Search

Search only in certain items:

Lee’s former step-son, Jeff, comes back to Warner Pier for the noir film festival. He’s anxious to spend some time with Lee, but just a few hours later, he’s vanished. What has happened to him?

The book starts off with a bang and never really lets up until we reach the end. When we do get answers, they just leave us with more questions. The characters are in top notch form, and I think we get to know Lee a bit better over the course of this book. This series is always light and fun, and this book is no exception.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-chocolate-falcon-fraud-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
If I Were A Weapon (All These Gifts #1)
If I Were A Weapon (All These Gifts #1)
Skye Kilaen | 2022 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
IF I WERE A WEAPON is the first book in the All These Gifts series, and we find ourselves in an Earth of the not-too-distant future where alien ships crash-landed to Earth, killing or displacing the inhabitants. For those that survived, for the lucky majority, life continued as normal but, for some, their lives were irrevocably changed.

Deneve and Jolie are some that changed. Deneve has the ability to predict the future in certain circumstances, with the nanites ramping up until she acts to change whatever it was she saw. Jolie has the ability to play with fire. Both are hiding from people who might use them and neither wants anything long-term. When Deneve has a vision about Jolie being in danger though, she has to stay to make sure Jolie is safe, even though they don't know each other.

This was really well-written, with plenty of backstory and build-up to move the story along. Deneve and Jolie don't know each other, and their relationship reflects that, although it will change as the series progresses. For now, they share a kiss and that's it. For the most part, it is stilted formality between them, which somehow works and lets you see more into their personalities than if they had been best buds from the outset.

Set in Austin, Texas, you get a story rich in detail, where the differences between those that are 'normal' and those that are not are highlighted in simple and subtle ways. This is a series so don't expect to have all the answers given to you in book one, because you will surely be disappointed.

As for me, I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to continuing with the series to see where it takes me next. 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!
  
Don&#039;t Clause a Scene (Love In Maplewood #10)
Don't Clause a Scene (Love In Maplewood #10)
Lee Blair | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
DON'T CLAUSE A SCENE is the tenth and final book in the Love in Maplewood series, and we finally get answers regarding the Red's vs. Sparky's rivalry that has gone on throughout the series.

Amos is the son of Sparky's, but won't inherit it as it will go to Sage, his older sibling. Mickey is the son of Red's and IS due to inherit, even though he doesn't want it. These two have been brought up to dislike each other, but when they meet in fancy dress for a Halloween party, they find out they have more in common than they thought they would.

This is the book that I both wanted to read and yet was dubious about. And, to be honest, I still feel the same way after I've read it. The relationship between Amos and Mickey was a delight to read, and I loved the time that was spent with them, but the whole rivalry thing? Man, that dragged! Mickey says at one point that he is tired of it all, and that's exactly how I felt. I've no idea how much longer this book is compared to others in the series, but it felt like it was a lot longer. The epilogue was cute though, I enjoyed that. I'm sure I will be in the minority regarding this, but that's how I feel.

A slow-paced story with both cuteness and spice.

** 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!
Jul 16, 2025
  
Blood of the Damned - Thorn (Vaughn Winery #1)
Blood of the Damned - Thorn (Vaughn Winery #1)
JP Sayle | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
BLOOD OF THE DAMNED - THORN is the first book in the Vaughn Winery series, which takes place in the Divergent Omegaverse. I was happy to see Derick and Lane make an appearance too!

Ledger has left his ex and his old life behind in LA, moving to Bumf?ck, Nowhere for a new job at Vaughn Winery. What he doesn't expect is to meet his mate and everything that comes with it! Thorn is in town to meet his new employee, and doesn't think the omega who is his mate is one and the same, so he is ecstatic when he finds out. Together, their romance moves forward at breakneck speed, culminating in Ledger being pregnant, which raises a whole bunch of questions that they might not like the answers to.

This was a great introduction to the series, and I can't wait to see both Calvert and Dacian meet their mates. Definitely recommended by me, and I hope to see more of Thorn and Ledger in future books.

** 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 15, 2025