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Summer at Sandcastle Cottage
Summer at Sandcastle Cottage
Christina Jones | 2021 | Romance
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is told from multiple perspectives, Kitty, Apollo and Jemini are sharing their thoughts and feelings. I really liked not only the main characters but all characters mentioned in this book. They all are very realistic, unique and incredibly funny. The protagonists had a difficult past, but I am happy about their present life.

The narrative was very entertaining and enjoyable. I really enjoyed the little twists and turns, that the author incorporated into this novel. The topics discussed in this book were difficult relationships, everyday life, racism, looking for love, friendships and plenty more. One thing that really annoyed me is the term “politically correct” used in multiple places throughout this book. I don’t think it was needed and it irked me a lot.

I absolutely loved the setting of this book. I would love to spend holidays in a place like Firefly Common, where you can go to the beach and enjoy idyllic walks. The book is set during summer, so it was a great escape to somewhere nice during the lockdown. The chapters of the book have medium length, but the story is very entertaining and the pages just fly by. The ending was quite predictable, but I liked the way this story was concluded. There is a short story/prequel to this book called Christmas At Sandcastle Cottage. I haven’t read it, but I hope it would explain the past situations of the main characters better.

So, to conclude, I really enjoyed this funny, romantic novel, filled with intriguing and humorous characters as well as the plot that takes you to a beautiful place and makes you believe in a better life.
  
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Merissa (12066 KP) rated Her Druid Fantasy (The Amber Druid Series #2) in Books

Mar 31, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)  
Her Druid Fantasy (The Amber Druid Series #2)
Her Druid Fantasy (The Amber Druid Series #2)
Trish F. Leger | 2014 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
If you haven't read any of the Amber Druid series yet then you are sure as heck missing out. These books take you on a sensual and romantic journey, peppered with arguments, 'real' life and passion.

This particular book tells the story of Ramsey and Vivienne. You know that they are just perfect for each other but with their own stubbornness and outside circumstances get in the way? I won't say for sure but I will say that I was gripped by their story, in turn, I was sad, happy, and concerned - you name it, I think the emotion will be in this book.

I love how the druids can tell if another one of them is nearby, even without seeing them. And I also loved how they knew that something was going to happen even before Vivi's symptoms became known. It almost reminded me of the Jedi Knights - "there's a disturbance in the Force!"

This series just keeps getting better and better. We greet old friends and get to know new ones. Personally, I love the time spent on drawing away each layer of the characters so that you get a deeper, more intimate knowledge of them. I know Brenan's book is out next which should be good but I really can't wait for Kale's story! He intrigues me ;)

Highly recommended for all Paranormal fans out there.
 
* 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!
August 25, 2016
  
Crystal Blade (Paladins of Crystal #2)
Crystal Blade (Paladins of Crystal #2)
Nicola M. Cameron | 2023 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
CRYSTAL BLADE is the second book in the Paladins of Crystal series, and I recommend you read this following Book One as the story continues on from there. It is NOT a standalone.

Are you ready? Then hold onto your hats, because this book will take you on a wild and bumpy ride. Oh, man. Crystal is up against everything in this book, apart from the Buff Lords, that is. They are still being honourable and keeping their distance, even if they don't want to. More becomes clear about this bunch too, which I loved. But back to Crystal. I love her attitude. It's as simple as that. She is stubborn, knows what she wants, and isn't afraid to fight for it - quite literally, as it happens.

So many excellent characters in here help to move the story along, as well as either help or hinder Crystal. I love learning more about them as the story progresses. It certainly drew me in once again.

That ending though! Gah, I think the author is trying to kill me!!! I mean, seriously!!! Apart from desperately wanting Crystal Reflection which is the next book in the series, it has left me wanting to go back and reread book one. You know, just because. And if that isn't the sign of a good book and an amazing author, I don't know what is.

Absolutely and definitely 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!
Sep 25, 2023
  
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Merissa (12066 KP) rated The Signs We Missed in Books

Aug 4, 2022 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)  
The Signs We Missed
The Signs We Missed
Lena S. May | 2022 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Love is never easy, and it is sometimes dark and filled with pain.
THE SIGNS WE MISSED is a young adult, standalone story, that deals with some dark themes. It comes with trigger warnings so please take note of them.

Love is never easy, and it is sometimes dark and filled with pain, especially if you are experiencing something for the first time and are unsure of just what's happening. Cruelty can be through ignorance, not always deliberate. This is the position Sean finds himself in with Luke. He has feelings but doesn't know what to do with them.

Told mainly from the perspectives of Sean, Luke, and Shayne, the missing gaps are mostly filled in and you get a rounded story. To be honest, I wasn't exactly sure how Fly's story fitted in for most of it, nor if the destructive relationship between her and Shayne was sorted, but it was still an enjoyable read - if a dark storyline can be called as such.

This is not light and fluffy, to even think that would be to do it a disservice. Instead, it is a gripping book that deals with self-harm, bisexual awakenings, and eating disorders, to name just a few. If you can cope with those, then I definitely recommend you take a chance on this novel.

** 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!
Aug 1, 2022
  
In Your Eyes (Mates #3)
In Your Eyes (Mates #3)
Cardeno C | 2015 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
In Your Eyes (Mates #3) by Cardeno C.
Samuel and Korban are two very different shifters - one is very logical and methodical, knows exactly what he must do to become an Alpha and works hard to do so, the other seems more fun and carefree and completely ruffles up Samuel the wrong way.

I absolutely loved this story although it did bring tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. There are some great lines in here as Samuel tries to figure out Korban, to no avail. I also thoroughly enjoyed seeing and hearing about other characters that I already have met. The two main characters, though, worked absolutely perfectly with each other. It was definitely a case of them completing each other!

A heart-melting love story about receiving the greatest blessing a shifter can get - that of a true mate.

I received this book from WLK Book Promotions in return for a fair and honest review.

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
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Book Divas (227 KP) rated Beneath the Fall in Books

Dec 12, 2017 (Updated Dec 12, 2017)  
BT
Beneath the Fall
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
If you love fantasy and stories that take place in other worlds then this is for you. A beautifully written story line with fantastic characters and the amazing world building was out of this world. From the moment I saw the cover I knew I was in for a treat and as I flipped through the pages I knew that this book would pull me into the story and keep me wrapped up in all of its beauty. The artwork is truly breathtaking and it all seems to pop out of the pages quickly drawing you in. Reading this book was like eating a delicious treat and I savored every single moment of it. This book is worthy of more than the five stars I can give it and I highly recommend this to one and all.
 
{I received a copy when I signed up for the book tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}
  
Wonder Woman (2017)
Wonder Woman (2017)
2017 | Action, Fantasy, War
Strong female characters (3 more)
Love Interest without a "damsel in distress"
Not too dark, and not too happy either
The most cohesive DCEU film to date
Not the most fascinating story (0 more)
A Triumph for Women Everywhere (and the DCEU)
Gal Gadot is perfect. She kicks ass and looks great doing it, dominating every frame she inhabits. Thanks to Patty Jenkin's guiding hand, Gadot's iteration of Wonder Woman does so without becoming yet another one-dimensional sex symbol. The movie itself is the most cohesive and fun segment the DCEU has offered yet. Free of the glowering and overbearing lens Zack Snyder has placed over Superman and Batman, Wonder Woman touches on themes of hope and discovered humanity that were yet to be seen in DC's fledgling movie universe. Even if the story is a little basic, and a little reminiscent of Captain America: The First Avenger, it stands on its own two feet and puts up a good fight for two hours and twenty minutes.
  
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Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Visionist in Books

Jan 15, 2018  
TV
The Visionist
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was without a doubt a much different book than what I am used to reading. That is not a bad thing at all. This book tells the story of how 3 lives that seemed so separate suddenly crash together in very unexpected ways. The first is Polly a young girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders. She is a worker & protector within her small, dysfunctional family. The next is Sister Charity. A young Shaker girl who holds a high esteem within her community until circumstances change & that changes in an instant. The last is Simon Pryor. A man who was forced into a position because he had tried to help out.
One quote stands out to me as a good summary of the story as a whole. Urquhart wrote, "But this, this love lifted from the ashes, abused, abandoned, afraid, misread, discarded, half-dead - like those who enter into it, it is broken. Yet beautiful, so very beautiful."
  
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Ransom Riggs | 2013 | Children, Young Adult (YA)
7
7.9 (128 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was not what I expected it to be, but I don't think that makes it deserve the many negative reviews.

 This book is not a "horror" book, with the exception of the "evil" characters who created the reasons for the plot to go where it went. It IS a weird book. I love weird, or should I say "peculiar".

The best thing about the book (and why so many thought it was different than what it was) is that the story was written completely around these found vintage, sometimes creepy, photographs. None of the images were altered with "modern" photoshop, but no one actually knows the real stories behind them or how much they were actually a trick of the camera.

This is Young Adult and so a fairly quick read, but it's also a different kind of fantasy story that is worth the read. Beware, however, the ending does NOT allow you to leave this book without needing to read the sequel.
  
Kingdom Hearts III
Kingdom Hearts III
2018 | Action, Role-Playing
Story, battle system, mini games (0 more)
Gummi ship controls (0 more)
Great Adventure
I love the Kingdom Hearts series because it offered great characters and fantastic worlds from so many favorite Disney movies. I was quite excited for Kingdom Hearts III when it finally arrived. The combat is definitely better here and moves more fluidly. The attraction attacks are a lot of fun, but a couple aren't so great. I did have some favorites though and it was always a blast to use them. The addition of mini games definitely adds to the fun of the game. The story itself is interesting with familiar characters and great nods to previous Kingdom Hearts games. I have never liked the gummi ship because the controls for it were always awful. The gummi ship controls are a little better here, but they're still not great. The game is a bit short, but it's still a great game with amazing graphics and fun gameplay making it worth the wait.