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For the Strange and Surprising: Where the Mongrels Are (Where They Are #1)
For the Strange and Surprising: Where the Mongrels Are (Where They Are #1)
M.F. Adele | 2021 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I don't get the full force of this book, the reverse harem, YET.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

When I read a blurb for a book that comes to the blog for reviewing, my mind goes, very quickly, yay or nay. I was erring towards the nay on this one, as I read that blurb til it gets to the bit at the bottom that says this is a reverse harem romance.

As you know if you follow my reviews, I do prefer my books on the smexier side, and the more the merrier. So, I was gonna say yes, just for that.

BUT!

I don't get it!

YET! I don't get the full force of this book, the reverse harem, YET.

What I do get, though, is the ground work, the foundation that will build the relationship between all the majors players and Ada. We get a wonderfully written tale of making the most of what's happened to you!

Ada is dragged into a water spout and is spit out on the Island. The Island tries to talk to Ada, with some surprising results!

The island pulls people in for a reason, and has been doing for many MANY years. Why?? That much isn't made clear, and I'm sure there is MUCH that isn't fully explained yet, or even revealed about this island and the Mongrels, and the people from Earth that live there.

Ada and all the major players get a say, and I liked that here. While I do like to hear from everyone, when there are TOO many, things get lost. Not so here, you needed to hear from everyone, how Ada makes them feel, make them react.

This is the first in the trilogy, and the first I've read of this author. I can't wait to get my grubby mitts on parts 2 and 3! I hope I don't have to wait too long!

Only because I'm a greedy toad, and don't get my smexy times,

4 stars (but so close!!)

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
please heed trigger warnings!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.


This box charity anthology comes with a warning of triggers and dark subjects. I strongly suggest you heed them. I have no such triggers, but these books are truly dark and deadly and most I was unable to read. I apologise for that, but they are just the wrong side of dark for me.


I did read and finish 2 of them though, and one I enjoyed immensely and the other was. . different. . .still on the very edge of my limits but I did finish it.


Slay Ride, by Davidson King.


Mason is saved from an attack but his saviours are not all they appear to be. Gabe and his brothers have rather ambiguous morals, but when you find out WHY they have these morals, you get it, totally. And when Gabe and Mason really talk, about their past, and things are revealed, it makes you go. .OH!!


And then. . . we are left hanging! Because this ends on a cliff hanger and I need some closure for these two, for ALL the brothers, so I hope this short story spawns a series.


4 stars for Slay Ride.


The other book I finished, was Little Tree, by Taylor J Gray.


Now, this one pushed my limits, right to the end.


It carries a lot of pain for Mattie but he IS a pleaser and he wants to please Kellan. HOW he does that, really surprised me, and the end surprised me too! I would have loved to hear from Mattie cos only Kellan gets a voice but I might not have liked to hear what he had to say, when he was all trussed up.


This also ends on a bit of a cliff hanger and I really want to, but not sure I can, read more of this couple.


I gave this story 3 stars, because I wanted Mattie.


Overall, because I only finished 2 stories, but started them all, I will give this set 3 stars. It really does push boundaries, and if you can read them, please do. I'm sorry I couldn't.


3 stars


*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
A Fall of Light
A Fall of Light
L.J. Greene | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
only ONE thing knocked that star off!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Greg appears as a side character in a series by Greene. I have not read those books, but I don't feel I missed out on anything by not doing. I'm intrigued by this group, though, and may well go back and read them. *if I can find the time*

I gave this 4 stars, and one thing ONLY knocked that star off.

Single person point of view.

Only Greg gets a say here, and I wanted, so desperately wanted to hear from Louis, at many key points along the way and I don't get him.

That said, it's the only fault I can find with this book.

I loved that Greg knew, deep down, that he wasn't a casual person, and he could never be casual with Louis. Yet he jumped right in with everything. I loved that Greg let Louis keep his secret for as long as he wanted to. He knew it would come out in the end, he just had to bide his time. I hated what Greg's brother was doing to him, I really did. Said brother does get his comeuppence though.

Greg's past is dark and shocking, being made homeless at 16, he did what he had to do to survive. Loved that Louis did NOT hold it against him, even if his own flesh and blood did. Loved that the band supported him doing the solo stuff, to appease his brother, and also that they stood by him.

It's not especially explicit for a MM romance, but I liked that here, it's more about the emotions going through Greg (since we don't get Louis!) than anything else.

Some difficult topics dealt with: religious intervention, conversion therapy, street life and doing what you need to do to survive. Triggers for some, be mindful.

This is the first I've read of Greene's work. Like I said, I'd like, *time allowing* to read the series that Greg first appears in, but if not, I will absolutely read any future books by this author.

4 very VERY good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
A Lady to Treasure
A Lady to Treasure
Marianne Ratcliffe | 2023 | Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
very much fade to black and I liked that!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is, I think, the first I've read of this author, and I really enjoyed it.

I'm not afraid to say I like my books on the steamier and smexier side, you know I'm not but what I liked the most about this was the fact that there is NO smexy stuff!

Oh, don't get me wrong, there is love and passion and emotions all over the place but it's very much a fade to black book, and I liked that it was.

Louisa is in a tricky spot, having been sent by her father to secure a husband in England with enough money to save his business. Sarah is just trying to keep a head above herself; her sister; her father and stepmother and the waste of space that is her stepbrother.

Several marriage offers later, and a terrible attack on Louisa and the ladies realise that they need each other. But Sarah has been alone for so long and accepting the help and love that Louisa offers is hard and she pushes her away, often. Tragedy strikes and Sarah knows to where he must go for help.

I think the thing I struggled the most with, was how long this book is. There is a huge amount of back story, that seemed to drag on. Back stories are great, but I found myself skipping huge chunks. I didn't feel I missed anything by doing so, so maybe they didn't need to be there.

I loved the supporting cast. Eleanor especially, was a joy, even if she was shunned by most of "polite society" in those days.

I didn't feel anything from either woman about what might happen if they let themselves love on each other, you know? Neither were bothered by their feelings and what might happen. Found that a bit odd, given the time they lived in. The romance element sort of popped up too, there didn't seem to be any build up!

But all in all, a nice read, with some drama and some passion; some love and some danger.

4 stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Shouting Match (Amore Matchmaking #1)
Shouting Match (Amore Matchmaking #1)
Pandora Pine | 2022 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
so much with the warm and fuzzies AND too stinking cute! Loved It!
Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Capone has been the head of the family since his father passed away. His youngest brother has decided to start a matchmaking scheme, and Capone is target one! But did it have to be Fuller, the hot cop who got him all hot and bovvered under the collar after a traffic stop?

This book, right? Is as pure a warm and fuzzies slash too stinking cute book as you're gonna get! Or at least, the purest I've had in such a long ass time, and I loved it!

Capone is a restauranteur, and Fuller the local cop, in a small town where everyone knows everything about everyone else. Brando, the youngest brother of 4, and his matchmaking scheme needs a poster couple and who better than Fuller and Capone, eh?

What follows is a delightfully easy read (a really REALLY good thing!) with lots of misunderstandings, no real break-up but wonderful make-ups after those misunderstandings!

Both men are scared: Fuller after his last relationship, and what happens here because of that. Capone because of Fuller's job and because he has to look after his brothers and his mum. Capone had a wonderful upbringing, but Fuller not so much. They love the small town they live in, just wishing everyone wasn't so in-yer-face about everything. But when something happens, that in-yer-face-ness is vital!

It's funny, it's sweet, some smexy times, but not too many, just the right amount for this book. Some nosy brothers, all with a secret they've been hanging on for so long.

Said brothers are fabulous, and mum is awesome! And that goat is hilarious and nasty to all the brothers except Fio, who feeds him!

Fio is next, I have Grudge Match on my list to read shortly.

First I've read of Pine, so guess what? Wish list just got longer!

5 full and shiny stars (but I did write 4 first!)

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Conrad (Assassin's To Order #4)
Conrad (Assassin's To Order #4)
JP Sayle, Lisa Oliver | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
saved the best for last!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.


This is book 4 in the Assassins To Order series, and I strongly recommend you read books 1 to 3 first. OR at least, book 3 Duron. The Devil pops up first in that book.


I think, for me, Sayle and Oliver saved the best for last! I LOVED this, the final book.


Conrad is an assassin, and Kylo a police officer in Paraguay where the lost boys seem to originate from. Kylo has been chasing The Devil for 20 years and calling for an assassin to finally help him seemed like a good idea. Until Conrad gets off the plane and they scent each other: mates!


What I especially liked about this one was that Conrad is fully aware of his sexuality, while his brothers had not been. And Kylo calls to his Dom, much like his lion. And while Kylo is an Alpha male, a panther, he doesn't question Conrad and his connection and what Conrad can do for him, he just goes with it, and accepts what the Fates have planned for him.


Loved that Wyatt pops up, and who with and how THAT all plays out! Kinda saw that coming in the last book, but loved that it gets explained.


The Devil and what happens with all that was a surprise, and I loved the showdown! I'm still not entirely sure how many animals Conrad has, but they range from a blue dragon to a spider and everything inbetween. What happens between them all at the showdown was shocking but Kylo took it all in his stride. Loved that, while Conrad's lion is his most Dominant animal, the dragon has to have the last say!


There is talk of the other assassins, but only Wyatt pops up, The Thalassa guys are mentioned as well, but none appear here. I kinda missed them!


I'll miss ALL these guys, now both series are finished, but I think this really was a fitting end. I do hope we get some follow ups shorts!


I was waiting for this, and it did not disappoint.


5 full and shiny stars


*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Trust Me
Trust Me
Kelly Irvin | 2022 | Contemporary, Mystery
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
a bit too much, for ME!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I received my copy of this book via Netgalley.

I'm not 100% how I feel about this book, so I'll try to explain (which is not always possible!)

I liked the premise of this book. Delaney's boyfriend was sent to prison for the manslaughter of her brother. He maintained his innocence throughout. The day of his release, she finds her best friend killed the same way, and Hunter is now prime suspect. What follows is a race to not only prove Hunter's claim, but to prevent any more deaths.

I liked that we hear from more than just Delaney and Hunter. I do like to hear from everyone.

I liked the suspense aspect. I wasn't fully certain whodunnit, til it was revealed in the book.

It is a bit violent, with the death discoveries being described in detail. I did think that was appropriate though, for the most part, for this book.

It is clean. I didn't mind that. I do prefer my books on the more explicit side, but I'm big enough to say when a book does not need it.

It does drag a bit, between about 40 to 70% and I very nearly dumped it, but I wanted to know how it would all turn out.

And we come to my biggest issue. I'm quite happy to read Christian books, religious characters, deeply faithful or mindly thoughtful about higher powers. But this book takes the references to God and faith and belief a little bit too far, FOR ME. It felt like, at least every page had a reference to God or faith. A bit like it was shoving it down my throat. It really was, for ME, too much. I stress this point, this is MY OPINION, and how I felt about it.

This is the first I've read of this author. Will I read more? Probably not. A quick search shows a back list of religious themed books, and if they are anything like this one, I won't like it.

So, because of the major dragging bit, and because of the constant God/faith thing . . .

3 stars
  
Game Changer (Vancouver Orcas #2)
Game Changer (Vancouver Orcas #2)
Amy Aislin | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
delightful rad that hits a spot I didn't know needed hitting!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This Is book 2 in the Vancouver Orcas series, I have not read book one, Game Plan. I didn't think I was missing anything, but I WANT to read that book now, i don't need to, you know? So this can be read as a stand alone book, but be prepared to feel the same as I did after reading this one.

Blair has a self inflicted deadline, and he needs help to sort himself out so he can meet it. Charlie needs the extra cash, so steps up as general assistant and food prep person. Falling in love was not on the agenda for either of them.

I've read a couple by Amy Aislin, and they seem to carry a common theme, for me: warm and fuzzies and a whole lotta cute, and this book is no exception to that!

It really is a wonderful read, one that made me chuckle in places, it's emotional in places, it's steamy at some points, and hella smexy in others (and yes, steamy and smexy ARE different, but don't ask my book brain to explain it!) and it really is an all round great read.

There is no break up, no nutty ex, no real drama save for Charlie's cash flow problem, but that got fixed anyway. There are some family issues, but they get sorted once people see what they are doing.

I loved that once Charlie and Blair decide to be together, they go all in and Blair's team mates take Charlie in as one of their own.

It took me a wee while to place all of Charlie's cousins, and even longer to get that Matt Shore, Blair's coach, is one of those cousins! There is a clue to Matt's story here: his is the first book. And cousin Dorian, who plays a large part here, has the third book in the trilogy. I need that book too!

A delightful read, that really hit the spot I didn't know needed hitting.

4 very VERY good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Winterian Sky (Ninety Planets)
Winterian Sky (Ninety Planets)
Rafe Jadison | 2023 | Erotica, LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
great start to a new series
Independent reviewer for Arcaheolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is the first in the Ninety Planets series, and as such has a huge amount of world building. It made for slow reading for me at times, and this is the only reason I'm giving it 4 and not 5 stars.

Chesterfield is a Healer and scientist, trying to find a cure for the illness sweeping the whole planet. There is also a threat from above, the whole planet is in a kind of lockdown by the Moracci. The previous politicians had sold the planet out, and not they were all paying for it. Donacio is a Guard of Winteria and he caught sight of Chesterfield on a broadcast. His instincts kick in, and he knows he needs to pledge to Chesterfield. But first, he has to save him!

I really loved this, bar the world building, I really did. I loved the fade to grey romance element, which was a slow burn and kinda crept up on you! The virus ravaging the world gave me chills about what OUR world has just been through, but the politicians took things to the extreme here, and they themselves paid a heavy price as well as the world they left behind.

There is a great deal of love here, not just between Donacio and Chesterfield, but family love, trying to get the best for those who have been infected, but are still managing to function to some extent.

Set on a planet in outer space, things had different names, however when talked about, they were described in a way that made perfect sense, and I really liked that. Sometimes space set books are a little difficult to follow, cos you have no idea what they are talking about. But not so here.

It is the first in the series, but I'm given no indication as to who/where the next book might be about, and I'm intrigued by some characters here.

I look forward to reading the next one!

4 very VERY good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Endosymbiont (The Vampire Guard #3)
Endosymbiont (The Vampire Guard #3)
Elizabeth Noble | 2022 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
great to catch up with these guys!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 3 in The Vampire Guard series, and I STRONGLY recommend you read Codename Jack Rabbit, and Quarry before this one. It will give you a better view of this group and who they are and what they do.

It's been a long time since I read the first 2 books, 6 years and 3 years and it took me a little bit of time to get back into this group, their dynamics and what they do, and what they are, but once I did, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

It gets a bit complicated, when they are talking about the endosymbiont and what it does and what it was meant for, but I kinda glazed over that bit. In all honesty, my mind wasn't comprehending it, so I didn't try to hard to understand the technical stuff!

The story flips from various times in the past, 1929/1940s and now, giving you a picture of things that have happened to get to this point, at the bottom of the ocean where they are fighting for their lives and I loved that. It gives us Kai and Ori in all their glory, who (but feel free to correct, it has been YEARS!) are a new introduction to the Guard (in terms of these books) and some Sohpia and Porter too, along with Jonas, Lucas, Declan and Blair.

It's quite violent, but dealing with mutated beings would be. And again, it's clean and I'm finding I like that about these books. There is love and feelings, cos you get that through the various bonded pairings as things move along but no actual smexy times and its not needed at all.

There is an epilogue. Said epilogue ends rather abruptly. Leading me to believe that not only will there be another book, but the endosymbiont will pop up again.

A thoroughly enjoyable read, a great catch up with these guys.

4 stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere