Month: November 2020

Book Review: Beauty in Darkness (Royal Hearts #1)

Title: Beauty in Darkness

Author: Elizabeth Briggs

Pub. Date: May 16, 2019

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

They’ve been enemies their entire lives, their two kingdoms locked in a never-ending war—until an arranged marriage sparks a passion they can’t ignore…

To save her father’s life, Princess Rose must wed the handsome, brooding wizard king Raith, her kingdom’s greatest foe. Though she always knew she’d be married off in a political alliance, she never expected it to be to that monster. Or that the only time she would see her elusive husband is when he’s teaching her magic, treating her more like his student than his wife.

King Raith may have taken a bride to end a war and protect his people, but after his former wife’s murder he has no interest in falling in love again, especially when Rose defies him at every moment and refuses to stay out of trouble. But Rose’s beauty and boldness tempt him to open his heart a second time, and every day it gets harder to resist her.

Just as Rose begins to see another side to Raith, she discovers her new home holds deep, dark secrets that threaten the entire land, secrets no one dares speak of—and he’s at the center of them. As their desire for each other grows, Rose will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth about his past and the shadows spreading across the land. But when darkness threatens to tear them apart, they’ll have to find a way to stop it together—or doom their kingdom forever. Continue reading “Book Review: Beauty in Darkness (Royal Hearts #1)” →

Book Review: The Architect of Song (Haunted Hearts Legacy #1)

Title: The Architect of Song

Author: A.G. Howard

Pub. Date: August 15, 2016

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

For most of her life, nineteen-year-old Juliet Emerline has subsisted – isolated by deafness – making hats in the solitude of her home. Now, she’s at risk to lose her sanctuary to Lord Nicolas Thornton, a twenty-seven-year-old mysterious and eccentric architect with designs on her humble estate. When she secretly witnesses him raging beside a grave, Juliet investigates, finding the name “Hawk” on the headstone and an unusual flower at the base. The moment Juliet touches the petals, a young English nobleman appears in ghostly form, singing a song only her deaf ears can hear. The ghost remembers nothing of his identity or death, other than the one name that haunts his afterlife: Thornton.

To avenge her ghostly companion and save her estate, Juliet pushes aside her fear of society and travels to Lord Thornton’s secluded holiday resort, posing as a hat maker in one of his boutiques. There, she finds herself questioning who to trust: the architect of flesh and bones who can relate to her through romantic gestures, heartfelt notes, and sensual touches … or the specter who serenades her with beautiful songs and ardent words, touching her mind and soul like no other man ever can. As sinister truths behind Lord Thornton’s interest in her estate and his tie to Hawk come to light, Juliet is lured into a web of secrets. But it’s too late for escape, and the tragic love taking seed in her heart will alter her silent world forever.

Continue reading “Book Review: The Architect of Song (Haunted Hearts Legacy #1)” →

Blog Tour – Book Review: Warmaidens (Gravemaidens #2)

Title:Warmaidens

Author: Kelly Coon

Pub. Date: December 15, 2020

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Warmaidens is the dark, action-packed conclusion to the heartwrenching Gravemaidens fantasy duology. Kammani and the maidens are now going to war against the ruler who tried to entomb them.

Just a few moons after escaping the tomb in Alu, Kammani and the other runaway maidens have found refuge in the city-state of Manzazu. There, Kammani has become a respected healer, especially among the warriors she’s brought back from the brink of death. Now that the nightmares of Alu are fading, she can finally decide whether or not to take Dagan’s hand in marriage.

But when an assassin murders a healer he believes is Kammani and attempts to kill the displaced queen of Alu, the maidens realize they’ve been found.

Hungry for revenge, Manzazu’s queen wants to strike back at Alu with her fiercest weapons—her scorpion warrior maidens—but Kammani knows that war harms more than it heals. To save the innocents and any chance of a future with Dagan, Kammani must take down Alu’s ruler before their lives burn up in the flames of war.

Continue reading “Blog Tour – Book Review: Warmaidens (Gravemaidens #2)” →

BOOK TAG: WHAT’S ON MY BOOKSHELF?

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve done a tag and I’ve always meant to do a shelf tour…so maybe this can be the first step!

Be warned, any photos you may see of my shelves in this post, depict messy shelves because I have no time to do some MUCH NEEDED reorganizing. Not to mention I’m waiting for IKEA to get some more shelves in stock – so that’s why some books are just stacked on the floor…but I’m getting ahead of myself.

I saw Sammy do this tag and I loved her answers, so here I am sharing mine!

Tag was found on We Write At Dawn but original post is from Sajiid @ Books Are My Social Life 

Feel free to tag yourselves if you want to give a peek at your shelves and what’s on them! Continue reading “BOOK TAG: WHAT’S ON MY BOOKSHELF?” →

Book Review: Unchained – Nephilim Rising

Title: Unchained

Author: J. Lynn (Jennifer L. Armentrout)

Pub. Date: September 17, 2013

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Between the pissed off creatures that want demon-hunter Lily Marks dead and the fallen angel who just…wants her, Lily is about ready to trade in forever for a comfy job in a cubicle farm.

The fact that she and Julian are civil to one another is enough to have her thrown out of the Sanctuary, but she can’t shake her not-so-angelic stalker or how he brings her dangerously close to ecstasy.

Her forbidden relationship with Julian provides the perfect fuel for suspicion when a traitor is discovered to be working within the Sanctuary. Lily quickly finds herself hunted by well, everyone.

Her only hope is to discover the real traitor before she loses everything–and she’ll need Julian’s help. That is, if Julian is really there to help her…and not destroy her.

Yeah, being a Nephilim isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be.

Continue reading “Book Review: Unchained – Nephilim Rising” →

Book Review: Kill the Queen (Crown of Shards #1)

Title: Kill the Queen

Author: Jennifer Estep

Pub. Date: October 2, 2018

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

In a realm where one’s magical power determines one’s worth, Lady Everleigh’s lack of obvious ability relegates her to the shadows of the royal court of Bellona, a kingdom steeped in gladiator tradition. Seventeenth in line for the throne, Evie is nothing more than a ceremonial fixture, overlooked and mostly forgotten.

But dark forces are at work inside the palace. When her cousin Vasilia, the crown princess, assassinates her mother the queen and takes the throne by force, Evie is also attacked, along with the rest of the royal family. Luckily for Evie, her secret immunity to magic helps her escape the massacre.

Forced into hiding to survive, she falls in with a gladiator troupe. Though they use their talents to entertain and amuse the masses, the gladiators are actually highly trained warriors skilled in the art of war, especially Lucas Sullivan, a powerful magier with secrets of his own. Uncertain of her future—or if she even has one—Evie begins training with the troupe until she can decide her next move.

But as the bloodthirsty Vasilia exerts her power, pushing Bellona to the brink of war, Evie’s fate becomes clear: she must become a fearsome gladiator herself . . . and kill the queen.

Continue reading “Book Review: Kill the Queen (Crown of Shards #1)” →

Book Review: Not Another Love Song

Title: Not Another Love Song

Author: Olivia Wildenstein

Pub. Date: July 7, 2020

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Angie has studied music her entire life, nurturing her talent as a singer. Now a high school senior, she has an opportunity to break into Nashville’s music scene via a songwriting competition launched by her idol, Mona Stone. Discouraged by her mother, who wishes Angie would set more realistic life goals, she nonetheless pours her heart and soul into creating a song worthy of Mona.

But Angie’s mother is the least of her concerns after she meets Reedwood High’s newest transfer student, Ten. With his endless collection of graphic tees, his infuriating attitude, smoldering good looks, and endearing little sister, Ten toys with the rhythm of Angie’s heart.

She’s never desired anything but success until Ten entered her life. Now she wants to be with him and to be a songwriter for Mona Stone, but she can’t have both.

And picking one means losing the other.   Continue reading “Book Review: Not Another Love Song” →

Book Review: Spring (Evermore Academy #2)

Title: Spring

Author: Audrey Grey

Pub. Date: June 11, 2020

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Welcome to Evermore Academy where the magic is dark, the immortals are beautiful, and being human sucks.

My name is Summer Solstice and this is going to be my year.

Except, in the Everwilde, nothing ever goes according to plan. Students from the rival Fae academy join Evermore, and the Spring Court heir decides it’s his mission to make my life hell.

In an effort to bend me to his will, the Spring Court heir takes someone I love. There’s only one way to save them, but it jeopardizes my entire future.

Worse, someone steals the Darken’s soulstone. Everyone at the academy is a suspect.

Forces are gathering.

Sides are being chosen.

To stand any chance of saving humanity, I must finally accept the soulbond with the Winter Prince.

Continue reading “Book Review: Spring (Evermore Academy #2)” →

Book Review: The Brightest Night (Origin #3)

Title: The Brightest Night

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Pub. Date: October 20, 2020

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Less than a year ago, Evelyn Dasher was a normal girl, living an unremarkable life.

Now, she’s on the run, under the protection of the beautiful, deadly inhuman Luc. She’s been betrayed by those who were closest to her. And she’s learned truths about herself that she never saw coming–things she once knew, and was made to forget. Truths with devastating consequences. She’s caught in the eye of the storm.

He is the darkest star.
You are the burning shadow.
And together, you will bring about the brightest night. Continue reading “Book Review: The Brightest Night (Origin #3)” →