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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2646 KP) rated Molten Death in Books
Apr 3, 2024 (Updated Apr 3, 2024)
Valerie Face a Hot Problem on Vacation in Hawaii
Valerie Corbin and her wife, Kristen, are spending a couple of weeks in Hilo, staying with Kristen’s friend Isaac. They have arrived just as a lava flow is really gaining steam, so they decide to go out and see it early their first Saturday morning on the island. When Valerie wanders away from the other two, she sees part of a body being buried in the molten lava. She can’t get anyone to take her seriously, even Kristen and Isaac. Certainly, the police aren’t taking it seriously without any proof. Can Valerie figure out what really happened?
Author Leslie Karst lives part time in Hilo, so I wasn’t surprised that she chose this as the setting for her new series. Her knowledge showed in how she brought the setting to life. And who doesn’t want a Hawaiian vacation? The plot was very inventive, and I appreciated Valerie’s good motive for getting involved. We had some nice twists before a great climax. I did struggle with Valerie’s relationship with Kristen because they were so at odds for much of the book. I think if this hadn’t been my introduction to them, I would have been okay with this sub-plot. Overall, I liked the series regulars by the end, and Valerie’s darker baggage made her an interesting character. We do get some Pigeon and Hawai’ian mixed into the dialogue. A couple times it was a bit overwhelming, but for the most part, I could figure it out from the context. We get six Hawaiian recipes at the end. The inventive plot will make this series debut a winner for mystery fans.
Author Leslie Karst lives part time in Hilo, so I wasn’t surprised that she chose this as the setting for her new series. Her knowledge showed in how she brought the setting to life. And who doesn’t want a Hawaiian vacation? The plot was very inventive, and I appreciated Valerie’s good motive for getting involved. We had some nice twists before a great climax. I did struggle with Valerie’s relationship with Kristen because they were so at odds for much of the book. I think if this hadn’t been my introduction to them, I would have been okay with this sub-plot. Overall, I liked the series regulars by the end, and Valerie’s darker baggage made her an interesting character. We do get some Pigeon and Hawai’ian mixed into the dialogue. A couple times it was a bit overwhelming, but for the most part, I could figure it out from the context. We get six Hawaiian recipes at the end. The inventive plot will make this series debut a winner for mystery fans.
Debbiereadsbook (1811 KP) rated A Lifetime of Tomorrows (Shattered Men #1) in Books
Apr 6, 2026
darker, but brilliant!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is the first in a new series frm Ms Adams, and it tackles some difficult topics: addiction, self-harm, internalised homophobia. Mention of suicide, both thoughts and intent. Please heed those warnings if you have any issues.
I loved this! It's not an easy read, by any means, given the subject matter involved, and Harvey and Killian are both struggling with a lot of different things. I loved how Killian seemed to be a catalyst for Harvey to push his boundaries, but hated that Killian (unintentionally) pushed Harvey that little bit too hard.
Harvey's issues span from a single event and it takes time for that event to be made clear. You can see why he thinks the way he does, once you know what triggered it all, but until that point, I couldn't figure Harvey out, at all and I loved being kept on my toes.
Killian's problems are different, and very early on we get why he set off down the road he did. No less traumatic than Harvey's but very different. I loved that Killian knew Harvey was going to be someone important in his life, from very early on.
It's a slow burn, given Harvey being how he is, but I think it was right and proper than it was.
My only niggle, I would have liked to hear from both men, during that 3 year gap. While this is still a 5 star read, I feel that would have just been the icing on the cake!
I loved the epilogue!! Beautiful!!
5 full an shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is the first in a new series frm Ms Adams, and it tackles some difficult topics: addiction, self-harm, internalised homophobia. Mention of suicide, both thoughts and intent. Please heed those warnings if you have any issues.
I loved this! It's not an easy read, by any means, given the subject matter involved, and Harvey and Killian are both struggling with a lot of different things. I loved how Killian seemed to be a catalyst for Harvey to push his boundaries, but hated that Killian (unintentionally) pushed Harvey that little bit too hard.
Harvey's issues span from a single event and it takes time for that event to be made clear. You can see why he thinks the way he does, once you know what triggered it all, but until that point, I couldn't figure Harvey out, at all and I loved being kept on my toes.
Killian's problems are different, and very early on we get why he set off down the road he did. No less traumatic than Harvey's but very different. I loved that Killian knew Harvey was going to be someone important in his life, from very early on.
It's a slow burn, given Harvey being how he is, but I think it was right and proper than it was.
My only niggle, I would have liked to hear from both men, during that 3 year gap. While this is still a 5 star read, I feel that would have just been the icing on the cake!
I loved the epilogue!! Beautiful!!
5 full an shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Merissa (14160 KP) rated His Secret Omega in Books
Nov 11, 2025
HIS SECRET OMEGA is a standalone story that had previously been released as His Secret Alpha. That one was sweet, cute, and steamy. This one has been rewritten, expanded to novel-length, and is a whole lot darker. And I thoroughly enjoyed them both!
Sky and Kian have a 'complicated' relationship - as in, Sky had a crush, didn't think anything had come of it, and needed to get over it. Kian, on the other hand, doesn't see situations and relationships in the same way most people do. He has claimed Sky, although Sky doesn't know it, and has decided now is the time to let him know.
This is a dark romance, so be prepared for some triggering scenes, right from the beginning. If you have triggers, this may not be the book for you. Personally, I liked the back-and-forth between Kian and Sky. I also liked how Sky was bigger than average, easy to get along with, and wasn't shy about calling Kian out when needed.
I did feel as though this was part of a series, though, and I wonder about the books for the other characters mentioned. Maybe this was a spin-off, maybe it's planned to be added to a series, I don't know.
I'm glad I read both the novella and this one. As already said, I enjoyed both and have no hesitation in recommending both of them too. Just ensure you're getting the right one for you!
** 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!
Nov 11, 2025
Sky and Kian have a 'complicated' relationship - as in, Sky had a crush, didn't think anything had come of it, and needed to get over it. Kian, on the other hand, doesn't see situations and relationships in the same way most people do. He has claimed Sky, although Sky doesn't know it, and has decided now is the time to let him know.
This is a dark romance, so be prepared for some triggering scenes, right from the beginning. If you have triggers, this may not be the book for you. Personally, I liked the back-and-forth between Kian and Sky. I also liked how Sky was bigger than average, easy to get along with, and wasn't shy about calling Kian out when needed.
I did feel as though this was part of a series, though, and I wonder about the books for the other characters mentioned. Maybe this was a spin-off, maybe it's planned to be added to a series, I don't know.
I'm glad I read both the novella and this one. As already said, I enjoyed both and have no hesitation in recommending both of them too. Just ensure you're getting the right one for you!
** 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!
Nov 11, 2025
Debbiereadsbook (1811 KP) rated Kari's Kismet (Divergent Omegaverse #6) in Books
May 12, 2026
Bowie and Kari are perfect for each other!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 6 in the Divergent Omegaverse series, and I recommend you read them in order. While the books themselves are overlapping in the timeline, some things happen in previous books that are mentioned here, and talked about but not fully recapped and you really do need to know about the visit to the ranch, and what happened at the factory.
There have been hints about Kari and Bowie in previous books and I really enjoyed their book. Not loved though, and I can't figure out why!
Kari is a born Starling, twin to Kodi. He's the calmer of the two.
Kari watches Bowie, like a hawk, so he notices when something isn't right, his wolf knows something is very wrong. Once Kari finds Bowie, his Daddy side kicks in. And that Daddy side is so powerful, and sweet, and loving and neither of them saw this coming, so it was cute as well.
Bowie had a difficult upbringing, and it spills over into his adult life. The prologue made me cry! But once Bowie finds his feet, as it were, with his Daddy, and once they get smexy? Oh my days, that boy is fierce!
Some darker things happen, but I'm not spoiling it for you.
I'm looking forward to Kodi's book, and there is also Jupiter and Laken still to fall. I do enjoy the snippets of text messages, between the PA's and the Starling brothers. And the little bits we get of Lane and Derick (Popi and Dad!)
It's a fairly easy read, and I can't figure out why I didn't love it! Sorry!
4 very, very good stars
*Same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 6 in the Divergent Omegaverse series, and I recommend you read them in order. While the books themselves are overlapping in the timeline, some things happen in previous books that are mentioned here, and talked about but not fully recapped and you really do need to know about the visit to the ranch, and what happened at the factory.
There have been hints about Kari and Bowie in previous books and I really enjoyed their book. Not loved though, and I can't figure out why!
Kari is a born Starling, twin to Kodi. He's the calmer of the two.
Kari watches Bowie, like a hawk, so he notices when something isn't right, his wolf knows something is very wrong. Once Kari finds Bowie, his Daddy side kicks in. And that Daddy side is so powerful, and sweet, and loving and neither of them saw this coming, so it was cute as well.
Bowie had a difficult upbringing, and it spills over into his adult life. The prologue made me cry! But once Bowie finds his feet, as it were, with his Daddy, and once they get smexy? Oh my days, that boy is fierce!
Some darker things happen, but I'm not spoiling it for you.
I'm looking forward to Kodi's book, and there is also Jupiter and Laken still to fall. I do enjoy the snippets of text messages, between the PA's and the Starling brothers. And the little bits we get of Lane and Derick (Popi and Dad!)
It's a fairly easy read, and I can't figure out why I didn't love it! Sorry!
4 very, very good stars
*Same worded review will appear elsewhere
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Hades is Mine: Rise of Hades (Gods and Monsters #4) in Books
Nov 10, 2021
187 of 250
Kindle
Hades is Mine: Rise of Hades ( Gods and Monsters book 4)
By Mila Young
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
I am a Legend. Born to fight Death itself. Sworn to act as Zeus' thunderbolt against the darkness.
And now I'm mortal.
Despite having Apollo, Poseidon, and Ares by my side I lost. I don't have any second chances. Ares trained me to be a stronger warrior, Poseidon taught me to be the wisest leader, and Apollo showed me passion to be a glorious champion. Each of them has entrusted me with their hearts, and I have given them mine as well.
And it's still not enough.
I need to convince Hades, Ruler of the Underworld, to help me. With his aid we stand the smallest chance, the slimmest of hopes. He's one hot mess of a God and the closer we get the further he pulls away, and the more it tears me apart. But I need to win him to my side, to our side, and make this brooding loner deity a team player too.
Can I even trust Hades with my heart, when I have already lost my soul to something darker?
This book was an emotional rollercoaster!! You know it’s a good book when you get that gasping and aching feeling that you can’t wait to see what’s written on the next page! Hades needed a slap for 3 quarters of the book. It was just a brilliant ending to such a good series. Mila Young has become one of my favourite indie authors and this series has me wanting to read so much more of her work. If you love Greek Gods and you love a bit of spice and spice done well I highly recommend this series. Just brilliant!
Kindle
Hades is Mine: Rise of Hades ( Gods and Monsters book 4)
By Mila Young
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
I am a Legend. Born to fight Death itself. Sworn to act as Zeus' thunderbolt against the darkness.
And now I'm mortal.
Despite having Apollo, Poseidon, and Ares by my side I lost. I don't have any second chances. Ares trained me to be a stronger warrior, Poseidon taught me to be the wisest leader, and Apollo showed me passion to be a glorious champion. Each of them has entrusted me with their hearts, and I have given them mine as well.
And it's still not enough.
I need to convince Hades, Ruler of the Underworld, to help me. With his aid we stand the smallest chance, the slimmest of hopes. He's one hot mess of a God and the closer we get the further he pulls away, and the more it tears me apart. But I need to win him to my side, to our side, and make this brooding loner deity a team player too.
Can I even trust Hades with my heart, when I have already lost my soul to something darker?
This book was an emotional rollercoaster!! You know it’s a good book when you get that gasping and aching feeling that you can’t wait to see what’s written on the next page! Hades needed a slap for 3 quarters of the book. It was just a brilliant ending to such a good series. Mila Young has become one of my favourite indie authors and this series has me wanting to read so much more of her work. If you love Greek Gods and you love a bit of spice and spice done well I highly recommend this series. Just brilliant!
Merissa (14160 KP) rated Redesigning Fate (The Revive Series, #1) in Books
Apr 18, 2023
This book will take you on a stellar journey, not all of it nice, but all of it completely gripping. Marlena left her boyfriend three months ago after things made a turn for the worse. She has made the decision to get her life back under her own control, no one else's. One of the ways in which she does this is to make a major move to a new home, new city, new job. She starts her new job and literally falls for Elias, after she has walked into him! Marlena has a journey of discovery to embark upon as she has to learn to trust herself, and others, which trying to avoid getting hurt, if at all possible.
I loved this book! You get it from the points of view of Marlena and Travis, who, I have to say, is an incredibly well-written villain. I don't like him, not one bit, but he is completely three-dimensional. He is a true brute and I can't abide him. Elias, Sin and Shelby are all intriguing characters and let me just say, I nearly threw my kindle at the wall!! To get so close to finding out their story and then for the book to finish... well, yes!
For those of you that like your stories with a darker edge (like abuse or stalking for example), then I can highly recommend this story. A.M. Wilson reminds me of Alex Grayson for some reason, although I don't know why. Perhaps it is because they've both written exceptional stories in a hard-hitting genre. Whatever the reason, this book rocks!
* 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!
Oct 8, 2015
I loved this book! You get it from the points of view of Marlena and Travis, who, I have to say, is an incredibly well-written villain. I don't like him, not one bit, but he is completely three-dimensional. He is a true brute and I can't abide him. Elias, Sin and Shelby are all intriguing characters and let me just say, I nearly threw my kindle at the wall!! To get so close to finding out their story and then for the book to finish... well, yes!
For those of you that like your stories with a darker edge (like abuse or stalking for example), then I can highly recommend this story. A.M. Wilson reminds me of Alex Grayson for some reason, although I don't know why. Perhaps it is because they've both written exceptional stories in a hard-hitting genre. Whatever the reason, this book rocks!
* 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!
Oct 8, 2015
Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper in Books
Oct 23, 2022
This is the second book I have read this year that instead of focusing on the killer, has focused on their victims and making sure we know the person rather than just the name. I find this approach interesting, as we should be remembering the victims rather than the killers.
The Five introduces us to each of the women that were murdered by Jack the Ripper in the Victorian era: Polly, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary Jane. Hallie Rubenhold starts from the very beginning for each woman, with all but Mary Jane having the story start with their parents and then when the woman was born. She takes us through their childhoods, marriages and troubles and tries to make us understand how the women got to the place they were at that moment in time. She then tells us a little bit about how they were found afterwards and their burials if she can. She makes it clear that the majority of these women weren’t prostitutes, as we have all been led to believe. And even tells us where this belief originated and why it wasn’t corrected.
I have found it extremely interesting to learn about the darker side of Victorian life and to learn how hard it was for the working class and how difficult it was to better oneself, especially as a woman. Hallie Rubenhold’s writing draws you in and makes you want to learn more about the world in which these women lived and how different it is to now. I have enjoyed learning about these women, and the book is extremely well researched and has a lot of evidence to back up the claims made by the author. I have wanted to read the Covent Garden Ladies for a while, and I think this book will have moved it much further up the list.
The Five introduces us to each of the women that were murdered by Jack the Ripper in the Victorian era: Polly, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary Jane. Hallie Rubenhold starts from the very beginning for each woman, with all but Mary Jane having the story start with their parents and then when the woman was born. She takes us through their childhoods, marriages and troubles and tries to make us understand how the women got to the place they were at that moment in time. She then tells us a little bit about how they were found afterwards and their burials if she can. She makes it clear that the majority of these women weren’t prostitutes, as we have all been led to believe. And even tells us where this belief originated and why it wasn’t corrected.
I have found it extremely interesting to learn about the darker side of Victorian life and to learn how hard it was for the working class and how difficult it was to better oneself, especially as a woman. Hallie Rubenhold’s writing draws you in and makes you want to learn more about the world in which these women lived and how different it is to now. I have enjoyed learning about these women, and the book is extremely well researched and has a lot of evidence to back up the claims made by the author. I have wanted to read the Covent Garden Ladies for a while, and I think this book will have moved it much further up the list.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Werewolf By Night (2022) in Movies
Oct 6, 2022
The latest offering from Marvel Studios has arrived and it is a change of pace for the studio as it delves into the darker side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Werewolf By Night is a visually appealing tale that lovingly plays homage to the classic Black and White horror movies of old yet infuses modern content and a touch of humor.
When a group of Monster Hunters is assembled at Bloodstone Temple following the death of their leader, the assembled guests are tasked to compete against one another to find a relic and oh yes, content with a deadly monster in the maze as well.
The hunters are informed that they are fair game for one another and the combination of competition and survival promises danger and deadly encounters along the way.
Things are not as they seem as one of the hunters named Jack Russell (Gael Garcia Bernal) has a dark secret or two and when he ends up working with Elsa Bloodstone (Laura Donnelly), things get very interesting and deadly.
The show is deeply-enjoyable and makes me wish that this was a series versus a special but I would think that audiences will see some of the characters again in the future. There is a bit more violence than one might expect from the MCU but due to the Black and White filming, it is not as graphic as it could be but still might be more than some younger fans would expect.
Composer Michael Giacchino has done an amazing job with the show as the pacing is solid, the characters are interesting, and the visuals capture the enduring nostalgia of the bygone classics.
I enjoyed the special from start to finish and should be an enjoyable experience not only for Marvel fans but for horror fans everywhere.
Look for it on Disney+ on December 7th.
Werewolf By Night is a visually appealing tale that lovingly plays homage to the classic Black and White horror movies of old yet infuses modern content and a touch of humor.
When a group of Monster Hunters is assembled at Bloodstone Temple following the death of their leader, the assembled guests are tasked to compete against one another to find a relic and oh yes, content with a deadly monster in the maze as well.
The hunters are informed that they are fair game for one another and the combination of competition and survival promises danger and deadly encounters along the way.
Things are not as they seem as one of the hunters named Jack Russell (Gael Garcia Bernal) has a dark secret or two and when he ends up working with Elsa Bloodstone (Laura Donnelly), things get very interesting and deadly.
The show is deeply-enjoyable and makes me wish that this was a series versus a special but I would think that audiences will see some of the characters again in the future. There is a bit more violence than one might expect from the MCU but due to the Black and White filming, it is not as graphic as it could be but still might be more than some younger fans would expect.
Composer Michael Giacchino has done an amazing job with the show as the pacing is solid, the characters are interesting, and the visuals capture the enduring nostalgia of the bygone classics.
I enjoyed the special from start to finish and should be an enjoyable experience not only for Marvel fans but for horror fans everywhere.
Look for it on Disney+ on December 7th.
ClareR (6256 KP) rated Learned by Heart in Books
Sep 20, 2023
Learned by Heart is the fictionalised account of two women who really did exist: Eliza Raine and Anne Lister (also known as Gentleman Jack). I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator Shiromi Arserio, really brought the characters, all teenage girls for the most part, to life. Together with Emma Donoghue’s impeccable, compassionate writing, it made for an emotional and heartbreaking novel.
Both girls are outsiders: Eliza is an orphan of an English doctor and an Indian mother. Anne isn’t like any of the other girls, and doesn’t want to conform to expectations. They end up sharing a room and forge a close friendship. They eventually fall in love.
Anne is the person that Eliza is too shy to be. Eliza looks different - she’s darker skinned, and everyone knows that she was Indian. So she tries to avoid too much notice. Anne doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her. Together they are able to make school more bearable.
Interspersed in the story of their time at school are Eliza’s letters written to Anne. Letters that are never sent. Eliza is in an asylum at a point in the future, and she doesn’t want the doctors to know about her relationship with Anne. These were such desperately sad parts - Eliza has lost Anne, perhaps partly due to her illness.
I thought the writing reflected the emotional inner life of teenagers so well. The overwhelming emotions and the fact that these were still children who were being forced to act as adult women in a regimented, emotionless setting.
I loved this. It was meticulously researched, and this enriched the story right up to its heartbreaking end. This really is well worth a read (or a listen!).
Both girls are outsiders: Eliza is an orphan of an English doctor and an Indian mother. Anne isn’t like any of the other girls, and doesn’t want to conform to expectations. They end up sharing a room and forge a close friendship. They eventually fall in love.
Anne is the person that Eliza is too shy to be. Eliza looks different - she’s darker skinned, and everyone knows that she was Indian. So she tries to avoid too much notice. Anne doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her. Together they are able to make school more bearable.
Interspersed in the story of their time at school are Eliza’s letters written to Anne. Letters that are never sent. Eliza is in an asylum at a point in the future, and she doesn’t want the doctors to know about her relationship with Anne. These were such desperately sad parts - Eliza has lost Anne, perhaps partly due to her illness.
I thought the writing reflected the emotional inner life of teenagers so well. The overwhelming emotions and the fact that these were still children who were being forced to act as adult women in a regimented, emotionless setting.
I loved this. It was meticulously researched, and this enriched the story right up to its heartbreaking end. This really is well worth a read (or a listen!).
His Untameable Wickedness (Untameable #1)
8.5
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“You love to hurt, I love to hurt. A perfect f*cking match we make.” ~ Adrian LEO A...
Dark Erotica Romantic Suspense