REVIEW - ORC-WARD ENCOUNTERS - Roaringly Good!

Orc-Ward Encounters by Sam Hall

Date read: 27th January 2022

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: Steamy Orcs Polyamorous

Buy link: Amazon 

I'm not gonna lie - I saw this on TikTok and totally bought it for the cover - like, yes please!!

I think this is my first orc romance.

So, we have a plus-size heroine (yay!). She's repeatedly dismissed as 'the fat friend' (boo!). But she stumbles (literally!) into another realm, at the olive green feet of some hulks, err... hunks... orcs!

Now, these are very lovely orcs - yummy on all levels. They've been raised to worship their mate. They are brothers-in-arms only (phew!). And wow, do they know how to worship?! Heat scale is scorchio! 

Now, there's some instant love here. Yet they all have to take their time over first courting, and figure out how they can work as a team (*coughs* one at a time). 

The characters are well-written, but I never felt the relationship beyond the physical.  And I wish Lay-la had been a bit stronger in protecting herself. We're given some beautiful insights into both worlds, including a town of fantasy beings. But let's face it, this isn't a book you read for deep, meaningful storylines - it's mostly about the hotness. 

A fun, steamy read with gorgeous orcs.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - A SCOURGE OF PLEASANTRIES - more than pleasant!

Scourge of Pleasantries by Kim Watt

Date read: 22nd January 2022

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: Cosy Paranormal Detective

Buy link: Amazon 

I was in dire need of a light-hearted book. Having read some of this author's Beaufort Mysteries, I was sure this would offer some relief. I wasn't wrong!

Gobbelino is a talking cat - what, like that's not normal, or something? This book is charmingly written from his POV. He's quite mercenary but ever so charming. 

His human, Callum, fortunately has better morals. 

Together, they are PIs. 

On this, the first of their adventures, they are set on a mission to locate a stolen book. Easy! Well, no. There's a lot more than meets the eye, or whisker. 

There's a whole host of marvellous characters. 

And a bunch of crazy. 

The misadventures crescendo into a frenzy, with laugh out loud moments as well as gasps of 'eek'! 

Wonderfully written, we get all the sights and smells of Leeds, and not always as you know it. 

The world-building is masterful. The humour delightfully dry and witty. The creatures fantastically outrageous.

A curious, quirky, cosy! 

A full 5* from me.

Always in love and light, 

TL

REVIEW - GOOD BOY - who's a good boy?!

Good Boy by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Date read: 18th January 2022

My rating: 4.5*
Genre I reckon: WAGs Romance

Buy link: Amazon 

I was missing my favourite book boys from my 2021 reading!! (see my review of Him)

Happily, 'Wesmie' feature in this new series by the same authors. Enough to satisfy my craving, yet not so much they take over this story. 

This one's about Jess; Jamie's sister. It starts with her planning the Wesmie wedding. 

It also features Wesmie's boisterous friend, Blake Riley. But he starts to be less smiley. Aww! 

Now, Jess is a little bit self-absorbed. And Blake is a bit pushy. So, this doesn't get the 5* rating the other books did. 

HOWEVER, it's a really lovely story. 

Blake is a better man than anyone gave him credit for. 

Jess has a worthy destiny. 

They balance each other beautifully. Plus, the sizzling chemistry - cheezus!

Not many authors have the power to really draw me into their world, and make me feel like I'm there as a side-character. But I totally feel like I'm part of this one (despite not being a sports fan!).

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - SLEEPWALK - ironically, kept me awake!

Sleepwalk by Anna Fury

Date read: 15th January 2022

My rating: 4.5*
Genre I reckon: Omegaverse

Buy link: Amazon 

A garbled, "Arrrgh!" followed by a stronger, "NOOOOO!" Then an expletive starting with f and ending in er! - and that was just me!!

Ah man, that twist punched me in the gut! Don't you love it when an author can shock you? Doesn't happen to me often these days, so I especially appreciate it. 

So, I was thrilled to see Griz and Jude finally got their own book.

I spent most of the book screaming at them, "Just talk!!" - LOL

Griz is all kinds of wonderful. A calm, measured man with Kenyan heritage. Big, strong yet compassionate. And of course, a great planner. Oh, and he cooks. (*swoons*)

Jude is all kinds of messed up. Her father is a douche! 

Watching those two desperately trying to get together yet distancing was excruciating pleasure. 

I laughed at his 'other arrangements' - fun to read a different spin on that (that's all I'm saying!).

There's also a new pack to contend with. 

And Jude's brother who's struggling to return to himself after The Task Force evilness. 

All kinds of exciting and emotional! 

I think this is my favourite in this series so far. 

I need the next one NOW! 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - CINDERS: NECESSARY EVIL - mwah ha ahhh!

Cinders: Necessary Evil by Sky Sommers

Date read: 8th January 2022

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: Fairytale Retelling 

Buy link: Amazon 

I would like to begin this review with a little whoop for challenging the evil stepmother stereotype!

Of course, as a part-time stepmother, this is pure self-indulgence. 

As it's new year, I thought this an appropriate read. Well, Cinderella is a panto. Oh, yes it is!

Let me just offer a word of caution that this does include teen pregnancy and abortion, just in case you find that upsetting. 

Because of that, I'd be inclined to say this is more NA (as opposed to YA) even though there's no detailed scenes of the act.

The book description itself says 18+ 

Teenaged Ella is a brat! Head-strong, gullible and determined to think the world's against her. Her POV is revealed via hilarious, ranting diary entries.

Whilst Grace takes her on along with the younger twins, and does her best to care for them and her own almost-three-year-old boy. Phew! 

There's a myriad of fairy tale characters, and the tales you knew are all turned on their heads - such fun! 

You do have to read to the end once you've started as there are some surprise revelations. 

The ending sets up the next book but not on a cliff-hanger. 

This is quite a shadowy, angst-filled yet fun read. 

A good 4* from me.

Always in love and light,

TL