#BookReview: But Not Too Bold by @hachepueyo

The Shape of Water meets Mexican Gothic in this sapphic monster romance novella wrapped in gothic fantasy trappings

The old keeper of the keys is dead, and the creature who ate her is the volatile Lady of the Capricious House⁠―Anatema, an enormous humanoid spider with a taste for laudanum and human brides. 

Dália, the old keeper’s protégée, must take up her duties, locking and unlocking the little drawers in which Anatema keeps her memories. And if she can unravel the crime that led to her predecessor's death, Dália might just be able to survive long enough to grow into her new role. 

But there’s a gaping hole in Dália’s plan that she refuses to see: Anatema cannot resist a beautiful woman, and she eventually devours every single bride that crosses her path.

#BookReview: At the Fount of Creation (Guardians of the Gods #2) by @tobithedreamer

The fate of the Orisha will be decided in the concluding volume of the Guardian of the Gods duology, inspired by Yoruba mythology.
Perfect for fans of N. K. Jemisin, Suyi Davies Okungbowa, Daughters of Nri, and Godkiller.
For four hundred years, the world's remaining Orisha have fought to survive the rapaciousness of the soul-stealing Godkillers and the charismatic words of the singular, mysterious figure who leads them, known as the Teacher. Now they seek to kill the one person whose existence defies their very mandate.
Now that Ashâke carries within herself the spirits of the surviving Orisha, she is on the hunt for allies who can help her defeat the encroaching army of Godkillers. But their influence is everywhere, and no one is immune―not even Ashâke. If she is to succeed, Ashâke will need to answer the question the Godkillers pose―are the Orisha even worth saving?

#BookReview: I Plead Alter Ego by @amandaverrallauthor

Clare is a successful but newly divorced woman who battles various mental health issues. These include sex addiction, alcoholism, OCD, an eating disorder and depression. She juggles her demanding career and life as a single parent, all the while trying to hide her increasingly uncontrollable behaviour, which manifests itself as an alter ego called Roxy.

At the dawn of a new digital age, Clare joins Facebook, a newly released social media website that has taken over from MySpace, where she connects and meets with a former flame. Following an emotionally sadomasochistic dalliance with this former lover, Clare then has a string of casual sex encounters with strangers. She has a growing drink problem that sees the alter ego Roxy take over the decision-making, often leading Clare into dangerous situations. Her growing dependency displays itself through obsessive-compulsive traits such as excessive cleaning, exercising and handwashing while, at night time, she has insomnia and often thinks about death.

Clare spirals out of control and falls into a deep depression, but can she hope to find a way out?

#BookTour: Calling of the Grove by @calliepeyauthor @rrbooktours

Calling of the Grove (The Dryad Chronicles Book 2)

Release Date: April 30, 2025

Genre: Romantic Fantasy/ Why Choose

🌱High Epic Fantasy

🌱Cinnamon Roll MMC

🌱Sweet but Steamy Romance

🌱Why Choose (MFM)

🌱Hidden Identity

🌱Friends to Lovers

🌱Portal worlds

🌱Always Been Her

🌱Fated Mates

🌱"I will find you" Vibes

🌱Bodyguard

When the earth calls, the answer must be resounding.

Melissa knew that staying on Artemesia meant putting her life in danger. After a harrowing night with a Shadow God, mages, and narrowly escaping a sacrificial death, she's left with even fewer answers than before. One enigmatic question haunts her and may hold the key to everything: Who is Aurinia?

The aftermath of the failed winter solstice ritual continues to ripple through the groves, threatening to plunge the world into chaos. Following the gods' advice, she must venture beyond Dytika's borders to aid the vasilissas with their faltering elemental magic. This mission brings her face-to-face with the person she most dreads seeing: her second mate. The one that is in love with another.

Adding to her dilemma, Melissa is thrust into the precarious role of mediator in the delicate peace talks between the elves and the fae, striving to end a centuries-long war. Can she endure the tempest of trauma and grief to uncover her true strength? Will she defy the world's expectations, guided only by a murmur of prophecy?

#BookReview: House of Pounding Hearts (The Kingdom of Crows #2) by Olivia Wildenstein @olives21

I meant to capture the prince's heart... and ended up with a king's.

My desire to sit upon the Lucin throne led me to revive an ancient, winged monarch; one I deemed a friend until that friend duped and imprisoned me.

Lorcan claims he’s holding me captive for my own safety, but then he also claims I belong to him. Slumbering for five centuries has evidently given the Crow King severe delusions.

We may share an unfortunate mind-link, but we are still masters of our own destiny, and I intend to steer mine away from the Sky Kingdom and its prophecies . . . away from him.

I quickly find out there is no escaping the possessive male. In all honesty, I’m no longer certain I want to.

#BookReview: A Liar's Twisted Tongue (The Fated Blood Trilogy #1) by Caroline Cusanelli

Power. Obsession. The terrible price of survival.

Desdemona Althenia has spent her life in the shadows, hiding the volatile magic that could kill her if it’s ever unleashed. Born into the lowest ranks of society, she’s survived by her wits and her willingness to deceive. But when fate traps her within the brutal walls of Visnatus Academy, it also offers a dangerous chance: power, for the first time within reach.

Prince Lucian Aibek lives beneath the weight of a rotting empire and the ruthless grip of a corrupt family regime. Desdemona’s untamed fire could be the key to his freedom—and her chance to master the magic that might consume her. But as their fates entwine, the line between ally and enemy blurs, and they’re caught in a deadly game of ambition and desire, where trust becomes more treacherous than the magic they wield.

As an ancient society stirs, Desdemona and Lucian are forced to confront the ghosts of a war that never truly ended. Caught between survival and surrender, they must gamble everything: let their connection bring them to ruin—or become their only hope of redemption.

#BookBlitz: Improbable and Extraordinary by @improbableandextraordinary @RABTBookTours

 

Memoir

Date Published: April 21, 2025

Publisher: MindStir Media

 

 

Winner of the 2025 Literary-Titan Book Award (Memoir)!

Winner of the 2025 Firebird book award (Addiction and Recovery)!

Winner of the 2025 Firebird book award (Mental Health)!

Finalist, 2024 Literary Global Book Awards and American Writing Book Awards!

 

I believe Improbable and Extraordinary will be an extremely influential book - it's rare to see such a personal and raw account of mental illness, and then the continuous (and in this case, unique) process of overcoming it. Overall, an outstanding and moving manuscript...The flow is excellent and engaging and the voice is very strong. A true accomplishment!

Megan Patiry, author of The Alice Effect.

 

Escaping the torment of depression, anxiety, mania and addiction: Saúl's memoir is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit, showing how even when it seems unattainable, transformation is possible. Once tormented by the crushing grip of bipolar disorder, depression, severe anxiety, anger, and addiction, Saúl shares the raw, unflinching truth of his battle with mental illness and trauma.

Through a profound exploration of love, not as a romantic ideal but as a fundamental force, and by adopting practical, yet challenging principles, the author discovers a path to inner peace and freedom. Saúl's candid reflections on overcoming a deep, persistent darkness reveal the possibility of peace, freedom, and personal growth.

This memoir doesn't just chronicle survival; it celebrates the power of transformation. Saúl's path through addiction and mental illness reveals that true peace and freedom are within reach, even for those who have lost everything.

By sharing his experience, Saúl aims to inspire understanding and hope, and communicate that healing is not just possible but transformative. This book is a beacon of hope for anyone wanting to find hope for themselves or someone they love.

 

From co-author, Dr. Erika Horwitz, Licensed Psychologist:

As Saul's sister, I witnessed his torments and struggles and his amazing transformation! As a psychologist, I understood the enormity of what he achieved-moving from a place of deep mental illness to stability, inner peace and wisdom. His story is inspiring and a testament to the amazing ability of human beings to transform. It's a story that offers hope to anyone facing mental health challenges and their loved ones. I knew it was essential for Saul to share his story, and I believe it will resonate with anyone who believes in the power of transformation."