Search

Search only in certain items:

Crystal Blade (Paladins of Crystal #2)
Crystal Blade (Paladins of Crystal #2)
Nicola M. Cameron | 2023 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Write quicker, Ms Cameron, write QUICKER!!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.


This is book 2 in the Paladins of Crystal series, and it cannot CANNOT be read as a stand alone. It picks up immediately after book one, Crystal Shard, finishes.


It picks you up, and drags you along for such a ride!


We learn more about this world and the people in it. Their ways and politics, their rules and traditions. And we learn more about Crystal, and her birth and what happened all those years ago.


It drags you, kicking and screaming, through history, through drama, through the beginnings of love between Crystal and her Buff Lords, and possibly it might all end in death for one and all.


The romance that didn't happen in book 1 begins here. Granted, it comes in single and double instalments, but the group scenes haven't happened, YET!


I loved Crystal's strength. She gets wrung through the wringer here, and she just takes it all in her stride. A great skill for a budding empress!


And again!! Oh my god, this author is gonna kill me, she really is!


Massive cliff hanger, people, MAHOOSIVE cliff hanger, that I kinda saw coming, but really hoped that Crystal might just get her Buff Lords in her bed! But no. Cameron decided to throw another freaking spanner in the works, and now we gotta wait!


How long, though?? That is the big question. There is a bit about that at the end of this book. Apparently, if I threaten to camp outside the author's door, she might write the nexxt book a bit quicker! So, that's what I'm-a gonna do!!


Cos I need, NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED book three, yesterday!!


5 full and shiny stars, more if I could!!


Write quicker, Ms Cameron, write QUICKER!!


*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
The Game Warden's Mate (The Hunt #1)
The Game Warden's Mate (The Hunt #1)
A.M. Griffin | 2019 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
thoroughly enjoyable take on alien abduction!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

As the new game Warden, Xrez must make sure the rules are followed and The Hunt makes a profit. It is, after all, his family's fortune. But somehow, this new Hunt has already broken a rule: no humans, and this Hunt is JUST humans. Esme finds herself, along with the others, on an alien planet, being hunted. The higher up the Game they get, the better their life will be when they get out. But they cannot go home. Xres keeps helping her, and she doesn't know why. Xres can't keep away from Esme, but he's there on false pretenses. When she finds out the truth, will she forgive him?

I thoroughly enjoyed this take on alien kidnapping.

I found Esme to be a strong woman, faced with a good deal of adversity. Being kidnapped will do that to ya! Xres, however, I found a bit of a wet blanket at times and he did grate on my nerves. I mean, what did he expect Esme to do when she discovered his betrayal, hmm??

I did like the way everything played out in the end, though.

It's steamy and smexy in places, and dark and deadly in others. I loved the supporting cast!

Now, when I looked wherever I looked, I couldn't see any others. I've now discovered there are 5 books in this series and I really hope I can get my hands on them! I was intrigued as to who might be next, and I'm so glad. The rest of the series is about the others in this Hunt and the one female who is already in Level Three.

4 very good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
nice easy read (0 more)
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Tenet Gentleman's Club series, but I have not read book 1. I did not feel as I missed anything for not doing so, since the couple in that book are not mentioned, I don't think, in this one.

You get pulled straight into this book, and what Elizabeth is trying to solve, right from page one, and It does not really let you go!

I liked that both Elizabeth and Langdon have a say, although it took me a little bit to grasp Langdon's first name and put the two together.

I liked that there is intrigue and drama. I did have an inkling, right from the start, about a certain character, so it was fun watching that all come to pass.

It is an historical romance, so its full of the rules and regulations of the time, along with words for various things. Made me chuckle a time or two how the feelings these two had for each other were described towards the beginning. It's not overly explicit but it does carry some steam, once Elizabeth gave into the need to have Langdon in the way she wanted.


It's a well written story, that delivered to me just what I needed at the right time.

One teeny niggle though. The book is set in London, and as such, I expected ENGLISH words to describe certain things. A couple of things were given AMERICAN wordings.

First I've read of this author. Will I read more? Quite possibly if the blurb grabs. If it's an historical, I will know to look for the English/American wordings and it won't bother me so much!

4 good, solid stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Beautiful Dangerous (Philly Heat Series, #4)
Beautiful Dangerous (Philly Heat Series, #4)
Becky Flade | 2023 | Contemporary, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I liked this, just didn't love it.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

The book title shows as book 3 in the Philly Heat series, but some sites has this at book 4, but it doesn't matter where it sits, it can be read as a stand alone within the series. Alex (Fall To Pieces) and Trudy (Yesterday's Over) do appear here, but you don't need their stories to follow this one. I've read both those books, and much preferred Fall To Pieces then Yesterday's Over and indeed, this one.

I liked this book, I just didn't love it.

I liked (if that's the right word!) the increasing issue with the stalker. That they were ALREADY scaring Hannah before she met with Doyle. And said stalker gets mighty angry about Doyle, let me tell ya!

I liked that I didn't see who was doing the stalking, at all! That one threw me off a bit, cos it was not who I thought. I liked the twist that took, too, heading back a year ago to her brother's murder.

I felt the romance came out of nowhere. there seemed to be little build up to that. I liked that it is, again, a backdrop to the major crime going on, rather than front and centre. I think I might have enjoyed this one if there had been NO romance on page, to be honest.

It's well written, from both Doyle and Hannah's point of view. I saw no spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading.

I just think that maybe this author isn't really for ME. I stress the ME point! I really did enjoy Fall To Pieces, but the other books have been a bit behind that one.

3 good, but not for me, stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Take the Plunge
Take the Plunge
Colette Davison | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
a sweet and smexy read!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.


Waking up hand cuffed to his brother's best friend was nice, but not what Kian expected. Jett was furious with his so called friend for pulling this stunt. The weekend, however, wasn't a total write off, though, and Kian and Jett begin a no strings thing. Until that thing becomes something more but neither is brave enough to say what they actually want.


When I started to read this, I thought, nah, it'snot working for me. Why isn't it working? What's missing? What does it need? I told myself, I need to keep reading, maybe it will become obvious. So I did.


And whatever wasn't right in the beginning, totally went poof! I dunno what it was, but who cares!


Because I loved this book!


I loved watching Kian and Jett get closer, physically and emotionally. Kian had crushed in Jett for a long time, and getting close to him was a dream come true.


While it was painful reading in parts, I loved the way Jett opened to Kian, and how he came to rely on him, so much. I loved that both of them wanted more, but were afraid to ask for what they wanted.


I hated that Jett felt he needed to keep what happened to him with his ex from his best friend, but I understood WHY he did it. I loved that he was able to fully open up to Kian.


But what I loved most about this, was that there was, Jett's ex thing aside, very little drama. It's such a great read, about 2 men falling in love!


A steamy, smexy emotional read.


5 full and shiny stars


*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Duron (Assassin's To Order #3)
Duron (Assassin's To Order #3)
JP Sayle, Lisa Oliver | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
6
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Duron instinctively knew that Beaumont needed his strength at that point!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 3 in the Assassins To Order series, but of the three, I think this can be read as stand alone the most. Sure there is some reference to previous books and what's happened before, but this book goes off on a tangent to that.

Duron is one of the council's assassins. Beaumont is the council's new leader. Duron wants to be free of the council, but meeting Beaumont, his mate, wasn't a factor he planned. Beaumont is looking for answers to his family's deaths. Together, they can get what they both want.

I liked this well enough. It does go off on that tangent, and away from the main plot that is running through these books, but that plot is still there, just more a subplot rather than the main plot.

I loved that Beaumont and Duron are both very powerful shifters, with big animals, Duron more than a few and I loved the way these two soothed each other. Great big men, with that much power under the skin, were never going to be gentle lovers, and breaking a bit of furniture was always going to happen! (Well, all the furniture, but who cares!) Duron instinctively knew that Beaumont needed his strength at that point, rather than his love, you know?

I'm still not entirely sure about The Devil and who that really is, even if the clues are there, I think that they will pop back up again at some point.

I have to say, my least favourite of these collaborations, but still a good read.

3 stars (I'm sorry!)

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Hers, United (Hers, #5)
Hers, United (Hers, #5)
Anna Adler | 2022 | Erotica, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
So good!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 5 in the Hers series. It can be read as a stand alone, but personally I recommend you read the other books first.It will give you a better picture of this world and how much it has changed.

Riley is called into work to talk to two hybrids who want to kill each other. Talon has been tasked with bringing dagger back to face his punishment for abandoning his post. But there is more going on with these two than they will admit, at first, but Riley will get to the bottom it, and have them for herself. Assuming of course, she can keep them!

I love this series, I really do. The books change tack every time and twist and turn and pull you along for a very enjoyable ride!

While Dagger is a little more forthcoming with how he feels, it does take Talon a lot longer to finally admit to himself, at least, what he feels for Dagger. It takes Dagger's life being in danger for him to admit to Riley though!

I loved that we got to catch up with Kaitlyn and Roth. They both play a part here, but none of the other characters are mentioned. The previously troublesome Traditionalists are causing problems again, and things are bought to a head.

It's steamy, oh yes! Dagger is a perfect sub, although that title isn't given him, he does call Riley Mistress. It does mean he gets put in his place a time or two!

A thoroughly enjoyable, 4 star read. Not quite as good as book 4, but so close!

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Stronger Than Longing (Chesapeake Days #3)
Stronger Than Longing (Chesapeake Days #3)
Katherine McIntyre | 2022 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
great addition to series!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 3 in the Chesapeake Days series, and while not necessary to have read books one, Stronger Than Hope and two, Stronger Than Passion before this one, I personally recommend you do. I loved them.

And while I enjoyed this one, it didn't grab me quite as much as those two books and (insert whining noise) I don't know why!

Taran pops up in the previous 2 books, but Silas does not, as he returns to town to meet his daughter.

I liked that Taran had Silas as his high school crush, and Silas had no clue. I liked that they both started into that first encounter with open eyes, but very quickly they both realised that a one and done was not going to work for them. Silas did not want a relationship but Taran does.

It's relatively lower on the angst scale, with all the drama revolving around Silas' daughter and the stoopid decision he makes that pushes Taran away. I found it lower on the emotion scale, and lower on the explicit scale. Passion and love, yes but smexy times were on the lower scale. Not a bad thing, I'm just trying to write out why I didn't love this one, so needs a mention.

Both Taran and Silas have a say, and baby Fi steals the show. We get to catch up with Nico and Hudson and with Nate and Linc and I did LOVE that we did.

I can't work out why this one didn't connect with me the way the previous two did, but it was still a very VERY good read.

4 solid stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
40x40

Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Ascent (House of Normandy #1) in Books

May 11, 2023 (Updated May 11, 2023)  
Ascent (House of Normandy #1)
Ascent (House of Normandy #1)
Cathie Dunn | 2022 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!


Poppa is in church for service when her village is attacked by the Vikings, she refuses to take things lying down. She stands up for her people and tries to save the men that are being taken as slaves. One thing she is absolutely sure of is she will have nothing to do with these Norse heathens no matter what her father the Count of Bayeux insists, she would rather die! Who would or could ever find themselves loving a savage like them?


This is the story of Poppa and although it is fictional it seems to have a lot of depth to what has been written. There are little bits of history weaved within Poppa's tale and it makes it all the more interesting to read. I have enjoyed reading about the life of a count's daughter and how she deals with raids and her friends being taken as well as the life she knew and how she is able to deal with the hardships and tasks that are sent her way. When I first started reading I thought Poppa was a brat and could see us clashing, as I read further into the book I had more compassion for her and she ended up being my favourite. I could see myself reading other books like this by the same author as she has a flare for pulling you into the story and involving you.


Completely recommended


** 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. *
  
I'm With The Band (Rock My World #3)
I'm With The Band (Rock My World #3)
Tanith Davenport | 2023 | Contemporary, Erotica, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
doesn't quite work for me!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

I'm kinda on the fence about this one, and I really cannot pinpoint why, so this review will be short and I'm sorry for that.

Only Tawny gets a say. 99.9% of the time, I will say I wanted to hear from everyone, and I stand by that here. I didn't much like Tawny to be honest!

What I DID like, was being kept on my toes. You don't get the full story as to what happened between Tawny and Marsh, all those years ago, in one fell swoop. Oh no. You get a hint and a clue, and a randomly placed thought that makes you put the pieces together in totally the wrong way and then when we DO get the full story, you go, like DUH! Of COURSE that's what happened! The clues are all there, and I loved being shown that I really did NOT put the pieces together in the right order.

I liked the band guys, and they seem like they all have a great story to tell.

It's only a short book, less than 100 pages, but because I didn't much like Tawny, it took me far longer than it should to read.

There is on page stalking and talk of past drug abuse. It's really quite necessary to the story, cos you need to know what happened to everyone, and how they came out the other side, or not, in some cases. Please be mindful of your triggers.

First I've read of this author. I'd like to read something else, not this series, at some point. This one just didn't float my boat.

3 good, but not for me, stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere