Book Review: The Obsidian Throne (Midnight Kingdom #1) by Lavendar Ocean

I received a eARC from the author and Ingramspark to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for giving me access.

*** Warning: This post may contain spoilers and adult language. ***

GOODREADS

AMAZON

Title: The Obsidian Throne (Midnight Kingdom #1)
Author: Lavendar Ocean
Published by: Ingramspark
Publication date: June 21, 2020
Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, New Adult, Romance, Contemporary

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

In this contemporary mythical fantasy romance, we follow the story of Violet Stone on her journey after death, into the underworld. 

Greek myths are totally re-imagined in this complex world of magic and legend, woven carefully over the course of seven years by the author.

Within these pages lies an adventure that tears apart the very seams of the myths we’ve heard for eternity. Forget what you think you know about these ancient gods and goddesses – this journey will take you beyond stereotypes and basic folklore into a world that lies within the shadows.

Life is anything but simple… Why would death be any different?

REVIEW:

Oh my giddy gumdrops! Lavender does and amazing job at drawing you into the story from the very first to the the very last page.

We have death, the underworld, Greek gods, stores open 24/7, Starbucks, rose gold credit cards, everything at the tip of your fingers, and so much more! Just kill me now! I want this life!

Not to mention, there are some extra steamy parts. Woo! 

I love how Lavender broke the traditional mold of popular and overused tropes. We open up with Violet meeting a character and it seems like he will be a potential lover as the story progresses — HAHAHAHA SIKE! That was not the case WHAT SO EVER! Is there a love interest? Yes, yes there is. Is it insta love? To the extent, yes, but there is something that makes their relationship feel like a deja vu and not a gag you with a spoon love at first sight.

Oh did I mention the Underworld is full of, sexy as fuck, Greek gods? Well it is. And uh, Auggie is my new book beau so back off….HE IS MINE! LOL

There was nothing predictable about this book! I mean, did I guess what would happen at the end? Yes….BUT it was just a weird inkling that I had and I wasn’t even sure that I was correct because, well you’ll have to read it to understand what the hell I am talking about. 

That ending was perfect and definitely makes me want more. Needless to say I NEED book 2 NOW.

RATING:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

What do you think about The Obsidian Throne? Are you going to give it a read? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

All my love, always

Angela

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Book Review: Alone Together : Why Your Kids Are Watching Others Play by R. K. Holliday

I received a physical copy from the author to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for giving me access.

GOODREADS

AMAZON

Title: Alone Together: Why Your Kids Are Watching Others Play
Author: R. K. Holliday
Published by: Independently Published
Publication date: March 22, 2019
Genres: Parent, Child/Adult Relationships, Informative

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

Are your kids always on YouTube or Twitch?In the midst of social media, toxic news, and insanely complicated research, many parents get lost. Feeling pressure to know “what” their kids are seeing on the internet and understanding “why” they’re clamoring for more, it’s easy to lose sight of how we got here and why our kids are into this strange, new trend.In this easy to understand book, R.K. Holliday offers parents much more than a to-do list. Instead, he presents us with a big-picture view of a child’s life way back when, in his day, and now. Outlining reasons centered on no-agenda, normal observations, he shows that we need to understand what’s behind the screen to understand what’s making our kids tick. We need to put ourselves in our kids’ shoes with little grace and understanding.Freed from the burden of trying to understand complex studies that simply don’t apply to everyday kids, we can embrace a good perspective of video games and streaming that will enrich your understanding of why children can’t get enough of YouTube and Twitch streaming.

REVIEW:

I will firstly admit, this was not at all what I was expecting. Was it bad? Not in the slightest. But it was definitely informative and opened my eyes more to my childhood upbringing and how it differed from that of my parents.

Holliday takes us through three generations of upbringings: Way Back When, In My Day, and Now. He definitely brings our attention to the reasonings behind the fascination of why kids today watch other people play games.

After reading this, and listening to my kids watch Parker Plays/Player Select on the TV, it now makes sense as to why they find it more interesting than I do. I mean, if I had access to watching gamers at their age, I would be obsessed too.

This was very different from my usual fantasy or thriller books, but I really did enjoy it. It is a super short read and I definitely suggest giving it a gander, especially if you too question why kids are obsessed with watching others play games.

RATING:

⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Don’t let my 3 star rating fool you, I did enjoy this read. As I said, this is not a typical read for me. For those that enjoy more of a non-fiction/education/informative read, this is perfect for you! Even if not, I would still highly suggest it just for the information that is given.

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What do you think about Alone Together? Are you going to give it a read? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

All my love, always

Angela

BOOK REVIEW: Night Warden (THE DARK DREAMER TRILOGY #3) BY AMBER R. DUELL

I received this as an eARC to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to Amber R. Duell and The Parliament House for giving me access. 

GOODREADS

THE PARLIAMENT HOUSE

AMAZON

Title: Night Warden
Author: Amber R. Duell
Published by: The Parliament House
Publication date: March 24, 2020
Genres: Fantasy, YA, Romance, Paranormal

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

The Nightmare Lord has fallen.
The usurper, beaten.
Now darker forces rise.

Nora accepted her role as the Lady of Nightmares. With the Nightmare Kail at her side, she’s even managed to excel, but past mistakes refuse to stay quiet. Not only is the Weaver narrating Nora’s every move, but Mara—the Ancient that hitched a ride back to the Nightmare Realm—is intent on opening the Ever Safe. The Sandman is doing his best to plan Mara’s defeat, but secrets threaten to tear everything apart.

In the thrilling conclusion to the Dark Dreamer trilogy, Nora and the Sandman must face old friends, dead enemies, and new betrayal if they’re going to keep the Ever Safe shut. If they fail, both the Day and Night Worlds will descend into darkness.

REVIEW:

I received this as an eARC to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to Amber R. Duell and The Parliament House for giving me access.

Oh my sandy dreams this epic conclusion to the Dark Dreamer Series was jam packed with Night World action! I almost didn’t want to read it because I DIDN’T WANT THE STORY TO BE OVER! In fact, the Sandman can come visit my dreams anytime….better yet, Kail can.

Amber Duell does an amazing job of creating a story that draws you in from the very first page – to the very last page.

Although I was rooting for a different ending — can’t say what because spoilers — but the ending was perfect and wrapped up the trilogy nicely.

Is it too much to ask for some novellas about Kail or Halven or Baku or Katie or even Mara? I really am not ready to leave this world.

RATING:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

What do you think about Night Warden? Are you going to give it a read? Have you read any other of The Dark Dreamer Series? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

All my love, always

Angela

January’s Book of the Month Picks

Right now you can sign up for only $9.99 for your first book! And if you use this link https://www.mybotm.com/vpl7ew3z9s you and I both can get a FREE add-on book!*Not affiliated with BOTM. I use my own money to purchase every box.)*

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve done an unboxing post, let alone a BOTM one. Life has been oh so crazy.

This month is a little bit different because I REACHED BFF STATUS Y’ALL!

BFF status? What does that even mean? Girl, you be crazy.

BFF is when you have subscribed for 12 months! You get some awesome freebies as well, like this tote with book pocket.

You also will receive a free add-on during your birthday month and every winter when they announce the five Book of the Year Finalists, you’ll get to choose the one you want for free. FREE!

Okay, enough of my blabbering…lets get to the good stuff…my picks!

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James.

Thriller.

“A creep-tastic ghost story where a woman finds the run-down motel her aunt was last seen in. And it’s def haunted.” – BOTM.

SYNOPSIS:

Upstate NY, 1982. Every small town like Fell, New York, has a place like the Sun Down Motel. Some customers are from out of town, passing through on their way to someplace better. Some are locals, trying to hide their secrets. Viv Delaney works as the night clerk to pay for her move to New York City. But something isn’t right at the Sun Down, and before long she’s determined to uncover all of the secrets hidden…

Things in Jars by Jess Kidd.

Historical Fiction.

“Strong Victorian women dealing with wildly unladylike things. Like death. And maybe a kidnapped mermaid or two.” – BOTM.

SYNOPSIS:

Bridie Devine—female detective extraordinaire—is confronted with the most baffling puzzle yet: the kidnapping of Christabel Berwick, secret daughter of Sir Edmund Athelstan Berwick, and a peculiar child whose reputed supernatural powers have captured the unwanted attention of collectors trading curiosities in this age of discovery.
Winding her way through the labyrinthine, sooty streets of Victorian London, Bridie won’t rest until she finds the young girl, even if it means unearthing a past that she’d rather keep buried. Luckily, her search is aided by an enchanting cast of characters, including a seven-foot tall housemaid; a melancholic, tattoo-covered ghost; and an avuncular apothecary. But secrets abound in this foggy underworld where spectacle is king and nothing is quite what it seems.

Ashlords by Scott Reintgen.

Fantasy.

“The violent dystopia of The Hunger Games with fiery, phoenix-horse races leading to a revolution. Hold on tight.” – BOTM.

SYNOPSIS:

Every year since the Ashlords were gifted phoenix horses by their gods, they’ve raced them. First into battle, then on great hunts, and finally for the pure sport of seeing who rode the fastest. Centuries of blood and fire carved their competition into a more modern spectacle: The Races.
Over the course of a multi-day event, elite riders from clashing cultures vie to be crowned champion. But the modern version of the sport requires more than good riding. Competitors must be skilled at creating and controlling phoenix horses made of ash and alchemy, which are summoned back to life each sunrise with uniquely crafted powers to cover impossible distances and challenges before bursting into flames at sunset. But good alchemy only matters if a rider knows how to defend their phoenix horse at night. Murder is outlawed, but breaking bones and poisoning ashes? That’s all legal and encouraged.
In this year’s Races, eleven riders will compete, but three of them have more to lose than the rest—a champion’s daughter, a scholarship entrant, and a revolutionary’s son. Who will attain their own dream of glory? Or will they all flame out in defeat?

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Are you a BOTM member? What did you pick? Not a BOTM member, have you read any or are interested in any of these picks? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

All my love, always,

Angela

Cover Reveal: Unleashed (Unspoken #3) by Celia McMahon

Release Date TBA 2020 by The Parliament House Press

GOODREADS

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

“I will claim my victory with claws and teeth and steel.”

In the wake of her battle to protect the Den, Izzy has crossed back into Stormwall to enact her plan with the former prince, Ashe, to retake the kingdom from within. Only weeks go by with no word from the prince and Izzy is faced once again with Ashe’s betrayal. She is forced to make alternate plans with a group of rebels to kill both king and prince.

But the world has always bent at odd angles for the wolf-princess. On the day of their battle, things don’t go as planned and Izzy finds herself once again fighting for her life and friends. In the chaos that follows, Izzy and her rebels lose Stormwall into the hands of the Gwylis.

When Izzy discovers that the king had been turning children into wolves, she embarks on a journey that will take her deeper into Mirosa to both save innocent lives and continue her brother Henry’s take of breaking the Gwylis curse. While battling her own demons, her friends have continued the path of their own destinies, each weaving together for one final battle. With the Uncanny’s power growing stronger there is more at stake than ever. Amidst demons and gods, Izzy must aim to break apart the world she knew, to build something even better in its place. A kingdom without demons or wolves. A new kingdom.

I’m so excited and sad about this release! I really don’t want this story to end.

What do you think about this cover? Are you going to give Unleashed a read? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

All my love, always

Angela

Cover Reveal: The Storyteller’s Daughter by Victoria McCombs

Release Date August 25th, 2020 by The Parliament House Press

GOODREADS

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

His shadowed face lit by flames,
Rumpelstiltskin is my name…

For as long as anyone can remember, every child in Westfallen has been born with a Gift, and these Gifts defined them. 

Then Cosette is born, Giftless. 

An attempt to hide her misfortune brings her before the King, who entraps her to use her Gift as a pawn in his war.

Caught in a lie, Cosette desperately searches for a power strong enough to free her. Intrigued by whispers of an old king and a dark curse, she calls upon Rumpelstiltskin and finds him trapped in a magic deeper than she bargained for. Now, Cosette must fight to reclaim her freedom from the King and break Rumpel’s curse. When time runs out, she’ll lose more than her heart. She’ll lose her life.

THE STORYTELLER’S DAUGHTER is a Rumpelstiltskin retelling that will satisfy fans of Gail Carson Levine’s ELLA ENCHANTED, as well as Jessica Day George’s DRAGON SLIPPERS and PRINCESS OF GLASS, and Cameron Dokey’s THE WORLD ABOVE.

What do you think about this cover? Are you going to give The Storyteller’s Daughter a read? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

All my love, always

Angela

Cover Reveal: The Hollow Gods (The Chaos Cycle Series #1)by A. J. Vrana

Release Date  July 28th 2020 by The Parliament House Press

GOODREADS

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

Black Hollow is a town with a dark secret.

For centuries, residents have foretold the return of the Dreamwalker—an ominous figure from local folklore said to lure young women into the woods and possess them. Yet the boundary between fact and fable is blurred by a troubling statistic: occasionally, women do go missing. And after they return, they almost always end up dead. 

When Kai wakes up next to the lifeless body of a recently missing girl, his memory blank, he struggles to clear his already threadbare conscience. 

Miya, a floundering university student, experiences signs that she may be the Dreamwalker’s next victim. Can she trust Kai as their paths collide, or does he herald her demise?

And after losing a young patient, crestfallen oncologist, Mason, embarks on a quest to debunk the town’s superstitions, only to find his sanity tested.

A maelstrom of ancient grudges, forgotten traumas, and deadly secrets loom in the foggy forests of Black Hollow. Can three unlikely heroes put aside their fears and unite to confront a centuries-old evil? Will they uncover the truth behind the fable, or will the cycle repeat? 

What do you think about this cover? Are you going to give The Hollow Gods a read? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

All my love, always

Angela

Cover Reveal: Wire Wings by Wren Handman

Release Date June 30th, 2020 by Parliament House Press

GOODREADS

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

Graciela Neumann does as she’s told. She cowers beneath the towering intellect of her parents, goes to school, toes the line. Except when she’s connected to the virtual reality world that gives every teenager what we can only imagine—to be completely free. In the Waves, Graciela can be anyone, anywhere, anywhen.

And in the real world, Graciela is drowning. Her best friend recently passed away, she’s suffering from crippling panic attacks, and her only connection to life is Khaiam, who keeps trying to draw her back to reality. 

But how can he compete with the Waves? There, she can shed her identity and recreate it however she wants. And in that world there’s Thomas, the stunning stranger she’s only ever met online, the boy with the deep, sad eyes and beautiful laugh. Thomas seems to be able to defy the rules of the Waves, and he holds secrets of his own—about the origins of his creation, about the nature of AI, and about Gracie’s own past.

What do you think about this cover? Are you going to give Wire Wings a read? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

All my love, always

Angela

Cover Reveal: The Redpoint Crux by Morgan Shamy

Realease Date June 2020 by Parliament House Press

GOODREADS

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS:

When Megan Van Helsburg gets kicked off the U.S.A. Climbing Team, she has no choice but to return home and leave her climbing career behind. With no coach, no money, and no prospects, she joins the corps de ballet determined to improve her strength and agility. But the ballet theater is in dire straits. Not only do a series of murders break loose, but the ballerinas are becoming deathly thin and brain-dead. As Megan investigates, she meets Bellamy, a tortured young man who lives beneath the depths of the theater. Megan falls hard and fast for Bellamy, who becomes her mentor, but something is off about him. 

It isn’t until the company announces they’re doing Giselle for the fall performance that Megan realizes the parallels between the ghost story and the lives around her. Megan must find a way to not only save her climbing career, but balance her feelings for Bellamy, and stop the murders and dying girls before she, too, is numbered among the dead. 

What do you think about this cover? Are you going to give The Redpoint Crux a read? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

All my love, always

Angela

Book Review: Uncaged (Unspoken Trilogy) by Celia McMahon

I received this as an eARC to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to Celia McMahon and The Parliament House for giving me access.

GOODREADS

AMAZON

Title: Uncaged
Author: Celia McMahon
Published by: The Parliament House
Publication date: February 11th, 2020
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal, Fiction

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS

Not every queen needs a crown.

After escaping Stormwall, Izzy and Fray have finally crossed through the Archway and into The Old Kingdom in search of allies. But finding a place within Fray’s former pack is harder than they imagined. When Izzy’s father warred with the Gwylis, it made a lifelong enemy of the Rowan name. Fray’s betrayal of siding with Aquarius in the war makes him no less an enemy to the pack. 

Izzy struggles to understand her newfound magic and build a relationship with her new family, but when the new king’s soldiers arrive in The Old Kingdom, Izzy must fight to secure the protection of her new home. With war looming once again, Izzy is thrust back into the life she tried to leave behind.

As danger mounts, past, present, and future collide between kingdoms, and the lines of allegiances are drawn. Izzy must decide who she is willing to fight for, and where her loyalties truly lie. 

UNCAGED is the stunning sequel to Celia McMahon’s debut UNSPOKEN, the first in her fantasy trilogy set in a world of curses, wolves, and war.

REVIEW:

Oh. My. Heart. I think it is breaking. Why? I can’t even begin to answer that without leading to spoilers. But there is death, which is to be expected because we are at war, but I am not okay. 

Moving on…

Celia Mcmahon does and amazing job at world building and storytelling. We have love and loss, traitors and heroes, more Gwylis and FIRE MAGIC! I didn’t want it to be over. 

I cannot wait for the final book and I am looking forward to see how Izzy takes back her kingdom.  I can just imagine her now, with a gleam of fire in her eyes.

On a path of fire, you will walk. And out of the flames, a beast will rule. – Celia McMahon, Uncaged.

Once again, thank you Celia for incorporating sign language into your story. It is something that should be thought about more often and included in more stories. All the disabilities, really.

RAITING:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

What do you think about Uncaged? Are you going to give it a read? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

All my love, always

Angela