Read my review of the first book in the Flame & Shadow series, A Dream of Flame and Shadow. This book launches right in the middle of the action, catching us up with what we missed with Cian and Hellion already off to war at the end of the previous book. Our three heroes aren’t … Continue reading Book Review: A Glint of Steel and Roses (Flame & Shadow #2) by L. Eveland
Five-Star Reads for February 2024
The Trouble With Cowboys Jodi Payne & B.A. Tortuga (Sin Deep #2) Sam and Thomas are two of my favorite romance characters pretty much ever, so returning to their world is always like getting a warm hug. Kacey is nothing like Sam, however, and his reasons for arriving in New York City are just as … Continue reading Five-Star Reads for February 2024
Book Review: Scene Queen (The Court #2) by Charlie Novak
Read my review of the first book in The Court series, Drama Queen. The grumpy/sunshine trope, that particular twist on “opposites attract,” is one of my favorites. Novak does the trope justice here by adding a dose of spice to the dynamic that initially develops between Rhys and Evan. Their undeniable chemistry, fueled by the … Continue reading Book Review: Scene Queen (The Court #2) by Charlie Novak
Book Review: The Punk (Lost Boys #3) by Kelly Fox
Read my reviews of previous books in the Lost Boys series: The Thief (#0.5) | The Skeptic (#1) | The Crush (#2) This book is both exactly what it says on the tin and simultaneously full of delightful surprises. That Sawyer and Hen are meant to be is evident from events in earlier in the series (and obvious … Continue reading Book Review: The Punk (Lost Boys #3) by Kelly Fox
Book Review: Flamesworn (Immortals Descending #5) by Iris Foxglove
Read my reviews of previous books in the Immortals Descending series: Storm Front (#1) | Shadowfall (#2) | Daybreak (#3) | Tempest (#4) One of the (many) things I love about this series is how the authors take risks with their storytelling. Sticking with stand-alone books might be a safer way to entice readers, but even this series of … Continue reading Book Review: Flamesworn (Immortals Descending #5) by Iris Foxglove
Book Review: Justice (Damned Connections #2) by Lark Taylor
Read my review of the first book in the Damned Connections series, Patience. The vampire Sebastian has never been the villain of any of the books in this shared world, but he’s always leaned pretty heavily toward anti-hero. I found the hint at the end of the previous book that he might end up with … Continue reading Book Review: Justice (Damned Connections #2) by Lark Taylor
Book Review: Heart2Heart (Contemporary) Vol. 7
This post includes reviews of selections from the contemporary half of the 7th volume of Heart2Heart charity anthology. Brie Mine Charlie Novak I have a soft spot for book nerds, being one myself, and I loved that Sage and Benedict first connected in chat conversations over their love of books and reading, especially since they … Continue reading Book Review: Heart2Heart (Contemporary) Vol. 7
Book Review: Spark of Wrath (Carnal Tower #4) by E.M. Lindsey
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Carnal Tower series: Shades of Lust (#1) | Waiting on Forever (#2) | Taste of Greed (#3) As a firm believer that sex work is work, I adore the simultaneously realistic and aspirational world of the Carnal Tower. We’re now halfway through the series, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching … Continue reading Book Review: Spark of Wrath (Carnal Tower #4) by E.M. Lindsey
Five-Star Reads for January 2024
You may notice that fewer book reviews have appeared on my blog since the beginning of the year. To better manage my time (and sanity), I'm trying something new. Though I'm dropping down to two full-length book reviews a week, I'm also introducing this monthly feature, where I'll highlight all of the books I read … Continue reading Five-Star Reads for January 2024
Book Review: A Throne and a Crown (Riehse Eshan #4.5) by Adelaide Blaike
Read my reviews of previous books in the Riehse Eshan series: A Knife and a Blade (#1) | A Whisper and a Breath (#2) | A Shadow and a Storm (#3) | An Oath and a Promise (#4) Did this epic series need an extended epilogue? Probably not, because we already got to see the events that truly mattered … Continue reading Book Review: A Throne and a Crown (Riehse Eshan #4.5) by Adelaide Blaike
Book Review: Lust (Seven Deadly Sins #1) by Sienna Moreau
A romance series set around representations of the seven deadly sins isn’t a new concept, but one of the best parts of speculative fiction is how uniquely authors can put their own spin on things. In this case, Moreau develops an open-world urban fantasy in which the demigod sins have always existed, holding all the … Continue reading Book Review: Lust (Seven Deadly Sins #1) by Sienna Moreau
Book Review: Tisak (Kingdoms of Pelas #2) by Michelle Frost & Michele Notaro
Read my review of the first book in the Kingdoms of Pelas series, Zyon. This book picks up immediately after the events of the first, in which our heroes are fleeing their life of slavery and searching for the “Resistance.” While not everything is perfection, the opening third of this story features plenty of good … Continue reading Book Review: Tisak (Kingdoms of Pelas #2) by Michelle Frost & Michele Notaro
Book Review: Knight of Staria (Starian Tale) by Iris Foxglove
Read my reviews of other books set in the world of Staria. I’ve been addicted to every book set in this expansive and unique fantasy world since reading the first installment, The Traitor’s Mercy. I was incredibly impressed that two additional books featured redemption arcs for villains in the first book that absolutely worked, leaving … Continue reading Book Review: Knight of Staria (Starian Tale) by Iris Foxglove
Book Review: Bound (Trophy Doms Social Club #4) by Kate Hawthorne
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Trophy Doms Social Club series: Humbled (#1) | Edged (#2) | Praised (#3) Now that the happily paired-off members of the Trophy Doms Social Club outnumber the single guys, the level of well-intentioned meddling between these friends gets turned up to 11. Little do they know, however, that Dalton … Continue reading Book Review: Bound (Trophy Doms Social Club #4) by Kate Hawthorne
Book Review: Something Wicked (Black & Blue #3) by Lily Morton
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Black and Blue series: The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings (#1) | The Quiet House (#2) First of all, this book is not a stand-alone. You’ll get the most enjoyment if you are already relatively familiar with Blue, Levi, and their friends and with Blue’s abilities, along with … Continue reading Book Review: Something Wicked (Black & Blue #3) by Lily Morton
Book Review: The Crush (Lost Boys #2) by Kelly Fox
Read my reviews of previous books in the Lost Boys series: The Thief (#0.5) | The Skeptic (#1) Sometimes you don’t know how much you need to hear (read) something until it comes along at exactly the right time in your life. Fox has been one of my favorite authors since I discovered the Wrecked series a … Continue reading Book Review: The Crush (Lost Boys #2) by Kelly Fox
Book Review: The Player’s Lounge by Dan Calley
One of the things I love most about the queer romance subgenre is how it is so accepting of speculative fiction concepts that are unique and unexpected. Calley’s debut novel opens with a moment of high action that swiftly transitions to a quieter, but no less intense, fascinating quandary regarding reincarnation. Whether the speculative elements … Continue reading Book Review: The Player’s Lounge by Dan Calley
Book Review: Most of You (Beginning of Always #2) by E.M. Lindsey
Ready my review of the previous book in the Beginning of Always series, Halo. This book works completely as a stand-alone story, but putting this book together with Halo makes for a lovely duet. Emil wasn’t necessarily a villain in the other book who needed a redemption arc. The events in that book served as … Continue reading Book Review: Most of You (Beginning of Always #2) by E.M. Lindsey
Book Review: Daddy Christmas by Cara Dee
I can’t keep my title as a Cara Dee superfan if I don’t read all the things, but I’ll admit that I approached this story with mild trepidation. First because of one of the major tropes, since “forbidden” romance (in this case between people of very different statuses within an office hierarchy) often stresses me … Continue reading Book Review: Daddy Christmas by Cara Dee
Book Review: Should the Sky Fall (Who We Are #1) by Amithia Raine
I can probably count on one hand the number of romances with the amnesia trope I’ve finished. The concept can feel incredibly contrived if not handled well. Obviously, writing a review means I did finish this book. Raine puts an intriguing paranormal twist on the amnesia trope, then proceeds to deliver a story that remains … Continue reading Book Review: Should the Sky Fall (Who We Are #1) by Amithia Raine