Showing posts with label Fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fantasy. Show all posts

Review // Wretched, The Fae King's Curse, and For Christiano, With Hate

July 22, 2023


As you know, not every book I read will get 4 or 5 stars. Here are a few that I still enjoyed!


Wretched by Emily McIntire

Wretched by Emily McIntire


My Rating - ★★★
Genre/Trope - Contemporary Romance / retelling
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - more than descriptive, less than explicit
Source - borrowed from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 282 pages

Wretched was a play on the Wizard of Oz, but I didn’t really SEE it. Ah well, no matter. I enjoyed it just the same.

What I liked:
* Evelina being the ‘bad guy’ made me smile. I loved that the woman was the one causing trouble, being on the wrong side of the law, ruling from the shadows. It gave this story a unique twist.
* The whole enemies-to-lovers and forbidden vibes of this story kept me engaged with the plot. I’m a sucker for a protective hero and while Nicholas was undercover in this crime family, his true nature always had a way of shining through.

However, as much as I enjoyed this book, I was also bored. I skimmed through a lot of it. So please take my rating with a grain of salt.

If I’m her calm, then she is my chaos, and if I can’t live with her forever, then I don’t want to live at all.


The Fae King's Curse by Jamie Schlosser

The Fae King's Curse by Jamie Schlosser


My Rating - ★★★
Genre/Trope - Fantasy Romance / fated mates
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - descriptive
Source - borrowed from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 281 pages

For the most part, I loved this book. However… the setup of Quinn fighting against Kirian’s declared feelings turned me off from pretty much the start. I found it hard to get on board with their happy ending when for so much of this book, Quinn was being silly. You’re in love with the man. He’s already proven that he doesn’t care about the curse because he chose you. Why then hurt him by denying him what you both want?

I wasn’t trying to read a children’s book.

If it weren’t for Kirian and his cousins and all of their awesomeness, I don’t think I would have enjoyed this story as much.

Kudos to the author for writing in this subgenre and allowing me to enjoy the world created. Will I read the next book? Ummm yeah because I really need to see Damon get some!

"I can live without my sight, but I cannot live without you."


For Christiano, With Hate by Soraya Naomi

For Christiano, With Hate by Soraya Naomi


My Rating - ★★★
Genre/Trope - Contemporary Romance / mafia / arranged marriage
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - more than descriptive, less than explicit
Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - approx. 250 pages

Teagan has stepped into it. Now that she knows of her best friend’s connection to the Syndicate, she has to either step up or… So while she wants no part of any of it, she agrees to be married to Christiano, the Syndicate’s assassin. He wants this marriage as much as she does—which is none at all. Off to a bad start, he barely spends time with her, she tries to gain his attention through passive-aggressive means, and nothing seems to get done. When they finally do make an effort, that’s when the magic happens.

I’ve loved the Chicago Syndicate series from the beginning and I loved seeing all of the characters I fell in love with sprinkled throughout this story. I enjoyed seeing some of them take big roles in the plot (looking at you Luca and Henry!). I failed to connect with the main characters and it mostly boiled down to Teagan and her childish behavior. I kept having to remind myself that she was 30 years old because she was very OTT and out of control. She made rash decisions, she constantly challenged when it wasn’t necessary, and her irrational thoughts drove me mad.

Most of my frustration came from the fact that these characters lacked emotional depth. I knew very little about what drove them to be the way they were. I didn’t know what motivated or inspired them. Aside from Christiano’s revelation about his parents’ death and Teagan’s mention of not knowing her father and having a distant relationship with her mother, there wasn’t much else to learn. I knew so many details about the individual items Teagan and Christiano would wear though. I’d take emotional growth over superficial details any day.

Overall, I had a blast hanging out with some of my favorite people and I’m a bit sad knowing that this will probably be the last book for them. I’ll miss the drama, the action, and the sense of family these characters engender the most.

The Syndicate, once a shadowy organization, has transformed into a haven of love, acceptance, and unbreakable bonds.

Review // A Court of Sugar and Spice by Rebecca F. Kenney

July 03, 2023


"You Keep making me hate you," I whisper.
"Good." A muscle flexes in his temple.
"That will make everything easier."
~ Louisa & Lir

──────────── ♔ ────────────


A Court of Sugar and Spice by Rebecca F. Kenney


My Rating - ★★★★¼
Standalone - Wicked Darlings #1
Release - January 1, 2022
Genre/Trope - Fantasy retelling / elements of instalove and enemies to lovers
POV - Dual 1st person (Clara & Louisa)
Heat - 4 out of 5
Format - ebook borrowed from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 373

With their inheritance restricted until their marriage, sisters Clara and Louisa, both in their twenties, must live with their godfather Drosselmeyer. One night, an accident brings to life one of the strange wooden dolls in Drosselmeyer's mansion. The Nutcracker doll is a cursed Fae prince, and he pleads for the sisters' help. During the ensuing journey into the Fae realm, Clara encounters the handsome Sugarplum Faerie, and he promises her the chance to enact all her forbidden fantasies. Meanwhile Louisa and the Nutcracker Prince battle and bicker over everything, despite the growing attraction between them. And to make matters worse, the entire Seelie kingdom is under threat of conquest by the Rat King, ruler of the Dread Court.

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon


My Two Cents

When I picked this book up, I had no idea what I was in for… AND I LOVED IT!! This author has found a new fan in me and after reading A Court of Sugar and Spice, I’ll never look at the Nutcracker or the Sugar Plum Faerie the same!

I walked into a world of magic, with mythical creatures, dangerous terrain, and tons of adventure. The author captured the feeling and wonder of this world perfectly. I could easily imagine the impossible trees and valleys, Fin’s infamous candies and bombs, the beauty that surrounded these characters.

Sorry for being vague, but I truly believe that the plot of this story needs to be experienced rather than told. It’s sexy, fun, charming, and full of love. There happens to be another book involving Clara and Fin and I’m excited to read it!

My Two Cents

Rebecca F. Kenney writes spicy fantasy romance about sassy, strong women and hot guys with tragic backstories... pirates, warlords, demons, Fae, and royals. Her two main series are the "Dark Rulers" series (standalones in a shared world) and the Immortal Warriors series (connected books). She has also written a zombie-apocalypse/vampire-romance trilogy (book 1 is "The Vampires Will Save You"). Other books include a demon romance duet, a dark mermaid fantasy duology, and other spicy retellings.

Rebecca lives in upstate South Carolina with her handsome blue-eyed husband and two smart, energetic kids.

For updates and information about upcoming novels, follow on TikTok @rebeccafkenney, Instagram @rebeccafkenneybooks, and on Twitter @RebeccaFKenney1.

Review // Fuse Series by E.L. Todd

February 10, 2023


The Fuse series by E.L. Todd is an action-packed fantasy adventure with a taste of adventure, romance, magic, and dragons!

Fuse by EL Todd

Fuse by E.L. Todd


Fuse #1
Release - December 18, 2020
Genre - Fantasy
POV - 3rd person
Heat - none
Format - ebook
Length - 315 pages

Growing up in a small village, Cora was destined for an ordinary life.

But fate had other plans.

The shamans, dark servants of the empire, invade her village, searching for something…or someone. Before they can feed on the soul of an innocent boy, she stabs them with her blade. It’s a dire mistake—because they’re invincible.

She flees into the wildlands until a voice commands her attention.

Come to me.

Her curiosity too great, she follows the voice inside her head…and comes across a fiery red dragon. Every free dragon has been enslaved by King Lux, forced into a nonconsensual fuse between man and dragon.

Except this one.

As the last free dragon in Anastille, he’s also on the run.

They realize they need to work together to overthrow the empire…or neither will be free.



Ashe by EL Todd

Ashe by E.L. Todd


Fuse #2
Release - July 6, 2021
Genre - Fantasy
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - None
Format - ebook
Length - 548 pages

Cora's visit with the elves proves to be more than she bargained for.
She learns her parentage, but it's the last thing she ever expected to hear.
She came to the elves for help to defeat King Lux, to free the dragons still trapped in captivity, but she discovers a timeless place, where outside matters mean nothing.
There's little chance to convince them of anything, especially when her human heritage has permanently marked her as an outsider.
Rush returns to Bridge to begin their plans, but there's also a fear in the back of his mind.
Is she safe?
Flare shares the same concern. Will they hurt Pretty?
Elven magic separates their borders, but perhaps the connection between Rush and Cora is enough to keep the channel open between them, to exchange thoughts and feelings, until she departs the forest and reunites with him once more.
Forces are moving in the world, and they have to move quickly before King Lux finds them both--and destroys them.



Fury by EL Todd

Fury by E.L. Todd


Fuse #3
Release - October 26, 2021
Genre - Fantasy
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - none
Format - ebook
Length - 568 pages

Cora and her allies must defeat the most vile king in Anastille's history.
Will they find victory?
Or lose everything they have left?






Slay by EL Todd

Slay by E.L. Todd


Fuse #4
Release - April 25, 2022
Genre - Fantasy
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - none
Format - ebook
Length - 740 pages

The events of Anastille have unfolded in the most unexpected ways, and with the odds stacked against them, victory is merely a hope. But our heroes will do what they can to free the imprisoned dragons, to overthrow King Lux from his throne, and heal the divided factions of a war-torn country.






My review of the series ~ 3 stars


Book One
The world these characters inhabited was very easy to visualize. The forests were lush, the deserts were arid, and the wonders beyond Cora’s village were just that… wondrous.

The mystery surrounding Flare’s character... I had a feeling I knew exactly who he was and I was curious to see how it would affect the story to come. I wasn’t wrong.

I have a strange fascination with Flare and the process of dragons fusing with humans. This is such a unique take on the supernatural. The bond they share, becoming one, seems like something so special.

While Cora was nosy (or inquisitive if you want to romanticize it), I found her a bit annoying. People don’t have to share everything about themselves just because you have. It doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of trust. It could just be an individual’s preference.

Orcs, giant frogs, evil men in power, elves, dwarves, dragons, shamans (shadow-like figures who can suck the soul right out of you, can fly, and are impossible to kill… or are they?). I'm on edge and can't wait to dive into the next book!

Book Two
Is it wrong that when Rush and Cora finally ‘got together’ I wanted it to be somewhat descriptive? I thought this was an adult fantasy novel, especially with all of the cussing. I’m grown. Screw the fade to black theatrics!

I’m in awe of Ashe and everything he’s been through, what he’s accomplished, and what he has yet to do.

Finding out Cora’s parentage, at least who her father was, was a tough blow. I knew it was going to wreck whatever she and Ashe could have. And why does Cora try so hard to stand in her own way of happiness?

I’m still very much in love with Flare and Rush. Their connection is hilarious, sweet, and so touching.

Book Three
I’m all for Rush’s road to redemption. I only wish that this journey changes his mind about sacrificing himself at the end.

I’m still pretty blown away by the imagery this author has created. Once they were stuck in the mountain, I could feel the walls closing in around me. I could sense the dampness in the air.

The action scenes were fantastic. Whether it was Rush chopping off heads and not bothering to take names, or Cora using her magic to surprise attack the previously undefeatable, it was exciting and so entertaining.

Book Four
Favorite character: Callon. Dude, this man was everything. I did get frustrated a bit because his hate game was so strong, but I understood his reasons.

Understanding Cora’s parentage explained a lot about her powers and her innate nature. I was tired of her always being right, even when she was wrong. I was tired of people defending her when it was obvious she needed to be corrected. She got away with way too much and I needed her to come down a peg. She wasn’t better than anybody.

The final battle: better than expected. It was so well written, so intense, so terror-inducing. I didn't know who would even be alive in the end.

Rush was still a phenomenal character, with his horrific past, his attempts to right all of his wrongs, his redemption. He just needs people to see the great strides he’s made and the hero he has turned out to be.

The Kingdom Series by Marie Hall

November 16, 2022

Her Mad Hatter


Standalone - Kingdom #1
Release - July 7, 2012
Genre - Fantasy Romance
Multiple POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook purchase from Amazon
Length - 123 pages

Alice is all grown up. Running the Mad Hatter's Cupcakery and Tea Shoppe is a delicious job, until fate--and a fairy godmother with a weakness for bad boys--throws her a curveball. Now, Alice is the newest resident of Wonderland, where the Mad Hatter fuels her fantasies and thrills her body with his dark touch.

The Mad Hatter may have a voice and a body made for sex, but he takes no lovers. Ever. But a determined fairy godmother has forced Alice into Wonderland--and his arms. Now, as desire and madness converge, the Hatter must decide if he will fight the fairy godmother's mating--or fight for Alice.


My Review: 3 stars
A new-to-me author just found a new fan! I loved the way she captured the Hatter, how she illustrated the madness of Kingdom and all of its creatures. This story was unlike anything else I've ever read before and I'm in love with the magic of it all. Alice was nothing like the Alice of storybooks. And the Hatter... he gave me the deliciousness that Johnny Depp gave this character. It's no wonder that Alice saw the same thing. He was a nut, but Alice was able to see beyond his mad utterings into the amazing man he truly was. There was some push and pull, some major resistance, but in the end this was an entertaining story.



Gerard's Beauty


Standalone - Kingdom #2
Release - July 28, 2012
Genre - Fantasy Romance
Multiple POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook purchase from Amazon
Length - 188 pages

Betty Hart has had it with men. Jilted in love, her life now consists of shelving books by day, watching too much Anime by night, and occasionally dressing up like a superhero on the weekends with her fellow ‘Bleeding Heart’ nerds. Men are not welcome and very much unwanted. Especially the sexy Frenchman who saunters into her library reeking of alcohol and looking like he went one too many rounds in the ring.

Gerard Caron is in trouble. Again. Caught with his pants down (literally) he’s forced to seek asylum on Earth while his fairy godmother tries to keep Prince Charming from going all ‘Off with his head’. Maybe, messing around with the King’s daughter hadn’t been such a great idea after all, not that Gerard knew the silly redhead was a princess. But his fairy godmother knows the only way to save his life is to finally pair Gerard with his perfect mate, whether he’s willing or not.

From the moment Gerard lays eyes on the nerdy librarian he knows he must have her, but Betty is unlike any woman he’s ever known. He thought Betty would come as willingly to his bed as every other woman before her, but she is a woman who demands respect and even… horror of all horrors… love. Is it possible for a self-proclaimed Casanova to change his ways?


My Review: 3 stars
Gerard was a manwhore extraordinaire. Aside from Belle, he never delved beneath the surface, never trusted that there was only one female for him. Misunderstood and bitter about it (I kinda felt bad for the guy), he acts out. Dude was immature and ridiculous. When he went a bit too far, he's punished by spending time on Earth and making his 'one true love' fall in love with him. But Betty isn't like the vapid or superficial ladies he's used to. His game doesn't work. I loved when he finally got real with her and with himself. There was so much more to the man hidden beneath the surface and the author did an amazing job with all of it.



Red and Her Wolf


Standalone - Kingdom #3
Release - September 26, 2012
Genre - Fantasy Romance
Multiple POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook purchase from Amazon
Length - 213 pages

Long ago there lived a beautiful child. Her name was Violet. Fair of skin, with blonde hair and large blue eyes. Born of wild magic, she was a woman with a child’s heart. Innocent and lovely, but not at all what she seemed--you see Violet went by another name: The Heartsong.

She was the child of fairy magic, the physical manifestation of all fae kinds unbridled power. Cosseted and pampered, she grew up in isolation, never knowing who she really was, or why there were those who’d seek to harm her.

Ewan of the Blackfoot Clan is a wolf with a problem. He’s been sent to kill the Heartsong, but the moment he lays eyes on the blonde beauty he knows he’ll defy the evil fae he works for to claim Violet as his own.

This is the tale of Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, as it really happened...


My Review: 4 stars
This was my favorite story of the series so far. Where the other books were light and humorous, this one was dark and mysterious. Violet was pure magic. She was the result of dark magic being purged from the fairies and all dark emotions are what fueled her. Know the story of Little Red Riding Hood? Well, you've never heard it like this. What if the wolf didn't do the awful things that myth made up? What if he was meant to be with Red?

That's what this book was about... and so much more! Red hated Ewan for what she believed he had done. And when she learns the truth, she has to fight against everything she thought she knew and believed. Her story was all about turning that love into hate and destroying the darkness. It was such a beautiful and unique way of telling this fairytale and I was far too infatuated with Ewan. He was everything that was good and kind and sweet and sexy... he was yummy. And if you love retellings, you need to read this one!



Jinni's Wish


Standalone - Kingdom #4
Release - November 26, 2012
Genre - Fantasy Romance
Multiple POV - 3rd person
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 137 pages

A long, long time ago there lived a man. A Jinni, who had one wish. To know love. But the woman he thought he knew betrayed him and the love he thought they shared. Tortured for his crimes, he was cast out of Kingdom, stripped of all his powers, left to langour in pain and solitude, until eventually he becomes nothing but a ghost...

Paz Lopez is an artist with a dream. To buy a ridiculously large penthouse in the swankiest section of Chicago. But there's just one hitch, she has no man to share her dream with. A fateful visit to a carnival and Madam Pandora's tent sends Paz on a mission to find the love of her life before it's too late.

But the Madam forgot to tell Paz one very important detail... to meet him, Paz will have to die first.


My Review: 3.5 stars
This may have been the most magical book of the series thus far. The love that developed for both Jinni and Paz happened in the inbetween. She was hovering at death's door and he was slowly slipping away. Only what they felt for each other kept them tethered to our world. Their story was beautiful, painful, eerie, and lovely. I'm really enjoying myself with these books!



Hook's Pan


Standalone - Kingdom #5
Release - April 23, 2013
Genre - Fantasy Romance
Multiple POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 172 pages

Trishelle Page has known pain in her life, but instead of it making her weak, she's stronger. Confident. That is until the day a fairy kidnaps her during her staring role in Peter Pan's play and tells her not only do fairy tales exist, but that she's the soulmate of the pirate they call Hook, making her question everything she ever thought she knew.

Captain James Hook is a man at the end of his rope. He's not the villainous bastard tales have made him out to be. So when the curvaceous blonde drops, literally, at his feet he aims to prove it to her. If only to get her into his bed.

What neither one knows is that fate and magic are conspiring and they can deny the attraction all they want but the end is already written, it's just a matter of getting there.


My Review: 2 stars
This was my least favorite book of the bunch. I didn't like Trishelle when she was introduced in Gerard's Beauty and I liked her even less here. Which sucked because I was hoping this book would make me like her more. As pathetic and sad as she was, I figured I would feel an ounce of pity or compassion. I was just annoyed. The only thing that saved this book was the magic of Neverland and the wonder of James Hook. Dude was delicious!!

Review // Queen of Rot & Pain by Liv Zander

July 01, 2022

Queen of Rot & Pain by Liv Zander

Suffering the pain of flesh is my duty; protecting you from it is my vow.

────── ♔ ──────


Queen of Rot & Pain by Liv Zander

Queen of Rot & Pain by Liv Zander


The Pale Court Duet #2
Release - June 23, 2022
Genre - Dark Fantasy Romance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat - 4 out of 5 / several explicit scenes
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 274 pages
Publisher - Ink Heart Publishing


Worse than a god in rage... is a god in love.

I punish lies and deceit,
An eternal damnation of agony and pain.
Yet, when it is my wife whose deception plagues me,
I know what I must do.

Shackle her soul to the lying, cold corpse that she is,
Ensuring that she never escapes me.
My wrath,
My torture,
My pain,
And my pleasure.

I am the King of Flesh and Bone,
Every part of her I possess and own.
She is mine,
Death shall never do us part.

Welcome home, my queen.

My Two Cents

5 "Not even death can end us" stars

With the way the first book ended, I had no idea what was going to happen in this one. I could assume a lot, such as the fact that Ada dies and Enosh finally gets to keep her with him for eternity. But that's not what I wanted. I wished for them to fall in love, for her to gain immortality somehow, for a happy ending.

And honestly... I got everything I wanted and so much more!

Ada was dead, but no matter how cold she got, it never stopped their heat. Enosh was very creative in his ways of punishing her for what he believed was her betrayal and, through this horrific journey, Ada grew into a woman who deserved to stand by his side. He was a god after all.

I loved Ada. Loved her like I had never before, with no precaution over the pain it had already caused me, nor the pain that was certainly yet to come. I loved her with a ferocity that was not safe for me or her. Certainly not for this world.

The death had a life of its own in this book. The magic of the way Enosh wove flesh and bone into clothing, furniture, animals, etc... I'm truly awed by the way this author illustrated this strange world with her words. And the terrifying beauty that was created for Ada and Enosh was ugly and sexy and painful and real. So freaking real.

About the Author

Liv has an unhealthy love for sexy villains. To cure herself of her poor choice in men, she's currently undergoing therapy, but who can afford that these days? To fund her co-pays, she's writing deliciously dark fantasy romance about the men who would burn the world to the ground for their women. Is that counter-productive? Probably, but it's also a lot of fun.

When she's not joking around, she can be found procrastinating in her office with a mug of coffee or a glass of wine (depending on time of day and how miserable the writing is going). Oh, she also loves skulls. And ravens. And skulls.

Visit http://livzander.com for more information

Review // King of Flesh and Bone by Liv Zander

June 29, 2022

King of Flesh and Bone by Liv Zander

Flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone. Never my whore, forever my woman.

────── ♔ ──────


King of Flesh and Bone by Liv Zander

King of Flesh and Bone by Liv Zander


The Pale Court Duet #1
Release - April 21, 2022
Genre - Dark Fantasy Romance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat - 4.5 out of 5 / several explicit scenes
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 258 pages
Publisher - Ink Heart Publishing


Worse than a ruthless king... is a king obsessed.

Isolation, darkness, and rotting flesh,
Surrounds me, suffocates me,
But I am the vile ruler who controls it all.

I long for warmth,
Yet, all that I touch,
Is cold.

Then, she stumbles in to my domain,
Lost and frightened,
Alone and confused.

And I terrify her even more.

She calls me the devil,
So I show her pleasure,
Like only the devil can.

I am the heat that stirs her flesh,
The longing that trembles her bone.

She begs her body to refuse,
To escape my embrace,
But I am her master,
The puppeteer of passion.
I am the King of Flesh and Bone.

Welcome to my court, little one.

King of Flesh and Bone by Liv Zander King of Flesh and Bone by Liv Zander

My Two Cents

4 "Devotion for eternity" stars

Can you imagine being so used to the walking dead that it becomes commonplace?
Imagine bodies clawing themselves out of their graves and wandering around aimlessly?
And this is normal???

That's just a glimpse of the surreal world created for this story.

➼ corpses don't rot, so they end up walking around
➼ babies born on the full moon are likely to be born dead
➼ everyone knows that the King of Flesh and Bone is the one responsible for this life
➼ old-fashioned misogyny and religion keep a good woman down
➼ a gothic and eerie feel to everything
➼ new-to-me author blew me away!!

Did I find it icky? Ummm... yeah. Enosh was the god of all flesh and bone. His palace was built with bones, he created clothes out of skin, he didn't do his duty of rotting the dead, and it was all a bit gross. But also oddly intriguing. I couldn't get enough of it. And for all her denials, neither could Ada.

Giving him a broken heart didn't hurt because I love a damaged hero (or anti-hero) and made for some interesting tension between him and Ada. She did everything to resist the irresistible and I lived for their every interaction.

And when the danger came, as it inevitably would, I was loving that too. Those torture scenes were fantastic!

I have no idea what the next book will bring, but I do have some blind requests, such as Ada being granted immortality, that she falls in real love with Enosh, and that somehow, amidst the death and rot and yuck, these two get a happy ending.

Luckily I've already got book two loaded up so I'm off.

About the Author

Liv has an unhealthy love for sexy villains. To cure herself of her poor choice in men, she's currently undergoing therapy, but who can afford that these days? To fund her co-pays, she's writing deliciously dark fantasy romance about the men who would burn the world to the ground for their women. Is that counter-productive? Probably, but it's also a lot of fun.

When she's not joking around, she can be found procrastinating in her office with a mug of coffee or a glass of wine (depending on time of day and how miserable the writing is going). Oh, she also loves skulls. And ravens. And skulls.

Visit http://livzander.com for more information

Review // Remedy Maker by Sheri Fredricks

June 23, 2022

Remedy Maker by Sheri Fredricks

If he could live without his heart, he'd cut it out and hand it over. She's the only one who'll ever have it, so why not?

────── ♔ ──────


Remedy Maker by Sheri Fredricks

Remedy Maker by Sheri Fredricks


Standalone - The Centaurs #1
Release - November 12, 2013
Genre - Fantasy Romance
Primarily Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 3.5 out of 5 / a few descriptive scenes
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 411 pages
Publisher - Temple Publishing


Man by day, Centaur by night, Rhycious is a remedy maker who needs his own healing.

He's the royal physician, famous for his cures. War and posttraumatic stress disorder has broken his spirit, preventing him from finding true happiness. Then a direct order from the queen to investigate an uprising forces him out of his secluded cabin at the edge of the forest.

Patience is an optimistic, good-natured Wood Nymph who works as a mediator to ensure harmony within the Nymph sector.

Environmental pollution in the aquifer stream that feeds the taproot tree of her heart is slowly killing her. Resigned to the fact she will not live long, she sets out to discover the mysterious disappearance of her sister. Experience has taught her to deny herself the love of a male, but the gruff Centaur is different. He doesn't push his expectations on her, only his healing nature.

When Rhycious loses his grip on reality, he believes his inability to control his disorder will drive Patience away. Nevertheless, desire flares, and Patience draws him close. Kidnapping and betrayal turn their mythic joint venture into a deadly bout.

Will their love endure when survival hinges on trusting each other?

My Two Cents

4 "It only got better" stars

Here's the thing... when I first started this book, I thought it was going to be boring. It started off real slow and I contemplated putting it down. But I kept reading and I'm so freaking glad I did!! It just kept getting better and better the more I read. I really enjoyed this story and can confidently recommend it to any and everyone.

Rhycious was a centaur, a medicine man, and a war vet suffering from PTSD. He was struggling and just wanted to be left alone. Too bad his kingdom needed him. Oh and there was a damsel in distress who's very life required his tender touch. The fact that Patience was a wood nymph, the very creature his kind had battled for years, the same battle that caused his illness... this poor man.

I actually loved the fact that their connection was instantaneous. It was instalove and yet Rhy was determined to fight it. He felt he was too damaged for love and she felt that her time was too short to let him in. But neither of them could fight the inevitable and it was magical.

Amidst espionage and intrigue, suspense and mystery, love blossomed and I enjoyed every minute of it (after the slow bit in the beginning). The world building and storytelling were on point.

To be completely honest, this had the makings of a 5-star read. Unfortunately, I felt that too much was left unsaid and I'm left wondering if I'll ever get those answers. Was the poisoner ever found? How can people still eat at the palace if they haven't been found? Why was Pennelope portrayed as a sweet thing when she obviously wasn't? Will Samuel ever get his own love?

I have other questions but I'm waiting to see if they'll be answered in the next book, which is about Aleksander. He sounds like a delicious bit of myth!

About the Author

Sheri FredricksAlways on the hunt for the uncommon things in life, award-winning author Sheri Fredricks thrives on creating romantic adventures. A former engineering secretary, she lives on California’s beautiful central coast.

“I wanted to move away from a profession of inflexible right angles and create an unboxed world with no boundaries.”

A voracious reader since her early years, Sheri found her brain crowded with stories of her own.

“Ultimately,” she says, “my husband encouraged me to write them all down.” Winner of the Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewer’s Choice Award, and a Finalist multiple times for InD’Tale eMagazine’s Reward Of Novel Excellence award (RONE), she has numerous five-star reviews everywhere eBooks are sold.

Sheri loves to spend time at home and connecting with readers. A computer hutch keeps her focused on creating stories, but the panoramic view of life on a ranch will call her outside to play in the sun.

For more information, visit https://www.sherifredricks.com/

Review // The Prince by Jennifer L. Armentrout

July 28, 2021

The Prince by Jennifer L. Armentrout

He was the strongest, the deadliest of his kind, and that knowledge did nothing to dampen my appreciation of his masculine beauty.

The Prince by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Prince by Jennifer L. Armentrout


A Wicked Trilogy #3.5
Release - August 14, 2018
Genre - Fantasy Romance
Single POV - Brighton
Heat Level - 2.5 / a couple of scenes (one of which didn't involve actual sex)
Format/Source - Kindle purchase
Page Count - 192
Publisher - Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated

Buy it here: Amazon


She’s everything he wants….

Cold. Heartless. Deadly. Whispers of his name alone bring fear to fae and mortals alike. The Prince. There is nothing in the mortal world more dangerous than him. Haunted by a past he couldn’t control, all Caden desires is revenge against those who’d wronged him, trapping him in never-ending nightmare. And there is one person he knows can help him.

She’s everything he can’t have…

Raised within the Order, Brighton Jussier knows just how dangerous the Prince is, reformed or not. She’d seen firsthand what atrocities he could be capable of. The last thing she wants to do is help him, but he leaves her little choice. Forced to work alongside him, she begins to see the man under the bitter ice. Yearning for him feels like the definition of insanity, but there’s no denying the heat in his touch and the wicked promise is his stare.

She’s everything he’ll take….

But there’s someone out there who wants to return the Prince to his former self. A walking, breathing nightmare that is hell bent on destroying the world and everyone close to him. The last thing either of them needs is a distraction, but with the attraction growing between them each now, the one thing he wants more than anything may be the one thing that will be his undoing.

She’s everything he’d die for….

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

Here's the thing... I thought with this book being called The Prince that it would actually be about... you know... The Prince. And while Prince Caden was all over this story, it was really about the idiosyncrasies of a girl named Brighton.

I haven't read the Wicked Trilogy (yet), but this novella gave enough of a hint to make it all pretty understandable. There are Winter Fae (who are evil) and Summer Fae (who are not). Caden is the Prince of the Summer Fae and keeps getting in the way of Brighton finding vengeance for the vicious attack that took her mother and nearly took her own life. As part of The Order, who monitor and protect against the evil fae, Brighton has never been taken seriously. She has no skills, she can't fight, and she has been relegated to desk duty. At least as far as they know.

This girl has made it her mission to find her own justice against the fae who attacked her. She's this close to the ancient one who led it all... too bad Caden's also looking for the same male. And then there's the sexual tension that seems to bleed into every interaction between the two. Can they have some hot sex already???

Wanna know how I know this author can write? I couldn't stand the protagonist, but still found plenty to enjoy about this story. I would have given my left fang for just a taste of Caden's perspective, even if it was just to break up the monotony of Brighton's nonsense. I'm not a fan of single POVs, but I'm interested enough in this story to give The King a chance. I wonder if Brighton will finally act like a grown up and if these two will finally just get it on!!


Irritated that he understood why I needed to do what I had to, but was trying to stop me, I threw up my hands. "You can't stop me."

He arched a brow at that as he sat back. "I can stop you."

Caring and sharing time was so over. "You know what? I don't even get why you care. We barely know each other. You're the Prince, and I'm just... I'm just me. I'm a —" I almost blurted out ghost, but stopped myself.

"You're what?" Curiosity crept into his features.

I shook my head. "It doesn't matter. I appreciate your concern. I do. It's unexpected, but I appreciate it. It's not going to change —"

"You're what?" he repeated.

Pressing my lips together, I shook my head in frustration.

What were you about to say?" he persisted.

"I'm just a ghost," I blurted out, surprised that I allowed the words to take flight, because once spoken, you couldn't take it back. "That's who I was before the attack and..."

He was watching me intently. "And you're not a ghost anymore?"

"I don't know what I am anymore," I admitted, blinking back the stupid burn of tears again. "And I don't even know why I'm telling you this. I don't even like you."

"You don't even know me."

>
# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Charles Town, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. In early 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and death of cells in the retina, eventually resulting in loss of vision, among other complications. Due to this diagnosis, educating people on the varying degrees of blindness has become of passion of hers, right alongside writing, which she plans to do as long as she can.

Visit https://jenniferlarmentrout.com/ for more information!

Unspoken by Ari Reavis // ARC Review

March 08, 2021

Unspoken by Ari Reavis

I feel myself losing control again. Feel the magic churning in my gut like it wants to completely overtake me and burn this palace to the ground. I have never felt so desperate, so reckless. And even with so much power, more than I've ever felt before, I have never flt more powerless. I have magic I cannot use. A title that offers me no protection here. And a father who is feeding me to a monster piece by piece, and all with a smile because he thinks it will save him from the very same fate.

Unspoken by Ari Reavis

Unspoken by Ari Reavis


Standalone - Nur Series #1
Release - April 12, 2021
Genre - Fantasy Romance
Single POV - Ameera (heroine)
Heat Level - 3.5 (a couple of scenes)
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 295 pages
Publisher - Indie

The Unspoken One has been banished for many years, his very existence erased. Ameera must find his true name and summon him if she has any hope of saving her kingdom from war, and herself from marriage to a ruthless king.

The Kingdom of Nur has been suffering for years under Ameera’s father’s rule. She's bid her time, carefully keeping her secret hidden and waiting to become queen so she can repair what her father has broken. Then an unwanted marriage to the brutal king of Nur’s enemy threatens everything she’s worked towards.

With her wedding drawing near and the future of her kingdom in peril, she finds the forbidden name. She knows The Unspoken One is her last chance to save Nur, but she risks much in summoning him. His magic is not understood, the crime he was banished for is unknown, and speaking his name carries an unbearable punishment.

For Nur, for herself, she must risk it all. Or lose everything she holds dear.

She speaks the name too many have paid a painful price for uttering. Nothing, not the kingdom, their lives, or her heart, will ever be the same.

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2PGWXAo
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2O7tnnc


Unspoken by Ari Reavis

I have read every book that Ari Reavis has published and Unspoken is unlike anything that I've read from her before. And it's not just because it's a fantasy romance, something new the author has done. It's the story's tone. At once somber and hopeful. Dark and light. It had an optimistic lean to it that got me through its darkest moments. This author's voice is beautiful and needs to be heard!!

Ameera is the last living child of a ruthless and tyrannical king. Desperate to save himself from impending war, he promises his daughter's hand to an equally devious, if not murderous, king to unite the kingdoms. Too bad Ameera has no intention of tying herself to man who cares only for himself, imposing death, conquering lands, and starving his people.

She has hopes that when it is her turn to rule, she can fix what her father has broken. She can begin to rebuild her once glorious home. But she cannot accomplish all she hopes for alone. She must invoke the name of the man who was banished from Nur. A man who is called upon to right wrongs, to fight for justice. A man who could bring about her end before she's even started.

I found it impossible not to want to join in on Ameera's fight. This woman, who has been beaten down by her father since her birth. This woman, who has been humiliated before the entire kingdom. This woman, who only wants to bring prosperity and success to her people. This woman, who is absolutely deserving of the greatest of loves... How could I not want her to triumph?

And the love story that developed? I couldn't have asked for more. So much can be said without saying a word and the author did an incredible job of capturing that. The tension between Ameera and Hamza... their chemistry... I lived for their every interaction!

With Unspoken, I was lost to the magic and the wonder that was created. I was easily able to picture the halls of Ameera's palace. I believed I could feel Nur's cool autumn breeze or the bitter cold of Sameer. From the downtrodden and the oppressed to a princess who was treated as a pauper, this story made the fantastical seem real.

Ari Reavis is a wife and mother of five. Born in New York and raised in New Jersey, she enjoys staying in, devouring books and watching movies. Her kids are running around, her husband is trying to show her martial arts moves, and she's trying to write. Her day in a nutshell.

Find more about Ari and her books on her site: https://arireavis.wordpress.com/

Incandescence by Elena Leman

October 01, 2020

Incandescence by Elena Leman

LOVE, the only crystal I'd never bothered to collect, in fear it would stop me from flying. But now I was floating in space, with my man next to me, with no rules, no portals, no solstices. Free.

The Princess Knight by G.A. Aiken

September 04, 2020

The Princess Knight by G.A. Aiken
"You'll have no time for mourning... Because what is destroyed here, will rise again."

The Princess Knight by G.A. Aiken

The Princess Knight by G.A. Aiken


In New York Times bestselling author G.A. Aiken’s gripping new fantasy romance series, the Blacksmith Queen must confront armies and pretenders desperate to take her new-won crown. But with the Princess Knight at her side and a centaur warrior clan at her back, she’ll risk everything for victory . . .

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN


Gemma Smythe dedicated her life to the glory of battle. With her fellow War Monks, she worshipped the war gods, rained destruction on her enemies, and raised the dead when the fancy took her. Until her sister Keeley became the prophesied Blacksmith Queen, and Gemma broke faith with her order to journey to the Amichai Mountain and fight by Keeley’s side.

The Amichai warriors are an unruly, never-to-be-tamed lot, especially their leader-in-waiting, Quinn. But when the War Monks declare support for Gemma’s ruthless younger sister Beatrix, the immaturity of her key ally is the least of Gemma’s problems. She has to get to the grand masters, dispel their grudge against her, and persuade them to fight for Keeley and justice. If her conviction can’t sway them, perhaps Quinn’s irritating, irreverent, clearly unhinged, ferocity will win the day . . .

First Second Coming by Jeff Pollak

July 25, 2020

Humans, a new era is underway. I shall hold you accountable for your foibles. Prepare to shape up or face dire consequences.

First Second Coming by Jeff Pollak
In 2027 the deity known as NTG – short for New Testament God – retires after more than two thousand years of minding the store for his employer, Milky Way Galaxy, Inc. The new god, a planetary turnaround specialist, must decide whether Earth’s dominant species should or should not be included in his plan to bring the planet back into full compliance with Milky Way Galaxy, Inc.’s planetary operation standards.

Earth’s new God introduces himself to humanity by unexpectedly appearing on the Ram Forrester Hour talk show. Ram, an atheist, and co-host Brendali Santamaria, a devout Catholic, are stunned. God's interview, beamed worldwide, shocks and infuriates viewers. They learn that a sixty-day conference will take place in Los Angeles to determine whether humans are capable of helping him implement his planetary turnaround plan. All those attending must do to earn mankind a coveted spot in this God’s good graces is eliminate religious violence forever, without his heavenly help. Failure means extinction.

God designates Ram and Bren as the conference’s only authorized media reporters. This assignment, fraught with peril, ignites their romance. Not only must the harried couple attend the conference meetings by day and do their show at night, they must also outwit a group of religious fanatics bent on killing them. When conflicts within the conference intensify, it’s up to Ram and Bren to do whatever it takes to protect their budding romance and assure mankind’s survival.

Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51530479-first-second-coming