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Merissa (11731 KP) rated Bloodlines in Books

Oct 18, 2018  
Bloodlines
Bloodlines
Denise Carbo | 2017 | Paranormal, Romance, Thriller
6
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Bloodlines by Denise Carbo
Bloodlines is a story about shifters from another planet. They live amongst the humans now, in their clans, with mostly keep separate from each other. When one of Malcolm's clan member's turns up dead, he has a mystery on his hands - one that could lead to war. Add to that, he has an off-the-scale attraction to the hotel's new manager, and Malcolm's life is about to get rather complicated.

This was an easy enough read, with no major plots twists or intrigue to deal with. The 'big bad' was pretty clear from the start, but weirdly, this did not detract from the story. The biggest detraction, for me, was the so-called relationship between Malcolm and Elsie. If you add up the time they spent together, they probably weren't in each others company for more than 24 hours throughout the book, and yet Elsie has completely fallen for him. Not only that, but she is a complete limp lettuce where he is concerned. He walks all over her, is rude to her, only shows up when he wants sex. She is NOT okay with this (we get the monologues that tell us so), but she still "wilts" whenever he is near. Sorry, but I just didn't get their relationship at all!

The rest of it flowed easily enough. I found the supporting characters all interesting, although some of them had reputations I wasn't sure were deserved, or even why they had them. Apart from the main relationship, I found this book to be nicely written, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow.

* 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!
  
Blood Debt (Touched, #1)
Blood Debt (Touched, #1)
10
9.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
In a genre gone mad about vampires and shifters - and yes, I love them too! - it makes such a nice change to read something that steps away from the 'norm' and takes a more unusual look at things. This is what Nancy Straight does with her Blood Debt. This is the first book so it has a lot of groundwork to do so that you know what is happening. Nancy does this whilst also making it seamlessly part of the story, so you pick up the details without even being aware of it.

The other thing that I have enjoyed as a stand-out in this book, is there is no love-triangle. Gasp, shock, horror! How on earth can a book make it without a love-triangle? Easy - make it a love-square instead!!! This was wonderful to read and there were some real LOL moments as Cami is fighting her guilt and Bianca is trying to encourage her without letting her know that she knows.

The family relationships were quirky and loveable, in most cases. Some were just downright weird. And in the middle of this, you've got Cami. She isn't sure who or what she is, why people seem to have high expectations of her and why she feels like she just isn't who they think she is. Out of her brothers, Beau is my favourite but of course, that's the way it's been written so far.

If you want to read a book about Centaurs, Greek mythology, fantasy then this is the book for you. Personally, I can't wait to get Book 2 and see what happens. There are 4 books in this series and Book 4 is due to be released at the end of January. Definitely recommended!
  
Eternal Flame (Guardians #1)
Eternal Flame (Guardians #1)
Valerie Twombly | 2013 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book has a twist on the tale of vampires in that they have been chosen by the gods as protectors of the human race and actually dwell in an alternative realm. They are all hot and some have special skills. They all have a weakness, which are silver bracelets, as we find out with Marcus.

There are too many excellent characters in here to name them all but I will admit to having a soft spot for Seth and Baal! An excellent book and, I hope, the start of a new series. How it ended leaves it wide open for the next book along, whilst also neatly tying off this story.

There are a couple of reasons I haven't given this 5 stars. For one, there is insta-love and... bonded mates or not, this bugs me. For someone who has not been in a relationship for 5 years and has been so hurt in the past, it just beggars belief that she would fall into bed with Marcus after the first date, no matter how big the attraction.

I would also liked to have known more about the gods, who they are and what their role in this is. I get the feeling they have a big part to play in this but we don't really hear much about them. Are they Egyptian? I'm not sure although Egypt plays a big part in this.

On the whole, a totally enjoyable paranormal romance with a twist. If you enjoy hot alpha males, demons and shifters all in one book then I can recommend this one to you.
 
* 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. *

July 23, 2016
  
52 of 230
Kindle
The Jackal Prince ( Wild Rites Saga book 2)
By Anna McIlwraith
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book two of The Wild Rites Saga takes you to a hidden stronghold in the heart of Egypt - a kingdom on the edge of ruin, ruled by fear and forgotten magic.

Sounds like a great place for a vacation, right? Emma Chase isn't exactly thrilled by the idea, but the jackals will do anything to get their claws on her, for she is the Caller of the Blood, a human woman destined to command the magic of all shapechanging races - which is a teensy bit more complicated than it sounds. And while Emma and her weird assortment of friends, allies and protectors are safe on an enchanted farm in the California Mountains, the Jackal Prince's invitation is too dangerous to refuse. Problem is, accepting it could be just as deadly, especially since Emma's going to need the help of a powerful ancient with an unbreakable - and totally unfair - grudge against her.

Emma's got a few tricks up her sleeve, but she's human, and she can be broken. Somehow she'll have to get her friends out of the jackal kingdom alive before the jackals kill her first — or worse, find a way to claim her power for their own.

So I wasn’t expecting much from this book due to how much I struggled with book 1 but this really surprised me. I really enjoyed it, the Egyptian links were so good and it all just made so much more sense. I’m absolutely in love with Fern I think he’s just brilliant. The thing with this series it has or mentions shifters we don’t normally come across, like tarantulas and crocodiles were mentioned. I love something different. Push through book 1 and I’m sure like me you won’t be disappointed with book 2!
  
125 of 230
Kindle
The Valkyrie’s Bond ( Half-Blood Rising book 1)
By Lucy Roy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As a rare halfblood among a race of witches and shifters, Freya has enjoyed living a quiet life away from the royal court of Lindoroth and among those who know little about her. She’s had the freedom to make her own choices, and fighting alongside the local marshals is just an added bonus.

When obligation arrives on her doorstep to remind her of promises made long ago, her quiet life comes to an end. With hardly time to say goodbye, Freya is whisked off to the capital city of Iladel to attend a prestigious royal academy with her peers, where appearances can be deceiving and connections are everything. While there, she’ll be reunited with her childhood friend, Prince Aerelius, and begin to experience life at the royal court in ways she never did as a girl.

As Freya and the prince dive into old routines and explore new feelings, they uncover the secrets and schemes that lurk below the court’s surface. When a secret is unveiled that changes everything, they must do whatever is necessary to ensure the safety of their kingdom. If they fail, long-held alliances will shatter and war will come to the shores of their land, threatening all they hold dear.

I adore this author and this didn’t disappoint. I love the world and character builds and the story came to so well. I love the idea of the Valkyries they are fascinating. If I had one thing that maybe stopped it being a 5⭐️ was that it waited till the last 4 chapters before the action kicked in. Although the build up was still enough to make me want more.
  
Alpha Champion ( Wolf Protectors book 1)
Alpha Champion ( Wolf Protectors book 1)
Terry Bolryder | 2022 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
157 of 230
Kindle
Alpha Champion ( Wolf Protectors book 1)
By Terry Bolryder
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶


Lily Mason is tired of her father's machinations. Seven years ago he tore her away from the love of her life because he was only half alpha. Now he's holding a tournament where full blooded alphas will fight to claim her. She doesn't want any part of it, but if she runs, her little sister takes her place. Lily's ready to give up on her own happiness, until a familiar face appears amongst the contestants fighting to win her.
 Lucas Vale doesn't care that the tournament is for full-alphas only. He's determined to use his brother's name and invitation to make sure that no other male gets close to his mate. He's been looking for Lily for years, ever since her father separated them as teens. But Lucas isn't a lovesick teen anymore. He's a world champion fighter who is ready to kick some alpha trash if it means rescuing the woman he loves.
 

But he'll have to be careful not to be caught, which is difficult when sparks fly from the moment he sees Lily and her beautiful curves again. Now he'll have to fight his way through full blooded alphas with powerful advantages. But Lucas isn't worried.
 

He may be half alpha, but he's 100% sure he can do anything for the woman he loves.

I haven’t read a Terry Bolryder for a while and I have missed her books. They do exactly what they promise short but sweet hot shifter stories. These happen to be hot shifter MMA fighters what’s not to love? So you get a short bit enjoyable book about all kinds of shifters!
  
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Merissa (11731 KP) rated Feral Hearts (Feral Hearts #1) in Books

Aug 26, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)  
Feral Hearts (Feral Hearts #1)
Feral Hearts (Feral Hearts #1)
Melissa E Costa | 2021 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
FERAL HEARTS is the first book in a trilogy of the same name. The story will conclude in the third book so don't expect even a HFN at the end of book one.

Welcome to the world of miasma and soul battles; where the shifters who live here are unlike those you've read about before. It is a raw, sometimes brutal, world where hierarchy and tradition still rule. Alex is the Alpha's son, an alpha in his own right, but he doesn't fit the usual mould. He is sweet and caring, and more likely to try to help, rather than throw his weight around. He is gay and in love with his best friend, Talon. Everyone thinks Talon is an omega, but he has a secret to hide, something not even Alex knows. Talon is also straight, but not as much as he might think.

This is an interesting world that seems both horrible and fascinating. My heart broke for Alex. He is really struggling with his soul battle, but it had just become VERY interesting toward the end, so I can't wait to see what happens next! And Talon, bless him. There is more to this wolf than people see. I can't wait for the reactions when word gets out that he isn't an omega. Those poor omegas!

I was thoroughly engrossed by this story, so completely different from any other. I really did not want the story to end. I will have to (im)patiently wait for books two and three. I want more!

Definitely 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 26, 2021
  
Duron (Assassin's To Order #3)
Duron (Assassin's To Order #3)
JP Sayle, Lisa Oliver | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
6
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Duron instinctively knew that Beaumont needed his strength at that point!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 3 in the Assassins To Order series, but of the three, I think this can be read as stand alone the most. Sure there is some reference to previous books and what's happened before, but this book goes off on a tangent to that.

Duron is one of the council's assassins. Beaumont is the council's new leader. Duron wants to be free of the council, but meeting Beaumont, his mate, wasn't a factor he planned. Beaumont is looking for answers to his family's deaths. Together, they can get what they both want.

I liked this well enough. It does go off on that tangent, and away from the main plot that is running through these books, but that plot is still there, just more a subplot rather than the main plot.

I loved that Beaumont and Duron are both very powerful shifters, with big animals, Duron more than a few and I loved the way these two soothed each other. Great big men, with that much power under the skin, were never going to be gentle lovers, and breaking a bit of furniture was always going to happen! (Well, all the furniture, but who cares!) Duron instinctively knew that Beaumont needed his strength at that point, rather than his love, you know?

I'm still not entirely sure about The Devil and who that really is, even if the clues are there, I think that they will pop back up again at some point.

I have to say, my least favourite of these collaborations, but still a good read.

3 stars (I'm sorry!)

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
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Merissa (11731 KP) rated Unashamedly Us (Offbeat Shifters #4) in Books

Apr 14, 2021 (Updated Jul 27, 2023)  
Unashamedly Us (Offbeat Shifters #4)
Unashamedly Us (Offbeat Shifters #4)
Colette Davison | 2021 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
UNASHAMEDLY US is the fourth and final book in the Offbeat Shifters series and concludes both Austin and Charlie's story, plus the series so far. I say so far because I really hope to return to this world in the future!

Three months doesn't sound that long, not until you realise you're not going to see the one you love during that time. This hits both Charlie and Austin at the same time. They've spoken about their future, and it's all good until that separation rears its ugly head.

Oh, this book made me so happy and so mad!!! I hated that record label, I really did! Their attitudes sucked and I really felt for Charlie. I think the way this story was finished, giving everyone their HEA, was simply perfect. Charlie and Austin deserve each other, just as Jesse and Isaac do.

I could ramble on and on, going into way too much detail about this or that happening, but instead, so I don't spoil it for anyone, I will just say this book is the Star of the Crown for this series. Everything I could ask for, and more!

The pacing is perfect, the overall story arc is finished, we get glimpses into Jesse and Isaac's life, plus Charlie and Austin get their HEA. This book brought tears to my eyes in such a good way. There is nothing about this book that I would change!

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND both this book and the series. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go and get my grubby little mitts on some more Colette Davison books.

* 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!
Apr 14, 2021
  
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Merissa (11731 KP) rated The Crimson and the Black (Hidden Empire #2) in Books

Mar 25, 2022 (Updated Jun 30, 2023)  
The Crimson and the Black (Hidden Empire #2)
The Crimson and the Black (Hidden Empire #2)
Nicola M. Cameron | 2022 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE CRIMSON AND THE BLACK is the second book in the Hidden Empire series, which starts with Shadow of the Swan, which originally was a standalone novel set in Victorian England. I can't tell you how happy I was to see the author had turned this into a series.

Still set in the same timeline, this time we find out more at Henry's Maker, Fyodora. She has a long and, sometimes tragic, backstory that we learn as we go along. Nearing one thousand years old, she finds herself getting bored easily so readily agrees to help with a nasty kidnapping and sex slave/wife ring. On the hunt for his lost cousin, Callum is one of the few dragon shifters left. When they meet, sparks fly with an instant attraction that is not acted upon due to circumstances. Delayed gratification, anyone?

As always, this was a brilliant story that held my attention from beginning to end. I loved how Fee and Callum worked together. They were honest and communicated well - even going so far as to apologise when they were in the wrong! *gasps with shock!*

Whilst hot in places, this is more about the connection between the two of them, and the lost selkies. There are a multitude of characters I want to know more about, so I'm hoping for many more books in this series.

A fantastic addition to the series that I have no hesitation in recommending. Just one question though - why was Callum black, not red?!

Read it!

** 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 23, 2022