Happy BOOK BIRTHDAY to... The Ground that Devours Us by Kalla Harris - REVIEW!

 

 THE GROUND THAT DEVOURS US

by

Kalla Harris

Entangled Teen

About the book...

The world ended ten years ago.

Vampires showed up, took over, and turned the whole planet into their personal all-you-can-drink buffet. The president? Bloodsucker. The government? Bloodsuckers. My social life? Absolutely nonexistent.

But hey, at least I had one thing going for me—slayer training. My twin sister, Ripley, and I were about to go pro, officially joining the ranks of the last people on earth who actually do something about the whole “undead overlords” situation.

And then X had to show up. The vampire boogeyman. The worst of the worst. And instead of killing Ripley, like any decent monster would, he turned her. Now she’s technically a vamp, but something tells me my sister is still in there. Which means I can’t slay her.  

What can I do? Break every rule. Lie to my friends. Strike a deal with the most dangerous vampire on the planet: X will protect Ripley from everyone else who wants her dead—like, really dead—until I can snag the cure for vampirism. The catch? Risking my own head to help him free his good-for-nothing BFF from the very slayers who taught me everything. 

If I want Ripley back, I’m going to have to play nice with the thing that ruined my life. And the worst part?

I think he’s enjoying this.

🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 

This is definitely more of a "protect-my-loved-ones-even-though-they-are-now-undead" story than a romance, so if you're thinking Twilight-esque, meh... not so much. To me, that's not a bad thing! I don't mind when a story draws you in with similarities, but I love when they stand on their own literary feet, and I think this one does!

🌟 The things the vampires are able to do are varied, how they turn new ones into, well, new ones...unique. I gotta say their preferred method of travel is rather fascinating. I've never read nor watched a vampire lore story that included something like this, so major points on creativity to the author for spiking my curiosity, and I was certainly invested in the story to see who was really the "bad guy", if there was a chance at redemption (and what form it might take), and simply how it would all play out. 

I admit, the pace is the storyline threw me a little bit though. We start out in the thick of things and full steam ahead... and then sorta drop into days/weeks passing where we really don't make any discernable progress seemingly worth the time that's expired. Overall, it only causes a little friction, but certainly not enough to stall the story. 

🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 

Special thanks to the Entangled Publishing team for the ecopy for review. 🧛‍♀️ Available now via Entangled Teen ... don't miss out, and spread the word!

SPRING CLEANING... Bookish Style!

So, the weather has been fair to awful.

Work has been uber busy, and not so much fun.

Home life has been chaotic as usual.

Reading...oh, but the reading has been fine!

📕   📖   📗   📖   📘   📖  📙

The only thing is that I have a few titles that have unintentionally piled up, so it's time to do a little SPRING CLEANING of my HAVE READ pile. What's that mean for you? A plethora of reviews to tantalize, tease, and tempt their way on to your MUST READ list. You're welcome. 😁

Shall we get this bookish party started?  You're about to embark on a journey through Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance, and Young Adult Fantasy.

Ready or not, here they come!

The Wolf and the Wildflower

by

Stacy Reid

Entangled SCANDALOUS

AVAILABLE NOW

This was a curious Historical Romance as it definitely lived up to its imprint name (scandalous!), and for the times it is set in, we're talking bursting into flames of desire in lieu of fanning!  The whole story was interesting and unique.  Jules living the life of a young man instead of the woman she is, not by her own choice.  James returning from seemingly beyond the grave only to be so changed by the experience that London life doesn't hold the same appeal.  Their observant natures out each other to explosive ends, and yet once you see them together, there is no mistake that they were meant to be.  Following his somewhat return to his former life, and her eventual "rebirth" of sorts to the ton was well worth any hiccups they experienced along the way...but beware, it is most definitely for adult readers because WHEW!  I'll tell you this...it will definitely give you a new perspective on scents!  😋

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Innovative Magic (Audiobook)

The Hybrid Magic Chronicles, Book 2

by

Cristy Bowlin

This was the second installment in a series that I've been reading/following for years.  The story is immersive, the characters relateable, the challenges realistic, and the tale being told, original.  I loved the first, so when I saw a call for Beta Readers of the THIRD...yes, not the one I'm actually talking about today...my hand was definitely in the air!  The thing is, I had missed the second release, so I had a little catching up to do, but my jove, author Cristy Bowlin had it covered!  I was gifted an audiobook edition of the second release, and dove right in.

Now, I talk more about narrators in the next post (keep reading after this one), but I will say it took me a bit to get into the story because I was battling with the narrator.  He didn't have a bad voice, it just wasn't what my mind was picturing for the characters.  It happens...however, once the story got rolling, it didn't matter in the least because I was back with my "friends" battling the Defenders of the True Four (*mutters*  ignorant simpletons ) as they raced to rescue Theo from the clutches of Florella.  Oh my word!  Talk about an epic adventure!  The thing is...we get to know her a little better through Theo's experience, and the eventual sharing of her history, whether she wanted to or not.  There's always a reason behind why the villain became the villain, and the light shown on her past in this tale certainly makes you rethink some judgments cast on her.  Anywho, suffice it to say, I had a grand adventure, and then followed it up with BOOK THREE which..I shan't be telling you about right now, but STAY TUNED because it'll be coming soon, and you won't want to miss out!

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The Hate Zone (Audiobook)

by

Gigi Blume

AVAILABLE NOW

I've gotten more into audiobooks these past two years.  I still prefer my hardcopy, but there is definitely a time and place for other formats, including this one.  The thing about audiobooks though, the narrator can make or break a story.  Yup.  As much as it should be about the tale being told not the cover, title, or narrative, for me it makes a BIG difference...to the point I won't buy or listen to one I can't really feel a connection with. This one...GOLDEN!

The duel narrators worked like a charm and those that voiced both sides were spot on for the characters.  They really brought the story to life, making it more daytime tv drama than simply another contemporary tale.  I was drawn into the story, feeling for January's plight even when it seemed more Hilton-esque than heroine, and Enrique's challenge of growing his business, while dealing with a surface socialite.  Their witty banter, ability to drive each other crazy, and eventual irresistible connection gave the story SPARK, while the events playing out made them human.  I dare you not to laugh at their antics, or get caught up in the tension!  Bet you can't!  😉

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The Moonlight Blade

by

Tessa Barbosa

Entangled TEEN

AVAILABLE NOW

So, this one had me in the mindset of Last of the Talons excepted the story doesn't move forward nearly as fast.  Allow me to explain.  There is a lot hidden from Narra...A LOT...and whether or not it was for her own good was beside the point.  She NEEDED to know.  It explained SO MUCH and would have stopped SO MUCH TROUBLE, except then she also wouldn't have been able to try and stop same said trouble from happening.  Yes, a conundrum indeed, but there certainly would have been less death, less harm, less ridicule, less breaking of her spirit and confusion...but perhaps, in this case, it allowed her to feel the one thing she seems to be missing in her past lives...love.  Oh yes, there are past lives to contend with here as the culture is rich and deep, and while it shows that strength of traditions, it also reminds us that lies build an unsteady foundation that only need the right amount of pressure at the right time to crack.  THIS is the right time.  THIS is the right moment.  THIS is Narra's chance to not only accomplish what she set out to do, but perhaps save the world.

Before you get your hopes up, there is A LOT of heartbreak.  A LOT.  There are characters that she forgives (which I would not have), forgets (which I'd love to), and dispatches (which I would have gladly held the blade).  There are loves she finds (unexpected!), loses (totally expected), and remembers anew (can't spoil this one!).  There is friendship and betrayal, hope and despair, ultimate highs and gut wrenching lows, but all the while, you are constantly gathering what has been, what is now, and what might be.  My word of advice...PAY ATTENTION.  Oh, and can I have book two...please?

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The Prospector's Only Prospect

by

Dani Collins

Entangled AMARA

Release Date:  03/28/23

Alright guys, another one for the adults only crowd...mostly for the verbiage, but there are definitely a few scenes as well.  Virgil thought he was getting his own version of a mail order bride.  What he got was Marigold, the sister of the potential bride who was in a tight spot, and took a chance.  She's not expecting marriage...been there, done that...but is looking for security, stability, and a place to call home.  Far be it from her to turn down the chance presented, even if it wasn't intended for her at the time, and try to make the most of it.  The sparks are felt right from the start, even if neither wants to lose their heart.  Sometimes life takes the driver's seat and you are simply the passenger.  We get to see Marigold adjust to the wilderness lifestyle, making a name for herself among the miners/men (but not in that way!), and endearing herself to his three children (they were so sweet!).  It wasn't an easy way of life, nor did it offer all the comforts of a typical home sweet home, but they say when you're truly in love, when you're truly happy, it matters not where you lay your head to rest, but with whom you are surrounded.  This is definitely a gold rush to take a chance on!

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Nevermore Bookstore

by

Kerrigan Byrne & Cynthia St. Aubin

Release Date:  03/28/23

Okay, so we're back in the land of unique stories for adults only, and this one has both in spades.  There's plenty of talk around inclusive books, and being able to see yourself in a story.  This one covers so many bases, it pretty much rounds them like a pro ball player, if you couldn't tell from the extended title listed over on Bookbub.  It's grumpy-sunshine, yes...but it also has characters with PTSD and lifelong physical ailments/conditions, wannabe octogenarians with a penchant for down and dirty talk, overbearing wannabe boyfriends and their mother's who can't keep their nose out of things, loss of family and freedoms, and challenges up the wazoo.  

Book lover's will be drawn to the storyline of a bookstore owner challenged with keeping her store HER store while entertaining the notion of her phone customer turning into something more, but be sideswiped by everything else that comes their way...or at least I was.  I admit, the banter was ON from the word go.  There's not a chapter that doesn't have innuendo or hidden meanings buzzing just below he surface.  I'll also admit to having to go back and read the synopsis while I was reading because I was really feeling like there was a paranormal twist just waiting to pop up somewhere, but SURPRISE...there's not, or not exactly.  I'll let you figure that out yourself, but what there is is a man who needs someone that understands his challenges, tries to help, but accepts the limitations there.  What there is is a woman who needs someone to see her for who she is not what she happens to have, and allows her to do what she can do, while giving support when needed.  The big twists that occur in the storyline were expected, but still a surprise.  The BIGGER surprise was the intensity of the adults only moments...which could be a little much for some readers. Suffice it to say it's not a plain and simple Contemporary or Grumpy-Sunshine Romance, but one with a HEAVY dose of spice!

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Special thanks to the authors, publicists, and publishers listed for the copies for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on any title listed, feel free to click through the links provided above.  

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

BOOK BINGE READING: Eleven Trilogy by Jerri Chisholm - TRIPLE REVIEW!

🪶 VICTORY AT ALL COSTS 🌅

Hi guys! I'm coming at you tonight with a triple threat via Entangled Teen! Penned by author Jerri Chisholm, the ELEVEN trilogy is in a word... PHENOMENAL!

Eve is a character you grow to love for her grit, for her nerve, for her tightly held dreams, and the tender heart buried beneath all the scars and toughness. She takes no prisoners, and won't be held down by anyone's rules, all while battling the entrapments that make her human. Things like hurt feelings, a desire for something more, a want of freedom, and at her lowest, revenge. I'm not saying there are those that don't deserve her rage, but there are certainly those that don't deserve the chances she gives them.

While Eve is our main character, there are plenty that share the spotlight. Take Wren. He was a Preme, someone from the higher floors, born and bred to be better than the rest, but he pushed back against that dictation. Still...he was someone I was constantly in flux over. I wanted to trust him. I wanted him to be the one for her... and yet, there were always these doubts lingering in the background, rearing their ugly head just when I'd grown comfortable. Then we have her Level 2 friends and fam... some more so than others. (*cough* like the misguided lovesick friend/traitor that I still haven't forgiven *cough*) Her own family was broken for SO MANY reasons, but the family she claimed, helped her be the strong person she was, while keeping what made her human alive. 

ESCAPING ELEVEN (BK 1).... we're building the foundation, getting to know who's who, where they are, why they are, and the impossibility of the freedom of which she dreams. It's a blood soaked battle for survival EVERY DAY below ground, and she kicks some serious butt. Sometimes for the thrill of it, but most often to save someone else. Despite her hard edges, she knows right from wrong.

UNRAVELING ELEVEN (BK 2)...is as much about breaking down Compound ELEVEN as it is untangling her true self. Ever since their return, her and Wren, she's been a tangled up mess. Her feelings locked away, frustration bubbling over, and her temper acting as a ticking time bomb. Her feelings are warranted, and I can't say misdirected entirely, but if she doesn't gain control, she's bound to lose more than she ever dreamed.

ENDING ELEVEN (BK 3) ...just celebrated its BOOK BIRTHDAY and brings everything full circle. Eve is struggling with everything that happened, but still contemplating how to accomplish bringing down "the man"... while topside, humanity is starting to show, and I don't mean in the kindness between strangers. There is so much more at work here than meets the eye, but when all is said and done, truth prevails. It'll be violent, it'll be bloody, but it will usher in a new era, for better or worse.

This was so intense! It's not for the faint of heart, but the stalwart of spirit, and you won't be disappointed come book's end. There is so much more I could say, and so much I'd love to detail out, but I don't want to ruin the surprises and reveals along the way. Trust me, you just have to dive in feet first, and take the plunge!

Many thanks to Riki and the Entangled Publishing team for the ecopies for review! (THANKS!) For more information or to snag a copy of your own, click through the links embedded above. 

From TALONS to DUKES, it's an Entangled Publishing RELEASE WEEK you won't forget!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're throwing a post BOOK BIRTHDAY but still RELEASE WEEK celebration for TWO titles that JUST PUBLISHED with Entangled Publishing...one with their TEEN division, and another with AMARA!  They couldn't be any more different than each other if they tried, but MY reading taste varies and BOTH catered to my palette, so now, I give you a taste of each for your self.  First up, our Entangled TEEN selection featuring a kicka**heroine that doesn't know her own worth, but will fight the gods themselves to save her sister from harm.  Ladies and gents, I give you this EXPLOSIVE book birthday celebrant...

Last of the Talons

by

Sophie Kim

9781649372970

Entangled Teen  

About the book...

After the destruction of her entire Talon gang, eighteen-year-old Shin Lina—the Reaper of Sunpo—is forced to become a living, breathing weapon for the kingdom’s most-feared crime lord. All that keeps her from turning on her ruthless master is the life of her beloved little sister hanging in the balance. But the order to steal a priceless tapestry from a Dokkaebi temple incites not only the wrath of a legendary immortal, but the beginning of an unwinnable game…

Suddenly Lina finds herself in the dreamlike realm of the Dokkaebi, her fate in the hands of its cruel and captivating emperor. But she can win her life—if she kills him first.

Now a terrible game of life and death has begun, and even Lina's swift, precise blade is no match for the magnetic Haneul Rui. Lina will have to use every weapon in her arsenal if she wants to outplay this cunning king and save her sister...all before the final grain of sand leaks out of the hourglass.

Because one way or another, she'll take Rui's heart.

Even if it means giving up her own.

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OMG!

I can honestly say, just WOW.  It was dark and gritty, filled with a world of mythology and folklore you never imagined, and characters you'll love, loathe, despise, and DESPERATELY be unsure of.  The battle  between Rui and Lina is beyond comprehension, and yet you're constantly on edge trying to see just how it all plays out.  There is one moment where it seems like she gets the upper hand, but if you're paying any sort of attention, you simply KNOW the proverbial rug is about to be pulled out from under her.  I couldn't help but fear from her, and still root for her as she valiantly charges into the unknown, even with the odds stacked dangerously against her, constantly reaching for that one chance, that one moment where salvation for her sister might be found.  That's right, I said for her sister.  It's not her own life she fights for, although she'd love the chance to truly be free of all the hate, crimes, and ugliness that has enveloped her world, but she is so burdened down by grief, self-loathing, and misplaced guilt that she's right at the edge of believing her life to be forsaken.  All she wants is a better tomorrow for her sister...even if it means she's not there to see it....and trust me, there are times you are pretty certain the chances of her seeing the next second, let alone next day, are slim to none!  

I repeat...it is DARK, VIOLENT, and GRITTY....but you won't be able to look away.  The messages repeating throughout run even deeper than the atrocities, ranging from the importance of family (chosen and/or blood) and its protection, believing in yourself at all costs, there is good inside most people if given the chance to shine...and pure evil is just that...pure...evil....and it comes in all shapes and sizes....as does retribution, revenge, and payback.  A great read for Young Adult Fantasy fans, and a high recommendation from me to you!

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Next up on the BOOK BIRTHDAY RELEASE WEEK duo celebration....

...we're heading back in time for a Historical Romance that's just too much FUN not to indulge in!

The Duke's Rules of Engagement

by

Jennifer Haymore

9781649372918

Entangled Amara

About the book...

Some matches are made in hell…

Joanna Porter loves being one of London’s hottest up-and-coming matchmakers. But her heavenly vocation is about to turn into a nuptial nightmare—thanks to the Duke of Crestmont. He’s as handsome as he is insufferable and obsessed with all things proper. Matching him would cement Jo’s status as England’s greatest matchmaker. Except, of course, the impossible-to-please duke refuses all of her most eligible ladies…confirming his status as a complete and utter pain in her petticoats.

The Duke of Crestmont can’t believe he needs a matchmaker—let alone this spitfire of a woman whose kissable mouth and dancing, impertinent gray eyes tease him ruthlessly. But the people of his estate are counting on him to find a duchess. A proper lady with a flawless pedigree and immaculate deportment. So why can’t he stop himself from wanting his pert, lively matchmaker…instead of the perfect duchess?

Now the entire ton is watching as this determined, audacious matchmaker takes on the most powerful man in London in USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Haymore’s lively new Regency romp. And this show might just be the most outrageous one yet…

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Alright, alright, alright.

So I've got A LOT of love for this release too, and if you're a Historical Romance fan, may I suggest you indulge in it post haste!  From our wonderfully uncommon Mrs. Porter to our curiously direct Duke of Cresmont, and everyone in-between, you've got a cast worth remembering from start to finish.  I loved their initial meet cute, even if it wasn't intended to be an actual "cute" in any fashion.  They were both so taken by the other, yet desperately trying to deny it...well, in his case anyway, as she was still trying to sort what her feelings actually were.  Despite their noble intentions, feelings flare, connections are made, liaisons are had...and hearts are dangerously close to being broken.  I mean, what's a girl to do when a duke came to her for her matchmaking services, and the right match, deep down in her heart...is actually HER?

I won't say any more right now, as I have this one on an upcoming tour, but trust me, this is a duo you won't want to miss!

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Massive thanks to Riki and the Entangled Publishing team for the eARC and ARC for review! (THANK YOU!) They are amazing folks repping some fantastic authors, so if you haven't checked them out, I sincerely hope you do. All the titles above are available now, so click on over to the publisher's site (linked above!) or your favorite online store to snag your copies today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Get ENTANGLED in your weekend reading!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Alright, so is it just me or is July going by UBER fast?  I mean there seems to be so much going on that it's hard to keep up, and that's especially true when it comes to reading!  How so?  Well, let me tell you that there have been copious amounts of FABULOUS, WONDERFUL, SCREAM IT FROM THE MOUNTAINTOP books coming out, and I'm treading virtual water to get them all covered!  Why do that to myself?  HONESTLY, you think you'd know a person after all these years... 😉 ...but seriously, I LOVE a good book, and it's REALLY HARD to say no, or not right now, and so, today's post has come about!

What all of that means to you is you get a FABULOUS ASSORTMENT of titles from my recent reading adventures.  What that also means, if you haven't already gleaned it from the post title, is that I'm focusing in on the fabulosity that is Entangled Publishing this time around because HAVE YOU SEEN ALL THE GREAT TITLES THAT HAVE COME OUT RECENTLY 😍?!  I mean, it's mindboggling, and yet I'm in utter bliss because of those same said titles.  If you follow my other social media feeds, you've seen these books teased in some fashion or another, but today, I'll put it all together in one spot, with a little more meat to tantalize and tease, and let's face it, more fangirling, because my excitement doesn't stop at the introduction!  Ladies and gents, prepare for bookish feast...

The Lord Pretender 

by Sawyer North

9781649372871

Entangled Amara

ROMANCE

Released:  June 20th, 2022

Think a Historical Romance version of Freaky Friday with a dash of revenge, and a romance twist.  While that particular aspect (the body swap...err, spirit swap?) was unexpected, and a but unusual, it served its purpose in showing them both what it was really like to walk in the others shoes, live in their stations, love in their time.  Emma and Simon are characters you can't help but love, even when one is out to get the other for reasons that seem perfectly sound...at the time...but their eventual coming together isn't just a matter of feelings confessed.  It's something on a BIGGER scale, more befitting their stations and circumstances that certainly makes a splash! A few moments, but nothing overtly steamy.

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Stealing Infinity (Stolen Beauty, Book 1)

by Alyson Noel

9781649371508

Entangled Teen

YA FANTASY

Released:  June 28th, 2022

Take a trip to Gray Wolf Academy...and have the time of your life...or is it the life of your time?  I get that confused.  (LOL!)  Seriously though, this is a topsy turvy time tripping read that let's you see just how far some will go to have everything they ever wanted...but it being the first book and all, I'm pretty sure the lesson will be on THEM, not our leading lady.  (Just a hunch.)  After all, you can control a lot of things in this world, but PEOPLE...like effectively and shutting down their own desires, wants, needs, and thoughts...I don't care what kind of great thinker you are, never gonna happen.  Natasha is just the girl to prove me right too!  Sure, she missteps several times over, but that's the thing about being human, we make mistakes...and it doesn't help that she's trying to get her mind wrapped around the INSANITY that is the academy anyway.  I mean the things they can do, the things SHE can do, the way the people are really only looking out for number one...though Braxton may be an exception, but I'm still not quite sold on him, devilishly handsome as he may be...it's definitely jumping into the slipstream with both feet.  Can't wait to see what's in store for them next...at least those that are still there.  Oh an there's definitely a bit of sparkage between Braxton and Natasha, so watch for the fireworks!

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Mansplainer (Last Man Standing, Book 3)

by Avery Flynn

9781649370167

Entangled Amara

ROMANCE

Released:  June 27th, 2022

This has been a great series filled with the misadventures of three cousins not looking for love in order to win a bet.  Sound strange?  Well, the prize was the last gift from a beloved family member that is no longer with them, and that, if anything, goes to show how important family is to this trio.  Anywho, I read the first book (Neanderthal), skipped the second (Mama's Boy), and arrived at this one, the third and final installment.  Was it worth the wait?  Yes indeed!  Beckett knows everything, and explains EVERYTHING (hence the title!), but actually has good intentions...he just can't seem to see how all the free advice is perceived by the recipient...again, hence the title.  Chelle is just the woman to give him a makeover, of sorts, and in return, she'll get the help she needs to break out of the skeazy patriarchal tripwire in her father's will.  Honestly, trying to "put her in her place" from the grave?  How low CAN you go?  But, she's a woman not to be toyed with, and she'll get what she desires...and then some because she SO doesn't see Beckett coming!  Let's just say this one is a bit hotter than a few of the others, I've mentioned, so beyond blush worthy a time or two, but the story is not to be missed!

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First Bride to Fall (Majestic Main, Book 1)

by Ginny Baird

9781649372239

Entangled Amara

ROMANCE

Released:  June 28th, 2022

Nell and Grant.  Grant and Nell.  Honestly, when I was reading this one, I kept forgetting it was Contemporary because of the notions suggested to save the business!  I mean, I suppose people do marry for convenience, but sight unseen?  No meet cutes, or meetings at all?  Yeah, a bit from a different age, but nevertheless, it was an idea put forth in desperation, that these three sisters can't seem to find a way out of...or can they?  I love the goals they set themselves to break out of the forced commitment, though I have a feeling Nell would have stepped up anyway, but I also love how it forced Nell out of her comfort zone.  She was trying SO HARD it hurt, but it was sweet, and even Grant couldn't pick at her for that...at least until the old saying loose lips sink ships comes to pass and he tries turning the tables on her "get married quick" scheme by becoming a chauvinistic a-hole of the grade A variety.  Oh. My. Word!  I don't know how she kept her you-know-what together, but more power to her...and the way things turn out by stories end, you couldn't want for more.  Heat level in this one is a little sparkage, but nothing more...it's sweet though and filled with emotion. 

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Project A.I.D.E.N.

by Lindsey Frydman

9781640636798

Entangled Teen

YA SCI-FI

Released:  July 4th, 2022

I don't read a lot of Science Fiction, in any genre, but when I read about this release, it HOOKED me.  I'm so glad I went with that feeling because it was REALLY GOOD!  Aiden was a conundrum...human, or human like?  That was the debate behind the scenes, but up close and personal with Elena, he had more heart than your average guy...not that he was average in ANY department.  Looks, strength, skill...he was a walking want ad for everything you might desire, but he struggled with an overheard conversation about his fate, worried about who he could really trust, and ended up ultimately making the most human choice possible.  To start to fall for the one person he shouldn't probably in the ENTIRE WORLD because yeah, the long arm of the law is nothing compared to a pissed off creator, or someone's father.  Lots to love about this short, yet compelling story, so even if you're not big in the subgenre, give it a read!

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A Matter of Temptation (Book 1)

by Stacy Reid

9781649372246

Entangled Amara

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

Released:  June 28th, 2022

If you know nothing about a book or the author, you check out the cover and the synopsis. Visually, this one gets mad props, but summary wise...there is SO MUCH MORE than what it gives you, I want to scream it from the rooftops!

You'll fall in love with the brother and sister duo, laugh at the assistance received for a bit of trickery, and hold your breath that the scheme to save them all ACTUALLY works. You'll bluster at the Earl trying to set things to right in his own way, be unable to deny his appeal especially with his progressive ideas and desire to help the common man or woman, raise a brow at his attempt to fire Mina "for her own good", while gasping at the direction their interactions take. It's a story with so many facets, it might as well be a diamond of the first water...and yet, while those may be flashy, they can also be more flash in the pan, and this story, this duo have staying power!

A great read this summer or any time of year with an intriguing story, wit, wisdom, laughter, love...and enough sparks to set the page afire (so yes, we've got some heat)! Regency Romance fans take note, this one is most definitely not to be missed!

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Hottie on Her Shelf

by Christi Barth

9781649373601

Entangled Amara

ROMANCE

Released:  July 11th, 2022

Last, but certainly not least, my latest read in this set that features the golden boy Mayor Montgomery (aka Fitz), and the town...librarian?  Yes indeed!  You know you love a good story featuring books, or bookish people, and this one has a splash of both making a wonderful concoction you want to bottle and sell!  Loved the family legacy running the town, yet how Fitz wasn't really one of them.  There was so much good he actually wanted to do, and yet rocking the boat, even in his privileged world, wasn't an easy thing to do!  Enter, Hallie Scott...his new running mate for town Mayor.  He's run uncontested for his last two terms, as have the Montgomery's before him, but leave it to this disheveled, but golden hearted librarian to inadvertently shake things up.  She reminds him why he does what he does, or rather of the dreams he's cast aside to do what he does for the family, and he can see that while yes, she's a hot mess when it comes to campaigning, she's got the raw material.  I love how despite running against one another, they are able to acknowledge what could be between them, and that their platforms are not truly who they are, but rather things they stand for.  The separation of the mayoral candidates and Fitz and Hallie was sweet (and sometimes spicy!), but a great new way to take on the political arena...too bad it doesn't play out in the real world!  Another fun read with heart, snark, and a bit of heat, perfect for a summer escape!

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Massive thanks to Riki and the Entangled Publishing team for the eARCs for review!  (THANK YOU!)  They are amazing folks repping some fantastic authors, so if you haven't checked them out, I sincerely hope you do.  All the titles above are available now, so click on over to the publisher's site (linked above!) or your favorite online store to snag your copies today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Happy BOOK BIRTHDAY to... STEALING INFINITY by Alyson Noel - REVIEW!

Hello, hello!

Welcome back to post number two for the day, here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

I TOLD YOU you were in for some BOOK BIRTHDAY fun, and I aim to please, so coming at you is our second celebrant of the day via Entangled Teen!  It's the first title in a NEW Young Adult series from author Alyson Noel.  She's no stranger to the genre, though this title does mark her return to it, and, from what I read, it's gonna cause a stir to say the least!  Ladies and gents, prepare to get whisked away in the swirling winds of time as we explore between the pages of today's book of choice...

Stealing Infinity

Stolen Beauty, Book 1

by

Alyson Noel

9781649371508

Entangled Teen

About the book...

My life goes completely sideways the moment I meet the mysterious Braxton. Sure, he's ridiculously hot, but he's also the reason I've been kicked out of school and recruited into Gray Wolf Academy—a remote island school completely off the grid. I never should have trusted a face so perfect.

But the reality of why Gray Wolf wanted me is what truly blows my mind. It's a school for time travelers. Tripping, they call it. This place is filled with elaborate costumes and rare artifacts, where every move is strategic and the halls are filled with shadows and secrets.

Here, what you see isn't always what it appears. Including Braxton. Because even though there's an energy connecting us together, the more secrets he keeps from me, the more it feels like something is pulling us apart. Something that has to do with this place—and its darker purpose. It's all part of a guarded, elaborate puzzle of history and time... and I might be one of the missing pieces.

Now I have all the time in the world. And yet I can't shake the feeling that time is the one thing I'm about to run out of... fast.

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This.  Story.  Was.  AMAZING!

Admittedly, it took me a trip or two (pun totally intended!) to wrap my mind around the ideas explored, and there is a lot of info on numerology, multiple timelines, and the like, but I got there, and even if I hadn't, I was glued to the page.  I simply could not put it down.  Between a unique leading lady that wanted to be anything but, a self proclaimed Queen B that would have movie stars envious of her acting abilities, a blue eyed Adonis that seemed equal parts humble and hot, yet oddly familiar from the start, I just could not break away!  

I needed to know what was happening.  I wanted to understand the bigger picture.  I was desperate to see how everything would play out.  I was on edge every time danger stepped nearer to Nat, and vice versa because don't be fooled; she's no shrinking violet.  I had to be a spectator to the tragedy and the triumph.  I wanted to be a comfort to her in her times of loneliness, and despair, when the whole world seemed to forsake her, and call everything and everyone into question.  If I could traipse down the halls of Gray Wolf and get some answers, I SO WOULD HAVE, if not for Nat, but for myself!  I still have so many things I want to know, want explained, want to understand, and yet...I can wait...at least until the next release because getting a chance to "trip" once again will be just as spectacular.  I can FEEL it.

Though I hadn't read this author's work before, I can honestly say that I can see why she has the following she does.  The writing was great, the world building spectacular, and the concepts explored left the reader feeling empowered, not talked down to.  A book I'd highly recommend for Young Adult Fantasy fans of teenage years and beyond, and a series that I'LL be watching for the next release as eagerly as the rest.  I wonder if Nat could catch a glimpse of what's to come for us....

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About the author...

Alyson Noël is the #1 NYT best-selling author of many award-winning and critically acclaimed novels for readers of all ages.

With 9 NYT bestsellers and millions of copies in print, her books have been translated into 36 languages, sold in over 200 countries, and have topped the NYT, USA Today, LA Times, Publisher’s Weekly, Wall Street Journal, NCIBA, and Walmart Bestsellers lists, as well as several international bestsellers lists.

She is best known for THE IMMORTALS series, THE RILEY BLOOM series, and SAVING ZOË, which was adapted into a movie now available on Amazon.

Born and raised in Orange County, California, she’s lived in both Mykonos and Manhattan and is now settled in Southern California.

SITE  |  INSTAGRAM  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER  |  PINTEREST

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Special thanks to Riki at Entangled Publishing for the eARC for review AND the spectacularly AMAZING book box that arrived with a print ARC and so many goodies! (THANKS!) For more information on these titles, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is AVAILABLE NOW, so click on over to your favorite online retailer or visit your local brick and mortar to snag your copy today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

NEW from Entangled Teen... The Gravity of Missing Things by Marisa Urgo - REVIEW!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're celebrating the recent release of a NEW Young Adult title available now via Entangled Teen. It covers a myriad of topics, and rides the wave of sub genres like an experienced surfer, but in the end, the title fits the story perfectly, for things that are missing do seem to have a gravity all their own, for better or worse.  A quick word to the wise for those that like a trigger warning...self harm does feature in this story, but it's not the focal point, merely a part of it.  Ladies and gents, prepare to take off on a journey you never expected as we explore between the epages of...

The Gravity of Missing Things

by

Marisa Urgo

Entangled Teen

About the book...

Flight 133 disappeared over the ocean. No wreckage. No distress signal. Just gone.

Suddenly, everyone on the news and social media is talking about whether the pilot intentionally crashed it—everyone but me. Because I know her. The pilot was my mom, and there's no way she would hurt anyone. No one else knows that before she left, she wrote me a note. Trust me, it said.

Now it feels like someone split my world—and me—in two, and the only person who believes me is Landon. I want to trust him, to let him see who I really am, but I can't. I have my secrets, the same way Mom has hers. All I know is falling for him will only make things more complicated.

Just as I start to open up, the answer to what really happened to Flight 133 could rip my world apart all over again—for good this time.

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The gravity of missing things...or the way that when something isn't there, you CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT IT. It's like there's a magnet drawing your attention specifically to the thing, person, item, idea, or whatever it is, and it simply won't let go.  

Within this story, we've got the missing parent at a school function, the mysterious phone call bringing bad news, the questions left unanswered, and the undying hope of a young girl who simply wants her mother back.  Life hasn't always been a smooth road for Violet, let alone her family (marital relations, the big "C" for Savannah, self preservation issues for Vi), but in the midst of this potential disaster filled with so many unknown factors and possible endings, she's about to uncover a truth widely known, yet not often acknowledged.  The extent to which we know a person is only that  to which they choose to reveal themselves to us.  Everyone...even parents...have hidden depths, and whatever the reason might be for the secrecy, those areas in the dark stay there until such a time that they choose to reveal them, if at all.  For Violet, she thought she knew something in connection with the events unfolding, and while she is connecting dots...it's not in the way she might have imagined, leaving her with more questions than answers, an identity thrown into crisis, and some serious hurts to try and overcome while remembering to be kind to herself, something that doesn't come easy.

Along the way, we meet her father, her sister, her best friend, and those relationships, nay their identities, start to intertwine, adding to the confusion circling Vi like a halo.  In truth, the only one that stays the path on which they started is Landon, and he ends up bearing the brunt of her anger at the world despite his good intentions.  It's okay, though not, because of everything happening, but it doesn't make either of them hurt any less...and it all works its way to a head that's bound to explode in the worst ways possible.  Good thing family and friends can take the heat, and come out the other side of our bad times a little battered, somewhat bruised, but still full of love and acceptance.

It's a story about a life lived, and the secrets that dwelled below the surface unbeknownst to those held dear.  It begs us to take a moment every day to consider the dreaded what if...while telling us to live our own truths, come what may, because those left standing after the fallout will love us that much more.  Hard to swallow...certainly...but then again, can you bear to live a life where you aren't your genuine self?

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About the author....

Marisa Urgo writes Young Adult novels that mix humor and heart. She is a New Yorker living in Boston. By day, Marisa works in college admissions. By night, she is supposed to be writing, but is mainly picking her cat up off the keyboard. The Gravity of Missing Things is her debut novel. You can follow her on Instagram for book updates at @marisaurgowrites.

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Special thanks to Riki at Entangled Publishing for the eARC for review. (THANKS!) For more information on these titles, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is AVAILABLE NOW, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Home Sweet Ather... SPARK OF ASH by Molly E. Lee - REVIEW!

HI there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

O.M.G. Is it just me, or are there an UBER amount of GREAT TITLES coming out this summer? I mean, I know my reading list has been LIT, and today's BOOK BIRTHDAY WEEK celebrant is definitely right at the top of the stack. It's the third and final book (😢) book in the Ember of Night series from author Molly E. Lee via Entangled Teen and I'm telling you guys, if you haven't already read the first two, you have no idea what you've been missing! But, if you have...then you are more than ready for today's post because the conclusion to this little trio was A-MA-ZING! Ready or not, pack your bags because we're heading to the Ather to raise a little h*ll as we set out sights on today's ebook of choice...

Spark of Ash

Ember of Night, Book 3

by

Molly E. Lee

9781649372307

Entangled Teen

About the book...

The Seven—the Divine beings meant to protect the world—just declared war. On me. They took Ray, my baby sister, and now they’re using my boyfriend to do their dirty work.

Well, screw that.

I may not be able to wipe them off the face of the earth now, but I know what can.

Thanks to an Ather connection, I know about the Seven Scrolls. An ancient incantation made by the Creator to counteract the Seven’s great power, scattered into pieces across the world.

With the help of my new crew, we’re on the hunt. And with each located scroll, I face new battles, bloodier and harder than I’ve ever known before. But now the stakes are even higher, because Ray has always been my bright light in the darkness, and Draven is my hope when all seems lost, and if I don’t get them back?

Well, then I might just become the scariest legend the world has ever known.

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Harley is back and ready to kick some heavenly a**!

Well, who could blame her?  I mean, she was given the short end of the stick her whole life, found a way to make it through the earthly h*ll, only to find out that HEY, her home was actually there to begin with, discovered her mate, and formed a family out of a motley crew of INCREDIBLE peo...souls...that she can count on to the end of time.  Oh, and now one of the Seven with a severe power trip decides to flick the switch on Draven (😍) and interfere with her beloved little sis, just to pull the invisible puppet strings on Harley to do his bidding.  ~~  insert evil laugh  ~~~  Yeah, about that...she doesn't take kindly to being told what to do, let alone when you're threatening the ones she loves, so get ready for more than a few fireworks because this girl means BUSINESS, and she's bringing it with both guns blazing, or rather her birthright kicking up to full capacity and all the surprises it brings may not be what they were counting on.

O.M.G.

I know, I keep saying that, and I'm really not in the age range for that to be a part of every other sentence I utter, or type, but it's really what you're left with once you've finished this book!  It was the perfect ending to what has been a FABULOUS series.  It was everything fans could want (well, almost...read it and you'll understand), and didn't even know to ask for.  There's everything we came to love from the prior books with steady character growth, familiar faces both welcome and not so much, and new friends to welcome into the fold.  Remember Wrath?  Say hi to Pagle...dearly nicknamed Pagle Bagle!  She's like a mini-wooly mammoth with special powers, and so stinking cute!  Then there's the residents of some of the more peaceful realms within the Ather who actually weren't trying to kill our gal Harley while she's on her mission.  Of course with the good, there's the bad...and some SERIOUSLY creepy moments within a treehouse that you'd never wish to see...but that's always been a part of the journey.  The yin and the yang.  The light and the dark.  The Antichrist and the Judge.  The Rainer and...well, that's a secret, but you'll see when you read it...all about that and OH SO MUCH MORE!

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About the author...

Molly E. Lee is an author best known for her romance novels, the Grad Night series and the Love on the Edge series. She is a 1001 Dark Nights Discovery Author for 2017. Molly writes Adult and Young Adult contemporary featuring strong female heroines who are unafraid to challenge their male counterparts, yet still vulnerable enough to have love sneak up on them. In addition to being a military spouse and mother of two + one stubborn English Bulldog, Molly loves watching storms from her back porch at her Midwest home, and digging for treasures in antique stores.

SITE  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER

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Special thanks to Riki at Entangled Publishing for the eARC for review. (THANKS!) For more information on these titles, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. All titles in the series are AVAILABLE NOW, so seek thee out a copy at your favorite online or brick and mortar store today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!