Search

Search only in certain items:

Funny Cow (2017)
Funny Cow (2017)
2017 | Comedy, Drama
8
5.0 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Another bleak British belter
British cinema tends to be a)about working class people and b) be very miserable. I had a group of American friends staying over and shared with then a selection of British films. They all admitted to feeling suicidal at the end of it.

Some people will watch Funny Cow and expect a rip roaring comedy about a female stand up comedian. That it is not. This is the story of a working class rebel fighting domestic violence and oppression by seeing the funny side. It is brave and probably be very misunderstood by most. For me it was a poignant reminder of the fight some people have to be heard. A brave and strong film.
  
Blood Courtesans Boxed Set: Awakenings
Welcome to the world of the Blood Courtesan. If you are not aware, this is a series by Michelle Fox that starts with Reborn: Myra. This box set is all set in the same world, but with a multitude of stories by different authors, all putting their slant on Michelle Fox's world.

I won't review each story separately, instead my review is of the box set as a whole. As with all box sets, some of the stories stand out more than others. HOWEVER, they are all good! I thoroughly enjoyed every single one of them. If I had to choose a favourite though, on pain of being bitten (and not in a good way), then I would choose Concealed: Lexi by Rosalie Redd. This story simply grabbed me as I do so love a tortured hero and strong heroine. This story ticked all the right boxes for me.

Every story in this collection was exceptionally written, with a multitude of characters and situations. There should be enough to keep everyone happy! There were no editing or grammatical errors in any of the stories that disrupted my reading flow. I loved how each story was completely different from the others, just being linked by the Blood Courtesans.

For those that haven't yet stepped into this world, I can highly recommend it. And a box set is a perfect place to start. 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 my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Stolen (Saving Setora #1)
Stolen (Saving Setora #1)
Raven Dark, Petra J. Knox | 2020 | Dystopia, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
180 of 200
Kindle
Stolen ( saving setora book 1)
By Raven Dark and Petra J. Knox

 
It all began when the road warriors found me outside Hell's Burning, lost and dehydrated. When the bikers took me into The Compound, I thought I was saved.

Especially when, as a Violet - a rare genetic anomaly prized above all - I'm taken in and raised by one of the wealthiest men in the world. Educated and groomed by the best teachers money could buy, I mistakenly thought he had a great future planned for me, one in which I'd be cared for and cherished.

I was wrong.

For centuries, women have been sold as slaves. In my 18th year, my benefactor reveals a truth that shatters my world. I'm to be put on display before the wealthiest of society at one of the biggest auctions this world has ever seen... as a slave.

But that night at the auction, something goes wrong. I am stolen by members of the infamous Dark Legion, a road warrior crew feared the world over. Torn from the only world I have ever known, now I have not one master, but four.

I shouldn't want these dangerous, deadly men with their leather cuts and their growling bikes, but the deeper my captors draw me into their dark and twisted world, the more I crave what they do to me. They stole me from a powerful man who'll stop at nothing to get me back. If I don't find a way to escape soon, my new masters might just steal my heart.

* trigger warning for this book *

Not quite sure where I stand on this book! It definitely needs a trigger warning for several reasons! I was searching somewhere through for one of these “men” to redeem yea Hawk isn’t as bad as the others. I did enjoy the writing style I’m just still not sure of where it’s going I like a bit of dark but is this too dark?
  
El Cielo Del Centauro (The Sky of The Centaur) (2015)
El Cielo Del Centauro (The Sky of The Centaur) (2015)
2015 | Drama
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"Hugo Santiago was obsessed with the flowers of the jacaranda trees that he remembered from the streets of his dear Buenos Aires. Hugo had shown me an Edward Hopper painting I had seen before without ever noticing its compositional mystery: a monochromatic tendency disrupted by a hint of a new color. There’s a curious red square that makes the chimney on top of the house stand as a key to unlock a private mystery. For the mise-en-scène of what ended up being his last film, Hugo chose the jacaranda’s hue: purple. For my new film, Isabella, I chose purple in his honor."

Source
  
Forced Perspective: A Novel of Domestic Suspense
Forced Perspective: A Novel of Domestic Suspense
Alyssa Richards | 2022 | Thriller
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!


I was hooked from the get-go. This is part of the Chasing Secrets series but, as far as I can tell, you don't have to read both. I think they are stand-alone.


Harper has been on the run for a long time, hiding her identity to stay safe from the drug cartel she was kidnapped by when she was younger. I don't want to say too much as I feel it would take away from the suspense that the story gives. It is so cleverly written, I found myself being pulled so far in that I was getting anxious that things wouldn't be fixed.


It is a recommendation by me. A fantastic mystery that keeps you on your toes.
  
Soul of Discretion
Soul of Discretion
Susan Mac Nicol, M. Tasia | 2018 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Soul of Discretion by Susan Mac Nicol & M. Tasia
Soul of Discretion is written by both Susan Mac Nicol and M. Tasia. Ms Mac Nicol's work I have read and enjoyed before, but I think Ms Tasia's work is new to me.

In a nutshell, this story is about a man finding out his friend has been stealing from him, so he goes to confront him. Things take a darker turn when his friend is murdered, and it looks like the mob is involved. On a lighter note, the one night stand turns out to be a repeat, and in the RCMP.

I really liked this story. It has enough twists and turns to keep the reader's attention, whilst not drowning in detail. The relationship between the two MCs moves fast, but it is only right it does so. They work very well together, complementing each other in nearly every aspect. There is a great supporting cast, with Peter and Steph being amongst my personal favourites.

With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this book was a delight from start to finish. Thoroughly enjoyable and 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!
  
Gift of Fire (Elemental Bloodlines #1)
Gift of Fire (Elemental Bloodlines #1)
C.L. Carhart | 2022 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
GIFT OF FIRE is the first book in the Elemental Bloodlines series. As the first in a series, it has to lay a lot of groundwork and answer a lot of questions. I think this worked easily enough and I was able to follow, understand, and enjoy the different magic of the Teuton way.

I also loved that it was set in Erlangen, about a 3-hour drive away from my home. Having a fantasy and/or romance series set in Germany puts this in the minority but, to me, also makes it stand out.

There are lots of secrets in this book and lots of hints of what might be coming. I was so pleased for Bianca but I really hope Nicole gets her comeuppance! Time flows quickly in this book and, sometimes, that made it hard to keep up.

All of the characters in this book are really well-written, and it doesn't matter if you like or loathe them. A great start to the series by a new-to-me author but one I will definitely be reading more from. 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!
  
Hexes and Hijinx (The Lost Witch #2)
Hexes and Hijinx (The Lost Witch #2)
Annie Anderson | 2023 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
HEXES AND HIJINX is the second and final book in The Lost Witch series. You really need to read Book One as this one follows on from where that left off.

Theo and Fiona go from one thing straight to another. Her father is a piece of work and the thought of framing his daughter for the murders of a whole coven is nothing if it means he can escape.

Theo proves beyond any doubt that he means to stand by Fiona, no matter what! In return, Fiona is Theo's in all ways. Their combined grumpiness, spice and sass came through loud and clear, and I loved how the story flowed.

One thing for me was although Theo and Fiona's relationship moved forward, it almost felt as though it was on the back burner - which kind of makes sense considering what they were up against, but still. Personally, I would have liked a little more time with those two, rather than everyone else, but that's just me.

A great read and a brilliant finale to their story. I'm really hoping we return to this world. 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!.
Oct 3, 2023
  
Abandoned Things
Abandoned Things
Chani Lynn Feener | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
ABANDONED THINGS is a standalone book that I loved from beginning to end.

Frankie is an author, trying to finish college and his series. He goes incognito to book signings. Everything changes when Rook, a character from his book turns up. That can't happen, right? Wrong!

There is nothing about this book I didn't like. Frankie - prepared to stand by those he cares for and stand up for what is right. Rook - a grumpy a$$ who is able to see when he's made a mistake and change (a little bit). Together, they are just perfect. I loved how Rook was so grumpy with everyone else and, yes, even Frankie at times, but how caring and gentle he was too.

The other characters were just as good, doing what they do best and providing support to Frankie and Rook and letting the story move along. I can't say the twist was a surprise but I loved how it came about and the excitement it brought.

This was a fantastic story and I would love to see more from these characters. I have to say, I love this author's imagination and her stories never disappoint!

Absolutely 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!
  
The Best Of Leonard Cohen by Leonard Cohen
The Best Of Leonard Cohen by Leonard Cohen
1975 | Folk, Metal, Pop, Rock
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I stand by ‘Suzanne’ as having the best lyric and melody of all time – it’s unbelievable, the guy’s a genius. All of the songs on the album are standout tracks. Bowie got me looking out the window and imagining the world of Ziggy Stardust, but what Cohen does is he turns me into him. I’d seen Bird On The Wire in a little cinema when I was 14, and went out and bought all his albums. It’s kind of like I’m with Suzanne or whoever. I don’t really like story-telling songs, but his lyrics are so simple and poetic; religious and laconic. It’s genius the way he writes lyrics, spinning things on their head, and by the fourth line you have to read it again and again. He flips it round - it’s what I do a lot. I always thought of him as the King of Hearts - Lou would be the King of Spades, the Velvets would be the Clubs, Bowie would be the Queen of Diamonds and Leonard would be the Hearts."

Source