A Glamour of Blood by L.E. Sterling - eARC Review

 

DESCRIPTION
Blade Runner meets Divergent in this gritty, high-energy, and noir-inspired dystopian read...where what you see isn’t always what is.

Bounty hunter Serena Rogue has survived almost everything. The plague. A brutal battle that touched—in eerie and wondrous ways—every citizen. Now the breathtaking towers of Dominion City are smoldering ruins, the citizens are dying of hunger…and someone has been snatching the children left to the streets.

Serena was once one of those kids, and she won’t stop until she finds whoever is behind this. Even if it means having to strike some kind of peace treaty with the one man who wants her dead. Because Nolan Storm isn’t one to cooperate when he can kill—especially if it’s someone who betrayed him.

Now an evil is rising from the ashes of Dominion City—shrouded in power, mystery, and a history almost as long as civilization itself—and Serena and Nolan don’t have a choice. The only way they’ll survive the Order is by working on the same side.

But enmity and attraction are a lethal combination. One that can make Serena and Nolan the most dangerous people in Dominion City…if they don’t kill each other first.

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Ebook)
ISBN: 9781649375261
Pub Date: 28 Aug 2023


REVIEW
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first book by this author, and it did take a bit of figuring out that the setting of plague-ravaged Dominion City had been created in prior books. I tend to go into books blindly, so this was just a hurdle to overcome, as I had to use my noggin a bit more. That stated, I am all for dystopian storylines with interwoven magic, and the author did not disappoint with A Glamour of Blood!

The world-building and character development was well-planned. I enjoy being immersed in a world and feeling connected to the FMC. Serena is a bounty hunter searching for the root cause of the destruction of her city. She finds herself having to team up with her nemesis, Nolan, which reveals itself as quite the challenge given their attraction to one another.

The juxtaposition of a forbidden or enemies-to-lovers romance in a harsh, dystopian setting raises the stakes and intensity of character relationships for me. Then, add a dash of magic in a complex, immersive world. If this sounds like something you like as well, definitely grab A Glamour of Blood immediately!

#Teen #YA #Dystopian #Magic #Paranormal #PNR #UrbanFantasy #AGlamourofBlood #LESterling #Entangled #NetGalley

Sign of the Slayer by Sharina Harris - eARC Review

 

DESCRIPTION
Full Metal Alchemist meets Vampire Diaries in this fun and clever dark academia series…

High school is supposed to be about studying, socializing, and marching-band practice. Not fighting vampires. Then one night flipped my world inside out—now, my life sucks. But it isn’t all bad. I’m at a slayer academy, learning things like the real origin of vamps and how to make serious weapons out of thin air.

Every last one of them will pay for what they did. I’m doing great.

Until I come face-to-face with the actual vampire prince…and I’m not sure of anything anymore. Vampires are supposed to be soul-sucking demons. But Khamari is…something else. He’s intelligent and reasonable—and he seems to know things about me that could change everything.

He’s also hiding something big, even from his own kind. And when a threat from an ancient evil is so extreme that a vampire will team up with a slayer to take it down, it isn’t just my need for revenge that’s at stake anymore.

It’s the whole damn world.

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Ebook)
ISBN: 9781649373380
Pub Date: 29 Aug 2023


REVIEW
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first book by this author, and I was blown away. Having an affinity for all things academia as well as vampires, Sign of the Slayer was most definitely right up my alley!

Character development with the FMC was done well with high school dramatics and personal struggles that needed to be overcome. We have Raven, the underdog marching band “nerd,” who rises up into a fierce Buffy the Vampire Slayer-esque female lead. When she is faced with a real vampire prince called Khamari, who is the keeper of mysterious secrets, Raven must juggle her internal struggle for revenge and pairing with the vampire prince to fight against something far larger.

I do enjoy multiple points of view to gain insight and perspective, contributing to the story’s development. I also think realistically, Raven would have needed a bit more time in accepting the fast-paced changes that were happening. Overall, this was a fun read. As stated, I love vampires and academia, so definitely grab Sign of the Slayer ASAP or move it to the top of your TBR list!

#Teen #YA #Paranormal #Vampires #Academia #SignoftheSlayer #SharinaHarris #Entangled

Bloom by Helen Hardt - eARC Review

 

DESCRIPTION
Under his touch, your every desire will…Bloom.

Today is the day Francesca Thomas was supposed to get married. All she wants is a stiff drink and a whole lot of distraction…which is exactly when she meets him. Tall, dark, and deliciously disguised, the man known only as Phantom awakens her every sense. All Frankie really knows about him is the raw, untamed chemistry that makes her want to relinquish herself—body and soul—to his touch…

Phantom has rules, all designed to protect his identity. No names. No personal information. But Frankie is a too-tempting ingenue who threatens all of his cautious, careful control. At the ultra-exclusive Black Rose Underground Club, he can explore each of her deepest, uncharted desires…so long as he keeps his public life—and his secrets—hidden.

Frankie’s ready to explore what lies between them. The intensity, the darkness, and the unyielding pleasure of it all. But while the mystery of Phantom is thrilling, secrets are one game she won’t play. And if she’s going to explore the forbidden, she’ll begin with finding out exactly who’s under the mask…

Each book in the Black Rose series is STANDALONE:
* Blush
* Bloom

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Ebook)
ISBN: 9781649373434
Pub Date: 22 Aug 2023


REVIEW
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I hadn’t read this author for several years, and reading Bloom was akin to riding a bike. You just don’t forget (referring to the writing style). One of the queens of spice has done it again with Bloom, book two in her Black Rose series, which is also a standalone.

The FMC, Frankie, is feeling so vulnerable after a failed almost-marriage and drowns her sorrows at a bar, but this bar happens to be where she meets a masked suitor who simply goes by “Phantom.” He wishes to maintain privacy regarding his personal life and riles her curiosity in the world of BDSM. Their magnetic attraction expands, testing each other’s boundaries in more ways than one.

Helen Hardt does it again with this piping hot, steamy read you won’t want to miss! Looking forward to the next installment in the series.

#Spice #BDSM #Bloom #BlackRose #HelenHardt #Entangled

Burning Justice by Tee O'Fallon - eARC Review

 

DESCRIPTION

After narrowly surviving a childhood fire that killed two of his friends, ATF Special Agent Brett Tanner knows what it’s like to get too close to the flame. The trauma only spurs him and his K-9 partner to track down the arsonists targeting a Colorado town. This latest warehouse blaze looks suspicious as hell…and there’s a body. Now it’s murder.

Fiercely independent insurance investigator Gemma Scott has been burned enough times to know she doesn’t need anyone—especially a handsome agent with an agenda. Teaming up with the hardened and determined ATF agent means not just trusting her instincts…it also means trusting him.

Now they’re racing against an arsonist with a lethal agenda—one who’s willing to burn and kill to hide the evidence. But the killer is only part of a larger mystery. And the searing attraction between Gemma and Brett adds fuel to an already dangerously lethal fire. One that will smoke out a killer…along with Brett’s darkest secret.

Each book in the K-9 Special Ops series is STANDALONE:
* Tough Justice
* Burning Justice

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Ebook)
ISBN: 9781649373403
Pub Date: 22 Aug 2023


REVIEW
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, this book was action-packed, and I loved every minute reading about fire and arson investigative processes! The MMC, Brett, and FMC, Gemma, are both agents for federal organizations who come together to investigate a series of suspected arsons. Both are admittedly attracted to each other but are dealing with past traumas that create apprehension and hesitancy in trusting the other. Not to mention there is the professional line they need not cross.

The pace of the story is steady as Brett and Gemma’s investigation unfolds, picking up speed when things take a surprising turn. You definitely won’t want to miss out on the sizzling spice between the two, intermingled with action and suspense surrounding their investigation. And who can resist a beloved K-9 companion? Tee O'Fallon does it again with Burning Justice!

#SlowBurn #Action #LEO #BurningJustice #TeeOFallon #Entangled

Frenemies with Benefits by Lydia Sharp - eARC Review

DESCRIPTION
If there was an award for Least Able To Function Around Cute Boys, Jess Webster would clean up. She can barely talk to a guy, let alone engage in naked things. But now that high school is over, Jess resolves to put her big-girl pants on and at last bang.. eh hem bag the longtime object of her desire, Andrew. All she needs is someone to practice on first.

Enter Benjamin Oliver. Jock hot, nerd hot (which is just greedy, really), star quarterback, and all-around pain in Jess’s ass. While Jess would rather nap on a nest of fire ants than be his girlfriend, there’s still something about him that sends a jolt through her stomach, making him her best (and only) candidate for her guy game glow-up.

With summer in full swing and not one but two cute boys on the horizon, Jess is pretty sure she’s on the winning side of the bargain. But can her deal with Benjamin stay purely business-with-pleasure? And, the question that Jess soon can’t ignore: does she want it to?

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Ebook)
ISBN: 9781649374271
Pub Date: 29 Aug 2023


REVIEW
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sigh. This book took me back to my late teenage years when everything was exciting, yet complicated. The book is so relatable in that regard, and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it!

Jessica might be shy, but she also has this innate inner strength that she isn’t afraid to reveal when necessary. She certainly has no qualms about using her sharp tongue against her nemesis Benjamin. He’s the popular jock-nerd who has a player reputation with the ladies. Jess and Benjamin’s friends are dating, so they are practically forced to comingle…even though they absolutely detest one another.

It’s summertime just after high school graduation, and Jess’s brother is returning home with his friend Andrew in tow. See, Andrew is the one she really wants, so taking Benjamin up on an offer he suggested seems logical in getting Andrew to notice Jess. The plan is going great until, well, it becomes complicated.

Things aren’t always as they seem, are they?

I know you’ll enjoy Frenemies with Benefits as much as I did! You’ll love Jess and Benjamin's witty banter, magnetic attraction [arches one eyebrow], and moments of comedic relief in this fun and entertaining read. The ending certainly had me swooning as well!

Also, check out my review posted on Goodreads, here.

#Spicy #RomCom #EnemiesToLovers #FrenemiesWithBenefits #YA #LydiaSharp #Entangled