I'm not sure where June went or how we're halfway through the year already (eek), but putting that (and those feelings) aside, June was a very good reading month for me. So, lots of books to talk about today:
The Captive's Curse by Eliot Grayson (MM fantasy romance): The Captive's Curse is the second book in the Twilight Mages series, though the two books take place concurrently, so they can be read in either order. I read The Royal Curse first, and the glimpse it gave readers of Cyril and Enzo had me very curious about their story, so I was excited to get my hands on this book. Cyril is kidnapped by Enzo while out riding one day. Enzo, head of a band of robbers living in a mysterious old mountain fortress, means to ransom Cyril quickly and send him back to his family. However, Cyril's family don't want him back and refuse to pay the ransom, which leaves Enzo in a bind—it's against his principles to release Cyril without ransom. This was so fun. Cyril and Enzo were mad at each other and mad for each other and just wonderful characters. I believe there is going to be another book in the series, and I'll be looking forward to it.
The Necromancer's War by Sheena Jolie (MM paranormal romance): I've been eagerly awaiting this book, you have no idea! The Beacon Hill Sorcerer is a favorite series of mine and a favorite reread, and this latest book brings all of the characters and threads in those books together beautifully. Angel and Simeon, main characters of the first three books, are the main focus here, but the other characters play large roles and we get their point of view as well, including a couple of sections in the point of view of the wonderful Eroch, dragon toddler. I loved how this books pulled everything together and gave us more development in character and relationship and then set us up to eagerly await what's coming next (I will attempt to be patient!). This series needs to be read in order, so start with The Necromancer's Dance.
Fever by Jordan L Hawk (Historical horror/paranormal with MM romance): I was a little nervous about reading Fever because I'm not into horror or being scared, but I saw the author say that the horror was about on the level of his Whyborne and Griffin series, which I love, so I decided to give it a try. I have no regrets. Con artist brothers, hoping to hit it rich and give up being con artists, get caught up in the Klondike Gold Rush. They head north to stake their claim and join up with several others, but there's something scary in the wilderness. There is a really sweet romance, but it's very much in the background to the paranormal aspects, which were definitely creepy. Even more so for being an external representation of the miners' own greed and selfishness and destruction, just invading and taking what isn't theirs. The description of the setting was incredibly atmospheric, pulling the reader into the hardship and freezing cold and exhaustion involved in travel to and survival in the Klondike—I would've turned right around, but you believe absolutely in the drive these characters have to find gold no matter what.
The Rowan Harbor Cycle by Sam Burns (MM and FF paranormal romance): The Rowan Harbor Cycle has been out for several years, and somehow, I'm just getting around to it now (too many books, too little time...). But I'm so glad I finally read it—and I mean, I binge-read through the series in June. It's a series of nine books set up in three trilogies plus a novella (the FF romance). The books introduce us to three main characters, each with their own unique paranormal abilities, and their love interests, and Rowan Harbor, a town that is now on my list of magic towns I would like to live in (What? Everyone has a list like that, right?). The books should be read in order as they build on each other in character development, world building, and plot. I loved these and did not want the series to end.
Queen B by Juno Dawson (Historical fantasy): Queen B is a prequel to the Her Majesty's Royal Coven trilogy (I haven't read both books in the series yet, but that didn't keep me from enjoying this one). The book takes us back to Tudor times, with the premise that Anne Boleyn is a witch and has formed a coven with her ladies with the goal of putting a witch on the English throne. It switches back and forth between the time just after Anne's execution with her coven including Grace, her grieving lover, trying to find the person who betrayed Anne and years earlier when Grace came to court, telling the story of the evolution of the coven, Grace and Anne's relationship, and Anne's downfall. The story and characters, especially Grace, were compelling, and I adored the way it ended. I wouldn't mind another book in the prequel time period as well! Queen B releases on July 23rd.
This Spells Disaster by Tori Anne Martin (FF paranormal romance): I have to be honest—I have mixed feelings about this book. I was drawn in by the premise (and the pretty cover!), especially since I'm all about witchy romances these days. Potion maker Morgan offers to fake date her long-time crush Rory to get Rory's family to leave her alone about her choices—definitely a fun premise. But then Morgan believes she accidentally gave Rory a love potion instead of the relaxation potion she asked for. Here's where it didn't work for me: Instead of just telling Rory about her mistake, Morgan decides to try to make Rory think they're completely incompatible. Your mileage may vary with that plot point, and the book did have some cute moments.
You're the Problem, It's You by Emma R Alban (MM historical romance): This is the follow up to Don't Want You Like a Best Friend, which I read back in May, so when I saw I could grab this one on Netgalley, I immediately clicked. The previous book in the series ended with Gwen and Beth, who had just gotten their parents together and fallen in love in the process, deciding to get their cousins together with the goal of entering into lavender marriages and everyone living happily ever after. This book picks up there from Bobby and James's perspectives. You're the Problem, It's You is billed as an enemies to lovers romance, but it didn't really feel like that. The beginning was more lots of awkward miscommunication and lack of communication, which is not my favorite trope so it was a slow start for me. However, once it got going, I really enjoyed James and Bobby and their romance and the family they all create. You're the Problem, It's You releases August 27th.
I hope you had a good reading month too! What have you read and loved lately?
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