Romance

The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo by Kerrigan Byrne [Book Review] 15

 in Adult / Books by

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Summary

He is known only as The Rook. A man with no name, no past, no memories. He awakens in a mass grave, a magnificent dragon tattoo on his muscled forearm the sole clue to his mysterious origins. His only hope for survival―and salvation―lies in the deep, fiery eyes of the beautiful stranger who finds him. Who nurses him back to health. And who calms the restless demons in his soul…

A LEGENDARY LOVE

Lorelai will never forget the night she rescued the broken dark angel in the woods, a devilishly handsome man who haunts her dreams to this day. Crippled as a child, she devoted herself to healing the poor tortured man. And when he left, he took a piece of her heart with him. Now, after all these years, The Rook has returned. Like a phantom, he sweeps back into her life and avenges those who wronged her. But can she trust a man who’s been branded a rebel, a thief, and a killer? And can she trust herself to resist him when he takes her in his arms?

-From Amazon.com

Review

This book caught my attention on one of the stands in my library, just because it was the only romance novel on it and I haven’t read a bodice ripper book in a while. Most of the romance, if not all, that I read are by Nalini Singh, and when I say romance in this context, I’m talking about adult romance. I read fantasy romance and YA romance all the time, but I am REALLY REALLY picky about adult romance, a.k.a. erotic novels. 

Most of them have the girl needing the guy and pining after him to be saved. Like blech. If that’s your thing, then go for it, but I need me a girl who can kick butt and take names. So far I’ve only seen that in the Black Dagger Brotherhood and The Guild Hunters Series (suggestions are always welcome!).

So, I picked this book up because I hadn’t read one of these kinds in a while and I said why not.

The beginning had me a little weirded out – they were kids?!
So the first few chapters of the book were really unclear as to what was going on. I thought that the main character was an adult and was talking to the injured man, later named Ash. Turns out, she was like 14 while she was helping this dude and he was probably about 17 or something. So I was incredibly creeped out with some of the statements that Lorelei was making such as she was feeling things in her body she had never felt. Now, I get that that happens to young girls when they meet a cute guy, but writing about it for adults in a potentially sexual content made me a little weirded out. Additionally, their personalities did not match with their ages. I had no idea she was 14, especially with the way she was thinking as well as speaking until she blatantly stated that she was 14. So that kind of turned me off the book and I skipped ahead a bit until I found the adult age sections.

A little bit…rapey?
I kept getting this vibe, later on, that The Rook was kind of rapey towards Lorelei. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind when it’s like a dominant male scenario, but this, I felt, was a little beyond that. He kept saying he wanted her, kept referencing forcing her and such. But then suddenly the angle would change and it would become like they were old friends. Or that he never wanted to hurt her or something. Um, okay, you just abducted her so…that’s kind of off the table already.

Tough guy to broken and in love.
The Rook, or Ash, was this tough guy. I keep envisioning the Black Dagger Brotherhood characters – all big and muscly and scary and grrrr. But you never really got a good description of what he looked like so I just kind of made it up. He was a pirate, which was like what? And he conquered so much stuff in a short span of time and lived through all this horrible stuff. Like, okay, not terribly believable but okay. But as the book progressed, he’s like all tough and then suddenly he’s all weak and stuff and wanting her to love him. I get when someone opens up and reveals their inner heart, but it was just so sudden. One second he’s like “I’m the worst thing in the world” to “I love you Lorelie – please help me Obi-wan, you are my only hope.” Ugh, come on!

Overall, not terribly impressed.
Maybe my views have changed, and maybe my tastes as well, but overall this book was just so meh. I’ve read fanfiction with better developed stories than this. I’m sorry, it just really wasn’t my cup of tea. It was just so cringey.

As a romance story, a bodice ripper, I’m sure it’s just fine. But I don’t generally enjoy those books so it just wasn’t for me. I have ordered another one of Byrne’s book from my library to give it another chance, as just maybe this story wasn’t for me and I don’t want to hate on all of her books if I’ve only read one. But so far, I’ll stick to other genres for now.

Have you read this? Opinions?

3/5 teacups for my rating.

3 Teacups

 

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses Book #3) by Sarah J. Maas

 in Book Reviews / Books / Fantasy by

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. MaasSummary

“Looming war threatens all Feyre holds dear in the third volume of the #1 New York Times bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses series.

Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin’s maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit-and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.

As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords-and hunt for allies in unexpected places.

In this thrilling third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series from Sarah J. Maas, the earth will be painted red as mighty armies grapple for power over the one thing that could destroy them all.”

-From Amazon.com

Review

So I had been waiting for this book for ages! If you had been following my Instagram, you probably saw me hyping it up, and if you had Instagram you probably saw everyone else freaking out about the release! I’m new to the series, only having found out about it from people I follow on Insta and being intrigued because so many people were talking about it and so many people loved it. It also had a gorgeous cover! So I started the series and thankfully only had a few months to wait until the 3rd book, ACOWAR, came out. But now that that book is over I’m so lost! There will be one coming out next year, apparently, but the rumor is is that it will be novellas from different characters, however nothing is sure yet, so I will keep track of that.

Overall I absolutely loved this book. It’s such a wonderful YA read. It follows the kind of mythical land and a division between the humans and others and the third book in the series goes on to the war which has been building from book one. All three books work together and the story builds until the massive battle which occurs within this book.

As I’m sure all of you know, I am really picky about characters. So this falls into the genres of fantasy, action and romance. Now, when there is romance in a book, I always look to see what kind of romance it is. I don’t mind superfluous fluff now and then but I always love a strong female lead. And Feyre is definitely one! She is so badass, she can fight and she is so strong. She’s a wonderful roll model as a character. While she is strong, she is also a really good diplomat within the stories, working hard to people all the people within moderation and stop the war from occurring, as best she could, although it was inevitable.

On to the cover, it’s absolutely gorgeous. Just look at it! It’s a gorgeous teal, a color which I absolutely love, and then there is Feyre on the cover with the infamous tattoo and then little bits of smoke whispering around her.  What really caught me was the color as it caught my eye and was just so unique as a book color. Sure, I’ve seen more intricate covers but it was honestly the color which got me.

As for the story, age wise, it is definitely for older YA as there are some romantic scenes. This is not a book which is based around that as it’s YA and not a romance novel, however to aid the story and develop the romance there are some bits like that in it so it’s not a younger YA read.

Overall, the book was amazing and I would definitely suggest reading it! I mean, you have to start with book #1 as you can’t read this series out of order as there are so many characters and a developing story, so you need to start with #1, A Court of Thorns and Roses, then A Court of Mist and Fury and finally A Court of Wings and Ruin! Trust me, you won’t regret it. Everyone I’ve told to give it a try loved it in their own way.

Have you read it? Thoughts?

Happy Reading!

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 in Books by

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Singing Fire by T.L. Martin

 in Book Reviews / Books / Fantasy / Young Adult by

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. 

Singing Fire by T.L. Martin

Summary

“Constant chills, panic attacks, and now paranoia – there’s a reason seventeen-year-old Charlie keeps to herself. Life is looking up when she gets a job at a whimsical tea shop and gains a few new friends, but little does Charlie know there are secrets lurking beyond its door. It only takes one night for her perspective on her small town to change forever. As if witches, vampires, and demons weren’t enough, she soon realizes she’s being hunted for a power she didn’t know she possessed. Singing Fire takes Charlie through an unexpected journey of self-discovery, betrayal, and forbidden love all while the clock is ticking for her to defeat the dark souls pursuing her – before anyone else dear to her has to die. Singing Fire is the first of a two-part series, and its sequel, Raining Fire, is due for release in 2017.”

-From Amazon.com

Review

I absolutely loved this book! Ms. Martin sent me an email asking for me to give it a read and the initial reason I said yes was because the cover was gorgeous. It caught my eye, as well as the summary. I love fantasy kind of books and I hadn’t read one for a little while, so I figured that it was time to.

Now this book just had so much amazing stuff going on. First of all, it was fantasy but not so much so that it wasn’t based in reality. It was kind of like the Shadowhunters idea where they were hiding in plain site. Then you have this girl who just gets sucked into the world. And then you have this vampire who she falls in love with (of course).

I mean come on! Who doesn’t love a good fantasy story, with romance, and a vampire!

I also loved the fact that the ‘base of operation’ was a tea shop! I mean my blood is literally tea, so I had to give it a read just because of that. I just loved imagining this beautiful tea shop that was so small and magical and had all these little secrets. In my mind it was so magical and beautiful.

The book was also not terribly long but so much happened within the short story! I read it in a few hours, outside in the sun (which was amazing) and I just couldn’t put it down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next and it just kept going and it kept you guessing all the way until the last sentence. I mean that ending had me dying. Come on Ms. Martin!!!! You just had to throw that curve ball! I loved it ‘cus I didn’t see half of the ending coming and it has me NEEDING the next book (which I am so excited for).

The cover of this book is also gorgeous as well. The turquoise with the fire in the middle just caught my eye as the colors were visually pleasing. I mean they say don’t judge a book by it’s cover, but you all should know by now that it’s all part of the package. I generally don’t have it negatively impact a book, but it can definitely make a book even better!

Overall I absolutely loved this book! Go check it out on amazon here!

It was definitely a read that I will be reading again in the summer, and just before I get the next book!

Happy Reading!

“18 Steamy New Romances to Heat Up Your Winter”

 in Books / Fun / Interesting by

So I’ve recently come across BookBub and it has some fantastic bits of pieces which I definitely want to share now and then.

One of their most recent posts was 18 Steamy New Romances to Heat Up Your Winter.

I’m always looking for a good new romance novel and this list caught my attention – of course they are adult reads (not YA).

couple on bike