Emily J. Taylor’s Hotel Magnifique was recommended to me as part of a 12 book challenge for 2023 and I went into it knowing very little. I did a combination of reading and listening to the audio book, and I was quickly swept away by the story. It centers around a young woman named Jani who sets out on an adventure filled with mystery, magic, danger, and romance at the magical hotel.
The plot of this book is extremely intriguing from the very beginning and makes the book a relatively quick read as I suspect you, like me, will not be able to put it down. Jani’s journey into the magical world of the Hotel Magnifique is stunning, with amazing descriptions and enough twists and turns in the plot that it will keep you guessing until the very end. I loved the way magic is woven seamlessly into the story to create a vibrant and fascinating world.
I think Taylor’s writing style is a big factor in keeping audiences engaged throughout the story. She creates a descriptive narrative through Jani’s experiences and I quickly became emotionally invested in not only Jani but the characters around her that would ultimately become her found family. Not every author is capable of producing a true emotional response from their readers, so it is always refreshing when you discover a hidden gem like Hotel Magnifique.
The hotel houses an extremely diverse group of characters. Jani’s story is the main focus of the novel, but I believe the characters around her help create the heart of the tale. At first most of the plot revolves around Jani’s relationship with her little sister, Zosa, who she first follows to the hotel and then must save. The sibling’s devotion to each other, especially in the final quarter of the book, is truly well written and will pull on the heart strings of readers.
As the story progresses we also meet Bel, the hotel’s doorman, who becomes Jani’s one true ally and eventual love interest. Bel is one of those characters who will grab your attention from the very beginning. He is mysterious, a bit broody, and his chemistry with Jani is undeniable. I found myself rooting for them almost immediately, and their bickering throughout the story had me snickering quite often. Their relationship added just enough romance to the plot to truly keep me invested to the very end.
I both read and listened to the audio version of this book, and I highly recommend both options. I loved the narrator for the audio book, Suzy Jackson, and honestly could have listened to her read for hours on end. She had such fantastic inflection and her accents are spot on. At no time did I grow bored listening to her or feel that she was simply reading the words on the page. Jackson is a true story teller, and I would definitely seek out other audio books she’s narrated.
This book was a solid 5 out 5 for me. It’s low on spice, but with plenty of romance, so I gave it a 2 out of 5. It is the sort of book that would be appropriate for any YA fantasy fan, and I can not recommend it enough.
Courtney Millecam’s reimagining of the world of Peter Pan takes us to 1920s London in The Never Heir. It follows one of Pan’s former lost boys as he discovers the choices of his past have affected the events of his present and the life of a young socialite with a dark secret.
I enjoyed the story overall, but I had a difficult time getting into this book. While the chapters are short and relatively well paced, I think the plot just moved along a bit slowly at the beginning. I don’t think this book grabbed my attention until the final act of the story, so the first seventy five percent of the book was a bit of a struggle to stay engaged. I did, however, love the way the book was wrapped up and how the plot ultimately came together in the end. It was a fantastic finale that left me interested in the next book.
Millecam’s writing is solid. It flows well, weaving a story that is detailed without dragging out the description. I appreciated her chapter length as well as someone who loves to try to sneak in one more chapter before I put a book down for the night. If I had any complaints at all it would be that occasionally the mid chapter transitions, which are marked by a decorative page divider, can be a bit abrupt. Otherwise, it is an incredibly solid debut for Millecam.
I truly liked the characters in this book, but overall I didn’t love any of them and I think that might have played into why the plot moved so slowly for me as I read. Evie and Charlie are both written to be likable characters, and they have good chemistry together, but there was simply something missing for me. By the end I was rooting for the two of them, but it took a while for me to get to that point.
Overall I gave this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. It was a light romance, so it also has a very mild spice rating. If you love Neverland and Peter Pan, and are a fan of fairytale retellings this is definitely one you should consider check out.
BOOK DETAILS: Author: Courtney Millecam ARC Tour Dates: March 30 – May 16, 2023 Title: The Never Heir Series Title: Otherworlds, Book 1 Pages: 350 Release Date: May 16, 2023 Genre: YA Historical Fantasy
Tropes: Quest for enchanted objects, hidden identities, slow burn, forbidden romance without spice, historical 1920’s setting, bargains with the faeComparable Authors / Titles: Marissa Meyer, Brigid Kemmerer, Roshani Chokshi Trigger / Content Warnings: Death of parent/sibling off screen Purchase Link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CourtMillecamBooks
I was first introduced to Keera and the world of Melissa Blair’s Halfling Saga last year when I received a special edition of A Broken Blade from The Bookish Box. Having just gotten back into reading thanks to the works of Sarah J. Maas, it wasn’t difficult for me to get lost in the romance and lore Blair creates in her writing. I loved every moment of the first book and could not wait for A Shadow Crown to be released.
I was not disappointed. The story continues exactly where A Broken Blade leaves off with quite the opening scene. From there we are swept back into a world where mortals led by an evil king rule over halflings while the Dark Fae and Elves remain in the Faeland. The plot moves along quickly, building on what was established in the first book, and will keep you guessing as to whom Keera can trust until the very end. It is an exciting read with everything a fantasy reader could hope for, and beautifully sets up what is to come in the next installment.
Blair’s writing is descriptive yet easy to follow. She paints vivid images of the settings and characters without slowing down the pacing of the book. I also love how the chapters are a perfect length for those of us who stay up late claiming we’ll read ‘just one more chapter.’
She also handles the romance aspect of the story well, finding a good balance between describing the intimate moments Keera has with her love interest Nothing in the descriptions is gratuitous, making it suitable for mature teens who have read books like The Throne of Glass series or even the first few books of ACOTAR. Finding a way to portray those moments without turning it into smut is such a fine line, and this book is a wonderful example of how to keep a book appropriate for a wide variety of readers.
The characters in the book are incredibly diverse in nearly every sense of the word. I love that not only does Blair continue to the LBGTQ+ and BIPOC communities, but there were characters who used sign language and characters who were disabled. It’s so refreshing to see such a realistic and wide variety of characters in fantasy fiction.
Keera, the main character, continues to be one of my favorite characters. She has done horrible things in her past while still trying to save as many of her people as she could from the king. Despite her training and the things she has done and experienced, she has a heart and she fights throughout the book to always make the right choice. She continues to be an endearing and heartbreaking character whose story I will gladly continue to follow to its conclusion.
This book is a 5 out 5 for me and I would give it a 2 out 5 for spice. I can not recommend this series. It is beautifully written with amazing characters and if you love fantasy this is one you must check out.
Second chance romance, Sabrina September is a Liar spans a decade in the lives of Sabrina and Max as they navigate the emotional turmoil of love, loss, and trauma. There are moments that will make you laugh, and those that will make you cry as you go on a journey that spans two timelines set a decade apart.
Overall I liked this book, but I struggled getting into the story at first. I think a large part of that is the choice of using a dual timeline and trying to keep up with both the past and the present. I felt the plot would have been better served to have two parts, part one being the first part of Sabrina and Max’s story, and the second being set in the present which covers their second chance. The back and forth tended to slow me down as I tried desperately to maintain both timelines in my mind.
Nikki Licoln’s writing is solid. She managed to draw out emotion in such an honest and real way, and I loved the way she dealt with the topics of trauma and loss. Everyone processes the hard and ugly parts of life differently, and she shows that through her characters. I also loved how she managed to truly capture the voices of her main characters in the dual point of views. At no time do Sabrina and Max’s narratives feel like you’re reading the thoughts of the same person. Each voice is individual and unique, which can be a struggle for an author who chooses to have more than one POV.
Through the use of a dual first person point of view, the audience truly gets to know the two main characters. A lot of the story focuses on the fact that Sabrina is often a liar, but not in the way one might think. Her lies reflect those told by so many people as they go throughout the day. They lie about their feelings, the things they’re dealing with, and the messy parts of life. It’s human nature to say ‘I’m fine’ when someone asks how we are, even if we are not fine.
Everyone needs people in their life they don’t have to lie around, and I loved how Sabrina found that in Max. She also slowly opens up to others around her, and the supporting characters come alive through the interactions with the two main characters. The people in this book are so real and honest, and it’s truly beautiful.
I liked this book. It took me a while to get into it so overall I gave it a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Once I did get into the story though in the second half of the book I couldn’t put it down. The steamy scenes are quite spicy, so I would give it a 3 out 5 rating for spice and recommend it for mature audiences only.
Obedience by Liza Snow is the first part of the Ties That Bind series that focuses on a student/teacher romance set against the backdrop of a circus. It follows two aerialists, one the master of his craft and the other the protege he has been waiting his entire career for who ends up capturing his heart. Both are haunted by the secrets of their pasts, making for a book filled with not just romance but also suspense and mystery.
This book hooked me very quickly. It is well paced, interesting, and engaging. I’m not usually one for student/teacher romances, however in this particular case the student is not a wide eyed innocent. Cassandra is in her mid twenties and has experienced enough hardship in life to make me feel that while she had idolized Chandler, she wasn’t naive in her choices. I had no problem seeing these two characters both as adults and that helped me get lost in the story despite the setting.
Snow’s writing is very well done. She uses dual point of views, and both Chandler and Cassandra are given very distinct voices through her writing. I also listened to parts of the audio book and I have to say that having heard the voice actors reading the work added an extra layer to the story as well.
The book is descriptive without being repetitive or slow, which is a testament to Snow’s writing style. She also manages to write incredibly steamy scenes without being gratuitous in her descriptions. As a reader I don’t think we always need every little detail of the intimacy shared by two characters spelled out for us, and this book manages to find a beautiful balance when these scenes between the two main characters occur.
I liked the characters in this book, but I found myself struggling a bit to get past the fact that both Chandler and Cassandra kept a lot of secrets from each other. The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger (the second book is due out in October) and I’d be interested to see where the sequel goes and if they are allowed to truly develop real trust in their relationship.
The supporting characters are incredibly well written. There is such a wide variety of personalities in this book, and I loved getting to know a bit about all the different performers from the circus. They add depth and personality to the book in such an amazing way that I hope to see more of them in book two.
Overall I gave this book 4.5 out of 5 stars (rounded up to 5 for review sites). My personal rating for the spice level is a 3, although I could see some giving it a 4 as it deals with the Japanese art of shibari. I am definitely looking forward to seeing how the story continues in the sequel.
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the TALK OF THE TOWN by Jennifer Bardsley Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
In this lighthearted romance filled with small-town humor and high jinks, an unsuspecting real estate agent becomes the wildest dream come true for all the single moms—except the one he wants.
They’re coworkers, friends, and confidants, but Peter Marshal has always pined for a little something more with Noelle Walters. As a widow and a single mom, Noelle prefers to play it safe, and falling for Peter was never part of the plan.
Then again, neither of their plans accounted for the well-meaning but meddling actions of Peter’s sister, who offers him up as their town’s most eligible bachelor in the local moms’ Facebook group. He’s none the wiser about the source of this sudden surge in attention, but he only has eyes for Noelle. And from where she’s standing on the sidelines of Peter’s popularity, it’s getting harder to pretend that she doesn’t see what everyone else sees in her best friend.
With all eyes on them, will Peter and Noelle finally see beyond the hurdles to the happily ever after that’s been there all along?
Review:
Jennifer Bardsley’s Talk of the Town is a sweet small town romance with a modern social media twist. It follows two real estate agents who are long time coworkers as they go from friends to so much more. Noelle is a widow and single mom who has always felt like an outsider in the small town of Skagiton, and Peter is the town’s most eligible bachelor thanks to his sister’s meddling on the local moms Facebook page.
The plot of this book has so many levels and I adored every moment. From the moment I read the first chapter I was hooked and I couldn’t put this book down. Peter and Noelle are absolutely adorable together and I couldn’t help but root for them to find their happily ever after. Along the way there’s also hilarious small town drama (most of it starting on the local moms Facebook page), heartbreaking revelations, and moments of personal triumph that will have you silently cheering for the characters.
Bardsley’s writing is extremely readable and engaging. I loved her use of the moms Facebook page to introduce us to the various supporting characters in the town and inject some humor to the small town drama. As a member of such groups I felt like I already knew these characters and it was written in such a relatable way that I had no trouble believing this was an actual social media group.
I also really liked how Bardsley kept the story moving. This is definitely one of those books that will hook you and she makes it so easy to just get lost in the pages. I spent two nights staying up way past my normal ‘bed time’ because one more chapter turned into several more chapters.
There are a wide variety of characters in this book, and if you are in any sort of social media group (especially a moms group) you will feel like you have met these people in real life. I think my only gripe with the supporting characters was that Noelle’s parents are portrayed as stereotypes of ultra conservatives, and I felt like her father especially served no purpose other than to be physically abusive. There were no shades of gray and they weren’t given enough time on page to develop any so it left me feeling like they were put in there strictly to portray a cliche.
I did however love Noelle’s character and her development. She’s a Facebook lurker who doesn’t really engage on the page or with the other moms in the town for fear of making a social faux pas. I could honestly relate. I have had my own socially awkward moments turn into gossip for my fellow local moms and I completely understood her need to just remain a silent observer. Yet throughout the book she finds her courage and her growth is absolutely beautiful.
Overall I have this book a 4 out 5 stars. I really enjoyed it and it’s a very light hearted and easy read. There isn’t really any spice but lots of romance to keep you engaged. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a small town, sweet romance.
About Jennifer Bardsley:
Jennifer Bardsley believes in friendship, true love, and the everlasting power of books. A graduate of Stanford University, she lives in Edmonds, Washington, with her husband and two children. Bardsley’s column, I Brake for Moms, has appeared in the Everett Herald every week since 2012. She also writes young adult paranormal romance under the pen name Louise Cypress. When Bardsley is not writing books or camping with her Girl Scout troop, you can find her walking from her house to the beach every chance she gets.
To find out more, visit http://www.jenniferbardsley.com or join her Facebook reader group, Jennifer Bardsley’s Book Sneakers.
Stevie Spark’s Surrendering to the Duke is a beautiful romance and the first installment of her series, Lord of Desires. When Michael, the Duke of Foxcotte returns home from the war he finds himself being pressured by his mother to marry his brother’s widow out of a marriage of convenience as she is unaware that he has carried a torch for Emmeline since he first laid eyes on her years ago. Emmeline’s must learn to move on from the trauma of her past to trust him and finally have the marriage she deserves.
This book captured my attention relatively quickly. It centers mostly around the romance of Emmeline and Michael and the fact that they dive very quickly into a steamy courtship helps drive the plot along. Emmeline’s past is filled with trauma and comes back to haunt her throughout the story, adding a heartbreaking and at times tense aspect to the plot. In the latter parts of the book it kept me turning the page as I simply had to know what would happen next and how the story would ultimately be resolved.
There was so much I truly loved about this book, but the authentic feel of the writing was perhaps my favorite. Sparks is a British author which ultimately helps with writing British characters. Their speech, the minor differences in spelling, the settings, it all felt honest and real. The dialogue flows allowing the reader to truly get lost in the world and the story that is being created.
I also loved that Sparks used a 3rd person POV but followed both Emmeline and Michael at various points in the story. It allows the reader to truly understand both characters in a way we might not have been able to if she chose to only offer us one point of view. It was done in such an effortless way, as were the descriptions that I could truly just let myself relax into the story.
The characters in this book are amazingly well written. Our main heroine, Emmeline goes through such an incredibly journey to go from being timid and unsure of herself and her feelings, to being a women who is confident in her own skin and sexuality. She is sweet and kind, and yet resilient in a way that makes the reader root for her very early on. Michael perhaps my new favorite ‘book boyfriend.’ He is quite literally everything I hoped for from the title and more. As a reader one can’t help but falling for him along with Emmeline as he proves that not only is he kind and thoughtful, but also incredibly seductive and sensual.
I always love when a writer can make the supporting characters feel unique and well developed, and Sparks does a fantastic job with this aspect of the book. Each character had their own personality, right down to the family dog. I honestly can’t wait for book two to be published so I can read more about the characters we met in this book.
Overall I loved this book and would give it 5 out of 5 stars. It is quite spicy and for mature audiences so my rating for that was 4 out of 5. If you love historical romance with wonderfully written characters and lots of steamy moments, definitely check out Surrendering to the Duke!
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE FIRST DARK SORCERER by Abby Arthur Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
An awkward wizard. An aspiring ballerina. And a dark god with a wicked vendetta.
Clyde Blitzkurr is devastated. Rejected by every reputable magic academy in the realm, this seventeen-year-old aspiring wizard resolves to make his sister’s dream come true. But things take a turn when a demon tries to kill him.
Aylee Blitzkurr’s deepest desire is at hand. Accepted to the most prestigious dance academy, this sixteen-year-old ballerina is a breath away from becoming a principal dancer. But when her brother’s life is threatened, and ghosts start leaving cryptic messages, fighting for Clyde’s wellbeing takes precedence.
The siblings begin to uncover dangerous secrets connecting them to a vengeful god. Neither is safe. Clyde must grasp the untapped power he possesses. Aylee must discover the courage to face her darkest fears. If they do not, they will lose more than their lives … they will miss their destiny. And the realms are counting on them.
Phantom of the Opera meets Cassandra Clare’s Clockwork Angel in this young adult epic fantasy!
Escape to a world imbued with magic and the paranormal. Find mermaids, demons, dragon shifters, elves, wizards, sorcery, and a healthy dose of fantastical ballet. This exciting book for teens is for boys, girls, and everyone in between.
Reviews:
A selection of comments left by Amazon reviewers.
“This is a must read for any fantasy lover!”
“A well-written page turner full of unexpected twists”
“You will enjoy the magic, demons, and epic battles with swords and sorcery.”
“I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!! The style of this book is out of this world. I love that I was able to picture myself in the book while all of this happened.”
“I can really appreciate how well this book was written. The characters are interesting and intriquing, and the plot keeps you guessing.”
“The world is very magical, and it’s the perfect beach read.”
“The descriptions and world building were dynamic. The dialogue was great. The characters bounced off each other. I recommend this to fans of anime and epic fantasy.”
“It is very well written book. Character[s] come to life right off the page.”
“I loved the steampunk vibe to this book […] enjoyed the magic, demons and epic battles with swords and sorcery.”
“Seriously, the author did a great job creating a super interesting setting.”
Abby Arthur’s book, The First Dark Sorcerer follows siblings Clyde and Aylee as they navigate their new home. Aylee is a new student at the city’s famous opera ballet school and Clyde is a wizard with broken magic who is working there as a janitor. They find themselves having to face their fears and uncover secrets that link them to a god.
I found myself very quickly absorbed in the story of Clyde and Aylee as the book has a way of sucking the reader in from the first few lines. This is definitely one of those books that I couldn’t but down and found myself often saying, ‘just one more chapter.’ The pacing is perfect for the story and the plot is engaging and exciting. There is enough mystery to keep the audience guessing and their interest all the way to the final pages of the book.
Arthur writes in a way that is extremely readable and engaging. The world building in the book is also spectacular as she manages to find a way to balance packing in a lot of description and information while still keeping the story moving at a good pace. Her dialogue is never awkward, allowing the audience to simply get lost in the story, and she navigates the duel point of view with ease. Clyde and Aylee had distinct voices and it comes across beautifully in the writing of the book.
I absolutely adored the characters in this book. Aylee is a breath of fresh air who the audience can connect with very quickly as she tries to settle into the life she always dreamed of at the ballet school. Clyde has a heartbreaking backstory as to why his magic is so very broken and I loved watching his journey throughout this first installment. The supporting characters are also so incredibly interesting and diverse. Arthur blends well known fantasy races with new ones to bring the Whisper Court its realm to life in a seamless manner.
Overall I very much enjoyed this book and gave it a 5 out 5. There is a little romance sprinkled in the pages, with the potential for more as the story continues, but this installment focuses mostly on plot and world and relationship building. If you like an interesting fantasy that draws its influence from Phantom of the Opera with a steampunk flavor this is a great option for you!
About Abby Arthur:
Abby Arthur is absolutely obsessed with writing teen fantasy and mildly enjoys sleeping, eating, and breathing.
She spends the majority of her time lost in an imaginary world of glowing magic and dastardly dragons.
When she’s not writing, she’s illustrating characters and watching Asian shows or Marvel movies.
Abby’s books combine magic, action, swords, and dragons with a healthy dose of sarcasm.
She started winning writing contests and getting published in newspapers when she was just sixteen.
Her magic portal is located in small town Iowa, protected by herself, her husband, and their son.
For more info on Abby and her books check out her site: abbyarthur.com
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the KINGDOM OF BLOOD & SALT by Alexis Calder Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
An epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout, Raven Kennedy, and Sarah J Maas.
After spending years training to defend my people from our enemies, I never expected that my enemy would be the one keeping me alive.
Athos is the last human city. A treaty with the Fae keeps the fae, the vampires, and the wolf shifters at bay, while we fight against the dragons at our border. Being a human in this world is dangerous and we all make sacrifices to survive.
When the delegation sent by the Fae King arrives to claim the human tributes required by our treaty, I never expected to forge a connection with their leader.
Ryvin is as dangerous as he is handsome. I know he’s my enemy, and I know I’m supposed to hate him, but with each passing day, he’s more difficult to resist.
But things are changing in Athos. Humans no longer want to bend to the Fae King.
Alliances blur and centuries of lies begin to unravel.
And I’m faced with a choice.
No matter how much I hate him, Ryvin might be the key to preventing war.
But it may mean sacrificing everything….
Kingdom of Blood and Salt is the first book in a fantasy romance trilogy with fae, vampires, and shifters. This enemies to lovers series contains violence, mature language, and spice. This is a NA/adult fantasy romance and steam level will increase as the series progresses. Mind the cliff.
About Alexis:
Alexis Calder writes sassy heroines and sexy heroes with a sprinkle of sarcasm. She lives in the Rockies and drinks far too much coffee and just the right amount of wine.
Excerpt from Kingdom of Blood and Salt by Alexis Calder
The delegates settled around the table, and my sisters took their places between them. Morta was seated at the far end, near my father. The queen was at the other end, facing him. As soon as everyone was seated, I took a seat next to a delegate, as far away as I could from the strange woman. There were a few empty chairs next to me, giving me a buffer between me and the queen.
At least I’d only have to make small talk with one of the delegates, and I could avoid being too close to Ophelia. Istvan took a seat near the queen, leaving one empty chair between us. I was grateful he’d chosen to be closer to her than me.
Servants brought out drinks, then followed with platters of fish and lamb, bowls of rice and vegetables, and gorgeous towers of figs dripping with honey. My stomach growled at the sight, and I breathed in the mingling scents.
“Your kingdom is lovely,” the man sitting next to me said.
I looked over at him, doing my best to force a smile. “Thank you.”
The man smiled widely, and I caught sight of two gleaming white fangs. “Not so different from my home.”
Swallowing down the initial burst of fear, I forced my gaze to his eyes. They were watery blue. A faded, unimpressive color. After everything I’d been told about these creatures, I expected something more. They were said to be beautiful, experts at seduction. But this man wasn’t any prize. There were plenty of guards in our armies who were more handsome.
“You don’t seem to be afraid of me,” he said.
“Should I be?” I asked.
“Most humans are,” he said.
“And you enjoy being feared?” I asked.
He smirked. “Fear is power, princess.”
“Respect is power,” I countered.
“You are young, but you’ll learn,” he said.
“Orion, are you trying to scare our new friend?” A familiar deep voice cut in.
I tensed, knowing my good luck was up. I looked to my right just as the ambassador pulled out the chair and sat next to me.
“I thought perhaps you’d fallen into the sea,” I said.
“Alas, I’m an excellent swimmer. I was… occupied,” he said, his eyes darting toward one of the servants in the corner. She caught his eye, then giggled, her face flushing deep crimson.
My stomach tightened in what felt an awful lot like jealousy. Gritting my teeth, I sent the thought away. First Lady Marlette at the party and now servants? With any luck, he’d be too busy finding women to seduce to have any need for me.
A grim thought struck me. Perhaps this was how he chose tributes. Or maybe he promised his lovers a reprieve. “Already making notes for your selection?”
“That wasn’t my intention,” he said. “I was simply getting to know your household.”
“With a servant, Ryvin?” Orion wrinkled his nose.
“None of the princesses were available,” Ryvin said with a shrug.
“Nor will they be,” I bit out. “You will not touch me or any of my sisters. That applies to all of you.” I glanced at each man next to me, before turning back to Ryvin. I knew he was the highest ranking out of their delegation. “You understand me?”
A hand gripped my thigh and squeezed. “I like your fire,” Orion whispered in my ear.
Before I could push him away, Ryvin was out of his seat, his chair clattering to the ground. He yanked Orion from his seat. In a blur of black fabric, Orion was on the ground and Ryvin’s knee was on the man’s chest. The ambassador held a dagger to the other man’s throat. “She gave you an order.”
Gasps and the screeching of chairs over the stone floor surrounded us, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the men on the ground.
“You take the side of a woman over me?” Orion hissed.
“We are their guests,” Ryvin said. “If you touch her again, I will remove your head myself.”
My heart thundered in my chest, and I had to clamp my thighs together to tamp down the rising need. I’d grown up around the fiercest warriors in our kingdom, but never once had any of them defended me. Apparently, it was a major turn on.
Blowing out a breath, I gave myself a moment to enjoy the thrill of seeing a man stand up for me before reminding myself of who he was. He was still a monster. Just because he stood up to another monster didn’t change anything.
“Is everything alright, ambassador?” My father asked.
Ryvin removed his knee, then tucked his dagger into his boot. He stood, then smoothed out his tunic. “I apologize, your highness. We aren’t used to human protocols. Sometimes, I forget myself and a little bit of the beast within breaks free.” He glanced at me before he turned back to my father. “Please, forgive me.”
A lump rose in my throat. His words were a reminder of what simmered below that handsome exterior. I’d wondered if he was human, and it seemed he was giving me a hint. Or a warning.
“I apologize for my forwardness, your highness,” Orion said softly. He was standing next to me, eyes downcast.
Everyone in the room was staring at me, waiting for me to react. I licked my lips reflexively.
“If you’d like me to further punish him, I’m happy to oblige,” Ryvin said so quietly I was certain I was the only one who heard him.
“That’s not necessary.” I had a feeling if I said the words, Orion’s head would be torn from his body. I glanced at the man standing to my left. “A misunderstanding”
Orion bowed. “It won’t happen again; I can assure you.”
“Well, if that’s settled,” the queen said. “Shall we get back to our meal?”
Orion settled into his seat, and after a few tense moments of silence, the table erupted into general chatter.
Sophia caught my eye, then silently mouthed the words, are you okay? I nodded, then made myself eat, keeping my attention on my food.
“I will keep my men in line,” Ryvin said.
“Can you send your men home?” I countered.
“As soon as our job here is done,” he said.
“You mean after you kidnap humans so you can take them to their deaths?” I hadn’t meant to say it, but the words tumbled out.
“I can assure you; all the tributes are well cared for and live a far more luxurious life than they’d have here,” he said.
“If you say so,” I mumbled.
“I can offer my personal…”
I stood, not waiting for him to finish. The table quieted and Ophelia glared at me. I ignored her, turning my attention to my father. “I’m afraid the excitement has made me tired. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll take my leave.”
“Of course, darling,” my father said.
Ryvin stood. “Please, allow me to escort you safely to your room.”
“Oh, that is not necessary,” I said.
“I insist,” he smiled, flashing straight white teeth. No sign of fangs.
My brow furrowed slightly. What exactly was he if not a vampire? He couldn’t possibly be human, could he?
It didn’t matter what he was. He was a threat.
“That’s very kind, ambassador,” my father said. “Of course, Ara is happy to accept.”
“Shouldn’t I have a chaperone?” I asked, flashing my most demure smile.
Ophelia laughed. No, not laughed. Cackled. “I think that ship has sailed, Ara.”
I narrowed my eyes at her and threw her my nastiest glare.
“I promise, I won’t bite,” Ryvin said.
Ophelia stopped laughing. The whole room went so silent I swore I could hear the waves crashing against the cliffs in the distance. If I wasn’t so tense, I might have appreciated the way the color drained from Ophelia’s face.
“Shall we, princess?” Ryvin offered his elbow, and as if driven by something outside myself, I complied, sliding my arm into his. I could feel the eyes of everyone at dinner on us as we exited the dining room.
I can’t wait to write my review once I’m able to type more. Be sure to check this out!
A WHOLE SONG AND DANCEBlog Tour Assets
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the A WHOLE SONG AND DANCE by Sarvenaz TashBlog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
Sarah Dessen meets Abigail Hing Wen in this heartwarming romantic comedy starring Nasrin Mahdavi, an Iranian-American college freshman who’s a triple threat on Broadway—but who’s living a double life.
It’s her first semester majoring in musical theater at NYU’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts, and Nasrin spends her days prepping for auditions, sweating through dance classes, and belting her heart out for the viral streaming show she’s been cast in. But on calls with her maman and baba, she’s the golden child who put her theater dreams aside to follow in their entrepreneurial footsteps as a business major.
At least her whole life isn’t a lie—she is taking a single business course. Except she’s kind of failing it. Nasrin needs to bring her grade up fastif she’s going to keep her parents in the dark, so she grudgingly signs up for tutoring with the infuriatingly smug and annoyingly attractive Max. And yet . . . as the semester rushes by, the sparks of anger that first flew between them start to turn into a very different kind of spark. The kind she definitely does not have time for.
Except when Nasrin’s charmingly devious cousin takes an interest in Max too, Nasrin has to figure out exactly what has been an act, and what’s for real. Can Nasrin decide what—and who—is truly worth fighting for, and find a way to step into the spotlight as her full self?
About Sarvenaz Tash:
Sarvenaz Tash is the author of The Geek’s Guide to Unrequited Love (an Amazon Best Book of the Year, YALSA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant YA Readers), A Whole Song and Dance, Virtually Yours, Three Day Summer, The Mapmaker and the Ghost and the co-author of Ghosting: A Love Story and Hollywood Ending (as Tash Skilton). She was born in Tehran, Iran and grew up on Long Island, NY. She received her BFA in Film and Television from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, which means she got to spend most of college running around and making movies (it was a lot of fun). She has dabbled in all sorts of writing including screenwriting, copywriting, and professional tweeting for the likes of Bravo and MTV. Sarvenazcurrently lives in Brooklyn with her family.
Tracey Reads and Rambles 