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*REVIEW* – Absolution, Anise Storm and Taylor L Ray

#paranormalromance #revenge #enemiestolovers #thriller #erotic #darkromance

Blurb

Dominic Price believed he had a future with Juliana Rutherford until one dark night, she goes missing, and her affluential father has him arrested for her disappearance. After spending nearly two years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, he is acquitted and has one goal in mind – Revenge.

Whitney Greene is content with her life until a voice invades her thoughts. It is a woman, and she needs help that only Whitney can provide. Her world now off its axis, Whitney is about to be tested when sent to help the one man with the power to destroy them both.

Dominic is powerful, wealthy, and so close to exacting the vengeance he sought when a ghost from his past emerges, only she’s claiming that she isn’t the one who’d set him up for a fall before. Whitney tries convincing Dominic that she isn’t Juliana, but he isn’t fooled. The timing is too convenient and the taste of betrayal still too bitter.

Deciding to use her as an additional pawn in his deadly game, what ensues is a series of events causing each of them to question themselves, question each other, and reveals a force more sinister than either could’ve ever imagined. When the dust settles, will absolution finally be found?

My Review

Suspenseful, twisty and passionate! 5 stars

Buckle up for addictive dark romance which combines so many of the genres and tropes I love: suspense; paranormal; enemies to lovers; mistaken identity and revenge. The central romance is between Whitney and Dominic, but there is also the ghost of Juliana, Dominic’s ex, the daughter of a powerful man, which adds a mysterious element to the book. As a young man Dominic was falsely accused of her murder by her father. He spent a long time in prison before a jury found him innocent and is committed to making his accuser pay.

Businesswoman Whitney, who has no connection with Dominic, discovers she has a gift which enables those who have passed to communicate with her. Juliana’s spirit contacts her to help her seek closure for Dominic on what he went through. It took me a few pages to accustom myself to the inner dialogue between Witney and Juliana, in what is otherwise a contemporary style read, but once I did, I found it added an entertaining element to the book.

Dominic, now a rich and influential man, lives to enact revenge on Juliana’s father who was so keen to pin the murder of his daughter on him. When he encounters Whitney, whom he mistakes for Juliana (she turns out to be her doppelganger), he is furious, thinking she not only tricked him in the past, by faking her death, but is out to trick him again. He seeks to punish her and use her in seeking revenge.

I found the book to be an entertaining and emotional read on a number of levels: Whilst Dominic and Juliana cared for each other in the past, Whitney is her own person and the attraction between Dominic and herself results in some scorching and at times highly erotic and emotional scenes. Dominic goes all out to seek the truth as Whitney struggles to comes to grips with her gift and tries to convince one very angry man that she is not his deceased lover and had no knowledge of the past events that blighted his life. The book has plenty of twists which I did not see coming and has some dark elements which may be triggering for some.

I loved the read and the many questions it poses, not least in relation to Whitney’s gift, and why she resembles Juliana so much given she has no connection to her. Will Dominic believe her and if he does how will his enemies react when they see the woman who is supposed to be dead back on scene and in Dominic’s orbit? Who are these powerful enemies, and will Dominic and Whitney survive? Will the couple find their HEA and will Juliana finally find peace and be content to let them forge their own future…

Highly recommended to readers of romantic suspense/thrillers who love enemies to lovers trope with paranormal elements.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Purchase Links

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Author Links

Taylor L Ray Facebook

Anise Storm Goodreads

Posted in ARC Sign-Up, Erotic Romance, Paranormal, Review, Romance, Romantic Suspense
Tagged #enemiestolovers, erotic romance, paranormal-romance, revenge-thriller, thriller
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🐺RELEASE BLITZ🐺-MONSTER IN MY SHADOW: A DARK PARANORMAL SMALL-TOWN SHIFTER ROMANCE (RAVENSWOOD BOOK 1), BY LANA SKY

#ParanormalRomance #NewSeries #AuthorLanaSky #TwistedRomance #ShifterRomance #FatedLovers #DarkRomance #SmallTownRomance #FangsAndClaws #Cursed #NeedToReadItNow #ReadMoreRomance #Bookstagram #NewRelease #booklover #bookish #bookworm #bookaddict⁠

BLURB

Note to self: Beware of the tall, beautiful stranger with feral eyes.

Small-town life is all I’ve ever known—until he appears. He stalks me from the shadows while wordlessly begging me to draw near. After a fateful night, my world will never be the same.

I should want to run from him.

He claims he won’t hurt me—even though every fiber of his being urges him to.

I don’t have a choice but to trust him.

We’re linked in a way that goes beyond mere attraction, or even lust—and anyone who threatens that bond will rue the day he ever crossed their path.

Even if that person is me.

A new dark paranormal small-town shifter romance from Lana Sky. Enter the world of Ravenswood where curses are as real as the things that go bump in the night and sprout fangs and claws. Monster in My Shadow is the first book in a trilogy.

 

All Retailers ➜ https://books2read.com/MonsterShadow

My Review

Fantastic start to a new trilogy – 5 stars

Monster in My Shadow is a fantastic start to a new trilogy by Lana Sky. This slow burn shifter romance, set in a small town, is full of mystery, danger and suspense and an overriding sense of menace. I was glued to my Kindle throughout and particularly liked the unique take on the fated mate’s trope.

Kaydee Blanchette, a young woman who works in a local bar, has felt the eyes of the handsome and mysterious Liwai Raven on her for years. His attention has gotten under her skin, and although he attracts her something about seems off. A shocking event brings them together, affecting them on a visceral level and they both struggle with the consequences as their lives and their plans for the future are turned upside down…

Indeed, both Kaydee and Liwai are in for a hell of a ride as secrets, and more are revealed, and they strive to come to terms with the decisions they make. I loved their pairing – the bookish, innocent, and bespectacled heroine with the character of Liwai, the dark and brooding outcast who is rumoured to have done very bad things… Kaydee feels drawn to him, but at the same time is fearful of what she may find. As for Liwai, his actions are mercurial, and he appears at war with himself. He says she is safe with him, but what if it is a lie?

I enjoyed how the character of Kaydee, grows as she ventures out of the comfort zone of her hometown, and embarks on a journey to make sense of events and their impact on her and others. There are so many layers to this book outside of the central romance and it is a cracking read! The character of the schoolgirl Renae, a member of Liwai’s household is also worthy of special note, as she plays such a key role in the book and is a fascinating character in her own right.

The book ends on a cliffhanger and I am looking forward to Monster in my Heart, the next book in the trilogy.

Please note, a copy of this book was given to me by the author, and I am voluntarily leaving a fair and honest review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lana Sky is a reclusive writer in the United States who spends most of her time daydreaming about complex male characters and parenting her Cockapoo Joey. She writes dark, twisted romance across several genres. Her titles include everything from mafia romance to vampires.

AUTHOR LINKS

Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest | Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Reader Group | Goodreads | Website | Amazon | Bookbub | Lana Sky’s Author Shop | Bonus Material | Newsletter

 

Posted in ARC Sign-Up, book blitz, New Adult, Paranormal, Review, Romance
Tagged dark, lana-sky, paranormal, paranormal-romance, shifter romance, small-town-romance
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*BOOK REVIEW TOUR* – SEA SHAKEN (THE CASTLEBY SERIES BOOK 3), BY J. M. SIMPSON

Blurb

All is not well in Castleby.

Her life hangs in the balance… He needs to be sure she’s dead…

Jesse Stevens lies in a coma after being pulled off a cliff by a psychopath who escaped from prison to find her.
He is in hiding, also hurt from the fall, but fuelled with rage. He needs to make sure she’s dead. If she isn’t, he’ll finish the job once and for all.

Military Intelligence Officer, Sam Jones, missing presumed dead, returns from Afghanistan after two years of brutal torture in captivity. Struggling to cope, Sam has no desire to carry on living, or return to family life, with his wife, Sophie, and son, Marcus. Sophie is desperate to help Sam recover and leans heavily on her friend and ex-forces soldier Foxy for support.

Castleby is plagued by a series of unexplained deaths among the elderly and that of a local fisherman. Inspector Steve Miller works closely with the new local GP, Kate Cooper, to try and find an explanation and they eventually uncover the sinister truth.

Intrigue, drama, suspense and a hint of romance continue in the third of the Castleby Series.

My Review

Suspenseful and emotionally intense – 5 stars

Sea Shaken is the latest release in J. M. Simpson’s Castleby series, set in a fictional coastal town. It is a character driven and suspenseful crime thriller with elements of romance, and I was hooked from start to finish! It was my first time reading this author’s work and although the book worked for me as a standalone, I will be checking out earlier books in the series which reference the backstory of some of the characters.

Castleby is a town where traumatic events have left a shadow over the lives of a number of its inhabitants. One if these is Jesse, back from the brink of death, after being brutally attacked by her ex-husband, intent on murdering her. There is also Sam, rescued from two years of torture in Afghanistan. After suffering unimaginable horrors during his captivity, he is not the same man and wants nothing of his old life with hwife Sophie and son Marcus. Luckily Sophie has a good friend Foxy who is on hand to help out, but he has his own issues… As if this wasn’t enough, the new GP Kate Cooper and Chief Inspector Steve Miller (my two favourite characters!) have their work cut out in trying to get to the bottom of unexplained deaths within the community. I was rooting for the main characters throughout, whilst asking myself if anyone was safe in Castleby.

Sea Shaken was a suspenseful and at times emotionally intense read and I really felt for what some of the characters were going through, whilst wanting those responsible for the crimes to be held to account. The plot is harrowing at times, particularly the references to those characters experiencing PTSD, but there are also moments of humour and a great deal of warmth due to the friendships and romantic elements inherent in the plot. The author is certainly skilled at creating believable and relatable characters, in which the reader very soon becomes invested. I particularly loved how she effortlessly wove their individual stories into the overall story and enjoyed the many twists and turns. 

All in all, a fantastic read for lovers of crime thrillers and suspense.

Please note, a copy of the book was made available to me by the author, and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Author Links

Website

 



Posted in ARC Sign-Up, Contemporary, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Review, suspense, Thriller
Tagged crime, drama, LM-Simpson, PTSD
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*REVIEW* – Blood Diamond: A Dark Cartel Romance, El Mundo de Sangre #4, by Lana Sky

#CartelRomance #DarkRomance #RomanticSuspense

Blurb

When it comes to family, there’s little Lupita Sanchez won’t do—even if it means throwing herself in the path of a man as feral as his predatory namesake.

Julian “Jaguar” Domingas has carved out a violent reputation as one of the most powerful and dangerous drug lords alive. He’s exactly the kind of beast Lupita has learned the hard way to run far, far away from—but desperate times call for insane measures.

Jaded and cynical, Jaguar has seen it all when it comes to the multitude of schemers and spies eager for even a taste of his power—and convincing him to help her won’t be easy.

Protecting her heart, however, will be child’s play—or so she thinks.

After all, what can a man like Jaguar want more than her body? Certainly not her soul…

And definitely not her love.

El Mundo de Sangre is a world of linked dark romance trilogies. Diamante de Sangre continues where Dinero de Sangre ends. Each trilogy can be read as a standalone, but will be better enjoyed if read in order. The first two books in each trilogy end in cliffhangers which will be resolved in book three.

My Review 

Heady cocktail of desire, danger and deceit! 5 stars

Blood Diamond is the first book in a new trilogy by Lana Sky, and I LOVED IT! It is a heady cocktail of danger and desire as Lupita, having nowhere else to turn to seeks the help of Jaguar Domingas, the most ruthless cartel kingpin of all. Jaguar was featured in earlier books in the El Mundo de Sangre world, and I have been longing to learn more about him since he first appeared as he truly is a bête noire type of villain, a man to be reviled and feared, with no hope of redemption.

My sympathies were well and truly with Lupita, a woman who is desperate, a little crazy and traumatised by a past where she had a lucky escape from a man such as Jaguar. She thinks she knows exactly what she risks yet is nevertheless prepared to sacrifice herself for the sake of another. What she is not prepared for is Jaguar’s level of ruthlessness as he seeks to peel back her layers and reveal her secrets and the true woman beneath.

The sexual tension between the couple is electric. Jaguar finds Lupita a challenge as she is so unlike the women he is used to and in return for his help and protection he demands everything, including her soul… after he has had a taste will he decide to keep her, or will he destroy her and spit her out? Can she trust him to keep his side of the bargain?

I hugely enjoyed this multi-layered read which is awash with danger, tension, and deceit and full of unexpected twists and turns. I also enjoyed the side characters who are part of this world. I love that this author’s work is never predictable, neither the reader nor the characters never quite know what is around the corner for them. The book ends on a cliffhanger which left me begging for more and the next instalment, Blood Debt, cannot come soon enough!

Please note I received a copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Author Links

Website

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Posted in ARC Sign-Up, Dark Read, Review, Romance, Romantic Suspense
Tagged cartel-romance, dark-romance, lana-sky, romantic-suspense
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August 23, 2022 by Tina Williams

ARC REVIEW – Bond Bitten (The Bonded Vampire Chronicles Book 1), by Christie Clayton 

#paranormal #vampireRomance #fatedmates

Blurb

When a vampire bonds to a human, the consequences can be catastrophic.

Sebastian Blake is beautiful, charming and immortal, yet when he bonds to the human, Emily Heart, his poise, wealth and good looks are met with derision and hostility.

Independent, feisty Emily refuses to abandon her friends and family to pursue everlasting youth and eternal life with Sebastian. But the longer she resists her attraction to him, the more damage the powerful mate bond inflicts on his mind, leaving him vulnerable to a group of sadistic vampire hunters.

The hunters weaponize vampire-human bonds to weaken their immortal foes and harvest their blood. They reveal shocking secrets about Sebastian’s past, strengthening Emily’s resolve to stay away from him.

Can Sebastian win Emily’s heart before it’s too late? Or will Emily fracture their volatile bond, sacrificing their only chance for true love?

My Review

Sexy and Intriguing start to a new series – 5 stars

Bond Bitten is the author’s first published novel and is a sexy and intriguing take on the world of vampires and humans, full of passion and angst. If you are a fan of Buffy, the Vampire Diaries and True Blood you too will likely be drawn to the characters and plot.

The path to true love is never easy and when you add the concept of a reluctant fated mate into the mix it becomes ever more difficult. Emily and Sebastian are not only from very different worlds but are complex characters in their own right, both factors which impact on their relationship, their bond and their future big time.

Emily is a feisty, yet vulnerable heroine and the handsome and rich Sebastian epitomises all she despises (that’s even before she realises he is far from human). As for Sebastian, he never expected to bond with a human and Emily’s reluctance to complete their bond has consequences… I found Sebastian eminently swoon-worthy, but he too has baggage and secrets from his own past, some of which he is unaware of.

The book has its fair share of tension amidst the undeniable attraction and scorching sex scenes between the couple, not to mention danger in the form of the vampire hunters. I loved the various twists and turns and was on pins to find out how the plot would pan out and whether the couple could resolve their differences before it was too late.

The word building within the novel is very well done and I enjoyed how the author wove Emily’s and Sebastian’s romance into the overarching battle between vampires, their ruling council and the hunters. I look forward to future books in the series.

Please note, a copy of this book was given to me by the author and I am voluntarily leaving a fair and honest review.

Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Author Links

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

Posted in ARC Sign-Up, Paranormal, Review, Romance
Tagged fated-mates, paranormal, vampire-romance, vampires
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August 12, 2022 by Tina Williams

*REVIEW* – Sinners and Saints (Sinners and Saints #1), by Lana Sky and Molly Doyle

#Dark #MCRomance

Blurb

Traumatized by a family tragedy, Frances “Frey” Heywood resorts to committing the unthinkable—only to be saved at the eleventh hour by a man more troubled than even she can comprehend.

Daze Keaton is bad news. A criminal and a drug dealer, he’s a far cry from the safe harbor Frey craves, but all her doubts pale in the face of the way he numbs that cold, broken place inside her.

If only for a little while.

Though Daze’s comfort is a welcome gift, his true motives are far darker than she can ever fathom. While he might have saved her life, her future is in far more danger with him in it.

Not that her head will listen. Or her heart…

A brand-new dark romance collaboration from authors Lana Sky and Molly Doyle full of mystery, suspense, angst, and spice.

My Review

Crazy and intense dark MC read – 5 stars

Sinners and Saints is the first book of a trilogy and I found it to be one crazy ass ride from start to finish. I am a huge fan of Lana Sky’s writing, and I really enjoyed this collaboration with Molly Doyle, an author who is new to me.

After Daze, a mysterious stranger prevents Frey, grief stricken and traumatised after her brother’s death, from ending it all, her life becomes entwined with his and she begins to question everything about herself and those close to her.

The couple are polar opposites, and I relished the contrast and the constant push/pull between them: Daze is a dangerous criminal, involved in drugs and God knows what else, and Frey the innocent and closeted daughter of an influential man who heads up the religious organisation the Covenant.

I loved how Frey is equally drawn and repelled by Daze throughout. There are some hot scenes between them which I lapped up, yet the read is also full of twists and turns in a book which has a solid and engrossing plot line.

Indeed, the story kept me on toes throughout, taking Frey and reader to unexpected places, physically and emotionally. I appreciated how the evolving plot drip feeds the reader small details, revealing secrets which build up a picture of their shared past and present, increasing the level of suspense, tension and danger. As their lives begin to overlap who can Frey trust? I found myself constantly asking myself whether Daze will be Frey’s saviour or the agent of her destruction.

This addictive read ends on a cliffhanger, and I cannot wait for the next instalment.

Please note, a copy of this book was given to me by the authors, and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Author Links

Lana Sky Website

Molly Doyle Website

Posted in ARC Sign-Up, Dark Read, Religious, Review, Romance, Romantic Suspense
Tagged dark-romance, lana-sky, mc-romance, molly-doyle, religious-cult
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August 4, 2022 by Tina Williams

*ARC REVIEW* – Bound by Honor (The Clan Donald Saga Book 2), by Regan Walker

  #histfic #scotland

Blurb

The friendship that changed the destiny of a nation…

In the waning years of the thirteenth century, two young noblemen form a bond that forever changes their destiny and that of Scotland’s. Their shared pledge of honor would endure for a lifetime to secure power in the Isles for Angus Og Macdonald and a crown for Robert Bruce. This is the story of their friendship, their times and the battle that secured their future.

Standing beside them would be two women from Ireland, Áine O’Cahan, the dark-haired beauty from Ulster, who captured the heart of the Lord of the Isles, and Elizabeth de Burgh, the fair Norman heiress who stood by her man, King Robert Bruce, though it would cost her dearly.

Enter the world of medieval Scotland and live the adventure!

My Review 

An epic and character-driven tale of love, loyalty and destiny

– 5 stars

In Bound by Honor Regan Walker crafts an epic tale of love, loyalty and destiny set during one of the most turbulent times in the history of Scotland, a time when the English crown is intent on gaining control over the land and its people. The book is the second in the Clan Donald Saga, packing a punch both in terms of its historical authenticity and its emotional impact and can be read as a standalone. Click here to read my review of Summer Warrior, the first book in the series.

I was thoroughly intrigued reading about the life of the central character Angus Og Macdonald, Lord of the Isles, and how as a youth he forged a firm friendship with his contemporary Robert Bruce, a man destined to take up Scotland’s crown. Their bond plays a pivotal role in both their lives and that of their fellow countrymen and women.

I loved  Angus’ relationship his wife Áine O’Cahan. Their mutual love and devotion is a constant in the novel and contrasts with the ever present danger and intrigue which is afoot as the English and their compatriots vie for control of the Scottish crown. I enjoyed how Áine supports and inspires not only Angus, but others, including Robert Bruce himself. 

Regan Walker succeeds in bringing the history of Scotland, its land and people vividly to life. The sense of time and place conveyed to the reader throughout the novel indicates that she has carried out a significant amount of detailed research prior to putting pen to page. I found it to be an engrossing read on many levels; from its intimate and touching moments, its descriptions of everyday life and local customs, to the fateful events of the time, not  least the bloody sacrifices made by some. 

Recommended to lovers of historical fiction who enjoy a well researched, intriguing and character-driven read.

Please note, a copy of the book was given to me by the author and I am leaving a fair and honest review.

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Author Links

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Posted in ARC Sign-Up, Historical, Review
Tagged historical-fiction. regan-walker, scotland
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August 1, 2022 by Tina Williams

*REVIEW* – Brutal Limits (The Limit Book 2), by Marissa Farrar and S. R. Jones

#reverseharem #darkromance

Blurb

Limits are blurred, boundaries are broken, and now the game is real.

When I took the job on the island retreat known as The Limit, I hadn’t expected to be mistaken for someone else.

Someone who wanted to be chased, to be caught, to be corrupted.

It was a mistake that would lead four men to take my innocence. Brody, Wilder, Rafferty, and Asher. They each have their own secrets and pain, and I’d started to think I was cracking through their armor.

But the connections we’d made vanished the moment they discovered my lie.

Now everything changes.

What began as a game has become something else entirely. Something sinister and dangerous. Now there are no rules. No limits. No get out clause.

No escape.

I ran from one threat right into the arms of another and now I don’t know if I’ll ever be free.

My Review – Fast-paced, scorching and suspenseful 

The gloves are off in this, the second book in The Limit series. The four men who run the retreat are furious at Honor’s deceit and are determined to make her pay by reprising the games but this time without rules or limits.

It is once again a fast paced and scorching read  – my heart was in my mouth throughout as I did not know how far the men would go in their quest to punish Honor and how she would react – cue some uber hot scenes exploring control and submission. Each of the men react to Honor’s deceit in a different way and this influences how they interact with her and ultimately each other.

I enjoyed how the book explored the changing dynamics between the men, specifically the impact Honor had upon the  bond they have forged due to their shared past, a bond Honor is testing. We certainly go a lot deeper into their back story and Honor’s past in this book, a past that is still haunting her.

The read ends on an absolute doozy of a cliffhanger, setting the scene for what promises to be cracking final instalment to the trilogy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Connect with the Author

Marissa Farrar

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S.R. Jones

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Posted in ARC Sign-Up, Dark Read, Review, Romance
Tagged capture-fantasy, dark-romance, marissa-farrar, reverse-harem, SR-Jones
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July 28, 2022 by Tina Williams

*REVIEW* – Daemon’s Blade, Logan, Book 1, Daemon’s Blade Series, by Lana Sky

#paranormalromance #daemons #oppositesattract

Blurb

Ice-queen Serana Blake is quite content to be—peacefully—single. That is until her world is upended by a smooth-talking, dirty-minded “daemon” hybrid who, for whatever reason, seems intent on breaking down her barriers…

Via any means necessary.

When the persistent and sexy, Logan Merris does his best to melt her icy exterior, little does she realize that he has more on his mind than a one-night stand. Like preventing the end of the world, for one.

And avoiding any attempt at a serious relationship.

As unforeseen events pass, they may be unable to avoid their budding attraction. Will they be able to keep their walls in place, or will destiny have the final say?

A new paranormal series of duets for each couple in a greater world of linked books. Each duet set can be read as a standalone, but will be better enjoyed if read in order.

My review

Ice queen meets hot blooded daemon! 5 stars

This is an uber sexy read featuring one uptight, relationship adverse human with a pleasure obsessed Shael daemon. It is very much the case of opposites do most definitely attract in this fast-paced and entertaining paranormal read. The book, the first instalment of Serana’s and Logan’s story, is party of the author’s Daemon’s Blade series, but can be read as a standalone.

I loved this couple and how their relationship evolves. When daemon Logan arrives in the town of Meyweather, he is on a mission to save the world and his own ass. However, once he meets the mortal Serana, he becomes intent on satisfying his growing lust, before he walks away  – he is after all  the archetypal love’ em and leave ‘em type of guy… I  just adored how Serana rebuffs his advances as she is not looking for any sort of relationship, least of all one with Logan who she has pegged as an arrogant player.  The fact that Logan has never been turned down before, which makes him even more determined to pursue Serana, was just so delicious. The chemistry and banter between the couple is very well done and a delight to read.

Things get  complicated when Fate conspires to draw the pair ever closer, and Serana unwittingly finds herself drawn into a world she has no idea exists. How will she react when she learns of this and more importantly can she survive? Can Logan protect this mortal woman from his enemies and what destiny has in store for her? Serana started off as a simple conquest in his eyes but she has become so much more…

The overall ‘feel’ of the book is initially not as dark as the two previous novels in the series, darker elements being introduced as the story develops. I enjoyed the chance to find out more about Marcus, Logan’s half-brother who featured in the previous books, and his other siblings. The book is a great addition to the world the author has created and I am hugely looking forward to the next instalment.

Recommended to lovers of paranormal romance, especially those like me who have a soft spot for daemons.

Please note, I received a copy of the book from the author and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

Purchase Links

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Amazon US

Author Links

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Posted in ARC Sign-Up, Paranormal, Review, Romance
Tagged demons, opposites attract, paranormal-romance
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July 11, 2022 by Tina Williams

The Inkwater Witch, The Inkwater Series, Book by Atley Wykes : A Steamy Enemies to Lovers Fantasy Romance

#FantasyRomance #EnemiestoLovers

Blurb

Pain provides clarity. Suffering builds strength. Mercy is a weakness.

Mardella believed the lessons etched into her skin and memory would prevent her from ever being captive to another again.

She was wrong.

After a disastrous encounter in her enchanted swamp, she finds herself in chains and her magic bound at the feet of her enemy. The gorgeous and imposing fae general demands she release his people from her curse, or he’ll happily kill her for her past crimes.

The only thing is, she isn’t the one poisoning the fae.

Roric doesn’t trust the witch or her denials. Her beauty is as diabolical as the pernicious flowers that adorn her home. The darkness poisoning his people originates from her cursed swamp and he’ll keep her close as he forces her to guide him through her treacherous waters. Once the curse is removed, he’ll rid the world of the dangerous creature.

Even if his twin soul whispers that the fearsome witch is his mate.

Content Note: The Inkwater Witch is a dark and steamy read recommended for readers 18+ due to violence, language, and sexual situations.

My Review

Fabulous fast-paced and emotional fantasy romance – 5 stars

This emotional enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance is the first book I have read by the author and I found it to be a fabulous read. The enemies-to -lovers trope is one of my favourite and it worked so well given the setting of this story, an enchanted swamp, home to Mardella, a solitary witch, reviled by all due to her reputation for evil.

The worldbuilding was excellent. I was very soon immersed in the dark beauty and menace of the swamp, its capricious magic and Mardella’s future after she is taken captive by Roric, a fae/wolf shifter and his team who are intent on compelling her to release the curse they believe she is responsible for inflicting upon their people.

The romance between Mardella and Roric is very much a slow burn, but when it combusts it does so with a passion! There is no love lost between them when they first meet and I vastly enjoyed the journey the couple went on as they navigate the mysteries of the swamp and their feelings for each other. The book features explicit love-making scenes, violence and descriptions of past trauma, so it is very much an adult read.

My heart ached for the injustices inflicted on Mardella in the past, which are slowly revealed as the plot progresses and I enjoyed her character development and that of Roric, who has his own issues, as they begin to respect and trust each other. They find they have much in common and despite being enemies, their futures are intertwined. The side characters and their own personalities and motivations are equally entertaining and I am looking forward to learning more about the world the author has created in future books in the series.

Recommended to lovers of fantasy romance.

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Posted in ARC Sign-Up, Fantasy, Review, Romance
Tagged enemies-to-lovers, fantasy-romance
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Victorianpromowoman
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Vampire Seeker
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Blood Master Adult Book Cover
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Cover
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Gringa-002
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prisoner
UNLEASHED - eCover-001
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Stilts Resized
The Fall of the Misanthrope_Cover_KINDLE[1]
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Ever mine Eden Ashe
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The+Baby+%26+the+Bride_2
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Drake Equation Cover
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Seconds Before Sunrise
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hunter
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Lightpoints_3
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Here Lies Love Promo Cover
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17446966[1]-001
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CBTS-2
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Beautiful Girl in the Meadow
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ASaintsSalvation_MED
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cover fury kindle (1)

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