Search

Search only in certain items:

The Black Lily (Vampire Blood, #1)
The Black Lily (Vampire Blood, #1)
Juliette Cross | 2017 | Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Black Lily By Juliette Cross is my first book by this author.
It's a kind of Vampire Twist on the whole cinderella story and seeing as I love fairy tales and am a sucker (sucker get it he he ) for vampires this seemed a win-win.
We have a fairy tale world ruled by vampires, nobles and then the poor peasants
Our Prince Mariel is a vampire and he's having a ball for all the nobility to attend to find his latest bleeder.
Enter Arabelle AKA The Black Lily she's at the ball until midnight to entice the prince so she can drive a gold edged dagger through his vampire heart.
Arabelle is part of the underground movement to stop vampire tyranny.
fleeing the scene of the crime just after midnight. Arabelle thinks she's succeeded in her mission.
Prince Marius wants to find the enchantress bearing a tattoo of a lily and proceeds to start a hunt across the kingdom for the mysterious woman.
Now It took me a while to get into this book, this might have been because I was in a bit of a reading slump, or just plain I wasn't sure about it.
anyway, something must have clicked for me as this changed for me around chapter seven and them a steamrolled through the rest.

so in conclusion, fantastic original plotline, I don't think I've ever seen cinderella imagined with vampires, a great narrative and excellent world building.
this was a fun read with great fleshed out characters my only issue was my inability to originally connect with the story this pulled it down slightly for me and my rating reflected this.
saying that this is still a great read.

I received a free e-copy of The Black Lily from NetGalley and this is my own honest opinion.

https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
  
Curse Marked ( The Marked series book 1)
Curse Marked ( The Marked series book 1)
Rinna Ford | 2020
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Highly recommended
Contains spoilers, click to show
She doesn’t know anything about herself before the age of thirteen. Even the name she now answers to is not her own, but that isn’t the strangest thing about her.

Anne Smith was found on the steps of a homeless shelter with no memory of her life before that moment and a small tattoo-like mark in the center of her back that has grown and changed with each new moon. It’s been almost fifteen years, and the now the mark covers almost every inch of skin on her back.

With good reason, it’s impossible for her to let anyone in, to let anyone get close. Who would believe that her mark burns itself into her skin every twenty-eight days, leaving it larger than before? But, what if there was not only someone who believes her but has the answers to the questions that she desperately wants to ask? Would she finally be able to let people in?

The mark is almost complete. What will happen when there’s no more room left to grow?

Curse Marked is the first story in a medium-burn reverse harem series. Due to strong language and sexual situations, it is recommended for 18+.


I loved this book! I love the whole story! It's non stop action and so easy to follow and read in a good way. From Emelia finding her Uncle, his boyfriend to learning who she is and what she can do. Finding out her powers are so strong from the Dragon inside and the caster. I love her two mates although we hardly know Ronan yet I'm looking forward to getting to know him.
Finding her mother and the truth hoping she can form sort of relationship with her in future books.
Recommended
  
    Parking Frenzy 2.0

    Parking Frenzy 2.0

    Games and Education

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    App

    Games2win’s No.1 App Parking Frenzy brings to you the ultimate drive ‘n’ park experience. Get...

In Another Light
In Another Light
A.J. Banner | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery, Thriller
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Phoebe Glassman's life has been on hold for three years, ever since her husband Logan died in a car accident. Phoebe continues to work at the funeral home they co-owned, where she restores dead bodies. Then one day a deceased woman comes in who bares a startling resemblance to Phoebe. Her name is Pauline Steele, and she has a tattoo that Phoebe finds familiar: she once saw it on her late husband's phone. As she investigates further, Phoebe finds a photo of herself in Pauline's belongings, and her world stops. Who is this woman--what is her tie to Phoebe, and to Logan?

"She prefers to remain in limbo, to act as if she too, has died. She walks the earth, but she might as well be a phantom flitting through her life unnoticed, disturbing the air but barely registering her presence."

This excellent read is not quite what I expected--at times it's more emotional and character driven than pure thriller, but it does not matter: it's quite good. I tore through it, and I'm quickly realizing that I really enjoy A.J. Banner's books. They are reliable page turners and typically quite mesmerizing.

IN ANOTHER LIGHT kept me guessing from the beginning. Is Phoebe crazy from grief and simply obsessed with this lookalike woman? Or is there more to it--as she delves into Pauline's life, we truly wonder if we can trust Phoebe, yet you cannot help but root for this broken and grief struck woman. While she does not always make the best decisions, she's a fascinating character. The book balances touching moments with mysterious ones, and there are plenty of twists along the way. I appreciated Banner's deft touch and something different from the usual thriller. 4+ stars.
  
40x40

Merissa (13524 KP) rated Sugar Rush in Books

Nov 24, 2025  
Sugar Rush
Sugar Rush
L.A. Lambert | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
SUGAR RUSH is set in an A/B/O world that reads like a contemporary in many ways. Jordy and Kieran are stepbrothers. Kieran (alpha) is a tattoo artist, well on his way to being a success, while Jordy (omega) is about set to go to college with his best friend, Dani. Jordy has crushed on Kieran for a long time - years, in fact - but doesn't think anything will come of it, UNTIL one night when Kieran gets sh!t-faced and blurts out the truth to Jordy before falling asleep. He doesn't remember what he said or did the night before, but Jordy certainly does, and he plans ways to annoy, irritate, and generally get under the skin of Kieran before Kieran submits to Jordy's will.

This was a high-angst read, with plenty of toing and froing from Kieran. And, to be honest, I can't blame the guy. He didn't have the easiest childhood, and is now worried about how it would be seen by those he loves. He doesn't want to lose their love, even if he does gain Jordy's.

I loved how Jordy and Kieran balanced each other out. Jordy needed every single drop of brattiness, some could say resilience, when dealing with Kieran. And Kieran is all growly possessiveness. Yum!

I won't say anymore for fear of spoilers, but I will say this was an excellent read, and the first by this author I have read. Definitely recommended by me.

** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 23, 2025