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Sharpe's Assassin
Sharpe's Assassin
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's been 15 years or so since Bernard Cornwell last returned to perhaps his most famous creation Richard Sharpe, in Sharpe's Fury.

In chronological order, that was then, novel # 11 of 23 (including short stories in that count).

While Cornwell continued on with his 'Saxon Stories / Last Kingdom' series starring Uhtred of Bebbanburg (read those. Enjoyed those), I've always held a soft spot for the soldier-up-from-the-ranks of Richard Sharpe, so I was quite happy to hear that he would be returning to that character.

This is that return, chronologically novel # 23 of 24, taking place almost immediately after the Battle of Waterloo (worth reading Sharpe's Waterloo again - you don't need to, but it gives context). There's no historical battle (for the setting) this time around; instead we have Sharpe getting caught up in/foil an a plot to assassinate the Duke of Wellington - who, here, seems to have mellowed somewhat towards Sharpe - and the returning King Louis XVIII, with a large portion of the novel set in and around the environs of Paris (in particular The Louvre).

Good to have Sharpe and Harper back together!
  
Dragonstone (Kingdom of Chalvaren #1)
Dragonstone (Kingdom of Chalvaren #1)
Paula Millhouse | 2013 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a short but sweet prequel in the Kingdom of Chalvaren series, giving some details into how Kort arrives on Earth, why he is there, and how he needs to get home. Mia thinks that Chalvaren is a myth, stories that her father made up, even though she knows that she is 'different' to the rest of the village. Their connection is instantaneous and certainly raises the temperature. With a mob of villagers, a young girl who helps to save the day, and a few-day-old dragon who helps to get rid of a nasty vicar (am I the only one with a wicked smile about this part? I doubt it!) everything is here for a fantastical adventure, and it seems like the fun is only starting.

Quick, hot and to the point, this is a wonderful start to the Chalvaren series that I am looking forward to. Definitely recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 25, 2015
  
Orlin's Fall (Planetary Submissives #2)
Orlin's Fall (Planetary Submissives #2)
Amber Kell | 2015 | Erotica, LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the second book in the Planetary Submissives series which I am thoroughly enjoying. Although this is classed as BDSM, it doesn't really tick that box for me, although that is not a bad thing. Some of the funniest parts of the book are when Orlin is trying to be a 'proper' pet although he has no idea what that entails. Aester also doesn't really want a pet but an equal, and this is definitely a good thing because that's what he gets with Orlin.

There is an amazing amount of world and character-building within this short novella, more than enough to satisfy. There were no grammatical errors here that I noticed.

I loved the ending of this book and am looking forward to the next book in the series - Zall's Captain - which features a character from book 1.

Definitely recommended if you want a hint of BDSM, sweet yet sexy sci-fi romance.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 8, 2015
  
Standing Alone (Matt Standing #2)
Standing Alone (Matt Standing #2)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I am a huge fan of Mr Leather's Dan "Spider" Shepherd series and although I haven't read the first in this series (how the heck did I miss that!!!!), I was pretty sure I was in for a treat and I wasn't wrong.

Matt "Lastman" Standing is being blackmailed to do a job for "The Pool", a shady organisation; his mission is to hunt down and assassinate Ryan French, an ex-Navy Seal who hires himself out to the highest bidder. This is not going to be an easy mission and Matt finds himself in the depths of the wilderness in western America knee deep in cannabis and up to his neck in trouble within a very short period of time.

With excellent and strong characters, an immersive plot and full of action, this is a great story. I also learnt a heck of a lot about cannabis farming - not that it'll do me much good but it was interesting nonetheless.

I very much look forward to reading more in this series and my thanks must go to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
The Baby Question: Paranormal Mpreg Short Stories
The Baby Question: Paranormal Mpreg Short Stories
JP Sayle, Lisa Oliver | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
all the babies!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is an addition to the Tangled Tentacles AND Assassins To Order series, it cannot be read as a stand alone.

What this is, right, is a wonderful catch up everyone and I loved it, bar one thing.

There are a lot of babies in this book, and a LOT of surprises for several members of this ever growing family!

I liked that Magnus puts his paw down with Kelvin's kraken about their birth. I LOVED the surprise for Markov and Cassius, that one threw me! Them too, but did not see that one coming! I loved that there were conversations about NOT having babies, at all or just yet.

But the best surprise was for Marvin and Ajani!

So, what didn't I love?? Too short! I need more of these kind of catch up shorts, or better yet, the next book in the Assassins series! I love these books, and it's been a little while.

a delightful catch up, thank you for writing them!

4 too stinking cute and warm and fuzzy stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Gifts for the Season is a warm-hearted collection of seasonal madness, from new love to old, it's all here. Each one gives you a short story, some with new couples, some with old, but all full of Christmas spirit.

I will admit, I preferred the ones that were new stories but that is because I really don't like reading stories where I think I may have missed out on something!

For me, my favourites were The First Snow of Winter by Joanna Chambers and Driving Home for Christmas by Annabelle Jacobs. The first because it's a historical romance which stands out from the contemporary/paranormal rest and the second because junction 10 on the M42 is well known to me so it gave me a feeling of familiarity.

As with all anthologies, some I enjoyed more than others, but every story is a winner in my book. Absolutely recommended by me.

* 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. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 6, 2020
  
Wayward Stripper
Wayward Stripper
J.B. Buell | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A great story that left me wanting more!
WAYWARD STRIPPER is a short novella about a trans man on the run from his abusive ex, who lands a trial run at an Omega (Ladies) Club. The Head Dancer, Tristan, is on hand to help in any way and the sparks are instantaneous.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, but I wanted so much more! I would love for this to be a full-length novel, so I can get all the background information I want - the ex-relationship, Jake's escape, and more between Jake and Tristan. As a novella, it is fast-paced, but I would have loved more of the nitty-gritty that gives the story some depth. For me, it was a little too fast, with chunks either missed out or skipped over.

A great story that left me wanting! I would still recommend it though!

** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 30, 2023
  
40x40

Merissa (12669 KP) rated Feline Valentine (A Witch’s Night Out, #4) in Books

Dec 17, 2018 (Updated May 20, 2023)  
Feline Valentine (A Witch’s Night Out, #4)
Feline Valentine (A Witch’s Night Out, #4)
Tara Quan | 2016 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Another scorcher in the Witch's Night Out series, this one being the turn of Shelley, the house-arrested earth mage. She is busy drooling over her new neighbour but doesn't think that she will ever get the chance to speak with him, as she doesn't leave home. Adrien thinks that his neighbour is an old lady, so when his brother hands him an invite for a one-night stand at the house next door, he accepts it with a smile. He plans on taking some chocolate and champagne to make the 'old girl's day' and then leaving. So imagine his surprise when it is Shelley who opens the door.

There is action and humour aplenty in this short but sweet and hot novella. I loved the rapport that was between Shelley and Adrien. With a would-be burglar and an interfering brother and friend in the mix, this is guaranteed to make you smile. Definitely recommended.

* 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. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 25, 2016
  
TS
There’s Something Wrong with Aunt Beth
Mark Towse | 2024
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
32 of 220
Kindle
Book sirens review
There’s Something Wrong With Aunt Beth
By Mark Towse
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

There's Something Wrong with Aunty Beth' is a collection of my favourite horror journeys, the best of the best I've taken to date. Twenty terrifying tales with something to suit all horror fans, from straight-up dread to signature Towsey weird. You'll never be the same again, and that's a Towsey guarantee. Within these haunted pages, you'll also find my new novella, 'Mother Dearest.'
Mother: A word that should summon trust, loyalty, love, and protection. But what if something begins eating away at such security, slowly transforming said Mother into something else entirely?

This is a compilation of short stories and everyone of them is dark, haunting, frightening and fun to read if you love horror. I always manage to find stories in these kind of books that I don’t like and end up skipping through but NOT this one! I recently discovered this author and I’m so glad I did his work is just brilliant. Do as Aunt Beth tells you!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.