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We Fly Beneath the Stars [Audiobook]
We Fly Beneath the Stars [Audiobook]
Suzanne Kelman | 2022 | History & Politics
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is one of those stories that grabs you and doesn't let go until the last word ... absolutely gripping, full of tension and courage ... and based on a true story.

The book follows the lives of Nadia and Tasha, sisters who join the Russian Airforce during World War II and who become fighter pilots in the much-feared by the Germans and all-female squadron known as "The Night Witches."

Given inferior equipment and less training than their male counterparts as well as having to put up with their harassment all whilst trying to stay alive and get back safely following their night sorties over the advancing German army; this is a story of tremendous bravery however it also a tale of sibling rivalry, love, loss and choices.

The narrator, Lauryn Allman, was excellent; her voice totally immersed me into the story; one of the best I have come across so far and my thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of We Fly Beneath the Stars.
  
Rise of the Fallen (All the King's Men, #1)
Rise of the Fallen (All the King's Men, #1)
Donya Lynne | 2012 | Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
8.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Man, these vamps are HOT! Micah is an all-male Alpha who has recently been devastated by his mate leaving him. To mate with a vampire doesn't always require it to be both-sided! Micah can't deal with his pain any longer and wants to end it all. He makes arrangements with his enemies for them to do it and to let him be at peace. Along comes Sam. Not only does she stop them from killing him but she gives him a reason to live.

There are so many fantastic characters in this book I don't know where to start. I love Micah and Sam. I'm glad to see Micah come out the other side. But I want to know more about Tristan and Josie, Sev and Ari and I definitely NEED to know more about Trace.

If you want a hot paranormal romance with a rocking crew, then look no further! Get it whilst it's free!!

* Verified Purchase on Amazon *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 25, 2013
  
Ascendant Moon (Gladstone Shifters #6)
Ascendant Moon (Gladstone Shifters #6)
Alexander Elliott | 2024 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
ASCENDANT MOON is the sixth book in the Gladstone Shifters series and you really need to have read everything before this one.

There is so much going on in here - the lost pack is found, a male omega is abused and impregnated due to the 'new' knowledge being used against him, new True Elders, new mates, new rules. So hold onto your hats, as it's a lot to take in.

As always, this was a gripping read. If I had any complaint, it would be that sometimes it is hard to remember just who is with whom, as there have been so many couplings and throuplings, it gets a little confusing.

I am always happy to return to Gladstone and the amazing, intricate stories that unfold there. 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!
19 Sep, 2024
  
SA
Something's Alive on the Titanic
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Something's Alive on the Titanic has a bit of a split story line, with one part of the book taking place in 1975, and the other part taking place in 1995. Written by the late Robert Serling, who is, in fact, Rod Serling's older brother, Something's Alive on the Titanic plays off of the idea that Dr. Robert Ballard was not the first one to discover the final resting place of the Titanic. Instead, a team led by John Hawke, at the behest of code-breaker Derek Montague, departs on an expedition to retrieve treasure from the Titanic's watery grave after Montague discovers that a shipment from a smuggling ring under the guise of a salvage company by the name of Sovereign Metals.

A true product of its time, and remaining faithful to the time-period in which the story is set, one of the few things of note to make in regards to its characters is the absolute lack of a strong female presence. The two women that are present, especially Chaney in the 1975 portion of the book, are Mary Sue-esque and, without a doubt, sexualized. Another note to be made comes in the form of the male characters: they are portrayed as stereotypical, stubborn men that, despite being superstitious, are also skeptics. This manner of male character is more prominent in the second part of the book than the first.

The plot, on the other hand, was pretty stellar. In 1975, the expedition lacks the proper equipment to dive down into the depths of the Atlantic and explore the ship for extended periods of time. They make the most of what they do have, however. Intent on claiming the lost treasure, most of John Hawke's crew show little regard for the fact that they are desecrating a grave: greed is, after all, the heart of all evil. While the Atlantic Ocean treats the crew well, the Titanic is anything but forgiving: the decrepit ship plays host to more than the relics of the souls that once stood upon its deck. Whatever that thing is, it doesn't play nicely. In 1995, the US Navy gathers a crew to find out what exactly happened in 1975, and to complete the earlier expedition's salvage mission.

Given the presence of a female in a heavily male dominated field, it goes without saying that there's a bit of teasing and a bit of romance. That subplot is fairly minor and serves mostly to remind readers of a certain character's penchant for being a total asshole and little more. There is also sex, briefly, but I'll leave that to someone else.

Serling's knowledge of the Titanic is actually pretty accurate, down to the fact that the fourth funnel on the ship was a fake, there was a shortage of lifeboats, and most of the lifeboats were dropped before they were filled.

It isn't very often that a book really draws me in, but that could be attributed to the fact that I no longer read as I used to. Serling's prose kept me on the edge of my seat and at times, it even raised my heart rate a little. Rather than paint us an entire picture of the supernatural phenomena that takes place, he begins with little bits and pieces, crumbs if you will, until finally, you begin to question the sanity of the characters involved, whilst simultaneously hoping for the best.
  
Frostbite (The Gifted Ones #1)
Frostbite (The Gifted Ones #1)
J.M. Wolf | 2018 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
first I've read of this author, I need more!
Verified Amazon purchase March 2019

Dorian has been dreaming of and hearing the song of the wolf who can only be his mate. Drawn to the mountains that are nestled in his friend Tobias’ lands, he has no choice but to go. There is, though, the small matter of Frostbite, a semi-legend slash horror story about a white wolf who has been killing alpha wolves. But Cyrus has been defending himself, and Dorian is, in his eyes, another threat. When Dorian is unaffected my Cyrus’ magic, he knows that Dorian is his mate. There is just the fact of whether he WANTS a mate, and whether Tobias will accept him into the pack, legends and all.

I came across book two of this series on social media, I forget which. THAT book was free, and this one was only 99p, (27/03/19) so I grabbed them both and I am so glad I did!

I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

It’s sufficiently different to make it interesting, with the alpha male wolves being able to have children with females, but only their FATED MATE can be male. Dorian was married to a human woman; they had a child who died. Cyrus never had any children, he didn’t to pass the horror of HIS childhood upon another.

Dorian KNOWS Cyrus is his mate, he can hear his sorrow and loneliness in his song. Cyrus, however, needs to come to Dorian. CYRUS needs to ask to join the pack. Tobias is, to be fair, quite a . . .laid back Alpha. Well, laid back til you cross his pack and put anyone in it in danger. He accepts Cyrus, and the other omegas take him under his wing. Cyrus had been without anyone for a long time. Now he has a MATE, and a PACK that has accepted him, and his story. And when Cyrus’ past comes to attack that family and pack, they all gather up, and show Cyrus just what that means.

We are introduced to the legend of Diablo, which is book two and we are given hints about Tobias, who is maybe not just wolf, but just WHAT, that remains to be seen!

First I’ve read of this author, I need more!

A thoroughly enjoyable, well worth the 99p I paid for it, read.

4 solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
40x40

Kaz (232 KP) rated Never Say Spy- Book 1 of the 'Never Say Spy' Series in Books

May 18, 2019 (Updated May 18, 2019)  
Never Say Spy- Book 1 of the 'Never Say Spy' Series
Never Say Spy- Book 1 of the 'Never Say Spy' Series
Diane Henders | 2011 | Crime, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Exciting Story, Likeable Characters, Great female Main Character (0 more)
Slightly Implausible behaviour by some of the characters at times (0 more)
A Real Page Turner
This book was given to me as a present by a friend and is the first in the 'Never Say Spy' Series.

Firstly, what I really liked about this novel, was that the main character was a woman. This is a book set within a crime/spy environment and it's unusual to have a female main character, within this genre. I also really liked how Aydan Kelly was not portrayed as a weak, helpless victim, who was waiting to be rescued. She had guts and could definitely hold her own in a tricky situation.

This is a very fast- paced novel, from the very beginning. I liked this because you felt like you were finding out things, as Aydan was. This is so gripping, that I found it difficult to put this book down.

I also liked the Sci-Fi element to this novel. Usually I don't like books mixing genres too much, but actually., I wish that it could have been used a bit more, because it makes this different from every other novel within this genre.

I enjoyed reading about the male characters within this novel. They are all very distinctive and I liked that they all had their own identities. I loved the dynamics of the two main male characters with Aydan and it kept me wanted to know how this was going to resolve.

Due to the fact that Aydan Kelly is such as strong character, she has some very funny one liners and I really cared what happened to her. However, my only criticism of this novel would be that, as well as being a feisty woman, she also has a lustful mind. This is good because it's realistic, but, I did feel that these thoughts crept into her mind at the most inappropriate times, particularly when she had just been in an intense, dangerous situation.

This is also violent and gory in places. Although I wouldn't say that these parts were not inappropriate to the story.

I'm generally not a fan of spy novels and films, but I really enjoyed this one. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series.