Title: Bursts of Fire Series: Addicted to Heaven #1 Author: Susan Forest Publication date: August 6, 2019 Genres: Fantasy, New Adult ~~~~~
Publishers Lunch Buzz Books 2019 selection. Recommended by Publishers Weekly, Booklist (American Library Association), and Library Journal. Bursts of Fire begins an epic political fantasy of revenge, addictions, and redemption for three magiel sisters in an empire where magic has become suspect and where love and loyalty—for one’s lover, one’s family, one’s country—are tested. If Heaven desires the very earth be burned, what place can those below hope for, when the flames come for them? The Falkyn sisters bear a burden and a legacy. Their mother, the imperial magiel of the kingdom of Orumon, protects her people from the horrors of the afterlife by calling upon the Gods with a precious Prayer Stone. But war among the kingdoms has brought fire and destruction to their sheltered world. When a mad king’s desire to destroy the Prayer Stones shatters their family, the three girls are scattered to the wilderness, relying on their wits and powers they don’t yet master. Assassin. Battle tactician. Magic wielder. Driven by different ambitions, Meg, Janat, and Rennika are destined to become all these and more. To reclaim their birth right, they must overcome doubtful loyalties within a rising rebellion; more, they must challenge a dogma-driven chancellor’s influence on the prince raised to inherit his father’s war: a prince struggling to unravel the mystery of his brother’s addiction to Heaven. To Survive. To Fight. To Restore Balance.
Susan Forest grew up in a family of mountaineers and skiers, and she loves adventure. She also loves the big ideas found in SF/F, and finds fast-paced adventure stories a great place to explore how individuals grapple with complex moral decisions. Susan is also an award-winning fiction editor, has published over 25 short stories, and has appeared at many international writing conventions. She loves travel and has been known to dictate novels from the back of her husband's motorcycle. Follow Susan at http://addictedtoheaven.com/ and http://speculative-fiction.ca/
Everyone knows Nate Wilson, the most popular football quarterback and every girl’s crush.
But there’s more behind those drop-dead gorgeous eyes and that killer smile …
He’s a notorious heartbreaker …
And he’s got his eyes set on me.
The twisted games he plays are cruel and dangerous.
He teases and tempts me … just to ruin me.
Because I know the one thing he doesn’t want anyone to know.
A big, dirty secret …
And there’s nothing bad boys won’t do to keep a secret buried.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions in my review are my own.
Wow! This book blew me away! This is the kind of story that pulls you in, grips you by the throat, and takes you hostage.
I very much enjoyed the writing style. The way the author writes the story is so atmospheric that you feel like you are living the story alongside the characters. There are twists and turns in this story that I didn't see coming. I liked that this bully story also shines a light on the bully's thinking as well as the victim with multiple POV storytelling. The plot of this story is compelling with bits and pieces of the plot sprinkled throughout the story to combine into something amazing by the end.
I loved the two main characters and the electric chemistry that they shared. Sam has something that Nate wants so he is horrible to her. Luckily, she isn't one to take it lying down. I loved that she was able to dish it right back out at Nate. Through all the back and forth between these two, it is easy to see that they would be perfect together. They have a definite connection. Both were well developed with plenty of depth.
Overall, this is a story that will consume you from start to finish. If bully romance is your jam then this story is one that you want on your shelf. I am so eager for the next story from this author!
“Your phone’s not here. I’m sorry to disappoint you,” he says, stepping closer. “Anything else I can help you with?” “I … uh …” God, why am I this way around him? It doesn’t make any sense. He’s a bully. I should hate him. But oh my God, I want to kiss him so badly too, and it shows. For every step he takes closer, I take one back even though my body hungers to get close. I shouldn’t give in; it’s not right. Everyone in this school thinks he’s guilty. Hell, maybe even I do. I don’t know yet. But what I do know is that he’s beyond bad, and I’m melting into a puddle just from that dirty look in his eyes as he traps me in a corner. No way out. This is it. We’re in the showers backed up against a wall. Hormones rage through my body as he places a hand on the wall beside me and cocks his head. “Are you still scared of me?” he asks. I rub my lips together. I can’t say because I don’t know the answer. “I don’t … know. I don’t know anything anymore,” I whisper. “You don’t know, or you don’t want to know?” I try to find the truth in his eyes, but all I find is hunger … a kind of hunger that you can feel in your bones and consumes your every waking thought. “You’re scared that you actually like me,” he murmurs. His forehead leans against mine. “You’re scared of what might happen if you let me kiss you,” he whispers, his mouth a hair’s breadth away from mine. “You’re scared of what might happen if you let me have you … If you become mine.” Suddenly, the showers turn on right above us. Fuck, I must’ve hit them with my back. We’re getting soaking wet, but he’s not moving … and neither am I. “You threw me in the pool. Hung my panties on my locker. Made fun of me in front of your friends,” I mutter, trying to create more distance, trying to push him away, trying to make up reasons this shouldn’t happen. “You heard Layla when she said—” He places a finger on my lips, droplets of water dripping down onto my skin. “I don’t give a fuck what Layla says or thinks. I only give a fuck about what you think of me.” His words strike me to my core. Never in a million years did I imagine this happening, that I’d be standing here getting soaking wet in the locker rooms with Falcon Elite Prep’s worst bad boy, the star athlete, and most popular guy at school … and that I’d want nothing more than to kiss him. “I did those things to get my way, to get you to fear me, to get you to submit …” he murmurs. “To get what I want.” “The photos,” I reply. “And you,” he whispers, gazing straight into my eyes, setting my heart on fire. “I want you, and I know you want me too.” Our lips touch, and sparks fly. The first touch is always the best, where our lips still linger on should-I-or-should-I-not. But we both know that phase has long since passed. I can’t say no to him anymore. And suddenly, his kisses aren’t so soft anymore. His mouth claims mine with a greed I’ve never felt before, and it excites me to my core. His hand is on my waist, his body against mine, and I can feel every ridge of his muscles, every inch of skin against my own … and the bulge poking against my belly. It turns me on like nothing else ever has. The hand that was on the wall entwines with mine as our tongues lock and engage in a battle of lust. Suddenly, he grabs my wrists and pins them up against the wall, and I can’t. Fucking. Breathe.
Clarissa Wild is a New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of Dark Romance and Contemporary Romance novels. She is an avid reader and writer of swoony stories about dangerous men and feisty women. Her other loves include her hilarious husband, her two crazy but cute dogs, and her ninja cat that sometimes thinks he's a dog too. In her free time she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, playing video games, reading tons of books, and cooking her favorite meals.
Want to get an email when my next book is released? Sign up here to receive 4 FREE short stories: http://eepurl.com/FdY71
Rockstar Lincoln Grant is off-limits. But that hasn’t stopped his assistant, Lark Sutton, from wanting him.
Lark put her own music dreams aside when she took a position working for the scandalous, playboy rockstar. After he finally does the unthinkable, she leaves him to pursue her own music and re-invent herself. Eighteen months later, Lincoln’s band comes knocking at her door, begging her to come back to help them with an out-of-control Lincoln.
At first, Lincoln tries to resist her help, but soon he finds that he’s falling for her. Will Lincoln change Lark’s mind about him or will she leave him and the band once and for all?
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions in my review are my own.
I really loved this story of hidden love. Both main characters in this story are in love with the other but Lincoln pushes Lark away because he thinks that he is not good enough for her.
I liked the characters and the chemistry they had. Lark is a character that is so easy to relate to. Lincoln could be frustrating at times, but deep down his heart was in the right place. I liked the backstory and that both main characters had plenty of growth and depth.
Overall, this was a cute story that is very balanced in emotion and lightheartedness. There is humor, raw emotion, and totally relatable characters. I definitely recommend this to anyone that enjoys rockstar romances.
S.E. Rose lives in the DMV. And if you know what that means, then you know where she lives. She currently resides with her husband, two children, and always at least two cats and usually other random creatures her children decide they need. While she works at a desk during the day, her evenings and weekends are devoted to writing and editing her romance novels. She loves all things wine, coffee, tea and dark chocolate; that’s right, dark chocolate. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, traveling, going to concerts, and reading.
My name is Vanessa a.k.a. Queen Alchemy. I am a 30-something-year-old mother of four nerdy, fantastic children. We live in the Midwest. I have a reading addiction, and I hope that I never recover! I'm the hugest nerd you can find with interests not limited to the following: comics (Batman and Captain America for the win!), science, computers, zombies, unicorns, Harry Potter, cartoons from the 80's & 90's, Frankenstein, history, crafting, cooking & baking, Star Wars, digital scrapbooking, D&D, Minecraft, Hello Kitty, horror, metalcore, royalty, tattoos & piercings, bright colors, and so much more!
My name is Vanessa a.k.a. Queen Alchemy. I am a 30-something-year-old mother of four nerdy, fantastic children. We live in the Midwest. I have a reading addiction, and I hope that I never recover! I'm the hugest nerd you can find with interests not limited to the following: comics (Batman and Captain America for the win!), science, computers, zombies, unicorns, Harry Potter, cartoons from the 80's & 90's, Frankenstein, history, crafting, cooking & baking, Star Wars, digital scrapbooking, D&D, Minecraft, Hello Kitty, horror, metalcore, royalty, tattoos & piercings, bright colors, and so much more!
