Giveaway: Romantic Fantasy Starter Kit

To celebrate the first book in Grace Draven’s Fallen Empire series, we are helping host a giveaway that also features other first-in-series romantic fantasy books (including books by Nalini Singh, Chloe Neill, Ilona Andrews, Anne Bishop, and Patricia Briggs). You can enter to win this Romantic Fantasy Starter Kit here: 

https://sweeps.penguinrandomhouse.com/enter/fantasy-romance-starter-kit-giveaway

This giveaway will be open from September 3 until September 19. Good luck!

Books that are included in the prize pack:

Book Spotlight: Phoenix Unbound (Fallen Empire Book 1) by Grace Draven

PHOENIX UNBOUND by GRACE DRAVEN

Ace Trade Paperback | September 25, 2018

A woman with power over fire and illusion and an enslaved son of a chieftain battle a corrupt empire in this powerful and deeply emotional romantic fantasy from the USA Today bestselling author of Radiance.

Every year, each village is required to send a young woman to the Empire's capital--her fate to be burned alive for the entertainment of the masses. For the last five years, one small village's tithe has been the same woman. Gilene's sacrifice protects all the other young women of her village, and her secret to staying alive lies with the magic only she possesses.

But this year is different.

Azarion, the Empire's most famous gladiator, has somehow seen through her illusion--and is set on blackmailing Gilene into using her abilities to help him escape his life of slavery. Unknown to Gilene, he also wants to reclaim the birthright of his clan.

To protect her family and village, she will abandon everything to return to the Empire--and burn once more.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Grace Draven is a Louisiana native living in Texas with her husband, kids and a big, doofus dog. She is the winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice for Best Fantasy Romance of 2016 and a USA Today Bestselling author. Find out more about Grace Draven online at gracedraven.com.

In the Shadows (Social Sinners #2) by T. L. Travis

This review was written by: B

Received: Ebook from Author

Date of Publication: August 17, 2018

Page Count: 202

Rating: 3.75/5

Official Summary:

For Ricky "Stoli" Branson, the stars were on his side.  Social Sinners was headlining their first sold out US tour.  Radio stations across the states were playing their songs, and he'd won the heart of the man he loved.

Everything was going great, or so he foolishly believed . . .

When an accident has them burying one of their own and leaves another fighting for his life, Stoli questions his beliefs.  Or lack thereof.

"Have faith," his mother tells him.  But how can you have faith in something that threatens to take away your only reason for breathing?

My Thoughts:

I loved In the Shadows just as much as I did Behind the Lights, except for completely different reasons.  It's in this sequel where the characters truly shine.  While we did get a strong sense of what the band members meant to each other in the first book and were introduced to their various personalities, I think In the Shadows does an amazing job of fleshing out what makes each man (Joey, Stoli, Diamond, and Mickey) their own individual.  For example, I had no idea Joey could be so shy (shy characters are the cutest!).  Despite reading from his perspective previously and getting into his head, I enjoyed that there is still more to him than what we already knew.  It's because of these reveals that I'm no longer just a fan of the plot but also of the boys it spotlights.  Before, I had little attachment to Mickey or Diamond, but now I'm ecstatic for their stories (especially Diamond's!!!!!).  Diamond's sassy qualities are just too good.

In the Shadows literally picks up a second after the ending of Behind the Lights, which I was both nervous and excited for.  As a fan, I was anxiously awaiting for Stoli and Joey to finally get together, and once the realization of Stoli's harbored feelings hits Joey, the two's relationship immediately strikes a match.  This I thought could quickly turn into a problem.  Yes, Stoli's loved Joey for years, and Joey has strong feelings for Stoli.  However, if they suddenly got together and had a happily ever after simply because Joey came to terms with Stoli's love five seconds ago then everything would have been too easy and frustrating.  Though, I shouldn't have worried, because Travis knew this too.  She still made it so that our love interests were a bit trepidatious yet still determined to make their relationship work.  Everything wasn't all sunshine and rainbows right out of the gate.  There were still a few reassurances that needed to be made and words of encouragement expressed.  I thought this was definitely the way to go so that the story felt more believable and ended up being sweeter.

Speaking of sweeter, In the Shadows definitely had more romance going on (yeah!), which I certainly didn't object to.  My golly!  Ricky and Stoli just couldn't stay away from each other.  I fell head over heals for their devotion towards each other and the way Stoli views Joey as his entire world.  Is it weird that I kept picturing Samuel Larson (from Glee) as Joey?  It felt terribly odd yet absolutely right.  Plus, did Diamond's love interest get revealed?!  I'm beyond words for how much I want that book.  However, for those interested in the process of touring and the band's journey in general that were highlighted in the first book, we absolutely get to continue this adventure, so no need to fear!

I have to give credit to Travis for creating both a fun but serious book.  The way the boys joked with each other, taunting their quirks and relationships, while wreaking havoc, made me appreciate them even more.  Yet, when the time came, they fiercely had each other's backs.  They truly felt like brothers who, while they'd do anything for each other, still played around but all light-heartedly.  Their loyalty and commitment warms my heart.  When they need each other the most, they have no problem dropping everything and being where they're most needed.  In the Shadows reminded me of how great humanity can be.  It's so easy to forget the good in people, but the way strangers, friends, and family in this book came together to support the band after the accident was testament to the wonders of both known love and that of fans.  I'm glad this carried over from the initial installment. 

I have to admit that when I first read the synopsis for In the Shadows, my mind went through the worst case scenarios possible.  I was actually speculating which person would die and holding off reading this because I didn't want to find out.  (I had a horrible feeling it would be Mickey, but I'm happy to report this was not the case.)  I wasn't expecting who this individual would be because of their role, but honestly I'm glad it was them instead of anyone on my list of suspects because I'm not sure if I could have handled that gracefully.  (My heart would have been broken.)

One of my only critiques is the dialogue.  I have this problem in a lot in books, and it's not isolated to this one novel.  (Some might say I bring it up too much.  I'm a broken record.)  You see, I think a lot of the time specific words or phrases sound okay when spoken aloud in real life or in film.  However, I sometimes feel that reading them can be a completely different story, and in some instances, it's possible for them to take on a cringey or awkward property.  Thus, I was sometimes thrown from the story because of such wordage (like "baby" or "dude").  Honestly, this was minor in the grand scheme of things.

Before we end this, can we please just take a second to appreciate Brandon?  He's a precious cinnamon roll who is just too good.  Every single time he comes on the scene, I just gush.  How is he so darling?!  His interactions with Stoli and Joey are EVERYTHING.  Seriously.  This is no joke.  I'm completely ready for more appearances from him.  Give them to me.  Pretty please.

Bloodspell by Lily Luchesi

This review was written by: B and C

Received: Ebook from Author

Date of Publication: August 10, 2018

Pages: 73

Rating: 4.5

Official Synopsis:

Bound by an ancient prophecy, freed by love.

Mages have lived by a prophecy that states that once there are two mage houses left, one must kill the other to maintain a magical balance.  But the prophecy is disrupted when a new mage is revealed and begins killing everyone in his path.  Simon Moonspell and Tobias Bloodworth, the last two mages of the ancient houses, must put their animosity aside in order to stop this new mage and fulfill the prophecy.  However, when their hatred slowly turns to love, can they remain impartial or will they be forced to battle to the death?

Our Thoughts:

"...if he knew anything, it’s that peace was an illusion and happiness was a fleeting

bird you had to catch with your bare hands. It would cut and scratch and claw, not wanting to be captured, but well worth it when it had been grasped."

~Bloodspell

This is exactly what we needed to read right now.  We haven't had the greatest track record reading M/M romances the past couple of weeks, but this one was fabulous, but one would expect nothing less from Luchesi.  Where to begin?!  Enemies to lovers (yes please!) and mages (sign us up!).  One of the MCs has beautiful, long hair - what could be more sexy?  A prophecy that could tear two souls apart - sounds like something we don't want to miss. aslkdjf dskfj - there are no words right now! 

Honestly, this is one of our favorite novellas of all time.  Seemingly without effort, Luchesi is able to allow readers to quickly fall in love with her characters despite the short amount of time she has, which is pretty rare for this format.  (This frustrates B a lot.)  Usually, more needs to be fleshed out to allow for further progression or an emotional connection to the story or characters.  Otherwise, one can't feel like a satisfying reading experience was achieved.  However,  Bloodspell is able to offer everything we needed in less than 80 pages without making sacrifices that other short stories fall prey to.  There was proper pacing, emotional depth, exciting action, and angst (our favorite!).  Some people we know aren't big angst fans and would rather go without it.  However, we thrive on it.  (Is that bad?)  The more the better we always say.  There's something about feeling panicked for the characters and putting our hearts through the wringer that makes the story feel real.  Plus, this book has some serious snark going on.  There were brilliant comebacks, making the banter between Simon and Tobias hilarious and exciting to read.  It was too good!  (The exclamation marks are all warranted.  This book is worthy!)

As slightly touched on above, a failure we sometimes find in novellas is that characters lack any sense of depth, coming off as plot points rather than main points of interest.  However, the backstories Luchesi crafted allowed the characters to be more than mere slabs on the page but instead worthy facets whose stories needed to be told.  The author mentions at the end of her book that Bloodspell was spontaneous rather than something she was planning on writing.  This is rather shocking because Bloodspell is probably one of our top three favorites of hers now.

Concerning Simon and Tobias, these boys could set off a smoke detector.  They're like fire and ice, complete opposites in personality, action, and even speech, but at the same time they're perfect for one another.  (We adored how Tobias spoke and how Luchesi was able to set him apart from Simon in such a key way.  Creating speech patterns for characters is definitely a strong suit of hers.)  Plus, Tobias is extremely sexy.  It could be the hair and his striking features, but his softer side that can come out around Simon definitely plays a part in his appeal.  We don't want to spoil too much about these characters or what happens to or between them, but do know that there is BDSM involved in their relationship and lots of witty exchanges.  So good!

In terms of the magical elements, there was an ancient prophecy and Soul Flames.  Both were extremely well thought out and of interest to explore.  There was also a magical showdown that was epic!

Thus, there is no other conclusion than that Bloodspell is yet another masterful piece from Luchesi that must be read.

(Now please excuse us while we drool over this stunning cover.)

Abby and the Cursed Emblem (Abby and the Mystic Dancers #2) by L.C. Miller

This review was written by: C

Received: Digital ARC from Author

Date of Publication: July 2018

Pages: 193

Stars: 3.5/5

Official Summary:

Returning to Wielders Academy of Magical Arts as a 5th year student, Abby continues to dance with the Mystic Dancers. Soon her life as the ‘Unofficial Mystic’ and Wielder begins to overlap. After the death of her friend, her life spirals downward as Dancers are suddenly coming down with mysterious illnesses that affect each Dancer differently.

Staying on top of her classes, practicing protective dances, and caring for her fallen Dancers, finds Abby fighting to keep her life together. Discovering the cause of their illnesses, Abby and her friends race to save them before Abby succumbs to the illness herself.

My Thoughts:

The story immediately picks up with Abby and her friends as she navigates her life as both a Mystic and Wielder. In terms of important events, Abby is practicing for the Emblem Ceremony, where she'll be able to pick an emblem of her own accord for the first time. This vital item will give Abby a new spirit of a former dancer who will serve as a guide in training.

When the Emblem Ceremony begins, Abby neither feels drawn to any of the spirits nor hears voices coming from any of the objects. Consequently, she picks an emblem at random, hoping it's the right choice. After a few weeks have passed, terrible events in the form of a mysterious illness and a catastrophic death take place.

By "catastrophic death," I'm directly referring to the death that's explicitly mentioned in the book's summary: After the death of her friend, her life spirals downward as Dancers are suddenly coming down with mysterious illnesses.... I'll admit that once I read that detail, I immediately began speculating as to which character this would be. Who could hold enough emotional weight to the story that their death would greatly impact Abby? As I was pondering and eventually chose one character, the event came to pass and I had guessed correctly. However, my attempt to mentally prepare still didn't help matters.

I usually try to not spoil any major plot points, but I'll just add that once Marcella denies the proper funeral rites to Abby's friend, she takes it upon herself to complete them. Additionally, the sickness continues to spread throughout the Mystic population. Once this occurs, everyone tries to determine the source of the mysterious illness and prevent it from harming any other Mystics.

I believe that Abby and the Cursed Emblem was a wonderful addition to the series. You get to see more of Abby's school life and, most importantly, you're able to see how Abby overcomes a tragic death and continues to fight against intolerance. Overall, it's a worthy continuation and read.

If you enjoyed this book, you may also like:

          

Release Day Blitz: Bloodspell by Lily Luchesi

AVAILABLE NOW FOR 99c! OR FREE ON KINDLE
UNLIMITED!

Bloodspell

By USA Today bestselling author Lily Luchesi

Published by Encompass Ink

Edited by EAL Editing Services

Cover by Rue Volley with stock from Bigstock

Bound by an ancient prophecy, freed by love.

Mages have lived by a prophecy that states that once there are two mage houses left,

one must kill the other to maintain a magical balance. But the prophecy is disrupted

when a new mage is revealed and begins killing everyone in his path.

Simon Moonspell and Tobias Bloodworth, the last two mages of the ancient houses,

must put their animosity aside in order to stop this new mage and fulfill the prophecy.

However, when their hatred slowly turns to love, can they remain impartial or will they

be forced to battle to the death?

Join the release party and win prizes!

Add the book on Goodreads!

EXCERPT:

Tobias scoffed, but he was smirking. “Well, there is a first time for everything, isn’t there?”

“Git.”

“Yes, I am, and I own it.” He stood up and stretched his legs. His coat was discarded, and he wore
only a pair of black trousers and a white shirt. Simon noticed his nails were polished matte black.
It was a nice touch … as was that gorgeous body.

“Once we find the prophecy and see if there is a way to circumvent it, we need to figure out where
Thornhill is hiding and eradicate the bastard from existence,” he said with more vehemence than
Simon had ever heard from him. “We have spent hundreds of years fulfilling this prophecy,
upholding the names of our houses and the standards at which mages have always been held and
he — he — ” Tobias trailed off in a huff. “Damn it,” he muttered. “Control, control.”

Simon stood up and walked behind Tobias. He placed a hand on his bony shoulder and said, “Hey,
it’s okay. We’re going to kill him; we’ll make him pay for his crimes. I promise.”

Tobias’ skin was warm beneath his shirt and Simon wanted to melt right into him, to hold him from
behind and —

Stop it, he scolded himself. For once my brain makes more sense than my body!

Tobias stood straighter and turned, dislodging Simon’s hand from his shoulder and breaking the
moment. “Forgive me. I am not often like this.”

“There’s nothing to forgive. This is a lot of pressure, mate,” Simon said. “We never really
discussed it but … if there is no way to change the prophecy…”

“Then one of us must kill the other. Yes, I am familiar with it,” Tobias snapped.

“You don’t want to kill me?” Simon asked, confused. He always assumed that Tobias would relish
the chance to kill him and make it hurt after how he’d treated him when they were children.

“No, despite my sour disposition, I am not a particular fan of murder,” he said. “And you? Were
you relishing the idea of finally getting rid of the pesky little brat you used to knock over on the
playground?”

Simon felt sick. Had he really hurt Tobias so much that those beautiful black eyes were filling with
moisture? “No… I — I’m sorry,” he said, head hanging. “I was a stupid kid. I never wanted to hurt
you, not really. And I don’t want to kill you.”

“Then let’s do what mages do best, shall we? Create a solution to a magical problem.”

Tobias acted as though he hadn’t just been on the verge of some sort of breakdown as he gave
Simon a translator and they began looking for the prophecy again.

It wasn’t until late that night as Simon was starting to fall asleep that he heard Tobias exclaim,
“I’ve got it!”

Simon nearly fell out of his chair from the shock. He had never heard the reserved man shout so
loudly. “W-what?”

“The prophecy, you imbecile! I found it! And it’s already translated for us.”

“Well? What’s it say?” Simon asked, going to stand at his side. He could feel the heat from his skin,
smell an earthy shampoo that was just so … Tobias. It was enough to send his libido into overdrive
as if he was a teenager again.

“Here.” Tobias angled the book so that Simon could see.

“Here we stand with mages uncountable, in the age where magic is new. They will create and make
the future, spells all shall use. But one by one the houses must fall; as magic expands, they must
recede. Until one day only one house name shall remain of the mighty mages, lasting for eternity
in history. On the day that two remain, one must make the deciding blow and concede their name.
Only one name can remain. The balance of magic must be maintained, and so it has been said, so
shall it be.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lily Luchesi is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of the Paranormal Detectives
Series, published by Vamptasy Publishing. She also has short stories included in multiple bestselling
anthologies, and a successful dark erotica retelling of Dracula. She is also the editor, curator and
contributing author of Vamptasy Publishing's Damsels of Distress anthology, which celebrates strong
female characters in horror and paranormal fiction. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, and now resides
in Los Angeles, California. Ever since she was a toddler her mother noticed her tendency for being
interested in all things "dark". At two she became infatuated with vampires and ghosts, and that
infatuation turned into a lifestyle. She is also an out member of the LGBT+ community. When she's
not writing, she's going to rock concerts, getting tattooed, watching the CW, or reading manga. And
drinking copious amounts of coffee.

www.facebook.com/LilyLuchesi

http://lilyluchesibooks.wix.com/lilyluchesi

http://amazon.com/author/lilyluchesi

www.twitter.com/LilyLuchesi

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1000888509953193/ (street team)

www.instagram.com/lilyluchesi

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7369101.Lily_Luchesi

https://www.authorgraph.com/authors/LilyLuchesi (have your e-books autographed!)

Books That Need More Love

There are so many books out there eagerly waiting to be read. Unfortunately, many are sitting on shelves and collecting dust. It's impossible to get to them all, but there are definitely some books out there that deserve more exposure. In the past few years, I've been branching out and reading books from lesser known publishers and works that have been self published. Granted, some of these books aren't that great, but undoubtedly there are some hidden gems that I wish more people knew about. 

Thus, I've decided to share some books that I personally enjoyed and that I hope someone else out there will love too. So, without further adieu, welcome to Knightingale Reviews' new segment: Books That Need More Love.

Best, 

C

Official Summary:

The slow collapse of the British Empire in the nineteenth century meant opportunity for anyone with ammunition and wit. Now the Wildensterns are by far the most powerful family--and the most ruthless. Trained from childhood in the arts of assassination and conspiracy and endowed with the supernatural ability to live for more than a century, the clan has grown rich, vicious, and seemingly invincible.

After nearly two years away, eighteen-year-old Nate has returned. But his homecoming is shattered when his eldest brother, Marcus, is mysteriously killed. Following the Rules of Ascension, which allow one male family member to murder another, Nate is being blamed. Nate knows he isn't the murderer, but who is? With the help of his sister-in-law, Daisy, and his cousin Gerald, Nate intends to find out. Their investigation brings them into the underbelly of the Wildenstern empire, where living machines, conspiring relatives, and undercover mercenaries do their dirty work. But when a disaster uncovers the ancient remains of Wildenstern ancestors, the lives of the family members and their struggle for power will take a bizarre and gruesome turn.

What's to love about it?

I was fortunate enough a while ago to get my hands on all three books belonging to the Wildenstern Saga. The series was surprisingly amazing! I don't read much steampunk, but I think this series is a great gateway into the genre. The story was fresh, interesting, and filled with all sorts of  mechanical creatures (they actually have motorcycles that are ALIVE), conniving family members, and twists and turns. I simply ate up all three books, especially because I loved Nate as a main character (and the girl power sprinkled throughout)! I definitely recommend this series and if you're a little hesitant, feel free to check out my thoughts on each book in the reviews I've listed below:

Ancient Appetites

The Wisdom of Dead Men

Merciless Reason

Official Summary:

Legends and stories call her the Blood Fox, a cunning warrior with plenty of wit and awkward charm, stuck with a curse that keeps her alive and young even as it devours her sanity. When a hidden lord sends his sharp-tongued sorcerer with answers and an offer, she’s tempted to bite… even though the source is far from trustworthy, and the cost could be her life. Luckily, she's splendidly unhinged and has nothing left to lose.

*****

Full Description:

Curses are not subtle.

They are things of pain, and for a very long time Santo has been caught in one. She haunts the roads of the country of Kurdak as a mercenary, fighting back sleep every night so that she won’t have to face the horror that comes for her when she rests. Weary, with sanity almost gone and no end in sight, Santo doesn't know who did this to her or why she is still alive.

Someone does, though. 

As the mythical Week of Colors arrives, she receives a visit from a long-time acquaintance. Traken is a sharp-tongued sorcerer with a sadistic streak, and he comes bearing an “invitation” from his master, a secretive lord who has been watching her for far too long. Santo isn't thrilled, until another message arrives in the form of an ominous prediction: following the sorcerer will mean the answers she wants, but she’ll likely die in the process. 

That’s fine with Santo, though, because she isn't searching for a way out… she’s searching for revenge.

What's to love about it?

I bought this book way back in high school. It was a tad bit expensive, but, in my opinion, it was worth every penny. I literally couldn't put this book down. I carried it with me to all my classes adn snuck in as much reading as I could! Not only did it have a mysterious, engrossing, strong, and flawed female protagonist, I adored the plot!!! It was something that I hadn't seen before. Ashling definitely has talent.

This book also has over a 4 star rating on GoodReads (with over 100 people having rated the book), but I still wish more people knew about this fantastic read. Additionally, there has been a second book in the works for quite some time. I've been waiting five years for it! Alas, they say good things come to those who wait, and I know when it finally comes out, the wait will definitely have been worth it.

Good news: As of July 2017, the draft is 65% complete!!!
(if you want to stay updated, Sera Ashling has a blog: https://seraashling.blogspot.com/)

Official Summary:

In this action-packed and timely "Tarzan for the digital age," Cade, a teen raised in the wilderness, is brought into modern civilization.

The forest is full of secrets, and no one understands that better than Cade. Foraging, hunting, surviving -- that's all he knows. Alone for years, Cade believes he's the sole survivor. At least, until he catches a glimpse of a beautiful stranger...

Dara expected to find natural wonders when she set off for a spring break camping trip. Instead, she discovers a primitive boy -- he's stealthy and handsome and he might be following her. Intrigued, Dara seeks him out and sets a catastrophe in motion.

Thrust into society, Cade struggles with the realization that the life he knew was a lie. But he's not the only one. Trying to explain life in a normal town leaves Dara questioning it.

As the media swarm and the police close in, Dara and Cade risk everything to get closer. But will the truth about Cade's past tear them apart?

What's to love about it?

It's no secret that I've avidly expressed my dislike for contemporary novels -- they just aren't that great for me. In fact, I pretty much only read fantasy / paranormal. I prefer to find escape through worlds that don't remind me of every day life. Now, I've eaten my aforementioned expressed dislike of contemporary before in the case of Barry Lyga's I Hunt Killers series. Although these books may be categorized more as YA thriller, it was a step for me to read something other than fantasy. 

Anyway, I love all things Tarzan, so I figured, why not give Wild a try? I have to say that I actually wasn't disappointed. It's become one of my favorite contemporary novels. I wouldn't even be apposed to reading it a second time -- and that's something for me (I can rarely ever read a book more than once). I think I became enthralled in the scenario of throwing a character who had grown up in the wilderness into the middle of civilization. There's so much for Cade to deal with and it's interesting to see how he reacts -- I couldn't get enough. 

Official Summary:

Kale Firehart is a young dragon, and the sole survivor of his race. As a tyrannical general and his massive bloodthirsty army close in on Kale—the most unexpected circumstance transpires. With time against him, Kale's trusted friend, a veteran arcane sorcerer, transforms him into the one thing he despises most—a human.

Kale must unwillingly live among human-kind as he embarks upon an extraordinary journey. With a band of unlikely friends by his side, can Kale overcome the obstacles before him and return to the life he once knew?

The age of dragons is all but over...

What's to love about it?

I know that the cover for this one isn't that great.... but bare with me. The Chronicles of Kale is categorized in some libraries as an adult novel, but I would definitely mark it as MG/YA. I would also probably say that most YA readers would prefer it rather than adults, but I think older readers should still give it a shot. Anywho, I loved this story because Kale was such an fascinating character. He started out as an extremely arrogant beast who thought he was far above mankind because of what he was.  Due to Kale becoming a human being, he experienced the world through a whole new perspective and his reactions and solutions to certain issues always brought a smile to my face. Besides, I always have a hard time finding a great dragon book!