Monday, November 4, 2024

Review - - A Tribute of Fire

A Tribute of Fire
by Sariah Wilson
The Eye of the Goddess - Book 1
Publisher: Montlake
Release Date: November 1, 2024
Reviewed by Nancy
 


Lia is the princess of Locris, a dying desert nation cursed centuries ago by an earth 
goddess—one still worshipped by the thriving and adversarial nation of Ilion. Every year, Ilion offers the goddess a sacrifice: two Locrian maidens forced to compete in a life-and-death race to reach her temple. In a millennium, no maiden has made it out of Ilion alive. This year, Lia is one of the hunted.

An education in battle gives her a fighting chance, but the challenges are greater than she feared: Lia’s beloved but untrained sister Quynh has been put in the path of danger. The winding streets of Ilion itself have been transformed into a labyrinthine maze of countless choices and dead ends. And if the risks weren’t significant enough, Lia is reluctantly drawn to the commandingly attractive Jason, an Ilionian sailor she loathes to trust and desires like no man before.

The tribute game is on. It’s up to Lia to lift the goddess’s curse, restore Locris to its former glory, and change the fate of every young woman destined to follow in her path.

Nancy’s Thoughts:

A Tribute of Fire offers an intriguing blend of epic fantasy, action adventure, and steamy romance. The story opens with Lia, the central character, training to survive the race in Ilion. If she can reach the temple, she’ll be safe, and she’ll have a chance to save her drought-ridden, starving homeland. Legend says an artifact known as the goddess’s eye is hidden in the temple. If Lia can obtain it, she can save her people and possibly end the sacrificial tradition. While other maidens pray not to be chosen as one of the two sacrifices, she makes arrangements that will ensure she’s picked. 

Lia’s courage and determination had me rooting for her instantly. The odds against her surviving the race are staggering, but her plan is her country’s only hope. 

She has more to deal with than the race, though. She is betrothed to a prince of Ilion, so she must manage to be chosen for the race and to run it without anyone from Ilion realizing she is the prince’s betrothed. While that may seem unlikely, Wilson sets up the situation so it’s believable.

Another complication tangles Lia’s plans when she meets Jason, a handsome sailor from Ilion, in her family’s palace garden. They are both stricken with immediate and compelling attraction that has them making out in the palace garden. While this may not be a problem for some readers, it was for me. I’m not a fan of irresistible lust, and having Lia making out with this unknown guy in the garden when she knows she shouldn’t bothered me a lot. Even though she feels they’re destined for each other, she loses her head with this stranger.

Their attraction worked better for me as the story continued because Jason does a lot to help her and Quynh on the journey across the sea to Ilion. He and Lia gradually come to know each other as she seeks the goddess’s eye and he helps her, adding relationship layers that are not just physical attraction. They also meet in their dreams, in steamy, romantic scenes that are very well done.

Jason’s help is sometimes mixed, though, as when he gives Lia a cryptic warning about the dangers of a situation. Because of her military training, Lia shrugs off this warning. Instead of being more specific, which might’ve made her wary, he lets her go ahead. She runs into trouble, and that left me feeling he’d let her down.

They have a big confrontation at the end of the story, one he engineers and has known is coming for a while. Yet he does nothing in the runup to it that might sap any of her anger and, in the moment, seems not to understand her feelings of betrayal. He also has an irresistible card he can play, one he could’ve played at any time. But he didn’t. That left me wondering why he hadn’t acted sooner.

The story world is based on Greek culture, including its myths and legends. The settings are detailed enough to feel real, but Wilson skillfully avoids overwhelming the reader with descriptive detail. After I finished the book, I read the author’s note, which said the sacrifice and the race come from Greek history. I’m a history nerd, so I think that is really cool. While I was reading, though, I found the similarities to Greek myths in a story not apparently set in Greece distracting. I kept stopping to compare the similarities with the Greek myths I’d read. This also is something that may not bother other readers.

The supporting characters are primarily women, including those in Lia’s adelphia, a group like sisters. Wilson does a good job of differentiating them, and the way she builds and demonstrates their loyalty to each other is beautifully done. The other women are also well drawn and interesting, as is their closed society.

The story overall is smoothly written and moves at a good pace, and the world is well drawn. The characters are engaging, though I did have problems with some of their choices.

Despite my reservations, I recommend this book with the caveat that it does end on a cliffhanger.

3.5 stars

~Nancy

Sunday, November 3, 2024

Coming Attractions - - November 2024

 



Welcome to November! For those of us in the USA, this is a month to give thanks. I have much for which to be thankful this year, including all of you wonderful reader friends who stop by the blog to say hello, share your love of books, and support me in this blogging adventure. A few of you have been here since the very first post: Monday, November 2, 2009. Who would have thought back then that I would still be here sharing my love of books FIFTEEN YEARS later? I sure didn't! As I reflect on the past decade and a half, I would like to express my gratitude to some special people. 

Special thanks go to the three extraordinary women with whom I began this adventure back in November 2009: Gannon, Buffie, and Andrea. They have all moved on to other adventures over the course of the past fifteen years but their immense contributions to the blog - and the fun we had bringing this dream to life - will never be forgotten.

Special thanks to all of the incredible women who helped us breathe life into the blog back when we had no idea what we were doing. We really were blessed with a plethora of supporters within the Romance community. Thank you, all! A special thank you to Anna Campbell and Trish Milburn who both went above and beyond to lend their names, humor, and thoughtful posts on a regular basis.

To current reviewers Hellie, Santa, and Nancy, thank you for sharing your views on many, many books over the years in thoughtful and entertaining ways. Thanks to all the authors who have visited the blog, reviewers who have graced us with your thoughts along the way, and publishers who give us the opportunity to read books early and discover new - and new to us - authors.

A very special thank you to Janga, a woman I was honored and blessed to call friend. Everyone deserves a book friend like Janga. Fittingly, we met on an internet site because of a shared favorite author: Eloisa James. Janga created many of the most insightful, thoughtful, most beautifully written reviews I've ever read and introduced me to some of my favorite authors, including Julie Anne Long and Anne Gracie. Writing the blog's Just Between Us feature with Janga was the most fun I've had on this fifteen-year journey. I wish we'd had time to do more of them. She's with the angels now but still lives in my heart and through her beautiful posts in the blog's archives.

Finally, thank you to you, the readers who choose to stop by the Facebook page, Instagram, and/or the blog each day. You're the reason I do this. I love sharing my love of the written word, especially written words filled with hope, love, and happy endings. So, thank you to those who have stuck
 with me since the beginning and thanks to all of you who have hopped on the train along the way. Here's to many more years of good books, good fun, and good friends!




We kick off the month on Monday, November 4 with Nancy's review of A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson, book one in Wilson's epic fantasy The Eye of the Goddess series.






Wednesday, November 6 brings a review of Second Chance Season by Emily March. This third book in Emily March's Lake in the Clouds series brings family drama, heartwarming hopefulness, and all the feels. 





Don't miss my review of The Asheville Christmas Tradition by Hope Holloway and Cecelia Scott on Thursday, November 7. I have a special giveaway to go along with my review of this heartwarming, uplifting fourth book in their Carolina Christmas series. 






What's more fun than puppies? Join me on Friday, November 8 for a review and giveaway of Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction, a second-chance romance by Shannon Richard





Monday, November 11 takes us back to medieval times with a review and giveaway of All the Painted Stars, a queer historical romance by Emma Denny.  The first book in this series, One Night in Hartswood, really touched my heart (click to read my review). 






Lizzie Shane wraps up her heartwarming Pine Hollow series with a new story about frenemies who go head-to-head in a reality cooking show with bragging rights - and possibly their hearts - on the line. I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts about Like Cats & Dogs on Tuesday, November 12





Hellie joins us on Wednesday, November 13 with a review and giveaway of Her Knight at the Museum by Bryn Donovan. I'm eager to hear what Hellie has to say about this medieval knight brought to life in present-day Chicago.  





Stop by Thursday, November 14 for a tour review of A Skye Full of Stars by Sue Moorcroft. This second book in Moorcroft's The Skye Sisters Trilogy has me ready to book a holiday trip to Scotland!





Don't miss our next Coastal Magic Spotlight on Friday, November 15 when I host western romcom author Dakota Lacoy! I just finished reading My Bold Texan, book one in Lacoy's The Bradford Brothers of Honky Tonk, Texas series. Humorous. Heartwarming. So much fun!





We're back in the bakery with Jamie Wesley's second book in her Sugar Blitz series: A Legend in the Baking. I thoroughly enjoyed Wesley's debut (Fake it Till You Bake it - click to read my review) and am looking forward to this new one. Football players in the kitchen? Making cupcakes? Yes, please! Join me for my review of A Legend in the Baking on Tuesday, November 19.




We have a second Coastal Magic Spotlight this month! Join me on Wednesday, November 20 when contemporary, Latine author Sera 
TaĆ­no joins us to talk about her Harlequin Special Edition trilogy, The Navarros. Food, emotion, family, romance. What's not to love? 





Santa returns on Thursday, November 21 with a review (and giveaway) of The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews, book four in Matthews' Belles of London historical romance series. 






Friday, November 22 brings a review of Duchess Material by Emily Sullivan, a second-chance historical romance with a touch of intrigue. 







A spicy, time-travel, hockey, marriage-of-convenience romance? Sign me up! Join me on Monday, November 25 for a review of Puck and Prejudice by Lia Riley. I cannot wait to dive into this one!







Rounding out the month on Tuesday, November 26 will be Hellie's review of Fortune's Holiday Surprise by Jennifer Wilck, a western, Hanukkah romance. 





What are you thankful for this month?

What books are you looking forward to reading?

What types of romances do you read? Historical? Contemporary? Paranormal/Fantasy? RomCom? Romantic Suspense? Women's Fiction? Inspirational? Sports? Queer? Inquiring minds (me) want to know. 

Also, just because I'm curious, when did you discover The Romance Dish? 

Five randomly chosen people who post a comment before 11:00 PM, November 6 will each receive a book from my book stash. 

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, November 6 will receive a $15 Amazon gift card. 

*U.S. only
*Must be 18


Saturday, November 2, 2024

Winner - - The Wedding Engagement

 



The randomly chosen winner

of a print copy of

The Wedding Engagement is:

Laurie Gommermann

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com


Winner - - Lightning in Her Hands

 




The randomly chosen winner

of a print copy of

Lightning in Her Hands is:

Cherie J

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com


Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Review - - The Beast Takes a Bride

The Beast Takes a Bride
by Julie Anne Long
The Palace of Rogues - Book 8
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: October 22, 2024
Reviewed by PJ



A blue-blooded beauty bartered to a Beast…

He would pay any price to possess her. But even though Alexandra Bellamy sacrifices herself to save her family’s fortunes, a shocking betrayal sunders her marriage to a taciturn brute of a war hero, Colonel Magnus Brightwall, before it even begins. Five years of icy separation later, a scandal—with Alexandra at the middle—reunites them, and Magnus issues an edict: they will confront the ton, rescue their reputations, then Magnus will banish her to another continent—forever. 

But alone in a suite at the Grand Palace on the Thames, a new battle begins—between pride and the unexpected volcanic passion stirring between them. The danger is real: Magnus rediscovers why Alexandra is the only woman who could ever break him. And even as she lays bare the beautiful heart beating beneath the battered hide of the near-stranger she married, Alexandra knows she may have already lost him—even as she finally falls fatally, irrevocably in love.



PJ's Thoughts:


A Julie Anne Long book is like a beautiful symphony of words that transports the reader through a myriad of feelings. She is an author who can move me to laughter, tears, and a number of other emotions with equal ease of skill. She's one of the few authors I read slowly, savoring the unique flavor of each perfectly placed word. 

Marriage in trouble is not my favorite romance trope, especially when the estrangement begins with a betrayal, but in the hands of Long it's nothing short of a masterpiece. Nothing is black and white with Magnus and Alexandra. There are shades of gray, layers to be explored, reasons for actions, and suppressed feelings waiting to blossom...if tended properly. This estrangement heading for permanent separation is explored with relatable, realistic, poignant care leading to understanding, acceptance, and a deep, abiding love. I loved their growth, individually and as a couple, and cheered them on as enthusiastically as if they were personal friends. Which in a way they are. 

Every character at the Grand Palace on the Thames has become like family. I feel like I have a vested interest in the happiness of all of them. Long brings them to life with charm, wit, adorable awkwardness, humor, and relatable human flaws. They are vividly depicted, bringing a rich texture to the overall story, supporting the journey of each book's main couple without overshadowing them. It's a balance that Long pulls off with perfection. 

If you have yet to discover Julie Anne Long, in my opinion you're missing out on one of the best historical romance authors out there. Why not begin with The Beast Takes a Bride. It has my highest Top Dish recommendation. 





Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Review - - Deadlines, Donuts & Dreidels

Deadlines, Donuts & Dreidels
by Jennifer Wilck 
Holidays, Heart and Chutzpah - Book 3

Publisher: Harlequin

Release Date: October 22, 2024

Reviewed by Hellie



Journalist Jessica Sacks’s career is on the line if she doesn’t ace this next assignment. She must interview firefighter Thomas Carville, Browerville’s celebrated hero—and her forever crush since childhood. When Jessica returns home for Hanukkah, handsome Thomas takes her breath away. And rudely shuts her down when she asks for an interview.


Thomas knows he and the man he saved are both lucky to be alive, regardless of his actions. And now Jessica is poking into his business. Thomas would rather kiss her under the mistletoe than answer her questions. But his priority is protecting his sobriety and his secret. They’re as far apart as Christmas and Hanukkah, but even their differences can’t trump the power of love.



Hellie’s Heeds


I got to read the other two books in this series–and I think that made the reading of this book even more joyful as we got to visit with other beloved characters and continue to see them in the small town setting that Wilck created. Special Edition Harlequin books are known to really tug at heartstrings, and this one is no exception as Thomas is a hero who is seeking redemption. (Okay, maybe not seeking–because he doesn’t think he’s worthy of it–but that’s the trope nonetheless. He needs it.) Thomas as a hero is very complicated–since when you find out his secret–it makes him a real and flawed person, but as such, he is also in need of real world consequences for what has happened. Wilck doesn’t shy away from the real world consequences, but still is able to provide a satisfying and hopeful ending that brings two people together who need and deserve love. 


This is not to suggest that Jessica the heroine is not without flaws–she has her own issues. Due to the shame of being fired from her job, she is not honest or forthcoming with Thomas or her parents–and for a bit, even her friends. I had some issues with Jessica and her job–being that the reason she was fired, I thought that for someone who had worked 10 years at this position (which seemed stretching it because she was only 28 in the book and she was a journalist–and I believe she was also a college graduate)--and with the experience, I thought the mistake she made was something only a real rookie would have done. Then again, it is entirely possible to have led a rather charmed work life–and it was just a doozy of a mistake you made. Still. The doozy of a mistake it was–I did find it rather far-fetched she was upset that they wouldn’t give her a second chance. But…I also recognize we needed to get the heroine back home and interact with the hero, and this was a very clear way to do it. 


That aside, the chemistry between the characters and the scenes that built up their romance–as well as additional conflict of coming from different religions, also added to the atmosphere of how will this have a happy ending? I also enjoyed learning more about the traditions of Hanukkah and experiencing a blending of Christmas and Hanukkah traditions and celebrations where everyone was curious, respectful, and accepting. Which is definitely what the season is all about, in my book. 


Monday, October 28, 2024

Review & Giveaway - - Lightning in her Hands

Lightning in her Hands
by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Wild Magic - Book 2
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: October 15, 2024
Reviewed by PJ
 


Teal Flores is desperate for two things—control over her gift of weather, and a date to her ex’s wedding. The first isn’t possible until she finds her long-lost mother, but the second has a very handsome last-ditch solution: Carter Velasquez.


Carter needs Teal too. His chance at receiving an inheritance is dependent on him being married by age thirty (blame his traditional Cuban grandmother), so who better to pose as his wife than Teal? But fake marriage and cohabitation prove tricky when mutual attraction charges the atmosphere—quite literally for Teal, whose volatile emotions cause lightning strikes.

Together, Teal and Carter embark on a quest to find her mother and the answers she’s searching for. But along the way, they’ll discover something even better: a love that can weather any storm.

PJ's Thoughts:

I've read several friends-to-lovers tropes recently but this one has unique twists that make it stand apart from the rest. Gilliland pulled me into this dysfunctional family in her first book, Witch of Wild Things, leaving me eager to discover more about the Flores sisters, their sibling relationship, romantic relationships, and magical abilities. After reading book one, I thought I knew what I'd be getting with middle sister, Teal. I got so much more.

This book has so many layers and Gilliland expertly navigates every one of them. Teal is a complex character. I didn't like her in book one, wasn't sure I liked her in the first part of book two, and ended up loving her by the end. My heart ached for her when all she had been through was revealed. It answered so many questions. I enjoyed her growth throughout the book, how hard she worked to achieve that growth, and especially her efforts to mend her relationships with her sisters. It was all realistically depicted and relatable, as was the ebb and flow of her evolving relationship with Carter, a genuinely nice guy who loves and supports her but isn't without flaws to overcome himself.

Then there's the magic. The abilities these sisters have, and the things that have happened to them, should be unbelievable and yet Gilliland crafts them in such a way that they seem perfectly natural and believable. Of course, Teal's emotions control the weather. Of course, Sage communicates with plants. Of course, animals talk with Sky. And speaking of youngest sister, Sky, you won't believe what she's been through. I cannot wait for her book. Can. Not. Wait. 

If you enjoy fast-paced stories with flawed characters, emotional depth, snappy humor, sibling dynamics, Latin (Mexican/Cuban) culture, magical realism, and hard-won happy endings, give this series a try. For the best reading experience and understanding of the characters, I strongly recommend reading the books in order. 


Have you read any of the books in this series?

What are your thoughts about magical realism in romance?

If you could have one magical ability, what would you choose?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, October 30 will receive a print copy of Lightning in her Hands.

*U.S. only
*Must be 18



Friday, October 25, 2024

Review - - Made for Mistletoe

Made for Mistletoe
by Nan Reinhardt
The Walkers of Rivers Edge - Book 3
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Release Date: October 24, 2024
Reviewed by PJ




This Christmas he has big plans until he meets a beautiful distraction….

Army reservist Cameron Walker loves everything about the holidays in River’s Edge—celebrating with his big family and carving out more time to work on his custom design furniture in his studio. But when he meets a visiting artist and niece of a family friend, he’s eager to break his work plans for play. He knows first-hand life’s short.

Teacher and artist Harper Gaines is bowled over by the handsome and friendly finish carpenter she meets during her vacation. His admiration for her art and his enthusiasm for life light her up, and remind her of how much she’s been missing since her soldier husband’s death. But when she discovers Cam’s also a soldier, she retreats, unable to risk another loss.

Cam has never felt such a strong connection, and he won’t give up without a fight. But will Cam’s persistence and the magic of Christmas be enough to convince Harper to take a chance on them?



PJ's Thoughts:


Nan Reinhardt's River's Edge books are always hopeful and heartfelt but those set during the holidays seem to have that extra punch of emotion. Made for Mistletoe has all the feelings. 


I adored Cam. How could I not? He's like a Golden Retriever puppy with his huge heart, kind soul, over-the-top love of all things Christmas, and dedication to helping others. Harper really has no chance against all that sweetness, charm, and sex appeal, except...


Harper Gaines is stuck, mired in grief, and unable to move forward. Reinhardt's depiction of her is so realistic, so relatable. My heart bled for her. I could feel her pain so acutely, moved to tears more than once. I appreciate the journey that was crafted for her, the time and patience given as she navigates the incredibly difficult process of moving on with life and courageously opening her heart a second time. 


I enjoyed the gradual evolution of the friendship between Cam and Harper that slowly deepens into more, the respect and support they give to one another, and the sizzle of attraction that, while always there, waits patiently on the back burner until the time is right. I love the connections that are forged between Harper and other women in River's Edge, how each one opens a pathway toward healing. And I love the layers within Cam that give his character unexpected depth without losing that special light that shines from his heart. 


River's Edge really is a magical place. I wish it was real. I wish I could visit and spend time with all of the wonderful characters who inhabit Nan Reinhardt's fictional world. They feel real to me. I'm emotionally invested in their lives, their well-being, their happiness.


If you're looking for heart-tugging, small-town, contemporary romance with a strong sense of community, emotional depth, a sprinkling of humor, feel-good romance, and a hard-won, happy ending, check out Made for Mistletoe. It has my enthusiastic recommendation. If you're new to River's Edge, don't worry. You can jump in with Made for Mistletoe and do just fine. 





Thursday, October 24, 2024

Review - - Hero for the Holidays

Hero for the Holidays
by Maisey Yates
Four Corners Ranch - Book 9
Publisher: Canary Street Press
Release Date: October 22, 2024
Reviewed by PJ


When Landry King shows up at Four Corners Ranch with Lila, the teenage daughter no one ever knew he had, it sets the gossip mill churning. Landry’s daughter has lost her adoptive parents and is in desperate need of a new family. So this Christmas, the untamed cowboy is finally getting the chance to become the father he could never have been when Lila was born. Even if it means dealing with his other biggest regret…


Fia Sullivan hates Landry King. That’s how it’s always been. At least, that’s how it’s been since their dramatic teenage love affair ended in a way that shattered their hearts and left them with wounds that never healed. When Landry dredges up her most agonizing secret, Fia’s devastated…and also overjoyed at the possibility of the new life they could have. But there’s only so long she can be near Landry before their simmering desire reignites. Can they finally overcome their past pain to find new love—and new family—this Christmas?

PJ's Thoughts:

Maisey Yates is an author I turn to for complex family dynamics and deeply emotional romance with a western flair. I like some of her books more than others but she’s an author who has never let me down. Her newest novel, a second-chance, lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers story with deep emotional underpinnings just may be my all-time Yates favorite.

Everyone on the Four Corners Ranch knows Fia Sullivan and Landry King can’t stand each other but nobody knows why. Those of us who have been reading this series don’t know why. Hero for the Holidays opens with that reason and, boy howdy, it’s a doozy. What follows is a roller coaster of emotions as Fia, Landry, and Lila navigate the life-changing events that have been thrust upon all three of them.

What I enjoyed most about this book is the evolution of these characters, both individually as well as a family unit. I like how Yates leaves no stone unturned in the development and evolution of Fia and Landry as she guides them through a present-day reflection of the turmoil of their teens, something they had never talked about, helping them forge a new understanding of decisions made at that time through the more mature lens of the people they are today. It’s a gradual process, with ups and downs, as is to be expected when you’ve spent years believing you’re 100% in the right about something only to realize maybe you shoulder some of the blame. Their individual growth paves the way for forgiveness, understanding, and a chance to rekindle an old love in a more balanced, mature, and enduring, though no less fiery, way. These two have chemistry!

Lila offers another layer of emotion, complication, sarcastic humor, and hope as only a young teen whose life has imploded can. She’s authentic, relatable, and has a firm grip on my heart, as she does with Landry, Fia, and the entire King and Sullivan families. She’s the heartbreaking - but ultimately healing - catalyst for the changes that are long overdue in Landry’s and Fia’s lives. I laughed with her, ached for her, loved her. She’s one of my favorite characters of this entire series. 

Hero for the Holidays is the ninth book in the Four Corners Ranch series. While several characters and couples from earlier books are featured in this book, Yates has written the story in such a way that it can be enjoyed as a standalone. I’ve read all of the books and it’s fun to catch up with other characters but I don’t think starting with Hero for the Holidays would lessen the emotional impact of Fia’s and Landry’s story. It might, however, make you curious enough to pick up the other eight books. ;-)