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The Darkness Within
The Darkness Within
Lisa Stone | 2017 | Romance, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
121 of 250
Kindle
The Darkness Within
By Lisa Stone

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

 
A gripping new crime novel from the global bestseller Cathy Glass writing as Lisa Stone

‘The Darkness Within hooked me from the start. Once you start you won't be able to stop!’ Katerina Diamond, No.1 bestselling author of The Teacher

You know your son better than anyone. Don’t you?

When critically ill Jacob Wilson is given a life-saving heart transplant, his parents are relieved that their loving son has been saved.

However, before long, his family are forced to accept that something has changed in Jacob. Their once loving son is slowly being replaced by a violent man whose mood swings leave them terrified – but is it their fault?

Jacob’s girlfriend, Rosie, is convinced the man she loves is suffering from stress. But when his moods turn on her, she begins to doubt herself – and she can only hide the bruises for so long.

When a terrible crime is committed, Jacob’s family are forced to confront their darkest fears. Has the boy they raised become a monster? Or is someone else to blame?

This is a spellbinding crime novel with a dark heart from the worldwide bestseller Cathy Glass, writing as Lisa Stone

This was such a good read. You as a mother always know your own children, you notice all the little changes in behaviour. This is such a rare thing to have happen. If there was one thing I didn’t quite like was him not being held accountable for the attack on Mary he definitely should have been! But definitely a good read.
  
Magical Midlife Madness (Levelling Up Book #1)
Magical Midlife Madness (Levelling Up Book #1)
K. F. Breene | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry, Paranormal, Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
21 of 250
Kindle
Magical midlife madness ( Levelling up book 1)
By K.F. Breene

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments 
 
A woman starting over. A new house with an unexpected twist. A cape wearing butler acting as the world's worst life coach. 

"Happily Ever After" wasn't supposed to come with a do-over option. But when my husband of twenty years packs up and heads for greener pastures and my son leaves for college, that's exactly what my life becomes.

Do-over.

This time, though, I plan to do things differently. Age is just a number, after all, and at forty I'm ready to carve my own path.

Eager for a fresh start, I make a somewhat unorthodox decision and move to a tiny town in the Sierra foothills. I'll be taking care of a centuries old house that called to me when I was a kid. It's just temporary, I tell myself. It'll just be for a while.

That is, until I learn what the house really is, something I never could've imagined.

Thankfully forty isn't too old to start an adventure, because that's exactly what I do. A very dangerous adventure that will change my life forever. I have a chance to start again, and this time, I make the rules.



Absolutely brilliant!! I laughed so much reading this it’s not at all what I had expected. Midlife meltdown with magic and creatures the only other author that has me laughing this much Is Darynda Jones! I love the relationships all the characters have with each other they are so well though out and written. Can’t wait to see what kicks off now she has magic. Brilliant!!
  
40x40

ClareR (5667 KP) rated Luckenbooth in Books

Feb 14, 2021  
Luckenbooth
Luckenbooth
Jenni Fagan | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I love a book that takes me by surprise and is a bit off centre; something a bit different from books found on the bestseller lists (which is where I would hope this will end up!!), or the supermarket shelves. Luckenbooth is one of those books.
Luckenbooth piqued my interest as soon as I saw the cover photo - and then I read the synopsis. How could it possibly NOT appeal to me? I mean, the devils daughter rows to Edinburgh in a coffin to work for the Minister of Culture. I was hooked. It’s not all about her though. The book is split into three sections, each section revolving around three different characters, and we see glimpses in to their lives. There are people from all walks of life: strippers, spies, maids, a black human rights lawyer with a bone mermaid, drug addicts, poets, a medium. These are all people who live on the edge of society (within No. 10 Luckenbooth Close, anyway!), people who have little - and they live in a tenement that has been cursed by the devils daughter.
The stories seem not to be linked to one another, and their only link is the fact that they all live in the same tenement building. I really enjoyed these snapshots, any one of them could have been longer and I would have enjoyed them just as much. This fed my love of short stories though, and I really liked how reality was mixed with the more supernatural elements.
I will have to dig out my copies of Fagans books The Sunlight Pilgrims and The Panopticon, languishing in my Kindle library - this has really made me want to read her other books.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book through NetGalley.
  
Breakaway
Breakaway
Kindle Alexander | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A much needed fix, this really was a warm and fuzzies book.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Its been a long, LONG time since I had my Kindle Alexander fix, and this was a very welcome fix indeed.

Dallas and his brothers need a cash injection to their fitness app, and Greer has the cash and the business knowledge to help. The attraction is instant and powerful from both men to each other, but Dallas hides, remembering what happened the last time he was caught with a man. But once Greer sets his sights on him, Dallas doesn't stand a chance. He just gotta deal with his dad and his brother.

Slow burn is what Alexander does so well, and here is a prime example of that skill. The attraction bubbles and simmers along til they cannot deny each other any longer. I loved that.

The father and big brother were a nasty piece of work and I wanted so badly to punch the pair of them! Mum, however, surprised me when she does what she does, and I have a huge amount of pride in her for doing what she should have done a long time ago!

Apart from the dad/brother, it's relatively low angst, and it was just what I needed to read.

I loved the appearences of Dylan and Tristan from Secret, and the part they play here.

I would love a story for Ducky, Dallas' younger brother, he seems like a character who would write a great story!

A much needed fix, this really was a warm and fuzzies book.

4.5 stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Magic Born (The Guardian #2)
Magic Born (The Guardian #2)
Rayanne Haines | 2018 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
57 of 250
Kindle
Magic Born ( The Guardians book 2)
By Rayanne Haines

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

Maria Del Voscova is a powerful witch with a past. When she’s asked to become a member of the elite Guardians she knows she can’t risk sharing the truth about her messed-up family. But we don’t always get what we want. Sometimes, we don’t always know what we want.

Though Mar absolutely knows she doesn’t want Neeren, King of the Parthen. She alone sees the darkness in him and it reminds her too much of the past. She knows better than to fall for his stoic, tortured soul façade.

She’s training to be a Guardian, a shadow; tasked with keeping the balance between good and evil in the world. It’s what she wants—to be better than her family was.

But the past has a way of catching up to Mar and the future has a morbid sense of humor. On her first mission, she’s kidnapped by the enemy she’s been running from her entire life. Thankfully the guardians look after their own. As it turns out, so does Neeren.

As Mar finds herself caught between the past and the future; between blood and bond; between the light and the dark, she realizes her only chance at surviving may be in trusting a man who is the most dangerous of them all.


This was so much better than the first book! I love Nareen and Maria’s story. Poor Maria I think everything the author could possibly think of was thrown at this witch and she still fought through Everything. Although I did like the 1st book this one just had more fight to it. I’m looking forward to reading about Quinn and her part to play in all this.
  
Paradox (Tessa Avery #2)
Paradox (Tessa Avery #2)
Lucy Roy | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
170 of 200
Kindle
Paradox ( Tessa Avery book 2)
By Lucy Roy

What do you do when you discover centuries of your life have been taken from you? When you die in the midst of one war, only to wake up in the middle of a new one?

But more than that, how do you reconcile having lived two lives, each with their own memories, promises, and regrets without losing yourself?

Now, I’ve been irrevocably changed. I can’t simply go back to being Tessa, Titaness of Olympus, any more than I can go back to being Tessa Lynn Avery of Renville, Pennsylvania. Somehow, I have to be both.

With the help of family and friends, both new and old at my side, I'll gradually learn to be the Titaness I was born to be. But first I have to rescue my brother, and that’s easier said than done, when Olympus is faced with something far bigger than any had imagined.

The war has begun.
I really enjoy this series I’m a huge fan of books using the Greek gods as long as it’s written well and this is! We see Tessa dealing with he titaness memories and learning to build her walls while fighting off her brother and trying to stop her father being released form his cage! So many emotions and learning curve for her aswell as Nathaniel. They deal with all this when all the gods around them insist on interfering. Tessa is is strong character! The story just rolls over so well you find yourself reall screaming her in from the sideline!
I only have to contend with normal brothers imagine have 1 ready to tourture and kill you, one locked himself in a cave blaming himself for your death and the twins treating you like China! Think I’d crack x
  
Flawed Angel (The Fall #1)
Flawed Angel (The Fall #1)
J. J. Dean | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
162 of 200
Kindle
Flawed Angel ( The Fall book 1)
By J.J. Dean

When war breaks out between the angels, Luna Grayson finds herself with a one way ticket to exile. Thrown off her pedestal next to her creator and banished to live her eternal life among the humans she so admired, Luna crash lands on Earth as punishment for refusing to choose between God and Lucifer.

Since her banishment, Luna has lived through multitude of eras, trends and countless changes the world has made since Falling. She's also spent most of her existence on Earth alone, her café owning best friend and Brutus the horse sized dog her only exceptions.

Content on blending amongst the flawed humans with her only friend by her side, it comes as a huge surprise when her life is invaded by four angels all with an agenda: to finally make her choose. With another war on the horizon, the angels are sent from both sides to convince her to pick between Heaven or Hell, the four angels tasked with coaxing Luna to their side. Only, they didn't consider that Luna's first choice would be her only.

Luna's life on Earth quickly finds itself threatened by outside sources, both good and evil determined to drag the fallen angel to their side. Despite their efforts, Luna is determined to remain on Earth, for the humans aren't the only beings who are flawed. And Luna is perfectly happy being a Flawed Angel.


I really really enjoyed this book! It had a good strong female lead some super hunky men and sexual tension you could cut with a knife! The writing style flowed so nicely! I enjoyed the whole heaven and hell fighting for her support especially now she’s become more powerful. I think as the series goes on it will get a lot better!
  
A Touch of Death (Secrets of Fae Duet #1)
A Touch of Death (Secrets of Fae Duet #1)
J. J. Dean | 2020 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
164 of 200
Kindle
A Touch Of Death ( secrets of fae duet book 1)
By J.J. Dean

After being abducted and held prisoner for five years, Novia Bourne's world is torn apart by her captors as they thwart her first and only chance to escape. Forced into making the decision of life or death lands her in the arms of four devastatingly handsome Naturals; a vampire, a shifter, a mage, and an incubus. These strangers offer her the freedom she never thought she'd see again. All of that is threatened and hope dwindles when buried secrets reveal themselves.

The entire world of Naturals is at risk when a forgotten prophecy is brought to light. Novia's secret is one that could bring about their salvation...or their destruction. Gifted with abilities no Fae should possess, Novia becomes a coveted weapon the humans will do anything to recapture.

With her freedom and the lives of her four Naturals hanging in the balance, will Novia's life fall into the hands of those who wish to use her? Or will she find the strength to fight for the future she longs for? Soon she'll learn, a chance at life will always require... A Touch of Death.

* This is a Reverse Harem novel. #whychoose
* Recommended 18+ due to mature language and situations.




This was a genuinely sweet book! It shows the last of her kind a fae after losing absolutely everything and everyone to the point she would rather sacrifice herself than go back into captivity, there is always hope and good things will come! I honestly really enjoyed it and unlike some other reverse harems the sex wasn’t shoved down your throat ( no pun intended). I would recommend
  
Born of Hatred (The Hellequin Chronicles #2)
Born of Hatred (The Hellequin Chronicles #2)
Steve McHugh | 2020 | Horror, Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
201
Kindle
Born of Hatred ( The Hellequin chronicles book 2)
By Steve McHugh

There was a time when Nathan Garrett was feared. When the mention of his name was enough to stop his enemies in their tracks. That time has long since passed.

When Nathan's friend asks for help investigating a pattern of horrific crimes, he reluctantly agrees. But his investigation leads to a serial killer who is something more, or less, than human, a creature of pure malevolence and hatred.

There are some things that even a 1600-year-old sorcerer hesitates to challenge. But when evil targets those Nathan cares about, his enemies will discover exactly who Nathan used to be. And why they will learn to fear him once more.

Born of Hatred is an action-packed, Urban Fantasy set in modern-day England with historical flashbacks to late nineteenth century Montana. It's the second book of the Hellequin Chronicles, following the widely praised Crimes Against Magic, which introduced sorcerer Nathan Garrett.

I did t think I could enjoy the second as much as the first, I was so wrong!
Loved it!! Written by a Brit the character is English it’s set in England and what’s not to love about Nate!! I love the bloke he’s powerful and funny! This one be brings Hades and Persephone In to the picture and I absolutely love all Hades parts in books! The werewolf pack are brilliant, Tommy and Kasey are great I even warmed to Olivia!! Shame about the romance not working out but a mere mortal isn’t enough for our Nate! The big bad was really chilling along with his ghouls and the barren! We are one step closer to finding the assholes in Avalon. Brilliant read! Ooo and yes the Hellequin is back!!!
  
Spells of Iron and Bone
Spells of Iron and Bone
Sarah Piper | 2019 | Horror, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
176 of 200
Kindle
Spells of Iron and bone ( Tarot Academy book1)
By Sarah Piper

Magick is real. It’s also highly illegal—not that I’m worried about that.

Sure, I heal faster than most, and I’ve got a sixth sense for brewing tea that can fix just about any problem, but my café isn’t exactly a hotbed of paranormal activity.

At least it wasn’t… until some psycho attacked me and woke up the freaky, forbidden magick inside, earning me a one-way ticket to jail.

Now, a covert magickal university is offering me a deal: my freedom in exchange for help with the Tarot prophecies—cryptic predictions they believe hold the key to stopping a deadly apocalyptic plot.

Predictions only I can decipher.

Because the witch who divined them? She died years ago.

I should know. She was my mother.

Grab your grimoires, girls. Magick school’s officially in session.

All I have to do now is master my crazy powers, decode the doomsday prophecies, outwit a mean-girl coven that puts the psycho in psychic, and survive the temptations of one very naughty professor and three scorching-hot, overprotective mages shadowing my every move.

There's only one problem.

If I’m right about the prophecies?

Survival isn’t in the cards for any of us.





I’m really glad I picked this up it was an unknown author for me and I was a bit standoffish with the sound of it! The whole don’t judge a book by it cover smacks me in the face! I loved it! I’m fascinated with the Aracna world they make such interesting reads!
I really like Stevie and the 4 delicious men at her side! I also enjoyed the story it intriguing can’t wait to read more!