Tag: Adult (Page 44 of 63)

BOOK REVIEW: Crown of Darkness (Dark Court Rising #2) by Bec McMaster

BOOK REVIEW: Crown of Darkness (Dark Court Rising #2) by Bec McMasterCrown of Darkness (Dark Court Rising #2)
by Bec McMaster
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Thiago and Iskvien survived a dangerous curse, but will they survive the coming war?

Princess Iskvien made a dangerous bargain with an ancient goddess in order to break her mother’s curse. Now she must find the Crown of Shadows within a year, or the goddess will take her firstborn child.

Thiago—her heart and soul—stands at her side, but their love has never been tested like this.

Enemies surround them, but in the game of love and war, does her mother, Queen Adaia, hold the ultimate weapon up her sleeve? Or can their love defeat all?

True love will face the ultimate challenge when a dark goddess rises, secrets threaten to tear two lovers apart, and a queen will stop at nothing to gain revenge. Read this epic fantasy filled with magic and breathtaking romance today!

Warning: Cliffhanger ending.

Review:

This time, I’m not prey. This time, I’m the hunter.

Crown of Darkness was an exhilarating continuation of the Dark Court Rising Trilogy!  This story was filled with twists, love, friendship, sacrifice and so much heart. With heart pounding action and unfathomable peril, Crown of Darkness became an instant favorite!  If you love fantasy and adult romance then you definitely need this series in your life!

In this moment, he’s no longer merely my husband.
He’s the Prince of Evernight. The Lord of Whispers and Lies. The Master of Darkness. And the most dangerous male in the south.

Vi and Thiago’s love was forbidden, yet it was fated and written in the stars.  And while they were now together, there was still no peace or rest.  Vi was tasked with finding a crown or their first born child was to be given to Mother of the Night.  And while that was impossible enough, war was brewing.  With so much at play, I was terrified.  Especially since three chapters in, we got Andraste’s view.  My feelings were twisted and confused when it came to her, and after following along with her part of the journey my head was left spinning.  Just like so many other moments in this serious did to me. So hold on, because this book was a wild ride!

I cut him off with a kiss, painting it across his lips.
“You were my salvation,” I whisper against his mouth, because I know what my life was like before I met him.

I loved seeing Vi and Thiago finally together. We got to learn more about Thiago’s childhood and his secrets.  And that broke my heart.  But I loved that throughout the chaos and struggles, Vi and Thiago got to spend beautiful moments together. Creating new memories. And ones that burned brightly with passion. With Vi now in his life, Thiago could hold off not destroying the world with his darkness, and that always left me breathless. But at the same time I was nervous, because it felt like their fate was tainted. Or too much was against them and I didn’t know how it would play out.

“Nothing will take you away from me again. Not your mother. Not Angharad’s fetch. Not the Mother of Fucking Night. I will drown this world in Darkness before I ever let you go again.”

The twists in this story were phenomenal! As more pieces of the puzzle came together, I was left gasping and surrounded by so much emotion.  Looking back, for some of the twists I could see those tiny crumbs of clues, but my mind was still blown.  For others I was absolutely shocked.  It made complete sense, I just never thought that the story would play out that way. This book will definitely keep you on your toes! So much was revealed, but also so much is unknown. And I had so much fun reading this story!

They will all die for him and give their lives gladly, and my mother doesn’t understand that.

Friendships within these pages added the much needed lightness to this story. I loved how they could make us laugh, even during times of peril. I loved their antics with one another and how much it made me smile. They were a true found family and one that I adore with my whole heart. Vi, Thiago, Eris, Finn, Baylor and more were the heart of this story and their friendships warmed my heart!

We are all capable of becoming monsters for the ones we love, little queen. Even you.”
“I am no monster.”
“If you want to destroy your mother, then you must become the thing she fears,” she says in a merciless voice.

With dire consequences, impossible choices and help from unlikely sources this book ended with a bang! Crown of Darkness was a dark, mesmerizing, epic fantasy! And while I rarely agree with others that a book ends on a cliffhanger, this book…..oh my heart! It ended on the most epic of cliffhangers. I’m so glad the final book is out or else I’d be a puddle of emotions.  So make sure you have Curse of Darkness available, because you’ll desperately need it! This story elicited so much emotion from me, I cried three different times and at one point I thought my heart would literally shatter into a billion pieces. But with friendships and love within these pages, it rounded out the hardships so fabulously!

Tears stream down my face, but it’s the rage in my heart that can’t be hidden. I always thought my mother had taken everything she could from me.
But I was wrong.
“I will kill her.”

PS I loved the Princess Bride references!

PPS I loved the addition of a new character!

Reading Order:


Review #1:
Jen’s Review

Review #1.5:
Jen’s Review

Review #2:
Jen’s Review

Review #3:
Jen’s Review

BOOK REVIEW: Seduced by Darkness (Dark Court Rising #1.5) by Bec McMaster

BOOK REVIEW: Seduced by Darkness (Dark Court Rising #1.5) by Bec McMasterSeduced by Darkness (Dark Court Rising #1.5)
by Bec McMaster
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

*Spoilers for Promise of Darkness*

He fell in love with the woman of his dreams, but he never realized what that love would cost him.

When a dark prince attends the Lammastide rites, he lays eyes on his fated mate.

The problem?

She’s his enemy’s daughter.

A novella in the Dark Court Rising series from Thiago's POV featuring the first time he met Princess Iskvien.

Review:

*Spoilers for Promise of Darkness*

This is so, so dangerous.
And I don’t care. I want it all.

Seduced by Darkness was a mesmerizing look into the past.  The story took place thirteen years before Promise of Darkness, so you don’t want to read this book first.  In this story, we learned so much that was unknown.  I loved watching how Vi and Thiago’s story unfolded.  Watching them meet, learning to trust one another and fall in love was magical and all consuming.  And there were so many unique aspects within the pages.  I loved that we got to alternate between Vi and Thiago.  Getting to hear his voice was exhilarating and everything I could have wanted!  We also got to see little pieces from the future take place within the past, I was screaming with excitement for how certain things played out!  And while this book and the first were both seductive and sexy, their moments together went further and we got to read all of the fabulous details when Thiago and Vi were together.  It was extremely scorching hot *fans face*.

“Do I have a choice?” I can’t help being on the offensive; he’s just a little too overwhelming.
“You always have a choice.” Taking my hand he lifts it to his lips. “Me? Not so. Fate took me by the heart five centuries ago and tattooed you there on my soul.” 

From when they first met, there was an instant pull.  Yes it was one of attraction.  But it also ran so much deeper.  So seeing Vi realize that Thiago was so much more than what the stories and lies said about him was smile inducing.  Her discovering the honesty and honor within Thiago warmed my heart.  But there was also friendship in the pages that made my heart skip a happy beat.  Finn, oh my goodness he was beyond fabulous.  Finn and Vi together made me laugh and I can’t wait to see how their friendship unfolds as this series goes along!  But this book also showed us a darker side.  We got a clear picture of how horrific Vi’s mother was, and not only the lengths she would go to but the atrocities she committed.  It was terrifying and left me uneasy and nervous for what will happen next.  And Etan?!  I was just left staring at the pages when it came to him, you’ll have to see what I’m talking about.  So yes, I definitely recommend reading this book! Seduced by Darkness is a definite must read if you loved Promise of Darkness!  The insights you gain were invaluable and watching Vi and Thiago’s love bloom was heartwarming

It doesn’t matter if she’s the daughter of my enemy. It doesn’t matter if we barely know each other. We have this and it burns between us. A promise of more. A promise of forever if only I am brave enough to reach out and take it.

Reading Order:


Review #1:
Jen’s Review

Review #1.5:
Jen’s Review

Review #2:
Jen’s Review

Review #3:
Jen’s Review

BOOK REVIEW: Beauty and the Baller (Strangers in Love #1) by Ilsa Madden-Mills

BOOK REVIEW: Beauty and the Baller  (Strangers in Love #1) by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Beauty and the Baller was such a wonderful story! Check out my 4.5 Star Review below, enjoy ♥!

BOOK REVIEW: Beauty and the Baller  (Strangers in Love #1) by Ilsa Madden-MillsBeauty and the Baller (Strangers in Love #1)
by Ilsa Madden-Mills
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

An NFL quarterback turned small-town coach gets sacked by a Texas beauty queen in this swoony, passionate romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills.

Gorgeous, talented, and brilliant, NFL quarterback Ronan Smith has the world in his hands. But after losing his career and his fiancée in a car accident, he falls into a pit of grief and bad choices. When a mysterious girl shows up to his party, he feels drawn to her and makes her his…for one night.

Former beauty queen Nova Morgan is on a mission. Scantily clad as a princess from a galaxy far, far away, she sneaks into a high-profile party to capture the attention of her favorite quarterback. But her hopes crash after an awful one-night stand.

Fast-forward two years. Broke and desperate, Nova returns home to Blue Belle, Texas, where, by a cosmic twist of fate, her broody neighbor is none other than Ronan, the shiny new football coach everyone adores. But he has no idea who she is.

The booster club keeps shoving women at Ronan to keep him in town. His solution? He proposes fake dating to Nova. But things heat up for real under these Friday-night lights when he realizes she’s the one who slipped away.

Has this jaded beauty found her forever baller, or will his past keep them apart?

Review:

I want to touch the stars, even if I get burned.

Beauty and the Baller was a sexy, swoony, angsty read!  With a spunky cat, a lovable heroine and a sexy hero, this book was a lot of fun.  Add in fake dating, small town charm and a wonderful HEA and this book was such a beautiful love story.  If you like sexy, adult romance then you definitely need to check this one out!

“I like seeing you squirm,” she murmurs.
“Why?”
“Payback.” A slow blush works up from her neck to her face as she mutters something under her  breath.
“What was that?”
She clears her throat. “Just . . . life has a funny sense of humor.”

Ronan Smith had a tragic past.  His fiancé was killed in the car wreck that also killed his professional football career.  While still struggling a year later, Ronan found himself having a one night stand with someone he actually felt a connection to.  Too bad for Ronan, Nova Morgan saw it as a horrible and left before he woke up.  I just want to say I screamed noooooo out loud over something that went down, so I got why Nova bailed afterwards….you’ll see lol.  Two years later, fate had them both living in the same small town, neighbors and unable to escape one another at every turn.

I’m Ronan Smith and . . . I pause as clarity runs through my head. I want my life back, no matter what that may be.
Closing my eyes, I touch the ring around my neck.
Today is when everything changes.

Ronan was in Blue Belle Texas coaching their high school football team.  With the small town scared that they could lose their coach, they went to unimaginable lengths to keep him.  Especially their attempts to set him up with every single female.  So when Nova re-entered his life, he didn’t remember her.  He just knew that she wanted nothing to do with him, unlike everyone else.  So when he proposed that they fake date, to solve both of their problems, I was so happy when she said yes!  Yes Ronan had some growing to do, but I absolutely loved him.  Jaded characters always sneak so easily into my heart.  And when Ronan started to show us little bits of himself, I just knew he was so much more than meets the eye.

“Everything will be fine. We’re different flowers from the same garden, but we’re perfect together. Mama always said so.”

Nova was completely unique.  She was someone who knew what she wanted and went after it, like dressing up in the past as a Star Wars character to win over Ronan for their one night stand.  She loved telling us about the outfits she was wearing.  She had so much sass.  But her life completely flipped upside down when she gained custody of her high school aged sister, since her mother passed away.  While trying her best to raise Sabine, Nova definitely had her hands full.  This story was an emotional journey for Nova too, and Ronan helped play a big part of that.  But Nova had no problems pushing Ronan’s buttons.  And telling him when he was being a jerk, I actually clapped out loud in one scene lol.

I literally have no idea what I’ve gotten myself into. On the outside, I’m cool, but on the inside, I’m quivering with uncertainty.

The way the fake dating played out was so much fun!  The touching.  The kissing.  Showing the town that they were together.  And time and again they crossed that line of what was real and what was fake.  Because Ronan and Nova definitely wanted to rip each other’s clothes off.  The passion between them was so intense.  And when things did develop between them, it was extremely sexy and hot!  But Ronan was terrified to feel and he didn’t want to love.  His past still haunted him.  Except when he was around Nova, it was impossible not to feel.  And for Nova, each time Ronan showed a true piece of himself to her, it was hard to keep him away from her heart.  It didn’t matter that they didn’t want anything to happen, there was no stopping it!

My head tells me to keep the walls up around us, but the other side of me—my stupid, weak heart—clamors to tell him things.

This story was rounded out so well with some fabulous side characters.  I’m looking at you Skeeter, Sabine and Sonia!  And I loved the feel of the small town charm that was laced throughout this story.  Plus not only did Nova and Ronan’s love story cause me to laugh so much, but I even shed a tear.  Beauty and the Baller was a wonderful, adult romance that many will fall hard for!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

About Ilsa Madden-Mills:

Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She’s addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

Amazon I Instagram I Mailing List I Goodreads I Bookbub I Book+Main I Website

Join her Unicorn Girls Group on FB, the best way to keep up here.

Sign up for phone alert for book releases (max of 4) Text ROMANCE to 21000
*Text message rates apply*

BOOK REVIEW: Tough Justice (K-9 Special Ops #1) by Tee O’Fallon

BOOK REVIEW: Tough Justice (K-9 Special Ops #1) by Tee O’FallonTough Justice (K-9 Special Ops #1)
by Tee O'Fallon
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

It should have been a routine investigation. Instead, DEA K-9 agent Adam “Deck” Decker watches in horror as one Denver hospital seems to be Ground Zero for overdoses of a new drug. Now Deck can only hope a certain icy, green-eyed ER doctor will help him and his canine partner track down the deadly source.

Dr. Tori Sampson has her reasons for not trusting federal agents, especially ones working for the DEA. But the rash of overdoses―including a heartbreaking case involving a teen―is alarmingly high. And the new opioid is not only extremely dangerous, it defies all the usual medical treatments. So Tori has a choice: work with the big, brawny, and annoyingly hot DEA agent…or watch more innocent people die.

Tori’s the only person who can help Deck break the case, and they’ll need to trust each other, no matter how high the tension and attraction sizzling between them runs. But with every question answered, they realize there’s something more behind these typical teen overdoses. There’s a pattern here, and a pattern can only suggest one thing. There’s a killer on the loose.

Review:

With an enemies to lovers vibe and action that will keep you on the edge of your seat, Tough Justice became an instant favorite!  The story line grabbed me, the characters leaped from the pages and this book was a page turner.  If you’re a fan of adult romance or romantic suspense, then you need this story in your life!

Annoying though it was to admit, since meeting him, she’d done more things outside her box than in her entire life, and she was, dare she say, enjoying it. Why was that?

I don’t typically read romantic suspense, but I’m so glad I picked this one up because the story was phenomenal, the romance was a slow burn that became steamy and it made me feel every emotion under the sun!  Victoria Sampson, aka Tori, was a doctor in a hospital that became ground zero for overdoses of a new drug in Colorado.  Adam Decker, aka Deck, was a DEA K-9 agent who watched his co-worker and good friend almost die from that same drug while on a routine drug investigation.  Teaming up was the only way they were going to solve the case and save others from dying.

“Be careful ,” Tori said, freezing him in his seat for half a second. He could swear there was genuine concern in her voice, and he liked it.
“Always.” He grabbed his rifle and was out the door, hitting the fob button to release Thor.

My first impression of Tori was that while she was passionate about her job, she seemed to have no problem being cold or short to Deck in the ER.  Regardless though, she was brilliant, calm, wicked smart and saved his friend from dying.  So I was shocked when it didn’t take me long to warm up and absolutely love Tori.  I got her anger towards Deck.  It wasn’t truly him, but her past was tainted by the DEA.  Ironically, they both didn’t trust the other ones profession.  And it fueled their enemies to lovers relationship beautifully!

“Don’t you get it?” he asked hoarsely. “I care about what happens to you. I couldn’t take it if anything did.”
Gently, he kissed her one last time on the forehead then backed away. The expression on her face mimicked the way he felt. Shell shocked.

Deck was sigh worthy.  He was thoughtful, quick witted, patient, smart and had such a huge heart.  Even if his presence could be intimidating, just watching him interact with his K9 Thor melted me.  And Thor, a Belgian Malinois, oh I loved him so much!  Thor’s personality shined so brightly and I loved seeing how he reacted to things!  But when it came to Deck, there was also this whole other side of him.  His backstory was tragic and it hurt to hear how haunted and jaded he was.  Deck was definitely a tortured hero I fell hard for!

Whatever this was between them, she didn’t want it to end.

Deck and Tori despised each other’s fields of work, but they couldn’t ignore the attraction that simmered between them.  Watching their slow progression was smile inducing!  And the further we got into this story….it was hot *fans face*!  Tough Justice was the perfect mixture of sexy, emotional and suspenseful.  Because as the story unfolded, the emotions overwhelmed me.  This story could be dark and intense.  My breath got snagged and I was terrified anytime I thought Deck or even Thor was in danger.  I cried.  Multiple times.  I screamed out loud.  And I also fell deeply in love too.

She’d been given a ringside seat to what being part of his life would entail, and she was too much of a coward, even to hold on to something she so desperately wanted. Him.

Tough Justice was an action packed, emotional ride!  I loved watching the pieces of the puzzle come together.  I loved watching Deck and Tori grow.  I loved the romance, friendship, and the dogs too!  This book was such a huge win!  I will definitely be reading the rest of O’Fallon’s back list and whatever future books she releases!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: Lucky Leap Day by Ann Marie Walker

BOOK REVIEW: Lucky Leap Day by Ann Marie WalkerLucky Leap Day by Ann Marie Walker
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Up-and-coming screenwriter Cara Kennedy has the biggest meeting of her career in two days―but for now, she's on vacation. Her short trip to Ireland is all planned out:

1. See the sites around Dublin
2. Don't think about her jerk of an ex she was supposed to spend this trip with
3. Relax with some Irish whiskey
4. Propose to a sexy Irish musician on Leap Day
5. Wake up married

Wait, those last two things weren't on her list...

A whirlwind trip to Ireland is supposed to end with a suitcase full of wool sweaters and souvenir pint glasses―not a husband you only just met!

After one-too-many whiskeys, fledgling screenwriter Cara Kennedy takes a page out of someone else's script when she gets caught up in the Irish tradition of women proposing on Leap Day. She wakes the next morning with a hot guy in her bed and a tin foil ring on her finger. Her flight is in four hours, and she has the most important meeting of her career in exactly two days―nothing she can do except take her new husband (and his adorable dog) back to LA with her and try to untangle the mess she's made of her life...

Perfect for fans of:

Friends to lovers romance
Sexy Irish brogue
Sensual, slow burn romance
When everything goes wrong, but it's so right

Review:

Lucky Leap Day was an adorable story that was low on the angst and lots of fun!  It was so easy to fly through and the characters were charming.  If you’re in need of a quick, lighthearted read, then definitely check out this book!

“It’s just… we don’t really know all that much about each other, do we?” It was the understatement of the century. Cara didn’t even know the most basic facts about Finn.
He chuckled. “Enough to want to get married.”

This story whisked us away to Ireland and then California.  Cara was traveling to Ireland alone.  She was supposed to go with her ex, but after they broke up she thought why not and braved the trip solo.  It ended up leading her to meet Finn, who seemed to be a jack of all trades.  But after a drunken night together, Cara woke up in Finn’s bed, with both of them wearing tin foil wedding rings.

“You’re a right feek,” Finn said.
Cara froze because that one she knew from one of the websites she’d read before her trip. Gorgeous girl. But it wasn’t the compliment that stopped her in her tracks. It was the way Finn said it. Like she was the only woman who mattered in the world.

 Cara and Finn were both so likeable!  Finn was not only a sweetheart, but he was charming too.  And Cara had such a huge heart and an adventurous spirit.  Together they instantly had sparks and I loved where fate led them. If you’re a fan of forced proximity and the one bed trope, this played out so fabulously. Of course I was rooting for their happily ever after!   On top of Cara and Finn, there were side characters that were memorable and an exuberant dog too ♥.

“Besides, it’s not like I married you because of your career.” He winked. “I just needed a mother for Oscar.”
At the sound of his name, the dog lifted his head from where he’d been sleeping on the couch and gave a small bark.
“See, he agrees.”
“Glad he approves,” Cara said as they shared a laugh.

 Lucky Leap Day was smile inducing and oh so cute.  I devoured this book in two sittings and it left a smile on my face.  Plus the epilogue?! It was absolutely delightful and unique, I’ve never read one quite like it.  This was my first book by Ann Marie Walker and when I’m wanting a sweet, lighthearted read I’ll definitely be checking out her other books!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

 

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