Happy Release Day & Review: A Bargain So Bloody

Title - A Bargain So Bloody 

Author - Vasilisa Drake

Genre -  Romantasy Vampires Enemies to lovers 

Format - Kindle Review Copy 

Publication date: June 30th 2025

Buy it on (Amazon) 

Add to your shelf (Goodreads)

Synopsis

She’s trapped in a magical prison. To break out, she’ll make a deal with the most dangerous prisoner of them all.

Sentenced for a crime she didn’t commit, Samara is bullied by guards and tormented by the screams of her fellow prisoners. She’s resigned herself to enduring her fifteen-year term… until she learns that the freedom she's been promised is the cruelest lie of all.

Now she's faced with a resign herself to dying in the cold walls of Castle Greymere, or do the unthinkable and escape. But no one leaves Greymere alive. So to break out of the prison? She’ll have to use one of the undead.

Raphael is the worst kind of a vampire with a thirst for blood, the mortal enemy of witches, the same breed that killed her mother. And most importantly, he’s unspeakably powerful, his supernatural strength tamed only by the enchanted cuffs forced on him.

He’s her only chance at a life outside the prison walls.

The deal is Samara unlocks his shackles, and he'll help her escape. But although Raphael agreed to help her leave Greymere, he never promised to let her go…

A Bargain So Bloody is the first book in an exciting new romantasy series, perfect for readers who love slow burn romance with morally grey heroes who fall first and hard and heroines who find their own strength.

My Review

I received A Bargain So Bloody in return for an honest review from the author. 

Samara is a prisoner that she's been in for ages. When fate gives her a chance to escape even if it's at the hands of a deadly vampire she takes it. Together they forge an unlikely partnership and finding more than either of them bargained for. 

I love Samara she's such a great character and when push comes to shove she does whatever it takes and I really felt like I could connect with her. I also really like Raphael he's such a unique character and I enjoyed watching her navigate his world. They have this connection that just works and I love it. Plus I love a enemies to lovers slow burn romance. 

I loved every moment of the story it was easy to lose all track of time and be drawn into the fantasy world. With engaging characters and a captivating story from start to finish I was hooked. I attempted to stay up all night to finish Samara and Raphael's story but sleep got the best of me. I ended up finishing the last 50 pages first thing this am. 

This isn't my first book by the author and I had some high expectations as I've enjoyed her other books. She blew all my expectations out of the water, and I'm obsessed with. The author is a beautiful storyteller every book I've read has been impossible to put down. I can't wait for the next installment as i enjoyed this one so much. Highly recommend she's on my auto buy list. 

It's Monday! What am I reading?

It's Monday and it's a new week with all new books on my TBR list. 

I didn't read as many as I would have hoped last week as it was super busy and we had a mini vacation road trip.

Last week I read:

Age Matters by Enjelicious Vol 1 and have Vol 2 sitting on my end table. 

Insincerely Yours by Lila Evers - review to come later this week. However, I loved it. 

Shortcake Cake Vol 1 by Suu Morishita 

Date Night by Rae B Lake 

Cupcake by Katie Mettner 

On my list for the new week 

I started Survive the Night by Riley Sager on my roadtrip. I also started Home is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose. However, they didn't love that one but seemed to enjoy the killer car ride more. So we listened to that one. 

I have A Soul To Keep re-read for my upcoming bookclub meeting this weekend. I loved the book and can't wait to talk about it. 

I'm a few pages from being done with A Bargain so Bloody and I'm loving it. 

I have vol 2-12 borrowed on Libby for Shortcake Cake

I also just received in the mail the 2nd installment of Age Matters and can't wait to dive in. 

What are you reading this week? 

Teaser Tuesday!

 

It's a new week and I've got a stack on my TBR list. 

I had a few adventures this morning and picked up a new book at the store. Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight has been on my TBR list for a while. So when I saw this beautiful edition I couldn't pass it up. 

I also picked up Carrot Cake donuts at the cute little orchard just down the street from my house. They are the best carrot cake donuts. The munchkin I think was a little bummed that I didn't wake her up but it's nice to run and get things done just me. 

I'm starting off my morning enjoying my tasty vanilla latte with my carrot cake donut. 

I'm listening To the Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly it's a re-read for me but it's been a few year. I read and loved it in 2015 so it's a perfect choice for my bingo challenge. 

I'm reading Finding the Forward Part Two by Jane Handler and loving it. 

Grab your copy (here)  

Teaser 

“Absolutely. We’re going to compare kofta Recipes,” I told her, as I got into the front seat of the SUV. 

“Oooh, A cook-off? I’m in. Especially if you’re making grandpa’s recipe.” Mercy was a great sous chef, and decent in the kitchen herself. 

“Oh, I am,” I replied. Baba’s omega dad had taught me to make it when I was little. 

What are you reading? 

It's Monday! What are you reading?

 

Happy Monday!!! 

The munchkin is on summer vacation so it's a lazy quiet summer here. 

Here is what I read last week

Mine by Clio Evans (Review)

Forged in Fire by Melody Rose 

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose 

Wolf Girl and Black Prince Vol 13 by 

Taken by the Twister by Adelyne Graves & Rebecca Massey 

Candied by Adelyne Graves & Rebecca Massey

Ducked by Adelyne Graves & Rebecca Massey

I had a great week. I cleaned off a few of the books on my TBR list as well as read a few of my scavenger hunt books. 

Here's what I'm reading this week! 

I'm having a tasty latte and starting off the week reading my bookclub book. 

What are you starting the week reading? 

Book Review: Mine

Title - Mine      

Author - Clio Evans  

Genre -  A Reverse Age Gap Romance  

Format - Kindle Review Copy 

Publication date: May 20th 2025

Buy it on (Amazon) 

Add to your shelf (Goodreads)

Synopsis

Good girl.

I am good.

I’m good at my job, running my company, and making a filthy amount of money.

But when a tattooed, dark-haired stranger a decade younger than me whispers Good Girl in my ear—I don’t want to be good anymore.

Behind closed doors, Salt shows me things I’ve never experienced.

He holds me captive with his burning touch and fevered demands of submission.

He brings me to my knees and makes me yearn to stay there forever, even as the clock ticks…

Everyone says what we’re doing is sinful.

That a woman like me shouldn’t have desires like this.

They say he’s too young for me, a sadistic beast incapable of falling in love.

And yet…

The way he says I belong to him…

The way he growls my name…

Can we find a way to be together? Or will our worlds tear us apart?

Mine Tropes:

• Age Gap (she's older)
• BDSM Dynamics
• He's a singer-songwriter, she's a record label CEO
• Beauty & the Beast retelling
• Both scarred from their past

Mine is a standalone contemporary romance.

My Review

I received Mine in return for an honest review from Grey's Promotions. 

Pepper is a such a great character I really liked her right from the start and found her easy to connect with. I loved Salt he may be younger but he just complements her in every aspect. This have this sizzling steamy yet sweet connection. I truly enjoyed Pepper and Salt's story as he opens her up to a world that she's only thought about. 

The characters are easy to connect with you can't help cheering them along as they figure out how to make their relationship work. I loved the concept of an reverse age gap it was interesting to see it from a new perspective and really enjoyed it. I love that we got to know so many of the characters in their lives. I will say Jeff drove me nutty and I'm glad I don't have to deal with him. 

I admit that I didn't read the synopsis as the author is one of my favorites and I knew I would enjoy it. I ended up devouring this one in just an afternoon it was impossible to put it down till the very last page. I found the story captivating from the very first page i was hooked till the very last. The author did a beautiful job creating a story that captured my heart as well as my imagination. I didn't so much as see the retelling but I loved the story. This may be my favorite by the author as I think it's fantastic. Highly recommend if you are a fan of the BDSM concept. Plus who doesn't love a masked rockstar romance. I just loved Pepper and Salts story so much. 

It's Monday! What are you reading?

New week new goals new TBR piles 

I had a decent wee with reading but not as many as I would have hoped. It was a really busy real life work but this week is shaping up to be more quiet. I finished a super cute baby blanket this weekend for my friends baby shower. 

What I read last week 

I enjoyed all of my reads and plan to continue the series. It was a unique mix of books. 

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (Grab your copy) 

Extinction Island by Janice Boekhoff (Grab your copy) 

Just Drive by Devyn Sinclair (Grab Your Copy) 

The Truth In My Lies by Ivy Smoak (Grab your copy)

My TBR for the week 

I'm currently reading Mine by the very talented Clio Evans and Forged in Fire by the lovely Melody Rose. I've read several books by both authors and I'm enjoy both. 

I've got a few arc on my list this week 

Bound by Stars by E.L. Starling 

Love at First Sighting by Mallory Marlowe (This is the 2nd book by her and I love them) 

Ties That Bind Us by Nicole Knight

I also have one Omega romance on my list. I do have a few manga to read but I've been missing the the last few weeks. 

I'm starting the morning with a tasty cup of coffee a cupcake latte and Mine a dark age gap reverse harem. 

What are you reading this week? 

Can't Wait Wednesday!

  Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by  

Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

I'm currently in my Romantasy Era and can't seem to get enough of them. I just love fantasy romance they are quickly becoming my favorite. 

This one is on my TBR list and I'm excited to get my hands on it. 

The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley 

Expected Publication July 8th 2025

Pre-order your copy (Amazon) 

Add to your TBR (Goodread) 

Romantasy, Enemies to lovers, Romance, Fantasy 

Synopsis 

Loyalties are tested in this enemies-to-lovers romantasy set in an alternate England following an assassin and a healer forced to work together to cure a fatal disease, all while resisting the urge to kill each other—or worse, fall in love.

When Osric Mordaunt, member of the Fyren Order of assassins, falls ill, he realises he needs the expertise of a very specific healer. As fate would have it, that healer belongs to an enemy faction, the Haelan Order.

Aurienne Fairhrim and her fellow Haelan are inundated by sick children suffering from an outbreak of a long-forgotten Pox. Unable to get the funding needed to launch an immunisation programme, the Haelan Order is desperate for money – so desperate that, when Osric breaks into their headquarters to bribe Aurienne to heal him, she is forced to accept.

As Osric and Aurienne work together to solve not only his illness but the mysterious reoccurrence of the Pox, they find themselves ardently denying an attraction which only fuels the tension between them.

What upcoming release are you excited for? 

Coffee Ramblings & Bookish Adventures

 Coffee Ramblings & Bookish Adventures 

It's Tuesday and already this week is flying by quickly. This morning we visited the local orchard just down the street. We had breakfast and grabbed some goodies. The donuts are amazing some of the best I've had. I'm a huge carrot cake fan but not a big cake fan and this is a perfect substitute for my obsession. I may never be able to eat carrot cake again. 

I've also tried the peanut butter it's amazing an I may never be able to buy it anywhere else. The strawberry donuts are on the plan for later. Looks like breakfast for the week is solved. 

I'm currently addicted to these pickles and can't seem to get enough of the pickle sourdough bread. The one on the right I baked today and wasn't sure if it would turn out but it turned out perfectly. It will make tasty sandwiches. The one on the left I'll bake tomorrow for a focaccia bread with chopped up pickles and cheese. 

Reading Update 

I just finished Just Drive by the very talented Devyn Sinclair. Now I need to write my review. 

Grab your copy (Here)

I'm also reading The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose and loving it. Only reason I read the other one is for my scavenger hunt. I plan to go back to it. 

Grab it (Here)

What are you reading? 

It's Monday! What Are you Reading?

  

It's Monday! What are you Reading? 

 

New week with a new stack of books on my TBR. Some goals and a whole lot of adventures. 

Last week I read 

Born of Shadows by Nicole Conway (Review) 

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry (Grab your copy) 

Sweet Heartbreak by Alexandra Moody (Grab you copy) 

On my list this week 

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose 

Just Devyn Sinclair 

Remarkably Birght Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt 

Mine by Clio Evans 

Love At First Sighting by Mallory Marlowe 

How my Monday is starting off. 

I'm currently reading Just Drive & The Perfect Marriage and really enjoying both of them. 

I've started off the morning with a vanilla collagen coffee the best way to start off the week. 

I've got the Streets of Fire soundtrack stuck in my head and I have it on repeat recently while I read. I think it's time for a rewatch movie night with Tom Cody. I wish the munchkin would watch it one of these days. 

How's your week?