It's no secret I'm a HUGE fan of Lara Adrian's Midnight Breed series so I'm thrilled to be taking part in the cover reveal for the next book in the series Break the Day. The book releases on the 30th of July 2019 in ebook and print and you can order from all major retailers now or visit www.LaraAdrian.com for more information.
Story Synopsis
Lara Adrian's New York Times and #1 international bestselling Midnight Breed vampire romance series continues with Break the Day, an adrenaline-laced, passionate new novel of paranormal adventure.
After a shocking betrayal nearly killed him and the people he cares about the most, what Breed warrior Rafe wants more than anything is revenge against the insidious brotherhood called Opus Nostrum. But to achieve that goal, he must turn his back on the Order and infiltrate a dangerous gang with ties to Opus. Risking everything to redeem himself and carry out his deep-cover mission, Rafe will let nothing stand in his way--least of all his desire for one of the loyalists he should despise, a mysterious, dark-haired beauty named Devony Winters.
But Devony has secrets of her own to protect, as well as a personal duty she will do anything to fulfill. And as a daywalker passing herself off as human to the gang she's been embedded with for months, the last thing she needs is a dangerous former member of the Order unraveling all her hard work. Her plans depend on keeping Rafe at arm's length, but if she surrenders to the dark need he stirs within her, it will be her heart that pays the ultimate price.
It's been years since I read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern but it's one of those books that has really stuck in my mind because it was just such a fantastic story. I'm really excited that Erin finally has a new book, The Starless Sea, coming out later this year and I thought it would be fun to spotlight The Night Circus for anyone who hasn't had a chance to read it yet.
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.
But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.
True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per¬formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.
New York Times bestselling and Alex, Nebula, and Hugo-Award-winning author Seanan McGuire introduces readers to a world of amoral alchemy, shadowy organizations, and impossible cities in the standalone fantasy, Middlegame.
Meet Roger. Skilled with words, languages come easily to him. He instinctively understands how the world works through the power of story.
Meet Dodger, his twin. Numbers are her world, her obsession, her everything. All she understands, she does so through the power of math.
Roger and Dodger aren’t exactly human, though they don’t realise it. They aren’t exactly gods, either. Not entirely. Not yet.
Meet Reed, skilled in the alchemical arts like his progenitor before him. Reed created Dodger and her brother. He’s not their father. Not quite. But he has a plan: to raise the twins to the highest power, to ascend with them and claim their authority as his own.
Review:
I'm a huge fan of Seanan McGuire and once again she shows us a whole new side to her imagination with Middlegame. I will never get tired of reading her books because she is always coming up with something new and different so each of her series are totally unique. I've been trying to write my review of Middlegame for ages now and I'm really struggling to come up with the right words because there is so much I want to talk about but at the same time I don't want to give too much away and spoil it for you. This is one of those books where it's probably better to go in with very little knowledge of what's to come so that you can fully appreciate the journey.
That's probably not enough to sell the story so let me try to give you a bit more information. This is the story of two twins, Roger and Dodger, created in a lab by a mad alchemist and separated at birth they have no knowledge of each other's existence yet they still share a unique and incredible bond. Both of the twins are highly intelligent, Roger is an expert linguist, words come easily to him and he loves literature, he's also a great communicator who finds it easy to make friends and fit in. Dodger on the other hand is a maths genius, words don't always make sense to her and she struggles to connect with people but numbers are something she can always master. The twins are raised by different families on other sides of the country yet they always manage to reach out and find each other.
Meanwhile the alchemist that created them watches on as his experiments age and mature, watching for signs that he was successful. He has big plans for the twins and he will do whatever it takes, no matter how evil, to make sure they come to fruition. I really don't want to say much about what Reed's goals are or how be plans to achieve them though so you're going to have to read the book yourself to find out.
I was fascinated by all of these characters, both the good and the bad. They all have complex motives so even when you hate the actions they take their decisions still make sense. I think Dodger was probably my favourite of all of them though, she was more vulnerable than her brother but at the same time she was more determined and also braver. Roger makes some more questionable choices but when you get right down to it he is just as protective of his sister and wants to make amends for his mistakes.
I get that this review has been very vague but this story is full of twists and turns, it's so cleverly written and you have to pay attention to keep up with the changes in POV but it is so worth the effort. Although it works perfectly as a stand alone I'm so fascinated by this world that I really hope Seanan McGuire decides to write a sequel because I'd love to know more about the alchemists and their goals.
Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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The New York Times bestselling author of Pucked and The Good Luck Charm delivers a Hollywood happily-ever-after where a famous heartthrob falls for his ultimate fangirl in this sexy standalone romantic comedy.
A total disaster? Or the start of something special?
Kailyn Flowers was always calm and controlled - until she ended up sprawled all over Daxton Hughes, the former actor she totally crushed on as a teenager. In seconds, she became a mortifying fangirl and oddly enough, he didn't run away. Instead, their meet cute led to something she never expected: a friendship. Of course, she never expected him to betray her, either . . .
Eight years later, Dax needs Kailyn's help. Years of anger towards him haven't exactly left Kailyn inclined to oblige, but she also isn't heartless enough to turn him down. She vows to be friendly, but soon their 'friendly' meetings turn into flirty dinner dates, and Kailyn can feel their chemistry is as explosive as ever. But how can she possibly let down her guard again to a guy who has heartbreak written all over him?
Review:
Kailyn is mortified when she literally trips over the actor she had a childhood crush on on their first day of university and makes a total fool of herself. Embarrassment fades as the two enjoy a playful rivalry as they both compete to come out top of the class. Kailyn believed that Daxton was her friend and that's why his betrayal cut so deep. Now, eight years later they are thrown into each other's orbits when Kailyn is put in charge of his thirteen-year-old sister Emme's trust fund. After the deaths of his parents Daxton is determined to do whatever it takes to protect Emme but caught in the middle of a bitter custody dispute with his aunt he's going to need Kailyn's help to keep Emme with him.
Meet Cute was a really fun and light hearted contemporary romance, the first meeting between Kailyn and Daxton was hilarious and they continue to have multiple fun encounters throughout the book. Kailyn has believed for years that Daxton cheated her out of the top spot in class but eight years later when she finally confronts him about it she realises things weren't quite what they seemed. Now she's determined to focus on helping Daxton gain full custody of Emme but the more time they spend together the more she falls head over heels for both of them.
Daxton has a lot on his plate but he always had a bit of a thing for Kailyn and was hurt when she disappeared on him. Obviously the timing for them getting back in contact couldn't be worse, not only is he struggling with his own grief he also finds himself trying to parent a grieving teenage girl and the two of them are both floundering. His aunt, who should be the person they can turn to for help, is making things worse by accusing him of not looking after Emme properly but he's sure she has other motives for wanting custody.
I enjoyed the romance between Kailyn and Daxton, there was one misunderstanding towards the end that made me want to smash their heads together but luckily it didn't take too long for them to figure things out thanks to Emme's interference. I'm not always a fan of kids in romance books but I thought Emme was a great character, she was pretty sweet most of the time and the three of them made a nice little family together. If you're looking for a fast and fun read that will leave you with a smile on your face then you can't really go wrong with this one.
Source: Purchased
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Congratulations Samantha! I've sent you an email asking for your address so if you can get back to me asap I'll arrange for my contact at Midas PR to get your prize sent out to you.
Thanks so much to Midas PR and Sourcebooks for allowing me to host this giveaway for them!
Darcy Newhart thought it was a stroke of genius--the first-ever reality TV show where mortals vie with vampires for the title of The Sexiest Man on Earth. As the show's director, Darcy's career would be on track again. And she can finally have a life apart from the vampire harem. Okay, so she's still technically dead, but two out of three's not bad. Now she just has to make sure that a mortal doesn't win. If only she wasn't so distracted by a super-sexy and live contestant named Austin...
But Darcy doesn't know the worst of it. Austin Erickson is actually a vampire slayer! And he's got his eye on the show's leggy blond director. Only problem is, he's never wanted any woman--living or dead--as badly. But if he wins her heart, will he lose his soul? And if it means an eternity of hot, passionate loving with Darcy, does that really matter anyway?
Love at Stake Series: How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire Vamps and the City
A Very Vampy Christmas (Novella)
Be Still My Vampire Heart
The Undead Next Door
All I Want for Christmas Is a Vampire
Secret Life of a Vampire
Forbidden Nights with a Vampire
The Vampire and the Virgin
Eat Prey Love
Vampire Mine
Sexiest Vampire Alive
Wanted: Undead or Alive
Wild About You
Vampires Gone Wild (Novella V is for VampWoman)
The Vampire With the Dragon Tattoo
How to Seduce a Vampire (Without Really Trying)
Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire
Review:
Although I enjoyed the first book in this series I had serious reservations about the way Roman's vampire harem was described. They're all vampire women who are hundreds of years old but they act like idiotic teenagers constantly cat fighting amongst themselves and belittling other women. Even worse is the fact that they are simply incapable of making a single decision for themselves and are totally reliant on a man for every single part of their lives. The old male vampires in this series are all warriors or scientists, men who have embraced modern society and technology while the women are totally stuck in the past when women were just supposed to be pretty ornaments there to do whatever their husbands told them to. I HATE this sexist attitude and I absolutely hate that more often than not it is women who continue to perpetuate it.
You may wonder why I'm ranting about problems I had with the first book in this review so I'll point out that the vampire harem have a HUGE part in the sequel. To be honest if I'd known that going in I probably would have been reluctant to read Vamps and the City at all but I prefer not to read blurbs for books in ongoing series. The main focus of this book isn't the romance between Darcy and Austin, it's about a reality show for vampire TV where the women of the vampire harem are judging a competition to find the sexiest man on earth, the "lucky" winner doesn't just come away with a million dollar prize they also get to become the proud new owner of Roman's rejected harem of women. Just excuse me while I vomit at the thought of it! As if that wasn't bad enough the women choose the most ridiculously shallow things to judge the men on, looks, strength, chivalry, wealth etc. Nothing about being a nice person with a good sense of humour or anything else for that matter. The whole reality show part of this book (which gets more page time than ANYTHING else) was offensive and insulting and any humour that the author was trying to achieve flew straight over my head and missed the mark completely. The only good thing I can say about the book is that the women did start to rethink their lives and consider the possibility of independence. It came too late to save the story but it did give me a tiny glimmer of hope for the future.
To make it worse I didn't particularly like either of the main characters. Darcy had been through a tough time after being turned into a vampire without giving her permission, but it was done to save her life after she had been attacked and she had a pretty good life now even if it wasn't the life she expected but she was just so whiney and ungrateful for everything. I hated her woe is me attitude and just found her really difficult to connect with. Austin was a member of the CIA vampire slaying team and he'd gone undercover as part of the reality show trying to get details of more vampires so his team could kill them all afterwards. I hated the way he treated Darcy and I actually have a lot of problems with the whole CIA vampire slaying team too. Are you seriously telling me that they would have knowledge of where a whole bunch of vampires were spending their days and yet they wouldn't try to stake them all while they slept? Also, since the vampires were aware he was there undercover why the heck didn't they have security at the penthouse to prevent that from happening? Not only do we have ridiculously stupid bad guys but the good vampires are idiots too.
I think it's pretty obvious that I didn't enjoy this story much. I'm actually pretty surprised I even finished reading it. I have friends who tell me later books in the series are really good but I'm honestly not sure I want to continue reading it. I'll give it a few months and see if I change my mind though.
Source: Purchased
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The Grave Witch is about to find herself face-to-face with the walking dead . . .
Grave witch Alex Craft is no stranger to the dead talking. She raises shades, works with ghosts, and is dating Death himself. But the dead walking? That's not supposed to happen. And yet reanimated corpses are committing crimes across Nekros City.
Alex's investigation leads her deep into a web of sinister magic. When Briar Darque of the Magical Crimes Investigation Bureau gets involved, Alex finds herself with an unexpected ally of sorts. But as the dead continue to rise and wreak havoc on the living, can she get to the soul of the matter in time?
Review:
I've been a fan of this series for a long time now so it pains me to say that this book was a bit on the disappointing side. It wasn't awful by any means but it definitely wasn't the high standards I expect from this series. To start with the positives I did really enjoy Alex's latest investigation. Things get really complicated for her when she is a witness to a bank robbery and realises that the robbers are already dead. She's seen a lot of things in her life but walking corpses isn't one of them and it looks like she's facing a dangerous opponent this time.
I always enjoy seeing Alex work a case and previously I've liked Briar from the MCIB but this time I really struggled with her. Briar is totally willing to throw Alex under a bus, she doesn't care how much danger her actions put Alex and her friends in as long as it gets her closer to the bad guy. She can't even be bothered to give Alex a heads up about her plans so that Alex can prepare herself for what's coming. Poor Alex finds herself constantly getting put in harm's way throughout this story and she's also constantly apologising for things that aren't her fault.
I'm also really struggling with the love triangle, I was honestly hoping that by book 5 we'd have more of an idea where the romance was going but so far things are just going from bad to worse. I hate that we still know so little about both Death and Falin, they both have commitments that prevent them from prioritising Alex and that is understandable but it's starting to bore me now. I've never really felt the attraction towards Falin but where I've been totally team Death right from the beginning in this book I ended up feeling ambivalent towards him too which was just sad.
I do still have a lot of love for these characters though so I'm really hoping that this book was just a blip and that the next one will be back to the highs of previous instalments.
Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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In the first book of her dazzling new series, bestselling author Ella Quinn introduces the soon-to-be Earl and Countess of Worthington--lovers who have more in common than they yet know. The future promises to be far from boring…
Lady Grace Carpenter is ready to seize the day--or rather, the night--with the most compelling man she's ever known. Marriage would mean losing guardianship of her beloved siblings, and surely no sane gentleman will take on seven children not his own. But if she can have one anonymous tryst with Mattheus, Earl of Worthington, Grace will be content to live out the rest of her life as a spinster.
Matt had almost given up hope of finding a wife who could engage his mind as well as his body. And now this sensual, intelligent woman is offering herself to him. What could be more perfect? Except that after one wanton night, the mysterious Grace refuses to have anything to do with him. Amid the distractions of the Season he must convince her, one delicious encounter at a time, that no obstacle--or family--is too much for a man who's discovered his heart's desire…
Review:
When Lady Grace Carpenter's parents died she fought hard to gain custody of her seven younger siblings until one of her brothers was old enough to take control of their family estate. No other family members were willing to take all of the children on so it was the only way to keep them all together and Grace felt it was her duty to protect them all. She knew that she was giving up the chance of having a family of her own as it would be very unlikely she'd be able to find a man willing to take on her and seven children. When she is caught in a storm and forced to spend a night in an inn with her teenage crush she decides that even if she can never marry she can at least have one night of passion to remember for the rest of her life.
Mattheus, Earl of Worthington, has decided it is time to settle down. His friends have all started to marry and seeing them start families of their own has made him consider his own future. After one unforgettable night with Grace he decides he's found the perfect woman for him but unfortunately Grace did a disappearing act before he even woke up. Now the search is on and he's not going to give up his quest easily, no matter how stubborn Grace is or how much extra responsibility her siblings will be.
Three Weeks to Wed was my first book by Ella Quinn but it was such a fun read that it definitely won't be my last. I don't tend to read a lot of historical romance but sometimes I'm just in the mood for something warm and light hearted and this series hits that spot perfectly. I thought Grace was a great character, she has worked so hard to protect her siblings and she put her own life on hold to do it without ever begrudging them for it. She loves them all dearly and wants to honour her parents too. I loved the relationship between all the brothers and sisters and that they loved her as much as she loved them, they want the best for her too and when they realise Matt is courting her they decide to do whatever it takes to bring the couple together.
Matt already has four younger siblings of his own that he's responsible for so he's quite shocked when he realises marrying Grace would bring the brood up to eleven. I liked that he took time to think about the affect that would have on all of their lives before continuing to pursue Grace, but equally that it didn't take him too long to decide that she was worth it. Matt and Grace made a really cute couple and they had an intense connection that they both struggled to resist but they also had a lot of shared values and family was important to them. It was fun seeing Matt learn to deal with all of the children but I also really liked seeing the siblings from both families decide to help Matt and Grace blend their two families together.
This was a sweet romance with lots of humour and just a tiny amount of suspense. I liked the fact that it was relatively drama free and that there were no big misunderstandings or stupid arguments. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Source: Purchased
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In a feminist fantasy epic, a revolutionary spell gives women the ability to control their own fertility--with consequences that rock their patriarchal society to its core.
"A compulsive read, riveting characters, life-or-death stakes . . . a smashing book!"--Tamora Pierce
When a nobleman's first duty is to produce a male heir, women are treated like possessions and bargaining chips. But as the aftereffects of a world-altering spell ripple out physically and culturally, women at last have a bargaining chip of their own. And two women in particular find themselves at the liberating crossroads of change.
Alys is the widowed mother of two adolescent children, and the disinherited daughter of a king. Her existence has been carefully regulated, but now she discovers a fierce talent not only for politics but also for magic--once deemed solely the domain of men. Meanwhile, in a neighboring kingdom, young Ellin finds herself unexpectedly on the throne after the sudden death of her grandfather the king and everyone else who stood ahead of her in the line of succession. Conventional wisdom holds that she will marry quickly, then quietly surrender the throne to her new husband. Only, Ellin has other ideas.
The tensions building in the two kingdoms grow abruptly worse when a caravan of exiled women and their escort of disgraced soldiers stumble upon a new source of magic in what was once uninhabitable desert. This new and revolutionary magic--which only women can wield--might well tear down what is left of the patriarchy. The men who currently hold power will do anything to retain it. But what force in the world can stand against the courage and resolution of generations of women who have tasted freedom for the very first time?
Women's War Series: The Women's War
Future titles and release dates to be confirmed
Review: The Women's War is the first book in Jenna Glass' new epic fantasy series and it is set in a patriarchal society where women are seen as property, first of their father's and eventually belonging to their husbands. Women are definitely second class citizens in this world and it shows in every aspect of their lives, right down to the fact that it is forbidden for women to use magic. Women are forced to obey the men in their lives and for noblewomen if they disobey they can be sent to the Abbey of the Unwanted, a place of misery where they are basically forced into prostitution to survive.
The magic system in this world comes down to elements that can be combined together in different ways to create the desired affects. The three types of motes are masculine (which can only be seen or used by men), feminine (can only be seen by women) and neutral (that can be used by anyone with enough power to do so). Masculine magic is considered the most useful and used for nearly everything while feminine magic is seen as frivolous because it can only be used for things like healing. It is completely forbidden for women to use the magic unless they're living at the Abbey, in which case they're allowed to create healing spells, although any profits they make obviously go straight to the crown.
This story focuses on what would happen if women suddenly had all the power. After centuries of abuse three women created a spell that would turn things on it's head, suddenly female magic is more powerful but most importantly women have complete control of their own bodies and fertility. Forcing girls into marriage won't work so well if she can refuse to have an heir and it's far easier for them to take control of their own sexuality if they don't have to worry about unwanted pregnancy. Of course this isn't the kind of world where men are going to give up their power easily so things are bound to get worse before they get better but I'm absolutely fascinated to see how we (hopefully) get to a balanced society.
It's probably fairly obvious from what I've said so far that this isn't a pleasant world for women but I should include a warning that there are some scenes of rape and torture that were difficult to read. That's by no means the whole focus of the book but it is there so you should go in prepared for that. There are a lot of nasty male characters in this book that I just can't wait to receive their comeuppance but at the same time there are some strong male allies who don't like the way women are treated and there are a LOT of strong, fantastic women.
The three main stories we follow are of Ellin, a young woman who ends up being the first queen of her kingdom after a terrible accident kills her entire family. She has to deal with a plotting council who want to control her every move, including getting her married off to one of their members as quickly as possible. Then there is Alys, she's a 40 year old widowed mother of two and the daughter of a king but she was disinherited after her own mother was exiled to the Abbey. Alys' mother played a role in the curse that has changed the world and Alys has been given the impossible task of trying to undo it or watching her entire family pay for her mother's mistakes. Then finally we have Alys' daughter Jinnell, a young woman who is being used as a pawn by her uncle and who is trying to figure out a way to avoid marriage to a monster.
I'm not going to say anything about how these stories, and those of the women around them, play out but I will say that I really enjoyed watching them all learn to embrace their new abilities and starting to take control of their lives. The political intrigue was fascinating and I also really enjoyed seeing the women and decent men figure out what they were capable of when they chose to work together rather than against each other. There's a lot going on and I can't wait to read the next book to see how all their journeys continue.
Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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I know I'm not the only blogger who struggles to read all the books on their to read mountains, there are just so many amazing books out there and not enough hours in a day to actually read them all. Anyway, I want to continue highlighting a few that are on my radar but I haven't quite managed to get to yet.
I honestly have no excuse for not getting to the Great Library series sooner though, not only am I a huge Rachel Caine fan but this series is set in a library which is surely heaven for any bookworm? From what I've heard it's full of action and adventure and I even preordered the first book when it was published way back in 2015. So why haven't I read it yet? I think I'm possibly a little nervous that it won't live up to my expectations but thats just silly really. I'm going to have to try and prioritise this series and catch up with the first 4 books before Sword and Pen comes out in September!
Anyway, if you're unfamiliar with the series, or not completely up to date, I've included the blurbs and trailers for the first 4 books here. Please be aware that there may be spoilers in the trailers and blurbs for later books (I've tried very hard not to read or watch beyond the first one myself to avoid them!).
Ink and Bone:
Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.
Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.
When his friend inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn…
Paper and Fire:
Let the world burn.
With an iron fist, the Great Library controls the knowledge of the world, ruthlessly stamping out all rebellion and, in the name of the greater good, forbidding the personal ownership of books.
Jess Brightwell has survived his introduction to the sinister, seductive world of the Library, but serving in its army is nothing like he envisioned. His life and the lives of those he cares for have been altered forever. His best friend is lost, and Morgan, the girl he loves, is locked away in the Iron Tower, doomed to a life apart from everything she knows.
After embarking on a mission to save one of their own, Jess and his band of allies make one wrong move and suddenly find themselves hunted by the Library’s deadly automata and forced to flee Alexandria, all the way to London.
But Jess’s home isn’t safe anymore. The Welsh army is coming, London is burning, and soon, Jess must choose between his friends, his family, and the Library, which is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone in the search for ultimate control…
Ash and Quill:
Words can kill.
Hoarding all the knowledge of the world, the Great Library jealously guards its secrets. But now a group of rebels poses a dangerous threat to its tyranny…
Jess Brightwell and his band of exiles have fled London, only to find themselves imprisoned in Philadelphia, a city led by those who would rather burn books than submit. But Jess and his friends have a bargaining chip: the knowledge to build a machine that will break the Library’s rule.
Their time is running out. To survive, they’ll have to choose to live or die as one, to take the fight to their enemies—and to save the very soul of the Great Library…
Smoke and Iron:
To save the Great Library, the unforgettable characters from Ink and Bone, Paper and Fire, and Ash and Quill put themselves in danger in the next thrilling adventure in the New York Times bestselling series.
The opening moves of a deadly game have begun. Jess Brightwell has put himself in direct peril, with only his wits and skill to aid him in a game of cat and mouse with the Archivist Magister of the Great Library. With the world catching fire, and words printed on paper the spark that lights rebellion, it falls to smugglers, thieves, and scholars to save a library thousands of years in the making...if they can stay alive long enough to outwit their enemies.
Considering how late I am to this party I'm sure loads of you must have at least read the first book and I'd love to know what you think of this series!
Today I'm excited to be taking part in the blog tour to celebrate the release of Kingsbane by Claire Legrand, I've been looking forward to reading this book ever since I read Furyborn last year so I jumped at the part to join the tour. I have to apologise for not getting my review ready in time though, unfortunately I've had a tooth abscess & have been in too much pain to read properly so I'm running behind! I'll be posting my review as soon as possible but in the meantime I want to spotlight the book and I have a fab giveaway for you too!
First though lets talk about the book!
Book Info:
Title: Kingsbane
Author: Claire Legrand
ISBN: 9781492656654, Hardcover
Release Date: May 21st, 2019 (Kindle) June 1st, 2019 (Hardcover)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Summary:
The anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller Furyborn!
Two queens, separated by thousands of years, connected by secrets and lies, must continue their fight amid deadly plots and unthinkable betrayals that will test their strength--and their hearts.
Rielle Dardenne has been anointed Sun Queen, but her trials are far from over. The Gate keeping the angels at bay is falling. To repair it, Rielle must collect the seven hidden castings of the saints. Meanwhile, to help her prince and love Audric protect Celdaria, Rielle must spy on the angel Corien--but his promises of freedom and power may prove too tempting to resist.
Centuries later, Eliana Ferracora grapples with her new reality: She is the Sun Queen, humanity's long-awaited savior. But fear of corruption--fear of becoming another Rielle--keeps Eliana's power dangerous and unpredictable. Hunted by all, racing against time to save her dying friend Navi, Eliana must decide how to wear a crown she never wanted--by embracing her mother's power, or rejecting it forever.
The stunningly original, must-read fantasy of 2018 follows two fiercely independent young women, centuries apart, who hold the power to save their world...or doom it.
When assassins ambush her best friend, Rielle Dardenne risks everything to save him, exposing herself as one of a pair of prophesied queens: a queen of light, and a queen of blood. To prove she is the Sun Queen, Rielle must endure seven elemental magic trials. If she fails, she will be executed…unless the trials kill her first.
One thousand years later, the legend of Queen Rielle is a fairy tale to Eliana Ferracora. A bounty hunter for the Undying Empire, Eliana believes herself untouchable—until her mother vanishes. To find her, Eliana joins a rebel captain and discovers that the evil at the empire’s heart is more terrible than she ever imagined.
As Rielle and Eliana fight in a cosmic war that spans millennia, their stories intersect, and the shocking connections between them ultimately determine the fate of their world—and of each other.
“A page-turner. Readers will find the complex and flawed characters immensely relatable. The two narratives are deftly interwoven, and plot twists will keep teens on the edge of their seats.” —School Library Journal, popular pick
“A dark yet rousing adventure story that combines passion and danger at every turn.” —Booklist
“High stakes, epic scope, intense action, and sweeping mythologies.” —Kirkus
“Strikingly vivid prose… the nearly five hundred pages race by in stunning fashion. This is a must-have for fans of Marchetta’s Lumatere Chronicles (Finnikin of the Rock, or Cashore’s Graceling.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, STARRED Review
“Beautiful, brutal, heart-stopping, and epic, Furyborn is a world to lose yourself in—just bring weapons. It’s dangerous there.” —Laini Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of Strange the Dreamer and the Daughter of Smoke and Bone saga
“Legrand has created magic on every page. Flawed, smart, and fierce heroines kept me dazzled and breathless. Furyborn is explosive and stunning.” —Mary E. Pearson, New York Times bestselling author of The Remnant Chronicles and The Jenna Fox Chronicles
Blog Tour Giveaway:
I'm thrilled to be taking part in the UK blog tour to celebrate the release of Kingsbane and thanks to Midas PR and Sourcebooks I have one copy to give away to a lucky UK winner!
Giveaway terms & conditions:
This giveaway is open to UK residents only.
The giveaway closes on the 26th May 23:59 GMT
You can enter using the Rafflecopter form below and the winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter and contacted soon after the giveaway ends for their contact information.
You will have 48 hours to respond to my email or a new winner will be chosen.
The prize will be sent directly from my contact at Midas PR so by entering the giveaway you are giving me permission to share your contact details if you win.
Claire Legrand is the author of several novels for children and young adults, most notably The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, Some Kind of Happiness, and Winterspell. Claire lives in Princeton, New Jersey. Visit claire-legrand.com.
Detectives Ben and Chase Dawson have been sent to investigate an unusual murder at an exclusive resort owned by Julian Lodge. The prime suspect is a young woman who was the last person to see the victim alive. Julian wants them to ensure her safety while also conducting the investigation. The job seems simple enough, until Ben and Chase discover that the beautiful woman they have both come to desire has dark secrets.
Natalie Buchanan came to the Willow Fork Tranquility Spa seeking sanctuary after escaping the clutches of a twisted sadist. Working as a massage therapist at the resort has given her a chance to heal. It also offers her an opportunity to reconnect to the lifestyle she thought she would never be comfortable in again. But when one of her regular clients ends up dead on her table, Natalie fears that the monster she once escaped has come back to claim her.
As Natalie rediscovers her own power, all three will be forced to confront her past.
Review:
Ex Navy SEALs Chase and Ben are identical twins with such a close bond that they can literally feel each other's feelings and can pretty much read each other's minds. Now they're both working as private investigators and for their latest job they've been hired by Julian Lodge to investigate a murder at one of the resorts he owns. The prime suspect is a massage therapist who was the last person seen with the victim but Julian has very good reasons to believe in her innocence and he's tasked Chase and Ben with not only finding the real murderer but also with keeping her safe.
Natalie's parents have always been in a D/s relationship so she grew up in the lifestyle and she used to take great pleasure in submitting. She always expected to one day find her own permanent Dom and settle down but her life was almost destroyed when she was kidnapped by a sadist who tortured and abused her. She managed to escape her prison but mentally she's never recovered from the experience and it's turned something she used to take comfort in into something that she's now terrified of. When one of her clients is murdered it takes her straight back into that awful place but as events spiral out of her control she has to find the courage to face her darkest fears.
I think Siren Unleashed was probably the darkest book in the series so far, it touches on some really difficult subjects like kidnap, abuse, people trafficking, and even self-harm as Natalie struggles to cope with her past experiences. You might think that would take away from this being a romance but I thought Lexi Blake did a brilliant job of getting the balance right. These serious topics were handled sensitively and I really appreciated the emphasis on abuse being totally different from BDSM, the major keyword in any BDSM relationship is CONSENSUAL so kidnap does not come anywhere close to falling into that bracket.
Although this story did have it's darker moments it's mainly focused on facing your fears and from Natalie's point of view it's about reclaiming your life back. Chase and Ben both had their own issues that complicate things at times but I absolutely loved the bond between them, the way they were always there for each other and that even when they disagreed with each other they were willing to work together to get what they wanted. These two probably come very close to being my favourite guys in the series and trust me that's really saying something because there have been so many characters I've fallen head over heels for! I also really liked Natalie, she had so much inner strength and I enjoyed seeing her overcome her fears and take what she wanted for once. I've said many times before that I'm totally hooked on these rereleases of Lexi's Texas Sirens and Nights in Bliss series, previously published under the pen name Sophie Oak, and that definitely continues to be the case. I can't wait for more books in this world!
Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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Nearly a year later in the court of Harbeny, Lady Poppy and Sir Cyrenic must forge ahead without each other. Cyrenic adjusts to life after being released from the Sleepless Vow. And though Poppy has allies old and new, she buckles under the pressure to marry Lord Helder. The future looks bleak, but both Poppy and Cyrenic are fighters. Either they will claw their way out of the darkness, or take as many enemies with them as they can. This second volume of SLEEPLESS concludes the story of Poppy and Cyrenic.
Review:
This volume picks up Poppy and Cyrenic's story about a year on from where the previous one ended. Cyrenic has been asleep that whole time ever since Poppy released him from his vow while she has been stuck dealing with court politics and trying to prevent a forced marriage to Lord Helder. Now as her wedding draws near and Cyrenic finally wakes up everything is in the balance.
After really enjoying the first book in this series I had high hopes for the sequel so I hate to say it but I was kind of disappointed. Most of the things I loved about the first volume are still there, the diverse characters and the beautiful artwork are the same but the plotting felt kind of rushed. I didn't realise that this was the final volume and to be honest I think it needed just one more, it felt like the authors had to rush through everything to fit it into two books and if there had been three they would have had time to flesh out things like the court intrigue and especially the romance.
It wasn't that this book was bad, its just having seen what the author and artist accomplished with volume one I know they could have ended this series so much better.
Source: Received from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
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So what if he's a bit older and usually regards a human female as dinner, not a dinner date? Yes, Roman Draganesti is a vampire, but a vampire who lost one of his fangs sinking his teeth into something he shouldn't have. Now he has one night to find a dentist before his natural healing abilities close the wound, leaving him a lop–sided eater for all eternity.
Things aren't going well for Shanna Whelan either...After witnessing a gruesome murder by the Russian mafia, she's next on their hit list. And her career as a dentist appears to be on a downward spiral because she's afraid of blood. When Roman rescues her from an assassination attempt, she wonders if she's found the one man who can keep her alive. Though the attraction between them is immediate and hot, can Shanna conquer her fear of blood to fix Roman's fang? And if she does, what will prevent Roman from using his fangs on her...
Love at Stake Series: How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire Vamps and the City
A Very Vampy Christmas (Novella)
Be Still My Vampire Heart
The Undead Next Door
All I Want for Christmas Is a Vampire
Secret Life of a Vampire
Forbidden Nights with a Vampire
The Vampire and the Virgin
Eat Prey Love
Vampire Mine
Sexiest Vampire Alive
Wanted: Undead or Alive
Wild About You
Vampires Gone Wild (Novella V is for VampWoman)
The Vampire With the Dragon Tattoo
How to Seduce a Vampire (Without Really Trying)
Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire
Review:
So Roman isn't your typical suave and sophisticated vampire, in fact he's more of a geeky scientist, but since that's enabled him to create a synthetic blood that vampires can live off instead of munching on humans it's not really a bad thing. His life starts to get complicated when he bites into something he shouldn't have and accidentally pulls out one of his fangs. If he doesn't get it re-implanted before his vampire healing kicks in then he'll forever be known as a one-fanged-wonder and turned into a vampire laughing stock. It's time to find a dentist stat!
Shanna isn't your typical dentist considering she's now terrified at the sight of blood. She's currently living under witness protection after witnessing a brutal murder and agreeing to testify against the mafia but it looks like her new identity has been compromised and her life is now in danger. Luckily Roman turns up just in time to save her life but if she can't get over her fear of blood she's not going to be able to return the favour and rescue his fang.
How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire is the first book in Kerrelyn Sparks' Love at Stake series and what a great introduction to the world she's created. The story was full of humour and the incident where Roman lost his fang had me laughing out loud. It looks like this is going to be a very fun and light hearted paranormal romance series and I'm definitely looking forward to getting to know the other characters better, especially since a lot of them are highland warrior vampires.
I did have a couple of issues with the vampire harem and the way they were portrayed though, it's one of those series where women seem to see each other as competition and therefore the enemy and that's not something I'm a fan of. I'm hoping that is something that will change as the series continues though and I enjoyed the rest of the book enough that I'm willing to look past that and continue reading. I think things are about to get exciting now that the cat is out of the bag and the government are aware of the existence of vampires and it'll be interesting to see how both sides react to that news.
Source: Purchased
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Serena Brooks is a bestselling author of erotic fiction. She knows how to write a happy ending but hasn’t managed to find one of her own. Divorced and alone, she has no one to turn to when a stalker begins to threaten her life. The cops don’t believe her. Her ex-husband thinks she’s making the whole story up. She has no one left to turn to except a pair of hired bodyguards. They promise to guard her body, but no one can protect her heart.
Two men in search of love…
Adam Miles and Jacob Dean are halves of a whole. They’ve spent their entire adult lives searching for the one woman who can handle them both. Adam is the playful, indulgent lover, while Jacob is the possessive, loving Dom. When Serena comes into their lives, Adam is certain that she’s the one. But Jacob’s past comes back to haunt them all. He is suspicious of Serena’s story, and his concerns are driving a wedge between him and Adam. But when the stalker strikes, they will have to come together or lose each other forever…
Masters and Mercenaries Series: The Dom Who Loved Me The Men with the Golden Cuffs A Dom is Forever On Her Master's Secret Service Sanctum (Novella)
Love and Let Die
Unconditional (Novella)
Dungeon Royal
Dungeon Games (Novella)
A View to a Thrill
Cherished (Novella)
You Only Love Twice
Sweet Child O' Mine (Short Story)
Luscious (Novella) (Topped book 1)
Adored (Novella)
Master No
Just One Taste (Novella) (Topped book 2)
From Sanctum With Love
Devoted (Novella)
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not Enough
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Topped (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 2.5)
Perfectly Paired (Novella) (Topped book 3)
For His Eyes Only
Arranged (Novella)
Love Another Day
Master Bits and Mercenary Bites: Girls Night (Short Story Collection & Recipe Book) (Topped book 3.5)
At Your Service (Novella) (Topped book 4)
Nobody Does it Better
Close Cover (Part of the Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection)
Protected (Novella) Lost Hearts (Memento Mori) (Originally published as Memento Mori) (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 1) Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 2) Enchanted (Novella) Lost in You (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 3) Long Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 4)
No Love lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series book 5)
Masters and Mercenaries Crossover Collection:
Close Cover - Lexi Blake
Justify Me - J. Kenner
Say You Won't Let Go - Corinne Michaels
His to Protect - Carly Phillips
Rescuing Sadie - Susan Stoker Her Guardian Angel - Larissa Ione
Review:
We met Adam and Jacob in the first book of the Masters and Mercenaries series and I have to admit I couldn't wait to read their story so I was really excited it was the very next book! These two are just so much fun to spend time with and Serena is one lucky lady. I love that they're already a unit and know exactly what they want going in, they're closer than most brothers, have worked together for years and have always enjoyed sharing women. Although there's nothing romantic between the two of them they have such a strong bond and they want to find a woman willing to be with them both, someone who will help them build a family.
Serena is a popular erotic romance writer who loves writing BDSM and menage stories, she plays out her fantasies in her writing but although she's done a lot of research and has a very clear idea of what she wants she's never actually lived the lifestyle. In fact, her ex-husband divorced her when he found out about the type of books she'd been writing and she's been scared off of men by his reaction to her desires. Her life has been turned upside-down recently by a stalker, at first she thought it was an obsessive fan but their behaviour has become more and more threatening and it's now reached the point where her agent has decided to hire bodyguards for her. When Jacob and Adam are brought in to protect her they're both immediately attracted to her but Jacob has been burned before and is very wary of getting attached. Serena is equally gun-shy but Adam knows a good thing when he sees it and sets out to bring the three of them together.
I loved the way the romance develops between these three, they're playful together and have a lot of fun but it's obvious the connection goes far beyond just sex. Jacob and Adam are willing to play out all of Serena's deepest fantasies but they have no intention of letting her top from the bottom and they're going to push all of her boundaries too. There was a moment towards the end when there was a huge misunderstanding that the guys didn't handle too well but it was less jarring than the one in the first book and I thought the apologies and make up was handled much better too. I did find it fairly easy to guess who was behind the stalking incident but there were a few surprises that I didn't see coming and I loved that Serena fought for herself and didn't just sit around waiting to be rescued by her men.
I'm really enjoying this series and can't wait to carry on reading. I'm very excited for Ian's book but I also have high hopes for Eve and Alex too.
Source: Purchased
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