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Merissa (14015 KP) rated A Siren Song for Christmas (An MM Monster Christmas #5) in Books
Nov 28, 2025
A SIREN SONG FOR CHRISTMAS is part of the MM Monster Christmas series, and honestly? It might be my favourite of the bunch so far!
Trent is the youngest of the family and thinks of himself as a weak witch. He hasn't really connected to the bakery, so helps as an 'assistant' instead. He also appreciates all the sacrifices his siblings made after their parents died, so helps out wherever and whenever he can. The one thing he absolutely doesn't mind, though, is getting the seeds for Jasper's tea each day. It is his highlight of the day, because he gets to see Mr Marin, the owner of the Emporium. Malachi is still grieving the death of his mate. He is also a siren, a culture where being blunt and direct is a good thing. He doesn't understand some of the subtleties of other species, humans included.
Oh, boy. This book had it all. It made me laugh out loud at the miscommunications and interactions. It made me cry with both happiness and sadness. It was profound, especially Malachi's comments about the passage of time. There was a protective family, heartbreak, sorrow, and more cuteness than I could nearly bear. And I loved it all! The steamy scenes are *chef's kiss!!!* I honestly thought Trent was going to bond with the Emporium, and I loved how he got Kelby.
Scratch what I said at the top, this IS my favourite of the series so far. I was completely enthralled from beginning to end. I can't wait to hear Jasper's story, but I really hope we see Trent and Malachi again!
** 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!
Nov 28, 2025
Trent is the youngest of the family and thinks of himself as a weak witch. He hasn't really connected to the bakery, so helps as an 'assistant' instead. He also appreciates all the sacrifices his siblings made after their parents died, so helps out wherever and whenever he can. The one thing he absolutely doesn't mind, though, is getting the seeds for Jasper's tea each day. It is his highlight of the day, because he gets to see Mr Marin, the owner of the Emporium. Malachi is still grieving the death of his mate. He is also a siren, a culture where being blunt and direct is a good thing. He doesn't understand some of the subtleties of other species, humans included.
Oh, boy. This book had it all. It made me laugh out loud at the miscommunications and interactions. It made me cry with both happiness and sadness. It was profound, especially Malachi's comments about the passage of time. There was a protective family, heartbreak, sorrow, and more cuteness than I could nearly bear. And I loved it all! The steamy scenes are *chef's kiss!!!* I honestly thought Trent was going to bond with the Emporium, and I loved how he got Kelby.
Scratch what I said at the top, this IS my favourite of the series so far. I was completely enthralled from beginning to end. I can't wait to hear Jasper's story, but I really hope we see Trent and Malachi again!
** 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!
Nov 28, 2025
Merissa (14015 KP) rated Pumped (Mars Fitness #3) in Books
Feb 12, 2025
PUMPED is the third and final book in the Mars Fitness series and, in my opinion, the one with the least amount of Mars Fitness in it! LOL Everest works there and we do meet the guys, but that's about it. Anyway, moving on...
Everest and Owen have a hot and steamy one-night stand during a bachelor party. After that, nothing. Well, apart from lots of bad attitude. Owen likes to plan and have things organised, whereas Everest is more of a go-with-the-flow kinda guy. Everything changes when a tragedy happens and Owen and Everest are announced as co-parents in the will. Oh my, but my eyes had major leakage by this point. It was so well-written!
There was lots of toing and froing as these two figured out how to co-parent a little girl who needed lots of love and reassurance, as well as boundaries! Owen (obviously) was the bad guy, while Everest was the happy-go-lucky anything-goes-one. This completely worked with their personalities but it did mean I didn't particularly like Everest during a couple of parts.
Their realisations were funny and I loved how it wasn't instantaneous and they had to work at it. Nothing was easy in this book! Ivy has an old soul with a wise head on her young shoulders, for all she is six years old. I thought she was extremely well-written and have lived through temper tantrums like hers with my own daughters.
A great ending to the series, although I wish we could have more. Thoroughly enjoyable 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!
Feb 12, 2025
Everest and Owen have a hot and steamy one-night stand during a bachelor party. After that, nothing. Well, apart from lots of bad attitude. Owen likes to plan and have things organised, whereas Everest is more of a go-with-the-flow kinda guy. Everything changes when a tragedy happens and Owen and Everest are announced as co-parents in the will. Oh my, but my eyes had major leakage by this point. It was so well-written!
There was lots of toing and froing as these two figured out how to co-parent a little girl who needed lots of love and reassurance, as well as boundaries! Owen (obviously) was the bad guy, while Everest was the happy-go-lucky anything-goes-one. This completely worked with their personalities but it did mean I didn't particularly like Everest during a couple of parts.
Their realisations were funny and I loved how it wasn't instantaneous and they had to work at it. Nothing was easy in this book! Ivy has an old soul with a wise head on her young shoulders, for all she is six years old. I thought she was extremely well-written and have lived through temper tantrums like hers with my own daughters.
A great ending to the series, although I wish we could have more. Thoroughly enjoyable 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!
Feb 12, 2025
Debbiereadsbook (1756 KP) rated Nothing But the Night (Basic Instincts #2) in Books
Apr 20, 2025
It hit all of the buttons I was expecting and some I wasn't.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Basic Instincts series and I have not read book 1, Now Comes The Dark. I did not feel I missed anything by not doing so, so I would say this can totally be read as a stand alone. Roman and Mallon pop up, but only in passing.
Marc is not happy with the local police about their lack of progress in finding his brother's killer. Because Marc does not believe that Theo's death was an accident. Enter Jason, a local private detective. But just as his investigation gets moving, their chief witness is murdered and both men find themselves in a fight for their lives, with no clue who is behind it all.
I just wanna say: Well played, Mr Collins, so very well played! I did not see the whodunnit coming at me, not at all! I love being kept on my toes, I really do. So, I loved that coming out of nowhere and whooping me upside the head!
As Marc and Jason get to know each other, their relationship builds. I liked that build up and when it spilled over. I can't say I liked the reason it spilled over, and I'm not going to elaborate due to spoilers, but I think when it does spill over, it was exactly at the right time for these two.
It moves at speed sometimes, and slows up in others, just enough for you to catch up. It's dark and deadly, and sweet and emotional. Steamy and smexy. It hit all of the buttons I was expecting and some I wasn't.
I absolutely need to read book 3, but I've no clue who that would be or even IF there will be a book 3! And at some point, I'd like to go back and read book 1.
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Basic Instincts series and I have not read book 1, Now Comes The Dark. I did not feel I missed anything by not doing so, so I would say this can totally be read as a stand alone. Roman and Mallon pop up, but only in passing.
Marc is not happy with the local police about their lack of progress in finding his brother's killer. Because Marc does not believe that Theo's death was an accident. Enter Jason, a local private detective. But just as his investigation gets moving, their chief witness is murdered and both men find themselves in a fight for their lives, with no clue who is behind it all.
I just wanna say: Well played, Mr Collins, so very well played! I did not see the whodunnit coming at me, not at all! I love being kept on my toes, I really do. So, I loved that coming out of nowhere and whooping me upside the head!
As Marc and Jason get to know each other, their relationship builds. I liked that build up and when it spilled over. I can't say I liked the reason it spilled over, and I'm not going to elaborate due to spoilers, but I think when it does spill over, it was exactly at the right time for these two.
It moves at speed sometimes, and slows up in others, just enough for you to catch up. It's dark and deadly, and sweet and emotional. Steamy and smexy. It hit all of the buttons I was expecting and some I wasn't.
I absolutely need to read book 3, but I've no clue who that would be or even IF there will be a book 3! And at some point, I'd like to go back and read book 1.
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1756 KP) rated Rescued by the Rakish Lord in Books
May 6, 2026
thoroughly enjoyable read
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Selina comes face to face with a devil in a suit, and she wants to know more. Society says she should have married by now, but leaving her beloved father isn't an option. But Deveril keeps popping up and she keeps hearing all about his sordid history. Can't they just be friends?
Ok, here's the thing! I knew, *KNEW* this was a Mills and Boon book going in, so I knew it was going to be clean and I still jumped in. I fully expected to not like it very much but actually, it really was just the book I needed at this point in the queue!
I loved that Selina knew she wasn't supposed to be out alone, but at 25, she was nearly classed as a spinster. Meeting Deveril was a breath of much needed fresh air, but she was scared, and rightly so since Deveril has a reputation as a ladies man, a love them and leave them type, but he does tend to stick to the young widows. Both Selina and Deveril were flaunting the rules of the time and I liked how they managed to circumnavigate them.
The suitor who manages to get them stranded needed a serious wake up call, even now, you don't do that! But I loved that Deveril had an option for Selina to keep her reputation intact.
She confuses him, she really does and no one has touched his heart the way Selina does, since his fiance died weeks before their wedding, years ago.
So, yes, it's clean, with some mild peril for Selina. It's not dark, or deadly. Nor steamy or smexy. There is no modern swearing. Full of all the rules of the time, though and I absolutely needed it at this point.
So, 4 thoroughly enjoyable, but not quite my usual reads, stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Selina comes face to face with a devil in a suit, and she wants to know more. Society says she should have married by now, but leaving her beloved father isn't an option. But Deveril keeps popping up and she keeps hearing all about his sordid history. Can't they just be friends?
Ok, here's the thing! I knew, *KNEW* this was a Mills and Boon book going in, so I knew it was going to be clean and I still jumped in. I fully expected to not like it very much but actually, it really was just the book I needed at this point in the queue!
I loved that Selina knew she wasn't supposed to be out alone, but at 25, she was nearly classed as a spinster. Meeting Deveril was a breath of much needed fresh air, but she was scared, and rightly so since Deveril has a reputation as a ladies man, a love them and leave them type, but he does tend to stick to the young widows. Both Selina and Deveril were flaunting the rules of the time and I liked how they managed to circumnavigate them.
The suitor who manages to get them stranded needed a serious wake up call, even now, you don't do that! But I loved that Deveril had an option for Selina to keep her reputation intact.
She confuses him, she really does and no one has touched his heart the way Selina does, since his fiance died weeks before their wedding, years ago.
So, yes, it's clean, with some mild peril for Selina. It's not dark, or deadly. Nor steamy or smexy. There is no modern swearing. Full of all the rules of the time, though and I absolutely needed it at this point.
So, 4 thoroughly enjoyable, but not quite my usual reads, stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Tangled In Tinsel
8.0
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Dear Santa, please leave a red-headed lumberjack under the tree. I’ve been a very good boy. ...
Contemporary MM Romance Seasonal
Merissa (14015 KP) rated Perfect Melody Silenced (Gen-Heirs World: Bella and the Beast Master #2) in Books
Mar 22, 2023
PERFECT MELODY SILENCED is the second book in the Gen-Heirs World: Bella and the Beast Master series. It does follow on from book one so I would definitely recommend you read that one first. Plus, it was a 5-star read so why miss out?
Markus is back in town and wanting to catch up with Bella. Only, she's not at the docks to meet him. So he tracks her down, because of course he does, and finds out she has been punished for helping him. This immediately puts him into protective mode. Lunah is Little Miss Twinkle Toes, dancing around as she is so happy to be back with Bella. And Bella? Well, the first thing she does is lay a big smacker on Markus' lips, so that gives you an idea about how happy she is!
The mystery that these three need to solve is a good one but, I'll be honest here, I wasn't that invested in it - which pains me to say as I know how much work the author must have put into it. But it's Markus, Bella, and Lunah!!! I need them together, I really do. And it's not just because it's steamy, because we're still in slow-burn territory, but because of how well they balance each other out. The passion is there, don't get me wrong, but it's not ALL about that.
This was an outstanding book 2 and it's left me with a definite hankering for book 3. Once I have all of them, I may just binge-read the whole lot in one day. When is book 3 coming out, by the way? Asking for a friend!
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!
Markus is back in town and wanting to catch up with Bella. Only, she's not at the docks to meet him. So he tracks her down, because of course he does, and finds out she has been punished for helping him. This immediately puts him into protective mode. Lunah is Little Miss Twinkle Toes, dancing around as she is so happy to be back with Bella. And Bella? Well, the first thing she does is lay a big smacker on Markus' lips, so that gives you an idea about how happy she is!
The mystery that these three need to solve is a good one but, I'll be honest here, I wasn't that invested in it - which pains me to say as I know how much work the author must have put into it. But it's Markus, Bella, and Lunah!!! I need them together, I really do. And it's not just because it's steamy, because we're still in slow-burn territory, but because of how well they balance each other out. The passion is there, don't get me wrong, but it's not ALL about that.
This was an outstanding book 2 and it's left me with a definite hankering for book 3. Once I have all of them, I may just binge-read the whole lot in one day. When is book 3 coming out, by the way? Asking for a friend!
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!
Merissa (14015 KP) rated Zall's Captain (Planetary Submissives #3) in Books
May 8, 2023
This is the third and, so far, final book in the Planetary Submissives series and speaking of the series as a whole, I have loved how each story has gone. With only a touch or hint of BDSM and a storyline designed to tease and titillate whilst giving the reader the HEA, these books have been wonderful. Perfect for those coffee breaks when you want something steamy to read without being the equivalent of War & Peace.
In this story, we meet again with Zall, who is still on the ship that Chalice put him on. He has found his own niche amongst the crew - sort of - but wishes he had something more. Everyone just sort of puts up with him because of his connection to the Emperor. When the new Captain arrives on the ship, the lust is instantaneous but Zall is determined to never put himself in the thrall of anyone else again. Mixed in with this is a smuggling plot, abduction and attempted murder. Will Danner and Zall be able to come to a mutually agreeable arrangement and stay alive long enough to enjoy it?
Full of fun, frolics and yearning, this was a wonderful read from the start. Zall makes an observation about Prince Chalice that runs true for the series - the Pet may be the one wearing the collar, but he is also the one holding the leash. It doesn't matter who is called what, if the role they have is changeable or fixed, so long as the couple is happy and content with that, that's good enough for me.
Whilst these books may not be suited to everyone as they are not 'hardcore', I have personally loved each and every one and would love to read more in this series. Definitely recommended.
* 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 17, 2015
In this story, we meet again with Zall, who is still on the ship that Chalice put him on. He has found his own niche amongst the crew - sort of - but wishes he had something more. Everyone just sort of puts up with him because of his connection to the Emperor. When the new Captain arrives on the ship, the lust is instantaneous but Zall is determined to never put himself in the thrall of anyone else again. Mixed in with this is a smuggling plot, abduction and attempted murder. Will Danner and Zall be able to come to a mutually agreeable arrangement and stay alive long enough to enjoy it?
Full of fun, frolics and yearning, this was a wonderful read from the start. Zall makes an observation about Prince Chalice that runs true for the series - the Pet may be the one wearing the collar, but he is also the one holding the leash. It doesn't matter who is called what, if the role they have is changeable or fixed, so long as the couple is happy and content with that, that's good enough for me.
Whilst these books may not be suited to everyone as they are not 'hardcore', I have personally loved each and every one and would love to read more in this series. Definitely recommended.
* 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 17, 2015
Just One Night
10.0
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In the rough and tumble world of New York City, these men don't mind getting down and dirty—in...
Contemporary Romance MM
Merissa (14015 KP) rated Marvin (Assassin's To Order #1) in Books
Feb 22, 2023
MARVIN is the first book in the Assassin's To Order series, a spin-off from the Tangled Tentacles series and features all of our favourites.
Marvin has been convinced to come forward and make a TV appearance, in the hope of bringing out his Lost Boys. Of course, not everyone is as good-hearted as Marvin so things don't go according to plan. Unfortunately, Marvin draws the wrong kind of attention and a kill order is put on him. Luckily for him, he finds his mate who is more than happy to help protect him. His friends are also happy to help, as Marvin helped them.
Oh, man! Marvin the Marvellous!!! He is so innocent, so pure, but don't let that fool you. He also has a spine of steel and will not be played. I love him so much and loved seeing how he developed through the story. You find out some but not all of Marvin's past. Ajani is Marvin's mate and doesn't think he is worthy. Marvin deserves someone better, someone not an assassin. Ajani didn't count on the mate bond and just how much Marvin wants him. He never stood a chance! LOL
I can't say as the ending was a surprise but I loved how it got there. I read this in one sitting, unable to put it down. I can't wait to see the other stories. This wasn't as steamy as others by this pair of authors but I don't think it could have been - not without changing Marvin's character, which is simply not allowed!
A brilliant start to this series 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Marvin has been convinced to come forward and make a TV appearance, in the hope of bringing out his Lost Boys. Of course, not everyone is as good-hearted as Marvin so things don't go according to plan. Unfortunately, Marvin draws the wrong kind of attention and a kill order is put on him. Luckily for him, he finds his mate who is more than happy to help protect him. His friends are also happy to help, as Marvin helped them.
Oh, man! Marvin the Marvellous!!! He is so innocent, so pure, but don't let that fool you. He also has a spine of steel and will not be played. I love him so much and loved seeing how he developed through the story. You find out some but not all of Marvin's past. Ajani is Marvin's mate and doesn't think he is worthy. Marvin deserves someone better, someone not an assassin. Ajani didn't count on the mate bond and just how much Marvin wants him. He never stood a chance! LOL
I can't say as the ending was a surprise but I loved how it got there. I read this in one sitting, unable to put it down. I can't wait to see the other stories. This wasn't as steamy as others by this pair of authors but I don't think it could have been - not without changing Marvin's character, which is simply not allowed!
A brilliant start to this series 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Where You Are
8.0
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Former model and B-list actor (B meaning really bad) Isaac Seidel is now a NYC firefighter on...
MM Contemporary Romance