Tag: kindle unlimited

Mini Reviews | Court of the Sea Fae Trilogy by. C.N. Crawford

Court of the Sea Fae Trilogy by. C.N. Crawford

My Rating for the whole series: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Title: Dark King ; Fallen King ; Rising Queen

Author: C.N. Crawford

Format: eBook (borrowed – KU)

Pages: Book #1 – 296 ; Book #2 – 272 ; Book #3 – 308

Catergories: Mythology, Urban Fantasy, Romance

A snarky fae, a sexy king, and forbidden desire deep as the sea. The first book in a three-book series.

Once, I was a fae princess with sea-magic at my fingertips. Now? I’m a hunted supernatural in a squalid shop, stripped of my power. My only comforts are stale cookies, Elvis records, and my hula-hoop. Until a lethally sexy fae king arrives and rips even those away. 

After the brutal king throws me in prison, I strike a bargain with him: my freedom in exchange for helping him find a magic blade. What Lyr doesn’t know is that the blade might restore my stolen magic. 

But as we journey, the gorgeous jerk is starting to make me feel things I’ve never felt. When Lyr touches me, desire ignites. I see raging passion in his eyes, too. If I give in, I risk losing my chance at reclaiming my power. Even worse… I could be forfeiting my life.

I started this series so I could make use of my Kindle Unlimited membership and I needed a light, quick urban fantasy read. I read this whole series in two days, that’s how quick it was. This is the first book I read from this author duo and this is how it went:

Dark King – Book #1: should be called Dark Queen because it introduces us to Aenor who is a thief struggling to survive in the street with her human Gina. Aenor once was a Morgan sea fae set to inherit a kingdom but those dreams are dashed when her home is destroyed. This means Aenor has great powers and Now all she has on her mind is revenge, to take down the being that destroyed her world, but who did it?

My Thoughts:

  • I don’t read a lot about the sea fae so I liked that I got to learn about sea creatures from mythology. Another thing is that Aenor is from the kingdom of Ys. I only heard about that legend in another book so seeing it here in depth was pretty cool!
  • Lyr, the demi-god is of course a hot alpha fae and there is an attraction between them but…what is up with his friends? 🙄 Anyway Lyr needs Aenor to find something and he seems into her…but is he really?
  • Aenor as a character is ballsy, can kick ass, hates men (because her mom was this crazy Queen who killed her husband and wore the blood stained dress for ages and told Aenor to never trust men – okay…lol 😳). Aenor is soft when it comes to her human Gina and also she is a defender of abused women – she kills dangerous men.
  • It’s a quick read, pure escapism, with hot gorgeous fae.

Life in a fae castle should be pretty sweet. Except, my lover wants to take my magic from me, and I made a deal with the devil. Literally. 

Salem is the light-bringer, gorgeous as sin and just as evil. Some call him Lucifer. What do I call him? Whatever he tells me to, because he’s cast a mind-control spell over me. He hates me, but I have a plan. I’ll lead him to a sorcerer who can kill him. 

But as I journey with the fallen god, I see him watching me, wanting me. And it’s mutual. Turns out fate has a sick sense of humor, because my destiny ties me to Salem. Still, I have to stop him before he gets what he wants. Because if I fail, he will unleash hell on earth.

Fallen King – Book #2: we find out the person who destroyed Aenor’s kingdom is Lucifer himself! He’s smooth, has more of a personality than Lyr does haha…and he has a backstory that isn’t the same stuff we here about him falling from the sky, he’s evil…la la la. Also, his name is Salem.

My Thoughts:

  • The chemistry between Salem and Aenor is much better than with her and Lyr. But prophecy said she has to kill him to protect the world and for him, he has to kill her to ascend back to heaven so….what to do?
  • We learn about Lucifer’s past when we ruled the kingdom of Mag Mel. Seriously, this guy has a past and I appreciate that he has a story. And he’s trying to find someone he cared about that Aenor supposedly killed so…there’s a lot these two have to work out huh?
  • I like Aenor’s battles so far in this series with mythological monsters. The series so far has a lot of action to keep it moving and much more sexual tension in this one. I mean…it is the devil Aenor’s dealing with.

My mate lies in a rotting cage at the bottom of the sea, and I’ll do anything to get him back. Maybe he’s the devil himself, but he made the ultimate sacrifice for me.

When my plan backfires, I’m left with a lethal hex surging in my veins. Now, I only have a few days to live. And Salem? He’s wrestling with a dark curse of his own, one that he says makes him burn.. 

He keeps saying this ends with one of us dead, that our story is a tragedy. But I’m determined to rewrite the tale fate has penned for us. If I can’t, he warns I could die at his hands.

Rising Queen – Book #3: Aenor and Salem can’t seem to let one another go. They fight more creatures, have more sexy times and they still have to decide who dies and gets their happily ever after. Can they find a way to be together and both get what they want?

My Thoughts:

  • Love Aenor and Salem together – he may be Lucifer but she can definitely keep up with him. And he keeps up with her also, I’m so glad they have their happy ending.
  • I loved Ossian who is Salem’s servant but becomes a good friend to Aenor.
  • I enjoyed the witches that were featured in this series alongside the sea fae, fallen angles, Shadow Fae and the legend of Ys. Having them leap into portals and different worlds kept the story moving at a fast pace.
  • All the books in this series were 300 pages and under which means…this could have easily been condensed into one book but I know Kindle Unlimited book series don’t work that way and that’s fine! All the cliffhangers in this series made me want to read the next volume.

**Triggers: violence

This series was pure fun urban fantasy about the sea fae and then some. It had everything from humor, adventure, fights, monsters, devils, gods, lust, and love. Overall, the whole series was entertaining and let me escape a bit.

Book Review | The Unfairfolk (Valenbound, #1)

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Unfairfolk (Valenbound, #1)

Author: Sara Wolf

Format: eBook (KU)

Pages: 446

Categories: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy

A promise made is a promise kept, until the very end of all death. 

Sixteen year old Lilith Pierce’s mom is getting remarried. Which, sucks. To one of the richest men in Europe. Which, honestly? Sucks a little less. 

Lilith’s warily stoked – after Dad disappeared, it’s been all tears and police visits and sleeping pills for Mom. So, yeah. She’ll suck it up for seven months and get shipped off to the ultra-luxe, ultra-selective Institut Le Silvere – a prestigious boarding school in the Swiss Alps – while they honeymoon. How hard can it really be? It’s not like she’s got maybe-permanent hypervigilance, or anything.

It’s not like the woods around the school are maybe-alive. 

It’s not like she’s being stalked by a man with glowing red eyes. 

It’s not like the neighboring village whispers that all the students are cursed.

It’s not like resident model Ciel Lautrec is the most beautiful boy she’s ever seen, or anything. Too beautiful to be human. So beautiful the hypervigilance shuts right up. It’s not like she can’t handle Silvere’s self-appointed, self-conceited lawkeeper slash bully Alistair Strickland. Because she can. She can handle it all.

She’s always handled it all. Because she’s Lilith-fucking-Pierce.

And the forest knows that best of all.

After bingeing both books from the Bring Me Their Hearts series, I went in search for more Sara Wolf books and found this one called The Unfairfolk. It sounded interesting and it was on Kindle Unlimited, so I downloaded it right away.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but it was a definitely a wild ride. We get a front row seat into Lilith’s thoughts, a she is a teenager with many, many thoughts – sometimes it’s maddening! She gets sent to a boarding school in Europe where dignitaries from all over the world, send their kids. The only connection to money she has, is her new step-father, so she doesn’t quite belong in this school.

Lilith does manage to make friends and an enemy as well. But school social hierarchies are not the only thing that poses a challenge to Lilith – there is something going on at the Institut de Silvere, something dark and sinister. Will Lilith uncover what is going on or will it be too late?

  • I love Sara Wolf’s snarky characters! And it’s the same in The Unfairfolk where Lilith is just full of comebacks and humor to shield herself. She is a complicated teen. She is fearful from something traumatizing that happened in the past but that doesn’t stop her from seeming tough on the outside. There is an array of interesting and diverse characters in this story – I look forward to learning more about them!
  • Most of the story takes place at the boarding school with hints of something sinister in the woods. There was a dark tone to this story and I tend to love stories that go there, but also it’s vague which was frustrating.
  • Lilith has a past and this book touches on some dark topics like domestic abuse and there is also a part about someone who is a cutter. It’s definite triggers, but also – I remember being a teenager and knowing people in my circle dealing with those problems…so it definitely brings up real feelings about this issues. I liked Lilith’s teenage voice, being a victim of abuse herself and witnessing it. I felt her fears when it came to people grabbing her out of the blue or just people touching her in general. That was eye-opening and a good reminder, some people don’t want to be hugged or touched for reasons we don’t know about.
  • Coming off reading Bring Me Their Hearts series, I did start comparing this to that and this story is way different and not what I was expecting. The Unfairfolk is urban fantasy…but the fantasy or magic is mostly hinted at in this volume. Nothing really happens until the very end where we are thrown into another world! It’s wild, and I was hoping we’d get there sooner in the story but most of the book is about Lilith and being at boarding school.
  • If you don’t want to be stuck in a teenager’s head who curses a lot and has crude humor then you might not enjoy this book. I don’t mind and thought a lot of it was funny as well. 🤷🏻‍♀️
  • What is up with the ending and cliffhanger! Ugh…just when we were being introduced to the Fair Folk of Valen! 😏
  • Triggers: abuse, cutting

Am I going to read the next book in the series, YES. Was I entertained? Yes. Were we in Lilith’s head a bit too much – maybe. Do I want to know what the heck Valen is and who we will meet there?….Heck yes. This story was funny, at times dark and mysterious. Strange? For sure, at times I wasn’t sure what I was reading but it definitely kept me intrigued. Solid first book for a young adult urban fantasy with lots of room to grow!

Mini Book Review | Death Game (Supernatural Battle:Vampire Towers #3)

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Death Game (Supernatural Battle: Vampire Towers, #3)

Author: Kelly St. Clare

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 356

Categories: Romance, Urban Fantasy, Vampires

The king commands at 3:30 a.m.

I’ve screwed up big time. Now, I’m facing the damning consequences.

The walls are closing in as I balance duty to grandmother’s memory with my impossible feelings for Kyros. Then there’s the freakin’ human-vampire hybrid thing to deal with.

The problem is, I’m no longer willing to lose the person I’ve gambled against from the start.

Our fates hinge on a single roll of the dice, and one wrong move could collapse the tower of cards I’ve painstakingly built.

If that happens, I’ll lose more than I ever bargained for.

Here we come to the end of the Vampire Tower series and I’d say it’s a great ending to a creative series. Once again, the “game” (think Monopoly) rules the future of the opposing ruling vampire families. Basi is caught splendidly in the middle. She has fallen for Kyros, but more than that, she loves his family too. But how does Bas honor her grandmother’s wishes? The same grandmother who hated vampires?

Kyros and Basi’s relationship is so crazy – mostly because they both don’t want to give in or there is a big lack of understanding from both of them. Kyros is a little old school and or just “old” and he wants to be the hero. He finally learns that Basilia is her own hero. I was just happy when they get their happily ever after.

This was a quick series to get through with lots of drama in the romantic, family and friendship aspects. I love Tommy and Basi’s friendship and glad things turned out for the best. There is a lot more sex in this one since Kyros and Basi have exchanged more blood with each other.

Overall, I enjoyed this series! It was funny, hot, and the romantic relationship could be aggravating at times though but they get their happily ever after. I look forward to reading more urban fantasy from this author.

Triggers: blood, violence

Mini Reviews } The Tainted | The Exiled | Dominion of Ash Series by. Frost Kay

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

Title: The Tainted (Dominion of Ash, Book 1)

Author: Frost Kay

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages:292

Categories: Dystopian, Urban Fantasy, YA

I never should’ve taken the dare.

In a destroyed world plagued with pestilence, assassins, thieves, and the Tainted–mutated fae-like humans with a penchant for abduction–nothing is easy. It’s brutal, deadly, and most often, short. 

My father has three rules to survive the apocalypse; keep your head down, work hard, and never leave the safety of Harbor. Following his rules isn’t as easy as it seems–especially when tricked into breaking them. 

Blackmailed into attending at party outside of the walls didn’t seem so bad–until all hell broke loose and I was left in the clutches of a dragon lord. I thought I knew who my enemies were: starvation, infection, and the Tainted.  

I was wrong. That’s why I never saw it coming.

The death. The lies. The complete betrayal.

No one said love wouldn’t destroy you.

The Dominion of Ash series takes on a dystopian, urban fantasy theme. Earth has been ravaged bay a virus that has mutated the DNA of humans. Hazel lives in a compound where no one has been “tainted” by the virus but outside of a world is a one where many Tainted consider their mutation a gift. So there is a VERY clear divide between the two human species. We follow Hazel who is thrown, literally, into the world of the tainted and it’s frightening. She fights for her survival as she Noah who is the leader of the tainted compound she is being held at.

I like the world building and the idea of virus mutating our DNA, I mean anything is possible! She comes across animals who are trained as well. There is a lot of action as Hazel is trying to survive the desert and trying to get back home. Hazel is a sheltered girl who gets a big wake up call when she is left to die.

A lone girl in a dangerous world shows how women are prey for predators and she comes across a few from both the Untouched she lives with and the Tainted as well. The books in this series are short, so it is a very quick read, and I found Hazel’s journey from sheltered girl to meeting a whole community of Tainted interesting because she has to self-analyze her prejudices and yet survive.

There are a bunch of triggers in this book: sexual assault and violence being the main ones.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

Title: The Exiled (Dominion of Ash, Book #2)

Author: Frost Kay

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 217

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Dystopia, YA/NA

She got caught. Again. 

After a disastrous second escape attempt, Hazel finds herself blood indebted to her savior – Noah – but he’s no saint. 

Desperate to repay her debt, she begrudgingly offers her skills as payment if she’s allowed to visit home one last time. Her wish is granted but at a steep cost. What is supposed to be a saving grace turns out to be a nightmare.

The monsters are right. Ignorance means death and blood ties are worthless.

Be careful what you wish for.

Okay so I read these two books in one night because like I said, they are SO short…this one being only 217 pages!

Hazel is with the Tainted and she is basically wanting to die than live with them. I’ll say one thing about her – she’s a fighter. Frustratingly so…to the point of harming herself. Hazel learns more about the tainted that have gone out of their way to keep her alive but her main goal is to escape and go back home to her family. She fights, she schemes, she get’s under Noah’s skin and finally – finally we get to see more of the attraction between them, because we know it’s gonna be good between them, right?

My favorite part of this series so far is watching Hazel have more women figures in her life, like Noah’s abuela (grandmother), she is awesome. Hazel hasn’t had a mother and was raised by men so this girl really needs a female figure in her life. When Hazel finally gets her wish and leaves the compound she finds out more hard lessons back out in the wilderness and about a new threat and new war about to start between the Untouched and Tainted. Who’s side will she be on? This one ended in a major cliffhanger and I can’t believe I have to wait to see what happens. 😫

More triggers in this one: assault, violence, self harm

Book Review | The Hunt (The Twisted Kingdoms, Book #1)

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Title: The Hunt (Twisted Kingdoms, #1)

Author: Frost Kay

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 326

Categories: Fantasy, Romance

Death marked her from her very first breath.

Being sired by a Madrid is supposed to be a blessing, but for Tempest, it’s a curse that leaves her orphaned, penniless, and enslaved to a blood thirsty crown on the brink of war.

Found too unruly to become a ward of the court, she’s thrust into the care of the King’s Hounds – the assassins and warriors responsible for protecting the kingdom. Driven by rage and an oath to avenge her mother’s memory, Tempest throws herself into training.

But becoming the first ever female assassin isn’t enough. Now, she must obtain the heart of her kingdom’s most feared enemy – the jester – a deadly shapeshifter hidden in a land twisted by myth and darkness.

Revenge is never easy or cheap. Tempest is willing to sacrifice everything to see justice served. Even her own soul and freedom.

I don’t recall the story of the Fox and the Hound – I’m sure I read it a long time ago, but despite that, I thought the premise for this book sounded pretty interesting.

Tempest is an orphan, raised by the King of Dotae’s ruthless guards, the King’s Hounds. When she becomes of age, she takes part in the trials to become the first ever female Hound. Tempest also is trying to thwart the King’s advances so she makes a deal with him. If she finds the infamous shapeshifter and leader of the rebels, the Jester, and brings his heart to the king – Tempest gets a seat on the War Council. But if she doesn’t succeed, she will belong to the king. Will Tempest complete her mission or will she be entrapped by the king forever?

  • I like stories about female assassins and Tempest is definitely a worthy adversary. We don’t see her much being a Hound in the story but on her mission to find the Jester, she shows the skills she’s known for back in Dotae. As a character I found her at times naive but willing to look at the evidence if things feel wrong, so I think there will be a lot of growth in the sequel with her, at least I hope there is.
  • Gotta love a sexy, flirty shapeshifter and we definitely have that with Pyre. He is a kitsune or fox shapeshifter. I like seeing how he cares for his people and yet knowing he is dangerous under the wily smile. I’m loving the attraction that is growing between him and Tempest. It’s a slow burn too, which is nice!
  • I enjoyed the world building in The Hunt. This book focused mostly on the kingdom of Dotae and the Talagans (shapeshifter community). But in the beginning of the book it explains in the prologue how this world came to be, a world filled with dragons, fae, shapeshifter, humans, etc…until the peace between them broke.
  • I did like Tempest’s bond with the men she grew up with, her uncles, the Hounds…of course she comes to question what they stand for later on but I think it will be interesting to see how Tempest deals with the information she has about the men she loves.
  • I think King Destin is a bit cringey especially how he preys on Tempest who is only eighteen years old. He is in his 40’s! 🙄 He is definitely the villain in this story.
  • And though I do like Pyre, why is Tempest getting caged in by these men?! 😕 I guess it’s trying to show how powerless she is as a woman in this world where the men are the leaders but I hope to goodness somewhere in the sequel or down the line in the series she gets her power back and kick some major ass, especially King Destin’s. By the way, these two men are not the only ones interested in her…🤷🏻‍♀️ but I hope that storyline doesn’t go anywhere. I don’t want a love triangle in this one, please!
  • Triggers: fighting, death, physical wounds

I really enjoyed Pyre and Tempest’s interactions with each other in this first book. It looks to be a long series according to the information on Amazon, so there is a lot more story to unravel here and I hope a juicy romance between the two eventually. I think the position Tempest is put in made me weary about the story a bit but I have hope she will overcome these traps these men put her in! 💁🏻‍♀️ I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.

Mini Reviews | Vampire Towers Series by. Kelly St. Clare

Hi Everyone! So I read this one back to back and book three comes out in March, so these will be a mini review.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Blood Trial (Vampire Towers #1)

Author: Kelly St. Clare

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 475

Categories: Vampires, Urban Fantasy, Adult Fiction

The dice are rolled at midnight.

As the twenty-one-year-old heiress to the Le Spyre fortune, my life should consist of strawberry mojitos and golf carts. Right?

But I’m determined to forge my own path.

Desperate to escape the meaningless games of the rich, I flee my family’s estate.

Secret alias—check.
Place to sleep—uh, kind of?
Job—crap!

I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, but that’s the least of my worries.

My city is a giant board game. The players are supernatural— freakin’ vampires—including an overbearing crown prince whose unwanted attention could spell my demise.

Now, I must play their deadly game, or my grandmother and best friend will pay the ultimate price.

This is another Kindle Unlimited title by indie author Kelly St. Clare and I have to say I was in the mood for some vampire urban fantasy novel.

What I Liked:

  • It’s a different take on a vampire novel…there are two old, wealthy vampire families competing and playing a game, think Monopoly. Yes, they roll dice when it is their turn and buy property. Sound confusing? Oh I’m still a little confused, two books in, but I’m rolling with it because it’s different! The winner gets to live, the losing family…DIES. The city they are playing for IS real…and human and heiress Basilia, or Basil to some, and Bas to others…lives in. She gets caught in the middle of this crazy game.
  • The vampire prince, Kyros, is a hottie of course with major alpha male tendencies. And yes they are attracted to one another but Bas and Kyros go through blood exchange that has a consequences, three days of a thrall, which makes them lust for each other on a crazy level. It’s hot…but also…kinda weird because his vampire siblings has seen Bas naked…A LOT. 🤣 But she doesn’t care.
  • Bas is…young, so she can be naive due to how she was brought up – filthy rich. I mean she’s twenty one, she’s just been really sheltered. And thank goodness for her best friend Tommy. Love her! Tommy is real with Bas and Bas doesn’t have many people in her life. I love how close they are.
  • Super fast read and entertaining if you like urban fantasy stories. Hot, slow burn attraction between Kyron and Bas. And it’s a cliff-hanger ending but book two is published so that’s good!

Things That Made Me Go Hmm:

  • Kyros’ alpha male can be a but much at times – but he’s a vampire…so you kinda gotta let the guy be.
  • The dice game is a bit confusing, it supposed to be high stakes and I get that. But as long as I remember it is like Monopoly, then I just go with the flow.
  • What is up with Kyros’ family always seeing Bas naked during a thrall? LOL…vampires! 🤦🏻‍♀️
  • I didn’t get some of the lingo in the book, only because I thought it was British or Aussie slang, but I see the author is from New Zealand, so it’s probably slang from there? Which I am clueless about.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Vampire Debt (Vampire Towers, #2)

Author: Kelly St. Clare

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 412

Categories: Vampires, Urban Fantasy, Adult Fiction

Vampire royals strategise at 2 a.m.

Last week, I inherited every cent of the multi-billion-dollar Le Spyre estate.

But tequila is far easier to swallow than the coincidence of my beloved grandmother’s death.

I’m over this supernatural game, yet walking away from Kyros isn’t simple with the damn mate thing on the cards.

The Indebted need my help. My grandmother deserves justice. And, uhm, the third blood exchange did something to me.

It’s official. I’m done playing by paranormal rules. I’m making my own–and playing to win. Because if I enter Ingenium on my terms, there’s no turning back.

Winning is the only option.

What I Liked:

  • Bas and Kyros finally hook up – I mean, I’m all for the slow burn but their moments in thrall was putting them over the edge and when they finally have sex I was like, okay, glad THAT’S out of the way now. 😅
  • We learn more about Bas’ grandmother and we move into her former life as an heiress. We get insight into where Bas grew up and how she grew up.
  • Kyros’ siblings are interesting characters. It was funny to see how they try and do matchmaking between Kryos and Bas by irritating Kyros.
  • Bas shows she has more power now that she is back in charge of the Le Spyre wealth and out from under Kyros’ thumb. She has an ulterior motive but it’s nice to see her in charge for a change. I like that she is the championed of the Indebted (basically vampire slaves).

Things That Made Me Go Hmm:

  • Bas is in charge but she was also kind of whiny and irritating. I get that her relationship with Kyros is mostly because of the thrall and he’s done some shady things but it’s a lot of back and forth between them. I kind of want her to make up her mind already.
  • The story lagged for me in the middle – but maybe because I read the books back to back so I felt like I was reading 800 pages instead of just 400? LOL…maybe I just needed a break from Kyros and Bas’ crazy relationship.
  • I’m pretty sure Bas is going to fall in love with Kyros and turned into a vampire. I mean…it’s heading there right?! As for who wins this Monopoly game (which at times seems silly to me haha), we shall see in the next book.

Triggers:

  • Blood, violence, alpha male losing his temper.

So far, I liked the first book better than the second, yet I liked seeing Bas get some control back in the second book. It’s an entertaining take on vampires playing Monopoly (I know that sounds weird) but just go with it. We shall see what happens in the third book!

Book Review | Faking Ms. Right

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Faking Ms. Right (Dirty Martini Running Club #1)

Author: Claire Kingsley

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 303

Categories: Romantic Comedy, Contemporary

“When I kissed you last night, I wasn’t pretending.”

Everly Dalton is a walking, talking, martini-drinking dating disaster. Forget kissing frogs. She can’t even get past the first date. But at work, she’s a badass—the longest-running assistant billionaire Shepherd Calloway has ever had. Her coworkers wonder how she handles the big bad wolf—and never gets bit. 

Shepherd Calloway isn’t interested in being anyone’s sugar daddy. Tired of women who only want him for his money, he swears off dating, determined to focus on running his empire. Until his gold-digging ex hits him where it hurts, putting him in a difficult position.

His solution—to have Everly pose as his live-in girlfriend—is obviously crazy. But the timing is uncanny. It just so happens Everly needs a favor from her boss—a big and awkward one—and this could ensure everyone gets what they want.

Besides, Everly can totally survive a few months of faux romance. 

Except there’s a problem. Shepherd is supposed to be a single-minded, unemotional robot boss. Not an actual human with a heart and morning wood. Between the awkward bed-sharing and tingly fake dates, lines are blurring. And as Everly gets to know the real Shepherd, she discovers there’s more to the man behind the bank account.

And faking it gets all too real.

Faking Ms. Right is a hot, STAND-ALONE romantic comedy.

It’s been awhile since I went into my Kindle Unlimited subscription to find an eBook. I was in the mood for a fake-relationship trope and I got it with Faking Ms. Right!

Everly comes off as perfect, perky, and nothing can dull her shine, but underneath she is made of steel…with a smile.

Her boss Shepherd is hard to get to know, Everly is there as his assistant and runs his daily work schedule competently. Until one night, Shepherd needs her to go beyond her assistant duties and fake being his girlfriend to save face in front of his ex-girlfriend.

Everly does her “job” perfectly but she’s also falling for her boss, and he is falling for her. This can’t turn out good…or can it? It definitely can.

  • Everly is Miss Positive, a ray of sunshine that was refreshing to me! She’s charming, and sweet but can stand her ground if need be. I like that she can make the best out of a bad situation.
  • Everly’s best friends, Nora and Hazel are hilarious, mostly Nora who is that girlfriend who is outspoken. They were so fun and it showed a side to Everly that did enjoy letting loose and having fun. But having those girlfriends get her through her tough times or them knowing she was going to fall for Shepherd and was going to be for her anyway, that’s friendship goals!
  • Diversity was present with Everly’s sister who had a wife and Shepherd’s brother had a husband. That was nice to see and why was I so emotional at the end when Shepherd’s brother and Everly’s sister had a “moment”? Ugh! It was a good moment and it made my heart happy.
  • Everly and Shepherd’s relationship I thought evolved nicely, from fake to an attraction they couldn’t deny. I mean, I can’t blame her after he lets her in. The thing I liked about Shepherd was that he wasn’t arrogant, even if he was a “billionaire”, his money status wasn’t a focus of this book. He was private and closed off yes (due to some past parental stuff) – but you could tell he cared about his brother and dad a lot.
  • There are steamy sex scenes in this one with a touch of kinky. Haha…not too much, but hey it’s definitely a fun time between Everly and Shepherd!
  • Of course it IS a fake-relationship trope and you already know they will get together so it was predictable but I loved it anyway.
  • Now Shepherd moves Everly into his home to make their relationship more believable and I thought wow…they are really going all in with this. I mean, couldn’t he just say he was dating her without the whole moving in thing? But I understood why it happened. Plus it made the tension and attraction between them grow much faster!

This was exactly what I needed to get me out of a fantasy slump. It’s always refreshing to switch genres and this one has a happily ever after, definitely what I was looking for! I love all the characters in this book except Svetlana of course. I want Nora and Hazel’s stories to be written too – it would be interesting to see what kind of guy they would end up with. (Actually, I see that Hazel’s story was just published!! So I will be reading that very soon.) 😍 I’m very excited to continue reading about these fun characters.

Book Review | This Time

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Title: This Time (Nadira Holden, Demon Hunter Book 1)

Author: Azaaa Davis

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 250

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Demon Hunter, Adult Fiction

Legendary demon hunter Nadira Holden paid the ultimate price to end the war between demons and hunters.

Resurrected in present-day New York, many years have passed, everyone moved on without her, and the demons she once battled have made peace with humans. Nadira no longer has a purpose here. Dying again might be her ticket back to that “next life” she experienced.

Except humans are disappearing, and Nadira’s father is one of the missing. Feeling a strong obligation to find him before sorting out her own fate, she begins investigating.

She won’t rest in peace unless she can prove the demons are behind the disappearances. But Nadira is running out of time. The darkness within her is causing her to lose her humanity while the rest of mankind is on the verge of enslavement to the demons they now worship.

Fight with Nadira in a new urban fantasy series that combines monster-slaying action, family drama, and simmering romance. Experience why not even death can stop her.

Fans of Vampire Hunter Anita Blake, Succubus Georgina Kincaid, Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Vampire Death Dealer Selene are possessed and eagerly awaiting the next book by fantasy author Azaaa Davis.

I was asked to review this book by indie urban fantasy author Azaaa Davis and all opinions are my own.

This Time is about Nadira Holden, a demon hunter. The book starts off fast-paced and exciting. We learn about Nadira’s upbringing and belonging to the Children of Orion, a sect of demon hunters. She had a reputation as a top notch demon hunter but something happens, she dies, and then she is resurrected in present day, and things have definitely changed in the world the live in.

When the blurb of this book compares it to Anita Blake, I can see why, except Nadira is much more level-headed than Anita Blake. And there is way less sex in This Time. There is some heat and sexy scenes in this book but like I said, not Anita Blake level sex, and I actually appreciate that.

As a character, Nadira is a fearsome fighter and was trained to be. It was interesting to see the choice she makes concerning the Children of Orion, but I totally get where she is coming from. Secrets are revealed, and it just makes Nadira question everything. The middle of the book I felt slowed down a bit until we meet a character named Roquelle. Things start to get very interesting with this twist.

What I loved most about the novel is the diversity among the cast of characters. 👏🏼 I didn’t connect much to the characters, maybe because it’s the first book and I’m learning Nadira’s voice and everyone else’s. Like I said, she’s pretty even-keeled until Roquelle comes around. Then her personality shall we say, flourishes? I think her relationship with Jaime was nice, I liked their budding friendship after a suspicious first meeting. And of course, there is Derek, who is a hottie demon duke and their relationship sizzles. The world-building is creative and detailed but I can tell there is much more to learn about the Children of Orion and her family. The book ends strongly with a lot of action, because Nadira Holden can fight.

I think fans of urban fantasy will really like this series. This Time is an enjoyable, promising debut and I look forward to following Nadira Holden’s journey.

Azaaa Davis 

Writer of urban fantasy novels

She fell in love with reading as a high school freshman and continues to read, write, and draw today.Her background in social work helps her portray realistic characters in otherworldly—and sometimes terrifying—situations.

A New York native, Azaaa currently lives in New Hampshire (USA) with her husband and daughter.

Azaaa debuts with This Time, A Nadira Holden Novel, about demon hunters, family ties and the magic of love.

Azaaa is working diligently to finish writing more fantasy novels while raising her daughter. Thank you for showing an interest in her stories!

Book Review | In the Teeth of It: A Gingerbread Hag Mystery

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Title: In the Teeth of It (A Gingerbread Hag Mystery, Book 2)

Author: K.A. Miltimore

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 217

Categories: Paranormal, Supernatural, Mystery, Adult Fiction

It’s been two months since the fiery events of Burned to a Crisp, and it’s Christmas in Enumclaw. Hedy is back to hosting visitors in her waystation, while Mel and Darro are decking the halls and telling tales of Krampus in between batches of cannibal Gingerbread Men cookies—just another Christmas at The Gingerbread Hag bakery.

But the holiday spirit isn’t the only thing making its way through Enumclaw. Something definitely from the naughty list is attacking the local farms and the children are possessed with mischief. Hedy’s worries increase when the Concierge sends someone to investigate her house and possibly shut the waystation down for good.

Who’s been naughty, and who’s been nice? Not every gift under the tree is one she’ll want to open, but Hedy better hurry, before all of Enumclaw gets caught In the Teeth of It.

Here we are back at The Gingerbread Hag bakery, a fictional bakery that I want to visit in real life. Hedy is dealing with the aftermath of the events in book one, when Lyssa, a demi-goddess brought chaos to the small town of Enumclaw. Now it’s Christmas time and Hedy has new visitors staying at her waystation but the threat of Lyssa is still real, though no one knows where she is.

This story is a Christmas in July treat! Reading this book made me yearn for cooler weather, Christmas decorations, a cup of hot tea and maybe a sweet delight from The Gingerbread Hag bakery. 😋

In the Teeth of It, the second book of the The Gingerbread Hag Mystery series, introduces us to some new characters. The menagerie from book one makes an appearance as well, though it seemed a lot more brief this time around. I do wish we had more time with my favorite talking animals and ghost in this book, hopefully they are featured more in book three.

I love how this series takes place in a small town, but it’s filled with diverse characters of different ethnicities and supernatural powers. I really enjoyed the new characters, Yami – a kitsune (fox) and Raluca – a Moroi (vampire). I’ve always loved the Moroi and Strogoi legends so I really enjoyed Raluca’s character a lot.

Hedy is a great main character with her signature style: beehive hair and a 1960’s style wardrobe. She’s always a gracious host and storekeeper making friends wherever she goes. But this time around we also get a glimpse of Hedy’s past and I can’t wait to find out more of her time in New Orleans! It sounds intriguing! There was less havoc caused in this book compared to book one, but I think that was okay because it got me into such a cozy holiday mood.

Author, K.A. Miltimore always infuses her stories with the strange, different and interesting whether it comes to baked goods, supernatural creatures, mythology or legends. I look forward to the next book in the series. If you like quick reads and mystery stories with supernatural elements, then definitely give this series a try!

Get it here: Amazon

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About the Author of the book:

K. A. Miltimore is a writer living in the Pacific Northwest who has followed the advice of her 5th grade teacher, Miss Hammond, and become a writer. She loves mid-century fashion, 80s music and nachos (not necessarily in that order). With her husband and son, she loves exploring quirky local towns, and dreams of dragging them both to Iceland for a tour someday. Her tombstone will likely read “Always Creating”. In addition to writing, she enjoys making jewel spiders, looking for great Washington red wines, and re-watching the movies that she has forgotten over the years.

Book Review | The Overdue Life of Amy Byler

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Title: The Overdue Life of Amy Byler

Author: Kelly Harms

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 328

Categories: Romance, Marriage, Family, Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction

Overworked and underappreciated, single mom Amy Byler needs a break. So when the guilt-ridden husband who abandoned her shows up and offers to take care of their kids for the summer, she accepts his offer and escapes rural Pennsylvania for New York City.

Usually grounded and mild mannered, Amy finally lets her hair down in the city that never sleeps. She discovers a life filled with culture, sophistication, and—with a little encouragement from her friends—a few blind dates. When one man in particular makes quick work of Amy’s heart, she risks losing herself completely in the unexpected escape, and as the summer comes to an end, Amy realizes too late that she must make an impossible decision: stay in this exciting new chapter of her life, or return to the life she left behind.

But before she can choose, a crisis forces the two worlds together, and Amy must stare down a future where she could lose both sides of herself, and every dream she’s ever nurtured, in the beat of a heart.

I’m finally getting around to my Kindle Unlimited TBR list, thank goodness. They’ve just been sitting there as I try to finish my hardcover library books.

What drew me to this book was that the main character, Amy Byler, is a high school librarian. My dream job, once upon a time! I worked in a library, just never as a librarian. So Amy is a mom, with two teenage kids and barely married to a man who left her and the family for three years. Now John is back and wants to be a father again to the kids he left. Whew…this book could have be angsty and depressing but it wasn’t!

It is funny. Especially because her best friends Lena and Talia are awesome. And the new friends she makes are great as well. Watching Amy have a momspringa (like a mom spring break) made me cheer her on and I was living vicariously through her. I love how it was kind of Devil Wears Prada/Sex in the City, or should I say Date in the City? Because there isn’t much sex in this book. A few kisses here and there and morning afters but description of sex – nope, none. But Matt, Talia’s assistant is a fun character in this story who gives Amy a New York experience.

Seeing Amy get out of her mom shell when she goes to New York, for a library convention was great. Her college bestie Talia runs a trendy women’s magazine and gives Amy a make-over basically. Amy still wars with her conflicting feelings about still being in a broken marriage where they separated and never fully divorced. She’s met someone cute at the conference and the sparks fly, but what kind of future can they really have? She has kids back home, he has a life in New York. Her romance with Daniel was a nice build-up. I love that they became good friends, understanding of one another’s circumstances before making any big moves.

Amy is someone else in New York, someone she’s missed, someone she’s learning to love again. At home, she’s mom. Responsible, on top of everything, the fixer of problems, takes care of everyone but herself-Mom. Letting go of that and being the woman who could finally take the time to take care of herself was liberating for Amy, for women who followed her momspringa online and for me reading this story because I know I need a momspringa. It’s been overdue for 7 years now! So this book was talking to me.

It is a happy ending, which was lovely. Realistic? I’ve seen many people around me who end marriages and can still be civil with their ex for the sake of their children. Then there are those who can’t stand one another. So yes, I can say it is realistic. It’s the modern family, and as it is reiterated in this book, it takes a village, to raise kids.

As for how much I relate to this book? I relate a lot. I’ve been there where I look in the mirror and I wonder there that 22 year old who cared for her appearance more has gone. I miss her sometimes. In between the sleepless nights with the kids, keeping a house clean, making sure people are fed and happy, running the errands, taking them to the doctor and dental appointments, helping with the homework, etc…it’s easy to get overwhelmed because it IS overwhelming. As moms we are taught to put the lives of our children first. I mean once they are born, they put that baby in your arms and you have to feed it! It’s our job to keep that baby alive, thriving, meeting milestones and most time that baby only wants mommy. And it’s hard to let that mentality go.

This was a fun read for a mom who was needing a mental vacation. My momspringa will come soon enough. 😂 Even my husband agrees I deserve one. 👏🏼

Get it here: Amazon

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