Trish

Dark Surrender- Erica Ridley

The story begins with the "unspeakable act" that involves Violet Whitechapel. Where the story becomes alive is when Violet arrives at Waldegrave Abby.

Violet is running for her life and happens upon the Abby just as she is about to drop from exhaustion. She is taken in and offered a job as a governess to a heathen of a child, Lillian.

Alistair Waldegrave is the master of the Abby and will sacrifice everything to keep his daughter safe. He is in search of a cure for a terrible disease that keeps his daughter imprisoned in darkness and away from any sunlight.

Alistair comes off as a bit of an ass at times and runs hot and cold so much, that poor Violet's head spins right off her head. He redeemed himself to me though. He was willing to try to be less of an ass, willing to eat crow and admit his faults and admit how clueless he is at relationships.

I think Miss Lillian stole the show. She is so precious and lovely. She may have been forced to be a recluse but she had spirit and spunk. Lovely story of how the three started working together to be happy and overcome the hardships instead of snipping and blaming each other.

Loved the supporting characters Mr. Roper, Ms. Tumsen, and Cook. I enjoyed the book. I will definitely read another book from this author.

ARC provided thru Netgalley, publisher Intrepid Reads, author Erica Ridley - Thank you

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/884480833

Butterfly – Elle Harper

This was one of the most beautiful stories I have read in a long time, about overcoming a traumatic event that could just as easily destroy and throw you into a deep dark spiral. I thought it was a beautiful story about overcoming demons that threaten to destroy self confidence, self esteem, and self worth. It was a story of being held back in a cocoon and fighting to come out of it, at the right time, to soar.

Grace is falling apart and has been for awhile. She is struggling to make it not only through the day but through each hour of the day. She meets Ben and he is set on helping her work through her pain. Ben has dedicated his life to helping others like Grace due his own past tragic events. Ben has his own demons, heartache, and guilt to work through.

Lovely story of how Ben and Grace learn to trust again, learn to love again, and learn to heal through the pain.

I thought that the author did an excellent job of writing a book about a difficult topic that is hard to discuss, is often misunderstood, and often goes unreported. I look forward to reading more of her books.

ARC provided thru Netgalley, author Elle Harper -  Thank you

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/876744869

Clipped Wings - Helena Hunting

I loved this story. Clipped Wings is an touching story of emotional heartache, guilt, secrets, and a desire of both characters to leave the past far behind.

Tenley does have clipped wings. She is broken, grieving, full of shame and remorse for what she believes is her culpability of her past. She is looking for a new beginning and running as far as she can from the darkness that is chasing her.

Hayden equally has a tragic past that came close to destroying his dreams. He has worked hard to overcome the darkness that threatened to shatter him and the life he had built. Hayden has overcome his past but it still haunts him and threatens to pull him in.

These two characters are extremely protective of their pasts, their hearts, and how much they are willing to trust.

They have a sweet friendship/relationship but many trust elements are missing in the relationship due to their fears and brokenness. Just when they are starting to work through some of the issues... cliffhanger. I hate those damn cliffhangers!!!

Even though there is the hated cliffhanger, I love this book and will definitely be reading the rest of the series. I want to know how it turns out and I want to read more about the supporting characters. I am a fan of the series and the author.

ARC provided via Netgalley-  by the publisher Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books, author Helena Hunting- Thank you

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/870274179

Cupcakes and Ink is a short prequel to the full length novel Clipped Wings. In Cupcakes and Ink we are introduced to Tenley Page and Hayden Stryker. Tenley is looking for a new start, looking for a way to forget her past, and a way to maintain her solitude from others.

That becomes difficult when she starts a job at a used book store, Serendipity. The owner of the book store Cassie, is engaging and warmly embraces Tenley. And Cassie happens to be the Aunt of Hayden.

Hayden works across the street at Inked Armor, as a tattooist and is in his aunt's bookstore often. He believes he is set and has all he needs met with his friends, job, life and family. Until, he notices the new hire and is intrigued with her physical appearance and her vulnerability.

This is the beginning story of Hayden's and Tenley's fascination of each other. There are hints that there is something more dark and tragic that both of the characters are working through. We are introduced briefly to the characters of Inked Armor Chris, Lisa, and Jamie. I love this book and will definitely be reading the rest of the series. I am a fan of the series and the author.

ARC provided via Netgalley-  by the publisher Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books, author Helena Hunting- Thank you

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/870271157

I struggled with writing this review. In fact I put it off and kept reading other books and put off writing their reviews due to my struggle with writing this one.

I like the book but it had elements that I didn't like. It was not the story-line but the fact that I was not being pulled in as much as I like to be pulled into a book. It is a great story of a character working on finding herself due to life changing events that have altered her outlook on life.

Andrew was equally well written with his fun, adventurous side. However, his tragic life events are kept secret from not only the reader but from Camryn. Andrew and Camryn are able to build a bond through their adventure on the road and Andrew is an excellent support to help Camryn work through her issues.

Andrew's personal story is not really addressed until the later part of the book. But, when the reader finally found out his dark secret- grab the tissues. I thought this was a sweet, lovely story. Hopefully, I will get more of his story in next one.

ARC provided thru Netgalley- Hachette Book Group, Grand Central Publishing, Forever, author J .A. Redmersk- Thank you

First of all I loved this story. It had heartache, tragedy, a great deal of sorrow, and unfortunate life events that are slowly killing Jet and Zoe emotionally.

Zoe has been making numerous sacrifices due to responsibilities at home and her feelings of guilt. She appears to be a party girl that just out to have as much fun as she can. But there is a much deeper element to her and a much more tragic story to her life. 

Jet Taylor is known to all as the mysterious bad boy, that likes to party, a womanizer, and seems to only be interested in having a good time.

However, Jet has a deeper pain. A deeper heartache. A deeper tragedy, that he avoids dealing with as much as possible. Jet too has made numerous sacrifices due to feeling responsibility for events that have occurred throughout his childhood into his adulthood. They both have a pain that is deep and tormenting.

I loved how these two characters supported each other and essentially did escape in to each other. Important story of how self medicating ones self through pain can cause even more pain and sorrow. Important story of how lack of reaching out to others for help can lead to more suffering and anguish.

Seriously, sad story about life events and how those can trap and cause immeasurable about of grief.

ARC provided thru Netgalley, author Rachel Schurig -  Thank you

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/856291624

Lorrie is working through some serious emotional issues that occurred over the past two years and "wrecked" she is. She is struggling to keep her past a secret from those she attends college with. Whether, that is from embarrassment, humiliation, pain, pride, or trying to avoid focusing on the tragedy. I don't know. I would think it would be a combination of all of them.

The tragedy was devastating to her as well as her family. She is struggling to recover and continue to build a future for herself. Lorrie meets Hunter during a chance encounter and leaves before either of them can even become acquaintances. But, of course there will be many more encounters and they become fast friends.

Hunter has the reputation of bad boy on campus, many girls, booze, and cage fights. But he is a sweetie a heart and is more of a rescuer. Hunter is intense about his pursuit of Lorrie and will really stop at nothing to get her to be a better "friend".

However, Hunter is "wrecked" too and has a secret he is keeping from others, especially Lorrie. Is he keeping his due to embarrassment, humiliation, the chance of causing pain, the chance of having to deal with pain, pride, or is he avoiding thinking about the tragedy that his secret holds. I think all of the above. He is pretty "wrecked" by the secret and really is willing to do just about anything to avoid dealing with it.

Loved the story. I thought it was intense and did not give anything away until the end. I kept me guessing at what was the secret, kept me questioning why are they not sharing their pain with each other, and kept me a little ticked that they would not trust each other enough to take it to the "having faith in each other" level.

I will finish reading the series. Not happy it ended in a cliff hanger. I hate those.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/857144390

I read the other reviews about this book and decided to check it out. I am glad I did. I really enjoyed this book. The main character is a Black Ops agent but I did not think he was written as hard core as most spec op characters I have read. I thought this one focused more on the relationship a spec op has with his family and the conflict that can cause in his line of work.

Becca and Zac met during her sister's wedding, had a fling, and well she ended up pregnant. Becca has been raising their child, Parker for six years alone. She believes him to be a Marine that has died when he went off to war.

Zac has known about his child for over six years but due to his occupation he has been keeping the secret and watching over them from afar. When he spots an assassin in their apartment he reappears to take them to safety. AND that is where the relationships heats up (again). Becca is into domestic discipline and Zac is more than happy to oblige her with fulfilling and satisfying her kink. She was one kinky girl, she loved her spankings.

I really was not aware of domestic discipline before I read this and it is safe to say that I will not be participating in this kind on kink. But, it was a fun read. I enjoyed the connection that Zac, Becca, and Parker had. There was a touch of paranormal elements in the story with Zac and I thought that it added to the connection he had with his family. There was also plenty of suspense and danger elements to go along with all of the spankings. I will definitely read more from the author.

ARC provided thru Netgalley- Stormy Night Publications, author Renee Rose-  Thank you

Charred Heart is the first book in the Heart of Fire series about a dragon shifter, dragon slayer, betrayal, loyalty, and secrets. Chace starts out as morose and gloomy. He has been searching for a way to break a thousand year old curse placed on him by a jilted lover. He has pretty much lost any motivation to continue on as a dragon and has finally decided to make a deal with a mysterious figure that, he thinks will end his suffering.

Skylar, the heroine happens to be a modern day dragon slayer whose mission is to cage him or kill him. She works for an organization that is charged with keeping the human race safe from shifters. Skylar, has been taught that shifters are murderous monsters and need to be rehabilitated.

Of course, when she meets up with Chace, they end up having a scorching one night stand. They are eventually reunited and the relationship picks up with the two trying to figure out why there is such a strong connection between two enemies.

Along the journey Chace discovers some important facts about himself, the people that have supported him, his selfishness, and the sacrifices that it takes to be one of the last dragons. I like how Ms. Ford did not write Chace as the typical alpha male and gave him huge flaws and obstacles to overcome.

Skylar's, journey is just beginning. There is a whole lot of betrayal and intrigue written for her. Unfortunately, this book ends on a cliff hanger and I will have to read the next book to find out if she gets her hea.

I thought this was a fast paced story with surprising twists and turns. The depth of the deception and betrayal was shocking to me. I usually see the bad guy coming but I had no idea this time. Shocking!! I love a good dragon story and this one did not disappoint me. I will be reading the rest of the series.

ARC provided thru Netgalley- author Lizzy Ford-  Thank you

I love this book. This is a love story but with dark twists. Imagine falling for someone and believing that the relationship is one of the best things you have ever experienced. Then imagine waking up to your worst nightmare and facing the truth that you might have been wrong.

The first part of this book is really brutal and heart-wrenching. Emily is without a doubt, the tortured heroine. Emily has not had an easy life and is working toward living out her dream on her own terms. However, she has no idea the brutality that exists around her and how it is about to consume her.

Logan- AKA Sculpt is the lead singer of a rock band and illegal underground fighter. He is total alpha male that had me loving and hating him. Sometimes, at the same time. He is a man full of secrets.

The second part of the story takes place after some really nasty dark shit has taken place. I absolutely loved the second part of this book. This is where it all comes together. This is where the characters come alive and soar.

I cannot wait to continue reading this series. The supporting characters are set up nicely to have their own stories. And I can bet their stories are going to be as great as this one. There are already some mysterious tidbits thrown out to intrigue the reader. 

I really wish I could write more about the book but I would spoil it for those of you that have yet to read it. So I am just going to avoid that and tell you if you like dark, emotional, gritty, edge of your seat reads, then this is the book for you.

ARC provided thru Netgalley- author Nashoda Rose - Thank you

I decided to read this book based on the reviews, the book description, and the book cover. I could not resist two men in the background with a women front and center with a large red apple covering her lady parts. When I finished the book, I thought the book title was a great description of the story that was inside of the book.

However, it was quite difficult for me to like how the characters in the book were associated with religious type characters. It was definitely challenging for me. I have been wondering if it is because of my religious upbringing and the fear of being struck by lighting when having any part in a story that deviates from the original story.

Or because I liked the characters in the book and I sometimes thought the descriptions used for them seemed a little harsh. I did not necessary, see them as evil or their choices as evil. I saw them as people struggling to accept their personal demons and work through all of the expectations that they have allowed others to put on them. That being said, I think the author did an excellent job of incorporating the story of Eden into a book to describe the journey of three wonderful characters.

I thought Beyond Eden was a dark, emotionally intense , gut wrenching story. This is not a light read, it is filled with pain and anguish and lots of complications. I really saw this story as a journey that each character went on, to resolve the feelings each had about being accepted, letting go, and finding love. Each character had to determine what it meant to be rejected not only from those that were suppose to love them but from society. This is a story of love (dark) and the sacrifices one is willing to make to hold on to that emotion.

Again, if you are thinking about reading this book it is a dark emotional read. Not only are the characters written dark but the BDSM  relationship is quite dark and intense.

ARC provided thru Netgalley- publisher Ellora's Cave author Kele Moon - Thank you

I know a book is going to be good when I stay up way too late to find out what else is going to happen to the hero and heroine. This was one of those books that had me hooked from the first couple of pages. The alpha hero is Remington Tate, a boxer fighting in the underground circuit. Remy has suffered throughout his life from loss, anguish, and sorrow.

Brooke Dumas has suffered from a painful loss of her dream to go to the Olympics and the humiliation of her loss being watched over and over again. Brooke has a once in a life time opportunity to work with Remy as a sports rehab therapist.

The one constant in Remy's life is his ability to fight and compete in the ring. He is as intense in the ring as he is with those he considers his. Remy comes off as a gritty, tortured hero but he has a vulnerability that Brooke is not able to resist.

Remington is the typical alpha male that struggles with making an emotional connection to the heroine and finds a way through music. Those scenes had to be the sweetest scenes I have read in awhile. The sexual tension in this book is off the charts. But I was ready for them to move on to something more by the third or fourth encounter. Loved the supporting characters and cannot wait to read more about them. I thought the antagonist was evil and creepy enough but also he was a bit on the weird side.

I struggled a bit at the beginning with all of the dialogue but was able to overcome that and enjoy the read. I think it helped make the story more dramatic and intense for me. I will be reading the series!!

ARC provided thru Netgalley- Thank you

I almost passed on this book. I am so happy that I took the chance and read it. Well, really it was an audio-book, so I listened to it. This book was full of intrigue, deceit, conspiracy, danger, and surprises. The main characters kept me on the edge of my seat with each move they made and the secrets they held.

I love how the plot unfolded and the witty snark and cleverness of Sage. He by far is one of my favorite ya characters this year. Sage is one of four orphans recruited to compete for the role of impersonating the long lost prince of Carthya. His skill at being hated and loved by those around him are hilarious and nail biting at the same time. 

Mott, Roden, Tobias,Latamar, Imogene, Cregan, and Conner all play a part in the journey to the throne of Carthya, I will be reading the next books in the series. 

Reseph is also known as Pestilence He is the Horseman responsible for ravaging the world with death and destruction, committing terrible acts toward his siblings and their mates, working with the evils of Hell to destroy the world and all that is in it. 

Reseph's story begins with him having amnesia. He has no memory of who he is or where he came from. He has no memory of the a**hole he has been to his family, society, and the harm he has caused others. I wondered how he would be redeemed after all of the pain and destruction he caused and I was somewhat pleased with the outcome. It's difficult to make a badie into decent guy. 

Jillian rescues Reseph and what follows is an interesting turn of events. She believes she rescued a man that is having a bit of bad luck. What she gets is a horn dog, odd, sexy, lots of baggage gorgeous man. I thought she handled all his odd behavior and knee dropping revelation of who and what he is rather well. I would have ran screaming the other direction... after ..ahem.. you know one more time. 

Loved getting to catch up on the horseman sibling and finding out there will be more to come with Reaver and Harvester.

Thanks Likest thou jelly within thy doughnut?! This is going on my Booklikes To Do List!

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I often find myself wanting to click on the comment-icon under a post to get to the comments but always forget that I should scroll up and click on the post title instead.

So I figured I'll make my comments clickable. 

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It's time for Thursday Release and it's a feature many of you requested :-) Now when a given book doesn't fit any default status on your Shelf (Read, Planning to read, Currently reading) you can create your own exclusive book status.

How? You can create and organize your books with new statuses in several ways.

Go to your Shelf Page and create your new status with your name, e.g. Not finished. New status will be added and visible at once on your Shelf.

You can also create exclusive status directly in book pop up, select it and Save for a given title. The book will receive new status immediately. 

If you want to reset previously given status (Read, Planning to read, Currently reading), click on it and Save. It should go white (inactive) and notion "On Shelf" will appear instead. 

You can also create exclusive status on Table view of your shelf (the entrance is on Shelf page). It is also a place where you can re-arrange your books one by one:

or move several books at once:

You can still create thematic shelves which will be added to your Shelf on the left and organize them the same way in table view.