Tag Archives: fantasy

The Price of Uncreation (Faceless Chronicles 4) by Grant Pierce

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The Price of Uncreation (Faceless Chronicles 4) by Grant Pierce

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 1, 2026

When the Lightbringer unleashed the power of Uncreation, the heavens shuddered and answered with a storm of Celestial Fire.

From the ashes, the shapeshifter Valko emerged, unshackled and bent on summoning The Thousand Legion, a force composed of the most powerful greater fiends of the Abyss. Their destructive potential is unimaginable.
Valko seeks to spread the Scarlet Plague and ignite a war that will consume the hybrid races. Amid the carnage of countless vanquished souls, he will seize the power of Creation and Uncreation. No prophecy foretells salvation from his mad machinations.

Standing against him are the gorgon sisters, Azzlya and Nyssa. They must rally an unlikely band of a lich, a flesh golem, a mute skeleton warrior, a half-orc mercenary, and a human rogue. Together, they must unmask Valko, distribute the plague’s cure, and prevent a genocidal war.

The Legion is coming. Valko is its herald.

••••••

REVIEW:The Price of Uncreation is a dark fantasy that delivers a strong blend of apocalyptic stakes, unusual characters, and relentless danger.

The threat posed by Valko and the Thousand Legion feels genuinely overwhelming, while the Scarlet Plague adds an unsettling sense of urgency to the story.

I especially enjoyed the unlikely group of heroes. A lich, a flesh golem, a mute skeleton warrior, a half orc mercenary, and a human rogue make for an intriguing party, and their differences create plenty of potential for tension and unexpected loyalty. Azzlya and Nyssa also stand out as compelling figures as they struggle to unite this fractured group against an enemy who seems almost impossible to stop.

The story has a vivid, brutal atmosphere, with celestial fire, fiends, shapeshifters, and the dangerous forces of Creation and Uncreation adding a grand mythological scale.

At times, the large cast and complex mythology can feel overwhelming, but they also give the story a distinctive identity and makes the world feel much larger than the immediate conflict.

Overall, The Price of Uncreation is an entertaining dark fantasy adventure filled with monsters, magic, war, and desperate heroes.

It should appeal to those who enjoy grim fantasy, morally complicated characters, and stories where survival depends on enemies learning to fight together.

Not my usual read, but this author writes some really good stories (and it’s good to change my reading pattern once in a while.)

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B

Social Media: Website / Facebook/ X (Twitter)/ Goodreads/ Amazon Author Page/ Bookbub

I have two master’s degrees, one in business and one in clinical psychology. Early in my career, I worked in forensic settings, including courts and prisons, and I received extensive training in working with victims of crime, particularly people dealing with PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

That background has deeply influenced the way I write fantasy. I’m fascinated by what people become under pressure, how trauma shapes choices, and how thin the line can be between empathy and cruelty. So while The Faceless Chronicles has demons, prophecy, shapeshifters, and war, I’m always most interested in the human cost beneath the story.

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Ember & Ash (Thorne Saga 1) by Lisa Renee Jones-review

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Ember & Ash (Thorne Saga 1) by Lisa Renee Jones-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 27, 2026

In the dark of the night, there is passion and destruction…

Criminal defense attorney Ember Thorne thought the biggest challenge of her life would be her quest to navigate the justice system on behalf of the wrongly accused. That is, until she finds herself in the sights of an otherworldly evil, desperately hunting what she cannot kill, not yet, at least. Nothing in her life, or in this world, is what it seems, and when a blue-eyed stranger named Micah saves her life, their attraction is the fire that could become the death of all that exists or the salvation that blooms with new hope for all. Micah, royalty in his own right, will challenge her to stand against evil, but when you have never known true evil, can you really recognize it where it hides?

In a world where angels and demons are the truth humans call fiction, could it be a lie between lovers that equals salvation? Or is that lie the blade that delivers devastation?

••••••

REVIEW: EMBER AND ASH is the first instalment in Lisa Renee Jones’ contemporary, adult THORNE SAGA erotic, paranormal, fantasy romance series focusing on twenty-seven year old criminal defense attorney Ember Thorne, a woman who is about to discover she is much more than she has been led to believe.

Told from first person perspective (Ember) EMBER AND ASH follows in the wake of Ember Thorne’s twenty-seventh birthday, and the defense of a murderer who turns his sights on our story line heroine but Ember is about to discover the evil she knows is the evil she is about to face in a war between the angels and demons, a war to take control of Ember Thorne. Targeted for who and what she is about to become, Crystal Seer Micah, becomes Ember’s guardian, protector and mentor, as she prepares for a battle to save the world.

The world building follows Ember and Micah as they traverse between Earth, the Underworld and Elysium, Micah’s home world where he is King and master. From demons to werewolves, giant spiders and crabs, Ember must become an army of one in an effort to take down what is coming to destroy them all. An impending war for control of our heroine finds Ember honing her powers, in an effort to destroy the malevolent entity taking aim.

The relationship between Ember and Micah is slow to build as Micah prepares Ember for war. Our heroine has yet to harness the powers she knew nothing about but powers that can be used for both good and evil. Micah’s attraction to Ember is immediate and fated but Ember is a distraction that could get them all killed. The lone $ex scene is passionate and intense.

We are introduced to Micah’s ‘crew’: Gabriella, Braylon, Silas, and Micah’s second in command Zeke, as well as Celine and Ember’s client Jeremy.

EMBER AND ASH is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, magic and the supernatural, angels and demons, acceptance and obligation. The slow building premise is detailed, complex and edgy but the author has included a glossary of terminology that will aid with the numerous names, places, laws and powers. The characters are desperate, determined and magical; the building romance is gradual, fated and impassioned. EMBER AND ASH ends on a big of a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Website | Facebook | Instagram |  Pinterest | Goodreads

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series.

In addition to the success of Lisa’s INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is also the author of the bestselling the bestselling DIRTY MONEY and WHITE LIES series. And will be publishing the first book in her Lilah Love suspense series with Amazon Publishing in March 2018.

Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women’s Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.

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Traitors by Willa Hollis -review

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Traitors by Willa Hollis -review

 Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 20, 2026

She’s been lied to. So has the whole world.

Seraphine Austen, raised by the Ravellian rebels, has spent her life below, hidden in the shadows after a ruthless regime drove magic wielders and Nulls into hiding below ground. Above, Whitefall, a projected idealistic society, keeps peace and order by practicing law over lore. Gifted with dangerous power, Seraphine has never known independence, instead fiercely protected by her father, the Ravellian leader. Tired of hiding and burning with anger at the injustices above, she’s ready to step into the light and prove herself.

He carries the truth that could change everything.

Tark Lowell is the son of the regime itself. As the Commander of Whitefall’s military forces, he enforces order without mercy and is loyal without question. Burdened by duty and the weight of those he’s sworn to protect, the pressure of it all threatens to expose him.

When Tark captures Seraphine after a mission gone wrong, their meeting creates a chain of events neither anticipated. Ugly truths are exposed, and loyalties fracture, blurring the line between enemy and ally.

Surrounded by deception, Seraphine and Tark must decide whether trusting each other is the greatest risk or their only chance at survival—because how do you trust someone who’s betrayed the only world you’ve ever known?

We’re all traitors in the end.

•••••

REVIEW: Traitors arrives with a description that immediately pulls you into a world of shadows and carefully maintained illusions.

The setup is classic dystopian fantasy, on the surface magic users and Nulls driven underground by a polished, law obsessed society called Whitefall that projects an image of perfect order.

Seraphine Austen has spent her entire life protected, hidden, and essentially caged by her father’s protectiveness and the rebel cause that raised her. That simmering frustration, the hunger to step into the light and claim some agency of her own, is vey apparent. You can feel the weight of being the protected daughter of a revolutionary leader, gifted with power that makes her both valuable and dangerous, and still never fully free.

On the other side stands Tark Lowell, the Commander who enforces the very regime that keeps people like Seraphine in the dark. He is the loyal son of the system, carrying the burden of duty and the quiet knowledge that the peace he protects may be built on lies.

When their paths collide after a mission goes wrong, the story promises the kind of forced proximity and uneasy alliance that can either destroy both characters or remake them.

The blurb’s insistence that ugly truths will fracture loyalties and blur the line between enemy and ally is what makes the book feel promising rather than predictable. It is not simply “enemies to lovers” for the sake of tension, it is about two people who have been shaped by opposing myths of the same broken world, forced to decide whether the person standing in front of them is the greater threat or the only one who can see the truth.

What I liked and stays with me is the final line….. “We’re all traitors in the end.” It reframes the entire premise. Loyalty, in this world, is never pure. Everyone is betraying something…. a parent, a regime, a carefully constructed identity, or the version of history they were raised to believe. That moral grayness is the book’s real strength.

Seraphine’s rage at injustice and Tark’s quiet cracking under the weight of what he has sworn to uphold suggest characters who will not remain static. Their relationship, is less about easy romance and more about the dangerous act of choosing to trust someone who has already been trained to destroy everything the other person has ever known.

The tropes are there (prisoner and guard, forced proximity, the weight of family legacy).

Traitors has the potential to be one of those rare dystopian fantasies that lingers.

Highly recommended 👍🏻

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B 🦋

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Sky’s Edge (The Four Realms 2) by Kristen Ashley-review

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Sky’s Edge (The Four Realms 2) by Kristen Ashley-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 18, 2026

Peace has been shattered in the Four Realms…

But Catla Truelock has bigger concerns.

Her father’s done what he’d been threatening to do. He’s arranged her marriage to a man not of Catla’s choice.

It’s the demon way, but Catla knows her new betrothed, and she doesn’t like him. He’s aloof. He’s arrogant. And he’s both in spades.

Tanyn, the new king of Sky’s Edge, feels differently about the half-demon beauty from Night’s Fall. He’s made his decision on who he wants to be his queen.

She’s perfect.

He simply has to convince her.

Tanyn sets about doing that, but he’s interrupted when his fiancée receives a death threat.

It’s then all the royals of the Four Realms understand that the danger is not over. For reasons unknown, there’s a sinister faction in their lands who’s targeting them, and the women who will rule at their sides.

Now, Tanyn has to keep his Catla safe, at the same time convincing her to wear his crown.

And Catla has to decide if she can leave everything she knows to be the bride of the handsome king in a land that is not her own.

•••••

REVIEW:SKY’S EDGE is the second instalment in Kristen Ashley’s adult THE FOUR REALMS paranormal, fantasy romance series. This is Demon King Tanyn Firefierce, and thirty-one year old, half demon / art gallery director Catla Truelock’s story line. SKY’S EDGE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but recommend reading the series in order as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

SOME BACKGROUND: There are Four Realms ( Night’s Fall, Dawn’s Break, Sky’s Edge,Land’s End), once at war, now at a tentative peace that is threatened by an unknown source.

Told from first person perspective (Catla) SKY’S EDGE follows the arranged relationship and impending marriage between Demon King Tanyn Firefierce, and thirty-one year old, half demon / art gallery director Catla Truelock. Tanyn Firefierce needed a queen to help rule the realm of Sky’s Edge but from the outset Catla was at odds with her new direction in life. An independent woman whose attitude did nothing to ingratiate herself into Tanyn’s world was felt but all who loved him but Catla’s attitude may have pushed Tanyn too far. Often immature and testy, Catla found herself on the outside looking in. Several days apart revealed a bond that could not be broken, and our heroine would return to Sky’s Edge in preparation for her new life going forward but all is not well in Tanyn’s life, as the past refuses to abide by Tanyn’s ascension to the throne, taking aim at our story line heroine.

The world building follows the questionable selection of a Queen, a half-demon/ half human, and a woman not always accorded the respect she deserves.There is a history of magic and fate at play, culture and values to be learned and used, and a lore that has woven a tale of fate and illusion but the former self-declared King Arnaud and Queen Tatra refuse to back down, and the four realms find themselves facing a foe that can harm them all.

The relationship between Tanyn and Catla begins as an arranged marriage. Demons in general do not have fated mates but if a true Demon King finds his true Queen, the world of Sky’s Edge is said to answer its’ call. The $ex scenes are erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is another large ensemble cast of colorful, magical and sometimes questionable secondary and supporting characters including dragons, demons, fae, witches, trolls and humans, most of whom play a significant role in our couple’s lives including the return of Aleksei and Laura, Cormac Claymore and Gayliliel Vinestrong; Aleece and Bainon. We are introduced to Catla’s parents Mammon and Freya Truelock, Citadel house and groundskeepers Manny and Zyra; Catla’s best friend Monique ; Tanyn’s second in command Nayden; and some of the castle employees including Barret, Camaryn, and Mira

SKY’S EDGE is a magical story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and deception, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is detailed, edgy and dramatic, with a definitive Kristen Ashley familiarity. The characters are numerous, charismatic and determined; the romance is fated and captivating.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn’t taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

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Bloodlines of the Void by Devin Vandriel-review

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Bloodlines of the Void by Devin Vandriel-review

PRE-ORDER: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 1, 2026

Lieutenant Commander Ailith Hardin has a problem with authority.

It’s not her non-regulation gunslinger hat and quick-draw holster that got her transferred three times in nine months. It’s her habit of treating orders like suggestions and regulations like punchlines that has made her the most decorated—and most unwanted—officer in the Alliance Fleet.

Captain Aris Thorn has a problem with Security Chiefs.

Five candidates have walked into his office. Five have walked out—or ran. The crew whispers that the position is cursed, that something about their enigmatic Captain drives good officers to desperation.

Now Hardin faces Captain Aris Thorn—A man who knows the regulations like how regular people know how to breathe.

But when she strolls into Thorn’s office wearing that infamous hat, something unexpected happens. Instead of the usual ten-minute rejection, they engage in a battle of wits that lasts nearly an hour. For the first time in years, someone isn’t afraid of him. For the first time since leaving the super secret squirrel land of classified military operations, someone appreciates her particular brand of controlled chaos.

The ANS Dominion is bound for the outer rim—pirate territory where ships disappear and crews are sold into slavery. In a region where the Alliance’s enemies use brainwashing and torture. But as the ship ventures deeper into dangerous space on a mission to deliver much needed medical aid, the real threat may not be the pirates waiting in the void.

It might be the growing attraction between a Captain with dark secrets and a Security Chief who refuses to be broken.

Some rules are meant to be bent. Some authority is meant to be challenged. And some partnerships are forged in the space between insubordination and respect.

••••••

REVIEW:BLOODLINES OF THE VOID is the first instalment in Devin Vandriel’s adult BLOODLINES OF THE VOID sci-fi, fantasy romance series focusing on the crew of the ANS Dominion.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Captain Aris Thorn, and Security Chief, Lieutenant Commander Ailith Hardin BLOODLINES OF THE VOID introduces some of the crew of the spaceship ANS Dominion. Their mission, to deliver medical supplies to the outer rim but the crew aboard the spaceship must deal with some of their own. Ailith Hardin is a strong-willed, hard nosed, independent security chief who doesn’t follow orders, and in not doing so, protects the people under her command but all is not well aboard the ANS Dominion, as command is questioned, and too many people have too much power to destroy the lives of the people on board.

The world building focuses on the introduction of the crew: their jobs, their personalities, their focus and their potential betrayal. Secrets and lies are ship-wide suppositions and accusations, and yet, not every secret is as it appears to be. Captain Aris Thorn is a man with secrets of his own, and in this, Ailith becomes the yin to his yang when he begins to spiral out of control. Her personnel file is classified much to the annoyance of many on board, and Ailith’s mission may go much deeper than anyone could have ever imagined.

There is a large ensemble cast of questionable, determined and energetic secondary and supporting characters, and not everyone is happy with Ailith’s arrival. We are introduced to the security team, medical officer, acquisitions and engineer, and a crew that all believe Ailith’s attitude and emotional stability is in dark contrast to the man in charge. At this stage in the series, there is no mention of alien lifeforms, crew members or otherwise, yet there is a hint as to the Captain’s legacy that has yet to come to fruition.

BLOODLINES OF THE VOID is a slow building story of secrets and lies, betrayal and misunderstanding, power and control, obsession and relationships, friendships and mistrust. The character driven premise, akin to the Star Trek™ sagas, and a little bit of The Ark™ is detailed and dramatic but leaves the reader with more questions than answers. The characters are determined, charismatic and arguably secretive. The relationship between Aris and Ailith begins as Captain and security officer but is quickly developing into something more. BLOODLINES OF THE VOID ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

PRE-ORDER: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

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Realm of Dreams & Shadows (Dreambound 1) by J. Kenner-review

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Realm of Dreams & Shadows (Dreambound 1) by J. Kenner-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 28, 2026

Some nightmares follow you out of the dark.

Cora Lyte knows how she’s going to die. The same way her mother did. Her grandmother. Every woman in her bloodline who closed her eyes and never woke up.

But she’s not dead yet.

Now she’s caught between two men who haunt her in very different ways—Chase, the golden-eyed Hunter sworn to protect her, and Adric, the silver-eyed king of the Nightmare Realm who claims Cora as his bride. One speaks of salvation. One whispers of power. Both ignite something dangerous in her blood.

The veil between realms is thinning, and a prophecy has painted a target on Cora’s back. Her wrong move could unmake reality itself. Chase has sworn to keep her safe. Adric has sworn to make her his. And Cora is falling for them both—even knowing the wrong choice won’t just break her heart. It could shatter the world.

The only thing more dangerous than falling asleep… is falling in love.

••••••

REVIEW:REALM OF DREAMS AND SHADOWS is the first instalment in J. Kenner’s new adult DREAMBOUND paranormal/ fantasy series focusing on nineteen year old, ST. AUGUSTINE college freshman Cora Lyte, a young woman whose lifelike dreams and nightmares will eventually end her life.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for mores sensitive readers.

Told from first person perspective (Cora) and third person (Chase) REALM OF DREAMS AND SHADOWS follows college student Cora Lyte in her first few weeks of freshman year. Under the protection of her Uncle Finn, Dean of St. Augustine, roommate Tia, and Hunter Gage ‘Chase’ Chasen, Cora struggles to keep her sanity amidst the horrifying dreams that threaten to end her life. Since the death of her mother Cassie, Cora’s dreams have been increasingly more violent, and a new threat may have entered the stage. As the veil between the realms continues to thin, Cora’s dreams increase, becoming the living nightmares of her life. Cora is a target, and Chase has declared himself guardian and protector of our story line heroine.

The world building is complex and detailed, as eons of history is revealed as to the five realms; the how and why of the connection to our story line heroine, and her protector Chase. Chase will begin to teach Cora control, and how to use the powers to defend herself against those hoping to do her harm. Cora, new to the world of magic and mayhem, is often too curious, and a little TSTL, but our heroine needs answers, and the answers are few and far between. Every night her nightmares pull her deeper, until she is no longer able to discern between the realms, between reality and her nightmares.

The relationship between Chase and Cora is predicated upon hundreds of years of history, dreams and nightmares but there is a love triangle developing, and in this, I am struggling to accept what is happening and why-the usual manipulation, secrets and lies is paramount to destroy any chance at a happily ever after, and our heroine is easily manipulated and gullible. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The Hunter aka Gage ‘Chase’ Chasen ; Cora’s Roommate Tia, a witch whose powers have been bound; the school’s Dean, Cora’s Uncle Finn’; Adric, the Nightmare King, and bookstore owner Griffin, a practitioner of the occult, another hunter/ protector Whistler.

REALM OF DREAMS AND SHADOWS is a fantastical story of betrayal and vengeance, magic and power, family and relationships, secrets and lies, akin to some of the more popular YA book sagas. The character driven premise is intriguing and dark but familiar; the romance is seductive, fated and sometimes questionable; the characters are magical, powerful and charismatic. REALM OF DREAMS AND SHADOWS ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over seventy novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, and paranormal mommy lit.

JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.” A five time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy). Her Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series (as Julie Kenner) is currently in development with AwesomenessTV/Awestruck.

Her books have sold over three million copies and are published in over twenty languages.

In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YouTube | Amazon Author Page

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One Shattered Crown (Grimm Bargains 3) by Rebecca Zanetti-review

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One Shattered Crown (Grimm Bargains 3) by Rebecca Zanetti-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 28, 2026

ELLA

It’s the wedding of the year—a lavish union of two powerhouses. But I’m only here for vengeance against the woman who stole my position as sole heir to my late father’s company, TimeGem Moments, and shipped me off to boarding school. I’ve only made more enemies since. Tonight is my chance to reclaim control. Tonight, TimeGem’s diamond-powered servers are this girl’s best friend. Unless he ruins everything. Justice Beathach, the groom’s unbearably hot brother, with hands built for war and a mouth that spells destruction. He’s lethal, unyielding, and now has me in his crosshairs . . .

JUSTICE

Ella Rendale almost killed my brother once. Now, at his own wedding, she’s almost done it again. I don’t care if he’s forgiven her or if she’s been wronged. I care about one thing: the locked flash drive she leaves behind, spelling my destruction. She can run, she can hide, but when I find her, she’ll give me what I want. But someone else wants her even more than I do—they want her dead. When our enemies close in, I’m forced to protect her, turning the fire between us into an uncontrollable weapon. Now, she’s not just my quarry—she’s my obsession. And I’ll kill anyone who even thinks of taking her from me .

•••••

REVIEW:ONE SHATTERED CROWN is the third instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult GRIMM BARGAINS erotic, paranormal romance series, loosely based on Grimm’s Fairy Tales, focusing on four powerful families with affinities to gemstones. This is Ella Rendale, the Rightful heir to TimeGem Moments and Justice Beathach co-owner of Malice Media’s story line. ONE SHATTERED CROWN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: There are four (plus one more?) powerful families with affinities to gemstones, vying for control of social media. The more followers and likes, the more power and life force is gained by those in charge. Along with the social media and influencers, the lives of the four families are ‘powered’ by the gemstones, gemstones that are the life-force of the families and their heirs. Ella’s affinity is to citrine: Justice’s affinity is to garnet and obsidian.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ella and Justice) ONE SHATTERED CROWN focuses on the acrimonious relationship between our story line couple. Ella Rendale, and her blood family have an affinity to Citrine, but her step-mother and step-sisters do not have the power to control the Rendale family TimeGem Moments. Someone has been targeting the four powerful families, and with Ella’s past reputation and ability to create a gemstone virus, our heroine has become one of the suspects but all is not well, our heroine has been targeted, a possible fifth player, an unknown entity has entered into the fold.

The world building focuses on a potential betrayal. All four families have been targeted but the deadly and dangerous attempts on her life, scream of a possible inside predator. Without the ability to ‘charge’ the computers, the companies begin to falter, such that a strong elemental connection must be involved.

The relationship between Ella and Justice is tempestuous at best. Justice is determined to hold Ella, like a ‘bird in a gilded cage’ but our heroine refuses to become Justice’s prisoner, and every attempt to escape, Ella finds herself fighting to survive. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, questionable and dangerous secondary and supporting characters including Justice’s best friend and business partner Thorn Beathach and his wife Alana (One Cursed Rose 1) ; Bratva leader and heir to the Hologrid Hub Alexei Sokolov and his new wife Rosalie; programmer Wesley Whisper, and Fergus. We are introduced to Ella’s problematic step-mother Sylveria Rendale, and step sisters Corinda and Stacia; Ella’s godmother Aura, and her friends Mags and Jos, as well as Justice’s men Wynd and Kaz, and driver Bronco. The requisite evil has many faces. Not everyone will survive.

ONE SHATTERED CROWN is a modern day, paranormal retelling of Cinderella including a ball, a prince of industry, step-mother and step-sisters, godmother and her ‘assistants (ala Disney™ version), and of course, the gemstone Citrine aka pumpkin). The action packed premise is entertaining, dramatic and edgy; the romance is seductive and aggressive; the characters are determined, desperate and tenacious.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes contemporary romances, dark paranormal romances, and romantic suspense novels.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day—or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

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Dragon Sieged (Dragon Kings 11 ) by Donna Grant-review

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Dragon Sieged (Dragon Kings 11 ) by Donna Grant-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 20, 2026

Something called to me from the darkness…

I should’ve ignored it. Walked away like I have from so many things. But I couldn’t. Not when it whispered my name like it knew me.

Then I found her.

Hidden. Untouched by time. A mystery I don’t understand—and a temptation I can’t resist. There’s something about her that pulls at me, threads through wounds I thought long buried.

I don’t trust it. I don’t trust her.
But I can’t stay away.

Something is stirring. Something that shouldn’t exist. And the closer I get to her, the more I feel it…waiting.

She may be the answer.

Or the beginning of the end.

Either way—I’m not walking away.

••••••

REVIEW:DRAGON SIEGED is the eleventh instalment in Donna Grant’s adult DRAGON KINGS paranormal fantasy series, set in the author’s numerous interconnected series. This is lavender Dragon King Marcus, and Fedra’s story line. DRAGON SIEGED can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: For tens of thousands of years the Dragons have lived and ruled on Earth but a war between the dragons and humans forced the Dragon Kings to send the other dragons through a portal into an unknown world. Fast forward to present day, the portal has been revealed, and the Dragon Kings have been reunited in Zora, with their family and kin, but a new war is on the horizon between the Dragons, the Divine and the people of Stonemore.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Marcus and Fedra DRAGON SIEGED follows lavender Dragon King Marcus in the days following a voice he hears coming from an underground chamber, a chamber buried by time and space. Upon their discovery, a high-tech pod is unearthed, and a human female is found within but Fedra is no ordinary human, if human at all, and her nearness to the Dragon Kings is a threat to their existence and the dragon race.

The world building is detailed as a new threat has been introduced but from where Fedra originated is another concern. Eons have passed and yet Fedra has one directive, and if successful, the Dragon Kings will be no more.

The relationship between Fedra and Marcus begins as a rescue, of a sorts but Marcus’ draw towards Fedra is notice by the others although his nearness to Fedra could end his life. The lone $ex scene is passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is another ensemble cast of familiar, energetic and powerful secondary and supporting characters, many of whom we met in the previous story lines and throughout the numerous interconnected Dragon Kings/ Dark Kings series. We are reintroduced to Con and Rhi, healer Sian, Brandr, as well as the return of Villette, Lotti, Eurielle and another newcomer, a bigger threat than anyone could have imagined.

DRAGON SIEGED is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and madness, magic and mayhem, acceptance and family. The character driven premise, once again reveals the history of the Dragon Kings and their clans who now reside on Zora, told through reflection, introspection and emotion. The characters are desperate and determined; the romance is limited but fated.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Donna Grant is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the sizzling Dark King series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.

She was born and raised in Texas but loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her throughout the United States as well as to Jamaica, Mexico, and Scotland. Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, Donna’s Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding.

Despite deadlines and voracious reading, Donna still manages to keep up with her two children, four cats, and one long haired Chihuahua.

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