Review For The Finale Of The Original Sinners – Beautiful Redeemer by Kait Ballenger @kait_ballenger #beautifulredeemer

Posted on May 26, 2026 by fundinmental

Choosing between them is no choice at all

MY REVIEW

Beautiful Redeemer by Kait Ballenger is a blend of two of my favorites, Lucifer and Fifty Shades Of Gray. I have been loving this series and Kait smashed it out of the park in the finale of the Original Sinners trilogy. I love the amazing covers.

We have all the players, from gods and goddesses, to demons and humans. Christianity takes a hit when the righteous rise, thinking they know how the world should be run. Lucifer has a target on his back, and seeing he has lost his powers and his mortality, his life it at risk…and the righteous aren’t the only ones who want to take him out. Charlotte, Queen of Hell, is determined to stop the apocalypse and, if she has to face off with God, that’s not a problem for her.

This is my kind of romance. In your face, at times brutal, at other times sweet, but always passionate. Charlotte definitely has her hands full with Lucifer AND Azrael.

So, if you are the least bit squeamish, you may want to shy away from the Original Sinners. BUT, if you are like me and love walking on the dark side, come on in.

My thanks go out to Kait Ballenger, Montlake and NetGalley for the opportunity to review Beautiful Redeemer.

GOODREADS BLURB

Lucifer’s wife, Death’s lover, mother of the apocalypse—a young bride’s desire breaks all bounds in the explosive conclusion to Kait Ballenger’s Original Sinners trilogy.

I never asked to be the queen of Hell, but now the crown burns against my skin—and every choice drips with sin.

Lucifer, my devil of a husband, feeds me power kiss by kiss, lash by lash. Azrael, Death incarnate, tempts me with the brutal devotion only he can give. They both worship me. They both ruin me. And I can’t get enough.

I won’t be made to choose.

But indulgence has its price. The apocalypse is splitting the sky. The Righteous hunt us with holy fire, and New York drowns. On the eve of my unholy wedding, all the armies of Heaven descend and all-out war begins. My greatest weapon is the impossible child growing inside the secret that could save or damn us all.

To protect humanity and seize my dark salvation, I’ll fight. I’ll bleed. I’ll burn. And when the last seal shatters, I’ll rise again…or stay on my knees forever.

Genre: Angels And Demons, Dark Romance, Fiction, Gods And Goddesses, Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural
502 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 26, 2026 by Montlake
Series: Original Sinners, #3

ABOUT KAIT BALLENGER

Kait Ballenger is an award-winning author of dark romantasy and paranormal romance. She is obsessed with tales of morally gray, sometimes villainous heroes and can’t resist a spicy redemption arc. When Kait’s not busy writing kinky paranormal fantasy, she can usually be found with her nose buried in someone else’s naughty books. She lives in Florida’s Bible Belt with her husband and two adorable sons—and will gladly use that belt to whip you.

For news on future releases, exclusive bonus scenes, and NSFW character art, sign up for Kait’s newsletter: https://bit.ly/3t7zXLA

You can also find Kait on TikTok @kaitballenger or Instagram @kait.ballenger

MY KAIT BALLENGER REVIEWS

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Review – The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R Patch @jessicarpatch #jessicarpatch #thegirlupstairs

Posted on April 30, 2026 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I am still amazed that I only recently came across Jessica R Patch. She is a prolific writer and her books fit in perfectly on my book shelf. She has now become an automatic read whenever I see one of her books available.

Gwen McDaniel’s life is a mess, so, WTH, why not buy a rundown house in Cold Harbor, Maine…that is in dire need of a renovation? Their marriage could use an overhaul too. Immediately we are drawn in to drafty rooms and music playing, yet no one is there.

I was immersed in the ominous mystery. The pacing kept the suspense rising, the further into the book I got. The twists and turns gave me many aha moments, sometimes wondering why I didn’t see that coming. That is how good Jessica R Patch’s stories are. She sneaks those nuggets of emotional turmoil below the obvious, amazing me as she delivers blow after blow to Gwen. The danger rises and there are those who will do anything to stop the secrets being exposed. I didn’t know whether to race through the pages to find out what happens, or relax and enjoy the journey.

Many thanks go out to NetGalley, Harlequin, and Jessica R Patch for the opportunity to read The Girl Upstairs.

GOODREADS BLURB

he bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life.

Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park, is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better.

Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Something happened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood underneath.

As Gwen delves into the history of the house and the Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined…

Genre: Christian, Fiction, Halloween, Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Suspense
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 28, 2026 by Love Inspired Trade

ABOUT JESSICA R PATCH

Publishers Weekly Bestselling author Jessica R. Patch is known for her dry wit and signature twists whether she’s penned a romantic suspense, a cold case thriller, or a small-town romance. When she’s not getting into fictional mischief with her characters, you can find her cozy on the couch in her mid-south home reading books by some of her favorite authors, watching movies with her family, and collecting recipes to amazing dishes she’ll probably never cook. Sign up for her newsletter “Patched In” at www.jessicarpatch.com. Jessica is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Management.

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Pinterest / BookBub

MY JESSICA R PATCH REVIEWS

The Other Sister

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5 Star Review – A Shadow In The Ember by Jennifer L Armentrout @JLArmentrout #blueboxpress #ashadowintheember

Posted on March 26, 2026 by fundinmental

Amazon / KindleUnlimited / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

In this whacked out world we live in, I can sure use a break, an escape, and I can think of no better way than to enter a fantasy world. A world of riveting, engrossing Flesh And Fire in A Shadow In The Ember by Jennifer L Armentrout. I spent two unforgettable days in Seraphena’s world, an enemies to lovers, spicy fantasy romance.

Serephena is a Princess, but she isn’t treated like one. Her life is not her own. She is the Chosen. A Consort. An assassin. A weapon. In her own eyes she considers herself a monster, willing to sacrifice herself to save others. Of course there is a prophecy, but who knows what kind of games the gods are playing.

She is promised to the Primal of Death, Ash if you are close to him. When he denied her, Serephena thought all was lost. She had been touched by Life and Death. She is reckless, but mighty with the Shadowblade she always carries. She is fearless and I love their lively banter.

I will warn you. Make sure you have plenty of time before you crack open A Shadow In The Ember, because, if you are like me, once you start you won’t want to stop. Sure, some things are predictable, but there is plenty of fresh and original twists and turns.

My thanks go out to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for the opportunity to review A Shadow In The Ember by Jennifer L Armentrout.

GOODREADS BLURB

Born shrouded in the veil of the Primals, a Maiden as the Fates promised, Seraphena Mierel’s future has never been hers. Chosen before birth to uphold the desperate deal her ancestor struck to save his people, Sera must leave behind her life and offer herself to the Primal of Death as his Consort.

However, Sera’s real destiny is the most closely guarded secret in all of Lasania—she’s not the well protected Maiden but an assassin with one mission—one target. Make the Primal of Death fall in love, become his weakness, and then…end him. If she fails, she dooms her kingdom to a slow demise at the hands of the Rot.

Sera has always known what she is. Chosen. Consort. Assassin. Weapon. A specter never fully formed yet drenched in blood. A monster. Until him. Until the Primal of Death’s unexpected words and deeds chase away the darkness gathering inside her. And his seductive touch ignites a passion she’s never allowed herself to feel and cannot feel for him. But Sera has never had a choice. Either way, her life is forfeit—it always has been, as she has been forever touched by Life and Death.

Genre: Enemires To Lovers, Fantasy, Fiction, Fantasy Romance, New Adult, Romantasy, Spicy
647 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2021 by Blue Box Press
Series: Flesh & Fire #1, Blood & Ash #4

ABOUT JENNIFER L ARMENTROUT

Hey Guys! Please note: I don’t send out ARCs for review. If you’re interested in reviewing a book of mine before release date, please contact the appropriate publisher. I also do NOT check my Goodreads email.

To email me, please use the below addy.
jenniferlarmentrout@live.com

# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Charles Town, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. In early 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and death of cells in the retina, eventually resulting in loss of vision, among other complications. Due to this diagnosis, educating people on the varying degrees of blindness has become of passion of hers, right alongside writing, which she plans to do as long as she can.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Tor, HarperCollins Avon and William Morrow, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her Wicked Series has been optioned by PassionFlix. Jennifer has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Reviewers Choice Award for Wait for You, the 2015 Editor’s Pick for Fall With Me, and the 2014/2015 Moerser-Jugendbuch- Jury award for Obsidian. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. Her adult romantic suspense novel TILL DEATH was a Amazon Editor’s Pick and iBook Book of the Month. Her young adult contemporary THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER is a 2017 RITA Award Winner in Young Adult Fiction. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

She is the owner of ApollyCon and The Origin Event, the successful annual events that features over hundred bestselling authors in Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult Fiction, panels, parties, and more.

Website

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New Release Review – The Secret Winners Club by Donna Galanti @DonnaGalanti #thesecretwinnersclub

Posted on March 3, 2026 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The Secret Winners Club by Donna Gilanti is written for those between the ages of eight and thirteen, but I think people of all ages can relate to the message: Embrace your own unique self because you’re special just the way you are.

Each chapter begins with an illustration that spotlights a character’s point of view. I love when an author adds that something extra to the story.

Thirteen year old Sunny Whitlock is the main character. She has alopecia, an auto immune disease that caused her to lose her hair. I love the way she deals with it, by making her own headscarves. She doesn’t hide with bland colors, but bursts with colorful designs. She also has joined the junk bot club competition. Her father owns the scrapyard in town, so she has access to a lot of the parts, but her father also donates parts to the club. She gets picked on because of his work. It’s still the usual that we all struggle with, the haves and the have nots and those that are considered different, ouside the norm.

Sunny’s best friends are also auto immune deficient and together they form The Secret Winners Club. The goal is to step outside of their comfort zone, support each other and to win…at any cost. Do you see where this is going? What will be the cost of putting winning ahead of all else? This is one of those things…it’s a great idea, but they are doing it for the wrong reasons. As they begin to succeed, they learn the cost of their decisions.

The Secret Winners Club is a coming of age story that shares thoughts, feelings, and actions we can all learn from. I loved how the characters developed, learning life lessons as they strive to achieve the goals they set for themselves.

Tbank you Donna Galanti for the opportunity to read The Secret Winners Club.

ABOUT THE SECRET WINNERS CLUB

1^st Rule of The Secret Winners Club:
Do whatever it takes.

Thirteen-year-old Sunny Whitlock has alopecia; an autoimmune condition that’s made her lose her hair—and she’s desperate to be seen as more than just the bald kid. But how? By setting an epic goal: win her school’s junkbot club competition. And if she’s #1, then other kids will have to see beyond her disease … and she’ll finally fit in.

Sunny’s immune-deficient best friends are also tired of looking different and achieving second place in their school competitions. With a bold plan, Sunny bands with them to create The Secret Winners Club, a club devised to win—at any cost—and push them outside their comfort zones.

They promise to trust no one else. It’s all classified! And in total secrecy they aim to help one another become #1 before this middle school year is over. But as they start to succeed, they quickly discover that crossing the line and hurting others can make them even more visible and even more an outsider.

Bookshop / Amazon / B & N / Books A Million / Apple

ABOUT DONNA GALANTI

Donna Galanti is the author of the middle-grade ooks Unicorn Island series, Joshua and the
Lightning Road series, and Loon Cove Summer. She’s lived in fun locations including England, her family-owned campground in New Hampshire, and in Hawaii as a U.S. Navy photographer. Donna is an avid outdoor adventurer and nature lover. She volunteers for the Old-Growth Forest Network and the National Audubon Society. For details on her books, events, and school programs, visit donnagalanti.com.

GIVEAWAY

Donna Galanti is offering a paperback (US ONLY) or ebook (International) of her book, Loon Cove Summer. Entry is easy peasy.

Enter a comment that answers the question, do you go on summer vacations?

Giveaway ends 3.10.26

MY DONNA GALANTI REVIEWS

A Human Element
A Hidden Element
Joshua and the Lightning Road
Joshua and the Arrow Realm
Unicorn Island
Unicorn Island (Secret Beneath The Sand)
Unicorn Island (Beyond The Portal)
Loon Cove Summer

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AWESOME – Review – Redemption by V E Huntley #VEHuntley #redemption

Posted on February 23, 2026 by fundinmental

They think his love for her makes him week with phoenix

they're about to lean it makes him unstoppable

my penance will never be enough redemption

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Whew (as I brush the sweat off my brow). Redemption by V E Huntley is the heart pounding conclusion of Aden and Ellie’s story in the Bloodstone Legacy trilogy. Between the smoking hot sex (XXX Rated) and the bloody and savage battles, I can’t think of one thing V E Huntley left out. I love her original interpretation of the vampire world.

We see the story from two points of view, Aden’s and Ellie’s. I love when I can see events unfold from different perspectives, delving into the minds of each character, allowing me to empathize with them, even when they are wrong.

I will keep this review short and sweet, seeing I really do not want to spoil anything for those who will begin the series with Damnation. I cannot recommend the Bloodstone Legacy enough. The vampires are unique and have the same issues as us humans, politics, communication, and kids. What will they turn out to be? Vampires? Half breed’s? Humans?

What a fabulous happy ever after ending to a mind blowing conclusion of Aden and Ellie’s story. Any time I see V E Huntley’s name, I’m hoping she has come out with a new book. She is definitely hovering around the top of my must read author list.

My thanks go out to V E Huntley for the opportunity to read, review and share my thoughts for Redemption.

GOODREADS BLURB

MY PENANCE WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH The breathtaking conclusion to The BloodStone Legacy trilogy—a dark, seductive paranormal romance about forbidden love, impossible choices, and the price of redemption.

They think his love for her makes him weak. They’re about to learn it makes him unstoppable.

For centuries, vampire commander Aden Westcott’s reputation for brutality was legendary. Until her. When Ellie awakens feelings he thought long dead, their forbidden bond becomes both his salvation and his greatest vulnerability.

In a society divided by power and blood, redemption demands the highest price. In this final chapter, Aden and Ellie’s choices will echo through eternity. Some say love conquers all. In Aden and Ellie’s world, it might just destroy everything.

Perfect for fans of J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood, Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City, Scarlett St. Clair’s Adrian X Isolde, Karina Halle’s The Dracula Duet, and readers who crave their romance dark, passionate, and unforgettable with brooding anti-heroes paired with resilient heroines.

Redemption is Book 3 of a trilogy. It ends with the HEA you’ve been waiting for.

Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers romance and dark fantasy who crave high stakes, forbidden love, and a brooding immortal hero facing his own redemption.

This book is a dark paranormal romance. Be mindful of the trigger

Graphic violence
Sexual situations
Blood Play
Adult language – the word “fuck” is used a lot

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural, Vampires
647 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 19, 2026
Series: The Bloodstone Legacy #3

ABOUT V E HUNTLEY

V.E. Huntley is a retired producer who has spent her life telling stories in one way or another. Just ask her cats. They had to endure a lifetime of her endlessly reciting entire dialogue scenes to them, even though all they desperately wanted to do was nap.

Her childhood fear of Dracula was so intense that she couldn’t sleep without the lights on and her mother guarding her bedroom door. Over time, this fear evolved into a lifelong obsession with the dark and twisted world of vampires and the concept of immortality. So, after more than two decades in the film and television industry, she ultimately chose to pursue her true passion—writing dark and sexy paranormal romance.

Besides writing, her hobbies include reading, watching movies, traveling, and keeping her husband busy with an endless honey-do list.

Website

MY V E HUNTLEY REVIEWS

Damnation (The Bloodstone Legacy, Book I)
Atonement (The Bloodstone Legacy, Book II)
Watch Me Break (Watched In Darkness, Book I)
Watch Me Burn (Watched In Darkness, Book Ii)

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Review – Facing Nightfall by Michael B Chikondi @M_B_Chikondi #facingnightfall

Posted on December 23, 2025 by fundinmental

Amazon / KindleUnlimited / Goodread

MY REVIEW

Facing Nightfall: The Sunrise Saga by Michael B Chikondi is his first novel and I am glad that he brought it into the light. This dark, gothic, eerie novel can be described as a coming of age novel for Abbey Sharp. I love that she climbs out her window and has a hideaway on the roof where she observes her surroundings while smoking cigarettes.

Abbey and her friend, Lewis, wander the streets at night fighting against the darkness that calls to them. They will face more than the supernatural. They will question their life, their loyalty will be tested and it will take a lot of strength to resist the evil taking over the town.

MIchael B Chikondi blends the supernatural with humanity, making the characters question their choices. I found Facing Nightfall to be an original take on a familiar tale and I do love my vampires, so getting lost in Abbey’s story was exciting, making it hard to stop reading. It’s 419 pages of deliciousness.

I have read numerous novels by Michael B Chikondi, but this is my favorite.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos — 5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

When the quiet town of Masham falls under the shadow of something ancient and merciless, Abbey Sharp finds herself drawn into a struggle far larger than late-night smokes on the rooftop and her parents’ weary routines.
As night stretches on, whispers of missing people, strange broadcasts, and creatures that shouldn’t exist unravel the fabric of normal life. Abbey and her friend Lewis are forced to confront a terrifying the town is infested with vampires, and survival demands more than just keeping the lights on.
But in a world where allegiances blur and even family can change overnight, Abbey must decide how much of herself she’s willing to sacrifice. Is she strong enough to resist the seductive pull of power, or will she lose everything in the fight against the darkness?
Facing Nightfall is a gothic, atmospheric vampire tale where loyalty is tested, blood is bargained, and the night never truly ends.

Genre: Fiction, Gothic, Horror, Paranormal, Supernatural, Vampires
419 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2025

ABOUT MICHAEL B CHIKONDI (from Amazon)

Michael B. Chikondi is not to be trusted, but the creature agrees to a meeting in its burrow. We enter with trepidation, given that the thing has no doorbell. As we crawl through the narrow tunnel, gored out by its own teeth, by the texture, we hear what can only be described as a hacking cough.

“Can we approach?” we call.

“No soliciting.” the voice returns.

“You sent for us; you told us to ask you questions. You know, for promotional reasons.”

“Ask.” the dread voice responds.

“Alright, who are you?” we try.

“A creature of mist and shadow, half-mad, I used to go out, I did, and know those…humans. Not now, not since…the pen.”

“You found a pen? That’s why you became a writer?” we ask, now terrified, trying to gauge how fast we can leave the burrow. The photographer has already left us, chewing off his own watch, caught on a tree root.

“Yes, but now…I hunger…”

We are not proud; we turn tail and flee, before it can leave its den. We aren’t paid enough to get a full bio. We can only pray someone buys its books, so that the thing never comes out on its own.

Ed. What the hell is this? This isn’t what we requested. Just some nonsense and an artist’s rendition of what one of my people saw before he contracted rabies? Eh, whatever. Plenty more writers in the sea.

MY MICHAEL B CHIKONDI REVIEWS

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Sizzling Hot – Review – Watch Me Burn by V E Huntley #VEHuntley #watchmeburn

Posted on December 3, 2025 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Watch Me Burn. Book II picks up where Book I, Watch Me Break by V E Huntley, left off. We’ve met the cast of characters: Luna, the main female character, Damien, the main male character, Maren, Luna’s quirky and lovable best friend, Cade, Damien’s COO, Shadow, Luna’s wolf protector, Ricky, the boob loving raccoon, and more.

Luna and Damien’s romance is dark. They have a lot of kink in their love making, so if you are squeamish, Watch Me Burn may not be for you. Myself, I love dark and disturbing. I love that Damien is also a serial killer, meting out justice to those who torture and kill animals. We learn why he does what he does.

I was lost in the story. I couldn’t stop reading. My eyes were crossing and I felt like I needed a shower when I was finished. We do have some fun moments, where I found myself laughing out loud. I love Maren. She has a big personality and I would love to have a best friend like her. She has no judgments, but when secrets are exposed, she lays down the law to Damien.

I love Epilogues and V E Huntley wrapped up Luna and Damien’s story is a happy ever after way. I do love when the story ends on a positive note….And, In Watch Me Burn, we learn more about Cade, and I can hardly wait to see what V E Huntley does with him and Maren in Book III. I am so happy they will get their own story.

GOODREADS BLURB

She opened her curtains. He opened his heart. Now nothing will ever be the same. Damien Wolfe lives by three rules that have never failed him. But rules are made to be broken. And one smile from Dr. Luna Foster breaks them all. When she shatters everything he believes about control, Damien realizes he’s lost more than just his rules—he’s lost his soul to the one woman who sees his monster and calls him beautiful.

Luna thinks she understands predators—but when she becomes the obsession of a man who kills for a living, she discovers that terror and desire often share the same heartbeat. As she transforms from victim to willing participant in their twisted dance, Luna discovers that some stalkers’ violence is a form of worship.

But can love survive when built on secrets, lies and blood?

Watch Me Burn is the second installment in the dark, sensual Watched in Darkness Series, where fear becomes desire when the right monster is watching.

Fans of H. D. Carlton’s Haunting Adeline, Navessa Allen’s Lights Out, and Sheridan Anne’s Pretty Monster will devour this unforgettable series where love and violence go hand in hand.

This is a dark romance containing mature themes, graphic violence, explicit sexual situations, and morally ambiguous characters. Intended for adult readers who enjoy psychologically complex relationships and anti-hero love interests. Please see the author’s website for a full list of trigger/content warnings.

Genre: Dark Romance, Fiction, Vigilante Justice
417 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication December 3, 2025

ABOUT V E HUNTLEY

Besides writing, her hobbies include reading, watching movies, traveling, and keeping her husband busy with an endless honey-do list.

Website

MY V E HUNTLEY REVIEWS

Damnation (The Bloodstone Legacy, Book I)
Atonement (The Bloodstone Legacy, Book II)
Watch Me Break (Watched In Darkness, Book I)

You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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Giveaway & Preorder of She’s Going To Pay by Alexandra Ivy @AlexandraIvy #shesgoingtopay

Posted on October 3, 2025 by fundinmental

She’s Going To Pay by Alexandra Ivy is up for preorder, with a publishing date of 10.28.25.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I won a copy of She’s Going To Pay by Alexandra Ivy from a Goodreads Giveaway and I wasted no time cracking open the book and diving right in. I’m glad I did. I was immediately drawn into this twisty, unpredictable mystery. We have lots of danger and a sprinkle of romance.

The characters, well, some were easy to get to know and others were a total shock to me. We have lies, secrets, betrayals. And…just when you think you know someone….SURPRISE! Think again.

I love an author who can surprise me, and Alexandra Ivy did that with a book that keeps on giving until the very end. At times, I thought….this is the end. But, wait. There’s more. At times, I thought I knew what was coming next, but Alexandra Ivy doesn’t make it that easy. I do love a book that keeps on giving and I was left with a smile on my face when all was said and done.

I can’t believe that She’s Going To Pay by Alexandra Ivy is my first book of hers. but it won’t be my last. She is a prolific author and while I was checking her out further, I see that has many scrumptious books that are my target reading.

GOODREADS BLURB

In a tense, twisting novel of domestic suspense from New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Ivy, a woman returns to her sleepy Missouri hometown and discovers her family’s grisly secrets . . .

Leaving Canton, Missouri, behind was no hardship for Jesse Hudson. When she was a teenager, her stepmother and stepsister abruptly disappeared under suspicious circumstances. Their bodies were never found, but Jesse’s father, Mac, became a murder suspect. When he too vanished, Jesse waited months for him to return. Finally, she left, bouncing from one bartending job to another for years.

Now Jesse is back, hoping to quickly sell her father’s old bar before moving on for good. But coming home to Canton’s quiet, cobblestone streets doesn’t go quite as expected. There are memories resurfacing, and ties that haven’t broken. Then her father’s lawyer makes a startling admission: before he disappeared, Mac had discovered that Jesse’s stepmother, Victoria, was living under an assumed name. “Victoria Hudson” never even existed. Who was she really?

Delving deeper, Jesse grows convinced that her father’s assumed death is tied to Victoria’s real identity. And looking to the past is yielding more than secrets. Someone has been waiting for this homecoming, for a chance to unleash revenge for sins real and imagined. And they’ll make sure that Jesse never leaves town again . . .

Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
304 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 28, 2025 by Kensington

ABOUT ALEXANDRA IVY

I’m not exactly sure when I fell in love with books. Probably on my mother’s knee listening to her read Dr. Seuss to me. I do remember that I was barely old enough to cross the street by myself when I discovered the delights of the local library. Could anything be more wonderful than spending summer days surrounded by stacks of Nancy Drew mysteries? Over the years I fell in love with Victoria Holt, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, and J.R.R. Tolkien just to name a few. I read poetry, essays, biographies, and plays. In fact, I read anything I could get my hands on.

Years later (no, I’m not admitting how many) I’m still an avid reader, and my tastes are still as varied as they were in my youth, which I suppose helps to explain why I enjoy writing regency historicals under the name of Deborah Raleigh, as well as my contemporary paranormals as Alexandra Ivy. For now that is enough to keep me busy, but who knows what the future might hold!

I do have a few other loves in my life besides reading and writing, the most important being my unbelievably patient husband, David, and my two sons, Chance and Alexander. Without their constant support and belief in me, I never could have been able to follow my dreams. They are truly my heroes.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Bookbub

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Review – Cry Of Blood And Joy by M Guida #mguida #cryofbloodandjoy

Posted on October 2, 2025 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

M Guida had put out a call through her newsletter for ARC readers, for Cry Of Blood And Joy. When I read the blurb and saw the eye catching cover, I knew it was for me. That prompted me to buy the first book in the series, Oath Of Blood And Joy. I didn’t hesitate at the $.99 price. A steal, because Joy’s story just keeps getting better and better. The big thing is to not spoil anything for you. I am sure you will want to discover all the goodness between the pages for yourself.

Cry Of Blood And Joy by M Guida picks up where Oath Of Blood And Joy left off. Joy has no control over her powers, and when she hurts her best friend because of it, the vampire mafia king goes on a rampage . Serenity may be her best friend, but she is the vampire king’s wife. Joy, Enzo, and Joy’s brother, Steve, are running for their lives.

We have alternating points of view with Joy and Enzo.

There is nonstop action. The story unfolded at a rapid pace. The danger and suspense is off the charts, filled with nail biting moments, and times where I felt like yelling at the characters, don’t go there, don’t do that. Unputdownable. Amazing story with a fast tempo. Once it grabbed me, it never let me go.

I had saved the man I loved by potentially dooming the entire world.

We end with another cliffhanger, of sorts. If we have to have a stopping point, this is a good spot. BUT, when do we get a glimpse of Pride Of Blood And Joy? I do see it coming soon and I can hardly wait to get my hands on it.

GOODREADS BLURB

He fell first. She fell harder. Now they’re both falling into hell.
When Joy’s powers exploded and wounded the vampire mafia king’s mate, she signed their death warrant. Now she and her ruthless enforcer protector are the most hunted fugitives in New Orleans—and he’d burn the world down before letting anyone touch her.

Desperate, he makes a deal with the Dark Fae Mafia king. But when the fae’s prized stone disappears, every bloody death gets pinned on the enforcer. Someone’s playing puppet master, and they’re the perfect fall guys.

Then they take Joy’s brother.

Come alone or he dies.

She runs. He follows. They both get captured.

Big mistake.

Because now they’ve uncovered a conspiracy that makes vampire mafia politics look like child’s play—and the enemy has been pulling their strings from the very beginning.
Touch her and die was never just a threat. It was a promise.

Cry of Blood and Joy is the explosive second book in the French Quarter Vampire Enforcer series. A forbidden romance where star-crossed lovers collide with vampire mafia vendettas in a deadly game that will leave you breathless and craving more.

Genre: Angels And Demons, Fantasy, Louisiana, Nephilim, Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural, Vampires, Werewolves
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2025
Series: French Quarter Vampire Enforcer #2

ABOUT M GUIDA

M Guida has always loved fantasy and romance, especially dragons. Growing up, she devoured fantasy books and all kinds of young adult books. And then she found romance and a whole new world opened up to her.

Now as an adult, she fell in love with academy romance and has blended all of her past loves into one compelling series. Dragons, vampires, elves, demons, and shifters all attend Legacy Academy.

When she’s not writing, she lives in the colorful Rocky Mountains with her fur baby, Raven, and enjoys taking her for walks.

Would you like to become a Legacy? Sign up for her mailing list and enter a world of the supernatural. https://geni.us/akJn

You can also join her private Facebook page-Legacy Academy https://geni.us/aksDhUZ You’ll become a legacy and find out about your special power and maybe even find some romance!

MY M GUIDA REVIEWS

Oath Of Blood And Joy

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Scrumdiddlyumptious – Wicked Believer by Kait Ballenger @kait_ballenger #wickedbeliever

Posted on September 12, 2025 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I am super excited to be back in Charlotte and Lucifer’s world in the Wicked Believer by Kait Ballenger, the sequel to Original Sinner. Let’s do a recap. God brought Lucifer and the seven deadly sins to New York City…and vanished. A celestial war is on the horizon. Charlotte is no longer the good little Christian. Not since Lucifer got his hands on her. She is walking on the dark side, growing and learning to stand on her own. The sex is sizzling hot. He is the dominant and she is the submissive, but…

Queen of my own damned life. Queen of my own goddamn choices.

“Not a fallen angel. Not a demon. Not a human, but something else in between.”

There are a lot of triggers in Charlotte and Lucifer’s erotic world, so be sure you are ready to walk on the dark side. I was lost in it. The darker it got, the more intense it felt. I loved all the changes that Charlotte is going through. I loved being on the sidelines and watching sides being taken as the apocalypse approaches. Charlotte is not going to stand behind Lucifer and let him drive the boat,. She’s going to be front and center. The kink level rises, and Charlotte does not shy away from it. She embraces it. I was reading along, white knuckled, eager to read the next word, the next sentence, the next chapter, and then….it came to an end.

I love everything about Wicked Believer and I want to thank Kait Ballenger and Montlake for the opportunity to read and review it. I can hardly wait for the next book, seeing there is war on the horizon.

GOODREADS BLURB

Author Kait Ballenger whips up a spicy sequel to Original Sinner, a no-holds-barred dark romance where the devil and his queen-to-be explore the bounds of kink, even as they stand on the brink of war.

I wasn’t always immortal. And I’m not sure I’ll ever get the hang of it. Not like Lucifer, a.k.a. Pride. He and the other seven deadly sins, the high-profile billionaires who run this city, make the divine life look easy.

I came to New York a good, if damaged, Christian girl. Then Lucifer opened my eyes to the darkness. To the hunger burning inside me. To a world of pain and pleasure like nothing I’ve ever known. Now it’s all I crave. He’s all I crave.

But as I grapple with this new existence—and the events that led me to it—unseen forces push me and Lucifer apart. Paparazzi track my every move, Lucifer’s family plays their wicked games, and I hardly know who I am anymore. Or who I’m meant to be.

A celestial war is brewing, and Lucifer’s siblings are out for blood—and the dark power inside me calls me to join the fight.

Genre: Dark Romance, Erotica, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural
453 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 9, 2025 by Montlake
Series: Original Sinners #2

ABOUT KAIT BALLENGER

MY KAIT BALLENGER REVIEWS