Book Review: Reign & Ruin (Mages of the Wheel #1) by J.D. Evans

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 420 pages
Author: J.D. Evans
Publisher: Whippoorwill Press LLC
Release Date: January 18th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

“All magic is beautiful,” she said, “and terrible. Do you not see the beauty in yours, or the terror in mine? You can stop a heart, and I can stop your breath.”

She is heir to a Sultanate that once ruled the world. He is an unwanted prince with the power to destroy.

She is order and intellect, a woman fit to rule in a man’s place. He is chaos and violence and will stop at nothing to protect his people.

His magic answers hers with shadow for light. They need each other, but the cost of balance may be too high a price. Magic is dying and the only way to save it is to enlist mages who wield the forbidden power of death, mages cast out centuries ago in a brutal and bloody war.

Now, a new war is coming. Science and machines to replace magic and old religion.

They must find a way to save their people from annihilation and balance the sacred Wheel—but first, they will have to balance their own forbidden passion. His peace for her tempest, his restlessness for her calm…

Night and day, dusk and dawn, the end, and the beginning.

NOT ALL I HOPED FOR.

Uhm, this was fine.

But I realize I don’t love a fantasy standalone series (turns out each of these books is a different couple). It makes the romance pacing feel too fast, but the larger plot and world building feel to slow. It is not a match made in heaven.

The book gets off to an awful start. Completely thrown in without any clue to the world and I was lost for at least the first 10%. Once I got a hang of things and settled in, the story was much more enjoyable. I liked the story and the general concepts of the larger overarching plotlines. The elemental magic, a woman rising in power, a wheel that needs to keep on turning, all things I like.

I did find that the romance grew on me (even if, as I mentioned, too fast). It was kind of an instant attraction but not instant love. They definitely got to know one another and figure out what side of the line they stood on, and if that was going to be together. I really think a slower burn would have helped over the course of multiple books, but it is what it is.

I don’t have plans to continue this series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: open door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, a parent losing their memories, battle themes

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ARC Book Review: Return to Satterthwaite Court (Somerset Stories #3) by Mimi Matthews

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 285 pages
Author: Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Release Date: April 11th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A reckless Victorian heiress sets her sights on a dashing ex-naval lieutenant, determined to win his heart as the two of them embark on a quest to solve a decades-old mystery in USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews’s sequel to her critically acclaimed novels The Work of Art and Gentleman Jim.

Lieutenant Charles Heywood has had his fill of adventure. Battle-weary and disillusioned, he returns to England, resolved to settle down to a quiet, uneventful life on an estate of his own. But arranging to purchase the property he desires is more difficult than Charles ever imagined. The place is mired in secrets, some of which may prove deadly. If he’s going to unravel them, he’ll need the assistance of someone as daring as he is.

At only twenty, Lady Katherine Beresford has already earned a scandalous reputation. As skilled with pistols as she is on horseback, she’s never met an obstacle she can’t surmount—or a man she can’t win. That is, until she encounters the infuriatingly somber Lieutenant Heywood. But Kate refuses to be deterred by the raven-haired soldier’s strong, silent facade. After all, faint heart never won handsome gentleman.

From the wilds of rural Somersetshire to the glittering ballrooms of early-Victorian London, Charles and Kate embark on a cross-country quest to solve a decades’ old mystery. Will the greatest danger be to their hearts—or to their lives?

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.

ABSOLUTELY CHARMING.

I love that this book combined the best of both world’s from the previous books!! (You don’t HAVE to read them first, but highly recommend because it brought about even more feels). I loved seeing the previous couples and how things are fairing now.

But onto the main couple here, Charles and Kate!! I LOVED THEM. I love that Kate was the initial pursuer. I didn’t know how I’d feel about this switch up and I thought the execution was great. It was riveting to see her take those initial steps to show Charles she’s interested and also allowing him to do the same for her. There was a sweet balance and give and take between them. Not to mention all of those little moments that really start to add up and having me chanting KISS HER as the slow burn takes hold. And I’m sorry, SWEETHEART? Melt my soul. Oh my gosh, I love well placed endearments. Flawless.

I enjoyed the larger plot too. I like that Mimi Matthew’s books often have a dash of suspense to them that adds a great edge to the third act. It’s written so well that it feels natural to the story and has you flipping pages even faster to get to the conclusion.

No lie, I have turned completely into a Mimi Matthews fan girl and I am loving this journey for me. READ HER BOOKS.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: small dog bite, gun violence

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Book Review: Funny Feelings by Tarah Dewitt

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 392 pages
Author: Tarah Dewitt
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 28th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Farley Jones is being forced to date Meyer Harrigan, the man she has come to love, in order to make all of her stand-up dreams come true.

It’s agony— a tragedy, even. In lieu of flowers, please send cash…

Meyer and his daughter Hazel have been everything to her since they came into her life three years ago. So, all joking aside, the stakes really are high when it’s not only her career, but both of those relationships on the line.

A former stand-up star himself, Meyer has helped the trajectory of her career take off since he began managing her… Since he became her closest and most treasured friend, in the process.

This is the only reason why, when the biggest opportunity of Farley’s career includes thrusting him back into the spotlight to stir up publicity, he agrees— despite his grumpiness, his protectiveness over Hazel, and his disdain for public attention.

When helping her includes taking those barriers down, all those funny feelings start coming out into the open, and it quickly begins to feel like anything but a joke.

Funny Feelings is a swoony story about friendship, love, and looking for the laugh in life. It touches on the creative spirit and all that comes with sharing that gift, and how oftentimes the comedians in our lives are the most sensitive, or struggling. It features two friends, one incredible little girl, and a kaleidoscope of feelings along the way.

WONDERFUL.

I had mixed feelings towards Dewitt’s first book Rootbound. Funny Feelings on the other hand? This was an easy mark for the win column. The writing was better, the tension was sweeter and the story itself just had a lot of great aspects.

The grump and sunshine trope was awesome. I loved the dynamics between Farley and Meyer. Fiery banter and unrequited love that had me aching to know what would happen next. Also, Hazel???? OMG LOVED HER. Single Dad trope and his adorable daughter were AMAZING. I loved the deaf rep and I thought everything was handled well.

It was a bit crude/crass for me at times. Some of the jokes just weren’t my cup of tea (and that’s okay). I did truly laugh at others though! I liked the comedian angle and haven’t come across that in a romance read so learning about some of those dynamics was a nice touch too.

Third act conflict wise, meh. I don’t think Meyer and Farley needed it? It felt out of place, then dragged a little too long, with a super quick resolution. Not the end of the world, just not my favorite either. MEYER was my favorite though. Still swooning over many lines that man said.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: multiple open door; medium explicit
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: grief and depression depiction, therapy, loss of a loved one, bullying

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Book Review: Firebrand (Green Rider #6) by Kristen Britain

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 816 pages
Author: Kristen Britain
Publisher: DAW
Release Date: February 28th, 2017
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Magic, danger, and adventure abound for messenger Karigan G’ladheon in the sixth book in Kristen Britain’s New York Times-bestselling Green Rider epic fantasy series.

Zachary Davriel Hillander, High King of Sacoridia, rues how much he has had to give up to lead his realm, including the freedom to live and love as he chooses. When an embassy from Eletia arrives to propose a joint venture between their realms to seek out an old ally in the north, he is dismayed to learn that the one Sacoridian they have in mind to accompany their guide is the woman he truly loves but cannot have: Green Rider Karigan G’ladheon.

Karigan has only just returned from a dark future where Sacoridia has been conquered and is ruled by a despotic emperor, and she has not recovered in heart or mind. As if that is not enough, the castle ghosts won’t leave her alone. Though Zachary is loath to part from her so soon after her return, he knows she is the best choice to undertake the mission to the north.

Each step on their journey places Karigan and her companions closer to enemy territory and danger, for northward lie the forces of Second Empire, Sacoridia’s longtime foe, and Grandmother, the necromantic leader of Second Empire, has not been idle. She uses her magic to summon a wild elemental spirit to wreak havoc upon Zachary and his wife, Queen Estora.

At first the Sacoridians succeed in fending off the creature, but it so covets Estora that it can’t stay away. It abducts Zachary, assuming his form and his place at Estora’s side–but when it is finally ousted, Zachary is still missing. Estora, alone and heavy with twins, must prepare her realm for the coming conflict from the confines of her bedchamber.

Meanwhile, the danger only deepens for Karigan and her companions as they journey north. When she finds herself caught in the midst of a clash between forces, Karigan must rescue and protect her king before she falls into a trap set by Grandmother–a trap that could give Second Empire the power to control the dead and all the demons of the hells.

VERY MUCH CONFLICTED.

I jumped back into this series on a whim and woooooo boy I am CONFLICTED.

The romantic plot lines of this series will be the end of me. I’m at this point of having invested too much time not to see this through, but also I’m going to be enraged if things don’t follow through for Karigan. She is getting the short end of the stick EVERY DANG TIME. In, seriously, everything. Her moments of peace are few and far between and I feel for her in having to pick herself back up over and over again. I would want to stay down for a bit too.

The action and politicking stayed steady. I liked the flow of action and where The Second Empire drama continued on. There were some characters missing, but the ending led me to believe it’s going to come full circle in the next book? Which makes sense and I will be picking up ASAP.

I am also incredibly conflicted about King Zachary. While a good King, he is a bit wishy washy for me as a man. He wants to make every decision correctly but after deciding does not commit fully and the wake being left behind is hurting my heart. I did love that we got his POV much more in this installment and his understanding and choices at least were easier to understand. I love the multi-POV and the writing style. It is perfect as an audiobook.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: PTSD (from torture), torture, whipping, near death experiences, cheating/infidelity, loss of loved ones, loss of life

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