Book Review: The Blood Between Us

 Title - The Blood Between Us 

Author - Mercy Jane Porquez Ballesteros 

Tropes - Contemporary Romance Mafia 

Format - eArc 

Publication date: January 11th 2026 

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Synopsis 

A child watched her parents die in the rain.

The man who pulled the trigger let her live.

Fourteen years ago, Grace was spared with one command: Disappear.

She did.

Now twenty-two, she’s determined to uncover the truth behind the crash that was erased from history—and the powerful men who buried it.

Then she meets Declan Moretti. Cold. Controlled. Untouchable. A billionaire built on blood and loyalty. He recognizes her instantly.

She has no idea who he is.

Their attraction is immediate—electric and dangerous.

Every glance lingers too long.

Every step closer blurs the line between desire and destruction.

Grace is hunting the man who killed her parents. Declan is the man she’s falling for.

When the truth comes out, love won’t just be forbidden— it will be lethal.

The Blood Between Us is a dark, high-stakes romance filled with revenge, buried secrets, and a dangerously irresistible connection between a morally gray hero and the woman he was never meant to see again.

Some promises are written in blood. Some love stories are too.

My Review

I received The Blood Between Us in return for an honest review from the author. 

At 8 Grace's life changed the night she watched her parents be murdered by a stranger. She is sent to live with her aunt but knows there is more about their deaths. Now 14 years later grown up it's time for her to get to the bottom of what happened. Declan knows who Grace is and when she shows up 14 years later in his office he giver her the job. They have this instant connection but her past and the truth is looming. What happens when things spiral out of control will they survive or will the truth keep them apart. 

I loved Grace and Declan they both have issues but together they find what they are both looking for. I loved the connection that they have it's sweet, steamy and impossible to deny the attraction. I loved the office romance with the darker Mafia elements. I love that Declan has grown from the young 21 year old who was forced into the life that he wasn't ready for. 

This is my first book by the author and I'm hooked I love a story that captures my attention and draws me in right from the start. I ended up devouring this one in just a few short hours as I was hooked on Grace and Declan's story. It's an emotional rollercoaster that keep me on the edge of my seat till the very last page. I'm in love and a tad bit obsessed it was such a beautifully written story. 

Book Review: The Love Bus

Title - The Love Bus 

Author - Annabelle Anders

Tropes - Contemporary Romance 

Series - The Love Series  

Format - Kindle Unlimited  

Publication date: August 26th 2025  

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Synopsis 

I found out my fiancé was cheating—while we’re on live TV.

To get out of town I hop on a plane, and just my luck, we hit epic turbulence--so epic that I grab Hot-Aisle-Seat-Guy like these are our final moments alive.

“Just breathe,” he says. But that's easier said than done.

Because his voice is the perfect kind of grumbly, and his face… let’s just say I’m not looking out the window anymore.

After my melt down, I console myself with the fact that I’ll never see him again. Right?

Wrong.

Fate has put us both (grudgingly) on the same Southwest bus tour, surrounded by a pack of tech-challenged retirees who treat smartphones and i-pads like loaded weapons.

And yet… somewhere between letting go of the past, exploring majestic canyons, and yeah, Hot-Aisle-Seat-Guy, my “avoid men” plan is slowly turning into a “trust the broody doctor” plan.

Maybe I didn’t board this bus to fall in love… but suddenly, I can’t imagine going home without him.

If you like heartwarming escapes filled with adventure, unforgettable characters, and a slow-burn romance that keeps the pages turning, climb aboard The Love Bus.

My Review

Luna's life is spiraling out of control quickly after she found out her fiancé was cheating and planned to steal her show. When her sister and mom guilt trip her into taking a bus trip that her mom was supposed to go on she takes it as the much needed break. Everyone on the bus is much older except for Noah the hot guy she met on her flight. The more time they spend together they find themselves falling or each but neither one is ready for a relationship. 

I loved Luna and Noah they are just so perfect for each other and they have this sweet chemistry. I think the supporting cast of bus mates are great and I loved getting to know their stories. This one was so much fun I was able to connect with the characters and I enjoyed both of the characters. 

I starting this one in the morning and ended up devouring it in just one long reading session and didn't put it down till the last page. I also grabbed the novella proposal that was included as I had to have more of Luna and Noah. I loved every moment of their story it's a sweet steam romance that had me giggling till the very last chapter and I'm obsessed. I'm excited to dive into the next book in the series and I clearly need to read the authors other books because I loved her storytelling. Highly recommend. 

Book Review: Emma Barrie-Blair

Title - Vengeance  

Author - Emma Barrier-Blair 

Tropes - Dark Romance 

Series - 1st in Written in Sin Duet  

Format - eArc 

Publication date: March 6th 2026 

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Synopsis 

Love. Loss. Secrets.

They form a deadly concoction when mixed.

One that turns a soul destructive, the only thing keeping it alive is a heart corroded by vengeance.

Indie Kent faced two choices in life, try carry on and bear the weight of the events that changed her forever. Or she could become a living nightmare. Take the darkness and wield it like her own form of sorcery.

There’s risks when you conjure such a force, you can uncover more than you bargained for.

Your actions might summon the devil himself.

Though Indie’s no stranger to his wicked ways. She’s about to learn how hot the flames of his hell burn for her.

And together, they’ll scorch anyone that gets in their way.

My Review

I received Vengeance in return for an honest review from the author. 

Indie and Saint were in love till the night everything changed suddenly they are no longer talking and each of them has learned to cope with that night. Each going in different ways but both with the same agenda. When a mission sends Indie back into Saint's world sparks fly. Will they be able to repair what's lost? 

I love Indie and Regina they have turned what happened into changing the lives of those who are hurt. They are some tough girls and the fact that Indie takes care of the problems as they hunt those who hurt them I just love a female vigilante. Saint is kind of perfect for Indie he's a total good guy next door but also able to destroy anyone who hurts her. They have this undeniable chemistry that just works and even after years it's still sizzling. 

I'm a tad bit obsessed with the authors books this is my second book and each one just get's better and better. This is a cliffy and I was screaming at my kindle when it finished because wow what an ending. I was hooked right form the first page and almost stayed up all night reading but finished it first thing. I enjoyed every moment of the story and can't wait to get my hands on the next one. The author is a beautiful storyteller she's created a emotional right that left me dying for more. I loved every moment of the story, even though it ripped out my soul and left me shattered. Highly recommend if you enjoy dark romance. 

Happy Release Day!

 Happy Release Day!!!! 

Taste of Madness is live!!!! 

I loved the first one in the series and I'm almost done devouring this one. 

Taste of Madness by R.L. Caulder 

Grab your copy (Here) 

Add to your TBR (Here)

Synopsis 

My choice is made on how to move forward after saying goodbye to the four men that each own a piece of my heart, but the earth doesn’t agree.

My connection with the planet and the threads of fate I was created to wield are gone. Only deafening silence remains.

So I do the only thing I can: I forge my own path, alone and determined.

A human stronghold waits at the edge of that path, a city the kings swore would never be worthy of me. There, in the shadows of their war, I hunt for answers and find ugly truths buried under patriotic oaths, whispered orders that stink of evil, and a human who ruins my careful resolve just by existing.

Colonel Ryoden Kane arrests me as a possible enemy, yet guards me like a treasure and believes in me even with the earth’s back turned. We strike a fake engagement—a careful lie we wear like armor so I can walk beside him into the heart of human power—but with every step we take hand in hand, pretending feels a little less simple. Somewhere between duty and desire, I forget this love is a lie.

Together we hunt for a way to save this world, but what we uncover is far worse than I imagined. The deeper we go, the clearer it becomes: If I want to save this world, I’ll have to put my faith in those I love more than ever.

Time is ticking and a choice must be made, yet I don’t know if I’ll be able to live with it.

Author note: This is book two in the "Woven in Time" trilogy. This book will end on a cliffhanger.

Stacking The Shelves

Stacking The Shelves 

It's been a fantastic week for books. 

I received a couple of my subscription books. 

From Cover to Cover I received 

War by Brittanee Nicole 

Possession by Brynne Asher

Each month they have a contemporary and dark romance.

My pre-order copy of Dire Bound by Sable Sorenson special edition arrived. 

I also received Half City by Kate Golden from my Romantasy Fairyloot box. 

For Review 

Beach Thriller by Jamie Day from St. Martin Press 

River of Bones and Other Stories by Rebecca Roanhorse - from Saga Press 

Her Sharp Embrace by Kate Koenig - from Wednesday Books

Seconds to Spare by Rachel Reiss from Wednesday Books

Toe to Toe by Falon Ballard from Putnam 

Worse Than Strangers by Kyleigh Leddy - from Gallery Books

Deadly Rodeo Threat by Sami A Abrams - from the author

The Debtor's Game by Isabelle Mongeau - Ballantine Books

Book Release & Review: Beast Becomes Her

Title - Beast Becomes Her 

Author - Crystal Seitz 

Tropes - 

Series - Standalone 

Format - Physical Arc

Publication date: Feb 24th 2026

Buy it on (Amazon) 

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Synopsis 

Netflix’s Wednesday meets Norse mythology in this gorgeous dark contemporary fantasy following a teen berserkr sent to a secret magical academy where she must unmask the real killer behind the gruesome campus murders or risk becoming the next victim.

Edith has always been a good girl—she has to be, or her foster family might think she’s like her violent father. No matter how much anger simmers inside her, she keeps it buried, hidden…

Until the day she’s pushed a step too far, and that anger comes bursting out in the form of literal claws.

It’s then that Edith learns she’s a berserkr, a descendant of ancient Norse warriors with the ability to turn into animals. To avoid jail for attacking a student, Edith is shipped off to the mysterious Skallagrim Academy. The ancient school is supposedly a haven for people like her, a place where she can learn to control her powers and then push them down so deep that they’ll never come out again.

But someone—or something—is stalking the dark halls of Skallagrim.

On her second night, Edith stumbles upon a gruesome murder and is caught at the scene of the crime by Amund, who is tasked with hunting down wayward berserkir. Now, with Amund suspecting Edith as the killer, she’ll have to catch the real culprit to prove her innocence before she ends up in the hunter’s crosshairs—or becomes the killer’s next victim.

My Review

I received Beast Becomes Her in return for an honest review via NetGalley. 

Edith and her little sister have been living in foster care after the death of her parents and she's determined to no end up like them. When an altercation at school changes everything they are sent off to an Skallagrim Academy to learn to control the berserkr lingering under her skin. While her little sister embraces her new life Edith has spent her who life pushing down who she is and learning control is all that matters. 

I love Edith she's such a great character and I really felt that I was able to connect with her. She has two brothers after her affections but that's the least of her worries because after arriving bodies start turning up. Teaming up with Amund the brother tasked with finding the killer they form an unlikely bond. I loved the sweet connection between them and he's totally swoonworthy in every way as a hunter and monster. 

This is my first book by the author and after seeing some artwork on Insta I knew I needed to read it and I'm very glad that I did. The book is beautifully written it's an emotional coming of age story with just a sprinkle of romance. I was hooked right from the start and devoured this book in just one afternoon of reading. I loved every moment of the story and I'm obsessed with her storytelling. I'm planning on diving into her other book, and she's going on my autobuy list. 

Book Review: The Determined

Title - The Determined 

Author - Rachel Rueckert  

Tropes - Historical Fantasy Pirates 

Series - Standalone 

Format - Physical Arc

Publication date: Feb 24th 2026

Buy it on (Amazon) 

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Synopsis 

A groundbreaking novel of historical fiction based on the real experiences of two of the Golden Age of Pirates’ most infamous women, Anne Bonny and Mary Read, who dared to subvert the rules and gender roles of their time.

1721, Spanish Town, Jamaica. Captured, convicted, and pregnant, 23-year-old Anne Bonny faces the gallows. When writer Captain Charles Johnson enters the garrison, she strikes a deal: she’ll tell this opportunistic fool her story if he sends a doctor to her friend, Mary Read, who’s battling prison fever.

Prior to their arrest, life at sea had offered Anne and Mary freedom that few women knew. Anne, born into scandal in Ireland, seeks home and elusive safety in South Carolina. Discovering the opposite, she makes a bitter bargain for emergency passage to the Bahamas.

Across the Atlantic in England, Mary confronts her own limitations as an illegitimate daughter. She sneaks into a merchant crew, disguised as a cabin boy. But when war sends Mary into the cavalry, she meets a challenge even she might not rival.

When their paths collide in Nassau, a notorious “pirate den,” Anne and Mary find kinship aboard the Revenge—the fastest ship in the Caribbean. With the governor out for blood, every raid brings more risk. From the high seas to the depths of a Jamaican prison, Anne and Mary must navigate impossible choices, each determined to taste freedom again.

My Review

I received The Determined in return for an honest review from the author. 

Anne and Mary have been captures and if not for being pregnant they would have never made it as long as they did. Anne is visited by a writer who's determined to write her story at any cost and strikes up a deal for it. The story bounced between her current situation and back in time as the two woman's lives are changed. They both grew up in different worlds but fate places them together. 

I loved Anne and Mary they both had to overcome so much but they didn't give up. I think I liked that fact that Mary pretended to be a man in order to survive even joining a war. I found them both easy to connect with and cheered them on through the whole story. I loved that this is an action packed adventure with just a little sweet romance. 

I devoured this in just one reading session I was hooked right from the start till the very last page. I've not read a lot of historical fiction but for this author she's on my auto-read list. This book is beautifully written it captivated my imagination and stole a place in my heart. This was a emotional read for me and it pulled at my heart strings. I loved every moment of the book it was such a fun read and I can't wait to see what the author come up with next.