This, that, and the other-my thoughts

Blood Skye (Skye Druids #6) by Donna Grant

The only choice is surrender.

In my world, magic and danger go hand-in-hand. It has from my earliest memory. Magic was currency, and if you have it, you have power. I was shaped by some of the most influential Druids into a lethal weapon. Their weapon.

Until the night they betray me—and I wind up in the hands of my enemy.

He’s nothing but a job for me. To him, I’m the key to finding his father. Too bad I know nothing.

But right now, he’s the only thing keeping me alive, so I’ll do whatever it takes. Yet, if we’re going to survive, it means doing it together.

I’ve never allowed myself to care, to feel. To hope. He shows me a world that was always just out of reach, one I was never meant to be a part of—and a love that burns bright enough to scorch the earth.

Together, we will bring an empire to its knees.

Return to Scotland and New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant’s Skye Druids, where magic and danger intertwine and a tale of passion, revelations, and new beginnings unfolds.

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Sugar, Spice, and Magical Midlife by Tara West

4 Stars

Fun Story.

This book is a fun read with a wide assortment of characters. Our main female character is Luciella – Luci- a Witch who has hidden her talents and has divorced her husband of 20 years. She’s hoping to have a more fun-filled life. Ethyl, Luci’s cousin, is a Pixie and a Witch, works with her in Luci’s bakery. Des is Luci’s 12-year-old autistic son who sounds much older and wiser. And finally, our main male character is Ricardo -Ric – who is tall, well-muscled, handsome, and tattooed. And something more….

With this cast of characters, plus others who are both good and bad and every king of supernatural, Tara West has written an engaging book that is humorous and real. The story is fast paced but a bit sketchy at times. But if you suspend your mind from all the paranormal aspects and just enjoy Luci’s life, the reader can’t help but want to encourage Tara West to further expand this series.

I was given an ARC of this book from BookSirens and this is my honest opinion.

The Uncrowned King (The Bastard Duology Book 2) by Donna Grant

5 Stars

Entirely entertaining!

This is part 2 of the Bastard Duology and well worth reading. Donna Grant left a cliffhanger at the end of Book 1 and this picks up immediately after. Derek, our main male character and a dragon is written exceptionally well, and Kora our hellhound female main character shows that she is able to change her world view and prejudices. I loved this Duology! Ms. Grant’s writing reminds me of how the very first Warrior and Dragon King books are written, hot men and capable women in situations that they didn’t want or expect. With an expansive plot line and many characters in supporting roles a new reader would benefit from reading earlier books in Donna’s Dark Universe. She always manages to create new personalities in every book, with new challenges for all the intertwined characters to overcome. If you like paranormal books, this series has some surprising twists and turns and is well worth your time.

I received and ARC of this book from the author through BookFunnel and this is my honest opinion.

The Uncrowned King – The Bastard Duology #2 by Donna Grant

I would burn the world for him…

My people have been hunted to extinction by dragons. I am the last of my kind. Forever running. Forever alone.

Then I met him. Dangerous. Carnal. Dragon And utterly magnetic. I had no defenses against the passion that claimed us. Each time his lips touched mine, each time his arms held me, I fell deeper.

And I fell hard.

My mortal enemy became my world. The very reason for my existence.

My one and only.

Until our forever was violently snatched away. Now, I’m hunted, once more.

But I’m not running this time. I’m fighting for love.

For him.

A hellhound facing her past. A dragon reclaiming his throne. Forbidden lovers will face the ultimate test. A Dragon King duology from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant.

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The Empress (Towerfall #1) by Kristen Cast

4 Stars

Hard to get into the story

But I continued to the end. The beginning of the book introduces us to Hannah, from Chicago, and Kane Blackthorne of Towerfall from the Kingdom of Pentacles. Hannah is not a normal, run of the mill working class woman, she is having issues at work with a co-worker who takes credit for others work including hers, and a breakup with her boyfriend. As she walks homeward and passes a storefront offering Tarot readings, Hannah is given a card, The Empress. Which promptly deposits her into Towerfall where she is accused of being a witch and nearly killed. Saved by Kane, Hannah makes a deal with him to help the Kingdom from being destroyed in exchange for his assistance in finding The Empress card which she’s lost so she can return to Chicago.

Confusing? Just a bit, but this book caught me by being the first in a series that uses Tarot as real characters and places. Our main female character, Hannah, doesn’t seem to be in her 20s, she is more like a 16–17-year-old high school student. Hannah grows a little through the story and finally acts almost her age by the end of the book. Kane is older than her and has more life experiences, which make his character more interesting, but he could have been much more developed in the story.

I did enjoy the book after about the halfway point, but the ending seemed to be rushed. I hope the author, Kristin Cast, works harder to leave the Young Adult writing that keeps this book from being more satisfying to adult readers. Using the Tarot as important characters is something I’ve never read before and can give this series a distinctive edge over other books. I look forward to reading the next book.

I was given an ARC by NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

The Duchess Takes It All by Michelle McLean

5 Stars

An Outsider in Society

This story features a newly widowed Duchess of Clevesly, Tamsin Palmer, who is the daughter of a merchant. She has a toddler whom she adores, her deceased husband not so much. Being an outcast in high society is not easy, and to make matters harder, her husband had appointed a co-guardian for the son, the German Count of Rauchberg Christian august. The story of the two of them is interesting and well written, a little slow in the middle, but an enjoyable book. Michelle McLean does a great job of giving the details of both London society and German city-states political stresses. The characters were written mostly in the time period the story is set in, and the author did a wonderful job of keeping Tasmin within the constraints of the period. I have read other books by her that were set in the American West and enjoyed them also. Ms. McLean does a thorough job of detailing the environment that surrounds her characters. I’m looking forward to reading more books that she has written.

I received an ARC of the book through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

The Mirror (Lost Bride Trilogy #2) by Nora Roberts

5 Stars

Another Excellent Read!

Continuing on with Book 2, Sonya, Trey, Cleo, and Owen have more challenges to meet in dealing with the Evil that is residing in the mansion that Sonya has inherited. To get the best experience the reader should read the books in order starting with The Inheritance.

With intricate plotting, great characters, wonderful world building and as always near perfect Grammer, Nora Roberts has written another outstanding book. Cannot wait for the final book!

I received an ARC of the book through NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion.

Hard Day’s Knight by Katie MacAlister

5 Stars

An Exceptional book!

I love this book! Wonderful characters and a great storyline. Katie MacAlister writes as if she’s lived in the world of Jousting and Renaissance Faires, with details and descriptions that are spot on. My only wish is that she would write additional books set in this part of her well written and varied settings worlds. “Chef’s Kiss”.

Dark Heart (Elven Kingdoms Book 2) by Donna Grant

5 Stars

Interesting and involved.

This is Book 2 in the Elven Kingdoms series, which is part of Donna Grant’s much larger Dark Universe. This series deals with multiple types of Elves located on the planet Zora, so each books spends time explaining the Eves involved. Our two main characters, female Arya and male Jai, both are Dark Elves looking for vengeance. Secondary characters supporting Arya are her mentor Dain, and mates Yasmine and Ravi. Jai, and his best friend, a female named Priya are tied to an evil group called the Masters, which sets up the underlying plot. Donna Grant takes these characters and these plot points and weaves an intricate and compelling read. Detailed enough to make the reader feel the betrayals and darkness but with enough violence to give it realism, and hope that the characters will survive. While slow in spots, the story moves along in a steady stream to the conclusion. Well written with good characterizations, I enjoyed this second book dealing with mostly the Dark Elves.

I was given an ARC by the author through BookFunnel, and this is my honest opinion.

Coming Soon! Dark Heart (Elven Kingdoms Book 2) by Donna Grant

Deepest passion. Darkest betrayal.

Once, she was my world. The only one I loved. Then it was all ripped away—including my freedom.

Vengeance kept me alive. It paved every step, shaped every plot.

Until I finally caught her.

I learned that line between love and hate is wafer-thin. Where once my dreams were filled with revenge, now that I have her, all I think about is the intoxicating passion we once shared.

But there’s no turning back the events her capture has set into motion. It unravels a carefully constructed world, one where enemies surround me.

Everyone, that is, except her.

Now, we only have each other—and the love that once united us, to fight our way to long-buried truths that will change everything.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant returns to her captivating Elven Kingdoms series with a tale of second chances, love amidst chaos, and the healing power of forgiveness.

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