Book Review: The Song of the Marked (Shadows and Crowns #1) by S.M. Gaither

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 512 pages
Author: S.M. Gaither
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 17th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

An ancient evil is stirring. The old gods are growing restless. Can she stop the coming storm?

A Devastating Sickness

For decades, the Kethran Empire has been plagued by a strange illness that leaches the very life and soul from its victims.

The Girl Who Survived

Casia is one of the Fade-Marked—one of the few people who caught this sickness and lived. Why she lived is a mystery even to her and the outcast crew of mercenaries she calls her family. It also makes her an intriguing target for the young, enigmatic king-emperor, who claims he wants to work alongside her to find a cure.

Unfortunately, working alongside him also means working with the handsome but infuriating captain of one of the most prestigious branches of the Kethran Army.

A Soldier With No Past

This infuriating Captain Elander also has secrets: A past that Cas can’t seem to uncover, a powerful but strange brand of magic, and a deep distrust of the very monarch that he’s sworn to serve. She feels oddly drawn to him in spite of these things…

But can she really trust him?

The Fate of an Empire

As the bodies pile up and strange monsters begin to wreak havoc throughout the realms, Cas and Elander will have to work together to protect their world whether they trust one another or not. Because one thing is clear: Something ancient and evil is stirring in the shadows of Kethra.

And the empire will not survive its full unleashing.

But how can they save a world where nothing and no one is what they seem to be— including Cas herself?

NEW FANTASY OBESSSION.

I’m always looking for a fantasy series to dive into, and this one is it. It was SO DANG GOOD. And the audio book was fantastic. Highly recommend that avenue if you’re interested. I flew through this fast. The pacing was well intentioned and never felt like a drag. I love the high stakes action and the plot itself. Gimme book two ASAP.

Of course, one of my favorite aspects is the enemies to lovers trope. It’s heated and tangled. Left me begging for them to actually kiss and then contemplating what I was supposed to do with AN ENDING LIKE THAT. It’s going to be a long haul and I am here for it.

I love a strong female main character and Cas IS THAT WOMAN. She takes charge, occasionally runs off into danger, but is fiercely loyal and is just looking for answers to save her loved ones. Cas got in on the action and drove this book forward with her stubborn tenacity. Can’t get enough of her. There’s been some mention of Throne of Glass vibes and I can definitely see that here (in a great way).

The ending left me reeling and I am not coping well waiting for the next book. I’m excited to continue this series because that first book was a hidden gem.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: brief open door
  • Violence: physical and magical altercations, creature attacks
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: blood/gore depiction, loss of loved ones, a wasting sickness

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ARC Book Review: Not the Witch You Wed (Supernatural Singles #1) by April Asher

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Paranormal Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: April Asher
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Release Date: February 8th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A fake relationship between a magic-less witch and a wolf shifter turns to more in the start of a bewitching new paranormal rom-com series.

Magic-less witch Violet Maxwell wants nothing to do with alpha wolf shifter Lincoln Thorne—the man who broke her fragile, teenage heart. But when the two of them are forced by arcane Supernatural Laws to find mates, Violet and Lincoln agree to fake-date their way to a fake-mating in order to conjure themselves some time.

The joke’s on them. When old feelings make a reappearance—along with Violet’s magic—they both realize there’s nothing fake about their feelings. But there are old secrets and looming threats that could snatch away their happily ever after, again. One thing’s for sure: magic doesn’t make dating and love any easier.

In Not the Witch You Wed, April Asher brings all the hilarity and sweet, sexy moments you love in a romantic-comedy—plus a fun dose of magic—to this spell-binding new series about being sexy, single, and supernatural in New York City.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an audio ARC.

SURPRISED ME!

I am one of those readers who has never been super into shifter/paranormal romances. But I gave this a chance based off of a trusted friend’s remarks and y’all. I adored this!!!

Since I listened to an advanced audio copy let me first say, the audio was GREAT. I had no issues with the narration. Loved the way it was told, easy to keep on a high speed. It was wonderful and definitely recommend that avenue!

Back to the story now. Let me throw out some tropes that I LOVE that this book had: fake dating and fated mates. I will take those always and forever. I loooove fated mates and I think this was really well written! I think the addition of the second chance trope helped too. There’s a slow build, but clear attraction between Lincoln and Violet. I did struggle with how much heavy innuendo there was (but I know that’s a point for others, so I’m mentioning it!). There’s also DUAL-POV. Which I am an absolute sucker for.

I really liked the larger plot with the politics of shifter groups and supernatural organizations. The romance kept the necessary front seat, while an enjoyable back seat plot pushed the narrative forward. All around a wonderful read I’m glad I took a chance on and I can’t wait to see what next book will be in the series!

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: three brief, but very explicit open door
  • Violence: physical and magical altercations, bullying

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Book Review: The Seat Filler by Sariah Wilson

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 316 pages
Author: Sariah Wilson
Publisher: Montlake
Release Date: April 27th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The movie star and the dog groomer are one kiss away from the perfect love story. That’s the hiccup in a warm and witty romance by the bestselling author of Roommaid.

The meet-cute award goes to dog groomer Juliet Nolan. It’s one of Hollywood’s biggest nights when she volunteers as a seat filler and winds up next to movie heartthrob Noah freaking Douglas. Tongue tied and toes curling in her pink Converse, she pretends that she doesn’t have a clue who he is. It’s the only way to keep from swooning.

She’s pretty and unpretentious, loves his dog, and is not a worshipping fan. No way Noah’s giving up on her, even if his affectionate pursuit comes with a bump: Juliet has a pathological fear of kissing and the disappointments that follow. What odds does romance have without that momentous, stupendous, once-in-a-lifetime first smooch? Patient, empathetic, and carrying personal burdens of his own, Noah suggests a remedy: they rehearse.

The lessons begin. The guards come down. But there’s another hitch they weren’t betting on. As for that cue-the-orchestra-and-roll-credits happy ending? It might take more than practice to make it perfect.

THE DOGS WERE CUTE.

This was a quick and sweet read! Lots of swoony moments and I was really feeling this trope! It was fun to get a movie star + normal girl read. I haven’t read many that I loved and this would definitely rank up there. It was well-paced and I wanted to keep reading it so that’s a positive.

I liked the initial premise of beaing a seat filler, because honestly, where can I sign up? A nice meet-cute and lots of good banter between the two main characters. I enjoyed all of the dogs that were in it and liked most of the plot. Sometimes very dramatic and over the top, yet I guess when a movie star is involved it can be expected?

Juilet’s character wasn’t always my favorite. She started off strong. Then I would feel like she came off childish and I would want to roll my eyes at her inner monologue. With the big conflict towards the end, I didn’t love how either party handled the situation. And that’s always something I look for in romances. How all of that is handled at the end.

I don’t have a lot to say because it was a simple read, but not necessarily memorable.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Langauge: very little
  • Romance: kisses/make-outs;
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: a friend who had cancer (in remission), loss of a sibling, estranged parents, philemaphobia (fear of kissing)

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Book Review: The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Historical fiction romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Rachel Fordham
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: July 3rd, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Seven years ago, orphaned and alone, Em finally arrived at a new home in Iowa after riding the orphan train. But secrets from her past haunt her, and her new life in the Western wilderness is a rough one. When her guardian is shot and killed, Em, now nineteen, finally has the chance to search for her long-lost sister, but she won’t be able to do it alone.

For Azure Springs Sheriff Caleb Reynolds, securing justice for the waifish and injured Em is just part of his job. He’s determined to solve every case put before him in order to impress his parents and make a name for himself. Caleb expects to succeed. What he doesn’t expect is the hold this strange young woman will have on his heart.

Debut author Rachel Fordham invites historical romance readers to the charming town of Azure Springs, Iowa, where the people care deeply for one another and, sometimes, even fall in love.

INVESTED.

I was happily surprised with how invested I became in this story and the characters. Because wow, when I found myself almost crying in a scene towards the end, I was blindsided. This book will really hit in the feels and the soul. It’s not a pleasant sunshine-y romance. There were a lot of hard moments and incredibly difficult pasts that made this book bring out the emotions.

Caleb and Em were adorable. I love their sweet interactions and really would have loved even more romance between them. That’s all that I felt was missing. Caleb was clearly sweet on Em and I love that they actually got a chance to have interactions together. I hate when couple don’t actually get time together so this was great on that front.

I’m not sure I’ve read many (if any?) Western romances? So getting Caleb as a sheriff helping Em figure out her troubles was *chefs kiss*. It definitely did things to my heart reading about him in uniform, riding on his horse, taking down bandits. YES.

Yes yes yes, they were also both very deep characters who were easy to be enjoy. Em learned a lot being thrust into the world and everything felt realistic. It was heartwarming and infused with hope for finding a safe space in someone and a safe space to call home.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical fiction romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: bandits, attempted murder, murder, physical altercations
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, kidnapping, being orphaned, separated from a sibling, loss of parents (and siblings)

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