Tag: first-time-authors • BookLikes

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review 2020-03-23 17:36

read the book, people, read the damn book!

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book. So, there I was, merrily reading away. Enjoying this book, not a 5 star read, but a very good solid four star. Some minor typos, but they might be cos of the changing file thing. A good solid 4 star read, that piqued my interest enough to keep going. And then, in the VERY last chapter, followed by the EPILOGUE, it all changed! I mean, it made the whole bloody book flip on it's head! And it's gonna be really REALLY hard not to write spoilers into this review, so if it's vague, I ain't sorry! Paislee takes a job as a blood donor, a donateur for Michael, a Cardinalis, (not EVER a vampire!) When Michael's vicious half brother takes a shine to Paislee, things become deadly, both for Paislee and Michael. Then The Order become involved and Michael has a fight on his hands to keep Paislee safe, and more importantly, to keep her HIS. Like I said, plodding along, nicely. Moving at speed in places, and little slower in others. Sexy at points, but deadly in others. Sufficiently different in the 'vampire' (Sorry, Michael!) lore to be interesting. These guys don't combust in the sun or sparkle, either! They have a usual sleep pattern, they eat food. So, I enjoyed all that. Both Michael and Paislee have a say, as do a couple of other characters. The story concludes, or so I thought, in a way I expected it to, mostly. Michael's brother doesn't quite get the ending I was expecting but still. It all comes to a head and is wrapped up nicely. THEN! Michael's mother says something, and the doctor says something and then the doctor says something else and . . . . .cliff hanger people! I mean a proper, spit you dummy out, throw your toys out the pram and throw your kindle at the wall so hard it bounces off and scares the cat! I had to double back a couple of times, to reread what was said by whom, to put the pieces together, and still I have no bloody idea what's going on! So, for a first book . . .very well played Ms Sterling! For a first in series, because there is much unfinished here, very well played. For that bloody cliff hanger . . . 5 full and shiny stars! **same worded review will appear elsewhere**

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review 2020-03-02 19:05

really does creep up on ya!

debbiereadsbook

My Pulse (Town of Broward #1) - Hanna Dale

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book. You know what? I really REALLY enjoyed this book! You'll laugh at me though, cos its first person, present tense AND multi point of view! If you follow my reviews, you'll know that this, for ME, is the worst way for a book to be written and I have dumped many a book when realising it is written this way. I am, however, so very glad I did NIT dump this one! So, I went to look to see what else I have read by Ms Dale, and lookit! This is the first book by this author name and I was extremely impressed! I love the family legend of how each and every one of them would know who their other half was instantly, much like you get with the mates thing in shifter books, but there are no shifters in this book. A witch is mentioned, when Owen is telling Tristan about the legend, and the family legend itself borderes on paranormal, but thats all. I loved that who was causing problems for Tristan wasn't obvious, and there were a lot of red herrings thrown about! I loved Stella, Tristan's daughter, and how Owen took to her immediately, with the help of his dog, Huck and that Owen had that MINE moment for Stella as well as Tristan. It's deeply emotional in places, hilarious in others. Dark and very deadly in places, and super sexy in others. Owen's family are a lot of fun, but Tristan's are . . not so much. I loved the hints that pop up to maybe future books in this series, and I hope I picked those clues up correctly. Be fun, I think, but I sense some of them might be way WAY more emotional than Tristan's! Can't quite stretch to 5 stars, but a good solid, GREAT . . 4 star read! **same worded review will appear elsewhere**

romance paranormal Contemporary crime thriller military police dudes first time authors kinda creeps up on ya one sitting reads first person point of view 2020 reads 4 star reads 2020

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review 2019-11-01 14:13

awesome read!

debbiereadsbook

First Impressions (Auckland Med. #1) - Jay Hogan

This is book one in the Auckland Med series, but I am reading this AFTER I read book two, Crossing the Touchline. This book has been re-edited and tidied up, and is a re-release. I did not read the original version, so I can’t comment on any differences there may be. But THIS version? Was brilliant! Michael runs into Josh at a very inopportune moment, with his trousers round his knees, and his junk on display. That Josh immediately pushes ALL of Michael’s buttons and THEN some, is irrelevant. Josh does not want a player and Michael does not want a relationship. So why can they not stay away from each other? Michael’s reason for not wanting a relationship and Josh’s for not wanting a player in his life are made clear to us very early on, but it takes a LOT of time for them to open up to each other, and it really is painful watching them get to that point! I mean, neither wants *this* thing between them, that much is clear, but they cannot keep apart, and the chemistry between them of off the charts but emotionally?? Neither is ready for anything. And then, the pesky emotions do their thing and both of them, separately of each other, decide that maybe, just maybe they can make this work. Then something happens that sends them both into the unknown abyss and Michael runs clear across the world. It took me all day to read this, because I alternatively wanted to punch both Michael AND Josh in the face, and to wrap them both up in cotton wool and love hard on them! I still don’t know which is the more dominant feeling, I really don’t! I had to keep putting the book down, to get over whichever was higher up at the time. And trust me when I say, I rarely verbally react when READING (listening is different) and I did swear at this book a time or three at this book, I really did! These guys have some serious chemistry, let me tell ya! I was *NOT* being sociable, and reading at the mother in law’s house and she kept asking me if I was too hot, cos my face was flushed and I had to tell her I was coming down with a cold! Along with the noises, and I think she thought I was nuts! I can’t go into much, for spoilers, but this book twists and turns all over the place, and just when you think it’s all sorted? Boom! It goes off again! I loved that Cam, from book 2, takes a huge part and we see a different side to him here. Even though I know this has been edited and stuff, I would have loved the first version, I know. Don’t know who is next, I really don’t care, so long as I can get my grubby little mitts on it! 5 full and shiny stars **same worded review will appear elsewhere**

romance crime thriller male male darker grittier military police dudes first time authors fan youself its a hot one kinda creeps up on ya 2019 reads 5 star reads 2019 personal 2019

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review 2019-03-07 14:08

good start for a first time author!

debbiereadsbook

Missing Pieces (The White Creek #1) - Tori Fox

Independent reviewerfor Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book. I'm a bit in two minds about this book, and I can't figure out why but I'll try. It's a Nice book. I know I hate using that word but it's the best I can come up with! It has drama, passion, love, hate, lots of different emotions with just enough of each to not be overpowering. I will say this, only Harper has a say. In the first person AND present tense. And it took me til way past halfway to figure out it was present tense, so well done to Fox for making me NOT see something that might have made me dump it! I did need to hear from Easton though. I think he would have had a lot to say, especially about what he's dealing with, with his sisters and his nutty ex. And I found out after I'd read this, that this is a first time author! So very well done to Fox for this book, even if it wasn't quite my cuppa tea. I enjoyed it, it didn't quite push any buttons for me, BUT! I would like to read the next one, just to see how Fox' skill is growing. And Easton's sister really could be an interesting character! 3 GOOD solid stars **same worded review will appear elsewhere**

romance Contemporary first time authors 2019 reads archaeolibrarian 2019 3 star reads 2019 single person point of view

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review 2018-06-30 10:34

a good solid 3 stars

debbiereadsbook

Waking to Black (Uninhibited #1) - V.H. Luis

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book. First person, present tense is the reason why I very nearly didn't finish this one. Not my favourite way for a book to be written, and I make no apologies for having dumped books before upon finding out they are written this way. But I didn't dump this one. I kept at it, and I was pleasantly surprised that I liked this. I did not love it though. Evelyn has secrets and has been hiding from the world, existing say to day. Getting held up in a bank, and meeting Adam Black made her start living. But those secrets are hard to share, and she doesn't know if Adam will share his secrets too. Aside from the present tense thing, I wanted Adam to have a voice, I really did and he doesn't. And because he doesn't, Evelyn began to grate on my nerves. I've no particular idea WHY, she just did. That's what I'm left felling and ya'll know I'm all about sharing my feelings! This is book one in the Uninhibited trilogy. This is, as far as I can see, also book one for this author. Do I want to read more of the trilogy?? I don't know yet. I'm waiting to find out if Adam gets a say. I'm not sure I can face two more long (400 odd pages) full only of Evelyn. The book comes with a BDSM tag, but I saw no evidence of that. I've tagged it over 18, and darker/grittier, because of what Evelyn went through and is still dealing with. Some readers may find it difficult reading. I'm not saying here, because that is a HUGE spoiler, but feel free to message me if you wish to know. BUT!! For a first time author, something must have clicked because I got past the present tense thing and read it all. So well done for that! 3 solid GOOD stars **same worded review will appear elsewhere**

romance Contemporary trilogies darker grittier first time authors over 18s 2018 reads archaeolibrarian 2018 3 star reads 2018