The Queen of All that Dies by Laura Thalassa

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages:306
Series: The fallen World
Rating: 4.5 stars
Synopsis:

In the future, the world is at war.

For the last decade, King Lazuli of the Eastern Empire has systematically taken over the world. No one knows much about him other than a series of impossible facts: he cannot die, he has not aged since the conflict began, and he wants to rule the world.

All Serenity Freeman has know is bloodshed. War has taken her mother, her home, her safety. As the future emissary of the Western United Nations, the last autonomous region of the globe, she is responsible for forging alliances where she can.

Surrender is on the horizon. The king can taste it; Serenity feels it deep within her bones. There is no other option. Now the two must come face to face. For Serenity, that means confronting the man who’s taken everything from her. For the king, it means meeting the one woman he can’t conquer. But when they meet, something happens. Cruelty finds redemption.

Only in war, everything comes with a price. Especially love.

Review: I love the heroines that Thalassa creates. Always head strong and not afraid to tell the hero where to shove it.

There was a time when obesity was the losing battle our people faced. Not so anymore. As soon as food became scarce, curves became coveted.

Serenity Freeman has known war from a young age. Her father is the emissary for the Western United Nations (WUN). King Lazuli has taken over the Eastern Hemisphere. It is known as the Eastern Empire. He has dropped bombs on the Western Hemisphere making the air, water, and earth polluted with radiation, that cancer is a normal occurrence.

Serenity is being trained to be emissary after her father. A plan has been made up that her father, her, and ten guards will go to make a peace treaty in Geneva with the King. Once the King takes one look at Serenity, he wants her. Not in an insta-love deal but in he wants her. Serenity hates the King. He has taken everything she loves away from her.

Laura Thalassa does it again. I love her writing. I was captivated the whole time. Every time I had break at work I read this. I finished it in two days.

I was more likely to punch someone in the face than I was reasoning with them.

I love Serenity. She is my all time favorite heroine. She’s snarky. She knows how to hang with the boys, oh and she is the only one to tell the king off even though it could be a death sentence. She made me laugh many times. Wy even looked at me weird for one of them.

“You want to see compassion? Fine.” I take the hand pressed against my shoulders and kiss his knuckles. “I’ve now kissed the hand of my mother’s killer.”
Before he has time to react to my chaste kiss, I bring my other hand up and slap him. His head whips to the side.
“I’m also a vindictive bitch,” I said.

That ending. I was happy, sad, overjoyed, and completely speechless. I am really glad I got the second and third book. If this is anything like how she written Unearthly then I will be tearing through these next to books.

 

Challenge: Spooktober

In this Halloween-themed challenge,  read books that fit into for categories based off of different supernatural beings. There is no limit to how many books can be read from each category, and may read books from one category, all categories, or a combination of categories.

Rules

1. Books must be read and reviewed from October 1-31st to count.
2. Books must be at least 100 pages long to count.
3. Books in verse or poetry will count for 1/4 of the page count listed. That is if a book is 200 pages long, it will count for 50 pages.
4. Graphic novels/manga don’t count for the challenge.
5. Read as many books to any category.

Points

• One point per book read and reviewed under 400 pages
• two points per book read and reviewed over 400 pages

Categories:

Witches

• A book with the word Magic, Hex, or Curse in the title
• A book about Witches
• A book about magic
• A book classed as fantasy  1 book
• A book with a cat, crow, or raven on the cover
• A book with a black cover 1 book

Ghosts

• A book with a white cover
• A book about ghosts
• A book classed as spooky or horror  2 books
• A book taking place in a haunted mansion/house/building
• A book classed as paranormal 1 book
• A book set in a graveyard/ with a graveyard on the cover.

Vampires:

• A book with a coffin on the cover
• A book with blood on the cover
• A book with a mirror on the cover
• A book about vampires
• A book classed as supernatural  1 book
• A book about immortality

Werewolves:

• A book with a wolf on the cover
• A book labeled mythology
• A book classed science fiction
• A book with a silver cover/title
• A book with a moon on the cover.
• A book about werewolves

Points

8 points

Redeeming Rhys by Mary E. Palmerin

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 160
Series: Stand-Alone (So far)
Rating:
Synopsis:

Are people born pure?

Is evil learned, or is it birthed into one’s soul, like a fallen angel who was previously par of graciousness?

Rhys is decayed, black, and bad. He cut distortion out of his life years before, but he let her live; his only way to gain redemption once more.

As his sinful needs blanket him with dread, he seeks penance from the soul he saw as a second chance.

Is absolution too late for Rhys?

**Warning, dark scenes depicted heavily throughout this novel. Read the Author’s disclaimer carefully before proceeding with this title.**

Review: One, two, Bad Boy is coming for you. Three, four, Little Girl it’s too late to lock your door. Five, six, Bad Boy is about to show you sick. Seven, eight, Bad Boy is gonna filet you like steak. Nine, ten, never see Momma or Daddy again.

What the hell did I just read?

Rhys is wanting absolution for his sins. The only one to give it to him is Wren. When Rhys was a little boy, he use to be beaten by his step-father. Everyday he was told he was a bad boy and that he needed to repent for his sins. One day he finally snapped.

Ten years later Rhys wants to find the one he let get away, Wren. Rhys is pretty messed up in the head. But so is Wren. Wren is Rhys step sister that he let live after he killed both of their parents.

I DNF this book at 83%. It was too dark for me and I couldn’t go on. This book made me physical and mental and emotional ill. I just couldn’t finish it.

#Rev by Cambria Hebert

My edition:Kindle Unlimited
Pages:564
Series: GearShark #2
Rating: 5 adorable stars
Synopsis:

Trent Mask puts the REV in revolution.
A line has been drawn.
Indie vs Pro
Here at GearShark, we’re straddling that line to bring you exclusive coverage of what some have dubbed the war of racing.
Every war starts with a spark and ends in revolution.
Drew Forrester was the spark,
but his second-in-command is the REVolution.
What does it take to stand brave in the face of opposistion?
Resolve of steel…
Stubborn will…
And a heart that refuses to give up.
It’s about shattering labels and taking risks.
So we asked Trent Mask: Truth or Dare?
His answer?
Both
Check out the full feature article inside…

Review: Love is in the details. It’s in the everyday. It’s the way you treat someone when they aren’t even looking and the way they fill your head when you’re apart.

This starts off where the first book ended. Drew, Romeo, and Braeden want revenge for what happened to Trent. They all come up with a plan to get the four Omega brothers back. Along with revenge Drew and Trent have to face many other difficult obstacles. They have to face coming out to their family and the world. They are tired of sneaking around and want everyone to know they are in love. Only problem they face is the hate and uncertainty of what their family and friends think. Luckily their true family we find out at the end of the first book loves them no matter what. (Plus they kind of knew already.)

“Just remember, all flags tremble in the wind, but they still keep flying.”-Romeo

I love Trent and Drew. They are so perfect together. It makes me sort of sad that the next book isn’t about them. I want more of Trew. No I need more!!! Please say there are going to be more books in this series so I can get more of Trew.

Intimacy didn’t come necessarily from the act of sex. It came from the way you treated the act, the way you approached it, and the way the person you were with cherished your body.

P.S. Drew is one sexy alpha male.

Drew and I were stronger together. I was stronger with him than I would ever be apart. He gave me strength. I gained courage from his love.

If I got rid of my demons, I’d lose my angels, too.

#Junkie by Cambria Hebert

My edition:Kindle Unlimited
Pages:542
Series: GearShark #1
Rating:
Synopsis:

Drew Forrester is a total adrenaline junkie.

His high of choice?

Cars.

The faster, the better.

He’s been making waves in Maryland’s underground racing circuit since he crossed the state line, and after speaking with him, we know he’s not hitting the brakes anytime soon.

So what exactly does it take to burn rubber and make a name for yourself in a world where the only rule is there are no rules?

You gotta be hungry…

You gotta have balls…

And you can never back down.

What’ve we learned here at GearShark?

Drew is all of the above.

We also know he’s got some secrets buried under his hood.

Secrets we think are loaded with octane and just might set the world of cars on fire.

This is an M/M romance.

Review:

Alright friends it has happened. My M/M cherry has been popped!!! I was wary at first because this is a genre totally out of my comfort zone just like the genre dark. But I decided halfway through #Bae I wanted to know Drew and Trent’s story. I knew in #Heart that something was up with those two. It was a feeling. I liked that Hebert had that there. It makes her a great author.

Drew and Trent hit it off right way when they met at Screamerz. They were best of friends. They loved cars and they both had Mustangs. Lately though Trent is starting to realize he loves Drew. No not loves but loves Drew. What he doesn’t know is Drew feels the same way. One night Drew is hiding out with a girl named Joey at a gay bar trying to avoid a guy named Lorhaven. Drew sees Trent at the bar talking to another guy. From there Drew knew he was a goner for Trent. Trent finally confesses that he has been questioning himself. Drew got pissed that Trent was keeping such a secret from him. A secret he wanted to try with Trent.

I was glad this was my first M/M romance. Trent and Drew were adorable together. I love how possessive of Trent Drew is and how protective of Drew Trent is. So cute. I am shipping this hard. But seriously Drew’s jealousy is just too damn cute. The protectiveness Trent has, kind of a turn on. I love these two. I love them even more together.

 

#Bae by Cambria Hebert

My edition: Kindle (Owned copy)
Pages: 334
Series: Hashtag #7
Rating:4.5
Synopsis:

Happily-ever-after.
That’s what happens when you get married.
Right?
Turns out sparkly rings, cake and a fantastic wedding do not automatically grant you that, not even when it’s all you truly want.
I’m even starting to doubt the bottomless, unconditional love I share with the man I married will be enough.
I can’t have happily ever after, know why?
Because I can’t give Romeo what he truly wants. I’ve tried. So hard. I won’t be happy unless he is and something is missing.
Someone.
Paparazzi are in my face. The flashing cameras and prying eyes are everywhere. My secret is getting harder to hide, and I know the second the scoop is dished the grip I hove on the fraying rope that happily ever after will snap right in my face.
In our face.
I can’t let that happen. No matter what.
Because with or without a happy ending, Romeo comes Before Anyone Else.

Review: All I expect is for you to breathe. -Romeo

Romeo and Rimmel are having a happy marriage. Everything is going peaceful when one day Rimmel wakes up to have her world shattered. Her and Romeo are trying to pick up the pieces to heal together, but the press, and some people from the past have other news for them.

 

I finally accepted the fact I was really struggling today, and with that acceptance, it became a little easier to breathe. -Rimmel

I like that the relationship did change after the horrible news. Romeo and Rimmel still love each other but dealing with their grief has put a barrier between them. The way they work past that makes it that more realistic. Rimmel having to deal with her heartache but she puts on a front so no one worries about her. I love the heart of stone she is written with. She puts everyone else before herself. Most of all she puts Romeo before everyone else. She tries to remain strong for Romeo even when she is dying on the inside. Of course Rome knows what’s going on and makes her open up as much as she will let him.

It isn’t your fault. These things, these horrible things just happen. -Valerie

Most New Adult books have a thing me and a few people call magic peen. What that is is when a MC mostly a heroine has something horrible happen, most cases it’s rape, she has issues dealing with that as any human should. Then out of no where *clears throat, sings* here comes our hero to save the day with his magic penis!!!!*stops singing* All of the sudden our heroine forgets whatever issues she had and is all better. NO!! Authors please stahhhp that shit.

Again as I was saying with the magic peen, this book does not have it. I wanted to jump for joy with that. Thank you Hebert for making this without magic peen. Romeo and Rimmel have to deal with real life shit. But it’s okay. They make it through it. They even become a stronger couple due to this.

Here’s the thing: when you back a wounded dog into a corner, it’s going to come out fighting. -Romeo

Romeo is a man after my own heart. He is up there on my book boyfriend list with the other Romeo from Sweet Home and Preppy from King. His love for Rimmel never faltered. If anything it grew stronger. Romeo also showed that even though you’re an alpha male, sometimes you need to lean on your queen.

Yes I recommend this series. Even though #Selfie and #Poser are not anywhere near my favorites I still recommend. I’m a little sad that it’s ended but hey every great series has that bittersweet moment. Now if you excuse me. I need to go crawl into a fetal postiton and figure what I’m going to do with my life.

#Holiday by Cambria Hebert

My edition:Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 86
Series: Hashtag 6.5
Rating: 3 stars
Synopsis:

Givers gonna give…
Twas the night of game day,
And all through the town,
Lacey glittering snowflakes fluttered around.
They clung to the roads, concealing everything with white.
It was a beautiful #holiday sight.
The paparazzi were out without any care,
In hopes to catch Romeo and Rimmel, rumored to be there.
When out on the road there arose such a clatter.
The Hellcat spun out, but it shouldn’t matter.
I pulled out my cell to dial in a flash.
But the battery was dead. What useless trash.
The moonlight glistenng on new fallen snow.
Made us forget we needed a tow.
For the season was upon us. Our family was alight.
Our #holiday was destined to be merry and bright.

Review: This was a cute short story. It was an update on what was going on three months after #Heart. The press are hard at it with wanting pictures of little Nova and pressure is on Rome and Rimmel to start having babies.

There were a bunch of cute scenes in this. No drama, just the family having a nice Christmas Eve and Christmas.

#Heart by Cambria Hebert

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 338
Series:Hashtag #6
Rating: 4 stars
Synopsis: Off of Goodreads

Lovers Gonna Love…

Family isn’t always defined by blood.
Sometimes Family is born of love..
Loyalty…
And choice.
Sometimes the bond that comes from someone having your back through the shittiest of times is stronger than anything you get from genetics.
And sometimes you find that piece of your soul you didn’t even know was missing.
I’m a lucky guy like that.
I found a love that will never fade. I found a group of people who aren’t just my friends.
They’ve become my family.
There’s only one place to go from here.
I’m gonna bind myself to immel in every possible way.
I’m gonna bring our family even closer together.
The past has taught me it won’t be easy.
Especially when faced with repercussions from a night that ended in death.
But that’s okay.
Family doesn’t quit each other.
Love like ours never dies.
Happily ever after isn’t just for storybooks.

Review: Spoilers if you haven’t read the other books in the series.

Okay besides the first one this one is my favorite. It had so many cute scenes. Braeden and Ivy gah!!! I had my suspicions about them and they were confirmed. It made me so happy the way they got their HEA. Now Romeo and Rimmel’s HEA I have a feeling is in #BAE which I can’t wait to read but have a short story to read before that.

The way Rimmel and Romeo got married was so adorable. Just the way Romeo proposed was so amazing.

This book made me want to go back to the very first book just to see these two fall in love again. There were even hints from the first book in this. But before I can go and reread I have to make it through the last two books in the series. Then I will start GearShank series which will be a write off from this one with Drew and Trent. I have a certain feeling about those two. 😉

#Poser by Cambria Hebert

My Edition:Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 393
Series: Hashtag #5
Rating: 3 stars
Synopsis: Off of Goodreads

Posers gonna pose.
I am a man who had nothing, but found everything.

I’ll never go back to nothing ever again.

I vowed to protect her, and that’s exactly what I’m gonna do.

The pictures I stumbled upon haunt me still, the secret I shoulder is heavy.

They say secrest put distance between two people, but the truth is far mor destructive than keeping it will ever be.

I won’t ever tell. She can’t ever know. 

When I look in the mirror my reflection is of who I’m afraid I’ll become and not the man I am.

It makes me feel like a poser, no better than all the others pretending to be exactly who they aren’t. 

How does a man keep it together when everything is unraveling right here in his hands.

I didn’t start any of this.

I never asked for it.

But it came knocking at my door.

When secrets and threats knock, I don’t hide.

I open the door.

Because the best way to take down a poser is to be one.

Review: SO I really don’t know why but I cannot stand this cover. It really annoys the shit out of me. Maybe it’s the stereotype or maybe it looks like Barbie threw up on the cover, I don’t know. All I do know is that I want to punch cover it up.

Anydick on to the review. I knew this book was going to be drama, drama, drama, when 1.I heard read Zach was back, 2. and blurb really hinted a ton of drama.

I think I’ve decided that I am not an Ivy fan. It was easy to fall in love with Rimmel but with Ivy she just doesn’t grab my attention. She just wasn’t a favorite. I am however a Braeden fan. He won my heart.

Most of this book could do without somethings. Like the whole Ivy styling people. Who cares. Ivy always looking at people’s clothes and describing how stylish it was. I really didn’t like that. Now we did get Zach’s P.O.V. for about three or four chapters.  Yeah him and Missy can go suck eggs. I almost started to feel for Zach when he opened up about his mother, but it doesn’t justify what he did and he’s an asshat.

This one was not my favorite or anywhere near it but it wasn’t a complete and total waste. Which I like to consider good.

 

 

Weekly Memos

I haven’t done this in awhile. I’ve been a little busy and would forget. Or I would forget it’s Monday entirely. Anywho I don’t have to much going on. I have two challenges for this month. One I have not really done because I just can’t get into the mood to start the books listed for that challenge. Why can’t I get into the mood? Well I started reading three other series that have pretty much taken over my life.

Weekly Goals

1. Finish #Poser
2. Try to finish the Hashtag series
3. Finish Bedlam Butchers’ series
4. Finish Ice Planet Barbarians series.