Crowns of Nyaxia Book 2.5: Slaying the Vampire Conqueror by Carissa Broadbent

 

Crowns of Nyaxia Book 2.5

Sylina has sacrificed everything for her goddess–her soul, her freedom, her eyes. Life in service to the Arachessen, a cult of the Goddess of Fate, has turned Sylina from orphaned street-rat to disciplined killer, determined to overthrow Glaea’s tyrannical king. But when a brutal vampire conqueror arrives on their shores, Sylina faces an even deadlier adversary. She’s tasked with a crucial mission: infiltrate his army, earn his trust… and kill him.

Atrius is a terrifying warrior carving an unstoppable path through Glaea. Yet when Sylina becomes his seer, she glimpses a dark and shocking past–and a side of him that reminds her far too much of parts of herself she’d rather forget. Sylina’s orders are clear. The conqueror cannot live. But as the blood spilled by Glaea’s tyrant king runs thicker, her connection with Atrius only grows stronger. A connection forbidden by her vows. A connection that could cost her everything. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123368729-slaying-the-vampire-conqueror

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Sylina has sacrificed a lot in her life for the goddess she follows. Life as part of the Arachessen has never been easy. And Sylina has been given her most difficult challenge yet. Kill the vampire conqueror who has arrived on their shores. Become his seer, earn his trust, then destroy him. Yet, things begin to change bit by bit the more she spends time with Atrius. For someone who is blind, she sees a lot. There is more to the story here. And he surprises her at every turn as he leads his army through Glaea. In the end, she’ll have to decide what is the right choice. Kill him or betray those who saved her? I really loved Sylina’s story! She was definitely a very interesting character. Her cult blinds themselves so that they may see better. The magic they possess is super interesting and add in being a seer? Even cooler. I loved seeing her really become who she was meant to be as the story progressed. She was taking parts of her self from her past and present and the more she learned to listen to her heart, the more she was able to figure out what was truly right and wrong. Then there is Atrius. Like Sylina, you are intrigued when you meet him. In previous books we learn a bit of the House of Blood and now we see them up close with Atrius and the people he leads. Him and Sylina are so similar. They are both warriors who just want to protect their people. Overall, I really loved this story! You definitely don’t want to miss this addition to this world. And I can’t wait to dive into the next one!

Crowns of Nyaxia Book 2: The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

 

Crowns of Nyaxia Book 2

From the New York Times bestselling author Carissa Broadbent, comes The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King, the gutting second installment of the Crowns of Nyaxia series, full of heartbreak, redemption, blood intrigue and heart-pounding action.

Love is a sacrifice at the altar of power.

In the wake of the Kejari, everything Oraya once thought to be true has been destroyed. A prisoner in her own kingdom, grieving the only family she ever had, and reeling from a gutting betrayal, she no longer even knows the truth of her own blood. She’s left only with one certainty: she cannot trust anyone, least of all Raihn.

Raihn’s own nobles are none too eager to accept a Turned king, especially one who was once a slave. And the House of Blood digs their claws into the kingdom, threatening to tear it apart from the inside.

When Raihn offers Oraya a secret alliance, taking the deal is her only chance at reclaiming her kingdom–and gaining her vengeance against the lover who betrayed her. But to do so, she’ll need to harness a devastating ancient power, intertwined with her father’s greatest secrets.

But with enemies closing in on all sides, nothing is as it seems. As she unravels her past and faces her future, Oraya finds herself forced to choose between the bloody reality of seizing power–and the devastating love that could be her downfall.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/198902263-the-ashes-the-star-cursed-king

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Oraya is stuck between grief and heartbreak and anger after the end of Kerjari. Losing her father by the hands of the man she saved and fell in love with, she is now a prisoner in her own kingdom. But that isn’t enough. Because everything she thought she knew about herself was wrong. Her father is gone and any answers he had are gone with him. She is finding it hard to lift her head from her feelings and begin to take action. Raihn never planned for any of this to happen. A deal to save Oraya knowing he wouldn’t make it out alive, changed the moment she wished for him back. And all he wants is to see the fight in her to come back. His own heart breaks to see what his actions have caused. But bit by bit, Oraya begins to claw herself back for purpose. Even if it means aligning herself with Raihn once more. Because they will need one another to defeat the real enemy in their kingdom. A heartbreaking beginning to this story for sure! You could see how much it hurt both Oraya and Raihn after everything that happened. Their feelings for one another are so strong but breaks before they can truly begin. But that doesn’t mean it is gone. No, they are piecing it together bit by bit. Because no matter how angry and hurt Oraya is, deep down she knows she won’t hurt Raihn. And Raihn has done everything he can to protect her knowing it could lead to her hating him more. But I loved how these two clawed their way back to one another. The story only gets more interesting when secrets are revealed and new and old enemies make their moves. This series is just so good! And I’m so glad to have more to read and more that are on the way. A great conclusion to Oraya and Raihn’s story! At least for now! Because after everything that happened, anything could be in their future.

Cherry Ice by Addison Beck

 

Levi

I've never been anything special. I'm just your typical nerd, happy with myself, but inexperienced in every way. That is until the king of college football asks me out on a date and my clueless self has no idea what to do. So, I turn to the only person who's always been able to help me through anything. 

Mav is just like me. A nerd deep to the core. When faced with problems we don't understand, research is always the best option, right?

All it will take to win over my dream guy is Mav's help, some instructional videos, and a lot of cherry slushies. 

Mav

My best friend and I aren't exactly what you'd consider 'cool'. We like video games, studying, and doing well in school. That all changes when the most popular guy on campus asks Levi out on a date. Now he wants my help in making sure he's ready for his first time which means giving him mine too. 

What happens when first times lead me to having forever-eyes for my best friend? The same best friend who only sees me as a research partner?

But Levi has always been mine and I'm going to make sure he sees that. 

Cherry Ice is a 16k MM romance that was previously a part of the Popped Anthology. Stay tuned for two adorkable best friends trying to figure out their first times.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222662041-cherry-ice

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I originally read this novella when it was in the Popped Anthology and thought it was adorable! And I loved rereading it now and getting some bonus content after the story! This is just an adorable story about Levi and Mav. Two best friends who have no experience when it comes to dating. But when Levi is asked out by a popular football player, he suddenly becomes nervous about having zero experience. In order to get ready to have a first date, Levi asks Mav for his help. But for every first they have together, it just brings them even closer together. Opening their eyes to what has been between them all along. Such a cute best friends to lovers story! These guys were just adorable as they figured out how they truly felt about one another. And the bonus content was definitely worth it!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Crowns of Nyaxia Book 1.5: Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent

 

Crowns of Nyaxia Book 1.5

Six roses. Six vials of blood. Six visits to a vampire who could be her salvation… or her damnation.

Lilith has been dying since the day she was born. But while she long ago came to terms with her own imminent death, the deaths of everyone she loves is an entirely different matter. As her town slowly withers in the clutches of a mysterious god-cursed illness, she takes matters into her own hands.

Desperate to find a cure, Lilith strikes a bargain with the only thing the gods hate even more than her village: a vampire, Vale. She offers him six roses in exchange for six vials of vampire blood–the one hope for her town’s salvation.

But when what begins as a simple transaction gradually becomes something more, Lilith is faced with a terrifying realization: It’s dangerous to wander into the clutches of a vampire… and in a place already suffering a god’s wrath, more dangerous still to fall in love with one.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123027751-six-scorched-roses

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Death has been by Lilith’s side since the moment she was born and has never strayed far from her. But now, Death comes for her whole town when their god cursed them with an illness. Lilith will not stand aside though. She has spent so much time on research and medicines to find a curse. And her latest idea maybe her craziest. She meets with Vale, a vampire who lives nearby, and makes a deal. His blood for six roses. But every encounter they have, draws them closer together in ways neither could have predicted. But time is running out. Can Lilith find the cure in time? Really loved Lilith and Vale’s story! They both have this thirst for knowledge and I loved how they eventually worked together. They also just understood one another in ways no one has truly gotten them. With a step always out the door to death, Lilith has never been able to form connections with anyone knowing she will be gone faster than any of them. But I loved how their relationship progressed. And these two were just so interesting of characters. I will definitely be excited to make cameos (which I’m hoping they do!) in upcoming books. I also just loved the little twists and turns the story had and just a very satisfying ending. Loving this series!

Cover Reveal!

NOT CATCHING LOVE

Accidental Love #5

by Saxon James

Cover & Excerpt Reveal

Release Date: January 30, 2025

Cover Design: Story Styling Cover Designs

Photo: Michelle Lancaster

Model: Andy

Genre: M/M Romance

Trope: Nurse x Artist, friends to lovers, hurt/comfort, forbidden romance, slow burn, it's about time, found family

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Synopsis

Xander

There’s something seriously wrong with me.

For once, I’m not talking about the health anxiety that randomly pops up and wreaks havoc on my life. I'm talking about, well, everything else.

All my roommates have found someone to love them, and it hurts to see the guys who used to have me at the center of their worlds pair off and grow up, especially when it’s a reminder of everything wrong with me. I’ve always had an issue with relationships. With forming a connection with people outside of Seven, but this is more.

Because I want to find my someone.

Except the one person my brain has latched onto is the one person I can never have. The one person who’s there to help me when my panic attacks get too much.

Nurse Derek.

Derek

I should never have offered to treat Xander Moore.

And now here I am years later, my life on hold, while I wait day in and day out for the call that Xander needs me. It always comes, and I always answer, but I’m starting to dread those visits.

Lately, I’m looking at Xander in a way a medical professional should never look at their patient.

When Xander starts volunteering at the same nursing home that I do, I get to see a new side of him. The artistic, charismatic side that draws the residents in. I get glimpses of a man who’s so much more than his anxiety, and it does nothing to help my feelings for him.

When lines begin to blur, I have no choice but to stop treating him. That at least allows us to be friends. The only problem is, being friends isn’t enough for either of us.

It’s wrong, unethical, and unprofessional, but my heart won’t listen. It’s decided on Xander, and it doesn’t want to wait. Neither does Xander.

But if I want to keep my job, I have to resist.

I just wish he didn’t make that so difficult.

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Add to your TBR List!

GOODREADS LINK

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Excerpt

I take his hands. “What are we doing?”

“Twist our swings together, then when we let go, we’ll go flying.”

“That sounds dangerous.”

“Okay, grandpa.”

Fuck it. I’d wanted to be more fun and remember that age is only a number and here’s Xander helping me find that side of myself again. “Let’s go.”

We twist our swings together around and around and around, until the tension on the old chains gets so tight, I’m sure they’re going to snap. My feet barely reach the ground, and Xander’s definitely don’t. Our knees are crushed between each others’. Xander’s so close, he could lean in and bump our noses together.

“I’m ninety percent sure one of us is going to hurt ourselves,” I say.

He lifts a slight shoulder. “I’m not scared. I don’t think I’ve stopped hurting a day in my life.”

“That’s … Xander …”

His eyes are purple again. I haven’t seen the gray since the day I got home, and he watches me for a long moment. “It’s always so weird seeing people react to the things I say.”

“Why?”

“Because it means nothing to me. I don’t feel it. I don’t connect with it. But you do. That’s … so weird.”

“It’s called empathy.”

“I don’t know if I have that,” he whispers. “I know I’m supposed to.”

There he goes underestimating himself again. “How would you feel if Molly was sad?”

“Angry. I’d want to fix it.”

“Because you care about him.”

Xander nods. “Sometimes more than Seven.”

That’s surprising. “I thought Seven was everything to you.”

“He is. But Seven can look after himself. Molly’s … precious. Too breakable.”

“Molly seems like a very capable man, not that I know him well.”

Xander thinks for a long moment. “They’re mine, you know. Both of them.”

“I know.”

“And if anything happens between … I know I joke, but, like, us or … whoever. If I ever find someone who doesn’t get sick of me one day, they’ll be his as well.”

It’s like a knife to my fucking chest every time he says things like that. Sick of him? No one can get sick of Xander. I’ve seen the way his friends love him. The way the residents love him. How much Seven and Molly care. And I know how I feel about him as well.

My fingers find his cheek and fuck me it’s so soft. His eyes drift closed and my heart is beating out of my chest.

“Xander, I—”

Xander’s eyes snap open. “Now!” He lets go and flings away from me. The chains untangle in an aggressive twist that shoots me one way and yanks me the other. I nearly lose it backward off the seat and when I’m finally sure it’s stopped trying to murder me, I suck down a breath and look over at him.

Xander’s whole face is flushed bright.

“Never again.”

He cracks up laughing as I’m still trying to orient myself.

I’m never going to survive him.

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Pre-order Link

Amazon Universal ~ https://geni.us/NotCatchingLovePL

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Giveaway

One of Five eARC's for Not Catching Love

a Rafflecopter Giveaway

ENTER HERE

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Other Titles Within this Series

THE HUSBAND HOAX

Accidental Love #1

PURCHASE

NOT DATING MATERIAL

Accidental Love #2

PURCHASE

THE REVENGE AGENDA

Accidental Love #3

PURCHASE

JUST BROMANTICALLY INVESTED

Accidental Love #4

PURCHASE

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About the Author

Saxon James unapologetically writes happy endings for LGBT+ characters.

While not writing, SM is a readaholic and Netflix addict who regularly lives on a sustainable diet of chocolate and coffee.

Member of SCBWI.

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Connect with Saxon

Website: https://saxonjamesauthor.com/

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Twitter: https://bit.ly/3IabmeL

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Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2ZXjp9C

Bookbub Author Page: https://bit.ly/3fKt5MC

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Crowns of Nyaxia Book 1: The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

 

Crowns of Nyaxia Book 1

Human or vampire, the rules of survival are the same: never trust, never yield, and always – always – guard your heart.

The adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself.

But winning won’t be easy amongst the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival.

Everything about Raihn is dangerous. He is a ruthless vampire, an efficient killer, an enemy to her father’s crown… and her greatest competition. Yet, what terrifies Oraya most of all is that she finds herself oddly drawn to him.

But there’s no room for compassion in the Kejari. War for the House of Night brews, shattering everything that Oraya thought she knew about her home. And Raihn may understand her more than anyone – but their blossoming attraction could be her downfall, in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60714999-the-serpent-and-the-wings-of-night

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Took me like a year to read this book, and I don’t know why I put it off for so long! Though, I have to say, it’s probably a good thing since that means more of the series came out and I won’t have to wait. When I heard about this book, I had a feeling I would really enjoy it. And I’m glad to be proven right! Oraya was found as a child by Vincent, the Nightborn vampire king. A human living among very dangerous vampires means of life of constantly looking over your shoulder and fighting tooth and nail to survive. And it becomes very clear that Vincent loves his adopted daughter and will not only protect her, but teach her to protect herself. And when the time comes for the legendary tournament of Kejari to begin, Oraya knows she must enter and win. But the tournament comes with many dangers and many surprises. And at one point she finds herself allied with Raihn. He becomes her greatest competition but as they spend time together, she is drawn to him in ways she can’t afford to feel. And it is clear how he starts to feel for her as well. But neither can afford to lose and this tournament will challenge them at every turn. It will taking everything they have to survive. It took me a hot minute to get into the story and world, but once I was in, I couldn’t put this story down. There is so much to Oraya and Raihn and the more I got to know them, the more I loved them together and apart. The end was insane with some pretty crazy twists and turns. I’m super excited to see where this series takes us!

LSU Book 4: Dared by Becca Steele

 

LSU Book 4

From USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Becca Steele comes a new standalone M/M college romance.

When I discovered that my online gaming friend was Leo Evans, a student from my university, I had no idea how much my life would change. 

On paper, we’re complete opposites. 

He’s a shy computing student and I’m an outgoing footballer. 

Yet there’s an undeniable connection between us. 

Despite our differences, he’s become my closest friend, and I'm on a mission to make him see himself the way I see him. 

So I’ve been daring him to do things to get him out of his comfort zone, to prove to himself that he’s capable of so much more than he thinks he is.

Then…Leo turns the tables on me.

He dares me to kiss him.

It’s supposed to be for practice. 

But then it happens again.

And again. 

It started with a dare.

It wasn’t supposed to turn into something more…

Dared is the fourth book in the LSU series. Each book can be read as a standalone.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217923095-dared

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

This might be my favorite of the series! Finn and Leo are so cute! Leo has some major social anxiety. And he tries really hard to push past when he can. His major may be computing, but he has decided to minor in dance despite his anxiety. One place he really feels like himself is when he is playing a computer game with his online friend. But never could he have imagined that his online friend is closer than he thinks. Finn loves playing football at school but has come to really like being able to go home and play his online game with his new friend. And when circumstances lead to them getting to meet in person, everything changes for the better. Leo has never felt comfortable with anyone the way he is with Finn. So much so, that Finn has learned to read Leo so well. And they have this game of dares that helps Leo breakout of his comfort zone and give him the confidence he needs to try something new. And even when he feels like he messed up, Finn is there to assure him he is right by his side and he isn’t going anywhere. They’ve just become one another’s best friend. But those feelings shift bit by bit the more they spend time together. It was adorable how these two didn’t really realize that the way they were acting was way more than just two friends. But I loved that about them. They went by their own pace and slowly figured it out themselves. They were just so sweet together and I adored their friendship and relationship. Like I said, this was probably my favorite of the series so far!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.