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Debbiereadsbook (1752 KP) rated The Best Parts of Him (Vermont Trailblazers #1) in Books
Nov 4, 2025
It's about discovering yourself, and what you are doing might not actually be the best step forward.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
If this review runs away with itself, I'm sorry, but I freaking LOVED this book!
It's sweet, and charming. It's cute and a little bit smexy. Very little angst apart from what happened to both Ryland and Dabbs as children (divorce and verbal parental abuse, talked about but not in detail)
It's a small town and major hockey leagues. It's building new found families and more established real families.
It's about discovering yourself, and what you are doing might not actually be the best step forward. What I loved was that BOTH men had a little bit of a revelation about themselves.
I was reading and I kept coming back to Jason and Bellamy, who are Ryland's brother and Dabbs' best friend (and Ryland's enemy) I kept thinking I've read these guys before and off I tootled and there it was: A Touch of Maple (Love In Maplewood #3) Now, on a personal note, I think you should read THAT book first. It will give you a better image of Ryland and Bellamy's previous animosity and just what Ryland does to let it all go. I loved being able to catch up with them.
There was a MAJOR hint at who might be next and I can't wait to read it!
5 full, and so very sweet, stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
If this review runs away with itself, I'm sorry, but I freaking LOVED this book!
It's sweet, and charming. It's cute and a little bit smexy. Very little angst apart from what happened to both Ryland and Dabbs as children (divorce and verbal parental abuse, talked about but not in detail)
It's a small town and major hockey leagues. It's building new found families and more established real families.
It's about discovering yourself, and what you are doing might not actually be the best step forward. What I loved was that BOTH men had a little bit of a revelation about themselves.
I was reading and I kept coming back to Jason and Bellamy, who are Ryland's brother and Dabbs' best friend (and Ryland's enemy) I kept thinking I've read these guys before and off I tootled and there it was: A Touch of Maple (Love In Maplewood #3) Now, on a personal note, I think you should read THAT book first. It will give you a better image of Ryland and Bellamy's previous animosity and just what Ryland does to let it all go. I loved being able to catch up with them.
There was a MAJOR hint at who might be next and I can't wait to read it!
5 full, and so very sweet, stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1752 KP) rated Divided Road (The Road to Rocktoberfest 2024) in Books
Nov 1, 2024
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
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
Debbiereadsbook (1752 KP) rated Beyond the Darkness (Basic Instincts #3) in Books
Oct 9, 2025
plot twist I did not see coming!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 3 in the Basic Instincts series but you don't need to have read the other two books for this to make sense. I've only read book 2, and I loved that book.
And I loved this one too, bar for one thing and I'll come back to that in a mo.
Again, I'd like to commend Collins on a blinder of a twist I did not see coming! I had my doubts, when they were saying who might have been behind it all, but my idea was way, WAY off base and I loved being thrown for a loop!
I really, really do not want to see that film Hudson was in! Sounds gory and violent and not really my thing.
The book is dark and deadly and some of it is on page, but I do think that it is necessary to get the point across.
Some emotional moments, some steamy, but the focus is on the play and the chaos that comes with it.
That thing? But for one solitary chapter, only Hudson has a say. Luke has a chapter and that is the only reason I cannot give this 5 stars! I think if he had no say at all, I might have been tipped over to 5 stars, though! Weird, I know but ya'll know my book feelings!
so, a very VERY good
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 3 in the Basic Instincts series but you don't need to have read the other two books for this to make sense. I've only read book 2, and I loved that book.
And I loved this one too, bar for one thing and I'll come back to that in a mo.
Again, I'd like to commend Collins on a blinder of a twist I did not see coming! I had my doubts, when they were saying who might have been behind it all, but my idea was way, WAY off base and I loved being thrown for a loop!
I really, really do not want to see that film Hudson was in! Sounds gory and violent and not really my thing.
The book is dark and deadly and some of it is on page, but I do think that it is necessary to get the point across.
Some emotional moments, some steamy, but the focus is on the play and the chaos that comes with it.
That thing? But for one solitary chapter, only Hudson has a say. Luke has a chapter and that is the only reason I cannot give this 5 stars! I think if he had no say at all, I might have been tipped over to 5 stars, though! Weird, I know but ya'll know my book feelings!
so, a very VERY good
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1752 KP) rated Wolf of the Nordic Seas (Valiant Vikings #2) in Books
May 19, 2025
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
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
Debbiereadsbook (1752 KP) rated Palaces and other Prisons (Part of: Tinsel and Tentacles 3.0) in Books
Nov 23, 2025
my book brain has questions!
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Dawson finds himself, and the oil rig he is working on, left high and dry and on an island in the middle of the North Sea. Ul is king of the island. He knows something changed. The water tastes different and just what is that thing? Only one thing for it, some first contact. But then Ul's markings glow when he meets Dawson. Ul does not have time, nor the heart for a mate.
I liked this, I liked it a lot but I am left with questions! So many questions my book brain is screaming at me!
It was not really explained what Ul and his people are. I mean, they are called krakke, so some sort of kraken type being is assumed but not really fully explained.
How did Dawson get poisoned?? We know it was done, and when. But that's it.
It's not overly steamy, it's more about Ul and Dawson getting to know each other. Loved how Ul's people learn languages, even if Dawson talked the hind legs off a donkey while Ul learned how to speak English!
Basically, I think, there was some fleshing out needed BUT I really did enjoy this book and I want to read more of what happens during the Collapse, as the humans call it. All sorts of mythical beings are appearing in the human world and I want to read them!
4 very good, if slightly questioning, stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Dawson finds himself, and the oil rig he is working on, left high and dry and on an island in the middle of the North Sea. Ul is king of the island. He knows something changed. The water tastes different and just what is that thing? Only one thing for it, some first contact. But then Ul's markings glow when he meets Dawson. Ul does not have time, nor the heart for a mate.
I liked this, I liked it a lot but I am left with questions! So many questions my book brain is screaming at me!
It was not really explained what Ul and his people are. I mean, they are called krakke, so some sort of kraken type being is assumed but not really fully explained.
How did Dawson get poisoned?? We know it was done, and when. But that's it.
It's not overly steamy, it's more about Ul and Dawson getting to know each other. Loved how Ul's people learn languages, even if Dawson talked the hind legs off a donkey while Ul learned how to speak English!
Basically, I think, there was some fleshing out needed BUT I really did enjoy this book and I want to read more of what happens during the Collapse, as the humans call it. All sorts of mythical beings are appearing in the human world and I want to read them!
4 very good, if slightly questioning, stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated The Reaper in Books
Feb 17, 2023
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mel is a detective who is one month away from retirement she cannot wait for! She's then lumbered with Nat, a rookie on a high-octane case with a lot at stake! As she gets to know her new partner/trainee, she likes the way she works and thinks. She reminds Mel of herself so finds herself guiding her in any way she can in trying to discover the true identity of The Reaper.
I enjoyed this story from start to finish. I was gripped from the start and was second-guessing all the way through. I genuinely hadn't got a clue whodunit it was a great surprise. I don't want to say too much about it as I don't want to give anything away but I was certainly confused. There is a lot of detail in this book that helps you make a picture of what is going on not enough to give you the answers but to get the finer details.
Rae Scott has got a way of writing that has captivated me from the start and kept me right through to the end. I'm hoping that there will be a second book and this can be made into a 2 part series or even more. It was fantastic!
A recommended read.
** 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. *
Mel is a detective who is one month away from retirement she cannot wait for! She's then lumbered with Nat, a rookie on a high-octane case with a lot at stake! As she gets to know her new partner/trainee, she likes the way she works and thinks. She reminds Mel of herself so finds herself guiding her in any way she can in trying to discover the true identity of The Reaper.
I enjoyed this story from start to finish. I was gripped from the start and was second-guessing all the way through. I genuinely hadn't got a clue whodunit it was a great surprise. I don't want to say too much about it as I don't want to give anything away but I was certainly confused. There is a lot of detail in this book that helps you make a picture of what is going on not enough to give you the answers but to get the finer details.
Rae Scott has got a way of writing that has captivated me from the start and kept me right through to the end. I'm hoping that there will be a second book and this can be made into a 2 part series or even more. It was fantastic!
A recommended read.
** 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. *
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Grace ( The Revelations book 1) in Books
Aug 22, 2022
149 of 230
Kindle
Grace (The Revelations book 1)
By Leanne Rathbone
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good and Evil...two absolutes that every person is taught about from a young age but what if the lines between the two suddenly blurred, what if everything you believed you knew changed in the blink of an eye?
These are the dilemmas that 17-year-old Grace Ayre suddenly finds herself facing. One fateful night a brutal attack leaves her best friend dead and her life changes in an instant. She's moved away from the life she had always known and thrown into the life of a loner in a remote village in the north of England.
An unnerving trip through a darkened cemetery sparks a series of events that make Grace question everything she knows about the world and more importantly, everything she knows about herself.
With her life in imminent danger will she discover enough about herself to change her future and will the elusive and mysterious Nate help or hinder her process?
Grace is a story of love, loss, friendship and discovering how one's fate can shape existence and how the lust for power can destroy it all.
I literally could not put this down! I started at 2am and it’s now 4:24am. It was addictive and I just could stop reading. The story, the characters and the fact it was set in the UK kept me hooked. As you may have guessed from previous books I’m an emotional reviewer and this was the perfect book for me. Absolutely loved it!
Kindle
Grace (The Revelations book 1)
By Leanne Rathbone
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good and Evil...two absolutes that every person is taught about from a young age but what if the lines between the two suddenly blurred, what if everything you believed you knew changed in the blink of an eye?
These are the dilemmas that 17-year-old Grace Ayre suddenly finds herself facing. One fateful night a brutal attack leaves her best friend dead and her life changes in an instant. She's moved away from the life she had always known and thrown into the life of a loner in a remote village in the north of England.
An unnerving trip through a darkened cemetery sparks a series of events that make Grace question everything she knows about the world and more importantly, everything she knows about herself.
With her life in imminent danger will she discover enough about herself to change her future and will the elusive and mysterious Nate help or hinder her process?
Grace is a story of love, loss, friendship and discovering how one's fate can shape existence and how the lust for power can destroy it all.
I literally could not put this down! I started at 2am and it’s now 4:24am. It was addictive and I just could stop reading. The story, the characters and the fact it was set in the UK kept me hooked. As you may have guessed from previous books I’m an emotional reviewer and this was the perfect book for me. Absolutely loved it!
Debbiereadsbook (1752 KP) rated King of the Mountain (Love at Lake Clyde #1) in Books
Oct 13, 2023
quite the betrayal I saw coming.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I liked this, I liked it a lot.
Clifford is racing in his final Tour de France, he needs total focus on winning. Meeting the lost student in Paris throws him, but Gabe pushes buttons he didn't know needed pushing, at least, not for a long LONG time. Can they see it through, for Clifford to win his final tour and then be with Gabe?
I found this quite an easy read, but I needed that right now. It flows and ebbs, as does the relationship between Clifford and Gabe. The big gap in the time line was necessary, I think, for them to fully recover from France, and be open to moving on.
That things were conspiring against them was obvious, but just how far that conspiracy and plan went was quite the betrayal. I liked that I saw that coming, to be honest. Something was said, and I had alarm bells ringing, much as Clifford did but I put the pieces together faster than he did.
I liked how things sorted themselves out, in the end.
It was, like I said, an easy read. Some steam and smexy times, some drama and some emotional times.
If I reading things correctly, this is the author's first book under this name. I'd like to follow them as they hone their craft.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
I liked this, I liked it a lot.
Clifford is racing in his final Tour de France, he needs total focus on winning. Meeting the lost student in Paris throws him, but Gabe pushes buttons he didn't know needed pushing, at least, not for a long LONG time. Can they see it through, for Clifford to win his final tour and then be with Gabe?
I found this quite an easy read, but I needed that right now. It flows and ebbs, as does the relationship between Clifford and Gabe. The big gap in the time line was necessary, I think, for them to fully recover from France, and be open to moving on.
That things were conspiring against them was obvious, but just how far that conspiracy and plan went was quite the betrayal. I liked that I saw that coming, to be honest. Something was said, and I had alarm bells ringing, much as Clifford did but I put the pieces together faster than he did.
I liked how things sorted themselves out, in the end.
It was, like I said, an easy read. Some steam and smexy times, some drama and some emotional times.
If I reading things correctly, this is the author's first book under this name. I'd like to follow them as they hone their craft.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
felt it was a littel unfinished in places.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I liked this book, but I struggled a bit with it.
I liked that both Henry and Francis had a say, in the third person. I did not like that when Henry spoke, he spoke with a broad Yorkshire accent! I live one county down from Yorkshire, in the UK and it took me a bit of time to figure out what he was saying, so that took some enjoyment out it.
Henry and Francis are from very differing backgrounds, different classes and before WWII this was a major issue. It shows in places. Makes you think, about how things have changed. I didn't much like Francis' mother, but I think that's a generational thing. She came across extremely heavy on Francis and not so much on her brother, but then again, wanting to run away to Hollywood, in that time frame, was probably no more far fetched than it is today!
It felt a little clunky at times, and that made it a bit hard work. Some threads are left....unfinished.....I thought. Bit of tightening up, and I think this might have eeked that 4th star out of me.
BUT
It is well written, and I saw no editing or spelling mistakes, and I did finish it. Whether I will read another by this author remains to be seen.
a GOOD 3 star read
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
I liked this book, but I struggled a bit with it.
I liked that both Henry and Francis had a say, in the third person. I did not like that when Henry spoke, he spoke with a broad Yorkshire accent! I live one county down from Yorkshire, in the UK and it took me a bit of time to figure out what he was saying, so that took some enjoyment out it.
Henry and Francis are from very differing backgrounds, different classes and before WWII this was a major issue. It shows in places. Makes you think, about how things have changed. I didn't much like Francis' mother, but I think that's a generational thing. She came across extremely heavy on Francis and not so much on her brother, but then again, wanting to run away to Hollywood, in that time frame, was probably no more far fetched than it is today!
It felt a little clunky at times, and that made it a bit hard work. Some threads are left....unfinished.....I thought. Bit of tightening up, and I think this might have eeked that 4th star out of me.
BUT
It is well written, and I saw no editing or spelling mistakes, and I did finish it. Whether I will read another by this author remains to be seen.
a GOOD 3 star read
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Lucifer’s Rule (Hellfire #2) in Books
Mar 3, 2023
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. *
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. *