Review // Embrace of Dragons by Aja James

October 07, 2023

Embrace of Dragons by Aja James

"You are the heart of me."
"And you taught me to feel," Lancelot returned.
"You are my soul. The source of every emotion I have ever possessed. I did not know the difference between merely existing and truly living until you. You are the sun that warms me."


Embrace of Dragons by Aja James

Embrace of Dragons by Aja James


My Rating - ★★★★★
Standalonish - Dragon Tails #8
Genre - paranormal Romance
Trope - fated mates
POV - multiple 3rd person
Heat - many explicit scenes
Source - beta and ARC provided by the author
Length - approx. 300 pages

Arthur Pendragon, the Once and Future King of an ancient Isle, finally recovered his heart and awoke from his witch queen’s spell. But he sustained mortal wounds before he was spirited away to “Avalon,” a Celestial Realm beyond human ken. In order to restore him, his life force was bound to another—his First Knight, Lancelot.

There was a time when Arthur loved and admired Lancelot above all men, before the Betrayal. Since the destruction of their shared tormentor, he realized that he’d accused his friend wrongly. But so much time, distance and regret have accumulated between them. So much sadness and pain. A trip to their homeland with Arthur’s newly discovered family reopens old wounds, but also reminds them of how they used to be.

Along the way, they are tasked with the search for the Everlasting Embrace by a mysterious being who speaks to them in dreams.

The end of the world may be just around the corner. Along the way, enemies may become lovers, reluctant friendships may form, and lots of hot, desperate, this-may-be-the-last-time-we-have-sex sex will definitely be had.

And who knows, you too may help discover the…

EMBRACE OF DRAGONS.

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon


My Two Cents

I can honestly tell you that no one writes romance quite like Aja James. I don't know how this author keeps track of all of details, even the little ones, but I'm down to keep enjoying this journey. Finding out more bits and pieces, discovering and re-discovering how everything fits together... it's a mystery lovers dream!

In Embrace of Dragons, we are given the whole story of characters we've already met—Arthur and Lancelot. And let me tell you, this story is nothing like any of the stories of Camelot I've ever seen, heard or read before.

Without the anchor of hate and the grail of retribution, what did he have left? He was broken shards of bones she'd already sucked dry. A husk of a man that used to be flesh and blood, full of life.

Don't even get me started on the imagery and the almost lyrical tone the author uses when telling a story. In the end, Arthur and Lancelot's story is full of hope, wonder, pain, magic, and so much love. Love that transcends time, distance, and any obstacle thrown in their way.

He would follow this man anywhere.
To forever and beyond.

Here are some of the things I loved about this book (can't share it all because... spoilers):

★ the sex (obvs)
★ the hesitation between Arthur and Lancelot, despite all that they shared. They went to hell and back together and had a hard time adjusting to 'normal'.
★ the almost enemies-to-lovers vibe this book gives off at the start. Arthur and Lancelot are forced together, but they don't talk. Communication doesn't exist. Yet their thoughts, their feelings, their everything is tied to the other. All of that angst gave me life!
★ the absolute cuteness these manly males exhibited when they finally got their ish together.


While Arthur claimed his body, he opened his heart and soul to Lancelot. And it was...
Beautiful.
Frightening.
Magical.
Fierce.
Arthur was...
Everything.

Honestly, there was so much to love about this story. Arthur and Lancelot were these strong, lethal, virile males and yet there was a softness to them, a vulnerability that they only shared with each other. It made what they had all the more beautiful and the author did an incredible job capturing all of that beauty, their warmth, their perseverance when it came to their love, and their inevitability.

With the added hint of what's to come, especially for my sweet, not-so-little Ben, I'm excited to see what's next!

Embrace of Dragons by Aja James

The Author

Best-selling author, Aja James, just completed the Pure/ Dark Ones paranormal-fantasy romance series in 2020. If you want your heart battered, bruised, shattered and skewered, then put back together in the most glorious ways, check out the series below. Every couple gets an HEA, but they fight like hell for it on the way.

Aja is now working on her new series, Dragon Tails, because dragons are her favorite shifters of all!

Check out Aja's expanded distribution of the Pure/ Dark Ones series on Google, Apple, Kobo and Barnes & Noble Books.

Visit https://aja-james.blog for more information!

Free Books & Book Deals - October 6, 2023

October 06, 2023


Hello everyone and Happy Friday!!

It's been a long time since I've done a post like this. I'm so sorry about that :(

All books listed are either absolutely FREE or for under $2 (at least at the time I posted this). I apologize in advance if the sale is over by the time you found yourself here.

Please Note: I only list authors I've either read or plan to read. If you know of any deals that are missing that you'd like to share, that I'd probably enjoy, please let me know in the comments section below :)


FREE


Hometown Heat #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: second chance

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Paradise Bay Billionaire Brothers #1
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Trope: fake relationship

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Montgomery Ink Legacy #1
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Trope: second chance

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The Wickeds: Dark Nights at Bayside #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: small town

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The Lost & Found series #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: second chance

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Wrecked #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: second chance

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Love in Bloom - Blue Ryder
Genre: contemporary
Trope: small town

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SEALs of Chance Creek #1
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Trope: marriage of convenience

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Bad Motherpuckers #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: sports

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Misadventures #8
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Trope: sports

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Trope: billionaire

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To Be Claimed Saga #1
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Trope: ?

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Steel Brothers Saga #16
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Trope: workplace

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Book #1
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Trope: billionaire

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Trails of Sin #1
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Trope: second chance

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standalone
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Trope: captive

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Waylon University #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: sports

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The Kingston Family #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: friends to lovers

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Checkmate Duet #1
Genre: contemporary
Trope: enemies to lovers

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Dirty Billionaire Trilogy #1
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Trope: billionaire

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Beneath #1
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Trope: military

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Trope: friends to lovers

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Phoenix #2
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Trope: security

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Bridge #1
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Trope: second chance

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standalone
Genre: paranormal
Trope: forbidden

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Ancients Rising #6
Genre: paranormal
Trope: forbidden

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Order of the Blade #1
Genre: paranormal
Trope: fated mates

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books 1-4
Genre: paranormal
Trope: fated mates

Throwback Thursday // Friends to Lovers

October 05, 2023


Hey everyone and welcome to another Throwback Thursday!

This post has been missing for a while, but it's back and today I'm sharing with you the first five Friends to Lovers stories I reviewed on the blog that won high marks from me. Oldies but goodies, maybe you've read them, maybe they're sitting on your TBR... maybe you even have a suggestion for me because I really enjoy this trope.

I hope I've reminded you of the love for a particular story, suggested a new read, or at least entertained you for a moment. Happy reading! xo



Normal by Danielle Pearl


This is a young adult romance that read like a new adult romance. It tackled issues that no youth should ever have to face. It had a relatable heroine and a fantastic hero. On top of everything going on with these characters, the author can write. I remember being completely absorbed by this story and the ones that followed in this series. From the blurb: a gritty story of trust and abuse, heartbreak and salvation, and if they're lucky - love. This is not a flowery romance - not for the faint of heart.

Find my review HERE



Sweetest Sorrow by J.M. Darhower


After falling in love with Matty in the first book (By Any Other Name), I knew I wanted to be back in this world and I got what I wanted with this book. I fell in love with Dante (although Matty is still my favourite) and I really enjoyed how the author mixed suspense, mafia hijinks, friendship, humour and romance all in one story. I was thoroughly entertained from beginning to end and knew that this wouldn't be the last book I'd fall in love with from this author.

Find my review HERE



27 Truths by M.J. Fields


This book right here... y'all this book taught me about angst! That tear-into-your-guts, feel-like-I-wanna-puke, how-could-you-do-that, why-am-I-still-reading, kind of angst. I didn't know a story could be so gut-wrenchingly good until I read this book. I didn't know I could love and hate a character with equal measure until I read this book. If you haven't read it, try it. If you have, you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about.

Find my review HERE



Beard Science by Penny Reid


For years, this author has been one of my go-tos for romantic comedy. There is such quirky humour and warmth in Penny Reid's stories that I've really come to appreciate. With her Winston Brothers series, I quickly realized who my favourite brother would be—Cletus. While I loved and appreciated all of them, there was something truly special about Cletus and I couldn't wait to see him appear in other books in the series. He was the light of my life LOL!!

Find my review HERE



Defying Her Mafioso by Terri Anne Browning


While I didn't get everything I was hoping for from this story, it introduced many points that I was interested in exploring. Did I explore them? No. However, with this post, I'm reminded about it and hopefully will get back to this author's writing and discover that something more I was looking for from it.

Find my review HERE

Review // The Naga Outcast's Unwanted Mate by Robin O'Connor

October 04, 2023

The Naga Outcast's Unwanted Mate by Robin O'Connor

Vera was willing to show me her soft sides and her vulnerabilities.
She didn't hesitate to share her feelings with me, good or bad.
A Naga female would never do any of those things.


The Naga Outcast's Unwanted Mate by Robin O'Connor

The Naga Outcast's Unwanted Mate by Robin O'Connor


My Rating - ★★★1/2
Standalone - Serpents of Serant #1
Genre and Trope - SciFi Romance / instalove and forced proximity
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - descriptive scenes
Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 219 pages

Vera
My family maneuvered me like a worthless pawn, then cast me away. I was supposed to be executed but even that didn’t go right. When I wake up, my whole world is tilted on its axis when I lock eyes with a monster.

He’s half snake, half man and somehow he’s the most alluring thing I’ve ever seen. When he touches me I can understand him and he says I’m his mate. But how’s that possible? I’ve never belonged anywhere.

When more of his kind chase us, cast us out, and try to do everything they can to keep us apart. I must fight for what I want, fight to keep the one place where I’m wanted. In the arms of my mate.

Zathar
Cast out by my own Clan, by my very mother the Queen. I am left adrift until a skyship falls from the heavens, carrying with it my mate.

She is curvy and soft, everything I never knew I wanted. She’s perfect, and I will give up anything, climb any mountain, even crawl through the haunted ancestral caves if it means I can keep her. If only she’ll believe me when I swear she’s my heart.

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon (FREE with KU)


The Naga Outcast's Unwanted Mate by Robin O'Connor

My Two Cents

Zathar, the first-born serpentine son of the Queen, was cast out of his tribe for not finding a mate. Vera had a family that didn't want her and she never found a place to belong... until now. Crash landing on a strange planet delivered everything both of them could ever want—a home, found family, and eternal love.

I really enjoyed this story. From the moment I was introduced to the language barrier between the aliens and humans and the unique method the author chose for them to communicate, I was intrigued by this story. I liked Vera and Zathar, the world building, and the secondary characters who I'm sure will get their own stories some day. Even the characters who caused SO MUCH DRAMA kept me entertained. There was such warmth to these characters... well, most of them anyway... I found them so endearing.

While there were several sensual moments between Zathar and Vera, they took a backseat to the plot and the developing intimate bond growing between these characters. I really liked how although there was plenty of instalove and instalust vibes to this story, the relationship never felt rushed. There was a learning curve for these characters, forcing them to find common ground and to build a solid foundation for their future.

I would definitely read more from this series.

The Author

Robin O’Connor is the pen-name of an author who loves to write about strong, super sexy, alien heroes and quirky heroines. She lives with her husband and four year old son along with a couple hundred books (hers, definitely hers) and probably just as many computer parts (her husband’s). Her house therefore resembles something like a mad-scientist’s lab on any given day.

She’s always working on at least a half dozen projects at the same time but is never without time to answer questions, write up funny extras, or post fun quotes and cover WIPs from her books on Instagram.

Visit www.robinoconnor.ink for more information