Sapphire Flames is a book that has been on my list for quite a while and I even had a print copy on my shelf since it was first published in 2019 and yeah I know ....I KNOW it has taken me so long to get this book read but I finally did it and it was the audio version of this book. I have had a hard time wanting to pick up a mass market paperback to be honest, I am spoiled by my kindle. BUT I saw this available on my library database and it was the kick in the pants that I need to finally grab this one up here. And I had a blast with this book, I am not sure if it was just the story itself or if it was the talent of the narrator, but I just had so much fun with this story here.
Sapphire Flames is a story that begins with the second sister in the family, Catalina. She is the middle sister that is highly overlooked by society in many ways. Her older sister Nevada, is the one that shocked and delighted everyone. But Catalina, isn't viewed as considerable. But now she is the head of the house and responsible for their welfare. With the help of her future love interest.....Alessandro, she is drawn towards a new case in the hunt for the killer of a mother of three kids who have all become orphans but now they want justice. Catalina wants to be able to do this on her own, but Alessandro keeps getting involved and Catalina doesn't know if she is grateful or wanting him to leave her alone. Even though Catalina has had a crush on him for years, she knows he would never feel the same way about her. But there is a chemistry between them, one that she feels with every moment they are together. But what goes from a simple mission of finding a killer builds into a journey that Catalina never expected and the sacrifice she will make for those that she loves will cost her dearly in the end....
Sapphire Flames was a story that stunned me in its most simplest of ways and I never know what to expect from this duo author pair, I love what they deliver together and Sapphire Flames is a story that stunned me in many moments. I couldn't get enough of seeing Alessandro and Catalina together. Those moments when the tension rises between them is beautiful and captivating, I was almost holding my breath every single time you saw these romantic moments that built their relationship. I am definitely intrigued to see where Ilona Andrews will build their relationship.
The characters that are built within this story are fascinating and I loved seeing the Baylor family come to the surface once again. It feels like forever since I have seen this fun family group and all their unique personalities just fit together despite their unique quirks and abilities. I love the closeness of this family unit but at the same time I admired seeing their differences come to the surface. We don't see much of Nevada in this one but I have a feeling we will see much more of her in "Emerald Blaze" and I am definitely wondering how that will change the dynamics. I will say that after seeing Catalina in action and seeing more depths to her character, I think I am loving her more than Nevada. There is something so different about her, aspects that I relate to better. I find that she is more sensitive and relatable in many ways. She can kick booty and her special abilities of her own, but she also has these sweet vulnerabilities that I was so drawn to. Alessandro was a delectable hero, I loved how well he pairs with Catalina. He seems to never be put off by her resistance to him, he sees the humor in every situation and I love his flair for the dramatics at times, he tends to balance out the serious personality that is Catalina.
The plot of the story is action packed and I never knew what was around the corner of the story. This is a talent that this duo writing team excels at and anyone that has read them will understand exactly what I mean by that! They are a powerhouse together and I have to admit I fell in love with this story and the way they build up certain elements to draw the reader within the story in a way that is unique to their writing alone. I find the worldbuilding in the story to be stunning, there are so many depths to this world and I find being more and more intrigued with each book I read within it. There is a depth of magic and societal organization that will fascinate its reader and so intriguing the political dynamics that are displayed here. My only disappointment that I found with this story is that there is a cliffhanger. Yep you heard that right. Which was to be expected, but you can trust that I will be grabbing up Emerald Blaze very quickly here. I gotta find out what happens after such a breathtaking ending these authors delivered on.
Overall I found Sapphire Flames to be a stunning depiction of the journey of Catalina and Alessandro, their road isn't going to be an easy one, but in this story we see the depths, the magical wit, the unique senses of creativity that is portrayed and the intensity that is bound to keep the reader on edge all the way through and will never disappoint.....a gravitating romance!
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Trust In Love is a story that I have been on the long wait for, I can tell you this author isn't writing these books fast enough LOL But then I am so impatient and I will gobble anything up in the "epic fantasy" genre. Literally. There just aren't enough authors writing this genre and it has so much potential for them. Trust In Love is a great story and the second in the series. I will be honest in that I really struggled with this one, I think either I wasn't in the right mood or I just didn't feel connected to the story in the first half of the book but was enjoying their adventure ....although I think a lot of it had to do with the betrayal that I knew would happen and just wanted it done and over with. But I will say that there came a point in the story that I couldn't PUT IT DOWN and I was literally captivated by it even if my own reservations kept me from enjoying it at first (I HATE SECRETS haha)
Our story features two people that are love marked, that are fated lovers. Both are of royal blood. Nicolette has always known that she and Farrow were meant to be and she is waiting for him when he comes for her...but Farrow is not on a mission of devotion and love. Farrow hasn't had it easy like Nicolette. Farrow's mother was a prostitute of the king, and the king is a cruel man and has tortured and abused his son at every opportunity. But he wants to bring his enemy kingdom to their knees, so he puts the one person Farrow holds most dear, his own daughter into the dungeon and threatens to kill her if Farrow doesn't bring back Nicolette who will be in turn tortured and killed. But Farrow doesn't feel like he has much choice here. But what happens is along the way, Farrow falls in love with Nicolette but before he can, she finds out the truth ...and only their strong connection will save them from their enemies....
Trust In Love is such a unique story and I really fell in love with it so quickly. I was so drawn to its world, Linda Kage, has definitely created a fantasy desert world that you can be captivated by. You have some fun tropes that come into play but I really love seeing these two find their way together despite the opposition that they face but then Linda Kage is brilliant when it comes to forbidden love and she really works the story just right. I was SO not a fan of some things that happen in the end to be honest. Now the pair does have their HEA, I just didn't like the turnout of some other elements. I did find the story to have such adventure filled moments. I really enjoyed seeing this pair face their obstacles and rise above the challenges that they are met up with. With each book this author is getting me even more intrigued by the day of the setting and seeing her build this magic filled world.
Overall I found Trust In Love to be a in depth story of danger, intrigue, stimulating passion and love, a tale of magic and beating the odds and good conquering evil in the end....truly a magical story to dive into!
Margot Armstrong, was shocked when her father forced her to marry a wild highlander, Arran McKenzie. She didn't feel like she fit in, in a world she knew nothing about and a life she felt fear right around the corner. So against her better judgement, she abandoned her husband and returned to England. Its been three long years, and she has returned in a not so honorable way. Her father has coerced her that she must discover if her husband is a traitor to the crown. She she has been sent to win back his affection and learn the truth. But with each day that passes, Margot regrets everything she has done that has deceived Arran, a man that she admires and is starting to fall in love with. Arran doesn't trust Margot or her "return" after being gone for three years. He had finally managed to get over losing his wife and now she has returned and he knows he can't trust anything she says. But as desire flares between them and the lines of lust and love become blurred, there is a plot again Arran, and soon they will have to take a leap of faith in order to survive the treachery among those Margot's loves the most.
Plot and Story Line
Wild Wicked Scot is the most latest novel from our esteemed Julia London and a great beginning to a new historical series. In Wild Wicked Scot I fell in love in a way that I never expected. Now I will say this, the heroine is the only aspect of the story I didn't like. She was really difficult at times, and selfish and spoiled especially in the beginning. So I had a hard time liking her at least until the later part of the story. In Wild Wicked Scot, I feel like one of the major aspects of the story that makes you fall in love is how her character changes. She starts out as one you can't stand but turns out to be quite wonderful in the end.
Uncle Ivor once told Arran that there was nothing more dangerous to man than a woman. "No beast, no plague, no pestilence," he'd said jovially from his perch on a rock as they'd stalked red deer. "Men live and die for them, lad. You'll see what I mean when you've come of age, aye? The trick is to find a steady one and keep her close."
She changes through the story, and she does see the error of her ways and does what is right when it really matters. Now our hero....he is simple fantastic and sees right through Margot from the beginning. I liked that he didn't just 'believe' she wanted a reconciliation since it had been three years and hadn't heard a word from her. But we see through the story that he has always cared for it, but didn't know how to show it. We see the various ways the characters are tested to their limits in this one. I loved the espionage theme we have going on here. It really added some intensity to the plot and the writing was superb in this one. I honestly read this in one sitting, it was so dang good. Even though I had some issues with our heroine, the writing just pulled me in and I didn't want the story to end. I am very curious to see how the second book connects to this one.
"But in this, you must trust me. Arran, for heaven's sake, you must, at last, trust me. I love you, and not because our fortunes are aligned. Because in this little lodge, you taught me what is important. You taught me what it meant to care for someone. I don't care about balls and society. I care about how many potatoes the earth will yield, and how I might mend the hole I put in your shirt, and if you will love your child as much as you love those wretched dogs at Balhaire."
He bowed his head, sighing in relief. "Margot...Diah--"
She took his face in her hands and made him look up at her. "You became the beginning and the end of my world here, and I choose you. I will always choose you."
The Cover
Such a beautiful and tenderly romantic cover!! I really love the blue colors and the pose is sexy yet sweet too.
Overall View
Wild Wicked Scot is a vividly pictured romance that is a winning story that shows the tests of trust, desire and fighting for what is right. COMPELLING ON EACH PAGE!!
Isobell along with her sisters, were separated at a young age, and Isobel was sent to England for her protection. Their mother was killed when accused of witchcraft. Isobel is a seer, and has the ability to see the past and future of a object she touches. She has had to live in fear of her gift being realized. When she comes of age, her father sends for her, so that she can be married and protected by one of the most powerful men in Scotland. Her escort back home is Sir Philip Kilpatrick. Philip is known as a man who can find anything. Philip left home, even though he is the oldest and heir, he is blamed for the loss of his younger sister. At first, he forces himself not to care for Isobel, a woman of spirit and passion. But soon he realizes that Isobel is everything he desires in a wife, but will Isobel choose love or duty to her family?
My Wicked Highlander is the first book in the series, and the first book I have had a chance to read from this author. I have had this author in my eye for some time...I really was excited to read this and I was satisfied from beginning to end. This story is set in the Elizabethan era. A time where especially in Scotland, the king had zero tolerance for "witches" and anyone accused of witchcraft, whether guilty or innocent was killed right away. This is what sets the stage for the story. We have Philip, who has his own past and demons to deal with. He does have some pain to deal with, but we see a hero with strength and who is trying to do the right thing, especially when it comes to the woman he loves. I really loved the way the author puts his character in. He is not your normal highlander. Running from his past and his family, he has to come to terms with those inner demons before he can truly embrace his future. Isobel, is fun and charming. She has had to hide her gift, but she does have a bit of naive personality when it comes to her gift. She will use it without thinking the consequences through. She isn't afraid, even knowing what happened to her mother. Even though she is a bit naive, she is strong willed, and loyal to everyone she cares about. She is always wanting to help others, especially when she sees something in the future that is disastrous.
These two are quite a pair, and they wormed their way into my heart. There is a bit of conflict, but I loved the slow and gentle romance that forms into a charming love story and is breathtaking from the first to last page. Guaranteed to captivate!!
Actor Molly Cade, has a opportunity to make a movie of her dreams come true, but she needs the willingness of the fire department in Chicago to make it happen. Her movie based on a female fire fighter and her road to success and love, and Molly wants to put it on film for everyone to see. But there is one problem...she has to win over Wyatt Fox, a past lover whom she hasn't ever forgotten. Right before Molly became a famous actress, she had a casual affair with Wyatt and for one week they had a wonderful time sharing a hotel room and learning each other. But Molly left to follow her dreams and weaved her way into Wyatt's heart. Wyatt, is a ex marine, and a fire fighter and will protect his family with everything he has, including the one woman he has followed and craved ever since that fateful week where he lost his heart. Wyatt has injured himself saving a life, and is forced to work with Molly as a consultant for her movie. Which is the last thing that Wyatt wants to do, but he discovers what made him fall for this sexy woman in the first place and finds himself falling heads over heels again....but will he lose her a second time?
Plot and Story Line
WHOHEEE!!! What a story that was packed with spice, flavor and some fantastic smexiness to curl your toes!! I had so much fun with this book and it certainly won't be my last Kate Meader story I can tell you that. What is not to love about Sparking The Fire? Well let me tell you....just about nothing. Everything was simply wonderful and I couldn't put this story down the moment I picked it up. Now this is my first experience reading this author and I can tell you it was so fun the way she wrote this story. Now I love a fun fire fighter romance but this one really did it for me. First off, the chemistry between these two is simply off the charts and you just have to join in the for the ride. I think what was so memorable about this story, was seeing these two love birds find each other again to a happy ending which they didn't have the first time. Now both of them have grown up quite a bit in five years. Our hero, is no longer a military man, but still serves in his own way and has a few secrets he is keeping. Molly Cade, has had a rough time of it. She has had to recently to deal with naked photos of herself revealed to the public and it has almost torn her apart inside. She is now recovering hoping this movie will help show the world who and what she is not what the pictures show. I admired both Wyatt and Molly and both have strong personalities and you would think would clash, but honestly they compliment each other in all the ways that really matter. Another fun aspect was Wyatt's family and boy were they fun!!! Especially Gage...he was a hoot. I did like how the twists of his family really add some flame to this romance which flares hot from beginning to end.
“Falling in love with you was the easiest thing I’ve ever done. Falling is easy. Staying that way is hard. But I’ve been choosing hard all my life, so why the hell would the life I make with the woman who completes me be any different? I love you like a madman. You’re the air I breathe, my next heartbeat, and I’m never letting go.”
The Cover
SEXY and Fiery HOT!!!! Gimme Gimmme HOT Firemen??!!!
Overall View
Sparking The Fire is a sexually charged, riveting emotion powered romance that will make your heart skip a beat!!! A WHOPPER OF A READ!
Nicoletta is the healer of her village, with astounding talent that is revered and feared among those around her. She is then summoned up to the "Palazzo" to heal a little girl, who is gravely sick as well as her unucle who is Don Scarletti. Having heard some viscous rumors about the man. Nicoletta fears him from the beginning, but there is something about him that puts a pause in her fears. Done Giovanni Scarletti has grown up being trained to be the leader of his people. He takes much responsibility on his shoulders, after Nicoletta heals him, he feels warmth and a sensual possesion of her and he knows that he must claim her. When he demands that Nicletta must marry him, she refuses him, yearning for freedom...not knowing that the power of love she will find in his embrace can be the most empowering freedom of all.
As this is the only one of the dark series (apart from the newer ones that I have yet to read)I feel in love with this one. The Scarletti Curse has a connection to Dark Possesion. This is definitely one of my favorites of Christine Feehan. Even though Giovanni has "Alpha" characteristics, there is also a gentle nature about him as well, that we see spreads throughout the book. Nicletta has a passionate nature in everything that she does, she aches for the freedom that she has been given most of her life. She has a strong will and spirit that just made me fall in love with this heroine. She has such spirit and not afraid to stand up to her man (which I love the spirited heroines the most :)] She doesn't want any man to dictate to her. Throughout this story we see these two strong willed characters go through a journey that definitely evokes a strong emotional response in the reader, and its pages are filled with danger, passion, intrigue and a love THAT CONQUERS NO MATTER THE DANGER definitely a read you don't EVER want to miss out on!!!!
Julien, at age thirteen, was changed forever when french revolutionaries and peasants stormed his family's home, killed his brothers and father, and with his mother along his side, barely escaping with their very lives. Now in England, Julien has rebuilt his family's fortune and wealth, enough to make sure his mother is taken care of the rest of her life. But there is another reason, he believes that at least one of his brothers, Armand, is still alive and being held somewhere in France, and he must find a way to get there, even with a war going on. In the midst of making his plans, a family friend of her mothers has sent her daughter to be courted by Julien and even to have him marry her. Julien, doesn't have much belief or faith in love, even though his parents deeply cared for each other. But out of respect for his mother, he agrees, only Lady Serafina is not what he ever expected. Sarah Smith, has been enlisted, not by her own choice, to be a spy within three days. She is told she must find as much information on the Duc de Valere as possible since he is suspected of being a traitor and a spy due to his recent visits to France. However, she never thought Julien would be so irresistible or this task would be more challenging than she ever imagined. Because she is starting to fall in love with this man, suspected traitor, but one who she feels herself losing her heart to. The Making of the Duchess is the first in the series...which doesn't happen very often. Most oftentimes I read a series out of order, but I decided to read this one in order. After recently reading from this author I was just about jumping up and down in my seat, excited to read this. It was a whole different style of story than others that I have read from this author. For one, its plot has a more serious tone to it. There were only a few times I laughed, when I usually I am just cracking myself up in her books. For those of you who have read this one, you know what I am talking about. I was expecting a story that would just be so full of witty humor and silly yet fun scenes...boy was I wrong. Don't get me wrong....I did love this one, and I would recommend it to anyone that loves a good spy romance. However you need to expect it to be more serious, not as carefree. Let me lay out some of the few things that I just loved about The Making Of A Duchess. First, I loved the fast and smooth flow of the plot and story. It was like floating on a river, so smooth and steady. It had its breakneck pace, that is common with this author, that keeps a reader fully enthralled. I also loved the depth of each character, there was so much personality and spirit that I was endeared to them from the beginning. There were many surprises at various times throughout the book, that it keeps you shaking with anticipation. I also loved the mystery and intrigue element to the plot, that had me guessing and I ended shocked at certain times. I loved the way the story is so beautiful woven in detail and the imagery is so vivid I felt like I was there in the story, and I was flipping through the pages as fast as I could read them. Another winner for this author!!! A story that will have you from the first page. I just dare you to put it down. LOL I can hardly wait to read Armand's story. :)
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