FS Meurinne's Blog: Book Enticer, page 9

Crown of Briars (Crowns of the Fae #2) by R.L. Perez

https://amzn.to/40RGsTF

He must wed her to break the curse.

She must kill him to save her kingdom.

Every generation, the Earthen Court gives a princess bride to the Wraith King to protect their realm from his deadly shadows. Princess Sybelle has prepared her entire life to be married to the monster who has been terrorizing her people.

And she has a plan to end her people’s suffering for good.

With the help of her dragon familiar, who can sniff out powerful enchantments, she intends to uncover the source of the Wraith King’s shadow magic. Once he is rendered powerless, she plans to kill him.

But despite his demonic appearance, the Wraith King is not who he appears to be. He is as alluring as he is deadly and, as Sybelle comes to know him, he awakens a fire in her soul she never knew she had.

When she realizes he is trapped by a powerful curse, she wants to do everything in her power to break it.

But to do so would endanger her own life and the lives of her people.

Torn between her duty to her kingdom and breaking the Wraith King’s curse, Sybelle must decide where her loyalties lie: to the home she was raised to protect, or to the dark king who has worked his way into her heart?

This book contains adult themes. Readers are encouraged to check the content warning inside before reading.

Crown of Briars is a Beauty and the Beast retelling with a twist, full of dark fae magic, deadly court schemes, and steamy romance. The Crowns of the Fae books can be read in any order as stand-alone novels.

Girls of Dark Divine by E. V. Woods

https://amzn.to/44GqoXQ

A group of hauntingly beautiful girls have been bound together by a cruel curse—and one of them will go to any lengths to save them from their violent dance. A breathtakingly gorgeous gothic fantasy about love and control that will never let you go. This spellbinding debut is perfect for fans of Stephanie Garber!

In the legendary ballet theatre of New Kora, the girls onstage enchant the audience each night with their grace and divine beauty. Before Emberlyn was the star of the show, it was her dream to become one of them… until she learned the price of their living nightmare.

A magical curse binds the girls to the show’s mastermind, Malcolm, whose invisible strings wield their limbs as if they are marionettes. . . and the commands don’t stop when the curtain comes down. Each dancer is destined to turn to dust once the curse consumes her.

When the troupe is invited to perform in the glitzy city of Parlizia, Emberlyn knows this could be her best chance to save them all. She meets an elusive boy made of shadows who has a magical connection to the girls. Together, they work to unravel the haunting truth about their creation and fight for their survival. But the cost of freedom might be too high, and as Emberlyn dances clo

Trent’s Redemption (Mill Creek Mystique #1) by Bailey Thomas

 

https://amzn.to/4nYQL2q

Can they face their demons and discover love?

Trent Jacobs had everything he wanted until the flash of a muzzle ripped his world apart. Now, he only has guilt. Permanently removed from fieldwork due to questionable events, Trent retires from the FBI. He retreats to the small town of Mill Creek, Idaho, to become the town sheriff.

Margaret King knows what it’s like to be alone and isolated. Losing her parents as a child was impossible, but the death of her brother damn near killed her. When a strange van appears on her street and her apartment is broken into, she turns to Trent, the only man she can trust.

After Maggie shows up terrified and haunted, Trent’s guilt explodes. She makes him want things he doesn’t deserve, including her. Trent must face his demons to protect her as their past collides with the present. Or risk losing her.

 

Audiobook narrated by Grace Grant and Christian Black.

Cruel Malady: A Necrosis of the Mind by Trisha Wolfe

https://amzn.to/46CeFKz

An enemies-to-lovers dark romance that explores the darkest chasm of the mind to discover what makes our dark hearts tick. With cameo appearances from London and Grayson from the Darkly, Madly Duet.

I was born a psychopath, but he made me a killer.

Blakely
Revenge is a lucrative business, and for a psychopath with zero empathy to inhibit her, it’s more than profitable, it’s how I achieve that elusive adrenaline rush.

My life is structured. Controlled. Meticulously tailored to my needs. Then he botches one of my revenge jobs. Alex is intelligent, sexy in an oblivious way. He’s a buttoned-up scientist looking for thrills.

And I never saw him coming.

His deception was flawless. He used my vain nature against me to lure me into his trap. His fixation with finding a cure has spiraled into a deadly obsession with me—and now I’m at the mercy to a mad scientist whose cruel experiment shatters my mind.

Revenge is my ethos.

And I vow to have my revenge on Dr. Alex Chambers.

Alex
The ticking of the clock is the soundtrack to my life, counting down the precious seconds I have left to discover an antidote. My hunt for the perfect subject leads me to her, and oh, she’s a beautiful revelation.

I want her.

I need her.

Blakely’s malady is death to her mind. And against society’s laws and even the very laws of nature, I bring her necrotic, unfeeling humanity to life.

I may have gone mad in the process, and after numerous failed attempts, my body count is stacking. I’ve attracted the attention of the infamous Angel of Maine serial killer—the vile catalyst for my very research.

But my sacrifice is worth it, worth her—my lovely creation. It’s even worth her exacting revenge on me, the villainous prince of her dark fairy tale.

If this is my end, there are far worse ways to die than at the hands of my beautiful monster.

*CW: This is a dark romance with dark and disturbing themes. Please find a list of the content warnings on the author’s
website.

Audiobook narrated by Heather Firth, Christian Fox, Samanth Brenthmoor, and Jacob Morgan.

The Reluctant Siren (Texas Sirens: Legacy Book 2) by Lexi Blake / Sophie Oak

https://amzn.to/4eWG8c5

Harlow Dawson went through something terrible while working a case in Los Angeles. She fell in love. To be fair, the love part wasn’t so bad, but the betrayal left her devastated and in police custody. She returned home to decide how to move forward. One thing was for certain. Her life wouldn’t include Jensen Wiley. Two years later she’s back on her feet, working with her best friend, and building her business. She’s been falling for a new guy at The Hideout. Niall Griffen makes her feel safe. Until she learns his secret at the worst possible time.

Jensen Wiley has spent years working his way up in the criminal organization that took his brother’s life. The only thing that ever threatened to break his need for revenge was meeting Harlow Dawson. She became his partner until he realized she was being drawn into the darkest part of the organization. He had very little time to get her out and didn’t think she would go quietly. He knows his betrayal saved her life, but he hasn’t stopped loving her. Now they’re in the same city and he needs someone watching over her. He means to keep his distance until she walks right into the middle of his mission.

Niall Griffen has worried about his best friend, Jensen, for years. When Jensen asks him to watch over the woman he loves, Niall reluctantly agrees. The trouble is he falls for her too. If nothing happens, he doesn’t feel there’s any reason to talk to his friend about their unrequited love triangle. But after one night together changes everything, Niall knows he needs a new plan to make sure no one gets their heart broken. The good news? Harlow comes from a family with an interesting dynamic. He just might be able to make this work for all of them.

Things begin to unravel when Jensen’s past comes back to haunt him and the man he’s been hunting threatens to turn the tables on him. Protecting Harlow is now the only priority and might just send them all right into the relationship they all need.

Ravaged Soul (Anaconda Tales #2) by J Rose

https://amzn.to/3Iwy4D0

Sabre Security saved my life.
Now they want my soul as payment.

After six years in captivity, forced to fight for survival, I thought I’d seen the darkest depths of humanity. The cartel broke me, forging a ruthless weapon from my shattered pieces.

Not even freedom can heal those wounds. Embroiled in an international criminal investigation to dismantle the ring that trafficked me, I have the chance to get justice for all the women who didn’t escape.

But the road to redemption is bloody, littered with violence and dark secrets that may derail our case before we apprehend the man responsible for so much suffering.

Our team is strong, a real-life family of choice. As we wage war on the illegal operation that stole my life from me, months of tension and forbidden desire reach a breaking point.

Warner. Hyland. Axel. Blaine.

My teammates. My fellow agents. My family.
The men who may just tear me apart if they don’t learn how to share.

Together, we can end Gael’s reign.
If our secrets don’t destroy us first.

Author’s Note: Set in the J Rose shared universe, Ravaged Soul (Anaconda Tales #2) is the second book in a dark, why choose trilogy that must be read in order.

Biggest Player (Not Yours #2) by Sara Ney

https://amzn.to/44JaR9m

Bestselling author Sara Ney scores with a fiery romance about online dating, where a single mom and a football pro ignite sparks when they swipe right—even though they know it’s all wrong.

Margot’s a busy single mom juggling teaching, parenting, and trying not to die alone. Dating apps? Total nightmare. But desperate times call for desperate swipes, even if they make her break out in stress hives. When she matches with a guy who looks too good to be true, she’s convinced he’s a walking red flag—or worse—a catfish.

Dex is hot, and he knows it. A quarterback with a killer smile and looks to spare, he’s a good guy looking for a long-term relationship. He wants what his friends have: someone to come home to…and if they’re naked when he gets there, even better. When he logs on for a casual scroll, he’s not expecting to meet her. One swipe, and suddenly he’s hooked.

Margot’s convinced he’s a catfish. Dex has zero dad bod and no dad energy. But their sizzling back-and-forth leaves them both thinking “what if.” After a surprise run-in leads to a mind-blowing (and soggy AF) kiss, their opposites-attract energy skyrockets. Can they find a way to make it last?

Audiobook narrated by Felicity Cross and Alexander Cendese

Demon With Benefits (Hell Bent, #3) by Aurora Ascher

https://amzn.to/43HZM7T

A hot-headed witch and a lovable bad-boy demon add up to a scorching enemies-to-lovers tale, in the latest spicy paranormal romance from instant New York Times bestselling author Aurora Ascher.

They can run from their demons . . .

The jokester of the demon brothers, Meph wears his grin like armor and uses humor as a mask. But lately, his composure has been slipping, especially around her. Iris. The blue-haired witch with a vicious temperament. Something about her soothes the darkness within him . . . but he’s not looking for a savior. There’s no such thing for someone like him.

But they can’t hide forever . . .

Bitter and haunted by her traumatic past, Iris Donovan isn’t keen on welcoming demons into her life—even if they’re her sister’s friends. Especially not teasing, tattooed, Meph, with his red eyes and devilish smile. After a toxic relationship, she’s sworn off commitment, and she’s not looking for another Mr. Damaged. Yet she can’t stop craving what she shouldn’t want.

To conquer this monster . . . they must tame it together.

With the return of a deadly enemy, the pain they’ve been suppressing is exposed, and Meph and Iris can no longer deny their feelings. Before Meph is swallowed by his darkness, Iris must overcome her fears and embrace that terrible part of him . . .

Or lose him forever.

Kiss & Collide (Racing Hearts, #2) by Amanda Weaver

https://amzn.to/431IORz

Love is a rush . . . can this enemies-to-lovers couple match-up handle the ride? Fall into the sexy and fun world of Formula One in book two of the spicy new adult series Racing Hearts.

He breaks all her rules . . .

Fast-talking, red-lipstick-wearing Violet Harper isn’t looking for love, or anything that takes her out of the driver’s seat. She has an all-star career in PR, hook-ups all over the world, and the last thing she needs is to catch feelings for a man. But all her rules are thrown into question after an intensely hot one-night stand with the freewheeling Formula One driver Chase Navarro. After taking a new job with an underdog racing team, Violet discovers that Chase is their newest driver. Violet swears she won’t lose her heart to someone so charming and irritatingly sweet, but he does have the perfect face to promote their team . . .

She drives him wild . . .

All Chase wants is to drive racecars as fast and hard as he can. But he can’t stop fantasizing about the night he spent with Violet, and that’s a distraction he doesn’t need. But as Chase dreams of racing onto his first podium, Violet forces him in front of the camera, determined to make him the new star of Formula One. Which means a lot more late nights with the gorgeous and infuriating Violet.

As the two team up, old flirtations flare, and their chemistry collides. With both their careers on the line, will Violet pull the brakes on their attraction or finally let love go full throttle?

Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
He Falls First
Friends with Benefits
Opposites Attract
Stuck Together
Work Colleagues
Reverse Grumpy/Sunshine

Immortal Consequences (The Souls of Blackwood Academy, #1) by I. V. Marie

https://amzn.to/45k7Tst

SIX RIVALS. ONE VICTOR. ETERNITY IS ONLY THE BEGINNING.

“A twisty and thrilling dark academia fantasy that will have you enthralled from the very first page.” —Ava Reid, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning

Six students compete to change their fate at a darkly enchanted boarding school in purgatory where graduation is the only escape—and love can cross the boundaries between life and death.

Welcome to Blackwood Academy: the legendary school located on the fringes of the afterlife. Once a pupil enters the academy’s arched gates, there is no way out…except the Decennial, a cut-throat magical competition with only one victor.

This year, six of the Academy’s top students have been chosen to face the Decennial’s tests. Two academic archrivals, whose strange connection blurs the lines between obsession and hate. One girl driven solely by ambition, and another plagued by memories of the love she lost. And a charming playboy who never cared for anyone—until he met the academy’s newest student. But what none of them know? They aren’t the only ones playing Blackwood’s game.

Who will win, and who will fall? Only one thing is for certain: in this game, some fates are worse than death.

Book One of the Souls of Blackwood Academy Series