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Merissa (14003 KP) rated Holiday Huddle (Appleton Falls #1) in Books
Dec 15, 2025
HOLIDAY HUDDLE is a fast-paced novella that begins the Appleton Falls series, complete with crossover characters from the Brooklyn Kings series.
Harte is a forty-year-old quarterback who has just retired and doesn't know what to do with himself. Jet is a thirty-six-year-old deputy sheriff in Appleton Falls. These two did know each other, way back when, but reconnect when Harte moves to town. He doesn't get off to a great start, as he has an accident, and Jet is the one who stays with him. Both of them are bisexual and sort of behind closed doors.
These two may not be out-out, but trust me, when they stay in, the spice comes out! There is such a connection between them, and they are both just what the other needs. I loved reading the small signs of bravery from each of them as they came out in various situations or moved out of their comfort zones.
This is fast-paced, and I guess I wanted a little more depth, especially considering just how good these two are and the friends they have and make. This is the first book in the series, and I honestly can't wait to return. 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!
Dec 15, 2025
Harte is a forty-year-old quarterback who has just retired and doesn't know what to do with himself. Jet is a thirty-six-year-old deputy sheriff in Appleton Falls. These two did know each other, way back when, but reconnect when Harte moves to town. He doesn't get off to a great start, as he has an accident, and Jet is the one who stays with him. Both of them are bisexual and sort of behind closed doors.
These two may not be out-out, but trust me, when they stay in, the spice comes out! There is such a connection between them, and they are both just what the other needs. I loved reading the small signs of bravery from each of them as they came out in various situations or moved out of their comfort zones.
This is fast-paced, and I guess I wanted a little more depth, especially considering just how good these two are and the friends they have and make. This is the first book in the series, and I honestly can't wait to return. 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!
Dec 15, 2025
Captivated by Dominik (The Ralston Brothers)
9.0
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When beast master Dominik Ralston agrees to pose as Sienna Heathwood’s husband for a government...
Post Apocalyptic Science Fiction Romance
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Intended ( A Culling of Blood and Magic 2) in Books
Apr 21, 2024
74 of 220
Kindle
The Intended ( A Culling of Blood and Magic 2)
By K.M. Rives
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emery may have survived the Culling, but now she’s on the run.
Forced to find her way in a world of magic behind the wards of New Orleans, Emery struggles to accept her newfound identity as a witch and a mother. Her coven is demanding that she choose between the magic she’s always wanted and the child she already loves. Will Emery find the strength to fight for what matters most?
Devastated by the loss of trust in his mate and seeking revenge, Augustine throws himself into the hunt for a murderer within his kingdom. Emery remains his primary suspect, even though there is a side of him that longs for the woman who has captured his heart.
War is brewing in the supernatural world, and a long forgotten prophecy is at play. Can Augustine and Emery overcome the secrets that have torn them apart, and reconcile their past before the future catches up with them?
This was a very emotional read for me in a few places and very close to my own heart without all the magic and vampires! I enjoyed it and it certainly was fast paced. There were a few bits that I could have just skipped but they didn’t take away from how I was enjoying the book.
Please check any trigger warnings as there is a death that is hard to handle for some.
Kindle
The Intended ( A Culling of Blood and Magic 2)
By K.M. Rives
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emery may have survived the Culling, but now she’s on the run.
Forced to find her way in a world of magic behind the wards of New Orleans, Emery struggles to accept her newfound identity as a witch and a mother. Her coven is demanding that she choose between the magic she’s always wanted and the child she already loves. Will Emery find the strength to fight for what matters most?
Devastated by the loss of trust in his mate and seeking revenge, Augustine throws himself into the hunt for a murderer within his kingdom. Emery remains his primary suspect, even though there is a side of him that longs for the woman who has captured his heart.
War is brewing in the supernatural world, and a long forgotten prophecy is at play. Can Augustine and Emery overcome the secrets that have torn them apart, and reconcile their past before the future catches up with them?
This was a very emotional read for me in a few places and very close to my own heart without all the magic and vampires! I enjoyed it and it certainly was fast paced. There were a few bits that I could have just skipped but they didn’t take away from how I was enjoying the book.
Please check any trigger warnings as there is a death that is hard to handle for some.
Merissa (14003 KP) rated Creep (Vulture Hollow MC #2) in Books
Sep 20, 2025
CREEP is the second book in the Vulture Hollow MC series. I haven't read book one, but didn't feel as though this negatively impacted my enjoyment of Creep and Angel's story. Because enjoy it, I did!
Creep is the loner, always on the fringes, with hurt from a traumatic past to spare. Angel is the social sunshine, who loves being around people, and who offers Creep comfort. Now, it's not plain sailing as there are more than a few miscommunications along the way, but they are completely understandable ones and quickly dealt with. Out of the two, I actually preferred Creep, so I'm not sure what that says about me!
This is a dark and emotional book, told from both their perspectives, and yet it is also hopeful, and in places, lighthearted too. Definitely not a one-size-fits-all situation. I thought the pacing was perfect for their story, slow at times of connection, but speeding up when action happens. And trust me, action happens! Some of it is off-the-charts hot, so be prepared if you're reading this in public.
Although I didn't feel as though I missed out on anything, I do want to read book one and any other book that might follow in this series. Absolutely brilliant read 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 19, 2025
Creep is the loner, always on the fringes, with hurt from a traumatic past to spare. Angel is the social sunshine, who loves being around people, and who offers Creep comfort. Now, it's not plain sailing as there are more than a few miscommunications along the way, but they are completely understandable ones and quickly dealt with. Out of the two, I actually preferred Creep, so I'm not sure what that says about me!
This is a dark and emotional book, told from both their perspectives, and yet it is also hopeful, and in places, lighthearted too. Definitely not a one-size-fits-all situation. I thought the pacing was perfect for their story, slow at times of connection, but speeding up when action happens. And trust me, action happens! Some of it is off-the-charts hot, so be prepared if you're reading this in public.
Although I didn't feel as though I missed out on anything, I do want to read book one and any other book that might follow in this series. Absolutely brilliant read 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 19, 2025
Bad Blood (Monsters of London #1)
10.0
Rate It
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The vampire clan has a problem. They want me to help solve it. But what can one human do? When...
MM Paranormal Romance Vampires Series
Rhythm and Design (Rhythm and Design series #1)
Book
A soulful architect. A gospel-rooted musician. A love built to last. Rhythm & Design: A Platinum...
Adult Contemporary Romance
Fractured Moon (Aurelia Fridell #1)
8.0
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Aurelia Fridell is a freak amongst her own kind, the only werewolf who can't shift. Her family...
Paranormal Erotic Romance
Merissa (14003 KP) rated Shatter Me in Books
Dec 17, 2018 (Updated Apr 11, 2023)
I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.
There is a trigger warning at the start of this book and with good reason. The images that Alex Grayson conjures within your mind are horrific and heartbreaking. They will make your heart pound faster as the adrenaline pumps through your veins, your breath hitching as you read faster and faster, praying that the main female is going to be okay, even though you 'see' most of it through flashbacks so that you know she is... sort of.
This is also a story about trust, hope and friendship and the love that can follow if someone is prepared to be patient and help someone who is suffering from trauma instead of riding roughshod over them. There is darkness, there is beauty. There is horror and humour.
Shatter Me will make you sob, not just cry. There will be big, fat, ugly tears rolling down your face but you won't want to stop reading. I read this in one sitting as there was no way I was going to bed halfway through.
This is an exceedingly well-written and well-paced story that will blow your socks off. When I found out that this was a debut novel, I was astounded! I honestly can't wait for the next but at the same time am dreading it (if that makes any sense).
If you can read 'dark' subjects then I highly recommend this. However, please heed the trigger warning!
December 18, 2018
There is a trigger warning at the start of this book and with good reason. The images that Alex Grayson conjures within your mind are horrific and heartbreaking. They will make your heart pound faster as the adrenaline pumps through your veins, your breath hitching as you read faster and faster, praying that the main female is going to be okay, even though you 'see' most of it through flashbacks so that you know she is... sort of.
This is also a story about trust, hope and friendship and the love that can follow if someone is prepared to be patient and help someone who is suffering from trauma instead of riding roughshod over them. There is darkness, there is beauty. There is horror and humour.
Shatter Me will make you sob, not just cry. There will be big, fat, ugly tears rolling down your face but you won't want to stop reading. I read this in one sitting as there was no way I was going to bed halfway through.
This is an exceedingly well-written and well-paced story that will blow your socks off. When I found out that this was a debut novel, I was astounded! I honestly can't wait for the next but at the same time am dreading it (if that makes any sense).
If you can read 'dark' subjects then I highly recommend this. However, please heed the trigger warning!
December 18, 2018
Merissa (14003 KP) rated Trancing the Tiger (Chinese Zodiac Romance, #1) in Books
Apr 11, 2023
As someone who has always been interested in the Chinese Zodiac, I was intrigued when given the synopsis of this story. The Rabbit has always been one of the more 'mild-mannered' of the Zodiac so I was interested to see where this would go when partnered with the Tiger. Trust me though, you don't have to know anything about the Chinese Zodiac for this story to a) make sense and b) be absolutely fantastic. The storyline itself is gripping and you will find out more about the plague itself plus how the characters handle things as you go along.
All of the characters are interesting and amazing in their own right. For me personally, I was interested whenever Fang made an appearance (he's a rat) because that's what I am. The whole aspect of the Chinese Zodiac is one that I haven't seen before in Fantasy or Paranormal books and I am thrilled that Rachael Slate has made her stand in this way. It works, it really does.
The pace is steady throughout and very well written. The plot has depth and drama and will definitely leave you wanting more. I can't wait for By The Horns, which is book 2 in this series and is due out sometime this year. Definitely, absolutely 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!
September 9, 2016
All of the characters are interesting and amazing in their own right. For me personally, I was interested whenever Fang made an appearance (he's a rat) because that's what I am. The whole aspect of the Chinese Zodiac is one that I haven't seen before in Fantasy or Paranormal books and I am thrilled that Rachael Slate has made her stand in this way. It works, it really does.
The pace is steady throughout and very well written. The plot has depth and drama and will definitely leave you wanting more. I can't wait for By The Horns, which is book 2 in this series and is due out sometime this year. Definitely, absolutely 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!
September 9, 2016
Merissa (14003 KP) rated INCEPTIO (Roma Nova Thriller #1) in Books
Apr 26, 2023
INCEPTIO is the first book in the Carina Mitela Adventure series and we start off in the EUS (Eastern United States). The world isn't the same as we know it, with different countries, rules, and regulations. In the middle of this is Karen Brown, an unassuming name for an unassuming young woman whose life is about to change.
Some of it is fairly formulaic - bad government people, new life, new wealth, new status. It's something that has been done before. However, I enjoyed this one, I really did. Everything comes easy to Karen/Carina - whether it is the Latin language (which is NOT easy, trust me), or specialised self-defence. She can be quite mouthy but no one seems to have a problem with that. I'm glad this isn't listed as a romance because it isn't. In fact, the romance side almost seems to be just a page-filler as I didn't really feel much of a connection between any of them.
This book has plenty of action, told from Karen and Jeremy's perspectives only. From drugs being brought into Roma Nova, to escaped prisoners, to finding a mole, it's all going on and Carina is right in the thick of it.
I enjoyed this story and would definitely read more in this series. 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!
Apr 26, 2023
Some of it is fairly formulaic - bad government people, new life, new wealth, new status. It's something that has been done before. However, I enjoyed this one, I really did. Everything comes easy to Karen/Carina - whether it is the Latin language (which is NOT easy, trust me), or specialised self-defence. She can be quite mouthy but no one seems to have a problem with that. I'm glad this isn't listed as a romance because it isn't. In fact, the romance side almost seems to be just a page-filler as I didn't really feel much of a connection between any of them.
This book has plenty of action, told from Karen and Jeremy's perspectives only. From drugs being brought into Roma Nova, to escaped prisoners, to finding a mole, it's all going on and Carina is right in the thick of it.
I enjoyed this story and would definitely read more in this series. 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!
Apr 26, 2023