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The Arrival (BirthRight Trilogy #1)
The Arrival (BirthRight Trilogy #1)
Nicole MacDonald | 2010 | Contemporary, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
163 of 250
Kindle
The Arrival ( Birthright trilogy book 1)
By Nicole MacDonald

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

Bound by love, drawn by magick, happily ever after won’t come without a fight.
Looking for love, four friends cast a spell. Thrust into a terrifying new world, they find themselves fighting for their lives, until help drops in. Now, alongside the Griffon Guard, they must learn to use powers they never knew they had, to save a world they never knew existed
Love might be an option, but only if they defeat an ancient darkness hell bent on ruling the world...

So I almost gave up on this book 3 times but I thought no give it a chance. It was incredibly hard to read for the first 10 chapters and you never knew what character was talking as it jumped from one to the other with any indication. This drove me crazy!!! But you can feel the authors passion in this book so I thought it deserved a good chance. As you can see it took me a few nights to read. However after saying all the negative there are some major positives!!
The characters are likeable the story line is very good and shows so much promise! Towards the end you become slightly hooked so much so the bloody thing ends on a cliffhanger that had me shouting nooooooo! I do recommend to any readers please stick with it!
  
Chalvaren Rising (Kingdom of Chalvaren #2)
Chalvaren Rising (Kingdom of Chalvaren #2)
Paula Millhouse | 2015 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Different worlds, dragons, elves, evil yet misguided women - what more could you ask for?

Now, this is the first 'full' book in the Kingdom of Chalvaren series, although there is the novella in which our two main characters meet. What made this book interesting for me is that they were already 'together' right at the start. So although I knew that things had moved quickly in the prequel, it actually made for fantastic reading as the two of them got to know each other and explored their feelings for each other. Trust me when I say those feelings run hot! Their relationship has the normal ups, downs and misunderstandings that occur when two people are trying to live together and that made for excellent reading. Throw in a world in chaos, with a crazy woman trying to resurrect the dead along with killing the dragons, you have an action-packed world, full of character and heart.

With a smooth, steady pace and excitement on every page, this is a wonderful Fantasy Action Romance. I know that there are two books in this series but I am really hoping for more. I loved the world of Chalvaren and hope to see more of it, and the dragons, in the future. Highly recommended for all fans of Fantasy!

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 25, 2015
  
Love Potions (Warlocks MacGregor #1)
Love Potions (Warlocks MacGregor #1)
Michelle M. Pillow | 2015 | Paranormal, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
LOVE POTIONS is the first book in the Warlocks MacGregor series and we are introduced to a whole clan of Scots, soon to be living in Wisconsin. They buy a big house on a hill, but there is a small Victorian property within their boundary that is occupied by Lydia. Her grandmother left her the house when she died, and she runs her business from there, having no intention of leaving. There is insta-lust between the two of them from the very beginning. With outside forces and the clan to contend with, will Lydia cope?

Well, she did, but I didn't. I love this author but I only found this book to be okay. Whether it was the whiplash changes of feelings, to the "I'm looking in his eyes so I can't think," or the multitude of clan members that seemed to roll into one, or even stupid behaviour. It was just too much crazy chaos for me.

The world-building was good, giving the reader insight into how the warlocks 'paid' for their magic. I didn't really see much character-building though. They just... were, and that was that.

If you like Urban Fantasy and/or Rom-Com, then you will probably love this book. For me, I enjoyed it but I won't be continuing with the series.

** 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 5, 2023
  
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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Keep Her Safe in Books

Feb 13, 2018  
Keep Her Safe
Keep Her Safe
Sophie Hannah | 2017 | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
6
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Cara Burrows runs away from her family--who live in England no less--to an Arizona spa. She leaves her phone with the rental car company and, exhausted by her travels, checks into her room, only to find it occupied by a man and a teenage girl. It's obviously a mistake by the front desk, but after hearing another guest's ramblings, Cara starts to wonder if the girl she saw is murder victim Melody Chapa. Melody Chapa is incredibly famous in the U.S.--her trial garnered intense attention--and her parents are serving life sentences for her murder. Suddenly, Cara finds herself caught up in a whirlwind series of events, unsure of whom to trust. Did she really see Melody? And if so, what is going on at this spa?

The plot of this novel is pretty preposterous, so be prepared to suspend a bit of disbelief. Once you do that, <i>it's really quite enjoyable and a total whirlwind ride,</i> as you cling to Cara and try to figure things out with her. You first have to get past the fact that the woman has decided to come all the way to Arizona from the UK for her spa trip, spending, she claims, one third of her family's savings to do so. And, you'll learn, all over a insane misunderstanding/lack of communication with her family that will make you want to shake the entire clan. Good grief! However, I digress. Because, really, their lack of communication certainly works in our favor, because <i>this book may be crazy, but it's fun crazy and a wonderful sort of escape. </i>

<i>I found this to be a fascinating type of thriller.</i> I flew through the pages, constantly wondering how all the various pieces fit together. Hannah kept the entire thing going, unfurling great little twists and turns every so often to keep you hooked. It's intricately plotted and really quite well-done, even if it's all a little insane. I suspected a couple of portions, but was still really impressed at how everything went together. Cara is an interesting character--she's just bumbling and sympathetic enough that you can somehow believe that she'd stumble into a major murder mystery while on a spa holiday. Her supporting cast of characters is wide and varied: spa guests; various detectives and the FBI; those involved with Melody's case; and even a crime TV show host with a flair for the dramatic. Somehow Hannah weaves them all together successfully, for which you have to give her bonus points.

All in all, this was a slightly unbelievable novel, but compulsively readable with a thrilling mystery plot that completely hooks you. The characters all work together somehow and the novel is just a fun escape. Throw in a creepy ending that leaves you going "What?!" and this is definitely worth a read. 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Edelweiss (thank you!) in return for unbiased review; it is available in the U.S. everywhere as of 09/19/2017.

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