Blog Tour (Excerpt + Review) : Fallen Angel (Book 2 in the Sinners and angels duet) by Tessa James

 

I barely made it out alive, and even then, I lost the life I knew.

Fallen Angel, the highly-anticipated conclusion to the Sinners and Angels Duet, an all-new dark romance duet from Tessa James, is available now!

I was sure my plan would work. That I’d be able to disappear without a trace and leave the past behind me. But when a note appears and reminds me that I cannot run from this kind of evil, I’m forced to figure out how to end this once and for all.

Dragging Claire into this mess with me was never part of the plan, but she’s proven herself time and time again. I’m not sure I can do this without her. I’m not sure I even want to try.

Darkness lingers in both of us and threatens to take hold. I just have to stop it before it drags us down with it—her most of all.

Review

Fallen Angels is the second book in the Sinners and Angels duet. You can read my thoughts about the first book in this duet here.

I have mixed feelings about the second book in the series.  Even though it is a dark romance novel, a huge part of it is suspense. I felt that the story sort of lacked consistency and an element of suspense. I expected the novel to be heavy on the 'who dun it' sort of vibe and keep me guessing throughout. I wanted to have a feeling where situations in the story would make me want to predict the next situation. But nothing happened. 

Coming to the romance part. I didn't really connect with the romance in the book. It was not exactly swoon-worthy or something that would pull at your heartstrings. The book was heavy on smut but not romance. Feelings between the two protagonists were missing. Their relationship hardly evolved throughout the book. This was true even for the characters. They too hardly evolved throughout the span of the second book.

However, there were few things that I loved about fallen angels. To start with, fight scenes were commendably written. Writing as a whole, was super easy to follow and one thing that kept me engaged. The story flowed smoothly from the first book to the second.

All in all, it was an okay read for me. I felt the first book was better than the second. Hence my rating for this book is 3 out of 5 stars. 

Download your copy today!
FREE in Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3557wSp
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/fallenangeltj
Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/3BKGNcF

Start the duet with Tortured Sinner!
FREE in Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3uUxmmy
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/torturedsinner
Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/3y9GTZi

Excerpt from Tortured Sinner, Book 1

Something visceral convinced my legs to move, to go after this girl who I don’t know. It wasn’t a creepy stalker kind of thing. But more of a she just got here and might get lost thing. A strange rush of protectiveness washed over me when I saw her leave the building and venture out into the world. I already got her to hate me, and that alone might be all the protection she needs, but what if something else happens? Why is my brain telling me it’s my responsibility? 

If I just confirm she makes it to wherever she’s going, maybe that will be enough. 

I keep a natural pace while maintaining some distance between us, completely walking in the direction away from where I really should be going. I glance down at my watch, verifying that my little detour won’t set me back too much.

The girl's chocolate brown hair falls down her mid-back, gently swaying with each step she takes. Her arms are crossed over her chest like she might be cold. Or that she's using it as some kind of barrier from the outside world.

That train of thought makes my protective urges rise even more. I don’t know her name, and yet I have an innate need to shield her from any danger. 

What the fuck is wrong with me?

About Tessa
Tessa James is the author of dark contemporary romance. She adores writing broken characters you won’t help but fall for on their journey to find themselves and fight for what they love. Her stories are for the hopelessly romantic who enjoy grit, angst, and passion.

When she’s not writing, you’ll find her consuming way too much coffee, making endless to-do lists, and spending time with her daughter and cats in small-town Ohio.

Connect with Tessa
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3pn7iiK
Instagram: https://bit.ly/34Opc4x
Join her Facebook reader group: https://bit.ly/3pAGjAa
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3zfyzrN

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Blog Tour (Review) : Merciless Union by Faith Summers

 

Skeletons fall out of the closet as I get my memories back.

Merciless Union, the stunning conclusion to the all new Blood and Thorns Duet from Faith Summers is available now!

Everything changed overnight.
Truth became my enemy, and the sting of betrayal dragged me into a web of lies.
I’m damned if I fight to live and damned if I die.
The dark secrets I remember might tear my marriage apart.
Love is a myth we shouldn’t have explored.
My husband was always my enemy.
Love just made me forget and blinded me.
The cruel hand of death is the only answer when doom takes over.
I don’t know if I’ll survive.
Or if death will bury me along with the sins of my father.

Merciless Union is a dark mafia arranged marriage romance. It contains dubious situations, mature content, and graphic violence some readers might find offensive and/or triggering.
This is the last part of a duet and is not standalone.

Review: 

Merciless Union is the second book in the Blood and thorns duet. You can read my thoughts on the first book, Merciless Vows here.

A masterful ending to the duet. This story is heart breaking. It will break your heart, mend it and then break it again. The suspense in this book is so intense and well written that it gets hard to leave the book. My heart goes out to the two protagonists, Lucca and Aria. Both have gone through soo much already, but the things that unravel in this book are just insane and I have no idea how someone survives these secrets unraveling. They are super strong characters with loads of emotional baggage and trauma attached to their childhood and adult life.

Some elements of the story revolve around sexual child abuse. This part really made me uncomfortable. Faith summers really covers the brutality of abuse. She writes it the way it should be written. This can also be a trigger for some.

The one part that affected my rating, is that I was able to predict the ending, as in who did it. And it wasn't really a surprise for me.

However, this book is super well written, with an epic cast of characters who are morally grey. All mafia romance lovers should pick this duet up. It will be worth your time for sure. 

My rating for this book is 4 out of 5 stars.

Download your copy today!
FREE in Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3uSDooi
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/mercilessunion

Start the Duet with Merciless Vows!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SIug7x
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/mercilessvows

About Faith

Faith Summers is the Dark Contemporary Romance pen name of USA Today Bestselling Author, Khardine Gray.

Warning !! Expect wild romance stories of the scorching hot variety with the kind of alpha male bad boys best reserved for your fantasies.

Connect with Faith

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3erKv1k

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3hcKgJa

Join Faith’s Facebook reader group: https://bit.ly/33sx7Uo

Stay up to date with Faith by joining her mailing list: https://bit.ly/3evAQHa

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Review: Hall of Bones (The Brotherhood of The Eagle Book 1) by Tim Hardie

If you are into epic fantasy done right, then this week you are in for a treat. I recently read Hall of bones by Tim Hardie, which is an introduction to what I believe is going to be a marvelous fantasy series.   

 

In the remote land of Laskar,  the seven ruling clans have vied with each other for power for over a century. The son of the Reavesburg Clan Chief, Rothgar, has been groomed all his life for a role supporting his elder brother, Jorik, in leading their kingdom when their father’s time finally comes to an end.

However, the rulers of their greatest rivals, the Vorund Clan, are in the grip of something older and far darker. They have been conquered by evil, a remnant from the time when the gods warred with one another and the world of Amuran collapsed into the Fallen Age.

Everything is about to change …

The first book in The Brotherhood of the Eagle series, Hall of Bones begins a tale of epic fantasy, magic and intrigue.

Review

Hall of bones is a novel with great cast of characters and epic world building. Upon reading the synopsis of this novel, I knew that I had to pick this one up.  A story about clans fighting each other, is something that I am always on a look out for. And after reading this book I can proudly say that it is one of the best epic fantasy novels that I have read in 2021.

You can think of Hall of bones as when viking meets a lighter version of game of thrones. Told from Rothgar's point of view, this story is sort of a coming of age story with loads of politics, epic fighting sequences, dark evil elements which add an all new flavour to the story, and intense plot. 

I was totally invested in this book from the first few pages. And one of the main elements that really drew me in was the world building.  I feel the most important element of any epic fantasy book is the world that it is set in. The world building does set a book apart and gives life to the story. Laskar is a land that is deep seated in history, and mythology. The mythological stories that build this world, set the story apart. Laskar does not feel like a fictional world, it feels real and an old place that has seen a a lot of wars and blood shed in it's time.The world building in Hall of bones is very nuanced and the way it's been written about, paints a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

The other elements were the writing of the fighting sequences and characters. The fighting sequence are well written and feel so real, as if you are literally witnessing them first hand. At times they become a little gory, but what is a fight if it does not have goriness and violence in it. Coming to the characters, I felt this story has well rounded and developed cast of characters. They range from ones who are full of wisdom, and ones that are down right evil. One character that I admired the most was Etta. A lady full of wisdom and loyalty. She is one of those people whose advice will never go wrong.     

The plot of the book is well paced and keeps the reader engaged till the end. It involves elements of politics which add more flavour to the story and make it thrilling. Every piece of history and mythology, ensures that the plot is well informed. Even though there are a few sub-plots, still the story does not derail from the main plot. There are multiple twists and turns that would keep the reader guessing what is going to happen. It's easy to follow and keeps the reader engaged throughout.

Hall of bones is one of those books that needs to be enjoyed with a cup of tea and a comfy chair. It's one of those books that has great story telling. Once you start reading it, you will immerse you in this world where clans collide and gods fight. 

I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

 

Download you copy

Amazon IN 

Amazon US 

(Also, available in kindle unlimited)

 

Connect with the author

 
Twitter - https://twitter.com/timhardieauthor?lang=en
Facebook - @Tim.Hardie.Author
Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/Tim.Hardie.Author.Public/ (business account)
Website - www.timhardieauthor.co.uk

 

 

 

If you have read hall of bones, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. Also, I would love to get more recommendation of epic fantasy books. Add them to the comments section below.

 

If you like what I do, share it with your loved ones. 

 

 

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Blog Tour (Excerpt + Review) : Merciless Vows (Blood and Thrones duet book 1) by Faith Summers

 

When I was sixteen a gypsy fortune teller told me my future held darkness and death.
She was right.

Merciless Vows, the first in the all-new Blood and Thorns Duet from Faith Summers is available now!

When I was sixteen a gypsy fortune teller told me my future held darkness and death.
She was right.
But what she didn’t tell me was the devil himself would rise from hell in the form of Lucca Dyshekov and take everything from me with a gun held to my head.

He’s the Bratva assassin they all call Merciless.
On our wedding day he taught me real monsters aren’t the ones who hide in the dark.
They’re the ones who stare you in the face and steal your soul.

On a quest for revenge, he takes me and unearths secrets from the past that will cause a war.
When death lies on the horizon the enemy of my enemy becomes my friend.
In this instance, he’s my husband.
The real question is when he finishes uncovering the truth, will he keep me or kill me.

Review:

Trigger warning : rape and violence.

Faith Summers has literally become one my favourite authors. If there is a book with her name then I have to read it. This is my second novel by her and I can tell you that it met all my expectations and is an amazingly written mafia romance. My love for her writing has increased with every subsequent read. She has a simple and easy to follow writing style.

Another thing that pulled me towards this book is the fact that the male protagonist is a part of the Bratva, the Russian Mafia.

In this book we follow Aria and Merciless (Lucca). Merciless is one of the most important persons in the Bratva. He kills for a living. Merciless Vows is tale of revenge, mystery, suspense, and romance that will make you fall in love with both the protagonists. It's a romance that will surely pull at your heart strings and one where as a reader you will get invested in. 

Merciless vows is a mafia enemies to lovers romance. Faith summers has done justice to the genre. The plot of this story is super intense and full of unpredictable and well thought through twist and turns. They will catch you by surprise and are heart wrenching. 

Merciless vows has a great set of characters. My heart goes out to the protagonists, they don't have it easy. All the characters in this story are complex and super interesting. It is not an easy read with the kind of sub-genres that this story is based on. But if you choose to read it and are a fan of the mafia romance genre, then you will surely love every bit of it.

Merciless vows ends in a cliffhanger and I can't wait to read the second installment in this series. It is a must read for all the mafia romance lovers out there.

I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

 

Download your copy today!

FREE in Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SIug7x
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/mercilessvows

Pre-order the stunning conclusion: Merciless Union!
Releasing July 18th
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3uSDooi
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/mercilessunion

Excerpt

We stare at each other for what feels like forever, and my nerves spike with every second that passes. 

The way he looks at me makes me uncomfortable. It’s with an air of fascination that makes me wonder if it was he I lost my virginity to. 

Annoyingly, the thought sends a shiver of arousal through me, and the weight pulls on my core. 

There’s an attraction between us I don’t want to accept, especially after last night. And this morning.

Yet, as I stare at him, I can’t help but wonder how we would have met if my father didn’t know I knew him.

How close were we?

I have so many questions, ones I feel he won’t answer, 

 “Go on, Printsessa,” he urges with a cocky smile that should be as illegal as he is. “Ask me. I don’t want my bride’s head to explode with all those questions she has swirling around in there.” 

Him calling me his bride makes me cringe. 

“Why do you want to marry me? What sort of business benefit is there in marrying me?” 

“Business benefit?” He inclines his head, and his hair drifts over his shoulder. The fading sunlight captures the lighter hints of brown in the dark mass of wild hair.

“You don’t love me, so don’t play with me. Tell me the truth. You’re marrying a woman who has no memories beyond the last two and a half years. I think I deserve some explanation.” 

He looks like he’s considering it. When he sets his shoulders back, my hopes rise. 

“You fit in with my plans,” he answers. 

“What plans?”

“Those don’t concern you.” 

“How don’t they concern me? You have access to my whole life. This is wrong. You know it is.” 

“Right and wrong are shades of gray that people manipulate to take whatever form they want. This is mine.” 

I shake my head. “I don’t want to marry you.”

“You don’t have a choice, and if I were you, I wouldn’t create problems. Your father wasn’t joking when he told you to do as you’re told. You need to. If you don’t create problems, you won’t have a problem with me.” 

He touches my cheek, and my body instantly betrays me. 

The memory of his face comes into my mind, along with a kiss—the one from last night and another from before. That was the one I dreamt about. 

“Where do I know you from?” 

“I told you, you shouldn’t try and remember me.” 

“Why? You’re the only thing I remember,” I confess, and as the words leave my lips, I regret it. I don’t think I should have told him that. 

“Is that so? How unfortunate for you.” He backs away. 

“You said you wouldn’t hurt me.” 

“I guess I must have lied.”

About Faith

Faith Summers is the Dark Contemporary Romance pen name of USA Today Bestselling Author, Khardine Gray.
Warning !! Expect wild romance stories of the scorching hot variety with the kind of alpha male bad boys best reserved for your fantasies.

 

Connect with Faith

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3erKv1k
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3hcKgJa
Join Faith’s Facebook reader group: https://bit.ly/33sx7Uo
Stay up to date with Faith by joining her mailing list: https://bit.ly/3evAQHa

 

Have you read Merciless vows? Tell me about what you thought in the comments section below. Also, if you have some recommendations for me, and would like me to review some books add them to the comments section too. 

 

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