About: My March Wrap Up unpacks my best reading month yet, and extracts a quote from each of the 37 books I read.
(more…)March Wrap Up: 37 Books Read
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Book Review: Endless by Crystal Ash
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The Gist: A satisfying conclusion to the STEEL DEMONS MC series that explores parenting, the leftover trauma of war and rebuilding for a hope-filled future.
Series: Steel Demons MC, #9.5
Release Date: December 3, 2021
Synopsis
Our love is endless.
The war is over. Finally, we can breathe and be a family.
With the worst moments of our lives behind us, we have only the future to look forward to. Our twins arrived nearly four years after the Sha was defeated, and now we face a new challenge–parenthood.
Whether it’s our daughter taunting the chickens or our son’s fear of water, we’ll take the highs and lows of raising them in stride. Most importantly, they’ll never know the horror and loss their parents endured. Our children will be protected and loved endlessly.
The gods haven’t spoken to us in years, but we’ve never stopped listening. When they have a message, we’ll be ready.
Endless is an epilogue novella to the Steel Demons MC series. It is not “required” reading, as the story ends in Merciless. This book shares a slice of life for the Steel Demons characters after the series ends.
Ending
HEA
Representation
• Latina Heroine
• Latino Hero
• Deaf Side Character
• Latino Hero
• Deaf Side Character
Possible Triggers: None
• No abuse
• No overly sad parts
• No overly sad parts
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW/OM drama
• No pushing away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
• No OW/OM drama
• No pushing away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: eARC
Rating: 4.5-stars
Note: I received Endless from Elite Author Service in exchange for an honest review.
(more…)33 Books About Love for Every Trope
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For Valentine’s Day, I dedicated my Instagram stories to a feature of a few of my favourite romances in each trope. However, I realized in COVID a new genre discovery also is an essential component to books on love: self-love. Therefore, I’ve expanded my list of romances to focus more on the theme of love, especially self-love!
(more…)27 ebooks: My September Book Haul
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My original plan was to add my Kindle book haul to my August Wrap but it just made the post way too long and convoluted. So, I’ve decided to post a separate book haul dedicated to all the books I’ve purchased as ebooks, which, for me, are Kindle books.
(more…)Surviving Amber Springs by Siobhan Davis
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Series: Standalone
Release Date: December 26, 2018
<strong>Synopsis</strong>
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone…
I’m the second-most hated person in Amber Springs.
First place honors go to my twin, Ethan; however, hate isn’t a strong enough word to convey how people feel about him.
Not that I blame anyone—some days, I hate him too. Mostly, I’m just lost and afraid, drowning in a sea of betrayal and guilt, wondering how this happened right under my nose.
There’s no choice but to leave. To move clear across the country in a last-ditch attempt to start over.
Transferring to a new school midway through senior year is hellish for most people. For me, it’s a welcome relief—until someone discovers our secret and now everyone knows.
The pointing, whispering, and scathing looks follow me around again, and I’m back to square one. Except, this time, I’m not alone.
Axel, Skeet, and Heath took me under their wing from the minute I arrived here. I’ve no idea why three of the hottest guys in town took any interest in me or why they continue to have my back, but I’m so grateful to have them in my corner.
Because, right now, they’re the only reason I’m not following my brother into an early grave.
This is an upper YA/NA reverse harem STANDALONE contemporary romance. Due to sensitive content, sexual situations, and possible triggers, this book is recommended to readers aged 18+. Full length novel.
<strong>Ending</strong>
HEA
<strong>Representation</strong>
• Side characters with a disability
• Main character struggles with depression
• Main character struggles with depression
<strong>Possible Triggers:</strong> Yes
• Gun violence (School shooting)
• Sexual violence: Gang-rape (Discussed but no flashback)
• Bullying
• Suicidal ideation
• Suicide attempt
• Sexual violence: Gang-rape (Discussed but no flashback)
• Bullying
• Suicidal ideation
• Suicide attempt
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Heroine pushing away
• Does have a significant separation (1.5 years) between the Heroine and Heroes (One hero is celibate, and another is also celibate, although he attempted to hook-up with an OW but couldn’t at the last minute. The last hero is NOT celibate, at all.)
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Heroine pushing away
• Does have a significant separation (1.5 years) between the Heroine and Heroes (One hero is celibate, and another is also celibate, although he attempted to hook-up with an OW but couldn’t at the last minute. The last hero is NOT celibate, at all.)
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: Kindle
Rating: 3.75/5 stars
(more…)The Gladiator’s Downfall by Kristen Banet
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Series: Age of the Andinna
Release Date: December 14, 2018
<strong>Synopsis</strong>
Mave knows where she stands in life.
She’s an Andinna. A member of the winged, horned, and tailed warrior race that the Elvasi Empire defeated in the Hundred Year War and then enslaved. She’s a slave, and has been one for a thousand years, the personal property of the Empress of the Elvasi Empire, since the end of the War. She’s a gladiator, thrown onto the sands of the Colosseum to die, though it backfired on those who wanted her dead. She’s the Champion of the Colosseum, and has been for roughly nine hundred years.
All of these things have marked her as an outcast among her own people. Hated, distrusted, and despised, she knows the name of her people, but not much else.
But she knows where she stands. Keeping her head down and her blades sharp has carried her this far, and she refuses to acknowledge the deepest wishes she holds in her heart. Those will only get her killed.
Alone, she’s stood against everything they have ever thrown at her, refusing to give them what they want.
What Mave doesn’t know is that it’s all about to change.
The Gladiator’s Downfall is a 129,000+, full-length novel.
Age of the Andinna is a reverse harem epic fantasy series. The female lead will collect her lovers as the series progresses.
There is triggering content in this series including but not limited to: abuse, violence, mature language, and sexual content. It’s recommended for mature audiences.
<strong>Ending</strong>
HFN
<strong>Representation</strong>
• Gay supporting characters
• Bisexual side characters
• MM side romance
• Bisexual side characters
• MM side romance
<strong>Possible Triggers:</strong> Yes
• Violence
• Physical, emotional and psychological abuse
• Slavery
• Allusions to rape (In the Heroine’s past and present. But, in the present, it’s off-page.)
• Physical, emotional and psychological abuse
• Slavery
• Allusions to rape (In the Heroine’s past and present. But, in the present, it’s off-page.)
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe
• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does Not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does Not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: Kindle
Rating: 5/5 stars
(more…)Summer and Smoke by CoraLee June
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Series: The Bullets
Release Date: December 2, 2018
<strong>Synopsis</strong>
Summer Bright is just a name on a tombstone. A whispered mystery on the long-forgotten Woodbury Lane. Her ghost teases me with fear and perfection. She knows I’m not strong enough to do what I should’ve done years ago.
The Bullets are united once more, bonded by their demand for blood. There’s a vulnerability in their friendship, though.
Gavriel craves control.
Blaise fears losing me.
Ryker fights his guilt.
Callum’s moral compass will get us killed.
Chesterbrook may be where the old me died, but it’s also where I learned that hell isn’t a place, it’s a person. And if we aren’t careful, our plan for revenge could go up in smoke.
<strong>Ending</strong>
Cliffhanger
<strong>Representation</strong>
• Bisexual side characters
<strong>Possible Triggers:</strong> Yes
• Violence (including murder)
• Physical abuse (memories)
• Threat to one’s life
• Physical abuse (memories)
• Threat to one’s life
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
– Blaise and Summer participate in one of Nix’s scenes, as voyeurs.
– During the scene, an OW touches Blaise, and Summer gets jealous and mad. Blaise gets turned on.
– Neither has sex with the OW/OM though.
• Does have the one of the Heroes pushing away
• Does Not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
– Blaise and Summer participate in one of Nix’s scenes, as voyeurs.
– During the scene, an OW touches Blaise, and Summer gets jealous and mad. Blaise gets turned on.
– Neither has sex with the OW/OM though.
• Does have the one of the Heroes pushing away
• Does Not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: eARC
Rating: 3.75/5 stars
Warning: This is a review of the second book in the series; therefore, there will be spoilers from the first book below. Click Here to read my review of the first book in the series.
Note: I received Summer and Smoke through CoraLee June’s team in exchange for an honest review.
(more…)Chosen by Stacy Jones
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Series: Chosen
Release Date: December 19, 2017
<strong>Synopsis</strong>
One minute Lily is trying, and failing, to run her grandmother’s farm—her last remaining connection to her family. The next, she wakes to find herself in a cold, sterile cage surrounded by monsters, with no memory of how she got there. Accidentally abducted by alien poachers, unsure if she will live or die, she is dreading the worst. What she doesn’t expect is for her captors to dump her on an alien planet to fend for herself. Now, she must fight to survive the planet… or die trying.
Frrar, Tor, and Arruk have been searching endlessly for a mate to belong to, someone to finally accept them, but they are losing hope. The time of cleansing, when the great waters drown the land, draws near. They are on the verge of abandoning their search and fleeing the forest when they spot a strange, tiny, two-armed female. They are immediately drawn to her, fascinated by her differences, but they must act fast to save her life, and their own, from the coming flood.
<strong>Ending</strong>
HFN
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
<strong>Possible Triggers:</strong> Yes
• Abduction by alien species
• No abuse
• One of the Hero’s family died tragically
• No abuse
• One of the Hero’s family died tragically
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe
• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• No pushing away
• No separation between the Heroes and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• No pushing away
• No separation between the Heroes and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: Kindle
Rating: 4.25/5 stars
(more…)Of Ashes and Sin by Ariana Hawkes and K.N. Knight
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Series: Fire Trails
Release Date: July 10, 2018
<strong>Synopsis</strong>
A world without fire. Three sizzling shifters. One flame-haired hustler. And the elemental bond that could bring fire back to the world, or be the end of them…
The last Phoenix has perished in a huge blaze of flames, extinguishing fire from the earth. Ranger Mason is a nineteen-year-old shifter whose spirit animal has not yet been fixed. An orphan, hustler and part-time exorcist, she scrapes a living in a dangerous, burned-out world, with no idea of the unique power she holds. That is, until a sexy tiger, bear and eagle shifter trio bursts into her life, convinced she’s the key to recreating fire.
What none of them realizes is that she’s no fire elemental, but something even more rare and special…something that will create the strongest possible bond between them, but also threaten to destroy her. Ranger is the only one capable of uniting a dragon with the three water, earth and air elementals, but as the love bond between the four of them ignites, the guys are unwilling to risk her safety—even if it means restoring balance to the world.
But Rael, Zain and Oran are not the only ones who have discovered Ranger’s gifts, and suddenly the decision is torn from their hands. Will she be able to create peace between her three mates, who have vowed to do anything to protect her, and a dragon intent on keeping her in his cave as his personal, flame-haired treasure?
OF ASHES AND SIN is a full-length reverse harem paranormal romance novel of 67,000 words, where the heroine doesn’t have to choose between her love interests. It includes action, drama and intrigue; as well as fully-realized sex scenes and graphic language. It’s intended for mature, 18+ audiences.
<strong>Ending</strong>
HFN
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
<strong>Possible Triggers:</strong> Yes
• Abduction
• Threat of rape
• Abuse (The heroes beat the heroine in hopes her animal will show itself.)
• Threat of rape
• Abuse (The heroes beat the heroine in hopes her animal will show itself.)
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe
• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does Not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does Not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: Kindle
Rating: 2/5 stars
(more…)Bound Spirit by H.A. Wills
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Series: The Bound Spirit
Release Date: July 27, 2018
<strong>Synopsis</strong>
Seventeen year old, Callie thought climbing out of her hell of an abusive home life was going to be her biggest struggle, but it’s only the beginning. Starting over in a small nowhere town in Oregon with an aunt she didn’t know existed until a week ago, she makes five new guy friends that are each something otherworldly. Something supernatural– and they say she is too. As if high school wasn’t hard enough.
In this captivating and vivid, paranormal reverse harem, join Callie on her journey of healing from the horrors of her past, while discovering that the world is far weirder than she could’ve possibly imagined.
Warning:
This book contains graphic violence, adult language, underage drinking, mild sexual content, and deals in sensitive issues such as abuse, suicide, and PTSD. Reader discretion is advised.
<strong>Ending</strong>
HFN
<strong>Representation</strong>
• Black main character
• Hispanic main character
• Bisexual main characters
• Hispanic main character
• Bisexual main characters
<strong>Possible Triggers:</strong> Yes
• Heroine has been emotional, physically and psychologically tortured by her father (flashbacks and memories)
• Murder of whole family (and one of the heroes)
• Violence
• Significant PTSD
• Suicide ideation
• Murder of whole family (and one of the heroes)
• Violence
• Significant PTSD
• Suicide ideation
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• Does have OW: most of the heroes, except for the ghost, have an OW. Also, the series will eventually have M/M relationships in the harem.
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does Not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
• Does have OW: most of the heroes, except for the ghost, have an OW. Also, the series will eventually have M/M relationships in the harem.
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does Not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: Kindle
Rating: 4/5 stars
(more…)
