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412 reviews
The Stars Couldn't Break Us by Valerie Rivers
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Stars Couldn't Break Us
Authors:Valerie Rivers and Stephanie Combs
Publisher: Silverflame Publishing
Pub Date: July 11, 2024
๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐
Scoville Spice Scale๐ถ
"You're absolutely rightโฆStars forbide I make a bad impression on the strange male I'm about to spend my entire life with."
We met Arianwen in The Star Would Curse Us. Now it's time for more of her story and Oh Ho! What a story it is! We get to see some more amazing worldbuilding in the land of Iveria and the many differences between those who dwell below the water and above (and how snobbish they can be!). Arianwen is just a fiesty and spicy as ever and wanting to make a difference with her healing ability. And she is sent into the most interesting places by The Hospitium. You'll see. Her relationship with her husband is quite the tale. It is very endearing to read their story. This is a novella so it is a quick read. Get ready for:
- dancing on the beach
- a heist
- one seahorse
- sexy tattoos
- sacrifices (not of humans or animals)
- pining (not cones)
- unexpected friendships
- ๐ชฟ
This book is such an awesome interlude to The Star Would Curse Us. There are pre-order incentives!
25 Pre-orders - Bookmark/Sticker - DONE!
50 Pre-orders - Character Art Print
100 Pre-orders - PDF/Epub with spicier version of TSCBU scene
150 Pre-orders - PDF/Epub Bonus scene/Reader's choice
200 Pre-orders - Vellum Page Overlay
300 Pre-orders - Bonus Artwork
Authors:Valerie Rivers and Stephanie Combs
Publisher: Silverflame Publishing
Pub Date: July 11, 2024
๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐
Scoville Spice Scale๐ถ
"You're absolutely rightโฆStars forbide I make a bad impression on the strange male I'm about to spend my entire life with."
We met Arianwen in The Star Would Curse Us. Now it's time for more of her story and Oh Ho! What a story it is! We get to see some more amazing worldbuilding in the land of Iveria and the many differences between those who dwell below the water and above (and how snobbish they can be!). Arianwen is just a fiesty and spicy as ever and wanting to make a difference with her healing ability. And she is sent into the most interesting places by The Hospitium. You'll see. Her relationship with her husband is quite the tale. It is very endearing to read their story. This is a novella so it is a quick read. Get ready for:
- dancing on the beach
- a heist
- one seahorse
- sexy tattoos
- sacrifices (not of humans or animals)
- pining (not cones)
- unexpected friendships
- ๐ชฟ
This book is such an awesome interlude to The Star Would Curse Us. There are pre-order incentives!
25 Pre-orders - Bookmark/Sticker - DONE!
50 Pre-orders - Character Art Print
100 Pre-orders - PDF/Epub with spicier version of TSCBU scene
150 Pre-orders - PDF/Epub Bonus scene/Reader's choice
200 Pre-orders - Vellum Page Overlay
300 Pre-orders - Bonus Artwork
When We Lied by Claire Contreras
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Stalking, Alcohol, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Death of parent, Grief, and Suicide
Medicate Me by Emily Hodson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Just be aware.People die in violent manners in this book. It is still a good book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Vomit, Torture, Mental illness, Murder, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Physical abuse
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Violence, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Animal cruelty
Vesselless by Cortney Winn
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book took the 4th wall and shattered it! I wanted a Spritzer, a big hat, and a lounge chair with a view of the Mediterranean.
๐๐๐๐๐
Scoville Spice Scale: ๐ถ
"Ten days, eight suspects, six cities, five authors, three bodies . . . one trip to die for."
New to me author, Catherine Mack, has set sail on this crazy voyage called Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies. Her Female Main Character, Mystery Writer Eleanor Dash, is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of her first book with a book tour curated byโฆ someone. But all of a sudden her pesky ex, Connor (or SHUT UP CONNOR) convinces her someone is trying to kill him. Then a series of weird events happen. And who invited her other ex (who she is still in love with and would like to get back together with HEY! ARE YOU READING THIS?). After a bazillion aperol and lemon spritzes and wine and sun and a dead body, yes, I said, a DEAD BODY! It gets real. But still very funny and serious.
I found this book to be great storytelling with so much humor and joy!
Read this book if you like:
๐ท Second Chance Romance
๐Murder Mystery With Cosy Vibes
๐ทMMC who is a touch & die
๐ Revenge
๐ทDescriptions of Italy
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for this gifted book in an exchange for an honest opinion.
๐๐๐๐๐
Scoville Spice Scale: ๐ถ
"Ten days, eight suspects, six cities, five authors, three bodies . . . one trip to die for."
New to me author, Catherine Mack, has set sail on this crazy voyage called Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies. Her Female Main Character, Mystery Writer Eleanor Dash, is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of her first book with a book tour curated byโฆ someone. But all of a sudden her pesky ex, Connor (or SHUT UP CONNOR) convinces her someone is trying to kill him. Then a series of weird events happen. And who invited her other ex (who she is still in love with and would like to get back together with HEY! ARE YOU READING THIS?). After a bazillion aperol and lemon spritzes and wine and sun and a dead body, yes, I said, a DEAD BODY! It gets real. But still very funny and serious.
I found this book to be great storytelling with so much humor and joy!
Read this book if you like:
๐ท Second Chance Romance
๐Murder Mystery With Cosy Vibes
๐ทMMC who is a touch & die
๐ Revenge
๐ทDescriptions of Italy
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for this gifted book in an exchange for an honest opinion.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Death, and Murder
Hunt Me by Heather Hildenbrand
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"I look up at him, hope and fear and need and what feels a lot like trust all blooming inside me." ~ Tori
Heather Hildenbrand upped her writing game in the latest addition to her book universe, Hunt Me - A Dragon Shifter, Fae, Nymph, Vampire, and other assorted and sundry creatures romance. Hunt Me is a stand alone book in the Immortal Vices and Virtues: Shadow Shifter Bonds series.
I ate up this book. I love how fiercely Tori loved her sister and, overbearingly, wanted to protect her. Kendall was so patient with Tori's fear of something happening to her but also having confidence in her own abilities.
Legion - yes please. You need to read this book. Heather Hildenbrand had me blushing! Sizzling scenes between Tori and Legion. Just โฆ wow. And how he showed her who he is instead of just telling her. His deeds went a long way.
Who knew Tartarus could be so appealing? The author excelled at worldbuilding. And characters? Styx cracks me up. She's a great foil to Legion. There are other amazing characters! Read this book!
Scoville Spice Scale ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ
Scoville Spice Scale ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ
I'd like to thank the author for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Murder, Death, and Torture
Minor: Death of parent
Full Speed to a Crash Landing by Beth Revis
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Beth Revis dialed it up for Full Speed To A Crash Landing! What a great introduction to this series as we meet fiesty and slippery Female Main Character, Ada Lamarr. Despite being stranded due to a hole in her ship, she has a space suit with a Jaxon Jet. A JAXON JET! And she has a mouth on her. I giggled out loud and said, โOh boy, Beth Revis dropped the F-bomb in a book!โ (OH my!)
Ada is indeed a slippery charater and a very unreliable narrator. Or is she? She captivates her rescuers or at least some of them โ especially Rian White, who canโt tell whether he should trust her or not. (Or kiss her.) Ada lures him in with her forwardness and confidence and tells them enough of the truth that they trust her. And her Jaxon Jets. Her ability to risk her life to a job done seals the deal. She and Rian play quite the game of cat and mouse, but who is the cat and who is the mouse is often up for grabs I could not put this book down. Read this novella if you love:
>Space Heists
>Feisty FMC
>Worldbuilding
>Plot Twists
>A MMC who hates being double crossed
>Excellent supporting cast
>Lentils
>Epistolic Writing at the end
This is the first book in a Trilogy, so there is more to come, and I am here for it. Here for but waiting impatiently.
Thank you to @netgalley and DAW for a gifted copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Ada is indeed a slippery charater and a very unreliable narrator. Or is she? She captivates her rescuers or at least some of them โ especially Rian White, who canโt tell whether he should trust her or not. (Or kiss her.) Ada lures him in with her forwardness and confidence and tells them enough of the truth that they trust her. And her Jaxon Jets. Her ability to risk her life to a job done seals the deal. She and Rian play quite the game of cat and mouse, but who is the cat and who is the mouse is often up for grabs I could not put this book down. Read this novella if you love:
>Space Heists
>Feisty FMC
>Worldbuilding
>Plot Twists
>A MMC who hates being double crossed
>Excellent supporting cast
>Lentils
>Epistolic Writing at the end
This is the first book in a Trilogy, so there is more to come, and I am here for it. Here for but waiting impatiently.
Thank you to @netgalley and DAW for a gifted copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Van Halen at 50 by Martin Popoff
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
5.0
When I was about 15, my friend who hooked me up with a tape of a new band. I sure hadn't heard of them before but Wow! They were amazing. The guitar was fresh, like nothing I'd ever heard before. I knew. I played guitar. So this group knocked me back! Over the years my tastes would change, but I always loved Van Halen.
This gorgeous book from Martin Popoff isn't your Mom and Dad's coffee table book. This has some teeth in it. With some serious history lessons in all things Van Halen, from their club gigs to the disputes with Diamond Dave, The Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar and into the blip of Gary, this explores aspects even seasoned fans may not have known. Did you know Dave appeared on the Letterman show with his nose bandaged not because Alex slugged him finally but because he dropped a mic stand on his nose. Learn about the stories behind the Monsters of Rock tour, Sammy's tequila , rum, cocktails. The how and why Dimebag ended up with the exact guitar Eddie gave to Rita to put in his coffin. Eddie's wedding day! Wolfgang in the band.
I definitely would want to get my hands on the hardback edition of this. Seeing this on your screen is one thing. Seeing it and holding it is another.
The one line I found odd was about 'those in the axe position, you hear about Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen and really no one else. I think Eric Clapton said it best when he would get asked what it's like being the best guitarist in the world:
"I don't know. Go ask Prince."
King Edward certainly earned his right to glory. His son is creating quite a name for himself as a virtuoso. There are other guitarists but I won't name them here. This book is Van Halen country.
I'll leave you, dear reader, with a quote from a conservative Christian woman in the 80s who happened to catch a sober David Lee Roth with a tan hat and army green button down shirt on doing an interview:
"Well, sure, he has long hair but he's brushed it and he's put himself together nicely in the latest fashion and speaks clearly. He seems reasonable." ~ my Mom
This gorgeous book from Martin Popoff isn't your Mom and Dad's coffee table book. This has some teeth in it. With some serious history lessons in all things Van Halen, from their club gigs to the disputes with Diamond Dave, The Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar and into the blip of Gary, this explores aspects even seasoned fans may not have known. Did you know Dave appeared on the Letterman show with his nose bandaged not because Alex slugged him finally but because he dropped a mic stand on his nose. Learn about the stories behind the Monsters of Rock tour, Sammy's tequila , rum, cocktails. The how and why Dimebag ended up with the exact guitar Eddie gave to Rita to put in his coffin. Eddie's wedding day! Wolfgang in the band.
I definitely would want to get my hands on the hardback edition of this. Seeing this on your screen is one thing. Seeing it and holding it is another.
The one line I found odd was about 'those in the axe position, you hear about Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen and really no one else. I think Eric Clapton said it best when he would get asked what it's like being the best guitarist in the world:
"I don't know. Go ask Prince."
King Edward certainly earned his right to glory. His son is creating quite a name for himself as a virtuoso. There are other guitarists but I won't name them here. This book is Van Halen country.
I'll leave you, dear reader, with a quote from a conservative Christian woman in the 80s who happened to catch a sober David Lee Roth with a tan hat and army green button down shirt on doing an interview:
"Well, sure, he has long hair but he's brushed it and he's put himself together nicely in the latest fashion and speaks clearly. He seems reasonable." ~ my Mom
Learn Your Lesson by Kandi Steiner
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Pearl Clutchers Beware because this story is so hot I combust a few times. Kandi Steiner has created another sensational, sexy entry into the Saga of Kings of the Ice. And it's the chilliest of them all, the man with the flow, Daddy P. or Will Perry.
Daddy P. is down on his luck because he can't find a nanny who doesn't need to be micromanaged and isn't in it just to slide into his pants.
Chloe Knott is a Kindergarten Teacher with a heart of gold and a can do attitude. She sees what needs to be done and does it. The next thing she knows, she's moving into Will Perry's Pool House Apartment and becoming a full-time nanny for his daughter - a position that pays very well and allows her to payoff her student loans and give back to her family.
What neither expected was the physical attraction between them. The red hot seering attraction that leads to a bargain. Can they keep that part a secret? No catching feelings? Or is this a house of cards waiting to ruin a run for the Stanley Cup and break a heart and reinforce everything generations of women in Chloe's family have said: "Men are trash".
Read this book if you love:
๐ Grumpy/Sunshine
๐Single Dad with a great kid
๐Osprey Hockey Team Found Family
๐A Curvy FMC who isn't afraid to ask for what she wants
๐A Bossy Chef ๐ฉโ๐ณ
๐A MMC who learns to live again
๐A Mouthy Winger Who Gives It Straight
I'm already looking forward to Book 4! This one was so good. Book 4 is going to be epic!
(There is mention, and this has already been established, of Will's wife dying. There is also a medical trauma but definitely no gore.)
Thank you to Valentine PR and the author for a gifted copy in exchange for an honor review.
Daddy P. is down on his luck because he can't find a nanny who doesn't need to be micromanaged and isn't in it just to slide into his pants.
Chloe Knott is a Kindergarten Teacher with a heart of gold and a can do attitude. She sees what needs to be done and does it. The next thing she knows, she's moving into Will Perry's Pool House Apartment and becoming a full-time nanny for his daughter - a position that pays very well and allows her to payoff her student loans and give back to her family.
What neither expected was the physical attraction between them. The red hot seering attraction that leads to a bargain. Can they keep that part a secret? No catching feelings? Or is this a house of cards waiting to ruin a run for the Stanley Cup and break a heart and reinforce everything generations of women in Chloe's family have said: "Men are trash".
Read this book if you love:
๐ Grumpy/Sunshine
๐Single Dad with a great kid
๐Osprey Hockey Team Found Family
๐A Curvy FMC who isn't afraid to ask for what she wants
๐A Bossy Chef ๐ฉโ๐ณ
๐A MMC who learns to live again
๐A Mouthy Winger Who Gives It Straight
I'm already looking forward to Book 4! This one was so good. Book 4 is going to be epic!
(There is mention, and this has already been established, of Will's wife dying. There is also a medical trauma but definitely no gore.)
Thank you to Valentine PR and the author for a gifted copy in exchange for an honor review.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Medical trauma
Watch Your Mouth by Kandi Steiner
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0