en-US Mon, 27 Jan 2025 06:25:30 -0800 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg 63102071
When the queen is exiled, every beautiful young woman in Florencia is forced to become kingsmaids - royal concubines - but one lucky girl from those gathered will be chosen as queen.

Or maybe not so lucky.

Roxana Willows, a wingless fairy with the rare ability to read minds, has seen King Frederick’s cruelty in the stories her uncle tells, and fears that the only thing worse than being a kingsmaid is being the king’s wife. While her heart already belongs to another, she feels obligated to obey her uncle when he tells her to hide her heritage as a fairy in hopes of being chosen as queen.

But becoming queen is the last thing Roxana wants, and it will cost her everything...

A Crown of Chains is a fantasy retelling of the Biblical story of Queen Esther, with fresh twists based on the original context that is sure to thrill in this timeless tale of miracles in the midst of forgotten faith. Filled with political intrigue, forbidden romance, and dire stakes, A Crown of Chains is perfect for fans of Red Queen, The Selection, and The Cruel Prince.]]> 468 Erin Phillips Megan 5 I couldn’t put this book down

I’ll admit this wasn’t my genre. But wow. The writing, the characters, the inner conflict and hard choices kept me turning pages well into the middle of the night. I tend to like fighter characters and this wasn’t one of those characters but I found myself convicted and encouraged by the end of the story. God is faithful even in the messes we create or the messes thrust on us. The magic system in this was so cool and used perfectly to impact the story. The dialog and action beats and descriptions were on point. The world building with the fairies and other creatures made everything so much more intriguing. And oh my gosh the villains in this made me want to burn this book at times, which is always a compliment to an author lol. Give this book a chance. You won’t regret it!]]> 4.21 2022
author: Erin Phillips
name: Megan
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/27
date added: 2025/01/27
shelves:
review:
I couldn’t put this book down

I’ll admit this wasn’t my genre. But wow. The writing, the characters, the inner conflict and hard choices kept me turning pages well into the middle of the night. I tend to like fighter characters and this wasn’t one of those characters but I found myself convicted and encouraged by the end of the story. God is faithful even in the messes we create or the messes thrust on us. The magic system in this was so cool and used perfectly to impact the story. The dialog and action beats and descriptions were on point. The world building with the fairies and other creatures made everything so much more intriguing. And oh my gosh the villains in this made me want to burn this book at times, which is always a compliment to an author lol. Give this book a chance. You won’t regret it!
]]> 214521640
With her memories returned, Larissa is expected to lead the rebellion in a war against Empress Shiko based on a prophecy the Norn told her mother decades ago. Only, Larissa was never told the entire prophecy, and the Empress’ War Dog is already hunting her. To save her kingdom and her sister Halla, who’s been captured by slavers, Larissa will answer the Fate’s call. Accompanied by Darien, who has to choose between his kingdom and his heart, and Anara, who must ally with an unlikely enemy, Larissa will do the unthinkable to liberate her people.

Survive or be destroyed by the strangling threads of prophecy and fate in this YA dystopian fantasy.]]> Kayla Ann Megan 5
I was afraid to read this after reading Well of Dreams—what if the author doesn’t die the characters justice in the sequel?! Boy, was I happily surprised! Tree of ash is an amazing sequel that not only does justice and makes the original characters grow, it brings in new POVs and side characters that bring their A game! So many side characters are useless in books, but not in this one! They make the main characters question things, challenge them, AND they bring with them their culture and wonderful world building.

What else can I say? The magic is fun, but limited to its never over powerful. The action and romance was gripping but never overdone or too detailed. The pacing, dialog, and descriptions were perfect. The finally was oh so good! And the twists were brilliant. I flew through this book in 2 days…so yeah I enjoyed it lol. Please give this book a chance, you won’t regret it! ]]> 4.92
author: Kayla Ann
name: Megan
average rating: 4.92
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2024/12/24
date added: 2024/12/28
shelves:
review:
A page-turning fantasy that brings lovable characters, gripping action, and clean, yet swoon worthy romance.

I was afraid to read this after reading Well of Dreams—what if the author doesn’t die the characters justice in the sequel?! Boy, was I happily surprised! Tree of ash is an amazing sequel that not only does justice and makes the original characters grow, it brings in new POVs and side characters that bring their A game! So many side characters are useless in books, but not in this one! They make the main characters question things, challenge them, AND they bring with them their culture and wonderful world building.

What else can I say? The magic is fun, but limited to its never over powerful. The action and romance was gripping but never overdone or too detailed. The pacing, dialog, and descriptions were perfect. The finally was oh so good! And the twists were brilliant. I flew through this book in 2 days…so yeah I enjoyed it lol. Please give this book a chance, you won’t regret it!
]]> 220630853 A dangerous serum. An elusive cure. A battle for hope.

And it will bring TJ Collins to his knees.

Two weeks after escaping the Draft, Rev, TJ, and the rest of their group have found refuge in the halls of the UND. The respite is short-lived, however, when a startling discovery about Holland’s plans sends the organization into a desperate Holland’s team has developed a serum to ensure total control of the Draft kids. And TJ’s sister Riya is the first victim.

When Rev leads a mission to Ordinem to retrieve information for a cure, the return brings her past back to haunt her. Meanwhile, TJ—just beginning to recover from his time at the Draft headquarters—has a run-in with two mysterious strangers and quickly learns there’s much more to them than meets the eye. And despite what TJ wants to believe about his connection to the Draft, one thing is becoming increasingly clear.

TJ still has a critical role to play.

With the threat of the serum hanging over their heads and the clock ticking down to find a cure, Rev and TJ must fight to keep up hope. Can they take down the Draft and save the ones they love, while healing from the pasts they can’t seem to escape?]]> Tommie Michele 1965948006 Megan 4
I flew through this book. Some parts had their slow/drawn out moments, but there was always something keeping me from putting the book down—either a character secret to reveal or an intriguing plot thread to learn more about. TJ had a HUGE part in this story, and I can understand why because of what happened in book 2. The author held back no punches, and I loved that. Too many times Christians write action stories that don’t show the darkness (so to better highlight the light later) The author did a spectacular job keeping me engaged with every action sequence, showing the dark side of humanity (without glorifying it) and bringing home some deep themes that hit me hard.

The only reason I’m giving it a 4 and not a 5 is because personally I felt some of the plot/secrets were a bit contrived at times. Some characters fell flat while others characters SHINED. I felt one character wasn’t given enough page time and their setups from book 1 weren’t payed off well in this book. But another character (one of my favs now) got plenty of page time and his plot line with Adrian and Reiko was really great. Honestly, it’s one big reason I kept turning the pages.

In summery, this book is definitely worth the read if you like gritty action, themes of hope and forgiveness, a strong cast of characters, and a fun superhero plot that keeps you guessing. Great job, Tommie! Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC for this, it really was a good story and I pray others will be touched by its message.]]> 4.67
author: Tommie Michele
name: Megan
average rating: 4.67
book published:
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/10/31
shelves:
review:
A superhero story about hope surviving the darkness that will grip you till the end.

I flew through this book. Some parts had their slow/drawn out moments, but there was always something keeping me from putting the book down—either a character secret to reveal or an intriguing plot thread to learn more about. TJ had a HUGE part in this story, and I can understand why because of what happened in book 2. The author held back no punches, and I loved that. Too many times Christians write action stories that don’t show the darkness (so to better highlight the light later) The author did a spectacular job keeping me engaged with every action sequence, showing the dark side of humanity (without glorifying it) and bringing home some deep themes that hit me hard.

The only reason I’m giving it a 4 and not a 5 is because personally I felt some of the plot/secrets were a bit contrived at times. Some characters fell flat while others characters SHINED. I felt one character wasn’t given enough page time and their setups from book 1 weren’t payed off well in this book. But another character (one of my favs now) got plenty of page time and his plot line with Adrian and Reiko was really great. Honestly, it’s one big reason I kept turning the pages.

In summery, this book is definitely worth the read if you like gritty action, themes of hope and forgiveness, a strong cast of characters, and a fun superhero plot that keeps you guessing. Great job, Tommie! Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC for this, it really was a good story and I pray others will be touched by its message.
]]> 213642097 Ben-Hur meets the River of Time Series in this sweeping epic portal fantasy trilogy.

Teenagers Katrina and Andrew have been bitter adversaries ever since the accident that left Katrina’s sister blind, but when a portal thrusts them into a strange, new world, their normal lives become a struggle for survival.

Cade van Cassian is seeking justice for the betrayal dealt to him by the people he trusted and trying to solve the mystery of his mother’s death. The last thing he needs is his father trying to marry him off to the girl who’s come through the portal. But Katrina and Andrew are valuable. They are those the prophecy foretold would arrive at the time of the Divide—when one nation will split into two.

Teetering on the knife’s edge of civil war, the world is ready to go up in flames. Can forgiveness unite a broken people, or are some wounds too deep to heal?]]> 347 Hannah Gaudette Megan 4 to-read
It’s not just because of the amazing pacing and well-edited dialog and descriptions, it’s because every single character grabs you and never let’s go. Each character was unique and intriguing with inner conflicts and struggles that made you feel for them. I don’t even like arranged marriages trope, but Hannah still made it quite enjoyable. I enjoyed the world-building and found it to be a fun, unique twist on normal portal fantasies and prophecies tropes. In fact I would have wished to learn more about all of that, so I cannot wait to read the next book to find out more about it. Speaking of needing the next book, the plot twists and character arcs in this one–-man they were so good! Though some of the characters fell a little flat off and on, other characters SHINED to take their place. Cade was certainly my favorite character, and I’m so excited to see what this character does in the second book. If you love portal fantasies, great dialog and inner thoughts, a cast of intriguing characters, and prophecies of doom, check this book out!
]]> 4.65
author: Hannah Gaudette
name: Megan
average rating: 4.65
book published:
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/10/12
shelves: to-read
review:
Divide is a story you will fly through!

It’s not just because of the amazing pacing and well-edited dialog and descriptions, it’s because every single character grabs you and never let’s go. Each character was unique and intriguing with inner conflicts and struggles that made you feel for them. I don’t even like arranged marriages trope, but Hannah still made it quite enjoyable. I enjoyed the world-building and found it to be a fun, unique twist on normal portal fantasies and prophecies tropes. In fact I would have wished to learn more about all of that, so I cannot wait to read the next book to find out more about it. Speaking of needing the next book, the plot twists and character arcs in this one–-man they were so good! Though some of the characters fell a little flat off and on, other characters SHINED to take their place. Cade was certainly my favorite character, and I’m so excited to see what this character does in the second book. If you love portal fantasies, great dialog and inner thoughts, a cast of intriguing characters, and prophecies of doom, check this book out!

]]> 199526678 Protection. Justice. Order.

Three words that haunt Reverie Adams every day.

For years, the government has advertised the Draft as necessary to preserve the future of Ordinem. Sacrifice a little freedom for the protection of all. But for Rev, that sacrifice struck a little too close to home.

Known to most of Ordinem as the Archer, Rev has turned vigilante with a single to avenge her little sister's disappearance eleven years ago and eliminate those responsible for the Draft. Upon taking out her latest targets, however, Rev makes a discovery that derails her TJ and Riya Collins, their two secret children. Against her better judgment, Rev takes on the responsibility of keeping the two safe. And, despite her efforts, she forms a tenuous bond with them.

When the leader of the Draft puts a target on TJ's back, Rev will have to risk everything for the people she cares about--even if it means putting her mission on the line and confronting the shadows of her past.

If you enjoyed the suspense of Marie Lu's Warcross and the fast-paced action of the TV show Arrow, you'll love the thrilling adventure of Drafted. Join Rev in her quest for vengeance--and the truth.]]> 377 Tommie Michele Megan 4 a fun ride of masks, action, secrets and an epic climax

From the cover I was hoping for a good old action-packed superhero story and boy did I get that! The characters were great, yet flawed. Their dialog and action beats were so well done. I fully enjoyed the world of Ordinam, the enforcers, the villain, and the conflict rising in each chapter!

The only reason this isn’t five stars is because I kept getting pulled out of the story and skimmed white a bit anytime the author summarized events I had just read and explained things to characters in a exposition heavy way.

But other than that, I this book was fantastic! I flew through it, grasped onto each secret and Betrayal with glee. Oh, and the climax was SO good! I have read so many books that don’t get this right (nor the all is lost moment) and the author nailed it! I was turning pages lightning speed the last 20% of the book, satisfied and excited with each payoff the author had setup in the book.

And let’s not forget the great themes of forgiveness and trust. It’s so refreshing to read an action-packed story with deep themes.

Well, done, Tommie! A great, layered superhero story I will be telling people about!]]> 4.47
author: Tommie Michele
name: Megan
average rating: 4.47
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/18
date added: 2024/09/18
shelves:
review:
a fun ride of masks, action, secrets and an epic climax

From the cover I was hoping for a good old action-packed superhero story and boy did I get that! The characters were great, yet flawed. Their dialog and action beats were so well done. I fully enjoyed the world of Ordinam, the enforcers, the villain, and the conflict rising in each chapter!

The only reason this isn’t five stars is because I kept getting pulled out of the story and skimmed white a bit anytime the author summarized events I had just read and explained things to characters in a exposition heavy way.

But other than that, I this book was fantastic! I flew through it, grasped onto each secret and Betrayal with glee. Oh, and the climax was SO good! I have read so many books that don’t get this right (nor the all is lost moment) and the author nailed it! I was turning pages lightning speed the last 20% of the book, satisfied and excited with each payoff the author had setup in the book.

And let’s not forget the great themes of forgiveness and trust. It’s so refreshing to read an action-packed story with deep themes.

Well, done, Tommie! A great, layered superhero story I will be telling people about!
]]> 213999081
Marked by the Bronze Crescent said to corrupt one's soul, eighteen-year-old Ezro Valorian is among the few able to fight the vicious netherbeasts ravaging Paran'dan. But when the family he's suffered to protect betrays him for his treasonous beliefs, Ezro loses everything he's risked his soul for. 

Desperate for purpose, he pursues a lost traveler, hoping to rescue her from the dangerous beasts in the desert. However, when he finds her, he learns she's more than a traveler. She's Vaeryn Seraphine, a descendant of their kingdom's slain protector, and she's seeking her family's divine power so she can restore the order of the Luminors and save the kingdom. But to reach this hidden power, Vaeryn must traverse a perilous canyon, and without the Bronze Crescent, she is defenseless against the beasts therein.

Ezro offers his aid, and the two begin the dangerous quest. But is one man enough to face a canyon of monsters?]]> 252 A.M. Daylin Megan 4 4.77
author: A.M. Daylin
name: Megan
average rating: 4.77
book published:
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/08/12
shelves:
review:
This was a story that melds lovable characters with deep truths and vivid world-building that will take your breath away! I thoroughly enjoyed the two leads! Their banter and conflict wasn’t contrived or cheesy. The creatures they faced were cool, yet scary. As far as pacing, dialog, and flashbacks go—aces! Perfectly flawless execution. Many screw up the climax and the end of a story (especially in Romantasies) but not this author. I was captivated right till the last page, and don’t get me started on the interwoven subtle themes of the gospel and light that God provides. Oh! So good! I look forward to read what this author writes next!
]]> 198904504 The gods predicted the end, but they never counted on mankind's will to survive...

After an apocalyptic event that left the world in ruin, the surviving nation of Evrópa returns to the reverence of ancestral magic and mystic runes. Seventeen-year-old Larissa Daldóttir has little time to dwell on such folklore—not with a monthly produce quota to meet and an illegal second-born sister to hide. Enslavement, if not death at the hands of the Empress, awaits her family should Halla be discovered.

When Larissa is mistaken to be in league with the resistance against the Empress, she must flee with Halla. Wounded and hunted by agents of the Empress, Larissa’s survival relies on a mercurial shapeshifter and a mysteriously familiar young man from her forgotten past.

Running from both her past and the Empress, Larissa has no choice but to trust in the tenuous bonds built through heartache and tragedy. In a race to find the resistance before the Empress finds them, Larissa and Halla unintentionally unravel secrets of their history that not only unhinge the stability of the crown but their very lives.]]> 408 Kayla Ann Megan 5
This book had such an amazing cast of characters that were memorable, flawed yet epic. I LOVED the main leads, and the side characters were ones I was praying wouldn’t get killed off on every pages lol.

The world building was fun and gripping with the slavers and sentries around every corner. I loved the mythology intertwined with the plot and backstories.

The author did a fantastic job writing this. Not only were the pros and descriptions vivid, gripping, and almost touchable, they pulled me into the story, and the characters made it impossible to let go. The way the author fluidly went from dreamscape, flashbacks, and pov changes was incredible, and I applaud her. As a fellow author, she made me jealous how well she wrote lol.

If you like flawed but lovable characters, gripping plot and villains, some GREAT twists, a fated mates, and a kickbutt cast of side characters that will grab your heart, read h th is book! I cannot WAIT to read the next one! Well done, Kayla. Seriously, you wrote a good book, and I am quite a picky reader so that’s saying something ;)]]> 4.38 2023
author: Kayla Ann
name: Megan
average rating: 4.38
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2024/06/23
date added: 2024/06/23
shelves:
review:
a book that will hook you right till the end!

This book had such an amazing cast of characters that were memorable, flawed yet epic. I LOVED the main leads, and the side characters were ones I was praying wouldn’t get killed off on every pages lol.

The world building was fun and gripping with the slavers and sentries around every corner. I loved the mythology intertwined with the plot and backstories.

The author did a fantastic job writing this. Not only were the pros and descriptions vivid, gripping, and almost touchable, they pulled me into the story, and the characters made it impossible to let go. The way the author fluidly went from dreamscape, flashbacks, and pov changes was incredible, and I applaud her. As a fellow author, she made me jealous how well she wrote lol.

If you like flawed but lovable characters, gripping plot and villains, some GREAT twists, a fated mates, and a kickbutt cast of side characters that will grab your heart, read h th is book! I cannot WAIT to read the next one! Well done, Kayla. Seriously, you wrote a good book, and I am quite a picky reader so that’s saying something ;)
]]> 86044787
With scholarships to a prestigious military school, Grayden and Wynn are thirsty for adventure. But the night before they leave, they discover the mysterious Dalmir and his arcane orb in the forsaken tower outside of town. The old man, who seems to have a wealth of knowledge of what came before and yet so little of the now, insists on accompanying them as they travel to the academy.

Meanwhile, all pirate Captain Marik wants is to keep to the skies, take his due, and care for his crew. Then a straightforward pillaging mission on a ship of fresh academy students leads to betrayal from one of his own and an unlikely friendship forged by necessity.


Yet this new alliance stirs up ancient foes and a conflict too terrible to ignore. Despite Grayden’s inexperience and Marik’s skepticism, working together with Dalmir is their only option.


The fate of the world depends on it.

A clean steampunk fantasy adventure filled with steadfast friendship, brotherhood, twisty politics, and epic airship battles.

First in the Turrim Archive series:

The Orb and the Airship

Mantles of Oak and Iron

Hearts of Stone and Steel

The Prisoner and the Pirate

Towers of Might and Memory]]> 360 Jenelle Leanne Schmidt 0988451247 Megan 3 I would have wished for more action and thrills, seeing as this is advertised as a firefly mixed with treasure planet story, but when there was action and thrilling scenes the author did a great job describing it.
The dialog fit the voice of the characters well, and each character was pretty unique. I especially liked Mouse and Beren, and honestly the villain characters (especially their POVs) were great! I do wish the villains appeared far sooner in the story, so there was a clear antagonist, but when they did show up it was well done.
As far as pacing, there were parts that I was viciously turning pages, and there were parts I found that dragged.
I think Merrik and his second hand were my favorite characters because they had layers, backstory, and some internal conflict that kept me intrigued.
I truly appreciated how clean it was, yet not all characters were perfect (something Christian books do a lot that drive me nuts). Overall this was a light adventure story, filled with fun characters, vivid world building, and intriguing villains.
Oh! And the end definitely made me want to read the sequel! Great twist.]]> 4.31
author: Jenelle Leanne Schmidt
name: Megan
average rating: 4.31
book published:
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2024/06/20
shelves:
review:
Though this wasn’t the exact story I expected, I was pleasantly entertained by the detailed and creative world-building, politics, and intrigue of the technology and airships. The characters, though a bit flat at times, were ones you could root for. The old knight character was fun, intriguing and made me ask questions and keep turning the pages to find out all the mysteries and secrets he held.
I would have wished for more action and thrills, seeing as this is advertised as a firefly mixed with treasure planet story, but when there was action and thrilling scenes the author did a great job describing it.
The dialog fit the voice of the characters well, and each character was pretty unique. I especially liked Mouse and Beren, and honestly the villain characters (especially their POVs) were great! I do wish the villains appeared far sooner in the story, so there was a clear antagonist, but when they did show up it was well done.
As far as pacing, there were parts that I was viciously turning pages, and there were parts I found that dragged.
I think Merrik and his second hand were my favorite characters because they had layers, backstory, and some internal conflict that kept me intrigued.
I truly appreciated how clean it was, yet not all characters were perfect (something Christian books do a lot that drive me nuts). Overall this was a light adventure story, filled with fun characters, vivid world building, and intriguing villains.
Oh! And the end definitely made me want to read the sequel! Great twist.
]]> 57510164 316 J.F. Rogers Megan 5 4.65 2016
author: J.F. Rogers
name: Megan
average rating: 4.65
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2024/05/02
date added: 2024/05/02
shelves:
review:
Awesome characters with flaws but likable traits. A gripping and entertaining page-turning story with a slow burn romance you can't help but cheer on. Great descriptions, vivid world building (but not too much description to bore you), and fantastic, flowing dialog that kept me hooked from the start. Best of all, the way the author intertwined God and so much of Christ's sacrifice and love into the story without it coming off as cheesy was impressive! I loved all the of symbolism scattered throughout too. I am most assuredly getting the next book, and if you haven't read this book, fix that now lol. It's got romance, action, thrills, love, sacrifice, shapeshifters, and a strong FMC...what more could you ask for?
]]> 208621260 A standalone novella perfect for fans of James L Rubart!Bethany Holloway’s comfortable world is rocked with the untimely death of her grandmother. Worse, her grandmother’s parting words are of legends and stories—and her charge to Find the Garden of Eden.

When her grandmother’s death brings to light a long-kept family secret, Bethany begins a search for the mother she didn’t know she had. But her search intersects again with her grandmother’s cryptic pronouncements about Eden.

Bethany doesn’t believe in Eden. She doesn’t even know if she believes in God. Can she take on this quest to honor the memory of the grandmother she loved?]]> 166 Hannah Gaudette Megan 5
Oh! Also, not only is this a page turning, intriguing story—it’s a well written novella. The descriptions and dialog beats always stick to the voice of the character and every moment you of grief, want & joy are pressed into the narration and dialog of the main character.

I recommend this novel, and I hope you give it a chance. You’ll come away from reading this with a new outlook on life. I promise.
]]> 4.50
author: Hannah Gaudette
name: Megan
average rating: 4.50
book published:
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/03/29
shelves:
review:
I haven't read such a satisfying ending to a novel in a LONG time. Eden did that and more. This isn’t even my kind of genre, but the way the author made every chapter interesting, how there were so many questions to answer and intrigue to explore, the story grabbed hold of me and wouldn’t let go. The character was relatable and layered, and the sub characters all had something special to them that enhanced the story and worked well with the main character. And the themes in this story—oh my gosh—everyone needs to read about it. If you struggle with loss, if you ever asked the question “Why does God do this?” Or even “Is God even real when all these horrible things happen?” then read this book and find the answers (then find the Bible and get those answers verified and good renewed).

Oh! Also, not only is this a page turning, intriguing story—it’s a well written novella. The descriptions and dialog beats always stick to the voice of the character and every moment you of grief, want & joy are pressed into the narration and dialog of the main character.

I recommend this novel, and I hope you give it a chance. You’ll come away from reading this with a new outlook on life. I promise.

]]>