romance – Page 10 – Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Stone Awakened by Judith Sterling

My Review

How mixed my feelings are between Lorcan and Aengus! The author does an incredible job at making the reader care about both characters and like certain characteristics that one has that the other might not have. While Aengus is protective and keeps his secrets, Lorcan is more easygoing and upfront. I can feel Aengus’s hope on every page as he learns to trust Ashling, and the pain of his broken heart when he feels he is betrayed. Wonderfully written, intriguing story, and easy to get invested in the characters.

And what’s going on with Bridget and Greagoir? Are we getting their story too? 😉

So far, I have really enjoyed this series, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading the third!

My rating: 4.5 stars

June 23, 2020September 17, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Author Interview with Julie Thorpe

Julie, I am so excited to have you on my blog today! I’m looking forward to getting to know a little more about you. For the first question, what is the first book that made you cry?

I can’t remember the first book that made me cry but the one book that makes me cry every single time without fail is Me Before You. I relate to the character of Lou Clark in many ways and the way the author writes the emotions always get to me.

June 17, 2020September 17, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Cauldron Stirred

My Review

Everything in Ireland screamed “home”. Even the guy whose soul recognized Ashling’s the moment he laid eyes on her. When dark forces are at work, will Ashling be able to awaken her inner power in time? Will she be able to reach the heart of the person whose destiny is closely intertwined with hers?

I could not put this book down. I loved the characters, the setting, the lore. The author weaves magic as she writes details and descriptions into the book. From page one, I was captivated and drawn into the story, and I quickly found myself rooting for the hero and heroine to get together. There was amazing sexual tension between Aengus and Ashling, written so well in a slow-burn romance.

I definitely recommend this book, and I look forward to reading the next in the series!

My rating: 5 stars

June 12, 2020September 18, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of A Merman’s Choice

My Review

“A merman’s joy always came out as music.”

What an enjoyable read! A determined heroine wants to uncover the secrets of the Morvann Islands, but little does she know that she’s getting a little more than she bargained for. She not only has to face fears of past trauma, but she must learn that love takes many forms. Literally.

A Merman’s Choice has an awesome opening, with amazing metaphors throughout the book. I love that the merpeople sing to reflect their emotions, and I especially love their culture and way of life.

Full of mystery, intrigue, and awesome characters, A Merman’s Choice is definitely a book you want to pick up if you like merpeople and a heart-stopping romance.

My rating: 5 Stars

June 10, 2020September 18, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Cover Reveal of Bloodbond!

I am so excited to finally be able to reveal my cover for my upcoming release, Bloodbond! It’s the 2nd book in the Bloodborn series, a story about learning to love and trust again, about overcoming prejudice and becoming the person you were meant to be.

Blurb

Zachariah Degore spent ten years locked under ground as a feral vampire. Now he has to redefine what it means to be healthy and whole. With his human life behind him, he starts anew in the vampire city of Ichor Knell with the vampire shah as his kin. He must prove he is worthy of his place in this new world.

Laurel Covaci is vampire elite, she would never court a feral vampire. After two hundred years she has yet to find a mate who meets with her satisfaction. She hides the pain of past hurt and abandonment behind a cold façade. Zach is confident that Laurel is the vampire for him, but can he break through her icy walls and convince her he’s the mate she’s been waiting for?

June 9, 2020September 18, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Bear with Me

My Review

I loved this book! The writing was great, the story spectacular, and the characters were interesting. This book is unique in that it has a heroine who has sensory processing disorder. Alison can hear the buzzing of fluorescent lights and restaurant coolers. She can’t feel sensations on her skin as much as others can. And textures in her mouth are difficult to cope with, which has her sorting her food before she eats.

I love Alison’s special gift. Her tears make pumpkins grow. Her touch gives life to plants. Her power grows and heals, which is a strong theme throughout the book when it comes to family. The story focuses on family relationships, about rekindling love in a marriage and putting family above work, above career goals, above your own needs.

I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the Strawberry Shifters Series and finding out what happens next!

My rating: 5 stars

June 7, 2020September 18, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Betrothed by Kiera Cass

My Review

This book is not a happily ever after. It is a tragedy. I really liked it up until page 265. Everything was promising and perfect up until then. And then tragedy. Such a major let down as a reader. I had literally 20 pages left, and I almost couldn’t finish it, such was my disappointment at the turn of events.

The ending sounds like it promises a sequel, in which that might hopefully have a happily ever after. I think I will read the second when it comes out, as I have a pretty good idea where it might lead.

My rating: 3 stars

Favorite Quote

I sighed. “I think I might be forced to agree with you. The most valueable thing you can own is the assurance of your place in someone’s heart. It is far better than any necklace, far better than any apartment.”

We shared a quiet look.

“Would you exchange your crown of gold for one of flowers, then?” he asked with a smile.

“I think I just might.”

“I think it would suit you,” he commented, and I found myself holding eye contact with him for just a moment too long.

Blurb

A would-be queen. A handsome young king. A perfect match…or is it?

When King Jameson declares his love for Lady Hollis Brite, Hollis is shocked—and thrilled. After all, she’s grown up at Keresken Castle, vying for the king’s attention alongside other daughters of the nobility. Capturing his heart is a dream come true.

But Hollis soon realizes that falling in love with a king and being crowned queen may not be the happily ever after she thought it would be. And when she meets a commoner with the mysterious power to see right into her heart, she finds that the future she really wants is one that she never thought to imagine.

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble

June 5, 2020September 18, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Solving Sophronia

My Review

“Perhaps the real mystery wasn’t the murders but the man solving them.”

Not all detectives wear pants. In fact, some even wear skirts. Detective Jonathan Graham’s new murder case has him stumped, that is before a pretty face and an inquisitive mind barges onto his murder scene.

From the very first page, I couldn’t put this down. I love that although Jonathan had been very against the idea of sucking up his pride and allowing a woman to help with his investigation, he started to trust Lady Sophie Bremerton’s judgement and her ideas. He even sat back a few times just to watch what she might do or say. I think he found her amusing and delighted in her company.

There was great chemistry between the hero and heroine, with hilarious interactions between the characters. I loved Sergeant Lester and his interesting quirk. It brought out a surprising comic relief I did not see coming.

It was so fun to go along on a journey to solve a murder mystery with three awesome characters along every step of the journey. I highly recommend this book, and I’m crossing my fingers that there is a second one in the works.

My rating: 5 Stars

June 4, 2020September 18, 2020 by Sydney Winward

News! Just Submitted Book #3 in the Bloodborn Series!

I just submitted book #3 to my editor in the Bloodborn Series! So nervous! I’m crossing my fingers it will get accepted. The story is about…drum roll please…Dracula! It’s his and Elisabeta’s love story, which takes place 1000 years prior to Bloodborn. Out of the 6 books (and yes they are all written, now I just need to get them through the publishing process!) Dracula’s story is one of my favorites.

Onto other news, #2 in the series, Bloodbond, is seriously “this” close to getting a release date! I’m so excited to release it into the wild, but nervous all the same. Stay tuned for a cover reveal! I am so in love with the cover. It’s a perfect rendition of what I have imagined for the story, down to the red nettle flowers in the background, which are the only flowers that can grow in Ichor Knell due to a lack of sunlight.

June 3, 2020September 18, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Will O’ the Wisp

My Review

A past filled with love and heartache. A secret that will change the future forever.

Will O’ the Wisp strikes at the very center of the heart of horse-lovers and brought back a sense of nostalgia for me. In this western romance, the author wove plenty of mystery and secrets that kept me guessing throughout the entire book.

I love the cover. I love the characters. I love the heartbreak and emotional ties between Allison and Shane, and I especially love the relationships formed throughout the book. The ending was so intense that I couldn’t put the book down, not even to sleep! If you haven’t read Will O’ the Wisp, do it! You definitely won’t regret it.

My rating: 5 Stars

May 31, 2020September 18, 2020 by Sydney Winward