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Air Witch (Witches of Westwood Academy #2)
Air Witch (Witches of Westwood Academy #2)
Gina Kincade, C.D. Gorri | 2022 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
AIR WITCH is the second book in the Witches of Westwood Academy series and, although it follows on from Water Witch, you could read it as a standalone and still understand the story.

Maia is the poor little rich girl (her words, not mine) with issues at home she won't tell anyone about, plus she is getting grief from one of the Assistants. She wants to get perfect grades so she can stay on at school and not become a magical battery for the male half of her family to leech from. Enoch Zell is the assistant who keeps on giving her B's instead of A's, thus lowering her overall grade.

I loved the magical side of it, although I would have liked to have known more about Maia's talents of her own, not just when she is with Enoch. I liked how she was sent to school to become powerful enough so she could be drained, but not too powerful to break free. I also loved the idea of the perfume and how that worked!

The relationship with Enoch was a bit abrupt. We get told time has passed with nothing but snark between them. Along comes Enid and he is there in the dorm room, which Maia vacates. Then... one meeting on a rooftop and it's all on. It just seemed rather quick to me, with nothing much building up to it.

Saying that, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story and being back in the Academy. Along with the Meriweathers, I really hope those Professors were looked at too! A great addition to the series and I look forward to Fire Witch. 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!
Jan 21, 2023
  
Over the Emerald Valley (Immortal Jewels) by Lee Colgin
Over the Emerald Valley (Immortal Jewels) by Lee Colgin
Lee Colgin | 2022 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
OVER THE EMERALD VALLEY is a standalone story within the Immortal Jewels series. I haven't read any of the other books in this series although I do love the Outcasts series.

This book is set in ancient Egypt where Solon has been sent on a mission to visit some remote emerald mines where the Pharaoh thinks he is being short-changed. Once there, he is 'gifted' with Temaj, a concubine who may or may not be there to spy on him. He resists the attraction, but not for too long. Temaj has had a rough life but is now making the best of it. Will he help Solon rock the boat, or will he decide he is too comfortable?

I liked how Temaj was able to draw Solon out of himself, although I found his bratty attitude a bit much at times. I know it was his character but it didn't seem to fit with his role all of the time. Abasi must have been a very laid-back owner to allow him to speak in such ways in public. Temaj was also able to make Solon see things differently, and I loved his comparisons as he tried to make Solon understand his point of view.

The supporting characters were wonderful and I couldn't help a pang of sadness with Temaj at the thought of not seeing Seli or Met again. And Solon with Neku. I am hoping we will see more of Solon and Temaj's life with Eshe in different books.

Overall, this was a very good read that kept my attention to the end. 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!
May 3, 2022
  
Hunter's Barbs (Prime Omegaverse #5)
Hunter's Barbs (Prime Omegaverse #5)
Allegra Rose | 2025 | Erotica, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
HUNTER'S BARBS is the fifth book in the Prime Omegaverse series, although it can be read as a standalone. If it's your first foray into this world, take note of the trigger warnings!

Before I start my review, I'm going to be honest here and say that Aria's story isn't my favourite for a number of reasons, which I will explain.

The first four chapters completely threw me off. Two are told by Aria, and two by Fritz. Unfortunately, it seemed like two alternative beginnings, where one needed to be removed before the book went live, as the timeline and descriptions of events made no sense apart from going back in time. Aria is described by Fritz in chapter two as having blonde hair, which matches the book cover. After that, she is described as having auburn hair. There is a lot of talk about their deepening connection, but not wanting to name it. And speaking of naming things and repeats, Aria names Fritz twice, but both are written as the first time. Seeing repeated phrases and descriptions has come up in these books before, but this one seemed as though there was just 'more'.

Saying all that, I did enjoy the story! Especially once Aria stopped going on about the dragons. I can honestly say I didn't like her much to begin with. Fritz was a wonderful character whom I loved learning about. I especially liked it when he thawed out enough to show his caring side. Seeing Aria and Fritz work and love together were the highlights of this story.

I am still thoroughly enjoying the Prime Omegaverse series and definitely want to continue with it. I just don't think this was one of the best, although I am sure it will be loved by many.

** 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!
Jun 2, 2025
  
Mine to Keep (Bloody Desires)
Mine to Keep (Bloody Desires)
RS McKenzie | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
MINE TO KEEP is part of the Bloody Desires series, all standalone featuring serial killer daddies. Sounds good, right?

And it really was! Told primarily from Knox's perspective, you also have drop-in chapters from other characters to round it off. Knox has been an assassin for more years than he had planned, but knows his time is coming to an end. Just how it ends has yet to be determined. As he travels to a job, he meets Talon and Javier at the airport. There is something about them... but, no. He has a job to do. As circumstances would have it, he meets them again, and there you go. I would say it all kicks off from there, but I'd be lying, as action has already been on the menu by then.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! Yes, it's violent, but it's also sweet. What a conundrum! 😆 Javier and Talon are almost perfect together, but they really do need Knox to round them out. Peggy is another one I loved, and I really hope to find her in other books in this series. I don't know for sure, as this is the first one I have read, but it certainly won't be the last.

Although this is primarily Knox's story, I would have liked to have seen a little more with Talon and Javier. For example, their reunion, or how their relationship developed further. That is the only reason I rated it 4.5 instead of 5 stars.

I thought this was a great introduction to the series, and I look forward to reading 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 1, 2025
  
Discordant Cultivation
Discordant Cultivation
Gale Ian Tate | 2025 | Contemporary, Horror, LGBTQ+
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
DISCORDANT CULTIVATION is a DARK standalone novel about a music producer who sees the potential in a street busker. He kidnaps him and uses 'dubious' methods to teach him how to get the best out of his music.

Vale is the producer, and Kieran is the musician. You read the story from both perspectives, seeing Kieran succumb to Stockholm Syndrome in real time, along with everything else. There isn't a massive supporting cast, but each one plays a part in Vale and Kieran's story.

Now, it says it is "A Dark MM Captive Musician Romance", but I don't know if I would put the word romance anywhere near this. I mean, yes, they fall into something, a dark and twisted version of love, maybe, but romance? Maybe psychological horror fits better? Don't get me wrong, I love a dark romance, but I struggled with this book. It took me over three days to read it, when I can normally finish a book (or more) in a day.

I will say, read the trigger warnings! You will need to, to protect your own mental health. This book pushed boundaries I didn't even know I had. It was an extremely uncomfortable book to read, BUT it was so incredibly well-written!!! Gale Ian Tate has a knack for dark stories, but I think this one might be both the best and the worst! And while I both loved and loathed it, it definitely won't be one I read again!

An amazing, horrible, uncomfortable story that pushed everything I thought I knew. If that sounds like the book for you, then I can definitely recommend it. Just be careful with your own mental health, though!

** 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!
Jan 2, 2026