Book Review: Carved From Obsidian by Addie Grey

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A wayward witch. A billionaire vampire. Dark family secrets and steamy, steamy romance.

Carved From Obsidian: An Urban Paranormal Romance (The Founders Duology Book 1)

*NOTE: This book is intended for adults and may have themes that some readers prefer to avoid. Visit www.addiegreybooks.com for the content guidelines.*

Genre: Dark paranormal romance, Dark Fantasy
Release Date: May 1st, 2024

Tropes:
x Dark paranormal romance
x Modern setting
x Vampire x witch
x Forbidden romance
x Powerful/controlling family
x Dark secrets unraveling.
x Love triangle
x Hidden powers
x Steamy/Spicy

Story Plot

Soph’s life takes an unexpected turn when she is rescued from imminent death by a mysterious vampire. Fuelled with a need to find this day-walking supernatural, She embarks on a relentless quest to locate her saviour.

Soph soon discovers that her elusive vampire is none other than Eli Damiani, billionaire and business titan. Though she only wanted to thank him, Eli quickly becomes intertwined with Soph’s life in unexpected ways. Their chance encounters explode into a web of inexplicable connections, drawing them closer in more ways than one.

Though her obsession with her vampire grows, she knows nothing can become of their secret romance. Her grandmother, a powerful witch and the family matriarch, has another man in mind for her granddaughter, and always desperate for Nona’s approval, Soph finds it difficult to say no.

And while her heart is being pulled in more ways than one, dark and insidious secrets are unraveling in the supernatural world. Soph discovers the hard way that both she, her family, and Eli Daniani are all ensnared and cannot escape.

Review

Newly titled ‘Obsidian Crack’ by me, I was not expecting to become so engrossed in this book and its characters. The character of Soph is a hot mess of a young witch. She is always late for work. She can’t stick to a coven for her life; as you see, commitment is not her thing. When a mysterious vampire stranger saves her life from getting hit by a truck, Soph becomes obsessed with finding him, even though vampires and witches don’t mix. 

When Soph discovers he is a daywalker vampire, and the well know sexy billionaire Eli Daniani of the prominent corporation called SinCorp. She’s got to thank him, right?  No harm, no foul, then why can she not stop thinking of him?

When Eli shows up out of nowhere asking for Soph’s help. The allure of her hero grows even more when he picks her design for his new project of night clubs, but when Soph gets tricked into joining a black witch coven, Soph’s world tears apart, finding Eli her savior once again. Family secrets, though, threaten to ruin it all.

Again I did not expect to get so swallowed up in this book. The character of Soph seems A- typical female character to me, but gosh darn it, Grey made my obsidian heart feel. There is a bit of a powerful subplot Grey slips in that was mind-blowing and shocking, and I loved the way Grey handled it with brutal beauty and grace. Then, the moment when Eli comes back, realizing he shouldn’t have left her alone, Soph officially cracks apart… I don’t want to give away too much, but Soph became real, and I empathize for her.

Overall, Grey writes with a clean, smooth, modern flare that is enjoyable. She gives us readers just the right amount of detail, letting our brains imagine in sultry detail. The only downside is the book ends not on an oh my gosh; I can’t wait till book two cliffhanger but instead on a somber note with a lot of unanswered questions, which I hope to get answered in the next book.

My rating is 41/2 out of 5

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Carved From Obsidian is available May 1st, 2024 Pre-order your copy HERE

ARC courtesy of RR BookTours and Author Addie Grey

About The Author

Addie Grey, a luminary in the world of dark fantasy romance, hails from rural Australia. A day dreamer and adventure-chaser, Addie intricately weaves tales that traverse the realms of dark fantasy, urban fantasy, and romantic fantasy, ensnaring readers within the tendrils of her enchanting narratives.

Addie’s storytelling prowess extends across a spectrum of genres that encompasses dark fantasy, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance. Her stories are intricate tapestries woven with threads of desire, seamlessly entwining elements of otherworldly magic with gritty realities. Readers find themselves ensnared within the pages of her captivating books, drawn into worlds where love and darkness collide in a mesmerising dance.

Learn more about Addie and her books at addiegreybook.com

Book Spotlight Thursday: Umbra: Sentient Stars by Amber Toro

With a cover like this, the book spotlights itself! A Rogue. A Commander. And an Admiral.
Brought together by circumstance, held together by duty. Can they find a way to work together to save humanity? Read on as we celebrate the release of Umbra: Sentient Stars by Amber Toro; let’s learn more!

Umbra: Sentient Stars

Publication Date: April 24, 2024

Genre: Sci-Fi Fantasy/ Space Opera

✨Enemies-to-Lovers
✨Found Family
✨Multiple POVs
✨Intergalactic Adventure
✨Slow Burn
✨Militaristic Society
✨Fully Sentient Starships

Earth That Was has faded into myth. After millennia spent wandering, humans are no longer nomads. Twelve tribes stand allied under the United Tribal Axis, but there is a signal in the darkness that threatens to destroy everything.

All Skyla wanted after leaving the Navy was to be left alone. Just her ship, the stars, and a new adventure. But when a strange virus disables her ship, she is thrown into the middle of a conflict she doesn’t understand, forcing her to take on responsibilities she swore she never would again.

Hinata always followed the rules and honor above all else. He always won until he didn’t. Sentenced to exile for his failures, he is determined to prove himself, until a mysterious woman arrives on his station and chaos threatens to break already fragile alliances.

Freyja was always angry, an outcast, playing the part of admiral and black ops operative. But she is tired of being a pawn in the Empress’ games, and when she’s stranded on the wrong side of enemy lines after a vengeful battle, she’s forced to ally with her adversaries to clear her name.

Available Now! On Amazon

About The Author

Amber Toro is the director of data science at a machine learning startup working to make the world a better place with AI. She is a big believer in using tech for good.

Always dreaming Amber writes epic sci-fi and fantasy.

Amber grew up in Seattle with a great love of the outdoors. She now calls Utah her home and when she is not writing or coding you can find her biking, hiking, and camping in the mountains with her amazing partner and two tiny humans or curled up with a good sci-fi/fantasy book.

Follow Amber at Amber Toro

Book Spotlight Thursday: Sin and Betrayal by Sienna Snow

This week, we are spotlighting the newly released Sin and Betrayal by Sienna Snow. Set to be book 1 in the Sin and Lies series. A mafia, dark romance what is not to love? Let’s read on!

Sin and Betrayal (Sin and Lies Book 1)

Publication Date: April 11

Genre: Mafia Romance/ Dark Romance/ MMF
Features
⦁ Mafia
⦁ Dark Romance
⦁ MMF
⦁ Bodyguard
⦁ Antiheroes
⦁ Second chance
⦁ Hurt you to save you
⦁ Enemies to Lovers
⦁ Touch her, and you 💀
⦁ Boss's wife
⦁ Forced Proximity
⦁ Hate to love you
⦁ Suspense
⦁ Forbidden Love
⦁ Super spicy
⦁ Voyeurism
⦁ Bondage

Princess in a Tower
Captive in a Cage.
There is no Power.
Only Rage.

They promised me love and devotion,
And left me with shattered dreams.
They’re back expecting forgiveness.
But my price is very steep.
Betrayal is a risky business,
Now that I’m the Queen, they wish to keep.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Inspired by her years working in corporate America, Sienna loves to serve up stories woven around confident and successful women who know what they want and how to get it, both in – and out – of the bedroom.
Her heroines are fresh, well-educated, and often find love and romance through atypical circumstances. Sienna treats her readers to enticing slices of hot romance infused with empowerment and indulgent satisfaction.
Sienna loves the life of travel and adventure. She plans to visit even the farthest corners of the world and delight in experiencing the variety of cultures along the way. When she isn’t writing or traveling, Sienna is working on her “happily ever after” with her husband and children.

Learn more and follow Sienna at SIENNA SNOW

Book Feature Friday: Long Live by V.B. Lacey

Blog touring this week with RR Book Tours, I had to sneak in this gem. I think I have a thing with sword book cover art. Long Live is the first book in the Elementals of Iona duology, an epic fantasy romance that follows the journey of a young woman overcoming loss and anxiety and four immortal beings learning how to forgive and love again after their dark past. This enemies-to-lovers series is full of morally grey characters, witty banter, unique elemental magic, romantic tension, and twists you won’t see coming. Long Live is perfect for lovers of epic quests and character-driven stories, especially fans of Carissa Broadbent, Elise Kova, and Sarah J Maas.

Long Live: An Elemental Magic Fantasy Romance (The Elementals of Iona #1)

Publication Date: June 2023

Genre: Romantic Fantasy

✨Forced Proximity
✨Witty Banter
✨One Cave
✨Multiple POVs
✨Anxiety
✨No Spice Romance
✨Morally Grey Characters
✨Elemental Magic
✨Plot Twists

Isla Belthare lives an ordinary life in her small village of Lockhurt. Since losing both her mother and the man she loved two years ago, all she wants is stability and peace. But her world is forever changed when her family is attacked on a journey away from home and she must travel to the Aataran mountain range to find them.
Across the realm, four ancient beings who control the elements of nature are awakening.
After a civil war that tore the humans apart, the elementals entered a thousand year slumber. Now, they are being summoned to prevent a dark force that is greedy for power and threatening to overturn the balance of nature.
When Isla’s path crosses with one of these elementals, she finds her fate is more entangled with theirs than she had ever imagined. As she risks it all to follow the elementals on their journey to defeat the unknown foe, she discovers that not everything may be as it seems. Isla is torn between protecting her loved ones or following her heart down a dangerous path of power and magic, of truth and lies.
What will they sacrifice to stop the coming storm?

Available Now! Get it Here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

V.B. Lacey is an office manager by day and an avid reader-turned-writer by night. She grew up on stories of magic, love, and sarcasm, and equips her writing with all three. She lives in Texas with her supportive husband and two rambunctious dogs. When she’s not writing about morally grey characters and far-off kingdoms, you can find her reading (mostly fantasy and contemporary romance), playing board games, or spending time with friends.

Follow V.B. on Instagram at @vblacey.books

Book Spotlight Thursday: A Sword of Shadow and Deceit by Lucinda Dark

This Thursday’s Book Spotlight is the enticing A Sword of Shadow and Deceit by Lucinda Dark. If you enjoy dark fantasy romance, enemies-to-lovers, and a good anti-hero, this book is a must-read!

A Sword of Shadow and Deceit (Mortal Gods #1)

Publication Date: March 21, 2024

Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance/ Why Choose

Features
🖤Dark Fantasy Romance
🗡️Assassin FMC
☠️Anti-Hero
🚫Forbidden Existence
❤️Enemies-to-Lovers
🔥Why Choose

Desperation makes warriors of captives. The Gods split the skies and rained down tyranny upon the mortal realm long ago. Ever since then, the only thing worse than being human is being of Divine Blood.For someone like me—an undocumented God child, indebted to the Underworld Assassination Guild—that means only one thing: A life in the shadows. Or so it should have been … until Mortal Gods Academy. Until them.
The Darkhaven Brothers are truly the worst of all the Gods’ spawn. Arrogant. Wicked. Violent. To them, I’m nothing more than a human plaything meant for torment. For me … they’re the path and the key to my freedom. But if any of them find out who I am, what I am … even the shadows won’t be able to save me.

*Contains dark with themes of a dark nature that may be triggering. Please check trigger warnings and read responsibly*

GET YOUR COPY HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lucy Smoke, also known as Lucinda Dark for her fantasy works, has a master’s degree in English and is a self-proclaimed creative chihuahua. She enjoys feeding her wanderlust, cover addiction, as well as her face, and truly hopes people will stop giving her bath bombs as gifts. Bath’s get cold too fast and it’s just not as wonderful as the commercials make it out to be when the tub isn’t a jacuzzi.
When she’s not on a never-ending quest to find the perfect milkshake, she lives and works in the southern United States with her beloved fur-baby, Hiro, and her family and friends.

Follow Lucy/Lucinda at Lucy Smoke/ Lucinda Dark

Book Review: I Am Bold by Andie Powers Illustrated by Betsy Peterson

Bea is not loud — she is BOLD! Sometimes, people tell Bea she’s just too much. Whether she’s bugging her brother like a buzzing bee, helping out a bit too much in class, or blasting her trombone as loud as it goes, she is often misunderstood. While grownups and even other kids might see her as loud, we know that she’s got stuff to say, things to do, and friends to make!

This story is for the child who lives out LOUD and boldly use their voice to be heard above the crowd. Bea’s story shows us that when the strongest voices are celebrated, their boldness inspires beauty and positive change.

From the acclaimed I Am Quiet: A Story for the Introvert In All of Us, Andie Powers brings us I Am Bold for the kids that tell it like it is. That may be told they are just too much…

Read the full review featured on Medium.com (leave a clap)

I AM BOLD is available now on AMAZON

Book Release Special: The Curse of the Fallen (The Wicked Kingdom Book 3) by Abby Fox

After featuring Book 1, Curse of the Crow, last Thursday, since it is now April 8th, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to join the celebration showcasing the release of the last book in The Wicked Kingdom Series. Behold The Curse of the Fallen by Abby Fox.

The Curse of the Fallen: A Soulmate Romance (The Wicked Kingdom Book 3)

Publication Date: April 7, 2024

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Features

Hidden Identities
Slow Burn
Delicious Angst
Morally Gray Fae MMC
Burn the World for Each Other
One Bed
Powerful but Awkward FMC
Denied Soul Mates

A lost prince. A powerful heiress. A destructive secret.
Fleeing the castle’s gilded prison and on the run from the king, Nava and Arkimedes are confronted by a sinister shadow-figure, who looks like Arkimedes and who wants Nava dead. He vows to end the Beekeepers and bring destruction into the world.
Forced into hiding in the only place their enemies can’t reach them, the Society of Crows Safehouse, Nava and Arkimedes must find a way to prevent their enemy from unleashing demons into this realm.
But stopping him seems impossible, and with the king’s guards on their tail, will they manage it? Or will their love, their lives, and even the entire world be destroyed?

Curse of the Fallen is a dark, action-packed, sexy, fated mates fantasy romance for fans of ACOTAR.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

GET THE WHOLE WICKED KINGDOM TRILOGY

Book Spotlight Thursday: The Curse of The Crow by Abby Fox

With the release of the final book in this series coming up on April 8th. We are spotlighting where it all began. Book 1 The Curse of the Crow.

The Curse of The Crow: A Soulmate Romance (The Wicked Kingdom Book 1)

Publication Date: August 2021

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Features

*Hidden Identities
*Slow Burn
*Delicious Angst
*Morally Gray Fae MMC
*Burn the World for Each Other
*One Bed
*Powerful but Awkward FMC
*Denied Soul Mates

Destined to love each other. Determined to fight their fate.
Nava Forrest stumbled upon her soulmate when she was young. A brief meeting with a hooded stranger forever bound her to a wicked man she wanted nothing to do with. Running from his dark power, her parents escaped to the non-magical town of Willowbrook to keep her safe.
Now that they are gone, her life raising her younger brother and selling potions to wary townsfolk has been quiet... and magic-free.


When the Society of Crows finds Nava, intent on imprisoning her, it forces her to flee to the forest, searching for the only person she was told can protect her.
Arkimedes is not what she expects, and her attraction to him is unnerving. As the chemistry between them grows, so does her power. But the secrets he keeps threatens to tear her world apart. With the Society closing in, it forces them to put aside their differences and fight to escape their oppressors. But will they escape destiny?


The Curse of the Crow is the first book in a trilogy, based on the Wicked Kingdom verse.

Action-packed, sexy, and perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and C.N. Crawford.

Contains mature themes.

Available Now on AMAZON

Read the rest of the series!

Book 3- The Curse of the Fallen (released date April 8th pre-order today)

Book Spotlight Thursday: Grave-Reaping Guardian by Everlyn C. Thompson

Book spotlighting today is the celebration of the release of Grave-Reaping Guardian (Book 3 in the series) by Everlyn C. Thompson. Come join me!

Grave-Reaping Guardian (Grave Reaper Series Book 3)

Publication Date: March 25, 2024

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Features
⭐ Curvy FMC
⭐ Forced Proximity
⭐ Family Found
⭐ One Bed
⭐ Touch Her & ☠
⭐ Fae Guardians
⭐ Surly Vampires
⭐ Homeless Shifters
⭐ Broken Ghosts
⭐ Evil Fae Queen
When the gate between Earth and Fairie blows up and traps Theodora Edwards in the mystical realm, she must work together with her guardian and the dark prince to locate and safeguard a magical key that powers the Light Court. While learning to properly use her fae magic, Theo is forced to fend off an abduction attempt by wraiths, locate a missing castle, tame a dragon king, and have a friendly chat with the dead queen.
But with all of Theo’s efforts going toward protecting those she loves, she struggles to find time to explore the possibility of a romantic relationship—and the insecurities that come with it.

WARNING: This book contains triggering themes including low self esteem, infertility intimate scenes this book is recommended for 18+

Get it on Amazon

About The Author

Born and raised on the beautiful Canadian prairies, Everlyn prefers to spend her time outdoors with her family kayaking, skating, fishing, and hunting. She loves reading and writing about vampires, witches, fae and zombies that get to find their own version of happily ever after.

Learn more at Everlyn C. Thompson

Book Spotlight II: Chloe’s Crusade (Teddy Bear Chronicles #2) by Donnalyn Vojta

SURPRISE! I double-booked myself again! In my defense, I just could not pass up on this unique gem piece! WARNING THIS IS NOT A CHILDREN’S BOOK! Chloe’s Crusade is a psychological thriller, and book two in The Teddy Bear Chronicles. Let’s hug our teddy bears tight to learn more!

In this second volume of the unique thriller/suspense series narrated by inanimate teddy bears, the ever-brave Chloe Stogdon inserts herself into the dark and chilling world of a global drug clan. Her fearless companion, Tiny Bear, provides a vivid account of the distressing, disturbing events that unfold around Chloe and her FBI team.
The story takes exciting turns and offers many layers of drama, including a love triangle, a star-struck stalker, and a tattered family relationship that may or may not recover. Chloe’s old friends, Richard and Sidney from Vol. I become entangled in Chloe’s perilous cartel crusade, and Love Bear, Fair Bear, and a debut bear, Rocco, reveal all the thrilling moments seen through their innocent eyes.

AVAILABLE NOW!

GET IT HERE

Don’t Forget Volume 1

Get It HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Formerly a litigation attorney, one constant in Donnalyn Vojta’s life is her love for writing, whether novels or screenplays. Vojta’s goal is always to entertain others as she’d like to be entertained. And for her, that means lots of suspense and thrilling twists!

Learn more at Donnalyn Vojta