Search
Search results
Merissa (13931 KP) rated Blood (The McLeod Brothers Trilogy #3) in Books
Jul 14, 2023
BLOOD is the third and final book in The McLeod Brothers trilogy and it's Finn's turn. He is the playboy brother, the one with a different woman every night. Fate matches him with Adelyn, a rare female vampire who is wanted by big bad Caine.
Adelyn is a great character, both strong and sassy even when her situation is dire. She will not be forced to bow to anyone, whether that is someone she loathes (Caine) or her fated mate. I loved reading about her solutions to problems and double-crossings with Caine as she tried to find out what he was up to so she could win her freedom.
Finn; well then. Finn, I had a small problem with. You see, there's been a lot made of him being captured by vampires when he was younger, and how he was changed when he came back. I wanted to know more about that - especially considering his fated is a vampire! Instead, I just got that he didn't feel the same about Adelyn. It felt a little flat, somehow. I never found out how he was captured, how he escaped/was released, how he coped with what had happened; things like that.
I also felt that Finn and Adelyn's personal story was a little overshadowed by Caine and their machinations to bring him to justice.
A good addition to the series but I was left wanting more.
** 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 13, 2023
Adelyn is a great character, both strong and sassy even when her situation is dire. She will not be forced to bow to anyone, whether that is someone she loathes (Caine) or her fated mate. I loved reading about her solutions to problems and double-crossings with Caine as she tried to find out what he was up to so she could win her freedom.
Finn; well then. Finn, I had a small problem with. You see, there's been a lot made of him being captured by vampires when he was younger, and how he was changed when he came back. I wanted to know more about that - especially considering his fated is a vampire! Instead, I just got that he didn't feel the same about Adelyn. It felt a little flat, somehow. I never found out how he was captured, how he escaped/was released, how he coped with what had happened; things like that.
I also felt that Finn and Adelyn's personal story was a little overshadowed by Caine and their machinations to bring him to justice.
A good addition to the series but I was left wanting more.
** 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 13, 2023
Merissa (13931 KP) rated Knight to Castle Two (Diviner's Game #2) in Books
Feb 12, 2021 (Updated Aug 3, 2023)
KNIGHT TO CASTLE TWO is the second book in the Diviner's Game trilogy and this time we find out just what's going on with human Headsman, Loki, and his step-brother Drakon, Gage.
We met with Loki and Gage in book one, and this one runs on a parallel time, so we see some of the same events but from their eyes instead. This is incredibly hard to do but excellently executed by Jennifer Cody.
Loki and Gage are as close as two people can be, but DO NOT share blood. They are not related in any way, apart from being step-brothers. Their relationship might raise a few eyebrows but is not incestuous in any way. What it is though, is hot as hell! Loki is a leather-wearing, kick-ass, take no s**t Headsman, but Gage is the force in their relationship. I loved seeing what makes both of them tick.
A little bit more of the intrigue is unravelled in this book, but not enough for me! I guess I'll just have to read the third book to find out the whole story. Oh, what a shame. The pacing is just as perfect as the first book, and I also loved seeing Matt and Deejay through someone else's eyes too.
What a fantastic trilogy this is turning out to be. Two down, one to go, and I honestly can't wait. Absolutely recommended!
* 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!
Feb 12, 2021
We met with Loki and Gage in book one, and this one runs on a parallel time, so we see some of the same events but from their eyes instead. This is incredibly hard to do but excellently executed by Jennifer Cody.
Loki and Gage are as close as two people can be, but DO NOT share blood. They are not related in any way, apart from being step-brothers. Their relationship might raise a few eyebrows but is not incestuous in any way. What it is though, is hot as hell! Loki is a leather-wearing, kick-ass, take no s**t Headsman, but Gage is the force in their relationship. I loved seeing what makes both of them tick.
A little bit more of the intrigue is unravelled in this book, but not enough for me! I guess I'll just have to read the third book to find out the whole story. Oh, what a shame. The pacing is just as perfect as the first book, and I also loved seeing Matt and Deejay through someone else's eyes too.
What a fantastic trilogy this is turning out to be. Two down, one to go, and I honestly can't wait. Absolutely recommended!
* 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!
Feb 12, 2021
Haven's Flame (Fires of Cricket Bend #1)
8.0
Rate It
Book
High-button dresses aren’t made for hot Texas springs—or the burning desire Haven Anderson has...
Historical Romance Western
Merissa (13931 KP) rated Bad Best Friend (Billionaire's Club #14) in Books
Mar 1, 2022 (Updated Jul 3, 2023)
BAD BEST FRIEND is the fourteenth book in the Billionaire's Club series, and we meet Cora and Rafe. Now, as you may recall, I started this series at book thirteen, so there's a pretty good chance that the couples mentioned have their own stories that I haven't read. That didn't impact me in any way though.
Cora is the baby of the family, over-protected by her brothers and their best friend to try to make up for the death of her father when she was too young to remember him. She had dreams about Rafe but it obviously wasn't meant to be. That is until he moves in and realises she is a woman and all grown up.
I really felt for Cora in this. She took a lot that I don't think I could have. And Teresa was spot on with her prediction. Rafe is a good guy and I do understand where he was coming from. It just didn't fit with the picture I got in my head from the blurb.
Told from both Cora and Rafe's perspectives, this was an easy read that flowed well. The pacing was spot on and there were a few steamy moments.
Another great read from Elise Faber and recommended by me. Now, I really must get those books on the backlist!
** 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!
Mar 1, 2022
Cora is the baby of the family, over-protected by her brothers and their best friend to try to make up for the death of her father when she was too young to remember him. She had dreams about Rafe but it obviously wasn't meant to be. That is until he moves in and realises she is a woman and all grown up.
I really felt for Cora in this. She took a lot that I don't think I could have. And Teresa was spot on with her prediction. Rafe is a good guy and I do understand where he was coming from. It just didn't fit with the picture I got in my head from the blurb.
Told from both Cora and Rafe's perspectives, this was an easy read that flowed well. The pacing was spot on and there were a few steamy moments.
Another great read from Elise Faber and recommended by me. Now, I really must get those books on the backlist!
** 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!
Mar 1, 2022
Whispers and Wings (Brodyr Alarch #6)
10.0
Rate It
Book
For twenty-four years, Gerallt has borne Arianrhod’s blessing of a swan’s wing in place of his...
Fantasy Romance Welsh Celtic Mythology Fairytale Retelling Brothers Grimm
My Masked Savior (Beautiful Stalkers #2)
9.0
Rate It
Book
She calls me her savior. She has no idea what I really am. I’ve saved countless lives as a...
Dark Contemporary Erotica Romance Novella
ClareR (6129 KP) rated The Safekeep in Books
Jan 26, 2025
The house in The Safekeep is at the centre of this story. Isabel lives alone in the large family home in the countryside, whilst her brothers, Louis and Hendrik, live in the city. Isabel and Hendrik are invited to meet yet another of Louis’ girlfriends, and they don’t seem to take either one of them seriously. Shortly afterwards, Louis has to leave for France on business, and his girlfriend doesn’t want to stay in their city flat alone. So she asks to stay with Isabel.
Isabel lives a very rigid life. Not religious as such, but close to the Calvinist religion that their mother brought them up in. She’s paranoid about things going missing from inside the house, she constantly counts everything and tries to keep the house as her mother would have done. It becomes clear towards the end why she does this.
Isabel clearly doesn’t want Eva to stay. She wants to be alone in the house. Isabel also doesn’t want the attention of a rather over-enthusiastic male “friend”. She goes on dates with him, barely tolerating his company.
As Isabel and Eva’s relationship develops, we see another side of Isabel, and in the latter half of the book there are diary entries that explain a lot about her (I love a book with diary entries). This is a love story, but also a story about what happened to the property of returning Jews after WW2. It’s a psychological novel with a lot of secrets at its heart. It must have been a tough call for this book NOT to win the Booker in 2024.
Isabel lives a very rigid life. Not religious as such, but close to the Calvinist religion that their mother brought them up in. She’s paranoid about things going missing from inside the house, she constantly counts everything and tries to keep the house as her mother would have done. It becomes clear towards the end why she does this.
Isabel clearly doesn’t want Eva to stay. She wants to be alone in the house. Isabel also doesn’t want the attention of a rather over-enthusiastic male “friend”. She goes on dates with him, barely tolerating his company.
As Isabel and Eva’s relationship develops, we see another side of Isabel, and in the latter half of the book there are diary entries that explain a lot about her (I love a book with diary entries). This is a love story, but also a story about what happened to the property of returning Jews after WW2. It’s a psychological novel with a lot of secrets at its heart. It must have been a tough call for this book NOT to win the Booker in 2024.
Merissa (13931 KP) rated Burn Patterns (First in Line #1) in Books
Feb 12, 2025
BURN PATTERNS is the first book in the First in Line series and also the first book by this author I have read. It won't be the last!
Marcus is the oldest of four brothers and he followed in his father's footsteps when he joined the Fire Service. James is a Forensic Psychologist at a local university, retired from field work due to a horrific tragedy he feels responsible for. What brings these two together is a series of fires that get more and more personal as the story unravels.
If you are looking for a relaxing, laid-back read, then choose a different book! This story kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. There is romance between Marcus and James, a natural progression and acknowledgement of what was between them. For me though, it wasn't the romance that kept me turning the pages (which was a shock because I LOVE romance!) but the sheer creepiness of the story. No, I didn't understand some of the reasoning behind it, but then I'm not some stalker with psychopathic qualities!
Both the story- and character development are outstanding! One of my favourite parts was reading about the patterns James spotted. The world-building was also perfect and I really hope we see more of the firehouse in future stories.
Absolutely amazing 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
Marcus is the oldest of four brothers and he followed in his father's footsteps when he joined the Fire Service. James is a Forensic Psychologist at a local university, retired from field work due to a horrific tragedy he feels responsible for. What brings these two together is a series of fires that get more and more personal as the story unravels.
If you are looking for a relaxing, laid-back read, then choose a different book! This story kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. There is romance between Marcus and James, a natural progression and acknowledgement of what was between them. For me though, it wasn't the romance that kept me turning the pages (which was a shock because I LOVE romance!) but the sheer creepiness of the story. No, I didn't understand some of the reasoning behind it, but then I'm not some stalker with psychopathic qualities!
Both the story- and character development are outstanding! One of my favourite parts was reading about the patterns James spotted. The world-building was also perfect and I really hope we see more of the firehouse in future stories.
Absolutely amazing 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
Merissa (13931 KP) rated Under Your Care in Books
Mar 19, 2025
UNDER YOUR CARE is the first book in the Twisted Desires series and PLEASE READ THE CONTENT WARNINGS!!! If you do, and you're happy to proceed, then you're in for a great read.
This is a dark romance in so many ways - morally grey and downright black too! Lane is a femme who was s3xually assaulted by his cousin when he was younger. Greyson is his therapist, a dark empath, who is a hobby killer. Yep, you read that right. Well, Greyson decides Lane is his and nothing will move him from that path. Lane is also attracted to Greyson, a shock in itself for understandable reasons, and makes a comment which leads Greyson to move his agenda forward by quite some time.
I love dark romances where it is them against the world, and this one fits that bill. Lane knows Greyson is bad in a lot of ways, but is also 100% correct in thinking Greyson would never hurt him. Not in a bad way, at least. This one is graphic with its violence and filled with dark themes. It is obsessive and possessive, and full of hurt / comfort. It in no way represents a real relationship between a patient and a therapist so suspend your beliefs and enjoy all the kinks.
The next book is about Oliver, a trans man, and Greyson's twin brothers, Hayes and Hudson. I can't wait!
** 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!
Mar 18, 2025
This is a dark romance in so many ways - morally grey and downright black too! Lane is a femme who was s3xually assaulted by his cousin when he was younger. Greyson is his therapist, a dark empath, who is a hobby killer. Yep, you read that right. Well, Greyson decides Lane is his and nothing will move him from that path. Lane is also attracted to Greyson, a shock in itself for understandable reasons, and makes a comment which leads Greyson to move his agenda forward by quite some time.
I love dark romances where it is them against the world, and this one fits that bill. Lane knows Greyson is bad in a lot of ways, but is also 100% correct in thinking Greyson would never hurt him. Not in a bad way, at least. This one is graphic with its violence and filled with dark themes. It is obsessive and possessive, and full of hurt / comfort. It in no way represents a real relationship between a patient and a therapist so suspend your beliefs and enjoy all the kinks.
The next book is about Oliver, a trans man, and Greyson's twin brothers, Hayes and Hudson. I can't wait!
** 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!
Mar 18, 2025
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated End of Watch (2012) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
Director/Writer David Ayer (Street Kings, Training day) once again takes us into the world of the Los Angeles police department in the new movie End of Watch. Only this time rather than go in the corrupt police officer direction he has gone before, Ayer instead takes audiences on a honest and somewhat realistic emotionally charged ride along with two young and confident LAPD patrolmen.
While the story in this film is as simple as two cops over reaching their pay grades causing them to get on a drug cartels hit list. The film is more like an unrated extended episode of the TV series Cops, focusing on the everyday encounters of our heroes as they patrol south central LA. These encounters range from calls for lost children, domestic disturbance, and noise violations, albeit a bit exaggerated in these and several other incidents. Still the various types of encounters cause the film to feel like a true ride along into the lives of these LAPD cops. Additionally the use of the handheld “found footage” film style works surprisingly well at giving the movie that TV episodic style that makes the overall experience feel realistic. That being said, there are a few scenes where it is not clear who is holding the camera or where the shot is coming from, however these scenes are barely noticeable because of the excellent performances by our protagonists that keeps our interest on what they are saying and doing on screen rather than who is holding the camera.
Officer Bryan Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal, Source Code) is our main protagonist of this movie. The ex-marine turned cop has to take an art elective in his pre-law studies and decides to take a documentary film class and take us on the inside of the LAPD. Gyllenhaal ‘s performance embodies Taylor as the good natured ambitious officer wanting more in his life of relationships and career. It would be easy for this character to be the traditional good cop in movies like this however given the found footage film style we instead find that Taylor, while good, can also be a complete “jerk” cop who is quick to anger and use brutish force when he deems necessary. This only helps solidify the rawness and reality of this film which pays a nod to the difficult nature of this job for real life police officers. Gyllenhaal gives yet another outstanding performance in his career causing us to grow attached to his character and respect him.
In addition Michel Pena (Crash) delivers a fantastic performance as Taylor’s partner and best friend Officer Mike Zavala. Pena embodies the other side to Gyllenhaal’s “jerk” cop by with his own good natured, simple man who is quick to become a bull when pushed. No more is this better shown in a scene where Zavala and a gang member get into a war of words and caused Zavala to drop his gun and badge and fight man to man to settle their dispute in the “street” way. Thus earning respect from that particular gang member.
Together Gyllenhaal and Pena share the screen wonderfully. Their relationship seems effortless and natural as if they were actually partners and best friends. You can tell they are having fun on set working together and it shows in their performance together as they really get a sense that they are more than partners and friends but are in fact, brothers. Their relationship and characters are only developed further as we watch Taylor pursue a deeper intellectual relationship with scientist Janet (Anna Kendrick, Up In The Air) and Zavala through the birth of his first born from wife Gabby (Natalie Martinez, Death Race). Kendrick and Martinez give believable performances as love interests to our heroes that show us a more human and softer side of these testosterone filled officers who will do whatever it takes to uphold the law. Throw in a strong supporting cast of other police officers led by Frank Grillo (Warrior) who plays the LAPD’s sergeant and you have a performance where we not only care about our heroes but we see the brotherhood of the police force in general.
One thing that I was not expecting from the film is the amount of moments where the audience literally laughed out loud. That is not to say that this is a comedy, in fact it is far from it. But the quick witted jokes and verbal jabs by our onscreen partners help alleviate some of the heavy emotional scenes of the movie. I felt that these characters used that good natured humor to keep themselves from going off of the deep end in handling all of the gruesome encounters they witness. These well placed laughs helped the audience deal with these gruesome scenes as well and helped strengthen our bond with these brothers.
All in all, this movie is a buddy cop film on steroids. While there is not much of a traditional story arch, this helps develop the realistic feel more like an unrated extended episode of Cops. That being said Gyllenhaal and Pena deliver a fantastic performance together. They have a real connection that makes you believe they have been partners for years and consider each other brothers. Add in a solid ensemble cast and the overall experience is worth the price of admission. However those who grow motion sick from found footage films may want to stay clear as there is a definite lack of steady cam
While the story in this film is as simple as two cops over reaching their pay grades causing them to get on a drug cartels hit list. The film is more like an unrated extended episode of the TV series Cops, focusing on the everyday encounters of our heroes as they patrol south central LA. These encounters range from calls for lost children, domestic disturbance, and noise violations, albeit a bit exaggerated in these and several other incidents. Still the various types of encounters cause the film to feel like a true ride along into the lives of these LAPD cops. Additionally the use of the handheld “found footage” film style works surprisingly well at giving the movie that TV episodic style that makes the overall experience feel realistic. That being said, there are a few scenes where it is not clear who is holding the camera or where the shot is coming from, however these scenes are barely noticeable because of the excellent performances by our protagonists that keeps our interest on what they are saying and doing on screen rather than who is holding the camera.
Officer Bryan Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal, Source Code) is our main protagonist of this movie. The ex-marine turned cop has to take an art elective in his pre-law studies and decides to take a documentary film class and take us on the inside of the LAPD. Gyllenhaal ‘s performance embodies Taylor as the good natured ambitious officer wanting more in his life of relationships and career. It would be easy for this character to be the traditional good cop in movies like this however given the found footage film style we instead find that Taylor, while good, can also be a complete “jerk” cop who is quick to anger and use brutish force when he deems necessary. This only helps solidify the rawness and reality of this film which pays a nod to the difficult nature of this job for real life police officers. Gyllenhaal gives yet another outstanding performance in his career causing us to grow attached to his character and respect him.
In addition Michel Pena (Crash) delivers a fantastic performance as Taylor’s partner and best friend Officer Mike Zavala. Pena embodies the other side to Gyllenhaal’s “jerk” cop by with his own good natured, simple man who is quick to become a bull when pushed. No more is this better shown in a scene where Zavala and a gang member get into a war of words and caused Zavala to drop his gun and badge and fight man to man to settle their dispute in the “street” way. Thus earning respect from that particular gang member.
Together Gyllenhaal and Pena share the screen wonderfully. Their relationship seems effortless and natural as if they were actually partners and best friends. You can tell they are having fun on set working together and it shows in their performance together as they really get a sense that they are more than partners and friends but are in fact, brothers. Their relationship and characters are only developed further as we watch Taylor pursue a deeper intellectual relationship with scientist Janet (Anna Kendrick, Up In The Air) and Zavala through the birth of his first born from wife Gabby (Natalie Martinez, Death Race). Kendrick and Martinez give believable performances as love interests to our heroes that show us a more human and softer side of these testosterone filled officers who will do whatever it takes to uphold the law. Throw in a strong supporting cast of other police officers led by Frank Grillo (Warrior) who plays the LAPD’s sergeant and you have a performance where we not only care about our heroes but we see the brotherhood of the police force in general.
One thing that I was not expecting from the film is the amount of moments where the audience literally laughed out loud. That is not to say that this is a comedy, in fact it is far from it. But the quick witted jokes and verbal jabs by our onscreen partners help alleviate some of the heavy emotional scenes of the movie. I felt that these characters used that good natured humor to keep themselves from going off of the deep end in handling all of the gruesome encounters they witness. These well placed laughs helped the audience deal with these gruesome scenes as well and helped strengthen our bond with these brothers.
All in all, this movie is a buddy cop film on steroids. While there is not much of a traditional story arch, this helps develop the realistic feel more like an unrated extended episode of Cops. That being said Gyllenhaal and Pena deliver a fantastic performance together. They have a real connection that makes you believe they have been partners for years and consider each other brothers. Add in a solid ensemble cast and the overall experience is worth the price of admission. However those who grow motion sick from found footage films may want to stay clear as there is a definite lack of steady cam