Tag: book review

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Book Review: The Other Side by C. Herbert

Welcome to a gender swap and sapphic dark fantasy retelling of what would happen if Princess and the Frog’s Dr. Facilier met Hades from Hercules!


The Other Side

Published: March 21, 2025

Genre: dark fantasy/dark romance/ fairytale retelling/ magical romance

Content Warning: 18+, please check trigger warning as this is a dark romance

Do we have a deal?

We are warned as children not to play with fire for fear of being burned. But what if that very fire belonged to the goddess of the underworld? And what if she, the keeper of souls, offered you everything you desire? All in exchange for a single favor. Would you accept her terms?

The bayou witch, Iris-Marie, is no stranger to the mistreatment of others, so when Cypress, the goddess of the underworld, saves her from death and offers to give her the very thing she desires, it’s no wonder she accepts. Even if it means gambling her soul. But when Cypress comes to collect her favor, Iris-Marie’s world is thrown into chaos when she learns the truth of the very deal she struck.

Now, she must choose to save herself or burn in Cypress’ fiery passion that could drag her to the Abyss for all eternity.

Amazon

REVIEW

The Other Side is a delicious what-if scenario based on the villain Dr. Faciller from Princess and the Frog and Hades from Disney’s Hercules. We are introduced to Iris-Marie, a bayou witch who is being hunted and then saved by the goddess of the underworld herself, Cypress. Iris is unwisely drawn to the goddess of death, makes a deal for power with the soul eater, but when the time comes, Cypress will collect her part of the deal, which might be Iris-Marie herself.

Herbert is the queen of dark fantasy and fantasy horror. I loved how she plucked these two familiar characters we know and transformed them into something new and original—a villainess love story, if you will. Herbert’s writing is once again on point, yet I had a hard time falling for Iris-Marie and Cypress because their relationship is so toxic and sinister. We were given the question of, come on, maybe villains are just misunderstood. And taught actions speak louder than sweet nothings in our ears and carnal pleasure. Okay, maybe I delved deeper into this book than most readers, and perhaps even the author herself.

One thing I did like about Iris-Mare and Cypress was Herbert’s description of them. Her imagery of Cypress was divine, right down to her flame-dripped hair. I so got it. And Iris-Marie is fond of her tall top hat. I just loved the little subtleties she includes.

All in all, I enjoyed the book. May rating 4 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐


 *NOTE The Other Side is an exciting addition to an intriguing Villainous Retelling trilogy featuring contributions from various talented authors. Check out Wicked Depth by Melissa McSherry (Sea witch/ Dragon Queen ) and Off with Her Head by Dana LeeAnn (Evil Queen/Queen of Hearts)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Commonly known as Cyn, C. Hebert is a multi-genre author who loves to paint a pretty yet horrific picture woven together with absolute chaos. These are true graveyard reads.

While most authors like to write happily ever afters, C. Hebert prefers to take her stories in the opposite direction. She delivers darker tales with a hint of madness that tug at your heartstrings.

She is a self-proclaimed manic writer who loves to constantly push herself to do more.

C. Hebert is a published poet and writes darker, more unique works under a secondary pen name, which is an International Best Seller. It is listed on her social media.

Learn more about C. Herbert and her books at cynfulbooks.com

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Book Review: Dark Fairytales For The Unloved: Collective Anthology

 Fourteen Indie authors! Fifteen stories of the twisted and macabre! Enter if you dare, a dark fairytale collection that will make the Brothers Grimm either blush or smile with glee. Content and trigger warning precede each tale for an unaware sensitive reader, but the title warns you these are dark fairytales. Now let’s follow the bread crumbs and enter into the darkness.

Dark Fairytales For The Unloved: An Indie Author Collection (Volume One)

Published: March 26th, 2025

Genre: Fairytales/Folklore/Fantasy/Anthologies

Synopsis

Step into a realm where enchantment and darkness intertwine. In this anthology, fourteen master storytellers from diverse backgrounds conjure original fairytales that are as chilling as they are captivating. From eerie forests to twisted kingdoms, each tale spins a web of intrigue, mystery, and danger. Embrace the delicious dread and discover the hidden truths that lurk in the shadows. Perfect for lovers of the macabre and fantastical, these stories will leave you spellbound long after the last page is turned.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

REVIEW

Dark Fairytales For The Unloved is a collection of Fairytales for adults, oozing with dark fairytale-inspired stories. Two are dark retellings of classic tales such as “Elves and the Shoemaker” and” Beauty and the Beast” in spectacular NOURSHMENT and HUNTER & THE BEAST by Gareth Ian Davies and SD Paine. The rest are dark original fairy tale-inspired tales, such as my favorite, the brilliantly written folklorish horror THE PALE MOTHER by Nova B. Quinn and BIRDS OF WINTER by Ruby Ann Stiegelmeier.

Then we have the hauntingly magical with FOXGLOVE and THE BLOOMING CURSE by Stacey LP and Hannah Gardiner. The bottom rips out from under us, and we go deeper and darker with wickedly devilish tales like BEAUTIFUL SUFFERING and SPIT AND SPITE AND ALL THINGS NIGHT by Alex Upchurch & Ellen Winter.

The opening story, REQUIEM, by Marianne Gray, is an absolute banger, setting the tone of the book nicely. While not every story tickled my witchy fancy, the next one usually did. It was a fun read, and I enjoyed getting treated to a new story by a new author. It was like getting a sneak peek into these delicious indie authors’ minds.

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐

GET IT TODAY!

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BOOK REVIEW:  Nebula’s Firefly by Dayron Maxwell

Narvix is back in my world!

Nebula’s FireFly (Book 2 Orphans of Solstice)

Published: January 1, 2025

Genre: Teen fantasy/Adventure

Purchase link: AMAZON

Synopsis

As Narvix’s powers burgeon, His yearning for his human companions surpasses the perils of Enlo and his followers. Narvix endeavors to salvage the wreckage that the Arzo’s race has inflicted. However, the factions of Narvix and Enlo have their own hidden motives that will bring chaos to any planet and anyone involved.

Nephia and her son Narvix start to understand each other better as they explore each other’s worlds.. Meanwhile, Nathalie, Mia, and Narvix’s friends lose themselves in the Arzo’s realm.

In the third book, a mother watches her son from the depths of his soul, and a man consumed by revenge will collide with the lives of all who are bound to them. Can Narvix and his friends survive the upcoming battles? Will Earth like many planets become a playground of the gods, or will Narvix challenge Arzo’s culture by confronting Enlo?

REVIEW

It seemed like forever but budding Indie author Dayron Maxwell is back with book three in his Orphan of Solstice series. The series started back in 2018, Maxwell burst onto the book scene with Those Who Swallowed God, where we meet Narvix, just your average scimitar-shaped horned red skin teenager, whose life gets turned upside down when divine judgement wearing a tailored suit leads an army of winged humans to his hometown. Narvix’s mundane life of retro PC gaming and afternoon snoozing during fourth-period calculus screeches to a halt, replaced with dodging lighting bolts, facing a flaming woman all while trying not to create genocide from reaching his street address. Maxwell followed up in 2019 with the release of book two with Porlaris Phantom (formerly titled World of the Chimera).

Now, after a long hiatus Maxwell is back with Nebula’s FireFly! Refreshing myself with books one and two, I got back into the world of Narvix where Narvix is still learning about himself, and his power, guided by his mother Nephia, he is told he is the one who must fight the deranged god Enlo.  Meanwhile, the enemy has taken roots on earth on the hunt for Narvix. When Narvix is granted a 3-day sneak back to earth before his extraordinary mission, Narvix reunites with Lulu as feelings are revealed. A black hole erupts in the middle of the city, and a shocking revelation is revealed that leaves you at a…wait what? Dosey of a cliffhanger.

I said it once before, and I repeat it, this book series would make an excellent comic or anime series. Maxwell writes with such vividness filled with sci-fi fantasy imagery that something out of a fever dream. Think in the style of Into The Spiderverse, is how Narvix’s world explodes to life.

Therefore my rating is⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 out of 5 stars.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dayron Maxwell is an author of fantasy and coming-of-age books. He is currently working on a series of six books. His hobbies include writing, traveling, and occasionally a good movie.

To learn more, follow him on his website Dayron Maxwell and on FACEBOOK

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Book Review: REFORMED by Holly Monroe

Welcome to Robert Sinclair’s Reformation Academy, where it is not to support your supernatural powers but to REFORM them. Go from supernatural to simply natural!

Reformed (The Rift Wars Book 1)

Publication Date: Feb 21

Genre: PNR/ Why Choose/ Academy

Synopsis

In a realm where being supernatural is all but illegal, Stella Mikers has hidden her supernatural spirit and done it well for over a decade. Up against the wire to produce a piece of hard-hitting journalism to solidify her career and no other ideas, she decides it’s time to come out of hiding and embrace what she truly is – a Valkyrie.

She dusts off her wings and goes undercover at Robert Sinclair’s Reformation Academy, the prison alternative that boasts the ability to turn supernaturals into simplynaturals, removing what makes them different and allowing them to better assimilate into society.

But there is something fishy about a vampire who can now be a phlebotomist and a necromancer who works as a mortician. Stella is determined to discover what is going on behind those golden gates and expose the Academy to the realm.

What she didn’t expect to find at the Academy were starving vampires who wanted to feed from her feet, a shy cyclops suitemate, or a reaper who is sunshine personified. Even one of her simplynatural professors draws her attention in a way she can’t explain. Stella’s plan didn’t include making friends, but now that she has, she’s dead set on doing whatever it takes to keep them safe.

Robert Sinclair’s Reformation Academy has a dark secret, and it’s up to Stella to uncover it before all of them are reformed.

*This slow-burn MFMMM book is intended for adult audiences and contains explicit content*

REVIEW

Reform apparently intrigued me, though I have no recollection of requesting an advance copy to review. Either way, being the book lover that I am and loving things all supernatural, I dove into this book with eagerness only to discover if you’ve seen one academia trope, you have seen them all. Sadly, the author did not bring anything new to this trope, if you call it that, or to the characters or the spice. Now, I like my spice in my books, but it has to fit and blend in. It has to make sense; again, to me, it didn’t (I could go on a tangent). 

 Perhaps maybe I’ve outgrown the academy genre, and my reading tastes are changing, yet I still adored The School For Good and Evil.  While it’s labeled a fairy tale and fantasy, it does feature the academy trope, where it is a school for magical young people.

So, is this book terrible? NO! Many will adore this book. Overall, this book was not for me.

Therefore, my rating is ⭐⭐⭐

REFORMED IS AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Holly Monroe reluctantly lives in Florida. She writes fantasy, paranormal, and omegaverse romances with strong female characters and swoon-worthy men who always get their happily ever after. 

Learn more about the author and her books @authorhollymonroe.

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BOOK REVIEW: Read Receipts by Ella C. Potter

I feel poetry is becoming a lost art. So, when a new poetry book comes across my desk, I am more than happy to spotlight it. I recently got gifted a chance to read Read Receipts by Ella C. Potter (aka Katrina Thornley).

Published: November 16th 2024

Genre: Poetry

Pages: 130


“We were the stars

Burnt out before anyone knew,

Exploding in the blink of an eye.

But god were we beautiful.”

Read Receipts from Ella C. Potter is a collection of free verse poems inspired by the past and moments of hard reflection. With undertones of angst mingling with moments of hope and healing, this poetry collection reflects upon toxic relationships and the processes associated with moving on. It explores themes of heartbreak, love, loss, transformation, self worth, and growth. Imagery of nature is weaved through out along with fairy tale references. The collection ends with a poem dedicated to a past self, a message to the reader to treat themselves with care and the importance of prioritizing yourself.

AMAZON

REVIEW

Read Receipts is a poetic story about dealing with toxic relationships, breaking free, and healing afterward. Each poem has no title, which I found a bit odd, but each poem transitions so well into each other as if telling a story. Yet I do have favorites like the start titled “Were directed..” “I found..” and the powerful “I have loved…”

To be honest, I was hesitant to read this book due to its raw emotional topic that felt all too close to home, but I found myself wrapped in support and power. Potter’s poetry empowers, not weakens, and that is how it should be. Read Receipts; therefore, it gets five stars from me!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

To learn more about the Author visit https://linktr.ee/KatrinaThornleyAuthor

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BOOK REVIEW: Bonded Nightmare by E.M. Rinaldi

I actually finished this book on December 31st, 2024, so I am welcoming the new year with a review for the spicy paranormal romance BONDED NIGHTMARE by E.M. Rinaldi.

*This book is intended for mature readers 18+

Bonded Nightmare

Publication Date: May 2024

Genre: PNR/ Spicy

Tropes

⚫Enemies to lovers

⚫Fated mates

⚫Shadow daddy

⚫Touch her and die

⚫Slow burn

⚫F0rced pr0ximity

⚫He falls first

⚫Dual POV

Synopsis

She can run but she can’t hide…

As the last unbonded nightmare in existence, Eryn Montalli has been hunted her entire life for the mere potential of her magick. She’s only ever wanted a quiet life tending to the hurt and sick animals that seek her out. Those dreams go to absolute shit with four little words…

They found your bond.

Now she’s hiding amongst the humans at Moorcroft University, trying to make a life for herself—if one overprotective witch wasn’t so determined to set her carefully laid plans on fire. His arrogance is enough to make her want to punch him in the face…but his touch has her questioning why she’s fighting so hard to stay away.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

REVIEW

Eryn and her family are the near last of their supernatural kind called Nightmares. When the tribunal counsel says they found Eryn’s bonded mate, who happens to be of the Witch faction, Eryn flees. She is not into all that. At least not having one chosen for her.

Deciding to come out of hiding and hoping for a new life, Eryn enters college to continue her life and studies. When she encounters an upperclassman named Kaiden, who she is annoyingly drawn to and seems to know all about what is suitable for Eryn, much to Eryn’s protest. Unbeknownst to Eryn, Kaiden is her bonded, and when hunters come calling, Kaiden will risk life and death to protect her. 

Bonded Nightmare features a duel pov format, which I like. In fact, my own book features a dual pov format, and Rinaldi does a nice job of keeping the plot of the story going between the two characters.

I usually gobble up paranormal romances. Bonded Nightmare is a gobble-up good, spicy read, yet I had a hard time getting fully engrossed in it. The character of Eryn seemed too stereotypical of a typical college girl to me, and I really had a hard time believing she loved Kaiden in the end.

Kaiden, on the other hand, was the perfect too-good-to-be-true hunky guy and what can I say I like too good to be true hunky guys. I did kind of like him.

Maybe I have outgrown college-age paranormal romances? The spice, though, was pristine! I enjoyed the slow burn pace as I was squirming in my panties along with Eryn over Kaiden’s antics, I will say that. 

My favorites were the side characters Ezra and Rani, and learning their story will be next I am utterly there for. 

Therefore, my rating for Bonded Nightmare is still 4 out of 5 stars.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Visit https://www.emrinaldi.com/

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Nature and The Human Soul Combine In ARCADIANS (Lullaby in Nature)

Poetry Book Review

Classic poetry is brought back to modern times with ARCADIANS: Lullaby in Nature.

ARCADIANS (Lullaby in Nature)

Published: November 17, 2020

Genre: Poetry/ Poetry women

Pages: 114


Synopsis

This is the culmination of quiet walks at night through trees and upon echoing boardwalks as the full moon lit the way. It was created from the smells of rain-cleansed earth and the voices of passersby commenting on the flowers blooming and inspired by the sun sparkling on the pond’s surface and the essence of a small town’s nature flooding my veins. Full of detail and imagery, see a small town through the eyes of a poet.

REVIEW

Nature and the human soul are the stars of this poetry collection.  Poetess Thornley captures the classic poetic writing of Browning or Blake. That abstract way brings forth a spiritual connection.  Thornley gives nature a voice. The seasons a voice.  One of my favorites is Autumn’s Wind. Autumn is my favorite season, and Thornley does an excellent personification of Autumn to me. Reincarnation is another good one. It is short but so damn profound it’s so refreshing to see nature respect this way.

ARCADIANS is a nice read for a slow Sunday afternoon, and it might make you want to go on a walk in nature.

My Rating 5 out of 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katrina Thornley is a freelance journalist, poet, and author residing in rural Rhode Island. She has been featured in numerous anthologies, including the Association of Rhode Island Authors’ short story anthology “In a Dark Time.”

Her first published novel, “Kings of Millburrow”, is a thrilling mystery full of small-town drama; readers have called it “well written” and “full of suspense”, making it impossible to “put down until the very end.”

Her Arcadians series is currently home to 3 poetry collections, the most recent being Arcadians: Awakening in Nature. Readers have called the series “deeply metaphorical, well written, and emotional” and “recommend it to anyone who enjoys nature or simply needs a break from the fast-paced world.”

To learn more about Katrina and her writing, follow her on Instagram @seekatwrite.

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Book Review: The Secrets of Roan Island by Maci Auroa & Thea Masen

An invitation she can’t refuse—a secret he doesn’t want her to uncover. The Secret of Roan Island is a dark, sexy, gothic paranormal romance that is sinfully sweet. I recently received an ARC copy to review, and now that the book is out, I am revealing my review as I join with R&R Book Tours for the Book Tour Release!


The Secrets of Roan Island

Publication Date: November 21, 2024

Genre: Gothic Fantasy/ Gaslamp/ Romance

Features

⦁	A gothic mansion
⦁	Steampunk aesthetic
⦁	Morally gray alpha MMC
⦁	Academic FMC
⦁	Complex family dynamics
⦁	Wounded characters
⦁	"Who did this to you?"
⦁	He unalives someone for her
⦁	Possessive and obsessed MMC
⦁	"Tell me to stop"
⦁	Primal chase scene
⦁	"Mine"

Outcast from her academic peers and at risk of losing her position at Essik College, Professor Ruby Rose appeals to the reclusive philanthropist Hammish Roan by asking for a grant. What she receives is a cryptic invitation to stay at Roan Island for the winter holiday. No matter how much the eerie mansion unnerves her, access to the Roans’ coveted library is worth facing her unsettling fears.
Mysterious and enigmatic, Noah Roan, the oldest of Hammish Roan’s sons, knows exactly what happens to women who come to their isolated estate. Especially those who stay until the Winter Solstice. No matter how hard he tries to get Ruby to leave, the infuriating and alluring woman insists on staying.

In a clash of will and desire, Ruby and Noah struggle to fight their attraction to each other. But their connection reveals dark and sinister secrets that draw the attention of the maniacal patriarch. Can they work together to out maneuver Hammish Roan, or will he destroy them both?

REVIEW

This book had me swooning! We are introduced to Ruby Rose, a professor at Essik College. Desperate for grant funds, she reaches out to reclusive philanthropist Hammish Roan. When Ruby gets a reply and a errie invitation to spend the Winter Solstice holiday at his manor, Ruby accepts unbeknownst to the secrets that lurk on Roan Island.

Upon Ruby’s arrival, she meets Hammish Roan’s enigmatically handsome sons, The Roan brothers Shemaiah, Jafeth, and the oldest, Noah. Noah wants Ruby to leave, but Ruby is not leaving not without her grant. Frustrated and drawn to this intelligent, headstrong woman, Noah fights to hide their secret and his attraction. Ruby, aware there is something up with this family, can’t help but be intrigued by the sizzling hot Noah Roan, and she is going to get her grant hell or be damned.

Available on AMAZON

Oh, My! Gosh! This book has all the tropes I apparently love and did not know: the gothic Victorian setting, Touch her and die, and the achingly slow-burning romance. I was so giddy reading reading this book. I  did guess the conclusion quickly, yet eagerly read on to see if THEY (the characters) would figure it out. I mean, come on, Noah and Rose! They play so dumb at times, which I think is what makes them likable. They are far from perfect characters, and that just makes them perfect!

Aurora and Masen tag team brilliantly in their writing, creating a seamless flow and tone. I’d never guess two people wrote this (some double-author books, you can tell). When asked at the end if we, the reader, would like more Roan Brothers, the answer is YES!

My rating is 5 out of 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

MACI AURORA

Romance author.

Lover of stories.

Maci Aurora has been writing stories since she was a child. When she was eleven, she fell in love with reading Sunfire Historical Romances about girls who made a difference in their lives and still fell in love. In high school, a friend introduced her to Lavyrle Spencer and Judith McNaught, and from there, her writing journey was cemented in telling stories about love. Having already published many novels (all of which are threaded with romance as upper YA and New Adult titles) under the pen name, CL Walters, Maci Aurora wanted to write stories that offered the same attention to story and characters but with additional steam.

Maci writes in Hawaiʻi where she lives with her husband, their children, and their fur-babies.

THEA MASEN

Thea Masen never thought she’d write spicy romance. The first time she read a steamy book, she was so embarrassed she couldn’t finish it. Now, she spends her days hiding her computer screen from her teenagers and her nights reading tantalizing snippets to her husband.

If you want sweet and spicy love stories, with a touch of the magical and imagined, you’ve come to the right place.

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Book Review: Blood for Blood by J.N. Eagles

 From the author of last year’s “Open the Casket.”  This year, J.N. Eagles is back with Blood for Blood, a poetic story that will haunt you days after.

Blood for Blood

Genre: YA Poetry/ Supernatural

Cover Designer:  @j20graphics

Synopsis

An older vampire secretly resides in a neighborhood, preying off those who hike in the nearby woods. One night, he becomes distracted by a second attack and allows his prey to escape. Following a trail of blood, he comes face to face with his old mentor who only wants revenge and to keep the vampire laws. His mentor will either kill or transform everyone he cares for into vampires. After being arrested and interrogated for a crime his mentor framed him for, can he escape the police station before the sunlight diminishes him? Can he save his great-grandson? Will he be able to convince a stranger, who thinks of him as a monster, to help him? He would do anything as long as he didn’t have to accept his final death.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

REVIEW

Blood for Blood is achingly haunting! A story told in poetic prose, Eagles makes sure you turn the next page even though you don’t want to.

This book was so unique and beautiful all at once. Horrifyingly tragic, I was not sure I liked the trip Eagles was taking me on, but I loved it at the same time. The story is so incredibly good! It holds you and, with a gentle touch, yearns you to the end. This is true gothic horror reminiscent of the great Edgar Allen Poe.

This is a great story told in such a brave new way, and oddly, it works. I do not think the story could be told any other way. Eagles tells the tale of the vampire in poetic free verse poetry. It was offputting at first, but I soon felt at home in the Eagles’ style of storytelling. This book! I am still in awe and love. It’s on my favorite list of reads this year. 

Thus, my rating is 5 out of 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J. N. Eagles currently lives in Alabama with her husband, daughter, two cats, and a flock of chickens. She runs a reading blog where she posts reviews about the books on her shelves, and she plans to write many books of poetry. She graduated from Athens State University with a Bachelor’s in English/Language Arts and graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Master of Arts in Writing. When she’s not reading or scribbling new stories, she’s enjoying the outdoors and working in her garden.

To learn more about Eagle and her other works, visit her Amazon page and follow Eagles on Instagram @j.n.eagles.author

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BOOK REVIEW: DOLL FACE by C. Hebert and D.J. Krimmer

In celebration of the start of the spooky season, I bring you a dark and twisted treat this Thursday! DOLL FACE by the Queens in Dark Horror Romance C. Herbert and D.J. Krimmer. Coming out October 5th, this story is a dark retelling of the iconic stories of The Nightmare Before Christmas (specifically Oogie Boogie) and Coraline into a mash-up of spooky goodness filled with banter, chaos, and lots of spice.

Doll Face

Publication Date: October 5, 2024

Genre: Dark Romance/ Retelling/ Novella

Shall We Play a Game?

Amid the suffocating embrace of night,

I stumble upon him, a beacon of light.

The Boogeyman, a seductive terror,

Whispers haunting promises, cruel and fair.

Eyes that glint with otherworldly fire,

In his grasp, I’m consumed by dark desire.

A love twisted and sickeningly sweet,

Tangled in the depths of darkness, where nightmares meet.

Should I trust my button eyes,

Or should I doubt them and follow my firefly?

Available October 5th, Available on AMAZON

REVIEW

Take a dash of Coraline and a heaping of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, and you actually get something dark, twisted, and original. We are placed in the world of Dreadmore, ruled by the Spinster. When one of her creations betrays her, she banishes him to the lands of Nightmare to be eaten by the creatures that live there. Except he does not die. He rises to become The Boogie Man.

When a pretty doll named Blue fails to live up to Spinster’s expectations, she is banished to Nightmare, where she comes face to face with the Boogie Man himself. Blue should be afraid, as she has heard horrible tales about the Boogie Man. There is a man under the mask, though, and Blue is drawn.

While I am not a big fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas, and I haven’t even seen or read Coraline, I am a sucker for a fairytale retelling, and this fits the bill. I warned, though, that this is a seriously dark, twisted retelling coming with tons of trigger warnings (see below). All that aside, Doll Face is just a sweet romantic story with a touch of darkness and some Carolina Reaper spice scenes that could make Satan blush.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I found myself wishing for more depth in the story. The authors did a commendable job of filling in the gaps later on, but I still felt there was potential for further exploration. The way the story concluded, there might be more. Herbert and Krimmer, can we please have some more? 

Thus, my rating is 5 out of 5 stars. It was a fun read.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Available October 5th, Available on AMAZON

Warning Book Contains: Adult Themes, Sexual Situations, Mental Abuse, Physical Abuse, Attempted Sexual Assault, Torture, Blood, Biting, Attempted Murder, Murder, Death, Detailed Sexual Scenes, Anxiety, Mention of Child Abduction and Death, Kidnapping, Stalking, Somnophilia, Emotional Abuse, Needles, Sewing of Flesh, Mention of Rape, Sexual Abuse, Trauma, Profanity, Sexual Harassment, Slut Shaming, Violence, Dubious Consent, Desecration of a Corpse, Masturbation, Mention of Blood Orgies, Verbal Abuse, Taxidermy, Light Bondage, Virgin FMC, Sodomy, Rough Sexual Interactions, Removal of Eyes, Emotional Addiction, Intrusive Thoughts, PTSD Characteristics, Sex Addiction, Gambling, Body Modifications, Toxic Relationships, Body Horror, Dead Bodies, Emotional Scars, Emotional Trauma, Attempted Strangulation, Abuse of a Deceased Animal, Sexual Manipulation, Emotional Manipulation, Lying, Shared Trauma, Panic Attacks, and a Cliff Hanger Ending

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

D.J. Krimmer

Crowned the Queen of Banter, DJ Krimmer is known through the community for her witty, smart mouthed characters. In real life she will often say her slogan is:

“Purposely Awkward, Accidentally Funny.”

It’s a slogan she takes very seriously.

When DJ isn’t making inappropriate jokes or hiding from the worst imposter syndrome known to writer-kind, she’s weaving contemporary romance stories filled to the brim with imperfect alpha-holes and witty females whose love conquers every hurdle thrown their way.

C. Herbert

Commonly known as Cyn (or graveyard mommy), C. Hebert is a multi-genre author who loves to paint a pretty picture, woven together with absolute chaos.

While most authors like to write happily ever afters, C. Hebert prefers to take her stories in the opposite direction, delivering darker tales with a hint of madness, tugging at your heartstrings.

She is a self proclaimed manic write who loves to constantly push herself to do more.