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Spoiler Free Review: Rose In Chains by Julie Soto

Title: Rose In Chains (The Evermore Trilogy #1)

Author: Julie Soto

Pub. Date: July 8th 2025

Genre: Romantasy

Format: eARC

Publisher: Forever

Pages: 464

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Rose In Chains introduces us to Rory and Briory Rosewood who are the royal son and daughter in the Eversun Kingdom as they are overtaken in war by the neighboring kingdom of Bomard and the dark forces they’ve teamed up with. It has long been prophesied that a Eversun heir would one day defeat such forces and restore peace by uniting both kingdoms, to many that heir is believed to be Rory Rosewood. That is until word gets back that Rory has been killed in the battlefield leaving Briony Rosewood as the sole Rosewood alive and as such her value has dangerously skyrocketed. Bomard is on the move rounding up survivors to auction off for sale and Briony is valued at the highest price. It is understood that the women who are sold are being sexually assaulted and raped while in captivity by Bomardian men while their Mind Magic is suppressed. Briony sees herself in the middle of an intense bidding war that results in her being sold to high ranking officer Toven Hearst. Long time academic rival and object of her infatuation Toven who has never given Rory anything but a hard time. It’s also worth noting his family lineage as he is a member of one of the notoriously ruthless Heart Magic wielding families in Bomard. Briony has already encountered degradation and assault while waiting to be sold when Toven wins his bid for her purchase, not sure if she’s leaving one bad situation to one that is much worse. Nevertheless she is determined to play the game in order to find answers and save her people.

Truth be told I DEVOURED This book in two sittings! there were so many elements I enjoyed here like the Mind vs. Heart magic, possible familiars, amplification of magic through bonding, school setting, and more that were introduced but not quite fully explored. The element of danger is ever present which honestly is the reason I stayed flipping pages, I feared for Briony in captivity up until the very end. She was the prize that all these powerful men from Bomard were looking to buy for their self gratification, they looked forward to humiliating and degrading the daughter of Eversun royalty. I was hoping to see some grit begin to form as a result of what she was enduring while also keeping in mind that Toven (her crush) buying her is supposed to be seen as the best option for her. Still, there are certain traits I look for in a female MC that Briony absolutely embodied (studious and strategic) but instead comes across as very subdued in this first book. We see this early on before she’s taken captive, Eversun only allows the male heir to inherit the throne which is very different than Bomard where females can inherit. From the very beginning we see Briony temper her Mind Magic while using it instead to help further along her brother’s academic journey, allowing him to be seen as the powerful and gifted one. He is after all believed to be the prophesied king. This plays a part in her connection with Toven who has long suspected she covers for Rory, his disapproval comes out instead as disdain for her. I kept waiting for a conversation to be had but that never happened so while their connection is angsty, it also could’ve gained more depth if they’d at least shared their perspectives. What I LOVED? the number of morally ambiguous side characters (mostly feminine) that added the intrigue and complexity I was hoping for. I have so many questions on Larissa Gaines’ story that I’m hoping we get more character exploration in the sequel. Our villain Veronika Mallow and her familiar are also a mystery that genuinely spiked my interest as well as Toven’s parents. All this to say that I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in hopes we get answers, expansion/exploration of Heart and Mind Magic, and more depth between Toven and Briony. I’d also love to see some sweet revenge doled out for the pain inflicted on the women being held/sold.

***Rose In Chains leans more towards dark Romantasy, please take care to look into content warnings as there are many heavy themes depicted (some insinuated & others are on the page)***

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Spoiler Free Review: The Irresistible Urge To Fall For Your Enemy (Dearly Beloathed #1) BY Brigitte Knightley

Title: The Irresistible Urge To Fall For Your Enemy (Dearly Beloathed #1)

Author: Brigitte Knightley

Pub. Date: July 8th 2025

Genre: Romantasy

Format: eARC

Publisher: Orbit Books

Pages: 416

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Aurienne Fairhrim is a scientist working under the Haelan Order of healers during a time where the children in the land are being afflicted by the Platt’s Pox outbreak; deadly and without a present cure. She has her plate quite full when Osric Mordaunt, a member of the Fyren Order of Assassins, seeks her out in a desperate plea for help. Osric has what is known as seith degeneration aka seith rot, when the magic running through your veins begins to die out. Seen as incurable and a death sentence for those who operate under the Fyren Order, Osric is desperate to try anything before his Order finds out his magic is dying out and kills him first. He has it on good word that Aurienne has researched seith rot but hasn’t made much progress on testing her theories out and he’s down to be her first subject in hopes something will fix him. What he wasn’t expecting was to see beyond the snark and disdain Aurienne has for him and find himself attracted to her. He’s not willing to take her adamant refusals to work on him. One generous donation made to the Haelan Order of Healers secures Aurienne’s help even though the LAST thing she’d ever do is help keep a Fyren living, breathing, and killing others. This slow-burn/hate-to-love/He falls first relationship will have you wondering how this could lead to a romance when all these characters represent, stands in their way.

*•.¸♡ 𝙰𝚞𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚗𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚘𝚞𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚊 𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚞𝚗𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚛—𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜, 𝚙𝚞𝚛𝚞𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚎𝚡𝚞𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜, 𝚎𝚏𝚏𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚌𝚛𝚒𝚙𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗—𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚗𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚜 𝚕𝚘𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝙵𝚢𝚛𝚎𝚗. ♡¸.•*

Full disclosure, I haven’t read any fan fiction so I have nothing to compare this to except for perhaps some similarities in character traits. Aurienne’s snark was top tier, her confidence in her specific skill set and intellect are unmatched except by maybe Hermione herself. I enjoyed my time reading her and Osric’s verbal sparrings even as he began to soften his blows a bit when he started catching feelings. Oftentimes smirking and shaking my head, these are some memorable characters. Hate-to-love may not be my favorite trope but I’m beginning to think it’s because mostly it’s pitched that way yet it lacks the hate aspects of that trope. Not here. Aurienne had me wondering until the very end if this was going to be a case of unrequited love and she was going to leave my boy Osiric pining after her. My only gripe with this first installment in the Dearly Beloathed duet is the magic system…I just wanted it to be ironed out a bit more, who doesn’t love animal familiars?!?! They too had their own personalities but I felt as if we didn’t get much time in the development of the magic system. While I appreciate the author’s show-don’t tell approach, I wanted to see more of that side of their world. They did go through the trouble of providing us with an index of the Orders (back of the book) in this world with details as to what they oversee, however we don’t see very much of those Orders. There is however a mystery unfolding as Aurienne’s order uncovers darker forces at play in the political sphere, I suspect we’ll see more of that in the next book as we get answers to those questions we’re left with by the end. Pick this one up if you love bad a** women in STEM with a penchant for snark, hate-to-love with an emphasis on the Loatttthhhhe (haha!), and animal familiars who match their counterparts. I’m definitely grabbing a copy of The Exquisite Torment Of Loving Your Enemy slated for a July 2026 release.

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Spoiler Free Review: A Drop Of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett

Title: A Drop Of Corruption (Shadow Of The Leviathan #2)

Author: Robert Bennett Jackson

Original Pub. Date: April 1st 2025

Genre: Sci-Fantasy/Mystery

Format: eARC

Publisher: Del Rey

Pages: 465

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The Highly anticipated sequel to The Tainted Cup (spoiler free review) is finally here! This is one I was counting down the days for release and after devouring it in two sittings I can say it was worth the wait! Our favorite foul mouthed genius Detective Ana Dolabra and her assistant Dinios Kol are back in full investigative mode as they travel beyond the Empire’s reach to Yarrowdale. This time an officer of the treasury has been murdered in the most unusual way, an abduction from his quarters while the doors and windows were locked. Every exit fully guarded and every departure/arrival is noted. He however has simply vanished leaving behind a bloody room with very little clues to what may have transpired. Strange cases call for the eccentric Ana and her partner Din but this case is different in ways that leave even Ana worried. Their killer seems to think like Ana and predicts her every move. A lot is at stake in this game of cat and mouse when they realize “The Shroud” is the target. Vastly protected and operated from within by augmented officers of the Empire, The Shroud is a mass that allows the Empire to study and dissect fallen Leviathans in order to harness their magical liabilities. Those that work within the Shroud have basically sacrificed their lives with no guarantee that they’ll be able to walk away. The Shroud is taxing on their minds and bodies, some have come to think that it would be best if it didn’t exist.

This one is going to be for the readers who enjoy a slowly unraveled mystery, it packs a ton of plot twists and turns that will keep you guessing at whether Ana could even solve this case. This time the killer is just as genius and presents her with a real challenge while also making it difficult to keep certain aspects of her identity and augmentations a secret any longer from her assistant Din. We see her physically ill while also insatiably hungry for the strangest foods that would poison the common man. We get some answers to the mystery that is Ana while also still seeing her serve raw and unfiltered commentary at the expense of Din and those he chooses to bed. They are the true definition of an odd pairing and it makes for such a good time! As always the sci-fi elements are in the background mostly seen in the setting of the story. At it’s core this is mostly a mystery with scifi/fantasy elements, the trifecta is easily one I can get wrapped up in and will definitely be revisiting when book 3 in Shadow Of The Leviathan series is released.

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Spoiler Free Review: Kiss Me, Maybe by Gabriella Gamez

Title: Kiss Me, Maybe

Author: Gabriella Gamez

Original Pub. Date: May 6th 2025

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Latinx/Queer

Format: eARC

Publisher: Forever

Pages: 384

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Kiss Me, Maybe is the second installment in the Librarians In Love series by Gabriella Gamez where we follow Angela Gutierrez as one of her TikTok videos goes viral for reasons she could’ve never anticipated. In what most would consider modest pajamas, Angela speaks on her Ace identity and the fact that she’s a late bloomer who’s never been kissed. Influencer status UNLOCKED. Viewers want to follow Angela’s journey to getting that first kiss and so she feels inspired to turn this into a scavenger hunt with the prize being her first kiss. Women start flocking to the comments and asking for the application to participate and before she knows it, the city is tuned into her journey. Including one hot bartender Krystal Ramirez who Angela has had a five year crush on and thinks it to be a case of unrequited love. Krystal seems eager to help Angela find her first kiss and doesn’t deny her attraction to her but she’s also upfront with where she stands on love. It’s simply not for her and she doesn’t wish to get attached.

This one is sitting at 3.5 stars with me which is a smidge lower than the first book in the Librarians in Love series but still enjoyable. I did wish that like its predecessor, we had seen Angela in a library setting but instead we spend more time at the bar where Krystal works. The only time work is brought up is when Angela’s higher ups frown upon her TikTok getting so much traction for her choice of sleepwear which showed not a lick of skin to begin with. That being said, the bar was lively and had all the vibes you’d want to see when drinks are being served. What I loved? The discussion on the highs and lows of having an online presence as Angela experiences online love/support turn to attacks on her personal life. The very real possibility that your offline career could be watching and have some sort of say in the content you post. I loved seeing how respectful and supportive Krystal is of Angela as she’s figuring out where she stands with her Ace identity. The questions she wants to answer for herself as someone who’s never experienced a kiss or anything sexual with anyone else, Angela is tired of not knowing. There’s a ton of exploration between the two with open-door play that is definitely a step up in the spice meter than The Next Best Fling. What I appreciated? Krystal’s reason for staving off love actually being well within reason and not something that is contrived to keep her away from our MC. Lastly, it wouldn’t be a Latinx romance without the presence of a large family that perhaps meddles a bit too much haha! Angela has these cousins who she always has felt the need to lie to in order to keep them out of her personal life, if this means making up a boyfriend or kiss then so be it. I’ve seen this happen way too many times and have also experienced the inquisition from my own Latinx familia so on that note, same girl! same! I do we hope we get another installment in this series and soon ❤

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Review: First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison

Title: The Road Of Bones

Author: Demi Winters

Original Pub. Date: June 27th 2023

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Format: eARC

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Pages: 500

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Lucie Stone is a single mom with a bright and slightly mischievous young daughter who doesn’t want to see her mom sitting on the couch in sweats every night/weekend with Netflix and wine. She decides to call into Baltimore’s late night radio station Heartstrings and chats it up with the host Aiden Valentine in hopes of getting some advice to help her mom. Aiden Valentine has a problem, he’s fallen out of love with all things love while working as a host for the segment Heartstrings on a Baltimore radio station. His interest is piqued when a child calls in talking about her mom who has a pretty dull social life and could use some advice. The segment has been struggling bringing in listeners in part because of how off Aiden has been lately, a bit jaded and burnt out from listening to spouses calling in at the end of the road with their marriages. Things take a turn when Lucie Stone walks in on her daughter on the phone (it is late night) and accuses Aiden of being weird for talking to a minor. He helpfully informs Lucie that they’re on the air and manages to get her to talk to him. One call becomes two and pretty soon all of Baltimore is HOOKED on these late night calls between Lucie and Aiden. So much so that the station head wants to start a new segment focused on Lucy’s dating life while on her journey to finding love.

There aren’t very many pitch lines I’ve acted quick upon hearing but I’ve been waiting years for a Sleepless in Seattle inspired book to be written and dare I say, this one DELIVERED! I had butterflies in my stomach at every interaction between Aiden and Lucie which really only happens when I genuinely love both the main character and their love interest. Lucie is a single mom to a daughter with a ton of personality and free spirit, mechanic, and in a healthy co-parenting relationship with her ex who happens to live next door with his husband. This was fun even when it wasn’t because we see Lucie try to go back out into the dating scene and kiss some frogs all the while slowly falling for Mr. Right. Aiden is kind, attentive, supportive even when it goes against his own self interest and protective in the best of ways. He’s also a great son who has a bit of PTSD from his mother’s battle with cancer. Though she is healthy and living life with Aiden’s dad, that experience plays a huge role in his current approach to love and relationships. Lucie entering Aiden’s life at a time where he is vocal about his wishes to not be in a committed relationship make for an interesting dynamic between the two. Throw in the SUPER invested late night radio station callers and you have an engaging read reminiscent of the classic love story that would make Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan proud 😉

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Review: The Road Of Bones by Demi Winters

Title: The Road Of Bones

Author: Demi Winters

Original Pub. Date: June 27th 2023

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Format: eARC

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Pages: 500

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Silla Nordvig has only known what life on the run is like, she and her father travel from place to place picking up random jobs in the towns they pass through. They never stay long and although all of the reasons for their instability aren’t clear to Silla, she loves her father and will follow him wherever he goes. When Silla’s father is killed on the road, his last dying words urge Silla to seek out a shield-house in Kopa. This would require Silla to travel through the thousand mile stretch known as the Road Of Bones where if the war bands don’t kill her, the dark creatures in the woods will. Scared and out of options, Silla spots a supply wagon stationed in town and decides to hitch a ride unbeknownst to its owner. She just so happens to have chosen the wagon that belongs to the fearsome mercenaries known as the Bloodaxe Crew. It doesn’t take long for her to be discovered by their leader Rey aka Axe Eyes and his most trusted right hand man Jonas aka the Wolf. She asks Rey if the crew would allow her to tag along for a ride to Kopa and in exchange she will cook all of their meals. Rey agrees after much convincing on the one condition that she never lie to him, it is the one thing he deems unforgivable. Silla does not disclose that she is being hunted down by Queen Signe of Íseldure or that the reason is her magic. Silla is considered Galdra and in this world, the King rounds up and kills Galdra. His wife the Queen on the other hand has a hidden operation where she collects the most rare of the Galdra as part of her personal assassins. The Road Of Bones is a 500 page character driven journey + Viking romance that primarily focuses on the camaraderie between the members of the Bloodaxe Crew.

If you enjoy slow burn character driven stories set on a journey to a final destination, The Road Of Bones is one not to miss. The pay off is absolutely worth it and the time taken to weave this story makes all the sense by the end. The world building is excellent and while the magic system admittedly could’ve used a bit more defining, it does seem promising we will get that in the second installment of this duology. Our main character Silla is presented as being mostly green in experience with just about everything. She spends most of her time apologizing for her inexperience but the women (true stars) of the Bloodaxe Crew take her under their wing and begin training her on self defense. We see drug addiction depicted by way of leaves Silla ingests in order to feel well and prevent migraines. There is a deeper exploration of the dependency on these leaves between Silla and Rey who had a brother addicted to them as well. The crew members are three dimensional and have turned their misfortunes into strengths, down to their broody and mysterious leader Rey. It all makes for an odd pairing between Silla and the crew but nonetheless they take a liking to her and feel the need to protect her. Making things a bit more interesting are Silla’s romantic feelings and trysts with one of the crew members. This was the first time I didn’t agree with a shipped romance and walked away feeling pretty good about my intuition. The last 100 pages unraveled some eye opening revelations that had me grasping for Kingdom Of Claw which mercifully is now out in the wild! Not sure how I’m going to fill the void these characters are sure to leave me with but I highly recommend if you enjoy getting emotionally invested in fictional characters.

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SPOILER FREE REVIEW: PHANTASMA BY KAYLIE SMITH

Title: Phantasma (Wicked Games #1)

Author: Kaylie Smith

Pub. Date: September 3rd 2024

Genre: Fantasy Romance/Paranormal

Format: eARC

Publisher: Forever

Pages: 497

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╰☆☆ “𝙸𝚗 𝚊 𝚍𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎, 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚏𝚊𝚒𝚛 𝚘𝚗𝚎, 𝙸 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍’𝚟𝚎 𝚔𝚎𝚙𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚕 𝚖𝚢 𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚞𝚜𝚝” ☆☆╮

The opening scene in Phantasma introduces us to Necromancer Ophelia Grimm and her sister as they’ve just discovered the body of their deceased mother. Ophelia realizes this now makes her the head of their manor and their home run family business with all things related to the dead. She’s been trained and prepared for this role by her mother since she was a very little girl and now the day has come where she must take over. Before she can get any of their matters in order however, her sister disappears without a word of her whereabouts. Ophelia searches for answers and while doing so discovers the debt the manor has incurred and that they may be losing the manor very soon. She has now inherited her family’s death magic as well as the financial burden of the manor that has been left behind. Her sister Genevieve Grimm has left the manor it seems to enter a competition that may give them the opportunity to win the cash needed to save their manor. Phantasma is a competition set inside a Gothic haunted manor made up of nine floors each with a challenge designed to fatally take out those who sign up. Only one will make it out alive and to that person, a wish will be granted. Demons, Ghouls, Poltergeists, and Phantoms are only some of the entities the contestants will come across as they race to beat each other to the prize. These challenges are NOT for the feint of heart, they tap into your deepest darkest fears and then use them against you. Ophelia’s entrance into Phantasma doesn’t go unnoticed by the ghosts of the manor, she is an enigma they will go after if only to see what makes her different.

The TiK Tok Girlies got this one right Book Lovers! OBSESSED is putting it lightly, I am sitting here counting down the days until April 8th for the release of ENCHANTRA! all other books will be paused while I dive back into the world of all things the Grimm sisters. If you’re looking for a read that will suck you right in and make you a front row spectator to a high stakes adrenaline inducing competition, then treat yourself to the experience that is this book! Hella descriptive, I found myself squirming at some of the deaths and yet still anticipating the next challenge…not sure what that says about me. Atmosphere is a 10/10, characters 10/10, plot and intrigue also are a 10/10. What I wasn’t expecting? the OCD representation to also be 10/10, as a person with OCD I have never read any character experience thoughts/compulsions I’ve also had. I had one of those moments while reading where I just nodded and smiled at feeling seen. Anyways, if you’re here to find out about the romance and spice levels fret not! Ophelia and Blackwell will have you asking yourself if a paranormal tryst is what’s missing in your life. The spice is a 10/10 between these two who found a minute between challenges and in spare rooms to get it on. Phantasma was a 5 star read for me and I just can’t wait to get my hands on Enchantra to see what Genevieve gets up to in her story arc.

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Spoiler Free Review: Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe

Title: Love and Other Conspiracies

Author: Mallory Marlowe

Pub. Date: August 20th 2024

Genre: Contemporary/Paranormal Romance

Format: eARC

Publisher: Berkley

Pages: 368

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Web series producer Hallie Barrett has just been dumped by her co-worker who also happens to be the star of the online series she was producing. Even though Hallie is way better off without that guy (all the red flags), she’s also stuck having to see him every day. This while also being tasked with coming up with a new series idea to present for the company competition or say goodbye to this beloved job she’s worked very hard for. While searching for inspiration one late night, she stumbles across a docuseries where the handsome host is passionately covering the legend of Bigfoot. She doesn’t believe in any of this stuff but she can’t help but binge watch every single episode as she asks herself why she’s dedicating so much time to what is clearly myth/legend. One lightbulb moment later and Hallie feels inspired to reach out to the Paranormal conspiracy theorist Hayden Hargrove. She hopes to convince him to turn his hit podcast into a web show. Hayden seems unsure he’s the right guy with the presence needed to pull off a web show and he is absolutely right! the banter that easily is exchange between Hallie and Hayden while she challenges his claims with a dose of skepticism is missing, until she steps in to help him during his audition. Her producers LOVE the chemistry they’re seeing play out between them! they see a viewership tuning in just for them and ask that they do the show together. While it isn’t what she’s expecting, as long as he’s oK with it she’s fair game to join while also producing.

10/10 I recommend listening to the audiobook for the cool/nerdy alien space music played during snippets of the web show, so much fun! I had such a good time with this book and found myself binge reading it while prepping a big meal, laughing and smiling from start to finish. I loved how even though Hallie didn’t believe in any of the Bigfoot and Mothman theories, she still respected how passionate Hayden was with his research and delivery. Hayden in turn sees all of Hallie’s quirks as charming and gives off all the green flags she is not used to seeing in a love interest. The audiobook narrators SLAYED their performance making the chemistry that catches the eye of Hallie’s producers MOST definitely felt in the audiobook, it’s easy to get wrapped up in their romance. I’ve already Marlowe’s next book Love At First Sighting to be released August 2025. If you’re looking for a Romantic Comedy with paranormal elements, I HIGHLY recommend giving Love and Other Conspiracies a go 😉

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Spoiler Free Review: The Seventh Veil Of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Title: The Seventh Veil Of Salome

Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Pub. Date: August 6th 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance/Latinx

Format: eARC

Publisher: Del Rey

Pages: 336

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The Seventh Veil Of Salome is a dual timeline/multi-perspective Historical Fiction set during 1950’s Hollywood and Biblical times (with background appearances of Jesus who at the time is performing miracles on the townspeople.) We follow three women as their stories unfold: Vera Larios – an unknown Mexican ingenue who is cast in the lead role of Salome; Nancy Hartley – an actress whose career has run dry and is starving for a lead role that will grant her access to a life of fame and fortune; Princess Salome – in love with a prophet who has angered many of the higher officials looking to silence him but not before he speaks on the misfortune that is to come onto Salome’s stepfather.

We meet Vera Larios who’s just been cast in a swords-and-sandals biblical movie that is being directed by a notoriously difficult to work with director. Vera has no acting experience whatsoever but she caught his eye as the only ideal fit to play the role of the beautiful Salome. In the bible, Salome is known for the beheading of John the Baptist. Vera who has spent most of her life being overlooked or dismissed by her mother for her darker complexion saw this as an opportunity to step into the limelight and a chance to breakaway from the toxicity at home. On the film set and in the media she encounters misogyny and racism from men and women. The men objectify her, the women see her as stealing their roles with her “exotic” features, while the media portrays hers as an explosive unpredictable Latina. As the movie begins to film, we get an inside look at Hollywood during this time as the cast of Salome parties and gives the media the tea for their headlines. Nancy Hartley on the other hand is desperately trying to secure a lead role by any means necessary, Vera being a Mexican woman fuels her ire. We see an unhinged woman’s downward spiral powered by hate and racism. The cunning Salome has suitors lined up but she’s set her eyes on the one man she absolutely can’t have and whose days are numbered. will she choose love or power?

It wouldn’t be a SMG novel if it followed the same style of writing with each story she delivered. The Seventh Veil Of Salome is part documentary told through the lens of multiple characters reflecting on what transpired on the set of Salome. While also traveling back to the biblical times of Salome and John the Baptiste. Each of these ambitious women deliver such a captivating story that as much as I was enjoying the perspective I was in, I was also thinking of the other women’s situations. Whether you’re new to SMG or an avid reader of her books, the atmospheric writing alone will guarantee a rich reading experience. I’m not sure what is in SMG’s pen but no matter the time period/plot, the ease with which you are transported make all of their books a must read.

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Spoiler Free Review: Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan

Title: Do Your Worst

Author: Rosie Danan

Pub. Date: November 14th 2023

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: eARC

Publisher: Berkley

Pages: 317

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Two strangers meet at a Scottish bar and share a drink, their attraction is instantaneous. They each go their separate ways not thinking their paths would cross again. Riley has traveled from New Jersey to Scotland in hopes of continuing the family business of curse breaking. There’s an infamous Scottish castle with a three hundred year old curse no one has been able to break, enter Riley. “Text Book Capricorn” Clark is an archaeologist trying to bounce back and clean up his reputation from a previous project that resulted in a scandal. The last thing he’s expecting is to have to have to work with a believer of the paranormal/curse breaker. When his attempt to have her removed from the project goes left and Riley learns of his attempts, she decides to get even.

What I Loved? the interactions between curmudgeonly Clark and optimistic/determined Riley provided comedic relief and grade A banter. The little ways Riley executed her pay back and had Clark wondering if she had some type of magic made me giggle on a few occasions. There’s a ton of steam between them that Clark tries his hardest to tamper down. Riley on the other hand embraces her undeniable attraction to Clark and what we get treated to dear readers is hot as hell. From sweet tender moments of hair braiding to the not explored enough if you ask me….edging. Mhm you get a little of everything between these two, Clark being the right amount of confident I like to see in a main love interest.

Their romance isn’t without its challenges, Riley is very aware of his disregard for her profession. This is very triggering to Riley who spent her younger years as an outcast for following in her grandmother’s footsteps studying the occult. It almost seems impossible these two could ever make it work with their opposing beliefs. While it was fun seeing them make their way to a HEA, the emotional connection fell a bit short for my liking. They had the physical chemistry/opposites attract down packed but it all seemed to stay surface level. In part I believe it’s because Clark’s character was so well developed with a backstory that drives the story, he’s seeking redemption. Riley’s character got some back story with her childhood years but it wasn’t as fleshed out as Clarks. Still, I had fun reading Riley and Clark’s story. Any time spent in a Scottish castle in the mix there’s a HIGH likelihood of time well spent 😉

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