Title: A Taste of Gold and Iron

Author: Alexandra Rowland

Kadou, the shy prince of Arasht, finds himself at odds with one of the most powerful ambassadors at court—the body-father of the queen’s new child—in an altercation which results in his humiliation.

To prove his loyalty to the queen, his sister, Kadou takes responsibility for the investigation of a break-in at one of their guilds, with the help of his newly appointed bodyguard, the coldly handsome Evemer, who seems to tolerate him at best. In Arasht, where princes can touch-taste precious metals with their fingers and myth runs side by side with history, counterfeiting is heresy, and the conspiracy they discover could cripple the kingdom’s financial standing and bring about its ruin.

Oh this was so beautiful, Evemer and Kadou made my life!

In this queer fantasy we have Kadou. He is a Prince, his sister is the Sultan. After an ‘incident’ Kadou is assigned a quiet, stoic personal guard called Evemer and this is their hate to love, slow burn romance whilst solving a mystery!!!

I must admit I don’t normally gel with slow burn but this was so emosh and delish that I loved it!

There were so many things I loved about this book and I made a list (I love a list!!!!):

~ Such great rep of anxiety and panic disorder,
~ The Khayalar – personal guards who are trained for literally everything!
~ The fact that ‘fathers’ are expendable in this world,
~ Hate to love and sort of one bed tropes!
~ The alleyway! That made my heart grow sooooo big!
~ The hair washing – gaaaah my heart!!!!!
~ The narrator was fab!

But that ending…..why did it end there? Is there a book 2? I thought this was a standalone but I take it that it’s not?

Fairyloot Adult – March 2023

Rotten Opulence

The book of the month is a romantic epic fantasy that follows a poison runner who is thrust into a world full of court intrigue, forbidden romance and death magic.

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten

Exclusive cover
Digitally sprayed edges
Foiled hardcover by @blanca.design
Endpaper art by @avendellart
Reversible dust jacket by @avendellart
Digital signature
Bound in author letter

Title: Stars and Smoke

Series: Stars and Smoke #1

Author: Marie Lu

Meet Winter Young – International pop sensation, with a voice like velvet and looks that could kill. His star power has smashed records, selling out stadiums from LA to London. His rabid fans would move heaven and earth for even a glimpse of him – just imagine what they’d do to become his latest fling.

Meet Sydney Cossette – Part of an elite covert ops group, Sydney joined their ranks as their youngest spy with plans to become the best agent they’ve ever had. An ice queen with moves as dangerous as her comebacks, Sydney picks up languages just as quickly as she breaks hearts. She’s fiery, no-nonsense, and has zero time for romance – especially with a shameless flirt more used to serving sass than taking orders.

When a major crime boss gifts his daughter a private concert with Winter for her birthday, Sydney and Winter’s lives suddenly collide. Tasked with infiltrating the crime organization’s inner circle, Sydney is assigned as Winter’s bodyguard with Winter tapped to join her on the mission of a lifetime as a new spy recruit. Sydney may be the only person alive impervious to Winter’s charms, but as their mission brings them closer, she’s forced to admit that there’s more to Winter Young than just a handsome face . . .

The hottest star out there, Winter Young, is recruited into a secret agency for a job….that’s when he meets Sydney Cossette and their job takes them to London to spy on a villain!!!!!

They’re both not without their pasts, presents and flaws……

‘It’s a lonely job, but you won’t realize just how lonely it is until you start. He could already feel it. And somehow, it was familiar.’

I loved being in London, loved they ate Twirl’s (the best gluten free chocolate out there!) and loved every single thing about this read!

I gorged this in a day, flew through it, couldn’t put it down!

Winter and Sydney forevs!

I posted about a book club me and a few book friends have started over on Instagram!

We were all talking and bemoaning our tbr piles so we decided to form a simple, relaxed, free book club where we can read our tbr and discuss the book!

If you want to take a look the club is called @TheRelaxedReadingCorner (on Instagram)

For April we have chosen 2 books and invited people to pick a this or that (or both!!!)……..

If you want to join in, comment on the book announcement post and we’ll add you into the chat group!

Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Topic: Indie/Self-Published Books

I love an indie author book. In fact, back in 2012 probably to around 2016 when money was really tight for me, indies were all I read because their books are much more affordable and so good!

So here’s a few of my faves!

Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic
Anything Cora Reilly
Anything Kristen Ashley
Untouchable by Sam Mariano
Priest by Sierra Simone
Fear Me by BB Reid
Last Riders by Jamie Begley
Taunting Destiny by Amelia Hutchins
A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows by Holly Renee

What would you have picked?

Title: Icebreaker

Series: Maple Hills #1

Author: Hannah Grace

Anastasia Allen has worked her entire life for a shot at Team USA.

A competitive figure skater since she was five years old, a full college scholarship thanks to her place on the Maple Hills skating team, and a schedule that would make even the most driven person weep, Stassie comes to win.

No exceptions.

Nathan Hawkins has never had a problem he couldn’t solve. As captain of the Maple Hills Titans, he knows the responsibility of keeping the hockey team on the ice rests on his shoulders.

When a misunderstanding results in the two teams sharing a rink, and Anastasia’s partner gets hurt in the aftermath, Nate finds himself swapping his stick for tights, and one scary coach for an even scarier one.

The pair find themselves stuck together in more ways than one, but it’s fine, because Anastasia doesn’t even like hockey players…right?

A fab, spicy sports romance! 

So, we have:

~ Anastasia, figure skater, controls herself down to the minute and is basically a commitment-phobe because of it. Not going to lie, Anastasia got on my wick a bit for the first quarter of the book but her character growth was immense and I can totally see why this was written the way it was so props to the author. 

~ Nate, hockey player, captain and general nice guy. He is just so caring, I loved him! I need me a Nate! 

~ A group of friends who are all fabulous and I’d love to have on my side, especially Henry. All except Aaron. Aaron ugh. I hate that guy.

I really enjoyed this read, twas spicy! But I think maybe this could have been condensed, there was a lot of stuff that I don’t think needed to be there, particularly round the middle part of the book.

That aside, If I were you, I’d give this a read! 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer  It’s a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

Hi everyone, hope you’ve had a good week? Happy April!

It’s felt like a busy week but, looking back, I’m not really sure it was! I had the office on Thursday and also parents evening for my son and I found out I got a new job, so that’s very exciting!

A good reading week for me with 2 physicals and 2 audios!

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What I’ve Read

A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal by Holly Renee
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 Crystal Crowned by Elise Kova
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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New arrivals

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten

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You might have missed…..

Feature – New to me authors in 2023
Review – What Lurks Between the Fates by Harper L Woods

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What have you read lately?

‘April is the kindest month. April gets you out of your head and out working in the garden.’ ~ Marty Rubin

‘April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.’ ~ William Shakespeare (Sonnet XCVIII)

HAPPY APRIL!

Hope everyone has a great month!

Title: What Lurks Between the Fates

Series: Of Flesh and Bone #3

Author: Harper L Woods

Once, I’d chosen my mate instead of freedom.

For weeks, we retraced our steps back to Mistfell and the lingering shadow of the Veil at the boundary between realms. Traveling through the kingdom, I denied the evidence in front of me, unable to fathom that I wasn’t the lost princess of Faerie. Instead, it is Fallon who must fear the consequences of her heritage. Which leaves me with a single, unanswered question.

Then, I awoke, caged high above the throne of the Queen of Air & Darkness.

Mab is the Queen who keeps all of Alfheimr held squirming within her clawed grasp. She uses the children of Faerie to sustain the magic granted to her by the cursed gem atop her crown, which has carved her from the girl she once was into a dark vessel, obsessed with power. She thrives on cruelty, and wields our love as an instrument for pain.

Now, I’ll play the games of the Fae.

I’m a curiosity, my presence an enigma that was never foreseen. I may not be Mab’s daughter, yet she still keeps me close, as she forges me into a weapon against humans and Fae alike. Mab may not own me yet, but she controls the life of the man I love. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to see him freed.

Even if I have to become the villain to do it.

‘If you suffer, I suffer too. If you bleed, I bleed as well. If you die, then I will follow.’

Back with Estrella and Caldis and we are introduced to Mab and the delights of Alfheimer.

Winter Solstice approaches and with it 13 days of fun that Mab has planned (note – it’s not fun for the people there!)

I don’t want to say anything about the plot but I will say Mab is a relentless villain while Estrella is light in the darkness.

This was dark, spicy and there is a lot of gruesome stuff in here so if you’re squeamish, beware!

I still have so many questions! Will we ever know what Estrella is? When will my fave, Holt be back?! Where is Fenrir? I need them!

Can’t wait for the next book!

‘Until chaos reigns.’