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The Accidental Guardian (High Sierra Sweethearts, #1)
The Accidental Guardian (High Sierra Sweethearts, #1)
Mary Connealy | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Romance
8
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Holy cow! This book was fantastic! I have been a forever fan of Mrs. Connealy's since I read Petticoat Ranch. She is absolutely one of the best Christian Western Romance writers out there and I will forever sing her praises. When I saw she had another series releasing, I was all for jumping on that band wagon (no pun intended!)! Sitting down to read this, I had it read it less than two days, it was just that captivating.

Opening the pages to Deborah's story, watching her try to protect her sister and the young ones was amazing. I could feel myself becoming Deborah, telling her younger sister just what to do to keep them safe. When Ms. Connealy enters Trace into the picture.....well, whew! Not only was I instantly pulled to him, his protective side in a man like him, really made me swoon through out the book! I loved that! Seeing him with Deborah, his caring way toward her, was undeniably God-filled and romantic.

Mrs. Connealy has created yet another keeper for my shelf! She has taken a story of intriguing suspense, wrapped it up with her trade mark swoon-worthy cowboys and sassy heroines, and dished her readers an unforgettable laugh out loud, love story. This book is perfect for that rainy day, or long drive for a summer trip. Don't wait to get this one. Go grab it up now! It's 5 star worthy and so much more! Well done, Mrs. Connealy! Well done!!! I am highly anticipating the release of book 2, The Reluctant Warrior.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
A Fallen Spark (Windows to the Soul #1)
A Fallen Spark (Windows to the Soul #1)
Stephanie Beverly | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A FALLEN SPARK is the first book in the Windows to the Soul series and my review is a 3.5 star rating.

This is a long book, told from different perspectives and at different times. As such, it can be a little confusing to stay with the story as it jumps timelines and people. I would say this has romantic elements, but it certainly isn't a romance. Also, if you are sensitive to subjects, then I absolutely recommend you read the TWs as there are some horrible moments on page.

Adler is the prophesied dragon child, here to save the world. Unfortunately, choices he wasn't even aware of were taken away from him, and he became the villain of the story. But don't worry, there are plenty more in here, and a lot worse than Adler.

Mark is his childhood best friend, the one he loves, and the one he will die to protect. There is also Tabitha, Mark's sister. Skye, a journalist who lives with their brother, Darren, also has a role to play, as does Darren.

Laine is a wild card, kept apart from everyone, and forced to do experiments to keep her parents safe. I'm not sure if she is supposed to be a character you sympathise with or not, but I didn't. I found her to be quite spoilt and close-minded, unwilling to even try to see the bigger picture.

All in all, I found this book to be interesting, with a unique idea of things costing spells in a world where magic is fading, and the effects that would have.

** 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!
Nov 27, 2023
  
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Unraveling (Unblemished, #2)
Sara Ella | 2017
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sara Ella has truly bewitched me with Unraveling. So many twists, so many emotions, so many aspects that will leave you speechless and unable to move...More than once my husband would look over at me and say "Shhhh"...Because HE was trying to read his book and I was over here repeating myself..."NO!!!! Noooooo!!! NO!" or "WHAAAAAAAAAT?????" (you get the picture?)

With an eloquence that is rarely seen (especially in YA) Sara Ella has created "a whole new world" for us to discover! Infused with the life force of music and song, this aspect of Eliyana truly speaks to my heart. For readers who have not delved into the heart of fantasy fiction, this is a really good place to start (although I recommend starting with Unblemished first). Because Sara merges the real world and the fantasy world so seamlessly it is so much easier to follow along. Yes there are new phrases and places and words that you have never heard of, but the familiar is referenced enough throughout the story that I was able to stay grounded and my mind sane. One of my favorite parts of this book is all of the music references. From having song lyrics as the chapter titles, to the melody El hears in her head. Music is her strength, her life. And I love how we discover her TRUE nature, the fierce and bold person that rises to the surface.

The bottom line is that I LOVE this book. Be prepared for a MASSIVE book hangover. (Please resist throwing your Kindle and/or book at anyone or anything after you finish...I understand I do....but we only have to wait

Please note that this is the SECOND book of the series. You will be totally lost if you pick up Unraveling without reading Unblemished first. My review will be available this summer for Unblemished.

I received a complimentary copy of Unraveling from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
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Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated The Reaper in Books

Feb 17, 2023  
The Reaper
The Reaper
Rae Scott | 2022 | Contemporary, Crime, LGBTQ+, Mystery, Thriller
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!


Mel is a detective who is one month away from retirement she cannot wait for! She's then lumbered with Nat, a rookie on a high-octane case with a lot at stake! As she gets to know her new partner/trainee, she likes the way she works and thinks. She reminds Mel of herself so finds herself guiding her in any way she can in trying to discover the true identity of The Reaper.


I enjoyed this story from start to finish. I was gripped from the start and was second-guessing all the way through. I genuinely hadn't got a clue whodunit it was a great surprise. I don't want to say too much about it as I don't want to give anything away but I was certainly confused. There is a lot of detail in this book that helps you make a picture of what is going on not enough to give you the answers but to get the finer details.


Rae Scott has got a way of writing that has captivated me from the start and kept me right through to the end. I'm hoping that there will be a second book and this can be made into a 2 part series or even more. It was fantastic!


A recommended read.


** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
  
River (Stranger In The Woods #2)
River (Stranger In The Woods #2)
India R Adams | 2018 | Paranormal, Romance
8
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Long bokk but good!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book direct from the author.

This is book 2 in the Stranger in The Woods series, and you really MUST read Rain, book one first. I really enjoyed that one.

This one?? Not so much. Mostly because this book is LONG!!!

Rose had her baby, Rain right at the end of book one. This one is about the run up to River's birth. Ryder is River's father.

It is again written first person, present tense, multi point of view, mostly Rose and Ryder, with some Gunner and a few other, less savoury characters, but it is right that they have a say. And it bothered me more here, than in Rain, the present tense thing, and I've no idea WHY!

There is a huge chunk of the book that was kinda...trippy....for want of a better word. When Rose and Rain are kidnapped by King and are dwelling in another plane, I got lost. There are two or three names for the same body that is inhabited by King. Sometimes his speech is in italics, and sometimes not. I'm still not entirely sure about the past life thing between King and Rose!

There is, I think, a MUCH bigger picture that still isn't clear for these characters, and sometimes that's a good thing but here?? I'm thinking not so much. I have no idea, not a single clue, where this story is going, and I felt that right down to my bones as I was reading. I began to skim far far more than usual, and that is never a good thing.

I did, however, read this book in one single sitting, and it ain't no novella, let me tell ya! Not sure how many pages it is, but it took me 5 hours! So it kept me mostly engaged, except the trippy bit which was confusing to say the least!

So, because I read it in one go, because everyone who needed to has a say, and because I really do need to know where this is going...

4 stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Hers, Times Two (Hers #4)
Hers, Times Two (Hers #4)
Anna Adler | 2021 | Erotica, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
the steamiest of them all!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Eliza has lusted after Jackal and Zaster for some time. And they, her. But it takes nearly losing Liz for her and them to see that they could be happy together, the three of them.

Book 4 in the Hers series, and I would personally recommend you read the other books first. Book one, especially, since Alyssa and Jax play a huge part here! Chase and Holly, book 2, are mentioned but I don't think that the couple from book 3, Roth and Kaitlyn are even mentioned. Doesn't matter though. You don't NEED their stories for this one to make sense, but it might give you a better picture of what Alyssa and Jax are trying to do for Silenia.

Certainly the steamiest of the four books! But also, the darkest I think. Even from book one, where Alyssa owns Jax, this book does take a darker turn.

Liz is suffering from a drug addiction, and she is keeping it from everyone, save the medic on board. The blackouts are the biggest side effect, and could cost them all their lives, if she's flying and blacks out. But when she needs to, Liz steps up, and gets shot. Zaster, bless him, takes it the hardest. But after a conversation with Jackal and then Liz, they actually want to make things work.

And work they do! OOOOOOEEEEE! Yes ma'am. Once they admit to each other what they all want, they are all in and straight away. Liz does not waste any time getting down and dirty with her men!

I read a wide variety of books, across lots of different genres. I don't just read M/F books either. And for me, if the GUYS had had some sort of sexual contact too, this would have taken it over to the full 5 stars. That would have just been the icing on a very hot cake!

I'm sorry, Ms Adler, to keep asking for more, but write such good stories and I want to read them!

4.5 stars, rounded UP for the blog.

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Ready Player One (2018)
Ready Player One (2018)
2018 | Sci-Fi
Visual effects (1 more)
action scenes
Script (2 more)
Exposition
Casting
Ready Player Bomb!
I understand certain decisions and changes have to be made when adapting a book for the screen but with this one i just didnt understand or agree with 90% of them. For the most part the changes underminds the actual story the book was telling.

However, trying to be objective the best i can and looking at it just as a movie - i still didnt like it. For me it felt like the structure of the whole move was fractured. Everyone was totally miscast for my liking, leaving all the characters un-charismatic and un-endearing, leaving the story without a heart or a soul. I felt like the exposition was clunky at best, leading to the relationships between characters to either feel forced or not given them enough time to grow naturally, especially the "love interest" story. Also I felt it glossed over some key elements of the plot at the beginning, mainly due to the aforementioned clunky exposition, but also with its eagerness to go straight for throat with high octane action, which although brilliantly staged and choreographed through the camera, left me feeling like it was pointless, due to lack of context or feeling of any real threat. I never really felt like it got any of this right until the final battle in the climax of the film, but by then id given up the films ability to win me back.

Add to that the changes/difference from the book that failed to make any sense to me, or understand why they choose that direction to take - my frustration only grows and grows. The only real big change that i liked was the car race at the beginning which does not feature at all in the book...because it would be visually more exciting than what was actually written in the book. Some of the changes i felt like they were taking the safe option and lacked the balls of the book, such as the film choosing to let some character(s) not die, and pretty much totally ignoring the social commentary the book was making about big corporations, media influences, economic status of the world etc..... all things that i felt made the book as popular as it is in the first place. Popular enough that Spielberg wanted to turn it into a major motion picture.