Showing posts with label Sylvain Reynard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sylvain Reynard. Show all posts

Monday, February 24, 2025

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:

Phase Out Your Seriesathon: 

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 

Polarthon Readathon: 

Random:

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.

Saturday, February 22, 2025

Week 8 Reviews: Gabriel's Inferno, Gabriel's Rapture, Gabriel's Redemption, Gabriel's Promise




From New York Times bestselling author Sylvain Reynard comes the first novel in the Gabriel's Inferno series, a haunting, unforgettable tale of one man's salvation and one woman's sensual awakening.

Enigmatic and sexy, Professor Gabriel Emerson is a well-respected Dante specialist by day, but by night he devotes himself to an uninhibited life of pleasure. He uses his notorious good looks and sophisticated charm to gratify his every whim, but is secretly tortured by his dark past and consumed by the profound belief that he is beyond all hope of redemption.

When the sweet and innocent Julia Mitchell enrolls as his graduate student, his attraction and mysterious connection to her not only jeopardizes his career, but sends him on a journey in which his past and his present collide.

An intriguing and sinful exploration of seduction, forbidden love, and redemption, Gabriel's Inferno is a captivating and wildly passionate tale of one man's escape from his own personal hell as he tries to earn the impossible—forgiveness and love.

From Goodreads:
New York Times bestselling author Sylvain Reynard continues the story of Gabriel and Julia, two lovers bound together by their darkest desires. But those very desires may destroy them.

Professor Gabriel Emerson has embarked on a passionate, yet clandestine affair with his former student Julia Mitchell. Sequestered on a romantic holiday in Italy, he tutors her in the sensual delights of the body and the raptures of sex.

But when they return, their happiness is threatened by conspiring students, academic politics, and a jealous ex-lover. When Gabriel is confronted by the university administration, will he succumb to Dante's fate? Or will he fight to keep Julia, his Beatrice, forever?
 
In Gabriel's Rapture, the brilliant sequel to the wildly successful debut novel, Gabriel's Inferno , Sylvain Reynard weaves an exquisite love story that will touch the reader's mind, body, and soul, forever.

From Goodreads:
Professor Gabriel Emerson has left his position at the University of Toronto to embark on a new life with his beloved Julianne. Together, he's confident that they can face any challenge. And he's eager to become a father.

But Julianne's graduate program threatens Gabriel's plans, as the pressures of being a student become all consuming. When she is given the honor of presenting an academic lecture at Oxford, Gabriel is forced to confront her about the subject of her presentation – research that conflicts with his own. And in Oxford, several individuals from their past appear, including an old nemesis intent on humiliating Julia and exposing one of Gabriel's darkest secrets.

In an effort to confront his remaining demons, Gabriel begins a quest to discover more about his biological parents, beginning a chain of events that has startling repercussions for himself, Julianne, and his hope of having a family.

From Goodreads:
New York Times bestselling author Sylvain Reynard returns with the fourth installment of the beloved Gabriel's Inferno series.

When Gabriel and Julia Emerson first lay eyes on their newborn daughter, Clare, they realize life as they know it will never be the same. Gabriel has vowed to be a good father when he suddenly receives an invitation to give a series of lectures in Edinburgh, Scotland--an opportunity of high prestige--but that would mean leaving his wife and child in Boston. Hesitant to bring it up, he keeps the opportunity from Julia as long as he can, not knowing she has a secret of her own.

When a frightening situation arises that threatens their new family, both parents must make sacrifices. With the family in danger, the looming question remains: Will Gabriel pursue his lectureship in Edinburgh, leaving Julia and Clare vulnerable in Boston, or will he abandon the chance of a lifetime in order to ensure his family's safety?

My first review of Gabriel's Inferno, Gabriel's Rapture, Gabriel's Redemption
My Review:
I had a really great time reading this series again, this time with the most recent book, though recent is in relative terms, since it did come out 5 years ago. But last time I read it, was a decade ago before that book was even a possibility, so I'm glad that I reread them all, so I could go into Gabriel's Promise with full understanding of what came before! 

I don't know why, but there were little things that bugged me this time reading these books. Some of it might have to do with the 47th US president "joking" about getting rid of Canada's sovereignty with this whole 51 state thing, and I'm angry about that. But yeah,  if the author bio didn't say that he was Canadian, I would have had some bones to pick. But a Canadian would know that felons aren't allowed in our country (which includes the one that the US elected.) 

And I wish it was mentioned more clearly, that while they were going to celebrate American Thanksgiving, it was just the weekend, they didn't have time off, because Canadian Thanksgiving is in October (which personally, I prefer, then there's more time between the big meals, both cooking and eating.) 

Also, I read these books right after reading Sweet Obsession by Katee Robert, so the kink shaming, yeah, not a good look. Sure it was written over a decade ago when BDSM wasn't as mainstream knowledge, and Julia was very much an innocent, but still, it rubbed me the wrong way. 

Though I did read the original trilogy closer to their original release date, then book 4 came out, and I knew I needed a reread before I picked it up. And that just might be part of the reason that I didn't enjoy reading these books as much as I did the first time. 
 
Watching their story, from when she remembered when they first met and he didn't, to them courting, being threatened and having to seperate, to coming back together, getting married, and having a child, yeah, there was a lot going on in their lives, though I think the time period for book 3 was the longest, and either the 1st or 4th the shortest. But I really enjoy Julia and Gabriel's story, even if it's flawed. Though I do wonder if we'll get a 5th book, just because while I haven't read the spin off trilogy, I think it might be connected, and I would love to see some storylines continue. 

Loved reading this series and I can't wait to read more by Sylvain Reynard! 

Author: Sylvain Reynard
Series: Gabriel's Inferno #1, 2, 3, 4
First Read: April 19th, 2013, April 20th, 2013, November 23rd, 2014
Read: February 15th, 16th, 16th, 16th, 2025
Source: Own
Reason Why: Rereading, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Books! And Gabriel's Promise is a End of Series 2025 Book! 
Publisher: Berkley
Published: April 1st 2011, May 22nd 2012, December 3rd 2013, January 7th 2020

Gabriel's Inferno:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars








Gabriel's Rapture:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars








Gabriel's Redemption:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars








Gabriel's Promise:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Friday, February 21, 2025

23 Books to Read in 2023 Update 17

So I read my next books for the 23 Books to Read in 2023 Challenge! 

So I read Gabriel's Promise by Sylvian Reynard from the Physical list!

Yep. Happy reading!

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

But to recap, I wanted to do a version of These Books Will Self Destruct in 12 months without the self destruct. I wanted to read books that I've had for a while, that I really needed to get read, but maybe I forgot about them or that I had them. So I made 2 lists, one for each way I have them, as physical books, and as ARC's, half from NetGalley, and half from Edelweiss.
   

Sunday, February 16, 2025

Polarthon Readathon Update 3

So I read my next book for Polarthon Readathon, and it was Gabriel's Promise which is for the prompt Black Cover, and I'll be reading Counting the Cost next!

My Reading Journey:

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett
Prompt Fulfilled: Animal Companion
Started On: February 11th
Finished On: February 11th, 6:53 PM
Pages Read: 368

Gabriel's Redemption by Sylvain Reynard
Prompt Fulfilled: White Cover
Started On: February 16th
Finished On: February 16th, 3:26 PM
Pages Read: 496

Gabriel's Promise by Sylvain Reynard 
Prompt Fulfilled: Black Cover
Started On: February 16th
Finished On: February 16th, 8:27 PM
Pages Read: 352

Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar, Derick Dillard, and Craig Borlase
Prompt Fulfilled: Non-Fiction
Started On: February 17th
Currently On: Page of 288

Prompts: Blue Cover, Snowy Setting, Chilly Vibes, Cozy Vibes, Polar Fantasy, Snowy Cover, Warm, Arctic Adventure, Icy, Foiled Cover, Winter Read, Snowy
Read: 3
Pages Read: 1216

Polarthon Readathon Update 2

So I read my next book for Polarthon Readathon, and it was Gabriel's Redemption which is for the prompt White Cover, and I'll be reading Gabriel's Promise next!

My Reading Journey:

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett
Prompt Fulfilled: Animal Companion
Started On: February 11th
Finished On: February 11th, 6:53 PM
Pages Read: 368

Gabriel's Redemption by Sylvain Reynard
Prompt Fulfilled: White Cover
Started On: February 16th
Finished On: February 16th, 3:26 PM
Pages Read: 496

Gabriel's Promise by Sylvain Reynard 
Prompt Fulfilled: Black Cover
Started On: February 16th
Currently On: Page of 352

Prompts: Blue Cover, Snowy Setting, Chilly Vibes, Cozy Vibes, Polar Fantasy, Snowy Cover, Warm, Arctic Adventure, Icy, Non-Fiction, Foiled Cover, Winter Read, Snowy
Read: 2
Pages Read: 864

Magical Readathon: Orilium Update 11

So I read my next book for Magical Readathon: Orilium, and it was Gabriel's Redemption which was for the prompt 2B West, and I'll be reading He Who Drowned the World next! 

My Reading Journey:

Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani 
Prompt Fulfilled: 1C
Started On: January 22nd
Finished On: January 22nd, 4:28 PM
Pages Read: 355

Hearts that Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou
Prompt Fulfilled: 1B
Started On: January 25th
Finished On: January 25th, 11:31 AM
Pages Read: 336

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter
Prompt Fulfilled: 1D
Started On: January 25th
Finished On: January 25th, 3:45 PM
Pages Read: 544

The Party by Natasha Preston
Prompt Fulfilled: 1C
Started On: January 27th
Finished On: January 27th, 10:53 AM
Pages Read: 352

Return of the Vengeful Queen by C.J. Redwine 
Prompt Fulfilled: 1E
Started On: January 30th
Finished On: January 30th, 11:04 AM
Pages Read: 400

I Am the Dark that Answers When You Call by Jamison Shea
Prompt Fulfilled: 1B
Started On: January 31st
Finished On: January 31st, 2:00 PM
Pages Read: 336

Vilest Things by Chloe Gong
Prompt Fulfilled: 1A
Started On: January 31st
Finished On: January 31st, 6:36 PM
Pages Read: 416

The Half King by Melissa Landers
Prompt Fulfilled: 2A North
Started On: February 8th
Finished On: February 8th, 7:28 PM
Pages Read: 512

Tell Me No Lies by A.V. Geiger
Prompt Fulfilled: 2C South
Started On: February 9th
Finished On: February 9th, 6:48 PM
Pages Read: 330

Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard
Prompt Fulfilled: 2B West
Started On: February 15th
Finished On: February 15th, 9:18 PM
Pages Read: 545

Gabriel's Redemption by Sylvain Reynard 
Prompt Fulfilled: 2B West
Started On: February 16th
Finished On: February 16th, 3:26 PM
Pages Read: 496

He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan
Prompt Fulfilled: 2E South East
Started On: February 
Currently On: Page of 496

Prompts Left: 2D North East, 2C South
Read: 11
Pages Read: 4622

Phase Out Your Seriesathon Update 13

So I've read my next book for the Phase Out Your Seriesathon, and it was Gabriel's Rapture which is for the prompt No If, Of, And, An, But, Or, The and I'll be reading Scythe & Sparrow next! 

My Reading Journey:
Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong
Prompt Fulfilled: Features Major Event
Started On: January 18th
Finished On: January 18th, 2:28 PM
Pages Read: 441

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Prompt Fulfilled: Title has J, Q, X, Z-X
Started On: January 21st 
Finished On: January 21st, 9:41 PM
Pages Read: 554

Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani 
Prompt Fulfilled:  Last Letter First
Started On: January 22nd
Finished On: January 22nd, 4:28 PM
Pages Read: 355

Surrender of the Brutal King by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson
Prompt Fulfilled: Trio Of Trilogies Trilogy 1 Book 1
Started On: January 27th
Finished On: January 27th, 4:31 PM
Pages Read: 205

Sacrifice of the Brave King by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson
Prompt Fulfilled: Trio Of Trilogies Trilogy 1 Book 2
Started On: January 27th
Finished On: January 27th, 8:26 PM
Pages Read: 289

The Dryad Storm by Laurie Forest
Prompt Fulfilled: Big Book
Started On: January 28th
Finished On: January 28th, 9:47 PM
Pages Read: 752

Return of the Vengeful Queen by C.J. Redwine 
Prompt Fulfilled: Finish
Started On: January 30th
Finished On: January 30th, 11:04 AM
Pages Read: 400

I Am the Dark that Answers When You Call by Jamison Shea
Prompt Fulfilled: All 5 Vowels In Title
Started On: January 31st
Finished On: January 31st, 2:00 PM
Pages Read: 336

The Bond That Burns by Briar Boleyn
Prompt Fulfilled: 75% Cover Must Be Fav Color
Started On: February 13th
Finished On: February 13th, 4:27 PM
Pages Read: 583

Sweet Obsession by Katee Robert
Prompt Fulfilled: Exactly 2 POVS
Started On: February 13th
Finished On: February 13th, 8:42 PM
Pages Read: 336

Charming Devil by Rebecca Kenney
Prompt Fulfilled: Excited For
Started On: February 14th
Finished On: February 14th, 2:17 PM
Pages Read: 384

The Dragon King by Penelope Barsetti
Prompt Fulfilled: Favorite Color
Started On: February 14th
Finished On: February 14th, 11:41 PM
Pages Read: 436

Gabriel's Rapture by Sylvain Reynard
Prompt Fulfilled: No If, Of, And, An, But, Or, The
Started On: February 16th
Finished On: February 16th, 11:46 AM
Pages Read: 449

Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver
Prompt Fulfilled: Pub In Last 3 Months
Started On: February 
Currently On: Page of 416

Prompts Left: Want To Visit, Single POV, Rep, Nature, Backlist, Animal, New, Random Number, In Progress, Adapted, Colour Cover, Complete, Free, People, Trilogy, Building, 5 Or More Books, Multi POV, Small Book, Cozy, TBR Vet, LGBTQIA+ Rep, 6 Or More Colors, Title has J, Q, X, Z-J, Title has J, Q, X, Z-Q, Title has J, Q, X, Z-Z, Starts & Ends With Same Letter, 3 Or More POVS, Translate, In Progress, Wheel Spin 1, Wheel Spin 2, Series You Avoid 1, Series You Avoid 2, Finish A Series, BIPOC Rep, Poll Pick, Disability Rep, TBR Vet By Pub Date, 5 Or More Books 1, 5 Or More Books 2, 5 Or More Books 3, 5 Or More Books 4, 5 Or More Books 5, Trio Of Trilogies Trilogy 2 Book 1, Trio Of Trilogies Trilogy 2 Book 2, Trio Of Trilogies Trilogy 3 Book 1, Birthday Month, Black & White Cover
Books Read: 13
Pages Read: 5520

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Magical Readathon: Orilium Update 10

So I read my next book for Magical Readathon: Orilium, and it was Gabriel's Inferno which was for the prompt 2B West, and I'll be reading Gabriel's Redemption next! 

My Reading Journey:

Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani 
Prompt Fulfilled: 1C
Started On: January 22nd
Finished On: January 22nd, 4:28 PM
Pages Read: 355

Hearts that Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou
Prompt Fulfilled: 1B
Started On: January 25th
Finished On: January 25th, 11:31 AM
Pages Read: 336

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter
Prompt Fulfilled: 1D
Started On: January 25th
Finished On: January 25th, 3:45 PM
Pages Read: 544

The Party by Natasha Preston
Prompt Fulfilled: 1C
Started On: January 27th
Finished On: January 27th, 10:53 AM
Pages Read: 352

Return of the Vengeful Queen by C.J. Redwine 
Prompt Fulfilled: 1E
Started On: January 30th
Finished On: January 30th, 11:04 AM
Pages Read: 400

I Am the Dark that Answers When You Call by Jamison Shea
Prompt Fulfilled: 1B
Started On: January 31st
Finished On: January 31st, 2:00 PM
Pages Read: 336

Vilest Things by Chloe Gong
Prompt Fulfilled: 1A
Started On: January 31st
Finished On: January 31st, 6:36 PM
Pages Read: 416

The Half King by Melissa Landers
Prompt Fulfilled: 2A North
Started On: February 8th
Finished On: February 8th, 7:28 PM
Pages Read: 512

Tell Me No Lies by A.V. Geiger
Prompt Fulfilled: 2C South
Started On: February 9th
Finished On: February 9th, 6:48 PM
Pages Read: 330

Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard
Prompt Fulfilled: 2B West
Started On: February 15th
Finished On: February 15th, 9:18 PM
Pages Read: 545

Gabriel's Redemption by Sylvain Reynard 
Prompt Fulfilled: 2B West
Started On: February 16th
Currently On: Page of 496

Prompts Left: 2D North East, 2C South, 2E South East
Read: 10
Pages Read: 4126

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Polarthon Readathon Update 1

So I read my first book for Polarthon Readathon, and it was Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales which is for the prompt Animal Companion, and I'll be reading Gabriel's Redemption next!

My Reading Journey:

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett
Prompt Fulfilled: Animal Companion
Started On: February 11th
Finished On: February 11th, 6:53 PM
Pages Read: 368

Gabriel's Redemption by Sylvain Reynard
Prompt Fulfilled: Black Cover
Started On: February 
Currently On: Page of 496

Prompts: Blue Cover, Snowy Setting, Chilly Vibes, Cozy Vibes, Polar Fantasy, Snowy Cover, Warm, Arctic Adventure, Icy, Non-Fiction, Foiled Cover, Winter Read, Snowy, White Cover
Read: 1
Pages Read: 368

Friday, January 24, 2025

23 Books to Read in 2023 Update 16

So I read my next books for the 23 Books to Read in 2023 Challenge! 

So I read The Stepsister's Tale by Tracy Barrett from the NetGalley list!

Yep. Happy reading!

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

But to recap, I wanted to do a version of These Books Will Self Destruct in 12 months without the self destruct. I wanted to read books that I've had for a while, that I really needed to get read, but maybe I forgot about them or that I had them. So I made 2 lists, one for each way I have them, as physical books, and as ARC's, half from NetGalley, and half from Edelweiss.
   

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Waiting on Wednesday #442, October 30th

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

Hindsight by Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen
Expected Publication: January 7th, 2020
From Goodreads:
Investigator Kendra Michaels -- whose former blindness has left her with uniquely insightful observational skills -- must put her life on the line to catch a terrifying murderer setting his sights on some of society's most vulnerable in this electrifying new novel from the #1 New York Times and Edgar Award winning writing duo Iris and Roy Johansen.

Dr. Kendra Michaels, blind for the first twenty years of her life before gaining her sight via a revolutionary surgical procedure, is a renowned investigator known for her razor-sharp senses--honed during her years in the dark--and keen deductive abilities.

Now her skills are needed uncomfortably close to home. Two staff members have been murdered at a school for the blind where Kendra spent her formative years. But the murders are puzzlingly dissimilar: one victim was brutally stabbed, while the other was killed by a bullet to the head. Are the crimes related? Or is Kendra on the hunt for more than one dangerous killer?

With the killer (or killers) still on the loose, Kendra must put her life on the line to unravel a terrifying conspiracy. But Kendra soon discovers that she herself may hold the key to the deadliest secret of all..

A Heart so Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer
Expected Publication: January 7th, 2020
From Goodreads:
In the sequel to New York Times bestselling A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Brigid Kemmerer returns to the world of Emberfall in a lush fantasy where friends become foes and love blooms in the darkest of places.

Find the heir, win the crown.
The curse is finally broken, but Prince Rhen of Emberfall faces darker troubles still. Rumors circulate that he is not the true heir and that forbidden magic has been unleashed in Emberfall. Although Rhen has Harper by his side, his guardsman Grey is missing, leaving more questions than answers.

Win the crown, save the kingdom.
Rumored to be the heir, Grey has been on the run since he destroyed Lilith. He has no desire to challenge Rhen--until Karis Luran once again threatens to take Emberfall by force. Her own daughter Lia Mara sees the flaws in her mother’s violent plan, but can she convince Grey to stand against Rhen, even for the good of Emberfall?

The heart-pounding, compulsively readable saga continues as loyalties are tested and new love blooms in a kingdom on the brink of war. 

Jane Anonymous by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Expected Publication: January 7th, 2020
From Goodreads:
Bestselling author Laurie Faria Stolarz’s thrilling novel Jane Anonymous is a revelatory confessional of a seventeen-year-old girl’s fight to escape a kidnapper—and her struggles to connect with loved ones and a life that no longer exists.

Seven months.

That’s how long I was kept captive.

Locked in a room with a bed, refrigerator, and adjoining bathroom, I was instructed to eat, bathe, and behave. I received meals, laundered clothes, and toiletries through a cat door, never knowing if it was day or night. The last time I saw the face of my abductor was when he dragged me fighting from the trunk of his car. And when I finally escaped, I prayed I’d never see him again.

Now that I’m home, my parents and friends want everything to be like it was before I left. But they don’t understand that dining out and shopping trips can’t heal what’s broken inside me. I barely leave my bedroom. Therapists are clueless and condescending. So I start my own form of therapy—but writing about my experience awakens uncomfortable memories, ones that should’ve stayed buried. How far will I have to go to uncover the truth of what happened—and will it break me forever?

One of Us is Next by Karen M. McManus
Expected Publication: January 7th, 2020
From Goodreads:
The highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling thriller everyone is talking about, One of Us Is Lying! There's a new mystery to solve at Bayview High, and there's a whole new set of rules.

Come on, Bayview, you know you've missed this.

A ton of copycat gossip apps have popped up since Simon died, but in the year since the Bayview four were cleared of his shocking death, no one's been able to fill the gossip void quite like he could. The problem is no one has the facts.

Until now.

This time it's not an app, though—it's a game.

Truth or Dare.

Phoebe's the first target. If you choose not to play, it's a truth. And hers is dark.

Then comes Maeve and she should know better—always choose the dare.

But by the time Knox is about to be tagged, things have gotten dangerous. The dares have become deadly, and if Maeve learned anything from Bronwyn last year, it's that they can't count on the police for help. Or protection.

Simon's gone, but someone's determined to keep his legacy at Bayview High alive. And this time, there's a whole new set of rules. 

Nameless Queen by Rebecca McLaughlin
Expected Publication: January 7th, 2020
From Goodreads:
One girl must make a name for herself--or die trying --in this royal fantasy where an unknown peasant becomes the ultimate ruler. But how long can she keep the crown if everyone wants her dead? Perfect for fans of Furyborn, Red Queen, and Everless.

Everyone expected the king's daughter would inherit the throne. No one expected me.

It shouldn't even be possible. I'm Nameless, a class of citizens so disrespected, we don't even get names. Heck, dozens of us have been going missing for months and no one seems to care.

But there's no denying the tattoo emblazoned on my arm. I am to be queen. In a palace where the corridors are more dangerous the streets, though, how could I possibly rule? And what will become of the Nameless if I don't?

Gabriel's Promise by Sylvain Reynard
Expected Publication: January 7th, 2020
From Goodreads:
New York Times bestselling author Sylvain Reynard returns with the fourth installment of the beloved Gabriel’s Inferno series.

When Gabriel and Julia Emerson first lay eyes on their newborn daughter, Clare, they realize life as they know it will never be the same. Gabriel has vowed to be a good father when he suddenly receives an invitation to give a series of lectures in Edinburgh, Scotland—an opportunity of high prestige—but that would mean leaving his wife and newborn child in Boston. Hesitant to bring it up, he keeps the opportunity from Julia as long as he can, not knowing she has a secret of her own.

When a frightening situation arises that threatens to break their new family apart, both parents must make sacrifices. With the family in danger, the looming question remains: Will Gabriel pursue his lectureship in Edinburgh, leaving Julia and Clare unprotected in Boston, or will he abandon the chance of a lifetime in order to ensure his family's safety?

Oh, yeah, we've gotten to the start of next year already! And there's some really fantastic books starting us off! I've read Jane Anonymous, and I can't wait for the rest of them, I've enjoyed some of these authors previously, and yeah, can't wait for them to come out! What about you guys? Happy reading!

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Sylvain Reynard Author Page

The Story: I saw Gabriel's Inferno on Goodreads. And I'm so glad that I did! I've enjoyed the series so much, and I can't wait to read more! The books are so good, so entertaining, and I can't wait to read more!

Website

Series: Gabriel's Inferno, The Florentine.

Gabriel's Inferno: Gabriel's Inferno and his site, my review, my rereadGabriel's Rapture and his site, my review, my rereadGabriel's Redemption and his site, my review, my rereadGabriel's Promise and his site, my review

The Florentine (Spin Off Series of *Gabriel's Inferno*): The Prince and his site, my review, The Raven and his site, my review, The Shadow.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Write on Review-a-Thon Update 12

Write On Review-a-Thon
So I wrote my next review, Gabriel's Inferno, and I'll be reviewing Heroes & Hearts. 


Goals: 20
Reviews: 12

Write on Review-a-Thon Update 11

Write On Review-a-Thon
So I wrote my next review, Gabriel's Rapture, and I'll be reviewing Gabriel's Inferno. 

Goals: 20
Reviews: 11

Write on Review-a-Thon Update 10

Write On Review-a-Thon
So I wrote my next review, Changeling, and I'll be reviewing Gabriel's Rapture. 


Goals: 20
Reviews: 10

Monday, December 1, 2014

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #182, December 1st

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey 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 #181
Teaser Tuesday #189
WWW Wednesday #189
WOW #186
Will the Time Come #182
Third Sentence Thursday #172
Random Reads #157
First Lines Friday #177
The Reward Challenge Update #167
Follow Friday #160
LLFL Reading Challenge Update 53
How Well I Stuck to It #11
Wrote that Review Update #16

Week 48 Reviews:
Crimson Bound
Gabriel's Redemption
This Night So Dark
This Shattered World
Nearly Gone
Stone Cold Touch
The Evolution of Mara Dyer
The Retribution of Mara Dyer
Originally Human
Mortal Danger
White Witch, Black Curse

Tours:
Dead Wrath: Book Blitz and Giveaway and Dead Silence: Cover Reveal

Random:
Gennifer Albin Author Page
Gillian Flynn Author Page
Gregg Olsen Author Page
Gretchen McNeil Author Page
Gwen Hayes Author Page
Hannah Harrington Author Page
Hannah Jayne Author Page
Harper Sloane Author Page
Heather Anastasiu Author Page
Heather Burch Author Page
J.A. Souders Author Page

OK, so I got 44 posts in 7 days, so a pretty good week, and an easier week to try and read! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read The Fear Trials, The Murder Complex, Escape Through the Wilderness, The Darkest Minds, The Spring Before I Met You, The Summer Before I Met You, Unspoken, The Night After I Lost You, Unstrung, Death Sworn, Death Marked, Cheating Time, Her Dark Curiosity, Liars, Inc., Sunrise, Polaris, Take Back the Skies, The Treatment, Afterworlds, The Darkest Touch, The Nightmare Dilemma, Whisper of Jasmine, City of Jasmine, Taming the Scotsman, The Gospel of Winter, Captive, Maddie's Tattoo, Awaken, Unbreakable, Eternal, Angels & Demons, Wither, 99 Days, Dark Metropolis, Angels in the Dark, Fallen in Love, Rapture, Sinner, Ley Line Drifter, Black Magic Sanction, After Anthology, Love is a Choice, Defy the Dark Anthology, Across the Universe, Dream Dark, Beautiful Darkness, Glow, and Crystal Fire.
Sixteen-year-old Savannah Evans walks with a slight limp thanks to a gymnastics’ accident that dashed her Olympic dreams, but didn’t stop her from attending an adventure camp in Idaho. At Camp Arrowhead, she quickly befriends Jade Chang and Rico Cruz, but Conner Swift taunts Savi because of her injury.

When the four are teamed together for an overnight white-water river rafting adventure, Savi refuses to get in the same raft with Conner. Unfortunately, the director will not reassign her.

A fun expedition down the river turns into a nightmare when their raft slams into a huge rock and their adult guide disappears down the river.

Without their guide and desperately trying to steer an out-of-control raft, they pass the “last chance” marker and enter the larger rapids. With Jade pinned between the raft and a rock, and Rico clinging to a lifeline, Savi must cut the raft free.

When the four drag themselves out of the river, they’re bruised, beaten, lost, and twenty-five miles from camp. Because of late-night campfire tales of Vexel, a vicious animal that roams the nearby woods, Savi and the others are terrified.

Savi becomes the unlikely leader who tries to guide the group back to Camp Arrowhead. Limited supplies, injuries, and the constant threat of Vexel—who Savi fears is stalking them, complicate the harrowing return trip.

Readers will enjoy dramatic survival scenes and the group working together, solving problems, and learning to overcome adversity.
Carles "Carlie" Enoche's world is one that can barely be imagined. In it, babies have micropharmeceutical devices inserted in their hearts within hours of birth. The MicroPharm implant holds code that secretly counts down until the date of that baby's death (as determined by its genetic analysis) and contains drugs that are released in such a way that chemicals and hormones are in perfect balance at all times, making illness almost unheard of.

Theoretically, the known but unexposed date of the babies' deaths and the maintenance drugs geared toward giving the baby a long life have benign consequences. It is the unknown and unbelievable and unexpected way President John Barone gathers data about every child and the way he releases contraceptives from the device in order to control the population and terminate pregnancies when embryos are identified as weak or mutated that makes the device and its technology as dangerous as any malignancy.

For President Barone, seventeen-year-old Carlie isn’t just a MicroPharm first generation; she is the great-granddaughter of the man who discovered the ability to determine life expectancy down to the day and the daughter of the woman who invented the MicroPharm chip. Carlie and her family are important to President Barone's political career and the plans he has of creating a nation of strong, healthy, and superior people, who give more to their country than they take.

Jayden St. Romaine, one of the Facet's most loyal Surrogate Soldiers, is ordered by President Barone himself to find the Enoche family and kidnap Carlie. Through blackmail, he plans to leverage control over the Enoche's scientific research and the ability to develop even more tools that can be used to genetically engineer a superior race.

When President Barone sends Jayden on his mission, he never expected his perfect soldier to develop a conscience… betray his trust… fall in love with Carlie, but he's dispatched a backup Surrogate Soldier just in case. With the ticking of the clock and the second Surrogate chasing them, Jayden's chances at redemption and Carlie's chances of living a life where she is free to make choices about her life and her body are in jeopardy.
Lexa Pate, seventeen-year-old thief extraordinaire, has burned a bridge or two in her life. You don’t make a career out of stealing other people’s property without making enemies.

When a risky job goes from bad to worse, Lexa and her adopted family find themselves on Precipice Corporation’s hit list because they’ve accidentally stolen the wrong thing—plans for a new model of genetically-engineered super humans. Now every bounty hunter, cop on the take, and snitch in the city is after them.

Lexa’s world crumbles around her as she fights to keep her family safe even as someone strolls out of her forgotten past. Quinn says he knows who Lexa really is, but can she trust a stranger she met while robbing his boss?

More importantly, does she really want to know what Quinn has to tell her?

Based on the fairy tale Pinocchio, UNSTRUNG takes you into a near future world where the lines between fake and real are blurred, all that’s pristine isn’t always innocent, and being a criminal isn’t always wrong.
From New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter comes the long-awaited story of Torin, the most dangerous Lord of the Underworld yet…

Fierce immortal warrior. Host to the demon of Disease. Torin’s every touch causes sickness and death—and a worldwide plague. Carnal pleasure is utterly forbidden, and though he has always overcome temptation with an iron will, his control is about to shatter.

She is Keeley Cael. The Red Queen. When the powerful beauty with shocking vulnerabilities escapes from a centuries-long imprisonment, the desire that simmers between her and Torin is scorching. His touch could mean the end for her, but resisting her is the hardest battle he’s ever fought—and the only battle he fears he can’t win.
New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn transports readers to a magical New Year's Eve party in 1914, where two guests will discover the passion of a lifetime in this prequel novella…

Notorious socialite Delilah Drummond won't be deterred by the war. Instead, she decides to throw the event of the year, and she's handing out invitations with an eye for wanton fun and wild abandon.

There is the dashing explorer and archaeologist Gabriel Stark, a man at a crossroads in his life. Brilliant and restless, he's just committed to a secret enterprise that forces him to play a public role very different from the man he truly is.

And then there is the charming if flighty Evangeline Merriweather. Evie has dreamed her whole life of adventure. Little does she know, she's about to get more than she bargained for. Especially after her vivacious Aunt Dove acts as fairy godmother, if a saucy one, providing a scandalous gown and a whisper of jasmine on her skin….

Evie will shake cool Gabriel to his core, but just how far are they willing to take love at first sight?

One seductive night will change Evie forever. Watch for her next adventure, in the City of Jasmine.
Set against the lush, exotic European colonial outposts of the 1920s, New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn delivers the captivating tale of one woman who embarks upon a journey to see the world—and ends up finding intrigue, danger and a love beyond all reason.

Famed aviatrix Evangeline Starke never expected to see her husband, adventurer Gabriel Starke, ever again. They had been a golden couple, enjoying a whirlwind courtship amid the backdrop of a glittering social set in prewar London until his sudden death with the sinking of the Lusitania. Five years later, beginning to embrace life again, Evie embarks upon a flight around the world, collecting fame and admirers along the way. In the midst of her triumphant tour, she is shocked to receive a mysterious—and recent—photograph of Gabriel, which brings her ambitious stunt to a screeching halt.

With her eccentric aunt Dove in tow, Evie tracks the source of the photo to the ancient City of Jasmine, Damascus. There she discovers that nothing is as it seems. Danger lurks at every turn, and at stake is a priceless relic, an artifact once lost to time and so valuable that criminals will stop at nothing to acquire it—even murder. Leaving the jewelled city behind, Evie sets off across the punishing sands of the desert to unearth the truth of Gabriel's disappearance and retrieve a relic straight from the pages of history.

Along the way, Evie must come to terms with the deception that parted her from Gabriel and the passion that will change her destiny forever...

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Week 48 Review: Gabriel's Redemption

From Goodreads:
Professor Gabriel Emerson has left his position at the University of Toronto to embark on a new life with his beloved Julianne. Together, he's confident that they can face any challenge. And he's eager to become a father.

But Julianne's graduate program threatens Gabriel's plans, as the pressures of being a student become all consuming. When she is given the honor of presenting an academic lecture at Oxford, Gabriel is forced to confront her about the subject of her presentation – research that conflicts with his own. And in Oxford, several individuals from their past appear, including an old nemesis intent on humiliating Julia and exposing one of Gabriel's darkest secrets.

In an effort to confront his remaining demons, Gabriel begins a quest to discover more about his biological parents, beginning a chain of events that has startling repercussions for himself, Julianne, and his hope of having a family.

My Review:
Really enjoyed reading this book! It has been a while since I read the first two, so most of what happened in them is a bit of a blank, which sucks, but oh, well! I enjoyed this one a lot, it was a great ending to the series, lots of happy endings!

Most of the book's conflict is about family. Specifically, their birth parents, and those that their lives touched, and their own family, and the possibility of a baby, that was realised in the end, and yeah, really enjoyed how that was handled!

Ah, the parentheticals, the remarks in them, they were hilarious, and true statements from outside the story, about what was going on, side notes of a sort, and yeah, they were just so funny! Loved those a lot!

The scene where Gabriel donates the illustrations to the Uffizi Gallery, there was a guy that looked familiar to Julia, and seemed pretty menacing. And I was hoping that we were going to get a bit more then that. And we are, because The Prince, a prequel novella to the new series, The Florentine, deals a bit with that! So yeah, spin off series!

Lots of great endings, with Christa having to go to a different college because of her work ethic, the one professor being stuck in Italy, Nicole broken up with Simon and in California, Simon broken up with his fiancée, Rachel and Aaron taking a break from trying for a baby, and Tom and Diane, and baby Tommy! And Richard living in his old house, and yeah, that was really great!

Favourite lines: "I've known Jeremy and his wife for years. Believe me, Christa Peterson couldn't catch his eye if she were naked, holding the original manuscript of The Decameron and a case of beer." You'd think the manuscript would catch his eye, but good for him! "Planning on invading Baghdad? Or just Charlestown?" Yeah, a Hummer isn't exactly a good idea! "I'm sorry I missed that. Picton and Christa in a steel-cage death match? We could have sold popcorn." Yeah, you could've! "A shotgun wedding for Tom, who is probably the only person I know who actually owns a shotgun. I'd label the situation as ironic, except I now better." That takes the fun out of it! "That's probably a good thing, or God would have sent him twins." And seeing as she's grown, having twin baby siblings would be even more weird! "It was possible the professor would have accepted death as an excuse as to why his teaching assistant missed class. Although it was doubtful." Sounds like a hard ass! "He thought his Prada frames were a good deal smarter than the horrific pair that Clark Kent wore." Too bad, a child thinks not! And thinks you're Superman! "I do, but at what cost? I never thought I'd say this, but we're having too much sex. I'm beginning to feel like a machine." And that must suck! "I reminded him the longer he took to heal, the longer he'd have to wait for sex. He grabbed the pill bottle out of my hand. I don't think we'll have trouble getting him to take his medication anymore." Nope, three weeks are long enough for him, he doesn't want to make that wait longer! "One might observe that being grumpy and cross was precisely his old self." Well, his really old self, not his newest old self! "We're having ripped-up-note sex. I've been waiting for this forever." There's a lot of various titles to the reasons why and where they're having sex. It's pretty funny! "Wait till the cousins learn that there's now a Catholic wing of Reform Judaism." Yeah, because it's an another wing besides the Presbyterian wing! "I went to Princeton, Oxford, and Harvard. I can certainly learn how to look after a baby." 2 different skill sets there, though! "You'll be up to your elbows in dirty diapers and burping cloths, surviving on a few hours' sleep, and trying to soothe a cranky, colicy tyrant by reading Goodnight Moon over and over. In English. Because I don't think Dante successfully completed hi Italian translation of it." Well, Gabriel can always translate it! "Maybe he didn't say anything. Maybe he just stood there." Yes, because what works on a demon and a condemned soul works on God! "Where did you go, and anti-oral sex college?" It's for the health of Julia and the baby, Gabriel! No need to get that testy! "I was just telling Julianne that I accept the distinguished appointment as your baby's godmother." Well, technically they didn't ask, but yeah. This also makes me wonder about if I have a godparent? "Bit like Mars, really. Except with more sex." Yeah, seeing as there's no humans on Mars, there'd be more sex with Academia then on Mars! "Your father is proud of us for having a baby. That means he's proud of us for having sex and you for impregnating me. Do you think they make T-shirts for grandfathers that express those sentiments?" And that's the weird thing about sex for me-that babies let people know that you have been doing so. I mean, they know, but now they have concrete proof. It's just weird, and if it's your parents, then it's gross! "He had no idea that Jack Mitchell was sitting in his dark Oldsmobile outside the police station, thinking of his pregnant niece, and smiling." I feel bad for Simon's ex-fiancée, she doesn't deserve this, but Simon does! "He was distressed to learn that the Pottery Barn Kids gift registry did not extend to children's books in Italian or Yiddish." Maybe the Italy version of the store has a selection of books? I don't know what area Yiddish comes from, though. "At least if there's a power outage we'll be able to find you. You'll just have to drop your pants." Yeah, weird to have neon on your boxers! "But that didn't stop him from Googling transverse positions and their attendant information on his iPhone. (It should be noted that at that point, Julia wished he'd left the damn thing at home.)" Yeah, better to not know, when it might be something you're going through soon, leave it to the pros! "We should probably talk about what we're going to call her. Her grandfathers are not going to be impressed with the name Spring Roll." Nope, and neither would she!

Yeah, this was a fantastic book, and I can't wait to read more!

Author: Sylvain Reynard
Series: Gabriel's Inferno #3
Read: November 23rd, 2014
Source: Tuebl
Reason Why: Love this series, and it's a LLFL Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2014 Book and a End of Series 2014 Book!
Publisher: Berkley
Published: December 3rd 2013
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars