Eight Simple Rule for Dating a Dragon (Embraced #3) by Kerrelyn Sparks

Eight Simple Rule for Dating a Dragon (Embraced #3) - 5 Stars

Synopsis

From the brilliant imagination of Kerrelyn Sparks comes a bold new fantasy romance series in which passion and magic collide. Behold the Embraced…

Gwennore has a talent. An Elf able to track down the cause of an illness and heal it, she’s a valuable asset to her people. When the kidnapping of a young girl thrusts Gwennore into the very heart of the realm of the dragons, she discovers not only a place of power and magic, but also a haunted land, plagued by an ancient curse that all but ensures extinction to the royal family. But when she meets the smoldering General Silas Dravenko, they strike a bargain—save the country from its cursed illness, and he will return the kidnapped girl. She’s been raised never to trust a dragon, but never did making a deal with the devil feel so good…

Silas has no way of curing the family he’s loyally served for years. But when a beautiful elf, long considered the enemy of the dragons, comes bursting into his world, Silas is awakened to passion and desire in a way he’s never felt before. But can he trust a sworn enemy to save the very existence he holds dear? And can their love survive those that threaten to tear them apart?

Review

I received with thanks an ARC copy of Eight Simple Rule for Dating a Dragon (Embraced #3) from St Martins Press & Netgalley.

This is my true and honest review of Eight Simple Rule for Dating a Dragon by Kerrelyn Sparks. This was published on 27^th March 2018

First, I adore this series and I have loved everyone. This time we are following Gwennore an Elf. Gwennore can detect illnesses and knows how to find a cure. She was raised on the Isle of the Moon with her 4 other adopted sisters.

We meet Gwennore five years after the events in So I Married a Sorcerer. She has been living with her adopted sister Queen Lucinda and her husband King Leo. She has been helping by looking after her sister’s twins. Her sister with help of her other adopted sister Queen Brigitta has been trying to set up Gwennore with every bachelor in their both of their kingdoms. This has not gone well with society due to Gwennore being an elf.

One day Gwennore gets fed up with all the gossip and the set-ups that she takes Eviana, one of Lucinda’s twins up to a hilltop and away from the crowds. Here Eviana gets kidnapped by a dragon from another kingdom. Gwennore rushes and jumps on the dragon to save Eviana. Here the adventure begins as another dragon saves Gwennore’s life.

Gwennore skills as a healer are soon noted and is asked to help. The kingdom is dire need of help as the curse has raked throughout their kingdom for hundreds of years. But Gwennore’s help is not wanted or well received due to her being an elf. The kingdom that she is now in has spent many years at war with Gwennore’s homeland. Only Silas Dravenko and a few others believe in her and her gift and they feel she is the one to break the curse.

This was always going to be a winner for me I love dragons in any shape or form. This series is rich and beautiful to read. I enjoyed reading about Gwen and her relationship with Silas. Silas is a great character full of flirty wit and charm. Cannot wait to read the next installment.

Great book for fantasy lovers and who enjoy tales about dragons, shifters, magic and good romance.

To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

To Kill A Kingdom - 3.5 Stars

Synopsis

Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.

The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?

Review

I received with thanks an ARC copy of To Kill A Kingdom from Hot Key Books UK & Netgalley.

This is my true and honest review of To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo. This was published in March 2018

3.5 Star. This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2018.

I really wanted to love this book as The Little Mermaid was one of my all time favourite Disney films. I also love pirates and pirate books. The world building was excellent, and the characters were likeable. For me it was that the book did not hold my attention and that I had to almost force myself to continue. The twist that the main character Princess Lira was an unlikeable siren and not a perfect mermaid made things interesting. Also, Prince Elian being more pirate than prince was a nice change.

The kingdoms in this book are rich and truly amazing and that I hope that I will pick this up again in the future and will like this more.

Great book for fantasy lovers and who enjoy tales about mermaids and pirates.

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

The Duchess Deal - 4 Stars

Synopsis

When girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all the rules…
Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir—which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.

His terms are simple:
- They will be husband and wife by night only.
- No lights, no kissing.
- No questions about his battle scars.
- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.

But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:
- They will have dinner together every evening.
- With conversation.
- And unlimited teasing.
- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…

Review

I received with thanks an ARC copy of The Duchess Deal (Girl Meets Duke #1) from Mills & Boon & Netgalley.

This is my true and honest review of The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare. This was published in August 2017

This was a sweet, bold, daring, loveable romance. I absolutely adored the romance between the two main lead characters Emma and Ashbury. The author has a way of making you fall in love with all the characters and you unable to put her book down. I have her Castles Ever After series so will have to the start them all soon.

Give it a go if you love good historical romance.

What a Highlander’s Got to Do (Untamed Highlanders #5) by Sabrina York

What a Highlander Got to Do - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Isobel Dounreay Lochlannach is a fierce and independent Scots lass. She has no intention to marry—to submit to a man—especially not an Englishman.

But when she meets a devilish stable lad on the way to London, she can’t help but sneak a kiss with the handsome stranger, sure to never see him again.

Nick Wyeth is not a stable lad. He’s Viscount Stirling, and heir to one of the most powerful dukes in the realm. If their indiscretion is discovered, Isobel will be forced to marry him, to succumb to a fate she has always spurned. Nick wants nothing but to call this wild Scottish lass his own, and is determined to show her how an English Viscount can make her swoon, and be his forever. 

Review

I received with thanks an ARC copy of What a Highlander’s Got to Do (Untamed Highlanders #5) from St Martin’s Press & Netgalley.

This is my true and honest review of What a Highlander’s Got to Do by Sabrina York. This was published in 6^th March 2018

This is another hit from the amazing Sabrina York. I have loved everything from this author. She knows how to write a brilliant historical romance. Yes, is number five but this can be read a standalone novel.

Give it a go if you love highlander’s and a good historical romance.

The Goblins of Bellwater by Molly Ringle

The Goblins of Bellwater - 4 Stars

Synopsis

A contemporary romance inspired by Christina Rossetti's eerie, sensual poem, "Goblin Market." Four neighbors encounter sinister enchantments and a magical path to love in a small, modern-day Puget Sound town, where a fae realm hides in the woods and waters...

Most people have no idea goblins live in the woods around the small town of Bellwater, Washington. But some are about to find out.

Skye, a young barista and artist, falls victim to a goblin curse in the forest one winter night, rendering her depressed and silenced, unable to speak of what happened. Her older sister, Livy, is at wit’s end trying to understand what’s wrong with her. Local mechanic Kit would know, but he doesn’t talk of such things: he’s the human liaison for the goblin tribe, a job he keeps secret and never wanted, thrust on him by an ancient family contract.

Unaware of what’s happened to Skye, Kit starts dating Livy, trying to keep it casual to protect her from the attention of the goblins. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Kit, Skye draws his cousin Grady into the spell through an enchanted kiss in the woods, dooming Grady and Skye both to become goblins and disappear from humankind forever.

It’s a midwinter night’s enchantment as Livy, the only one untainted by a spell, sets out to save them on a dangerous magical path of her own.

Review

I received with thanks an ARC copy of The Goblins of Bellwater from Cemtral Avenue Publishing & Netgalley.

This is my true and honest review of The Goblins of Bellwater by Molly Ringle. This was published in October 2017

I love goblins so had a feeling that I would enjoy this very much. This a creepy fairy tale, paranormal romance that is great for urban fantasy lovers.

Give this a go if you love urban fantasy.

Song of Blood & Stone (Earthsinger Chronicles #1) by L Penelope

Song of Blood & Stone (Earthsinger Chronicles #1) - 4 Stars

Synopsis

A treacherous, thrilling, epic fantasy about an outcast drawn into a war between two powerful rulers.
Orphaned and alone, Jasminda lives in a land where cold whispers of invasion and war linger on the wind. Jasminda herself is an outcast in her homeland of Elsira, where her gift of Earthsong is feared. When ruthless soldiers seek refuge in her isolated cabin, they bring with them a captive--an injured spy who threatens to steal her heart.

Jack's mission behind enemy lines to prove that the Mantle between Elsira and Lagamiri is about to fall nearly cost him his life, but he is saved by the healing Song of a mysterious young woman. Now he must do whatever it takes to save Elsira and it's people from the True Father and he needs Jasminda's Earthsong to do it. They escape their ruthless captors and together they embark on a perilous journey to save Elsira and to uncover the secrets of The Queen Who Sleeps.

Thrust into a hostile society, Jasminda and Jack must rely on one another even as secrets jeopardize their bond. As an ancient evil gains power, Jasminda races to unlock a mystery that promises salvation.

The fates of two nations hang in the balance as Jasminda and Jack must choose between love and duty to fulfill their destinies and end the war.

Review

I received with thanks an ARC copy of Song of Blood & Stone (Earthsinger Chronicles #1) from St Martin’s Press & Netgalley.

This is my true and honest review of Song of Blood & Stone by L Penelope. This is due for publication on 1^st May 2018.

I first like to mention the world building in this is just incredible. This is a fantasy where anything can happen. We have a strong lead main character that is enjoyable to read about. I loved the romance and the diversity that is represented in this book.

I really recommend checking this one out upon release.

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Nimona - 4 Stars

Synopsis

The graphic novel debut from rising star Noelle Stevenson, based on her beloved and critically acclaimed web comic, which Slate awarded its Cartoonist Studio Prize, calling it "a deadpan epic."

Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism! All these and more await in this brilliantly subversive, sharply irreverent epic from Noelle Stevenson. Featuring an exclusive epilogue not seen in the web comic, along with bonus conceptual sketches and revised pages throughout, this gorgeous full-color graphic novel is perfect for the legions of fans of the web comic and is sure to win Noelle many new ones.

Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are.

But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.

Review

All you could ask from a graphic novel. This had humour, fantasy, sarcasm, wit and great drawing style. I can see why this was a book award finalist. Really enjoyable.           

Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyer

Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mark her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won't approve of her feelings for her childhood friend--the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn't as weak as Levana believes her to be and she's been undermining her stepmother's wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters? Fans will not want to miss this thrilling conclusion to Marissa Meyer's national bestselling Lunar Chronicles series

Review

Wow that was a beast of a book. So happy that I can say that I have now completed the series. Loved Jacin & Winter. But my favourite character of the whole series is definitely Iko. She is brilliant can’t wait to dive into wires & nerve.           

The Lumberjanes Vol.1: Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenon, etc

The Lumberjanes Vol.1: Beware the Kitten Holy - 4 Stars

Synopsis

FRIENDSHIP TO THE MAX!

At Miss Qiunzilla Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's camp for hard-core lady-types, things are not what they seem. Three-eyed foxes. Secret caves. Anagrams. Luckily, Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are five rad, butt-kicking best pals determined to have an awesome summer together... And they're not gonna let a magical quest or an array of supernatural critters get in their way! The mystery keeps getting bigger, and it all begins here.

Collects Lumberjanes No. 1-4.

Review

Cute, funny, interesting and different read. Enjoyed this one and hoping to carry on with the series.           

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) - 4.5 Stars

Synopsis

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they're plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she's just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has. 

Review

Definitely my favourite one so far. I loved Cress and Thorne. Iko is becoming my favourite character of the who series.