“To bear witness to the fury of the sea, to have your life held entirely in its hands—to live or die depending on its whim—must be terrifying, indeed.“To bear witness to the fury of the sea, to have your life held entirely in its hands—to live or die depending on its whim—must be terrifying, indeed.�
The description of the book as a retelling of Cinderella & The Little Mermaid captured my attention. Add to that historical fantasy (that’s new to me) and dark elements had me putting this in my monthly @aardvarkbookclub box faster than I could say boo.
In the year 1758, Lucinde Leon is the youngest daughter of a prosperous ship owner. The confines of the city seem restrictive. She escapes to the beach and sea every chance she gets (I would too) and feels nothing but peace and calming vibes from this little rebellion. When her feet touch the sea, her heart sings. One morning, during a walk on the beach, she spies a man in the ocean and immediately she jumps in to rescue him. In this tangled tale, sisters clash over dresses, two men vie for one sister's hand, and parents' wishes are ignored as the story progresses.
A slow burn, mildly spicy, medium paced read, my heart was captured in this tale of love, power and betrayal.
CW/TW: Torture, Murder, Death, Violence, Ableism, War, Death of parent, Slavery ...more
“Sea glass helps bring good luck. That’s why mermaids like to fill their homes with them.�
Celestine LeBlanc is staying with her family friend Ray, lea“Sea glass helps bring good luck. That’s why mermaids like to fill their homes with them.�
Celestine LeBlanc is staying with her family friend Ray, leathermaker & pirate mage, when her artistic skills foretell a horrible death. When she returns home from communing with the dead tarot reader, Nola Jaye, she finds that Ray is dead and his eyes have been gouged out just like her prophetic drawing. Not only does Celestine want to find out what happened, but she ends up with a group of friends, some mundane, some not, to help her discover what exactly is going on in Savannah, Georgia.
I read this book as part of an Annotation Swap. It’s so fun being able to see what others pick up on in a book and what you yourself chose as most important. A fast-paced urban fantasy with paranormal creatures, you'll enjoy this story if you're interested in magical elements, a touch of spice, and a mystery surrounding the characters.
“Atlantis isn’t a fictional island or a place that was destroyed by a volcano or earthquake over two thousand years ago,� she continued. “It’s a paral“Atlantis isn’t a fictional island or a place that was destroyed by a volcano or earthquake over two thousand years ago,� she continued. “It’s a parallel dimension, as is Mount Olympus.�
Lyssa, demi-goddess, is the daughter of Circe, and someone is leaving dead, mutilated bodies around her homestead. With her shifter Alpha, Rion, her unblessed children, and her vampire lover at her side she is determined to find the culprit. What she doesn’t realize is that she’s being watched, and all is not as it seems.
The first book in this series is big on world building, although the story is short (under 200 pages), which made the pacing a little slow. Take your time when learning about a new world and set aside your real-world knowledge of Greek Gods and Goddesses to follow the author's lead. I loved that the author gave us ordinary problems for Lyssa, along with Atlantean agreements, contracts, and parents decisions for their children. Not my typical read, but I enjoyed the story and feel like I’ll continue the journey of Lyssa and her chosen family.
CW/TW: Death, Fire/Fire Injury, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Violence, War, Murder ...more
Bristol Keats, worker at a pizza parlor, is doing her best to make ends meet. Taking care of her sisters since the death of her parents, does not makeBristol Keats, worker at a pizza parlor, is doing her best to make ends meet. Taking care of her sisters since the death of her parents, does not make that an easy task. A young woman should not have this many responsibilities. When she’s approached by a group that’s offering to make her life a whole lot easier, she’s tricked into making a Fae bargain, and now she might have just ruined her life, and her sisters.
“A lifetime of question marks had hooked together in a chain and dragged her to this reality.�
I’ll admit it, I picked this one up for the beautiful cover & sprayed edges, but I loved the way the author built the world of Fae, their courts, and their rules. The imaginings she brought to my mind with her words really had me holding on tight to this tale. If you like books about the Fae, if you enjoy court politics, evil vs. good, and slow burn romance, you are going to be hooked.
CW/TW: Violence, War, Grief, Death of Parent, Murder ...more
"I want you to let me see you. All of you. There is nothing I have seen yet that has made me look away. No atrocity you could commit to make me not wa"I want you to let me see you. All of you. There is nothing I have seen yet that has made me look away. No atrocity you could commit to make me not want you like this. No matter how forbidden. I want to know everything. I want to see all of the darkest corners of your mind. I want to taste your sins."
When Ophelia & her sister find out that their mother has been murdered, the bank comes to collect on the debt against their home. In financial straits, Ophelia’s sister enters a deadly game at Phantasma, a cursed manor, where most contestants don’t make it out alive. The only thing Ophelia can do is to go in after her sister, and hope that her inherited death-driven magic helps her win the game.
Ophelia's struggle with OCD is woven into the story with care and authenticity, providing a captivating and insightful look into her daily struggles. Blackwell, MMC, is the kind of intriguing and alarmingly attractive character that will leave you batting your eyelashes and hastily turning pages for more. Their spice level is off the charts, so make sure you prepare!
I thoroughly enjoyed Phantasma, although a little slow to begin, once Ophelia was at the Manor, it picked up the pace and I didn’t want to stop listening. Shout out to Laura Horowitz, the narration was *chefs kiss* amazing. The realm of Phantasma has everything: magic, romance, and that dark, edgy thrill.
CW/TW: Blood, Gore, Violence, Death, Death of Parent, Self Harm, Torture...more
A complex relationship between and angel and a demon. A city owned, cleaned up & run by the demon, and the angel is the "bad guy". A long love story bA complex relationship between and angel and a demon. A city owned, cleaned up & run by the demon, and the angel is the "bad guy". A long love story between two beings that will never age, medium paced, and a fantasy that was new to me. ...more
Dragons are extinct. Witches are outcast. Magic is dying. But human lust for power is immortal.
When you tell me that there are dragons in a story, aloDragons are extinct. Witches are outcast. Magic is dying. But human lust for power is immortal.
When you tell me that there are dragons in a story, along with magic I’m going to jump in with both feet. I love dragon stories, and this one proved it. Tamsyn was adopted by the royal family to be the “whipping girl� of the daughters. She’s treated as part of the family, but also a servant. When Fell, Beast of the Borderlands arrives and demands a treaty including the hand of one of the royal daughters in marriage, the royal family is at once outraged, and then the trickery begins. Forced into marriage, Tamsyn knows that her life might be shortened by this falsehood, but ever the good daughter she follows through and is determined to live. Sophie Jordan gives us every obstacle that a young woman could be harmed and comes out on the other side shining like the brightest star. The narration of this story was exceptional, and exciting with the actors holding my attention for the entire reading. Truly a fiery romp through a new world of dragons, witchcraft, and romance.
Woof, what a ride through these four books. This book wraps up the stories nicely, and although I thought this one was a bit longer than it needed to Woof, what a ride through these four books. This book wraps up the stories nicely, and although I thought this one was a bit longer than it needed to be, I loved that Thea & Julian take on their lives with the fullest intent of making their love last for eternity. Truly a thrilling ride through vampire & otherworldly creatures. ...more
I can't read these books fast enough. Really enjoying this foray into vampires by Geneva Lee.I can't read these books fast enough. Really enjoying this foray into vampires by Geneva Lee....more
“This book is for anyone who has ever wanted more.�
If someone had told me that at the beginning of 2024 that I would be reading a book about Basilisks“This book is for anyone who has ever wanted more.�
If someone had told me that at the beginning of 2024 that I would be reading a book about Basilisks and a royal family I would have laughed. Surprisingly, I found a small IG account, not so small now, of a woman in the PNW in the process of opening a bookstore. I followed her trials and tribulations and found myself engaging and laughing out loud at the hilarious moments she shared with us.
When she invited her followers, now growing even more, to follow her journey of writing, I jumped in. She started releasing this book chapter by chapter (it’s still available as of this posting on her website) and it was so different and unique I couldn’t help but fall into her world with both feet.
Split or Swallow, a story of a kingdom ruled by a jerk of a king, a prince of that same kingdom, and the basilisk community (which also is a kingdom of a sort). Temperence, “Tem�, is of the age where she will be trained in the art of lovemaking by a basilisk that chooses her, and then given to the kingdom for the prince to make his choice of all the eligible women. This story gave me distinct Hunger Games vibes, definitely on the tribute side, with the Prince choosing who moves forward in the competition. As the story unfolds we learn about the Basilisk community, Tem’s home (she lives on a chicken farm with her mom that provides eggs to the local bakery), and the kingdom where they live. As expected there were a ton of revelations within the story, the lore behind the snakes and their lives, and a whole lot of extremely NSFW spicy scenes. This is not the story you recommend to your mom, although Lindsay’s mom read it, and praised it. I am firmly Team Caspen.
“If you weren’t an ophiophilist before, you will be now.� Praise from a follower.
If you are a romance, a dark romance, or an erotic romance reader, do yourself a favor and grab your copy, read the Praise For Split or Swallow, and fall into this world like I did. ...more
3.5 rounded up. I don't know what I expected, but this one didn't hit it out of the ballpark. It's an interesting romance. I didn't connect with the F3.5 rounded up. I don't know what I expected, but this one didn't hit it out of the ballpark. It's an interesting romance. I didn't connect with the FMC, but once I started I couldn't stop this one. ...more
“Her father had told her repeatedly that fear was the one force that drove all darkness in the world. Love, on the other hand, was the greatest source“Her father had told her repeatedly that fear was the one force that drove all darkness in the world. Love, on the other hand, was the greatest source of power. Love strengthened the weakest, gave them a ferocity that fear never offered. Mothers defended their children. Partners, friends, good people stared down evil, becoming something to be feared. Because of love."
I started this story back in October (2024) and then got sidetracked by buddy reads and new releases. Finally finished this weekend and even with the long pause I was able to fall fully back into the story. The world building was really fun, and I loved that our MC was the Prince of Envy. What a story line. I did go back and forth from audio to physical book, and that just brought the story to life with the narrators giving me voices to go with my reading.
CW/TW: Violence, Blood, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Torture, Child death, Vomit, Grief...more
Dedication: To Chuck - This book wouldn't exist without you. If nothing else, you believe in the unfathomable power of garlic. I LOVE THIS!
Partial BluDedication: To Chuck - This book wouldn't exist without you. If nothing else, you believe in the unfathomable power of garlic. I LOVE THIS!
Partial Blurb: A high fantasy farce featuring killer moat squid, toxic masculinity, an evil wizard convocation, and a garlic festival. All at once. All in all, Dread Lord Gavrax has had better weeks.
I very much picked this book up for something different, something easy & quirky to read. It definitely fits those molds and then some! From the first sentence; "He woke up with no eyebrows and no idea how he'd gotten into such a position". I engaged with the characters, maybe not all of them the same, but I enjoyed each and every one of them. I’d label this cozy fantasy, you’ll guess where the story is going, but you’ll have fun along the way....more
Location: New Orleans Players: Human Nurse & Fae Criminal Bargain: 30 days
Cate is an emergency room nurse, and the night that her brother comes in with Location: New Orleans Players: Human Nurse & Fae Criminal Bargain: 30 days
Cate is an emergency room nurse, and the night that her brother comes in with a gunshot wound takes this story to a whole new level. Not only is he shot, but he’s in deep trouble, with the local “crime� lord, Lachlan Gage. His name is on the hospital, but Cate won’t take no for an answer when she deals with the devil himself to get her brother off the hook.
Oh I absolutely loved this book. Wooooooo is this a spicy book. If you read books about the Fae you know, in your soul, that bargains are not taken lightly, and Lachlan fits this to a T! He will win my book boyfriend of the month, because there is nothing more exciting than paranormal danger at every corner, and a feisty nurse that takes that danger and makes it her own. A fast read, a delightfully sinful breathtaking combustible relationship that rivals Geneva Lee’s Filthy Rich Vampire series. Absolutely cannot wait for the next one to see how it all unfolds.
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