At this point I’m just throwing my ‘3 book a month’ rule out of the window. It’s very apparent that I cannot be that disciplined.
There is no hope.
All is lost….(for my tbr).
📚
Set Fire to the Gods by Sara Raasch and Kristen Simmons
🎧 Audio
Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
🧚♀️
Shielded by Kaylynn Flanders
What books did you get this month?
We have a quiz to finish off our posts for romance awareness month!
Sophie, Trisy and I thought it would be great to put a quiz together for all of you so you can discover exactly which type of romance reader you are (total kudos to Sophie for making!)
Take the quiz here!
I was a dark romance reader, let me know in comments what type of romance reader you are!
We hope you have enjoyed the romance posts this month.
Writing these was such fun!
I saw this tag on Never Not Reading and decided I wanted to play along!
Let’s get right into it!
📚 How many books do you usually read at once?
2……a physical/ebook and an audio book. I listen to audio at work, makes the day go much faster! 😂
📕 How do you decide when to switch between multiple reads?
I dont really…..
🔖Do you ever switch bookmarks partway through a book?
No! Who does that? Heathens!!!!!
📚 What time of day do you read the most?
In the evening when my son is occupied and getting ready for bed. I can sit undisturbed and take in all those words!!!
📕 How long do you typically read in one session?
Probably around 2 to 3 hours. I’d love more though!!
🔖Do you read hardcovers with the dust jacket off?
I used to. It annoyed me how they kept slipping down but now I seem to have mastered the art of keeping it up whilst reading!!!
📚 What position do you mainly use to read?
My fave place to read is sat up on my bed propped up by my bookish cushions so that answers that!
📕 Do you take your current read with you everywhere you go?
I have the Kindle and Audible apps on my phone so I can whip it out at a moments notice and read, read, read!
🔖How often do you update your Goodreads reading progress.
Every time I start and finish a book. Also if a book is on the large side then I will update progress to make myself feel better!!!!
I won’t tag anyone but feel free to join in!!
Title: The Trials of Morrigan Crow
Series: Nevermoor #1
Author: Jessica Townsend
A cursed girl escapes death and finds herself in a magical world – but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination
Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she’s blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks–and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.
But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor.
It’s then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city’s most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each boasting an extraordinary talent that sets them apart – an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests – or she’ll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.
Waterstones made me buy this! I was innocently buying a Mr Men book for my son when the assistant recommended this….and who am I to say no?!
Persecuted as a cursed child, Morrigan Crow has accepted her fate. On Eventide she will no longer exist. That is until her saviour appears in the form of Jupiter North and takes her to Nevermoor…….
What a great read! Hotel Deucalion is somewhere I want to live, their Christmas made my heart leap with joy, Hawthorne made my heart feel happy for Morrigan and even misery Jack I liked come the end!
You know I did not know if I was going to carry onto the next book until the last 25%ish of this book. I mean I liked it, it was a good read but I cant say I was hooked……until 75%. Then I knew 100% I would. The crescendo. The reveal. The finale (for now).
‘Until then little crowling.’
Fabulous! It was like a child’s Darkling!
Father Figure is a .99 Kindle download from 8/24 thru 8/28 – help yourselves! Thank you so much for your support in sharing, downloading, reading, and reviewing. I appreciate it! You should pick it up before the virtual book club coming up soon… check it out @ Download @ http://mybook.to/FatherFigure for only .99 this week Overview…
Title: The Gilded Ones
Series: Deathless #1
Author: Namina Forna
Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.
But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity–and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.
Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki–near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire’s greatest threat.
Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she’s ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be–not even Deka herself.
‘Outcasts by blood. Warriors by choice.’
A fabulous coming of age story where we find Deka going through the ritual to see if she is pure. Lets just say she is not! I don’t want to say anymore because, you know, spoilers!
Anyhoo, Deka finds herself training to be a warrior for the Emperor to get rid of his enemies…..
Again, no more in case of spoilers but I am imploring you to find out for yourselves because this book is superb, fabulous, exceptional.
The book deals with a lot, racism, abuse,
misogyny, my heart actually hurt for the characters. This story felt unique, the world building was sublime, I loved every single character (and there are a few!) and it was so well written.
I think there will be a book 2 and I, for one, cannot wait!
As you have already seen from our other weekly posts, August is the month of romance!
I have teamed up with Sophie and Trisy to write different posts about romance!
Today we give you our dream collaboration between romance writers!
If we got to pair them, how would they collaborate and what story would they write?
I have several unicorn authors but two that I think would collaborate easily together and write something dream worthy: Amy Harmon paired with Leylah Attar!
How would they collaborate? Easily or with lots of booze to stand the other?
None of these is a “serial romance writer”. I mean they write one book a year or even every two or three year for Leylah Attar.
That’s important as that means that they should work and brainstorm at a similar pace.
No one would be rushed or pressured by the other.
Both have a deep, insightful and gorgeous writing. Leylah also adapts her writing and phrasing to the character and story she writes. Mingling with Amy’s style should be effortless.
Both have confided being booknerds as kids (see their respective interviews on this blog). Both have always been creative, even if Leylah had to wait a long time before writing.
Leylah is curious and loves to learn and I think that Amy being really into research and all to write her books (historical, fantasy) they would talk endlessly about everything they discovered and learned for their next book.
Leylah also has a deep sense of humor and I think that she would make Amy laugh so hard!
Verdict: easy collaboration.
What kind of story would they write?
I think a historical romance with a hint of supernatural would suit both of them. It would be an epic and exhilarating love story between two broken or flawed characters.
Let’s dream here!
The male character would be knightly like ...a templar! There is a hint of forbidden here as templars are akin to monks hence, not prone to have lovers. Templars were a Catholic military order and that should suit Amy’s love for spirituality.
Our hero would be a fighting templar sent in a crusade to free the Holy Land from Islam.
Let’s say that he was deadly wounded in a battle and left for dead. Our female character would be of islamic religion, from a nomad tribe but living on the outskirts of the tribe. Her mother died when giving birth to our female character and she was born with a special mark on her skin. Her people consider her a witch. She’s been beaten by her father as a kid and had such trauma that she has not spoken for more than a decade. Her best friend is a falcon she rescued when he was a fledgling.
She would stumble upon our knight and will heal him. He’ll spend time with her and her tribe, realizing that they are not the devils they are rumored to be. Except of course those tormenting her. He will blend in so well that when Catholics will attack the tribe, he will fight to protect them. Alas,she’s been captured in the attack to be sold as a slave. She will be shipped to France and he will follow her, trying to find her because he is in love and can’t stand the idea of living without her. He’ll find her thanks to her falcon and will go plead his case to the King of France or the Pope.
Of course you’ll have topics like: accepting differences, opening your eyes and heart to other culture, what’s faith and who is God etc.
It would be an epic romance with a HEA!
Title: Forest of Souls
Series: Shamanborn #1
Author: Lori M Lee
Sirscha Ashwyn comes from nothing, but she’s intent on becoming something. After years of training to become the queen’s next royal spy, her plans are derailed when shamans attack and kill her best friend Saengo.
And then Sirscha, somehow, restores Saengo to life.
Unveiled as the first soulguide in living memory, Sirscha is summoned to the domain of the Spider King. For centuries, he has used his influence over the Dead Wood—an ancient forest possessed by souls—to enforce peace between the kingdoms. Now, with the trees growing wild and untamed, only a soulguide can restrain them. As war looms, Sirscha must master her newly awakened abilities before the trees shatter the brittle peace, or worse, claim Saengo, the friend she would die for.
Reading.
Loving it.
Then 2 words.
2 words.
Massive spider
Yeeeeeeew no!
I quickly got over my fear as the writing was so good and this fast paced story totally didn’t go in the direction I thought it would, no romance!
Sirscha Ashwyn is hoping to be made the Queens Shadow after working herself to the bone but her life takes a different turn when her bestie, Saengo is killed…..and Sirscha brings her back to life. Her powers revealed, she is taken to the Spider King and here is where our tale begins.
I’m not saying anymore because you need to read but I will say this….look out for Theyen. He was the star of the show for me. He is grumpy, sassy with such a dry humour that I wanted to be his bestie!
And then the ending. I was well, that’s interesting!!!
Title: Girl, Serpent, Thorn
Author: Melissa Bashardoust
A captivating and utterly original fairy tale about a girl cursed to be poisonous to the touch, and who discovers what power might lie in such a curse…
There was and there was not, as all stories begin, a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch. But for Soraya, who has lived her life hidden away, apart from her family, safe only in her gardens, it’s not just a story.
As the day of her twin brother’s wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if she’s willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time. Below in the dungeon is a demon who holds knowledge that she craves, the answer to her freedom. And above is a young man who isn’t afraid of her, whose eyes linger not with fear, but with an understanding of who she is beneath the poison.
Soraya thought she knew her place in the world, but when her choices lead to consequences she never imagined, she begins to question who she is and who she is becoming…human or demon. Princess or monster.
‘There was and there was not’
We have Soraya, the Shah’s cursed twin sister, poisonous to the touch, locked away by her family.
Then we have a soldier, Azad, who captures a div, (who knows of the curse) and Soraya hopes the div Parvaneh, is the key to her freedom.
But freedom comes in different forms.
Soraya’s evolution in this book made me so happy to read. From love interests, from learning from her mistakes, to learning she has power and to not fearing herself and to becoming her.
This was such a unique story, it was actually quite dark and I was totally surprised by it.
CJRTB Books 