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Merissa (11953 KP) rated Black Ice Heart (Unveiled Magic #1) in Books
Oct 22, 2021 (Updated Jul 12, 2023)
BLACK ICE HEART is the first in the Unveiled Magic series. In it, we meet Jack, Summer, Spring, Autumn, Mother, and Old Man. Do these names sound familiar? They should do. This is the story of the seasons, of Mother Nature, Old Man Time, and Jack Frost, with its own unique spin as given by Abrianna Denae.
This is a dark story in places, with moments of torture and heartbreak, so please be aware of the trigger warning! There are also moments of love, friendship, and hope, that will keep you turning the pages.
There are a host of amazing characters in here, plus characters I've yet to meet properly, or fully understand. I'm hoping this will happen in future books as, being 100% honest here, some of them haven't made such a good impression.
Told from multiple perspectives, some characters only share their voice for one chapter. Others have multiple. So take your time reading and find out just who is speaking when - it will make it all so much easier.
The story feels almost complete until you reach the epilogue, and then it takes a whole new turn and you're left not knowing what will happen next.
Black Ice Heart kept my attention from beginning to end and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
** 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!
Oct 22, 2021
This is a dark story in places, with moments of torture and heartbreak, so please be aware of the trigger warning! There are also moments of love, friendship, and hope, that will keep you turning the pages.
There are a host of amazing characters in here, plus characters I've yet to meet properly, or fully understand. I'm hoping this will happen in future books as, being 100% honest here, some of them haven't made such a good impression.
Told from multiple perspectives, some characters only share their voice for one chapter. Others have multiple. So take your time reading and find out just who is speaking when - it will make it all so much easier.
The story feels almost complete until you reach the epilogue, and then it takes a whole new turn and you're left not knowing what will happen next.
Black Ice Heart kept my attention from beginning to end and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
** 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!
Oct 22, 2021
Amanda (96 KP) rated Girl in Pieces in Books
May 29, 2019
ach aberration of my skin is a song. Press your mouth against me. You will hear so much singing.
“Each aberration of my skin is a song. Press your mouth against me. You will hear so much singing.”
That book that I had to step away from so often because it nearly had me tangled up in it, that would be this book. It’s rare for me to be so wrapped up in this book that it feels like I’m tight in its grasp. I want to go on this journey with the character and feel I owe it to them to see it through with them, but I mentally can’t. So, I have to step aside for a moment, but know that I’m going to come back.
Charlotte ‘Charlie’ has gone through SO MUCH before she even gets to the age of eighteen. The title says it straight forward; she is in pieces. So much of her has shattered that it feels like once she’s found a piece or two of herself, it’s almost instantly gone. Whether it be because of a blast from the past, or an uncertain future.
She copes, or tries to, by cutting herself. I just can’t imagine anybody feeling that way about themselves. I just wanted to hug her.
“Cutting is a fence you build upon your own body to keep people out, but then you cry to be touched. But the fence is barged. What then?”
For a time, Charlie stays at a mental health facility, but when insurance runs out, she is forced to relocate with her mother until an opening at a halfway house is available. Her and her mother do not get along at all. When a guy friend (her crush) offers to move her closer to him to help her, expectations are made and hopes are set kind of high. This guy isn’t interested in her romantically and he used to date her best friend (whom has passed away).
What kind of hit me for a bit, while not at the extent or context as with Charlie, she meets this guy named Riley and he’s all wrong for her, but seems right for her at a certain time. She sort of becomes enthralled with him, even though he’s mostly high or drunk, but she can’t help herself. The need for closeness is sometimes just too great. I wanted to yell at Charlie for always going to him, but I can’t because I did the same thing. How can I yell at somebody for doing the same thing I have done?
My dear Charlie…
“I think you are having a different sort of heartbreak. Maybe a kind of heartbreak of being in the world when you don’t know how to be.”
This is the second novel I’ve read from Kathleen Glasgow. This one certainly had me really mentally involved. It didn’t finish it as quickly as I did her recent novel, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a good story. I can’t stress enough. THERE ARE NUMEROUS TRIGGER WARNINGS! Self-harm, mentions of sexual assault, etc. It was difficult for me to finish, so I stress that if these do not bother you, then this is a story worth reading. It’s all told in Charlie’s voice and the pieces she loses and somehow gets them back…one at a time.
“People should know about us. Girls who write their pain on their bodies.”
That book that I had to step away from so often because it nearly had me tangled up in it, that would be this book. It’s rare for me to be so wrapped up in this book that it feels like I’m tight in its grasp. I want to go on this journey with the character and feel I owe it to them to see it through with them, but I mentally can’t. So, I have to step aside for a moment, but know that I’m going to come back.
Charlotte ‘Charlie’ has gone through SO MUCH before she even gets to the age of eighteen. The title says it straight forward; she is in pieces. So much of her has shattered that it feels like once she’s found a piece or two of herself, it’s almost instantly gone. Whether it be because of a blast from the past, or an uncertain future.
She copes, or tries to, by cutting herself. I just can’t imagine anybody feeling that way about themselves. I just wanted to hug her.
“Cutting is a fence you build upon your own body to keep people out, but then you cry to be touched. But the fence is barged. What then?”
For a time, Charlie stays at a mental health facility, but when insurance runs out, she is forced to relocate with her mother until an opening at a halfway house is available. Her and her mother do not get along at all. When a guy friend (her crush) offers to move her closer to him to help her, expectations are made and hopes are set kind of high. This guy isn’t interested in her romantically and he used to date her best friend (whom has passed away).
What kind of hit me for a bit, while not at the extent or context as with Charlie, she meets this guy named Riley and he’s all wrong for her, but seems right for her at a certain time. She sort of becomes enthralled with him, even though he’s mostly high or drunk, but she can’t help herself. The need for closeness is sometimes just too great. I wanted to yell at Charlie for always going to him, but I can’t because I did the same thing. How can I yell at somebody for doing the same thing I have done?
My dear Charlie…
“I think you are having a different sort of heartbreak. Maybe a kind of heartbreak of being in the world when you don’t know how to be.”
This is the second novel I’ve read from Kathleen Glasgow. This one certainly had me really mentally involved. It didn’t finish it as quickly as I did her recent novel, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a good story. I can’t stress enough. THERE ARE NUMEROUS TRIGGER WARNINGS! Self-harm, mentions of sexual assault, etc. It was difficult for me to finish, so I stress that if these do not bother you, then this is a story worth reading. It’s all told in Charlie’s voice and the pieces she loses and somehow gets them back…one at a time.
“People should know about us. Girls who write their pain on their bodies.”
Merissa (11953 KP) rated Desperate Measures (Aspen Falls #5) in Books
Oct 17, 2018
Desperate Measures (Aspen Falls #5) by Melissa Pearl & Anna Cruise
Desperate Measures is the fifth book in the Aspen Falls series, and we finally get Camilla's story. She has made regular appearances throughout this series, but hasn't as yet had her say. She does in this one, and it was definitely worth waiting for!
Cam grew up on the wrong side of the tracks (so to speak) and was determined to change her life, and to make a difference. She does this, but not without heartbreak. She leaves behind the love of her young life, knowing he is in with the gangs that are rampant. She walks away, and does make a difference. Alex has always remained in her thoughts though, even when she tries to forget him. So when he turns up, bloody and battered, will she help him, or arrest him?
This was a great story, with plenty of depth to both the situations and the characters. There were no editing or grammatical errors to this story that I noticed. I enjoyed the banter between Cam and Alex, as well as the situations they found themselves in. Even though she is a police officer, Cam did across with a healthy dose of naivety at times.
With enough action to keep you turning the pages, this was thoroughly engrossing from start to finish. Absolutely recommended by me.
This is a series that I am thoroughly enjoying. Can't wait for the next one.
* 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!
Cam grew up on the wrong side of the tracks (so to speak) and was determined to change her life, and to make a difference. She does this, but not without heartbreak. She leaves behind the love of her young life, knowing he is in with the gangs that are rampant. She walks away, and does make a difference. Alex has always remained in her thoughts though, even when she tries to forget him. So when he turns up, bloody and battered, will she help him, or arrest him?
This was a great story, with plenty of depth to both the situations and the characters. There were no editing or grammatical errors to this story that I noticed. I enjoyed the banter between Cam and Alex, as well as the situations they found themselves in. Even though she is a police officer, Cam did across with a healthy dose of naivety at times.
With enough action to keep you turning the pages, this was thoroughly engrossing from start to finish. Absolutely recommended by me.
This is a series that I am thoroughly enjoying. Can't wait for the next one.
* 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!
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Innkeeper's Daughter (The Bow Street Runners #2) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
A story filled with intrigue, smugglers, ventriloquist, spies, romance, heartbreak, and a traitor. Travel back in time to 1808 in The Innkeepers Daughter.
This story has so many moving parts that you just want to keep reading to figure out WHAT IS GOING ON??? Also, there were several times our hero needed a good purse whomping. I absolutely LOVED this story. The romantic tension between Alex and Johanna...*whew*...And the climax of that tension in their kiss(es)...Make sure you keep a fainting couch nearby...and possible smelling salts.
The common thread throughout this story is all about giving over the control of our lives to God. It is easy to SAY that we trust God to see us through things...And yet we can still be found trying to fix all the little things that go wrong on our own...Trying to make it all better...in our own power. Instead of trusting for a door to open from God...we pry open the cellar door into destruction and chaos and say, "LOOK! I found a way!!! It isn't a GOOD way...but I did it ALL ON MY OWN!" Michelle Griep addresses the need to trust in our Lord so well. And it really rings true.
If you love a good romance that is clean and passionate, sprinkled with mystery and intrigue, this is definitely a book that you will enjoy!
I received a complimentary copy of The Innkeeper's Daughter from the publishers through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
This story has so many moving parts that you just want to keep reading to figure out WHAT IS GOING ON??? Also, there were several times our hero needed a good purse whomping. I absolutely LOVED this story. The romantic tension between Alex and Johanna...*whew*...And the climax of that tension in their kiss(es)...Make sure you keep a fainting couch nearby...and possible smelling salts.
The common thread throughout this story is all about giving over the control of our lives to God. It is easy to SAY that we trust God to see us through things...And yet we can still be found trying to fix all the little things that go wrong on our own...Trying to make it all better...in our own power. Instead of trusting for a door to open from God...we pry open the cellar door into destruction and chaos and say, "LOOK! I found a way!!! It isn't a GOOD way...but I did it ALL ON MY OWN!" Michelle Griep addresses the need to trust in our Lord so well. And it really rings true.
If you love a good romance that is clean and passionate, sprinkled with mystery and intrigue, this is definitely a book that you will enjoy!
I received a complimentary copy of The Innkeeper's Daughter from the publishers through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Caraval in Books
Jan 2, 2020
A good read
Contains spoilers, click to show
Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.
But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.
Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic.
It was good!
Lots of twists and turns as Scarlett tries to find her sister in a world created by magic. After escaping her father Tally takes on a whole new persona to save both her and her sister from a life where they are beaten and tormented by a father that is pure evil. Scarletts search for Tally pairs her up with Julien who she falls for although promised to a count! Both her father and count track them down at the caraval in an attempt to drag them home so Scarlett can be married off to the count that's paid a lot of money for her!
Here Scarlett discovers the whole plot put into motion by her sister and the legend.
Looking forward to book 2!
Recommended
⭐⭐⭐

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.
Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic.
It was good!
Lots of twists and turns as Scarlett tries to find her sister in a world created by magic. After escaping her father Tally takes on a whole new persona to save both her and her sister from a life where they are beaten and tormented by a father that is pure evil. Scarletts search for Tally pairs her up with Julien who she falls for although promised to a count! Both her father and count track them down at the caraval in an attempt to drag them home so Scarlett can be married off to the count that's paid a lot of money for her!
Here Scarlett discovers the whole plot put into motion by her sister and the legend.
Looking forward to book 2!
Recommended
⭐⭐⭐

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