Tag: Book Review

Storm Wood (Elven Kingdoms #3) by Donna Grant

5 Stars

Slow start, great finish

As several other readers have said, I also had a difficult time with the first quarter to third of this book.  Neither of the two main characters, Farah, a Wood Elf, or Rohan, a human, impressed me.  Neither one was likeable.  In the background there are other characters who were more interesting having been in the prior Elven Kingdom books.  But I continued to read, and little by little Farah and Rohan developed into characters who had more depth.  The story was more action/adventure than romance which caught my attention and got me interested in what was happening.  The romance was more behind what was happening around with Farah and Rohan.  It does come into full focus at the end of the book which is different than how Donna Grant’s other books go.  Different, not bad.  I did enjoy Storm Wood, and how the author features a different Elf race in each, keeping a hold on the larger plot line that ties all the Elven Kingdom books together.  I am ready to read the next installment in the series.

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

Storm Wood (Elven Kingdoms #3) by Donna Grant

Releases 13 May 2025

Deepest loyalty. Fiercest defiance.

I never wanted to fall in love. My sister’s disappearance damaged me for such things. I’ve devoted my life finding her—no matter where that leads me.

I could never have imagined it would bring me to him. A human with haunting celadon eyes and a determination that rivals my own. He’s strong, brash, and gorgeous.

Maybe that’s why I was caught off guard when he acknowledged that I was a covert agent. It’s a secret few know, and if word gets out, I’m as good as dead.

Too much rides on my identity remaining hidden. I have no choice but to help him navigate the perilous depths of the Below—and all who reside there.

But the lines that were once so vivid between us slowly begin to blur. We have only each other to survive and trusting him with my life is one thing. With my heart…that’s something I can’t even consider.

Yet, I can’t stop wondering what his lips would feel like against mine. I can’t help the ache I feel to be near him. And I can lie to him, but not myself. I crave his hard body next to me.

I never wanted to fall in love…but he stole my heart before I had a chance to safeguard it.

Now fate is pulling us apart, but I intend to fight for him. For us.

Even if it means my death.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant weaves a captivating story of daring choices, unlikely alliances, and the enduring strength of hope in the thrilling third installment of her acclaimed Elven Kingdoms series.

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Dragon Marked: A Dragon Kings Novel by Donna Grant

5 Stars

Wow, just Wow!

This book is the continuation of Donna Grant’s Dragon Kings series.  Our featured dragon Is Merrill, whom we heard talked about in her earlier Dark Kings series.  In this story we learn how much Merrill has taken on over the millenniums.  But hiding inside he is becoming more and more angry, enough so that he has distanced himself from the other dragons and the Kings.  Wandering on Zora, he chances to see a woman who he feels he must meet.  The woman is Katia, who help the evil Villette in her quest to destroy all dragons.  With this setting up an incredibly interesting story which also brings in other characters that have been featured in prior books. 

  Dragon Marked is an excellent book, but if you haven’t read at least the prior books in the Dragon Kings series, you may not understand or appreciate all that is happening.  But…if the storyline sounds interesting, start reading because every book builds on the ones before.  Donna Grant has created and entire Dark Universe encompassing Celtic Warriors, Druids, Fae, Reapers, and Dragons.  For the most enjoyment start at the very beginning with her Warriors series.  I cannot wait for the next book in any of her series!

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

Dragon Marked by Donna Grant

I would sell my dragon soul to possess her…

From the moment I saw her, she held me enthralled. It was more than her beauty. It was in the very way she looked at the world.

The way she looked at me.

She saw me as no one ever had. The scars I tried to bury, the wounds no one else knew about. She saw the worst parts of me—and she didn’t look away.

Together we pursue a shared nemesis. While a terrifying foe stalks us at every turn.

Whatever enemy dares to get close, I will slay. Whatever path she walks, I will be beside her.

For I am hers. Utterly. Completely.

She’s my greatest temptation. The other half of my soul.

My mate.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant delivers a powerful story of redemption, danger, and passion in the next chapter of the Dragon King series.

BUY LINKS:

✦SIGNED HARDCOVER PRINT→ https://dgrant.co/3Pv0xJF

✦SIGNED PRINT→ https://dgrant.co/3C5PhA8

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Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham

5 Stars

Enjoyable read

I love stories that are set in Scotland, such a beautiful country with wonderful people.  So, when I saw this book, I really wanted to read it.  And I wasn’t disappointed.  Our main female character is Katie Campbell, and American travel writer with no definite home.  She has parents but her only sister has passed a few years prior.  Katie is given an assignment to cover a 3-week Edwardian Experience at a Scottish home named Craighill House.  Here she meets Graeme MacKerrow, whose family owns the house.  He’s not very friendly and is overworked and is also raising his young nephew.  Graeme does have a wonderful family who have large parts in this slow burn romance.  Both characters are well developed and show honest emotions and are very real to life.  I would hope that Pepper Basham would add additional books set here in the small village that Craighill House is located.

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

The Folklore of Forever (Moonville #2) by Sarah Hogle

2 Stars

Confusing

This is book 2 of the series Moonville and I am sorry to say that I never connected with this book.  I struggled with it from the beginning.  Our main female character Zelda Tempest is one of three sisters and both of her sisters can do magic.  But not Zelda who pushes the fact that she is a skeptic.  The main male character is Morgan Angelopoulos, a man who wants to be magical so much that he hunts ghosts hoping

 to find that they are magical.  The story itself is scattered and just confusing.  Neither main character caught my interest, and I’m sorry to say I couldn’t finish it.  I have read other books by the author and all have been solid 4 stars.  I’m sure some readers will enjoy the story and characters but not me. I was given an ARC of the book through NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion

Blood Skye (Skye Druids #6) by Donna Grant

5 Stars

A finely woven plot….

Another well written book from Donna Grant.  She has taken us back to Skye, where an evil is still creating problems for the Druids on Skye.  Our two main characters, Carlyle who was part of the London Druids, and Devon, whose real name is Song has been associated with the London Druids since she was very young.  These two find themselves on the island of Skye where Carlyle has become a supported or the Knights who are fighting against the evil, and Devon has been sent to Skye to assassinate a Druid.  From this Donna has woven another intricate story that continues from the previous Skye Druids books while also introduces some favorite characters from her Dark Universe books featuring the Dragon Kings.  This is truly an outstanding book, and I cannot wait for the next in her Dark Universe series. 

I was given and ARC from the author thru NetGalley and this is my honest opinion. 

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.

BUY LINKS:

✦SIGNED PRINT→ https://dgrant.co/4fAsD0q

✦STORE EBOOK → https://dgrant.co/4fAsD0q

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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 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.