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Lucifer’s Rule (Hellfire #2)
Lucifer’s Rule (Hellfire #2)
Ella Moore | 2022
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!


Arren just wants to prove his worth. Being the young of the most elite warrior demon there has cast a dark shadow over him with some big boots to fill.


The only way Arren can see people thinking of him more than just the Wildfire Warrior's Son is if he joins Lucifer's Horde. A slight problem is that his mother can't stand the fallen angel and the hell she's been put through by him. Arren is determined, so he and his friend Mei set off to prove themselves.


This is the second book in the Hellfire series and I was excited to read it as I really enjoyed the first one. Although it has some references to some of the events in the first book, I think you could read it as a standalone as it does give you a quick description of the events. There is a lot of detail in the book and I find it adds to the quality with which it has been written. It means you're not missing any details that may only be small but are significant.


There are demons, archangels, battles, friendships made, rather racy sex scenes, as well as Lucifer himself. What more could you want in a story? I can't wait to read the next one in the series.


Recommend reading


** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

 

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
  
Reluctant Rockstar (Reluctant Rockstar #1)
Reluctant Rockstar (Reluctant Rockstar #1)
Frances Fox | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
the biggest warm and fuzzies!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Usually I write a little blurby bit, but I'm not going to here, I'm gonna jump straight in!

Cos, this book right?? It's so freaking good!

It's not ever so smexy, but it has passion and emotion. It's not explicit but it has steam! There isn't much drama, save for the idiot ex-manager and Martin making his decision. It's not very long, some 95 pages, but I'll come back to that bit shortly.

And all that is why I loved this book! Finding yourself after such a long time is what this is all about and Martin, once he makes the decision he does, he and Simon are a couple, after such a short space of time, and Martin leaving to finish what he needs to do gives them time to miss each other, even though they are in constant contact.

Back to the length of this book. I would probably have said, as I've done before, that this book is too short. However, I don't think this particular book would work as a longer piece, I really don't. It's the perfect page length for this story, for Simon and Martin to fall in love.

It's full of emotion and love, and gave me the biggest warm and fuzzies feeling I've had in a long time!

First I can see of this author, I want more if they are all this cute!

5 full and shiny stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Sweat Connection (Hot Under the Collar #1)
Sweat Connection (Hot Under the Collar #1)
Katherine McIntyre | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Quite possibly McIntyre's best work to date!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

I'm not rehashing the blurb, and I'm not telling you the story, I'ma just gonna jump straight in!

READ THIS FREAKING BOOK, PEOPLE!

It's so well written, from both Rhys and Cole's POV, in the first person, each chapter headers the change.

It's steamy and smexy (sooooooooooooooooooo smexy!) It's deeply emotional, for both Rhys and Cole and that surprised me, don't ask me why, cos I've no freaking idea! I just expected this to be a light and fluffy book. And it is, but with a heavy side of emotions.

It's sweet and cute, it's so freaking cute. Full of the warm and fuzzies that low/no angst books carry. Full of emotion and love.

Rhys is in a dark place when he comes into contact with Cole, and after that, it's just two guys falling in love! Throw in McIntyre's skill with found families, and extended families, and a 2 yr old called Sammy and you've got, for me, possibly McIntyre's best work yet!

AND this is the first in a new series and I cannot wait for the next one!

I'm making this a relatively short review, I might start ranting and raving, and if I allow myself free reign, you could end up with a 10,000 word review!

I'm putting this on my Masterpiece shelf! I abso-freaking-lutely loved this book and I can't see why anyone wouldn't.

5 full and shiny stars.

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Little Treasure He Hides (Little Paws Haven #1)
Little Treasure He Hides (Little Paws Haven #1)
JP Sayle, Lisa Oliver | 2022 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
9.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Loved this!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is the first in a new series between this pair of authors, and by gosh, it's so good!

Gabai wasn't too impressive when he first meets Asher, but the big bear Daddy does redeem himself once he gets his head out his ass and realise just what Asher needs, not what Gabai does.

Asher's pain is so deep, you can almost taste it. Once we get the full story about why Ash (and I loved that Gabai shortened his name, but no one else could get away with that!) you can understand why he doesn't like to be touched, and just why he hates being called boy.

The way Gabai deals with the perpetrator of the damage to the club shows how much he cares about the Littles in his club, even if he can't be their chief hugger now Ash is about.

I loved that, once he gets Ash, Gabai lets Ash set the pace to bring his little out once more. The little steps are important, they start a big journey, and Ash and Gabai have a wonderful start to that journey now.

Lots of characters who need stories, there is bit at the end of this one for the next story, but I'm not sure if I put things together right so we'll wait, very impatiently, for the next book!

5 full and shiny stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Shifter Woods: Claw (Esposito County Shifters #4)
Shifter Woods: Claw (Esposito County Shifters #4)
Nicola M. Cameron | 2023 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
blinder of a plot twist!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 4 in the Esposito County Shifters series, but I have not read them all. They can all be read as stand alones.

Angela runs after discovering her abusive boyfriend sells her out to the mob. Something guides her to Esposito County and Matt saves her. There is a familiar scent to Angela that Matt can't place, but he knows one thing: he will do anything to keep her safe, and make her his.

I liked this a lot. It takes a darker edge than Growl (book 3) but plays another blinder of a plot twist for Matt and Angela that I did not see coming!

It's steamy and smexy, yes but this had less of a *MINE* moment that some shifter books have and more of an *I know you, but can't place you* and the feelings for both Matt and Angela creep up on them. Oh, don't get me wrong, Matt has that drive to protect Angela right from the start, but he wasn't sure what it meant. I loved that it takes time, you know? The rapid fall-in-loves books are all well and good, but I especially liked that particular book isn't like that.

I loved that the other shifters in town pulled together to sort out Angela's problem, and I love that Matt asked if he could deal with it personally.

A thoroughly enjoyable 4 star read.

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Divided Road (The Road to Rocktoberfest 2024)
Divided Road (The Road to Rocktoberfest 2024)
Anne Barwell | 2024 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I liked that I was able to get into their minds a good deal
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This book is part of the Road to Rockoberfest 2024, but can be read as a stand alone to the other books in the series.

Owen is the fiddler in Flightless, an up and coming rock band. Jared joins as a stand in when the keyboard player takes some family time. But time is short for Owen and Jared.

For the most part, I liked this book.

Both Jared and Owen have a say, and they say a great deal. I liked that I was able to get into their minds a good deal.

It's not overly explicit but there are smexy times. No real angst or drama, I didn't think.

I did like the way it all played out.

It's an easy read, a Nice book.

*insert sigh*

I just felt I was missing MUCH information. About both men, and their history. Case in point: these guys met before, The Beer Guy incident. I needed that explained. I don't fully get that and I wanted it. I also found it was a little . . . flat . . .on the romance. They meet, they kiss, and they are in love. I wanted more build up.

BUT like I said, I did enjoy it, I'm just saying what I wanted that I didn't get.

3.5 stars, but rounded UP for the blog.

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Rhubarb 2 Go (The Rhubarb Effect #2)
Rhubarb 2 Go (The Rhubarb Effect #2)
JP Sayle, Sue Brown | 2024 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Burke just wants to be wooed!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.


This is book 2 in The Rhubarb Effect series, and you should probably read Sticky for You, book 1, before this one. There is a bit of an ongoing story arc and that book sets the scene for this one. And you know, it's a FUN read!


As is this one! THis is Ricky and Burke's story. Ricky is a pole dancing rhubarb stalk and Burke is a mini bull. There are lots and LOTS of one liners in this book. Full of rhubarb jokes again, but also with poles, and balls and bull jokes. SOme very funny moments, but also some emotional ones.


Burke is very sensitive and Ricky is a bit like a (I apologise for using this, but I really couldn't find any other words that would fit!) bull in a china shop! He wants Burke, balls and all, and Burke just wants to be wooed.


I'm loving these books. They really are perfect for just having a quick, slightly silly read. Smexy, yes but with humour, and a touch of drama.


The monsters are still about, and no one knows who they are, but Max has a clue who they might be. I'm looking forward to finding out!


Book 3 is set up nicely, with that one about Apollo, another lion like Max and a rather grumpy rhubarb stalk!


4 insane stars (cos, I mean, where do they get these ideas from!)


*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Wolf of the Nordic Seas (Valiant Vikings #2)
Wolf of the Nordic Seas (Valiant Vikings #2)
Jennifer Ivy Walker | 2025 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
as well as the Viking folklore, we got a paranormal element too!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Valiant Vikings series. While not strictly necessary, I think it would be beneficial to read book one, Dragon of Denmark, before this one. It will give you a better view of this world, how it works and of the author's writing style.

I enjoyed book one, but for the repetitive descriptions of runes and things. That is why I found this a much more . . .difficult(?) . . .read.

The repeating of what runes are for, what the stones are for, and who did what and when takes up a huge portion of this book. I found myself skimming paragraphs just to get back to the story. I didn't feel I missed anything by doing so, either!

I did like that Elfi and Njord both have the majority voice. I loved that we hear again from the bad guy, and how they go about getting what they want. I do love it when well laid out plans don't come to pass for the bad guy!

What I really liked, though, was as well as the Viking folklore, we got a paranormal element too! Mermaids, werewolves, light and dark elves. I loved the way it was all seamlessly meddled together!

A good read, but one I did struggle with. Some of that was the repetition, and some me (I have *stuff* going on!)

3 very good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Rise (Spelldrift: Coven of Fire #1)
Rise (Spelldrift: Coven of Fire #1)
Sierra Cross | 2017 | Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
not one for me
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

*insert big sigh*

I ....struggled with this book, for a couple of reasons, and it was very touch and go as to whether I would finish it.

First person, single point of view is not one of my favourite ways for a book to be written and only Alix has a here. Matt really should have been given a voice, I think, even if he had been given a first person voice, I would have enjoyed it more.

It could do with a thorough edit. Not enough minor things to put you off reading, but enough of them for me to note they were there and they needed commenting on.

Somewhat predictable plot. I saw it all coming at me. Every twist and turn. Maybe I read too much, but there were no surprises in this book for me.

BUT!!!

Even though only Alix gets a voice, I did like her. Because only she speaks we get up front and personal with her every step of the way. I really felt for her in places. She is very witty and there are a couple of laugh out loud moments.

And BECAUSE I saw it all coming at me like a freight train, I liked watching it all unfold.

I just. . . . . I dunno!

I'm sorry I can't word better what I think about this book, you know it pains me so when I can't say what I need to!

Will I read book 2? Possibly. The blurb will have to really REALLY grab me.

3 stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Cowboy In The Crosshairs (Dreamspun Desires #53)
Cowboy In The Crosshairs (Dreamspun Desires #53)
BA Tortuga | 2018 | LGBTQ+, Romance
8
4.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
a bit jumpy but an enjoyable 4 star read
Independent reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was gifted my copy of this book.

I liked this, I really did. Its just the characters tend to jump about with their thinking and it got a little difficult trying to keep up in places!

BUT!!!

A great easy read, as usual from Tortuga!

Wacey comes home after an accident and TJ is Sheriff in town now. They split some ten years before, for one reason or other, to be honest I wasn't entirely sure WHY they split! But it's clear they still have an attraction that won't go away. When it becomes obvious that the "accident" might not have been, TJ goes into deep protection mode, and Wacey welcomes it. The culprit is caught, but will Wacey leave TJ again??

Like I said, a really easy read! Told from both Wacey and TJ's point of view, we get how each man feels seeing the other for the first time, their reactions then and after. It's not overly explicit, because it's a DreamSpun Desires, from DreamSpinner, but there is enough that is right for this book. While I do tend to prefer my male/male romances on the more explicit side, I really did enjoy this one with that little bit less.

The story flows well (apart from the jumping around the minds of the guys did!) and I saw no spelling or editing errors. I did not get who was trying to get Wacey until it was revealed in the book!

A perfect way to spend a snowed in Friday afternoon!

4 solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**