His Second Chance (Montgomery Ink Legacy #6) Carrie Ann Ryan

 

His Second Chance (Montgomery Ink Legacy #6)

By: Carrie Ann Ryan

Recommendation: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 - (Out of 5 🌕)

Genre: Romance (Second Chance Romance) 

As an avid hiker, Carrie Ann Ryan has put my ultimate fear down on paper, meeting a bear on trail. At the same time, she has given me one of my favorite book themes, a second chance romance.

When Phoebe Dixon and her friend Claire decided to go for a hike they never imagined they would come across a bear. Claire had the good fortune to be using the bathroom at the trailhead when the bear made his appearance, Phoebe was left making a mad dash for safety. When she found herself lucky enough to find an unlocked car door she never imagined she would also find an incredibly sexy man in the back seat. Hopefully, she didn't just get in to a car with a serial killer.

Kane Montgomery Carr is one of the multiple co-owners of a very successful security agency. His family and friends have had their share of ups and downs. Recently, one of their biggest competitors tried to take them down in dramatic fashion to eliminate the competition. When Kane met Phoebe everything happened so quickly. Their romance built up to a quick burn but came to an end just as quickly with no logical reason that Kane could define. Ultimately, he would respect Phoebe's decision and give her the space she needed. When she literally showed up on his back door step looking for help with a suspected stalker, Kane jumped at the opportunity to have her back in his life even if it was just a job.

Kane and Phoebe started their love affair with an interesting, unique, and heart pounding meet cute. Their romance was like a fire, burning quick and with little to no control. The chemistry between Phoebe and Kane was seriously intense and off the charts. The beginning of their story had my heart pounding just as much as their ending. 'His Second Chance' was a fast paced story that had me reading late in to the night just to find out what would happen next. I absolutely loved it, so much so I read it twice!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

His Second Chance is available July 15th, 2024.

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Night of Death and Flowers (Gods of Dayryst) Rebecca L. Garcia

 

Night of Death and Flowers

By: Rebecca L. Garcia

Recommendation: 🌕🌕🌕 - (Out of 5 🌕)

Genre: Dark Romantasy, Dark Fantasy/Romance 

An interesting story that merges the world of witches with that of the Gods. Rebecca Garcia has an amazing talent of painting an incredible picture with words. In this story, at times, it was a little too much. I was able to easily visualize the world, the characters, and their actions but sometimes the descriptions became to much my mind would wander in its path to the next moment in the story. 

The premise of the story is very unique, witches whose powers mirror the powers of the six Gods they worship. Every witch comes into his or her power in their mid to late teens. Calista and her sister Ari are obligated to submit their names for the Harvest, an event that occurs every ten years. The Harvest is a sacrificial event that determines the next member of society to sit on the council of elders. The twelve witches selected will battle to the death, until only one remains. The winner absorbs the powers of those they have killed. Calista has kept her power a secret, she has the ability to turn people to ash with the touch of her hand. Her sister is her opposite with the ability to bring back life. Even though both have 'volunteered' their names, neither believes they will be selected.

The God Azkiel is the god of death. The Harvest is held in his honor with those who are sacrificed doomed to serve him as protectors of his realm. Azkiel is your stereotypical villain, unappreciated in life, a tortured soul. He is the way he is due to life circumstances. One hundred and fifty years ago, events forced him to place his siblings in a deep sleep but a prophecy stated that during the fifteeth Harvest, one of the witches sacrifice would awaken the other Gods and bring about Azkiel's ruin.

Even though I found the first half of the book to be a bit slow, there was an enormous amount of backstory and world building, the second half pick up energy and read rather quickly. I am a sucker for story in which the heroine and villain strike up a romance but Azkiel just wasn't it for me. Calista is a strong and independent lead character that was easy to get behind and cheer on. The Night of Death and Flowers is a great lazy, feet up, snuggled under a blanket, afternoon read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Great news! This book is available to borrow through Kindle Unlimited. I can also be purchased through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Links below.

Amazon

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