Tag: ARC Reviews

Heart of Glass (Skye Druids #3) by Donna Grant

5 Stars

Exciting story in a well written book.

This book and story remind me of Donna Grant’s earlier books in the Dark Sword, Dark Warriors, and Dark Kings series.  These three series, along with her Reapers series are the backbone and back history of the two current series, of which Heart of Glass is book 3 of the Skye Druids.  This book starts with Theo Frasier, Detective Inspector with the local police trying to find out who is controlling a deadly mist that is killing Druids.  He meets Ferne Crawford, a Druid Seer, who felt compelled to come to Skye from Edinburgh.  These two people meet, and both feel a connection to the other.  Donna Grant shows the reader how to write an intricate mystery, with a romance added to make the book even more intriguing.  Both main characters are very well developed and have flaws and secrets.  The supporting cast is quite large, with most of them having been either main characters in earlier books, or friends and/or family of the main characters.  Every book gives these characters more depth. Heart of Glass is very fast paced with enough pauses to catch your breath before moving to the next surprising element.  If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would.  Donna Grant has written a fantastic story that adds more details to the Dark Universe she’s created.  If you’ve never read any of Donna’s books, reading this as a standalone might be confusing, but the prior books are the links in the chain, and are worth the time to read them for the best experience. 

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

Ignite the Magic (Dark Kings #0) by Donna Grant

5 Stars

A Pre-History novel

This is a prequel to the Dark Kings books, but also the Dark Sword and Dark Warriors.  It is a story of the Dragons on Earth, when there are only dragons.  We learn about them, their Kings, and the King of Dragon Kings.  In particular we meet Lennox, the King of Silvers and the King of Kings.  And we also meet a Fae, a Dark Fae named Allis, who has been watching her world, inhabited by both Dark and Light Fae start to fall apart and into war.  She’s alone with no living family, and decides she is going to try and create a Fae Doorway, something no other Fae has been able to accomplish.  Either she creates it or dies trying, but she has to get away from her world.  This is the set-up Donna Grant has written to introduce us to our two main characters.  Lennox, the strongest dragon on Earth, has underlying compassion and intelligence.  Allis is a frightened woman who truly only wants to explore new places as her aunt had encouraged her to before her death.  This is a must read if you’re a fan of Donna’s Dark Universe and gives us some history of an important character who we’ve all been waiting for their story.  Mind!  Donna Grant doesn’t give us all the information we want in this book, which gave me more questions, but it does tell us how things were playing out for our Dragons before humans enter onto the scene.  Well written as always, my only negative is that the middle of the book seemed to go on and on longer than it needed.  But the overall story is 5 Stars. 

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

Ignite the Magic (Dark Kings #0) by Donna Grant COMING SOON on 15 August 2023!

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant delivers an epic prequel to her long-running and critically acclaimed Dark Universe series.

Passion’s magic ignites a fire too hot to touch—and too wicked to die…

The stars have always called to Ailis, beckoning her to see what other realms were out there. She’s told its impossible, but that doesn’t stop her need to explore beyond what others believe. Ailis never expected to change history by creating the first doorway to another realm. She certainly never imagined opening that door to find a commanding dragon who shifts into a man. She’s irresistibly drawn to Lennox, powerless against the yearning of her body and the longing of her heart.

Magic might have chosen Lennox as King of Dragon Kings, but it’s a position he’s never wanted. Until the day a new being arrives—and irrevocably changes his life. The closer he gets to the fearless, ravishing woman, the more he fights the passion that flares between them. He lives only for his duty, but one fiery kiss unleashes a firestorm of desire that will ripple across eons and realms. Fate might have brought them together, but will it also tear them apart?

The origins of the Dark Kings/Dragon Kings and the entire Dark Universe is finally revealed.

BUY LINKS

✦SIGNED PRINT→ https://dgrant.co/3orvV1F

✦SIGNED HARDCOVER→ https://dgrant.co/3NzirdL

✦Amazon PB→ https://amzn.to/3OcwEwp

✦Amazon HC→ https://amzn.to/3qd1YU0

✦BN PB→ https://dgrant.co/3q8Nvbt

✦BN HC→ https://dgrant.co/3YcwkSS

✦Kindle→ https://amzn.to/3kSh4vl

✦Nook→ https://dgrant.co/3GgKSt4

✦Apple→ https://dgrant.co/40yiL0B

✦Kobo→ https://dgrant.co/3JeXHG2

✦Google→ https://dgrant.co/3J4MrvD

The Witch is Back by Sophie H. Morgan

5 Stars

Love this story!

Our two main characters are both witches; Emmaline Bluewater is weak, while Bastian Truenote is strong.  Nearly a decade ago they were engaged, but Bastian left Emma with no explanation and hasn’t been back.  He was cursed, bat can’t tell her.  Heartbroken, Emma moves to a new town and starts to put her life back together.  Now Bastian is back, and wants them to marry, because of the curse. 

I enjoyed this book; even thought I’d like to slap some sense into these two characters.  They have chemistry which makes this a fun read.  Sophie Morgan has done a wonderful job on the two main characters, and some of the secondary ones have potential-maybe sequels in the future?  Hope so for this engaging author and the world she’s created. 

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

The Lady is Trouble (League of Lords, #1) by Tracy Sumner

4 Stars

Fun Historical Paranormal romance

This is the first book in Tracy Sumner’s new series The League of Lords, with a whole new world for her to develop.  We meet Piper Scott, who sees Auras and can heal and Julian Alexander who is a type of psychic.  Piper’s grandfather was the man who created the League of Lords to help good combat evil, and he rescued Julian from London’s underbelly when Julian was a child.  Julian has promised her grandfather years ago when they were children to stay away from Piper, and he’s done that.  But now, since her grandfather was murdered the forces of evil are looking for Piper to use her power to heal to advance their cause.  Julian is now in charge of the League, and has been “collecting” people who’ve been persecuted because they have magic, and bringing them to the estate he has purchased.  Now, after 3 years, Piper is looking for Julian, to help him with the League, and also because she has loved him since they met as children. 

  Tracy Sumer has done a good job of building the bones of this world that surrounds 17th century London.  She mixes in the way London would have been at that time and then adds in the people who could do magical things who come from all walks of life.  I didn’t notice any writing or grammatical errors, and Ms. Sumner does an excellent job of describing people and places.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book as a series starter.  I didn’t care for some of the interactions between Piper and Julian- they both are written more like 20th century people.  But the book is entertaining, and I continued onto book 2. 

  I was given an ARC of the book by the author/publisher through BookSirens and this is my honest opinion.

Wind With a Chance of Wolfsbane (Grimm Cove #6) by Mandy M. Roth

5 Stars

More from the supernatural town of Grimm Cove

This next entry into Mandy M. Roth’s Grimm Cove series reminds me of Book 5, Thunder with a Chance of Lovestruck. We meet Jonathan Harker, a wolf shifter-vampire hybrid who is working to defeat the evil that is still trying to take over the human world.  Willa Murray (twin of Mina) is descended from Wilhelmina Murray (from the Bram Stoker book).  But she doesn’t think she has any abilities.   And so, our story starts about 20 years in the past. The main characters have their initial meeting, but don’t get the other person’s name.  Mandy M. Roth weaves an intricate storyline, tying characters from previous books, and incidents that have happened in the past into a cohesive story.  It flows smoothly from our characters past into events that are happening now.   This is a very enjoyable read, but readers should have already read the previous books, or you will be lost when characters pop into the story.  A Timeline of major events would be nice, but the author has created a world that is familiar but also so much more.  Spend the time and read this series!

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

Holiday Heat: Dark Universe Holiday Stories by Donna Grant

5 Stars

Stories from Donna Grant’s Dark Universe

This is a collection of 4 stories that have previously been published but are now in one book.  In this you will find Warriors, Reapers, and Dragons, with each touching on the lives of the characters of each of the series.  Dark Alpha’s Silent Night is the Reaper story, which I gave 4 stars when I originally read it.  My Fiery Valentine is set at Dregan with the Dragons, with one couple in particular.  5 stars on this one.  Shards of Hope is only 2 chapters, and features Ulrik and Eillish.  I feel that this needs to be made longer, just because there should be more for us to enjoy. And the last is A Warrior for Christmas which features each couple and their celebration of the Solstice and Christmas.  A bonus feature of this story is the recipes that each couple enjoy.  I gave this one 5 stars.                                                                          

My overall rating for this book is 5 stars, and if you’ve read any of the books in Donna Grant’s Dark Universe you will enjoy this look at what has happened since their books were published.  The writing is excellent, and the stories are in keeping with the characters.  I am hoping that Ms. Grant will continue to add these slice of life stories; fans love the series and love to revisit them.

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

Dragon Arisen (Dragon Kings #6) by Donna Grant

5 Stars

What a story!

First, I want to say that you will get the most enjoyment from this book if you have read the prior books in the series.  But, if you haven’t, you’ll still be able to enjoy reading Dragon Arisen.  Our two main characters are Alasdair, a Dragon King, and Lotti, who might or might not be human or magical.  While a little slow to start, the story picks up and becomes a thrill ride for the reader.  Donna Grant gives us a story to spark our curiosity and imagination.  No spoilers, but readers, you can’t begin to imagine all the ways that this book will grab you and make you want the next book right away.  Well written, with great characterizations, Donna puts more into this book than the previous five.  And she gives us hints as to the upcoming developments that will affect not just Zora, but Earth also.  This book reminds me of the earlier Dragon King books and is very welcome to those of us who’ve been reading this very extensive series.  Grab this book and enjoy the rollercoaster!  I was given an ARC of the book from the author through BookFunnel and this is my honest opinion. 

Four Weddings and a Duke by Michelle McLean

4 Stars

Unexpected connection

Our story starts with the two main characters Alexander Reddington, second son and now the Duke of Beaubrooke and Lady Lavinia Wynnburn, the socially inexperienced middle daughter of the Earl of Abberforth.  Alex, never expecting to become the Duke of Beaubrooke has spent his life studying botany, and his goal is to create a hybrid plant that can help people.  Lady Lavinia, Livy, feels that she has been outshone by her two sisters’ beauty and talents, so she has devoted her time to reading, and fading into the background.  An accurate description for one, and a shield for the other. Michelle McLean takes the story she’s set up and gone where her readers might not expect.  Well written, with characters developing throughout the book, with good side characters.  Of the two main characters Livy is the one I felt did not really grow through her life with Alex.  She becomes a totally different person to the people around her, while her inner self is still stuck as who she was before she met Alex.  I enjoyed the book, and by the end of it saw that both Alex and Livy deserved the lives they wanted. The only thing that threw me was the title, which I still am not sure about.   I was given an ARC of the book through NetGalley and Entangled Publishing and this is my honest opinion. 

Two Scandals and a Scot (Duchess Society Book 5) by Tracy Sumner

5 Stars

More Duchess Society fun

This book is fun, but not nearly as compelling as the prior books.  Our story starts out with Theodosia Astley, who is the Duke of Leighton’s (from Book 2) sister.  She’s about to marry, when she finds out the bridegroom isn’t what she wants.  She runs, but not too far, into a waiting coach.  The coach belongs to Dashiell Campbell, a self-made man and former pickpocket and current card sharp, author, and friend and partner in the gaming hell of Xander Macauley (from Book 3).  Though the book is well written, it doesn’t have the sharpness and details of the prior books.  Both of the characters could have been more developed, and the overall plotting is not as detailed as in the other books.  Still, it is a very enjoyable book that I enjoyed reading.  I’m looking forward to additional books in the Duchess Society.  I was given and ARC of the book through BookSirens and this is my honest opinion.