The Sinner by J.R.Ward

There is something that discerns a J.R. Ward book apart from all others. 

 
The Black Dagger Brotherhood series is one series that I can say, For A Fact, that I have read on a regular (and Religious) basis. The world has so many different layers, the characters are some of the most beloved, and you get lost in the violence and grit of a vampire and slayer ridden New York.
 
 PAUSE
 
I've begun to notice a trend lately with this series that at this moment.....
 
has me feeling...…
 
quite.....
 
Meh.
 
The last several books we have seen the Band of Bastards finding their shellan's and I will tell you strait up, from the bottom of my Icy Black Heart, that I was counting down the seconds until Xcor's book. (which side note...was incredibly disappointed with...)
 
 
There has lately been an unfortunate pattern to the more recent editions to this epic romance series. 
And that's the somewhat....
loss.....
of romance.
 
What do I mean here? 
Hold my beer while I break this down.
 
 
Since the beauty and majesty that was The Beast, the war with the lessening society has really been taking up a majority of the airtime for each book.

 Which I am TOTALLY okay with going deeper into this war, but when side characters/side plots/N'side shizz in general is taking away from the characters you have introduced us to (and we are supposed to form a bond with), the romance comes across as lacking.
 
The main Romantic pairing for The Sinner was supposed to be Syn and Jo. 

Or better known as, the psychopath killer mohawk dude, and the reporter/pain in V's memory-erasing a$$. 
 
The reason why this romance seemed to fall flat:
Look back at the past books in this series.

Go on, I'll wait. 

Welcome back.

 
Anywho, when you look back at the past books, do you notice something? 

It's that we have these characters that we have come to recognize and adore getting to see (even slight little peeks of) in current books. 
 
Why do we love them so??

 Because J.R. Ward took the time to make us feel them.

 Feel FOR them. 

Understand them. 

Feel like we could be standing right beside them.  

The pairings early on in the series are some of my absolute favorite in romance novels ever.

 And THAT is saying a lot. 

But that is because of the amount of struggle, the amount of hurt, the amount of effort that was put into making these couples really and truly feel like they

 COME TOGETHER. BECOME ONE. FREAKING BOND.
 
And that's what has really taken away from more recent books in this series. 

The fact that apparently, WE CONTINUE NEEDING TO SEE POINTLESS SCENES OF PAST CHARACTERS (which I CAN TOTALLY GET BEHIND in some cases.) 

Its taking away any sort of bond or emotions we can put into these new characters. 

Which, frankly, makes me damn sad.
 
I love all the couples up until this point and am (apparently) in the minority here when I say I'm fricking over the moon with Butch and Marissa. 

And also, totally in love with V and Jane. 

I know that will draw unwanted boooooo hissssss attention, but frankly y'all can take it elsewhere homie. 

There were a lot of people who just want V and Butch to be together. 

Nah. 
Do they have a bond that I think is completely special? 

Sure do.
Do I want/think it is in any way shape or form more than that? 

I'd say Fudge no, and better not be.
 
Why?
 
Cause. 

 

Just kidding, there is a reason.

 
These vampires take the ultimate vow to be with the one that they bond with.

 Literally carving their shellans name into their back and dumping salt into it. 

Which, I've had salt in a papercut before. 

And. Hard no. 

But anyways, they have suffered and are essentially souls entwined with their mate. 

If J.R. Ward were to ever touch those pairings (some people say kill Marissa and Jane then put V and Butch together) the story would not just lose its appeal, it would go against the bond that she has created for each and every one of these stories. 

That vow and oath to love them from here and beyond would essentially be null and void and would make every bond and vow taken completely useless. 

And for being a ROMANCE series built on this love beyond humanities limits, I don't think the series would hold anymore. 

And that would make me really sad. But also, really angry. Don't F with mated pairs y'all. 

That ish don't fly.
 
(I know people are saying Tohr, what about Tohr HUh? K. Listen. Tohr's original mate died before we really met her or knew anything about her. Was it sad? Yes. Was it life changing because we knew essentially anything about them? Nah. Tohr was a side character to the story at that point. I ended up loving his story because it was heartbreaking to see him come back into the world, forgive himself, and be able to build a life anew. With characters we watched bond, suffered alongside with and fought to be together, could we watch them go through what he did and be okay with it. F**k No. And that because we have suffered and fought for their love alongside them. So, no. 

Be gone naysayers.)
 
There have been a few moments in this series where I hit a hard PAUSE cause there are just some things that I say ABSOLUTELY NOT (V almost/thinking of cheating on Jane).

 That really shook my faith in this series. 

Because in the end, it's romance. 

  And something like that is (in my eyes) completely unforgivable.

Now past my little rant that has LITERALLY been sitting on my chest Forev's,

 I have but one more slight teensy-weensy problem with this book and books of late in this series.....
  

WHERE'S THE MF'N STEAM???? 

What in the actual lukewarm bath has happened to the steamy scenes in these books? 

We went from an exploding volcano can't-read-this-in-public steam, to a tepid tea can-read-this-aloud-to-my-parents steam. 

Which sucks! 

And I know that's the filthy part of me coming out but seriously, TF happened to all my steam Ward? I mean I can deal with a good struggle (getting off in this case) and watching the couple deal through it, but WTF there was no struggle. 

There was no build. 

It couldn't happen, couldn't happen, OH LOOK Now I can! Yahoo. 

Like...

WHAT IS THIS.

This is not some J.R. Ward steam writing here...

 This is not built on literally AT ALL. 
 
Do I think that steam = Good romance?

 Nah.

Especially when you really aren't building the couple's relationship at all and rather going the hoover highway route and making it "insta-scent connection". 

Honestly, feels a bit like a lazy scapegoat for not wanting to spend time developing a couple.

 Where's the anticipation? 

Where's the burning desire?

 ehhhh 

I'm not bitter, you're bitter.
 

 
I got so lost in my argument here that I don't even know where I'm at at this point...Is this just mindless rambles? What year is it? Where did this soapbox under my feet come from?
 
Positives from The Sinner:
 
The lessening war is over. And we literally have an open playing field for where this series can go now. I'd REALLY like to see more effort put into building these new characters and their bonds. Cause as much as I adore the original boys and gals, I want that feeling of love for even more characters.
 
The scene with Wrath at the end. I'm not crying, you're crying.
  

Butch literally being the most devoted friggin' mate of all time.  swoon
 
I mean there is literally a character whose nickname is Balz.

 Like come on now. 

Lassiter. (at all. period.)
 
Moving forward I really hope we get to bond more with new characters. 

I love the original boys in the leather, but I want to continue seeing this series grow, and 

Scribe Virgin knows my heart of stone has LOTS more room for some new favorites.

 I only hope the lukewarm romance can get the heat (AND MF'N FOCUS) back on, less of the Cash-Grab-Business-Name-In-My-Book-Cause-Advertising, and that moving forward we continue to see this world grow.
 
Dear Sweet Omega Breath, this review is less of a review and more of rant...

I don't know how I got so off track here. 

But that's where the argument of good authors comes in. 

See, I wouldn't have all these feelings and opinions if J.R.Ward wasn't a truly talented author.

 I only hope to see some of that good Ole' Ward romance in the future.
 
3.42 Literally-lost-out-on-a-perfectly-steamy-Bu/Ma-scene-and-I-am-upset stars

The Scorpians Mate by Susan Trombley

Date Originally Read: Oct. 29th, 2018
Star Rating: 4

Re-Read: April 15th, 2020
Star Rating: 4.88

After recently finishing Halian's book (being the final book in this series) I was feeling nostalgic.

No, that's not the right word for it....

I was feeling.....

Book Clogged?

Book Back-uped?

Sci-fi Romantically Challenged?

Sure.....lets go with that.

Any who, as I was sitting watching the world fall apart in a blaze of toilet paper hording, 98% alcohol, and social distancing, I thought to myself,
 "Flew, I think it's time to go back."  

Back being a time when I had just realized that apparently Alien romance with Aliens that actually look like Aliens was a thing I was down to read. 

Did that sentence say Aliens enough? 

Aliens.

Susan Trombley was the (officially, cause I totally remember) second author of strange alien romance that I had ever set eyes on. Or better yet, who my Kindle intrigued me into reading.
Blessings to Kindle, because her writing is genuinely some of the most interesting, entertaining, bizarre, and wonderful I have ever read. 

And that's not just me being sentimental because I'm jazzed over the fact that I have the first two book in this series in paperback now, but because she was one of the authors that expanded a horizon for myself, and other sci-fi romance readers out there.

The progression of romance men I enjoy reading about went like this:

Young me -Tall dark handsome/Blond hard athletic
Middle me - Big Blue Horned Ribbed and Tailed
Now me - Armored winged tentacled elfin serpentine buggy Alien (the list of traits is indefinite)

So, to answer the question, Which kind of men do I prefer in my romance?

Yes.

What can I say. My standards aren't to high.

The Scorpions Mate created a world of science fiction unlike any other I had read, and still have read before. It has such an intricate weave of new species, humanity, intergalactic intrigue, and Romance with Alien lookin' Aliens that it could really tick the boxes for readers of any genre.

Thrax is an Alien, who was taken by other aliens, experimented on, and turned into this scorpion-esque alien soldier. It was really interesting getting to delve into Thraxs' mind; how he went from being a creature without emotions of empathy, living only to eat, kill, eat, kill, survive. 

He then slowly progresses into a man-esque still-scorpion-esque dude, who wanted to learn why these compulsions to care for a  meat sack (EW.) were driving him forward. 

The struggle to comprehend these new emotions, as well as the physical changes of his new existence was fascinating. 

I also really enjoy how he didn't suddenly become this soft and caring creature, he is constantly in a state of learning how to have a human mate (or mate Period), a mind with different thoughts, a new body that was changed without his choice, and allies.

One of my favorite things about Susan Trombley's writing, is her ability to take these Human women, and make them relatable. Not just in the sense of feelings, but in personality and appearance. I mean shoot, I will take a book about a snarky, chubby, cyber-goth over ANY book with a fire-haired Jessica Rabbit sexpot. You feel more in tune with the character and the story when you feel like they could genuinely be you. 

And Claire fit that bill. 

She was just trying to survive on a strange alien ship, with alien robots, elfin aliens, and a giant alien/scorpion guy who wanted to get that human booty (but in an alpha MINE way). We learn and suffer what she goes through alongside her, including a freaking Alien goo shower (I want to take a moment to personally thank God, Goddess, whoever is up there for conditioner).

Now, comes the best part....

Reading Nemon's book. Or better know as,

 MY FAVORITE SCI-FI ROMANCE ALIEN BOYFRIEND OF ALL TIME.

So thank you Susan Trombley. For showing me that the weird is just a flavor some have, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Side Note: I APPRECIATE the references to other sci-fi romance authors, and that Claire compares her abduction to romance's she has read.

 "It figured I got abducted by a blue-skinned alien that wasn't masculine and of the barbarian variety. Oh well, what was one more disappointment? This was so not going like it did in the romance novels."

"It wasn't like I'd never thought about being ravished by an alien. There were plenty of romances about that very subject, and I had a taste for them." 

4.88 Total-Alien-Word-Count: 19-I'm-Not-Even-Sorry stars

The Darkest King by Gena Showalter

3/14/2020 Complete.

What follows is a painful recording of my thoughts of a book that has been heavily anticipated, fanatically praised/criticized by readers, and one that has sat on my mind for a long while now. Please understand that this is just one persons point of view. 

Sorry if it doesn't match yours homie, but leave your hate at home, cause no one has time for that.

Oh sweet mother of mehh....

Up until this point I had previously forgotten that I had even pre-ordered The Darkest King, with the best of intentions of just 'giving it a chance.' 

I like to think I'm a second chance kind of girl, plus being that this is a series I had been heavily invested in up until the PUCKY incident, I felt somewhat obligated to buy this book.

Well, it came in the mail in February....and I literally let it sit on my shelf as a conflictedly tried to not get my hopes up. 

I know that this book wasn't going to be what I (Yes,  I. Don't AT me homie) had dreamed for William. 

Or in other words, Gilliam. 

Which, I knew was not happening. I know this, yet my brain is still finding it hard to process. 

I understand that this is Gena Showalters world. These are her characters, her story, and she can do what ever the Freesia she wants with it. Was I a part of the pack of WTF HAVE YOU DONE when we first learned that G and W would NOT be a thing? Yeah. It's what I equate to the worlds most painful bait'n switch to ever happen in a romance novel. 

Because as much as i respect her writing enough to understand that she was 'wanting to go a different route', you can't fault your readers for being upset about something that was hinted at and sculpted over a majority of the series.

 It can't be helped.

And to expect much less upset from your fans, wouldn't be giving yourself credit girl. I think the fact that readers got so upset was because we were so invested and in love with your characters.

So when I finally talked myself into just doing it, I picked up this book and read it. And as I sit here trying to sum up the conflict I'm feeling in my soul, I feel like I have to explain something.

Gena Showalter was an author I found in a very difficult time for myself. One who showed me that love ain't perfect. That someone out there will love you for just what you are, scars and all. And to say her Lords of the Underworld series became a balm to me would be putting it lightly. And I will be the first to admit that books are an escape. An escape to go to a world where fate has a man in store for you, who will help you heal your soul and will love you through all eternity. 

(so now moving forward from my emotional Mumbo-jumbo shizz)

The reason I feel I need to say this, is because from first finding Gilly in the series, we see someone broken. William was also broken. From the encounters, gazing and otherwise anticipation being built, I along with others, were lead into the belief that they were meant for each other and that it was their destiny to heal one another. 

Fast forward past Puck and TF switches and all that jazz to now.

Post-The Darkest King.

Do I think I would have genuinely enjoyed this read if I wasn't feeling disappointment about the direction that was chosen? Yes. Without a single doubt in my mind.

Sunny, was entertaining. She was funny, cooky, bad-a$$ and I really enjoyed her. Even though at this point I'm sorta over William cause just the constant "I sleep with anything that moves" is just sooooo not my thing And I honestly would have loved this book, and the pair of William and Sunny. 

But.....I just found I really couldn't get into it.

I just, IDK, felt like I was trying so hard to like these two together. That I wanted so badly to be roped in by the story line or the building of the world, to be able to forgive that fact that a shipped couple was no longer intact. I wanted this so bad, and I tried so hard guys. 

But, I just couldn't.

The story literally goes no where. We are so focused on hell, sex,  "don't fall in love with me or I'll kill you", enter sex puns galore, enter unicorn puns GALORE, daddy/family issues abound and it all just felt like a was reading a side quest.

You know. Like in video games where you wander away from the main storyline to play this side quest that has no purpose what so ever, except to make the game go on longer.

Guys, I don't know if you can tell, but this review is freaking painful for me. And GOYD DAYM there were times in this book that physically pained me to read.

Like (but not limited to):

-EVERY SINGLE GAHDAM MENTION OF GILLIAN. PERIOD.

-"To him, women were like spices. Some days you wanted sweet, some days you wanted spicy. Or salty. No reason to stick with the same flavor."

-Constant referencing to how he usually only slept with married women, this woman, that woman, 'I'm a HUGE manwhore, yadadada OH PISS OFF WILL YA. WE GET IT ALREADY YA SKEEZ.

-The killing of a Fruggin Puppy you GAHDAM Sadistic Monster.

-All the times I found myself tripping over the choppy context and strange wording that made me have to read, re-read and try and figure out what the heck it was trying to say.

-Cash money grab-bag of every freaking character listed together at a shindig together at the end. (cause showing me all the past couples I enjoyed ((and some who I honestly don't really remember)) is not going to put a band-aid over Puck and Gillian dancing steamily on the dance floor).

Gah. What a mess this has seriously left my mind here. While I want to continue on with the series, and the possible characters being hinted at, I find my heart not nearly as interested. I think the issue lies in that I can't really put my heart onto any characters anymore; seeing as they may or may not actually happen.

My enthusiasm is so low right now. And I want so badly to like this guys. But I think that's where I need to step back here. Because I shouldn't have to force myself to like something that was once just second nature to love. 

So, with no little amount of heartache I'm feeling at this moment, I'm stepping back to say this. If you are to pick up this book without having previously read any other in the series, than I am more than sure you will enjoy it. 

I'm sorry to say, it's leaving my heart in a state of mehh. 

Which, in case you were wondering, feels kind of like poo.

There was just so much potential to really hit a home run. 

And then in one moment.. 

There wasn't.

So yeah. That's all I suppose. 

2 the-escape-readers-emotional-nightmare stars🎇

Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas

Has anyone ever found themselves so delightfully enchanted with a world of an authors making, that your melancholy at the final pages, then immediately desperate to pre-order whatever the hellllll could possibly come out next?

That's Lisa Kleypas to me.

And it's solely because of this woman's incredible skill to bring to life characters you are almost instantly bewitched by. In a world of ball gowns, afternoon tea, and moonlit rendezvous in candle lit gardens with dashing suitors and devilish rakes. 

Excuse me while I SWOON

And in the "historical romance" field, I'll be strait up.........there are some main characters I could seriously BIOTCH slap if given the chance. 

I have yet to meet a character of such qualities in a Kleypas novel that have invoked the wrath of my back hand. And that quality stands to date.

Cassandra is delightful. Her charm and innocence, but her free-breathing nature makes her struggle within the confines of the regency. And I Love It. Plus girl has some extra weight, which Girlfriend I  FEEL YOU . 

Her inquisitiveness and frankness about the difficult confines of society (including: HighHeelHell, men being forgiven for their SKEEZY nature, a kiss is a kiss So What, and that true love is out there and I don't want to settle for less) is refreshing and I was very quickly invested in her finding said True Love.

Tom was also a very interesting piece of this puzzle. He's cold, and aloof. Jumping from one pleasure to the next (but not in the party boy sense as we have seen her characters struggle with in the past) and sorts his 5, yes 5,  emotions to best suite his interests. 

He has no interest in love, comes from a broken home, and wants marriage to be treated much like a business transaction. 

We met Tom Severin in past books of the Ravenl's series, and honestly, I always thought he was kinda a shady cat. But yet again Kleypas has made what appeared an unfeeling Rake to slither himself into my heart; but damn if I'm not more than alright with it.

There isn't a whole load of conflict here, which was kind of disappointing. It also called me notice that I opened this book and what felt like minutes later I had turned the last page. 

I just wished there had been a tad more conflict of some sort or an adventure for our main characters, or perhaps a deeper look into their lives post-marriage. 

This by no means takes away from my overall rating or recommending of this book. It was a decidedly lighter read, with lighthearted fun, moments that will make you chuckle, and two main characters you will find perfectly imperfect coming together to try and complete one another. And mad respect for the amount of research LK puts into writing this books. Her sheer level of devotion truly brings to life a world of pure authenticity.

SIDE NOTE: (yes all caps and underlined cause this shizz is Important) There is a recipe at the end of the book. I repeat, THERE IS A RECIPE AT THE END OF THE BOOK. Is this review rushed? YES. Why? Cause I need to go make me some of Lady Cassandra's afternoon tea scones, that's why ho.

4.44 HELLS-ARE-THE-DEVIL-AND-I-DONT-CARE-WHO-KNOWS-IT stars🎇

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Veraza's Choice by Susan Trombley

Its been AGES since I read the Dead Fall series, and usually that means a fair amount of 

"who is this? wait, where are they? umm do i know you?"  

moments that tend to make re-imersion slightly challenging.

Not for this puppy.

Were there moments where it took me time to remember exactly who is who, and what is what? 

Yeah, but you can't fault a girl when there's so many beasties runnin' around.

But overall, there was really no difficulty getting back into the series, and remembering the structure of this beautiful disaster of a world.

And the main reason I was able to do so: The uniqueness of these dang books.

The Dead Fall reminds me of a slightly post-apocolyptic, sci-fi, AI intelligence from hell, Tim Burtonesque dreamskape.

Which..yeah..doesn't make a whole lot of sense...

But in short, The world is truly something yet to be seen. 

(I also realize that with the vast amount of books out there I'm sure there are certain worlds that are similar, but I obviously haven't read those because this is a one of a kind for me Homie). A place where AI intelligence has created a wormhole that can open on random planets and suck various creatures, and even entire civilizations into it. Survival against other creatures, AI's minion wormy thingies(*fully body shiver*), and a decrepit junkyard of forgotten cities. 

But, to make this precarious journey a bit easier?

 ROMANCE. 

and not just any old romance NO HO HO, but RH romance....

 BUT NOT JUST ANY OLD RH ROMANCE...

 REVERSE HAREM ROMANCE WITH ALIENS (WHO LOOK LIKE ALIENS). 

Take all my money, all my heart, and all my weird steam lovin' soul.

So, what about this book in particular?

We get to go back to my favorite trio from the second book,  Key to the Dead Fall. 

 Evie, Doshak and Gray. 

Evie the earth girl pulled in through the Nexus and her two mates (one a classic gray alien that through the power of love now has a dingdong and 12 pack abs, and the other a spider/scorpion-esque warrior giant with a heart of gold) are living their lives in New-Omni among the... 

(Pause: I can't remember how to spell the species of tree....ancilla?..Anicilla?...shoot...Oh well) protective defense of trees. Also in N-O are Evie's sister Alice and her harem, Jane and her minotaur mate, the various children of said characters, and then the other beings who are yet unmated. Life is content, has order, and is swell and kinky in the Gray household.

BUT 

New-Omni is being threatened by NEX (the AI who runs this effed up carnival sideshow of a world) who wants Evie to perform experiments on. All of which, has basically been a resounding issue the group of main characters have faced since they were pulled into this world.

Now Veraza.....

Hmmmm....

He was a tough biscuit to crack. We met him in previous stories (Briefly getting his wings torn off by Iyaren ((Alice's lion-esque mate)), and in the last story working with NEX towards revenge against Iyaren) and there wasn't a whole lot to go off of on him because:

a.) he's literally described as a bird man with feathers, a beak, talons, and legs that fold backward (*inner shudder*)

&

b.) he's strait up only motivated by revenge.

But what made me first fall in love with Veraza?

 She marked her place in the book by folding down the edge of one of the pages. The sight of that desecration made Veraza want to cringe.

& 

 The fact that he was absorbed in trying to read what many would have described as a "trashy romance novel"-much to Evie's annoyance-just made his intent pose more charming. 

Ahhh a bird man after my own hard-cover heart. Swoon.

His and Evie's initial encounter and NEX's plan for them set me on edge, but after learning more about Veraza's past, how he came to Dead Fall, and why his motivations lie where they are, opened up my heart to this poor feather covered bird man dude.

I don't know if you can tell.....I still am having a tough time describing him...

My hat is off to Susan Trombley, because I've found there are certain things I tend to find in RH books that just don't float my boat. One of which is adding new members to the core harem over time. In the past I feel like the complexity of adding that new member tends to be brushed over, when we all know Good and Well that puzzle piece is gonna take some maneuvering to fit just right.

I liked that it wasn't all acceptance or happy rainbow sunshine for Veraza, Evie, Doshak, and Gray. There was struggle, the awkward inclusion of another member to the family, but it was wrapped up so nicely that I am setting aside any of my prior bias' to simply accept the enjoyment

This book seriously ends on a note that I think opens up the HUGE possibilities for more novels for the series (or potentially a spin-off??) where we get the opportunity to look at the lives of the children of the main characters. Which frankly, I am so down for. 

And to all my Romance With Aliens Who Look Like Aliens Group peeps, here's to another great book added to the growing list of hot romance with an alien lookin' alien.

Well this review is a mess. But I hope what you get from it is that this is a very entertaining series. One which I would more than happily read again, just to be able to visit this world and characters again and again.

 Side Note: I have no idea why this is so funny to me but..

"Now isn't the time to worry about Veraza's choice, Evie." 

Why do I find it so FRIGGIN' funny whenever the title of the book is an actual line in the story. Just me? I don't even know why I laugh so hard about things like this, but I suppose everyone has their thing...

this apparently is mine.... Oh Well.

4.49 I'm-ready-to-get-sucked-through-that-wormhole-ANYTIME-boo stars 🎇

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Crown of Crystal Flame by C.L. Wilson

How does one truly tell others the vast magic that is a series of books without spoiling that incredible fantasy for them?

.....they struggle....immensely....

because trying to explain a book so rife with life usually just comes out like a crazed hobo yelling all the reasons why they love something at you.

So without coming across as a crazy-eyed obsessive fangirl here, I'll just let you know that, simply put, the final book in the series is wonderful.

From book one of the Tairen Soul series, the first thing that absolutely hooked me in was the incredible world building. We've grown, changed, and felt the heartache and triumphs alongside this cast of incredible characters. We've flown on Tairen back to the farthest lands and lived amongst a world overflowing with magic and intrigue. Which is, frankly, making it extremely difficult to want to return to reality...

The final book in the series is such a whirlwind from the get go, that you find it hard to put the book down for even a second.

Like....literally.

I picked it up yesterday at 12:35 pm, 

and read the final page at 8:48 pm....

Anyways, back to the goods.

War has begun. Battle lines are being drawn, strategies are coming to light, pain and suffering ensues, but always keeping our hope alive that Rain and Ellie will find peace.

Ellie will finally unleash her Tairen.

Shan and Elfya will be free and to get meet their daughter.

Lillis and Lorelle will escape the mists, and find Kieran and Kiel.

The High Mage watsHisface will die a horrible agonizing death.

Dorian and Annoura will find the love they thought lost in their marriage.

And above all:

 THAT RAIN AND ELLIE WILL FINALLY COMPLETE THEIR MATE BOND, 

PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD I'VE WAITED SO LONG. 

Get ready for the laughs, tears, heartbreak, cheers for even the smallest victories and most of all, a damn fine adventure.

Yes, I know, I the frozen wasteland hearted witch truly cried during this book. Which, safe to say does NOT happen often.

But yes, I got emotional for several reasons in this book.

 I can't really go into detail on them, but just understand that in war, not all victories are won. Not all hopes are answered, and not all hearts are left whole.

(one of which felt like it actually took a part of my soul with it into the ether, but whatev's didn't need that anyways...)

So after taking a day (or rather about 16 hours) to sit on this review and properly get my feelings in check, it's safe for me to say that this book was a phenomenal end to an already breathtaking series. In a heartbeat I would recommend this series to anyone who wants to be sucked into a world where not all glitters are gold, where true love awaits, where hearts break and soar, and where you will find yourself both desperate for answers and desperate for the pages to never end.

SIDE/BONUS/EXTRA/WHATEVER: 

I've already highlighted in past reviews my not-quite-healthy levels of love for fictional elves (ala Tolkien), and getting to read possibly the most BadA$$ scene in this book (which YES, did involve a fist pump and whispered "Elves Biotch!". I have no shame. I own this.)

 "That glow-and their distinctive cavalry, some winged and others graced with a single spiraling horn - identified the newcomers even before Rain discerned the distinctive leaf-shaped scales of their armor and delicate, tapering points of their even-more-distinctive ears.

 Despite Galad Hawksheart's numerous refusals, the Elves had come at last to join the war." 

Which totally didn't give me flashbacks to the Elves coming to man's aid at the battle of HelmsDeep......

And I would also like to say: I WOULD REALLY LIKE SOME MORE... I mean K&K and L&L get hinted at the end there....and your just not going to do anything about it????? TF come on now.

But after waiting yeaaaaars for The Jaguar King to come out (and now having to apparently wait another 10 GD Years because the most recent release date is December 31st 2030), I think it's safe to say I can't really hold out much hope. 

I'd love to see more about Bel and Gaelen, or Shan and Elfya, especially the Lilliis/Lorelle/Kieran/kiel since it was friggin coughcoughwinked strait into our minds, but I will just consider myself lucky to have what I have from them.

5 Tairen-Soul stars🎇

Sworn to the Shadow God by Ruby Dixon

I have come to an overwhelming decision in my life....

The reason that Ruby Dixon is able to write such enthralling, steamy, "eat some leftovers cause I'm staying in tonight" books about Gods.....

Is because.....She is in fact....

 REAL TALK

I just happened to be browsing on my kindle when suddenly BOOM, this bad boy immediately pops on my screen.

Like Hi, Hello, How are ya? Were you doing anything today?
PSYCH NOW YOUR NOT BISH.
AND ON VALENTINES DAY NO LESS!

For those who haven't read the first book in the Aspect and Anchor series,
Go.
Embrace.
Enjoy.
Make sure you don't have any important events coming up CAUSE HONEY.
These books become your daily events.

I have been Dieing (LOL) for Rhagos' book for what feels like a gah damn eternity now.

and suddenly...

I have it.

And its just as GAH DAMN fantastic as I was hoping it would be.

Max: She's the average joe gal: glasses, awkward, hates her boss, works a job where the Dick Penis DingDong rules the roost. You get it.
(side Bonus: She doesn't have immaculate breastesses. IBTC for the win! Rep us girl!)
 Anyways, how does Max end up in the next anticipation?
Well, fate.....for minimal spoilers sake. Fate. 

She's awkward, horrifyingly optimistic, and faces so many difficult decisions, and yet always stays true to her. She chooses others happiness and health over her own (even when she damn well shouldn't), which in some stories can be a real drag.
'Oh she chose them, she's so selfless, ohhh look at her in all her selflessness...' BLEH.

But, Max is selfless without the worship. She gives and cares for others because she genuinely cares about them. I seriously liked her. 

This is now two solid female characters that feel like what any of us (women who dream of being transported into a chaotic dream world to partner with the love of our lives) would probably face, and give realistic reactions and responses (AKA. Non-Insta-Katniss-Everdeen). BonusBonus: she's funny. Not like a HAHAHAHAHA funny, but more like a 'unattractive snort to yourself' kind of funny.

Quotes:
<i>"Their faces are dirty, their clothing rough, and one of the men leering at me has like, three teeth. If someone picks up a banjo and starts playing the Deliverence theme, I'm out of here."

"I am the Goddess of Knowledge. You think there is anything i don't know?"
"Do you know what this means?" I snap, flipping her the bird.</i>

Seriously. Max was a delight.

<b> Rhagos</b>: BISH. biiiiiiiiishhhh. Rhagos is so friggin' book boyfriend material that, as we speak, I am immediately making changes to said list now. As the God of Death he has lived a lonely existence, and longs for the bond connection he has seen another God (book one in the series coughcough go read it coughcough ) have with his anchor. 

BONUS: he's the God of Death which totally reminds me of Hades (who is myth boytoy #1) so this automatically means I love him. I don't make the rules here, it's just logic.
He's tricky, powerful, but above all else, he just wants someone to talk to. To care for him. Someone who doesn't fear him and wants to be by his side for all eternity. 

Through fate  (COUGHEMMGHHFLLEE) Max and Rhages are paired for the next anticipation, and go through trials unlike we saw in the first book.
And....

well...

Im floundering...because at this point it is nearly impossible to tell you much more about the book without giving away spoilers, key plot points, or any GD SPOILERS.

This world is so fantastically magical, and in a way we haven't seen done a million times over. The Gods are cruel, the world is unforgiving of the weak, and to watch the main pair struggle through this is truly something to delight/throw your money at. 

And did I mention, THERES A MAP AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DAMN BOOK?

Cause I'll say it once, I'll say it twice, I love me a damn book map.
(particularly when I'm confused exactly where we are, and also for times when I just want to explore the overall landscape we've been transported to.)

And when I say we get transported to the world, I mean it.

Now, Ruby Dixon is not just a God simply because of the imaginative, beautiful and entertaining story that she has created here.

Sit down students, class is in session

Sworn to the Shadow God is 645 pages.
Bound to the Battle God was 666 pages.
They were written, published and delivered to our greedy paws 9 months apart.

We all know what it's like to have to sit and wait what feels like eons for a new book in a series we love, and must find other ways to pass the time, BUT WAIT THERES MORE!

But between those 9 months of lonely waiting for our God of Death, Ruby Dixon published 8 other books (yes some of which are novellas but a BOOK is a GD book homie).
 8
other
books. 
That's essentially a book a month while we're waiting.

This gal y'all. Not only can she write such an incredibly fantastic tale of adventure, love, loss and dedication, BUT she can also put out 8 other dang good books to bide some dang time and keep our greedy little hearts happy.

I know authors always have things waiting on the back burner, and have multiple things going at once, but honestly you'd never know it reading this book. You'd swear she went on sabbatical for a month to focus all her time on this beautiful puppy.

 In a cruel world of 'sorry my next book will be out in the next year, two years or hell it may never actually come out, but I'll keep you in a perpetual state of waiting'

Ruby Dixon,

 

Which I more than believe puts Ruby Dixon on the true throne of author Godhood.

She is truly the Goddess of sci-fi, adventure, steamy reads.

And Good Giddy Aunt I will recommend this book to anyone who wants to get lost in a world that you'll beg to be returned to when you've finished the final page.

5 give-me-Death-give-me-war-Gods-Damn-It-Give-Me-MORE! stars 🌟

Six Months With Cerberus by Naomi Lucas

Sweet Mother of Mythology!
(and conflicted reviewers..)

For those of you out there who never found yourself tail deep in a variety of mythological drama,
Hey hun.
How are ya.

This book is one of those concepts where I genuinely could have cared less who the author was, what the cover looked like, or how much it cost. 

PURELY BECAUSE IT MENTIONS THE UNDERWORLD, HADES AND PERSEPHONE. 

LORD, I am a strait up Hooker for anything and everything Hades and Persephone.

At this point in my life I will pretty much consume any story that has any type of connection to mythology at all. 

I feel like I've read so many that I'm starting to forget how tragic, nasty, and drama-infested the original myths are....

Anyways...I'm waffling on. 

Onward to the story!

Now, I won't mislead you. 

In this book, the focus of the story is Cyane and Cerberus, with Hades and Persephone as somewhat smaller contributors to the main scheme of things.

The main character Cyane has been alone her entire life, waiting for the day to finally answer the note left by her supposed 'father' for her, and to travel to meet him in Sicily during the celebration of Thesmophoria.

 Thesmophoria: the celebration of Goddess' Demeter and Persephone, and the return of Persephone to the underworld.

Cerberus, the gate guard to the land of the dead, was gifted a human body from Hades and is still as dog-gone tough, scary and intimidating as ever.

Through la-di-da's and doo-de-doo's that ensue, Cyane finds herself in the underworld, and at the will of the Gods therein. Including Cerberus, who has taken an instant fascination to the living mortal.

This trip, well....is just that...

A Trip.

and fall...at least for myself.

I'm kind of in this momentary state where words of many sorts and colors are coming to mind to describe this book. 

Some good, some bad, some steamy.

All double breaded and deep fried in confusion.

The concept of the book was incredibly intriguing, and felt new considering the vast amount of stories 'based on' the Grecian myths. 

The writing was well done, the story woven into a realistic fantasy of what interactions between Gods and Goddess' of myth in dealing with a mortal.

Yet....here my confused and conflicted ass sits...conflictedly.

There were moments where I was confused. 

Like SERIOUSLY confused. 

And trust me, teaching first grade, you are confused a majority of your day. 

There were moments that felt disjointed, like you were here, NOW your there! kind of teleporting action if that makes sense. I found myself going back multiple times just to try and understand exactly where we are now, and what the heck is happening.

One of my bigger points of contention: Cerberus. 

 I Was SOOOO down for that. 

But for some hookey-pokey reason, some of his actions in the story left me feeling somewhat....cold towards him.

 I'm not sure what exactly it was he was doing and thinking that made me feel that way, but I just never really got the 'love' or 'lovingly' or 'whateverthefluck' feeling from him. 

Which totally bites....

I think it was so interesting the interactions between what was once this great beast of legend, and confronting a Human Mortal and feelings he has never felt before. 

But still, SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG WITH ME, because I just felt like something was missing. I wanted more. More of the building between Cyane and Cerberus.

More of the conflict.

More of the emotions and feelings.

...More. Period.

And don't even get me started on Hades...… (FANTASY BOYFRIEND FOR LIFE). I think it was my least favorite portrayal of Hades I've read...IDK my head hurts, my heart burns and I'm lost in my feelings.

This review has been a pain in my booty to try and write.

 I think it's because of my discombobulated feelings I have, post-reading this book. 

I was caught between not being able to put the dang thing down, and not really knowing WTF was going on. 

Naomi Lucas has some serious freakin' talent, and homegirl can write a romance to blow your damn socks off. 

Which made me sad that my socks remained in place for this one. 

Harumph.

Was this my favorite? It hurts my heart to say, but, Not Really.
Was it a solid read that I think delivers some time burning entertainment? Oh most definitely.
Was there twists and turns, adventure, and STEAM? YES, YES, MF'in YES boo.

And yet...I feel like I just needed something more....
Maybe it's a "me, not you" thing, or I am officially needing to start packing my things to head on over to the looney bin. 

'Cause I think I'm going nuts.

Oh wait...

<b>All in all:</b> the book was good, it was in no way shape or form bad, I'm just left feeling like I either missed something or something was missing.

Will I gladly buy any more books with influences of the Mythological sort?

3.0 Hades-&-Persephone-FO'-EVA stars🌟

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Queen Of Song And Souls by C.L. Wilson

 Investment 

an act of devoting time, effort, or energy to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result.

I am so utterly and completely invested in this dang serious, that having to put off reading the final book in the series a whole day, felt like watching paint dry on a gray walled office building. 

In other words, painful.

War has begun. Alliances are being tested, strength and cunning are being shown, Ellysetta and Rain still trying to get that mate bond rolling....(angry hair pulling ensues).

This story picks up right where the third left off, and from the gun was a much more exciting read as far as progressing side character story lines. 

With all the build-up at this point, I have so many questions yet unanswered that I actually took the time to write them down.

(mainly because my brain is low on vacancy and needed some space).

Will Elly and Rain complete the mate bond in time?

Is Annoura about to do the GD Unforgivable up in this piece?? (aka Lord Vale)

Will Elfeya and Shannisoran survive and be reunited with their daughter?

Where is Kiel and Kieran??

What in the what are Lillis and Lorelle, and what in the fubwub is happening with them in the mists?? (aka a mysterious reuniting)

How is Lord Barriel doing? 

<b>And when the HECK are ELLY and RAIN going to complete this GD BOND??</b>

While I will say that Wilson has brought forth lots of questions, I will give her the fact that she doesn't hold back on the feels train that she made the ending of this book.

I cried. 

Yes, dear. Me.

 Frozen wasteland of a heart that I am, I blubbered like a child.

Because that ending just did me in. 

Which just goes to show you what a fantastic of writer that C.L.Wilson is. 

I am so utterly devoted to these fictional characters and their lives, that their pain causes me pain. Their triumph gives me happiness. AND THEIR INCOMPLETE MATE BOND CAUSES ME ALL THE DAMN FRUSTRATION.

And can I say how freaking bad-A$$ it was when the Elves freaking came to the rescue.

 "Not what. Who." Bel's grim expression lightened with the first signs of genuine hope, and he pointed to the line of warriors who had appeared in the distance, surrounded by a faint golden glow. "The Elves have come." 

(I was OBSESSED with Tolkien's Elves and have been counting down the minutes until we finally got to meet the Elves of this world.)

This book was beautiful and tragic and just so dang good that my review could never honestly do it any sort of justice.

BUT, I refuse to not review this book to give it the proper credit it is due, considering it is due more than one could possibly convey.

The main reason I had to make this so short is:

A.) because i refuse to start the next book without reviewing this, because I will inevitably cross story lines and hate myself for it.

B.) C.L. Wilson is a master of world and character building and deserves the recognition of a freaking literature Goddess.

AND

C.) I am literally so desperate to start the next story and get some GD answers that i feel like I may very well go crazy if a prattle on any longer.

Side Note: I want to see Elly's damn Tairen come out so bad. I thought for sure with the golden Tairen on the cover that we would finally get to see it. BUT NO I JUST HAVE TO WAIT GAHHH.

Seriously. Begin this series with caution. You will become soulfully invested.

4.89 Adrial-and-Talisa-Deserve-All-The-Heaven-and-Happiness stars🎇

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