Friends! Happy Friday. I hope you are safe and well.
I’ve learned some things this week. Mainly, I need to write my thoughts better after finishing a book. Apparently, I cannot accurately retain my thoughts, even after a few days. Ugh.
Also! I’m still in a slump. Cue the whimpering. I’ve found some books that I adored and read through with excitement. Others had potential but didn’t get there for me.
I had a reader write in saying basically the same thing. Since I’m looking for something similar to what was requested, I will focus on that for the theme next week.ย ย
I also got a significant distraction from RH this week. I play the app Romance Club, and they had a release this week. So #sorrynotsorry, I spent a TON of time reading those books. I highly recommend this app if you like to choose your own adventure/romance books.ย ย
I digress.ย
Not as many RH books for me this week; how did you all do?
Be well, and ha
As always, all descriptions and images are from Amazon. ย Aa an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.
Be well, and happy reading!
Paigeย
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P.S. As soon as I hit publish, I opened my kindle and realized I’d forgotten a book! So it’s actually 7 books. ย
Three Powerfully Alluring Vampire Men
And One Queen to Rule Them All
All Mina ever wanted was to escape her father’s control. Half human, half vampire, she lived eternally torn between two worlds, never fully experiencing the pleasures of eitherโuntil her father chose her as the pawn in his latest political move, gifting her to the darkly powerful and dangerously seductive Malachi Zion.
Malachi is not a vampire to be trifled with. He rules with an iron fist and has a reputation for the darkest of sins. But the longer Mina spends with him, the more she realizes he’s not the monster she first thoughtโand as fear bleeds into lust, then trust, then something more, Malachi opens Mina up to a world she never knew could be hers for the taking: including the love of Malachi’s two closest friends and companions.
Now surrounded by all three men, the center of their shockingly seductive world, Mina may finally have the power to face down her father and take back the lifeโand crownโthat by all rights should be hers.
LONG LIVE THE QUEEN.
Author Note: For all tropes, tags, and CWs, please check the author’s website. Court of the Vampire Queen is the compilation of the Bloodline Vampires trilogy (Sacrifice, Heir, and Queen).
Paige's Perspective
Progress: 57% -DNF
Prospect: This edition contains books 1-3. I stopped during book 2, I believe.
Positives: I liked the premise.ย ย ย
Problems: FMC felt superfluous to me. She even says she isn't the one that holds the group together. I like my RH with the FMC being the key.
A motorcycle riding Irishman, a bad boy rock star, and an ex-boyfriend I might still have feelings for…
You wouldn’t think they’d have much in common, but they do.
They’re all students at Magic Blessed Academy, the school I’m forced to attend after I manifest insane magical powers out of nowhere.
Oh, and they all seem to hate me.
If I was smart, Iโd keep my head down and ignore all three of these too-sexy-for-their-own-good dicks until I can graduate and get the hell out of here.
But when weโre all chosen to compete in the Godsโ Challenge, a deadly competition for the honor of meeting the gods themselves, teaming up with these tempting, infuriating men may be my only chance at survival.
Now the only question is: will we kill each other or f#ck each other first?
Gift of the Godsย is a full-length reverse harem romance with an ass-kicking heroine, sexy as hell men, enough steam to light your e-reader on fire, and plenty of snark.
Paige's Perspective
Progress: 17%
Prospect: Currently Reading. I plan to finish, but it is too early to tell.
Positives: I'm dithering. I like the idea, but I had also included this in a friends-to-lovers list. I'm starting to feel like it doesn't belong there...
Problems: I don't love the FMC. But I don't think I'm supposed to at this point. She's had a hard life and is dealing with it as best she can. She's pushing people away, but I'm sensing her growth and healing will be a part of this book.ย
Itโd been three years since my world ended in more ways than one.
Not only had I found my best friend in bed with my boyfriend, but I ran out of the house, straight into the freaking zombie apocalypse.
To escape becoming a walking corpse, I teamed up with the two who had betrayed me the most, and we fought our way to my parentsโ off-grid ranch.
I did whatever I could to avoid my exes from hell, which was much easier said than done. All that mattered was staying safe in our bubble, but it was both a sanctuary and a prison.
That is, until two confident, protective strangers swooped in to save our lives. They warned us of an approaching swarm of the undead, then swept us away to a shelter called the Oasis.
We were safer than ever before, and I managed to get space away from the betrayers. It didnโt hurt that I was cozied up in a treehouse with three sexy men while an undead horde decimated everything in its path as it passed through.
With my family safe and sound in another treehouse, I felt lighter than I had since the world turned upside down. Just in time for those three men to make me feel things Iโd never felt before.
It took two betrayals and the end of the world, but maybe my love life wasnโt as rotten as Iโd thought.
My Rotten Love Life is a zombie apocalypse whychoose novel with a HEA. It contains mature subject matter that may not be suitable for all readers.
Paige's Perspective
Progress: Finished
Prospect: Standalone
Positives: Zombies!!!! I love me some zombies. I want more of this world. So many little dangly bits (pun totally intended) appeared. I want to know so much more! There are so many ways the author can go, and I hope this becomes a universe with more books.
Problems: There were two characters I could have done without, not sure they were necessary. IMO there was enough mystery/angst without them.ย ย
P.S.ย Why aren't there more zombie books? I know I'm not the only one here that loves zombies! I want to crowd fund some zombie RH, lol.ย
A ghost begs an inept witch to do a love spell. The surprising part? It works.
Cassandra missed the family witch geneโor so she thinks. One of the few in her line who canโt do a spell right to save her life, sheโs content running the New Age shop in her small mountain town.
Then, a man comes in, begging her for help. He claims her legacy is just getting started, and after he dies in front of her, his ghost gives her one task: To cast a love spell.
She doesn’t expect it to work. She definitely doesn’t expect it to bring her not one man, but three, all prepared to solve a dead guy’s mystery.
What could go wrong? What could go right? Find out in this low-heat, witchy Why Choose book today!
Paige's Perspective
Progress: Finished
Prospect: Looks like a standalone novella
Positives: Fast, fun read. ย I enjoyed it immensely.ย
Problems: Gimme more!!! ๐ย
P.S.ย This isn't on KU, but it was worth the money (imo).
The fae should have remained forgotten.
For five hundred years, the fae have ruled our worldโtheir courts twisted by a deal made with the glamour itself before it died. Theyโd kept to themselves, seeking the safety of shadows that protected them from the realm theyโd left behind.
Everyone knew to fear the fae, with or without the glamour that had bought them their power over us.
Even meโand I turned out to be one of them.
Sixteen gold coins was the price the fae paid for me on my eighteenth birthday. Sixteen gold coins to steal my life, and not for the first time.
Twice now the fae have paid for me. The first, for my silence. The second, for my strength.
My life was misery, but at least it was mine. From the moment the three gorgeous, golden-haired fae appear on my doorstep, thereโs no chance of returning to the life I once knew. Not when the entire realm, fae and human alike, will soon be out for my blood.
Because I, Aurra of the Eastern Court, am not a human.
Iโm not even just a fae.
Iโm a changeling, a child of the fae switched at birth by a second mother who didnโt want me.
A mother who wears a crown now destined for my head.
Heir apparent of this human realm, I was born to wear the crown now held captive by an imposter. I have no choice but to seek out my destiny because the alternativeโฆ
The alternative is death.
Thereโs no hiding from the fae, but more than that, thereโs no hiding from the glamour.
Not when itโs coming back with a vengeance that threatens to consume us all.
The Court The Fae Forgot is the first of a dark new fantasy romance series with multiple love interests. The entire series is set to release between November 2022 and January 2023โฆso prepare to be fully immersed in faerie as the glamour, at long last, returns.
Paige's Perspective
Progress:ย Finished
Prospect: started book 2; seeย The Heir the Fae Forgot
Positives: I really enjoyed this book. I liked the mystery and the clues the author left for us.ย ย
ย Problems: I can't remember. See book two. ๐
P.S.ย ย I need to do better about writing my thoughts. I started book two right after I finished, so most of my thoughts will be in that section.ย
A stolen crown awaitsโฆif she can live long enough to claim it.
The Lord of the Wildness has finally gotten what he wants. He has Aurra in his grasp, and heโs going to do everything he can to keep her there.
She was warned not to trust Icarusโto fear him, evenโbut heโs the only fae willing to give her answers. Sheโs not afraid of him, but his powers are another thing entirely.
Shiel was right about that, at least.
The dark court is a place of mystery as much as it is danger, but at least it doesnโt try to hide what it is. The same canโt be said of the fae who rescued her.
Shiel lied to her. He spoke of a duty to the kingdom, but the only master he serves is himself. Heโs one of the fae lords out to use her for his own gain, a ruthless warrior willing to do anything to secure the safety of his own court. She might be able to forgive him if he was willing to admit it. Maybe.
She made the mistake of trusting him once. She wonโt make that mistake again.
Not with him. Not with anyone.
Sheโs survived worse than what this new world and its glamour can throw at her. These are courts of traitors, and if sheโs going to survive amidst them, sheโs going to have to be a traitor, too.
Even if that starts with betraying her own heart, the part of her these fae seem most determined to break first.
The Heir The Fae Forgot is the second book in A Court of Thieves and Traitors, a slow burn (but extra spicy) dark enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance series with multiple love interests, hidden powers, handsome dark-haired villains โฆ and most importantly, a FMC determined not to let anything stand in the way of destiny.
This series will be rapid releasing monthly between November 2022-March 2023.
Paige's Perspective
Progress: Finished
Prospect: I may be bitter, I may be picky. ย Chances are that I won't continue the series.
Positives: ย I was enjoying this series. ย Sure, there were things that weren't quite making sense. ย But overall I was liking it and feeling like I was finally out of my slump.
Problems: It was not to be!!! The FMC had a lot ofย aha moments. ย But either my reading comprehension has totally disappeared, or the author didn't set it up so that the reader would have theย aha moment too. ย The FMC realized things that just seemed to come from nowhere. ย Seriously, I don't know how she came to her conclusions. ย And let's not talk about a lack of communication. ย One of my most hated tropes. ย BUT the thing that got me to stop is definitely a spoiler. ย So click at your own risk.ย
If I'm going to go down the line of a fated mate trope, she should get all the mates. Or there should be a damn good reason why not. End rant.
P.S.ย If I am reading the spoiler wrong and you do recommend this series, please write in and let me know!ย
I thought Wolf Lake was just a name. I should have known better.Taking over my Grandmotherโs Tea & Book Shop is a dream come true โ until I start to hear rumors about the mysterious consulting service she was offering before her death. Consulting services people expect me to take over.
Made worse by the journal she left me, claiming that not only did she turn into a wolf when the mood took her, but that I will, too.
Crazy, right?
Only, the deeper I dig, the more the little voice inside my head says itโs not. And it has opinions of its own.
Namely, about three hot guys who are taking more than a little interest in me.
When I get into a wreck, fireman Blade comes to my rescue, and it seems like he wants to stick around.
Local artist Glenn takes my breath away the first time I meet him โ for all the wrong reasons.
And hot handyman Hunter has taken a disliking to me, but I canโt keep my eyes off himโฆand the feeling seems to be mutual.
The little voice inside me is saying weโre linked, all of us, but that canโt be right, can it?
As tension grows between me and the three guys, weโre about to have bigger problems. My grandmotherโs journal spoke of a shadowy danger threatening the town, and now a kidโs gone missing.
And something tells me Iโm going to need my guys to survive the threat to Wolf Lake.
Wolfโs Awakening is the first book in the slow burn Shadow Moon Shifters romance series, where the heroine gets her guys.
Paige's Perspective
Progress:ย 87%
Prospect: I hope to finish, setting aside for now.
Positives: Interesting concept; I liked the overarching mystery.
Problems: FMC was TSTL at times. Harem sucks; they could have handled it all differently. Get it together, guys!
P.S.ย This hit me in the feels. Lots of talks about dementia, this one hit to close to home for me. It was tough for me to read.ย