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Gamble of Hearts
Gamble of Hearts
Virginia Barlow | 2023 | Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
ok, but not pushing any buttons.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Lady Amora finds herself sold by her brother, to more than one person, but Lord Alexander takes her in, to keep her safe. Finding her a husband is the safest way to do that. He never expected to be drawn to her. Amora has a secret though, and that might cost her dearly if Alexander finds out. When Amora's life is threatened, Alexander pulls out all the stops.

This is one of those books that I cannot find another word for, other than NICE. It was a nice book.

Yes, some of the storyline is dark: sibling abuse, kidnapping, murder and suicide. Yes, it's a bit steamy and smexy, but not overly so. Yes, it's somewhat proper for the time portrayed, with all the rules and customs of the time. I liked that both Amora and Alexander have a say, in the third person. Another has a short say, but I really didn't see the point of him!

BUT

There are some typos, which should really have been picked up before publication: spelling your main character's name wrong is really rather unforgivable. In a few places, I was confused by the continuity of scenes. I had to double back a couple of times to clarify things.

So, all in all, a NICE book, but one that didn't really push any buttons.

3 stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
When I Look In the Mirror
When I Look In the Mirror
Tanith Davenport | 2023 | Erotica, Paranormal, Romance
6
4.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
liked well enough, but not sure this author is for me!
Independent reviewer for Achaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

I liked this, well enough, but I'm not sure this author works for ME. I stress the ME here!

I said in the first book I read from Davenport, I'm With The Band, that I wanted to read another book by this author, but not that series. And this book fits that bill, since it's a stand alone.

But while I read it, finished in under an hour, and there were some things I did like, it just really isn't one for me.

I liked that it doesn't get as scary as I thought it would, once I started reading. Ouija boards are nothing to be messed with, as Tatum finds out here, and I won't ever touch one! Finding a demon in her mists was tricky to deal with but Zach really helps her.

I liked the connection between Zach and Tatum, and how that all plays out. I wasn't sure which way things would play out and it left me hanging for a hot minute!

I didn't like that only Tatum gets a say, I would have liked to hear from Zach.

Like I said, only short, some 70 pages. Not sure it was really for me, but passed a lazy Tuesday morning in bed.

3 good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
His Precious Omega (Sweet Alps Mates #3)
His Precious Omega (Sweet Alps Mates #3)
Raiven Matthews | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Put off by some wording
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 3 in the Sweet Alps series. I have not read the others and I did not feel I was missing anything by not doing so.

For the most part, I did enjoy this book, I really did.

I liked that it took time for Ry and Daddy Brendan to properly connect. I liked that Ryan tells Brendan of his problems BEFORE they enter into anything. I liked that Brendan seeks help as to how to properly look of Ry when he is little. I even liked the stalker storyline, and how that all panned out. Didn't see that coming at me. I liked that I can see a certain pair of shifters getting together!

BUT

There are some points along the way that the wording of sentences really grated on my nerves. He did NOT "drug" the chair across the room (not actually from the book,but just using to make my point) he DRAGGED the chair. I'm fairly certain this is a local lingo thing, to the author's locality, but to me? Nuh-uh. Once, I can let it go, but it happens more than once. At that point, I switched to "let's get this finished, eh?" mode.

So, I'm sorry, I will not be following this series.

3 stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
From A to Us (Vermont Trailblazers #3)
From A to Us (Vermont Trailblazers #3)
Amy Aislin | 2026 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance, Sport & Leisure
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I am loving this series!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Ok, so!

I might lose control of this review, so please bare with me, cos I freaking loved this one!

Eli is super cheerful, but puts on a front and Nolan sees Eli, really sees him. And I loved that, he saw Eli right from the start.

I loved that the relationship between Nolan and Eli's sister wasn't given too much page space. It's mentioned a couple of times, when the guys are soul searching, but since it's ten long years ago, it's not dragged out. Even Eli's sister wasn't bothered!

The letters had me gripped! I loved them and how Nolan and Eli use inspiration from them. I did have a clue as to who that might be, really early on and I loved how that all played out.

Steamy, yes, these guys have powerful chemistry right from the start and they do not let up!

I'm loving that these are hockey-light. Just enough to keep you engaged, but not too much so you lose focus. And when I say you, I mean me!

Please, please tell me there will be more, I'm loving these books and I need more of them in my life!

I'm reigning this in, and shutting it down now!

5 full and shiny stars!!

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
‘Tis the Season to be Scary
Vicki Delany | 2026 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder is Always Spooky
Merry’s best friend, Vicky Casey, has been working on a cookbook for the last couple of entries in this series, and it is finally coming out. But the night before the official book launch, the annual fundraiser for the local hospital is happening. It’s a big gala at the Yuletide Inn, and everyone is there, including people from out of town. One of those out-of-town guests is Cynthia, an online reviewer (those evil people!) who has panned Vicky’s new book. As the evening is winding down, Cynthia falls over and then dies on the way to the hospital. If Cynthia didn’t die of natural causes, what happened to her?

I debated about continuing the series before ultimately deciding to continue via the library. Sadly, I once again found it average. The pacing was off, especially in the middle when some subplots took over. While I like the series regulars, I want to see some character growth. I feel like things are staying too much the same. While I wasn’t bothered by the fact that the cozy Christmas vibes weren’t as plentiful due to it being a Halloween set book, I didn’t like the paranormal element the book introduced, especially since the book relied on it too much. We do have three delicious sounding recipes at the end. I’m debating if I want to read any more books in this series.
  
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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.