Tag: book reviews

Book Review: A Forgery of Fate

Published on by Erica

A breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes!

“Everything I love in a story—danger, complex characters, romance, betrayal and gorgeous writing.” —Mary E. Pearson, New York Times bestselling author of Dance of Thieves

Truyan Saigas didn’t choose to become a con artist, but after her father is lost at sea, it’s up to her to support her mother and two younger sisters. A gifted art forger, Tru has the unique ability to paint the future, but even such magic is not enough to put her family back together again, or stave off the gangsters demanding payment in blood for her mother’s gambling debts.

Left with few options, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with a mysterious dragon lord. He offers a fresh start for her mother and sisters and elusive answers about her father’s disappearance, but in exchange, she must join him in his desolate undersea palace. And she must assist him in a plot to infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King’s inner circle, painting a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms. . . .

My Review:

This book was beautiful. From the set up to the finale, I couldn’t ask for a better journey. Loved it.
First off, Elizabeth Lim is a master storyteller. She captures sibling relationships so well. I love the dynamics she writes. You can feel the love in the family unit. And the sweet and clean romances are heartwarming and just perfect.
It was fun being back in Ai’long and seeing a familiar half dragon.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.

Book Review: Across the Star-kissed Sea

Published on by Erica

Synopsis:

When May becomes a lady’s maid at sea, she’s hoping for an innocent adventure but instead must navigate rough waters, deadly combat, and unexpected love.

Mediterranean Sea, 1811

May Byam grew up following her father to his work at the ropemaking factory and listening to her uncle’s tales of life aboard a Royal Navy ship. After tragedy and scandal shatter her family, May is desperate to escape the shame that follows her. Despite her mother’s pleadings against it, May signs on as a lady’s maid to the young wife of a naval captain. If she’s going to run, she may as well do it in honor of her late uncle and cousin and where there is food, shelter, and perhaps even adventure. But the frosty reception she receives from the ship’s clergyman makes her feel far from welcome.

Heartbroken young Chaplain Elias Doswell returns to a harsh life at sea, but preaching to disinterested sailors isn’t the escape he’d hoped for—until a captivating young woman boards the ship. However, a case of mistaken identity ensures that he starts off on the wrong foot with the newly hired lady’s maid, who clearly wants nothing to do with him. But the close quarters of the ship forces the pair together, and May begins to see a side of the handsome clergyman she didn’t expect. As they struggle to navigate their deepening feelings, the danger of war with the French looms on the horizon, threatening their lives—and their love.

My Review:

This was an enjoyable romance that is a companion/sequel to Georgana’s Secret. The main focus in on May and Elias. The story itself has it all: adventure, romance, and tender moments. A must read.

Another beautiful book.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for being a dependable publisher of clean and awesome romances.

Book Review: Immortal

Published on by Erica

Synopsis:

A stunning, standalone romantic fantasy filled with dangerous secrets, forbidden magic, and passion, of a young ruler who fights to protect her kingdom, from bestselling author Sue Lynn Tan and set in the breathtaking world of Daughter of the Moon Goddess.

“What the gods did not give us, I would take.”

As the heir to Tianxia, Liyen knows she must ascend the throne and renew her kingdom’s pledge to serve the immortals who once protected them from a vicious enemy. But when she is poisoned, Liyen’s grandfather steals an enchanted lotus to save her life. Enraged at his betrayal, the immortal queen commands the powerful God of War to attack Tianxia.

Upon her grandfather’s death, Liyen ascends a precarious throne, vowing to end her kingdom’s obligation to the immortals. When she is summoned to the Immortal Realm, she seizes the opportunity to learn their secrets and to form a tenuous alliance to safeguard her people, all with the one she should fear and mistrust the most: the ruthless God of War. As they are drawn together, a treacherous attraction ignites between them—one she has to resist, to not endanger all she is fighting for.

But with darker forces closing in around them, and her kingdom plunged into peril, Liyen must risk everything to save her people from an unspeakable fate, even if it means forging a dangerous bond with the immortal… even if it means losing her heart.

My Review:

A beautifully written, heavy on descriptions, tale of love and longing. I love xianxia style fantasy romance, so this was right up my ally.

That said, there’s a couple of things. The FMC Liyen annoyed me fof a chunk of the book. I understood her in the beginning. But just when we are supposed to believe she is falling in love with Zhangwei and trusting him, she takes a dozen steps back. Of course, after several times of tricking him, she finally allows herself to be vulnerable. Zhangwei is obviously keeping secrets, but he’s plead with her to trust him. To really trust him. And with how powerful he is as an immortal, Liyen should have. I really liked how he didn’t give upon her.

I loved the twists and how Liyen ends up connected to it all. (And I won’t spoil it.)

I said the prose was beautiful. The other problem is that it is soo heavy on the descriptions that it was almost to the point of distraction. Especially in a first person story.

This story also has some spicy scenes that fade to black.

That said, I did enjoy this story, so that’s the bottom line. Sue Lynn Tan is one of my favorite authors.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. I’m so happy I got to read this early.

Book Review: So True a Love

Published on by Erica

Danger and passion collide when a plucky young woman becomes embroiled in a Bow Street investigation alongside a handsome officer.

London, 1803

As the daughter of a renowned actress, Verity Travers is a privileged lady of high society —and the last woman one would suspect of working as a private investigator. But after one case nearly costs her everything, she makes the hard decision to hang up her hat and live the uninspiring life of a gentlewoman. However, when she and her dearest friend become victims of a harrowing armed robbery, Verity finds herself swept back into the clandestine world of mystery and crime as she seeks to bring the thief to justice. There’s just one complication: the persistent and dashingly handsome Bow Street Runner Nathaniel Denning, who always seems to cross her path.

Verity is confident she could accomplish her work quickly if only Nathaniel would stay out of her way. While she appreciates his keen mind and quick wit on a case, his interference is muddling her progress—and her heart. Focusing on the task at hand becomes more and more difficult as she constantly bumps into Nathaniel, who is determined to keep her out of danger.

When the two rival investigators learn they are both pursuing the same cunning criminal, they must figure out how to navigate the delicate dance of cooperation amid a backdrop of increasing peril and an irresistible passion that sets their hearts ablaze.

***

My Review

I loved this book. I loved the chemistry between Verity and Nathaniel. I loved the tie into A Heart Worth Stealing, which was my favorite read last year. (Shadow Mountain has some publishing some extraordinary books, which I find refreshing.)

This book has steamy kisses. It had attraction. And a most wonderful plus in my books, no smut. This is a smut free, high tension, awesomely executed romance.

Verity is not your typical Regency era heroine. She is a private investigator, or she was at the beginning of the book. A theft and a plea from her friend Elizabeth gets her involved in a case again. On top of her romantic journey, she also has a journey about family and her relationship with her mother, a well known actress.

This book will really hit you in the feels.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

If you head over to Goodreads there’s a giveaway for this book right now! But hurry, it ends in 12 days!

Book Review

Published on by Erica

The daughter of a wealthy investor and a handsome young businessman clash in this enemies-to-lovers romance from the author who brought you Lakeshire Park.

1813, Brighton, England

When Anna Lane offered her heart to Alexander Lennox, she did not expect to learn he had secretly promised his suit to another. Hurt and embarrassed, Anna begs her father to take her to the seaside where she can escape the gossip of the ton and recover, but her father insists they remain in London so he can attend to some business. Feeling the sting of rejection again, Anna longs for the day when she can dictate her own future and find a companion who will love her for who she is.

Born into modest circumstances, Graham’s hard work and ability to spot a good investment has allowed him to provide for his mother and younger sisters. Now, with a new opportunity in his sights, Graham approaches Mr. Lane, his business partner and mentor, hoping to persuade him to travel to Brighton to close the deal. Graham must act fast or else he might lose his chance to turn his meager earnings into permanent financial stability.

To Graham’s relief, Mr. Lane is interested in his proposal, but he counters with one of his own. He has business elsewhere, so Anna–whom he trusts with his business affairs–will accompany Graham to Brighton, and if she gives a good report, he will invest. Both Anna and Graham hesitate. Though they have a passing acquaintance through Anna’s father, the two have never truly got along. Anna feels that Graham is only interested in money, while Graham feels that Anna is stubborn and self-absorbed.

The two reluctantly travel to Brighton together, and Anna is determined to find fault with every inch of the seaside town–including Graham. She is tired of feeling like a pawn being moved about by other people’s desires. But while staying at Highcliffe House and seeing the kind and gentle way Graham treats his family, Anna wonders if there is more to her rival than she thought.

But it will take more than a day at the beach for these two headstrong hearts to admit that if they set aside their misconceptions about each other and be vulnerable enough to share their true selves, they might have a chance at real love.

My Review:

This was a sizzling fantastic enemies to lovers romance. The rotating first person POV worked well here, too. And while Graham and Anna shine, the supporting characters (such as Tabitha) add to it. Loved this delightful story.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for the ARC.

Review: Sleeping Spells and Dragon Scales

Published on by Erica
Release Date: April 2, 2024
Description

Can two friends solve the mystery of Liam’s “curse” by using their knowledge of fairy tales?

Something is wrong with Liam. He collapses during soccer practice, he can’t stay awake in class, and he’s starting to see a ghostly white fox that disappears into smoke. His parents and teachers accuse him of being lazy and staying up too late, but he knows it’s something worse.

No one believes him except for Alaina, a friend and self-proclaimed expert in fantasy and fairy tales. She’s seen this sort of thing before and believes Liam has been cursed with a powerful sleeping spell. Her journal is full of possible ways to break a curse. Liam is skeptical, but with his normal life slipping further away, he agrees to try her potential cures.  

As they search for answers in stories, Alaina shares that she also is dealing with something no one else can see: type 1 diabetes. It rears its head like an invisible dragon, and she carries her medical equipment as a knight’s lance and dragon-scale shield to battle it. 

As Liam’s mystery illness worsens, he will need Alaina’s friendship—and perhaps a bit of fairy magic—to find a way to understand the truth of what is happening and regain the pieces of himself that are lost.

My Review:

Rating: 5 out of 5.

This book was delightful. It starts off with two imaginative kids who uncover a fairy nook and accidentally break a mirror. They drift apart for awhile, but a class assignment on fairy tales brings them back together. Both kids face challenges and together, come out stronger. Also, this book has active and caring parents. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for the ARC.

My Happy Marriage

Published on by Erica

I recently went to Barnes and Noble and picked up what they had of My Happy Marriage. (I know it’s an anime and I saw the Japanese movie. But I wanted to check out the manga.) And I simply love it.

I find the romance relatable. I find their growing affection for each other sweet. So far, this book has all the feels. (And it ended with a cliff hanger in volume 2, so I ordered the next one.

At the end of each volume is a short story tie in, which is lovely.

Review: Just Gus

Published on by Erica

Synopsis:

Return to the world of devoted working dogs and the humans they love in a new book from the best-selling author of Stella.  

Gus is a livestock guardian dog with one job—protecting his farm from coyotes and foxes. He likes keeping the sheep, the chickens, and his humans safe, and he’s very good at it.

One day, Diego and his dad come to visit the farm, and Gus immediately connects to the small boy. They both like to sit still and enjoy the quiet, and Gus can tell that Diego likes being around a gentle giant of a dog, that it helps relieve the boy’s constant worry.

When Gus detects the scent of a bear in the woods, he rushes to protect his flock, injuring his leg in a fight with the dangerous beast. Wounded, Gus needs to rest and heal away from his sheep, so he doesn’t risk reinjuring his leg. Diego suggests Gus come home with them to the North Carolina coast.

Suddenly, Gus is thrust into a new world of saltwater and sand and neighbors who don’t appreciate the presence of a large guard dog, like the neighbor who reminds Gus of his first owner—the junkyard man with the heavy boots.

Gus realizes Diego might need a friend as much as his sheep need a protector, but if he can’t learn to control his instincts, like barking and patrolling the neighborhood, Gus might lose his chance to stay in his new home. If he can’t protect the farm or his boy, Gus worries he might never find his place in the world. Just Gus is a tender story of belonging and of two friends who learn they are better together than they were alone.

My Review:

This was a heartwarming story about a special dog, his boy, overcoming challenges, and family. One of the things I enjoyed was the POV was from Gus.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for the ARC.

Review: Lakeshire Park

Published on by Erica

Synopsis:

Brighton, England 1820 Amelia Moore wants only one thing–to secure the future happiness of her younger sister, Clara. With their stepfather’s looming death, the two sisters will soon be on their own–without family, a home, or a penny to their names. When an invitation arrives to join a house party at Lakeshire Park, Amelia grasps at the chance. If she can encourage a match between Clara and their host, Sir Ronald, then at least her sister will be taken care of.  
Little does she know that another guest, the arrogant and overconfident Mr. Peter Wood, is after the same goal for his own sister. Amelia and Peter begin a rivalry that Amelia has no choice but to win. But competing against Peter–and eventually playing by his rules–makes Amelia vulnerable to losing the only thing she has left to claim: her heart.

My Review:

Rating: 5 out of 5.

This book was a breath of fresh air. What a wonderful romance. From the beginning I was rooting for Amelia and Peter. Beautiful love story with a happy ending.

This one also has a secondary romance between Clara and Sir Ronald. And it also has two sibling bonds that is heartwarming and relatable.

I highly recommend this read. And don’t be like me, read it soon after you get it.

I was given an ARC by the publisher via netgalley, way too long ago.

Review: An Inconvenient Letter

Published on by Erica
this book comes out March 5, 2005

Synopsis

Complications arise when Marietta’s secret love letters are accidentally found by the wrong man. 

1828, the London countryside

For years, Marietta Stone has harbored a secret infatuation for the handsome Frederick Finch and has poured out her deepest feelings in a series of passionate love letters that she keeps in a locked drawer. But when Marietta’s private letters are accidentally delivered to Frederick’s house, she must retrieve them immediately before they fall into the wrong hands. If the letters were read by anyone else, the resulting scandal could jeopardize her reputation. 

Gerard Hartwell has no time for infatuations, courtship, or even love. He must find a wife with a substantial inheritance if he wishes to save his late father’s bankrupt estate. When he accidentally discovers Marietta’s love letters at his cousin Frederick’s estate, he strikes a bargain with her. If she helps him court her older sister, Anne, he will return the letters and help Marietta win Frederick’s heart.

Marietta agrees, and the two quickly pretend to be courting in order to spend time with their individual love interests. Yet, what appeared to be a straightforward bargain becomes complicated when Gerard realizes that the more time he spends with Marietta, the more he wishes he could court her for real. But can he persuade Marietta to give him a chance when her heart might belong to another man?

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I stayed up late reading this book. It’s so much better than the synopsis lead to to believe. (With this book, Julie Wright has secured herself as one of my favorites.)
I loved Etta and Gerard.
I loved Etta and Anne. I adored Lucy. (When Etta and Anne go by her house, even though it’s in part a desperate attempt to get letters back that wasn’t meant be sent, Lucy’s immediate and emotional reaction at seeing her friend was emotionally charged.)
The dynamics between all the characters and inner family workings was realistic and relatable.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for the ARC, and thank you to author Julie Wright for another beautiful story.