Book Battle March 2024 TBR

Well it's time to choose my March TBR for Book Battle. So here are the books that I've picked this month: 

5pts-Banned book-A Line in the Dark by Malinda Lo

5pts-About being trapped-Disturbing the Dead by Kelley Armstrong

5pts-Book that stole your heart-Written in Red by Anne Bishop

5pts-Dangerous main character-Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop

5pts-CRITERIA CHOICE 1-Book with a crime in it-Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop

5pts-CRITERIA CHOICE 2-Book with one of this month's teams in the title-Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell

10pts-CLUB READ 1-Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

10pts-CLUB READ 2-Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

10pts-Criminal POV-Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

15pts-Set behind bars-Lockdown by Alexander Gordon Smith

20pts-Book with your team in it*Murderer-Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley

So this month, the theme is about a crime, so here's some books that fit.

-Dead Tired by Kat Ailes

-The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray

-Blackbird Trilogy by Heather Graham

-Daughter of Mine by Megan Miranda

-Four Letter Word by Gretchen McNeil

-Campus Murder Club by Kristi Rose

-A Scandal in Mayfair by Katharine Schellman

How did I do last month?

5pts-Book to TV adaptation-Heartstopper: Volume Five by Alice Oseman-Read!

5pts-Book that reminds you of your favorite show-I Only Read Murder by Ian Ferguson and Will Ferguson-Read!

5pts-About being watched-Pierce Her by Kelly Finley-Read! 

5pts-Book that relaxes you-The Darkest Promise by Gena Showalter-Read! 

5pts-CRITERIA CHOICE 1-Book franchise you're a fan of-The Darkest Warrior by Gena Showalter-Read! 

5pts-CRITERIA CHOICE 2-Black POV-Escaping Mr. Rochester by L.L. McKinney-Read!

10pts-CLUB READ 1-House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas-Read!

10pts-CLUB READ 2-House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas-Read!

10pts-Book about a competition-Thieves' Gambit by Kayvion Lewis-Read!

15pts-TV show in it-For Butter or Worse by Erin La Rosa-Read!

20pts-Book with a team in it* DNF at First Sight-One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London-Read!

I had some really great books, that I loved reading them, and I can't wait for this next month! 

Random Reads #641, February 29th

Random Reads is a monthly meme (that I'm going to do weekly) hosted by I'm Loving Books to read some books that have been on our TBR piles for a long time. Using Random.org, I got 7423 which turned out to be Fat Girl on a Plane by Kelly deVos! It's been on my TBR pile since November 21st, 2020, and I added it because I love her books and it sounded really good! What about you guys? Happy reading!

Third Sentence Thursday #655, February 29th

Third Sentence Thursday is a weekly meme which likes to watch fireworks especially while eating a cookie!

1) Take the book you are currently reading and open it to a random page. Share the third full sentence on that page. (If there isn't a third one – like at the end of a chapter or a blank page – you can share the third sentence of the book or just choose another random page.) Feel free to share more than one sentence, if you feel the need to do so.

2) Review this sentence anyway you want (funny and silly reviews encouraged)

3) Post a link to your sentence at Words I Write Crazy (This Blog)

4) Visit one or two of the other blogs to check out their third sentences!

"The hint of a smile appears on his lovely face, pulling me in with its irresistible warmth, but he doesn't try to hug me." -Prodigy by Marie Lu, page 15.

Aw, that's a bit sad! Must read more now! What are your guy's 3rd lines? Link up below!

Will the Time Come #665, February 29th

Every Thursday I am going to list a book which I really want to read/keep meaning to get to. These are mostly books which have been on my shelf for awhile now but don't have to be, maybe you got it two weeks ago and really want to read it! Thanks to Jodie from Books for Company for this meme!

Want to Join?

-Pick a book you have been meaning to read

-Do a post telling us about the book    

-Link the post up in the linky  

-Visit the other blogs

From Goodreads:

He had known this day would come. No man could escape the entire might of the Sovran forever. He just found it humorous that it was an enemy of the Sovran that had caught him instead.

Bound, kneeling before a queen whom he had hounded for a straight year, he should have been anxious. Or at least a little worried. Instead, a strange sense of relief filled him. It was over. His mad escape from Brindisi’s justice was over.

“That is a very calm expression on your face, General Darius Bresalier,” she observed. Her tone was idle, but her eyes were as sharp as a hawk’s. “Are you not worried?”

“I knew what the punishment would be, Your Most High Majesty,” he answered respectfully. “I have had a year to resign myself to my fate. I cannot complain.”

She gave a low, musical hum of approval. “Well said. I have heard many reports on what you did but never once did I believe I could have the full tale.” She leaned forward, causing the silk pillows behind her to slide in every direction. “Kingslayer, tell me. Why did you kill your king?”

Why the time hasn't come yet...

I don't know, I love her writing and I want to read all of her books! So I really want to pick it up soon! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

Waiting on Wednesday #668, February 28th

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating! 

The Witch Queen of Halloween by Kresley Cole

Expected Publication: March 26th, 2024
From Goodreads:

The next spellbinding installment in the #1 New York Times bestselling Immortals After Dark series .

A demon soldier of fortune . . .

Rök Kours dives into a dangerous job, only to cross swords with the one woman who bewitched him.

A Wiccan mercenary . . .

Poppy Dyer has never let her uncontrollable magic interfere with her work, but she can barely withstand one demon's charms.

Trapped in a terrifying lair.

If the two rivals can defeat Halloween's worst nightmares to escape a haunted castle, can they overcome their pasts to claim a future together?

The Good, the Bad, and the Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Expected Publication: March 26th, 2024
From Goodreads:
What should have been a family celebration of Chinese New Year descends into chaos when longtime foes crash the party in this hilariously entertaining novel by Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties.After an ultra-romantic honeymoon across Europe, Meddy Chan and her husband Nathan have landed in Jakarta to spend Chinese New Year with her entire extended family. Chinese New Year, already the biggest celebration of the Lunar calendar, gets even more festive when a former beau of Second Aunt’s shows up at the Chan residence bearing extravagant gifts—he’s determined to rekindle his romance with Second Aunt and the gifts are his way of announcing his courtship.   His grand gesture goes awry however, when it’s discovered that not all the gifts were meant for Second Aunt and the Chans—one particular gift was intended for a business rival to cement their alliance and included by accident. Of course the Aunties agree that it’s only right to return the gift—after all, anyone would forgive an honest mistake, right? But what should have been a simple retrieval turns disastrous and suddenly Meddy and the Aunties are helpless pawns in a decades-long war between Jakarta’s most powerful business factions. The fighting turns personal, however, when Nathan and the Aunties are endangered and it’s up to Meddy to come up with a plan to save them all.  Determined to rescue her loved ones, Meddy embarks on an impossible mission—but with the Aunties by her side, nothing is truly impossible…

Royal Scandal by Aimee Carter

Expected Publication: March 26th, 2024
From Goodreads:

The second book in the Royal Blood series about an American girl who threatens the royal family by exposing their darkest scandals—even as they get more sinister.

American girl turned monarchy nightmare, Evan Bright, has gotten used to the press about her but the media attention has only seemed to get worse. 

From desperate clickbait articles about her and the President's son to Royal Record headlines pitting her against Princess Maisie, it seems everyone is dying for Evan to return back to America for good. Meanwhile Evan is receiving mysterious threats about her real story being reveiled in a tell-all biography. 

When more information is leaked about Evan, she fears she will always be Britain's media villain. But the threats escalate when there is an attempted assassination with no suspects...and Evan believes the person is in the palace's walls. 

They say what doesn't kill you will make you stronger...but what if it's the royal family who wants you dead?

Return of the Vengeful Queen by C.J. Redwine

Expected Publication: March 26th, 2024
From Goodreads:

From C. J. Redwine, the author the New York Times bestselling Ravenspire series, comes the stunning conclusion to the fantasy duology that began with Rise of the Vicious Princess. Perfect for fans of These Violent Delights, And I Darken, and Ash Princess!

Charis Willowthorn is a queen without a throne. A Rakuuna invader holds Charis's kingdom of Calera captive, leaving her desperate--and ruthlessly committed to vengeance. But with her allies reluctant to intervene and her enemies hunting her across the open sea, Charis is left with only one choice: forge a temporary alliance with Tal Penbyrn, the boy who betrayed her--and, at all costs, keep him out of her heart.

Tal is imprisoned, both by the Rakuuna's isolated castle and the weight of his guilt. Though he once betrayed his love, he knows that he can help turn the tide in Charis's favor, if only he can regain her trust. But the Rakuuna have an ally of their own--one who knows Charis's every move and will stop at nothing to see her destroyed.

With threats closing in and every allegiance in doubt, Charis must be stronger, faster, and more vicious than her enemies to reclaim her kingdom--and her future.

Icarus by K. Ancrum

Expected Publication: March 26th, 2024
From Goodreads:

Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, this suspenseful queer YA romance from critically acclaimed author K. Ancrum reimagines the tale of Icarus as a star-crossed love story between a young art thief and the son of the man he’s been stealing from—think Portrait of a Thief for YA readers.

Icarus Gallagher is a thief. He steals priceless art and replaces it with his father’s impeccable forgeries. For years, one man—the wealthy Mr. Black—has been their target in revenge for his role in the death of Icarus’s mother. To keep their secret, Icarus adheres to his own strict rules to keep people, and feelings, at Don’t let anyone close. Don’t let anyone touch you. And, above all, don’t get caught.

Until one night, he does. Not by Mr. Black but by his mysterious son, Helios, now living under house arrest in the Black mansion. Instead of turning Icarus in, Helios bargains for something even more dangerous—a friendship that breaks every single one of Icarus’s rules.

As reluctance and distrust become closeness and something more, they uncover the gilded cage that has trapped both their families for years. One Icarus is determined to escape. But his father’s thirst for revenge shows no sign of fading, and soon it may force Icarus to the escape he’s dreamed of, or the boy he’s come to love. Reaching for both could be his greatest triumph—or it could be his downfall.

Some really great books to round out the month, some releases that I'm really looking forward to! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

WWW Wednesday #672, February 28th

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

Thanks to MizB of Should Be Writing now A Daily Rhythm for starting this meme! And thanks now to Taking on a World of Words for reviving it! 

I'm currently reading When Oceans Rise and I'm loving it! 

I'm also reading Tidal Creatures, and it's so good! 

I read Children of Virtue and Vengeance, I loved it, and I need book 3 now! 

I'm going to be reading The Phantom, and I can't wait, I love her writing and this series! 

What about you guys? Happy reading!

Teaser Tuesday #672, February 27th

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Today's teaser comes from Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi, page 23.

"Her large tongue flops from her mouth when we run. I don't remember the last time we galloped with nothing above us but the full moon and open air."

That's a bit sad, that she hasn't had that experience in a while, it sounds nice! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #664, February 26th

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week...and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well...you never know where that next "must read" book will come from!

What happened in the past week:

Weekly Memes:
It's Monday! What Are You Reading #663
Teaser Tuesday #671
WWW Wednesday #671
WOW #667
Will the Time Come #664
Third Sentence Thursday #654
Random Reads #640
First Lines Friday #667
Book Blogger Hop #333
The Reward Challenge Update #649
Wheel of TBR #196
How Well I Stuck to It #501
Wrote that Review Update #498

Week 8 Reviews:
Four-Alarm Homicide

Plot Twist

The Damned

Bride

One to Watch

Visions of Flesh and Blood

The Renegade Akseli Cyborg

The Brat

The Pairing

The Darkest Destiny

Lessons in Chemistry

Fated Blades

After Him

With Him

Children of Blood and Bone

Cliterature Readathon:

Update 1

Update 2

Update 3

Update 4

Update 5

Update 6

Update 7 

Update 8

Update 9 and Wrap Up

OK, so I got 36 posts in 7 days, and it was a pretty good week, I had it off, and I currently have Jax, but he and Holly aren't quite getting along yet, so I'm having to keep them apart, which is hard. And yesterday was rough with a migraine when I haven't had one in a few months. But I still have today and tomorrow off, so I'm happy with that! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read Tidal Creatures!

Every night, a Moon shines down on the Impossible City…

New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire takes us back to the world of the award-winning Alchemical Journeys series in this action-packed follow-up to Middlegame and Seasonal Fears.

All across the world, people look up at the moon and dream of gods. Gods of knowledge and wisdom, gods of tides and longevity. Over time, some of these moon gods incarnated into the human world alongside the other manifest natural concepts. Their job is to cross the sky above the Impossible City—the heart of all creation—to keep it connected to reality.

And someone is killing them.

There are so many of them that it's easy for a few disappearances to slip through the cracks. But they aren't limitless.

In the name of the moon, the lunar divinities must uncover the roots of the plot and thwart the true goal of those behind these attacks—control of the Impossible City itself.

Wrote that Review Update #498, February 25th

If you want to participate, set a certain amount of reviews to write, and once you make that goal, you can get a reward!

My reviews to reward is writing all of the reviews of the week, and I motivated myself to write my review for Four-Alarm Homicide, Plot Twist, The Damned, Bride, One to Watch, Visions of Flesh and Blood, The Renegade Akseli Cyborg, The Brat, The Pairing, The Darkest Destiny, Lessons in Chemistry, Fated Blades, After Him and With Him, Children of Blood and Bone, so I have 14 of 14 reviews written!

And as always, I want to review this week's reviews!

What about you guys? Happy reading!

How Well I Stuck to It #501, February 25th

So I decided that I should have accountability on sticking to what should be in a week, so I'm doing How Well I Stuck to It every Sunday, because my schedule should be fixed in by now!

Week 9:

Tidal Creatures by Seanan McGuire

NetGalley: 1.

Edelweiss: NA.

New Books: NA

Another week with just one book that I just want to read so much! There's a few other books, but I'm not sure that I'll be able to fit them in. 

Week 8:

Visions of Flesh and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

vs.

Four-Alarm Homicide by Diane Kelly, Plot Twist by Erin La Rosa, The Damned by Laura Thalassa, Bride by Ali Hazelwood, One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London, Visions of Flesh and Bone by Jennifer L. Armentrout and Rayvn Salvador, The Renegade Akseli Cyborg by Dianne Duvall, The Brat by Lynsay Sands, The Pairing by Casey McQuiston, The Darkest Destiny by Gena Showalter, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, Fated Blades by Ilona Andrews, After Him by Kelly Finley, With Him by Kelly Finley, Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

I read the one book that I wanted to, and a good number more, so I'm happy with this week and I can't wait for the coming week! What about you guys? Happy reading!

Wheel of TBR #196, February 25th

I saw Codie's Book Corner doing the Wheel of TBR, and I thought that sounded like a great way to pick what to read from your TBR. So thanks to her! I'll only do 3 spins, because I'm doing this every week, and so it won't make up my total TBR of the week, but it'll be a start!

Rules:

1. For each week of the month, I'll do 3 spins each week to read each week though I do have the rest of the month to read them. Once a prompt is used, I'll randomly choose one from the list, keeping track of how often a colour comes up. If colour comes up 3 or more times in month, I'll do another spin once it comes up 3 times.

2. If I don't read a book that week or at least start it before the end of the month, then for my next week of spins, I have to add a punishment for each book unread. I'll roll for each unread book, and have to apply each and every punishment chosen to the week.

3. Each month I'll get a prompt from my Binge Read Wheel (either specifically picking the prompt, or spinning the wheel) and I have to read at least 9 books, though I can read more!

Of the books from the last week, I read Bride by Ali Hazelwood, The Brat by Lynsay Sands, The Darkest Destiny.

Binge Read Wheel:

For this month, the wheel picked Meme. I read Visions of Flesh and Bone by Jennifer L. Armentrout and Rayvn Salvador, The Renegade Akseli Cyborg by Dianne Duvall, The Pairing by Casey McQuiston, A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen, so I've read 11/9+.

For this coming month, the wheel picked Author. 

Prompts Used This Week:

Sophomore Book, Award, Series Not Touched since before 2020, Mass Market Paperback.

Sophomore Book-Red-The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna-This is Namina Forna's second published book, her sophomore book! 

Award-Green-Legend by Marie Lu-This book won the Truman Readers Award in 2014, so I'll use that! 

Series Not Touched since before 2020-Azure-Prodigy by Marie Lu-I haven't read the Legend series since before at least 2020, so I'm using that! 

Bonus Spin for Green-Mass Market Paperback-Spring Green-Written in Red by Anne Bishop-I have this book in mass market paperback, so I'll do that! 

Colour Totals:
Red: 2
Orange: 2
Yellow: 0
Chartreuse: 0
Green: 3
Spring Green: 2
Cyan: 1
Azure: 2
Blue: 0
Violet: 1
Magenta: 2
Rose: 1

Prompts for Next Week:

Physical Book to Read in 2022-Red

Hype-Orange

Literature Map-Yellow

Favorite Author-Chartreuse

WTC Book-Green

Big Book-Spring Green

End the Series-Cyan

Physical Book-Azure

Genre Most Read-Blue

Physical Book to Read in 2023-Violet

Series Continued and Unfinished/Current 2022-Magenta

Series As Last Read-Rose

So those are some of the books I'm going to try to read this week. What about you guys? Happy reading!

The Reward Challenge Update #649, February 25th

The Reward Challenge is almost the complete opposite to a book buying ban as you'll end up buying lots of new books throughout the challenge but only after you've completed a certain amount of reading. It was hosted by Good Golly Miss Holly, so thanks to her for starting it!

OK, so I read Four-Alarm Homicide which counts 4 times as NetGalley Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book and a WoW Book, Plot Twist which counts 4 times as a Edelweiss Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book and a Sophomore Challenge Book, The Damned which counts 3 times as a End of Series 2024 Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book, Bride which counts 3 times as a SAC 2024 Book and a WoW Book, One to Watch which counts 3 times as a DAC Book and a SAC 2024 Book, Visions of Flesh and Blood which counts 3 times as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book and a WoW Book, The Renegade Akseli Cyborg which counts 3 times as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book and a WoW Book, The Brat which counts 3 times as a Historical Fiction 2024 Book and a SAC 2024 Book, The Pairing which counts 4 times as a NetGalley Book, SAC 2024 Book and a WoW Book, The Darkest Destiny which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book, Lessons in Chemistry which counts 4 times as a DAC Book, Historical Fiction 2024 Book and a SAC 2024 Book, Fated Blades which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book, After Him which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book, With Him which counts 3 times as End of Series 2024 Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book, Children of Blood and Bone which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book.

So I have 45 counts which translates to $22.50 this week! I'll use it to buy books!

Cliterature Readathon Update 9 and Wrap Up

So I read my final book for Cliterature Readathon, and it was A Fate Inked in Blood which was for the prompt 5 Star Prediction, and I read some really great books, I had a great time, and I can't wait for the next round! 

My Reading Journey:

The Damned by Laura Thalassa 

Prompt Fulfilled: Take Part in a Sprint

Started On: February 19th 

Finished On: February 19th, 1:56 PM

Pages Read: 364

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Prompt Fulfilled: Illustrated Cover

Started On: February 19th

Finished On: February 19th, 10:01 PM

Pages Read: 416

One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London

Prompt Fulfilled: A New to You Author

Started On: February 20th

Finished On: February 20th, 10:38 PM

Pages Read: 424

The Renegade Akseli Cyborg by Dianne Duvall

Prompt Fulfilled: Your Favourite Trope

Started On: February 21st

Finished On: February 21st, 8:13 PM

Pages Read: 440

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

Prompt Fulfilled: LGBTQ+ Romance

Started On: February 22nd

Finished On: February 22nd, 3:43 PM

Pages Read: 432

The Darkest Destiny by Gena Showalter

Prompt Fulfilled: Poll Pick

Started On: February 22nd

Finished On: February 22nd, 9:59 PM

Pages Read: 204

After Him by Kelly Finley 

Prompt Fulfilled: Share Your TBR

Started On: February 23rd

Finished On: February 23rd, 2:43 PM

Pages Read: 468

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Prompt Fulfilled: POC Author

Started On: February 23rd

Finished On: February 23rd, 11:37 PM

Pages Read: 554

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

Prompt Fulfilled: 5 Star Prediction

Started On: February 24th

Finished On: February 24th, 9:54 PM

Pages Read: 432

Prompts Left: None Left!

Read: 9

Pages Read: 3734

Week 8 Review: Children of Blood and Bone

From Goodreads:
Tomi Adeyemi conjures a stunning world of dark magic and danger in her West African-inspired fantasy debut, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Sabaa Tahir.

They killed my mother. 
They took our magic. 
They tried to bury us. 

Now we rise. 

Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie's Reaper mother summoned forth souls.

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers—and her growing feelings for an enemy. 

My first review of Children of Blood and Bone
My Review:


Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Series: Legacy of Orïsha #1
First Read: July 8th, 2020

Read: February 23rd, 2024
Source: Own
Reason Why: Rereading, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book!
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Published: March 6th 2018

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 8 Review: After Him, With Him

From Goodreads:

From author Kelly Finley comes another steamy tale with a tragic hero brought to his knees by a heart-breaking secret. It's one he shares with the woman he left behind. Now, she will be his end... and his beginning.

When you’re wanted…

Redix Dean is so hot he breaks hearts upon sight.

He promised he’d love me for infinity.

After one tragic night, he lied.

He moved to L.A., found celebrity success and left me with no answers.

Now he’s back and thinks he can seduce me and make me his again?

He was the love of my life.

No matter how famous he is, he’s still the boy who saved me.

Everyone sees his beauty. I see his pain.

Everyone is after him. I only want to save him.

Because he’s hiding something and I'm the only one who knows it.

I'll keep his secret while he plays dark games with my heart and body … until the very end.

“After Him” is the angsty, steamy, fast-paced first of a duet featuring a tragic hero and a second chance

From Goodreads:

When you're torn…

Why should you decide?

I’m caught between a man who hates me and one who wants me.

And yes, it's possible to choose—I love them both.

Redix is the only man I’ve ever told I love. We're connected in ways that brand my soul.

Silas is a man of new temptation. He only wants to free me from my dark past.

But what do I want? What do I need?

All I've known is a love I'd kill for.

All I feel is that I want to save them both...

"With Him" is a steamy, fast-paced second of a duet featuring a menage between a tragic hero, a free spirit, and a love that breaks the rules. It is a HEA with hot scenes and dark themes that may be sensitive for some readers.

My Review:


Author: Kelly Finley 
Series: All for You Duet #1, 2
Read: February 23rd, 23rd, 2024
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Love her writing and they sounded good, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Books, and With Him is a End of Series 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Kelly Finley Books
Published: October 6th 2022, October 20th 2022

After Him:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

With Him:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 8 Review: Fated Mates

From Goodreads:

An uneasy alliance between warring families gets heated in this otherworldly novella from bestselling author Ilona Andrews.

At first glance, the planet Rada seems like a lush paradise. But the ruling families, all boasting genetically enhanced abilities, are in constant competition for power―and none more so than the Adlers and the Baenas. For generations, the powerful families have pushed and pulled each other in a dance for dominance.

Until a catastrophic betrayal from within changes everything.

Now, deadly, disciplined, and solitary leaders Ramona Adler and Matias Baena must put aside their enmity and work together in secret to prevent sinister forces from exploiting universe-altering technology. Expecting to suffer through their uneasy alliance, Ramona and Matias instead discover that they understand each other as no one in their families can―and that their combined skills may eclipse the risks of their forbidden alliance.

As the two warriors risk their lives to save their families, they must decide whether to resist or embrace the passion simmering between them. For now, the dance between their families continues―but just one misstep could spell the end of them both.

My first review of Fated Mates
My Review:

Loved reading this story again! I wasn't planning on it, but like I said in my review of the short stories, this book was used as an example of writing on their blog, and I just had to reread it! I just love the story and these characters so much! 

The fact that both of their spouses betrayed them, they, who were of families that feud against one another, yeah, it's a pretty shocking situation. That working together is the best thing that they can do to salvage the situation, yeah, that they're in close proximity! 

Matias is all about structure, and that structure is taken away by his wife's actions. I adored his and Ramona's interactions, because there's been a bit of a cold war since the last big encounter, and their generation hasn't really seen much. So that they had that time together, to find out who the other was...well, it wasn't what they were expecting! 

It was so much fun to watch them gather the information that they needed, fall in love, deal with the bad guys, and deal with their families. I don't know what's my favourite moment, when they fight the two other secare, or when they told their families of their marriage. They were both so great! 

This as such a fantastic read, and I do hope this isn't the last we'll see of this world! 

Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kinsmen #3
First Read: November 24th, 2021

Read: February 23rd, 2024

Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Montlake
Published: November 23rd 2021

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 8 Review: Lessons in Chemistry

From Goodreads:

A delight for readers of Where'd You Go, Bernadette and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, this blockbuster debut set in 1960s California features the singular voice of Elizabeth Zott, a scientist whose career takes a detour when she becomes the star of a beloved TV cooking show.

Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.

But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth's unusual approach to cooking ("combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride") proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn't just teaching women to cook. She's daring them to change the status quo.

My Review:
This book, man! I knew that it was going to rile me up, because Elizabeth had to face such obstacles, just because she was female, and oh, it did that! This is Elizabeth's story, and how it connects with others, and I just loved it! Though six thirty was my favourite character and I hurt when he hurt. 

This book played with the timeline a lot, starting off hen she takes the job to be on the show, and then goes back and show her time with Calvin, and how she healed. At points, we would points in the past that helped explain something and it worked so well! 

The way that she was looked down, because she was female, and then because she was on tv, it just infuriated me, because while things are better then they were, they still aren't the best. That her show opened up women's minds about their potential, was just brilliant! I honestly thought that guys would figure out what was going on, and cause trouble, but nope, it always came from the same place of that a woman wouldn't be capable. Bah! 

But oh, that ending! I just loved how it brought everything together, all the bits of detail that we'd been told, and told us why were were told them, why they were important! It ends on such a heart-wrenching, cleansing, and ultimately positive ending! I couldn't get enough, I still want more! 

Absolutely loved it, I can't wait to watch the show, and I hope to read more by Bonnie Garmus in the future! 

Author: Bonnie Garmus
Read: February 23rd, 2024
Source: Library 
Reason Why: Sounded really good and the tv show sounded good, and it's a DAC Book, Historical Fiction 2024 Book and a SAC 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Random House Audio
Published: March 31st 2022

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 8 Review: The Darkest Desinty

From Goodreads:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Gena Showalter comes a new story in her Lords of the Underworld series…

Forsaken. Deathless. A monster in every way. Mostly, Brochan is determined. He craves what fate promised him—the woman who will help him conquer a heavenly kingdom. He will stop at nothing to win her.

Viola, Keeper of the demon of Narcissism, lives for a single purpose—treating herself and her pet to the best life possible. But a crazed warrior is now appearing everywhere she ventures, ruining her fun…. tempting her beyond reason and keeping her at a razor-edge of desire.

Though legions of males have attempted to win her, all have failed. Somehow, this rampaging beast is tearing down her walls, one by one, claiming he owns her heart and her very destiny. To be with him, however, she must defeat the only force strong enough to destroy her—love.

My first review of The Darkest Destiny
My Review:

  

Author: Gena Showalter 
Series: Lords of the Underworld #15.5

First Read: December 7th 2021

Read: February 22nd, 2024
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Rereading, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book!
Publisher: Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
Published: December 7th 2021

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 8 Review: The Pairing

From Goodreads:

In #1 New York Times bestselling author Casey McQuiston's latest romantic comedy, two bisexual exes accidentally book the same European food and wine tour and challenge each other to a hookup competition to prove they're over each other—except they're definitely not.

Theo and Kit have been a lot of things: childhood best friends, crushes, in love, and now estranged exes. After a brutal breakup on the transatlantic flight to their dream European food and wine tour, they exited each other's lives once and for all.

Time apart has done them good. Theo has found confidence as a hustling bartender by night and aspiring sommelier by day, with a long roster of casual lovers. Kit, who never returned to America, graduated as the reigning sex god of his pastry school class and now bakes at one of the finest restaurants in Paris. Sure, nothing really compares to what they had, and life stretches out long and lonely ahead of them, but—yeah. It's in the past.

All that remains is the unused voucher for the European tour that never happened, good for 48 months after its original date and about to expire. Four years later, it seems like a great idea to finally take the trip. Solo. Separately.

It's not until they board the tour bus that they discover they've both accidentally had the exact same idea, and now they're trapped with each other for three weeks of stunning views, luscious flavors, and the most romantic cities of France, Spain, and Italy. It's fine. There's nothing left between them. So much nothing that, when Theo suggests a friendly wager to see who can sleep with their hot Italian tour guide first, Kit is totally game. And why stop there? Why not a full-on European hookup competition?

But sometimes a taste of everything only makes you crave what you can't have.

My Review:


Author: Casey McQuiston
Read: February 22nd, 2024
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really great, and it's a SAC 2024 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin 
Expected Publication: August 6th 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 8 Review: The Brat

From Goodreads:

Rumor has it that Lady Murie, King Edward III's goddaughter, is stunningly beautiful, with bright blue eyes, golden hair, and a bewitching smile. Rumor also has it that the doting king has spoiled her rotten. When Sir Balan spies her wailing and sobbing in public, he decides that Lady Murie is the last person he would ever wish to have as a bride.

But there is far more to Murie than meets the eye—and soon Balan discovers, to his great delight, that he'd be lucky indeed to deserve such a bride. Unfortunately, he's not the only one to discern this truth . . . and the other suitor is much less honorable. Now a plot is afoot and Balan must prove himself a chivalrous knight and win the love of Lady Murie . . .

My Review:


Author: Lynsay Sands 
Read: February 22nd, 2024
Source: Bought 
Reason Why: Love her writing, and it's a Historical Fiction 2024 Book and a SAC 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Avon
Published: May 2nd 2007

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars