Six Scorched Roses (Crowns of Nyaxia, #1.5) by Carissa Broadbent Review

This is a spoiler-free review! You can read my review of The Serpent and the Wings of Night on my blog, now!

I loved how this novella was its own story and can be read as a standalone - its dark tones and romantic incorporation allows the reader to remain in the world, but explore a new relationship and see other characters develop outside of the first installment of this series. The concept of Lilith dying since the day she was born was so intriguing to me - as she has accepted her fate, the constant death surrounding her has her searching for a cure. Making a deal with a vampire is risky, but for someone who is willing to do whatever it takes, it seems like an easy choice.

When Lilith offers roses in exchange for vials of Val's blood, she does not realize that this is only the beginning of their relationship before it develops into something they both never expected. As a lover of vampire romance, it was fun to watch their "business transactions" turn into something romantic, even more so watching Lilith slowly turn from being weary of Val to falling in love. While Val and Lilith's interactions were not super long, the author certainly was able to depict their relationship deeply and how their very different lives have been affected by one another.

This novella felt much more fleshed out compared to other fantasy series novellas - it felt as though I read a complete story, and I do hope they come into play more in the main series. I would love to see more of what is in store for their relationship. Since their story is not directly related to the first book in this series, you can choose to read this or skip, but I would recommend reading it for the essence of the series. There was such a heavy yearning aspect to Val and Lilith's romance that it truly holds the reader captive until the very end.

You can add Six Scorched Roses on Goodreads now, and follow the author to stay up to date on releases and publications.

You can catch up with me and my current reads by friending me on Goodreads and following this blog, my Twitter (X), and my Instagram in order to stay up-to-date with any reviews, blog tours, and more!

The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Crowns of Nyaxia, #1) by Carissa Broadbent Review

This is a spoiler-free review!

Finally, and adult vampire fantasy book that actually has a solid balance of romance and fantasy - I could cry. I have had this book on my TBR for what feels like forever and it was high time that I finally picked it up and saw what all of the hype was about. Oraya was adopted by the Nightborn vampire king after being found alone and was raised among vampires as a human. In order to prove herself worthy of more than she appears, she decides to compete in the Kejari to solidify her presence and power. Along the way, she makes an unlikely ally in a vampire she wants nothing to do with, yet cannot stay away from. As she encounters attacks she never saw coming, Oraya must decide if her victory is worth the price.

Broadbrent does an excellent job is creating the most interesting dynamic between Oraya and her adopted father - I could literally feel their bond off of the page, and it was refreshing to see how he had his own way of caring for her while still being a king with a brutal past. She very much understands what he has done in order to secure his throne, and she knows that without that brutality, vampires would not be the creatures they are.

The intensity of the Kejari is tangible - I was on the edge of my seat. The pacing is essentially electric and the reader feels as though they are competing alongside the others and fighting for their lives. Oraya's determination as a human in a world of vampires is amplified by her position as the king's adopted daughter - while she is basically out-ranking everyone else, she has the illegitimacy haunting her, allowing others to speak freely towards her and doing everything in their power to take her out of the running.

Raihn... where do I even begin with this man... he is everything that Oraya cannot stand, and yet they gravitate towards one another like they belong in each other's solar systems. The banter was fantastic to witness - they both do not take anyone's B.S. and challenge each other to the fullest capacity. Raihn's vampiric nature is everything opposite to Oraya's humanistic characteristics, making their balance something so intense and complex - she cannot stand what vampires are doing to humans, and he cannot understand why she is set on competing with centuries-old vampires for the chance for a single wish.

You can feel Raihn and Oraya's struggles to come to turn with their feelings towards one another while also battling their own struggles - with attacks coming from all sides, they are forced to not only compete in Kejari, but compete for their lives and their own desires as those around them attempt to shatter the world they live in. I truly appreciated how much their actions impacted their emotions, and seeing how they decided to put their own needs above others in a number of situations.

The pacing of this book was insane at the end - I felt as though I was being swung around in the air at twenty miles per hour - they hits just kept coming. To echo what some other reviews note, a number of the plot twists were certainly able to be spotted from a mile away, but there were a few at the end that caught me off guard so much so that my jaw dropped and I had to take a minute to process what just occurred. The alliances and friendships in this book were so interesting - all were complex with layers, even when ulterior motives were at play. I cannot wait to see what is in store for these characters, and considering this series is going to be compiled of three duologies, I will have plenty to dive into.

Ouch! My Vampire Doms Keep Biting Me (Vampire Doms, #1) by Calista Jayne Review

This is a spoiler-free review! Thank you to the author for providing me with an advanced copy for review! You can also read my reviews of Falling for Them and Playing by Their Rules.

Jayne introduces Autumn, Xander, and Will in this first installment -- a quick read for anyone looking for something to introduce themselves to her writing or to the genres in general. If memory serves, this is one of the first -- if not the first -- vampire romance books I have read, and I very much had a fun time reading it. This book certainly was filled with both plot and spice, and starting out hot with Autumn bearing witness to a crime that causes her to go on the run.

The pacing of the book definitely keeps the reader interested, so much so that you could finish this in one sitting in just about an hour if you have the chance to do so. I enjoyed that we were given perspectives from Autumn, Xander, and Will -- it really allows the reader to get into the headspace of all of the characters, which is a commonality in Jayne's writing that I definitely appreciate.

Xander and Will are similar, but both have very distinct characteristics when it comes to what they want from Autumn, which takes a toll on their relationship as they both get to know her on their own terms. The reader is able to see Will and Xander's internal struggles with Autumn coming into their lives, especially with their conflicting views on what they should do with her now that they know her and she has become a presence in their lives.

Autumn is really just trying to get by while on the run and starting over when she has a chance encounter with Will and Xander, which certainly takes her life for a turn in more ways than one. She becomes introduced to a whole new world while trying to rebuild her own, and she just happens to have two vampires to show her the ropes. I did find it hilarious that she did not even seem fazed by the fact that vampires were real and that she was in the presence of two of them -- she really rolls with the punches when it comes to obstacles in her life.

The spicier scenes are more mild compared to Jayne's other novels I have read, but still tasteful and enjoyable nonetheless. Jayne does a great job in making them move at an entertaining pace and places them into the story at opportune moments rather than just throwing them in for shock factor.

I do wish that we were given a bit more background on Will and Xander in regards to their relationship and how they came to live their lives together. It felt a little rushed when it came to introducing them into Autumn's life and then glossed over their actual presence in town. Autumn's choices while on the run also had me just a touched confused, because as a person on the run, I personally would not be stopping to read books at a library, but hey, a girl does what she wants.

With this book ending on a cliffhanger, I may find myself gravitating towards the series later on to see what exactly is in store for Autumn, Xander, and Will. For readers looking to get into paranormal romance, this is a great book to get yourself off the ground and into the genre.

You can add Ouch! My Vampire Doms Keep Biting Me on Goodreads now, and follow the author to stay up to date on releases and publications.

You can catch up with me and my current reads by friending me on Goodreads and following this blog, my Twitter, and my Instagram in order to stay up-to-date with any reviews, blog tours, and more!

The Rousing by Paula Black and Jess Raven Review

This review contains spoilers! The Rousing is currently available for free on iBooks and Kindle.

A big shout out once again to the free romance section on iBooks -- you may let me down sometimes, but man do you deliver on occasion. Darcy lives in a coastal village in Ireland with her twin brother, Liam, and when stranger Jack comes to town on inheritance business, Darcy is not prepared for what is to come. Thrust together after a number of unfortunate circumstances, they must both begin to face reality and the supernatural together.

We only get Darcy's point of view in this story, and I wish we got a glimpse of what it was like in Jack's mind as they continued to get to know each other as the story unfolded. Based on the summary for the novella, I was expecting the story to go in a different direction, and once I realized we were not headed where I thought we were, I was a little disappointed. I was expecting some form of modern day Sanditon meets Dark Shadows, but was left a tad unsatisfied. 

If you are expecting Jack to saunter in as a dark and brooding vampire, you will be disappointed -- but not for longer. Darcy does have common sense (yay!) and her character is enjoyable to follow as she learns more about Jack and the supernatural lore surrounding their village. The pacing of the book definitely allows you to read it quickly -- it does not drag on and the plot moves fast, and so do the smut scenes. We get a pretty decent scene between Darcy and Jack after only a few chapters, and I loved the way that they incorporated the lore of the town and what Jack does for business. The foreplay was fun and overall it was a great scene that definitely leaves the reader wanting more.

Darcy basically feels this insta-love for Jack, and honestly, who can blame her. He's tall and handsome, and a long-lost childhood friend who has finally returned after his mother's death. Just my type. They both have this banter going on between them before the tension really picks up, and you find yourself rooting for their relationship even though they have only just "met" a few hours prior.

For some reason, this is yet another book where the relationship between twin siblings is very much on the edge of incestuous infatuation, and I cannot go on any longer if this keeps happening. Liam and Darcy are way too involved in each other's lives, and yes, their mother passed away and their father is slowing disappearing before their eyes, but surely they have got to have some friends to get support from.

I found myself really enjoying Jack's character, and once again wish that we were able to have at least one chapter in his perspective. If you are looking for a quick and mildly steamy read, this is definitely the book for you, and will make you want to read even more of Black and Raven's works.

You can add The Rousing on Goodreads now, and follow the author to stay up to date on releases and publications.

You can catch up with me and my current reads by friending me on Goodreads and following this blog, my Twitter, and my Instagram in order to stay up-to-date with any reviews, blog tours, and more!

In Blood & Ice by Susan Person Review + BLOG TOUR + GIVEAWAY

 

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the IN BLOOD & ICE by Susan Person Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: IN BLOOD & ICE (A Vampire Ice Age Novel - Book 1)

Author: Susan Person

Publication Date: December 27, 2021

Publisher: Person Publishing

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 408

Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo

Alliances. Betrayals. Poison. For a hundred years, vampires and humans alike have been struggling to survive a brutal ice age.

When blood stores dwindle, Josie is sent on a mission to secure human donors to supplement the failing supply.

But her ex-lover Vin is part of the crew, and after the mission is sabotaged, she finds herself fighting for more than just survival.

When asked to join the expedition to the old compound, Vin didn’t hesitate. Maybe if he can succeed, he’ll win back the love he once lost.

But betrayal at the highest levels will threaten his efforts and shake the very foundations of the vampire race. If they can find a way to reverse the ice age, then they might all survive. But will the long buried secrets they uncover pull Josie and Vin apart?

In Blood & Ice is the first book in the A Vampire Ice Age paranormal romance series by Susan Person. If you like vampire romance, secrets, and a bad-ass heroine leading the way, this book is for you.

Pick up In Blood & Ice to start this dark and powerful series by Susan Person today.

Preorder Book Two, Reclamation in Ice, now!

REVIEW

This review contains spoilers for In Blood & Ice, please read with caution if you have not completed the book. A huge thank you again to Rockstar Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book and the opportunity to be a part of the In Blood & Ice book tour.

We start off strong with immediate world-building and identifying our main characters and their key personality traits within the first chapter. Josephine, biological daughter and successor of Ezra, the Emperor, is our lead. I love the concept of the world being basically completely covered in ice - it adds a unique setting for vampires that I have yet to see in books or television so far. We also get an immediate dive right into a prospective love triangle with Josephine, Vincent, and Killian, which already brings a great deal of sarcasm and tension right at the beginning of the book. Having both Josephine's and Vincent's POVs really allows you to understand both characters on a deeper level, as well as get a better grasp on their feelings towards each other.

The way that Person introduces the possibility of Vincent's mother and witchcraft into the ongoing tensions between vampires is really well done - we go from fighting scenes to intimacy to new discovery that may help Josephine, Vincent, and Killian, along with the readers as we try to understand why these Rogue vampires are popping up all over the place. The devotion and admiration that Vincent has for Josephine truly comes to life on the pages, and is a constant through the beginning of the book.

Calidora being the vampire that killed Josephine's mother and being Vincent's mother was a great twist placed in the first fourth of the book - it gives a solid push towards the overall plot, as well as makes the reader have to put together a number of pieces of information that we were just exposed to in the last few chapters of the first fourth of the book. The way that Calidora is intwined into the plot also both character development and realization for Vincent, and struggle for Josephine.

Vincent being betrothed to someone within five minutes of meeting Calidora and finding out she is his mother had me cackling - this poor man can't catch a break. And Natasha definitely gives me the same vibes as the Denali tribe vampires from Twilight. Killian and Vincent's little friendship immediately after this whole situation is so humorous and a great addition to the plot - if we can't have a love triangle, I love the idea of having a couple and the friend who cares just as deeply for the girl but in a platonic way.

I was not in the least bit surprised that Ezra had his wife killed - he was not passing the vibe check in the first chapter and the second Josephine mentioned that her mother had opposing views to Ezra, it was inevitable to discover this information. Natasha coming along with the gang is the comedic relief we needed after all of the information we learned from Josephine's experience in the communication room. I absolutely love the dynamic between Killian and Natasha - their instant love and honeymoon stage is so perfectly put together and shows a fun, spontaneous side to a serious plot and mission.

Josephine beginning a revolution against her father is exactly the type of play we needed to see. Plus, these new vampires in the basement remind me of when the Strigoi in Vampire Academy were all hiding out in that cave off the side of the school campus. Livia is over here saying that she is pregnant yet has been running around as Ezra's little puppet and awakening like a million vampires in her path. And now Natasha is pregnant too? Josephine better be including child care in her revolution contracts with her followers.

Vincent proposing - so romantic, I really am rooting for them. And now Josephine is pregnant too? Everyone needs to take a breather and perhaps try not to repopulate the vampires all in one night. They better be able to find Livia's baby so everyone can have little playdates and relax for two seconds without a battle or kidnapping happening - so happy that everyone is mostly alright.

Overall, In Blood & Ice was a fantastic first installment to Person's series, and is perfectly paced to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. I would definitely recommend this series to fans of Blackmoon Beginnings by Kaitlyn Hoyt and Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.

You can catch up with me and my current reads by friending me on Goodreads and following this blog in order to stay up-to-date with any reviews, blog tours, and more!

ABOUT SUSAN PERSON

Susan Person is a multi-contest finalist in the paranormal and dark paranormal romance categories. A former member of Romance Writers of America, she served on the PRO Steering Committee for several years. Recently, she returned to college to pursue a degree in anthropology and graduated in May 2021. Susan enjoys meeting writers and readers alike at conferences. Her grandmother's love of Harlequin novels was passed on to her, and she was fascinated by paranormal worlds and mythology. The combination of the two led her to the paranormal romance genre. She knew at an early age she wanted to write powerful heroines and fulfills that dream today by writing empowered heroines who take charge in their paranormal worlds.

Susan grew up on a thoroughbred horse farm before moving to the big city of Dallas. She considers herself a Texan but is loyal to her home state of Arkansas. A lover of travel, she has visited several countries with many more to go on her list. She particularly loved dowsing at Stonehenge and seeing the Eiffel Tower light up at night. The outdoors are a place Susan finds inspiration and can often be found in a park, at the lake, or on a road trip. She especially loves the mountains. Furry animals hold a special place in her heart. Dogs tend to seek her out as a friend, and she gladly returns their friendship.

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GIVEAWAY DETAILS

5 winners will win a finished copy of IN BLOOD & ICE, US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR DETAILS

Week One:

2/21/2022	The Reading Devil	Guest Post/IG Post
2/22/2022	Sadie's Spotlight	Guest Post/IG Post
2/23/2022	BookHounds	Guest Post/IG Post
2/24/2022	100 Pages A Day	Review
2/25/2022	boozybook blog	Review/IG Post

 

Week Two:

2/28/2022	thepaperworlds	Review
3/1/2022	@reading.late.into.the.night	Review/IG Post
3/2/2022	The Momma Spot	Review
3/3/2022	Take A Look At My Bookshelf	Review
3/4/2022	Vamplit	Review