Sanctuary of the Shadow is book one in the Elemental Emergence series by Aurora Ascher.
I saw the pretty stenciled edges and read the synopsis then imSanctuary of the Shadow is book one in the Elemental Emergence series by Aurora Ascher.
I saw the pretty stenciled edges and read the synopsis then immediately pre-ordered. I also read one really good review that made me think this is an amazing book, but I should have read more reviews. The book was just ok. Nothing special!
It’s instalove with very little world building. The relationship between Raith and Harrow has very little chemistry.
Raith wakes up in the desert and doesn't know who he is. He’s sold to the Circles and imprisoned. Harrow stumbles upon him and is determined to save him. Raith said maybe 40 words at most and then they are on the run and spending a steamy week together, before things take a turn. This isn’t a romance, it's more erotica, but not marked as such. The reason I say erotica is because of the nature of the romance. The two leads do not talk to each other. They feel a primal, inexplicable attraction and then proceed to have a lot of sex.
Both characters read as teenagers, but they are much much older. Harrow is about 60 years old and Raith is older, but I never figured out how much.
The world building was not flushed out or explained well. We have the war of the Queens, the magic system, the underground, the circus, and Mal’s past and inevitable future. All needed more explaining.
As for the novel I expected more circus time since it was marketed that way, but we spend 5 chapters there and that’s it.
Sanctuary of Shadow wasn’t what I was expecting. I was looking forward to the circus, magic, and a deeper romance, but in the end it was weak and meh read for me. If the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won’t for you.
Bewitching Bedlam is book one in the Bewitching Bedlam series by Yasmine Galenorn.
I grabbed this as a freebie to try. I’ve had my eye on this series Bewitching Bedlam is book one in the Bewitching Bedlam series by Yasmine Galenorn.
I grabbed this as a freebie to try. I’ve had my eye on this series and Ms. Galenorm for a while. I was going into this story thinking I was getting a fun B&B storyline with a cast of magic characters to enjoy; unfortunately this novel didn’t live up to what I had hoped. We do get a cast of magical characters, but it wasn’t a fun B&B storyline. Their where things I liked and things I didn’t, but it just didn’t grab me enough to have me continue the series.
To start I’m not sure if I’m missing reading books before this one or a series I should have read before Bewitching Bedlam, but it feels like I missed something. The first chapter/introduction starts with Maudlin and Aegis having sex. I’ve got no issues with sex in my books, but to jump into that when we don’t know the characters or what’s up. Ah! Then to add to my issue we jump back in time a little bit and then we come back to the present. Can you see how this might be shocking and confusing. I sure didn’t care for the beginning.
Now let’s move onto the character and world building. We don’t get enough character building for any of the characters. Nor is there any world building. We do learn about Maudlin’s past and that she is very powerful and feared by a lot of supernaturals.
Then we have the romance. I wasn’t feeling the romance between Maudlin, our witch, and Aegis, our vampire. It just felt off and I think that had to do with Maudlin being a hunter aka vampire killer in her past.
The mystery was interesting and intriguing. We’re lead in one direction and then it takes us into another direction. I like miss directions and not having it be obvious what’s going on.
I also really liked the djinn cat. He was a lot of fun and added humor.
As for the ending. I had major issues with this. Maudlin has a confrontation with five evil bad vampires and instead of saving herself she has to be saved by her boyfriend. This didn’t jive with me. Especially when we learn about her past and know that she’s powerful.
All and all Bewitching Bedlam wasn’t for me and I won’t be reading on. If the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won’t for you.
Bear’s Midlife Baby is book two in the Shifter Nation: Fated Over Forty by Meg Ripley
The story is ok. Nothing special nor does it stand out. We spend Bear’s Midlife Baby is book two in the Shifter Nation: Fated Over Forty by Meg Ripley
The story is ok. Nothing special nor does it stand out. We spend too much time with each individual lead instead of them as a couple and then we have a few time jumps. It focuses on the leads getting their business started instead of them spending anytime together. The basic synopsis was interesting, but it lacked any depth or character development. I also didn’t understand why Chase would accept help from a rival clan instead of his own clan. This plot-line didn’t make sense. Everything felt rushed, no character development, no background development and the conflict is eh. I didn’t mind the read, but it’s nothing to rave about. I will not be reading on in the sereis.
Bear’s Midlife Midwife is book one in the Shifter Nation: Fated Over Forty by Meg Ripley
The story is ok. Nothing special nor does it stand out. EverytBear’s Midlife Midwife is book one in the Shifter Nation: Fated Over Forty by Meg Ripley
The story is ok. Nothing special nor does it stand out. Everything is so fast and instant. Its instant attraction/lust turned into love and fated mates. The basic synopsis was interesting, but it lacked any depth or character development. The relationship is rushed. The conflict is eh and the background is non-excitant. I didn’t mind the read, but it’s nothing to rave about.
Dragon’s Captive is book one in the Her Royal Dragon Pack series by Alex Lidell.
This was a hard one to read and get into. It features a master/servantDragon’s Captive is book one in the Her Royal Dragon Pack series by Alex Lidell.
This was a hard one to read and get into. It features a master/servant theme. We have slavery and abuse.
Know one is nice to our lead heroine, Kit. She’s mistreated and sold over and over. Everyone is a jerk and no one is nice to Kit at any point and yet, she ends up feeling things for these four dragons who bought her; even though she isn’t the one who will be their bride.
No world building. No character building. Lots of erotic reverse harem.
It just didn’t care for Dragon’s Captive. It had so many cringe worthy moments that bothered me. I did finish it, but will never return.
The Magic of Discovery is book one in the Emerald Lakes Series by Britt Andrews. This is an Erotic Reverse Harem.
I need some time to digest this firsThe Magic of Discovery is book one in the Emerald Lakes Series by Britt Andrews. This is an Erotic Reverse Harem.
I need some time to digest this first book. It had a few different things going on which took the story into multiple directions. We have a mystery, a prophecy, and lots of different sexual dynamics like MM, MFM, BDSM and more. I’m unsure on how I feel about the sexual dynamics in this story. I will say the scenes are Hot and get the blood pumping.
I was into the story at the beginning; especially with the mystery and then the prophecy, but when the sexual dynamics kicked in I was thrown. The first scene was with MM and I enjoy that from time to time, but it felt off and forced and didn’t feel like it had a purpose in the story. Then the other sexy scenes also felt off. I’m not sure what the author wanted, but it came off as the bratty chick who no longer wants to be the good girl and disregards personal boundaries along with dominant and submissive men.
Overall it felt juvenile and predictable. At the time of reading I was looking for a good reverse heroin, but this one started off ok and then got weird. I didn’t like how our lead heroine turned into a brat and that the story ends on a cliffhanger.
The Magic of Discovery was not the book for me. If the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won’t for you.
Storm is book one in the Elite Rogue Alien Warriors series by Hattie Jacks.
This is my first taste of Jacks and I wasn’t impressed. It features primalStorm is book one in the Elite Rogue Alien Warriors series by Hattie Jacks.
This is my first taste of Jacks and I wasn’t impressed. It features primal play. The story writing was a bit boring and I was confused on the plot and world building. I did enjoy the sexy winged aliens.
As for the Hero and Heroine they both have issues that made me not fall for them nor did I hate them. They just were. The Hero declares his love one after another and it's way too much. Then the word prey is over used in the dialogue. Last, the H&H relationship just didn’t feel healthy.
After reading a few reviews it turns out this is a spin-off sereis. Had I known this I would have started with the first sereis and then I'd have some context.
I am curious about the world and the liberation they just had. I also enjoyed the nesting aspect. Their were things I didn’t like, but also things I found enjoyable. We will see if I continue with this author and sereis.
Fans of primal play and sexy aliens with wings might enjoy this. Turns out Storm was not the book for me. If the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won’t for you.
The characters are flat. The aliens revere women, but right at the beginning, the women are duped into a wedding ceremony. The duping is from the humaThe characters are flat. The aliens revere women, but right at the beginning, the women are duped into a wedding ceremony. The duping is from the human side, but still at this point the humans do not understand the aliens; because they haven’t received the translator technology. itsIt’s predictable in places. The sex scenes are decent to start and then they kind of fall flat. I am undecided if I will try another book in the series or not.
Feral Blood is book two in the Bound to the Fae series by Eva Chase.
We pick up after book one and not ** Read as part of the Wolves of Summer box set.
Feral Blood is book two in the Bound to the Fae series by Eva Chase.
We pick up after book one and not a lot happens. Things just move along and basically the first part is a summary of the main events in Captive of Wolves.
With the plot we get multiple conflicts with barely any tension. We have the Fae war, the issue with Talia’s previous captures, and then her relationship with the Fae men who rescued her.
Things just move slowly like they drag on or it felt that way to me. As for the conflicts when they do solve things it feels too easily done. We also have lots of time jumps that felt awkward. Last, Talia losses her virginity in this one.
As for the romance it’s blaze-a. The sex scenes feel steamy, but also didn’t feel real. I was wondering on some of the positions and how that could work out. The sexy times are very limited and I really wanted more. Last, I’m still not feeling any chemistry. Talia is just too young for me to feel that the relationships will work.
The one thing I do find interesting is; what is Talia? Everyone says human, but her blood helps them and she can do magic. That’s something I’m curious about, but not enough to continue reading.
Captive of Wolves is book one in the Bound to the Fae series by Eva Chase.
It’s written in different PO** Read as part of the Wolves of Summer box set.
Captive of Wolves is book one in the Bound to the Fae series by Eva Chase.
It’s written in different POV’s and is a reverse harem.
The series follows one girl or should I say a young women who was kidnapped as a young teenager and spends the next nine years in captivate being abused, beaten, starved, and having her blood stollen all so the Fae, who can change into wolves, don’t go crazy one night each month.
I like the concept of Fae who are werewolves. This is new to me in the paranormal genre. I haven’t read this type of supernatural before.
Captive of Wolves, is a slow and a bit hard to read at times; because of the abuse and emotions. Then we have a very young heroine who is starting to come into her own. Her mindset is between a child and adolescence and maybe into adulthood so, having her have sexual rations with older men (immortals) didn’t work for me. It felt off. I’m also not a fan of young heroine’s.
As for the Fae men, our heroine is rescued by four of them, but not all of them like humans. About 80% of the book is spent with our heroine having moments with each guy and not all are good moments. One wants her gone, another is in the middle on his feelings, and the last two want to sleep with her.
The end is when our plot finally kicks in with some fighting, blood drinking, and then the guys talking about sharing her.
This book felt too much like Stockholm Syndrome. Then the guys talking about sharing her made it sound like she’s a toy. Our heroine is a virgin and has had no experience with relationships, interactions with others, etc... I also felt no chemistry between the characters except maybe with August one of the Fae men. Last, I started this thinking it would be a three book series, but it turns out to be nine books. I can’t see this series going that long.
I’m confused. The whole book is confusing. No world building. I was lost throughout the novel trying to understand what is going on and where the storI’m confused. The whole book is confusing. No world building. I was lost throughout the novel trying to understand what is going on and where the story was going. The author referenced events that previously happened. I felt like I missed a book. So much happened before this novel and this is book one in the series. I just don’t know how to feel. This was a hard read. It had so interesting things, but begging confused and not understanding the world took away from my enjoyment.
This was rushed. I enjoy a quick read, but this was to quick. Our hero was nice then he treated our heroine poorly, but he can’t stay away; because heThis was rushed. I enjoy a quick read, but this was to quick. Our hero was nice then he treated our heroine poorly, but he can’t stay away; because he’s attracted to her. She falls on first site. Then we get some conflict, but the author goes on a writing tangent and it’s all ok.
What about the twin sister? That never gets answered, but she mentioned in the epilogue which takes place a year later.
The Naga's Pet is book two in the Naga's of Protheka series by Celeste King.
This book started out goo** Trigger Warnings **
Non-Consensual, Orgy, Rape
The Naga's Pet is book two in the Naga's of Protheka series by Celeste King.
This book started out good. I enjoyed our hero’s family and found myself getting emotionally invested; because of how accepting and nurturing the family are. Our hero was thoughtful and caring despite the horrible life our heroine has lived.
Then around the 70% the plot takes a very alarming turn. That in and of its self isn’t bad, but this situation was momentous and the author just completely swept it under the rug once our main couple got back together. This plot twist wasn’t addressed and left hanging. The other thing that bothered me was after our hero fights for our heroine, his injuries aren’t dealt with; even though they are severe our couple jumps into bed, but how can they if he was bleeding so badly. Last, there were some issues with the writing.
Spoiler Below About Plot Twist
(view spoiler)[The plot development came out of left field. It’s brutal, smacked you in the face, shocked, and doesn't get addressed. The Naga King decides that he can solve the birth issue with his people by rounding up the human women, buying them and using them as breeding stock. These women have already been used, abused, and brutalized by the Orcs and Dark Elves and now we have the Naga King letting his nobles and soldiers use these women as sex slaves, not mates. These women are so disengaged and traumatized. It's hard to read about this twist and I didn’t see this coming. We’re shown the ugly truth of the Naga people and the author lets it go with no resolution. (hide spoiler)]
The plot twist killed my interest in the Naga's of Protheka series. The Naga's Pet started out good, but ended up not being the book for me. If the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won’t for you.
Cursed Witch is book four in the Creatures of the Otherworld series by Brogan Thomas. It is a stand-alone Urban Fantasy read, so you do not have to reCursed Witch is book four in the Creatures of the Otherworld series by Brogan Thomas. It is a stand-alone Urban Fantasy read, so you do not have to read the series in order to read this one.
I had read a fun excerpt for this story which made me look at this book and read the blurb, so I figured I'd give it a go; especially since its in KU. It had potential, but soon became bogged down with issues and repetitiveness.
Our heroine, Tuesday, irritated me quickly. She's a Manager or was of a Retail Store, with lots of people working for her, and she's a problem solver extraordinaire. Dear god none of that came across. She can't manage her life. She lets her mother walk all over her. Verbal and emotional abuse from the mom, so in her personal life she runs and wallows. She acted like a teenager, stumbling and muddling through. She self doubts herself at every turn and when the obvious is in her face, she doesn't ask the questions or solve the problems. And, since this novel is about her discovering her true potential; well she just killed this novel.
I did enjoy her dragonete friend. Very adorable.
Cursed Witch was not the book for me. If the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won’t for you. I'm not sure if I'll try any of the other stories in this series. We will see.
Wolf Rejected is book one in the Aurelia’s Pack of Misfits series by Avery Song.
Look at that cover. It’s intense and what drew me to pick up this noveWolf Rejected is book one in the Aurelia’s Pack of Misfits series by Avery Song.
Look at that cover. It’s intense and what drew me to pick up this novel. Unfortunately this story was all over the place and I’m conflicted on how to feel about it. I found some aspects interesting and then others that were just bizarre.
Our lead Aurelia is a hybrid, witch and wolf, yet we don’t see the wolf aspect. The author focus on the witch stuff and only brings the wolf in now and then, but we don’t get much. I was disappointed in this. I wanted a better blend of the two natures. As for Aurelia she’s weak and doesn’t show any growth or improvement. She lets everyone manipulate her and doesn’t do anything to change the situation. Theirs a lot of emotional abuse, self hatred, and copious amounts of pill use to try and make herself better, but all it’s doing is making sure she doesn’t meet the issues head on and hides away from it all. It was so frustrating! I wanted to like her, but she never changed. Same pattern over and over even though she realizes that she’s in a cage.
When we start Aurelia is 8-years-old then it jumps 2 years and then 8 years more. It was odd how the story starts and progress. It was all over the place and didn’t make sense. I also couldn’t get behind any of the romances. Theirs just not enough explanation on anything, not enough character growth, and really it was so all over the place and didn’t make sense.
Wolf Rejected was not the book for me. If the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won’t for you.
The Price of Possession is book one in the Pizza Shop Exorcist series by Dakota Brown.
This was my first taste of Brown. I liked the concept of a Punk The Price of Possession is book one in the Pizza Shop Exorcist series by Dakota Brown.
This was my first taste of Brown. I liked the concept of a Punk Rock Pizza shop owner getting dragged back into the occult and wiping the floor of demons. I found that interesting, but the book soon turned, meh.
To start Chris, our heroine, has a complicated relationship with Darius the X Best Friend and a past that made her give up being an Exorcist, but when Darius waltz’s back into her life and says; ‘I need help’, she shrugs and says; ‘ok’. This should have been a difficult decision for her to make.
The plot was lacking in many areas and we’re given the same information over and over again. Especially with Chris reflecting on her dedication to the Punk Rock look. Also it’s got very little character and plot growth.
This is a reverse harem romance and the relationship’s are fast and instant. I felt there should have been more sexual tension between Chris’s guys; the Vampire, the Incubus, the Demon Prince, and the Nephilim. Everyone was just so chill about the relationship’s. The first kiss scene is with the Vampire and it was HOT, but after that the sexy times with any of the guys felt mechanical and it became repetitive and boring. The romance’s feel into the pitfall of the men instantly in love with our heroine without any explanation as to why they are in-love.
I really want to like this one, but The Price of Possession was not the book for me. If the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won’t for you.
Perfectly Wicked is book three and the final book in the Magical Bureau of Investigation Series by Albany Walker.
Ah!! Again nothing happens. The mystePerfectly Wicked is book three and the final book in the Magical Bureau of Investigation Series by Albany Walker.
Ah!! Again nothing happens. The mysteries and emotional drama dwindled to nothing.
The series started out with a cozy mystery with the reverse harem being secondary to the plot, but the plot and reverse harem went nowhere. The guys all say “sorry” and that’s that. Everything is forgiven from book 1 to book 3.
The author mentions things from everyones pasts in this installment and Remy’s lack of magic, but she never goes into detail. Its thrown out there and then left.
In the end I never connected to the characters or the plot. It was lackluster and never felt complete. We have the mystery solved and the everyone back together, but it was all just too eh.
Perfectly Wicked was not the book for me. If the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won’t for you.
Creeping it Real is book two in the Magical Bureau of Investigation Series by Albany Walker.
Unfortunately nothing changes from book 1 to book 2.
The rCreeping it Real is book two in the Magical Bureau of Investigation Series by Albany Walker.
Unfortunately nothing changes from book 1 to book 2.
The reverse harem couple still don’t sit down and have a deep conversation like they need too. When they do talk it boils down too the guys picking each other instead of her, yet they keep saying how precious she is and how much they love her yada yada, but in the end they never showed her that she is first, that she is precious, and that they would choose her. If I was her I’d close the door and forget them all.
The MBI case Frankie is working on is ok. It helps that Percy (Frankie’s familiar) has a running commentary that keeps the story flowing.
Creeping it Real in the end was not the book for me. If the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won’t for you.
Homecoming Homicide is book one in the Magical Bureau of Investigation by Albany Walker.
This is a new to me author and I'm not sure what I was expectHomecoming Homicide is book one in the Magical Bureau of Investigation by Albany Walker.
This is a new to me author and I'm not sure what I was expected from this reverse harem. With the series titled Magical Bureau of Investigation I think I was expecting more of a mystery with the romance coming into play in some way.
Frankie is an MBI agent and her father, who is the Police Chief, needs her help back home. She’s avoided going home for years, but returns to help him out.
I liked that each character has their own type of unique gift. I also enjoyed the MBI aspect and Frankie's familiar.
What I didn’t care for was the reunion; between our lead Frankie and her three guys. Frankie was blindsided, kidnapped, isolated, and not given any space to do her job. The guys are bullies in different ways and give her half ass explanations on why they never made things right sooner. To top it off they expected her to drop the life she’s building and just pick up where things left off way back when. Now, I’ve read stuff were this has happened before and it's worked, but this time around it just didn't sit right with me.
Not much happens in the investigation department. It's lacking in that area. Also, the story and resolution are not complete in this novel and you will have to pick up the next book to find out were things go and if the characters will reconcile.
Homecoming Homicide was not the book for me. If the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won’t for you.
The cover is lovely and the blurb is intriguing, but nothing captured me about this story. It was bland and the characters are bland. I wasn’t won oveThe cover is lovely and the blurb is intriguing, but nothing captured me about this story. It was bland and the characters are bland. I wasn’t won over. It’s a quick read. I was hoping for more of a blend with the werewolf pack and MC vibe. Their was promise but it was meh for me.
Angela (Angel's Book Nook)
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