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Merissa (14003 KP) rated Calistos (Guardians of Hades #5) in Books
Aug 14, 2020
Calistos is the fifth book in the Guardians of Hades series and this time we have the playboy of the series! Bless him, Calistos has some serious issues. Between hiding who he really is from everyone (including his brothers), memory issues, and keeping everyone at a firm distance because he doesn't believe he deserves love, well, this is one helluva story!
Marinda believes she is human and first meets Cal at the ER where she works on reception. Even when he is high on human medicine, Cal recognises something in Mari that makes him want to know her more. As for Marinda, she is fascinated by Cal but thinks he is a junkie so intends to keep her distance. You can guess how that works out.
The connection between Cal and Mari is instantaneous and continues through the book. Mari doesn't like Cal's reputation as a playboy but gets to know him before judging. The action is non-stop in here as Cal tries to understand why the daemons are after Mari. I loved the reason! Let's just say Mari definitely has a split personality.
The other couples play a part in here too, along with a hint of what is to come for Daimon. One of the things I love about these stories is that with each book, it gives me a teaser of what is to come which immediately whets my appetite and makes me want it NOW.
As always, the action scenes are spot-on whilst the sexy scenes steamed up my Kindle. All the characters have more to them than you first see and the layers are peeled off in such a way as to keep you wanting more.
A fantastic addition to the series that I highly recommend.
* 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!
Marinda believes she is human and first meets Cal at the ER where she works on reception. Even when he is high on human medicine, Cal recognises something in Mari that makes him want to know her more. As for Marinda, she is fascinated by Cal but thinks he is a junkie so intends to keep her distance. You can guess how that works out.
The connection between Cal and Mari is instantaneous and continues through the book. Mari doesn't like Cal's reputation as a playboy but gets to know him before judging. The action is non-stop in here as Cal tries to understand why the daemons are after Mari. I loved the reason! Let's just say Mari definitely has a split personality.
The other couples play a part in here too, along with a hint of what is to come for Daimon. One of the things I love about these stories is that with each book, it gives me a teaser of what is to come which immediately whets my appetite and makes me want it NOW.
As always, the action scenes are spot-on whilst the sexy scenes steamed up my Kindle. All the characters have more to them than you first see and the layers are peeled off in such a way as to keep you wanting more.
A fantastic addition to the series that I highly recommend.
* 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!
ClareR (6225 KP) rated Stepsister in Books
Sep 29, 2020
The story, with a feminist slant, of the ugly sisters that Cinderella left behind.
I do like a good fairytale, and I seem to be enjoying fairytale retellings quite a bit when I come across them. Stepsister is a great example of a retelling - told from the other side.
Isabelle and Tavi are the ugly sisters, left behind with their unhinged mother, after Cinderella has left with her Prince. The ‘ugly’ sisters actions aren’t excused, in fact they are left to live and struggle with the consequences of their actions. Isabelle has a permanent limp where she sliced off her toes in the hope that she would be able to fit in to the glass slipper. All on the instructions of her mother. Isabelle is a strong character who feels hemmed in by her mother and the restrictions that society has thrust upon her. Her worth is dictated by her looks - something which she falls short on, as does her sister. Instead of the soft mannered, beautiful, obedient girls that society wants, the sisters are clever, resourceful and regrettably ugly. Maman tries to marry them off to the Prince in any way that she can - even making them mutilate themselves. When Cinderella leaves to marry her Prince and the locals discover how she was treated, Isabelle, Tavi and Maman are both ostracised and vilified. Isabelle truly regrets the way that she treated Cinderella, but doesn’t know how she can put right what she did. However, both Fate and Chance have now got an influence over her life, a vested interest, and they have opposing opinions on how Isabelle’s life should play out.
I thought this feminist slant on the after-story of Cinderella was really engaging. I loved it, and if I had a daughter I’d be passing it on to her to read next!
Many thanks to Readers First for my copy of this book.
Isabelle and Tavi are the ugly sisters, left behind with their unhinged mother, after Cinderella has left with her Prince. The ‘ugly’ sisters actions aren’t excused, in fact they are left to live and struggle with the consequences of their actions. Isabelle has a permanent limp where she sliced off her toes in the hope that she would be able to fit in to the glass slipper. All on the instructions of her mother. Isabelle is a strong character who feels hemmed in by her mother and the restrictions that society has thrust upon her. Her worth is dictated by her looks - something which she falls short on, as does her sister. Instead of the soft mannered, beautiful, obedient girls that society wants, the sisters are clever, resourceful and regrettably ugly. Maman tries to marry them off to the Prince in any way that she can - even making them mutilate themselves. When Cinderella leaves to marry her Prince and the locals discover how she was treated, Isabelle, Tavi and Maman are both ostracised and vilified. Isabelle truly regrets the way that she treated Cinderella, but doesn’t know how she can put right what she did. However, both Fate and Chance have now got an influence over her life, a vested interest, and they have opposing opinions on how Isabelle’s life should play out.
I thought this feminist slant on the after-story of Cinderella was really engaging. I loved it, and if I had a daughter I’d be passing it on to her to read next!
Many thanks to Readers First for my copy of this book.
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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Castaways in Books
Oct 3, 2021
An intriguing and enjoyable mystery about one sister's quest for survival and the other's hunt for answers.
Lori and Erin are close having lost their parents at an early age. Things are not going too well for either of them but Lori in particular, so she books a holiday of a lifetime for them both to a Fijian island. Unfortunately, things don't go to plan and Lori finds herself on the plane without her sister. Disaster then ensues when the plan goes missing. Two years later, the pilot turns up - he has been working under an alias in Fiji.
What the heck happened? Why wasn't Erin on the plane? Where are the rest of the passengers? Did anyone else survive and why did the pilot go into hiding? So many questions!
Written in two distinct voices and time lines - Lori in the then and Erin in the now - the story follows Erin's search for the truth about what happened to her sister and the rest of the passengers and Lori's experience from the moment she realised something was going terribly wrong with the plane.
Lucy Clarke's writing is captivating and puts you right at the heart of the story; the two main characters are really well developed and you absolutely get a sense of the strong bond between the two sisters. The pacing is pretty good - the beginning is riveting, it dips a bit in the middle but then ramps up again towards the end. The plot is expertly weaved throughout with twists jumping from nowhere, just when you think you've worked it out, and with an ending that is quite satisfactory.
Overall, I enjoyed this book from an author I've never read anything from before and I would recommend to those who enjoy a bit of escapism albeit one with a few twists and hair-raising moments.
Thank you to HarperCollinsUK / HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Lori and Erin are close having lost their parents at an early age. Things are not going too well for either of them but Lori in particular, so she books a holiday of a lifetime for them both to a Fijian island. Unfortunately, things don't go to plan and Lori finds herself on the plane without her sister. Disaster then ensues when the plan goes missing. Two years later, the pilot turns up - he has been working under an alias in Fiji.
What the heck happened? Why wasn't Erin on the plane? Where are the rest of the passengers? Did anyone else survive and why did the pilot go into hiding? So many questions!
Written in two distinct voices and time lines - Lori in the then and Erin in the now - the story follows Erin's search for the truth about what happened to her sister and the rest of the passengers and Lori's experience from the moment she realised something was going terribly wrong with the plane.
Lucy Clarke's writing is captivating and puts you right at the heart of the story; the two main characters are really well developed and you absolutely get a sense of the strong bond between the two sisters. The pacing is pretty good - the beginning is riveting, it dips a bit in the middle but then ramps up again towards the end. The plot is expertly weaved throughout with twists jumping from nowhere, just when you think you've worked it out, and with an ending that is quite satisfactory.
Overall, I enjoyed this book from an author I've never read anything from before and I would recommend to those who enjoy a bit of escapism albeit one with a few twists and hair-raising moments.
Thank you to HarperCollinsUK / HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Merissa (14003 KP) rated Spark & Heir (Royal & Piper #3) in Books
Dec 10, 2024
SPARK & HEIR is the final part of this outstanding trilogy, so hold onto your hats because it's non-stop.
Quirin and Cal are with King Eryk, although neither of them knows for sure where or how they fit in. Cal bargains for her kingdom, paying a price she has always known about. Quirin finds himself torn between his old king who made him what he was, and the new queen who had won his loyalty and admiration. I absolutely loved how Quirin talked with Kylen about Cal. Kylen was also a character I grew to love, understated and shy, but with a massive heart for those he cares about.
Still told by three different people, you literally get the inside take on just how twisted and malicious Evalena is. My heart broke at times, not only for a specific character but also for Quirin.
Now, I'm going to be deliberately vague here, but I want to mention something without giving away any details... Quirin is sent away to gather information on what Evalena's doing, while Cal obviously stays behind. During that time, something absolutely necessary happened, but I didn't like it because Quirin wasn't there. After I got over my upset, I realised it was a perfect example of how war doesn't stop just because you're a main character!
The climax and epilogue are outstanding and I was hung on every word. I am sad to see this come to an end, although I still hope for more from this kingdom and for Quirin. A 5-star series and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me. Just don't make me choose my favourite book out of the three because I'm stumped!
** 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!
Dec 10, 2024
Quirin and Cal are with King Eryk, although neither of them knows for sure where or how they fit in. Cal bargains for her kingdom, paying a price she has always known about. Quirin finds himself torn between his old king who made him what he was, and the new queen who had won his loyalty and admiration. I absolutely loved how Quirin talked with Kylen about Cal. Kylen was also a character I grew to love, understated and shy, but with a massive heart for those he cares about.
Still told by three different people, you literally get the inside take on just how twisted and malicious Evalena is. My heart broke at times, not only for a specific character but also for Quirin.
Now, I'm going to be deliberately vague here, but I want to mention something without giving away any details... Quirin is sent away to gather information on what Evalena's doing, while Cal obviously stays behind. During that time, something absolutely necessary happened, but I didn't like it because Quirin wasn't there. After I got over my upset, I realised it was a perfect example of how war doesn't stop just because you're a main character!
The climax and epilogue are outstanding and I was hung on every word. I am sad to see this come to an end, although I still hope for more from this kingdom and for Quirin. A 5-star series and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me. Just don't make me choose my favourite book out of the three because I'm stumped!
** 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!
Dec 10, 2024
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Jul 12, 2022
Hunted By Treaty (Qui Treaty Collection #3)
8.0
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His touch unleashes her heritage. Hiding is no longer an option. After decades of war, the Qui...
Science Fiction Erotica Romance