Showing posts with label Karina Halle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karina Halle. Show all posts

Friday, August 8, 2025

Monthly ARC's Update 126

So I read my next book for Monthly ARC's and it was Realm of Thieves by Karina Halle from the June list, All We Lost Was Everything by Sloan Harlow from the May list, You Belong Here by Megan Miranda and Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox from the July list, and Grave Flowers by Autumn Krause from the September list.

Here's the link to this month's post with my journey.

How it Works: 
This is my monthly ARC accountability challenge, to list out the books that I have as ARC's that are being published in the coming month, rounding them up at the start of the month, and seeing how well I did at the end, as well as rounding up the next month's books.    
  
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Monday, August 4, 2025

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #739, August 4th

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 #738
Teaser Tuesday #746
WWW Wednesday #746
WOW #742
Will the Time Come #739
Third Sentence Thursday #729
Random Reads #715
First Lines Friday #742
Book Blogger Hop #408
Monthly ARC's September Round Up
The Reward Challenge Update #724
Wheel of TBR #271
How Well I Stuck to It #576
Wrote that Review Update #573

OK, so I got 47 posts in 7 days, It was a rough week. Tuesday I was told that we were probably putting the family dog down soon, since his health was deteriorating. Wednesday, we almost did, but instead tried increasing the dose of his meds. He has a lump on his lungs, and congestive heart failure, and has been having trouble breathing, and is panting after the smallest of movements. The increase helped for a few days, but yesterday he started panting again. So we're probably putting him down Wednesday, since today's a holiday, and they're going to be busy tomorrow. If we can get appointment Wednesday. And it's hard, it's getting close to 2 years since we put Dobby down, so I'm struggling. It's just that we got Dobby and Winky, and Winky passed, Dobby remembered her. And then we adopted Jax a few months later. And when Doby passed, Jax remembered him. But we never got another dog, partially because Jax is reactive. So there's not a dog to remember Jax. There's Holly, but they don't get along very well, so I tried my best to keep them separated when he was with me. It hurts, that breaking of the chain. 

So yeah, this week is going to be even worse, losing the doggie. He seems so alive still, but the way he's breathing, he can't go on like that. I'm going to miss him so much. At least there's some really good books that I need to read that will help. What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read Accomplice to the Villain and The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk!

Once Upon a Time meets The Office in Hannah Nicole Maehrer's laugh-out-loud viral TikTok series turned novel, about the sunshine assistant to an Evil Villain…and their unexpected romance.

REWARD OFFERED: Apprentice to The Villain wanted for treason (light), magical property damage (alleged), and one incident involving a weaponized scone (accurate). Frequently seen with a grumpy frog (crowned, judgmental). Answers to "Evie" or "Stop that."

Evie Sage didn't mean to become the right-hand woman to the kingdom's most terrifying villain. One minute, she was applying for an entry-level position that promised "light paperwork and occasional beheadings," and the next, she was knee-deep in magical mayhem, murder plots, and an entirely inappropriate crush on her brooding, sharp-jawed, walking disaster of a boss.

Now, with a magical prophecy unraveling, assassins showing up in the break room, and a suspicious amount of frogs wearing crowns, Evie has to figure out how to survive her job without setting the kingdom on fire—or her dignity, which is hanging by a very sarcastic thread.

Being evil-adjacent was never part of the five-year plan. But then again…neither was falling for The Villain.

A magical office comedy with grumpy bosses, snarky frogs, and definitely-not-feelings.
New York Times bestselling author and BookTok sensation Carissa Broadbent returns with a brand new novel in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk.

Mische made the ultimate sacrifice to save those she loves – and plunged the world into an eternal night. Now, imprisoned by the gods and obsessed with revenge, Asar is desperate to find her again.

When a goddess offers them a final path to redemption – and back to each other – Asar and Mische embark on an extraordinary mission. Together, they must seize the power of the god of death so Asar may do the impossible: ascend to true divinity.

Their journey will take them through mortal and immortal realms, alongside both old friends and ruthless enemies. But as the underworld teeters on the brink of collapse and the gods prepare for a war, Asar and Mische must decide what they are willing to sacrifice for the power to defy death. In a game of vengeful gods and ancient betrayals, there are some debts that even love may not be able to repay.
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Sunday, August 3, 2025

Karina Halle Author Page

The Story: I saw a booktuber, I believe Becca and the Books, reading, I think, Black Sunshine, and it sounded really good, and it was, and I've loved all the books that I've read by Karina Halle, and I can't wait to read more! 

Website

Series: Dark Eyes Duet, The Dracula Duet, Thieves of Ragemor.



Thieves of Dragemor: Realm of Thieves and her site, my review.
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Saturday, August 2, 2025

Week 31 Review: Realm of Thieves

From Goodreads:
Two thieves vie for dominance in the illegal dragon egg trade, putting both their lives and their hearts on the line in this scorching romantasy from New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle.

For Brynla Aihr, crime and survival have always gone hand in hand. Ever since she escaped the fanatical dragon-worshipping cult that controls her homeland, she's had to carve out a life doing the stealing dragon eggs. Egg theft is illegal and, in most cases, fatal. To breach a dragon's nest means a harrowing journey through the ancient wards spelled to keep the monstrous beasts confined. Dragons can't get out and only those with a death wish can get in.

Despite the risks, dragon eggs are highly coveted for their magic. A black market flourishes under competing criminal empires, and Brynla's loyalty has always been to the highest bidder. Until she finds herself kidnapped and blackmailed by Lord Andor, a formidable lieutenant of House Kolbeck, and thrust into the dangerous political games of rivaling dynasties.

Brynla and Andor clash at every turn, sparking heat in ways Brynla's never felt before. But in a world that's prophesized to return to the dragons, and rife with betrayal and secrets at every turn…how close to the flames is she willing to stand?

My Review:


Author: Karina Halle 
Series: Thieves of Dragemor #1
Read: July 31st, 2025  
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really good, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Ace
Published: June 10th 2025
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars
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Thursday, July 31, 2025

Phase Out Your TBR Update 22 and Wrap Up

So I've read my final book for the Phase Out Your TBR, and it was Realm of Thieves which is for the prompt Green 9, and yeah, I read some amazing reads, and I can't wait for the next round! 

My Reading Journey:

Isle of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson 
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 2
Started On: July 2nd
Finished On: July 2nd, 7:38 PM
Pages Read: 532 

Tenderly, I Am Devoured by Lyndall Clipstone 
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 7
Started On: July 3rd
Finished On: July 3rd, 10:31 PM
Pages Read: 304

Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett
Prompt Fulfilled: Blue 12
Started On: July 4th
Finished On: July 4th, 3:48 PM
Pages Read: 317

The Mercy Makers by Tessa Gratton
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 5
Started On: July 5th
Finished On: July 5th, 11:07 PM
Pages Read: 560

The Rushworth Family Plot by Claudia Gray 
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 5
Started On: July 6th
Finished On: July 6th, 10:03 PM
Pages Read: 336

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 5
Started On: July 10th
Finished On: July 10th, 11:27 PM
Pages Read: 178

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson 
Prompt Fulfilled: Blue Wild (Red 12)
Started On: July 14th
Finished On: July 14th, 7:58 PM
Pages Read: 400

Three Shattered Souls by Mai Corland 
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 7
Started On: July 16th
Finished On: July 16th, 10:03 PM
Pages Read: 512

Lord of Ruin by K.M. Enright
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 9
Started On: July 20th
Finished On: July 20th, 8:19 PM
Pages Read: 464

A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay 
Prompt Fulfilled: Blue 7
Started On: July 21st
Finished On: July 21st, 11:04 AM
Pages Read: 400

Sky on Fire by E.K. Johnston
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 12
Started On: July 22nd
Finished On: July 22nd, 6:28 PM
Pages Read: 272

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 7
Started On: July 23rd
Finished On: July 23rd, 11:47 AM
Pages Read: 535

The Nightblood Prince by Molly X. Chang
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 11
Started On: July 25th
Finished On: July 25th, 4:03 PM
Pages Read: 384

Diamonds & Deceit by Leila Rasheed
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 6
Started On: July 26th
Finished On July 26th, 8:37 PM
Pages Read: 420

The Deepest Night by Shana Abe
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 6
Started On: July 27th
Finished On: July 27th, 9:11 PM
Pages Read: 320

Our Vicious Descent by Hayley Dennings
Prompt Fulfilled: Blue 9
Started On: July 28th
Finished On: July 28th, 10:28 PM
Pages Read: 512

Glorious Rivals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 10
Started On: July 29th
Finished On: July 29th, 2:59 PM
Pages Read: 432

Immortal by Morning by Lynsay Sands 
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow Wild (Green 12)
Started On: July 29th
Finished On: July 29th, 7:38 PM
Pages Read: 368

We Won't All Survive by Kate Alice Marshall 
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 7
Started On: July 30th
Finished On: July 30th, 2:05 PM
Pages Read: 336

Firebird by Juliette Cross
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 5
Started On: July 30th
Finished On: July 30th, 10:47 PM
Pages Read: 400

Debts of Fire by Intisar Khanani
Prompt Fulfilled: Blue 12
Started On: July 31st
Finished On july 31st, 4:18 PM
Pages Read: 473

Realm of Thieves by Karina Halle
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 9
Started On: July 31st
Finished On: July 31st, 9:37 PM
Pages Read: 432

Prompts Left: None Left!
Books Read: 22
Pages Read:  8218
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Phase Out Your TBR Update 21

So I've read my next book for the Phase Out Your TBR, and it was Debts of Fire which is for the prompt Blue 12 and I'll be reading Realm of Thieves next! 

My Reading Journey:

Isle of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson 
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 2
Started On: July 2nd
Finished On: July 2nd, 7:38 PM
Pages Read: 532 

Tenderly, I Am Devoured by Lyndall Clipstone 
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 7
Started On: July 3rd
Finished On: July 3rd, 10:31 PM
Pages Read: 304

Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett
Prompt Fulfilled: Blue 12
Started On: July 4th
Finished On: July 4th, 3:48 PM
Pages Read: 317

The Mercy Makers by Tessa Gratton
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 5
Started On: July 5th
Finished On: July 5th, 11:07 PM
Pages Read: 560

The Rushworth Family Plot by Claudia Gray 
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 5
Started On: July 6th
Finished On: July 6th, 10:03 PM
Pages Read: 336

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 5
Started On: July 10th
Finished On: July 10th, 11:27 PM
Pages Read: 178

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson 
Prompt Fulfilled: Blue Wild (Red 12)
Started On: July 14th
Finished On: July 14th, 7:58 PM
Pages Read: 400

Three Shattered Souls by Mai Corland 
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 7
Started On: July 16th
Finished On: July 16th, 10:03 PM
Pages Read: 512

Lord of Ruin by K.M. Enright
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 9
Started On: July 20th
Finished On: July 20th, 8:19 PM
Pages Read: 464

A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay 
Prompt Fulfilled: Blue 7
Started On: July 21st
Finished On: July 21st, 11:04 AM
Pages Read: 400

Sky on Fire by E.K. Johnston
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 12
Started On: July 22nd
Finished On: July 22nd, 6:28 PM
Pages Read: 272

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 7
Started On: July 23rd
Finished On: July 23rd, 11:47 AM
Pages Read: 535

The Nightblood Prince by Molly X. Chang
Prompt Fulfilled: Red 11
Started On: July 25th
Finished On: July 25th, 4:03 PM
Pages Read: 384

Diamonds & Deceit by Leila Rasheed
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 6
Started On: July 26th
Finished On July 26th, 8:37 PM
Pages Read: 420

The Deepest Night by Shana Abe
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 6
Started On: July 27th
Finished On: July 27th, 9:11 PM
Pages Read: 320

Our Vicious Descent by Hayley Dennings
Prompt Fulfilled: Blue 9
Started On: July 28th
Finished On: July 28th, 10:28 PM
Pages Read: 512

Glorious Rivals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 10
Started On: July 29th
Finished On: July 29th, 2:59 PM
Pages Read: 432

Immortal by Morning by Lynsay Sands 
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow Wild (Green 12)
Started On: July 29th
Finished On: July 29th, 7:38 PM
Pages Read: 368

We Won't All Survive by Kate Alice Marshall 
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 7
Started On: July 30th
Finished On: July 30th, 2:05 PM
Pages Read: 336

Firebird by Juliette Cross
Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 5
Started On: July 30th
Finished On: July 30th, 10:47 PM
Pages Read: 400

Debts of Fire by Intisar Khanani
Prompt Fulfilled: Blue 12
Started On: July 31st
Finished On july 31st, 4:18 PM
Pages Read: 473

Realm of Thieves by Karina Halle
Prompt Fulfilled: Green 9
Started On: July 31st
Currently On: Page 0 of 432

Prompts Left: None Left!
Books Read: 21
Pages Read:  7786
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Wednesday, July 30, 2025

WWW Wednesday #746, July 30th

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 We Won't All Survive, and I can't wait, I love her writing! 

I read Immortal by Morning, and I absolutely loved it! 



I'm going to be reading Realm of Thieves, and I can't wait, it sounds really good! 

What about you guys? Happy reading!
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Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Waiting on Wednesday #733, May 28th

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

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
Expected Publication: June 10th, 2025
From Goodreads:
Santo Domingo de la Calzada, 1532.
London, 1837.
Boston, 2019.

Three young women, their bodies planted in the same soil, their stories tangling like roots.

One grows high, and one grows deep, and one grows wild.

And all of them grow teeth.


We Can Never Leave by H.E. Edgmon
Expected Publication: June 10th, 2025
From Goodreads:
Sweet Tooth meets The Raven Boys in this queer young adult contemporary fantasy about what it means to belong from H.E. Edgmon.

You can never go home…

Every day, all across the world, inhuman creatures are waking up with no memory of who they are or where they came from–and the Caravan exists to help them. The traveling community is made up of these very creatures and their families who’ve acclimated to this new existence by finding refuge in each other. That is, until the morning five teenage travelers wake to find their community has disappeared around them overnight.

Those a half-human who only just ran back to the Caravan with their tail between their legs, two brothers–one who can’t seem to stay out of trouble and the other who’s never been brave enough to get in it, a venomous girl with blood on her hands and a heart of gold, and the Caravan’s newest addition, a disquieting shadow in the shape of a boy. They’ll have to work together to figure out what happened the night of the disappearance, but each one of the forsaken five is white-knuckling their own secrets. And with each truth forced to light, it becomes clear this isn’t really about what happened to their people–it’s about what happened to them.

A Girl Walks into the Forest by Madeleine Roux
Expected Publication: June 10th, 2025
From Goodreads:
Midsommar meets The Shadows Between Us in this alluring mash-up of horror and fairy tale from New York Times bestselling author Madeleine Roux, where a girl must embark on a harrowing journey through a deadly forest filled with otherworldly creatures, supernatural forces, and one maniacal villain who will stop at nothing to bring her down. 

For as long as she can remember, Valla’s been told her beauty would give her a life most people only dreamed of. So when the mysterious Count Leonid calls on her to be his betrothed, Valla jumps at the chance to leave her small, bleak village. The only thing standing in her way? The journey through the dangerous Gottyar Wood that many don’t survive.

Filled with deadly and cunning creatures, the Gottyar immediately delivers on its reputation with an attack that leaves Valla injured; her face torn to shreds. Barely making it to the castle in one piece, Valla is relieved to finally be safe. But things have changed. Valla’s face is no longer beautiful. And the Count is not happy…Valla thought making it through the Gottyar was a victory, but when she sees what awaits beyond the palace walls, the true battle begins.

In this ruthlessly female-forward narrative that borrows from the best of horror, fairy tales, and folklore, a chewed-up-and-spit-out heroine must lean on the brutality of nature and her biggest fears in order to win back what’s she's been robbed her life.

Caught Up by Navessa Allen
Expected Publication: June 10th, 2025
From Goodreads:
From the viral TikTok author of the stalker romcom, Lights Out, comes Navessa Allen’s second book in bestselling The Into Darkness Trilogy, upping the ante with voyeurism and play club kink.

“I wanted this woman, and I was a man who always got what he wanted.”

Nico “Junior” Trocci knows Lauren Marchetti is off limits. She is sweetness and laughter, whereas Junior exists in a world of violence and depravity. Men like him don’t get to have women like her. It’s why he pushed her away back in high school and kept his distance ever since.

But when Junior looks Lauren up online, he discovers the shy, bookish girl he remembers is gone. In her place is a strikingly beautiful woman whose social media is filled with scantily clad pictures of herself and a connection to a nearby play club. Junior’s innocent curiosity quickly turns into a dark obsession. Watching Lauren from a distance isn’t enough; he needs to make her his.

“He’s ruthless; a walking red flag. Good thing red is my favorite color.”

Lauren is intrigued by the mystery man who keeps showing up at her club, who tempts her white-hot desires. But as their flirty online messages stir up a deeper form of connection, Lauren worries she’s developing real feelings for this brooding stranger. As their combined desire ratchets up to a breaking point, who will seduce who?

Realm of Thieves by Karina Halle
Expected Publication: June 10th, 2025
From Goodreads:
Two thieves vie for dominance in the illegal dragon egg trade, putting both their lives and their hearts on the line in this scorching romantasy from New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle.

For Brynla Aihr, crime and survival have always gone hand in hand. Ever since she escaped the fanatical dragon-worshipping cult that controls her homeland, she’s had to carve out a life doing the stealing dragon eggs. Egg theft is illegal and, in most cases, fatal. To breach a dragon's nest means a harrowing journey through the ancient wards spelled to keep the monstrous beasts confined. Dragons can’t get out and only those with a death wish can get in.

Despite the risks, dragon eggs are highly coveted for their magic. A black market flourishes under competing criminal empires, and Brynla’s loyalty has always been to the highest bidder. Until she finds herself kidnapped and blackmailed by Lord Andor, a formidable lieutenant of House Kolbeck, and thrust into the dangerous political games of rivaling dynasties.

Brynla and Andor clash at every turn, sparking heat in ways Brynla’s never felt before. But in a world that’s prophesized to return to the dragons, and rife with betrayal and secrets at every turn…how close to the flames is she willing to stand?

Some great books coming out, I love these authors, these books sound fantastic, and I can't wait to read them! What about you guys? Happy reading! 
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Monday, July 29, 2024

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #686, July 29th

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 #685
Teaser Tuesday #693
WWW Wednesday #693
WOW #689
Will the Time Come #686
Third Sentence Thursday #676
Random Reads #662
First Lines Friday #689
Book Blogger Hop #355
Monthly ARC's Update 82
The Reward Challenge Update #671
Wheel of TBR #218
How Well I Stuck to It #523
Wrote that Review Update #520

Week 30 Reviews:
Apples Dipped in Gold

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 

Phase Out Your TBR: 

OK, so I got 39 posts in 7 days, and it was a pretty good week, though I did get a migraine on Sunday, so I pretty much lost that day. But this coming week has some really great releases that I need to read now! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read The Grandest Game, The Mirror of Beasts, and Sanctuary!

Get caught up in the puzzles, games, danger, romance, and riches of this lush new chapter in the #1 bestselling Inheritance Games saga.

Seven tickets. An island of dreams. The chance of a lifetime.

Welcome to the Grandest Game, an annual competition run by billionaire Avery Grambs and the four infamous Hawthorne brothers, whose family fortune she inherited. Designed to give anyone a shot at fame and fortune, this year's game requires one of seven golden tickets to enter. With millions on the line, those seven players will do whatever it takes to win.

Some of the players are in it for the money. Some for power. Some for reasons all their own. Every single one of them has secrets. Amidst it all is Grayson Hawthorne, tasked with a vital role in this year's game. But as tensions rise and the mind-bending challenges push the players to their limits—physically, mentally, and emotionally—it soon becomes clear that not everyone is playing by the rules.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Lynn Barnes delivers a brand-new series in the world of The Inheritance Games, where fan-favorite and new characters collide in a game you’ll never forget.

Do you have what it takes to play?
With the dream of Avalon in ruins, Tamsin and her friends are all that stands in the way of Lord Death's plans to unleash the horrors of Anwnn on the world of the living. As the Wild Hunt carves a bloody path across continents, Tamsin is mustering allies, tracking down powerful artifacts, and traversing into new otherlands in search of a way to stop him.

Legend tells of a "Mirror of Beasts," powerful enough to trap even Lord Death in its accursed glass, but the mirror is not all that it seems. Tamsin must confront her own darkest secrets if she hopes to tap the mirror's strength to defeat her enemies.

Arthurian legend bleeds into contemporary action, and scars of the past are torn open anew by a starcrossed love that refuses to go quietly. This riveting conclusion to the Silver in the Bone duology will hold you in its thrall until the very last page.
It's not easy serving the Chernobog, the God of Destruction, Darkness and Death…especially during the holidays; and especially when you're out of eggnog and one of your pesky, freeloading mythic creatures has eaten your last cookie.

Roman would like nothing more than to be left alone, but when a wounded boy stumbles into his yard and begs for sanctuary, Roman takes him in. Now elite mercenaries are camped out on his property, combat mages are dousing the house with fire, and strange priests are unleashing arcane magic. They thought Roman was easy pickings, just a hermit in the woods, but they chose the wrong dark priest to annoy. For while Roman might be patient, he is the Black Volhv, filled with the love of his terrible god. For his adversaries, it's a fight to the death, but for him, it's just another day in the neighborhood.
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Saturday, July 27, 2024

Week 30 Reviews: Blood Orange, Black Rose


From Goodreads:
Once there was a man who fell deeply in love with a woman he could never have. When their affair was uncovered she was brutally murdered in front of him, and he discovered he was cursed, doomed to live forever as a vampire.

Over the centuries, he found his love again, and lost her again, until he was so broken he gave up on love entirely, sinking into the depths of depravity, losing his humanity.

Then one day, she came back into his life. A student of music studying under him at the conservatory in Venice, Italy where he was a professor. But even though he found her beautiful and intriguing, he didn’t recognize his fated mate at all.

Because this time she had to hide her true self.

This time she came back as a witch, whose destiny wasn't to love him…but to kill him.

Blood Orange is a modern-day Dracula retelling about the "real-life" Dracula that inspired Bram Stoker. This is a dark vampire romance with plenty of content warnings (check interior of book for CW) and while it is a spinoff of The Dark Eyes Duet, it can be read as a standalone. It was previously referred to as "King of Darkness"

Is it her destiny to love him?

Or is it her destiny to die?

Valtu Aminoff is no stranger to tragedy. Though many know him as the enigmatic vampire that inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula, Valtu's complex life is far more horrific than any fiction could imagine. When you lose the love of your life over and over again, it can do more than break your heart—it can corrupt your soul.

It's up to his new lover to decide if Valtu's damaged soul is even worth saving.

But destiny isn't done with Valtu yet. And tragedy is always around the corner.

My Review:


Author: Karina Hale 
Series: The Dracula Duet #1, 2
Read: July 21st, 21st, 2024
Source: Ebook.bike  
Reason Why: Enjoyed her other book, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Books, and Black Rose is a End of Series 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Karina Hale
Published: October 16th 2022, March 18th 2023

Blood Orange:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars








Black Rose: 
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars
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Monday, July 22, 2024

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #685, July 22nd

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 #684
Teaser Tuesday #692
WWW Wednesday #692
WOW #688
Will the Time Come #685
Third Sentence Thursday #675
Random Reads #661
First Lines Friday #688
Book Blogger Hop #354
Monthly ARC's Update 81
The Reward Challenge Update #670
Wheel of TBR #217
How Well I Stuck to It #522
Wrote that Review Update #519

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 

Phase Out Your TBR: 

Random:

OK, so I got 39 posts in 7 days, it was a quiet week, I was recovering from getting my tongue tie cut. Plus my tablet still isn't fixed, which is annoying, but hopefully I get it back this week since they've had since last Monday to start actually repairing it. What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read whatever I want! 
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Saturday, July 20, 2024

Week 29 Review: The Blood Is Love

From Goodreads:
From the fog-shrouded bay of San Francisco to the dark cobblestone streets of Helsinki and all the hidden places in-between, The Blood is Love takes the reader on a sensual and twisted journey deep into Lenore and Solon's lush vampire world in this thrilling sequel to Black Sunshine.

When Lenore Warwick turned twenty-one, she expected lots of bar-hopping, parties with friends, and the occasional hookup. What she got was the realization that she's both a witch and a vampire, and that there are things in this world that want her dead. Thank god she has her enigmatic vampire lover, Absolon Stavig, to help show her the ropes. But while Lenore struggles to fit into her new topsy turvy world, full of blood, sex, and magic, she also has to contend with her messy and complicated love for a vampire who isn't always what he seems.

To make matters worse, her real father, Jeremias, a powerful warlock from the dark side, has professed an interest in her, while Solon's father, the depraved vampire king Skarde, is intent on destroying everything she loves. When Solon and Lenore have to travel to Finland to work alongside Solon's charming and vicious brother, Kaleid, in an attempt to defeat Skarde once and for all, the two of them enter a bloody new world that neither of them are prepared for. Even if their love survives the carnage to come, the chances of them getting out of there alive are slim.
Good thing they like to take their chances.

My Review:
I really enjoyed reading this book! I loved the first one, which I had listened to through Audible, and not having this one also be offered in the program set me back on reading this book. But then it was suggested to read Blood Orange for a reading prompt, and I had to read this before I picked up that duology! And I'm so glad that I did!

The first book introduced us to these characters, and their romance, and in this book, things get more intense, as they had to deal with both of their biological dads, one who had a very big impact on Solon, and one that has so far had only a tiny bit of impact on Lenore. 

Solon and Lenore are in a committed relationship, they found each other in the first book, and are happy together in this one. Not to mean that they aren't tested, they are, like with his beast and how she reacts. But they were mainly facing threats from outside of themselves.

We were introduced Jeremias and Skarde as threats in the first book and here they delivered, they were pretty awful, and it was good that they were facing off with one another. I wasn't sure how things were going to be resolved, but I loved following along as it was!

This was a wonderful read and I can't wait to read the spin off series! 

Author: Karina Halle 
Series: Dark Eyes #2
Read: July 17th, 2024
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Loved the first book and it's a End of Series 2024 Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Karina Halle 
Published: July 1st 2021 
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars
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Saturday, September 30, 2023

Week 39 Review: Black Sunshine

From Goodreads:
All Lenore Warwick wants for her 21st birthday is to hang out with her friends, finish her second year at Berkeley with flying colors, and maybe catch the eye of a hot musician playing a show at a club that she can now (legally) get into.

Unfortunately, fate has other plans for her.

A week before her birthday, she's kidnapped by the brooding and dangerous stranger with cold eyes and a lethal touch, who has been stalking her on San Francisco's fog-shrouded streets. Absolon "Solon" Stavig isn’t your average criminal though. He's a centuries-old vampire who's caught between wanting to kill Lenore and wanting to save her.

You see Lenore, too, is a vampire.

She just doesn't know it yet.

Taken by a pair of vampire slayers when she was just an infant, Lenore was raised never knowing her true nature. All Lenore knows is that she has (normal) parents who love her, that she's exceptionally smart, and she's squeamish around blood. But once she turns twenty-one, she’ll fully turn into a vampire, and Solon hopes he'll be there to guide her, opening her eyes to her deepest hunger...both sexual and otherwise.

But this turning can't be kept a secret. Soon both slayers and vampires are hunting Lenore, with only Solon and his unpredictable motley crew of vampires to save her.

If they don't kill her first.

Black Sunshine is a dark adult standalone romance with a paranormal twist, about sex, love, secrets, and revenge, set in contemporary San Francisco.

My Review:
This was a really enjoyable read! I loved this world of vampires and witches, of Lenore and Solon! It was dark and bloodthirsty and romantic, and I had such a great time reading it! I loved watching Lenore learn about this world, watching them fall in love!

We start right off with Lenore's adoptive parents, as they kill her mom, and her mom's mate (because her bio father was an evil scumbag) so we know a bit about magic and vampires-and Lenore doesn't. Until it's coming up on her birthday, and all these things are happening.

Lenore really doesn't know anything about this world, and Solon is the one that introduces it to her. Not always an easy experience, and there are some really big stumbling blocks, but I loved watching them get to know each other, start to fall in love while dealing with all these things like blood and lust! 

That ending, along with what was introduced about both of their fathers, has been really interested in the sequel, of how they're going to deal with things! Since both of their fathers are bad guys, and the pain aren't. So excited to continue on! 

This was a great read and I can't wait to read more! 

Author: Karina Halle
Series: Dark Eyes #1
Read: September 28th, 2023
Source: Audible
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book!
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Published: March 25th 2021
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars
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Thursday, September 28, 2023

Third Sentence Thursday #633, September 28th

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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!

"You're going to pass with flying colors like you always do." -Black Sunshine by Karina Halle, page 18.

That sounds good! Must read more now! What are your guy's 3rd lines? Link up below!
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