A Review: The Curse of a Faeblood

Summary:

The Curse of the Faeblood by MK Lorber follows Ember, a young woman who carries the gift of healing marking her as a faeblood.  She lived most of her life with her mother, also a healer taught her how to use and control her gift.  Ember and her mother never stayed in one place long due to their gifts, as faebloods outside the ruling class were usually hunted and killed or imprisoned.  The beginning of the story we find Ember alone, her mother just having died protecting her secret, and Ember on the run. 

She meets a young woman name Jade, who takes her in and puts her to work.  Ember ends up growing close with Jade, and really feeling at home in the town.  Never a good plan for someone who would be hunted and killed by nobility if she were found out. Gavyn, one of the town's protectors doesn't trust Ember initially, but there's no denying the attraction that blossoms between the two of them.

Thoughts: 

The storyline was fantastic, the world building simple and creative.  I'm not sure I always liked Ember, or Gavyn for that matter. I kept waiting for Ember to come into her own, and not need a rescue, or a protector but it never really happened. Ok...maybe once, but then she immediately went back to her dependent self. She was starving on her own, got the help she needed but still needed Gavyn, her possessive protector to save her. Gavyn went from brooding and suspicious to possessive and jealous. Confusingly he wanted to bite her to mark her as his mate...but no where in the story building did that seem to make sense.  The beginning of the book really interested me and I couldn't set it down but I left disappointed when the main characters didn't really show much growth. 

Who would want to read this? Someone who needs a low stress, rescue me romance with some kink that flirts with being smut, but isn't quite smut.  (Please know I use the word smut lovingly....we all need a little smut in our lives)

Heat Index:

7/10: We had some really hot moments and some mild kink. Everything was consensual, but graphically explained.

Overall Rating: 4 stars

The Curse of the Faeblood is brand new and is available now for purchase. 

Disclaimer: I received an advanced e-copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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A Review: The Lenoir Legacy

 

I'm enchanted with The Lenoir Legacy by Cristen Faulkenberry.  I love high fantasy, and this is with out a doubt modern high fantasy writing.

Summary:

We follow the story of Rosealyn, princess of Orda'an, daughter of King Phillipe. The monarchs in her family all have a gift that passes down to the next monarch when the ruling monarch dies.  This gift allows them to see glimpses of the future, present, and past. We can't forget Rosealyn's protector, Charles and all the secrets he has, and then underlying attraction between the two of them. 

Thoughts:

Patience is required with this one, and the unfolding of this story occasionally was bumpy. I felt the beginning was a bit disorganized A few times I almost considered not finishing the book, but I'm glad I stuck this one through, because I really enjoyed this story.  It doesn't really pick up the pace until you're about halfway through, so coffee up, snuggle up and dig in. In the end I really fell in love with this story.  There's dragons, and politics, elves, magic, and a slowest of slow burn romance that refreshingly isn't the center of the book.  The world building gradually unfolds by the end of the book, making for a charming read.  

The Lenoir Legacy was released in March 2022, and is available for purchase now! It's even available on kindle unlimited!

Disclaimer: I received an advanced e-copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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A Review: Curse and Craving

 

Finally...I was beginning to lose hope.  A book that made me neglect life.  Ya'll...put this one on your list.

Summary: 

Curse & Craving by Jill Ramsower begins by introducing us to Rebecca who just accepted a job in Ireland as a museum curator. When she arrives in Belfast with her best friend Ashley, life seems to instantly get weird. She sees creatures she's never seen before, some are small and cute...some are absolutely terrifying.  She ends up discovering Fae creatures living under cover in the city, and meets Lochlan who is in charge of keeping the city safe and the Fae out of town. While getting to the root of the problem Rebecca does her very best to keep her relationship with Lochlan professional, but she can't help but feel the intensely attracted to him.

Heat index: 7/10 There is some heat to this slow burn love story, and when the act happens it is detailed. The heat is relevant to the story telling.  ***Trigger warning*** there is some questionable consent laid out in a betrayal type way.  I don't want to give spoilers, but I want to help readers to make informed choices. 

Thoughts:

Absolutely loved this book.  It was the kind of book that made me briefly neglect life, stay up too late, and wake up too early. The world building was artfully laid out.  She beautifully weaves Norse Mythology, with Celtic Mythology, and Arthurian legends and more to give us a deeper understanding of this mysterious world that most people can't see.  The slow burn romance always keeps the pages turning for me, with twists and turns that I did not expect. If you enjoy fantasy romance, strong independent heroines, beautiful world building be sure to add this one to your TBR list.

Curse & Craving is available for purchase 4/4/22!

Disclaimer: I received an advanced e-copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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A Review: The Seren Stone

Another book that I think I was not the target audience for, however in my opinion this book really should have been labeled as children's fiction instead of  Young Adult. I don't mind young adult, and there have been quite a few children's novels that I have absolutely loved like Mandy by Julie Andrews or even The Heartwood Hotel by Kallie George.  The Seren Stone missed the mark for me.

Summary: 

Loren, and her siblings Will and Cat find themselves suddenly launched into the future where dragons exist and the world as they knew it no longer exists.  The moon is broken, and the familiar landscape they once knew is covered in water. The book doesn't describe how old the children are, but based off their behavior and other context clues it seems that Loren is the oldest, and behaves as if she is an early teenager, with Will being in the middle and Cat being young, possibly seven or eight. They begin a quest to learn about the necklace that mysteriously brought them to into the future, and to possibly find their way home.

Thoughts:

The imagery Lisa Shambrook provides when describes the dragons, or the scenery is brilliant.  She is obviously a gifted writer. I wanted to like this book. I love the genre, I love reading about dragons and magic, and any book that takes me anywhere is worth a shot. The target audience for this book really should be 10-14 year olds. It's clean, it tells a fun story, and I think if I had read this at this age I would have really loved it. . If you have a child that's into D&D or video games that have dragons in it, they would absolutely love this book.  It also felt very much like the The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, but with a bit less sparkle.

I'm going to gripe here for a second, and I hear another blog post coming shortly about genres. I understand genres are subjective, but there's a widely agreed upon criteria when it comes to Young Adult and this book does not fit that description.  Young Adult stories are typically about YOUNG ADULTS and typically involve a coming of age theme and have major character development.  This book had NONE of this.

Who would enjoy this book?

• Anyone who enjoys reading adventure stories about children.
• Any child (or person young at heart) who enjoys D&D or fantasy based video games.
• Anyone who enjoyed children's stories like The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe,

The Seren Stone is available for purchase beginning April 5!

Disclaimer: I received an advanced e-copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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A Review: The Brighter the Stars

This week I dipped my toes into some sci-fi, and I stumbled across an audio book The Brighter the Stars by Bryan Prosek. I don't usually listen to audiobooks, but I may try to add them to my reading more. It's pretty nice the things you're able to accomplish while also listening to a book!

Summary: This story follows Jake, a young Legion soldier who is motivated by revenge after witnessing the brutal murder of his uncle when he was a teen. Jake gets caught up in a bigger political issues of Earth and it's relationship with other planets.  He manages to locate a lost crystal that was stolen, but all the while has to decide whether to follow through with his revenge plans, save the love of his life, or clear his now tarnished name.

Thoughts: This book was well planned, well structured, with clear world building and characters that I could relate to. There's a clear moral conflict that Jake is having to work through all laid out in an exciting well paced book.  Having said that...I don't feel that I was the targeted audience for this book and that's ok! This is the kind of book I was looking for when my oldest son was a young pre-teen and would inhale books so much that he left our librarians scrambling. I didn't really start paying attention until I was about  halfway through, but I don't even think there were any bad words in it.  It's a clean book, suitable pre-teens as well as teens, and more than likely the target audience this book was intended for.

Bryan Prosek also has published A Measure of Serenity which is also labeled YA which focuses on a young girl named Serenity Ashdown. Be sure to check it out!

Disclaimer: I received an advanced e-copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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A Review: In a Garden Burning Gold

 

This is the first book I've read from Rory Power, who is the author of Wilder Girls, and Burn our Bodies Down, both Young Adult, horror/suspense/thriller type books.  Rory Power brilliantly takes on a new genre with In a Garden Burning Gold.

Summary:

In a Garden Burning Gold is set in a Greek style fantasy world, with some of the names and food mentioned having a Greek style to them. The story follows Rhea and Lexos are twins that help support their father while he rules their country for the last few hundred years.  Rhea's gift is bringing on the seasons, however to do so she must choose a consort to spend a season with, killing them at the end of the season to bring on the next season. Lexos controls the constellations and the seas.  Together they have to work from a distance using their own gifts and situations to save their family, while it seems the world is pitted against them and hoping to turn them on themselves.

My thoughts:

The book is slow to begin, but really picks up speed about 1/3rd of the way through.  There is a complex world building that I really enjoyed.  There is political discord, family strife, religious zealots and religious control in the area. Both Rhea and Lexos have to work behind their father's back to maintain control over their country or risk losing their lives. The reviews on Goodreads were mixed, so I while I enjoyed the book very much it can be heavy. I would not consider this book a light easy read, but the timing for me was just right and I enjoyed it as a change from what I have been reading lately. 

You will like this book if you enjoy reading about: 

1. Political intrigue, that's somewhat Games of Thrones style.
2. Unique world building.
3. Unique magical style that's based in some religious zealotry.
4. Unexpected twists and turns.

Trigger warnings: Emotional abuse from parent, blood, violence, death

In a Garden Burning Gold is available for pre-order now, and available for purchase April 5!

Disclaimer: I received an advanced e-copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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A Review: The Lives of Diamond Bessie

Ya'll...I'm mesmerized.  If you're a fan of historical fiction with a strong independent lady with a big heart, I'm going to highly suggest The Lives of Diamond Bessie. I'm going to tip-toe around what I tell you about this book because I don't want to spoil it for you.  Don't go reading reviews just in case. Just get the book.

Summary: 

Pregnant, and not married in the 1860's, Annie Moore found herself sent to a convent for fallen women. She had her baby while at the convent, and the nuns take her baby and immediately force her to go back to work.  She escapes the convent, determined to make a living for herself and find her baby she ends up having to become a prostitute, and takes on the stage name of Bessie.

Thoughts: 

This story was well written, and easy to read. I felt connected with Annie (aka, Bessie), and loved the glimpse into the beginnings of the women's suffrage movement and early feminism.  I have a very basic understanding of this history, and I felt that I was able to grasp not only a good connection with the character but even a harsher understanding of how it must have been to be a woman in this time. I don't want to give anything away, but there are some very unexpected twists and turns that really brought this book to the next level.  Definitely worthwhile to be on your TBR list!

The Lives of Diamond Bessie is available for purchase 4/5/2022!

Disclaimer: I received an advanced e-copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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A Review: Isle of the Immortal

I'm in post-amazing book recovery. I don't know if I was ranking all the books I've read so far this year, but I am now, and this one sits as the very best one that I've read so far this year.  Ya'll..go put Isle of Immortal on your to read list right now. 

Summary: 

Shailin lives in a remote Scottish village with her mother and younger brother.  Her brother Hendron has always been ill since birth, and at 15 years old doctors say he will likely not last much longer. In one last desperate effort to save him, Shailin's mother sends her on a journey to the Immortal Isle to see the Vampire King, who she claims owes her a life debt. Early in her journey she meets Axton, who is also heading towards the Vampire King's castle. Not knowing her way, she reluctantly follows him and together they make their way to the castle.

Heat Index: 3/10 - There is some heat to this love story. It is somewhat detailed, but not overly so, and is complimentary to the story.

Thoughts: 

I really loved this book. I stayed up way too late last night with the whole -- just one more chapter....ok just one more chapter.  I couldn't put it down. When I had to function in actual real life my mind kept going back to the book.

This had a fairy-tale-ish type of storyline that I'm genuinely always a sucker for.  I loved Axton and Shai's chemistry. I love how they tease each other, and also how their personalities compliment each other.  She was just the right amount of independence and strength, and he was just the right amount of protectiveness with out being overbearing.  The pace was just right, the world building was artfully laid out and easy to understand. The mysteries of the who's and the what's were not at all what I thought they would be. I'm looking forward to more from this author. Until then, I'm off to go read this again so I can find all the clues I missed the first time through.

I also want to point out that this is Stephani Estrada's first publication of a Fantasy Romance. She is a young indie author, so I encourage everyone to follow her on her Instagram Page.

Isle of the Immortal is available for purchase 3/22/22!! 

Disclaimer: I received an advanced e-copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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A Song of Siren and Blood: A Book Review

When I first started reading a Song of Siren and Blood I was initially confused, and still am a bit (don't worry, it's easy to do)...I'll explain. 

Summary: 

The main character Minerva is a tough old singer still actively singing and performing well into her seventies. The book begins at where Minerva has just received a very long standing ovation after singing a multiple hour live performance. While the fans love her,  her success as a musician never reached its full potential, as she is under appreciated, and under achieving singer for her talent. 

Being down on her luck, she accepts a job to give vocal lessons to a very wealthy client. Things end up not being what they seem.  A very wealthy businessman has hired someone to pull Minerva's soul out of her body, and into the body of a his daughter, a young girl named Moriganne Charmer.  The moving of souls however doesn't go as planned, and Minerva displaces the soul of the girl who's body she has been placed into. 

Minerva now has to navigate being a student again, in the Halls of the Stone Singers. She has six months to fool everyone around her into thinking she is still Moriganne, while also succeeding in school.

Thoughts:

The Song of Siren and Blood started off at a great pace, however I felt the world development and character development wasn't deep. I'm still a bit confused about the world, and hope to learn more about it's history and how/who/what has magic in future books. I have not read any of Thomas Carpenter's other books, and I'm thinking that I may be missing some information because I am starting at this point. I was still able to enjoy the book however, and am definitely interested to know if I should have started at a different point in his Hall Series books.

The The Song of Siren and Blood is available for purchase March 15, 2022!

Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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A Feast of Ice and Fire: A Cookbook Review

Tell me I'm not the only one with a small collection of book themed cookbooks....right?

I'm a homeschooling mom of an amazing second grader, and the last few weeks we've been studying medieval history.  One of my favorite things do with my boy is to explore what we study with food, so of course I had to find some medieval recipes to go along with our studies.  What I ran across were lots of recipes with weird things...like, what's galingale, or why does the recipe say to cook it in a coffin? Don't worry I googled the answers.

I found an unlikely book that was well researched that proved an entertaining and easy way to show my son medieval spices while comparing it our modern blends. And ya'll...I learned why white people put raisins in everything...apparently we've been doing it for hundreds (or more) years.

A Feast of Ice and Fire Cookbook by Chelsea Monrole-Cassel and Sariann Lehrer was perfect for our studies.  We purchased this book a few years ago, after we got the Elder Scrolls Cookbook. My husband is a developer at the Elder Scrolls online, and we enjoyed that book so much we had to get the Ice and Fire too. 

First we made these medieval apple cakes. First she quotes Game of Thrones, when Jon breaks his fast with applecakes and blood sausage with Samwell Tarly....but my inner history geek squealed when she also quoted Ein Buch Von Guter Spise, from 1350. Then next to this recipe she has a modern apple cake recipe that resembles an apple muffin.  We didn't make those, but we talked about the differences between modern apple spices, and the Poudre Forte mix she has in her book.  

We waited until the weekend to make our next recipe so we could all sit down and enjoy a family medieval style dinner. The next recipe we tried was her Aurochs Roasted with Leeks....aka, Roasted Beef with Carrots and Leeks. I regret not pairing this with her Onions in Gravy recipe, however we did try her Medieval Black Pepper Sauce....it was not my thing, but it was still fun to try something new.

If you liked Game of Thrones, love to try new food, and love history you might really enjoy A feast of Ice and Fire She has written quite a few books for video games, including Elder Scrolls, and World of Warcraft, and even has a one for Star Trek coming out later this year. Since I am currently reading The Hobbit with my little guy right now, I might as well try and snag The Shire Cookbook....if I'm lucky enough to find it that is.

Disclaimer: I purchased this book on my own out of pure joy, geekery of history, food and good books. There are Amazon links, should you choose to click on them they will not cost you anything, but may give my blog a small monetary kick back if you choose to purchase anything. 

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A Review: A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft

This book was slow to get going and I had to once again, draw on my four chapter rule.  Ya'll it's a good rule, and I encourage anyone to adopt it. It gives me just enough patience to allow the story to get some direction.  It works almost every time.

Summary:

A Far Wilder Magic, by Allison Shaft  begins with Margaret Welty, who is living mostly by herself.  Her mother an alchemist is almost always gone on research trips. Her family ties are almost non-existent since her father and brother have passed away.  Her mother is buried into her work, leaving Margaret alone most of the time.  While splitting wood one evening, she sees a mythical fox called a hala, and after sighting it she knows a hunt for it will begin in her town.

Wes Winters has dreams of becoming an alchemist however he keeps getting fired from his apprenticeships. In hopes of studying with one of the most well known alchemists, Master Evelyn Welty he travels to the small town of Wickdon...out in the middle of nowhere.  This is where he meets Margaret Welty, her mother the Master alchemist is out of town, and she agrees to let him stay until her mother gets home.  However, she doesn't reveal to him she's not exactly sure when she'll be back.

When the official contest for the hunt for the hala begins, Margaret wants to join in the hunt. She needs an alchemist partner, and convinces Wes to join her even though he's not technically an alchemist. 

My thoughts:

Beautiful world building and character development.  I love how the two main character's stories slowly begin to intertwine. They're both very relatable characters with insecurities, fears and strength that really brings them to life.  There are splashes of our own world issues such as racism, poverty, and disconnected politicians to make everything relatable, but with a touch of magic and beauty that remind us we are in New Albion, and not in the Pacific Northwest of the US. It had a slow start, but by the middle of the book I couldn't set it down.  Definitely worth the read.  

A Far Wilder Magic is available for purchase beginning March 8, 2022! 

Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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