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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Fake Truth in Books
Jun 5, 2020
The Truth is I Wish More of This Book Were Fake
Writer Ian Ludlow is stuck. Despite his most recent exploits as an off the books CIA agent, he can’t come up with anything worthy of his next book. So when his CIA partner, Margo French, throws a newspaper at him, he picks a couple of articles at random and they begin to investigate as if Ian’s writer’s imagination was right and there is a connection between them. The scary thing is, they might have stumbled upon something that way, with tentacles that spread from Russia to the US-Mexico border with the news media in between. But what exactly have they found?
I’ve enjoyed the first two books in this series, but this one was a disappointment. While we see the various threads involved in this plot early on, the story still moves too slowly for the first half. Once it does start, we get plenty of action and a great climax. Since this is a loving spoof of the spy genre, I definitely enjoyed some laughs. The characters can be a bit thin, but that’s part of the genre. Unfortunately, so is sex, and there are several sex scenes I really could have done without. The author stages his story in such a way that very thinly disguises his politics, which really pulled me out of the story. I pick up fiction to escape politics, not to have one point of view shoved down my throat. I realize both of the things that bothered me might be selling points to others, but to me, they kept me from fully enjoying the book. I enjoyed the first two books in this series (and the books should be read in order since this one has some spoilers for previous adventures), so hopefully the series will be back to entertaining for the next in the series.
I’ve enjoyed the first two books in this series, but this one was a disappointment. While we see the various threads involved in this plot early on, the story still moves too slowly for the first half. Once it does start, we get plenty of action and a great climax. Since this is a loving spoof of the spy genre, I definitely enjoyed some laughs. The characters can be a bit thin, but that’s part of the genre. Unfortunately, so is sex, and there are several sex scenes I really could have done without. The author stages his story in such a way that very thinly disguises his politics, which really pulled me out of the story. I pick up fiction to escape politics, not to have one point of view shoved down my throat. I realize both of the things that bothered me might be selling points to others, but to me, they kept me from fully enjoying the book. I enjoyed the first two books in this series (and the books should be read in order since this one has some spoilers for previous adventures), so hopefully the series will be back to entertaining for the next in the series.
Merissa (12854 KP) rated Riven (Reflections, #8) in Books
Apr 4, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
I started this series and thought that it would be nothing new apart from a slight twist on the tale as in it was two wolf packs with a girl in the middle, rather than a vampire and a werewolf. However, there is so much more than this. Each story takes you further and further in and, trust me, when I say that that is a very good thing.
In this story, Adri is once again at Alec's side but things are in no way easy. Everyone has their own problems and trying to integrate other people into one pack is always going to be troublesome but Alec has his own way of sorting out the pack hierarchy. We meet characters from the other books that we know and love and watch them struggle with their own issues. We meet new characters and see how they interact with everyone. We say goodbye to characters old and new as the story climaxes. This series is so much more than a love triangle, although love does play a big part in the story. Alec is only half the man (wolf?!) without Adri. All of the characters continue to grow and change and you are left wanting more, with stories that still need telling.
Dean Murray is a wonderful author and I am looking forward to more from him in this series however, there are other books by him that I have on my t-b-r list which I am positive will not disappoint.
Reflections is definitely a wonderful series that just gets better with every book. I have no hesitation in recommending it to all Young Adult or Paranormal fans.
* 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!
August 9, 2016
In this story, Adri is once again at Alec's side but things are in no way easy. Everyone has their own problems and trying to integrate other people into one pack is always going to be troublesome but Alec has his own way of sorting out the pack hierarchy. We meet characters from the other books that we know and love and watch them struggle with their own issues. We meet new characters and see how they interact with everyone. We say goodbye to characters old and new as the story climaxes. This series is so much more than a love triangle, although love does play a big part in the story. Alec is only half the man (wolf?!) without Adri. All of the characters continue to grow and change and you are left wanting more, with stories that still need telling.
Dean Murray is a wonderful author and I am looking forward to more from him in this series however, there are other books by him that I have on my t-b-r list which I am positive will not disappoint.
Reflections is definitely a wonderful series that just gets better with every book. I have no hesitation in recommending it to all Young Adult or Paranormal fans.
* 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!
August 9, 2016
Merissa (12854 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
Merissa (12854 KP) rated Blood Moon (Wildeward Academy #3) in Books
Jan 5, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)
BLOOD MOON is the third book in the Wildeward Academy series and we find Victoria bonded to Doyle, engaged to Hyde, Jekyll being obstinate, Achoris still MIA, and Frankie avoiding her, considered a traitor by the others. Are you with me? You really, REALLY, need to read this as a series! Trust me.
If you follow my reviews, you'll know that I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books, but they just never quite managed to reach five stars, you know? Well, let me tell you, this one couldn't be anything but!!! So many factions, good and bad, vying for either Victoria's attention or trying to bring her down. It was fun and sassy, heartbreaking and full of sorrow. New characters are introduced, and others die off. This story simply didn't stop! It was all go from the very first word to the last - and I LOVED IT!
I adored the addition of Evetta and Gemma to Victoria's coterie, but now they need to get the Lodge back. I'm not ashamed to admit I was so sad at that part. The Lodge had made Victoria so welcome! I hope Lorna has a really bad time there! Victoria grows in leaps and bounds, becoming more comfortable both in her own skin, and who she is with the others.
Like the other two, this one ends not so much on a cliffhanger, but more so a teaser, tempting you with the continuation of the story that will definitely leave you chomping at the bit. A character-driven story that is full of action with steamy moments interspersed, this series just gets better and better.
BLOOD MOON is the best so far, but I honestly CAN'T WAIT for the next. Come on - read the series! I promise you, you won't regret 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
If you follow my reviews, you'll know that I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books, but they just never quite managed to reach five stars, you know? Well, let me tell you, this one couldn't be anything but!!! So many factions, good and bad, vying for either Victoria's attention or trying to bring her down. It was fun and sassy, heartbreaking and full of sorrow. New characters are introduced, and others die off. This story simply didn't stop! It was all go from the very first word to the last - and I LOVED IT!
I adored the addition of Evetta and Gemma to Victoria's coterie, but now they need to get the Lodge back. I'm not ashamed to admit I was so sad at that part. The Lodge had made Victoria so welcome! I hope Lorna has a really bad time there! Victoria grows in leaps and bounds, becoming more comfortable both in her own skin, and who she is with the others.
Like the other two, this one ends not so much on a cliffhanger, but more so a teaser, tempting you with the continuation of the story that will definitely leave you chomping at the bit. A character-driven story that is full of action with steamy moments interspersed, this series just gets better and better.
BLOOD MOON is the best so far, but I honestly CAN'T WAIT for the next. Come on - read the series! I promise you, you won't regret 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
Inky Books (3 KP) rated Eona: The Last Dragoneye (Eon, #2) in Books
Jun 21, 2018
When I was young, well, younger, I was obsessed with dragons. I would read anything with dragons in it. So when I found Eon, and saw that there was another book in the series I was so happy.
Back in that time when all I had to worry about was getting good grades and reading books, I would have given this book five stars. Now, however, that I’ve come to read some of the finer offerings this genre has to give, I find myself disappointed. Let this be a lesson to anyone: never re-read your favorite childhood book series (unless it’s Harry Potter or Eragon).
To be 100% honest, this book was a mess from start to finish. I found that the writing wasn’t descriptive enough for me to fully appreciate what the author was trying to do. There was also a lot of world building in a small space, and it didn’t work at all. There needed to be more time for that. I felt that 80% of the book was action. Yes, action is good, but there was too much and not enough time left for characters to develop.
Now my major problem is the main character, Eona. She continues to lie and deceive and deny that she’s doing it throughout the book. It’s very annoying and the author should have been able to come up with other events to keep me interested. Also, bringing all those lies out at the end? Yeah, well, that didn’t work for as much as a shock factor as intended. It was easy to see the outcome.
There are only two things going for this book. The first being the overall plot with the dragons. I won’t say more because I don’t want to spoil it, but I think that was a good way to get the book to end. The second is all the mythology and the world history that was weaved into the plot. I really liked learning about those pieces of the world.
All of that being said, I’ve finally decided on just 3 stars. While I did like it at one point in my life, I don’t as much now. I like parts of the book, but it overall lost all importance in my opinion. I won’t be reading it again unless I forget, for some reason, about how confusing the plot ended up being.
Back in that time when all I had to worry about was getting good grades and reading books, I would have given this book five stars. Now, however, that I’ve come to read some of the finer offerings this genre has to give, I find myself disappointed. Let this be a lesson to anyone: never re-read your favorite childhood book series (unless it’s Harry Potter or Eragon).
To be 100% honest, this book was a mess from start to finish. I found that the writing wasn’t descriptive enough for me to fully appreciate what the author was trying to do. There was also a lot of world building in a small space, and it didn’t work at all. There needed to be more time for that. I felt that 80% of the book was action. Yes, action is good, but there was too much and not enough time left for characters to develop.
Now my major problem is the main character, Eona. She continues to lie and deceive and deny that she’s doing it throughout the book. It’s very annoying and the author should have been able to come up with other events to keep me interested. Also, bringing all those lies out at the end? Yeah, well, that didn’t work for as much as a shock factor as intended. It was easy to see the outcome.
There are only two things going for this book. The first being the overall plot with the dragons. I won’t say more because I don’t want to spoil it, but I think that was a good way to get the book to end. The second is all the mythology and the world history that was weaved into the plot. I really liked learning about those pieces of the world.
All of that being said, I’ve finally decided on just 3 stars. While I did like it at one point in my life, I don’t as much now. I like parts of the book, but it overall lost all importance in my opinion. I won’t be reading it again unless I forget, for some reason, about how confusing the plot ended up being.
Debbiereadsbook (1429 KP) rated Entangled Beta (Murder and Mayhem Omegaverse #2) in Books
May 22, 2025
Murdery and Mayhemery indeed!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Murder and Mayhem Omegaverse series. I have not read book one, Shattered Omega. I will come back to this point.
The title of this series is absolutely SPOT on! I mean, Sasha is . . .I mean, I LOVED Sasha and her murdery tendencies! She is who she is, and once she talks to Levi, her Alpha, she makes no apologies for being who she is. It really is needed, the on page violence that she inparts on certain folks who darn well deserve what they get coming to them!
But I also felt, deeply, for Sasha. Since she is a beta, and not an omega, when Levi finds his Kismet Omega, she feels she may be pushed out. Now, I think she didn't give Levi enough credit for how he feels about Sasha, but add Stone into the mix, another Alpha, and with Flynn being the omega in the pack, it's understandable how she loved.
I loved that Stone crept up on both Levi and Sasha. Flynn was another story. Flynn was in everyone's mind from the minute they saw his picture and met him. But Flynn has suffered, badly, and needs time. I love that the Alphas gave him that time, and allowed Flynn to heal before starting something new with everyone.
It's steamy and the smexy times are plentiful, but they do not overtake the plotline, and I did love that. I do love the smexy books, but I need a plotline with them!
Back to not reading the first book. I think I maybe missed *something* by not doing. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was, and my book brain will not release what's bothering it, but there was that tiny niggle at the back of my brain for the whole book.
This point, and that fact it is present tense, multi POV AND first person are the only reasons I give this book. . .
4 solid stars
I do need to go back at some point and read book one before I get to book 3, which I really REALLY want to read, especially after reading that blurb and who I think that it!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Murder and Mayhem Omegaverse series. I have not read book one, Shattered Omega. I will come back to this point.
The title of this series is absolutely SPOT on! I mean, Sasha is . . .I mean, I LOVED Sasha and her murdery tendencies! She is who she is, and once she talks to Levi, her Alpha, she makes no apologies for being who she is. It really is needed, the on page violence that she inparts on certain folks who darn well deserve what they get coming to them!
But I also felt, deeply, for Sasha. Since she is a beta, and not an omega, when Levi finds his Kismet Omega, she feels she may be pushed out. Now, I think she didn't give Levi enough credit for how he feels about Sasha, but add Stone into the mix, another Alpha, and with Flynn being the omega in the pack, it's understandable how she loved.
I loved that Stone crept up on both Levi and Sasha. Flynn was another story. Flynn was in everyone's mind from the minute they saw his picture and met him. But Flynn has suffered, badly, and needs time. I love that the Alphas gave him that time, and allowed Flynn to heal before starting something new with everyone.
It's steamy and the smexy times are plentiful, but they do not overtake the plotline, and I did love that. I do love the smexy books, but I need a plotline with them!
Back to not reading the first book. I think I maybe missed *something* by not doing. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was, and my book brain will not release what's bothering it, but there was that tiny niggle at the back of my brain for the whole book.
This point, and that fact it is present tense, multi POV AND first person are the only reasons I give this book. . .
4 solid stars
I do need to go back at some point and read book one before I get to book 3, which I really REALLY want to read, especially after reading that blurb and who I think that it!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Erika (17789 KP) rated The Redbreast (Harry Hole #3) (Oslo Sequence #1) in Books
Oct 31, 2017
This novel was the third in the Harry Hole series, but the first in the Oslo sequence, as the Bat and Cockroaches took place outside of Oslo. The novel was well-paced, and I enjoyed reading it the second time, as much as I did the first time. Since this is the first in the Oslo sequence, a lot of the recurring characters are introduce, such as Rakel and Oleg.
They so should have started with this book for the movies.
They so should have started with this book for the movies.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Black Five in Books
Dec 12, 2017 (Updated Dec 12, 2017)
What a perfect series beginning full of paranormal creatures with the right amount of love, magic and utter devastation! Fast paced and the characters are really enjoyable. The author quickly pulled me in and kept me till the end and I am looking forward to the continuing story.
{I received an e-ARC when I signed up to host the book tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}
{I received an e-ARC when I signed up to host the book tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Sleeping Giants (Themis Files #1) in Books
Jul 27, 2017
A long episode of X-Files
For those who are Sci-fi fans, this is a bit of a dream. It's intelligent, compiled completely through a series of 'classified' interviews with a mysterious authoritative person with no name. While the concept is a bit unoriginal and slightly lame, it's written in a militaristic tone giving a sense of realism. There is a big twist at the end that sets up the premise for the next book. Interesting - but not much else.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated One Good Knight (Five Hundred Kingdoms, #2) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Another wonderful book in this series! Andie was truly a great character and I loved the outcome. My only quibble is that I feel the epilogue could have been longer and had more info on Andie and her paramour. Also, the title is misleading, but that's all I'm going to say. ;P A fast, fun, and thoroughly entertaining way to pass the time. Ms. Lackey created a world where I feel like I'm in it as an invisible watcher - quite a feat. :)