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Lonely Diner (Some Like It Haute! #3)
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Two gorgeous military men. One Lonely Diner, where people often search for romance. (The food is...
Contemporary MM Military Romance Second Chance
Merissa (13929 KP) rated Bear Creek Valentine (Holiday Mates #2) in Books
Mar 27, 2023 (Updated Jul 9, 2023)
BEAR CREEK VALENTINE is a second-chance romance between a bear shifter and a human. Dash's first mate was killed 'by accident' and he has been alone ever since. Aiden is getting ready for Valentine's Day with his amazing baked goods, a day that reminds him how alone he is. Will these two be able to find their HEA?
Once again, I was lost in Bear Creek and loved every moment of it. The story is long enough for me to fully immerse myself in it with the characters. As with book one, there is a slight mystery that comes to its own conclusion before the end of the story. It doesn't take the front seat so if you're after a fully-grown mystery, you've got the wrong book. It does present Aiden with quite a few problems, mind you. Luckily for him, he has Dash with his deep pockets to help him out.
It was also nice catching up with Knox and Levi again, although you don't technically have to read book one to get this one.
Thoroughly enjoyed a year spent with Aiden and Dash. Definitely recommended by me and I'm already looking forward to the next story.
** 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 19, 2023
Once again, I was lost in Bear Creek and loved every moment of it. The story is long enough for me to fully immerse myself in it with the characters. As with book one, there is a slight mystery that comes to its own conclusion before the end of the story. It doesn't take the front seat so if you're after a fully-grown mystery, you've got the wrong book. It does present Aiden with quite a few problems, mind you. Luckily for him, he has Dash with his deep pockets to help him out.
It was also nice catching up with Knox and Levi again, although you don't technically have to read book one to get this one.
Thoroughly enjoyed a year spent with Aiden and Dash. Definitely recommended by me and I'm already looking forward to the next story.
** 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 19, 2023
Footwork
10.0
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Bode Harlan has never claimed to be a good guy, but he’s trying to keep his nose clean and his...
Contemporary MM Romance First Love Second Chance Bad Boy
Merissa (13929 KP) rated Under the Mistle-tome (Christmas Falls #5) in Books
Dec 1, 2023
UNDER THE MISTLE-TOME is the fifth book in the Christmas Falls series. In it, we meet Trey, owner of Seasons Readings, and Trevor, who moved away and has now returned with his daughter. This is First Love/Second Chance at its finest!
First thing I need to say though is Holly-Berry. She is a delight and steals every scene she's in. I loved how her wisdom came across, and how she easily accepted Mr T! I won't tell you how I snorted when I read that! I loved the A-Team when I was younger, so that was just perfect.
As for Trey and Trevor, well, they had a rock-solid friendship to fall back on, so it was no stretch of the imagination that things would go in the direction they did. What I loved was how it was written, with both of them wanting to connect as friends first, and not wanting to mess Miss Holly about.
One came I thought was great was that of Arlo and Emerson. It was so good to see it from a different perspective.
All in all, a great addition to the series, and a story I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in 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!
Dec 1, 2023
First thing I need to say though is Holly-Berry. She is a delight and steals every scene she's in. I loved how her wisdom came across, and how she easily accepted Mr T! I won't tell you how I snorted when I read that! I loved the A-Team when I was younger, so that was just perfect.
As for Trey and Trevor, well, they had a rock-solid friendship to fall back on, so it was no stretch of the imagination that things would go in the direction they did. What I loved was how it was written, with both of them wanting to connect as friends first, and not wanting to mess Miss Holly about.
One came I thought was great was that of Arlo and Emerson. It was so good to see it from a different perspective.
All in all, a great addition to the series, and a story I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in 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!
Dec 1, 2023
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Mar 1, 2023
Merissa (13929 KP) rated Cursed (Beholder, #1) in Books
Jun 8, 2023
Christine Bauer takes you to a new world, where magic is (roughly) divided into two - Creator and Necromancer. When Elea's best friend is dying, she finds out that not only will she lose her best friend but she will also be the next victim. She has five years to learn all she can, to have a chance to beat Viktor, the originator of the curse. Fear can be a great incentive though, and she does succeed. Now, all she has to do is beat Viktor and she will be free of the curse. Simple, eh?!
This is primarily a Fantasy tale, with magic and misuse of the same, throughout the book. I loved how the Sisters of Zelle were described, and the necromancer/creator magics were opposite and yet complementary if given the opportunity. The characters, whether they were good or bad, were all believable and well-rounded.
There is a hint of romance between Elea and Rowan, but it most definitely takes second place in the main story.
Well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this is a wonderful start to a new series and I look forward to returning to the Beholder world! 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!
May 17, 2016
This is primarily a Fantasy tale, with magic and misuse of the same, throughout the book. I loved how the Sisters of Zelle were described, and the necromancer/creator magics were opposite and yet complementary if given the opportunity. The characters, whether they were good or bad, were all believable and well-rounded.
There is a hint of romance between Elea and Rowan, but it most definitely takes second place in the main story.
Well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this is a wonderful start to a new series and I look forward to returning to the Beholder world! 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!
May 17, 2016
Merissa (13929 KP) rated Sea Glass and Fireflies in Books
Apr 29, 2024
SEA GLASS AND FIREFLIES is an emotional second-chance historical romance.
Elsie and Charles were childhood friends, on the brink of something more, when Charles left, promising to write frequently. This dwindled off and Elsie was courted by Gabriel, also a friend to them both. The story starts on what should have been Elsie and Gabriel's wedding day, as she prepares to live with her uncle for a while, to try and work through her complicated emotions over the loss of Gabriel at sea. Once there, she reconnects with Charles, but is she reading too much into it?
This was a page-turner that kept me gripped from the very beginning. As a reader, you can feel Elsie's emotions and all the confusion she is working through. I do wish I'd have had some from Charles' side, but that made the ending all the more satisfactory.
Well-written, with lovely descriptions throughout, and with a smooth pace, this book was a delight to read. It is the first by this author I have read, and I look forward to reading more by her in the future. 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 29, 2024
Elsie and Charles were childhood friends, on the brink of something more, when Charles left, promising to write frequently. This dwindled off and Elsie was courted by Gabriel, also a friend to them both. The story starts on what should have been Elsie and Gabriel's wedding day, as she prepares to live with her uncle for a while, to try and work through her complicated emotions over the loss of Gabriel at sea. Once there, she reconnects with Charles, but is she reading too much into it?
This was a page-turner that kept me gripped from the very beginning. As a reader, you can feel Elsie's emotions and all the confusion she is working through. I do wish I'd have had some from Charles' side, but that made the ending all the more satisfactory.
Well-written, with lovely descriptions throughout, and with a smooth pace, this book was a delight to read. It is the first by this author I have read, and I look forward to reading more by her in the future. 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 29, 2024
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2526 KP) rated Rivers and Creaks in Books
Jan 11, 2025
Andy Finds a Corpse on His First Day
Andy Shirley and his late wife had planned to run a bed and breakfast in Monte Rio after they retired. Now that the time has come, he has to take it on by himself. While he’s been figuring out how to be a good host, something that doesn’t come naturally to him, he runs into a problem he wasn’t expecting – murder. When he takes over the business, there is a wedding party staying there, and one of the bridesmaids has been killed. Can he solve the crime, or will it destroy his business?
This author has been on my radar to try for a while, and I finally got a chance with this book. Sadly, the results were mixed for me. I grew up near where this book is set, so I enjoyed that aspect of things. However, the plot was uneven, with as much focus on Andy settling into his new life as the murder. This led to a weak climax that at least did answer our questions. Meanwhile, Andy was a bit pricklier that I found enjoyable. I get it, but it took a while to warm up to him. Some of that came from the new relationships he is forming, and I enjoyed reading about those. I also enjoyed the humor of the book. I’d give a second book in this series a try, but I hope the issues with the first are ironed out.
This author has been on my radar to try for a while, and I finally got a chance with this book. Sadly, the results were mixed for me. I grew up near where this book is set, so I enjoyed that aspect of things. However, the plot was uneven, with as much focus on Andy settling into his new life as the murder. This led to a weak climax that at least did answer our questions. Meanwhile, Andy was a bit pricklier that I found enjoyable. I get it, but it took a while to warm up to him. Some of that came from the new relationships he is forming, and I enjoyed reading about those. I also enjoyed the humor of the book. I’d give a second book in this series a try, but I hope the issues with the first are ironed out.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2526 KP) rated Halloween Night Murder in Books
Aug 27, 2025 (Updated Aug 27, 2025)
This Halloween, the Tricks are Murder, Which is a Treat for Us
Kensington has another Halloween novella collection. In the first story, Leslie Meier’s Lucy Stone gets involved when a teen is killed in a hit and run near her home. Will she figure out what happened while helping her new neighbors? The second story finds Lee Hollis’s Hayley Powell returning from a concert with her two best friends. But when an accident strands them in the woods, it appears the only place they can find help is a creepy cabin. There’s nothing to fear about this set up, right? Finally, we travel to the North Pole as Liz Ireland’s April Claus tries to prove an elf who has just returned to town didn’t freeze a snowman. He's also innocent of murder, right?
I usually struggle with Leslie’s contributions to these collections, and that was true here again. But I enjoyed the other two. Lee’s novella has just a touch of horror tropes while still being a cozy and being absolutely page turning. And I find Liz’s Mrs. Claus series completely charming. This story was no exception. With each story being roughly 100 pages, you get a novel length book and a chance to catch up with old friends between books or try new series without committing to a full novel. Whether you read this book now or save it for Halloween night, you’ll find something to enjoy here.
I usually struggle with Leslie’s contributions to these collections, and that was true here again. But I enjoyed the other two. Lee’s novella has just a touch of horror tropes while still being a cozy and being absolutely page turning. And I find Liz’s Mrs. Claus series completely charming. This story was no exception. With each story being roughly 100 pages, you get a novel length book and a chance to catch up with old friends between books or try new series without committing to a full novel. Whether you read this book now or save it for Halloween night, you’ll find something to enjoy here.
Out For Blood (Monsters of London #3)
10.0
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A century ago, I shattered the bond between me and my mate. Now our paths are colliding once again. ...
MM Paranormal Romance