Tag: indie author

Book Review: The Bones of Benevolence (Benevolence & Blood #2) by Lauren M. Leasure

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 455 pages
Author: Lauren M. Leasure
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 11th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Reckoning, Retribution and Ruin

Petra’s entire life has just fallen apart and come together all in a single breath. Against her will, she’s been promised to the Rebel King, head of a bloodthirsty army amassed by force. But now that her true bloodline has been revealed, not everyone is content to sit idly by while her powers are abused in the name of conquest.

Meanwhile, King Belin struggles to reconcile a twisted past — and the part he played in it. As he moves forward from unimaginable grief, he realizes the only future he’s interested in is one with the woman he’s forbidden from loving.
As Petra uncovers what it means to be the daughter of the two most powerful beings in existence, she must learn to balance the weight of a crown she never asked for while learning to accept her life had never been her own to begin with.
Amid the chaos, the time looms near when Petra must come face to face with the force behind her life’s destruction — Lord Evarius Castemont.

Uncertain of what the future holds, Petra continues her crusade for the truth, praying to the Saints that salvation is waiting in the wings.

Unmask the thrilling second installment of the Benevolence & Blood Series

AMAZING SEQUEL.

I just don’t have any big notes on this and I’m all for the vibes of a great fantasy. So here’s five stars, please check out this series ASAP.

I looooved the way this was set-up. Getting to see Petra really come into her own as a Queen. It’s a bit of a stumble, back pedaling, and pushing forward that I love seeing in characters. I love the ups and down. Petra is full of fire and resentment and I thought it progressed amazingly well to see how she worked through heavy emotions and betrayals.

The romance is another major slow burn and I LOVED the way the author handled it. I really appreciate when I feel like physicality isn’t used to add pages, but to bring a couple closer together and move the plot forward. This was that case and I smitten with how things are working out and I can’t wait to see how they continue.

Miles has my whole heart (and I can’t wait for his novella!!!). This whole side cast has my heart in fact. It’s a well built world, I think the magic system and meddling gods is intriguing. There’s flashback chapters that actually provide necessary information and aren’t a waste whatsoever. I flew through this. Give me more.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: heavy & strong
  • Romance: 2 open door; moderate explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual assault, kidnapping, murder, major loss of life, battle themes, blood/gore depiction

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Book Review: Landin’ in Trouble (Creekville Kisses Too) by Brittany Larsen

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Rating: ★★
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Length: 313 pages
Author: Brittany Larsen
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: September 6th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

One woman is about to ruin everything.

They call me Landon-In-Trouble for a reason. I think it has something to do with my dimples and ability to charm my way out of anything. And if causing a little trouble grabs the attention of a beautiful woman, even better. The spotlight and I are old friends and perfect partners.

That is, until Brynn Foster dances her way into my life and my heart. She’s stunning and everything I never knew I wanted—grounded, down-to-earth, good with kids. She has this ability to see right through my usual crap to the dark secrets beneath. But that’s just the problem–although my charm may have won her over once, it won’t be enough to keep her. She already gave up a career in the spotlight. There’s no way she’s going to compete with my need to still be in it, whether I have dimples or not.

So it’s time for an impossible choice: the life I always craved or the woman who’s unexpectedly stolen my heart.

Landin’ in Trouble is a sweet and sizzling closed-door romcom that will have you laughing out loud. It also includes the sensitive topic of disordered eating. Please be aware should this be a triggering subject for you.

Thank you to the author for a copy of this book!

WARNING.

I firmly stand by the fact that books need trigger warnings and that they should be at the front of the book. This was much heavier and I even found myself triggered by some of the main themes here. I wish I had known prior so that I could have felt more prepared.

I don’t think this couple makes it past the book. I did NOT like the MMC, Landon. He betrayed Brynn’s trust, went behind her back, did not listen when she said no, and thought little of her for “just” being a yoga and pre-school teacher. That in no way made me think they would be good together. That’s a lot of red flags and strikes against him.

It also ended SUPER abruptly. I had to flip the pages back and forth and I’m sure anyone watching me on the treadmill while finishing this probably thought I was making the wildest faces. There needed to have been a longer epilogue that actually fleshed things about between them. They haven’t solved their issues [yet].

I’ve gotta stop myself. I will say I did like Brynn (though her choice in Landon is questionable) and the small town vibes with the meddling grandma were fine too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of multiple miscarriages (side character), disordered eating (recounted and discussed often), themes surrounding weight control

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Book Review: A Royal Competition (Royal Hearts #2) by Amanda Schimmoeller

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Modern Royal Romance
Length: 304 pages
Author: Amanda Schimmoeller
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 26th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

One prince. Twelve women.
A broadcasted dating competition where only one will become queen.
Prepare to be royally entertained.

Prince Liam was never supposed to be king. Now he has ninety days to find a bride or lose the throne. In his final moments, the king shared one last wish—that Liam would star as the lead in a royal dating show and marry the woman of his choosing. Even though he has vowed to never love again, Liam reluctantly agrees to take on the role, hoping to gain the support of the Wistonian people. But then the one person who has the power to break down his walls shows up as a contestant in the competition.

Lady Charlotte never planned to return to the Wistonian Palace. And she definitely didn’t plan to court the man she has secretly been pining over for years. In a competition where most women would do anything to win, she simply hopes to survive with her heart still intact. But things never seem to go according to plan.

A Royal Competition is Book 2 in the Royal Hearts series. This is a sweet, closed-door romance and can be read as a standalone, but it would be most enjoyed after reading A Royal Obligation.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy!

OH HOW SWEET.

That’s the vibe of this whole book. It is SWEET. If you need something that doesn’t have a lot of angst with two people who are clearly into each other, pick this one up. I appreciate that it never came off as a love triangle or anything. You know the endgame from the beginning and it was cute watching them realize how much they loved each other.

I adored Liam and Charlotte. I liked their personalities and strengths. Both exhibited many good qualities and I liked seeing them separate as much as together. Honestly I could have used even more time of them together because I liked the banter and tender ways they look after the other.

There’s a little bit of drama, definitely some reminiscent pieces of The Selection Series and Princess Diaries 2 (my personal fav), and some good kissing scenes too. This was my first by Schimmoeller, but won’t be my last. I have my eyes on the third book in this series!!

Note: I read this without having read the first and didn’t have any issues!

Overall audience notes:

  • Modern Royal Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: grief surrounding loss of parents

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Book Review: But He’s My Grumpy Neighbor (But He’s a Carter Brother #1) by Annah Conwell

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 260 pages
Author: Annah Conwell
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 24th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It’s not stalking if he’s your hot neighbor… right?

At least, that’s what I tell myself when Adrian Carter moves in next door.

His scowl should make me want to run in the other direction, but when I catch him smothering a smile around me, it makes me want to get to know him more.

And when Adrian starts to open up, I find myself falling in love with the cinnamon roll center hidden beneath his gruff exterior.

But between my emotional baggage and his aversion to relationships, it’s looking like we’ll never be more than neighborly.

But He’s My Grumpy Neighbor is a cozy grumpy/sunshine romcom for lovers of small-town romantic comedies. It has all the sizzling chemistry you love, without any explicit scenes. Check out the first book of the But He’s A Carter Brother Series, a series based around four strong, protective brothers finding love.

STOP IT RIGHT NOW.

This was absolutely one of my new favorite reads. OMG. It was the sweetest, gooeyest, tender and romantic book. I LOVED IT SO MUCH.

Thank goodness for some dual POV. I loved getting Adrian and Juliette’s perspectives and learning more about them. They were beautiful people on their own and putting them together was JUST THE BEST. I loved how long angst this was. There’s no third act, there’s no insane drama. It is COZY in all the best ways and will wrap you up like a warm hug. These two are sweet on each other from the beginning and the mutual pining is the best. I loved the grump x sunshine trope. The ONE BED (but keep it sweet) and the little dash of dating help. I am a melted puddle after devouring this.

I seriously can’t stop gushing about this book. It was the perfect sweet read. I am a big time fan girl now and I can’t wait for the next in the series!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of emotional/physical child abuse (briefly recounted), mentions of loss of mother, panic attacks

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