kezmarie36's reviews
866 reviews

Finding Sarah: A Phoenix to Behold by Nina Purtee

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

I loved experiencing Sarah's emotional journey from childhood to adulthood. She experiences loss and abandonment, but uses it to fuel her passions for painting and to find her own identity. Along the way she meets new friends and begins to experiment with her sexuality and gain her confidence. The people she meets helps influence her life and choices, but it's her natural talents that help her get noticed in the world of art, and her interpretation of animal portraits.
It was great to see the characters from the first two books pop up in Sarah's life and experience the different points of view of them meeting. I particularly enjoyed Sarah's introduction to El Amir through her artwork, and his influence on helping her achieve her goals and believing in her talent.
Her artwork enables her to travel around the world and enhance her talents, and help heal from the traumas of her past. I loved the symbolism of the phoenix and Sarah's journey of rebirth and personal growth, and the themes of resilience, creativity and connection. 

Bewitched Blooms: A Fundraiser Anthology for Zoë by C.L. Briar, L.J. Swallow, C.N. Crawford, Briar Boleyn, Emberly Ash

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This is a stunning collection of Romantasy and paranormal romance short stories, that cover all the best tropes. The characters are fun, lively, and diverse, the romance ranges from closed door to spicy, and each story has a intriguing theme. This is a great collection to dive into if you want to experience different worlds, creatures, magic and relationships, and will have a little of something for everyone. 
I was already aware of a few of these authors, but I will be definitely checking out the new authors from this anthology. 
Overall 10/10 all round. 

Shadow of the Forsaken by Olivia K. Moto

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

This is a whirlwind emotional rollercoaster!
So much pain, sacrifice and devastation, but balanced so well against the tension, wit, snarky banter and cast of entertaining and lovable characters. 
Oh my this is definitely full of surprises, drama, twists and heartache. I loved seeing more of Tye as he battles with his wolf and tries to fight his protective instincts. His forced proximity with Kaiya is full of steamy tension and some delicious scenes including the woods and cooking!
There is so much mystery with spicy and cryptic dreams, escape plots, a hooded stranger, corruptive bonds and missing allies, this definitely leaves an impact, and the ending was another level! I absolutely love the characters in this story, the bonds they are forcing, the district personalities, and the balance of light and dark. 
Can't wait for more of this epic series. 

Academy of Unholy Boys by David Fitzpatrick MFA

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is a deep and tragic YA story that explores sexuality, influence, peer pressures, falling in love, empathy and morality. It navigates traumas, violence and a need to escape reality, balanced against the evolving moods of teenagers, a need to be in control, desires to be understood, and toxic power plays. 
Foster is dangerous, narcissistic and corruptive with his charisma, knowledge and ability to manipulate those around him. 
Bear is obsessed, loyal and tragically in love, unable to step away from his bond with Foster, and accept how he negatively changes the course of his life.
Jay is sweet, naive, easily swayed, and wholly unprepared for the influence of his two new friends to make him spiral into chaos, under the guises of friendship, brotherhood and love. 
The story explores dark themes including suicide pacts, indoctrination, blackmail, the pressures of teenage life, grief, drugs and loss. 
It's also a poignant story about wanting to fit in, be seen and accepted, falling in love, embracing yourself and finding your own identity away from the influence of others.

✨"We're trapped together somehow, linked... A warped bond"

✨"What the hell is Foster Gold to me now? First crush? Lover? Maestro? Nemesis? Arrogant fool, coward? Scumbag! Or was it something even worse?"

✨"You can't doubt me like that. I'm the sanest one here"

Taken by her Princes by Shona Knight

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

4.5

I love this series, each story is an emotional journey filled with connection and growing love. I enjoyed seeing the Princes personalities shine through and all the groveling they need to do. Freya was a fun and determined character, and I enjoyed seeing how she connected with all the Princes over time, and built individual bonds.
This is a great RH series, with standalone romances, fated mates, alternative realms, and spice. 
I liked the added touch of magic in this one too, the fun songs, Freya's sweet nature, and all the enemies to lover tension.  

Risky Taste: A Dark MMMM Military Contemporary Romance by N. Slater

dark tense medium-paced

4.0

This was a wild ride, with some dark family drama, trauma and healing, and a sweet and supportive group romance. Poor Noah endures so much, and it seems the cause of all his agony is from someone he never expected. Sebastian, Declan and Logan are so protective, caring and obsessed, it was sweet to see them rally around Noah and give him what he needed. 

Threads Of The Maiden's Moon by Myla Rose

dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This is an enchanting fantasy romance,  loaded with magic, adventure, sass, danger and feminine rage.  It draws you in straight away with it's mystic nature, and you follow the brave and enigmatic Nolei who is thrust into the unexpected.
Her friendship with Eryn is everything, I loved their wit and how supportive they are as they venture off on their quest - definite friendship goals. 
Leo is the MMC you will love, with his broody nature, fighting instincts, protectiveness and smouldering vibes. 
Each chapter had me hooked and always added something magical dreamy, shocking or emotional. 
The worldbuilding is fascinating, I loved learning about the lore, forbidden magic, connection to nature, and powers of nature. 
With it's medieval setting, strong females, chaos and wild energy, and journeys of transformation and power, this is a captivating must read!



✨"I would rip the seams from the sky and pull down every fucking full moon to gift to you if I could"

✨"I was stitched with courage and fueled by chaos. My destiny was whispered in the stars, but I wove my own fate. And I would kill her if it was the last fucking thing I did"

✨ "I am going to worship you all night and every night. From now until the stars fall and the moon fades"

Secrets of Swanfield House: An emotional Scottish page-turner about second chances by Elayne Grimes, Elayne Grimes

emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

This paints a vivid picture of the Scottish Highlands, and helps immerse you in the tranquility of the landscape. 
Marcie returns to her hometown following her grandmothers death, and hopes it will be an easy transition for the funeral and catching up with friends and her uncle, before returning to her City life. When the will throws up some surprises, it causes family tension and drama, and changes the course of Marcie's life. 
This journey sees Marcie reminisce her past and what could have been. It's also a story about resilience, unraveling family secrets and trusting your instincts. 
I enjoyed that Marcie gets to play detective and pieces together the sinister and suspicious events surrounding the town too.
This had fantastic twists and mysteries that keep you turning the pages, an eerie atmosphere that builds the suspense, and a plot with drama, tension and surprises. 

Firebird: The Fire That Binds Book 1 by Juliette Cross

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

This beautifully weaves mythology, magic, and dragons in the world of the Roman Empire, and I am all for it. 
Malina is a talented dancer and gifted empath, Julian is a Centurion, nephew to the Emperor and powerful dragon shifter. 
Although their lives are worlds apart, their fates are intertwined, and their passion fuels their connection.
I loved all the nods to mythology and the 3 sisters gifted with unique powers to get revenge on evil men.
The worldbuilding shows the brutality of the Roman Empire, political scheming, assassination plots, the cruelty of men, and the volatility of dragons on top. There are dark themes explored, including kidnap, slavery and murder plots, and there are spicy scenes built up from the slow burn, as well as evil characters with bad intentions.
I loved seeing Julian and Malina's journey and bond grow, and the shift in their dynamics. This is a fated mates story at heart, but it takes time to get there from their enemy and master / slave relationship. I liked that he falls first and we get to see his dragon side come out and cause chaos too for his treasure.
Excited for the next book and characters to come!

🔥"Your defiant spirit, coupled with your beauty. It is dangerous. So very dangerous"

🔥"My feisty Firebird. Proof that you are meant to be mine. My dragon would only choose a powerful female for his mate"

🔥"My entire soul is on fire for you, Malina"

The Weight of the Wishing Stone by Kevin Cox

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced

4.5

What was meant to be a day of victory for Rykan's first battle, turns into disaster as the enemy overthrow them, kill his father, and take the survivors captive. 
Selaina's normal life of chores, farming and forest walks turns into chaos too with the appearance of a stranger and leads to the loss of her family and the end of her shielded existence.
Now both of them must find a way to survive, travel the unknown lands gaining new allies, and find the courage to fight and meet their destiny. 
This is an engaging fantasy tale told in 2 povs, with reluctant heroes, relic hunts, and dangerous quests. With prophecies and hidden truths, these characters face challenges and dire stakes as their paths merge and they seek the wishing stone, hoping to change the future.
This was an epic journey, filled with mystery, sacrifice and resilience, with a creative ending that leaves you ready for book 2. 

⚔️"People fear what they don't understand"

⚔️"Our steps are not merely our own. Each choice carries the weight of countless lives"

⚔️ "Why is it always swords and magic? Why not a good parley once in a while?"