A modern Greek myth retelling and fantasy romance Strifre’s Apple by Shoshana Rain is a full-length, medium-burn, standalone fantasy romance with a guaranteed HEA. It contains steamy scenes and is an opposites attract, enemies to lovers romance. Read on!
Strife's Apple: A Modern Greek Mythology Fantasy Romance (The New Olympus Book 1)
Genre: Fantasy Romance/ Greek Mythology
Features 🏛️Enemies-to-lovers ❤️Grumpy/sunshine (she's grumpy) 🏛️Locked her in Tartarus (isn't sorry) ❤️Hate everyone but you (and maybe you too) 🏛️We Need to f*ck this out ❤️Anti-heroine 🏛️Has to save everyone. Doesn't want to
Apollo: As the God of Prophecy, it’s my duty to keep my fellow gods safe. And to do that, I need Eris. Which means retrieving the Goddess of Discord from the pits of Tartarus—where I left her, seven hundred years ago. The now-freed goddess may think she can beat me, but I intend to tame her wildness before she destroys us all. I’ll do anything to save my family, including seducing her. And I'll love every second of it. I’ll have the little goddess on her back, hands, knees, any and every way I can get her. No matter what, I'll bring her to heel.
Eris: For seven hundred years, they kept me chained in darkness. For seven hundred years, I never saw sunlight, never knew joy, never spoke to another mortal—or god. Until Apollo came, and with the wave of one imperious hand, freed me. I know he needs my help. The gods are fading, and only I can save them. Too bad I have no interest in anything beyond revenge. Especially against him.
A lover of mythology, sexy romances, and heroines who give as good as they get, Shoshana knew she wanted to write fantasy romance since reading Kushiel’s Dart. When she’s not writing, she’s hanging out with her cat and trying to keep her garden alive in the harsh desert summer.
Most London socialites dream of marrying for love or status, but Contessa’s wedding is about justice—and revenge.
Nathanial Woodrow is known on the streets of London as the Beast, leader of the fearsome Lion gang who marks their victims with three slashes on their faces. Since her mother was found dead with the signature slashes years ago, Contessa has wanted nothing more than to see her murderer brought to justice. However, the Beast has been impeccable at maintaining his façade as the high society Mr. Nathanial Woodrow, and nobody has been able to gather enough evidence to convict him. When the Beast unexpectedly asks Contessa’s father, the Chief of the Royal Police, for her hand in marriage, Contessa and her father hatch a plan to bring him down from the inside.
As Contessa enters the lion’s den in search of evidence to convict the Beast, she finds that not everything is as she once thought. Her father’s work, hunting down Talented that use their magic to rule the criminal underworld, is thrown into question with each glimpse of the kind-hearted man beneath the mask of a hardened gang leader. As Contessa navigates her search for justice, she finds herself questioning what side she’s really on, and why she finds herself drawn to a man she’s supposed to hate.
Beauty and the Blade (The Talented Fairy Tales Book 1) Publication Date: January 5, 2024 Genre: Gaslamp Fantasy/ Fairy Tale Fantasy
🌹Enemies-to-Lovers ♟️Slow-Burn 🌹Arranged Marriage ♟️Found Family 🌹Magical Street Gangs ♟️Who Did this to You?
Review
I previously spotlighted this book in my Thursday Book Spotlight. So, when I got offered a chance to review it I was like yay! Yes, please (A big thanks to Mrs. Grayson and RR Book Tours for gifting me a copy)!
Take a dash of Beauty and the Beast fairy tale, tossed in with some Bridgerton meets Peaky Blinders and you haveBeauty and the Blade. Forget the poetics though as upon the first page you dive right in as we meet Contessa about the get married to the “Beast” (Due to his scared face) Nathaniel Woodrow, known on the streets as the leader of the notorious street gang the Lions. Her mission is to get proof and revenge on the man who is said to of murdered her mother. In Contessa’s attempt for evidence, she learns that trust is proven through actions not words as everything Contessa once thought may not be right.
Beauty and the Blade is a cozy read. I love fairy tales and fairy tale retellings all the more. Grayson does a splendid job on my beloved Beauty and the Beast. Set in industrialized London and replaces an enchanted curse with what the town folks call the “Cursed” or “Talented.” Think X-men mutants and you kind of get the idea.
I love how Grayson throws us right into the thick of it on the first page with Contessa’s wedding of doom then sets everything down to a simmer as the rest slowly unfolds. There are plot twists, and some action moments, yet it all runs at a simmering pace. I wanted Grayson to crank up the stove a bit, but then that would make Beauty and the Blade lose the charm and appeal it has.
Grayson writes in a soothing smooth tone that just engrosses you into her world. I don’t know how many times I was like okay I am stopping at this chapter then I come to the end of it and I am like um…one more chapter! A perfect book to curl up with and read on a rainy day, which is what I did.
My overall rating 4 stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
S.C. Grayson has been reading fantasy novels since she was a little girl stealing books from her older sister’s shelves, and that has developed into a love of writing and storytelling. Her writing is currently focused on fantasy and paranormal romance. When she is not sitting in a local coffee shop writing and consuming an iced americano, Grayson is a nurse working towards a Ph.D. in nursing with a focus on breast cancer genetics. She lives in Pittsburgh with her loving husband and their two
cats, who enjoy contributing to her work by walking across her keyboard at inopportune moments (the cats, not the husband).
BEAUTY AND THE BLADE OUT NOW AND AVAILABLE ON Amazon
Alathea knows she’s the only one who can stand between her vengeful mother, Bex, and all-out war with the magic realms. But to confront her mother, Alathea will have to return home with Lidja, the high sorceress whose disdain for her has only sharpened—and the one person she would prefer to never see again.
Lidja can’t find a peaceful spot far enough from Alathea in her home realm. But when Bex escalates her threats to deadly heights, Lidja knows she’ll have to assess this new enemy herself. For such a delicate mission, she’ll have to work in harmony with Alathea, the mule-headed almost-ruler who refuses to cooperate, no matter how adjacent her sharp axe comes to Alathea’s throat.
To stop the oncoming war, Alathea and Lidja might have to consider the worst option of all: a fake betrothal that proves the magic realms are no threat and creates a magic tie between them. But when magic blurs the line between love and hate, will either be strong enough to resist…or will the fake betrothal make fools of them both?
Bound by Promises & Lies is the second book in the Realms of Magic Young Adult fantasy series with a slow-burn sapphic romance, heart-pounding adventure, and big twists. If you liked Throne of Glass or A Curse So Dark & Lovely, you’ll love this fast-paced story by Sienna Archer.
Publication Date: February 19, 2024 Genre: YA Fantasy Romance/ LGBTQ2+ *Fake fiancé *Slow-burn Sapphic romance *Touch her and die *Plot twists *Family drama *Wish-granting sea faeries *Complex characters *Second in a series *YA Romantasy
Review
Meant to read the first book (Bound by Scars and Secrets) before I read this second installment am reviewing I accidentally picked up Bound by Promises & Lies first and started reading none the wiser. I was a couple of chapters in when I realized this was book 2, not book 1. I winced because I am a stickler for reading in order, but it was too late. I was already invested in Sienna Archer’s world and characters. I had to see Alathea and Lidja journey through till the end!
I must say Lidja has to be my official favorite female character in a book of all time. I have never had one until now either. She resonated with me written perfectly real – strong-ass-willed, yet vulnerable weak, and unapologetically herself. Her conversations with whomever she comes in contact with are entertainingly priceless.
Bound by Promises & Lies is an engrossing read you’ll forget this is a YA fantasy. It also works well as a stand-alone almost since I didn’t read the first book and was not that lost.
Archer writes with a warm welcome tone that instantly draws you in. I felt instantly welcomed into her world and instantly fell in love with her characters (and this is book 2 remind you!) That says something about a writer’s writing prowess.
While sure there were some points in the story that might have made more sense if I read book 1 first it was minuscule. Plus it only acted as an enticement for me to go back and read book 1 to get the whole story. Bound by Promises & Lies ends on a bit of a cliffhanger too so I am excited to see what Archer has next in the realms of magic world.
My overall rating 5 out of 5 stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
About the Author
Sienna Archer believes romance should be epic, adventures magical, and the best characters are the ones who grow. She writes books featuring diverse characters and strong female leads that make readers laugh, shout, and cry.
Learn more about Sienna and her books at Sienna Archer
Currently, on a book tour with RR Book Tours, this book deserves a spotlight, just by the title alone. Let’s sink our teeth into A House of Fangs and Deceit by Alex Frost.
A House of Fangs & Deceit: A Dark Fantasy Romance (Lunaria Realms Book 1)
Publication Date: January 23, 2024
Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance/ Why Choose
The fae are gone and the monsters reign.
Lunaria was always a land full of nightmares. But when the fae vanished without a trace, we had to make sacrifices to survive.
From the ashes, the Moroi Houses rose.
As the Heir to one of the most influential Houses, I’ve always known that an arranged marriage would be part of my future. One where I ruled alongside my husband as we fought to strengthen the crumbling alliances of our people.
When I’m betrayed by my husband and his House, however, I return home to an uncertain future—and to both my childhood crush and my arch-nemesis. Kieran is even more gorgeous and clever-tongued than I remember, while Alaric is frustrating... and hotter than he has any right to be. And then there’s the taciturn librarian and their magical ropes…
Navigating politics has always come easily to me, but I don’t know how to deal with my complicated desires or whom I can trust. Because the blood wards that have kept our realm safe for over a century are failing. The monsters are drawing closer, and someone is aiding them.
A unique take on Vampires, Shifters, Fae, & Other Magical Creatures. This is a spicy fantasy romance with love interests who don’t mind sharing. You can expect different types of relationships ranging from sweet and playful to enemies to lovers; set in a world full of monsters with a dark history.
Alex Frost is… actually Maddox Grey. Dun dun duuuuun! Okay probably not that dramatic of a reveal since it isn’t exactly a closely guarded secret. The pen name Alex Frost was created to publish the spicier fantasy series that fall under the “Why Choose” genre. Why Alex Frost? Because Maddox is a freaking nerd. After being trained by local baristas to respond to the name “Alex” instead of Maddox, it seemed like the perfect pen name. Half of it anyway. Since Maddox already shares their last name with Jean Grey of the X-Men, it seemed fitting to borrow Emma Frost’s last name for their other persona. If you know, you know.
In my spotlight today is the newly released Awoke by K.T. Conte. The cover is beautifully alluring and the story sounds curious. If you like the manga/anime Bleach. Novels like City of Bones, Daughters of Smoke and Bone, or the dark supernatural Angelfall, then Awoke might be your next read.
Awoke (The Unseen War Book 1)
Publication Date: February 1, 2024
Genre: NA Paranormal Fantasy
🖤Grim Reaper Forbidden Romance
🖤Black Bad-A%$ FMC
🖤Black, Scottish MMC
🖤Dystopian World Building
🖤Malcontent Spirits
🖤Anime Vibes
When the Veil between the Living and the Dead Shifts…
Turning eighteen is more than just a rite of passage for Katya Stevens; it’s a chilling awakening. Suddenly thrust into a world she’d believed was a mere figment of childhood nightmares, she finds herself where the dead refuse to rest, and the balance of life teeters perilously.
Her once-hidden ability to see the departed reveals not only the world’s deadly mysteries but also the depths of her soul. Gregor, an enigmatic Grim Reaper, isn’t just a harbinger of death but a symbol of the battling forces at play—especially The Want, spirits distorted by their defiance against the natural transition to the beyond.
But Katya’s destiny is larger than she ever imagined. A beacon in legends, she stands between hope and havoc. As she delves deeper into the ethereal realm of Ager, she confronts not just the malevolent Wanters but the shadows of her own heart and the complexities of early adulthood.
Awoke weaves a tale inspired by the depth and drama of beloved fantasy tales and the intricate storylines of notable anime series, promising a world where every decision echoes with univer-altering consequences.
K.T. Conte, a devotee of the written word and all things wild and fascinating, first discovered her passion for books at the tender age of two. Even then, as an avid reader, her journey to becoming an author was already on the horizon. An African-American author with a flair for breathing life into stories, K.T. holds a B.A. in English from Boston College and a law degree from Suffolk University Law School.
While she is a licensed and practicing attorney, K.T.’s first love has always remained books. The enchanting dance of words across a page and the powerful narratives they weave continue to captivate and inspire her every day. Over the years, she has shared her Massachusetts home with a delightful blend of characters – the enchanting specters in the closet, her loving husband Everett, a couple of mischievous building fairies, and her beloved daughter, Ella.
Looking for a spellbinding fusion of Robin Hood, dragons, and monsters? Then this book spotlight is for you! Dive into the world of This Wicked Bond by Amanda Aggie.
The third book in the Realm of Monster Series, This Wicked Bond is an enemies-to-lovers tale featuring a morally gray shifter hero with many red flags. The world is dark but also full of adventure and magic!
This Wicked Bond (Realm of Monsters #3)
Publication Date: December 28, 2023
Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance
🐉 Dragon Shifters
🐉 Enemies-to-Lovers
🐉 Robin Hood Inspired
🐉 Found Family
🐉 Morally Grey Hero
🐉 Fated Mates
🐉 Magical Bonds
🐉 Spicy Dream Manipulation
🐉 Crew of Thieves
🐉 Who Hurt You?
🐉 Banter for Days
A captive princess.
A rogue dragon shifter. A bond that could save or doom them all.
Unlike my sisters, I was never arranged to marry a monster. I was imprisoned from birth.
I have a unique gift and my father– the King of Solaria–fears it. Yet, he’s far too curious about how my magic works to let me go.
Everything changes the day I’m pulled from my cell. It’s never happened before. The only explanation is that I’ve outlived my usefulness. Except, it’s not a chopping block awaiting my head. It’s a handsome rogue in a green cloak. The man’s a thief who owes the dungeon warden a life debt. To repay it, he’s been tasked with smuggling me out of the kingdom.
I know nothing about him. Not his name. Not even his species. Yet, his alter ego has made it clear that this isn’t just an assignment. I’m his, and though he’ll see me safely out of Solaria, he has no intention of letting me out of his sight.
The monster might want me, but I can assure you the man housing him does not. My father murdered his twin sister and devastated his kingdom.
All it would take is for him to go back on his word, and I might become the means of how he gets his revenge.
This Wicked Bond takes place within Amanda Aggie’s Seven Realms World.
Best known for her #1 Amazon bestselling series, Dark Halos, Amanda Aggie writes steamy dark fantasy romance. She’s a wife, a mother to two beautiful tiny humans, and has a stellar caffeine addiction. More importantly, she writes choking-hazard fantasy romances that will have you laughing out loud, swooning, and biting your nails all in one sitting.
Almost all her books take place in the seven realms of Hell, which she’s often described as, “If Hell and Wonderland got together and had a baby.” You’ll find creatures of all kinds—fae, demons, dragons, witches, and more—along with morally gray villains, and steam. So, grab you some pearls to clutch before you enter the seven realms, and get lost in the chaos.
Another beauty book cover has caught my eye. So I am shining a light on it. Currently touring over at R&RBook ToursBound By Scars and Secrets by Sienna Archer is the first book in the YA fantasy Realms of Magic Series. A slow-burn queer love triangle, realm-crossing adventure, and unraveling family secrets. If you liked A Court of Thorns and Roses and These Hollow Vows, you’ll love this fast-paced story.
Let’s find out more.
Bound by Scars & Secrets (Realms of Magic #1)
Publications Date: August 16, 2023
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance/ LGBTQ2+
✨Fake Betrothal
✨Sapphic
✨Touch Her & Di3
✨Slow Burn
✨Wish-granting Sea Fairies
✨Epic Fantasy
He’s a mage who charms. She’s a sorceress who kills. Raised to fear magic, Alathea hates them both—especially when they become her only chance to find her missing sister.
17-year-old Alathea has kept her sister safe and the forbidden magic in her veins controlled ever since their mothers fled. But when Alathea’s sister disappears, a mage with a glowing spear outs her magic. On the run, Alathea receives an impossible offer from the mage: He and the sorceress will deliver Alathea to her sister if she crosses to his monster-reigned realm and accepts a magic destiny herself.
To get her sister back, Alathea will have to decide: Can she stop hiding and trust the enemies she hates…or will her animosity burn into something else entirely?
Sienna Archer believes romance should be epic, adventures magical, and the best characters are the ones who grow. She writes books featuring diverse characters and strong female leads that make readers laugh, shout, and cry.
I love folklore. So, spotlighting this Thursday is Anansi’s Web by Derek Mola. Anansi’s Web is a fantasy folklore anthology collection inspired by African culture. Curious? Let’s learn more!
Anansi’s Web
Publication Date: January 22, 2024
Genre: Black & African American Fantasy/ Fantasy Anthologies/ Folklore
As Kweku looked above, the room became illuminated by the sudden appearance of thousands of fireflies. An orange glow lit up the room, and a giant spider web was on the ceiling. The web glistened, and each strand was flowing with energy.
“This is the source of all stories, my boy. The source of all life, some may say. For what are we, if not a collection of stories? Each strand of this web is a different story. A story of love, a story of tragedy, a story of life, or a story of death. Sit on my throne, choose a strand, and begin the tale.” explained Anansi.
Anansi is the god of stories, and he has many to tell.
A young boy named Kweku has heard no new stories in a long time. So he travels to see Anansi, the god of stories, in the hopes that he will tell him some new stories. Luckily, he caught Anansi in a good mood, and the god decided to enchant Kweku with tales of magic and wonder. In these 10 stories tangled in a web, a Cowboy befriends a Jackalope, a Kelpie falls in love with a man, and a young boy’s grandmother leaves to live with Fairies. Anansi’s Web is a concoction of fantasy, folklore, and horror. Showing us the magic of the world, while reminding us of the terror it can cause. Like a man on death’s door receiving help from beyond or a woman who regrets her one wish.
Derek Mola was born and raised in Massachusetts, graduating from Emerson College, with a degree in Visual Media Production. Tired of the film industry, he became obsessed with horror and fantasy short stories.
Having spotlighted book 1 in The Aeglecian Seas Series I am super excited to help announce the cover reveal for book 2! Look out Below!
Drawing inspiration from The Legend of The Flying Dutchman and the enchanting world of Aladdin, The Voyant and The Mark of Malice weaves a captivating story of hidden dangers, action-packed adventures, and the unexpected, yet sizzling romance of two sworn enemies who are determined to outwit one another.
The Voyent and the Mark of Malice (Book 2 in The Aeglecian Seas
Series)
Expected Publication Date: April 29, 2024
Genre: Pirate Romantic Fantasy
Tropes: *Cursed pirate ships
*Morally gray captains
*Trickster female main characters
*Possessive alphahole who falls first
*Enemies to lovers
*Djinn, Nasnas, and Ghouls
*Forced proximity He may be clever, but she’s already a step ahead…
Kalia Salam is a Voyant, or a person with the ability to create mind-altering visions and project them into others. But when the punishment for having that ability is death, every decision becomes a strategic calculation to avoid execution. Unfortunately, that includes tethering herself to the continent’s most wealthy brothel owner and only using her magic to pad the madam’s pockets. That is, at least, until she needs it to protect those around her. But when Kalia uses her magic on the wrong client and is mistaken for a powerful djinn, one that the pirates have been meticulously hunting, she becomes ensnared in her most complex game of deception yet. Because, one way or another, she refuses to fall to the hands of a cursed captain.
Captain Rahmi Abada revels in collecting dying souls from the sea, particularly those burdened by guilt. But whispers of a tale have begun to swirl…a tale about a mysterious gemstone with innumerable abilities, including the power to shatter any magical bond. Consumed with the idea of sailing for eternity without his binding curse to Liddros, God of Sea, Rahmi enlists the help of the fiery djinn he forced aboard his ship. The only problem? The djinn harbors her own secrets, ones that threaten to unravel Rahmi’s carefully laid plans.
Author and full-time respiratory therapist, Sadie Hewitt grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is a diehard Michigan Wolverines fan. She doesn’t claim a home anymore, rather chooses to travel the country with her football-fanatic husband and two feral, yet lovable, dogs. She loves to write in urban paranormal fantasy and fantasy romance, mostly about powerful women, morally gray men, found families, and a sprinkle (or pour) of magic and spice.
When she’s not thinking of ways to completely crush her readers, you can find Sadie scaling mountains around the world, catching up on her own TBR, and checking out the local coffee shops.
Don’t forget to check out her latest series, Within the Solstice Cages, today!
I love fairy tales and spotlighting today are two talented fairy tale fantasies. Think Bridgerton meets Peaky Blinders in Beauty and the Blade and Little Red Shadow by S.C. Grayson. Now available!
Beauty and the Blade (The Talented Fairy Tales Book 1)
Publication Date: January 5, 2024
Genre: Gaslamp Fantasy/ Fairy Tale Fantasy
Most London socialites dream of marrying for love or status, but Contessa’s wedding is about justice—and revenge.
Nathanial Woodrow is known on the streets of London as the Beast, leader of the fearsome Lion gang who mark their victims with three slashes on their face. Since her mother was found dead with the signature slashes years ago, Contessa has wanted nothing more than to see her murderer brought to justice. However, the Beast has been impeccable at maintaining his façade as the high society Mr. Nathanial Woodrow, and nobody has been able to gather enough evidence to convict him. When the Beast unexpectedly asks Contessa’s father, the Chief of the Royal Police, for her hand in marriage, Contessa and her father hatch a plan to bring him down from the inside.
As Contessa enters the lion’s den in search of evidence to convict the Beast, she finds that not everything is as she once thought. Her father’s work, hunting down Talented that use their magic to rule the criminal underworld, is thrown into question with each glimpse of the kind-hearted man beneath the mask of a hardened gang leader. As Contessa navigates her search for justice, she finds herself questioning what side she’s really on, and why she finds herself drawn to a man she’s supposed to hate.
Little Red Shadow (The Talented Fairy Tales Book 2)
Publication Date: January 5, 2024
Genre: Fairy Tale Fantasy Romance/ Gaslamp
The Wolves are out for blood, but Scarlett doesn’t intend to let them catch their prey.
When Scarlett’s friend Georgette starts receiving death threats from the Wolves, a powerful street gang, she sets out uncover why they want a prominent socialite dead. As a Talented gangster herself, Scarlett goes undercover. Instead of a hardened murderer, she discovers the charming younger son of a Duke, Benedict Pearce, is the would-be assassin. Clearly not a killer at heart, Scarlett decides to trust the handsome rogue, and they join forces to put a stop to the Wolves mysterious machinations and save her friend.
As the pair begin their investigations, as well as a fictitious courtship to throw the Wolves off their trail, Scarlett must reckon with a past she prefers to keep hidden. Benedict, constantly jovial and flirtatious, slowly chips away at the shadows Scarlett has built around her heart.
Still, as the search uncovers deeper levels of deception, their ruse becomes increasingly dangerous. When facing down the Wolves, Scarlett is forced to confront how far into the shadows she is willing to go to protect the ones who have her heart.
S.C. Grayson has been reading fantasy novels since she was a little girl stealing books from her older sister’s shelves, and that has developed into a love of writing and storytelling. Her writing is currently focused on fantasy and paranormal romance. When she is not sitting in a local coffee shop writing and consuming an iced americano, Grayson is a nurse working towards a Ph.D. in nursing with a focus on breast cancer genetics. She lives in Pittsburgh with her loving husband and their two cats, who enjoy contributing to her work by walking across her keyboard at inopportune moments (the cats, not the husband).
Learn more about Grayson and her books. Follow her on Instagram @s.c.grayson
Freelance Writer Janny(Jan Marie)C 