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Wrench in the Engine (Galaxia Pirates #3)
Wrench in the Engine (Galaxia Pirates #3)
A.M. Halford | 2017 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wrench in the Engine (Galaxia Pirates #3) by A.M. Halford
Wrench in the Engine is the third book in the Galaxia Pirates series, and we continue where we left off. The Galaxia is in danger from her engine exploding (or something else equally as bad!) and the only one who can help is someone called Chris, who just happened to build the thing in the first place. Stephen is the head mechanic who loves his engines, and wants nothing more but to go back to them. Unfortunately, although he hates human interaction/touch, he has to be involved if he wants his engine fixed.

This book was heading towards a 5-star as I loved the interaction between Chris and Stephen. The matching up of Stephen loving metal and Chris having it was perfect. Both of them loved engines and had plenty in common. The thing that stopped it from being 5-stars for me was Stephen's reaction to being around water and going back to his home planet. For such a severe reaction, not much was actually said about it. And what was said wasn't enough to garner the reaction that Stephen gave. I would have loved to heard more about his past, and why he reacted that way.

On the whole though, this book is written very smoothly, in A.M. Halford's style. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, and the pacing was perfect for the story. Like I said, for me, just that one niggle. That was it. You may find it different, so why not give it a go for yourself? Absolutely recommended by me.

* 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!
  
The Wayward Prince (Mind + Machine #2)
The Wayward Prince (Mind + Machine #2)
Hanna Dare | 2018 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
great follow up to book one!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

4 years ago, Sebastian stole The Wayward Prince from a young man called Ren. Now, Rem is back and offering Sebastian and his crew a job. Can Sebastian and Ren part again, with their hearts intact?

This is book two in the Mind + Machine series, and I would personally recommend you read book one, Machine Metal Magic, first. Jaime and Rylan plays a huge part here and there is some references to their story. Not necessary just a personal recommendation.

I really enjoyed this one! It's a great follow up to book one. Not quite a five star read but so very nearly!

It's also quite difficult to write a review for this book without giving anything away! There are plot twists all over, and I did not see a single one coming me! And the slightest slip up on my part would spoil that experience for someone else. So, this may well be very vague!

Loved Sebastian. He thinks he's a bad egg but really has a heart of gold. He loves his ship and his on-board family, waifs and strays he's picked up, or indeed, they've picked Sebastian up. And Ren? Well let's just say he's a sweetheart, and he wants to do right by everyone, even to his own heartbreak. But loved his solution to that heartbreak!

Loved the hints that come about each crew member's history! So many stories to tell, those people!

It's told from both men's point of view so we get it all from both of them and you know how happy that makes me feel!

Oh do you know what? I can't find anything wrong with this so . . . .

5 full stars.

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Black Sky Morning (Mind + Machine #3)
Black Sky Morning (Mind + Machine #3)
Hanna Dare | 2019 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
doesn't quite hit THAT spot!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 3 in the Mind + Machine series, and it's not totally necessary to read the other two books first, but I personally think it would give you a bigger better picture of Jonathan, and his work.

I LOVED books one adn two, this one though, did not quite hit THAT spot, you know? And it pains me, deeply, when I cannot figure out why!

Jonathan is Rylan's brother (book one, Metal Machine Magic) and Xin pops up on both previous books (I think!) they just haven't crossed paths just yet. Not til Jonathan enlists Xin in a mission that goes a bit wrong. But then Xin enlists Jonathan in a mission of his own and the pair end up stranded on a distant planet, faced with possible death. They have to work together to get free. Neither is used to trusting though.

I liked the way the story developed, at an even pace, fast enough to keep up but not so fast you miss something. I liked that there wasn't rally any attraction brewing between them (at least I didn't pick it up!) until Xin brings up a possible physical relationship to get them through their predicament. I liked the way that things crept up on them both.

It's well told, from both Jonathan and Xin's point of view, in the third person. Each voice is clear and distinctive, given their very different upbringings.

I liked the way their story unfolded. I just didn't LOVE it like the other two!

So, gonna leave it with this, a good solid sci-fi read, that I did read in one sitting!

4 solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
A Window Breaks
A Window Breaks
C. M. Ewan | 2020 | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dripping with tension and atmosphere
Well, that certainly was a page-turner with non-stop action from the sound of breaking glass to the sickening crack of metal against bone.

Tom, his wife, Rachel, and their daughter, Holly, have been through it. First their teenage son, Michael, and his girlfriend, Fiona, die in a road traffic collision when Michael was driving and if that wasn't bad enough, Holly is viciously attacked by a mugger. What's needed is for them to getaway and take Tom's boss up on his offer of time away at his secluded and secure lodge in Scotland ... what could possibly go wrong?

Written mainly from Tom's perspective, we are taken on a thrilling journey of survival; we are lulled into a false sense of security when Tom and his family arrive at the lodge but are quickly plunged into a nightmare when they are awoken by the sound of someone walking on broken glass. When Tom goes to investigate, what he sees makes his heart drop to his toes and so it begins 😰

Tom's voice is a breath of fresh air because he is not your usual macho Bear Grylls hero, he is a "normal" husband and father ... vulnerable, fearful and afraid but determined to protect his family despite not being particularly brave, strong or fit ... this made him more real somehow and because of this, you are never quite sure how this was going to end.

With an easy to read, flowing style, this book is dripping with tension and atmosphere with many hold-your-breath moments that had me gripped and eagerly flipping my Kindle® ... I couldn't read fast enough.

Recommended reading for action/thriller/suspense lovers.

Many thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an honest review.
  
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