Sins of the Damned, by Elena Lawson | Book Review

Hello and welcome back to Adele Is Reading.
Today on the blog, I have my book review of:

Sins of the Damned, by Elena Lawson.

Sins of the Damned is the second book in the Fallen Cities: Elisium series.

Trigger / Content Warnings: Sex, Torture, Death, Blood, Fighting.

I made a deal with a demon: my freedom in exchange for forty days at his side. Little did I know how much more I would be giving up.

My naivety? Definitely.

My sanity? Possibly.

My heart? Irrevocably.

Kincaid is cruel. Savage. A monster. I should hate him, but something inside of him whispers to the dark parts of me, bringing me back to life. So, when he says needs me, I owe it to him to try.

Two of the seven lords of Hell are dead, and I may be the only creature on this mortal coil able to reach them. But my power is drawing unwanted celestial attention, luring in new foes on all sides until it’s impossible to know who to trust.

Better the devil I know, than the ones I don’t.

Saved by Blood, by Sadie Moss | Book Review

Hello and welcome back to Adele Is Reading.
Today on the blog I have my book review of:

Saved by Blood, by Sadie Moss.

Saved by Blood is the first book in the The Vampire’s Fae series.

Trigger / Content Warnings: Fighting, Blood, Kidnapping (Main character wakes up in a room she doesn’t recognize, and tied to a bed she can’t escape from–scene is over quickly and she’s untied, and released), Skin-carving (from an assailant), Murder mention, Kidnapping mention.

They found me nearly dead. To save me, they had to turn me…
When I moved to New York after a bad divorce, I planned to re-invent myself… I just had no idea the ‘new me’ would be a vampire.

Or that the three (yes, three!) vampires who turned me would be the hottest, most frustrating men I’d ever met.

Now creepy shadow monsters are stalking me, and I don’t know why. But teaming up with these dangerously sexy brothers may be my best chance for survival, even though being around them does weird things to my heart.

The old me was too scared to even start dating again.

The new me?

She wants to devour all three of them.

This is the first book in The Vampires’ Fae Series, a medium-burn reverse harem story intended for ages 18+. This book contains strong language, sexual situations, and a heroine who doesn’t have to choose between her men.

From GoodReads [x]:

“REVERSE HAREM” IS, LITERALLY, THE OPPOSITE OF “HAREM”, WITH A GROUP OF MALES CENTERING ROUND A SINGULAR FEMALE, USUALLY WITH THREE OR MORE MALES. QUITE OFTEN FOUND UNDER THE ROMANCE GENRE.

Good start to the trilogy, though I believe that I am stopping my reading of The Vampire’s Fae series.

Woman of Blood and Bone, by Annie Anderson | Book Review

Hello hello! Welcome back to Adele Is Reading.
Today on the blog, I have my book review of:

Woman of Blood and Bone, by Annie Anderson.

Woman of Blood and Bone is the first book in the Rogue Ethereal series.

Trigger / Content Warnings: Murder mention, Blood mention, Stabbing, Stalking, mentions of domestic abuse (boyfriend to girlfriend), pregnancy, death.

Please note that I may have not recorded all of the possible triggers.

I was burned at the stake at fourteen…
I was drowned in a lake when I was twenty-four…
At twenty-seven, I was stoned in a public square…

I have died a hundred times in a hundred different ways, usually at the hands of the humans I’ve tried to save. But when a pregnant young woman finds her way into my tattoo shop with a demon on her tail, things go from bad to worse. Being a centuries-old witch isn’t going to help me – nothing will.

This time I might just die in a way that sticks… Permanently.

To be fairly honest with you, I didn’t put much thought into Woman of Blood and Bone prior to reading it. Actually, I don’t think I read the synopsis at all. My mind is all over the place with what I’ve read over the past few years, so I’m unable to remember if I’ve read anything else by Annie Anderson. I feel like I have, but I’m not sure. However, when I was reading Woman of Blood and Bone, the story gave me the feeling as if I was reading Anderson’s work for the very first time. So it works out either way.

Don’t Say My Name, by Lacy Carter-Anderson, & Helen Scott | Book Review

Hello hello! Welcome back. Today I have my book review of:

Don’t Say My Name, by Lacy Carter-Anderson, & Helen Scott

Don’t Say My Name is the first book in the Legends Unleashed series.

Link to Don’t Say My Name on Goodreads.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Pedophilia mention (& also a scene) (pedophile ends up murdered), Physical Abuse mention, Foster family abuse (Adult and Foster sibling towards a character). Adult Sex Scenes, Blood, Blood Mention, Murder, Murder mention, Spousal Abuse, Attempted Stabbing, Stabbing, Death.

Cover of Don’t Say My Name. A drawing of a woman with bright red hair is seen reaching through glass. Text in the same bright red colouring reads “Don’t Say My Name.”

Say my name…

They tell you I bring death and carnage. They believe I’m a curse, one that’s contagious.

But they’re wrong.

I was locked away for protecting the innocent. And while my name does bring violence and bloody destruction, it’s only to those whose very souls are corrupted by the violence and hatred they harbor within.

So say my name if you need my help. I’m Bloody Mary, and I promise I’m more than a legend; I’m a witch with the power to save you.

But when four sinfully sexy men make promises to free me from my prison, for the first time in my life, I need to trust someone else to save me. Because the dark powers that trapped me long ago aren’t about to let me go free, at least not without a fight.

DON’T SAY MY NAME is a paranormal reverse harem with a tough, sarcastic heroine, four unique supernatural men, and steamy scenes that will leave you breathless. So if you’re looking for something with a spooky edge and some humor that will leave your mouth watering, click to grab your copy.

From GoodReads [x]:

“REVERSE HAREM” IS, LITERALLY, THE OPPOSITE OF “HAREM”, WITH A GROUP OF MALES CENTERING ROUND A SINGULAR FEMALE, USUALLY WITH THREE OR MORE MALES. QUITE OFTEN FOUND UNDER THE ROMANCE GENRE

Puppy Love (Her Secret Menagerie, #1) by Katelyn Beckett | Book Review

Hello hello! It’s been a while! I actually schedule a lot all of my posts, so really I haven’t seen you guys since September. Should I do a little “catch-up” post? Separate from this book review of course :).

Today I’ve got my review of Puppy Love, by Katelyn Beckett.

Puppy Love is the first book in the Her Secret Menagerie series.

Trigger Warnings: Sex.
Unfortunately I didn’t write down any triggers from Puppy Love, so I can’t remember any specific triggers that may or may not have happened within PL.

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My passion in life? Saving animals. I’m the person they call when a cat has kittens under their shed or a stray dog shows up with no collar and tags. Be it dark or rain or foggy night, I’m there for friends of fur, scale, and feather alike.

I just never expected one of my rescue calls to be a werewolf pup.

Not like I knew it when I showed up, but something was definitely different about him. His snout was too round, his ears too pointed, and I’d thought he was a coydog; one of those dog-coyote mixes that showed up now and then.

That was before he bit me. And even an alpha pup can change an innocent mortal like me into a shapeshifting powerhouse.

Flung into a new world where submission might mean death and pack politics rule the secret supernatural society, I’m lost but not alone. With the pup’s father, Hudson, and his packmates leading me through this strange environment, I feel as though I could take on the world. They have everything I need; confidence, power, money. And I’m everything they could ever want.

But how do we come to terms with the fact that it feels as if we’ve always been together? As if we all belong as a group? I haven’t been on a date in years, now I have four gorgeous, rich werewolves chasing me.

What’s a girl to do?

This book is intended for mature audiences. Adults only. This is a fated mates reverse harem where the girl gets all the guys. Why choose if you don’t have to? Light M/M references included.

From GoodReads [x]:

“REVERSE HAREM” IS, LITERALLY, THE OPPOSITE OF “HAREM”, WITH A GROUP OF MALES CENTERING ROUND A SINGULAR FEMALE, USUALLY WITH THREE OR MORE MALES. QUITE OFTEN FOUND UNDER THE ROMANCE GENRE.

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Real Men Howl, by Celia Kyle, Marina Maddix | Book Review

Hello friends! Today I have my book review of

Real Men Howl, by Celia Kyle, and Marina Maddix!

Real Men Howl is the first book in the Real Men Shift series. 

Trigger Warnings: Animal Bites, Attempted Murder, Murder, Sex scenes.

Mason’s inner wolf will go crazy without her. Lucy thinks he’s already crazy. Werewolves aren’t real. Right?

Lucy Morgan left Ashtown, Georgia, ten years ago and planned to never return. Unfortunately, life didn’t get that memo. She’s back and now painful memories follow her everywhere. Until she meets him. Mason Blackwood is over six feet of sinfully gorgeous man who—for some reason—wants her. He also thinks he’s a werewolf so… yeah. He’s crazypants. But when he wants to have his wicked way with her, his sanity doesn’t seem all that important anymore.

Mason isn’t sure how much longer he can remain Alpha over the Blackwood pack. Without a mate to balance him, his wolf snatches more control every day. It won’t be long before he loses himself to the animal entirely. Then he meets Lucy—a sassy, curvaceous beauty who calms his beast with a smile. One sniff is enough to tell him she’s his mate, and nothing will keep them apart.

Not even the pack’s deadliest enemy who’s determined to kill Lucy before Mason can claim her.

We’re given two different view points, from two characters who are incredibly different from one another, yet hold the same values. 

Dragon Blood, by Linsey Hall | Book Review

Hello friends! Today I have my book review of

Dragon Blood, by Linsey Hall.

Dragon Blood is the second book in the Dragon’s Gift: The Sorceress series.

Trigger Warnings: Fighting, Blood, Murder.

A Race Against Time

There’s no rest for the wicked. Or for demon slayers. I’m both, so things have been busy. The sort of busy where I spend all my time trying not to get killed or discovered for what I really am—a Dragon Blood with the deadly power to create new magic.

When a mysterious bomb goes off in my town and my closest friends are turned to stone, it becomes a race against the clock to stop the demon who is still at large. Every six hours, another bomb takes out more people.

My only chance at catching the demon and reversing the spell is to team up with the too-sexy bounty hunter, Declan O’Shea. It’s nearly impossible to resist him, but I must. We’re natural born enemies, and if he discovers what I am, life as I know it would be over.

Dragon Blood is a fast-paced urban fantasy adventure starring a kick butt heroine, a powerful hero, and magic that will blow your socks off.

I didn’t particularly take any in-depth notes when I was reading Dragon Blood. So my review is going to be short and sweet….and probably make no sense.

[ARC] The Blacksmith Queen, by G.A. Aiken | ARC Book Review

Hello friends! Welcome back to my blog. This is my third post today, holy moly!

In this post I have my ARC Book Review of

The Blacksmith Queen, by G.A. Aiken.

The Blacksmith Queen is the first book in The Scarred Earth Saga. 

Trigger Warnings: Blood, Fighting, Murder, Gore, Abuse, Stabbing, Sex.

A huge Thank You to Kensington Books, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read The Blacksmith Queen by G.A. Aiken in exchange for an honest review.
This in no way has impacted my review. 

When a prophesy brings war to the Land of the Black Hills, Keeley Smythe must join forces with a clan of mountain warriors who are really centaurs in a thrilling new fantasy romance series from New York Times bestselling author G.A. Aiken. 

The Old King Is Dead

With the demise of the Old King, there’s a prophesy that a queen will ascend to the throne of the Black Hills. Bad news for the king’s sons, who are prepared to defend their birthright against all comers. But for blacksmith Keeley Smythe, war is great for business. Until it looks like the chosen queen will be Beatrix, her younger sister. Now it’s all Keeley can do to protect her family from the enraged royals.

Luckily, Keeley doesn’t have to fight alone. Because thundering to her aid comes a clan of kilt-wearing mountain warriors called the Amichai. Not the most socially adept group, but soldiers have never bothered Keeley, and rough, gruff Caid, actually seems to respect her. A good thing because the fierce warrior will be by her side for a much longer ride than any prophesy ever envisioned …

Publication Date: August 27, 2019.

The Blacksmith Queen is a book I wanted to try on a whim. I knew that there was a chance that I would end up enjoying The Blacksmith Queen (TBQ), so I really didn’t hold TBQ to any standard of mine. 

To say something to start off my review for The Blacksmith Queen…G.A. Aiken didn’t hold anything back. So if you were to read The Blacksmith Queen, you can expect fighting, blood, gore, murder, abuse, stabbings, sex…..and so much more.

Demon Slayer, by Linsey Hall | Book Review

Hello friends! Today I’ve got my book review of

Demon Slayer, by Linsey Hall.

Demon Slayer is the first book in the Dragon’s Gift: The Sorceress series.

Trigger Warnings: Fighting, Blood mention, Blood, Self-Harm mention.

Got a demon that needs killing? I’m your girl.

On paper, I’m a Blood Sorceress. I can whip up the spells of your dreams. It’s a legal occupation–barely–but mostly a cover.

My real job is protecting my city from the monsters of the Dark Realms. I’m the resident demon slayer, and occasionally those suckers escape. Then it’s up to me. I’ve even got a side hustle using their blood for my sorcery biz. It’s gruesome, but that’s life.

Things get complicated when I start clashing with a sexy AF bounty hunter. His name’s Declan, and we’re after the same necromancer. Bounty hunters are my enemy, and his stupidly hot body keeps getting in my way.

The only way to save the city is to team up with Declan. I have two goals: don’t kill him & don’t screw him. Both easier said than done, since self control isn’t really my thing. But it’s a race against time to catch the demon, and there’s no way in hell I’ll fail at that.

Demon Slayer is a fast-paced urban fantasy adventure starring a kick butt heroine, a powerful hero, and magic that will blow your socks off.

Aeri’s story is go-go-go right from the start, and let me tell you friend, Demon Slayer IS SO ENTERTAINING. The fact that this book has a fast story, only made my reading experience even faster. Seriously–I managed to read this one in a few hours. 

Hunting Darkness, by Savannah Rose | Book Review

Hello friends! Today I have my book review of

Hunting Darkness, by Savannah Rose.

Hunting Darkness is the first book in the Demon Hunter series. 

Trigger Warnings: Fighting, Murder, Sex Scenes

There’s only one word to describe the devil’s kiss.
Violent.

There’s only one word to describe a hunter who locks lips with the most revered, most feared, and most despicable demon to have ever existed.
Traitor.

A hunter and the Devil. It’s not just an unlikely pair. It’s an impossible one. Add his two henchmen to the mix and there’s only one word that spells.
Disaster.

I am Melody Black. Daughter of the New York Guild’s leader. Daughter of the best hunter to have ever existed. But daddy dearest is about to lose his title. He’s conquered a lot, but the one thing he has never done is come face to face with Lucifer himself. Now, here I am, standing with the King of Demons, sword palmed, stance perfected.

There is only one thing left to do.
Defeat him.

There is only one feeling meant to be felt.
Rage.

Instead, desire rips through my body, and even though Lucifer doesn’t touch me, I can feel him everywhere.

I am the hunter, but I am also the hunted.

And it’s not just Lucifer who has his dark eyes fixated on me.

Hunting Darkness is a #whychoose demons and devils paranormal romance, featuring your favorite demon, Lucifer and his devilish henchmen. Oh, and of course, the queen of all strong female leads and renowned demon hunter, Melody Black. No cheating. No cliff hangers. And even with the dark paranormal romance elements, you’ll still get your HEA.

From GoodReads [x]:

“REVERSE HAREM” IS, LITERALLY, THE OPPOSITE OF “HAREM”, WITH A GROUP OF MALES CENTERING ROUND A SINGULAR FEMALE, USUALLY WITH THREE OR MORE MALES. QUITE OFTEN FOUND UNDER THE ROMANCE GENRE.

Hunting Darkness is a Urban Fantasy novel, that takes place in New York, with Reverse Harem elements. I didn’t think that I’d end up enjoying Hunting Darkness, but…