Book Review: Prophecy of Darkness by Michelle Bryan & M. Lynn

Author: Michelle Bryan & M. Lynn
Title: Prophecy of Darkness
(Legends of the Tri-Gard #1)
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, YA
Format: ebook
Pages: 252 
Published: October 20th 2017
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)



The kingdom of Dreach-Sciene is dying.

Twenty years have passed since Dreach-Sciene was stripped of its power and left to wither. Erratic weather has decimated the crops, leaving the people starving and desperate. The kingdom's enemies circle around them, threatening a war that will destroy the country completely.

Their only hope is a return to magic. But twenty-year-old Prince Trystan dismisses the ancient stories as pointless fairy tales. Willing to sacrifice everything to save his people, he reluctantly begins a journey to harness the ancient power. With the help of his sister and his best friend, he must begin by reuniting the Tri-Gard: the legendary keepers of magic.

The problem? The Tri-Gard has been in hiding since the day he was born.

Dive into a fantasy where quests are not undertaken lightly, princes take themselves too seriously, and the only thing that can break a princess is falling in love.




I honestly can't remember how/why I got this from Amazon. Was it a freebie? Can't remember, but it has been collecting virtual dust on my shelf. Time to dust it off and read it!

The story takes place in Dreach-Sciene where the magic has been gone for 20 years. The land is withering away. A war is threatening to break out. The only hope to return the magic to the land is through Prince Trystan. With the help of his friend and his sister, they take off to save the land. First, they must reunite the Tri-Gard who are the keepers of magic. 

This was pretty fun. The world is interesting and I feel bad that all the magic is gone and everything is slowly withering away. 

The beginning took foreverrrrrrrrrrrr, but it was setting up our characters and world. I just wanted more action and adventure. I'm sure book 2 will have more of that now that everything is established and in motion. 

I liked the sister and Davi. Trystan...meh so far. I'm sure he'll get better as we go along. *fingers crossed*

That poor king! D: Can't say why, but poor guy.

Not really sure how I feel about the romance aspect. It didn't take over the plot, thank goodness, but I feel like it was forced and cliche. Maybe I'll feel different later. 

OoooOOOoo that cliff hanger ending. Not cool. But it makes me curious to check out book 2. 

Overall, I liked this more than I thought I would. However, it did take me a while to warm up to the story and get hooked. I am curious about book 2. Someday maybe. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Audiobook Review: Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean

Author: Sarah MacLean
Narrator:  Justine Eyre

Title: Brazen and the Beast
(The Bareknuckle Bastards #2)

Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published:  August 29th 2016
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



The Lady’s Plan

When Lady Henrietta Sedley declares her twenty-ninth year her own, she has plans to inherit her father’s business, to make her own fortune, and to live her own life. But first, she intends to experience a taste of the pleasure she’ll forgo as a confirmed spinster. Everything is going perfectly... until she discovers the most beautiful man she’s ever seen tied up in her carriage and threatening to ruin the Year of Hattie before it’s even begun.

The Bastard’s Proposal

When he wakes in a carriage at Hattie’s feet, Whit, a king of Covent Garden known to all the world as Beast, can’t help but wonder about the strange woman who frees him—especially when he discovers she’s headed for a night of pleasure... on his turf. He is more than happy to offer Hattie all she desires... for a price.

An Unexpected Passion

Soon, Hattie and Whit find themselves rivals in business and pleasure. She won’t give up her plans; he won’t give up his power... and neither of them sees that if they’re not careful, they’ll have no choice but to give up everything... including their hearts.



Book 2! I was a little hesitant about this one because I didn't really like Whit in the last one. Some of his decisions made me mad! But I decided to give it ago. 

The story continues with Lady Henrietta who is SO old that she might as well throw in the rag because she is 29. She decides it is time to live her life and screw the rest of everyone. She wants to inherit her father's business because she is good and smart and better than her dumb brother. However, she discovers a man tied up in her carriage mysteriously and little does she know that this man may ruin the Year of Hattie. Whit wakes up in a carriage at Hattie's feet. He is called Beast because he is...well...a beast. He works side-by-side with his brother at Covent Garden smuggling in goods. Things happen and Hattie and Whit find themselves as rivals in business and pleasure. She won't give up her plans and he won't give in to love or let go of his power.

Okay...so I did not like Whit going into this one. However, my mind was quickly changed. I got to hear his side of stuff and plus his sister-in-law and brother are not mad so neither I am. He does what he does to protect those he loves. Okay. You win author...I adore Whit now. ;)

I liked Hattie immediately. I loved her zest to make her own life! Screw feeling bad for yourself. Screw those snotty people. AND WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU ENGLISH MEN!!!!!???? BIG BOOBS ARE NOT GROSS! YOU DO YOU HATTIE! WHIT LIKES YOUR BOOBS AND HEIGHT! Sorry. I wanted to shake someone because she is tall with big boobs. Why wouldn't the men like that? Gah. They want the little ones I guess.....boo on them. 

Loved, loved, LOVED Nora. She was fun. I am also liking this maybe relationship she may have. I guess we'll have to see what book 3 has in store. Too bad she isn't getting her own book. Boooooo. Maybe we'll get a side short story ;) That would be nice.

The narrator was fantastic as usual. She really brings these characters and world to life. 

Overall, this was fun. I loved Hattie and Whit. I also loved Nora. She was her own little gift to the reader/listener. I highly recommend reading/listening to book 1 first. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Challenge(s):

- #3 on Bingo sheet for Historical Romance

- #1 on THE BAD BOYS OF ROMANCE challenge



- #1 for Audiobook Challenge

Wordless Wednesday

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: The Clergyman's Wife by Molly Greeley

A Pride & Prejudice Novel

By: Molly Greeley

Narrated by: Susie Riddell

Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 12-03-19

Language: English

Publisher: HarperAudio

Historical fiction

In exchange for an honest review

Oh you all know I love PP variations! So I went for this one at once. This is not a romance. I do confess at times I wanted more for Charlotte, oh how I wished.

Charlotte made a choice. Probably remain a spinster and lie under her father's and then brother's roof and be a burden, or marry a man with a good standing and prospects. Even if he is not handsome, but neither is she. Even if her best friend wonders if she lost her mind, because he can sure be tiresome.

But she married, she moved away, she found she could do it.

There is their first time, and it really describes their lives. A bit sad, but normal life you know. A sensible life. A bit boring.

And then Lady Catherine orders a farmer to plant roses for them and, no, there is great love story. There is yearning and looks, and words. And I hoped, but how could one hope. It was not a sensible choice, and it was not possible either.

I liked this book. Charlotte sacrificed so she could have other things. A home of her own, children, a good life.

Narration by Susie Riddell

The narrator was good and she nailed Lady Catherine, oh how tiresome that woman is! This was easy listening too and when it ended I wanted more.

It might have been the first time listening to her, and I would listen to her again.

Charlotte Collins, nee Lucas, is the respectable wife of Hunsford’s vicar and sees to her duties by rote: keeping house, caring for their adorable daughter, visiting parishioners, and patiently tolerating the lectures of her awkward husband and his condescending patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Intelligent, pragmatic, and anxious to escape the shame of spinsterhood, Charlotte chose this life, an inevitable one so socially acceptable that its quietness threatens to overwhelm her. Then she makes the acquaintance of Mr. Travis, a local farmer and tenant of Lady Catherine.

In Mr. Travis’ company, Charlotte feels appreciated, heard, and seen. For the first time in her life, Charlotte begins to understand emotional intimacy and its effect on the heart - and how breakable that heart can be. With her sensible nature confronted, and her own future about to take a turn, Charlotte must now question the role of love and passion in a woman’s life and whether they truly matter for a clergyman’s wife.