Tag: kindle unlimited

Book Review: The Lost God by Sheila Masterson

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 485 pages
Author: Sheila Masterson
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 10th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two kingdoms vying for an ancient power. One witch on the verge of releasing it. But all magic requires an exchange.

Memory Witch, Cecilia, is used to sacrificing for power. She’s exchanged her blood for memories, her pride for respect at court, and her forbidden and unrequited love for her guardian, Rainer, for the sake of her duty. It will all be worth it if she can complete the Gauntlet and release the power of the Lost God.

But when the god of war attacks, sending the two kingdoms from simmering tension to open war, Cecilia and Rainer set out on one final perilous journey. They venture deeper into enemy territory than ever before, aided by a charming hunter who offers Cecilia a glimpse of the adventure and romance she’s always wanted.

As the trio encounters vicious memory-stealing hunters, enchanted illusion forests, and meddling gods who speak in riddles, they draw ever closer to the pinnacle of the Gauntlet, and the sacrifice that Cecilia has been dreading. When faced with the most important magical exchange of her life, Cecilia must choose between her kingdom, and her heart, knowing one will be left irreparably broken.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED.

I willingly went into this knowing there was a love triangle because I was feeling the angst that trope brings. What I wasn’t expecting were a bunch of other tropes/plot devices that I usually am not a big fan of to just work for me here. A true testament to Masterson’s writing ability because I was very much involved in wanting to know what was going to happen next.

There’s some good tidbits involved with the plot and magic system, but I will say there’s also a lot of plot holes. Did it bother me that much? Honestly, no. I do have questions though and would like some answers.

The insta-love here is in your face and you’ve gotta roll with it. Xander somehow endeared himself to me and everyone around him. I think I’m a bigger fan of Rainer though. There’s something there and I know it. WHY HAVE I DONE THIS TO MYSELF.

Anyways, catch me reading the second book because I’m a glutton for personal punishment.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 4 open; low-moderate explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, kidnapping, near death experiences, battle themes

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Book Review: The Make Up (Falling for Franklin #2) by Hailey Gardiner

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 268 pages
Author: Hailey Gardiner
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 21st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Thou shalt not lie, steal, cheat, or…fall in love with your best friend.

When my best friend, Hunter Ward, offers me the opportunity to star alongside him as the lead love interest in a music video he’s directing, I’m torn between taking the gig and risking my heart. My job? To look and act like I’m in love with Hunter…without revealing my true feelings for him.

I’ve seen the man in action and watched him work the room. I’ve witnessed countless women fawn over him and practically swoon in his presence. And now that the full force of his charm is being worked on me, I’m supposed to drudge up the grit to resist him? Impossible, I tell you.

He’s breaking down the fences of friendship we’ve kept in place for so long, both on and off camera. How am I supposed to make it out with all of the pieces of my heart still intact?

A laugh-out-loud, friends to lovers, closed-door romance with heart, humor and sizzling chemistry. Books in the Falling for Franklin series are full length stand-alone novels and can be read in any order.

ADORBS.

I needed something light, fun and endearing enough to keep my interest. This hit those marks for me.

The writing style was entertaining and filled with amusing anecdotes that caused multiple smiles. A well set-up friends to lovers romance with a country music video at its center. Hunter and Chloe had clear chemistry from the get-go and the handful of flashback chapters added more depth to their overall story.

I loved how swoony Hunter was and how he continually endeared himself to Chloe. Actions really do speak louder than words and he showed off those actions with flair.

The scoliosis rep was amazing and I appreciated seeing that and learning more about a condition I only understood the bare minimum of. It was beautiful and I loved the support Hunter continually gave Chloe.

This was super cozy and perfect for fall. I look forward to reading more of Gardiner’s books!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: brief mentions of divorce, panic attacks, and death of a parent

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Book Review: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 3 (The Unselected Journals #3) by Beth Brower

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 230 pages
Author: Beth Brower
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 25th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

“It has been a day ordained by the fates, for how else could one explain the wholly cursed chain of events?” The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London Neighbourhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plan for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

CHARMING.

These books make me laugh and grin and I just love Emma’s voice every time. I love the world Emma Lion is creating for herself and how continually resilient and optimistic she is about what life has thrown her way.

There’s also this really sweet found family being created and I love that too. It’s so very different reading a historical fiction book as journal entries vs. how I usually read them. The journal entries are creative and you will be right there with Emma through the ups and downs.

And I might have spied the tiniest bit of romance brewing?? I know this series is planned to be very long and I am here for the haul. They’re quirky and light, filled with good messages too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirting
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: grief depiction, loss of a friend (recounted), mentions of war

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Book Review: Court of Blood and Bindings (Fae Isles #1) by Lisette Marshall

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 436 pages
Author: Lisette Marshall
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 22nd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

They call him the Silent Death, because he kills without sound and leaves none capable of speaking in his wake…

When the empire’s deadliest fae murderer catches her wielding forbidden magic, twenty-year-old Emelin believes her hour has come. Instead, her inhumanly beautiful captor spares her life, but carries her off on his velvet wings – into the one place from which no human ever returns.

The heart of the Fae Isles. The treacherous Crimson Court, where the Mother of faekind has ruled unchallenged over fae and humans for decades.

The Silent Death is supposed to be the Mother’s loyal servant, her invincible warrior, her ruthless, soulless killer. But in the shadows he is playing a game of his own, and he needs Emelin’s magic to win it.

If she agrees to work with him, she could free all of humanity. But can she trust a fae male with so much blood on his hands? Worse, when his smouldering dark eyes and dangerous secrets reveal glimpses of the heart behind his murderer’s mask… can she trust herself?

Court of Blood and Bindings is the first book of the Fae Isles series, an enemies to lovers fantasy romance featuring a strong-willed heroine and a broody, morally grey hero. This adult fae romance is perfect for readers of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout and Raven Kennedy.

Note: Court of Blood and Bindings contains a generous dose of smouldering glances, angry yearning, and midnight meetings of the illicit type, as well as other mature themes.

GIMME MORE.

Here I am, once again swept away by kindle unlimited fantasy books. I am definitely wanting to get my hands on book two soon and see what happens next. I loved a lot of the set up that I know is going to give away to an amazing storyline.

I hoped for a bit more build up between Creon and Emelin. Once I caught up to how fast they were moving I really enjoyed the relationship. I am very much committed to them now and like the push and pull they gave. There’s some good chemistry and enemies to lovers here. Add in some hidden secrets and untold stories and I now want it all.

The plot is filled with learning and action. I adored the sentient mountain and love quirky additions like that. I can’t wait to explore more of the world and magic because I feel like I was given enough info to continue, but definitely need more to be satisfied.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 2-3 open door; med-high explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: physical and magical altercations, torture, loss of loved ones, kidnapping

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