All Scot and Bothered is the second book in the Devil You Know series by Kerrigan Byrne. You do not need to have read the previous book to enjoy this one, but it will make most of the characters and some of the set up easier to understand and give readers a bigger picture of the dangerous undercurrents of the series.
Book Review: All Scot and Bothered (Devil You Know) by Kerrigan Byrne
Early Book Review: What Breathes Through Its Butt?: Mind-Blowing Science Questions Answered by Emily Grossman, Alice Bowsher
Book Review: The Love Study (The Love Study) by Kris Ripper
Book Review: Immortal Angel (An Argeneau Novel) by Lynsay Sands
For almost two centuries, Ildaria Garcia has been on the run, a trouble magnet with a knack for taking down bad guys. Lately, her vigilante tendencies have drawn unwelcome attention to her fellow Immortals. Forced to relocate, Ildaria is supposed to lay low in a new town. Instead, she quickly entangles herself with six and a half feet of muscular, tattooed trouble. Joshua James Simpson Guiscard, aka G.G., knows a lot about Immortals—enough to make him wary. Yet from the moment Ildaria walks into his club, he feels desire stronger than anything he’s known. Accepting the fact that they might be life mates is disconcerting. But when her past catches up to them, G.G. faces a choice—confront his demons at last, or lose a passion that’s hot as hell.
Immortal Angel is exactly what I remember from reading this series years ago. Ildaria is a strong person, dealing with trauma and fear in her own way. Her biggest fault is her difficulty in accepting, never mind asking for, help. G.G. is equally strong and independent, with a matching need to protect those around him. I liked watching these two get to know each other and find their way to happy compromise before the dangers even really arise. Although there was on point at which his decision making without her input, or any communication at all really, bothered me tremendously. I thought the danger elements were well done, but to be honest I fully expected another twist or attempt to hurt one or both of them to pop up. The story did not need it, but I was still half expecting it. As a lapsed reader of this series, it was nice seeing a good number of the characters I remember take supporting roles here.It was an enjoyable and nostalgic read for me.
Immortal Angel is a good addition to a long running series that long time, returning, and new readers can enjoy.
Book Review: Watch Me (Phoenix) by Stacey Kennedy
Watch Me is seriously steamy, but knowing one of the main characters owns a sex club should give all readers a clue to that before they even open the book. However, it is also emotionally engaging and is about healing and hope as much as the heat. Zoey has been hurt, and is working on reclaiming her life and confidence. She is not completely sure of her path, but she has plans to find her way and is determined to have a better future. Rhys did not intend to be part of that plan, but after unwittingly finding himself a major play he discovers that he wants to help he continue her healing. I love that these two strong, intelligent individuals work to heal themselves and each other. I love that found and blood family have their roles to play, and that the importance to people you can trust is so important to the characters and the story. The secondary characters, and the communities of friends in this story made me happy and stayed with me as I read the story and after I read the last page. I look forward to continuing the series and finding out how the others make their way to their own happy ever afters.
Early Book Review: How to Hold Animals by Toshimitsu Matsuhashi
How to Hold Animals by Toshimitsu Matsuhashi is a non fiction book for children and adults alike that want to learn from the experts (a pet shop owner, a veterinarian, a wildlife photographer, and a reptile handler) about how to pick up and hold dozens of species of animals. From great to small, furry, scaly, and feathery, including snails, chipmunks, chickens, chinchillas, stag beetles, lizards, hamsters, owls, grasshoppers, mice, and more. Chock full of fascinating facts, interviews with experts, and full-color photos on every page. It is currently scheduled for release on November 3 2020.
Book Review: Sarah's Dream (Grémillet Sisters) Script by Giovanni Di Gregorio & Art by Alessandro Barbucci
Sarah's Dream is the first book in the Grémillet Sisters graphic novel series, the script is by Giovanni Di Gregorio and art by Alessandro Barbucci. Being sisters is never easy. But when you’re as different as Sarah, Cassiopeia, and Lucille, it’s even harder! The first is haunted by recurring dreams, the second lives with her head in the clouds, and the last spends most of her time with her cat. Then one day they discover a mysterious photo of their mother pregnant. Where was it taken, and who is the baby? And most importantly, why was this photo hidden away in the depths of the attic? To find out, they’ll have to venture into the tangled forest of the Grémillet family secrets!
Sarah's Dream is a story about family, siblings in particular. I liked the mysterious elements of the dreams of jellyfish. I think the pages really had an ethereal feel and made the story otherworldly. The color work and art style greatly appealed to me, and I enjoyed the art as much as the story. The emotion and mood of each page was well captured, with details that I did not always catch at first glance. The dynamic between the sisters was very real to me, as siblings often have that struggle of love and annoyance going at all times. I will say that the story was not quite what I was expecting. I was really expecting more magic, mythical, or paranormal twist to rise up in the story. The story is well written and drawn, it was just not the story that I expected. That's not always a bad thing, especially when it is well done, as it is here. I was just really in the mood for magical mayhem, and did not get that.
Book Review: The Duplicate Bride by Ginny Baird
The Duplicate Bride is a romance that hooked me early but then had me dreading going back to the story because I knew the big reveal of the deception could happen at any moment. I liked Hope's character, even if a good number of her choices. I understood why she made some oft hose choices, but that did not always make it easier to deal with. She got sucked into an impossible situation, and it kept snowballing, and I could sympathize. Her mother and Brent's family were all great characters, but I did feel like I never got to know or understand Jackie- the reason this whole story happened. I liked getting to know the families and seeing the relationship between Brent and Hope grow, but I spent too much of the book anxious and waiting for the other shoe to drop to really enjoy the sweet or silly moments. It was all very well done, and had me on pins and needles, but I was not really ready for the stress this read inspired in me. I think I will definitely give the author another read, maybe a less tense read and hopefully with some of the characters I met in this one.
Book Review: Thrift Store Trolls (Flea Market Magic) by Shawntelle Madison
Thrift Store Trolls is the first book in the Flea Market Magic series by Shawntelle Madison. While this is the first book in this series, it is part of the Coveted series world. I had read some of the first series set in that world, and enjoyed them, but have not read any in awhile. I was able to catch up reasonably quickly, but there is a definite disadvantage to new or lapsed Madison readers.
Book Review: Anything but Easy by Susie Tate
Anything but Easy by Susie Tate is a contemporary romance. Kira Murphy is a liability: always has been. She might be small but her personality and heart are not: a sexual health doctor with a foul mouth, pink streaks in her hair, a bizarre world view, a reputation for being ‘pathologically social’, and a huge crush on the current Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth . . . she’s weird and lovable in equal measure. The last thing Barclay Lucas needs is a liability. He’s made it into the cabinet with single-minded determination, sheer grit, and serious conservatism. But then a crazy, pink-haired, tiny dynamo turns his life upside-down and serious for Barclay is a thing of the past. But he’s never liked feeling out of control – something he experiences with Kira on a daily basis. So he pushes her away when she needs him the most, and unfortunately for him she retreats at head-spinning speed. It’s only then he realizes that although being with Kira is anything but easy, the grey, boring alternative is far worse. He’ll have to use all his hard-earned political negotiating and maneuvering skills to get her back. Because after being dragged from black and white into full Technicolor with Kira, Barclay knows that, however serious and worthy his life is, he can’t live it without her.
Anything but Easy is a romance with all the feels. There is drama, giggles, and fair warning- plenty of swearing and outrageous behavior. Kira is a wild card. For the most part she says exactly what she thinks, and does everything she can to help those around her. I will admit that her own lack of concern for her own safety irked me a time or two, it was consistent with her character. She generally has zero filter, which both helps and hurts her throughout the book. Barclay is struggling with control and emotions. He has a driving need to fix things, and it was fun reading the banter between Kira and Barclay. I found myself grinning through most of their encounters. There is a good deal of swearing, hysterical nicknames, and a good number of emotional moments. While my personality is much closer to Barclay's than Kira's, I could identify and sympathize with her on several levels. I also liked the secondary characters, and the deep friendships that play such an important role in the book, and know that a few of them have books featuring their own love stories (which I am now going to have to go find). I really enjoyed the read and look forward to reading more from Tate.