Under Crimson Blades by Anna Hawke

Synopsis:

It’s scary what a smile can hide.

Remmus conceals his horrific past behind a veil of charm, loyalty, and strength. When his unique expertise lands him at the center of a dangerous mission, he is forced to partner with a werewolf beta who despises him. Remmus has never met a more captivating woman, but his future is far from secure. As his mind begins to unravel, the secret he harbors risks ruining him forever.

Poisoned by betrayal, Ava has loathed Raeths for centuries. She detests Remmus’ presence in her den, but the Raeth intrigues her wolf. As hatred slowly dissolves into desire, Ava will either live for today or let the past dictate her destiny.

Together, they must discover a way to tear down their enemy from within and secure a victory for the immortal world. When fate ties them together, the truth will either set them free—or destroy them both.

My Review: 5 Stars

A Raeth and a Werewolf. Both with traumatic pasts. Both searching for something, anything to free them from the horrors of their childhoods. Both trying to regain all that they've lost. Both desperately needing the love of each other before it's too late. 

Speechless. I am speechless. Where do I even start to tell you all about the journey of Remmus and Ava? Broken. Wrecked. Shattered. Betrayal. Pain. Tears. Traumatic. Unconditional love. Forgiveness. Laughter. Redemption. Family. Trust. Strength. Heartachingly beautiful. Those words. All those words are just part of what made their journey unforgettable and worth every single tear I shed for them. I'm not going to sugarcoat it, this journey was definitely not an easy one to get through. 

Remmus and Ava will forever hold a special place in my heart. My heart literally broke into a million pieces for them, and was slowly put back together, bit by bit, as amends were made, and their love grew. After all these two have been through, they desperately needed a HEA, and the icing on the cake was they found it with each other.

I have been procrastinating this series because the closer I get to the end, the worse it's going to be. I've known this for months now. It has taken me 11 weeks to even pick up this book. But once I picked it up, there was no going back. I was hooked. Am I going to pick up the next book in the series right away? I have no clue. I'm still reeling from all things Remmus and Ava. 

Ms. Hawke is extremely talented when it comes to writing. I am in awe of the worlds she can create and the unique twists and turns she throws into her books. Even though I know she's going to rip my heart out, shatter it into a million pieces, stomp on it for good measure, and do a little happy dance at my pain, she's still a favorite of mine. If you haven't read any of her books, I highly recommend you give them a try! You won't regret it. 

And of course I can't forget my casting. *dreamy sigh* I just adore these two! 

Without Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Peel

Synopsis:

Can their love conquer pride and prejudice?

Ever since I first read Pride and Prejudice at twelve years old, I’ve dreamed of being Elizabeth Bennet. That dream is now about to come true. I, Monroe Wilde, the woman some could argue isn’t exactly Elizabeth Bennet material, have been chosen to play the beloved heroine for one week at Pride and Prejudice Park, a destination experience for Jane Austen devotees. To make this dream even more amazing and surreal, my best friend, the Duke of Blackthorne, Alastair Fitzroy, has volunteered to play my Mr. Darcy.

If this wasn’t fantastic enough, it appears my broody and ridiculously attractive best friend, who I’ve done my best not to fall in love with, wants to be my real-life Mr. Darcy as well. But there are some gigantic obstacles standing in our way. For starters—I’m not exactly duchess material, and we run in very different circles. Dating me would most certainly make him a social pariah. But the biggest problem of all is that, well . . . I don’t know exactly how to explain it, but somehow after a horrible mishap at the park, I find myself more than just pretending to be Elizabeth Bennet—I land smack dab in the middle of the actual Pride and Prejudice story.

So since I’m here and unsure whether it’s a dream or if Pride and Prejudice really is heaven, I figure I’ll just help move things along and make sure everyone gets a happy ending, even Mr. Collins. But leave it to me to mess up the quintessential love story of all time. What happens if I can’t get Mr. Darcy to fall in love with Elizabeth? Will I ever get back to Alastair? Will I ever become the Elizabeth I so wish to be? And I have to wonder: can my world exist without Pride and Prejudice?

My Review: 5 Stars!

Have you ever just needed a day to yourself? A day where you ignore everything and everyone around you and do something you want to do? That's exactly how I felt when I woke up this morning. So what did I do? I grabbed this baby, ignored the world around me, and dove head first into all things Monroe and Fitz. 

I don't know where to begin to tell you how much I adored Monroe and Fitz. From their first meeting, their "Ta-da!" moment, I was hooked and knew this book was going to be one I would treasure for years to come. One that I know I'll be reading over and over again. 

I'm usually not a fan of friends to lovers, but Monroe and Fitz are something special. Their connection, their bond, their love for each other, had me feeling all the feels and rooting for them to get their HEA. Their story had every thing I have come to crave and love in the books I read. I couldn't decide if I wanted to devour their book as quickly as possible, or read it as slow as I could to savor every moment they shared together. Their journey is beautiful and full of heart. I loved every minute I spent with Monroe and Fitz. It was perfection in my opinion.

You guys know how much I adore the side characters and this book was full of them. From Monroe's P&P family, to their real families, I fell in love with them all. They were the perfect addition to an already amazing story. Now someone please tell me that I'm not the only one who needs Anna and Kingston's story. Intrigued is an understatement when it comes to these two. I'm crossing all the thangs that Ms. Peel gives us their HEA. 

There's a reason why Ms. Peel is one of my favorite authors and this book is a perfect example. I can always count on her to make me laugh out loud, get teary-eyed, and let out little dreamy sighs while reading her books. I'm in awe of her talent and cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next! 

As for my casting... I adore these two! What do you think?!

My Vigilante Valentine by Jess Mastorakos

Synopsis:

When my oh-so-handsome coffee shop regular turns out to be The Blade—the city’s most infamous vigilante—I do the most logical thing appoint myself as his partner in crime-fighting.

Sure, Jax isn’t exactly thrilled. He’s the type who insists he doesn’t need a team, prefers to brood alone, and thinks opening up is a tactical error.

But guess who came up with the genius plan to pose as a couple to lure out a Valentine’s Day villain? Me.

And okay, maybe the dating ruse was a means to an end, but the more time I spend with Jax, the harder it is not to fall for this adorably stoic antihero.

I mean, come on. His love language is grumpy acts of service (like saving a life and then glaring about it), and he’d do anything to protect the people of this city—and me.

But even though he makes my heart race with just a look, he seems to be more interested in cleaning up the streets than kissing me for real.

It’s fine. I can do this.

I can work with The Blade without getting drawn in by Jax’s devastating good looks.

I can be the faithful sidekick and pretend I’m not wishing for so much more.

Right?

After all, I’m supposed to be helping him catch criminals, not feelings.

My Review: 5 Stars

Calling all lovers of grumpy/sunshine and Arrow! Is that you?! Well... do I have just the book to add to your TBR! And I would add it to the top because this book is perfect for people like us! *dreamy sigh*

Y'all. Luna needs to be my best friend! She had me literally laughing out loud from the very beginning ("I'm obsessed.") and had me wondering what in the world she was going to come up with next. I loved her way of thinking and how she wasn't afraid to live her life. She danced to the beat of her own drum and you just can't help but to love her!

Just ask Jax. He tried. He really, really tried. But y'all. This is Luna we're talking about here! She doesn't take no for an answer and dragged him into all her craziness. He may have balked at it but I think that, deep down inside, he loved every single minute of it. He, too, couldn't wait to see what in the world she would do next. 

Luna and Jax were absolutely perfect for each other. They are complete opposites but totally work together. It's clear from the very beginning that there will never be a dull moment in their relationship. She'll definitely keep that man on his toes. But honestly? I think that's one of the things he loves the most about her. Gah! I just can't with how much I adore these two! 

Now lets take a moment to discuss the off the charts chemistry and swoony kisses. YOWZERS! It was hot, hot, hot! I may or may not have turned into a big ol' pile of ooey gooey goodness. This girl had all the heart eyes and dreamy sighs for all things Luna and Jax. I seriously did not want this book to end! 

I have to say that I was SOOOOO happy to hear that Ms. Mastorakos plans on writing more of the adventures of Luna and Jax! I may or may not have squealed and did a little happy dance around my room when this was announced. I have no clue what she has planned but I'm hoping Chris will get his own book. He definitely needs a HEA of his own. But whether he does or doesn't, I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this series! I already know it's going to be amazing! 

As for my casting... I really wanted to use Emily Bett Rickards and Stephen Amell (IYKYK), but alas. They just didn't fit for Luna and Jax. Now these two on the other hand? Perfection in my opinion! What do you think?

A Pen Pal for Christmas by Jess Mastorakos

Synopsis:

A secret pen pal exchange, a holiday romance, and a danger they never saw coming.

Snow Hill is the perfect place for a holiday escape, and for Sofia, it’s the ultimate refuge from the drama back home. With her brother thriving in this charming Christmas town, the last thing she wants is to disrupt it with her own troubles. Determined to focus on the festive magic, she throws herself into a new holiday a secret pen pal exchange designed to spread joy around town.

After a devastating loss while stationed overseas, Hudson is more than ready to spend Christmas in Snow Hill. He's hoping the place where he spent his childhood will help him find peace, but then his well-meaning Aunt Ida signs him up for the holiday pen pal exchange to cheer him up. Hudson doubts it will lead to much more than a few lighthearted letters, but for his aunt, he reluctantly agrees.

As the holiday season unfolds, Sofia and Hudson connect with their anonymous pen pals on paper. At the same time, their real-life paths keep crossing, and the sparks between them are undeniable. But when the danger from Sofia's past creeps into Snow Hill's festive bubble, can they find a way to protect each other—and the love they’ve begun to find?

My Review: 5 Stars

There's no better feeling than opening up a much anticipated book and being instantly transported to one of your favorite fictional places. A place where the world around you ceases to exist and, just for a little while, you can forget all your worries and just live in the moment with some of your favorite characters. These moments and books are ones I will always treasure.

Sofia and Hudson are something special. From the moment they met, there was a connection that went far beyond attraction. Something between them just clicked and everything grew from there. You can't help but love them and their relationship. They helped each other to see themselves how the other one sees them. They lifted each other up when they were down. They loved each other unconditionally and were by each others side when they needed it the most. I simply adored these two and loved watching them get there HEA. Everything about this book was perfection and had this girl letting out all the little dreamy sighs.

I absolutely adore the small town of Snow Hill and everyone in it. Watching old friends rally behind Sofia and Hudson had my heart smiling. And meeting new friends who did the same? Absolute perfection. I'm counting down the months until Jamie's book is released. I can't wait to return to Snow Hill. 

One of my favorites genres is romantic suspense and y'all. Ms. Mastorakos nailed it! This book has more suspense than what she normally writes and I'm crossing my fingers that more of her books are like this one! It was fantastic! I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

As for my casting. Y'all. This is definitely one of my favorites! I love these two! What do you think?

Snowed In for Christmas by Jess Mastorakos

Synopsis:

Tommy has found a haven as a police officer in Snow Hill, a town wrapped in the warmth of community and brimming with Christmas cheer. He's ready to build a life in a place that matches the values he was brought up with, but then a vibrant travel writer disrupts his peaceful world, hooking him in from the very start. Unfortunately, his new home is nothing more than a stopover for her.

Grace's mantra is embrace the journey, relish the experiences... and then drift off to the next destination. She's never experienced the things Snow Hill holds dear, but as bonds with new friends begin to draw her in and a handsome local cop starts to break down her walls, Grace is forced to reconsider everything she knows about what she wants.

And when the blizzard of the century envelops the town, Grace, Tommy, and way too many other people find themselves trapped inside the cozy confines of the Snow Hill Inn. If it were simply about working together to keep everyone safe and warm, it might've turned into a fun night. But as a new threat emerges from within, can Grace and Tommy survive the danger that's been hiding in plain sight all along?

My Review: 5 Stars

Confession. I've been in a bit of a reading rut lately. I've reread some of my old favorites, but nothing seemed to call to me. When I finally decided what I was in the mood for, I knew exactly what book I wanted to start with. And in my opinion, it was absolute perfection! 

From the moment I picked up Grace and Tommy's story, I was transported back to Snow Hill and all the magic this small town possesses. I just couldn't wait to watch their story unfold. And oh what a story it was! 

I quickly fell in love with all things Grace and Tommy. It wasn't hard to root for these two. They both had a fun, easy going vibe that made it easy to relate to them. Watching their attraction turn into friendship and then into love melted my heart. Add to that some sizzling chemistry and these two were absolutely perfect for each other. I couldn't help but let out all kinds of dreamy sighs. 

One of my favorite things about series is catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. From the moment Sofia was introduced, I knew I was going to love her. She was the perfect addition to this small town and I can't wait to dive into her book next. I see someone pretty dang special in store for her. 

I know I've said this so many times but y'all. If you haven't read any of Ms. Mastorakos' books then you are most definitely missing out! I have adored every single book I have read. There's a reason she's one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! 

As for my casting... I have one word. Love! What do you think? 

Jessie Belle by Jennifer Peel

Synopsis:

Jessica and Blake Summers know a thing or two about what it's like to be the latest and greatest news in their small town of Merryton. Their thirteen-year marriage has had more than its fair share of heartache and loss. Then the past comes knocking, in the form of a teenage girl, a daughter Blake never knew existed. The news sets the Merryton grapevine on fire.

In the wake of this revelation and amid the firestorm it creates, Blake and Jessica are forced to reevaluate their own relationship and priorities, all while learning that raising a teenage girl is not for the faint of heart. But during the chaos and uncertainty, they discover that Madeline may just be what the doctor ordered to heal their broken hearts and mend their own tattered relationship.

Will they have the courage to look forward and find a greater love than they could ever imagine? Or will past hurts and the town grape vine tear them apart?

My Review: 5 Stars

Y'all. Trying to find something I'm in the mood to read is always a challenge when life gets crazy. While looking through the books on my kindle, The Women of Merryton series jumped out and said... "it's time to read us again!" My brain said... "while you're at it, update your reviews!" Who am I to say no?! It's time to show old favorites lots of love!

Jessie and Blake will forever be favorites of mine. Their journey was definitely tough but one worth watching. Before I even finished the first chapter I was hooked. I sat back and held on tight while enjoying the emotional roller coaster that is Jessie Belle. I found myself cheering them on when things were going right, growling and getting frustrated when Blake was being dense or things weren't going my way, rolling my eyes at certain characters that seriously needed to be Gibbs slapped, laughing at the antics of teenagers, getting teary eyed at the sad and even tender moments, and letting out dreamy sighs throughout the whole journey. I seriously felt like I was right there in Merryton experiencing the whole journey with Jessie, Blake and Maddie. It. Was. AMAZING!

Have you ever read a book and decided that the characters needed their own theme song? Jessie's song would be Fight Song by Rachel Platten. Not only does she have to work on strengthening and bettering her marriage with Blake and learn to be the best stepmom ever, she also has to learn to love herself again. Her poor body and self esteem have taken hit after hit after hit and she doesn't even recognize herself anymore. It was a constant uphill battle for her. But dang it... she fought every step of the way!

I also discovered Blake's song for Jessie. It is absolutely perfect in my opinion. It's another Rachel Platten song... Stand By You. Blake did a lot of growing himself and one thing he realized was that he could not go a day without Jessie. He knew that he hadn't been the best of husbands and he knew he had a lot to make up for. And make up for it he did. He was her faith, courage and strength when she didn't know if she could go on the way they were going. He set out to prove that he was always going to stand by her no matter what! *dreamy sigh* Have I told you how much I LOVE Blake?!

Ms. Peel did another FANTABULOUS job of sucking me into yet another one of her books. Just like the first time around, I had the hardest time putting it down. Even though I've read the book before, I still found myself reading late into the night and waking up earlier than usual to continue their journey. Fully immersing myself into a book is the best feeling in the world! I loved every minute of it!

As for the casting... I literally saw Jessie from the very first chapter! She just totally fit! Blake took a little longer but I love him just as much as I love Jessie! What do you think?!

 

Below Fated Skies by Anna Hawke

Synopsis:

Fear of the flame is what keeps it burning.

An alpha werewolf born of a dark past, Riaz is a ruthless protector, but a caring leader. When the enemy develops a new weapon in his pack’s back yard and werewolves begin to turn rabid, Riaz spares no effort to eliminate the danger. Even if it meant inviting an uptight vampire into their midst.

Cortana is atoning for an unforgivable sin. When she loses the purpose she hid behind for centuries, she accepts a mission in werewolf territory. What began as collaboration quickly shifts to desire, and she is faced with a dilemma. If she opens herself to the charms of the fun-loving alpha, she risks losing control of the monster within her once more.

As they confront enemies and the mistakes of their pasts, will their bond withstand the trials of fire, or will they be consumed by the flames?

My Review: 5 Stars

Y'all. I am seriously hooked on this series and I no longer want to be an adult. Who wants to take my place so I can stay home and read? Anyone? Adulting is SO overrated.

To say Cortana and Riaz are complete opposites would be an understatement. Cortana has everything scheduled and organized, while Riaz is more laidback and is more of an organized chaos kind of guy. From their first meeting you knew there story was going to be rollercoaster of a ride, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Their banter and random nicknames will have you giggling out loud. While the more serious moments will have your heart breaking. But you will love every minute of it.

I wasn't every far into the book before I fell head over heels in love with Riaz. Y'all. That man is something special! He's protective, loving, loyal, and he's the one you want by your side always. Cortana on the other hand was a bit stubborn and strong willed. Don't get me wrong, she has the same characteristics as Riaz, but the tragic secrets in their past lead each of them down opposite paths when it came time to face their demons. Their story was another heartachingly beautiful one. Seeing these two finally get their HEA will melt your heart into a big ol' pile of goo. 

I am seriously in love with this series! It is such a fun one to get lost in. I literally count down the minutes until I can pick it back up again. I am usually over a fantasy series by book 5 but that's definitely not the case here! I just can't get enough of it! Whether you're a fantasy lover or not, you really need to start this series! It just keeps getting better and better! 

Ms. Hawke has definitely cemented herself onto my favorite authors list. Every single book of hers I've read sucks me in from the first page and holds me hostage until the very end. I lose all track of time when immersing myself into this phenomenal world she has created. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! 

As for my casting. You. Guys! The moment I found these two, I knew they were absolute perfection! I think this is one of my favorite castings so far! What do you think?!

Upon Shattered Bonds by Anna Hawke

Synopsis:

Every betrayal begins with trust.

After learning the lesson firsthand, Nina has guarded herself and her clan against any threat. When her defenses fail, an assassination attempt leaves her vulnerable. With their bitter history poisoning their mating bond, she can either accept Zeke’s help and stay alive—or fight alone.

Zeke prides himself on honor and integrity, but is haunted by a past riddled with tragedy. When Nina is injured, he’s desperate to protect her and bring the people who did it to justice. As a Raeth sovereign, he must choose between his clan or his fated mate.

Nina and Zeke find themselves tied together in a perilous game surrounded by lies and half-truths. The question will they survive, or will they let the past claim their lives?

My Review: 5 Stars

What. Just. Happened?! Like, seriously. What in the ever loving world just happened?! Speechless. I am absolutely speechless. This entire book has messed with all of my emotions, all of my feelings. Like ALL of them. Y'all. I just can't right now. 

Nina and Zeke, all though mates, have spent centuries apart. Neither seemed to want to have anything to do with the other. But there's more than meets the eye. Both have secrets that they've kept from each other. Both have been hurt. Both have been living in limbo. That is until an invitation from Kaien is extended for Zeke to attend his wedding. Once Nina and Zeke see each other, their fight to stay apart starts to diminish. The chemistry these two have is off the charts!

I always knew Nina was stubborn. I just didn't realize HOW stubborn the woman really was. Holy Hannah. Y'all. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I wanted to shake her and/or Gibbs slap her. The woman is maddening. But as the attacks on her and Zeke started happening more and more, it brought them closer together. While it still wasn't all sunshine and roses, it was heartachingly beautiful to see these two fated mates FINALLY come together and get their HEA that is long past due. 

Y'all. I thought the plot twist in Across Shadowed Paths was big. But my mind can't even remember what it was because the plot twist in this one?! Y'all. There. Are. No. Words! I'm still asking myself what just happened?! I'm surprised I've written as much of a review as I have because my mind is still reeling from this book. 

There's a quote on my blog that says "A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic." I am in complete awe of the world and characters Ms. Hawke has created. She seems to leave me speechless and craving more at the end of each book. Her books just keep getting better and better. Do yourself a favor and give her books a try. You won't regret it. I promise!

And of course no review would be complete without a casting. Love! I just love these two! What do you think?

Across Shadowed Paths by Anna Hawke

Synopsis:

Three days. Two people. One cabin. A mating bond triggered by a vampire’s bite.

Blair escaped the horrors of her past, but they never stopped haunting her. Driven by the need for revenge, she ventures into the heart of enemy territory. When she’s exposed as a vampire, being rescued strands her in the wilderness with her best friend’s brother.

Living in the shadow of his sister, Kaien fears he can claim nothing to his own merit. When he saves Blair’s life, he’s stripped of his abilities and trapped in a mating bond with a woman who refuses him. Thousands of miles away from his clan, he must battle against the need to claim her as his fated mate—and the one thing that could solely be his.

Away from civilization, the masks they wear crumble, and the scorching desire between them ignites. Sheltering together in a remote cabin, Blair and Kaien must survive the elements—and each other.

My Review: 5 Stars

Raise your hand if you have been known to hold a grudge against fictional characters. You didn't know that was a thing? Neither did I until I met Blair in From Tortured Fates. Y'all. That woman has had me fuming for 3 months and refusing to read her book. All because she did something to our beloved Circe and Luc that I did NOT approve of. IYKYK. 

Since I have been invested in this series from the moment I picked it up, I finally just said forget it. Pick up the dang book and read it. And so I did. I was not 100% sold on Blair going into the book, even though I was assured that others had the same feelings I did and ended up loving Blair. She's definitely rough around the edges and goes out of her way to be defiant. But about halfway through, she started growing on me. I may or may not have loved her by the end. 

Okay fine. I did end up loving her. But I believe that Kaien had a lot to do with that. The man was her perfect mate. He balanced her, strengthen her, protected her, smoothed out those roughened edges, and simply loved her. She has never had that in her life and didn't know how to react. Through Kaien's love, she was able to discover who she truly was and learned to love in return. *le sigh* I love love. 

As for the continued story, y'all. All I have to say is PLOT TWIST! I did NOT see that one coming and I'm even more invested than I was before. I cannot wait to see what happens next! 

Ms. Hawke has quickly become one of my favorite authors. The worlds she creates are unique and intriguing. Once I start one of her books, I have the hardest time putting them down. She is amazing! If you haven't read any of her books yet, I highly recommend checking them out!

As for my casting... *dreamy sigh* Aren't these two perfect?! Your answer should be a resounding YES! Hehe. 

2025 Genre/Trope Reading Challenge

Happy New Year my fellow Book Dragons! Welcome to my 6th Annual Genre/Trope Reading Challenge!

1. Romantasy: Across Shadowed Paths by Anna Hawke
2. Spy: Date with Danger by Jenessa Fayeth 
3. Suspense: A Pen Pal for Christmas by Jess Mastorakos
4. Grumpy/Sunshine: Without Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Peel
5. RomCom: 
6. Single Parent: 
7. Urban Fantasy: Under Crimson Blades by Anna Hawke
8. Christmas: 
9. Small Town: 
10. Marriage of Convenience: 

Happy reading my fellow Book Dragons!

2025 Reading Challenge

Happy New Year my fellow Book Dragons! Welcome to my 9th Annual Reading Challenge!

1. A book without people on the cover: 
2. A book with magic: 
3. A book that starts with an "U": Upon Shattered Bonds by Anna Hawke
4. A book you can read in a day: 
5. A book you've read but haven't reviewed: Made for You by Claire Cain
6. A book with a recipe inside: The White Chocolate Christmas Wish by Jess Mastorakos
7. A book with a four word title: 
8. A book with pink on the cover: 
9. A book with a heart on the cover: 
10. A book that makes you smile: 

Happy reading my fellow Book Dragons!