Lara Loves Lit Book Reviews - August Part 1
My books from Sinners & Stardust
FEATURED REVIEWS
📚 The Not So Simple Life of Bud Knox
by @karengref
With my family coming from a small town in South Georgia, this small town Alabama story hits home and feels so realistic for the 70’s. Bud wanted more out of his life, but it seemed just out of reach, since he is juggling a wife and daughter as well as a secret lover and an affection for the local bar.
As fate seemingly intervenes, Bud finds himself in the spotlight and the chance to make more out of his life if he can keep out of his own way. The story winds itself through twists and turns, ultimately arriving at this character’s own redemption. Most of the book, I found myself wanting to slap Bud to get him to see the light. The side characters add a lot to the story, although his wife, Mona, and daughter, Cake, can appear almost as after thoughts when compared to the other colorful characters. Since this is written from Bud’s POV, it makes sense as he is mainly focused on his own needs for most of the book.
A relaxed-paced story with vivid descriptions, this is a great read for those looking for some spiritual inspiration.
Available on KU. Get your copy here.
A new adult romantasy by debut author Belle Walker.
“Loyalty and love can ruin you. But hope is the deadliest of all.”
This post-apocalyptic story pulled me in from the start. Demetria is one of the few survivors of the Ascension. She and her childhood friend, Jace, who lost both their parents in the Ascension, have managed to salvage an existence within a small hidden outpost with several other survivors. As attacks on humans increase, Demetria forgets the most important rule Jace taught her, “Never let your guard down, no matter how safe you think you are. Do so, and you die.”
When that mistake leads her into the hands of a dangerous enemy sent to exterminate her, she realizes he is actually “a horseman of the Apocalypse, and she was in so much trouble.”
With demons, angels, archangels and the four horseman of the apocalypse as part of this adventure, the story keeps you on the edge of your seat and eagerly wanting to find out what happens next. The slow burn romance keeps the tension taunt while weaving a tale of forbidden love.
I loved this book and cannot wait to read what happens next to Demetria, Kellan, Jace and the human race. Note that this book does end on a cliffhanger.
Heir of Blood and Moonlight by Lindsey Sparks
I am grateful to have received an ARC of this book, and it completely consumed me from start to finish. Literally, I couldn’t put it down! As the first book in the series, it starts with establishing the characters, plot and world of vampires, shifters and magic in which the series takes place, and its ending leaves you craving what will happen next.
Sophie’s quiet days of keeping a low profile working as a human librarian and living the single life with her cat, Sombra, comes to an abrupt end when the ghost of her sister warns her that the shifters from the House of the Sun have found her, and she must seek out protection from Gavin, a silver-eyed vampire.
As Sophie, weakened from so many years of not feeding, tries to regain her strength by satisfying her voracious appetites, Gavin begins to put things in motion to help fulfill her destiny. In order to do that, she needs to find all of her consorts including one from her past who protected her when she was young. With vampire queens and one of her consorts being held hostage by the House of the Sun, she sets out to free them all, but will they be able to pull off a rescue while Sophie is still not up to her full powers?
I loved how this book takes Sophie from isolation and loneliness into a life with found family and constant support as well as increasing danger. The lore of Selene, Helios and Eos that created the houses of the moon, sun and stars sets up the perfect world for Sophie’s story to unfold. With a lot of spice, well-developed plot, exciting action and mysteries still to unfold, reading this book was a pleasure, and I cannot wait to read the next one in the series.
(In order not to spoil anything, I have been vague on purpose about certain parts of the story and the characters).
The Cursed Dragon by @bodiesummers
“Her body turns cold, and so does mine as my fears have become a reality. He’s back. He’s here. For her. No.”
I mean the author seriously had me at dragons, but adding in greek mythology made this even more enticing for me to read. Ares is a fierce dragon shifter cursed to live away from his home and his mate. Each time he is reborn, he continues to search for her, even as a god, Cedric, is working against him to keep them separated in retribution for his wife’s affair with Ares.
Rodi is a netherling a low born unmated dragon rider, who has been groomed to be a slave to the dragons. All she wants is her freedom. When Ares says he is her mate, she doesn’t feel the bond or remember any of the past lives they have lived together; However, Rodi does feel a bond with Ethan, Ares’ Warden, and friend. As their passion grows, Ares’ jealousy threatens to keep Rodi unwilling to bond with him. As Ares wrestles with his own demons, Cedric finds them and is determined to make Rodi his mate.
Cleverly done, it takes a bit for the reader to figure out who the players are and what greek mythology they are from. I loved this retelling, especially as it shows growth in Ares and Rodi from their typical characterizations. The dragons are described beautifully which allows the reader to create a vivid picture of these dangerous majestic beasts. With spicy scenes, suspense and the fickleness of the gods, this was a captivating twist on the ancient myth and a great read.