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Pomegranate Kiss (Charmed In Charleston #2)
Pomegranate Kiss (Charmed In Charleston #2)
Katherine McIntyre | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
so sweet, how Lex fell first!
I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Charmed In Charleston series and I have not read book 1, Taking Root. My only thing to say would be, other than massive spoilers for THAT book you don't need to have read it before THIS book. I want to, though. Lex is Adrian's sister, and Cam is Danny's best friend.

Lex and Cam hook up, and neither can forget the event. When thrown together for Adriana dn Danny's wedding as maid of honour and bridesmaid, they quickly set a time line for the interlude. More pressing, Cam is in the closet and her parents want her to marry a nice man of their chosing. Returning to college looks better and better for Cam. But how can she tell lex, when this was only supposed to be a fling?

I liked this, I liked this A LOT. I couldn't quite love it though, but I haven't been able to love anything at the moment due to ill health, so take this review as a very good one, please!

I loved that Lex, the love em and leave queen, falls first. She knew Cam was special after that one time, and having tasted her once, she wants more. Far more than she ever wanted before, with anyone. Cam has more pressing issues. Her parents wants her to marry a nice man of their chosing and their faith is very against same sex relationships. She doesn't want to lose them, but things move at a pace she doesn't see coming and flips.

But I loved that the flip comes AFTER she returns to college, after she and Lex break up. And I loved that Cam didn't immediately run to Lex. Oh she wanted to, she really did. But she waits for Lex to come to her and that scene, on the harbour, where it all began, was amazing.

It's steamy, and smexy. Some drama and full of the found and realted families that McIntyre is so good at! I did find it kinda sweet, too, how Lex fell. She really did NOT see that coming!

4 very VERY good stars (my apologises!)

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Taking What's Mine (Men of Maddox Security #4)
Taking What's Mine (Men of Maddox Security #4)
Logan Chance | 2025 | Contemporary, Crime, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
super steamy!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 4 in the Men of Maddox Security series, I've managed to read it before book 3, but I don't think it matters. They kinda/sorta run along side each other.

Lincoln is tasked with keeping Isabel, Dean's sister, safe. Her stalker is getting close. She is quite capable, thank you very much, and takes great offense at Dean for making her do this. But for the fact it is Lincoln, she might have pulled a hissy fit. Finding themselves in the middle of an adult club, when looking for leads, was not what they expected. But it gives them both a roundabout way to get what they want: each other. They just gotta keep Isabel safe til the threat is gone.

So! Reading out of order, but not really missing anything for doing that. But I do like these books, and I have book 3 to read after this one.

We had a 4 star, a 4.5 star and now we hit the ding, ding, ding, jackpot with a 5 star read!

I think what did it for me here was, Lincoln and Isabel have known each other for some time, worked together daily. And while each has attraction to the other, neither admitted it out loud. This close protection for Isabel brings brings them closer, and I loved the way it evolved.

Steamy, oh yes! Given the situation they find themselves in, and I did NOT see that one coming at me! Loved that!

Book 2 got a higher rating than book 1 for the emotional connection and we get that here, mostly because of the previous attraction, but I still think the emotional connection is far deeper than the pairings in previous books. Might be me, but still, that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!

There is some reference to Dean's story here, and I've not read that, but I didn't feel I missed anything. I WANT to read it, but I don't feel I NEED to, you know?? Dean's wife Sophia pops up here and I liked her for what little I know of Dean so far. At some point, I will read their story!

5 full and shiny stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
For the Murder (The Murder #1)
For the Murder (The Murder #1)
Gabrielle Ash | 2022 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
different but very good!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Diana needs a murder; a lone crow is a dead one. But to be accepted back into the murder that banished her, she needs to steal a very powerful blade. But others want it too, and Diana isn't too sure what's going on with her magic. Sasha isn't sure what these feelings are he has for Diana, but he also needs that blade to free himself from the demon who bound him. One of them will not be happy with the outcome.

This is different, and I do like me some different!

Diana is a crow shifter, with 3 legs (who knew?) but she isn't in a murder because her father is a bit of a con man (a LOT, really, by the time we get all the gory details!) and Diana, her mother and father were banished from the murder, but not her younger sister whose magic had been accepted by the murder. Dad wants Diana to steal this blade to get them back into the murder's good graces.

But, seriously, things are NOT as they seem. And Sasha wants that blade to free him from the demon who bound him to a lifetime of servitude. Something though, goes ping in both Diana and Sasha and instead Nobu, a cat shifter who really isn't, and they end up fighting together, rather than against each other.

I liked this, a lot. Like I said different. Humans with angel blood who are bound to demons. Shifters of all manner of being. There was a LOT going on, and at times I did struggle to keep up.

And I think this is the only reason I can't stretch to 5 stars, cos I did feel a little bit overwhelmed at points. Oh don't get me wrong, its a bloody good book, it really was, especially as this appears to be only the third book written by this author, and it is not short book, some 350 pages.

It's violent, some graphic scenes but I think they really are needed. Not explicit in any way, but there is romance, of a fashion, between Diana and Sasha, as their magic combines.

I really hope there are more books about the people in this book, a follow up for Diana and Sasha would be great!

4 good solid stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Intelligence Check (Dungeons and Dating #3)
Intelligence Check (Dungeons and Dating #3)
Katherine McIntyre | 2022 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
my fav of the three!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 3 in the Dungeons and Dating series. While it can totally be read as a stand-alone, I really think you should read books one and 2 first. It will give you a better, bigger picture of this group of co-workers and friends but also because I said to! Bloody good books, both of them!

Mason and Hunter work at the game cafe, and have crushed on each other for a long time. There are so many miscommunicated moments between these two, it made for painful reading!

Hunter likes how Mason makes him feel, but knows someone like Mase won't ever want him. Mase, in turn, can't understand why Hunter pushed them away a year ago. When Hunter tells them WHY? Oh, I fell in love with Hunter, just a little bit more. Mase too, when they finally let Hunter in.

These two are perfect for each other, but neither thinks they are good enough for the other. Once they actually talk, things become clearer as to why they both think that.

It's not as steamy as the other two books, I thought, but it is HEAVY on the emotions. I loved that Hunter makes a point to ask Mase about their preferences, what they like to do in the smexy department, given that Mase is non-binary. I will admit it took a little getting used to the they/their/them pronouns, but it soon faded to the background. I hated what happened to Mason's sister and how that all came out. And then what happened to Hunter when he was young, you could see why Mason pushed Hunter away for a time.

The others pop up, and I again implore Ms McIntyre to write a story for Jasper! He's starting to hurt, a little, that his friends are pairing up and he can't find his person. You feel for Kelly here. But I think there is a whole LOT we don't know about her relationship with Nat. There are clues, if you know what to look for, that things weren't as clear cut as they seemed. That all comes out in the next book, though.

I loved this book, more so than books 1 and 2 and I loved them too!

5 full and shiny stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Pet Sematary (2019)
Pet Sematary (2019)
2019 | Horror
As the movie starts we see an open car door and muddy prints and a blood trail leading to the front door of a house, cut to white and a family are driving to their new home. This family consists of mum, dad, baby gage, daughter Ellie and a cat called church all names from the original movie we know and love.


One day whilst dad is in work, mum and Ellie witness a strange prossesion involving a group of masked people wheeling what looks like a dead dog in a wheelbarrow towards the woods, Ellie decides to investigate and walks into a pet cemetery. As she proceeds to climb the stick wall to see what's on the other side, she is stopped by a passerby who informs Ellie and her mum that the woods aren't safe.

Whilst dad is working a guy comes in losing a lot of blood with half of his face missing and he dies, coming back momentarily in a vision to tell him the barrier isn't meant to be broken, but what does this mean?? Of course if you're familiar with the original you'll know the meaning of this.

Just like the original, we see the dad have his dream which turns out not to be a dream, we see the trauma Rachel still lives with about her sister and of course church dying and being buried in the pet cemetery.

The day after church is buried, the cat turns up alive and well, but smelly and bad tempered, what is going on? You will have to watch and find out.

I was put off watching this for so long, due to the mention of cults and wendigos in the trailer, so I expected it to be awful and completely different from the original, but apart from a few changes such as a different breed of cat and a role reversal of who dies, the movie more or less stayed true to the original and moves at a steady pace. The ending, however, is very different and unexpected. It definitely leaves a lasting impression that's for sure. I very much enjoyed this movie, everybody's acting Is spot on and believable, and would probably go as far as preferring it to the original.
  
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)
2022 | Horror
Some inventive chainsaw massacr...ing (2 more)
Excellent Work by Leatherface Actor Mark Burnham
The Fucking Bus....
Lead Actress was annoying as all hell (0 more)
It's About Freaking Time!!!!!
Contains spoilers, click to show
I always go into a Chainsaw Massacre movie with as open of a mind as I can. Knowing full well, that the last few entries haven't been up to par.
Netflix....you beautiful bastards you...
From beginning to end, this film kept me going. I sat, literally on the edge of my chair the entire time. Waiting to see what this big, Momma face wearing Slasher would do next.
The first kill nearly made me spit out my Coke. I wasn't expecting such ferocity of the hop.
The writers making this a true after the first film sequel, did everything right in my book.
The cast, minus the lead, Sarah Yarkin, were not your basic, run into the basement kind of kids that have been cannon fodder for good ol' Leatherface in the past. They seemed as logical as they could for a bunch of 20 somethings fending off a once dormant serial killer, who has been woken by the death of his 'Mother'.
Yarkin, who was playing main character Melody, seemed to try and grasp hold of the Scream Queen crown left behind by prior Chainsaw Final Girls Marilyn Burns and Jessica Biel, but failed miserably. She is the one thing out of this movie that I just couldn't get in to.
And, I will admit. That ending. While waiting for the basic good old jump scare. I sat, clenching the sides of the chair I was in, waiting anxiously for it to come. And when it finally did. It did not disappoint.
Look out for a stand out preformance by Olwen Fouere, who plays the role of Sally Hardesty. The lone survivor of the original 1974 film. As well as Mark Burnham as Leatherface and Elsie Fisher as Lila, Mel's sister, and a survivor in her own right.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre was one of the first films in the horror genre that I ever seen. Leatherface will always hold a special place in my Dark little heart. And after some clusterfuck films in the series. It's nice to have one strike a chord and make me want more.
  
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Merissa (14182 KP) rated Mathos (The Hawks #3) in Books

Jul 9, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)  
Mathos (The Hawks #3)
Mathos (The Hawks #3)
Jennie Lynn Roberts | 2021 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
MATHOS is the third book in The Hawks series, and you really do need to read the other books first.

Mathos is a Tarasque like Tristan, although his scales are burgundy and gold. He is the flirt of the group and is determined not to fall in love like Tristan and Val have, although he does envy the relationships they have. In his experience, ladies are pampered and do nothing apart from heave expectations onto weary shoulders. But then along comes Lucilla.

She is Ballanor's sister and now queen, but she doesn't want to be. After being holed up in a house without any friends to talk to, all Lucy wants to do is travel and see the world. She doesn't trust easily and has been raised to believe Apollyon are better than everyone else.

These two get off to a rocky start with both of them making incorrect assumptions, but circumstances -- and Dornar -- soon make them realise there is so much more to be had than just arguing with each other.

I loved how protective Mathos was of her once he settled down. And Lucy was of him too. Lucy is welcomed into The Hawks group and finds strong friends in Nim, Alanna, and Keeley. There is still chaos and political machinations going on, but with The Hawks by her side, Lucy can handle it. Will Mathos be by her side though, or will his head still be shoved up his ass?

I loved how it was Reece who sorted out Mathos. And now I'm torn. I honestly can't wait for Tor and Keeley's book, but I also NEED to know that Reece gets his HEA. Oh, man. He has taken it so hard and is so unhappy. My heart breaks for him. I guess I will just have to read Tor and Keeley first, and then get my grubby little mitts on Reece.

This series is going from strength to strength, and I love every single one of the characters here. A brilliant addition and one I highly recommend.

** 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. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 9, 2021
  
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Merissa (14182 KP) rated The Reluctant Savior (Etherya's Earth #4) in Books

Mar 21, 2022 (Updated Jul 3, 2023)  
The Reluctant Savior (Etherya's Earth #4)
The Reluctant Savior (Etherya's Earth #4)
Rebecca Hefner | 2019 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE RELUCTANT SAVIOR is Evie and Kenden's story and is the fourth book in the Etherya's Earth series. Evie is Darkrip and Miranda's sister and one who suffered her father's attention in ways a child never should. Due to this, she fled to the human world and thinks herself beyond redemption. She didn't count on the Slayers though. With both Kenden and Miranda convinced there is good inside her, what will she do?

Now, I took some time to warm up to Evie. Not because she was evil. Nope, I liked that about her. What I didn't like was that she seemed so... blah about the possibility of having good in her. Now, I do realise that with her 'upbringing' thinking of having good inside her would be difficult, but it was like she dismissed it without even considering it. And when she has Darkrip as a brother, even discounting Miranda, then surely, SURELY it was worth consideration.

Anyway, it's a good job she had Kenden as he put up with her mood swings and challenged her too. He is as placid and scheming as ever, so the perfect foil for Evie! He doesn't like it when Evie out-schemes him but then takes pleasure in the fact she has outwitted him. He also makes sure he gets his own way mixed in with Evie's, even when she doesn't like not having it all her own way.

Now, as with all Rebecca Hefner books, you also get some added extras. Some we know from before, some we met briefly, and some we've only seen one side to. So happy for Nolan and Sadie, and I really hope I see more of them. One thing though - TALK TO EACH OTHER!! LOL But we also have Aron and Moira, plus another two I won't talk about! You can read that for yourself.

This novel finishes one part of the story arc whilst giving you a glimpse into the next. And boy, is it a doozy! I can't wait to continue this series and find out what's going to happen next.

Another jewel in the crown of this series and absolutely recommended by me.

** 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. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 15, 2022
  
Feeding My Protector (Piper Falls Paramedics #3)
Feeding My Protector (Piper Falls Paramedics #3)
Alex J Adams | 2026 | LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I must visit more of Piper Falls
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.

You should note: This book is written in English for Teddy and American for Drew, that includes spelling the same words differently, for example: mom/mum, favourite/favorite. This is deliberate and is not a spelling mistake!

This is the third book in the Piper Falls Paramedics series. I have not read any other. Some are MM and some are MF. I'm happy to read any and all but some folks aren't so needs mentioning.

Teddy moved from England to Texas and has a food truck selling fish and chips. (Very important to note, CHIPS in the UK are not the same as chips in the US! Think fries, but fatter) Drew is a paramedic and gets food from said truck after a job. Sparks fly. But Drew is hiding a secret and nothing can happen until Teddy is fully aware of what's going on. How long can Teddy hide?

I will be honest, I didn't like Drew very much in the beginning. His secret, which I'm going to work hard not to spill, wasn't great and I thought he was behaving badly. Once that is all laid out for Teddy, though, things become much clearer and he grew on me, much like he grew on Teddy.

I loved that Drew's mum could see, really SEE what Teddy meant to Drew, even if he hadn't admitted it to anyone. I did not like Drew's sister!

It is quite emotional. Not so much for Teddy, though. The real emotions come from Drew. He's dealing with the family pressure, the secret, and his mum's health. It's all interlinked but again, not saying how!

Once Teddy is all in with Drew, those sparks fan the flames and the smexy stuff is high heat. VERY high heat. And I loved that they waited until Teddy was fully aware of what was going on.

I've followed Ms Adams from the very beginning and watched her grow in skill and each and every book I say, this is my favourite. I can't quite say that here, but I really did love it.

5 full and shiny stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Make Them Pay (Pretty Deadly Things #6)
Make Them Pay (Pretty Deadly Things #6)
Logan Chance | 2026 | Contemporary, Crime, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
saved the best for last!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 6, the LAST book in the Pretty Deadly Things series, and it cannot be read without reading the others first. Do not attempt to read this is you haven't read the other books, much will make no sense!

I have really enjoyed these books, and I have been waiting for that one book to tip itself over to 5 stars, and Mr Chance saved the best for last!

Enley is Poe's sister. He was kidnapped at the end of the last book, along with other members of the team. Render goes to rescue Enley, who was being held by Seraphina, arch enemy to Dead Maddox who supports this crew. Both Enley and Render have slightly obsessed with the other for a long time. Being on the run together tips those feelings over the edge. But can they save the crew?

Like I said, I enjoyed the other books, but right from the start, this one felt different. Not least because it's the last book, but mostly about the way Enley and Render finally give in. The way they feel about each other and how that comes across.

ALSO! We get Seraphina and just way she is doing what she is doing! I needed that, I really did. I had been asking myself since early, the WHY she is so against Dean and his security company and this crew. It all makes a lot of sense now! And given as she gets a say here, it comes across so well!

Because the other guys are kidnapped for much of the book, Render and Enley are on their own, with just Dean's team: the other guys don't take much part.

Everyone gets a HEA, thank you very much! And those that deserve it, get their comeuppence.

Just one thing: These books are billed as a dark romcom. I get the dark, I really do, but at no point would I say these were romcom!

I'm all about my book feelings, you know I am and this book feels very different from the other and other than what I've said, I can't put my finger on it. Whatever Chance did, he pulled a blinder with this book and because of that, it can only get . . . . .

5 full and shiny stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere