Book Review: Loyalty by Carol Deeley

Title: Loyalty (Britannica Book 1)
Author: Carol Deeley
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I would like to thank the author for providing a copy of this book for an honest review.

Loyalty is a historical fiction novel that is the beginning of a trilogy. There are druids, kings, queens, fearsome warriors, Romans, and some bad ass women. There are secrets, mystics, forbidden love, and loyalties. I am not going to go into a lot of the plot, because there is an extensive summary on Goodreads or Amazon, and I don't want to take away from your reading experience.

Overall, this is a great first book, I'm happy to say this book didn't have a lot of the first book problems many series have. I am also astounded that the author can seamlessly write multiple genres of work. If you have read any of Carol Deeley's other work, note that this is very different. I am amazed at her ability to write the story that she has regardless of the genre it might be set in. I am not a writer, but I have read other author's attempts to veer out of their genre and it did not go well. That is not the case for this author.

Here's what I like:

1. The amount of background work and historical facts integrated into the novel is very well done. It is clear that the author did a lot of research before and while writing the book.

2. The characters in this book develop well and there is a lot of growth.

3. It was a pretty fast paced read. I moved through the book quickly and there wasn't a lot of drag that I had to go through.

4. I am in love with Boudicca. She is fierce.

5. There are castles and mystical stuff...how can you not love that.

6. I love the diversity in the relationships that Deeley writes. They are amazing. Love is love is love.

7. The first half of the book spans many years, so we were able to see glimpses of the 'past' to put the second half of the book into context.

Here's what could have been better:

1. The editing. This was mostly in tenses and pluralities. I was able to move past it and became immune to it at some point in the novel.

2. As a personal preference there are times when the descriptions seem a little long winded, but I have this problem as a reader in many books by many different authors. So take that as you will, if you enjoy Koontz's writing style then this writing style is perfect for you.

If you enjoy historical fiction or have any interest in Briton, I would definitely recommend this book. I will be reading the next two at some point.

Book Review: Soulbound by Bec McMaster book 3 of Dark Arts Series

Title: Soulbound
Author: Bec McMaster
Edition: Kindle Edition, published 2017
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Soulbound was a great end to the trilogy of the Dark Arts. 📚

An arranged marriage, one out of convenience for the groom's greedy and dark mother, and the bride's vengeful father. But what happens when the bride and groom are suddenly free from the control of their parents and have the opportunity to make their own decisions? Will love have the opportunity to grow in the unlikely of places? 

This is the story of Sebastian and Cleo. In the midst of a battle for the future of London, Cleo and Sebastian are suddenly able to make their own choices, they also need to work with the family they never realized they had to get back the world they love. Cleo can see the future, but she just doesn't understand how her and her new husband fit. Sebastian is either the bringer of all the destruction she see in her vision, or he is the savior of the destruction. Which will it be? Through many trials and tribulations Cleo and Sebastian overcome their individual fears of commitment, darkness, and love.

This is a story of the lightness and darkness within all of us. Whether lightness or darkness consumes you is entirely in the choices these two young people make. 

Will Sebastian kill his mother for revenge and go down the path of darkness, or will he choose the light?

Will Cleo give in to the darkness that is within her and contribute to London's Doom, or will she fight for what she loves?

You will just have to read it to find out.

McMaster did a wonderful job bringing the story lines from the first two books into this final book. Three brothers. Three relics. Three sacrifices. 

This is where one of those times where the sum equals more than the parts. Each book individually is tantalizing, sexy, adventurous, and action-packed, but when you put them all together, it is truly magical.

I am eager to read her upcoming trilogy that is on the back end of this one Dark Curse. I can't wait to see which characters are highlighted.

I give this book a 4/5 stars. It is great entertainment, toe curling romance, and a great plot. There was much less repetition in this book than the last, which earned it the extra star. This trilogy is great for anyone who enjoys steampunk, paranormal romance, magic, romance, and did I mention romance. 

Book Review: Hexbound by Bec McMaster

Title: Hexbound Dark Arts Series Book 2
Author: Bec McMaster
Edition: Kindle Edition
Published: October, 2016
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bec McMaster is the master at paranormal romance. She has a talent and I love it. These are my guilty pleasure reads and I try to stretch out the time it takes me to read them, but they are just so dang good, I end up reading them in 2 days. #bookwormproblems.

Hexbound focuses on Bishop (an assassin) and newly introduced to the series, Verity (a thief). The battle from the first book continues against the plot to cause mass chaos in London for magical people. Although Verify and Bishop start out as enemies, they soon discover that they have more in common than they originally seem to have. Their relationship blossoms while trying to defeat the evil around them and get back what Verity originally stole.

This is a great story of second chances, adventure, magic, sacrifice and delicious romance.

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

There was a lot of steamy, toe curling romance in this book, but not as much as I was expecting after the other books I have read by McMaster.

There was also a lot of repeating the same themes of how magic works in this world. Those words could have been better used on other topics. Great read for a quick romance fix.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars because of the redundancy in some of the explanations and the few typos I found in this edition. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the paranormal and romance. I cannot emphasize the romance part enough.

So Many Books, So Little Time

For the past 5 years, I have had a reading goal on my Goodreads account. I have actually done a pretty good job the last couple years in meeting those goals.

*Having a 2 hour train commute to work every day definitely helps meet my reading goals*

Since it is the middle of the year I am getting a little worried about meeting my 2018 goal. I am currently 10 books behind schedule (YIKES).

I am a total mood reader, so this list might change, but I definitely want to have something to lean on if I get stuck in a non-reading mood. I feel like I have a lot of books about Dragons and Magic (sorrynotsorry).

So here is my list:

1. Becoming the Dragon
2. The Assassin's Blade (all 5 novellas) Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas
3. Throne of Glass Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas
4. Crown of Midnight Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas
5. Heir of Fire Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas
6. Queen of Shadows Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas
7. Empire of Storms Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas
8. Tower of Dawn Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas
9. Kingdom of Ash Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas
10. Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
11. In the Woods by Tana French
12. Far From the Tree by Robin Benway
13. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
14. The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
15. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
16. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
17. You are a Badass by Jen Sincero
18. Summer Knight Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
19. Death Masks Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
20. Blood Rites Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
21. P.S. from Paris by Marc Levy
22. A Beautiful Work in Progress by Mirna Valerio
23. Mrs. Saint and the Defectives by Julie Timmer Lawson
24. The Man of Legends by Kenneth C. Johnson
25. Dead Certain by Adam Mitzner
26. Crimes Against a Book Club by Kathy Cooperman
27. The Marvelous Misadventures of Ingrid Winder by J.S. Drangsholt
28. The Mark of Fire by Hannah LeBlond
29. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
30. Only the Rain by Randall Silvis
31. The Original Dream by Nukila Amal
32. Red Queen Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
33. Glass Sword Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
34. King's Cage Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
35. War Storm Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
36. LifeL1k3 by Jay Kristoff
37. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
38. Soulbound by Bec McMaster

What books have you already read from this list and what did you think?

What books do you think I should add?

Books. Books. Books. and me.

Hi! My name is Danielle. I am a book loving mom and wife.

I have always been an avid reader. I am so excited to start down this journey.

I started with just writing a sentence or two about the books I have read so I could remind myself how I felt about a book. Then, I joined a book club and had to think harder about the books I was reading and why and how they made me feel. My reviews got more detailed on Goodreads and I became very engaged in my Goodreads list.

This past month, I have really wanted to explore my options in writing reviews, photography, and just in general sharing my love of books, reading, and opinions on the books I'm reading. So I created a bookstagram account and in just the short few weeks, I have connected with some awesome people.

I feel like I am being very repetitive. I am re-purposing this blog that I started almost 10 years ago. For my bookstagram/book review/photography journey. I will post reviews, lists, pictures, and we will just see where this journey goes.

I am currently a reviewer for Onlinebookclub.org and am just now working on my second book for them.

My bookstagram account is @bookishmommy15, come check it out and follow me.

My Goodreads.com account is www.goodreads.com/bookishmom15.

Please follow wherever you feel like following. I love all the love I can get! <3