September 2019 In Review:

Hey my loves

We are once again finishing out a month of reading with a bang. This weekend I was seriously ill but between sleeping and coughing up my lungs I managed to bust out three books. I'm so excited about my reading this month and I can't wait to share my reviews with you.

Yearly Goal: 150   Monthly Count:  11  Balance: 34

Book Hauls:

Amazon Pre-orders It was too short to make a video since it was two books but I still wanted to share.

Harlequin Labor Day Sale Part 1

Of Course, I couldn't just buy 1 set of books I bought two:

Part Two Harlequin Labor Day Sale:

Reviews on the Blog This Month:

A Deep Dark Secret by Kimberla Lawson Roby

Copycat by Kimberla Lawson Roby

Promise of Darkness by Bec McMasters

Books Read This Month: 

1. A Prince on Paper (Reluctant Royals 3)by Alyssa Cole 
2. Black Tie Billionaire (Blackout 2) by Naima Simone
3. Sleep with the Lights On (Brown & De Luca 1)by Maggie Shayne
4. Dream of Danger (Brown & De Luca 1.5)by Maggie Shayne
5. Innocent Prey (Brown & De Luca 2)by Maggie Shayne
6. Deadly Obsession (Brown & De Luca 3)by Maggie Shayne
7. Dark Illusion (Carpathian Series 29) by Christine Feehan
8. Shadow Blade (Shadowchaser 1) by Seressia Glass
9. Shadow Chase (Shadowchaser 2) by Seressia Glass
10. Shadow Fall (Shadowchaser 3)by Seressia Glass
11. Promise of Darkness (Dark Court Rising 1) by Bec McMasters 

Book Reviews To Look Forward to Next Month:

1. A Prince on Paper (Reluctant Royals 3)by Alyssa Cole 
2. Black Tie Billionaire (Blackout 2) by Naima Simone
3. Sleep with the Lights On (Brown & De Luca 1)by Maggie Shayne
4. Dream of Danger (Brown & De Luca 1.5)by Maggie Shayne
5. Innocent Prey (Brown & De Luca 2)by Maggie Shayne
6. Deadly Obsession (Brown & De Luca 3)by Maggie Shayne
7. Dark Illusion (Carpathian Series 29) by Christine Feehan
8. Shadow Blade (Shadowchaser 1) by Seressia Glass
9. Shadow Chase (Shadowchaser 2) by Seressia Glass
10. Shadow Fall (Shadowchaser 3)by Seressia Glass

I had a fantastic reading month with mostly four star reads and I can't wait to share all I have upcoming in the next few weeks. If I disappear for a little it's because I'm moving and trying to get all settled in.

Let me know if you have read any of these or want to do any buddy reads with my newest hauls and I will see in the next one my loves. I hope your month was great as well, share what your triumphs were, any fails, any DNFs?? Comment down below and let's commiserate together. 

As always

Love, Light and Happy Reading my loves, 

ARC Book #Review: Promise of Darkness by Bec McMasters .@InkSlingerPR .@BecMcMaster

Book Title: Promise of Darkness (Dark Court Rising 1)
Author:  Bec McMasters |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram | Pinterest

Publisher: Lochaber Press
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 1
Format: ebook

Cost: $4.99

Pages: 400

How I got it: ARC From Blog Tour 

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books
Publication Date: September 19, 2019
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Princess. Tribute. Sacrifice. Is she the one prophesied to unite two warring Fae courts? Or the one bound to destroy them?
In a realm ruled by magic, the ruthless Queen of Thorns is determined to destroy her nemesis, the cursed Prince of Evernight.

With war brewing between the bitter enemies, the prince forces Queen Adaia to uphold an ancient treaty: she will send one of her daughters to his court as a political hostage for three months.

The queen insists it’s the perfect opportunity for Princess Iskvien to end the war before it begins. But one look into Thiago’s smoldering eyes and Vi knows she’s no assassin.

The more secrets she uncovers about the prince and his court, the more she begins to question her mother’s motives.

Who is the true enemy? The dark prince who threatens her heart? Or the ruthless queen who will stop at nothing to destroy him?

And when the curse threatens to shatter both courts, is her heart strong enough to break it?

A fairytale twist inspired by the Hades and Persephone myth.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I went into this knowing only that it was a Persephone and Hades retelling. I literally knew nothing else and didn't need to know, I dived into the 400-page story and finished it in two days. I absolutely enjoyed this story but now the curse of the ARC is on me, now I have to wait a whole year before the next one comes out. waaahhhhh

There are so many good reasons to fall in love with this story, as a follower of the Druidic path, all the Celtic myths are my jam, so reading a story that pulls the Fae, Unseelie court and Hades and Persephone together??? Yasss let me have it all. I loved the blend of the information about the Old Ones (both in the story and the real Celtic Gods)  the way between the different Courts and the personal stories that we are learning as we go along.

I really enjoyed the twist on the story with Vi & Thiago. As the story advances, we learn about who she is to Thiago the same way the character does (while I guessed a few chapters ahead of the full reveal, I wasn't sure how it would all play out and I certainly didn't guess that twist). I can certainly say that while some aspects of the Greek myth are in the story, the Queen is no Demeter. With the Courts going to war and the Alliance threatened to keep peace Princess Vi is sent to the Evernight Court with King Thiago and there she begins to learn there is more to this treaty than her mother told her.

Enemies are gathering and the Old Gods are stirring, a prophecy about the destruction of the Courts is being banded about and someone wants to break the treaty. With no friends in her own Court and being behind enemy lines who can she trust?? And are the glimpses she sees with Thiago real?? Or is he like many of the others attempting to get to her mother through her??

There are so many good threads and characters within this novel. I loved the progression of the story between Vi and Thiago, even when she had a few stupid moments, all because she she didn't believe in them but yeah I totally get her reasoning. I can't wait to see what happens with the Prince of Tides, with the brewing war, the betrayal and how that will impact the Courts, and what happens with the Old Ones.  I can't wait for us to learn more about the cast of characters around Vi, including Eris and what her full story is, I can't wait for it all to be in my hands. But we have to wait until 2020. UGh.

I highly recommend my love, it was a wonderful rump through the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. Falling in love and being betrayed, learning to be strong and I enjoyed every second of it.

 ★★★★1/2☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Book Recommendation: Persephone Retellings 

Happy Reading my loves, 

Stacking The Shelves (2019) #23: Harlequin Labor Day Sale Part 2

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! If you want to find out more about Stacking The Shelves, please visit the official launch page! Stacking The Shelves now has a new host and check out that new image!!

It's another haul from the Hrkequin Labor Day Sale. This box took a little bit longer getting here and of course, there was one book damaged but all in all a good haul: Let's take a look at what I got:

I snagged a few by authors I knew and loved and a few new to me authors as well:

Rochelle Alers "This Time for Keeps"

Heather Graham "Tangled Threat"

Reese Ryan's "Engaging the Enemy"

Jules Bennett "California Secrets"

Lindsay Evans & Kayla Perrin " The CEO's Dilemma & Undeniable Passion"

Kianna Alexander & Joy Avery " Then Came You & Written with Love"

Sheryl Lister & Elle Wright " Spark of Desire & All For You"

And that's all I got this week. I'm looking forward to all the different romances I'll be diving into soon. What'd you get in your haul this week?? Share in the comments down below and I'll see you next week.

Happy Reading & Haulin' my loves

Stacking The Shelves (2019) #22: Harlequin Sale .@HarlequinBooks

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! If you want to find out more about Stacking The Shelves, please visit the official launch page! Stacking The Shelves now has a new host and check out that new image!!

Harlequin had a sale recently and I decided to snag a few things that were on sale. I grabbed a few new to me authors and one of my faves:

American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera. I saw the author and her author friend gushing about the book and wanted to know what they were talking about so I grabbed this one.

Seduced by Second Chances Reese Ryan. All of my favorite romance peeps have been recently raving about her and her works so I snagged a few titles from her recently including these two.

His Until Midnight  Reese Ryan

Twins for the Soldier by Rochelle Alers. I love Rochelle's stories, plus an instant family trope?? Girl sign me up.

Black Tie Billionaire  by Naima Simone  This is also the book of the month for Romanced by the Book Instagram page.  It's the second book in her Blackout Series and let me explain to you how much I loved LOVED the first one so of course, I bought the second.

I have ordered more but am waiting for those to be delivered, but in the meantime, I thought I would share these. Have you read any of these?? What'd you get in your haul this week?? Share in the comments down below and I'll see you next week.

Happy Reading & Haulin' my loves

Stacking The Shelves (2019) #21 September Pre-Orders Are Rolling In

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! If you want to find out more about Stacking The Shelves, please visit the official launch page! Stacking The Shelves now has a new host and check out that new image!!

Hi my loves,

I only got two books this week. These were pre-orders for September. 

Dark Illusion (Carpathian 29) by Christine Feehan

Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika Moulite & Maritza Moulite. This a YA story about Haitian immigrants and I can't wait to read it. 

I don't know much about either stories, I know I love the look of the Haiti book and it's not often that you see books about Haiti so I pre-ordered. The Christine Feehan book was a given because y'all know I'm obsessed with this series.  What'd you get in your haul this week?? Share in the comments down below and I'll see you next week.

Happy Reading & Haulin' my loves

Book #Review: Copycat by Kimberla Lawson Roby

Book Title: Copycat
Author: Kimberla L Roby |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram

Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Christian Fiction
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: Hardcover, Paperback

Cost: $19.99

Pages: 172

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Publication Date: 01/31/2017
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author who "writes with high-octane levels of emotion" (USA Today).

Befriending Traci Calloway Cole is the best thing Simone Phillips has ever done. Traci is the kind of woman Simone wants to be-in every way possible. She begins copying her role model. Not because she wants to be Traci. She just wants to be exactly like Traci.

Traci doesn't worry, though. She knows Simone doesn't mean any harm and that her mimicry is only sincere admiration. Until she discovers how far Simone's obsession has gone. It is then that Simone's entire world begins unraveling, and dreadful secrets from her past are exposed with no warning. Secrets that she'll do almost anything to protect.

I went into Copycat right after reading A Deep Dark Secret (Review) and I was excited to see what this one was going to be about.

Copycat is a fun, wild ride that shared the story of Simone and Traci. Traci is super successful writer with a great heart, she’s from a good family and wants to make friends with another author from her town. She meets Simone while at the hair salon and they connect. Once Simone realizes Traci is as nice as she seems in her interviews she decides to ask for her advice about becoming an author. She's got a manuscript written but she doesn't know where to go from here. 

Traci is receptive and decides to share the advice she wishes she’d been given when she first started so she could have avoided some of her mistakes. In building the friendship with Simone she won’t be alone as an author anymore in her home town.  Once Simone realizes that Traci is as success full as she is because of who she is as a person Simone decides she needs to be just like that to become successful too. But instead of being a genuine her, she decides to be a second Traci and then the story goes off the rails.

As the story progresses Simone increases the instances in which she copies Traci, form dinner choices to clothing choices. Her partner begins to get annoyed at the changes he’s seeing and asking more questions than she’s comfortable with and as the story progresses her decisions begin to have real implications for her. There are also many times in which she could have pulled back and my gods she ignored them all.  We eventually do learn Simone’s motivations for being anyone but herself and that helps to humanize her even as you are yelling at her to get it together. I especially loved that when she went to church God literally had the words set up for her and she just couldn’t hear it.  Anything that began to challenge her new world view was studiously ignored.

There are moments I expected the story to become a bit of a thriller as Simone’s behavior escalates, particularly with someone she considers in her way. And in real life when these obsessions get to be like this they tend to hurt the person who they are obsessed with as that person can never live up to the ‘perfect’ version of themselves that the copycat believes them to be. And I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how it was all going to shake down. Listen when that final scene happens??? I cannot get over how it went down. We love to talk about vengeful women but petty men?? Girl…

I really enjoyed the read. And can recommend it if you’re looking for a quick read. 

I did have a few small issues and these maybe personal reading preferences so take it with a  grain of salt.  I noticed that when the book started the way it was being told was shared in a bit of ‘tell’ instead of showing me manner, eventually this gets dropped but if you’re not hooked by then you might end up putting the book down.  The tone of the book wasn’t really that of a book written for adults at first, it felt like something that a young reader could pick up and understand and that might be off-putting to some. Just know that changes as the book advances and we get a better narration style as the story progresses. 

One of the things I can say about Kimberla is in her writing she has always been pro-therapy, be it spiritual therapy in advancing your walk with God or actual psychotherapy. And especially in this case she shared about why Simone needed it. I loved the lessons shared as well that both women needed to learn.

I highly recommend for those looking for a good quick read. Enjoy my loves

 ★★★★☆

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: A Deep Dark Secret by Kimberla Lawson Roby .@KimberlaLRoby

Book Title: A Deep Dark Secret
Author:  Kimberla L Roby |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram

Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Christian Fiction
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: Hardcover, Paperback

Cost: $19.99

Pages: 179

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound
Publication Date:  Sept 29, 2009
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Kimberla Lawson Roby explores the consequences of a life-altering family trauma in A Deep Dark Secret, tackling controversy with the same storytelling brio and startling insight into human nature that made her previous books New York Times bestsellers. Leaving behind the world of philandering preacher Curtis Black and his family—featured in her acclaimed novels Too Much of a Good Thing, Love and Lies, Sin No More, and The Best of Everything—Roby enters the life of a little girl hiding A Deep Dark Secret and gets to the troubling root of an all too prevalent societal and family issue. Both groundbreaking and ultimately hopeful, this coming-of-age story is powerful, brave, and unforgettable.

****Trigger Warning for those who are sensitive to books about child abuse, sexual abuse, rape and suicide.******

I went into this book like normal, completely oblivious to the synopsis and my gawd I needed that warning. The first time I tried to read this I had to put it down because I couldn't make it past the first chapter I wasn't ready. Now two years later I [icked it up and flew through the book. It's short read but it's devastating in its content.

Told from the perspective of a young girl who is being sexually abused starting at age five until age twelve when the abuse escalates and she begins to try to find ways to end it. I was so devastated reading this because 1) you know it's true for some children who are abused. The stats here in America is 1 in every 4 girls and 1 in every 8 boys have been abused * and that is severely under-reported* 2) the manipulation described was spot on and oh gawd I just wanted to rescue her and keep her safe.

I became so emotionally invested in this story, the young girls struggle to find her way to safety, to not just leave it all behind, her desperation when she realizes there is another possible victim close by. Just the reality of her journey and the devastation one person is causing in her life. Reading how she reacts and how her friend is reacting to her journey as well, a friend who is 'boy crazy' and what she's willing to do to have someone love her.  Consent was also discussed in this book as the protagonist began to explore being a pre-teen who wants to feel something for the cute boy in her class.

I'm so glad that Kimberla wrote this because it's a book every single black mother needs to read, it's a book that needs to be in the church, it needs to be given to students in school so they can read the story and see the manipulation and how it worked to silence her for so long.  I need teachers to read this and see what the signs are.  There were so many who should have seen something was wrong but no one dug deep enough, no one asked the right questions and these girls were left to fend for themselves.

The ending was great, I loved that we saw the two varied reactions to the truth coming out.  I'm glad we got to see how those closest to the survivor acted, and how they have changed by telling their truth.  It's a necessary read and I just felt all the emotions reading this.

 ★★★★★

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Speak by Laurie Halse Andersen
• Live Through This by Mindi Scott

Happy Reading my loves, 

September 2019 To Be Read

Hey my loves, with Fall coming I love looking back at the year and seeing how I have done so far, this year I decided to look back at previous Septembers and seeing how my numbers look.

I have been going back over the past few years worth of tbr videos & lists shared here on the blog.  I decided I wanted to look at the books and prompts that I missed and see what I can add on my tbr for this year.What i found is I have missed 43 prompts in the last few years and 44 actual book titles that I shared. This year I wanted to grab a few books from these prompts and lists for this years reading lists.

My goal this year is 150  books, if I break that down it comes out to 13 books per month, with 3 to 4  books a week. Totally doable in my books, so as the proverb says, you can eat an elephant one bite at a time, so here are my first few bites:

Read So Far This Year: 105

TBR Pile 150

TBR Balance: 45
Monthly Goal: 13

Perpetual Author Challenge:

• Brenda Jackson 
• Beverly Jenkins

Finish Series Challenge:

• Sylvia Day 

Black Out Challenge:

• .
• .

Erotica Book Selection: 

• 
  

Book Club Book: (This month I'm skipping this one since it's not a title I own, however, I'm listing it so I know what the book was for this month at the end of the year).

• Educated by Tara Westover 

2013 to 2018 Prompts and Titles I want to check out this year:

Banned Books Week TBR:

• The Bluest Eye Toni Morrison
• Beloved Toni Morrison
• Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Prompts:

• Christine Feehan book ( new one coming this month so I will read that one) 
• 10 books from shelves
• A little Night Magic by Lucy Monroe 
• 3 L. A Banks books: Crimson Moon Series 
• Krewe of Hunters by Heather Graham
• Gena Showalter
• Cheyenne Mcray
• Holly Black
• Nora Roberts Black Rose
• Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
• Faerie Tale
• Alice Hoffman title
• YA horror/ paranormal
• NA horror/ paranormal
• Paranormal titles 5

These are the ones I want to work on this month. Plus I will be putting up my Spooky TBR for the entire fall season.  What are you going to be reading my loves?? Share in the comments down below if you have read any of these and as always

Happy Reading