The Fiery Crown by Jeffe Kennedy

ABOUT THE BOOK

A desperate alliance. A struggle for survival. And a marriage of convenience with an epic twist of fate come together in Jeffe Kennedy's The Fiery Crown.

WILL THEIR LOVE STAND THE TEST OF TIME

Queen Euthalia has reigned over her island kingdom of Calanthe with determination, grace, and her magical, undying orchid ring. After she defied an empire to wed Conrí, the former Crown Prince of Oriel—a man of disgraced origins with vengeance in his heart—Lia expected the wizard’s prophecy to come true: Claim the hand that wears the ring and the empire falls. But Lia’s dangerous bid to save her realm doesn’t lead to immediate victory. Instead, destiny hurls her and Conrí towards a future neither could predict…

OR TEAR THEIR WHOLE WORLD APART?

Con has never healed after the death of his family and destruction of his kingdom—he’s been carefully plotting his revenge against his greatest enemy, Emperor Anure, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. When Lia’s spies gather intelligence suggesting that Anure is planning an attack against Calanthe, Con faces an agonizing choice: Can he sacrifice Lia and all she holds dear to destroy the empire? Or does his true loyalty exist in the arms of his beguiling, passionate wife—’til death do they part?

The Forgotten Empire series is:

“Captivating…engrossing.” —Romance Reviews Today

“Sensual fantasy romance you won’t want to miss!”—Amanda Bouchet, USA Today bestselling author of The Kingmaker Chronicles

“Action-packed…sexy…highly recommend.”—Harlequin Junkie (Top Pick)

PURCHASE ON AMAZON

REVIEW

The Fiery Crown is book 2 of the Forgotten Empires series.  At this point, Conri and Euthalia are preparing for the backlash of their marriage.  Expecting Emperorer Anure to retaliate soon, and the couple must agree on a way to keep Calanthe safe from his forces while Con attempts to exact his revenge. 

There is nothing about this book/ series I do not like. The fantasy elements are unique and exciting. Euthalia's connection to her land and her magical ties to the orchid ring is clever and interesting. She is a strong leader, intelligent, and dedicated to her people. Conri begins as a reluctant partner, but slowly he and Euthalia work together to combat the impending war. During preparations, you see a strong partnership begin to grow between them, and the people around them fall in line with it. 

Prophecies are an exciting plot device. When handled properly, it can inject a good deal of suspense into the story. In The Fiery Crown, the true meaning is not obvious until it is. It does not contradict itself. I just buzzed right through this story, on the edge of my seat, trying to figure it all out. And I did not see everything coming.

Jeffe Kennedy did an excellent job keeping me engaged in the Fiery Crown. I absolutely cannot wait for more of the Forgotten Empires series.

Diamonds in the Dust by Charmaine Pauls

ABOUT THE BOOK

A DARK MAFIA ROMANCE

Men like us, we see things.

We do things, things that make us unfeeling.

That's the price of power and money, of living la belle vie and running the French mafia. Then she came along like a pretty wildflower pushing through the cracks on a dirty pavement - fragile yet resilient, a breath of beauty among the filth. She was supposed to be just another job, a nameless person I was to pluck from her life and hand to my brother, nothing but a pawn in the gamble of our diamond business.

There's a psychological label for men like us.

We lack empathy and guilt.

We do things to have what we want, things that make flowers wilt.

* Diamonds in the Dust is Book 1 of the Diamonds are Forever trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. Diamonds in the Rough (Book 2) will be released on 14 July 2020, and Diamonds are Forever (Book 3) on 15 September 2020.

Other novels in the Diamond Magnate collection:

Standalone Novel

Beauty in the Broken

Diamonds are Forever Trilogy

Diamonds in the Dust (Book 1) - 19 May 2020

Diamonds in the Rough (Book 2) - 14 July 2020

Diamonds are Forever (Book 3) - 15 September 2020

PURCHASE ON AMAZON

REVIEW

Diamonds in the Dust by Charmaine Pauls is the first in the Diamonds are Forever trilogy.  It also serves as a prequel to the Beauty in the Broken story, which for me, was a surprising benefit.  

This book is about dominance, as is a common theme by Charmain Pauls.  For this reason, it will most likely not appeal to everyone.  But what I love about her work is the emotional journey the characters traverse while coming to terms with their desires.  Her characters fight a battle of wills, but in the end, complement one another.  Once I start, I cannot put them down.

Maxime is dark, assertive, and seductive.  Zoe is struggling to come to terms with the severe changes in her life and her altering desires. By the end of Diamonds in the Dust, Zoe and Maxime have a long way to go, but I look forward to their journey.  

Evernight by Donna Grant

ABOUT THE BOOK

New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant “skillfully melds history and legend” (RT Book Reviews) in a thrilling series – The Kindred.

To live in the light, they hunt in the dark…

Traumatized by the most devastating event imaginable, Synne has one thing on her mind: ridding the world of the Coven. The witches and their evil allies took away everything she held dear, and not even her beloved trees can quell the rising grief and darkness seeping into her soul. However, when she crosses paths with a sexy-as-sin Scotsman, her way of thinking changes, and she discovers things about herself even she wouldn’t have guessed.

Lachlan MacCullum, next in line to rule his clan, never expected to have his world turned upside down. But the moment he lays eyes on the gorgeous Hunter, he knows he will never be the same. In addition to making him feel things he never thought possible, she opens him to a world he’d nearly forgotten about. Now, he’s consumed by the need to help her. And win her heart.

With Sybbyl on the loose and out for domination, and another bone of the First Witch close at hand, reaching the Varroki and joining forces is paramount. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. Evil has a way of thwarting even the best-laid plans. At least they have each other. But for how long?

PURCHASE ON AMAZON

REVIEW

Evernight is the first book in the Kindred series I have read. The author does an excellent job of describing recent events, so at no time did I feel lost. There was decent intrigue involved in the battle between Hunter and Witches. Once the action ramped up, I was completely engaged in Synne and Lachlan's story. 

I typically enjoy my paranormal romances in an urban setting, but for the battle waged in Evernight, the medieval Scottish background was fitting. It did take me a little while to get into this book. Perhaps reading prior novels would have helped attach me more to the events transpiring. Ultimately, it was worth a read, especially for those who are faithful fans of a medieval paranormal romance.