Blood of Desiderium by Ali Stuebbe

Rating -
Part of a series - The Divide #1
Release - December 21, 2022
Genre/Trope - Fantasy Romance / enemies to lovers / royalty
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - a couple of descriptive and explicit scenes
Source - ebook from NetGalley
Length - 484 pages

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon

Blood of Desiderium was a gloomy, wonderful, glaringly grim depiction of a woman fighting for freedom.

This debut novel had just about everything I needed to stay captivated: a fierce heroine, who was battling a darkness she couldn't control; a devastingly handsome dark prince, who has his own secrets to keep; a few secondary characters who each deserve their own stories; an extremely cruel King, who wanted to rule over everyone; a stunning magic system; and a moving plot.

At times I wanted to both slap and hug Emma. She really was her own worst enemy (aside from the King and his followers). While she and Draven (our swoon-worthy hero) clashed from the start, there was no mistaking the chemistry between them. The author doled out the heat in spades!

And while this book definitely had some spice to it, whether through heated words or heated intimate exchanges, the plot was what held my attention most. I couldn't figure out how Emma would come into her power, who was responsible for the monstrous beasts plaguing the fae, or if any of these people I had come to love would even survive. I was hooked and I need the next book, Soul of Salvation immediately. Waiting for its release is going to feel like torture.


Ali Stuebbe grew up in the state of Ohio, near the city of Cleveland. At the age of 21, she married, becoming a military spouse, and has called three other states home. She studied English Literature at Cleveland State University and American Public University. She began writing her debut novel when she grew confident in her writing and felt ready to bring this story to life. When she’s not writing, she can be found at the gym or sitting on the couch with her nose in a book and a large coffee in her hand. Ali is the author of Blood of Desiderium, and currently lives in Texas with her loving husband and two beautiful children.

Visit https://www.alimariestuebbe.co for more information.

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon

Feral Guardian by Ember Holt

Rating:
Standalone - The Princesses of Ruin #2
Genre/Trope: Fantasy Romance / unrequited / protection / royalty
POV: Dual 1st person
Heat: - slow build, more than descriptive and less than explicit
Source: eARC provided by the author
Length: 312 pages







Now that's how you make me come back for more!

Lily is heir to the throne and Alastair is the man duty-bound to protect her. When she sent him away four years ago, he was at a loss. With his charge out of his reach, he bided his time until he would see her again. And when he did... he wasn't about to let her out of his sight ever again.

Lily has loved Alastair almost all of her life. Believing that they have no future, she sent him away to get past her feelings. However, when she sees him again, she quickly realizes how foolish and impossible it was to try to wish her feelings away.

I fell in love with everything that was brewing between these characters. I was curious about their secrets, their goals, their choices, and their end. What do the runes mean? Who are the individual gods that power these runes? Who are their true allies? Their foes? And would these two find a way to be together?

After everything the author gifted us with this book, from the danger to the romance to the utter hilarity that was Lily, I want more. I need to read the first book because Lily's older sister sounds like a hoot and I'm utterly fascinated by the unique magic all of these characters possess and wield.

If you love suspense, mystery, love and humour, you'll enjoy this story as much as I did.


Ember loves all things with heat! A glass of wine, a comfy, oversized sweater, and a spicy book next to a fireplace is her ideal night. She likes to read about powerful heroines and protective heroes, and write about them, too.

When she’s not writing, Ember is a fox in the henhouse, causing all kinds of hell. She enjoys making pasta while listening to big brass bands, taking long walks with her favorite audio books, playing D&D, and painting—but not very well.

Some of Ember’s favorite authors include Laura Thalassa, Shannon Mayer, and Raven Kennedy. Their powerful heroines inspire her daily to get out of bed and to do her best (or stay in it to keep reading!)

Visit emberholtwrites.com for more information.

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The Heretic Royal by G.A. Aiken

Other books in the series: The Blacksmith Queen * The Princess Knight

Ainsley Farmerson has always planned to break free of the family business—and the family drama. But what was once farming, smithworking, and bickering over the dinner table has turned into open warfare between sisters. Sides have been taken, lives are on the line, and Ainsley has no doubt which sister must be queen. She’ll do whatever is necessary to take down the soulless Beatrix. Even if that means joining forces with angry battle nuns, irritating monks, and overbearing centaurs.

Gruffyn of the Torn Moon Clan has no time for human beings. And yet . . . there is something about the uncontrollable princess that he can’t ignore. Maybe it’s the way her eldest sisters underestimate her. Or her bravery facing down dragons and mad queens from distant lands. Whatever the reason, Gruff is willing to fight by this human’s side. Not only for the entertainment value, but because she’s right. Beatrix must never be queen. So whatever he has to do, whoever he has to destroy, Gruff will battle beside Ainsley. Fast. Hard. And with absolutely no mercy . . .

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon

I have to tell you something...
I absolutely LOVED Annwyl!!

I honestly forgot how ridiculous and fun and perfect this series is. The fantastical imaginings of the way this story is told makes me giggle and laugh uncontrollably. I'm constantly in a state of shock and awe, thinking to myself "Did they really just say that?" or "No way did they just do that."

Before I started this book, I remembered I left Keeley and friends being confronted by Annwyl and her dragons. I had no idea what would happen next and I could have never predicted what I found.

While this was primarily Ainsley's book with the aloof and grumpy Gruff, everyone had a huge part to play and still had prominent roles in how everything turned out.

The highlights (without spoilers):

❋ Ainsley was tired of being overlooked and underestimated and Gruff was determined to see her.

❋ Keeley realized that she had some hard choices to make when it came to her evil sister and Annwyl might just be the key. Shoot, Annwyl had some hard truths to lay down on her fellow queen. LOVED IT!!

❋ Gemma was suspicious of everyone (what else is new?) and wasn't looking to make new friends (or any friends).

❋ Annwyl was hilarious and most definitely the best part of this story. Sorry, not sorry.

If you love fantasy, tons of action, reasons to laugh, with a bit of romance thrown in, you need this series in your life!



New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author G.A. Aiken, Originally from Long Island, New York, lives on the West Coast and spends most of her time writing and making sure her rescued Pittie doesn’t love everyone into a coma. When she’s not writing about sexy dragons, she’s writing about sexy wolf, lion, tiger, and other fang-filled predators under the name Shelly Laurenston. Find out more about this New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors books at www.shellylaurenston.com.

Royally in Trouble by Meghan Quinn

I have two responsibilities as the new heir to the throne:

1. Get married.
2. Have babies.

Sure, becoming queen one day is part of those new responsibilities, but as long as King Theo is in charge, I don't have to add a coronation to my list.

That's why I find myself in the throes of wedding planning, pre-wedding classes with my broody, over-protective fiancé, and counting down the days until we can finally say I do.

But with every day we grow closer to our wedding, we seem to grow apart.

Our commonalities are tested.
Our faith in each other is questioned.
And our safety is threatened.
The only thing working? The command he has over me in the bedroom.

I keep telling myself, it’ll all work out. We just need to make it to the wedding day. Except, when the day finally comes, everything falls apart.

We might have made it through the last few months together, but now I'm not sure we're going to make it out of this alive.

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon

Well this book was unexpected.
I thought it would be more inline with what I read in Royally Not Ready, and while it had a lot in common with it, Royally in Trouble had many more moving parts.

There was intrigue, suspense, wedding planning, abstinence, hot sex, and so much more!

Honestly, if I wasn't already in love with this duet, I would have fallen with this book!

Keller and Lilly are getting married. There's a lot of planning, counselling, meet-and-greets, and tons of tension.
Keller's insecurities are drowning him. Lilly's insecurities leave her doubting the one person she should be sure of.
Both of them are feeling the distance and are unsure of how to cross it.

Throw in a plot to overthrow the crown and this story is set to keep you on your toes.

Did I want to shake some sense into these characters sometimes? Sure.
Did I laugh A LOT during my reading? No doubt.
Did I wish there was more when I got to the end? Absolutey.

Seriously, if you haven't read the bonus ending, get on it. And if you haven't read this duet yet, start at the beginning and join in the fun.



#1 Amazon and USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.

I can't remember wanting anything as much as I want this — as much as I want her.

Royally Screwed by Emma Chase

Standalone - Royally #1
Release - Octobe 16, 2016
Genre - Romantic Comedy
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5/a few explicit scenes
Format/Source - Amazon Kindle purchase
Length - 272 pages
Publisher - Emma Chase, LLC

Nicholas Arthur Frederick Edward Pembrook, Crowned Prince of Wessco, aka His Royal Hotness, is wickedly charming, devastatingly handsome, and unabashedly arrogant; hard not to be when people are constantly bowing down to you.

Then, one snowy night in Manhattan, the prince meets a dark haired beauty who doesn't bow down. Instead, she throws a pie in his face.

Nicholas wants to find out if she tastes as good as her pie, and this heir apparent is used to getting what he wants.

Dating a prince isn't what waitress Olivia Hammond ever imagined it would be.

There's a disapproving queen, a wildly inappropriate spare heir, relentless paparazzi, and brutal public scrutiny. While they've traded in horse drawn carriages for Rolls Royces, and haven't chopped anyone's head off lately, the royals are far from accepting of this commoner.

But to Olivia, Nicholas is worth it.

Nicholas grew up with the whole world watching, and now Marriage Watch is in full force. In the end, Nicholas has to decide who he is and, more importantly, who he wants to be: a King... or the man who gets to love Olivia forever.

This story had me swooning so hard that I thought there might be a problem. Seriously, there was almost too much to love about this book!!

Nicholas was the crowned prince, next in line to rule the made up country of Wessco. Olivia was a broke, barely holding it together waitress in her family's failing coffee shop. There should have been no reason for these two to meet, however, one stormy winter's night... You already know how that goes.

So they meet and it's instant sparks.

From her:

From him:

It's lust at first sight. And yet, within moments, they both know that what they could share, what they would share, was far more than a physical connection. He's showing her everything a man should be, introducing her to a world that would have forever remained unknown to her, while she's given him something no one else ever has — the freedom to be himself.

Going in, we already know the conflict Nicholas and Olivia will face. He's destined to be king, she's a commoner, and never the two shall meet. They can't have forever. They can't last. Or can they? I loved that although they both felt their time together was finite, the author had them throwing themselves all in to make the most of the experience. It was passionate and sexy. It was hilarious and tender. It was beautiful and bittersweet.

It has been far too long since I've read from Emma Chase, but this story has reaffirmed my faith in her stories and I will definitely be coming back for more. I spied a little something being teased for Nicholas's brother, Henry, and a bookishly awkward Lady that had me eager to find out if they would be getting their own tale. And they are! I'm off to get my hands on Royally Matched and I'm hoping to see Nicholas and Olivia again!

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Emma Chase writes contemporary romance filled with humor, heat, and heart. Her stories are known for their clever banter, hilariously authentic male POVs and sexy, swoon-worthy moments. Emma’s novels have been translated into over twenty languages around the world.

Emma lives in New Jersey with her husband, two children, and two misbehaving dogs. She has a long-standing love/hate relationship with caffeine.

The Princess Knight by G.A. Aiken

In New York Times bestselling author G.A. Aiken’s gripping new fantasy romance series, the Blacksmith Queen must confront armies and pretenders desperate to take her new-won crown. But with the Princess Knight at her side and a centaur warrior clan at her back, she’ll risk everything for victory . . .

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN

Gemma Smythe dedicated her life to the glory of battle. With her fellow War Monks, she worshipped the war gods, rained destruction on her enemies, and raised the dead when the fancy took her. Until her sister Keeley became the prophesied Blacksmith Queen, and Gemma broke faith with her order to journey to the Amichai Mountain and fight by Keeley’s side.

The Amichai warriors are an unruly, never-to-be-tamed lot, especially their leader-in-waiting, Quinn. But when the War Monks declare support for Gemma’s ruthless younger sister Beatrix, the immaturity of her key ally is the least of Gemma’s problems. She has to get to the grand masters, dispel their grudge against her, and persuade them to fight for Keeley and justice. If her conviction can’t sway them, perhaps Quinn’s irritating, irreverent, clearly unhinged, ferocity will win the day . . .

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A simple notification turns my world upside down...

The tabloids are reporting, I’ve taken the crown and run.
(Not entirely true)

As you might have guessed, I’m not an ordinary girl and I don’t lead an ordinary life, but that doesn’t mean I always follow the rules.
This time, though, I feel compelled to obey.

Which means I have to find a king, to sit alongside my throne, or lose it all.

With only the clothes on my back, I head to the land of majestic playboys, where a royal rebel strides right into my life.

With his sultry eyes and sinful lips, he turns my world right-side up.

The press is calling him washed up.
(I think he’s anything but)

Gorgeous, sexy, irresistible, and utterly charming, he’s exactly what I’m looking for.
Everything is almost too perfect, too easy.

Until I discover, this hot-blooded royal has a reason for being here.
And it’s more than just me.
That thing I said about easy, turns out… Nothing ever is.

My royal rebel has a name, it’s Prince Adrien Laurent.
My name is Princess Victoria Blanchette.
And this is our story.

Hawthorne “Thorne” Badd has lived his life as a reckless playboy—not as a presumptive king. But after the death of his uncle, it can all be his: the power, the crown, and the wealth. All he has to do is govern a country he’s never set foot in…and marry the gorgeous daughter of his family’s greatest rival.

Nova Valentine is as smart as she is beautiful—and when she first met Thorne Badd, she fell hard. She’s never seen someone so comfortable in his own skin, and she’d like nothing more than to see all of it. Every bare inch. From his delicious tattoos to his bedroom eyes, Thorne is a dirty fantasy come true. But fantasy is one thing. An arranged marriage is another.

As they get acquainted, their chemistry is royally hot. But when surrounded by dark betrayal and devious schemes, can Thorne and Nova learn to trust each other…or will their families’ rivalry prove too great a hurdle?

Goodreads | Amazon

What good is a King without his Queen?

Sebastian…

I never wanted the crown, but now it's mine.
Instead of my freedom–instead of her.
But even though she’s not mine to keep, I can’t seem to stay away.

Penny…

The moment he became king, I knew we were over.

Now I’ve returned home some kind of conquering hero.
If only they all knew that we'd both lost our hearts.
If only I could stay out of the royal bed.

What good is being cocky if you can’t get what you want?

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2qQYLXh

REVIEW

I’m so in love with this couple. Even though they drove me bonkers with the way they ran hot and cold, I was a total fan! Sebastian and Penny are at odds because of the lies they told and truths they omitted. Not the best timing as Sebastian could really use Penny at his side while he navigates life as the new king. Then again, the law is the law and these two can’t be together… even if they wanted to. But maybe… just maybe… the new king can change the laws to suit himself.

Loved them! As Sebastian tried to reconcile duty with the deep love he felt for Penny, she was trying to figure out exactly where she wanted to be in her life. An artist? Part of the royal guard? What she knew was that as much as she wanted to spend her life with the king, it wasn’t meant to be and being around him was its own special brand of torture.

Insane chemistry, a royal family, and a devastating mystery made this story into an intensely satisfying read. It was fast-paced drama with touches of intrigue, bitter rivalries, secrets and betrayals. But at its heart it was a sweet love story that made me laugh and swoon with how immensely I loved these characters.