The Dragon’s Bride by: Katee Robert A Deal With a Demon #1

Having read two of Katee’s series, I decided to randomly give this one a try. It was there. I was there. Why not?

In true Katee form, the characters, world, and story are all well developed.

To save herself, Briar makes a deal and is swept away to another realm where she is auctioned off and bought by a dragon. She is required to stay there for seven years. She is expected to provide the dragon with heirs before her time is up. Sol, the dragon, is a much better option that what she bargained away, but still her capture.

The forced-proximity troupe is not new but works just as well here as anywhere else.

Objectively, this is a great book. Subjectively, I probably won’t continue the series. There are other books that are begging my attention.

Evildoer by: Dannika Dark Crossbread #12

This was one of the better conclusions to a series I have read. Almost every single loose end was tied in a nice little bow. I saw almost because there was one thing that need a more. Thus book 12.5 in the series.

Other than that, it was very satisfying to see justice for the good and bad guys. Also the ones in between.

Raven, her father, Christian, and the rest of Keystone hit their zenith in this story. It always frustrates me when characters hide things ‘to protect others’. As many have done throughout this series. Finally, the power of the truth is showcased and it is glorious.

I have very much enjoyed following all these characters in this journey.

Forevermore by: Dannika Dark Crossbreed #12.5

The ending Christian Poe and Raven Black deserve.

I think Dannika knew fans would not let them have their happy-ever-after in a too-short short story.

It was ridiculously heartwarming with a sprinkling of Keystone antics.

Just because the focus is on the wedding, doesn’t mean the rest of Keystone or Raven’s father were excluded.

Sad to reach the end of these characters’ journey, but glad to have been a part of it.

Nero by: S.J.Tilly Alliance #1

This was a Stuff Your Kindle find. Happy to say I enjoyed it.

Payton has been struggling in life, but getting by on her own and all the more happy about that. Until one night, a man, Nero, comes into her apartment through the backdoor. He ends up on the couch next to her, eating popcorn. Payton is confused and borderline terrified – yup, pretty much in that order.

From that moment on, they are both obsessed with each other. But, since they have a ton of baggage weighing down their shoulders, things are complicated.

The dynamic between Payton and Nero was great. S.J. dragged me into this world far enough I stayed or the second in the series.

King by: S.J. Tilly Alliance #2

Savannah and Nero fell into things more dramatically, and forcibly, than Nero and Payton.

King is Nero’s partner and best friend. Savannah, like Payton, was an innocent by-stander when King came into her life. Only this time, she was forced, screaming and kicking.

This book was hit or miss for me. Some of the writing had me questioning if I would finish while other parts kept my completely enraptured.

King has the biggest heart and doesn’t even realize it. Savannah deserves every good thing that he offers.

While I ultimately really liked this story, I’m not continuing the series. The characters that were introduced in this one so the series can continue – don’t care a lick about them.

Pretty Reckless by: L.J. Shen All Saints High #1

Another Stuff Your Kindle find. I loved it and hated it at the same time. Hated it because it caused so much frustration toward the MCs. Guess that is a testament to how well this was written.

Penn and Daria come from completely different backgrounds. The thing that brought them together was Penn’s sister who disappears.

Four years later, they both have been harboring feelings for one another as well as pure contempt. And now they are forced to live under the same roof.

As truths are revealed and emotions dealt with, Penn and Daria know whatever happens it is going to hurt.

As much as I enjoyed this book, I really don’t think I will continue the series. Too much pettiness and ‘Mean Girls’ for me. Since that is part of their world, well done!

Velvet Cruelty by: Eve Dangerfield Snow White #1

Guess what? Yup, another SUK find. I’m trying to get these quick reads done.

This is supposed to be a Snow White re-imagining. Um, no. There are a few nods to the fairy tale, but beyond that, nothing.

January is one of the worst characters I’ve read. She is a walking contradiction of hypocrisies. Other than having an amazing body, I don’t get why her four kidnappers are pawing after her. One minutes she’ painfully naive, the next she’s confessing to playing all her dirty fantasies. Either your innocent or you’re not. Pick one and own it.

The four guys all have very different personalities. All written true to who the author seemed to what them to be – they were great .

Found myself skimming a lot through this.

Silk Malice by: Eve Dangerfield Snow White #2

Okay, if I disliked the first, why read the second? My curiosity got the better of me, damn it!

The first was a tease that left you in suspense.

I wasn’t completely disappointed but not satisfied either. I could have really just read a plot synopsis and moved on in life.

This was paced a lot slower than the already sluggish first. It really didn’t pick up until the last bit. And even then, it was pretty anticlimactic.

It quelled enough of my curiosity that I don’t feel the need to read anymore of this series. I hope they get their revenge, but I truly don’t care either way.

The Sinner and the Gunslinger by: Lana Pecherczyk The Sinner Sisterhood #2

I read the first in this series, The Sinner and the Scholar, because of some random recommendation I found online. And now I have to wait, impatiently, for the next installment.

I really like a story that integrated theology with fantasy. Especially the un-sanitized Catholic church, i.e. demons, demonic possessions. Think Constantine meets Robert Langdon with spice.

This one had a great back story/history for the characters featured in this installment.

If that didn’t have me hooked, the main plot line is interwoven intrigue that doesn’t need a degree to decode.

There’s demons, the four horsemen, religious deceit and greed, sexism, fierce women, and romance-novel men. Oh, and there’s also nuns. What’s not to love?