That is until one fateful summer, when tragedy shatters the trust holding the community together. All that's left are whispers behind closed doors, broken friendships and a silent agreement to never look back. But they can't run from the past forever.
Eight years later, a young woman disappears without a trace, and the residents of Golden Cove wonder if their home shelters something far more dangerous than an unforgiving landscape.
The town's dark past and haunted present are about to collide . . . in a murder mystery that's been years in the making.
I’ve been a Nalini fan for a few years and I love her work, I’m not sure what I was expecting from this book as she stepped away from the paranormal romance. What I got was a very well written crime/thriller I really enjoyed reading it her characters were interesting and the plot was good. Her books always flow so well and this was no different I’m excited to see what else can come from this brilliant writer!

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Granting Her Wish in Books
May 24, 2020
90 of 200
Kindle
Granting her wish
By Erin Bedford
One mistake. Three wishes. Will true love be in the cards or are they only throwing pennies in a well?
Alysha wants nothing more than to open her own bakery and to get away from her jerk of a boss. Then she had to accidentally knock a priceless antique that is owned by said boss into a bucket of dirty water putting her job in jeopardy. When she sets about cleaning up her mess she gets a whole lot more than she wished for when sexy genie with an attitude comes pouring out.
Mac is cursed. Forced to serve humans until he can learn humility. He can't wait for his sentence to be over. When he meets the lovely, but naive Alysha, he will find himself wanting to grant her every desire, even if that means never seeing her again.
Another decent book from Erin Bedford she certainly writes a good paranormal romance. It was a quick read for me and I really enjoyed it! Highly recommend this author she captures the genre well!
Kindle
Granting her wish
By Erin Bedford
One mistake. Three wishes. Will true love be in the cards or are they only throwing pennies in a well?
Alysha wants nothing more than to open her own bakery and to get away from her jerk of a boss. Then she had to accidentally knock a priceless antique that is owned by said boss into a bucket of dirty water putting her job in jeopardy. When she sets about cleaning up her mess she gets a whole lot more than she wished for when sexy genie with an attitude comes pouring out.
Mac is cursed. Forced to serve humans until he can learn humility. He can't wait for his sentence to be over. When he meets the lovely, but naive Alysha, he will find himself wanting to grant her every desire, even if that means never seeing her again.
Another decent book from Erin Bedford she certainly writes a good paranormal romance. It was a quick read for me and I really enjoyed it! Highly recommend this author she captures the genre well!

Sarah (7800 KP) rated Yesterday (2019) in Movies
May 3, 2020
Enjoyable to a point
I love Danny Boyle, he's one of my favourite directors (and he's a local lad) although I have to admit this is probably one of my least favourite films of his so far.
Richard Curtis and Danny Boyle working on the same film should be a match made in heaven. However the result is this enjoyable but sadly rather predictable romcom. Himesh Patel is a likeable lead, but I found the romance aspect with him and Lily James entirely corny and completely predictable, even for Richard Curtis. The music is good, it would be seen as it's the Beatles, however I did find it odd that in the story Himesh finds out about a number of bands and things that no longer exist (some are quite funny), yet only decides to choose the songs from the Beatles. Could they not get the rights for anything else?
There's a few laughs in this although not as many as I'd expected, and I loved the nod to Love Actually. Overall the film is enjoyable and your typical feel good Brit flick, however I don't think it's particularly memorable or exceptional.
Richard Curtis and Danny Boyle working on the same film should be a match made in heaven. However the result is this enjoyable but sadly rather predictable romcom. Himesh Patel is a likeable lead, but I found the romance aspect with him and Lily James entirely corny and completely predictable, even for Richard Curtis. The music is good, it would be seen as it's the Beatles, however I did find it odd that in the story Himesh finds out about a number of bands and things that no longer exist (some are quite funny), yet only decides to choose the songs from the Beatles. Could they not get the rights for anything else?
There's a few laughs in this although not as many as I'd expected, and I loved the nod to Love Actually. Overall the film is enjoyable and your typical feel good Brit flick, however I don't think it's particularly memorable or exceptional.

Merissa (12911 KP) rated Drusus (Fueled By Lust #1) in Books
Apr 6, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
Who knew that Sci-Fi could be so sexy! If you have any doubts then read the Fueled by Lust series. I've only just read Drusus but am moving on to Severus immediately as I fell in love with their world - both the human one and the one through the vortex. Lina is a curvaceous, witty 'human' who has accepted her body and loves it the way it is (makes a refreshing change!) whilst Drusus is just H-O-T! We're talking sex on a stick here. I wouldn't mind being swept away by him.
The wit is sharp, the sex is hot and the romance is sweet. Yes, it does all move fast - Lina admits that herself. However, with the help of a special fang necklace (trust me, it works!) they know that they are right for each other.
A sassy, sexy, hot read - perfect for those summer evenings. 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!
August 29, 2016
The wit is sharp, the sex is hot and the romance is sweet. Yes, it does all move fast - Lina admits that herself. However, with the help of a special fang necklace (trust me, it works!) they know that they are right for each other.
A sassy, sexy, hot read - perfect for those summer evenings. 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!
August 29, 2016

Merissa (12911 KP) rated A Suitable Replacement (Deceived #4) in Books
Apr 14, 2023
This is an MM Historical Romance with a dash of fantasy added to it. After all, I don't think anyone studying the magical theory of the Goblin Wars would have gone down too well with the 'ton' in normal circumstances. However, there are parts of it that rang true for the historical genre - the attempted assassination of the royals, the child having to atone for the 'sins' of his parents, etc.
This is a fast-moving and intricate plot involving a Duchess who has run away with a love match, her brother just returned after three years away, the jilted fiance and the lady the love match was supposed to be marrying for reasons of her own.
It is written very well with enough plot twists to keep you on your toes. I loved the relationship between Kelcey and Max and the way that you were constantly left wondering what would throw a spanner in the works next. At the same time, I wanted to knock their heads together to get them to talk honestly with each other.
A thoroughly enjoyable read and definitely recommended.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 1, 2015
This is a fast-moving and intricate plot involving a Duchess who has run away with a love match, her brother just returned after three years away, the jilted fiance and the lady the love match was supposed to be marrying for reasons of her own.
It is written very well with enough plot twists to keep you on your toes. I loved the relationship between Kelcey and Max and the way that you were constantly left wondering what would throw a spanner in the works next. At the same time, I wanted to knock their heads together to get them to talk honestly with each other.
A thoroughly enjoyable read and definitely recommended.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 1, 2015