Book Review Born of Shadows

Title - Born of Shadows

Author - Nicole Conway 

Genre -  Romantasy 

Format - Hardback

Publication date: April 21th 2025

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reads)

Synopsis

The girl they condemned may be the only one who can save them, if they don't execute her first.

Violet was born to be wicked. Surviving as a street urchin in the island city of Sol'Karr, she struggles to stay one step ahead of the city guards. And when a burglary gone wrong lands her in a jail cell, her nefarious Viperi bloodline could send her straight to the executioner's sword.

Her last hope comes in the form of a job offer from a mysterious man who may not be who he claims. If she accepts, she'll be working for The Zenith's Call, an organization who guards the world's most powerful magical artifacts—a task that requires highly skilled agents willing to risk their lives.

They believe Violet may have the skills to join them, if she can prove herself trustworthy, but when someone tries breaking into the Call's vault, rumors of Violet's treachery fly like arrows, and she's threatened with banishment back to a jail cell.

Now the only option she has left to prove her innocence lies in hunting down the real thief. But embracing her wicked Viperi abilities to catch an expert criminal could be what finally condemns her once and for all.

If you like Brandon Sanderson and Rick Riordan, you'll devour Nicole Conway's fast-paced, imaginative series.

Buy BORN OF SHADOW and start the addicting fantasy series today!

Review 

I received Born of Shadows in return for an honest review from the author. 

Violet has had a rough childhood and when given the chance at a better life it's hard to trust strangers. With her options lacking she decides to give it a shot because she doesn't have any other options. She's given the chance to be a Zenith a elite squad and the apprentice of Roxus who will teach her to be a Zenith after she get's accepted into the program. However, she's a unique being with special abilities and her kind is not very favorable so getting them to accept her will be a challenge.

I devoured this one over the weekend and would have finished it in a day if real life would have left me alone long enough to read. I absolutely loved Violet's character and spent most of the book cheering her on. I also thought Roxus was fantastic and I just thought he was a perfect mentor for Violet. I was drawn into Violet's story right from the first few pages I was hooked and had to know how it was going to play out. 

This isn't my first book by the author so I had some huge expectations. I didn't even read the synopsis before diving right in I just know I had to read it and the cover is stunning. Well she exceed my expectations blowing them out of the water. I totally thought we were going dragons based on the cover and instead of have lethal assassins and I loved it. While I love her dragon books I may be just a little more partial to Violet I just loved her character she's the underdog and you can't help rooting for her. 

The author has done a brilliant job creating a captivating story that draws the reader in and leaves you wanting more. The character are easy to connect with you can't help cheering Violet on as the story progresses. Don't tell Jaevid that Violet is my favorite because I still love him too but she may have slid into first as my favorite. Highly recommend all of her books as each one is beautifully crafted. One of my favorite reads of 2025 and can't wait for the next installment. In the meantime It might be time for a re-read. I loved it!!!!! 

 

Book Review: Burnout

Title - Burnout 

Author - Rebecca Jenshak 

Genre -  Contemporary Sports Romance 

Format - KU Copy 

Publication date: April 24th 2024

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Synopsis

He’s the hot, tattooed bad boy that I traded insults with...and now he wants my help?

Knox Holland is in a jam. After an incredible first year on the pro motocross circuit, he should be on top of the world. Instead, his bad reputation has landed him without a team. He’s untouchable and desperate to turn it around.

Which is how he ends up at my gym asking me to train him. As a college gymnast with two Olympic medals to my name, I know a thing or two about the pressure to succeed. Last season I choked and then injured myself before I could show the world that I’m not a twenty-year-old has-been.

Focused on the future, I can’t afford to get distracted. But I recognize the desperation in Knox’s eyes, and I can’t say no to him, either.

It should have been an easy task, but nothing about Knox is easy. One minute we’re arguing, and the next I’m enjoying his shirtless handstands a little too much.

Falling for him would be a mistake…

Burnout is a sports romance with a cocky bad boy, spice, banter, and a happily ever after.

Review

I've had this one on my TBR lis forever and been meaning to get to it. Considering I picked up the ebook last year not long after it came out. I can't believe I let this one sit on my kindle for as long as I did. I ended up starting and finishing in just one afternoon absolutely hooked on Avery and Knox. They has this connection that just works even if they are to stubborn to see what's happening. I loved the whole bad buy meets the good girl in this sweet steamy enemies to lovers romance. 

The author does a beautiful job creating a captivating story with characters you can't help falling in love with. This is my first book by the author and I'm a fan as I enjoyed every moment of Avery and Knox's story. I loved that we get to know a little bit of Knox's brothers as the series is about them and can't wait to devour there stories too. Highly recommend the characters are engaging and the story is perfectly balanced with just the right amount of romance. This one made me want to look up the riding that Knox did off season and it's impressive. I loved it!!! One of my favorite books of 2025. 

 

It's Monday! What are you reading?

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It's Monday! What are you Reading? 

 

I had a great week last for reading considering I've been fighting this cold that doesn't seem to want to go away. I did have a few days of couch rot where I just watched tv. It was rare but very relaxing. 

Last week I read 

Direbound by Sable Sorensen 

The Never List by Jade Presley 

Burnout by Rebecca Jenshak 

My starter plan for the new week. 

I'm reading Born of Shadows by Nicole Conway. I just love her story telling and have enjoyed her other books. I may be due a re-read in the near future. 

Up next is 

Vile boys by Aj Merlin 

Nocturnal by Clio Evans 

I do hope to get to a few more over the week as I need a manga series to read and some scavenger hunt books but this is my start. 

I'm also planning on starting Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry it releases tomorrow with beautiful sprayed edges. I'm also going to attempt to grab a signed copy at Walmart in the morning. I've got a tasty coffee and lot of reading this week. 

What are you reading this week? 

Coffee Ramblings & Bookish Adventures

Coffee Ramblings & Bookish Adventures 

 It's gonna be May! I have this stuck in my head this morning as I work on new goals, new layouts for my bullet journal and plans for the new month. 

I"ve been on a blogging slump but I feel like people are going away from blogs due to Instagram and Tiktok taking over. So I've decided to blog for me. A journal diary. A place for my thoughts and feelings. It's going to be a mix of books and other things. 

May 1st the start to a new month with all new TBR lists. I need to make a list of hopefuls for the month. I don't always stick to it but I at least try. I need to wrap up April too which is on my list. 

I also need to do my layout for May in my Bullet journal and I'm not sure how I want to lay it out. 

I do have pink strawberry sourdough rising on the counter that I'm excited to bake in the am when I get up. 

I started the morning with my collagen coffee a hazelnut latte very tasty and perfect way to start the day. 

Currently Reading 

I'm diving into Hers to Rule by Coral ALejandra Moore 

Grab you copy (Here) 

Synopsis 

Nothing could keep them apart forever, not even the Demon King of Las Vegas.

When Mariana’s gargoyle crush Cisco kills her father, he frees her from the cycle of abuse that held her captive. Cisco urges her to flee Las Vegas before anyone can stop her.

But Mari knows two things for certain: if she leaves Cisco won’t survive, and she can’t live with that. The opportunity to transform her city with the person she’s yearned for so long ignites a fiery passion she can’t resist.

She decides to rule the Demon King’s criminal empire by Cisco’s side and heal the harm her father caused. His cruel legacy runs deep—right through the heart of Rio, a puma shifter who was the first to see the gentle soul beneath Cisco’s rocky exterior.

The steamy moments of solace the three share don’t last long, because the city is crawling with her father’s allies, out seeking fortune and revenge. Mari must race to unlock the secrets of her sensual powers before everything they’ve strived for is ripped away.

Hers to Rule is the scintillating introduction to a series that explores the intimate lives of the paranormal denizens of Sin City. If you enjoy spicy, fast burns with a side of action, a sassy heroine finding her power, and multiple partners, this book is for you.

Teaser Tuesday!

  

It's Tuesday time for a teaser from my current read. 

I'm currently listening to Twisted Love by the very talented Ana Huang

Grab your copy (here) 

Teaser 

“If you really want to thank me, you’ll take Krav Maga lessons.” Alex arched an eyebrow, and I laughed softly, grateful for the small break. It’d been a heavy night

“Okay, but you have to sit for a portrait with me.”

The idea came to me as a whim, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I’d never wanted to photograph someone as much as I wanted to photograph Alex. I wanted to peel back those layers and reveal the fire I knew beat within that cold, beautiful chest.

Alex’s nostrals flared. “You’re negotiating with me.”

“Yes.” I held my breath, hoping, praying…

“Fine. One session.”

I couldn’t hold back my smile.

Synopsis 

From New York Times bestselling author and BookTok sensation Ana Huang comes a billionaire brother's best friend romance!

He has a heart of ice…but for her, he'd burn the world

A diverse new adult steamy romance from Tiktok sensation and USA Today bestselling author Ana Huang.

Alex Volkov is a devil blessed with the face of an angel and cursed with a past he can't escape.

Driven by a tragedy that has haunted him for most of his life, his ruthless pursuits for success and vengeance leave little room for matters of the heart.

But when he's forced to look after his best friend's sister, he starts to feel something in his chest:

A crack.

A melt.

A fire that could end his world as he knew it.

***

Ava Chen is a free spirit trapped by nightmares of a childhood she can't remember.

But despite her broken past, she's never stopped seeing the beauty in the world...including the heart beneath the icy exterior of a man she shouldn't want.

Her brother's best friend.

Her neighbor.

Her savior and her downfall.

Theirs is a love that was never supposed to happen-but when it does, it unleashes secrets that could destroy them both...and everything they hold dear.

Twisted Love is a contemporary brother's best friend/grumpy sunshine romance. It's book one in the Twisted series but can be read as a standalone.

What are you reading this week? 

Book Review: The Endless Fall

Title - The Endless Fall 

Author - Emmerson Hoyt 

Genre -  Contemporary Southern Gothic

Format - Arc Review Copy 

Publication date: April 1st 2025

Buy it on (Amazon) 

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Synopsis

Willa Dunn is finally getting the hell out of Deadwood—but first she needs to tell her overprotective family that she’s leaving.

For years she’s dreamed of escaping the small town that refuses to let her forget the past, but when Ryker Bennett—her childhood bully and brother’s best friend—comes back to East Texas, all her plans go up in smoke.

Against her brother’s wishes, Willa finds herself drawn to the broody troublemaker with scars that rival her own. But as her attraction to Ryker ignites, so do the disturbing events around town. Shadows move in the forest, dismembered livestock plague the ranch next door, and Willa slowly realizes she’s not the only one keeping secrets…

As betrayals and lies bring her to the breaking point, Willa must decide if turning her back on her godforsaken hometown is worth losing the one person worth staying for.

Warning: The Endless Fall is a small town, brother's best friend, contemporary southern gothic romance with dark themes. This book contains explicit content, profanity, violence, and subject matter that may be sensitive to some readers. Recommended for ages 18+

Review

I received The Endless Fall in return for an honest review from the author. 

Willa is ready to leave her home of Deadwood in the dust she just needs to figure out how to tell her dad and brother. When Ryker suddenly rolls back into town and her life but he's not planning on staying. However, Ryker isn't the only one back in town his half brother is back and buying up the land to make some changes. Deadwood is a town full of secrets and it's just time for them to come out. 

I just love Willa so much plus she's you can't help cheering her own as she slowly unravels the secrets of Deadwood. She's a little broken but I think that's why she feels so real and I was able to connect with her so much. She also reads my kinds of books and was reading one of my favorites. Ryker is also broken but together it just works and they have this sweet steamy undeniable chemistry that you can't fight. 

I devoured Willa and Ryker's story hooked from the first page to the very last it's a beautiful story that captures the heart and leaves you needing more. The characters are easy to connect with you can't help being drawn into their world on the edge of your seat as the story unfolds. It was easy to get lost in the story and lose all track of time, and if not for real life I would have spent the whole day obsessed. The book hangover is going to be real with this one but totally worth it. 

This isn't my first book by the author I've read them all and this one might be my favorite so far. The author is a gifted storyteller and creates stories that linger long after you've finished them. One of my all time favorite authors and this may just be my favorite but I love all her books. A must read! Plus isn't that cover just stunning!!!

 

Book Review: Foreseen Fate

Title - Foreseen Fate 

 Author - Katherine St. Vincent 

Genre -  Paranormal Omegaverse Romance 

Format - Arc Review Copy 

Publication date: January 1st 2025

Buy it on (Amazon) 

Add to your shelf (Goodreads)

Synopsis

He says he’s my mate. I only know he will either be my salvation…or my ruin.

I’ve been chosen by House Stryker to show the vampire lord the way to his Omega. This is my one purpose in life, the only reason I exist.

And I cannot fulfill my purpose.

For reasons unknown to me, my visions have abandoned me. Along with my hope.

Because if I cannot get my visions back, I risk being traded to a house known for its cruelty.

All seems lost. Until he appears.

He says I am his fated mate. That I have only to trust him, and my gifts will be restored.

But believing him, trusting him means walking a path that is hidden from me. It means turning my back on everything I believe in…and the only family I have ever known.

Foreseen Fate is the prequel novella in the Covenant Omegaverse. This couple is human not OV.

Review

I received Foreseen Fate in return for an honest review from the author. 

First off can we just admire how stunning that cover is because it's gorgeous and I'm obsessed. 

I loved Christian and Elora they just worked so well they have this sweet omega chemistry which just works so well. Christian stole my heart when he took her to the bookstore. I was done for and the book girlie in me fell hard. Elora is sweet but Christian is just swoon worthy in every way. 

I'm a tad bit of an addict for omegaverse stories and Foreseen Fate doesn't disappoint it's a paranormal omegaverse which is unique and refreshing. The characters are easy to connect with you can't help falling for them. I admit while I loved Christian i'm intrigued by Lord Stryker and super curious to see his story. 

This is my first book by the author and I'm addicted the story telling is beautiful it was easy to get lost in the story and I ended up finishing it in one afternoon, It was impossible to put down and I had to know what would happen next so I devoured it. My only complaint is I want more now and can't wait to get my hands on the next book. I loved everything about it from the stunning cover to the last page. It was perfect and I'm obsessed.