Book Review – Sydney Winward

Review of Hellfire and Honey by A.N. Payton

Doom your entire kingdom? Or surrender to the vampire king?

I love reading enemies to lovers books, and this story is one of my top favorites I have read in a while. I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions the author painted throughout the book. The romance developed incredibly well, especially considering the complicated, tangled past the hero and heroine had with one another. And the stakes kept piling up more and more, pulling me into the story with each page.

Kadence’s push and pull within the budding romance really made sense for the story. I know others might not agree with it, but in my opinion, it was well done. His was a fragile heart surrounded by bars of steel, and I really liked watching how Sal dislodged one bar at a time.

This book had great romance scenes, incredible action, amazing characters, and vivid details. Definitely worth the read!

June 28, 2022 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Forever Winter by Amber Daulton

My Review

What if everything went wrong on your special day? What would you do?

Literally everything goes wrong on Susanna’s wedding day from the weather to the dress and more, and although it was entertaining to see how she would get through the next obstacle, what I loved most was Camden’s loving, unshakable support. He is everything you would want in a partner, and seeing how they lean on each other during each new trial was very sweet.

Although short, the plot was satisfying for a novella and I really liked the characters. This is a great read for any weather, sunshine or snow, and worth a read for those who love sweet regency stories.

My rating: 4.5 stars

September 13, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Hometown by Wendy Rich Stetson

My Review

Two different men. Two different lifestyles. An impossible choice.

Who’s now a fan of Wendy Rich Stetson? This gal! I just love the way the author writes. The details immersed me in the story. The characters were layered so well and dusted with fine powder. Several intense scenes had me holding my breath, and the rest had me swooning. The romance was built up very well, and I found myself looking forward to each new chapter.

Did I just add this author to my 1-click list? I sure did! I loved this book and I’m looking forward to more.

My rating: 5 stars

August 9, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Guest Author Marilyn Barr and Book Review: Dance to a Wylder Beat

He wasn’t comfortable in his skin before she crawled under it. Now he burns…

My Review

To sum this book up in one word…HILARIOUS. I’ve read and loved other works by Marilyn Barr, but I don’t think I have laughed this much while reading a book in a long time. Nartan and Olive spark each other’s tempers in the most amusing ways.

I absolutely loved Olive as a character. She has that “don’t mess with me or I’ll mess back” sort of attitude. Or to better explain her by using a quote from the book: “No one pulls a bait and switch on Olive Muegge without feeling the crack of my switch in return.”

The details within the pages were incredible, and I appreciated the way the author laid out the setting for us and immersed us in a culture that is not often written about. With American Indian roots in my own family history, I really enjoyed seeing the culture brought to life in a fun paranormal way.

I definitely loved this book, and I’m looking forward to reading other books in this series as well.

My rating: 5 stars

July 21, 2021July 21, 2021 by 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 Darling, There Are Wolves in the Woods

My Review

The fae stole her sister away ten years ago and it tore her family apart. The only hope she has to save what’s left of her family is to find the sister she isn’t sure deserves saving.

If Holly Black is the Faerie Queen, then L.V. Russell is the Faerie Princess. The author blew my mind with vivid descriptions, pulling me into the dark and ominous world of Faerie. With danger lurking at every turn in the book, I was sucked into the story, wondering how the characters were going to get out of the next impossible scrape.

I adored the unique world building and incredible details that sucked me into the story, shook me up, maybe even drowned me a little bit, and then spit me back out only to endure it again. Darling, There Are Wolves in the Woods is an incredible story of love, heartache, family, and loss, and fans of dark fantasy romance will enjoy reading it!

My rating: 5 stars

June 19, 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 The Moonfire Bride by Sylvia Mercedes

My Review

A year and a day. That’s how long Valera must stay with the fae man who has stolen her away to be his bride. But if she can’t see him and she doesn’t know if she can trust him, will she be able to keep herself from finding a way to see his face?

The Moonfire Bride was everything I hoped it would be and more. I loved the story and the style of writing. I especially enjoyed every scene Erolas and Valera had together. I couldn’t help but wonder… Who was this mysterious fae man and what curse was he under?

The story was perfectly paced, perfectly spun, and the ending left me eager to start reading the second in the series.

My rating: 5 stars

May 4, 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