Book Review: What the Fang? by Stacey Kennedy

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What the Fang?
Undead Ever After #1

Author: Stacey Kennedy
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance 
Released: 01/25/2022
Review Source: Netgalley

Willa Farrington’s magic is broken. Shunned by her coven for failing to pass the Summer Solstice Rite, Willa escapes to the one place no witch belongs – Charleston, a city that belongs to vampires. Determined to embrace her new life, Willa opens Cauldron Boil Books, and unexpectedly finds some friends among the vampires…

Until one terrible night Willa ends up on the wrong side of a pair of fangs. Thankfully, her captor’s plan is ruined when Killian Constantine, the drop-dead gorgeous Warden of Charleston, shows up to save her. But just when Willa thinks she’s safe, Killian, rumored to be the most feared vampire in the city, furiously demands to know why she – a witch – telepathically called him for help.

Intent on finding answers, the two embark on a journey to unravel the mystery behind Willa’s attack and their unusual connection. As they get closer to the truth, the fiery passion between them ignites. But their forbidden romance isn’t making them many friends, and just as Willa starts to think that her entire existence is a lie, deadlier forces come out of the shadows. She will need to believe in her malfunctioning magic, trust bloodthirsty vampires, and cross her fingers that she and Killian make it out together… and that neither end up dead.

It has been so long since I read a paranormal fantasy book and What the Fang? is a great book which did not disappoint. With the illustrated book cover and title I expected a rom-com but it was actually a light-hearted romance which I really enjoyed.

What the Fang? Introduces us to Willa Farrington - a witch without magic, shunned by her coven and living in vampire territory. She’s looking for a quiet life, selling books and making memories with her friends but getting attacked and finding herself saved by Killian, the Warden of Charleston, throws a spanner in the works. As things escalate, Willa finds herself thrown into a world of vampires, long lost family members and a whole lot of magic.

I thought the world building started off great and Finnick and Gwen, Willa’s best friends, were great side characters who I hope we see more of. There was a nice amount of romance between Willa and Killian and I enjoyed their development from strangers to lovers. I did, however, feel like everything was wrapped up nicely and I was quite shocked to see there was a second instalment. I feel as if there should have been more conflict to carry over to justify the second book.

Overall, Kennedy did a great job with What the Fang? It was a nice, quick read which I enjoyed and I look forward to exploring more of the author’s novels. If you like paranormal romances with fast developing romance, this book is for you.

Book Review: The Rules of Enchantment by Wendy Tardieu

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The Rules of Enchantment

Author: Wendy Tardieu

Reading Level: Adult

Genres: Erotic | Fantasy

Released: August 17th 2020

Review Source: TCK Publishing

When a Sorcerer and a Scribe Team Up to Fulfill an Ancient Prophecy, The Fate of The World Lies in Their HandsIn the mythical kingdom of Salyndria, an exiled sorcerer named Leith plots to overthrow the restrictions placed on the use of magic by the Academy. Suspecting the worst, the Academy sends a beautiful young scribe, Kyler, to be his apprentice and act as an unwitting spy.Leith tries to drive her away by proving his reputation as a vicious and unforgiving master, but he soon discovers his new pupil is far more useful than she appears. As her charms and magical abilities become all too tempting for him to resist, the two join forces to fulfill a hidden prophecy that will grant them incredible power.Together, the sorcerer and the scribe will change Salyndria's history forever.Their story is equally sinister and sensual, a romantic dark fantasy adventure full of suspense and surprises.Fans of Defended by Darkness by Terry Bolryder, A Torn Paige by L. Rose, Innocence by Dean Koontz, and The Vine Witch by Luanne G. Smith will love this fantasy romanc

Visions of impending doom brings this story to light. A decision has been made to halt this destruction by asking a loyal scribe to enter the apprenticeship of a socreer known to give into his selfish dreams. Will loyalty win out in the end or is the allure of adventure's call too strong?

The Rules of Enchantment is an adult fantasy romance that encompasses a fictional world of magic. The audience is invited to explore a world richly created to transport them into sinister yet sensual experience. Kyler, is a young scribe from the Order of Shadow asked to enter in an apprenticeship with the exiled Leith. Unbeknown to Kyler, she is being used to prevent Leith and his mysterious assistant, Marisele, from obtaining a malevolent power. Slowly and surely Kyler releases herself from the doubts about her own magical abilities. Leith, through his brusque and stoic manner, is able to help Kyler harness her own magic that had alluded to her previous instructors. Just as Leith has helped Kyler, she also helps him discover there is more to life than just power. Is love strong enough to overpower one's driven desire for power and revenge? You be the judge.

The reader is given the unique ability to see the story through multiple characters point of view, mainly Kyler and Leith. This perspective allows for the understanding of motives that drive the story forward. I was surprised how I was ready to believe Leith's pursuits over the ones of Kyler. This was due to the fact that she had only ever known the Academy and nothing else. She never strayed from the rules placed before the organization. Leith, however, learned magic within the Academy, but began to question the regulations around the use of magic. Why shouldn't he pursue the most he can get out of magic? Why be restrained merely because of the limitations of others? In essence, Leith and Kyler are the missing halves to the other person. Throughout the book, you can see Kyler bringing Leith some of the original joy he found in magic before he became consumed with the pursuit of power. Leith shows Kyler that she was the only one truly limiting herself in magic. By allowing others to place her as an unteachable student, she retreats to pursuits she already excelled. Without risk there is no reward.

This story has me as a reader hoping to see an expansion of this world. Wendy Tardieu, the author, has created a foundation to a world you can easily lose yourself within. Rich with the imaginary of new and familiar concepts, the magic within the story is easy to follow whether you read fantasy or not. Though you are mainly rooting for the success of Kyler and Leith you can't help but wonder where other characters develop. The ending itself does close things neatly, however, I can see this as just being the beginning of a larger story. 

Book Review: Playing With Demons by Cally Edwards

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Playing with Demons
The Devil's In The Details #1
Author: Cally Edwards | Facebook | Instagram
Reading Level: Adult Fiction
Genres: Paranormal Romance | Urban Fantasy
Release Date: January 6th 2019
Review Source: Author

The Devil’s in the Details…

In a world where humans are unaware of the demons that roam amongst them, it’s left to the Nephilim to keep it that way—or at least that’s what Grace Campbell was brought up to believe. Grace might have been born half-Nephilim and half-demon, but her loyalty is wholly on the side of the good guys. She’s dedicated her life to protecting the innocent, and her mixed lineage only makes her better at her job. Unfortunately, her blood also makes her the only one capable of entering Hell’s hidden wards.

Now her latest assignment will see Grace endure the trials of the seven deadly sins in order to win a barbaric tournament to secure an important prize for the Nephilim. To survive, Grace will be forced to embrace her dark side and accept the help of her greatest opponent yet, Lucifer’s son. The very sexy Prince of Hell, Zadeon, will have Grace questioning just how bad, the bad guys are.

Playing with Demons is a story that brings the audience into a fantasy world of demons and angels in our world. Grace is a young woman with the unique background of being a half nephilim half demon. She trained her whole life to support the Nephilim in their quest to keep the human world safe from demons. Grace has to face her biggest challenge when her very self is brought to question. Who is Grace Campbell and what is the truth of her world?

Playing with Demons takes an unusual stance of turning our perceptions of good and evil on it's head. Most people would say demons are evil and angels are good, keeping the balance of the world as black and white. Cally Edwards, the author, takes these mythical beings and humanize them to the concepts that we are all familiar with. The audience follows Grace as she needs to discover the side of herself that she is loath to embrace, her demon blood. Cally not only explains how Grace could come about into existence, but we are able to believe it in the context of the story. What I liked most of this story is Cally researched the basic mythology of demons and angels so the story has a physical hold on what people's basic understanding of God, Lucifer, and the creation of demons.

This story also gives us a love story between Grace and Zadeon. Though he is a demon, Grace overcomes her indoctrinated hatred of demons and falls for Zadeon. Though I love the idea of them together, I was a little disappointed on how easily they fell in love. For me I wasn't truly for or against the relationship and that's why when they got together it didn't further or hinder the story. I hope as this series continues I find myself, as a reader, more engaged with the success of their relationship.

Playing with Demons is a fun read especially for those who love the supernatural elements. Cally has left the story open for more adventures for Grace and I cannot wait to see what awaits our little hunter in future books.

Book Review: Moonlight Scandals by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Moonlight Scandals
de Vincent #3
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Reading Level: Adult
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Released: Avon Mass Market
Review Source: January 29th 2019

The culmination of a darkly sexy, compellingly eerie, and totally binge-worthy series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout, MOONLIGHT SCANDALS (Avon Books, on-sale 1.29.19) is the perfect read for anyone who found themselves absolutely entranced by The Witches of East End! This series is such a gothic soap opera, and MOONLIGHT SCANDALS provides drama, sex and suspense in equal measure to Moonlight Sins and Moonlight Seduction.

The de Vincent brothers, Lucian, Gabriel and Devlin are cursed – or, at least, the women they fall in love with are. Family legend is that de Vincent women are fated to die early…and tragically. And tragedy is something the de Vincents excel at: this dysfunctional family has a dark past: their mother fell prey to the curse, their father died under mysterious circumstances (with many in their upscale Louisiana community whispering of murder or suicide), their sister is catatonic after having been thought missing for ten years…and their uncle is just a power-hungry bastard. The brothers all live in an antebellum Southern mansion, which is not in the gentile districts of New Orleans, but deep in the bayou. Everyone knows, bad things happen in the bayou.

Moonlight Scandals is the final book in the de Vincent supernatural series. This book has the elements of drama, passion, supernatural, and intrigue. Readers of the previous two books will be in for a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.

Moonlight Scandals is set in modern New Orleans, and the reader is taken through the romantic tensions of the eldest de Vincent son. We are introduced to a new heroin in Rosie Herpin. She is a widower paranormal investigator who always had an interest in the de Vincent house. Little did she know how her path would cross with Devlin de Vincent. Devlin being the eldest of the de Vincent brothers, always felt his job was to protect his brothers. Never really letting himself have anything for himself. Devlin and Rosie had a Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth relationship, fueled by their own stubbornness and pride. Their relationship, however, is not the only theatrics both of our protagonists find themselves in. Noisy reporter, troublesome uncle, and possible haunting shape the ebb and flow of Devlin and Rosie's story.

I started reading this book without having read the first two books, oops. I was able to follow the story due to the author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, giving the little back story I needed on the de Vincent family through out the book. Devlin and Rosie really reminded me of a sexually charged Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth relationship (Pride and Prejudice). I was in awe of how I was infuriated and sympathetic with Devlin's inability to trust Rosie, because of assumptions based on his past interactions with people. Rosie was the kind of woman that reminded me of myself. She was lost after the death of her husband going into psychology to understand his passing and not really pursuing any career path with her degrees. The only thing she truly pursued with any pleasure was paranormal investigations. Though set in a supernatural setting, I thought it was missing those true elements of ghosts and paranormal story. I also thought some of the extra characters were set up to be elements of dramatic, but fell short. Other than those critics, this book was engaging and easy to read the night away. I recommend to read the first two and then this one just to have the context of Devlin's previous interactions with his brothers. Definitely a fun read and now I'll be finding the first two so I can complete my interactions with the de Vincent brothers.

Book Review: You Always Change The Love of Your Life (For Another Love or Another Life) by Amalia Andrade + Giveaway

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You Always Change The Love of Your Life (For Another Love or Another Life)
Author: Amalia Andrade
Reading Level: Adult
Genres: Non-fiction | Self-help | Interactive | Illustrated
Released: December 31, 2018
Review Source: Penguin Books Original

A delightful interactive roadmap for getting over a broken heart, with quirky illustrations, song lyrics that totally get it, recipes for eating your feelings, the unique comfort of making lists, and much more A broken heart can feel like the end of the world, but bestselling author and illustrator Amalia Andrade knows this simply isn’t true. Change is not a defeat or a surrender, but rather a promise. Because if the “love of your life” doesn’t work out, there is always a chance for something new—a new love, or a new life. In these pages, you’ll find the secret code for interpreting text-message read receipts, loving odes to Beyoncé, the ideal playlist for crying in the shower, and much more.

This book is not your typical self help book. From the very beginning the reader is taken through a journey of not only self care, but also self discovery. Amalia Andrade, the author, takes you on a path of humor and heart break as she guides you through heart ache.

Now when you think of this genre of book, fun and engaging typically are not adjectives you would supply. This book is not just perfect for a once over read through. I read this book several times before starting my review and wish it was around when I went through my own heart aches.

The illustrations and activities in the book themselves are quite helpful. Amalia supplies you with her versions of helpful tips and allows the reader to supply their own. Throughout the book you can read her personality and know she writes this book from a place of love and wants to help those around her.

To summon up, this book is one to hold onto. We might be wise away from a relationship and heart ache, but this book will guide us back to be the self we love.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amalia Andrade was born in Cali, Colombia, in 1986. She studied literature at Pontifical Xavierian University in Bogotá. She’s been drawing forever. She’s written for several magazines in both Colombia and the United States. She believes strongly in the power of keeping a diary. When she grows up, she want to be a mix between Sylvia Plath and Tina Fey. She lives in Bogotá with her cats.

Beyond the page, Andrade has many more stories to share—from her upbringing under the Cali cartel to attending rehab for love addiction. She is available for interviews.

GIVEAWAY:

Open to US resident only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox

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The Witch of Willow Hall
Author: Hester Fox
Reading Level: Adult Fiction
Genres: Gothic | Historical | Mystery
Released: October 2nd 2018
Review Source: Graydon House via Netgalley

For fans of The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman, A Secret of Witches by Louisa Morgan and The Haunting of Maddie Clare by Simone St.James comes an addictive historical debut about strange power, fierce love, family secrets, and how the past haunts us in ways that demand to be seen.

When a scandal sends the affluent Montroses fleeing from their home in Boston and into rural seclusion at the stately Willow Hall, daughter Lydia resents the move. Especially when it becomes obvious that Willow Hall hides dark secrets that no one in the Montrose family anticipated. And when tragedy strikes, the sinister presence lurking in the house and its surrounding woods starts encroaching on the Montrose’s lives. Summoning powers she barely understands, Lydia must engage the forces around her to keep her family safe, while protecting the blossoming love she has with her father’s handsome business partner, John—who has secrets of his own.

The Witch of Willow Hall is a gripping historical fiction with the elements of a classic Gothic novel including thrills, chills, magic and drama. It reminded me of mash-up between The Scarlet Letter and Jane Eyre with the magic of Harry Potter or The Raven Boys thrown in. I truly enjoyed this book.

The Witch of Willow Hall takes place in the 1800s, after the Salem witch trials. When scandal surrounds Lydia Montrose's family, they is forced to flee Boston, and while it's her sister's fault she feels as if she is branded too, like Hester Prynne tarnished those who associated with her in The Scarlet Letter. In the country she discovers a new part of herself, something she thought she left buried as a child, something that scares her. It was really Lydia and her willful obtuseness which frustrated me the most while reading. She would acknowledge her powers or something that happened then turn around and make excuses, pretend it never happened and act surprised when someone else doesn't ignore them as she does. I'm a big fan of character development and I felt that besides Lydia and her sister, John Barret is the only other character with any sort of development. All others seemed static and shallow in comparison.

I loved the mystique of Willow Hall and John Barrett (tall, dark, handsome and brooding...yes, please!) and the overall story was very engaging, but it also felt more like a book to the beginning of a series or duology and many things were left unanswered or open as the book was quickly ended after a long build-up. But there was a great romance in the story which reminded me of those found in the classics like Austen or Brontë novels. The Witch of Willow Hall is a quick and engaging read for anyone who like historical novels with a Gothic and magical twist that keeps you guessing.

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“Hester Fox's THE WITCH OF WILLOW HALL offers a fascinating location, a great plot with history and twists, and characters that live and breathe. I love the novel, and will be looking forward to all new works by this talented author!" --Heather Graham,New York Times bestselling author

"Beautifully written, skillfully plotted, and filled with quiet terror, readers will devour this absorbing, Gothic tale of romance and suspense. Perfect for fans of Simone St James and Kate Morton." -- Anna Lee Huber, the national bestselling author of the historical Lady Darby Mysteries

"Beautifully written, with an intriguing plot full of suspense and mystery, The Witch of Willow Hall will cast a spell over every reader." -- Lisa Hall, author of Tell Me No Lies and Between You and Me

"I was entranced by this intriguing and spellbinding novel with its messages of love and loyalty and being true to who you really are. I hope Hester Fox goes on to write many more such novels--I for one will be buying them." -- Kathleen McGurl, author ofThe Girl from Ballymor 

"With its sense of creeping menace and chilling undertones, this compelling story had me gripped from the first page. The vividly drawn characters cast their spell so convincingly, I couldn't stop reading until I discovered what happened to them. A wonderful debut novel.”--Linda Finlay, author of The Flower Seller

Book Review: Presidio by Randy Kennedy

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Presidio 
Author: Randy Kennedy
Read By: George Newbern
Reading Level: Adult Fiction
Genres: Mystery | Suspense | Thrillers
Released: August 21st 2018
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Audio

Set in the 1970s in the vast and arid landscape of the Texas panhandle, this darkly comic and stunningly mature literary debut tells the story of a car thief and his brother who set out to recover some stolen money and inadvertently kidnap a Mennonite girl who has her own reasons for being on the run.

Troy Falconer returns home after years of working as a solitary car thief to help his younger brother, Harlan, search for his wife, who has run away with the little money he had. When they steal a station wagon for the journey, the brothers accidentally kidnap Martha Zacharias, a Mennonite girl asleep in the back of the car. Martha turns out to be a stubborn survivor who refuses to be sent home, so together these unlikely road companions attempt to escape across the Mexican border, pursued by the police and Martha’s vengeful father.

The story is told partly through Troy’s journal, in which he chronicles his encounters with con artists, down-and-outers, and roadside philosophers, people looking for fast money, human connection, or a home long since vanished. The journal details a breakdown that has left Troy unable to function in conventional society; he is reduced to haunting motels, stealing from men roughly his size, living with their possessions in order to have none of his own and all but disappearing into their identities.

With a page-turning plot about a kidnapped child, gorgeously written scenes that probe the soul of the American West, and an austere landscape as real as any character, Presidio packs a powerful punch of anomie, dark humor, pathos, and suspense.

Presidio is the story of a car thief named Troy who is returning home to help his brother Harlan track someone down. Turns out Harlan’s wife has run off with all of his money, and Troy feels an obligation to help out after years of being off on his own. I enjoyed getting to know Troy through his journal entries mixed into the book. It is a bit strange to remember that there was a time without surveillance everyone and someone could just hop from motel to motel, stealing cars and clothes and whatever else. The descriptions of the small towns in the Texas desert were so vivid and accurate I felt like I was back in one. 

I felt the story was very well written and moved right along, and I really enjoyed it as an audio book. The narrator, George Newbern, has just a hint of a Texas accent, which sounded perfect for the characters. There was enough of a difference in each character voice to tell them apart as well. I was a little sad when the story was over as I wanted it to just keep going.

Book Review: Lucky Number Eleven by Adriana Locke

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Lucky Number Eleven
Exposé #5
Author: Adriana Locke
Reading Level: Adult Fiction
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Released: September 6, 2017
Review Source: Author (Newsletter)

I’ve always been the person that does whatever someone tells me I can’t.

Can’t graduate with a four-point-oh? Check.
Can’t win a modeling contract without trying? Did it. Check.
Can’t make it in the pro football league? Triple check with an MVP Award on top.

When my best friend told me to stay away from his little sister, Layla, it didn’t sound like a challenge. Then again, I’d never seen her before.

He obviously wasn’t thinking about who he was talking to if he believed I could ignore her. I obviously wasn’t thinking of him at all when I fell in love with her either.

Fact of the matter is: I not only fell harder than a quarterback sack on a Sunday night game, but I did us one better. Kind of like that MVP award, only not so shiny. Sort of like my Player of the Year title, except the only thing I’m walking away with is an ex-best friend and a woman that hates my guts.

It’s okay. Just tell me I can’t win her back.

I’m Branch “Lucky” Best and today’s my lucky day.

*This is a STANDALONE ROMANCE.

This was my first time reading Adriana Locke (yes I was a Locke virgin, but no more) and Lucky Number Eleven just made me want to buy up more of her books and the other Exposé stories after experiencing the sweet, flirty and just gush-worthy story and characters here. Layla and Branch are just so cute together, and Poppy, Paula's best friend, and Finn, Branch's best friend and Layla's brother, fit perfect as their foils in this enchanting sports read.

I'll be honest I am a huge Helena Hunting fan, and I never thought someone could write couples as cute as Helena, with quirkiness and awkwardness that's endearing and so very real but Adriana Locke has created a book and characters that are as witty and fun as Hunting's Pucked series. I hadn't wanted Layla and Branch's story to end. Branch is a cocky sports star who has led a man whoring life, until Layla James Miller--his best friend's sister. She's done with footballers and any other sports star out there, but Branch and Paula's chemistry is too magnetic. Soon Layla is in too deep and Branch has been blindsided and tackled.

I read this book in one sitting, never wanting to put it down. You become completely absorbed in the storyline and rooting for Layla and Branch. This book is for every romantic out there, and doubly if you want a book that will keep you laughing and smiling to the end.

Book Review: Summer's End by Kristy Brown

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Summer's End 
The Summer Solstice #1
Author: Kristy Brown
Reading Level: Adult Fiction
Genres: Romance | Paranormal
Released: July 24th 2018
Review Source: Author

She wakes up in the hospital, badly burned with no identity.

He’s been trained to kill her before she burns the world to ashes.

When they finally meet, will he be able to take her life now that he’s started to feel for her?

His fate is already written.

The prophecy is already set.

Love between them is forbidden.

Summer's End, propels the reader into a possibly deadly romance that neither character fully

understands. You are introduced to two protagonists, Summer and Alex. Summer has lost her

memory in a fire with only a scar on her face as a reminder. Alex is a brooding young man who

is on a mission to save the world. This book playfully allows the reader to see the story between

these two characters. It's a struggle of not only young romance, but powers so enormous it

engulfs them both.

Reading this book made me eager to see how the romance of Summer and Alex would develop.

How and why are they so important to each other when they had never met? Kristy takes her

time to set up all the dominoes so that not only are we rooting for the protagonists, we are also

anticipating so much more. As book one of the series, I'm impatiently waiting to read the

following books.