Book Review: King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair

 

BOOK BLURB

 Their union is his revenge.

Isolde de Lara considers her wedding day to be her death day. To end a years-long war, she is to marry vampire king Adrian Aleksandr Vasiliev, and kill him.

But her assassination attempt is thwarted, and Adrian threatens that if Isolde tries to kill him again, he will raise her as the undead. Faced with the possibility of becoming the thing she hates most, Isolde seeks other ways to defy him and survive the brutal vampire court.

Except it isn't the court she fears most―it's Adrian. Despite their undeniable chemistry, she wonders why the king―fierce, savage, merciless―chose her as consort.

The answer will shatter her world.

ORDER HERE

 

OK, so here goes.... it's been a minute since I have put my opinions to the written word. Life happens and sometimes the things you loved more than sliced bread become a drag, but it takes ONE good book to ignite that little fire. 

What does a kick-ass female character with a penchant for trouble, contradiction and the craving for soul altering sex make? An entertaining journey! A sizzling hot, hard as nails Vampire King with a soft spot for the female character doesn't hurt either. 

Adrian and Isolde have such an attraction to one another that sparks fly when they are together. Isolde's sharp tongue and her confidence not only leave the Vampire King with twisted emotions but the knowledge that he has met hit match, even though Isolde doesn't think so. Instead of conquering Isolde and her people, Adrian ends up being the conquered.

What is the task of a book? To enrich the mind? Sure, but ultimately if you are not entertained, reading said book is only that task. This however is a well written foray into the dark world of monsters, deception and passion. Ms. St. Clair definitely has the pulse on what a reader wants and this reader wants more. I realize that I am a bit late to this game, but I am almost happier to have found it now since I only have to wait until December 20th for the next book. 

~KIMBERLY~
 

OUT DECEMBER 20TH

 

New Book Alert! A Santa Stabbing by Geri Krotow OUT NOW!

One of my favorite authors, Geri Krotow, has her first Mystery out! I just grabbed it and

 I hope you do too!  

BOOK BLURB BY GERI KROTOW!

Welcome to Stonebridge, Pennsylvania and allow me to introduce Angel Warren, retired Navy pilot, in A Santa Stabbing. Order now PRINT: CUPBOARD MAKER BOOKS  EBOOK: KINDLE NOOK KOBO More order options here.

Angel isn’t looking for any more challenges as she transitions from active duty to local international gift shop owner and is a new an empty-nester. But then she finds a body…in her store before it even opens (!) and is the prime suspect. A former helicopter pilot with combat experience, Angel’s not going to let this mission unfold on its own…she throws herself wholeheartedly into the investigation.

Reuniting with a high school BFF, finding a new love after years widowed, rebuilding family relationships, and oh, have I mentioned the talking parrot who plays an integral part in this first mystery of the Shop ‘Round the World series?

Speaking of series, any other Phillies fans out there?  Help me hit the sales on my very first cozy mystery out of the park and order A Santa Stabbing today!

As always, thank you for your enthusiasm and support–it means the world to me.

Peace,

Geri

#BOC IS BACK!

Hello to all you lovely people!

I want to tell you all, how sorry I am that I have been away for over a year, but it's been a tough one. I know so many of you have had so much going on in your lives as well and my issues may be a drop in the bucket, but I just wanted to give you a little bit of an update....

After wrapping up the Romancing the Gold Coast event last October, I was completely burned out and pretty much done with anything having to do with the romance world. The amazing authors and readers who helped make the event so wonderful have my utmost respect and utter adoration forever, and I am so sorry I have been distant. As all of my friends and family know, putting this event together post-COVID was a logistical nightmare and well as exhausting. I like to do most things on my own, so I only had a few close friends, my sons and my book club helped. During the last weeks leading up to the event, I had a lot of authors back out, which made readers back out. A few of these authors were considered to me to be friends, people I loved and respected and would do pretty much anything for. Unfortunately these people didn't feel the same way, and even though I have promoted them, reviewed them, hosted them and spent countless hours helping them, they left me in the dust with varying excuses. Some didn't even bother to give reasons, some just cut and run.

Thanks to the amazing people who supported myself and the event, it actually came off without a hitch. The Tea Party was FABULOUS, the author breakouts were wonderful. The Ball was amazing and every single costume worn by all was just supreme. I also would like to add that there was not one case of COVID that came out of this event due to the diligence of everyone involved and the Mansion staff. Of course there were a few little hiccups and Suzy and Christine may have had to talk me off the ledge a few times, but all in all, it was a success. I got to meet some new people and try new things. 

At this time, I also discovered that my mom had colon cancer and that really made me stay closer to home. It made me hug my kids a bit closer and also go see my mom and let my kids know her better. She has been through her chemo and has had clear scans in the past month, so that has been a blessing.

On the bright side, my Jason got engaged to our Vanessa and I got to throw a pretty awesome Engagement Party at the end of August. 

I have been listening, primarily to audio books due to my retinopathy, but have also started reading e-books. I just finished a great Vampire based book and cannot wait to review on here. It took me out of my rut and is lighting the fire back in my belly. I want to host book clubs regularly, I want to enjoy book outings with my ladies again. I want to talk books. So hello again from this unconventional blogger and reader. I hope to see you all soon!  

Love Kimberly

 

A Review of Tracey J. Lyons: The Amish Teacher's Wish (Love Inspired)

Sadie Fischer is quite content being Amish community, Miller's Crossing's, school teacher. As long as her parents resist their urge to marry Sadie off to a local widower, Sadie would be happy to stay right where she is in her teaching position. She has her family and her friends as well as the students who look up to her, and for now that suits her fine.

Levi Byler needed a change from his own Amish community. His fiancee jilts him, deciding to leave the Amish to be with an Englisch man, leaving Levi heartbroken and confused. He has come to the conclusion he needs to be alone and not take a wife. Levi travels to Miller's Crossing to help his cousin with his carpentry business and when he happens upon a Sadie Fischer in distress, his conclusions about remaining alone become a daily struggle.

The more the school teacher and the carpenter get to know one another, everything they had planned for their individual lives become a swirl of emotions that neither were equipped to handle easily. Sadie's position in Miller's Crossing could be jeopardized by the attention that Levi pays her, even the most innocent of attention. Levi's refusal to see what is immediately in front of him takes the reader on a journey of extreme satisfaction.

Talented author, Tracey J. Lyons has written a feel-good story, and I adore her for it. In the reality of turmoil and uncertainty, her ease at telling this comforting tale warms the soul. THE AMISH TEACHER'S WISH  is timeless and rewarding. Getting to know Sadie, Levi, and the accompanying cast of characters is heartening and leaves a smile on your face.  I highly recommend THE AMISH TEACHER'S WISH by Tracey J. Lyons. 

~KIMBERLY~

Review: In the Dark With the Duke (Lost Lords of London Book 2) by Christi Caldwell

In the Dark With the Duke is the second book in Christi Caldwell's Lost Lords of London series. This wonderfully woven tale pairs Lady Lila March, who suffered greatly during the tragedy at Peterloo, and street fighter/Lost Lord, Hugh Savage. 

Both characters, deeply scarred, attempt to heal each other in unconventional ways. Both Hugh and Lila transform each other's lives in ways that only can be imagined by delving into this dark to light tale. 

In the Dark With the Duke by Christi Caldwell, is yet another triumph to her credit. A fan of darker romance, this story sated my appetite for the dark along with the build up to an perfect HEA. 

~KIMBERLY~

To Hold a Lady’s Secret by Christi Caldwell

The mistake that Lady Gillian Farendale made by attending a notorious masquerade, has finally caught up with her. Now her unfeeling parents want her to make things right, but doing that would destroy her spirit.

Gillian seeks out her childhood best friend, Colin Lockhart, one if the numerous  bastard sons of the Duke of Ravenscourt, for help. She is praying that the promise they made as children would finally be able to be fulfilled. When Colin, now a struggling private investigator in London is reunited with Gillian, things don’t exactly work out how Gillian thought they would and she is disheartened as well as desperate. 

As soon as Colin sends Gillian away, he regrets it. His past with her comes rushing back and he realizes that she still means more to him than is prudent for a Lady and a bastard.  Her desperation brings him to action and neither of their lives will ever be the same. 

Lady Gillian Farendale is one of my favorite of author Christi Caldwell’s heroines. She is matter of fact, she doesn’t blame anyone for her actions and take complete responsibility for decisions she has made, good or bad.  Despite the crime that was committed against her, she is strong and resilient and deserving of a bright future with a caring man. The one man she has been on her mind since she was a young girl getting into mischief, Colin Lockhart 

Colin Lockhart has been on his own since his banishment from the Farendale lands, caring for his sister and mother. Discovered on the streets by a brother, another bastard son, Colin picks himself up and sets out to create a new life for himself as a private investigator. He is consumed with his business and until Gillian reappears in his life, he is rather solitary in his existence, keeping a small circle of a few of the brothers and his beloved sister. He is considered to be common if not below that for being a bastard, but has more integrity, compassion and honor than any man in the ton. 

To Hold a Lady’s Secret is one of my favorite Christi Caldwell books to date. While some of the subject matter is not an easy one, the story is superb and getting to that prefect ending is just a marvel. This story is meaningful and compassionate and will stay with me for quite a while. Bravo Ms. Caldwell…

~KIMBERLY~

EARLY REVIEW: A Dark and Stormy Knight by Kerrigan Byrne

I want to begin this review by saying that Kerrigan Byrne is a talented genius and her writing fills my heart. I have honestly been waiting for Carlton Morley’s story for years and now it’s finally here and I am just so darn happy about it. I also have to say that Kerrigan Byrne’s publisher has really dropped the ball on this particular book being directly in their Victorian Rebels series. Sir Carlton Morley has always deserved his own story. He has been an integral part of the menagerie with the dark secrets that needed to come to light.    So I say a big bravo to Kerrigan Byrne for going ahead with A Dark and Stormy Knight, Morley’s story. Thank you for making me a happy reader!

The right proper and upstanding Chief Inspector Carlton Morley is after the killer of male prostitutes plaguing London. All of his spare time I spent in the roaming the dark and dangerous streets seeking clues in his task. A loner, Morley stalks those streets with an urgency only a few could possibly understand. 

 After the emotional let down of discovering that her fiancé is an unfaithful rogue, Penelope Goode decides to take one night of passion for herself before being thrown into the constraints of marriage to the unscrupulous lout. She wants to give her virginity to a man of her own choosing. To achieve this, she finds herself at Miss Henrietta's School for Cultured Young Ladies, where she was given a password to gain entrance into the garden of pleasures that awaits her.

Chief Inspector Morley, in disguise, is lead to Miss Henrietta's School for Cultured Young Ladies with his own agenda of crime stopping, but when a  stunning young woman literally stumbles over him, sparks fly and both of their worlds will be forever changed.

I prefer to stop here with my details of this story. This tale must be experienced individually and I strongly insist that you do. The anticipation of Carlton Morley finally meeting his match is pure exhilaration. Kerrigan Byrne uses her masterful understanding of the English language to spellbind her readers, and the reader is only too happy to be put under her spell. A Dark and Stormy Knight by Kerrigan Byrne is so worth the wait! 

~KIMBERLY~