────────────　♔　────────────

Spark of Madness by Brynn Ford

Mercy is a sinner, and Arlo is no saint…

MERCY - For years, I've served the men of Ember Glen. I've endured their depravity because it's required. But when the most vicious man in our village decides to target me during a purge, I have to make a choice…

I can kneel and serve…
or I can run and become a sinner.

I choose sin…
I choose to run.

Only, I didn't expect another man to chase me…
I didn't expect the harrowing punishments he'd make me endure once I was caught…
And I certainly didn't expect to find passion for him.

The man who calls me a sinner sets my soul on fire.

REVIEW ~ 4 stars

Let me start off by saying THANK YOU to Jessica @Chatterbooks Book Blog, From her rave review of the series, I knew I had to give it a try. Dark romance, dystopian society, strong heroine, horrific experiences, sinners and servants… Spark of Madness has all of that and more.

I admired the heck out of Mercy. She seemed to be the only one who questioned her place in life. She was the only one who spoke up for how wrong things were. Why were men allowed to subjugate, abuse, and generally mistreat women with no consequences? Why were women punished for questioning or refusing the status quo? She was a warrior for her people, even if they couldn’t see or acknowledge it.

After recently watching The Handmaid’s Tale, I couldn’t help drawing parallels, but at the same time, this story is so different. The construct of this society is also mired in twisted religion, women are oppressed, meant to be seen and to serve, not to have thoughts or feelings or to be heard. Select men are chosen to rule over everyone and each caste has a certain set of rules they must follow. In that vein, Arlo reminded me of Nick, in that he lives in the society and, until meeting Mercy, he believed in the principles of that society. However, he starts to question himself and those around him. While he first tries to rationalize it, it seems he’s coming to accept that something’s wrong with what he was forced to believe.

Arlo isn't a hero in my eyes... yet. But with the way this author writes, I can easily see her convincing me to like him.

My thoughts for the rest of this series:
- Killian must die. The elders must die.
- I think that the idea of no world beyond Ember’s Glen is a lie. I think normal society exists and this cultish environment exists outside of accepted society. I hope Mercy burns down this place and finds a new home in the real world. That would be my hope for her happy ending. I’m not sold on that ending being with Arlo, but I’m guessing the next two books will work to change my mind.

────────────　♔　────────────

Blaze of Misery by Brynn Ford

ARLO
She's destined to die, yet she consumes my every waking thought.

I'm struggling against everything I've been taught to believe.
I'm falling for a sinner, and my passion for her is destroying my world.

As Mercy endures untold torment at the hands of my brothers, my soul splinters, breaking in ways I didn't know were possible. I want her so much it consumes me. I need her so much that I'd burn for eternity in exchange for a single moment with her...if only I could sell my soul to spare her life.

The fear of her looming death begs my mind to open, and all I want is a world where she lives.

MERCY
Absolution. They could etch the word into my skin, and still, it would never find me.

The trials for my soul begin, but they aren't truly meant to save me.
Nothing can save me from the way I've been broken by the men of Ember Glen.

The man who hurt me the most is also the man whose touch sets me on fire. Arlo Rainn hasn’t earned my thoughts, my attention, or my desire, yet he possesses me entirely. My feelings for him strengthen as we explore our forbidden passion, and as he comes to know me better, he begins to see the world through my eyes.

My warden's perspective is shifting, and I fall deeper into the madness of my need for him.

REVIEW ~ 5 stars

I couldn’t sleep from reading and wanting to continue reading this book. I’m freaking hooked and can’t wait to see the next hurdle Mercy must pass. This woman is so strong, full of compassion, with a certain sweetness and softness I find so endearing. The warrior within her is blazing through and I can’t wait to continue to see her fight.

I still think Killian has to die. This dude is cruel and deserves punishment that meets his crimes and actions. Death is the only solution.

I’m not sure how I feel about the other members of The Control. Owen seems to be reasonable (if a lot delusional), Wesley seems to take pleasure in being cruel (and yet try to appear kind), Ryker seems to be a determined Killian follower (like that guy needs anyone to encourage his wickedness), and the other member I don’t even remember. I hope Theo is a help rather than a hindrance in the rebellion to come.

I wonder where the missing pages of Mercy’s mother’s journal are. Who made sure she found the journal in the first place? And what do those pages have to say?

I’m curious about what exists outside of Ember Glen. I’m sure it’s a futuristic version of our society and I hope I get a chance to see Mercy thrive in the freedom of it.

────────────　♔　────────────

Embers of Mercy by Brynn Ford

MERCY
Death has always been chasing me, and I fear it's finally caught up.

If this trial doesn't end my life, it will surely take my mind.
And nothing could have prepared me for the despair yet to come.

Though everything seems hopeless, my love for Arlo remains constant. A part of me wants to give up and fade away with him. But secrets are being kept, and though I never expected to live long enough to learn the truth, a brewing rebellion might be the end of it all.

If Arlo and I are going down in flames, at least we can burn Ember Glen down with us.

ARLO
The end of everything approaches, and I've never felt so lost.

I'm sickened by the trial Mercy is forced to endure.
If I could complete it in her stead, I would trade places with her in a heartbeat.

I can't do anything for her, and it wrecks my soul. My sanity is shattered, and I lose all control. And though my actions draw death nearer, its imminence inspires boldness. When we finally discover the truth, we have nothing left to lose.

One way or another, Mercy and I will end this—either everything will change, or we'll leave this place burning in our wake.

REVIEW ~ 4.5 stars

It's the last book of the trilogy and it gave me almost everything I could have wanted in an ending.

❥ bring on the rebellion
❥ let all castes unite
❥ Kill all those who NEED to die
❥ a happy ending for those who definitely deserve it

I'm being intentionally vague, but my only issue with this final book was that I wanted more. I wanted to spend time with Mercy and Arlo as they enjoyed their freedom. I wanted to really know what life was like for them away from Ember Glen and I wanted more justice to be found.

You know me... I'm a greedy goose.

If you love dark romance with horrific elements, situations that really push your boundaries, and love that shines a bright light through the darkness, then you NEED this series on your to-read list.

──────　♔　──────

Priest by Sierra Simone

There are many rules a priest can't break.
A priest cannot marry. A priest cannot abandon his flock. A priest cannot forsake his God.

I've always been good at following rules.
Until she came.
My name is Tyler Anselm Bell. I'm twenty-nine years old. Six months ago, I broke my vow of celibacy on the altar of my own church, and God help me, I would do it again.
I am a priest and this is my confession.



You better clutch your pearls because this book is absolutely filthy... and I enjoyed the heck out of it!

Tyler and Poppy were two clueless, love-struck people caught up in an impossible situation. He was a priest and she was his greatest temptation. Their lust game was strong. And while I didn't love how predictable this story was, I liked it. I liked how dirty these characters got, desecrating altars and such.

Poppy was hard to take seriously and Tyler came off as a bit pathetic... and yet I still liked them. I did believe that there was too much religion talk. Tyler was feeling guilty all over the place, which was understandable, but if you're not planning on stopping, figure your ish out!

Overall, it was a delicious smutty story and I recommend it to anyone who loves reading anything taboo.

──────　♔　──────

Midnight Mass by Sierra Simone

Priest #1.5
Release - December 8, 2015
Genre - Contemporary Romance novella
POV - Hero 1st person
Heat - 5 out of 5
Format - ebook from Amazon
Length - 193 pages
Publisher - Indie

We are told that God will punish the wicked. That sinful men will reap what they sow. We are told to scourge our souls with prayer and pain to become clean once again.

Well, here I am. Wicked and sinful. Desperate to become clean…even though it feels so good to be dirty.

But even I never expected what came next.

Even I never expected my punishment to come so soon.

MY REVIEW - 3 stars

I enjoyed the conflict that existed within Tyler. He’d left the church, married his temptation, and was steps away from achieving his doctorate. He should have been happy. Instead, he was a steaming pile of insecurity. He and Poppy were dealing with their new normal, and it wasn’t without its pitfalls. Their happily ever after definitely wasn't easily achieved.


Sierra is a voracious reader of all things including the smuttiest smut, young adult, piles of non-fiction for research, and everything Bill Bryson (especially on audio).

She loves writing the dirtiest things that she can think of, King Arthur, sparkling water, Tarot, coffee, leggings, and learning new words daily.

Her previous jobs have included firing ceramics, teaching living history lessons in one-room school house in full, 1904-approved school marm attire, and working as a librarian for several years—not in that order

She lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, two children, and two giant dogs. (And two cats, but they're so naughty we don't talk about them.)

Visit https://www.thesierrasimone.com for more information

──────　♔　──────

Hunter Avenged by N.J. Walters

It’s taken Viking hunter Sven Knutson six frustrating months to find her. To track down the angel responsible for compromising the Forgotten Brotherhood and waking the drakon. She may be clever. Resourceful. But no one ever gets away from Sven. Ever.

All Rivka longed for as an angel was a chance to serve on Earth and help humans. Instead, it all went impossibly, horribly wrong, and she still doesn’t understand how or even why. All she knows is that she’s on the run—not only from Heaven’s dangerous elite guard, but also from the Brotherhood, who want answers.

She might just have to trust the immortal Viking whose icy blue eyes make her feel almost wickedly human. Because someone wants Rivka dead and the Brotherhood eliminated. Someone powerful enough to take on the most dangerous assassins who have ever lived. Someone who could unleash the fury of both Heaven and Hell…and Rivka is the key.



When I finished reading Bjorn Cursed and met Sven, I knew I needed him to have his own book. And I've been eager for it ever since. I can't begin to tell you how excited I was to finally get his story in my hands. I don't often fangirl the heck out of myself, but I'm fangirling people!

I already knew that Sven was saved and enslaved by the goddess Freya and was now free to live any life he chose. His parents were alive and he could have a relationship with them, but aside from joining The Brotherhood, he's kept his distance.

And maybe, with the weight of destiny on his shoulders, he'll finally give himself a chance to be truly happy and embrace all of his blessings.

I really enjoyed this story. As the conclusion to an incredible series, I was happy to see most of the past characters make an appearance and in such impactful ways. I loved what blossomed between Sven and Rivka. From the way he hunted her around the world to bring her to justice in the plot against The Brotherhood, to his realizing that all he wanted to do was protect her from any and everyone who might have reason to do her harm. Sven was such an amazing hero and Rivka came into her own in such a wonderful way!


This series made N.J. Walters a must-read and must-buy author for me. There are incredibly gifted heroes, exciting plots and connections, and so much freaking love!


Once upon a time N.J. had the idea that she would like to quit her job at the bookstore, sell everything she owned, leave her hometown, and write romance novels in a place where no one knew her. And she did. Two years later, she went back to the bookstore and her hometown and settled in for another seven years.

One day she gave notice at her job on a Friday morning. On Sunday afternoon, she received a tentative acceptance for her first erotic romance novel and life would never be the same. N.J. has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

Visit http://www.njwalters.com for more information!

──────　♔　──────

Broken Angel by Cynthia Eden

A fallen angel has a bad side...and that side is about to be set free.

Angel Lila is being hunted - she can feel the hunter closing in behind her. Every move she makes, he's stalking after her. But does the werewolf on her trail want to destroy her - or can he protect her from the growing darkness that she is trying so desperately to fight?

Werewolf Rayce Lovel doesn't know what to do with an angel - especially one who makes him think too much about paradise. Lila may be heavenly, but every time he's near her, Rayce wants to sin. Angels aren't supposed to feel, but Lila was introduced to the world by way of pain. Pain is all she's known for far too long, and now, Rayce is tempted to introduce gorgeous Lila to pleasure.

But the longer an angel stays out of heaven, the more dangerous she can become. Lila sinks deeper into the darkness with each night that passes, and she finds herself becoming a pawn in an eternal battle...good versus evil. Is Rayce really her protector? Perhaps he is just the hungry wolf who has been sent to ensure that Lila never sets foot back in her paradise.



Instalove with a forbidden romance twist? I'm here for all of it!

After rescuing Lila, she went off the grid and Rayce has been searching for her ever since. He's supposed to be looking for her for his friend, the Lord of the Dark, but all he wants to do is protect her from anything that can hurt her—even if it means saving her from himself. But what happens when even his best intentions lead them down a dangerous path?

As a fallen angel, Lila has no idea what's happening to her. But something is definitely happening to her and the author did a great job of capturing her fear, anxiety, and hopelessness. However, with all of her doubts, there was one thing (or one person) she was pretty sure of... Rayce.

And I couldn't get enough of Rayce.

As an Alpha werewolf, he was wild, he was fierce, he was dominating and controlling, but he was also kind and sweet and generous and loving and amazing.

With tons of action, this story had me turning the pages very quickly and I'm looking forward to reading more from this series.



Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes sexy tales of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over one hundred novels and novellas.

Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.

──────　♔　──────

Suck This by Lani Lynn Vale

Blood, sex and alcohol.

That was what Club Worth was all about.

Ever since vampires had come out to the world, people had been obsessed. Take a walk on the wild side and see what the nightclub was all about.

Acadia Powell, on the other hand, didn’t do vampires. Nor did she do messy.

What she did do was stay away from people like Constantine Worth, Master of the City, and the most gorgeous man in the history of men. It didn’t matter that he had hypnotizing eyes, beautiful lips, and the sexiest body she’d ever had the privilege of laying eyes on.

It should be easy for her to stay away, but with each subsequent encounter, it’s becoming harder and harder to fight the growing need inside of her.

***

Constantine Worth knew that Acadia was off limits. Not only was she human and not willing to slum it with the undead, but she was also the baby sister of the city’s chief of police. The man that liked to arrest him every other day and twice on Sunday.

He should hate her based solely on the last name she shared with her brother. Yet each time he sees her, he forgets that he’s supposed to be playing nice. She sets his blood to boil, and each time she lets the verbal slurs flow, he finds it harder and harder to maintain his distance.

Soon, he will have to make a choice. Maintain his upstanding relationship with human law enforcement, or take what he wants, and damn the consequences.



Con wanted Acadia.
Acadia wanted Con.
These two couldn't keep their eyes or their thoughts off of each other.
Too bad Acadia's human.
Funny how forbidden fruit is always the sweetest!

When one of my favorite authors decides to dabble, once again, with paranormal romance, you better believe I was gonna be all over that! LLV's books are my solace and I found some comfort with this one.

While this story tackled some ugliness (those activists were no joke), I couldn't help but be enamored by all that was developing between Con and Acadia. He was so mysterious and utterly irresistible to her. And although she was supposed to be off limits, he couldn't help but give into temptation, again and again and again.

---

Not gonna lie, I did have some issues with this story.
* It was a bit all over the place and I sometimes felt like I was dumped in the middle of an untold story.
* Acadia had a best friend, but aside from a couple of scenes, that friend was never seen again. Which was weird because Acadia went through something intense. Where was her friend then?
* other than putting the blame for what happened to Acadia at their feet, the human activists were never really put to justice that I could see. Does that mean her case is still open?
* Con's organization, his foothold on their town, his allies, everything that was a part of him was so vaguely mentioned, but I wanted some more details. For example, his dad popped up on page. More please!
* Con's dead daughter and undead wife. Ummm... why wasn't this properly explored? What happens now?
* Acadia's entire life was vague. She was such a one-dimensional character that I struggled to give her a chance.
* Honestly, more details about the important stuff and less about the unimportant stuff would have worked well.


Lani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.

──────　♔　──────

Always Been You by Q.B. Tyler

Wrong. Sinful. Taboo.

I know I shouldn't want him.

I know I shouldn't touch myself in the middle of the night as thoughts of him run through my mind.

Thoughts of his kiss, his touch, his love.

I'd spent years obsessing over the man I thought I couldn't have.

But as it turns out, he wants me too.

And he wants me now.



I'll be honest... taboo reads haven't really been on my radar lately. I can't even remember when the last time my eyes even came across one. However, when I read this review from Sonya, I couldn't pass it up. She made it sound so good and I'm happy to say that I agree. At least for the most part.

So this isn't your typical 'he's my stepbrother and we're now involved. There's some fallout and a happy ending' kind of read. This is about adopted siblings. Gabi was adopted when she was two. She was a part of the family in every single way.

But what's a girl to do when she falls in love with her older brother?

Knowing they can't be together doesn't keep her heart from aching for him. It doesn't stop her body's longing for him.

So what happens when she finds out he feels the same way?


I liked a lot of what this story offered. The writing was definitely on point. The chemistry between the characters was beyond sizzling. The drama was actually kept to a minimum, if you can believe it. I even liked the dynamic explored by Gabi and James in their new relationship. I found it more realistic that they were being realistic about how strange their circumstances were. They knew it was messed up, they knew that many people would be grossed out, but their love wouldn't allow any of that to matter.


I do wish this story encompassed more than just the sexual chemistry between the characters. I know, I can't believe I even typed that, but it's true. There were some flashbacks that missed the mark on showing me the depth of their relationship. It was more tell than show and I would have loved to see the before better. Overall, a very solid read and I can easily recommend it to anyone looking for a bit more than a splash of taboo in their romance.


Write. Wine. Work. Repeat.

A look inside the mind of a not so ex-party girl's escape from her crazy life. Hailing from the nation's capital, q.B. Tyler, spends her days constructing her "Happily ever afters" with a twist, featuring sassy heroines and the heroes that worship them. But most importantly the love story that develops despite inconvenient circumstances.

Check out https://authorqbtyler.com/ for more information

──────　♔　──────

Marked for Seduction by S.J. Rowe

Thieves don’t get caught…

However, Tess’s career both started and stopped when she was. Her hand wasn’t the only thing she would lose this time. What was she to do: save her skin or let another die?

Primes choose loyalty over personal joy…

For over 200 years, Maliki didn’t regret exchanging his death for a life filled with duty and to right the wrongs that killed him. Under the watchful eye of an outsider makes it harder, especially with one that keeps tugging on a heart he thought was lost. When forced to choose, will he kill the Kayen, the soulless creatures of the night, or the talented thief hired to steal the secrets of his hidden society?

Does love make a soul whole?

Forced to work together: one to save three lives, the other thousands. Are they willing to push aside their desire to find those that betrayed them? Both have no problem surrendering their souls to spare another’s life, but are they willing to sacrifice their hearts this time?




I love when a new-to-me author's work gives me the giggles. Marked for Seduction was funny, sexy, and a wee bit suspenseful. Throw in some supernatural drama and it made for quite the entertaining read. Tess was a thief with a huge heart while Maliki was a male who was slowly discovering that love could play a part in his life too. They didn't make sense, their romance was almost forbidden, and yet something about them worked.

I'll admit that I'm intrigued by the idea of the whole Cain and Abel secret society of immortals or semi-immortals, locked in an endless battle of good vs. evil. I do wish that I learned more about the inner workings of that society, the people who make it their priority to protect humans, and even the evil ones who look at humans as fodder. For instance, why did I find out so much about everyone else's super powers, but nothing about Maliki's? Did he not have one?

Overall, a solid story and I'll probably read from this author again.

Remember, trust no one. Pay attention to the details. Don't believe everything you hear. And watch your back.
A war is coming.
Which side will you choose?

Blood Seeker by Lexi C. Foss

Standalone - Immortal Curse #7
Release - October 24, 2020
Genre - Paranormal Romance
Multiple POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 3 / a couple of scenes
Format/Source - Amazon Kindle purchase
Length - 286 pages
Publisher - Ninja Newt Publishing, LLC

An unexpected connection led to a forbidden affair that ended in blood. Now Sethios will stop at nothing to find his mate, even if it means risking his life and love in the process.

Caro’s mind is fractured, her body destroyed, her heart broken. She thought he would come for her, save her, free her from this nightmare. But her hope flees with every wave, her soul teetering on the brink of madness.

Will Sethios arrive in time? Or will other powers intervene?

A new prophecy is rising… One that will threaten to destroy them all.

Amazon blurb:

Seraphim do not feel.
Seraphim do not love.
Seraphim do not react.

Those are the rules every higher being lives by. And Caro broke them all for him.

Now she’s lost in a vacant sea, punished for the ultimate sin of choosing an abomination—a vampire—over her duty.

Sethios promised to come for her, to find her, to save her, but with each passing breath, her hope melts into despair.

Will he find her in time? Or will her mind shatter from the madness?

Welcome to the Immortal Curse world.
The High Council of Seraph will see you now...

Find your copy of Blood Seeker here:
Amazon * Nook * Kobo * Indigo * Audible

I've had this sweet baby of a book sitting on my kindle since release day, but I was waiting. What was I waiting for, you ask? I wanted the next book to be released so that I could continue the story. Do you know how hard it is to finish one of these books, know that there is so much more to come, and not have the next book in sight?! It's excruciating!! I'm telling you, Lexi C. Foss is a master storyteller and I'm drawn to these immortals like Winnie the Pooh and his honey.


Stas is still at the head of a prophecy. Sethios is now up-to-date on everything and is trying to figure out how to be a father to his daughter, who grew up without him. And Caro is somewhere they can't find her. When the family is finally reunited, it's beautiful and it's funny. But those super warm feelings I got when I watched them interact paled in comparison to all of the moving parts of this story.

★ the seraphim aren't as lovely as they seem
★ someone I always believed to be the 'bad guy' may not be as bad as he seemed
★ there is still so much more to know about what is to come
★ Vera... Vera... Vera
★ and it seems that Balthazar is getting his memory back - bound to be good times :)

I believe there is so much more to come and that this story is far from over. And as I impatiently wait for the next book...


I'll implore you to get started!

Check out the other books from this series:

This was her life. Her purpose. Her meaning.

She loved this man. This Sethios. This male who had shattered all her beliefs and had broken through the harshest of her resolves.

Caro clung to him, weeping, her time with him too short. The sacrifice they would make would change the future of the world. But what if they couldn’t come back from it?

She would never voice that fear, the knowledge of what was to come. Because her mother would find her when she failed to locate Astasiya. Caro would endure rehabilitation. And she would survive.

That was her purpose, her one secret, that she never gave up. With Sethios forever etched into her very soul, the council couldn’t separate them. They would try, and they would fail. She would return to him. Always.

“I love you,” he whispered to her, his lips a caress against her ear. “I will forever love you.”

“I love you, too,” she breathed. And this time it was her. Her voice. Her heart. Her body. Her soul. She’d fallen into the memory, enraptured and ensnared and never letting go.

His eyes burned into hers. “Come back to me, Caro.”

“I’m right here.”

“Come back to me, angel.”

She frowned. “I’m here.”

“I miss you.”

It didn’t make any sense. How could he miss her? He was holding her. A part of her. Only, everything began to blur, the memory slipping from her fingers and surrounding her in a cage of literal glass.

She frowned. Where am I?

USA Today Bestselling Author Lexi C. Foss loves to play in dark worlds, especially the ones that bite. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and their furry children. When not writing, she’s busy crossing items off her travel bucket list, or chasing eclipses around the globe. She’s quirky, consumes way too much coffee, and loves to swim.

Shadow's Edge by J.T. Geissinger

Standalone - Night Prowler #1
Release - June 12, 2012
Genre - Paranormal Romance
Multiple POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5/a few scenes
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through KU
Length - 383 pages
Publisher - Montlake Romance

Blurb from Amazon:
Deep within the primeval forests of southern England, a race of beautiful, savage shape-shifters lives hidden from the everyday world. Bound together by ancient bloodlines and a ruthless code of secrecy that punishes traitors with death, the Ikati send their leader Leander on a mission to capture one raised outside the tribe before she can expose their secret. When Leander tracks the unsuspecting outsider to Southern California, the hardened warrior is prepared for a fight—but not for the effect the sensual young beauty has on his heart.

Jenna spent her childhood in hiding, on the run from someone—or something—her parents refused to discuss. She trusts no one, not since her father’s mysterious disappearance, not since her mother’s sudden death, and definitely not since she began exhibiting strange, superhuman abilities. When handsome, enigmatic Leander appears, promising answers to the mysteries that shroud her past, she knows she shouldn’t trust him either. But their connection is undeniable, and as powerful as the enemy hell-bent on destroying every one of their kind...

When I asked for paranormal romance recommendations (and I'm always asking for them), Shadow's Edge came up a few times so I knew I had to add it to my list. I am so glad I finally got the chance to read it!

This book had so much of what I look for in a great story:
🐾 intense and dynamic characters — and I mean ALL of them!
🐾 compelling plot — I love when I can't predict exactly where the story is going to go. Who's friend and who is foe?
🐾 insane chemistry — I'm telling you, the tension that burned between Leander and Jenna was immense. It practically leaped off of the pages!
🐾 no unnecessary drama — only necessary dramatics, although the heroine came this close to getting on my nerves
🐾 a happy for now ending — the underlying plot isn't over so I'm sure more of this couple will be shown as the series goes (hopefully)

Leander was the brooding, gorgeous and fierce Alpha of the Ikati. He ruled, protected, and carried the heaviest of burdens. When it becomes clear that a half blood is approaching their 25th birthday, a day when their gifts either present themselves or don't, it's up to him to impose punishment. In his world, half breeds are an abomination and should be put to death. Will he be able to carry out this judgment?

Never calling any one place 'home', Jenna has become accustomed to spending her whole life bouncing from one place to the next, never understanding why she and her family couldn't stay still. She always knew she was different and after her father's mysterious disappearance, she was told to hide how special she was. She only knew that if 'they' found her, she was to disappear. However, when Leander comes into her life, she has to choose between fight or flight. Does she continue to hide or does she find the courage to face what she's unknowingly avoided her whole life?

I enjoyed the push and pull of the relationship that developed between Leander and Jenna. There was no easy road for them, but the author didn't make it impossible. Instead, we were given strong people who had to learn to adapt - to a new world, to a new truth, to each other. It was obvious that they were meant to be... the author just made them work for it. I could have easily done without Christian's feelings, which took away from how much I enjoyed getting to know his character, but I'm guessing this is something that will get worked out in another book. Overall, a solid and well-written read and I will definitely be checking out the next book of the series.

You can find your own copy of this book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/38C5Lhn
Note that it is FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited

J.T. Geissinger is a #1 internationally bestselling author of twenty-six novels. Ranging from funny, feisty romcoms to intense, edgy suspense, her books have sold over four million copies and been translated into more than a dozen languages.

She is a three-time nominee in both contemporary and paranormal romance for the RITA® Award, the highest distinction in romance fiction from the Romance Writers of America®. She is also a recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book and the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy.

She’s a Southern California native currently living in Nevada with her husband and rescue kitty, Zoe.

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

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.