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Book Review: Celestial (Angels of Elysium #2) by Olivia Wildenstein

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Urban Fantasy Romance
Length: 424 pages
Author: Olivia Wildenstein
Publisher: WildStone Publishing
Release Date: January 5th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In ninety-two days, the feathered appendages that link me to the people I loathe finally come off. Dear, winglets, you will not be missed.

Celeste has spent the last four years building a life outside of angelic guilds—parties, check—pursuing human ambitions instead of celestial ones—college, check—and shedding feathers across Parisian cobblestones and more recently New York sidewalks—speaking her mind, always check.

She swore off angels, but the death of the woman who took her in the night Leigh died brings them soaring back into her life . . . and not just any angel but the most detestable one, the one complicit in Leigh’s death—Seraph Asher.

Although Celeste tells the archangel to feather off, the unreasonably pretty and obstinate man doesn’t leave her alone. He returns and insists she complete her wings. When she asks him for one good reason to do so, he gives her an unbeatable one: what he did with Leigh’s soul.

Asher never meant to share his damning secret, but he knows it’s the only way to save Celeste—the rebellious Fletching he can’t get out of his head . . . or heart.

* WARNING: contains graphic scenes. Recommended for 18+.

NEW FAV.

This will probably be my favorite of this series. I was VERY surprised when I realized this had new points of view (I’m not a synopsis reader by nature). After that shock and settling into the story I became HOOKED on this romance.

I looooved Celeste and Asher. Oh my goodness. This is how you write a fated romance. There’s good banter and some enemies vibes. Celeste is actually reasonable once she learned all of the facts and allowed Asher in more. Asher is a PROTECTIVE ALPHA type and I could not get enough of him showing up and taking others down.

The larger conflict of the story continued progressing too and once I figured out what the author was creating with the entire series I immediately became curious in seeing this through. I am excited to read the finale.

Plenty of action, politicking, intrigue and very good amount of swoon. This series is clearly underrated.

Overall audience notes:

  • Urban/Paranormal Fantasy Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 3+ open; high explicit and some fade to black
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: blood/gore depiction, physical/magical altercations, loss of loved ones, organ farming, medical surgeries without consent

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Book Review: Wild Wild Wolf (Timber Creek #1) by B. Perkins and Aimee Vance

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Paranormal Romance
Length: 420 pages
Author: B. Perkins & Aimee Vance
Publisher: Revel Books
Release Date: March 29th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She doesn’t believe in fated mates? Game on.

Jade
There’s nothing I want more than to forget my past, especially everything that makes me a part of supernatural society. I’d do anything to keep my sister’s and my secret safe and keep our tormentors far, far away.

Turns out it’s harder to disappear than I thought, especially once Alpha wolf West Larkin catches my scent.

West
Ever since shifters were outed to the human world, my job as Alpha of the Timber Creek pack has gotten more difficult by the day. Between running a town full of supernaturals, my pack, and keeping my family out of trouble, I have enough on my plate as it is.

So why is it every time I run across Jade Rodriguez, a lone wolf who wants nothing to do with me, I want to drop everything to keep her safe?

Wild Wild Wolf is book one in the new Timber Creek series, interconnected standalones following each of the Larkin siblings.

WHAT A GEM.

Gosh I love this writing duo. I have been so excited to start a new series and it delivered. I love the setting and plot. I absolutely love big families and all of the humor and love that’s woven throughout. I was laughing and swooning and just binging this book because it was making my heart feel joy.

I loved West and Jade. The banter was fantastic and I loved seeing Jade slowly but surely open up and realize what goodness was in front of her. And I was very much in the mood for an Alpha romance and West delivered on that front. I loved how protective he was and the way he cared for Jade and everyone around him.

My one tiny tidbit is how Jade handled a situation towards the end, it felt a little out of character after all of the growth she had. It didn’t ruin my reading experience, but I did get a little bugged by it.

I loved all of the wolfy things and the pacing and action and heat. All the tension and all the almost moments. I can’t wait for the next book!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2-3 open door; low innuendo
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: a past abusive relationship, loss of parents (recounted)

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Book Review: A Promise of Peridot (The Sacred Stone Trilogy #2) by Kate Golden

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 481 pages
Author: Kate Golden
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: April 11th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A prophecy of death. A weapon of hope. A sacrifice of love.

Arwen Valondale is sailing for the mysterious Kingdom of Citrine after the battle of Siren’s Bay. Reeling from shocking revelations and her newfound powers, Arwen directs all of her pain and rage toward the man who betrayed her: King Kane Ravenwood.

Kane’s presence is unavoidable as he travels with Arwen and her friends to seek the Blade of the Sun, a legendary weapon inextricably tied to her fate and the future of the realm. Even an uneasy truce proves difficult as Arwen fights against her unresolved feelings for Kane, who is willing to become darkness itself to protect her.

As Arwen faces creatures, foes, and magic beyond her wildest imaginings, she must discover the secrets of her past to defeat the monstrous Fae king Lazarus. But finding the light within might mean the death of her and everyone she loves.

HELD UP.

I have been anticipating this release since I read A Dawn of Onyx when it was an indie book. This did not disappoint! I thought it was a really solid book two. I added a half star back because of the ending, I love a chaotic and wild cliffhanger. All the intense action and me shouting WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

I liked most of how the romance went throughout this. I didn’t understand the necessity of adding a brief love triangle. Besides that, I liked the push and pull between Arwen and Kane. Some good groveling and heated moments between them. And with the ending I think I’m going to love what book three holds for them too.

The plot takes a long time to truly move forward, but there was plenty of action and politicking mixed in with creature clashes. The audiobook was fantastic and I love that I can just enjoy this series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2-3 open door
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: The Stolen Throne (Dominions #2) by Abigail Owen

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 528 pages
Author: Abigail Owen
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Release Date: May 2nd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

My twin sister is the true queen of Aryd. She survives, hiding and clinging to life in the desert, while I reign as the false queen alongside the monstrous King Eidolon. There’s only one escape from this gilded prison: Reven. My Shadowraith. My heart. Only the shadows that he struggles to control are growing more sinister, more powerful.

It’s just a matter of time before they turn on him…and on me.

Even escape doesn’t mean true freedom, though, when we’re still on the run from Eidolon’s unstoppable armies. And when we discover there’s a traitor among us, I have no choice…I must become the queen I was never meant to be.

Because as one evil hunts me, the other loves me more than himself.

And my fate lies with both.

SECOND BOOK.

Well, I thought the first little bit and the ending were interesting and relevant. Don’t ask me what happened in the middle because honestly I’m a still a little confused and not sure what most of it has to do with the series as a whole. Things were really dragged out.

I also wish I was still felt attached to the romance. Things went from a separation to tiny dashes of love triangle vibes to commitments I wasn’t expecting. I don’t know. I liked them initially and now I’m not so sure.

That’s how this book made me feel, not so sure. I want to read the third because I’m curious how things will wrap up. I am somewhat invested in a few of the story lines and luckily it’s a great audiobook.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: very vague (no description) open scene
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, battle themes, near death experiences, blood/gore depiction, possession

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