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Debbiereadsbook (1449 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 (1449 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 (1449 KP) rated Stanley's Christmas Redemption (Mission City #2) in Books
Nov 25, 2024
Stanley does redeem himself!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Mission City series, but I am reading it after I've already book 3. It only means I know that there is a happy ever after for Stanley and Justin. They can be read as stand alone books though.
I wasn't sure I'd like Stanley, after what he did to Maddox from book 1, but the man does redeem himself beautifully here, eventually!
It's a very instalove book, much in keeping with book 1. Mid level smexy times, not explicit but thats really not what this book is about.
This book is about looking at your previous life choices, recognising that maybe they weren't the best choice, and trying to make good on them. Stanley does a complete 180 turn at the beginning of this book and it was a bit whiplash-y but it all comes good! I really did like that Maddox became friends with Stanley, in the end.
The ansgt level is mid range, but very much inkeeping with the other two books.
I'm really enjoying this series, I want to visit Mission City again real soon!
4 solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Mission City series, but I am reading it after I've already book 3. It only means I know that there is a happy ever after for Stanley and Justin. They can be read as stand alone books though.
I wasn't sure I'd like Stanley, after what he did to Maddox from book 1, but the man does redeem himself beautifully here, eventually!
It's a very instalove book, much in keeping with book 1. Mid level smexy times, not explicit but thats really not what this book is about.
This book is about looking at your previous life choices, recognising that maybe they weren't the best choice, and trying to make good on them. Stanley does a complete 180 turn at the beginning of this book and it was a bit whiplash-y but it all comes good! I really did like that Maddox became friends with Stanley, in the end.
The ansgt level is mid range, but very much inkeeping with the other two books.
I'm really enjoying this series, I want to visit Mission City again real soon!
4 solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1449 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
Debbiereadsbook (1449 KP) rated A Killer Whisky: Alberta (Canadian Historical Mysteries) in Books
Mar 6, 2025
I did not see that ending coming at me!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is an historical murder mystery, set in the back drop of the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1918, in Alberta, Canada.
And I really rather enjoyed it!
We get to hear from a good few people, and I do love hearing from everyone. Being set over 100 years ago, times and people have changed and I do like comparing then to now: habits mostly, but attitudes and customs, the way things were.
What I did like, was the way the epidemic was being treated: hand washing, masks and the like. Reminded me a lot of a more recent event, and I wonder if they DID do those things, or if the author took liberty, but not that it matters either way. Just a point.
What I especially liked, was that I did not get whodunnit til it was revealed in the book! I loved being kept on my toes and made to question everything and everyone. I really did not see that coming, so very well played there!
A solid 4 star read
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is an historical murder mystery, set in the back drop of the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1918, in Alberta, Canada.
And I really rather enjoyed it!
We get to hear from a good few people, and I do love hearing from everyone. Being set over 100 years ago, times and people have changed and I do like comparing then to now: habits mostly, but attitudes and customs, the way things were.
What I did like, was the way the epidemic was being treated: hand washing, masks and the like. Reminded me a lot of a more recent event, and I wonder if they DID do those things, or if the author took liberty, but not that it matters either way. Just a point.
What I especially liked, was that I did not get whodunnit til it was revealed in the book! I loved being kept on my toes and made to question everything and everyone. I really did not see that coming, so very well played there!
A solid 4 star read
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1449 KP) rated Totality (Leading Men #1) in Books
Mar 12, 2025
when we got the full story behind that call. And I cried, I really did.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Azora meets Lorcan, a film star, at an eclipse. What follows is a bit of a whirlwind romance. Azora knows time is ticking, these things never last. But does she really want it to end?
I enjoyed this. It was an easy read, for the most part, with quite low angst on the relationship side. A minor scuffle with an ex, but nothing too dramatic.
The BDSM thing kinda bloomed really quickly but I liked that. Azora knew that Lorcan was in the scene, but she was worried it would be like her ex. There was no real discussion though, about limits and things.
The only real angst, and it was really heavy, was when we got the full story behind that call. And I cried, I really did. That's all I'm going to say, but brace yourself.
Only Azora gets a say. Hearing from Lorcan would have been nice, but I'm not sure it would have stretched m e to 5 stars.
A thoroughly enjoyable 4 solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere.
Azora meets Lorcan, a film star, at an eclipse. What follows is a bit of a whirlwind romance. Azora knows time is ticking, these things never last. But does she really want it to end?
I enjoyed this. It was an easy read, for the most part, with quite low angst on the relationship side. A minor scuffle with an ex, but nothing too dramatic.
The BDSM thing kinda bloomed really quickly but I liked that. Azora knew that Lorcan was in the scene, but she was worried it would be like her ex. There was no real discussion though, about limits and things.
The only real angst, and it was really heavy, was when we got the full story behind that call. And I cried, I really did. That's all I'm going to say, but brace yourself.
Only Azora gets a say. Hearing from Lorcan would have been nice, but I'm not sure it would have stretched m e to 5 stars.
A thoroughly enjoyable 4 solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere.
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Debbiereadsbook (1449 KP) rated Out Of The Penalty Box in Books
Feb 28, 2018
good, but not one for me.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I struggled with this one. And here's why.
Aidan is, or has been, straight. Here, he is attracted to Christophe, who is gay. You'd expect a whole lotta more soul searching and questioning going on, but there isn't. Aidan just jumps almost straight away into bed with Christophe, after he first expresses his feeling for Aidan.
I know its only a short book, some 100 odd pages and you can only do so much in those pages, but I did not feel any sort of emotional attachment to Aidan, at all.
We also only get Aidan. Yes yes YES, I KNOW I say it often enough, but think I might have enjoyed it a little more had Christophe had a say too.
And, aside from that very first chapter, there isn't any hockey!
So, a nice book, but not one that grabbed me. An easy read, maybe a little too easy. Someone will LOVE this book, I have no doubt. And I might have at any other time, but it just landed in the queue at the wrong time.
Not my best review, but I'll plead illness and hope that someone will forgive me.
3 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I struggled with this one. And here's why.
Aidan is, or has been, straight. Here, he is attracted to Christophe, who is gay. You'd expect a whole lotta more soul searching and questioning going on, but there isn't. Aidan just jumps almost straight away into bed with Christophe, after he first expresses his feeling for Aidan.
I know its only a short book, some 100 odd pages and you can only do so much in those pages, but I did not feel any sort of emotional attachment to Aidan, at all.
We also only get Aidan. Yes yes YES, I KNOW I say it often enough, but think I might have enjoyed it a little more had Christophe had a say too.
And, aside from that very first chapter, there isn't any hockey!
So, a nice book, but not one that grabbed me. An easy read, maybe a little too easy. Someone will LOVE this book, I have no doubt. And I might have at any other time, but it just landed in the queue at the wrong time.
Not my best review, but I'll plead illness and hope that someone will forgive me.
3 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1449 KP) rated Beloved Lives in Books
May 28, 2018
doesn't quite work for me
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
And I gotta be honest here, it was very touch and go whether I would actually finish this!
The story tells of April, and Mitch and Weston. April only has her say here, and I would probably have enjoyed in more if the guys had had a say.
April and Winston have history, ancient history. And through time, they have, according to Weston, found each other and lived long and happy lives. But something doesn't ring true for April and she uses Mitch skill at hypnotherapy and past life regression to finally get some answers.
Like I said, touch and go for a while. I got way past half way, and I still wasn't able to figure out what was going on, and where this was going. But I kept at it, hoping it would make sense at some point. It did, but only once it was all revealed in the book.
It's not overly explicit, but there is some violence when they talk about how it all began. It's well written and I saw no editing or spelling errors.
It just didn't work for me.
But for a first time author, well done.
3 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
And I gotta be honest here, it was very touch and go whether I would actually finish this!
The story tells of April, and Mitch and Weston. April only has her say here, and I would probably have enjoyed in more if the guys had had a say.
April and Winston have history, ancient history. And through time, they have, according to Weston, found each other and lived long and happy lives. But something doesn't ring true for April and she uses Mitch skill at hypnotherapy and past life regression to finally get some answers.
Like I said, touch and go for a while. I got way past half way, and I still wasn't able to figure out what was going on, and where this was going. But I kept at it, hoping it would make sense at some point. It did, but only once it was all revealed in the book.
It's not overly explicit, but there is some violence when they talk about how it all began. It's well written and I saw no editing or spelling errors.
It just didn't work for me.
But for a first time author, well done.
3 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1449 KP) rated The Dragon's Thief in Books
Jul 21, 2018
4 shiny stars!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
A magpie is hired to steal from a dragon's hoard. What could possibly go wrong??
Short! So very VERY short! That's my overwhelming thought on finishing this book, I wish it were longer.
It's told mostly from Chester, the magpie's point of view, but Michal, the dragon who hires Chester, gets some say, just not enough for my liking!
It's not overly complicated, nor is it explicit nor violent. It's well told, and well delivered. Some more could have been made of the feud between Michal and his brother James.
It was just too bloody short!
BUT!!!
I DID enjoy it, spending an hour sitting out in the sun on my day off. It's the first I've read of this author, but now she is firmly on my radar, my wish list is a little longer and hopefully I'll be able to read more soon.
Because I LIKED the way she tells her tales, and I LIKED that we get a magpie shifter, because I have never read a magpie shifter! And ya'll know I love them different!
So, because I found it too short ( I did NOT know it was a short going in!) and because I wanted more Michal...
4 shiny stars (because magpies love shiny things!)
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
A magpie is hired to steal from a dragon's hoard. What could possibly go wrong??
Short! So very VERY short! That's my overwhelming thought on finishing this book, I wish it were longer.
It's told mostly from Chester, the magpie's point of view, but Michal, the dragon who hires Chester, gets some say, just not enough for my liking!
It's not overly complicated, nor is it explicit nor violent. It's well told, and well delivered. Some more could have been made of the feud between Michal and his brother James.
It was just too bloody short!
BUT!!!
I DID enjoy it, spending an hour sitting out in the sun on my day off. It's the first I've read of this author, but now she is firmly on my radar, my wish list is a little longer and hopefully I'll be able to read more soon.
Because I LIKED the way she tells her tales, and I LIKED that we get a magpie shifter, because I have never read a magpie shifter! And ya'll know I love them different!
So, because I found it too short ( I did NOT know it was a short going in!) and because I wanted more Michal...
4 shiny stars (because magpies love shiny things!)
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**