Serenity: A Dark, Tragic Romance by Skye Bailey

This is a story of a young woman who is abducted and thrust into a world of cruelty, abuse, and torture. But just when she gives up hope of ever being free, a savior comes to her rescue. This is a story about abuse, brokenness, healing, love, and hope.
Serenity has married her high school sweetheart and started a family but even though she found love, she soon realizes it doesn't bring a happily ever after. Tragedy strikes in a most unexpected way as she makes one fatal mistake that will change the course of her life forever. They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Will she be able to get out alive and put the pieces of her life back together?
**Trigger Warning: This book deals with the subjects of kidnapping, rape, abuse, and torture. Reader discretion advised. 18+
**Please Note: This is a dark, tragic romance book that deals with kidnapping, sexual depravity, depression, torture, rape, explicit sexual non-con situations, dark fetishes, sex trafficking. and trauma. If such things offend you please do not buy this book and give it a negative review. This book is not for readers easily offended by realistic tellings of kidnapping, rape, torture, and sexual depravity. It does not conform to just one genre but has elements of several genres such as erotica, dark romance, and suspense. It is dark, raw, depraved, and sexually explicit. You've been warned.

Going into this book I was warned it isn’t for everyone and is dark and deals with some very dark themes.
This is so true, please pay special attention to the author's warnings. This book is not for everyone.
The story is dark, crude, and violent. This doesn’t mean it’s bad, however. The subject matter is also offensive and the characters (I think on purpose) written as unlikable.
I found the writing was good and the plot strong. The second half of the novel is far better than the first and quite enjoyable if you can get past the first sections which are all about her abduction, torture, and is slightly gross. The author also does something quite creative in where she offers a second ending.
The sex is well written and quite hot in some places. There is a cliched love triangle of sorts but the fact this story that started out so brutally but ended with a HEA is fresh and surprising.
I am not sure I liked this book, but I didn’t not like it either.
There is a market for this type of erotica and a type of person who will quite enjoy it (by the reviews alone). For the correct audience, this book will be a big hit.

Zendar: A Tale of Blood and Sand by K.T. Munson

Blood is how it all began, and only by blood can it end. Chaos has reigned in Zendar for years since the rise of the seven Bloodlines. The Liege Aleron Corvinus ruthlessly seeks revenge for the mistreatment of his ancestors. His ambitions will only be sated when he claims the world under his family’s name; he will only stop when all of Zendar is his and the other six Bloodlines pay their weight in blood.
Azel Undel was born into this world of blood and sand. She is of a dying Bloodline, a feared one, but most coveted. Promised, in exchange for money, to a man she had never known; Azel travels across Zendar. Her ship is attacked and she alone survives, setting the wheels of fate in motion. She did not expect to become her enemy’s captive or that he would demand her submission to him.
Loyalties are tested, secrets are uncovered, and Azel will have to make a choice: remain loyal to her family and everything she ever stood for or be loyal to her own heart.

3.5

TW: Dubcon, Rape

How can you not love a book that starts with:
“Blood is how it all began, and only by blood can it end.”

This book was a great read. The world-building is fantastic, and the MC Azl is an awesome character, tough, persistent, and fleshed out.

This book has intrigue, mystery, action, drama, and magic, so there is a little here for everyone to enjoy.

The plot was fast-paced and left the reader wondering what would happen next.
I had a small issue with the harem and concubines and felt like these were not as explored as they could have been and maybe culturally insensitive. I also felt the relationship between Azl and Aleron felt a little forced at time.

The book has several unforeseen twists and the prose is quite beautiful.

I would be interested in reading more from this author.

Zombie Walkabout by Phillip Murrell

Thrill rides? Safari? A cruise? Why waste your time (and money) when the best way to spend your holiday is at ZOMBIE WALKABOUT!
Our staff has packages available for whatever your desire. Planning a memorable bucks party? Check. Want to pray for the souls of the victims? Check. Looking to retrieve medical samples for all the innovative research in zombie medicine? We have a lab on our premises! We can even set you up with a trip to visit the Aboriginal Australian tribes living among the dead.
But zombie hunting sounds dangerous! No worries. Our state-of-the-art armor combination is scientifically proven to keep you one hundred percent protected. Here at Zombie Walkabout, we pride ourselves on our flawless safety record. The only concern you'll have is how all subsequent holidays will never live up to this one!
So hurry up and commit, mate. Book this summer to meet American mix martial artist Sam "Pounder" Ponsness. This rising star will augment our staff for the season.
Zombie Walkabout. Where the dead give you a reason for living!

I have read many zombie novels, so I was hesitant reading this, would it be like every other zombie book?

The answer is no! This story was very pioneering for the genre. The idea of a business that specializes in taking tourists out into the outback to kill zombies ( bash ZB’’s) is interesting and funny.

It felt like it was a throwback to game hunters of old, while I don’t like the idea of that in general this was a way to get that Safari feel and not feel sorry for the “animals.”

The zombies weren’t particularly scary, but I am tired of the traditional raaaaawwwr zombie stuff, anyway.

The MC Sam, wasn’t a complex character, but he was a likeable one. The story really picks up when Sam decided to sign on with the company, though I did find the story a little slow throughout.

While funny, this is a darker book with strong language (I don’t mind that) and had a surprising love story, while also being almost a coming of age tale.

I found the writing good, the plot interesting, and unique. Also the cover art is great!  If you like zombie books and especially zombie video games I highly recommend it.

TOP TEN TUESDAY-Books That Make Me Smile

Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday. Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Every week we are showcasing ten books that fit a specific theme. This week is books that made me smile.

TOP TEN TUESDAY- Authors I’ve Read the Most Books By

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme where we showcase ten books. It is hosted by thatartsyreadergirl.

This week's theme is the Authors I've read the most books by. As I went through my list I did notice that half of these authors I no longer read.

Comment below- which are YOUR most read authors?




1) Jim Butcher (17)

2) Maggie Shayne (30)

3) Simon R Green (37)

4) Laurell K Hamilton (30)

5) Kim Harrison (18)

6) Sherrilyn Kenyon (28)

7) Robin D Owens (17)

8) JD Robb (52)

9) Anne Rice (15)

10) Lynsay Sands (16)

Tainted Water by Lucretia Stanhope

Half witch. Half light elf. Welcome by neither. Alice is alone and desperate to fit in at her aunt’s coven when she embarks on a dubious quest for cave nettle.
Dark Elf. Decker is a leader running out of time. Isolated from the main cave system due to a hex making the water in his cave toxic, even the war his clan demands won’t save them.
The two must put aside centuries-old survival instincts and work together to save lives and preserve the fragile treaty between the coven and clan

This book was interesting and creative. It was a little difficult to tell who the “good guys” and the “bad guys” are. I think that was the point though as the MC has the same issue.
This was a quick and easy read, but quite enjoyable. Alice is an interesting character who I am not 100% sure I liked, but I think that makes the novel better. She’s wasn’t a typical “Mary Sue.”
I think this was a kind of retelling of Alice in Wonderland, but very abstract.
The world-building is a little complicated and you really must pay attention to the writing.
This novel falls into a lot of categories, dark fantasy, supernatural, romance. The writing is good, and the pace is fast.
There is mystery and danger, this book has it all. My only real complaint was that many of the characters fell a little short personality-wise.
I totally recommend it!

Forgotten Hills- Available for Pre-order and GIVE AWAY

Forgotten Hills is coming out on June 16th.

Buy your copy now!

https://reneelake.wordpress.com/2019/04/30/forgotten-hills/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1680468936/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1591022367&sr=8-1

Also, enter the Giveaway and get a 10$ gift certificate to Amazon!

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Into the Flames by Angelina Kerner

A dead kingdom. A new life. Two crowns on the line.
When Omari turned nineteen, she started dreaming of a dangerous woman and dying men. At first she thought she was crazy but as dreams progressed, she realized she was dreaming of a past life- being Queen Alexandra of Heartdra. With a dying breath, Queen Alexandra promises to take revenge on the Betrayers but as Omari she promised to play the role of Princess of Phame for her aunt.
The Red Festival approaches and with it the Heart Games. She’ll play to kill the last betrayer and free the ghosts who roam the icy castle of Heardra. Will she get her happily ever after?

This is the second book by Angelina Kerner I've read and I was not disappointed. This author has a great imagination and her writing style flows in a way that grabs your attention and sucks you in and won't let you go.

Omari is a great character. She is complicated and interesting with a spirit that makes you root for her the entire story. Her hopes and dreams feel very much like a 19-year-old girl,(with an old reincarnated soul) and her romance with Malikai is very sweet- and not the main plotline, which is nice.

This story is so unique with the fact the characters turn into Phoenix instead of wolves or cats etc...The author does a great job of describing the transformations while still leaving the mystery and magic.

Trigger warning: there is a scene toward the end that is sexual assault- though not too detailed and it fits in with the story (so not just shock value), but some may find it hard to read.

The story starts out with a bang and just keeps going, fights, conversations, magic, romance, a great villain, hair brushing, humor, and fantasy. This book has it all. A little something for everyone.

My only complaint is that there are a TON of characters in this book and it took me a bit to keep everyone straight, but it didn't make the read any less enjoyable.


Please follow Angelina and read some of her other light-hearted supernatural stories.

Website: https://kernerangelina.live/
Goodreads: Angelina_Kerner
Bookbub: angelina-kerner
Amazon: Angelina Kerner
Twitter: @KernerAngelina
Facebook: @AngelinaKernerFiction
Instagram: angelinakerner

Spring 2020 TBR - Or what I am reading during COVID-19 Self Isolation

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/ where we showcase ten books in different categories. This week it is our Spring TBR piles. Or as I am calling it, all the books I will read during self-isolation and WFH! 

The Vagina Bible by Dr. Jen Gunter

OB/GYN, writer for The New York Times, USA Today, and Self, and host of the show Jensplaining, Dr. Jen Gunter now delivers the definitive book on vaginal health, answering the questions you've always had but were afraid to ask--or couldn't find the right answers to. She has been called Twitter's resident gynecologist, the Internet's OB/GYN, and one of the fiercest advocates for women's health...and she's here to give you the straight talk on the topics she knows best.
Does eating sugar cause yeast infections? Does pubic hair have a function?
Should you have a vulvovaginal care regimen?
Will your vagina shrivel up if you go without sex?
What's the truth about the HPV vaccine?
So many important questions, so much convincing, confusing, contradictory misinformation! In this age of click bait, pseudoscience, and celebrity-endorsed products, it's easy to be overwhelmed--whether it's websites, advice from well-meaning friends, uneducated partners, and even healthcare providers. So how do you separate facts from fiction? OB-GYN Jen Gunter, an expert on women's health--and the internet's most popular go-to doc--comes to the rescue with a book that debunks the myths and educates and empowers women. From reproductive health to the impact of antibiotics and probiotics, and the latest trends, including vaginal steaming, vaginal marijuana products, and jade eggs, Gunter takes us on a factual, fun-filled journey. Discover the truth about:
- The vaginal microbiome
- Genital hygiene, lubricants, and hormone myths and fallacies
- How diet impacts vaginal health
- Stem cells and the vagina
- Cosmetic vaginal surgery
- What changes to expect during pregnancy, after childbirth, and through menopause
- How medicine fails women by dismissing symptoms
Plus:
- Thongs vs. lace: the best underwear for vaginal health
- How to select a tampon
- The full glory of the clitoris and the myth of the G Spot
... And so much more. Whether you're a twenty-six-year-old worried that her labia are "uncool" or a sixty-six-year-old dealing with painful sex, this comprehensive guide is sure to become a lifelong trusted resource.

I follow Dr. Gunter on twitter and always love her posts. I too think things like GOOP and their jade eggs and vagina steaming are all bull shit.

I listened to this and the good doctor reads it herself and has a pleasing voice.

This book was great, informative, interesting and educational. I skipped around from chapter to chapter based on my own knowledge and interest. Some sections like on menopause I skipped and will come back later when I am closer to menopause. 

I really enjoyed the no-nonsense approach to topics that most women do not talk about enough or are embarrassed to ask questions about. Especially questions about vaginal symptoms, lubricant during sex, STI's etc...

For me, however, I knew a lot of this information already so I got a little bored in sections. But for someone not as informed as me I think this book is a must.