Title: Slaying the Vampire Conqueror

Series: Mortal Enemies to Monster Lovers #1

Author: Carissa Broadbent

She was commanded to kill him with a single strike to the heart. She didn’t expect her own to betray her. Sylina has sacrificed everything for her goddess–her soul, her freedom, her eyes. Life in service to the Arachessen, a cult of the Goddess of Fate, has turned Sylina from orphaned street-rat to disciplined killer, determined to overthrow Glaea’s tyrannical king. But when a brutal vampire conqueror arrives on their shores, Sylina faces an even deadlier adversary. She’s tasked with a crucial mission: infiltrate his army, earn his trust… and kill him. Atrius is a terrifying warrior carving an unstoppable path through Glaea. Yet when Sylina becomes his seer, she glimpses a dark and shocking past–and a side of him that reminds her far too much of parts of herself she’d rather forget. Sylina’s orders are clear. The conqueror cannot live. But as the blood spilled by Glaea’s tyrant king runs thicker, her connection with Atrius only grows stronger. A connection forbidden by her vows. A connection that could cost her everything.

What is it about this author that makes me fall in love with every book she writes?

Is it the:
~ Strong, likeable female leads?
~ The fierce but troubled males?
~ The plot?
~ The absolute delicious-ness of the story?

I think it might be all of it combined and this book was no exception. I’m so glad I found this author!

Anyway, gushing aside…..

Syrina is an Arachessen. A group of assasin women who gave much up to their goddess, Acaeja, the Weaver of Fates, the Keeper of the Unknown, the Mother of Sorcery.

Atrius is a cursed, vampire conquerer who comes to claim Syrina’s world as his own so she is sent to infiltrate his camp.

There was double crosses, action, drama and, of course, romance and schexy times! And, excuse the pun, Syrinas eyes were opened!

This was a great addition to the Nyaxia world!

Title: The Wicked in Me

Series: Devil’s Cradle #1

Author: Suzanne Wright

No one really knows what they are. Only that they’re the first civilization. Aeons, they call themselves. They’re immortal. Powerful. Secretive.

And they’ll come for her.

Witch Wynter Dellavale knows that for certain. Because in unfairly trying to execute her, they started a chain of events they’re struggling to stop.

Needing safety, she flees to Devil’s Cradle, the home of monsters. A place for the outcasts, the fugitives, the crazies. A place ruled by the Ancients, seven beings who were once banished by the Aeons. Among the Ancients is the infamous Cain, brother of Abel and embodiment of jealousy — who, on another note, wants her in his bed.

There’s a heavy price for the safety the Ancients offer, but Wynter will have to pay it. She can’t take on the Aeons alone. And she has no intention of dying — been there, done that.

Not that she’ll be the easy prey the Aeons are expecting. They have no knowledge of the … thing that lives inside her. You see, when witches are brought back from the afterlife, they don’t always come back the same.

And they don’t always come back alone.

Wynter is banished from her Coven and picks up some stragglers and goes to a place called Devils Cradle. I can assure you this has one of the best found families I’ve ever read. They are a hoot!

Devils Cradle also comes with the Ancients who are basically trapped there and look after it, Cain being one of them and he certainly takes an interest in Wynter!

There is drama, violence, trials, schexy times, secrets and laughter, a lot of laughter!

Hattie was one of my favourite characters with her books! ‘Hattie read erotic books like it was her job—the filthier the better, in her opinion.’ I was obsessed with her!!!

I do have questions though:
Where does the story go from here?
Are the other Aeons coming?
When’s the next book out?
Did Hattie find her copy of 50 Shades?!

Fairyloot Adult – May 2023

Kiss or Kill

A spymaster to the Queen with an affinity for persuasion but a tragedy strikes and dark magic rises and she has to work with the Queen’s Enforcer, who she doesn’t like!

The Curse of Saints by Kate Dramis

Exclusive redesigned cover @monolimeart
Ombre sprayed edge
Foiled hardcover by @blanca.design
Endpaper art by @monolimeart
Signed
Bonus Chapter

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: Books or Covers that Feel/Look Like Summer

It would appear that I don’t read summer type books because I found most of mine are dark!!!!

The Liars Crown by Abigail Owen
Gothikana by Runyx
The Hedge Witch by Cari Thomas
This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

What’s on your list?

AFTERLIGHT – May 2023

An Afterlight add on month and I couldn’t resist!

This box included:

Fizzy Feelings Bubble Bar – designed by @ascent_bath_and_body
I would’ve loved to have shown this alas my son took it and used it in his bath!!!!!

Great Adventure Passport Cover – designed by @creativewannabe_


FEATURED BOOK/S

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

Exclusive hardback
Exclusive cover
Digitally printed edges
Foiling on the hardcover
Digital signature
Author letter – art by @nekokonut22

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?

I’ve had a week off work and my son has been on school holidays and it’s been a great week! We went to the seaside, we had a family meal out for my birthday and we also ate a lot of cake!!!

It’s also been a slow reading week again, I just can’t get it together but it’s always this way for me in the Spring and Summer, I’m a total seasonal reader!

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What I’ve Read

🎧 Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

Thornhedge by T Kingfisher
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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New arrivals

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
The Curse of Saints by Kate Dramis
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

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You might have missed…..

Review – Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Torzs
Review – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

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What have you read lately?

Title: Lessons in Chemistry

Author: Bonnie Garmus

Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.

But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.

I’ve heard that this is a marmite book, you either hate it or love it and I was the latter – loved it!

I must admit that I did not expect what happened very early on in this book so please note the trigger warnings.

I also admit that this book pulled so many emotions from me! The treatment of Elizabeth made my blood boil, it was pure injustice! I literally had to put the book down at one point because I was so utterly mad! How did we live like this?

So….this is basically the tale of Elizabeth’s life and everything she needed to fight for.

It was dark, endearing and Six Thirty owns my heart!

I was thinking about the book ages after I’d finished it, it just kept popping back in my head! The mark of a good book!

‘Far up in the deep blue sky, Great white clouds are floating by; All the world is dressed in green; Many happy birds are seen, Roses bright and sunshine clear Show that lovely June is here.’ ~ F. G. Sanders

‘In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes, and every sunset is different.’ ~ John Steinbeck

Happy June!

Have a great month!

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: Things That Make Me Instantly NOT Want to Read a Book

Just want to say that these are my opinions, if you like some of these, please don’t hate me (it’s my birthday!) They just aren’t for me!

These all get on my nerves so probably won’t read……in no particular order….(and no books mentioned so not to offend!!!):

Love triangles 🤢
Billionaire romance 😫
Erotica 🥴
Horror 😨
Marketed as ‘The Next Big Thing’ 😒
Violence against children ❌️
Bad editing ❌️
Lots of filler 😕
Over flowery writing 😒

What would you have picked?