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Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Yokohama in Tabletop Games
Mar 8, 2018
If you like worker placement games and the need to plan ahead then Yokohama is going to be right up your alley. There are so many paths and directions to take during the game that it can be overwhelming on your first play, but once you get a feel for how things shake out it can be very satisfying to plan out and execute a long term strategy. The board looks incredibly cluttered with iconography on first blush, but it is actually very easy to parse once you’ve got a feel for the layout of each Production board, and the random setup keeps things interesting game to game. Player interaction is indirect, although if you pay attention you can cause your opponents some headaches if you manage to beat them to places that they want to be. With that being said, you will want to leave yourself at least a few options each turn, because you can find yourself caught out if your opponents beat you to the punch, but if there’s one thing Yokohama has in spades it’s options.
Reviewer: Travis Williams
Read the full review here: https://techraptor.net/content/yokohama-review
Reviewer: Travis Williams
Read the full review here: https://techraptor.net/content/yokohama-review
Debbiereadsbook (1761 KP) rated Red Snowflakes in Books
Nov 14, 2019
nice easy read
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Dimitri has just 5 days to convince Dena she is his fated mate, or he will die.
I really rather enyoyed this short tale of a lonley vampire waiting out his fate, I really did!
It's only short, 100 odd pages, but it was a surprising read and I cannot say why!
It's not overly sexy, and at one point I thought it might turn out clean, but I would have still enjoyed it.
Dimitri is vampire, and has some skills not *usually* associated with vampires: he can change shape into anything and every thing, he can magic things up and away. I liked that, its different.
Dena is as lonely as Dimitri and she has a strong voice, and won't take any nonsense off Dimitri when he pulls the alpha male thing, and I loved that she stood up to him.
Both Dena and Dimitri have a say, in the third person, and I read this book in one sitting. A very enjoyable sitting it was too.
Not read anything else by this author, and I would like to read more.
4 good solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Dimitri has just 5 days to convince Dena she is his fated mate, or he will die.
I really rather enyoyed this short tale of a lonley vampire waiting out his fate, I really did!
It's only short, 100 odd pages, but it was a surprising read and I cannot say why!
It's not overly sexy, and at one point I thought it might turn out clean, but I would have still enjoyed it.
Dimitri is vampire, and has some skills not *usually* associated with vampires: he can change shape into anything and every thing, he can magic things up and away. I liked that, its different.
Dena is as lonely as Dimitri and she has a strong voice, and won't take any nonsense off Dimitri when he pulls the alpha male thing, and I loved that she stood up to him.
Both Dena and Dimitri have a say, in the third person, and I read this book in one sitting. A very enjoyable sitting it was too.
Not read anything else by this author, and I would like to read more.
4 good solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1761 KP) rated Type Dirty to Me in Books
Nov 12, 2020
I did enjoy the switch in the online conversations from friendly to flirty to dirty.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I finished this, which was touch and go for a while, so thats something.
Only Madelyn has a say, which didn't help. Brem doesn't get a say at all and I think (and I know I say this a lot, I KNOW I do!) if he had a say, I would have enjoyed this a tad more.
I did enjoy the switch in the online conversations from friendly to flirty to dirty.
While its pretty obvious who Madelyn is talking to online, the writer of the notes she gets, isn't. I got that wrong! And I did enjoy the fact that Easton216 knew who Madelyn was way before she knew who he was.
It's not a bad book, by any means, but just one that didn't float my boat as much as I wanted it to, and I really wanted it to! It is well written, and I didn't spot any spelling errors. Madelyn has her say in the third person/past tense.
a good nice (sorry!) read
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I finished this, which was touch and go for a while, so thats something.
Only Madelyn has a say, which didn't help. Brem doesn't get a say at all and I think (and I know I say this a lot, I KNOW I do!) if he had a say, I would have enjoyed this a tad more.
I did enjoy the switch in the online conversations from friendly to flirty to dirty.
While its pretty obvious who Madelyn is talking to online, the writer of the notes she gets, isn't. I got that wrong! And I did enjoy the fact that Easton216 knew who Madelyn was way before she knew who he was.
It's not a bad book, by any means, but just one that didn't float my boat as much as I wanted it to, and I really wanted it to! It is well written, and I didn't spot any spelling errors. Madelyn has her say in the third person/past tense.
a good nice (sorry!) read
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1761 KP) rated Seduced by the Handyman (Cougars & Cubs #2) in Books
Apr 28, 2021
cute read, but not one for me.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Cougars & Cubs series, but it is not necessary to have read book one to enjoy this one.
As much as it pains me to say so, I found this a nice read. Ya'll know how much I hate using that word, but it's stuck with me for 2 days since I finished the book, and I can't shift it!
I liked that both Cate and Mitch have a say. I liked that Mitch does what he does to keep Cate's job safe, and they can continue their relationship.
I liked the heat level. It's not scorching, by any means, but it a pleasant heat, like sitting in the April sunshine. Not too much, but enough to feel the sun, you know??
I liked that both Cate and Mitch's friends were positive about their relationship.
I liked that there really isn't any great angst, and no break up/make up.
What's here is well written, and it reads well.
I liked it!
But something about it doesn't quite work, and I have no idea what.
a GOOD 3 stars
same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Cougars & Cubs series, but it is not necessary to have read book one to enjoy this one.
As much as it pains me to say so, I found this a nice read. Ya'll know how much I hate using that word, but it's stuck with me for 2 days since I finished the book, and I can't shift it!
I liked that both Cate and Mitch have a say. I liked that Mitch does what he does to keep Cate's job safe, and they can continue their relationship.
I liked the heat level. It's not scorching, by any means, but it a pleasant heat, like sitting in the April sunshine. Not too much, but enough to feel the sun, you know??
I liked that both Cate and Mitch's friends were positive about their relationship.
I liked that there really isn't any great angst, and no break up/make up.
What's here is well written, and it reads well.
I liked it!
But something about it doesn't quite work, and I have no idea what.
a GOOD 3 stars
same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1761 KP) rated Captive in Books
Jan 24, 2021
a short book, but an intense one.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
A short book, but an intense one.
Roderick kidnaps Alex, after a bit of road rage, but then lets him go, leaving notes for him to follow, or leave. Alex chooses to follow and there follows a bit of an awakening for them both.
Roderick had never done anything like this before, but the attraction he has to Alex is powerful and brings out a NEED in him that Roderick needs to satisfy. When Alex leaves in the morning, Roderick then follows Alex, to try to see if there could be more than this one-night stand.
I liked that it's intense between them, straight away. The attraction packs a powerful punch to Alex, as well as Roderick and in a way they didn't see coming.
Both Roderick and Alex have a say, but I thought Alex had the majority voice, indeed, I did not think Roderick would get a voice at first.
It's well written, and well delivered. I found it a smexy way to pass an hour. It just didn't blow me away.
3 good solid stars
~same worded review will appear elsewhere~
A short book, but an intense one.
Roderick kidnaps Alex, after a bit of road rage, but then lets him go, leaving notes for him to follow, or leave. Alex chooses to follow and there follows a bit of an awakening for them both.
Roderick had never done anything like this before, but the attraction he has to Alex is powerful and brings out a NEED in him that Roderick needs to satisfy. When Alex leaves in the morning, Roderick then follows Alex, to try to see if there could be more than this one-night stand.
I liked that it's intense between them, straight away. The attraction packs a powerful punch to Alex, as well as Roderick and in a way they didn't see coming.
Both Roderick and Alex have a say, but I thought Alex had the majority voice, indeed, I did not think Roderick would get a voice at first.
It's well written, and well delivered. I found it a smexy way to pass an hour. It just didn't blow me away.
3 good solid stars
~same worded review will appear elsewhere~
Debbiereadsbook (1761 KP) rated Of Autumn Leaves and New Beginnings in Books
Sep 29, 2019
didn't quite work for me
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Oren goes to thank his mum's neighbour for helping her when she fell, and he falls, HARD! Pete is married, though, right?
So, three things let this book down, for ME.
Strike one
Single person point of view. Only Oren has a say.
Strike two
First person, present tense. Just doesn't work for me.
Strike three
This was a very VERY short book, took me less than 30 minutes to read it. I have no idea why this lets it down, but you know me and my book feelings and this is what I feel!
BUT
Positive one
When Oren and Pete are on the same page for the first time, they are both straight into whatever *this* is between them.
Positive two
Loved Pete's ex-wife's reaction to finding Pete and Oren getting a little touchy feely.
Positive three
Loved the reaction of Pete's kids to their Extra-Daddy.
It is well written, and I saw no spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading. It was a *nice* read. (And you know how I feel about using that word!)
3 good solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Oren goes to thank his mum's neighbour for helping her when she fell, and he falls, HARD! Pete is married, though, right?
So, three things let this book down, for ME.
Strike one
Single person point of view. Only Oren has a say.
Strike two
First person, present tense. Just doesn't work for me.
Strike three
This was a very VERY short book, took me less than 30 minutes to read it. I have no idea why this lets it down, but you know me and my book feelings and this is what I feel!
BUT
Positive one
When Oren and Pete are on the same page for the first time, they are both straight into whatever *this* is between them.
Positive two
Loved Pete's ex-wife's reaction to finding Pete and Oren getting a little touchy feely.
Positive three
Loved the reaction of Pete's kids to their Extra-Daddy.
It is well written, and I saw no spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading. It was a *nice* read. (And you know how I feel about using that word!)
3 good solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Pale Kings (Emaneska #2) in Books
Aug 15, 2021
132 of 250
Kindle
Pale kings ( Emaneska book 2)
By Ben Galley
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
The Pale Kings are rising. Emaneska's Long Winter remains as bitter as a blade between the ribs. War is fast approaching. Gods and demons are hovering on the horizon. Long-lost revelations arrive to haunt the lives of three men.
"Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings."
- NottingHarp, Amazon Reviewer
While Farden the Written mage busies himself digging up his past in the strange deserts of Paraia, the storm-clouds begin to gather for Durnus, Elessi, Cheska, and Modren.
"There are certain twists that will surprise the reader by genuinely coming out of the left field."
- Fantasy Book Critic
Together with Farfallen and his dragon-riders, they must fight to survive against the Long Winter, the vicious machinations of the new Arkmage, and the arrival of something much deadlier than both combined. War, deception, and murder are quickly becoming the only paths to salvation...
I will say it’s very well written and I would encourage others to still read it! I can only express my opinion and it just wasn’t working for me I just struggled so hard to get into the book and connect properly!
Kindle
Pale kings ( Emaneska book 2)
By Ben Galley
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
The Pale Kings are rising. Emaneska's Long Winter remains as bitter as a blade between the ribs. War is fast approaching. Gods and demons are hovering on the horizon. Long-lost revelations arrive to haunt the lives of three men.
"Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings."
- NottingHarp, Amazon Reviewer
While Farden the Written mage busies himself digging up his past in the strange deserts of Paraia, the storm-clouds begin to gather for Durnus, Elessi, Cheska, and Modren.
"There are certain twists that will surprise the reader by genuinely coming out of the left field."
- Fantasy Book Critic
Together with Farfallen and his dragon-riders, they must fight to survive against the Long Winter, the vicious machinations of the new Arkmage, and the arrival of something much deadlier than both combined. War, deception, and murder are quickly becoming the only paths to salvation...
I will say it’s very well written and I would encourage others to still read it! I can only express my opinion and it just wasn’t working for me I just struggled so hard to get into the book and connect properly!
Debbiereadsbook (1761 KP) rated Blackmailer’s Delight in Books
Feb 23, 2024
steamy in places but lacking in romance
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
For the most part, I enjoyed this book. It's the first I've read of David Lawrence.
I liked Daniel and Luke, together and separately. I did think at points, Daniel was using his greater age over Luke to get what he wanted, but I don't think he was doing it deliberately, or maliciously.
It's steamy and smexy, plenty of that but I did find the romance element lacking. As a reader of romance, I do like a more in depth romantic element, to go along with the smexy stuff.
I did like the twist at the end! Clarence, Daniel's ex, was a thoroughly nasty piece of work, but he does come around to Daniel moving on, and does redeem himself somewhat.
Apart from the above mentioned, the story is well told and well written. I found the character development very good. It is a little long winded in the beginning, but it does pick up and then runs away with itself.
I saw no editing or spelling errors to spoil my reading.
I'd like to read something else by this author, he's on my radar now.
4 good stars
For the most part, I enjoyed this book. It's the first I've read of David Lawrence.
I liked Daniel and Luke, together and separately. I did think at points, Daniel was using his greater age over Luke to get what he wanted, but I don't think he was doing it deliberately, or maliciously.
It's steamy and smexy, plenty of that but I did find the romance element lacking. As a reader of romance, I do like a more in depth romantic element, to go along with the smexy stuff.
I did like the twist at the end! Clarence, Daniel's ex, was a thoroughly nasty piece of work, but he does come around to Daniel moving on, and does redeem himself somewhat.
Apart from the above mentioned, the story is well told and well written. I found the character development very good. It is a little long winded in the beginning, but it does pick up and then runs away with itself.
I saw no editing or spelling errors to spoil my reading.
I'd like to read something else by this author, he's on my radar now.
4 good stars
Debbiereadsbook (1761 KP) rated Phoenix Rising in Books
Aug 9, 2024
It's a bit different to the usual adding a third troupe, and I do like a difference.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
For the most part, I liked this book. It's a bit different to the usual adding a third troupe, and I do like a difference.
Luka and Burton live together, but at the beginning of this book, they are NOT a couple. Phoenix thinks they are. They both want Phoenix in their lives, but they also want each other.
Mostly, its three guys getting down and dirty, There is much, MUCH smexy times. I'm usually one to say I like my books on the smexy side, but I also like some story with my smex. And apart from these three getting together, the only real plot line is Phoenix' father and him getting his comeuppence. It was a bit too much smexy times, if I'm totally honest.
Some minor editing niggles: misplaced names was the biggest for me.
Did I love it? No. But I did enjoy it, and it's the first I've read of this author. I'd like to jump into their world.
4 good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
For the most part, I liked this book. It's a bit different to the usual adding a third troupe, and I do like a difference.
Luka and Burton live together, but at the beginning of this book, they are NOT a couple. Phoenix thinks they are. They both want Phoenix in their lives, but they also want each other.
Mostly, its three guys getting down and dirty, There is much, MUCH smexy times. I'm usually one to say I like my books on the smexy side, but I also like some story with my smex. And apart from these three getting together, the only real plot line is Phoenix' father and him getting his comeuppence. It was a bit too much smexy times, if I'm totally honest.
Some minor editing niggles: misplaced names was the biggest for me.
Did I love it? No. But I did enjoy it, and it's the first I've read of this author. I'd like to jump into their world.
4 good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1761 KP) rated Forbidden Lust (Sinful Knights) in Books
Jun 16, 2025
too short but steamy!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is the first I've read of Mr Takely and I do think I might read some more. I liked this, a lot.
Written from both Josh (not Joshua!) and Daniel's point of view, it tells of falling in love with quite possibly the most forbidden person: the son of your best friend. Cos that's basically what happens. Josh meets Daniel, they have amazing chemistry. Then Josh finds out Daniel is best friends with his sperm donor, the man who wants nothing to do with Josh.
There was not too much emphasis on the age gap, 20 years. I liked that. Too often it is the whole focus of a book, but not here. I liked that Daniel falls hard and fast, regardless who Josh is.
I hated Josh's sperm donor, and what he does here. He does redeem himself, but only after being put in his place by Daniel and by his wife. Who was wonderful to Josh once she knows who he is!
I do like how it all played out though!
4 very good, but, far too short, stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is the first I've read of Mr Takely and I do think I might read some more. I liked this, a lot.
Written from both Josh (not Joshua!) and Daniel's point of view, it tells of falling in love with quite possibly the most forbidden person: the son of your best friend. Cos that's basically what happens. Josh meets Daniel, they have amazing chemistry. Then Josh finds out Daniel is best friends with his sperm donor, the man who wants nothing to do with Josh.
There was not too much emphasis on the age gap, 20 years. I liked that. Too often it is the whole focus of a book, but not here. I liked that Daniel falls hard and fast, regardless who Josh is.
I hated Josh's sperm donor, and what he does here. He does redeem himself, but only after being put in his place by Daniel and by his wife. Who was wonderful to Josh once she knows who he is!
I do like how it all played out though!
4 very good, but, far too short, stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere