Recent Reads: Mere Mortals by Erin Jade Lange

Source: From Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Mere Mortals by Erin Jade Lange 

Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date:  September 27, 2022

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

"Two teenage vampires are turned mortal and must face the greatest nightmare of all--high school"--

This hilarious, fresh take on a classic vampire tale follows a pair of hundred-year-old teenage vampires who are turned mortal and must face the greatest nightmare of all—high school.

Charlie and her brother, Reg, have been vampires for…a very long time. For a century, they enjoyed the glitz and glamour of life as members of the wealthiest vampire clan. But now, after one careless mistake, they’ve been expelled from the vampire community and dumped in the middle of Nowhere, Iowa, to live as mortals.

Suddenly Charlie has to deal with zits, tears, and—worst of all—high school. But things start to change when she and Reg find a group of friends, including the deliciously good-looking Dexter. And though Charlie would give anything to be vampire again, she begins to appreciate some of the new experiences that humanity brings too.

But nothing could make them forget the life they’ve left behind. When they’re offered a second shot at immortality, Charlie is desperate to seize it. It’ll just mean a total betrayal of all her new friends, who will have their minds wiped of their memories of her. She can handle that if it means she can live forever…right?

Review: 
This review has been a long time coming. Sadly this book has sat on my TBR pile for a bit too long.  Mostly because of the mixed reviews it initially recieved. 

Mere Mortals follows Charlie and Reg, who have been vampires for over a century. Now they are in trouble and their punishment is to become mortal again. Now they are living as teens again for real, with high school and fake IDs and living in a place called Nowhere. 

This book had a great start, we are immediately with Charlie and Reg as they arrive to be changed into mortals and they are not happy about it. Charlie is actually livid and Reg is upset but kind of looking forward to the opportunity. Chapters 1-10 flew by with both characters settling into humanity but after that it just continued to be Charlie whining about the situation and complaining at every turn and Reg trying to talk her out of her mood.  Even in the end, I am not sure either of them had many redeeming qualities. There was little to no plot it felt like, the MCs were trying to become vamp again and they spend most their time just acclimating. The last 5 or so chapters were the action and then it ended so quickly. 

I felt like the plot got a bit predictable, though at times it was sweet and funny. I enjoyed the beginning so 3 stars for that reason. It is an easy read all things considered as well, which is always nice and there was LGBTQ+ rep.

Early Reader Review: A Bold Pumpkin Plan by Katy Hudson

Source: From Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

A Bold Pumpkin Plan by Katy Hudson 

Publisher: Capstone Editions
Publication Date:  August 1, 2024 

 

Format: Ebook

Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: 

A plan to build a unique home takes a timid Hedgehog on an incredible journey of self-discovery. From meeting new friends to conquering countless obstacles, Hedgehog tackles his house plan with a newfound confidence. Best-selling creator Katy Hudson (Too Many Carrots and Mindful Mr. Sloth) combines her stunning, detailed artwork with themes of friendship, problem solving, and self-awareness in this empowering picture book.

Review: 

Such an adorable children's book! 

Hedgehog wasnt to build a house out of a pumpkin and knows just the right one, but the pumpkin patch is far away from the secluded spot he wants to place his home. He has a plan. Along the way Hedgehog meets and gets help from all sorts of other woodlan creatures, a mouse, frog, racoon and realizes that he really enjoys his new friends.

The Fall colors throughout this book are lovely and bright and the end papers are covered in Hedgehog's plan of action to get his pumpkin home AND THEY ARE TOO CUTE. I enjoyed the overall message of 'asking for help is ok and maybe you make a few friends along the way'. This was such a cute read. I liked the message and the critters were all nice and helpful. I appreciated that Hedgehog learned that he likes friends and doesn't want to be alone.

If you are looking for a Fall themed read that includes a pumpkin and not about Halloween. This would be a great one to add to your library.

Building the Book Pile #457

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

I have written some reviews - yay! Some will be up this week some for the weeks before book releases. I also went WAY overboard on the Stuff you Kindle events, I picked up a bunch of mysteries and a few on Saturday from the Witchy bookwoms list as well. Very set for Holiday (xmas) reads. I hope you were able to partake and grab some goodies too!

I hope you are having a nice summer! and getting l;ots of reading done :)

xo steph

Coming up on the Blog

This Week:

Early Reader Review: A Bold Pumpkin Plan by Katy Hudson

Recent Reads: Mere Mortals by Erin Jade Lange

July ReCap and August TBR

Recent Reads: Scarred by Emily McIntire  

Coming closer to their release dates: 

Navigating with You - Review up on August 6

A Great Big Virtual Hug - Review up on Sept. 3

Wacky Witches and their Peculiar Familiars - Review up on Sept. 5

Hope It All Works Out - Review up on Sept. 17

Books Received Recently...  

Spell Shocked by Jenna Rivers
Made from Magic by Marianna Scott
Witching you a Charmed Christmas by Jenna Collett
Seashells, Spells & Caramels by Erin Johnson
Meltdown in Christmas River by Meg Muldoon
The Secret of Poppyridge Cove by Rimmy London
Betrayal at the Beach by KL Montgomery
Christmas Corpse by Mona Marple and Kate Forrest
Slay Bells Ring by Mona Marple and Kate Forrest
A Killer Tail by Addison Moore and Bellamy Bloom
Casino Witch Mysteries 1 & 2 by Nikki Haverstock
Witch's Tail by Melanie Snow
Howl Play by Melanie Snow
Vampires and Villains by Elizabeth Pantley
Witchy Reservations by Stephanie Damore

Have you missed anything lately?

Early Reader Review: Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan - 3 stars

Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  Leave a comment for me.

Happy Reading!

Early Reader Review: Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan

Source: From Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan

Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date:  July 30, 2024

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lexi Ryan comes a romantic fantasy in which a human princess armed with death’s kiss and a fae shifter on the run become unlikely allies when a mission to assassinate an evil king collides with a fatal prophecy.

Princess Jasalyn has a secret. Armed with an enchanted ring that gives her death’s kiss, Jas has been sneaking away from the palace at night to assassinate her enemies.

Shape-shifter Felicity needs a miracle. Fated to kill her magical father, she’s been using her unique ability to evade a fatal prophecy.

When rumors of evil king Mordeus’s resurrection spread through the shadow court, Jasalyn decides to end him once and for all. Felicity agrees to take the form of the princess, allowing Jas to covertly hunt Mordeus—and starting Felicity on the path that could finally take her home.

While Jasalyn teams up with the charming and handsome Kendrick, Felicity sets out to get closer to the Wild Fae king, Misha. Kendrick helps Jasalyn feel something other than anger for the first time in three years, and Misha makes Felicity wish for a world where she’s free to be her true self. Soon, the girls’ missions are at risk right alongside their hearts.

The future of the human and fae realms hangs in the balance as fates intertwine. Between perilous tasks, grim secrets, and forbidden romances, Jasalyn and Felicity find that perhaps their stars are the most cursed of all.

Review: 

I have not read Lexi Ryan's other books and did not realize that this was the start of a spin-off series. So, I am a bit bummed that there were some big spoilers in this book to the prior series. Take that as a fair warning if you plan to pick this one up.

This book is a dual point of view, Felicity and Jasalyn. Jas had a horrific time in the dungeons, and she is obviously dealing with some trauma, but she has given up something to gain power over her enemies and is doing ok. 

Felicity is running from her past and they just keep showing up. Now they need her power, which is to take on the body and dreams of others so that she can take the place of Jas. Jas and Felicity trade places both in an attempt to help Kendrick attack the reigning seven in the human realm. 

OK, so there was a lot just there even to wade through... and I am with you, really confused. While I enjoyed this book, there was a lot of world building that was completely left out because of the prior series. The magic, the systems, the politics, were all left unexplained for the most part. It is also important to note that this is not a standalone - it ends on a pretty big cliffhanger, a few actually. Can you see them coming... kinda, but also some were so left-field. 

Overall, I liked the two POVs, I liked the overall plot and pacing, but it fell a bit flat on the explanations for me. I wanted to learn more, and probably could have had I don't more research into where this book fell in her overall series. If you are looking for something that has drama and mystery in addition to magic and crazy overlapping worlds, this could be for you.

Building the Book Pile #456 - A Wednesday edition

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

...um ... hello... I hope you are well.

I have just been reading for a bit. I am working my way through my July TBR pretty well and really hoping to finish it, with a few additions. 

I have also been adding to my kindle TBR ...there have been a few Stuff-Your-Kindle days and I have picked up quite a few books. There are still two more this month!

July 25th -  Cozy Mystery Book Club with Cozy Mystery books. More info at Cozymysterybookclub.com/bookblast/#kindle

July 27th - Witchy Bookworms. Offering Paranormal and Witchy reads along with some romance. More info at witchybookworms.com

From my experience, most are book #1 in a series to get you hooked... it is a good marketing strategy but some are stand alones

Coming up on the Blog

This Week:

Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan - Review up on July 25

Coming closer to their release dates: 

Navigating with You - Review up on August 6

A Great Big Virtual Hug - Review up on Sept. 3

Wacky Witches and their Peculiar Familiars - Review up on Sept. 5

Hope It All Works Out - Review up on Sept. 17

Books Received Recently...  

A Taste of Darkness by Carly Claire

In the Shadows bu LB August

Bronte Lovers by Angela Pearse

Love Me or Hate Me by Stephanie Alves

Death Shall Bow by Gemma Ashborne

James by Shayne Ford

All I Want for Christmas is Them by Adora Crooks

Fight or Flight by Diana Deehan

Touch of Winter by LK Shear

The Divine and the Cursed by JE Reed

Silver Spells by Kate Moseman

The Snows of Nissa by Isabella Khalidi

Queen of the Night by Elizabeth Muse

Have you missed anything lately?

Nothing to share - sorry

Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  Leave a comment for me.

Happy Reading!

Building the Book Pile #455

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Good morning reader friends - I hope you are well and survivived with all your fingers after July 4th. We have been keeping it low-key, we were both sick all last week, probably from all the travel. We have stayed cooped up at home just trying to not feel like death. So lots of hot showers and naps have been had... sadly the reading too a hit, but I am trying to get going again. I have a handful of graphic novels to read for Fall reviews, and I am really excited about them. 

In gaming news... new DLC for Little to the Left! I am super excited to play through it, but also trying not to binge it all. Playing anything cozy I should know about?

What are you excited to read this summer? Do you have any vacations planned?

Coming up on the Blog

This Week:

TBD

Coming closer to their release dates: 

Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan - Review up on July 25

Wacky Witches and their Peculiar Familiars - Review up on Sept. 5

Books Received Recently...  

Navigating with You by Jeremy Whitley, illustrated by Casio Ribiero - Review

 

Hope it All Works Out by Reza Farazmand - Review

Running from Cupid by Bo Grant - Kindle Unlimited

Have you missed anything lately?

Monthly Re-Cap and TBR Pile (July 24)

Recent Reads: That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming (Adult, Spicy) -4 stars

Recent Reads: The Maiden & The Unseen by Alexis Rune and Jeanette Rose (Adult, Spicy) -4 stars

Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  Leave a comment for me.

Happy Reading!

Recent Reads: The Maiden & The Unseen by Alexis Rune and Jeanette Rose

The Maiden & The Unseen by Alexis Rune and Jeanette Rose 

Series: Love & Fate #1
Publisher: Rose and Star Publishing
Publication Date:  September 27, 2022 

 

Format: ebook
Source: Kindle Unlimited

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

God of the Dead. King of the Underworld. The Unseen. The Renowned...The Glorified Babysitter.

Zeus has finally decreed that the gods may leave Olympus and mingle - anonymously - with the mortals of the present. With zero warning or waiting for him to consent to this arrangement, Hades is placed in charge of not only helping the gods assimilate but also financing them. Unlike the other gods, Hades never withdrew from the mortal world. Instead he spent six months of every year among them, building a fortune befitting one of his many names. As long as the gods follow his strict rules for living among mortals, they have access to a generous monthly stipend. Break the rules, lose the privileges. No allowances. Ever.

Goddess of Spring. The Maiden. The Mistress. The Venerable One...The Social Media Manager.

For the last two years, Persephone has lived among the mortals, enjoying everything the world she was so sheltered from has to offer. It took years of begging since Zeus's decree to get her mother to allow her to go, and she imparted some strict rules to follow. Rule 1: No fraternizing with other gods. As far as Demeter is aware, Persephone's closest friend is definitely not Helios, the Titan of the Sun. Rule 2: No men. The mortal she's casually dating doesn't even know the gods exist. Rule 3: Every six months, Demeter comes by for a visit. This one Persephone can't get out of, and if it keeps her mother from investigating Persephone's life, what's the harm?

Destiny. Fate. Fortune. Kismet...An absolute bitch.

Fate has other ideas for Hades and Persephone, and it does not take lightly to being denied. Struggle and fight all they want. But the threads of destiny have wrapped tightly around them and tugs them tighter and tighter, no matter what the gods themselves have to say about it.

Trigger Warnings: Sexual Content (BDSM, Puppet Play, Blood Play, Spanking, Dub-Con, Power Play)

Review: 

I am a sucker for a Hades and Persephone retelling/adaptation. This one has a more modern wist to it as well. 

Hades is still his normal alone/lonely self but he is living part time in the human world and has been tasked with helping the gods blend in if they choose to live there - he is pretty much bank-rolling them to live there and not be obvious about being supernatural. He notices during an account review that someone is trying to hide from him and turns off the account of Persephone. It is never really made clear if the illusion was her mothers doing, but it was alluded to (and I think it will be an interesting add-in eventually to tell her that it is her doing that Hades and Persephone meet.)

This book was spicy, but in the best way. Hades is kind of an ass, but you don't expect much else from him, Persphone is more of a bad-ass than normal. She is less whimping damsel, and trying to be an independent women to the best of her ability. I appreciated that her mommy issues were not the full focus of her side of the story. 

This plot was very obvious, it plays a lot like enemies to lovers. I was able to read it all in one day during a carride. It was a common enough story but I still enjoyed it and have already picked up book two. 

If you are not comfortable with sexual content, you should probably skip this one, there is a fair amount and it starts pretty quickly. That said, if you enjoy it, this could be for you. 

I just really like the story of Hades and Persphone and making it adult content is fun. This book ended on one hell of a cliffhanger - pun intended - so have teh next book on hand.