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Orphan X (Orphan X, #1)
Orphan X (Orphan X, #1)
Gregg Hurwitz | 2016 | Thriller
10
9.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Evan Smoak is a former secret operative who now uses his training to help those in danger. But his latest client may be more than he can handle when someone tries to kill her at their first meeting. Can Evan keep her safe?

While the book seems to start slowly, it soon becomes apparent that everything is important to the story being told here. It quickly turns into a book you can’t put down with twists and action that leave you anxious for the next in the series. Evan can be a bit of a superhero, but the seeds are planted to fully flesh him out as this new series progresses, and I can’t wait to see that happen.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-orphan-x-by-gregg-hurwitz.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
A Shade of Blood (A Shade of Vampire #2)
A Shade of Blood (A Shade of Vampire #2)
Bella Forrest | 2020 | Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
Summary. When Sofia Claremont was kidnapped to a sunless island, uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet, she believed she'd forever be a captive of its dark ruler, Derek Novak. Now, after months of surviving an endless night, the morning sun may soon rise again for Sofia.




Took me a bit longer to get into the second one as the first didn’t jump in to my memories as fast as the other books I read do! The first book was a bit underwhelming and a bit rushed. This one was so much better I love that Derek still has his dark side not like most vampires written. I had a feeling I knew who Sofia’s dad was but I didn’t see it coming about her mum! Certainly sets it up for an interesting 3rd book.
  
Seduced by Shark Shifters III: Tom&#039;s Turn
Seduced by Shark Shifters III: Tom's Turn
Rafe Jadison | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Seduced by Shark Shifters III: Tom's Turn (By the Water #3) by Rafe Jadison
Tom's Turn is the third book in this series, but for me, I would say it is the second part to Logan's Tail. You can't read this story without reading that one first, and expect it to make sense. Tom has always let Logan take the lead with their friendship, even though he wants more. However, now he has had a 'taste' of what he has been missing, and will do whatever it takes to keep Logan for himself. Of course, there is the slight problem of Stefano being not only Logan's husband, but also a nice guy. Tom won't give up though, even when Stefano's twin sister steps in to cause untold trouble.

I LOVED THIS! The drama between Logan, Stefano, and Tom was there. If anything, it was Logan who was blasé about it, whereas Tom and Stefano understood and tried to work with it. Logan's dad turns up with secrets of his own which completely turn this tale around! I am hoping to see something go on there, but I won't say anymore as I don't do spoilers.

Once again, this book had no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. I was thoroughly engrossed and loved every word from start to finish. Absolutely recommended by me, and I can't wait for this series to continue.

* 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!
  
A Texan&#039;s Promise (Heart of a Hero, #1)
A Texan's Promise (Heart of a Hero, #1)
10
10.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I want to get this book to read but I was reading another book by Shelley Shepard Gray at the time. I was either going to wait for it to become free for my Nook or get it though the library. Well I was surfing my facebook or looking at posts that were coming to my surprise Shelley Shepard post Status update saying that her book "A Texan's Promise" was being able to download it free for that day or that week for the Nook at Barnes & Noble website. So I downloaded it to my Nook and started reading it. Now on to my lovely thought of the book.

I really like how the beginning starts in this book. We get learn about Clayton and Vanessa past though the book. We start to see how Vanessa Grant life become rattled and how things change rapidly. Clayton seems to care for her and her pain. He see her in pain and wants to get her safe. We get to introduced to Miles Grant and Vanessa stepfather a little bit. We hear about Clayton's side of the family while he and Vanessa are traveling on the trail from Texas to Colorado. Along the way, you meet a few of Clayton's friends. Their a new set problem that exist with old one between Clayton and Vanessa. You also hear about Miles and his struggles along with Miles and Vanessa stepfather problem is. To find out what they are and struggles each person as is suggest that you go and read it. [b:A Texan's Promise|11082675|A Texan's Promise|Shelley Gray|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327938432s/11082675.jpg|16004333]
  
A Texan&#039;s Promise (Heart of a Hero, #1)
A Texan's Promise (Heart of a Hero, #1)
10
10.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I want to get this book to read but I was reading another book by Shelley Shepard Gray at the time. I was either going to wait for it to become free for my Nook or get it though the library. Well I was surfing my facebook or looking at posts that were coming to my surprise Shelley Shepard post Status update saying that her book "A Texan's Promise" was being able to download it free for that day or that week for the Nook at Barnes & Noble website. So I downloaded it to my Nook and started reading it. Now on to my lovely thought of the book.

I really like how the beginning starts in this book. We get learn about Clayton and Vanessa past though the book. We start to see how Vanessa Grant life become rattled and how things change rapidly. Clayton seems to care for her and her pain. He see her in pain and wants to get her safe. We get to introduced to Miles Grant and Vanessa stepfather a little bit. We hear about Clayton's side of the family while he and Vanessa are traveling on the trail from Texas to Colorado. Along the way, you meet a few of Clayton's friends. Their a new set problem that exist with old one between Clayton and Vanessa. You also hear about Miles and his struggles along with Miles and Vanessa stepfather problem is. To find out what they are and struggles each person as is suggest that you go and read it. [b:A Texan's Promise|11082675|A Texan's Promise|Shelley Gray|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327938432s/11082675.jpg|16004333]
  
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Merissa (13952 KP) rated Interstellar Angel (Astral Heat #1) in Books

Sep 16, 2021 (Updated Jul 14, 2023)  
Interstellar Angel (Astral Heat #1)
Interstellar Angel (Astral Heat #1)
Laura Navarre | 2021 | Erotica, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
INTERSTELLAR ANGEL is the first book in the Astral Heat series and is a slow-start, slow-burn reverse harem science fiction story.

The prologue starts with a character called Zorin being held in a cell. He escapes (with help) and disappears until the last part of the book, but not before kissing one of our main males senseless. Kaia has run away from home to escape the chains of being a princess - and I mean that literally. Only now she has been caught and things are never going to be the same for her.

There was a lot to this that didn't make sense to me - the whole cyber aspect of it, if I'm honest. I use a computer but I don't know all about the innards, and that's what it felt like. Once I skimmed over those parts, it got better.

There are some very steamy moments in this but, as Kaia says, no penetration. There is also a lot of back and forth, life-mates, mating pheromones, protective instincts, you name it. Overall, it was a good read that I enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.

Fair warning though - it does end on a cliffhanger so be prepared to wait to find out what happens next. The next book, Renegade Angel, is due for release in December.

** 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. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 16, 2021
  
Anonymous Alpha (Bangers &amp; Mash #7)
Anonymous Alpha (Bangers & Mash #7)
M.M. Farmer | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
ANONYMOUS ALPHA is the seventh book in the Bangers & Mash series although I didn't know this when I started reading it. It can absolutely be read as a standalone although I am now curious as to the other couples, some of which I think we met in here.

Anyway, this is Sable and Evan's story. Sable is an Alpha who can be contracted to help with an Omega's heat - all above board, nothing to worry about. Evan is an Omega nearing his heat who hires Sable. He is a pop star nearing the end of his contract with his label and his manager. The manager wants to stick around and isn't afraid of using threats to try and get his own way. Seeing where things are going??

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Yes, it was obvious who it was, and obvious where the help was going to come from, but, you know what? None of that spoilt the story! It was steamy and sensual, with Sable giving Evan both freedom to be who he needed to be and the support he wanted. The steamy scenes nearly set fire to my Kindle, so fair warning!

It was smoothly written and character led making this a brilliant story. I'm definitely interested in the next book in the series, but I'm also very interested in the ones that have come before. Definitely recommended by me.

** 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!
Jun 19, 2023
  
The Baby Who Wouldn&#039;t Go To Bed
The Baby Who Wouldn't Go To Bed
Helen Cooper | 2000 | Children
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Best Bed Time Book For Babies & Toddlers. Ever.
This book is delightful on so many levels that it is almost difficult to know where to start. Cooper's artwork is, as always, breathtaking. The imaginative pictures depict a landscape made up of all the things around which the baby's world revolves: the sleepy tiger that is in fact a pyjama case; the train crowded with all the sleeping toys and nursery rhyme characters. Cooper builds a world that is enchanting and delightful to parents and at the same time interesting to children. More importantly her use of subtle colours, and soft lines add a restful and dreamlike quality to these images that is in keeping with the notion of sleep and bedtime.
And all that is before you even get to the text! This is a wonderfully well-structured story. The text starts out full of energy and vigour as the baby 'Vroom-chuga-chug's' off into this make-believe world and then gradually the pace becomes slower and more restful and - in the best possible way - more soporific.
It is not hard to read this book, the text leads even the most awkward reader by the hand, making it's own patterns and rhythms almost magically dictating the speed and volume for the reader.
I bought my first copy many years ago when the older of my nine children were still quite young and the smaller ones hadn't yet made an appearance. My youngest (now two) won't go to bed without it and I have reached the point of being able to read it without even thinking about it.
We've are on our third copy of this book and it has been universally successful, in spite of gender, taste and personality differences. It is hard to imagine a child to whom this book wouldn't appeal.
  
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ClareR (6134 KP) rated The Push in Books

Feb 7, 2021  
The Push
The Push
Ashley Audrain | 2021 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
10
7.8 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Push is a dark, twisted and thoroughly disturbing look at motherhood - and I couldn’t put it down.
Blythe wants to be everything her own mother was not when she was a child, and we do see some of the ways her mother treated her in flashbacks. This is three generations of women (grandmother, mother and daughter)who have clearly not been ideal mothers or treated well as daughters. Blythe desperately wants to break the cycle, and goes in to motherhood with the best of intentions. Except her newborn is not an easy baby for her. She cries continuously, and Blythe really struggles. I did wonder throughout the book if a lot of Blythe’s problems derived from postnatal depression. Except when she goes to see a male doctor about it, he thinks she’s fine (insert the eye roll here! I really didn’t agree with him!). The same could possibly be said of Blythe’s mother and grandmother: if not PND, then some other mental health issue was surely at play here?
This is a brutal look at motherhood. It shows it for what it is for many women: a hard slog. I couldn’t help but empathise with Blythe. I felt that her needs and feelings were pushed aside by her husband and the doctor. In a time where motherhood is all about creating a perfect family, with perfect babies, children and husbands, Blythe doesn’t seem to stand a chance. It made for an intensely uncomfortable reading experience in places.
This is a book that’s going to stay with me for a long while - especially after THAT ending (see, you’ll have to read it now!). I’d highly recommend this - it’s already in my books of the year.
Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an e-copy of this book to read through NetGalley.