Countdown Review: Angels' Flight by Nalini Singh

On May 5, 2026, the Guild Hunter series will come to a close with ARCHANGEL’S ETERNITY. 

I’m counting down the days until the final story is told by sharing my reviews for each book in the series.

ANGELS' FLIGHT is a collection of four Guild Hunter novellas. They were published in print in February 2012 after ARCHANGEL'S BLADE so that's why I'm sharing them after that book.

ANGELS' DANCE - Guild Hunter #0.4
ANGELS' JUDGEMENT - Guild Hunter #0.6
ANGELS' PAWN - Guild Hunter #0.8
ANGEL'S WOLF - Guild Hunter #3.5

The Guild Hunter series is set in a world where angels and vampires exist among mortals. Where supernatural beings are ruled by the Cadre of Ten.

Each story showcases a vampire, angel, or guild hunter in Archangel Raphael's territory. 

In this collection, the secondary characters get a chance to shine!

The Guild Hunter world is packed full of so much whimsy and mystery. I love discovering something new about the characters and the series.

About the Book

From New York Times Bestselling author Nalini Singh, warrior angels, vampire hunters and angels gone bad heat up this altogether sizzling paranormal alternate universe.

ANGELS’ FLIGHT

In Angel’s Wolf a vampire becomes fascinated with the seductive angel who rules Louisiana. But all is not what it appears to be in her court.

In Angels’ Judgment a hunter must track one of her own gone bad, while surviving the deadly tests placed in her way by the archangels themselves. Unexpected backup comes from a stranger who might just be the most lethal threat of all…

Plus FIRST TIME IN PRINT

In Angels’ Pawn a vampire hunter faces off against two rival factions and the angel manipulating them both, and a vampire whose help is not entirely selfless…

And NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED

In Angels’ Dance an angel trapped in the mountain stronghold of the Refuge finds herself under siege by a warrior angel from a martial court.

My Review

Angels’ Pawn

This is a story about the guild hunter Ashwini and a sexy Cajun vampire named Janvier. Ashwini has been tasked to head to Atlanta to investigate a kidnapping and has enlisted Janvier to accompany her. In ANGELS’ PAWN we are introduced to the angel who rules Atlanta, Nazarach. He is deadly, powerful and very scary. There’s mystery, suspense, danger, intrigue and an obscene amount of flirting between Ash and Janvier in the story.

Janvier has been intrigued by Ash for a while now and purposely gets in trouble with angels so Ash can be hired to track him down. This infuriates Ash to no end and yet she secretly loves it. This is the story that launched Janvier’s courtship of Ash. I absolutely LOVED it!

If you’ve not had your fill of Ashwini and Janvier, their story continues in ARCHANGEL’S SHADOWS.

Angels’ Judgment

Another brilliant read! This is the story of Sara Haziz before she became the guild director. Sara meets her husband Deacon during a hunt and quickly falls for the tall, dark and handsome Slayer. The Slayer is sort of the Boogey Man to all guild hunters. It’s the Slayer’s job to bring down the rogue guild hunters.

Exciting stuff! Sara and Deacon have great chemistry! There’s also an appearance by my favorite guild hunter and Sara’s best friend, Elena.

ANGELS’ JUDGEMENT was originally published in the anthology, MUST LOVE HELLHOUNDS.

Angel’s Wolf

Noel is a vampire in Archangel Raphael’s territory who has been reassigned to serve the angel Nimra in Louisiana. Noel first made an appearance in ARCHANGEL’S KISS. He’s been the victim of a vicious attack and while he’s healed physically, he’s still broken in other ways.

Nimra is not like the other angels. She is neither jaded, cruel nor bloated with power. Nimra is gentle and kind but does have a power that has even the most dangerous of angels steering clear of her. Noel is able to find peace in his new position and unexpectedly, love with an angel who’s winged her way into a heart that was thought never to open again.

ANGEL’S WOLF was originally published in the anthology, ANGELS OF DARKNESS.

Angels’ Dance

This is Jessamy and Galen’s love story. Opposites definitely attract in this one. And while those differences are vast, their love bridges any distance. This is one of the most beautifully fragile love stories I’ve ever read. I dare you not to tear up reading it. No words I could write would do it justice.

I highly recommend this and every story in the Guild Hunter universe!

Purchase Links*

Nalini Singh Website | Penguin Random House

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh is passionate about writing. Though she’s traveled as far afield as the deserts of China, the temples of Japan, and the frozen landscapes of Antarctica, it is the journey of the imagination that fascinates her most. She’s beyond delighted to be able to follow her dream as a writer.

She is the author of the Psy-Changeling novels, including Atonement Sky, Primal Mirror, and Resonance Surge. She is also the author of the Guild Hunter series, including Archangel’s Ascension, Archangel’s Lineage, and Archangel’s Resurrection, and four stand-alone thrillers: A Madness of Sunshine, Quiet in Her Bones, There Should Have Been Eight, and Such a Perfect Family. Learn more at nalinisingh.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Press Release: New Edition of Wuthering Heights

 Elegant New Edition of Wuthering Heights Joins Record-Breaking Puffin in Bloom Collection 

 PUFFIN IN BLOOM’S WUTHERING HEIGHTS 

 by Emily Brontë; cover illustrated by Anna Bond

The Puffin in Bloom collection adds another elegant flower to its bouquet with a hardcover edition of Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, with original cover art by Rifle Paper Co. co-founder, CEO, and artist Anna Bond. This gorgeous edition of the classic gothic romance blooms on bookshelves January 13th, just in time for the big screen debut of Emerald Fennell’s film adaptation starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. 

 For this timeless tale, Bond has designed a striking new cover that evokes the mood and mystery of the Yorkshire moors. Both new and returning fans of Brontë’s classic will be drawn to this stunning edition of the literary treasure, complete with warm gold foil accents for a special touch.  

Puffin in Bloom is a collection of beloved classics, reimagined with original illustrated covers by Anna Bond of the stationery, home, and gifts brand Rifle Paper Co. Delighting readers and design lovers alike, the collection’s previous editions include Anne of Green Gables, Heidi, A Little Princess, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, The Wizard of Oz, and the all-time top-selling edition of Little Women.   

This stunning publication of Wuthering Heights is sure to captivate collectors, readers, gift-givers, and design enthusiasts eager to elevate their shelves with a keepsake edition of a cherished novel.  

Emily Jane Brontë (1818-1848) was the most solitary member of a unique, tightly knit English provincial family. Born in 1818, she shared the parsonage of the town of Haworth, Yorkshire, with her older sister, Charlotte; her brother, Branwell; her younger sister, Anne; and her father, the Reverend Patrick Brontë. All five were poets and writers, and all but Branwell would publish at least one book. Fantasy was the Brontë children’s one relief from the rigors of religion and the bleakness of life in an impoverished region. In 1845, Charlotte Brontë came across a manuscript volume of her sister’s poems. At her sister’s urging, Emily’s poems, along with Anne’s and Charlotte’s, were published pseudonymously in 1846. An almost complete silence greeted this volume, but the three sisters, buoyed by the fact of publication, immediately began to write novels. Emily’s effort was Wuthering Heights; appearing in 1847, it was treated at first as a lesser work by Charlotte, whose Jane Eyre had already been published to great acclaim. Emily Brontë’s name did not emerge from behind her pseudonym of Ellis Bell until the second edition of her novel appeared in 1850. 

Anna Bond is an artist, designer, and entrepreneur best known as the co-founder, CEO, and CCO of Rifle Paper Co., an international stationery, home, and gifts brand based in Winter Park, Florida. Founded in 2009 with her husband, Nathan, the company grew origanically from an apartment-based business to a beloved, multimillion-dollar brand, carried in thousands of stores around the world. Beyond her work at Rifle Paper Co., Anna enjoys illustration, interior design, and, most of all, keeping up with her five young children. 

PUFFIN IN BLOOM’S WUTHERING HEIGHTS
by Emily Brontë; illustrated by Anna Bond
Puffin Books | $19.00 | Ages 12 and up
ISBN: 9798217043408 | on sale January 13, 2026 

Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, is dedicated to its mission of nourishing a universal passion for reading by connecting authors and their writing with readers everywhere. The company, which employs more than 10,000 people globally, was formed on July 1, 2013, by Bertelsmann and Pearson, who own 75 percent and 25 percent, respectively. With nearly 275 imprints and brands on six continents, Penguin Random House comprises adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction print and digital English- and Spanish-language trade book publishing businesses in more than 20 countries worldwide. With over 15,000 new titles, and more than 600 million print, audio and eBooks sold annually, Penguin Random House’s publishing lists include more than 80 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.

xxx

Countdown Review: Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh

On May 5, 2026, the Guild Hunter series will come to a close with ARCHANGEL’S ETERNITY. 

I’m counting down the days until the final story is told by sharing my reviews for each book in the series.

ARCHANGEL'S BLADE is Book #4 in Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter Series.

The Guild Hunter series is set in a world where angels and vampires exist among mortals. Where supernatural beings are ruled by the Cadre of Ten.

ARCHANGEL’S BLADE stars Dimitri, the leader of Archangel Raphael’s Seven. 

The Seven are Raphael’s strongest and highest ranking warriors and are completely loyal to him and now, to his new consort, Elena.

While Dimitri and the Seven swore loyalty to Elena, they don’t think she’s good enough. She’s a weakness to their Archangel.

Let’s see how Dimitri fares in the spotlight!

About the Book

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh is back in the shadows of a deadly, beautiful world where angels rule, vampires serve, and one female hunter must crawl out of the darkness to survive.

The severed head marked by a distinctive tattoo on its cheek should have been a Guild case, but dark instincts honed over hundreds of years of life compel the vampire Dmitri to take control. There is something twisted about this death, something that whispers of centuries long past…but Dmitri’s need to discover the truth is nothing to the vicious strength of his response to the hunter assigned to decipher the tattoo.

Savaged in a brutal attack that almost killed her, Honor is nowhere near ready to come face to face with the seductive vampire who is an archangel’s right hand, and who wears his cruelty as boldly as his lethal sensuality…the same vampire who has been her secret obsession since the day she was old enough to understand the inexplicable, violent emotions he aroused in her.

As desire turns into a dangerous compulsion that might destroy them both, it becomes clear the past will not stay buried. Something is hunting…and it will not stop until it brings a blood-soaked nightmare to life once more…

My Review

Oh my goodness this story is so amazing! There is so much going on. Dimitri is a far more complex and complicated vampire than we've seen. We get to peel back the layers and discover who he was before he became a vampire and the heartbreaking circumstances that followed.

Honor is a survivor. She battled through a painful and terrible captivity that almost broke her through sheer strength of will and determination. I so admire Honor. She and Dimitri pair beautifully together despite some serious speed bumps along the way.

Ms. Singh has several surprises in store for readers and I cannot wait for you to discover them!

I loved the story and the whole series! Highly recommend!

Purchase Links*

Nalini Singh Website | Penguin Random House

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh is passionate about writing. Though she’s traveled as far afield as the deserts of China, the temples of Japan, and the frozen landscapes of Antarctica, it is the journey of the imagination that fascinates her most. She’s beyond delighted to be able to follow her dream as a writer.

She is the author of the Psy-Changeling novels, including Atonement Sky, Primal Mirror, and Resonance Surge. She is also the author of the Guild Hunter series, including Archangel’s Ascension, Archangel’s Lineage, and Archangel’s Resurrection, and four stand-alone thrillers: A Madness of Sunshine, Quiet in Her Bones, There Should Have Been Eight, and Such a Perfect Family. Learn more at nalinisingh.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: Crown of War and Shadow by J.R. Ward

Crown of War and Shadow is a brand new, sweeping, slow-burn romantasy from #1 New York Times bestseller J. R. Ward, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, and Jennifer Armentrout!

Crown of War and Shadow is the first book in the Kingdoms of the Compass series.

Crown of War and Shadow has

*Forced proximity/Only one bed

*Chosen mates

*Dark mercenary

*Who did this to you?

*Touch her and die

*I'll die for you

*Hidden magic

About the Book

An outcast burdened with a curse. A mercenary out for himself. A kingdom that must be saved.

In the deep, dark, dead of night, passions rise, and empires fall…

The Fulcrum is failing, and demons are slipping into the mortal world.

No one is safe.

Especially not Sorrel. An orphan and an outcast within the walls of her small village because of her mystical abilities. She wants to survive…and find somewhere she can call her true home. But Fate has other plans.

Sorrel has been chosen. Cursed.

She must cross the Badlands to return the Queen's crown and convince the fearsome female to save their world from destruction.

Well aware she’s no brave hero, Sorrel makes a dangerous deal with Merc, a brooding, commanding mercenary known only by his unscrupulous profession.

The deal? A night in his bed that she will never forget, in exchange for her safe passage.

But Merc has secrets of his own, and even though desire runs hot between them, adventure, danger, and betrayal lurk around every corner.

My Review

J.R. Ward brings a fresh voice to the romantasy genre in this epic tale of intrigue and prophecy.

I had some trepidation before picking up the book. I am a huge J.R. Ward fan and I absolutely LOVE her Black Dagger Brotherhood series and many of her other books, but some of her forays into other genres have not been as enjoyable so I wasn’t sure what to expect. 

Will this be a new story we haven’t heard of with an amazing plot and creative world building, or will it be a bandwagon book based on the current popularity of romantasy? 

I am thrilled to report that Crown of War and Shadow is that of the former!

I was immediately swept into the story as I learned of Sorrel’s hardships as an outcast trying to survive the harsh life of a poor orphan. But Sorrel’s got secrets. Big secrets. Forbidden secrets. Juicy secrets. 

One day a mercenary comes into town and takes an unnerving interest in Sorrel. Could he be her savior or her executioner? 

An attack on a couple of village children ignites a chain of events that rock Sorrel’s foundation to the core. The villagers blame Sorrel for the attack and despite the miracles she’s worked through her magic helping many families in the village, everyone’s out for her blood. Everyone except a mercenary with secret machinations of his own. 

Sorrel is shoved into a destiny she doesn’t understand and a responsibility too heavy to shoulder. With the help of her ruggedly handsome mercenary, Sorrel sets off to find the answers she seeks. The road ahead is full of danger and countless adversaries. Sorrel must learn to stop doubting herself and trust her instincts. 

What Fate has planned for Sorrel is far more dastardly than ever imagined. Safety is an illusion. Trust is deceptive. Victory is fleeting. And love is the biggest ass kicker of them all.

The mystery and suspense of the storyline had me on the edge of my seat! I spent my nights reading early into the morning hours because I couldn’t put the book down. When a secret was revealed, the story would bend Inception-style and completely shatter my reading experience with jaw-dropping precision! 

Crown of War and Shadow is an exciting read with a tenacious heroine, vibrant landscapes, and a meticulously crafted storyline that’ll leave readers breathless! 

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

DELUXE EDITION―featuring gorgeous stenciled edges, a foil case stamp, a detailed map, and designed endpapers!

Purchase Links*

Hardcover | eBook | Audiobook

About the Author

J.R. Ward is the author of over thirty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood. There are more than 15 million copies of Ward’s novels in print worldwide and they have been published in 25 different countries around the world. Learn more at jrward.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Countdown Review: Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh

On May 5, 2026, the Guild Hunter series will come to a close with ARCHANGEL’S ETERNITY. 

I’m counting down the days until the final story is told by sharing my reviews for each book in the series.

ARCHANGEL'S CONSORT is Book #3 in Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter Series.

The Guild Hunter series is set in a world where angels and vampires exist among mortals. Where supernatural beings are ruled by the Cadre of Ten.

Guild Hunter Elena Deveraux’s life has been turned upside down in the last two books. 

Not only has she fallen in love, she’s gotten a new body, a new job, and a lot more haters.

So basically, it’s just another Tuesday 😉

Let’s find out what kind of immortal hijinks Elena gets into in ARCHANGEL’S CONSORT!

About the Book

Nalini Singh steps back into the shadows of her “heartbreakingly original” (Errant Dreams Reviews) world where angels rule, vampires serve, and the innocent can pay the greatest price of all.

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux and her lover, the lethally beautiful archangel Raphael, have returned home to New York only to face an uncompromising new evil.

A vampire has attacked a girls’ school—the assault one of sheer, vicious madness—and it is only the first act. Rampant bloodlust takes vampire after vampire, threatening to make the streets run with blood. Then Raphael himself begins to show signs of an uncontrolled rage, as inexplicable storms darken the city skyline and the earth itself shudders.

The omens are suddenly terrifyingly clear.

An ancient and malevolent immortal is rising. The violent winds whisper her name: Caliane. She has returned to reclaim her son, Raphael. Only one thing stands in her way: Elena, the consort who must be destroyed…

My Review

OMG! If you thought the first two books were exciting, Archangel’s Consort blows them both out of the water! There’s so much excitement, danger, intrigue, suspense, and so many mysteries to uncover!

I am so happy that we’re back in Elena’s home of New York. She’s still getting used to her wings. WINGS! Can you believe it? Elena is so happy she’s alive and with Raphael, The Archangel of New York, whose love gave her wings, literally and figuratively!

In this book, we get to see how Elena and Raphael navigate the power dynamics of their new relationship as well as Elena struggling to reconcile the person she’s become with the person she once was. Can she still be the badass guild hunter she’s always been AND Raphael’s partner in this dangerous world of immortal politics? Let’s find out!

I love watching Elena settle into her new life and experiencing all the new relationships she’s making. But some things are still the same: Elena is fiercely loyal to all those she calls her own, her wicked sense of humor is always welcome in any situation, her unflinching courage as she faces down opposition and adversity, and unfortunately, her estrangement with her father. That’s a wound that may never fully heal.

Archangel’s Consort is a storyline packed full of exciting, funny, scary, sexy, heartbreaking, and wonderful things! If you blink, you might miss something!

I highly recommend the series and cannot WAIT for the next book!

Purchase Links*

Nalini Singh Website | Penguin Random House

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh is passionate about writing. Though she’s traveled as far afield as the deserts of China, the temples of Japan, and the frozen landscapes of Antarctica, it is the journey of the imagination that fascinates her most. She’s beyond delighted to be able to follow her dream as a writer.

She is the author of the Psy-Changeling novels, including Atonement Sky, Primal Mirror, and Resonance Surge. She is also the author of the Guild Hunter series, including Archangel’s Ascension, Archangel’s Lineage, and Archangel’s Resurrection, and four stand-alone thrillers: A Madness of Sunshine, Quiet in Her Bones, There Should Have Been Eight, and Such a Perfect Family. Learn more at nalinisingh.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Countdown Review: Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh

On May 5, 2026, the Guild Hunter series will come to a close with ARCHANGEL’S ETERNITY. 

I’m counting down the days until the final story is told by sharing my reviews for each book in the series.

ARCHANGEL'S KISS is Book #2 in Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter Series.

The Guild Hunter series is set in a world where angels and vampires exist among mortals. Where supernatural beings are ruled by the Cadre of Ten.

Elena goes through a tremendous transformation at the end of ANGELS’ BLOOD and in ARCHANGEL’S KISS. we pick up where Nalini left us stunned and breathless!

Having the love of an Archangel has put a bullseye on her back. Elena must be in tip-top shape to face what lies ahead.

If you love strong female leads, then I highly recommend the series! 

About the Book

In this Guild Hunter novel, New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh returns to her world of angelic rulers, vampiric servants, and the woman thrust into their darkly seductive world…

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux wakes from a year-long coma to find herself changed—an angel with wings of midnight and dawn—but her fragile body needs time to heal before she can take flight. Her lover, the stunningly dangerous archangel Raphael, is used to being in control—especially when it comes to the woman he considers his own. But Elena has never done well with authority…

They’ve barely begun to learn each other when Raphael receives an invitation to a ball from the archangel Lijuan. To refuse would be a sign of fatal weakness, so Raphael must ready Elena for the flight to Beijing—and to the nightmare that awaits. For ancient and without conscience, Lijuan’s power lies with the dead. And she has organized the most perfect and most vicious of welcomes for Elena…

My Review

We pick up shortly where we left off in ANGEL’S BLOOD. Raphael gave his Elena immortality in order to save her life. Her transformation is nothing that has ever been seen in recorded existence. While Elena is considered a baby in immortal terms, Raphael’s enemies would like nothing more than to destroy his happiness by killing her. Not wanting to be a weakness to Raphael, Elena throws herself into training and getting used to her new body.

Thankfully, Elena’s hunter born tracking abilities stayed with her after the transformation. They are needed here. A series of unfortunate events have been staged in order to create dissention between the archangels. With a seat open in the Cadre of Ten, some nefarious, power hungry beings are playing a deadly game.

If that wasn’t enough, Lijuan—a batsh*t crazy archangel with some super scary abilities—is throwing a ball in Elena’s honor to welcome her into the immortal world. To decline such an invitation would be unwise. Everything comes to a head at the ball and you definitely don’t want to miss this explosive second installment to the series!

The brilliance of Nalini Singh always amazes me. Her stories are finely crafted with engaging plots and extraordinarily complex characters! I loved reading about Elena’s transformation and I admire the strength she possesses. Despite the past she still suffers from and her current status as a weak, baby immortal, Elena’s determination is off the charts. I want to be Elena!

I also love the shift of background in the book. The story is set at the Refuge, a safe, hidden land where younger immortals are protected. We also get page time with the rest of Raphael’s Seven, including Galen, Aodhan and Naasir.

There is nothing about the story that I didn’t like. I can’t recommend this series enough!

Purchase Links*

Nalini Singh Website | Penguin Random House

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh is passionate about writing. Though she’s traveled as far afield as the deserts of China, the temples of Japan, and the frozen landscapes of Antarctica, it is the journey of the imagination that fascinates her most. She’s beyond delighted to be able to follow her dream as a writer.

She is the author of the Psy-Changeling novels, including Atonement Sky, Primal Mirror, and Resonance Surge. She is also the author of the Guild Hunter series, including Archangel’s Ascension, Archangel’s Lineage, and Archangel’s Resurrection, and four stand-alone thrillers: A Madness of Sunshine, Quiet in Her Bones, There Should Have Been Eight, and Such a Perfect Family. Learn more at nalinisingh.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Countdown Review: Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh

On May 5, 2026, the Guild Hunter series will come to a close with ARCHANGEL’S ETERNITY. 

I’m counting down the days until the final story is told by sharing my reviews for each book in the series.

So let's go back to where it all began...

In March 2009, Nalini Singh published the first book in the Guild Hunter series, ANGELS' BLOOD. 

The Guild Hunter series is set in a world where angels and vampires exist among mortals. Where supernatural beings are ruled by the Cadre of Ten.

Ten archangels with unimaginable powers; their beauty unmatched and often looked up to as gods. Yet to encounter an archangel ensures an almost certain death, to cross one holds a fate far worse than death.

In ANGELS' BLOOD, we meet guild hunter Elena Deveraux. A hunter-born woman with an affinity for scenting vampires, which makes her one of the best and most lucrative guild hunters in the region. 

Pretty soon, Elena's reputation catches the interest of the most deadly being in the country, the Archangel of New York.

What does an Archangel want with a Guild Hunter? 

Do you want to find out?

Are you ready to tangle with an Archangel?

Me too! Let's go!

About the Book

FIRST IN THE GUILD HUNTER SERIES!

Nalini Singh introduces readers to a world of beauty and bloodlust, where angels hold sway over vampires.

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux is hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael. But this time, it’s not a wayward vamp she has to track. It’s an archangel gone bad.

The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other—and pull her to the razor’s edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn’t destroy her, succumbing to Raphael’s seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break.

My Review

ANGELS’ BLOOD is the first installment in Nalini Singh’s exciting and dangerous Guild Hunter series. This is also a deadly world full of blood and violence that may not be suitable for younger readers. 

Elena is a guild hunter, a member of an age-old organization who tracks and returns vampires who’ve escaped their service contracts to their angels. Elena is also hunter born, a mortal with extrasensory skills that help trace vampires. It also leaves them vulnerable because vampires have an infinity for sensing and being drawn to the hunter born. Elena is one of the best guild hunters in the world and she is really wishing she wasn’t when finding out whom has contracted her skills for the next assignment: The Archangel of New York.

This book was unbelievable! The plot was engaging and entertaining. The characters are exquisitely crafted and each one vital to the storyline. I have devoured the book several times and after my umpteenth re-read, I figured I should put some words to page about how awesome the story is and how much I adore the author!

It was the characters that made the story for me. They were multi-faceted and easily relatable. I love how each one is a mystery just waiting to be discovered. Elena and Raphael were magic together. The pairing seemed unbalanced because Raphael is hundreds of years old and a cruel being full of immense power, and Elena a hunter born mortal who’s lived but a speck of time.

Elena is a honed blade, sharp and deadly with an inner strength, fierce loyalty and pure of heart. I honestly thought she was too good for Raphael.

This is an awesome beginning to the series and I HIGHLY recommend ANGELS’ BLOOD to anyone who likes their paranormal romance dark, dangerous and deadly.

Purchase Links*

Nalini Singh Website | Penguin Random House

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh is passionate about writing. Though she’s traveled as far afield as the deserts of China, the temples of Japan, and the frozen landscapes of Antarctica, it is the journey of the imagination that fascinates her most. She’s beyond delighted to be able to follow her dream as a writer.

She is the author of the Psy-Changeling novels, including Atonement Sky, Primal Mirror, and Resonance Surge. She is also the author of the Guild Hunter series, including Archangel’s Ascension, Archangel’s Lineage, and Archangel’s Resurrection, and four stand-alone thrillers: A Madness of Sunshine, Quiet in Her Bones, There Should Have Been Eight, and Such a Perfect Family. Learn more at nalinisingh.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: Dawn of the North by Demi Winters

Dawn of the North is an epic saga packed full of action, intrigue, danger, mystery, secrets, betrayals, old enemies, new enemies, gods, monsters, and SO much more!

About the Book

A new age begins in the Kingdom of Íseldur in this sizzling third installment of the Viking-inspired Ashen romantasy the series.

The lost Volsik heir has finally returned to the people of Íseldur, and even with the warrior who’s captured her heart standing by her side, Silla’s task is monumental. She must earn the loyalty of the northern jarls to drive Ivar Ironheart from the throne and restore peace in the kingdom. But the secret she vigilantly guards threatens to ruin all her plans: A shard of a god lives in her mind, twisting her thoughts and deeds to His will.

Meanwhile, held captive on the mysterious isle of Zagadka, Saga Volsik fights to return to her sister in Íseldur. But when King Ivar sets his sights on the Zagadkians, she’s forced to make an impossible choice: fight for the man who stole her—and is now hell-bent on marrying her—or let the innocent people of his kingdom die.

As a poisonous mist threatens the realm, the sisters will delve into the unknowns of their magic to battle against evil. Return to the land of ice and fire, where a god awakens, a queen finds her power, and sisters must unite against the darkness threatening their realm.

My Review

The story is massive and the stakes are monumental as each character finds themselves facing adversity, hardships, trials and tribulations.

Silla: Trying to embrace her destiny as Eisa Volisk but wishing she could just be herself while constantly fighting the god of chaos in her mind, falling in love with Rey, and desperately trying to find her sister Saga.

Saga: Glad she is no longer under King Ivar’s tender mercies but is currently in a foreign land kidnapped by the roguish and deadly Kassandr, making plans to get back to Íseldur to find her sister Silla, carefully evaluating the Zagadka people as friend or foe while waiting for a knife in her back and fighting a deeply personal battle with herself.

Hekla: Trying to complete the job the Bloodaxe Crew was tasked with to eliminate the mist while dodging two suitors and the misogyny of the pig-headed warrior band that joined their cause in Roots of Darkness. Men, ugh! She is one of the toughest and most resilient warriors in the series.

Rey: Torn between protecting Silla and watching her walk into a birthright that’ll most certainly put her in more danger than ever before while navigating the sharks at court and preparing to join the in the fight against the mist, separating him from Silla. One must wonder if a more nefarious plot is afoot to cleave him from her side. Ha! He’d like to see them try, and so would Silla. 

Kassandr: Has brought trouble to his people but he did it to protect Saga. He wants to claim her for himself but faces an uphill battle with his father (the king) and brother to keep her in Zagadka all while secretly preparing the kingdom for the inevitable war he knows is coming despite the arrogant naysayers.

Eyvind: Second heir to Jarl Hakon, striving to get back in his father’s good graces after several “failures” but has been completely enchanted by the lovely–and magnificent–Hekla. He’s a bit of a mystery. 

Queen Signe: Wife of King Ivar, in mourning for her daughter and hungers for vengeance against Saga. Currently making plans of her own despite her husband’s scorned pride and war plans for retribution. Totally evil, cunning, duplicitous, and gravely underestimated.

And the list goes on and on and on… 

I was on the edge of my seat as I read chapter after chapter, hungrily devouring page after page. I knocked this thing out in 2 days. It was SO hard to put the book down to eat, sleep or do anything else. 

There are so many brilliantly crafted characters, dynamic landscapes, climactic story arcs, intricate plots and subplots, dangerous political climates, duplicity in all shapes and sizes, and SO many surprises! 

Demi Winters is a masterful storyteller and Dawn of the North her shining opus!

I cannot recommend this book enough! The Ashen series is a juggernaut in the fantasy genre and Dawn of the North is the absolute highest standard of excellence across all genres of literature.

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

Purchase Links*

Penguin Random House | Demi Winters Website

About the Author

Lover of all things fairy tales, fantasy, and romance, Demi lives in British Columbia, Canada with her husband and two kids. When she’s not busy brainstorming fantastical worlds and morally gray love interests, Demi loves reading and cooking. Learn more at demiwinters.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Today

This blog is a safe place to champion authors and their books and share stories that help us escape when life gets a little too tough. Right now we need that more than ever. We are living in scary and uncertain times. Please know you are not alone in your worry, your heartbreak, your fear, your anxiety, your anger, your disgust, and your resolve to speak truth to power. You are not alone. 

Books fuel my soul and empower me to keep moving forward. So I will keep going. I will keep exercising my rights and my freedoms of free speech and expression. I will keep sharing the works of others and uplifting authors, book friends, and my community. I will not let these heinous actions disparage, censure. or defeat me. 

I will continue to let my light shine. Dark times may be ahead, but we are not without defense. We have words and voices. We have strength and courage. And we have each other. 

With love always,

Elizabeth

Review: Get What You Need by Jessica Topper

I read this book almost a year ago and I couldn’t really review it because I love the series so much and this story is just as exceptional as the first book in the series. I don’t have adequate words to describe how amazing it is and how wonderful the storyline is. How lovingly and purposefully crafted each and every character is. I gave this review my best shot and I still don’t think it’s good enough, but it’s definitely from the heart.

About the Book

From the author of “Louder Than Love” comes a long-awaited return to Lauder Lake…ten years later

Sometimes getting what you want is the easy part.

Katrina Lewis-Graves isn’t the type of woman to run from problems. But she knows to get out while the getting’s good. Fourteen years ago, she left Manhattan for small town solace after a freak train accident left her widowed with a one-year-old. Seeking sanctuary in her hometown of Lauder Lake, Kat ended up stumbling upon a soul mate of legendary proportions: famed guitarist Adrian “Digger” Graves.

Now she’s fleeing Manhattan once again: this time with her rock star husband and troubled teen daughter in tow. This time, it’s to save Abbey…even if it means dragging her, kicking and screaming.

Across the pond, another woman is taking flight. Adrian’s estranged daughter Natalie has not wanted for much in life back in England. Horses, houses in the country, cars, closets full of couture – all courtesy of, but with no thanks to, Digger Graves’ heavy metal music success. Her parents’ divorce had robbed Adrian of much of his fortune, as well as any meaningful place in his daughter’s life. But as her own marriage and entire privileged pinnacle comes avalanching down, Natalie jumps on a desperate whim at the open invitation her stepmother Kat has made to “come stay anytime you want.”

Lauder Lake may not be what Abbey or Natalie want, but it holds some surprises – and may just be exactly what they both need…

My Review

When I read Louder Than Love almost 13 years ago, the story just stayed with me. These characters crawled in my chest and made their home right inside my heart and I haven’t been able to shake them since, nor would I want to. 

Back when I first read Louder Than Love, it was just a standalone story about a washed up British rock star and a widowed librarian with a 4-year-old daughter crossing paths in New York, discovering so much about themselves. Learning how to heal, how to find peace, and how to love again. It is a beautiful story about love, loss, rock ‘n’ roll, and second chances. 

Then something wonderful happened, the author expanded this world by making it into a series and gave us more books and more wonderful characters to love. I was over the moon! And now we get a 5th book and I am so excited to tell you all about it. Here we go!

Get What You Need takes place 10-ish years after the events of Louder Than Love. Adrian (British rocker) and Kat (widowed librarian) have been in wedded bliss for years now. Adrian’s rock career has been revitalized. Adrian and Kat have a beautiful son together along with Kat’s daughter and Adrian’s adult daughter from his first marriage. Their family is a beautiful kaleidoscope of hopes, dreams, music, and so much love.

The story follows Abbey’s adjustment to a new school, a slower lifestyle, and the daily desperation she feels being far away from her “boyfriend” and Natalie’s (Adrian’s daughter) healing journey after a failed marriage. We’re gonna need lots of funny movies, chocolate, and salty snacks to even crack the surface of all the feelings that need feeling. 

I absolutely loved–and cringed–watching Abbey’s teenage struggles. We’ve all been enchanted by a cute bad boy, but her relationship could be easily summed up in Taylor Swift’s I Knew You Were Trouble. I don’t have a daughter but I could easily empathize with Kat and Adrian’s parenting struggles. Thankfully, Abbey has a lot of people who love and support her.

Natalie has only been mentioned in the books but we finally get to meet her in this story and she’s absolutely lovely. You’d think she was a spoiled princess with her dad being a rock god, but I found her to be sincere and approachable. Natalie has experienced tremendous heartbreak and I just wanted to give her a big hug and tell her everything was going to be okay. I really enjoyed getting to know her and watching her healing journey.

What really tugged at my heartstrings was Kat and Adrian’s son, Blu. He’s a beautiful neurodivergent boy that is the apple of everyone’s eye. Having a son on the autism spectrum myself, I really appreciated the way the author respectfully portrayed the character. The representation was beautifully done. As much as I love Kat and Adrian, I think Blu is my new favorite. 

Get What You Need is a beautiful story of family, healing, self discovery, forgiveness, and faith and is a testament to the heart of the book. 

The Rolling Stones say it best: “You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes you just might find, you get what you need.”

Purchase Links

Jessica Topper Website*

About the Author

Jessica Topper has been in love with the beauty of the written word ever since she memorized Maurice Sendak’s Chicken Soup with Rice at the age of three.

After earning a B.A. in English Literature and her Master’s Degree in Library Science, Jessica went on to work as a librarian in New York City before trading in the books for bookkeeping. For seventeen years, she worked in the production office of an international touring rock band.

Jessica broke the rock romance mold with her 2013 debut novel LOUDER THAN LOVE. Her follow-up romantic comedy, DICTATORSHIP OF THE DRESS, was named one of Publishers Weekly’s Best Books of 2015.



She lives in Western New York with her family – including two cats that love to walk across her keyboard. Learn more at jesstopper.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: Christmas With A Chimera by Isabelle Taylor

Christmas With A Chimera is a grumpy/sunshine second chance romance that’ll exasperate your patience and melt your heart.

This is a novella in Isabelle Taylor's Claw Haven series and is super spicy! 

About the Book

Cozy fantasy meets Christmas in this charming, spicy, second chance romance novella.

Welcome to Claw Haven, where monsters go to find some peace and quiet.

Going home for Christmas wasn’t on chimera Arthur Pineclaw’s to-do list, not since he left the sleepy town of Claw Haven over a decade ago. He’s back now for one reason only—to film a cozy holiday romance. Two weeks of smiling for the cameras and charming his fans, and he can go back to LA. Easy. After all, there’s no one he can’t charm.

No one except for Emma Curt, the high school sweetheart he dumped on Christmas Eve. The same woman who apparently owns the café they’re filming in.

Emma never would’ve agreed to let her café be a filming location for a rom-com if she’d known Arthur Pineclaw was the lead. She’d rather eat rocks than be civil to the guy who abandoned her to become a movie star—on Christmas Eve.

But as the two spend more time together, it’s easy to fall into old habits…and into bed. Just because things are still good between them doesn’t mean Emma’s ready for anything more, but when their unexpected reunion stirs up old feelings—and old arguments—a second chance romance might be the gift they both need.

My Review

I am a sucker for the second chance romance stories and if they’re set in a small town, even better! I am fully enchanted by the idea of a remote town in Alaska where monsters can get some peace and quiet and not be bothered by the outside world. Well, all that changed when a short and wiry human woman crashed into town… and into the local inn’s welcome sign. 

Luna Stack accidentally mated a werewolf and ended up falling in love and staying with him and his pack that run the Musgrove Inn. She’s a marketing genius who’s revamping the town and turning it into a hot tourist destination, exploding the local economy,  greatly helping the town and its proprietors. 

The town has gained so much notoriety it has attracted the attention of a film company and now a cute holiday rom-com is going to be filmed at one of the local coffee shops. The dashing romantic lead of the movie grew up in Claw Haven and is back after years of being gone. Great for the town, not so great for the coffee shop owner whose heart was broken into pieces when Arthur left Emma behind to pursue his acting career many years ago.

I actually read Christmas With A Chimera out of order because I thought it was the first book in the series but it’s actually Book 2. Not to worry though, the story can easily be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading the first book, too. It’s a hoot and there’s a lot of backstory that will enrich your reading experience.

I really enjoyed the story and I love the idea of a town of monsters, there are so many kinds and they are just so cool and act like everyday people… well except they are monsters, but that just makes them cooler! You’re in for a real treat!

Emma and Arthur’s story is a little rough, a little sweet, and a lot spicy! Their chemistry never dissolved, it was just banked until a chance meeting ignited the flames of a fiery passion so hot it’ll steam up your Kindle screen or sear your book pages 😉

I am totally a fan now! I can’t wait to learn more about the monsters of Claw Haven! I highly recommend the series!

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

Purchase Links*

Harlequin Romance 

About the Author

Isabelle Taylor writes sweet, steamy fantasy romance. She works in a bookstore in New Zealand and has a Creative Writing Masters from the International Institute of Modern Letters. She can be found on Instagram and Tiktok @isabelletaylorauthor.

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: Thaw of Spring by Rebecca Zanetti

Rebecca Zanetti returns us to the small town of Knife’s Edge, Alaska where a powder keg of secrets is just waiting to explode! 

About the Book

Welcome to Knife’s Edge, Alaska, where the four Osprey brothers return from military service with shadows in their eyes and secrets in their hearts. As danger looms, new romances ignite, and these rugged men must fight for love…and survival.

Christian Osprey prefers the wilderness to the company of people. A former Navy Special Operator, he’s built for isolation and thrives in the untamed wild. He doesn’t want ties, doesn’t need anyone—but he can’t seem to stay away from Amka, the soft-eyed tavern owner who always greets him with a warm smile, a hot cup of coffee, and no expectations.

Amka Pinga has spent her life being strong for everyone else, even as her own life unravels. Trapped in an engagement that feels more like a cage, she’s tangled in obligations that threaten to break her spirit. Christian’s quiet strength feels like a lifeline she doesn’t dare reach for—but danger is circling Knife’s Edge, and this time, she’s at the center of it.

When Amka becomes a target, Christian will stop at nothing to protect her. But their simmering attraction explodes into something fierce and undeniable, and keeping her close blurs the line between protection and possession. In a town where secrets run deeper than the icy rivers and trust is as treacherous as thin ice, survival means risking everything—even their hearts.

My Review

Thaw of Spring starts with a bang and ends with a WTF revelation that will leave you breathless! I was on the edge of my seat with nail-biting anticipation! 

Knife’s Edge is a sleepy town full of secrets. Not everything is what it seems. Who can you trust? And why are the Osprey brothers so broody and too gorgeous for their own good? That is one mystery I don’t mind waiting to unravel. Drag it out, make us readers work for it 😉

OMG I absolutely LOVE this book! I love the dynamics and the simmering chemistry between Christian and Amka. There is so much going on in this story. If you blink you’ll miss it. 

Thaw of Spring can easily be read as a standalone but I encourage reading the first book, Dead of Winter to get the backstory on the town and its people. This book is explosive, mysterious, and so much fun to read. I highly recommend the series and can’t wait to find out what happens next!

Purchase Links*

Rebecca Zanetti Website

About the Author

New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly and #1 Amazon bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has published more than sixty novels, which have been translated into several languages, with more than five million copies sold world-wide. Her books have received Publishers Weekly starred reviews and have been featured in Entertainment Weekly, Woman’s World, and Women’s Day Magazines. Her novels have also been included in Amazon best books of the year and have been favorably reviewed in both the Washington Post and the New York Times Book Reviews. Rebecca has ridden in a locked Chevy trunk, has asked the unfortunate delivery guy to release her from a set of handcuffs, and has discovered the best silver mine shafts in which to bury a body…all in the name of research. Honest. Learn more at rebeccazanetti.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: Accidentally Wedded to a Werewolf by Isabelle Taylor

The grumpy-sunshine appeal of It Happened One Summer meets the cozy fantasy vibes of The Baby Dragon Cafe in this utterly charming, spicy, Alaska-set fated-mates romance

Accidentally Wedded to a Werewolf is a fun read with extraordinary characters and a romance so spicy it’ll fog up your Kindle screen!

About the Book

Welcome to Claw Haven, where monsters go to find some peace and quiet.

Spoiled heiress Luna Stack is meant to be sipping mai tais on a beach with her fun-loving fiancé. Instead, a snowstorm strands her in Claw Haven, Alaska, a cozy town full of monsters living the quiet life. At least the werewolf innkeeper’s hot—until he opens his mouth. 

Luna’s more than ready to leave the grumpy wolf and his decrepit inn behind as soon as the snow clears, but when a potion mishap bonds the two of them together, she resigns herself to staying in Claw Haven, just for a little while.

She’s only werewolf married, though, not married married, like, legally. No big deal.

Oliver Musgrove wants nothing to do with his new “wife.” He has annoying, friendly townsfolk to ignore, and he’s lost his ability to shift, which means his alpha ambitions are currently on hold.

Unfortunately, no matter how much Oliver wants to keep his distance from Luna, the bond says otherwise. Even though the two can’t stand each other, maybe they can stop bickering long enough to explore the magical spark between them…

After all, what’s a little knotting between enemies?

My Review

The story begins with Luna somewhere in Alaska trying to get to the airport. She was at a work convention representing her family business and is trying to catch her flight to the Bahamas to meet up with her fiancé. The trip is important to her because it gave her the opportunity to show her father she’s more than just a party girl. 

As the weather gets worse, Luna realizes she’s not going to make it to the airport and ends up in a small town named Claw Haven trying to find a room. She loses control of the car and runs over the inn’s sign and almost hits the building! 

Luna apologizes to the grumpy–yet super hunky–innkeeper and promises to pay for the sign. She gets a room, takes a shower, goes in search of a hair dryer and then BING BANG BOOM she’s accidentally mated to a werewolf! 

I know what you’re thinking: 

“But she has a fiancé?!?!?” 

“How can she be mated to a werewolf?!?!?!” 

“HOW did she get mated to a werewolf?!?!!?” 

“Consent much?!!?!?”

All your concerns are valid and will be answered as you read the story. That’s why I picked up the book. I have to know how this happened and what are they going to do about it? Hold on to your hats people, it’s about to get wild!

I absolutely adore wolf shifter romances/stories and I love that the author puts a unique twist on the werewolf legend, especially the mating parts. I love the big, boisterous pack Oliver has and I love how welcoming they are of Luna… well with a few exceptions. You can read about that later 😉 

I will say though, because Luna is engaged to another person and she seems to be in a new “relationship” with Oliver as his mate, some lines get crossed. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that it does get a little messy, but I can’t say more without spoiling things. I will say though that I am not a fan of cheater books. I hate them with a fiery passion and if there is cheating between an FMC and MMC, it’s an automatic DNF. That being said, how things turned out between Oliver and Luna, it wasn’t enough to make me DNF this book. So, if you have issues like this, please read at your own discretion. 

I absolutely loved the story and am completely in love with the town of Claw Haven. I am so excited to read more stories from this fun and enchanting series.

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

Purchase Links*

Harlequin Romance

Ebook and Audiobook: on sale October 7, 2025

Trade Paperback: on sale March 24, 2026

About the Author

Isabelle Taylor writes sweet, steamy fantasy romance. She works in a bookstore in New Zealand and has a Creative Writing Masters from the International Institute of Modern Letters. She can be found on Instagram and Tiktok @isabelletaylorauthor.

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews

Ilona Andrews turned a serial story on their blog into a series! I'm not sure what kind of magic they possess but I'm totally here for it!

We are at war. The interdimensional invasion brought us unimaginable suffering, but it also awoke talents slumbering deep within us, a means to repel and destroy our enemy.  Every day new gates open, leading to breaches filled with monsters and valuable resources. If you are a Talent, your country needs you. The world needs you. Be the hero you were born to be.

About the Book

Adaline is a Talent. Ten years ago, she had a happy marriage and a job she loved. The invasion shattered both. Now she works for the government, searching the breaches for magic metals and medicine to help Earth repel an interdimensional enemy. Two kids, one cat, bills, benefits, mortgage and school tuition…  Risking her life became routine.

She had gone into the dimensional gates hundreds of times. She was always well protected. This time everything goes wrong. Now Ada is trapped in a labyrinth of alien caves unlike any other. Her only companion is a scared German Shepherd named Bear. Together they must uncover the breach’s secrets and escape, because Ada promised her children that she will come home.

The future of humanity depends on it.

My Review

What started out as a serial story on Gordon and Ilona Andrews’s blog turned into a new and colorful world full of danger, mystery, and survival. 

Ada and Bear get trapped in an interdimensional cave when their mission goes tits up. Trying to find a way out takes them on a wild and dangerous journey through portal after portal, encountering all manner of deadly creatures, plants, and civilizations. What motivates Ada is a promise. A promise to her kids that she’d come home to them. And I’ll tell you one thing, there ain’t nothing stronger than the will of a parent trying to get home to their children.

The Inheritance is a brilliantly crafted universe with vibrant worlds, monstrous adversaries, and takes readers on a journey of strength, self discovery, and courage.

Like all Ilona Andrews books, I highly recommend this and every book from the author.

Purchase Links*

Ilona Andrews Website

About the Author

“Ilona Andrews” is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.) 

We write together, we live in Texas, we have two daughters and way too many animals. Learn more at ilona-andrews.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.