Review: The Dark King by Gina L. Maxwell

Author: Gina L. Maxwell
Pages: 352
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Date: September 27, 2022
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Summary:
For Bryn Meara, a free trip to the exclusive and ultra-luxe Nightfall hotel and casino in Vegas should’ve been the perfect way to escape the debris of her crumbling career. But waking up from a martini-and-lust-fueled night to find herself married to Caiden Verran, the reclusive billionaire who owns the hotel and most of the city, isn’t the jackpot one would think. It seems her dark and sexy new husband is actual royalty—the fae king of the Night Court—and there’s an entire world beneath the veil of Vegas.

Whether light or shadow, the fae are a far cry from fairy tales, and now they’ve made Bryn a pawn in their dark games for power. And Caiden is the most dangerous of all—an intoxicating cocktail of sin and raw, insatiable hunger. She should run. But every night of passion pulls Bryn deeper into his strange and sinister world, until she’s no longer certain she wants to leave…even if she could.

My Review:
Okay so I picked this book up to read the back of the book thinking, “Okay this is a supernatural spicy book with Fae in it.” I read the first few pages inside the book and it held my attention. I decided to keep reading, the beginning was very fun and flirty. As the story progresses, it is a mixture of everything.

Well……Some bits got pretty spicy that I was a bit shocked. Shocked!!! Some bits were not my cup of tea but I wanted to know what was going to happen to Bryn and Caiden anways. So I kinda of skipped those bits. Warning: darker side of spicy bits are not your thing then you may not like it. Everyone has their own things that they like and don’t like. I didn’t realize what it said on the cover below after I finished the book. It said ““Neon Gods meets Fifty Shades… Deliciously dark and sexy!” ―#1 NYT bestselling author Helen Hardt“. We all know what Neon Gods and Fifty Shades is!

Anyway, I think the supernatural element got me more intrigued. I kept trying to figure out what was going to happen next regarding to the supernatural side with Caiden and what Bryn’s mystery was. As I kept reading further into the story, I had a hunch on two things. Well one of them was right and the other was wrong but it was fun to guess. I even enjoyed the side characters in the story too. It kept me interested and I could not put it down. It wasn’t the whole spicy thing that kept me reading, it was the connection and what was going to happen next.

I really liked the connection that Caiden and Bryn had. It was on different levels and how they bring the best out in each other in various ways. Bryn is sassy, witty and knows who she is. Confidence! She’s not afraid of what to say. Caiden is powerful, fae and possessive. He’s the boss..what more can I say? He eventually changes a little bit when his relationship with Bryn deepens which is a good thing. They’re magic together. They run hot, then they run cold then they run back to hot. What more can I say?

So……What exactly happens to Caiden and Bryn? Do they continue to be together? Does something drive them apart? I”m not telling. Go get the book if you are interested.

I’m glad I took a chance to read this book. I rarely read this kind of spicy stuff but I know it’s out there. I really liked this supernatural world that Caiden and Bryn are in. It’s fascinating and I am looking forward to seeing what is going to happen next. The way the book ended is open for more adventures of that world.

Review – Warped Line by Ann Gimpel

• Publisher : Ann Gimpel Books, LLC
• Date: May 26, 2020
• Publication date : May 26, 2020

Summary:
When I went to sleep—to avoid being drained of magic and blood by dark Sorcerers—Vampires weren’t exactly on the endangered species list, but not many of us are left. No one ever accepted us. Not mortals and not others with power, either. At least one of those dams has developed a few cracks. Supernaturals aren’t quite welcoming, but they’ll take help from any quarter.

Mortals have declared war on magic, and they won’t rest until we’re all sitting in iron-clad prisons. What a bunch of cowards. If they weren’t hiding behind false humanitarian walls, they’d be honest about their intentions and kill us outright if they could.

The world turned into an alien place while I slept. Not much point returning to my clan house in Italy. It’s probably long since disbanded. Besides, fate tossed me squarely in Ariana’s path. She’s like me, a Vampire, but I hunger for her in a very un-Vampirelike way.  She’s done her damnedest to chase me away, but I’m tough to dissuade. She doesn’t know it, but I won’t back off until she’s mine. No matter what it takes.

My Review:
I finally finished book two of the series. There are two more books after this one. The story left off from the first book. Basically the storyline is about mortals vs all kinds of supernaturals but the target seems to be aiming Ariana’s club. I want to know what exactly is going on. Who is the person pulling the strings? The feel I get from this book is good vs evil. Action, adventure, drama, supernatural, suspense and a steamy moment rushes through this book. Just to let you know the book goes back and forth between Nicholas and Ariana thoughts and perspectives of what is happening. That seems to be style of the author’s writing for this series. If you are looking for a supernatural fix, check this series out.

Review of Heir of Fire

 

Author: Sarah J. Maas Print Length: 568 pages Publisher: Bloomsbury YA Publication Date: September 2, 2014 Series:  Throne of Glass

Summary of the book:
Celaena has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak-but at an unspeakable cost. Now, she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth . . . a truth about her heritage that could change her life-and her future-forever. Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. Will Celaena find the strength to not only fight her inner demons, but to take on the evil that is about to be unleashed?

 

Last night I finished this book!  Book three is done!  I really wanted to see what was going to happen with Celaena’s journey.  Well quite a lot happened in this book.  Some of it shocked and some of it made me want to read more and more and more.   I was up late reading this but it was so worth it.

 Did Celaena accomplish what she needed?

Well she must certainly did!  It took her a while to get to where she needed and boy she can kick butt.  Her power…..her strength..her weakness…it all connects.   Her real name is Aelin.  It took me a while to get used to that but it feels like she prefers Celaena.

Her past is mentioned more in this book which makes sense to me.  Pretty hardcore stuff Celaena went through.

I enjoyed the new character Rowan in this book who is similar to Celaena in a way and yet he is a bit more hard core.  Rowan had to help Celaena achieve her greatness.  Some of it was harsh and yet some of it was playful.  At first I wasn’t sure what to make of him but as the story goes on, I learned more about Rowan.  I am not going to tell you everything about him because you need to read the book.   There are reasons why Rowan is hardcore and such an amazing warrior.  Towards the end of the book, I can see him realizing to feel again which I believe is good for him.   I hope to see more of him in the future books.

While the book mainly focused on Celaena, it also had two other plots going on…well more like other events going on in different cities at the same time.  That’s how I saw it.  It took me about 6 chapters in to realize this.

Back to the town where Chaol and Prince Dorian.. more drama happens.  I could see Chaol trying to figure out where his loyalties lie.  Sooooo much is going on here.   Prince Dorian is even struggling with the concept that he has magic and friendship with Chaol and Celaena.  He even ends up falling for a healer named Sorcha which had sweet moments.

Aedion, the fierce general and Celaena’s cousin ends up meeting with Chaol and Prince Dorian.  More drama and action comes into place.  Everyone ends up making a decision which allows them to realize there is no turning back.

The other plot is all about the evil iron witches.  Gosh they are so brutal and scary. I would not want to mess with them.  Manon, ferocious heir to the Blackbeak witch coven is mostly covered in this plot about her strength to be a leader.   She is blood thirsty.

Somehow all these events are going to tie in with Celaena somehow I think.  We shall see….

Anyone else read these series?

Mini thoughts on these books

I know I have been slacking off of reviewing books but I have been reading!  Check out these books that I have already read.  These are very short reviews.

 

Moonshade (Vampire Conclave: Book 1) Paranormal Vampire Romance

Series: Vampire Conclave (Book 1)
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Date: December 15, 2016
Author: S.J. West

What is it about:
When a handsome stranger whispers these three little words to Sarah Marcel, she knows her life is forever changed.

For two weeks straight, Sarah’s been unable to eat, sleep, or even form a coherent thought properly. She fears she’s losing her mind until a chance encounter brings a man into her life who seems to hold the key to solving her problems. With a single touch, he’s able to ease her troubled soul and bring her some much-needed peace. Yet, just as Sarah believes she’s found the solution to her dilemma, he disappears.

As Sarah begins to unravel a mystery surrounding her family’s past, she quickly discovers her role in a world that’s hidden from most humans. Being a Marcel comes with certain responsibilities, and there are some things that you can’t hide from forever.

Mini Thoughts:
Totally different than what I thought it was going to be.   I bough this book as a birthday present for myself.  I am going to eventually get the rest of this series.  It is unique and I want to see what happens with Sarah.  It’s a whole new world for Sarah.  The relationship between Marcel and Sarah is unique.   This is the first book so it’s different. I think there is something there but at the same time I am not sure yet.  Very very different!

Vampires…I can’t resist!

 

 

The Sun Is Also a Star

Age Range: 12 and up
Grade Level: 7 – 9
Author: Nicola Yoon
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Date: November 1, 2016

What it is about
Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

Mini Thoughts: It is a young adult book.  I loved how this written between Daniel, the romantic and Natasha, the realist.  They compliment each other but they also have a serious talk about things.   It is so cool regarding how fate can be and how love can come to be.  Changes, life, family and every day changes pop up in this book.  It is really, really good!  Another reason I like it other than the writing that there is such a diversity in this book.  You learn something new about culture.  One can also see how a person can affect another.

I got this book from ALA convention and it is signed!  The cover is lovely because the colors compliment each other.

 

House of the Rising Sun

Series: Crescent City (Book 1)
Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Orbit
Date: May 13, 2014
Author: Kristen Painter

What it is about:
For centuries, the fae have protected the city from vampire infestation. But when the bloodsuckers return, the fragile peace in New Orleans begins to crumble. Carefree playboy Augustine, and Harlow, a woman searching for answers about her absent father, are dragged into the war. The fate of the city rests on them — and their fae blood that can no longer be denied.

Mini Thoughts:
Okay I was thrown into a whole new world and boy it did capture my attention.  There was quite a few things going on.  I usually don’t read about Fae and other creatures.  Somehow this book did catch my eye and I gave it a go.  It took me to a moment to understand this whole world.   Fae kind of remind me of faeries and elves for some odd reason.

Basically Harlow’s mother is killed and Augustine is out for blood for that because he had a soft spot for Harlow’s mother because of the way she treated him kindly.  It was more of a mother and son relationship.   Harlow was not fond of this and somehow ended back home to deal with the house, things and more.   In the process, Harlow father shows up and explains he is here to help her.  Something dark hits her and Augustine.  The two are hot and cold with each other but have a goal to figure out who her father is since her mother would not reveal it to her.  They began to wonder if he had Harlow’s mother killed or not.  There is action, drama and a tiny bit of romance.  It’s an urban fantasy story.

I purchased this book from my local library that was getting rid of it.  I do have the other two books but I have not started them yet.

 

I found this gem

So while I was at my local library this past weekend..I stumbled upon a book called Vampire Girl by Karpov Kinrade.  The cover jumped out at me and told me to take me home to read me.   So I did.  Before I read that book, I ended up reading “James and the Giant Peach” by R. Dahl because my oldest child had to read it so I wanted to be on the same wavelength with him.  (A Mama’s job is never-ending!)    After I finished James book, I then turned to Vampire Girl to read the first few pages and I was hooked!  I  could not put the damn book down.  I wanted to know what was going to happen to Arianna.  So far so good.  I finished the first book in a day and ended up going back to the library to grab the new three.   I haven’t gotten that far yet due to Daylights Saving Times and kids adjusting.

What is Vampire Girl about:

“From USA TODAY bestselling author, Karpov Kinrade, comes a new series that will suck you in and leave you wanting more. For fans of Twilight, A Shade of Vampire, and Outlander comes a fantasy romance with an original twist on an old tale. You think the only threat is other humans. It’s not.

Monsters are real. Demons are real. Vampires are real.

And I’m about to become one of them.

My name is Arianna Spero. I was an ordinary girl, living an ordinary life, until my mother lapsed into a coma. Now, I am her only hope. She made a deal with the devil, and on my eighteenth birthday he came to collect. But there’s a way to save her. There’s something the princes of hell want more than my mother.

Me.

So I signed my soul away and promised to pick a prince to marry. I would take the blood oath, become one of them, and give them an heir. I would become a princess of hell, and my mother would live.

I expected fire and brimstone. I expected pain and misery. I didn’t expect beauty. I didn’t expect magic.

I didn’t expect love.

But the princes are keeping secrets from me.

Secrets that could shatter everything.”

Take a peek at the authors...I will keep you updated on what happens next.   I am still reading Meg Cabot book too.  Hopefully I can keep track of them both!  More to come soon.