Search

Search only in certain items:

C(
Catch (Angler, #2)
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
*Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I read the first book, Bait, back in February 2012 and loved it. I still remember a lot of what happened and with how many books I read, that's a miracle! I think it was the whole using humans as bait to catch evil vampires that drew me in and hooked me.

This carries on from the last with just a few months passing and Connie and Rurik are in Rio. I will say that you don't necessarily need to read the first book for this to make sense but it does help to understand the connection between Rurik, Connie and Tane.

The author has this way of writing that draws you in and makes you want to get lost in the world she weaves. I will quite happily get lost in it. (Bring on book 3!)

Tane was an odd one for me, through both books, but he evolved a lot in this and we got to know him a lot more and it's obvious he isn't as bad as previously thought. Rurik is still the protective, nice, sexy vampire from the first and Connie still likes to kick arse when she can.

Though there are a few sex scenes throughout the story, there is also a good, strong plot to get lost in. I guess I should mention that it has a ménage scene in it near the end (M/M/F) that had been brewing for a long time and it was quite hot.

I cant wait to read the third book in the series to find out what's going to happen next.
  
Wicked Night (A Warrior's Promise #1)
Wicked Night (A Warrior's Promise #1)
Evi Rhodes | 2018 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wicked Night is the first book in The Warrior's Promise series and we meet Gwen, who is half vampire. Although she comes from a wealthy family, she is not the usual spoilt little rich girl. Wicked is in line to be the next King and has agreed to take Gwen as his charge as a favour to her father (who we don't get to meet in this book.)

Gwen is a good character for the most part. She doesn't allow unnecessary miscommunication to blow out of proportion (too much) but she is a hot-head and allows her anger to run away with her at times. Wicked wants Gwen but doesn't want to act on it, which means he is stupid until he sorts it out!

This is a long book which is good because it allows you to delve into the characters' lives. However, I would say there are parts where this book could be tightened up. Some parts seem repetitive and, for saying it is a long book, Gwen hasn't even gone through her change when the book finishes. It will be interesting to see if things 'speed up' a bit in the next book without losing any of the quality.

This storyline did remind me of the Black Dagger Brotherhood which is not a bad thing, just an observation. All in all, this was a very enjoyable book and I can't wait to see what happens next.

* 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!
  
Fire Magic (Abnormals Underground #2)
Fire Magic (Abnormals Underground #2)
Holly Hook | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
103 of 200
Kindle
Fire magic (Abnormals underground book 2)
By Holly A. Hook

 
Alyssa's a rare mix of supernatural according to Thoreau, the demonic mayor, and she was every reason to believe him. She's already got a rare gene that turned her into a vampire and now her enemies burn from the inside out whenever she stabs them. On top of that, biting her hot Mage battle partner, Xavier, will strengthen them both and bring her one step closer to becoming the "Dark Pentagram," who will merge Earth with the Infernal world. Therefore, it's best to stay out of Thoreau's clutches unless she wants to see Hell on Earth.

But then Thoreau steals the secret to destroying the Underground, the society of supernaturals that Alyssa now calls home, she and Xavier have no choice but to go after him. Demons? No problem. Crossing the world? No sweat. Finding out whether or not Xavier likes her? That's tricky, along with learning where her strange powers came from. But none of that compares to her growing thirst for Xavier's blood, a thirst she may not be able to resist. Alyssa just might have to become the monster she's vowed never to be...



I’m actually really enjoying this series for a YA it’s a very good concept! I get a bit annoyed with Xavier sometimes he can be a bit premenstral! It’s definitely worth giving it a go if you enjoy the magic in books! I also find it a struggle that a whole powerful council don’t do anything about the big bad bit two teens do!
  
Mad Hatter Vampire Prince (Token Huntress #0.5)
Mad Hatter Vampire Prince (Token Huntress #0.5)
Kia Carrington-Russell | 2020 | Paranormal, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
dark and deadly
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

I apologise up front, this review will be short.

I *struggled* with this, and I kept hoping, and praying that Sasha would get a say, to offset Kyran but she doesn't and I think had she been given a voice, I would have enjoyed this more.

Kyran is a vampire prince, he knows what he wants, and he takes it. In all things, he gets his way and he wants Sasha. He will kill vampires for her, and let her do the killing too. He will start a war for her, although just WHY he started the war was beyond me.

This book is DEADLY in all things. Its violence is graphic and there is a LOT of it. I think, even though Sasha is almost as deadly as Kyran, had she been given a voice, I would not have had to struggle with Kyran so much. Kyran's mind is warped, and I didn't much like it.

There is NO kind of romance in this! Not complaining about that, I've no idea whether Kyran or even Sasha could love, at all, but this is not a romance, and it needs to be said.

BUT

I did finish it, cos I wanted to see what Sasha was doing in the experiments (although I'm still a little fuzzy on that) and I wanted to see how it all turned out. But it doesn't really round the ending out, it kinda stops. . . just like that.

3 dark, deadly and bloody stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
The Bandalore (Pitch & Sickle #1)
The Bandalore (Pitch & Sickle #1)
D K Girl | 2021 | LGBTQ+, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE BANDALORE is the first book in the Pitch & Sickle series. It begins with Silas dying and coming back to life in a coffin, and no, he's not a vampire. He isn't sure what he is now and has no idea who he was before. His memory of his previous life has disappeared, leaving him uncertain in a world full of uncertainties.

This is slow-burn - so slow there is no romance at all in this first book. That isn't an issue as I can see there is so much to this world, I am happy to take in all the details first and then move on to the romance.

Silas and Tobias are two very different souls. Silas is trusting, caring, and almost naïve. Tobias is obnoxious, and harsh, with a rather bitter view of the world. Is it justified? I think so, but I still have so much more to learn about his past.

I loved the addition of Black Annis being as I'm Leicestershire born and bred! It was very descriptive but remained true to the myths and legends surrounding her.

An intriguing start to a series where nothing is as it seems and you can't even trust the 'good' guys - if they are indeed good. I can't wait to continue with this series and see where it goes from here. 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
 
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Bleed In The Night (Blood and Bonds #2)
Bleed In The Night (Blood and Bonds #2)
S.J. Coles | 2024 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
these books are keeping me on my toes!
Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Blood and Bonds series, and I STRONGLY recommend you read book one, Touch In The Night, before this one. It will givev you Tyler and Lucien's meeting, but it will also give you the background you need about the haemophiles and how they live in this world. It will, as well, give you what the rest of the haemophiles think of Lucien, that's very important.

Because when we get to hear why Lucien does what he does, I was surprised! He's not quite the bad guy he's portrayed to be.

I loved how Tyler flips his opinion of Lucien, when faced with the consequences of his actions, it made for a speedy turnaround, butit alos made Tyler see, really see Lucien, and what he has been doing, and why. The history of the vampire of this world is different to anthing I've read before and I love that.

Again, only Tyler gets a say. And again, I wish we had heard from Lucien. I really think this would be a 5 star if he had.

Somethinghappens right near the end of thisbook that has thrown me for a loop, and this book ends on a bit of a cliff hanger and it makes me think if Lucien and Tyler will appear again. Emory and Jesse appear here, from book one.

Again, 4 very VERY good stars.

These books are keeping me on my toes and making my bok brain whir! Keep em coming, please!

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
DS
Druids Storm ( Alice Skye 2)
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
22 of 220
Kindle
Druids Storm ( Alice Skye 2)
By Taylor Aston White
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A betrayed witch. A fractured past. A dark secret.

Just two months after her abduction, Alice Skye is ready to get back to her job as a Paladin Agent, tracking and detaining Breed by any means necessary. Even though bones have healed and bites have scarred, she’s no closer to the truth, and the one man who knows is nowhere to be seen.

Riley Storm has his own problems being heir to the Storm empire and a Guardian of the Order. So he keeps his distance from the unpredictable Alice Skye. Until he’s forced back into her life, whether she wants him to be or not.

As a vampire genocide shocks the city, Alice partners as the new liaison with the local authorities, the job an exciting opportunity that would help bridge the relationship between Breed and Norms for good. But Alice can’t help but feel there’s more to the dark murders, that maybe there's something bigger behind the lies and deceit.

Can Alice trust her instincts and stop the poison before more lives are taken?

Or will she be distracted as her life unravels once again?

I loved this second book. I like that she’s solving crimes and dealing with her magic and finding out who she is without a whole load of relationship drama, reminds me of the early Anita Blake novels. I think the characters are brilliant bad and good it was so much better than book 1 and I love it’s set in London.
  
Kiss of Forever (Shadow Creek #3)
Kiss of Forever (Shadow Creek #3)
Leah Blake | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Kiss of Forever (Shadow Creek #3) by Leah Blake
The Shadow Creek series is one that I am loving. Kiss of Forever is the third book in the series, and this time we focus on the Alpha of Shadow Creek, Raul, and the enigmatic vampire, Victor. After reading Vuk and Ashly's book, you know that these two are intertwined somehow, but it's only once you start reading Raul's side of things that you learn just what he has done for the past 20 years to protect Victor. Yeesh, that man has a will of iron! Okay, so he had some magical help, but still...

Victor doesn't know why Raul has rejected him for so long, and now that Raul is sick, and getting sicker by the hour, he can't bear to see him in pain. Not once does Victor come across as a 'poor me' type of guy, desperately clinging onto someone who doesn't want. Instead, we see someone who has a will just as strong as the Alpha, who just wants the truth.

The story is more in-depth in this one, as we learn the twists and turns that have landed Raul and Victor in their positions. Pairs from previous stories also play a part in this story, although Vuk and Ashly get more of a mention simply due to who they are. This was exceedingly well-written, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. I think there is still so much more to come, and I have no hesitation in recommending this book and the series.

* 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!
  
Bite of Darkness (Shadow Creek #2)
Bite of Darkness (Shadow Creek #2)
Leah Blake | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Bite of Darkness (Shadow Creek #2) by Leah Blake
Bite of Darkness is the second book in the Shadow Creek series. This time we focus on Vuk, who helped Devon out with a few choice words in book one. In his own story though, it's Vuk who is on the receiving end of advice as he turns into a bit of a jerk when he meets his mate. Now, to be fair, I couldn't exactly blame him. His alpha is ill, receiving a mystery transfusion, vampires are involved, the fae are involve, and no one (including Vuk) just exactly who to trust. Now, as it turns out, the vampires have their own reasons for helping out, which Vuk and Ashly get dragged into the middle of.

There is more mystery in this book, in my opinion. You know in book one that the fae wards are failing, but you're not 100% sure why. In this book, you find out more about that, and the politics of the paranormal world, but you are still left with questions unanswered. Apart from Vuk and Ashly, there is something going down with another wolf/vampire pair, but I'm hoping that will be a different story all of their own, and not just snippets given as the overall story arc progresses.

This is part of a series so I would recommend you read it in order for full enjoyment. With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, I have no hesitation in recommending this book.

* 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!
  
Bone Crossed (Mercy Thompson, #4)
Bone Crossed (Mercy Thompson, #4)
Patricia Briggs | 2009 | Fiction & Poetry, Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.4 (14 Ratings)
Book Rating
I enjoyed this book just as much as I joined the previous three in the series. Briggs can be depended upon for maintaining an exciting plot and unique characters, and this book was no exception.
This book gave me a more detailed look into the politics of the vampire culture of Mercy's world, as well as more development of the character of Stefan. Stefan does not seem to talk much, but his body language seems to say that he loves Mercy, even if he knows she will never love him back, especially with the scene on the last few pages. The discoveries that Mercy makes regarding her abilities as a Walker are interesting and can hold lots of promise for future books in the series. I also enjoy being introduced to other lesser characters in the books that often help Mercy in some small way, such as the oakman. These characters give a more well-rounded picture of Mercy's world. Mercy's panic attacks, resulting from her rape in the previous book, were very realistic and made her more believeable as a character, since they gave her a weakness and a way to be related to. Superheroes always seem to be better at their "jobs" when they have a weakness that allows them to relate to the "common man." I'm also glad that Mercy was finally inducted into Adam's pack officially, although I found the method somewhat gross and cannibalistic. I still don't understand how Mercy can be "pack" to both Adam and his pack, as well as to Samuel, without any sort of backlash in the "animal kingdom", but hopefully that will be either explained or absolved with future books.