Feeling Fictional: Vampire

Magical Midlife Flowers (Novella)

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Magical Midlife Awakening

Visit K.F. Breene's website for more information

Review:
After the battle to save Kingsley's pack Jessie's enemies are still licking their wounds and regrouping for a bigger attack so that should give the Ivy House crew the chance of a little downtime before things ramp up again. Unfortunately for Jessie the holidays are fast approaching and that comes with an invitation to her ex-in-laws huge Christmas party. As much as Jessie is keen to show off Austin she's less keen on having to spend any time around her ex and his parents.

Magical Midlife Awakening is a little slower paced than the last book but that didn't make it any less enjoyable to read. Jessie is really forced to look back at her marriage and see exactly how her ex managed to twist her emotions to get her to do what he wanted. It makes for quite uncomfortable reading at times but seeing Austin and her friends rally round helped on that front. It was really easy for Jessie to fall back into old patterns around her ex but with the others there she was able to push through that and start to deal with him on her own terms using her newfound confidence. It showed just how much she has grown and changed now she's free to live life on her own terms and I loved seeing her stand up for herself.

While their enemies seem to have taken a step back for now that doesn't mean the Ivy House crew are resting, they're working harder than ever to build relationships with potential new allies and to continue their training as a team so they're ready for whatever is thrown at them in the next battle. Sebastian and Nessa still have their own plans that they're working to put in place and I think we're going to see a lot more of their plans come to fruition in the next book. There is a lot going on in this world but with Jessie's newfound confidence added to her determination to protect the people she cares about I think her enemies are going to have a bigger fight on their hands than they could ever have anticipated!

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Magical Midlife Flowers - K.F. Breene

Previously part of the Magical Midlife Kickstarter.

This is a bonus story that plays into elements in Magical Midlife Battle. It should be read after Magical Midlife Alliance. It isn't necessary to the overall series ARC, but rather a fun little aside into the lives of the Ivy House Crew.

Edgar does not cheat in flower shows. He might use a magically enhanced serum, but anyone could do that. It's not his fault the other competitors don’t know magic exists!

But when the Ivy House crew goes to the pre-show to support him, it becomes clear that someone should've been watching Edgar much more carefully. What he's done is way worse than overgrown flora.

While Jessie is dealing with that, she gets a shock as she discovers photos of her ex with his girlfriend…turned fiancée. And while the flood of emotions can be ignored, the desire to show off Austin on social media is not.

After putting Mr. Tom in charge of the flower fiasco, she decides to take Austin on his perfect date. Her goal: to have one thing go right in her life. Just one thing!

Leveling Up Series:

Magical Midlife Flowers (Novella)

Visit K.F. Breene's website for more information

Review:
I remember seeing the Kickstarter that included this novella but I somehow completely missed it being published as a separate kindle ebook so I'm a bit late to the party with this novella. Technically it fits into the series after Magical Midlife Alliance so I wouldn't recommend reading it before that point but it won't be a problem if you read it later. It was fun to see more background information of the magical flowers Edgar used in the big battle scene though so I'm glad I picked up this story.

I love the entire crazy Ivy House crew and the banter between them all is just fab. Edgar has always been one to go his own way and he really goes off the rail in this story so it's up to the others to try and reign him back in again. This may only be a short novella but it packs a lot of fun into those pages so while it's not an essential part of the series it's definitely a recommended one!

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
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Kindle:

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Tuesday, 19 September 2023

Review: Magical Midlife Battle - K.F. Breene

It has all come down to this.

The battle to save Kingsley's pack, and Austin's place of birth, is upon them. They have their team, they have their supplies, and they have a very nerve-wracking secret weapon that Edgar devised.

They aren't even close to ready.

If they lose this battle, every shifter in the world will be in jeopardy. But to fight means danger they might not all walk away from.

If only the battle was their sole worry.

Austin has come home for the first time in fifteen years. He left the pack in tatters and a great many people haven't forgotten, his family included. He must finally face his past.

Get ready for a thrilling and emotionally charged next installment in the Leveling Up saga.

Leveling Up Series:

Magical Midlife Flowers (Novella)

Magical Midlife Battle

Visit K.F. Breene's website for more information

Review:
Well it's the moment we've all been waiting for, a battle that the series has been building towards since the first book, it's time to fight for their lives in defence of Kingsley's territory. I feel like I've been waiting so long for this book and it really didn't disappoint.

It was so fun to see Jesse and her motley crew away from Ivy House and trying to fit in with Kingsley's pack mates. Kingsley has already made his peace with Austin and Jesse but the rest of their family, and the pack, have no idea what kind of madness is heading into town and they're not particularly happy to have Austin back - even though he is there to help them.

There were some really interesting dynamics in this instalment of the series and it was interesting to see Austin trying to tread carefully and build bridges, I felt really sorry for him with the way some people treated him but it was good to see Jesse and the others come to his defence.

I honestly don't want to say much more about this book, if you're a fan of the series you'll know the kind of antics to expect from the regular characters and you'll already be prepared for an action packed ride. If you've stumbled across this review by accident don't start reading at this book but do grab yourself a copy of Magical Midlife Madness and be ready for a fun adventure as you end up binge reading the rest of the series though!

Wednesday, 22 March 2023

Review: Magical Midlife Alliance - K.F. Breene

After a disappointing return from the basajaunak lands, it's clear that Jessie and her crew need to form an alliance and fast! A massive battle is materializing, targeting Kingsley. Without more help, they'll never be enough to save Austin's brother from total annihilation.

The good news is, gargoyle cairns are interested in meeting her. She's the only living female gargoyle and a connection with her has the opportunity to improve their status. They'd just have to change their way of life to accommodate her, not an easy ask for a gruff, stubborn sort of creature.

She has her back against the wall. She must try and wrangle her crew into some semblance of "normal" to entice even just one major cairn to her side. Something not totally impossible…except for the interference of a cairn's Lead Enforcer.

He isn't just a gargoyle. Couldn’t be, not with his unnatural size, strength and glowing eyes. His origins are a mystery and his entire person is cloaked in danger. He might just hold their fate in his hands.

Making an alliance was always going to be difficult, but now it might be nearly impossible, and not just because the crew has no idea what "normal" might look like.

The clock is ticking.

Leveling Up Series:

Magical Midlife Alliance

Magical Midlife Flowers (Novella)

Visit K.F. Breene's website for more information

Review:
Jessie, Austin and their crew know they still need to gather as many allies as they can before the big showdown with Momar and they need to do it fast if they want to have a chance of helping save Kingsley and his pack.

The last book saw them focused on getting to know more of the basajaunak but this time around we get to see more of the gargoyles when Jessie invites 4 of the largest cairns to meet. Things don't always go to plan though and a lot of the gargoyles are very set in their ways and have no idea what to make of Jessie and the rest of her crew.

I'm not going to go into any more details because I want to avoid spoilers but it was really fun to see Jessie once again boggling people's minds because she doesn't think or act the way they expect her to. She definitely has her own way of doing things but she is also extremely loyal and protective of the people she considers hers so she's the kind of person you want on your side when you're going into a fight.

I love the whole Ivy House team but I am getting a little annoyed with Sebastian and Nessa for the way they go behind Jessie's back and start plotting without anyone else's input. I'm sure they have Jessie's best interests at heart but it really is about time for them to start acting like the team members that they've become. I really hope that is something that changes as the series continues but either way I'm fully invested and can't wait to see what happens next.

Wednesday, 14 December 2022

Review: Magical Midlife Challenge - K.F. Breene

The signs are unmistakable, Momar isn't just targeting Austin's brother.

When one of Momar's grunts breaks into Austin's territory looking to grab Jessie for questioning, Jessie and her crew realize they are under fire. In order to protect themselves, it becomes obvious they need backup.

Thankfully, the basajaun's people have invited Jessie and her crew into the basajaunak lands. This is their golden opportunity to seek their help.

The problem is, a host of mages and mercenaries are following them. Once they take Jessie this time it won't be just for questioning, and she won't be coming back.

To omit this detail to the basajaunak would result in punishment. And everyone knows "punishment" with basajaunak is synonymous with an unmarked grave. But to tell them would get their visit canceled and force them to face the threat alone. Either way could mean certain death.

Decisions, decisions.

Welcome back to O'Briens, where the only certainty is that nothing is normal.

Leveling Up Series:

Magical Midlife Challenge

Magical Midlife Flowers (Novella)

Visit K.F. Breene's website for more information

Review:
There was quite a long gap between the release of the previous book in the series (Magical Midlife Meeting) and this one so I took the time to indulge in a series reread before picking up this book and I found myself falling in love with this world and the characters all over again. This is just such a fun series to read and I love that the characters are older than you often see.

Jesse may be fairly new to the magical world but she's got plenty of life experience to draw from so she's able to hold her own. Her relationship with Austin was a real slow burn but things have reached well over boiling point now so we're getting more of the heat that I'm customary to in K.F. Breene's writing.

The side characters shine with all their crazy antics and this instalment lets us get to know so much more about the basajaunak which was fun. I did think we might get a little further information about Momar but it makes sense that Jesse and Austin are taking the time to build their power base and get as many allies as possible before the big showdown and I'm already excited for the next book so it's great that we only have a couple of months to wait!

Paperback / Kindle:

Tuesday, 27 April 2021

Review: Magical Midlife Meeting - K.F. Breene

It's time for a magical battle Jessie isn't sure she's prepared for.

Elliot Graves has been a thorn in Jessie's side since before she agreed to take the house magic. He has constantly brought the fight to her doorstep.

Not this time.

With the help of Austin's shifters, the Ivy house crew will meet Elliot Graves in one of the most dangerous places imaginable - his home turf. But not before another creature joins the circle.

Leveling Up Series:

Magical Midlife Meeting

Magical Midlife Flowers (Novella)

Visit K.F. Breene's website for more information

Review:
This series really has been getting better and better with every book and Magical Midlife Meeting is the culmination we've been waiting for in so many ways. Elliot Graves has been a thorn in Jessie's side from very early on and now she is finally getting the chance to face off against her nemesis. Things aren't quite what they seem though so Jessie is going to have to think fast before she does something she might later come to regret.

I really enjoyed this book, as much as it's been fun meeting various family members of both Jessie and Austin in the last couple of books this story things are pulled right back to the core members of Jessie's team and the protectors of Ivy House. It's time to meet Elliot Graves face to face and it's being done on his territory so the whole crew is on edge just waiting to see how things play out. They come face to face with multiple mages and soon find themselves in a fight for their lives.

I really don't want to say too much about this book because I don't want to accidentally spoiler anyone but there is a lot of action and some really interesting revelations for you to look forward to when you pick up this book. By the end Jessie is forced to rethink a lot of her old assumptions and question who the real enemies are and we've definitely been set up for an even more dangerous next book in the series. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Magical Midlife Love - K.F. Breene

The Ivy House team is shaping up, but there are still holes to be filled, and a magical summons outstanding. Jessie needs a teacher. Someone who can fit in with the whacky Ivy House crew. And that was going just fine...until she gets a request to host a powerful, neighbouring mage.

A teacher isn't going to be enough. She needs more power in her crew. She needs some might.

This time, Austin Steele might not be able to dominate what she calls in, creatures no shifter has ever dominated before.

But that isn't all Austin has to worry about. After a skirmish in the bar, suddenly his whole world is turned upside down. He can no longer ignore the feelings that have been growing for Jess.

He also can't ignore the town's complete lack of readiness for the neighboring mage's visit. He must call in his brother to help lock down the town. And when his brother arrives, he must finally hash out the past that has split them apart so that he can claim his future.

Leveling Up Series:
Magical Midlife Madness
Magical Midlife Dating

Magical Midlife Love

Magical Midlife Flowers (Novella)

Visit K.F. Breene's website for more information

Review:
Magical Midlife Love is the fourth book in K.F. Breene's Leveling Up series so I'm going to jump straight into this review assuming you've already read the first three (if you haven't, stop reading this review right now and go grab a copy of Magical Midlife Madness, this is a series that definitely needs to be read in order to be fully appreciated!)

The last book introduced us to Jessie's parents but this one brings her son home for a visit. He's in for quite a surprise when he realises how much his mother has changed but I loved how accepting he was about everything and especially the way he encouraged Jessie and Austin to take the next step. I think it was important for Jessie to have his approval and it was just another barrier coming down helping their relationship take another step in the right direction. Romance fans are definitely going to love some of the latest developments in this book. We also get to find out a lot more about Austin's past as his brother comes to town to help Austin prepare for potential war against the mages and I'm never going to complain about the introduction of more shifters into the series.

I've grown really attached to Jessie's crew now and they're always making me laugh with their silly antics but we've had some great additions to the cast over the last few books. I'm enjoying getting to know the gargoyles better and I really liked the mage Sebastian who has been helping Jessie with her magic. He's obviously hiding secrets though so it's going to be very interesting to see how that plays out as the series continues. These books are always great when I want something fun to take my mind off of real life and I hope K.F. Breene continues writing in this world for a long time to come.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
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Review: Magical Midlife Invasion - K.F. Breene

Jessie is well on her way to learning her new life and settling in. The tough alpha, Austin, has joined her team, and she has painstakingly learned to fly. At the moment, life couldn’t get any better.

But it can get a whole lot…more irritating.

Her parents have decided to visit. They don’t know anything about magic, about Jessie’s new digs, or about the crazy crew living in and around Jessie’s house. She must do everything in her power to keep the truth away from them.

Which would be much easier without the unfelt presence lurking within Ivy House’s borders. It seems an enemy has figured out a way to magically bypass Ivy House’s defenses. Jessie is completely exposed.

The real battle, however, won’t be with the incoming force. It will be between Mr. Tom and Jessie’s mom, each intent on being the most helpful. Mr. Tom might have met his match, and he is not pleased.

Just when things were finally settling down, Jessie is in the thick of it again, and this time, the turmoil is all around her.

Leveling Up Series:
Magical Midlife Madness
Magical Midlife Dating

Magical Midlife Invasion

Magical Midlife Flowers (Novella)

Visit K.F. Breene's website for more information

Review:

Magical Midlife Invasion is the third book in K.F. Breene's fun urban fantasy series starring gargoyle Jessie, the magical house she inherited and all the weird and wonderful supernatural characters that came with it. Jessie is still very new to the magical world, she didn't even know magic was real until fairly recently and she had no idea or her own abilities either but she is working hard to get to grips with everything and is slowly getting control over her power. Now that the wider magical world is aware of her existence though she has a big target painted on her back and she's going to have to level up fast if she wants to survive.

As if dealing with her new situation wasn't enough Jessie now has a surprise visit from her parents to contend with. They are also completely ignorant of the magical community and Jessie wants to keep them that way so it's hard to explain a house that keeps changing and her rather strange butler Mr Tom. I really enjoyed seeing the way Jessie handled everything in this instalment, I also really love that Ivy House is becoming a character in it's own right with separate needs and wants to Jessie. I find magical houses fascinating and thought it was hilarious that Ivy House kept playing tricks on Jessie's father.

The only slightly frustrating thing is the ongoing will they / won't they between Jessie and Austin. It's so obvious that they're perfect for each other, it's also obvious that they both have the hots for each other but they're both gun-shy and scared to make the first move. I can understand why they feel like that but you know those books where you're mentally grabbing both of the characters by the back of the necks and pushing their heads together yelling "now kiss you fools"? Well that was definitely me as I read this book! I do have high hopes for them getting their act together soon though so fingers crossed for the next instalment.

Paperback / Kindle:

Thursday, 13 August 2020

Review: Magical Midlife Dating - K.F. Breene

The second book in the Leveling Up series by USA Today and Wallstreet Journal Bestselling author K.F. Breene.

She must learn to fly, but can she withstand the allure of the handsome new teacher?

Book two in the Top 10 Kindle Store and internationally bestselling series by USA Today Bestselling Author, K.F. Breene!

The decision has been made. Jessie has taken the magic, and all the weird that goes with it. Including wings.

There's only one problem - she can't figure out how to access them.

Through a series of terrible decisions, Jessie realizes she must ask for help. Gargoyle help.

But she could've never predicted who answers her call - he's an excellent flier, incredibly patient, and a good trainer. He's also incredibly handsome. And interested.

Maybe flying isn't the only thing she needs help with. Maybe she needs help getting back on that saddle, too, emerging into the dating pool.

Except, the new gargoyle is also an alpha, just like Austin, and the town isn't big enough for two.

Turns out, flying is the least of her problems.

Leveling Up Series:
Magical Midlife Madness
Magical Midlife Dating

Magical Midlife Flowers (Novella)

Visit K.F. Breene's website for more information

Review:
Magical Midlife Dating is the second book in K.F. Breene's Levelling Up series (if you haven't already read Magical Midlife Madness I'd highly recommend reading that book first) and it was another fun instalment.

I really love main character Jessie, at 40 she's older than a lot heroines and because of that she's confident in her own skin and knows what she wants from life. She spent her whole life not knowing that supernatural creatures were real so she's been really thrown in at the deep end by her move to a small town full of shapeshifters, vampires, gargoyles and more. Since taking over running Ivy House and inheriting her own magical powers Jessie has had a steep learning curve and knowing that she has dangerous enemies closing in means she needs to level up her abilities fast if she wants to be able to protect herself and the people she's coming to care about.

This series has been so much fun to read so far. The characters living in and around Ivy House are totally bonkers in the best kind of ways and I really enjoy the group banter and watching Jessie figure out how to reign in everyone's crazy impulses. I also really love the friendship between her and the town alpha, polar bear shifter Austin, I have high hopes for those two if Austin is ever willing to admit his feelings. This story sees an influx of gargoyles who arrive ready and willing to help Jessie learn to harness her magic, some I like more than others but it was definitely fun seeing them try to sort out their places in the hierarchy.

These books are really fun and easy reads and I can't wait to continue the series.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
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Sunday, 19 July 2020

Review: Stealing Summer - Lexi Blake

From New York Times and USA Today bestseller Lexi Blake comes a new epic-length story in her Thieves/Hunter world…

A daughter lost

Summer has spent her whole life wondering about the family she left behind. On the night she came into being she only had a few moments with them. In that brief time, she reached out to her father, looking deep into his soul, and gifted him the will to go on. But now she is the one in need. Once a child made of pure magic, she is forced to live as a mortal. Her power caused great harm, and she has sworn never to let it happen again. With her friends beside her, she tries her best to help those she can. If that requires her to do a little thievery, well, she is her mother’s daughter, after all.

Everything changes when a woman falls from the sky and Summer meets the handsome vampire named Marcus Vorenus. Just as her past begins to catch up with her, she might have finally met her future.

A mother discovered

Kelsey Owens went searching for Dev and Marcus but all she found was a trap. She was pulled through a magical painting and thrown smack into the middle of a battle on a foreign plane of existence. Luckily she’s good in a fight. Saving the woman targeted by the horde of brutal soldiers, Kelsey is shocked by her resemblance to her queen. As Kelsey investigates the mystery surrounding Summer Donovan-Quinn, she also hunts for a way back to the husbands and son she just claimed.

A queen exiled

Zoey Donovan-Quinn is not happy. The wizard Myrddin is back, her marriage is troubled, and she is sure those two problems are connected. But nothing is more worrying than Dev’s sudden disappearance. When she and Daniel go looking for him, they are drawn into a world thought lost to the Earth plane. Danger awaits them there, but so does the daughter they thought they would never see again. She hopes they survive their reunion.

Three heroines. One mystery. And an ending that will change the Thieves world forever…

Thieves Series:
Steal the Light
You Will Call Me Master (Free short story via the author's newsletter)
She Will Be My Goddess (Free short story via the author's newsletter)
Steal the Day
Steal the Moon
Steal the Sun
Steal the Night
Ripper (Hunter book 1)
Addict (Hunter book 2)
Sleeper (Hunter book 3)
Outcast (Hunter book 4)

Stealing Summer (Hunter book 5)

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
I love Lexi Blake's Thieves series and always hoped that we'd find out what happened to Summer as well as that we'd see Marcus get his own romance so I was thrilled when I heard about Stealing Summer. While a lot of this author's books work as stand alone stories (you can pretty much read the Masters & Mercenaries series in any order for example) I really recommend reading this book after the rest of the Thieves and Hunter books because there is so much going on here that it would be confusing for a first time reader.

We have three different points of view for the book, Zoey from the original books in the series, Kelsey whose story was told in the Hunter spin off and also Summer who we saw briefly as a baby but never as a POV character before. Sometimes I find stories confusing when they're told from multiple points of view but these three characters were distinctive enough that it was easy to keep track of who we were reading about.

It's really hard to say too much about the plot of this book without giving spoilers but trust me if you had questions at the end of the previous books then you'll get most of the answers here. As well as Zoey and Kelsey we get to catch up with other series favourites like Daniel, Dev and Marcus, we also get to explore a few new realms and if you're fans of Lexi's other books you'll spot cameos from characters from both the Masters and Mercenaries and the Faery story series. I loved getting to meet Summer and see how her life had turned out since she was taken to Faerie and I really loved seeing Marcus finally get his own happily ever after that he's waited thousands of years for.

The only other thing I'm going to tell to is that this is a total game changer for this series and whole world. Lots of revelations are made and while I expected something like what happened at the end it was still a jaw dropping moment and a HUGE cliffhanger. I honestly can't wait for the next book in the series and I'm really glad that Lexi Blake is writing in this world again!

Source: Purchased

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Wednesday, 6 May 2020

Review: The Vampire Book Club - Nancy Warren

I was a divorced, middle-aged witch banished to Ireland.
My life could be summed up in a limerick...

There once was a misguided witch
Who tried a man’s fate to switch
Her punishment set
To Ireland she must get
But better than feathers and pitch!

With a name like Quinn Calahan I sounded as Irish as a leprechaun dancing a jig on a four leafed clover, but the truth was, I’d never been closer to the emerald isle than drinking green beer at the St Patrick’s day street party in Boston until I messed up so badly I had to leave the US. I was offered a job in a tiny village in Ireland that no one’s ever heard of. And I think that was the point in sending me there. How much trouble could a divorced, middle-aged witch get into in a village that boasted very few residents, one crumbling castle that attracted no tourists, and a post office that was only open Mondays and Thursdays?

You’d be surprised.

You will fall in love with this series about second chances, magical mayhem, and book club unlike any other. From the author of the best-selling Vampire Knitting Club series.

The Vampire Book Club Series:
The Vampire Book Club
Chapter and Curse (July 2020)
A Spelling Mistake (October 2020)

Visit Nancy Warren's website for more information

Review:
Quinn knew it was wrong using her magic to try and save the life of her ex-husband but she never expected the consequences to be quite so harsh. Banished from her coven she is given 2 weeks to pack up her entire life in America before being shipped off to a small village in Ireland where she's due to take charge of the local book shop. It's a total culture shock for her when she first arrives but what really throws her for a loop is the dead body she finds behind the counter the first time she enters the shop. It's not in Quinn's nature to sit back and wait for someone else to solve this mystery but when you're new in town it's hard to tell friends from potential foes.

The Vampire Book Club was a fun start to Nancy Warren's new series. I liked Quinn's character and found it made a change to read about a slightly older character than most books, Quinn is in her 40s and pretty confident in herself which was great. Her life has been turned upside down but she's determined to make a go of things and throws herself into making new friends and meeting the other villagers. I would have liked to have seen a little more of her magic so I hope that comes out to play more in future books.

I love the idea of the Vampire Book Club and the members seemed quite fun so I'm looking forward to spending more time with them. I also enjoyed meeting the residents of Ballydehag, there were lots of colourful characters and plenty of them are keeping secrets too. I'm really curious to find out what happened to the owner of the book shop, it appears she was also sent away after doing something she shouldn't have but we've not been given any information about what she did or where she's gone. I think there's definitely more to learn about there so it'll be interesting to see what we discover in the next book.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
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Sunday, 12 April 2020

Review: Of Flame and Fury - Cecy Robson

Taran Wird, the loudmouth mistress of flame and lightning, didn’t want to attend the formal gathering of the supernatural elite. She did so only to help to unite the supreme beings in attendance in one common goal: protecting Taran’s sister, Celia.

Celia is pregnant with alpha werewolf Aric Connor’s child, the same child prophesized to save the world from uprising evil. Evil wants this child dead before he is born and, more importantly, before he can grow strong enough to stop it.

Taran and her werewolf lover, Gemini, put plans in place to protect Celia. Master Vampire Misha Aleksandr and his clan also swear their allegiance to Celia and vow to keep her from harm. The witches even cast protection spells around the manor to curse anyone with malintent who enters. Nothing was supposed to go wrong, except everything did.

Creatures that shouldn’t exist stalk the grounds and invade the premises, and every curse meant to shield the guests turns against them. No one counted on the powerful being who arrived uninvited. But he’s here, manipulating the magic enclosing the estate to work in his favor.

As body counts rise and allies become enemies, chances are Celia won’t survive the night. But evil never counted on how hard Taran Wird would fight, even at the expense of her life.

Weird Girls Series:
Gone Hunting
A Curse Awakened (Novella)
The Weird Girls (Novella)
Sealed with a Curse
A Cursed Embrace
A Cursed Moon (Novella)
Cursed by Destiny
A Cursed Bloodline
A Curse Unbroken
Of Flame and Promise
Of Flame and Light
Of Flame and Fate
Of Flame and Fury

Visit Cecy Robson's website for more information.

Review:
With Celia heavily pregnant with the child that is supposed to save the world the whole supernatural community, from the Pack to the vampires and even the witches, have come together to keep her safe. Their enemies are converging though and they are equally determined to kill Celia before the child is born. This battle will be the fiercest one yet and Taran will do anything to protect her sister, even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.

Of Flame and Fury is the final book of the Weird Girls series told from Taryn's point of view but I don't believe it will be the last book in the series. I'm not sure which sister will be up next but I'm already looking forward to continuing the adventures! This book was pretty much non stop action from beginning to end, their enemies are out in force and its going to take everyone working together if they want to save Celia. Taran has to make some difficult decisions but alongside Gemini, Aric, Shayna and Emme they will never give up.

While I loved the battle scenes in this book I have to admit I would have liked some more quieter moments where we just got to spend time with the characters we know and love. There was less humour in this book because there was so much danger and I missed that a little here. It was still a fab instalment though and I'm more eager than ever to get to Emme and Shayna's stories so I hope we don't have to wait too long for the next one!

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Tuesday, 10 March 2020

Review: Kiss of Vengeance - S. Young

A standalone adult paranormal romance from New York Times Bestselling author Samantha Young writing as S. Young.

Fionn Mór was once a high king of Ireland; a fierce warrior who led his tribes against the invading fae. It was a war he couldn’t win and to save his family he turned consort for the Fae Queen. Fionn escaped as the thing he once despised, and the people he loved betrayed him for it. Now, centuries later, it’s time to reopen the gates to Faerie to take his revenge against the Faerie Queen.

At sixteen Rose Kelly discovered family secrets that changed her forever. Years after, she’s still lost, traveling across Europe in search of that elusive missing ‘something’. When she’s attacked by a vampire, not only is she wrenched into a supernatural underworld she never knew existed, a knock on the head releases a spell on her mind and unlocks powers beyond her wildest imaginings. And with them more questions. Questions Fionn Mór claims to have answers to.

Following the powerful and enigmatic Fionn to Ireland, Rose quickly realizes she’s a pawn in his plan for vengeance. What begins as a passionate battle of wills leads to an inexplicable but undeniable connection. One that will force them to face an impossible choice between the deepest love… and the darkest revenge.

True Immortality Series:
(These stories are all stand alone and can be read in any order but they're in the same universe)
War of Hearts
Kiss of Vengeance

Visit Samantha Young's website for more information

Review:
Fionn was an Irish warrior king who led his people in battle against the fae, when the war took a dangerous turn he sacrificed himself becoming consort to the Fae Queen to save his people. The queen turned Fionn fae as punishment, making him part of a race he despised, then, when he was finally able to escape and return home his people betrayed him. In the centuries since Fionn has had one goal in mind, finding a way to return to Faerie so that he can kill the Fae Queen and finally get the revenge he has been dreaming of.

Rose has never felt like she fitted in and she's never been able to settle in one place. For years she's wandered across Europe searching for something even though she's not really sure what she's looking for. Then one night she is attacked by a vampire and finds herself pulled into the world of the supernatural. Fionn offers to be her protection in this new world but Rose has no idea that he believes she is the key to opening the gates to Faerie and that he plans to use her to get his revenge.

While this story is set in the same world as War of Hearts, and Fionn did make a brief appearance in that book, Kiss of Vengeance also works well as a stand alone. Fans of the series will spot a few familiar faces along the way but I don't think it would be enough to make things confusing for new readers. They're great books though so I'd honestly recommend picking up both of them.

I really loved Rose as a character, she was new to the supernatural but she was by no means a push over. She'd been looking after herself for years and was more than capable of standing her ground when she needed to. She was really honest and open and definitely someone I could easily be friends with. Fionn was a strong and proud warrior who had been to hell and back. His backstory was tragic and he had been abused horribly at the hands of the Fae Queen so I had a lot of sympathy for him but I didn't like the fact that he was so willing to sacrifice an innocent just to get his revenge. Fionn and Rose had a spark and I found their bickering amusing but I found it hard to get on board with their relationship when he was keeping so many secrets and basically plotting to kill her for the majority of the book. You could see he was struggling with his feelings and that helped but I think I'd have liked him to be more upfront a little earlier in the story.

Overall I don't think I loved the romance quite as much as the first book but I still enjoyed the characters and the world building. I'm invested in this series and really hope that Niamh is going to be getting her own book soon.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Tuesday, 18 February 2020

Review: Magical Midlife Madness - K.F. Breene

A Paranormal Women's Fiction novel with a bit of class, and a lot of sass, for anyone who feels like age is just a number!

"Happily Ever After" wasn't supposed to come with a do-over option. But when my husband of twenty years packs up and heads for greener pastures and my son leaves for college, that's exactly what my life becomes.

Do-over.

This time, though, I plan to do things differently. Age is just a number, after all, and at forty I'm ready to carve my own path.

Eager for a fresh start, I make a somewhat unorthodox decision and move to a tiny town in the Sierra foothills. I'll be taking care of a centuries old house that called to me when I was a kid. It's just temporary, I tell myself. It'll just be for a while.

That is, until I learn what the house really is, something I never could've imagined.

Thankfully forty isn't too old to start an adventure, because that's exactly what I do. A very dangerous adventure that will change my life forever. I have a chance to start again, and this time, I make the rules.

Leveling Up Series:
Magical Midlife Madness
Magical Midlife Dating

Magical Midlife Flowers (Novella)