Legendary by Stephanie Garber Book Review

 

Title: Legendary (Caraval #2)
Author: Stephanie Garber
Publish Date: May 29th, 2018
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Source: Purchased my own copy!

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister, Scarlett, from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice, but now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever...

Welcome, welcome to Caraval . . . the games have only just begun.

Penelope's Review

The magic continues in the second installment of the Carval series! This book is told from Tella's point of view, rather than Scarlet's and I wasn't sure how it would come across. But I ended up really enjoying her as a main character! The writing style in this book is also quite different from the first - perhaps because Tella sees the world differently than Scarlet or perhaps it's just that Garber has grown as a writer. Either way, I really liked the writing style here. 

In this book, the girls have remained with the Caraval cast on their way to the next destination - but Tella has a secret that has her entering the competition once again. We see alot of familiar faces in this book - I really loved Julian in the last book so I was happy to see his appearances in this one. And Dante also comes back, more as a main character than in Caraval. And then we have some new faces as well like Jacks (Loved him. So. Much.). While I didn't love Dante in the previous book, he definitely grew on me in this one. 

I liked that we still got to see a bit of Scarlet and Julian's story, but Tella was just as great as a main character. She's super brave and knows what she wants. She's willing to take risks for those she loves and is more of a "do now, think later" kind of girl which I love. We also get to see a bit more of the relationship between the sisters and I am living for it! I love love love how close Scarlet and Tella are, while still living their own lives. 

This books was just more - more magic, more drama, more surprises, more love! It really was a great read and I look forward to the finale - aptly named Finale ;) 

Rating: 4.5/5 Devils!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

 

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

Hi! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and Black Friday weekend! I'm up in Canada so no Thanksgiving for me, but I did reap the benefits of Black Friday! I got three new boxed sets and crossed a few other books off my list! I'll do a Stacking the Shelves post this week to show you what I got! 

In other news, I have received an invitation to interview for one of the medical schools I applied to in England! Yay! Thankfully the interview is online haha! But it's not until February so lots of time to prepare (and stress!).

Hope everyone has a fantastic week!

What I Read Last Week:

What I Am Currently Reading:

What I Am Reading Next:

HIT by Mallory Hart Blog Tour!

Hi everyone! I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the HIT by Mallory Hart Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About the Book:

Title: HIT (Mafia Born Book 1)

Author: Mallory Hart

Pub. Date: November 30, 2021

Publisher: Mallory Hart Romance

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited Membership!

GIUSEPPINA

I was never supposed to meet him, but one fateful night had him saving my life.

Now he thinks he owns me. I’m his to keep.

He’s ruthless, cold, and a killer, but something draws me to him anyway.

I know what he’s capable of. I know he was meant to kill me. And I know one wrong slip may make him change his mind about sparing my life.

But I want to test him, push him, be a part of his world.

I know I should be afraid. I know I should run. But something about Darragh has taken me over, and I don’t know how long I can resist . . .

______

A hitman.
A princess.
A forbidden romance.

All her life, Giuseppina Delarosa knew two things: what her father and brother did after dark was a secret, and her life was never her own. As the sole daughter of Don Delarosa’s clan, it was well known a marriage would secure the future of the family. But when she learns she’s to be wed to an infamous ally, Giuseppina has other plans.

Darragh O’Callaghan is good at exactly two things: not caring about anyone, and killing his enemies. The only Irish mafia in the city needs good enforcers to keep their borders, and Darragh does his job well. So he can’t understand why he screws it all up when a hit is placed on the Delarosa gang’s prime jewel: Giuseppina Delarosa.

One rainy night.
One decision not to kill.
One moment that changes everything.

Hit is a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers, dark mafia romance. It is book one in the Mafia Born Duet.

EXCERPT: 

 “I don’t want to marry you,” I said. “Take that out of the deal and I’ll choose option two.”

He smiled at me. “I’m not here to bargain, love.”

“All this just to end the blood feud? Be honest with yourself, you don’t want to be stuck with me either. Or have I somehow charmed you?”

He crossed his arms. “I don’t like you, Giuseppina. You’re temperamental, never know when to shut your mouth, you tried to hand me over to the feds and you’ve put a target on my back. You’re rude, way more violent than any woman should ever be and you’ll make a horrible wife.”

I breathed out through my nose. “Wow, a very convincing argument you’re making.”

“But no marriage in our world is ever made for love. And all those qualities may be the only thing that keeps either of us alive. We can end the fighting between our families. Your brother, Andrea? He’ll be safe. You’ll never have to worry if his next walk through Hell’s Kitchen will be his last. I could kill the Delarosa’s with Rocci gone, but that would be a waste. The Russians just raised their flag in Brooklyn and the Chicago Outfit creeps closer every day. The fighting will never end. It’s just a matter of who I’m killing.”

I let those words sink in.

“The happy life with a white picket fence was never an option for you. I’ve given you two. Run, or stay. It’s your choice.”

He walked around the counter and squeezed my shoulder. I flinched against his touch.

“Think about it.”

 

About Mallory Hart:

Mallory Hart is the writer of steamy stories to make you swoon. When not writing, she can be found with a glass of red wine, blasting music and dancing in her underwear or reading books that make you blush. For updates on new releases, visit her website and subscribe to the newsletter.

Her first full-length work, Hit, releases 11/30/2021 and can be pre-ordered on Amazon.

Sign up for Mallory’s mailing list!

 

Website  | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon  

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive a signed finished copy of HIT, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/15/2021	Rockstar Book Tours	Kickoff Post
11/16/2021	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt
11/17/2021	tmbacorbett.com	Excerpt
11/18/2021	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
11/19/2021	The Momma Spot	Excerpt

Week Two:

11/22/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
11/23/2021	The Girl Who Reads	Review
11/24/2021	@talkwordytomeee	Review
11/25/2021	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review
11/26/2021	Writer of Wrongs	Excerpt
11/27/2021	The Reading Devil	Excerpt

Week Three:

11/28/2021	Karen Dee's Book Reviews	Review
11/29/2021	_Bookbound_	Review
11/30/2021	Triquetra Reviews	Review
12/1/2021	Emilyreadsspice	Review
12/2/2021	@coffeebooksandmascara	Review
12/3/2021	The Phantom Paragrapher	Excerpt

Week Four:

12/6/2021	@curlygrannylovestoread	Review
12/7/2021	Simply Daniel Radcliffe	Review
12/8/2021	More Books Please blog	Review
12/9/2021	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt
12/10/2021	Coffee and Wander Book Reviews	Review

Highland Champion by Cynthia Breeding Book Review

Title: Highland Champion (Children of the Mist #3)
Author: Cynthia Breeding
Publish Date: November 15th, 2021
Publisher: Entangled Amara
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy for review!

Lorelei Caldwell is elated about her first season in London. For the next few months, she and her best friend can indulge in balls, flirting, and enjoying the delights of London society without any family interference. This season is for adventure, not marriage. But her adventures are short-lived after the arrival of her friend’s brawny, dark-haired Highlander brother, Alasdair MacGregor, who insists on standing as chaperone.

Officially, Alasdair is in London to reclaim lands that rightfully belong to his clan. Unofficially, he’s here to figure out how best to win Lorelei’s hand in marriage. But London proves to be full of complications… especially when she begins matchmaking him with someone else.

Except Lorelai’s plans have backfired and she is finding herself craving Alasdair’s attentions. Her longing for freedom could come at a high price, unless Alasdair can salvage her reputation...without destroying her independent heart.

Penelope's Review

This is the second book I have read by Cynthia Breeding and I am still a fan of her work! I was excited to see that Lorelei was getting a story, and I'm really enjoying getting to know each MacGregor brother!

In Highland Champion, Lorelei goes to London for the Season with the MacGregor sister Fiona, and Alasdair goes along as well to settle some land disputes now that the clan name has been restored. We know from previous books that there has already been one stolen kiss between the two, so I was very excited to see how the relationship between them played out given their history.

This was a slow burn romance, and aside from their own thoughts about each other, I found that there wasn't a lot of physical interaction between the two. One thing I will say is that I really wanted more - but the storyline and twists and turns is what really kept my interest here, so I didn't end up minding as much. I found that Fiona and her suitors actually seemed to play almost as big a role as Lorelei and Alasdair's which was interesting. I don't often read a book where a supporting character takes such a front stage role but I absolutely adored Fiona and I loved trying to work out the intentions of Gavin and Erik so this was honestly more of a help to the book than a hindrance in my opinion.

While I enjoyed reading the whole book, I have to say that things picked up quite a bit at the end and became very exciting! I still have some questions - mainly about Lady Melissa and Lord Westwood and what exactly the history is there but perhaps we will find out in a future book? Overall, I think this was a good read, with lots of nice little historical details scattered throughout. I look forward to continuing the series!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!

Wolf Reborn by Sara Snow Blog Tour!

Hi everyone! I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the WOLF REBORN by Sara Snow Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About the Book:

Title: WOLF REBORN: Book 1 of the Wolf Reborn Series (A New Adult Paranormal shifter romance story)

Author: Sara Snow

Pub. Date: November 12, 2021

Publisher: Sara Snow

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited Membership!

WOLF REBORN will be on sale for the Black Friday weekend (November 26th to the 28^th) for .99!

I have the chance at a perfect afterlife. Now if only my two fated mates weren’t making it a living hell...

As an Enchanted, I might not be able to shift like other wolves, but I've saved countless lives through the visions I receive. And in the end, saving others cost me my life.

That sacrifice buys me a one-way ticket to my LAST chance at happiness: an afterlife in the God Realm.

 Sounds great, right?

 Wrong.

 The problem is, the perfect afterlife for me includes settling down with my fated mate. And whoever he is, he’s probably back down on Earth wondering where the hell I am.

When I actually find my fated mate, the gorgeous but scarred white wolf Lucian, in the God Realm with me, I learn that the wolf of my dreams, my other half, the wolf that was created to complete me... 

...wants absolutely nothing to do with me.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, a second fated mate shows up out of nowhere... and he's not even a werewolf. Just my luck. 

It turns out my two mates can’t stand each other. And while Lucian may not want me himself, he doesn’t want Remir to have me either. Seriously?

All I know is, if either one of these two hotheads rejects me, my one last chance at a perfect afterlife could turn into an eternal hell—or worse...

“Wolf Reborn” is the first book of the Wolf Reborn series, the next New Adult shifter paranormal romance in the bestselling world of Luna Rising.

 

Grab the FREE prequel story HERE!

 

EXCERPT: 

 "Yes, I had planned to. Will you? Would you like to go with me?"

The words rushed out of my mouth before I could stop them, and Lucian stopped to look at me, his left brow arching. He didn't answer right away, and he didn't hide—or couldn't hide—the indecision in his eyes.

“I don’t think so.”

I blinked rapidly, trying to hide my shock. “Ah, okay.” My heart plummeted. “Why not?”

“It’s not my thing. I haven’t been to one of those things in ages.”

“A party?” I asked with narrowed eyes, and he continued walking.

“Yes.”

I followed him as he made his way through the garden until we found an open space with a fountain, the ground covered in auburn leaves. There was no one else there, except for a few small birds drinking from the water.

"You give me serious loner hermit vibes," I said, and Lucian paused where he'd been stretching his hand out to remove a leaf from the water's surface.

"Your vibes are correct,” he laughed softly and threw the leaf to the ground. “But, maybe I’ll attend this one.”

“Really?”

“Yes, since you’ll be going and because you asked so nicely.”

Most of the time, he was a serious man, but whenever he got like this—playful, teasing—it tugged at my insides in the best way.

I crossed my arms and smiled. "Are you deciding to go because I'm gorgeous, and surely someone is going to hit on me?"

His face went blank, and my arms fell to my side as he closed the space between us in seconds. The pleasant aura he'd had around him since we arrived vanished, and his eyes changed to black. I knew then, as my wolf whimpered, that Lucian's wolf had pushed himself to the forefront.

 

About Sara Snow:

Sara Snow was born and raised in Texas, and she moved to the Washington, D.C. area after high school. She’ll always be a Texas girl at heart, though! Now she lives in Northern Virginia with her family and her adorably fierce Yorkshire Terrier, Loki. In fact, Loki inspired her to write her best-selling series "Luna Rising" (although he's still more of a beta than an alpha!).

 

When not eagerly working on her next book, she loves to geek out at Marvel movies, play games with her family and friends, and travel around the world (when there isn’t a pandemic, that is!).

 

No matter where she or what she is doing, she can rarely be found without a book in her hand.

 

Like the book? Want to get notifications when the next books come out or even have the chance to receive an Advanced Reader’s Copy?

Sign up here to get the Sara Snow Newsletter --> https://ssbks.com/nl

Website  | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram |  Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will win a finished copy of WOLF REBORN, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/22/2021	BookHounds	Guest Post
11/23/2021	Writer of Wrongs	Guest Post
11/24/2021	The Reading Devil	Excerpt
11/25/2021	The Momma Spot	Excerpt
11/26/2021	Sadie's Spotlight	Excerpt

Week Two:

11/29/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
11/30/2021	_Bookbound_	Review
12/1/2021	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review
12/2/2021	Triquetra Reviews	Review
12/3/2021	Coffee and Wander Book Reviews	Review

To Covet a Countess by Sapna Bhog Book Review

 

Title: To Covet a Countess (The Elusive Lords #2)
Author: Sapna Bhog
Publish Date: November 8th, 2021
Publisher: Entangled Publishing LLC
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy!

Nicholas Delmore, the Earl of Hawksley, was not expecting a snowstorm-sieged London evening to end with a dagger held to his throat. Nor did he anticipate his spirited attacker to have glossy black tresses and lush red lips that might invite a lesser gentleman to steal a kiss. But before he can demand his beautiful assailant to identify herself, she faints dead away in his arms.

Sania Aaryan has no choice but to trust the breathtakingly handsome Earl of Hawksley with both her life and her sister’s. Trusting him with the truth, however, is out of the question. Because fleeing India for the icy shores of England was rash. Impulsive. And it might have saved her life—only to land her into the arms of a man who poses an entirely different kind of danger.

Now Sania is experiencing a world filled with luxury and opulent decadence. But starry nights and fairy-tale balls cannot chase away the shadows of Sania’s secrets. Especially when her terrible past arrives in London with an eye for icy vengeance…

Penelope's Review

After escaping India and heading for their cousin on the shores of England, Sania and Isha find themselves in the middle of snowstorm with nowhere to go. When Nicholas notices something amiss at his friend's residence on his way home, he stops to investigate. Finding the cause to be a beautiful woman who holds him at the point of a dagger and then promptly faints,  he is intrigued enough to bring the lady and her sister to his residence. The story unfolds from there.

Sania is a bold, fiercely protective character with loads of heart and courage. She wants the world for her younger sister and will stop at nothing to get it for her. I absolutely loved Sania's character. I think she was written really well, in ways that made her relatable and kept me invested in her story. I also adored her younger sister, Isha. She was full of spunk and I hope that she is the focus of a future book by Ms. Bhog. 

As for Nicholas... he had moments where I really liked him, and others where I really did not. I just found him to be a very weak-willed character. Despite knowing his backstory, and understanding why he feels so judgmental of himself, I found myself getting very irritated with him at times. I think the "woe is me, I'm not good enough" attitude really got to me as we got closer to the end and he was still complaining. 

I did like how the author addressed prejudice in this story, I think it was well done. Overall, I like her writing style and though this wasn't one of my favourite books, I would definitely try another by her. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Devils!