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The Roots Run Deep
The Roots Run Deep
C.M. Forest | 2024 | Horror
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
These are short, sharp shocks into the mind of Foster, and how they tell their stories!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is a collection of stories, billed as horror.

Now, pre-kindle days, I was a horror reader, and it's been some time since I delved into the genre. And while these are mind-provoking, I wouldn't quite class them as horror, as such.

That said, they are all short, sharp shocks into the mind of Foster and how they tell their tales. I've not read any of their work before, though, and I really enjoyed this little peek into their mind.

Some stories were grabbing, and didn't let go. Some were just good. I got lost in the space story, to be honest but I did read them all.

I will never look at a glazed doughnut in the same way, ever again! Moths are definitely on my nope list, and the beach after a storm will be a bit dicey!

So, scary? Yes. Make you think? Yes. But for me, not quite what I would call horror but still an extremely good set of shorts, that make me want to read something longer and more in depth by this author.

4 very good stars across the set, but stand out for the beach story, the doughnut one and the tree.

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
SWAT for Dummies (Deputy Gemma Stone #2)
SWAT for Dummies (Deputy Gemma Stone #2)
Gail Koger | 2023 | Humor & Comedy, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
some very funny moments
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Deputy Gemma Stone series. I have not read book one, but I picked this one up quick enough. So I'd say it can be read as a stand alone.

And for the most part, I did enjoy this short read, some 130 pages, I really did.

I just found the fact that Gemma got into so many scrapes and bumps, accidents and getting shot at, it all became a bit too much. FOR ME! I need to stress that, for me, I found it a bit too much in the short space of time it took me to read this book.

There is some kooky going on inthe Sheriff's department, and Gemma, along with her new boyfriend, need to figure it out, especially as it might have some relation to Dante's parent's deaths. And they do, eventually.

Some very funny moments, that really were laugh out loud bits and I think these are what made me give it 4 stars and not 3. It's full of drama, but not real angst. Low on the steam scale too. But I didn't mind that here.

I'm not usually one for comedy in my romance books, but I did enjoy this one. Whether I read more, will remain to be seen, though.

An enjoyable, 4 star read

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Ravished by the Rhubarb (The Rhubarb Effect #3)
Ravished by the Rhubarb (The Rhubarb Effect #3)
JP Sayle, Sue Brown | 2024 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Apollo doesn't like custard!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

I love reading weird stuff, and this series by Sayle and Brown hit the nail on the head every time!

Apollo thinks his mate rejected him, and tries to not be in Glass' company. But Glass did NOT reject Apollo, he was just overcome by meeting his mate. In an effort to get Apollo to talk to Glass, the pair are set up on camera duty, and Glass brings a bag of things. Turns out, the pride and or the bunch of rhubarb (which has a name but I can't remember it!) was sneaky and someone swapped the contents for some more adult toys!

What I am really enjoying about these books is that while they are a lot, and I mean A LOT of fun, there is some drama here too. In this book, Apollo thinks he can't have his mate, because he doesn't like custard. And, you really need to read the other books to get what I mean by "custard" :-p

There is a way round that, and the pride comes good with their ideas to see both Apollo and Glass happy. And they get VERY happy!

Red and Gordon are next and we might find out just who wants Red and more importantly, WHY!

4 absolute fun stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Secret Admirer Pact
Secret Admirer Pact
Bernadette Marie | 2024 | Contemporary, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
kinda cute
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.

I liked this book, but I didn't love it. Why?? I dunno, but book feelings are strong about this and ya'll know I need to share the book feelings!

It's a fun read, about friends who never really saw each other as anything other than best friends, until the thought of losing each other looms. And it's all laid out for you!

While there is romance here, there is no smexy times. I think that might be my biggest issue. I like my books smexy and I wanted Monique and Will to get their freak on, and they don't. At least, not on page. There's just some kissing.

It's painfully obvious who the secret admirers are, other than Will and Monique, but I didn't see the twist to Monique's boss' situation! So that was a great twist.

It's billed as a comedy romance. Now, I dunno if it was me, but I didn't get much comedy, at all!

It was a nice read (you know I don't like to use that word, but I can't find another one to fit!) one you can just fall into and wile away a couple hours, or less. Took me 90 mins.

I'd like to read something esle by this author, I haven't read her work before, but a longer work.

3 good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
The Painted Lady
The Painted Lady
Avery Sterling | 2024 | Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Delaney deals with a lot here!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Delaney comes to New Orleans after her mother dies, to find she is now the owner of The Bird House, a brothel. Meeting Alderic is the bright light in a dark place. But Alderic is a smuggler, and Delaney is now a Madam, The Painted Lady. They walk in different circles. Someone, however, wants The Bird House.

What I liked about this, was Delaney did not know what her mother did. She was sent away as a child, and has not returned home for a long time. Remi (who turns out to be far more than a bodyguard!) is her only connection to her mother. But once Delaney got her head round the idea, she embraced it. I loved that the girls in The Bird House were all there voluntarily.

I liked that it took Alderic a LONG time to figure things out! Loved how he got Delaney back!

It's not explicit, at all, given where Delaney now lives, but it is emotional. Delaney deals with a lot here, and it takes a toll.

I'm left intrigued, though. By Alderic's partner, Nye, and his new wife, Sarafina. They have a book that preceeds this one, I want to go back and read it. I have a feeling that Sarafina was a shock to Nye's system!

4 very good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
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Mr April (Calendar Men #4)
Mr April (Calendar Men #4)
Bailey Bradford | 2018 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
good, but not as good as March
Independent reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Will thought the charity shoot was a good thing, til his boyfriend, Geoffrey got all jealous of nothing. So Will dumps him and takes himself out to dinner. And has an instant and powerful reaction to Baz, his server. Baz is a swan shifter, and they mate for life so Baz needs to be careful with Will. Then Geoffrey turns up dead and both men are prime suspects.

Book 4 in the Calendar Men series, but you don't need to have read the other first. It will give you a better picture of what has happened on the photo shoot, but very little of the shoot appears here.

I liked this, a lot. Not as much as March, but I did like it. I just didn't love it and *insert whiny voice* I don't know why!

It carries drama of a different nature to the other books, but I liked that here. It also has shifters of a different breed: swans and coyotes. I did not see whodunnit until it was revealed in the book!

The heat level between Baz and Will is hot and steamy, but also deep and emotional, especially when Baz is talking about life mates and things.

I just LIKED it, but I didn't love it.

BUT!! Still a four star read and I'm interested how the rest of the year will play out.

4 GOOD solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Dead School
Dead School
Laura Gia West | 2019 | Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A quick, enjoyable, quirky read that does not fit into the usual slots for describing a book.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

Dead School by Laura Gia West was described by reviewer David Nora on Goodreads as "Harry Potter meets Beetlejuice". I would not agree completely with the description but it is close.

Tina Crocker hates Valentine's Day and school. She failed at life, love, and everything else she has tried except for playing her guitar. She decides to participate in the school's talent school, kills it, and dies on stage. She is transported to Dead School where she finds out just how much of a failure she has been. Can she pass Dead School or will she fail at this too?

Dead School is not a dark novel and many reviewers did not like the book because they expected it to be. Reading the description shows it is not. In her debut novel, West takes a different look at being dead. Her main character is a failure, sarcastic, flawed person in life and the hereafter but she is likeable.

Dead School is a quick, enjoyable, quirky read that does not fit into the usual slots for describing a book. Go into this with an open mind and just enjoy it.

I am looking forward to reading more from Laura Gia West.

Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on 3/2/19.