Fire Fox by Amanda Sloothaak

Date read: 5th October 2024

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: NA Nordic Fantasy 

Buy link: Amazon 

This is an awesome debut novel. A new adult fantasy (series) with a Nordic setting. 

The world-building is amazing. An ancient land filled with fires and snow. From the detail of the healers to the clothing and weaponry, everything is painted in wondrous colour. 

Dawn is in her late teens and is somewhat petulant. She has the 'world's against me' feels. But she is feisty and steadily learns how to put her fire to good use. 

I loved Ulf - the intriguing large wolf who is her friend. I'm sure there's a lot more to be discovered about him in the books to come.

Vidya is all kinds of mysterious. 

And Nilan is sweet but with his own secrets. 

There is plenty of danger as the Romanesque legion moves in. But then the lines get blurred between friend and foe, and a whole heap of trouble whirls around. And Dawn is left fighting for her life over and over. 

An action-packed novel for fantasy fans.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - LETTERS - Heart-wrenching Healing

Letters by Michael Robert

Date read: 21st August 2024

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: M/M Healing Romance 

Buy link: Amazon 

Wow! This is a very special book (I read the combined duology), and I feel honoured to have read it. 

Full disclosure: I bought this months ago but had to wait for the right time in my own grief cycle before reading, as I did actually use this to help heal myself too. 

This book deep-dives into the grief process. It is heart-achingly poignant. The author takes you through the trauma of loss. BUT also, the beauty of healing. 

Perry was devastated at the loss of his husband, Jack. But he'd left Perry a letter just in case he went first. And that letter sent him on a road trip. Where he encounters some Divinely placed people with mystical talents. 

It is a voyage of finding oneself, really. Perry undergoes a transformation as he heals. And it really was beautiful to see. 

 And Lucas also undergoes grief and renewal as he faces his own challenges. 

The characters are all well-developed. The emotions are fully expressed - and there are joyful moments too. Very well-written. I sobbed at Jack's special bit (no spoilers). 

Jack is a wonderful, spiritual presence - maybe the overarching hero of this duology tbh; an incredibly special guy.

A lot gets explored; good families, bad ones, found family too. Work ethic. How to live well. Adversity. Homophobes. General gits. Overcoming so many obstacles. 

There is just so much love contained within these pages. 

Now, I just need to buy me a beach house!!

Always in love and light,

TL

BOUQUETS & BELONGING - REVIEW - Coming up roses (or sunflowers!)

Bouquets & Belonging by Duckie Mack

Date read: 16th August 2023

My rating: 4.55*
Genre I reckon: Sweet M/M Romance 

Buy link: Amazon 

So, I make no secret how much I love Duckie Mack books - I tell everyone who will listen. Because we all need sweet, adorkable yet steamy love <3 

As soon as this book was announced, I knew it was going straight on my TBR. 

I loved Marley in a previous Heartcraft Market book, and was excited to read his story. 

Each of this series can be read as a stand-alone btw. But the characters do cameo. 

Marley is a colourful extrovert, and I love that he tries to be a body positive larger guy. But he's also honest that when he sometimes gets wibbly about his image. 

But then we have Mr Serious, CMO guy in full business suit, Derek. 

It's a super meet-cute. But then a bit insta-love, if I'm being honest. 

However, as it's all so gorgeous, I'll allow it. I mean, Marley really takes no prisoners with his joie de vivre. 

Oh, and there's a kitten!! 

Just so much eep, and little bit ooh! 

Always in love and light, 

TL

REVIEW - CROWN OF STONES 2 - stone the crows!

The Crown of Stones - Magic Scars (series book 2) by CL Schneider

Date read: 4th August 2023

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: Epic Adventure Fantasy 

Buy link: Amazon 

(Book 1 review can be found here)

My goodness, this is DRAMATIC!! 

I read book 1 in 2022, but I've developed a sensitive disposition the last couple of years, so delayed reading this one until I felt ready. There are definitely plenty of triggers here; all sorts of compulsion and abuse. But then, this series is set in a war-torn land - one shouldn't expect fluffy fairy-tales when reading such an epic adventure.

And epic, it is. 

I was blown away by the descriptions. Ian Troy (and friends) has been through a LOT. And it's not getting any easier. I felt every pain and each moment of joy. 

The scenes I was transported to were varied and colourful - I could see and smell it all. And the characters all have such depth. You KNOW these people, all their good and bad points. 

Every swish of the blade and stab of the dagger is rendered in all their gory glory.

It's action-packed. Just as you think poor Troy can have a breather for five minutes to recover, he is catapulted into more drama. Every turn there is a new danger. And he's wrong-footed at every turn. I kept wanting to yell, "Don't trust (...)!". But then it's ever so difficult to know who is good, who's bad and whose side is anyone really on anyway? 

The frustrations, the compassion, the striving to do one's best, the battle of survival, the mourning (my own heart sank at the losses), the brief glimpses of small victories, the burden of responsibility...just incredible. 

So much is stacked against our hero. Can he ever defeat all his foes? And is peace in such a divided world even possible? I'm definitely going to read book 3 to find out (with my breath held and fingers crossed!).

Always in love and light, 

TL

REVIEW - A FASHIONABLE INDULGENCE - scrubs up well

A Fashionable Indulgence by KJ Charles

Date read: 26th July 2024

My rating: 5* 

Genre I reckon: M/M Regency Romance (trad pub)

Buy link: Amazon 

Wow, this book has a LOT going on! Harry has been brought up to fight the oppressors. But gets flung into the Ton when his grandfather elevates him, but only once he's been brought up to snuff.

Julius is the very man forced into teaching Harry how to become a gentleman. But can he ever fit in? He finds himself caught between two worlds. Sedition vs Tories, gay men vs Society - gallows await anyone caught on the wrong side.

Danger lurks around every corner in this action-packed novel. But there is also a lot of fashion, friends and parties as well as marriage arrangements - whilst passion swirls through it all. I think my head's still spinning.

Well-researched and carefully planned out, this book explores the underbelly of London at a dangerous time. 

A thrilling read!

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - THE VICAR AND THE RAKE - A-mews-ing

The Vicar And The Rake by Annabelle Greene

Date read: 20th July 2024

My rating: 4* 

Genre I reckon: M/M Regency Romance

Buy link: Amazon 

I was in the mood for some raunchy Regency romance between guys. This one seemed to fit the bill. 

I really enjoyed the friends-to-lovers yearning. I would've liked to have seen more glimpses into their former relationship; what left them both secretly longing for one another? Did they kiss? 

The rake is really well written; you get to see how he's been flinging himself around London. And the secret society is amazing. The author clearly did their research (yay!). 

There is a very cute kitten, Buttons, who adds his own sass to the story. And there are secrets and mysteries which add a layer of intrigue. 

The steam is mostly centred around one night, but phew, what a night!

The push and pull of these two characters as they try to overcome their passions is heart-wrenching. Edward has so much pain. But maybe the patient vicar that his childhood friend, Gabriel, has become can help him sift through his trauma? Be his safe haven and redemption.

I really enjoyed the side characters as well. Ginger is a cheeky chappy, and Gabriel's sister is a formidable foil to Maurice, Edward's brother. 

The ending felt a little rushed, and I really wanted to see how the pair would find a way of actually living together in their hostile Regency world.

Overall, a very encouraging debut novel. 

A sweet, intriguing Regency romp.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - BONFIRE OF CALAMATIES - Penny for them!

Bonfire of Calamaties by Kim M Watt

Date read: 9th July 2024

My rating: 5* 

Genre I reckon: Dragony WI Cosy Mystery

Buy link: Amazon 

Penny for the guy! But, oh dear, he goes missing only to be replaced by a dead body - only in Toot Hansell!

Deadly dealings are afoot, and more trouble is brewing. And there are all manner of animals on the loose! 

This is possibly the most dangerous mystery for the WI yet. And it was marvellous. Thrilling action! I must say Thompson definitely earned some delicacies on this one.

And now I must wait for the next book (*twiddles thumbs*).

Always in love and light,

TL