Nicola and the Viscount by Meg Cabot
****

This was a really fun, cute, sweet regency romance. A really quick read when you want something fun and light to read. This story is about Nicola who is orphaned yet has some means in which to survive, her father did not leave her completely destitute. She does somewhat rely on friends to take her in, so she can go to all the amazing social outings that they had back in the day. Her best friend Eleanor and family are wonderful and take good care of her. Both girls have a crush on the God (yes they refer to him as this,P please rolled my eyes.) Nicola is naive, and after one thing because of her station, a man well not any man the God to be exact. She is not a very deep person, very in the moment, proper, shallow, but she does get a little better, and the story is still a good story. Eleanor, is a little more grounded but not much, they are both just silly girls and typical for the time period. The god is gorgeous, and a little to agreeable in my opinion, but for good reason. The characters and the story are both written really well and were fun to read. There is a mystery that Nicola is trying to figure out as well, someone is trying to take something from her that she holds dear. Plus an added surprise that I will not say anything about. Fun and Cute!

Language maybe one or two mostly just god referring to this guy
romance clean

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
*****

This is one of those books that you ponder and mull over in your mind days after you are finished reading it, it was that interesting/intriguing. I love books like this were it really makes you think. At first I had a hard time with the concept of assassins nuns. Their whole mission to do Lord Mortains (Lord Death)will was hard to swallow. How do they know what his will is? Hmm do they....? In a christian world today this was hard to digest at times, but....once I put it all into context it helped. This story opens in Brittany 1485 the clans of this region were still in the process of switching from Pagan Gods to Christianity. Lord Mortain for this story is a Pagan God of Death, and then becomes Saint Mortain of this particular Abby.
From the very first page I was hooked, I wanted to know what would become of this girl who had suffered and endured such sadness, pain and heartache. The first few pages were really intense, and Ismae isn't a strong women at this point, but she is a survivor. As the story progresses we get to watch Ismae grow and turn into a smart independent thinker, strong, she losses her naivety, she learns that she is of worth and is lovable. She ends up at St. Mortain's Abby, were she is asked if she wants to serve Lord Mortain. In doing so she will be called upon to be his mercenary. She excepts and is put on trial, and away the story goes. There is plenty of political intrigue, assassinations, murder, suspense, romance, and self discovery to make one fly through these pages. The story really did just flow beautifully from page to page, I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to know what would happen next and how it was going to happen. Mrs. LaFevers weaves a wonderful tale that I completely enjoyed. The characters all had depth and felt real to me. The plots were intricate and simply woven, for a very nice climax and ending. I have to talk about a few of my favorite characters besides Ismae. I really liked Annith, she was smart, witty and a good friend to Ismae. Sybella was another favorite, who was constantly misunderstood in my opinion. She was portrayed authentically, she was strong, good friend, and a survivor. I felt sorry for her and the situation she was in. Duval, swoon, loved him....that's all I am going to say about him.
Quite a captivating tale, can't wait for the second book.

language: not much
romance: abusive husband, know what's happening but no details, murder, Lord Death you feel is a good guy when in reality this particular character of death has others kill for him instead of letting nature take it's course so to me he is still on the side of evil, this could be confusing to younger readers. Recommended adults and older teens.

Thank you Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing and Netgalley

Shayla Witherwood: a half-faerie Tale by Tamra Torero
****

This was a really fun and cute faerie, fairytale read. It is a contemporary Fey tale. Shayla has been home schooled her whole life and has lived a somewhat sheltered life. Her circumstances change and she is thrust into public high school. Shayla is not your normal teenager she is half human and half faerie. Shayla doesn't know much about her Fay magic which makes for some humorous moments in the story. As she learns to navigate high school she makes some great friends and learns a little about her magical self. There is also something strange going on, someone keeps whispering to Shayla that they know who she really is. This alarms Shayla because she has been told to keep her faerie identity hidden.
I thought this was a cute tale, and enjoyed it. Shayla is sweet, funny, a good friend, naive, a little unsure of her self at times, and endearing. I enjoyed the sweet romance that occurs in this story. I enjoyed all the characters, I thought they were really well done and relatable. Towards the end the pace really picks up as secrets are revealed and pieces click together. The story is fun, and quick paced light Fey read.

Clean language
Clean romance

Thank you Cedar Fort and Netgalley.

Friends & Foes
*****

I love Sarah's books they are always a fun read, and this one was really cute. I also love the cover, perfect. This story is about Philip, and boy is he to swoon for he is full of chivalry, smart, incognito, humorous, and stubborn, puts his foot in his mouth often too. He works undercover for the Royal Government, and has been in pursuit of a known spy. During this assignment he encounters Sorrel and boy is he annoyed with her as she is with him. He makes light of things he knows nothing about which spikes her temper, and makes her have self doubt. Poor Philip had no idea that he had hurt her though. Sorrel is proud, flawed, lonely, beautiful,smart,determined and stubborn as well. I loved being apart of their story seeing how they each give a little, and confide, in each other until magic happens. Really a great story!

clean language
clean romance

 

The Flame Priest by Karen Azinger
*****

This book was just as amazing as the first, and it takes off were we left off at the end of The Steel Queen. Kath, Duncan and their group are off to stop the Mordant. I was so shocked that he is who he is, I couldn't believe it. Liander and her kingdom is in conflict with its own military. The infiltrated Red Horns are trying to dethrone her. Liandra is a force all her own, and if you are going to play her you better know your game. She is awesome, one of my all time favorites in this story. Mean while Justin, Samson and Grandma Magdna are all trying to survive in Coronth, and take down the Potifax and his Flame God. That is quite an under taking. This story is really well done the righting is good the characters are breathtaking weather for good or for evil they are so well fleshed out. The characters really make the story, as well as the plot, so many twist and turns and oh my heck that did not just happen, and then I was jumping up and down yes, yes yes, that was so awesome. The romance comes full circle for some of our favorite characters and there is even a surprise romance as well woo, woo. Mrs. Azinger had me in awe, in tears, and hurraying. She kept me a very captive audience who is overly anxious for book 3...well all the rest:) Great Story!

Comment section is full of spoilers you may not wish to read:)

clean language
romance pg-13 pushes the limits

the alchemy of forever by Avery Williams
*****

I really liked this book. I am not a huge fan a reincarnation stories in fact I usually avoid them. I am really glad I read this one though. I think why this one worked for me is that you are not reborn a person, you just take over the body of someone else. The writing was just wonderful. I really did not want to put the book down between the rich flowing words and the interesting tale Mrs. William had me hanging on every page.
This story is about Seraphina and Cyrus he is the son of an alchemist and she is the love of his life. They have been together for about 600 years. Seraphina has a conscience and can not bare to take the life of another in order to keep living. So she leaves (that's putting it mildly). She happens upon a girl Kailey who has just been killed in a car accident, while trying to save her she takes over Kailey's dying body. From here the story unfolds nicely, and I will leave it at that to say more I would have to tell you to much and I do not wish to spoil it for you. There is a ton I am leaving out, but if you like well written books, a different kind of reincarnation, villians, and amazing people this might be the book for you. I definitely enjoyed it and hope there is to be a second.

Clean language
clean romance

Allegiance by Cayla Kluver
***** My favorite series ever!

Brilliant! Wonderful! I loved everything about Legacy and I love everything about Allegiance. I love a good fairy tale but to me this is a great fairy tale, fantasy, and romance all tied up perfectly. The world that Ms Kluver creates is so rich, I felt like I was right there with my favorite characters as events unfolded. “The hall was empty except for a cloaked figure who stood motionless upon a black marble dais. He waited, watching the doors at the far end with eyes as bright as emeralds and as threatening as livid clouds on the horizon.” This is just one of many captivating moments in this story. I loved that this story is not completely predictable. I often thought,okay I have this figured out I know what’s going to happen…,or NOOOOOOO this can not be happening, and then the whole coarse that was being taken changes in a very natural way having a completely different outcome.

Alera is now married to Steldor what implications does this have on the kingdom as well as their hearts. Will Alera be able to get over/push aside her love for Narian? Can she love Steldor? Will she be the ruler her kingdom needs her to be? The much a waited answers to these questions are disclosed. As they were they tore at my heart, made me cheer, cry and scream no, no, no. My emotions, and anticipation as to what would happen next was on high alert. Alera is in such an awful position married to one and loving another. She is so young to have to deal with a kingdom at war, arranged marriage, and betrayals a plenty. Sure she makes some mistakes, she is human, but she does a lot right/good too. I loved her integrity not only to herself but to Steldor and others. She is bright, witty, kind, passionate, naive, and flawed. I think it would be challenging to be such a young queen. Her father was often very judgemental towards her, and yet we find her in this predicament because of him. Steldor is Steldor I liked him in the first story but I really grew to LOVE and appreciate his character in this story. He is very patient with Alera, more so than most men would have been. He really loves her and is hoping she will reciprocate that love to him freely and of her own accord. I really came to admire him and his decisions, WOW there were some monumental ones! Narian finds himself back in Cokyrian, and doing the Overlords bidding. Infuriating!! Why does he do it? Hmm. I am probably one of the few but I love Narian too. He has many good qualities and some flawed ones as well. We learn more about his upbringing and who and what he is about. He reveals more of his feelings for Alera and what that may imply. I will leave it at that don’t want to give anything away. London is one of my all time favorite heroes he is just AWESOME, we get to know him on a more intimate level. We also find out what really happened while he was in the Cokyrian's custody. I was in awe of the man.
This is a great continuation of Legacy. This story had my emotions all a jumble. I found one minute I was jumping up and down with excitement, next I was moved to tears, or staring at the page mouth agape, or so furious I would slam it’s case, upon the rare occasion I felt at peace. There is plenty of intrigue, suspense, love and war to go around. It was a wonderful completely fulfilling read for me, this is my all time favorite series ever. I am excited for number three next fall. That’s along way off, could it come sooner, please. If you haven’t read Legacy I would get it too. Soooooooooo gooooooooood!!

clean language
clean romance

Copy provided by netgalley and Harlequin Teen Publishing. Thanks!