Eye catchingly lured in by this stunning book cover, and caught in my Thursday Book Spotlight is An Incarnation of Shadow and Light by S.A. Christianson. Let’s read on for more details.
An Incarnation of Shadow and Light
Publication Date: September 20, 2022
Genre: NA Dark Fantasy/ Gaslamp Fantasy
Featuring
✨Magic ✨LGBTQ+ Rep ✨Morally Grey Characters ✨Betrayals ✨An Exiled Prince ✨Assassins ✨High-Stakes Fantasy ✨Multiple POVs ✨Political intrigue
Four magicians abuse their magic to gain power in a corrupt Victorian inspired world. In the Kingdom of Verchiél only a handful of people known as Incarnate can use magic. Equally feared and respected, they are revered as saints and indulged like gods. But the sudden deaths of Verchiél’s rulers unleashes a power struggle between four Incarnate, each seeking power to fulfil their own desires. Gabriel, a charismatic socialite who takes darker paths to avoid slipping back into powerlessness. Zoe, the daughter of a disgraced merchant, determined to carve a new path for her life. Niklas, an exiled prince trying to escape the ghosts of his past. Silje, an assassin who will stop at nothing until she’s seized the adoration she has always been denied. Infighting and betrayal run rampant as each becomes worse than their problems in order to solve them.
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.
SPOTLIGHT! A sinfully alluring cover The Devil’s Waltz by Jessi Elliot looks AMAZING! Be on the lookout for this beauty coming this February 27th, 2024!
Discover what happens when a young woman from a family of demon hunters falls in love with the prince of hell in this spicy paranormal romance.
The Devil’s Waltz (Love in Hell #1)
Expected Publication Date: February 27, 2024
Genre: Spicy Paranormal Romance
Features:
❤️🔥 Lovers to Enemies…to Lovers?
❤️🔥 Forbidden Romance
❤️🔥 Snarky Banter
❤️🔥 Mental Health Rep
❤️🔥 Angst
❤️🔥 Spiceeeee
It’s been five years since her sister was killed by a demon and Camille Morgan swore off the family business of demon hunting. Now a college sophomore, Cami is determined to get her degree and move far away from Seattle—and all things paranormal.
But when Cami becomes the target of a demon attack she’s convinced is a ploy by her parents to drag her back into training, the wildly charming and attractive Xander Kane comes to her rescue. Except her savior isn’t a hunter. Or even human.
Xander is a demon, the alluring prince of hell, whose magnetic presence leaves Cami both captivated and conflicted, especially when she finds out he plans on using her to destroy the demon hunters once and for all.
Caught between her growing affection for Xander and her loyalty to her family, Cami struggles to make a decision that could shatter her and endanger the lives of those she loves.
Jessi Elliott is a paranormal and fantasy romance author who lives in Ontario, Canada with her adorable calico cat, Phoebe.
When she’s not working on her next book, she likes to hang out with friends and family, get lost in a steamy romance novel, watch Friends, and drink coffee.
You can find Jessi at www.jessielliott.com and on social media @authorjessielliott. Join her newsletter to stay up to date on book news!
Partnering with R&R Book Tours for a cozy paranormal mystery book feature that will be perfect to curl up with on cold rainy/snowy nights. Put on your detective hats as we dive into TheEnglewood Medium: Shaken But Not Stirred by Lana McAra.
The Englewood Medium: Shaken But Not Stirred
Publication Date: January 10, 2024
Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
When Haley Meyers opens a new chapter in her life with a move to the charming town of Englewood, Pennsylvania, everything seems perfect: her freshly remodelled apartment, easy access to her therapy practice, and a handsome downstairs neighbour to boot. The very last thing she expects as a housewarming gift is the sudden appearance of her long-deceased father. Her idyllic image of the small town disappears when Haley finds herself the target of an unknown stalker who goes on a campaign of terror and destruction. She puts her newfound psychic talents to good use, but will she be able to discover who is after her before someone gets hurt? When her client is the victim of foul play, Haley can’t help but wonder: Will she be next?
Lana McAra is an award-winning, international best-selling author and ghostwriter of 44 titles through traditional publishing with a million books sold, many under the name Rosey Dow. She has been teaching how to write fiction for 20 years. She currently serves as the president of the Northeast Florida Chapter of Sisters in Crime and is the host of The Fiction Writer’s Podcast.
Writing under the name Rosey Dow, she won The Christy Award, The Book Excellence Award, and The Literary Titan Silver Book Award for her historical novel Reaping the Whirlwind by Rosey Dow, and her mystery series, Colorado, sold more than 250,000 copies. This year she released the paranormal cozy mystery, Shaken but Not Stirred by Lana McAra.
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.
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!
Freelance Writer Janny(Jan Marie)C 