Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

She gasped suddenly, pointing an accusing finger at me. “You like him!” she announced at the top of her voice. I hushed her, my heart pounding madly in my chest. “I do not like him. I hate him. He’s just…hard to resist sometimes.” “Sometimes?” she balked. “So this has happened before?” Dammit. “Like, one time before,” I admitted guilty. “But it’s not like it means anything,” I rushed on, ignoring the tug in my gut that told me I’d just lied. To her. To myself. To the universe. Shit, I can’t let my revenge cost me my heart. I have to lock this down.

[Book Review] Makeshift

 

Bereft of her family, carrying her attacker's child, and no stranger to the grey clouds of desolation, Ana meets five men whose secrets are the harbingers of the biggest challenge of her life. Struggling to navigate the relationships she cannot help but find herself in, Ana realizes just how far she will go for the family who found her.

The five wolves who run Makeshift Mile, a rescue farm-cum-juvenile shifter rehabilitation center in the middle of the woods, must reconcile the existence of their very human mate with the regulations that have kept supernatural society safe from meddlesome humans. When Ana arrives, awkward and pregnant, it's more than just her humanity that disturbs the peace that has been maintained by the supernatural clans.

Then a secret is revealed, forcing the wolves and their woman to decide how best to navigate the sacrifices required to keep their new family safe--rules be damned.

I originally learned about this book on TikTok, and I have to say that I really enjoyed this shifter romance. The story starts out from the viewpoint of the villain, which was an interesting concept. I don't think I have read any POVs from the bad guy in any recent books, or possibly any at all. So, it was kind of refreshing to have a new perspective on the story. 

The main female character is abducted and impregnated within the first few chapters. So, please, check your triggers! She ends up running into a guy, faints, and then goes to his farm to thank him. On this farm, there are four other very handsome guys (plus a wolf), and they all turn out to be her mates. The rest of the book goes on into the storyline of who impregnated her and why. 

These five shifters are total cinnamon rolls, and I loved them! they all have their own unique personality and have all been touched with a compelling backstory. I enjoyed having some of the story in their points of views. I'm not sure who my favorite is, but the best thing about a reverse harem? You don't have to choose!

Overall, I would give this four iced coffees. I am excited to see the growth in the plot and characters. I am also excited to see what happens after that cliffhanger! I guess we shall see. This is a light, fun read, with some dark themes throughout. I know, it sounds like an oxymoron, but just give it a try!

KH Helens writes paranormal and reverse harem romance. Her debut novel, Makeshift, released in March.

[Book Review] A Veil of Truth and Trickery

 

Delphine has been fae-marked from birth, treated as a curse despite the fact the once treacherous fae haven’t been sighted in decades—in fact, no one in Delph’s village has so much as laid eyes on one of the folk in nearly a century.

Right up until a fae turns up on her doorstep, demanding Delph as down payment.

No sooner has she set foot in the fae realm, however, then she learns she’s no mere collateral in a deal made with the lord that owns her family lands. She was selected for a reason, hunted down for a single purpose.

The fae courts are fading. The folk disappearing.

Only four courts remain. Four princes determined to save their crumbling kingdoms.

And Delph … Delph may just hold the key to save them all.

But even as Delph learns to see past the feared glamour of the fae realm, she quickly learns the impossible position she’s found herself in. The fae may not be the monsters she was led to believe, but in order to save them … she may have to become a monster herself.

A Veil of Truth and Trickery is the first of a new upper YA/New Adult fantasy series with multiple love interests. It may contain content sensitive to some readers.

This book is marketed towards fans of ACOTAR that enjoy reverse harems, and I can see why. This book is a watered down version of ACOTAR with four handsome fae. I enjoyed the storyline, but I do wish that there was just a bit more plot. It seemed a bit lacking. There are some books with too many descriptions and then there are books with not enough, and this book fell into the later category. Don't get me wrong, I will 100% read the sequel, because it ended on a substantial cliffhanger, but I also with there was just more; more character development, more plot, more world building, etc. 

The main character was a little weak to begin with, but not every character can be perfect from the start, so I actually enjoyed this. But, she was quite naïve, and that is not something I enjoy. Her character did start to grow within the story. I am interested to see how her character development continues. I also am interested to know more about the Fae princes' backgrounds because there was hardly any background information given about any of them. Why are they Princes? What are their homes like? What sets them all apart from each other? The story just seemed rushed with all of their characters, so I'm interested to see if this changes in the sequel. 

Overall, this book has the potential to be amazing, but it was just deficient in a lot of areas. I will be reading the sequel though, so stay tuned!

Paranormal and fantasy author specializing in Reverse Harem. Find her on Instagram. 

Review: Savage (ARC) Release Day!

RELEASE DAY!

Maleia-
When I’m kidnapped, abused, and thrown into a cage to slaughter other innocent women, I become a slave to their will.
But I’m no victim. I will forge myself a crown out of the bones of those who have hurt me.
When I escape the clutches of evil, I find myself surrounded by the leather-clad wall of a biker gang.
When Savage finds me swaying in the shadows and lays claim to me, do I dare to wish for a better life? One with him.
True to his name, he savages without thought but his demons recognise my own.
No princess lives here, but can he accept that I’m darkness personified?

Savage-
I’ve lived my life surrounded in the bleak abyss. A hollow man.
I’m President of the Kings Wolves MC and a hard man to love. When self doubt eats at me, I hide it well within the weight of my fist.
When Maleia lands at my feet, an angel bathed in the flames of Hell, I know she’s mine.
Those eyes of hers beseech the voice of a tortured soul and it devastates me.
I’ll never be good enough for her, but I’m too selfish a man to let her go.
Together we might slay her demons, but can she handle mine?

Trigger Warning-
Dark themes and tragic stories. My work will always be on the darker side, with happily-devil-afters. Degrees of dark and tragic vary. Soft to hard. I have no middle ground. There are no boundaries. It's where the story takes me. No cheating, my heroines would eat their Alphas and then there would be no story. Know your worth. We'll love you anyway. I write paranormal fairy tales and dark romance for the dark hearted, Queen's in black kicking ass and King's on their knees, worshiping their women.
So my question, will you take immortality by the hand? XOX- Emmaleigh
Note- Kings Wolves is NOT paranormal, however does contain Paranormal aspects. One of the character's is a seer with a gift referred to as 'The cunning'

 This was my first dive into the bikers club romance trope, and it was a deep dive. This book is filled with graphic violence, smutty scenes, and dark themes. The violence verged on the edge of too graphic in some scenes (and I have a pretty high tolerance). But, the revenge storyline helped me move past the graphic violence. I'm all about a good revenge storyline, and this was a great one! The main female character has been used and abused in so many more ways than anyone should, but she gets her revenge, and it is smoking. 

I loved most of the characters,  especially Stitch.  The main female and male characters fell a bit flat for me. I think it may have been because I couldn't empathize with them. Or, it could have been that they fell in insta/love at first sight, which is usually a turn off for me. Not always (like in paranormal romances) but usually. Maleia is a badass though, and Savage loves her fiercely. He's possessive and controlling and a definite alpha male. 

One of my biggest issues was how wordy the book was at some points. It was painfully slow to read at points, when the descriptions kept being repeated, but in different ways. I found it hard to get through a lot of it because I was wanting to get to the action bits. I could tell that the author poured her heart and soul into the words though, so I appreciated it for what it was; just a different style of writing. 

Overall, the plot was great and I appreciated most of the characters and their club family. I think it may need some further editing to condense it, but it was a nice story. I would give it 3.5 iced coffees. 

Dark romance and Paranormal/ Urban fantasy Author.

Emmaleigh Loader is a stay at home mum of two and a wife, who lives in the UK. She adores her family and loves living on the seafront. Her favourite things are storms, the sea and anything witchy! She finds Winter beautiful and enjoys the beauty of the sun...Maybe a little! She loves anything dark and adores loving Alphas and strong women. She’s an avid reader and despite living with disabilities pushes herself to be someone who her family, husband and son’s are proud of. She’ll always face her struggles and adversities in the face with a big F you! Where will you find her? Under the duvet living her best life! Not because she’s showered in riches but because she finds joy and happiness in all that surrounds her, even when the dark days linger.

Trigger Warning-
Dark themes and tragic stories. My work will always be on the darker side, with happily-devil-afters. Degrees of dark and tragic vary. Soft to hard. I have no middle ground. There are no boundaries. It's where the story takes me. No cheating, my Heroines would eat their Alphas and then there would be no story. Know your worth! We'll love you anyway. I write paranormal fairy tales and dark romance for the dark hearted. Queen's in black kicking ass and King's on their knees, worshiping their women.
So my question, will you take immortality by the hand? XOX- Emmaleigh.

[ Book Review]: Whispers and the Roars

***THIS STANDALONE IS BEST ENJOYED WHEN YOU DON'T READ ANY REVIEWS OR SPOILERS BEFORE READING. GOING IN BLIND IS BEST. TRUST ME.***

From USA Today bestselling author K Webster comes a gripping and emotional psychological romance standalone!

I’m a recluse.
Sad, quiet, afraid.
Sequestered in my home away from the world.
It’s better this way.

I wasn’t always alone.
I had him—my boyfriend, my best friend, my everything.
Yeo Anderson.
But I sent him away.

I was a fungus. Growing and festering. Turning his brilliant parts black with the disease otherwise known as me.

My sweet boy was sick in love. I couldn’t bear to think about what he was giving up. For me. I’d poisoned him, but it wasn’t too late. I could fix it. So, I did.

But he’s back.
The boy blossomed into a man who wants to fight me for me.

The past that rules me is dark and chaotic and violent.
It always wins.

Love isn’t supposed to be a war.
Yeo thinks our hearts, though, will win this time.

Warning:
Whispers and the Roars is a dark romance. Strong sexual themes and violence, which could trigger emotional distress, are found in this story. The abuse written in this story is graphic and not glossed over, which could be upsetting to some. This story is NOT for everyone. Proceed with caution.

Wow. This book is just... wow.

Unfortunately, this review is going to have to be short so that I can be a vague as possible.

 I don't really have any words to describe the depth of this book. It's described as a dark romance, but it's not in the sense that the love interest is dark; the themes are dark. Please check your trigger warnings before delving into this book. It describes abuse and rape, among other things. But, if the trigger warnings do not deter you, then I 100% recommend this book. It is a rollercoaster from start to finish. I can't be more specific, because there's a huge twist, and believe me when I say, you want to go in blind. It is worth it! 

K Webster is a USA Today Bestselling author. Her titles have claimed many bestseller tags in numerous categories, are translated in multiple languages, and have been adapted into audiobooks. She lives in “Tornado Alley” with her husband, two children, and her baby dog named Blue. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and researching aliens.

[Book Review]: A Stitch in Time

Thorne Manor has always been haunted...and it has always haunted Bronwyn Dale. As a young girl, Bronwyn could pass through a time slip in her great-aunt’s house, where she visited William Thorne, a boy her own age, born two centuries earlier. After a family tragedy, the house was shuttered and Bronwyn was convinced that William existed only in her imagination.
Now, twenty years later Bronwyn inherits Thorne Manor. And when she returns, William is waiting.

William Thorne is no longer the boy she remembers. He’s a difficult and tempestuous man, his own life marred by tragedy and a scandal that had him retreating to self-imposed exile in his beloved moors. He’s also none too pleased with Bronwyn for abandoning him all those years ago.

As their friendship rekindles and sparks into something more, Bronwyn must also deal with ghosts in the present version of the house. Soon she realizes they are linked to William and the secret scandal that drove him back to Thorne Manor. To build a future, Bronwyn must confront the past.

Are you a fan of Outlander or the movie The Lake House? Then this is the book for you! 

A Stitch in Time was a mix between paranormal, time travel, historical fiction, mystery and romance all wrapped up in one. You've got your ghosts, a brooding 18th century male character, a murder mystery, and some lovely romance all within one book, which is probably why I thoroughly enjoyed it! Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors, but I have only read her young adult books up until now. This adult romance was refreshing and enjoyable. 

Bronwyn was the main female character, and she starts out questioning her sanity when it comes to seeing the ghosts in her house (with good reason). She used to spend her childhood Summers in this house and one fateful night sent her to the asylum. Years later, she inherits this house and decides to forfeit the notion of ghosts and time traveling. But, Bronwyn's past has a tendency of catching up to her and she's back in the arms of a certain gentleman with an equally dark past. Are the ghosts real? Is the time travel real? And, if so, can she overcome the obstacles from her past and solve the mysteries of this home?

Overall, I would give this book four iced coffees. It was an excellent read, and I am excited to read the sequel soon! 

Kelley Armstrong believes experience is the best teacher, though she’s been told this shouldn’t apply to writing her murder scenes. To craft her books, she has studied aikido, archery and fencing. She sucks at all of them. She has also crawled through very shallow cave systems and climbed half a mountain before chickening out. She is however an expert coffee drinker and a true connoisseur of chocolate-chip cookies.

 

Currently Reading

Here's a sneak preview of an upcoming review I will be posting! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Savage by Emmaleigh Loader. Here's a brief synopsis in case you're curious:

Maleia-

When I’m kidnapped, abused, and thrown into a cage to slaughter other innocent women, I become a slave to their will.

But I’m no victim. I will forge myself a crown out of the bones of those who have hurt me.

When I escape the clutches of evil, I find myself surrounded by the leather-clad wall of a biker gang.

When Savage finds me swaying in the shadows and lays claim to me, do I dare to wish for a better life? One with him.

True to his name, he savages without thought but his demons recognise my own.

No princess lives here, but can he accept that I’m darkness personified?

Savage-

I’ve lived my life surrounded in the bleak abyss. A hollow man.

I’m President of the Kings Wolves MC and a hard man to love. When self doubt eats at me, I hide it well within the weight of my fist.

When Maleia lands at my feet, an angel bathed in the flames of Hell, I know she’s mine.

Those eyes of hers beseech the voice of a tortured soul and it devastates me.

I’ll never be good enough for her, but I’m too selfish a man to let her go.

Together we might slay her demons, but can she handle mine?

Trigger Warning-

Dark themes and tragic stories. My work will always be on the darker side, with happily-devil-afters. Degrees of dark and tragic vary. Soft to hard. I have no middle ground. There are no boundaries. It's where the story takes me. No cheating, my heroines would eat their Alphas and then there would be no story. Know your worth! We'll love you anyway. I write paranormal fairy tales and dark romance for the dark hearted. Queen's in black kicking ass and King's on their knees, worshiping their women. And only their women. M/F

So my question, will you take immortality by the hand? XOX- Emmaleigh.

Welcome!

 A few years back I was Owlnestly Book Reviews, but I have lost access to that account, so welcome to my new blog! I hope you enjoy it and stay for the books and coffee!