Tristitia, A Soul to Touch, & Grim and Bear It

Hello and Happy Wednesday. I hope your week is off to a great start!
I'm sharing four books I read and quite enjoyed and maybe you'll find something here to read too!

Tristitia by Colette Rhodes

Paranormal Romance; one night stand; dual 1st person pov; explicit heat; 128 pages

A monster x monster novella set in the Shades of Sin universe.

It is best read as 3.5 in the series, after Gula.

Suitable for readers age 18+

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How sweet was Calix?

From previous books, I knew him as the surly, somewhat unapproachable chef at the palace. I knew something was brewing between him and Levana, but I had no idea how it was going to happen and if we were going to see it happen or if they'd just appear as a couple in a future story.

So thank you, Colette Rhodes, for giving us this tale.

Levana was the queen's guard, but she knew her time at the palace was temporary. Her father had expectations and she had lived her life trying to meet them.

What happens when she falls in love and the life she wants isn't the life her father has planned?

Loved this book!

A Soul to Touch by Opal Reyne

Paranormal Monster Romance; forbidden; dual 3rd person pov; filthy heat; 501 pages

All Mayumi ever wanted was to hunt Demons.

After being discharged from the Demonslayer guild, Mayumi chose to isolate herself within the forest. The best place to hunt and kill Demons. But, one night, she’s surprised when a different monster is lured by her baits.

Just before she unleashes an arrow that’s aimed to kill, Mayumi pauses. She realises she’s seen that skulled, feline face before and that it had once saved her life.

All Faunus ever wanted was her.

After the Demon King cracked his skull, Faunus returns to watch over the only human he has ever cared for. He knows what his future holds, she would never become his bride, but he wants to spend what remains of his life protecting her.

He never expected that she would ever befriend him, or that she would openly desire him. She’s as fiery as her burning passion, and he’s desperate to let her consume him.

But his time in this world grows short, and Faunus doesn’t know how he can be with Mayumi when he knows nothing will save him.

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I would give anything to be closer to you, Mayumi. - Faunus

This had to be the most angsty story of the series. At least it was for me because there were a couple of times I swear I was on the verge of tears.

Faunus was by far the most emotional Duskwalker of the bunch. His well of humanity seemed to be depthless, especially when it came to Mayumi. His heart beat for her. His very essence held onto this side of the veil simply to protect and be near her.

And wasn't it awesome how easily she welcomed him to her side?

"I've never lost someone who made me feel so whole. How am I supposed to find my place in a world I know for certain you're not in?... How am I to find someone who felt like they were the other half of me when I know it was you... in all your big, fluffy glory? I hate you so much for doing this to me... And I love you so damn much that it feels like my heart is burning." - Mayumi

There was plenty of absolutely naughty scenes to be had, but it was the growth of their relationship that I concentrated on. It was easy to see how much they cared for each other, even though they were more the "show and not tell" kind of people. And they showed... a lot.

I loved getting to see some familiar faces and also a new one. It gave me a bit more knowledge of demons and elves and hints at more. I'm hoping to find out everything and have every questioned answered by the end of this series.

Grim and Bear It by Juliette Cross

Paranormal Romance; fated mates; dual 1st person pov; explicit heat; 368 pages

Clara Savoie is so confused. She is absolutely positive that Henry Blackwater is practically in love with her. But for some strange reason, he won’t even ask her on a single date. Time to take matters into her own hands.

When Clara shows up on his doorstep with an unusual invitation, tempting cupcakes, and naughty innuendo, Henry has no choice but to say yes. Now he’s the newest member of the High Tea Romance Book Club. While Clara learns the haunting secrets of her broody grim, Henry shows her what commitment from a necromancer truly means.

But when his father is arrested for murder, Henry is dragged back into the nightmare he’s been avoiding all his life. When he steps back into his father’s world, he isn’t just endangering himself but also the bright, beautiful woman he can no longer live without. But he just might have to.

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The last book of the Stay a Spell series might just be my absolute favorite!

Clara and Henry have been dancing around each other for ages. We all knew that they were into each other, they knew they liked the other, but they never acted on their feelings. That is until Clara can't take it anymore and decides to make the first move.

As I watched her now, I wondered, not for the first time, if she was in fact my hope and my guide. Because wherever she went, I helplessly followed.

She brings him closer by sharing their love of romance books, but that is just her first step. She's got a course of seduction set up that Henry has no clue he's been enrolled in. These characters were so oohey gooey and sweet and sexy and I loved them to pieces. Clara with her innate goodness and belief in the greatness of others. Henry with his damage and yet hopeful outlook on life. Their future together was all but guaranteed and I loved witnessing it.

Clara. My beautiful Clara. The gold that was mending all of my imperfect, broken pieces.

Once again, there were some suspenseful bits and they just about broke my heart, but they also gave Henry a chance to shine, to finally embrace his power, and to heal after his trauma (read the book to learn more). I'm so happy with the endings everyone got and I only wish I could stay longer with these characters I've fallen in love with. I can only imagine the mischief the Savoie sisters and their mates could get up to.