‘Ella and Ash’ (Happily Ever After #1) by K.A. Last

4.5 stars

Book Blurb:

“Three years after her mother’s death, Ella is left with an absent father, a cruel stepmother, and a magical pendant so powerful she must keep it hidden. The pendant is the only connection Ella has with her mother, and she will do anything to protect it—even if it means becoming a servant in her own home.

To escape her wicked stepfamily, Ella finds solace under the branches of the weeping willow beside her mother’s grave. Ella thought she could practice her magic there in secret, but when she is caught by Ashwin, the son of the richest lord in the county, Ella fears she may lose her pendant after all.

Ashwin gains Ella’s trust by promising not to tell anyone about the pendant, but Ella knows they are from different worlds, and she is reluctant to open up to him too much. When Ashwin invites Ella to a masquerade ball, she sees it as a chance to escape her life, even if it is for just one night.

But her pendant isn’t the only secret Ella has been keeping. If Ashwin learns who she really is, will the truth ruin her chance of happiness with him, or will it set her free?

Find out in this sweet and magical re-imagining of Cinderella. “

Review:

Interesting spin on 'Cinderella' in which each character has magic within them, and some have access to very powerful artifacts handed down within families.  In this re-telling, the son of the most powerful family in the land sees past circumstances and befriends our leading lady.  This is an enjoyable quick-read novella, recommended for fairy-tale fans.

I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book.  All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. 

‘Ella and Ash’ will be available on September 9, 2019 through Amazon's Kindle Unlimited program. 

‘Noble Thief’ (Fantasy and Fairytales #6) by M. Lynn

5 enchanting stars!

Book Blurb:

“A new story in the Fantasy and Fairytales series, this can be read without first reading books 1-5.

A prince of two kingdoms, yet belonging to none.
Tyson Durand once knew exactly where he fit in life. As the son of the Gaulean queen and brother to the Belaen ruler, his loyalty was always divided.

Except when it came to her.

Amalie Leroy was his home - until she pushed him out of her life.

When Tyson’s mother summons him to Gaule, she sends him on a mission for the crown: find the outlaw terrorizing the kingdom.

He never imagined his search for the criminal would bring him face to face with everything he’d lost.

When he learns the truth of the mysterious hooded figure, how far will he go to save a woman who deceived him?
---------------------------------
Like father, like daughter.
Amalie Leroy could never escape the legacy of her traitorous father. But maybe they weren’t as different as they seemed.

She once had everything she thought she wanted, but it wasn’t enough - not when her people suffered under the thumb of the crown.

So, she gave it up. She let her prince go, choosing the life of an outlaw over him.

And now he’s coming for her. No, not as the boy who loved her, but as an agent of the crown to hunt her down.

Only, he doesn’t know the truth of their past.

Amalie thought pushing Tyson away meant he could never destroy her.

She was wrong.
Inspired by Robin Hood, this is the archer as you've never seen her before.”

Review:

Wonderful re-imagining of 'Robin Hood' encompassing all the main characters from Lynn's 'Fantasy and Fairytales' series as well as some new faces, loyal to The Hood. This entire series is highly recommended.

Highly recommended for YA readers and fairy-tale fans.  The entire series is currently available as part of the Kindle Unlimited program! 

Fantasy and Fairytales series:

‘Golden Curse’ - ‘Golden Chains’ - ‘Golden Crown’ - review

‘Glass Kingdom’ – ‘Glass Princess’ 

‘Noble Thief’

‘Cursed Beauty’ - review

‘Summoned’ by M.A. Guglielmo

4 stars

Book Blurb:

“The wrong jinn at the right time, Zahara’s a force to be reckless with.

Zahara, party girl of the paranormal, floats up out of a lamp in Daniel Goldstein‘s apartment ready to trick a sorcerer into giving up his soul. But Daniel, whose Moroccan grandmother has reached out from beyond the grave to command him to raise a jinn, wants to do good—by stopping a vengeful fallen angel.

The nymphomaniacal, shopping-obsessed Zahara isn’t the otherworldly ally Daniel had in mind. A do-gooder with a dangerous quest isn’t what Zahara’s looking for, either.

Stuck in a magical contract with each other, the two travel to Morocco, where Zahara’s handsome friend Zaid, a jinn who’s converted to Islam, reluctantly joins their quest. As Daniel and Zaid struggle against jinn-hunting mercenaries and their attraction to one other, Zahara is forced to join forces with the fallen angel’s gorgeous but infuriating brother to stop a cataclysmic war between the human and jinn worlds.”

Review:

Upper YA and mature readers will enjoy this supernatural wild ride as one human and two jinn race to save the world from fallen angels with questionable motives.  This was a quick, fun read full of sarcasm-laced dialog and humorously inappropriate antics.

‘Summoned’ will be available on September 24, 2019.

#Summoned #NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book.  All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. 

‘The Lady Rogue’ by Jenn Bennett

4 stars

Book Blurb:

“The Last Magician meets A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue in this thrilling tale filled with magic and set in the mysterious Carpathian Mountains where a girl must hunt down Vlad the Impaler’s cursed ring in order to save her father.

Some legends never die…

Traveling with her treasure-hunting father has always been a dream for Theodora. She’s read every book in his library, has an impressive knowledge of the world’s most sought-after relics, and has all the ambition in the world. What she doesn’t have is her father’s permission. That honor goes to her father’s nineteen-year-old protégé—and once-upon-a-time love of Theodora’s life—Huck Gallagher, while Theodora is left to sit alone in her hotel in Istanbul.

Until Huck arrives from an expedition without her father and enlists Theodora’s help in rescuing him. Armed with her father’s travel journal, the reluctant duo learns that her father had been digging up information on a legendary and magical ring that once belonged to Vlad the Impaler—more widely known as Dracula—and that it just might be the key to finding him.

Journeying into Romania, Theodora and Huck embark on a captivating adventure through Gothic villages and dark castles in the misty Carpathian Mountains to recover the notorious ring. But they aren’t the only ones who are searching for it. A secretive and dangerous occult society with a powerful link to Vlad the Impaler himself is hunting for it, too. And they will go to any lengths—including murder—to possess it.”

Review:

This YA historical fiction novel is narrated entirely by the spunky and relatable teenaged Theodora Fox, granting us access to her thoughts and reactions as her adventure progresses.  Though the narration is quite comical at times, and her witty banter with Huck is a joy to read, this is a treasure-hunting, action-adventure mystery novel through and through.  Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

‘The Lady Rogue’ will be available on September 3, 2019.

I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book.  All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'A Heart So Fierce and Broken' Preorder Promotion

Don't miss out on this amazing 'A Heart So Fierce and Broken' Preorder Promotion!

 #Cursebreakers

‘The Last Hope’ (The Raging Ones #2) by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie

4.5 stars - Futuristic, sci-fi YA novel with amazing friendships/relationships.

Book Blurb:

“A stunning conclusion to the sci-fi romance duology by writing duo Krista & Becca Ritchie, The Last Hope is filled with twists and turns you'll never see coming.

Sacrifice all you have to survive.

Imprisoned for weeks on an enemy starcraft, Franny, Court, and Mykal have sat with an unfathomable revelation. But as they fight to stay alive, escaping prison means trusting a young mysterious stranger. He knows everything about their lost histories, and when answers aren’t given freely, the bonded trio are forced to join a mission. One that will determine the fate of humanity.

Legend says, a baby—the first of her species—has the power to cloak and teleport planets. Tasked with retrieving the infant, Court fears the baby is just a myth, and if they fail, they’ll never find the truth about their origins.

As Court and Mykal grow closer, their linked bond becomes harder to hide, and dynamics change when Franny begins to fall for someone new. Vulnerable and with no choice, the hunt for the baby sends the trio on a dangerous path to Saltare-1: a water world where their enemies can’t die and survival comes at a high cost.”

Review:

‘The Last Hope’ is the brilliant conclusion to Franny, Court, and Mykal’s story, started in ‘The Raging Ones.’  A proper, full review would include spoiling plot points, so if you generally trust and agree with my taste in books, please run – don’t walk – towards this duology and enjoy!  ‘The Last Hope’ releases on August 13, 2019.

#TheRagingOnes #NetGalley

I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book.  All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.  

‘Crown of Coral and Pearl’ by Mara Rutherford

4 stars

Book Blurb:

“For generations, the princes of Ilara have married the most beautiful maidens from the ocean village of Varenia. But though every girl longs to be chosen as the next princess, the cost of becoming royalty is higher than any of them could ever imagine…

Nor once dreamed of seeing the wondrous wealth and beauty of Ilara, the kingdom that’s ruled her village for as long as anyone can remember. But when a childhood accident left her with a permanent scar, it became clear that her identical twin sister, Zadie, would likely be chosen to marry the Crown Prince—while Nor remained behind, unable to ever set foot on land.

Then Zadie is gravely injured, and Nor is sent to Ilara in her place. To Nor’s dismay, her future husband, Prince Ceren, is as forbidding and cold as his home—a castle carved into a mountain and devoid of sunlight. And as she grows closer to Ceren’s brother, the charming Prince Talin, Nor uncovers startling truths about a failing royal bloodline, a murdered queen… and a plot to destroy the home she was once so eager to leave.

In order to save her people, Nor must learn to negotiate the treacherous protocols of a court where lies reign and obsession rules. But discovering her own formidable strength may be the one move that costs her everything: the crown, Varenia and Zadie.”

Review:

Enjoyable fantasy stand-alone about a village at sea and the nearby kingdom with a castle literally carved into a mountain. Though the twin sisters at the center of this book have a healthy and loving relationship, the two half-brother princes are as different as night and day.

‘Crown of Coral and Pearl’ will be available on August 27^th.

I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book.  All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

‘Mimic’ (The Prodigy Chronicles #2) by C.L. Denault

4.5 stars

Book Blurb:

“In 2012, one cycle of an ancient calendar system came to a close. Humanity predicted its downfall, but it wasn't the end of their evolutionary climb. It was the beginning.

Willow Kent is discovering that life as a second-phase prodigy comes at a price. Trapped in the London Core, her choices are limited, made difficult by her forbidden romance with Reece and the presence of a new commanding officer who establishes harsh rules. With unpredictable skills and a growing distrust in her birth parents, she is struggling to play the Core's game. But when opportunity arises in the form of a mysterious shapeshifter, Willow realizes there's more to her own evolution than meets the eye. She soon learns that keeping secrets is a key move, and the more dangerous they are, the greater her need to evolve into the powerful prodigy nature intended her to become.

But those closest to her have their own secrets, and her status has made her an easy target for betrayal. Who will she turn to, when nothing is as it seems?”

Review:

Wonderful follow-up to 'Gambit.'  Just as with the series opener, the complex and developed characters were the best part of this book; their motives, their secrets, their interactions.  Author C.L. Denault’s characters kept me guessing right until the new cliff-hanger ending; not a bit was predictable. The plot moved forward at a comfortably steady pace, never a dull moment, and nothing felt rushed or forced.

‘Mimic’ is available now; a must-read for fans of well-written YA romance, adventure, or dystopia with developed characters and settings.

I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book.  All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

‘Striking Midnight: A Reimagining of Cinderella as an Assassin’ by Jennifer Ellision

‘Striking Midnight: A Reimagining of Cinderella as an Assassin’ by Jennifer Ellision

 (Fairy Tale Lies, Spies, and Assassins Book 1)

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

“Dawn will break. And she will rise...

When the Noctisian King passed, the Daylight Accord crumbled. Now, the Kingdom of Noctis exists in darkness and unending night, while their neighbors slowly roast.

The sun never sets on Sol.

The former prince of Noctis refuses to honor the bargain his father made with the Solian rulers and both kingdoms suffer without the balance the other brings. But when the time comes for King Knox to choose a bride, Sol sends forth their best contender: Princess Cyndria.

Cyn is beautiful. Poised. Demure… and deadly. Trained by Solian assassins since she was old enough to grasp a knife, she knows exactly how she’ll enchant the King.

And, once she’s queen… How she’ll end him.”

Review:

Brilliant writing, wonderful twist on Cinderella!  I’m very excited for Cyn and Knox’s story to continue later this year in ‘Slipping Glass.’  Author Jennifer Ellision has created a unique and magical tale of her own.

This is a skillfully written YA fantasy / fairy tale re-imagining that I highly recommend, especially for fans of Brigid Kemmerer’s ‘A Curse So Dark and Lonely,’ A.G. Howard’s ‘Splintered’ series, and Marissa Meyer’s ‘The Lunar Chronicles.’

‘Striking Midnight’ is available now!

I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book.  All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

‘The Beast and the Beauty’ (Reversed Retellings Book 2) by Aya Ling

3.5 stars

Book Blurb:

“How can a woman cursed to look like a beast make a handsome prince propose marriage?

Sybil de la Roche was once the belle of the court. Now she is more hideous than any woman in the kingdom. To restore her beauty, she must receive a marriage proposal. Forty years and twenty-eight rejections later, she decides to break the curse on her own. But when a personable young man arrives, she is torn between hope and dread.

Prince Gerald is widely renowned as the best-looking man in Savony. On a quest to find a mage who has disappeared for years, he is stranded at a remote manor in a snowstorm. His interest is piqued by the mysterious woman in the manor, but his desire to get to know her is foiled by her determination to avoid him.

For maximum enjoyment, it is recommended that you read Book 1, Till Midnight, prior to The Beast and the Beauty.”

Review:

Clever gender-swapped re-telling of 'Beauty and the Beast' where Gerald, the best looking of the 12 princes from 'Till Midnight' (gender-swapped '12 Dancing Princesses') becomes trapped at a large manner in the middle of a snow storm.  Lady Sybil was so beautiful before her curse, that her picture hangs on a wall in Gerald's castle because his grandfather fell in love with her beauty.  Cursed to appear as a beast, she has searched for someone to propose for the last 42 years.

We see a few characters from 'Till Midnight' but 'The Beast and the Beauty' offers mostly its own cast, drawing readers further into the connected stories of this series and setting up the next book, which I look forward to reading.

‘The Beast and the Beauty’ will be available on March 30, 2019.

I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book.  All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.