
The Black Lily
Mandy Burkhead and G.D. Burkhead
Book
Courtesan. Spy. Assassin. Across the Kingdom of Arestea, the shadowy league of professional...
courtesan assassin femme fatale royalty intrigue seduction

Secret Hitler
Tabletop Game
Secret Hitler is a dramatic game of political intrigue and betrayal set in 1930s Germany. Each...
Social Deduction

The Ghost Bride
Book
Publisher's Summary A startlingly original voice makes her literary debut with this wondrous...

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Travelers in Books
Sep 8, 2021
Book
The Travelers
By Chris Pavone
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
It’s 3:00am. Do you know where your husband is?
Meet Will Rhodes: travel writer, recently married, barely solvent, his idealism rapidly giving way to disillusionment and the worry that he’s living the wrong life. Then one night, on assignment for the award-winning Travelers magazine in the wine region of Argentina, a beautiful woman makes him an offer he can’t refuse. Soon Will’s bad choices—and dark secrets—take him across Europe, from a chateau in Bordeaux to a midnight raid on a Paris mansion, from a dive bar in Dublin to a mega-yacht in the Mediterranean and an isolated cabin perched on the rugged cliffs of Iceland. As he’s drawn further into a tangled web of international intrigue, it becomes clear that nothing about Will Rhodes was ever ordinary, that the network of deception ensnaring him is part of an immense and deadly conspiracy with terrifying global implications—and that the people closest to him may pose the greatest threat of all.
It’s 3:00am. Your husband has just become a spy.
I can appreciate where and what the author was trying to do but this just didn’t grab me at all! It was a hard slog through. Two stars may seem a bit mean and I would encourage people to at least give it a go especially if you enjoy spy novels.

Merissa (13169 KP) rated Awakening (Rapture's Edge #1) in Books
Apr 14, 2023
However, I haven't read any of those prior to starting this book although I sure as hell want to read them now! This is not due to any plot holes or confusion in this book, it just sounds like such a great place, I want more.
This is an in-depth and full-of-action story that mainly revolves around Duncan and Rachel. There is a lot going on and you also need to understand that they are going through a mating bond which throws a caveman into the mix too. With psychotic women, strange powers and at least six Earths that I read about, this story has it all. I loved that the main two in this book had a history together, it wasn't just insta-love! That is always a bonus for me. So many other characters that intrigue and enchant though. One such character is Endelle - now I can't say that she's enchanting but I did love her attitude and her honesty. I can't wait to read more about her.
A thoroughly enjoyable start to the series which will definitely leave you wanting more. Definitely recommended.
* 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 7, 2015

Merissa (13169 KP) rated Sink or Swim: Part One (Aria & the Seven Seas, #1) in Books
Nov 15, 2022
Aria is happy with her life Topside, performing with her band and getting sustenance that way. When she is summoned back to the Deep, she has no idea what's going to happen.
Oh, man. What a start! Aria is a blast, always has been, always will be. I couldn't figure out just how she would settle down, but Ms Blythe hasn't let me down! Instead of one mate, Aria is going to have multiple. They'll need each other too, to keep her appetite fed.
It's not all fun and games though, oh no. We have assassination attempts, political intrigue, slimy want-to-punch-them-in-the-face characters, as well as our wannabe Royal Pod. We've met two for sure, probably three of the heirs, and I'm hoping we meet the others soon.
A brilliant start to the trilogy with a favourite character of mine from Wildeward. I really need to read them again! I think I'll finish Aria's story first though. Do I recommend this book? You betcha! Absolutely loved it and can't wait for 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Mastering the Art of French Murder
Book
As Paris rediscovers its joie de vivre, Tabitha Knight, recently arrived from Detroit for an...
Kindle
Secret of Magic: Rebels & Spies ( Academy of Falling Kingdom book 2)
By Marisa Mills and Drake Mason
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The good news: I miraculously survived a would-be fatal fall.
The bad news: A demon helped me do it.
The worst news: Prince Alexander saw everything.
Reverie is supposed to be paradise -- but the power holding the floating city aloft isn't holy; it's demonic. Now demons are attacking my classmates -- and I think they're targeting me. If we can't find the source behind the attacks, the entire kingdom could be in danger of falling from the sky.
And Alexander knows I'm a fraud.
I came to Reverie to steal something. Now I need Alexander to steal something, too. Because he has one thing I never will; the trust of the king.
But can I convince him to exploit his father's trust to save his people? Or will Alexander tell the world who I really am?
The Secret of Magic is a young adult fantasy adventure full of monsters, murder and romantic intrigue. Fans who enjoyed Rachel Carter’s Black Mage series and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy will love this sprawling magic academy!
I loved it! From surviving the fall to the very last chapter I found it interesting and just wanted to keep reading. I knew her true identity it was kind of obvious I was just willing it along until Wynter found out too! Looking forward to seeing where they all go from here.

The Feathered Nest (The Thornton Mysteries #4)
Book
Murder comes to Norfolk Island, but is the killer after Alexandra Archer’s Tahitian black pearl or...
Historical Fiction Historical Mystery Suspense Romance

Merissa (13169 KP) rated Starfolk Falling (The Starfolk Trilogy #2) by Martha Dunlop in Books
Jul 21, 2022 (Updated Jul 26, 2023)
We learn more about the history and pasts of each of our characters, and figure out just how they worked together - or were supposed to! We are also introduced to new characters who have big roles to play, even if one of them isn't that old.
Amelia is fraying slightly at the edges, which is fair enough considering the torment she is putting others through. I still love Bill and love how he is making her life as miserable as possible! Roland goes through a lot in this book. I'm keeping my fingers crossed he works it out AND Beth is able to help Layla!
Just as much intrigue and suspense in this book but, for me, it flowed a little better. I was able to get lost in the story much quicker than in book one. Maybe it's because I already had the background of the characters. I don't know. All I know is I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait for the final! 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 17, 2022