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Merissa (13600 KP) rated Beyond the Black Mist (The Familiar Curse #2) in Books
Mar 19, 2021 (Updated Aug 2, 2023)
BEYOND THE BLACK MIST is the second book in The Familiar's Curse series, and we continue with Dante and Juliet's story. Both of them are separated, and in places where they don't want to be. With all the fear and mistrust, how will they ever be together?
You really do need to read book one as this is a series, not a bunch of standalones. We are introduced to new characters, and well as being reunited with old ones. And, I'm afraid to say, Nicholas doesn't get any nicer in this one! Pops, though. Aww, I want one of my own.
Anyway, moving on. For most of the book, Juliet and Dante are working towards being together, and when they do, it's lovely, but not over the top. There is a twist at the end that you may have seen coming. It certainly crossed my mind but then I thought 'no'. LOL Guess I was wrong!
A brilliant continuation of the story, with some major changes in one particular character. I know who I want to end up with her, but I will wait to see. I love being surprised.
Absolutely fantastic, a great addition to the series, and definitely recommended by me.
* 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!
Mar 19, 2021
You really do need to read book one as this is a series, not a bunch of standalones. We are introduced to new characters, and well as being reunited with old ones. And, I'm afraid to say, Nicholas doesn't get any nicer in this one! Pops, though. Aww, I want one of my own.
Anyway, moving on. For most of the book, Juliet and Dante are working towards being together, and when they do, it's lovely, but not over the top. There is a twist at the end that you may have seen coming. It certainly crossed my mind but then I thought 'no'. LOL Guess I was wrong!
A brilliant continuation of the story, with some major changes in one particular character. I know who I want to end up with her, but I will wait to see. I love being surprised.
Absolutely fantastic, a great addition to the series, and definitely recommended by me.
* 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!
Mar 19, 2021
Merissa (13600 KP) rated Full Moon in Leo in Books
Dec 15, 2020 (Updated Aug 8, 2023)
FULL MOON IN LEO is a standalone novel with the potential to become a series if the other characters speak up. In this story, we meet with Cole, a guy who's done time but for all good reasons (once you actually find out what they are), and Jesse, a trans guy who prefers they/them pronouns, who runs a charming apothecary in Jewel.
Cole has trust issues and is constantly fighting with his family. The only one he doesn't is his aunt, which is how he ends up in Jewel. There, he meets old friends and new and falls - quite literally - for Jesse. Jesse is on the spectrum and very rarely allows himself to like anyone, but Cole gets under his skin in a good way.
The apothecary setting for this novel is great, but you don't really see much more than that, just general descriptions. The pacing is good for the most part but can feel both slow and rushed in places. I would love to know more about Tara and Monica, both of whom have more than a few rough edges.
On the whole, this was an enjoyable read with a seasonal theme. If that's what you're looking for, then I can definitely recommend this book.
* 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!
Dec 15, 2020
Cole has trust issues and is constantly fighting with his family. The only one he doesn't is his aunt, which is how he ends up in Jewel. There, he meets old friends and new and falls - quite literally - for Jesse. Jesse is on the spectrum and very rarely allows himself to like anyone, but Cole gets under his skin in a good way.
The apothecary setting for this novel is great, but you don't really see much more than that, just general descriptions. The pacing is good for the most part but can feel both slow and rushed in places. I would love to know more about Tara and Monica, both of whom have more than a few rough edges.
On the whole, this was an enjoyable read with a seasonal theme. If that's what you're looking for, then I can definitely recommend this book.
* 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!
Dec 15, 2020
Death Wish (Ceruleans #1)
8.0
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IN SEARCH OF THE MEANING OF DEATH, SHE’LL FIND THE MEANING OF LIFE. The Ceruleans: mere mortals...
Paranormal Romance Young Adult
The Eternal (Mythology #3)
10.0
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Self-preservation, above all. That’s the credo by which guardian Jonathan Draper justifies his...
Young Adult Urban Fantasy Romance
Merissa (13600 KP) rated Wish (Indigo Dreams #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018 (Updated Jun 7, 2023)
This is the story of Indigo, a sixteen-year-old girl who dreams of being a ballet dancer. Having taken ballet lessons for years, she understands that it isn't something that will just happen without a lot of hard work. However, she is struggling at the present due to family circumstances. Wish tells her story, about the circumstances and decisions made that set her on the path to her future.
This was very well-written with characters that were believable and fully dimensional. The storyline was well-paced and continued to hold my interest throughout. The romance between Jesse and Indigo actually takes a back seat in the story behind the ballet which makes a nice change in a Young Adult book. You never know which way things will go until you get there. This is not just some "everything is peachy" fluffy book, it is a book that deals with a serious subject, alcoholism, in a very realistic way and shows how it impacts not only the drinker but friends and family too.
This is a very different book that is well worth the time it takes to read. I would like to read more about Indigo and her dreams. Definitely recommended.
* 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!
Jan 12, 2015
This was very well-written with characters that were believable and fully dimensional. The storyline was well-paced and continued to hold my interest throughout. The romance between Jesse and Indigo actually takes a back seat in the story behind the ballet which makes a nice change in a Young Adult book. You never know which way things will go until you get there. This is not just some "everything is peachy" fluffy book, it is a book that deals with a serious subject, alcoholism, in a very realistic way and shows how it impacts not only the drinker but friends and family too.
This is a very different book that is well worth the time it takes to read. I would like to read more about Indigo and her dreams. Definitely recommended.
* 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!
Jan 12, 2015
A Midnight Puzzle
8.0
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In heroine Tempest Raj, modern-day queen of the locked room mystery Gigi Pandian has created a...
Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow!
8.0
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'Tis the season for sleuthing in Donna Andrews' cheery new addition to the New York Times...
Merissa (13600 KP) rated Veil of Mists (Seven Deadly Veils #2) in Books
Feb 26, 2024
VEIL OF MISTS is the second full-length book in the Seven Deadly Veils series and we return to Miranda and her world of paranormals. We begin with her in New Mexico and then travel to France. All the old crew are there, but we also meet the Vampire High Council, who are desperate to get their claws into Valadon.
While I enjoyed this story, I wasn't fully gripped by it. It has multiple layers and deceptions, as well as three or four stories going on simultaneously. While some may prefer it this way, I found it distracting and wanted to skip over parts (Bastien and Josette having s3x for example.)
The (sort of) love triangle between Remare, Miranda, and Valadon is still going on and full of miscommunications that had me rolling my eyes. Some things are blown up out of proportion, while others are just swept under the carpet.
On the whole, I enjoyed this book but I didn't feel as though it moved the series forward much. I still recommend it if you like all of the above and want a richly detailed and intricate saga to keep you entertained for hours.
** 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!
Feb 14, 2024
While I enjoyed this story, I wasn't fully gripped by it. It has multiple layers and deceptions, as well as three or four stories going on simultaneously. While some may prefer it this way, I found it distracting and wanted to skip over parts (Bastien and Josette having s3x for example.)
The (sort of) love triangle between Remare, Miranda, and Valadon is still going on and full of miscommunications that had me rolling my eyes. Some things are blown up out of proportion, while others are just swept under the carpet.
On the whole, I enjoyed this book but I didn't feel as though it moved the series forward much. I still recommend it if you like all of the above and want a richly detailed and intricate saga to keep you entertained for hours.
** 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!
Feb 14, 2024
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2464 KP) rated Halloween Night Murder in Books
Aug 27, 2025 (Updated Aug 27, 2025)
This Halloween, the Tricks are Murder, Which is a Treat for Us
Kensington has another Halloween novella collection. In the first story, Leslie Meier’s Lucy Stone gets involved when a teen is killed in a hit and run near her home. Will she figure out what happened while helping her new neighbors? The second story finds Lee Hollis’s Hayley Powell returning from a concert with her two best friends. But when an accident strands them in the woods, it appears the only place they can find help is a creepy cabin. There’s nothing to fear about this set up, right? Finally, we travel to the North Pole as Liz Ireland’s April Claus tries to prove an elf who has just returned to town didn’t freeze a snowman. He's also innocent of murder, right?
I usually struggle with Leslie’s contributions to these collections, and that was true here again. But I enjoyed the other two. Lee’s novella has just a touch of horror tropes while still being a cozy and being absolutely page turning. And I find Liz’s Mrs. Claus series completely charming. This story was no exception. With each story being roughly 100 pages, you get a novel length book and a chance to catch up with old friends between books or try new series without committing to a full novel. Whether you read this book now or save it for Halloween night, you’ll find something to enjoy here.
I usually struggle with Leslie’s contributions to these collections, and that was true here again. But I enjoyed the other two. Lee’s novella has just a touch of horror tropes while still being a cozy and being absolutely page turning. And I find Liz’s Mrs. Claus series completely charming. This story was no exception. With each story being roughly 100 pages, you get a novel length book and a chance to catch up with old friends between books or try new series without committing to a full novel. Whether you read this book now or save it for Halloween night, you’ll find something to enjoy here.
The Lake House Massacre
Book
18-year-old Tate Robinson should focus on having a relaxing winter break with his friends. Their...
Young Adult Horror LGBTQ+ Thriller