Our Picks for the Week of July 31st
🏰 Infernium by Keri Lake
🌆 City of Ruin by Lindsey Pogue
💍 Painted Scars by Neva Altaj
🏒 Sneaking Around With #34 by Piper Rayne
👾 Vedrock: by Cari Silverwood
🔫 Forever with Me by Claudia Y. Burgoa
Infernium: A Dark Paranormal Gothic Romance by Keri LakeDescription:
Even the most powerful love can't save a condemned soul
Pain is an abyss.
How naive of me to think I’d already reached the very depths of it when fate shook my world with a crushing blow. It turns out, there are fathomless levels of pain, like a winding labyrinth of doors leading to shadowy figures and long-forgotten secrets. The kind of inescapable descent into madness that twists nightmares into reality.
What lies at the end of this obscure path I have yet to discover, but where it begins, is a place called Infernium. An asylum, feared by those in Nightshade and untrodden by the angels who’ve forsaken its many lost souls.
Some say it’s the gateway to hell.
Others believe it’s where you go when the last flicker of hope dies out.
For me, it’s where I’ve damned myself for eternity–my penance for a crime against the heavens, and home to the demons that claw at my mind.
Yet, not even they stand a chance against my dark angel, Jericho. He fears nothing. Except losing me.
The longer I remain trapped, though, the stronger this darkness inside of me grows. A duality dividing my heart between love and revenge.
Our Thoughts 💭:
As real as the starsWhat a way to wrap up this year's must-read fantasy romance
Lake outdid herself with this duology
"It is not the darkness itself which makes men evil, but what compels them."
I battled my inner child on numerous occasions to keep her from peeking at the end - From reassuring herself there was a HEA at the end
It wouldn't have done her any good as the end is not what it seems
A little cryptic 😉 I know
"Because pain is and will always be the consequence of love"
But the twists and turns
The heart-stopping "Oh Hades No" moments
The betrayals we didn't see coming
The small precious moments that made us smile
The little things that gave us hope
The evil that left us shattered
This has it all
And it was so worth the journey
“I not only brought the wrath of the heavens, but opened the gates of hell.”
The love between these two souls...
I have no words to properly describe what a truly spectacular adventure this was
Hands down the best romance of 2022
#KeriLake #Fantasy #Dark #Paranormal #Gothic #Romance
Amazon
City of Ruin by Lindsey Pogue
You would have thought Selene wouldn't be quite so dense or quick to judge (I might be slightly protective of Greyson)
I adored her but at times I questioned if she might be a bit touched 🤔 Don't worry -
She eventually sees the forest past the brambles and once things click
Mamma bear mode is a sight to see
Greyson was trying so hard to live with dual identities. Protecting those who needed it while placating the more malevolent members of society
The balance was destroying him
This was an engaging read with a slow-build romance that IMO took a back seat to the adventurous story - which works perfectly here
The world-building was unique and vividly created - from the dingy new London streets to the haunted forest
And the story: the little teasers of unknown possibilities- the multiple villains- the accord - the reveals
Let me not forget the evocative characters who brought this story to life
Who instantly enamored me
This has it all
City of Ruin by Lindsey PogueDescription:
The Collector is coming.
Centuries ago, the skies turned black. For 300 years, Londoners survived in the dank, underground tunnels of the city, until a stranger from a faraway land offered to save them. Though it wasn't without cost . . . and he has come to collect.
Travel beyond the City of Ruin, through the secret passageways and haunted woods, to a land shrouded in secrets in this atmospheric retelling of Jane Eyre and Beauty and the Beast.
This is the first book in the richly imagined Ruined Lands, a Forgotten Lands sister series and collection of dystopian fairytale retelling.
Our Thoughts 💭:
Thank goodness for PrudyYou would have thought Selene wouldn't be quite so dense or quick to judge (I might be slightly protective of Greyson)
I adored her but at times I questioned if she might be a bit touched 🤔 Don't worry -
She eventually sees the forest past the brambles and once things click
Mamma bear mode is a sight to see
Greyson was trying so hard to live with dual identities. Protecting those who needed it while placating the more malevolent members of society
The balance was destroying him
This was an engaging read with a slow-build romance that IMO took a back seat to the adventurous story - which works perfectly here
The world-building was unique and vividly created - from the dingy new London streets to the haunted forest
And the story: the little teasers of unknown possibilities- the multiple villains- the accord - the reveals
Let me not forget the evocative characters who brought this story to life
Who instantly enamored me
This has it all
#LindseyPogue #Dystopian #Gothic #FairyTaleRetelling #BeautyBeast #Romance
Amazon Kobo Nook Google Apple
Painted Scars by Neva Altaj
Holy twinkle stars ✨️ I'm in love
This was such a fun read.
Just the right amount of aggression, suspense, and betrayal wrapped in a sweet romance full of playful banter and smoking smexy time
They were quick to click but it worked here without a hitch.
They fit each other so naturally and the relationship flowed in a way that I never once questioned it
The secondary characters were a blast
Roman was a Pakhan to be feared by all but his Nina
For her, he would hang the moon, or gut a guy - either or
Nina may have seemed slightly off-key to an outsider but those who saw the real her knew she savored every moment life offered
First time reading this author
Definitely won't be the last
I laughed, I cringed, my eyes did that watery thing a couple of times -
The escape I needed
Painted Scars by Neva AltajDescription:
Nina
Charming, captivating, and seductive,
And a cold-blooded killer.
But I married the Pakhan of the Russian Bratva anyway.
I had to. It was part of the deal.
Now, I’m faking marital bliss,
As I tremble with fear,
And I cannot wait to be out of the clutches of this ruthless man.
Roman
I get anything I desire.
And I want this perfectly imperfect little manipulator.
The way she can deceive anyone into believing she’s crazy in love with me,
Just makes me want her even more.
She doesn't know it yet,
But I am not letting her go.
The deal - is off.
*Painted Scars is a full-length novel with several open-door steamy scenes, no cheating and a guaranteed HEA.
Our Thoughts 💭:
If ever someone could sway me to bat for the other team it would be Nina!Holy twinkle stars ✨️ I'm in love
This was such a fun read.
Just the right amount of aggression, suspense, and betrayal wrapped in a sweet romance full of playful banter and smoking smexy time
They were quick to click but it worked here without a hitch.
They fit each other so naturally and the relationship flowed in a way that I never once questioned it
The secondary characters were a blast
Roman was a Pakhan to be feared by all but his Nina
For her, he would hang the moon, or gut a guy - either or
Nina may have seemed slightly off-key to an outsider but those who saw the real her knew she savored every moment life offered
First time reading this author
Definitely won't be the last
I laughed, I cringed, my eyes did that watery thing a couple of times -
The escape I needed
#NevaAltaj #Vigilantes #Drama #Thriller #Bratva #OppositesAttract #Romance
Amazon
<3 br="">
Sneaking Around With #34 by Piper Rayne
Ok Warner you win - move over Ford
Gloves down one of the best romances this year!
I promise you'll laugh
You'll get angry
You'll want to knock some heads together
And you'll swoon ( yeah he's that good at groveling 😉 )
Warner and Imogen have a complicated history - young love - young mistakes - hard choices
Warner wants a second chance - a chance to apologize - to heal old wounds - but getting a sexy stubborn Imogen to listen?
Next to impossible
Thank goodness the hockey gods are on his side
Tit for Tat and all that
Imogen loved Warner once - Loved him with all her heart
But he left her emotionally battered and broken
Years later and he may still get her lady bits excited but this time her head is going to rule her decisions
Okay maybe they just need to do that angry smex one time that way she can put his beliefs to rest
or ...
Ford harbors some serious animosity towards Warner and he doesn't hide it - on or off the ice he makes his feelings known
Not only did he hurt his sister but he also betrayed Ford
Now he is encroaching on his team -
Not gonna happen
Let the groveling begin (where there's a will and all that jazz)
Let the gloves fly (dude stop hogging the puck)
Let the oranges roll (Dr. Marc might be on to something)
Let the popcorn thieving commence (I almost died from embarrassment)
Let the dinner party fiasco...
Well that scene just had me in stitches
I truly can say this is one of my favorite series
Each story leaves me feeling as though I was a participant, not just an observer
The vivid true to life characters
The swoon-worthy romances
It's rare I state - Don't hesitate
Just click it 😉
Sneaking Around With #34 by Piper RayneDescription:
I have a reputation for being tight-lipped. You learn quick when you become a professional hockey player to be guarded with the media, so I’ve worked hard to cover up the mistakes of my youth.
But when I’m traded to the Florida Fury, where my ex–best friend is the starting right wing, I’m forced to confront my past. Ford and I have a lot of history, especially when it comes to his little sister, Imogen.
My heart still lurches in my chest when I see her.
My hands want to reach out and touch her.
My mouth wants to keep apologizing.
She’s the only woman who ever made me want more. But she’s also the one who fell victim to my most regrettable decision.
I’m not a believer in fate, but I must be back in her world for a reason. I’ve fought for everything I’ve gotten and I’m not backing down from what I know will be the best thing in my life.
Our Thoughts 💭:
Best dinner party ever!Ok Warner you win - move over Ford
Gloves down one of the best romances this year!
I promise you'll laugh
You'll get angry
You'll want to knock some heads together
And you'll swoon ( yeah he's that good at groveling 😉 )
Warner and Imogen have a complicated history - young love - young mistakes - hard choices
Warner wants a second chance - a chance to apologize - to heal old wounds - but getting a sexy stubborn Imogen to listen?
Next to impossible
Thank goodness the hockey gods are on his side
Tit for Tat and all that
Imogen loved Warner once - Loved him with all her heart
But he left her emotionally battered and broken
Years later and he may still get her lady bits excited but this time her head is going to rule her decisions
Okay maybe they just need to do that angry smex one time that way she can put his beliefs to rest
or ...
Ford harbors some serious animosity towards Warner and he doesn't hide it - on or off the ice he makes his feelings known
Not only did he hurt his sister but he also betrayed Ford
Now he is encroaching on his team -
Not gonna happen
Let the groveling begin (where there's a will and all that jazz)
Let the gloves fly (dude stop hogging the puck)
Let the oranges roll (Dr. Marc might be on to something)
Let the popcorn thieving commence (I almost died from embarrassment)
Let the dinner party fiasco...
Well that scene just had me in stitches
I truly can say this is one of my favorite series
Each story leaves me feeling as though I was a participant, not just an observer
The vivid true to life characters
The swoon-worthy romances
It's rare I state - Don't hesitate
Just click it 😉
<3 br="">#PiperRayne #NewAdult #Sports #Hockey #Humorous #Romance
Vedrock: by Cari Silverwood
The plot thickens -
Tentacles, knots, slip-n-slides, crafty mechs, witty darkness with a conscience, and a snarky battle-ready omega with a gift that just might change the tides of the war
"Sometimes, it felt as if there were secrets within secrets, buried inside other secrets."
As Ved battles to prove his innocence he suddenly finds himself surrounded by friends (yeah not sure how that happened) who seem to be working together (again surprise surprise) to keep him alive and help him
1. Find the evidence he needs to prove who is responsible for the explosion that triggered the change and clear his name
2. Find the truth behind his family's demise
3. Reclaim his lands and title
4. Tame his Kittie (the feral little creature that she is)
and all while trying to evade assassins
This has all the slick moves (pun intended) we have come to expect from this series as well as an engaging and very entertaining storyline with a band of kick-arse characters
I need the next in the series like yesterday!!!
Vedrock: by Cari SilverwoodDescription:
Captured and tortured by the mauleon monster, Vedrock, our heroine, Jinx, is in serious trouble.
To Vedrock’s annoyance, the OV compulsion morphs their desire to destroy each other into an irresistible pulsating knot. They are two incompatible puzzle pieces that somehow come to fit. When forced to flee to another planet, Vedrock drags Jinx with him.
They scramble through the ruins of forgotten cities along with a motley party of misfits. Every single one of them possesses a dark secret, and the assassins are coming.
Be prepared for…
Betrayal. A villain who kind-of, sort-of reforms.
Romance, explosions, spies, mnemonic murder triggers. And a Darkness that offers cookies.
Can true love flourish in the aftermath of the destruction that is unleashed?
If they survive and she can stop Vedrock from killing everyone who has wronged him, Jinx figures it’s a yes.
Contains one antihero who likes to pin people against walls and hold their throat with his claws; one badass warrior kittie; steamy naughtiness; and facepalm moments.
Our Thoughts 💭:
“Here, krazar krazar, krazar.”The plot thickens -
Tentacles, knots, slip-n-slides, crafty mechs, witty darkness with a conscience, and a snarky battle-ready omega with a gift that just might change the tides of the war
"Sometimes, it felt as if there were secrets within secrets, buried inside other secrets."
As Ved battles to prove his innocence he suddenly finds himself surrounded by friends (yeah not sure how that happened) who seem to be working together (again surprise surprise) to keep him alive and help him
1. Find the evidence he needs to prove who is responsible for the explosion that triggered the change and clear his name
2. Find the truth behind his family's demise
3. Reclaim his lands and title
4. Tame his Kittie (the feral little creature that she is)
and all while trying to evade assassins
This has all the slick moves (pun intended) we have come to expect from this series as well as an engaging and very entertaining storyline with a band of kick-arse characters
I need the next in the series like yesterday!!!
<3 br="">#CariSilverwood #Fantasy #ScienceFiction #Romance #Aliens #Tentacles #Smexy
<3 br="">Amazon
Forever with Me by Claudia Y. Burgoa
Lang and Fitz find themselves dodging bullets and dodging feelings.
Neither one wants to get hit by either.
Never fear though it looks like their families have both covered
This was such a fabulous read.
Lang was sent in to protect Fitz while the organization takes down a bad guy. The assignment seems easy but Fitz will require 24/7 protection.
This means Lang will be on him like velcro - the issue with that is Fitz is more an oil kind of guy.
The back and forth banter between these two had me rolling
The underlying understanding of the others' past - the fear and loss that can stay with a person *sigh* They were exactly what the other needed
The smoking hot chemistry between them was off the charts
Fitz is outgoing, the kind of gentleman that grabs what life has to offer and savors each moment. At times it is his natural outgoing personality that is displayed. Other times his smooth-talking got his covered persona is to cover up his fears
Until a young Lang calls to him on so many levels
Lang is the quiet shadow in the corner - no really he is
He has no qualms about "doing what needs doing" to get the job done
and that includes protecting this grumpy at times tantrum-throwing man who keeps testing boundaries and ramping up his heart rate - not always in a bad way either
Laughs - Action - Oil and water - Suspense - Romance -A bit of grumpy pup - Angst - Romance - A bit more grumpy pup - Some Smoldering Smexy moments all blended together for a whole lot of fun
#ClaudiaBurgoa #Romance #Humorous #MMRomance #Billionaire
Amazon Kobo Nook Google Apple
Forever with Me by Claudia Y. BurgoaDescription:
I trained to save lives.
No one trained me to save my heart.
I have two jobs.
Two identities.
Only one name.
Lang.
I manage musicians, represent athletes, and the odd author.
(It’s a long story)
I also work for The Organization—a secret high intelligence agency.
We don’t mind bending the law to get things done.
Though, I’m always in the background flying drones, researching, scouting…
Up until I get a new assignment.
I’m the new Junior associate to Everhart & Everhart, LLP.
Also, Fitzhenry Everhart’s new boyfriend.
He’s fifteen years my senior, and an extrovert.
We’re water and oil.
I’m the wrong person for the job—but no one believes it.
I avoid relationships, flings, and hookups.
Who am I kidding?
I avoid people.
If the bad guy doesn’t kill him, I might do it before the mission is over.
Forever with Me is a Male-love-Male angsty romance with opposites that can’t help to attract each other and danger is in every corner. This is the last book in the Everhart Brothers series by USA TODAY Bestselling Author Claudia Burgoa.
Our Thoughts 💭:
"You carry the weight of the world on your shoulders and take care of everyone around you. But who takes care of you?"Lang and Fitz find themselves dodging bullets and dodging feelings.
Neither one wants to get hit by either.
Never fear though it looks like their families have both covered
This was such a fabulous read.
Lang was sent in to protect Fitz while the organization takes down a bad guy. The assignment seems easy but Fitz will require 24/7 protection.
This means Lang will be on him like velcro - the issue with that is Fitz is more an oil kind of guy.
The back and forth banter between these two had me rolling
The underlying understanding of the others' past - the fear and loss that can stay with a person *sigh* They were exactly what the other needed
The smoking hot chemistry between them was off the charts
Fitz is outgoing, the kind of gentleman that grabs what life has to offer and savors each moment. At times it is his natural outgoing personality that is displayed. Other times his smooth-talking got his covered persona is to cover up his fears
Until a young Lang calls to him on so many levels
Lang is the quiet shadow in the corner - no really he is
He has no qualms about "doing what needs doing" to get the job done
and that includes protecting this grumpy at times tantrum-throwing man who keeps testing boundaries and ramping up his heart rate - not always in a bad way either
Laughs - Action - Oil and water - Suspense - Romance -A bit of grumpy pup - Angst - Romance - A bit more grumpy pup - Some Smoldering Smexy moments all blended together for a whole lot of fun
#ClaudiaBurgoa #Romance #Humorous #MMRomance #Billionaire
Amazon Kobo Nook Google Apple
<3 br="">
<3 br="">
<3 br="">#bookworm #bookaddict #bibliophile #booknerd #romance #romancereads #authorsofinstagram #bookblogger #bookblogs #readingromance #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #instabook #bookworms #greatreads #readersofig #readerforlife
Comments
Post a Comment