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Escape of the Grand Duchess
Book
Escape of the Grand Duchess by Susan Appleyard is a gripping historical novel that shatters the...
Historical Fiction Royal Biography
The Chalice of the Gods
10.0
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Book
The original heroes from The Lightning Thief are reunited for their biggest challenge yet: getting...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2589 KP) rated Mrs. Claus and the Very Vicious Valentine in Books
Oct 1, 2025 (Updated Oct 1, 2025)
Who Penned a Real Poisonous Valentine?
It’s a few days before Valentine’s Day, and April Claus is getting ready for her best friend’s wedding. Claire, a friend from Oregon, is marrying Jake Frost. But as the bridal party is at a dress fitting, someone leaves them a note with a threatening Valentine in it. April isn’t quite sure how seriously to take it. That is, until someone dies the next day at the next dress fitting. Can April figure out who the killer is? Or will the mayhem destroy Claire and Jake’s special day?
This series is a favorite of mine, and this book is no exception. There is so much going on here that I was never bored, even though I figured things out a little early. It was great to spend time with the returning characters, and the new characters fit right into this world. And what a world it is. There is a fantasy element to it, but the mystery is still center stage. The author has done such a great job of world building. It is very sweet and clever and each new detail makes me think “How else would things be?” And yes, I am still laughing and chuckling as I read with a grin on my face the entire way. Don’t miss this series. If you are already a fan, you’ll love this entry.
This series is a favorite of mine, and this book is no exception. There is so much going on here that I was never bored, even though I figured things out a little early. It was great to spend time with the returning characters, and the new characters fit right into this world. And what a world it is. There is a fantasy element to it, but the mystery is still center stage. The author has done such a great job of world building. It is very sweet and clever and each new detail makes me think “How else would things be?” And yes, I am still laughing and chuckling as I read with a grin on my face the entire way. Don’t miss this series. If you are already a fan, you’ll love this entry.
Fearless and Free: A Memoir by Josephine Baker
8.0
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This is the iconic Josephine Baker in her own words. Funny, candid and unconventional: the wildly...
Merissa (14046 KP) rated His Mate By Defiance (Lunetti Pack #4) in Books
Mar 11, 2026
HIS MATE BY DEFIANCE is the fourth book in the Lunetti Pack series, and after thirteen years of patiently waiting, Doc Rafe is about to claim his mate.
Rafe and Adri originally met in To Defy His Mate, but you don't need to worry if you haven't read it, as there is a prologue that brings you up to speed. Suffice to say, Rafe knows Adri is his mate, but being a contrary cat means Adri won't admit it and keeps Rafe as far away as he possibly can.
Rafe and Adri make a great pair, and I loved the cat mannerisms that Adri had, as well as him reaching the stage where he didn't care if anyone saw him claim Rafe. I was afraid it would be a little one-sided, but it's not. Adri just needed some time to catch up.
The overarching story continues to move forward, this time dragging Adri along with it. I am interested to know how it will come to a head.
This was a great addition to the series, and I look forward to Marco and Seth's story. Definitely 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 11, 2026
Rafe and Adri originally met in To Defy His Mate, but you don't need to worry if you haven't read it, as there is a prologue that brings you up to speed. Suffice to say, Rafe knows Adri is his mate, but being a contrary cat means Adri won't admit it and keeps Rafe as far away as he possibly can.
Rafe and Adri make a great pair, and I loved the cat mannerisms that Adri had, as well as him reaching the stage where he didn't care if anyone saw him claim Rafe. I was afraid it would be a little one-sided, but it's not. Adri just needed some time to catch up.
The overarching story continues to move forward, this time dragging Adri along with it. I am interested to know how it will come to a head.
This was a great addition to the series, and I look forward to Marco and Seth's story. Definitely 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 11, 2026
Merissa (14046 KP) rated Twilight Heist (Outlaws #2) in Books
Jan 20, 2023
I want to get lost in their world again.
TWILIGHT HEIST is the second book in the Outlaws series, and we reunite with the honourable thieves! It's been a while since I read book one but within the first page, I was back. Alanna and John sniping at each other, Scar's dry wit, it's all here. This time Tuck and Leo take centre stage.
Both of them had unusual childhoods for whatever reason and both of them admit it has left a mark. Seeing Leo slowly come around to admitting he had feelings for Tuck was just wonderful, almost as good as seeing the surprise from Dan when he heard they had been together more than once.
This book was full of suspense, action, and a few steamy times. I still love Dan and Griff (how could I not?!) but Tuck and Leo are so cute together. I want to squidge them!!!
I am loving this series and can't wait for it to continue. I honestly don't care who comes next, I just want to get lost in their world again. A brilliant addition to the series and highly 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!
Both of them had unusual childhoods for whatever reason and both of them admit it has left a mark. Seeing Leo slowly come around to admitting he had feelings for Tuck was just wonderful, almost as good as seeing the surprise from Dan when he heard they had been together more than once.
This book was full of suspense, action, and a few steamy times. I still love Dan and Griff (how could I not?!) but Tuck and Leo are so cute together. I want to squidge them!!!
I am loving this series and can't wait for it to continue. I honestly don't care who comes next, I just want to get lost in their world again. A brilliant addition to the series and highly 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!
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Night Circus in Books
Sep 14, 2022
165 of 230
Book
The Night Circus
By Erin Morgenstern
⭐️⭐️
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.
But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway - a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love - a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.
True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.
This took way too long to read I got seriously bored. I know this is a super popular book but for me I just didn’t like it. I fell into the hype I don’t know why I keep doing it to myself!
Book
The Night Circus
By Erin Morgenstern
⭐️⭐️
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.
But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway - a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love - a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.
True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.
This took way too long to read I got seriously bored. I know this is a super popular book but for me I just didn’t like it. I fell into the hype I don’t know why I keep doing it to myself!
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated More than Exes ( Chasing the Dream book 0.5) in Books
Jun 5, 2022
99 of 230
Kindle
More than Exes ( Chasing The Dream book 0.5)
By Elizabeth Briggs
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶
Just when I think things can’t get any worse...my ex shows up.
This is it. Our one chance to make it big in the Battle of the Bands. We have to win.
Except our bassist is missing. Guess who gets to track her down? That’s right, me. Because I’m the guy who’s always stuck fixing my band’s problems. And now my car won’t start. FML.
As if I’m not having a bad enough night, my ex-girlfriend Alexis shows up too. She offers to help me track down our rogue bassist, and with only hours before our band goes on stage, I can’t refuse.
I haven’t seen Alexis since high school, but now she’s back with a sexy new attitude and fiery red hair to match. She broke my heart once, but she’s not getting away this time.
Tonight I’m going to win—not just the Battle of the Bands, but the girl I never got over.
This is a standalone novella in the Chasing The Dream series, set a month before More Than Music.
It was good for what it was the start was a bit Ripley but it turned out ok in the end. This is a novella to a series so we will see how the rest of the books work out!
Kindle
More than Exes ( Chasing The Dream book 0.5)
By Elizabeth Briggs
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶
Just when I think things can’t get any worse...my ex shows up.
This is it. Our one chance to make it big in the Battle of the Bands. We have to win.
Except our bassist is missing. Guess who gets to track her down? That’s right, me. Because I’m the guy who’s always stuck fixing my band’s problems. And now my car won’t start. FML.
As if I’m not having a bad enough night, my ex-girlfriend Alexis shows up too. She offers to help me track down our rogue bassist, and with only hours before our band goes on stage, I can’t refuse.
I haven’t seen Alexis since high school, but now she’s back with a sexy new attitude and fiery red hair to match. She broke my heart once, but she’s not getting away this time.
Tonight I’m going to win—not just the Battle of the Bands, but the girl I never got over.
This is a standalone novella in the Chasing The Dream series, set a month before More Than Music.
It was good for what it was the start was a bit Ripley but it turned out ok in the end. This is a novella to a series so we will see how the rest of the books work out!
Merissa (14046 KP) rated The Pantomime Prince in Books
Nov 28, 2022
"This is a little cracker of a book."
THE PANTOMIME PRINCE is a short but oh-so-sweet seasonal story about Teddy filling in on stage for his pregnant sister. Receiving flowers each performance is bittersweet when he longs for someone of his own but knowing the flowers are sent for his sister.
I won't go into detail about the story itself as I really don't want to ruin what is a little cracker of a book. Teddy makes his feelings known to the reader, giving me pause as my heart broke a little for him. Basil was a brilliant addition that had me laughing out loud.
My only wish would be that this was a longer story. I wish I could have delved a little deeper into the characters and their backstories. There are so many things I need to know. Samantha SoRelle did an amazing job of creating a short story that grabs your attention and characters that hold it from page to page. And for that reason, I want more. I don't think I'm ready to say goodbye to Teddy and Basil yet.
A fantastic read that is 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!
I won't go into detail about the story itself as I really don't want to ruin what is a little cracker of a book. Teddy makes his feelings known to the reader, giving me pause as my heart broke a little for him. Basil was a brilliant addition that had me laughing out loud.
My only wish would be that this was a longer story. I wish I could have delved a little deeper into the characters and their backstories. There are so many things I need to know. Samantha SoRelle did an amazing job of creating a short story that grabs your attention and characters that hold it from page to page. And for that reason, I want more. I don't think I'm ready to say goodbye to Teddy and Basil yet.
A fantastic read that is 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!