My Review for Luminiferous: The Darkness Within #2

'But bear in mind, using a dragon as a weapon comes with the risk of its bite'.

I'm hooked! When is the next one out? The Luminiferous series is fast becoming my favourite fantasy series. I adore Lilly. She's sassy, she's fearless, she's brave and she doesn't suffer fools. In this one, Lilly sets out on some more adventures with her friends, in an attempt to find the second emanation of Luminiferous. On the way, she encounters enemies, many, many enemies, some who may become friends and inevitable death - thankfully not hers because we still have another five more books to go!

After the world-building in book one, we are catapulted straight back into all the worlds that Lilly travels through, and of course she has Hairito by her side once again, such a cheeky, yet loyal gargoyle! Lilly is being forced to grow up fast and for a nineteen-year-old, she really is doing an awesome job of carrying the world's outcome on her shoulders! The book is full of selkies and sirens, and all sorts of fantasy creatures. Each with their own role and each bringing their own set of skills - sometimes good ones and sometimes, very, very bad! 

I cannot recommend this series enough. It's soooooooo good. If you love Fourth Wing, ACOTAR, The Serpent and the Wings of Night and anything in between, please give it a go. It's honestly incredible, there are apparently five more books to go - get writing Yana. I need more Lilly, Will and Faolen in my life!

Thank you to Yana Metro for the gifted copy of Luminiferous: The Darkness Within.

About the book

The riveting second book in the seven-part LUMINIFEROS saga of romance, self-discovery and two worlds on the brink

CURSED. HUNTED. CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO LETHAL SHAPESHIFTERS

Lilly White is poisoned. Venom marks on her wrists spread daily, threatening to consume her body and soul. As the last hope against Noxohit’s destruction of the Human and Spirit Worlds, Lilly must find a cure before she turns into one of his monsters – or her own allies kill her first.

Her one beacon is Will, a Raven Guardian with deadly power and seductive charm. He is her sworn protector, but he’s also duty-bound and hiding secrets of his own.

As they race against time and despair, Lilly falls under the jade gaze of a being so powerful, he can bend reality at will. His touch is as cold as dragon scales and just as lethally beguiling.

With his perilous guidance, Lilly might find salvation. But to break the curse, she must embrace the darkness within, risking her life… and testing her love.

About Yana

A PhD in Physics, Yana spent years as a nano-researcher before diving into exploration of existential mysteries through fictional characters and magical worlds. Her debut series LUMINIFEROS unites contemporary fantasy and romance in a thrilling seven-part journey of self-discovery. She lives in the urban jungles of London but dreams of lush coniferous forests stretching beneath leaden clouds that almost constantly curtain the sky.

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My Review for Nineteen Steps by Millie Bobby Brown, read by Millie Bobby Brown

“I couldn’t, I won’t take this second chance from you. … Just go! Be happy!”

It's been a while since I listened to Nineteen Steps by Millie Bobby Brown, but I'm finally catching up with my reviews. This was one we chose for one of my Instagram book clubs and, as always, I went into it completely blind. I had no idea what it was about, or that it was based on true events, but I'm oh so glad I listened to it. It was so, so good. 

I adore historical fiction, set in and around World War II. Nellie Morris was so lovely, as our protagonist, but she had to deal with so much, as the bombs rained down around her. My emotions ranged from happy to sad, to happy again and then to devastated as the love with her American airman looks so idyllic and positive, until the world caves in around them both. 

There are hundreds of thousands of stories which could be told about people's experiences during WWII. I'm so pleased that Millie Bobby Brown decided to tell the world about this one, which has been passed down to her from her family.

If you have even an ounce of interest in this time period, give this a read. I hope you love it as much as I did.

About the Book

It’s 1942, and London remains under constant threat of enemy attack as the second world war rages on. In the Bethnal Green neighborhood, Nellie Morris counts every day lucky that she emerges from the underground shelters unharmed, her loving family still surrounding her.

Three years into the war, she’s grateful to hold onto remnants of normalcy—her job as assisting the mayor and nights spent at the local pub with her best friend. But after a chance encounter with Ray, an American airman stationed nearby, Nellie becomes enchanted with the idea of a broader world.

Just when Nellie begins to embrace an exciting new life with Ray, a terrible incident occurs during an air raid one evening, and the consequences are catastrophic. As the truth about that night is revealed, Nellie’s world is torn apart. When it seems all hope is lost, Nellie finds that, against all odds, love and happiness can triumph.

Nineteen Steps is a deeply affecting, mesmerizing page-turner inspired by the author’s family history. An epic story of longing, loss, and secrets, Millie Bobby Brown’s propulsive debut introduces an unforgettable, brave young woman and boldly portrays the strength in the power of love.

About Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown is a British Emmy Award–winning actress. She has been featured in the TIME 100 list of the world’s most influential people and is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Nineteen Steps is her first book. 

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My Review for Scythe and Sparrow by Brynne Weaver, read by Samantha Brentmoor and Eric Nolan

“Memories take hold in the silence. Pain dulls with time, but can still linger, waiting to be polished so it can shine once more.”

Encouraged by finally writing my reviews for the first two books in this trilogy, I grabbed an audiobook copy of Scythe and Sparrow from Libby and listened to it over the weekend. For me, this was by far the best of the three. I liked Fionn, I adored Rose and the circus was just a cutesy added extra for me. I've loved reading circus stories since I was younger, so throw one into the mix and I know I'll jump straight in there!

Scythe and Sparrow isn't as gory as the other two but the s*x is hotter and steamier for sure. Both Lachlan and Lark and Rowan and Sloane make various reappearances throughout this one, and it's great to see how they are and what's going on in their lives. 

If you haven't read these, and you're a dark romance lover, then what are you waiting for? Grab these as soon as you can and dive right in!

About the Book

Doctor Fionn Kane is running from a broken heart, one he hopes to mend in small-town Nebraska, far away from his almost-fiancé and his derailed surgical career. It’s a simpler life: head down, hard work, and absolutely no romantic relationships. He wants none of the circus he left behind in Boston.

But then the real circus finds him.

Motorcycle performer Rose Evans has spent a decade on the road with the Silveria Circus, and it suits her just fine, especially when she has the urge to indulge in a little murder when she’s not in the spotlight. But when a kill goes awry and she ends up with an injured leg, Rose finds herself stuck in Nebraska, at the home of the adorably nerdy town doctor.

The problem is, not every broken heart can be sewn back together.

. . . And the longer you stay in one place, the more likely your ghosts are to catch up.

About Brynne

Writing has always been a hobby for Brynne. Even as a young child, she loved typing out stories on her grandmother’s typewriter. She wrote award-winning poetry and essays, and dabbled in various forms of fiction over the years. In 2019, Brynne committed to publishing more of her works, and released her first non-fiction book (under her real name!). She then began focusing on her first fantasy-romance (or ‘romantasy’) series, The Diviner. Next up was the three-part Shadow Realm paranormal dark romance series. Brynne then partnered with author Alexa Harlowe on the contemporary dark standalone romance, Black Sheep. 

Brynne aspires to write female-focused stories about complex, resilient, imperfect characters who struggle with anger, trauma, fear, courage, and love. 

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My Review for Leather and Lark by Brynne Weaver, read by Samantha Brentmoor and Eric Nolan

“A snow globe,” I say slowly, waiting for her to look up, which she doesn’t do. “You made a severed finger into a feckin’ snow globe.” “It was almost Christmas,” she says with a shrug. “It felt … festive.”

A listened to this one, straight after Butcher and Blackbird, another combination of gruesomeness, murder and some hot and spicy! It was good, maybe not quite as good as the first one, but it came pretty close. I adore both of these narrators and Samantha Brentmoor especially, is fast becoming a favourite - and she has a great name too!

For me, the story is a little slower than the first book, it's a lot more laid-back - if you can call a dark romance laid-back. I did want to chuck them both in the trunk of the car at one point and tell them to just sort themselves out. 😂

There was definitely humour, and both narrators capture it perfectly. Lark especially has an incredibly dry sense of humour and I loved this, she made the book a lot of fun. 

Having finally found the time to write these reviews, I grabbed a copy of Scythe and Sparrow on Libby this weekend, so that review will be coming soon.

About the Book

Contract killer Lachlan Kane wants a quiet life working in his leather studio and forgetting all about his traumatic past. But when he botches a job for his boss’s biggest client, Lachlan knows he’ll never claw his way out of the underworld. At least, not until songbird Lark Montague offers him a deal: use his skills to hunt down a killer and she’ll find a way to secure his freedom. The catch? He has to marry her first. 

And they can’t stand each other. 

Indie singer-songwriter Lark is the sunshine and glitter that burns through every cloud and clings to every crevice that Lachlan Kane tries to hide inside. The surly older brother of her best friend’s soulmate, Lachlan thinks she’s just a privileged princess, but Lark has plenty of secrets hiding in the shadows of her bright light. With her formidable family in a tailspin and her best friend’s happiness on the line, she’s willing to make a vow to the man she’s determined to hate, no matter how tempting the broody assassin might be. 

As Lachlan and Lark navigate the dark world that binds them together, it becomes impossible to discern their fake marriage from a real one. But it’s not just familiar dangers that haunt them. 

There’s another phantom lurking on their doorstep. 

And this one has come for blood.

About Brynne

Writing has always been a hobby for Brynne. Even as a young child, she loved typing out stories on her grandmother’s typewriter. She wrote award-winning poetry and essays, and dabbled in various forms of fiction over the years. In 2019, Brynne committed to publishing more of her works, and released her first non-fiction book (under her real name!). She then began focusing on her first fantasy-romance (or ‘romantasy’) series, The Diviner. Next up was the three-part Shadow Realm paranormal dark romance series. Brynne then partnered with author Alexa Harlowe on the contemporary dark standalone romance, Black Sheep. 

Brynne aspires to write female-focused stories about complex, resilient, imperfect characters who struggle with anger, trauma, fear, courage, and love. 

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My Review for Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, read by Andrew Wincott

'If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever.'

Although I have a beautiful, Penguin clothbound copy of Nineteen Eighty-Four, I chose to listen to it, and I'm so glad I did! As soon as the narrator spoke the first words, I knew that I knew him, and it took me all of five minutes to realise that it was Adam from the Archers. He was phenomenal, and made Winston come to life!

I read this book many, many years ago, and I couldn't remember a thing about it. I found it terrifying that the authoritarian state in which he's living, could be said to resemble what's happening in certain parts of the world right now. Let's rewrite history, and make it the way we want it!😲

I enjoyed the beginning and the end, but now and then, Orwell goes off on a tangent and I became bored quite quickly.

Nineteen Eighty-Four is definitely worth a read, just because it's a classic. Oh, and I love that he lived about thirty minutes from me, in a town on the east coast of England called Southwold. There is a huge mural of him on the pier there. 

Thank you to #classiclitbookclub for choosing this one for August's read.

About the Book

Hidden away in the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother, symbolic head of the Party. In his longing for truth and liberty, Smith begins a secret love affair with a fellow-worker Julia, but soon discovers the true price of freedom is betrayal.

About George

As both pioneering political journalist and sage-like novelist George Orwell shaped how many of us interpreted the 20th century. His pre-war reportage highlighted inequality and poverty in Britain’s provinces, as well as bearing witness to pivotal political developments in Civil War Spain. His earlier fiction drew on his own experiences in imperial India and the English suburbs but broadened out to envision dystopian worlds rich in political allegory. His masterwork, Nineteen Eighty-Four, is one of the most significant novels of the 20th century.

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My Review for Last Stop on the Winter Wonderland Express by Rebecca Raisin

'Your robot short-circuited! There was a system failure and a malfunction in the motherboard.'

Rebecca Raisin is a must-read author for me, and I really enjoyed this book. It did take me a few minutes to get into the eccentricities of many of the people who were travelling on the Winter Wonderland Express, but very soon I was loving Princess, Sabrina and of course Jasper!

Aubrey had my admiration, to have the confidence and wherewithal to travel as she does, is simply amazing. Simply to pack up her belongings and head off to the next destination. I love a cruise. I love going to sleep each night and waking up in a new place each morning. The Winter Wonderland Express was exactly like this, but with the added fun of the Christmas themes onboard.

I really hope Rebecca decides to write a sequel to this one. I'd love to find out how Aubrey and Jasper manage on the Camino trail, and I'd delight in spending some time on Princess's yacht in the Cyclades.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Last Stop on the Winter Wonderland Express.

About the Book

A honeymoon for one on the most romantic train journey in the world… what could possibly go wrong?

When Aubrey’s fiancé dumps her – literally at the altar – just days before Christmas, her first thought is for the honeymoon. A luxury snow train, winding through Europe’s most beautiful Christmas markets, stopping in places like Paris and Stockholm, before ending in Lapland, to stay in igloos under the Northern Lights.

It was meant to be the most romantic ten days of her life. And now she has to go it alone. But arriving on the train – where, not wanting to be known as someone who was jilted, she might have accidentally implied her new husband died in a horrible accident – she finds she’s not the only singleton on board.

The group of single passengers quickly nickname themselves ‘The Unlucky in Love Travel Club’… But – as the train gathers pace – so do Aubrey’s feelings for absurdly handsome travel journalist, Jasper.

And she starts to wonder – as fireworks explode over the snow – whether her magical Christmas honeymoon-for-one might be just what she needs. And if she might not be as unlucky in love as she’d thought…

About Rebecca

Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romance from her home in sunny Perth, Australia. Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous heroes who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them – just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true, once in a lifetime love. Her bestselling novel Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop has been optioned for film with MRC studios and Frolic Media.

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My Review for Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver, read by Joe Arden and Lucy Rivers

' “You might be psycho,” I say with a grin as her eyes narrow, “but you’re my psycho, and I’m yours. Got it?” '

I listened to this one, along with Leather and Lark, last summer whilst I was manning the cement mixer as we landscaped our garden! I had no idea what to expect, I just knew that everyone had been raving about it, and, like the sheep I am, I had to follow. 

One minute I was listening to the most gruesome murders I have ever read or listened to, and the next, it was getting very hot and steamy! On and off my husband would ask me what I was listening to, and I'd just say 'someone got murdered', but then half an hour later, I'd be distracted (probably getting the measures of sand and cement wrong) and he'd ask what was happening in the book. He was getting very confused when I'd say 'a lot of s*x, and thought I'd switched books. He doesn't read - he doesn't understand that murders and steaminess can go together, lol!

Both narrators are brilliant, I was invested right from the beginning, and even though I didn't know what to expect, I was blown away by the speed at which this story travelled. The chemistry between Sloane and Rowan and the breathtaking, if macabre, killings. I didn't think I would be into this, but I totally was!

About the Book

When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, the two find something elusive—the friendship of like-minded, pitch-black souls. From small town West Virginia to upscale California, from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country.

But as their friendship develops into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than just their newfound love. Can Rowan and Sloane dig themselves out of a game of graves? Or have they finally met their match?

About Brynne

Writing has always been a hobby for Brynne. Even as a young child, she loved typing out stories on her grandmother’s typewriter. She wrote award-winning poetry and essays, and dabbled in various forms of fiction over the years. In 2019, Brynne committed to publishing more of her works, and released her first non-fiction book (under her real name!). She then began focusing on her first fantasy-romance (or ‘romantasy’) series, The Diviner. Next up was the three-part Shadow Realm paranormal dark romance series. Brynne then partnered with author Alexa Harlowe on the contemporary dark standalone romance, Black Sheep. 

Brynne aspires to write female-focused stories about complex, resilient, imperfect characters who struggle with anger, trauma, fear, courage, and love. 

Buy on Amazon UK | Buy on Amazon US

Follow Brynne on Bluesky | Follow Brynne on Instagram

Brynne's Website

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