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Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Night's Edge in Books
Mar 1, 2018
"Dancers in the Dark" by Charlaine Harris is set in the same universe as the Southern Vampire/Sookie Stackhouse stories, but with none of the incredibly annoying characters. How refreshing! It does go back to the same stuff Harris explored in her Shakespeare series and one of her standalone books (<i>Sweet and Deadly</i>? I can't remember if it was that one of the other, as they don't stand out in my memory too much anyway). The story wasn't terribly, though, and I was engaged. I kept thinking while reading, "Didn't I read another short story or novella in this universe about dancers?" Anybody else remember? I hate it when my memory goes wonky like that.
"Her Best Enemy" was too hackneyed, bringing in too many old standbyes. There's a tough girl reporter who is really a sweet woman who just needs a good man after a bad one took everything she had, a sexy man who is tougher than he looks and better able to protect her than even he knew, etc. I don't remember reading anything really strong by Maggie Shayne yet, but she's definitely on the romance side of the paranormal romance street, so that may explain my lack of enthusiasm.
Barbara Hambly's contribution, "Someone Else's Shadow," has us back in the world of dance. I wouldn't be surprised to see this one and the first story in a dance-themed anthology (they probably are, already, and I just don't realize it yet). It was the strongest story of the three (with reason, as Hambly is certainly the most experienced and IMNSHO best writer of the three). Sound plotting, good reasoning, likable characters who are well-rounded and believable, neither perfect saints nor disgusting sinners.
I kept thinking of Hope while reading the last story because the main character dances and teaches belly dance, and there's a lovely quote from the first time she dances in front of her love interest, <i>"It's all dancing. Skill infused with joy. Weaving jewelry out of dreams."</i>
"Her Best Enemy" was too hackneyed, bringing in too many old standbyes. There's a tough girl reporter who is really a sweet woman who just needs a good man after a bad one took everything she had, a sexy man who is tougher than he looks and better able to protect her than even he knew, etc. I don't remember reading anything really strong by Maggie Shayne yet, but she's definitely on the romance side of the paranormal romance street, so that may explain my lack of enthusiasm.
Barbara Hambly's contribution, "Someone Else's Shadow," has us back in the world of dance. I wouldn't be surprised to see this one and the first story in a dance-themed anthology (they probably are, already, and I just don't realize it yet). It was the strongest story of the three (with reason, as Hambly is certainly the most experienced and IMNSHO best writer of the three). Sound plotting, good reasoning, likable characters who are well-rounded and believable, neither perfect saints nor disgusting sinners.
I kept thinking of Hope while reading the last story because the main character dances and teaches belly dance, and there's a lovely quote from the first time she dances in front of her love interest, <i>"It's all dancing. Skill infused with joy. Weaving jewelry out of dreams."</i>
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Wicked Whiskey Love (The Whiskeys #4) in Books
Nov 7, 2018
Wicked Whiskey Love (The Whiskeys #4) by Melissa Foster
Wicked Whiskey Love is the fourth book in The Whiskeys series, but each book can be read as a standalone. In this one, we meet Sarah, a single mum of two with one on the way. Now she hasn't had it easy, but we don't find out the whole story all at once. Bones is the brother who plans, the one who checks out his options before making a move... until it came to Sarah and her children. Then he was all in from the get go.
This is an emotional book, both good and bad ones, that will have you laughing out loud and reaching for the kleenex too. Sarah's story is a hard one, but Bones is there for her every step of the way, even when she tries to push him away. With cameo appearances from the rest of the family, this book not only managed to give me what I wanted for Bones, but also has left me hanging on for more. There are so many more characters I want stories for. The brothers are done, but what about Dixie? And Josie, and Quincey? Do I need to go on?
This really was an exceptional read, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The pacing was smooth, and the characters fully rounded and diverse. I thought Tru Blue was my favourite, but now I'm hedging my bets with this one. Absolutely loved it, and can I say, that cover? Yum! There is a warning at the beginning of the book about an ovary explosion when Bones gets going. Heed the warning, girls, because he makes my heart melt!
* 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!
This is an emotional book, both good and bad ones, that will have you laughing out loud and reaching for the kleenex too. Sarah's story is a hard one, but Bones is there for her every step of the way, even when she tries to push him away. With cameo appearances from the rest of the family, this book not only managed to give me what I wanted for Bones, but also has left me hanging on for more. There are so many more characters I want stories for. The brothers are done, but what about Dixie? And Josie, and Quincey? Do I need to go on?
This really was an exceptional read, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The pacing was smooth, and the characters fully rounded and diverse. I thought Tru Blue was my favourite, but now I'm hedging my bets with this one. Absolutely loved it, and can I say, that cover? Yum! There is a warning at the beginning of the book about an ovary explosion when Bones gets going. Heed the warning, girls, because he makes my heart melt!
* 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!
Merissa (12051 KP) rated All That Has Flown Beyond (Natural Magic #2) in Books
Dec 3, 2018
All That Has Flown Beyond (Natural Magic #2) by Marina Vivancos
All That Has Flown Beyond is the second book in the Natural Magic series, and it is a series I am thoroughly enjoying.
In this story, we meet Kaiyo and Ahmik. They are both young boys and the reader learns about their horrific loss, and what it like for them now. The story is very sad for a while, and you really get the feel for what is going on. The depression that Kaiyo suffers from is so well-written, it's scary! You can't help but empathise with him, and end up cheering him on as he makes small miracles every day. Seriously, this part was so incredibly written. Either the author has suffered this herself, or she knows someone who has, who can describe it in perfect detail.
Although this is book two in the series, you can actually read it as a standalone, as there are none of the same characters in it from the first one. I found this to be a bit of a shame, as I would have liked to have connected with Damian and Hakan again, if only to see how they are going. I thought when Kaiyo went travelling, this would happen, but I was wrong.
This is a second-chance romance, but primarily told from Kaiyo's perspective. This meant I felt a slight disconnect with Ahmik, and even though I got his reasons for why he did what he did, it didn't really give me much insight to him.
On the whole though, this was an amazing book. It is sitting firmly on my favourites shelf, even though it's not 5-stars. Excellently written, with no grammar or editing errors to disrupt my reading flow. I have no hesitation in recommending this book. An absolute stunner.
* I received a copy of this book 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!
In this story, we meet Kaiyo and Ahmik. They are both young boys and the reader learns about their horrific loss, and what it like for them now. The story is very sad for a while, and you really get the feel for what is going on. The depression that Kaiyo suffers from is so well-written, it's scary! You can't help but empathise with him, and end up cheering him on as he makes small miracles every day. Seriously, this part was so incredibly written. Either the author has suffered this herself, or she knows someone who has, who can describe it in perfect detail.
Although this is book two in the series, you can actually read it as a standalone, as there are none of the same characters in it from the first one. I found this to be a bit of a shame, as I would have liked to have connected with Damian and Hakan again, if only to see how they are going. I thought when Kaiyo went travelling, this would happen, but I was wrong.
This is a second-chance romance, but primarily told from Kaiyo's perspective. This meant I felt a slight disconnect with Ahmik, and even though I got his reasons for why he did what he did, it didn't really give me much insight to him.
On the whole though, this was an amazing book. It is sitting firmly on my favourites shelf, even though it's not 5-stars. Excellently written, with no grammar or editing errors to disrupt my reading flow. I have no hesitation in recommending this book. An absolute stunner.
* I received a copy of this book 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!
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Lacewood: A Novel of Time and Place in Books
Jun 19, 2019
Lacewood: A Novel of Time and Place by Jessica James
Lacewood is a standalone story where the main character and setting is a house. Set in Virginia, the reader learns about the Civil War, and what it was like during that time for all involved. Annie, one of the characters from the past, is from New York, so she has a bit to contend with! Katie, from the present, is also from the 'North', but has her roots in the Virginian soil.
There was information about Katie, but nothing too much about what she did prior to being at Lacewood, just that she was very wealthy. You learn more about the characters from the past as Katie delves into the stories behind Lacewood. Will is the main character in the present, and to be fair, what you see is what you get with him. You don't actually get too much backstory, or even that much involvement, with him.
Although I enjoyed having this book split into three parts (present, past, present), at the same time it was a bit jarring when it changed. There was no build-up to the change, it just happened. And when we returned to the present, it felt like quite some time had passed, and yet I have no idea how long it was.
For me, the main characters were Annie and Jon. They are the ones that made this story for me, involving me in their lives, and wanting to know exactly what had happened to them. I also wanted to know more about Molly and her baby, and how they coped after Luke was killed.
A gentle read, with oodles of Southern charm, I have no hesitation in recommending this. This was the first book by this author I have read, and I wouldn't mind reading more of her work.
* 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!
There was information about Katie, but nothing too much about what she did prior to being at Lacewood, just that she was very wealthy. You learn more about the characters from the past as Katie delves into the stories behind Lacewood. Will is the main character in the present, and to be fair, what you see is what you get with him. You don't actually get too much backstory, or even that much involvement, with him.
Although I enjoyed having this book split into three parts (present, past, present), at the same time it was a bit jarring when it changed. There was no build-up to the change, it just happened. And when we returned to the present, it felt like quite some time had passed, and yet I have no idea how long it was.
For me, the main characters were Annie and Jon. They are the ones that made this story for me, involving me in their lives, and wanting to know exactly what had happened to them. I also wanted to know more about Molly and her baby, and how they coped after Luke was killed.
A gentle read, with oodles of Southern charm, I have no hesitation in recommending this. This was the first book by this author I have read, and I wouldn't mind reading more of her work.
* 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!
J Elizabeth Klug (21 KP) rated Misadventures of a Virgin (Misadventures, #4) in Books
Dec 14, 2019
***MISADVENTURES ARE A SERIES OF STANDALONE ROMANCES THAT CAN BE READ IN ANY ORDER***
“And now I have to worry I may have given him more than my body. I may have just given up my heart.”
June Bell and Kase McCasker grew up as neighbors in Falls Edge. Kase was June’s girlhood crush with whom she shared a memorable kiss before he disappeared off to college and out of her life.
Four years ago, Kase received unexpected news that shook his world and drove him away. Now he’s back, a degree in hand, ready to face his demons. He’s determined to save the struggling farm that’s been in his family for generations.
The time and distance have done nothing to tame Kase’s desire for June, who is the daughter of the man trying to buy his family’s land. Just one look at her, even after all this time, has him ready to risk his future and his heart.
For years, June’s father has been trying to buy the McCasker land. Now, Kase agrees to the sale with one stipulation. June must spend 2 weeks with him on the property.
June agrees, finding out that Kase has been forgotten about her and is intent on finishing what they started all those years ago at the farm. Kase is upfront with his feelings and very possessive of June. As they spend time together and their feelings for each grow into something deeper, June begins to question whether she really wants the sale of the property to go through.
In learning more about Kase, June also learns some startling truths about her own mother’s death and the ongoing feud be their two families. Will this startling revelation destroy any chance of a happily ever after?
This was a great, well-written story. The characters were well developed. I found myself able to really empathize with characters emotions. Meredith Wild is rapidly becoming my favorite romance author.
“And now I have to worry I may have given him more than my body. I may have just given up my heart.”
June Bell and Kase McCasker grew up as neighbors in Falls Edge. Kase was June’s girlhood crush with whom she shared a memorable kiss before he disappeared off to college and out of her life.
Four years ago, Kase received unexpected news that shook his world and drove him away. Now he’s back, a degree in hand, ready to face his demons. He’s determined to save the struggling farm that’s been in his family for generations.
The time and distance have done nothing to tame Kase’s desire for June, who is the daughter of the man trying to buy his family’s land. Just one look at her, even after all this time, has him ready to risk his future and his heart.
For years, June’s father has been trying to buy the McCasker land. Now, Kase agrees to the sale with one stipulation. June must spend 2 weeks with him on the property.
June agrees, finding out that Kase has been forgotten about her and is intent on finishing what they started all those years ago at the farm. Kase is upfront with his feelings and very possessive of June. As they spend time together and their feelings for each grow into something deeper, June begins to question whether she really wants the sale of the property to go through.
In learning more about Kase, June also learns some startling truths about her own mother’s death and the ongoing feud be their two families. Will this startling revelation destroy any chance of a happily ever after?
This was a great, well-written story. The characters were well developed. I found myself able to really empathize with characters emotions. Meredith Wild is rapidly becoming my favorite romance author.
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