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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Aug 14, 2022  
The characters of the Western historical romance novel FANCY by Linda Broday stop by my blog for an interesting interview today. Check it out, and enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $25 #Amazon gift card and/or a Kindle copy of the book!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2022/08/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-fancy-love.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
A stolen baby
An orphan child
A bargain struck

Told her baby died in childbirth, Fancy Dalton grieves for her son. But in the midst of a raging storm, a shadowy figure appears and tells her that he’s alive and well! He was stolen! Now she has an address and a name. From despair comes hope.

One thought drives her—finding and getting him back. Selling everything she owns, Fancy buys a one-way train ticket to Denver. Nothing and no one will stop her. In a mad dash to board the train, she collides with Jack Coltrain. As fate would have it, the rugged cowboy, on a mission of his own, sits next to her. Experience has taught her to be wary of men. But when her bag is stolen, he gets it back and earns a small piece of her trust.

As the iron wheels roll, taking her closer to her two-year-old son, Fancy and Jack discover an orphan girl who needs their help and open their arms to her. Ten hours from their goal, Fancy and Jack strike a deal—her help for his. Desperate times for both call for creative solutions…but marriage, even in name only? However, nothing is off the table. She’ll do whatever she must to save the orphan and get her child back. Still, giving Jack her heart…that’s not part of the bargain.
     
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Merissa (12066 KP) rated Micah's Bride (All The King's Men #9) in Books

Feb 10, 2018 (Updated Jun 7, 2023)  
Micah's Bride (All The King's Men #9)
Micah's Bride (All The King's Men #9)
Donya Lynne | 2017 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Micah's Bride (All The King's Men #9) by Donya Lynne
Are you sure that Micah's Bride is a novella?! I mean, sure, it's not a long book - but the sheer amount that Donya Lynne has managed to pack into those few pages is simply astounding! You get an update on Micah and how he is feeling about not being alone anymore. Bain and Cara. Sev and Ari (and I really, REALLY, can't wait to read more about them again!), Cordray and Trace, Sam, her parents - it's all here!!!

OK, so it's the ninth book in the series, so the characters are all well-known, but still - you get to see them more vulnerable than you've seen them before. I defy anyone to read sections of this without their allergies playing up. 😉 There is angst, and there is laughter here too. I loved the Twilight references, and how wonderful Micah was with Aiden. The ring-bear about did me in though. Trust me, read it for yourself and it will all become clear.

I could gush about various parts of this novella for another few pages, but instead, let me get technical. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The pacing was smooth, and the scenes flowed from one to the next. This novella picks up the story and moves it forward, it is not just a filler. It is a necessary addition to the series, and definitely not one to be missed. It's not very often that I give novellas 5-stars, but there is absolutely no justification for not doing so in this case. Sheer perfection, and absolutely recommended by me.

* Verified Purchase ~ December 2017 *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 10, 2018
  
Chance Match (Perfect Match Agency #2)
Chance Match (Perfect Match Agency #2)
Wendy Rathbone | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
CHANCE MATCH is the second book in the Perfect Match Agency series and each book can be read as a standalone. I haven't read either of the other books and this did not affect my enjoyment of this one.

Because enjoy it I did! Kace and Storm are just so squishable together. Yes, Storm is grumpy and Kace is so sweet he'll give you a toothache, but together they're still so squishable!!!

I actually loved the premise of this - an omega who isn't bothered about sex and has had painful heats, searching for love because he doesn't want to be on medication for the rest of his life. And an alpha who doesn't trust omegas and yet can't resist the cinnamon scent!

There is no unnecessary angst here, and I loved that! In fact, there aren't even any characters that give angst, not even a little bit. Such a refreshing change. I really hope Morgan gets his story though as he is a sweetie with a heart of gold and (unfortunately, it seems) a bank balance to match.

If I had any complaint, it would be that I wanted more. The majority of the book is about Kace's heat and I would have liked to have seen them more in 'real' life rather than just in the bedroom. I did like the glimpse at the end which is partly why I'm saying it.

All in all, a hot, sweet, and sexy read that I thoroughly enjoyed and definitely 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!
Jun 14, 2023
  
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Merissa (12066 KP) rated Fall Guy in Books

Feb 18, 2022 (Updated Jul 3, 2023)  
Fall Guy
Fall Guy
Felice Stevens | 2022 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
FALL GUY is a standalone novel that tells the story of Ronan, our Fall Guy, and Gabriel, the bodyguard. Now, you might be thinking it's the same old, boring, bodyguard story and you'd be completely wrong. Yes, Gabriel is the bodyguard, and yes, they fall in love. But, man, the stories they tell along the way will have you hooked.

I loved this story. It was apparent from the beginning that it wasn't as clear-cut as you might expect. I really felt for Ronan and do think he needed a better class of friends. After all, none of them went to see him. None of them even questioned what had happened. Sometimes, people suck!

Was Ronan stupid? I don't think so. I think he was used, his love abused, but stupid? No. His sort of familial love is one I would love to have! And as for Gabriel. He gave his reasons for the decision and I absolutely agree with him. This isn't right all the time but, trust me, when a father is that weak, it takes a lot for him to change, and not everyone can or does.

The only issue I have with her standalone books is just that - they're standalone. I need more from other characters. Isaac, I'm looking at you. Packed full of emotions, this story absolutely delivers. You get steamy moments that are pure love, no unnecessary miscommunications, second chances, and a heart of gold, it's all here. In other words, it's a typical Felice Stevens book and as such, you know I'm going to highly recommend it.

** 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!
Feb 18, 2022
  
SC
So Close ( Blacklist 1)
Sylvia Day | 2024
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
77 of 220
Book
So close ( Blacklist 1)
By Sylvia Day
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The one you believe isn't always the one you can trust...

Widower Kane Black is still ruinously married to his late wife, Lily. Grief has hollowed him… until he sees a woman with his wife’s inimitable beauty on the streets of Manhattan. He whisks her up to his towering penthouse, protectively under guard, nestling her in dark opulence where Lily’s memory is a possessive beguiling force.

Aliyah, Kane’s mother, deals in science. There are too many questions, too few answers, and too much at stake. “Lily” has dangerous control over Kane and there can be only one queen on the throne.

Amy, Kane’s sister-in-law, has been bloodied by deceit and betrayal, and she’s devolving into murderous rage. She’s paid too high a price and now intends to claim what she’s owed.

Three women, linked by buried secrets, circle the man who unquestioningly accepts the return of his beloved long-dead wife. Kane is happier than he’s ever been, and he’ll do anything to stay that way.

This was different to what I expected. First of all I think I’ve been starved of news from the Crosses and it was nice to catch up on them a little. This is was messed up family all being played by a devious mother trying to control her sons. Amy is completely vindictive and horrid but is it a product of what these men and the mother in law from hell have done or is she naturally that way? When you read this and learn about Lily I wasn’t expecting the answer and yes I had a WTF moment! The book was good and I did enjoy it but I think the last 10 chapters are what made me give it 4⭐️ instead of 3.
  
The Lost and the Chosen (The Lost Sentinel, #1)
The Lost and the Chosen (The Lost Sentinel, #1)
Ivy Asher | 2018 | Paranormal
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
21 of 220
Kindle
The Lost & the chosen ( Book 1)
By Ivy Asher
⭐⭐⭐⭐

My name is Vinna, and I’ve been keeping a lot of secrets.

You would too if you'd experienced some of the weird shit I have: red-eyed monsters chasing me, markings on my body appearing out of nowhere, a strange power that crackles colorfully over my skin from time to time, and don't get me started on the weapons I can conjure up almost out of nowhere.

Lucky for me, I have yet to meet someone whose ass I couldn't kick, inside the ring or out. I put that to the test when I run headfirst into a fight that brings all my secrets, and reality as I know it, crashing down around me.

Now, I'm looking for answers and trying to piece together what the hell is going on. Paranormal is my new way of life. It's not going to be easy, and I'm not exactly welcome.

That is, until I meet the boys, and trust me, they are anything but boyish.

I'm up against elders who think I’m too powerful, a family who views me as a threat, and something lurking in the shadows that's been coming for me my whole life.

There’s not a chance in hell I’m going down without a fight. I’m not lost anymore, and I'm about to show this world exactly what I can do.


For some reason I didn’t finish this the first time round and I don’t know why! This was really good I enjoyed every minute of it! There were a few rocky patches but I really liked it. The story , the characters and setting is just different. Definitely looking forward to more.