Review: A Sky Like Blood: A Fantasy Romance (Kingdom of Betrayal Book 1)

 Review: A Sky Like Blood: A Fantasy Romance (Kingdom of Betrayal Book 1) 

Author Everly Frost

Format e-ARC

Print Length 354 pages

Publisher Ever Realm Books

Published June 2, 2023

I belong to the Vandawolf.

My heart and my power are his to control.

I am a Blacksmith, a wielder of the arcane magic that once scorched our land and brought blood-storms to our skies. Now, I live at the mercy of the Vandawolf, the dark king whose power forced the Blacksmiths to their knees.

But the price for my life is high.

When his enemies scheme against him, I cut them down.

And when the storms rage, I'm sent to fight the monsters that rise from our damaged land.

To fail is to betray the Vandawolf, and my family will pay the price.

Then a breathtakingly beautiful man steps from the blood-rain, and I'm faced with a terrible choice.

Do I end him or save him?

Is he a man or a beast?

Betrayal is only a step away.

Content information: A Sky Like Blood is fantasy romance, enemies to lovers, the first in the Kingdom of Betrayal series. Recommended reading age is 17+ for sex scenes, mature themes, violence, and language. Ends on a cliffhanger.

My Opinion

First book in a fantastical series! Since it is the first book there is some world building going on.  This is of course weaved into the story so well that you do not even realize that the author is building a whole knew world until the book is over. 

We meet Vandawolf fairly early on in the story, he is the main male character. The Blacksmith Malak had tried to do magical genetic modifications and instead created the Vandawolf- half man, half wolf. As ruler of the kingdom, you would expect the subjects to love and revere him. After all he did free them of the tyrannical Blacksmiths that ruled over them.  The genetic modifications, however, make his subjects afraid and wry of him. He does all that he can to hold the kingdom together and to fight the monsters that come their way.

Asha is the last Blacksmith in the kingdom, she is also a prisoner of war. A sword really for the king, against the monsters that arrive.  The people do not understand her role in keeping them safe though, and she is very much hated. Her siblings’ powers were stolen from them and so they are not considered Blacksmiths anymore. They are still pretty much hated by the rest of the villagers. Not as much as Asha though. Asha would do anything to protect them, even if it means that she has no say in her life whatsoever.

I love these two characters! Their relationship and chemistry are off the charts! The banter between them even when they do not realize they are bantering is a thing of beauty.

An enemy is coming, and one is already among them. Will Asha be enough to fight them or will she falter? Will she betray the Vandawolf or will it be someone else? Don’t look to me for the answers-read the book! I cannot recommend it enough!

 

My Rating 5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “Love is more powerful than fear and hate combined.

Other People 

Braddock- A guard who I won’t mind Asha hurting

Rachel- Asha’s guard

Gallium- Asha’s baby brother

Tamara- Asha’s baby sister

Thaden Kane- hybrid human/ dragon

 

 

Review: This Cruel Blood

Review: This Cruel Blood

Author Everly Frost

Format e-ARC

Print Length 326 pages

Publisher Ever Realm Books

Published Oct. 8, 2021

I am a vampire with a thirst for revenge.
Relentless. Fearless. Or so I thought...

I swore I'd never be pulled back into my old life. I swore I was done... with him.

Aiden Brand. A pyromancer with hands of fire and a heart like ice.


Then he shows up asking for my help. He's broken, beaten, and hell bent on protecting me from demon who nearly killed me.

I thought I'd escaped the life of living in the dark spaces and fighting the monsters in the shadows.

Now my past is coming for me and there's no way out.

This cruel blood could be my end.

Content information: This is a dark urban fantasy romance, a fourth chapter in the Soul Bitten Shifter world with a HEA and NO cliffhanger. Recommended reading age is 17+ for sex scenes, mature themes, and language.

My Opinion

This Cruel Blood is the fourth book in the Soul Bitten Shifter series. The first book, This Dark Wolf, ends with the mother of all Holy cliffhangers! While the second book, This Broken Wolf, also ends on a cliffhanger it is a very different kind of cliff. The third book This Caged Wolf was the ending of Tristian and Tessa. So color me surprised when This Cruel Blood picks up right where Tessa and Tristian end.

Iyana, Tessa’s vampire bestie, has a past that has caught up with her. Granted he is a flaming hot pyromancer named Aiden, who just so happens to be in the employment of a demon, Banta Sol. Don’t let that get you down cause this second chance romance has chemistry that is off the charts. Aiden shows up not warning Iyana about his boss’ intentions of finding her and hurting her. Aiden kinda doesn’t trust that Iyana or her friends can keep her safe so he does what he has to do…kidnaps her. From there the race is on to stay two steps ahead of the demon mobster hunting Iyana.

Iyana is strong, fierce with a touch of class. She knows that she made mistakes in the past and yet she is trying to atone for them. Speaking of her past, holy smokes do we learn all about it. Her past explains a lot, how she ended up being loyal to Hidden House and Tristan, and why she holds herself apart from others. Color me surprised, I was not expecting her past to be so well… yeah that would be a spoiler.

Aiden is swoon worthy antihero. Every decision that he has made has been done to protect another. As his brother’s only protector, he had to made hard choices to do that. His only light was Iyana and then that light was extinguished. So he has walked around for the last year in the dark alone, until he sees a spark of her. Jumping at the chance to follow that spark he finds her to save her.

Due to their past, trust is a big issue, which is not surprising since this is a second chance romance. Iyana and Aiden together bring chemistry, and pangs of wishful hoping that they overcome their differences. Their love for each other was never in question. However, can you truly love someone if you do not know them or trust them.

This action-packed, tension filled read will keep you entertained for hours. The glimpses of Tristan, Tessa, Danika and Helen will welcome you home for this final instalment of the Soul Bitten Shifter series. The epilogue answers all of my remaining questions, and so it is time to leave the Soul Bitten Shifter realm. My only wish is that we would get a Lydia and Luna book.

My Rating 5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote "The moment I first say you, I knew I needed you in my life.”

Other People

Clara- wisp
Ddrina-wisp
Lucas- Aiden’s brother
Banta Sol- demon after Iyana

Cover Reveal: Shifters and Mistletoe: A Wolf Shifter Novella Collection

Heat up your holidays with eight sexy wolf shifter romances!

99 cent pre-order

Shifters and Mistletoe: A Wolf Shifter Novella Collection

Release Date: December 7, 2021

This novella anthology brings you brand new, never-before-seen stories of strong males brought to the brink by fierce females.

Join New York Times bestselling, USA Today bestselling, and award-winning paranormal romance authors Asa Maria Bradley, Carrie Ann Ryan, Cecy Robson, Kait Ballenger, Kate SeRine, L.E. Wilson, Maria Vale, Terry Spear for hunts across moonlit snow with wolf shifters who bare their bodies, their hearts--and their teeth.

Grab your copy! Pre-order price 99 cents!
Amazon: https://buff.ly/3A3ZxBU
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Cover Reveal: Unleashing Fire

 I’m really excited to be part of the cover reveal for Unleashing Fire, Fallen Legacies Book 3 by Julie Hall!

 

Release Date: July 22nd

Preorder Link: www.UnleashingFire.com

Add to your Goodreads TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57052833-unleashing-fire

The world will ignite and so will I.

The Forsaken hunger for vengeance, leaving Steel and I with no choice but to follow Camiel to the only place strong enough to protect me—Eden, an ancient, hidden city darkened by my family’s secrets.

But Eden isn’t the safe haven I expected, and family runs deeper than blood.

As Thorne grows stronger by the day, his Fallen forces threaten to raze London—and then the world—to cinders. In order to stop him, the entire angelic community has to unite, but ancient feuds and millennia of prejudice put everything at risk.

My heart knows where I belong—fighting besides my loved ones—but I have a secret that could doom them all. There’s a dark power growing inside me, hellish and spiraling beyond my control.

The realms have merged. The darkness calls to me. And there's only one thing standing in my way . . . Steel.

Fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Cassandra Clare will love this Crescent City meets Crave mash up!

Preorder Here: www.UnleashingFire.com

#UnleashingFire #StealingEmbers #FallenLegaciesSeries #JulieHall #UnleashingFireCoverReveal

Teaser Tuesday (12) Wild Hunt

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

Teaser One

His gaze flicked to my ears. “You changed back.”

“I did. It’s who I am now.”

“It’s not even close.”

Kindle Location 11%

Someone does not like the spell that changed Eve...

Teaser Two

“What’s different?” Coraline asked.

“Nothing.” 

“Not true.” She grinned widely, tilting her head. “You’re not as cold.” 

“I’m as cold.” None of it made sense. Garreth said I’d turned cold; these witches said the opposite.

Kindle Location 35%

Lachlan... Eve is making you feel again. She is warming your cold heart.

Teaser Three

“Stop it, all right? I can feel your concern like a damned thousand-pound weight. You need to get that fated mate protectiveness under control. I know it’s part of this whole bond thing, but it’s driving me crazy. You don’t even care that much about me, so rein it in.”

Kindle Location 85%

OMG!  Eve just went off on Lach!  You go girl!  Way to spell it all out.

Teaser Tuesday (11) Blood of the Fae (The Fae Chronicles Book 2)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

Teaser One

"We need to go. The queen has already inquired about our status." Derek speaks up in that detached tone of his. I hate when he sounds like this. It reminds me just how little I can trust him.

Kindle Location 3%

I kinda hate the detached tone as well. I mean, why is he doing it. This hot and cold is driving me crazy.

Teaser Two

"Spending time in the human world has taught me to be more sympathetic, which is something I was never taught as a child. And if the time comes, I might not be able to turn that part of me off. But for you, I want to try."

Kindle Location 56%

Ohhh, Derek.... you are so much more than your momma.

Teaser Three

"You want me to be strong? You want me to learn my magic and be able to protect myself? Then deal with the consequences of that. Because there is no growth without growing pains and I won't be talked to like a child because you don't like the outcome of something."

Kindle Location 63%

Dang girl, you tell them and show them. You are not someone to mess with.

Waiting on Wednesday (10) Master Mage

Hey y'all, thanks so much for stopping by my WoW!

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

One spell to save us all…

No more miss nice mage. This is war. This is survival. This is my destiny.

I am the Stone Keeper and I will win.

No matter the cost.

Why am I waiting?

I really like the world created in The Night Realm Magic series.  I want to know what is happening to Ellie and Stellan.  I want to know if they win. Plus, his sister and cousins crack me up.

Teaser Tuesday (10) Lost Girl

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

Teaser One

“In my culture, we believe that a warrior’s soul cannot be free until a witness to their death tells the story of how they passed. Then we tell the story around the full moon once a year forever. The worst thing you can do in my culture is die alone with no story.”

Kindle Location 17%

OMG! To retell the story once a year, what a way to honor your ancestors.

Teaser Two

It was not lost on me how casually everyone assumed I was going to become Sawyer’s wife. I mean… he had to ask me and I had to say yes. Which I totally obviously would after some hardcore groveling for wearing that stupid necklace and picking Meredith.

Kindle Location 37%

Well, if everyone thinks it, maybe you will marry him. Make him grovel though cause he deserves it.

Teaser Three

“And it was worth it. Every f*cking second of his murder was worth it no matter the consequence, you understand me?”

Kindle Location 61%

Sawyer isn't playing around.

Waiting on Wednesday (9) Wild Hunt

Hey y'all, thanks so much for stopping by my WoW!

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My secret is out

Despite ten years of secrecy, Lachlan has figured out that I’m his mate. And he’s not pleased that I’ve been hiding from him. It’s hardly my worst problem, though.

There’s a killer after me. Multiple killers, if our source is to be believed. And they’re determined to find me. As much as I want to run a hundred miles from Lachlan to avoid the mate bond, it’s too dangerous. I need his help to find the people who are after me, and there’s no way he’d let me go, anyway.

As much as I hate it, we’re going to have to team up to stop a madman. The hunt forces us into close proximity, and despite our best efforts to resist each other, it becomes harder every day. Fate seems determined to have its way, and what it wants is for me and Lachlan to be together.

Why I am waiting?

Umm did you read The Darkest Moon? Cause if you didn't you need too. I may have a crush on Lachlan, just saying.

Teaser Tuesday (9) Rejected

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers

Teaser One

“I’ve always lain low, hid from the world, and squashed my shine to not offend you all. You chose to keep me close for torture purposes. You chose to chase and follow and make me relevant. I would have loved nothing more than to forget you even existed.”

Kindle Location 14%

Dang... laying low must have been hard.  Why have they tortured her?

Teaser Two

“Trust me, I’m not special. I’m just bubbly. All of you supernatural creatures are so broody that when someone comes along who genuinely enjoys life, you think she’s some unusual creature that needs to be studied.”

Kindle Location 48%

Bubbly for the win!  You go girl!

Teaser Three 

 “Greatness comes in many forms. Some obvious, others not so much, but there is one constant everyone called to greatness has in common: you will be pushed beyond your comfort zone, broken down and reduced to ash, but from this, you will rise and be more than you ever thought you could be.”

Kindle Location 65%

Going beyond your comfort zone is completely difficult to do.  Rewarding but difficult.

Review: This Broken Wolf

Author Everly Frost

Format e-ARC

Print Length 323 pages

Publisher Ever Realm Books

Published Feb. 26, 2021

I am a wolf shifter cast into the hands of fate.

Captive. Wrecked. Undone by a bond I never expected.

Another wolf has me now, and I am his to ruin.

Tristan Masters, the ruthless alpha whose destiny threatens to destroy him, has sworn to come for me.

But if he does, he will put the lives of his entire pack at risk.

I am the spark that could ignite Tristan's fury, but I'm strong enough to resist.

I will fight the pull of darkness that I sense growing inside me, my true nature that I'm only beginning to understand.

This dark wolf will not break.

This is a dark urban fantasy romance. Full length. 17+ for sex scenes and language.

My Opinion

This Broken Wolf is the second book in the Soul Bitten Shifter series. The first book, This Dark Wolf, ends with the mother of all Holy cliffhangers! Color me shocked, surprised and honestly shook. Reading it was one heck of an adventure and how it ends had me dying for the second on in this series. I had to know what happened to Tessa and Tristian. Would he be able to get her before she is taking away? Would he fight for her? Would he find her if she is forced away from him? I was not prepared for the answers y’all.

This Broken Wolf picks up right where This Dark Wolf ends, literally. The opening scene is the continuation of the story and what a way to start a book. Action packed, emotionally geared chapter that brings so many feelings that I just couldn’t help but continue to read until will past 2 am. Holy smokes y’all this book destroyed me.

The things that Ford forces Tessa to do, to unleash the darkness inside her. Only he didn’t count on her determination or her spirit to interfere. Ford has plans for his “little one”, plans that Tessa just does not agree with. Thank goodness someone who kinda knows her is with her. Someone who she will protect, as she has claimed them as one of hers. It is heart breaking what this individual has to go through. Although their actions does change my opinion of them. My only hope is that what was done can be undone.

The connection between Tristan and Tessa is undeniable. It is what consumes both of them. Due to their separation, their connections pulls them towards each other just as fate pulls them apart. Both of them have a lot of darkness in them, but just maybe that darkness will also allow them to see the light. If they could just be together. I think I may have missed Tristan just as much as Tessa. What was he doing while she was trying to get back to him? What is going on with the pack? What is going on with her pack and the Hidden House? While Tessa is away these questions played heavily on her mind and mine.

The angst is heavy in this one, but it is more a by-product of all that is going on. You cannot help but have angst when you are being held against your will. I did miss the girl gang, Danika and Iyana, as they were not captured with her in This Dark Wolf. Have no fear, I am sure we will see more of them in the next book. I also missed Jace, as I feel he balances Tristan well. Hopefully, there will be more of him in the next book as well.

This Broken Wolf was a rollercoaster ride of emotions on a road of self-discovery. Tessa is stronger than she knows, stronger than Ford suspected. I suspect he is in for a rude awaking in the next book. The ending chapter left me with my jaw on the floor. This cliffhanger is vastly different than the last one but dang y’all. How much more can either of these two take? With that ending, I had to already pre-order the next one which thankfully comes out in three months. Hopefully, on May 29 we get all the answers to the many questions This Broken Wolf leaves us with.

My Rating 5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “It’s not in my nature to obey.”

Other People

Ford- Wolf of War

Brynjar- ice giant

Perla- right hand female to Ford

Cody- Alpha-in-training

Waiting on Wednesday (8) Midnight King

Hey y'all, thanks so much for stopping by my WoW!

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

After a vicious battle for the crown, I’m now Alpha King. My brothers are safe, as is my mother, but my fated mate Nai Crescent is...

Gone.

In the middle of my coronation ceremony she disappears.

All signs point to a kidnapping, but the High Mage Realm is off limits for my kind.

I’ll be damned before I let anyone take her from me.

Unfortunately, Nai’s abduction isn’t my only problem.

Between the outcast shifters, the lower class mages, and strange deaths in Dark Row, I struggle under the weight of royal responsibilities.

The longer I rule, the more I discover how dirty the high mages are playing... and how desperate they are for power.

And I start to wonder if Nai was abducted, or if she left of her own free will.

Was fate wrong about us?

Told from Courage “Rage” Midnight’s POV, this fast-paced novella gives exclusive insight into the new Alpha King’s heart and mind after Nai's disappearance.

Why I am waiting?

Holy crow! A story from Rage’s point of view? I am here for this! So here, especially after Nai leaves…