R26 Team #10 ~ The Coven of Critics

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Victoria wrote: "I think it's just the 4 books 🥹
I hope you had a good night's sleep! And good morning (for when you wake up lol)"

👍🏼😊 thx!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Strike It Witch by C.P. Rider
Series: Smokethorn Paranormals #2
Qualifier: SOS bookshelf were-shifter
Shelf #2: S - "September" or shifter(s)
Read: 9 Nov
Rating: ★★★☆☆

My Review:

“You are an earth witch, Lilibet Lennox. Cease your cowardice and trust your power.”

Rider’s Smokethorn Paranormals takes place nearby Sundance (another Rider series) without crossover. This series tells the story of Lilibet “Betty” an elemental witch trying to connect to the land of the Siete Saguaros Mobile Home Park three years following after her mother’s passing. The park was created by her mother as a place for paranormal retirees. Betty’s always saying she’ll leave, not used to staying in one place, but everyone wants her stay. Before she can leave, she’s determined to connect with the land and restore it, but for some reason it’s depleting her magic instead.

The book is full of interesting characters, a wonderful mix of paranormals and the setting is unique, but I still found myself struggling with the book. I’m hoping it was a case of “it’s not you, it’s me” because I love the other series written by this author and had hoped it’d found a third to follow. The (too) many song references got old, but I did enjoy the scene where she drives the long way to finish listening to a good song. I’ll give book 2 a go and hope this was just a rando miss b/c of mood.

[Victoria]

I've just requested the stamp (or, rather, the approval to stamp) for our Free Space and Drizzle/Dragon shelves!
Yay! Great job everyone 😊

[Victoria]

Victoria wrote: "I think it's just the 4 books 🥹"

Oh, Steph, I checked the author page, and it seems we'll have book 5: Green Dragon still incoming! 😊
That will be the last one.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

That's right, I remember seeing that a while back. Hope it's good!

YAY for our stamps! 🥳

Victoria, once you’ve stamped our card, pls go to the Captain’s Log and share a link for us mods. Thx!

[Victoria]

Done! I had a hell of a time to get the image there (first timer lol), but an updated image is now in our overview as well 🤪

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Oh sorry, Victoria, you didn’t have to do that. In the previous rounds, I always updated everyone’s cards as they were stamped, but I’m trying it without this time since the stamped cards remain viewable with the link. Our card does look awfully pretty w/her fresh stamps tho 😊

[Victoria]

No worries Steph! I've always wondered how to do it, and now I know 😂
It was super easy to stamp the card, so imo feel free to do it this way for every round.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

👍🏼😉

Thanks for the feedback. I’m hoping the majority will agree & this will be the ‘new way’ going forward w/BSB.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Our next shelf is up 😊

Shelf #3 ~ 15 Nov: J - "Jack-o-lantern" or jacket
Requirement: Choose a book using one of the following options ...

* For "Jack-o-lantern", read a book with a cover featuring a pumpkin, a halloween-themed read, or a character or author named 'Jack' or 'Jackie' (other spellings allowed: Jacky, Jacki, etc)

* For jacket shelf, read a book found on one of these shelves: GR cover love or SOS cover-leather-lace

I'll be reading

[Victoria]

Selection Post: Shelf #3 ~ 15 Nov: J - Jacket

Book: An Echo of Darkness by Kristen Banet
Pages: 404
How it fits: GR cover love (tagged once)



Happy reading everyone!

[Victoria]

Completion Post: Shelf #2 ~ 8 Nov: S - Shifter(s)

Book: A Nature of Conflict by Kristen Banet
Pages: 442
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date read: 15/11/2024

Review:

This book is amazing! It's easily my favorite in the series so far.
Maybe that's because I love Quin? Who knows :D

Each book focuses on a different MMC. First, we had A Life of Shadows with Vincent, then A Heart of Shame with the brothers Zander and Jasper, and now we have Quin.
That leaves Elijah, and I have to say, I'm looking forward to how that will play out! It's about time he ups his game :D

Oh, and can I say that Zander is behaving like an ass and a spoiled man-child? Arrgh, he would have been on the bench for a long time for me, at least.

The story is gripping, and the world-building just keeps getting deeper. You get emotionally invested in these characters, and there were a few moments that really hit me hard. (you'll know when you get there).

I truly recommend this series to everyone. The romance is mature and authentic, making it a great read for anyone (even if you're not an RH fan). The writing is fantastic, and the character development is top-notch. Highly recommend!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

👍🏼 I’ll definitely have to check it out 😊

[Louise]

I’ll get my selection done tomorrow

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I’ve finished my BSB read. I’ll get my review posted in the next couple days. Hope y’all enjoy yours and the week ahead 😊

[Louise]

Completion Post: Shelf #2 ~ 8 Nov: S - "September" or shifter(s)

Born of Embers by Quinn Arthurs
Pgs: 312
How It Fits: Tagged Shifter *52
Date Read: 11/4
Rating: 4*

Review
This was an enjoyable take on the shifter romance genre. Nix is escaping an abusive past where her special ability is a closely guarded secret. Thinking she could hide her ability at college she soon realises that she has landed in a world of shifters and has to learn to trust her new family to survive. There was a lot of character development in here, which I hope continues through the series. It was good to hear the different POVs of the main characters as the story progressed. The only fault I found was the ending felt a little rushed.

[Louise]

Selection Post: Shelf #3: "Jack-o-lantern" or jacket

Pumpkins in Paradise by Kathi Daley
Pages: 234
How It Fits: Pumpkins on cover; MPG Halloween

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Ascension of the Pack by Heather G. Harris
Series: The Other Wolf #6
Qualifier: SOS' (cover-leather-lace shelf)
Shelf #3: J - Jacket
Read: 17 Nov
Rating: ★★★★☆

My Review:

‘I’m scared I’m losing myself.’

The book starts off with Jess being arrested right before she's about to be married. From there things spiral into a state of organized chaos. Lucy continues her mission to recover the orb, which pits her against a powerful foe. She's also still battling the Domini and forced to yet again defend her crown and position. Lucy handles everything she does with a level of compassion, so when she's forced to kill she has a difficult time reconciling it and seeing herself as anything other than a murderer. She's always done what's best for those in her pack and that pack continues to grow; she's now alpha to half a dozen.

I was surprised that, as the finale, this book didn't wrap up everything. Most notably, the villain is still out there. More to come? I hope so b/c I enjoy returning to Harris' Other World, but also because I'd like to see more resolution to the things set in motion in Lucy's series. Harris does have another spin-off set to publish in Sept 2025: Veiled Justice, The Other Detective #1.

[Victoria]

Thanks for the reviews! I've just edited our list and requested to stamp our second shelf (yay) 😁

I'm glad you liked the book, Louise. I'm planning on rereading the few I have and finishing the series next year, but so far, I've enjoyed them!

And yeah, Steph. It kind of feels weird that it wasn't wrapped up/completed. Maybe there will be a major crossover in the spin-off, but still, it feels weird.

I should have my book done and reviewed by Friday, I am just reading one in between for the monthly challenge first 😁

[Steph, Serious series addict]

👍🏼 Yay 😊

[Steph, Serious series addict]

😊 WTG, team! Your request to stamp S/September-Shifter has been approved; if you have any issues stamping your card, let me know. Once you’ve stamped your card, go to the Captain’s Log and share a link with us. Thx!

[Victoria]

Woohoo! A few hectic days at work, so got a bit delayed, but I just updated our list on page 1 and posted it in the Captain's Log as well.

I think I will have finished my book tomorrow evening, so I'll try to get that review up before the next call (making another detour atm with Tempting Danger haha 😅)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

👍🏼😊

Aw man. That finale book has been on my ‘gimme’ for years! Don’t know that we’ll ever get it.

[Victoria]

Yeah, it's been silent since March 2023, saying she was still at it, but nothing since 😢

I really enjoyed the first book in any case, so I will continue the series.
Fingers crossed everything is okay with the author, and we'll get it by the time I get there haha 🤞🤞

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I really enjoyed it, too, so I’d keep going. Just be aware if the wait ahead, potentially long term.

New shelf is up 😊

Shelf #4 ~ 22 Nov: F - "Fall" or fae
Requirement: Choose a book using one of the following options ...

* For "Fall", read a book with 'fall' in the title, series or author's name or fall images on the cover (fall leaves, pumpkins, etc)

* For fae, read a book found on one of these shelves: GR fae or SOS fae

I’m gonna read

[Victoria]

Selection Post: Shelf #4 ~ 22 Nov: F - "Fall" or fae

Updated: switched out Gilded Wings (DNF)

Book: The Rowan's Stone by Stella Brie
Pages: 319
How it fits: SOS Fae list



Happy reading everyone!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I read some of her YA/NA years ago, but haven't read any of her adult books. I'll be interested in hearing how ya like it.

PS: To any who celebrate - Happy early Thanksgiving and/or Friendsgiving 🍁

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I’ll share my book review in a day or two. Hope y’all are enjoying your books.

[Victoria]

I'm running behind a bit (plus, I decided to go for the new book first). Ah well, I will have everything read and reviewed in a few days 😅

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving for those who celebrate! 🦃

[Louise]

Finished last weeks book, will post my review this evening

[Louise]

Selection Post- Shelf #4 ~ 22 Nov: F - "Fall" or fae

When Shadows Fall by Kaye Dobbie
Pgs: 206
How It Fits: Fall in title

[Victoria]

Steph wrote: "I read some of her YA/NA years ago, but haven't read any of her adult books. I'll be interested in hearing how ya like it."

Steph, unfortunately, I DNF it... I was halfway (so decent effort at least), but I just couldn't get behind the characters 😞
Shame ☹️

I switched my book to The Rowan's Stone and promptly reread the first book in the series in one go 😅

[Victoria]

Louise wrote: "Finished last weeks book, will post my review this evening"

Thanks Louise, no worries, take your time!😀

[Victoria]

Completion Post: Shelf #4 ~ 22 Nov: F - "Fall" or fae

Book: The Rowan's Stone by Stella Brie
Pages: 319
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Date read: 25/11/2024

Review:

Part 2 of Arden's quest to discover who and what she really is. 
Together with Theron, Daire, Valerian, and Fallon, she's in for a hell of a ride in this installment.

This book dives a lot deeper into the backstory of the men, and while handling situations in the Underworld, the Kingdom of Dragons, and so much more, we get to see what everyone is made of (spoiler: they do not disappoint ;) )
We meet family and friends; some we like to see, others we really could do without.

I personally love that Arden is immortal and that she's not just 28 years old. She's had centuries to mature and learn how to kick ass, and she does it with style :)
She's no damsel in distress, needing to be saved, but she's starting to learn when to call for help from one of the guys.
There is no 'insta-love' in the series... insane attraction, yes, but they're all weary and careful.
Each character, from Arden to the men, has unique strengths and flaws, which makes them all the more interesting.

All in all, good worldbuilding and excellent character development.

I read this part in one sitting. It was smooth sailing from start to finish, and honestly, I cannot wait to start on the next installment.
Ohhh… I just figured out that part three is the 'final' book for Arden and her men. The other books in the series are Meri's story.
Welll…. I think I might read this one somewhere in between, soonish :D

I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves fantasy, romance (reverse harem), and strong female characters.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

😊 added to my Mt. TBR

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
Series: Regency Faerie Tales #1
Qualifier: GR fae shelf (shelved by 398 people)
Shelf #4: F - "Fall" or fae
Read: 23 November
Rating: ✮✮✮½

My Review:
This was my first Regency fantasy romance. I found it to be a very enjoyable read aside from one issue hammered a bit hard.

Likes:
⊕ half-souled Dora is honest to a fault and very witty, most times without meaning to be
⊕ seriously emo, wounded by “life” and war, sorcerer with a big heart
⊕ adorable, budding side romances between very likable side characters
⊕ Bridgerton-ish with the moms working aggressively to pair off their daughters with “appropriate” husbands
⊕ mirror communications

Could’a done without:
⊖ bit too heavy on the wealth inequality and ignorances the wealthy have of things they don’t see (or want to take a closer look at); I fully agreed with the characters’ frustrations in this regard, but it was so much it took me out of the fantasy

I enjoyed it though. These characters got their HEA. Up next is Benedict who is adorable, generous and caring; I look forward to more of his story.

[Victoria]

Oh, that sounds interesting Steph! I got myself a sample on my Kindle to check it out 😁
This round has only been active for a few weeks and already so many more books on my TBR pile hahaha. Love it!

[Victoria]

Completion Post: Shelf #3 ~ 15 Nov: J - "Jack-o-lantern" or jacket(s)

Book: An Echo of Darkness by Kristen Banet
Pages: 404
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date read: 28/11/2024

Review:

I love this series sooo freaking much! It's sooooo goooooooooood!

This installment was a rollercoaster, with nonstop action, and so, so many emotions.
I'm sitting here, having just finished the book, and I'm like... no.

We return to the team a few months into their well-earned vacation. After the Amazon debacle, yeah, it was well deserved.
This installment throws us in the thick of things pretty fast though, and the team is off yet again, trying to solve the case and keep their heads.
Because this time... it's very personal.

Character development throughout the series is just soooo good (I'm not sorry for repeating myself). All the characters feel real, they have authentic emotions and reactions.
They struggle, they have fears, and, god knows, they get hurt. And you, as the reader, are right alongside them throughout their journey.
Saying I'm emotionally invested isn't cutting it anymore.

If the 'reverse harem' thing is scaring you off, don't let it. It's just a woman who has given pieces of her heart to different men, each with their own reason for loving her and being loved by her in return. There are no 'group scenes' or anything like that. It's just one woman, loving different men and being loved.

I love these characters (yeah, I think you've figured that out by now), and with only one book left, I'm not sure I'm ready to say goodbye to them.

This truly is a top-notch urban fantasy, and I highly recommend it!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Victoria wrote: "Oh, that sounds interesting Steph! I got myself a sample on my Kindle to check it out 😁
This round has only been active for a few weeks and already so many more books on my TBR pile hahaha. Love it!"

Just imagine if it was a full 5x5 round, your list would be busting 😆

I need to check out that series 😊

New shelf’s up, y’all — creeping closer to a winning shelf announcement, but not this week.

Shelf #5 ~ 29 Nov: M - "Moon" or magic
Requirement: Choose a book using one of the following options ...

* For "Moon", read a book with moon on the cover; 'Moon' in the titile, series or author's name; or character name beginning with 'M'

* For magic, read a book found on one of these shelves: GR magic or SOS magic

I think I’m gonna read (moon on cover)

Hope y’all have a good weekend!

[Victoria]

Selection Post: Shelf #5 ~ 29 Nov: M - "Moon" or magic

Book: A Night of Redemption by Kristen Banet
Pages: 424
How it fits: SOS magic list



Bitter sweet, the final chapter... sniff... but yay for another week!

Happy reading everyone! (and have an awesome weekend)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Glad it worked out you could continue with the series. Enjoy!

[Louise]

Completion Post
Shelf #3: "Jack-o-lantern" or jacket

Pumpkins in Paradise by Kathi Daley
Pages: 234
How It Fits: Pumpkins on cover; MPG Halloween
Date Read: 11/20
Rating: 3*
Review
This was the first in a new cosy mystery series set in the small town of paradise. TJ is a high school teacher and soccer coach who when visiting an elderly friend discovers him dead in his favourite chair. When the local police deem it a suicide TJ is not convinced and goes about investigating and uncovering some dark family secrets. This was an enjoyable quick read that I will definitely continue.

[Louise]

Completion Post: Shelf #4: Fall or Fae

When Shadows Fall by Kaye Dobbie
Pages: 206
Date Read: 11/27
Rating: 4*

Review
This was an enjoyable quick read. Kate is an actress who buys a cottage in a remote part of Tasmania in order to recover from the death of her husband and the breakup of her marriage. However her cottage is haunted by Devlin a boatman who lived at the time of the convicts. As Kate delves into the past she finds that with the assistance of a white cat she is quite literally pulled into the past where she gets to know and falls in love with Devlin. However for their love to last she must change the outcome of a fire in which Devlin lost his life. I will definitely be reading more from this author

[Louise]

Selection Post
Shelf #5 Moon or Magic

Fade Out by Rachel Caine
Pgs: 237
How It Fits: Moon on cover

[Victoria]

Thanks for the reviews, Louise!
I just updated our list and requested the stamps for both completed shelves 😁

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Woohoo! WTG, team 😊

[Victoria]

Yay! You were seriously quick there, Steph!😁

Both shelves are stamped (added the post in the captain's log), and I updated our bingo card *happy dance*

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Yes, I went to do them & she beat me to it!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

😏
Our card’s lookin’ sharp 😍

[Louise]

I should have this week’s book done by Tuesday. I’m off to Morocco on Wednesday and back late Sunday. I’ll download a book that works for our winning shelf if it gets called.