5 stars – Sydney Winward

Book Review of Stolen Thorn Bride by Kenley Davidson

My Review

Stolen Thorn Bride was absolute perfection!

Ah! I just want to read it again and again until the amazingness finally sinks in. The characters were perfection. The setting was perfection. The romance…perfection. I absolutely loved Kasia and Dechlan. I enjoyed her fierceness and stubbornness. She never backed down, especially when it came to those she cared about. And Dechlan! I loved watching a wounded character heal and learn to love again.

Once again, Kenley Davidson blew me away with her world building and the characters she created. The book was a great mix of action, humor, and romance. I can tell right now that it’s going to be one of those books I think about for a long time after I’m done reading it. I definitely recommend this book!

My rating: 5+ stars

July 14, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Bjerner and the Beast by Miranda Grant

My Review

Wow! I really enjoyed this book.

What better match could you have for a woman who can turn people to stone with a single look than someone who is blind? Greek mythology mixed with Beauty and the Beast made for an interesting tale of love and heartbreak. Not only did this story contain some really funny dialogue, but I found myself near to tears on multiple occasions when the story took a sad turn.

Miranda Grant has a talent for weaving an incredible story and hitting the reader right in the feels. Bjerner and the Beast is the perfect mixture to make a heartbreakingly amazing love story.

My rating 5 stars

June 5, 2021June 5, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review: Of Snow and Scarlet by Katherine Macdonald

My Review

One word: GRANDMA. If you’re expecting a frail granny who is helpless and gets eaten by a wolf, you’re not going to get it here. Instead, you’re going to find someone more than capable of taking care of herself, and she will even surprise you at times.

Like Grandma, all the characters are awesome. Finn was the sweetest boy wolf. I loved Andie’s determination and peculiar talents with herbs. The chemistry between Finn and Andie was sizzling hot right off the bat. The two of them made such an adorable pair and worked incredibly well together.

Katherine Macdonald has a talent for including witty and hilarious banter between her characters (isn’t that why we love her books? ;)) and you won’t want to miss the teasing banter between Finn and Andie in Of Snow and Scarlet!

This latest installment in the author’s fairy tale series is a great addition and well worth the read!

My rating: 5 stars

Interested in reading Of SNow and Scarlet? You can download an ARC copy here!

May 13, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Shatter the Dark by Jenna Collett

My Review

The tale of Hansel and Gretel has never been one of my favorites, but in Shatter the Dark, Jenna Collett managed to create something unique, entertaining, and above all, romantic. I ADORED this mashup of Hansel and Gretel and Beauty and the Beast. Both Liana and Bowen are such a great match, each a little bloodthirsty in their own ways and out for revenge. Despite their dark pasts, they bring out the best in each other and I loved seeing how each character transformed into something strong at the other’s side.

Once again, Jenna Collett has weaved an incredible fairy tale retelling, one that brings back other characters in the series while maintaining that fun, humorous tone I like so much. This book is definitely worth a read for those who love fairy tales, humor, and unique retellings.

My rating: 5 stars

April 27, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Pestilence by Laura Thalassa

My Review

He was Pestilence and Pestilence was who he was. He was his purpose.

Sara Burns gets the bad draw and has to stay behind to make an attempt to kill Pestilence, the warrior on horseback infecting people with an incurable plague. But how are you supposed to defeat a man who cannot die?

Although I wasn’t a fan of the vast quantity of profanity, I still loved this book. The story was fascinating. I really enjoyed the morally gray areas the author touched on in. Both Sara and Pestilence grew quite a bit as characters and the interactions between them were enjoyable.

This was a great read that swept me into the story, and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. Definitely looking forward to reading War next.

My rating: 5 stars

April 23, 2021April 23, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Scarred Mage of Roseward: Prisoner by Sylvia Mercedes

Book Review

At book one, I craved more. At book two, I can say I might actually be addicted to the world Sylvia Mercedes has created in The Scarred Mage of Roseward series. In his past, Soran Silveri was not a good guy. He was arrogant and selfish. But in this book, I truly got to see the beauty deep within his soul. His dedication to keep others safe. His need to protect Nelle from the dangers she faces each day. I couldn’t help but fall a little more in love with Soran, and I can’t wait to see how he continues to grow in the next and final book.

My rating: 5 stars

April 16, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Scarred Mage of Roseward by Sylvia Mercedes

My Review

A thief. A mage. An unforgettable tale.

The feels! I adored this book. It was one of those stories where you don’t realize you’re reading a fairy tale retelling until you’re about halfway through the book. I really enjoyed the writing, the characters, and the hard choices they have to make for other people.

Soran Silveri is a different kind of beast, mostly of his own making. He’s scarred, trapped, and tells himself he deserves the fate wrought upon him each and every night. But as a reader, I can’t help but hope there’s another way. Nelle is a unique kind of beauty. She has dangerous, coveted skills, a sharp tongue, and I absolutely loved her. I’m not sure where book #2 in the series is headed, but I’m looking forward to finding out!

My rating: 5 stars

April 12, 2021April 12, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Thief of My Heart by Karla Kratovil

My Review

During the day, she’s a fine lady with a large family and a chaotic house filled with dogs. At night, she’s a cat burglar, stealing beautiful jewelry from the unsuspecting wealthy. But her life turns upside down when she robs the wrong house. Or perhaps the right house.

What a ride! Karla Kratovil creates such a unique but loveable heroine in Thief of My Heart. She’s fearless, extraordinary, and she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty if that means creating a better life for her siblings. And of course, the DUKE. Need I say more? I already fell in love with Andrew in Captain of My Heart, and this book has lived up to my expectations and more. I enjoyed seeing the characters in the first book in this series return for another adventure full of danger, secrets, and of course, love.

I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading Caroline’s story next!

My rating: 5 stars

April 6, 2021April 6, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Unseen Heir by Kenley Davidson

My Review

“I will always recognize you. No matter what face you wear.”

Wow!

This book was a mix of awesomeness, heartache, action, frustration, and love. From beginning to end, the characters are thrown into life and death situations, and I loved watching how it brought Leisa and Kyrion together. They understand each other so deeply, and even when they frustrate or hurt each other, they wouldn’t change a thing.

Kenley Davidson excels in writing sweet romance that builds up slowly and makes every moment of waiting worth it. The author’s action scenes are awe inspiring, and the sacrifices each character makes for the other will both warm your heart and bring you to tears.

Lovers of fantasy and romance will love the intricate world and unique magic in this series. Can’t wait for the third!

My rating: 5 stars

February 27, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Faceless Mage by Kenley Davidson

My Review

He is neither her friend, nor her enemy. But just one word from his master will give him no choice but to take her life.

The Faceless Mage is everything you want in a book. Magic. Romance. Secrets. Danger. Although the hero does little else besides act as her guard, there is so much depth to him. His raw emotions explode on every page, and you can feel his pain and hopeless existence.

You can’t help but to love Leisa. She is strong, skilled, and most of all brave. Her courage is admirable as she risks her life for the safety of her kingdom. In a world filled with uncertainty and suspicion, she puts her trust in the one person who is the most dangerous of them all.

I absolutely loved this book. The characters and story kept me hooked, and there was little else I wanted to do but turn page after page to find out what happened next. I’m looking forward to continuing this series with book 2!

My rating: 5 stars

February 25, 2021 by Sydney Winward