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Ghost of a Chance (Bucket List Buddies #2)
Ghost of a Chance (Bucket List Buddies #2)
JP Sayle, Lisa Oliver | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
these books are a lot of fun!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Bucket List Buddies series, and I do think you should read book one, Perilous Cuite before this one. Morty and Hector play a part here, and Lionel is Hector's friend.

Lionel doesn't want to go ghost hunting, but his friend gave him tickets, and the other friend let him down. He'll just sneak in and out when no one is looking. But something happens, Lionel is shaken and Brad spots the gorgeous lion sneaking out and where the heck did he disappear to?? Friends come good, and Lionel and Brad officially meet and mate. But not everyone is happy, and a past comes back with a bang.

I thoroughly enjoyed book 1, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one too! I read it after a particularly . . . . difficult . . . read, and it really lifted my spirits as much as the ghosts they were hunting!

It's steamy, as fated mates books are. I found the drama a little heavier than book 1, but only because Brad made a stand for his mate, and that past did not like it!

In book 1, Hector's mother was best described as a witch. She was horrid to Hector and Morty. But Lionel's mum?? Oh she flew clear across the world to come meet Brad and congratulate them on their mating. She arrived just in time to give that past a right dressing down!

Loved that we caught up with Morty and Hector and their news. I loved the snippet at the end, hinting about Sven and Remy. No idea when or if they will get a book, but the epilogues are great and I'm rooting for them!

These books are a lot of fun, something silly in a messed up time. Thank you for writing them, please keep em coming!

4 wonderful stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Make Them Cry (Pretty Deadly Things #2)
Make Them Cry (Pretty Deadly Things #2)
Logan Chance | 2025 | Contemporary, Crime, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
really enjoying these books!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Pretty Deadly Things series, but it's not necessary to read Make Them Bleed, book 1, first. Recommended by me, but not necessary.

River works with Gage, but he gets under her skin, not in a good way. When the online harassment gets personal and much closer to her than before, she turns to the dark web for help. Enter Mask, who promises he can make them cry. But who is he really, and just who can River trust, when people are dying?

I am really REALLY enjoying these books, this author in general!

One point I will make: there is a lot, and I mean A LOT of technical stuff in this one. There is a little directory at the beginning, but I will be honest and kinda glazed over those bits. Far too complicated computer lingo for me to follow but I really don't think I missed anything by not fully understanding.

I liked that it took a bit of time for River to figure out it was Gage behind the mask. I liked that it took time for them to get together, hence the slow burn tag.

It took time for the person behind it all to be revealed, and I did like that I did not see that coming. I thought there might be *some* redemption for a certain character, but she made her bed, now needs to deal with the fall out.

I liked that the scene is set for book 3. Comments made here lay out who is next, so I can't wait to read that!

Loved catching up with Juno and Arrow, and the guys at Maddox Security along with the BRAVO team.

This author is fast becoming a firm favourite. Not easy reads, sometimes the subject matter is difficult, but they easy TO read, you know? I know what I mean :-)

4 very good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Nothing But the Night (Basic Instincts #2)
Nothing But the Night (Basic Instincts #2)
Thom Collins | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
It hit all of the buttons I was expecting and some I wasn't.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Basic Instincts series and I have not read book 1, Now Comes The Dark. I did not feel I missed anything by not doing so, so I would say this can totally be read as a stand alone. Roman and Mallon pop up, but only in passing.

Marc is not happy with the local police about their lack of progress in finding his brother's killer. Because Marc does not believe that Theo's death was an accident. Enter Jason, a local private detective. But just as his investigation gets moving, their chief witness is murdered and both men find themselves in a fight for their lives, with no clue who is behind it all.

I just wanna say: Well played, Mr Collins, so very well played! I did not see the whodunnit coming at me, not at all! I love being kept on my toes, I really do. So, I loved that coming out of nowhere and whooping me upside the head!

As Marc and Jason get to know each other, their relationship builds. I liked that build up and when it spilled over. I can't say I liked the reason it spilled over, and I'm not going to elaborate due to spoilers, but I think when it does spill over, it was exactly at the right time for these two.

It moves at speed sometimes, and slows up in others, just enough for you to catch up. It's dark and deadly, and sweet and emotional. Steamy and smexy. It hit all of the buttons I was expecting and some I wasn't.

I absolutely need to read book 3, but I've no clue who that would be or even IF there will be a book 3! And at some point, I'd like to go back and read book 1.

5 full and shiny stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Healing Her (Healing Duet #1)
Healing Her (Healing Duet #1)
KM Lowe | 2025 | Paranormal, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
very little smexy times, for a shifter book!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Calvin turns 21 in a week, and the weight of his pack will be on his shoulders. A week away before then, is just what he needs. But then he gets on the ferry and his wolf goes nuts. His mate is on the boat, and she is in danger. Paisleigh is sold to pay her family's debts, and the ferry ride will only take her deeper into the darkness. But a bright light shines in the young man who takes an interest. Can he rescue her, before her soul is broken?

Ok so, I can't say I loved this book, but for the most part I did enjoy it. I found myself nitpicking though and even now, as I'm typing, more springs to mind!

Paisleigh is on the same ferry to Aberdeen as Calvin, who lives on an island. Yet Calvin's Alpha and father didn't know her pack? There is a scene where they are holding hands, and the next bit, they touch for the first time. I also got a bit confused at times who was speaking, cos there is a huge supporting cast.

Lots of inconsistencies, that put me off a bit.

There is, for a shifter romance, very little smexy times. Now, part of that is on the back of what Paisleigh goes through before she gets rescued. Or, rather, what she MIGHT have gone through. While it's all laid out for you, on page, the world into which she has been sold, Paisleigh is fortunate to not actually get too far down the path.

And, it is first person, present tense and multi point of view, so you know :-p

But I did finish it, and I jumped straight into book 2, so it wasn't all bad.

3 good stars

* same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Taming of a Wolf (Viking Wolves #2)
Taming of a Wolf (Viking Wolves #2)
CJ Ravenna | 2025 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Bites differently to book 1 but no less powerfully!
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Viking Wolves series, and I do recommend you read book 1, Heart of a Wolf before this one. It will give you a better picture of what Anders does to warrant his exiling. You do get a recap here, but I think you need it from Kieran's point of view to get the full effect.And, cos I bloody said so!

I loved book 1, I really did. And I loved this one too. It doesn't bite the same way as book 1, but it's bite is different and just as powerful!

While book 1 is a slow burn, this is full on INSTA for Anders and Jamie and I loved the marked differences in the two tales. I'm gonna be doing a lot of comparisons but I will try to keep them to a minimum!

What I particularly loved, and this probably makes me a bit weird, was the pain these two carried. Anders, for what he did, what he thought he was doing for the better of the pack, but deep down?? He was hurting just as much as Wulfric was at the death of his parents. But he wasn't any better able to stop that than Wulfric was. And Jamie, at the death of HIS parents, that he believes was his fault. I cried when they both told the other their deepest pain.

I loved that Anders was able to get some sort of closure with his brothers. I expect there is more pain to come from the other brothers though, about their parents death.

Loved the introduction of Gunnar's mate, and the revelation that Lyall's is still alive. I hope I get a chance to read their books!

Loving this series, and I highly recommend them!

5 full and shiny stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Mayfair Madame (Mayfair heights #1)
Mayfair Madame (Mayfair heights #1)
Alex J Adams | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ms Adams smashes it, she really does!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Ok so!

I have followed Ms Adams from the beginning, and her skill as an author continues to grow. THIS book, though, is a step away from her usual fair, and I will be honest, wasn't sure how it was gonna go.

I need NOT have worried! Because Ms Adams smashed it, she really did!

Naomi lives in Mayfair Heights, and runs an escort business. A physical assault (on page, but needed) brings her into contact with Ellie Sharpe, a detective dealing with her case. For both of them, there is powerful attraction, but they cannot act on it, until the case is dropped and Ellie and Naomi are free to do as they wish. But someone doesn't want to let it go. And both women carry some emotional baggage. Can they find the love they both so desperately want and need?

I loved this, I really did.

I loved that both Naomi and Ellie have a say. I loved the way things developed between the two of them. I loved the emotional connection and how Naomi SAW Ellie, even if Ellie didn't want to be seen.

I loved the steam level here. While not especially explicit, the physical connection between Ellie and Naomi is powerful and it shows in the way they are together.

It is a bit darker, Naomi gets assaulted a couple of times, but I think it is needed to get the point across.

I LOVED the whole team who live in Mayfair Heights! Some characters have piqued my interest more than others, but they all pulled a string and I look forward to those strings being unravelled.

Thank you, Ms Adams, for falling in love with the cover, the picture portrays Naomi beautifully and I cannot wait to get to know the others in more detail.

5 full and shiny stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
BT
Beyond the Red (Beyond the Red, #1)
Ava Jae | 2016
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<b><i>I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i></b>
“I can be trusted with responsibilities again!” the reviewer says as she slowly climbs out of the reviewing hiatus hole.

“You're delusional,” the hiatus whispers menacingly, just a voice from the dark depths. “You've still got a few books from 2016 left! And what about all those books you abandoned reviewing even though you want to review? I still have their souls! And I will have yours!”

<b>I'm not going to get out of this, aren't I? &#x1f622;</b>

<i>Beyond the Red</i> is one of the last books I read back in 2017 that I haven't gotten around to reviewing yet, and here we are, a year later, with shenanigans but no review yet.

And when I want to write a review, I'm staring at a blank document in Google Drive for hours upon hours wondering what to say.
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><b>Four Things About <i>Beyond the Red</i></b></h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">Generally I write a list of either the good or bad (primarily just good. Bad I've been skipping or writing little paragraphs for), but my brain is crying on the forgetfulness of this book, so I'm going to go with generic little things you should be aware of before picking up the book.</div>
<h3><b>There are two perspectives and they are polar opposites</b></h3>
We have a half-blood who loses everything and becomes a slave, and then we have a queen who technically has everything. I thought it was really cool to see Jae’s world from two different sides of the spectrum.
<h3><b>I don't think I'm a fan of the language</b></h3>
I don't mind made up languages in a book (within boundaries, of course, because my brain cannot wrap itself around overly complex words sometimes), but <em>Beyond the Red’s</em> world language is very similar to ours yet different.
<blockquote class="tr_bq">I know three different ways to break out of this kinduv brace, and everything inside me screams that I use one of them.

I won’t feel bad, not for her, not after what she did, and yet I can’t fight this fucken ridiculous need to fix this, to hold her until it’s okay.</blockquote>
Is it <i>meant </i>to be similar? I'm assuming so based on how humans are still around and the Sepharon are very similar to humans in <i>Beyond the Red</i>. <b>Either way, I'm confused.</b> Or I missed something. Who knows. <strong>I've been out of it lately. :/</strong>
<h3><b> </b><b>But the world building is super cool despite language</b></h3>
Jae’s world building is well developed, and it's shown constantly throughout the book. And is it just me, or did anyone else think of this as Star Wars just a little? Am I just assuming Star Wars is going to be like this because if so, I'm going into the box of shame. (Lupe, help.)

Now that I look at the ARC I have, it's the blurbs. I blame the blurbs. Help me.
<h3><b>Thankfully, the names aren't complicated</b></h3>
Sometimes books go all out and the characters have strange names that are hard to pronounce, so my brain cries in terror and starts wailing. <i>Beyond the Red</i> has its strange names, but they're not complicated. They're an average of two syllables and my brain won't start tearing itself to shreds figuring out the right pronunciation. “Is this right?” wonders the reviewer, as she puzzles over all the possible ways to say the name.

Honestly, if you're looking for an adventure on a new planet that's a nod to Mars with not complicated names, <i>Beyond the Red</i> might be perfect for you. If you don't mind the language, that is.

<a href="http://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/beyond-red-ava-jae-review/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
  
Hiraeth
Hiraeth
Morgan Sheppard | 2021 | Contemporary, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's a wonderful tale of finding yourself, you past, your future and falling in love!
Contains spoilers, click to show
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Ellis takes a vacation in North Wales, and finds herself feeling so much at home. Meeting Luke helped, but she had to return to Cardiff. Following dreams of dragons and Merlin, Ellis needs to go back to the vacation spot, and then things really get odd.

I liked this, I liked this a lot!

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Ellis takes a vacation in North Wales, and finds herself feeling so much at home. Meeting Luke helped, but she had to return to Cardiff. Following dreams of dragons and Merlin, Ellis needs to go back to the vacation spot, and then things really get odd.

I liked this, I liked this a lot!

It's a wonderful tale of finding yourself, you past, your future and falling in love!

Of course, tales of dragons and Merlin help, but the level of research is exceptionally clear here, with lots and LOTS of Welsh tales, myths and legends told.

The feelings Ellis have for Luke grow and develop over time, and it's really only they are apart that things start to get serious for both Ellis and Luke. The call of Beddgelert, and indeed, of each other on their souls and hearts is too powerful to ignore. Ellis gets back, but it takes a bit longer for Luke to finally admit that he needs to go home.

It's told from Ellis and Luke's point of view, along with a couple of others that need a say. Each voice is clear and different, most pointedly when Luke talks about his past, his knowledge of what he is and what Ellis is to him. Ellis doesn't have that, and she needs to learn it.

There's no drama or danger, aside from discovering that dragons still exist! It's not totally clean, there is love and passion here, but nothing explicit. It's well written and extremely well delivered.

Lots of Welsh names here, and I had no idea how to pronounce them! But it didn't spoil my enjoyment, just made me chuckle trying to read them out loud :-)

A wonderful, delightful, beautifully written love story, set in Wales, with all its myths and legends about dragons. And now I wanna visit Beddgelert, cos it's a real place, and see all the wonderful places that Ellis visits!

4 fabulous stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**

Of course, tales of dragons and Merlin help, but the level of research is exceptionally clear here, with lots and LOTS of Welsh tales, myths and legends told.

The feelings Ellis have for Luke grow and develop over time, and it's really only they are apart that things start to get serious for both Ellis and Luke. The call of Beddgelert, and indeed, of each other on their souls and hearts is too powerful to ignore. Ellis gets back, but it takes a bit longer for Luke to finally admit that he needs to go home.

It's told from Ellis and Luke's point of view, along with a couple of others that need a say. Each voice is clear and different, most pointedly when Luke talks about his past, his knowledge of what he is and what Ellis is to him. Ellis doesn't have that, and she needs to learn it.

There's no drama or danger, aside from discovering that dragons still exist! It's not totally clean, there is love and passion here, but nothing explicit. It's well written and extremely well delivered.

Lots of Welsh names here, and I had no idea how to pronounce them! But it didn't spoil my enjoyment, just made me chuckle trying to read them out loud :-)

A wonderful, delightful, beautifully written love story, set in Wales, with all its myths and legends about dragons. And now I wanna visit Beddgelert, cos it's a real place, and see all the wonderful places that Ellis visits!

4 fabulous stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
The Supers )The Supers #1, Dreamspun Beyond #6)
The Supers )The Supers #1, Dreamspun Beyond #6)
Sean Michael | 2017 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
GREAT book, good narration
Independent reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was gifted the AUDIO file of this book.

Flynn joins Blaine's paranormal research group, and they visit an abandoned hospital. Things get real creepy and the guys are faced with a possession, a haunting a tragic love story and a twist I did not see coming!

Another one of those books that kinda creeps up on ya and you have no idea, not a single clue about how its all gonna go down!

While there is immediate attraction between Blaine and Flynn, it takes a while for them to act on it.

The story of Room 204 builds at an even pace and there were points where I had to rewind, and double check that Blaine had in fact, called Flynn David. The story of Room 204 (that's how I heard it, with a capital R, if that makes sense!) did not play out how I was expecting it to!

It's a little . . . fluffier. . . than other books I've read of Michael (Three Wishes) but it is a DreamSpun Beyond and they are generally so. Just enough heat and passion between Blaine and Flynn to keep the heat level high, but not scorching. Right for this book.

Kenneth Obi narrates.

Mostly, I enjoyed Obi's narration. His reading voice is clear and deep and he got over the emotions of Blaine and Flynn in all the right ways, in all the right places.

His voice for the 204 ghost comes across as really REALLY nasty in some places, though, and that is probably why I did not see that ending coming at me.I thought the ghost was going to be a bit more vengeful.

And the voices Obi gives to Blaine and Flynn are far too similar for my crappy hearing to make out the difference between them, so I struggled a bit keeping up with conversations between them

BUT!!! I will give Obi another go, as this is the first of his work I listened to.

5 stars for the book
4 stars for the narration
4.5 (rounded down to 4) overall

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Tokyo Heat (Nights #3)
Tokyo Heat (Nights #3)
A.M. Salinger | 2018 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
another scorching hot one!!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book three in the series, and you really SHOULD read book one, One Night, first. This is a continuation of Gabe and Cam's story. And it's a 5 star read! Book two, The Escort ain't too shabby either!

A year ago, Cam and Gabe decided one night would never be enough. Then Gabe says those three little words and Cam's world implodes, and he runs.

I loved One Night, made a new shelf for it and everything. But, while still a great, sexy read, I found this one lacking in the emotions i expected with someone running when told I love you.

Oh! Don't get me wrong, these guys still burn high, and hot and long. I just didn't feel connected to Cam as much as I did to Gabe. Because we get Gabe dealing, or rather NOT dealing with the fact that Cam ran, but we don't get much of Cam after he runs, you know??

BUT OH.MY.GOD! When Cam pulls his head out of his ass and gets his act together and finally realises what that pain in his chest is?? That it's what he's feeling for Gabe?? He redeems himself in spectacular fashion! **that fanning again, girls!**

I saw something going on between the two guys who own the company Gabe works for. I wonder what's going on there and whether they will get a story?? It's not book 4 or 5, cos I have those all lined up ready to go, but I HOPE they get a story!

Ah, you know what?? Stuff it! I wrote 4 stars at the top of the page because of that not connecting to Cam thing. But now I'm typing it up, I think that's just CAM, you know?? He doesn't want you to know what he feels for Gabe, what he's dealing with while they are apart. He wants GABE to know, just how deeply he loves him. He DOES love Gabe, he just never thought he could love anyone.

So! Upgrading to...

5 even more scorching stars!

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**