He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-ChanThe Radiant Emperor #2LGBTQ Historical FantasyAugust 22, 2023- TorARC After absolutely loving the first book in this duology, She Who Becomes the Sun, I was desperate to get my hands on the finale. This book is brutal. The main protagonists are dark and unrelenting in their separate quests- for power, for redemption, and for revenge. These are terrible people who repeatedly do terrible things. The story is told from multiple POVs and Continue Reading
Review: Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez GillilandMagical RealismSeptember 12, 2023- BerkleyARC Review by Angela Legend goes that long ago a Flores woman offended the old gods, and their family was cursed as a result. Now, every woman born to the family has a touch of magic. After eight years away, Sage Flores is finally returning to Cranberry and her Aunt Nadia’s house. After the death of her sister Sky and the aftermath of anger and resentment from her sister Teal, she ran and Continue Reading
Review: Codename Charming by Lucy Parker
Codename Charming by Lucy ParkerPalace Insiders #2Contemporary RomancePublished on August 15, 2023 by Avon Reviewed by Kate Codename Charming is the second in Lucy Parker’s Palace Insiders. I was intrigued by the royal-adjacent romance that didn’t star any royals, even though I skipped the first in the series, Battle Royal. I was excited by the grumpy/sunshine premise and the fake dating and this book did not disappoint. I am going to mention first off, however, that while Continue Reading
Angela’s Minis- Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher and Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward
Thornhedge by T. KingfisherFairytale Retelling/FantasyAugust 15, 2023- Tor BooksARC T. Kingfisher is an author I've grown to love, whether it's romantic fantasy, horror, or in this case a twisted fairytale retelling. This is a reimagined sleeping beauty, where the sleeping princess is an evil changeling and the fairy godmother is actually the heroine of the story. Yes, there is even a kind-hearted knight bent on rescue, but he's not what you've come to expect either. Thornhedge is Continue Reading
Review: Cruel Seduction (Dark Olympus #5) by Katee Robert
Cruel Seduction by Katee RobertDark Olympus #5LGBTQ Contemporary Mythology RetellingsAugust 8, 2023- SourcebooksARC Review by Angela Well, this book is hot. Like hot, hot. I mean, when I discovered this was an MMFF open poly knot romance, I knew it would be. The series plot arc picks up right where the last book left off, with Theseus, now Hephaestus, about to join Aphrodite in an arranged marriage/ marriage of convenience of sorts. For the good of Olympus. But, this union is in Continue Reading
Review: The Witch is Back by Sophie H. Morgan
The Witch is Back by Sophie H. MorganParanormal RomanceAugust 15, 2023- HarlequinARC Review by Angela Last year I read quite a few quirky paranormal romances, by new to me authors and enjoyed myself so much. So when I saw The Witch is Back and read the blurb, I thought I'd try my luck once again. This was a sweet, second-chance, marriage of convenience, forced proximity romance that had me flipping pages well into the night. Emmaline Bluewater was born into witch society, but her Continue Reading
Review: Codename Charming by Lucy Parker
Codename Charming by Lucy ParkerPalace Insiders #2Contemporary RomanceAugust 15, 2023- AvonARC Review by Angela This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2023. I LOVED the first book in the Palace Insiders series and was all in for this beauty and the beast-inspired, fake dating, workplace romance. Codename Charming is Pet and Matthias's story, you'll remember them from Battle Royal as Dominic's sister, and the royal bodyguard who held her hand after the assassination attempt. Continue Reading
Review: The Hanging City by Charlie N. Holmberg
The Hanging City by Charlie N. HolmbergFantasyAugust 1, 2023- 47NorthAmazon First Reads Review by Angela Charlie N. Holmberg is fast becoming one of my favorite fantasy authors. Lucky for me several of her books have appeared on the Amazon First Reads list and I’ve gobbled them up ahead of release date. When the email came this month and I spied this cover I didn’t even have to read the blurb, I just hit the buy now button. Little did I know that this new fantasy world features a Continue Reading
Review: Change of Plans by Dylan Newton
Change of Plans by Dylan NewtonContemporary RomanceAugust 1, 2023- ForeverARC Review by Angela This isn't a named series, but the last three releases by this author are connected. How Sweet It Is features the oldest Matthews brother, horror writer Drake, and event planner, Kate Sweet. I enjoyed their story quite a bit. The main characters of the second book, All Fired Up, are Zander Matthews and his love, book publicist, Imani Lewis. I didn't love this one, but I think it was mainly Continue Reading
Review: The Poetics of Passion by Delphine Ross
The Poetics of Passion by Delphine RossHistorical RomanceJuly 25, 2023- Muse PublicationsARC Review by Angela This is a very different historical romance than I've read in a long while. Mainly because these are two regular people, struggling with everyday things like how to make enough money to afford food, rent, and medical care for their families. The main protagonists are an artist and an author, both supporting their families for various reasons. The female main character is Continue Reading