Book Shelf: Knuckle Down (The Cursed Ravens MC #2) by Chantal Fernando

A single father struggles to change for his daughters and the woman he loves in this second book in the Cursed Ravens Motorcycle Club series from New York Times bestselling author Chantal Fernando.

As a single father of two girls and the sergeant at arms for the Cursed Ravens Motorcycle Club, Jack “Knuckles” Chester doesn’t have much free time. And having earned his road name from his reputation as a fighter, Knuckles isn’t one to back away from a challenge.

But what he'll never admit out loud is that his two daughters have changed him irrevocably, softened him even. And these two girls are the only women who will ever hold his heart forever. That is, until he meets the cousin of another biker’s old lady.

Celina is nothing like the women Knuckles used to date. She’s a journalist for the local newspaper, dresses well, and basically just has her life together. And the last thing she wants is to be involved with a Cursed Raven. But when the ripped, badass biker worms his way into her heart, she has trouble remembering all the reasons they would never work.

But when a scandal at her newspaper breaks the thin trust she has with Knuckles, will she walk away for good? Or will Knuckles fight to keep Celina in his life?

More info on Goodreads.....


Review: 

Chantal Fernando is back with another deeply passionate and satisfying romance, Knuckle Down, the second novel in her Cursed Raven MC series and once again draws readers into this close band of brothers and the women they fall for.

As a journalist for a local paper and a woman used to looking after herself, Celina Hutton prides herself on her direct attitude and her ability to play with the big boys. She never expected to find herself caught up in a motorcycle club however….which is exactly what happens when she joins her younger cousin Erin for birthday celebrations at the clubhouse where Erin’s father reigns and finds herself unexpectedly attracted to the Cursed Raven’s member Knuckles. Bearded, tattooed Knuckles isn’t the kind of male Celina would normally be attracted to with his shaved head and cocky attitude, but there’s something about him that calls to her. Despite her best efforts, Celina soon finds herself falling for Knuckles but as someone who has been hurt before, Celina is used to keeping her guard up. Will Knuckles be able to crack through Celina’s wall? Or will their relationship only bring more pain into her life?

Knuckle Down is yet another deeply enjoyable MC romance rich in passion, sensuality, humour and family. Continuing to explore the Cursed Raven's MC, Chantal Fernando this time brings to life the story of Celina, cousin to previous main character Erin, and Knuckles who we had the pleasure of meeting in the first book. Knuckle Down is another fast paced novel with a romance that heats up and flairs to life quite quickly. The part of me who hates her characters coming on too strong bristled at this, but for the most part I felt their romance was written really well. 

Celina is a strong and independent woman, something she prides herself on. She's also very guarded, the result of being hurt by past relationships. Knuckles is in for a fight winning her affections, but as you would expect from the hardheaded and strong-willed biker, he is determined to convince Celina to give a relationship with him a go. It was entertaining seeing Knuckles refuse to back down or let Celina withdraw while also respecting her need to set the pace.

I thought it was very adorable on Fernando's part to include Knuckles daughters in the story, Westley and Willow. Being a father gives Knuckles more substance than just being your typical biker. Obviously being a biker doesn't mean a person can't be a family man, but in this novel having daughters especially seemed to bring out a softer side to the male hero of the story that really worked in my eyes. 

So much fun to read and quick to devour, Knuckle Down was another great MC novel from Chantal Fernando. Fernando is my go-to gal for MC novels and continues to retain this title with another great novel. Can't wait to read the next one featuring Rogue!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review thanks to Give Me Books and the author (Thank you ladies!)
Publisher: Pocket Star
Format: Kindle ebook via Netgalley
Release Date: July 9th 2018
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play
Final Thoughts: Another great read--I can't wait to read the next!

Blog Tour: Monstrum by Kat Ross- Excerpt & Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Monstrum by Kat Ross presented by Xpresso Book Tours! I absolutely adore Kat Ross's novels and am throughly enjoying this series!

___________________________

In the third volume of the Fourth Talisman series, the hunt is on for the three daevas whose powers saved the world once before….

On the wave-tossed White Sea, realm of smashers and sea monsters, a ship is carrying Nazafareen and Darius to the Isles of the Marakai, where the wise woman Sakhet-ra-katme has guarded the secret of the talismans for centuries. But another is searching too, a man born in the brutal prison of the Kiln, who plans to use the talismans to free the Vatras and their mad king. Between them stands a young Marakai girl, ignorant of her own powers. From the moonlit treasure vaults of the Isles to the emperor’s lavish palace in Tjanjin, Nazafareen and Darius face their deadliest and most cunning foe yet.

In the mountain fastness of Val Moraine, the Pythia’s minions are on the scent of another talisman, this one from the Danai clan. Trapped behind a thick wall of ice, everyone’s going slightly mad—the perfect cauldron of suspicion and betrayal for Thena, who sees a chance to redeem her failure and bring the talisman back to Delphi. Then she’ll be free to indulge her twisted obsession with Darius—and make him pay.

And in Samarqand, Javid is drawn into the treacherous currents of a royal succession. When the old king dies and his son takes the throne, the depths of the prince’s depravity become clear. A journey north reveals the source of the spell dust he’s addicted to—and leaves Javid with an impossible choice.

Add it on Goodreads or check our my review!

 Purchase:

The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

From Monstrum...

In the bright moonlight coming through the porthole, Nazafareen studied the gold cuff circling the stump of her right wrist. It was engraved with a snarling griffin—a winged lion—and had a lock with a small keyhole. The magus who first bonded them had kept the key, though it must be long gone now. Nazafareen tucked her arm under the pillow again, snuggling against Darius’s warm body.

His left arm appeared smooth and unblemished now, but it would wither again if they entered Solis. Darius had explained how the bond took a piece of him and trapped it in the cuff, and that—plus the element of fire—was what made the bond work. Every daēva suffered a different infirmity. Some lost tongues or eyes. Others had crooked backs and twisted legs. Nazafareen scowled. It all seemed utterly barbaric.

But their bond was gone in the darklands, and so was her negatory magic. Nazafareen felt naked without it, vulnerable and exposed. Darius said it drew on the power of the void, but where did that come from? Not the Nexus. Breaking magic was an inborn trait and one so rare Nazafareen didn’t know of anyone else who had it—or what ultimately became of them.

She pondered these things as she lay in the bunk, listening to the wind in the rigging. It had blown steady for days from the south, but now she heard intermittent stronger gusts that made the sails flap madly, as if the breeze couldn’t decide which way to go. Nazafareen touched Darius’s shoulder and his blue eyes flew open, wary and tense. He unconsciously reached for his elemental power, as he always did upon waking, as if to reassure himself it was still there.

His gaze softened when he saw her. She cupped his chin and ran a thumb across the dark stubble. It had been rough when it first grew in, chafing when he kissed her, but now it felt soft and silky.

“I like you with a beard,” she said. “You look distinguished, like Herodotus.”

He frowned. “It itches. But I’m not sure I want to try shaving on the Austral Ocean. You might not like me so much with one ear.”

“I’d like you with no ears at all,” she said seriously. “But listen, Darius. I think the weather is changing.”

He sat up and looked out the porthole, studying the sea and sky.

“Storm coming,” he said softly. “A bad one, I’d reckon.”

She leaned over him and pressed her face against the thick glass. It was too dark to see much, though his daēva eyes were keener.

“How bad?” she asked.

“We ought to ask the captain,” Darius replied. “She’ll have a good sense of it.”

Nazafareen had spent hours on deck observing the Marakai sailors and was deeply impressed by their grace and agility. They seemed to anticipate every swell and gust of wind. The Chione rode the waves like a water bird, perfectly at ease. And Nazafareen found herself reveling in the salt spray cast across the bow, the rush of water beneath the hull and sense of tremendous space all around, of being a tiny speck hurtling along beneath the vast starry sky. What a wonderful life, she’d thought, to sail free on the oceans!

But now she felt the power of the coming storm and was afraid.

Kat Ross worked as a journalist at the United Nations for ten years before happily falling back into what she likes best: making stuff up. She’s the author of the dystopian thriller Some Fine Day, the Fourth Element fantasy trilogy (The Midnight Sea, Blood of the Prophet, Queen of Chaos), and a new gaslamp mystery series that opens with The Daemoniac and continues with The Thirteenth Gate. She loves myths, monsters and doomsday scenarios. For more information about Kat’s books, come visit her at katrossbooks.com

Visit Kat:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook 

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Book Shelf: Monstrum (Fourth Talisman, #3) by Kat Ross

In the third volume of the Fourth Talisman series, the hunt is on for the three daevas whose powers saved the world once before….

On the wave-tossed White Sea, realm of smashers and sea monsters, a ship is carrying Nazafareen and Darius to the Isles of the Marakai, where the wise woman Sakhet-ra-katme has guarded the secret of the talismans for centuries. But another is searching too, a man born in the brutal prison of the Kiln, who plans to use the talismans to free the Vatras and their mad king. Between them stands a young Marakai girl, ignorant of her own powers. From the moonlit treasure vaults of the Isles to the emperor’s lavish palace in Tjanjin, Nazafareen and Darius face their deadliest and most cunning foe yet.

In the mountain fastness of Val Moraine, the Pythia’s minions are on the scent of another talisman, this one from the Danai clan. Trapped behind a thick wall of ice, everyone’s going slightly mad—the perfect cauldron of suspicion and betrayal for Thena, who sees a chance to redeem her failure and bring the talisman back to Delphi. Then she’ll be free to indulge her twisted obsession with Darius—and make him pay.

And in Samarqand, Javid is drawn into the treacherous currents of a royal succession. When the old king dies and his son takes the throne, the depths of the prince’s depravity become clear. A journey north reveals the source of the spell dust he’s addicted to—and leaves Javid with an impossible choice.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Monstrum is the third instalment in Kat Ross’s riveting Fourth Talismans series and is another intricately woven and told story of adventure, magic and high stakes danger.

On a ship in the middle of the ocean, Nazafareen and Darius travel alongside the followers of Dionysius on a hunt for the three daeva’s whose abilities can save the world. Hoping a wise woman may be able to point them in the right direction, Nazafareen and Darius know they are not the only ones searching. Across the ocean, a man from a long exiled Vatras clan seeks the fourth talisman as well and he will stop at nothing to find it, even if it means bending a young girl unaware of her own powers to his will. Various forces are at work and as different individuals face cunning foes, the only way to stop untold horrors are for daeva clans to work together; if only they don’t kill each other first…..

Kat Ross is back with the third novel in her Fourth Talisman series and takes her readers on another complex, dangerous and exciting story. Personally I love having the opportunity to follow Nazafareen and Darius again—I’ve adored them since the first series—but can also see that each instalment in the Fourth Talisman series is becoming more complex and intricate as more and more characters are being introduced that we follow and join throughout the series. It’s occasionally necessary to pay close attention so not to miss anything, but I have to commend Ross for such a detailed storyline.

Nazafareen continues to remain my favourite character although Culach and Darius hold special places in my heart. I love her overall characterisation and feel like she’s easy to follow, capable and determined. Darius too is very capable and I adore the relationship they have together. Kat Ross certainly knew how to develop their connection and continue to maintain it as the novels progress without it being overbearing within the story.

Overall, Monstrum was another dashing read and I can’t wait to see what Kat Ross does next. There were both revelations and new questions raised in this novel and I have no doubt the next one will be as thrilling and sure to both answer them as well as raise others. Bring it on—I can’t wait to see what Nazafareen, Darius and their friends encounter next!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Xpresso Book Tours and the author (Thank you ladiess!)
Publisher: Acorn
Format: Kindle ebook
Release Date: June 15th 2018
Purchase: The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Final Thoughts: Another great read that leaves me ready for the next one pronto!

Waiting on Wednesday #229

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on.....  

Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte 

Releases on: February 26th 2019

Add on Goodreads!

A divided nation. Four Queens. A ruthless pickpocket. A noble messenger. And the murders that unite them.
​
Get in quick, get out quicker.

These are the words Keralie Corrington lives by as the preeminent dipper in the Concord, the central area uniting the four quadrants of Quadara. She steals under the guidance of her mentor Mackiel, who runs a black market selling their bounty to buyers desperate for what they can’t get in their own quarter. For in the nation of Quadara, each quarter is strictly divided from the other. Four queens rule together, one from each region:

Toria: the intellectual quarter that values education and ambition
Ludia: the pleasure quarter that values celebration, passion, and entertainment
Archia: the agricultural quarter that values simplicity and nature
Eonia: the futurist quarter that values technology, stoicism and harmonious community

When Keralie intercepts a comm disk coming from the House of Concord, what seems like a standard job goes horribly wrong. Upon watching the comm disks, Keralie sees all four queens murdered in four brutal ways. Hoping that discovering the intended recipient will reveal the culprit – information that is bound to be valuable bartering material with the palace – Keralie teams up with Varin Bollt, the Eonist messenger she stole from, to complete Varin’s original job and see where it takes them.

Thoughts:
YA fantasy nowadays seem to focus a lot on queen's. There is some brilliant fiction out there but I like the idea that Four Dead Queens focuses only around the murder of the queen's, not the queen's themselves. I also love the idea that a pickpocket and the person she stole from must work together. I really can't wait for this one. 

What do you think of Four Dead Queens?

And what are YOU waiting on this week? 

Book Shelf: Ace of Hearts (The Cursed Ravens MC #1) by Chantal Fernando

The New York Times bestselling author of the “swoonworthy and addicting” (Kim Karr, New York Times bestselling author) Wind Dragons Motorcycle Club series is back with more bad boy bikers in this first novel in the Cursed Ravens Motorcycle Club series.

Erin Dawson had the perfect life growing up in a perfect home with a perfect family. Her parents gave her and her sister everything a child could want. But after learning that the man she’s called “dad” her whole life isn’t actually her biological father, Erin is determined to find the man who is.

Armed with her original birth certificate, she finds her father, but begins questioning if her mom had been right all along to keep this information buried. It turns out he is the president of a motorcycle club, which could not be further from the life Erin leads. But, she’s determined to get to know the man who she gets her striking blue eyes from. Despite getting what she wants and finding her biological father, it’s the slightly older, much rougher but incredibly sexy biker Ace that catches Erin’s eye.

As the new “princess” of the Cursed Ravens, Erin is learning a whole new world, but her father has made it clear she is off limits. Will Ace follow his President’s orders or will he put his heart ahead of his duty? A sizzling tale of family and passion, Ace of Hearts features Fernando’s signature “snark and sass” (Booklist) and is perfect for fans of Kristin Ashley.

More info on Goodreads....


Review:

Ace of Hearts is the first novel in Chantal Fernando’s new MC series, the Cursed Raven MC and is another deeply sexy, humourful and entertaining biker tale full of her trademark passion and familial feel.

Twenty-one year old Erin Morretti has lived the perfect life; she grew up in a beautiful house with a white picket fence, two perfect parents and the best little sister….until she learns it’s all a lie. After discovering her original birth certificate, Erin learns that the man she thought was her “dad” is actually her stepdad and her biological father a member of a motorcycle club in the city. Erin soon sets out to meet him, walking into the heart of the club with her head held high and her determination set. Getting to know her real father is an eye opening experience as is Cursed Raven’s member Ace, who is older than her and all kinds of off limits. Breaking rules is something Erin is good at and soon she finds herself falling for Ace but when Erin discovers both he and her father have secrets will the trust they share be damaged irrevocably?

On the whole I’m not really a fan of biker romances as I tend to be too hard-core for my tastes but do I ever love Chantal Fernando’s MC novels! They seem to be an exception to the rule for me as they continually manage to steal my heart time and time again. There’s something about the way she writes them that appeals to me and Ace of Hearts is no exception.

Introducing readers to fiery and stubborn main character Erin who is highly likable with a cheeky and rebellious side, Chantal Fernando once more presents to the promising world of bikers with Ace of Hearts. Personally I really liked Erin and I’m so excited about the prospect of getting to know some of the other Cursed Raven members. Knuckles, Rogue, possibly even Shack and Erin’s father Gage hold so much potential and I’m looking forward to seeing more of them as the series progressed.

Sexy, suave and passionately dark, Ace of Hearts kicks of what I’m sure will be another brilliant MC series from Chantal Fernando! I can’t wait to read more as I have no doubt I’m going to fall in love with each and every one of these boys!

Rating:  
Source: Sent for review by Give Me Books and the author (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Pocket Star
Format: Kindle ebook
Release Date: June 11th 2018
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Final Thoughts: Another great MC novel from Chantal Fernando--I can't wait to read the next one!

Owl Post #209

Inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox, Owl Post allows us bloggers to showcase the books we've bought, won or received throughout the week and is hosted by Brodie over at Eleusinian Mysteries. We all know that the Owl Post is the fastest way to send and receive mail and they certainly make me happy every time they drop a book off.  

Hello lovelies and welcome to another Owl Post. I have some great books to share this week that I can't wait to read :)

For Review:

 From Scholastic Australia: - The Traitor's Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen  I'm super excited to have received a copy of this for review. I think it sounds really good and am looking forward to reading it!
- Storm-Wake by Lucy Christopher  I hadn't heard of this novel until I received it in the mail. It sounds intriguing and the description doesn't give much away.   ....Thank you guys!
  I Bought:

 - The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare  I'll admit I am a bit behind in my Cassandra Clare reading but I do so love Magnus Bane and when I say this hardback at a great price on The Book Depository, I had to get it. Looking forward to reading this eventually.    - Arrowheart by Rebecca Sky  I LOVE the sound of this novel, and that's not even considering that the protagonists name is Rachel (LOL!). I love Ancient Greek history and think this one could be really fun and unique. 
And that's me this week :) What did the owls bring YOU?

Book Shelf: The Diminished (Untitled Duology #1) by Kaitlyn Sage Patterson

In the Alskad Empire, nearly all are born with a twin, two halves to form one whole…yet some face the world alone.

The singleborn

A rare few are singleborn in each generation, and therefore given the right to rule by the gods and goddesses. Bo Trousillion is one of these few, born into the royal line and destined to rule. Though he has been chosen to succeed his great-aunt, Queen Runa, as the leader of the Alskad Empire, Bo has never felt equal to the grand future before him.

The diminished

When one twin dies, the other usually follows, unable to face the world without their other half. Those who survive are considered diminished, doomed to succumb to the violent grief that inevitably destroys everyone whose twin has died. Such is the fate of Vi Abernathy, whose twin sister died in infancy. Raised by the anchorites of the temple after her family cast her off, Vi has spent her whole life scheming for a way to escape and live out what's left of her life in peace.

As their sixteenth birthdays approach, Bo and Vi face very different futures—one a life of luxury as the heir to the throne, the other years of backbreaking work as a temple servant. But a long-held secret and the fate of the empire are destined to bring them together in a way they never could have imagined.

More info on Goodreads..... 


Review:

The Diminished is Kaitlyn Sage Patterson's debut novel and was a unique, beguiling fantasy introducing readers to a world of danger, romance and secrets with the power to change everything.

In the Alskad Empire, the majority of births result in twins, two halves of a whole whose connection is unbreakable and consuming. There are only a few born alone; the single born who have been blessed by the gods and goddesses to rule the people. Bo Trousillion is a single born about to be named as the next heir to the Alskad throne. Born and raised in opulence and wealth Bo has been sheltered but yearns to make a difference. Yet there are many threats to the empire; none so more than the diminished. The diminished are individuals whose twins have died and as twins are meant to exhist together, the diminished find themselves doomed to succumb to their grief and turn to violence. Vi Abernathy is a dimmy, given to the anchorites by her family after the death of her twin. Surviving when many expect her to go mad Vi is determined to make a life for herself. They couldn't be more different but with long kept secrets tying Bo and Vi together the teens lives are about to intersect and together they'll have the power to change the empire forever!

In the interest of full disclosure, I didn't really like The Diminished in the beginning. I actually put it down for a while as I was really struggling to connect with the story but am really glad I decided to pick it up again as I found the story Kaitlyn Sage Patterson had written easier to enjoy the second time around. After a slow beginning, The Diminished picks up with the stakes increasing for the characters.

Told through the back and fourth perspectives of both Bo and Vi, The Diminished introduces readers to a unique world of twins. I thought this was really clever on author Kaitlyn Sage Patterson's part--the idea that twins could be connected in such a spiritual and all consuming respect where the loss of one had the power to destroy the other. Both Bo and Vi were easy to follow and I enjoyed seeing them interact with some of the other characters including Mal, Quill and Swinton who are just fabulous.

I wasn't really a fan of the world Bo inhabits at the beginning of the novel and many of the people within it. In fact that may have been what turned me off the novel so much in the beginning. They were fake and pretentious and I didn't believe them at all. This includes his relationship with Claes that was lacklustre and not something I was sorry to see end. Vi's world on the other hand intrigued me and I'm interested to learn more about her friend Curlin.

Giving The Diminished a second chance was something I'm glad to have done. It definitely picked up as it progressed and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the next novel and will be keeping an eye out for its release.

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen Australia
Format: Paperback ARC
Australian RRP: $19.99
Release Date: April 2018
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: After a slow start I enjoyed this much more the second time around. Worth a read and I'm looking forward to the second one.