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Merissa (13585 KP) rated Candle Love (New California Monster Romance #3) in Books
Dec 8, 2025
CANDLE LOVE is the third book in the New California Monster Romance series, and I'm guessing I should have read the previous books first. You can read this as a standalone, and I have no idea which characters were in previous books, but that's just my feeling.
In this one, Julie is the adopted human in a Dragoon family, about to spread her own wings, as she moves into shared housing. Chalice and Trent already live there, and both are smitten with socially awkward Julie from the very beginning.
Although described as spicy, I would go more for cosy, although shenanigans do happen, just so you know. It was also good to see sleep apnea represented, and the easy acceptance of it, which I know isn't always the case.
Overall, this was a quick, light-hearted, cosy read that I enjoyed and can 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 5, 2025
In this one, Julie is the adopted human in a Dragoon family, about to spread her own wings, as she moves into shared housing. Chalice and Trent already live there, and both are smitten with socially awkward Julie from the very beginning.
Although described as spicy, I would go more for cosy, although shenanigans do happen, just so you know. It was also good to see sleep apnea represented, and the easy acceptance of it, which I know isn't always the case.
Overall, this was a quick, light-hearted, cosy read that I enjoyed and can 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 5, 2025
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated To Kill a Kingdom in Books
Dec 6, 2018
Scrappy siren
This is a thrilling debut from Alexandra Christo, taking a unique perspective on The Little Mermaid. It’s rather rudimentary to compare TO KILL A KINGDOM to The Little Mermaid because apart from some basics on characterisation, there really is little similarity.
Firstly, in a sea of YA fantasy series, I want to shout from the rooftops that this is a full and rounded standalone. Yes, I said standalone and I felt complete by the end, so it does what it says on the tin.
Sirens are the name of the game in this book and Lira is a scrappy, fierce and murderous siren princess known across the world as The Princes Bane. Her mother, the Sea Queen is her nemesis but she is bent to her mother’s will. The Sea Queen is a rather frightening, violent dictator without ethics or scruples. Lira, initially with little to recommend her, undertakes a change about which I don’t want to say more. The character development was superb.
“The crew said her hair was as red as hellfire.”
“The Princes’ Bane is the greatest monster I’ve ever known, and the only one who’s escaped death once I’ve set my sights on her."
Elian is more pirate than Prince of Midas, on a self-inflicted crusade to rid the world of sirens. There’s a lot more to like about Elian and he cuts a swarthy, heroic figure. The ship the prince operates from, holds a crew of friends, protectors and loyal sailors, they made for good reading. When Elian and Lira eventually cross paths, it’s not pretty but it’s explosive, violent and hateful.
“It’s you.”
“Look at you. My monster, come to find me.”
The story took hold of me from the first chapter and was a thrilling voyage across oceans and into unusual lands. I was interested throughout and dying to see what would happen. The romance is subtle but still kicks a punch, nevertheless, it doesn’t overwhelm the story.
"Me, my ship, and a girl with oceans in her eyes."
I had a little niggle in this book regarding how the dialogue was written, my problem being that it is consistently unclear when the dialogue character changes, which stops your flow while you work out who’s talking. However, this is just a niggle and wasn’t a major issue.
I am truly excited about this debut, it’s uniqueness and strong writing of characters and story direction. YA fantasy lovers are going to rave over this, I’m sure.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Firstly, in a sea of YA fantasy series, I want to shout from the rooftops that this is a full and rounded standalone. Yes, I said standalone and I felt complete by the end, so it does what it says on the tin.
Sirens are the name of the game in this book and Lira is a scrappy, fierce and murderous siren princess known across the world as The Princes Bane. Her mother, the Sea Queen is her nemesis but she is bent to her mother’s will. The Sea Queen is a rather frightening, violent dictator without ethics or scruples. Lira, initially with little to recommend her, undertakes a change about which I don’t want to say more. The character development was superb.
“The crew said her hair was as red as hellfire.”
“The Princes’ Bane is the greatest monster I’ve ever known, and the only one who’s escaped death once I’ve set my sights on her."
Elian is more pirate than Prince of Midas, on a self-inflicted crusade to rid the world of sirens. There’s a lot more to like about Elian and he cuts a swarthy, heroic figure. The ship the prince operates from, holds a crew of friends, protectors and loyal sailors, they made for good reading. When Elian and Lira eventually cross paths, it’s not pretty but it’s explosive, violent and hateful.
“It’s you.”
“Look at you. My monster, come to find me.”
The story took hold of me from the first chapter and was a thrilling voyage across oceans and into unusual lands. I was interested throughout and dying to see what would happen. The romance is subtle but still kicks a punch, nevertheless, it doesn’t overwhelm the story.
"Me, my ship, and a girl with oceans in her eyes."
I had a little niggle in this book regarding how the dialogue was written, my problem being that it is consistently unclear when the dialogue character changes, which stops your flow while you work out who’s talking. However, this is just a niggle and wasn’t a major issue.
I am truly excited about this debut, it’s uniqueness and strong writing of characters and story direction. YA fantasy lovers are going to rave over this, I’m sure.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Dark Tower (2017) in Movies
Aug 20, 2017
Stephen King let them make this?
I'll start off by saying I knew I was going to hate this film. From the moment I heard of the casting and then saw the first trailer. I get the justification for them making this film completely different (i.e. Horn of Eld - but was that even in the film?!), but for me it just doesn't work.
The book series is a fantasy masterpiece, but they appear to have made a standalone Dark Tower film pulled together with a vague mishmash of characters and ideas from the entire book series. It just doesn't work, especially not in a paltry 90 minutes. This is just far too different from the books - the characters are undeveloped, their motives are unclear. You almost have to have read the books to get an understanding of the characters as it just doesn't come across in this. Casting for me was poor too. McConaughey and Elba are fantastic actors but it doesn't show in this, they're let down by a poor script and a poor plot.
My only hope for this film is that it prompts those who haven't read the books to pick them up and realise how awesome they are.
The book series is a fantasy masterpiece, but they appear to have made a standalone Dark Tower film pulled together with a vague mishmash of characters and ideas from the entire book series. It just doesn't work, especially not in a paltry 90 minutes. This is just far too different from the books - the characters are undeveloped, their motives are unclear. You almost have to have read the books to get an understanding of the characters as it just doesn't come across in this. Casting for me was poor too. McConaughey and Elba are fantastic actors but it doesn't show in this, they're let down by a poor script and a poor plot.
My only hope for this film is that it prompts those who haven't read the books to pick them up and realise how awesome they are.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Candy Corn Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery, #22) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
This is the 23rd Lucy Stone mystery, but it works fine as a standalone story. You don't need to have read any of the previous books to enjoy this one.
For the first 2/3 of this novel, I thought the whole mystery was the identity of the individual who was sabotaging the pumpkin festival. This didn't seem like much of a crime for a mystery novel, but the real thing comes along later in the story. Most of the action happens in the last quarter of the book, but I never felt like the story was dragging. The beginning has enough conflict and backstory to keep it moving along.
Lucy is a very down-to-earth sort of character, and she is easy to like and commiserate with. She has her hands full with her catapult-building husband, two daughters, and a grandson who is temporarily living in her home while his parents are out of the country, as well as her full time job as a reporter with the local paper. It's that job that gives her an excuse to get close to people who may have something to hide, and helps her track down a killer in the end.
***I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
For the first 2/3 of this novel, I thought the whole mystery was the identity of the individual who was sabotaging the pumpkin festival. This didn't seem like much of a crime for a mystery novel, but the real thing comes along later in the story. Most of the action happens in the last quarter of the book, but I never felt like the story was dragging. The beginning has enough conflict and backstory to keep it moving along.
Lucy is a very down-to-earth sort of character, and she is easy to like and commiserate with. She has her hands full with her catapult-building husband, two daughters, and a grandson who is temporarily living in her home while his parents are out of the country, as well as her full time job as a reporter with the local paper. It's that job that gives her an excuse to get close to people who may have something to hide, and helps her track down a killer in the end.
***I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated The Precipice (Mike Bowditch, #6) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
***NOTE: I won my copy in a Goodreads First to Read Giveaway***
Mike Bowditch is a Maine game warden along the Appalachian Trail. When two young female hikers go missing, Mike and his girlfriend, wildlife biologist Stacey Stevens, join in the search. Once the bodies are found with teeth marks on the bones, the locals fear they may have been killed by coyotes. Stacey is sure that they weren't, and both she and Mike continue investigating, determined to find the truth of what happened to the two young women.
This was a well-written thriller, with believable characters and an interesting locale. The narrator did a nice job keeping his Maine accent where needed, without being over the top or distracting.
I didn't realize when I first started listening that this was book #6, but it was easy enough to figure out from the frequent references to Mike's past that it wasn't the beginning of a series. The book worked fine as a standalone novel, but I think I would have liked it even more had I read some of the earlier novels first. I will probably read more in this series, but I will start back at the beginning so I can watch Mike grow up into the man he is in this novel.
Mike Bowditch is a Maine game warden along the Appalachian Trail. When two young female hikers go missing, Mike and his girlfriend, wildlife biologist Stacey Stevens, join in the search. Once the bodies are found with teeth marks on the bones, the locals fear they may have been killed by coyotes. Stacey is sure that they weren't, and both she and Mike continue investigating, determined to find the truth of what happened to the two young women.
This was a well-written thriller, with believable characters and an interesting locale. The narrator did a nice job keeping his Maine accent where needed, without being over the top or distracting.
I didn't realize when I first started listening that this was book #6, but it was easy enough to figure out from the frequent references to Mike's past that it wasn't the beginning of a series. The book worked fine as a standalone novel, but I think I would have liked it even more had I read some of the earlier novels first. I will probably read more in this series, but I will start back at the beginning so I can watch Mike grow up into the man he is in this novel.
Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated Resident Evil: Damnation (2012) in Movies
Jul 30, 2018
Good voice cast (3 more)
CGI was terrific
Great adaption to the video games
You don't need to know about resident evil
I prefer the more regular zombies in my opinion (1 more)
I only liked a couple of characters, rest were kinda boring
One of the best video game movie adaptions
This was a lot of fun. 1 of the best adaptions if a video game and also 1 of the best resident evil movies too.
The CGI was great and I'd love the next reboot of the movie franchise to be done like this rather than live action. For a CGI movie the shots were great, I loved the little parts where it felt like a first person view.
The action was great and the acting was good but I only liked a couple of the characters and I do prefer regular zombies to the parasites type sadly.
I can see myself watching this again. I heard this was a prequel to resident evil 6 so I do like this ties into the video games more than the live action does. It feels like a standalone movie so you don't necessarily need to have watched other movies or played the games before which is good.
The CGI was great and I'd love the next reboot of the movie franchise to be done like this rather than live action. For a CGI movie the shots were great, I loved the little parts where it felt like a first person view.
The action was great and the acting was good but I only liked a couple of the characters and I do prefer regular zombies to the parasites type sadly.
I can see myself watching this again. I heard this was a prequel to resident evil 6 so I do like this ties into the video games more than the live action does. It feels like a standalone movie so you don't necessarily need to have watched other movies or played the games before which is good.
Sue (5 KP) rated Death Over Easy in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Roberta “Robbie” Jordan is busy running her country store/café and has newly opened her B&B for business. Her first guests at the B&B include her father Roberto and his wife Maria visiting from Italy plus a few musicians in town for a bluegrass festival.
On the first night of the festival, Roberta and Maria recognize one of the performers as a young woman named Pia from their town in Italy. Pia is later found choked to death by a banjo string and there are many suspects that the police are looking at including Robbie’s father and stepmom, her boyfriend Abe, and the festival chairperson Sue. Can Robbie find the real murderer before someone she loves is booked for murder?
This is a cozy mystery with a strong female lead who has a knack for amateur sleuthing. The rest of the ensemble of characters include the usual quirky and witty townspeople, a laundry list of potential suspects, and for once a few police officers that are not bumbling idiots. It has a good plot and the author has a nice flow to her writing style. While this is a few books into the series, it can easily be read as a standalone without the reader getting confused by the storyline.
On the first night of the festival, Roberta and Maria recognize one of the performers as a young woman named Pia from their town in Italy. Pia is later found choked to death by a banjo string and there are many suspects that the police are looking at including Robbie’s father and stepmom, her boyfriend Abe, and the festival chairperson Sue. Can Robbie find the real murderer before someone she loves is booked for murder?
This is a cozy mystery with a strong female lead who has a knack for amateur sleuthing. The rest of the ensemble of characters include the usual quirky and witty townspeople, a laundry list of potential suspects, and for once a few police officers that are not bumbling idiots. It has a good plot and the author has a nice flow to her writing style. While this is a few books into the series, it can easily be read as a standalone without the reader getting confused by the storyline.
Merissa (13585 KP) rated Desires of a Mage (Mages of the Nether, #2) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Desires of a Mage follows Marcus as he becomes bored with being a bodyguard for Daniel and Aiden. He wants more, but doesn't appear to be able to get it. Edmond is from a scholarly house, more suited to teaching than fighting. These two have a history but Marcus broke it off for reasons unknown. All does become clear as the story progresses though, I promise you.
With meddling families, traitors in the mix, unrequited love, there is plenty of action going on. I was very pleased when things were cleared up with Tullia, but a bit disappointed when left with a hint that things still weren't in the clear regarding Camelia. There is plenty in here to move this story along, as well as laying the groundwork for future stories, full of intrigue.
This is well written, with a smooth and easy flow to it. I would recommend that you read it as part of a series, rather than a standalone, but have no hesitation at all in recommending it completely.
*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!
With meddling families, traitors in the mix, unrequited love, there is plenty of action going on. I was very pleased when things were cleared up with Tullia, but a bit disappointed when left with a hint that things still weren't in the clear regarding Camelia. There is plenty in here to move this story along, as well as laying the groundwork for future stories, full of intrigue.
This is well written, with a smooth and easy flow to it. I would recommend that you read it as part of a series, rather than a standalone, but have no hesitation at all in recommending it completely.
*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!
Hazel (2934 KP) rated A Beautiful Corpse (Harper McClain #2) in Books
Dec 14, 2019
An enjoyable and addictive read
This is book two in the series but I haven't read the first and, to be honest, I don't think it mattered that much however, there is likely to be additional background to the main characters which I have missed out on and which will likely add to this story but I feel this can easily be read as a standalone.
Harper is a great lead female character; strong, courageous and feisty but with a vulnerability that makes her more convincing but all the characters are well developed and believable ... even the cat, Zuzu!
The main story line of the murder and subsequent investigation is great but the side-stories are equally as good and with the writing flowing with ease, this makes this an enjoyable and addictive read that I devoured in just over a day.
Definitely recommended reading for you readers out there who love a strong, female character, a great mystery, engaging investigation and some scenes of peril.
I am very much looking forward to the next instalment and hope that Ms Daugherty is locked away somewhere feverishly writing!
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, Harperfiction via NetGalley for my copy in return for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Harper is a great lead female character; strong, courageous and feisty but with a vulnerability that makes her more convincing but all the characters are well developed and believable ... even the cat, Zuzu!
The main story line of the murder and subsequent investigation is great but the side-stories are equally as good and with the writing flowing with ease, this makes this an enjoyable and addictive read that I devoured in just over a day.
Definitely recommended reading for you readers out there who love a strong, female character, a great mystery, engaging investigation and some scenes of peril.
I am very much looking forward to the next instalment and hope that Ms Daugherty is locked away somewhere feverishly writing!
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, Harperfiction via NetGalley for my copy in return for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Hunt For The Enemy (The Enemy #3) in Books
Apr 24, 2020
What a satisfying and thrilling conclusion to this trilogy!
Having recently read the first 2 books in this series, Dance With The Enemy and Rise Of The Enemy, and thoroughly enjoyed them, I just had to read the final part and quickly downloaded it via Kindle Unlimited® and dived into it straight away.
Once again, this book if full of action and suspense from start to finish that certainly kept me enthralled and reading way into the night. There are new characters and returning ones all of which are well developed and believable; the pace is fast and the plot is excellent and full of twists ... you really don't know who to trust!
This is the third in the series and although it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading them in order but if I had to choose, this particular story is my favourite in that it delves into Logan's past and previous missions which adds even more to him as a character. However, regardless whether you read one or all of them, you won't be disappointed in the slightest but be warned, once you start reading them, you won't be able to stop so make sure you have some free time on your hands 😃
Having recently read the first 2 books in this series, Dance With The Enemy and Rise Of The Enemy, and thoroughly enjoyed them, I just had to read the final part and quickly downloaded it via Kindle Unlimited® and dived into it straight away.
Once again, this book if full of action and suspense from start to finish that certainly kept me enthralled and reading way into the night. There are new characters and returning ones all of which are well developed and believable; the pace is fast and the plot is excellent and full of twists ... you really don't know who to trust!
This is the third in the series and although it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading them in order but if I had to choose, this particular story is my favourite in that it delves into Logan's past and previous missions which adds even more to him as a character. However, regardless whether you read one or all of them, you won't be disappointed in the slightest but be warned, once you start reading them, you won't be able to stop so make sure you have some free time on your hands 😃