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The Prince's Charm (Princely Plans #1)
The Prince's Charm (Princely Plans #1)
Ellie Ash | 2026 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE PRINCE'S CHARM is the first book in the Princely Plans series, a new series in a new world, with a host of new characters to fall in love with, but the same exceptional writing and world-building as I have come to expect from this author.

Torex and Pelun (I wouldn't dare to be so familiar as to call them Tor and Pel!) are both princes and both the black sheep of their families for differing reasons. Torex has a plan to marry for love in a FAR FROM NOW future, and goes to Tond to annoy his brother and get out of an arranged (sort of) marriage. Pelun doesn't know what game the High Prince is playing, but he isn't interested anyway.

I find it so easy to lose myself in Ellie Ash's worlds. This one is slow-burning, but with snippets and comments that made me chuckle. Yes, Pelun has a chip on his shoulder, and no, I don't blame him (fully). As for Torex, well, he's charming, but also slightly conceited. This isn't really a surprise, given his upbringing and magical level.

I thoroughly enjoyed every word of book one, and I can't wait to continue with the next. Absolutely loved it and HIGHLY RECOMMEND 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 31, 2026
  
Honeymoon with Murder
Honeymoon with Murder
Carolyn G. Hart | 1988 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Annie and Max’s Marriage Gets Off to a Murderous Start
Annie and Max’s wedding turned out beautifully, despite Max’s mother’s attempts to hijack the ceremony. Their plans to leave the next morning on their honeymoon are sidetracked, however, when they get a panicked midnight call from Ingrid, Annie’s employee, friend, and matron of honor. Ingrid is cut off before they can get much out of her, so they race over to Ingrid’s cottage, where they find a dead body in the middle of her living room but no sign of the woman herself. The victim is Jesse Penrick, one of the residents of the cottages that Ingrid manages. With the police looking to Ingrid to arrest her for murder, Annie starts her own investigation to find and clear her friend. Can she do it?

I was very impressed with Max in this book. While he did grumble to himself a bit about the way these days played out, he showed his love for Annie by digging in and helping out. We get the usual assortment of colorful supporting players and suspects strong enough to keep us guessing. The wedding doesn’t really slow down the beginning of the book, and the mystery is strong. It kept me guessing until Annie put everything together at the end. I know the series is known for its mystery author name dropping, but it did get excessive at times. Also excessive was the foul language. Still, I did enjoy this book overall and look forward to Annie and Max’s next case.
  
When You Disappeared
When You Disappeared
John Marrs | 2017 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
167 of 230
Kindle
When you Disappeared
By John Marrs
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

All she wanted was the truth, but she’ll wish she never found out.

When Catherine wakes up alone one morning, she thinks her husband has gone for a run before work. But Simon never makes it to the office. His running shoes are by the front door. Nothing is missing—except him.

Catherine knows Simon must be in trouble. He wouldn’t just leave her. He wouldn’t leave the children.

But Simon knows the truth—about why he left and what he’s done. He knows things about his marriage that it would kill Catherine to find out. The memories she holds onto are lies.

While Catherine faces a dark new reality at home, Simon’s halfway around the world, alive and thriving. He’s doing whatever it takes to stay one step ahead of the truth.

But he can’t hide forever, and when he reappears twenty-five years later, Catherine will finally learn who he is.

And wish she’d stayed in the dark.

Holy crap that was a bit good! It was so different to what I thought it was going to be. I couldn’t put it down the characters drew you in. Who’d have thought one simple lack of communication in a perfectly happy relationship would cause so much destruction. I don’t think I’d have been able to stop where Catherine did at the end! Also do you have after hearing an authors voice automatically hear it when read their work? Nope? Just me than kinda weird 😂.
  
Prince of Frogs (Curse of the Dark Kingdom, #1)
Prince of Frogs (Curse of the Dark Kingdom, #1)
Amberlyn Holland | 2022 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE FROG PRINCE is the first book in the Curse of the Dark Kingdom series and manages to tell you all about how the curse was set in place without overloading you with information all at once. Each of the brothers and sister have to deal with a different curse. Alistair is the one who has turned green and has gills, together with a silver metal mask that has fused with his face.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story as Alistair, with help from his 2IC, comes to realise that he is more than just his father's weapon and that things aren't just black and white. Evonna has her own trials and tribulations to contend with and I loved how both sides were worked into the story, making you care about the characters.

There is an overall story arc and a HFN ending. You don't get a marriage but I do feel these will continue to grow in the other stories. One thing I loved is that the sister is the one freed first, even though this isn't her story! I can't wait to read more in this series.

If you're a fan of fantasy romance and fairy tale retellings, then I definitely recommend you try this one!

** 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 8, 2023