tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90356094798185774622024-02-06T21:08:21.322-07:00Megan's Media Melangemeganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.comBlogger829125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-88647636953469563492023-05-18T11:00:00.008-06:002023-05-28T23:49:58.890-06:00Och, Ness!: Wet 'n' Wild Book 1, Eryn Hawk<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3WGvBbO" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="230" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNOLGzLtKCUGpRRviHbx9Oik4vOmGXd5IKVLMicnZtXWbYHRyr2500gBeRbRs1zfRWPWnEXNhPNA2KwylwLWdhvJdTv3oouXeQmZH4EqB_1Qc_mFFMf099xnY7JRlbSnOJ_7uzNs4yeXc9E5CCh4IavBJq6b6IlHnVITsPjbERo2NWAXuUvPR5ItJ/s320/och,%20ness.jpg" width="213" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3N0zSDP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="39" data-original-width="165" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEadT5kTFooGEYABzWJehJQTQ_m7khQcFwx8AWnoQy92THMiHkOuYkX9lAMDoSKYdSE-qIn75nEi2CCpbwjj-uNFWd62ewcCrFGRais1JFvtb4y_kVp39GcO8CBhpglYDcNUjvuusIoa8Unrg64fFS6WvZhkGVnDlOD9sxFKVmesKzKzBSbjJEUfD4/s1600/3%20out%20of%205%20stars.jpg" width="165" /></a></div><br />This is a new take on a mythical creature shifter romance for me. Not truly unique, but a slightly different take that I thought was interesting. The connection Gray had with Nessie and with Hamish was definitely a draw and one of my favorite moments was when Gray checked in with Hamish about their status. It spoke to something awkward that he wasn't aware of but an honesty and genuine feeling for both entities that was very sweet.<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">There was something missing though, and I think it was in the actual relationship evolution. Going from one side of the spectrum to the other, "we have a connection, but let's not pursue it, but maybe we should make the most of our time together, and yet not spend a lot of time together", was an inconsistency and a vacillation that detracted from the relationship growing. I became more interested in Gray with Nessie more than Gray with Hamish despite them being the same creature.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ultimately this was a cute story with an interesting take and some good spicy times. It was the first story I've read by this author and I think I'd be open to more from them.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3WGvBbO" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWM3OMq6QM6fZiJ6t4FCqhigVpw5H6IUR7MPfaa26noGsjYqgJHdABuZHCLLkuS_im4rgEyPs4Pg_KU5DxKULGchdbHzZcyMIzSWAoSMBXul_3fPwaCr3y58E4tZHtDsUtRM23Nzx77atrAlrmiRvq9qWWm72bAnrGGoGZpTuZUmh4gdVsRszfeff/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><i>*$3.49 on Amazon or FREE on KU!</i></b></span></div><p></p>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-15566647495647128712023-05-15T10:23:00.001-06:002023-05-28T10:27:37.125-06:00Under a Greek Twilight: Love Abroad Series, Jax Stuart<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3IKjhli" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQymVudpb5r-ekoN0z69QCikrVGoLeuXncq7qrRPNHisvxApzm84s4tUTTAW4ZYVXmiFPehTGjn2wmANRvcCJcGE1yT7rz_7KLdF3YkSjn5_mNp50n421Epj-tdIrZYHL2V4oxLe8RiyehvlZxgBwinF_OU2ASnmEPj0B33aR6G7zuLKoOQYZrfQh/s320/under%20a%20greek%20twilight.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2lnMUS8" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="33" data-original-width="160" height="33" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKls8VMdAQYkGUUuKiUkwO5JAvYhCLGW7Gpowc8Msl_5YUOKt6M1Q9tPA9KsisjYD41n7aak0gq5gPw0oJHPxcqxMAl75s17bEUV18aKLq4gPP3eUKa2Wn3taLxauy3TXMTqQtFu4wVl9IK3q95Y4VhTvyFDjzyJNyylQ3EK4nbCc0ZYsH3fUGUxF/s1600/3.5%20out%20of%205%20stars.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br />Joshua was actually very real-feeling to me. He was hurt, struggling, frustrated, sad, lonely amongst friends, yearning, and hopeful...all of his feelings were on the page and I believed them. What he found with Lysander was definitely story/movie magic that I play out in my head for myself but could never believe would happen to me. Lysander was a steady presence and I liked his honesty with both himself and Joshua. They really were a good match.<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">What detracted was the repeating drama with Lysander's ex. Ryan was a bit predictable so that was kind of expected, as was his fling-turned fiance-turned scorned lover... The unnecessary road blocks were manufactured angst that didn't really belong. There were other things that could have played that role just fine that were far more organic. But what really didn't belong at all was Ryan's ridiculously petty confrontation at their new job. It was out of left field, did nothing for the characters or the story, gave no kind of closure, and was just purely annoying.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Altogether this was a really cute story that I could see reading again, so long as I skip the cafeteria scece. Well, maybe just parts of it, because the players really showed their true colors and they were bright and beautiful. Overall it was a truly nice way to pass an hour or two.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3IKjhli" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWM3OMq6QM6fZiJ6t4FCqhigVpw5H6IUR7MPfaa26noGsjYqgJHdABuZHCLLkuS_im4rgEyPs4Pg_KU5DxKULGchdbHzZcyMIzSWAoSMBXul_3fPwaCr3y58E4tZHtDsUtRM23Nzx77atrAlrmiRvq9qWWm72bAnrGGoGZpTuZUmh4gdVsRszfeff/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><i>*$3.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!</i></b></span></div><p></p>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-63961260726645213432023-05-14T10:04:00.007-06:002023-05-28T10:11:17.678-06:00Clueless: Squad Goals Book 1, Willow Thomas<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3MEO5oD" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbKiw8oEWdzH0Rx-IVqFPoINgVSTr6dD9KUX6O5mo15xmDjcbLFp9DuDwAPt1ROlJTmNUNX1kcoTg71briW75aJYArg3OCx5x0HmpZKxAWe2CcotZ3Am3mJababNPVXVxT0LOU8BlJKIlhKyWLn55WXRglQCUjSCX3bzW0LLed42YKPJuD8DgtD7E/s320/clueless.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2lnMUS8" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="33" data-original-width="160" height="33" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKls8VMdAQYkGUUuKiUkwO5JAvYhCLGW7Gpowc8Msl_5YUOKt6M1Q9tPA9KsisjYD41n7aak0gq5gPw0oJHPxcqxMAl75s17bEUV18aKLq4gPP3eUKa2Wn3taLxauy3TXMTqQtFu4wVl9IK3q95Y4VhTvyFDjzyJNyylQ3EK4nbCc0ZYsH3fUGUxF/s1600/3.5%20out%20of%205%20stars.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br />Lexi is the favorite of the duo in this one for me. With his pining it was natural for him to brush off many flirty attempts by Ryder in the beginning and I can't say I was a fan of the way it came off as Ryder playing with him before they actually said all the words. But I think it was Lexi's way of being present, being able to see Ryder, and his whole way of being there for his friends, family, their struggles, joys, and confrontations. His whole being drew me in. Even when he was being a little dumb about Ryder.<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I wish Ryder were truly his match. When he was on and good, he was good, but there were a bunch of moments that he both nearly and really did stuff it up that I couldn't love him. I liked him, sure, because he did have times where his utter joy in everything that is Lexi brought him closer to the best version of himself. What I didn't like was how he was so absolutely clueless about everything that he hurt Lexi, seemingly toyed with him, and then continued to almost punish him because he couldn't really open his eyes and get his head out of where the sun doesn't shine.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The resolution was a bit rushed, but with a shorter, low-angst story I don't think I can fault that too much, it just needed to hold more weight than it did. It definitely felt like a young college kid book with some of its sophmoric humor, but again, with the setting being in college, it's not a true fault, it just made the book seem a little sillier than it could be. None of those things are truly negative things, just observations. Lexi was the star and his group of amazing friends are absolutely the draw to the series that I will most assuredly return to.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3MEO5oD" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWM3OMq6QM6fZiJ6t4FCqhigVpw5H6IUR7MPfaa26noGsjYqgJHdABuZHCLLkuS_im4rgEyPs4Pg_KU5DxKULGchdbHzZcyMIzSWAoSMBXul_3fPwaCr3y58E4tZHtDsUtRM23Nzx77atrAlrmiRvq9qWWm72bAnrGGoGZpTuZUmh4gdVsRszfeff/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><i>*$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!</i></b></span></div><p></p>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-49353733669360190812023-05-12T09:38:00.005-06:002023-05-28T09:47:56.750-06:00Little Pleasures: Paddle Creek College Book 3, HJ Welch<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3qdhOxA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="217" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwO3aAVHbR18L-ZwNUsM8VTgy3wtvM7D4P20al9vCn1VgY9yU5PHW4ft3dWDjPjHiLpv0JMD9UItj8zJvm_Ycp0MiKPR5dZ0XklopWZSQpNBg59p9B6r1vAN8lk6aW1tYDXuFeYniH4TgsaC8FdGSdaeroQw-LjiV-kfbGfSxtWEAYRzMqcwEvtW6/s320/little%20pleasures.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3IK9P1a" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="39" data-original-width="165" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEadT5kTFooGEYABzWJehJQTQ_m7khQcFwx8AWnoQy92THMiHkOuYkX9lAMDoSKYdSE-qIn75nEi2CCpbwjj-uNFWd62ewcCrFGRais1JFvtb4y_kVp39GcO8CBhpglYDcNUjvuusIoa8Unrg64fFS6WvZhkGVnDlOD9sxFKVmesKzKzBSbjJEUfD4/s1600/3%20out%20of%205%20stars.jpg" width="165" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Xander was in a real fix and there really wasn't anything he could do about it. I appreciated that he had a wonderful brother and a fantastic little sister to give him support, but it seemed nothing could stop the mental torture and anguish his step-mother was determined to put him through.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I'm not exactly sure how I feel about Xander even such a long time after reading the book. He started off discouraged and distraught, his love of dinosaurs and basic sweetness came through, and he was at home with Ruben, but I just didn't connect with him. I saw him, but I didn't feel him.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ruben was much the same for me. He was a good Daddy for Xander. I absolutely appreciated how he introduced his desires and their possible dynamic to Xander; that was probably the thing that made me like him more than anything else. Adding in how protective of him he was toward Xander's step-mother and Ruben really fit the role of the protector Daddy with a caring streak a mile and a half wide. But there were little things that just didn't sit right with me. His many, many assurances to Xander, and to himself, that he was just doing a favor for Xander's brother did nothing to endear me to him.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Speaking to the introduction of the HIV+ thing... I'm of two minds and one is slightly more dominant. Part of me feels a bit icky about it because there's spicy time without external protection and Ruben bringing it up was a minor announcement with a question of understanding, both of which were acknowledged by Xander with understanding and acceptance, and then the issue was dropped. No explanation beyond that at all. I'm not 100% sure I liked that.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">However, and this is a big however, I feel that it was complete in its sparseness. It was addressed adequately for understanding and consent and it wasn't made to be a giant elephant in the room. The way it was done was simple and I can see it as removing the stigma of the disease when the reality of it now in a modern, western society with all the new medications and treatments is that it doesn't have to be the slow, awful killer that would have those affected be like the lepers before them.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So overall I think the story was sweet. It wasn't my favorite by this author at all, but it was a nice read.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3qdhOxA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWM3OMq6QM6fZiJ6t4FCqhigVpw5H6IUR7MPfaa26noGsjYqgJHdABuZHCLLkuS_im4rgEyPs4Pg_KU5DxKULGchdbHzZcyMIzSWAoSMBXul_3fPwaCr3y58E4tZHtDsUtRM23Nzx77atrAlrmiRvq9qWWm72bAnrGGoGZpTuZUmh4gdVsRszfeff/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><i>*$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!</i></b></span></div><p></p>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-76614566165172257002023-04-17T18:51:00.009-06:002023-04-27T10:12:07.940-06:00List Me with Your Best Shot: Best Men Book 2, Isla Olsen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Az62iK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="217" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNehwiqcdHbiXilUgEqkC6hm0TpC17RVUr-1dx7Q8KQDhsnVVI0nGPV0NtjUeRRKoPDROYTENGsFwEV_k7xR6hDhOmBODlk1NyIc85a31Cf3fx7MUDbBG5cb47iFhMciP5vtsAyumx8uruZX55Ci7tsOwtPStdYgm7C00Wo-Hxyt_owYCIPkkEFd9/s320/List%20Me%20with%20Your%20Best%20Shot.jpg" width="201" /></a><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3n9Jm5M" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="39" data-original-width="165" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AWbNnuBVFfkTIA-Vst-NSFS0qRS3g4BpLUdw0-2Us31TJkowq0niRVgFXoPgP8FjdkwBlBVptZlUWxpDeMIn9rJbgnxyml-uE97zmQoVMtjlQh_qDKDrwNICSFSBb9YlAClKwfCn7nAukOm6SwclOD9qH12ymyervssEoczHxXQXTXmcyALATSa_/s1600/3%20out%20of%205%20stars.jpg" width="165" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div>I'm generally a die hard fan of this author's books because they can blend snark, banter, spicy times, and romance all into a short book. But here it felt off for me. And that's not because of the typos and formatting issues, of which there were many, but unless the book is unreadable because of them they are never a reason for a lower rating or poor review. This was purely because there was so much animosity, arrogance, antagonizing, denials, and almost a feel of coercion, that dominated so much of the book before any feels or complicated stuff entered the picture.</div><div><br /></div><div>There was a family issue with Jack that really should have been a bit more settled, and not just by Alistor's assistance and support later in the book as a sweet aside kind of thing, but by Jack. He needed to find his own inner strength and acceptance. Without that he felt incomplete.</div><div><br /></div><div>Alistor's deal was more on-page in how he went from needing all the extra to just needing Jack, and that was fine, but again, the actual change was mentioned in an aside from Jack's question rather than really seeing that evolve.</div><div><br /></div><div>And the confrontations between them with misunderstandings and hurt feelings...those were brushed off with punishingly pleasurable distractions. The biggest frustratingly unsatisfying confrontation was the reunion bit. Initiated by the "wrong" character, and resolved with more spicy time and not given any time to settle. The epilogue was necessary but was also ended so very abruptly.</div><div><br /></div><div>I should probably give this book only two stars for all those issues, but there were some very sweet moments, the possessive bits, the absolutely incredible spice, and Xavier calling Alastor out, that made me bump it up to a three. It could have been better, it should have been better. I wish it had been what I've come to love and expect.</div></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Az62iK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE74lCzMkasc52MYwYdqVWU__ia9RDBcEx_xboxG_83A00JgGhbj_T64s1vhHKXTo4KnqXUlX4wk3k2v3eIwOsDddcT_ELnHMbi1m1hrfon_ApR-x-k6YNeo1eYIHdE8_2osqx-BRPXPhmJqcIC4p00rTe5I3l0R1wZOgfos9de8zf_2An6uCeIT1k/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a><br /><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><i>*$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!</i></b></span></div>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-3850312878436021452023-04-13T10:28:00.008-06:002023-05-03T23:01:50.933-06:00Reckless Roulette: The Elite Book 1, Alice Winters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3L4pyZn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiTGa8__7FU9vKCqbgY_kGTaLUXA7AXPY01-rJEXx6bhYpY3CVCcCESSZHkKAJ0mz3t9i-51ii7_6bIc-niGmCuP0ZToB7mv19F12X4OpLchyF6R5u8JcLFGQva2ygtGKMn21xiMBNfsUqyBt5YPY9PM_E6XEvzuNRAiiZZ-foFdeW-3dllRgyuBK/s320/reckless%20roulette.jpg" width="213" /></a><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3VvGVad" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="97" data-original-width="518" height="36" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-t1Y-PJKY_T_9_ykleYbUBzZji5G6Fg8i0TGShQ8L3JzTZmCsYtE3W3oVXx769UTd6TfRhusBPNKCaBisJNBT3_3a-yLyww1CH8ma-wx7O2yxGK_JCdB3LQllKzMSPUBcNGF76vSf1Y11u4_JwLBaDP_CSlxciwodC-BOHjwF681nsnjB4aahGMC6/w192-h36/4.5%20stars%20out%20of%205.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">There really isn't much I enjoy more than a book by this author. And when they make it amazing, full of silly shenanigans, endearing characters, badassery, snark, charm, spice, and a hint or flashing neon sign of danger, well, then you've got magic. But here we also get a redemption of the soul too and that, my friends, made it one of my absolute favorite reads of the year so far.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kade was suitable annoying with all his arrogance, attitude, and entitlement. His rage was humorous and the only reason this isn't a full 5 stars is because a lot of his rage went on just a <i>liiiittle </i>too long. It almost got to the point that I was going to have to settle for Len's love of Kade just being excused as his own tragic backstory altering his preferences.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">So while I loved Len and his utter ridiculousness, his sense of justice, his skill with weaponry, his ability to keep Kade off balance and put in his place without public humiliation, my heart was Kade's to lose. See, my attention and heart was charmed by Len but was ultimately stolen by Kade.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, I know it's hard to get through the difficult bits that are Kade in his nurtured awfulness, but there are glimpses of the awkwardness not bred of disdain or contempt, but of the "hurry and look away so you're not affected" kind, the kind that tell you he was taught to look away by others and himself. That truth is revealed when Len gets rightfully upset by it and puts him on his back in the parking lot. There's something in him that only Len seems to make him face, and ultimately accept. Those glimpses are small but so weighty that it made his turnaround absolutely believable to me in this short story.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">This book was so damn good. Kade's turnaround was beautifully written, his honesty and dumbness were beyond endearing, once he pulled his head out, and he was the rock our Len needed to find his own freedom. I want to read it again right now, actually. A solidly amazing book at 4.8 stars.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3L4pyZn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE74lCzMkasc52MYwYdqVWU__ia9RDBcEx_xboxG_83A00JgGhbj_T64s1vhHKXTo4KnqXUlX4wk3k2v3eIwOsDddcT_ELnHMbi1m1hrfon_ApR-x-k6YNeo1eYIHdE8_2osqx-BRPXPhmJqcIC4p00rTe5I3l0R1wZOgfos9de8zf_2An6uCeIT1k/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a><br /><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><i><b>*$3.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!</b></i></span></div></div>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-54046944209131706782023-04-07T22:51:00.010-06:002023-04-25T23:17:40.741-06:00Westin's Prince: Shadow Elite Book 4, Jocelynn Drake<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/40Fy5I5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH83-kNfrGxauLm6tQ3cxCF2EhEvAf5NrIYS6fX9KqQrzJTpfZLKZYiF5gOTU71tcRCBlkU9MzGinJ9-EfWt6UqttbuTaXGFl1XTo_3vDKgale_BSO4ZMFKV3gBvtjDD0IpwQcrxh46uk6qMTcawxqcW8zwLFAi3H4t62p_lWJiXq65AKgrEK67j-r/s320/Westin's%20Prince.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3oEhaYZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="33" data-original-width="160" height="33" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbFClxFRhUVElPqbr2fab2iEYixBOZzHMqMXw4UqhQCd_wHkOGHTsqBApQZUHPGA6QU5N06sWR4bgfVeRryvSUDnU01P3rfDDc9J4Hgq4wLfWMcKfIFMghY1huM6ue5nmBr0KpwPrTHzAzgKUEx-BtSxf2wb2KHZ7G7ux3hP3Wy3yhfJQhCMxMQS2/s1600/3.5%20out%20of%205%20stars.jpg" width="160" /></a><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">I liked this book, I did. Overall the best bits were West finding his peace, the team finding the jumping off point to the next phase, and the involvement of all the team and the interconnected members.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><br /></div><div>There was quite a lot of sweetness. Not all of it was out of place, most was fantastic, but it was oftentimes so idealized when it came to describing the country, its people, its politics, and its effect on those who come in contact with it. It was the kind of cheesiness that I skim rather than crave. A country where its name literally means "happy", a people who embody their country's name, the ultimately self-sacrificing royal family...it was all a little too much at times.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then there was the predictable villain(s) where when we got to the moment(s) of confrontation we were thrust into those moments with seemingly no lead-in and then everything became like a flash in the pan only to be there and gone again. Definitely unbelievable.</div><div><br /></div><div>But that being said, the point of the story wasn't the outlandishly idealized perfect country with its royalty that truly cared about their people or were too kind and sweet for the real real world, it wasn't that bad guys get their due, and it wasn't only about finding a nice way to wrap up the series. It was a way to bring the whole team a sense of peace, a sense of possiblity, and a sense of home where they can truly fulfill the happiness that each group found up to this point. And West's personal journey was the one that got them all there. I loved the ending of the series.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/40Fy5I5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE74lCzMkasc52MYwYdqVWU__ia9RDBcEx_xboxG_83A00JgGhbj_T64s1vhHKXTo4KnqXUlX4wk3k2v3eIwOsDddcT_ELnHMbi1m1hrfon_ApR-x-k6YNeo1eYIHdE8_2osqx-BRPXPhmJqcIC4p00rTe5I3l0R1wZOgfos9de8zf_2An6uCeIT1k/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a><br /><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><i>*$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!</i></b></span></div>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-32717680092893739842023-04-06T22:07:00.002-06:002023-04-24T10:52:19.627-06:00What He Finds: Desires: New Beginnings Book 2, E.M. Denning<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3L3FkUe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEe_PdGd5BgQ9Gs_6vGqS3mN4ruYE2sk30vISKG7wzVD3Zih5MRr8wGuZa6oa7Fyn-4NLs-WwkZfmMBcHQLY009EE2J2eECV2lYIMi60FLW_GddB8aHOnXaT4bElbHWicWq05XWz8_GsqVNZ8n0qaMvRFk3C-7mED2hHSkKj5T1OmUfwjYdVIIjFd/s320/what%20he%20finds.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3n1BjrB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="33" data-original-width="160" height="33" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbFClxFRhUVElPqbr2fab2iEYixBOZzHMqMXw4UqhQCd_wHkOGHTsqBApQZUHPGA6QU5N06sWR4bgfVeRryvSUDnU01P3rfDDc9J4Hgq4wLfWMcKfIFMghY1huM6ue5nmBr0KpwPrTHzAzgKUEx-BtSxf2wb2KHZ7G7ux3hP3Wy3yhfJQhCMxMQS2/s1600/3.5%20out%20of%205%20stars.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Quentin and Toby had an adorable beginning and I loved watching them evolve. Seeing how Quentin's Dom was just right for Toby's sub made me believe in their dynamic, that it wasn't contrived, it fell into place naturally.</span></span></p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There were a few scenes that I skimmed over when it got spicier, but that's just because my flavor of spice isn't quite in favor of the types of names used. Totally doesn't bother me at all, it just wasn't something I felt like reading every word of the scene. That being said, it was some dang good steam. It was both spicy and sweet and that's definitely my favorite flavor.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Overall I felt that there were a couple things that detracted from the story for me, the first was the constant returning to the same "problems" again and again. It seemed to be either resolved or on hold for that resolution and then it got brought up again as if we hadn't just rehashed the same issue a few pages prior. And second, I kind of don't know if I felt the scene with the former partner of the former boyfriend was necessary because it didn't bring answers, closure, or peace.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: inherit;">But if you're looking for quick, sweet, dirty spice, then this is the story for you. Even though there are cameos from other characters in other stories related to this world this is absolutely a standalone.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Naszu0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE74lCzMkasc52MYwYdqVWU__ia9RDBcEx_xboxG_83A00JgGhbj_T64s1vhHKXTo4KnqXUlX4wk3k2v3eIwOsDddcT_ELnHMbi1m1hrfon_ApR-x-k6YNeo1eYIHdE8_2osqx-BRPXPhmJqcIC4p00rTe5I3l0R1wZOgfos9de8zf_2An6uCeIT1k/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><i>*$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!</i></b></span></div></span></div></span>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-24495221130257744152023-03-31T22:40:00.051-06:002023-04-23T22:57:10.836-06:00Light My Fire: GSC in Love Book 1, Katy Manz<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/40y9hBJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="230" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQvbnjs6zhTOzpjI_7Vmri9ur2wqMz6Voh4OZ6glrK-sw-WQBPO6OTfckgW9w45cEmwHi1JTrPMyY8EHMwqrCI5Fda7IiF7ZS1iS0iqrSHr8Fzb4NFZ0-1AaWfTkigiiavJacVUPCN62H1QlFjcXp3Ihcg88gjTyfXB4D08uh9UowoC8ukgJ1BDOt/s320/light%20my%20fire.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3H7XeUO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="54" data-original-width="255" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILjcgAStiOvW6b0nwGRruUBBG_oUpYWUME5cAxs0PuW8UtvCHaxQxhVEDSUK83LJGY8eTZKByqdDFHOu7hSMDFv_i_aYPOcQnbtiYTnxPXda_GIenUpQkTVOU9HrDljHEVKVjB0h90awTvtjVS9_a69CzgPsbe_ZwSGhGxDsMj4qkEIOR4Hq1K3Oo/w192-h41/2.5%20out%20of%205%20stars.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>This was just...okay. I had really high hopes because dragons, I mean, it's got dragons! But alas, dragons were not enough to make me love this story. The dragons were the best part, especially Zander, with their complicated, potentially tragic family situations, the love and support, and the lack of pride that could have destroyed them all.<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">But then you've got Rayne who seemed to be a total boss, in control of so much, an incredible magic wielder, and fierce. He should have been the best partner to Zander. I generally love an omega who doesn't fit the stereotypical role and doesn't want to, but here he was so disdainful of those who chose what he feared. Yes, he got over it, but he was so arrogant, so unbending, so narrow sighted when things got tough. I wanted to see him be humbled, not just come to the conclusion that he needed to do better. There was a dream and I truly needed to see that dream because days later and I'm still mad at Rayne for doing what he did to Zander.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Overall this was a good story, not a bad one, but I just don't know that I will put book two high on my TBR list. Maybe, maybe because Rayne won't be the lead and there will still be my dragons I'll give it a chance... This was my first book by this author so I think I will give it a chance, I just wasn't impressed by one of the male leads.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Oh, but the best scene ever, the one that totally stabbed me right in the feels, yeah, that might definitely make me come back for more. Zander's father's immediate reaction to his mate's distress? That was pure gold with so much love and so much of a 180 from the male we met near the beginning. Beautiful moment. So yeah, maybe I will read book two sooner rather than later...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/40y9hBJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE74lCzMkasc52MYwYdqVWU__ia9RDBcEx_xboxG_83A00JgGhbj_T64s1vhHKXTo4KnqXUlX4wk3k2v3eIwOsDddcT_ELnHMbi1m1hrfon_ApR-x-k6YNeo1eYIHdE8_2osqx-BRPXPhmJqcIC4p00rTe5I3l0R1wZOgfos9de8zf_2An6uCeIT1k/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a><br /><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><i>*$3.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!</i></b></span></div>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-68259352295195828182023-03-31T22:16:00.004-06:002023-05-03T23:03:19.887-06:00Little Boy Blu: Little Big Heart Book 1, Wendy Rathbone<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/40AkCkO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="217" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagInbt_e5cOg2KdQ7VJHdevPBPK_EokvLt8TTNRNVbUBkyVpc5gIloPWcMY8bxt3dSBCjfCznEtWihzKTKy7QzY_jFLPcjwgxVS2JCX1j1pF5tltLxa6BdNVOesNmLwONdqmazvNqDZ2opN3YUIudHnLkV8Ehki_Ks4H8VrpYkNoPbrRbvcix2tVU/s320/little%20boy%20blu.jpg" width="201" /></a><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3AUeYQ2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="39" data-original-width="181" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2lpxSCdGzU_EUDfLUer-GFjw79FcMzVA9d58M4QECeU_L8MQhfy_s1XDzHOqI5Wf7AxMjHU2Jj_IXdXoAqZHCbH-yNs9ipjXI3zfeZ9JNb4w8bAjypSpy5cZPznEpdREitdHzmlJXq1Yu6kTqMC9px9uJEvyDIhQnBqTQfHhbtvTLVXHc3vft-mP/s1600/4%20out%20of%205%20stars.png" width="181" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is saccharine, sugar, and all kinds of sweet so if you're craving sweet, no angst, cuddlef**king then this is your jam.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Blu and Maks both aren't prepared for the kind of perfection they could provide one another and yet they fall so effortlessly into exactly what they need. While I can absolutely see some of the pitfalls that reality should have put in their path, this wasn't meant to be picked apart that way.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The one thing that made this such an awesome read for me was Blu's short yet very, very clear deliniation between being a little and yet still a man. Sometimes a lot of these age play stories give me the really uncomfortable icks because it seems so close to something that should make everyone uncomfortable between adults and children but that is so very not what happens here. Blu is well aware of who and what he is and also what he needs in all aspects. I see him as a little and I also see him as a man, this blend is done extremely well here.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Maks is such a good Daddy. He's been yearning for this for so long and yet never knew what or how or when it would ever happen. He was just right.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">What dropped this from 5 to 4 stars was the frequent hints that there would be obstacles, interference, discovery from family or media. I was very glad none of it panned out, but there was something hanging around nearly every scene that made me wonder if some kind of conflict or angst was going to be tossed in just for the sake of "believability", but I should have remembered whose book I was reading. This author is quite good at not creating needlessly convoluted or contrived storylines more often than not. So while this all worked out well, there were too many hints that didn't play into anything beyond giving me more apprehension than sugary sweet lovin'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/40AkCkO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE74lCzMkasc52MYwYdqVWU__ia9RDBcEx_xboxG_83A00JgGhbj_T64s1vhHKXTo4KnqXUlX4wk3k2v3eIwOsDddcT_ELnHMbi1m1hrfon_ApR-x-k6YNeo1eYIHdE8_2osqx-BRPXPhmJqcIC4p00rTe5I3l0R1wZOgfos9de8zf_2An6uCeIT1k/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a><br /><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><i>*$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!</i></b></span></div>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-73492870011291111842023-03-31T09:00:00.006-06:002023-05-03T23:03:55.780-06:00Hard on You: Wingstead Book 4, Caleb Marks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3lVJeGh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99F8RFtzDdBupgq7KNMUuWg1lFE1WeetDF7XL6QoHagdF-mpDD5Mw59E3hkByLc3-kjz9NLPRLI1E_Lpcu_IovYWB4ok7jwaYxwMmXLW-m4vzZMItmA-MeOBAeFnGk_qIkjoyJDr-8dqCpTfZgGKfZKCgHcbf5IlvKs5cuckAZ2ky0ez2MPSG88qy/s320/hard%20on%20you.jpg" width="213" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3LVy3Yc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="33" data-original-width="160" height="33" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1w2omYV-ldUsPE6fzmC2jN8-sLtZ2AEctCey12cTUaT6OaqMPZ_KR5O49299xuoafOceAfBXZADrfIGIRFSOVhJnQq5xFa6w-d9-IwpEZTZkOmQ3prnVhSwrUTfU4WsGLi4NFsftNdVa8P7QX_vL_iT427JCFBKd9HTEw2oFSPSZN9Ihel1Jjplo/s1600/3.5%20out%20of%205%20stars.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Evan and Finn, what a pairing. This was the first book I've read not just from this series, but from this author as well and I have to say, I was impressed in a lot of ways.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Evan, the big, gruff cop with a bit of trauma to make accepting an open love with Finn difficult. Finn, the sassy, devil-may-care young man with a lot of loneliness to make accepting that he's worty of love difficult. Together they have a tough road that's filled with a deep need to accept themselves first.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was on board for every bit that they were progressing. There were quite a few secrets that bit them in the bums and I can't say I was totally convinced that they were necessary. I can definitely see why they may have kept certain secrets, but some just felt like they belonged to someone else.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For instance, Evan. His arrangement before Finn wasn't untoward, that it was out of guilt was a little bit of a surprise but also not altogether untoward. But why Evan skirted around it, didn't say what needed to be said, and ended up doing what he did made no real sense for the person we were introduced to and got to know up to the point where that blew up in his face.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And Finn, I can see where a breach of privacy was absolutely out of order, but his reaction, his determination to stay mad and punish Evan the way he did felt so wrong. It didn't do anything to push their romance into a place it needed to be, nor did it really enlighten Evan because he already could tell how much he was in the wrong. It felt so uncomfortable for me to read that scene because it was vindictive, humiliating, hurtful, and a betrayal that was so unnecessary. I nearly put the book down to finish it later because I had such a hard time stomaching that part.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Evan's hints about a previous love was a bit confusing...was it love? Was it heartbreak? Was it pivotal? Was it blended up in the PTSD, homecoming, loss, and grief that followed with his military brothers? Those things felt unanswered. And adding in Evan's struggle with PTSD and his shocking confession to Finn after a big scene in his patrol car kind of came out of the blue and wasn't really something we were leading up to nor was it really revisited either. These things really brought me out of the story.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The reconciliation and ending were quite nice though and I appreciated how they came back together, the things they said to one another fit them both and went a long way to soothe my own ruffled feathers over some previous bits in the story.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Overall I liked it but I'm really not sure if I'll keep going with this series. I'll definitely be back for more from this author, but the other characters we've gotten to know through this book aren't ones that I find myself interested in at all. That being said, when this book got it right, it was really awesome. From the feels to the spice, this book really shone in those moments and they were what kept me reading.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3lVJeGh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo37gxeTVHqxMe7yL1PHh9AXbMtZLIkj-jRQB1K_zCVy5AduHtMOKzX9fvogQSbcvv9NXrVwg7GrexESpmeHfLI4D4xbQPTMmtZ4pJnbBvXZBSDCuoqF--5f8qBvVbI1YsWxOU3EQNW8NLX_q_3LaIj6PyzJFlxbiKpKVFW-MCyNItldYiNv2TOMEB/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><i>99¢ on Amazon or FREE on KU!</i></b></span></div></div>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-60166209252969720242023-03-30T09:00:00.032-06:002023-04-09T00:31:16.970-06:00Adverse Conditions: Reclaimed Hearts Book 1, Elle Keaton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3ZYQT4t" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="329" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMciPXOa51sJhfX0dSOpad4FSujREx_n3u5fkvNTYRXD80vkiNJVHtt10dy8giAre7SV7m9Vm8Tfe_b_5oIw9IBkhRDIjySVCfUEW8AynS_63ZyqXenKT2BmuBItyUdvQgYsKapQB0twGa6rYUeOBA8Q8t_sFolTd8o2f1xtPr-cpDVD0BX_xlFtn/s320/adverse%20conditions.jpg" width="211" /></a><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3nWT9fo" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="33" data-original-width="160" height="33" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1w2omYV-ldUsPE6fzmC2jN8-sLtZ2AEctCey12cTUaT6OaqMPZ_KR5O49299xuoafOceAfBXZADrfIGIRFSOVhJnQq5xFa6w-d9-IwpEZTZkOmQ3prnVhSwrUTfU4WsGLi4NFsftNdVa8P7QX_vL_iT427JCFBKd9HTEw2oFSPSZN9Ihel1Jjplo/s1600/3.5%20out%20of%205%20stars.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While remaining the average length, or at least it feels average to all the other books from this author I've read, we're introduced to a whole lot of people, a lot of elements, a whole new town, and a couple that definitely has some high school angsty love to work out.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As the first book of <a href="https://amzn.to/3nWoTS3">the series</a> we got something that had a lot of things to cover, as usual, but I think it might have been a little much to toss out all in the same book. Maybe some hints would have been better than how much intro we got into each of those elements because we ended up with a lot less of the natural evolution of Xavier and Vincent.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We got a little of everything here and I have to say, the half a star deduction is really only because we jumped from antagonistic bickering to spicy times to sweet and vulnerable to tentative dating to running scared and standing up to that fear, to their promise of an HEA all while learning about the danger stalking the town, a ridiculous ex, all the townspeople we're going to get to know, and a pup adoption. It was just too much to take us through the relationship evolution at a pace that left us feeling settled before we move on to, my sincere hope, is the property owner and our resident bat-wielding security guard.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I definitely loved the MC's and felt they were relatively well balanced. Vincent's run to "safety" without actually thinking clearly or logically was slightly predictable but annoyingly understandable. As a single mom I find myself wishing I could do the same thing when a potential romantic partner shows up and then I get dealt a blow from my ex or life in general. But it was Xavier's reaction to that, his determination to bring him back around, even if he needed a little push on the timing, was awesome. I was impressed and I have to say that I didn't actually think that's how that would play out because of the Xavier we met right in the beginning.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm invested and am really looking forward to diving back into the town and its impending peril and addictive love stories.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3ZYQT4t" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo37gxeTVHqxMe7yL1PHh9AXbMtZLIkj-jRQB1K_zCVy5AduHtMOKzX9fvogQSbcvv9NXrVwg7GrexESpmeHfLI4D4xbQPTMmtZ4pJnbBvXZBSDCuoqF--5f8qBvVbI1YsWxOU3EQNW8NLX_q_3LaIj6PyzJFlxbiKpKVFW-MCyNItldYiNv2TOMEB/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><i>$5.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!</i></b></span></div>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-11177213516411327172023-03-27T22:26:00.004-06:002023-04-30T18:26:33.577-06:00Dream: Jagged Edge Prequel, Remi Varlow<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/41YpRf3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="230" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNk25axge-NXYcBAJjXhypd1vBiD3o0G7QvZYxN1Q7zWW6t2TlubnXmfvXPGiuVPT6fVV_Yze1EHH2STF4vf3anfbx-8c0Rokrd0hHZjX9FVgO_CXLFfsSg8-hvZxKksf_1qjXUVk5EbC42YEJoOYI_Cwak8Rd3OZNdbHlKF-8m6WXSRu-pMc2jAV_/s320/dream.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3LHns3b" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="54" data-original-width="255" height="36" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILjcgAStiOvW6b0nwGRruUBBG_oUpYWUME5cAxs0PuW8UtvCHaxQxhVEDSUK83LJGY8eTZKByqdDFHOu7hSMDFv_i_aYPOcQnbtiYTnxPXda_GIenUpQkTVOU9HrDljHEVKVjB0h90awTvtjVS9_a69CzgPsbe_ZwSGhGxDsMj4qkEIOR4Hq1K3Oo/w170-h36/2.5%20out%20of%205%20stars.jpg" width="170" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I wanted to love this book. Opposites attract, biker hotness, sassy twink, bi discovery, redemption, bad boy spice, alphamallow...this book should have been my jam, but it just didn't hit me in the feels, make me yearn, fan myself, or engage me, instead I felt it fell short.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">That's very, very much my minority opinion, of course. So when I say it didn't hit me in the feels I think it was mostly due to the pacing and the lack of depth in addition to the utter nonsensical reactions by Dream. Yes, I do understand his damage, I do understand that he's young, I really do. But reading his over-the-top reaction to the rather contrived shock of Grave's ex just added ridiculous to the unnecessary.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">While the tropes grabbed my attention, the story lacked what I needed for it to keep my attention. This was the first book I've read by this author and while there were small gems that I did enjoy, I admit that I skimmed most of the book after realizing the grit, darkness, and stark yearning in Grave wasn't going to last beyond the opening scene and the "meet-not-exactly-cute".</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/41YpRf3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE74lCzMkasc52MYwYdqVWU__ia9RDBcEx_xboxG_83A00JgGhbj_T64s1vhHKXTo4KnqXUlX4wk3k2v3eIwOsDddcT_ELnHMbi1m1hrfon_ApR-x-k6YNeo1eYIHdE8_2osqx-BRPXPhmJqcIC4p00rTe5I3l0R1wZOgfos9de8zf_2An6uCeIT1k/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a><br /><b><i><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;">*$2.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!</span></i></b></div>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-61722927877266988712022-12-03T11:00:00.001-07:002023-02-07T00:22:36.953-07:00Needing the Kraken: Cursed Mermen Book 6, Aramis Jordan<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/40Bnnna" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihw8zHQ-BgM6P46hXM5sQucPy7lZ3KFokm0fvh0ss9IX5iIxfePN7stKMS84BPi9gPFVaXZ3mYaFfDwYLUZRhahSC7vjB9j-idE64q9lhtBBPBIZ0bQeglrVzswfAS-OLpNIbMjBkSwviO_P8pmgfc4ta0LKdtYAsbEORC8v04appUjUEYzw6pCqt6=w213-h320" width="213" /></a></div><a href="https://amzn.to/40B4Ffu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="235" height="47" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbw83LLKLTAmELuKjD6lgag_a8swbjHJpTK90RVlIEFmtngT0xbq59CDfXcJGrHW-p7adpu2UWv9x1IzS8Q-rCPUBu70kDS7i2kY5L1sa8XwhmGvQI4yJhk4KLwO4pDo0L8iJsw1FrwpsnWe18QonEijgCe2WUIDuu5SZ-3OIHud20hfB0c_3hzN-/w200-h47/3%20out%20of%205%20stars.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This book was...interesting.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I liked the premise and was drawn into the general story trajectory and was tantalized by the tentacle love... But somewhere between the beginning of the middle and the very end I got lost. The spice was there, oh holy good night, was it there, but that was kind of what carried the story. There were feels and they came on slowly since admissions were kind of few and far between with most of the feels being revealed through actions and inner dialogue rather than being shared and communicated.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The scene where certain personal truths were shared and explained was actually done well with tact, heart, and acceptance. Perhaps it was a little too easy, but by this point there was a whole lot of drama put behind them, danger conquered, and time for genuinely deep feelings to take root. I didn't mind that it was more tender and sweet rather than complicated.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And we have the implantation and birthing scenes....oh my... If that kind of cephalopod stuff is not your thing, understandable, just skip ahead.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, if this is the first book of the series that you read, as was the case for me, there's nothing included, even in the epilogue, that would give spoilers for any of the previous books. There are a couple characters and groupings that interested me in the epilogue, but I have to say, despite that interest, those stories will likely not make the top ten on my To-Read list merely because the writing is very word heavy with less progress achieved than expected with the sheer number of words. I totally feel the reviews of readers that said they skimmed a whole lot. At times I wish I had.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/40Bnnna" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUCjNjt4MA9JOeQNXoxOokHP99P30oy5ZfIRkIZBFiYCMqtwC2g9V4RzDZegp1F8MwTikBVO5S8cgcvWeQu02iwFF0cQi-truStZ7_gTDpVkRN59jztIkVUFTSI_LiwECKQwCPsX4Y9X8USg0yxrnS7dUKmYadikGZMgYQQ3UmD3U2KGY7_zcsSVF/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>*$4.99 on Amazon or Free on KU!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;"><b>A man on the run.</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;"><b>A dangerous sea witch offering shelter.</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;">Nobody can know who Sebastian really is. Driven from his home and chased by the king’s henchmen, Sebastian runs into Malik, a sea witch and kraken shifter. At first he’s repulsed by Malik’s eight long appendages, but with nowhere to go, Sebastian has no choice but to fling himself into Malik’s many arms.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;">Malik is the mightiest witch in the New World. His magic grants him dark powers, but the one thing he can’t have is love—because Malik guards a deep secret. When Sebastian comes to him for protection, he grants it. As they grow closer, the pressure on Malik to reveal his best-kept secret mounts. But what if the truth sends Sebastian running into the arms of his enemies?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Needing the Kraken is a 72,000 word MM romance. It features an intense love story, plenty of steam, secret identities, close proximity and a non-binary main character. This gay, paranormal romance is a standalone and the final book in the Cursed Mermen series. HEA guaranteed!<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61606444-needing-the-kraken" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="97" height="52" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNKzlpNHnCvUPZetWk1UfSTQM6DSVsG7_oESdl6OH5CshNheZWyJfhfADswcH76w2c8rSLxp6vMva7jvPt4PNHw0LPqhKnrstHW_FhPHavPxmI6DKlkQsZdUn-kQc6_Apqt501O2GEKtoDdm8Xcn1c4_sifK5FTkTNythAtc6-oxLa8alMLv5PN8t/w137-h52/goodreads%20button%20(2).jpg" width="137" /></a></div><br /></i></div>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-10197453604785777922022-12-01T11:30:00.002-07:002023-01-30T20:16:27.624-07:00A Little Christmas: Blake, W. Rathbone<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3CSJYRR"><img alt="" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="217" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiquk93PXWMYO_vhbar2lA9Ts4Udlta30kTXns4w8q2Hq4iIWA_xE3z6rrm0grKmSMpmJ-p0EeS4sT6vACzsEvX7J9bK0zKlhB-C4O4YYnVUaK3VZSzf7vIeNx1taPSYsBzd7T4XbNy4QpT_ybA73H0Ijq7EDfauS1cqnl8ZY5xxWMzXy6Z90jvBMZC=w201-h320" width="201" /></a></div><a href="https://amzn.to/3ZJsSQj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="39" data-original-width="165" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jD3VgDLvRTh_Te88QYq6A4cNiGYNsSZJFQIA1j-mnzMc-I_eR_0Z1caE9aR6FtgLAodx__EjnQqbJhkwrslM1Rg89yZroiJIJj2lYy8w-RAnanS61W1yjqY_994ipKcceZozIybdh32B_L4xBRVUNNyY_h7Sq6LPwH9hNVRqE9MuQV0qfwPtS771/s1600/3%20out%20of%205%20stars.jpg" width="165" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The focus of the story was on the tenderness, the sweet feelings of something unexpected and everything you hoped for but thought could never be yours. There were two sides here that actually got a good amount of balance between them giving the overall feel of the story a satisfying evolution. Between the self discovery on Eliot's side and the self-acceptance on Blake's I felt a lot of newness, raw, honest vulnerability, and a childlike wonder.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">While I very much enjoyed those things and seeing both men blossom under one another's care and acceptance, the story was very simple. The length of the story didn't allow for delving into anything other than their connection. Keeping things simple and uncomplicated on the side of Eliot's work and family situation, not revisiting Blake's awful boss, and nothing major to keep the men apart all worked to keep the short story focused, it just also didn't delve too deep.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">There was also something about their dynamic that was kept almost a little too simple. I'm of two minds about this one because on the one hand it could have been problematic to have both men jumping into a lifestyle neither one had really looked into, researched, or learned much about at all. On the other hand by keeping both men's preferences perfectly aligned and giving it an almost "fated mate" feel to their connection on both the romance and keenk (yes, I know that's not how it's spelled...) it kept it from seeming unhealthy, uninformed, and potentially damaging.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So did I like the book? Definitely. Was it everything? No. Would I read more from this author's new-ish penname? Yep!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3CSJYRR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqNe7fHaA1mpD-WO0HYaCaWVe2X-VrYCmZdoGquaiPAGP7C54aIvlEUYT36E_MDKZjlLupUJTplUBjvxQjsyNmvOcNiXy1zhJR5w8Bbd854ehMatJr7u98Ni1lFCA265hCa7pw_lp1LbLBOuh1kqBE59k9E4RPgKNlZa0WDirWScuFWQ_XuiETEWm/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><i>*$3.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!<br /><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><i><b>Can a Christmas miracle make Blake’s secret dream come true?</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><i>Blake has no one. His boyfriend cheated on him and left without a word taking almost everything in the apartment. His boss fired him. He’s behind on the rent and Christmas is coming.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><i>But there is one man, Eliot, always impeccably dressed, always with a nice word, who keeps running into him. Blake knows him as a regular at the diner where he used to work. The man was a great tipper.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><i>Eliot asks him out. Blake accepts. When his date shows up in a gleaming Rolls Royce to pick him up and Blake is wearing only his best jeans and an old sweater, shivering in the new falling snow, he realizes Eliot is way out of his league.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><i>He can’t possibly go on this date now. He’s not good enough. Worse, if Eliot were to ever find out his secret, that Blake has a little side and an impossible dream to one day call a lover “daddy” and not get smacked or laughed at for it, Eliot would probably never want to see him again.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><i>But it’s Christmastime, and Eliot is a surprisingly persuasive guy, not to mention full of his own sweet secrets. This is the time of year when things have a way of working out, but can Blake let down his barriers long enough to see the special truth between them?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><i>Contemporary holiday gay romance, age gap, billionaire, rescue, comfort from the cold, HEA. This is an MM daddy/little Christmas twist on The Little Princess Classic tale. Each age play romance book in this multi-author series can be read as a standalone.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63002465-a-little-christmas" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="97" height="45" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJ0nLTmgfRN6iCPqDBmOKo56RGl_Uu8mncOT6HwOXRUOJJcn3qgZJFLfeV7SBZPzrzl6DNQnwOsmzBZJd9pdy3i-Jxg0yuAxEQ-uqi3NRx_KpgeZAq4GERqC2tYH588dYebkcSEtW5KqJcdAZxVQkxvRq5G9y997y4vS6HfB8bhRA7Vzq_FCSTefC/w118-h45/goodreads%20button%20(2).jpg" width="118" /></a></div></span></div>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-79044759118280489192022-11-18T10:00:00.047-07:002022-12-03T23:23:03.911-07:00Monstrous Intent: Mischief and Monsters Book 1, Alice Winters<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3h4by6R" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2CCkh-LCMOfkFoVmpCRsiR1Iuf7oElYeWfryT6W4xR3WkZV7n7bjau3-AN9P50RIo8O3PJ_bi9eaxMpT7gnBhnsKmLdOjAoj8JEqO-7sNbOi79YXqEZpJckjBaS5R-wMCAhDFEEfPkrTmpWnUrzA6l1RclvEXoEh-neSVg_j_Gal0aVlfHwZW_eu4=w213-h320" width="213" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3uo0xk0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="39" data-original-width="181" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrckGjGd30K13yrRUjwbzs-wOGR1BVg552FJivT53MbQbl1eK4uiCGdWSeukCijJ6HRymeA1bYr9wPTM6-KC-Mm-nmCe89IlgKWq521PGnztTgVDQmjUQHEITpDYKW7uelkqr-Nvki1OVaKYhlIoyJSCzhvvtV2oSVC2VghX516NrIom5LlXQDbUP/s1600/4%20out%20of%205%20stars.png" width="181" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is why I read this author's work. I've come to know, love, and expect the shenanigans, the ridiculousness, the scowly grumpy character, the outlandishly silly partner, the interesting side characters, the unexpected animal companions, the creatures either causing or attempting to fix the mayhem and danger... Everything was here and I would be disappointed if it were missing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So yes, expect some things that feel extremely familiar if you're a repeat reader, but don't let that stop you from finding the unique bits that make this story its own. For instance, where else has this author written about chimeras in this way? What other author has used this take on not just what they might look like, but their "family" dynamic that's unique to this storyline? I loved picturing these creatures in my mind as they were described here and I feel both mesmerized and horrified by what the humans in this world might be experiencing as the story progresses.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Declan is my ideal growly grump with a personal crisis of what they actually want and the eye-opening moments that are only possible because of the other MC. And with all of Lake's utter ridiculousness it's hard not to live for Declan's super small and reluctant grins. Lake's got all his own issues with where he comes from, what and how much he's hiding, what his hopes and dreams are, and his own moments of revelation as Declan makes him see beyond the fight to live his own way. They are a fantastic team and Declan's delayed reaction to Lake's unilateral choice was utter perfection. It was unexpected because it wasn't formulaic or cliched. That was an absolute highlight of the reading experience.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So to say I'm a fan and that I'm totally invested is an understatement at this point. I truly cannot wait to find out what the body on the slab means for them all, who's going to run the show after the parade's events, and how much more trouble Lake will get Declan into.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3h4by6R" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatzYfET5KJMZDtM1RKcV-wN794TVjeq_NyEQ5r_tnUk7wEHW8-zjK0AAv6A_NKbXVqzb9lUeTGGXGGmv3M9-IVH6ZEhgrGarAJkdEBnWtkwxOs7ySTO-VYkqJasnNnEnHgUr8iM1GT6S8aV8mVTlKjLGr7jvSVzt-fudv31MjIifTjSS3c7Tsk7aL/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;">$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63223135-monstrous-intent" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="97" height="49" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9wIYwYxZtOzRCcDKs44w4Ff3dTEplJBXtAgm-rxwtIvSdvMbr79dfTAvMEzW-x46k00WDMjv_Ups_RyaSkTN1wvfkoftOnOceaNHkLXATDYagzQXsaD7WnuKJ1Enl3pF7u8kCkYOwuei4XOwcgS_EmQKDylUNISVjdHX3npLnJ0aZ1tmwn85S9SM/w129-h49/goodreads%20button%20(2).jpg" width="129" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Add this to your <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63223135-monstrous-intent">Goodreads TBR list</a>!</span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;">Declan</span></i></div></span></b><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;">It’s really hard to pretend like life is normal when you’re staring a monster in the eyes, though he’s both tempting and irritating in his human form. I put my days as a hunter behind me, unable to cope with the death and pain anymore, to become an upstanding citizen and for what? To assist Lake, a man who claims he’s not a monster but keeps talking about me like I’m edible and–even worse–wants to woo me? Between my old organization trying to pull me in and Lake proving that things aren’t quite what they seem, I’m dragged back into this world of fighting the things that humans fear the most.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Lake</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;">The human is exquisite. The first moment he told me he was going to hunt me down, I felt my heart burst. He’s beautiful, sassy, angry, and going to be mine (even if he thinks he can refuse my charms). But what Declan doesn’t know about me is that there’s a reason I’m hiding as a human among monster hunters. And while he definitely doesn’t know why, he’s willing to work with me because the people around us strangely want Declan and me dead at the end of this (I mean, who would want to kill us? We’re amazing).</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;">But honestly… what’s more fun than dragging a hunter off to the dark side?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><b>Warning: This is a chaotic monster and a chaotic human. Stuff happens. People die (but they were bad, so it doesn’t matter, right?) and there’s plenty of humor alongside a budding romance.</b></span></i></div></div>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-36554133905236855522022-11-15T12:12:00.106-07:002022-11-17T12:50:17.944-07:00Single and Ready to Jingle, Piper Rayne<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3V7bDoY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinBqbFNqyTa_SWUf-jf18oVDjuhrSom1sAlwxOtYQP1ns-GxiBQtm_hsrAE6Zf9U1nvnPOwl30IH7Uc-mlWthyMOGnidw0vh8IrdcSd88koZq8gfxwt881xyQMGJcSZMsraLaZ4R5GFEnymufV8LUzLn9sqfmQWYKMziz8Bu-8d6nx1QJhiPWkyCUS=w213-h320" width="213" /></a><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3AoAZqj" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="39" data-original-width="181" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKTh9mR4FOtzw8N28J8Mk_52G9yJOgKX12h2N-wkUhNOUBQel3SMh8E-aJLDaEFBFoS76mqhoOdSA21hAFdUGvvO2aFWVvMgPSrcijpwYO_RRHPqN1tIrwviv41YgEh0-2zNvIgQ7ntU6FpXbt0jrKu51pXn4TaKhy-gtliLCdG6IGgCh2gSYt-cR/s1600/4%20out%20of%205%20stars.png" width="181" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With no recourse but to be thrown together to make things work Mackenzie makes the most of Andrew's predicament after a rather disastrous meet-insult instead of a blind date of the meet-cute variety. Coercing a grinch to participate in Christmas activities to save his pride and possible promotion is just icing on the cake for the holiday-loving elf. This is absolutely not a recipe for disaster, is it? More than likely it's the attraction of a forever with their complete opposites that neither of them are willing to admit to...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have to admit, however, that I was prepared to be annoyed by Mackenzie. Often I find holiday-loving characters go over the top and are the types of people even those of us who love the same holiday go out of our way to avoid. But in the case of Kenzie I found myself drawn to her, her indomitable spirit, her brightness and positivity. She wasn't over the top and she most certainly wasn't annoying or pushy either. Unless it was for the right grump that needed the push.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was Andrew that I was more annoyed with on occasion though. He was unnecessarily secretive and the justifications were thin and more or less ridiculous. His need for transparency once things started progressing completely mocked his own need for secrecy when the hesitations were his own. But when he began coming out of his shell and reluctantly enjoyed the things Kenzie planned for them, when he started to thaw and find joy through her eyes and revel in her just being her, that was when I joined his team.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3V7bDoY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="892" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-T-IKSZDeLR_7B6cmoWsJxQqqzruPFcxyl2W2DDOyZQqGKFFeCs8KbtWnrQ5PzX95SY9mKD-ya3KNQqq2yDh7X76ro5P9zJRWN6CfW0IHHgTjRKsfsFXrdCc-VE71OnPdbC3k8xFKhRwO-51QPKhnqp_EfRLJ94Swse1P6JwvNj6Ox_h5WjcaXiKg" width="240" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The big conflict moment that came wasn't entirely unexpected, but it felt like a juvenile write-in rather than something truly organic to the story. What I will say for the moment was that the circumstances allowed the hurt to be less deep and severe, something that made the big gesture sufficiently appropriate for an apology. The fallout from the moment was hurtful, for sure, but there were other elements that allowed it to not be truly devastating. And then the epilogue was a short, sweet moment that really wrapped things up pretty well for being a quick read overall.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was far better than I hoped for and has swayed me more in favor of this author, who I haven't read much from. It could have gone the way of formulaic and cliche but it didn't cross that line and I was thoroughly delighted throughout the couple hour read time it took to enjoy Andrew and Mackenzie's story.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3V7bDoY" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4g4pHIcerNn1M3uIVzHUQvhZlWiDkTNOtawpieoMW5GTlSbBB-q37uxYiumIq8ILAKR3jUL9isZ6AKi_cXvW7nc07I5OLRdwnCaJu_oeFrhNJJJ0fMdNCJQnMmPrYKHcVc0QNvqgWY41mQoKXyg4SRovQdfBb4mD13oMKWriJ6VlCByPMZvrnjgcH/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a><br /><b><i><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;">*$3.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU<br /></span></i></b><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjjASO" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="97" height="49" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2JpPPByWr7JEPBIRx8px_WoFa5QUG6ykPNieGkW9_uxHOIPw53ecIavCXx32jIPAInecMxtmiy9iZ-dLKB7N2Z1ZJxJ-13PhLL74byYZaz9MhEWR7yKRxUkIpDEMjA-C_78wvdQF98pXSAJ097MaDqFlYEVmzA_-HX_bZne-SLCprhncdA16Cu8T/w130-h49/goodreads%20button%20(2).jpg" width="130" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Add it to your <a href="https://bit.ly/3KjjASO">Goodreads TBR list</a>!</b></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">Other buy links:<br /></span></b></i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://apple.co/3D5uGKm">APPLE BOOKS</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://bit.ly/3qdzK7N">NOOK</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://bit.ly/3wZ7cCO">KOBO</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://bit.ly/3KNl9cR">GOOGLE PLAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://valentinepr.net" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOG141Aj0TLPqjeabKo4qGD5AYgxVjqh9cc-bO3CDMKGtewZ8hzt_PepzLp4-zz9IRHu1lPZBRfLM0OXxY0XLObqI6DAg3AdOTtUW1aY9RMzozCEe0bVKL4KRq8k2ctWq2NZ9IX5INsOvy9BM3qPerx6Kxqjyy8nNXs1KTFivdOpCOn_kG9ngYg6l/w200-h200/unnamed.png" width="200" /></a></div></div><p></p>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-10721175081611071292022-10-20T12:22:00.040-06:002023-03-26T13:52:40.380-06:00Show Me How to Heal: Juniper Creek Book 2, Ray Celar<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3XbSNi3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWBXFVqZaN5H9CmV8f5ZdXX_KiRLknwinv-zEJkOs0RWJD_2JchuvHBIhmp5qJ-a6mM8PkhC7kW0TOZih0kGIKo6oOXkYs3CgZVWcwar80gRc3eqHlM9HPBcy5cx6OwMbzNUZ9CUQThObwMiJ-_gzRjVWOrgqDWBLmFHv635i6-6oII8r08pJFJ23v=w213-h320" width="213" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3ni5v1j" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="39" data-original-width="181" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKTh9mR4FOtzw8N28J8Mk_52G9yJOgKX12h2N-wkUhNOUBQel3SMh8E-aJLDaEFBFoS76mqhoOdSA21hAFdUGvvO2aFWVvMgPSrcijpwYO_RRHPqN1tIrwviv41YgEh0-2zNvIgQ7ntU6FpXbt0jrKu51pXn4TaKhy-gtliLCdG6IGgCh2gSYt-cR/s1600/4%20out%20of%205%20stars.png" width="181" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">From the very beginning I felt for Luke. He was so broken, just floating on the brittle mantra of "I'll be okay, I'll be okay", and needing someone to wake him up to not only his path to healing, but to just acceptance of himself, his situation, his desires. Finding that in Zayne was perfect and even though there was a sizable secret between them their connection was everything I was hoping for in <a href="https://amzn.to/3Ako090">this series</a>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I truly love this setting, the characters are captivating, problematic, and make me yearn for them, the town and surroundings are things I can imagine and want to visit, and the relationship pairings are well crafted with personal evolution and a believable outcome.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">My only frustration is the immediate shutdown of Luke by Zayne. Yes, secrets are hurtful and when they're revealed in a surprising way from the wrong source it can exacerbate that hurt, but to immediately run to "everything there ever was was a lie" is a personal pet peeve that drives me insane. I get it. I do. I just don't like it, like, at all. You end up increasing the hurt for yourself and for the other person and it makes the apologies fall flat when they finally come.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Maybe it's a trust issue thing that I have, that when something happens later on and you end up counting on your partner to blow up and run away or kick you out because of a situation blown out of proportion. I'm not saying that Luke's issues with the lie of omission wasn't big, no, that's not it at all. I just don't think Zayne's actions were completely justified, especially his first thought of everything being a lie because he was extremely intuitive to Luke's real feelings even when the details were vague. The hurt, pain, yearning, loss...it was all there and Zayne specifically mentioned it in those moments. The surprise about the career truth should have clicked rather than exploded in his brain. At least that's what I hoped would have happened. It's not though, and I'll have to live with that. It's the reason for a 4 star rating instead of a 5.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So overall I truly enjoyed this book and would read it again. I'm absolutely coming back for more from <a href="https://amzn.to/3Ako090">this series</a> and can't wait for all my favorite men to have their own HEAs. My one pet peeve thing likely didn't bother a lot of other readers so take my review with a grain of salt and dive in because Luke and Zayne have some amazing moments that make their whole relationship worth realizing.</p>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-25485494269061726842022-10-14T21:02:00.005-06:002023-03-26T21:34:33.392-06:00Find the Jinn: Wilde Contracts Book 1, Maz Maddox<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3lOYNzp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG93aGkxGGIesBqZnVlNqcp24-J3JG0S_ZgeXeG7IxozhkGLt00bOJwxNcO6hYi_vDaqadvC5UbU4A1AImi2ifxWoQR48HMoEBBi4cnVSkQOqXcE0g-Zk2ly66cJWKb6ZcsyDeMQ7GwPl5DLzFMlJGLTOoSEeHl5W7JzzgrsvezaMgIxFlqAhrlYnx/s320/find%20the%20jinn.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3K83PQW" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="33" data-original-width="160" height="33" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aM-_Dg4AC8og18cOwSzo_Tzzo6ce6YiKxdItNwFrqO5heQavq2ecD4tuFI4_bxWxo3Ir5XlOSSCjN1iSCcbeeUVxhDiMePaiKnwMoaesKTtyYfKjkYxHYT32-oPm2LEmjdO5HPYDdQRTjAvCrqkFGG1ZN-lE52q0P7yvVUFBqfiB_IxPH5n0Pomd/s1600/3.5%20out%20of%205%20stars.jpg" width="160" /></a><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The premise grabbed me right away and I was ready to jump right in. Despite feeling like we were coming in a chapter or two later even though it was the opening scene, this wasn't the first story I've read that did this kind of thing. I was sure we would get a little explanation, back story, or something to catch me up so I pressed on...but we didn't get any of those things.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For the first book of a series it felt like I was missing something -- constantly. I've read in other reviews about Killing the Messenger (or is it Kill the Messenger?) that I got through a Prolific Works giveaway event so I'll need to back to that and read to see if there's anything that can give me a better picture, but I'm not sure what to expect in that regard.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I really enjoyed all the characters, but for very different reasons. Dallas was incredibly flawed and we can see pretty early on that there's a torturous tragedy in his past that he's running away from by using drugs, danger, bravado, and any and all kinds of avoidance. I'm sure there will be a sharing, a reckoning that will take place, but that wasn't here in this first book. So for trigger warnings, there is drug use, unfaithful partners, alcohol use, and servant/master type situations.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The two other characters that play a pivotal role may or may not be actual love interests and they intrigued me from the beginning as well. There's an incubus, Sias, who seems to care for Dallas, but has no commitment or intentionally tender moments to show us that there's more than a preferred "meal" situation between them. Is there a possibility for more? Definitely. There's also some incendiary spice between them in a club where Dallas is offered up as a delicacy...</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Zane is the one that intrigued me the most out of the two possible interests there. There's a bit of an enemies to reluctant partners to possibly something more spicy to maybe lovers kind of situation brewing there. Because of the connection between Zane and Dallas there's bound to be confusion, frustration, and a reluctant amount of feels that may be misconstrued, argued away, and eventually explored. At least, I sure hope so!</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm certainly looking forward to seeing the progression, all the types of progression, that we're going to get in this series. Opening of hearts, vulnerabilities, and a whole lot of answers needs to happen before the end of it though, otherwise I might revolt...kind of, haha.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There isn't an actual romantic relationship by the end of this first story and, to be honest, I'd be a little on the disappointed side of apprehension if either potential love interest is chosen over the other one at this point; I'm kind of hoping for an MMM situation even though that's not my preference in pairings. It kind of feels right for now to imagine that will be the outcome, but there are still two more books to go.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: inherit;">But really, the thing to keep in mind here is that in this first book you're going to feel lost, frustrated, intrigued, annoyed, disappointed, and eager for more all at the same time. Maybe you'll be more on one side than the other, but I think you should really give the rest of the series a shot before deciding overall that this just wasn't for you. This isn't the best showing of the author in a first-of-the-series way, but it is definitely their style and I'm sure we'll get something great to follow it up...well, after being stymied by more frustration first. There are A LOT of threads that need tying off because they keep getting dropped for no good reason.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3lOYNzp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBtyO4PEbmKiqdbEsP9bmu4DLLEKSdolN60_XnB0F5tFo3voX_-OpojAhbdV4v_kLDoRV0WC6-c5fnhrUl3mYU52qYMBIhvwVe-fnCerekfDe6f7s3BVlyLN7rgo6lzg3BNWFdme57tWNtZk6IkJwprVubvBGh9DxSF7WWFgA69cwDjfQknvh_ZQO/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><i>*$6.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!</i></b></span></div></span></div></span></div><p></p>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-9518387772153795322022-10-04T13:14:00.054-06:002022-11-16T13:37:07.697-07:00Bad Bishop: Perfect Play Book 2, Layla Reyne<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3EDsZ7m" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivL2Ene37-hfModRDxpUoMgYBK9ZWNi-KMrLpQE4pqrhdDQPB7oAOg0sv_XAUEuNg6bZQr98_6qv6wuEtaUpuYZgrTmtxi_QWx38JEo4Rea92vOifNt_8g1nrapKqTnVTWOKxfD0hS0YT0mnQuW8jzq9nYOaiA5Y_0QdC8SqqYM8uUnD67IeVe4kvi=w209-h320" width="209" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3GlTH5C" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="39" data-original-width="181" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKTh9mR4FOtzw8N28J8Mk_52G9yJOgKX12h2N-wkUhNOUBQel3SMh8E-aJLDaEFBFoS76mqhoOdSA21hAFdUGvvO2aFWVvMgPSrcijpwYO_RRHPqN1tIrwviv41YgEh0-2zNvIgQ7ntU6FpXbt0jrKu51pXn4TaKhy-gtliLCdG6IGgCh2gSYt-cR/s1600/4%20out%20of%205%20stars.png" width="181" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The communication that I felt was lacking in <a href="https://amzn.to/3XjHV1U">book one</a> really shone here in <a href="https://amzn.to/3EDsZ7m">book two</a>. There was a subtle shift in the relationship that allowed for both men to truly rely on one another as they faced the enemy that was taunting them and drawing them further into a dangerous game that threatened not only the safety of countless vulnerable young women, but themselves and everyone they hold close.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">There are moments in this book that I'm not sure will play out well for the men but it's far more clear this time around that they are in it together. They come to trust one another not just professionally, but with their hearts and the hurts of their past. It bonds them far more deeply than just their attraction that got a small but powerful moment in <a href="https://amzn.to/3XjHV1U">Dead Draw</a>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">We're left at the end with a bigger cliffhanger, one I truly wasn't expecting, and it shocked me. I'm now at the edge of my seat and cannot wait for <a href="https://amzn.to/3hPpgdO">the resolution</a> which is sure to be messy, frustrating, painful, and also vindicating, powerful, and right. This was a fantastic continuation of <a href="https://amzn.to/3tym6xV">the series</a> with more feels, more spice, and more drama.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Alv45b" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4g4pHIcerNn1M3uIVzHUQvhZlWiDkTNOtawpieoMW5GTlSbBB-q37uxYiumIq8ILAKR3jUL9isZ6AKi_cXvW7nc07I5OLRdwnCaJu_oeFrhNJJJ0fMdNCJQnMmPrYKHcVc0QNvqgWY41mQoKXyg4SRovQdfBb4mD13oMKWriJ6VlCByPMZvrnjgcH/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a><br /><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><i><b>*4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!<br /></b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61278221-bad-bishop" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="97" height="51" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2JpPPByWr7JEPBIRx8px_WoFa5QUG6ykPNieGkW9_uxHOIPw53ecIavCXx32jIPAInecMxtmiy9iZ-dLKB7N2Z1ZJxJ-13PhLL74byYZaz9MhEWR7yKRxUkIpDEMjA-C_78wvdQF98pXSAJ097MaDqFlYEVmzA_-HX_bZne-SLCprhncdA16Cu8T/w132-h51/goodreads%20button%20(2).jpg" width="132" /></a><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Add it to your <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61278221-bad-bishop">Goodreads TBR list</a>!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://valentinepr.net/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHtK7XJkYDz2sfZalWLmImXAsHbyMZ3TyFCinVCOYcWo8TERK9QwqqS2c2h8B1u-hFmpmcOHfZCKHKA8k7iDHwe5TyyoW7ZqRdzJQWWjg_KYwmzUO58M_L-v-sedJ4-fIqE3HkORFBeK989F6uBwCf0WjvtJaAjewxbFsDVxOU8LJ2E7AnLFAneSwx=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div></span></b></div>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-58247035792521733932022-10-03T00:41:00.008-06:002023-03-26T14:01:26.566-06:00Baking with A Ghost, R.M. Neill<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/42K1WkC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoah5rMZ6VDkcJwuYfVcz0vmUAnfdegIor279GyZE330Fpz5J2CpHQDKdvUjSUiwiU2RiediQ92kLw2Mn6KKmc7rn0-PvVRZGntBX4ePk2laXh7sb_gSdmxujPcb8L-mV5bvwp8z3GVO3AKS2qKiHwHmkmnK-VFYmiGFygoxb4ybkdeBGeB0B4JO1/s320/baking%20with%20a%20ghost.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3z4LZYZ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="54" data-original-width="255" height="43" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0dX4BCRazpRLsa7I2T4lftzbU1p8s7YW5q3tnfw4WZb0YYNCOY_3zxyqljq7m1T_W3tDAmfTk0ESBXoax5SXyF_fkqkFav9_R3qxPI53UbyAtoSqsGvZkeJ4qh58tHAYchIoJgj9mvINHcGs7nHeb9M5SZeWIeHZMPLY5tQCLHlAeBbUTPPeK87N/w205-h43/2.5%20out%20of%205%20stars.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I really wanted to round down from 2.5 stars, but 2 stars means I really didn't like it and this didn't quite meet that criteria.</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">There was just no connection between the characters, between me as a reader and the characters, and nothing compelling about the writing. I can't believe this is indicative of the author's other works because I've enjoyed others from them. It was just so...so...boring. I struggled so hard to finish this book, to get into it enough to want to finish it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">At so many moments I thought, "this has to get better. It just has to." Only...it didn't. It was just as dry and uninspiring at the end as it was in the middle as it was in the beginning. The conflict with the ex fell flat because it seemed like a huge escape from abuse in the beginning only to be watered down so much that it seemed that all the drama in the beginning was unfounded. The seance moment was awkward for sure too.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I think the most interesting thing was the medium themselves. I'm interested in them, but only in a mildly intrigued way. The weird and overacted references to his mystery and the what-if part from the news article was inelegant. And Simon's connection to him was awkwardly shocking and the unexplained emotionalness was unsatisfying.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So it's not like I majorly disliked the book, there were just so many little moments that I totally didn't care about. Moments that led to a whole story that I kind of wish I hadn't felt so committed to finishing. This is not like what the author can usually produce, it's a frustrating anomaly.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3K77DlB" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBtyO4PEbmKiqdbEsP9bmu4DLLEKSdolN60_XnB0F5tFo3voX_-OpojAhbdV4v_kLDoRV0WC6-c5fnhrUl3mYU52qYMBIhvwVe-fnCerekfDe6f7s3BVlyLN7rgo6lzg3BNWFdme57tWNtZk6IkJwprVubvBGh9DxSF7WWFgA69cwDjfQknvh_ZQO/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>*$2.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!</i></b></span></div>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-83075113441760919812022-09-09T00:53:00.026-06:002023-03-30T00:59:52.203-06:00The Roommate Proposal: Perfect Opposites Book 2, Jace Hadley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/42TnHyM" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nRYGQCuqJTsKmI8whi32mAoJwWs9CpYauUQaOhmpggVZQtMg_l2d-TbdfESjFFkn4FELbiVZAzBdWjze5G0uO1jtx8o1hZC5haijZoNwFAa4Pa9RJEZy21oQxjxNBqjv9SsHfNxCzRpSoW5LVldQ4MuO6ZLGHM6Rgkj0zaM3TrkmxskTh6L-TJ95/s320/roommate%20proposal.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Zvh2rz" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="39" data-original-width="181" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TpeQW6oIt8A5hqm-gcuyCmIXX4KET-MImDJhYsrysaYDe24IUdKawFuno66ZJlPkfb2czDWMmOlB_utbtqW4IXrYGH2c0fL9p6vtLv1p-AjuVOiPBjgI_18w9f2epXBYLJGB8me8icPbxbC3hY_zWk4eYaehUQYdy29IasP5bsXunURMVEoP6744/s1600/4%20out%20of%205%20stars.png" width="181" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Aleksei and Logan seemed very much on the opposite of everything and maybe that's why they fit together so well. I was drawn to both men, but for very different reasons. With Aleksei it was his struggle. His struggle to accept himself openly, while not always necessary for everyone, it was vastly important for him. Mainly because he had all his true acceptance buried beneath the weight of blackmail, control, close-mindedness, fear, and familial piety. Through his determination to be with Logan he found his strength to live his truth.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But it wasn't as simple as just wanting to be with Logan, it was a taste of freedom, love, passion, and happiness that opened to door to his own transformation. And without their brief separation he wouldn't have been able to see what he wanted for himself for the long term and not just until he could graduate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Logan's charm was in his earnestness and his lack of guile. I can't say that his initial "invitation" to change their dynamic made me feel really comfortable, but with Aleksei's eager acceptance and initiation later on it got a little better. But Logan's general demeanor, honesty, and encouragement felt sweet and not manipulative and predatory. When we get to see Logan's heart, his way with family, and his understanding of Aleksei's personality quirks I really fell for him and new he was right for Aleksei.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sometimes when the hurtful break comes each MC spend their time unequally feeling the hurt, realizing where they went wrong, and then planning or hinting at the grand gesture...nothing wrong with that, but it's predictable. What I really enjoy is when they use the time away to see, really and truly see, what they are and what they want to become and then go about making the changes necessary to enact their own transformation. When Logan and Aleksei came back together they had each found the thing inside them that would compel them to find and move toward their best selves so that when they reconciled they could really make the best foundation for a happy future together.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So it's pretty clear that I enjoyed the book. There were definitely a couple things, a few moments that had me nervous or frustrated about what might happen next, but I found that there were quite a few moments that overrode them and won me over. I want to read more in the series right away, especially our lovely misunderstood jock's story...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/42TnHyM" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo37gxeTVHqxMe7yL1PHh9AXbMtZLIkj-jRQB1K_zCVy5AduHtMOKzX9fvogQSbcvv9NXrVwg7GrexESpmeHfLI4D4xbQPTMmtZ4pJnbBvXZBSDCuoqF--5f8qBvVbI1YsWxOU3EQNW8NLX_q_3LaIj6PyzJFlxbiKpKVFW-MCyNItldYiNv2TOMEB/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><i>*$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!</i></b></span></div></div>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-60598876208663440712022-08-30T16:09:00.006-06:002023-03-29T16:20:32.147-06:00Stone Wings: The Gargoyles of Arrington Book 1, Jenn Burke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3lTBwwq" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tKy5w__jS8YK_v4Ft3R8VvQDl-jZoQw_UxzWGwvrkjT2Gy5ENeknowPju2xm69CL339ZIuXOON943WC0hoQzO4L-OE64MmlUXzD8EBdTFI9CJ_vtbpwwnJymIRMEvFeTUIdX8cARNGnB6ysQUTzq0NkUTtN-jCjN3bE0SCmTHT0YA-Rqw3EIt2dm/s320/stone%20wings.jpg" width="213" /></a><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3zi9cqt" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="33" data-original-width="160" height="33" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1w2omYV-ldUsPE6fzmC2jN8-sLtZ2AEctCey12cTUaT6OaqMPZ_KR5O49299xuoafOceAfBXZADrfIGIRFSOVhJnQq5xFa6w-d9-IwpEZTZkOmQ3prnVhSwrUTfU4WsGLi4NFsftNdVa8P7QX_vL_iT427JCFBKd9HTEw2oFSPSZN9Ihel1Jjplo/s1600/3.5%20out%20of%205%20stars.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">There was something full of yearning in this story underneath the denial, the fake situation, the danger, and the reconciliation of curses, pasts, and hearts. I truly enjoyed the book and am eagerly jumping into book two, quite glad it's on KU.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Drew and Josh had a slow, nice road to travel romantically and I can't say it was riveting, incredibly spicy, or even all that captivating. It slowly swelled and filled my mind until I couldn't imagine they had any other option than to fall in love and make everything work.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">There are other reviewers that have feelings about what happens when the curse breaks but I honestly don't have an issue with that. I read so often when the temporarily supernatural being retains certain supernatural traits rather than the author letting the curse just break. To me it seems that letting the curse break and return them to their original state prior to the curse is more believable than trying to come up with a reason as to why they should keep part of their cursed state merely because it would be helpful in the issues they were going to face, you know?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The drama surrounding the pride in their area and their distant past was interesting and a little too simplistic in their connection, but the biggest piece of interest was the element of their past. When the story of their curse was related to Josh it was pretty obvious to me that there was going to be a piece of it that would return and despite being right I didn't predict the reason for all the turmoil. I appreciated that.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Overall I thought the story was very sweet and I admired the person who initiated the reconciliation, feeling that the appropriate person stood up to the other to call them out for their choice made out of fear. And ending the story with the lead-in to the next book in the series felt right as well, that it wasn't just a HEA for the couple and a vague forboding for what's coming, it was something concrete, something that was a bit more believable as what could happen next.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">And, side note, the wolf pack being involved really added something intriguing to the story and has me all kinds of curious. It answered some questions, raised some interest, and brought a lot of elements of the story to life. I'm eager to see where Rian's story takes us and how things will evolve around their clan.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3lTBwwq" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo37gxeTVHqxMe7yL1PHh9AXbMtZLIkj-jRQB1K_zCVy5AduHtMOKzX9fvogQSbcvv9NXrVwg7GrexESpmeHfLI4D4xbQPTMmtZ4pJnbBvXZBSDCuoqF--5f8qBvVbI1YsWxOU3EQNW8NLX_q_3LaIj6PyzJFlxbiKpKVFW-MCyNItldYiNv2TOMEB/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><i>*$4.99 on Amazon or FREEon KU!</i></b></span></div><p></p>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-11305680819679901122022-08-22T15:32:00.042-06:002022-09-03T16:15:12.380-06:00The Raven & His Selkie, Amelia Bishop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Rykv4X" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTdyFpEkgXL-Juo4zg41iZZAwj5g9MbyApR24MEK855uQSxWziInzGawIbpTaoxfZxrRq_fxCOhmx71r1-mavNzVyW5cs2g5e6Dv4innEG2zVG_256vhXFLeLewkgai3uD6fFGVxrxUq97cD2rp5FVRjgW8PICC8R0RSlcGMWVTRjBxp46IFuCC4pl" width="150" /></a><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3AJEpDv" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="39" data-original-width="165" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkisMFAa2SuEwW0oeciQVeGR4jPUVeDqIPpyVLiy14PzV65AXQjbj5PlzLcWV8GB4Vg_SwocKZbKwWKDu9qfzglzawdzKfg-P8hn8-2bddEirwIowWy0DoRsNyWDWkhgMoeWuD8orQZpI-o7ZgUQiP8h-n5YGizTAf_ci6svhFgh3xWHpGkrfAOcx_/s1600/3%20out%20of%205%20stars.jpg" width="165" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It actually took me a few tries to sink into the idea of finishing the book. Not because it was bad or disappointing, but because it wasn't captivating for me at all. I liked it by the time I finished it, but it didn't grab me at the start or hold my attention in the middle either. It was a truly interesting start to a series and I will be continuing with it if more books in the world are written, it's just that it'll probably be a case of me being willing to wait for it to be on KU instead of requesting an ARC of it.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Murdoch was playing the game of the Selkie Prince and playing it well despite his intense desire to not come into the ruling leader's seat. His reluctance was intriguing to me and I wanted to see how that played out. It went fine enough, but the moment of challenge seemed so forced and far-fetched with characters playing a role instead of being something organic. Forcing Murdoch to make a choice between blood and heart was one thing, but the way it played out was unnecessary and it felt overly dramatic.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The bonding issues between Murdoch and Grigory were far more intriguing because of the species difference and the lack of knowledge of fated mates. I was constantly being disappointed in Murdoch's impatience and Grigory's inconsistency. The misunderstandings were believable though juvenile and when Murdoch was finally educated about Grigory by another source things started really coming together. I liked their journey from that point. Though I actually dislike how the dominance switch thing played out...it just felt kind of icky and more forced than accepted and given. I had to start skimming because it made me uncomfortable.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Grigory was actually my favorite of the two men because he was written in a way that actually made me feel both for and about him. His upbringing, his longing, his control, his care...all of it made him far more real and complex than Murdoch and he was why I finished the story. Seeing his evolution was worth it.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The overall story and plot and complications in their world are why I want to continue the series, if it becomes one. I'll be back for more...eventually.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3wTXO3c" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlccT-72KSGVrWiL7S51szZk6Ptb08FN25WEj_uXvNdaTSw2ZdfogzFySjjKv307n_G1AUZGSmFUZJ1K3Uu2g7xKD2zftNVEitS_tMPyfC71U_7msgMV_GMsRPY5IQwBqKd-3e2rnDNyha0eIYeSU7bAhK98in3FRwqhkcaI0LK4j04Z9bxICiktl/s1600/buy%20button.jpg" width="196" /></a><br /><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><i>*$3.99 or FREE on KU!</i></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial;"><i>Murdoch, a Selkie, joins the Immortal Alliance of Six, an otherworlder task force. There he meets Grigori, and the two soon realize they are fated mates. As they fight threats to the otherworlder population, they also fight to come to terms with their unexpected mate bond.</i></span></div><p></p>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9035609479818577462.post-83148972301368714862021-11-20T13:36:00.001-07:002021-12-22T21:52:26.870-07:00Omega Alone, S. Rodman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3z0uZ5i" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUaZOToPmnzjmO26ARetBNIal2Qyq67qU2ZYyMtZtYIPYHwxqy5x6ki0GrVCC1DHSKI_-W_d2CKzLOrbL9Dx9HRvbHR5oUHGRCRkjZny6hU1SGF9Q_aHeeVIaMEPtZtmMPkMG0zGv5Aw/s320/Omega+Alone.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3ErgKqZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="88" data-original-width="455" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01XhcRdFc46uXQNnyud_yptuMxX5tGWfhtMuO6QbAaxyCKGvv5B2a6cINDLQnVEFhXRWHRqgpzNJlip0ArfnBxI5Pg4oswkEza1vOpeHHuJTHu-tQ7O8TBj4n3aOMvrZHKUOPEMVyoW8/w200-h39/2+out+of+5+stars.png" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I very much wanted to like this book. The premise grabbed my attention and I was curious about how the rescue would become love, how Luca would find his strength, and how Erik would find his softness. While those three things happened, I found far too much that bothered me deeply to truly enjoy the story and the outcome.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Trigger warnings not mentioned in the synopsis:</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dubious consent during matings, yes, on more than one occasion and each time it bothers</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Attempted rape</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Stockholm syndrome</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Administration of drugs without consent</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Forcible invasion of memories through magical means</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Physical abuse</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Trafficking of a person</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Uninformed consent at every freaking turn</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just with that list alone this book should be a one star review. There were huge issues with how Luca was sold in the first place, bound to a vampire, then sold again to the wolf shifter who becomes his mate, beginning with Luca's time with the vampire, not dealing with Luca's fear, obvious distress, lack of knowledge, his reaction to Erik's pack, and his silence in reaction to virtually everything if he's not either crying or trying to escape, seeing nothing of his own innate magic or talents in general, getting virtually no dynamics of Erik's pack...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="300" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_Os4DODwp5NBSQEVfKo10RKm5WT5d9Z4jgFiXHAwuMo988281Gbgg2iXOr26I1iw9riziLQD0ZvyY49NvGh2tq48GTAFquOmOweLKwi3p23GNX7gjlXB1y4XUXMyl-1PJt3mkhrIKJI/s0/no+words.gif" width="300" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The thing is though, I didn't hate the story. It's a long list of what was missing and inadequate, but there are moments of sweetness and hope and one tiny bit of humor after Luca does a really cool thing near the end and other characters that managed to grab my interest insomuch as to make me actually consider continuing with this world if there is to be a series to follow.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="245" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImXuw-8_yoNTpLVnJKoSYatwmlXi7xsfOQARmGT21_XtnQ2PAdpejPP7hBSFYe7dewuAUcIdCFdst9PkP-xdylFPgAM1KX-L0m6yCNcek0Ka16o-JV9t7OVoPt6QN_VfXw8lTPsno03k/s0/confused+really.gif" width="245" /><br /><i>...yeah, I know.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div>So yeah, huge red flags, incredibly disturbing scenes that are not addressed constructively or satisfyingly, and a lack of character depth or growth that really doesn't inspire me to recommend this story at all. But...I might actually read more from the world at some point, so there is that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;">*$4.99 on Amazon</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3z0uZ5i" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="56" data-original-width="196" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjwmHIyqAakDlrjaXiasWllVpZksO5ZBpIvFKZuj7PJKJxmlmWNeeyU8cZ5-AYNNUbHAp644kWR-cqzB4PXQOy5M9es47JnFZ_MsclrpUXQXtblCnztcLr_bksq-QshhwPvwn-9f22uMGdwCxjmcfVNWOUc36shAew8r_KAvr_haUbFh9WMK7w0aNL" width="196" /></a></div>meganissimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06065284739042104636noreply@blogger.com0