Book Trailer: Pan's Labyrinth: The Labyrinth of the Faun - Guillermo del Toro & Cornelia Funke

Today I wanted to share this book trailer for Pan's Labyrinth: The Labyrinth of the Faun by Guillermo del Toro and Cornelia Funke which is being published in the UK on the 2nd of July by Bloomsbury. It's been a long time since I watched the Pan's Labyrinth movie but I'm really curious to see how the authors have gone about creating this book. I think it's going to be a really creepy and dark read but if the illustrations are anywhere near as gorgeous as the ones in this book trailer then it's going to be a must own!

Oscar winning writer-director Guillermo del Toro and New York Times bestselling author Cornelia Funke come together to transform del Toro’s hit movie Pan’s Labyrinth into an epic and dark fantasy novel for readers of all ages, complete with gorgeous and haunting illustrations.

This book is not for the faint of heart or weak in spirit. It’s not for skeptics who don’t believe in fairy tales and the powerful forces of good. It’s only for brave and intrepid souls like you, who will stare down evil in all its forms.

Inspired by the critically acclaimed film written and directed by Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro and reimagined by New York Times bestselling author Cornelia Funke, this haunting tale takes readers to a darkly magical and war-torn world filled with richly drawn characters like trickster fauns, murderous men, child-eating monsters, courageous rebels, and a long-lost princess hoping to be reunited with her family.

Perfect for fans of the movie and readers who are new to del Toro’s visionary work, this atmospheric and absorbing novel is a portal to another universe where there is no wall between the real and the imagined. A daring, unforgettable collaboration between two brilliant storytellers.

Who else is a fan of the movie? Are you looking forward to reading the book? I love fairy tales and retellings so I have high hopes for this one, I'm always looking for recommendations though so please do let me know if there are any that you've read and loved.

Review: Her Dark Legion - Pippa DaCosta

“I’ve come too far to surrender now…”

Eledan’s nightmare has been unleashed upon the worlds and with Oberon gone, only the messenger crew stand in its way.

Kellee, Talen, Sirius, Sota, and Kesh. Together, they are stronger, but there are forces on Faerie who do not want the worlds saved, forces that would see the Messenger and her crew torn apart.

Queen to Faerie’s new king, Messenger and more to the saru, lover to some and a weapon to others, but who is Kesh Lasota really? A guiding light or an unwitting puppet?

Answers are coming.

The time for lies has passed.

And Kesh will soon learn some battles can’t be won alone.

The mind-blowing Messenger Chronicles comes to its explosive conclusion in Her Dark Legion.

Messenger Chronicles:
Her Glass Heart (Prequel short story) (Release date to be confirmed)
Shoot the Messenger
Game of Lies
The Nightshade's Touch
Prince of Dreams
Her Dark Legion

Visit Pippa DaCosta's website for more information

Review:
It's really hard when you pick up the final book in a series you loved, you want it to end on a high note but at the same time you don't want to have to say goodbye to the characters you've come to love and that's exactly the problem I had when I picked up Her Dark Legion. This series has been absolutely fantastic from the very first book, Pippa DaCosta has thrown twist after twist at us, we've had incredible highs but also a few devastating lows along the way and now it's finally time to say goodbye to Kesh and her boys.

I really don't want to say too much about what happens in this story, if you've read the rest of the series you'll already know to expect the unexpected and that trend definitely continues here. The stakes are higher than ever and danger is coming from all angles so it's not going to be easy for Kesh to come out of this alive. Sacrifices will need to be made and they're all going to have to face impossible decisions with consequences they can't even begin to imagine.

One thing I will say is that I loved seeing Kesh spend time with each of the men in her life. I've grown very attached to Kellee, Talen, Sirius and even Sota over the series and it was good to see that they all have an important role to play in this final book. Even Eledan, a character I've loved to hate, has a few redeeming moments although I'd never go so far as calling him a nice guy.

I hate that this series is over but I'm glad things ended the way they did, I know I'll return to these books again and again in the future and I'm equally as excited to see what Pippa will come up with next!

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

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Release Blitz: Enchanted - Lexi Blake

We are beyond excited to be sharing this release from Lexi Blake with you today! ENCHANTED is part of the Masters and Mercenaries series and it is releasing as part of 1001 Dark Nights. It just went live today! Check out an excerpt and book trailer from the title below. Click here to grab your copy now.

Purchase your copy of ENCHANTED today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

About ENCHANTED:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake comes a new story in her Masters and Mercenaries series…

A snarky submissive princess

Sarah Stevens’s life is pretty sweet. By day, she’s a dedicated trauma nurse and by night, a fun-loving club sub. She adores her job, has a group of friends who have her back, and is a member of the hottest club in Dallas. So why does it all feel hollow? Could it be because she fell for her dream man and can’t forgive him for walking away from her? Nope. She’s not going there again. No matter how much she wants to.

A prince of the silver screen

Jared Johns might be one of the most popular actors in Hollywood, but he lost more than a fan when he walked away from Sarah. He lost the only woman he’s ever loved. He’s been trying to get her back, but she won’t return his calls. A trip to Dallas to visit his brother might be exactly what he needs to jump-start his quest to claim the woman who holds his heart.

A masquerade to remember

For Charlotte Taggart’s birthday, Sanctum becomes a fantasyland of kinky fun and games. Every unattached sub gets a new Dom for the festivities. The twist? The Doms must conceal their identities until the stroke of midnight at the end of the party. It’s exactly what Sarah needs to forget the fact that Jared is pursuing her. She can’t give in to him, and the mysterious Master D is making her rethink her position when it comes to signing a contract. Jared knows he was born to play this role, dashing suitor by day and dirty Dom at night.

When the masks come off, will she be able to forgive the man who loves her, or will she leave him forever?

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

Add ENCHANTED to your Goodreads TBR here!

Purchase your copy of ENCHANTED today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

Excerpt:

Charlotte Taggart felt the baby fluttering in her belly and a deep sense of peace filled her. She genuinely enjoyed being pregnant. It wasn’t for everyone. Her sister hated it, and Simon was going to have to be happy with the only kiddo he would ever share with Chelsea. Her friend Kori had vowed to never be pregnant, and it worked for her and Kai. They had a whole lot of dogs and it filled the need for them. The truth was there was no one way to have a family.

But damn she loved hers—all of them. She loved the ones she shared blood with and the ones she’d chosen. She was blessed beyond measure.

It made her feel the need to give back.

Soft baby snuffles came from the monitor, letting her know her son was still sleeping. She’d given up keeping a monitor in the twins’ room since they’d gotten big enough to simply come and ask for what they needed. Too many times she overheard plans for world domination and it kept her up at night.

The son in her stomach twisted again, but it wasn’t anywhere close to uncomfortable yet. That was still months away. For now, his kicks felt like waves across her belly.

Soft light illuminated the kitchen and she couldn’t help but think about how far she’d come from the child she’d been. Moscow didn’t have many sunny days, but here in Dallas the light seemed to always be around her.

Light and love and laughter.

“He giving you hell, baby?” The question rumbled against the nape of her neck and she was pulled back against the hard planes of her husband’s body. He’d gone to bed wearing nothing at all, but she knew he would have slid his strong legs into pajama bottoms or sweat pants before he’d left the room. His chest, however, was still warm and bare. “You’re up early. Or were you trying to sneak in some quiet time before the monsters awaken?”

Nothing ever felt as good as that moment when Ian took her in his arms. And he was right. She loved her three kiddos. Kenzie and Kala and Seth. Soon there would be four, and she wasn’t so foolish as to believe her baby girls wouldn’t immediately start training their youngest brother in how to take on the parents. But that wasn’t what had gotten her out of bed. “I was plotting.”

She could feel him smile against her shoulder, where he was currently laying soft kisses and getting her hot and bothered. He pushed her hair to the side to give himself better access.

“I love it when you plot. Is this a bloody, take-no-prisoners plot where I get to murder people? Because it’s been a long time.”

Book Trailer:

“I can always trust Lexi Blake's Dominants to leave me breathless...and in love. If you want sensual, exciting BDSM wrapped in an awesome love story, then look for a Lexi Blake book.”

~ Cherise Sinclair New York Times bestselling author

“Lexi Blake's MASTERS AND MERCENARIES series is beautifully written and deliciously hot. She's got a real way with both action and sex. I also love the way Blake writes her gorgeous Dom heroes--they make me want to do bad, bad things. Her heroines are intelligent and gutsy ladies whose taste for submission definitely does not make them dish rags. Can't wait for the next book!”

~ Angela Knight, New York Times bestselling author

“I can’t get enough of the Masters and Mercenaries Series! Love and Let Die is Lexi Blake at her best! She writes erotic romantic suspense like no other, and I am always extremely excited when she has something new for us! Intense, heart pounding, and erotically fulfilling, I could not put this book down.”

~ Shayna Renee, Shayna Renee's Spicy Reads

“Certain authors and series are on my auto-buy list. Lexi Blake and her Masters & Mercenaries series is at the top of that list... this book offered everything I love about a Masters & Mercenaries book – alpha men, hot sex and sweet loving… As long as Ms. Blake continues to offer such high quality books, I’ll be right there, ready to read.”

~ Robin, Sizzling Hot Books

“I have absolutely fallen in love with this series. Spies, espionage, and intrigue all packaged up in a hot dominant male package. All the men at McKay-Taggart are smoking hot and the women are amazingly strong sexy submissives.”

~ Kelley, Smut Book Junkie Book Reviews

About LEXI BLAKE:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. She began writing at a young age concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.

Connect With Her:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Newsletter | Twitter | Bookbub

Review: Divided in Death - J.D. Robb

She screamed once. Something, someone slipped out of the shadows. She collapsed beside the dead who had betrayed her.

Approaching her cheating husband and lying best friend, Reva Ewing is bent on revenge. But somebody got there first. In a desperate fight to prove her innocence Reva calls on the only man she can trust: Roarke, the roguish husband of Lieutenant Eve Dallas.

But the truth is messy: a complex artist, a long-lost brother, a deadly computer worm designed by terrorists - Eve and Roarke are dealing with a deeply volatile case where no one trusts a soul and everyone has their eye on a prize.

And the murder is far from what it seems . . .

In Death Series:
Naked in Death
Glory in Death
Immortal in Death
Rapture in Death
Ceremony in Death
Vengeance in Death
Holiday in Death
Midnight in Death (Novella)
Conspiracy in Death
Loyalty in Death
Witness in Death
Judgement in Death
Betrayal in Death
Interlude in Death (Novella)
Seduction in Death
Reunion in Death
Purity in Death
Portrait in Death
Imitation in Death
Big Jack (Available in the Remember When Anthology or separately)
Divided in Death
Visions in Death
Survivor in Death
Origin in Death
Memory in Death
Haunted in Death (Novella)
Born in Death
Innocent in Death
Creation in Death
Eternity in Death (Novella)
Strangers in Death
Salvation in Death
Ritual in Death (Novella)
Promises in Death
Kindred in Death
Missing in Death (Novella)
Fantasy in Death
Indulgence in Death
Possession in Death (Novella)
Treachery in Death
New York to Dallas
Chaos in Death (Novella)
Celebrity in Death
Delusion in Death
Calculated in Death
Thankless in Death
Taken in Death (Novella available in the Mirror, Mirror anthology or separately)
Concealed in Death
Festive in Death
Obsession in Death
Devoted in Death
Wonderment in Death (Novella)
Brotherhood in Death
Apprentice in Death
Echoes in Death
Secrets in Death
Dark in Death
Leverage in Death
Connections in Death
Vendetta in Death
Golden in Death

Visit J.D. Robb's website for more information.

Review:
When Reva goes searching for her cheating husband and her supposed best friend she is in a rage having just discovered their affair and she's definitely looking for revenge. Finding them in bed together isn't a surprise considering what she knows but the last thing she was expecting was for them both to have been brutally murdered. Things get even worse for her when it becomes clear that someone has set her up as the fall guy to take the wrap for the murders. Luckily Reva works for Roarke and he believes she is innocent. He also happens to be married to the best homicide detective in the city and now it's just up to Eve to figure out who the real guilty party is and prove Reva's innocence.

If you've been following my blog for long (or are friends with me on Goodreads) then you'll already know that I've become completely addicted to the In Death series over the last few months. I just can't seem to get enough of these books and I'm so impressed that each of Eve's murder investigations has been totally different. I never get bored watching her build a case because these books are always so incredibly well written.

I love Eve and Roarke as a couple, they've come such a long way since they first met and they have an incredibly bond. This case brings up some information about Eve's past though and the devastating revelations have them completely at odds with each other. Roarke is mad as hell and ready to commit murder himself after his discovery and to be honest I can't say I blame him. If I was in his position I would feel exactly the same way! However, at the same time I was quite angry with him for the way he reacted to Eve, she is the one who suffered this trauma so even though I understood his urge to get revenge on her behalf the fact of the matter is Eve would be the one to suffer again if he did it. She'd never get over the guilt and she would spend her whole life worrying about him getting caught. He was adding to her trauma with his behaviour and this was the first time I actually wanted to smack some sense into him. Roarke is normally the most intuitive one in their relationship but his anger got the better of him here and it made things rocky for a while.

I actually think I like Roarke even more now though, he can sometimes be a little too perfect but his reactions here were raw and put him totally on edge. I think their relationship is stronger than ever now they've dealt with this issue and I'm glad the arguments weren't left to fester for too long. Of course you also have all the usual sidekicks in this book who help keep the mood lighter, Peabody and McNab, Feeny and a rather hormonal and emotional Mavis too. I really like the whole team and it was interesting to see Roarke's interactions with members of his own staff too. Divided in Death was another great instalment in the series and as always it left me desperate for more.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Having the Barbarian's Baby - Ruby Dixon

Megan’s ready to give birth, but she’s not ready to let her mate leave her side. When Cashol must go hunting to feed the tribe, they’re separated for the first time since resonance. Not a problem, except the baby’s ready to be born and there’s a storm brewing…



This is a short story set in the ICE PLANET BARBARIANS world. It does not stand alone, and is intended to be read after BARBARIAN’S MATE. It’s a little bit of sweetness for those that can’t get enough of the big blue aliens! Happy reading!

Ice Planet Barbarians:
Ice Planet Barbarians
Barbarian Alien
Barbarian Lover
Barbarian Mine
Ice Planet Holiday (Novella)
Barbarian's Prize
Barbarian's Mate
Having the Barbarian's Baby (Short Story)
Ice Ice Babies (Short Story)
Barbarian's Touch
Calm: Slice of Life (Short Story)
Barbarian's Taming
After Shock: Slice of Life (Short Story)
Barbarian's Heart
Barbarian's Hope
Barbarian's Choice
Barbarian's Redemption
Barbarian's Lady
Prison Planet Barbarian
Barbarian's Rescue
Barbarian's Tease
The Corsair's Captive
The Barbarian Before Christmas (Novella)

Icehome Series:
(Set in the same world as the Ice Planet Barbarians series but introducing new characters)
Lauren's Barbarian

Visit Ruby Dixon's website for more information

Review:
Having the Barbarian's Baby is a short story in Ruby Dixon's Ice Planet Barbarians series and it gives us a chance to get to know two of the side characters Cashol and Megan. They're already mated and Megan is heavily pregnant, due to give birth any day now, so this isn't about the start of their relationship but it does give us some insight into day to day life in the cave.

I did really like Cashol, he was so attentive and protective of Megan and he went out of his way to make life as easy for her as possible but unfortunately I ended up feeling like he was totally wasted on such an awful heroine. Megan drove me bonkers, she was so clingy that Cashol wasn't even allowed to leave the cave to go and hunt for food. This is at a time when their cave has far more people than ever before with the addition of all the human women, not to mention the number of new babies that are on the way. They're approaching winter, food stores are already critically low and this is a planet where winter can be deadly. They need every single capable person out there bringing back as much food as possible or literally the entire population is at a very real risk of starving yet Cashol can't go further than 5 feet from Megan without her having a total meltdown. It might have been more understandable if he would be leaving her totally alone but she was in a cave full of people!

Megan totally ruined this story for me. It was great to catch up with other characters but I ended up feeling sorry for Cashol, he really struck out when his cootie chose Megan as his mate!

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Kindle:

Book Trailer: The Thousandth Floor - Katharine McGee

I know I'm not the only blogger who struggles to read all the books on their to read mountains, there are just so many amazing books out there and not enough hours in a day to actually read them all. Anyway, I want to continue highlighting a few that are on my radar but I haven't quite managed to get to yet.

I'm so curious about this futuristic dystopia set in New York 100 years from now. I can't quite get my head around skyscrapers that are 1000 stories tall (I would be too terrified to look out of the windows!) but it's an interesting idea and this series seems like it'll be a fun read.

Welcome to Manhattan, 2118.

A thousand-storey tower stretching into the sky. A glittering vision of the future, where anything is possible – if you want it enough.

A hundred years in the future, New York's elite of the super-tower lie, backstab and betray each other to find their place at the top of the world. Everyone wants something… and everyone has something to lose.

As the privileged inhabitants of the upper floors recklessly navigate the successes and pitfalls of the luxury life, forbidden desires are indulged and carefree lives teeter on the brink of catastrophe. Whilst lower-floor workers are tempted by a world – and unexpected romance – dangling just out of reach. And on the thousandth floor is Avery Fuller, the girl genetically designed to be perfect. The girl who seems to have it all – yet is tormented by the one thing she can never have.

So when a young woman falls from the top of the supertower, her death is the culmination of a scandal that has ensnared the top-floor elite and bottom-floor. But who plummeted from the roof? And what dark secrets led to her fall?

Friends will be betrayed and enemies forged as promises are broken. When you’re this high up, there’s nowhere to go but down…

Visit Katharine McGee's website for more information

Here's the book trailer for the first book in the series, The Thousandth Floor:



and this is more of a series overview:



I'm also curious to see what people think of the two different cover options. I used the UK cover above but the videos were produced by the US publisher and the covers are very different. Let's look at them next to each other:

 

UK Cover vs US Cover

Which do you prefer? I have to say I prefer the US cover this time around, I love the building and it immediately shouts New York glitz and glamour to me. The UK cover is more generic and could be any city in the world and it doesn't particularly grab my attention or make me want to read it. Which is your favourite? Have you read the series? Let me know how quickly I need to bump it up my to read mountain in the comments!

Review: The Culling Trials book 3 - Shannon Mayer & K.F. Breene

You Don’t Choose The Academy. The Academy Chooses You.

The last of the Culling Trials is here. I foolishly thought I’d survived the worst.

My team is falling to pieces around me and my heart is shattered for the losses I’ve endured. But I can’t stop when I’m so close to the end. There are too many people depending on me.

I foolishly thought there wasn’t much more I could lose…until the nature of my bloodline comes to light.

I’m not what I thought I was. Not what anyone thought I was. But to tell people the truth would be to kill us all.

To fail the trials will mean death, but to succeed might damn me for life.

Shadowspell Academy Series:
The Culling Trials book 1
The Culling Trials book 2
The Culling Trials book 3

Visit Shannon Mayer's website or K.F. Breene's website for more information

Review:
As Wild and her team continue the trials the danger is greater than ever before and the challenge for the House of Night even sees them facing off against supernatural zombies! The team is still down one member as Gregory and the other missing students still haven't been found so not only is Wild trying to get her group through the last few trials in one piece but she's also determined to find out who is behind the disappearances.

This has been such a fun series to read, lots of fun magic, great characters and plenty of action. We finally start getting some answers about Wild's abilities here and we also see Wally coming into her own as she faces off against another necromancer. I've really enjoyed seeing how the team has come together  and that they always have each other's backs, even Ethan makes some positive improvements here although I'm still not sure he can be completely trusted.

The latest instalment has lots of twists and we finally get to see who survives the trials and which houses they get placed in. I'm really hoping the authors decide to continue the series so we can see how the gang get on inside the Shadowspell Academy.

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

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle: