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The Hunter (Tales of Pern Coen: Bloodlines #1)
The Hunter (Tales of Pern Coen: Bloodlines #1)
Hannah E. Carey | 2020 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
An Absolute Corker of a Book!
THE HUNTER is the first book in the Tales of Pern Coen (Bloodlines) series and I'm already hooked.

I love the mix of Celtic names and fantasy places. The characters are all life-like, whether you like them or not. And I really enjoyed seeing the war through different eyes. Alekos isn't a bad person but his actions are. He doesn't see anything different. Rhiannon's eyes have been opened and she has heard both sides of the story. She sees herself as weak when she is stronger than she realises. And Conor... what do I say about him? He's the grumpy heart-of-gold character that I fall for every single time!

This is the first book by this author I have read and I read it in one sitting. The plot was great, the pacing perfect, and the characters made me smile. An absolute corker of a book that I highly recommend.

** 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!
  
Gifts for the Season is a warm-hearted collection of seasonal madness, from new love to old, it's all here. Each one gives you a short story, some with new couples, some with old, but all full of Christmas spirit.

I will admit, I preferred the ones that were new stories but that is because I really don't like reading stories where I think I may have missed out on something!

For me, my favourites were The First Snow of Winter by Joanna Chambers and Driving Home for Christmas by Annabelle Jacobs. The first because it's a historical romance which stands out from the contemporary/paranormal rest and the second because junction 10 on the M42 is well known to me so it gave me a feeling of familiarity.

As with all anthologies, some I enjoyed more than others, but every story is a winner in my book. Absolutely 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 comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 6, 2020
  
Dad Next Door (Crimson Club #5)
Dad Next Door (Crimson Club #5)
Willow Dixon | 2024 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
DAD NEXT DOOR is a slow-burn story in the Crimson Club series, featuring Tristan (the man of the title) and Quinn. Tristan is a vet, and Quinn is a dancer/cam-boy/businessman. They take things slowly due to their histories and IT WORKS! It unfolds in a completely natural way that is the right way for Quinn and Tristan.

I love how these two communicated without judging, and their issues were completely relatable and realistic. For these two, friendship came first, although the attraction was there on Tristan's part, at least. Quinn was a little slower as he hadn't put a label on himself but thought he was 'straight'.

This was the first book in the Crimson Club I have read, and now I definitely want to read the others. This was a cinnamon roll of a book that was just what I needed. 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!
May 1, 2024
  
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David McK (3773 KP) rated Arthur (The Arthurian Tales #3) in Books

Jun 30, 2024 (Updated Jun 30, 2024)  
Arthur (The Arthurian Tales #3)
Arthur (The Arthurian Tales #3)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the final entry in Giles Kristian's 'Arthurian Tales' trilogy, set after both 'Lancelot' and 'Camelot', and now told in the third person instead of the first person view of both those former works.

It's also the first one - I believe - to so heavily rely on flashbacks, paralleling the 'now' of the story with the background to one of the main characters Beran (whose identity I, personally, found quite easy to grok early on).

As a whole, I have to say, this trilogy is one of the best retellings of the Arthurian myths I have come across although retelling, however, may be too strong a word; perhaps a better on would be re-imagining as there's no mystical Green Knight (reimagined in 'Camelot'), search for the Holy Grails (again, see 'Camelot'), or mysterious women lying in ponds and distributing swords ("that's no basis for sound government..."), but which does cover the whole Arthur/Lancelot/Guinevere love triangle (see, in particular, 'Lancelot') and the fall out thereof.

In short, all three novels are well worth a read - personally, I found I enjoyed these more than the 'Blood Eye' series by the same author.
  
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ClareR (6157 KP) rated Spider, Spider in Books

Feb 24, 2026  
Spider, Spider
Spider, Spider
L. C. Winter | 2026 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I’ve been wanting to read this ever since I first saw it on Instagram and then read the synopsis. I thought I’d look on NetGalley, just on the off chance that I could request a digital copy, and I found the audiobook. I’m so glad that I did!! I love an atmospheric, gothic read/ listen!

Molly Hanson narrates this so well from the points of view of young Nancy Ratcliffe and a woman called Spider. Both have been abused at the hands of the same man. Anyone who calls himself “The Prophet” is a red flag in the first place!

Nancy’s experience is in the “current” Victorian day, and Spiders is in the past (I wasn’t sure how long ago, though). Both stories are told in alternating chapters for the most part - and their actions are completely understandable.

It’s a story of religious control, female rage and revenge. The story flowed really well, and I was drawn in, hoping that they would both got their revenge and get away with it!!
Many thanks to Bolinda Audio, L. C. Winter and NetGalley for my copy of this thrilling book.
  
Tarzan (The Reckless Order MC #1)
Tarzan (The Reckless Order MC #1)
Audrey Bell | 2026 | Contemporary, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
TARZAN is the first book in The Reckless Order MC series. It's a short, sharp novella, full of sweetness and hot stuff. It was a quick read, but well worth it.

I haven't read the other series that this is a spin-off from. In fact, this is the first book I have read by her. It won't be the last! I loved not only her style of writing, but the romance in there. Yes, it's fast-paced. It is a novella, after all. But I loved how both 'Cherry' and Tarzan want a forever love, with romance galore, and they were happy with that AND each other. Plus, Keely's look? My favourite kind.

So many others I now want to hear from, but most especially Teddy - the one who doesn't want romance. I can't wait to see him fall.

A great read that starts off a new series with a bang. I just wish it had been a full-length novel, so I could get my fill of these two amazing characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Feb 26, 2026
  
Lyric (Love Sync Mates, Season Two)
Lyric (Love Sync Mates, Season Two)
Wendy Rathbone | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
LYRIC is part of the Love Sync Mates Season Two series. Lyric/Lyrican is an athlete, the best of the best, but he's in pain and Lyrican has had enough. Jinn has his drink spiked and is left with a feral alpha intent on claiming him, even though he doesn't want it. These two meet when Jinn is fleeing in terror and Lyrican is there to protect him.

This is well-paced but fast and, considering Jinn has a feral stalker, is very low angst. I loved how the dragons and the people were distinctly separate beings while still being one and the same. This is the first book in this series (or the first) that I have read and I definitely enjoyed it.

If I had a 'light and fuzzy' shelf, it would take pride of place. A great read that I absolutely recommend.

** 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 22, 2025