TBR Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads, where you post a title from your shelf or e-reader and find out what others think about it.
My pick this week is All These Bodies by Kendare Blake.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Sixteen bloodless bodies. Two teenagers. One impossible explanation.
Summer 1958—a string of murders plagues the Midwest. The victims are found in their cars and in their homes—even in their beds—their bodies drained, but with no blood anywhere.
September 19- the Carlson family is slaughtered in their Minnesota farmhouse, and the case gets its first lead: 15-year-old Marie Catherine Hale is found at the scene. She is covered in blood from head to toe, and at first she’s mistaken for a survivor. But not a drop of the blood is hers.
Michael Jensen, son of the local sheriff, yearns to become a journalist and escape his small-town. He never imagined that the biggest story in the country would fall into his lap, or that he would be pulled into the investigation, when Marie decides that he is the only one she will confess to.
As Marie recounts her version of the story, it falls to Michael to find the truth: What really happened the night that the Carlsons were killed? And how did one girl wind up in the middle of all these bodies?
Have you read this book? What did you think of it?
Title: A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash #2) Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout Genre: Fantasy, Romance Publisher: Blue Box Press Source: Purchased Format: Paperback Release Date: September 1, 2020 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
A Betrayal…
Everything Poppy has ever believed in is a lie, including the man she was falling in love with. Thrust among those who see her as a symbol of a monstrous kingdom, she barely knows who she is without the veil of the Maiden. But what she does know is that nothing is as dangerous to her as him. The Dark One. The Prince of Atlantia. He wants her to fight him, and that’s one order she’s more than happy to obey. He may have taken her, but he will never have her.
A Choice…
Casteel Da’Neer is known by many names and many faces. His lies are as seductive as his touch. His truths as sensual as his bite. Poppy knows better than to trust him. He needs her alive, healthy, and whole to achieve his goals. But he’s the only way for her to get what she wants—to find her brother Ian and see for herself if he has become a soulless Ascended. Working with Casteel instead of against him presents its own risks. He still tempts her with every breath, offering up all she’s ever wanted. Casteel has plans for her. Ones that could expose her to unimaginable pleasure and unfathomable pain. Plans that will force her to look beyond everything she thought she knew about herself—about him. Plans that could bind their lives together in unexpected ways that neither kingdom is prepared for. And she’s far too reckless, too hungry, to resist the temptation.
A Secret…
But unrest has grown in Atlantia as they await the return of their Prince. Whispers of war have become stronger, and Poppy is at the very heart of it all. The King wants to use her to send a message. The Descenters want her dead. The wolven are growing more unpredictable. And as her abilities to feel pain and emotion begin to grow and strengthen, the Atlantians start to fear her. Dark secrets are at play, ones steeped in the blood-drenched sins of two kingdoms that would do anything to keep the truth hidden. But when the earth begins to shake, and the skies start to bleed, it may already be too late.
Review:
Poppy has left her home, to find that everything she believed there was a lie. She’s traveling with Casteel, Prince of Atlantia also known as The Dark One, who has decided that she will be his wife. However, the people that Poppy left behind won’t be forgotten. The Ascended are prepared to start a war to get their Maiden back. Many people want her dead and the Atlantians are beginning to fear her new abilities. Poppy has to fight for her life, while discovering the secrets of her past.
This was a steamy fantasy romance. There was more romance than in the first book, since Poppy and Casteel were together for the entire book. Though there is a lot of romance, there is also incredible world building.
The world in this series is quite detailed, yet there is still so much I don’t know. Throughout this story details of their history or customs that were slowly revealed. Much of that history also applies directly to Poppy’s past, though everything isn’t explained in this story. Since there was so much left in mystery, I can’t wait to read the next book!
Kingdom of Flesh and Fire is a great steamy fantasy romance!
What to read next:
The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout
This is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. In this post we highlight a book that’s highly anticipated.
The book that I’m waiting on this Wednesday is The Maid by Nita Prose. The expected publication date is January 4, 2022.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by.
Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has been navigating life’s complexities all by herself. No matter—she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection.
But Molly’s orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself dead in his bed. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?
A Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different—and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart.
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and it is now hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s theme is Books to Read if You Loved One of Us is Lying. Here’s my list:
1. One fo Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus
2. These Vengeful Hearts by Katherine Laurin
3. The Sky Above by Natalie Lund
4. Tell Me When You Feel Something by Vicki Grant
5. They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman
6. There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins
7. This Is Why We Lie by Gabriella Lepore
8. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
9. The Cousins by Karen M. McManus
10. The Window by Amelia Brunskill
(All book covers from Goodreads)
What’s your list of books on your Top Ten Tuesday?
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.
Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.
Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.
A standalone romantic thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover.
Review:
Lowen Ashleigh is struggling as a writer, when a seemingly perfect job is offered to her. Jeremy Crawford is married to bestselling author Verity Crawford, who is now unable to finish writing her book series. Jeremy hires Lowen to complete the series. She goes to their home to find Verity’s research, but she walks into a tragic family. Their daughters had died the year before and Verity was paralyzed from a car accident. While Lowen is searching for Verity’s outlines, she finds an autobiography that was never intended to be read. Lowen hides the contents of the autobiography, while also falling for Jeremy, until she realizes he should know the truth about his wife.
This book is definitely worth the hype. It has been all over bookstagram for the last three years and I’ve only seen positive reviews. It was fast paced and nearly impossible to put down!
I would absolutely love to see what happens after the ending of the story, but I also like that there’s some mystery surrounding what will happen next. I’ll definitely be recommending it to anyone who hasn’t read it yet.
This blog meme is hosted by Book Date. It is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever growing TBR pile!
What I just finished:
This weekend I finished Verity by Colleen Hoover.
What I’m currently reading:
I’m currently reading Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout.
What I’m reading next:
Next I will be reading Frankie and Bug by Gayle Forman.
What are you guys reading this week? Have you read any of these books?
The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! This meme is hosted by Midnight Book Girl.
This Sunday I’m reading Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout.
Goodreads Synopsis:
A Betrayal…
Everything Poppy has ever believed in is a lie, including the man she was falling in love with. Thrust among those who see her as a symbol of a monstrous kingdom, she barely knows who she is without the veil of the Maiden. But what she does know is that nothing is as dangerous to her as him. The Dark One. The Prince of Atlantia. He wants her to fight him, and that’s one order she’s more than happy to obey. He may have taken her, but he will never have her.
A Choice…
Casteel Da’Neer is known by many names and many faces. His lies are as seductive as his touch. His truths as sensual as his bite. Poppy knows better than to trust him. He needs her alive, healthy, and whole to achieve his goals. But he’s the only way for her to get what she wants—to find her brother Ian and see for herself if he has become a soulless Ascended. Working with Casteel instead of against him presents its own risks. He still tempts her with every breath, offering up all she’s ever wanted. Casteel has plans for her. Ones that could expose her to unimaginable pleasure and unfathomable pain. Plans that will force her to look beyond everything she thought she knew about herself—about him. Plans that could bind their lives together in unexpected ways that neither kingdom is prepared for. And she’s far too reckless, too hungry, to resist the temptation.
A Secret…
But unrest has grown in Atlantia as they await the return of their Prince. Whispers of war have become stronger, and Poppy is at the very heart of it all. The King wants to use her to send a message. The Descenters want her dead. The wolven are growing more unpredictable. And as her abilities to feel pain and emotion begin to grow and strengthen, the Atlantians start to fear her. Dark secrets are at play, ones steeped in the blood-drenched sins of two kingdoms that would do anything to keep the truth hidden. But when the earth begins to shake, and the skies start to bleed, it may already be too late.
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