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Merissa (12051 KP) rated Riven (Reflections, #8) in Books

Apr 4, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)  
Riven (Reflections, #8)
Riven (Reflections, #8)
Dean Murray | 2013 | Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I started this series and thought that it would be nothing new apart from a slight twist on the tale as in it was two wolf packs with a girl in the middle, rather than a vampire and a werewolf. However, there is so much more than this. Each story takes you further and further in and, trust me, when I say that that is a very good thing.

In this story, Adri is once again at Alec's side but things are in no way easy. Everyone has their own problems and trying to integrate other people into one pack is always going to be troublesome but Alec has his own way of sorting out the pack hierarchy. We meet characters from the other books that we know and love and watch them struggle with their own issues. We meet new characters and see how they interact with everyone. We say goodbye to characters old and new as the story climaxes. This series is so much more than a love triangle, although love does play a big part in the story. Alec is only half the man (wolf?!) without Adri. All of the characters continue to grow and change and you are left wanting more, with stories that still need telling.

Dean Murray is a wonderful author and I am looking forward to more from him in this series however, there are other books by him that I have on my t-b-r list which I am positive will not disappoint.

Reflections is definitely a wonderful series that just gets better with every book. I have no hesitation in recommending it to all Young Adult or Paranormal fans.
 
* 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!
August 9, 2016
  
Run with the Moon (Valen's Pack #1)
Run with the Moon (Valen's Pack #1)
Bailey Bradford | 2015 | Dystopia, LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I have put this book in the dystopian genre because there is a hint of it within these pages. Humans have basically tried to kill each other off using biochemical warfare which has decimated their numbers. The shifters, which were a minority, were immune to most of the chemicals and have since thrived, being able to live off the land and generally in peace.

However, they have their own set of rules regarding alphas, such as when they're old enough, they have to leave their birth pack and start their own, or they have to fight their father for the right to rule. Now Valen loves and honours his father so even though he doesn't want to leave, he abides by their rules. Through circumstance, he meets Aaren who has never seen a shifter before. Aaren lives in a village, guided by his father, where sex is for recreation and gay is something that just isn't mentioned.

There is an instantaneous attraction and reaction between these two when they meet and it just continues to get hotter as we progress through the story. Valen, although having doubts about how to act as an alpha, certainly has no issues in the bedroom... or next to a river or by a tree. Aaren is very happy to learn whatever Valen wants to teach him and learns about himself along the way.

The story is fast-paced and well-written. There are characters to enjoy and those that annoy slightly (sorry goofball!) but it all makes it more 'real'. I loved how the story evolved and became more than just about Aaren and Valen, although they do make a fantastic pair.

Definitely recommended for all fans of MM Paranormal Romance.
 
* 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!
August 6, 2016
  
Moon Justice (Aurelia Fridell #2)
Moon Justice (Aurelia Fridell #2)
Ryanne Hawk, E.R. Pierce | 2015 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This story picks up where Fractured Moon finished. Ceithin and Aurelia travel to Alaska for some much-needed time alone, where Aurelia can spend time learning about her wolf. Things are never that easy though and their time in Alaska is interrupted in the form of a Kodiak shapeshifter. They are also pressed to return home where they find that things have changed in their absence, and not always for the better.

There is a lot that goes on in this book and it will keep your interest as you turn the pages. However, I will say that there were a couple of things that 'niggled' at me once I had finished it. Firstly, the whole 'thing' in Alaska - I'm really hoping that it will lead to a more developed story with Garrett and Mars as I felt that it ended rather abruptly and without actually going anywhere. Then there was the whole 'madman raising an army' situation. It seemed like a lot of hot air about nothing. Now, don't get me wrong. The storyline itself was fast-paced and well-written. It's just that I felt parts of it could have been 'more', bigger somehow. It felt like a big build-up, with a good action scene before and then... poof, it was all over.

Don't get me wrong though, this story isn't rushed and does come to a satisfactory close. On the whole, I thoroughly enjoyed it which is why it gets four stars. I felt the story ended nicely for Ceithin and Aurelia and would love to know more about this family and their friends, hopefully starting with Garrett and Mars as they go to Alaska.

Recommended for fans of the paranormal and shapeshifters.
 
* 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!
August 5, 2016
  
Light My Pyre (Everwood Falls #1)
Light My Pyre (Everwood Falls #1)
Kat Kinney | 2023 | Mystery, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I did not see who was doing it, or why, because THAT little titbit was kept from us and that point was very well played
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.


This is a new series by Kinney, I read a couple of the Blood Moon books, but they didn't quite work for me.


This one, however, was a much better read, I thought!


I liked the build up, the development of the relationship between Asher and Gywn. I liked that it takes time for both their back stories to be fully told. What happened to Gywn when she was injured, and by who. What happened to Asher in that fateful fire that drove him to Evewood Falls.


I especially liked that the physical aspect of their relationship is very much OFFpage. There is steam here (dragons and Asher's power notwithstanding!) but the story focus is very much on their relationship and who might be setting these fires in town.


Which, when it all comes out, very much surprised me, how intertwined recent events were for Asher and Gywn. I did not see who was doing it, or why, because THAT little titbit was kept from us and that point was very well played, Ms Kinney. Had certain things been made common knowledge, I think I might have put the pieces together sooner, but it wasn't and I didnt! So yeah, well played on that point.


As this is a new series, in a new place, there are a host of quirks that Everwood has, along with a huge supporting cast. Very interesting people (of the paranormal world) all with interesting stories to tell. Some hints of their pasts are revealed here, just enough to hook you in!


So, yeah, a thoroughly enjoyable wander into Everwood and I really wanna return SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON


4 stars


*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Dark Siren (Dark Siren, #1)
Dark Siren (Dark Siren, #1)
Eden Ashley | 2013 | Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
In a genre that is saturated with shifters and vampires (although that is slowly changing), it makes a refreshing change to read something different. And trust me, this is different. I have read the book, enjoyed the book, and know what Kali's title is but I don't actually know 'what' she is completely. You might think that this is a problem but it's not. If anything, it makes you connect with Kali all the more. After all, this book pretty much takes place over a couple of weeks time so Kali has gone from knowing that she is different to being in life-threatening situations and being sold!

Kali doesn't give the best first impression as she is making out with someone else's boyfriend and also doesn't seem too upset about that as she rationalises it to herself. The relationship between her and Cal was a bit strange too although, to be fair, I've seen stranger relationships in 'real' life. I was glad when they split up although I am interested to see where the story is going.

Rhane, ah, Rhane. What can I say about him apart from I want one! Tall, dark, handsome, protective, Alpha AND he has morals - what more could you want? Apart from loving every scene that he was in, I found myself getting more and more interested in his backstory as the current story moved along.

Although this is classed as Paranormal, I think I personally would add a touch, just a touch, of Sci-Fi to it too (Builders). This was very well-written with a fast pace, with characters that are both likeable and not! I honestly could not believe the ending and need to read the second book! Highly recommended.

* 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 3, 2015
  
The Nursery (The Bayou Hauntings #3)
The Nursery (The Bayou Hauntings #3)
Bill Thompson | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, Horror, Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A house that sat empty for fifty years as its dead owner instructed. A locked room with no key. A single father with eight-year-old twin girls. A nursery from long, long ago that no child ever played in. There are eerie things going on at The Arbors in St. Francisville, Louisiana. Architect Jordan Blanchard is joined by his friend Callie and Landry Drake to learn the secrets of a domineering matriarch whose two husbands died in bizarre ways. They explore the house as someone watches from a hidden place high above. The Nursery, the third book in the series, will keep you up late at night wondering what’s behind the next door, what lies beyond the mirror and who hides and waits at The Arbors.

The Nursery by Bill Thompson is a book I requested from NetGalley and the review is voluntary.

This is the third book in the series and I wasn’t aware of that when I started this but it did not hamper me one bit in reading this one. The author gives you little bits on the background as you go along so it was very easy to pick up on.
This is not your typical haunted house story. There is a nice ghost and malevolent ghost, hidden bodies, a child’s grave where one did not belong, and travels through a mirror to other dimensions. And that doesn’t even touch the real-life evil that’s stalking the family’s every move. This is a different type of ghost story.
I love the location settings and the whole premise behind this series of paranormal interweaved with the characters lives.
I want to say so much more but I don’t want to give anything away. This book has so much going for it and I am definitely getting the previous books and following this author. This book had me right from the start and I hope there are more to come in this series.
  
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Lindsay (1717 KP) Nov 15, 2021

Your like The Proctor Hall Horror as well