ARC Review - A Game of Malice and Greed by Susanne Valentin and Caroline Peckham

 Thank you so much Susanne Valentin and Caroline Peckham for sending me this ARC!

Title: A Game of Malice and Greed 

Author: Susanne Valentin and Caroline Peckham

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: A Game of Malice and Greed (book #1) 

Pages: 861

Synopsis:

A twisted heart, a hollow soul.
A broken warrior, lost gods of old.
A thief of shadows, blessed with light,
A single lie which stole their might.

A princess to win, in a brutal game.
A great empire falling to a monster’s claim.
A forbidden love, a curse untold.
The last immortal trapped in a coin of gold.

Review & thoughts:

A Game of Malice and Greed is the first book in a new Fantasy Romance series from our favorite Twisted Sisters (if you haven’t read any books from these authors trust me, you need to!) and while I’ve been a big fan of their books for a while, I think it is their best work yet! In true Twisted Sisters fashion this book is almost 800 pages long but there is so much happening I flew through it in one day and wow, what a ride it was! I already can’t wait for the second book and I won’t be mad if it’s even longer, there’s just something about Caroline and Susanne’s books that you never want to stop reading them, they are always amazing!

In A Game of Malice and Greed we have 4 POVs: Drake, one of the Forty Thieves; Cassius, a royal guard sentenced to death due to mistake; Austyn, a princess who is supposed to marry, but has other plans; and Kyra, a magical being with unimaginable power locked in a coin and forced to fulfill the wishes of her master. 

I went into this book not knowing much about it and I had so much fun I recommend doing the same to everyone. It is a retelling of Aladdin and Rapunzel, which were always among my favorites tales, and I loved seeing all the references to those tales, it was fun trying to spot all the little clues that were connected to them. I thought there would be a bit more romance, but the plot was so fascinating and fast paced I didn’t even think much about it and with how much we learned about the world building and the characters, I have a feeling there’s going to be more of it in the next books. Speaking of characters, I loved every single one of our core four, they were all very fleshed out, none of them was perfect which made them relatable and they all grew so much in this book, I can’t wait to read more about them. 

A Game of Malice and Greed is an amazing Fantasy Romance book and I recommend it to everyone who enjoys this genre. This book has it all: amazing characters and their relationships, interesting world with fascinating magic, fast paced plot that had me on the edge of my seat and of course, like always with Twisted Sisters book, a mind-blowing cliffhanger that left me speechless. The next book can’t come soon enough!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

ARC Review - Of Love & Forge by Carly Spade

 Thank you so much Carly Spade for sending me this ARC!

Title: Of Love & Forge

Author: Carly Spade

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Beyond Contemporary Mythos (book #1) 

Pages: 397

Synopsis:

*The god of the forge…*

Life was good in the Neosphere District. I’d made a name for myself as a renowned supernatural bounty hunter, holding the record for most harpies slayed. But the best part about living in the future? Avoiding the other Olympian gods. Banishing a guy from Olympus because he was “imperfect” tends to make one hold a grudge. Go figure. And no other god possessed the means to time travel. But I did. Thanks to the portal hopping device I forged.

Yup. Life. Was. Grand.

Until a bounty popped up on a certain love goddess. Aphrodite and I had been friends since we were wee gods. I’d be lying to myself if I never thought our “innocent” flirting banter were real on occasion—kidding myself if I said I never wanted things to go beyond platonic. Hence, why I recently kept my distance. For my own sanity. So, of course, I made the grave mistake of taking the godsdamned bounty.


*The goddess of love…*

Since reconciling with my son Eros, after centuries of bad mojo, I’d decided it was time to clean up my act. Ride the straight and narrow. My companion service, Sans Solo, became just the ticket I needed. And it allowed me to use my powers in disguise in modern California under the name Vena Milo.

With the aid of my best friends, and fellow goddesses, the Graces, we ran a legitimate business. All was right in the world.

Until the volcano god showed up. Hephaistos. Heph—a lifelong friend who never failed to confuse me mind, body, and soul. Especially when he showed up with a magical pair of handcuffs. His audacity pissed me off, but the mere sight of him, the smell of him, made my stomach flutter. That…I couldn’t deny. And when Heph's plan goes to Tartarus things got even dicier and we became...the hunted.

Review & thoughts:

I loved Carly Spade's Contemporary Mythos series and was really excited for this first book in her new Beyond a Contemporary Mythos series and OMG it definitely didn’t disappoint, this book is amazing! Of Love and Forge is the story of Aphrodite and Hephaistos and I loved their beautiful friends to lovers romance, these two have been pining for each other literally for centuries and it was so satisfying to see them finally admit their feelings. I also really enjoyed the setting of this story, the action mostly takes place in year 2104 and I don’t want to spoil anything but the world building was very fascinating and unique, hope we will get to see even more of it in the next books. And I was so happy we got to see some of my favorite characters from Contemporary Mythos series, I missed them! I really loved this story, Aphrodite and Hephaistos were incredible and I already can’t wait for the next books in this series.

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

ARC Review - Moonlight & Fire by Ashlyn Lance

 Thank you so much Ashlyn Lance for sending me this ARC!

Title: Moonlight & Fire

Author: Ashlyn Lance

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: The Fallen Princess (book #1) 

Pages: 296

Synopsis:

There is salvation beyond the darkness. If only you’ll reach out and take it…

With Evenar on the edge of starvation, prophecies are the last hope for a kingdom in ruin. Their unwilling princess, Lunielle, is forced to uphold their demands, sending her on a journey that reveals the darkness that dwells beyond her world.
With the weight of her people’s survival on her shoulders, the princess encounters Aurion, a man with his own secrets to unravel. Working together to save their homes, they soon discover an inexplicable romantic pull that changes destiny and their lives forever.
But when a powerful lord of a mysterious realms falls for the ethereal princess and demands her hand be bound to his, she must decide—her people’s future or her own?

Review & thoughts:

Moonlight and Fire is the first book in a Fantasy Romance series about Princess Lunielle, who must go on a quest to another world to save her country and people. While it took me a while to get into this book, after a few chapters I became engrossed in the plot and Lunielle’s journey. In the beginning she was a bit naive, sheltered princess, but I liked how she grew in this book, she gained more confidence and decided to fight to save her world. The romance was a little too insta love for me, but I think there’s going to be a love triangle and I’m curious about how it will pan out. The world building was really interesting and the plot was pretty fast-paced which made finish the book in a few hours. The writing style was very descriptive and gave a fairytale-like feeling. I really enjoyed Moonlight and Fire, it is a good debut novel and I will definitely continue reading about Lunielle and other characters in the next book. If you like fantasy romance books with interesting world building and great character growth, you should give this book a try.

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

ARC Review - Marked for Grace by K. C. Harper

 Thank you so much K. C. Harper for sending me this ARC!

Title: Marked for Grace

Author: K. C. Harper

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Series: The Marked (book #1) 

Pages: 350

Synopsis:

What if the dead hunted you?

As an untrained soul seer, Grace Crawford has not a damn clue what they want. But she's about to find out.
After she finds a mark on the dead that kills the living, her quest to stop whoever unleashed it hones in on the half-demon Gideon. She’s got her eye on him, and he’s got his on her too—every inch of her.
As the mark haunts humanity’s steps and the death tolls climb, Grace realizes she’s in way over her head. But the lines between good and evil are blurred and figuring out who to trust is hard as hell seeing as God is capable of wrath and Satan was once an angel.

Review & thoughts:

Marked for Grace is the first book in a Paranormal Romance series and if you like this genre you should definitely give this book a try, it’s amazing! 

For a few years now Grace has had the ability to see the souls, but she can’t explain why or what it means. When someone catches her using her ability, Grace is thrown into a world of half-angels and half-demons and the war they wage against each other. Not knowing exactly who and what she is, Grace has to quickly figure it out before more people die from a mysterious illness that may be connected to a mark only she seems to be able to see. 

I really liked all the characters in this book, both main characters and the supporting ones were very well written and each had their unique personality that made it easy to love them. Grace was really strong and the way she reacted to the news of there being supernatural creatures was understandable and relatable, she was a great FMC. I liked the romance, despite the love triangle that I’m usually not a big fan of, I had a preference since the beginning and loved all the scenes between that couple, I already can’t wait for the next book because I have a feeling I’m going to be even more happy with the romance there. Amazing characters and romance aside, the plot was really engaging, the idea of half-angels and half-demons was written in a unique and interesting way and I hope it will be even more explored in the sequel. 

I really enjoyed Marked for Grace, it is an interesting paranormal romance with great world building, interesting characters and fast-paced plot that kept me on the edge of my seat. Can’t wait for book 2!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

ARC Review - What Lurks Between the Fates by Harper L. Woods

 Thank you so much Harper L. Woods for sending me this ARC!

Title: What Lurks Between the Fates

Author: Harper L. Woods

Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance

Series: Of Flesh & Bone (book #3) 

Pages: 455

Synopsis:

Once, I’d chosen my mate instead of freedom.

For weeks, we retraced our steps back to Mistfell and the lingering shadow of the Veil at the boundary between realms. Traveling through the kingdom, I denied the evidence in front of me, unable to fathom that I wasn’t the lost princess of Faerie. Instead, it is Fallon who must fear the consequences of her heritage. Which leaves me with a single, unanswered question.

Then, I awoke, caged high above the throne of the Queen of Air & Darkness.

Mab is the Queen who keeps all of Alfheimr held squirming within her clawed grasp. She uses the children of Faerie to sustain the magic granted to her by the cursed gem atop her crown, which has carved her from the girl she once was into a dark vessel, obsessed with power. She thrives on cruelty, and wields our love as an instrument for pain.

Now, I’ll play the games of the Fae.

I’m a curiosity, my presence an enigma that was never foreseen. I may not be Mab’s daughter, yet she still keeps me close, as she forges me into a weapon against humans and Fae alike. Mab may not own me yet, but she controls the life of the man I love. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to see him freed.

Even if I have to become the villain to do it.

Review & thoughts:

What Lurks Between the Fates is the third book in a Dark Fantasy Romance series and easily my favorite one so far! Book 1 was good, book 2 even better, but this third part of Estella and Caldris’s story was simply incredible.

What Lurks Between the Fates begins right where book 2 ended and there is so much happening since the very beginning. We learn so many new things and while some questions I had since the first book were finally answered, I still can’t wait for the next book to learn more. I loved Estrella in this book, she is a whole different person from who she was at the beginning of book 1 and I love how strong and badass she is here. She and Caldris are perfect for each other and I love their romance and all their scenes together. We also get a new setting here with most of the action happening at Mab’s court and since I always enjoy Fae court drama and politics, it was one of my favorite parts of the book. There is so much happening here and so many new characters introduced, I was not bored for a single moment and read this book in one siting, I was engrossed in the story since the first page.

What Lurks Between the Fates is an amazing continuation to Estella and Caldris’s story that I loved and I already can’t wait for the next book, that cliffhanger left me speechless! The next book can’t come soon enough.

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

ARC Review - A Kingdom of Venom and Vows by Holly Renee

 Thank you so much Holly Renee for sending me this ARC!

Title: A Kingdom of Venom and Vows

Author: Holly Renee

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Stars and Shadows (book #3) 

Pages: 314

Synopsis:

I entered into a bargain—choosing my mate over my freedom. 

But I underestimated the crowned prince who took me. His touch like venom. His vengeance lethal. 

He craves a power I no longer hold, and he’ll sacrifice every part of me until he gets it. 

But I don’t belong to him. I belong to his brother. 

His brother who will come for me, consequences be damned. 

My fate is entangled between two princes—one who craves my power, the other who covets me—and I have more to lose than I ever imagined. 

War rages in a game between queens, and I have become their pawn. But I will fight for my life, for my mate, and he will raze kingdoms to get me back.

Review & thoughts:

A Kingdom of Venom and Vows is the third book in Stars and Shadows series and the perfect conclusion to Evren and Adara’s story. It picks up right where book 2 ended and we get so much action, plot twists and romance I couldn’t put this book down for even a second. I loved Evren and Adara since the first book and it was amazing to see them grow both individually and as a couple through this series, they have such a beautiful and loving relationship (and so spicy too!), I loved all their scenes together and hope we will get to see them again in some of Holly’s future books because I already miss them. Despite so much happening (not saying much about it because I don’t want to spoil anything), I really liked that we got so many sweet and funny moments both between Adara and Evren and with their friends, I really like Thalia and Sorin and hope they will get their own book someday. I really enjoyed A Kingdom of Venom and Vows and this whole series, if you like Adult Fantasy Romance books with amazing characters and beautiful romance with many spicy scenes, definitely give this one a try! I loved it and already can’t wait to read more from this author.

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

ARC Review - The Coven by Harper L. Woods

 Thank you so much Harper L. Woods for sending me this ARC!

Title: The Coven

Author: Harper L. Woods

Genre: Dark Paranormal Romance

Series: Coven of Bones (book #1) 

Pages: 302

Synopsis:

Revenge.

Raised to be my father’s weapon against the Coven that took away his sister and his birthright, I would do anything to protect my younger brother from suffering the same fate. My duty forces me to the secret town of Crystal Hollow and the prestigious Hollow’s Grove University—where the best and brightest of my kind learn to practice their magic free from human judgment.

There are no whispered words here. No condemnation for the blood that flows through my veins. The only animosity I face comes from the beautiful and infuriating Headmaster, Alaric Grayson Thorne, a man who despises me just as much as I loathe him and everything he stands for.

But that doesn’t mean secrets don’t threaten to tear the school in two. No one talks about the bloody massacre that forced it to close decades prior, only the opportunity it can afford to those fortunate enough to attend.

Because for the first time in fifty years, the Coven will open its wards to the Thirteen.

Thirteen promising students destined to change the world.

If the ghosts of Hollow’s Groves’ victims don’t kill them first.

Review & thoughts:

The Coven is a Dark Paranormal Romance book in a completely new series by Harper L. Woods and if I was to describe how I feel about it in one word it would be OBSESSED! I loved this author’s other books but The Coven is just a whole new level of amazing and my new favorite book of hers. 

I don’t want to say a lot about the plot because of spoilers, but our main character, Willow, is a witch living in hiding and due to circumstances she is forced to attend a school for witches where our MMC, Alaric Thorne aka Grey, is a headmaster. 

In the beginning of the book there is a note from the author saying that the MMC is more of a villain than a morally grey character and I must agree - he is manipulative, remorseless and sometimes cruel, but that didn’t stop me from rooting for him, he is so well written and I just loved his character. 

I got caught up in this incredible story from the moment I opened the book till the very end, there is non stop action since page 1 and I read the whole book in one sitting because I simply couldn’t put it down. I loved the romance, there was a connection between Willow and Grey since their first meeting and it was a true enemies to lovers romance, they truly hated each other at first and I couldn’t wait until they both gave in to their attraction. 

For a moment I kind of guessed what the big plot twist would be about but I dismissed it as too crazy to be true but then it turned out I was right and I literally screamed, that ending was so insane I still can’t wrap my head around everything that happened. And that cliffhanger? It’s just pure evil and I both love and hate the author for it (just kidding, I love this author and that it’s only a few months of waiting, but still, waiting for August is going to be torture). 

I loved The Coven, it’s an amazing book and I recommend it to all Dark Paranormal/Fantasy Romance lovers. Can’t wait for book 2!

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5