It has been thirteen years since the war started, the bombs were dropped, and the central states became a thing of the past. When the war ended, a wall was erected to divide the surviving states from those destroyed. I never expected to go beyond the wall, but unlike all the others who volunteered to go, I wasn’t given a choice.
With a dim knowledge of what I could do, the soldiers came for me. They took me beyond the wall where I learned that the truth is far more terrifying than I’d ever dreamed. Alone, with humans and demons seeking to learn what it is I can do, I find myself irresistibly drawn to the one man I should be avoiding most. One who intrigues and infuriates me. One who is not even a man, not really.
Kobal,
My entire life, I’ve had only one mission, reclaim my throne from Lucifer and put right everything that was torn apart when he was cast from Heaven. It’s a mission I haven’t wavered from, not even when the humans tore open the gates and unleashed Hell on Earth.
Now, I’ve never been closer to obtaining my goal, yet I find myself risking it all because I cannot stay away from her, a human who may be the key to it all.
***There are four books in this paranormal romance series which is now complete. Not all things will be resolved in this book. Due to sexual content, violence, and language, this book is recommended for readers 18+ years of age.***
The Road to Hell Series Complete Reading Order:
Good Intentions (Book 1)
Carved (Book 2)
The Road (Book 3)
Into Hell (Book 4)
Review of Good Intentions
Good Intentions is the first book in the Road to Hell series by USA Today bestselling author Brenda K. Davies. The story follows River, a young woman who shoulders the responsibility of caring for her two younger siblings and mother in post-apocalyptic New England. With the center of the United States considered a dead zone, and a massive wall separating it from the barely surviving outer states, life is filled with dread and speculation about what the wall could be keeping out. Unfortunately, volunteers are routinely asked to join military forces at the Wall to assist in some capacity. In addition to volunteers, anyone who displays odd abilities are asked to come forward- willing or unwilling. Unfortunately for River, she happens to harbor secret abilities that she truly doesn’t understand herself. This secret is brought to light during a moment of bitter betrayal, and River finds herself in the undesirable position of being escorted to the ominous wall.
Kobal is a powerful demon in search of a person with special abilities who is possibly the key to saving the world and defeating Lucifer. Beyond the wall, he and his demon followers help to train the volunteers to protect the wall and fight lower demons who have escaped hell to wreak havoc on the bare remnants of the world. However, what he did not count on was finally finding the key to Lucifer’s destruction within a woman who tempts him.
River and Kobal’s chemistry is sizzling! Kobal takes River under his wing and personally sees to training her how to fight. This allows for ample opportunity for the characters to become acquainted and to navigate the emotions erupting within them. You can practically feel the sexual tension and interest leaping off the pages in some of their more heated encounters. I also love how a young, mostly human woman can bring out the good aspects in a demon notorious for his savagery and strength. Kobal is not a demon anyone would wish to cross- as was demonstrated, in such a graphic and decidedly uncomfortable way, with a former flame who should have thought twice before making the move they did.
The vivid imagery, the passion, the adventure, and heart-pounding action makes this book a MUST-READ!! I was thoroughly engrossed in Good Intentions…completely and utterly engrossed. Maybe even a little obsessed? Can’t wait to snag the next two novels in the series!!
From the New York Times bestselling author of Twist Me comes an addictive, thrilling tale of dark love set on post-invasion Earth…
In the near future, the Krinar rule the Earth. An advanced race from another galaxy, they are still a mystery to us—and we are completely at their mercy.
Shy and innocent, Mia Stalis is a college student in New York City who's led a normal life. Like most people, she’s never had any interactions with the invaders—until one fateful day in the park changes everything. Having caught Korum’s eye, she must now contend with a powerful, dangerously seductive Krinar who wants to possess her and will stop at nothing to make her his own.
How far would you go to regain your freedom? How much would you sacrifice to help your people? What choice will you make when you begin to fall for your enemy?
Note: This is book 1 of a completed trilogy. All three books are now available.
Review of Close Liaisons
Close Liaisons is the first novel in the Krinar Chronicles series by New York Times bestselling author Anna Zaires. This turbulent story follows Mia Stalis, a young human woman attending college as a psychology major, and Korum- a charismatic, dangerous, and forbidden extraterrestrial. A charmed childhood with loving parents, an impressive college experience, a close best friend, and a future mapped out- Mia has led a decent and peaceful life- though her love-life has been less than ideal. However, this predictable and simple life crashes around Mia due to an unexpected encounter with a man from a distant planet.
Korum is a brilliant extraterrestrial man from a planet called Krina. With his people living freely, and openly, among humans after announcing their presence, Korum can focus on his work as an engineer, while simultaneously trying to discover rebel Krinars and humans. His work inevitably leads to a chance encounter with Mia in a park- which leads to a whirlwind of obsession, passion, betrayal, and an explosive conclusion.
It was fascinating reading and learning about the authors imaginative world of Krinars. I found myself fascinated by the unique technology created by Korum, as well as their idea of “good” food (blech!). Whenever Korum’s obsessiveness and controlling ways irritated me, I had to remind myself that he comes from an entirely different planet. Mia is a well-educated and sensible young woman, however, some of her decisions in the story left me questioning just how sensible she is. It was one of those situations where I had to remind myself that she is, technically, in a very unique situation (you know, practically being kept hostage by a thousand-year-old extraterrestrial man with control issues) which can make rational thought disappear at times. I have to say I was surprised that Mia was able to keep the secret of her unwitting involvement with the rebels all the way until the end- I was so sure she would spill the beans because of how guilty she was feeling.
The story was fast-paced, imaginative, thrilling, and passionate! My love-hate relationship with both characters kept me emotionally invested until the very last page. I can’t wait to see how this delightful slice of cosmic relationship turmoil plays out in the next two books. Eek!
Embyr tends her tavern while keeping her dangerous parentage a secret, until she's attacked by a hellhound and saved by one of the most feared men in history.
For the last eight hundred years, Ryder McLennon, the infamous leader of Death's Horsemen, has used his army to hunt the vampire who killed his wife. He's earned a reputation as a murderous madman. But in Embyr, he discovers something that could turn the tide of battle in his favor. Her control over fire can reduce an enemy to ash and her flippant disregard of him heats his blood in ways no one else ever has. She's beautiful, powerful and completely different from her violence-loving brethren.
Embyr finds herself thrust into a war she wants no part of, targeted by a vicious vampire because of her cooperation with Ryder. As she learns to wield her demonic powers without letting the madness of her race overcome her, she also has to fight her attraction to a killer bent on her seduction.
Review
By: April Hughes
Fire’s Kiss is a standalone, paranormal romance novel written by author Brittany Pate. The story follows Embyr, a half-demon tavern owner, who hides on the fringes of society afraid to reveal her ominous parentage. Embyr lives a quiet life on the edge of the town Al’Din, her parents have perished, and she is close to only one person- a former female assassin with a fondness for ale. However, this all changes when the leader of the formidable Horsemen shows up in her tavern one evening wearing a grotesque mask made of animal’s skins. This leader, Ryder McLennon, rumored to be a heartless savage, convinces Embyr to assist him in his war with the vampire named Atrarius.
The intensity and chemistry between Ryder and Embyr remains consistent throughout the novel. It never dims, not from the moment Ryder first corners Embyr in the tavern, from when he spirits her way to his castle and helps her unlock the power lying dormant within her, or when he leaves for an incredible length of time and returns to win her heart again. The story was rapidly moving and constantly kept my rapt attention with the interesting barrage of characters- half-demons, Horsemen, vampires, knights, dark mages, assassins, and even a Hellhound shifter. Embyr constantly grew as a character- she started off as a fearful, reclusive young woman merely experiencing life in small doses on the edge of town, only to blossom into a formidable half-demon that did a fair share of turning foes into dust and morbidly roasting the flesh off her enemies. While Embyr grew tougher, Ryder learned to soften up a bit-though it took six years for him to do so (probably the only time in the book where I was slightly disappointed in him- though I understood his reasoning…well, a little).
Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect when I first started reading Fire’s Kiss. The author was a new one for me, and the story sounded a little like the romantic version of Dungeons and Dragons…boy was I surprised! I finished the novel in ONE day- I clutched onto my kindle like I was afraid someone would rip it from my hands and read till my eyes burned. I haven’t been this engrossed in a novel in a LONG time. FIVE stars for Fire’s Kiss!
Do yourselves a favor and pick up this thrilling and fast-paced novel today!
Brittany Pate lives in Texas with her husband and son. She is a longtime lover of all things fantasy and romance. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys narrating audio books and drinking entirely too much coffee.
A standalone, full length, paranormal thriller filled with steamy wolf shifter romance.
When tragedy strikes, Phoenix Reynolds abandons her high fashion modeling career to open Brown Burro Coffee in a tiny mountain town. NFL wide receiver and wolf alpha, Ian Brody, comes to town to investigate the killings of college-aged shifters but finds his soulmate in Phoenix. Will Phoenix embrace her inner wolf and become Ian’s mate or remain a virgin in denial of her heritage? Or will the killer find her first?
Content Warning: Contains strong sexual themes/language and is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
Inside Phoenix by Roni O’Connell
Review of Inside Phoenix by Roni O’Connell
Review by: April Hughes
Inside Phoenix is a paranormal thriller and romance by Roni O’Connell. The story features Phoenix Reynolds, a young woman healing in a mountain town after experiencing a tragedy during her glamorous, modeling career, and Ian Brody- an alpha wolf using a coaching gig at a school to investigate a series of chilling murders among college-aged shifters. Phoenix is a very dynamic character struggling with her fear of unleashing the wolf within her. This fear is what compels her to avoid losing her virginity- as losing this status will trigger the release of her wolf. This fear is understandable considering she witnessed, at such a young age, the violence that these animals can inflict. Phoenix also struggles with a strained relationship with her mother. The fact that she calls her mother by her given name throughout the story, rather than the normal title and endearment, demonstrates a lack of warmth between the characters. I did enjoy Phoenix’s close relationship with her sister, Shannon. Their interactions are warm, engaging, and positively entertaining.
Ian Brody is the epitome of an alpha wolf. His staggering height and physique, coupled with his confidence and take-charge personality are a perfect challenge for Phoenix, who is equally strong in character. Ian takes an instant liking to Phoenix, and from there the story sizzles. Ian’s interactions with Phoenix incites chemistry and anticipation. I found myself eagerly devouring scene-after-scene, desperate to see the explosion between these two dominant characters when Phoenix finally barrels past her fears and uncertainties and gives into Ian’s magnetism and strength. I mean, how could she not? This is Ian freaking Brody, after all. And Ian’s younger brother Ryder isn’t too bad himself.
Finally, the threatening texts and events happening to Phoenix, coupled with the continuous murder of young wolf shifters, adds a chilling factor to the story. Amidst all the explosive chemistry and heated encounters between Phoenix and Ian, there is an element of danger. I enjoy a good mystery and will say that I was pleasantly surprised by the shocking revelation at the end of the story. Inside Phoenix ended strong and heartfelt- which is nothing less than what I would suspect after reading Phoenix’s journey. Pick up a copy on Amazon here!
ABOUT BE STILL, MY LOVE:A personal loss throws medium Tess Schafer's beliefs into question and severs her communications with "the other side". Unable to move on with her life, she takes a healing vacation to a haunted resort on the coast of Maine. Her arrival triggers a spike in paranormal activity and the return of her spiritual connection.
As the spirits of two young lovers reach out to her, Tess soon finds herself in the middle of much more than a tragic love story. Why are they afraid and why are they warning her away? Personal doubts, skeptics, a growing sense of menace and a distracting attraction to another guest will not stop her from uncovering the resort's secrets.
Review of Be Still my Love by Deborah J Hughes
Be Still, My Love is the first novel in the Tess Schafer-Medium series by fiction author Deborah J. Hughes. The story follows Tess, a grieving widow with a history of being able to communicate with “the other side”. Tess’s grief leads her to a resort, Sea Willow haven, on the coast of Maine where she hopes to find time to heal. It is while she is here that she meets the handsome and reclusive painter, and former Marine, Kade Sinclair. While Tess contends with her growing attraction to Kade, she inadvertently becomes swept up in the tragic history involving Sea Willow Haven and two lovers, Abigail and Nathan.
The novel was a perfect blend of gothic mystery, romance, and horror-though of the ghostly kind, not so much gore. With these types of novels I anticipate a huge twist at the end, so I made sure to be extra cognizant of the fact that one, if not more, of these characters was going to surprise me. So, I paid extra close attention to the dialogue, setting, and newly introduced characters. I was determined to pronounce, “Aha! I got it! I knew it was the butler!” (Mind you, there was no butler, but if there were, he/she would probably be the guilty party).
Imagine my surprise when, during the climax of the story, I was completely and utterly surprised! I mean…what the heck just happened?? How did I not see that one coming?? Those who know me know I’m quite quick to point out my guesses for murderers, suspects, and possible love interests-I am rarely wrong, mind you. So, the fact that this novel should completely flummox at the end is a welcoming, and pleasant, surprise. I love nothing more than a shocking end! Naturally, I had to flip through the pages to see what I could have possibly missed to have so inaccurately predicted this outcome.
Oh! And that scene with Kade and Tess in the tunnel…whew! I need a fan to cool me off and something to ease my throat from all the laughing I was doing.
I highly suggest this novel if you’re looking for a book with unique characters with depth, a spooky gothic locale, and a surprising mystery with an unpredictable and shocking end!
I discovered my love of reading at an early age and spent a great deal of my time devouring novels from mysteries like Nancy Drew, whimsical fantasies like Harry Potter, and eventually the turbulent and passionate stories in the romance genre, I found myself engrossed in a completely different world than this one. I believe it is through my experiences and the books I read, that I have developed a keen interest in a myriad of things. For that reason, The Vagaries of Us represents multiple areas of interest
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Good Intentions 
Close Liaisons (The Krinar Chronicles: Volume 1) 
Fire's Kiss 
Brittany Pate lives in Texas with her husband and son. She is a longtime lover of all things fantasy and romance. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys narrating audio books and drinking entirely too much coffee.
Inside Phoenix 
