Haven Review Spotlight

Before we bid our final goodbyes to the Halloween season, join us one last time for the book tour for Haven by Mia Dalia in concert with Black Tide Book Tours. 

Prepare to embark on a family vacation with the Baker family as they go to their aunt Gussie's home for a month. As you learn the dynamics of this family, and the history of the previous owner...something sinister will begin to unveil itself. 

Haven is a horror novel by Mia Dalia. This particular horror story is a slow developer but just wait for it. This novel will lure you in with chapters that shift through the family, but the gradual build will bring you something unexpected. So exercise patience, because it will be worth the wait. Just because it's a house...doesn't make it home. 

The Baker family is headed towards Aunt Augusta's old house. After her passing, it was allotted to the living family members to use it as a vacation home shared amongst them all. Well, Jenna Baker has secured the month for her family of four to go and stay there. This is in the hopes that maybe the family can reconnect. Will that be possible? Well, you'll question it for yourself as you read this book. 

As Haven continues to unfold author Dalia alternates each chapter between each member of the family. Told from the third person POV each chapter focuses on that specific family member. In that sense readers are able to get to know them individually and better understand the dynamics. 

Jeff is the father, but he's far from engaged in his children's lives. You'd have to wonder why. Author Dalia reveals that he's disappointed in himself concerning it, but yet, he chooses to do nothing just the same. Jeff will often reflect on how things came to be, but the trend remains...he has chosen to do nothing to change it. 

Jenna, is the wife. Author Dalia portrays her as fastidiously dedicated to her appearance. Jenna watches what she eats, how much she eats, and exercises to keep her lithe form. Jenna appreciates the jealousy and envy that she evokes from other women her age. Unknown to her, her daughter has picked up on this "focus" on her physical appearance...but in a different way. 

Jessie, is the oldest of the two children. As readers delve deeper into her chapters they'll find just how "obsessed" she is with her physical appearance and social media. She wants so desperately to be a social influencer, but seeing as she's more of a "follower" in her behavior...she falls short every time. Her follower count? Not high enough. The attention she so doggedly seeks? Not enough. She wants more. Craves more. But this house? This house is going to bring out a change in her...that will be unexpected. 

JJ is the youngest of the family and named after his father. However, JJ is the one who stands out the most. A teen like his sister, he has taken the opposite approach to food and exercise than that of his mother and sister. JJ is the one more likely to be bullied in school because of his size and appearance. Compound that with his refusal to participate in personal hygiene and it paints a picture of a boy with limited friends and limited contact with most people. 

Then there is Ava. Ava isn't one of the family of four. No, Ava is...Augusta. The chapters on Ava paint a picture of who she was (or is) and her life. Author Dalia provides readers with context on how Ava became the person that she was. The youngest in her family, she wanted a different path than what her family wanted. So, when the opportunity comes...she takes it. 

Haven is a slow building psychological horror story. The story moves at a steady pace as it alternates between the family members and with each of Ava's chapters reveals her past and her life's story. Little by little author Dalia shows the gradual shift between the family members. It's a subtle thing that none of them really notice at first.

As the story goes however, the cracks begin to show. Something in the house is poking them. Provoking their darkest thoughts and feelings to come to the surface. Some of the revelations through Ava's chapters point to the tragedies that Ava suffered throughout her life. Most if not all of it at the hands of her own family. It's absolutely shocking and even heartbreaking. 

As Haven draws to a close, the story takes on a darker element, but also shifts to drawing to a close focusing on Ava's chapters. Since the primary location is Haven (the house) anything that doesn't happen there isn't focused on. Until a new character comes along and shares some shocking news. 

One thing is for sure...this book will leave you puzzled, but also push you into a sense of disbelief. Haven closes on some shocking revelations and leaves you the question...will what happened to the last family happen to this one?

Readers looking for a thrilling fast-paced horror story won't find that within Haven's pages. However, readers looking for a horror novel that plays on the psychological aspect with hints of the supernatural will absolutely find this story intriguing up to the final page. 

Haven

by Mia Dalia

October 29 - November 04

                                

 New Release! Publication date: 10/29/2024

CamCat Books

What if revenge ripples and echoes through time?

You can’t choose your family or your destiny or your legacy. But once upon a time, a woman named Ava St. James had tried to build happiness upon the remains of her broken heart. For better or worse. Decades later, the Bakers are headed for a perfect family vacation. A full month at a house by the lake; the house passed down from a mysterious aunt no one ever talks about. Love and good intentions aside, what begins like a relaxing vacation turns into a nightmare as each of the Bakers’ nerves slowly but steadily begin to wear away at the edges. Is it their fraught family dynamics or is something more sinister at work?

The house has welcomed them, but will it ever let them leave?

About the author

Mia Dalia is the internationally published author of Estate Sale and Haven (CamCat Books Fall 2024), and many other novellas and novelettes. Her short fiction has been published online by Night Terror Novels, 50-Word Stories, Flash Fiction Magazine, Pyre Magazine, Tales from the Moonlit Path, among others, and in print anthologies by Sunbury Press, Nightshade Press, HellBound Press, Black Ink Fiction, and many others. She is a lifelong reader, and a longtime reviewer of all things fantastic, thrilling, scary, and strange.

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The Blood Prince Review Spotlight

 

 The Blood Prince is the first book in Ayla Marie’s YA fantasy series, and readers who enjoy gripping storylines with engaging characters are not going to want to miss out on this book.

The Blood Prince cover lures readers in with a simplistic cover. In the top right and bottom left corners draping across this book’s cover appears to be a length of red fabric. Tucked into the bottom of it appears to be a ring or some other piece of jewelry. In between these fabric pieces are gray and dried-out leaves. Are these symbols of things that we will find in the story? Guess we’ll have to see.

As The Blood Prince begins to unfold readers are immediately introduced to Leo as he’s on a job. He’s on the prowl to fulfill his latest hit. His name is known and feared by many, but not his true name – Leo. No, his “street name” was given to him because of his eyes “The Blood Prince.” Loving the fact that we get the tie-in to the title so quickly in the story.

He’s a successful killer, so you’d think that his skills are in high demand. Well, they are, but he’s kept on a leash. All he wants is to be able to live in peace with his siblings, but that’s not to be the case. Due to his secret, and the fact that his kind and others like him are “outlawed” by the king, he lives with the threat of death hanging over his head all the time.

If it weren’t for that one fact he’d probably be able to demand more pay for what he does. However, instead, he finds himself exploited and taken advantage of by the man who “hires” him as a mercenary/hitman. It’s heartbreaking to know the kind of squalor that he and his siblings are forced to live in.

With all of them living their lives as best that they can with only each other, things seem fine. Until they’re not. Author Marie is going to set up a scene with the siblings in town, and you are immediately going to know that something is about to go wrong. It doesn’t take long for things to go left (as we knew they would) and chaos erupts.

Their fragile peace? Shattered and destroyed forever. But The Blood Prince just keeps getting better. Because now is the time that secrets are coming to light. The truth about who Leo is coming out little by little, but the big reveals? Those are later on in the story.

The Blood Prince focuses heavily on Leo as he is the main character and focus of the story. But you get scenes that include his siblings, and when they find a new place...it shifts to his siblings. Cael is one of the other characters who will gain the spotlight when tragedy strikes the family. What is it exactly? Well, it’s something major to create a “forced” shift to another character in the story. Curious? LOL! Then grab this book!

Moving forward The Blood Prince does continue to shift POV between three characters. It’s nice to get some new ones, though I would have liked a few chapters with the younger sister of Elana’s. She would have brought some freshness to the story in the form of her kindness. However, as it is we get to see Elana evolve and develop. Unfortunately, we’ll also see the devolution of the relationship between the siblings as one appears to lose himself to “brainwashing.”

The Blood Prince is an engaging YA fantasy novel that gives readers just enough details to keep them engaged without taking it to the point of being too much for younger readers. There is violence in this story, but it’s not overdone or overly bloody. You get just enough to stimulate your imagination to piece together images of what is going on.

Readers are going to enjoy how realistic the characters are and how truly engaged in the story you will become with each turn of the page. The deeper the story goes the more intrigued you will become at why certain characters are treated better than others. There is history there, and some of it has been twisted, but the truth will win out. We get the backstory in certain places, and we get a bit of a history lesson as well. The more that is revealed in The Blood Prince, the more you’re going to become eager to discover what takes place in book two.

The Blood Prince is going to end on a cliffhanger. Readers who don’t like cliffhangers...it’s okay! LOL! It will just make sure that this book sticks with you so that you go grab book two! LOL!

The Blood Prince is a fantasy novel for readers who like fantasy novels, but lean more towards low fantasy. This is an engaging story, and you’ll look forward to all the twists, turns, revelations, and what comes next.

Pros:

• Page-turner
• Engaging
• Interesting characters
• Dynamic situations

Cons:

• None of merit

City of Mirth and Malice Review Spotlight

 We are celebrating highly anticipated release of City of Mirth and Malice by Alexis L. Menard! The duology is complete!

City of Mirth and Malice is here and it draws to an epic conclusion the story of Nico and Camilla. 

Readers who enjoy an engaging duology are not going to want to miss out on this amazing novel as it is going to grip you from the beginning and keep you page-turning to the very end. 

Yes, City of Mirth and Malice is part of a duology. However! The author grants readers a boon. Haven't read book one yet? Want to dive into this book so that you can eagerly devour it and find out how it all ends? Read book one a while back and can't really remember the key aspects that left you breathless for book two? Well, good news! The author gives readers a delicious synopsis at the beginning of book two that catches you up or refreshes you on what exactly went down in book one. It's fantastic.

Now! For the book itself. We absolutely loved book two more than book one. Why? Balance. Simple as that really. LOL! In book one, A House of Bane and Blood, the story was very heavy on Camilla. She was the dominant character that the author chose to focus on. We wanted more of Nico. He had the more interesting storyline, and honestly...he was more sufferable. Camilla was...a pill to be frank. 

In A City of Mirth and Malice, we get to see a different side of her. Why? Well, the simple answer is this...she's in prison. The very same prison that Nico was released from...she's been sent there. But she's not a prisoner "on the books." No, she is there being kept in secret, but she's not the only one. There are others. But you'll learn more about them later. 

Nico is playing a big part on the outside. He knows his wife is still alive, and he is going to do whatever it takes to bring her home. Cue dramatic pause...a new order is coming to town! Whoop whoop! Get excited people! Nico knows that the rules of the old world are pressing down on them, but he refuses to stand by and allow it to happen. Not here. There will be equality for all, or there will be nothing. Cue intrigue and drama! 

What is going to happen next? Lots of amazing stuff! You're not going to want to miss out on this book. Camilla and Nico show a lot of growth throughout this duology, but book two surpasses book one by leaps and bounds. You're not going to want to put this book down as Camilla battles to stay alive, and Nico fights to do whatever it takes to get her back and bring her home. 

A City of Mirth and Malice is the amazing conclusion to this duology and it has left this reader an absolute fan of this author. We can't wait to read more in the future. 

5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to the author, Alexis L. Menard, and R&R Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book. We look forward to what comes next! 

Eager to know what my thoughts are for book one? Stay tuned! Because that review is coming soon! 

City of Mirth and Malice (Order and Chaos #2)

Genre: Adult Fantasy Romance/ Gaslamp Fantasy

Some debts are not so easily repaid—or forgiven.

Nicolai Attano finally has everything he ever wanted: control over the Iron Saint Railway, safety for his family, and not a single rival syndicate to stand in his way. Never could he have imagined he’d want anything more than power—not until Camilla Marchese.

Six weeks have passed since the disaster on the train and his wife was kidnapped, but to get her back, he’ll need help. Nico struggles to work with a city poisoned against him and is instead forced to seek the aid of a disreputable black-market dealer. A simple bargain to ensure her rescue, Nico doesn’t think twice. A bargain is struck, and the cost is higher than ever. The collateral? His life.

Meanwhile, Camilla fights to gain control over her newfound powers as the alchemist in charge of her confinement puts her to the test. Forced to free what she’s held so close, the only light in this hellish prison is the hope to see her family again, and the husband who stole her heart. Three trials and three chances to find the source of her Chaos and use it to save herself, if it doesn’t destroy her first.

Cracks in the city draw lines between loyalties, and time is running out until everything comes crashing down. Return to Lynchaven in this action-packed and swoony conclusion of Nico and Milla’s story.

GET IT HERE

Tour Organizer: @rrbooktours

Merchants of Light and Bone Review Spotlight

Welcome to the book tour for author Erika McCorkle's Merchants of Light and Bone with The Write Reads! If you enjoy epic fantasy novels with beautiful descriptions and engaging characters then this is novel for you! 

 Merchants of Light and Bone is a standalone fantasy novel written by Erika McCorkle. Author McCorkle will take readers on a fantastical journey to a beautiful world full of imaginative characters that will captivate the mind and have you wanting to linger for as long as possible. As you explore this novel, you will find yourself along for the journey as a family struggles with the grief of losing a loved one, and then with the struggle to do what they feel is right for the sake of another innocent life.

Merchants of Light and Bone is sure to capture your attention with it’s gorgeously detailed cover. This book’s cover alone conveys the depths of this story. With a myriad of wild life they seem to swirl around and almost swallow up two of the main characters of this story – Amiere while he holds in his embrace his partner, Su. Behind, almost beside them is their faithful Shroom Hound – Maika. Yes, those are actual mushrooms growing on her. This marks her as beautifully unique and adorable.

The giant skeleton behind them all with the animals appearing to be reaching for the top truly draws the eye and teases your mind to want to know more. What is this skeleton? Is it an animal? Is it a demon? What created this thing? At the bottom you see the crystals – the very thing that cost this family the life of one of their daughter’s. Just a little to the right, almost seemingly to be what Maika is looking at – a kiwi with a glowing bell sitting next to it. The very fruit that young Tawny loved, and the bell that she always wore on her tail.

This book’s cover alone is a feast for the eyes, and tells parts of the story that is held inside these covers. One thing is for sure, it will pique your interest in learning more about the family and how they manage to move forward after the heartbreaking loss that affects them so deeply, while crystals promise to bring a time of prosperity to the town.

Merchants of Light and Bone is a story that focuses heavily on Amiere, the merchant of light. He, his wife – Liesle, and Su, the merchant of bone, their partner start the story off in morning for the loss of their daughter Tawny. When the crevice in the earth opened up, she unfortunately fell to her death. This is not a scenario that plays out on the page. Instead, author McCorkle, gives readers a memory of the tragedy through the mind of Amiere.

Readers watch as each member of this family struggle with the loss of their daughter or sister in their own way. As the tragedy is fresh, it is dealt with through tears, lack of desire to truly function or be productive. Of course, each character deals with the tragedy differently. Some sink into even deeper depression, while others seek to find outlets through their work or simply trying to take care of the family and focus on those who still remain.

A small shift begins when someone from their past makes a reappearance – Miltico. There are some bad feelings between him and Amiere especially. As you read the story you’ll quickly come to understand why. Miltico is a rather cruel and vile character, but he suits the purpose of bringing some drama to the story and giving Amiere something to focus on. Why is that? Well, Miltico has a small daughter and he is less than kind to the poor child.

Each of the characters depicted in this book are so beautifully unique. Amiere and his family carry more feline traits in their appearance. Do all the characters carry these traits? No. Miltico and his family lean more towards goats, and his daughter is more of a mix of goat and rabbit. Is it wrong that we just wanted to stroke her adorably long ears? LOL! Of course, young Usana is a rather flighty child, but there are some understandable elements to it...one namely being her father.

The pacing of this story is on the slower side, but there are some engaging moments sprinkled throughout that will draw readers in more and have them eagerly page-turning to find out what happens next. While the story is told through the eyes of Amiere, author McCorkle sprinkles in interludes throughout the story that give readers an idea of what some of the other characters in this story are experiencing themselves. These interludes help to give the story more depth as these interludes include the other children, and spouses.

Merchants of Light and Bone is a dynamic novel that draws you in and fully immerses you in a world full of interesting and beautifully created characters. You get tension, drama, some elements of horror, and a ton of family dynamics. Amiere is a truly engaging character as he struggles with the loss of his daughter, and weighing how to move on, along with the emotions that he feels towards Miltico. Of course, life doesn’t care about what you have going on when you are mourning, and that is effortlessly showcased in this book.

5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to the author, Erika McCorkle, and The Write Reads Book Tour for the opportunity to read and review this book. We look forward to what comes next.

Book Info

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Length: 819 Pages

Publishing: 8^th August 2023

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Merchants-Light-Bone-Pentagonal-Dominion/dp/B0CDNBZFMJ

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/184492062-merchants-of-light-and-bone

Blurb

Sorrow in paradise

A parent’s worst nightmare

When grief drives one to revenge

Living in a tropical paradise with his spouses and kids, Amiere is a merchant of light, a sculptor who carves glowing crystals into spectacular and powerful, demon-killing works of art. When the ground opens up near his idyllic village to reveal a massive supply of crystals, the whole nation of Aloutia celebrates. The merchants are guaranteed money for decades and officials predict Aloutia will be safe from demonkind for generations. But Amiere isn’t rejoicing—when the ground split apart, his seven-year-old daughter fell to her death.

Amiere’s grief turns to rage when an old enemy returns to the village with a young daughter displaying signs of starvation and abuse. Having witnessed his own daughter’s death, Amiere cannot bear the thought of watching another child die, especially when he can prevent it. Unable to ask police for help due to the village’s reputation of hostility toward authority figures, Amiere takes matters into his own hands, even at the risk of being exiled and separated from his family forever.

About the Author

Erika McCorkle, she/her, lives in the Pacific Northwest of the USA. She is a creator of fantasy worlds and a voyager to the worlds created by others. She spends much of her free time writing, reading, watching anime, and playing video games, all usually of the fantasy genre. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and currently works the night shift at a blood bank, meaning she is most definitely a vampire.

Website: https://www.authormccorkle.com/

Twitter: @Kiraofthewind1

 

Marked Review Spotlight

 

 Marked is the first book in the Keepers of Midgate series. This dark fantasy novella may be short, but it beautifully sets the stage for young Davy’s story as he faces hardship after hardship. It’s not all bleak though, there are moments of love and light. However, it would seem that he is destined for great things as he is forced to endure so much heartbreak and let down by people who should have stepped up to care for him regardless.

First impressions when you see the cover of Marked? “Wow, that’s one vicious-looking dragon!” Right? There’s probably more than meets the eye of a young boy who appears to be leaning back in “terror” of an “angry” looking dragon. For sure though, the dragon’s fierce expression and eye-catching colors is sure to pique your interest in what the author has in store for readers who pick this book up. It definitely looks like the dragon is angry at being disturbed, with a dead or dying sheep at it’s feet. But sometimes it pays to look closer, right? Not everything is what it appears to be.

Marked paints a vivid picture of young Davy’s life. Living with his parents, tending their herd of sheep, and making an honest living. The local town gossip informs young Davy of a baby born with a mark. It sounds like nothing really, but there is more than meets the eye. A particular mark means that you are “cursed.” Davy thinks nothing of it. Why should he? But it would seem that bad luck is heading their way.

Is it because he used certain words too loosely? Did his flippant mention of dragons and other monsters doom his family to the fates that they fall to? You’d be tempted to think so. But is there something else going on that we just don’t know about?

This story really draws you in the deeper you go. You’re going to find yourself smiling during the happy times, feeling heartbreak at the losses Davy is forced to endure, and even anger at the callous treatment he is forced to endure. At certain points, you’re just going to want to reach through the pages to hug him and show him that love shouldn’t “depend.”

This book promises dragons, as you can see on the cover, so...where are they? Well, they’re mentioned several times in the story. But make sure you pay attention when a dragon makes an up close and personal appearance in the early chapters of the story. Don’t worry though, that won’t be the only appearance! There will be another later on, and it’s going to be a scene you’re not going to want to miss.

The way that this novella wraps up is going to truly bring a smile to your face. Essentially it’s like the story is being brought full circle while also setting the stage for what the rest of the series. We for sure are excited to find out what happens next with young Davy. Where one door closes, another opens. You just have to be willing to hang in there like Davy.

Looking for a good fantasy novel? We can’t recommend this novella enough. Be sure to keep an eye out for the next in the series! It’s sure to be a page-turner that will keep you coming back for more if it’s anything like this detailed novella.

Sands of Ruin Review Spotlight

 

 Readers, are you on the search for something new? A new book that whisks you away to a dystopian world looking for a brighter future? A second chance at a better life? A story with faulty characters whom you can relate to? A story that will grab you and leave you eager for book two? Then look no further. Author R.M. Muller has got you covered. Step into the pages of Sands of Ruin...and be prepared to swept away into a desert world...eager for change.

Sands of Ruin is the first book in R.M. Muller’s Sands of Ruin series. Young Harmen isn’t so young. Not really. He is facing his last year of the Selection, and he’s hoping to avoid being chosen. The soldiers...the “Guardians” they come and choose select young men to take away to fill their ranks...or so the story goes. But they never come back once they are chosen. He’s lived his entire life in a desert landscape. Following the rules, living his life with his family and dreaming of something...more.

He sees the suffering of the people around him. All of them struggling to simply survive under the harsh heat of the desert days and the brutal cold of the following nights. He wants more than the life his parents have lived. To escape the Selection, to dodge the Blending and to live his own life. But is that even possible?

When Harmen makes a dangerous decision after the loss of his friend, he brings down the ire of the Guardians upon not just himself, but his family as well. With this...tragedy will strike again, but it will be closer to home. All decisions have consequences and his are going to come back to haunt him in a real way.

He’s not alone though. In the shadows lurks another...a girl who has captured his attention. He sees her only once but her startling blue eyes captivate him and she’s all he thinks about. Will this girl reappear and how much will she affect his life? Turns out...their paths are meant to cross, and they will be the driving force for the other.

Sands of Ruin can be categorized as a young adult novel, that gives hints that it will later shift towards “new adult” with the continuation of the series. Harmen is 17 years old, and one of the main characters of this story. Author Muller is going to give readers dual POV with this story shifting from Harmen to Imani at random moments throughout this book. However, the lion’s share of the story will be focused on Harmen. He is the crucial character that author Muller wants readers to focus on.

Your heart is going to break for Harmen as he is made to go through so much throughout this story. Sands of Ruin becomes more than just a story of Harmen looking to find his family, but it becomes a quest to change the world. To bring about what once was. To fix what someone else’s pain and “rash” decision has changed the world into.

You see, the world wasn’t always a desert landscape as far as the eye can see. No, it used to be so much more. But due to someone else’s stupid decision, their evil choices, loss was created and thereby drove another to make a decision that has created nothing but more loss since. It will beg the question – Why? Why continue down this path when you see the unnecessary suffering of so many? The answer seems pretty simple doesn’t it? Greed. Love of power and the desire to cling to it no matter the cost.

Harmen, while he tries to be careful, he tends to find himself in the cross hairs of trouble more often than not. Every time he goes off by himself you’re pretty much guaranteed that something bad is about to happen. It’s literally like clockwork. Yep, cue groans of exasperation especially when you know that he’s a “wanted” man. LOL!

Well, the good news is that it at least makes for entertaining reading. You’ll constantly be on the edge of your seat wondering – “Is this going to be it?” “Is this going to be the moment, the scene where he’s messed up one too many times and is now in deep trouble?” You’re going to be crossing your fingers that it’s not, because then it will mean someone else has to put their neck on the line for him. Just resist the urge to give him a shake. Okay? LOL!

The good news? Other than Imani, here are a lot of characters in this story looking out for Harmen. So, even when he does get himself into deep trouble, there is usually someone there to lend him a helping hand. Ready for some secrets? Be sure to keep an eye out for them, because they are scattered everywhere throughout this story. Author Muller will drop hints here and there for readers, but it’s up to you to pick up on them.

There are sparks of romance throughout this story as well. Hoping for more? For readers hoping for more, you’ll be left disappointed on that front. At least for now. Who knows what future books will hold? However, readers who enjoy the build-up and establishment of a relationship are going to be appreciative of how the romance angle is only given so much attention throughout the story. It’s there, but it’s just subtle.

Hate cliffhangers? HA! Well, you’re going to have to brave through this one. Even we were howling “Oh come ON!!!” when we reached the end of this book. It’s a double whammy of a cliffhanger ending. You get some answers concerning particular characters, but the two main characters? You’re going to be left twisting in the wind as to what happens to them...for now.

Sands of Ruin is a novel that you’re not going to want to miss out on reading. So make sure that you go and grab a copy and dive on in!

Pros:

- Engaging storyline

- Interesting characters

- Dual POV

- Twists and secrets

- Light romance

Cons:

- None of merit

4.5 out of 5 Stars

Thank you to the author, R.M. Muller, for the opportunity to read and review this book! We look forward to what comes next!

Scars of Seduction and Sacrifice Review Spotlight

Birth made her a slave. Love made her a martyr. He’ll make her his queen.

Scars of Seduction and Sacrifice is the second book in the Dark Eden series. If you have yet to dive into this series, you're missing out. Book two, to an extent, can be read as a "stand-alone" if you haven't read book one, but I recommend that you make time to go back and dive in from the beginning. I say this because characters from book one surface in book two, but not immediately. But keep this in mind, this is a series, the books are all connected, and there's going to be a third book. So...just go ahead and read them in order. LOL!

Scars of Seduction focuses on Vaza and Brex, a zealot, intent on sacrificing her sister to a dead god to bring an end to the death and destruction plaguing their people. Vaza will do whatever it takes to protect her sister, and if it means taking on this zealot...then so be it. 

Brace yourself for some epic drama, because this book is going to be gooooooooddd!!

This book starts out with Zava playing the role of a "rogue." She's a queen, and creates a pheromone that sends the males into a mating frenzy. It's restricted for a reason. The water is infected with red tide that once it gets into their lungs...it kills. There is no help or hope beyond that point. So she has to be very careful when she goes on her excursions. But when she crosses paths with Brex, well, things just got a little bit complicated. But there is more going on than even she fully knows. 

The relationships between Zava and her two sisters is truly interesting. Her twin sister is a queen like herself, but her other sister pushed herself to become high priestess. One would think that this means she'd have her sisters' best interests at heart...yeah...no. No, Zwara has her own interests and she harbors some resentment towards Zava especially. 

Of course, this book isn't solely about Zava and her zealot "friends." LOL! No, we get characters from book one, as well. Renae and Liam (from book one) are continuing their story, and it is a strange one (especially if you haven't read book one). Liam is trapped on an island (not of this earth) and Renae has joined him. He's given up hope of finding a way out/off, but she's determined to get out. But what will be the price? Something is keeping them there, and it won't let go easily. 

The author goes back and forth between the various characters giving readers pieces of what is going on with them. Wondering what the connection is? Well, let me tell you...it's coming and it just might blow your mind in the process. 

The ending isn't one that you're necessarily going to like, but trust me...it's going to have you wondering what is going to happen next. I know that you'll be eager for book three just like me. 

4.5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to the author, J. Ember Hintz, and R&R Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book! I look forward to what comes next! Stay tuned for a review of book one coming soon! 

                                                        Scars of Sacrifice and Seduction

Expected Publication Date: October 28, 2023

Genre: Sci-fi Fantasy with Spice/ Enemies to Lovers

🖤Enemies to Lovers
💘Fated Mates
📜 Ancient Prophecy
🌶️ Cult Rituals
💕 Multiple Couples
🪦Touch Her and 😵 Vibes
🫶🏻 Found Family
💀Afterlife Mythology
🤐 Forbidden Knowledge
👽 With with x2 🍆
💥 Supernatural Powers
😈 Villain’s POV
➕Addiction & Recovery Rep

Birth made her a slave. Love made her a martyr. He’ll make her his queen.

Welcome to Eden. Born without magic into a brutal world where mage abilities determine survival, Vaza didn’t think her life as a breeder-queen could get any worse.

Not until a cult leader declares her identical twin must be sacrificed to resurrect a dead god. Vaza plans to destroy the prophet’s credibility by seducing him into breaking his sacred vows. To get close enough to ruin him, however, she’ll need to infiltrate The Order and do the one thing she fears most-open her heart and allow Brex to claim more than just her pleasure.

Meanwhile, in the prison world of the dead…

All his life, Liam Riley has been told he’s an abomination. Turns out it’s true. He never asked to be cursed with the powers of a living god, but now that he has them, he’ll use every one of his new gifts to protect his soul-bonded mate. Even if it means locking her up to keep her from discovering the truth about the entity holding them hostage.

Too bad Renae has no intention of being kept in a cage. Not when she sacrificed everything to save him. The version of Liam she finds in the Void isn’t the same man she fell in love with. A decade of solitary confinement in the Void has turned him into something more. Something inhuman.

Book two in the Dark Eden sci-fantasy series, where the lines between enemies, allies, loyalty, and love blur beyond recognition.

Told in two colliding and scorchingly hot timelines that will leave readers questioning who the real monsters are.

Available on Amazon

About the Author

J. Ember Hintz writes sci-fi and fantasy romance. She loves building dark contemporary worlds and lush alternate realities ripe with mythology and magic.

You’ll meet ghosts, gods, and monsters in her stories, but never a damsel in distress.
Her debut novel was a 2022 Book Life Prize by Publisher’s weekly Quarter Finalist and 2021 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence Finalist.

Fun Facts: J. Ember is her real first initial and middle name. She goes absolutely feral for enemies to lovers, grumpy protector/body guard romance tropes, and whatever the opposite of a meet-cute is. A meet-disaster? She also believes the villain or antagonist is the most important character in every story.

She lives near the ocean with her husband, two rescue poodles and the occasional ghost. Her alter ego enjoys a successful career in the wedding industry. Job perks include an unlimited supply of cake, champagne and IRL HEAs. When she’s not making dreams come true, or breathing life into fictional characters, you can find her in the studio throwing paint at a canvas and hoping for the best.
To learn more about her upcoming releases, visit https://jemberhintz.com/ or follow her author life shenanigans on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.

J. Ember Hintz

Book Tour Schedule

December 4^th

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December 5^th

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December 6^th

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December 8^th

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