Tag: Book blog

ARC Book Review: The Call of the Sea by Sian Ann Bessey

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 252 pages
Author: Sian Ann Bessey
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: November 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A Viking Historical Romance

On the eve of her betrothal to a nobleman she’s never met, Rhiannon seeks comfort on the shores of the sea she loves so well. But instead of offering peace to her uneasy heart, the ocean heralds doom with the arrival of dreaded Viking ships. A vicious raid leads to the death of her beloved father and leaves Rhiannon’s life in tatters. Heartbroken, she travels to Ynys Môn, where she takes up residence at the royal court of Owain Gwynedd.

Leif loves voyaging on the open water. As the son of a Viking chief, he’s accustomed to his people’s practice of plundering and looting. But when one of his companions ruthlessly kills an old man in front of the man’s beautiful daughter, Leif is haunted by the memory. Desperate to find forgiveness for the atrocity he allowed to occur, he’s offered a chance at redemption through the kindly teachings of an Irish priest and the unexpected arrival of a royal fugitive. Suddenly thrust into the midst of the Cymry’s political turmoil, Leif is reunited with the dead man’s daughter―Rhiannon. Forced to work side by side to uncover the truth behind the turmoil, they come to discover that love can grow from even the most tragic of beginnings. But with such incompatible backgrounds, surely a future together can never be theirs.

Thank you to the publisher and author for an ARC.

SAIL AWAY.

This was a well written story with beautiful imagery and a deep dive into history.

And I will say it’s definitely more historical fiction than anything else. There is a romantic sub plot, but it’s a super sub plot. I enjoyed the murder mystery aspects and finding the truth. Learning about different aspects of the nations at the time and finding God when down on your knees.

The “whodunnit” will keep you guessing and the save the damsel in distress scenes are some of my favorite. I liked the forbidden aspects of the romance and the discussions they worked through involving grief and forgiveness. The lane is never straight but the hills and valleys remind you of what you’re ultimately striving for.

I do wish there was more romance. It had it on the cover so my expectations were set in that direction and I was a bit mystified they didn’t interact as much as I hoped for. I did like the friendships Rhiannon had with her cousin and I just liked Rhiannon in general. She was a great FMC. Full of strength and a desire for more.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Language: none
  • Romance: Kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, loss of a parent, small battle scenes

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Book Review: Dreams Lie Beneath by Rebecca Ross

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Fantasy + Romance
Length: 496 pages
Author: Rebecca Ross
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Release Date: November 2nd, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Perfect for readers of The Hazel Wood and The Night Circus, this lush and layered story about magic and the captivating power of dreams is delivered with acclaimed author Rebecca Ross’s signature exquisite style.

A curse plagues the realm of Azenor—during each new moon, magic flows from the nearby mountain and brings nightmares to life. Only magicians, who serve as territory wardens, stand between people and their worst dreams.

Clementine Madigan is ready to take over as the warden of her small town, but when two magicians challenge her, she is unwittingly drawn into a century-old conflict. She seeks revenge, but as she secretly gets closer to Phelan, one of the handsome young magicians, secrets begin to rise. Clementine must unite with her rival to fight the realm’s curse, which seems to be haunting her every turn. 

FANTASTIC AND DREAMY.

Full of puns today.

ANYWAYS.

Honestly though, this was a great YA standalone fantasy. Adored it whole heartedly. The audio book is a great route and I love how the time flew by because of how much I was enjoying this. Some good quotable moments and an interesting plot that kept things moving.

I was smitten with this quiet romance that slowly built over time. I consider it a rivals/enemies to lovers scenario. You know when you’re bent on revenge and fall for that person instead? YUP, it’s here. Clementine was the best kind of young adult main character. She made some poor and unwise choices, but also rallied and grew over the book. That character growth I’m always looking for is here and she learns much in a short amount of time.

The story was unique for me and I loved the dream concept interwoven with a curse. I was even surprised by some of the reveals because I had my eyes on someone else the entire time. Great writing, well built story, likeable characters and more. Highly recommend this one!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: small skirmishes, physical altercations, weaponry, light blood/gore with wounds

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Book Review: The Sin of Saints (Benevolence & Blood #1) by Lauren M. Leasure

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Dark Fantasy
Length: 382 pages
Author: Lauren M. Leasure
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: June 28th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Growing up in Eserene’s slums, Petra’s life is marred by unimaginable tragedy. Things finally begin to look up when she meets Calomyr, member of the Royal Guard and keeper of just as much heartache as Petra.

Once again, though, her life is upended when her mother remarries a Lord, forcing Petra to undergo a brutal initiation ceremony in order to ascend to the Royal Court.

As Petra prepares for initiation, news of a drug-fueled fanatical rebel regime reaches the high walls of Eserene. No one seems to panic, so Petra doesn’t either.

Until the city is smoldering before her.

Outside the city walls, Petra must untangle a smoke-shrouded web woven long before she was born. She finds her entire life has been orchestrated for one purpose, a purpose kept hidden from her until she unveils the secret that thrums through her veins. As everything she thought she knew unravels, Petra is forced to confront ghosts she didn’t know she had – and the monsters and demons that now join them…

From author Lauren M. Leasure comes the sexy, action-packed first installment of the Benevolence & Blood Series.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED

This was a type of read where I couldn’t tell you what was happening for 90% of the book and I wasn’t mad about it at all. It felt like I was on the journey with Petra as discoveries became relevant to her and betrayals from others brought her to her knees.

I enjoyed this one so much. The past and present timeline chapter flipping worked well. It did slow the pace down a bit, but the continual need to know what happened next was always there. I liked seeing where Petra came from, and how that shaped all the stuff she was going through in the present.

This is definitely a dark read. I honestly can think of maybe two things that could be considered good that happened. It’s gritty and disturbing and I just need MORE.

I’m already chomping at the bit to get my hands on book two. This one felt a bit prequel-esque with the pacing style so I know the second is going to fling us through the ringer after those ending reveals. The writing was wonderful and there were some beautiful quote worthy lines.

Overall audience notes:

  • Dark Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: two open door
  • Violence: very high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of family, torture, sexual harassment, loss of parents, drug addiction, mass enslavement, kidnapping, physical altercations, weapons violence, explosions, loss of a sibling

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Book Review: Lake Mistletoe: A Holly, Jolly, and Steamy Christmas Tale by Amber Kelly

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Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 224 pages
Author: Amber Kelly
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: November 29th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Life in the fast lane is what I’ve been working toward for the last six years. My career was all planned out running one of the hottest hotels in Miami’s South Beach. That was until our playboy owner broke a few rules, and my perfect opportunity crumbled underneath my feet.

So here I am, headed to Lake Mistletoe, a quaint little valley town in Idaho of all places. My grandmother, and namesake, left her Inn to me, and I am now sentenced to the task of getting it prepared to sell at the end of this year’s holiday season. My memories of this Christmas oasis have long since faded, but I’m determined to use this experience to further my career and get back into the hospitality game.

When Keller Harris, Lake Mistletoe’s resident craftsman, and unofficial handyman, offers to help me with the neverending list of repairs and upgrades, it’s the perfect opportunity for me to get hands-on experience. He’s talented, driven, and sexy as sin, but he’s also a know-it-all and completely unimpressed by my business sense. I can learn a lot from him but his stubborn self can also learn a lot from me.

As walls start to fall, literally and figuratively, I begin to realize that success comes in many forms and passion can be found in unexpected places. Will I be able to turn this season into a stepping stone to an exciting new career in Belize?

Or will I discover that everything I ever wanted was tucked away in the Rocky Mountains?

IT WAS OKAY.

This didn’t really do anything for me. I struggle with holiday reads having a balance between steamy and hallmark. Why can’t I have something in the middle, ya know? This felt like it was trying to push more steam than the actual romance itself and left a lot to be desired for me.

There was too much focus on very random details of Willa’s day to day. Really small details that I was tired of reading about. I didn’t need to know such breakdowns that caused me to start skimming faster and faster to get to actual dialogue and momentum. Steam was thrown in without much lead-up and that felt off/random to me. I wasn’t connected to either of them by the time things started happening.

Christmas/Holiday-wise, this is alive and well in that department. I do love a small town romance and this provided well in that regard. I loved the names for the town’s hotels and all the fun things that were part of the spirit there.

I wish this was a better balance of the two sides. Oh well, another holiday romance that leaves me wanting.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: multiple open door scenes
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one

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