The Soulbinding Chronicles by EJ Lindell (Fantasy)

The Soulbinding Chronicles by EJ Lindell

I had the privilege of being selected as an ARC reader for the talented EJ Lindell's "Soulbinding Chronicles." The series has been absolutely amazing and I can't wait for the release of Book 5!

Book 1: Through Mists of Time

EJ Lindell's "Through Mist of Time" is an enchanting start to the Soulbinding Chronicles. The story follows Annika, a small town-girl from Manitoba, who uncovers her true identity during a trip to Scotland. A mysterious book transports her to the magical land of Tir Siorghlas, where she rediscovers a powerful past life and an enduring love. 

As Annika navigates her newfound heritage, she faces a dark force threatening everything she loves. Wit vivid world- building and compelling characters, this tale of self-discovery, love, and destiny is a must-read for fantasy and romance enthusiasts. 

" A single touch from a handsome stranger ignites a connection that transcends time, whispering of love lost and a bond that must be rekindled."

Book 2: Through Light and Whispers. 

The story follows Elara, who escapes from Lord Blackwood's dungeon with her childhood love, Silvan. As she battles whispers of vengeance, Elara explores her magical connection with Silvan and the possibility of love. 

This book beautifully blends elements of magic, romance, and destiny, making it a captivating read for fans of fantasy and love stories. Lindell's vivid world-building and compelling character development keeps readers engaged and invested in Elara's journey. 

"Through Light and Whispers is filled with unexpected twists and moments of suspense. One of the most gripping twists is when Elara, who is help captive by Lord Blackwell, discovers a shocking truth about her past that changes everything she thought she knew. 

Book 3: Through Dusk and Fates

The third installment of EJ Lindell's Soulbinding Chronicles continues the epic journey in the land of Tir Siorghlas. the peace of Tir Siorghlas is disrupted by an ancient darkness. A hidden prophecy reveals that a dragon and a heart bond are crucial to defeating this threat, but this revelation comes at a high cost, straining the love between Elara and Silvan. 

This book also follows Sarya, who struggles with new responsibilities and emotional scars of past betrayals, wile Carwyn, who has long loved Sarya, finally sees a chance for happiness with her and Puck. However, a chilling truth threatens to plunge him into darkness. 

Lindell masterfully crafts complex characters whose personal struggles and relationships deeply resonated with me. 

Book 4: Through Sorrow and Embers

This book continues the enthralling saga if Tir Siorghlas with a blend of action, deep emotional struggles and intricate character development. This installment brings Elara's journey to new heights, filled with deep sorrow and unwavering hope. 

Carwyn is faced with the daunting challenge of protecting his love ones while grappling with the dark legacy of his father's blood pact. 

We are also introduced to new characters, Hagen and Perdita, who have an instant dislike to each other that evolves into a compelling relationship with full of banter. 

Lindell's writing shines with complex themes of love, sacrifice and destiny. This book's pacing kept me on the edge of my seat and was a satisfying continuation, filled with romance and suspense. 

This series includes some content that readers might find intense or triggering. 

- Violence and Battle Scenes

- Captivity and Torture

- Emotional Trauma

- Romantic and Sexual Content. 

These elements contribute to the depth and intensity of the story.

November ARCS Week 1

 Dark Love (Sweet Atonement) by Rora Noir

As a long time fan of this Author, I was thrilled to dive into this book, and it exceeded my expectations. I devoured all 600 pages in a single day! The main characters, Vex and Dahlia, are mesmerizing- Vex is morally grey and a dangerously intelligent smooth- talker, while Dahlia is his complete opposite. Their dynamic is electric and keeps you hooked. '

The book masterfully unravels the mysterious backgrounds of the characters, making it impossible to put it down. This story squarely falls into the dark romance category, with themes such as trafficking and kidnapping, so be sure to check your trigger warnings before diving in. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a thrilling and intense read. 

House of Blight (The Threadmender Chronicles, #1) by Maxym M. Martineau

I was initially drawn to this book by it's captivating cover, and it did not disappoint! This novel is the epitome of Gothic Romantasy! This story revolves around our FMC, Edina, a Threadmender who has the rare ability to heal others but at the cost of her own life. Each healing takes a toll on her, and after being discovered by Orin, the head of a powerful immortal family, she is forced into a deal with him.

This book is filled with twists and turns, eerie and sometimes creepy moments that kept me on the edge of my seat. The descriptions are so vivid, especially the scenes involving "the blight", that I sometimes found myself cringing at how gross it was. 

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good Gothic Romantasy. I would definitely buy this book and look forward to reading more from this talented author!

October ARCs : Dark Romance

 

‼️Always check your trigger warnings going into a lot of books that I post. Most Dark Romances are Morally Gray or Black men. They have no redeemable qualities, they are who they are and they’re not changing for anyone. ‼️

Sinful Shadows by Jade Wilkes

Sinful Shadows by Jade Wilkes is a quick, fast-paced read that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The story centers around Hilly, a woman with a past of substance abuse who's been sober for some time, and Damon, the intriguing son of her mother’s new boyfriend, Richard. Hilly’s anticipation of Damon being closed off and mysterious is quickly proven wrong. The dynamic between them is filled with teasing and playful tension, making their interactions both entertaining and compelling.

One particularly memorable scene involves a hilarious family outing to a pumpkin patch, where everyone ends up slipping and falling in the mud. This light-hearted moment adds a touch of humor to the story.

As the plot unfolds, we learn that Richard owns a dating app that Hilly uses, and Damon has been “stalking” her by hacking her account for months. The mutual attraction between Hilly and Damon is palpable, but while Hilly considers her past to be dark, it’s nothing compared to Damon’s. His obsession with Hilly makes him dangerous to those around him. The climax at the Wickedly Halloween party is intense, as they finally give in to their desires.

Jade Wilkes' writing is vivid, allowing readers to picture every scene clearly. The fast-paced narrative doesn’t feel rushed, making it an enjoyable read. Sinful Shadows is a highly recommended book for those looking for a thrilling and steamy romance.

https://a.co/d/i1y1peq

Waters Edge by Ash Redd 

I couldn't contain my excitement when I received Water’s Edge by Ash Redd for review. This dark paranormal romance, infused with Appalachian folklore, swept me off my feet and kept me hooked till the very last page. The narrative truly came alive in my head, partly because I read parts of it in the voice of that eerie TikTok lady who warns you about venturing outside at night.

Our main character, Mattie, is quite the unconventional protagonist—a serial unaliver with an obsession with a pond near her home, where she sinks her victims. The story takes a thrilling turn when she catches the attention of Ripp, a dark, nightmare-inducing being who feeds on human souls. Ripp’s unprecedented attraction to Mattie leads him to shapeshift into a human form to get closer to her.

Their dynamic is electrifying. Mattie, initially annoyed by Ripp's arrogant attitude, decides she’s going to unalive him, making for some tense and gripping interactions. The ambiguity of Ripp’s intentions—whether he’s attracted to her or simply wants to devour her—adds an extra layer of intrigue. Their constant jockeying for the upper hand kept me on the edge of my seat, and I loved seeing them outmaneuver each other.

Overall, this was a fantastic read that I devoured in a day. Ash Redd has crafted a vivid, atmospheric tale that combines romance and horror in a truly unique way. Highly recommended for fans of dark, twisted love stories with a touch of folklore.

This book releases on November 11th, I will update with the link when available!

October ARC Reviews: DARK

 Erotic Horror Book Reviews

Hollow Nights by AB. Cynthe

Before diving into this book, please remember that it is very dark with several trigger warnings. “Hollow Nights” by AB Cynthe is NOT a dark romance; it is Erotic Horror, and the two are completely different. This gripping tale follows Libra, who suffers from sleep paralysis and is tormented by a demon every night. Little does she know, her Sleep Demon, Axelle, is real and bound to her, following her everywhere. When Axelle murders a man to protect his “flesh bag,” the consequences allow Libra to see him. Initially, Libra cannot stand Axelle and wants him to go away, but she slowly finds herself lusting after him. This book is a rollercoaster of dark desires and twisted fates that will leave you breathless.

I was genuinely impressed with this book. As the second novel I’ve ventured into within this genre, it kept me continuously guessing, blushing, and shaking my head. I’m definitely grabbing the signed book and art from the Authors website.

https://a.co/d/960et1n

Eternity of Horror by Nowhere Eternity

Recently finished “Eternity of Horror” and my first thought was WHAT DID I READ!! This book made me laugh but also turned my stomach. While it was an interesting read, I know this is not a genre that I will read again. The authors choice to use a pseudonym makes perfect sense, given the depravity of certain themes. Even seasoned readers of EH (Erotic Horror) will find themselves cringing.

This story follows two dark souls who discover a mutual attraction. Lillith the FMC, is truely disgusting in the way that she cares for the male corpses in the morgue. Osiris, is a serial killer who murders his victims in the most brutal ways.

Seriously, read the trigger warnings before diving into this book.

https://a.co/d/avWDbkK

Summoned by Shae Ruby

I recently received an ARC of “Summoned” by Shae Ruby. Halloween night is usually filled with fun, but for Jeremiah and his friends, it becomes a nightmare when they make the fatal mistake of playing with an Ouija board and forgetting to say goodbye. One by one, they are picked off by a vengeful demon. Jeremiah finds solace in his roommate Sam, gradually realizing his bisexuality and his attraction to a man. However, he has no idea that Sam isn’t who he seems to be.

“Summoned” was my second MM romance, and it was a good read. The paranormal elements added a great twist, and the scenes weren’t too gory, keeping the focus on the story. The ending was satisfying in an unconventional HEA. 

https://a.co/d/ah91S9d

Book Blog Update

It’s been awhile since I posted a book review. Unfortunately, we received devastating news on Monday and I just haven’t had the heart.

I happily received several ARCs for the month of October. When I went to write this, I had the intention of doing them all but quickly had to backtrack. Due to some of these being extremely graphic, I will be separating them so that they’re not all grouped in together.

This way I can review without judgment and that when you are reading these you know which one are safe to read and which are not.

I appreciate all my viewers and those that support my book blog.

October ARC Reviews (Advanced Reader Copy)

Title: Enchanting October Reads 

A Review of Upcoming Halloween-themed Books

October has been a delightful month for me as a book blogger. I’ve been fortunate enough to receive a few Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs)—a pre-release version of a book given out to generate buzz and reviews. This month, I’m diving into some spine-chilling, Halloween-themed reads. I'll be sharing my thoughts on three books this week and three next week, all set to be released this month by incredibly talented authors.

Ready or Not by Alina May

In her quest to find her missing friend, the socially awkward Rachel finds herself with zero leads. To honor her friend’s memory, she decides to follow through on their original plan: walking through the local haunted corn maze. Unbeknownst to her, this seemingly innocent journey catches the attention of psychopathic step-siblings Riley and Manson. Caught in the middle of their twisted games, Rachel becomes their unwilling pawn as they each try to outdo the other in claiming her. Forced to play their hide-and-seek games—despite being a terrible hider—Rachel’s ordeal becomes a nightmarish struggle for survival.

My Thoughts : I was thoroughly captivated by this book—it kept me on my toes the whole time. I initially believed Riley was a fictional character (not sure why), but that twist caught me by surprise. Although this theme/trope isn't typically my go-to, I found myself enjoying it immensely. In fact, I loved it so much that I even bought a signed edition from Alina May. 

You can snag "Ready or Not" for free on Kindle Unlimited.

Ready or Not by Jenn Plummer

Set in the quaint town of Aspen Ridge, this Halloween novella introduces us to Wes Draven, a private investigator. While stopping by the local coffee shop, he unexpectedly encounters his son's ex-girlfriend, Lilith. Wes has always been drawn to her, sensing there's more to her than meets the eye. As Halloween approaches, a night when Lilith lets her true self emerge, Wes plans to seize the moment. Will he win her over? You'll have to read to find out.

My Thoughts: I'll admit, I was a bit hesitant to dive into this book due to the age-gap romance theme, which usually isn't my cup of tea. However, Jenn Plummer's masterful storytelling quickly won me over, and she's now firmly on my list of favorite authors. This novella skillfully weaves together multiple tropes, with Wes Draven epitomizing the dominant bad boy archetype. The narrative had me hooked from the first page, and I devoured it within a few hours. My only quibble is that it's a novella rather than a full-length novel—I simply wanted more time with these compelling characters and the atmospheric, small-town Halloween setting.

You can grab a copy of this Halloween novella for free on Kindle Unlimited or purchase the paperback edition!

Wicked Obsidian by Mortala's

In this spine-chilling Halloween novella, we follow Bella as she moves away from her overbearing parents, seeking freedom and solace. Haunted by thoughts of her ex-foster brother, Rico Hades, who vanished without a trace, Bella's determination to break free intensifies. On Halloween night, a mysterious invitation to an exclusive haunted house arrives, promising to exploit her deepest fears.

Unbeknownst to Bella, this haunted house is a living nightmare created solely for her torment. Rico has meticulously transformed the house into a personal hell, turning each room into a trap designed to ensnare her. No matter how desperately she tries to escape, Bella finds herself ensnared in Rico's twisted game, with no way out.

My Thoughts: This book was a whirlwind of danger, thrill, and sheer madness. Never before have I encountered a story quite like this—each page was an intense, exhilarating ride that left me questioning everything. Mortala’s extraordinary writing had my adrenaline pumping, making me feel as though I was right beside Bella, enduring every twisted moment with her. The over 50 trigger warnings are woven seamlessly into the narrative, enhancing the dark, depraved tale of love without a trace of romance. I wholeheartedly recommend this book, but let me stress: this is not a dark romance. It’s a deep dive into a version of love that is profoundly dark and utterly consuming.

EST. OCTOBER 31ST KINDLE AND PAPERBACK RELEASE

Stay tuned as I review three more hauntingly good ARCs next week. Each book brings a unique flavor to the Halloween season, and I’m excited to share my thoughts with you all.

Glint: Raven Kennedy: Plated Prisoner: Book 2

 

GILD BY RAVEN KENNEDY

Prepare to be swept away into a world where magic and reality intertwine, as Raven Kennedy’s ‘Glint’ takes you on an unforgettable journey of discovery and resilience.

Blurb: 

For ten years, I've lived in a gilded cage inside inside King Midas's golden castle. But one night changed everything. Now I'm here, a prisoner in Fourth Kingdom's army, and I'm not sure if I am going to make it out of this in one piece. They're marching to battle, and I'm the bargaining chip that will either douse the fire or spark a war. At the heart of my fear, my worry, there's him-- Commander Rip. Known for this brutality on the battlefield, his viciousness is matched only by his unexpected compassion. As the lines between friend and foe blur, I must navigate a treacherous path to find my freedom and discover who I truly am.

Book Review
“Glint” by Raven Kennedy is a captivating continuation of Auren’s journey, a character who truly comes into her own in this installment. As Auren navigates a world that constantly tries to define her, she finds her strength and identity amidst the chaos, making her journey deeply inspiring.

One of the standout aspects of “Glint” is the unexpected plot twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Just when you think you have the story figured out, Raven Kennedy throws in a twist that changes everything, making for a thrilling and heart-pounding read.

The relationships between characters add significant depth and tension to the narrative. The dynamic between Auren and other key players, especially Commander Rip, is particularly compelling, showcasing a range of emotions and complexities that enrich the story and tug at your heartstrings.

Raven Kennedy masterfully crafts a world in “Glint” that is as enchanting as it is tangible, blending the fantastical with the real. Her characters, with their flaws and relatable struggles, draw you in and keep you hooked. “Glint” transcends the boundaries of a typical fantasy tale, delving deep into themes of freedom, identity, and resilience. As secrets unravel and hidden truths come to light, the story takes on an air of mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end, making it a profound and emotionally compelling read.

With its unforgettable characters and masterful storytelling, “Glint” is a shining gem in the realm of fantasy literature that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment, especially since Raven Kennedy is renowned for her cliffhangers that leave you open-mouthed and begging for more.




“Sometimes,” he murmurs, “things need first to be ruined in order to then be remade.”


― Raven Kennedy, Glint