romance – Page 3 – Sydney Winward

Book Review of A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova

My Review

A Deal with the Elf King is a very unique retelling of Hades and Persephone. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Eldas and Luella. Their constant fighting and banter often had me laughing or cheering. They are one of those couples who are so good for each other, but you have to peel back every single rose petal to get to the center of the flower.

I loved all the characters, though Willow and, surprisingly Harrow, both became my favorites. Willow is so down to earth and I loved his sweet and caring personality. As for Harrow, his outer shell is hard to crack, but once you weaken it, you find something much softer beneath. Much like his brother, Eldas. They are more alike than they realize.

The book was a great mix of romance, tension, danger, magic, and humor. The pacing was very slow, but overall, I really enjoyed the story, the unique world building, and the loveable characters.

My rating: 4.5 stars

March 27, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

My review

I really expected to fall in love with this book. I’m disappointed that I didn’t.

First of all, this book should have been written in third person to allow for more than one point of view. Without Cardan’s point of view, I felt like I was missing half the story. I got more of it in How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories, but it didn’t show up in this book. I loved Cardan in that spin-off, especially because I was able to get inside his head. But I wasn’t able to get that in The Cruel Prince.

Second, the book was really hard to get into. The story was interesting. The world-building was intriguing with an Alice in Wonderland type of feel. But I didn’t find myself liking Jude or the way the story often dragged forward. I’m not sure if I want to read the second book in the series, but I might consider it because I liked How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories.

My rating: 3 stars

March 23, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Betrayed by Kiera Cass

My Review

“You will never catch me as a groom.” -Etan Northcott’s famous last words

This book started right where the first ended. After losing everything, Hollis chooses to accompany her family to Isolte, but she can’t help but think she’s walking straight to her death.

After how The Betrothed absolutely shattered my heart, I didn’t have high hopes for The Betrayed. To my pleasant surprise, I found that I liked this book better than the last, and I especially liked Etan as a love interest. Hollis suffered a few growing pains in the last book, and in this, she grew up a little and did what needed to be done, no matter what it was.

Unfortunately, just like in book #1, I feel as if Kiera Cass just didn’t stick the landing. In the last two paragraphs, they find their happily ever after, and then it was just done. Nothing to drag it out, especially after how well the romance was built up until this point. Although the ending wasn’t satisfying for me as a reader, I still enjoyed the rest of the book.

My rating: 3.5 stars

March 4, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Bloodscourge Release Day!

It’s Release Day!

I can hardly believe the day is finally here! Bloodscourge has officially been released into the wild, and I’m excited to find out what readers think of it. It got a 5-star review from the Paranormal Romance Guild. Here’s what they had to say:

If you love vampire books then I wouldn’t miss, not only this book but the entire series, it is a vampire lover’s dream.
Linda Tonis, Paranormal romance Guild

Dracula, danger, romance, family, and more! I’d like to thank all my readers for being such a huge support to me, and I’m looking forward to hearing what you have to say!

Blurb

Fate has given her a second chance. The only things Elisabeta knows how to do is lie, cheat, and swindle. When her brother learns of a treasure worth kingdoms lying in the heart of Ichor Knell, the great vampire city, he sends her to steal it. However, the key to the treasury is safeguarded by the captain of the guard, a brute named Dracula.

Dracula cannot resist the beautiful and mysterious Elisabeta. As danger erupts in Ichor Knell, he is forced into a precarious position to resist the evil within the city and to protect his family and the woman he cares for immensely.

Despite the connection he feels for her, the secrets she hides could be deadly to them both. Will the truth tie them for eternity or set them on a path of destruction?

Where to Buy It

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08TW5TGW4/
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bloodscourge-sydney-winward/1138678093
Applebooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/bloodscourge/id1550787905
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/bloodscourge

March 1, 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 Covet Thy Neighbor by Denise Carbo

My Review

Divorce is hard. Divorce with kids is harder.

Single mom, Olivia Banner, is trying to make ends meet by taking on more hours at her job, going back to school, and taking care of her twin boys. But when a mysterious new neighbor moves in next door, she can’t help but be intrigued.

Covet Thy Neighbor takes on a lot of the struggles you will find in divorce, such as sharing the responsibilities of kids, moving on and finding love, and even doubting your self-worth. The author did a great job at showing the realities and difficulties of two households rather than one, and keeping a strong family unit despite the divorce.

My rating: 4 stars

February 26, 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

Judith Sterling’s New Release Return of the Raven

Book Blurb

Margaret, Lady Ravenwood, is trapped in a loveless marriage and firmly entrenched in the medieval world. Along comes Griffin Nightshade, a historian from the future whose soul resonates with hers. He persuades her to return with him to the 1950s, but heeding her heart means courting danger from a curse that could spell her doom.

Haunted by his parents’ sudden deaths, Griffin knows all too well the pain born of love lost. He guards his emotions, but Margaret delves deep and goes straight to the soul. She’s hard to resist…and harder to set free.

The heart’s desire and history’s demands don’t always agree. Yet true love is eternal.

February 18, 2021January 30, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Return of the Raven by Judith Sterling

My Review

Can love break her curse? Will she find happiness in the future?

Judith Sterling weaves an intricate tale as she ties together the entire series in this last book, Return of the Raven. Each book in the series has led up to an incredible tale of love and family. You can’t help but to root for Margaret and Griffin as the story progresses.

There are many twists and turns in the story, with awesome reveals that are only hinted at in the other books. You will laugh and cheer and cry as you read. Definitely a satisfying ending to a series well-done!

My rating: 5 stars

February 12, 2021February 12, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Spires by Briar Lee Mitchell

Book Review

When a centuries-old vampire is finally released from his prison beneath a cathedral, will he seek revenge on the other vampires who put him there? Or will his release lead to his own destruction?

This book had a bit of everything. Horror. Mystery. Romance. From the very first page, I was sucked into the world the author created. I was intrigued by the idea of a vampire being freed after hundreds of years of entrapment and what might happen once released, and the author didn’t disappoint.

Spires was very well written. The vampires were terrifying, god-like creatures, the stuff of nightmares. And the ending was satisfying. If you like dark fantasy/horror with a bit of paranormal romance, then this book would be a good fit for you.

My rating: 4 stars

February 9, 2021February 8, 2021 by Sydney Winward