My thoughts on Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King (Of Fae and Wolf Trilogy Book 1) By Jen L. Grey

Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King (Of Fae and Wolf Trilogy Book 1)

By Jen L. Grey

Stolen from Earth, Fated to be His Ruin.

Taken from Earth and thrust into a ruthless bridal competition in a fae realm, I’m forced to fight for a crown I don’t want in order to survive.

Vad, the dark, sexy, powerful heir of the Shadow Fae Kingdom, is doing the one thing he never wanted—searching for a bride.

But I don't fit in here, and the top contestants want me dead as soon as I arrive.

Bound by Fated magic and trapped in a deadly game, Vad’s every cold glance and harsh words remind me that he doesn’t want me, and I sure as hell don’t want him.

Yet there’s no denying the sparks between us, and the way his touch ignites something in me I can’t control.

As the contest grows more dangerous, all I can focus on is survival which becomes harder and seems to be slipping through my grasp.

But I won't go out without a fight... even if it kills me sooner.

Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King is a royal fae romantasy that includes betrayal, morally gray characters, enemies-to-lovers, a magical pulsing tattoo, a bridal competition, political intrigue, who did this to you, and touch her and unalive. One-click this story today. 

Amazon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cover Art: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King, Jen L. Grey introduces us to Briar, a wolf shifter from Earth who is suddenly pulled into a dangerous fae realm and forced into a brutal bridal competition. 

 The tension is immediate: Briar doesn’t want the crown, and the powerful Shadow Fae heir, Vad, doesn’t want her — but their fated bond might have other ideas. 

Grey builds a fast-paced, high-stakes world full of political intrigue, magical fated-mate bonds, and deadly trials. The “bridal competition” trope is handled with real danger and grit: this isn’t just a pageant — the contestants will do anything to survive. 

 Briar is smart, strong, and resourceful, and her fight for survival feels both personal and epic. On the other side, Vad is brooding and morally grey: he’s not just a prize-giver, but a complicated ruler with his own burden.

If you love romantasy with fated mates, fae politics, and shifter action, this is a really strong start to a trilogy. It’s ideal for readers who enjoy dark and dangerous fairy realms, strong heroines, and high emotional and magical stakes.

Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

 Things We Never Got Over 

By Lucy Score

Bearded, bad-boy barber Knox prefers to live his life the way he takes his coffee: Alone. Unless you count his basset hound, Waylon.

Knox doesn’t tolerate drama, even when it comes in the form of a stranded runaway bride.

Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin to Knockemout, Virginia, a rough-around-the-edges town where disputes are settled the old-fashioned way…with fists and beer. Usually in that order.

Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected. The niece Naomi didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck in town with no car, no job, no plan, and no home with an 11-year-old going on thirty to take care of.

There’s a reason Knox doesn’t do complications or high-maintenance women, especially not the romantic ones. But since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. And just as soon as she stops getting into new trouble he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life.

At least, that’s the plan until the trouble turns to real danger.

Amazon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cover Art: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Things We Never Got Over follows Naomi Witt, who runs from a disastrous wedding and ends up in the sleepy (but messy) town of Knockemout. Her estranged twin sister, Tina, has abandoned an 11-year-old daughter, Waylay, on Naomi — leaving her penniless, carless, and wholly unprepared for her new responsibility. 

Enter Knox Morgan, a gruff, tattooed bar owner with a bruised heart and a protective streak. Despite his grumpy exterior, he’s forced to help Naomi and Waylay — and in doing so, he begins to break down his emotional walls. 

 Their chemistry is sharp, playful, and complicated by both their pasts and the heavy weight of family obligations. 

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its emotional depth. Lucy Score doesn’t shy away from the messy parts of life: betrayal, guilt, and the struggle to forgive are explored with both sensitivity and sincerity. 

 The small-town setting is beautifully drawn, full of quirky characters who bring warmth, humor, and heartbreak in equal measure.

This is a heartfelt, steamy small-town romance that leans into the power of found family, second chances, and healing. If you like emotionally rich love stories with flawed characters and real stakes, Things We Never Got Over is definitely worth a read

My thoughts on The Du Lac Princess: (Book 3 of The Du Lac Chronicles) by Mary Anne Yarde

 The Du Lac Princess: (Book 3 of The Du Lac Chronicles)

By Mary Anne Yarde

War is coming…

The ink has dried on Amandine’s death warrant. Her crime? She is a du Lac.

All that stands in the way of a grisly death on a pyre is the King of Brittany. However, King Philippe is a fickle friend, and if her death is profitable to him, then she has no doubt that he would light the pyre himself.

Alan, the only man Amandine trusts, has a secret and must make an impossible choice, which could have far-reaching consequences — not only for Amandine, but for the whole of Briton.

Amazon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cover Art: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In The Du Lac Princess, Mary Anne Yarde takes the story in a bolder, more dangerous direction. The focus shifts to Amandine du Lac, whose very identity has condemned her — she faces a death warrant simply for being part of the du Lac family. 

 Her situation is precarious: only the King of Brittany stands between her and a public execution on a pyre. 

Amandine is a strong, resilient heroine, and her struggle feels deeply personal. 

 Meanwhile, Alan, the man she trusts most, carries a secret that could upend not just their relationship, but the fragile balance of power across Britain. 

 The political intrigue is thick: Yarde weaves church politics, royal ambition, and family loyalty into a dangerous tapestry, making the stakes both intimate and epic. 

There’s also a powerful undercurrent of faith and morality: the book explores the dual nature of the Church in this post-Arthur Britain, adding real depth to the historical fantasy.

The Du Lac Princess is a compelling continuation of Yarde’s saga — it’s perfect for fans of Arthurian-inspired historical fantasy, especially those who love court intrigue, personal sacrifice, and courageous heroines.

The Du Lac Devil: Book 2 of The Du Lac Chronicles by Mary Anne Yarde

 The Du Lac Devil: Book 2 of The Du Lac Chronicles

By Mary Anne Yarde

War is coming...

As one kingdom after another falls to the savage might of the High King, Cerdic of Wessex, only one family dares to stand up to him — The Du Lacs.

Budic and Alden Du Lac are barely speaking to each other, and Merton is a mercenary, fighting for the highest bidder. If Wessex hears of the brothers’ discord, then all is lost.

Fate brings Merton du Lac back to the ancestral lands of his forefathers, and he finds his country on the brink of civil war. But there is worse to come, for his father’s old enemy has infiltrated the court of Benwick. Now, more than ever, the Du Lac must come together to save the kingdom and themselves.

Can old rivalries and resentments be overcome in time to stop a war?

Amazon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cover Art: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

In The Du Lac Devil, Mary Anne Yarde raises the stakes significantly: war is brewing across Saxon Britain as the ruthless High King, Cerdic of Wessex, presses his advantage, and the du Lac family finds itself under serious threat. 

 The political tension crackles throughout, and you can really feel how fragile unity is — especially when internal family divisions threaten to tear them apart. 

One of the most compelling storylines is that of Merton du Lac, a mercenary torn between his roots and his desires. 

 Yarde skillfully develops his character, giving him a believable arc of returning to his ancestral home only to discover that it's not just his homeland that's in danger — but also the legacy of his family. 

 The emotional core of the novel is strengthened by the du Lac family’s internal conflict: estranged brothers, old rivalries, and unspoken resentments make for a rich tapestry of personal drama.

The Du Lac Devil is a powerful continuation of the Du Lac saga — ideal for fans of Arthurian-inspired historical fantasy. If you enjoy stories of war, loyalty, and family legacy (especially set in a gritty, mythic Dark Age Britain), this is a very satisfying second book. 

My thoughs on The Du Lac Chronicles by Mary Anne Yarde

 The Du Lac Chronicles

By Mary Anne Yarde

 A generation after Arthur Pendragon ruled, Briton lies fragmented into warring kingdoms and principalities.

Eighteen-year-old Alden du Lac ruled the tiny kingdom of Cerniw. Now he half-hangs from a wooden pole, his back lashed into a mass of bloody welts exposed to the cold of a cruel winter night. He’s to be executed come daybreak—should he survive that long.

When Alden notices the shadowy figure approaching, he assumes death has come to end his pain. Instead, the daughter of his enemy, Cerdic of Wessex, frees and hides him, her motives unclear.

Annis has loved Alden since his ill-fated marriage to her Saxon cousin—a marriage that ended in blood and guilt—and she would give anything to protect him. Annis’s rescue of Alden traps them between a brutal Saxon king and Alden’s remaining allies. Meanwhile, unknown forces are carefully manipulating the ruins of Arthur’s legacy.

Amazon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cover Art: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mary Anne Yarde’s The Du Lac Chronicles is a rich, sweeping saga set in post-Arthurian Britain — a generation after King Arthur’s reign has ended and the land is fractured into warring Saxon kingdoms. 

 The protagonist, Alden du Lac, is Lancelot’s son: once the king of Cerniw, he’s now broken and betrayed, his back literally bloodied and chained, awaiting execution. 

 His salvation comes from Annis, the daughter of his sworn enemy, King Cerdic of Wessex — a brave, complicated woman who defies her father to rescue him. 

What makes the book compelling is how Yarde balances political intrigue, romance, and myth. The world she builds feels grounded (drawing on historical fact) yet lyrical, with tensions of war, loyalty, and legacy blending beautifully with Arthurian legend. 

 Alden and Annis’s relationship is emotionally charged — they’re on opposite sides of a brutal conflict, and their bond forces them to reckon with betrayal, identity, and what it means to rule. 

However, it’s not all smooth sailing: some readers feel the language can be too modern for the 5th-century setting, which occasionally breaks the immersion. 

 And while the romance and adventure are strong, there are moments when pacing slows or character motivations feel repetitive. 

 But these are relatively minor issues compared to the epic scope and emotional weight of the story.

My thoughts on Her Surrender (Fire and Ice Book 1) by Tara Conrad

 Her Surrender (Fire and Ice Book 1) 

By Tara Conrad

Natalie

I’m shattered.

Lies and betrayal my only company.

Until an invitation to an underground club.

Until I meet him.

Until I’m drowning in the sea of emotion he unleashes.

Until he crosses a line that shreds me to pieces.

Alex

I’m obsessed.

Her innocence.

Her bewitching beauty.

Her trust.

Her surrender sparks an inferno of desire that leads me straight to the gates of hell.

All lost the moment I listen to my head, instead of my heart.

Amazon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cover Art: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In Her Surrender, Tara Conrad spins a raw and emotionally rich romance centered on Natalie, a woman reeling from betrayal after walking into a shocking scene with her ex, and Alex, a seasoned Dom who’s set boundaries around attachment. Their worlds collide at Fire and Ice, a BDSM club, and what begins as a cautious agreement — a relationship with an “expiration date” — quickly becomes far more complicated as they both grapple with past traumas and trust issues. 

Conrad’s strength lies in how she balances the sensual with the emotional. Natalie’s journey of self-discovery is handled with sensitivity — she’s not just exploring the lifestyle, but also finding her voice after loss. 

 Alex, meanwhile, is more than a dominant figure: his patience, protectiveness, and capacity for vulnerability make him feel real, not a stereotype. The book’s pacing combines intimate, tender moments with bigger life challenges — and when tragedy hits Natalie's family, it tests the foundation of their relationship in powerful ways. 

Some readers do note that the story can feel emotionally heavy and the themes of loss, family, and power dynamics throughout aren’t always 

 That said, for anyone drawn to contemporary romance with deep emotional stakes, BDSM elements, and a journey of healing, Her Surrender is a very satisfying and immersive read.

My thoughs on Jasper by Tony Riches

 Jasper

By Tony Riches

What would you sacrifice for loyalty?

1461: King Edward of York has taken the country by force.

Jasper Tudor, Earl of Pembroke, flees to Brittany with his nephew, Henry Tudor.

But dare they risk a reckless invasion of England?

Travel back in time to fifteenth century England, Wales, Scotland, France and Brittany – and discover how they change British history – and become...

The Tudors.

The second book in the international best-selling Tudor trilogy is based on actual events of courage, adventure, and belief in the destiny of the Tudor dynasty.

Amazon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cover Art: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

In Jasper, Tony Riches shifts his focus from Owen Tudor to Owen’s son, Sir Jasper Tudor, Earl of Pembroke. The novel is set around 1461, during the tumultuous early years of the Wars of the Roses, when Edward IV of York seizes power. 

 Jasper must navigate dangerous political waters, and after his army is routed at Mortimer’s Cross, he makes the bold decision to flee. 

Riches brings Jasper’s character vividly to life: he is loyal, resourceful, and deeply committed to the Lancastrian cause. His relationship with his young nephew, Henry Tudor, is particularly touching — Jasper becomes a protector and mentor, laying the groundwork for the future Tudor dynasty. 

 The author’s research is clear, and his personal connection to the historical setting (he lives near Pembroke Castle) adds authenticity to the story. 

The pacing is strong, with a good mix of military drama, political intrigue, and emotional moments. Critics and readers alike highlight Riches’s ability to juggle complex historical events without losing the personal stories at the heart of the novel. 

 That said, if you’re not already familiar with the 15th-century history, the many names and shifting allegiances might feel a little overwhelming.