I’m so excited to finally have time to do this.
I’ve wanted to add in a review page for a while, and so here it is … Yay!!
Please keep in mind that I am a kind reviewer. I will share what I did and didn’t like. I will also give my opinion freely, but I do value the time these authors put into their work. Some things don’t bother me like they do other readers. So in my reviews, I’ll try to be as thorough as possible but do keep in mind these are simply my opinions.
Happy reading!
The Wolf in the Path by Aelth Faye
This was a nice quick short story with enough background and intrigue to keep the book moving smoothly. An original retelling of the classic red riding hood story where the wolf is a werewolf, and there are other villains in the mix. This author has published several fairy tale retellings that seem interconnected in this world, and I look forward to reading the others at some point.
Secret Confessions of Naughty Housewives by Misty Musette
This was a fun compilation of stories. Some of them I felt like were your typical porn plot of screwing around with the cable guy or the delivery boy, but a few were unique ones that definitely held my captivation.
While told in an interview past storytelling setting, the encounters were all fairly quick and steamy enough to feel like a guilty pleasure.
Manners and Monsters by Tilly Wallace
This was such an interesting book. I love joining the wonderful book community on social media because you never know what great reads you’re going to find. Tilly Wallace was kind enough to offer free versions of her audiobook for an event, and I absolutely loved the audio rendition.
I’ve never read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies or any similar books. But I would highly recommend this novel for fans of that category. This murder mystery has all the most loved aspects of a Jane Austin novel with a great twist of undead added in. I can’t wait to explore more titles by this author and see what else is in store for me in this newly found genre of books!
Bloodlines By Lynn Lipinski
I love participating in the TBR takeover challenges because it allows me to read books outside of my usual genre without any pressure.
Bloodlines is a murder mystery which is usually something I steer clear of. I am absolutely terrible when it comes to being patient in mystery books. I want to know who did it right away and am very often tempted to flip to the end to satisfy my curiosity.
I love following clues in books, however, and my mind will instantly start piecing things together long before the end of the book.
In this case, I knew who did it before it was confirmed, which shows excellent writing on the author’s part and dropping just the right amount of clues to make you feel unsure until all most the very end.
For fans of murder mystery, I can’t recommend this book enough.
Awaken By G. R Thomas
This book has everything I love in a great story. The chosen one trope is one of my favorite ones. Angels and demons, you can sign me up for any time.
This was a unique adaptation of religious and mythological lore that spun you into a completely different world.
I always feel like the beginning of any first book of a series is a bit on the slower side, just because there’s so much world-building and scene setting that needs to take place. This seems to be the case for this book; however, once the action starts, you are quickly swept away into the wonderful world this author has created.
I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good coming of age, chosen one series to sink their teeth into.
Speak Easy By E. S Barrison
This is not the first book from this author that I have read and been intreagued by. E.S Barrison has a unique way of laying out her stories that I can’t quite describe properly. I feel like with her books I’m never quite sure what I’m going to get or whats coming next.
Speak Easy takes you into a world where stories and magic are outlawed, following the character Nanette as she battles between what she believes, and what the law wants her to do.
This was a very interesting and inclusive book that I think most readers like myself that love tales about stories and magic will appreciate.
The Witch Apothecary By A. K Mulford
This short story is a great addition to A. K Milford’s The Five Crowns of Okrith Series. However, this novella can stand on its own two feet, giving you just enough history and information to introduce you to the witch community within her series while also taking you on a whirlwind adventure of meeting your soul mate and dealing with family obligations.
This is a wonderful quick read that I’d recommend to readers who haven’t read the rest of this author’s series so you can get a feel for her work. But for long-time fans such as myself, this was a great addition to her world.
The Last Alignment : Evanescent Veils By Nathaniel Stewart
The Last Alignment: Evanescent Veils
This series gets better and better with every book. I can not wait for the next one.
While it got off to an easy start reminding the readers of who’s who and what’s going on, this book very quickly sets the tone for the harsh realities and responsibilities that the main characters must face.
Filled with perfectly timed twists and turns that leave both the characters and readers reeling, you will quickly work your way to the end of the book, drinking it all in and wanting to find out what happens next.
An excellent read for fans of coming of age magic fans.
The Shadow of Kyoshi By F. C. Yee
The Shadow of Kyoshi
I am really hoping that at some point, they will add a third book to this series to round it off a little bit better. I felt like this book moved very quickly, with things spanning over a short time.
Like the first book in this series, my only complaint is that I wanted more details and more fleshing out things instead of mentioning them in passing.
As with anything in the Avatar series, I did enjoy this book very much. I hope we get to dig more into this series and these characters in the future, whether it be in this series or another, but overall, this second book did at least resolve the lingering conflict from the first one.
The Hills Be Shaken By Michael Stewart
This book isn’t my usual go-to; however, having read one of Stewart’s other novels, I was very excited to sink my teeth into this one.
If you love cop movies, this book is perfect for you. When a tragic accident rocks Kansas, it takes an unlikely engineer turned cop to solve the mystery of what really happened that day.
This story is a slow build, but by the time you get to the end, you’ll be flipping pages trying to solve it before the story ends.
Overall this is a great read for action and mystery readers alike.
Shadow Glass By Rin Chupeco
The last book in the series answered all the questions that had lingered over the trilogy. I enjoyed the ending and finally discovering the last pieces of the puzzle.
My only complaint was at the end, I would have liked a little more filled in with the backstory and what happened in between. Everything was so detailed until the last few chapters. I would have loved to know more about her time in exile when she was alone.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed this series. I’d highly recommend them to YA readers who love witches.
The Heart Forger By Rin Chupeco
Book two of the Bone Witch series was just as alluring as book one. Picking up a year after the last book, you’re quickly drawn right back into the heat of things with political intrigue, broken hearts, and lurking enemies.
I loved the slow burn relationship build and all the tension of the battles and schemes. Just like in book one, it bounces back and forth between what’s going on in the story now and what happened in the past.
I can’t wait to sink my teeth into the next book of the series.
For those of you who have an audible membership, I highly recommend checking this book series. It’s part of their audible plus catalog, so you can listen to this entire series on there.
The Magic Thief By A. K Mulford ( included in Curves and Magic)
The Magic Thief is a short story included in the Curves and Magic anthology of short Fantasy stories. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I saw how short the story was compared to Mulford’s other works, but this author never seems to disappoint no matter how few the pages and how much more of the story I want.
In a very short time, you are drawn into Val’s story. The friendships, struggles, romance, and action, make the pages fly by, and before you know it, you’re at the end, wishing this was a big book all on its own. Great for fans of the LGBTQ community, fantasy readers, and curvaceous women everywhere that have trouble finding clothes that fit just right, this story has a little bit of something for everyone in its pages.
In the Midst of Magic By Christian Cura
This book was a wonderful blend of the modern-day world mixed with magic. The beginning of the book really sets the scene and draws the readers into this unique story. (I don’t like to give spoilers, so I won’t say more.) With her traumatic past and constant need to help others, Kara finds her life as a photojournalist thrown into absolute chaos as long hatched schemes come into play. Paired with a no-nonsense demon slayer Selene the two get into their fair share of ups and downs as they battle against outside forces and learn to rely on each other. This book will keep you on your toes to the very end. In the Midst of Magic has a great blend of action, romance, and intrigue that will keep you wanting to read more. I’d highly recommend it for fans of magical-based books and fans of Avatar, the Last Airbender, and Fairy Tail.
Ice Planet Barbarians By Ruby Dixon
This book was a lot of fun. It has been on my radar for some time since blowing up on BookTok, and I’m so glad I finally had time to check it off my TBR. Thanks to Chirp audiobooks, I was able to listen to this steamy book.
I hadn’t quite known what to expect beyond smut, but I was surprised this book actually had a decent plotline to it and a story, which made the sexy parts even more fun.
This was a fairly quick book to listen to. So if you need something entertaining and “out of this world” to listen to or read, I definitely recommend picking this up.
Talon by Julie Kagawa
It’s been quite a while since I picked up a Julie Kagawa book. I was so excited to see this one on Audible. Very different from her take on Fae in the Iron Fae series I read before, Talon is all about the Dragons.
I really enjoyed the assimilation of Dragons and Dragon Slayers into the modern-day world. If you like sweet summer teen romance with a Romeo and Juliet type setting, this book is definitely one to check out.
I’m a Dragon lover, and so I greatly enjoyed Ember’s perspective and the Dragon lore.
The Blood of the Lion By C.D. McKenna
I love working with the author community and getting a fresh take on their story before other readers get their hands on it.
The Blood of the Lion was a great start to an epic fantasy. I love fantasy series and being drawn into the world. Like most first books of a series, this one is very detailed, slow, and heavy on the plot and world-building. As I like to say, it always feels like a necessary evil. It’s not exactly every reader’s cup of tea to get invested in the details, but they are essential to the series. However, I did enjoy it very much.
I’m the type of reader that instantly begins to look for the connections between the various characters and try to solve the puzzle pieces as I go. So the story switching between the three main characters was an excellent dynamic and helped carry the story forward.
Overall, it was a great first book to a series. If you’re a fantasy fan, you definitely need to check this book out.
The Bone Witch By Rin Chupeco
I really enjoyed The Bone Witch. It’s a book that has been on my TBR pile forever, but I am so glad that I finally got to it. I love witchy books just because they are always so unique. This book was an amazing blend of witchy power, runes, suspense, and decorum. A lot of the book reminded me of parts of A Memoir of a Geisha, the way they would talk about their dresses, hairpins, patrons, and the like, meeting up in the tea houses to entertain. I highly recommend this book as a great read if you love books with lots of foreshadowing and detailed world-building.
The Rise of Kyoshi By F. C Yee
I am a huge Avatar fan, and I have been dying to read this series and just haven’t had time. Even as just a small part of the previous story Avatar Kyoshi was a big personality and a fan favorite, so I couldn’t wait to dive into her story.
My only complaint about this book is that it isn’t long enough. I feel like this could have been an 800-page book, and I probably still would have said the same. I love the details in a story. I like the build-up of the adventure, and I felt like this went so fast.
There were so many parts that I wished they had gone into more detail of, little cliffhangers that never get resolved, dangling questions that drive me crazy.
I’m hoping to get more answers in the next book. But overall, if you’re an Avatar fan, you won’t be disappointed.
The Wayfarer By Zachary M. Kekac
I love fantasy novels and was really looking forward to reading this one. While it didn’t disappoint in any aspect of being an interesting fantasy concept, I found it a little rich for my personal tastes.
I am all for epic world-building. But this book was heavily based on internal monologue, memories, and lengthy descriptive scenes. I think my favorite parts were the more action-based chapters and the character-to-character dialogue bits that broke up the sweeping settings.
While I don’t think you could really go wrong with picking up a book like this, I do warn you it might take you some time to get through. The language is very poetic and rich. That being said, definitely worth the read when you have the time to enjoy a book like this one properly.
B For Beretta By F. M Kamel
B for Beretta is a profound and almost haunting story. It follows Lucille, a character known for having contact with the other side through voodoo and visions into a series of events that will keep the reader thinking long after closing the book’s cover.
While definitely having a paranormal type feel, this book carried some heavy opinions, beliefs, and ideals.
I don’t like to give spoilers for books, but as the story continues, I feel like the situation the character finds herself in just continues to spiral. While the author does an excellent job trying to mix in some positivity where it can be found, I feel the events that transpired through the story were too bitter for me to swallow the limited sweetness sprinkled in.
I did not see on Amazon or Goodreads where there is listed a trigger warning section though I was warned by the author before beginning. I think for more sensitive readers, it should be noted that this book does have heavy police brutality, racial profiling, and I wouldn’t say gore per se, but more lots of blood and death.
This story had a very V for Vendetta feel about liberation and oppression. While it does have supernatural fiction within it, I believe that the book is more a crime fiction type of story, which isn’t my usual read.
Overall this was an excellent book. The author did an incredible job spinning this story to life. I believe this would be an excellent fit for those who enjoy supernatural stories and crime fiction.
Nahar By Kirk Templeton
For fans of epic fantasy, I highly recommend this book. Nahar is an incredibly built story, from the details of history and war to the sweeping description of scenery and beauty. Set in a middle-eastern fantasy setting, this book has everything from queens and battles to love and intrigue. I don’t believe this book has trigger warnings at the beginning, but I recommend reading the online descriptions before purchasing it. There is a lot of adult content, coerced sexual relationships, and quite a bit of violence. Overall I was very impressed with this story and the creative detail used to bring this world to life. I can’t wait to read more books from this amazing author.
A Child of Fear and Fire By G. R Thomas
This is not usually a book I would pick up and think to read. It sounded intriguing, and when I looked at the smaller page count, I thought, why not? I wasn’t sure what to expect exactly but what I received was more than I could have hoped for. This book is creepy. It’s like reading a horror movie. The language is so vivid, and the descriptions are hauntingly beautiful. From the very first page, I was drawn into this dark, festering world, feeling almost as anxious as Eliza herself as I read. Each chapter only drew me in more until I couldn’t wait to finish it because I needed to know how it ended. It was an amazing story full of darkness and revenge. If you love dark fantasy, this book is definitely well worth the read. The author did a fantastic job, and I can’t wait to read more from her.
Shinto Slash: Origins By Jericho Black
I fell in love with The Parade of Demons and could not wait to get my hands on a copy of Origins. This novella takes us back through time to explore the history of Nihon.
This gripping tale has it all, from Gods and battlefields to legends and lore. It is a must-read for fans of Japanese mythology and Jericho Black alike.
The Wandering King By Matthew Broderick
If you enjoy books about war and friendship, I recommend this as a book that you’d probably enjoy.
This story set in what reminded me of a middle eastern fantasy follows four friends who set out to see the world and end up changing history and their lives forever.
The story was well written and filled with epic battles and tests of friendship and strain through time. I found it a very compelling story.
Usually, I enjoy the change of perspective with multiple character points of view. The shift in point of view made the story more cohesive, but in this one, I struggled with it a little bit, keeping up with who was who and the timeline and the place.
But overall, I did enjoy this book, and I hope other readers who enjoy action-adventure books do too.
Unchained Melody By Cynthia Roberts
Contemporary romance novels I’ve found are challenging for me as a reader. I’m not sure what it is because I love romance books, but sometimes I really struggle with them.
When I first started reading this book, I thought it would be like a sweet hallmark Christmas-type romance. But then things quite literally took a turn for the characters, and it was a roller coaster of emotions from there, from romance to betrayal, from a happy family to not speaking, this book ranged all over.
Overall, I enjoyed it, and I think fans of contemporary romance will eat this book up.
Wind Warrior By Cynthia Roberts
Wind Warrior is one of the first purely historical romance novels I have read. Taking place in the time when the west was still wild and settlers were starting to pioneer into Native American lands, we find two different cultures at odds with each other.
Leslie, a trapper’s daughter who’d faced past heartbreaks and trials, has been dreaming of love. When her world turns upside down once more, and she’s forced to flee from her home, it leads her on an unexpected journey.
Winnokin, leader of the local tribe, has been having his own visions of Leslie. So when he has a premonition of her in danger, he sets out on a quest to find her.
When they finally meet, sparks fly, and passion runs high as we follow them through the twists and turns of the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It’s a very soft, sweet romance novel that’s easy to read and enjoy. I look forward to reading the second book.
Rags and Muffin By D.G.D Davidson
I have to say, this is the best book I’ve read in a while. Usually, depending on the book, I fly through them. This book was so richly worded and heavy in world-building and creativity it took me a little longer to get through but was totally worth it. Rags and Muffin is filled with epic fights and detailed landscapes. The ragtag group of heroes is each unique with their lifestyles and struggles. Seeing glimpses into their past and their lives tugs at your heart, but then other scenes are riddled with comic relief. So while you’re reading, you get a full range of emotions that keep you hooked and turning pages until the very end. This story was incredible to read, filled with Gods and intrigue. This is a book you won’t want to put down. This book is easily one of the top 5 books I’ve read all year!
Hell’s Furie By Dara Kenny
This was a entertaining read. It’s been a while since I’ve read a paranormal romance like this, and I had forgotten how much I usually enjoy them.
While this book did have some plot other than the romance, it wasn’t much. Part of me kept expecting more twists to come. I’m hoping the author is just saving it for the next book in the series.
This book had a content warning on the front and is defiantly an 18+ book recommendation, between the sex, drug use, and swear words. The author tells you to buckle up for a wild ride, and she’s right. It was wild and a lot of fun!
Sunfire By Dan Kenner
I was fortunate enough to receive this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed reading Sunfire. This is a perfect book for fans of the Divergent Series to sink their teeth into.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this book, but from the very first chapter, I was intrigued. Korrine is a sassy, lovable rebel who you can’t help but connect to. As you follow her routine of life and the sudden changes that happen around her, you’re not quite sure what’s coming next. By the time you reach the end of the book, you’ll be eager to see when the next one comes out.
I can’t wait to see more from this author. Definitely a book to add to your TBR pile!
The Last Alignment: Cry of the Scorpions By Nathaniel Stewart
I have to say this was an interesting book. I feel like book one only skimmed the surface of the story and, while satisfying to read, left me wanting so much more.
I had so many questions still by the end of the book that I’m dying to read the next one to know what happens next.
This book was very well done, with multiple points of view. From firey Awbrey to down-to-earth Natalye and all the boys in between, each character had a strong voice that really carved out the story.
This is a great book to read if you like coming-of-age books with lots of magic and grit. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for book two.
The Arch Emulator and the Seven Keys by Michael Stewart
This adventure will keep you on your toes from the very start. First, you have McCoy, who is an odd-ball character, to draw you right into the intrigue. From there, we meet all sorts of different personalities and people from all over the globe. From Clay, a snow grunt down in the Antarctic, to Kim, a high school girl with a knack for astrology, to Cana, who is the nerd of nerds but great with a gun. You never quite know what to expect as this story unfolds.
As you travel deeper into the alternate reality that Stewart created, the more answers you get, but the more questions that arise. The Arch Emulator and the Seven Keys is definitely a story that will keep you guessing until the very end.
The Savage Hunt By Christy Sloat
I absolutely loved this darker fantasy. It’s a very twisted version of Hotel Transylvania, is all I can say without giving spoilers which I don’t like to do.
In a world with both monsters and humans, it highlights who’s really the monsters that go bump in the night.
This did have a content warning at the beginning for those of you that need it. I thought the book was amazing and didn’t personally need to be warned. For me, as the story setting was, it was the perfect mixture of sex, carnage, and revenge.
The only thing I will say is that this story does ” head hop” a little bit. There are various characters and multiple points of view that the story frequently shifts to. For me, it wasn’t an issue, but I know some readers don’t particularly enjoy that.
Overall, I would definitely recommend it if you enjoy dark fantasy and monsters.
A Touch of Fear By KC Kellersen
This is my first book completed for my November TBR Take over challenge. I’m so glad I picked it. I had a lot of fun reading this story. If you enjoy shifter books with prophecies, mates, and some spice, then I definitely recommend you check out this book.
Alina is a fierce little thing with an iron will. And Oliver is a protector with a heart of gold. Together these two weave their way through political intrigue and magic.
This book leaves off rounding things out while leaving you wanting more. Leaving several questions still hanging in the balance. I can’t wait for book two.
Cloverfield Collections: Werewolves: Jez and Cole by L.C Miller
I usually love just about anything supernatural. Give me werewolves, witches, and romance any day, and I’ll take it. However, I have to admit that I found this book a bit difficult to get through.
I usually don’t check other reviews, but in this case, I did and found that many readers felt as I did regarding the plot and storyline.
I can usually follow a book through typos and grammatical errors. I can follow it if it gets dark, or gory, or weird at times. But this whole story, I felt like pieces were missing. Information I was looking for that I wasn’t given until it was too late.
I’m all for starting your story in an intriguing way, but to enjoy this, I really needed a better base. I am the kind of reader who enjoys picking up clues and puzzling the story out for myself long before getting to the end of the book. I couldn’t do that in this particular case, so I didn’t connect with this story.
If you like werewolf books and instant romance type of stories, I would recommend you check this one out. This book was on the June 2021 Tiktok TBR take-over challenge, and that’s how I stumbled across it. It sounded like an interesting book from the blurb, so I thought I’d give it a try.
Rock Hard: Chord Brothers, Book 1 by M. J Roberts
Rock Hard was recommended to me by the author since I love just about all things romance. It’s not my typical read, I usually stick to my fantasy genre and romance within it, but this was an interesting book.
I didn’t quite know what to expect with a rock and roll type book and was pleasantly surprised by some aspects of the story. Most movies and books portray a lot of drugs and violence, and I was glad that those were absent from this book.
Ryder, the main character for all that he is a rock star with a messed up past, is actually very much a sweetheart and a good guy. His bandmates and the sub-characters for the book are equally likable.
The chemistry between the two main characters Ryder and Lexi, is undeniable. But I also enjoyed the relationship and friendships of the band as a whole. The constant jokes and the camaraderie they show each other was what really drew me in.
The part that I enjoyed most, surprisingly, was the parts about the music. I loved the songs constantly being mentioned throughout and how they played into the story. I loved when the music would take over certain scenes and how it sort of enveloped everything.
I know this book will entertain readers who adore music and love the rock and roll lifestyle.
Fail to Fight By Maci Dillon
So this book deserves five stars. It really does. Maci Dillon did a great job with this story. It was an emotional rollercoaster. It was a well-written book with no editing errors or anything like that.
If you like contemporary romance and second chance books, you will probably enjoy this one.
The intimate scenes between the characters were well written, and even the back and forth at the beginning of the book regarding the timeline flowed well.
However, I could not get over the reason why they broke up. I really wanted to like this story. I wanted to root for them and be happy with the ending. But honestly,(no spoilers) that was something that I just couldn’t forgive Will’s character for. And feel like that’s a personal issue for me, more than an issue with the book or story itself.
I’ve found that for me, at least not all romance books are created equal. I’ve found that I have a very difficult time with contemporary romance as a whole.
Josie: Book one in the Deceptions Series by Bobbi Jo Green
I was fortunate enough to be able to beta read this book, and receive a signed final edition from the author.
Josie, the first book in the Deception Series, is an emotional read. I don’t want to put in any spoilers because the best part of this book is finding out the history and the story as the book progresses. But for most of us, we have all had that first high school love, where we were young and naive and trusting.
I think these characters, Josie and Cole, are very relatable, and their story pulls at your heartstrings as things progress. The book’s ending leaves you satisfied with the story of book one while also leading you right into the next book.
This isn’t my usual read, I usually read adventure, fantasy, and romance in those genres, but this book is well worth the read.
Bobbie Jo Green did a fantastic job telling this story, and I can’t wait to see more from her.
Shinto Slash: Parade of Demons By Jericho Black
Shinto Slash: The Parade of Demons is everything you could hope for in an adventure story.
I was fortunate enough to receive an early copy of the book from the author. This was my first real in-depth beta reading experience where I was fortunate enough to really connect with the author and see this book go from its baby stages to being published.
If you love tales of heroic samurai, epic friendships, and battles, then this book is definitely for you.
I won’t give any spoilers, but from start to finish, this story drew me right in.
Tadame is a sweet-natured protagonist who instantly steals your heart. Adachi is the kind of hero who wears his heart on his sleeve. The type of hero everyone wants on their side.
Snarly will always hold a special place in my heart, as the sidekick with sarcastic comments.
And Haruto is the silent warrior type that rounds out the group.
This team of heroes will take you on an adventure you won’t soon forget!
With beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming tale of friendship, this is a book that I will always highly recommend.
Tuppence: Book One in the Unsought Fairytale Collection By E. S Barrison
Tuppence was a unique retelling of Cinderella that I enjoyed very much. We all know the age-old tale of the girl who goes to the ball to fall in love with the prince, but this was a twisted version of that story that had me guessing how it would end the entire time.
If you enjoy Fairy Tale retellings that are darker like the original stories, then I highly recommend this book. It’s a good story that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
Destiny Awaits by Jaidis Shaw
Based on the blurb, I was interested in picking up this story. Again, this was another one that was on the June 2021 TBR take-over challenge on Tiktok, so I thought I’d give it a try.
However, when I went to write my review, I saw that the reading age was set from 12-18, which helped make the story a lot more understandable in some ways.
Based on the ages of the main characters in the book, I did feel as if their relationship was a bit on the childish side. If you don’t care for instant love-type books, this is one you might not enjoy.
It was very much instant love and romantic in that sweet sort of sense, but it happened a little too quickly for me to really get into it.
Overall the story idea was decent. If you enjoy vampires and werewolves and a softer, easier book to read, I’d recommend for you to try this one.
The Elite Wizard Games by Gina A. Watson
I loved this book. From start to finish, I was hooked. For all of you Fairy Tail fans out there, this is a book you’re going to love.
If you enjoy wizards, non-stop action, dragons, and intrigue, this book is for you.
Based on the book blurb, I thought the story would be interesting, but I wasn’t quite sure what to expect even then. This was one in the June 2021 TBR take over on Tiktok that I was so happy I signed up for.
What I found as I devoured this book was that I enjoyed every moment of it, from the fights to the relationship and friendship building. I could not have been happier with the way this book wove me into this unique world.
Great story. I absolutely recommend you pick it up. It’s a fast-paced read, and you won’t be disappointed.
Girl of bone and Ivy: Book One of the Runebreaker Trilogy by Damien Kalan and Scarlet King
Girl of Bone and Ivy is an interesting book for readers who enjoy all things Fae. It’s more a Holly Black syle book, with darker themes and undercurrents running throughout. There is a content warning at the front of the book, and I advise readers to be aware of that before reading the story. For me, though, sometimes the content warning at the beginning makes me think I’m going to read something really crazy and terrible, and then when I read it, and it’s not, I’m like, oh, ok.
That’s how I felt in this story. I personally don’t care for content warnings, so it’s just me.
That being said, I did enjoy reading the book. The hard magic system in place is an entertaining take of Fae abilities. The story is filled with twists and turns, and by the end, you have no idea what will happen to the characters next.
If you’re looking for a Fantasy read with spice and LGBTQ representation, this book is for you.
The High Mountain Court By A.K Mulford
The High Mountain Court is a fantastic book that I couldn’t put down once I started reading it. I was fortunate enough to receive an early copy of the book from the author and was so happy to have read it.
I am a huge fantasy reader, and one thing I absolutely love in books is when the intrigue is high, and I’m constantly looking for clues trying to piece the story together before I get to the end.
This book did not disappoint. I was kept on my toes the entire time and loved every twist and turn and revelation as they came to pass.
Remy, the main character, is a Witch after my own heart. She’s in turns feisty, and vulnerable, and in the end, willing to do almost anything for those she cares about.
As for Hale, all I can say is that I love him very much, and he will have an army of fangirls. I can already see the fan art for these two characters and feel the love Hale is going to receive from the reader community.
This is a great fast-paced epic story of love and revenge filled with adventure and intrigue.
The Witches Blade By A.K Mulford
A.K Mulford did it again. I was fortunate enough to receive this book as an ARC reader from the author and am so glad that I got to dig into this story and didn’t have to wait for it to come out.
I absolutely loved the High Mountain Court, but I think I liked this one a little bit more. This adventure Follows Rua and Renwick, two people that you think couldn’t be more different from each other.
I think this story had a little less action than book one. But the intrigue was high and had me guessing all along as the story progressed. I think I connected with Rua and Renwick’s characters even more than the characters in book one. And the tension between these two had me shipping them from the very beginning.
I enjoyed seeing the characters from both books continue to cross paths and make their way through the story.
The ending leaves off leading us right into the next book but rounds out everything nicely. I can’t wait for book three to come out!
Marcus: A Black Lily Club Story By Chelle
This book is very spicy. If you enjoy supernatural stories and a fair share of BDSM and smut in your books, then this is definitely for you.
From start to almost to finish, this book goes pretty hot and heavy most of the time.
I enjoyed several of the sexual scenes in this book, but if you are a particular reader, I would recommend reading several reviews of this book before picking it up and trying it for yourself.
I do remember a lot of spelling and grammar type errors with this book, so if that sort of thing turns you off a book, just a heads up.
Red’s Robin By Nicola Ormerod
This was an entertaining read. For sure, only recommended for mature readers. This book was jampacked from the very beginning with spicy scenes that I couldn’t get enough of.
Red and Robin were a fun couple that had playful banter and a steamy relationship from start to finish.
As much as this book was filled with fun scenes, there was a good plotline to it, and I enjoyed how the story played out. This was a great fast read for vampire lovers.
Bloody Escape By Freya Amber
I loved reading this book. I fell in love with the main character, Briar, right off the bat. Her running commentary through the book makes her a girl after my own heart.
I enjoyed seeing the world-building take place in book one as, character by character, we are introduced to her slowly growing harem. I got to beta read this book while the author was going through some editing and had a wonderful time working on it.
I enjoy books that change points of view and seeing inside all the different character heads and had a lot of fun reading this one.
Fractured Pack by Freya Amber
Please note that this book is coming soon. I beta read it and loved it, so I’m adding it in here. This is book two of the Dangerous Alphas series.
Without giving away any spoilers, this book picks up right where book one left off.
This book is paced very differently, where we get to learn more about the character and really get to ” see” into them more. So it’s a little slower than book one in that sense. This book is also a little darker and touches on a lot more on the characters’ mental health.
Overall, I enjoyed this one as well. I can’t wait for it to come out and for the next book in the series.
This book opened up many doors, and I can’t wait to see where the next book leads.
Broken by the Gladiator by Nicola Rose
I loved this story. It had me hooked from start to finish. The last few books I’d been reading really had me in a slump, and this I devoured in just a few hours.
This is most definitely an 18+ book. It was really just gritty and ranchy in some parts, and yet the storyline was good, and the plot made sense. It wasn’t just a book of smut thrown in together. It was very well written, and I had a great time reading it.
The rest of her books are on my never-ending to-be-read list, and I can’t wait to get to them.
Earth, Cover me By S. J Davis
This was another one from my June 2021 TikTok TBR Take over. It was incredibly short. Basically just a sex scene, and that was about it. Still, it was a fun read.
It was a very short, steamy story. Like other reviewers, I agree that what was written was good, but I wanted more. I felt like the story was only beginning when it ended.
Shelly’s Gym Crush Fantasy By K. C Ford
So the title tells you everything you need to know. This short erotic story is certainly every girl’s fantasy of falling for the hot guy at the gym. If you want something short and fun to read, this was pretty entertaining. For me, it was a little difficult to read. The narrative jumps back and forth between the two main characters’ perspectives almost constantly. While it was definitely hot and steamy, there were times, especially at first, where I was a little confused about what was going on or who’s point of view it was from.
Losing Love By Laura Ashley Gallagher
This was another one of those contemporary romance books that just does me in. I was lucky enough to beta read this book and really enjoyed it overall.
There were a lot of parts that, as things clicked into place, I was like, oh no. And a few times where I had to put down the book and just walk away.
For all that, though I did enjoy this one, it pulled on my heartstrings. I enjoyed the characters and watching their relationship form. I especially enjoyed the ending, even if it was bittersweet. I look forward to reading the other books in the series when I can.
The Unraveling of Luna Forester By Marisa Noelle
This was the most interesting book I’ve read in a while. I have to say the only thing I didn’t like about this book was that I read the content warning. I have recently discovered that I’m the type of reader that needs to skip over those because they ruin the book for me.
They give me more clues as to what’s going on and what’s coming, and so I’m able to piece things together very quickly. So that’s more a personal issue with me than the book.
For me, it didn’t take me longer than chapter two or three to put together what was going on ( no spoilers). Once things sort of started to “shift” with the characters, and I understood what kind of book this was going to be, I was hooked.
It was an evenly paced book between action scenes and dialogue. Luna herself was a fascinating character. But Matthew had my heart and soul, and I was happy with the ending of the book. The author did a great job adding details and bits and pieces here and there so that everything fit together by the end.
I highly recommend this book if you enjoy the darker side of fantasy stories. It was an excellent read that keeps you guessing and hoping right up until the end.
Ashley L. Castillo 