Week 18 Review: Fire of the Frost

From Goodreads:

A midwinter holiday fantasy romance anthology…

A Wynter Fyre by Darynda Jones

In a world where vampyres have been hunted to near extinction, the daughter of a demon is sent to save their race. Wynter ends the Blood Wars, but a single drop of vampyre blood accidentally crosses her lips. As punishment, she's encased in stone for a hundred years. When she awakens, she vows revenge. Even if it means her demise. Her quest leads her to the vampyre prince who supposedly started the wars. He comes to her aid after she's attacked, and Gareth's deadly prowess may be exactly what Wynter needs to defeat the woman who created her. Or exactly what she needs to thaw her frozen heart.

Of Fate and Fire by Amanda Bouchet

The Kingmaker Chronicles meets modern-day New York City! Piers, an exiled warrior from Thalyria, finds himself in the Big Apple just before the holidays. The world and everything in it might be utterly foreign to him, but that won't stop Piers from helping to complete a vital mission for Athena and protect Sophie, a French teacher from Connecticut who's suddenly knee-deep in inexplicable phenomena, danger, and henchmen after an Olympian treasure that should never have ended up in her hands—or remained on Earth after the Greek gods abandoned it.

The King of Hel by Grace Draven

Castil il Veras, daughter of lesser boyars, attends the gatherings that celebrate her best friend's upcoming marriage to the cursed king of a sorcerous kingdom. She soon learns that even marked by the magic of the Wastelands, Doranis of Helenrisia is everything she's ever desired in a mate—and absolutely forbidden to her. Bound by duty to crown and country, Doranis has traveled to the Caskadan empire to marry a woman who loathes the sight of him. During the prenuptial celebrations, he meets a scribe who finds him fascinating instead of repellent, but Castil is beyond his reach. Fate, however, would have it otherwise, and a beseeching letter from a dying queen will bring them together again in a land gripped by endless winter and old magic.

Familiar Winter Magic by Jeffe Kennedy

It's holiday time at Convocation Academy, but best friends Han and Iliana are finding it hard to celebrate. As a familiar, Iliana is facing her assignment to a life of servitude to a wizard, very soon. And Han… despite being tested by the oracle daily, he is still uncategorized. As Iliana and Han face being separated forever, they at last find the courage—or desperation—to break the rules and acknowledge their deeper feelings for each other. But it will take more than true love to save them from the laws of the Convocation…

My Review:
I had a really fantastic time reading this collection, and I'm really glad that I've read two anthologies back to back, getting in those short stories for series I need to continue. For this one, I was reading for the Darynda Jones story and the Amanda Bouchet one, and I had a really great time with them, and the other two as well! 

A Wynter Fyre was really great to read, but it was a bit confusing. I wasn't sure about the details of the world, and some details were just kinda skipped over, so I didn't quite get what was going on. But other then that, I had such a great time with it, I really enjoyed these characters and their story! 

Of Fate and Fire, I just loved! I wondered what happened to Piers after what he did, summoning Ares. Loved seeing what this story added to the world! I wasn't sure if Attica was our world or not, so I really enjoyed seeing what happened to him. Though it is sad that he'll never contact his family again-I'm hoping that'll change in the future, they all deserve that contact and that closure! 

One thing that I loved about Of Fate and Fire was the villain, and why he was spared, because his descendents were important. And then in the notes afterwards, well, his descendent is Captain Tess Bailey from the Endeavor series! So I love how these series were tied together! 

This was another really great collection of stories and I really enjoyed reading them! 

Authors: Darynda Jones, Amanda Bouchet, Grace Draven, Jeffe Kennedy
Series: Kingmaker Chronicles #3.5, Bonds of Magic #2.5
Read: April 30th, 2022
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Love these authors, and the series that I've read, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2022 Book!
Publisher: Brightlynx Publishing
Published: December 22nd 2021

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Waiting on Wednesday #550, November 24th

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

Charmed Waters by Carrie Vaughn

Expected Publication: December 1st, 2021
From Goodreads:

Horsetooth Reservoir is an artificial body of water in land-locked Colorado. So how did a mermaid end up there? Cormac, former bounty hunter turned supernatural problem solver, doesn't much care how she got there.

But he's determined to get her home, no matter who tries to stop him. And a surprising number of people are trying to stop him.

Fire of the Frost Anthology

Expected Publication: December 2nd, 2021
From Goodreads:

A midwinter holiday fantasy romance anthology…

From Darynda Jones, a standalone novella set in a world where vampyres are hunted for sport. The only thing standing between them and total annihilation is Winter, a warrior bred to save them from extinction. Forbidden to fall in love, Winter cares only about her oaths… until she meets the devilish prince of the underworld.

Amanda Bouchet transports The Kingmaker Chronicles to modern-day New York City. An exiled warrior finds himself in the Big Apple just before the holidays. On a vital mission for Athena, he meets an imperiled French teacher from Connecticut, and soon they’re knee-deep in inexplicable phenomena.

Grace Draven brings a novella-length expansion of a stand-alone short story in which a cursed mage-king from a frozen kingdom is obligated to marry a woman of high-ranking nobility but meets his soulmate in a lowly scribe.

From Jeffe Kennedy comes a standalone novella in the Dark Wizard world, where an ancient holiday is resurrected and clandestine lovers find the courage to pursue forbidden joy.

The Darkest Destiny by Gena Showalter

Expected Publication: December 7th, 2021
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. 

High Jinx by Kelley Armstrong

Expected Publication: December 7th, 2021
From Goodreads:

Curse weaver Kennedy Bennett has re-settled into her beloved hometown and opened a shop selling previously hexed antiques. When she fails to win an online auction for a notorious cursed painting, Aiden Connolly—the wealthy and swoon-worthy luck worker she is not dating—swoops in to buy it for her.

Crying Girl is one of a quartet of haunted legendary paintings. Kennedy knows that the “ghosts” are actually curses—fatal ones. The paintings have been missing for years, and Kennedy is thrilled at the chance to uncurse one…until Crying Girl disappears before they can collect it.

Kennedy and Aiden soon discover that the painting hasn’t been randomly whisked out of their reach. Someone used it to lure them in, and now that they’ve snatched the bait, they’ve been snared in a trap. Either the thief gets what they want…or the four paintings are going to find their way back into the world, and Kennedy and Aiden will be responsible for the deadly chaos the cursed portraits wreak. 

The Excalibur Curse by Kiersten White

Expected Publication: December 7th, 2021
From Goodreads:

The gripping conclusion to the acclaimed Arthurian fantasy trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White finds Guinevere questioning everything—friends and enemies, good and evil, and, most of all, herself.

While journeying north toward the Dark Queen, Guinevere falls into the hands of her enemies. Behind her are Lancelot, trapped on the other side of the magical barrier they created to protect Camelot, and Arthur, who has been led away from his kingdom, chasing after false promises. But the greatest danger isn’t what lies ahead of Guinevere—it’s what’s been buried inside her.

Vowing to unravel the truth of her past with or without Merlin’s help, Guinevere joins forces with the sorceress Morgana and her son, Mordred—and faces the confusing, forbidden feelings she still harbors for him. When Guinevere makes an agonizing discovery about who she is and how she came to be, she finds herself with an impossible choice: fix a terrible crime, or help prevent war.

Guinevere is determined to set things right, whatever the cost. To defeat a rising evil. To remake a kingdom. To undo the mistakes of the past...even if it means destroying herself.

Guinevere has been a changeling, a witch, a queen—but what does it mean to be just a girl? 

The Righteous by Renée Ahdieh

Expected Publication: December 7th, 2021
From Goodreads:

The third book in the instant New York Times bestselling series that began with The Beautiful.

Pippa Montrose is tired of losing everything she loves. When her best friend Celine disappears under mysterious circumstances, Pippa resolves to find her, even if the journey takes her into the dangerous world of the fae, where she might find more than she bargained for in the charismatic Arjun Desai.

Renée is back with her rich, atmospheric fantasy world that will continue to enthrall readers, new romance and mystery, and lush, pacey writing. 

Pride, Prejudice, and Peril by Katie Oliver

Expected Publication: December 7th, 2021
From Goodreads:

Jane Austen meets reality TV and murder in the first installment of this quirky new cozy mystery series.

Phaedra Brighton is perfectly content with her life of lecturing college students, gossiping with her best friends, and dreaming of Mr. Darcy. As a young, respected (if somewhat peculiar) English professor, her expertise lies in all things Jane Austen--but she knows that the closest she'll ever get to being a real-life Elizabeth Bennet is in her dreams.

When Who Wants to Marry Mr. Darcy, a new reality TV show, starts filming at her best friend Charlene's estate, Phaedra is intrigued. And when the producer asks her to lend her Austenian knowledge as a consultant on the show, she's over the moon. But on the first day of filming, when Charlene's new husband is found electrocuted and Charlene herself is accused of the crime, Phaedra comes crashing back to reality.

With murder on the syllabus and her best friend in dire straits, there's no Mr. Darcy around to help Phaedra--she'll have to get to the bottom of this mystery herself.

A History of Wild Places by Shae Ernshaw

Expected Publication: December 7th, 2021
From Goodreads:

The New York Times bestselling author of The Wicked Deep weaves a richly atmospheric adult debut following three residents of a secluded, seemingly peaceful commune as they investigate the disappearances of two outsiders.

Travis Wren has an unusual talent for locating missing people. Hired by families as a last resort, he requires only a single object to find the person who has vanished. When he takes on the case of Maggie St. James—a well-known author of dark, macabre children’s books—he’s led to a place many believed to be only a legend.

Called Pastoral, this reclusive community was founded in the 1970s by like-minded people searching for a simpler way of life. By all accounts, the commune shouldn’t exist anymore and soon after Travis stumbles upon it…he disappears. Just like Maggie St. James.

Years later, Theo, a lifelong member of Pastoral, discovers Travis’s abandoned truck beyond the border of the community. No one is allowed in or out, not when there’s a risk of bringing a disease—rot—into Pastoral. Unraveling the mystery of what happened reveals secrets that Theo, his wife, Calla, and her sister, Bee, keep from one another. Secrets that prove their perfect, isolated world isn’t as safe as they believed—and that darkness takes many forms.

Hauntingly beautiful, hypnotic, and bewitching, A History of Wild Places is a story about fairy tales, our fear of the dark, and losing yourself within the wilderness of your mind. 

Yeah, there's some really amazing books coming out at the start of the month! I've Pride, Prejudice, and Peril, and it was excellent, and I can't wait to read more! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

Week 26 Review: Under a Winder Sky

From Goodreads:

These heartwarming and pulse-pounding tales celebrate Hanukah, Christmas, the solstice, Yule – and holidays from worlds beyond our own. With fancy-dress balls, faery bargains, time travel, blood sacrifice, and festive cocktails, these stories will delight lovers of fantasy and romance, with a dash of seasonal joy.

Ballgowns & Butterflies by Kelley Armstrong

The North Yorkshire moors are always a magical place, but they're particularly enchanting at the holidays…especially if one gets to travel back in time to a Victorian Christmas. For Bronwyn Dale, it is the stuff of dreams. Fancy-dress balls, quirky small-town traditions, even that classic one-horse open sleigh, complete with jingle bells. There’s just the tiny problem of the Butterfly Effect. How does a time-traveler make a difference without disrupting the future forever?

The Long Night of the Crystalline Moon, a prequel novella to Heirs of Magic, by Jeffe Kennedy

Shapeshifter Prince Rhyian doesn’t especially want to spend the Feast of Moranu at Castle Ordnung. Among other things, his childhood playmate and current nemesis, Lena, will be there... Princess Salena Nakoa KauPo nearly wriggled out of traveling to Ordnung, but her mother put her foot down declaring that Lena can suffer through a feast and a ball for one night. Even if that Rhyian, insufferable Prince of the Tala, will also attend. But this year, Moranu’s sacred feast falls on the long night of the crystalline moon—and Rhy and Lena discover there’s more than a bit of magic in the air.

Blood Martinis and Mistletoe by Melissa Marr

Half-dead witch Geneviève Crowe makes her living beheading the dead--and spends her free time trying not to get too attached to her business partner, Eli Stonecroft, a faery in self-imposed exile in New Orleans. With a killer at her throat and a blood martini in her hand, Gen accepts what seems like a straight-forward faery bargain, but soon realizes that if she can't figure out a way out of this faery bargain, she'll be planning a wedding after the holidays.

Echoes of Ash & Tears, an Earthsinger Chronicles Novella, by L. Penelope

Brought to live among the Cavefolk as an infant, Mooriah has long sought to secure her place in the clan and lose her outsider status. She’s a powerful blood mage, and when the chieftain's son asks for help securing the safety of the clan, she agrees. But though she's long been drawn to the warrior, any relationship between the two is forbidden. The arrival of a mysterious stranger with a tempting offer tests her loyalties, and when betrayal looms, will Mooriah's secrets and hidden power put the future she's dreamed of—and her adopted home—in jeopardy.

A Memory Of Summer, a Wraith Kings Novelette, by Grace Draven

Spinsterhood has never bothered or embarrassed the independent Emerence Ipsan, and the winter festival of Delyalda keeps her far too busy managing her father's shops to worry about matters as trivial as marriage.

Until the arrival of a young Quereci warrior with old eyes and an admiring gaze makes her question that notion.

My Review:
This was such a fantastic collection of short stories! I was mainly reading it for the Kelley Armstrong and Melissa Marr stories, but I had a great time with all of them! Holiday novellas are fun to read, and the added details of each particular world just make each on individual! 

Ballgowns & Butterflies, it was really great to get more of Bronwyn and William's story, and with how much she wanted to go to a Victorian Ball, well, a Christmas on was all the more fun to go to! I had such a fun time with this read!

And of course, Blood Martinis and Mistletoe was fantastic, as well, with all the various holidays, and the various groups that wanted them to attend. They do hold positions of power, and that means something when they are at certain parties. Loved reading it!

I haven't read a full length novel in the other series, I think I've read a novella or two in some of these series, but they were all really great holiday novellas. I enjoyed seeing these worlds with the shine of the holidays, and the romances that bloom!  

This was a really great collection of stories that I really enjoyed, and I'm really glad that I read them! 

Authors: Kelley Armstrong ,Jeffe Kennedy, Melissa Marr, Grace Draven, L. Penelope,
Series: A Stitch in Time #1.5, Heirs of Magic #0.5, Earthsinger Chronicles #3., Faery Bargains #1.5, Wraith Kings #2.7 
Read: July 2nd, 2021
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Love these authors, and these series, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2021 Books!
Publisher: Brightlynx Publishing
Published: November 19th 2020

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Waiting on Wednesday #521, May 5th

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

Shadow Storm by Christine Feehan

Expected Publication: May 25th, 2021
From Goodreads:

A long-simmering feud between two families comes to a head in this gripping novel in Christine Feehan's New York Times bestselling Shadow Riders series.

As the youngest member of the Ferraro family, Emmanuelle has watched each of her brothers find happiness in love while her own heart was shattered by a lover's betrayal. For two years she's stayed as far away from Valentino Saldi as possible--until she learns that he's been shot during a hostile takeover of his family's territory.

Emme's first instinct is to call her brother Stefano for help, and soon the entire Ferraro clan arrives to bring Val back from the brink of death and protect the Saldis from further attack. With one choice Emme has re-exposed herself to Val's intoxicating pull and dragged her family into the Saldis' private war.

A deadly storm is brewing, and only time will tell who survives...

The Promised Queen by Jeffe Kennedy

Expected Publication: May 25th, 2021
From Goodreads:

In The Promised Queen, the thrilling finale to Jeffe Kennedy's Forgotten Empires trilogy, the fate of the world hangs in the balance as Con, Lia, and their allies sacrifice everything in a final bid to destroy the corrupt empire.

Claim the hand that wears the ring, and the empire falls.

Conrí, former Crown Prince of Oriel, claimed the hand that wears the Abiding Ring, but the prophecy remains unfulfilled. Queen Euthalia of Calanthe returned to her island kingdom, but broken in mind and body. With the blood of war unleashing ancient terrors, Calanthe isn’t the haven it once was.

Lia must use her magical bond with Calanthe to save their people while Con fights to hold off the vengeful Emperor Anure and his wizards. Con and Lia will have to trust in each other—and in love—to fend off ultimate disaster. 

Sixteen Scandals by Sophie Jordan

Expected Publication: May 25th, 2021
From Goodreads:

In this irreverent regency romp by New York Times best-selling author Sophie Jordan, newly minted sixteen-year-old Primrose Ainsworth finds herself on a wayward birthday adventure through London with a mysterious hero—perfect for fans of My Lady Jane.

The youngest of four daughters, Primrose Ainsworth is used to getting lost in the shuffle. But when her parents decide to delay her debut into English society, Prim hatches a plan to go rogue on the night of her sixteenth birthday.

Donning a mask, Prim escapes to the infamous Vauxhall Gardens for one wild night. When her cover is nearly blown, a mysterious stranger intercedes, and Prim finds an unexpected partner in mischief . . . and romance. But when it’s revealed her new ally isn’t who he says he is, her one night of fun may last past dawn.

In this frothy regency romp perfect for fans of Austen-esque flirtation and Shakespearean hijinks, sometimes a little scandal can be a good thing. 

The Unforgiven by Heather Graham

Expected Publication: May 25th, 2021
From Goodreads:

A tragic past. An uncertain future

Twelve years after the grisly murder of her parents, Kaitlyn Delaney has finally found peace. She has friends, a good job, a place to call home and a new life to live. But then a shadow creeps in from Katie’s past, reminding her that she will never completely escape its terrifying grip.

When private investigator Dan Oliver is called to the scene of a gruesome crime in New Orleans, he can’t help but hear echoes of the Delaney case, the unsolved murder that made him leave law enforcement. As he digs deeper, he unearths more chilling similarities—including mysterious letters connecting the killer to a string of murders that terrorized the Big Easy in 1919.

Now reunited after all this time, Dan and Katie scour the streets together, desperate to find answers before more lives are lost. But the otherworldly roots of this evil run far deeper than they ever imagined…and only the most precious of sacrifices will bring its twisted reign to an end.

The Ivies by Alexa Donne

Expected Publication: May 25th, 2021
From Goodreads:

Everyone knows the Ivies: the most coveted universities in the United States. Far more important are the Ivies. The Ivies at Claflin Academy, that is. Five girls with the same mission: to get into the Ivy League by any means necessary. I would know. I’m one of them. We disrupt class ranks, club leaderships, and academic competitions…among other things. We improve our own odds by decreasing the fortunes of others. Because hyper-elite competitive college admissions is serious business. And in some cases, it’s deadly.

Alexa Donne delivers a nail-biting and timely thriller about teens who will stop at nothing to get into the college of their dreams. Too bad no one told them murder isn’t an extracurricular.

Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth

Expected Publication: May 25th, 2021
From Goodreads:

Aideen has plenty of problems she can’t fix. Her best (and only) friend is pulling away. Her mother’s drinking problem is a constant concern. She’s even running out of outlandish diseases to fake so she can skip PE.

But when Aideen stumbles on her nemesis, overachiever Meabh Kowalski, in the midst of a full-blown meltdown, she sees a problem that—unlike her own disaster of a life—seems refreshingly easy to solve. Meabh is desperate to escape her crushing pile of extracurriculars. Aideen volunteers to help. By pushing Meabh down the stairs.

Problem? Solved. Meabh’s sprained ankle is the perfect excuse to ditch her overwhelming schedule. But when another student learns about their little scheme and brings Aideen another “client” who needs her “help,” it kicks off a semester of traded favors, ill-advised hijinks, and an unexpected chance at love. Fixing other people’s problems won’t fix her own, but it might be the push she needs to start.

Spells Trouble by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Expected Publication: May 25th, 2021
From Goodreads:

Double double, twins spell trouble…

Hunter and Mercy Goode are twin witches, direct descendants of the founder of their town of Goodeville. As their ancestors have done before them, it is now time for the twins to learn what it means to be Gatekeepers–the protectors of the Gates to different underworlds, ancient portals between their world and realms where mythology rules and nightmares come to life.

When their mother becomes the first victim in a string of murders, the devastated sisters vow to avenge her death. But it will take more than magic to rein in the ancient mythological monsters who’ve infected their peaceful town.

Now Hunter and Mercy must come together and accept their destiny or risk being separated for good. 

Pumpkin by Julie Murphy

Expected Publication: May 25th, 2021
From Goodreads:

Waylon Russell Brewer is a fat, openly gay boy stuck in the small West Texas town of Clover City. His plan is to bide his time until he can graduate, move to Austin with his twin sister, Clementine, and finally go Full Waylon, so that he can live his Julie-the-hills-are-alive-with-the-sound-of-music-Andrews truth.

So when Clementine deviates from their master plan right after Waylon gets dumped, he throws caution to the wind and creates an audition tape for his favorite TV drag show, Fiercest of Them All. What he doesn’t count on is the tape accidentally getting shared with the entire school. . . . As a result, Waylon is nominated for prom queen as a joke. Clem’s girlfriend, Hannah Perez, also receives a joke nomination for prom king.

Waylon and Hannah decide there’s only one thing to do: run—and leave high school with a bang. A very glittery bang. Along the way, Waylon discovers that there is a lot more to running for prom court than campaign posters and plastic crowns, especially when he has to spend so much time with the very cute and infuriating prom king nominee Tucker Watson.

Waylon will need to learn that the best plan for tomorrow is living for today . . . especially with the help of some fellow queens. . . . 

Aetherbound by E.K. Johnston

Expected Publication: May 25th, 2021
From Goodreads:

A thought-provoking new YA space adventure from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Ahsoka.

Set on a family-run interstellar freighter called the Harland and a mysterious remote space station, E. K. Johnston's latest is story of survival and self-determination.

Pendt Harland's family sees her as a waste of food on their long-haul space cruiser when her genes reveal an undesirable mutation. But if she plays her cards right she might have a chance to do much more than survive. During a space-station layover, Pendt escapes and forms a lucky bond with the Brannick twins, the teenage heirs of the powerful family that owns the station. Against all odds, the trio hatches a long-shot scheme to take over the station and thwart the destinies they never wished for. 

There's some really fantastic books coming out the day after my birthday! There's some authors and series that I really love, and some newer authors, and I'm so excited to read these books, though I've read some of them already, yeah! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #508, March 1st

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 #507
Teaser Tuesday #515
WWW Wednesday #515
WOW #511
Will the Time Come #508
Third Sentence Thursday #498
Random Reads #484
First Lines Friday #511
Book Blogger Hop #177

21 Books to Read in 2021 Update 2

TBR Trail #1, March 2021
The Reward Challenge Update #493
Wheel of TBR #40
How Well I Stuck to It #345
Wrote that Review Update #342

Week 8 Reviews:
The Promised Queen

Firstborn

Part of Your World

Of Beast and Beauty

Lore

City of Lost Souls

In Command

The Initial Insult

Sabriel     

Random:

Book Battle March 2021 TBR       

OK, so I got 25 posts in 7 days, and it was a bit of a stressful week, there's a two part change coming in the very near future, which is taking up more and more time. It's exciting and a little scary, but I'm not going to say just what it is now. But it does mean I have less time to read. What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read The Box in the Woods, Dark One, Volume 1, Last Strand, Million Dollar Demon, and A Wicked Conceit.

The Truly Devious series continues as Stevie Bell investigates her first mystery outside of Ellingham Academy in this spine-chilling and hilarious stand-alone mystery.

Stevie Bell did it. She solved the greatest unsolved mystery of the century. So, what now?

Figuring it all out—the truth behind Truly Devious and what exactly happened in the Ellingham Affair—has granted Stevie Bell a bit of celebrity in the true crime community. So she's not surprised when she gets an email from the man who owns Camp Bounty Lake (now called Camp Wonder Falls), the site of the infamous "Box in the Woods" murders from the 1970s.

Weird things are happening at the camp again, although nothing as sinister as before. No murders, no bodies posed by the mysterious figure they called The Doll Collector. But there is a threatening message chalked across a wall. And a box has appeared, with three grisly dolls inside it.

Stevie accepts a job as a camp counselor so she can figure out what's going on. She recruits her friends from Ellingham—Nate, Janelle, and Vi—to become counselors, too, and even Germaine Batt turns up. Not long after they arrive, the owner of the camp dies in a suspicious hiking accident.

Once again, Stevie will have to solve a cold case from the past before a killer catches up with her in the present.

Visions of a dark and fantastic world haunt Paul Tanasin, but when he discovers they are prophecies from Mirandus--a world in which he's destined to become a fearsome destroyer--He'll have to embrace the fear, rise up as The Dark One, and shatter everything. 

Every bloody thread has been leading to this . . .

I’ve battled a lot of bad guys in my time, both as Gin Blanco and as the notorious assassin the Spider. But I've never faced off against anyone quite as powerful and deadly as the dastardly leader of the Circle secret society.

Just when I finally have a lead on how I can defeat the evil group once and for all, new information comes to light that throws me for a loop. Suddenly, everyone and everything I love is in imminent peril of being destroyed, and I'm racing against the clock to figure out a way to save my friends.

The stakes couldn't be higher, and the danger has never been greater. Somehow, I need to weave one last strand in my web of death—and kill my enemies before they kill me . . . 

To save the city, Rachel Morgan will need to show some teeth in the next Hollows novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison.

The new master vampire of Cincinnati has arrived . . . and she wants Rachel Morgan out. No matter where Rachel goes, Constance is there--threatening Rachel's allies, causing city-wide chaos, and, to add insult to injury, even forcing Rachel out of her current quarters. Ever since Rachel found a way to save the souls of vampires, the old undead's longtime ascendancy has been broken. Now Constance sees eliminating Rachel as the key to consolidating her own power.

Rachel has no desire to be enthralled or killed--and she's terrified of what may become of the city if Constance forces a return to the ancient ways. But even a witch-born demon can't stand against the old undead--at least, not alone. And if Rachel refuses to claim the role of Cincinnati's master demon, the city will tear itself apart, taking her and all those who stand beside her with it.

Soon-to-be new parents Kiera and her husband, Sebastian Gage, have been hoping for a respite from their inquiries, but murder and mayhem have a startling way of dropping into their laps in the all-new historical mystery in this national bestselling series.

Edinburgh, Scotland. March 1832. Kiera and Gage have been eagerly awaiting their bundle of joy, but trouble has been brewing in the form of the roguish criminal, Bonnie Brock Kincaid. A new book and subsequent play features some of Kincaid's daringly heinous exploits, although he swears he had nothing to do with it or the characters which are obvious representations of Kiera and Gage. While the scoundrel's fury seems genuine, as well as his determined quest to uncover the real identity of the author, the Gages still hold doubts about his innocence.

A rash of crimes break out across the city, seemingly inspired by the play and book. When the publisher is found brutally murdered—in an imitation of a gruesome scene—the finger not only points to Bonnie Brock as the possible culprit, but also the Gages, who have been outspoken in their condemnation of the tale. Now, the Gages are on a hunt to unmask the killer. Between the infamy garnered by the play, the cholera outbreak still wreaking havoc throughout the city, and the impending birth of their child, they will need all the resources they can garner.

But family quarrels and the revelation of a secret Kiera has been keeping from Sebastian threaten to undermine everything they have overcome. When they find themselves in the crosshairs of the killer, trapped in the squalid underground vaults of the city, they will soon discover that the truth does not always set you free, and death can lurk around any corner.

Week 8 Review: The Promised Queen

From Goodreads:

In The Promised Queen, the thrilling finale to Jeffe Kennedy's Forgotten Empires trilogy, the fate of the world hangs in the balance as Con, Lia, and their allies sacrifice everything in a final bid to destroy the corrupt empire.

Claim the hand that wears the ring, and the empire falls.

Conrí, former Crown Prince of Oriel, claimed the hand that wears the Abiding Ring, but the prophecy remains unfulfilled. Queen Euthalia of Calanthe returned to her island kingdom, but broken in mind and body. With the blood of war unleashing ancient terrors, Calanthe isn’t the haven it once was.

Lia must use her magical bond with Calanthe to save their people while Con fights to hold off the vengeful Emperor Anure and his wizards. Con and Lia will have to trust in each other—and in love—to fend off ultimate disaster.

My Review:
I loved reading this book! I've really enjoyed this series, and I was really anticipating seeing how it would end. And it didn't disappoint, it was a thrilling read, and it was an amazing end to this series. And I'm just so glad that I read this book and this series! 

I basically devoured this book. After the ending of the previous book, well, I had to know what was going to happen next, with Lia, with Calanthe, as well as dealing with Anure. I really enjoyed how it all worked out! 

There was a good deal of relationship drama and building blocks, between the whole "Con could be king" and that he'd had to spend the majority of his time in his country, and she in hers, well, it wouldn't work that way. Plus there's Con's need to get revenge on Anure, even at the cost of his own life, which isn't contusive for the couple to have a future together! So that was fun to read.

I loved that we got answers in this book, of Lia and her mysteries. Of why Ambrose and Merle were the way that they were. I do have a question or two about them, though, as to how they got into that situation in the first place, though! 

Reading this book was fantastic, and it was a wonderful end to the series! 

Author: Jeffe Kennedy 
Series: Forgotten Empires #3
Read: February 20th, 2021
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a End of Series 2021 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2021 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Expected Publication: May 25th 2021

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Jeffe Kennedy Author Page

The Story: Well, this is kinda a two parter. I saw The Orchid Throne on NetGalley, and it sounded really fantastic, and I got it, and I loved it. But it turns out that's not the first Jeffe Kennedy story that I read. A month or two, I read the anthology Seasons of Sorcery, which I read for two other authors. But I enjoyed the story, and I've really enjoyed all of her books that I've read! 

Website

Series: Forgotten Empires.

Forgotten Empires: The Orchid Throne and her site, my review, The Fiery Crown and her site, my review, The Promised Queen and her site, my review.

Anthologies: Seasons of Sorcery and her site, my review

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #466, May 11th

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 #465
Teaser Tuesday #473
WWW Wednesday #473
WOW #469
Will the Time Come #466
Third Sentence Thursday #456
Random Reads #442
First Lines Friday #469
Book Blogger Hop #135
The Reward Challenge Update #451
How Well I Stuck to It #303
Wrote that Review Update #300

Week 19 Reviews:
Sea Witch
Sea Witch Rising
If These Wings Could Fly
The Fiery Kingdom
Aurora Rising
Aurora Burning
Network Effect
Rosemarked
Umbertouched
The Lost City
The Morning Flower
Beyond a Darkened Shore
Corpse & Crown

Clean Sweep ARC Challenge:
Update 5
Update 6
Update 7
Update 8
Update 9
Update 10
Update 11

24 Hour Reading Challenge:
1st + 2nd May Sign Up
Update 1
Update 2
Update 3
Update 4 and Wrap Up
Update 1
Update 2
Update 3
Update 4 and Wrap Up

Random:
We Have the Cover of the Twilight Saga #1.5!!!!
We Have the Cover of The Legend of All Wolves #4!!!!
Bout of Books 28.0 Sign Up

OK, so I got 40 posts in 7 days, I read a good deal, which meant review posts and reading challenge posts, so lots this week! So I'm happy with that! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read whatever I want, it's a free week, and I'm going to read a lot of ARC's!

Week 19 Review: The Fiery Crown

From Goodreads:
A desperate alliance. A struggle for survival. And a marriage of convenience with an epic twist of fate come together in Jeffe Kennedy's The Fiery Crown.

WILL THEIR LOVE STAND THE TEST OF TIME

Queen Euthalia has reigned over her island kingdom of Calanthe with determination, grace, and her magical, undying orchid ring. After she defied an empire to wed Conrí, the former Crown Prince of Oriel—a man of disgraced origins with vengeance in his heart—Lia expected the wizard's prophecy to come true: Claim the hand that wears the ring and the empire falls. But Lia's dangerous bid to save her realm doesn't lead to immediate victory. Instead, destiny hurls her and Conrí towards a future neither could predict…

OR TEAR THEIR WHOLE WORLD APART?

Con has never healed after the death of his family and destruction of his kingdom—he's been carefully plotting his revenge against his greatest enemy, Emperor Anure, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. When Lia's spies gather intelligence suggesting that Anure is planning an attack against Calanthe, Con faces an agonizing choice: Can he sacrifice Lia and all she holds dear to destroy the empire? Or does his true loyalty exist in the arms of his beguiling, passionate wife—'til death do they part?

My Review:
Yeah, this book was so amazing, I just devoured it! I loved the first book, and I was really excited to see where things would go in this book. And yeah, we learned a lot, like why blood shouldn't be shed in violence in Calanthe's waters, and more about the enemy that they're facing, and it was so great!

Watching Lia and Con verbally spar in politics and then have steamy times between the sheets was an interesting mix. They worked well together physically, but their political battles, they have different goals and strategies. So watching them clash was so fun to read!

There was this one moment, when Con was in battle, and I was like, conserve your resources, dude. Even if this is the end, there would still have to be clean up done. Don't go overboard! And then everything happened, and I know he learned his lesson!

That ending was just killer. It was emotional and tense, and I didn't know where it was going, and it was just so fantastic to read! And where it leaves us is a mostly better place than when we started, but there's still a lot to be done!

I loved this book so much, and I can't wait for the 3rd and I think final book! So exciting!

Author: Jeffe Kennedy
Series: Forgotten Empires #2
Read: May 4th, 2020
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Loved the first book, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2020 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Expected Publication: May 26th 2020

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Clean Sweep ARC Challenge Update 5

Ok, so I read The Fiery Crown and now to read my next book, Desolation Road! I do have some non-ARC's to read, so it might be a little while until my next update. But I do have the 24 Hour Reading Challenge starting right now, so I'll be posting there!

My Reading Journey:

Goldilocks Laura Lam
Started On: May 1st
Finished On: May 1st, 11:25 PM
Pages Read: 352

Sea Witch by Sarah Henning
Started On: May 2nd
Finished On: May 2nd, 4:13 PM
Pages Read: 348

Sea Witch Rising by Sarah Henning
Started On: May 3rd
Finished On: May 3rd, 6:34 PM
Pages Read: 416

If These Wings Could Fly by Kyrie McCauley
Started On: May 3rd
Finished On: May 3rd, 10:07 PM
Pages Read: 400

The Fiery Kingdom by Jeffe Kennedy
Started On: May 4th
Finished On: May 4th, 10:05 PM
Pages Read: 400

Desolation Road by Christine Feehan
Started On: May 5th
Currently On: Page 0 of 480

Books Read: 5

Goal: 25 Books

Pages Read: 1916

Reading Next: Dark Shores, Dark Skies, The Lost City, The Morning Flower

Clean Sweep ARC Challenge Update 4

Ok, so I read If These Wings Could Fly and now to read my next book, The Fiery Crown! Had another change of plans, since while I downloaded The Ghosts of Sherwood, I don't seem to have a copy, so I'm going to have to wait to read it until it comes out, since it's already been archived on NetGalley. Bah. But I've read 4 ARC's already, and it's only the 3rd, so I'm making good progress on my goal!

My Reading Journey:

Goldilocks Laura Lam
Started On: May 1st
Finished On: May 1st, 11:25 PM
Pages Read: 352

Sea Witch by Sarah Henning
Started On: May 2nd
Finished On: May 2nd, 4:13 PM
Pages Read: 348

Sea Witch Rising by Sarah Henning
Started On: May 3rd
Finished On: May 3rd, 6:34 PM
Pages Read: 416

If These Wings Could Fly by Kyrie McCauley
Started On: May 3rd
Finished On: May 3rd, 10:07 PM
Pages Read: 400

The Fiery Kingdom by Jeffe Kennedy
Started On: May 4th
Currently On: Page 0 of 400

Books Read: 4

Goal: 25 Books

Pages Read: 1516

Reading Next: Desolation Road, Dark Shores, Dark Skies, The Lost City

Waiting on Wednesday #465, April 8th

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

The Fiery Crown by Jeffe Kennedy
Expected Publication: May 26th, 2020
From Goodreads:
A desperate alliance. A struggle for survival. And a marriage of convenience with an epic twist of fate come together in Jeffe Kennedy's The Fiery Crown.

WILL THEIR LOVE STAND THE TEST OF TIME

Queen Euthalia has reigned over her island kingdom of Calanthe with determination, grace, and her magical, undying orchid ring. After she defied an empire to wed Conrí, the former Crown Prince of Oriel—a man of disgraced origins with vengeance in his heart—Lia expected the wizard’s prophecy to come true: Claim the hand that wears the ring and the empire falls. But Lia’s dangerous bid to save her realm doesn’t lead to immediate victory. Instead, destiny hurls her and Conrí towards a future neither could predict…

OR TEAR THEIR WHOLE WORLD APART?

Con has never healed after the death of his family and destruction of his kingdom—he’s been carefully plotting his revenge against his greatest enemy, Emperor Anure, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. When Lia’s spies gather intelligence suggesting that Anure is planning an attack against Calanthe, Con faces an agonizing choice: Can he sacrifice Lia and all she holds dear to destroy the empire? Or does his true loyalty exist in the arms of his beguiling, passionate wife—’til death do they part?

Of Silver and Shadow by Jennifer Gruenke
Expected Publication: May 26th, 2020
From Goodreads:
Ren Kolins is a silver wielder—a dangerous thing to be in the kingdom of Erdis, where magic has been outlawed for a century. Ren is just trying to survive, sticking to a life of petty thievery, card games, and pit fighting to get by. But when a wealthy rebel leader discovers her secret, he offers her a fortune to join his revolution. The caveat: she won’t see a single coin until they overthrow the King.

Behind the castle walls, a brutal group of warriors known as the King’s Children is engaged in a competition: the first to find the rebel leader will be made King’s Fang, the right hand of the King of Erdis. And Adley Farre is hunting down the rebels one by one, torturing her way to Ren and the rebel leader, and the coveted King’s Fang title.

But time is running out for all of them, including the youngest Prince of Erdis, who finds himself pulled into the rebellion. Political tensions have reached a boiling point, and Ren and the rebels must take the throne before war breaks out. 

Yeah, I have a copy of The Fiery Crown, and I'm so glad because I loved the first book! And Of Silver and Shadow, it sounds fantastic, and I can't wait to read it! What about you guys? Happy reading!

Week 36 Review: The Orchid Throne

From Goodreads:
In the Forgotten Empires magic is forbidden, dreams are destiny, and love is the greatest power of all…

A PRISONER OF FATE
As Queen of the island kingdom of Calanthe, Lia will do anything to keep her people free—and her secrets safe—from the mad tyrant who rules the mainland. Guided by a magic ring of her father's, Lia plays the political game with the cronies the emperor sends to her island. In her heart, she knows that it's up to her to save herself from her fate as the emperor's bride. But in her dreams, she sees a man, one with the power to build a better world—a man whose spirit is as strong, and whose passion is as fierce as her own…

A PRINCE AMONG MEN
Conrí, former Crown Prince of Oriel, has built an army to overthrow the emperor. But he needs the fabled Abiding Ring to succeed. The ring that Lia holds so dear to her heart. When the two banished rulers meet face to face, neither can deny the flames of rebellion that flicker in their eyes—nor the fires of desire that draw them together. But in this broken world of shattered kingdoms, can they ever really trust each other? Can their fiery alliance defeat the shadows of evil that threaten to engulf their hearts and souls?

My Review:
Reading this book was just so great! I really enjoyed this world, it was so interesting with magic that reportedly doesn't exist, and this emperor dude who conquered and lied and was just plain awful! I can't wait to see him taken down!

These two characters were so awesome to read about! Lia was so politically savvy, I really enjoyed the way that her mind worked! She was in such a precarious position, and yeah, she was really quick on her feet. Conri was broken from what he went through in the caves, but he's strong and wants vengeance. He was also a leader, whether he wanted to or not. And the sparks between them, wow, they were intense!

Lia's in a hard position. Her land is soft, the land of pleasures. And blood can't be shed in violence, or else the land is negatively affected. And she's between Conri and the Emperor, and both dudes want to use her against the other. Yeah, that's not an easy position to be in!

So there's two things that I want for the next book. One, is a map, which might be in the finished copy of this book, but it would be really great to see where everything is located. And secondly, what did the bad guy do that lead to Lia's dad dying? I'm really curious to know!

Loved reading this book, it was such a fantastic read!

Author: Jeffe Kennedy
Series: Forgotten Empires #1
Read: September 4th, 2019
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Sounded really great, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2019 Book!
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Published: September 24th 2019

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars