Review: Sherrilyn Kenyon's "SIMI"

 

SIMI
Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Sherrilyn Kenyon

RELEASE DATE:
February 25, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Oliver Heber Books

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
B0CX9MQ5GT

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/

 

 

Simi is an orphaned Charonte demon. She does have a powerful akri, who would slay anyone that dares hurt her. Simi’s innocent, childlike demeanor allows her to befriend all kinds of beings from demons to humans to even gods. She even meets the one who will one day win her heart. Their paths continually cross throughout the centuries, which only adds to their growing feelings. Simi will do anything to protect him, even anger her akri-daddy, Acheron.

Simi has always been a fan favorite. People have often speculated on who would be the best “fit” for her. And who would be able to stand up against Acheron. I admit being hesitant and skeptical. There is a part of me that wanted Simi to remain the same. But, then another part wanted to see her as an adult, enjoying the same experience as other couples from the series did. Strangely, I am still feeling ify about the person Simi ends up with. I felt oddly disconnected towards the end of the book. Perhaps it is the lengthy wait that colored my view on her happily-ever-after.

SIMI is the third book in the SHADOWS OF FIRE series, a continuation of the CHRONICLES OF NICK books. It is also a YA spin-off from the author’s wildly popular DARK-HUNTER books. Young Adult is not a genre that appeals to me. I never could get into them, so I am unfamiliar with the CON novels (my middle son has, and he loved them). I never heard of the SHADOWS OF FIRE series until this book. Now, I have read most (save for four or five, there abouts) of the DARK-HUNTER books.

The book starts with Simi’s point of view, including her unique speech patterns. It made it hard to read at first, until I got used to it. Then I followed the story much easier. It was fun to see Simi growing up throughout the centuries and seeing the people she meets along the way. I had a feeling about who the author would pair with Simi when he was introduced in the book.

What I love the most about this book is being reacquainted with old characters. Mama Lo, The Peltiers, Santuary, Deveraux sisters, Nick, and especially Cherise.  I never realized how much I missed them until they showed up in the book. It was also nice to meet the children from those beloved characters, even if they were merely mentioned.

REVIEW: Charis Michaels' "CLAIMING THE PRINCESS"

 

CLAIMING THE PRINCESS
Historical Romance

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Charis Michaels  

RELEASE DATE:
August 26, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Avon

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9780063280137

RATING:
4.75

AUTHOR LINK:
https://charismichaels.com/

 

 

Captain Luke Bannock, former smuggler turned privateer, never intended to become a war-hero. He simply wants to rescue his surrogate father and avenge his dead crew mates. As his reward of valor, Luke requests a marriage with the French princess living in exile. He plans on using her to confront his nemesis; however, the princess is not what Luke expected. He soon finds himself loath to include her in his revenge plot. Can Luke find another way to rescue his surrogate father without using Danielle?

Princess Danielle Allard d’Orleans never knew her royal French heritage. Her simple village life gets disrupted by the sudden news of her arranged marriage to a war hero. Danielle knows nothing about the handsome sea captain, but she senses there is more to Bannock than what he has told her. And he offers Dani a way to save her beloved Kent village. However, she soon learns Luke’s true reasons for marrying her. Can Danielle forgive Luke for all his lies? Will she help him rescue his surrogate father?

I have always been a sucker for the wounded / tortured hero types. So, it was inevitable that I would love Luke! He is haunted by the gruesome deaths of his crew and the kidnapping of his surrogate father. I like how Luke felt uncomfortable being labeled a “hero”. He believed he did not deserve that title. What I love the most about Luke is that he often wrestled with his guilty conscience. He hated lying or misleading the truth to Dani, but he felt that he had no other choice. Desperate men do desperate and risky things.

Danielle is a good fit for Luke. Both were raised by surrogates from a young age. This allows the two to easily identify with the other. I admire Danielle’s dedication to her hometown. She hates how it is becoming a ghost town due to a businessman’s greed. Dani knows, for it to thrive once again, she needs to find a way to bring back jobs for the townspeople. What I love the most about Danielle is how the news of her royal blood did not diminish her love for her adoptive family. She refused to push them out of her life but to share them with her missing sister and brother.

CLAIMING THE PRINCESS is the third and final book in Charis Michaels’ historical romance series, HIDDEN ROYALS. I started this series in the middle with THE PRINCE’S BRIDE. It made me want to read the next installment because I became invested in the d’Orlean siblings. I seriously need to read SAY YES TO THE PRINCESS, book one. Elise, Killian, and Gabriel - characters from the prior books – play important roles later in the story. I practically devoured this book in two days, even forgoing precious sleep.

There are only two things that kept me from giving this delightful book five stars. Bannock and his mother. Danielle alleged there was a valid reason his mother never was a part of his childhood. I sensed a story there. I even expected it to be touched on, but it never happened. If it was not going to be explored, then why bring it up? Heck, I would have been happy with it being covered in the epilogue.

My other small nitpick – I wish we knew what became of Amelia and Fernsby courtship. Did they wed? Did he get praised for his part at the end? Their courtship was a very minor detail in the story.

Review: Machi Yamashita's LOVE ON THE HORIZON

 

LOVE ON THE HORIZON, Volume 1
Boys Love

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Machi Yamashita

RELEASE DATE:
January 07, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Kodansha Comic

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9798888774021

RATING:
4

 

 

Nagi Kitagawa is a first-year art university student. Yuu Yamasaki is Nagi’s senpai and his neighbor. Whenever Yuu gets drunk at their club’s get together, Nagi brings him home and puts him to bed. Nagi realizes his feelings for his upperclassman deepening, especially after Yuu kissing him.  Does Yuu share Nagi’s feelings?

The art style is a little different than what I am used to. It was not off-putting.

LOVE ON THE HORIZON is a sweet, heartwarming story. There was no real conflict that stood in the boys’ way. I like how Yuu went to talk to Nagi when he thought his kohai avoiding him, instead of letting it drag on.

I would definitely read the next one to see how Nagi and Yuu’s relationship progresses. Also, to see if any obstacles crop up that they both need to tackle.

Review: Nalini Singh's ARCHANGEL'S ASCENSION

 

ARCHANGEL'S ASCENSION
Paranormal Romance

 

  

AUTHOR:
Nalini Singh

RELEASE DATE:
May 06, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Berkley

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9780593550038

RATING:
5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://nalinisingh.com/

 

 

Illium and Aodhan – Bluebell and Sparkles– are two valuable members of Archangel Raphael’s Seven. Slowly, they must adjust to the newness of their changed relationship. The two angels agree to investigate a cold case that mirrors Aodhan’s traumatic past. This case prompts Aodhan to finally confront his inner demons and heal with his lover’s assistance. However, ascension threatens Illium. Will ascension destroy Illium and Aodhan’s bond?

Illium and Aodhan have always been my favorites from the start of the series. Honestly, I liked them more than I did the main characters. Illium has this infectious personality that one cannot help being drawn too. He made me smile and laugh. I remember empathizing with Aodhan, curious about the pain lurking beneath the man’s façade. The two angels went through amazing growth throughout the entire series. Did I see them becoming a couple? No. Am I happy about it? Heck yes, I am! It made sense to me.

ARCHANGEL’S ASCENSION is book seventeen in Nalini Singh’s best-selling (and popular) paranormal romance series, GUILD HUNTER. It is best to start this series from the beginning. They set up the author’s unique world – a kind of parallel universe to ours with angels ruling. The books also show the deep bonds Adi and Blue share, not only themselves, but with certain others.

I would also highly suggest reading ARCHANGEL’S LIGHT, book fourteen, before this one. It shows the evolution of their relationship from friendship to lovers.

Beloved characters (Elena, Raphael, Dmitri, Naasir) from the prior books make frequent appearances throughout the story. I like how the author breaks the story into parts. We get glimpses of Adi and Blue’s future.

I hope there will be more books following Illium and Aodhan. I would love to read my precious Bluebell rocking the Cadre’s foundation with his Sparkles’ aid.

Review: Julie Ann Walker "BLACK MOON RISING"

 

BLACK MOON RISING   
Romantic suspense

 

 

AUTHOR:
Julie Ann Walker

RELEASE DATE:
March 25, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Limerence Publications LLC

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9781950100194

RATING:
5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://julieannwalker.com/

Britton “Brit” Rollins, former Army Ranger, is a covert operative for Black Knights Inc. He masquerades as a motorcycle mechanic to keep his true job a secret. Brit cannot seem to shake his growing interest in a certain blond federal agent. When his ex-con brother shows up unexpectantly, Britton agrees to help clear his name. Even if it puts him at odds with Agent O’Toole. Can Brit convince Julia to help him find the traitor within her Bureau’s ranks? Or will this fiasco reveal the truth about Black Knight Inc.?

Federal agent Julia O’Toole is damned good at her job. She could never get the handsome mechanic at Black Knights Inc from her mind, or her fantasies. When a case falls into her lap, it gives Julia a valid reason to approach Britton. She suspects there is more to the man and the shop than it appears. While chasing after Britton and his brother, Julia learns there is a traitor in the FBI. Will Julia jeopardize her hard-earned career for Britton? Can she convince the stubborn man to take a chance with them?

Britton is an adrenaline-junkie. There is only one risk he dares not take (or touch): love. I understand his hesitation of losing his heart to someone. The mind conjures all types of thoughts and reasons to protect itself from being further hurt. What I adore the most about Britton is his willingness to help his brother. Some family members write their kin off once they go to prison. Brit knows his brother is uncapable of murder. Petty crime, yes. Murder, no.

Julia is a tough-as-nails woman. A necessity to carve out a niche for herself in a male-dominated occupant. Julia does not allow male egos, or testosterone, stand in her way of doing her job. I like how Julia remains open-minded when presented with new facts and evidence. She does not close her mind to the possibility of one’s innocence, as some agents would. While they think of elevating their career, Julia wants to uphold justice. I find that admirable of her character.

BLACK MOON RISING is the third book in Julie Ann Walker’s romantic suspense series, BLACK KNIGHT INC: RELOADED – a spinoff from her popular BLACK KNIGHT INC books. It is not necessary to read the prior series before this one. But boy, oh boy would you miss out! Boss, Becky, and Ozzie, characters from BKI, make frequent appearances throughout the entire book. It is always great to see the original gang again! I really miss them! And we cannot forget the resident Black Knight’s mascot, Peanut!

In my opinion, it is not a Black Knights book without Ozzie. I have always adored his character from the very beginning!  His antics and quips make me laugh every time. I always fist bump the air when his character makes an appearance. Ozzy really is my ideal soul mate, lol. Though, I bet my husband would frown being replaced so easily by a fictional character! And his love for 80’s music and hairbands! Am I a nerd for knowing the two bands (Tesla and Skid Row) mentioned, especially the songs. I even started humming the melodies. Okay, I itched to find the two songs on my Ipod to listen to them.

There is one thing I am dying to know. Kerberos. Will we learn who they are in future books… Or (hint, hint), is there a possibility of a spin off about the hacker group? I would be down with that! Especially, if the Black Knight boys, both new and old, will be involved.

Julie Ann Walker never fails to enrapture me with her characters and books. I always grin in eager anticipation whenever a new Black Knights Inc ARC hits my inbox. I can be sicker than a dog or dead tired, but that does not stop me from delving head-first into her book. Now to wait for Hew and Sabrina’s book! The wait is going to kill me!

Review: Donna Grant's "THE UNCROWNED KING"

 

THE UNCROWNED KING
Fantasy Romance

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Donna Grant

RELEASE DATE:
January 14, 2025

PUBLISHER:
DL Grant, LLC

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
B0D9FTXP2N

RATING:
3

AUTHOR LINK:
https://donnagrant.com/

 

 

Kora wants to rescue Derek from Meina’s evil machinations. However, she must partner with another enemy to achieve her goal. She also finds allies, and acceptance, with the Dragon Kings and their mates. When they finally locate Derek, she willingly faces death to help retrieve his stolen memories. Will Kora’s love be enough to reach Derek? Can they defeat Meina? And what about her questionable partnership with Villette?

Derek wakes with no recollection of his past. All he knows is what Meina tells him, yet he is hesitant to believe the Star Person. Derek cannot forget the faceless woman who has been haunting his dreams. Derek believes the Dragon Kings and the hellhound is responsible for all his losses. However, something about the hellhound feels familiar. Will Derek regain his missing memories? Or will it be too late? And who can Derek trust?

I am still not enamored with the hellhound- angle. I hoped that my opinion would change with the second part. Perhaps, if Kora morphed/shape-changed into a canine form like the Dragon Kings did, I would have liked her better. Hellhounds are not really my favorite kind of supernatural creatures. That could be my hangup. Derek and Kora are okay – they never really changed my feelings and thoughts about them from the first book. Neither really grabbed me or invested me.

THE UNCROWNED KING is the final book in Donna Grant’s fantasy-romance series, THE BASTARD DUOLOGY. The story picks up immediately where the first book leaves off. So, it is necessary to read THE BASTARD KING before venturing into this one.

I have a couple of nitpicks, things that just did not work for me. The first one is that there were too many characters mentioned. This boggled down the pacing. They had no real purpose in and with the plot. I feel for new readers it would be too overwhelming and confusing.

Another nitpick of mine is the repetitious retelling of the Dragon Kings’ plight on Earth as dialogue. Long time readers and fans of the DARK KINGS/DRAGON KINGS series already know the tale. I feel the author can get away with “and so they/he/she explained what happened on earth between Dragon Kings, the humans” etc. I skip over those parts because it feels long-winded, and it jars me out of the story’s momentum.

There is one aspect that I really liked. It is small, but it piqued my curiosity and interest. The tomte. I have never heard of this species/creature before. Learning about new species is always fun for me.

Review: Amelia Grey's LOVE, THE DUKE

 

LOVE, THE DUKE
Historical Romance

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Amelia Grey

RELEASE DATE:
April 01, 2025

PUBLISHER:
St. Martin’s Paperback

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9781250850461

RATING:
4

AUTHOR LINK:
https://ameliagrey.com/

 

 

Miss Ophelia Stowe is a vicar’s sister. When a religious artifact is stolen from her late brother’s vicarage, she intends to recover it. Ophelia’s search brings her to London and to the Duke of Hurstbourne’s door. The infuriating man refuses to help her search the tone for the missing relic. He instead offers a marriage of convenience to rein in Ophelia’s reckless pursuit. Can Ophelia find the chalice before the new vicar takes over?

Drake Kingsley, Duke of Hurstbourne, receives a letter from a friend, asking him to marry his sister. He declines, only to have the woman show up at his home in disguise asking for help. Hurst cannot ignore his growing attraction to the headstrong beauty. He also knows he needs to rein in her reckless search for the stolen artifact. Can Hurst convince Ophelia to follow his strategy on locating the chalice? Or will her recklessness rub off on him?

I could not really connect with Ophelia like I did with Fredericka and Edwina. There were times when she simply irritated me.  I understand Ophelia’s reasons for searching for the stolen artifact. She did not want her late brother’s good name tarnished. I respect and admire that sentiment. However, it felt like Ophelia refused to listen to reason. It was either her way or no way at all.

There were moments when Hurst’s high-handedness made me want to throttle him. He could have been more sympathetic and understanding towards Ophelia’s need to preserve her brother’s reputation. I get that his tumultuous past with his father colored his views on how things should be done. I wish that he and Ophelia could have compromised on the search for the stolen chalice. It would have made for a more enjoyable read than the two butting heads at every angle.

LOVE, THE DUKE is the third and final book in Amelia Grey’s historical romance series, SAY I DO. The story can standalone. The heroes from the previous two books (Wyatt and Rick) make occasional appearances throughout the story. I wish their ladies (Fredericka and Edwina) had a more prominent role. I feel they would have easily championed Ophelia’s endeavor and forced Hurst’s hand into helping her. It would have made the story more fun and entertaining.