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Review: The Garnet Dagger

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Forbidden to cross the Elvin barrier into human lands, Brock cannot sate his curiosity. Cursed by a vampyre bite that forces him to feed on the life-essence of others, he is unable to touch another without taking their life. Chained by prophesy, he must find a witch, pierce her heart, and draw her blood for his cure. 

Celeste must escape the monks who have held her prisoner for years. Her magic has been kept dormant by her captors. An ancient powerful Warloc craves her powers. If he succeeds in devouring her magic, she and the world will die.

When Brock falls in love with Celeste before realizing her demise is his cure, will love triumph over his desire to be healed? Will he risk everything to save her from a Warloc, an oath breaker, who also wants her dead?

(Blurb from Goodreads)

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The best thing about reading a book, is when it’s not like anything you’ve read before.  There have been times when I feel like I’m reading the same story over and over again in different books. This is not the case, and how refreshing that is.

The Garnet Dagger has everything you want in a fantasy story; elves, witches, magic blades, and an epic quest. And I loved the fact that although it was fantasy, I felt like it could have been historical with the way the setting was described. I felt like I could have been there myself.

Like the summary states (so I’m not giving anything away) I like how Brock is in the ultimate dilemma of killing Celeste to fulfill the prophecy and save his own life, or not killing her and forfeiting his life. It definitely makes the book that much better having such a conflict in it.

So if you’re looking for your next fantasy read, give The Garnet Dagger a try.

My Rating: 4 stars

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***I was given this book free by the author in exchange for an honest review.***

 

Review: Burned by Karen Marie Moning

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It’s easy to walk away from lies. Power is another thing.

MacKayla Lane would do anything to save the home she loves. A gifted sidhe-seer, she’s already fought and defeated the deadly Sinsar Dubh—an ancient book of terrible evil—yet its hold on her has never been stronger.

When the wall that protected humans from the seductive, insatiable Fae was destroyed on Halloween, long-imprisoned immortals ravaged the planet. Now Dublin is a war zone with factions battling for control. As the city heats up and the ice left by the Hoar Frost King melts, tempers flare, passions run red-hot, and dangerous lines get crossed. 

Seelie and Unseelie vie for power against nine ancient immortals who have governed Dublin for millennia; a rival band of sidhe-seers invades the city, determined to claim it for their own; Mac’s former protégé and best friend, Dani “Mega” O’Malley, is now her fierce enemy; and even more urgent, Highland druid Christian MacKeltar has been captured by the Crimson Hag and is being driven deeper into Unseelie madness with each passing day. The only one Mac can depend on is the powerful, dangerous immortal Jericho Barrons, but even their fiery bond is tested by betrayal.

It’s a world where staying alive is a constant struggle, the line between good and evil gets blurred, and every alliance comes at a price. In an epic battle against dark forces, Mac must decide who she can trust, and what her survival is ultimately worth. 

(Blurb from Goodreads.)

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Karen Marie Moning is one of my top two favorite authors. I buy her books in hardcover.  Sometimes, I buy the ebook at midnight when it releases before I go buy the hardcover the next day, because I just can’t wait to read them. Her books are that good.

So Burned is book 7 in the Fever Series.  (If you aren’t familiar with this series and want to go check it out, Darkfever is book 1.)

I don’t know how she does it, but Moning always surprises me.  I never know where the book is going, and that’s a reason I love her work so much.

Mac is back in Burned.  Yay! She’s my favorite point of view to read, and Burned was mostly hers.

The two things I didn’t like about the book – the cover – sexy man??  I liked the original urban fantasyish covers; not a fan of these new ones.

Second thing – it ended way too soon.  Oh well, I’ll just have to wait for the next one.

So obviously I highly recommend this series.  If you like Urban Fantasy and haven’t read this series, go read it now!

My Rating: 5 stars

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The Empyrean Key – Review

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In Ardentia, a land carved by the Celestials and their magic, a great King lies dying.

Narcean soothsayer, Friziel Sunrender, has foreseen a shadow that threatens this already war-torn world, and whispers on the wind hint at the return of an ancient evil. To stave off this threat, he must call upon the halfbreed girl-child he banished years ago.

As a not-so-perceptive telepath and amateur scam-runner, Jahna Mornglow has filled the void left by an absent father, with the friendships of a bloodthirsty bar-maid and a bullied book-worm. Her mother, scarred by the racial prejudices of her past, refuses to nurture Jahna’s Narcean abilities of prophecy and telepathy, warning her of the hate beyond the safety of Groden Cove – a beachside safe haven for misfits and those who wish to be left alone.

When hidden enemies move their pieces into play as the King’s condition worsens; Jahna learns the true extent of her lineage, and is tasked with restoring a Celestial artifact known as The Empyrean Key. Jahna must now keep safe the world that has shunned and discarded her.

(Blurb from Goodreads.) 

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The Empyrean Key, while fantasy, was a fast moving and easy going read.  I really enjoyed it.  The characters, the setting, the plot; everything about this book was unique.  And even though it is a fantasy book, I had no trouble following along.  (Sometimes in other fantasy worlds it’s hard to keep everything straight; not in this book.  Easy peasy.)

 The main character, Jahna, goes through some serious trials and tribulations and then finds out that she must go on a mission to save the world.  Her two best friends, Silko and Lilac accompany her on this mission.  The story kind of reminding me of Lord of the Rings. I can’t quite put my finger on why, except the fact that the characters are all so different, believable, and likeable (this is of course, a compliment!)

There were also multiple humorous times which made me laugh out loud, and a possible romantic interest appears as well, which I’m excited to learn more about.

I read this book quickly, and look forward to reading the next book in the series.  I’d definitely recommend!

My Rating:  4 Stars

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Some of my favorite quotes:

Jahna felt a churning in her stomach, a cold shiver racing up her spine and she was struck by a horrible feeling that unsettled and scared her.

A feeling that things were about to change.

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After all, even the slightest ripple in the ocean can create a mighty wave.

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“Any problems?” she asked.

“Not a one,” Arn replied. “Like candy from a baby.”

Lilac gestured to the cuts on their faces. “Babies with knives?”

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***I received a free copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review.***

Review: Is This What I Want?

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Four difficult months have passed since Beth’s husband Rick discovered her affair with a former student. The couple has worked hard in therapy to salvage their marriage and understand their roles in everything that happened. Things are looking up until Dave reappears, awakening Beth’s fantasies of what could have been had she taken their affair to the next level. Now that she is faced with another opportunity, Beth battles an even more impossible dilemma than the first time she was caught in Dave’s web.

Amidst the trouble in her marriage and pressure to shield her children from the discord, Beth is also called upon to help her two best friends, both with serious problems of their own. The stress sparks temptation to seek comfort in her favorite vices. But she knows she can’t hide if she wants to save what matters most. The question is, what does she want?

(Blurb from Goodreads)

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****This is book two of a series so this review will definitely be a spoiler if you have not read book one, Is This All There Is?****

See my review for Is This All There Is?

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As you read in the synopsis, Beth and Rick are working things out, and then BAM, Dave ends up in Beth’s class!!  Beth is honest to Rick about it though, but it obviously doesn’t help their marriage.  But just like the title suggests, Beth really still doesn’t know what she wants.

You know if you’ve read the first book, right before Beth was about to sleep with Dave, Rick called so it never happened.  So Beth has been building up that moment in her head.  The thing is, the grass usually seems greener on the other side doesn’t it?  Usually your imagination is way better than the real thing. But Beth still isn’t seeing clearly, and one of her new friends isn’t really the best influence which also doesn’t help her out.

So, I was shocked at what happened in this book, to be honest.  I wasn’t expecting it.  But again, that’s what makes it so good.  And just like the first book, I totally didn’t agree with Beth’s decisions.  But again, that’s what makes it a good book.

So yes, I really liked it and definitely recommend.

My Rating: 4 stars 

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***I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.  I work for Booktrope Publishing which is also the publishing company of this book.  However, I receive no monetary or any kind of compensation for sales of this book, or for writing a positive review.  This review was my honest opinion.*** 

Review: Is This All There Is?

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Image from Goodreads

Beth Thomas’ seemingly perfect life is about to take a detour. At thirty-five, she’s married to her college sweetheart, has two adorable kids, and finds fulfillment teaching part time at the local university. 

But when a friend persuades her to go dancing on a rare night out, a chance meeting with a handsome former student changes the course of her life. Loud music, too much to drink, and the thrill of feeling young again lead to an unforgettable kiss that was never supposed to happen. Beth feels wanted again, listened to, cared for, but she knows it’s wrong. 

She tries to put the memory behind her, but he pursues her, drawing Beth back to temptation. As she travels deeper into Dave’s world, Beth struggles to choose between what her mind says is right and what she truly craves.

(Blurb from Goodreads)

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It’s funny how as you grow up your tastes change. Maybe you start to like coffee when  you hated it before.  Healthy food is more appealing.  And the genres you read switch as do the phases in life.  I’m not really a *Women’s Fiction* reader, but this book hit home with me on so many levels.

As I was reading it, I felt like, oh my God, someone who feels like me!  And I’m not talking about the cheating aspect AT ALL.  I’m talking about the loneliness of motherhood.  The part of motherhood that no one seems to talk about.  Because it is lonely, especially if you don’t take time for yourself to take care of you; and that is what started Beth’s dilemma.

I really enjoyed this book and was easily pulled into Beth’s world and thoughts.  I definitely did not agree with her choices, at all.  But if I did agree with what she did all the time, that would be a pretty boring book now wouldn’t it.

Thank you Patricia Mann for helping me get lost for a little while.  I definitely recommend.

My Rating: 4 1/2 stars 

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***I downloaded this book for free on Amazon while it was on promotion. I also want to disclose that I work for Booktrope Publishing, the same company that published this book. I do not get compensated in any way for writing a positive review of this book. My thoughts are entirely my own and not swayed in any way.***