Genre-wise this is a police procedural but with a heavy dash of family dynamics thrown into the mix. It was a very easy read that instantly capt[image]
Genre-wise this is a police procedural but with a heavy dash of family dynamics thrown into the mix. It was a very easy read that instantly captured my attention and I read this in one sitting. I was initially drawn towards reading this on account of enjoying Cara Hunter and as this was described as in a similar vein I was interested to see if it would live up to the label attached. I can confirm that if you like that particular author this book will be right up your street. Here we have Dove a D.C. starting a new job after some previous traumatic events have impacted her life. This first job after the fact brings the past right to the forefront as Dove is faced with an apparent copycat to the glass doll killer who was eventually apprehended and later died in prison, her niece was also one of his victims. Now someone is killing girls and using the exact same MO, picking and poking at old trauma and hidden wounds. This focuses heavily on family dynamics exploring all the hidden issues and intricacies involved in dysfunctional relationships and normal everyday interactions. What's on the surface isn't always apparent till you dig the claws in deep exposing the rotten underbelly. This one contained some major shockers and knocked me for a loop. It was well written and absorbing and utterly addictive and I enjoyed it much more than I initially thought I would. In fact, it would have been a full house but I would have liked to have delved beyond the mask when we get to the final conclusion here. There just wasn't enough reasoning and aftermath for me to give me that closure I was after. The whys and whatnots were missing and that bothered me somewhat. it was anti-climactic after shocking revelations, making me feel something was missing slightly. Still, I enjoyed this a lot and it kept my attention right to the finish and bar the above everything else for me was grand. My first experience with this author but certainly not my last this one gets a thumbs up from me. I voluntary reviewed a copy of Glass Dolls.
Genre-wise this is a police procedural but with a heavy dash of family dynamics thrown into the mix. It was a very easy read that instantly captured my attention and I read this in one sitting. I was initially drawn towards reading this on account of enjoying Cara Hunter and as this was described as in a similar vein I was interested to see if it would live up to the label attached. I can confirm that if you like that particular author this book will be right up your street. Here we have Dove a D.C. starting a new job after some previous traumatic events have impacted her life. This first job after the fact brings the past right to the forefront as Dove is faced with an apparent copycat to the glass doll killer who was eventually apprehended and later died in prison, her niece was also one of his victims. Now someone is killing girls and using the exact same MO, picking and poking at old trauma and hidden wounds. This focuses heavily on family dynamics exploring all the hidden issues and intricacies involved in dysfunctional relationships and normal everyday interactions. What's on the surface isn't always apparent till you dig the claws in deep exposing the rotten underbelly. This one contained some major shockers and knocked me for a loop. It was well written and absorbing and utterly addictive and I enjoyed it much more than I initially thought I would. In fact, it would have been a full house but I would have liked to have delved beyond the mask when we get to the final conclusion here. There just wasn't enough reasoning and aftermath for me to give me that closure I was after. The whys and whatnots were missing and that bothered me somewhat. it was anti-climactic after shocking revelations, making me feel something was missing slightly. Still, I enjoyed this a lot and it kept my attention right to the finish and bar the above everything else for me was grand. My first experience with this author but certainly not my last this one gets a thumbs up from me. I voluntary reviewed a copy of Glass Dolls.
So this one was a difficult read to pigeon-hole in terms of genre and I'm not really sure I would put this in the romantic category at[image] 3.5 Stars
So this one was a difficult read to pigeon-hole in terms of genre and I'm not really sure I would put this in the romantic category at all: if I was pushed to actually pinpoint this stories place may be more of an imploding type drama with elements of enemies to lovers. But ultimately at its heart, this dealt specifically with dysfunctional family dynamics and the eye of the storm itself namely Adriana Austin and Neal Cassidy. This tale basically deals with the aftermath of Adriana's sister's death and the blame she places in this instance on her sister Monica's ex-boyfriend's shoulders managing in the process to ruin his life while running him and his family out of there shared home-town. Now, seven-years later Neil is back and out for blood mainly Adriana's and as these two go head to head in there shared mutual hatred things do heat up dramatically. So this was in my opinion well written and engaging. "My then and your now" uses its ability to immerse and engage within the narrative to hook its reader's attention rather than any graphic shock undertakings and this for me was all about the feels: both good and bad. It's light on the sexual side of things: this being implied rather than expanded on: this is not a criticism in itself folks rather an observation: it's not always necessary and I don't feel this missed out any for any lack-of. Here we focus more on a journey of self-discovery and personal reflection. One issue, I did have Adriana herself was not a very likeable individual. She was very much on a self-imposed path of destruction: blaming all around her for the direction her life had taken. Conveniently placing blame and laying animosity in her wake; it's all about her and how she fares and all else be damned and the way she treats everyone around her acting like a spoilt and petulant child: well let's just say she wasn't the easiest person to empathise with. On the other hand, I do understand how she had evolved into this wretched and toxic individual. Her whole life and family had imploded leaving her an island; alone and poisoned. She was so pigheaded: but equally so was Neil who I do feel definitely came across as the better and more level headed of the two. I think maybe I had such a strong reaction originally to Adriana because the majority of this story is told from her pov: this maybe gave me more of a sense of her than of others involved here. I wanted her to grow and expand as a person especially since I feel her sister would have been upset and horrified at the twos destructive antics. I have only two other observations to add one being I felt this could have been a tad shorter in length and still portrayed the same overall message and two I would have prefered an alternate finale to the one I got. I do understand the sentiment behind it but for me, it felt bittersweet. Ultimately at its heart, this story does have a powerful and at times hardhitting message to impart. I will leave you with these thoughts: I may not have taken fully to all the individuals contained between these pages but this was still for me a worthwhile endeavour and a story that I did enjoy. I voluntary reviewed an Arc of My Then and Your Now. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
So this one was a difficult read to pigeon-hole in terms of genre and I'm not really sure I would put this in the romantic category at all: if I was pushed to actually pinpoint this stories place may be more of an imploding type drama with elements of enemies to lovers. But ultimately at its heart, this dealt specifically with dysfunctional family dynamics and the eye of the storm itself namely Adriana Austin and Neal Cassidy. This tale basically deals with the aftermath of Adriana's sister's death and the blame she places in this instance on her sister Monica's ex-boyfriend's shoulders managing in the process to ruin his life while running him and his family out of there shared home-town. Now, seven-years later Neil is back and out for blood mainly Adriana's and as these two go head to head in there shared mutual hatred things do heat up dramatically. So this was in my opinion well written and engaging. "My then and your now" uses its ability to immerse and engage within the narrative to hook its reader's attention rather than any graphic shock undertakings and this for me was all about the feels: both good and bad. It's light on the sexual side of things: this being implied rather than expanded on: this is not a criticism in itself folks rather an observation: it's not always necessary and I don't feel this missed out any for any lack-of. Here we focus more on a journey of self-discovery and personal reflection. One issue, I did have Adriana herself was not a very likeable individual. She was very much on a self-imposed path of destruction: blaming all around her for the direction her life had taken. Conveniently placing blame and laying animosity in her wake; it's all about her and how she fares and all else be damned and the way she treats everyone around her acting like a spoilt and petulant child: well let's just say she wasn't the easiest person to empathise with. On the other hand, I do understand how she had evolved into this wretched and toxic individual. Her whole life and family had imploded leaving her an island; alone and poisoned. She was so pigheaded: but equally so was Neil who I do feel definitely came across as the better and more level headed of the two. I think maybe I had such a strong reaction originally to Adriana because the majority of this story is told from her pov: this maybe gave me more of a sense of her than of others involved here. I wanted her to grow and expand as a person especially since I feel her sister would have been upset and horrified at the twos destructive antics. I have only two other observations to add one being I felt this could have been a tad shorter in length and still portrayed the same overall message and two I would have prefered an alternate finale to the one I got. I do understand the sentiment behind it but for me, it felt bittersweet. Ultimately at its heart, this story does have a powerful and at times hardhitting message to impart. I will leave you with these thoughts: I may not have taken fully to all the individuals contained between these pages but this was still for me a worthwhile endeavour and a story that I did enjoy. I voluntary reviewed an Arc of My Then and Your Now. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Night Kiss is a slow burn Paranormal action romance. Kat is a vampire hunter after the death of her adoptive family at the hands of rogue vampir[image]
Night Kiss is a slow burn Paranormal action romance. Kat is a vampire hunter after the death of her adoptive family at the hands of rogue vampires. Consequently, she hates all bloodsuckers and goes by the motto the only good one is a dead one. Ryker is an ancient vampire with many tricks to his arsenal, after the recent disappearance of his friend and nemesis Elias he's hot on the trail, Elias is another ancient and king to boot. Both Ryker and Kat have the same goal obtaining the vampire king, but kat wants to annihilate him while Ryker wants to rescue him. Incognito and hiding his true nature Ryker teams up with Kat and as the two join forces for the search they begin to grow closer. So I took a while to become invested here and I think that might have been because of the characters themselves. Kat was totally blinkered in her hatred of the undead almost with a zealot mindset that I found extremely closeminded and irritating at times. I get her past but at times she was a little over the top and confrontational she also didn't listen to any logic whatsoever acting on impulse instead of sense. Ryker, for the most part, I liked him but again he was a little too wishy-washy in his interactions with Kat I wanted him to be less apologetic and more a force to be reckoned with after all he was a centuries-old vampire. I did get more invested in the unfolding drama the further I went with this it just took a while to get there. The first half of this was a tad slow but the second part made up for it and then it was action-packed right until the finale This also was quite low on the heat concentrating more on the action rather than the romance. In conclusion, this was a good read that despite some slight issues was enjoyable. I voluntary reviewed a copy of Night Kiss
Night Kiss is a slow burn Paranormal action romance. Kat is a vampire hunter after the death of her adoptive family at the hands of rogue vampires. Consequently, she hates all bloodsuckers and goes by the motto the only good one is a dead one. Ryker is an ancient vampire with many tricks to his arsenal, after the recent disappearance of his friend and nemesis Elias he's hot on the trail, Elias is another ancient and king to boot. Both Ryker and Kat have the same goal obtaining the vampire king, but kat wants to annihilate him while Ryker wants to rescue him. Incognito and hiding his true nature Ryker teams up with Kat and as the two join forces for the search they begin to grow closer. So I took a while to become invested here and I think that might have been because of the characters themselves. Kat was totally blinkered in her hatred of the undead almost with a zealot mindset that I found extremely closeminded and irritating at times. I get her past but at times she was a little over the top and confrontational she also didn't listen to any logic whatsoever acting on impulse instead of sense. Ryker, for the most part, I liked him but again he was a little too wishy-washy in his interactions with Kat I wanted him to be less apologetic and more a force to be reckoned with after all he was a centuries-old vampire. I did get more invested in the unfolding drama the further I went with this it just took a while to get there. The first half of this was a tad slow but the second part made up for it and then it was action-packed right until the finale This also was quite low on the heat concentrating more on the action rather than the romance. In conclusion, this was a good read that despite some slight issues was enjoyable. I voluntary reviewed a copy of Night Kiss
This was an interesting read and very different from what I was originally expecting here. This had so many actual twists and turns that it mana[image]
This was an interesting read and very different from what I was originally expecting here. This had so many actual twists and turns that it managed to capture my attention so effortlessly. It was well written a page-turner that really was addictive reading. Claire as a character I felt for her so much, her backstory in regards to her daughter made my own heart hurt so much. But for sure she certainly was a lousy judge of character. She has surrounded herself with toxic relationships from her so-called friends who have obviously never read the girl code rule book (What Traitors) to her waste of space husband Derek. Derek, himself has managed to isolate Claire manipulating and controlling the situation itself until she really has no way left to turn. Add in that venomous viper Jasmine who was such a piece of work and I was internally screaming put your foot down and issue your waste of space husband an ultimatum they are both taking the mick so badly. So Zach who for me was a surprise addition and what I saw of him I really liked a lot: he was mysterious, sexy and seemed protective of Claire but I did feel his input here was slightly limited and I would have liked to have got more of an insight into how he ticked. I felt this would have been better served being told in dual POV rather than just from Claire's side of the fence. I really would have liked to explore Zach in more depth rather than just the superficial and felt this one-sided style of narration limited that slightly. We did get a snippet in the epilogue from him but this was really not enough to satisfy me. This was a great read that I enjoyed a lot a thumbs up from me. I voluntary reviewed a copy of The Scream Behind Her Smile.
This was an interesting read and very different from what I was originally expecting here. This had so many actual twists and turns that it managed to capture my attention so effortlessly. It was well written a page-turner that really was addictive reading. Claire as a character I felt for her so much, her backstory in regards to her daughter made my own heart hurt so much. But for sure she certainly was a lousy judge of character. She has surrounded herself with toxic relationships from her so-called friends who have obviously never read the girl code rule book (What Traitors) to her waste of space husband Derek. Derek, himself has managed to isolate Claire manipulating and controlling the situation itself until she really has no way left to turn. Add in that venomous viper Jasmine who was such a piece of work and I was internally screaming put your foot down and issue your waste of space husband an ultimatum they are both taking the mick so badly. So Zach who for me was a surprise addition and what I saw of him I really liked a lot: he was mysterious, sexy and seemed protective of Claire but I did feel his input here was slightly limited and I would have liked to have got more of an insight into how he ticked. I felt this would have been better served being told in dual POV rather than just from Claire's side of the fence. I really would have liked to explore Zach in more depth rather than just the superficial and felt this one-sided style of narration limited that slightly. We did get a snippet in the epilogue from him but this was really not enough to satisfy me. This was a great read that I enjoyed a lot a thumbs up from me. I voluntary reviewed a copy of The Scream Behind Her Smile.
So this is book 4 in the fantastic Foundling series and Luce and Cole finally seem to be on the same page in regards to there ongoing dynamic a[image]
So this is book 4 in the fantastic Foundling series and Luce and Cole finally seem to be on the same page in regards to there ongoing dynamic and current relationship status and I did like how in sync and transparent these two now seem to be. It was about time they moved forward and became an item I was beginning to think it would never actually happen. In Rise Against all parties are now in the process of rounding up an army to fight their enemies in the upcoming battle and war and Luce herself is right in the thick of the action. Also, Rixton Luce's human partner is back in the picture which I was super ecstatic about as I do adore the push and pull between him and Luce just so much and really missed him when he and she were on the outs so was great to welcome him back into the fold and witness his wide-eyed delight. We also finally get to realise the full extent of Luce's origins and just how she has become the individual she now is and as for Ezra well let's just say my instincts regarding his identity and role in this were mostly spot-on. There were definitely some surprises to be had here especially in regards to the traitor prepare to be shocked and then shocked again after their identity is finally outed. Didn't see that one coming at all. So this was amped up from the start chocka full of action and as all the cards eventually started to settle into there correct places and the players involved eventually revealed their individual hands all is stacked to play-out just how it will. This really was such a great instalment and after how we left things here I really can't wait for the next book in this addictive series. I don't know why I thought this was the last book in this series? well, it isn't folks but hey that's fine just means more Luce, Cole and the gang to look forward to in the future. Finally, before I go just want to say baby Phoebe OMG just so cute: she was just so adorable. This series and its unique take on the whole good versus evil: demon versus angel is just so fresh and original and imaginative as hell and I am completely smitten. I voluntary reviewed a copy of Rise Against (The Foundling, #4)
So this is book 4 in the fantastic Foundling series and Luce and Cole finally seem to be on the same page in regards to there ongoing dynamic and current relationship status and I did like how in sync and transparent these two now seem to be. It was about time they moved forward and became an item I was beginning to think it would never actually happen. In Rise Against all parties are now in the process of rounding up an army to fight their enemies in the upcoming battle and war and Luce herself is right in the thick of the action. Also, Rixton Luce's human partner is back in the picture which I was super ecstatic about as I do adore the push and pull between him and Luce just so much and really missed him when he and she were on the outs so was great to welcome him back into the fold and witness his wide-eyed delight. We also finally get to realise the full extent of Luce's origins and just how she has become the individual she now is and as for Ezra well let's just say my instincts regarding his identity and role in this were mostly spot-on. There were definitely some surprises to be had here especially in regards to the traitor prepare to be shocked and then shocked again after their identity is finally outed. Didn't see that one coming at all. So this was amped up from the start chocka full of action and as all the cards eventually started to settle into there correct places and the players involved eventually revealed their individual hands all is stacked to play-out just how it will. This really was such a great instalment and after how we left things here I really can't wait for the next book in this addictive series. I don't know why I thought this was the last book in this series? well, it isn't folks but hey that's fine just means more Luce, Cole and the gang to look forward to in the future. Finally, before I go just want to say baby Phoebe OMG just so cute: she was just so adorable. This series and its unique take on the whole good versus evil: demon versus angel is just so fresh and original and imaginative as hell and I am completely smitten. I voluntary reviewed a copy of Rise Against (The Foundling, #4)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️STARS ARC BOOK REVIEW Release Date-3/4/18.
The Gods of Greyfall was a delightful series of three novellas by A.J. Norris. This was the
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️STARS ARC BOOK REVIEW Release Date-3/4/18.
The Gods of Greyfall was a delightful series of three novellas by A.J. Norris. This was the first thing I've read by this author and I found myself pleasantly surprised. I was fully engaged throughout and it was incredibly easy to get sucked into this vivid new backdrop. The world created here was explained in an extremely coherent fashion and instead of experiencing barked facts I found that this was very cleverly interwoven into the present story. This was great as sometimes authors can overcomplicate this process trying to cram everything in far to fast. The Gods of Greyfall, I found, was so easy to follow along with. So If I had to pick a favourite couple here, it would have to be Cutler and Jade. I just felt incredibly connected to these two, their story and the fact that it felt like a love reconnected across aeons kinds moment totally touched a chord with me. I mean I liked all our guys and gals but there two, well let's just they gave me that aw!! moment.
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The whole mythological feel to this was also a winner with me, with its Egyptian, Bator and demon storyline. And I also got to say here that I loved the fact that these rock hard warriors were so up and close with there pussies. (and I'm not talking of the of the female sexual variety here, though they do get up and personal with those too if you know what I mean, wink, wink. ) I just loved that these Demon fighters pets were small cute meowing felines. It just showed there soft and vulnerable side.
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So having these three interconnecting stories really worked as it compensated for there length. Giving us a much more in-depth portrayal than you would usually get in a short novella. These were short insa-love, low-angst paranormal indulgencies that for me kinda worked. They were really romantic and for me hit that sweet spot. So lastly I just want to say I'm totally loving the front cover of this, like seriously it's so eye-catching and all and if I was choosing this based on its cover it would get the full 10/10 for me. So Give these a look if you like a bit of PNR I thought they were a great read. Thank You to the Author for providing me with an ARC of (The Gods of Greyfall Collection) of which I have reviewed voluntary. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️STARS ARC BOOK REVIEW Release Date-3/4/18.
The Gods of Greyfall was a delightful series of three novellas by A.J. Norris. This was the first thing I've read by this author and I found myself pleasantly surprised. I was fully engaged throughout and it was incredibly easy to get sucked into this vivid new backdrop. The world created here was explained in an extremely coherent fashion and instead of experiencing barked facts I found that this was very cleverly interwoven into the present story. This was great as sometimes authors can overcomplicate this process trying to cram everything in far to fast. The Gods of Greyfall, I found, was so easy to follow along with. So If I had to pick a favourite couple here, it would have to be Cutler and Jade. I just felt incredibly connected to these two, their story and the fact that it felt like a love reconnected across aeons kinds moment totally touched a chord with me. I mean I liked all our guys and gals but there two, well let's just they gave me that aw!! moment.
[image]
The whole mythological feel to this was also a winner with me, with its Egyptian, Bator and demon storyline. And I also got to say here that I loved the fact that these rock hard warriors were so up and close with there pussies. (and I'm not talking of the of the female sexual variety here, though they do get up and personal with those too if you know what I mean, wink, wink. ) I just loved that these Demon fighters pets were small cute meowing felines. It just showed there soft and vulnerable side.
[image]
So having these three interconnecting stories really worked as it compensated for there length. Giving us a much more in-depth portrayal than you would usually get in a short novella. These were short insa-love, low-angst paranormal indulgencies that for me kinda worked. They were really romantic and for me hit that sweet spot. So lastly I just want to say I'm totally loving the front cover of this, like seriously it's so eye-catching and all and if I was choosing this based on its cover it would get the full 10/10 for me. So Give these a look if you like a bit of PNR I thought they were a great read. Thank You to the Author for providing me with an ARC of (The Gods of Greyfall Collection) of which I have reviewed voluntary. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
This one definitely hit the spot for me and I liked it a lot. I’m partial to some Scottish historical romance and though this was a new a[image] [image]
This one definitely hit the spot for me and I liked it a lot. I’m partial to some Scottish historical romance and though this was a new author for me I clicked with this straight away. The easy writing style drew me in investing me in the unfolding narrative and though this was not an overly complicated or angsty story it struck just the right balance for me.
The story is set in 1545 in highland Scotland, The decimated clan of Macquarie is trying to rebuild and repopulate there abandoned isle. Under a curse, this century past all that is left of this once proud clan is Chief and oldest brother Adam and his five younger brothers and also a superstitious family friend Rabbie, What they need now are wives.
Enter Lark Montgomerie she is attending the Beltane festival with her family where her father has plans to marry her off as he wants her out of his house. When Lark and Adam meet she sees In him her salvation and a chance to travel away from her past. Thinking him the better option than her other two unwanted suitors Lark chooses him instead.
So this was a really great read it was very well written had enough intrigue and suspense to keep things interesting but not too much to turn me away. I liked both Lark and Adam and also all the brothers. I believe each sibling is going to get there own individual story and based on my experience with this I would definitely read them.
I liked the simplistic approach here how our newlyweds fell for each other gradually both learning trust and gaining their happiness gradually and together.
This had a bit of everything there were secrets some mystery, drama and also danger added to the mix. This wasn’t majorly explicit but it certainly had enough sexy-times to satisfy me and the bond itself felt real and authentic and most importantly genuine. I believed in there growing connection and eventual feelings and was rooting for them 110%. I especially liked the fact that the sex here didn’t feel prosy or contrived, It’s a mega turn-off for me and one of my top pet-hates in historical fiction.
Overall this was a good one and I enjoyed myself a lot. I would recommend this if your partial to Scottish historical romance like me and this is definitely one of the better ones around. I voluntary reviewed a copy of A Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal.
This one definitely hit the spot for me and I liked it a lot. I’m partial to some Scottish historical romance and though this was a new author for me I clicked with this straight away. The easy writing style drew me in investing me in the unfolding narrative and though this was not an overly complicated or angsty story it struck just the right balance for me.
The story is set in 1545 in highland Scotland, The decimated clan of Macquarie is trying to rebuild and repopulate there abandoned isle. Under a curse, this century past all that is left of this once proud clan is Chief and oldest brother Adam and his five younger brothers and also a superstitious family friend Rabbie, What they need now are wives.
Enter Lark Montgomerie she is attending the Beltane festival with her family where her father has plans to marry her off as he wants her out of his house. When Lark and Adam meet she sees In him her salvation and a chance to travel away from her past. Thinking him the better option than her other two unwanted suitors Lark chooses him instead.
So this was a really great read it was very well written had enough intrigue and suspense to keep things interesting but not too much to turn me away. I liked both Lark and Adam and also all the brothers. I believe each sibling is going to get there own individual story and based on my experience with this I would definitely read them.
I liked the simplistic approach here how our newlyweds fell for each other gradually both learning trust and gaining their happiness gradually and together.
This had a bit of everything there were secrets some mystery, drama and also danger added to the mix. This wasn’t majorly explicit but it certainly had enough sexy-times to satisfy me and the bond itself felt real and authentic and most importantly genuine. I believed in there growing connection and eventual feelings and was rooting for them 110%. I especially liked the fact that the sex here didn’t feel prosy or contrived, It’s a mega turn-off for me and one of my top pet-hates in historical fiction.
Overall this was a good one and I enjoyed myself a lot. I would recommend this if your partial to Scottish historical romance like me and this is definitely one of the better ones around. I voluntary reviewed a copy of A Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal.
This was a true coming-of-age odyssey and what a ride this was. It was messy, completely toxic and made me so glad and incredibly gratef [image] [image]
This was a true coming-of-age odyssey and what a ride this was. It was messy, completely toxic and made me so glad and incredibly grateful for the easy teenage years my five kids have graced me with, I obviously lucked out in that department, thankfully.
This is the story of Anna and Jeremy, how they initially connected and then became lost in the intoxication of first love and all those new fragile feelings. With things then spiralling out of their control, going down a dark road of addiction and angst before then managing to crawl out the other side to achieve their eventual happiness.
This gave you all of the highs and lows. The emotional upheaval was severe and this hit rock bottom from which then the only way was up. It was well written and extremely emotive and managed to convey the struggle faced with addiction realistically. I have some experience with this and all that it entails, not myself, but a close family member and this story tackled this subject with authenticity.
Dark and gritty but then also uplifting and poignant, this ran a gauntlet of polar opposite sentiments as these two young people traversed their way across the minefield of first love and all that it entails before then veering off down a darker path. We do have a HEA, I don't think my heart could have handled it otherwise after all of that angst and I was happy with the end resolution we arrived at. This one was an intense read that put me through an emotional wringer, I'm also incredibly happy that Anna and Jeremy got there in the end.
A beautifully written coming-of-age story encompassing all of the struggles and trials surrounding addiction, first love and is a journey of personal growth. Do check your triggers though as this does deal with dark themes of addiction but I totally recommend this one. It was out of my comfort zone for sure, but I do like to step out of that box occasionally and this time it definitely paid off. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of Only You, Only Us.
Back in my happy place, I adore this series and this one was a bloody beast of a read. As usual, I enjoyed myself immensely. I love a go [image] [image]
Back in my happy place, I adore this series and this one was a bloody beast of a read. As usual, I enjoyed myself immensely. I love a good redemption story and this had that element and more. Though this can probably be read as a standalone I would suggest reading from the very beginning as there is so much nuance and backstory that you'll just appreciate it much more, especially because you'll get to reacquaint yourself with a whole host of previous characters.
This one occurs mostly away from the mountain and features Lady Louisa Scall. She's a widow with a tortured past and because of her experiences has some definite trauma. She's currently residing deeply in debt on a portion of her deceased husband's land that she managed to claim for her own.
When she is approached by Killick a Skai Orc, a bargain is struck, for ten nights she will make herself available for his heart mate Ulfarr, the disgraced wolf of clan Skai, an Orc with a traumatic backstory that has left deep wounds both physical and emotional. In return for this and the presence of an orc camp on Louisa's land, Killick will clear her debts leaving her free from the threat of eviction by her odious neighbour, the nephew of her former husband.
This was deeply emotional and as usual, the explicit antics are mixed in with the serious message. That's my favourite part about this series the way it combines the two so effortlessly. It's totally filthy and doesn't hold back in that department but it's also so much more than just the smutt as well.
I adored both Killick and Ulfarr their dynamic intrigued me. The bluntness of Killick, he has a vicious tongue and high standards and expects Louisa to dance to his tune and then the shell of Ulfarr with occasional glimpses of his former self showing I was at times completely heartbroken for him. But the bond between these two Orcs is so clear.
Add into this mix Louisa and she just slots right into place. She's the glue these two need to forge forward and though Killick may have at first been looking for a woman for Ulfarr it's not long before he's also wanting her for himself. The constant battling of words and her ability to face him head-on impresses him and these two show their emerging affection through insults it's their language of love.
I also adored that we are focusing here on older individuals, I found that refreshing and that this seemed less angsty than previous books maybe because of the ages of the characters. We also got to witness a proper Skai rut which was an eye-opener for sure.
This one is M/M/F dynamic, it's totally filthy but also incredibly healing, such an easy well well-written read that I enjoyed so much. This is an auto-buy series for me and I always say that each book is my new favourite and it honestly is, until the next one and I'm In love, all over again. So truthfully I adore them all for different reasons. Be aware that it is very explicit and doesn't hold back on its descriptive language, which honestly is one of the things that I love about it. So If Orcs are your thing then this series is a blinder and gets my seal of approval. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of the Widow and the Orcs.
A solid debut novel and a different take on the supernatural world because of the set-up here this felt fresh and though I had some smal [image] [image]
A solid debut novel and a different take on the supernatural world because of the set-up here this felt fresh and though I had some small issues as a whole this was an enjoyable read with plenty of future potential and expansion within the world. It's sole POV and our heroine is Ava, she's a student who after some less-than-sensible choices finds herself mixed up in a world she had no idea even existed. Here she becomes the familiar of vampire Madigan, a supernatural with an old-world vibe.
I enjoyed this and thought it was intriguing. It was well written and a quick read and though I wasn't quite convinced of the chemistry between Ava and Madigan I did like them both as individuals.
I do wish the romance had been focused on more rather than the dangerous scenarios that we did, this was the area I had some issues connecting with. Madigan could also have used some deeper insights as I don't think he stands out as much as Ava did but this may have been because this was sole POV. I just didn't feel that I got to know him as well as I would have liked, he remains for the most part quite elusive and mysterious as a love interest. Especially when placed alongside Ava who i felt we got to know much better. The carnival setting could have also been expanded on as it wasn't a vibe and I think this would have greatly enriched this story.
This does have closure on Madigan and Ava and this is the first book in what I'd expect to be a series focusing on different characters within this world. Taken as a whole though this was still an interesting introduction and was an intriguing start. It was well written and I did enjoy myself I also loved that it was set in the UK as it made it feel relatable to me. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of The Vampire and the Scorpion.
Izzy finds herself on the wrong side of Montez Flores with her prior actions resulting in his men apprehending her alongside Adelmo a sc [image] [image]
Izzy finds herself on the wrong side of Montez Flores with her prior actions resulting in his men apprehending her alongside Adelmo a scarred stone cold killer who also has a hidden agenda and a penchant for murder.
I really enjoyed this one, you should know it's dark and twisted as fuck so please do check your triggers before reading but if you like your fiction with sharp edges this one more than has you covered.
It's a prequel read to the main CNC series but can definitely be read as a standalone, it's only related in as such that it's set in the CNC world. Be aware that this is pure dub-con and at times also non-con as the boundaries here are very hazy. Our FMC Izzy is also kinda into the twisted nature of the encounters between her and Adelmo and she's his perfect counterpart. He's also fascinated that she seems to enjoy the depraved stuff he's into and saving Izzy at least initially is more about his own selfish motives, in as such that he's not yet quite finished with her.
This is a shorter read but it's also a pretty decent length. It's consensual non-consent, so expect plenty of delicious dubious deeds and descriptive on-page depravity If you're ok with the dark nature of this then you're good to go with this one.
It actually has alternative endings a nicer version and the more evil twisted one. Though I liked both I personally preferred the evil version, what can I say I'm just wired that way. The karma of it just really appealed to me and I love a good anti-hero who stays true to his nature, makes it all feel more authentic.
This was well written and though the romance is very dark I could still sense the bond between these two. It's more implied than voiced, but this one is truly a definition of a dark romance where the actual relationship is dark rather than just the scenario. If all the above sounds like your jam I highly recommend reading. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of Killer Bones.
I wanted the entire experience so I decided to reread book one before embarking on this one, which then reminded me once again of just h [image] [image]
I wanted the entire experience so I decided to reread book one before embarking on this one, which then reminded me once again of just how amazing this series actually is. I think I found myself enjoying the first book even more than I initially did and this second installment then begins where that left off. This continues in the aftermath of the battle at Sirens Bay and Arwen is understandably reeling after all of the many reveals, especially Kade's purposeful ommissions and deception regarding just who Arwen potentially is.
Arwen is going through some massive emotional angst and turmoil, the sense of betrayal she is experiencing is huge, and her emerging strong feelings of Love for Kane are stopped dead in their tracks and then do a complete 360 as in self-preservation as she shuts down. Now sharing a ship alongside all of the survivors and refugees attempting to flee to find safety, Arwen does her best to freeze Kane out while he is still suffering and wallowing in his many regrets.
This one has a faster pace than its predecessor, we are hopping all over the place here and are introduced to many new characters along the way. Kane certainly had his work cut out in earning Arwen's forgiveness. In fact, that's probably my one niggle just how bloody stubborn and unreasonable our girl can be. I couldn't help but feel for Kane's pain as it was obvious to anyone with half a brain just how devoted and in love with Arwen he was.
The final chapters were probably my favourite out of this book. It was just all so bloody intense and the conclusion then left me totally reeling. Also if you're looking for some progression in regards to the physical between Kane and Arwen this one brought the goodies and it was delicious and was definitely worth the wait. This is slow-burn done well.
This is a great series with some amazing characters and excellent world-building. It's well written and such an easy read, I also appreciated the fact that this second book was dual POV rather than just Arwen like its predecessor. I preferred getting that added insight from Kane and it assisted me in appreciating and understanding him. I definitely recommend giving this a go. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of Promise Of Peridot.
This is the final book in the series and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Again I'm going to make clear that this series is super dark and i [image] [image]
This is the final book in the series and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Again I'm going to make clear that this series is super dark and it deals with bad individuals who make no apologies for their actions. It's probably one of the darker ones I've enjoyed and I read a lot of this genre and even for me, it was way up there on the scale. The heroes in this series are not shades of grey they are pitch black, you've been warned so If that is your jam then this series has you covered. It's full of twists and turns and is constantly making you think and question your morality. These do need to be read in order as though each book focuses on an individual pair there is an ongoing story running throughout.
Here we are joining the youngest Cortez and current scapegoat Shaw. He's the twin of Marianne who we met in a previous book. Shaw struggles with the family business and what it entails. Don't get me wrong he's a Cortez to the bone but he's also so much softer on the women and struggles with how It makes him feel. Separating business and his ideals is much more of an issue for him but he's still prepared to do what he must. He also feels constantly belittled and unimportant to his siblings, making it all the more crucial that he carries out his assigned jobs even when difficult. This is how he ends up being sent to retrieve Miri from London. It's a test of sorts, one he is failing at miserably.
Miri is the younger sister of a previous character she was originally trafficked by the Cortez family she and her sister along with some assistance managed to escape, not without collateral damage though. She's now a loose end and also someone the Cortez family hold responsible for the death of a certain loved one and this family is not known for their forgiveness. So Shaw is sent to retrieve the family property and that sets in motion everything that happens here and let me prewarn you that it's not a pretty flowers and rainbows-filled love story. This is brutal and dark, which makes this all the more poignant, hard-hitting and impactful.
Both Shaw and Miri are on a journey of metamorphosis and during this, they evolve beautifully but all without losing that dark edge. Also, don't be fooled by the fact that Shaw has a tad more empathy than his siblings as he actively tries to overcome this and Shaw is and can be just as brutal and toxic as his family. I think it made it worse because when Shaw is putting on the charm he is like a whole different person, maybe who he could be if he was born into a different family. It showcases the extreme differences when we see him reverting to type and all of his prior conditioning.
This series took us on quite a journey and this is the last part of the puzzle so we do get our closure. As it closes a door on the Cortez's and their criminal empire it also opens a window and gives a brief snapshot into potential futures. It's obvious from this glimpse that this family are on the up in the criminal circles they inhabit. I'm happy with how we left things and I've enjoyed the series immensely. This is not going to be for everyone but for myself I bloody loved it. I do hope this isn't the last we see of the Cortez's. I'm hoping for some brief cameos in future books maybe set in the same world. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of When Sinners Rise.
I'd describe this as a psychological thriller with a slight mystery horror theme. A bunch of loosely connected individuals all from the [image] [image]
I'd describe this as a psychological thriller with a slight mystery horror theme. A bunch of loosely connected individuals all from the town of Rock Hill find themselves invited to a strange evening at Beechwood castle the site of a former axe massacre. If they follow the rules and play the game they stand to walk away with a substantial sum of money. We have the true crime Youtuber, an award-winning but now on-the-skids crime writer, a disgraced Architect, a killer retired cop, an ex-con and psychic, and lastly the final girl left still breathing from the previous gruesome killings. All are invited to the castle for a night they'll never forget.
This was mostly enjoyable, but I do feel that the first half was much stronger than the second and then this just seemed to fizzle out losing its momentum resulting in a very anti-climatic finale that I saw coming a mile off. The issue was that there were only a few possible suspects making this then super easy to predict.
Overall it isn't a long read and I did like the idea and found the central plot intriguing it just on paper sounded way better than it turned out to be. the writing itself was fine it just was also slightly boring and quite slow in places and it also felt somewhat predictable. It was told from multiple POVs but I found myself not really liking any of the characters involved as they were all quite an unlikable bunch, some more so than others. It was a quick read that was ok but nothing was outstanding or that memorable about this either. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of The Traitors.
When Phoebe's friend vanishes after attending a CNC kink event that she procured the invitation for Phoebe is not prepared to sit on her [image] [image]
When Phoebe's friend vanishes after attending a CNC kink event that she procured the invitation for Phoebe is not prepared to sit on her laurels, she wants answers. She is prepared to go to extreme lengths to get them, even if that means entering this unfamiliar but equally intriguing world herself, with her family connections Phoebe reaches out and is introduced to Razor, under an alias of course. He recognises her as someone from his fellow members and friend's past. Marcus is actually an old boyfriend from high school of Phoebe's and they have some history, they also parted on bad terms so his feelings towards Phoebe are initially very complicated.
With missing girls and suspicions of corruption within the Fraternity Phoebe Razor and Marcus procure an invitation to a mysterious island, the plan to infiltrate and investigate but once there and as events begin to escalate they all begin to wonder if they will even make it off of the island alive.
I adored this book it's my favourite out of all of the CNC Fraternity ones and I think that's more than likely the addition of a suspenseful element to the narrative, it just upped it a level the additional suspense and mystery kept me on the edge of my seat and the dread of what may come kept me turning those pages. I've liked all of the stories set in this fascinating world including this spin-off but this for me also had an added extra component that just elevated it.
This was dark and twisted Cari's signature stamp and here she managed to strike just the correct balance in terms of the kinky fuckery, the suspense and then the fact that it was also obvious that Razor and Marcus had begun to care deeply about Phoebe. It was scorching hot, extremely explicit but also managed to be sentimental and even at times surprisingly sweet. Be aware the stories within this world focus on CNC, consensual non-consent and as such anything goes and they tend to be highly explicit and voyeuristic.
There was danger and heat and for a minute there I don't mind admitting I was getting seriously worried, I'm also not ready to say goodbye to these characters and I think the family that slays together should definitely stay together and they should for sure get another adventure to further expose the bad apples in there CNC world.
Also, can I say the phone total lol moment that was for sure enterprising and actually hilarious. I adored this one and it's getting a massive seal of approval from me. I now definitely want more from Marcus Razor and Phoebe. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of Their Cruel Love.
Well, this one was certainly different and not in a bad way either: more of a particular area of fetish play, in this case, pet-play and if you[image]
Well, this one was certainly different and not in a bad way either: more of a particular area of fetish play, in this case, pet-play and if you asked me earlier I would have said Nah!! so not my kink but I actually found this surprisingly hot and steamy: who'd have thought.
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This was a relatively quick read with elements of suspense thrown into the bdsm narrative. Yes, it starts out that he takes Nora to protect her after she witnesses a shooting at the flower shop where she works: but really this story concentrates mostly on the unique developing relationship between Nora and Greg and the suspense is more of a secondary aspect to this tale. I read this is one sitting and can honestly say though a different kink to what I am used to this was greatly enjoyed by me and was also really well written. I connected very easily to both main characters and though this is not some angst-filled epic it definitely has its place as an easy and at times fun read. A different but delicious story that I am happy to give a thumbs up to. I voluntary reviewed an Arc of becoming his pet. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Well, this one was certainly different and not in a bad way either: more of a particular area of fetish play, in this case, pet-play and if you asked me earlier I would have said Nah!! so not my kink but I actually found this surprisingly hot and steamy: who'd have thought.
[image]
This was a relatively quick read with elements of suspense thrown into the bdsm narrative. Yes, it starts out that he takes Nora to protect her after she witnesses a shooting at the flower shop where she works: but really this story concentrates mostly on the unique developing relationship between Nora and Greg and the suspense is more of a secondary aspect to this tale. I read this is one sitting and can honestly say though a different kink to what I am used to this was greatly enjoyed by me and was also really well written. I connected very easily to both main characters and though this is not some angst-filled epic it definitely has its place as an easy and at times fun read. A different but delicious story that I am happy to give a thumbs up to. I voluntary reviewed an Arc of becoming his pet. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
The conclusion to the series and what a finale this was. My favourite out of all the books so far and this fourth book upped its game in [image] [image]
The conclusion to the series and what a finale this was. My favourite out of all the books so far and this fourth book upped its game in every single way. This has been an angsty toxic minefield that I've completely devoured and navigated with absolute relish. This series has always had a dark and gritty vibe but Kisses Like Rain took all that one step further and this one got dark. My heart was in my absolute throat as this descended into territory I wasn't expecting.
My heart broke for poor Sabella it was just so bloody tragic and completely gutting and i was equally shattered right alongside her and Angelo as things unravelled it was some emotional stuff that had quite the impact on me I was an emotional mess. But then out of all of this pain came some serious healing as Angelo finally woke up and brought his A game. I then adored their journey together towards a much anticipated HEA and the protective warmer side of Angelo that was buried deep was so worth the wait.
I've enjoyed this series immensely honestly it's been one of my favourites from this author and I recommend reading if this genre is your jam. It's well written totally engrossing and i ran through a whole gauntlet of emotions whilst reading this. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of Kisses Like Rain.
Tinsley is one of the residents of the human colony a former baker of indigenous descent. She's a sunny glass-half-full sort of girl. Sh [image] [image]
Tinsley is one of the residents of the human colony a former baker of indigenous descent. She's a sunny glass-half-full sort of girl. She misses her old life but tries to make the best of things and not wallow in past regrets. Hunar is the chief engineer at the human colony he and Tinsley have rubbed each other up the wrong way from day one. He's the grump to her sunshine the total opposite of bubbly Tinsley but not without just cause.
Hunar's backstory is so sad coiled to the mother of his children who lives elsewhere with their spats he's been in withdrawal and suffering from the wasting sickness for a decade. When he finds himself unexpectedly the sole guardian of his children he has no choice but to take them back home with him. But there's a clause in his initial work contract that states that to make this his permanent home he must pursue a human female or be replaced as engineer. When Tinsley convinces a reluctant Hunar to lend his assistance to her Christmas celebrations she in return sets in motion a ruse that sees them thrown together and soon lines are blurring as these two start to fall deep the pretence becoming reality.
What an ambient sense of warmth and family this story imparted. It had such a feel-good vibe that easily transferred over to me the reader and I enjoyed this latest book in the series immensely. This had a grumpy-sunshine fake dating trope but with a sci-fi twist and I'm partial to all of these tropes. It was also all done very well and it felt authentic. I was a fan of both Tinsley and Hunar and their slow burn-shy connection was initially sweet and then exploded into some super red-hot intensity.
This was well-written and well-researched and I especially loved the family aspect and simplicity of their connection. There were no great misunderstandings or unnecessary conflict and it was just a heartwarming experience. I recommend this series highly and it delivers every single time each story bringing something different. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of Eat My Moon Dust.
DNF-65% This one just wasn’t for me and I decided to throw in the towel at 65% So, this is part of the sinister fairy tale series, it's a contemporary fDNF-65% This one just wasn’t for me and I decided to throw in the towel at 65% So, this is part of the sinister fairy tale series, it's a contemporary fairy-tale retelling loosely based on Rapunzel. Zell is the pretty princess locked away in a tower but in this case, it was a Brothel located on the top floors of a penthouse, where she is being raised by the brothel madam her mother. Frankie is the Son of the boss he is being groomed to take over but after meeting Zell his goal is to liberate her from her prison. Zell, well I found her to be naive and unworldly, I do think despite being locked away from the world she would be less so especially considering she has grown up in a brothel even as exclusive as it is it’s still a place that sells flesh that’s she has lived in for 18 years I very much doubt she would be as naive as she is. Frankie also bothered me somewhat, he also seemed childlike and naive as well and I just couldn't see it especially considering who his father actually was, he should have been less optimistic and more jaded he just didn’t seem that authentic and real to me. I also found the developing relationship here to be very juvenile and lacking a deeper connection. I also didn’t believe in the feelings between Zell and Frankie or feel much connection to them. This is also had a habit of telling you rather than letting you experience things first-hand, this then had a knock-on effect making the dark deeds have a lesser impact almost a disconnect if you will. Case in point Zell’s experience at the hands of Frank Senior’s men, first I was left not knowing what had actually occurred to then wondering why Zell wasn’t more traumatised and then afterwards affected in any way, she was totally blase and unaffected by her recent trauma. Also, Reactions in this were way off it was clunky and kept jumping from one unbelievable scenario to another and at 65% I just had enough it was one step too far. I thought this had some good initial ideas, but they were just poorly executed, the potential is all here but this just felt unbelievable and juvenile and I didn’t feel any deeper connection to any of the characters involved. For me, there was no connection with this and if I am not invested then I’m out. I voluntary reviewed a copy of Lock.
DNF-65% This one just wasn’t for me and I decided to throw in the towel at 65% So, this is part of the sinister fairy tale series, it's a contemporary fairy-tale retelling loosely based on Rapunzel. Zell is the pretty princess locked away in a tower but in this case, it was a Brothel located on the top floors of a penthouse, where she is being raised by the brothel madam her mother. Frankie is the Son of the boss he is being groomed to take over but after meeting Zell his goal is to liberate her from her prison. Zell, well I found her to be naive and unworldly, I do think despite being locked away from the world she would be less so especially considering she has grown up in a brothel even as exclusive as it is it’s still a place that sells flesh that’s she has lived in for 18 years I very much doubt she would be as naive as she is. Frankie also bothered me somewhat, he also seemed childlike and naive as well and I just couldn't see it especially considering who his father actually was, he should have been less optimistic and more jaded he just didn’t seem that authentic and real to me. I also found the developing relationship here to be very juvenile and lacking a deeper connection. I also didn’t believe in the feelings between Zell and Frankie or feel much connection to them. This is also had a habit of telling you rather than letting you experience things first-hand, this then had a knock-on effect making the dark deeds have a lesser impact almost a disconnect if you will. Case in point Zell’s experience at the hands of Frank Senior’s men, first I was left not knowing what had actually occurred to then wondering why Zell wasn’t more traumatised and then afterwards affected in any way, she was totally blase and unaffected by her recent trauma. Also, Reactions in this were way off it was clunky and kept jumping from one unbelievable scenario to another and at 65% I just had enough it was one step too far. I thought this had some good initial ideas, but they were just poorly executed, the potential is all here but this just felt unbelievable and juvenile and I didn’t feel any deeper connection to any of the characters involved. For me, there was no connection with this and if I am not invested then I’m out. I voluntary reviewed a copy of Lock.
I adored this one this author writes such amazing serial killer romances that enthral me every time. They are definitely my go-to author [image] [image]
I adored this one this author writes such amazing serial killer romances that enthral me every time. They are definitely my go-to author for this type of fiction and I can’t get enough of them. This one is no exception and I read this back to back in one sitting. I’ve been waiting with bated breathe to experience Santiago’s story one of the four horsemen who we have encountered in previous books. So although this is part of a larger series You can easily read this one as a standalone also. This is Santiago’s and Briseis (loving the name) journey. This is told in this authors preferred style of past and present so it jumps back and forth in time. The first half of this book instead of Briseis backstory we actually get her mother Flora’s diary entries from her time just prior and while pregnant with her daughter. This does give us a sense of the why and how of Briseis actual backstory. Throwing a lot of clarity on her current situation. I did think Briseis was much too forgiving when it came to her so-called family’s previous treatment of her especially her father and he definitely didn’t deserve any loyalty from her either. The second half of this we get to hop back into Santiago’s past and his story is absolutely tragic. The repercussions of this resounding heavily for years to come especially concerning his relationship with his father. And although Santiago thinks he has lost his ability to love his capacity for this emotion is intense and just buried behind a mountain of hurt shame and pain. Waiting to be released by someone willing to accept the whole of him even his extreme damaged dark parts of which there are many. Briseis is this such individual and though original the key to his revenge. The lure to hook his former tormentor she instead becomes the piece that will actually heal his inner torment. Giving him a sense of peace of a different sort. So this was fabulously written and the heat and connection between Santiago and Briseis was intense and extremely believable. I loved them together and just wanted them to find their happiness together. I loved how accepting Briseis was of Santiago once she learned the whys of his early-life realising that she needed to accept him as a whole and that was what he needed from her. That he didn’t need fixing just loving. I also loved how possessive and intense he was in return. This also set things up nicely for future books and I’m looking forward to experiencing the rest of the horseman’s story’s as well. Finally, I loved the epilogue and the snippet we get from Lucien; Santiago’s father. That snippet felt just so fitting karma you gotta love it. This was a really great addition to the ongoing series that I enjoyed immensely. I would definitely recommend this one no issues it was great. I voluntary reviewed a copy of Santiago’s Conquest.
I adored this one this author writes such amazing serial killer romances that enthral me every time. They are definitely my go-to author for this type of fiction and I can’t get enough of them. This one is no exception and I read this back to back in one sitting. I’ve been waiting with bated breathe to experience Santiago’s story one of the four horsemen who we have encountered in previous books. So although this is part of a larger series You can easily read this one as a standalone also. This is Santiago’s and Briseis (loving the name) journey. This is told in this authors preferred style of past and present so it jumps back and forth in time. The first half of this book instead of Briseis backstory we actually get her mother Flora’s diary entries from her time just prior and while pregnant with her daughter. This does give us a sense of the why and how of Briseis actual backstory. Throwing a lot of clarity on her current situation. I did think Briseis was much too forgiving when it came to her so-called family’s previous treatment of her especially her father and he definitely didn’t deserve any loyalty from her either. The second half of this we get to hop back into Santiago’s past and his story is absolutely tragic. The repercussions of this resounding heavily for years to come especially concerning his relationship with his father. And although Santiago thinks he has lost his ability to love his capacity for this emotion is intense and just buried behind a mountain of hurt shame and pain. Waiting to be released by someone willing to accept the whole of him even his extreme damaged dark parts of which there are many. Briseis is this such individual and though original the key to his revenge. The lure to hook his former tormentor she instead becomes the piece that will actually heal his inner torment. Giving him a sense of peace of a different sort. So this was fabulously written and the heat and connection between Santiago and Briseis was intense and extremely believable. I loved them together and just wanted them to find their happiness together. I loved how accepting Briseis was of Santiago once she learned the whys of his early-life realising that she needed to accept him as a whole and that was what he needed from her. That he didn’t need fixing just loving. I also loved how possessive and intense he was in return. This also set things up nicely for future books and I’m looking forward to experiencing the rest of the horseman’s story’s as well. Finally, I loved the epilogue and the snippet we get from Lucien; Santiago’s father. That snippet felt just so fitting karma you gotta love it. This was a really great addition to the ongoing series that I enjoyed immensely. I would definitely recommend this one no issues it was great. I voluntary reviewed a copy of Santiago’s Conquest.