Saturday, October 19, 2019

Stacking The Shelves (2019) #25: Library Book Sale

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! If you want to find out more about Stacking The Shelves, please visit the official launch page! Stacking The Shelves now has a new host and check out that new image!!

Hi my loves

I have a valid excuse I swear!! My eye doctor was leaving the practice and it was my final appointment with him and since I had to be there for the full eye exam (if you have a specialist you know these appointments take time, because dilation, and then exam after exam and field test and blah blah blah) I had to be there for an extra three hours after dilation before I could go home. Where else would I spend the time but at the library across form the street???

Men Cry in the Dark by Michael Baisden. This was huge when I was in college, I had a copy before but didn't get a chance to read it before I unhauled it when I was moving a few years ago and now I want to check it out.
Undeniable by Ingrid Monique. Literally picked it up because of the cover, another for my pile.

Measure of a Man by Adrianne Bryd. Name recognition. I love to pick her work up all the time. 

Make Me Hot by Marisa Monteilh
Worth The Wait by Katherine D Jones. Totally a cover buy.

In My Dreams by Monica Jackson. Again purchased because of the author's name.

A Resolution of Love by Jacqueline Thomas. Another cover buy.

I already hauled this one so I'm listing it on Paperbackswap;  Law and disorder from Heather Graham. As soon as I got it home I was like I bet I have this and sure enough. UGH

Oh Naughty Night by Leslie Kelly  Because you can never have enough christmas/holiday/Yule books on the shelves.
I Burn For You (Primes 1)  by Susan Sizemore. I had snagged the others in this series recently and didn't take this one when I saw it the first time but I made it a mission to have it so when I went back, I was excited to see it there.
Tallchief Homecoming (Tallchief 8) by Cait London. I used to have this entire collection and due to phase in my life I got rid of it. I'm going to try to collect them again.

The Grand Finale by Janet Evanovich. I loved her previous series and I love picking up her collection randomly because she's good for Rom Com and cozy mysteries. 

and my favorite things out of all of the haul is AFROAMERICAN FOLKLORE ANTHOLOGY.

Ok so there we have it. A few good things for the shelves right before I move. What'd you get in your haul this week?? Share in the comments down below and I'll see you next week.

Happy Reading & Haulin' my loves

Friday, October 18, 2019

Book #Review: Dark Illusion (Dark # 29) by Christine Feehan .@AuthorCFeehan

Book Title: Dark Illusion (Carpathian Series #29)
Author:  Christine Feehan |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Romance,
Series/Standalone: Book 29
Format: Hardcover
Cost: $13.99
Pages: 400
How I got it: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Publication Date: September 3rd, 2019
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
A mage and a warrior must see beyond their facades and embrace the bond that links their souls in this powerful Carpathian novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.

At any other time, Julija Brennan would find solace in the quiet of the Sierra Mountains, but now the mage is in the race of her life. Having broken free from her controlling family, Julija's attempts to warn the Carpathians of the coming threat has failed and put a target on her back—and those who hunt her are close behind...

After centuries locked away in a monastery in the Carpathian Mountains, Isai Florea can't believe he's finally found his lifemate—the missing half of his soul. The second he sees Julija his world blazes with color. But despite their explosive connection Julija rebels against what she sees as Isai's intent to control her and rejects the bond that would prevent him from becoming a monster.

As their unfulfilled bond continues to call to them both, Julija and Isai aim to complete the task that brought them together. They are used to facing danger alone, but now the mage and the ancient warrior must learn how to rely on each other in order to stop a plot that threatens all Carpathians...
****Review May Contain Spoilers*** Trigger Warnings: ***Book Contains discussion of sexual assault ***

This journey into the Carpathian world started when a Mage betrayed by her own decided to break ranks and warn the Carpathians of just how far the true deception goes, on her way to warn Mikhail the Prince she runs across another stealing a book that belonged to one of the Darkest Mages ever and she decides to follow him and the book because she can't allow it to fall into the hands of the Dark mages.  While following the thief she is thought to have been to one to steal it and so Mikhail sends another after her to find it and I just. The story that unfolds?? I cried a few times in here when I realized the despair some of these warriors face while seeking their true lifemates.  UGH just take all my money Christine, this is just one of my absolutely favorite series by her. 

Julija was trying to find a way to help the other races fight back against her people's concentrated effort to eliminate them. While growing up she's exposed to those who would harm others for the fun and sport of it and she can't handle it.  On that journey to recover from her own education, where she was required to hide just how talented she was to stay alive amongst her own clan; she befriended a Carpathian woman in captivity and they helped each other survive even if her captures never knew she was helping her.

I absolutely loved this story, I feel like if I talk too much I'll give it all away because I want to gush about it.  This was a fantastic tale, filled with magic, mages and steamy hot love scenes, scheming wizards, loser vampires ( I call them losers cause they forever want to takeover the world like do us all a favor and stay in your corner) and a great love story.  Christine has a tendency to write the stories in a way that's either overarching story heavy or romance heavy, this time she managed to balance it well and we got advancement of the bigger plot points while letting us learn about the two lifemates, and their battle to stay alive. I loved that we got a bit of a 'case' that needed to be handled here in this story and this helped to move the bigger plot along and gave us glimpses of future romances and warriors seeking their lifemates.

We learn about Julija and the life she lived within the Mage community and how she had to learn to dim herself to survive and then she thought she wouldn't survive betraying them ( and honestly she probably wouldn't have, not with all that was coming at her) and learning to see beyond her conditioning to see what a badass powerful witch she was. I loved her and Isai together because for the first time in a long time as a Carpathian he wasn't a 'tortured' soul and was willing to adapt to the world of his lifemate, and yet also didn't believe he was worth the light the lifemate would bring him. They were two people who needed a bit of love to make them see how wonderful they were for hanging on and fighting for the light despite everything that happened to them.

I loved the battles as it helped them each peel back a little bit more of who they were and embrace the magic a bit quicker. I'm glad we are finally seeing more of the world of the mages, as we had only caught glimpses before. There were times in reading that I kind of guessed where things would lead but I still found that I needed to read as fast as possible to see how it would be solved. I was addicted to it.

While I loved the story I will point out that Christine tends to make her heroes and heroines go through it ALL. Especially the women, my gawds these women truly go though some serious trauma. One of the things I didn't like was the way in which Julija's history was discussed, and not trying to be spoilery but those scenarios were rape an it was never called that, it wasn't even 'prettied up' as assault, it was called sex and just NO.  I loved that Isai knew this and worked not to trigger her, but my gawd was she in denial about it. Maybe that was her way of dealing but truly I wish this wasn't the only way to show how strong the women are.

Despite that star dropping issues (it's why it's a four and not a five) I really loved this story, seeing the subplot of another warrior, knowing the options for one of the Brotherhood (from the monastery) I was hooked and can't wait until the next one (which will probably late next year Boooo!!!)
 ★★★★☆
Happy Reading my loves, 

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Book #Review: Claiming The Jackal ( Sons of Anubis 3) by Seressia Glass .@seressia

Book Title: Claiming The Jackal ( Sons of Anubis 3)
Author: Seressia Glass |Website| Twitter| Facebook|
Publisher: Harlequin Nocturne Cravings
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Romance
Series/Standalone: Finale (Book 3)
Format: ebook
Cost: $2.99
Pages: 99
How I got it: Borrowed From Library 
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: November 01, 2013
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
Despite an end to two thousand years of conflict with the Daughters of Isis, jackal shifter Hector still distrusts the witches. But he cannot deny his growing hunger for Rana, a beautiful and gentle priestess who soothes his anger and awakens his passions as no other ever has.

As a healer, Rana is working tirelessly to find a way to protect the jackals from a deadly curse--and restore the honor of her bloodline. As a woman, she cannot resist surrendering to her desire for Hector, the powerful and virile second in command. But when her secret is revealed, will their new bond be strong enough to survive the truth?
Claiming the Jackal is the story of one of the Priestesses who came over with the truce between the Sons of Anubis and the Daughters of Isis. Once it was known they had a common enemy hell-bent on destroying both groups, they bonded together to take on the Lost Ones and their enemy.

As the newest member on the compound that the Jackals have Rana is trying to atone for the wrong done to the Jackals, she's got a secret that could have her thrown out of the budding community, she's hoping she can make herself an integral part of the community before her secret is found out. Hector is the second in command of the Jackals and he remembers the time before, he's angry (rightly so, but still Rana isn't the one he should be angry with) having to let go the thousands of years of anger when he discovers that what he thought he knew about the beginning of the war between the two groups . He's trying because Markus has asked him to but he's still angry about all the loss he's experienced. As he begins to fall for Rana, she helps to quiet that part of him that is angry, but when their common enemy strikes will he be able to let go of his anger and fight to protect Rana??

As the story advances, we learn more about the common enemy the two groups have and what their motivation was. We get to know just why this battle is so important to both Hector and Rana. Rana is running from her past and Hector's trying to learn to let go of the anger he's carried for all these years. When Hector's anger blinds him to Rana's need and he hurts her she still stands for the mission and in the throes of battle faces an enemy that was closer than she knew. I can't explain how much my heart ached when we got to the final chapters. Rana just wanted a home and acceptance and those final moments?? Just a kick in the gut, oh my gosh it was so good to read and almost made me cry as well.   I just fell in love with them and their world. Another amazing enemies to lovers romance with an amazing overall story that wraps up well, while leaving room for us to come back ( or at least I would love for us to go back in). 

Very erotic, fast paced romance. Loved the solutions to the bigger mysteries that the series laid out.

 ★★★★☆
Erotic Rating
 ★★★★★
5 ~ Extra Steamy: great story excellent plot, amazing sex scenes
Series in Order

RECOMMENDATIONS
Happy Reading my loves, 

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Book #Review: Hunting The Jackal (Sons of Anubis 2) by Seressia Glass .@seressia

Book Title:  Hunting The Jackal ( Sons of Anubis 2)
Author: Seressia Glass |Website| Twitter| Facebook|
Publisher: Harlequin Nocturne Cravings
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 2
Format: ebook
Cost: $2.99
Pages: 82
How I got it: Borrowed From Library 
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: June 01, 2013
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
A newcomer to the clan, jackal shifter Amarie has tried to deflect the interest of male jackals, hiding a secret that could destroy her prospects as a mate. But she can't deny that warriors Kurik and Rashon, who have forged their own relationship, fuel her sensual fantasies.

Despite his strong bond with Kurik, Rashon's heart has made room for Amarie--and he wants to make to room for her in their bed, too. At first Kurik fears losing his lover, but the temptation of sharing her as their mate is too tempting to resist. And if any female can handle two virile jackal guards, it's Amarie...
This is another quick erotic read in the same world of the first book. This time the newcomer to the tribe is Amarie a female jackal from another clan, and she comes bearing scars and secrets. Placed with a mated pair. Rashon & Kurick to help her settle in, she formed a strong friendship that is her bond and basis here. Feeling like she needs to make a place for herself Amarie joins the security forces so that she will fit in better. Her sense of home is tested however when Rashon falls in the heat of battle and is cursed.

Rashon's one of the jackal's hurt in the first book with Tia & Markus. When he's cured and after having such a scare wants to reassure his mate Kurik and secure the other half of his heart Amarie. I don't know what it was about this one ( yes I do, I love the hell out of polyamorous romances). but the emotions were high for me. I found myself tearing up when Amarie opened up about her past, when the men re-connected after they feared for the other and just. This slayed me. It has the right balance of romance, adventure and emotional moments and all of this in less than 100 pages.

I absolutely loved this story. I loved how it drew me in and made me want more, from them, from the clan and just more form the world. I loved how loving and amazing Kurik & Rashon were. I loved that they offered genuine friendship and then fell in love, with each other and then made room for Amarie. Just awesome. a fantastic blend of seriously erotic love and the newfound romance, along with some kick-ass adventure and battles. This of course aided in advancing the overall story and made you fall in love with the world even more.

 I know I have been gushing about her books recently but I really did fall in love with this trio and wish we could get more from them. There is one more book in this series and then it's done for now as well. If you're looking for a great friends to lovers romance then I highly recommend this one.
 ★★★★☆
Erotic Rating
 ★★★★★
5 ~ Extra Steamy: great story excellent plot, amazing sex scenes
Series in Order
RECOMMENDATIONS
Happy Reading my loves, 

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Book #Review: Seducing The Jackal (Sons of Anubis 1) by Seressia Glass .@seressia


Book Title: Seducing The Jackal (Sons of Anubis 1)
Author: Seressia Glass |Website| Twitter| Facebook|
Publisher: Harlequin Nocturne Cravings
Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance, Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 1
Format: ebook
Cost: $0.99
Pages: 65
How I got it: Purchased 
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: April 01, 2013
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
Centuries ago, tragedy severed the alliance between the jackal shifters and powerful Egyptian priestesses. But when four of his brothers succumb to a deadly curse, clan commander Markus kidnaps one of the witches and insists she undo the evil magic.

Although Tia can undo the curse, she insists her coven is not behind it-and she is shaken to her core by her intense attraction to her captor. The sparks between them quickly ignite, filling them both with passion and power unlike anything they've ever known. Will it be enough to heal the rift between their peoples?
For a story that is only 65 pages this packs in a whole lot. This is the story of a shifter who was gifted the ability by the God Anubis, it's their job to keep the souls who try to escape their fate int eh Halls of judgement from coming back and harming the human world. This was a sacred duty they had with the Daughters of Isis, Priestesses blessed by the Goddess. Over a thousand a years ago the alliance broke and they have been battling each other and the Lost Ones.

When a Son of Anubis falls beneath a curse their leader determines that a Daughter of Isis will help save them and a plan is hatched. This story flew by so quickly and at the same time I couldn't wait to find out what was happening. Markus is bent of saving his people from this curse and determines that Tia is going to help. Tia wants to help but she's living apart from her family and coven for a reason, he's picked the weakest among the Coven and she can't help him.

I absolutely loved that this was an erotic story. Short, to the point with a great paranormal twist to it and of course again in the world of the Egyptian Pantheon. I loved Tia who wanted to help and wanted to protect her people while realizing there was more going on than they all realized.  When the curse begins to unravel, enemies unknown come forward and Tia & Markus are forced to work together. I love the 'enemies to lovers' trope and it's done so well in this one.

I highly recommend this one. Very erotic, quick read with a great plot with a wonderful new world to explore.
 ★★★★☆
Erotic Rating
 ★★★★★
5 ~ Extra Steamy: great story excellent plot, amazing sex scenes
RECOMMENDATIONS
Happy Reading my loves, 

Monday, October 14, 2019

Book #Review: Shadow Fall (Shadowchaser 3) bv Seressia Glass .@seressia

Book Title: Shadow Fall ( Shadowchasers 3)
Author: Seressia Glass |Website| Twitter| Facebook|
Publisher: Pocketbooks
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Series/Standalone: Book 3
Format: Trade paperback
Cost: $15.99
Pages: 369
How I got it: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: July 26, 2011
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
Truth is the most dangerous weapon of all . . .

Kira Solomon’s life has never been simple. Battling against the Fallen, serving the Egyptian goddess Ma’at, becoming romantically involved with a 4,000-year-old Nubian warrior—these are now everyday realities. But something is changing. Kira’s magic is becoming dangerously unpredictable, tainted by the Shadow she has been trained to destroy.

Matters grow worse when an Atlanta museum exhibit based on the Egyptian Book of the Dead turns out to have truly sinister properties. As the body count rises, even long-trusted allies start to turn against Kira. She can hardly blame them—not when the God of Chaos is stalking her dreams and the shocking truth about her origins is finally coming to light. As one of the good guys, Kira was a force to be reckoned with. But if the only way to stop a terrifying adversary is to fight Shadow with Shadow, then she’s ready to find out just how very bad she can be. . . .
Once again we are back in the world of Kira and the Shadowchasers. Book three is a rollercoaster of a ride, we start with Kira returning to Atlanta after the events of book two and needing to catch up on her 'real world life' she promised to work on a new exhibit which featured the Egyptian Book of the Dead (Or the book of Coming Forth by Dawn which is the real name ) which would be on display in Atlanta's museum. Once she started working it helped her place what was happening in the shadowchaser world in the background for her for a bit. However, not long after the exhibit opens people start getting sick and ending up in the hospital. Now she has to figure out what about the exhibit is hurting people.

I absolutely loved this story, we get a  lot about Kria's journey to learning more about herself and her personal history; & this time she's got to deal with this while it appears the bad boy of the Pantheon is awakening and putting his two cents into the battles being waged.  I loved that Atlanta's landscape plays a part in the story as this helps to ground the story in our world and makes it a bit more relatable.  As with the first two books we are seeing the same well-written side characters, and this time they are being fleshed out, even more, having survived the events of book two a few of the team members are realizing it's not all fun and games like they thought before and it's putting a strain on their relationship with Kira.

We got dual POV, with Kira and Khefar sharing their parts of the journey. With the world-building taking place in the museum and centered on the re-enactment of the scenes from Coming Forth By Dawn it's so good that you feel pulled into the story and feel like you are there.

This time the story has come full circle for Kira, the biggest of the big bad has taken notice of her and has decided that she will be their newest vessel. Kira has a few things to say about that. Once the Gods decide to intervene in her life Kira's world goes off the rails, & secrets from the past are being exposed. With the new knowledge, new experiences and all her allies being stripped from her Kira has to learn to rely on herself and all of her talents and battle shadow on their plane without losing herself.  I noticed that her story mirrored that of the Goddess Isis who was stripped of her status, her gifts while trying to get to Osiris and help bring him back. When the dust settles will the Nubian have to fulfill the pledge they made in the battle of book one?? Or will he find a way to help Kira keep her soul??

I absolutely loved that I learned about Candace/Kandake Amanirenas and her battle acumen and how she helped to shape Khefar and give him hope.  For me the ending wasn't predictable, while the case has been solved, there are still questions that need to be answered in the next book.  For me, this series isn't similar to other novels in the genre, because it relies heavily on Egyptian lore/myths and the Pantheon for the battle of "good/bad".

I have some seriously favorite parts especially when Kira makes the battle plans and the leader of the organization finally backs her instead of asking for written forms in triplicate.  I didn't like when Kira was being stripped of her allies/powers and touchstones a friends' pain is placed wrongly at her feet and draws a deeper wound and Kira can barely hang on as it is. I found myself feeling all the emotions when reading this story; I especially felt frustration on Kira's behalf. Everybody claims they down for the cause until the battle comes along and then they have issues with being there. This was very engaging and I absolutely loved it. This story took me through it y'all so many emotions, so many adventures. And I can't wait until we get the next story in the series, it's a novella coming out in November and I for one cannot wait.
 ★★★★★
Series In Order 
Recommendations

  • LA Banks Vampire Huntress Series
  • Alex Archer (the first 7 books at least) 
  • Seressia's Son of Anubis series 

I highly recommend the whole series my loves,
Happy Reading my loves, 

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Stacking The Shelves (2019) #24: The NetGalley Edition

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! If you want to find out more about Stacking The Shelves, please visit the official launch page! Stacking The Shelves now has a new host and check out that new image!!

Hi my loves,

I haven't shared in a while all the ebooks I've gotten in the'mail' recently and I thought it best to share before they grew anymore. I've recently gotten a few ARCs (advanced reader copies) and I'm so excited to check them out. Let's see what we got:

From the author:
Rebekah had an open call for reviewers on her twitter and I jumped at the chance to read her newest title and my gawd am I glad I did. I can't wait to snag a physical copy for my shelves!!
Xeni: An Inconvenient Marriage by Rebekah Weatherspoon (Review )

and then one of my favorite authors reached out to me with a new book coming out soon so I, of course, said yes. I'm still not sure what it's about and guess what I don't care!!
Sherri Hayes Seducing Janey

NetGalley ARCs
The rest of these I received the NetGalley widgets from the publishers to read and review these babies and I can't wait to share my thoughts on them once I have them read. I grabbed a variety from Holiday romance to some contemporary romance.

Let's start with Brenda Jackson's upcoming title in the Catalina Cove series: Finding Home Again. Just know you're going to see this be hauled again once it comes out on October 29th so I can have a copy for my shelves.
I  was so happy when I got the link for American Love Story (Dreamers 3) by Adriana Herrera. Due out Oct 7th in ebook and Oct 29th in physical form. I've also already ordered this so expect another haul soon.
Next, I received the synopsis of this one and it sounded so good I had to have it. The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae by Stephanie Butland, Due out October 29th

Lush Money (Filthy Rich 1) by Angelina M Lopez also sounded awesome and that one is due out October 14th.

Then I snagged a few cowboy romances:
A Cowboy Like You (Heart of Texas 4) by Donna Grant. Due out November 26th

Once Upon A Cowboy Christmas (River Ranch 3) by Soraya Lane which is due on October 29th.

And then I snagged a historical romance by Olivia Drake called Forever My Duke (Unlikely Duchesses 2) which comes out December 31st.

And that's what I hauled for the last few weeks. What'd you get in your haul this week?? Share in the comments down below and I'll see you next week.

Happy Reading & Haulin' my loves

Friday, October 11, 2019

Weekly Reading Wrap Up (October 7th- October 11th)

Hi my loves

It's the end of the week and I wanted to share with you all the things I've read this week so far, and since I didn't do one for the beginning of the month I'm going to add it in here too.

This week was a great reading week for me. I got so into Seressia's writing that I finished another of her series (this time in ebook format). I owned the first book in the Sons of Anubis series and then borrowed the rest from Hoopla. And I purchased (yes I know I'm supposed to be holding off on buying books but when she said it was on sale I couldn't pass it up) Anaconda by Jamila Jasper.

So let's talk about my reading since the beginning of the month, I've kinda been floundering on what to read, I've picked up several books but I hadn't found anything to grab my attention so I kept trying to read different books. 
I read Xeni: A Marriage of Incovenicen by Rebekah Weatherspoon,  and loved this contemporary romance. Then dived into several others that I have since put on the back burner while I try to find the perfect book to read.
Then I snagged: ANACONDA by Jamila Jasper, which is a quick erotic 'reverse harem' read which was very interesting as it's told in parts and now I need to get the rest.

Then I gave in and grabbed more from the world of Seressia Glass. I owned the first book: and decided that I needed to know what this world was about and I wasn't disappointed at all; starting with SEDUCING THE JACKAL (Son of Anubis 1)  this was a short paranormal erotic read about enemies to lovers. Then, of course, I needed the rest of the books in my life, so I read (I accidentally read them out of order but whatevs)
CLAIMING THE JACKAL (Sons of Anubis 3) which is also an enemy to lovers erotic romance that was so emotional that made me fall in love with the characters.

And my final read for the week was HUNTING THE JACKAL which is a polyamorous erotic romance that I was so here for!!! It's exactly what I needed in my life.

And that's what I've read so far this week, I only owned one book off this list so even though I've read a few books only one counts towards the reading my own shelves challenge.

I'm currently in the middle of like six books and not sure what I'm reading for the weekend. I'm listening to Witchling by Yasmine Galenorn right now and enjoying that. I'm also physically reading The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury, as well as Forged in Desire (The Protectors 1) by Brenda Jackson and Heart of Evil ( Krewe of Hunters 2) by Heather Graham.

Not sure how the weekend is going to go, but I'll share my wrap up next week and let you know. What are you reading this weekend?? How was your reading week so far?? Did you have any favorites this week?? Please share in the comments, lets discuss

Have a Bewitching reading weekend my loves