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Blood Charged (Dragon Blood, #3)
Blood Charged (Dragon Blood, #3)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
So this has taken me a long time to finish, especially considering that this is a Lindsay Buroker book and that I'm a huge fan.

I think I know why though.

I read for the romance element of books and in this we'd already met the characters and they were already couples, so that aspect was already in place and I didn't get to read it happening because it already had.

Lindsay is really good at writing steam-punk books (check out her Emperor's Edge series!) while still adding a romantic side-plot. With this newer series it has previously focused on the romance more but like I mentioned this was slightly lacking in that respect.

The adventure they went on for me wasn't as engaging as some of her other books, which is why it's taken me forever to finish this and I'm not too sure if I want to continue the series if it's following Ridge, Sardelle, Tomolek, Ahn and the rest of the team on the hunt for Dragon blood.
  
Sharpe's Tiger (Sharpe, #1)
Sharpe's Tiger (Sharpe, #1)
Bernard Cornwell | 2003 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Chronologically the first Sharpe book (or, at least, it is at the moment!), this was publishes as the 16th novel in the series, after the success of the 1990 Sean Bean starring TV series, which followed the original, Napoleonic-set, stories.

As such, this is actually set prior to the Napoleonic Wars, with Sharpe - as the novel starts - a young private in the regiments of Arthur Wellesley's battalion of the 33rd regiment of foot, who are on campaign in India against the Tippoo Sultan of Mysore.

For plot reasons, Sharpe - in the company of William Lawford (who was a character mentioned in the 'original series' as having taught Sharpe how to read, thus making the jump to Sergeant easier) - have to go undercover in Seringapatam, just as that city is about to be besieged by the Allied forces.

It helps that, by doing so - or so Sharpe thinks - he'll be able to escape from the tyrannical Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill: one of those creations that you just love to hate!
  
Guards! Guards! Discworld Novel 8
Guards! Guards! Discworld Novel 8
Tony Robinson, Terry Pratchett, Ben Aaronovitch | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.4 (10 Ratings)
Book Rating
When people ask which Discworld book to start with, I often tell them to skip the first two in the series (The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic), then ask in which direction their interests lie.

Reimagining of famous plays/fairytales? Try any in The Witches series.

Primarily murder whodunnits? The Guards.

Of which this is the first.

So this is the one to introduce the reader to Sam Vimes, Nobby Nobbs, Fred Colon and Carrot Ironfoundersson, as well as featuring a prominent role for The Patrician of Ankh-Morpork, and which would lead to perhaps the most-revisited characters in the entire Discworld series - I think Pratchett returned to the Watch a further 7 times, for a total of 8 such novels.

Quick google search: yes, 8 times. Only matched by the Wizards of Unseen University.

Anyway, this is the one that sees a secret society summoning a Dragon in the hopes of installing a puppet ruler to the vacant throne of Ankh-Morpork, before things go awry ...
  
Please Don't Push Up the Daisies
Please Don't Push Up the Daisies
Diane Vallere | 2023 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Tex’s Family Brings Murder to Town
In the time that Madison Night has dated Tex Allen, she hasn’t met his sister. Until now. Lily and her four sons are moving to Dallas now that her husband is finally granting her a divorce. However, when Madison goes with Lily to pick up the papers, they find him dead in his office. With Tex out of commission thanks to his nephews, can Madison figure out what really happened?

This is another great mystery that jumps right in and keeps us guessing until the end. I did find a couple of things that could have been a little clearer, but nothing that truly impacted the plot. What I really loved is the character growth we got for Tex and another series regular. But Madison really shines in her moment; it was my favorite part of the book. There are some funny moments as well, and fans of Doris Day’s movie will find some fun nods. If you’ve been enjoying this series, you’ll be glad you picked up the latest in the series.
  
Second Drafts (Matchmakers #2)
Second Drafts (Matchmakers #2)
G.R. Lyons | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Second Drafts (Matchmakers #2) by G.R. Lyons
Second Drafts is the second book in the Matchmakers series - set in a world similar yet different to our own. This book is about Chance's brother, Shain, and his demons, plus Ellidan, and his monster. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! Okay, so I might have said that about book one too, but seriously, this one got to me. I loved the relationship between Shain and Ellidan, although I was all for kicking Shain during most of the story! Ellidan thinks he is so broken, and yet he is so strong. Shain thinks he has everything under control, and yet really doesn't.

You also get the opportunity to catch up with Chance and Remy, which I loved. I didn't love Shain and Chance's father turning up to the wedding, or what happened with Ellidan, but I'll leave that there. You also see Bryan acting out at Matchmakers, and yet still don't know why. Danny is trying to deal with him, and that is such a delightful teaser for the next book.

Still, I'm getting ahead of myself. This book was extremely well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that spoiled my reading flow. I adore how Chance is an editor, and Shain is a writer. Books/writing/editing, set in a fantasy m/m scene? I can't ask for anything else! Ticks all my boxes, that's for sure.

Second Drafts certainly doesn't suffer from being a 'gap' book. I was caught up in every scene, every word, and loved it from beginning to end. Highly 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 comment here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!