ARC Review: Archangel's Lineage by Nalini Singh

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s dangerous and beautiful world of archangels, vampires, and mortals has never faced a threat this cataclysmic…

Raphael and Elena are experiencing their first ever year of true peace. No war. No horrors of archangelic power. No nightmares given flesh. Until…the earth beneath the Refuge begins to tremble, endangering not only angelkind’s precious and fragile young, but the very place that has held their most innocent safe for eons.

Amid the chaos, Elena’s father suffers a violent heart attack that threatens to extinguish their last chance to heal the bonds between them and make sense of the ruins of their agonizing shared history.

Even as Elena battles grief, Raphael is torn from her side by the sudden disappearance of an archangel. But worse yet is to come. An Ancestor, an angel unlike any other, stirs from his Sleep to warn the Cadre of a darkness so terrible that it causes empires to fall and civilizations to vanish.

This time, even the Cadre itself may not be able to stop a ticking clock that is counting down at frightening speed…

Buy Links

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Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader's copy from Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Random House, via NetGalley. The following thoughts and opinions are entirely my own. Spoilers below. Read at your own risk.

I've been of fan of Nalini Singh for a long time. I've read everything this woman has ever written. Her paranormal romance and urban fantasy series are both so good! Continuing on with the Guild Hunter series, we have a time skip of 20 years or so. I thought this was a great move. After 20 years of waiting for the other shoe to drop, everybody is burnt out and in need of a party. Too bad! The Refuge experiences violent earthquakes for the first-time in twenty or so years. This obviously freaks out Angel kind and the urgency to find out what's going on is palatable. To throw in more issues, Jeffrey has a near-fatal heart attack. With Elena and her mortal heart, she perceives the mortality of her friends and family differently. She is both involved in their lives and somewhat looking at it as a bystander. In this book, she finally deals with her longstanding trauma with Jeffrey. Nothing like a near-death experience to get the ball rolling. 

Raphael has his own problems to deal with as the Archangel of New York. I loved Archangel's Lineage. There were new, interesting characters, some old and familiar faces, and peeks into the lives of the children (now, no longer children) of Elena's friends and family. By using a time skip plot device, Nalini Singh has material to work with, if she ever wants to write a spin-off Guild Hunter series, featuring Eve or Zoe Elena or any of the other Guild Hunter kiddos. One new character, in particular, gives me hints about the next book in the Guild Hunter series that does not feature the main couple. I am excited! There was a notable lack of Ransom, though it is understandable that he was left out. Nalini Singh had a lot of people to "update" us about, but a one sentence update would have been nice. Something like "Ransom and his family were taking a vacation" or "Ransom was away on a hunt" or "Ransom was taking paternity leave". The overarching plot was tied up nicely by the end with the addition of a new character and implications for the future.

4.5 stars

About the Author

Photo Credit: Author's Website

Nalini Singh is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling, Guild Hunter, and Rock Kiss series. She lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing.

If you’d like to explore her other books, you can find lots of excerpts and free short stories on her website. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, while Angels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. The Rock Kiss books are all stand alone and can be read in any order.

Connect with Nalini!

Website  |  Facebook |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Instagram

Blog Tour Book Review: The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton

Known as Agent A, Alice is the top operative within the Agency of Undercover Note Takers, a secret government intelligence group that is fortunately better at espionage than at naming itself. From managing deceptive witches to bored aristocratic ladies, nothing is beyond Alice’s capabilities. She has a steely composure and a plan always up her sleeve (alongside a dagger and an embroidered handkerchief). So, when rumors of an assassination plot begin to circulate, she’s immediately assigned to the case.

But she’s not working alone. Daniel Bixby, otherwise known as Agent B and Alice's greatest rival, is given the most challenging undercover assignment of his life— pretending to be Alice’s husband. Together they will assume the identity of a married couple, infiltrate a pirate house party, and foil their unpatriotic plans.

Determined to remain consummate professionals, Alice and Daniel must ignore the growing attraction between them, especially since acting on it might prove more dangerous than their target.

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million 

Google Play | IndieBound

READ AN EXCERPT HERE!

Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader's copy from Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Random House, via NetGalley. The following thoughts and opinions are entirely my own. Spoilers below. Read at your own risk.

I absolutely adore the Dangerous Damsels series. It's the perfect mix of well-timed humor, witty banter, romance, action and witchy shenanigans. Not to mention, Ms. Holton included all of my favorite tropes. We got a fake wedding, close proximity, and enemies (more like rivals) to lovers. Our leading lady is Alice, lady's maid by day and intelligence operative by night. Known as Agent A, Alice works for the Agency of Undercover Note Takers, and she has been tasked to work together with her greatest rival, Agent B a.k.a. Daniel Bixby, a.k.a. former butler to the rogue pirate Rotten O'Riley. Their mission? Go undercover as a married couple, infiltrate a pirate house party and thwart an assassination attempt. Easy peasy, right? Everything that could possibly go wrong goes wrong. The only thing that does work and grow stronger is their attraction for each other. We see cameos from the previous books' characters, which was a delight. The character development throughout the book was top-notch and the plot was chaotic at best (which is a compliment when dealing with pirates and aristocratic ladies). Overall, it was an enjoyable read. 

4.5 STARS

About the Author

India Holton is the author of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, a fantastical rom-com set in an alternate Victorian era. She lives in coastal New Zealand, where she grew up running barefoot around islands, following ghosts through forests, and messing around in boats. She spent several years teaching and now writes about plucky girls, unconventional women, and the men who love them. India's writing is fuelled by tea, buttered scones, and thunderstorms.

Connect with India Holton!

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

Book Review: Archangel's Resurrection by Nalini Singh

New York Times Bestselling author Nalini Singh takes us into the dangerous, haunting world of archangels…and a love that is legend.

For thousands of years, the passion between Alexander, Archangel of Persia, and Zanaya, Queen of the Nile, burned furious and bright, seemingly without end. But to be an archangel is to be bound to power violent and demanding. Driven by its primal energy, Alexander and Zanaya fought as fiercely as they loved. Locked in an endless cycle of devotion and heartbreak, it is only Zanaya’s decision to Sleep that ends their love story.

Eons later, it is the Cascade of Death that wakens them both. The passion between them a flame that yet burns, Alexander and Zanaya stand together in one last battle against the ultimate darkness. But even a warrior archangel cannot win every war. Alexander’s scream shatters the world as Zanaya falls, broken and silent…only to rise again in a miracle that may be a devastating curse. For is it truly the Queen of the Nile who has been resurrected?

Only one thing is clear: this is the last beat of their passionate, angry dance. The final song for Alexander and his Zani…

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Play | IndieBound

Read an excerpt here!

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader's copy from Berkley Publishing Group, in exchange for an honest review. The following thoughts and opinions are my own. I am also a diehard Nalini Singh fan. Spoilers below!

Archangel's Resurrection follows the same format as previous books that deviated from the main couple, Elena and Raphael, to other characters in the Guild Hunter universe. I like the change in point-of-view, especially with Alexander and Zanaya's love story. The overall breadth of their story spans over several millennia. The first chunk of the book featured the backstory of both Alexander and Zanaya. Since the majority of the Guild Hunter books are focused on Elena and Raphael, so we don't know too much about Alexander and Zanaya. Both are archangels and Ancients, but we know very little about them. The first part of the book was necessary. Starting from birth may seem a bit much, but the character profile of A and Z needed to be fleshed out and the depth of their relationship needed to be established. 

The history between the two spans over several millennia and by all accounts, seemed to be stuck in a circular pattern of toxic highs and lows. The pair were on again, off again lovers. The biggest issues between the pair were power imbalances, emotional and physical maturity, and the past traumas that shaped their very being. For Alexander, as a young angel, he felt helpless when it came to protecting his parents (scholars, not warriors) from the machinations and abuse from another higher-ranked angel. From a very young age, Alexander knew that he was meant for the battlefield, rather than scholarly pursuits. His inclination for battle and strategy and his past feelings of helplessness, lead to his thirst and hoarding of power. For Zanaya, it was witnessing her mother's unhinged obsession with her biological father. Her mother's behavior and subsequent isolation of Zanaya from angelkind, put Zanaya at a disadvantage from the start. Wanting to be the complete opposite of her mother, Zanaya threw herself into warrior training and made a name for herself. Zanaya values her independence and having control over every aspect of her life. 

There was also a significant age gap between the two, early on in life. The age milestones for angelkind are different, in that angels are still considered babes until they turn 100 years old. With such a long lifespan, the rules for dating and courtship are a little different with angelkind. Alexander was already a few millennia older than Zanaya when she started making a name for herself. Their initial meeting was an instant attraction and obsession, but due to Zanaya's young age and the sudden obsession he felt, Alexander did not pursue her; by this time, Alexander had become an Archangel. On the flipside, Zanaya did not pursue Alexander due to the feelings of possession and obsession she felt for him. Not wanting to become her mother, Zanaya purposefully turned away from the attraction she felt for him. There was also court politics and loyalties in the mix as further roadblocks. 

When their positions in life were stable enough (Zanaya had risen up the ranks to be a General for another court), they both admitted their feelings and became a couple. Of course, this was the start of their very toxic relationship. Feelings of jealousy, obsession, possession, and stubbornness caused frequent arguments and "breaks" in their relationship. During one of their breaks, Zanaya ascended to the position of Archangel, but rather than feeling dissonance in the presence of another Archangel, the pair were unaffected. This is most likely due to their constant appearance in each other's lives. While angelkind have long lifespans, their mind and temperament are worn down by age and time. Most older Archangels and angels choose to go to Sleep for several millennia at a time to recharge and rest their minds and bodies. 

Recognizing that they both needed to Sleep, Zanaya went to Alexander and rather than understanding, Alexander saw this as a betrayal. To Alexander, she was "leaving him" and not telling him where she would be located. This last "break-up" was a last one for several millennia. During her absence, Alexander continued to rule his territory and eventually fathered a child (Rohan) with another angel. Though they were not passionate lovers, Alexander and the mother of his child, were great co-parents. Once Rohan reached adulthood and was established in Alexander's court, Alexander chose to finally Sleep until he was woken up by Andie and Naasir. 

The middle chunk was barely a chunk. It was from the POV of Zanaya as she awoke from Sleep during the Cascade and before the final fight against Lijuan. Zanaya and Alexander reacquaint themselves and catch-up on all that has happened in the meantime. This chunk ends with Zanaya falling into unconsciousness after getting her lifeforce sucked out by Lijuan during the final battle. Cassandra takes her body to heal and recover.

The last chunk starts with Zanaya recovering in Cassandra's fiery cocoon. Ten years have passed since the final battle against Lijuan. The world has mostly recovered, but the emotional trauma and scarring from the Cascade-fueled battle still marks both mankind and angelkind. During her ten-year absence, Alexander has reflected on his relationship with Zanaya. It was uncertain if Cassandra could heal Zanaya and the other afflicted Archangels, but Alexander held out hope for her recovery. Alexander's main focus was rebuilding and stabilizing his territory after the Cascade, and raising his grandson, Xander. Upon her "resurrection," Zanaya takes her place among the Cadre and establishes her territory in Africa. Zanaya for the most part is healed except for the changes in her eyes that Lijuan induced. 

While stabilizing her territory, Zanaya feels drawn to the resting place of Antonicus, the Archangel who met his death in the black fog of Lijuan's territory. Over the last ten years, any Reborn that scattered from the final battle was hunted down, but it seems that there were some who evolved into more and it's up to Alexander and Zanaya to find out what's causing the change. 

Overall, I enjoyed this book. We see the deep history between the main couple, but also with other Archangels, and in different moments in time. The third chunk was a jump in time, but it meshed well into the current timeline. The pacing was steady and ramped up a bit in the third part. I liked reading little tidbits in part three, e.g. who designed Alexander's insignia and which angels were waking from Sleep. I can't wait to see which character's book is coming up next or if we are returning to the OG couple. 

4.5 stars

About the Author

Photo Credit: Author's Webpage

On Me

I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I spent three years living and working in Japan, where I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page.

I’ve worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher, but not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency, but I call it grist for the writer’s mill.

On writing

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. All of my stories held a thread of romance, even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes. Creating unique characters and giving them happy endings is my favorite thing. I even love the voices in my head, so there’s no other job I’d rather be doing. When I got the call in September 2002 that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.

Social Links

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ARC Book Review: Storm Echo by Nalini Singh

NYT bestselling author Nalini Singh takes us into the hearts of two fractured people in a world on the brink of a psychic Armageddon . . .

Silence has fallen. The Psy are free to feel emotion. Free to love. But Silence was never a prison for Ivan Mercant. The biggest threat to his future lies dormant in his brain—a psychic monster that wants only to feed. And now, the brutal leash he’s kept on that monster is slipping. He prepared for this day, for the end of Ivan Mercant . . . but that was before he met Lei.

As primal as she is human, this wild changeling brings color into his life, laughter to his soul. Then the dream shatters in a rain of blood, in silent bodies in the snow. Lei is gone. Vanished without a trace . . . until he meets strangely familiar eyes across a busy San Francisco street.

Soleil Bijoux Garcia is a healer who has lost everything. She exists in a world of desolate aloneness . . . till the day she finds herself face-to-face with a lethal stranger. The animal who is her other half knows this man, but her memories are tattered fragments. Sorrow and a need for vengeance are all that drive her. Her mission? To kill the alpha of the DarkRiver leopard pack.

But fate has other plans. Soon, a deadly soldier who believes himself a monster and a broken healer might be all that stand between life and death for the entire Psy race.

Buy Links

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository  |  Google Play 

  IndieBound

CLICK THE EXCERPT BANNER ABOVE TO READ AN EXCERPT!

Well, dang. Where do I start? This is the 21st book in the Psy-Changeling series, and book 6 in the Psy-Changeling Trinity...story arc...? I'm not sure if that is the correct term since each book in the PCT series coincides with the main timeline. Just to be clear, there is no timeline/alternate universe jumping here. There are a few flashbacks with some much-needed context. Ivan and Soleil's story was full of surprising twists, sweet moments, heartache, and spicy scenes (1-2 chili peppers spicy). The Mercants are a Psy family full of mystery and they are loyal to the core. While training in the wilderness, Ivan is injured and comes across Soleil, a Changling and Healer. Their relationship slowly develops with the possibility of something more. They are separated by a catastrophic event until they are fated to meet once again...and this time Ivan is not letting go. I liked how Soleil complements Ivan's personality. She is sunshine and love personified. She herself has suffered great heartache. She has some lost memories due to trauma and was under the impression that DarkRiver was the reason her pack is gone. Soleil's pack was a mystery in the first half of the book. I had a vague idea of which pack it was, but I couldn't quite remember who it was. The identity of the pack will be a nice Easter egg for fans who have read the PCT series/arc from the beginning. On the flip side, we also slowly unravel who Ivan Mercant is and we also learn more details about how the Mercant family operates. Lots of cameo appearances from other popular Mercants to add some zest into the mix. I enjoyed the pacing and over-arching story. The dynamic between Ivan and Soleil is that of partners and lovers. They have a deep trust in each other's abilities and faith in their relationship. Overall, Storm Echo is a solid addition to the series. 

4.5 stars

About the Author

Nalini Singh is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling, Guild Hunter, and Rock Kiss series. She lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing.

If you’d like to explore her other books, you can find lots of excerpts and free short stories on her website. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, while Angels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. The Rock Kiss books are all stand alone and can be read in any order.

Connect with Nalini!

Website  |  Facebook |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Instagram

HTP Summer Reads Blog Tour Book Review: The Dachshund Wears Prada by Stefanie London

How do you start over when the biggest mistake of your life has more than one million views?

Forget diamonds; the internet is forever. Social media consultant Isla Thompson learned that lesson the hard way when she went viral for all the wrong reasons. A month later, Isla is still having nightmares about the moment she ruined a young starlet’s career and made herself the most unemployable influencer in Manhattan. But she doesn’t have the luxury of hiding away until she’s no longer “Instagram Poison.” Not when her fourteen-year-old sister, Dani, needs Isla to keep a roof over their heads. So she takes the first job she can get: caring for Camilla, a glossy-maned, foul-tempered hellhound.

After a week of ferrying Camilla from playdates to pet psychics, Isla starts to suspect that the dachshund’s bark is worse than her bite—just like her owner, Theo Garrison. Isla has spent her career working to make people likeable and here’s Theo—happy to hide behind his reputation as a brutish recluse. But Theo isn’t a brute—he’s sweet and funny, and Isla should not see him as anything but the man who signs her pay cheques. Because loving Theo would mean retreating to his world of secluded luxury, and Isla needs to show Dani that no matter the risk, dreams are always worth chasing.

Buy Links: 

BookShop.org  |  Harlequin   |  Barnes & Noble  |  Amazon

Books-A-Million  |  Powell’s

Read an excerpt here!

Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Spoilers abound.

TLDR; this book is a delightful and charming rom-com with Sex in the City vibes.

It's been some time since I've read a book that features an animal as a plot device. I'm not a fan of Sex in the City, but I could tell that this book gave off similar vibes. Fans of the grump-sunshine trope will enjoy this book. In a rare turn of events (at least to me), we meet the male lead first. Theo Garrison is the son of a Hollywood actress and a member of New York's upper crust. Orphaned at a young age after his parents died vis à vis a car crash while fleeing persistent paparazzi. This loss and trauma lead Theo to become a very private person and earned the moniker, the Hermit of Fifth Avenue. He hates the paparazzi with a vengeance and will go out of his way to keep his private life private. Following the death of his beloved, if not eccentric, grandmother, Theo inherits his family's publishing house and his grandmother's spoiled Dachshund, named Camilla. Camilla goes through dog sitters like water. After the last one quits, the agency that Theo hired, "fired" the pair as clients. While still grieving the loss of his last family member, Theo has to deal with a spoiled dog that exhibits destructive behaviors. 

Our female lead, Isla Thompson, is a social media consultant. She's confident, empathetic, and observant, which makes her good at her job as a social media consultant. Unfortunately, her story starts off with her career (and that of her client) going up in smoke after her client vomits all over her Met Gala-esque dress on Instagram live. Yikes! After she is blacklisted from every marketing firm in the city, Isla is desperate for a job to help pay for her sister's ballet classes and keep a roof over their heads. I love Isla! She's responsible and rolls with the punches, but at the same time, she's relatable. Her family history is so sad. Spoiler: her mom had Isla at a very young age and is most definitely not parent material. Isla was barely an adult when her mother abandoned her and Dani to run off with a man. Being abandoned like that definitely left scars on both sisters but in different ways. I liked how the trauma was portrayed in each sister. For Isla, she was already accustomed to the realization that her mother never wanted her and accepted the fact that their mother wasn't coming back. For Dani, the fear of abandonment and being forgotten is rooted deep, and even after years of therapy, Dani still has panic attacks and crying jags whenever she cannot get ahold of Isla. 

About the main couple, Isla and Theo meet at a park when Camilla manages to slip out of her leash. Isla, who happened to work as a dog sitter in high school. Theo, in desperate need of a dog sitter, hires Isla on the spot. Their relationship is not insta-love, but close. The time period between their initial interaction to them becoming intimate was in the span of a couple of months. Over the first few weeks, they slowly get to know one another. Isla, in particular, gets under Theo's skin real fast. I think it's safe to say that he fell first. Their "complicated" relationship implodes when Theo finds out about the Instagram account that she made for Camilla. Theo, who has been betrayed in the past by an ex-girlfriend, immediately falls back on his tried and true methods of not dealing with his emotions and cuts off contact. This is the only thing I did not like about this book. Eighty to eighty-nine percent of the book was about how their relationship formed and how it changed Theo. He developed some self-awareness of how much he liked being with someone again. I thought he overreacted to the Instagram account but at the same time, I understand where he's coming from. Post-break-up, Theo does develop some more self-awareness of how lonely it was to be by himself all the time. He even connected with Camilla and their shared grief. There is a redemption arc for Theo with assistance from Dani. The ending was equal parts satisfying and expected.

4.5 stars!

About the Author

Photo Credit: Jimmy America

Stefanie London is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. Her books have been called "genuinely entertaining and memorable" by Booklist, and her writing praised as "elegant, descriptive and delectable" by RT Magazine. Originally from Australia, she now lives in Toronto with her very own hero and is doing her best to travel the world. She frequently indulges her passions for lipstick, good coffee, books and anything zombie related.

Social Links:

Author Website  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads

ARC Book Review: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Tessa Bailey is back with a Schitt’s Creek-inspired rom-com about a Hollywood “It Girl” who is cut off from her wealthy family and exiled to a small Pacific Northwest beach town... where she butts heads with a surly, sexy local who thinks she doesn’t belong.

Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When too much champagne and an out-of-control rooftop party lands Piper in the slammer, her stepfather decides enough is enough. So he cuts her off and sends Piper and her sister to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar... in Washington.

Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. So what if Piper can’t do the math, and the idea of sleeping in a shabby apartment with bunk beds gives her hives. How bad could it really be? She’s determined to show her stepfather—and the hot, grumpy local—that she’s more than a pretty face.

Except it’s a small town and everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The fun-loving socialite and the gruff fisherman are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them. Piper doesn’t want any distractions, especially feelings for a man who sails off into the sunset for weeks at a time. Yet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. LA is calling her name, but Brendan—and this town full of memories—may have already caught her heart.

Buy Links

Amazon  |  Kindle  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository  |  BAM

DISCLAIMER: I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review. This review contains my own thoughts, opinions, and interpretations.

I'm a hardcore fan of Tessa Bailey. I was so glad that I was able to receive a review copy of her newest book series. I have to admit Piper tried my patience a time or two. During the first few chapters, I disliked Piper's character immensely. My first impression of Piper was that she was a flighty and inconsiderate party girl that reminded me of the early days of Paris Hilton vis-à-vis The Simple Life. I was so glad for the character development that happened over the rest of the book. Piper's party girl and It Girl façade come crashing down after she lands in jail. Tired of her shenanigans and lack of direction in her life, Piper's stepfather sends her and her sister Hannah back to Westport, a small fishing town in Washington. When Piper and Hannah were young, their family lived in Westport until her father's untimely death. In their grief, their little family packed up their belongings and moved to California. Years later, Piper and Hannah are temporarily exiled to Westport and land in their late father's dive bar. Upon their arrival, they meet the residents of Westport and one of them was the oh-so-grumpy Brendan. Piper and Brendan immediately dislike each other for their perceived first impressions. With the intention of revitalizing their father's bar, Piper and Hannah are finding themselves and memories of their father in Westport. In a small town, Piper and Brendan reevaluate their first impressions of each other. Their attraction is palatable and obvious to everyone around them. After some sexy times and developments in their relationship, Piper and Brendan are finding their feet as a couple. However, spectors from their past pop up to interrupt their progress, which was very annoying, but necessary for the plot. Overall, it was an enjoyable start to a new series. Kudos, Tessa!

4.5 stars!

About the Author

Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans, and laptop, and drove cross-country to New York City in under four days. Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend, and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the workforce as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention. She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband and daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

Social Links

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

Book Review: Intention: Building Capabilities to Transform Your Story by Dr. Ian D. Brooks, MS

 

Your story. Ever evolving, with and without your consent. The management of either is fraught with angst, excitement, and an "always," that we struggle to meet or sustain.

The foundation of this struggle is rooted in an imbalance of who you are and what you want, says Dr. Ian D. Brooks, often resulting in frustration. Written in a story based narrative, Dr. Brooks integrates research, experience and fictional imagery to illuminate a path for your transformation in a digestible way. "Intention" shows that successful personal transformations - from leaders influencing their teams, to losing weight, to just being better - starts with you and is sustained through a gift of knowledge.

"Intention" provides a step-by-step guide in transforming your story, by reinforcing and building new capabilities to move forward. if you're ready to:

Prioritize who you are in understanding your stories characters, its set, and script that influence you
Explore beyond your immediate reasons for change to reflect on your wants
Take manageable action for something new, while adjusting old habits
Build capabilities to manage changes for an unknown future

..then your personal journey of transformation begins with "Intention".

Buy Links

Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Book Depository

Disclaimer: I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Now, I don't normally review non-fiction titles on my blog. Fiction, in general, is my wheelhouse. That's not to say that I've never read non-fiction titles; I just don't post my thoughts about them. Anyway, I generally enjoyed reading Intention by Dr. Ian D. Brooks, MS. In the same realm as vision boards (a vision board is a collage of visual images or words that represent the life you want to live, i.e. a dream board). Vision boards are essentially physical/visual representations of your goals and desires. Vision boards serve as motivation to work towards your goals. That's all good and well, however, it doesn't work for everyone. Intention was an inspiring and enlightening read. Written in an anecdotal style, Dr. Brooks puts a spin on "self-help" books, geared towards personal growth. Dr. Brooks' writing is clear and concise, something I greatly appreciated. The exercises are practical and self-reflective. Intention indirectly hinted at issues I didn't even know I had. At the end of the book, I found myself reflecting on my priorities and motivations in life. I am not overexaggerating when I say that I saw my true self after reading this book. I tend not to dwell to much on my actual self. This book helped me acquiant myself with who I truly am, what I really want, and how to change my point-of-view. Overall, it was a quick read and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone entering college or in a rut in their professional or personal life. 

4.5 Stars

About the Author

Dr. Ian Brooks is the chief executive and founder of Rhodes Smith Consulting, leading transformations of peope and organizations for over 24 years. Ian has extensive experience in executive and leadership development, change management, business performance consulting, and communication planning. Ian holds a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Marshall Goldsmith School of Managment at Alliant International University, a Master's in Clinical Psychology from Auburn University at Montogomery, and a Bachelor's in Psychology from Morehouse College.

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ARC Review: The Bright and Breaking Sea by Chloe Neill

 “Magic and sea battles set in a world that gives more than a nod to the Napoleonic wars—entertaining and fun!” — #1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs

Chloe Neill brings her trademark wit and wild sense of adventure to a stunning seafaring fantasy starring a dauntless heroine in a world of magic and treachery. 

Kit Brightling, rescued as a foundling and raised in a home for talented girls, has worked hard to rise through the ranks of the Isles’ Crown Command and become one of the few female captains in Queen Charlotte’s fleet. Her ship is small, but she’s fast—in part because of Kit’s magical affinity to the sea. But the waters become perilous when the queen sends Kit on a special mission with a partner she never asked for.

Rian Grant, Viscount Queenscliffe, may be a veteran of the Continental war, but Kit doesn’t know him or his motives—and she’s dealt with one too many members of the Beau Monde. But Kit has her orders, and the queen has commanded they journey to a dangerous pirate quay and rescue a spy who’s been gathering intelligence on the exiled emperor of Gallia.

Kit can lead her ship and clever crew on her own, but with the fate of queen and country at stake, Kit and Rian must learn to trust each other, or else the Isles will fall….

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Read an excerpt of The Bright and Breaking Sea HERE → PROLOGUE & CHAPTER 1

DISCLAIMER: I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a big fan of Chloe Neill. PERIOD. But even I was a little nervous about this book. I loved her Chicagoland Vampires and Heirs of Chicagoland series. I just didn't want to have high expectations and be disappointed if it didn't deliver. But, y'know. I had nothing to worry about. I was a little skeptical, but also intrigued by the premise of the book. An orphan girl works her way up the ranks to be a captain in Queen Charlotte's naval fleet. Kit Brightling is a scrappy, go-getter with a magical affinity for the sea. Yup, there's magic involved. Kit is someone I would love to be friends with. She's smart, a little sarcastic, loves to read, and down for a fistfight. Despite her age, she's a well-rounded character who knows who she is, what she's good at, and just living her best life. Kit gets a job that she can not refuse. Enter Rian Grant, a nobleman with naval experience who underestimates Kit and her abilities from the moment they met. Gradually, he and Kit come to develop an understanding and a partnership. I really appreciate the groundwork it takes for relationships to build. I especially liked the camaraderie and trust that Kit and her crew have for each other. 

This book reminded me of this book I once read in middle school. The book was called The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi. The two share certain elements that sparked my memory. While TTCoCD was about a young lady from the peerage traveling by ship and becoming part of the crew under a cruel captain, it was the ending that I remembered. After reuniting with her family, Charlotte runs away from home and goes back to live on the ship, minus the cruel captain. Charlotte felt more at home with the crew than with her own family. Anyway, the crews' relationship with one another reminded me of that. And of course, there's plenty of swashbuckling to be had. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how invested I became in the story, but seriously, why was I surprised? It's Chloe Neill, she's the best. Like any good author, her worldbuilding is top-notch and not too over the top. I know nothing of nautical terminology and sailing, but Chloe enough to give us a sense of the ship, but not too much to be technical. Overall, Chloe Neill hit this out of the park. I can't wait to see what the next book will be. Kudos Chloe!

4.5 Stars

 About the Author 

Photo by Dana Damewood

Chloe Neill is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Devil’s Isle, Chicagoland Vampires, and Dark Elite series. She was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest. When not writing, she bakes, knits, pins, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys–her favorite landscape photographer/husband and their dogs, Baxter and Scout. (Both she and the photographer understand the dogs are in charge.)

Chloe is represented by Lucienne Diver of The Knight Agency. Chloe is a member of the Romance Writers of America. 

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