It's Monday! What Are You Reading #716, February 24th

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 #715
Teaser Tuesday #723
WWW Wednesday #723
WOW #719
Will the Time Come #716
Third Sentence Thursday #706
Random Reads #692
First Lines Friday #719
Book Blogger Hop #385

23 Books to Read in 2023 Update 17
The Reward Challenge Update #701
Wheel of TBR #248
How Well I Stuck to It #553
Wrote that Review Update #550

Week 8 Reviews:

The Fox and the Falcon

I'll Pretend You're Mine

Gabriel's Inferno 

Gabriel's Rapture

Gabriel's Redemption

Gabriel's Promise

Counting the Cost

Breathless

Rebel Witch

The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall

Scythe & Sparrow

Chaos King

She Who Became the Sun

He Who Drowned the Earth

Take His Memory to Your Grave

The Raven and the Reindeer

Trigger

Shutter

Phase Out Your Seriesathon: 

Update 14

Update 15

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 

Update 12

Update 13

Update 14

Polarthon Readathon: 

Update 4

Update 5

Update 6

Update 7

Update 8

Update 9

Update 10
Update 11

Update 12

Random:

Brynne Weaver Author Page

Rebecca Kenney Author Page

OK, so I got 43 posts in 7 days, and it was a pretty decent week, I'm happy with what I read, and I'm looking forward to this week, since I have a week and a day of vacation, so I'm going to be reading and catching up with writing my reviews. What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read The Dark Mirror! 

Paige Mahoney is outside the Republic of Scion for the first time in more than a decade – but she has no idea how she got to the free world. Half a year has been wiped from her memory.

As she makes her way back to the revolution, her journey takes her to Venice, where she learns a dangerous secret – one that could change the face of the war between humans and immortals. Before she can return to London, she must help the Domino Programme unravel the sinister Operation Ventriloquist.

And it soon becomes clear that the one person who could recover her memories – Arcturus Mesarthim – might also hold the key to saving Italy.

Lyrical and action-packed, The Dark Mirror drives the Bone Season series forward, showing Samantha Shannon at the height of her powers.

Week 8 Review: Rebel Witch

From Goodreads:

The stakes are even higher in this epic, romantic conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Crimson Moth duology.

A WITCH...

Rune Winters is on the run. Ever since the boy she loved, Gideon Sharpe, revealed who she was and delivered her into enemy hands, everyone wants her dead. If Rune hopes to survive, she must ally herself with the cruel and dangerous Cressida Roseblood, who's planning to take back the Republic and reinstate a Reign of Witches—something Cressida needs Rune to accomplish.

A WITCH HUNTER...

Apparently it wasn't enough for Rune to deceive Gideon; she's now betrayed him by allying herself with the witch who made his life a living hell. Gideon won't allow the Republic to fall to the witches and be plunged back into the nightmares of the past. In order to protect this new world he fought for, every last witch must die—especially Rune Winters.

AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE...

When Rune makes Gideon an offer he can't refuse, the two must pair up to accomplish dangerous goals. The more they're forced into each other's company, the more Gideon realizes the feelings he had for Rune aren't as dead and buried as he thought. Now he's faced with a terrible choice: sacrifice the girl he loves to stop a monster taking back power, or let Rune live and watch the world he fought so hard for burn.

In Kristen Ciccarelli's Rebel Witch, the exciting conclusion to The Crimson Moth duology, love has never been so deadly.

My Review:
This was an amazing end to the duology! After everything that happened in the first book, I needed to know what was going to happen next to these characters, how they were going to react to all the events that happened, and oh, it was such a great read!

After that ending, I was desperate to see how these characters would react, to the fact that they truly are on opposite sides, that Cressida is still alive and is scheming to retake her throne, that Alex sacrificed his life. And oh, this book kicks things off with a start, with Gideon trying to make an attempt on her life.

This book built out the world more, the first book took place just on their island home, but this also took place on the continent, which gave us a different view on witches. It also touched a bit on the history, of how the Roseblood line came to rule, and all the politics there that came in clutch during that ending! 

I loved how Rune and Gideon's relaitonship progressed. There was betrayal on both ends, have caused each other a lot of hurt, but there's still that connection, and I loved what that connection lead to, in trying to build a better future, one that's more fair and balanced, and I loved that! 

Loved reading this book and I can't wait to read more by Kristen Ciccarelli! 

Author: Kristen Ciccarelli
Series: The Crimson Moth #2
Read: February 18th, 2025 
Source: Bought 
Reason Why: Love her writing and the first book, and it's a End of Series 2025 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Wednesday Books 
Published: February 18th 2025

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

WWW Wednesday #723, February 19th

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 current listening to The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall, and I'm really enjoying it! 

I'm currently reading Scythe & Sparrow and I'm really enjoying it!

I read Rebel Witch, and it was a such a fantastic end to the duology! 

I'm going to be reading Chaos King, and I can't wait, I loved the first book! 

What about you guys? Happy reading!

Teaser Tuesday #723, February 18th

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 Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli, page 15.

"Rune wanted Cressida on a throne like she wanted a hole in her chest. The girl was vile. A cold-blooded murderess."

That doesn't sound good! Must read more now! What about you guys? Happy reading!

Waiting on Wednesday #716, January 29th

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

Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong

Expected Publication: February 18th, 2025
From Goodreads:

New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong returns to Haven’s Rock in Cold as Hell as Casey Butler hunts down a dangerous killer during a deadly blizzard.

Haven’s Rock is a sanctuary town hidden deep in the Yukon for those who need to disappear from the regular world. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, are starting a family now that they’ve settled into their life here. As Casey nears the end of her pregnancy, she lets nothing, including her worried husband, stop her from investigating what happens in the forbidden forest outside the town of Haven’s Rock.

When one of the town's residents is drugged and wanders too close to the edge of town, she’s dragged into the woods kicking and screaming. She’s saved in the nick of time, but the women of the town are alarmed. Casey and Eric investigate the assault just as a snowstorm hits Haven’s Rock, covering the forest. It’s there they find a frozen body, naked in the snow. With mixed accounts of the woman's last movements, the two begin to question who they can trust—and who they can't—in their seemingly safe haven.

A Dragon of Black Glass by James Rollins

Expected Publication: February 18th, 2025
From Goodreads:

The third book in the New York Times bestselling Moonfall series from thriller-master James Rollins, A Dragon of Black Glass is a tale of relentless adventure and the struggle for survival in a harsh world that hangs by a thread.

With the apocalyptic threat of moonfall looming ever closer, Nyx and her allies must venture into the eternally sunblasted lands to search for an ancient weapon buried untold millennia ago. All the while, enemies close upon her flanks, and a greater danger lurks ahead. For beneath a desert turned to glass, hidden from the scorching heat, life thrives—both wondrous and monstrous. But a more fearsome menace lies even deeper, where an ancient army has been seeded to protect a secret from any who dare seek it out.

Yet, can Nyx truly trust those at her side? Can she trust herself? For while her gift of bridle-song grows ever stronger, so does the danger of losing herself to a dark madness. Worst yet, the same afflicts Bashaliia, her winged and bonded brother.

Elsewhere, a looming war explodes across the Crown, forging new alliances and greater enmities, as lands around the globe are drawn into fiery conflict. Prince Kanthe—now consort to the newly crowned Empress of the Southern Klashe—must accept a mantle that poorly suits to become a traitor to his own people. In that role, he quickly recognizes a hard truth. To save the world, he must destroy all that he once loved.

Beyond such struggles, a new cunning peril smolders at the heart of a kingdom. Hidden in the Shrivenkeep of the Iflelen, an ancient bronze weapon has been awoken. Fed by blood, fueled by hatred, it has only one to end all life on Urth.

But in this goal, will Nyx prove to be its ally or foe?

Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli

Expected Publication: February 18th, 2025
From Goodreads:

The stakes are even higher in this epic, romantic conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Crimson Moth duology

A WITCH...

Rune Winters is on the run. Ever since the boy she loved, Gideon Sharpe, revealed who she was and delivered her into enemy hands, everyone wants her dead. If Rune hopes to survive, she must ally herself with the cruel and dangerous Cressida Roseblood, who’s planning to take back the Republic and reinstate a Reign of Witches—something Cressida needs Rune to accomplish.

A WITCH HUNTER...

Apparently it wasn’t enough for Rune to deceive Gideon; she’s now betrayed him by allying herself with the witch who made his life a living hell. Gideon won’t allow the Republic to fall to the witches and be plunged back into the nightmares of the past. In order to protect this new world he fought for, every last witch must die—especially Rune Winters.

AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE...

When Rune makes Gideon an offer he can’t refuse, the two must pair up to accomplish dangerous goals. The more they’re forced into each other’s company, the more Gideon realizes the feelings he had for Rune aren’t as dead and buried as he thought. Now he’s faced with a terrible sacrifice the girl he loves to stop a monster taking back power, or let Rune live and watch the world he fought so hard for burn.

In Kristen Ciccarelli's Rebel Witch, the exciting conclusion to The Crimson Moth duology, love has never been so deadly.

Cursebound by Saara El-Arifi

Expected Publication: February 18th, 2025
From Goodreads:

United by war.

Betrayed by destiny.

Cursed by love.

Yeeran was born for war but is unprepared for love. She has left her new lover, the Queen of the fae, to return to her homeland, only to find that her former lover now threatens war against the fae.

Left behind, her sister Lettle is determined to break the curse that binds the fae to their realm. When a stranger appears in the city, Lettle is convinced he’s the key. But the Fates that once spoke to her have fallen silent.

Can Lettle and Yeeran discover the secret behind the curse—and unite these two worlds before they destroy each other?

Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis

Expected Publication: February 18th, 2025
From Goodreads:

In a Gaslamp-lit world where hags and ogres lurk in thick pine forests, three magical queens form an uneasy alliance to protect their lands from invasion…and love turns their world upside down.

Queen Saskia is the wicked sorceress everyone fears. After successfully wrestling the throne from her evil uncle, she only wants one thing: to keep her people safe from the empire next door. For that, she needs to spend more time in her laboratory experimenting with her spells. She definitely doesn’t have time to bring order to her chaotic library of magic.

When a mysterious dark wizard arrives at her castle, Saskia hires him as her new librarian on the spot. “Fabian” is sweet and a little nerdy, and his requests seem a little strange – what in the name of Divine Elva is a fountain pen? – but he’s getting the job done. And if he writes her flirtatious poetry and his innocent touch makes her skin singe, well…

Little does Saskia know that the "wizard" she’s falling for is actually an Imperial archduke in disguise, with no magical training whatsoever. On the run, with perilous secrets on his trail and a fast growing yearning for the wicked sorceress, he's in danger from her enemies and her newfound allies, too. When his identity is finally revealed, will their love save or doom each other?

The Fox and the Falcon by Piper C.J.

Expected Publication: February 18th, 2025
From Goodreads:

The next book in a spellbinding new urban fantasy from USA Today bestselling author and TikTok sensation Piper CJ.

The Apocalypse begins with love and a lie...

Marlow has spent most of her life believing the shadowy demon she loves isn't real. Not only is he the living, breathing Prince of Hell, but he is now in serious danger. Their reunion is cut short as Caliban remains in a vicious battle with a Phoenician goddess after Marlow's escape. To save him, Marlow must venture into her ancestors' domain for help―the Norse Pantheon―where shared blood is no guarantee of an alliance and the line between gods and beasts blurs.

Major players from even more realms team up in the ever-growing war between Heaven and Hell, and it will be up to Marlow to determine friend from foe to get Caliban back and save her world as she knows it. No one said the games of gods would be easy, but Marlow is prepared to sacrifice everything to save the one she loves.

A group of books from authors that I absolutely love, and series that I've enjoyed, and I can't wait for them all to be out, since I've read and loved most of them! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

Will the Time Come #664, February 22nd

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:

At the end of one world, there always lies another.

Safire, a soldier, knows her role in this world is to serve the King of Firgaard—helping to maintain the peace in her oft-troubled nation.

Eris, a deadly pirate, has no such conviction. Known as the Death Dancer for her ability to evade even the most determined of pursuers, she possesses a superhuman power to move between worlds.

When one can roam from dimension to dimension, can one ever be home? Can love and loyalty truly exist?

Now Safire and Eris—sworn enemies—find themselves on a common mission: to find Asha, the last Namsara. From the port city of Darmoor to the fabled faraway Star Isles, their search and their stories become woven ever more tightly together as they discover the uncertain fate they’re hurtling towards may just be a shared one. In this world—and the next.

Why the time hasn't come yet...

It's taken me a while to get through this series, but I'm finally at this book, so hopefully I read it soon! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

Waiting on Wednesday #663, January 24th

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

The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong

Expected Publication: February 20th, 2024
From Goodreads:

In The Boy Who Cried Bear, New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong keeps readers on the edge of their seats while detective Casey Duncan tries to locate the threat before it’s too late. . .

Haven’s Rock is a well-hidden town surrounded by forest. And it’s supposed to be, being that it’s a refuge for those who need to disappear. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton already feel at home in their new town, which reminds them of where they first met in Rockton. And while they know how to navigate the woods and its various dangers, other residents don’t. Which is why people aren't allowed to wander off alone.

When Max, the town’s youngest resident—taught to track animals by Eric—fears a bear is stalking a hiking party, alarms are raised. Even stranger, the ten-year-old swears the bear had human eyes. Casey and Eric know the dangers a bear can present, so they’re taking it seriously. But odd occurrences are happening all around them, and when a dead body turns up, they’re not sure what they’re up against.

Visions of Flesh and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Expected Publication: February 20th, 2024
From Goodreads:

VISIONS OF FLESH AND BLOOD: a Blood and Ash/Flesh and Fire Compendium is a comprehensive companion guide for background, history, reader-favorite information, art, and reference materials. Combined with original short stories and scenes from some of the world’s most beloved characters, as well as never-before-seen visual enticements, it’s a treat for the senses.

Told from the point of view of Miss Willa herself, the compendium acts like research material but reads like a journal and cache of personal notes, allowing the reader to revisit the characters and history they so love yet view things in a different way.

VISIONS OF FLESH AND BLOOD by Jennifer L. Armentrout with Rayvn Salvador is a must-add addition to the series that any Blood and Ash/Flesh and Fire fan will enjoy.

Leopard's Hunt by Christine Feehan

Expected Publication: February 20th, 2024
From Goodreads:

In this pulse-pounding novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling Leopard series, animal instinct unites two elite shifters whose heads are at war with their hearts.

Gorya Amurov might be known as his family's peacekeeper, but the leopard inside him wants nothing more than to claw to the surface and unleash hell. A harsh life has shaped him into a vicious fighter with a calm exterior, but Gorya knows it's only a matter of time until he loses all control. Deep down, he truly believes he'd be better off dead, and that no woman will ever accept him as a mate....

Maya Averina has spent years hunting the criminals who destroyed her life, and she always takes down her prey. She keeps to herself, stays under the radar, and never loses focus. But with her body burning up and her mind distracted by her first heat, an ambush takes her by surprise. Now she's trapped, an unmated female shifter about to be sold off to the highest bidder. Maya is ready to fight her way out—until the most dangerous, powerful man she's ever encountered arrives to set her free....

Only Hard Problems by Jennifer Estep

Expected Publication: February 20th, 2024
From Goodreads:

New York Times best-selling author Jennifer Estep continues her Galactic Bonds series with a new, action-packed novella that blends science-fiction technology and magical fantasy elements with a touch of historical romance. This rollicking space opera focuses on a fan-favorite secondary character who’s part hero, part villain, and all arrogance. Perfect for fans of Star Wars, Bridgerton, and Pride and Prejudice.

PROBLEMS, PROBLEMS EVERYWHERE . . .

My name is Zane Zimmer. To most folks, I live a seemingly charmed life as a Regal lord and the heir apparent to the powerful, wealthy House Zimmer, and the gossipcasts breathlessly follow my every swaggering move across the Archipelago Galaxy. I’m also a powerful psion capable of telekinesis, telepathy, and telempathy, and my deadly skills and prowess with my stormsword have made me the golden boy of the Arrows, the Imperium’s elite fighting force.

But even golden boys have bad days, and the truth is I have more hard problems than I can solve.

The Techwave is building weapons to use against the Arrows in hopes of toppling the Imperium and taking over the galaxy. But even more worrisome is the fact that my old rival Kyrion Caldaren has a powerful new ally in Vesper Quill. Together, the two of them just might destroy everything I’ve sworn to protect.

I’m supposed to be relaxing with the other Regals during the Summer Solstice celebration, but when an enemy threatens the festivities, I’m forced to leap into action. As an Arrow, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my family and the other Regals, even though my actions will cause only more problems—and just might end up being the death of me . . .

Note: Only Hard Problems is a 46,000-word novella from the point of view of Zane Zimmer. It takes place after Only Good Enemies, book 2 in the Galactic Bonds science-fiction fantasy series.

Remedial Magic by Melissa Marr

Expected Publication: February 20th, 2024
From Goodreads:

The Magicians meets One Last Stop in this brand-new fantasy romance Remedial Magic, about an unassuming librarian who 1) has fallen in love with a powerful witch; 2) has discovered that she is a witch; and 3) must attend magical community college to learn how to save her new world from complete destruction by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr!

Ellie loves working in her local library in the small town of Ligonier. She loves baking scones and investigating the mysterious and captivating in her spare time. And there is nothing more mysterious and captivating than the intriguingly beautiful, too properly dressed woman sipping tea in her library who has appeared as if out of nowhere. The pull between them is undeniable, and Ellie is not sure that she wants to resist.

Prospero, a powerful witch from the magical land of Crenshaw, is often accused of being… ruthless in her goals and ambitions. But she is driven to save her dying homeland, and a prophecy tells her that Ellie is the key. Unbeknownst to Ellie, her powers have not yet awakened. But all of that is about to change.

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

Expected Publication: February 20th, 2024
From Goodreads:

From Hafsah Faizal, New York Times–bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame, comes the first book in a hotly-anticipated new fantasy duology about an orphan girl and her crew who get tangled in a heist with vampires, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows.

On the streets of White Roaring, Arthie Casimir is a criminal mastermind and collector of secrets. Her prestigious tearoom transforms into an illegal bloodhouse by dark, catering to the vampires feared by society. But when her establishment is threatened, Arthie is forced to strike an unlikely deal with an alluring adversary to save it—and she can’t do the job alone.

Calling upon a band of misfits, Arthie formulates a plan to infiltrate the dark and glittering vampire society known as the Athereum. But not every member of her crew is on her side, and as the truth behind the heist unfolds, Arthie finds herself in the midst of a conspiracy that will threaten the world as she knows it. Dark, action-packed, and swoonworthy, this is Hafsah Faizal better than ever.

Sisters of Fortune by Anna Lee Huber

Expected Publication: February 20th, 2024
From Goodreads:

For fans of Shana Abe’s The Second Mrs. Astor and Patricia Falvey’s The Titanic Sisters, this sweeping historical novel set on the legendary ocean liner includes actual stories and anecdotes from the Titanic, as it tells of three well-to-do sisters, each at a crossroads in her life.

April, 1912: It’s the perfect finale to a Grand Tour of Europe—sailing home on the largest, most luxurious ocean liner ever built. For the Fortune sisters, the voyage offers a chance to reflect on the treasures of the past they’ve seen—magnificent castles and museums in Italy and France, the ruins of Greece and the Middle East—and contemplate the futures that await them.

 

For Alice, there’s foreboding mixed with her excitement. A fortune teller in Egypt gave her a dire warning about traveling at sea. And the freedom she has enjoyed on her travels contrasts with her fiancé’s plans for her return—a cossetted existence she’s no longer sure she wants.

 

Flora is also returning to a fiancé, a well-to-do banker of whom her parents heartily approve, as befits their most dutiful daughter. Yet the closer the wedding looms, the less sure Flora feels. Another man—charming, exasperating, completely unsuitable—occupies her thoughts, daring her to follow her own desires rather than settling for the wishes of others.

 

Youngest sister Mabel knows her parents arranged this Grand Tour to separate her from a jazz musician. But the secret truth is that Helen has little interest in marrying at all, preferring to explore ideas of suffrage and reform—even if it forces a rift with her family.

 

Each sister grapples with the choices before her as the grand vessel glides through the Atlantic waters. Until, on an infamous night, fate intervenes, forever altering their lives . . .

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

Expected Publication: February 20th, 2024
From Goodreads:

A steamy game of cat and mouse between witch and witch-hunter, played out against a backdrop of opulence, secrets, and bloody history.

On the night Rune’s life changed forever, blood ran in the streets. Now, in the aftermath of a devastating revolution, witches have been diminished from powerful rulers to outcasts ruthlessly hunted due to their waning magic, and Rune must hide what she is.

Spending her days pretending to be nothing more than a vapid young socialite, Rune spends her nights as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who rescues her kind from being purged. When a rescue goes wrong, she decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent and gain the intel she desperately needs by courting the handsome Gideon Sharpe - a notorious and unforgiving witch hunter loyal to the revolution - who she can't help but find herself falling for.

Gideon loathes the decadence and superficiality Rune represents, but when he learns the Crimson Moth has been using Rune’s merchant ships to smuggle renegade witches out of the republic, he inserts himself into her social circles by pretending to court her right back. He soon realizes that beneath her beauty and shallow façade, is someone fiercely intelligent and tender who feels like his perfect match. Except, what if she’s the very villain he’s been hunting?

Kristen Ciccarelli’s Heartless Hunter is the thrilling start to a romantic fantasy duology where the only thing more treacherous than being a witch...is falling in love.

The Messy Life of Jane Tanner by Brenda Novak

Expected Publication: February 20th, 2024
From Goodreads:

When your life is chaotic, what’s one more complication?

Jane Tanner’s friends are settling down, while she’s been settling for less. She longs for adventure and the big city, but caring for her ailing grandfather means she's shackled to her small town. She’s excited her vintage gift shop is  finally  up and running, but it’s not enough.

Longing to fulfill at least one dream—to become a mother before her biological clock ticks out—Jane drunkenly propositions the worst possible candidate for Dad . Kurt Elway is off-limits with a capital O . He’s a good friend, but he's too young, too busy running his family’s ranch. Plus, he and Jane’s sister, Kate, used to date.  That kind of off-limits.

Unbeknownst to Jane, Kurt’s pining for her. When he’s fully on board to father her baby, she sees him in a new light. Then lingering baggage between Kate and Kurt suddenly surfaces and Jane is reminded of just how messy life is. But…so is parenting. Maybe it’s time to embrace the mess?

The Bad Ones by Melissa Albert

Expected Publication: February 20th, 2024
From Goodreads:

NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Melissa Albert returns with THE BAD ONES, a supernatural horror novel about four mysterious disappearances in a town haunted by a sinister magical history

In the course of a single winter’s night, four people vanish without a trace across a suburban town.

Nora Powell’s estranged best friend, Becca, is one of the lost. As Nora tries to untangle the truth of Becca’s disappearance, she discovers a darkness in her town’s past, as well as a string of coded messages Becca left for her to unravel. These clues lead Nora to a piece of local lore: a legendary goddess of forgotten origins who played a role in Nora and Becca’s own childhood games. . . .

An arresting, crossover horror fantasy threaded with dark magic, THE BAD ONES is a poison-pen love letter to semi-toxic best friendship, the occult power of childhood play and artistic creation, and the razor-thin line between make believe and belief.

Yeah, this day has a bunch of fantastic books coming out, they look so great and the ones I've read have been so great, I can't wait for them to come out! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

Week 39 Review: Heartless Hunter

From Goodreads:

On the night Rune's life changed forever, blood ran in the streets. Now, in the aftermath of a devastating revolution, witches have been diminished from powerful rulers to outcasts ruthlessly hunted due to their waning magic, and Rune must hide what she is.

Spending her days pretending to be nothing more than a vapid young socialite, Rune spends her nights as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who rescues her kind from being purged. When a rescue goes wrong, she decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent and gain the intel she desperately needs by courting the handsome Gideon Sharpe - a notorious and unforgiving witch hunter loyal to the revolution - who she can't help but find herself falling for.

Gideon loathes the decadence and superficiality Rune represents, but when he learns the Crimson Moth has been using Rune's merchant ships to smuggle renegade witches out of the republic, he inserts himself into her social circles by pretending to court her right back. He soon realizes that beneath her beauty and shallow façade, is someone fiercely intelligent and tender who feels like his perfect match. Except, what if she's the very villain he's been hunting?

Kristen Ciccarelli's Heartless Hunter is the thrilling start to a romantic fantasy duology where the only thing more treacherous than being a witch...is falling in love.

My Review:
I loved reading this book! I've really enjoyed her other books, and the set up for this one sounded so great! I had to read it and get to know Rune and Gideon, witch and witch hunter, pretending to court one another to get information from the other! It was so delicious and amazing to read!

That they're both using each other, Rune to gain information to help the witches, and Gideon to find out if she's the Crimson Moth or not, yeah, I adored their dynamics so much! They've both been harmed by the other group, they're on opposite sides, not that he's sure about that, and oh, their chemistry was so wonderful to read! 

That she turned her grandmother in as a witch-that her grandmother planned it with her-yeah, that was a really hard thing to do. But Rune was strong, and it lead her to become the Crimson Moth, so she'd be able to help other witches, which was good. Something that the governments in this world need to learn, is balance. Because some of the witches were bad, no question. But killing all of them? Yeah, that's a step too far. 

Oh, but that ending though? With all those reveals, and everything that went down! That was such an evil ending! I need to know what's going to happen next, with where we left these characters, and how they'll deal with what had happened! 

Absolutely loved reading this book, and I can't wait for the sequel! 

Author: Kristen Ciccarelli
Series: The Crimson Moth #1
Read: September 27th, 2023
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really great, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Wednesday Books 
Expected Publication: February 20th 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #594, October 24th

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 #593
Teaser Tuesday #601
WWW Wednesday #601
WOW #597
Will the Time Come #594
Third Sentence Thursday #584
Random Reads #570
First Lines Friday #597
Book Blogger Hop #263
The Reward Challenge Update #579
Wheel of TBR #126
How Well I Stuck to It #431
Wrote that Review Update #428

Week 42 Reviews:
Blood Like Fate

The Caged Queen

Firestorm

Blackout

The Luminous Dead

The Obsidian Tower

The Quicksilver Court

The Ivory Tomb

Tokyo Dreaming

A Long Stretch of Bad Days

Becca's BookoplAthon: 

Update 23

Update 24

Update 25

Update 26

Update 27

Update 28

Update 29

Update 30

Update 31

Update 32

Update 33

ARCtober: 

Update 11

Update 12

Update 13

Update 14

Update 15

Random:

We Have the Cover of House of the Dead #1!!!!

We Have the Cover of Rise of the Warlords #3!!!!

OK, so I got 38 posts in 7 days, it was a pretty good week, I read some really great books, and I can't wait for next week! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read whatever I want! 

Week 42 Review: The Caged Queen

From Goodreads:

Kristen Ciccarelli's distinct brand of lyrical, haunting fantasy continues in the companion to her bestselling debut, The Last Namsara. Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and Renee Ahdieh.

Once there were two sisters born with a bond so strong that it forged them together forever. Roa and Essie called it the hum. It was a magic they cherished—until the day a terrible accident took Essie's life and trapped her soul in this world.

Dax—the heir to Firgaard's throne—was responsible for the accident. Roa swore to hate him forever. But eight years later he returned, begging for her help. He was determined to dethrone his cruel father, under whose oppressive reign Roa's people had suffered.

Roa made him a deal: she'd give him the army he needed if he made her queen. Only as queen could she save her people from Firgaard's rule.

Then a chance arises to right every wrong—an opportunity for Roa to rid herself of this enemy king and rescue her beloved sister. During the Relinquishing, when the spirits of the dead are said to return, Roa discovers she can reclaim her sister for good.

All she has to do is kill the king.

My Review:
This was such a fantastic sequel, I enjoyed being in this world again, and seeing some of the characters that we'd previously met, and meeting some new ones! I just wanted to know more about what was going on-and what was going to happen next!

Parts of this story started off in the first book, with Dax and Roa becoming the ruling couple of the country. But that wasn't from their perspective, so I really enjoyed seeing how they got to that point-and what their life is like now, that they're in charge.

We met Dax in the first book, he's Asha's brother, and in that book, he was on her side. So it was interesting to see him from a negative perspective. Roa really doesn't get along with him because of how he was involved in her sister's death, and I can't blame her. But they were kids, and as we slowly find out what happened then, well, it was more complicated then it seemed. 

Dax is not a warrior, he's a strategist. So it was really entertaining to watch Roa have this plot to end his life. Their back and forth was really entertaining to read! Watching them get closer, with their different plots and schemes, and spending this time together that makes them aware of certain feelings...chef's kiss! 

Loved reading this book and I can't wait to finish off the series! 

Author: Kristen Ciccarelli
Series: Iskari #2
Read: October 15th, 2022
Source: Bought
Reason Why: Sounded really good, I enjoyed the first book, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2022 Book and a Sophomore Challenge Book! 
Publisher: Harper Teen
Published: September 25th 2018

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Wacky Witches Readathon Update 8

So I've read my next book for the Wacky Witches Readathon, and it was The Caged Queen which is for the prompt Crystals, and I'll be reading Firestorm next! 

My Reading Journey:

The Luminaries by Susan Dennard

Prompt Fulfilled: Herbs

Started On: October 10th

Finished On: October 10th, 8:00 PM

Pages Read: 384

The Kraken's Sacrifice by Katee Robert

Prompt Fulfilled: Broomstick

Started On: October 11th

Finished On: October 11th, 8:44 PM

Pages Read: 177

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Prompt Fulfilled: Candles

Started On: October 11th

Finished On: October 11th, 10:01 PM

Pages Read: 328

The Akseli by Dianne Duvall

Prompt Fulfilled: Tarot Deck

Started On: October 13th

Finished On: October 13th, 2:11 PM

Pages Read: 401

The Sinister Booksellers of Bath by Garth Nix

Prompt Fulfilled: Spell Book

Started On: October 14th

Finished On: October 14th, 7:45 PM

Pages Read: 416

Wizard's Masquerade by Jay Pellegrin

Prompt Fulfilled: Wand

Started On: October 14th

Finished On: October 14th, 10:11 PM

Pages Read: 550

Blood Like Fate by Liselle Sambury

Prompt Fulfilled: Witch's Hat

Started On: October 15th

Finished On: October 15th, 4:18 PM

Pages Read: 480

The Caged Queen by Kristen Ciccarelli

Prompt Fulfilled: Crystals

Started On: October 15th

Finished On: October 15th, 8:59 PM

Pages Read: 416

Firestorm by Iris Johansen

Prompt Fulfilled: Potions

Started On: October 16th

Currently On: Page 0 of 368

Prompts Left: Cauldron

Books Read: 8

Pages Read: 3391

Becca's BookoplAthon Update 21

So I read my next book for Becca's BookoplAthon, Roll as You Go edition, and it was The Caged Queen which is for the prompt Favourite Genre, and I'll be rolling for what I'm reading next below! 

My Reading Journey:

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
Prompt Fulfilled: Community Shelf
Started On: October 1st
Finished On: October 1st, 8:33 PM

Pages Read: 416

After the Bite by Lynsay Sands

Prompt Fulfilled: Chance Card
Started On: October 2nd
Finished On: October 2nd, 11:06 PM

Pages Read: 400

I Am Margaret Moore by Hannah Capin

Prompt Fulfilled: Favourite Genre

Started On: October 3rd

Finished On: October 3rd, 5:15 PM

Pages Read: 336

A Bad Day For Sunshine by Darynda Jones

Prompt Fulfilled: Colour Wheel

Started On: October 3rd

Finished On: October 3rd, 9:50 PM

Pages Read: 416

A Good Day for Chardonnay by Darynda Jones

Prompt Fulfilled: Mood Read

Started On: October 4th

Finished On: October 4th, 9:20 PM

Pages Read: 416

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Prompt Fulfilled: Big Book

Started On: October 5th

Finished On: October 5th, 7:31 PM

Pages Read: 560

Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh

Prompt Fulfilled: People

Started On: October 6th

Finished On: October 6th, 9:38 PM

Pages Read: 429

Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox by Forthright

Prompt Fulfilled: Dice Roulette

Started On: October 7th

Finished On: October 7th, 5:36 PM

Pages Read: 478

Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal by Forthright

Prompt Fulfilled: Favourite Genre

Started On: October 7th

Finished On: October 7th, 11:24 PM

Pages Read: 450

Game of Gravestones by Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe

Prompt Fulfilled: Features a Mystery

Started On: October 8th

Finished On: October 8th, 5:05 PM

Pages Read: 184

The Hexed & the Hunted by Melissa Marr

Prompt Fulfilled: First Person

Started On: October 8th

Finished On: October 8th, 11:15 PM

Pages Read: 319

A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones

Prompt Fulfilled: Highest Rated

Started On: October 9th

Finished On: October 9th, 1:25 PM

Pages Read: 416

The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever by Jeff Strand

Prompt Fulfilled: Dice Roulette

Started On: October 9th

Finished On: October 9th, 9:38 PM

Pages Read: 266

A Familiar Stranger by A.R. Torre

Prompt Fulfilled: Pub/Set Since 2020

Started On: October 10th

Finished On: October 10th, 1:04 PM

Pages Read: 290

The Luminaries by Susan Dennard

Prompt Fulfilled: Emoji

Started On: October 10th

Finished On: October 10th, 8:00 PM

Pages Read: 384

The Kraken's Sacrifice by Katee Robert

Prompt Fulfilled: Letter

Started On: October 11th

Finished On: October 11th, 8:44 PM

Pages Read: 177

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Prompt Fulfilled: Features a Romance

Started On: October 11th

Finished On: October 11th, 10:01 PM

Pages Read: 328

My Eyes Are Up Here by Laura Zimmermann

Prompt Fulfilled: Spring

Started On: October 13th

Finished On: October 13th, 8:11 AM

Pages Read: 352

Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

Prompt Fulfilled: Chance Card

Started On: October 13th

Finished On: October 13th, 7:47 PM

Pages Read: 352

Wizard's Masquerade by Jay Pellegrin

Prompt Fulfilled: Pub/Set Since 2020

Started On: October 14th

Finished On: October 14th, 10:11 PM

Pages Read: 550

The Caged Queen by Kristen Ciccarelli

Prompt Fulfilled: Favourite Genre

Started On: October 15th

Finished On: October 15th, 8:59 PM

Pages Read: 416

Books Read: 21
Pages Read: 7126

Day 16, Roll 22:

A  7, which gets me to Features a Romance. I'm going with Blackout Anthology. This has romance, so that works! 

Wacky Witches Readathon Update 7

So I've read my next book for the Wacky Witches Readathon, and it was Blood Like Fate which is for the prompt Witch's Hat, and I'll be reading The Caged Queen next! 

My Reading Journey:

The Luminaries by Susan Dennard

Prompt Fulfilled: Herbs

Started On: October 10th

Finished On: October 10th, 8:00 PM

Pages Read: 384

The Kraken's Sacrifice by Katee Robert

Prompt Fulfilled: Broomstick

Started On: October 11th

Finished On: October 11th, 8:44 PM

Pages Read: 177

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Prompt Fulfilled: Candles

Started On: October 11th

Finished On: October 11th, 10:01 PM

Pages Read: 328

The Akseli by Dianne Duvall

Prompt Fulfilled: Tarot Deck

Started On: October 13th

Finished On: October 13th, 2:11 PM

Pages Read: 401

The Sinister Booksellers of Bath by Garth Nix

Prompt Fulfilled: Spell Book

Started On: October 14th

Finished On: October 14th, 7:45 PM

Pages Read: 416

Wizard's Masquerade by Jay Pellegrin

Prompt Fulfilled: Wand

Started On: October 14th

Finished On: October 14th, 10:11 PM

Pages Read: 550

Blood Like Fate by Liselle Sambury

Prompt Fulfilled: Witch's Hat

Started On: October 15th

Finished On: October 15th, 4:18 PM

Pages Read: 480

The Caged Queen by Kristen Ciccarelli

Prompt Fulfilled: Crystals

Started On: October 15th

Currently On: Page 0 of 416

Prompts Left: Potions, Cauldron

Books Read: 7

Pages Read: 2975

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #562, March 14th

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 #561
Teaser Tuesday #569
WWW Wednesday #569
WOW #565
Will the Time Come #562
Third Sentence Thursday #552
Random Reads #538
First Lines Friday #565
Book Blogger Hop #231
The Reward Challenge Update #547

Monthly ARC's Update 2
Wheel of TBR #94
How Well I Stuck to It #399
Wrote that Review Update #397

Week 10 Reviews:
A River Enchanted

Dear Haiti, Love Alaine

Edgewood

Release 

Dark Skye

Gods & Monsters 

The Memory of Souls 

The House of Always

Storm Echo

A Game of Tomes Readathon: 

Update 11

Update 12

Update 13

Update 14

Update 15

Update 16

Update 17

Greek God-a-Thon: 

Update 6

Update 7

Update 8

Random:

We Have the Cover of Psy-Changeling Trinity #6!!!!

We Have the Cover of Graceling Realm #5!!!!

Mark Lawrence Author Page

Kit Frick Author Page

OK, so I got 36 posts in 7 days, and it was a pretty great week, though there was a hiccup. I dropped my tablet, and because the case was a bit broken, the screen broken. I dropped it off on last Friday. I was told it should be done by Tuesday. When I wasn't called Wednesday, I called, no answer, just a voice machine that said they were at limited hours. I called over 20 times over the next 3 days, and emailed on Thursday. Finally on Saturday, I called and was answered, and that the repair was half done, the old screen was out. So I tried to pick up that day-only to find they'd closed an hour early that day. When it's a 40 minute drive into town. And the car I can drive won't get here till Wednesday, and I won't get another ride in the car I can't drive sooner because that's how I got there Saturday and I won't get another chance. I just really want my tablet back! Plus it's going to cost half the price of the tablet, and it's just a really annoying and frustrating situation! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read The War of Two Queens!

From the desperation of golden crowns…

Casteel Da'Neer knows all too well that very few are as cunning or vicious as the Blood Queen, but no one, not even him, could've prepared for the staggering revelations. The magnitude of what the Blood Queen has done is almost unthinkable.

And born of mortal flesh…

Nothing will stop Poppy from freeing her King and destroying everything the Blood Crown stands for. With the strength of the Primal of Life's guards behind her, and the support of the wolven, Poppy must convince the Atlantian generals to make war her way—because there can be no retreat this time. Not if she has any hope of building a future where both kingdoms can reside in peace.

A great primal power rises…

Together, Poppy and Casteel must embrace traditions old and new to safeguard those they hold dear—to protect those who cannot defend themselves. But war is only the beginning. Ancient primal powers have already stirred, revealing the horror of what began eons ago. To end what the Blood Queen has begun, Poppy might have to become what she has been prophesied to be—what she fears the most.

As the Harbinger of Death and Destruction.