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Designation: Submissive (The Designation Series #1)
Designation: Submissive (The Designation Series #1)
Jamie Kassel | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Romance
6
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
DESIGNATION: SUBMISSIVE is the first book in The Designation series, and is told in first person, present tense. This isn't my favourite way to read, but I was intrigued enough by the story to try it.

The premise of this story is a good one - it's a dystopian or post-apocalyptic scenario where men have been genetically altered and have become either dominant or submissive (on an individual scale). They can bond, but it is rare. Plus, the military doesn't like it as it's money down the drain. The military also finds other centres where men have been altered and cryogenically frozen. This is where Craig comes in. Sam is the dominant soldier who has been looking for a submissive who will submit all the time, in every way. Craig has been promised a dominant of his very own but was then sent on a one-way mission.

This book is high on steam if not downright erotica. I don't have an issue with that. The parts that got me were when Sam and Craig would get 'busy' but then Craig would go off on a two-page internal monologue. I'm sorry, but if it's that good, then you won't have coherent thoughts! I would also have liked a little more world- and character-building apart from the s3x side of things.

Saying that, I did enjoy it and am intrigued to know what has happened to Robert, so I will be continuing with the series.

** 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 11, 2023
  
Strike a Pose (Model Love, #1)
Strike a Pose (Model Love, #1)
Jackie North | 2022 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A city-country story with all the emotions.
STRIKE A POSE is one of the stories in the multi-author series, Model Love, and we return to Farthingdale Ranch. Sid is one of the ranch hands, working to help pay for his sister to attend college. Heston is one of the models used for a Western photography session. Sid helps Heston wear his cowboy hat correctly and gets snapped in a couple of photos. When the photos turn out to be too poor to use, the owner spots Sid and wants him as a model - for just two weeks. This would help pay for two years of college so, of course, Sid says yes.

Oh, man. This story! It really was a case of opposites attract. Sid was the naïve innocent from the country, and Heston was the worldly-wise (or is that -weary?) one to show him the ropes. The connection between the two was there from the get-go but neither of them acted on it for the longest time. Or at least, that's how it felt! Those kisses in the rain though! Phew, there was steam coming off my kindle. I loved seeing their relationship grow and develop into something worth keeping. The circumstances around that were sad, but I'm glad it happened (in a way) as I was worried about how they would stay together.

A fantastic return to Farthingdale Ranch and all the people who live there. I'm so glad that Sid got his story. And he's not Loud-Mouth Sid at all! Grrr!!!!! A city-country story with all the emotions, 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
nice easy read (0 more)
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Tenet Gentleman's Club series, but I have not read book 1. I did not feel as I missed anything for not doing so, since the couple in that book are not mentioned, I don't think, in this one.

You get pulled straight into this book, and what Elizabeth is trying to solve, right from page one, and It does not really let you go!

I liked that both Elizabeth and Langdon have a say, although it took me a little bit to grasp Langdon's first name and put the two together.

I liked that there is intrigue and drama. I did have an inkling, right from the start, about a certain character, so it was fun watching that all come to pass.

It is an historical romance, so its full of the rules and regulations of the time, along with words for various things. Made me chuckle a time or two how the feelings these two had for each other were described towards the beginning. It's not overly explicit but it does carry some steam, once Elizabeth gave into the need to have Langdon in the way she wanted.


It's a well written story, that delivered to me just what I needed at the right time.

One teeny niggle though. The book is set in London, and as such, I expected ENGLISH words to describe certain things. A couple of things were given AMERICAN wordings.

First I've read of this author. Will I read more? Quite possibly if the blurb grabs. If it's an historical, I will know to look for the English/American wordings and it won't bother me so much!

4 good, solid stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
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Merissa (12128 KP) rated Forbidden Moon (Gladstone Shifters #4) in Books

Jun 22, 2021 (Updated Jul 18, 2023)  
Forbidden Moon (Gladstone Shifters #4)
Forbidden Moon (Gladstone Shifters #4)
Alexander Elliott | 2021 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
5.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
FORBIDDEN MOON is the fourth book in the Gladstone Shifters series and you really need to read this as a series rather than a set of standalones.

Now, I've been waiting for Jonah's story, desperately needing the Omega to get his HEA but Luna (or maybe Mr Elliott) decided he wasn't going to have it easy - oh no! Instead, during a time when humans are threatening the pack with exposure and death, Luna decides to make his human mate known. There are a whole host of problems with a human/shifter mating, not the least of which is that RJ didn't have the first clue that shifters actually existed.

As with all these books, it's an emotional ride. I found myself welling up within the first 2%! RJ is a sweetheart who deserves all the good stuff, and that includes Jonah. Oh man, these two melted my heart.

The overall story arc is in full swing and I am LOVING how it all comes together. There is a huge character cast to this series so it definitely keeps you on your toes with just who is who and who they are mated to, if any. The pacing is perfect, giving you a plentiful mix of steam, action, and quiet times to get your breath back.

This series is a wonder - every book gives you something new. And it isn't over yet! Woot!!! I can't wait for this series to continue so I can lost in the lives of the Gladstone shifters once more.

Absolutely and utterly recommended!

** 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!
Jun 22, 2021
  
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Merissa (12128 KP) rated Prophecy of the Mayan Undead in Books

Jan 5, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)  
Prophecy of the Mayan Undead
Prophecy of the Mayan Undead
Fiona McGier | 2020 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
PROPHECY OF THE MAYAN UNDEAD is most definitely a book of two halves. I won't go over the blurb again as it explains the story quite well.

In the first half, Keisha and Yuri, along with their friends, Casimiro and Apolinar, are trying to stop a centuries-old vampire from taking over her mind and causing her to hurt innocents. You find out the whys and wherefores, mixed in with non-stop action and enough steam to melt your Kindle without taking away from the story. In the second half, although Keisha and Yuri still play a huge part, Niu Ying is a new character, along with Frank. These two also have a massive role in the forthcoming events.

I loved how it all blended together and gave me all the information I needed to understand the overall story arc. Keisha is intelligent, unashamedly so, and Yuri makes no bones about finding her mind attractive. Casimiro and Apolinar I wanted to dislike, simply because of their attitudes at the beginning. However, once they met Keisha, I couldn't help but like them and applaud their efforts to help.

The pacing was smooth, with action and love scenes mixed nicely together. The world-building was what you would expect from a paranormal/erotic/science fiction mix, and nothing stood out to me as being 'wrong'.

All in all, this was a great escape from reality and I have no hesitation in recommending it.

* 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 5, 2021
  
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Merissa (12128 KP) rated Ready For It (MacAteer Brothers #2) in Books

Nov 9, 2020 (Updated Aug 14, 2023)  
Ready For It (MacAteer Brothers #2)
Ready For It (MacAteer Brothers #2)
ML Nystrom | 2020 | Contemporary, Romance
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
READY FOR IT is the second book in the MacAteer Brothers series and I would say it definitely benefits the reader to have at least read book one in this series as it involves all the same characters and some of the situations help by having prior knowledge. I don't feel it is necessary to read the Dragon Runners series.

You know from book one that Melanie goes through 'boyfriends' like a hot knife through butter. What you don't know is the reason behind it. Owen has difficulties with his speech that make him the quiet one until he feels comfortable with you. However, don't mistake his silence for lack of intelligence. Not only is he smart but he has immense emotional intelligence and sees through to the heart of the situation.

As the story progresses you find out more about Melanie's past, mostly in flashback form, which helps to explain partly why she is the way she is. Some of it is just because she's a strong and feisty woman who isn't afraid to stand up for herself.

There is some steam in here but not that much as it takes a lot of the book for Owen and Melanie to get together. What there is, is a lot of loyalty with friends and family you make for yourself. Blood family loyalty? Well, you'll just have to read the book for yourself to figure that one out.

All in all, this was an enjoyable read with a host of brilliant characters. 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!
Nov 9, 2020
  
Reservations (Reservations #1)
Reservations (Reservations #1)
Kindle Alexander | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
RESERVATIONS is the first in a new series of the same name. In this one, we are introduced to a host of characters, some of whom have found their partners, some haven't. Thane is one that hasn't. He is happy to use escort services to give him what he needs without any messy emotions or complications getting in the way. When he sees Levi, he immediately wants him and makes the mistake of thinking that everyone can be bought. Levi is struggling to hold his family together but has a strong moral character with ethics that put Thane to shame.

I enjoyed the story of these two getting together. I LOVED that Thane was shot down in flames by Levi and the grovelling he did to try and put things right. The fact he learnt an important lesson during that made it all the more special. The sparks fly between these two and it is HOT! Be prepared for steam to come off your Kindle.

This novel is smoothly-paced and gives you plenty of time to get to know the characters. There is a LOT of miscommunication here, but then, love never runs smoothly.

I'm looking forward to seeing more of Julien as this didn't give me the information I wanted on him. Being as this isn't his book, that's not really surprising though! He is next so we'll see what happens.

A great start to a new series and 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!
  
Voklane (Gen-Heirs: The Guardians of Sziveria, #8)
Voklane (Gen-Heirs: The Guardians of Sziveria, #8)
Sarah Westill | 2024 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
VOKLANE is the eighth and final book in the Gen-Heirs series and what a bittersweet moment this is. I have loved all of these books, some more than others, and was so happy to see them go out with a bang, rather than a whimper!

Delanee and Voklane have been dancing around each other for a few books now, and I was really looking forward to their story. I was NOT disappointed. From the sparks that were constantly flying, to the protectiveness that worked both ways, there was so much to enjoy. I loved how the long story arc came to its conclusion, giving a satisfactory ending, although I personally think she got off lightly considering what she had arranged for others!

Because of Delanee, I also got to spend some time with my favourite family and look forward to seeing more of them in the future! I also go to see a creeper get his comeuppance, so that was worth it! 😆

A smooth writing style with some steam, this story not only gave Ryan and Delanee the spotlight, but also managed to give an update on all the other couples in a way that was completely natural to the storyline. And all that did was make me want to read them all again, so I say job well done!

A superb series that I am not ready to let go of just yet, and 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!
Aug 13, 2024